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Skimm for December 8th

Skimm’d wearing slippers

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States” — A Trump campaign press release. Spoiler: this is controversial.

ASSAULT-N-PEPA

THE STORY

Yesterday, the Supreme Court played the quiet game and decided not to hear a challenge to an assault weapons ban.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

An assault weapons ban means that things like semi-automatic rifles and high-capacity magazines are a big no. Two years ago, a Chicago suburb put a ban in place. That ban was challenged by a state gun association. Yesterday, the Supremes passed on hearing that challenge — so the assault ban stays in place. All of this is just in time for a renewed debate on gun control.

REMIND ME.

Recent shootings in San Bernardino, CA and Colorado Springs, CO both involved guns originally purchased legally. Cue everyone talking (and writing) about gun control. In his recent Oval Office chat, President Obama said the US better shape up and do things like make it harder to buy assault weapons. Supporters say ‘yay,’ these weapons make it too easy to shoot lots of people at once. Opponents say ‘nay,’ and ‘have you ever heard of the Second Amendment?’

theSKIMM

Seven US states have similar bans on assault weapons, but it’s not a nationwide norm. The Supremes’ decision yesterday could give some confidence that those bans won’t get struck down by the court.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

WHAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT…

Chicago. Yesterday, the Justice Department opened an investigation into the Chicago PD. This comes two weeks after the release of a video showing a white police officer shooting a black teenager 16 times. The officer was charged with first-degree murder hours before the video was released. People have been protesting in the city ever since, demanding to know why it took more than a year to release the video and charge the officer. Now, the DOJ is looking into whether or not the problem runs deeper than just one incident (think: ongoing racial stereotyping and how the dept. deals with allegations of misconduct).

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU HEAR THE VICTORIA’S SECRET FASHION SHOW ISN’T ON UNTIL LATE TONIGHT…

Fire up the Keurig. Yesterday, Keurig Green Mountain Inc. was bought by a company called JAB Holding Co. for almost $14 billion. That’s a lot of K-Cups. JAB already has a caffeine addiction — the group has stakes in other companies like Caribou Coffee and Peet’s Coffee & Tea. Keurig’s sales haven’t been so hot lately, so JAB is hoping to give the company a shot of energy. But Keurig drinkers won’t even notice the difference. JAB said the company will keep doing its thing and operate independently. Also not changing? Your ‘don’t look at me before I’ve had my coffee’ face.

WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR FRIEND WHO LOVES U2…

Bono can take a bow. Last night, the U2 frontman brought the band Eagles of Death Metal onstage during a concert in Paris. Less than a month ago, the band was performing in Paris when terrorists attacked the theatre, killing 89 people. Bono introduced the group, saying “They were robbed of their stage three weeks ago, and we would like to offer them ours tonight.”

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU WAKE UP AND CAN’T FIND YOUR GLASSES…

Am I in Beijing? Yesterday, Beijing pulled out a red card for pollution in the city. Officials said the smog covering the city was bad enough to issue a “red alert” for the first time. The alert — which is in effect until Thursday afternoon — means schools are closed, a limited number of cars are allowed on the roads, and outdoor construction and BBQs are a no-go. Yes, really. China’s no newbie to the smog game — it’s currently the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter. Congrats. Which is partly why world leaders are in Paris right now talking international climate change. Meanwhile, a study released yesterday says China’s airpocalypse might not be as bad as it looks. Smog silver lining.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU HEAR KIM AND KANYE NAMED THEIR SON ‘SAINT’…

In other unsurprising news...Kendrick Lamar and T. Swift owned the Grammy noms this year.

THING TO KNOW

Ban Ki-moon: UN Secretary-General. Former South Korean foreign minister. Current boss man of the climate talks going on in Paris right now.

12 DAYS OF SKIMM'NESS

On the sixth day of Skimm’ness…you decided bae needs something special.

��Enter: Ernest Alexander. Men’s accessories done right. Because that wallet from college needs to go.
Oh by the way, here are gifts for everyone else on your list.
PS: this is an affiliate partner, which means if you buy it, theSkimm gets some cash money. Thanks.

SKIMM'BASSADOR HALL OF FAME

We love all Skimm’bassadors. But we really, really love ones who make it into the Hall of Fame. Thanks for raising the bar.

Kristin Magette (Eudora, KS), Paige Button (Indianapolis, IN), Maria Perwerton (Oakland Charter Township, MI)

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SKIMM BIRTHDAYS

*indicates Skimm’bassador. Go big.

*Alyssa Schimel (Los Angeles, CA); *Karen Reaves (Macomb, MI); *Laura Beth David (San Francisco, CA); *Carris Dougherty (Sarasota, FL); *Elyssa Noblesala (New York, NY); *Margot Thomas (Halifax, NS); *Steph Hill (Miami, FL); *Cailyn Gray (Auburn, AL); *Asja Kepes (Ann Arbor, MI); *Jenny MacMichael (Los Angeles, CA); *Cailyn Gray (Auburn, AL); *Maria Dimopoulos (New York, NY); *Kristina Martin (Tampa, FL); *Jennifer Zheng (San Francisco, CA); *Maggie Leuck (Oklahoma City, OK); *Annie Roebuck (Pittsburgh, PA); *Bree Whitelock (Harrisburg, PA); *Lauren Wahouske (Duluth, MN); Brittany Beljak (Pasadena, CA); Chris Lewarne (New York, NY); Jessica Thomas (Charlotte, NC); Brittany Wilson (Anderson, SC); Christie Ebanks (Tampa, FL); Cori Wiza (London, ON); Dana Rosenthal (New York, NY); Kristen Rossbach (Washington, DC); Diana Chapman (Boston, MA); Erin Salvesen (Minneapolis, MN); Gail Javarah Wamba Flynn (Seattle, WA); Hayley Miller (Chicago, IL); Joanne Livingston (Sanford, ME); Katie Cummiskey (Dallas, TX); Ana Maria Lopez (New Orleans, LA); Michele Slaine (Greensboro, NC); Sandy Baer (Miami, FL); Sienna Teschendorf (Chicago, IL); Tracee Holmes (St. Louis, MO); Kimberly Woo (San Francisco, CA); Catherine Anderson (State College, PA); Jessica Vachiratevanurak (Miami, FL); Shannon T. (Grand Rapids, MI); Chad Windham (Dallas, TX); Max Thompson (St. Louis, MO); Hunter Hodnett (Atlanta, GA); Sarah Lewis (Arvada, CO); Drew Poffel (New York, NY); Heather Foote; Nicole Spurling (New York, NY); Kayla Koss (Naperville, IL); Nora Hajnoczky (Philadelphia, PA); Dori Logiodice (Providence, RI); Carlye Richter (New York, NY); Diane Conrad (San Diego, CA); Joanne Wu (New York, NY); Jolie Price (Willow Grove, PA); Diane Freeman (Chicago,IL); Jessica Kline (Hopkinton, MA)