The man killed outside ICE's Tacoma detention center "had a complex life": Reports the Seattle Times, which just released an in-depth profile on the man, Will Van Spronsen. Some quick takeaways: He lived on a creepy bus on Vashon Island. He used to be in a band. He wrote a manifesto. He was "always venting." He died in a "hail of bullets."
Trump takes it back: Yesterday, Trump told reporters he was "unhappy" with the racist "SEND HER BACK" chants that broke out at his recent rally in North Carolina in reference to Rep. Ilhan Omar. Today, he took it back, telling reporters that Ilhan is “lucky to be where she is, let me tell you. And the things that she has said are a disgrace to our country.” He went on to say that his supporters at his rally "are incredible people. Those are incredible patriots."
Wow. Trump is now back to making a full-throated defense of his fans who engaged in racist chants at his rally.
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 19, 2019
"Those people in North Carolina — that stadium was packed. It was a record crowd ... Those are incredible people. Those are incredible patriots." pic.twitter.com/mHrRMl6PiW
Iran has seized a British tanker and stopped another: Things are heating up—again—in the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions have been rising daily in the region. Iran claims the British ships were "violating international regulations," according to CNN. Trump, meanwhile, has seized on this seizure. "This only goes to show what I'm saying about Iran. Trouble. Nothing but trouble," he said. "It goes to show you I was right about Iran." The UK has also called the seizures "unacceptable" and "an escalation."
Meanwhile, let's pivot to straws: Why ban straws? Why not ban the whole plate? Is this just SponCon he promised some lobbyist back at the Inauguration?
President Trump: “You have a little straw. But what about the plates, the wrappers and everything else that are much bigger?” pic.twitter.com/mMWka39y9e
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) July 19, 2019
Puget Sound is filled with our feces: Shit! Two of King County's largest sewage treatment plants, the West Point Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Renton Wastewater Treatment Plant, had pump failures on Friday. Three million gallons of untreated sewage was pumped into Puget Sound. Alki Beach Park, Carkeek Park, Discovery Park: North and South Beach, and more are all closed. You can walk on the beach but don't go in the water.
Fuck astronauts, kids want to be YouTubers when they grow up: A new study has determined that kids are THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY to aspire to be YouTubers rather than astronauts. Well, at least that was the common refrain from kids aged eight to 12 in the U.S. and U.K. Kids in China still want to be astronauts.
Here's Trump's plan to attract black voters: Sigh. But yes, free A$AP Rocky?
Just spoke to @KanyeWest about his friend A$AP Rocky’s incarceration. I will be calling the very talented Prime Minister of Sweden to see what we can do about helping A$AP Rocky. So many people would like to see this quickly resolved!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 19, 2019
Going to Capitol Hill Block Party?: So are we. Here's our complete schedule. We'll have coverage of it throughout the weekend. No rest for the wicked… (Meaning me, which is why tonight's blurbs are shorter. Got 2 eat & see Actionesse, baby.)
Look, I understand the rush to get off Capitol Hill: But there's no need to go so fast you fall in the lake. That shit probably has shit in it.
Traffic is going to be bad this weekend: Isn't it always bad? I don't know, I sold my car when I moved here. But Seattle Times says Highway 99 tunnel’s northbound lanes will be closed from 10 p.m. Friday until 8 a.m. Saturday. More traffic closures here.
Google has reached a settlement with the FTC: They will pay a multi-million-dollar fine, reports Washington Post. The fine is a part of findings on kids not being protected on YouTube.
The House is shifting: There are now 91 members of the House of Representatives who are publicly for an impeachment inquiry, reports NPR. They've got a handy tracker that keeps updating. Of the key committee chair members, only Maxine Waters is for an inquiry.
Trailer dump: All the big trailers I missed this week. Lots dropped later in the week because of San Diego Comic-Con. First up, strippers:
Wanne be spooked?: The new It: Chapter Two trailer is out.
And in Reboots-You-Didn't-Ask-For News: Here's the Jay and Silent Bob Reboot. I looks like the film includes a lot of celebrities talking about how bad the movie is.
More Reboots-You-Didn't-Ask-For News: He's baaaaaaack. Are people still into Tom Cruise? Sean Nelson was.
And one last recommendation: Diamantino opens at SIFF tonight. I forgot to plug it in the print issue so I'm making up for it here. Here's my elevator pitch: Soccer. Puppies. Abs. If that doesn't get you: Transcendence. Hot vistas. A jock-fop who sleeps in a castle on bedsheets with his face on it. This is one of the weirdest queer films I've seen in a while. I like it a lot. Watch:
