sopray

[Amy Klobuchar @amyklobuchar]

It was a shock this morning to find out that my friend Lindsey Graham has died. He was a man who loved his work, his country, and his family. He didn’t have an easy life growing up and to me that explained a lot about him as well as his devotion to his remaining family members including his sister. It also explained his almost kid-like exuberance about his job and the responsibilities he was given (even in his sixties he would get off a plane in a foreign land with a twinkle in his eye and look at me as if to say, can you believe we are actually here and doing this?).

Lindsey was loyal to friends and causes. He was willing to work on gnarly issues and take on (at times) political risks for the right reasons. It is fitting that he died shortly after visiting Ukraine, one of those causes he would stand up for through thick and thin.

Much will be said in the coming days about his relationships with others—President Trump and John McCain for instance—but what can’t be forgotten is the reason why so many people he worked with—from senators to staff—will mourn his loss: Lindsey had a zest for life and the Senate that made you want to get to work on a bill with him or at least debate him. He brought joy to his job.

Lindsey Graham was the one who was willing to work with me (when so few would) on helping the Afghan refugees. I remember standing outside of a little phone booth in the Republican cloakroom last year as he spoke with the Vice President, holding up a sign that said “Save the Afghans” and he put the phone on hold and said “OK OK I will go on your bill even if it gets me in trouble.” Or his early willingness to lead on big tech bills, including repealing the provision that protects them from consumer suits.

But mostly my fond memories of spending time with Lindsey (and we travelled the world with John McCain) was not about the ups and downs of his policy positions. It was about his love for the world, his loyalty to hard causes and his friends, and the pure joy he brought to life. I will miss him.

[Merriam-Webster @MerriamWebster]

Why is it ‘cancelled’ in the U.K. but ‘canceled’ in the U.S.?

Because we gave them that L in 1776.

[Alec MacGillis @AlecMacGillis]

A big two days for birthright citizenship. #USMNT

[1776 Live @250YearsAgoLive]

Thomas Jefferson submits the final draft of his Declaration of Independence to Continental Congress.

[Aelfred The Great @aelfred_D]

My dog seeing another dog on a walk

[Sports TV News & Updates @TVSportsUpdates]

Today was Donna Brothers' final time covering the Kentucky Derby for NBC. Before the race, Cherie DeVaux said "it is an honor that you get to do your last walkover with me."

Brothers told DeVaux, "I'm hoping you become the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby."

[Laura Albanese @AlbaneseLaura]

It's Groundhog's Day, which means I once again must honor the greatest lede in the history of journalism. RIP Charlotte.

[LMPD @LMPD]

Louisville received about four inches of snow, yet somehow every Honda Civic in the county has decided to reenact the Oregon Trail. Sir, your vehicle has died of… being a Honda Civic and now it’s in a ditch. A wrecker will be with you in 5 hours.

[Lloyd Legalist @LloydLegalist]

Scientists recently placed a 10-piece set of matching Tupperware in a sealed chamber.
When they opened it a month later, the chamber had 24 lids that did not match any of the 6 remaining containers.

[Kareem Rifai 🌐 @KareemRifai]

Iranian girlboss pro-democracy protester meet Georgian girlboss pro-democracy protester

[will the real victim please stand up @fdondi1]

Upstairs neighbor: "surely MY role is safe from automation!"

The humble stomping box:

[Gwart @GwartyGwart]

Flight attendant comes over intercom: “your flight is oversold, I need two volunteers to take a flight this afternoon for a $300 voucher.”

I spring into action. I was born for these moments. This is why I studied game theory. Literal tingles. I pull out my megaphone and address our boarding gate: “guys, they absolutely must off board at least two passengers or this bird isn’t taking off. Every 3 minutes they will increase their bid by $200. If we all hold out for 45 more minutes, 2 of us can make nearly 5 grand each. Textbook prisoners dilemma, this is (3,3) in its most visceral representation. I’m not even going to give up my ticket but I know value when I see value. Let’s make Nash proud ladies and gentlemen. Do not acquiesce. Do not defect.”

Anyhow 2 people immediately accepted $500 and I called them retards on my megaphone and was placed in a detention room by airport police. This is why we study game theory.

[Megan McArdle @asymmetricinfo]

I cannot imagine that there is a large demographic that wants to see a 4-part limited series about the assassination of President Garfield. But however small that target demographic is, I am in it.

[Chelsea Janes @chelsea_janes]

This is the best game anyone has ever played, played by the best player who has ever played the game.

[Jay Nordlinger @jaynordlinger]

A great woman. An Afghan, an American, a Rotarian, a one-woman "point of light." Awe-inspiring. https://t.co/qoAVOoLDnx

[Chelsea Janes @chelsea_janes]

James Wood said the HR Derby moment he remembers most from watching *as a kid* is Harper’s win in DC in 2018. So I’ll be putting an AARP patch on my sleeve now too.

[MLB Stats @MLBStats]

James Wood's 4 IBBs put him on a pretty legendary list 👀

[Christopher Hale @ChristopherHale]

“If you think the world is selfish and rotten, go to the cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer overlooking Omaha Beach. See what one group of men did for another on D-Day, June 6th, 1944.” — Andy Rooney

[Daniel Gray @d_gray_writer]

Just a lovely letter.

[Natalie Dowzicky @Nat_Dowzicky]

Don't worry y'all just 2 weeks to slow the spread of tariffs.