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What’s A Moose To Do With Record Heat In Alaska?

This moose was just chilling under a sprinkler after sprinkler hopping from yard to yard before finally settling down for a good soak

With record heat happening in Alaska, what’s a moose to do?

Via YouTube:

“Alaska is dealing with a record heat wave right now and everyone is doing what they can to stay cool. Even the wildlife.

“This moose was just chilling under a sprinkler after sprinkler hopping from yard to yard before finally settling down for a good soak.

“High temperatures will continue to take a run at 90 degrees. Normal temps this time of a year in anchorage are in the mid 60’s.”

(h/t Towleroad)

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Cognitive Dissonance Much? Trump, Of All People, Rants About ‘Radical Left’ Boycotts

Donald Trump, who has often called for boycotting any company or organization that he feels has slighted him, complained today about the 'Radical Left' withholding consumer dollars to "hurt their 'Enemy.'"
Donald Trump

Donald Trump, who has often called for boycotting any company or organization that he feels has slighted him, complained today about the ‘Radical Left’ withholding consumer dollars to “hurt their ‘Enemy.'”

According to the Washington Post, the Trumpster was apparently riled up as some consumers were turned off by the news that Home Depot co-founder, Bernie Marcus, donated more than $7 million to Trump’s 2016 campaign and has announced he will continue his sponsorship of Trump in 2020.

Trump has called for boycotts against various companies over the years including Macy’s, CNN, Univision, Harley Davidson, Starbucks, Apple and many more.

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Trump’s July 4th Bankrupts Washington DC Security Fund

Donald Trump's water-logged July 4th extravaganza cost the D.C. government $1.7 million, an amount that has bankrupted a special fund used to protect the city from terrorist threats and provide security at events such as rallies and state funerals.
Donald Trump at his 4th of July ‘ego rally’

Donald Trump’s water-logged July 4th extravaganza cost the D.C. government $1.7 million, an amount that has bankrupted a special fund used to protect the city from terrorist threats and provide security at events such as rallies and state funerals.

From the Washington Post:

President Trump’s overhauled July Fourth celebration cost the D.C. government $1.7 million, an amount that — combined with police expenses for demonstrations through the weekend — has bankrupted a special fund used to protect the nation’s capital from terrorist threats and provide security at events such as rallies and state funerals.

In a letter to the president Tuesday, D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) warned that the fund has now been depleted and is estimated to be running a $6 million deficit by Sept. 30. The mayor also noted that the account was never reimbursed for $7.3 million in expenses from Trump’s 2017 inauguration.

“We ask for your help with ensuring the residents of the District of Columbia are not asked to cover millions of dollars of federal expenses and are able to maintain our high standards of protection for federal events,” she wrote.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Megan Rapinoe To Trump: “Your Message Is Excluding People”

During an appearance on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360, world champion soccer player Megan Rapinoe was asked if she had a message for Donald Trump. Taking a moment, she looked directly into the camera and said: “Your message is excluding people. You’re excluding me, you’re excluding people who look like me, you’re excluding people of color, you’re maybe excluding Americans that may support you. I think that we need to have a reckoning about the message that you have, and what you’re saying about ‘Make America Great Again.’

During an appearance on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, world champion soccer player Megan Rapinoe was asked if she had a message for Donald Trump.

Taking a moment, she looked directly into the camera and said:

“Your message is excluding people. You’re excluding me, you’re excluding people who look like me, you’re excluding people of color, you’re maybe excluding Americans that may support you. I think that we need to have a reckoning about the message that you have, and what you’re saying about ‘Make America Great Again.’

“You’re harking back to an era that wasn’t great for America. Maybe it was great for a few people, and maybe America’s great for a few people right now, but it’s not great for enough Americans in this world.”

Here’s a more complete clip of the segment.

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Parker Matthews Is More Than “Good Enough”

Parker Matthews “Good Enough”

Out singer/songwriter Parker Matthews drops his latest music video, “Good Enough.”

Trust and believe – it’s more than ‘good enough.’

The visually elegant video finds our hero prepping for a performance, but troubled.

After the sexy sass of previous tracks like “Hit and Run” and “Feelin’ Right,” Matthews is in a pensive mood.

Who hasn’t worried/wondered if they are ‘good enough?’ For others, for ourselves?

Through repetition (plus a touch of humanity), the title phrase sometimes feels like Parker is convincing his listener, sometimes himself.

It’s like I’m not good enough, good enough
Why’m I not good enough, good enough
Baby, I’m good enough, good enough
I know that I’m good enough, good enough
I can’t take it
My heart, you break it
I’m good enough, good enough
I know that I’m good enough, good enough

(screen capture)

The handsome Mr. Matthews offers some of his most expressive and muscular vocals to date.

And, like all his releases, the production is top-shelf and sophisticated.

Make sure you hang around for the ending.

“Good Enough” is available now on iTunes, Amazon and all other digital download sites.

Check out my previous coverage of Mr. Matthews on The Randy Report here.

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My Favorite Thing Today: Jack Higgins Accepts His High School Diploma

Jack Higgins approaches the stage to accept his diploma

When Jack Higgins took to the stage to accept his high school diploma, he put his fingers in his ears expecting to hear cheers and applause.

Instead, he heard silence.

CNN reports that Jack has a severe form of autism and is sensitive to noise. After eight years in his high school’s program for students with cognitive, learning or behavior challenges, he was ready to graduate on June 20.

His parents wanted him to participate in the ceremony, but they were concerned that he would be overwhelmed sitting for hours in a large auditorium surrounded by hundreds of people.

Principal Lou Riolo, principal of Carmel High in Putnam County, New York, had an idea: ask everyone to sit in silence as Jack approached and accepted his diploma.

But could high schoolers, caught up in the excitement of graduating, be trusted to stay silent?

