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Skimm for November 6th

Skimm’d after ice cream.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“He’s recommended books on concrete architecture, Rob Lowe’s autobiography” – An Indianapolis Colts player on QB Andrew Luck, who loves to recommend good reads in the locker room. Just think of him as the Oprah’s Book Club of the NFL.

I LIKE TO TRADE IT, TRADE IT

THE STORY

Yesterday, the text of that trade deal you’ve been hearing about was released. Try to contain your excitement.

REFRESHER PLEASE.

The trade deal – aka the Trans-Pacific Partnership – opens up trade between 12 countries, including the US, Mexico, and Japan. After lots of writing (and rewriting), the countries agreed on a final deal last month. It does things like lower tariffs and open up trade between countries that produce almost half of the world’s goods. This deal is President Obama’s baby. Many Dems don’t like it and think it’ll move jobs overseas (aka hurt labor unions). Many Republicans say it’ll help the US take on China and boost exports.

theSKIMM

Everyone in Congress has some reading to do. Lawmakers have 90 days to say ‘yay’ or ‘nay.’ Tick tock.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR JOB AND A PIPE BURSTS IN YOUR APARTMENT...

From bad to worse. Yesterday, Doctors Without Borders released its internal report on last month’s US bombing of one of its hospitals in Afghanistan. At least 30 staff and patients were killed when the US mistakenly targeted the hospital. Bad. In its report, Doctors Without Borders says that not only did the US repeatedly bomb the hospital, but they also believe a US warplane shot at people trying to run from the burning building. Worse. President Obama has apologized, and the US and Afghan govs have launched three separate investigations into what happened. But yesterday, Doctors Without Borders – which has called this a “war crime” – again called for an independent investigation.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOUR CLIENT CANCELS A MEETING FOR THE THIRD TIME...

I’m starting to notice a trend. Yesterday, pharmaceutical company Valeant saw its stock drop by double digits. This comes after weeks of bad press, including one report from a research firm basically calling Valeant the “Enron” of the pharmacy world. The report looked into whether relationships between Valeant and some of the pharmacies that distribute its drugs were sketchy. According to the report, these relationships were designed to make Valeant’s bottom line look better than it actually is. Valeant denied the report, and cut ties with one of the pharmacies. But its shareholders don’t seem to be listening. This latest stock drop might be thanks to a WSJ article that has a lot of people thinking big-name investor Bill Ackman wants Valeant’s CEO to hit the road. Ruh roh.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOUR FRIEND TEXTS BACK “K”...

Something you want to say? George HW Bush has an authorized biography coming out. And it turns out, the 91-year-old former president had some things he wanted to get off his chest. In the book, he calls Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld - who served under his son Dubya – “iron ass” and “arrogant.” He also says Rumsfeld “served the president badly.” Turns out, there’s no love lost. Yesterday, Rumsfeld said HW is “getting up in years,” and he thinks he did just fine as Defense Secretary, thanks. Nice to see everyone getting along.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOUR WORK WIFE GETS LUNCH WITH SOMEONE ELSE…

Feeling left out. Just like Chris Christie and Mike Huckabee. They’ve been bumped from the big kids table at next week’s GOP debate.

SKIMM READS

“The Japanese Lover” by Isabel Allende

The latest from the writer who’s been called Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s successor. It’s a love story that covers a lot of ground, from Nazi-occupied Poland to present-day San Francisco. You won’t want to put it down.

SKIMM WINE

Skimm’ologist says: Skimm HQ loves its Japanese whisky. Especially with this week’s read. Try this easy fall cocktail.

SKIMM SHARE

SKIMM BIRTHDAYS

* indicates Skimm’bassador. Cake cake cake.

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