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Top 10 Idiots
Top 10 Idiots's Journal
Top 10 Idiots's Journal
October 21, 2020
Top 10 Conservative Idiots #9-15: Wouldnt It Be Nice Edition
Welcome back to the Top 10 Conservative Idiots! Hows everybody doing? Are you guys doing fucking good? I know, right? This is our last Top 10 before the regular election. Now you might be wondering why is this? And I answer you, sir or madam, is that this is the most important election of our lifetime and we cant afford any screwups. I will be taking two weeks off because you dont need my commentary or tomfoolery. I mean I appreciate you viewing our little program here, but you can definitely do without me until the election. What? Just my commentary and a few mildly amusing jokes interspliced with some Simpons GIFs? Yeah no I am not needed this week or next. Because we have 14 fucking days until the end of this thing and weve covered the entirety of the Donald J. Trump administration over 4 years and 216 editions, thats 2,160 entries. And I know yall havent seen a lot of these, so if youre looking for some fresh content, just go check out one of the older editions and pretend its a new one. Im just going to sit here and browse Simpsons related Twitter feeds on my phone. Hey, I voted. Its time for everyone else to do the same! So go, go on, vote. We will come back once the dust has settled on 11/11. Once we hand Trump the eviction notice he so badly deserves, we can get back to having life again. OK thats enough of the intro. We have a lot of idiocy to get to. But first Jon Oliver is back and he delves into why the World Health Organization is important and why the US is making a mistake not to participate:
So where do we begin for our final Top 10 before the 2020 election to end all elections? The top slot this week is going to go to of course the guy who we currently and inexplicably still call president, Donald J. Trump (1). Yeah so he enlisted the reigning kings of fake news, the New York Post, in an attempt to smear Hunter Biden, and it backfired on him to the point where he and his supporters got kicked off of social media outlets! So much for the October Surprise. In the second slot this week, is also Donald J. Trump (2) and despite that theres still a raging pandemic, he isnt stopping his super-spreader rallies, and his one in Iowa last week was particularly insane. In the number 3 slot this week is California Republicans (3) they have had quite the banner week whether it was Gavin Newsom fighting with Trump or some light election fraud, weve got everything boiled down to a single entry! In the fourth slot this week is Conservative Rappers (4). Yes, this is a thing and its not just limited to Kanye, everyone from 50 Cent to Ice Cube is weighing in their opinions on the election! In the number 5 slot this week is our weekly investigative piece, Top 10 Investigates, and this week were going to take a look at COVID cures the WHO found 4 to be completely bogus, and one is Trumps favorite drug of choice, hydroxycholorquine! Im shocked, shocked I tell you! Taking the 6th slot this week is of course our weekly visit to the Holy Church Of The Top 10 in Holy Shit (6) and this week the Vatican has been putting priests on trial! Our resident pastor is going to dial up his Pope Hotline to find out whats up! Taking the 7th slot this week is a new This Fucking Guy (7) and while Trump has been harping on Hunter Biden, we profile his idiot sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr! In the 8th slot this week is a new edition of Conspiracy Corner (8) and the right still will not shut up about Benghazi and Im not going to point fingers, but it goes all the way to the president! In the number 9 (NEIN!!) slot this week we have a new I Need A Drink and this week were going to get drunk and finally talk about politics, because Ice Cube has been pegged as a Trump supporter and its causing the internet to lose their minds! But whose side is he really on? Finally this week in Road To The White House (10), its our last one before the election and were going to have our final thoughts on what has been a certainly insane primary that got hijacked by COVID-19. Enjoy! And as always dont forget the key!
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[font size="8"]Donald Trump
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OK so you know how every single election going back to 1960 theres always some sort of gigantic breaking news story like two weeks before the election that seems to favor one candidate over another that puts themselves in a position to win it all? Well it happened back in 2016 when the Comey Hillary e-mail story first broke. Trump got a taste of the high life in 2016 when he first won. This time, 4 years later, hes again try to find the proverbial October Surprise. Only this time hes completely full of shit and we know that hes completely full of shit. Trump is attempting to lay the smackdown on Hunter Biden using his fixer and its backfiring on him big time.
That is a good question why? Well Trump is a mob boss and hes using his fixer to fix the election by trying to make Hunter Biden look like the most corrupt POS on the face of the planet. But hes really not, and neither is his father. Thats the thing Trump is trying to throw shade where there isnt, and people are finally starting to see through his lies and red tape, and are finally getting bored of the MAGA movement in general. But what about Trumps own kids mainly his daughter Ivanka and her equally shady husband Jared?
Um just a little? This is a whole lot of shade. Its a boat load of shade. And once again like literally all things with Trump, it all comes back to Russia. Thats right the Russkies might be involved in influencing Trumps Hunter Biden smear. I mean isnt it obvious by now? If you hang with Trump youre going to get a virus, and the Russians might be involved somehow. But really its seriously weird how everything with Trump almost always comes back to Russia.
And speaking of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, the GOPs equivalent of Kevin Bacon, Rudy Guilaini, somehow has his creepy claws in this story and well this is where it gets weird. And once again he tends to fuck everything up that he touches. And if the mob Trump and Guiliani are involved thats when things start to go fuck up. Just remember kids if Rudy comes out and sees his shadow, that means 8 more months of nuclear winter!
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[font size="8"]Donald Trump
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We are literally two weeks away from the election where we will hopefully send our current and inexplicable president Donald Trump and the Christian right the eviction notice that they wholeheartedly deserve. And hes losing it big time. I wanted to talk about his Iowa rally but then he had to come to my home turf of Orange County and throw quite the shit show of one of last and final stops on the World COVID Deplorable Tour 2020. The venue? Newport Beach and the support? None other than the legendary group the Beach Boys. And thats mainly what I wanted to talk about for this entry the feud between the Beach Boys is still going strong 60 years later!
Yes, wouldnt it be nice? I mean even two of the original Beach Boys thats Brian Wilson and Al Jardine have condemned this idiotic fundraiser appearance. And were still in the middle of the COVID pandemic so that makes having concerts even worse! So yes the third remaining original member of the legendary group Mike Love is a MAGA! So the Beach Boys were already apart as a band, Mike Love being a MAGA is making it even worse!
That was the Beach Boys way back when! I can hear grandparents back then complaining about music then, and our grandparents complain about music now, and soon when were grandparents, well be complaining about our grandkids music! See how that cycle works? And speaking of grandpa complaining about music, actual musicians are weighing in on this controversy, like David Crosby, for instance!
Wrong band, man! Oh and you know how when a musician starts talking about their political opinions and then a million people jump on them and yell STAY IN YOUR LANE!!!. Well our good friend Jason Isbell, of his band Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, has a solution for that. And that is basically to shut the fuck up! And we support this opinion whole-heartedly! Just shut up and sing and pay the troll toll!
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[font size="8"]California Republicans
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Sigh this is why we dont get nice things. As you know the governor of my home state, the great state of California, is in a war with Trump over funding for disaster relief. And then Trump did what he always does flip flop! You dont mess with the Newsom! Yes, thats the title of this weeks edition and it was the best I could come up with at the time. But thats not what this entry is about. The republicans of California are pure fucking evil. I mean come on, were the state that gave the country Devin Nunes of all people. This week the California conservatives have been caught trying to rig the election and theyre failing miserably at it.
Yeah wheres that lawyer when you need him? Seriously if youre in one of the counties affected by the fake ballot boxes, you might want to register for Track My Ballot. But yeah this is a fight that started out with some intention and then just fizzled out. Make no mistake that the GOP is trying to rig the election and so far the numerous attempts they have had is almost like Natasha and Boris trying to catch Moose and Squirrel! Ha, I pulled that reference out of my hat!
Now heres where this fight gets weird and you knew it was going to. Of course Ive been saying this about everything thats been happening in this incredibly shitty and dark year that is 2020. So pretty close to where we tape the Top 10 in normal times is the town of Baldwin Park thats the home to Knotts Berry Farm, dont you know? Well, a ballot box caught fire there and well, it might be arson.
Yeah so everything burns, and so do ballot boxes. This is getting seriously scary and we have 13 days until the election people! We need to get our shit together! We have Joe Biden, or the biggest asshole whos ever called himself a leader since Adolf Hitler. The good news is that the criminals will be found and prosecuted and the FBI is on it!
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[font size="8"]Black Rappers
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Black Rappers, what the hell is wrong with you? Have you been listening to Kanye again? Dont you know thats bad for you? Well Im sure that you saw Ice Cube trending on Twitter last week. You know Ice Cube friend of the show. Multi-platinum recording artist. Star of some of the best comedies and movies of the last 20 years. And now apparently hes a MAGA for some reason. Well lets get to the bottom of this controversy. Because last week, somehow he was outed as a MAGA, and social media just collectively lost their shit. But if youre like Mr. Cube and you somehow see this election as a lesser of two evils, cant you see that Biden is the lesser of two evils? I mean really?
So that begs the question is Ice Cube a MAGA or not? Well in addition to the Ice Cube controversy, another rapper has thrown his hat into the political ring. 50 Cent has outed himself as a MAGA because wait for it Trump is promising to lower his taxes! God after this election is over, I need to go take a cold shower, and bury my head in the sand until January 20th. Yes, 50 Cent is a MAGA.
Roll credits! Now heres where it gets weird. And you knew it was going to. Apparently Eric Trump got a hold of a picture that shows Ice Cube and 50 Cent together to apparently prove some bizarre theory that the two know each other, naturally they must be MAGA BFFs right? I mean seriously thats the kind of shit third world dictators do to prove that people like them, when secretly we despise their guts!
But wait! Theres more! Heres where it gets even weirder! The idiot Trump brothers are attempting to race bait Joe Biden and its backfiring on them! This is one of the strangest stories in the hip hop world since the Bernie Sanders / Public Enemy debacle back in March (see: Top 10 #8-9 ). Bottom line is that you dont mix politics and hip-hop, and were saying this since we know Ice Cube wrote a song about Trump called Arrest The President!
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[font size="8"]Top 10 Investigates: Hydroxychloroquine II
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Its time to investigate beyond the headlines! This is Top 10 Investigates!
Science is desperate to find a cure for the novel coronavirus that showed up back in March and has wrecked our lives and ruined this year. But so far many attempts have been tried and almost none have succeeded. In fact since President Trump came into contact with COVID-19, his methods of treatment have been questionable at best. Most notably in the spotlight is hydroxcholorquine, a drug that is commonly used to treat lyme disease. It has been adopted by the anti-mask movement as a symbol that COVID can be cured. But can it really? In fact new studies have proven just the opposite and that a lot of the proven cures for COVID are nothing more than bogus snake oil. Heres what the FDA is finding out lately.
Except that Panda Virus isnt really a thing. At least were hoping thats not a thing. So hydroxycholorquine is proving to be nothing more than a bunch of snake oil. Now that said, the anti-maskers are making a claim that Uganda has a low case count because theyve embraced hyrdoxycholorquine in the EasternAfrican country. Thats simply not the case. That is shocking, we know. But we live in a world where facts are irrelevant!
So hydroxychloroquine Is a no. But what about the presidents other drug of choice, Remdesivir? That on the other hand has been proven to work. If you listen to actual scientists instead of your creepy racist uncle on Facebook, then you know that Remdesivir is a drug that is worth exploring further. But dont buy into the conspiracy theories surrounding hydroxychloroquine on Facebook, because those simply arent true.
So the next time anyone you know starts spouting conspiracy theories based on hydroxycholorquine on Facebook, you might just want to know that its a steaming load of bullshit. Also keep in mind that politicians and senators who are praising the drug have absolutely no idea what they are talking about, and that we need a president who listens to science, not quacks. Unfortunately right now we have a president who listens to quacks and we wont get any real answers anytime soon.
Thats it this week for Top 10 Investigates! Good day!
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[font size="8"]Holy Shit
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Gather around my fair brothers and sisters! Its time to take a seat in the virtual pew make an online donation in the LAWRDs virtual collection plate, for the Holy Church Of The Top 10 has convened and its time to remind you that the holiest among us are the most full of:
My fair virtual congregation! You know the world is very weird and a very dark place right now. And it doesnt get much darker than the Vatican. Now weve been avoiding this topic as much as we can because its our policy not to make fun of extremely dark situations. So this week, I am instead going to marvel at the utter insanity that is the Holy Catholic Church. Because as the Dude himself said, this aggression will not stand, man! I mean this situation is so utterly horrifying, but hey what happens at the Vatican stays at the Vatican, am I right? Well, Holy Mother Church has a much different talking point than what were used to on this subject.
Now seriously, why the fuck would any parent allow their boys to participate in the Catholic Church these days knowing what everybody knows about this religion? I mean this is so fucked up that theres no way you could possibly make fun of it, so we wont try. Really if the Catholics want to earn respect I think they need to clean up their organization and this is going to be a start at least!
Yeah but definitely not this! I mean I really might have to go take a cold shower after this because its insane. But how does the church keep getting away with this? Its because they dont care, the Vatican controls the laws for the priests to follow, they can keep pushing back the actual trials as long as they want to! Im not a lawyer but Im pretty sure thats not how the law works! Oh wait, they want GAWDs law! Because GAWD and JAYSUS rule all!
Something tells me I dont want to see video of that meeting, but I am sure that it went like that! But you might think these are the only trials involving priests. Oh no my fair congregation! This isnt a comedy this is a horror movie! I mean even Kevin Smith couldnt come up with something as creepy and weird as the modern day Catholic Church. Like I said I might need to go take a cold shower after this one because this was pretty disturbing, my friends!
Holy shit indeed! Whew, this one got dark! My producer is getting fired tomorrow and were never touching this subject again! Mass has ended, may you go in peace! Thats it this week for:
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[font size="8"]This Fucking Guy
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This weeks This Fucking Guy is actually a twofer Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump. While their father, the 45th president of the United States, and is somehow still inexplicably holding onto the job, Donald J. Trump, is trying to throw shade at Joe Bidens son Hunter Biden, lets not forget these two exist! Lets first not forget that these are what one might call children of privilege in that theyve grown up around obscene wealth and their father is also president! Man I bet that makes for some awkward Thanksgivings and Christmases, doesnt it? Well lets look at where the two are headed for the rest of the campaign trail! Trump Jr and his crazy girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle are headed to Woodstock because reasons.
Yeah thats what happens when you dont get the rights to your songs or character! But that said the Trump clan is full of some absolutely shady characters. What is Trump Jr campaigning about? Well he claims that his campaign And heres the thing Don Jr. Big Tech is not out to get conservatives, thats a steaming load of bullshit. They are however, out to get assholes. Being conservative and being an asshole tend to go hand in hand!
Yeah cue the Sad Hulk Music for that one! So while Donny Jr is sitting in bed wallowing in his sorrows about how social media websites are big meanie heads and wont let him say the racist and sexist drivel conservatives are known for, his brother Eric Trump is proving to be just as big of a moron as he is! Yes, Eric is accusing Joe Biden of squatting! Yes, Eric thinks Joe Biden lives in a house he doesnt own!
And by the way in case youre wondering if they couldnt possibly be any dumber, just look at where Eric Trump was planning on having a campaign stop. Remember last week when those scary looking white guys attempted to kidnap Governor Whitman? Well one of Eric Trumps stops apparently included stopping at the gun shop where the men were known to congregate! Yeah even the best comedy writers in the world couldnt come up with this shit!
So feeling sorry for themselves because they cant be assholes on social media and campaigning at gun shops where violent government overthrows were being planned. Thats the sons of the president Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump this weeks:
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[font size="8"]Conspiracy Corner
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Yes folks its a new edition of Conspiracy Corner! When theres things in the news that cant be explained, we naturally turn to conspiracy theories. And theyre just getting weirder and nuttier by the day! We are of course coming to you live from a remote location deep in the alakali flats of the New Mexico badlands you know the same place where Walter White ran a meth lab out of the back of an RV. Just allow me to adjust my tin foil hat for maximum government interference and you know what there we go! So this week, its been announced that Facebook purveyors of getting your creepy uncles racist rants out there since 2005, is banning that Trump-loving social movement known as Q Anon, though Q Anon is really just a creepy cult!
Yes so when you surrender yourself to Q Anon, just remember that Trump is equal parts God, Rambo, John McClane, Rocky Balboa, and Dirty Harry combined. And everyone who doesnt agree with his politics is a satanic pedophile. But why do they have to bring Satan into it? Thats a mystery! Because everyone knows even Satan wouldnt do that sort of thing. Even crazier is that this is happening after the group known as Q formed! And now Q Anon is going international!
