Hot Mic'd: Abortion, Sea Otters, and the GOP

One thing on my ‘need to try’ list is… Not sure if I’ve mentioned it before, but I’m v v curious about Madeline’s Martini, esp their ‘large format’ martinis. Do I know what that means or how that’s served? No, but like I said, I’m curious. -SK

A thorn in my political side this week is… the federal high-speed internet subsidy nearing expiration. I feel like this was such an important bipartisan program, and even though to me it’s common sense for red and blue districts, with how much federal dysfunction is going on, I’m worried about it not getting refunded. The election year timing could not be worse with it either. -SK

A ray of hope this week has been… well let’s just say I’m about to really jelly of Maddie because TEN South African baby penguins hatched at the San Francisco science museum!! Cuteness overload!! -SK

An action item I’m making sure I do is… Signing Reproductive Freedom For All’s petition on fighting for access to medication abortion, duh!!! Sign it with me here! -SK

Something that got my stamp of approval was… the “I got a fast car” memes that are flying around on Threads. This one is on point and cuteeee as can be. -SK

A story that I’m keeping an eye on is… this story out of South Texas where a new bipartisan law is resulting in voting site closures. Taking the partisan intent possibilities out of the equation here, I think this piece presents an interesting phenomenon we see a lot across issues. That phenomenon is that a bill’s aim is well-intentioned, but it’s either not funded correctly, funded at all, or the infrastructure doesn’t exist (or also isn’t funded) to support it. If a law is passed that isn’t funded to function it’s either DOA or does more harm than good. -SK

One thing on my ‘need to try’ list is… Il Parco!!! The focaccia pics look sooo good, plus you know what they say - location, location, location. If anyone’s already been, LMK what you ordered please. Taking all recs!  -MM

A thorn in my political side this week is… This entire border bill chaos. On one hand, it’s not that this bill even ‘does it for me,’ but seeing how the GOP literally set a trap and then fell into it…wild? What even is the word to describe the situation at this point? I feel like I have decent sense of various povs on this across the Dem tent, but I’d be curious to get more of a pulse on what “moderate” Republicans are thinking of this…are they vibing with the brand “meddling by Trump” or are they team Lankford…who btw is not someone I consider a moderate. Anyways, someone pass the Advil. -MM

A ray of hope this week has been… our convo with Mini on abortion and repro rights becoming an even more salient issue by the day. And while our current status quo is no dice, her insights on how this is motivating people to change course or get off the sidelines gave me hope. -MM

An action item I’m making sure I do is… one that involves pissing off the gas stove diehards, a hill I never expected so many people to die on. It’s giving, ‘see ya, gas stoves,’ which you can join me in getting behind by signing this petition from Evergreen Action. -MM

Something that got my stamp of approval was… I don’t think you guys understand what a week this has been for the Smilers. If you don’t know what a Smiler is, you can’t sit with us. Kidding, absolutely kidding – it’s Miley Cyrus’ fans and I put the super in superfan. Her Grammy win and then the CHD interview with TISH and Brandi???? Who has the best accent that ever existed. So much good content. -MM

A story that I’m keeping an eye on is… how California sea otters are climate heroes. Not all heroes wear capes but these ones are adorable. -MM