Random News: August 14, 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 14, 2022, and it’s a Sunday. Here are some Sunday-ish thoughts and things.

• Words and actions have consequences. Believe it or not, I’m pretty careful about the things I say and write… not because I’m worried about getting myself in trouble, but I know that words have power, and I don’t want to be responsible for anything negative that happens as a result of my communications.
• I say this primarily to journalists and political leaders who are encouraging attacks on the FBI and other law enforcement. This morning, a man drove his car into a barricade near the U.S. Capitol, fired a bunch of shots from his gun, and then killed himself. Reason unknown as of yet. 
• Armed Trump supporters protested at the Phoenix FBI office yesterday. And, of course, Ricky Shiffer, the poor brainwashed guy who attacked the FBI office in Cincinnati to avenge his hero Donald Trump ended up dead in a field.
• When Hillary Clinton was accused of a crime by the FBI 11 days before the 2016 election, I don’t recall liberals trying to kill law enforcement officers as a result. There are differences between these mindsets.
• If you say “Back the Blue” in regard to the shooting of unarmed Black people and then say “Abolish the FBI” in regard to espionage and white-collar crime, you have to take a close look at yourself.
• Just wanted to note that as soon as the news came out that Trump was under investigation for espionage, human bag of shit Rand Paul called for a repeal of the Espionage Act. I’m serious. “You know, spying isn’t that bad and should be legal,” is their current defense. That’s how bad it is for the former guy.
• I’m not reporting any other info on the Mar-a-Lago raid in the espionage and obstruction investigation into FPOTUS (that’s the name listed on the warrant and I’ve decided I like it) until more tangible stuff comes out. The news will continue next week and for years after.
• Other stuff…
• Author Salman Rushdie is off his ventilator and appears to be recovering after being stabbed ten times. He’s 75 and was severely injured, so any good news is appreciated.
• J.K. Rowling has received death threats over her support of Rushdie, which is a shame; if you’re going to be mad at her, make it about her transphobia.
• Much of the greater Detroit area is under a boil water advisory. It affects almost a million people. It’s 2022; we should be able to provide people in civilized nations with clean water. Ideally, everyone should have free access to clean water but I know it's asking a lot.
• From the Sports Desk… preseason NFL football is in full swing. Sports Desk notes that the year his Raiders went 4-0 in preseason, they went 4-12 in the regular season. Don’t pay any attention to preseason. It’s like watching a tryout/scrimmage, which is fun, but has no bearing on reality.
• Sports Desk also notes that San Diego Padre Fernando Tatis Jr. has been suspended for 80 games for his use of Clostebol, a performance-enhancing anabolic steroid, and Sports Desk has zero sympathy for cheaters in any sport on any team.
• Big breakthrough in nuclear fusion energy. They confirmed ignition in a record 1.3 megajoule shot. No, I’m not a physicist and I don’t know what that means, but I do know that if we could achieve clean nuclear fusion as an energy source, we’d never have to worry about fossil fuels again.
• QotD: “Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.” - Martin Luther
• And now, The Weather: “Skin Game” by DIIV.
• Today in history… Huh Guang presents articles of impeachment against Liu He for 1127 offenses that included sexual debauchery and fiscal negligence (74 BC). Duncan I is killed in battle against his cousin and rival Macbeth, who replaces him as King of Scotland (1040). The Second Seminole War ends, forcing the Seminoles from Florida (1842). France becomes the first country to introduce motor vehicle registration (1893). The Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium raises the then-new Olympic flag for the first time ever (1920). Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act (1935). Pakistan gains independence from Britain (1947). Founding of the American Football League (1959). Bahrain declares independence from Britain (1971). Lech Wałęsa leads strikes at the Gdańsk, Poland shipyards (1980). Big power blackout in the NE USA and Canada (2003). 
• August 14 is the birthday of Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo III de' Medici (1642), dentist and gunfighter Doc Holliday (1851), architect Amaza Lee Meredith (1895), businessman Wellington Mara (1916), MLB manager Earl Weaver (1930), musician David Crosby (1941), actor/comedian Steve Martin (1945), cartoonist Gary Larson (1950), film composer David Horner (1953), actress Marcia Gay Harden (1959), NBA legend Magic Johnson (1959), singer Sarah Brightman (1960), actress Halle Berry (1966), NFL player and coach Mike Vrabel (1975), and athlete of sorts Tim Tebow (1987).

I’m gonna keep doing Sunday things now. Enjoy your day.