The Daily Valet. - 11/21/19, Thursday
✔️ Bombshells and Bears
Thursday, November 21st Edition
How many more debates are left now?
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s Big Story
This Sounds Like Watergate
“Everyone was in the loop. It was no secret.”
Some called it a bombshell. Others called it a smoking gun. Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the European Union, testified before House impeachment investigators on Wednesday that there was a quid pro quo between Ukraine military aid and investigations into the Biden family.
According to his opening statement, "Everyone was in the loop. It was no secret. Everyone was informed via email on July 19, days before the presidential call."
He also implicated Vice President Mike Pence, White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as all being aware of a campaign to place pressure on Ukraine. He also said he worked with Rudy Giuliani to pressure Ukraine "at the express direction of the president."
As Esquire put it: "Sondland wrapped every one of them in dynamite. They were all in on the shakedown, which was not very complicated at all. All of those people wanted the Bidens investigated."
It was a blistering account, and a departure from his initial closed-door testimony in the impeachment inquiry last month. The New York Times reports that this indicates the ambassador, who played a central role in the pressure campaign, is now eager to demonstrate that he did so only reluctantly with the knowledge and approval of the president.
"I know that members of this committee have frequently framed these complicated issues in the form of a simple question: Was there a quid pro quo?" Sondland said. "The answer is yes." The president on Wednesday attempted to distance himself from Sondland, saying "I don’t know him very well" and quoting their September phone call where he said that he wanted "no quid pro quo."
↦ I want nothing: How Getty Images photographer Mark Wilson got that shot of Trump's notepad.
There Was Also a Debate Last Night
10 leading Democratic presidential hopefuls faced off in Atlanta
If you were a little burned out on politics last night, I don't blame you. But there was a Democratic debate. Of course, there was plenty of impeachment talk, but here's what else you missed:
Elizabeth Warren defended her plan for a wealth tax after weeks of sparring with rich Americans over the policy that has made national headlines. The senator from Massachusetts' plan, which would tax wealth from $50 million to $1 billion at 2% and net worth above $1 billion at 6%, has been polling well even among Republicans and independents.
There was a lot of attention on South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who has recently surged in Iowa polls. But he emerged largely unscathed as he addressed his experience and qualifications. He conceded that his is “not traditional, establishment Washington experience,” but argued that this helps him take on Trump. “We need somebody who can go toe-to-toe, who actually comes from the kinds of communities that he’s been appealing to,” Buttigieg said.
Cory Booker might've took the most direct shot of the night when he targeted Biden, one of the primary race’s front-runners and one of its most conservative candidates on drug policy. “This week I heard him literally say I don’t think we should legalize marijuana,” Mr. Booker said. “I thought you might have been high when you said it.”
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Washington’s Other Drama? A Panda’s Departure
Bei Bei has officially left America ...
Did you know that China owns and leases all giant pandas in US zoos? It's true. The bears, and especially their cubs, have been part of a goodwill agreement between the two countries through times both solid and shaky—from the Cold War to the current trade tensions and turmoil in Hong Kong.
But part of the deal is that when a male bear is born here, he returns to China after turning four in order to help diversify the panda gene pool and keep it off the endangered species list. And Bei Bei, the beloved panda born at the National Zoo in 2015, has just left for his new home in China.
Unlike other more shy and reserved bears in the panda program, Bei Bei was, as the New Yorker described him, the "Winnie-the-Pooh of pandas—curious, engaging, playful, and ever in search of something sweet." The little guy quickly found fame outside of DC and his first steps garnered more than three hundred thousand views on YouTube.
But late on Tuesday, the time had come for Bei Bei to leave. They loaded him onto a specialized Boeing 777 for a 15-1/2-hour flight to Chengdu, China. According to the Washington Post, it’s not clear how, or whether, the zoo will get giant panda cubs again.
↦ In-flight snacks: Bei Bei traveled with 66 pounds of bamboo, two pounds of apples and a bucket of cooked sweet potatoes.
How “Sinful” Is Your City?
Behold, the most (and least) sinful cities in America
I feel dirty. I'm currently writing this from the ninth most sinful place in the United States. At least, according to the new report from WalletHub, which has been compiling this list for the past few years.
Why? Well, there's a lot to atone for, at least that's what a representative from WalletHub told me. "From beer-loving Milwaukee to hedonistic New Orleans, the US is filled with people behaving illicitly. No place is innocent." After all, we tip the scales in obesity rankings and every year sustain over $200 billion in losses as a result. Plus, Americans began 2019 with over $1 trillion in credit card debt.
To compile the list, WalletHub compared more than 180 cities based on seven notorious behaviors: anger and hatred, jealousy, excesses and vices, greed, lust, vanity and laziness. Las Vegas lived up to its infamous reputation, taking the top spot on the list, while Pearl City, Hawaii was deemed the least sinful.
Port St. Lucie, Florida, has the fewest thefts (per 1,000 residents), 9.74, which is 7.4 times fewer than in Spokane, Washington, the city with the most at 72.11. In terms of unhealthy behaviors like smoking, San Jose, California, has the lowest share of adult smokers (8.20%), which is three times lower than in St. Louis, the city with the highest at (24.69%). Miami (where we're based) took the ninth spot, ranking relatively low in terms of anger and laziness but spiking when it came to greed and lust. If you've ever been here, you'd agree ... sounds about right.
↦ Where do you Stand? Check out the list and see how your city stacks up.
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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A Simple, But Very Welcome Innovation
Apple’s new iPhone battery case includes a dedicated camera short cut button
Big news from Apple, and I'm not talking about opening that new, sprawling campus in Austin. I'm talking about an iPhone case.
Apple has just launched its lineup of battery cases for the iPhone 11 and while they look very similar to last year’s cases (albeit with a larger camera cutout), they're smarter than the previous cases.
How? There's a physical camera shortcut button. A press of the button automatically opens the camera app—even if your phone is locked. And if you turn the phone horizontally for a shot, your right index finger should naturally rest right near the button for easy snapping. Hold it down and the phone will start recording a video using the new QuickTake feature available on the latest iPhones.
I figured the new AirPods were going to be my next purchase, but now it looks like this smart case will be the latest edition of "Damnit Apple, take my money."
↦ Get It: Smart Battery cases, $129 at Apple
Weekend Shopping Plans
From sneakers to outerwear, our picks from three can’t-miss sales going on this weekend.
Additional 30% off sale items w/code EXTRA30
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Get up to 65% off select items
Norse Projects jacket $360 / $215.98
Special Promotion
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↦ Get It $298 / $178.80 today w/code ALDER40 at Moral Code
Morning Motto
We’ve heard it a hundred times …. But it’s true.
↦ Follow: @third.eye.thought
That’s all for today...
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