The Daily Valet. - 11/14/23, Tuesday
✔️ Well, That Was ... Anticlimactic.
Tuesday, November 14th Edition
By Cory Ohlendorf, Valet. Editor
Are you team Shake Shack or team In-N-Out?
Presented by
Today’s Big Story
Supreme Court Adopts Code of Conduct
The announcement was met with muted applause, with critics saying it does not go far enough
The announcement sounded substantial, but the reality was a little anticlimactic. The Supreme Court on Monday adopted its first code of ethics for its justices after repeated revelations of undisclosed travel gifts and other benefits by several justices ignited calls for some kind of code of conduct requirements. However, its impact is likely to be limited because the justices are left to enforce it themselves.Before yesterday's official announcement, the Supreme Court was the only court in the federal judiciary that did not have a formal code of ethics for its nine members. That led to some uncomfortable reports of lavish vacations and high-end gifts that cast a light on how few ethics rules bind the justices. But under the new code, it remains unclear which of those activities would violate the rules—and who would decide.The court issued a 14-page document that included five canons of conduct on issues such as when justices should recuse themselves and what kind of outside activities they can engage in. Most of the rules outlined in the code are not themselves new, the statement said, but the lack of a published code “has led in recent years to the misunderstanding that the justices of this court, unlike all other jurists in this country, regard themselves as unrestricted by any ethics rules.” It creates no single ethics office or adviser and doesn't provide penalties for violations of ethical standards.Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (of Rhode Island), who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and supports a Supreme Court ethics code, questioned how justices could be investigated for possible violations under the new code. “This is a long-overdue step by the justices, but a code of ethics is not binding unless there is a mechanism to investigate possible violations and enforce the rules,” he said in a statement. What he called the “honor system” of individual justices' handling ethics issues has not worked.Gabe Roth, the executive director of ethics watchdog Fix the Court, had similar complaints. “If the nine are going to release an ethics code with no enforcement mechanism and remain the only police of the nine, then how can the public trust they're going to do anything more than simply cover for one another, ethics be damned?” he said in a statement.
Dig Deeper:
Read the full document containing the Supreme Court’s new ethics rules.
Gaza Hospital’s Evacuation Efforts Falter
Civilian buildings increasingly at center of Israeli operation in Gaza
Gaza's Shifa Hospital has become the focus of a dayslong stalemate in Israel's war against the Hamas militant group. Efforts by health workers to evacuate hospitals appeared to be failing Monday despite promises from Israeli forces to allow those wounded and sick to go south, according to doctors.Israel claims the facility also is used by Hamas for military purposes. It says Hamas has built a vast underground command complex center below the hospital, connected by tunnels. Meanwhile, the director of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has warned that all of its aid operations in Gaza will soon “grind to a halt” because of the lack of fuel in the besieged enclave.For each side, hospitals have become a symbol of the enemy's inhumanity—with Israelis accusing Hamas of using the sick and injured as human shields and Palestinians accusing the Israeli army of targeting medical facilities to exact revenge on a beleaguered civilian population. U.S. officials are increasingly concerned about the heavy toll of the conflict on civilians and have publicly called on Israel to address the suffering of noncombatants.
Partner
Flag & Anthem makes clothes that are built to move and look good while doing it.
In-N-Out Burger Is Expanding Again
It's not national ... yet. But the West Coast–based burger chain will soon have locations in new states
This is good news, because if you ask me, In-N-Out is the best fast food burger for your money. Period. I know some prefer Shake Shack, and I won't yuck your yum, but those fancy Shake Shack burgers cost twice (sometimes three times) what you pay at good ol' In-N-Out. And now, more people will soon have access to those delicious Double-Doubles.The family-owned chain is notoriously choosy about its expansion plans. Which is why it's particularly notable that the company announced on Instagram that it would be expanding to New Mexico for the first time, with its initial openings slated for Albuquerque. The Takout reports that another location is in the works in Meridian, Idaho, which is also a new market for the chain. And it's heading even further east than that: In-N-Out announced earlier this year that it will open its first location east of Texas in Nashville, Tennessee, by 2026. (Come to Chicago next!)What's more, the burger joint just celebrated its 75th anniversary. In-N-Out was founded in 1948 by Harry and Esther Snyder and is still owned and operated by the Snyder family today. What started as California's first “drive-thru” burger stand now has 385 locations in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Oregon, and Colorado. Sorry, East coasters, no In-N-Out for you just yet.
