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| (via Twitter) |
Meme Of The Day
Gus Kenworthy: “I’m Holding My Head High” Living Life Authentically Out & Proud
Out US Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy told fans today he is “holding his head high” knowing he gave his all in the slopestyle ski finals yesterday in PyeongChang thanks to living his life out, proud and authentically.
Via Instagram:
This photo sums up yesterday for me. I failed to land my run in the final and didn’t end up on the podium but, for me, the Olympics aren’t solely about the medals.
Being here now, out and proud and living my life authentically, I’m walking away more fulfilled without a medal than I did at the last Games with one.
Of course I would’ve loved to have landed my run and been on the podium but it just wasn’t my day. After years of preparation, countless hours of training and numerous injuries it’s all over in a flash.
At every contest there are three winners and a field of non-winners. This is the Olympics though and nobody here loses. Everybody gave it their best effort, fought hard, endured and made their country, their family, their friends and their fans proud. I’m holding my head high knowing that I gave it my all.
I’m proud of what I did here and all those I was representing in the process and I’m very happy for @oysteinbraten, @nickgaper and @abmskier for walking away with medals. I may have worked tirelessly to get here but so did they and I’m proud of them for putting it down when it counts.
Kenworthy easily qualified for the finals of the slopestyle event yesterday out of a field of 30, but competing with a broken thumb and massive hemotoma on his right hip was too much to ignore during the finals.
Still an Olympic inspiration for millions 🙂
Adam Rippon Hits Pause On Joining NBC Sports For Now
UPDATE: USA Today columnist Christine Brennan reports that Adam rethought the decision to work for NBC Sports for now as it would have meant relinquishing his Olympic standing, credentials and more.
After agreeing to an offer to work for NBC, Adam Rippon @Adaripp decided overnight that he would rather remain as an Olympian, source telling me. Didn’t want to
relinquish his official Olympic standing, give up credential, move out of Team USA housing and miss closing ceremony.
I am flattered that NBC wanted me to work as a correspondent for them here in PyeongChang. Doing this would require me to leave Team USA and move out of the Olympic Village. I don’t want to do that so I had to declined the opportunity.— Adam Rippon (@Adaripp) February 19, 2018
I love being on Team USA and representing our country. My teammates were there for me during my events, and now I NEED to be there for them. I look forward to being with them, and I’m very excited for the rest of the competition. Go Team USA!!!— Adam Rippon (@Adaripp) February 19, 2018
I actually found everything out about the offer via twitter HAHA 😂😂 2018 is wild girl— Adam Rippon (@Adaripp) February 19, 2018
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Not only did U.S. figure skater Adam Rippon score a bronze medal for his contribution to the team skating event, but “America’s sweetheart” has also booked a gig working for NBC Sports for the remainder of the Winter Games in PyeongChang.
Rippon has emerged as one of PyeongChang’s breakout stars for both his skating and his personality.
Already a bronze medalist in the team figure skating event, the 28-year-old said that even after his 10th place finish in the men’s individual event, he still feels like a winner.
“I think I’ve shown the world that I’m a fierce competitor,” he said. “But I think I’ve shown them that I’m also a fierce human being.”
When asked in December what it’s like to be a gay athlete, the Pennsylvanian answered, “It’s exactly like being a straight athlete. Lots of hard work but usually done with better eyebrows.”
My favorite Rippon-ism: “You know, I’m not like a gay icon, or America’s gay sweetheart. I’m just America’s sweetheart and I’m just an icon.”
Rippon is one of Team USA’s first two openly gay athletes, along with slopestyle skier Gus Kenworthy.
Welcome to the team @Adaripp!We’re happy to have ya! #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/7PXbStXtoc
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 18, 2018
Rick Gates, Former Trump Aide, Will Plead Guilty To Fraud And Testify Against Paul Manafort
Former Trump aide Rick Gates has agreed to plead guilty to fraud-related charges and will testify against former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort according to The LA Times:
The change of heart by Trump’s former deputy campaign manager, Richard W. Gates III, who had pleaded not guilty after being indicted in October on charges similar to Manafort’s, was described in interviews by people familiar with the case.
