The Fundamentals

For the week of September 30, 2024

Oct 07, 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?

Hurricane Helene’s death toll has reached 200. People have been reminded of the importance of mules, as they’ve been delivering supplies and medication to Appalachia, the only aid that’s been able to reach the most rural areas. No one will ever be able to convince me that animals don’t have souls. Impact Plastics, a company in rural Tennessee forced employees to remain at work as the catastrophic floods began. Eleven workers were swept away; five were rescued, two are dead, and four are still missing. This is a reminder that your employer does not care about you. Please live your life… and take your freaking PTO! Here are more ways to help Hurricane Helene victims.

An incredible visualization of Hurricane Helene’s destruction.

Unsurprisingly, Dolly Parton, arguably one of the best humans to ever live, donated $2 million dollars to Hurricane Helene relief efforts and partnered with Walmart to provide additional funds.

Kate McKinnon is releasing her first book on October 10th, a middle-grade book titled The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette For Young Ladies of Mad Science.

Former President Jimmy Carter turned 100 years old.

Israel invaded Lebanon, drawing Iran into the region’s violence. Netanyahu promised retaliation.

Due to the effects of climate change, Switzerland and Italy have to redraw their borders near the Alps as glaciers continue to melt.

Actor John Amos of Good Times and Roots died at age 84.

Dikembe Mutombo, a Basketball Hall of Famer who devoted his time after retirement to charitable and humanitarian causes focused on improving life in his native Congo, has died from brain cancer at age 58.

Pete Rose, a baseball legend, died at age 83.

Kurt Cobain’s daughter, Frances Bean Cobain, and Tony Hawk’s son, Riley Hawk, welcomed their first child, Ronin Walker Cobain Hawk.

American Pickers' Frank Fritz died at age 58.

120 accusers, including a 9-year-old, stated they were sexually abused by Sean Combs and his associates. What a sick fuck.

Ken Page, theater legend and voice of Oogie Boogie in The Nightmare Before Christmas, died at age 70.

Onondaga Nation regained 1,000 acres of their ancestral land in upstate New York, a which was stolen by the state beginning in the 18th century. #LandBack

Claudia Sheinbaum was sworn in as Mexico's first female president.

Princess Beatrice is expecting her second child.

The Vice Presidential debate happened. [Sigh.] Perhaps my favorite line from the night, “"Just because you have a mental health issue, doesn't mean you're violent.” - Tim Walz. LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK!!

A newly unsealed court filing states Donald Trump "resorted to crimes" to try and stay in office after losing the 2020 presidential election.

An American WWII bomb exploded at a Japanese airport. Wow. The effects of war last a lot longer than the war itself.

Amanda Bynes has a new clothing line with original art.

Country singer Garth Brooks was accused of sexual assault and battery. For fuck’s sake.

Three ex-Memphis officers were convicted of witness tampering in the 2023 murder of Tyre Nichols. Too bad they weren’t actually convicted for murder.

Releasing the news in a music video, Eminem’s daughter Hailie is pregnant.

From Here to the Great Unknown, a memoir by Lisa Marie Presley and daughter Riley Keogh, will be released on October 8th.

Coco Gauff became the first American woman to win the China Open since 2013.

Happy birthday, Snoopy!