Random News: August 8, 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.

---

Good morning. It’s August 8, 2022, and it’s a Monday. Let’s mention various items…

• After 16 hours of haggling over Saturday night/Sunday morning, the Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act. The tally, once again, was 51-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the tie.
• All Republicans voted against it.
• This is Congress’s biggest climate change package ever, and it also slashes prescription drug prices (except as noted below), and brings down everyday costs for families.
• About the only negative thing to come out of this weekend’s flurry of voting, as mentioned yesterday, there was a provision of the bill that would have capped insulin costs at $35/month as people in other countries have.
• 57 Senators (all 50 Democrats/Independents plus seven Republicans) voted for it. If three more GOP Senators had voted “yes”, insulin — for yourself, your kid, your friend, your mom, your grandpa — would have been easily affordable.
• Instead, it will continue at the going rate of $300-$1200 per month. People are skipping doses and rationing the amount they can afford, having to choose between eating and getting the meds they need. Without it, they die. 43 Republican Senators are happily welcoming the death of you, your friends, and your family.
• Vote. If not for yourself, then do it on behalf of someone else. Do something selfless that you KNOW is right.
• Side note: none of Inflation Reduction Act would have been possible without the hard work of organizers and voters during the 2020 election in places like Georgia and Arizona and elsewhere. Let’s keep it rolling through the midterms in November!
• In the “just saying” file, the former president spoke at some conference thing wearing what might be the worst toupee I’ve ever seen on a human. I’ve seen Halloween costume wigs that looked more natural and properly fitted.
• A North Carolina county is stocking each of its schools with AR-15 rifles. Let’s make a friendly wager: will it be more likely that these semi-automatic rifles will be used against a school shooter, or will they be implemented in some kind of horrible accident or unanticipated event involving a teacher, administrator, or student?
• And now, The Weather: “Emily Says” by Goon.
• QotD: “Change is certain. Peace is followed by disturbances; departure of evil men by their return. Such recurrences should not constitute occasions for sadness but realities for awareness, so that one may be happy in the interim.” - Percy Bysshe Shelley
• Today in history… King James IV of Scotland marries Margaret Tudor, daughter of King Henry VII of England (1503). Bartolomeu de Gusmão shows how hot air can lift things (1709). Mont Blanc is climbed for the first time (1786). After he gets his ass kicked at Gettysburg, Robert E. Lee sends a resignation letter which is turned down by Jefferson Davis (1863). Wilbur Wright does the first public flight at Le Mans, France (1908). The Graf Zeppelin begins an around-the-world flight (1929). First flight of the Convair B-36, the first intercontinental bomber and the first designed to deliver nuclear weapons (1946). The Beatles take the street-crossing cover pic for the album ‘Abbey Road’ (1969). Nixon announces his resignation of live TV (1974). Space Shuttle Columbia STS-28 takes off on a 5-day secret mission (1989). Dave Matthews’ tour bus dumps 800 pounds of poop onto a boat full of passengers (2004). 
• August 8 is the birthday of ruler of Palenque Casper (422), AA co-founder Bob Smith (1879), physicist Paul Dirac (1902), composer/musician Benny Carter (1907), producer Dino De Laurentiis (1919), swimmer/actress Esther Williams (1921), basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian (1930), actor Dustin Hoffman (1937), drummer Anton Fig (1952), radio host Robin Quivers (1952), musician The Edge (1961), White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain (1961), rapper Kool Moe Dee (1962), singer Scott Stapp (1973), and baseball player Anthony Rizzo (1989), 

It’s Monday, so I’m sure you have a busy day on tap, as do I. I’m going to be doing regular work things, but I’m also going to be spending a bit of time taking a look at various Senate, House, and other races that will be impacted by the upcoming midterm elections, and try and make a game plan that may be helpful to some of you folks. At least I’ll try; my good intentions aren’t always followed up by the actions necessary to make them reality. Enjoy your day.