Happening in the world: In a retaliatory move after one of its jets was brought down during a raid, Israel has carried out its “most significant attack” against Syria since 1982. The strike was carried out against both Syrian and Iranian targets within Syrian territory. Experts say the loss of the fighter jet (though the pilots safely escpaed) is a “serious escalation,” even if Israeli airstrikes in Syria are “not unusual.” (BBC)
Happening in the US: Two important Trump stories today. Though the House Intelligence Committee unanimously voted to release the Democratic memo rebutting the Republican memo (nicknamed the “Nunes memo”after the HIC chairman) which alleged corruption within the FBI, the President has refused to declassify the response, and sent it back to the committee for “changes.” Accusations of a partisan double standard have been swift and condemnatory. Secondly, Trump tweeted yesterday—after the resignation of staff secretary Rob Porter following public accusations of physical and emotional abuse of his former wives— that “Peoples [sic] lives are being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation.” Trump similarly called the late Fox executive Roger Ailes a “very good person” back in 2016 after allegations rose against him, and endorsed alleged pedophile Roy Moore in the Alabama senate race. So… yeah. (CNN, video autoplay warning; Washington Post, soft paywall)
Happening in New York: To combat the rising deaths caused by the opioid epidemic, city officials are considering the possibility of safe injection facilities— places where drug users can take drugs under medical supervision so as to prevent overdose. Last year, $100,000 was given to the city health department to study the potential uses of the facilities, and its report will be released soon (according to Mayor de Blasio). Debate is raging about the idea of the facilities, one of which has been operating successfully in Vancouver, British Columbia. It also may be against federal law. (New York Times, soft paywall)
Happening on campus: If you aren’t going in person (it’s also very much sold out, and it may be available to alumni only), the She Opened The Door Women’s Conference is live streaming the conference’s keynote address, given by none other than Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Law ’59). The conference is a tribute to Winifred Edgerton Merill (Columbia’s first female PhD graduate in 1886).
Overheard: [about applying for an internship] “I’ve been Law of Attraction-ing this shit since my mom told me about it last summer.”
Sunday Song Suggestion:
Patron saint of the law via Wikimedia Commons.