Three questions to ponder

There are many countries that make up planet earth, so before we get into a little questionnaire that will decide your standing among the great unwashed, let's all raise a glass to Moldova. The incumbent, Maia Sandu was reelected by simply standing firm on a pro-EU anti corruption platform, simply put She beat Putin. Vlad has a great run influencing Americans from making them believe a strong man that promotes bigotry and homophobia is an actual viable option in the land of liberty, work that one out! Little old Moldova put the Russian sociopath to shame. See Americans, you're having a hard time electing a female head of state that speaks only English, Sandu is fluent in four languages.

Now, to the moment you've all been waiting for...

1. Are you okay with adultery? Meaning would you partake in it and or support someone who did, even a candidate running for higher office?

If you answer yes, then please take a bow and share this information on social media, own it. Why be afraid, last I checked even Christians are on board, look at the excitement among evangelicals in the US, they worship a married man that sexually assaults woman and penetrates porn stars, hope that language isn't too foul, being Christian and all. 

2. Is bashing immigrants, whether it is physically or verbally a good thing? Keep in mind, most earthlings have a migrant origin story, so in fact you're bashing yourself, don't believe all the hype about being a superior race.

If you answer yes, then please take a DNA test. Please be strong enough to post the results, so everyone can know how many ethnicities make up your ancestry. This might make you think twice before hurling abuse at someone doing a job that you clearly are too lazy to do yourself.

3. Do you believe health is a right or a privilege and that everyone has a right over their own body? (Okay conjoined twins community, you're not included). You would think yes would be an easy answer, but need I remind you that men exist, and you know how they can't help controlling women, so there goes humanity.

If what you want out of life is supporting causes that you believe to be true, then go ahead, but please leave hypocrisy at the door. Don't tell people your some church goes then go into a voting booth and vote for a racist adulterer, that's not kosher. Be loud and proud, tell everyone that being a good Christian is doing everything that Jesus would despise, let that one sink into your brain for a bit.

There are many nations right now that are scapegoating anything and everything to push an agenda. Of course the nation yelling in English gets all the attention, for some reason this unsexy language pulls in the masses. If you scream the loudest you will win, facts and critical thinking not required. I want the loudest screamers to fly planes and perform surgery, they seem to know so much. Fake news that they aren't qualified to save lives. Imagine raising a child and telling them it's okay to cheat and scapegoat, and then wanting them to end up with someone like that as their life partner. You know you don't want that yet you'll vote for that to serve your ego, my man won, in your face, who cares if he dabbles in rape and race games. 

May sanity prevail, if Moldova can do it, then a nation of apple pie and mass shootings can do it. (I'm allowed to say this, I have residency in the land of bullet connoisseurs).

Perspective, people!

After a 3/4 of a year blogging hiatus, blame raising a humanoid, yes, men do all child-rearing (least we can do, as, yet we're not able to carry a fetus, okay, anti-woke crowd, calm down and breathe with a pic of your "messiah" accepting a medal from a nation that believes in your death penalty/transphobic ideals), it's time to tell-it-how-it-is!

Let's all dial back the American obsession, here's my final word on events that sadly took away from just how disgusting false prophets that peddle mistruths and enjoy the dark arts of race games. Even Ivy League educated  pro gun thrice-married xenophobic adulterer (of the felon variety) should be safe from bullets. After this incident the aforementioned creature became a proponent of repealing the 2nd Amendment. Hang on a sec, let me look out my window, pigs have started to fly after the last line. Even pigs know that when one espouses love for guns and openly promotes getting support even if he were to be shot in the middle Manhattan, you get my drift... The "messiah" got what he wanted, plenty of sympathy from an act he craved.

Now onto more pressing concerns. I see the boycott of Paris 2024 has gone nowhere fast. Hey English-speaking world, do you realise what just happened in France? Refresher course: the outwardly racist far-right National Rally now occupy 142 seats (24.6%) of the French Assembly. I see 'Planet America' is a program featuring on Australia's taxpayer funded public broadcaster, but there is no show titled: Planet France. I use Australia as an example, no country comes close to its American addiction. Go to any clothing store like H&M, Cotton On and there are shirts, jumpers plastered with American city and state names, heck, even those tacky letterman jackets. Add all the American content that donates it terrestrial TV, social media and is it wonder that more Australians know the names of US Vice Presidents than Prime Ministers of their own country.

Let's ignore the US for a little while and pay more attention to what's happening globally, then maybe we can start to realise that it's not all about one country. On 6 September 2018, the then President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro lost 40% of his blood in a failed assassination attempt (he to was a loony tune that had a God complex), yet the Western World was not all that interested. Dam, if only Brazilian content infiltrated screens in the First World. Next time someone gets hot and bothered over all things US of A, calm them down with other examples. It's not sexy, but the Bolsonaro assassination attempt was way more murdery than what happened to, you know, that tangerine felon.

There is one positive that may come from the XXXIII Olympic Games, we can use it as an excuse to learn about other nations, instead of jingoistic exercise in blind racism. Find more about the world you live in, and I don't mean just a Google search. (I get it, your lives depend on this American search engine, not to mention all the other great American creations that add to your life expectancy, namely Facebook that owns Instagram, WhatsApp. Wherever you turn America has your digital footprint for safekeeping, sleep well). You never know, one day there will be an article about the Sudanese obsession. Oh dear, pigs started to fly again!

