Late Loser
Kari Lake: It looks like Arizona may have dodged a bullet this time. Katie Hobbs, the democratic election official who stood up to Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 results, won the Arizona governor’s race over Kari Lake, a Trump-backed election denier and enthusiast of glossy camera filters
Amazon (the company, not the forest): The corporate giant has plans to lay off about 10,000 people, in the largest employment cuts in the company’s history. Really hoping the people affected have given some thought to organizing a union to help protect their jobs and livelihood
The State of Israel: The Israeli minister of defense Benny Gantz recently proclaimed, “The US justice department decision to investigate the death of Shireen Abu Akleh is a grave mistake. I have made it clear to the US that we won’t cooperate with any external investigation and won’t allow any interference in Israel’s internal affairs.” It’s a bit of a stretch to call it an internal affair when Israeli snipers targeted and killed an American citizen in occupied Palestinian territory, but what else can be expected from the only apartheid state that people still flock to on vacation
Mike Pence: The former vice president/adult breastfeeder recently released his memoir, titled “So Help Me God”. Ironically, God responded with a simple, “nah”
Side Items
World Cup Preview
USA: Oh boy, here we go again. After missing out on the World Cup four years ago, the Americans are back with a vengeance. A young squad with much promise will carry the weight of expectation to Qatar, hoping to bring glory (or at least some respect) back to the US. The standout names include Pulisic (the Lebron James of soccer), McKennie, and Reyna, but it’ll take more than two or three standout players to secure success. Grouped with Wales, England and Iran, I predict the US will find a way to beat Iran (possibly by imposing more sactions), but I have a hard time seeing them compete with a stacked England squad. Their fate lies in the match against Wales; if they prevail perhaps there’s a storybook ending to be found. If not, they’ll be just another underwhelming American team
Senegal: The reigning African champions boast a strong lineup from front to back, with Edouard Mendy in goal, a solid back line featuring Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly, and of course the sensational Sadio Mane attacking up front. Mane suffered an injury scare last week that briefly ruled him out of the tournament, but it looks like he’ll be traveling to Qatar with the team and hoping to participate. The Senegalese will desperately need him to put goals past the host nation Qatar and Ecuador if the team has any hope of progressing in a group featuring the Netherlands. I’m predicting this team to be the first African team to progress past the quarterfinals of the tournament
Poland: Led by striker Robert Lewandowski, the Polish team will face stiff challenges from the Mexican and Argentinian squads, but they should have no trouble handling the Saudi team. This is assuming the Saudi’s don’t employ their secret weapons and slice up several Polish players in the nearest embassy. My prediction is that Poland wins one game, but fails to progress from the group stages