-We begin in Ukraine, where despite being snubbed by Rep. Kevin McCarthy (SINO-R, CA) and his UltraMAGA pro-Putin allies, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has positive news on the battlefields. Two missile strikes scored direct hits on a building reportedly housing Russian Navy commanders, killing "a number" of those leaders in the attack. Other reports indicate a major break through Russian defense lines near the south Ukranian town of Verbove. And Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen leader and Putin ally whose forces have been vital to Russia, is reportedly in dire condition in a Russian hospital with kidney failure - that after initial reports said attempts to move Kadyrov to a non-Russian hospital failed and even reports that Kadyrov had died.
-While Zelenskyy continues to keep Western supplies flowing to his country (Poland is withholding some materials amid a spat involving grain shipments), President Biden has promised another $325 M in arms to Ukraine, amid warnings from Zelenskyy that choking off those supplies is likely the only way Vladimir Putin may have to stop the offensive, with Crimea continuing to be the likely decisive battle.
-SLAVA UKRAINI!
-Back to McCarthy, who allowed the House to leave without being able to summon one vote in his favor to stave off a potential government lockdown that UltraMAGAts and their leader, Ex-President Trump XCI (who has demanded a government shutdown in order to stop his multiple federal prosecutions) (federal prosecutions will continue even in the event of a lockdown) (idiot), with a threat of a handful of semi-moderate Republicans speaking to Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in case they need to work around McCarthy, and the ever-present threat to McCarthy by Matt Gaetz (Hey GiRl, FL, man) to call for a vote to formally oust McCarthy from the speakership if the UltraMAGAts are not satisfied.
-And UltraMAGAts are never satisfied ...
-Back to Trump, who amid stories of several potential cooperators in various cases, further heat on him in the classified documents case (and pinning his hopes on extended delays from perceived Trump ally Judge Aileen Carroll), and frustration that President Biden will visit striking UAW workers on Tuesday, thereby stepping on Trump's attempt to work the workers in his appearance on Thursday, Trump did what Trump does and hit social media with posts that, among other things, demanded the execution of retiring Joint Chiefs of Staff Commander Mark Milley, railed against a new motor voter registration law that is now in effect in the critical state of PA (which Trump, despite other blatherings on the same post, lost decisively), insisted that President Biden ordered the development of or removal of a fighter plane engine (... I got nothin' ...) and berating abortion abolitionists for their criticism of Trump wanting to "moderate" the abolition movement by calling for a national six-week abortion ban by reminding them that he, Trump, got Roe killed and that they should always be grateful (thereby stepping on his own attempt to moderate his position for 2024).
-President Biden, meanwhile, keeps working. He used his executive authority to create a new Climate Corps (think Americorps or Peace Corps but focused on climate change and younger generations) and a new White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, to be chaired by Vice President Harris (who, under the radar and unreported by most media services, completed a tour of colleges to enormous crowds and support). Both issues are of primary importance to voters under 40, a critical bloc that was crucial in helping Biden defeat Trump in 2020. Which he did.
-On the labor front, the Writers Guild and Hollywood producers return to the table today. They have been negotiating - reportedly with most major studio CEOs in attendance - continuously since at least Thursday, and while official statements simply say they have negotiated and are negotiating, Variety reported that producers have made what they label their "last and best offer" to the writers. Other reports indicate the use of artificial intelligence is the primary issue still being discussed. October 1 is a critical date in these negotiations, as a work stoppage beyond that date imperils the entire 2023-24 television season. How this would or will affect the ongoing actors' strike remains to be seen.
-SOLIDARITY!
-And in closing, amid all the stories mentioned above, the primary story occupying most right-wing media commentary continues to be the Senate dress code. That issue flared up as a result of a relaxing of suit-and-tie rules that allows Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) to appear to work wearing shorts and hoodies. This has led to all kinds of upset on the GOP side, from Sen. Rand Paul (AquaBuddah, KY) showing up on the steps of the Senate in a bath robe, to Sen. Susan Collins (ConceRned, ME) threatening to appear on the floor in a bikini if such rules are allowed to persist. For his part, Fetterman has promised that he will happily put a suit and tie back on if Republicans present a bill to keep the government open and it passes. The world awaits ...
-On this date in 1934, Babe Ruth hit his 714th and last home run. On this date in 1938, Don Budge became the first tennis player to win that sport's Grand Slam (Australia, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open). On this date in 1948, Honda was incorporated in Japan. On this date in 1957, federal troops were sent to Little Rock, AR to enforce desegregation in local public schools. On this date in 1960, the Enterprise - the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier - was launched. Major releases on this date: "Jailhouse Rock" in 1957, 60 MINUTES in 1968, NEVERMIND in 1991.
-Happy Birthday to John Marshall, Blind Lemon Jefferson, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Audra Lindley, Jim McKay, Anthony Newley, Jim Henson, John Mackey, Linda McCartney, Gordon Clapp, Phil Hartman, Joseph P. Kennedy II, Brad Bird, John Logan, Nia Vardalos, Eddie George, Drew Gooden, Ryan Briscoe, and Ben Platt.
-Rest in Peace/Rest in Power to Dr. Seuss, Mike Webster, Bill Nunn, Buckwheat Zydeco, Albert Innaurato, Pharoah Sanders, and this morning, Terry Kirkman.
-Feed the Worms: Religious zealot extraordinaire Ayatollah Khomeini, former Soviet Communist Party leader Konstantin Chernenko, hard right news mouth Lou Dobbs and evil Pittsburgh cola salesman Mean Joe Greene entered Earth on this date.
-Hercules actor turned weird Trumper Kevin Sorbo, steroid-assisted baseball star Rafael Palmeiro and WWE executive Stephanie McMahon-Levesque were born on this date. You decide if they get Happy Birthdays or if they Feed the Worms.