In Polska, we trust!

Back in the Southern Hemisphere, where Americans couldn't locate without the use of a search engine on a made in Asia plastic device. Melbourne (the one in the state of Victoria, 🇦🇺, not Florida) will be the HQ for GE for the foreseeable future. Or as the livability crowd to refer to as: the world's third most livable city. No American city cracked the top 60, you can blame firearms and healthcare not being a right for this woeful outcome.

The world is going  nowhere fast, which is basically what it does on a yearly basis. Earthlings have short memories, so we get hot and bothered over events we can't control, rinse and repeat until such time we see ducks cross the toad and get all war and fuzzy about life.

Talking about repeating, I'm not going to rehash 1939 values in this part of the world. A little thing called a referendum (that not one soul in the US would lose sleep over) sadly backed this vlog from 2020.https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-great-racist-land.html

181-second rant (for those that can allocate such time, just remember how many daily bathroom breaks you take) from magnificent Williamstown, Melbourne

My daughter and I get to walk along Gem Pier every day and ponder the end of times, she has picked the right time to be alive!

A trip down blog lane

What better to mark eight years than by taking a trip down blog lane. In other words, it has been an eternity in a Presidential context. Global Editorial (GE) begun under the Obama (aka the earthling that loved drone strikes on civilians) administration, survived Donnie the snake oil salesman (somehow convinced evangelicals to buy into everything Jesus would be against, adultery and hatred of immigrants) dictatorship and is now still going under 'Sleepy' Joe (a man that once promoted incarceration and has no interest in healthcare as a right). 

Here's a list of one Op-ed from each year that encapsulates the GE DNA. Blame the company that stalks our every move (Alphabet Inc.) for monitoring articles that garnered the most fan engagement.

2015

https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-world-is-vampire.html

2016

https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2016/07/ellis-island-style-acceptance-antidote.html

2017

https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2017/04/republica-portuguesa-demystifying_4.html

2018

https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2018/04/weird-and-wonderful-state-slogans.html

2019

https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2019/09/what-constitutes-advanced-society.html

2020

https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2020/04/covid-19-kryptonite-to-our-enslavement.html

2021

https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2021/09/beaver-gyrfalcon-bundesadler-all-walk.html

2022

https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2022/03/outing-world-class-hypocrite.html

2023

https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2023/06/greg-egg.html

It has been an off on a tangent ride for the ages. Who knew GE would originate in Dallas, TX and end up in Chicago, IL. Along with European detours in Budapest, Bratislava, Helsinki, Tallinn, and Oceania stops in Melbourne, Sydney.

The next incarnation of GE will be south of the equator, be prepared for commentary from a snowless city. I will miss the frozen winters on Lake Michigan, not so much the homicides - too soon!

https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2023/01/the-worlds-greatest-frozen-global-city.html

All is good in America's slaughterhouse

This is what we refer to in the business as a catch-up on lost time vlog. Get ready for a vlog of mass proportions, two parts of pure unadulterated ranting - unscripted off-the-cuff madness! (Please take note, overrated media personalities relying on a team of writers earning 8-figure salaries). 

If you fast-forward, you will be dismembered and thrown into Lake Michigan by Billy Bob Thornton. All kidding aside, just getting revved up for the upcoming season of Fargo. Talking about the short attention span of society, I'll include estimates for the time each rant goes off the rails. 

All rants require a controversial intro!

Part I (4:02)

21st century cavemen (0:20); crime central (1:50); "those people" (3:10)

Part II (4:55)

Shout-out, you know who you are! (0:30); modern-day segregation (0:55); raising one great earthling (2:30); geopolitical tidbit (3:50)

PS. Don't be fooled by the summertime, Chicago is at its finest during winter. Flashback: Jan 28, 2023. (Tabitha, the wonderkid mastered snow walking as a one-year-old).

Footnote: Classic GE timing, shortly after releasing the twelve best stand-alone TV episodes (https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2023/06/greg-egg.html), comes along a piece of drama (filmed right here in the Windy City) that might just wiggle its way to the top of the table. I give you 'Forks' - Season 2, Episode 7. The Bear (2022-).

Greg the Egg!

The heading is an inside joke for all my 'Succession' obsessed earthlings recovering from the finale. This is not the first time one of the great (if not greatest) fictional characters has made a cameo on GE.

https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2021/12/we-need-more-jabs-gabriels-gregs.html

I think it will take some years to recover from 39 of the most gut-wrenching comedic episodes ever witnessed, might well end up as the epitome of event television. In lieu of this, it's time for a classic GE segue away from the end of the world shenanigans to debate what your eyes deem to be worthy of sitting still glued to a screen. Optometrists rejoice!

Time to introduce a brain exercise that will no doubt end in tears. Name the twelve best stand-alone episodes of drama you've seen in the 21st Century, there's a catch: they must all be from different shows. The greatest ever can be named separately, this is an episode on its own, never to be defeated. To spice things up, gather around with your friends and family, this might well end up in estrangement, but hey, it's worth it!

