Frank Chow: Asian- American Political Pundit

 Republicans are in disarray. The MAHA movement and the MAGA movement are both causing a complete meltdown in the polls. They're just weird, man. With guys like Russell Brand , it's no wonder. I know the public has a short memory, but the more the public hears from these guys, the more they start to realize they're the worst. Democrats need to lean into this. Republicans have no plans for the future. They're selling you horse tranquilizers.  Here are your highlights:   Georgia and North Carolina have Republicans worried .  In the Midwest, I've heard people drinking raw milk. This story is frightening. A girl nearly died from drinking raw milk .  SCOTUS and POTUS agree that deporting people to a third-world country is okay .  Toddler found with a loaded gun at daycare .  There is no AI regulation, and that's bad .  The smuggled resource funding the Sudan Civil War.   I am Frank Chow, and I approve this message. 

 We're here. I don't know how to emphasize this enough, but all of the warnings about Climate Change were right. We're here. And those who had the least to do with it are suffering immensely. Storms are taking lives. Mudslides, landslides, floods, you name it. Unfortunately, yesterday Nepal and India lost over 60 people combined . That's the tally today. It kills me that we have an administration that doesn't take this seriously. An administration that would rather have us suck on smog than do anything. It's infuriating knowing we have the means to fix this, to reverse the effects; we need to vote these sociopaths out.  Here are your highlights:   If we ever take back the House and Senate, new rules need to be written so a sadistic president can't withhold funding over his fee fees .  Jack Smith testifies in front of the Senate .  The attack on our National Parks continues. This time ATVs go vroom .  Hegseth says they're going to "guard" electi...

 The midterms! Early voting has begun in Illinois. If you need more info, it's here . The way Republicans have been acting, the Blue Wave is coming. I really hope that's true. 2024 has made me more cynical than I ever thought possible. Trump continues to yell about voter fraud, SCOTUS seems willing to let districts discriminate, and ICE agents will likely be at polling places. Nevertheless, I think gas prices alone will sink the GOP. Maybe now (they won't) the electorate will realize only one party is serious about the economy.  Here are your highlights:  5 British suspects arrested, explosives found near US base .  Woah. Anthropic and OpenAI admit that thousands of rogue agents are out and about .  Cornell has some explaining to do . Parents, please don't let your boys become the 7.  That weird commercial with Trump walking in a hallway. It's illegal .  Farmers are feeling the economic pain .  Not good. Poland is preparing for a Russian attack ....

 What Trump did for Xi yesterday was an embarrassment. Just  as bad was all the  tech bros there , sucking up to Xi . We've known for a while now that Silicon Valley execs want to be oligarchs (pretty much are) and Trump is a fascist. This wasn't normal. China has been buying Iranian oil while providing Iran with intelligence. They may be responsible for American soldiers dying. And yet the red carpet, the pomp and circumstance, were rolled out for an authoritarian regime and its leader. I hope every bite of food was cold and bland.  Here are your highlights:   Bibi rages at the UN . Take him to the Hague.  Tim Tebow has always given me the ick. Remember his weird pro-life mom-tackling commercial? Apparently, he's also into ripping off his fellow Christians .  23 states urge Congress to regulate AI .  Maybe it wasn't a good strategy to have a Starbucks on every corner . Closure of 250 stores.  Escalation. Turkey and Pakistan meet to discuss j...

 Trump is a lame duck loser of a president. I think it's wise to move on from him. It looks like some Republicans are already doing that on the campaign trail. Our job is to not let folks forget who the Republican Party really is: a bunch of MAGA and Trump sycophants who took away healthcare from millions, raised gas prices, and started a forever war with Iran. Hammer this home.  Here are your highlights:   Early voting polling places in Central Illinois .  Conservatives are going after Cannabis again. It could wreck so many in the industry .  More than 167,000 pounds of meat recalled .  Shocking. Elizabeth Holmes moved to a halfway house . My guess: Trump helped make the move.  FBI was hacked, and it exposed its Hacking Unit Team .  A good read and some realistic ideas. The Democratic Playbook for taking on Trump after the midterms .  I am Frank Chow, and I approve this message. 