FYI:
The Los Angeles Times looks into why In-N-Out has barely changed its business for 75 years—not even its controversial fries.
The Super Sneakers Are Here
Athletes say they can feel a difference, but they often come with a high price tag and wear out quickly
The most intense rivalry in running currently isn't between two of the world's top athletes ... it's actually between two athletic footwear brands. First, Ethiopian Tigst Assefa crossed the finish line of the Berlin Marathon six weeks ago in a pair of new Adidas designs—eviscerating the previous best time by more than two minutes. Then Kelvin Kiptum, a 23-year-old Kenyan, broke the men's record in Chicago sporting some Nike prototypes.The two records in quick succession heightened the debate about how carbon-plated shoes—commonly referred to as “super shoes”—are rapidly changing the distance-running landscape. Today, they are worn by virtually all elite marathon runners, both for racing and for training, and by many casual runners, too. Some are happy about the new technology, arguing that an influx of world records and fast times only serves to advance the sport; others, like long-time coach Peter Thompson, believe that they are an obfuscation, skewing performance and removing a sense of “natural progression” in distance running.Meanwhile, you could be forgiven for thinking of Ons as just those trendy bubble-sole shoes you've started to see on commuters and shoppers and parents out with strollers around your neighborhood. But On, the shoe brand co-founded in 2010 by a former Ironman champion, has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the last few years. And despite the ubiquity, it appears that the brand is doubling down on being a true athletic shoe.
Dig Deeper:
Is a $500 marathon shoe you can only race one time really worth it? The New York Times examines the shoe's worth.
In Other News
“There's no reason to think that this is going to be over in a couple of days,” the mayor said.
Electric Vehicles Will Soon Get Easier to Fix, Thanks to a Feature That Gas Cars Have Had for Decades
Have you heard about ...
Partner
Give the Gift of Ultimate Comfort
Flag & Anthem makes clothes that are built to move and look good while doing it
Maybe you’re shopping for your dad, who now takes relaxation to the next level. Or your brother, who refuses to get out of his performance wear, no matter the occasion. Perhaps you're looking to treat yourself, before a season of holiday travel. In any case, Flag & Anthem has what you're looking for. The brand makes clothes that prioritize comfort without sacrificing classic all-American style. Level up your layering game with insanely soft, super stretchy, performance flannels that look like a regular button-down, but feel as soft as a sweatshirt. Built for all-day comfort and maximum mobility, their quarter-snap pullovers look polished under a jacket, but are built to withstand a game of touch football in the backyard. And right now, you can get 25% off sitewide when you use code VALET25, so shop early and save.
Madeflex hero knit performance flannel in charcoal and cream, $69.50 / $52.13
Hero textured knit snap pullover in red heather, $69.50 / $52.13
Madeflex hero knit performance flannel in blue and navy, $69.50 / $52.13
Alloway quilted shirt jacket in charcoal heather, $89.50 / $67.13
Madeflex hero knit performance flannel in olive, $69.50 / $52.13
Madeflex hero knit performance flannel in navy, $69.50 / $52.13
Madeflex hero knit performance flannel in black and charcoal, $69.50 / $52.13
Hero textured knit snap pullover in oatmeal heather, $69.50 / $52.13
Want more?
Shopping
What We’re Buying
A stool coat rack
This stylish piece combines the functionality of a coat rack and a stool into a single piece of furniture. With six sturdy hooks, it will hold everything from coats and bags to hats and scarves. Grab it while it’s on sale and upgrade your entryway.
Get It:
Pillar stool and coat rack, $159 / $127.20 by umbra
Morning Motto
Don’t over complicate things.
▾
Follow:
Share today’s motto:
