Author: Randy Slovacek

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Trump To Cultists: ‘We Love You, You’re Very Special’

Donald Trump tells his cultists to go home while repeating lies about his reelection loss After hours of violent insurrection by mobs of MAGA cultists, Donald Trump asked his cultists who violently breached the U.S. Capitol to go home while still pushing his baseless claims of election fraud.

I know your pain. I know you’re hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us. It was a landslide election. And everyone knows it. Especially the other side.

But you have to go home now. We have to have peace. We have to have law and order. We have to respect our great people in law and order. We don’t want anybody hurt.

It’s a very tough period of time. There’s never been a time like this, where such a thing happened, where they could take it away from all of us. From me, from you, from our country. This was a fraudulent election. But we can’t play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace.

So go home. We love you. You’re very special. You’ve seen what happens. You see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil. I know how you feel. But go home and go home in peace.

As you can see, Twitter tagged the video for its “disputed claim of voter fraud.”

Prior to Trump’s video, President-elect Joe Biden issued his own message calling on Trump to call off the domestic terrorists. “I call on President Trump to go on national television now to fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution and demand an end to this siege,” Mr. Biden said from Wilmington, Delaware. Biden urged the insurrectionists to end what was effectively an armed occupation of the Capitol. Biden also called out Trump for not speaking out against the violence. “At their best, the words of a president can inspire. At their worst, they can incite,” said Biden. “This is not dissent. It’s disorder. It’s chaos. It borders on sedition, and it must end now. I call on this mob to pull back and allow the work of democracy to go forward.”

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Congress Under Lockdown As Trump Cultists Storm The Capitol

Screen capture via CNN

Screen capture via CNN
(screen capture via CNN)
Several news outlets are reporting that Vice President Mike Pence has been evacuated from the Senate Chamber as Trump cultists have breached security barricades outside the Capitol. According to reports, there is an armed standoff at the door to the House floor. From the New York Times:

The Capitol building was placed on lockdown, with senators and members of the House locked inside their chambers, as Congress began debating President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. President Trump addressed supporters near the White House before protesters marched to Capitol Hill.

Chaos engulfed the Capitol on Wednesday as a faction of Republicans sought to overturn President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s victory in Congress and a group of protesters loyal to President Trump tried to storm the building, demanding to be heard.

Around 2:15 p.m., the proceedings ground to a halt as security rushed Vice President Mike Pence out of the Senate chamber and the Capitol building was placed on lockdown, with senators and members of the House locked inside their chambers.

The extraordinary day in Washington laid bare deep divisions both between the two parties and within Republican ranks, the ceremonial counting of electoral votes that unfolds every four years in Congress was transformed into an explosive spectacle, with President Trump stoking the unrest.

 

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Georgia: Warnock Wins, Ossoff Victory ‘Very Likely’

Jon Ossoff & Rev. Raphael Warnock

Jon Ossoff & Rev. Raphael Warnock
L-R Jon Ossoff, Rev. Raphael Warnock (images via Twitter)
Democrat Raphael Warnock has been projected to win his Senate race in Georgia beating Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler, and fellow Dem Jon Ossoff is currently leading in his race against GOP Sen. David Perdue by 17,000+ votes. The remaining votes to be counted are mainly in Democratic strongholds, so it’s expected that Ossoff and Warnock will only increase their leads. From the New York Times:

At a news conference, Gabriel Sterling, a top official from the Georgia secretary of state’s office, refers to Jon Ossoff as “Senator to be, probably, Ossoff.” Sterling says he anticipates that all but a few votes will be counted by 1 p.m. today and that Jon Ossoff will very likely defeat David Perdue.

With more than 60,000 absentee votes uncounted, mostly from Democratic-leaning counties, a Georgia elections official says Ossoff is the likely winner and no recount will likely be necessary.