But that said
Seriously a little crazy? This a screeching violin short of being full blown Norman Bates level psychotic, and in normal times wed take people like this and lock them in insane asylums complete with straight jackets and padded walls. This is some seriously crazy shit. Conspiracy theories like Q are really nothing new, but when you consider that Trump himself is a conspiracy theorist, he is only amplifying the crazy!
Yes!!! This is a theory that goes all the way to the president! Of course all theories do go all the way to the president. After all this is the presidency of, by and for late night conspiracy theory talk shows. But what happens when a conspiracy goes too far? Its like the My Chemical Romance song says This is for the broken, the beaten and the damned.. So if you ever wonder how groups like ISIS, the Taliban, and Al Qaeda came to be, look no further than Q Anon!
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[font size="8"]People Are Dumb
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Hit it!
Of course you know by now that people are people, and people are dumb! So who is dumb this week you might ask? Well I answer you good sir or madam. I want to start with this batshit story out of the Badger State the great state of Wisconsin! We go to the town of Eau Claire for this story and it might be the single craziest People Are Dumb story that Ive ever covered Mother let dog run loose in Wisconsin Walmart and performed a series of karate moves while son stripped naked, police say. Yes that is a thing that happened! And well enough of my ramblings, I will let the story do the talking, and its one of the craziest ones yet!
Yeah Im really guessing that stripping naked in a Wal-Mart doesnt qualify as great skills, now does it? Next up rap music! Yes, even the music industry has its fair share of idiots (and yes, Im looking at you, Takeshi Six6 Nine9 or whatever your name is). But this guy might be one of the worst offenders in an industry that has spawned many! And this story is why I wanted to do a People Are Dumb segment this week. So yeah if youre going to commit fraud against the government, maybe dont sing about it before you commit the crime!
Next up dumb computers! Yes, even these machines that have so greatly enhanced (or not) our lives can also be stupid! Such is the case with the St. Johns Onion Company out of Newfoundland, Canada where their advertising for their signature product onions was apparently deemed too sexy by Facebook! I mean come on, anyone with a food fetish can certainly see the sex characteristics of the onion, with all its curves right? I mean right???
Yeah maybe dont listen to that guy! Next up good old Florida! And where would be without the craziest state in the union? Well first off if you can afford to rent a $200,000 Porsche good for you, you still have a job in 2020! But if you get to rent a car as luxurious as a Porsche, maybe dont go for a joyride in it, especially when youre the only one who rented it! Yeah that makes you easy to identify.
Thats true! Finally this week once again sticking with Americas most penis-shaped state, the great state of Florida you know that Halloween is coming up and naturally theres going to be all sorts of stories like this! And really guys, theres plenty of ways to kill demons but giving your kids guns probably isnt the best way to do this. You do know that Zombieland is just a movie right?
Thats it this week for:
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[font size="8"]Road To The White House: The Final Thought
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Welcome back to our ongoing coverage of the 2020 election to end all elections in *cue reverb* ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE!!!! Ooh that was some good reverb there. This week its our final thoughts on what has been an absolutely insane 2020 that got completely upended by a virus that has stalled campaigning and sent Joe Biden underground while Donald Trump goes and conducts business as usual which has well, not been good for him. But lets not forget about the incumbent president. While the primaries were insane and we finally have a real leader in Joe Biden, lets not forget about Trump. In fact this has had one of the worst outcomes that a presidential campaign stop can have, because well, Trump has been linked to COVID. And yes as I have repeatedly stated here, if you hang with Donald Trump, youre gonna get a virus. Im just saying it happens!
Gee, who could have seen that one coming? Were in the home stretch of the campaign and Biden is playing it safe while Trump is being completely reckless and irresponsible. But you know what? Trump is doing this for us everybody! Thats right hes an everyday con man and hes keeping you in your house and making sure you have access to all the supplies you need to keep you through this pandemic! Oh and did I mention that this is all a steaming load of bullshit?
Thats right Trump, youre fired! And lets not forget that hes such an asshole that he cant stand even the slightest bit of negative press! Thats right, and thats why hes so afraid of people like Amorosa, who wrote a tell all book two years ago! But that raises another problem hes a delinquent when it comes to paying his bills! Not only does he stiff cities with security for his rallies, he doesnt pay his bills!
Thats right everything burns! And Trump is burning money so fast that he cant seem to keep a positive balance! I wanted to talk positively about how the Democrats are handling things, but Im having way too much fun bashing Trump instead. Lets not forget the fact that the man is fucking broke and he seems to spend money faster than he can keep it. My final thought do you really want this man to continue running our government? Do you? @realDonaldTrump, guess what? Youre fired.
All right folks, this is it. This is the real deal. Ive spent 4 whole years covering the Donald J. Trump administration from the time he wormed his way down that gold escalator to his Newport Beach COVID rally. I dont need to tell you how high the stakes are here. I am preaching to the choir. Go out and vote. Get out the vote! Well be here waiting for you when you get back! We will be running a best of next week and 11/4 will go dark. We will be back in full on 11/11 with a brand new edition and I will be either in a good mood or ready to throw my TV out the window!
See you in three weeks!
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Top 10 Conservative Idiots #9-15: Wouldn't It Be Nice Edition
Top 10 Conservative Idiots #9-15: Wouldnt It Be Nice Edition
Welcome back to the Top 10 Conservative Idiots! Hows everybody doing? Are you guys doing fucking good? I know, right? This is our last Top 10 before the regular election. Now you might be wondering why is this? And I answer you, sir or madam, is that this is the most important election of our lifetime and we cant afford any screwups. I will be taking two weeks off because you dont need my commentary or tomfoolery. I mean I appreciate you viewing our little program here, but you can definitely do without me until the election. What? Just my commentary and a few mildly amusing jokes interspliced with some Simpons GIFs? Yeah no I am not needed this week or next. Because we have 14 fucking days until the end of this thing and weve covered the entirety of the Donald J. Trump administration over 4 years and 216 editions, thats 2,160 entries. And I know yall havent seen a lot of these, so if youre looking for some fresh content, just go check out one of the older editions and pretend its a new one. Im just going to sit here and browse Simpsons related Twitter feeds on my phone. Hey, I voted. Its time for everyone else to do the same! So go, go on, vote. We will come back once the dust has settled on 11/11. Once we hand Trump the eviction notice he so badly deserves, we can get back to having life again. OK thats enough of the intro. We have a lot of idiocy to get to. But first Jon Oliver is back and he delves into why the World Health Organization is important and why the US is making a mistake not to participate:
So where do we begin for our final Top 10 before the 2020 election to end all elections? The top slot this week is going to go to of course the guy who we currently and inexplicably still call president, Donald J. Trump (1). Yeah so he enlisted the reigning kings of fake news, the New York Post, in an attempt to smear Hunter Biden, and it backfired on him to the point where he and his supporters got kicked off of social media outlets! So much for the October Surprise. In the second slot this week, is also Donald J. Trump (2) and despite that theres still a raging pandemic, he isnt stopping his super-spreader rallies, and his one in Iowa last week was particularly insane. In the number 3 slot this week is California Republicans (3) they have had quite the banner week whether it was Gavin Newsom fighting with Trump or some light election fraud, weve got everything boiled down to a single entry! In the fourth slot this week is Conservative Rappers (4). Yes, this is a thing and its not just limited to Kanye, everyone from 50 Cent to Ice Cube is weighing in their opinions on the election! In the number 5 slot this week is our weekly investigative piece, Top 10 Investigates, and this week were going to take a look at COVID cures the WHO found 4 to be completely bogus, and one is Trumps favorite drug of choice, hydroxycholorquine! Im shocked, shocked I tell you! Taking the 6th slot this week is of course our weekly visit to the Holy Church Of The Top 10 in Holy Shit (6) and this week the Vatican has been putting priests on trial! Our resident pastor is going to dial up his Pope Hotline to find out whats up! Taking the 7th slot this week is a new This Fucking Guy (7) and while Trump has been harping on Hunter Biden, we profile his idiot sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr! In the 8th slot this week is a new edition of Conspiracy Corner (8) and the right still will not shut up about Benghazi and Im not going to point fingers, but it goes all the way to the president! In the number 9 (NEIN!!) slot this week we have a new I Need A Drink and this week were going to get drunk and finally talk about politics, because Ice Cube has been pegged as a Trump supporter and its causing the internet to lose their minds! But whose side is he really on? Finally this week in Road To The White House (10), its our last one before the election and were going to have our final thoughts on what has been a certainly insane primary that got hijacked by COVID-19. Enjoy! And as always dont forget the key!
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[font size="8"]Donald Trump
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OK so you know how every single election going back to 1960 theres always some sort of gigantic breaking news story like two weeks before the election that seems to favor one candidate over another that puts themselves in a position to win it all? Well it happened back in 2016 when the Comey Hillary e-mail story first broke. Trump got a taste of the high life in 2016 when he first won. This time, 4 years later, hes again try to find the proverbial October Surprise. Only this time hes completely full of shit and we know that hes completely full of shit. Trump is attempting to lay the smackdown on Hunter Biden using his fixer and its backfiring on him big time.
President Donald Trump demanded that Attorney General William Barr open an investigation of former Vice President Joe Bidens son, just two weeks before Election Day.
Weve got to get the attorney general to act, Trump said Tuesday in a phone interview with the TV show Fox & Friends, in response to a question about whether a special prosecutor should be appointed to probe unsubstantiated allegations against Hunter Biden.
And hes got to act fast. Hes got to appoint somebody, Trump added, saying it should be done before the Nov. 3 election.
The president has publicly called for Barr to probe a number of his political opponents ahead of the election, including former President Barack Obama and Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, in addition to the Bidens.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-20/trump-demands-attorney-general-barr-investigate-hunter-biden
Weve got to get the attorney general to act, Trump said Tuesday in a phone interview with the TV show Fox & Friends, in response to a question about whether a special prosecutor should be appointed to probe unsubstantiated allegations against Hunter Biden.
And hes got to act fast. Hes got to appoint somebody, Trump added, saying it should be done before the Nov. 3 election.
The president has publicly called for Barr to probe a number of his political opponents ahead of the election, including former President Barack Obama and Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, in addition to the Bidens.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-20/trump-demands-attorney-general-barr-investigate-hunter-biden
That is a good question why? Well Trump is a mob boss and hes using his fixer to fix the election by trying to make Hunter Biden look like the most corrupt POS on the face of the planet. But hes really not, and neither is his father. Thats the thing Trump is trying to throw shade where there isnt, and people are finally starting to see through his lies and red tape, and are finally getting bored of the MAGA movement in general. But what about Trumps own kids mainly his daughter Ivanka and her equally shady husband Jared?
A recent Senate committee report entitled Hunter Biden, Burisma, and Corruption: The Impact on US Government Policy and Related Concerns contains this statement: The extent to which Hunter Bidens role on Burismas board affected US policy toward Ukraine is not clear.
Translation: Despite their best efforts, Senate Republicans could find no evidence that Hunter Bidens role on the board of a Ukrainian energy company directly affected US policy toward Ukraine. If Senate Republicans had uncovered such evidence, they would deliver it, gift-wrapped, to Sean Hannity, all in the interest of tainting former vice president Joe Biden. But they could not. So, denied an official smoking gun, President Trumps political allies turned to the smoke of a New York Post story so dubious that the staff reporter who wrote much of it refused to put his name on it, The New York Times reported.
Trumps strategy is clear. His own children are brazenly trading on the Trump family name to advance the Trump Organizations business interests. Changing the subject to What about Hunter Biden? becomes a way to project the corruption spotlight onto the Bidens and away from the Trumps. Plus, if the final weeks of the campaign are all about Hunter Biden, that allows Trump to distract from what are the real issues: Trumps failed leadership, especially regarding the coronavirus pandemic; Trumps ongoing commitment to dividing the country by race and political ideology, rather than trying to unite it; and Trumps utter lack of character, integrity, and honesty.
The Hunter Biden-Burisma story isnt pretty. The Senate committee report said the work that Hunter Biden did in Ukraine, for which he was paid $50,000 a month, created a conflict of interest when his father, as vice president, was the public face of the Obama administrations handling of Ukraine. Hunter Biden who clearly has had challenges in life cashed in on his fathers name, the report said, raising concerns from at least two Obama administration officials. Still, the report found no clear connection between his role with Burisma and US policy with Ukraine. The New York Post is trying to establish one, with its story alleging that Hunter Biden helped arrange a 2015 meeting between a Burisma executive and his father. The Biden campaign says no meeting, as alleged by the Post, took place.
https://subscribe.bostonglobe.com/B6570/?p1=BG_Meter_Meter1
Translation: Despite their best efforts, Senate Republicans could find no evidence that Hunter Bidens role on the board of a Ukrainian energy company directly affected US policy toward Ukraine. If Senate Republicans had uncovered such evidence, they would deliver it, gift-wrapped, to Sean Hannity, all in the interest of tainting former vice president Joe Biden. But they could not. So, denied an official smoking gun, President Trumps political allies turned to the smoke of a New York Post story so dubious that the staff reporter who wrote much of it refused to put his name on it, The New York Times reported.
Trumps strategy is clear. His own children are brazenly trading on the Trump family name to advance the Trump Organizations business interests. Changing the subject to What about Hunter Biden? becomes a way to project the corruption spotlight onto the Bidens and away from the Trumps. Plus, if the final weeks of the campaign are all about Hunter Biden, that allows Trump to distract from what are the real issues: Trumps failed leadership, especially regarding the coronavirus pandemic; Trumps ongoing commitment to dividing the country by race and political ideology, rather than trying to unite it; and Trumps utter lack of character, integrity, and honesty.
The Hunter Biden-Burisma story isnt pretty. The Senate committee report said the work that Hunter Biden did in Ukraine, for which he was paid $50,000 a month, created a conflict of interest when his father, as vice president, was the public face of the Obama administrations handling of Ukraine. Hunter Biden who clearly has had challenges in life cashed in on his fathers name, the report said, raising concerns from at least two Obama administration officials. Still, the report found no clear connection between his role with Burisma and US policy with Ukraine. The New York Post is trying to establish one, with its story alleging that Hunter Biden helped arrange a 2015 meeting between a Burisma executive and his father. The Biden campaign says no meeting, as alleged by the Post, took place.
https://subscribe.bostonglobe.com/B6570/?p1=BG_Meter_Meter1
Um just a little? This is a whole lot of shade. Its a boat load of shade. And once again like literally all things with Trump, it all comes back to Russia. Thats right the Russkies might be involved in influencing Trumps Hunter Biden smear. I mean isnt it obvious by now? If you hang with Trump youre going to get a virus, and the Russians might be involved somehow. But really its seriously weird how everything with Trump almost always comes back to Russia.
A New York tabloids puzzling account about how it acquired emails purportedly from Joe Bidens son has raised some red flags. One of the biggest involves the source of the emails: Rudy Giuliani.
Giuliani has traveled abroad looking for dirt on the Bidens, developing relationships with shadowy figures, including a Ukrainian lawmaker who U.S. officials have described as a Russian agent and part of a broader Russian effort to denigrate the Democratic presidential nominee.
Yet Giuliani says foreign sources didnt provide the Hunter Biden emails. He says a laptop containing the emails and intimate photos was simply abandoned in a Delaware repair shop and the shop owner reached out to Giulianis lawyer.
That hasnt stopped the FBI from investigating whether the emails are part of a foreign influence operation. The emails have surfaced as U.S. officials have been warning that Russia, which backed Trumps 2016 campaign through hacking of Democratic emails and a covert social media campaign, is interfering again this year. The latest episode with Giuliani underscores the risk he poses to a White House that spent years confronted by a federal investigation into whether Trump associates had coordinated with Russia.
https://www.nbc15.com/2020/10/18/fbi-probing-if-russia-involved-in-hunter-biden-email-story/
Giuliani has traveled abroad looking for dirt on the Bidens, developing relationships with shadowy figures, including a Ukrainian lawmaker who U.S. officials have described as a Russian agent and part of a broader Russian effort to denigrate the Democratic presidential nominee.
Yet Giuliani says foreign sources didnt provide the Hunter Biden emails. He says a laptop containing the emails and intimate photos was simply abandoned in a Delaware repair shop and the shop owner reached out to Giulianis lawyer.
