Crash Course: The Alex Murdaugh murder verdict explains why true crime still matters

Biden wants more chips; Democrats claim they'll protect your health data. Plus: A drone that kills on its own? [View in browser](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvY3NicWNmZWo2aC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjRXA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) Your daily update from [Salon](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvOHNqYWZ0ZGxyaC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo). The Alex Murdaugh verdict matters [The trial of Alex Murdaugh, the scion](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvMDZ0dXBxaXJ0MC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) of the famous (and infamous) South Carolina family that amassed generations of legal power, concluded last week. He was found guilty and sentenced to life without parole for the murders of his wife and son, Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. The whole thing was [breathlessly covered](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvbTJ1d2g4Mmsxai8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjRXA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) on cable news. Sure enough, it was also breathlessly complained about by political pundits who believe there's more "[important](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvbWo5Zmd0ZDY0eS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjRXA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo)" news that needs covering. Ah yes, why would cable news fixate on this truly bonkerballs string of crimes — corruption, fraud, drug abuse, and of course, murder — that would put any Southern gothic novel to shame? [Read the rest from Amanda Marcotte](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvOHY4dG1tdjVtci8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo). Big Brother vs Big Tech: Porn hacks the Fed; will Biden's "cyber-strategy" change anything? Defenses need to be bolstered around critical infrastructure — from the U.S. water supply to oil pipelines, rail lines and power grids. Much of that work will rely on regulatory agencies to begin evaluating weaknesses, with the help of industry counterparts. Second, private software makers should face more liability for flawed software that places the onus of data privacy and general security on individual users. Third, the U.S. intends to go on the offensive with more Cyber Command disruption campaigns launched against foreign computer systems and networks. Who, exactly? Presumably China, Russia and Iran, but no specific malefactors were mentioned. Of course the biggest hole in U.S. cyber-defenses is the government's use of outdated technology. So [IT modernization](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMveXRtZDBycGVodC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjRXA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) is a keystone of the Biden plan, including [modernizing civilian agencies](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvbjc4aHRqcXMzei8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjRXA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo). [Read the rest from Rae Hodge.](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvcXR3end1aGFwMy8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) (Getty Images/Jayesh) "I'm not a victim, baby": Chris Rock delivers an incendiary counterpunch to infamous Oscars slap "You know, anybody who says words hurt has never been punched in the face." That is how [Chris Rock](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvMjRlb2dheTQ3OC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) opens his live [Netflix special "Selective Outrage."](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvZG5rZmFoemZsZi8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) Strategically, he waits until the end of his set to land his knockout blows, the reasons the service gambled people would watch. But it took a while to get to it. Segueing from a bit where he praises[ Beyoncé'](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvN3dmMWNydGxubS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo)s beauty while making it clear he wasn't disrespecting Jay-Z – "I do not need another rapper mad at me. . . . I do not need the smoke!" – he opens [his examination of last year's Oscars slap](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvbWUyMzJqMXdzbC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) by pointing out the size difference between him and [Will Smith](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvdndtNDJid21sMS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo). [Read the rest from Melanie McFarland.](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvcDBtb3A3bHVsYi8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) (Netflix) - Despite record-breaking snow and rain, [California is still in a drought](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMva21ndHFnOWt6cC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo). Here's why - "I am your retribution," says [Trump](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvYmRoZHpybjNsbS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) in his CPAC speech - [Tears for Fears](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvZ2E0Zmc0eDFmcS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo)' "The Hurting" at 40: An enduring, mature and fearless debut album - Did the South assassinate this president to preserve [slavery](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvbnhsaTZxcjl2eC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo)? Forensic scientists say it's possible - "This is our fight for dignity": The struggle to confront [caste privilege](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvMTJsNzcyanlydS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) in America - Unraveling my family's Cold War mystery: Why did [UN General Counsel Abraham Feller](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMveHA3NmJkdXVoeC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) really die? If you found yourself here without subscribing, sign up for [Crash Course](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvamFneDFnMTI1Zy8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo), so you don't miss anything! Historical amnesia in the age of capitalist apocalypse — and how to overcome it We live at a time in which apocalyptic visions have become normalized. Slow-motion catastrophes unfold as the planet experiences massive floods, storms, droughts, toxic air, poisonous water, wildfires, dust storms and other tragic disasters. The railroad disaster and massive toxic explosion in eastern Ohio is just the [latest example](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvZWd5cmlwZXU5cy8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjRXA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo). In the political realm, fast-moving crises portend nuclear war, ecological devastation and the rise of fascism across the globe. [Read the rest from Henry A. Giroux.](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvb2RyYzZoOWQ4aS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) (Photo illustration by Salon/Getty Images) - "Another Norfolk Southern train derails in Ohio, railroad says no toxins aboard," [CNBC](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvYnpuZWIxeTF4dy8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjRXA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - "Buttigieg pushes back on East Palestine criticism, calls Trump's trip there 'somewhat maddening'," [ABC News](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvaDdhcnV4dWJyNS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjRXA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - "Millions of Americans nearing retirement age with no savings," [CBS News](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMva3BsbW5seXJsei8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjRXA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) US is racing toward a looming "hunger cliff," food insecurity experts warn In 2022, one in eight Americans, or more than 41 million people, received benefits from the [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvbjh5dW1zNG95bi8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) (SNAP). Over the last three years, these benefits have essentially been supercharged. In the early days of the [coronavirus pandemic](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvaTN2a3Bsc3g5MS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo), Congress pushed for their expansion as the nation faced tremendous uncertainty over both the economy and [grocery supply chain](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMveG9idjd0bDdoeS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo). As of Wednesday, however, these expanded monthly benefits were officially cut by an average of $90 per recipient. It's a development that pushes the country as a whole toward a looming "hunger cliff," according to [food insecurity](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvdTJxYzY0bnVzdS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) experts. [Read the rest from Ashlie D. Stevens.](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvazZmY2xhczhmci8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPWJmdjhwZ2ZoZjQmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZADR1QVk6mAA_FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) (Getty Images/Christian Adams) [Unsubscribe from this list](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9yZWFkLmxldHRlcmhlYWQuZW1haWwvY3Jhc2gtY291cnNlL3Vuc3Vic2NyaWJlP2lkPUAzNTQzOTUyVwNzcGNCCmQA0dUFZOpgAPxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~) Copyright © 2023 Crash Course, All rights reserved. 1000 N. West Street, Suite 1200, Wilmington, DE 19801 [Made with Letterhead [Letterhead logo]](~/AASU4wA~/RgRl6FrQP0QiaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvbmVwbm83czh5c1cDc3BjQgpkANHVBWTqYAD8Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~)