Author: Randy Slovacek

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Tonight: Trans Storyline On The CW’s ‘Two Sentence Horror Stories’

James Goldman stars in trans storyline on Two Sentence Horror Stories
James Goldman as ‘Elliott’ in Two Sentence Horror Stories (screen capture via The CW)
On the season premiere of The CW’s Two Sentence Horror Stories, a transmasculine student endures merciless bullying in his high school until a mysterious janitor offers the teen a way to take care of his bullies once and for all. Inspired by the viral fan fiction, Two Sentence Horror Stories is an award-winning, original scripted horror anthology series. Similar to early horror/anthology predecessor The Twilight Zone, each episode features a standalone story. Each story taps into the expansive world of the horror genre, pressing universal primal fears filtered through the anxieties of a connected and racially diverse generation. This particular episode was created by a wholly LGBTQ creative team including trans actor James Goldman as ‘Elliott,’ director Chase Joynt, and writer Stephanie Adams-Santos.
James Goldman as 'Elliott' in Two Sentence Horror Stories
James Goldman as trans student ‘Elliott’ in Two Sentence Horror Stories
The episode tonight, a riff on the “troll under the bridge” fairy tale, handles having a trans male lead figure very well. Without being heavy-handed, several artful choices were made to communicate aspects of transgender people’s lives throughout the episode. For instance, Elliott doesn’t speak for a lengthy amount of time in the beginning of the episode. During a Q&A with the creative team I attended on Sunday, the director shared that was intentional to underscore how Elliott (and trans people) feel silenced and otherwise diminished. Point of view camera angles were also chosen specifically to emphasize how Elliott feels he’s always being watched in public – a common thread for trans folks. And the writer shared that while trans people often look at themselves in the mirror, the only person in this episode seen in a mirror is the evil principal. “Elliot” airs tonight on The CW’s Two Sentence Horror Stories tonight at 8:30 pm ET. And encore presentation will air on February 9.

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QAnon Shaman Demands Organic Diet In Jail

Jacob Chansley, aka the QAnon Shaman, has been sentenced to 41 months in prison for his role in the Jan 6 Capitol Building invasion

QAnon Shaman has demanded only organic food while in jail for participating in the invasion of the U.S. Capitol
Jake Angeli (screen capture)
The public defender for the QAnon Shaman, aka Jake Angeli, informed a judge today that his client hasn’t eaten since last Friday because he only eats organic food. This was his first court appearance since being arrested for his part in the invasion of the U.S. Capitol building last week. From Newsweek:

During his first appearance at a federal courtroom in Phoenix, Angeli’s public defender Gerald Williams told the judge that he had not eaten since he was taken into custody because he is on an extremely restrictive diet consisting solely of organic food, believed to be for religious reasons.

Judge Deborah Fine said the claims were “deeply concerning” and ordered Williams to find a way to accommodate the 33-year-old’s demands.

“We will abide by the judge’s order,” David Gonzales, U.S. Marshal for the District of Arizona, later confirmed to ABC 15 Monday, adding Angeli will be provided food to meet his organic diet.

Angeli’s mother, Martha Chansley, told the local ABC News affiliate the QAnon Shaman “gets very sick if he doesn’t eat organic food — literally will get physically sick.”

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Gay Trump Supporter Fears Arrest After Capitol Invasion

Gay Trump supporter says he fears for his life after taking part in violent riots at U.S. Capitol
Gay Trump supporter says he fears for his life after taking part in violent riots at U.S. Capitol
Kristopher Dreww (screen capture via Twitter)

Gay Trump supporter Kristopher Dreww (with two ‘w’s) says he now fears for his life as law enforcement officials are arresting those who took part in the violent invasion of the U.S. Capitol last week.

Dreww, who was a proud participant in the insurrection, took to social media during the melee on Wednesday to boast about being a part of the mob that stormed the Capitol building.

“I just got back from storming the Capitol,” said an energized Dreww. “It was successful. For all you bitches on Facebook going crazy talking about it was Antifa, f*cking being infiltrated, saying it wasn’t us, it was us. We proudly took back our Capitol.”

“They brought the National Guard out for us. We had the (expletive) cops running from us. Not because they are bitches but because they are smart.”

“God we did it today!” added Dreww. “We did it! It was exhilarating and it felt so f*cking good!”