That hasnt stopped the FBI from investigating whether the emails are part of a foreign influence operation. The emails have surfaced as U.S. officials have been warning that Russia, which backed Trumps 2016 campaign through hacking of Democratic emails and a covert social media campaign, is interfering again this year. The latest episode with Giuliani underscores the risk he poses to a White House that spent years confronted by a federal investigation into whether Trump associates had coordinated with Russia.
https://www.nbc15.com/2020/10/18/fbi-probing-if-russia-involved-in-hunter-biden-email-story/
And speaking of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, the GOPs equivalent of Kevin Bacon, Rudy Guilaini, somehow has his creepy claws in this story and well this is where it gets weird. And once again he tends to fuck everything up that he touches. And if the mob Trump and Guiliani are involved thats when things start to go fuck up. Just remember kids if Rudy comes out and sees his shadow, that means 8 more months of nuclear winter!
When the New York Post published the alleged contents of a computer hard drive purporting to document the Ukrainian and Chinese business activities of Hunter Biden, the newspaper cast the information as a "smoking gun."
Enter the FBI.
Less than three weeks before one of the most contentious presidential campaigns in history, federal authorities are investigating whether the material supplied to the Post by Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, is part of a smoke bomb of disinformation pushed by Russia.
The inquiry, according to a person familiar with the matter, is at least in part, aimed at determining whether Russia has set its sights on a familiar target: Biden's father, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. The person is not authorized to comment on the matter publicly and asked not to be named in order to speak candidly.
The FBI has declined to comment, refusing to either confirm or deny the existence of an investigation.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/10/17/fbi-probes-possible-russia-link-hunter-biden-data-trump-ally-giuliani/3661895001/
Enter the FBI.
Less than three weeks before one of the most contentious presidential campaigns in history, federal authorities are investigating whether the material supplied to the Post by Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, is part of a smoke bomb of disinformation pushed by Russia.
The inquiry, according to a person familiar with the matter, is at least in part, aimed at determining whether Russia has set its sights on a familiar target: Biden's father, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. The person is not authorized to comment on the matter publicly and asked not to be named in order to speak candidly.
The FBI has declined to comment, refusing to either confirm or deny the existence of an investigation.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/10/17/fbi-probes-possible-russia-link-hunter-biden-data-trump-ally-giuliani/3661895001/
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[font size="8"]Donald Trump
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We are literally two weeks away from the election where we will hopefully send our current and inexplicable president Donald Trump and the Christian right the eviction notice that they wholeheartedly deserve. And hes losing it big time. I wanted to talk about his Iowa rally but then he had to come to my home turf of Orange County and throw quite the shit show of one of last and final stops on the World COVID Deplorable Tour 2020. The venue? Newport Beach and the support? None other than the legendary group the Beach Boys. And thats mainly what I wanted to talk about for this entry the feud between the Beach Boys is still going strong 60 years later!
Two of the original Beach Boys, Brian Wilson and Al Jardine, made it clear on Sunday they had no part in the performance at a fundraiser for President Trump by the current touring version of their group headed by Mike Love.
Speaking to Variety through a spokesperson, Wilson and Jardine said, We have absolutely nothing to do with the Trump benefit today in Newport Beach. Zero. We didnt even know about it and were very surprised to read about it in the Los Angeles Times.
The Beach Boys performed on Sunday at a short fundraising event in Orange County where ticket prices started at $2,800 and went as high as $150,000.
This is not the first time the two members have chosen to disassociate themselves with the band's appearances at a Trump event. In February they both signed on to a Change.org petition calling for a boycott of the touring Beach Boys due to the group headlining an event at the Safari Club International where Donald Trump Jr. was a keynote speaker. In a statement they said they were both strongly opposed to trophy hunting, which the organization supports.
https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/521674-al-jardine-denounce-beach-boys-appearance-at-trump-fundraiser
Speaking to Variety through a spokesperson, Wilson and Jardine said, We have absolutely nothing to do with the Trump benefit today in Newport Beach. Zero. We didnt even know about it and were very surprised to read about it in the Los Angeles Times.
The Beach Boys performed on Sunday at a short fundraising event in Orange County where ticket prices started at $2,800 and went as high as $150,000.
This is not the first time the two members have chosen to disassociate themselves with the band's appearances at a Trump event. In February they both signed on to a Change.org petition calling for a boycott of the touring Beach Boys due to the group headlining an event at the Safari Club International where Donald Trump Jr. was a keynote speaker. In a statement they said they were both strongly opposed to trophy hunting, which the organization supports.
https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/521674-al-jardine-denounce-beach-boys-appearance-at-trump-fundraiser
Yes, wouldnt it be nice? I mean even two of the original Beach Boys thats Brian Wilson and Al Jardine have condemned this idiotic fundraiser appearance. And were still in the middle of the COVID pandemic so that makes having concerts even worse! So yes the third remaining original member of the legendary group Mike Love is a MAGA! So the Beach Boys were already apart as a band, Mike Love being a MAGA is making it even worse!
On Sunday, for somewhere between $2,800 and $150,000, you could go see the Beach Boys play a Donald Trump fundraiser in Newport Beach, California. The idea was to help solve a cash flow problem for Trumpno one really thinks about how Orange County, California, is an ATM machine, Jon Fleischman, a former Republican state official, told the Los Angeles Times. Whether or not the event raised enough money to meaningfully help Trump, it has at least revived an intra-Beach Boys rift.
The Beach Boys touring group is currently led by Mike Love, but doesnt include all the members most associated with the bands best-known work. We have absolutely nothing to do with the Trump benefit today in Newport Beach. Zero, Brian Wilson and Al Jardine told Variety through a spokesperson. We didnt even know about it and were very surprised to read about it in the Los Angeles Times.
As the trade noted, the last time all the surviving members of the Beach Boys performed together was in 2012, for a 50th anniversary tour. More recently, Wilson and Jardine have toured together under Wilsons name, sometimes playing Beach Boys songs, while Love has the license to use the band name for his concerts.
https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/10/trump-california-fundraiser-beach-boys-rift
The Beach Boys touring group is currently led by Mike Love, but doesnt include all the members most associated with the bands best-known work. We have absolutely nothing to do with the Trump benefit today in Newport Beach. Zero, Brian Wilson and Al Jardine told Variety through a spokesperson. We didnt even know about it and were very surprised to read about it in the Los Angeles Times.
As the trade noted, the last time all the surviving members of the Beach Boys performed together was in 2012, for a 50th anniversary tour. More recently, Wilson and Jardine have toured together under Wilsons name, sometimes playing Beach Boys songs, while Love has the license to use the band name for his concerts.
https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/10/trump-california-fundraiser-beach-boys-rift
That was the Beach Boys way back when! I can hear grandparents back then complaining about music then, and our grandparents complain about music now, and soon when were grandparents, well be complaining about our grandkids music! See how that cycle works? And speaking of grandpa complaining about music, actual musicians are weighing in on this controversy, like David Crosby, for instance!
David Crosby has laid criticism on Mike Love, saying on Twitter that the Beach Boys co-founder and vocalist most assuredly has no talent at all.
Mike Love currently helms the touring edition of the Beach Boys without co-founders Brian Wilson and Al Jardine which just a few days ago (18 October) headlined a Trump fundraiser at Newport Beach, California.
A Twitter follower asked Crosby: What do you think about the Beach Boys voting to let Mike Love use the name of the band to endorse the cult leader? To which the Byrds co-founder replied, Those arent the Beach Boys and I doubt they voted.
Mike Love is, in the opinion of almost every musician I know, a shithead, most assuredly has no talent at all, and, as you can probably tell I just dont like him, Crosby continued.
https://guitar.com/news/music-news/david-crosby-beach-boys-mike-love/
Mike Love currently helms the touring edition of the Beach Boys without co-founders Brian Wilson and Al Jardine which just a few days ago (18 October) headlined a Trump fundraiser at Newport Beach, California.
A Twitter follower asked Crosby: What do you think about the Beach Boys voting to let Mike Love use the name of the band to endorse the cult leader? To which the Byrds co-founder replied, Those arent the Beach Boys and I doubt they voted.
Mike Love is, in the opinion of almost every musician I know, a shithead, most assuredly has no talent at all, and, as you can probably tell I just dont like him, Crosby continued.
https://guitar.com/news/music-news/david-crosby-beach-boys-mike-love/
Wrong band, man! Oh and you know how when a musician starts talking about their political opinions and then a million people jump on them and yell STAY IN YOUR LANE!!!. Well our good friend Jason Isbell, of his band Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, has a solution for that. And that is basically to shut the fuck up! And we support this opinion whole-heartedly! Just shut up and sing and pay the troll toll!
If Jason Isbell had five bucks for every time a trolls tweeted at him to shut up and sing, he might not be able to purchase his second 1959 Les Paul but possibly a 1969 Les Paul. And definitely a 79 Paul.
In addition to being a Grammy winning musician, one of rocks great comeback stories and perhaps his generations most revered lyricist, Isbell is known for being politically outspoken.
Outspoken in interviews. And on social media. And of course, in his songwriting. Be Afraid a single from his latest album Reunions, even contains the lyric: We dont take requests/We wont shut up and sing/Tell the truth enough/You find it rhymes with everything.
Isbell, a Green Hill native and former Shoals resident, leans left politically. OK, more than leans.
https://www.al.com/life/2020/10/jason-isbell-why-not-ask-beach-boys-to-shut-up-and-sing-after-trump-support.html
In addition to being a Grammy winning musician, one of rocks great comeback stories and perhaps his generations most revered lyricist, Isbell is known for being politically outspoken.
Outspoken in interviews. And on social media. And of course, in his songwriting. Be Afraid a single from his latest album Reunions, even contains the lyric: We dont take requests/We wont shut up and sing/Tell the truth enough/You find it rhymes with everything.
Isbell, a Green Hill native and former Shoals resident, leans left politically. OK, more than leans.
https://www.al.com/life/2020/10/jason-isbell-why-not-ask-beach-boys-to-shut-up-and-sing-after-trump-support.html
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[font size="8"]California Republicans
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Sigh this is why we dont get nice things. As you know the governor of my home state, the great state of California, is in a war with Trump over funding for disaster relief. And then Trump did what he always does flip flop! You dont mess with the Newsom! Yes, thats the title of this weeks edition and it was the best I could come up with at the time. But thats not what this entry is about. The republicans of California are pure fucking evil. I mean come on, were the state that gave the country Devin Nunes of all people. This week the California conservatives have been caught trying to rig the election and theyre failing miserably at it.
California officials lowered the temperature Friday in their legal standoff with the California Republican Party over its unauthorized ballot boxes, saying the party had committed to enough changes for now to satisfy their concerns.
Secretary of State Alex Padilla, a Democrat, said the state GOP had agreed to no longer deploy these unstaffed, unsecured and unofficial ballot drop boxes. The practice had drawn national interest as the major parties jockey for seats in California congressional battlegrounds that Democrats won in the 2018 midterms and as Republicans continue to attack the state's election system.
In an earlier response to Padilla, the California Republican Party said it would continue to accept mail ballots at boxes but promised some safeguards: The boxes will be attended to whenever the public has access to them, and ballots will be secured and then delivered to elections officials within the required 72-hour frame, the party said. The party pledged to not represent those boxes as official, saying a volunteer had done so in error, while arguing that the process was legal due to a 2018 law that loosened collection requirements.
"If they want to continue ballot collection activity, that is legal in California, but they must abide by state law around the ballot collection program," Padilla said.
https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2020/10/16/california-allows-republican-ballot-boxes-with-safeguards-1326076
Secretary of State Alex Padilla, a Democrat, said the state GOP had agreed to no longer deploy these unstaffed, unsecured and unofficial ballot drop boxes. The practice had drawn national interest as the major parties jockey for seats in California congressional battlegrounds that Democrats won in the 2018 midterms and as Republicans continue to attack the state's election system.
In an earlier response to Padilla, the California Republican Party said it would continue to accept mail ballots at boxes but promised some safeguards: The boxes will be attended to whenever the public has access to them, and ballots will be secured and then delivered to elections officials within the required 72-hour frame, the party said. The party pledged to not represent those boxes as official, saying a volunteer had done so in error, while arguing that the process was legal due to a 2018 law that loosened collection requirements.
"If they want to continue ballot collection activity, that is legal in California, but they must abide by state law around the ballot collection program," Padilla said.
https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2020/10/16/california-allows-republican-ballot-boxes-with-safeguards-1326076
Yeah wheres that lawyer when you need him? Seriously if youre in one of the counties affected by the fake ballot boxes, you might want to register for Track My Ballot. But yeah this is a fight that started out with some intention and then just fizzled out. Make no mistake that the GOP is trying to rig the election and so far the numerous attempts they have had is almost like Natasha and Boris trying to catch Moose and Squirrel! Ha, I pulled that reference out of my hat!
In a press conference seemingly designed to deescalate a week-long legal standoff, declare victory and profoundly confuse the California press corps, Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Secretary of State Alex Padilla said they would not be taking legal action against the California Republican Party for its makeshift ballot box program.
But the two Democrats insisted that the GOP had changed policy in response to their warnings a claim the Republicans denied.
We are not going to mother or shepherd someone through every day of activity, but what we are trying to do is make it clear what the law requires, said Becerra, two days after he threatened the California Republican Party with criminal prosecution.
We are prepared to enforce those requirements of the law and we wait to see what the Republican Party does. Based on what we find the evidence to be in terms of their activities, that will determine what we do.
When reporters noted that state Republican Party officials said that, in fact, they would be continuing on with their program as planned, the attorney general said that it was the deeds not the words that count. He also said that his office is issuing subpoenas and would continue to monitor the program.
https://www.abc10.com/article/news/politics/ballot-box-battle-california/103-dfa267a8-c876-4187-8c9e-3a68b148e5d7
But the two Democrats insisted that the GOP had changed policy in response to their warnings a claim the Republicans denied.
We are not going to mother or shepherd someone through every day of activity, but what we are trying to do is make it clear what the law requires, said Becerra, two days after he threatened the California Republican Party with criminal prosecution.
We are prepared to enforce those requirements of the law and we wait to see what the Republican Party does. Based on what we find the evidence to be in terms of their activities, that will determine what we do.
When reporters noted that state Republican Party officials said that, in fact, they would be continuing on with their program as planned, the attorney general said that it was the deeds not the words that count. He also said that his office is issuing subpoenas and would continue to monitor the program.
https://www.abc10.com/article/news/politics/ballot-box-battle-california/103-dfa267a8-c876-4187-8c9e-3a68b148e5d7
Now heres where this fight gets weird and you knew it was going to. Of course Ive been saying this about everything thats been happening in this incredibly shitty and dark year that is 2020. So pretty close to where we tape the Top 10 in normal times is the town of Baldwin Park thats the home to Knotts Berry Farm, dont you know? Well, a ballot box caught fire there and well, it might be arson.
The arson of an official ballot drop box
has all the signs of an attempt to disenfranchise voters and call into question the security of our elections, Hilda L Solis, LA county supervisor, said in a statement, adding that the county has asked the state attorney general and FBI to investigate.
The LA county registrars office, which oversees the elections in the states largest county, has not responded to questions about how many ballots were affected, but said officials had last collected ballots from the site at 10am on Saturday. The fire was reported around 8pm on Sunday, and the damaged drop box location has since remained closed.
A fire department spokeswoman said three arson investigators were dispatched to the scene, and that the fire department spent nearly two hours on site responding to the blaze.
George Silva, a local resident who saw the fire on Sunday night while on a bike ride, told the Guardian firefighters initially struggled to put out the blaze.
I saw a lot of smoke coming out of the ballot box, said Silva, 33, who lives nearby in Baldwin Park, a majority Latino city in south LA county. Clearly somebody lit something and threw it in there. Theres no way this was an accident. Its completely outrageous.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/19/la-drop-box-fire-ballots-damaged-suspected-arson-attack
The LA county registrars office, which oversees the elections in the states largest county, has not responded to questions about how many ballots were affected, but said officials had last collected ballots from the site at 10am on Saturday. The fire was reported around 8pm on Sunday, and the damaged drop box location has since remained closed.
A fire department spokeswoman said three arson investigators were dispatched to the scene, and that the fire department spent nearly two hours on site responding to the blaze.
George Silva, a local resident who saw the fire on Sunday night while on a bike ride, told the Guardian firefighters initially struggled to put out the blaze.
