Author: Randy Slovacek

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WH Spokesperson Defends Trump Attack On Deceased Congressman

During an appearance on CBS This Morning, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham attempted to defend Donald Trump’s grotesque insinuation that deceased Rep. John Dingell might be “looking up” from hell. The comment occurred during a rally in Michigan, where Dingell represented his district for more than 50 years – making him the longest-serving congressman in U.S. history. Trump was ranting about the congressman’s widow, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), who voted in favor of his impeachment last night. When asked about the remark by host Gayle King, Grisham said she “didn’t hear him say that” but characterized the comment as “riffing” and “counterpunching.”

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In Impeachment Rant, Trump Suggests Rep. John Dingell Is In Hell

At a campaign rally in Michigan, Donald Trump responded to the news of his impeachment by ranting about the vote of Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan). Dingell took office succeeding the late Rep. John Dingell, the longest-serving congressman in U.S. history. Recalling her thanks for the state funeral he truly deserved, Trump seems to think she owed him her allegiance in the vote tonight. Speaking of the departed Dingell, he spoke of the congressman looking down – “or looking up” – from where he is tonight. Truly disgraceful behavior. There is no bottom. His widow, Rep. Debbie Dingell, responded to the grotesque comment along with others.

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Donald Trump Impeached For Abuse Of Power, Obstruction Of Congress

From the New York Times:

The House of Representatives on Wednesday impeached President Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, making him the third president in history to be charged with committing high crimes and misdemeanors and face removal by the Senate.

On a day of constitutional consequence and raging partisan tension, the votes on the two articles of impeachment fell largely along party lines, after a bitter debate that reflected the deep polarization gripping American politics in the Trump era.

All but two Democrats supported the article on abuse of power, which accused Mr. Trump of corruptly using the levers of government to solicit election assistance from Ukraine in the form of investigations to discredit his Democratic political rivals. Republicans were united in opposition. It passed 230 to 197, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi gaveling the vote to a close from the House rostrum.

On the second charge, obstruction of Congress, a third Democrat joined Republicans in opposition. The vote was 229 to 198.

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Podcast: Dangers On Grindr, ‘Special’ renewed, Plus Tips For The Holidays With The Family

The Randy Report podcast

The Randy Report podcast delivers the week's top stories in a quick, convenient podcast - 'the 60 Minutes of gay news - only shorter' In this week’s podcast: • Two Dallas men plead guilty to using Grindr to commit hate crimes against gay men • The first LGBTQ-welcoming senior housing opens in New York City • An Elder at an anti-LGBTQ Missouri church has been charged with soliciting sexual favors from college guys • The acclaimed Netflix series “Special” is renewed for Season 2 • Plus, tips for introducing your significant other to your family during the holidays All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

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News Round-Up: December 18, 2019

Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Here in Las Vegas, they do things a little differently during the holidays. For instance, a cactus could be used as a Christmas tree. But I could only find this pic (above) of a Chippendale and…what was I saying? Dangit – I know I had some point to make. Oh well 🙂 • The Daily Beast: Stonewall House, the first-ever LGBT-welcoming senior housing development in New York City has officially opened. The first residents are expected to move into the 145-unit building in Brooklyn before Christmas, with the rest of the residents moving in throughout January. • CNBC: A judge on Wednesday dismissed New York state criminal charges filed against Paul Manafort, the fallen Republican lobbyist who served for several months as President Donald Trump’s campaign chief in 2016. Judge Maxwell Wiley said during a hearing in Manhattan Supreme Court that New York’s double-jeopardy law barred the state indictment against Manafort. • Medium: Over 1,000 American historians have signed a letter supporting the impeachment of Donald Trump. “It is our considered judgment that if President Trump’s misconduct does not rise to the level of impeachment, then virtually nothing does.” • Reuters: Germany could become the first major European power to ban so-called ‘conversion therapy’ across the entire country. The legislation, which parliament is expected to pass by the summer, will punish violations with imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 30,000 euros ($33,100). • Christmas Music: In its first 12 months, the 1984 all-star charity recording “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” raised £8 million to help efforts to ease famine in Ethiopia. The original recording remains one of the biggest selling singles in UK history.

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Gallup: Trump Support Inches To 45%, Support For Impeachment 46%

Donald Trump (image via White House – public domain)
As the House of Representatives prepares to vote on two articles of impeachment against Donald Trump, Gallup Polling reports Trump’s approval has inched up to 45 percent as support for impeachment reaches 46 percent. From Gallup Polling:

President Donald Trump’s job approval rating has inched up again and is now at 45%. The president’s ratings have increased six percentage points since the House of Representatives opened an impeachment inquiry against him in the fall.

