The number of people filing for unemployment benefits last week was greater than expected, raising concern about the state of the economy as lawmakers struggle to move forward on a new pandemic stimulus package.
The Labor Department said Thursday that initial jobless claims for the week ended Aug. 15 came in at 1.106 million. Economists polled by Dow Jones expected a total of 923,000.
Initial claims for the previous week were also revised higher by 8,000 to 971,000. Last week marked the first time in 21 weeks that initial claims came in below 1 million.
BREAKING: U.S. weekly jobless claims total 1.106 million, vs 923,000 expected https://t.co/U2FDcBekA3
Thom Brennaman (screen capture) Thom Brennaman, longtime Fox Sports broadcaster for major league baseball’s Cincinnati Reds, is the latest sportscaster to experience a hot mic gaffe and it may cost him his job. Moments after the Fox Sports Ohio broadcast returned from a commercial break before the top of the seventh inning in the first game, the 56-year-old sportscaster apparently didn’t realize his mic was hot as the listeners heard Brennaman say, “One of the fag capitals of the world.” He went on to call the remainder of the first game and the first four innings of the second game while a clip of the slur went viral on social media. Then, more than two hours after the gaffe, during the fifth inning of the second game, Brennaman issued an apology for using the slur saying he was “deeply ashamed” — interrupting the mea cupla to call a home run — before turning over play-by-play duties to Jim Day. “If I have hurt anyone out there, I can’t tell you how much I say from the bottom of my heart, I’m so very, very sorry,” Brennaman told his listeners. “I pride myself and think of myself as a man of faith — as there’s a drive into deep left field by Castellanos, it will be a home run, so that will make it a 4-0 ballgame.” “I don’t know if I’m going to be putting on this headset again,” he added. “I don’t know if it’s going to be for the Reds. I don’t know if it’s going to be for my bosses at Fox. I want to apologize to the people who sign my paycheck, for the Reds, for Fox Sports Ohio, for the people I work with, for anybody I’ve offended here tonight.” “I can’t begin to tell you how deeply sorry I am. That is not who I am, it never has been, and I’d like to think that maybe I could have some people that could back that up. I am very, very sorry, and I beg for your forgiveness. You hear the clip that went viral below followed by his apology.
Brennaman is a Cincinnati native who has been doing play-by-play of MLB games for more than three decades including calling Reds games since 2007. The Reds issued a statement afterward saying the team was “devastated by the horrific, homophobic remark” and announcing Brennaman had been suspended.
Even before the Reds had issued their statement, Cincinnati pitcher Amir Garrett tweeted, “To the LGBTQ community just know I am with you, and whoever is against you, is against me. I’m sorry for what was said today.”
To the LGBTQ community just know I am with you, and whoever is against you, is against me. I’m sorry for what was said today.
Chris Seelbach, the Cincinnati’s first openly gay councilman, issued this statement about the incident: “The Brennaman family are Cincinnati sports icons with a powerful voice in our community, which makes it even more disgusting and totally unprofessional to hear such language used. The Reds have been proud supporters of their LGBTQ+ fans, and this language cannot be tolerated. Period. Cincinnati is leading the way for LGBTQ+ equality. We are on the right side of history and it’s incredibly disappointing to hear Mr. Brennaman use such language of hate when our country is begging for unity.” Reading opinions online, there seem to be two camps about this: one wondering if a single mistake should cost you your job, and the second saying there’s no room for homophobia in sportscasting. Of course, homophobia is bad and shouldn’t exist anywhere. I’ll add that after years and years of sitting behind a mic, it’s a bit staggering that Brennaman would such a mistake at this level of broadcasting. But, everyone screws up at some point. What strikes me in this situation is, listening to Brennaman’s voice, he says the word “fag” confidently and with conviction. It doesn’t sound like a word foreign to him, a word he ‘never uses.’ Even as he declares “This is not who I am,” this occurred in a moment he thought he was private. I do think it reveals him to the world a bit. Someone wrote on Twitter that in baseball it’s three strikes and then you’re out. Should Brennaman be terminated? Fined? Demoted? What do you think, readers?