I saw a lot of smoke coming out of the ballot box, said Silva, 33, who lives nearby in Baldwin Park, a majority Latino city in south LA county. Clearly somebody lit something and threw it in there. Theres no way this was an accident. Its completely outrageous.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/19/la-drop-box-fire-ballots-damaged-suspected-arson-attack
Yeah so everything burns, and so do ballot boxes. This is getting seriously scary and we have 13 days until the election people! We need to get our shit together! We have Joe Biden, or the biggest asshole whos ever called himself a leader since Adolf Hitler. The good news is that the criminals will be found and prosecuted and the FBI is on it!
"This attack on a county ballot drop box was reprehensible,'' Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said about the Sunday night fire. "Burning ballots is not just vandalism, it is an attack on our democracy and on our residents' right to vote. Whoever did this must be found and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Crews responded to the 4100 block of Baldwin Park Boulevard, outside the Baldwin Park Library, around 8:30 p.m. and quickly put out the fire.
Inside the box were some 200 ballots, according to the Mayor of Baldwin Park Manuel Lozano.
"What we do know is that there were 230 pieces," Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan told reporters.
County officials last picked up ballots from the drop box location on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 10:10 a.m., according to the county's registrar's office.
https://www.foxla.com/news/fbi-notified-of-arson-investigation-after-ballot-drop-box-set-on-fire-in-baldwin-park
Crews responded to the 4100 block of Baldwin Park Boulevard, outside the Baldwin Park Library, around 8:30 p.m. and quickly put out the fire.
Inside the box were some 200 ballots, according to the Mayor of Baldwin Park Manuel Lozano.
"What we do know is that there were 230 pieces," Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan told reporters.
County officials last picked up ballots from the drop box location on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 10:10 a.m., according to the county's registrar's office.
https://www.foxla.com/news/fbi-notified-of-arson-investigation-after-ballot-drop-box-set-on-fire-in-baldwin-park
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[font size="8"]Black Rappers
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Black Rappers, what the hell is wrong with you? Have you been listening to Kanye again? Dont you know thats bad for you? Well Im sure that you saw Ice Cube trending on Twitter last week. You know Ice Cube friend of the show. Multi-platinum recording artist. Star of some of the best comedies and movies of the last 20 years. And now apparently hes a MAGA for some reason. Well lets get to the bottom of this controversy. Because last week, somehow he was outed as a MAGA, and social media just collectively lost their shit. But if youre like Mr. Cube and you somehow see this election as a lesser of two evils, cant you see that Biden is the lesser of two evils? I mean really?
Ice Cube, like many Americans, is looking at the upcoming presidential election as a battle of the lesser of two evils.
On Wednesday President Trump's Senior Advisor Katrina Peirson tweeted that rap legend Ice Cube is working with his administration to help develop The Platinum Plan. This proposal is a list of deliverables to the Black Community in the form of jobs, health care, and education.
Ice Cube soon put out a tweet of his own confirming that he had reached out to both the Democratic and Republican parties about discussing his Contract With Black America (CWBA). According to the 51-year-old rapper/actor/director, Democrats wanted to wait until after the election to talk about the CWBA. Trump's campaign, on the other hand, made adjustments to their plan, and is presumably using it as a method to gain the Black vote.
Many on social media were left speechless. Why would one of the most vocal Trump detractors and pioneers of gangsta rap align himself with the genre's biggest enemy?
https://www.popdust.com/is-hip-hop-conservative-2648222330.html
On Wednesday President Trump's Senior Advisor Katrina Peirson tweeted that rap legend Ice Cube is working with his administration to help develop The Platinum Plan. This proposal is a list of deliverables to the Black Community in the form of jobs, health care, and education.
Ice Cube soon put out a tweet of his own confirming that he had reached out to both the Democratic and Republican parties about discussing his Contract With Black America (CWBA). According to the 51-year-old rapper/actor/director, Democrats wanted to wait until after the election to talk about the CWBA. Trump's campaign, on the other hand, made adjustments to their plan, and is presumably using it as a method to gain the Black vote.
Many on social media were left speechless. Why would one of the most vocal Trump detractors and pioneers of gangsta rap align himself with the genre's biggest enemy?
https://www.popdust.com/is-hip-hop-conservative-2648222330.html
So that begs the question is Ice Cube a MAGA or not? Well in addition to the Ice Cube controversy, another rapper has thrown his hat into the political ring. 50 Cent has outed himself as a MAGA because wait for it Trump is promising to lower his taxes! God after this election is over, I need to go take a cold shower, and bury my head in the sand until January 20th. Yes, 50 Cent is a MAGA.
An October surprise for the ages.
In a stunning announcement that surely portends something, rapper 50 Cent has endorsed President Trump for another term in office after previously criticizing him for the nations coronavirus failures.
The change of heart appears to have originated from 50 Cent seeing a graphic that shows Joe Bidens tax proposal from the CNBC program Power Lunch.
The Biden tax plan only applies to people making more than $400,000 a year.
50 Cent immediately moves close to the top of the list of celebrities who have endorsed Donald Trump, which includes Kid Rock, Jon Voight, Roseanne Barr, Kirstie Alley, Scott Baio and several others.
https://www.nydailynews.com/snyde/ny-50-cent-endorses-president-trump-20201019-57eibalflnamraejdwdu4p6zmi-story.html
In a stunning announcement that surely portends something, rapper 50 Cent has endorsed President Trump for another term in office after previously criticizing him for the nations coronavirus failures.
The change of heart appears to have originated from 50 Cent seeing a graphic that shows Joe Bidens tax proposal from the CNBC program Power Lunch.
The Biden tax plan only applies to people making more than $400,000 a year.
50 Cent immediately moves close to the top of the list of celebrities who have endorsed Donald Trump, which includes Kid Rock, Jon Voight, Roseanne Barr, Kirstie Alley, Scott Baio and several others.
https://www.nydailynews.com/snyde/ny-50-cent-endorses-president-trump-20201019-57eibalflnamraejdwdu4p6zmi-story.html
Roll credits! Now heres where it gets weird. And you knew it was going to. Apparently Eric Trump got a hold of a picture that shows Ice Cube and 50 Cent together to apparently prove some bizarre theory that the two know each other, naturally they must be MAGA BFFs right? I mean seriously thats the kind of shit third world dictators do to prove that people like them, when secretly we despise their guts!
Eric Trump on Tuesday shared a manipulated photo on Twitter of rappers Ice Cube and 50 Cent wearing Trump hats after both made headlines over endorsing or appearing to work with his father, President Trump.
The doctored photo, which has since been taken down, featured Ice Cube and 50 Cent sitting together, both wearing hats that say Trump 2020.
Two great, courageous Americans, Eric Trump tweeted along with the image.
Ice Cube tweeted the original photo in July as part of a birthday message to 50 Cent. In the original, both rappers are wearing baseball caps with sports logos. Ice Cubes hat says Big 3, and 50 Cent's has a New York Yankees logo.
Ice Cube gained attention last week after Trump campaign adviser Katrina Pierson said he was working with the administration on its platform for African Americans.
https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/521898-eric-trump-shares-manipulated-photo-of-ice-cube-and-50-cent-in
The doctored photo, which has since been taken down, featured Ice Cube and 50 Cent sitting together, both wearing hats that say Trump 2020.
Two great, courageous Americans, Eric Trump tweeted along with the image.
Ice Cube tweeted the original photo in July as part of a birthday message to 50 Cent. In the original, both rappers are wearing baseball caps with sports logos. Ice Cubes hat says Big 3, and 50 Cent's has a New York Yankees logo.
Ice Cube gained attention last week after Trump campaign adviser Katrina Pierson said he was working with the administration on its platform for African Americans.
https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/521898-eric-trump-shares-manipulated-photo-of-ice-cube-and-50-cent-in
But wait! Theres more! Heres where it gets even weirder! The idiot Trump brothers are attempting to race bait Joe Biden and its backfiring on them! This is one of the strangest stories in the hip hop world since the Bernie Sanders / Public Enemy debacle back in March (see: Top 10 #8-9 ). Bottom line is that you dont mix politics and hip-hop, and were saying this since we know Ice Cube wrote a song about Trump called Arrest The President!
Rapper Ice Cube responded to a tweet from President Donald Trump's son Eric Trump on Tuesday morning, after Trump praised him and rapper 50 Cent for "supporting" Trump's re-election campaign.
Trump shared a doctored photo of the two rappers sitting side by side, both wearing "Trump 2020" hats. The president's son called them, "Two great, courageous Americans," but Ice Cube was seemingly not pleased by the manipulated image.
"N***a please," the former N.W.A. member wrote in a quote tweet.
Eric Trump has since deleted the tweet, but it was shared in a screenshot by Buzzfeed media editor Craig Silverman. He also included a tweet from Ice Cube that included the unedited photograph of 50 Cent and Ice Cube wearing a Yankee hat and Big 3 hat, respectively.
https://www.newsweek.com/ice-cube-slaps-down-eric-trump-after-his-tweet-praising-rapper-50-cent-1540664
Trump shared a doctored photo of the two rappers sitting side by side, both wearing "Trump 2020" hats. The president's son called them, "Two great, courageous Americans," but Ice Cube was seemingly not pleased by the manipulated image.
"N***a please," the former N.W.A. member wrote in a quote tweet.
Eric Trump has since deleted the tweet, but it was shared in a screenshot by Buzzfeed media editor Craig Silverman. He also included a tweet from Ice Cube that included the unedited photograph of 50 Cent and Ice Cube wearing a Yankee hat and Big 3 hat, respectively.
https://www.newsweek.com/ice-cube-slaps-down-eric-trump-after-his-tweet-praising-rapper-50-cent-1540664
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[font size="8"]Top 10 Investigates: Hydroxychloroquine II
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Its time to investigate beyond the headlines! This is Top 10 Investigates!
Science is desperate to find a cure for the novel coronavirus that showed up back in March and has wrecked our lives and ruined this year. But so far many attempts have been tried and almost none have succeeded. In fact since President Trump came into contact with COVID-19, his methods of treatment have been questionable at best. Most notably in the spotlight is hydroxcholorquine, a drug that is commonly used to treat lyme disease. It has been adopted by the anti-mask movement as a symbol that COVID can be cured. But can it really? In fact new studies have proven just the opposite and that a lot of the proven cures for COVID are nothing more than bogus snake oil. Heres what the FDA is finding out lately.
An international group of researchers believe there is enough evidence that anti-malarial drugs could be repurposed to treat COVID-19 and that they should be assessed for efficacy in clinical trials. The review article, published online in Trends in Parasitology, outlines the evidence for the antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties of certain anti-malarial drugs that could play a role in tackling COVID-19.
The research group, from institutions across Europe, Asia and Africa, point to a combination of the drugs artesunate and pyronaridine as the most promising.
Both drugs have demonstrated antiviral effects on the SARS-CoV-2 virus in human lung cells in laboratory studies and pyronaridine is more potent than hydroxychloroquine in these tests. Artesunate also has anti-inflammatory effects and could work in a similar way to dexamethasone, which has been shown to improve survival in hospitalized COVID-19 patients receiving oxygen. And artesunate use doesn't incur the same risk of adverse effects as dexamethasone.
These drugs are both inexpensive and have a well-known safety profile, meaning they could be trialed in symptomatic patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis with minimal risk. They could also easily be manufactured at scale.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-10-anti-malarial-therapies-hydroxychloroquine-covid-.html
The research group, from institutions across Europe, Asia and Africa, point to a combination of the drugs artesunate and pyronaridine as the most promising.
Both drugs have demonstrated antiviral effects on the SARS-CoV-2 virus in human lung cells in laboratory studies and pyronaridine is more potent than hydroxychloroquine in these tests. Artesunate also has anti-inflammatory effects and could work in a similar way to dexamethasone, which has been shown to improve survival in hospitalized COVID-19 patients receiving oxygen. And artesunate use doesn't incur the same risk of adverse effects as dexamethasone.
These drugs are both inexpensive and have a well-known safety profile, meaning they could be trialed in symptomatic patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis with minimal risk. They could also easily be manufactured at scale.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-10-anti-malarial-therapies-hydroxychloroquine-covid-.html
Except that Panda Virus isnt really a thing. At least were hoping thats not a thing. So hydroxycholorquine is proving to be nothing more than a bunch of snake oil. Now that said, the anti-maskers are making a claim that Uganda has a low case count because theyve embraced hyrdoxycholorquine in the EasternAfrican country. Thats simply not the case. That is shocking, we know. But we live in a world where facts are irrelevant!
Hydroxychloroquine has been touted by some including President Donald Trump as a treatment for COVID-19. But studies have found it is not an effective treatment and may cause serious side effects for some patients, as weve reported.
False claims about the drug nevertheless continue to circulate on social media. An article shared on Facebook from the website palmerfoundation.com.au is headlined, Hydroxychloroquine is why Uganda, with a population of 43M, has only 15 COVID-19 deaths.
Uganda, a country in east-central Africa, has a 2018 population of 42.729 million, which is 13% of the United States population of 328.239 million in 2019, the article says. And yet Uganda has 1,603 COVID-19 cases and just 15 deaths (h/t Rush Limbaugh), whereas the U.S. has 5,656,744 COVID-19 cases and 175,105.
The article continues, This is why: Uganda is afflicted with malaria, a disease caused by parasites that enter the body through the bite of a mosquito. Malaria is common in Africa. In 2012, Uganda had the 6th highest annual deaths from malaria in Africa. Hydroxychloroquine is a drug used to treat or prevent malaria.
https://www.factcheck.org/2020/10/ugandas-low-covid-19-cases-due-to-restrictions-not-hydroxychloroquine/
False claims about the drug nevertheless continue to circulate on social media. An article shared on Facebook from the website palmerfoundation.com.au is headlined, Hydroxychloroquine is why Uganda, with a population of 43M, has only 15 COVID-19 deaths.
Uganda, a country in east-central Africa, has a 2018 population of 42.729 million, which is 13% of the United States population of 328.239 million in 2019, the article says. And yet Uganda has 1,603 COVID-19 cases and just 15 deaths (h/t Rush Limbaugh), whereas the U.S. has 5,656,744 COVID-19 cases and 175,105.
The article continues, This is why: Uganda is afflicted with malaria, a disease caused by parasites that enter the body through the bite of a mosquito. Malaria is common in Africa. In 2012, Uganda had the 6th highest annual deaths from malaria in Africa. Hydroxychloroquine is a drug used to treat or prevent malaria.
https://www.factcheck.org/2020/10/ugandas-low-covid-19-cases-due-to-restrictions-not-hydroxychloroquine/
So hydroxychloroquine Is a no. But what about the presidents other drug of choice, Remdesivir? That on the other hand has been proven to work. If you listen to actual scientists instead of your creepy racist uncle on Facebook, then you know that Remdesivir is a drug that is worth exploring further. But dont buy into the conspiracy theories surrounding hydroxychloroquine on Facebook, because those simply arent true.
WHO today accepted the recommendation from the Solidarity Trials International Steering Committee to discontinue the trials hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir arms. The Solidarity Trial was established by WHO to find an effective COVID-19 treatment for hospitalized patients.
The International Steering Committee formulated the recommendation in light of the evidence for hydroxychloroquine vs standard-of-care and for lopinavir/ritonavir vs standard-of-care from the Solidarity trial interim results, and from a review of the evidence from all trials presented at the 1-2 July WHO Summit on COVID-19 research and innovation.
These interim trial results show that hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir produce little or no reduction in the mortality of hospitalized COVID-19 patients when compared to standard of care. Solidarity trial investigators will interrupt the trials with immediate effect.
For each of the drugs, the interim results do not provide solid evidence of increased mortality. There were, however, some associated safety signals in the clinical laboratory findings of the add-on Discovery trial, a participant in the Solidarity trial. These will also be reported in the peer-reviewed publication.
https://www.who.int/news/item/04-07-2020-who-discontinues-hydroxychloroquine-and-lopinavir-ritonavir-treatment-arms-for-covid-19
The International Steering Committee formulated the recommendation in light of the evidence for hydroxychloroquine vs standard-of-care and for lopinavir/ritonavir vs standard-of-care from the Solidarity trial interim results, and from a review of the evidence from all trials presented at the 1-2 July WHO Summit on COVID-19 research and innovation.
