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by Wm. Steven Humphrey

The Mercury provides news and fun every single day—but your help is essential. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support!

IN LOCAL NEWS:

• In case you’re wondering if fans of the Portland Thorns and Timbers soccer teams are going to let management get away with their recent bad behavior, rest assured… THEY ARE NOT. Abe Asher has the latest about how fans are expecting systemic change from the front of house.

Despite successes on the field, the Thorns and Timbers are at a crossroads — with many of their most ardent supporters waiting and hoping that they’re ready to embrace change. https://t.co/CDItEFaof1 #BAONPDX #RCTID

— Abe Asher (@abe_asher) November 8, 2021

• RIP, the campaign to recall Ted Wheeler: A federal judge has dismissed the lawsuit filed by the “Total Recall” campaign when the city refused to grant the effort an extension due to the pandemic and other factors. The recall campaign is now officially dead, and our Alex Zielinski has more.

• AHEM! For those who insist that overpaying an underperforming police department is the right move… there’s this:

“‘In the end, crime data is always a tool of police propaganda,’ Dr. Nopper said. ‘If crime is low, the police are doing their jobs. If crime is high, we need to give more money to the police. The police always win.’”https://t.co/q2DhbJWHC2

— tamara k. nopper (@tamaranopper) November 8, 2021

• Billionaire Elon Musk is a walking piece of poop… this truth we hold to be self-evident. However, this freakish jackal really outdid himself this time with his overwhelmingly stupid and infantile response to Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden’s absolutely legit idea to tax billionaires. I’d remind everyone that it’s time to “eat the rich,” but Musk is far too disgusting to put in anyone’s mouth.

• Speaking of eating the rich (especially those who contribute large sums to unworthy campaigns):

She’s one of THREE $50k donors. Other notable donors: Former Sen. Tom Daschle, Powell’s Books owner Michael Powell, fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg the Angeline Jolie Family Trust, and author Tara Westover. https://t.co/bP6Ej28cxu

— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) November 8, 2021

• In case you didn’t know, there is a LOT more than meets the eye when it comes to beloved Portland stripper/writer/singer/artist Viva Las Vegas, and a documentary that’s just been released for streaming and DVD explores this complicated, intelligent, and beautiful soul. Here’s the review.

IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:

• The congressional panel investigating the domestic terrorist attack of January 6 have subpoenaed some Trumpy insiders, including toady/former national security advisor Mike Flynn, as well as a former campaign manager, a senior advisor, and more who colluded to overturn the 2020 election.

Climate change brings irreversible harm to poor countries. At COP26, rich ones face pressure to foot the bill. https://t.co/j2L35bF4Wq

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) November 8, 2021

• The Houston chief of police reportedly met with rapper Travis Scott to voice safety concerns about his Astroworld festival… which ultimately led to a crowd surge that left eight people dead and injured hundreds more. Calls are being made for an independent review, and lawsuits against the organizers are already being filed.

Over the weekend, details began to emerge about the moments before, during, and after Astroworld Fest that highlight possible failures of the festival’s organizers to keep the large crowd of about 50,000 under control. https://t.co/5dZubyRfqX

— NPR Music (@nprmusic) November 8, 2021

• For now, a federal appeals court has blocked Biden’s workplace vaccination mandate after numerous Republican-controlled states filed lawsuits against it. Next step: All the cases will be rolled into one, and will be decided upon by a single federal court. Of course, there’s nothing stopping businesses from doing the right thing and protecting their employees with their own vaccine/mask mandates.

• I’m so speechless (a rarity) that I’m just going to leave this headline right here: “Rep. Paul Gosar tweets photoshopped anime video showing him killing Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Biden.”

Big Bird was “vaccinated” against COVID-19 this weekend as part of an effort to talk with kids about the newly-available vaccines.

The announcement was slammed by conservatives, with GOP Sen. Ted Cruz calling it “government propaganda.” https://t.co/yKPu17PLCv

— NPR Politics (@nprpolitics) November 8, 2021

• If you need a drink, you won’t want to miss the Mercury‘s “Shot & Beer” week, featuring creative, one-of-a-kind pairings of shots and beers from your fave local drinkeries. It all goes down THIS WEEK from November 8 through 14, and you can get a taste of all the offerings here!

• And now… THE WEATHER REPORT: Rain in the morning, showers in the afternoon and a high of 53.

• And finally, here’s one Muppet that has NO INTENTION of following Big Bird’s advice to get vaxxed!

anti-vaxx muppet speaks out pic.twitter.com/RWehxEbn2s

— Brent Terhune in Indy Nov 26-28 (@BrentTerhune) November 8, 2021

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