(image via Newsies Facebook page) On Friday, August 21, at 7 pm ET you can be the “The King of New York” and “support everyone in entertainment” that have been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. Via Playbill:
“The Tony Award-winning NEWSIES: the Broadway Musical will stream in its entirety, for free for one night only on Playbill.com as a benefit for The Actors Fund.
“This special arrangement is made possible by Disney Theatrical Productions and Disney+. The evening will also feature filmed appearances by cast members and will conclude with a brand-new video, featuring cast members from the Broadway and North American Tour productions of NEWSIES.”
Captured live at The Hollywood Pantages Theatre in 2016, NEWSIES stars Jeremy Jordan, reprising his Tony Award-nominated performance as “Jack Kelly,” Kara Lindsay as “Katherine,” Ben Fankhauser as “Davey” and Andrew Keenan-Bolger as “Crutchie,” with NEWSIES North American Tour stars Steve Blanchard as “Joseph Pulitzer,” Aisha de Haas as “Medda Larkin” and Ethan Steiner as “Les.”
Here’s the original Broadway cast of NEWSIES performing on the 2012 Tony Awards:
Based on the 1992 film which wasn’t a box office success but developed a loyal following, Disney Theatrical Productions brought in Harvey Fierstein to work on the true story of the 1899 paperboy strike that pitted them against publishing titan, Joseph Pulitzer. The stage production became an instant hit running for 1,005 performances on Broadway. NEWSIES went on to win countless awards including two Tony Awards – one for Alan Menken and Jack Feldman’s “Best Score” and a second for Christopher Gattelli’s stunning “Best Choreography” of 16 acrobatic, high-flying paperboys. In advance of the special event, cast members Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Aisha de Haas, Ben Fankhauser, Jeremy Jordan, and Kara Lindsay got together for a very special NEWSIES reunion episode of Stars In The House with Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley to talk about the show and the one night only streaming benefit.
Check out the second music video released posthumously for the late Harry Hains (most noted for American Horror Story and The OA), an eerie, pop-synth re-imagining of the classic Nancy Sinatra song, “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down).” Created by Harry’s brother, 3D artist and designer Sam Hains, the video is set against the backdrop of glitchy computer game-style production and dubstep skittering drums. Viewers are transported into a video game utopia where art, music, and gaming converge. Harry, who was gender fluid, tragically lost his battle with drug addiction earlier this year. Through the prism of his artistic alter-ego, ANTIBOY, the genderless transhuman, Hains imagined a digital utopia where there is no inequality, prejudice, or toxicity. This is Hains’s second track from the forthcoming concept album A Glitch in Paradise out next month. I previously covered the first single, “Good Enough,” here. An amalgamation of rock, electronica and gothic pop, A Glitch In Paradise explores the virtual world of ANTIBOY as he re-lives his mistakes in order to try to correct them and find happiness. But ANTIBOY experiences glitches and gets stuck in an endless loop of heartache, inspired by Harry’s relationship with then-partner Mike.
A young Joe Biden with his sons (screen capture) The anti-Donald Trump group Lincoln Project hit pause on its attacks on the Trumpster for a moment to directly support former Vice President Joe Biden’s bid for the White House. The new campaign spot, titled ‘Dad,’ shares the story of how 32-year-old Biden raised his two sons, Beau and Hunter, on his own after tragically losing his first wife and one-year-old daughter to a car accident in 1972. “When the boys cried for their mother and sister, it was Joe who comforted them,” says the narration. “Parent-teacher conferences? Joe was there. When help was needed and report cards were read, Joe Biden was there. Because when Joe Biden makes a commitment, he always sees it through.” “Americans will choose between two types of men this November. Joe Biden is a man of character, compassion, and decency. It’s a choice to vote for a man with that kind of character – or a man without one.”
