Monday Minute - September 9th

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Good morning, friends. It's Monday, September 9th. In this issue:

Market Minute
- Apple product launches
- CPI due this week
- GameStop, Oracle, Adobe earnings

News Briefs
- Good for the Goose: Haitians eating wildlife in Springfield
- Mother of GA gunman called school to warn of shooting
- Hornady's new target marker
- Bushmaster's new 50 BMG
- BlueForce: tourniquet carry methods
- Houthis down a Reaper?
- $250M more to Ukraine
- Dungeons and Dragons: Fun for autists
- Starliner returns (sans crew) to earth
- More...

New Store: En Bloc Press has a new and updated merch store. The site went online this week, so go check it out! As a free subscriber, you get a 10% discount if you enter promo code "EMAILFRENS" at checkout. We'll have more products and designs added in the coming weeks. You can shop [HERE].
This day in history: 1776 – The United States officially gets its name. The Continental Congress officially renamed the country "United States" from the "United Colonies" on September 9th, 1779.

Market Minute

Things to be on the lookout for this week:

Market and Earnings Reports

    • Apple's Product Launch: September 9, 2024. Apple will unveil new products, including the iPhone 16 series, Apple Watch Series 10, and upgraded AirPods. This is expected to impact Apple's stock and tech markets overall.
    • Consumer Price Index (CPI) Data: September 11, 2024. This data release will be crucial for markets, especially in shaping expectations about Federal Reserve policies. A lower-than-expected inflation rate could lead to discussions about potential rate cuts.
    • Earnings Reports: Major companies like GameStop (September 10), Oracle (September 9), and Adobe (September 12) will release their earnings reports. These releases are closely watched, especially for insights into consumer spending and AI advancements.

Political Events

    • Trump-Harris Presidential Debate (September 10, 2024): The first (and likely only) presidential debate will take place at 9 PM EST on Tuesday, September 10. The debate will be hosted at the National Constitution Center (NCC) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and will last ~90 minutes.

News Briefs

"Can't Take It Anymore": Residents Of Springfield, Ohio Beg For Help After 20,000 Haitians Overwhelm City, Eat Local Wildlife

Summary: Springfield, Ohio, is overwhelmed by 20,000 Haitian migrants, exacerbating a housing crisis and causing complaints about wildlife and pet consumption. Residents report incidents of Haitians hunting local animals, including ducks and cats, and causing disturbances. Tensions have risen following a fatal bus crash involving an undocumented immigrant. City officials are seeking federal assistance to address the impact of this surge in population.

Read More:

“Can’t Take It Anymore”: Residents Of Springfield Ohio Beg For Help After 20,000 Haitians Overwhelm City, Eat Local Wildlife
“They have become the occupiers...”

Mom of Georgia School Gunman Called School to Warn Them Minutes Before Attack Began

Summary: Suspect's mother warned Apalachee High School of her son's behavior before the shooting, but miscommunication led to tragedy. She called 30 minutes prior, expressing concerns about possible violence, yet a school administrator mistakenly confiscated a different student's bag. The shooting resulted in four deaths and nine injuries. Questions arise about threat protocols and mental health resources. The father's role in firearm purchase is of concern.

Read More:

Mom Of Georgia School Gunman Called School To Warn Them Minutes Before Attack Began | Concealed Nation
New information reveals that the suspect’s mother called Apalachee High School just minutes before the deadly shooting, warning staff of her son’s behavior. Unfortunately, a miscommunication occurred, resulting in a failure to prevent the tragedy.

New from Hornady: HIT Target Impact Indicator

Summary: Hornady HIT Target Impact Indicator offers ultra-bright visibility (1000+ yards) for bullet impact feedback on steel targets. It is easily attached to target stands, rechargeable via micro-USB, and activates with impact vibrations. It displays impacts using Morse code.

The light attaches to your target post and signals "H-I-T" in morse code when you hit steel. This light is smaller than a GoPro, but real cowboys will still be able to shoot it by accident...

