🇺🇸 The Wild Kanye West

POWERED BY

Good morning, and happy birthday to the US Navy! It was on October 13, 1775 when the Continental Navy was established during the American Revolutionary War. Congratulations to all service members as we say “Anchors Aweigh” to our our readers.

Plus, while three Texas cities are ahead, this key metric is at a post-pandemic high for NYC…

Also, this Flag Find will help you stay warm and toasty this winter…

FLAG POLLS

📉 President Biden Job Approval: Approve 46, Disapprove 54 (CNN)

📉 President Biden Job Approval: Approve 43, Disapprove 55 (Politico/Morning Consult)

📉 President Biden Job Approval: Approve 43, Disapprove 56 (Rasmussen Reports)

📉 President Biden Job Approval: Approve 48, Disapprove 51 (Economist/YouGov)

TRENDING

Left: Why Republicans can’t walk away from Herschel Walker (CNN)

Left: Republicans may be sabotaging themselves by harshly criticizing Biden's marijuana moves (Salon)

Left: The Myth That Fuels the Panic Over Surgery for Trans Teenagers (Slate)

Right: Democrat Senate Candidate Fetterman Forced To Use Giant Screen For Interview: ‘This Guy’s In Bad Shape’ (Daily Wire)

Right: Dem campaign staffers are a lot whiter and better-credentialed than the party’s voter (Washington Examiner)

Right: Bombshell email shows DHS knew 'whipping' story was bogus — but Mayorkas pushed false narrative anyway (The Blaze)

POWERED BY CRYSTALIMAGERY

In Celebration of the US Navy’s Birthday

Often cited as the US Navy’s unofficial motto, “Not self but country” is a perfect phrase to encapsulate how we feel about the men and women of our military. Their sacrifice and sense of duty has served the country countless times, and helped make it great.

This square whiskey decanter and matching glass set is etched with the Navy logo, making it a perfect gift for the naval officer or enlisted member in your life. Consider ordering this ahead of that next graduation, retirement, or promotion ceremony – it can also be personalized.

🥃 Raise a glass in tribute to all patriots by grabbing your own set here →

QUICK CLICKS

$1B for Defamation, Inflation Stays Hot, Revived Railroad Fears

US: Alex Jones ordered to pay nearly $1 billion by Connecticut jury in Sandy Hook defamation case (Yahoo News)

US: Congress eyeing ‘NOPEC’ bill to take on Saudi Arabia (The Hill)

World: Russian authorities arrest eight people following Crimea bridge blast (CNN) + UN, G7 decry Russian attack on Ukraine as possible war crime (AP)

US: Biden's national security plan identifies Russia as imminent danger, China as long-term threat (CNBC)

Economy: Wholesale inflation higher than expected in September as food prices soar (NY Post)

Economy: ‘Dubious at best’: Railroad workers’ rejection of new contracts revives strike fears (POLITICO)

Hollywood: Kevin Spacey Trial Erupts As Lawyers Clash Over Anthony Rapp’s Testimony That Spacey “Made Advances” On Others (Deadline)

World: World set for first 'significant destruction' of wealth since 2008 financial crisis, says Allianz (FP)

CULTURE

The Wild Kanye West

Controversy continues to surround Kanye West. The rapper, producer, and fashion creator, who legally change his name to Ye, was recently suspended from Instagram and Twitter following posts that were deemed to be anti-Semitic. West also attracted widespread attention for wearing a “White Lives Matter” shirt, a highly publicized interview with Fox News’ Tucker Carlson, as well as a bizarre video of his business meeting with Adidas executives.

Reporting from the Right: Kanye West says he was 'threatened' over support for 'my boy' Trump (New York Post)

Reporting from the Left: Kanye West Episode of ‘The Shop’ Won’t Run After He Uses “More Hate Speech” (The Hollywood Reporter)

From The Flag: One of the latest fallouts in the West saga is Lebron James’ The Shop deciding not to run an episode that features an interview with West. Heres’s commentary from both sides concerning everything involving Ye in the last few weeks.

LEFT-LEANING SENTIMENT

West Is Just an Overblown Celebrity, Who Probably Needs Help

• There’s something very insidious about the way West embraces right wing philosophies, to the detriment of Black people, all while claiming he is a revolutionary Black thinker.

• For nearly two decades, West has used his status as a celebrity to manipulate various people and industries.

• West’s antics are troubling and suggest he needs mental help, but instead people on both sides rush to make it political.

“The Exploitative Anti-Blackness of Kanye West” Charles M. Blow, New York Times Opinion: “After the latest outcry over the ‘White Lives Matter’ shirt he wore at Fashion Week, West continued his publicity seeking by going on Fox News to elaborate. The interview was a jumble of themes in which he attempted to weave together godliness, artistic inspiration, personal persecution, disdain for institutions, anti-abortion talking points, an inversion on the ideas around racism and his support for Donald Trump. You know, core ideas of the modern right wing. … West is the same man who said in 2015 that ‘racism is a dated concept,’ … (used) ‘to separate, to alienate… It’s stupid.’ None of this, in the political sphere, is genius. It’s shallow and dull. Kanye is just a Black man who discovered Black conservatism and thinks it’s enlightenment. There is nothing complex or mysterious about it. He’s a Black man parroting white supremacy, while far too many brush it off, continue dancing to his music, and wear his clothes.”

