Category: News

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17-Year-Old Charged With Murder Of Wisconsin Protesters

Kyle Rittenhouse (image via Twitter)
Kyle Rittenhouse, 17,  has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder after opening fire on a group during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin last night, killing two people and injuring a third. From CBS News:

The post did not name the 17-year-old, who they said is an Antioch resident. But the Lake County, Illinois State’s Attorney’s office said Kyle Rittenhouse was in bond court this morning regarding being a fugitive from justice in Wisconsin, and is being held on no bond. He was due back in court for an extradition hearing on Friday.

Cellphone video that circulated on social media showed what appeared to be a White man with a semi-automatic rifle opening fire on a group of people during demonstrations over the police shooting of Jacob Blake. The man with the gun is then seen walking toward responding police vehicles, at times with his hands in the air, as some police vehicles drive past him.

Sheriff David Beth said one victim was shot in the head and another in the chest, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. The third victim’s wounds were not believed to life-threatening.

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News Round-Up: August 25, 2020

Gustavo Naspolini in Santorini (via Instagram)
Some news stories you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Gustavo Naspolini (above) shares this shot from Santorini – which is where I was supposed to be today if it hadn’t been for COVID-19. #HowNiceForHim • NBC News: Brooklyn’s East River State Park was renamed Monday after Marsha P. Johnson on what would have been the transgender rights activist’s 75th birthday. Marsha P. Johnson State Park is New York’s first state park to honor an LGBTQ person and transgender woman of color, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. • Washington Post: Openly gay former US Ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, recently claimed Donald Trump to be the ‘most pro-gay president in history.’ The Post took a moment to debunk the ‘stew of misleading timelines and out-of-context quotes.’ • CBS News: Following 46 cases of bleach ingestions in the North Texas Poison Center region since the start of August, experts are again warning people that drinking the chemical won’t prevent COVID-19. #srsly • Theatermania: Now that the powers that be have announced the Tony Awards will happen digitally this fall, David Gordon breaks down how things might shakeout with the truncated Broadway season. For instance, it appears only two actors will be eligible in the Best Actor in a Musical category. • Election 2020: Miles Taylor, who served as chief of staff in Trump’s Department of Homeland Security, says the Donald told officials to break immigration laws in order to enact his policies, and if there were problems he would pardon them. This new spot, from Republican Voters Against Trump, will be airing in battleground states on Fox News. Trumpers will probably be thrilled the Donald wanted to break immigration laws.

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Study: PrEP Users See Decrease In Sex Addiction & Party Drug Use

(image via Depositphotos)
A new study reveals gay and bi men who use PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) report lower levels of sexual addiction (“sexual compulsivity”) and notably lower use of so-called ‘party drugs.’ Researchers at the largest STI clinic in Amsterdam tracked PrEP users over a three year period to assess how longtime use might impact mental health and addiction issues. Those who took part in the study answered questions regarding levels of depression and/or anxiety, alcohol and drug use, and the levels (if any) they felt unable to control their sexual behavior. While levels of alcohol use and depression remained statistically the same, PrEP users reported a significant decline (from 38 percent at baseline to 31 percent at last visit) in the use of two specific drugs: ecstasy (MDMA) and nitrates (poppers). Sexual compulsivity also showed a notable decrease  – from 23 percent to 10 percent at last visit. The term refers to sexual fantasies or behaviors that cause folks to act out in ways that can be damaging to multiple aspects of life like work, friendships, and personal health. The researchers remarked that “the simultaneous decrease in drug use disorder and sexual compulsivity was unexpected.” Gus Cairns of AIDSMAP writes: “They hypothesise that PrEP relieved its users of the anxiety of catching HIV and that, in turn, this made them feel more in charge of their sexual behaviour (so less compulsive) and less in need of drugs to counteract the inhibiting effect of anxiety.” The researchers take care not to say that PrEP was specifically the cause of improvements in addiction and mental health. Rather, they note that just being a part of the study, and therefore paying attention to these indicators, probably impacted the participants’ outlook. (Source: AIDSMAP)

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News Round-Up: August 24, 2020

