|
|
|
|
The 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks provided America an opportunity to look into the mirror of history and see a fractured reflection. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9/11 anniversary renews calls for unity in a divided America As Americans commemorated the 20th anniversary of 9/11 over the weekend, the contrast between the nation now and then was stark. While the aftermath of the terrorist attacks once unified the country, America finds itself more divided than anytime since the Civil War. Former President George W. Bush, who bore the responsibility of leading the country through the crisis, said the spirit of unity Americans displayed in the aftermath of the attacks "seems distant" today: "So much of our politics has become a naked appeal to anger, fear, and resentment. That leaves us worried about our nation.". Ironically, it was the reaction to 9/11 -- the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, the demonization of all Muslims as terrorists, and the politicalization of American values -- that led us here 20 years later. FIND OUT HOW THE FALLOUT OF 9/11 HAS DIVIDED THE US
Once presumed dead, high-ranking Al Qaeda leader reappears One of the few positives to come out of America's two-decade war in Afghanistan was the dismantling of the Al Qaeda terrorist group and leadership. However, a new video is calling into question whether the US actually accomplished that mission to the extent we thought. Previously believed to be dead, Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri appeared in a 60-minute video that was released over the weekend purporting to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11. He mentions events that have happened since he was thought to have died, but intelligence experts aren't convinced the video is legit. SEE WHY THE VALIDITY OF THE VIDEO IS BEING QUESTIONED
Americans carry $1.7 trillion burden in student loan debt Student loan debt might seem like a red state-blue state issue but it's really more about the green. Americans owe more than $1.7 trillion in student loans, and there's a large disparity in the states most affected by the burden that has little to do with political persuasion. A closer look at the numbers reveals that West Virginia carries the largest income-to-loan balance ratio in the country, followed by New Hampshire, while California has one of the lowest in the nation. Still, the battle over student loan forgiveness programs is divided along political lines after President Joe Biden extended the pause on student loan payments until 2022, and canceled $5.8 billion in debt. SEE WHICH STATES HAVE THE HIGHEST AND LOWEST DEBT
|
|
 |
Markets
| DJIA | 34,607.72 | -0.78% |
| S&P 500 | 4,458.58 | -0.77% |
| Nasdaq Composite | 15,115.49 | -0.87% |
| Japan: Nikkei 225 | 30,447.37 | 0.22% |
| UK: FTSE 100 | 7,069.10 | 0.57% |
| Crude Oil Futures | 70.25 | 0.76% |
| Gold Futures | 1,790.50 | -0.09% |
| Yen | 110.12 | 0.19% |
| Euro | 1.18 | -0.18% | | * As of market close |
|
|
 |
Manchin won't back $3.5T infrastructure deal
Nowhere is the post-9/11 divide in the US over the past two decades more on display than the halls of Congress, where support for President Joe Biden's infrastructure packages falls strictly along political lines. But it's a split in the wings of the Democratic Party that could derail both deals. West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin renewed his call for fellow Dems to hit the pause button on the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package, saying Sunday, "If I can't explain it (to my constituents), I can't vote for it." His no vote would kill the $3.5 trillion plan in the Senate, and House Dems are saying they won't bring the $1.2 trillion bipartisan bill to a vote without it. FIND OUT HOW MANCHIN CAN KILL BOTH BILLS WITH ONE VOTE
|
|
|
|
Surgeon general backs Biden's vax mandate
President Joe Biden created a firestorm last week when he unveiled his six-point plan to crack down on COVID-19. Two points that drew a strong response from the right were his vaccine mandate for federal employees and his order that companies with at least 100 employees do the same. The announcement was followed by a flurry of lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of vaccine mandates in both the public and private sector, but at least one high-ranking official says it's a health issue, not a legal one. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is backing Biden's plan despite legal action by states calling his actions “an egregious, tyrannical power grab." SEE WHY THE SURGEON GENERAL SUPPORTS THE MEASURE
|
|
Florida mask mandate sees double reverse
To mask or not to mask? That is the question facing students and faculty at Florida public schools after state courts have done a double reversal of Gov. Ron DeSantis' mask mandate ban. The game of political and judicial hot potato in the Sunshine State has left schools in a perilous position. Florida, which has become America's epicenter of COVID-19 due to the Delta variant, has seen widespread outbreaks among children since schools reopened last month. School districts in hot spots scored a legal victory to require masks, but a state court has ruled in favor of the ban. FIND OUT WHY FLORIDA IS FLIP-FLOPPING ON THE MANDATE BAN
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top doc
The office of surgeon general was created exactly 150 years ago. Who was the first to serve as SG, and under what department did he serve? Friday’s answer: The original Burger King, opened in 1953 in Jacksonville, Fla., was called Insta-Burger King before getting a nationwide rebranding. SEND YOUR ANSWER HERE TO SHOW OFF YOUR KNOWLEDGE
|
|
Fast Start for friends
There's no better way to start your day than by waking up with Fast Start, except perhaps sharing it with friends. Spread the word by forwarding today's copy to your crew and tell them to let us know you sent them. HERE'S THE EMAIL ADDRESS YOUR FRIENDS WILL NEED
|
|
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here.
|
|
IBTimes will always protect your security and privacy. Please read our detailed Privacy Policy. Please do not reply to this email. Click here to adjust your notification preferences or unsubscribe.Â
© Copyright 2021 IBTimes LLC. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
