According to News4Jax in Jacksonville, Florida, police have arrested a suspect in a brutal crime where a person was severely beaten then tied to the bumper of a minivan and dragged for over two blocks last Friday. Police say the victim was left unconscious in the street after the rope tying him to the car was cut. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries. The victim, according to doctors, has not regained consciousness since the attack due to immense swelling in the brain. There is surveillance video of the incident, but police say it is “horrendous” and can’t be released due to the graphic nature of the attack and injuries. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says 34-year-old Eric Bridges, an ex-convict, has been charged with attempted murder. He remains in jail while being held on $500,000 bail. The victim, initially reported as possibly transgender, is now being identified as a gay male. The name of the victim has been withheld by the family. No details as to what spurred the incident have been revealed as yet.
(screen capture) The woman pictured above went viral last week, and not for a good reason. Video was shared across the interwebs showing her leaving a CVS drug store in Los Angeles’ Eagle Rock neighborhoo while throwing the n-word around like she says it ALL the time: “If the law didn’t say I couldn’t kill the nig*ers they’d be all dead” According to news reports, the LAPD has begun a hate crime investigation. This is pretty hideous. Click the video in the tweet below.
“If the law didn’t say I couldn’t kill the nig*ers they’d be all dead”
This racist lady told a Black woman that she would kill all black people if it wasn’t illegal in a CVS in California WHO IS SHE?! SHE NEEDS TO BE IN PRISON FOR LIFE! pic.twitter.com/iiShKgmkPL — StanceGrounded (@_SJPeace_) September 26, 2019
Internet sleuths seem to have determined that the woman’s name is Heather Lynn Patton and that she works (worked?) in Hollywood in costume design. In screen captures included in the tweet below, she apparently says she lost her job due to the rant which she blamed on being drunk. “Please do not contact me,” reads a screen capture of her Instagram story before it was deleted. “I was intoxicated and I sincerely apologize to everyone whom I disrespected and let down for my actions. Please forgive me.”
The woman who unleashed a horrific racist rant at a California CVS is revealed to be a Hollywood costume designer. She posts an apology on social media, claims she was intoxicated, and says she has been fired from her job. pic.twitter.com/7gYH1QksHV
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, during an appearance over the weekend in Texas, said Democrats will push ahead with the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump whether it could threaten the Democrats hold on the House in the 2020 elections or not. Via Yahoo News:
“It doesn’t matter,” Pelosi said in the wrap-up event of a weekend festival for politicians and journalists. “Our first responsibility is to the Constitution.”
Pelosi, a California Democrat who reclaimed the gavel in the House after her party captured the majority in the 2018 November elections, spoke just blocks away from the Texas Capitol at the festival put on by the Texas Tribune.
In a conversation with Tribune CEO Evan Smith, Pelosi said the decision to move ahead with the possible impeachment was dictated by the president’s actions.
“This is a sad time for our country,” Pelosi said. “There is no joy in this.”
Pelosi said her early hesitance to move ahead with impeachment was because the facts were insufficient until a whistleblower brought to light a phone conversation with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky
In that conversation, a rough transcript released by the White House after the whistleblower’s concerns were made known showed Trump seeking politically damaging information against former Vice President Joe Biden, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination.
“I think right now, there is a coverup of the coverup,” she said.
Yuri Lutsenko, the former prosecutor general for Ukraine, says he repeatedly rebuffed demands by Rudy Giuliani to investigate Joe Biden and his son, insisting he had seen no evidence of wrongdoing that he could pursue.
In an interview, Yuri Lutsenko said while he was Ukraine’s prosecutor general he told Rudolph W. Giuliani that he would be happy to cooperate if the FBI or other U.S. authorities began their own investigation of the former vice president and his son Hunter but insisted they had not broken any Ukrainian laws to his knowledge.
Lutsenko, who was fired as prosecutor general last month, said he had urged Giuliani to launch a U.S. inquiry and go to court if he had any evidence but not to use Ukraine to conduct a political vendetta that could affect the U.S. election.
“I said, ‘Let’s put this through prosecutors, not through presidents,’ ” Lutsenko told The Times.
“I told him I could not start an investigation just for the interests of an American official,” he said.
The revelations are at the heart of the House impeachment inquiry into whether Trump improperly delayed congressionally mandated military aid to Ukraine while urging leaders there to help find dirt on his political opponents to boost his 2020 reelection bid.
Giuliani had reportedly been pushing Lutsenko to investigate the Bidens for over a year. Lutsenko described Giuliani as “obsessed” with finding dirt on the Bidens.