Read More:

NEW from Hornady | HIT Target Impact Indicator
Hornady’s new HIT Target Impact Indicator’s vivid light signals bullet impact on distant steel targets, providing instant feedback.

New For 2024: Bushmaster BA50

Summary: Bushmaster Firearms, now based in Carson City, Nev., has reintroduced its BA50, a .50 BMG bolt-action rifle. The BA50 features a two-part aluminum receiver, a left-hand side-turn bolt, an adjustable trigger, and a 29” barrel with a muzzle brake. It weighs 29.5 lbs, measures 56.75” long, and is compatible with AR-15 stocks and grips. Designed for ease of use, it has an intuitive layout inspired by the AR-15 and upgraded for reliability. Available in FDE or black, MSRP is $6,879.

Bushmaster BA50 in FDE

Read More:

An Official Journal Of The NRA | New For 2024: Bushmaster BA50
Bushmaster Firearms re-introduced its big-bore BA50 in 2024, giving .50 BMG rifle fans another option for long-range shooting.

Blue Force Gear Presents: Ways to Carry Tourniquets for Military, Law Enforcement, and EDC

Summary: Blue Force Gear shares methods for carrying tourniquets, featuring an article and video with Chuck Pressburg.

Read More:

Choosing the Right Tourniquet Holder for Your Gear: A Comprehensive Video Guide
In this video, Chuck from PressCheck Training & Consulting provides an in-depth look at various tourniquet holder options, highlighting the importance of carrying a tourniquet on your gear in field environments.

Florida Deputy’s Sig P320 Sold For $40 On Cash App After Being Found In Restroom

Not a bad deal for $40...

Summary: The deputy left a Sig Sauer P320 in the RaceTrac restroom; felons Chance Byron and Damari Dennis found it, didn't report it, and sold it for $40. Both were arrested for theft, with Dennis also charged for possession due to probation. The deputy is facing disciplinary action; the firearm was recovered. Key lessons: When stopping for a duty day deuce, leave only memories.

Read More:

Florida Deputy’s Sig P320 Sold For $40 On Cash App After Being Found In Restroom - The Truth About Guns
A deputy’s department-issued Sig Sauer P320 found its way into the hands of a convicted felon last week when it was left behind in a restroom stall at the RaceTrac convenience store in Oviedo, Florida, 20 miles northeast of Orlando. Stopping to answer nature’s call at around 5:30 p.m. on a Thursday, the Florida cop […]

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Houthis Claim To Have Downed Another US MQ-9 Reaper Drone Over Yemen

Summary: Houthis claim to have shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over Yemen, their eighth such drone downed since the Gaza war began. The group has disrupted shipping via the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, attacking vessels linked to Israel in support of Palestinians. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree stated the drone was engaged in "hostile activities" in Marib. Following this claim, reports of US-led air strikes near Ibb emerged, but the US military has not confirmed these incidents. The Houthis have conducted multiple attacks, including targeting oil tankers, asserting such actions will continue until violence against Palestinians ceases.

Read More:

Houthis claim downing another US military drone over Yemen
The Houthis have not released footage for the latest attack, but have shown downing US drones with missiles before.

U.S. OKs New $250 Million Weapons Aid Package For Ukraine

Summary: The U.S. approved $250M weapons aid for Ukraine, including combat vehicles, missiles, and ammo, announced by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin after the 24th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting.

Read More:

U.S. OKs New $250 Million Weapons Aid Package For Ukraine - Defense Daily
The U.S. on Friday approved a new $250 million weapons aid package for Ukraine, with plans to provide Kyiv with additional combat vehicles, missiles and

Could An Easy Radio Fix Have Prevented the Trump Assassination Attempt?

H/T: StoneToss

Summary: Better communication technology among agencies could have prevented the Trump shooting. A congressional report highlighted missed radio pickups, leading to poor coordination and communication gaps. Local law enforcement spotted the attacker but failed to convey urgent details to the Secret Service. Challenges arose from incompatible radios and a lack of resources for training and exercises. Improved interoperability, possibly via mobile mesh networks, could enhance real-time information sharing. Lawmakers are now recognizing these vulnerabilities following the assassination attempt.

