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Virginia: Senate Committee Votes Down Adding LGBT-Inclusive Hate Crimes Bill

Virginia state Senate chambers

In Virginia today, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee voted along party lines 9-6 striking down Senate Bill 112, which would have added sexual orientation and gender identity to the state’s hate crimes law.

Via The Washington Blade:

State Sens. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath County), John Edwards (D-Roanoke), Janet Howell (D-Fairfax County), J. Chapman Petersen (D-Fairfax City), L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) and Richard Saslaw (D-Fairfax County) voted for SB 112, which would have also added gender and disability to Virginia’s hate crimes law.

State Sens. A. Benton Chafin, (R-Russell County), Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover County), Thomas Norment (R-James City), Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg), Mark Peake (R-Lynchburg), Bryce Reeves (R-Spotsylvania County), William Stanley (R-Franklin County), Richard Stuart (R-Stafford County) and Glen Sturtevant (R-Richmond) voted against it.

The vote took place five days after the 2018 General Assembly began.

Republicans maintain slim majorities in the state Senate and the Virginia House of Delegates.

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Delores O’Riordan, Lead Singer For The Cranberries, Dead At 46

Photo via Flickr (Eva Rinaldi)

Sadness in the air as we get word that The Cranberries lead singer, Dolores O’Riordan, has passed away at the age of 46.

According to her publicist, the Irish musician “was in London for a short recording session.”

“No further details are available at this time.” It added: “Family members are devastated to hear the breaking news and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”

The Cranberries had scheduled a tour last year, but after a few dates had to cancel due to O’Riodans’s health-related issues.

Just a month ago, however, she posted on Facebook that she had performed at a Billboard event and “really enjoyed it!”

O’Riordan’s incomparable voice and talent were instrumental to the massive international success enjoyed by The Cranberries throughout the 90s with hits like “Zombie,” “Linger,” and “Dreams.”

The Cranberries 1993 debut album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? sold over 40 million albums worldwide.

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Donald Trump Observes MLK Day

As America observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day, an occasion Donald Trump says should be observed by doing acts of community service, the Trumpster arrived at his golf course for the third day in a row.

This is his 94th day as president at one of his golf courses.

By the way, “Donald Trump’s racism” is currently trending on Twitter. This is not normal.

#MAGA

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Video: Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have A Dream”

If you haven’t watched this in a while, stop and listen to the entire speech.

So incredibly inspiring.

Let us find the grace to celebrate this day. So far from home, but only a step away.

By RK Hendrick: “There are brilliant moments in human history and magical moments in our lives when our perception of the world is crystal clear and “time” itself seems to stand still! When these events occur, we remember exactly where we were and what was transpiring around us!

“On Wednesday, August 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. created an electrifying and spectacular moment in human history when he delivered his internationally famous “I Have a Dream” speech.”

Watch and remember.

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Donald Trump Covers “Der Spiegel”

Germany’s leading magazine, Der Spiegel, asks the question: “Humanity as a whole is being set back just because of one single Person. Where is the world supposed to start again if it manages to survive Donald Trump?”

Our latest cover story explains how “Fire and Fury” came to be and whether, and the extent to which, it approaches the truth.

Most importantly, however, it delves into the consequences for an America and a world that have been confronted with a nuclear-armed fool who is likely to remain in office for some time to come, who is neither mentally nor psychologically suited for the job – apparently also not physically, either, given how late he starts the working day and how early he ends it.

That, unfortunately, is precisely the point: Humanity as a whole is being set back just because of one single person. The achievements of decades – the fight against a climate disaster, against the nuclear threat, for equality between men and women, between blacks and whites and so on and so on.

Where is the world supposed to start again if it manages to survive Donald Trump?

Remember, Donald Trump would have you believe the world somehow has more respect for us after his election…?

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Podcast: America’s 1st Out Winter Olympian, Possible Once-A-Week HIV Pill On The Horizon, Bette Midler Says “So Long” To Hello, Dolly!

In this week’s Randy Report podcast:

• America has it’s first openly gay Winter Olympian – figure skater Adam Rippon

• The Human Rights Campaign released its annual report ranking state LGBT rights and protections

• A possible once a week pill for HIV patients looks promising in testing studies

• A Wisconsin school district is dropping its challenge to a transgender student’s lawsuit for bathroom privileges

• Woofy out Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy stars in a new Head & Shoulders commercial touting all kinds of pride

• Bette Midler says “So long, dearie” to Hello, Dolly! on Broadway

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

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Totally Non-Political Video: Uber-Cute Panda Plays In The Snow

Can we all just take one minute and enjoy this totally non-political, uber-cute video of

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Video: This Is What Trump Supporters Think About His “Shithole Countries” Comment

Seriously with Maryann

UPDATE: Miss Maryann must have taken down her videos but another source posted the video, so it’s back up for all to see below.

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While half the country (and much of the world) is appalled at Donald Trump’s now-infamous “shithole countries” comment regarding folks coming to the U.S. from places like Haiti and Africa, this clip has gone viral on Facebook.

Check out “Seriously with Maryann” via Facebook, kids.

While some Trumpers try and explain his comments and tactics, I honestly think THIS is the true character of his base.

By the way, in the clip “Maryann” asks why people are coming to the United States from around the world. The fact that she even poses the question reveals she doesn’t understand why America is great.

Just – watch. This is how we got here.