  Trump and XI are "set" to talk about AI . I highly doubt anything gets done. Trump is touting AI as "Super Intelligence," leading into Zuckerberg's branding. If we had a normal, functioning government, we'd talk about regulation, data centers, and clean energy solutions. Instead, we might, at best, get a little bit more of those rare materials. It's not good that Xi has been so silent about all of this.  Here are your highlights:   "Fraud" Vance and Oz are cutting hundreds of thousands of people off Obamacare . Stupid, cruel, and more stupid.  Mississippi continues to be a Confederate state. Justice for Nolan Wells .  1st Amendment, what are you?   Susan Collins should be in jail . This story from ProPublica is wild.  Midterms are here, and the Republicans are already playing the blame game. Stephen Miller is freaking out, and it's awesome . Those internal polls must be a disaster.  I am Frank Chow, and I approve this message. 

 The Orange Menace is set to address world leaders at the UN today. He's expected to declare himself a " peacemaker ." We know this is complete bullshit. He's the laughing stock of the world, and he has no idea. He was baited into a war with Iran, and he likely committed war crimes in doing so. I'll never forgive the folks who thought "Donald the Dove" was a thing.  Here are your highlights:   Republicans won't "flee" Trump .  Monopolies aren't a thing anymore. Paramount deal goes through . Newsom, you punk.  Coal miners feel the lasting pain of black lung .  More "peacemaker" shit. Houthis escalate in Yemen .  Whoops! Australia admits F-35 parts accidentally shipped to Hong Kong .  The prediction market business is evil. Kalshi wants to let users bet with borrowed funds .  I am Frank Chow, and I approve this message. 

 It was a rainy and hot game on Saturday, but the Illini did their job and stomped the Salukis. Unfortunately, Sunday wasn't good at all. The Commanders QB Jayden Daniels injured his elbow. It was brutal, leading to Tom Brady cursing on live TV. I don't know why I keep thinking things will change. Being a Commanders fan is detrimental to my health.  Here are your highlights:   Trump has banned CNN, Politico, and MSNow . Dictator stuff.  Nothing to see here. Bitcoin reaches its highest level since January .  ICE agent shoots DoorDash driver . Dems need to destroy ICE.  Is the Pentagon lying to us about the death toll from the Iran War?   Tropical Storm Polo... might become a hurricane .  Putin's party wins again in Russia , but some signs his war with Ukraine is straining support.  I am Frank Chow, and I approve this message. 

 Tomorrow is a tailgate day. So we're gearing up for what's to come. Unfortunately, it's going to be blistering hot and sticky. I still wrestle with the "why did we move back to the Midwest?" when days like this occur. Climate change keeps coming. What was supposed to be a lovely fall day is now going to be a scorching hot and humid, sweat-stained day. I know I shouldn't be bitchin about the weather with everything going on; HOWEVER, our latest AI whistleblower downplayed climate change on the news the other day, so fuck him and fuck every data center. I'll never get over the fact that Al Gore warned us all and the powers that be did nothing.  Here are your highlights:   Fascism is what the Republican Party wants for America .  Reminder: it's illegal for federal officers to be at voting polls.   Trump administration is okay with killing endangered species .  There's a new cat! Scientists identify new cat species in Bolivia .  I know being a reporte...

  A lot is going on this week. Between war, rate hikes , and conspiracies, we've got the kitchen sink. It does seem like every day of the Trump administration, we get this. Chaos. I hope the messaging gurus at the DNC start leaning into how much Republicans have made life worse. It's only been two years, and the general vibe is "life sucks." "We're all going to have to work remote cuz gas is too expensive."  Here are your highlights:   The Trump administration is putting Somali immigrants into Gitmo .  Building collapse in Gaza kills 21, maybe more .  Beto has made me cynical, but maybe Talarico has a genuine shot .  Republicans are Nazis .  The conundrum. Hasan Piker.   When all of this is said and done, Congress must make new laws so psychotic presidents don't withhold FEMA funds .  I am Frank Chow, and I approve this message. 