These interim trial results show that hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir produce little or no reduction in the mortality of hospitalized COVID-19 patients when compared to standard of care. Solidarity trial investigators will interrupt the trials with immediate effect.
For each of the drugs, the interim results do not provide solid evidence of increased mortality. There were, however, some associated safety signals in the clinical laboratory findings of the add-on Discovery trial, a participant in the Solidarity trial. These will also be reported in the peer-reviewed publication.
https://www.who.int/news/item/04-07-2020-who-discontinues-hydroxychloroquine-and-lopinavir-ritonavir-treatment-arms-for-covid-19
So the next time anyone you know starts spouting conspiracy theories based on hydroxycholorquine on Facebook, you might just want to know that its a steaming load of bullshit. Also keep in mind that politicians and senators who are praising the drug have absolutely no idea what they are talking about, and that we need a president who listens to science, not quacks. Unfortunately right now we have a president who listens to quacks and we wont get any real answers anytime soon.
When the presidents doctors described the range of treatment Trump received to deal with the virus, however, hydroxychloroquine was not mentioned.
Dr. Sean P. Conley, the presidents physician, said that Trump was given an infusion of an experimental antibody treatment, which involved a five-day course of antiviral drug remdesivir. He also was given zinc, vitamin D, melatonin, aspirin and the heavy-duty steroid dexamethasone. But not hydroxychloroquine.
As Kellie Owens, a health researcher at Data & Society, pointed out, To be clear, because hydroxychloroquine got so much attention from the president, and was subsequently studied so heavily, its probably one of the things in the pandemic where the science is the most settled. The most recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that Ive seen showed no benefit to hydroxychloroquine, and suggests potential increases in mortality.
That hasnt stopped Biggs, however, whose personal and political success is not based on the study of meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials but on once having been handed a sweepstakes-winning $10 million check by Ed McMahon and Dick Clark.
https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2020/10/16/trump-covid-treatment-exposes-hydroxychloroquine-kooks-like-andy-biggs/3674420001/
Dr. Sean P. Conley, the presidents physician, said that Trump was given an infusion of an experimental antibody treatment, which involved a five-day course of antiviral drug remdesivir. He also was given zinc, vitamin D, melatonin, aspirin and the heavy-duty steroid dexamethasone. But not hydroxychloroquine.
As Kellie Owens, a health researcher at Data & Society, pointed out, To be clear, because hydroxychloroquine got so much attention from the president, and was subsequently studied so heavily, its probably one of the things in the pandemic where the science is the most settled. The most recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that Ive seen showed no benefit to hydroxychloroquine, and suggests potential increases in mortality.
That hasnt stopped Biggs, however, whose personal and political success is not based on the study of meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials but on once having been handed a sweepstakes-winning $10 million check by Ed McMahon and Dick Clark.
https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2020/10/16/trump-covid-treatment-exposes-hydroxychloroquine-kooks-like-andy-biggs/3674420001/
Thats it this week for Top 10 Investigates! Good day!
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[font size="8"]Holy Shit
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Gather around my fair brothers and sisters! Its time to take a seat in the virtual pew make an online donation in the LAWRDs virtual collection plate, for the Holy Church Of The Top 10 has convened and its time to remind you that the holiest among us are the most full of:
My fair virtual congregation! You know the world is very weird and a very dark place right now. And it doesnt get much darker than the Vatican. Now weve been avoiding this topic as much as we can because its our policy not to make fun of extremely dark situations. So this week, I am instead going to marvel at the utter insanity that is the Holy Catholic Church. Because as the Dude himself said, this aggression will not stand, man! I mean this situation is so utterly horrifying, but hey what happens at the Vatican stays at the Vatican, am I right? Well, Holy Mother Church has a much different talking point than what were used to on this subject.
Two priests are going on trial before the Vaticans criminal tribunal this week, one accused of sexually abusing an altar boy who served at papal Masses and the other accused of covering it up.
The trial, confirmed Monday by the Holy Sees press office, marks the first known time that the Vatican has criminally prosecuted a case of sexual abuse that allegedly occurred within its walls.
The proceedings, which begin Thursday, were forced on the Holy See after victims and a whistleblower went public in 2017. Their stories undermined Pope Francis pledges of zero tolerance for abuse because the alleged crimes occurred in his own backyard and had gone unpunished for years.
The case concerns the closed world of the St. Pius X youth seminary, a palazzo inside the Vatican walls just across the street from where Francis lives. The seminary serves as a residence for about a dozen boys, aged 12 to 18, who serve as altar boys at papal Masses in St. Peters Basilica.
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-10-13/vatican-priests-trial-abuse-coverup
The trial, confirmed Monday by the Holy Sees press office, marks the first known time that the Vatican has criminally prosecuted a case of sexual abuse that allegedly occurred within its walls.
The proceedings, which begin Thursday, were forced on the Holy See after victims and a whistleblower went public in 2017. Their stories undermined Pope Francis pledges of zero tolerance for abuse because the alleged crimes occurred in his own backyard and had gone unpunished for years.
The case concerns the closed world of the St. Pius X youth seminary, a palazzo inside the Vatican walls just across the street from where Francis lives. The seminary serves as a residence for about a dozen boys, aged 12 to 18, who serve as altar boys at papal Masses in St. Peters Basilica.
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-10-13/vatican-priests-trial-abuse-coverup
Now seriously, why the fuck would any parent allow their boys to participate in the Catholic Church these days knowing what everybody knows about this religion? I mean this is so fucked up that theres no way you could possibly make fun of it, so we wont try. Really if the Catholics want to earn respect I think they need to clean up their organization and this is going to be a start at least!
Two Catholic priests went on trial in the Vatican, in what is the first lawsuit for an alleged case of sexual abuse in the city-state.
Gabriele Martinelli, 28, is accused of raping an altar boy between 2007 and 2012.
Enrico Radice, 72, is accused of covering up the alleged crime while he was rector of the school of theology where sexual abuse is said to have occurred.
Neither of them took a stand on the charges.
Although many priests have faced abuse allegations around the world, the Vatican has so far never held a judgment on suspected sexual abuse within its own walls.
The trial, which began with a brief hearing on Wednesday (10/14), has high symbolic value, as the Vatican is home to the spiritual leaders of the Roman Catholic Church, such as Pope Francis.
https://alkhaleejtoday.co/international/5104764/The-two-priests-accused-in-the-first-sexual-abuse-trial-in.html
Gabriele Martinelli, 28, is accused of raping an altar boy between 2007 and 2012.
Enrico Radice, 72, is accused of covering up the alleged crime while he was rector of the school of theology where sexual abuse is said to have occurred.
Neither of them took a stand on the charges.
Although many priests have faced abuse allegations around the world, the Vatican has so far never held a judgment on suspected sexual abuse within its own walls.
The trial, which began with a brief hearing on Wednesday (10/14), has high symbolic value, as the Vatican is home to the spiritual leaders of the Roman Catholic Church, such as Pope Francis.
https://alkhaleejtoday.co/international/5104764/The-two-priests-accused-in-the-first-sexual-abuse-trial-in.html
Yeah but definitely not this! I mean I really might have to go take a cold shower after this because its insane. But how does the church keep getting away with this? Its because they dont care, the Vatican controls the laws for the priests to follow, they can keep pushing back the actual trials as long as they want to! Im not a lawyer but Im pretty sure thats not how the law works! Oh wait, they want GAWDs law! Because GAWD and JAYSUS rule all!
TWO priests are going on trial at the Vatican on Thursday in the first criminal prosecutions related to paedophilia to take place in the city state itself.
One is accused of sexually abusing an altar boy in St Peters Basilica and the other of covering up the incident.
The accusations against alleged abuser Gabriele Martinelli and Enrico Radice, then rector of the St Pius X youth seminary, have been dismissed as mud and calumny by the order that runs it, Opera Don Folchi.
The trial comes as Pope Francis publicly met Australian Cardinal George Pell for the first time following his acquittal on sex abuse charges that lie at the heart of an international financial scandal. The Holy See released video footage of their meeting.
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/w/first-vatican-paedophile-trial-beginning-pell-meets-pope
One is accused of sexually abusing an altar boy in St Peters Basilica and the other of covering up the incident.
The accusations against alleged abuser Gabriele Martinelli and Enrico Radice, then rector of the St Pius X youth seminary, have been dismissed as mud and calumny by the order that runs it, Opera Don Folchi.
The trial comes as Pope Francis publicly met Australian Cardinal George Pell for the first time following his acquittal on sex abuse charges that lie at the heart of an international financial scandal. The Holy See released video footage of their meeting.
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/w/first-vatican-paedophile-trial-beginning-pell-meets-pope
Something tells me I dont want to see video of that meeting, but I am sure that it went like that! But you might think these are the only trials involving priests. Oh no my fair congregation! This isnt a comedy this is a horror movie! I mean even Kevin Smith couldnt come up with something as creepy and weird as the modern day Catholic Church. Like I said I might need to go take a cold shower after this one because this was pretty disturbing, my friends!
The sexual abuse trial of Piero Alfio Capuana, the lay leader of the 5,000-member Catholic Culture and Environment Association, began in this small Sicilian city on Sept. 15, three years after the abuse allegedly took place.
Capuana, 75, known as "the Archangel" by acolytes, is accused of delegating his associates to select and organize his targets, some as young as 11 years old. The accusers told Religion News Service that they would be called to a back room at the Cenacle, as the association's headquarters is known, after ceremonies in which Capuana would purportedly speak on behalf of the Holy Spirit. Behind closed doors, the young girls said, they would be instructed to bathe him and perform sexual acts.
Three of his closest associates, known as the "12 Disciples," are also charged, accused of organizing and facilitating the abuse.
Even after accusations that their leader was sexually abusing girls first emerged, few members believed them. When parents watched Capuana kiss their underage daughters on the lips or request solo dances with them, most were not concerned.
https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/trial-catholic-lay-leader-highlights-gaps-churchs-sex-abuse-oversight
Capuana, 75, known as "the Archangel" by acolytes, is accused of delegating his associates to select and organize his targets, some as young as 11 years old. The accusers told Religion News Service that they would be called to a back room at the Cenacle, as the association's headquarters is known, after ceremonies in which Capuana would purportedly speak on behalf of the Holy Spirit. Behind closed doors, the young girls said, they would be instructed to bathe him and perform sexual acts.
Three of his closest associates, known as the "12 Disciples," are also charged, accused of organizing and facilitating the abuse.
Even after accusations that their leader was sexually abusing girls first emerged, few members believed them. When parents watched Capuana kiss their underage daughters on the lips or request solo dances with them, most were not concerned.
https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/trial-catholic-lay-leader-highlights-gaps-churchs-sex-abuse-oversight
Holy shit indeed! Whew, this one got dark! My producer is getting fired tomorrow and were never touching this subject again! Mass has ended, may you go in peace! Thats it this week for:
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[font size="8"]This Fucking Guy
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This weeks This Fucking Guy is actually a twofer Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump. While their father, the 45th president of the United States, and is somehow still inexplicably holding onto the job, Donald J. Trump, is trying to throw shade at Joe Bidens son Hunter Biden, lets not forget these two exist! Lets first not forget that these are what one might call children of privilege in that theyve grown up around obscene wealth and their father is also president! Man I bet that makes for some awkward Thanksgivings and Christmases, doesnt it? Well lets look at where the two are headed for the rest of the campaign trail! Trump Jr and his crazy girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle are headed to Woodstock because reasons.
Donald Trump Jr., son of President Donald Trump, and Fox News personality Kimberly Guilfoyle visited Woodstock last week to speak at a Trump rally at Bull Valley Golf Club.
The event took place Oct. 13 and featured an indoor meet-and-greet fundraiser with Guilfoyle and Donald Trump Jr., followed by an outdoor rally that ran from 5 p.m. until about 7:30 p.m.
Event host Gary Rabine said he was able to draw the big names using his connections within a few Republican organizations to convince the Trump campaign that it would be worth their while.
"I can basically tap into friends to say, 'Hey friend such-and-such, can we get Don Jr. or Don Sr. to town, to Woodstock, so that we can show that you care about this part of the country,'" he said.
Rabine is the CEO and founder of Rabine Group, a Schaumburg-based construction engineering company. He also is part owner of the Bull Valley Golf Club, where the event was held, according to reporting by the Northwest Herald. Rabine is on the executive committee for the Republican Governors Association and is the founder of the Job Creators Network.
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20201020/donald-trump-jr-kimberly-guilfoyle-visit-woodstock-for-trump-rally
The event took place Oct. 13 and featured an indoor meet-and-greet fundraiser with Guilfoyle and Donald Trump Jr., followed by an outdoor rally that ran from 5 p.m. until about 7:30 p.m.
Event host Gary Rabine said he was able to draw the big names using his connections within a few Republican organizations to convince the Trump campaign that it would be worth their while.
"I can basically tap into friends to say, 'Hey friend such-and-such, can we get Don Jr. or Don Sr. to town, to Woodstock, so that we can show that you care about this part of the country,'" he said.
Rabine is the CEO and founder of Rabine Group, a Schaumburg-based construction engineering company. He also is part owner of the Bull Valley Golf Club, where the event was held, according to reporting by the Northwest Herald. Rabine is on the executive committee for the Republican Governors Association and is the founder of the Job Creators Network.
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20201020/donald-trump-jr-kimberly-guilfoyle-visit-woodstock-for-trump-rally
Yeah thats what happens when you dont get the rights to your songs or character! But that said the Trump clan is full of some absolutely shady characters. What is Trump Jr campaigning about? Well he claims that his campaign And heres the thing Don Jr. Big Tech is not out to get conservatives, thats a steaming load of bullshit. They are however, out to get assholes. Being conservative and being an asshole tend to go hand in hand!
Republicans have long claimed that social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter censor conservative voices, going so far as to hold entire congressional hearings re: this alleged prejudice. Ill just cut to the chase, Big Tech is out to get conservatives, Representative Jim Jordan declared in July. Thats not a hunch. Thats not a suspicion. Thats a fact. In reality, right-wing accounts have been suspended from time to time for doing things like proposing that people purposely infect themselves with COVID-19 or suggesting that a Democrat be tried and hanged for treason. (Some left-wing accounts have also been temporarily banned.) In the saddest cases, conservatives have insisted that the proof tech sites are throttling them lies in the paltry number of likes and retweets their posts have received, refusing to consider the possibility that said posts were simply bad, unfunny, or stupid. Speaking of which!
Yes, thats a real clip of Donald Trump Jr. lying in bed with his head in such a position that his neck is completely obscured, nursing what appears to be a serious sunburn, and claiming that Instagram has been purposely hiding his posts from his legions of followers. Hey guys, hope youre doing well, the presidents eldest son says, again, from his bed. Just watching my algorithms getting crushed. I guess I did something to piss off the Instagram gods, so hopefully youre seeing this stuff anyway. Well do what we can. Talk to you soon.
From the outside, its extremely difficult to understand why Donny boy posted this clip, the only logical explanation being that he thinks he looks good. Or that he cant conceive of any reason why the video wouldnt garner a sufficient number of likes other than Big Tech being out to get him because theyre afraid of the truth. While Twitter temporarily prevented users from sharing a supremely shady article about Hunter Bidens hard drive last week, a decision the company eventually reversed, its not clear thats the reason Don Jr. isnt setting records for view counts.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/10/donald-trump-jr-bed-video
Yes, thats a real clip of Donald Trump Jr. lying in bed with his head in such a position that his neck is completely obscured, nursing what appears to be a serious sunburn, and claiming that Instagram has been purposely hiding his posts from his legions of followers. Hey guys, hope youre doing well, the presidents eldest son says, again, from his bed. Just watching my algorithms getting crushed. I guess I did something to piss off the Instagram gods, so hopefully youre seeing this stuff anyway. Well do what we can. Talk to you soon.
From the outside, its extremely difficult to understand why Donny boy posted this clip, the only logical explanation being that he thinks he looks good. Or that he cant conceive of any reason why the video wouldnt garner a sufficient number of likes other than Big Tech being out to get him because theyre afraid of the truth. While Twitter temporarily prevented users from sharing a supremely shady article about Hunter Bidens hard drive last week, a decision the company eventually reversed, its not clear thats the reason Don Jr. isnt setting records for view counts.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/10/donald-trump-jr-bed-video
Yeah cue the Sad Hulk Music for that one! So while Donny Jr is sitting in bed wallowing in his sorrows about how social media websites are big meanie heads and wont let him say the racist and sexist drivel conservatives are known for, his brother Eric Trump is proving to be just as big of a moron as he is! Yes, Eric is accusing Joe Biden of squatting! Yes, Eric thinks Joe Biden lives in a house he doesnt own!