In my humble opinion, these are the ten best episodes that will forever have a place in the pantheon of the TV zeitgeist. In no particular order, the following can lay claim to being Numero Uno, but only one will never be topped (refer to the episode in bold letters).

'Family Meeting' - Season 7, Episode 13. The Shield (2002-2008)

'The Constant' - Season 4, Episode 5. Lost (2004-2010)

'Signal 30' - Season 5, Episode 5. Mad Men (2007-2015)

'Ozymandias' - Season 5, Episode 14. Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

'The Rains of Castamere' - Season 3, Episode 9. Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

'The Magic of David Copperfield V: The Statue of Liberty Disappears' - Season 4, Episode 8. The Americans (2013-2018)

'I Live Here Now' - Season 2, Episode 10. The Leftovers (2014-2017)

'Buridan's Ass' - Season 1, Episode 6. Fargo (2014-2023)

'407 Proxy Authentication Required' - Season 4, Episode 7. Mr. Robot (2015-2019)

'Plan and Execution' - Season 6, Episode 7. Better Call Saul (2015-2022)

'Connor's Wedding' - Season 4, Episode 3. Succession (2018-2023)

'Everyone's Waiting' - Season 5, Episode 12. Six Feet Under (2001-2005)

I wouldn't suggest viewing these episodes on their own, unless of course, you're a masochist! Make sure you watch the series from the beginning, and when you come up to the episode in question, please clear out your schedule and tackle what will be an excruciatingly painful mind-bending  (in the best possible way).

Footnote: To my Armenian brethren out there (or to anyone that takes an interest in a people that are without doubt the best gossipers among all nationalities - okay, I can make that joke), two of these shows have highlighted Armenians. The Shield goes where no show has gone, glorifying the Armenian Mafia of LA. It's mentioned throughout its run, Season 3 is when it becomes a central focus. Spoiler alert: 'Playing Tight' - Season 3, Episode 1 features amputations by Armenian mobsters. Then there's, Six Feet Under, not enough superlatives can describe this series, but one of the best parts of it was a shockingly comedic death to start each episode. 'I'm Sorry, I'm Lost' - Season 3, Episode 13 (directed by creator Alan Ball) starts with an Armenian expiring (Anahid Hovanessian), pity it wasn't a Kardashian - too soon!

Florida-Texas: commie central on American soil

The Communist Party of China (you know, the ones in charge of planet earth) would like to thank the following jurisdictions in the so-called land of the free for following our orders regarding suppressing the people. Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia also would like to get on board with their thanks, it's a momentous occasion when Americans finally admit that communist, kleptocratic, theocratic values are the way forward. Who said liberal ideals were winning over everyone in a nation that bangs on about liberty. 

Four key areas where the aforementioned are ecstatic over America getting back to 1939 values. The below list proves China and their illiberal brethren are erasing parts of Lady Liberty's DNA. 

1) Reproductive freedom is forbidden in the Saudi belt of America. For simpletons, states that resemble medieval times. Please boycott the following:

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia.

*From the moment of fertilization, Texas has control of the fairer sex. If your a victim of rape/incest, then Texas will force you to breed. Another example of theocratic rule disguised as freedom.

2) Capital punishment is still on the books in these deadbeat states: 

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wyoming

*Death by firing squad has been reinstated in Idaho, no, I'm not making this up! I guess Putin will slip this tidbit into his next press conference to assure the world that Americans are on board with his human rights agenda.

3) Homophobia/eradicating gender identity is rampant in these disgusting states: 

Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Montana, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas.

'Don"t Say Gay' is the name of an actual law in Florida. Let me repeat, never ever step foot in this backward fruitcake of a state. My condolences to anyone who lives there.

4) Migrant bashing: Alabama, *Florida, Iowa, Texas. 

Governor of Florida (Meathead Ron, not an earthling that deserves name recognition), product of undocumented immigrants himself, recently signed Bill 1718 that spits on the tired and poor. China is loving this, they to spit on the marginalised, refer to the Uyghurs. Not surprisingly, he has yet to sign a bill taking semi-automatic weapons away from citizens that do way more harm to society.

One can never get enough of the hilarity of states like Florida and Texas, both pride themselves on being limited government oasis', yet are the first to enact laws that allow the government to rule over your bedroom, body, library, school. You know what the likes of Putin do when they are told Russia lacks freedom, they wheel out what's happening in America's south and drop the mic! 

Now, to the antithesis of all of the above: The Land of Lincoln, Illinois. Just to annoy the living daylights out of all the wannabe theocrats, Illinois passed a law that gives businesses the right to install gender neutral bathrooms. Furthermore, this great state is a sanctuary to the undocumented and is the first state to oppose banning books, that's right, kiddies in Illinois can learn about 'the gays' at any age. Floridians are outraged, their state is currently practicing banning books, which is making a character with little mustache very happy in hell.