 The latest polling has Dems crushing Republicans this midterm. I don't think the press is ready for the Trump backlash. After seeing what's occurred with the Kennedy Center, I have no doubt he will be even more irate. The Mad King comes to mind. Gas and Diesel are not going down. He's losing the war in Iran. Has Congress passed a single bill? 6 years of this asshole and only destruction. I wake up most days hoping for good news.  Here are your highlights: Canada to be an associate member of the EU?   Me know that's not money. Crypto bill fails in the Senate .  Women built MAHA; now the men are taking over .  More news that DOGE was a complete failure .  Rate hike is on the way .  Chaos in the Middle East. Yemen is a war zone, and the Houthis are making a play for the country .  I am Frank Chow, and I approve this message. 

 AI is not going to kill us. At least not right now. We keep hearing about it, but I think it's a shell game. AI isn't really evolving, like OpenAI and Anthropic say. It seems to be stuck. Do I think AI could eventually be the endgame for civilization? I'd be silly to think it can't; I've watched enough sci-fi. However, this is not it...yet. And what might hold it back is the very real people voicing concerns about AI. As NIMBY as it may seem, across party lines, a lot of folks aren't feeling the data center vibes.  Here are your highlights:   How the Fed should deal with the AI bubble .  Yo, he said it out loud. We've got weapons in space .  DeSantis should be in DeJail . Horrific conditions at "Alligator Alcatraz." Making Air Quality terrible again .  Russia, Russia, Russia! Don Jr.'s wedding backed by Putin Pal .  The endless war in Iran and how Trump is losing it.  I am Frank Chow, and I approve this message. 

 I took Friday off. 25 years since Sept. 11th got to me. It changed a lot for us. All these years later, I'm still wrestling with the trauma. My best friends went to war. Every day they were deployed was a day I thought I'd never see them again. My friends were attacked. They were harassed and some were beaten. The flag was used as a weapon if you opposed the wars. You felt a need to be patriotic. So much changed, and I know I'm not the first person to say that. Fuck.  Here are your highlights:   The weird resignation of Joe diGenova .  Speaking of 9/11. Anti-Muslim rhetoric is back in full force for the midterms .  House Democrats raise AI alarm . More of this please.  Ruining the Kennedy Center should be an impeachable offense .  The endless war in Iran is seeing costs go up. And Iran just dealt another blow to pipelines in Saudia Arabia .  Stop comprimising on transgender issues . FFS. If we can't stand up for equality, what are we even doing?...

 I'm going to be brief. Recovery is harder than expected. I must rest.  Here are your highlights:   Trump offers $5k to citizens if the Republicans win the midterms . Not so fast.  Nothing to see here. August was the hottest month on record .  The bastard woman profiting off of the anti-trans nonsense .  Forever war.   AI is not complying, and it is apparent that our Silicon Valley overlords don't care .  Fuck John Fetterman . He's unwell. He wants to switch parties. Let him. Our tent shouldn't include traitors.  I am Frank Chow, and I approve this message. 

 An odd thing I've noticed as I've gotten older is that history is a blip. 9/11 to our interns is an event. It happened; it was tragic, but that's it. I had friends go to war over "this event." I had friends who faced brutal racist abuse because of "this event." I was considered a traitor for opposing the war. It's so weird being this old now. Not sure how I feel about it.  Here are your highlights:  Texas schools, man , get out of that state as fast as possible.  Bibi knew an attack was coming. He didn't do anything .  Republicans are trying to rig elections. But mail-in voters are determined .  Oil is over $100 a barrel .  AI researcher says we're all doomed .  Trump likes his handler a little too much. He gifted Natalie Harp $45k .  I am Frank Chow, and I approve this message. 

