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Skimm for December 22nd

Skimm’d over a cookie in a skillet in Palm Beach

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“An outdated exercise” - Sit-ups, according to an outlet that covers all things Navy. Apparently the classic crunch is bad for your back. BRB, napping. Because, health.

AFGHANISTAN

THE STORY

Yesterday, six American soldiers were killed in a suicide attack in Afghanistan. The Taliban said ‘did it!’

EXPLAIN.

A suicide bomber on a motorcycle targeted a major US base in Afghanistan. While everyone’s been focused on ISIS, the Taliban is still very much a thing in the country. The US and its NATO allies sent tens of thousands of troops there post-9/11 and have been slowly bringing them back home in recent years. The goal is to eventually take off the training wheels, let Afghan forces handle things on their own, and bring the troops home.

SO…

They’re not all home yet. US and NATO combat missions in the country ‘ended’ last year. But Afghan forces have had a hard time, so US and NATO troops have been — surprise, surprise – finding themselves in combat situations. Earlier this year, President Obama decided to keep 9,800 US troops there through most of 2016.

theSKIMM

Yesterday’s attack was one of the deadliest on international forces in Afghanistan this year. It was also a big setback for anyone in the US who thinks Afghan forces are ready to go it alone.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

WHAT NOT TO BRING UP AT DINNER WITH THE FUTURE IN-LAWS…

Bill Cosby. Yesterday, Cosby sued supermodel Beverly Johnson for defamation. She’s one of at least 50 women who’ve said Cosby’s drugged, and in some cases, sexually assaulted them. Johnson told Vanity Fair last year all about her alleged encounter with Dr. Huxtable. Now, Cosby’s saying ‘not so’ and that Johnson’s story is a lie to boost her career. Cosby’s never been criminally charged. Last week, he countersued seven other women who’ve accused him of sexual assault.

WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR FRIEND WHOSE FAVORITE MOVIE IS ‘APOLLO 13′…

Houston, Elon Musk just made history. Last night, the Tesla CEO’s other company (hint: SpaceX) successfully launched and landed a rocket back at Cape Canaveral in Florida. BF galactic D, because SpaceX has tried and failed to land this kind of rocket three other times. And because this is a reusable rocket — meaning a holiday vacation to space could be in your future. One small step for man, one giant leap for Musk.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU HEAR THAT JAMES FRANCO IS REMAKING THE BEST LIFETIME MOVIE OF ALL TIME…

In other news that should’ve happened a long time ago…yesterday, the FDA decided it’s time to officially lift the ban on gay and bisexual men giving blood. The ban was put in place during the AIDS epidemic in the early 80s. Many have argued that it promotes a dated stereotype, and isn’t necessary with modern HIV screenings . So last year, an FDA panel recommended lifting the ban. Now, it’s actually happening. The catch? Only men who haven’t slept with men in at least a year can give blood. Calling all sexually frustrated gay men.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU HEAR CHELSEA CLINTON IS PREGNANT…

One political grandbaby in, and another presidential candidate out.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOUR DAD SAYS HE’S SICK OF HEARING ‘THAT MARIAH CAREY SONG’…

Move to Brunei. Brunei (psst...Islamic country in Southeast Asia) has apparently banned public Christmas celebrations for fear of Muslims being led ‘astray’ by the fun. Kindly take your ugly sweater and eggnog hangover inside where no one can see them. Bah, humbug.

THING TO KNOW

Creaster: People who only go to Church on Christmas and Easter. You are not alone.

SKIMM GIFT

Bienvenido a Miami. After all that holiday gift buying, you need to treat yo’self. How does three nights in Miami plus a shopping spree sound? Get into it.

SKIMM SHARE

SKIMM BIRTHDAYS

*indicates Skimm’bassador. You go Glenn Coco.

*Molly Sinclair (Pittsburgh, PA); *Leah Motzkin (Phoenix, AZ); *Mariana Jennings (New York, NY); *Alice Zhang (San Jose, CA ); *Macy Barnes (Madison, WI); *Megan Rich (Chapin, SC); *George Saieed (Pittsburgh, PA); *Susan Houts (Palm Bay, FL); Catherine Galton (New York, NY); *Roni Rose (Herzliya, Israel); *Han Jang (Columbus, OH); *Emily Raleigh (New York, NY); *Tobey Schmidt (Tucson, AZ); *Abby Born (Saint Simons Island, GA); *Rebekah Grmela (Austin, TX); Allie Pagh (Chicago, IL); Christie Klauberg (New York, NY); Lane Johnson (Aspen, CO); Barbara Mongeau (East Northport, NY); Bolu Adeyeye (Charlotte, NC); Georgina Douet-Lascelles (London, England); Joseph McCormack (New York, NY); Lars Ojukwu (Medford, MA); Cody Hyman (Washington, DC); Kaila Leary (New York NY); Julie Frasco (Washington, DC); Avni Patel Finn (Boston, MA); Kim Pearson (Wayne, NJ); Barbara Mirch (Des Plaines, IL); Sohrab Vatsia (Manhasset, NY); Kristina Cross (Lancaster, PA); Laura Stocksdale (Philadelphia, PA); Robin Cox (Pawleys Island, SC); Julia Clark (New York, NY); Sarah Rabin Spira (Washington, DC); Sinead Meaney (Framingham, MA); Faith Harrington (College Park, MD); Fraser Dachille (Towson, MD); Ashley Gengras (Bloomfield, CT); Laura Stagno (Lexington, VA); Nicole McNey (Brooklyn, NY); Howard Sobel (Fort Lauderdale, FL); Elliot Danko (Chicago, IL); Sarah Schnall (Ossining, NY); Isabella Solorzano (Flagstaff, AZ); Josie Peacock (Chicago, IL)