Category: News

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News Round-Up: April 15, 2021

Nick Vallejo

Nick Vallejo
Nick Vallejo (image via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • Outsports: A gay surfer started an OnlyFans page to feel sexy, and apparently it’s working. Nick Vallejo (above) finds inner-peace in the ocean and confidence in front of the camera. • Pink News: Arizona Republicans have passed an anti-LGBT+ bill that would allow parents to stop their kids from learning about queer people. The bill would also prohibit schools from providing sex-ed classes which include information about AIDS and HIV without parent’s permission. • Instagram: Ivanka Trump celebrated getting her coronavirus vaccine shot on social media, and Republicans lost their minds leaving ugly comments. I’m still surprised they oppose the vaccines so much considering their lord and savior the Donald says he created them with his own two, itty-bitty hands. https://www.instagram.com/p/CNqQe5QBVES/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link • New York Times: While it is rare for the police to mistake their sidearms for their stun guns, it is even rarer for charges to be brought against them in such cases. A Times review of 15 other cases of so-called weapon confusion showed that only five of the officers were indicted. Just three received guilty verdicts. • WIS News10: Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott confirms Sergeant First Class Jonathan Pentland had been arrested and charged with third-degree assault and battery after viral video footage showed him assaulting a young Black man on a public sidewalk. The charge carries a maximum penalty of a $500 fine or 30 days in jail. • The Hill: A Minnesota man was arrested Wednesday for assault after he allegedly drove away while a police officer’s arm was trapped in his truck window. An officer was standing on the truck’s running board when Oeltjenbruns is accused of rolling up the window on his arm. The suspect then allegedly drove away at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, leaving the officer hanging off the vehicle. Note: the accused was neither tased nor shot.

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Derek Chauvin Invokes 5th Amendment Declining To Testify

Former police officer Derek Chauvin invoked his 5th Amendment right to not testify in his own defense

Former police officer Derek Chauvin invoked his 5th Amendment right to not testify in his own defense
Former police officer Derek Chauvin (screen capture)
Unsurprisingly, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin invoked his 5th Amendment right to not testify From the New York Times:

Nearing the end of the defense’s case, Mr. Chauvin’s lawyer, Eric J. Nelson, asked Mr. Chauvin whether he would like to testify in his own defense.

Mr. Nelson said he and Mr. Chauvin have had repeated conversations on the matter, including a “lengthy meeting” Wednesday night. Mr. Chauvin, who removed his mask to answer Mr. Nelson’s questions, chose to waive his right to testify.

The judge questioned Chauvin to make sure that he made his decision not to testify on his own in order to prevent any later claim that he was ill-advised by his defense. Testimony in the case has now concluded and closing arguments will be presented on Monday.

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Unemployment Claims Drop Sharply To Lowest Level Of Pandemic

Jobs report

Fewer and fewer Americans are filing for unemployment benefits as the economy recovers from COVID Signs of progress as new unemployment claims dropped to their lowest level of the pandemic last week and retail sales surged 9.8% in March. From the New York Times:

Jobless claims fell last week to their lowest level of the pandemic and the latest data on retail sales blew past expectations, renewing confidence in a dynamic economic revival.

About 613,000 people filed first-time claims for state unemployment benefits last week, the Labor Department said Thursday, a decrease of 153,000 from the previous week.

In addition, 132,000 filed for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, a federal program that covers freelancers, part-timers and others who do not routinely qualify for state benefits. That was a decline of 20,000 from the previous week.

Read the full article here.

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Poll: 43% Of Republicans Say They Won’t Get Vaccine

Vials of COVID-19 vaccine

Vials of COVID-19 vaccine A new poll by Monmouth University shows 21% of Americans say they will never get a COVID-19 vaccine shot if they can avoid it. That number is down 3 points from similar polls by Monmouth in January and March. But – the survey was conducted before the recent news regarding Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine. Political affiliation is a big determining factor in how people feel about the vaccines. • 43% of Republicans say they’ll never get the shot versus 5% of Democrats; 22% of independents say they want to avoid getting the vaccine altogether. • Adults under age 65 continue to be more likely to avoid getting the vaccine (25%)  than seniors than seniors (11%). The survey also found President Biden currently holds a job rating of 54% approve and 41% disapprove. His rating last month stood at 51% to 42%. Biden garners good reviews for his handling of the coronavirus outbreak with 62% saying he has done a good job and 31% saying he has done a bad job. That’s an increase from 57%–31% in March and 58%–23% in late January. Click here for more results of the poll.

