Welcome to Monday, November 29th, seals and sea lions...

Cyber-Mondaying today? Then you may want to know...

Here, we answer all your questions about shipping delays, including:

What’s the holdup?

This is a complicated question that involves a compounding of pretty much every piece of the supply chain--labor shortages, backlogged ports, increased demand, and an outdated shipping system in the U.S.

• Significant delays began last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impacts are still ongoing.
• During the pandemic, people shifted their consumption patterns from events and outings to physical goods. Increased demand has shipping traffic up 50% from pre-pandemic levels at the Port of Los Angeles, which handles 40% of U.S. imports. 
• Ports are also dealing with major backlogs. Labor shortages are a big part of the problem, both at the ports and in the trucking industry, which is estimated to be short 80,000 drivers. Employee burnout and poor treatment, COVID-related deaths and outbreaks, and simply too much demand are all contributors. 
• The executive director of the Port of Los Angeles says the U.S. is “decades behind” other international ports. A lack of information sharing and transparency throughout the supply chain, equipment shortages, and an industry-standard of just-in-time manufacturing make the U.S. particularly vulnerable to big shifts.

Have you experienced shipping delays?

Native American Heritage Day

While enjoying some overpriced turkey last Thursday (read our coverage of Thanksgiving Dinner inflation here), you may have wondered about that first feast between Pilgrims and Native Americans.

Thanksgiving’s origins are often remembered as a harmonious breaking of bread between the Native Wampanoag and Mayflower pilgrims in 1621. However, historians have found that the circumstances weren’t initially peaceful, and alliances didn’t last long.

What both preceded and followed the “First Thanksgiving” would be decades of some of the worst crimes against humanity: the killing of an estimated 90% of the Native populations in the Americas. 

Native American Heritage Day (NAHD) was designated for the day after Thanksgiving to raise awareness of the true historical legacy of the national holiday, as well as celebrate Native American culture and highlight present-day issues. 

Though NAHD has passed, it's never too late to learn about America's first people:

• Read about Native American Heritage Day here.
• Check out our Native Americans Explainer Video: Facts, Regions, & Tribes.

U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths Hit All-Time High

CDC’s data projected that there were 100,306 overdose deaths in the 12-month period ending in April 2021 based on the number of reported deaths and those pending investigation ― a 28.5% jump from 78,056 in the 12-month period ending April 2020. The news comes after public health officials warned of rising “deaths of despair” such as drug overdoses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Are you concerned about the rise in drug overdose deaths?

All the Memes Fit to Post

And, In The End...

However you may spell it, have a...

—Josh Herman

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