33%

America's greatest city, the one with the best skyline, theatre, food, museums, sports managed to get a "whopping" 33% voter turnout for the mayoral election. (Sincerest apologies to Greece, you gave the world democracy, but America ain't interested). Some might say there's no passion for democracy due to the 770 homicides, yes, cue the 'Chi-Raq' (2015) reference. See, I can laugh at my adopted city. See, fascists relying on talking heads screaming on cable news, I to live crime talk! 

To the annoyance of everyone below the Mason-Dixon line, it just got a lot more liberal. As of publishing at 11:00 PM local time, Brandon Johnson (no relation to Boris, Dwayne, Lyndon or my mate Ross, you get my drift), a proud union member, all for defunding the police and taxing the rich is the new mayor. 

FYI: I don't often provide links, but this is one of the best pieces for those interested in Chicago voting patterns. Keep an eye out for Boho- Chicago, home to yours truly.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/chicago-politics-neighborhoods-election/

In light of this, let's pay homage to Chicago by watching two shows that showcase the warts and all of the world's greatest metropolis. No, 'Perfect Strangers' (1986-1993) is not one of them, even though the opening credits will never be defeated by any sitcom. 'Shameless' (2011-2021) and 'The Bear' (2022- ), S1E7 is arguably the greatest single episode of television, up there with the finale of 'Six Feet Under' (2001-2005) and 'The Americans' (2013-2018).

If binge watching is not your thing, (I get that the pandemic is over, screen-watching should be obsolete) then listen to the following tracks that will make you want to relocate. Heck, you might even become a real Chicagoan and listen to these tunes while taking walks on the lake shore during a polar vortex.

'Chicago' (Sufjan Stevens)

'Lake Shore Drive' (Aliotta Haynes & Jeremiah)

'Pulaski at Night' (Andrew Bird)

'Sweet Home Chicago' (The Blues Brothers)

'Via Chicago' (Wilco)

Many folk from the confederacy, including Texas (where 11% of my life was lived, and I still can't fathom how I survived the suffocation by rednecks hiding behind his and their guns) will be vomiting over a city they deem to be a socialist cesspool. One things for sure, it's still a global city, which none of the Southern cities can lay claim to, so, suck on that my friends stuck in 1865 America! If you want further debate, talk to my daughter, standing proudly in this magnificent city.

View from Adler Planetarium

No overrated iPhones were used in the production of this photo, all done by a Motorola (HQ in Chicago).

Let's talk expiry

Time flies, it has been a demi-decade since the article that ruined birthdays was published. 

https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2018/03/ten-reasons-why-birthdays-should-be.html

It's only fitting (on yours truly entry into earth day 44 years ago), we revisit the nation's listed to get an update on their life expectancy credentials. 

List from March 11, 2018 (average for both sexes expiry date)

Sierra Leone (44.4)
Angola (45.8)
Central African Republic (45.9)
Chad (46.1)
Lesotho (46.6)
Cote d'Ivoire (47.0)
Nigeria (47.7)
Somalia (47.8)
Mozambique (49.6)
South Sudan (49.9)

List for both sexes on March 11, 2023. Good news, there's no longer a country populace that averages under five decades for expiry. Let's hope in 5 years no country will be under 60.

Chad (52.8)
Nigeria (52.9)
Central African Republic (54.6)
Lesotho (54.7)
South Sudan (55.5)
Somalia (56)
Mali (58.6)
Cote d'Ivoire (59)
Guinea (59.3)
Eswatini (59.7)

No one over the age of 10 should dare blow out candles, or even worse, go on social media declaring they are one year closer to death. Instead, let's all focus on how to make it possible for all earthlings to have a fair crack at living a long healthy life. Or, how about this, those oldies hanging on for dear life in wealthy nation's should try giving up their oxygen to their less fortunate earthling brethren. Won't happen, we all know how greedy westerners are, with their high and mighty 'we will live forever attitude', simply due to life's lottery of being born in an advanced nation.

Let's make a deal: when every nation has an expiry age of over 80 years, then we can go all over social media and force people to like our hideous birthday pics. I think we can all agree, if this downright impossible task comes to fruition, it will be a collective global drop the mic moment for humanity.

Don't worry, be happy

You would think that a list stating 2023's happiest cities in America won't lead to fist fights (2023 equivalent, sprouting hatred on a medium run by the dumbest bigot in the world, initials ERM), think again...Good old California is back doing what it does best, annoying the living daylights out of that nurturing brand of earthlings that he'll woke, snowflake at everything that alters their 1950s segregated fantasy world. Freemont, CA was named happiest city to live (refer to WalletHub), being a suburb of San Francisco (5th happiest) has led to outrage from the confederacy. How dare this "homeless cesspool" part of the country be better to live in than southern states that lack healthcare and worship guns.

Now, the other highlights from the list. Madison, WI (third happiest) proves that a city with real winters (averages 53 inches/134.62 cm of snowfall per year) is no deterrent to quality of life. Okay, time to go off on a tangent, haters of Chicago, go ahead and poke fun at its 74th placing. There is of course a silver lining, many arrogant southerners from Florida and Texas think they're all that (somehow they think their humid weather, low tax base and Saudi values gives them the right to preach), however, Chicago ranks above Orlando (75), Jacksonville (111), Dallas (124), Houston (129), San Antonio (145). For good measure, as a Chicagoan I like to throw out this line to make those that lack a sense of humour: with all our gangland crime we still defeat the redneck paradises with their gods and guns fetish.