But that was then, this is now and the authorities are now charging the insurrectionists for their actions.

In an interview with the Orange County Register, the self-described ‘Adorable Deplorable’ says “I’m scared, I fear for my life.”

Described as ‘choking back tears,’ he told the Register he drove home from Washington D.C. to Huntington Beach all while receiving ‘death threats from both Trump supporters and detractors.’

The gay Trump supporter says he arrived in Washington on Wednesday morning in time to catch some of Donald Trump Jr.’s address to the mob outside the White House. Following that, he went to his hotel and while waiting for his car to parked by a valet he became aware of the burgeoning insurrection.

The hairdresser says he raced to the Capitol building but instead of going “storming the Capitol,” now he says he sat outside under a tree eating sandwiches with a nurse and a teacher.

Fearing arrest by the FBI, the ‘Adorable Deplorable’ denies actually taking part in the invasion.

Absent the swagger of his earlier messages, Dreww now says, “I never went inside the Capitol.” Today, he explains the ‘we’ he referred to in his initial video message in regard to taking back the Capitol was a collective ‘we’ and not ‘he.’

“I am a waste of time (for authorities to investigate), but there are other people who did terrible things and should be arrested,” said the 32-year-old in what the Register describes as ‘subdued.’ “I didn’t go to Washington for Donald Trump. I went there for everyone’s vote to count.”

“I do regret not doing my research and not knowing what people were in there,” adds Dreww. “I am proud we took back our house, but I thought we took it back peacefully.” Dreww also expressed concern for his beauty salon business as his Yelp page is now receiving 1-star reviews from people calling him out as a domestic terrorist.

(Source: Orange County Register)

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Donald Trump Denies Responsibility For Capitol Invasion

Donald Trump denies any responsibility for invasion of U.S. Capitol building

Donald Trump denies any responsibility for invasion of U.S. Capitol building
Donald Trump (screen capture via CNN)
In his first remarks to the press since the invasion of the U.S. Capitol building last week, Donald Trump took no responsibility for the violence and chaos that took place after he encouraged his followers to “march up to the Capitol” and “fight like hell.” From CNN:

A defiant President Donald Trump insisted Tuesday his speech inciting the riot at the US Capitol was “totally appropriate” while at the same time calling for “no violence” in his first public remarks to reporters after the insurrection last week.

Trump assumed no responsibility for what happened last Wednesday, despite telling his supporters in the hour beforehand to “fight like hell.” And he did not specifically decry attempts to find and kill political leaders, including his own vice president.

Before leaving the White House earlier in the day, the Donald also denounced the current impeachment proceedings developing in Congress calling it a “continuation of the greatest witch hunt in the history of politics.” He also insinuated that those actions could lead to more violence. “This impeachment is causing tremendous anger, and you’re doing it and it’s really a terrible thing that they’re doing,” he told reporters.

 

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60% Of Trump Supporters Say Rioters Hurt Democracy

Trump supporters say the insurrectionists undermined democracy
Donald Trump speaks at the White House (photo: public domain)
A majority of Trump supporters say the individuals who stormed the U.S. Capitol last week were undermining U.S. democracy rather than protecting it. From the Quinnipiac University poll: • 62% of respondents who voted for Trump said the rioters were undermining democracy, 19 % said they were protecting it • 80% said the rioters were undermining democracy, 10% said they were protecting it • 56% of voters say they hold Donald Trump responsible for the storming of the U.S. Capitol, while 42 percent say they do not hold him responsible • 52% of voters say Trump should be removed from office, 45% disagree; 53% also say he should resign as president, 43% disagree • 84% of Trump voters said there was widespread voter fraud, even though there is no evidence to support those claims • 8 in 10 Trump supporters said they approve of how the president is handling his job, 10% said they disapprove, 10% had no opinion • Among registered voters overall, however, 60% disapprove of the job Trump is doing while 33% approve of Trump’s performance (which ties his all-time low) • 45% of voters say Trump is mentally stable, while 48% say he is not mentally stable

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News Round-Up: January 11, 2021

Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr. (images via social media)
Some news items you might have missed: • NY Times: Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr. (above) was charged with threatening Nancy Pelosi, the House speaker, after he traveled to Washington for the pro-Trump rally on Wednesday and sent a text message saying he would put “a bullet in her noggin on Live TV.” Meredith had been staying at a Holiday Inn in Washington and had weapons in his camper-style trailer, including a Glock handgun, a pistol, a Tavor X95 assault rifle and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. • Instinct Magazine: A reboot of Sex and the City is officially a go on HBO Max. Titled And Just Like That… the show will star Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie Bradshaw), Cynthia Nixon (Miranda Hobbes) and Kristin Davis (Charlotte York Goldenblatt). Kim Cattrall, who played Samantha Jones in the original series, will not be returning.
The stars of the upcoming reboot of Sex and the City
A scene from Sex and the City
• OUT: Beauty and the Beast star Luke Evans confirmed that he has split from his art director boyfriend Rafael Olarra. He also opened up about his desire to start a family, and said that maybe the time is right to start a family on his own. • Newsweek: An insurrectionist photographed hanging from the balcony of the Senate Chamber has begged for forgiveness, saying he got “caught up in the moment.” Josiah Colt, from Boise, Idaho, said his actions had been inappropriate and that he had not intended to “stain on our great Country’s Democratic process.” Colt took to social media to brag about his rampage through the Capitol.

• Washington Post: The organizers of the PGA Championship canceled plans to hold the event at President Trump’s Bedminster, N.J., golf club in 2022 in the wake of last week’s Trump-inspired riot at the U.S. Capitol. • CNN: Two Capitol Police officers have been suspended and another person has been arrested for their alleged involvement in the riot on Jan. 6, said Rep. Tim Ryan, who is chair of the House Appropriations subcommittee handling the investigation into the police response to the Capitol attack last week. “One was the selfie officer and another was an officer that put a MAGA hat on that started directing some people around,” the lawmaker said.

A Capitol Police officer takes a selfie with an insurrectionist during the invasion of the U.S. Capitol
Capitol Police officer takes selfie during invasion of U.S. Capitol
• Miami Herald: Adam Christian Johnson, the man captured in viral photo carrying Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s lectern from House chambers during the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, has been arrested. He has been charged for numerous offenses including one count of theft of government property. • Fox News: In a rather odd exchange, Trump campaign national press secretary Hogan Gidley was asked by Fox anchor Bill Hemmer if Donald Trump feels “emasculated” after being kicked off social media. Gidley answered: “I wouldn’t say emasculated. The most masculine person I think to ever hold the White House is the president of the United States.” #OhReally?

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Golfer Justin Thomas Apologizes For ‘Fa**ot’ Remark

Justin Thomas apologizes after using word 'faggot' during Tournament of Champions
Justin Thomas apologizes after using word 'faggot' during Tournament of Champions
Pro golfer Justin Thomas (screen capture)

Justin Thomas, currently the #3 pro golfer in the world, was apparently surprised to learn that television cameras caught him using a homophobic slur after missing a putt at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii on Saturday.

Thomas was attempting a five-foot putt at the fourth hole when his shot went astray. He could clearly be heard saying “faggot” in frustration.

The Golf Channel spoke to a clearly chagrined Thomas about the remark and he expressed his regret for using the word.

“It’s inexcusable – first off I just apologize,” said Thomas. “There’s no excuse. I’m an adult, a grown man. There’s absolutely no reason for me to say anything like that. It’s terrible. I’m extremely embarrassed. It’s not who I am. It’s not the kind of person that I am. Unfortunately I did it and I have to own up to it.”

“I found out when I got done with my round…it’s bad,” he added. “There’s no other way to put it. I need to do better.”

“I deeply apologize to everybody and anybody who I offended and I’ll be better because of it.”

Thomas expanded on those thoughts speaking to NBC Golf after finishing third on Sunday.

“I wish that I could learn to grow a different way than the way that I chose to do it, but unfortunately it’s in the past and there’s nothing I can do about it now,” said the 27-year-old.

“It definitely was a distraction out there today. But now I just get to take time going forward and try to become better because of it.”

Thomas banked a $490,000 payday for his third place finish. Some on social media defended Thomas’s use of the slur:

But others wondered why it was this particular word that Thomas used. It wasn’t f*ck, sh*t, dammit, dang it, or a host of other terms. It was a homophobic slur. That he didn’t even notice he used until it was pointed out.