Homophobic ‘Kevin’ goes to haul out his junk during rant (screen captures) In this episode of the ‘Kevin Chronicles,’ an anti-masker in Campbell, California, went on a smug, smirky homophobic rant that turned racist. In a video posted on Twitter by San Jose DJ Eddie House, ‘Kevin’ was approached by an employee who asked him to wear a face-covering while in the store or he’d have to leave. “You dumb f**king fa**ot, what’s your problem?” begins the man in full anti-homo mode as he addresses the person recording the incident. “What’s your dumb f**king fa**ot problem? You don’t know the law, that’s how stupid you are.” The employee calmly tells Kevin he can’t use language like that and is asked again to wear a face mask. With a shrug, the man smugly declares, “It’ll cost you $75,000. It’s a health code violation to deny service based on someone’s disability. So, I’d love you to do it – it’ll cost you $75,000.” “Call the police,” he continued. “I’m gonna love this. It’s a $75,000 fine. Dumb Mexican doesn’t know….”
Today at Marshalls in Campbell, Ca this Kevin didn’t want to wear a mask. Hurled offensive comments to the workers, my friends, to customers while exposing gestures to the public. I’m reaching out to y’all in the ether to expose this m’fer to the world! #KarenStrikesAgain#maskpic.twitter.com/ftBkGsDqcW
It would appear our Kevin is referencing information from the totally debunked ‘Freedom To Breathe Agency’ which hands out phony ‘exemption’ cards promising $75,000 penalties for denying access to businesses. Back in late June, the U.S. Justice Department issued an alert warning the public to “be aware regarding fraudulent postings, cards, or flyers on the internet regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the use of face masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.” Phony ‘Face Mask Exempt’ card (via Justice Department) “Do not be fooled by the chicanery and misappropriation of the DOJ eagle,” wrote U.S. Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin of North Carolina in an official statement. “These cards do not carry the force of law. The ‘Freedom to Breathe Agency,’ or ‘FTBA,’ is not a government agency.” But wait – there’s more! In a subsequent video, Kevin notices he’s being recorded and begins to wave to the camera giving a thumbs-up sign. He then unzips his fly and starts to haul out his junk in the middle of the department store as the person recording asks his name.
The police were called but by the time they had arrived, Kevin had departed. The San Francisco CBS News affiliate KPIX has identified the man as 52-year-old Tim Gaskin, who apparently hosted a local LGBTQ weekly talk show for Comcast public access in 2004 called “OUT Spoken.” He also reportedly took part in fundraising for AIDS-related causes. So, it’s pretty surprising Gaskin throws around the word “fa**ot” so freely. His LinkedIn account says he helped launch the local LGBTQ publication Gloss Magazine, although publisher Cecil Russell told KPIX that Gaskin only contributed some articles. Gaskin’s bio announces he’s been in the “imported red meat trade” for 31 years, which considering his zipper action in the video above, is kind of ironic. Gaskin hasn’t responded to the news stories regarding his antics at Marshall’s at this time.
(image via Facebook) Some news items you might have missed: • FOX13Now: A waiter at an Ogden restaurant is sharing his story after finding a bigoted message written on a cash tip that was left for him. Even though the transaction was all-electronic, the customers specifically asked for a pen. The $5 bill (above) was marked with the words, “Get out of America, Fag!” • Pink News: HIV activists are cheering that China has finally approved the drug Truvada for Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) which can prevent people from contracting HIV through condomless sex. According to the United Nations, 44 percent of new HIV infections in Asia and the Pacific region last year were in queer men. • YouTube: I loved this rundown of Top 20 Best Gay Romance Movies (with a happy ending). Lots of my favorite films here.
• Out: A federal judge in Boise has temporarily blocked a controversial law in Idaho that banned trans athletes from participation in school sports. The bill, which Governor Brad Little signed into law this past March, allowed for internal and external verification of a disputed athlete’s reproductive system. • Washington Blade: A gay former assistant superintendent and contracting liaison for the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington has been charged with fraudulently obtaining more than $2.1 million in funds for personal use from two federal coronavirus relief programs. Kenneth P. Gaughan, 41, reportedly used the funds to purchase a $300,000 yacht, a $1.13 million townhouse in D.C., and a $46,000 luxury sports car. • Democratic National Convention: I meant to get around to sharing my thoughts on the first night of the convention, but…the day got away from me. As the second night is about to begin, I have to share this one-two knockout punch from Night One – Michelle Obama’s pitch-perfect keynote speech, followed by Billy Porter and Stephen Stills performing the iconic anti-war protest song, “For What It’s Worth.” #Bam
American Idol alum David Hernandez drops his latest music video, “Boomerang,” shot on location in Palm Springs during the pandemic.