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Video: White Army Sergeant Assaults Young Black Man For Walking On Public Sidewalk

Deandre being harassed by U.S. Army

Deandre being harassed by Sergeant First Class Jonathan Pentland
Deandre and Sergeant First Class Jonathan Pentland (screen capture)
UPDATE: According to the Command Sergeant Major at Fort Jackson, SFC Jonathan Pentland has been charged by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department just hours after video of his encounter with a young Black man named Deandre went viral on social media. The sheriff confirmed Jonathan Pentland has been arrested and charged with third-degree assault and battery. That charge carries a maximum penalty of a $500 fine or 30 days in jail.

What in the hell??? The aggressive man in the video below is reportedly Sergeant First Class Jonathan Pentland, who is being investigated over a viral video incident that took place in Columbia, South Carolina. The 42-year-old Pentland, currently based at Fort Jackson in Columbia, was identified by social media users on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, a day after the video was posted online.

SFC Jonathan Pentland in a photo by the US Army
SFC Jonathan Pentland (image via US Army/Heavy.com)
In the video, Pentland can be seen pushing, threatening and yelling at a young Black male, who has been identified as Deandre, in the Columbia neighborhood where Pentland lives. There’s no indication in the video as to what precipitated the altercation. The incident apparently took place on a public sidewalk in the Lakes at Barony Place development in the Summit neighborhood of Columbia. Pentland continually questions Deandre as to where he lives as he orders the young man over and over to leave the neighborhood, “You’re in the wrong neighborhood, mother-f*cker. Get out!”

The video was posted on Facebook by a Columbia woman, Shirell Johnson, who said she was walking in the neighborhood with a friend on Monday night, April 12, 2021, when they saw the incident unfolding. Johnson says the video was recorded by a “young lady,” Shadae, and given to her to post online. Johnson said she, Shadae and her friend did not know Deandre before Monday night. She adds that when the police arrived on the scene Deandre was informed Pentland could only be charged with “malicious injury to property” for slapping Deandre’s phone out of his hand and cracking the screen. But no assault charge even with the video recording. Facebook post by Shirell Johnson Twitter got the video to Fort Jackson Commanding General Milford Beagle Jr. who tweeted, “This is by no means condoned by any service member. We will get to the bottom of this ASAP.”

Beagle followed up with a post on Facebook: Fort Jackson spokesperson L.A. Sully told the Charleston Post and Courier in a statement, “This type of behavior is not consistent with our Army Values and will not be condoned. We have begun our own investigation and are working with the local authorities.”

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Officer Charged With 2nd Degree Manslaughter In Shooting Of Unarmed Black Man

Kim Potter, who shot and killed Duante Wright, has been charged with second-degree manslaughter

Kim Potter, who shot and killed Daunte Wright, has been charged with second-degree manslaughter
L-R Kim Potter, Daunte Wright
CBS News reports that Kim Potter, the former Brooklyn Center police officer who shot and killed 20-year-old Daunte Wright, will be charged with second-degree manslaughter.

Potter, a 26-year veteran who killed Wright, 20, resigned on Tuesday, along with the city’s police chief, officials said.

Wright’s killing has sparked nights of protests and more than 60 arrests were made overnight following clashes with law enforcement, CBS Minnesota reported.

On Monday, Police Chief Tim Gannon said Potter meant to use her Taser but instead grabbed her gun. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the fatal shooting.

Potter was reportedly taken into custody this morning at 11:30 a.m. The charge of second-degree manslaughter has a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Many have questioned how a 26-year veteran police officer could confuse a gun and a taser which, according to reports, feel, look, and weigh very differently. “Tasers are often produced in bright colors, or with neon accents, to distinguish them from pistols,” reports the New York Times. “The Brooklyn Center Police Department manual cites the Glock 17, 19 and 26 as standard-issue for the department. All three pistol models weigh significantly more than a typical Taser.”

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News Round-Up: April 13, 2021

Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus

Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus
Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus (photo: city of Tucson)
Some news items you might have missed: • The Advocate: President Joe Biden is nominating Tucson, Ariz., Police Chief Chris Magnus, a gay man and an advocate for progressive policing policies, to be commissioner of Customs and Border Protection. Magnus would be the first out member of the LGBTQ+ community to lead CPB, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. Magnus made national headlines for his support for the Black Lives Matter movement and for his criticisms of former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. • Out: The hit British reality series ‘Love Island’ has teamed with Tinder to find straight and gay islanders for their upcoming season. • Fox News: Speaking on the “Today” show, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson confirmed his position that if the American people truly want him to run for president, he’ll do it. “I do have that goal to unite our country,” he told host Willie Geist. “I also feel that, if this is what the people want, then I will do that.”

