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Stranger Than Fiction
A brief daily note of things you might find interesting or useful
Apologies for no newsletter on Friday, I hit the road early for a trip to Massachusetts to crash with the in-laws for some late summer vacation time. We’re back to regularly scheduled programming this week.
You can support the newsletter that you’re reading right now using PayPal, Venmo, CashApp, or purchase a subscription on Substack.Don’t forget to join us in the Stranger Slack for access to source documents and a running feed of news throughout the day. (this link was broken for awhile and has now been fixed)TOP NEWS
Democrats Press Postmaster General to Testify Before Congress “Democratic lawmakers called U.S. Postal Service leaders to testify before Congress, as concerns mounted over mail delays before an election for which some states are expanding mail-in voting because of the pandemic.”
State officials rush to shore up confidence in Nov. 3 election “Attorneys general from at least six states are huddling to discuss possible lawsuits against the Trump administration to block it from reducing mail service in the wake of President Trump’s unprecedented attacks on the Postal Service and widespread mail delays around the country.”
More Americans Go Hungry Amid Pandemic, Census Shows “The number of Americans who say they can’t afford enough food for themselves or their children is growing and is likely to get larger as some government benefits have expired.”
Violence Erupts at Protests in Chicago, Portland “Peaceful demonstrations in downtown Chicago ended in a violent clash between police and protesters Saturday, leaving 17 officers injured and two dozen people arrested.”
Democratic convention will juggle hundreds of live feeds to re-create feel of a party celebration “For a typically antiquated and long-winded event, the remade unconventional convention could set a new standard for national political gatherings.”
WHAT I’M READING + WATCHING + LISTENING TO
🎧 LISTEN: The Biden-Harris Ticket Takes the StageJoe Biden and Kamala Harris came together as the Democratic ticket ahead of next week’s convention. Sabrina Siddiqui explains how Harris fits into Biden’s message.
The Postal Service and the 2020 Election: What You Need to Know
Although Hawaii has laws meant to preserve disappearing shorelines, beachfront property owners have been able to bypass them. That’s what happened at an expansive coastal estate officials say the Obamas will live in.
14 recommendations made by the Ad Hoc Committee for 2020 Election Fairness and Legitimacy in a new report, Fair Elections During a Crisis: Urgent Recommendations in Law, Media, Politics, and Tech to Advance the Legitimacy of, and the Public’s Confidence in, the November 2020 U.S. Elections
THE COMMENT
“Today, as we struggle with social upheaval, soaring debt, record unemployment, a runaway pandemic, and rising threats from China and Russia, President Trump is actively working to undermine every major institution in this country. He has planted the seeds of doubt in the minds of many Americans that our institutions aren’t functioning properly. And, if the president doesn’t trust the intelligence community, law enforcement, the press, the military, the Supreme Court, the medical professionals, election officials and the postal workers, then why should we? And if Americans stop believing in the system of institutions, then what is left but chaos and who can bring order out of chaos: only Trump. It is the theme of every autocrat who ever seized power or tried to hold onto it.” - William H. McRaven
THE STRANGEST
THE AV ROOM