The energy in the race has been enormous with the two Dems outpacing the Republicans in fundraising during the weeks leading up to the runoff election. Warnock becomes only the 11th Black U.S. Senator in the history of the nation and the first from Georgia. If he wins his race as expected, Ossoff will be the youngest Democratic senator to be elected since – Joe Biden. With the two wins, the U.S. Senate will be comprised of 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans leaving Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to cast tie-breaking votes. Say it with me: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Raphael Warnock declared the winner of his Senate race in Georgia
(graphic via NY Times)
Democrat Jon Ossoff his Senate race in Georgia
(graphic via NY Times)

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News Round-Up: January 5, 2021

Nicholas Yatromanolakis

Nicholas Yatromanolakis of Greece
Nicholas Yatromanolakis (via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • The Independent: Greece has appointed its first openly gay minister as Nicholas Yatromanolakis, 44, (above) made history after he was named the new deputy minister of culture on Monday. • Instinct Magazine: Out radio host Larry Flick announced on Monday he will be taking a sabbatical from his Sirius XM duties in order to cope with some serious health issues as well as embrace some well-deserved ‘me time.’ • Variety: The Grammy Awards are being postponed until March 14 due to coronavirus-related concerns, a rep for the show confirms to Variety. The show, which is scheduled to be hosted by “The Daily Show”‘s Trevor Noah, was originally scheduled for January 31st.

• NPR: Kyle Rittenhouse, a young gunman facing criminal charges in the killing of two men and the serious injury of a third this summer in Kenosha, Wisconsin, entered not guilty pleas to all charges during an arraignment Tuesday. The 18-year-old faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide, attempted first-degree intentional reckless homicide, and violation of curfew the night of the shootings. • Washington Post: There is compelling evidence that covid-19 will have long-term effects on the brains and nervous systems of survivors as they age, and researchers on Tuesday announced a large international study to investigate the correlation between the coronavirus and cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia in later life. • TikTok: The video influencers are coming for the muscle gays who ignore commonsense guidelines to try and curtail the COVID-19 pandemic.

@dylanhorner1#fyp #covid19 #gay #lgbt #Bye2020 @sam.cushing @tylerspelane @koatysum @jakegrez♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod

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Funny: ‘Bad Boy’s Daddy Issues’

Artie O'Daly in 'Bad Boy's Daddy Issues'
Artie O’Daly in ‘Bad Boy’s Daddy Issues’
Artie O’Daly shares the latest installment of his wild and wacky ‘Bad Boys’ web series. In the episode (titled ‘Bad Boy’s Daddy Issues’), Scott (played by O’Daly) comes home from the gym and is surprised to find Jim (Drew Canan) preparing for an impromptu memorial service for his dead father who was the victim of an apparent wood chipper incident. Jim’s Aunt Whitney (Theresa Ryan) barges in and immediately becomes obsessed with Scott’s short shorts setting up a series of butt crack bits. Jim’s ‘best brah’ James (Alex Dyon) arrives for the memorial service as we find out the dead dad looks a whole lot like Nick Jonas. #NotMadAtThat But as Jim begins his tribute it seems the only memories he has of his dad involve felonies, child abandonment, and orange chicken. #GoodTimes
Drew Canan and Alex Dyon in 'Bad Boy's Daddy Issues'
Drew Canan and Alex Dyon in ‘Bad Boy’s Daddy Issues’
James reminisces about the time he peeked at the dad naked in the shower: “And that’s when I knew that I was going to be ‘gay for pay.’” Turns out James is a ‘brah-stitute,’ which is totally not a prostitute because he only charges $50 (although he offers Scott a senior discount at $40). When Scott tries to point out that Jim clearly has daddy issues, Jim disagrees: “What kind of issues would I have because of my dad? I feel like a kid, I like older men, and I have a daddy. Like, I’m all set.” Eventually, the bad boys flip the script on Scott and confront him about his own ‘daddy issues.’ But don’t worry, we don’t get mired in anything deep as soon there are suggestions for wrestling in pudding and a group rinse-off. Group hug in Bad Boy's Daddy Issues If it all sounds absurd, that’s because it is. Between the sharp, rapid-fire dialogue, Scott’s short-shorts, the eccentric characters plus the requisite shot of Jim shirtless, it all adds up to a brief yet worthy escape from the madcap world we’re living in today. Check out my previous coverage of the ‘Bad Boys’ web series here.

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Is Trump Setting Mike Pence Up To Be The Fall Guy?

Mike Pence

Mike Pence
L-R Donald Trump, VP Mike Pence (image: public domain/Flickr)
Donald Trump is really setting Mike Pence up as the fall guy for his failure to secure a second term as president. Trump falsely announced on Tuesday that his number two “has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors.” Last night in Georgia at a campaign rally for the two Republican senatorial candidates, he told the crowd of supporters “I hope Mike Pence comes through for us, I have to tell you. Of course, if he doesn’t come through, I won’t like him as much.” Think how Trump’s supporters will feel about Pence (who probably was considering a 2024 run for the White House) if he doesn’t “come through” for Trump and somehow flip the election results. The Vice President has no such power to pick and choose which slate of electors from a state to count on January 6 at the joint session of Congress.