 I hope everyone had a lovely holiday weekend. I stupidly tried to do too much and am paying for it now. Don't underestimate your recovery time from an appendectomy. I'm sore as all hell. The kids and I had a chill day; we went to a food hall, they played video games, and we cuddled with the pup. Every weekend should be a three-day weekend.  Here are your highlights:  The destruction of the Civil Rights Department .  Miami airport tragedy. Five dead in plane crash .  Are we a Banana Republic?   Alarm bells should be ringing. The Nazis have won in Germany .  Houthi rebels attack Saudi Arabia . I thought the war was over.  As we approach the 9/11 anniversary. It's interesting to see how states educate students about that time . I remember talking to an intern about it, and let's just say it didn't go well. Students really don't get the full scope of what happened, what was going on at the time, and how the Nation reacted in its aftermath. "Planes in...

 A win in the bank. At first, it looked like a long night, but the Fighting Illini pulled away with offensive power. I'm sure early nerves and excruciating heat played a part in the first half, but the fellas got it done. I'm not sure how people tailgated yesterday. It was so hot. Yet the loyal Illini fanbase was out in full force. It might be record temps, but football is here. My favorite time of year (Fall) can't come soon enough.  Here are your highlights:   Dear GOP, please run on Trump's record . I like our chances if you're pushing the image of the least popular president ever.  Epstein Class - Leon Black refuses to testify . Lock him up!  Speaker Johnson likes a vacation more than any Congressman in recorded history.  A video game to capture immigrants at the border , on the official White House website. Just the worst fuckin people ever.  Missouri candidate tried to plant cocaine on primary opponent . Ummmmmmmmmmmm. Nepal search team rescues...

 We interrupt your regularly scheduled politico blogging with the following message: I L L!!! It's the home opener, and I'm bummed I can't attend. Doesn't make sense to go to a game post-op. The idea of walking up and down that many stairs sounds awful. So, I will yell and scream from my couch like a true armchair fan. I have no idea how this season will go for the Fighting Illini. We're not pre-ranked, so some of the pressure should be off. I'm interested to see how the new QB looks. Can't wait to tailgate again! Let's go! Here are your highlights: Starving children to own the Libs . For a party that claims to care about families and children, they love starving kids.  More AI shenanigans. Nvidia buys Hugging Face .  Cruel ICE kills people with ankle monitors .  Minnesota Mass Shooting . Guns are the problem. Get the guns.  The Boat Murders alone are reason enough to send Hegseth and Trump to jail. There must be consequences for such egregious crimes . ...

 Another day, another endless war. Another day, another racist directive by Hegseth. Another day, another war crime committed. I ask you, what is Congress? What are we doing?! I'm not sure an "Apology Tour" will save us this time. There will be a new normal. I don't envy this next administration's task of committing to an overhaul of our foreign policy.  Here are your highlights:   Israel keeps on adding to their reputation. Bars U.S. citizens and other foreign travelers from entry . Texas playing fair. Democrats cry foul as Texas polling sites slashed . Chevron to expand in Venezuela .  GET VACCINATED . If there's ever been an own goal... Ford's inability to adapt its fleet to electric vehicles will be seen as one of the biggest own goals in automotive history .  China presses ICE after a man dies hours after being held in custody . ICE is a criminal organization and must be defunded immediately.  I am Frank Chow, and I approve this message. 

 This weekend was quite the scare. I woke up around 2 am in excruciating pain in my abdomen. I began throwing up. It was all clear liquids. I couldn't sleep. No pain medication worked. I was miserable. I finally gave up around 6 am and went to the ER. I'm glad I did. I listened to my body, and it told me "GO GET HELP!" After several tests and a lot of drugs, I started to calm down. Turns out I had appendicitis. Just my luck, not a single local hospital had a bed available, so EMS took me about an hour away to St. John's in Springfield. I was transferred from ER to ER and later that night had my appendix removed. I'm lucky to have health insurance. I'm lucky I was able to advocate for myself. And I was lucky to have a nursing and surgical team that listened to my concerns. I'm still in pain, but much more manageable now. Six weeks of recovery. Glad to be alive. But damn, that was scary; I had no idea what was going on. Take care of yourselves, y'all...