Random News: June 9, 2022

DISCLAIMER: Zak's Random News is very random and doesn't cover many things, and not everything may be accurate, because I'm just some guy. Go find a real news source.

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Good morning. It’s June 9, 2022, and it’s a Thursday. Here’s whatever I’m going to write next…

• Public hearings with the January 6 Select Committee begin today. If you need a reminder, this is the House of Representatives’ investigation regarding the attempt to overthrow the US government’s peaceful transition of power by groups being directed by former President Trump. 
• It’s similar in a way to the Watergate hearings in the 1970s, except that President Nixon was still in office at the time, while Trump is… I don’t know what the fuck he’s doing. I saw him dancing on a stage the other day, so maybe that’s his thing now.
• There are horrible details about the January 6 insurrection that you and I have yet to hear. Hopefully some information will come to light that helps folks realize that only the worst anti-American factions could find any redeemable values in the people involved in the attack on the Capitol and the plans leading up to it.
• Much of the western USA is at the start a major heat wave. Much of Texas as well as Las Vegas, Phoenix, and the inland areas of California will get the worst of it. 
• My privileged beach city home will barely be above 70 degrees F.
• Fun Fact: In Texas, the law states that shotguns used for duck hunting cannot hold more than three shells in order to protect the duck population. However, guns used to hunt and murder children can have unlimited capacity magazines.
• In international news, Thailand has legalized growing and possessing marijuana, seeing it as a huge economic opportunity for the country. Before you pull out your hookah and load a fat bowl of killer Thai stick in the middle of Bangkok or Nonthaburi, be aware that recreational use is still verboten.
• From the sports desk, the Celts shellacked the Dubs last night in Boston, taking a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals. Meanwhile in gymnastics, the dozens of women who were sexually assaulted by imprisoned team doctor Larry Nassar are suing the FBI for over $1 billion for failing to intervene in their abuse despite being aware of it.
• The greatest rock comedy duo that ever existed or will exist, Tenacious D, have put out a single with proceeds benefitting Everytown For Gun Safety. Jack Black and Kyle Gass have recorded a medley of songs from The Who’s ‘Tommy’ including “Pinball Wizard,” “There’s A Doctor,” and “Go To The Mirror!”. It’s really good!
• More and more people — 30+ that I alone am aware of — who attended the trade show I worked last weekend have tested positive for COVID-19. So far I have not, and it’s kind of a miracle.
• Today in history… 411BC: A coup in Athens forms a short-lived oligarchy. 68: Roman emperor Nero commits suicide. 1959: The first nuclear-powered ballistic submarine is launched. 1973: Secretariat wins the Triple Crown. 
• June 9 is the birthday of guitarist and inventor Les Paul (1915), comedian Jackie Mason (1931), sportscaster Dick Vitale (1939), keyboardist Jon Lord (1941), actor Michael J. Fox (1961), guy whose bed was pooped on Johnny Depp (1963), and actress Natalie Portman (1981).

I hope this Thursday is good for you. I hope every Thursday is good for you. I hope that justice is served, that you never get shot, that I don’t get COVID, that I live through the remainder of this week and have an actual day or two off work, and that we all make the world a better place to live for ourselves and each other.