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Sunday Sundown Rundown - 8/9/20


3 Up


1. NASCAR First Autistic Driver - I never would have imagined that NASCAR would provide the most inclusionary moments in sports for 2020 - but hey, that is 2020. Armani Williams became the first driver in NASCAR (and is now the second black driver?) to make the circuit as someone with autism. The story - of course! - is an inspirational one. Folks, don't let anything stop you. 

2. New Zealand 100 Days - So get this! New Zealand has now gone 100 full days without a new case of the Coronavirus being transmitted by a citizen. That just seems and feels unattainable here in America. We have to be more disciplined as a nation when it comes to COVID. It just doesn't feel like we're taking this seriously anymore. 

3. NBA Restart-Hot-Start Continues - It's been great to have sports back. But the NBA and its bubble-madness continue to steal the show. The games and drama around the games are can't miss. And the bubble makes it all feel like a hyped-up AAU game. I personally can't wait for the playoffs. 

3 Down

1. The explosion in Beruit - That explosion was right out of a scene from a movie - or something you read about in history class. All of the videos were horrifying and eye-brow-raising - from the explosion itself to the innocent people in their homes and apartments being rocked miles away. The death toll continues to climb, and of course, there is unrest in Lebanon with narratives of the Government being responsible for the explosion. 2020 just can't ease up...

2. Hurricane Isais - The hurricane whose name I just can't pronounce rocked the East Coast, destroyed homes, toppled trees, and have left hundreds of thousands without power. It's too early in hurricane season for this...ugh. 

3. United States Coronavirus Discipline - It goes hand in hand with the awesome news coming out of New Zealand, but I now wonder about the dsicipline of Americans during these times. Sometimes it's fascinating to think about - we were faced with a global pandemic that provides recommend prevention methods of wearing masks, social distancing, and washing your hands, and we're unable to follow through on it. It's a minor "down", but in the grand picture, how can America get nothing but an "L" (or an F if giving report cards) for 2020 and COVID-19 effort at this point? 

2 Interesting

1. AG Leticia James sues NRA - Wow - she really just dropped a hammer on the NRA in the form of a lawsuit looking to disband the group. Keep an eye on this going forward.

2. Trump AXIOS Interview - Probably the most defining interview the President has had during his tenure. 

2 Worry 

1. The United States 2020 Census - The U.S. 2020 Census has ended a month early. This on the heels of a time where many haven't been able to complete their sense due to COVID. I'm afraid of all the people and areas that struggle for resources, and how the representation of areas will be inaccurate.  

2. St. Louis Cardinals - With mounting positive COVID cases, it might it be time to simply scratch the Cards from the season ala MLS and the NWSL. I have no idea how they make up their lost games...fairly. 


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