The Fundamentals

For the week of September 23, 2024

Sep 30, 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

Some friends and I went on a canoe / ghost tour trip this past weekend. I got to use an electromagnetic field tester (EMF). I felt like a ghostbuster. I only detected occasional changes, but my friend’s device went off several times. I did, however, get a couple of weird things in a couple pictures beside a burnt-down willow tree that has a history. And a picture of the storyteller with demon eyes. Remember all the red-eye on the 35mm pictures in the 90’s?

What’s Goin’ On?

Free COVID-19 tests are available again here.

Brett Favre has Parkinson’s disease. I’m not sure how that prevents him from giving back the money he stole from poor Mississippians, but okay…

Marcellus “Kaliifah” Williams, declared an innocent man by all parties including prosecutors and the victim’s family, and DNA evidence, was executed in Missouri. Both the Missouri Supreme Court and the Governor refused to stop the murder.

Fat Bear Week is coming! October 2-8.

Thailand officially signed same-sex marriage into law.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted on federal criminal charges.

Israel is indiscriminately bombing Lebanon because Hezbollah is located in the country. The U.S. and allies requested an "immediate" 21-day cease-fire. A Hezbollah leader was killed, guaranteeing a violent response from the terrorist organization. Israel followed that with airstrikes in southern Beirut after Netanyahu threatened further attacks while addressing the U.N. Netanyahu is a genocidal maniac.

Hoda Kotb is leaving the Today Show.

Rudy Giuliani was disbarred in Washington D.C. after trying to overturn the 2020 election.

Prince Harry joined Jimmy Fallon in a haunted maze.

Lana Del Rey married alligator tour guide Jeremy Dufrene.

Dame Maggie Smith, Oscar-winning actor died at aged 89. A legend. An icon. A queen.

Hurricane Helene hit Appalachia. An unexpected tragedy. Here’s a list of ways to help the region. Libraries matter! Climate change is real.

A days-old orca calf swimming with its mother.

Drake Hogestyn, a.k.a. John Black on Days of our Lives passed away at age 70.

Rebel Wilson married Ramona Agruma.

Take a Moo Deng break.

Kris Kristofferson, singer-songwriter and actor, died at age 88.

Scotland detected no cases of cervical cancer in women born between 1988 and 1996 who were fully vaccinated against HPV between the ages of 12 and 13. Vaccines work.

Will Ferrell and his BFF Harper Steele created a documentary, Will & Harper (on Netflix) that follows a road trip after Harper’s transition. Will stated, “If the trans community is a threat to you, then it stems from not being confident or safe with yourself.” He is correct.