For good measure, LA is 76th, so much for perfect weather and being home to the "happiest place" on earth, Disneyland. New York City, with its infestation of rats places higher than the City of Angels at 57. 

To those not living in these United States, shame on you! Seriously, you're not missing out, unless of course, you want to be part of a nation that regards healthcare as a right and not a privilege. I can just see it now, non-Americans all over the globe scrolling this list feeding their Uncle Sam fetish. Even sadder, sharing it on American social media sites, and we all know many of you haven't even spent 1% of your life on American soil. 

The world's greatest frozen global city

It's time to take a break from all things geopolitics and advertise the winter wonderland that is Chicago. This is a follow up to episode 13 of the GE podcast https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-global-editorial-100285719/ 

Rest assured, the 262 seconds you're about to witness will freeze your ears, not burn them.

Entrée to the snowy main course that is Chicago

Debuting the first of many snowy vlogs on the shores of Lake Michigan. Warning: this is another off-the-cuff, unscripted rant. Once again, apologies to all the talking heads that read off teleprompters and rely on a team of writers. All natural, non-manufactured out of control content, much like my hair! If you can spare 434 seconds of your precious life to witness a fellow earthing speak their mind, then all power to you.

Part I - Lake Michigan flowing in December, Climate Change is real!

Part II - Which xenophobic nation will lift the most corrupt trophy in sports.

F-grade voter turnout

 Here at GE, we're all about going beyond the surface and taking a different tack on elections results. Yes, the midterm mayhem got people all over the globe hot and bothered, even though just over half of registered voters in the land of the free took part. Funny, many of the states that had less than 40% turnout are places that bang on about freedom (China is beaming over the turnout in good Ol' Mississippi). Here's a suggestion to earthlings outside the US: don't stress over America Votes, as you can see from the map (click on for a larger view), Americans are not fans of democracy.

Listeners of the GE podcast will know about the key ballot measures that took place, you're welcome to lend your ears at anytime if you need to doze off to proposition mayhem. 

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-global-editorial-100285719/

Now, for the historic takeaways from the madness. Warning: this might cause a ruckus in countries that Americans have never heard of, in other words, every country outside the US. 

Alabama (AL) - Katie Britt, first elected female Senator from AL.

Arkansas (AR) - Sarah Sanders, first woman elected Governor of AR. Leslie Rutledge, first woman elected Lieutenant Governor of AR.

California (CA) - Alex Padilla, first elected Latino Senator from CA. Shirley Weber, first elected black Secretary of State of CA. Rob Bonta, first elected Filipino-American Attorney General of CA. Robert Garcia (emigrated from Peru), first out LGBTQ immigrant elected to Congress from CA.

Colorado (CO) -  Yadira Caraveo, first Latina elected to Congress from CO.

Connecticut (CT) - Stephanie Thomas, first black woman elected Secretary of State of CT.

Florida (FL) - Maxwell Frost (DOB: Jan 17, 1997), first Generation Z elected to Congress.

Illinois (IL) - Della Ramirez (Chicago's own), first Latina elected to Congress from IL. Eric Sorensen, first out gay person elected to Congress from IL. 

Maryland (MD) - Wes Moore, first black Governor of MD Aruna Miller, first Asian-American Lieutenant Governor of MD.   Anthony Brown, first black Attorney General of MD.

Massachusetts (MA) - Maura Healey, first out lesbian Governor in US history. Andrea Campbell, first black woman elected Attorney General in MA.

Michigan (MI) - John James, first black Republican elected to Congress from MI. Shri Thanedar, first Indian-American elected to Congress from MI.

New York (NY) - Kathy Hochul, first elected female Governor in NY history. George Santos, won the first House election between two out gay candidates. 

Oklahoma (OK) - Markwayne Mullin, first Native American Senator from OK in nearly 100 years.

Pennsylvania (PA) - Austin Davis, first black Lieutenant Governor of PA. Summer Lee, first black woman elected to Congress from PA. 

Vermont (VT) - Becca Balint, first woman and first out LGBTQ person elected to Congress from VT. 

Note: AR and MA are the first states to have women serving concurrently as Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Bizarre stat, as these two states have nothing in common. MA consistently ranks as one of the best states in the union, AR the worst (they don't believe that healthcare is a right).

There you have it, you have no excuses to fail that best-selling board game: New faces coming to DC in 2022. Less than two years before America votes again on Nov 5, 2024, and there's a distinct possibility that we'll see a sleepy oldie born Nov 20, 1942 take on a xenophobe (you know, a racist that's the product of immigrants) born Sep 14, 1978. Let the hullabaloo begin, and to anyone not living in the US, please recommence losing sleep over a nation that doesn't give two hoots about your livelihood. 

Bizarro World

Lately, Europeans are getting back to their 1939 roots (you'll know this reference if you're an avid follower of GE). What is even more mind-boggling is that not only are some countries openly channeling fascism, but they're doing it via the fairer sex. Some would say feminism has come a long way, where women now have the chance to act like neanderthal men. More important than ever we raise our daughters right, the last thing we need is them acting like men, the sex that has ruined the world consistently for millennia.