And then there’s this from Richard Engel, NBC News chief foreign correspondent:
So much disinformation out there. Independent investigators here in Ukraine have told me, repeatedly: Joe Biden did NOT stop an investigation into his son. In fact, US officials, including Biden, were pushing for MORE oversight of the company where Hunter Biden was a board member
Channing Smith (images via family/FOX17) Channing Smith, a high school junior in Manchester, Tennessee, committed suicide last week after another student posted private text messages between Smith and another boy resulting in outingthe teen as bisexual, reports Buzzfeed News. Smith had apparently kept his attraction for other boys a secret, but an argument with another teenager who is close to the boy he’d been messaging became upset that she “didn’t know about the sexting and posted the screenshots to be vindictive, according to Keylee Duty, a fellow student at Smith’s school. “She was just doing it to be mean,” Keylee told Buzzfeed. Smith had been dating 17-year-old Hailey Meister for a month prior to his suicide. “He didn’t deserve that,” she shared. “He was kind and loving and a very good person.” Meister added that Smith told her when the screen captures were shared on social media “how bad it made him feel and it was a mistake.” She also says Smith was “trying to find himself” and hadn’t explicitly identified as bisexual before his death. His older brother, 38-year-old Joshua Smith, says the nature of the text messages were explicit to the point that “there was no room for Channing to be able to claim it was a misunderstanding.” “When he saw the screenshots on social media he called some people around 10 p.m. Sunday night, freaking out,” he added. “His last posting on Instagram was about people he couldn’t trust.” Smith’s body was found by his father at around 4 a.m. The father had noticed Smith’s light on in his room and went to check on him. “He’s still in shock,” says Joshua. The older brother explained that life in their “small, Southern town” could be “complicated.” “You could be gay and still like the Confederate flag and shoot pistols,” says Joshua. But to be labeled “gay, queer, or a sissy” would be devastating for a high school junior he added. The local Fox affiliate reports that Joshua says his brother called the female classmate who posted the private messages and said her he was going to kill himself. According to Joshua, she didn’t reach out to Channing’s family or any suicide prevention hotline.
A complication in the case comes as the family feels Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott isn’t being appropriately pro-active in investigating the cyber-bullying Channing experienced by fellow students. Joshua told Buzzfeed that “investigators spent only a day” on the case, and “didn’t confiscate the kids’ phones’ saying they didn’t have the technology to ‘bypass the passcodes.’” In June, statements by Northcott in a 2018 video surfaced where he said he disagreed with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 Obergefell ruling which made same-sex marriage legal in the U.S. He also shared that he doesn’t prosecute domestic cases involving LGBTQ people because he doesn’t believe marriage exists. In a statement regarding the Smith case, Northcott said that while he can’t comment on an open investigation, he said allegations that his office had failed to act are “inaccurate” as the investigation has not been completed. Smith’s family and friends are also critical of Channing’s high school for not making a public statement about his death or to condemn bullying. “They haven’t made any mention about him or his death on their website, on Facebook, anywhere,” Joshua said. “They haven’t offered counseling to the kids or gathered them to talk about anti-bullying.” “The principal told my father that he felt like we would not want anything at our memorial service that says justice for Channing, which was total bullshit,” added the older brother. (screen capture) When Channing’s friend attempted to make a statement wearing t-shirts asking for “Justice for Channing,” the principal demanded they remove the shirts. “We refused. Not only me, but his close friends and people who loved him stood during the assembly holding our posters,” said Keylee. “We believe the school refused to do anything because what happened to Channing involved gay rights.” If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineis 1-800-273-8255. Other international suicide helplines can be found atbefrienders.org.You can also text TALK to 741741 for free, anonymous, 24/7 crisis support in the USfrom theCrisis Text Line.
The first polls from CNN/SRSS on the upcoming South Carolina Democratic primary and the Nevada Democratic caucuses show two very different races. In South Carolina, former Vice President Joe Biden is miles ahead of everyone. Biden garners 37 percent support compared to Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s 16 percent support. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders pulled 11 percent support, and no other candidate got above 5 percent. But in Nevada, it’s Biden and Sanders neck-and-neck with 22 percent, and Warren at 18% among likely Democratic caucus-goers. No one else received more than 5 percent in Nevada.
We have a pair of QUALIFYING POLLS from CNN/SRSS that count for the Oct and Nov debates
International pop star Ricky Martin announces he and hubby are expecting 4th child (screen capture) International pop star and actor Ricky Martin announced last night that he and husband Jwan Yosef are ‘pregnant’ expecting their fourth child. The announcement came as Martin was honored at the Human Rights Campaign’s National Dinner in Washington, D.C. “My family is here,” said Martin from the stage. “Jwan, I don’t see you but my husband Jwan, I love you.” “My beautiful twins Matteo and Valentino – I love you with all my heart, you’re my strength,” he continued as he pointed to his two 10-year-old sons. “You inspire me every day, you motivate me to keep doing what I’m doing and you guys are amazing. I love you.” After explaining that his youngest, Lucia, who was born at the end of last year, was home with grandma, Martin paused before sharing, “And by the way, I have to announce that we are pregnant. We are waiting!” With a sheepish grin, the ‘Come With Me’ singer added, “I love big families.’ Here’s Ricky’s full speech at the HRC National Dinner:
As actress Ana Ortiz presented Martin with the 2019 Visibility Award, she noted “his bold voice that changes the world.” That was referencing, in part, Martin’s pilgrimage to Puerto Rico earlier this year during great political upheaval. Standing with protestors for days, Martin led the charge demanding the resignation of Gov. Ricardo Rosello Nevares. After a week of unprecedented protests, Rosello resigned. Accepting the honor, Martin dedicated the honor to “the refugees, to members of the LGBT community that are…leaving their countries because they feel threatened.” “This award is for [the asylum seekers],” he continued. “I will make sure that I lend my voice for them: Ladies and gentlemen, the only thing I’m asking for is to go out and vote.”