Since before the 2016 election, critics have asked to see President Donald Trump's tax returns to no avail. Several weeks ago, the New York Times reported Trump paid $750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and 2017, heightening critics' suspicions about Trump's finances and financial dealings. Now, Eric Trump is using an aerial photo of Democratic nominee Joe Biden's former home to raise questions about Biden's finances.
The salary of a U.S. Senator is $174,000 per year. This is Joe Bidens house.... seems legit, Eric Trump shared on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram Oct. 17.
However, Eric Trump's claim is false: Biden no longer owns that home and Biden has not made a senator's salary in more than a decade.
The pictured home is a 5-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom house at 6 Montchan Drive in Wilmington, Del. Redfin estimates the 10,012-ft home is worth $1,643,478.
Biden bought the former Dupont mansion for $185,000 in the mid-1970s after learning it was set for demolition. The home was abandoned and needed repairs. The Wall Street Journal described the DuPont purchase as one of Bidens many strained financial ventures.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/10/19/fact-check-biden-no-longer-owns-house-eric-trump-highlighted-online/3703380001/
The salary of a U.S. Senator is $174,000 per year. This is Joe Bidens house.... seems legit, Eric Trump shared on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram Oct. 17.
However, Eric Trump's claim is false: Biden no longer owns that home and Biden has not made a senator's salary in more than a decade.
The pictured home is a 5-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom house at 6 Montchan Drive in Wilmington, Del. Redfin estimates the 10,012-ft home is worth $1,643,478.
Biden bought the former Dupont mansion for $185,000 in the mid-1970s after learning it was set for demolition. The home was abandoned and needed repairs. The Wall Street Journal described the DuPont purchase as one of Bidens many strained financial ventures.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/10/19/fact-check-biden-no-longer-owns-house-eric-trump-highlighted-online/3703380001/
And by the way in case youre wondering if they couldnt possibly be any dumber, just look at where Eric Trump was planning on having a campaign stop. Remember last week when those scary looking white guys attempted to kidnap Governor Whitman? Well one of Eric Trumps stops apparently included stopping at the gun shop where the men were known to congregate! Yeah even the best comedy writers in the world couldnt come up with this shit!
The son of President Donald Trump will not appear at a Michigan gun store on Tuesday for a campaign event after the store announced it briefly employed one of the men accused of plotting to kidnap and possibly kill Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The store, Huron Valley Guns in Hudson, was set to host Eric Trump for a "Make America Great Again" event Tuesday morning. But on Monday afternoon, the store which in addition to selling firearms offers a shooting range, barbershop and restaurant announced the venue change in a Facebook post.
The post did not name which of the 13 men arrested worked at the store. It noted the man was fired after only a few weeks, speculated as to how the governor and others would react to the news and said it was important this information was released before the event occurred because "we would not want anything to hurt the chances of President Trump."
"In February 2020 we had a young man that worked on the range who would show up for work in a LOT of tactical gear. We found that a little odd. We weren't comfortable with him for a few other reasons and fired him after 3 weeks. He ended up being one of the fringe characters arrested for the Governor Whitmer kidnapping," the post states.
"A lot of us here at HVG are pro, current or ex-police. We are all Pro USA and are very patriotic. While all of you know who we are and what we're about...a lot of people dont (sic). The Governor would have had a field day against the Trump campaign. They would accuse the administration of sending his son to a facility where terrorists work and train. This could not be further from the truth, but imagine the left spin."
https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/10/12/eric-trump-michigan-new-hudson-gretchen-whitmer/5970258002/
The store, Huron Valley Guns in Hudson, was set to host Eric Trump for a "Make America Great Again" event Tuesday morning. But on Monday afternoon, the store which in addition to selling firearms offers a shooting range, barbershop and restaurant announced the venue change in a Facebook post.
The post did not name which of the 13 men arrested worked at the store. It noted the man was fired after only a few weeks, speculated as to how the governor and others would react to the news and said it was important this information was released before the event occurred because "we would not want anything to hurt the chances of President Trump."
"In February 2020 we had a young man that worked on the range who would show up for work in a LOT of tactical gear. We found that a little odd. We weren't comfortable with him for a few other reasons and fired him after 3 weeks. He ended up being one of the fringe characters arrested for the Governor Whitmer kidnapping," the post states.
"A lot of us here at HVG are pro, current or ex-police. We are all Pro USA and are very patriotic. While all of you know who we are and what we're about...a lot of people dont (sic). The Governor would have had a field day against the Trump campaign. They would accuse the administration of sending his son to a facility where terrorists work and train. This could not be further from the truth, but imagine the left spin."
https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/10/12/eric-trump-michigan-new-hudson-gretchen-whitmer/5970258002/
So feeling sorry for themselves because they cant be assholes on social media and campaigning at gun shops where violent government overthrows were being planned. Thats the sons of the president Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump this weeks:
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[font size="8"]Conspiracy Corner
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Yes folks its a new edition of Conspiracy Corner! When theres things in the news that cant be explained, we naturally turn to conspiracy theories. And theyre just getting weirder and nuttier by the day! We are of course coming to you live from a remote location deep in the alakali flats of the New Mexico badlands you know the same place where Walter White ran a meth lab out of the back of an RV. Just allow me to adjust my tin foil hat for maximum government interference and you know what there we go! So this week, its been announced that Facebook purveyors of getting your creepy uncles racist rants out there since 2005, is banning that Trump-loving social movement known as Q Anon, though Q Anon is really just a creepy cult!
Facebook said Tuesday that it is banning all QAnon accounts from its platforms, a significant escalation over its previous actions and one of the broadest rules the social media giant has put in place in its history.
Facebook said the change is an update on the policy it created in August that initially only removed accounts related to the QAnon conspiracy theory that discussed violence, which resulted in the termination of 1,500 pages, groups and profiles.
A company spokesperson said the enforcement, which started Tuesday, will bring to parity what weve been doing on other pieces of policy with regard to militarized social movements, such as militia and terror groups that repeatedly call for violence.
Starting today, we will remove Facebook Pages, Groups and Instagram accounts for representing QAnon. Were starting to enforce this updated policy today and are removing content accordingly, but this work will take time and will continue in the coming days and weeks, Facebook wrote in a press release. Our Dangerous Organizations Operations team will continue to enforce this policy and proactively detect content for removal instead of relying on user reports.
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/facebook-bans-qanon-across-its-platforms-n1242339
Facebook said the change is an update on the policy it created in August that initially only removed accounts related to the QAnon conspiracy theory that discussed violence, which resulted in the termination of 1,500 pages, groups and profiles.
A company spokesperson said the enforcement, which started Tuesday, will bring to parity what weve been doing on other pieces of policy with regard to militarized social movements, such as militia and terror groups that repeatedly call for violence.
Starting today, we will remove Facebook Pages, Groups and Instagram accounts for representing QAnon. Were starting to enforce this updated policy today and are removing content accordingly, but this work will take time and will continue in the coming days and weeks, Facebook wrote in a press release. Our Dangerous Organizations Operations team will continue to enforce this policy and proactively detect content for removal instead of relying on user reports.
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/facebook-bans-qanon-across-its-platforms-n1242339
Yes so when you surrender yourself to Q Anon, just remember that Trump is equal parts God, Rambo, John McClane, Rocky Balboa, and Dirty Harry combined. And everyone who doesnt agree with his politics is a satanic pedophile. But why do they have to bring Satan into it? Thats a mystery! Because everyone knows even Satan wouldnt do that sort of thing. Even crazier is that this is happening after the group known as Q formed! And now Q Anon is going international!
Facebook said Tuesday it will ban any pages, groups, and Instagram accounts representing the conspiracy theory QAnon from its platform.
The move comes three years after the far-right conspiracy theory began. During those years QAnon adherents have embraced a number of different and often contradictory theories, but the basic false beliefs underlying QAnon are claims about a cabal of politicians and A-list celebrities engaging in child sex abuse, and a "deep state" effort to undermine President Trump. Last year an FBI office warned that Q adherents are a domestic terrorism threat.
Facebook's move will be welcomed by some, but the platform has allowed the conspiracy to grow and spread for years.
There are now multiple Republicans running for Congress who have expressed support for QAnon.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/06/tech/facebook-qanon/index.html
The move comes three years after the far-right conspiracy theory began. During those years QAnon adherents have embraced a number of different and often contradictory theories, but the basic false beliefs underlying QAnon are claims about a cabal of politicians and A-list celebrities engaging in child sex abuse, and a "deep state" effort to undermine President Trump. Last year an FBI office warned that Q adherents are a domestic terrorism threat.
Facebook's move will be welcomed by some, but the platform has allowed the conspiracy to grow and spread for years.
There are now multiple Republicans running for Congress who have expressed support for QAnon.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/06/tech/facebook-qanon/index.html
But that said
Seriously a little crazy? This a screeching violin short of being full blown Norman Bates level psychotic, and in normal times wed take people like this and lock them in insane asylums complete with straight jackets and padded walls. This is some seriously crazy shit. Conspiracy theories like Q are really nothing new, but when you consider that Trump himself is a conspiracy theorist, he is only amplifying the crazy!
Recent decisions by Facebook and YouTube to crack down on the far-right conspiracy theory movement known as QAnon will disrupt the ability of dangerous online communities to spread their radical messages, but it wont stop them completely.
Facebooks Oct. 6 announcement that it would take down any accounts representing QAnon, even if they contain no violent content, followed earlier decisions by the social media platform to downrank QAnon content in Facebook searches. YouTube followed on Oct. 15 with new rules about conspiracy videos, but it stopped short of a complete ban.
This month marks the third anniversary of the movement that started when someone known only as Q posted a series of conspiracy theories on the internet forum 4chan. Q warned of a deep state satanic ring of global elites involved in pedophilia and sex trafficking, and asserted that U.S. President Donald Trump was working on a secret plan to take them all down.
QAnon now a global phenomenon
Until this year, most people had never heard of QAnon. But over the course of 2020, the fringe movement has gained widespread traction domestically in the United States and internationally including a number of Republican politicians who openly campaigned as Q supporters.
https://www.niemanlab.org/2020/10/facebook-and-youtubes-moves-against-qanon-are-only-a-first-step-in-the-battle-against-dangerous-conspiracy-theories/
Facebooks Oct. 6 announcement that it would take down any accounts representing QAnon, even if they contain no violent content, followed earlier decisions by the social media platform to downrank QAnon content in Facebook searches. YouTube followed on Oct. 15 with new rules about conspiracy videos, but it stopped short of a complete ban.
This month marks the third anniversary of the movement that started when someone known only as Q posted a series of conspiracy theories on the internet forum 4chan. Q warned of a deep state satanic ring of global elites involved in pedophilia and sex trafficking, and asserted that U.S. President Donald Trump was working on a secret plan to take them all down.
QAnon now a global phenomenon
Until this year, most people had never heard of QAnon. But over the course of 2020, the fringe movement has gained widespread traction domestically in the United States and internationally including a number of Republican politicians who openly campaigned as Q supporters.
https://www.niemanlab.org/2020/10/facebook-and-youtubes-moves-against-qanon-are-only-a-first-step-in-the-battle-against-dangerous-conspiracy-theories/
Yes!!! This is a theory that goes all the way to the president! Of course all theories do go all the way to the president. After all this is the presidency of, by and for late night conspiracy theory talk shows. But what happens when a conspiracy goes too far? Its like the My Chemical Romance song says This is for the broken, the beaten and the damned.. So if you ever wonder how groups like ISIS, the Taliban, and Al Qaeda came to be, look no further than Q Anon!
YouTube is following the lead of Twitter and Facebook, saying that it is taking more steps to limit QAnon and other baseless conspiracy theories that can lead to real-world violence.
The Google-owned video platform said Thursday it will now prohibit material targeting a person or group with conspiracy theories that have been used to justify violence.
One example would be videos that threaten or harass someone by suggesting they are complicit in a conspiracy such as QAnon, which paints President Donald Trump as a secret warrior against a supposed child-trafficking ring run by celebrities and deep state government officials.
Pizzagate is another internet conspiracy theory essentially a predecessor to QAnon that would fall in the banned category. Its promoters claimed children were being harmed at a pizza restaurant in Washington. D.C. A man who believed in the conspiracy entered the restaurant in December 2016 and fired an assault rifle. He was sentenced to prison in 2017.
YouTube is the third of the major social platforms to announce policies intended rein in QAnon, a conspiracy theory they all helped spread.
Twitter announced in July a crackdown on QAnon, though it did not ban its supporters from its platform. It did ban thousands of accounts associated with QAnon content and blocked URLs associated with it from being shared. Twitter also said that it would stop highlighting and recommending tweets associated with QAnon.
https://apnews.com/article/youtube-qanon-conspiracy-theories-ef03a889e68239de6692ce42666d97d8
The Google-owned video platform said Thursday it will now prohibit material targeting a person or group with conspiracy theories that have been used to justify violence.
One example would be videos that threaten or harass someone by suggesting they are complicit in a conspiracy such as QAnon, which paints President Donald Trump as a secret warrior against a supposed child-trafficking ring run by celebrities and deep state government officials.
Pizzagate is another internet conspiracy theory essentially a predecessor to QAnon that would fall in the banned category. Its promoters claimed children were being harmed at a pizza restaurant in Washington. D.C. A man who believed in the conspiracy entered the restaurant in December 2016 and fired an assault rifle. He was sentenced to prison in 2017.
YouTube is the third of the major social platforms to announce policies intended rein in QAnon, a conspiracy theory they all helped spread.
Twitter announced in July a crackdown on QAnon, though it did not ban its supporters from its platform. It did ban thousands of accounts associated with QAnon content and blocked URLs associated with it from being shared. Twitter also said that it would stop highlighting and recommending tweets associated with QAnon.
https://apnews.com/article/youtube-qanon-conspiracy-theories-ef03a889e68239de6692ce42666d97d8
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[font size="8"]People Are Dumb
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Hit it!
Of course you know by now that people are people, and people are dumb! So who is dumb this week you might ask? Well I answer you good sir or madam. I want to start with this batshit story out of the Badger State the great state of Wisconsin! We go to the town of Eau Claire for this story and it might be the single craziest People Are Dumb story that Ive ever covered Mother let dog run loose in Wisconsin Walmart and performed a series of karate moves while son stripped naked, police say. Yes that is a thing that happened! And well enough of my ramblings, I will let the story do the talking, and its one of the craziest ones yet!
Police got quite the kick out of a mother and son wreaking havoc inside a Wisconsin Walmart with their dog.
Officers with Eau Claire Police Department responded to reports of a theft in progress at the shopping center around 8:30 p.m. Friday, where they found 46-year-old Lisa Smith screaming in the entryway" and chasing after her loose canine, authorities said in a statement.
Shoppers and Walmart employees told responding officers the dog, Bo, was not wearing a leash when Smith arrived and started running up to customers while his owner erratically started pulling apart store displays and placing them in her cart.
Smith was asked to leave the store, but continued to cause trouble in the parking lot, where she performed a series of karate moves. Bo meanwhile, attempted to escape the Walmart with a stolen treat a box of Jiffy Cornbread Muffin mix.
Her 25-year-old son, identified by officers as Benny Vann, was also in the store causing problems, police said. He made his way to the back of the Walmart and stripped down, exposing himself to other customers.
https://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/ny-mother-son-karate-wisconsin-walmart-naked-arrested-20190413-gvvqufmw5jbqpokmxjbyxen4eu-story.html
Officers with Eau Claire Police Department responded to reports of a theft in progress at the shopping center around 8:30 p.m. Friday, where they found 46-year-old Lisa Smith screaming in the entryway" and chasing after her loose canine, authorities said in a statement.
Shoppers and Walmart employees told responding officers the dog, Bo, was not wearing a leash when Smith arrived and started running up to customers while his owner erratically started pulling apart store displays and placing them in her cart.
Smith was asked to leave the store, but continued to cause trouble in the parking lot, where she performed a series of karate moves. Bo meanwhile, attempted to escape the Walmart with a stolen treat a box of Jiffy Cornbread Muffin mix.
