Category: News

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Biden’s Joint Address To Congress Will Have Several Firsts

President Joe Biden

President Joe Biden
President Joe Biden (image via White House/public domain)
President Biden’s address to a joint session of Congress this evening will be noteworthy on several fronts. Biden is reportedly going to present his $1.8 trillion package to Congress since taking office asking for new spending to expand the American education system, provide more help for childcare and create millions more jobs. First, the joint address is not a State of the Union speech, although at first glance it will appear very similar. The president will be announced, he’ll walk down the aisle of the House chamber to applause, all that. But due to COVID restraints, the number of attendees – usually all members of Congress plus guests – will be limited to 200. Many House representatives won’t be there anyway because the annual GOP retreat is taking place this week. Still, some GOP House members aren’t happy about being left off the invitation list.  Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) says she plans on attending anyway. “I’ve requested an invitation and I haven’t heard back,” Boebert said last week. “I’m showing up.” While the Senate is in session, only 58 invitations were made available to senators equally divided by party. Easily the biggest difference for those watching will be visual as for the first time two women – Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi – will be seated in the two chairs behind him. It’s the first time the top two officials in the line of presidential succession are both women. Another first – the livestream of Biden’s address will feature American Sign Language interpretation for accessibility.  

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Rudy Giuliani’s Apartment Searched By Feds, Electronic Devices Seized

Rudy Giuliani at Trump press conference (screen capture)
Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor and personal lawyer to Donald Trump, was served a search warrant on Wednesday by federal investigators at his Upper East Side apartment in Manhattan. The search, which resulted in Giuliani’s electronic devices being confiscated, was part of an investigation into whether Giuliani broke lobbying laws in his dealings with Ukraine while working for Trump. From the New York Times:

Executing a search warrant is an extraordinary move for prosecutors to take against a lawyer, let alone a lawyer for a former president, and it marks a major turning point in the long-running investigation into Mr. Giuliani.

The federal authorities have been largely focused on whether Mr. Giuliani illegally lobbied the Trump administration in 2019 on behalf of Ukrainian officials and oligarchs, who at the same time were helping Mr. Giuliani search for dirt on Mr. Trump’s political rivals, including President Biden, who was then a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Read the full article at the New York Times. The Times notes that during the Trump administration, high level officials worked to block the approval of the search warrant. But once Merrick Garland took over as Attorney General, the warrant was approved. Trump’s former former lawyer Michael Cohen tweeted the news this morning.

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Equality California On Caitlyn Jenner Running For Governor: ‘Hard Pass’

Caitlyn Jenner

Caitlyn Jenner
Caitlyn Jenner (image via Instagram)
Caitlyn Jenner’s announcement that she will be running in the California gubernatorial race has received a ‘hard pass’ from LGBTQ activists and advocates in the Golden State. The election, likely in the fall, is the result of an effort to recall current Gov. Gavin Newsom. Even though Jenner would be the first woman elected to the state’s highest office as well as the first transgender person to become governor of the state, LGBTQ folks are not flocking to her. Considering several controversial statements in the past, including her previous support of Donald Trump, Equality California, the state’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, made clear its opposition to her candidacy. “Make no mistake: we can’t wait to elect a trans governor of California. But Caitlyn Jenner spent years telling the LGBTQ+ community to trust Donald Trump. We saw how that turned out. Now she wants us to trust her? Hard pass,” tweeted the organization. TMZ reports that Jenner’s sons did not want her to run and “embarrassed” by her candidacy. Plus, the Kardashian clan has already announced they won’t campaign with Jenner. Conservatives, like Charlie Kirk, are predictably not lining up behind Jenner either.

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Biden Approval Rating 52% At 100 Day Mark

President Joe Biden at the White House

President Joe Biden at the White House
President Joe Biden at the White House (photo: Flickr/WhiteHouse – public domain)
A new Washington Post/ABC news poll shows 52% of Americans approve of the job President Joe Biden has done in first 100 days compared with 42% who disapprove. From the Washington Post:

Biden receives the highest marks for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, with 64 percent of adults — including 33 percent of Republicans — giving him positive ratings.

His approval rating for his handling of the economy stands at 52 percent.

But 53 percent say they disapprove of the way he has dealt with the immigration situation at the U.S.-Mexico border, a problem that has vexed his administration for much of its first months.

The Post notes that four years ago, at this point in Donald Trump’s time in office, the numbers were actually flipped with the Donald’s overall approval at 42% and disapproval score at 53%.

While that’s markedly better than Trump, and in positive territory, ABC News notes that, due to intense partisanship, Biden’s approval is the 3rd lowest of any president at the 100 day mark since Truman.

Read the full report at the Washington Post.