As highlighted in the GE podcast, https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-global-editorial-100285719/ the UK and Sweden are losing the plot under female leadership. Not only is Mary Elizabeth Truss an incompetent adulterous political hack, she allowed the worst kind of racist (one that is a product of immigration, yet spits on migrants) to remain as Home Secretary. Remember the name, Priti Patel, for some reason she hates newcomers, yet her parents of Indian heritage somehow made it to England from Uganda. Then you have Magdalena Andersson, advertises herself as a social democrat, but has hate towards asylum seekers - did someone say Sweden was the land of equality? Earth to Eurovision: kick these nations out of your song contest, might be the only way to deter the xenophobia. Oops, there's more...

Italy is also joining the party. After the recent election, both the Chamber of Deputies and Senate will have a hard right majority. The new PM is a sycophant banging on about love for Mussolini, hatred towards migrants and all that nonsensical religious purity claptrap. No, the creep Berlusconi is not back, it's his clone in the form of a 45-year-old female, Giorgia Meloni (she loves to highlight what a high and mighty Christian she is, yet is unmarried with a child with a domestic partner - typical of hypocrite family value types). If Italian was the world's default language, Italy would now be considered a no-go zone, people will be calling for boycotts, but the American obsession is such that only American racists are outed. It's time to eradicate racists equally, let's not pick and choose which nation can get away with it. Meloni is just a figurehead, but her maniacal party, Brothers of Italy, are the equivalent of the KKK. Don't be fooled by its exterior, Italy is pretty much Mississippi disguised with beautiful scenery and good food.

If you need further proof that the world is drowning in its own vomit, the question posed in the GE pilot podcast (Should murderers receive royalties?) has been answered. The Jeffrey Dahmer Story that launched on Netflix on two weeks ago has proven my point. After its first week it already reached nearly 200 million hours of collective viewing, only season 4 of Stranger Things can say it got off to a bigger start. Netflix is officially open to its love of rewarding carnage. Dahmer's dad is still alive, how about they reward him for raising the world's number one posthumous celebrity.

I can see the disclaimer before viewing, part of your subscription fees will go towards the Dahmer family, after all, it's because of Jeff that you can devote ten hours of precious life to his devouring of humans. To add insult to injury, Conversations With a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes will be released on Friday. Get the popcorn out, your feet up and enjoy aiding and abetting the serial killer industry. Netflix is indeed the Amazon of entertainment, I advise everyone to stream for free as a means of giving the middle finger to a company profiting from bloodlust.

Seventh Heaven

For earthlings not keeping tabs on GE's history (shame on you), seven years have passed since its inception! I'm happy to report, the world is a much safer and wise place since the first Op-ed.

https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-ancient-land-locked-country-pivotal.html

Let me re-phrase: the globe is indeed going nowhere fast, but hey, venting about it with some much-needed levity at least allows the end of times to be more digestible.  

Now that GE comes in podcast form, there's no excuse not to get fired up about a borderless world. Thanks to those that can handle the whole 30-45 minutes without smashing the plastic gadget that my voice emanates from. Most Americans struggle with English accents outside their own (blame their god awful ego that comes from the world's obsession with Uncle Sam), so it's refreshing that many Americans are somehow getting through the podcast without asking me to repeat what I said in a basic form, you know, third-grade level you'd expect from a US President.

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-global-editorial-100285719/

All I ask from my fellow earthlings is to seek out seven fellow earthlings and share GE in all its forms. Okay, saying that sentence out loud sounded like a pyramid scheme, but you get my drift. Instead of wasting time tuning into the vulgarity that resides on social media, the time is nigh for critical thinkers to unite and rise above clickbait conspiracy theories dominating our brain capacity.

P.S. Here's the little earthling that produces my podcast (with her very own made in China plastic gadget). As you can see, she's a switched on 7-month-old. Watch out for her at the MMXL Olympiad.

Willing to sacrifice 45 minutes for a brain exercise?

If you answer in the affirmative, then, you can now listen to the Global Editorial companion piece in podcast form. Each episode will be ad-libbing at its finest/worst, depending on your ability for critical thinking. Go ahead, click play on your preferred site and let your ears burn out of control! 

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-global-editorial-100285719/

https://open.spotify.com/show/0B8fzUwW1Z6re5B8lsBHy0

https://www.deezer.com/us/show/4478157

https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4049558

https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/global-editorial-4822956

https://www.jiosaavn.com/shows/Global-Editorial%5C/1%5C/WBE6kxMKFEk_

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc3ByZWFrZXIuY29tL3Nob3cvNTU1OTQ5My9lcGlzb2Rlcy9mZWVk

Be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with your fellow earthlings. By doing so, you'll contribute to a more open-minded off-the-cuff world. 

Al Khadra on tenterhooks

No, the title (translation: the Green) isn't an abbreviation of my surname, but the nickname given to Tunisia. Hope that settles country moniker trivia for you. On that note, Happy Bastille Day to earthlings that did their utmost to ruin North Africa and of course shower once a week (shout-out to atrocious stereotypes that still fester online), joking aside, it's a great day for the nation of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. 

