🥊 What’s the point of this Governor vs. Governor debate?

It’s Thursday, November 30 — people are talking about tonight’s DeSantis vs. Newsom debate, the use of rap lyrics in Young Thug’s trial, and more.

As always, we’ve summarized and organized the different shades of perspective, so you can see the big picture quickly. Here at Shades we believe that seeing multiple points of view is the best way to stay informed.

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- Jeff (co-founder of Shades)

🥊 What’s the point of this Governor vs. Governor debate?

Florida's Gov. DeSantis & California's Gov. Newsom face off in a debate on Fox News tonight. But is the showdown useless theatrics?

🥊 DeSantis and Newsom will face off in a Fox-moderated debate. But they aren't even running against each other in 2024! Politico says it’s all about their political ambition.

🥊 The WSJ thinks the debate could be valuable: It may give voters an idea of how Florida (the right) compares with California (the left).

🥊 But CalMatters disagrees: The face-off will probably degrade into political smackdowns. It's career ladder-climbing at best.

🥊 On the other hand, The Economist says the event may be theatrical and worthwhile: Welcome to the future of US politics!

🎤 Using rap lyrics in court

Young Thug's RICO trial started, and the prosecutor is using his lyrics as evidence.

🎤 BBC: Rap icon Young Thug is on trial for a slew of federal charges related to gang violence, and the prosecutor is arguing that his rap lyrics are an admission of guilt. Is that fair?

🎤 Young Thug's lawyer said it's un-American. Lyrics should be protected by free speech, regardless of their content. It's artistic expression — it's obviously fantasy.

🎤 But prosecutor Fani Willis argues that Young Thug confessed to actual crimes over the beat — why should he get away with it? The lyrics are fair game.

🎤 Above the Law thinks it's a shady legal strategy, period. And the prosecution's case is pretty weak anyway — their tactics of using lyrics probably won’t work.

Quick hits

🏳‍🌈 Russia's Supreme Court issued a ban on international LGBTQ activism, citing the "incitement of social and religious discord". (AP News)

⚫ Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger died at age 100. The NYT called him the most powerful Secretary of State post-WW2. (NYT)

🤝 Israel and Hamas agreed to extend the initial 4-day truce by another day. (The Hill)

🐭 Bob Iger, Disney's CEO, said that he would step down in 2026. (Fox Business)