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Biden Administration To Allow Embassies To Fly Pride Flags

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has authorized all U.S. diplomatic outposts and embassies to fly the rainbow Pride flag based on what is ‘appropriate in light of local conditions.’” The new policy is a sharp reversal from the Trump administration which prohibited the presentation of Pride flags. Via Foreign Policy:

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has issued a blanket authorization for U.S. diplomatic outposts around the world to fly the Pride flag on the same flagpole as the U.S. flag at their embassy or consulate showcasing support for LGBTQ rights.

In a confidential cable reviewed by Foreign Policy and sent to diplomatic posts around the world, Blinken gave authority for diplomats to fly the Pride flag before May 17, which marks the international day against homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia, as well as June, which in the United States and many other countries is Pride month.

To be clear, the authorization is not an ‘order,’ but ‘permission’ allowing diplomats to do as appropriate per the location of the embassy. Anti-LGBTQ conservative Franklin Graham has already whined about the news on his Facebook page writing,, “Just because something is ‘authorized,’ that doesn’t make it right!” “Why should a flag representing one group of people and a specific agenda be literally raised up above all others and allowed to fly at our embassies and consulates?” #HatersGonnaHate  

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Song Of The Day: Billy Joel ‘Summer Highland Falls’

Billy Joel sings 'Summer Highland Falls'

Billy Joel sings 'Summer Highland Falls'
Billy Joel sings ‘Summer Highland Falls’ (screen cap via YouTube)
Making my way these days – COVID, writing, life – Billy Joel’s “Summer Highland Falls” (from his 1976 album Turnstiles) recently bubbled up in my psyche. I have a real estate listing here in Las Vegas where the market is insanely hot for Sellers, but the flip-side to that is Buyers are having a tough, tough time getting offers accepted with so much competition. In a wider view, I’m reminded of life’s highs and lows, seeing the other sides — of arguments, positions, perspectives… “They say that these are not the best of times,” Billy got that right. And amid the pandemic, we find “there is a time for meditation in cathedrals of our own.” Watching the political landscape, my spirit resonates with the sentiment, “So we’ll argue and we’ll compromise, and realize that nothing’s ever changed…” And taking in the constantly roiling race relations across the country, I can hear the insight in Billy’s 1976 prose offering, “And as we stand upon the ledges of our lives with our respective similarities, it’s either sadness or euphoria…” Billy has said in interviews it’s one of his favorite songs he ever wrote. Mine too. The song began with the chords, but he developed the rolling piano figure to express the manic-ness he often feels. Humanity in three minutes.

They say that these are not the best of times But they’re the only times I’ve ever known And I believe there is a time for meditation In cathedrals of our own Now I have seen that sad surrender in my lover’s eyes And I can only stand apart and sympathize For we are always what our situations hand us It’s either sadness or euphoria

So we’ll argue and we’ll compromise And realize that nothing’s ever changed For all our mutual experience Our separate conclusions are the same Now we are forced to recognize our inhumanity Our reason coexists with our insanity But we choose between reality and madness It’s either sadness or euphoria

How thoughtlessly we dissipate our energies Perhaps we don’t fulfill each other’s fantasies And as we stand upon the ledges of our lives With our respective similarities It’s either sadness or euphoria

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News Round-Up: April 23, 2021

Brody the wonder pup
Some news items you might have missed: • Brody Watch: Long day of real estate-ing for me today, and I come home to this guy (above). Brody was pretty much giving me “Where have you been???” #doglife #CutenessOverload #ThatFace • Washington Blade: President Biden is set to nominate members of the LGBTQ community with a background in LGBTQ rights for high-ranking civilian positions at the Defense Department. • BosGuy: Our stalwart Boston-based blogger offers this week’s ‘Furry Friday’ installment – equal parts cute and sexy. Worth the click 😉 • Instagram: My good friend Larry at TheOUTfront.com sent this to me with the caption, “Something tells me his name is Brody.” #NailedIt #elephants https://www.instagram.com/p/CN_SDsHDaIP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link • New York Times: Now that more than half of adults in the United States have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose and the country has surpassed 200 million administered doses, demand for shots appears to be slowing in many areas. Some county health departments have started closing some of their mass vaccination sites for lack of customers. • NPR: Caitlyn Jenner, the Olympic gold medalist with a reality-show family, announced Friday that she will run for governor of California as the state’s current governor, Gavin Newsom, is likely to face a recall election this year. #NoThankYou • Gr8erDays: Lee Majors (Big Valley, Six Million Dollar Man, The Fall Guy) turns 82 today. Check out photos from across his nearly 6 decades-long career below. https://www.instagram.com/p/COAmDWHhfdA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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Video: South Carolina Man Goes On Wild Racist Rant

Miles

John Walter Miles
John Walter Miles (via screen capture)
Seriously – what is wrong with this man? WBTV reports John Walter Miles, 27, went on a racially-charged rant at a grocery store when a clerk refused to sell him and his girlfriend alcohol. It appears Mr. Miles might have had a few already. According to the Sumter Police Department, Miles refused to leave the store and called an employee a racial slur. In the video uploaded to TikTok, he reeled off a wild “Black lives don’t matter” screed as he cussed out other people in the store. He was eventually escorted off the premises and charged with aggravated breach of peace and trespassing.
(mug shot via Sumter Police Department)

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Videographer Abandons Wedding Moments Before The Ceremony

Photo of an abandoned camera at a wedding
Teegan and Clarissa Templeton on the happy day
Teegan and Clarissa Templeton (photo; Tiffany McCarson)

After saving for over a year and planning down the last detail for the wedding day of their dreams, a same-sex couple in North Carolina were devastated when their videographer ghosted on them as they made their way down the aisle.

