"Herman Melville was an Influencer who visited Nantucket one time"
– One commenter’s contribution to The Discourse over this viral shop sign that’s making waves. Call me amused.
Politics
Two Meetings & a Funeral
What's going on: It was a busy day in Washington. Politicians, presidents, and a prime minister gathered yesterday to remember the late US Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). President Donald Trump praised Graham at the memorial, saying he “died doing the work he was born to do.” They’d developed a good relationship, even after once calling each other a "nut job" and a "kook,” respectively. Later, Fox NewshostSean Hannity described the senator as “great for ratings” (that’s one way to be eulogized). Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also attended. Graham was a critical voice in Trump’s ear lobbying on behalf of Israel, and for continued US support for Ukraine in the war against Russia. He died hours after returning from his 10th wartime visit to Ukraine.
But what about the meetings?: Before the ceremony, both Netanyahu and Zelenskyy made sure to get on Trump’s calendar. Netanyahu's relationship with Trump has been on ice since he played a key role in convincing the president to go to war with Iran. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy has learned a lot since his ill-fated "have you said thank you once" meeting with Trump a year ago. The White House vaguely described the meetings as “positive and productive,” even the one with Netanyahu — despite the toll that prolonged fighting in Iran has taken on all countries involved (not to mention the global economy). This also comes as the two wars have become increasingly intertwined, with the Russia-Iran alliance growing stronger and fighting converging in the Caspian Sea.