A pivotal moment in Tunisian democracy, the upcoming referendum on a draft constitution will say a lot about how far it has come since the 2014 uprising. Foremost, can we just applaud this beacon of hope in the Arab world for becoming the first Arab nation to have a female leader, Najla Bouden (appointed PM October 11, 2021 - who said a geologist could not rise to power? This momentous occasion can only be topped if a female is elected at the ballot box, but for now this is progress. Still, the Arab world is more advanced than the US when it comes to female empowerment. Psst! Dear Arab earthlings, mention this to US Customs officials when they question you for being a terrorist.

Hat's off to Tunisia for including church and state separation in this draft, funny how an Arab nation is all about religion being excluded when you have the US Supreme Court allowing religious nut jobs from 13 states (led by the small government bastion of Texas, that loves to use tax dollars to suppress women's liberty) to meddle in a woman's personal choice. Tickle me pink, feminism thrives in Tunisia and dies in 26% of the US. 

Where this referendum gets icky is the back to the future moment, it's being proposed to go away from a semi-Presidential parliamentary system to one where the President will once again wield too much authority. They can run for two 5-year terms, and potentially continue on if they find the state to be in danger. Reading between the lines: another way of spelling out autocracy. Then it gets into a gray area, some will argue introducing new council chambers is a positive step and only two-thirds are needed to pass a no-confidence motion in the government as opposed to the current absolute majority. Some might say this smells of a power-stacking exercise for a future autocratic leader.

However, it still keeps important measures that protect liberties, including the right for peaceful gatherings, unions to organize (army, customs, judges, police are barred from striking), and free speech. This draft still needs tinkering, but this is a sign that the country is a democratic experiment and one that hopefully can keep on its open society trajectory. Tunisia is on the precipice, a nearly year-long protest is till taking place, the issue at core is democracy, basically are you for the secular variety or one that allows Islam to play a key role. It looks like most supporting the draft constitution are from the latter. Tunisia will quickly lose its credentials if they give in to more Presidential power. A free Tunisia will be a beacon for North Africa and will have flow on effect all over the Middle East, the world cannot allow Saudi values to infiltrate this great nation.

The Constitutional Referendum is on July 25. On that day, I will, you will, we will all be Tunisian. Happy voting to the earthlings that chant for the Eagles of Carthage (Tunisia national football team).

Chi-town on the big screen

Happy Canada Day to the world's 7th freest country. Your neighbors, who bang on about freedom, are 15th. Talking Canucks, America's favorite pastime (no, it's not baseball) is making films in Canada and passing it off as American. Chicago's example, Mean Girls was set in the suburb of Evanston (birthplace of Bill Murray), but was shot in Toronto. The viewing experience is more rewarding when the city matches the story, which brings me to a classic segue.

I grew up watching John Hughes films (showing my age), and to now be living in the city where he based many of his films is a dream come true. This brings me to another list-making exercise (to think my all-time film/TV lists were published half a decade ago, refer below). These films bring out the best of Chicago. Even if you're not a Chicagoan, the chances are you're familiar with something connected to America's greatest city.

Here's a list of ten films (in order of date released) I put together, this is not so much about the quality of the films, but ones that show the city in every light, both shiny and gritty. I suggest you re-watch these (if you haven't seen any of them, shame on you), then use the locales as a reference point for your visit to Chicago. 

The Blues Brothers (1980, John Landis)

The dynamic duo of Akroyd and Belushi, together with a soundtrack to die for, how can you not put on some Aretha after she performs 'Think' in the deli. So many classic parts of the city on display here, The 6-minute car chase scene (red car dropping from the skyline can't be topped) through downtown is worth an induction into the cinematic hall of fame.

Sixteen Candles (1984, John Hughes)

Having an older sister made me appreciate this even more, Molly Ringwald still speaks for teens everywhere, that's the impact of this film. Many suburbs are used in filming. The famous dance scene (you know with that classic tune playing, True by Spandau Ballet) was shot at Niles East High School in the suburb of Skokie.

The Breakfast Club (1985, John Hughes)

I will go to my grave defending this piece of American history. I will never tire of watching arguably the best teen angst film. Chicago's suburbs are the focus here, from the school exterior scenes (Maine North High School, Des Plaines), interior scenes (Glenbrook North High School, Northbrook) to the powerful ending (fist-pump scene) shot in Park Ridge.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986, John Hughes)

You don't even have to think about it, as soon as I mention this one to anyone over the age of 40 they start singing 'Twist and Shout' straight away. How good is the parade scene? Shot on Michigan Ave, one of the world's great avenues in downtown Chicago. So many iconic scenes covering the city and suburbs from Wrigley Field to the classic Ferrari scene (Ben Rose Auto Museum).

The Untouchables (1987, Brian De Palma)

Wouldn't be an ode to Chicago without Al Capone making an appearance. The Blackstone Hotel is part of film folklore for the baseball bat that Robert De Niro so artistically used for some bloodletting.

