The Daily Valet. - 7/22/20, Wednesday

✔️ Big Brands Make Big Moves

July 22, 2020

Wednesday, July 22nd Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

I’ve got a few theories of my own. How about you?

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today's edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

What’s Up With QAnon?

How the conspiracy theory has taken political root

Twitter announced Tuesday that it has begun taking sweeping actions to limit the reach of QAnon content, banning many of the conspiracy theory’s followers because of problems with harassment and misinformation, reports NBC News.

The company said that as part of its new policy, the company had taken down more than 7,000 QAnon accounts in the last few weeks for breaking its rules.

You’ve probably, like me, been seeing more references to QAnon lately. The fringe theory that President Trump is at war with a global cabal of powerful, Satan-worshiping elites who control the world and run a child sex ring has shifted over the last three years from anonymous message boards to Trump rallies to the 2020 ballot, reports the Los Angeles Times.

More than 60 current and former congressional candidates have promoted or embraced the unfounded QAnon theory, according to a count by Media Matters, a left-leaning research site that tracks conservative media.

And even as party leaders publicly distance themselves from the movement, the New York Times reports that they are quietly supporting some QAnon-linked candidates. Which demonstrates the thin line they’re trying to walk between radical elements among their base and the moderate voters they need to win over.

↦ Dig Deeper: The FBI has labeled QAnon a potential domestic terrorism threat.

Congress Agrees on More Coronavirus Stimulus Checks

But, it seems, that’s all they can agree on

Unemployment insurance supplements from the federal government will likely be cut off for tens of millions of Americans next week after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he did not expect lawmakers to reach a deal on the next stimulus package in time, reports Newsweek.

Republican leaders labored on Tuesday to avert a party revolt over the next round of coronavirus aid, announcing that they planned to provide $105 billion for schools, direct payments to American families and more aid for struggling small businesses as rank-and-file lawmakers balked at the proposal's cost.

They were still fighting among themselves over how much money to devote to testing and health agencies on the front lines and whether to include a payroll tax cut that President Trump has demanded—ahead of what are expected to be fraught negotiations with Democrats.

“We do envision direct checks again,” McConnell said Tuesday. Democrats are already on board with a second round of payments. Their starting proposal, the Heroes Act, includes $1,200 per U.S. resident with up to $6,000 per household. The only debate now seems to be how big the checks should be.

↦ Dig Deeper: Five takeaways from Trump's return to the coronavirus briefing stage.

Special Promotion

Promise her a great time. This modern wellness company is ensuring plenty of buzzing and tingling in the bedroom.

Big Brands Combat Carbon Emissions

Microsoft, Starbucks and Nike push to hit net zero carbon emissions

Microsoft has teamed up with Unilever, Starbucks, Nike and a handful of other global companies that would seem to have little in common except for established plans to cut carbon pollution and what their executives say is a willingness to teach others to hit net zero emissions by 2050, reports MarketWatch.

Called “Transform to Net Zero”, the group plans to recruit other members and will work with the Environmental Defense Fund to focus on delivering guidance, research and blueprints for businesses to cut carbon emissions.

While many companies have made commitments to improve, critics say action by the corporate world still falls far short of the sort of far-reaching change needed to meet UN targets on emissions and capping the global rise at 1.5 degrees Celsius, reports Reuters.

I like this idea. Let the big boys with deep pockets handle the initial research and then disseminate what they find to be the best practices to smaller businesses that could never tackle such an initiative. Seems like good karma, right?

↦ Meanwhile: NBC News looks into how Biden's climate plan makes clean energy by 2035 "very doable."

Male Bisexuality Is Real, New Study Confirms

And it upends decades of flawed research

After decades of skepticism, researchers finally have collected enough data that shows male bisexuality is real—and not just a bridge toward homosexuality.

According to U.S. News & World Report, scientists at Northwestern University came to their conclusion after poring over the findings of eight sexual orientation studies conducted between 2000 and 2019 at four different American, Canadian and British sites.

Researchers gauged arousal with instruments that measured erection in response to male and female erotic stimuli. They confirmed that male sexual attraction and orientation encompasses a range, from 100% straight to genuinely bisexual to gay.

These results are not stating that bisexual men are equally attracted to both men and women, The Advocate notes. Rather it demonstrated that bisexual men were more aroused by men than straight men, more aroused by women than gay men, and equally attracted to both genders to a greater extent than either straight or gay men.

↦ FYI: The study supports Alfred Kinsey's 1948 theory that sexuality exists on a continuum. The Kinsey Scale observes sexual orientation on a seven-point scale—zero being totally straight and six being completely gay.

In Other News

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

Every decision is a risk ...

The stuff we want to buy right now

Martha Stewart’s pool thirst trap

Special Promotion

An Intimacy Upgrade

Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest impact

We’ve told you about Promescent before in the newsletter. The cutting-edge personal wellness brand has made a name for itself with a line of effective products backed up by science and years of medical research. The collection ranges from modern condoms and delay sprays to a unique supplement formulated to boost your energy—both in life and in the bedroom. But one of their most popular items is the Female Arousal Gel.

A hybrid gel containing the best properties from both silicone and water-based lubes, it’s designed to be used with a partner or solo. It’s designed to target her most sensitive areas while heightening her arousal and pleasure. What’s it feel like? The company says it provides a gentle buzzing sensation that produces delightful effects within five minutes of application. What’s more, a little goes a long way. You’ll need just a pea-sized amount, so this tiny tube can get up to 75 uses. And then there’s the 100% satisfaction guarantee. So what do you have to lose?

↦ Get It: $19.95 / $16.95 w/code VALET15 at Promescent

What We’re Buying

Today is the last day that Madewell is offering an extra 40% off all sale items with code GIANT. That means you can get everything from jacquard shorts and drawstring chinos to this cool jacket on the cheap. It folds up into its own sling bag, making it ideal for unpredictable weather..

↦ Get It $89.99 / $53.99 at Madewell

Special Promotion

Switch Things Up for Summer

It’s warm and sticky out. Get a moisturizer that keeps up. This lightweight yet hydrating cream from one of our favorite grooming brands is tailor-made for the rigors of warm weather. It’s fast-absorbing and fights excess oil production, leaving a natural matte finish instead of a greasy shine. Plus, it’s formulated with ginger root and bamboo to fight breakouts and soothe irritation.

↦ Get It $38 / $23 w/code VALET at Port Products