• Pink News: Joe Biden’s senior LGBT+ advisor, Reggie Greer, says the White House is focused on “educating people” in its approach to getting the landmark Equality Act passed into law. • Sun-Sentinel: Silversea Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Lines have both announced they will require COVID-19 vaccinations for all passengers when it resumes global itineraries on June 5. The decision could set up a confrontation with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis who has issued an executive order barring businesses in Florida from requiring proof of vaccinations. • Instinct Magazine: So-called ‘White Lives Matter’ rallies led by tragic Trump supporters flopped all over the country this past weekend. My Instinct colleague Corey Andrew writes, “In a blaring example of the public’s discontent with these vile people and all they represent, the turnout at these rallies across the country was far less than impressive.” https://www.instagram.com/p/CNk_ge1h5Sy/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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Pro Bowler Picks Up 7-10 Split On National TV

Anthony Neuer makes history at Pro Bowlers U.S. Open

Anthony Neuer makes history at Pro Bowlers U.S. Open
Anthony Neuer makes history at Pro Bowlers U.S. Open
I spent much of my childhood in bowling alleys. It was the only sport I was ever actually good at. My god mother was a pro-bowler, and she would take me to tournaments where I loved hanging out with the major players of the Professional Women’s Bowling Association. At the age of 14, my bowling average was something like 209 and I considered maybe going pro myself. But, anyway… All that to say: anyone who’s ever rolled a ball down an alley can appreciate this accomplishment by the ‘Ginger Assassin,’ Anthony Neuer. Neuer converted the 7-10 split on national television marking only the fourth time in TV history that’s happened. AND, the first time in 30 years. USA Today reports the moment came Sunday during Neuer’s semi-final matchup at the U.S. Open. Despite the amazing feat, the 18-year-old would go on to lose the game to 26-year-old Jakob Butturff 257-203. Still, give it up for Neuer. If you’ve never seen it done, check it out below.

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Police Officer & Chief Both Resign After Deadly Shooting Of Unarmed Black Man

Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott

Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter, the officer who shot 20-year-old Daunte Wright, resigned from her position Tuesday, effective immediately. The police chief, Tim Gannon, also tendered his resignation. From the local NBC News affiliate KARE11:

In a letter to Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott, Acting City Manager Reggie Edwards and Police Chief Tim Gannon, Potter wrote:

“I am tendering my resignation from the Brooklyn Center Police Department immediately. I have loved every minute of being a police officer and serving this community to the best of my ability, but I believe it is in the best interest of the community, the department and my fellow officers if I resign immediately.”

Elliott said the city did not ask Potter to resign, and that it was a decision she made herself. The mayor said he hasn’t officially accepted Potter’s resignation, and that the city is completing its internal process “to make sure we’re being accountable to the step that we need to take.”

Elliott would not comment on whether Gannon gave a reasoning behind his resignation.

Kim Potter, who shot and killed a 20-year-old Black man, resigned from the Brooklyn Center Police Dept No word on if Potter will be arrested for the homicide of Daunte Wright any time soon. It also came to light today that none of the 49 members of the Brooklyn Center Police Department live in Brooklyn Center.

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Song Of The Day: Mary Chapin Carpenter ‘Beautiful Racket’

Mary Chapin Carpenter performs 'Songs from Home' during the pandemic

Mary Chapin Carpenter performs 'Songs from Home' during the pandemic
Mary Chapin Carpenter (screen capture via Instagram)
Longtime readers know I’m a huge fan of Mary Chapin Carpenter. Balancing catchy melodies with lyrics that explore our ever-evolving human condition, Mary Chapin has enjoyed a faithful fanbase for over 3 decades. The 5-time Grammy Award winner is the only artist to have won four consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Female Country Vocal Performance (1992 to 1995). With more than 12 million records worldwide, Carpenter was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame on October 7, 2012, Her most successful album to date remains 1992’s Come On Come On, which scored 7 charting country singles and was certified quadruple platinum selling more than 4 million copies. I happened to hit play on her ‘Beautiful Racket’ this morning as I was getting ready for the day. With so much going on in all of our lives – between ‘getting it done’ at work and at home, paying attention to the news landscape, and more – the song landed for me as it cites the constant opposing forces we cope with.

And a beautiful racket, in whispers and roars The bitter and sweet, between the truces and the wars The noise and the quiet, the courage and the fear And all of the wisdom between a smile and a tear