This morning, a Trump truck parade drove past my house on Highway 101. The stupidity of these people cannot be overstated – here they are, driving American made vehicles that only exist because of multiple bailouts to an otherwise failed industry, driving on federally funded highways, burning subsidized fuel, flying Don’t Tread On Me flags while treading on everyone else, supposedly promoting “freedom” while supporting the most anti-democratic leader the United States has every seen. Unlike their Tea Party predecessors, it is hard imagine that these people will just up and disappear back into whatever apolitical hole they came from – even though it is still highly unclear what they actually want. I can only hope that there enough others out there that feel the same way I do, and vote.

STORY OF THE WEEK (3 min. read)
What: VOTE
Why: Because the election for the future of America is in our hands.

ECONOMIC THING OF THE WEEK (4 min. read)
What: COVID’s Back, Back Again
Why: Because this past weekend, the number of COVID cases in the US blew past the previous record set during July – there were just shy of 100,000 new cases on October 31 reported.  Trump, the GOP, and every single person who is still running about, calling for America to “open up,” not wearing a mask, constantly seeing friends, going to bars/restaurants/movies, pretending this is all OK is seriously fucking up.  Or just keep doing what your doing, get sick, and destroy the economy.

LAW THING OF THE WEEK (5 min. read)
What: Running Against Democracy
Why: Because the GOP are out of ideas, so they have been trying to use the courts to stop people from voting. They are closer to success than they should be.  One final thing – take a quick look at the official fundraising pages of the candidates. One campaign is clearly lying, and further sowing seeds for violence.

TECH THING OF THE WEEK (6 min. read)
What: THE NEW IPHONE OMG!!!!
Why: Because a new expensive piece of tech seems to be the last thing on everyone’s mind. That being said, I did upgrade this time around after 4 years with a phone that wouldn’t hold a charge for more than half the day. While the new phone doesn’t feel like quite the magical leap that an upgrade used to, it still is an extremely well designed device.

SPORTS THING OF THE WEEK (6 min. read)
What: LA Sports Is King
Why: Because the Dodgers won the World Series. Of course, it wouldn’t be 2020 without one of their players playing even though he had COVID.

TELEVISION THING OF THE WEEK (3 min. read)
What: Bye Bye Quibi
Why: Because it turns out a mobile-based television company isn’t really something anyone needs when we’re all stuck at home.

MOVIE THING OF THE WEEK (3 min. read)
What: VERY NICE 
Why: Because it shows just how much doesn’t surprise us (/ we don’t care??) any more when an actual fake journalist gets the President’s personal lawyer, who runs a goddamned Security and Safety Consulting company, alone in a hotel room in a compromising position, and nothing fucking comes of it. Just a collective shrug.

MUSIC THING OF THE WEEK (3 min. read)
What: The Boss For A Reason
Why: Because Bruce Springsteen’s latest takes a look back at his career through the rearview mirror. Not so fun personal fact – when I was in grade school, I broke Clarence “The Big Man” Clemons’ son’s arm during a game of kickball – and I still feel awful about it. Chris, if you somehow read this, I am sorry.

PHOTOGRAPHY THING OF THE WEEK (4 min. look)
What: The 2020 Siena Award Winners
Why: Because pictures are pretty.

LITERATURE THING OF THE WEEK (5 min. read)
What: Things To Read
Why: Because you’ll need something to do this next month – why not read a book?

VIDEO GAME THING OF THE WEEK (lotsa reads)
What: The Main-Stream
Why: Because everything about games is growing at a rapid pace, especially with the new consoles coming out in a week.  Politicians are streaming and building in-game islands, and pre-orders are selling out faster than concert tickets, and games and services are rising and crashing at an insane pace. There’s never been a better time to play games.

INTERNET THINGS OF THE WEEK (∞)
What: Be Your Own Boss; Be Happy; Be Undecided
Why: Because Internet.

THING YOU SHOULD GET BRIAN OF THE WEEK
What: It had better be obvious at this point.
Why: Because Brian America The World deserves it.

Webtacularly yours,
Brian
Managing Editor, Webtacular World
The Internet You Didn’t Know You Needed™