For 14 months Clarissa and Teegan Templeton each worked two jobs to save up for their dream wedding at a scenic farm in North Carolina. Having done their research, they booked the venue, the photographer, the flowers, and a videographer through Tolman Media.

Clarissa told the News Observer that in all of their planning, the couple was careful to search for LGBTQ-friendly companies

But on the big day, the videographer decided to abandon the gig moments before the ceremony was to begin without saying a word to anyone.

Clarissa Templeton says she discovered Tolman Media on Instagram and made the booking through the company’s South Carolina branch in June 2020 for their April 3 wedding.

The company has several branches across the U.S. and reportedly contracts with many videographers.

The couple says they were in email contact with the camera man, Seth Curl, via email leading up to the big day.

Capturing the happy moment on video was especially important to the couple since, with the ongoing COVID pandemic, many family members and friends weren’t able to attend. Teegan and Clarissa hoped a video to share with loved ones would be the next-best thing.

(photo: Tiffany McCarson)

Teegan, who arrived at the venue first, recalls seeing the videographer early on. But as the ceremony began, Clarissa realized he was no where to be found amid the crowd of attendees.

“I had a mini panic attack,” Clarissa shared with Insider. “I started to panic in my head and told myself maybe he ran to the car or had some technical difficulty.”

She added, “I refused to let myself focus on it anymore and put 110% of my focus on Teegan in that moment we were sharing together. I wanted to be in that moment.”

Following the ceremony, the couple began to take their wedding pictures with their photographer (hired separately from Tolman Media). When Clarissa asked the photographer if she knew anything about the videographer’s disappearance, the photographer paused before answering, “He left.”

During this time, the couple’s wedding planner, Ashley Hansen, scrambled to contact Curl via phone. He reportedly told Hansen he left because “of his faith and that he didn’t feel comfortable because it’s a same-sex marriage.”

Ultimately, Hansen tracked down the folks at the South Carolina office of Tolman Media who dispatched another videographer to the event. According to a Facebook post by Clarissa, the company promised to “refund the entirety of our money and give us the footage this new videographer was going to capture for FREE.”

By that time, even though the wedding was winding down, the brides went about recreating some of their big day. But, as Clarissa explained, it felt “fake” to the couple.

Fortunately, the couple’s photographer was able to capture the joyous moments via still photography.

(photo: Tiffany McCarson)

The Templetons reached out to Tolman Media following the wedding requesting the previously mentioned refund, but it wasn’t until Clarissa posted her story to Facebook that she heard back from Tolman. At that point, Tolman Media issued a full refund and said the videographer was no longer employed by the company.

Ben Hillyard, president of Tolman Media, also issued a statement saying, “We at Tolman Media hold discrimination and discriminatory behavior as a very serious offense against individuals. We do not tolerate it within our organization.”

“Tolman Media is not this videographer,” added Hillyard. “The opinions and beliefs of this videographer do not represent our beliefs or our track record in any way shape or form.”

Hillyard also told Insider that moving forward he will ensure all branches are “fully aware” of the company’s nondiscrimination policy. And – future contractors will be required to be transparent about being available to work on same-sex weddings. And if they refuse, the company will not work with them.

Two weeks after the wedding, the Templetons received an email from Curl.

“On April 3, I did something that I have never done, nor ever had to do before,” wrote the videographer as reported by the News Observer. “Because of my faith and what I support, I made the decision to leave and not film Clarissa and Teegan’s wedding day.”

He added that he knew abandoning his assignment “would have severe consequences” and that his unannounced departure “ruined a beautiful wedding and left so many heart broken (sic).”

While Curl did apologize to the couple, he added, “This destroys me that I’ve ended up in a position where I am getting so many people saying so many negative things about me, my life, my career, and my beliefs.”

Photo of an abandoned camera at a wedding
(image via Depositphotos)
At the end of the day, the couple who did everything they thought possible to avoid such LGBTQ discrimination on their wedding day say they hope others don’t have to have the same experience. “The last thing we would ever want is for anyone to go through this again,” Clarissa explained to Insider. “It is our wish to do everything we can to ensure that no other couple has to endure the heartache we are left trying to cope with. What happened to us isn’t rare.” (source: Insider, News Observer)