Her 25-year-old son, identified by officers as Benny Vann, was also in the store causing problems, police said. He made his way to the back of the Walmart and stripped down, exposing himself to other customers.
https://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/ny-mother-son-karate-wisconsin-walmart-naked-arrested-20190413-gvvqufmw5jbqpokmxjbyxen4eu-story.html
Yeah Im really guessing that stripping naked in a Wal-Mart doesnt qualify as great skills, now does it? Next up rap music! Yes, even the music industry has its fair share of idiots (and yes, Im looking at you, Takeshi Six6 Nine9 or whatever your name is). But this guy might be one of the worst offenders in an industry that has spawned many! And this story is why I wanted to do a People Are Dumb segment this week. So yeah if youre going to commit fraud against the government, maybe dont sing about it before you commit the crime!
A rapper who bragged about defrauding the governments unemployment program in a music video has been arrested on federal charges of carrying out the exact scheme he mentioned in his video, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
Fontrell Antonio Baines, 31, who goes by the stage name Nuke Bizzle was arrested after applying for more than $1.2 million in jobless benefits and using stolen identities in a scheme to fraudulently obtain unemployment insurance benefits under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Baines, originally from Memphis Tennessee but who now resides in the Hollywood Hills in California, was allegedly exploiting the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) provision of the CARES Act which the DOJ says is designed to expand access to unemployment benefits to self-employed workers, independent contractors, and others who would not otherwise be eligible.
Baines possessed and used debit cards pre-loaded with unemployment benefits administered by the California Employment Development Department (EDD), the DOJ said in a statement announcing Baines arrest. The debit cards were issued in the names of third-parties, including identity theft victims. The applications for these debit cards listed addresses to which Baines had access in Beverly Hills and Koreatown.
Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/rapper-bragged-defrauding-government-music-video-arrested/story?id=73678566&cid=clicksource_4380645_4_heads_hero_live_headlines_hed
Fontrell Antonio Baines, 31, who goes by the stage name Nuke Bizzle was arrested after applying for more than $1.2 million in jobless benefits and using stolen identities in a scheme to fraudulently obtain unemployment insurance benefits under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Baines, originally from Memphis Tennessee but who now resides in the Hollywood Hills in California, was allegedly exploiting the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) provision of the CARES Act which the DOJ says is designed to expand access to unemployment benefits to self-employed workers, independent contractors, and others who would not otherwise be eligible.
Baines possessed and used debit cards pre-loaded with unemployment benefits administered by the California Employment Development Department (EDD), the DOJ said in a statement announcing Baines arrest. The debit cards were issued in the names of third-parties, including identity theft victims. The applications for these debit cards listed addresses to which Baines had access in Beverly Hills and Koreatown.
Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/rapper-bragged-defrauding-government-music-video-arrested/story?id=73678566&cid=clicksource_4380645_4_heads_hero_live_headlines_hed
Next up dumb computers! Yes, even these machines that have so greatly enhanced (or not) our lives can also be stupid! Such is the case with the St. Johns Onion Company out of Newfoundland, Canada where their advertising for their signature product onions was apparently deemed too sexy by Facebook! I mean come on, anyone with a food fetish can certainly see the sex characteristics of the onion, with all its curves right? I mean right???
If you look at a photo of onions, you'll most likely just see onions. But Facebook apparently sees them differently, and has told a St. John's business its onions are too risqué for advertising on the site.
Jackson McLean, a manager at Gaze Seed Company, said the business was unable to advertise its walla walla onions on Facebook after the company told them the picture on the seed's packaging went against Facebook's advertising guidelines.
"We got notified the other day that it's an 'overtly sexual image' that they had to ban from the site," McLean said Monday. "I guess something about the two round shapes there could be misconstrued as boobs or something, nude in some way."
McLean said the business pays Facebook for advertising, and was preparing to advertise the onions in the spring. When he got the response back from the site, he said all he could do was laugh.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/onions-too-sexy-for-facebook-1.5750881
Jackson McLean, a manager at Gaze Seed Company, said the business was unable to advertise its walla walla onions on Facebook after the company told them the picture on the seed's packaging went against Facebook's advertising guidelines.
"We got notified the other day that it's an 'overtly sexual image' that they had to ban from the site," McLean said Monday. "I guess something about the two round shapes there could be misconstrued as boobs or something, nude in some way."
McLean said the business pays Facebook for advertising, and was preparing to advertise the onions in the spring. When he got the response back from the site, he said all he could do was laugh.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/onions-too-sexy-for-facebook-1.5750881
Yeah maybe dont listen to that guy! Next up good old Florida! And where would be without the craziest state in the union? Well first off if you can afford to rent a $200,000 Porsche good for you, you still have a job in 2020! But if you get to rent a car as luxurious as a Porsche, maybe dont go for a joyride in it, especially when youre the only one who rented it! Yeah that makes you easy to identify.
BIG PINE KEY, Fla. A Florida man was cited after driving over 100mph in a 35mph zone in the Florida Keys around 11 p.m. Thursday.
Habib Palacios, 39, of Miami, was cited for improper start and speeding more than 50mph over the speed limit. He is facing thousands of dollars in fines, according to the Monroe County Sheriffs Office.
Palacios told a deputy the Porsche 911 Turbo is a fast car and cannot go slow after burning out pulling away from a stoplight and reaching speeds over 100 mph.
The Miami native was clocked on radar at 102 mph and given a mandatory notice to appear in court.
Deputies discovered the Porsche was listed as a rental.
https://nbc-2.com/news/crime/2020/10/16/florida-man-speeds-over-100mph-in-rented-200000-car/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Habib Palacios, 39, of Miami, was cited for improper start and speeding more than 50mph over the speed limit. He is facing thousands of dollars in fines, according to the Monroe County Sheriffs Office.
Palacios told a deputy the Porsche 911 Turbo is a fast car and cannot go slow after burning out pulling away from a stoplight and reaching speeds over 100 mph.
The Miami native was clocked on radar at 102 mph and given a mandatory notice to appear in court.
Deputies discovered the Porsche was listed as a rental.
https://nbc-2.com/news/crime/2020/10/16/florida-man-speeds-over-100mph-in-rented-200000-car/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Thats true! Finally this week once again sticking with Americas most penis-shaped state, the great state of Florida you know that Halloween is coming up and naturally theres going to be all sorts of stories like this! And really guys, theres plenty of ways to kill demons but giving your kids guns probably isnt the best way to do this. You do know that Zombieland is just a movie right?
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WESH) A now-former Orange County deputy is accused of giving a gun to a child and telling her to shoot anyone who entered his apartment. He also allegedly performed an exorcism on a second child.
According to local NBC affiliate WESH, Christopher Dougherty was arrested on Sunday after deputies were called to an apartment on Thursday.
Deputies said the found Dougherty with a gun at the apartment and saw a young girl lying on the floor with a rifle.
She was wearing a Kevlar helmet and bulletproof vest. She was ready to shoot anyone who entered the apartment, a deputy wrote in the arrest report.
https://nbc-2.com/news/state/2020/10/20/florida-deputy-gives-kids-guns-to-fight-demons-he-said-were-in-home/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
According to local NBC affiliate WESH, Christopher Dougherty was arrested on Sunday after deputies were called to an apartment on Thursday.
Deputies said the found Dougherty with a gun at the apartment and saw a young girl lying on the floor with a rifle.
She was wearing a Kevlar helmet and bulletproof vest. She was ready to shoot anyone who entered the apartment, a deputy wrote in the arrest report.
https://nbc-2.com/news/state/2020/10/20/florida-deputy-gives-kids-guns-to-fight-demons-he-said-were-in-home/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Thats it this week for:
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[font size="8"]Road To The White House: The Final Thought
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Welcome back to our ongoing coverage of the 2020 election to end all elections in *cue reverb* ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE!!!! Ooh that was some good reverb there. This week its our final thoughts on what has been an absolutely insane 2020 that got completely upended by a virus that has stalled campaigning and sent Joe Biden underground while Donald Trump goes and conducts business as usual which has well, not been good for him. But lets not forget about the incumbent president. While the primaries were insane and we finally have a real leader in Joe Biden, lets not forget about Trump. In fact this has had one of the worst outcomes that a presidential campaign stop can have, because well, Trump has been linked to COVID. And yes as I have repeatedly stated here, if you hang with Donald Trump, youre gonna get a virus. Im just saying it happens!
Nine people who have contracted the coronavirus reported attending a Donald Trump rally in Bemidji, Minn., last month, state health officials said Friday, including two who were hospitalized.
One of them remains in an intensive care unit.
Doug Schultz, a Minnesota Department of Health spokesman, said in an email that the department cannot say definitively that the infections were acquired at the rally, due to widespread community transmission of the disease only that they attended the rally during the time when they were likely to have been exposed to the virus that made them ill (i.e. 14 days prior to illness onset).
At least one person was likely infectious while at the rally, the department said.
Two other people who contracted the virus reported attending a protest in response to the rally.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/09/trump-minnesota-rally-coronavirus-cases-428425
One of them remains in an intensive care unit.
Doug Schultz, a Minnesota Department of Health spokesman, said in an email that the department cannot say definitively that the infections were acquired at the rally, due to widespread community transmission of the disease only that they attended the rally during the time when they were likely to have been exposed to the virus that made them ill (i.e. 14 days prior to illness onset).
At least one person was likely infectious while at the rally, the department said.
Two other people who contracted the virus reported attending a protest in response to the rally.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/09/trump-minnesota-rally-coronavirus-cases-428425
Gee, who could have seen that one coming? Were in the home stretch of the campaign and Biden is playing it safe while Trump is being completely reckless and irresponsible. But you know what? Trump is doing this for us everybody! Thats right hes an everyday con man and hes keeping you in your house and making sure you have access to all the supplies you need to keep you through this pandemic! Oh and did I mention that this is all a steaming load of bullshit?
With just days to go before the election, President Trump has a lot of things on his mind. And water pressure for toilets appears to be one of them. In a lengthy digression during his rally in Carson City, Nev., on Sunday, Trump claimed that Americans have to flush their toilet 15 times due to restrictions on water usage.
You know what really bothers me? When you go into a new hotel or new house, they have these faucets, and you turn them on and no water comes out, the president said. So you go into a hotel or you buy a house, and they have whats called the restrictor. Right? Same thing, by the way, same thing with your dishwasher. I freed that up too. The dishwashers, they had a little problem, the president said.
They didnt give enough water, like, so people would run them 10 times, (wash the dishes 10 times) so they end up using more water. And the things no damn good. We freed it up. Now you can buy a dishwasher and comes out and beautiful. Go buy a dishwasher. Go buy it. Those companies. I said, Whats wrong with this thing? It doesnt clean the dishes. Right? The women come up to me, the women who they say dont like me, they actually do like me a lot ... a lot. Suburban women, please vote for me. Im saving your damn house.
We have a situation where were looking very strongly at sinks and showers and other elements of bathrooms, where you turn the faucet on in areas where theres tremendous amounts of water, where it all flows out to sea because you could never handle it all, and you dont get any water, Trump said. They take a shower and water comes dripping out, very quietly dripping out. People are flushing toilets 10 times, 15 times, as opposed to once; they end up using more water. So EPA is looking very strongly at that, at my suggestion. I did this for you.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-toilet-water-pressure-story-rally-183213209.html
You know what really bothers me? When you go into a new hotel or new house, they have these faucets, and you turn them on and no water comes out, the president said. So you go into a hotel or you buy a house, and they have whats called the restrictor. Right? Same thing, by the way, same thing with your dishwasher. I freed that up too. The dishwashers, they had a little problem, the president said.
They didnt give enough water, like, so people would run them 10 times, (wash the dishes 10 times) so they end up using more water. And the things no damn good. We freed it up. Now you can buy a dishwasher and comes out and beautiful. Go buy a dishwasher. Go buy it. Those companies. I said, Whats wrong with this thing? It doesnt clean the dishes. Right? The women come up to me, the women who they say dont like me, they actually do like me a lot ... a lot. Suburban women, please vote for me. Im saving your damn house.
We have a situation where were looking very strongly at sinks and showers and other elements of bathrooms, where you turn the faucet on in areas where theres tremendous amounts of water, where it all flows out to sea because you could never handle it all, and you dont get any water, Trump said. They take a shower and water comes dripping out, very quietly dripping out. People are flushing toilets 10 times, 15 times, as opposed to once; they end up using more water. So EPA is looking very strongly at that, at my suggestion. I did this for you.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-toilet-water-pressure-story-rally-183213209.html
Thats right Trump, youre fired! And lets not forget that hes such an asshole that he cant stand even the slightest bit of negative press! Thats right, and thats why hes so afraid of people like Amorosa, who wrote a tell all book two years ago! But that raises another problem hes a delinquent when it comes to paying his bills! Not only does he stiff cities with security for his rallies, he doesnt pay his bills!
Donald Trumps campaign wants Omarosa Manigault Newman to pay up for penning an incriminating tell-all book about the president in 2018. But its the Trump campaign that hasnt paid its bills.
The delinquent $52,000 payment revealed in a previously unreported letter dated Oct. 14 and obtained by POLITICO is just one example of how the Trump campaign is handling the flurry of legal actions it has taken to both protect the president and attack his enemies in the final weeks of the campaign.
In some instances, the campaign is pressing ahead. In others, it has let the cases go dormant. The through line, however, is that the campaign has started a lot of fights in court, yet is not close to resolving them with just two weeks left until Election Day.
In the action against Manigault Newman, the campaign may simply let the case dissolve. In 2018, the Trump campaign filed an arbitration case against the former West Wing aide over her book, which rocked the White House with stories of Trump using lewd, sexist and racist language. At one point, Trumps attorneys suggested Newman pay for a nearly $1 million ad campaign to counteract the long-term adverse effects of her remarks.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/20/trumps-case-omarosa-problem-unpaid-legal-bills-430237
The delinquent $52,000 payment revealed in a previously unreported letter dated Oct. 14 and obtained by POLITICO is just one example of how the Trump campaign is handling the flurry of legal actions it has taken to both protect the president and attack his enemies in the final weeks of the campaign.
In some instances, the campaign is pressing ahead. In others, it has let the cases go dormant. The through line, however, is that the campaign has started a lot of fights in court, yet is not close to resolving them with just two weeks left until Election Day.
In the action against Manigault Newman, the campaign may simply let the case dissolve. In 2018, the Trump campaign filed an arbitration case against the former West Wing aide over her book, which rocked the White House with stories of Trump using lewd, sexist and racist language. At one point, Trumps attorneys suggested Newman pay for a nearly $1 million ad campaign to counteract the long-term adverse effects of her remarks.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/20/trumps-case-omarosa-problem-unpaid-legal-bills-430237
Thats right everything burns! And Trump is burning money so fast that he cant seem to keep a positive balance! I wanted to talk positively about how the Democrats are handling things, but Im having way too much fun bashing Trump instead. Lets not forget the fact that the man is fucking broke and he seems to spend money faster than he can keep it. My final thought do you really want this man to continue running our government? Do you? @realDonaldTrump, guess what? Youre fired.
President Donald Trumps sprawling political operation has raised well over $1 billion since he took the White House in 2017 and set a lot of it on fire.
Trump bought a $10 million Super Bowl ad when he didnt yet have a challenger. He tapped his political organization to cover exorbitant legal fees related to his impeachment. Aides made flashy displays of their newfound wealth including a fleet of luxury vehicles purchased by Brad Parscale, his former campaign manager.
Meanwhile, a web of limited liability companies hid more than $310 million in spending from disclosure, records show.
Now, just two weeks out from the election, some campaign aides privately acknowledge they are facing difficult spending decisions at a time when Democratic nominee Joe Biden has flooded the airwaves with advertising. That has put Trump in the position of needing to do more of his signature rallies as a substitute during the coronavirus pandemic while relying on an unproven theory that he can turn out supporters who are infrequent voters at historic levels.
They spent their money on unnecessary overhead, lifestyles-of-the-rich-and-famous activity by the campaign staff and vanity ads, said Mike Murphy, a veteran Republican consultant who advised John McCain and Jeb Bush and is an outspoken Trump critic. You could literally have 10 monkeys with flamethrowers go after the money, and they wouldnt have burned through it as stupidly.
https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-virus-outbreak-joe-biden-donald-trump-impeachments-8ac355b6ebd62b19d8a44fedcbf5b128
Trump bought a $10 million Super Bowl ad when he didnt yet have a challenger. He tapped his political organization to cover exorbitant legal fees related to his impeachment. Aides made flashy displays of their newfound wealth including a fleet of luxury vehicles purchased by Brad Parscale, his former campaign manager.
