Just a little something we all might want to consider…
Meme Of The Day
HBO: Carrie Fisher & Debbie Reynolds Documentary Bright Lights To Debut January 7
Do not miss critically acclaimed documentary, Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, set to debut on HBO January 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Via press release:
In light of the recent and unexpected deaths of both Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, the documentary BRIGHT LIGHTS: STARRING CARRIE FISHER AND DEBBIE REYNOLDS will debut SATURDAY, JAN. 7 at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.
The story of a family’s complicated love, this documentary is an intimate portrait of Hollywood royalty in all its eccentricity. Carrie Fisher and her mother, Debbie Reynolds, live in the same Beverly Hills compound. The 83-year-old grand dame still has a Las Vegas act, but performing is taking its toll. Carrie’s response is both hilarious and heart-rending. Featuring vintage family films that bring iconic old-world Hollywood to life, as well as extensive vérité footage, the film is directed by Alexis Bloom and Fisher Stevens.
The documentary was well received at several high-end film festivals including the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, the Telluride Film Festival and the New York Film Festival.
Plus, as previously mention here on The Randy Report, HBO will offer an encore presentation of Carrie Fisher’s brilliant 2010 one-woman show, WISHFUL DRINKING, this Sunday at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on HBO.
Fisher’s autobiographical stage performance gets a feature-length adaptation including interviews with friends and family plus archival footage. If you haven’t seen it – hell, even if you have – make sure you tune i.
Putin Announces He Will Not Expel US Diplomats From Russia – Yet
CNN is reporting that Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced he will not dispatch American diplomats from Russia as a response to yesterday’s similar move by the Obama administration over cyber-hacking during the recent presidential election.
Putin said he would not pursue “irresponsible diplomacy” and would instead attempt to rebuild relations with Washington after the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump.
However, Putin said that Russia reserved the right to respond to the new US sanctions, which included the expulsion of 35 diplomats from the US. The Obama administration said the measures were in response to allegations that Russia had meddled in the 2016 US presidential election.
“Further steps towards the restoration of Russian-American relations will be built on the basis of the policies carried out by the administration of President Trump,” a Kremlin statement said.
Putin reportedly told Sputnik: “We will not create problems for American diplomats. We will not send anyone away. We will not prohibit their families and children to use for their usual vacation spots in the New Year’s holidays.”
Matt Baume: 2016 Wasn’t All Bad
Matt Baume reminds us that there were significant advances for LGBTs in 2016, and then shares his thoughts on how to KEEP those advances in 2017. Hint: stand up and make some noise!
From Baume: “Do we have to do a year in review for 2016? This was a rough one, but what if I told you there were some really great milestones for LGBTs this year? It’s true! Amidst all the bad news, 2016 had some real bright spots. And 2017 could have more — or it could be much, much worse.”
Calendar Season: Shirtless Australian Firefighters Pose With Puppies
I know, I know, no one wants to see hunky, shirtless Australian firefighters pose with puppies.
But – just in case you did… 🙂
The 12 firefighters, who battled it out against 100 other hunks for the spot, are sharing their monthly spread with puppies that need happy homes in an effort to raise money for the RSPCA and Mates4mates, alongside their annual donations to The Children’s Hospital.
As of 2016, the Firefighters Calendar has raised an amazing $2.1 million AUD for their causes, and they want 2017 to be their best year yet. Along with new donations to their partners at RSPCA and Mates4mates, the Firefighters calendar is raising much-needed funds for the pediatric burns center and Camp OZ – a child burn victims program that’s so underfunded it risks being shut down.
Click here for more info. And yes, they do deliver to the US.
Donald Trump Responds To News Of Sanctions Against Russia For Cyber-Hacking During Election
Statement from President-elect Donald J. Trump regarding today’s announced sanctions by the U.S. government against Russia for cyber-attacks during the recent presidential election:
“It’s time for our country to move on to bigger and better things.
“Nevertheless, in the interest of our country and it’s great people, I will meet with leaders of the intelligence community next week in order to be updated on the facts of this situation.”
A couple of thoughts here:
1. The “time to move on” line sounds like Trump is so very afraid to admit he didn’t win the White House on his own. Pal, you get the White House. No one is taking it from you at this point. Chill.
2. Line 2’s “in the interest of our country” seems like he’s doing us a favor by doing his job. In light of all 17 U.S. intelligence agencies agreeing with certainty that Russia did indeed interfere with our election, he should at least appear to be concerned about this issue.