Trump’s latest job rating is on the high end of the relatively tight range of 35% to 46% approval he has received since taking office, and marks the fifth time he has reached 45% or higher during his presidency. His approval stretched to 46% only once, in May of this year, when a flurry of positive economic news coincided with the issuing of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report.

Currently, 46% support impeachment and removal, down six percentage points from the first reading after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the impeachment inquiry. Meanwhile, 51% oppose impeachment and removal — up five percentage points over the same period.

(image via Gallup)
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Christmas Music: “Count Your Blessings”

L-R Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney in ‘White Christmas’
From the 1954 film White Christmas, “Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)” by legendary songwriter Irving Berlin has been associated with Christmas since the film debuted even though the lyrics make no reference to the December holiday. Sung in the movie musical by Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney, it was nominated for an Academy Award as “Best Song” but lost the trophy to “Three Coins in the Fountain” from the film of the same name. Popular on the radio, it was the cover by Eddie Fisher that climbed the highest on the Billboard charts peaking at number 5. Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney only reached number 27, but their movie performances are forever. These are some real voices, kids…

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News Round-Up: December 17, 2019 (You’ll Never Guess The Cover Guy)

L-R Josh Rimer and Heath Busse (via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • The Gaily Grind: After hottie Josh Rimer, travel blogger and Mr. Gay Canada 2019, shared that he and his fiancé Heath Busse were turned away by the Sheraton Hotel in Puerto Vallarta for their upcoming wedding, Hilton reached out: “We’ll gladly host your wedding ceremony and feast for FREE for you and your 45 guests at Hilton Puerto Vallarta!” • Miss Manners: A ‘committed Biblical believer’ wrote to an advice columnist asking for help after a ‘presumptuous’ gay relative mentioned bringing his boo to a family holiday dinner. Miss Manners had the perfect response. • Military Times: A new survey shows some 50 percent of troops said they had an unfavorable view of him. By comparison, just a few weeks after his electoral victory in November 2016, 46 percent of troops surveyed had a positive view of the businessman-turned-politician, and 37 percent had a negative opinion. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg• The Hill: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Monday responded to Donald Trump’s suggestion that the Supreme Court could stop the impeachment process, saying “the president is not a lawyer.” The Constitution states that the U.S. House of Representatives “shall have the sole Power of Impeachment” and the Senate “shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments.” • Yahoo News: Outgoing Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin commuted the sentence of a man who had been convicted of decapitating a woman and disposing of her body in a 55-gallon barrel. Since his November defeat to Democrat Andy Beshear, Bevin has issued 428 pardons, many of them controversial. • NBC News: Rick Gates, the former deputy campaign manager for Donald Trump and ex-business partner of Paul Manafort, was sentenced to three years probation and 45 days in jail on Tuesday after he cooperated extensively (more than 500 hours) with federal investigators. • Transformation: Comedic actor Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick, HBO’s Silicone Valley) adds “thirst trap” to his resume. Sharing that he never thought he’d be “one of those people” who post shirtless pics, he told his Instagram followers he found out a year ago he was going to be in Marvel’s Eternals and “decided I wanted to transform how I looked.” He adds that he’d have never been able to achieve his new fitness on his own crediting a full year with “the best trainers and nutritionists paid for by the biggest studio in the world. I’m glad I look like this, but I also understand why I never did before. It would have been impossible without these resources and time.”

 

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I never thought I’d be one of those people who would post a thirsty shirtless, but I’ve worked way too hard for way too long so here we are. You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain. I found out a year ago I was going to be in Marvel’s Eternals and decided I wanted to transform how I looked. I would not have been able to do this if I didn’t have a full year with the best trainers and nutritionists paid for by the biggest studio in the world. I’m glad I look like this, but I also understand why I never did before. It would have been impossible without these resources and time. So big thanks to @grantrobertsfit who started working with me at the beginning of the year and made me understand true physical pain for months and months. Then, once we started shooting, a massive thanks to @davidhigginslondon and his team (@ellispartridge, @thebeardypt, @tomcheesemanfitness) for training me almost every day and making me strong, limber and injury free. I can almost touch my toes now. (And thank you for forcing me to do cheat meals David.) Matthews Street Catering for their delicious and healthy meals. And finally, the biggest thanks goes to @emilyvgordon for putting up with me complaining and talking about only working out and dieting for the last year. I promise I’ll be interesting again some day. #thirstyshirtless (Photo by @markupson.) (edit: I left off one very important person: @lancecallahan who trained me for 6 years and helped me build the foundation I could use to do this. Thank you!)

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