InstaHunk Petr Hollesch (via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: I think what drew me to this photo of Czech fitness guy Petr Hollesch was his chill, subdued demeanor 🙂 Follow him on Instagram here. • Global News: Vancouver police are recommending charges of aggravated assault after a confrontation downtown Saturday that left a man with a broken leg. In a series of tweets, Sportsnet 650 host Justin Morissette said he “stood up to anti-gay evangelical bullies in the West End … and they purposely broke my leg for the trouble.” • Instinct Magazine: JLo recently released the trailer for the short film, Draw With Me. The film introduces the world to the pop star’s nibling, a non-binary term for a family member, Brendon Scholl. Scholl is the 19-year-old child of Jennifer’s sister, Leslie Lopez. • CNN: A California Superior Court judge has ordered Donald Trump to pay $44,100 to Stephanie Clifford, also known as Stormy Daniels, to reimburse her attorneys’ fees in the legal battle surrounding her nondisclosure agreement. Clifford, an adult-film actress, went public in January 2018 with the news she had an affair with Trump from 2006 to 2007. • NY Times: Trump administration officials told congressional leaders last month they would probably give emergency approval to a coronavirus vaccine before the end of Phase 3 clinical trials in the United States, perhaps as early as late September. The move would be highly unusual and would most likely raise concerns about whether the administration is cutting corners on approvals for political purposes. • HBO: David Byrne’s critically acclaimed Broadway show American Utopia comes to HBO beginning October 17 in a one-of-a-kind film directed by Oscar and Emmy-winner Spike Lee. Recorded during its run at Broadway’s Hudson Theatre in New York City, David Byrne is joined by an ensemble of 11 musicians, singers, and dancers from around the globe, inviting audiences into a joyous dreamworld where human connection, self-evolution, and social justice are paramount.

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Pool Boy: Falwell ‘Enjoyed Watching’ Me With His Wife

Jerry Falwell Jr and friend
After years of rumors and innuendo, Jerry Falwell Jr., the former president of Liberty University, has admitted his wife engaged in an affair with a ‘family friend’ who has been threatening to expose the secret. Falwell says he forgave his wife years ago, but in the ensuing years, he lost 80 pounds and experienced bouts of depression as the ‘family friend’ – who has been identified by numerous outlets as Miami pool attendant Giancarlo Granda – allegedly demanded money to keep the affair secret. Falwell was recently suspended by Liberty University after photos from a “costume party” surfaced earlier this month showing him with his pants partially unzipped and his arm around a female assistant. In a statement released to the conservative Washington Examiner, the virulently anti-LGBTQ Falwell said the affair between his wife Becki and their ‘pool boy’ occurred eight years ago and was short-lived. In May 2019, Reuters reported that a 2015 recording had surfaced between Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former attorney, and comedian Tom Arnold wherein Cohen shared Falwell had asked for his help in keeping “a bunch of photographs, personal photographs” from becoming public. In the recording, Cohen admitted to having seen the pics and described them as “terrible.” Falwell Jr. eventually endorsed Donald ‘Grab’em by the p*ssy’ Trump for president in the 2016 election. A year later, in 2017, Politico reported the Falwells had invested $1.8 million in a real estate deal involving their son Trey Falwell and Granda. In his statement to the Examiner, Falwell says he is relieved to have the secret out in the open sharing, “It was like living on a roller coaster.” Granda has publicly denied the allegations of extortion. “The Falwell’s attempt to sandbag me, and the Examiner, with a last-minute story without providing the Examiner clear evidence that this was not simply an ‘affair’ with concocted allegations of extortion reeks desperation,” wrote Granda in an email to the Examiner. “The WHOLE truth will come out.” Granda also reached out to Reuters and shared “emails, text messages and other evidence that he says demonstrate the sexual nature of his relationship with the couple, who have been married since 1987.” “Becki and I developed an intimate relationship and Jerry enjoyed watching from the corner of the room,” Granda told Reuters.

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Video: Kenosha Police Shoot Black Man 7 Times In The Back

An 18-year-old man in Jamaica is in critical condition after being ambushed in a fake dating app hookup where he was robbed, had his penis partially severed and set on fire.

Multiple reports this morning that Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot in the back 7 times by police after he broke up a fight between two women. In a video clip shot from across the street, you can see Blake walking away from police and attempting to get in his SUV where his three small children were when the officer grabs Blake’s t-shirt and begins shooting. From CBS News:

A large crowd of protesters gathered following the police shooting of a Black man in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sunday. He was identified by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers as Jacob Blake. The county declared a state of emergency overnight curfew, according to CBS Milwaukee affiliate WDJT-TV.

The man was transported to the hospital in serious condition, according to police. His father said on Facebook that his son is alive and in stable condition. Family friend Daniel Poneman tweeted that Blake is out of surgery, in the ICU and is “expected to make it.”

Graphic video that purportedly shows the shooting began circulating on social media. The video, which appears to have been taken from across the street, shows the man walking around an SUV as police yell at him with weapons drawn, with one officer closely following him.

As the man opens the driver-side door of the vehicle, the officer grabs the back of the man’s shirt and appears to fire several shots into the man’s back. At least seven shots are heard in the video, but it was unclear how many officers fired.

