The Daily Valet. - 4/4/22, Monday

✔️ Here's What Went Down

April 04, 2022

Monday, April 4th Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

I definitely don’t want to break a bone riding a Segway.

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

Music’s Biggest Night

Here’s what went down during The Grammys

Originally set to take place in January, the date for this year’s Grammy Awards ceremony was pushed due to COVID concerns, and the location changed from Los Angeles to Vegas.

Host Trevor Noah set up expectations moments into Sunday night’s show: Music’s biggest night is essentially one big concert where awards happen to be given out. It was a night full of surprises, but more welcome ones than the surprise we got last week at the Oscars (which I don’t need to go into, do I?).

For instance, acknowledging that there are serious problems outside of the glamorous world of music, there was a mid-show appearance from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, “The war—what’s more opposite than music?” he asked. “We defend our freedom. To live. To love. To sound. In our land, we are fighting Russia which brings horrible silence with their bombs. Fill the silence with your music.”

It was a big night for three artists in particular, who walked away with the night’s four biggest honors. Jon Batiste won album of the year for “We Are,” Silk Sonic won record and song of the year for “Leave the Door Open” and Olivia Rodrigo walked away with best new artist.

Doja Cat and SZA also scored a memorable win—which she nearly missed due to an ill-timed bathroom break. It all worked out, though, for the new winners of the best pop duo/group performance award. The Brothers Osborne won their first Grammy as well, for their song “Younger Me,” which TJ Osborne said “was written in response to me coming out.” As a fan of country music myself, I was happy to see a song like that get recognition.

But it was not a great night for recent Oscar winner, Billie Eilish, who for the past two years, has swept the Grammys. Last night, Eilish walked away empty handed, despite being nominated in seven categories.

↦ Red Carpet: What has always been one of the most stylish red carpets in existence didn’t disappoint last night.

Ukraine Accuses Russia of Massacre

Images and reports from Kyiv suburb spur global outrage

Haunting images of bodies in the streets of Bucha, near the capital of Kyiv, and reports of civilian executions prompted world leaders to call for new sanctions against Russia and investigations into alleged war crimes.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded accountability from the International Criminal Court for what he said amounts to “genocide.” According to the Washington Post, European leaders supported the call for an independent investigation and pledged to hold Russia accountable for what NATO's secretary general described as “brutality against civilians we haven't seen in Europe for decades.”

Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement that photos and videos of dead bodies “have been stage managed by the Kyiv regime for the Western media.” Russia has asked for a meeting later today of the U.N. Security Council to discuss events in the city. (The U.S. and Britain have recently accused Russia of using Security Council meetings to spread disinformation.)

And in terms of peace talks, Russia's chief negotiator dismissed Ukrainian claims that talks had reached the point where Putin could sit down with Zelensky. “The draft agreement is not ready for submission to a meeting at the top,” he said in a Telegram post. They seem to remain far apart on the question of territory.

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Earmarks Return to Congress

But maybe it’s not such a bad thing

The $1.5 trillion spending bill enacted last month did more than fund the U.S. government operations for the next six months. It also revived congressional earmarking—the controversial practice of allowing legislators (often at the behest of powerful constituents) to allocate money for specific projects in their district or state that federal agencies did not request.

Often derided as “pork” and regarded as an unseemly and even corrupt practice on Capitol Hill, Congress actually outlawed the use of earmarks a decade ago after several high-profile scandals (which, I'm sure would seem tame by today's standards).

And while it may come as a surprise to many, the Brookings Institution says the beneficiaries of this new policy will be everyday Americans, across the country. You see, earmarks are also a tool of consensus-building in Congress—giving lawmakers a reason to vote for legislation they otherwise might not support, making the wheels of government turn more easily.

According to the New York Times, the funding “went to projects big and small, rural and urban, crustacean and porcine.” In total, both parties scored nearly 5,000 earmarks, totaling $9 billion. And while it's fair to ask if taxpayers should pay for any of them, that $9 billion amounts to mere drop in the ocean of government spending. And it leads to more compromise, that certainly seems worth it.

↦ Dig Deeper: While many academic institutions have sought—and won—earmarks, the higher education community is deeply divided over the practice.

Segway’s New Scooters Are Terrifyingly Fast

Apparently, you can do a wheelie on this high-octane $4,000 e-scooter

The next generation of Segways are not the podiums-on-wheels from yesteryear. The company's new souped-up GT2 electric scooter can get up to 43.5 mph and accelerate to 30 mph in 4.2 seconds flat.

Some serious power and heft are required to pull off those feats. It has a 1500-watt motor and the 11-inch wheels are supported by air shock absorption with front and rear spring suspension and adjustable damping. That makes the GT2 clock in at over 114 pounds. (For reference, most Bird and Lime e-scooters scattered on city sidewalks are only about 45 pounds.)

Launched on Indiegogo, it's already smashed its fundraising goal. And while the campaign video does show full-helmet-wearing riders ripping through city streets, Segway is hedging its road-legal bets by pitching the GT series as racing thrill machines for the track or off-roading rather than for your daily commute.

According to Robb Report, other features include a digital display, LED lights, four speed modes and front/rear hydraulic disc brakes—which just might be the most sensible feature. Deliveries are expected to begin in August, which means you have four months to find yourself a very strong helmet.

↦ Buy: They're not cheap, but early adopters can get a $500 discount, so the GT2 will only cost you $3,499.

In Other News

↦ Tesla Has Delivered Over 310,000 Vehicles so Far This Year … Despite a ‘Exceptionally Difficult Quarter’

↦ What Does It Mean for Will Smith to Resign From The Academy?

↦ Why Are There Just Four Potato Chip Flavors in America?

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

Estelle Harris

Short @s$ movies

Swapping out your pillow

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What We’re Eyeing

An old school watch that pays homage to a time-honored place. The latest timepiece ($259) from Todd Snyder's successful collaboration with Timex is inspired by his famed New York storefront, the Liquor Store. The watch boasts a Japanese automatic movement, gold-tone accents and a glass exhibition case back. The watch is inspired by the customers who frequented the location when it was actually the TriBeCa Liquor Store, a watering hole for boozy mid-century executives.

↦ Want more? 5 stylish items to buy this week

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