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Donald Trump Claims Credit For New Sprint Jobs Announced Weeks Before Election

President-elect Donald Trump

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump sought to take credit for “bringing jobs back to America” regarding the telecom company Sprint.

“Because of what’s happening and the spirit and the hope. I was just called by the head people at Sprint and they’re going to be bringing 5,000 jobs back to the United States.”

“I just spoke with the head person, he said because of me they’re doing 5,000 jobs in this country.”

One small problem with that: Sprint announced the jobs investment weeks before Trump became president-elect.

Via ThinkProgress:

Sprint’s parent company, SoftBank, said in October that it would partner with a Saudi sovereign wealth fund to invest about $100 billion in the tech sector. On December 6, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son told Trump the company would use some of these funds to bring 50,000 jobs to the United States. Trump promptly announced as much on Twitter.

SoftBank confirmed to the tech news site Engadget that the 5,000 jobs Trump took credit for on Wednesday are “part of the 50,000 jobs that Masa previously announced.” The company added that the 50,000 jobs “will be a combination of newly created jobs and bringing some existing jobs back to the U.S.”

A big part of this story today is that many major news outlets just ran with headlines giving Trump the credit, when clearly he had nothing to do with the deal.

(via CNN)

(via USA Today)

(via Washington Post)
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Bristol Palin Attacks A-List Celebs For Not Performing At Trump Inauguration

(photo via eltonjohn.com)

Bristol Palin, who’s biggest claim to fame is becoming an unmarried teen mother as the daughter of a Republican part-time politician, took to her blog to rant about the number of celebrities who have turned down performing at the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump:

If Donald Trump were still just a regular old billionaire and threw a party at Trump Tower in New York City, celebrities would be lined up out the door, and the most famous artists would be pining for a chance to perform.

But because he will be inaugurated as the next Republican president in January, these same mega-celebrities, who would normally drool over an invitation to sing for the president, want no part of it.

Trump’s inauguration team sought out some of the world’s greatest musicians, but nearly all of them have refused for fear of backlash or to stand against him politically.

Isn’t it amazing how “not cool” it is to be conservative in the public eye? Either Hollywood is that far off – or we have so many sissies we have in the spot light too scared to stand for what they believe in!

The Pinball Wizard himself, Sir Elton John, quickly shot down any chance he would ever perform for President Trump. In his explanation to The Guardian, Elton delivered a jab at American country music, too, which is surprising considering he stole all their rhinestone outfits.

Palin, who again resides in Alaska with her new husband and is now expecting her third child, goes on to include Kiss, Celine Dion, Garth Brooks, and Aretha Franklin in her attack.

Of course, many things here are inaccurate.

One, Elton John specifically said he didn’t want to perform at the political event because his own views are diametrically opposed to the Donald’s:

“I don’t really want my music to be involved in anything to do with an American election campaign. I’m British. I’ve met Donald Trump, he was very nice to me, it’s nothing personal, his political views are his own, mine are very different, I’m not a Republican in a million years. Why not ask Ted f—ing Nugent? Or one of those f—ing country stars? They’ll do it for you.”

Second, many folks who now know much more about the values and attitudes of the Trumpster, thanks to the campaign, wouldn’t go to a party of his today. He has revealed himself to us, you see. Now we know who he is.

Third, to say Elton John “stole” his rhinestone outfits” from the world of country music is laughable. Please show me a picture of a country artist in the 1970s who dressed as outrageously as John.

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Memory: Debbie Reynolds

Debbie Reynolds, Carol Channing and Ruta Lee (photo via David Blackstock) 

In the 1990s I staged some of “Hello, Dolly!” for a benefit for the Thalians in Los Angeles that honored Carol Channing, hosted by Debbie Reynolds and Ruta Lee.

The night of the event Debbie, Carol and Ruta were all dressed in DOLLY dresses for the red carpet. When the photo op time came, no one could find Debbie. Ruta asked me to go find Debbie.

