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Cruising On The Mediterranean With Royal Caribbean

Hubby Michael and I both worked in the service industry, so we have great respect for the hard work that goes into the job. On the Atlantis Cruise we’re currently enjoying, we’ve gotten to know our cabin attendant, Isbeth, who’s fantastic. When we returned to our cabin tonight we found this fab creation holding court, enjoying some TV. Last night we were greeted by a similar creation (see the pup below). It really made us smile. Congrats Royal Caribbean on a really terrific employee.

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Trump Tells Supporters Fox News “Isn’t Working For Us Anymore”

In the world of Donald Trump, complete and unwavering loyalty is not only expected but demanded.

When Fox News aired an interview with the communications director for the Democratic National Committee, he lashed out at the right-leaning network telling his 64 million followers to “start looking for a new News Outlet.”

“The New @FoxNews is letting millions of GREAT people down!” Trump wrote in a series of tweets. “We have to start looking for a new News Outlet. Fox isn’t working for us anymore!”

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1166711517536030720

From the Washington Post:

His tweets followed an interview of Xochitl Hinojosa, the communications director for the Democratic National Committee, in which she discussed next month’s Democratic presidential debate, among other things.

In his tweets, Trump said Hinojosa had been “spewing out whatever she wanted with zero pushback” from anchor Sandra Smith.

Trump also complained about commentators who appear regularly on Fox, including former DNC chairwoman Donna Brazile and left-leaning pundit Juan Williams, as well as anchor Shepard Smith, who has been critical of Trump at times.

Democrats have repeatedly accused Fox News of having far too sympathetic coverage of Trump and his administration, with some likening it to state-run television.

A Fox News spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump’s tweets.

Guy Benson, a Fox News contributor, clapped back on Twitter, writing, “We don’t work for you.”

(image via Flicker/WhiteHouse)

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New Music: Stewart Taylor “Mess Your Hair Up”

Out singer/songwriter Stewart Taylor encourages his fans to be playful and adventurous with their significant others with his latest music video, “Mess Your Hair Up.” The R&B funk track was inspired by Taylor’s own long-distance relationship.  “I had recently moved to LA from New York and my partner sent me a super sexy picture,” he shares about the genesis of the new song. “I told him I wanted to jump on him and mess his hair up! The chorus of the song came to me almost immediately afterwards.” “Everyone deserves to be happy in and outside of the bedroom,” he reflects. “While ‘Mess Your Hair Up’ may appear simplistic and perhaps more superficial than my previous tracks, sometimes simple and fun is better. One of my favorite Prince songs is literally about wanting his lover’s ‘extra time and their KISS,’ and it’s still iconic.:   His optimism shines through in the colorful music video for “Mess Your Hair Up.”   “The video celebrates white, black, Latino, and even drag queen hairstyles because all of it is beautiful to me,” he adds. “I also had the privilege of working with LA-based choreographer Johnny Rice (Taylor Swift, Adam Lambert) on the dance numbers in the video, so hopefully it makes people want to get up and dance, too.” Visit www.stewarttaylorofficial.com for more info on Stewart. Hit the play button and bounce through Hump Day a little easier.

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As Dorian Intensifies, Trump Attacks San Juan Mayor

Weather forecasters say tropical Storm Dorian is growing stronger and could become a category 2 hurricane by the time it reaches Puerto Rico. But as the storm threatens the U.S. territory just two years after Hurricane Maria, Donald Trump took time to attack the mayor of San Juan. San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz, who openly criticized the Trump administration’s response to Maria, told the media that Trump should “get out of the way” and let others do the job of preparing for Dorian. The Donald took to Twitter to boast about FEMA’s preparations in advance of the storm, ask for thanks before anything is done, and troll Cruz. https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/1166685686105329664?s=21

https://twitter.com/bill_maxwell_/status/1166724591953182720?s=21 https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1166686515059142668?s=21 https://twitter.com/ananavarro/status/1166696239381000192?s=21

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Lara Spencer Apologizes For Mocking Boys Taking Dance Class

Good Morning America host Lara Spencer apologized for her faux pas when she laughed on air at the idea of Prince George’s curriculum including ballet classes, which he reportedly enjoys. I posted some of the dance world’s response the homophobic giggle Spencer shared when she reported that news. On GMA this week, she offered a humble, sincere apology for “screwing up.” She also welcomed three major forces from the dance world to talk about the impact of laughing, mocking and shaming boys who dance: 2-time Emmy Award winner Travis Wall, ballet star and soon-to-appear in the film adaptation of CATS, Robbie Fairchild, and Joffrey Ballet’s Fabrice Calmels. When she first issued a mea culpa via Instagram, being married to a publicist the text seemed a bit “the network said I have to do this.” But watching her in this GMA segment, I take her at her word that she realizes her mistake. As a guy who has danced for 40 years, and thankfully enjoyed a career of incredible opportunity thanks to dance, I accept her apology and appreciate that it comes across as authentic and sincere.

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Trump Approval Rating Has Plunged In Battleground States

  The latest polling by Morning Consult shows Donald Trump has seen his net approval rating decline in every key battleground state since taking office in January 2017. From Axios:

These are the states that Republicans and Democrats are vying for in 2020, and where, as of now, the campaigns think the presidential election will be decided, according to conversations with several Trump and Democratic campaign staffers.

In addition to the key purple states — Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — that both sides recognize as targets, the Trump campaign has its sights set on Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire and New Mexico, all states Trump lost in 2016, several campaign officials said.

The official added that the campaign, which is planning to beef up its communications and rapid response team with additional hires before the end of the year, will soon be flooding these states with stories that don’t get a lot of attention at the national level — such as Trump’s work on opioids and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade deal.

Meanwhile, Democrats are hoping they can pick up Florida, North Carolina, Arizona, Texas and Georgia, per talks with campaign aides and Democratic strategists.

(image public domain via Flickr/White House)

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Taylor Swift Promotes Equality Act During Acceptance Speech At VMAs

Taylor Swift won big at the MTV Video Music Awards Monday night as she scored the trophy for Video of the Year for her LGBTQ anthem, “You Need To Calm Down.” Taylor opened the night’s festivities performing “YNTCD” as well as her new single “Lover.” The Hollywood Reporter has the details.

Dancers dressed in colorful ensembles moved around the stage before the drag queens featured in the music video appeared next to Swift as she sang the anti-hate anthem. The first number concluded with the words “Equality Act” largely written behind the performers.

Swift has been an advocate for the Equality Act and has urged her followers to sign a petition in its favor on social media. The House of Representatives passed legislation in May that protects those living in states where it’s legal to discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity when it comes to housing, employment and other services.

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Johnson & Johnson Must Pay $572 Million In Oklahoma Opioid Settlement

NBC News is reporting Johnson & Johnson has been hit with a $572 million penalty for its part in the Oklahoma opioid epidemic which caused more than 6,000 deaths.

Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter claimed in court that Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and its pharmaceutical subsidiary, Janssen, marketed opioids to doctors while downplaying the risks of the addictive painkillers since the 1990s.

The state claimed that the company’s sales push created “a public nuisance” that led to more than 6,000 deaths in Oklahoma over nearly two decades.

J&J has denied any wrongdoing and its attorney, John Sparks, disputed the application of the public nuisance law made by Oklahoma prosecutors. Sparks said the state was misinterpreting the law, having previously limited it to disputes involving property or public spaces.

Oklahoma had asked for $17.2 billion in its lawsuit.