Skimm'd while staycationing

NOVEMBER 21, 2018

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Skimm'd while staycationing


  QUOTE OF THE DAY  

"A mess inside and out" – Martha Stewart on her first Uber ride. Oh, the struggle.

DECISION MADE

The Story

Yesterday, President Trump said the US stands with Saudi Arabia despite the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Exclamation point.

Well then.

One more time: Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last month. A lot of people pointed fingers at Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for ordering the killing. After struggling to get its story straight, the Saudi gov finally said 'oh yeah, our bad...but don't blame it on the prince.' Last week, the US issued sanctions on 17 Saudis it said were suspects. And Germany ended arms sales to the kingdom. Everyone's been waiting to learn more about the CIA's assessment on this. It apparently concluded that the order came from the crown prince himself. All eyes were on what else the US would do in response.

So, what else is the US doing?

Nothing. Yesterday, President Trump put out a statement to end the speculation of where the US stands. Here's the gist of what it said: 'The world is dangerous. Yeah, what happened to Khashoggi was terrible. And yeah, the crown prince may or may not have ordered it. But everything Iran does is worse. What we should focus on is the hundreds of billions of dollars that Saudi Arabia will pour into the US. Also, oil.'

What does this mean?

It ignores a push from lawmakers on both sides who've demanded harsher measures against Saudi Arabia. And seems to downplay the CIA's assessment of the killing – although Trump says the CIA didn't conclude anything "definitive." This wouldn't be the first time the president has been at odds with the national intelligence community.

Remind me.

Russia, Russia, Russia. Intelligence agencies say the country meddled in the US election to help Trump win. Trump says 'but did it really...I mean, I guess?' Yesterday, he passed off his written answers to special counsel Robert Mueller's questions about his knowledge of Russian interference. TBD if it puts the whole thing to bed.

theSkimm

From day one, Trump has made it very clear that one of his admin's top priorities is business in America. His statement yesterday shows that despite pressure from members of both parties, he's not changing that approach – no matter the accusation leveled against his biz partner.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What you keep hearing about…

Afghanistan. Yesterday, a suicide bomber attacked a gathering of religious scholars in the capital, killing at least 55 people and injuring dozens more. Hundreds were gathered there to mark a holiday celebrating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. No one has claimed responsibility yet, including ISIS or the Taliban – although both have carried out attacks against civilians in the past.


What to say when the Thanksgiving convo goes off the rails…

What's going on here? Asking for Mississippi's Senate runoff election. Earlier this month, neither Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R) nor challenger Mike Espy (D) got a majority of the vote. So, yay, runoff. But weird stuff has come out recently. Last week, footage surfaced of Hyde-Smith telling a supporter that if "he invited me to a public hanging, I'd be on the front row." Cue jaws dropping, considering the state's history of lynching black Americans. Also, considering that Espy himself is black. Yesterday, Hyde-Smith finally apologized to "anyone that was offended." But she's also been caught saying that she's cool with voter suppression. She says she was joking. And yesterday, old Facebook pictures of hers resurfaced, showing her wearing a Confederate soldier's hat at the home of a former Confederate president. As part of the caption, she wrote, "Mississippi history at its best." Walmart and other companies are asking Hyde-Smith for their donations back. It's unclear what this all means for the vote next week. If Hyde-Smith wins, it ups the Republican majority in the Senate to 53-47. If Espy wins, he'd be the state's first Dem senator since the '80s...and its first black senator since Reconstruction.


Who people are talking about...

Lou Anna Simon. Yesterday, the former president of Michigan State University was charged with lying to the police over what she knew about Larry Nassar. You know Nassar as the former USA Gymnastics team doctor who's been accused of molesting hundreds of women and girls during his time at USA Gymnastics, Michigan State, and other training centers for gymnasts. Earlier this year, Simon resigned over how she handled this. Now, she faces up to four years in prison.


What to say when you hear the stock market's down…

Here's what else you need to know about in the biz world: eight men are suing Saks Fifth Avenue over claims of age and race discrimination. Victoria's Secret is bringing bathing suits back. There's no Glamour in print these days. But at least some former Toys "R" Us owners are paying employees who got laid off.


What to say when there are things you won't eat on Thanksgiving…

Do not eat romaine lettuce. This is not a drill.

SKIMM READS

"Severance" by Ling Ma

"It's the end of the world as we know it" is not just the soundtrack to your politically charged Thanksgiving dinner. In this book, a millennial's routine is upended...by the actual end of the world. Meet an apocalyptic satire that's your perfect food coma escape. Get it here.


PS: Want to go in for seconds with more Skimm Reads? Here you go.

SKIMM PICKS

For when you have big shoes to fill...

Put your foot on the gas. Get inspired with our latest Skimm'd From the Couch episode, presented by the Buick Encore. In it, we talk with Lauren Bush Lauren about how she's carved out her own legacy by starting her own company without the 'right' experience. Give it a listen.*


For when you're jealous of your sister still in college…

Go back to school, too. This company has thousands of online classes on things like design, tech, film, writing, and more. Skimm'rs get a two-month free trial. Get into it.*


For when you realize Black Friday is around the corner…

Brace yourselves. Shop our best of Black Friday picks from your couch. And save yourself (and your feet...and your sanity) from the madness.

*PS This is a sponsored section, which means if you sign up, theSkimm may get something in return. Thanks.

PROGRAMMING NOTE

Skimm HQ is in turkey feast mode. No Daily Skimm until Monday. Happy Thanksgiving.

SKIMM SHARE

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