11/17/25
Good morning! It’s Monday, November 17th.
National Unfriend Day.
Yeah right! You wish!
And now, the news.
MAGA Rift
-via AP News
Hey, before I get started – there is a special episode of the news in the feed. That one is all about the Epstein documents that came out last week. So make sure you listen to that as well.
But over here, we’re covering all the rest of the news.
Which means both episodes… are bummers.
The Epstein stuff is really the big story right now (as, frankly, it should be) but there’s a side quest I just want to note here:
Marjorie Taylor Greene has garnered attention recently for diverging from the hardcore MAGA faction in her party on a few issues. The biggest of which has been the Epstein files. In the days following the release of the 20,000 documents (which are not the so-called Epstein files. These are files related to Epstein but when people talk about wanting the Epstein files, they are referring to whatever the Department of Justice has in their little grub hands), Trump tried to bully Colorado’s Lauren Boebert into changing her vote of support to release the files. He tried the same thing with South Carolina’s Nancy Mace.
And for Georgia’s Marjorie Taylor Greene, well it appears his tactic there was… burn it to the ground. Trump has officially revoked the endorsement of a woman who was once able to call him up on her cell phone. Madam MAGA. The visual representation of MAGA, aside from Trump or just like a burning pile of books and dunce caps.
And now, she’s on the outs.
But she will not be the only Republican who votes to get these files out in the open. So the question is… will that be the reaction for every single Republican? And what will the MAGA party look like then?
Border Patrol in North Carolina
-via AP News
But while everyone’s paying attention to that story, something’s happening in North Carolina that we also can’t miss (we have to pay attention to a couple things at once. Sorry).
Over the weekend, Charlotte, North Carolina, the largest city in the state which also happens to be (and I’m sure this is just a coincidence) a Democratic city, saw more than 80 arrests by Border Patrol agents, some uniformed, some not, in what was called Operation: Charlotte’s Web
And you just know they felt so clever about the name. It’s literally a book about how you should help even when you get nothing in return. Wilbur thinks he’s just a pig and everyone teams up to make him understand that everyone, no matter their station in life, matters.
But sure, base the name of this operation on a book, the story of which is based in Maine!
Open the schools!
Whatever. You can’t teach compassion.
The raids took place in houses of worship, apartment complexes, and hardware stores.
Why Charlotte? Besides the fact that the administration is punishing Democratic cities, they are specifically going after sanctuary cities.
It’s smothering, the smallness of the Republican party’s government.
Sanctuary cities want this! This is the decision they make! I’m in the most populous sanctuary city and all I can say is – big fan huge. It’s exactly what I’m looking for.
They are literally starting with punishing the cities that are working exactly how they want to be!
Go read Charlotte’s Web. Honestly, go read the ABCs. Try and learn something.
21st Boat Attack
-via CBS News
On Sunday, to keep you safe, the US military conducted yet another strike on a boat that was allegedly carrying narcotics on board. Three people were killed.
Hey, this was done to keep you safe. So you why don’t you try saying thank you once in a while? Can I be honest? You’re being a little ungrateful about the crimes of humanity that this administration is doing in your honor.
No evidence was given that the boat had narcotics on board. Nor do we even get to know where the boat was coming from.
Just… trust them.
Trump and Venezuela
-via NPR
And speaking of… just trust them…
The USS Gerald R Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, arrived in the Caribbean Sea on Sunday, setting the table for possible military action in the region. Specifically in Venezuela.
Uh oh!
Pete Hegseth is calling this “Operation Southern Spear”: "This mission defends our Homeland, removes narco-terrorists from our Hemisphere, and secures our Homeland from the drugs that are killing our people. The Western Hemisphere is America's neighborhood and we will protect it."
Dude. What are you talking about?
As far as whether Trump will be launching an attack, now that this ship is there. Trump told reporters on Friday: "I sort of made up my mind."
Oh. Sort of?
Sort of made up your mind? Didn’t feel like you needed to give that one enough thought to confidently answer it?
Great. Good stuff.
Also on Sunday, Marco Rubio announced that the US will designate Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization, effective November 24th (they’ve still got some time to get their act together, I guess?). As part of this designation, the administration is alleging that Venezuela’s president Maduro is part of this cartel.
Flights Back to 100%
-via NBC News
And finally – beginning today, the FAA is lifting its flight restrictions at the top 40 airports in the country, bringing operations back up to 100%, pre-government shutdown numbers.
So… congrats. Now the only exhausting thing about flying will be, you know… everything else.
And that’s it. That’s the news.
As I mentioned, there is another episode in the feed today. That one covers the 20,000 pages of Epstein documents that came out last week.
I’m… proud to be in this episode and out of that one.
And of unfriending people. Not you! Never you! You are stuck with me! But other people – and only if they’re being bullies.
But more than… bullies, obviously. That would be nuts! More than baklava, it’s also national baklava day and the baklava may be fantastic but because you are also sweet and a little nutty… I’m proud of you