“Rick Gates is going to change his plea to guilty,” said a person with direct knowledge of the new developments, adding that the revised plea will be presented in federal court in Washington “within the next few days.”
Mueller is heading the prosecutions of Gates and Manafort as part of the wide-ranging investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and whether Trump or his aides committed crimes before, during or since the campaign.
The imminent change of Gates’ plea follows negotiations over the last several weeks between Green and two of Mueller’s prosecutors – senior assistant special counsels Andrew Weissmann and Greg D. Andres.
According to a person familiar with those talks, Gates, a longtime political consultant, can expect “a substantial reduction in his sentence” if he fully cooperates with the investigation. He said that Gates is apt to serve about 18 months in prison.
With Gates turned state evidence Manafort will plead soon. He will give up Trump, Kushner & Trump jr for a deal. Mueller’s Money laundering end game could come as fast in 60-90 days. Does not mean impeachment but will open up Trump’s tax returns. https://t.co/ik7pDRyTE3— Malcolm Nance (@MalcolmNance) February 18, 2018
BREAKING: Trump campaign staffer Rick Gates plans to plead guilty for fraud & is willing to testify against Paul Manafort in Mueller’s Russia probe. This is the fourth guilty plea in the probe, 18 total indictments & counting. I would guess by the end 85 people will be indicted.— Scott Dworkin (@funder) February 18, 2018
Manafort is underwater. But according to this leak, Gates has nothing on Trump. I suspect Manafort does, however. https://t.co/bsK2hUMleY— John Dean (@JohnWDean) February 18, 2018
Out Olympic Speed Skater Brittany Bowe Notches 3rd Top Five Finish In PyeongChang
Out U.S. Olympic speed skater Brittany Bowe finished fifth in the women’s 500-meter with a time of 37.53 seconds – just two-tenths of a point off the podium.
Today’s results follow her 5th place finish in the 1500 meter race and a 4th place in the 1000 meter race.
“Other than being two-tenths off the podium, I’m really, really happy with that race,” speaking to NBC after the race. “I can’t think of anything I could have executed better, to be honest with you.”
“Obviously, I’m disappointed coming out medal-less so far,” she added. “We still have the team pursuit. I really want a medal for everybody that’s helped me along the way, my whole life and especially this past year and a half getting me back to that start line. It would mean the world to me.”
The women’s team event will take place over Monday and Wednesday this week.
But even if that doesn’t work out, Bowe says she’s not finished her Olympic journey yet as she plans on being at the 2022 games in four years.
“I definitely plan on going another four years,” she said. “I can’t be done here, that’s for sure.”
The Kremlin/Jill Stein Connection
According to the recently released indictments by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, we know now Putin helped Jill Stein in an effort to siphon votes from Hillary Clinton.
Stein voters were targeted by the 13 Russian agents named in the indictment.
What was the Jill Stein/Putin effect on the 2016 election?
Looking at the three swing states that handed Trump the election (above), we know he won by a combined total of 79,000 votes in Michigan, Wisconsin & Pennsylvania.
Check out how those Stein votes align with Trump’s margin of victory in those three states.
#ThingsThatMakeYouGoHmm
Here’s Jill Stein trashing the US while in Russia in December of 2015. She attended a Russian propaganda tv gala & sat at the table with Mike Flynn & Putin. Keep in mind there was absolutely no reason for her to be there. Except to become a Russian pawn. pic.twitter.com/CZK8q2bML5— Scott Dworkin (@funder) February 18, 2018
Trump Twitter Rant: Sunday Edition
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| Donald Trump |
Donald Trump’s “Executive Time” was spent this morning on a lengthy Twitter tirade wherein the Trumpster bounced from one lie to another.
In one tweet he blamed President Obama for doing “nothing” about the Russian meddling in our 2016 election. That would be the “meddling” Trump has not – until recently – even acknowledged happened.