“This award is for [the asylum seekers]. I will make sure that I lend my voice for them: Ladies and gentlemen, the only thing I’m asking for is to go out and vote.” – @ricky_martin#HRCNationalDinner#WeAreHRC
Fatherhood has been very good to the Latin heartthrob as a visit to his social media constantly reveals. Here’s the latest post from Ricky’s Instagram:
L-R Alec Baldwin, Kate McKinnon (screen capture) SNL’s season premiere just HAD to include Alec Baldwin’s ‘Donald Trump’ in chaos after the announcement of an official impeachment inquiry made news this week. Says Baldwin’s Trump: “It’s the greatest presidential harassment of all time. I should know. I’m like the president of harassment.” Kate McKinnon’s ‘Rudy Giuliani,’ speaking from the set of CNN, tells Trump: “Nobody’s going to find out about our illegal side dealings with the Ukraine. Or how we tried to cover up those side dealings. Or how we planned to cover up the cover-up.” Aidy Bryant’s ‘Attorney General William Barr’ wonders who Trump can get to take the blame: “Where are you going to find a sacrificial patsy that’ll do anything you say? Not it.” Alec Baldwin and Beck Bennett (screen capture) Trump tells Barr not to worry, “I’ve got the perfect stooge.” Enter Mike Pence (Beck Bennett), who told him “but you’re the one who broke the law.” Pretty much everyone gets a moment in the clip. Watch below.
CBS Sunday Morning profiles 4-time Grammy Award winner Olivia Newton-John Actress, author, and singer Olivia Newton-John, 71, is battling breast cancer for the third time. “I’m happy. I’m lucky. I’m grateful. I have much to live for. And I intend to keep on living it,” she tells “CBS This Morning” co-host Gayle King in an emotional interview at her Los Angeles home. Olivia Newton-John with miniature horses Harry & Winston Olivia talks about her diagnosis two years ago and how, while the pain was at one point unbearable, her spirit remains unshakable. She also shows off several of her iconic costumes – including the famous black leather jacket and pants from the finale of GREASE – that she’s auctioning off soon with proceeds going to fund wellness programs at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Center in Melbourne, Australia. By the way, if you or anyone you know has been touched by cancer and would like to help Olivia’s world-renowned center in Australia, this week the organization is holding its annual Cancer Walk & Research Run fundraiser next Sunday. My hubby is down there and he’ll be walking not only for Olivia but also for his mother who we lost to cancer in May this year. You can sponsor Michael’s steps by clicking here. God knows I love me some Olivia Newton-John. This is what you call a portrait of courage and grace. Watch below.
Three former White House officials tell the Washington Post that Donald Trump assured senior Russian officials in a 2017 Oval Office meeting that he was ‘unconcerned’ with Russia’s interference in the 2016 election.
President Trump told two senior Russian officials in a 2017 Oval Office meeting that he was unconcerned about Moscow’s interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election because the United States did the same in other countries, an assertion that prompted alarmed White House officials to limit access to the remarks to an unusually small number of people, according to three former officials with knowledge of the matter.
The comments, which have not been previously reported, were part of a now-infamous meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, in which Trump revealed highly classified information that exposed a source of intelligence on the Islamic State. He also said during the meeting that firing FBI Director James B. Comey the previous day had relieved “great pressure” on him.
A memorandum summarizing the meeting was limited to a few officials with the highest security clearances in an attempt to keep the president’s comments from being disclosed publicly, according to the former officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.
According to News4Jax in Jacksonville, Florida, police have arrested a suspect in a brutal crime where a person was severely beaten then tied to the bumper of a minivan and dragged for over two blocks last Friday. Police say the victim was left unconscious in the street after the rope tying him to the car was cut. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries. The victim, according to doctors, has not regained consciousness since the attack due to immense swelling in the brain. There is surveillance video of the incident, but police say it is “horrendous” and can’t be released due to the graphic nature of the attack and injuries. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says 34-year-old Eric Bridges, an ex-convict, has been charged with attempted murder. He remains in jail while being held on $500,000 bail. The victim, initially reported as possibly transgender, is now being identified as a gay male. The name of the victim has been withheld by the family. No details as to what spurred the incident have been revealed as yet. 
Smith’s body was found by his father at around 4 a.m. The father had noticed Smith’s light on in his room and went to check on him. “He’s still in shock,” says Joshua. The older brother explained that life in their “small, Southern town” could be “complicated.” “You could be gay and still like the Confederate flag and shoot pistols,” says Joshua. But to be labeled “gay, queer, or a sissy” would be devastating for a high school junior he added. The 
