Take a minute to [un]wind with our Sunday morning newsletter. Grab a cup of coffee and catch up on what you may have missed from [un]Divided this week.
Gas prices and gaslighting
The Chair of the House Progressive Caucus is suggesting that the recent spike in gas prices amounts to foreign interference in our elections.
Indeed, gas prices have risen sharply in the past two weeks. Here are the highest averages in the continental United States:
- California: $6.34
- Oregon: $5.54
- Nevada: $5.44
- Washington: $5.40
In an interview on CNN, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington) said foreign enemies are working via OPEC+ to hand the Midterms over to Republicans.
“We don't like October surprises," she said. "It is clear to me that this move was done between MBS and Putin and others who want to affect the U.S. election. I don't see how else you can look at this a month before the election?"
Indeed, OPEC+ has moved to cut crude oil output by 2 million barrels a day, but the rationale is likely more selfish (and obvious) than Jayapal suggests. Russia’s Vladimir Putin is funding his war in Ukraine through the sale of crude. Sagging oil prices hurt that war effort.
“It's clear that OPEC+ is aligning with Russia with today's announcement," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said of the decision.
While rising gas prices could certainly tilt the outcome of November’s election, Jayapal is quick to offer the explanation that is most politically palatable for her party. Should Democrats lose the House or even the Senate, blaming foreign adversaries is far more convenient than self-reflection.
Just for giggles, I thought it would be worth revisiting some of the various other comments Rep. Jayapal has offered on high gas prices during Biden’s time in office:
November 2021: Jayapal suggests the solution to higher gas prices is more government handouts: “It isn’t really that you have to reduce the gas price, what you have to do is reduce the costs for families.”
March 2022: Jayapal blames oil executives and vows to hold them accountable: "We go after corporate America because corporate America is often profiteering."
March 2022: As a way to argue against increased domestic production, Jayapal claims “no matter what” the U.S. does, “prices of gas are going to go up.”
July 2022: Jayapal signs onto a letter with progressive colleagues, urging no new fossil fuel leases. Gee – that will help.
Biden forgives weed convictions
In what could be a precursor to federal legalization, President Joe Biden this week issued pardons for roughly 6,500 people convicted in federal court of simple marijuana possession. The mass pardon will also include those convicted in local courts in the District of Columbia.
The pardon, one of the largest in U.S. history, reads as follows:
“Acting pursuant to the grant of authority in Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution of the United States, I, Joseph R. Biden Jr., do hereby grant a full, complete, and unconditional pardon to (1) all current United States citizens and lawful permanent residents who committed the offense of simple possession of marijuana in violation of the Controlled Substances Act… or in violation of D.C. Code 48–904.01.. and (2) all current United States citizens and lawful permanent residents who have been convicted of the offense of simple possession of marijuana in violation of the Controlled Substances Act, as currently codified at 21 U.S.C. 844.”
“Sending people to jail for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives — for conduct that is legal in many states,” President Biden tweeted. “That’s before you address the clear racial disparities around prosecution and conviction. Today, we begin to right these wrongs."
Biden also called on Attorney General Merrick Garland and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to reevaluate whether marijuana should remain a Schedule I controlled substance, which puts it in the same category as heroin and bath salts.
Since 2012, 19 states and DC have legalized the recreational use of marijuana. Other states – Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota – are set to vote on legalization on November 8.
Who counts as a “journalist”?
King County Executive Dow Constantine’s office continued its assault this week on the free press, blocking independent journalist Jonathan Choe from accessing a media tour of a Seattle homelessness center.
Choe talked about the ordeal on Friday’s episode.
At the center of the controversy is whether Choe is acting as a journalist or as an agent of a politically oriented think tank.
Choe and I agree that press conferences certainly cannot be free-for-alls where any citizen with a cellphone is welcome, but who gets to decide? Choe worked as a mainstream reporter in Seattle before taking a fellowship at the Discovery Institue to cover homelessness. He has a track record of asking hard questions and putting in the legwork. He is also putting out regular, in-depth content. That sounds like journalism to me.
As news consumers, I want to hear your thoughts. Who should count as a “journalist”? Leave your opinion in the comments and I’ll read some of them on tomorrow’s show.
Housekeeping
None!
Have a great Sunday and thank you for supporting this mission to give common sense a comeback!
