08/20/24

Good morning! It’s Tuesday, August 20th.

National Radio Day

A radio is like a podcast, but you had to just know when things would be on

Wild times/

And now, the news.

Israel-Hamas War

-via AP News

Let’s start with the Israel-Hamas war where, on Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Israel has accepted a proposal that bridges the things holding up a ceasefire deal and hostage release. Now he is calling on Hamas to do the same. Blinken now heads to Egypt and Qatar to continue negotiations.

This does not mean that, should Hamas accept the proposal, we’re on to an immediate ceasefire. This is only step one of like… more than two, I guess.

It’s not currently known what’s in the agreement that Israel gave the thumbs up emoji on, but last week Hamas said they are losing faith in the United States as a mediator, because they believe the US is siding with Israel. As such, there are a few nonstarters, including letting Israel control two areas inside of Gaza.

So… TBD I guess.

Last week, the number of deaths in Gaza surpassed 40,000.

Sicilian Yacht Search

-via CNN

The search is on for six people who have gone missing after a tornado struck a luxury yacht off the coast of Sicily early Monday morning. One person has died.

Among those missing is Mike Lynch, the founder of Autonomy, a multibillion-dollar accounting software company. So far fifteen people have been rescued.

A tornado. In the ocean.

I didn’t even know that was possible.

I’m gonna be thinking about that for a while.

Georgia Election

-via CNN

On Monday the Georgia State Election Board passed a rule that gives local election officials added power to investigate ballot counts before they are certified. Which really is just a great time to remind us all that, just like in 2020, we’re not going to have the full presidential election results on Tuesday November 5th.

Counting is going to take a while.

That’s okay.

We don’t need campaigns that last 57 years and we don’t need results in hours. It doesn’t mean anything’s fishy.

However, right now this, this is fishy. Because The “Rule for Reconciliation Prior to Certification” allows for a hand recount of votes that ensures “the total number of ballots cast” does not exceed “the total number of persons who voted.” And I don’t mean to blow your mind or anything but the rate of fraud by voters is so incredibly low that it actually hard ever happens. So when someone creates a whole law that slows down the process just so they can make sure fraud isn’t happening.

Then it’s safe to admit that the fraud is coming from inside the house…

Anyway, just start preparing yourself for the fact that it might be a few days before we can officially call Veep Harris President-Elect Harris.

DNC 2024

-via NY Times

And speaking of the election… Monday night was the first night of the DNC!

Kamala Harris made a surprise visit and it basically took the roof off.

New York’s Governor Hochul said Trump doesn’t have New York values. Which is true because have you ever heard him say fugetaboutit? No. Exactly!

Mayor Karen Bass said when that she asked Harris, the first female Vice President, to swear her in as the first female mayor of Los Angeles, it was to send a message to young girls that they can also lead.

Hillary Clinton spoke about being “so close” to breaking through the “highest, hardest glass ceiling.” And to be honest, I go back and forth about having an absolute blast during this campaign and getting very emotional thinking about what it’s going to be like to watch Kamala Harris be sworn in so I’m just going to note that Hillary speaking did bring some people to tears.

And of course, it all led up to President Biden passing the baton and uh… well I gotta be honest, that’s where I started recording this episode. I have no doubt it was a great speech though. Very motivational. Very emotion.

Good job Mr. President (guys listen – I’m trying to balance all the things right now. I can’t sit around for his whole speech!)

So all in all – it was a big night. A fun night.

77 more days!

And that’s it. That’s the news.

I’m proud of the Democrats.

It’s Kalama Harris or fascism.

Might as well have some fun while we’re getting through this.

I’m also proud of radios. I guess.

But more radios… because you’ll never go out of style… I’m proud of you.