Category: Uncategorized

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Cast Of 80s Hit Show “Fame” To Reunite For Charity Concert

I know a LOT of folks who would love to attend this – the cast of the hit ’80s show FAME is reuniting for a 35th anniversary concert to benefit The Actors Fund.

Via People:

Stars Debbie Allen, Jesse Borrego, Cynthia Gibb, Erica Gimpel, Billy Hufsey, Carlo Imperato, Valerie Landsburg and P.R. Paul are scheduled to appear at the event, which will take place at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, California, on July 13.

The evening, which marks the first concert in the U.S. by the cast members since 1985, will feature hit songs from the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning drama series — and will benefit The Actors Fund, a national human services organization that focuses on helping individuals in performing arts and entertainment during times of need, crisis or transition.

As many fans know, Gene Anthony Ray, who played “Leroy Johnson,” passed away in 2003 at the age of 41.

People shares several pics of the “kids” today and they look great!

Carlo Imperato

Erica Gimpel – photo: David Zaugh

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White House: All Questions Regarding Obstruction Of Justice “Will Be Referred To Outside Counsel”

During an off-camera press gaggle today at the White House, Press Secretary Sean Spicer was quick to respond to a question about James Comey’s upcoming testimony in Congress thusly:

“Going forward all questions on these matters will be referred to outside counsel.”

Lawyered up and ready to go. Listen below.

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Master Class In How To Kiss Your Boss’s Ass

That “magnetic personality” of Donald Trump on full display

White House spokeswoman Hope Hicks emptied an entire thesaurus of superlatives in describing her boss in response to a Washington Post report that President Trump is demeaning and condescending to his staff:

“President Trump has a magnetic personality and exudes positive energy, which is infectious to those around him. He has an unparalleled ability to communicate with people, whether he is speaking to a room of three or an arena of 30,000. He has built great relationships throughout his life and treats everyone with respect. He is brilliant with a great sense of humor . . . and an amazing ability to make people feel special and aspire to be more than even they thought possible.”

I’d guess the Trumpmeister wrote it himself except there are some awfully bigly words in that word salad.

I can only imagine this is what it’s like to live in fear of being screamed at by your boss.

(source)

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Former FBI Director James Comey To Testify On Pressures From Trump To End Russia Investigation

Former FBI Director James Comey

CNN reports fired FBI Director James Comey will definitely be testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee, possibly as soon as next week.

He is expected to confirm the dramatic accounts that have surfaced since his dismissal, including the accusations that Donald Trump asked him to drop the current investigation into ties with Russia.

Final details are still being worked out and no official date for his testimony has been set. Comey is expected to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is investigating possible connections between the Trump campaign and Russia during last year’s presidential election.

Comey has spoken privately with Special Counsel Robert Mueller III to work out the parameters for his testimony to ensure there are no legal entanglements as a result of his public account, a source said. Comey will likely sit down with Mueller, a longtime colleague at the Justice Department, for a formal interview only after his public testimony.

When he testifies, Comey is unlikely to be willing to discuss in any detail the FBI’s investigation into the charges of possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign — the centerpiece of the probe, this source said. But he appears eager to discuss his tense interactions with Trump before his firing, which have now spurred allegations that the president may have tried to obstruct the investigation.

If it happens, Comey’s public testimony promises to be a dramatic chapter in the months-long controversy, and it will likely bring even more intense scrutiny to an investigation that Trump has repeatedly denounced as a “witch hunt.”

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News Round-Up: May 31, 2017

Out artist Raph Solo drops his new music video, “Love Lives.”

Some news items you may have missed:

• The Rhode Island state House just voted to ban so-called “conversion therapy” for LGBT minors. The bill now heads to the Senate.

• A top Russian diplomat vehemently denies verified reports of gay men being tortured in Chechnya.

• Donald Trump’s recent tweets show he doesn’t really understand how the U.S. Senate works.

• From a new study: In 2015, LGB students reported being bullied on school property at a rate of 34 percent compared to 19 percent for straight students.

• If you love pop culture as much as I do, head over to Boy Culture’s awesome collection of opening credits of classic TV shows.

• Out musician Raph Solo recently dropped the music video to his new single, “Love Lives,” a celebration of his long journey to self-acceptance. Solo, who once tried so-called “conversion therapy” in an attempt to change his sexuality, says “I have worked very hard to gain the self-respect and acceptance I enjoy today.”

Solo also shares that the music video is meant to show a different side of the artist, complete with “tongue in cheek” choreography: “I dance a lot in this one! It’s all very tongue-and cheek compared to my previous story-based, cinematic music videos. I hope fans like the choreography and chutzpah.” Check out the video below.

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Backlash Continues For Kathy Griffin In Wake Of “Beheading” Stunt

After posting a very graphic photo of a fake “beheading” of Donald Trump, comic Kathy Griffin took to Twitter to beg for forgiveness.

“I’m a comic. I crossed the line. I moved the line, then I crossed it. I went too far. The image was too disturbing. It wasn’t funny. I beg for your forgiveness.”

The stunt is already affecting Griffin’s bottom line as one casino has cancelled a summer appearance, and even buddy Anderson Cooper has denounced the photo as CNN fired her from her high-profile New Year’s Eve gig.

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Donald Trump Handing Out His Cell Number To World Leaders

I’m not sure Donald Trump understands the concept of “secure” phone lines.

From the AP:

President Donald Trump has been handing out his cellphone number to world leaders and urging them to call him directly, an unusual invitation that breaks diplomatic protocol and is raising concerns about the security and secrecy of the U.S. commander in chief’s communications.

Trump has urged leaders of Canada and Mexico to reach him on his cellphone, according to former and current U.S. officials with direct knowledge of the practice. Of the two, only Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has taken advantage of the offer so far, the officials said.

Trump also exchanged numbers with French President Emmanuel Macron when the two spoke immediately following Macron’s victory earlier this month, according to a French official, who would not comment on whether Macron intended to use the line.

Presidents generally place calls on one of several secure phone lines, including those in the White House Situation Room, the Oval Office or the presidential limousine. Even if Trump uses his government-issued cellphone, his calls are vulnerable to eavesdropping, particularly from foreign governments, national security experts say.

“If you are speaking on an open line, then it’s an open line, meaning those who have the ability to monitor those conversations are doing so,” said Derek Chollet, a former Pentagon adviser and National Security Council official now at the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

The Presidential Records Act of 1981 requires all official communications by the president (that would include calls to world leaders) to be logged and documented.

You might recall a few times during the presidential campaign that Trump lambasted Hillary Clinton for her email server saying it left the U.S. vulnerable to intel leaks.

Maybe? Once or twice?

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President Trump To Withdraw From Paris Climate Accord


 Reuters is reporting that President Trump has (surprise!) decided to withdraw from the Paris climate accord.

The accord, agreed on by nearly 200 countries in Paris in 2015, aims to limit planetary warming in part by slashing carbon dioxide and other emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. Under the pact, the United States committed to reducing its emissions by 26 to 28 percent from 2005 levels by 2025.

The decision to withdraw from the climate accord was influenced by a letter from 22 Republican U.S. senators, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, calling for an exit, Axios reported.

Trump has repeatedly expressed doubts about climate change, at times calling it a hoax to weaken U.S. industry. An overwhelming majority of scientists, however, say climate change is driven by human use of fossil fuels.

The withdrawal would mean only the United States joins Syria and Nicaragua as the world’s only non-participants in the Paris Climate Agreement.

A recent NBC/WSJ poll shows 67% of Americans support action to combat climate change.