Also, saying he will meet with intelligence leaders next week in order to be “updated on the facts” sure seems like his not informed on the issue. Can you imagine President Reagan saying “I’ll get to the Russians hacking our systems some time next week….?”
Funny: Going To The Gym After Holidays
Tweet Of The Day: Todd Fisher On The Passing Of His Sister & Mother
From Debbie Reynolds’ son, Todd Fisher, accompanied by the image above via Twitter.
This is a beautiful love story to witness in my 58 years. I miss them both so much. Love is everlasting pic.twitter.com/AeIVGaGl9k— Todd Fisher (@tafish) December 29, 2016
News Round-Up: December 29, 2016
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| Gus Kenworthy (L) and Matt Wilkas (R) |
Some news items you may have missed:
• OUT Magazine talks to sexy free-style Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy and his hottie actor bf Matt Wilkas about the genesis of their relationship in a new feature called “The Love Portfolio.”
• Logo TV Network will salute Hollywood icon Debbie Reynolds with a “Will & Grace” marathon, plus her appearances on “Golden Girls” and “Drag Race.”
• Dating app Scruff has banned the word “party” from user bios to avoid the word is being used as a code for drugs and chemsex. #GoodMoveScruff
• Donald Trump says “My Administration will follow two simple rules: BUY AMERICAN and HIRE AMERICAN!” But he just got approval to hire 64 foreign workers saying, “It’s very, very hard to get people.”
• Controversial homocon/provocateur/white nationalist Milo Yiannopoulos inks $250K book deal.
• Politico reports that the incoming Trump administration is frantically trying to place a Hispanic official in a high level position due to criticism that his cabinet is practically all white guys.
• Check out the newly released extended trailer for the upcoming Lifetime Channel’s remake of the 1988 Bette Midler classic film, Beaches, starring Idina Menzel as “C.C.” (originally played by Bette Midler) and Nia Long (The Best Man Holiday). The flick debuts January 21st.
Obama Announces Tough Sanctions Against Russia For Elections Interference
President Obama issued a statement today announcing several actions to be taken against the Russian government for cyber-activity intended to interfere in the recent U.S. elections.
From his statement:
Today, I have ordered a number of actions in response to the Russian government’s aggressive harassment of U.S. officials and cyber operations aimed at the U.S. election. These actions follow repeated private and public warnings that we have issued to the Russian government, and are a necessary and appropriate response to efforts to harm U.S. interests in violation of established international norms of behavior.
All Americans should be alarmed by Russia’s actions. In October, my Administration publicized our assessment that Russia took actions intended to interfere with the U.S. election process. These data theft and disclosure activities could only have been directed by the highest levels of the Russian government. Moreover, our diplomats have experienced an unacceptable level of harassment in Moscow by Russian security services and police over the last year. Such activities have consequences. Today, I have ordered a number of actions in response.
The list of actions include (via NBC News):
• Shutting down two compounds, one in in Maryland and one in New York, “used by Russian personnel for intelligence-related purposes.”
• Sanctions against the Russian intelligence services GRU and FSB, and four high-ranking officers of the GRU. The sanctions are also aimed at two suspected hackers, including one wanted by the FBI in two other cases, and three companies that allegedly provided support to the GRU’s cyber operations.
• Releasing technical information about Russian cyber activity, “to help network defenders in the United States and abroad identify, detect, and disrupt Russia’s global campaign of malicious cyber activities.”
The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI issued a declassified report offering some specifics regarding the Russian involvement in what those agencies now call “malicious cyber activity.”
President Obama also indicated that there may be more covert actions taken. “These actions are not the sum total of our response to Russia’s aggressive activities,” Obama said. “We will continue to take a variety of actions at a time and place of our choosing, some of which will not be publicized.”
Several members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have called for strenuous investigations into Russia’s involvement including Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham.
On the other end of the spectrum, President-elect Donald Trump says we shouldn’t bother looking into Russia’s interference in U.S. elections.
Speaking to reporters at his Florida home yesterday if the United States should sanction Russia, Trump had this to say: “I think we ought to get on with our lives. I think that computers have complicated lives very greatly. The whole age of computer has made it where nobody knows exactly what’s going on.”
The sanctions put into place today could be reversed by Trump once he takes office, but to do so would put him in a position of defending Russia and possibly signal that he doesn’t have confidence in the U.S.’s 17 intelligence agencies who all agree that Russia was involved.
Russia has consistently denied any involvement in the cyber-hacking activities.