Accompanied by his two brothers and school aide Rob Ancona, Jack approached the stage with his fingers in his ears, having practiced for weeks to handle the loud noises.

Instead, he received a spontaneous, silent standing ovation.

“The students were amazing,” Riolo told CNN. “They are a class act and superseded expectations. For example them rising to their feet after Jack received his diploma was them. It was not preplanned and no one told them to act like that that.”

“I have been lucky and blessed to see some really remarkable things in my 31 year career but this so far has to be the most incredible,” added the principal.

“But as much as the students rose to the occasion so did Jack,” gushed Riolo. “Since Jack is very limited verbally, how overwhelming was it for him with a large crowd and expectation that it would be loud?”

“It was so brave of him to take that walk which must have seemed like forever and he did it with grace, class and strength.”

Students giving Jack a silent standing ovation after receiving his diploma
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Out Music: Brian Justin Crum “I & U”

America's Got Talent finalist Brian Justin Crum recently released the music video for his latest single, "I & U."
Brian Justin Crum (photo credit: Mark Mendoza)

America’s Got Talent finalist Brian Justin Crum recently released the music video for his latest single, “I & U.”

Penned by #1 Billboard writers Melanie Fontana, Lindgren and Ferras, and produced by Lindgren, “I & U” is the follow-up single to “Circles,” released in February.

The singer recently told Huffpost the video for “I & U” is meant as an homage to his ‘spirit animal,’ George Michael.

“The video for ‘I & U’ is the most free Iʼve ever felt in my Queer expression,” says Crum. “I spent so many years trying to ‘butch it up’ so that people around would feel more comfortable and so that I could fit into anyones little box they wanted to put me in.”

Crum adds that he also wanted the music video to “feature a diverse cast of women who are strong in their own expression as well.”

“Growing up queer I was surrounded by woman who supported me,” says the 31-year-old singer. “My friends at school were all girls and it was their mothers (and my own) that loved me for who I was.”

“I think itʼs very important that we, as gay men, rally behind women and fight with them as they have always fought with us,” he adds.

During his time on Season 11 of America’s Got Talent, Crum garnered millions of views from his performances of songs by Michael Jackson, Radiohead, Tears For Fears and Phil Collins.

Check out the new track now available on all digital download sites.

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Whitney Houston Returns To Billboard Charts With ‘Higher Love’

Whitney Houston and DJ Kygo land on the Billboard Hot 100

Pop icon Whitney Houston, who passed away in 2012, lands on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart this week with the newly-remixed version of “Higher Love” by Norwegian producer/DJ Kygo.

“Higher Love” is Houston’s first appearance on the chart since her 2009 single, “Million Dollar Bill,” from her final album, I Look to You.

The track was previously only available as a bonus cut on the Japan release of Houston’s 1990 album, I’m Your Baby Tonight.

I wrote about the track when it dropped recently, and it’s been on my playlist ever since.

I think it’s a spectacular collaboration bringing one of the greatest voices pop music has ever known back to still-adoring fans.

Here’s Houston singing “Higher Love” during her Feels So Right tour in Japan 1990.

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UK Parliament Passes Marriage Equality In Northern Ireland

Lawmakers in Parliament have voted overwhelmingly to extend same-sex marriage rights to LGBTQ citizens of Northern Ireland.

Lawmakers in Parliament have voted overwhelmingly to extend same-sex marriage rights to LGBTQ citizens of Northern Ireland.

The vote, by a lopsided margin of 393 to 73, will bring marriage equality to the only part of the UK or Ireland that does not currently recognize same-sex marriage.

The issue has been shelved in Northern Ireland since January 2017, when Stormont – the Northern Ireland Assembly – collapsed. Since that time, the country has basically been run by civil servants.

The proposal was part of a debate meant to keeping Northern Ireland running in the absence of a functioning government.

The marriage amendment, put forward by Labour MP Conor McGinn, requires marriage equality to become the law of the land in Northern Ireland if Stormont is not restored by October 21.

The Guardian reports McGinn addressed the House of Commons saying the chamber had “failed LGBT people in Northern Ireland before” by not extending same-sex marriage rights in a timely manner.

“Tonight, we have the chance to do the right thing,” said McGinn. “People in Northern Ireland, and indeed across Britain and Ireland, are watching. I, for one, am not going to let them down.”

A caveat to the clause allows for a future assembly in Northern Ireland to have the power to amend or change the law.

In the meantime, it will be necessary for the Secretary of State in Northern Ireland to prepare for new regulations allowing marriage between same-sex couples.

MPs in Parliament also voted to extend abortion rights to women in the same session.

(source: The Guardian)

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Trans Activist Sarah McBride Announces Run For Delaware Senate

Sarah McBride

Transgender activist Sarah McBride has announced she is running for a seat in the Delaware state Senate.

The seat, currently held by a Democrat, is being vacated at the end of the term.

From The Hill:

McBride came onto the national scene in 2016 making a historic speech at the Democratic National Convention highlighting the struggles facing the LGBTQ community, and she currently serves as the national press secretary of the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ advocacy group. But in her campaign announcement released Tuesday, McBride’s focus isn’t her identity but the issues facing the members of her Delaware community.

She notes the struggles of working mothers and fathers and highlights the opioid epidemic and surging health care costs.

“We can meet these challenges, but it will take big ideas and the courage to act,” McBride said in her announcement. “I’ve spent my life fighting for people to have dignity, peace of mind and a fair shot at staying afloat and getting ahead. I’m running for state Senate to fight for you and I’m asking you to join me.”

McBride would be the first trans person elected to public office in Delaware, and join a small group of transgender elected state officials in the nation.

In 2018, Virginia state Rep. Danica Roem (D) became the first openly transgender person elected to state office.