Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Saudi Arabia King Salman sat totally casually together and chatted on Tuesday: In every picture of Pompeo in Riyadh he looks the perfect picture of an uncomfortable American tourist. He thanked the king for his “commitment to supporting a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation” into the “disappearance” of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Juxtapose whatever Pompeo appears to be doing with Last Week Tonight With John Oliver’s coverage of this topic from Sunday night. Once you see that, it will be no surprise that Trump appears to still be peddling the “rogue killers” narrative.
White House scraps coal bailout: Who could have seen this coming? According to POLITICO, they’ve “shelved the plan amid opposition from the president’s own advisers.” It’s truly a shame someone as over-qualified as Energy Secretary Rick Perry hasn’t been successful in saving Trump’s “beautiful, clean coal.” Word has it that even the plan to alchemically change water into gold has been scrapped as well. Sad time for magic.
Real witches however, are working on sinister hexes: Firstly, I learned today that “coven” is a word for a regular gathering of witches. Secondly, a coven will be getting together at an occult bookstore in Brooklyn, New York, to place a hex on Supreme Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Awesome. Maybe you think this is a joke, but even Fox News is scared as shit of these witches. Just let Tucker Carlson show you. (Spoiler—he calls abortions at Planned Parenthood “human sacrifice ritual.”)
Tucker: Planned Parenthood performs “human sacrifice rituals” pic.twitter.com/3tde14wHaI
— Mad Online Peltz (@peltzmadeline) October 13, 2018
Maybe Trump has secretly found a way to turn water into gold: President Trump has already raised over $100 million for his re-election campaign. That is no small chunk of change, especially as far out as we are. Recall when Jeb Bush had raised roughly $100 million in 2016, it was believed that huge lead in fundraising could potentially push him through to a nomination. Of course that was totally incorrect—slow and steady did not win the race. Now, the guy (Trump) who “beat the money” is not only going into election territory with whatever mutated charisma he has, but massive amounts of capital as well.
Speaking of political contributions: Sheldon Adelson and wife Miriam Adelson, conservative super donors, have stuffed $32 million into “GOP coffers” in September alone. Federal Election Commission filings show the Adelsons “have spent at least $88 million on GOP causes so far this cycle.” They are now the primary source of strength for the Republican Party in this election.
Some interesting ideas that mitigate a doomed reality: Check out Josh Cohen’s piece for Crosscut that looks at four ways Seattle residents may be able to mitigate the reality of our ever increasing traffic problem.
Nope, nope, nope: This Idaho Fish and Game Commissioner has resigned after bragging about killing a full family of baboons, including what looks like the family’s brand-spanking-new baby baboon. He also killed other fantastically beautiful animals on an African hunting trip with his wife. This is like Cecil the Lion (RIP) all over again except this guy doesn’t have the excuse of just being an asshole dentist. Fuck this guy.
The kids are alright, and they might even save themselves: The youth is suing the government for knowingly doing nothing as pollution slowly ruins their chance at a less hazy tomorrow. Decades of inaction by adults apparently lead society to a place where kids have to lobby for their own future.
Hurricane Michael: As of this morning, 200,000 people were still without power in the U.S. Southeast. The power company’s estimated date for returning power to the hardest hit areas is by Oct. 24.
Let’s agree to disagree on this one: Don’t get me wrong, I love the rain, but I prefer my dog doesn’t return to my apartment completely soaked.
It’s been six days too many. We miss the rain!
— Seattle Weather Blog (@KSeattleWeather) October 16, 2018
Send me pictures of your breakfast: Tomorrow is Wednesday, the day we delight in your magnificent day-starting feast—or your box of leftover Domino’s lava crunch cakes (puke). In any case, send me your foods at mbell@thestranger.com.
Tonight’s best Seattle entertainment options include: A reading with genius sci-fi writer Ted Chiang in conversation with PEN/Faulkner Award winner Karen Joy Fowler, a rock show helmed by a clutch of fab rockers, MC50, and a screening of Jordan Peele’s beloved directorial debut, Get Out.