The Fugitive (1993, Andrew Davis)

Tommy Lee Jones and Harrison Ford at their height of acting powers. One of the great jumps in cinematic history is featured at Fontana Dam at Lake Cheooh. Plenty of classic scenes all around town, this film has dated badly, referring to the payphone scene at Wacker Drive and Wells St.

While You Were Sleeping (1995, John Turtletaub)

Can be a corny romantic comedy at times, but when Chicago's sensational train system is on display, you have a winner! From now on, every time I catch a train from Randolph/Wabash El station, I will forever be reminded of one of the great (if not, greatest) actors of all-time (if you haven't seen him in Lost highway, you need to exit planet earth immediately).

High Fidelity (2000, Stephen Frears)

A cultural ode to the city by John Cusack (also an Evanston native). Vintage venues, like Double Door, Music Box Theatre all make cameo's. The highlight of the film (1:19:52 - 1:21:16 mark) takes place on the Kinzie St Bridge with a classic Chicago backdrop. This one even features scenes from my neighborhood, Rogers Park. If you are holding onto dear life avoiding music streaming services (nearly as evil as Netflix), then keep watching this flick to remind you of a time just before the world ended (you know, social media).

The Dark Knight (2008, Christopher Nolan)

The only negative about this film (tower under construction in the final scene) and of the city itself is, the presence of a building named after a delusional maniac that for some reason received the nuclear codes for 4 years. So much of Chicago on display, the Old Post Office was used for the infamous bank heist scene. To think Heath Ledger (the best thing to come out of Perth, Australia), a fellow 1979 earthling, passed away two months after production finished.

Southside with You (2016, Richard Tanne)

Wouldn't be a Chicago list without its most famous love story, Barack and Michelle. Historic Quin Chapel (home of the city's first African-American congregation) is used for the community meeting scenes. Chicago and the world needs more reminding of the fact that the true cultural heartbeat of the city remains in the south, even though everyone wants to live in the affluent Northside. Taking of the Southside, be sure to check out 'The Chi' (season 3 is currently airing on Showtime)

https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2017/07/30-of-greatest-tv-shows-in-my-humble.html

https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-best-films-according-to-yours-truly.html

Sweet Home, Chicago!

You're probably asking why I'm referencing this song from the classic Blues Brothers film, well, it's simple: Chicago is the new home of Global Editorial. There's also another little announcement included in the following vlog, from the shores of one of the great lakes, Lake Michigan.

One of the great (if not greatest) skylines in the world

All Hail Phoenicia!

Lebanon keeps getting gut-punched from sectarian strife to economic collapse. If it was a human it would be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but even with this dire diagnosis, it keeps hanging on for dear life. Many Lebanese around the world cite jealousy as a reason for this, after all, for a country that is only in size, it has a cultural richness and natural beauty that many countries ten times larger lack. Look at the nations in the Emirates, they build fake resorts with oil money to attract tourists and yet lack the authenticity of Lebanon. They also lack the democracy of Lebanon, not one religion can dominate. In Lebanon, the President must be Christian, Prime Minister Sunni, and the Parliamentary Speaker Shia. Perfect segway into the recent election...

Note: I've been advised by my 82-year-old aunt (who raised 3 sons during the 1975-1990 civil war and her ceiling caved in during the massive explosion on Aug 4, 2020) in Beirut to ignore any election that takes place. As my Armenian aunt puts it: we can survive anything, it'd those folk who live in western countries that are weak with their so-called wealth. Talking Armenians, they have always been protected in Lebanon. From being assigned representation in Parliament to their Christmas being nationally recognized. If you're not familiar with Antelias and Anjar, look it up. I digress...

Two big takeaways from the vote on May 15, 2022: Hezbollah and its allies lost its parliamentary majority (now down to 62 out of 128 seats) and Lebanese Forces (a Christian bloc led by a feared warlord from the civil war, Samir Geagea) won the largest number of deputies. Only in Lebanon: Christians are now in talks for a power-sharing agreement with Saudi-backed parties. If you thought the economic collapse (deemed to be one of the three worst in the world since the 19th century) was out of control, just wait for Iran to get antsy over this aforementioned deal.

The chances of anything substantial arising from the new parliament are minuscule at best, but at least democracy is alive in a nation that has faced more adversity than all nations put together. Call it the Phoenician heritage, but nothing will deter this nation and its 14 million-strong diaspora. Saudi Arabia and Iran will always use and abuse the land of cedars while the rest of the world yawns.

For those playing country nickname trivia: Lebanon’s is known as the Switzerland of the Middle East, which brings me to another referendum that took place in the wealthiest landlocked nation on earth. Swiss voters voted in favor (58.42%) to tax Netflix and Disney to fund local productions. Furthermore, requiring 30% of content available in Switzerland be produced in Europe. People power is how you put bloated entertainment conglomerates in their place, not with stupid orders by taxpayer-funded American politicians, refer to Florida where the Republican Governor (shall remain nameless due to being a complete and utter bumpkin of the child of immigrants variety who is racist - the worst kind of earthling) went after Disney World. The party of business meddling in the free market, so much for small government!

P.S. Stay tuned for a big announcement next month. Clue: GE's new home will be in a city with an annual average snowfall of 37 inches (94 cm).