Random News: October 16, 2023

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 October 16, 2023, and it’s a Monday. I’ve been having some tooth issues in the past few days, and I need to deal with some dental problem like I need a hole in the head (see what I did there?), so I’m going to keep hoping it goes away on its own. Let’s look at the news.

• Might as well start with something completely shitty.
• A Chicago-area landlord has been arrested and charged with murder and hate crimes after authorities said he stabbed and killed a 6-year-old boy and seriously wounded his mother because the tenants are Muslim.
• This is what happens when people are fucking ignorant, and blame an entire religion (or in other cases entire races, genders, ethnicities and so on) for the actions of people who have nothing to do with them.
• Joseph M. Czuba, 71, has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two counts of a hate crime and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He stabbed that innocent little boy 26 times.
• Stop and think before you spread hateful shit that will inspire the next Czuba, because there are plenty of people like him out there.
• In recent days, police in U.S. cities and federal authorities have been on high alert for violence driven by antisemitic or Islamophobic sentiments. FBI officials, along with Jewish and Muslim groups, have reported an increase of hateful and threatening rhetoric.
• “This horrific act of hate has no place in America, and stands against our fundamental values: freedom from fear for how we pray, what we believe, and who we are.” - President Joe Biden
• One more note on the war.
• Over the weekend, Iran sent a message to Israel via the UN, stressing that it does not want further escalation in the Hamas-Israel war, but that it will have to intervene if the Israeli operation in Gaza continues.
• That’s not good. We don’t want this blowing up into a war that encompasses the entire Middle East region. And Iran’s involvement could be direct or indirect, such as through a militant group in Syria or by backing any Hezbollah decision to fully join the fighting.
• Iran has specifically called out the Israeli military operation — specifically a ground offensive in Gaza — and said they will have to respond.
• Can we just not?
• Let’s get out of that war zone and back to the USA.
• US district judge Tanya Chutkan will consider today whether to impose a limited gag order on Donald John Trump in the criminal case over his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, potentially restricting what he can say about potential trial witnesses and prosecutors.
• That’s called a gag order, kids.
• The decision comes with unique challenges given the potential for Trump to test the limits of a protective order or even flout it outright – opening the explosive sanctions question of whether to jail him in response like they would with any other criminal on trial.
• Side note: they won’t. They should. But they won’t.
• Prosecutors have complained in court filings that Trump has made dozens of prejudicial statements that could intimidate people from testifying against him at trial and poison the jury pool.
• Among other examples, the filings cited Trump’s posts attacking Mike Pence for testifying during the criminal investigation, and posts suggesting the former chair of the joint chiefs of staff Gen Mark Milley, another potential trial witness, should be executed.
• What an asshole.
• Moving on, to the fight for the Speaker of the House disaster.
• Senior Republican House members says there are roughly 40 “no” votes for current candidate Jim Jordan (R-OH). At least 20 members are willing to go to the floor and block Jordan’s path if he forces a roll-call vote tomorrow.
• What a mess.
• And now, The Weather: “Courts” by Lewis Coleman
• Rest in peace to actress Suzanne Somers, who died this weekend at age 76 after battling cancer.
• In addition to her iconic role as Chrissy Snow on ‘Three's Company’, Somers had starring roles on shows like ‘Step by Step’ and ‘She's the Sheriff’. She also wrote over 25 books, was a New York Times best-selling author, and was successful with her health and beauty business ventures, namely the ThighMaster exercise equipment.
• A Georgia man was left reeling after receiving a $1.4 million speeding ticket. Connor Cato received the citation after getting pulled over in September for driving 90 mph in a 55 mph zone.
• He called the court thinking the figure was a typo but says he was told he either had to pay it or appear in court in December. Savannah officials say anyone caught driving more than 35 mph above the speed limit has to appear in court, where a judge will determine the actual fine.
• The figure Cato received reflected a “placeholder” that was automatically generated by e-citation software used by the local Recorder’s Court. They say the court “is currently working on adjusting the placeholder language to avoid any confusion.”
• Probably a good idea.
• From the Sports Desk… there were two undefeated teams going into Sunday’s NFL matchups. Now there are none. The Niners lost 19-17 to a plucky Browns team who had to turn to rarely-used backup QB PJ Walker. The Eagles got shocked by the Jets and their excellent defense that picked off Jalen Hurts three times. Both teams are now 5-1.
• In the WNBA, the New York Liberty staved off elimination, so Game 4 of the Finals will be on Wednesday.
• And Game 1 of MLB’s ALCS playoffs resulted in a 2-0 win fr the Rangers over the Astros.
• And NBA basketball and NHL hockey are starting up again. It’s a great time of year if you like sports.
• Today in history… Empress Wu Zetian proclaims herself ruler of the Chinese Empire (690). Prince Gesualdo of Venosa murders his wife and her lover (1590). Queen Marie Antoinette is executed (1793). Simón Bolívar sentences Manuel Piar to death for challenging the racial-caste in Venezuela (1817). William T. G. Morton administers ether anesthesia during a surgical operation (1846). The novel ‘Jane Eyre’ is published (1847). Brigham Young University is founded in Provo, Utah (1875). Margaret Sanger opens the first family planning clinic in the United States (1916). The Walt Disney Company is founded (1923). Ten Nazi defendants found guilty by the International Military Tribunal at the Nuremberg trials are executed by hanging (1946). The Cuban Missile Crisis begins (1962). Leonid Brezhnev becomes leader of the Soviet Communist Party (1964). Tommie Smith and John Carlos are ejected from the US Olympic team for participating in the Olympics Black Power salute (1968). Pope John Paul II becomes the first non-Italian pontiff since 1523 (1978). 
• October 16 is the birthday of lexicographer Noah Webster (1758), activist Lucy Stanton (1831), playwright Oscar Wilde (1854), playwright Eugene O’Neill (1888), politician Michael Collins (1890), singer-songwriter Big Joe Williams (1903), actress Angela Lansbury (1925), singer Nico (1938), actress Suzanna Somers (1946), singer-songwriter/guitarist Bob Weir (1947), actor Tim Robbins (1958), singer-songwriter/guitarist Bob Mould (1960), bass player/composer Flea (1962), NBA player Manute Bol (1962), singer-songwriter/guitarist John Mayer (1977), WNBA player Sue Bird (1980), and tennis player Naomi Osaka (1997).

Okay, that’s enough for now. I had a batch of bizarre dreams last night, and I’m trying to get my brain working in some way that will be productive on this foggy Monday morning, so wish me luck with that. I’ll need it. Enjoy your day.