What do you think, readers? Big deal? Little deal? You may recall longtime sportscaster Thom Brennaman lost his job last September using a similar slur. Thoughts on why a homophobic slur came out of Justin Thomas’s mouth versus a host of other swear words? And why do so many dismiss the use of the word ‘faggot’ as being nothing to get upset about? Would it have been different if he’d used the N-word?

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House Dems Introduce Article Of Impeachment

Donald Trump

House Democrats have introduced an article of impeachment regarding Donald Trump's incitement of violence at the U.S. Capitol building
Donald Trump (photo: White House/public domain)
From the New York Times:

House Democrats on Monday introduced an article of impeachment against President Trump for inciting a mob that attacked the Capitol last week, vowing to press the charge as Republicans blocked a separate move to formally call on Vice President Mike Pence to strip him of power under the 25th Amendment.

The dual actions came as Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her caucus sought to ratchet up pressure on Mr. Pence to intervene and push Mr. Trump to resign. If they did not, the Democrats promised immediate consequences for Mr. Trump’s role in an attack that put the lives of the vice president, members of Congress and thousands of staff working on Capitol Hill at risk as officials met to formalize President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s victory.

“The president’s threat to America is urgent, and so too will be our action,” Ms. Pelosi said on Monday.

The article of impeachment calls out Trump specifically for “incitement of insurrection.” Trump’s own former toadie, Chris Christie, told ABC News on Sunday he believes Trump definitely committed an impeachable offense. You can read the article of impeachment at the New York Times. A House vote on the single article of impeachment could come as early as Wednesday. While most of us watched the events at the Capitol unfold via live news streams, since that time much more video and photographic evidence has been made available which illustrates the breadth of the violent insurrection. Check out this report from NowThis News.

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Insurrectionist Loses It When Informed He’s On No-Fly List

Insurrectionist loses his shit when told he's on 'No-Fly' list and can't board his plane

Insurrection no fly list UPDATE: USA Today has fact-checked this and determined the man in the video was asked to deplane for violating the airline’s mask requirement, not because he was on a no-fly list.

In the aftermath of the insurrectionist violence perpetrated on the U.S. Capitol this past week, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, issued a statement asking the TSA and FBI add all identified individuals involved in the attack to the federal No-Fly list and keep them off planes. In the video below, it looks like one of the ‘identified individuals’ had just been informed he was not going to flying the friendly skies any time soon. Says the invasion participant: “[Unintelligible] every single one of you! That’s what they do to us! They kicked me off a plane and called me a fucking terrorist! They want to fucking ruin my life!” No doll, you did that yourself. Actions have consequences. As one commenter wrote, it’s amazing that “they thought they could fly to DC, sleep in a hotel, stage a riot/insurrection, go back to the hotel, drink in the bar, sleep overnight, then fly back home – like it was no different than a trip to Comic-Con.” The hashtag #NoFlyList began trending shortly after this hit the Twitterverse. I’ve added a few more of the ‘fine people’ who found themselves banned thanks to their own actions.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger On Trump: ‘I Know Where Such Lies Lead’

Arnold Schwarzenegger compares Trump supporters to Nazis in Twitter message

Arnold Schwarzenegger compares Trump supporters to Nazis in Twitter message
Arnold Schwarzenegger (screen capture)
Arnold Schwarzenegger, movie star and former Republican Governor of California, did not hold back in a recent video message posted to Twitter that compares the recent invasion of the U.S. Capitol to the violent 1938 attack on Jews known as the “Night of Broken Glass” in his native country Austria. “I grew up in a country that suffered from the loss of its democracy,” said Schwarzenegger after noting that the 1938 violence was perpetrated by a “Nazi equivalent of the Proud Boys.” The 73-year-old former politician shared that he grew up knowing people who weren’t Nazis or anti-Semites but who “just went along” with the violence. That included his own father who he admitted would come home drunk and beat him and his mother, like other neighborhood men who were “in emotional pain for what they saw or did.” “It all started with lies, lies, lies and intolerance,” he continued. “Being from Europe I’ve seen firsthand how bad things can spin out of control.” “He sought a coup by misleading people with lies,” he said. “I know where such lies lead.” He also declared that Donald Trump would go down as the “worse president” in history.