WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY...IN HONOLULU

That fuse for the powder keg in the Middle East awaits a spark. Looks like Israel is paralyzed about what to do about those hostages kept in the Gaza Strip, while still bombing targets of necessity, like a mosque in the West Bank, used by militants and two airports in Syria.  

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  Investigatory skirmishes have occurred in the Strip, while fire is still being traded with the Hezbollah to the north.  
• 700,000 moved to the south in the Strip.
• It is reported that more than 100,000 Israelis were relocated away from the border with Lebanon. 
• Iran keeps sending dire warnings of escalation.  

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  A 20-truck aid convoy did make it into the Gaza Strip from Egypt yesterday, with 12 more today.  But no exit yet for those desiring to leave.  This two-day total equaled about 6% of the usual daily import to the Strip before this war.  The call is for 100 trucks/day, and release of foreigners.
• The death toll stands at 1400 in Israel and 4600 in the Gaza Strip.

Similarly, our House of Representatives also is in paralysis.  Read this article from the Huffington Post providing some history of what is happening there. 

The deadline to run for House speaker was noon today, EDT.  Eight names were mentioned.

Nope, now up to nine.  Then again, maybe ten.  Doesn't matter.  First floor vote could be as early as Tuesday, although Wednesday will be the more likely day.  Here is a Saturday Night Live spoof of this idiocy.

Much of what is happening here and with Donald Trump could well determine how far Republicans fall on 5 November 2024.  The key are Independents.  What do polls show?  The latest released today:

• 57% blame Republicans.
• 28% blame Democrats.

Oh, Taylor Swift cheered on Travis Kelce in Kansas City for a game today against the Los Angeles Chargers.  Here she is next to Britttany Mahomes and son Bronze.  This is her fourth game.  They both made cameo appearances on Saturday Night Live last week.   And later that night.

Her The Eras Tour film is doing fabulously, and heading for box revenues of a billion dollars.  Meanwhile, a bit of nostalgia.  View Swift in her 1989 World Tour singing (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction with Mick Jagger.

I should mention that Hurricane Norma rolled over Baha last night.  Once a Category 4, Norma came ashore as a One near Los Cabos.  Not much damage.

In the Atlantic, Hurricane Tammy left Barbuda also without causing much harm, and is headed to the middle of the ocean.

Tammy will remain a hurricane until midweek, head for the USA, but will weaken.

Oh, about that title at the top, here is a photo of Honolulu from where I am creating this post.

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