Hubby Michael and I went into the huge empty ballroom in the Century Plaza Hotel where the gala was about to take place. Huge ballroom. The tables were all set, including bottles of wine at each table. In the middle of the ballroom sat Debbie in her huge, gorgeous DOLLY dress. She had opened a bottle of wine and was sitting alone. She held a glass of wine against her forehead, clearly wanting a moment for herself.

I walked up and quietly said, “Debbie, they’re looking for you for the photo op.”

Without looking away from her glass, she said “I know.” She paused, put the glass down, stood up, straightened her dress. One last sip of wine, a small sigh, and she said, “Let’s go.” And with that brilliant Hollywood smile, she took my arm and walked with me to the red carpet.

And we laughed the whole way there.

I should add: Debbie was doing AIDS benefits in 1983 – years before Reagan could even say the word in public.

Heroes can be blonde, beautiful, talented, and sing and dance a bit, too. Instead of wringing her hands, she stood up. And once again, stood out – merely by being who she was.

Someone was here. Something occurred.

This is a great, authentic star we have lost. RIP Debbie.

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Debbie Reynolds Dead At 84

Debbie Reynolds (L) with daughter Carrie Fisher (R)

I knew Debbie Reynolds. What a great, great star. RIP Debbie.

UPDATE VIA TMZ:

Debbie Reynolds — who rose to stardom in “Singin’ in the Rain” and quickly became a staple among Hollywood royalty — died Wednesday as a result of a stroke, TMZ has learned … just one day after her daughter Carrie Fisher passed away … this according to her son Todd.

Debbie was rushed to a hospital shortly after 1 PM when someone at the Beverly Hills home of her son, Todd, called 911 to report a possible stroke. We’re told Debbie and Todd were making funeral plans for Carrie, who died Tuesday of cardiac arrest.

Debbie famously divorced Eddie Fisher in 1959 after his affair with Elizabeth Taylor. Debbie married 2 more times in 1960 and 1984.

She played iconic roles in “Tammy and the Bachelor” and “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” … for which she earned an Oscar nomination.

Carrie’s relationship with Debbie was the focus of Carrie’s semi-autobiographical book, “Postcards from the Edge,” which was later adapted for the big screen, starring Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine.

Debbie’s survived by her son Todd, who tells us, “She’s with Carrie.”

She was 84.

***********************************

Hollywood icon Debbie Reynolds has reportedly been hospitalized just a day after the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher.

The Oscar-nominated actress is said to have fallen ill at her L.A. home while discussing funeral plans for her daughter. Paramedics were called to her son Todd’s home in Beverly Hills. She may have suffered a stroke, reports TMZ.

Fisher died Tuesday morning after suffering what was described as a massive heart attack on Friday while on a flight from London, where she had been shooting episodes of the Amazon/Channel 4 comedy “Catastrophe,” to Los Angeles.

Born in 1932, Reynolds is known for, among many other roles, her part in the 1952 film “Singin’ in the Rain.” She was nominated for an Academy Awards for 1964’s “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.” Reynolds earned a Tony nomination for her performance in the Broadway revival of Irene, which also gave Fisher her Broadway debut.

Reynold’s co-star in Irene, George S. Irving, who won a Tony Award for his performance, also passed away yesterday.

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Israel Prime Minister Includes Trump Children In Twitter Thanks To President-Elect Trump

Well, this is unusual to say the least.

After the United States chose to not utilize it’s veto power in a vote at the United Nations last Friday to prevent the passage of a United Nations Security Council resolution criticizing Israeli settlements, President-elect Donald Trump tweeted his outrage over the US position.

Today, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted: “President-elect Trump, thank you for your warm friendship and your clear-cut support for Israel!” Netanyahu included in the tweet Israeli and U.S. flags, plus he tagged two of Trump’s children, Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr.

Note: This all comes as a criminal probe has been launched in Israel against Netanyahu.