In truth, Obama did react to the intelligence reports about election disruption: he addressed Putin; he invoked sanctions against Russians in the U.S. at the time, and he told Congressional leaders about the threat in later Summer 2016. It was Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who refused to let the American people know about what was happening at the time.
Also, Congress passed new sanctions on Russia by huge margins last fall – the Senate vote was 98-2 – and Trump has not enforced those sanctions to date.
The Donald took time in two tweets to mock Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff for being a “leakin’ monster of no control.”
Schiff calmly slapped back during an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” when he was asked whether he felt the indictments this week by Mueller proved Trump campaign officials had not colluded with Russia. “No, of course not,” Schiff answered. “But this is a president who claims vindication anytime someone sneezes.”
Trump also begged to be complimented on his campaign skills asking, “Wasn’t I a great candidate?”
And he seemed to close out the Twitter rant by acknowledging Russia is laughing at the U.S. thanks to the discord sown by the 13 indicted Russian actors this week.
But, in true Trump fashion, he diverted by pretending that Senate, House and FBI investigations are the problem, not the Russians.
#Wrong #Sad
At the end it all, the phrase that keeps popping up in my head – “The guilty dog barks the loudest.”
Finally, Liddle’ Adam Schiff, the leakin’ monster of no control, is now blaming the Obama Administration for Russian meddling in the 2016 Election. He is finally right about something. Obama was President, knew of the threat, and did nothing. Thank you Adam!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 18, 2018
I never said Russia did not meddle in the election, I said “it may be Russia, or China or another country or group, or it may be a 400 pound genius sitting in bed and playing with his computer.” The Russian “hoax” was that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia – it never did!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 18, 2018
Now that Adam Schiff is starting to blame President Obama for Russian meddling in the election, he is probably doing so as yet another excuse that the Democrats, lead by their fearless leader, Crooked Hillary Clinton, lost the 2016 election. But wasn’t I a great candidate?— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 18, 2018
If it was the GOAL of Russia to create discord, disruption and chaos within the U.S. then, with all of the Committee Hearings, Investigations and Party hatred, they have succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. They are laughing their asses off in Moscow. Get smart America!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 18, 2018
Sorry for delay @POTUS. Was on a plane back from Munich where General McMaster confronted Russia over its meddling.
I’ve always said Obama should’ve acted sooner. But you won’t recognize the truth, impose sanctions or act at all. If McMaster can stand up to Putin, why can’t you? https://t.co/ixjsjMJSVJ— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) February 18, 2018
Actually their GOAL was to elect a president who would send tweets like this. https://t.co/k5FbRQkyw3— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) February 18, 2018
Why has Trump lost it this morning? Did one of his lawyers explain to him that Mueller’s conspiracy charge may lay the groundwork for indicting various of his aides and family members–and for citing him as an un-indicted co-conspirator?— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) February 18, 2018
This man is flailing about on Twitter as if he’d just done 2 speedballs chased by a case of Redbull. Why won’t he sit and answer questions posed by various members of the press? Shouldn’t we all demand it? https://t.co/it8dZWK5zA— Richard Marx (@richardmarx) February 18, 2018
They’re “laughing their asses off in Moscow” because they helped elect their preferred candidate and he isn’t imposing sanctions or doing anything else to respond to their attack. https://t.co/w7Xc7znmYR— Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) February 18, 2018
President Trump not a believer in the “never let them see you sweat” theory of crisis management— David Frum (@davidfrum) February 18, 2018
Marvel’s “Black Panther” Shatters Box-Office Records
Marvel’s Black Panther racked up an enormous $192 million for its three-day debut in North America this weekend becoming the fifth biggest opening of all time.
From CNN:
The opening for the film starring Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan did not just shatter expectations, it broke multiple box office records too.
It blew away the record for the largest opening for an African-American director. That belonged to F. Gary Gray and “The Fate of the Furious,” which opened to $98 million last April.
Disney estimates that the film will bring in $218 million domestically for the four day holiday weekend. The film brought in an opening of $361 million around the world.
