NATIONAL LAGER DAY UPDATES

You Drink a Whiskey Drink, You Drink a Vodka Drink, You Drink a Lager Drink, You Drink a Cider Drink!

-The Urban Legend of the man who apparently shot and killed United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson has ... been a bit altered since the suspect was captured in a Pennsylvania McDonald's. Luigi Mangione, 26 and apparently not related to 70s easy listening flugelhornist Chuck Mangione (I know I'm not the only one who wondered!), 26, reportedly had severe back problems and grandparents who also had medical issues - but is also from an extremely wealthy family, attended a $40K/year prep school, graduated from Ivy League colleges, and had a wide range of people he liked from Tucker Carlson to the Unabomber (not to mention Elon Musk and Peter Thiel). That he used anti-healthcare totems on the casings of what reportedly was a self-made firearm may make many still look at him as a cautionary tale connected to health insurance and the (by most accounts) atrocious record of United, but as often happens, the elevation into folk hero may need some rethinking.

-THIS JUST IN: Mangione was denied bail in a New York City court after screaming and being generally 'disruptive' during the hearing. A "manifesto" that he wrote was also just released; if anyone sees it and wants to get back to us, please respond with a comment or link. And yes, we have noted observations by several people on social media that his mug shot makes him look like a member of a boy band. Are y'all TRYING to keep his legend alive?

-While Mangione's star may be fading (or IS it?!) (really? too soon?!), another 26-year-old is seeing certain quarters of social media may be rising. In a New York City courtroom, ex-Marine Daniel Penny was acquitted of manslaughter for putting Jordan Neely, a homeless man with a history of mental illness, in a chokehold for six minutes on a subway car, the jury agreeing with Penny's contention that the unarmed Neely was loud and threatening to women on the train. This acquittal has been embraced by right-wing media as an example of what heroic Alpha Males do, with Megyn Kelly adding the hideously racist note that "this will kill BLM forever!" Whether Penny makes joint appearances with fellow MAGA white privileged killer Kyle Rittenhouse remains to be seen, but the New York Post's cover page was revealing - banner headlines in adoration of Penny, a condemning warning about protecting CEOs in the column on the left.

-Speaking of the Post, a bit of hopium will be added here because of a real-life succession battle affecting the Post's owner, 93-year-old Australian magnate Rupert Murdoch. In Nevada, a court there "resoundingly" (according to the New York Times) denied Murdoch the ability to give eldest son Lachlan full control of the Murdoch Trust, with which control of the Fox media empire lies. Rupert wants Lachlan to control the money because Lachlan would continue Fox News' pro-MAGA pro-Trump pro-Billionaire anti-democracy editorial policies throughout their holdings, but the failed attempt allows the other three Murdoch children (James, Elisabeth and Prudence) means those three would assume control when Rupert finally goes - and with him would go the hard-right Fox bias, which the three remaining children are not in favor of. Rupert and Lachlan intend to appeal the ruling. Indeed, a transcript from the Nevada hearing actually references an episode from the HBO Max series SUCCESSION in which that family's patriarch dies, triggering a knock-down drag-out fight amongst the fictional children as it reflects on the real Murdoch clan. Watch that space ...

-Back to real-life politics, where it appears the imminent withdrawal of Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth is not so imminent after all. A full-court press of pressure from MAGA (which reportedly included organized "lobbying" from MAGAts) and potential threats of fully-funded primary challengers (courtesy of manservant-to-Trump (?) Musk) seems to have calmed the waters as stories continue to emerge of Hegseth's sure-seems-like-problematic drinking, womanizing, and abusive behavior (never mind the anti-woman, anti-LGBTQ, pro-Christian nationalist writings and interviews Hegseth has done for years). Of particular interest is IA Senator Joni Ernst, who was rumored to be on the short list of potential appointees should Hegseth withdraw or not be approved. Ernst is now supporting Hegseth's nomination, which by no means guarantees he will be approved, but clearly has bought time heading into theoretical hearings (which Trump's team has occasionally threatened to circumvent).

-Other DC watchers believe Hegseth may now be running interference for any number of way unqualified Trump appointees to other positions, in particular National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard, who is making a round of visits to Senators today. Gabbard is believed to be reeling after one of her most well-known connections, Bashar al Assad, was deposed of his strongman position in Syria over the weekend. Gabbard has refused to comment on Assad's fall, and questions about her adoration of Vladimir Putin (as verified by Russian TV, where pro-Putin commentators referred to Gabbard as "Putin's Girlfriend" the day after Election Day) still need to be addressed. Gabbard's confirmation is also not assured at this point.

