Random News: August 1, 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 August 1, 2022, and it’s a Monday. Here’s some this, and that, and the other…

• Rabbit rabbit rabbit.
• Do you do that? Some people say this or “rabbit rabbit white rabbit” on the first day of a new month. Others are aware that saying little incantations is ridiculous. I agree, but also enjoy the absurd fun of doing it.
• Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is visiting some Asian countries. It was confirmed this morning that one of them is Taiwan. China seems not at all happy about this.
• RIP to two amazing groundbreaking people in their respective fields: NBA legend Bill Russell and Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols.
• In addition to winning 11 championship rings as a player, Bill Russell won two more as coach, two NCAA Championships, five NBA MVPs, and was the first Black head coach in any major American sport. He also was a civil rights champion who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was 88.
• Nichelle Nichols was one of the first Black female lead characters on television, and her role placed her fourth in command of the original USS Enterprise NCC-1701. She inspired thousands of other Black actresses to achieve more important roles, and inspired people of color everywhere to reach beyond societal limitations. She was 89.
• From the Sports Desk… congrats to Dutch cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten, who won the Tour de France Femmes yesterday. It was the first time the race was held since 1989 for some reason of patriarchy, most likely.
• The Sports Desk also congratulates England on its first ever major women's championship. They beat Germany 2-1 in the Euro 2022 Final at Wembley Stadium. The crowd at Wembley Stadium was a record 87,192 for a European Championship final -- men's or women’s.
• The Sports Desk also feels compelled to mention that quarterback Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns has been suspended for the first six games of the upcoming season following some 25 accusations of sexual misconduct. Some say it’s not enough, and others say it’s too much. I’m just glad he’s being held accountable to any degree.
• QotD: “How poor are they that have not patience! What wound did ever heal but by degrees?” - William Shakespeare, ‘Othello’
• Today in history… Octavian enters Alexandria and Marc Antony kills himself (30 BC). Justinian I become sole ruler of the Byzantine Empire (527). Christopher Columbus “discovers” Venezuela (1498). Slavery is abolished in the British Empire (1834). Colorado is admitted as the 38th state (1876). Harriet Quimby becomes the first woman with an aviator certificate (1911). Four Antifascist activists are executed by the Nazis (1933). The Olympics open in Berlin (1936). Islamabad is declared the capital of Pakistan (1960). Frank Herbert’s book ‘Dune’ is published for the first time (1965). George Harrison’s ‘Concert for Bangladesh’ is held at Madison Square Garden (1971). Vigdís Finnbogadóttir of Iceland becomes the world’s first democratically-elected female head of state (1980). MTV begins broadcasting in the USA (1981). 
• August 1 is the birthday of Roman emperor Claudius (10 BC), lawyer and poet Francis Scott Key (1779), actor Dom DeLuise (1933), musician and world-changing songwriter/performer Jerry Garcia (1942), actor Taylor Negron (1957), singer Joe Elliott (1959), rapper Chuck D (1960), director Sam Mendes (1965), musician Dhani Harrison (1978), MLB pitcher Madison Bumgarner (1989), and disgraced lame duck congressman who lost his GOP primary Madison Cawthorn (1995). 

That’s all I’ve got, but it’ll do. It’s Monday. I’m working. You are doing the things you do. Let’s try not to be shitty. As the old saying goes, if you can’t help, at least don’t hurt. I’m going to try and not be a dick. That’s my plan.