Don’t worry – the whole shebang was done on the up and up according to COVID-19 protocols with social distancing, and only actual couples that have been quarantined together were doing the kissing, like Hernandez and his boo, Derek Caldera. Continue reading “Out Music: David Hernandez ‘Boomerang’”
Ellen DeGeneres (image via Depositphotos)Variety reports executive producers Ed Galvin and Kevin Leman, and co-executive producer Jonathan Norman will depart from The Ellen DeGeneres Show after the production began an internal investigation into allegations of a toxic work environment that included sexual misconduct and racial insensitivity. During a videoconference on Monday, Ellen broke the news to more than 200 staff members reportedly becoming “emotional to the point of tears.” According to The Hollywood Reporter, DeGeneres said:
I’m so so sorry for what this has become.
I’m a multi-layered person, and I try to be the best person I can be and try to learn from my mistakes.
I care about each and every one of you. I am grateful for each and every one of you. I feel like I’ve kind of let the ball drop a bit because I’m focused on the show, I go in and I do the show, and I’ve just let everybody to do their jobs – to run different departments.
And it just became a well-oiled machine, and I think that is the problem. It’s not a machine. This is people. These are human beings that are working hard every single day to put this together. This show would not be what it is without all of you.
Executive producers Mary Connelly, Andy Lassner and Derek Westervelt will remain at the show alongside host DeGeneres, and the show’s resident DJ, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, has been promoted to co-executive producer. Michael Plonsker, an attorney representing Leman, issued this statement:
The fact that a deeply flawed BuzzFeed article has led to the termination of an innocent man – a popular figure and a creative force behind the Ellen show and a string of other projects produced with Ellen – is shocking. Kevin is devastated by being scapegoated and is not yet ready to comment.
At the end of July, Ellen had penned a mea culpa to the crew vowing to make changes. “As we’ve grown exponentially, I’ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done. Clearly some didn’t. That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again.” DeGeneres told the staff on Monday she fully expects the fall season of the talk show to “come back strong” when the series returns this September. DeGeneres was quoted as saying it will be “the best season we’ve ever had.”
A homophobic father in the UK has been sentenced to 18 months in jail for viciously beating his son with a television cable after finding the gay dating app Grindr on the teen’s phone. Plymouth Live reports the night before the attack, the father had asked to borrow his son’s phone. It was while using the phone the father discovered not only Grindr but several photos the teen had taken of himself. The next morning, the father (who isn’t being identified in order to protect the boy) confronted his son asking about the app and pics while shouting “You are gay” and “you are a woman.” After ordering the teen to strip down to his socks and underwear, the father lashed his son about 20 times with the cable. According to the prosecutor, Francesca Whebell, “He hit him multiple times across his body, particularly his arm, breaking the skin there” while continuing to question the boy. The teen was only able to escape after his father allowed him to get a glass of water. The boy grabbed his school uniform and ran out of the house. Arriving at school, though, staff members noticed something was amiss, and the teen began to cry leading the staff to call the police. The father eventually pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm last September. At his sentencing, a lawyer for the father tried to argue his client is a “loving father” who became angry, not due to his son’s sexuality but for posting photos on the dating app. Since the incident, the lawyer claimed the father’s remorse “is genuine,” and added, “the fact that he has now lost contact with his own son has broken his heart.” The defendant’s wife also appeared in court having written a character reference for her husband. But Recorder Marcus Pilgerstorfer wasn’t having it telling the lawyer, “On the basis of the photographs, [the teen] is likely to be left with some scarring on his arm and he will inevitably suffer some psychological consequences.” “You asked him about photographs of lots of boys on his phone and shouted: ‘You are gay’ and ‘you are a woman,” continued the judge. “You hit him again and again, some 20 times, with the television cable. You caused him ‘loads of pain,’ to use his words.” Pilgerstorfer added, “I have no doubt that part of the reason you became angry is that you saw material which you thought indicated he was bisexual.” (source: Plymouth Live)
From CNBC: 