-While the rounds are being made by most Trump nominees, the person assigned to begin Trump's long-held dream of mass deportations made his most explicit threat yet. Speaking in Chicago at the invitation of the Illinois Republican Party with a TRUMP VANCE campaign sign hanging over his dais, "Border Tsar" Tom Homan insulted Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker before asserting the first deportations would take place in Chicago - and threatening the two by saying they better "get the Hell out of the way!" while ICE agents reasonably try to find criminals in the Chicago population in the least disruptive method imagina-OH WHO ARE WE KIDDING? The fact that Homan appeared in a Northwest side ward that voted for Trump and is known to be a home for Chicago police (and was attended by pro-cop and pro-Trump Alderman Nick Sposato) showed that Homan at least has a sense of theatre and known ability to dish out tough talk. (At least he wasn't wearing cosplay camo.)

-THIS JUST IN TOO: Outgoing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (TuRtle, KY) was taken to a hospital and released after falling at a GOP Lunch this afternoon. McConnell, 82, reportedly was treated for a sprained wrist and a "gash" on his face, but at this time is not going to be checked into a hospital. Recall that, should he step down, a Kentucky law passed by their MAGAGOP legislative majority claims they can appoint his successor instead of current Democratic Governor (and, yes, potential 2028 Democratic Presidential contender) (DON'T @ ME FOR BEING EARLY - just observing) Andy Beshear.

-THIS ALSO JUST IN: A Federal judge has blocked Kroger's proposed $25 billion merger on the grounds that the merger would limit the variety of grocery stores nationally. The companies have been trying to finalize the merger since 2022 and apparently will need to keep fighting if they wish to continue to try to merge.

-Closing with mega-money sportsball news, details are emerging over Juan Soto's megadeal he cut with the New York Mets - and it appears that Soto's old team, the Yankees, blew it. Despite being within $4m of each other, Soto reportedly was upset during the year that his parents had been refused attendance several times by Yankee security details during the 2024 season. Further, the Yankees refused to throw in a luxury suite at Yankee Stadium as part of the deal - something they do not give to any of their superstars, including Aaron Judge - and the combination of ticking off Soto's mom and the overzealous private cops helped Soto move from the Bronx to Queens. Another interesting twist: Soto can opt out of the $756M contract in 2030 (it is a 14-year deal) should the Mets - now the owners of baseball's most expensive roster - not win another title or two.

-And Soto doesn't even pitch left-handed!

-Also, the Soto signing means baseball nerds are now looking at the baseball Winter Meeting, taking place in Dallas, to be extremely active with lots of trades now that the Soto signing is done - a marked contrast to last year when little business was completed during the Shohei Ohtani dance won by the Los Angeles Dodgers (he signed after last year's Winter Meetings). So, go grab a bag of balls and try to get that new contract - after today's trivia pile!

-On this date in 1922, the Canton Bulldogs won the first-ever professional football title. On this date in 1927, a Barn Dance radio broadcast in Nashville, Tennessee, was renamed The Grand Ole Opry. On this date in 1936, King Edward VII abdicated the British Throne to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. On this date in 1965, David Bowie released his first record. And on this date in 1996, a new constitution enshrining a multiethnic and multiracial democracy in South Africa was signed.

-Debuts on this date: Encyclopedia Brittanica (1788), the Nobel Prizes (1901), "The Gift of the Magi" (1905), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962), Donny Osmond (1963), CBGB's (1973), AVATAR (2009).

-Happy Birthday to Wiliam Lloyd Garrison, Emily Dickinson, Dorothy Lamour, Agnes Nixon, Dan Blocker, Chad Stuart, Fionnula Flanagan, Ralph Tavares, Tommy Kirk, Gloria Loring, Susan Dey, Diane Schuur, Michael Clarke Duncan, Paul Hardcastle, Mark Aguirre, Kenneth Branagh, Paul Assenmacher, Nia Peeples, Bobby Flay, J. Mascis, Meg White, Raven-Symone, and Joe Burrow.

-Rest in Peace/Rest in Power to Alfred Nobel, Luigi Pirandello, Damon Runyan, Walter Johnson, Otis Redding, Thomas Merton, Adolph Rupp, Ed Wood, Richard Castellano, Faron Young, Rick Danko, Eugene McCarthy, Richard Pryor, Dolph Shayes, Michael Nesmith, Grant Wahl, and Paul Silas.

-Feed the Worms: Crazy corrupt former IL Governor Rod Blagojevich entered Earth on this date. Chilean Dictator and evil human filth Augusto Pinochet bought it on this date.

-Palestinian Liberation Organization founder Abu Abbas was born on this date. You decide if he gets a Happy Birthday or if he Feeds the Worms.