08/19/24
Good morning! It’s Monday, August 19th.
National Potato Day
Let me put you onto something that I know sounds gross but this is a safe space so let me just own my truth and tell you… sweet potatoes with vinegar topping.
So weird.
So good.
And now, the news.
Update on Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
Let’s start with an update on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where it appears that, perhaps, the whole thing has changed with Ukraine’s successful move into the Kursk region of Russia.
After last week’s surprise move across the border into Russia, Ukraine’s President Zelensky has finally stated the reason for the move which is, according to him, to create a buffer between Russia and Ukraine.
Over the weekend, Ukraine destroyed one bridge and hit a second one, disrupting the supply chain of deliveries to Russian forces in Ukraine.
With those two bridges hit, there is only one bridge left in the area – I guess we’ll see how long that’s true.
For their part, President Zelensky is asking allies to remove the restrictions keeping Kyiv from moving further into the country.
On the Russian side, back in May Putin their move into Ukraine was to create a buffer zone which is… confusing but if Russia’s looking for a buffer zone, they could always consider, you know, leaving Ukraine. Feels like that’s a pretty quick way to create a buffer zone.
Michael Brown – Ten Years Later
-via NPR
Ten years after the death of her son, and one year after filing a claim with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the International Human Rights Commission held a hearing last month on the charges that the government deprived Michael Brown of his right to live when Officer Darren Wilson murdered him in Ferguson, Missouri on August 9th, 2014.
As a reminder, Wilson resigned but was never charged for shooting 18-year-old Michael Brown six times after a brief altercation between the two. Brown was unarmed. After the shooting, it took four hours before his body was removed from the street.
His death kicked off a series of protests, which at times turned violent, in Ferguson. There were fifteen days of protests after the death of Brown, another nine after Wilson was not indicted, and an additional two days on the year anniversary of Brown’s death.
Ten years on, Brown’s mother is asking that the commission demand the Department of Justice to appoint a special prosecutor who will investigate her son’s death, as well as demand that Missouri’s governor appoint a special prosecutor to investigate why Wilson was never prosecuted.
George Santos to Plead Guilty
-via NY Times
Something to keep an eye out for today – a few weeks before the start of his trial on 23 felony charges about things such as the easiest googlable lies in the world, George Santos is expected to plead guilty to avoid trial.
It’s not yet known what the terms of his plea will be, but I hope part of his sentencing includes some serious therapy. That’s not a well mind, ya know?
Election 2024
-via CBS News (DNC), Washington Post (Polling), and NBC News (Sen. Graham)
And speaking of elections (so see the way I got there is that there are many reasons Santos should have never been elected, including primarily that he is a lying liar that lies, but also democrats should have been fighting for every single seat and we’re going to take the House back this year by not being lazy about seats we should be winning)…
So speaking of elections! The Democratic National Convention starts today and while the RNC included a bunch of weirdos literally wearing napkins and tampons on their ears to show they support Trump, this one is going to be cool.
The full schedule has not yet been announced but tonight’s theme is “For the People” and is expected to pay tribute to President Biden.
Tomorrow’s theme is "A Bold Vision For the Future," and it will include a speech by President Obama. Wednesday is "A Fight For Freedom," with Speaker Pelosi and President Clinton, as well as future Veep Walz.
And finally, on Thursday, Veep Harris will officially take the nomination. The theme for that day is "For the Future."
Among their sweeping platform is "a negotiated two-state solution that ensures Israel's future as a Jewish and democratic state with recognized borders and upholds the right of Palestinians to live in freedom and security in a viable state of their own." I mention this because we should expect to see thousands of protestors outside of the convention calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as 30 delegates who will represent the “uncommitted” vote.
Expect the tone of the four days, as well as the general tone for the next 78 days to be cautious optimism – all gas no brakes.
Because new polling shows Harris with a 4-point lead nationally, including putting Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, and Georgia back into play.
This is among likely voters.
Those states, as well as Michigan and Wisconsin, put Harris at 300 electoral college votes. That’s without Pennsylvania. Adding Pennsylvania gives her 319 votes.
She can win this. This whole thing is about one thing and one thing only... turnout.
78 days.
Let’s go win this thing.
And that’s it. That’s the news.
I’m proud of… voters. People who vote and talk to their friends to make sure they’re registered to vote.
Also potatoes. Hard workers. Super versatile.
But more than a sweet potato roasted with a little salt and pepper, because you are also perfection… I’m proud of you.