“Black Panther” also shattered the record for an opening in February, which belonged to “Deadpool,” the R-rated superhero film from 20th Century Fox that brought in $132 million when it opened in 2016.
It is the second biggest opening for a Marvel Studios film, behind 2012’s “The Avengers.”
The super-hero/action flick is Marvel’s first film directed by an African-American.
Watch the trailer below.
Gus Kenworthy’s Olympic Kiss Seen Round The World
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| Gus Kenworthy kisses his bf Matthew Wilkas at 2018 Winter Olympics |
When Gus Kenworthy came out in 2015, he told ESPN Magazine that he felt like a “coward” in not acknowledging his boyfriend during the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.
Well, what a difference 4 years and a shattered closet door makes.
Before yesterday’s qualifying runs in the slopestyle competition, Kenworthy gave his boyfriend Matthew Wilkas a kiss that was captured by the NBC Sports cameras.
And the world swooned.
Kenworthy told The Guardian:
“I didn’t even know that that was a televised moment at all, but I think that’s amazing,” Kenworthy said afterward. “That’s something that I wanted at the last Olympics was to share a kiss with my boyfriend at the bottom and it was something that I was too scared to do for myself. And so to be able to do that, to give him a kiss, to have that affection broadcasted for the world is incredible.
“I think that the only way to really change perceptions, break down homophobia, break down barriers is through representation. That’s definitely not something I had as a kid. I definitely didn’t see a gay athlete at the Olympics kissing their boyfriend and I think that if I had it would have made it a lot easier for me, so hopefully it did that for other people.”
Kenworthy, who scored a silver medal in Sochi, broke his thumb earlier this week and also suffered from a massive hematoma on his hip that required six vials of blood to be drained, will not take home a medal from this Olympic trip.
He easily qualified for the finals, but in his three final runs was unable to string together the jumps he needed to make the podium. But the handsome 26-yearold skier from Telluride, Colorado, seems at peace with his day.
“If you look at me right now, I’m bummed but I’m not sulking, I’m not crying,” Kenworthy shared with The Guardian. “I’m really proud to be here.”
“Being out at this Games has kind of meant the world to me. Just getting to really be myself and be authentic and I think that landing a run in the final, getting on the podium obviously would have been icing on the cake.”
“But even though it didn’t happen for me, I still had a wonderful Olympic experience and I’m really happy for the guys that did get on the podium. I don’t know, maybe there’s a next time.”
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| Kenworthy easily qualified for the finals of slopestyle with his 90.80 |
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| And Team Kenworthy was all smiles and rainbows cheering their guy on |
My Seoul mate! So happy to have my bf, my family and some amazing friends here in Korea to cheer me on! Tomorrow’s the big day (tonight for y’all in the US) and win or lose I just wanna thank you all SO much for your support and encouragement. I wouldn’t be here without you. pic.twitter.com/XwqWKldwbN— Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) February 17, 2018
News Round-Up: February 17, 2018
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Some news items you might have missed:
• Out Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy (above) welcomed his bf Matthew Wilkas to PyeongChang just in time to watch Kenworthy in the slopestyle competition.
• UK tabloid The Daily Mail is losing advertisers after a columnist for the rag wrote a homophobic piece criticizing Tom Daley & Dustin Lance Black for sharing an ultrasound image of their soon-to-arrive baby.
• RuPaul will join Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin for the newly-announced 5th season of Grace And Frankie set to be released by Netflix in 2019.
• OUT has announced it annual “100 Most Eligible Bachelors” for 2018. Since I’m married I didn’t make the list, but did you? Or your favorite out athlete/celeb/artist?
• Since 2010, the Olympics have featured Pride Houses where LGBTQ athletes and fans could relax in a safe space. But with no money budgeted for this at PyeongChang, Canada stepped up allowing Canada House to do double duty as Pride House.
• How about one more pic of our awesome Team USA competing at the Winter Olympics? Here’s woofy Carlos Valdes – a member of our four-man bobsled team who competes next Saturday.