In a rare foray into the political arena, acclaimed rapper Eminem made an appearance at a Kamala Harris rally in Detroit this week, quietly urging his hometown voters to carefully consider the stakes of the upcoming presidential election. The notoriously private artist, clad in his signature white sneakers and baseball cap, struck a serious and sincere tone as he emphasized the importance of voting.
“Get out and vote, please,” Eminem, 52, appealed to the crowd in Michigan, a key swing state in the neck-and-neck race between Harris and incumbent President Donald Trump. The Democrat rallies aimed to energize supporters in the final days before over 200 million Americans cast their ballots.
Obama Praises Eminem’s Political Stand
Eminem’s appearance drew praise from former President Barack Obama, who personally thanked the artist afterwards for leveraging his star power for the Democratic cause. On the Republican side, however, Donald Trump steered clear of directly mocking Eminem, instead calling Obama a “real jerk” at his own rally in North Carolina and asserting “foreign interference” in the election.
Trump Fires Accusations Amidst Harris Rallies
The Trump campaign filed a formal complaint with the Federal Election Commission this week, alleging that a minor group of international volunteers canvassing for the Democrats in swing states amounted to “foreign election interference.” Though the non-American volunteers tend to limit their involvement, sources say their presence can be a sensitive issue in areas where residents are already torn over national identity and other hot-button topics.
“The single thing more annoying than having a canvasser at your door is having a canvasser with a foreign accent telling you who they think you should vote for,” said an American political analyst who wished to remain anonymous.
Aussie Misadventure Sparks Smiles
In other news, a dramatic rescue of a 23-year-old Australian hiker dominated headlines and provided a moment of levity amidst the heavy election coverage. Matilda Campbell, aptly named, went head-first down a crevice in New South Wales in an attempt to retrieve her fallen phone. Seven hours later, rescuers were able to extract her from the boulders – shaken but relatively unscathed and still clutching her device.
Campbell’s feet-to-the-sky, wedged-between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place predicament captured the public’s imagination, evoking comparisons to American climber Aron Ralston’s harrowing 127-hour ordeal in a Utah canyon in 2003. In that instance, Ralston ultimately freed himself by amputating his own arm with a multi-tool knife.
Airlines Crack Down on “Gate Lice” Passengers
In the travel sphere, American Airlines made waves by announcing new measures to crack down on queue-jumping passengers they’ve dubbed “gate lice.” Albuquerque, Tucson and Ronald Reagan airports will pilot a system that sounds a jarring alarm when travelers attempt to board before their designated group is called.
Gate agents have long struggled to police passengers intent on ignoring boarding order to snag limited overhead bin space. While public shaming may not deter the most aggressive line-cutters, most will likely fall in line to avoid the embarrassment of setting off the “gate lice” siren.
Streaming Comic Relief from Down Under
Meanwhile, the Australian Broadcasting Company’s hit sitcom Fisk returned this week for an eagerly awaited third season. Following the exploits of a sarcastically relatable lawyer in a Melbourne wills and probate practice, the series serves up an ideal antidote to election stress with razor-sharp witticisms and oddball cases.
As Americans gear up for a historic, high-stakes election shaped by bitter divisions, soaring rhetoric and last-minute surprises, a bit of comic perspective from halfway around the world is a welcome reminder that life marches on – sometimes straight into a rocky crevice. Matilda Campbell might advise us all to keep a firmer grip on what really matters.
