08/09/24
Good morning! It’s Friday, August 9th.
National Book Lovers Day
Oh man… books? Are you kidding me?
And now, the news.
Israel-Hamas War
Starting with the Israel-Hamas war as the US, Egypt, and Qatar all tell Israel and Hamas that it’s time to resume cease-fire talks next week.
In a joint statement, the leaders of all three countries said: "It is time to bring immediate relief both to the long-suffering people of Gaza as well as the long-suffering hostages and their families. The time has come to conclude the ceasefire and hostages and detainees release deal."
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has ordered yet another mass evacuation, this time in southern Gaza. Prior to Israel’s war with Hamas and the overtaking of Gaza, this was Gaza’s second-largest city.
The Health Ministry in Gaza says the death toll in Gaza is nearing 40,000, which includes ore than 15,000 kids.
Update: Taylor Swift Vienna Concert
-via NBC News
There isn’t much more known about the planned attack on Taylor Swift’s Vienna concert, other than – hey, this was a serious threat.
The main suspect had plans to kill himself as well as a large number of other people with knives and explosive devices. Police found assembled homemade explosives as well as detonator cables at his apartment.
By the sound of it all, it seems like this planned attack was not specifically because it was Taylor Swift, but rather because Taylor Swift was going to create a large crowd.
Election 2024
-via AP News (Debate), Cooks (Polling), and Washington Post (Project 2025)
And how about some election news?
Trump has recommitted to a debate with Kamala Harris on ABC on September 10th. That guy is going through it, which I’m fine with, and tried to get the debate to be on Fox News in front of a packed arena. But apparently his team realized it didn’t matter, dude’s gonna get stomped no matter what, so it’s back to being on ABC.
I am begging you to not listen to anyone that’s like “Trump and Kamala have agreed to a debate.”
Kamala was always going to be there. This thing was planned back when Biden was the nominee and Kamala was going to do it. Trump chickened out. He’s back now.
It’s going to be fun to watch.
Trump currently claims to want three. I have a hard time believing that will be the case after the first one but I guess we’ll see?
These debates are crucial (which is wild because, historically, they don’t really move the needle). According to polling by Cooks, Kamala has taken a narrow nationwide lead, as well as cutting into Trump’s battleground state leads by anywhere from two to five points.
This does not mean we can relax! No relaxing ever, that’s my motto (as we all know). But it is NICE.
And just in case you need a reminder of what’s at stake in this election… although he claims he knows nothing about Project 2025 but also agrees with some of it and wishes them luck in and and all endeavors…
In April of 2022, Trump shared a 45-minute private plane ride the with president of the Heritage Foundation, Kevin Roberts. There’s a picture of them together, sitting right next to each other. People bond on private planes!
And as if that wasn’t enough – in an interview with the Washington Post, Roberts said: “I personally have talked to President Trump about Project 2025 because my role in the project has been to make sure that all of the candidates who have responded to our offer for a briefing on Project 2025 get one from me.”
So that sure sounds like he knows about Project 2025.
Not great!
Hey here’s something about Project 2025 – they want to get rid of almost all overtime pay, except when it comes to working on the Sabbath, because they want to turn this into a Christian Nationalist government. However, they want to force everyone back to work without working hybrid. Part of is literally says: “Dept of Labor should clarify that a home office is not subject to OSHA regulations and that time to set up a home office is not compensable time or eligible for overtime calculations. DOL should likewise clarify that reimbursement for home office expenses is not part of an employee’s regular rate, even if those reimbursements are repetitive (such as for internet or cell phone service).
Classic party of small government deciding how private companies pay their employees.
Weirdos.
And that’s it. That’s the news.
Again, we love to see it!
Medal update!
Team USA leads in total medals with 103. China has 73 and France has 54. Team USA also leads in individual medals with 30 gold, 38 silver, and 35 bronze. Australia has 18 gold, third behind China’s 29.
But I’m mad at Australia – not as a country just as an athletic body because their women’s water polo team beat Team USA in a shootout. It was very stressful.
Unless you’re listening to this and are also my boss. In which case… I read about it at home.
Hey speaking of reading… great time to remind you I wrote a sad little book called December and you can buy it and hold it in your hands and if I know you did that I will be very bashful but also appreciative and it’s really a sight to behold!
But more than… obviously more than me… because you’re so excellent… I’m proud of you.