The Fundamentals

For the week of September 9, 2024

Sep 16, 2024

Welcome to the weekly newsletter, where I share my musings on world events. I’ll also use this to identify those deserving of our collective side-eye. I’ll share thought-provoking online gems or things that make me laugh (because we need both). And sometimes, I may include personal nonsense. I hope this brightens your week and makes you think.

Nonsense

What’s Goin’ On?

Emmy Award winners!

Legendary actor Kathy Bates announces that her current project, a reboot of Matlock, will be her last acting gig before retirement. [Sad face.]

Rocker Jon Bon Jovi is credited with saving a woman’s life after talking her down from a Nashville bridge. You never know who you’ll run into in Nashville.

The U.S. Treasury recovered $1.3 billion from high-wealth tax evaders.

Elisia Manuel started a non-profit to provide native communities with clothing, education, and indigenous culture.

Ballerina Michaela DePrince, the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem who later joined the Boston Ballet, died at age 29. DePrince arrived in the U.S. at age 4 from an orphanage in her native Sierra Leone, where her parents were killed in the country’s civil war.

The FDA has approved AirPods Pro 2 as over-the-counter hearing aids. That's pretty cool! This could make hearing aids much more accessible to the population that needs them but can’t afford them.

Angela Bassett won her first Emmy Award. Finally!

Big Lots filed for bankruptcy. When this store is mentioned, I will always think of my Aunt Dorothy; she loved it.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, completed chemotherapy and will return to public engagements.

Schools were closed in Kentucky after a gunman began shooting at drivers on I-75. A school shooting also took place in Nebraska, where a teen was injured and another apprehended.

Prolific actor James Earl Jones died at age 93. Actor Mark Hamill bid a succinct farewell, as did the Empire State Building. And I think Mr. Jones would appreciate this Abbott Elementary-referenced joke.

Frankie Beverly, the legendary frontman for the soul band Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly, died at age 77.

An interview with the hilarious Maya Rudolph, who won her 6th Emmy this past week.

Two Black women could make history this fall if elected to the Senate, which has never happened in the history of the American Congress created more than 200 years ago. [!!!!!!!]

Cardi B gave birth to her third child with Offset.

Boar’s Head closed the Virginia plant linked to numerous listeria cases.

Justin Timberlake plead guilty to impaired driving in New York. He will pay a fine and make a public safety announcement.

A Scottish bull took out electricity for 800 homes after scratching his rear end on an electricity pole.

McDonald’s is giving out 50-cent double cheeseburgers for National Cheeseburger Day on Wednesday, September 18. (This follows their Free Fries Friday, which began in July and will last through the rest of the year.) Wendy’s is getting in on the special day, offering 1-cent Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers from September 18-22. Burger King will also give out free cheeseburgers with any purchase on September 18.

Several bomb threats closed schools and offices in Springfield, Ohio after Trump made false statements about Haitians residing there. JD Vance admitted that he “create[d]” and amplified the false statements, inciting violence in the town. The woman behind the initial Facebook post stated she had “no firsthand knowledge of any such incident and is now filled with regret and fear” for the Haitian community. Meanwhile, a Secret Service agent opened fire at a person armed with an automatic weapon while Trump was golfing, the FBI stating it was an “apparent assassination attempt.” A reminder of gun laws in Florida:

No state permit required to purchase
No firearm registration
No assault weapon law
No magazine capacity restriction
No owner license is required
No permit required for concealed carry
No background checks for private sales

Bless Their Hearts

Happy early Halloween!

H-O-T T-O G-O Halloween.

The new Friday the 13th.

Work emails.

Perhaps the best school photos taken, ever.

Bennifer… again??

The Presidential Debate between Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump happened. I wish I’d gotten myself a debate starter pack. Unsurprisingly, racism occurred (a recap). An actual cat reacted. I mean… what?! A bullet was mentioned. Women offered solidarity. Oh, Canada. Taylor Swift came out as a Childless Cat Lady and Stevie Nicks came out as a Childless Dog Lady. And Germany (like, the country) fact-checked that guy.