It’s odd that a head of state would include the children in that they are supposedly not officially involved in the upcoming Trump administration, and Don Jr. in particular is slated to run The Trump Organization. #conflictofinterest

Others in the Twitterverse took note as well:

You have to wonder if Eric Trump feels a bit left out…

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New Study Shows Listerine Can Fight Oral Gonorrhea

For years, the makers of Listerine mouthwash have claimed that their product could be used to combat oral gonorrhea, and now a new medical study in Australia indicates that daily use could reduce the spread of the STD.

With PrEP becoming more popular in the fight against HIV, physicians are aware that condom use is dropping. And with that, there has been a rise in some STDs like oral gonorrhea in gay/bisexual men.

But now, it seems daily gargling with Listerine could significantly reduce the amount of gonorrhea bacteria in the mouth and throat.

From the Washington Blade:

In laboratory tests, the authors of this new study found that Listerine Cool Mint and Total Care (which are both 21.6 percent alcohol) significantly reduced levels of gonorrhea bacteria. A saltwater (saline) solution did not, researchers found.

The researchers then conducted a clinical trial with 58 gay/bisexual men who previously tested positive for gonorrhea in their mouths/throats. The men were randomly assigned to rinse and gargle for one minute with either Listerine or a salt solution.

After doing so, the amount of viable gonorrhea in the throat was 52 percent in the Listerine group and 84 percent among those who used the salt solution. Five minutes later, men in the Listerine group were 80 percent less likely to test positive for gonorrhea in the throat than those in the salt solution group.

The study was published online Dec. 20 in the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

The monitoring period after gargling was short, so it’s possible the effects of Listerine might be short-term, but the lab findings suggest otherwise, according to the researchers.

A larger study is underway to confirm these preliminary findings.

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Gallup Poll: President Obama And Hillary Clinton Named “Most Admired”

President Barack Obama was again named the man most Americans admire in Gallup’s annual poll. He has been on the top of the list every year since 2008.

Obama also currently enjoys an unusually high approval rating, 56%, for an outgoing president.

Hillary Clinton was the woman Americans most admired for the 15th year in a row.

From Politico:

In second place was his successor, Donald Trump, favored by 15 percent.

Others in the top 10 included Pope Francis in third place and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in fourth, followed by the Rev. Billy Graham in fifth. Bill Clinton tied for sixth place with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Dalai Lama and Bill Gates, while Vice President-elect Mike Pence came in 10th.

Asked to name the woman they most admire, 12 percent of Americans polled by Gallup chose Hillary Clinton, who has come in first in the poll 21 times, a record. First lady Michelle Obama came in second, at 8 percent.

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New NYC Subway Station To Feature Public Art Depicting Same-Sex Couple

After years and years of construction and delays, NYC’s 2nd Avenue subway will finally open on January 1. As with other subway stations throughout the city, the new stations will feature public art, with the 72nd line showcasing the work of Chuck Close, Vik Muniz, Jean Shin and Sarah Sze.

The 72nd street station will feature a mosaic mural by Vik Muniz called “Perfect Strangers” which depicts “the different people that riders are likely to encounter on their daily commutes” according to the AP, and among them is the above picture of a same-sex couple.

From the AP:

“It was like winning the lottery,” Thor Stockman, 60, said of finding out that he and his husband of 3 ½ years, Patrick Kellogg, were going to be part of artist Vik Muniz’s “Perfect Strangers,” a series of life-size mosaic portraits of everyday New Yorkers gracing the walls of the new subway station at 72nd Street. But “part of me wishes that it wasn’t a rarity, that it wasn’t remarkable.”

Muniz said it made sense to include the two men in a project intended to show the different people that riders are likely to encounter on their daily commutes.

“They are just people you would expect to see,” Muniz, who divides his time between New York and Brazil, said in phone interview from Rio de Janeiro. “You would expect to see men holding hands.”

Jonathan David Katz, an expert in queer art history, said he could find no other example of a permanent, non-political LGBTQ public artwork in New York City. He mentioned George Segal’s “Gay Liberation Monument” near Stonewall Inn, the site of the 1969 riots that launched the gay rights movement. But that work, featuring two men standing and two women sitting, is expressly commemorative of a political moment.