Okay, even though the U.S. midterm elections gave the Republicans a congressional majority again, let us console ourselves with how this will make it easier for the Democrats to come back in 2016. We hope, anyway. Let’s get to this and more in this week’s newsy updates.
Speaker of the House John Boehner has said that “repealing Obamacare” is a top priority. I wish I had smarter commentary at this point, but all I have to say is that he can go fuck himself.
I’m also disappointed that Wendy Davis did not win the race for Texas Governor, but her Wu-Tang inspired campaign shirt is outstanding.
In better election news, if you’re (allegedly) into this sort of thing: Marijuana is now legal in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington D.C. Unfortunately, a similar ballot measure did not pass in Florida.
The state of Washington has passed a measure that requires background checks on all gun purchases. This closes the loophole that previously did not require them at gun shows.
This bit from Letterman about President Obama made me sadly-lol:
Take a look at this: gas under $3 a gallon – under $3 a gallon. Unemployment under 6%, whoever thought? Stock market breaking records every day. No wonder the guy is so unpopular.
Here’s MSNBC pointing out how it’s true.
In other political news:
Police arrested a 90-year-old man and two pastors in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for feeding the homeless?! The men run an organization called Love Thy Neighbor, and… I just don’t even know what to say. Florida, you should be glad that this “Florida Man” isn’t one of your usual Florida men.
St. Louis, Missouri is now among the tide of marriage-equality granting locales, which helps pave the way for the rest of the state. Woo!
Brittany Maynard, a right-to-die advocate from Portland, Oregon, chose to end her life this week. The 29-year-old had been suffering from terminal brain cancer since last year. May her family find some comfort in this difficult time.
R.I.P.
Static-X frontman Wayne Static died at age 48 this past Saturday. The cause of death has not been released.
Tom Magliozzi, host of NPR’s popular show Car Talk, died on Monday from Alzheimer’s complications. He was 77 years old.
In Other News:
You’ve probably already had someone on your various timelines excitedly shouting about this, but just in case you haven’t: Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events is being adapted for Netflix. Hooray!
By the time this post goes live, it will be a day late, but don’t let that stop you: November 6 is National Nachos Day. (November 7 is National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day, but whatever. That’s less exciting to me.) Did you know that if you add sodium citrate to any cheese you can make creamy queso sauce? Noted.
And finally, tomorrow is the Series 8 finale for Doctor Who. I quite enjoyed Part One of the finale, “Dark Water.” Michelle Gomez as “Missy” is outstanding. I won’t spoil the rest, even though I really, really want to talk about it.
Until next time, friends.
5 replies on “Friday News Bites: U.S. Elections, Nacho Day + More”
I am thoroughly confused by these midterm elections. I thought there was just one election every four years (or so) with the exception of by-elections. But perhaps my failing is in trying to compare UK and US politics.
I have a lot of Doctor Who to catch up on. A lot.
Certain Congressional positions are re-elected every 6 years, so that’s why there’s an election every 2 years. The Presidential one is every 4, and state governors… It depends on the state, I think. But probably 4 years, although some states those 4 occur during the midterm elections.
My knowledge of how it all works is a wee bit rusty.
Also YES CATCH UP ON DW ALREADY SO I CAN TALK ABOUT IT WITH SOMEONE. :)
And if I’m wrong about something up there above, someone please correct me.
The President is elected every four years. Senators serve six-year terms, but they’re staggered so only 1/3 of the seats are voted on in any given even-numbered year. Congressional reps only serve 2-year terms. Midterms are the elections when people have to vote for the Congressional rep and maybe a senator or two, but not the president.
State and local elections are a crapshoot; there’s pretty much always someone running for governor or mayor or city council or judicial positions or about a billion other things. And sometimes you have to go vote in primaries on different days for races that’ll eventually be on the same ballot in November.
‘Murrica!
There we go! That was the better specific answer I was looking for. I was a bit brain-fuzzy when answering before, how the whole Senate/Rep. years worked out.