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Snoop Watch: August 22, 2020

Driving Mr. Snoopy
Sorry for the light posting today, dear awesome readers, I spent my first day out of the house with hubby Michael and the awesome Snoopy together. Today marks our 2 month anniversary with the Snoop, and we continue to feel blessed he adopted us. Of course, I spent the day on chauffer duty as you can see above LOL… #DogsRule

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House Passes $25 Billion Support For Post Office

The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation on Saturday to give the U.S. Postal Service a $25 billion boost and to ensure November ballots will be delivered to and from voters in time for the upcoming November presidential election. By a vote of 257-to-150, House Reps also explicitly noted that no operational changes shall occur during the weeks leading up to the election. The Washington Post reports “the legislation would ban the removal of mail-sorting machines and public mailboxes, reverse any operational changes that could delay service and mandate that all official election mail be considered “first-class.” In that Donald Trump tweeted his opposition to the legislation prior to the vote today, don’t expect the Republican-led Senate to take up the legislation any time soon. Twenty-six Republicans broke ranks with Trump and the GOP leadership and joined Democrats in backing the bill.

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Melania Trolled For Lackluster Renovation Of WH Rose Garden

(images via the official Twitter account of the First Lady)
First Lady Melania Trump proudly tweeted photos of the White House Rose Garden today. From NBC News:

The White House Rose Garden has been spruced up in time for its moment in the campaign spotlight. First lady Melania Trump will deliver her Republican National Convention speech Tuesday night from the garden, famous for its close proximity to the Oval Office.

The three weeks of work on the garden, which was done in the spirit of its original 1962 design, were showcased to reporters on Saturday. White House officials said the renovations were paid for by private donations. They declined to reveal the cost of the work.

The location of the first lady’s speech will be just one of the ways that the Republican National Convention will break with political norms.

Many folks on Twitter were aghast that the First Lady ripped out all of the color and 12 mature crabapple trees that were planted by First Lady Jackie Kennedy. I’m not one to attack presidential spouses, but the results are less than “better.”

In addition to the first lady’s convention speech, Donald Trump will deliver his address Thursday night from the White House’s South Lawn, where a stage was being constructed over the weekend. Federal rules prohibit the White House from being the setting for expressly political events, but when did Trump ever care about “rules?” NBC News reports that the trees that were removed will, thankfully, be replanted elsewhere.

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Randy Rainbow Apologizes For Racist Tweets From 2010

Comedian/satirist Randy Rainbow
I’ve been a big fan of political satirist/Broadway parody king Randy Rainbow for years now. A quick search on The Randy Report will show tons of posts sharing his sharp wit and lyric skills. But old tweets recently came to light from 2010-2011 that show a harsher, edgier comedian that included some racist tropes. The two-time Emmy Award nominee issued an apology while speaking with The Advocate, which read in part:

“Twitter has recently reminded me about 10 years ago, in my maiden quest to be funny, I tweeted some jokes that were completely offensive and insensitive to look back on them now, especially with no context or nuance and through the prism of where we are in 2020 with racial inequality and the fight for social justice, which I’m proudly a part of,” he begins.

“In light of issues that are now at the forefront, which I’m passionate about and have spoken up about over the years, these tweets just sound racist and awful. I’m embarrassed by them. They make me sick to my stomach, in fact, and I deeply apologize to anyone I offended.”

The aforementioned tweets, some of which have been deleted, span from 2010 to 2011 and reference racist tropes.

“My parents said that had I been a girl, my name would’ve been Randi with an ‘i.’ And had I been black, it would’ve been ‘MISS JENKINS!!!’” read one tweet dated March 24, 2010.

Another tweet from February 2010, reads, “Why is it OK to call it a ‘white noise’ machine, yet offensive to say that I bought it to drown out all the ‘black noise’ in my building?”

Rainbow explains that at the time, he was in the early stages of crafting the “character” he’s now known for.

“The comedy landscape was completely different back then,” he argues. “This kind of edgy shock comedy was not only acceptable but a prevalent style. I was an aspiring comedian in my 20s working the stages in gay nightclubs where we said the most outlandish, raunchy things we could think of. I was searching for my comedy voice, my persona, and I was emulating styles and jokes of people that I was seeing in the mainstream.”

“I had this sort of character in my head and there were different ingredients I was throwing into the pot. There was some Karen Walker from Will & Grace, there was some Joan Rivers, there was some this, some that. 

“Any jokes that I tweeted out around this time were meant to be read in the voice of this character I created, and the intention was always that my forced ignorance would be the butt of the joke,” he says. “Now, comedy is not evergreen. Jokes have timestamps and reflect the times you’re in when you wrote them. 

“I am incredibly sorry. I would never intentionally do anything to hurt anyone,” he continues. “I learned many years ago, over the last decade, that there are things that you must be sensitive about. I continue to educate myself, I continue to listen and learn.

“I am in no way a racist. I am in no way transphobic,” he adds. “I’m a gay Jew who was brought up in a very open, accepting family. There is not a racist or intolerant bone in my body. When I say that I have evolved with the times, I mean that my comedy has. I did not need to be taught not to be racist or transphobic because I never was.”

Read his full comments at The Advocate.