White House: Donald Trump Was “Obviously Aware” Of Russia’s Meddling In Presidential Election

From CNN:

President-elect Donald Trump was “obviously aware” that Russia meddled in the US election to benefit his own campaign, the White House said Wednesday.

Citing Trump’s own suggestion over the summer that Moscow locate missing emails from Hillary Clinton’s private server, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the beneficiary of Russia’s cyberintrusions was clear.

“There was ample evidence that was known long before the election, and in most cases long before October, about the Trump campaign in Russia, everything from the Republican nominee himself calling on Russia to hack his opponent,” Earnest said. “It might be an indication that he was obviously aware and concluded, based on whatever facts or sources he had available to him, that Russia was involved and their involvement was having a negative impact on his opponent’s campaign.”

Earnest was speaking as the extent of Russia’s interference in the US election is coming into clearer focus. The CIA has told a group of top US senators that Russia’s hacking was aimed at helping Trump, a finding that’s caused angst among some Democrats, who believe the White House should have provided more details about the hacking ahead of the election.

It’s pretty ludicrous that Trump would spend so much time talking about the election being “rigged” against him, and then pretend that he had no idea the hacking and maneuvering that went on by the Russians was all to help his campaign.

It’s no wonder everyone was surprised at the outcome. We all had no idea the depth of foreign intervention that was going on.

Music Video: Lady Gaga “Million Reasons”

Six time Grammy award winner Lady Gaga drops the music video for “Million Reasons,” taken from the her 5th studio album Joanne.

“Million Reasons” debuted following the video for the album’s infectious lead single “Perfect Illusion” as a back-to-back storyline continuation, across MTV channels worldwide today.

Lady Gaga‘s chart-topping Joanne, released on October 21,  again confirms Lady Gaga’s status as one of the leading global music stars of a generation.

The new album is Gaga’s first solo album in three years, and most personal album to date.

Via press release:

Inspired by her late aunt of the same name, Joanne has been lauded by critics and listeners and celebrated as one of the biggest selling album releases of 2016.

The chart-topping album is also breaking records with Lady Gaga recently becoming the first female artist with four No. 1 albums on the Billboard Top 200 this decade.

The album’s infectious lead single “Perfect Illusion” debuted in September. “Million Reasons,” whose video acts as a storytelling continuation of “Perfect Illusion,” was co-written by Lady Gaga, Hillary Lindsey and Mark Ronson and co-produced by Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson and Bloodpop.

U.S. Federal Reserve Raises Interest Rates Due To Strong Economic


Reuters reports that, thanks to solid economic growth, interest rates will rise by a quarter point for now with the possibility of more increases in the coming months.

The U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest rates by a quarter point on Wednesday and signaled a faster pace of increases in 2017 as the Trump administration takes over with promises to boost growth through tax cuts, spending and deregulation.

The rate increase, regarded as a virtual certainty by financial markets in the wake of a string of generally strong economic reports, raised the target federal funds rate 25 basis points to between 0.50 percent and 0.75 percent.

“In view of realized and expected labor market conditions and inflation, the committee decided to raise the target range,” the central bank’s policy-setting committee said in its unanimous statement after a two-day meeting.

“Job gains have been solid in recent months and the unemployment rate has declined,” the Fed said, noting that market-based measures of inflation compensation had moved up “considerably.”

The rate increase was the first since last December and only the second since the 2007-2009 financial crisis, when the Fed cut rates to near zero and deployed other tools such as massive bond purchases to stabilize the economy.

Kelly Clarkson & Out Singer Billy Gilman Deliver Stunning “It’s Quiet Uptown” On THE VOICE Finale

Last night, The Voice finalist Billy Gilman teamed with Kelly Clarkson on “It’s Quiet Uptown” from Broadway blockbuster Hamilton.

Clarkson recently covered the tune for the The Hamilton Mixtape project, a collection of songs from the show recorded by major recording artists.

Normally an ensemble moment in the show, Clarkson and Gilman delivered the duet to devastating effect, swinging from tender and quiet moments to showcasing both their signature power notes.

Gilman’s Monday night show-stopping performance of the Frank Sinatra classic “My Way” can be viewed here.

The out singer was a front-runner the entire season, but ended up in second place to country artist Sundance Head.

Still a big winner in my book. I’m looking forward to what’s next for the talented Mr. Gilman.

News Round-Up: December 14, 2016

Some news items you might have missed:

• The brilliant indie film Moonlight received 6 Golden Globe nominations which means even more of the world will be exposed to one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. If you haven’t seen it yet, GO!

• Scientists are downloading and copying government climate data as quickly as possible out of fears a Trump administration might destroy any info showing the reality of climate change.

• Politico is reporting that upwards of 20 GOP Electoral College members are considering not casting their votes for Donald Trump on December 19th. The most EC members to change their votes in one year was 6 in 1808.

• More from the Electoral College – 40 members have asked for an intelligence briefing before December 19th regarding information that Russia actively moved to help elect Donald Trump.

• Oklahoma lawmakers have approved a bill that would require businesses to post anti-abortion signs in their bathrooms.

• Following an acclaimed 4 night concert production at City Center this past October, Jake Gyllenhaal heads back to Broadway in Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday In The Park With George for ten weeks at the Hudson Theater.

Science: What Happens When You Get Drunk + High At The Same Time?

With the holiday season in full swing, I figure some folks might imbibe on perhaps a bit too much “holiday cheer,” so let’s check in with the smart guys at AsapSCIENCE to learn what happens when you get drunk and high at the same time.

Be smarter in three minutes, watch the vid below.

And, you shiny happy people, please celebrate the holidays responsibly 🙂

Holiday Music: Melody Sweets “Santa Maybe…”

Las Vegas Strip star Melody Sweets’ new holiday single, “Santa Maybe…” gives much to purr about.

The acclaimed chanteuse brings the naughty this holiday season with the debut of her new music video for her seductive holiday song, “Santa, Maybe…”. Miss Sweets is joined by cast members from the Chippendales, members of the hit show ABSINTHE, and Ruby the 6-fingered, cookie-eating kitty cat!

Las Vegas Weekly said: “It sticks in your head after one listen, in a good way,” while the Las Vegas Sun called it “Adult in tenor and certain to fire up Yule logs across the great holiday landscape.”

The critically-acclaimed Sweets has been called “amazing” by music icon and Grammy Award-winner Sting, and has been featured in countless publications including The New York Times, New York Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Las Vegas Magazine, and The Village Voice among others. An official objet d’art, Melody’s portrait can be seen hanging in museums nationwide, including the Smithsonian Museum of American History, Washington, DC and the Harvard Fogg Museum.

“Santa Maybe…” is available on iTunes.

For more information visit www.MelodySweets.com