The Daily Valet. - 9/21/20, Monday

✔️ A Big Night and a New Fight

September 21, 2020

Monday, September 21st Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

Who else plans on rewatching ‘Watchmen’ this week?

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today's edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

A Supreme Court Vacancy Debate

The president said he’ll nominate a woman to succeed Justice Ginsburg

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the demure firebrand who in her 80s became a legal, cultural and feminist icon, died Friday. The Supreme Court announced her death, saying the cause was complications from metastatic cancer of the pancreas, reports NPR.

Her death, six weeks before Election Day, stirred political jockeying by both parties. Republicans immediately pushed to move quickly on a successor. Democrats call the move “hypocrisy” after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to consider President Obama’s nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, seven months before the 2016 election.

President Trump said this weekend he would nominate a woman as a successor to Justice Ginsburg, adding that Republicans should move forward with a nominee “without delay.”

On Sunday, GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined fellow Republican Susan Collins of Maine (who’s locked in a tough re-election fight), saying she is opposed to confirming a Trump nominee before the election, on Nov. 3.

Now, attention is on other moderate Republicans. According to the Associated Press, people are looking to Mitt Romney of Utah, who has been critical of Trump and protective of the institution of the Senate. Another senator to watch is Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, the former chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He said this summer that if he still chaired the committee and a vacancy occurred, “I would not have a hearing on it because that’s what I promised the people in 2016.”

Four Republican defections would be needed to block the confirmation if all members of the Democratic caucus oppose the pick, as expected.

↦ RIP: Ginsburg's fellow Supreme Court justices wrote moving tributes remembering their “dear friend.”

The Emmys Were ... Really Good?

‘Schitt’s Creek,’ ‘Succession,’ and ‘Watchmen’ score sweeping wins

Who would've thought that a socially-distanced, audience-less award show is what we needed right now? Even host Jimmy Kimmel acknowledged that the show might “seem frivolous and unnecessary” in the middle of a pandemic, but “right now, we need fun.”

Dang it, he was right. Everyone's favorite, Schitt's Creek (which had never won an Emmy before) became the first comedy to ever sweep the four main comedy acting categories—both lead and supporting categories—in a single season, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

HBO's Succession snagged four of the seven drama prizes, while Watchmen dominated the limited-series voting (amassing 11 awards overall, including seven claimed during earlier ceremonies in technical areas).

Zendaya set social media ablaze last night, making Emmys history as the youngest lead actress drama winner at 24 for her gritty role in Euphoria. “I know this feels like a really, really weird time to be celebrating,” she said in her acceptance speech. “And I just want to say to all of my peers out there doing the work in the streets—I see you. I admire you.”

↦ Dig Deeper: Yeah, we weren't exactly sure what Succesion's Jeremy Strong was wearing either ... but the guy's an original.

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200,000 and Counting

The prediction made in March has come to pass

It seems every news outlet tracks COVID-19 deaths slightly differently these days. Several, including NBC News, have already reported that the United States has reached the 200,000 milestone. Other outlets cite the John Hopkins database, which shows the death count approaching 199,500 deaths.

Every estimate is imperfect, of course. But this analysis by Julie Pace of the Associated Press notes that “the real number is certainly higher” and “public health experts fear infections could spike this fall and winter.”

Especially because Americans are tuning away from news about the pandemic, according to the Washington Post. Google searches for virus information have plummeted by nearly 90% since March.

It's important to remember that every one of these losses matter. As a visceral reminder of just how many have died to COVID-19 in America, the Washington National Cathedral's funeral bell was rung 200 times on Sunday evening to mourn the 200,000 lives lost.

↦ FYI: The Washington Post recently posted a comprehensive guide to COVID etiquette, in case you want to brush up.

A New Fried Chicken Sandwich Enters the Ring

Chick-fil-a is testing a new variation of the original

The spicy chicken war is heating up again. Last week, McDonald's introduced a spicy version of its iconic kid-friendly McNuggets while Jack in the Box brought back their Spicy Chicken Strips.

Of course, Popeyes is the one to beat in this fight. But the originator of the chicken sandwich, Chick-fil-A, might have a chance. For a limited time, some lucky folks in select areas of the country can try the new Honey Pepper Pimento sandwich.

Chick-fil-A's new creation features an original Chick-fil-A filet drizzled with honey, topped with pimento cheese and served on a warm, toasted bun with mild pickled jalapenos. Chef Stuart Tracy, one of Chick-fil-A's senior culinary developers, told Restaurant News that he and his team worked on this sandwich for more than a year.

The sandwich was built to be “savory, salty, sweet and melty.” Honestly, you had me at pimento cheese.

↦ FYI: According to a recent survey, 92% of Americans say some form of fried chicken is their go-to comfort food.

In Other News

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

The ultimate exercise machine

Vintage cars, electric engines

Five things we want this week

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The Modern Answer to My Sore Muscles

ASYSTEM’s Radical Relief delivers near instant results

There are all sorts of reasons why my lower back was hurting. It could’ve been the cycling I’ve been doing on the weekend to relieve stress. It might’ve been tense muscles from said stress. Or the tension from sitting hunched over a laptop while working from home. Either way, the ache was persistent and annoying. Thankfully, I had this handsome green tube from ASYSTEM on hand.

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What We’re Buying

Beyond a long sleeve shirt and a warm hat, one of the most recommended items to have when exercising during the cooler months is a pair of leggings. Something men have taken far too long to embrace. They help reduce chaffing, increase circulation and remove all the unnecessary fabric that comes with a pair of loose track pants. The UA Mileage Tights are the perfect introduction to rocking leggings while running. They have a back pocket to stash your phone, keys and a credit card, and there's even a built-in brief for added support—and no awkward bulges or outlines. Plus, right now they're on sale.

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