Read More:

Could an easy radio fix have prevented the Trump assassination attempt?
“Being able to talk to other agencies real-time certainly would assist in that response,” one official said.


Study: Playing Dungeons & Dragons helps autistic players in social interactions

Summary: Dungeons & Dragons helps autistic players engage socially through structured interactions, boosting confidence and a sense of belonging. Research shows TRPGs provide a low-risk environment for socialization, counteracting feelings of loneliness and anxiety. A study with eight autistic participants highlighted benefits like emotional investment in characters and altering self-perception through gameplay. This suggests that games like D&D can challenge autism stigmas and foster positive skills and experiences.

Read More:

Study: Playing Dungeons & Dragons helps autistic players in social interactions
“I can make a character quite different from how I interact with people in real life.”

Leaving Behind its Crew, the Starliner Departs the Space Station and Returns to Earth

Summary: Boeing's Starliner spacecraft successfully landed in New Mexico after a test flight that left its two-person crew aboard the ISS until next year due to safety concerns. The capsule's landing was smooth, but NASA officials felt disappointed as the mission did not meet all objectives, and the astronauts remained onboard SpaceX's Dragon for their return. Starliner faced thruster issues earlier in the flight, with some control jet failures and a helium leak. NASA and Boeing are reviewing data and addressing technical problems to proceed toward certifying Starliner for operational crew missions. Despite setbacks, the extended mission duration provided valuable data for future flights.

Read More:

Leaving behind its crew, Starliner departs space station and returns to Earth
“We will review the data and determine the next steps for the program,” says Boeing’s Starliner manager.

Google Says Replacing C/C++ in Firmware With Rust Is Easy

Summary: Google is transitioning Android Virtualization Framework firmware from legacy C/C++ to Rust for enhanced security. Engineers emphasize Rust’s memory safety, and its efficiency matches C/C++. Despite challenges in persuading developers to adopt Rust, Google supports its broader use to mitigate vulnerabilities. The U.S. government and tech firms back this shift for critical software. Google notes its Rust developers' superior productivity and aims to integrate Rust across various platforms to improve security. I don't have an opinion on Rust vs C/C++, but it does seem iffy to claim that making sweeping code changes to firmware used by millions of people will be "easy" before doing it. Might want to screenshot this...

Read More:

Google insists it’s easy to add Rust code to your firmware
Not so much when trying to convert coding veterans

What Was Happening in Rhodesia Before the Outbreak of the Bush War?

Summary: The Rhodesian Bush War is underexplored, often misunderstood, and misrepresented in 1970s-80s media as a mercenary hotspot. While 800-2,000 foreign volunteers joined the Rhodesian Army, few completed service, facing screening for motives. The war saw significant Black military participation. Historical context includes Rhodesia's shifting political landscape following colonial independence, with military forces evolving pre-and post-World War II. Indigenous troops, like the Rhodesian African Rifles, played crucial roles. Conflicts pitted local forces against Soviet-backed rivals, with coercive tactics from both sides. The narrative surrounding Rhodesia highlights a unique counterinsurgency story amid global indifference.

Read More:

What Was Happening in Rhodesia Prior to the Outbreak of the Bush War?
It’s one of the least-researched conflicts of the 20th century.

Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer dies at 58

Summary: This is off-topic, but as a Waffle House aficionado, I feel compelled to share it anyway. Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer, 58, passed away after a long illness. He joined Waffle House in 1992, became president in 2002, and served on the Atlanta Police Foundation board. His leadership was praised for positively impacting many lives. He is survived by three children.

Read More:

Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer dies at 58
Ehmer joined Waffle House in 1992. He became president of the company in 2002 and later added the titles of CEO and chairman, according to information from his alma mater.

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You're all caught up for now. Thanks for reading, and I'll see everyone next time.

-Lee