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Berlin’s Terri Nunn Apologizes For NYE Mar-A-Lago Performance

Terri Nunn of Berlin

Terri Nunn of Berlin
Terri Nunn of Berlin (photo via Facebook)
Terri Nunn, lead singer for 80s band Berlin, has penned an apology for performing at Donald Trump’s New Year’s Eve super-spreader event at Mar-a-Lago. On the band’s Facebook page she writes:

I am truly sorry I performed at Mar-a-Lago and would not have done so if I’d known what I learned while I was there. My goal in performing was not to support a political party. I see now that that’s not the way it appeared and I am apologetic for that as well.

The contract stated it was a small Covid-safe event for the members of Mar-a-Lago. Unfortunately it was not Covid-safe anywhere in Florida. I had no idea masks and social distancing were not required. I thought I was current on all Covid news everywhere, but clearly I was not.

I was shocked by Florida and Mar-a-Lago’s lack of regard for the pandemic and if I’d known I would never have gone. Once I fulfilled my contractual obligation, I left the event as quickly as I could. It is a mistake I regret. I took a Covid 19 test yesterday and tested negative. My apologies to those in the LGBTQ community who thought my performance was a statement against them. I have been and always will be fully supportive.

I’m not sure how you could perform at Trump’s own party and not see how it could be considered some kind of stamp of approval for him and his woeful policies. But the apology was direct and without qualifications, so I give her that. Berlin's Terri Nunn apologizes for performing at Donald Trump's NYE event

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EMTs Told Not To Bring COVID Patients To Hospitals If Survival Chances Are Low

New York state is about to drop its face mask mandate as COVID-19 cases continue to drop in the Empire State.

A man wearing a face mask to improve his survival chances against COVID-19 Things are getting even worse in Los Angeles in regard to the coronavirus pandemic. EMTs are being told to assess the survival chances of a patient before bringing them to a hospital where resources are growing thin. From the Washington Post:

First responders in Los Angeles County have been told not to bring patients to hospitals if their survival chances are low, as health-care workers try to dig out from a deluge of covid-19 patients.

More than 128,000 people across the United States were hospitalized with covid-19 on Monday, according to data tracked by The Washington Post. That number is a record and represents an increase of 2,800 patients in a single day.

The L.A. County Emergency Medical Services Agency issued a directive Monday that ambulance crews should conserve oxygen by administering it only to patients who have oxygen saturation levels below 90%.

To reduce demand on hospitals, the agency recently issued memos directing ambulance staff not to transfer to hospitals most patients who have virtually no chance of survival.

People who require hospitalization are reportedly waiting over 8 hours in ambulances before being admitted. Related: Trump Didn’t Want People Tested For COVID Unless Vomiting In ER

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News Round-Up: January 4, 2021

Screen capture from Brokeback Mountain

Screen capture from Brokeback Mountain
Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger in Brokeback Mountain (screen capture)
Some news items you might have missed: • Out Magazine: The author of Brokeback Mountain says she wishes she’d never written the story because so many people now pen fan fiction based on the characters attempting to give ‘Ennis’ and ‘Jack’ a happy ending. • Acadiana Advocate: Nineteen-year-old Holden White is lucky to have survived a Grindr date gone horribly wrong during which he was strangled, stabbed, hit in the head, and nearly had his hands sawed off. • BosGuy: The new year is here and so is the 2021 Warwick Rowers calendar (below).
The 2021 Warwick Rowers calendar is here
(image via BosGuy)
• Associated Press: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered a new 6-week lockdown for England in an attempt to get the new quickly spreading variant of the coronavirus under control. Under the new rules, schools and colleges will be closed for face to face learning except for the children of key workers and vulnerable pupils; all nonessential services like hairdressers will be closed, and restaurants can only operate takeout services. • KFOR News: An Oklahoma City gar bar has been vandalized with food two nights in a row. • Right Wing Watch: Lin Wood, an attorney who has partnered with leaders of the “Stop the Steal” movement and has called on Trump to declare martial law and use the military to oversee a new election, charged on Twitter in the early hours of Monday morning, “I believe Chief Justice John Roberts & a multitude of powerful individuals worldwide are being blackmailed in a horrendous scheme involving rape & murder of children captured on videotape.”