The Daily Valet. - 3/2/20, Monday
✔️ Big Wins and Bows and Arrows
Monday, March 2nd Edition
And just like that, it was March.
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s Big Story
Biden Is Back, Buttigieg Is Gone
Mayor Pete drops out of the race after Biden won big in the South Carolina primary on Saturday
If former Vice President Joe Biden had lost the South Carolina primary this weekend, his campaign would have likely have been dead. But he far exceeded expectations, with a nearly 30-point win in the state's Democratic presidential primary, reports NPR.
The win showcased his support among black voters. He even thanked Jim Clyburn (the highest-ranking African American in Congress) during his victory speech, "you brought me back!" And he wasn't joking.
According to the Washington Post, Biden moved aggressively Sunday to capitalize on his dramatic victory, "welcoming a round of key endorsements and insisting in television interviews that he alone can unite his anxious party and stave off the ascent of Sen. Bernie Sanders."
But Biden needs money—a lot of it—in order to catch up to Sanders. Politico reported Saturday that he won't be able to match Sanders, who has spent more than $15 million advertising in Super Tuesday states. Meanwhile, Bloomberg has aired $69 million in California ads alone, along with hundreds of millions more elsewhere.
Another significant boost for Biden came Sunday evening, when former South Bend, Ind., mayor Pete Buttigieg—a rival for moderate votes—ended his campaign. The day before, venture capitalist Tom Steyer dropped out as well.
According to FiveThirtyEight, all polls point to tomorrow's Super Tuesday being a close race.
↦ What Is Super Tuesday? It's the single day when the most states hold contests to pick a presidential nominee, the most voters have a chance to go to the polls and the most delegates will be allotted to the candidates.
US and Taliban Sign Peace Agreement
It paves the way to end America’s longest running war
On Saturday, more than 18 years after the September 11th terrorist attacks that kicked off the American invasion of Afghanistan, the US made a bid to end America's longest war.
US Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad and the head of the militant Islamist group, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, signed the potentially historic agreement Saturday in Doha, Qatar, where the two sides spent months hashing out its details, reports NPR.
Under the terms of the deals, the US will gradually withdraw troops from the war-torn country over the next 14 months, initially reducing the number of troops from about 13,000 to 8,600. In exchange, the Taliban has vowed to hammer out a political agreement with the Afghan government involving power-sharing and a cease-fire and break ties with ISIS, al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.
Washington also agreed to lift sanctions on the Taliban later this year and to work with other members of the U.N. Security Council to remove sanctions against members of the Taliban within three months.
The US Coronavirus Outbreak Widens
New cases emerge as America plans a radical and necessary expansion of testing
New cases of the novel coronavirus in Washington, California, Rhode Island and Florida on Sunday raised fears of a wider spread of the disease. There have been a total of at least 88 confirmed cases in the US so far, according to reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health departments, reports CBS News.
A second person has died from the virus in the Seattle area and more confirmed cases of the illness have emerged in Washington State, a troubling sign that it was spreading undetected for weeks.
After some initial delays in testing ability, the United States now has enough diagnostic kits to test 75,000 people, with more on the way, Alex M. Azar II, the health and human services secretary, said on Sunday.
I have to agree with the Times' editorial board, "despite many warnings over many years, we are still not ready." The C.D.C. has conducted less than 500 tests so far, while health officials in Britain have tested more than 10,400 people as of Saturday.
↦ FYI: Nearly 40% of American beer drinkers aren't comfortable buying Corona beer (or ordering it out in public), according to a new study.
Tomorrow’s Artifacts?
The many plastic bags of New York will soon become something of the past
New York's plastic bag ban has officially gone into effect, but the state will wait until April 1 to penalize stores that violate it, reports NBC.
The state is prohibiting stores from handing out most thin plastic bags (except restaurant takeout food and those used to wrap meat). But an association of 6,000 convenience store owners statewide opposes the state's efforts to allow stores to hand out only thick, reusable plastic bags that the industry says it can't yet produce.
Before they disappear, writer Annalisa Quinn is celebrating the unique enigma of the plastic bag. Environmentally ruinous, yet oddly beautiful. Made to last forever, yet thrown away immediately. She introduces us to Sho Shibuya, a Tokyo-born graphic designer, who's collected over 200 different bags since moving to New York in 2011. The collection is presented as if they were hung in an art gallery. I love it. You can almost hear the crinkle of the bags as you scroll.
↦ FYI: In 2014, California became the first state to enact legislation imposing a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags at large retail stores.
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
+
Archery Dodgeball Is a Thing
And I’m definitely interested in trying it out
Dodgeball is a gym class game. Competitive archery dodgeball? That's a whole different thing. I'd never heard it before, and I'm guessing you haven't either.
But it's a growing sport. Which is why the Wall Street Journal profiled it over the weekend.
Rules differ state to state, but essentially when a referee blows a whistle, teams rush to a central dividing line, grab as many arrows as possible and attempt to hit their opponents while simultaneously dodging incoming fire. Unlike dodgeball, players can shield themselves behind inflatable obstacles.
Honestly, I can't think of a better way to bond (or get out your aggression) with your colleagues. It brings me back to the laser tag of my youth. And I wouldn't mind rounding up a few friends ... to shoot with a bow and arrow.
What We’re Buying
Unlike most of the items you get from Ikea, there's no assembly required for these clean and sophisticated dinnerware. The matte-glazed stoneware has a unique character to it and provides for an elevated feel, which might even tempt you to plate your meal like a chef—just maybe. If you've been working with a hodgepodge set of plates and bowls for most of your adult life, this is a practical no-brainer upgrade. And while going neutral is a seemingly safe option, we say it also shows that you're committed to keeping things clean.
↦ Get It $34.99 for an 18-piece set at Ikea
Today’s Deals
Expires 3/2
Expires 3/3
Expires 3/31
↦ Want More? See all 49 sales
Morning Motto
A simple reminder for the start of the week ...
↦ Follow: @beefwand
That’s all for today...
...but we could use your help.
The more people who know about The Daily Valet., the stronger it can become. So grab your unique referral code below and start sharing with your friends, family and coworkers to earn some exclusive discounts to our favorite brands and cool stuff you'll actually want (not just throw-away “swag”).
Your Unique Referral Code:
↦ Want to Learn More? Check out your personal Valet. Ambassor page for program details and get a closer look at the available rewards (and how many referrals are needed to score them).
Valet Media LLC350 Lincoln Road, 2nd FloorMiami Beach, FL 33139[email protected]