“Why can’t we quit Kanye West?” Robin Givhan, Washington Post: “From the beginning of his public life, Kanye West was filled with bravado and a certainty in his artistic gifts. But that’s not unusual for anyone who aims to create something wholly new… cockiness is virtually a requirement. West, an artist who now calls himself Ye, succeeded in music. And that success brought him fame; it was the path to riches, as well as toxic hubris. For almost 20 years, celebrity has been the mitigating factor in his relationship with each new industry that he aimed to plunder. It has lured politicians who try to sun themselves in the warmth of his spotlight; it has sent business leaders down perilous paths. … Celebrity is the attribute that has kept the fashion industry hostage to West’s whims. It’s the currency that keeps us gaping at his misdeeds because we just can’t believe that fame is fool’s gold.”

One more opinion piece from the Left: These responses to Kanye West are truly frightening Jill Filipovic, CNN Opinion

RIGHT-LEANING SENTIMENT

In The Quest To Destroy West, Nothing Is Off Limits

• West has become extremely dangerous to the left, because of the ideas he expresses – which are considered “problematic”.

• Similar to Jim Crow in the South, Democrats intend to demean, smear, and diminish West because they fear his influence.

• West’s criticism of the actual Black Lives Matter organization is accurate, and people are directing misplaced anger toward him.

“Kanye West dares to defy Black Lives Matter” Mike Gonzalez, Washington Examiner Opinion: “The Black Lives Matter organizations have gone full bore after Kanye West . His grievous offense? Daring to wear a ‘White Lives Matter’ shirt. Why the fury? Because BLM fully understands West’s deep purchase in the culture, a realm where it has become a major player itself and where it will not accept challenges. … West has battled bipolar disorder and is known to tweet through manic episodes, so he can say things that upset everyone. But West is also an artistic icon and creative genius, and his rap music, fashion lines, and other endeavors have earned him a huge global following. … And that is the gist. With his support for former President Donald Trump, Christianity, and the family and his opposition to the rigid ideological straitjacket being imposed on the creative world, Kanye has become dangerous.”

“Attacks on Kanye Prove Democrats Haven’t Changed Since Their Jim Crow Days” John Nolte, Breitbart: “This is nothing more than Jim Crow 2.0. Terrorize, demean, dehumanize, threaten, blacklist, and ‘other’ a black man who threatens the Democrat party’s power. It was sick, un-American, and racist when Democrats enforced Jim Crow in the South, and it is just as sick, un-American, and racist when Democrats do it today. To control black people through terror and intimidation, there is no one Democrats, and their allies in the news media and celebrity, won’t publicly and gleefully destroy. Kanye isn’t a Democrat or a Republican. Instead, he is what an artist and an American should be: his own man, an iconoclast, a provocateur, a seeker. Jim Crow Democrats demand 100 percent compliance and see a free-thinking black man only as a threat who must be vilified and destroyed. In the Democrat party, it will always be Alabama circa 1950.”

One more opinion piece from the Right: Kanye West Is Right About Black Lives Matter Angie Speaks, Newsweek Opinion

FLAG THIS

Who’s Got Love for Ye? Plus, Remembering His Run for President

Polling data released this week shows 52% of respondents hold an “unfavorable” opinion toward Kanye West. Of the nine public figures tracked in the survey, only Hunter Biden (54%) had a higher unfavorability rate. Just over 3 in 10 describe their opinion as “very unfavorable,” compared with the 1 in 10 who say they hold a “very favorable” opinion toward West (The Economist/YouGov).

Meanwhile it was just under two years ago when West ran for president on the self-styled “Birthday Party” ticket, receiving 60,000 votes out of an estimated 160 million that were cast. He appeared on the ballot in 12 states and gathered most of his votes in Tennessee (10,188).

FLAG FINDS

Ultimate Umbrella, Slipper Season, Salt Shot

☂️ Rainy days don’t have to be gray and dreary. Every time you open this umbrella, you’ll be reminded of the rainbow that’s sure to follow. A quality umbrella in its own right, you’ll love the iridescent-colored LEDs that line the inside. Kids won’t complain about being forced to carry this one to school!

🦶 It’s slipper season. Or maybe you prefer to call them house shoes. Either way, these comfy footwear options from KUBUA are highly rated and come in a variety of colors. Thanks to the rubber sole they’re more versatile than many slippers as well. Pick out your own pair at this link.

🧂 These make it easy to shoot tequila. That may not be your thing, but these will be well received as a gift item for anyone getting married, heading to a bachelor party, or ahead of a big New Year’s Eve bash. Made entirely of Himalayan salt, these add a perfect touch of flavor to each shot. Snag a set right here.

WATERCOOLER

Miners Rescued, Happy Foods, Lincoln's Secret Service

On October 13, 2010, the last of 33 miners trapped nearly half a mile underground for more than two months at the San José Mine in northern Chile, were rescued. The miners survived longer than anyone else trapped underground in recorded history. Above is an aerial view of the San José Mine.

CNET: 7 Foods That'll Give You a Happiness Boost

Cracked: 15 Weirdest Food Trends of the ‘80s

Harvard Business Review: How to Write Email with Military Precision

Today I Learned Abraham Lincoln signed the bill creating the Secret Service on April 14, 1865, the day he was assassinated.