Meanwhile, a web of limited liability companies hid more than $310 million in spending from disclosure, records show.
Now, just two weeks out from the election, some campaign aides privately acknowledge they are facing difficult spending decisions at a time when Democratic nominee Joe Biden has flooded the airwaves with advertising. That has put Trump in the position of needing to do more of his signature rallies as a substitute during the coronavirus pandemic while relying on an unproven theory that he can turn out supporters who are infrequent voters at historic levels.
They spent their money on unnecessary overhead, lifestyles-of-the-rich-and-famous activity by the campaign staff and vanity ads, said Mike Murphy, a veteran Republican consultant who advised John McCain and Jeb Bush and is an outspoken Trump critic. You could literally have 10 monkeys with flamethrowers go after the money, and they wouldnt have burned through it as stupidly.
https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-virus-outbreak-joe-biden-donald-trump-impeachments-8ac355b6ebd62b19d8a44fedcbf5b128
All right folks, this is it. This is the real deal. Ive spent 4 whole years covering the Donald J. Trump administration from the time he wormed his way down that gold escalator to his Newport Beach COVID rally. I dont need to tell you how high the stakes are here. I am preaching to the choir. Go out and vote. Get out the vote! Well be here waiting for you when you get back! We will be running a best of next week and 11/4 will go dark. We will be back in full on 11/11 with a brand new edition and I will be either in a good mood or ready to throw my TV out the window!
See you in three weeks!
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October 14, 2020
Top 10 Conservative Idiots #9-14: Pretty Fly For A Really White Guy Edition
Welcome back to the Top 10 Conservative Idiots! Hows everybody doing? Are you guys doing fucking good? I know, right? Seriously didnt this last week feel like it was an entire year? I know! Can I gloat for a minute? Its about damn time a team I root for won it all! Im of course talking about the Los Angeles Lakers! Yes, congratulations to the Los Angeles Lakers for winning their 17th title in NBA history! Thank you canned audience! I mean seriously, ever since that horrifying helicopter crash that took the life of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, and 7 others, nothing has gone right this year. But I think last night was a turning point because the Lakers got their title and were able to dedicate it to Kobe on what has otherwise been an extremely shitty year. So yeah since February we havent really had much to celebrate and were looking at a nightmare scenario for the transition period after Trump loses to Biden and thats going to be ugly. And yes I have watched nearly every game in the NBA bubble in Orlando because its a pandemic and everyone is bored as hell. But that said, congratulations again to the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers for winning it all! OK thats enough of the intro so we have a lot of idiocy to cover in the weeks leading up to the election. But first Bill Maher is back and he has a dire warning and nightmare scenario laid out should Trump decide that hes not going to concede to Biden:
Were just a mere 3 weeks away from the 2020 election and its shaping up to be quite the shit show we all knew it would be, wouldnt it? Taking the first slot this week is our vice president Mike Pence (1) and the debate between Mike Pence and Kamala Harris was quite the shit show, but we can all agree that the fly on Pences head was the star of the show, am I right? Even Joe Biden had some fun with the buzz in the room! Taking the second slot this week, is our current and inexplicable president, Donald J. Trump he has not only infected the whole West Wing, but hes very slowly losing his mind! At slot #3 is Donald Trump Supporters. Remember his infamous LIBERATE MICHIGAN! tweet back in April? Well it inspired some real home grown terrorism, and well, this one fucked up situation! Taking the fourth slot this week is also Donald Trump (4) and this week after all the batshit crazy things hes done, Nancy Pelosi is finally discussing the 25th Amendment! In the fifth slot this week is our weekly investigative piece, Top 10 Investigates (5) and you may have noticed plexiglass barriers everywhere due to COVID-19 but what do they do and how effective are they? Taking the sixth slot this week is our weekly visit to the Holy Church Of The Top 10 in Holy Shit and this week - are we fighting a holy war? The evangelical crowd is suggesting yes, but our resident pastor has a different theory! In the seventh slot this week is a new Beating A Dead Horse and Saturday Night Live (7) once again attempted to cater to Trump fans by having a country music guy on and one whos known for partying and he has been partying hard in the middle of a pandemic! At slot #8 is a new edition of Conspiracy Corner (8) and this week, everyones favorite (?) theorists Jacob Wohl and Jack Berkman are finally throwing in the towel and turning themselves in. I cant wait to see the future movie about them starring Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill! In the number 9 (NEIN!!!) slot this week we have a new People Are Dumb, because of course they are! Finally this week in Road To The White House Trump is bailing on the debates and going on his virtual Deplorable Tour! Yes, he is actively losing his mind! Enjoy! And as always dont forget the key!
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[font size="8"]Mike Pence
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We need some music for this one!
Yeah love me some Offspring! I dont know if anyone saw the Vice Presidential debates but it was quite the shit show that everyone had expected. Kamala did great at the debate, as was expected, and Mike Pence showed himself off as Trumps mini me. But there was an unexpected star of the show during the 2 hour shit show, and that was that a fly unexpectedly landed on Pences head and stayed there for a whole two minutes. And if you watched the whole thing you can see that well, even Pence himself didnt know about it! But thats to be expected, I mean flies are drawn to horseshit. Hey o!!! But yeah, like most things just walk it off!
Unfortunately Barts head wasnt on the fly. But that said it was absolutely hilarious that this happened, but no one in the Trump administration has a sense of humor and is able to laugh about themselves, so thats that. But thats kind of sad when youre such a transparent person that the fly not only outranks you in the debate but actually steals your thunder! Mike Pence is such a soulless, animatronic excuse for a human that he shows no emotion over this, nor does he have a sense of humor about it.
I think having a killer spider might make things even worse! But really no one took the liberty of naming the fly? Thats pretty lame! Seriously, even the fly has more charisma than Mike Pence does. In this otherwise extremely dark and depressing year, we need things that make us laugh. And this was definitely one of them, even both sides can agree on! If thats pretty fly for a white guy, this is Pretty Fly For A Really White Guy!
Yeah wheres a Venus Fly Trap when you need it? Oh and in case youre wondering yes the fly already has its own brand of merchandise! Merchandising thats where the real money from this administration is made! My personal favorite even though Joe is already selling his own brand of fly swatter, theres the Mike Pence fly bobblehead! Thats right this is a thing that exists!
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[font size="8"]Donald Trump
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Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that Trump not only got infected with, but has been spreading the very virus that he has been calling a hoax since this February! Well weve been following the events of this potential walking biohazard returning to the White House, and its been quite the shit show that you would absolutely expect from the Trump White House. When Biden gets in, hes going to need to do some serious fumigation to not only get COVID out, but to get the smell of stupid out of the damn room! Thank you canned audience! Man I miss having an audience. But yes, Trump is turning the White House into a biohazard. And its not pretty.
Yes everyone, all is well!!! Actually all is not well! If you want a truly alarming statistic, theres more cases of COVID-19 in the White House than there are in all of New Zealand! And you know what? The cases arent going to stop there. While the rest of us watch in horror at the shit show unfolding at the West Wing, they simply dont seem to care and are getting back to business as usual!
Seriously dude, what COVID precautions? Anyone whos been watching the horror show unfold the last 7 months should be aware that he clearly doesnt give a shit and that were on our own. But $10 says that he doesnt make it past election day to serve his second term. And remember what I said about New Zealand? Look at this theres more cases in the White House than there are in all of that country!
I dont think its too early to tell sir. Its very well way past time to tell Trump is a walking, talking biological weapon. Hes so far infected 34 people and is on his way to infect the whole damn West Wing, and I dont want to point fingers but someone is going to die from this. Of course its like playing a game of Russian Roulette and you never know who the bullet is going to hit. But as with most things, this is going to get worse before it gets better.
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[font size="8"]Michigan Republicans
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You know that every week in 2020 has felt like 10 years hasnt it? So remember back in April when Trump tweeted to LIBERATE MICHIGAN!!! when protesting the COVID lockdowns? We covered this back in Idiots #8-14, which feels like an eternity ago! Well anyways in that length of time, it seems that a group of people in the great state of Michigan have decided that they are going to well, liberate Michigan. And this is why you should never listen to a guy like Trump. Because he is a raging psychopath with serious anger issues, and you dont want to piss a guy like that off, he will explode! And these dumbfucks who attempted to kidnap Governor Whitmer, what did they expect? Were they going to go full Bane from the Dark Knight Rises and hold their own trials? Because lets ask Bane and Scarecrow how well that worked out.
Seriously was this plot inspired by Bane or something? I mean you couldnt make up something this frothing-at-the-mouth crazy! And in case youre wondering the caliber of people that Trump has been attracting to his cause lately, well lets take a look at a place that was going to be visited by one of Trumps dim sons Eric. Apparently one of the guys who worked at this gun shop was being wait for it a belligerent, abusive jackass!
No it really isnt! But never mind the batshit crazy conspiracy theorists plotting to kidnap the governor and overthrow the government. Thats all crazy talk dont you know? Its all just a big, hearty gut laugh that we can all look back in a few years and go See? Remember how crazy the year 2020 was?. But thats the play from the defense it was all crazy talk from a bunch of crackpots. Ha ha ha ha ha, its all so obvious now!
No it really isnt at all! Now heres where it gets weird. Because this is the Trump administration, and you knew it was going to. Apparently, Whitmer wasnt the only governor these goons were planning to kidnap. Virginia was also on their list of states to be liberated. Because guess what? Thats another of the states that Trump has been targeting because of lockdown restrictions, because hes a certifiably insane individual!
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[font size="8"]Donald Trump
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Its no secret that Donald Trump has gone off his fucking rocker. The man is certifiably insane and hes getting worse as each day inches closer to the election. And its going to be the election from hell, that you can be assured of! So impeachment didnt work, and giving him a lame duck Congress didnt work, so whats behind door number 3? Why its the 25th amendment! Yes, that most sacred of constitutional amendments that says that the president can be removed from power if hes proven to be abusing it, could actually be invoked! We actually saw this being put to use in season 2 of the TV show 24 when President Palmers ability to govern is questioned by Vice President Prescott. So how would this work in real life?
Ok, Jack, you do that! So how would invoking the 25th amendment work? Theres numerous times over the last 4 years that it could have been used. So why wait until now? Nancy Pelosi has brought about the fact that it could be used. Because right now it would take a commission to kick Trump out of the Resolute Desk, but theres no way that committee could prove to be partisan. Well, theres a loophole.
And thats a guy who you do not want to fuck with either. And speak of guys who you dont want to fuck with, Trump is hopping mad that this is even being remotely considered. But what he doesnt know is that in the event that he tries to fuck with the election and its unresolved by December 15th, Nancy Pelosi becomes president. So yeah hes becoming his own worst enemy at this point.
Seriously, where is that guy when you need him? Of course we all know what happened when we saw Mitt Romney get ostracized from Trumpland when he voted for impeachment. And if you think Trump is bad now, wait until you see him on steroids! Not of the anabolic variety but of the kind used to cure crippling lung diseases. He is frothing at the mouth batshit crazy!
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[font size="8"]Top 10 Investigates: Plexiglass Barriers
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Its time to investigate beyond the headlines! This is Top 10 Investigates!
You may have seen pieces of plastic Plexiglass pop up at various supermarkets, fast food restaurants, and just about everywhere. They have also been a hot topic of discussion during the Vice Presidential Debates. But what do these windows do? Supposedly theyre for stopping the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. However, in the health care world, theres been a debate about whether or not these plastic barriers are actually effective or not. Can they actually stop the spread of the virus? How do they work against protecting you from the virus? And in the long run is spending all this money on a temporary solution really a good thing? These are the many questions that need to be answered while the pandemic is still going on.
Much like shooting the virus, having a small piece of plastic on your desk isnt really going to help protect you from an airborne virus. And just like masks, plexiglass is not only the latest divide in the right wing culture wars, its dividing scientists as well. So the question is do plexiglass barriers really help protect you from coronavirus? The answer is a definite maybe.
Thats probably the only safe way you can protect yourself from COVID. Only problem is you cannot use the bathroom, eat, or drink in one of those. In fact leading medical experts are calling the glass minimal protection and saying that the barriers are mainly for cosmetic purposes. The next time you see a plexiglass barrier just remember that it really isnt doing much to protect you at all.
Unfortunately youre not Mr. Burns, and theres no such thing as being completely indestructible. So plexiglass shields are everywhere now based on CDC guidelines. And the truth of the matter is that they could not be helpful. Or someone could also be screwing with us. Because in a raging pandemic you cant take too many precautions but when you do, make sure that the ones you take are going to protect you from the virus and will not hurt you.
Thats it this week for Top 10 Investigates. Good day.
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[font size="8"]Holy Shit
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Gather around my fair brothers and sisters! Its time to take a seat in the virtual pew make an online donation in the LAWRDs virtual collection plate, for the Holy Church Of The Top 10 has convened and its time to remind you that the holiest among us are the most full of:
My fair virtual congregation! Is it safe to say that we are in the midst of a holy war? Because we are currently vying for the SOUL of this great country! And the reason I ask this is because I have been told by supporters of the unholy, ungodly Dark One, whose name shall not be spoken in my church that that is indeed the case! In fact, the Dark One is currently running a cult and it is a very dangerous and scary one at that. In fact heres a perfect example of how one takes his indoctrination into the cult way too seriously and way too far!
Now really there was a time when someone would talk like that and they would get sent to the place with padded walls and straight jackets! These days we give them a platform and followers who latch onto their garbage! Seriously were less than 4 weeks away from the election that could send the Dark One packing, so that means that extreme far right Christians have upped their ante!
Man what book are you reading Reverend? You do *NOT* use GAWD to stump for the Dark One under any circumstances! For the good LAWRD JAYSUS is apolitical and if he were to meet the unholy one, would surely cast him into the fiery pit of HELL!!! Now heres where they are taking the Holy War a step too far. Fake coach Dave Daubenmire is taking the battle against Hillary Clinton just a wee bit too far!
Now youve dang gone too far there, fake Coach! These people have a bizarre obsession with Hillary Clintons death, dont they? I would hope that the Secret Service is protecting her 24/7. That said, despite all the unusually violent rhetoric coming from the Christian right during this madness, when the Civil War comes, it will be business as usual. But really since about March of 2020, nothing has been business as usual.
So never mind that, just go buy things at Bed, Bath & Beyond and go to your favorite events during a civil war. Its just business as usual! These people are clinically insane! Mass has ended, may you go in peace! Thats it this week for:
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[font size="8"]Beating A Dead Horse
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Saturday Night Live is finally back with their first new episodes since the pandemic began and its been something of a mixed bag. You had SNL At Home, which fucking blew. But now theyre back in the studio with a live audience which has been good but not great. However, their attempts to cater to the right wing after being accused of liberal bias have backfired on them spectacularly. But first off lets have a control group here, is that host Bill Burr had what some might call a mixed bag of jokes, mainly because he was railing on the concept of cancel culture. Now this is 2020 and the Me Too movement is 3 years old, so were already getting sick of the cancel culture talk!
Seriously did you ever stop to think that the reason why youre getting canceled is because youre just not funny? Although that brings up another good subject is how do you make fun of woke culture? It is not something you can really make fun of because otherwise your jokes come off as cringy and embarrassing. I mean seriously its been 3 years since the dawn of the Me Too Movement, and you really cant joke about it.
See we live in a weird time in the comedy world. The pandemic has killed live audiences for the foreseeable future, and woke culture as its been called has made everything from timeless monologues to current comedians super cringe worthy. And come on if you dont know why theyre trying to cancel John Wayne well lets just remember that John Wayne was a racist asshole! And if you dont know why, youre probably a racist asshole too.
And speaking of canceled, heres the kind of jokes that they come up with in whats been an increasingly humorless world. So since a lot of Bill Burrs material is off limits, they joke about, among other things pumpkin spice beer! And come on, Sam Adams is the Boston equivalent of Foster if you are in a real Boston bar and you try to order that shit, they laugh at you! And yes, I have tried just about every beer that Sam Adams makes, including the Pumpkin Spice variety!
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[font size="8"]Conspiracy Corner
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Hello everyone and welcome to Conspiracy Corner! When people have things that they cant explain, they turn to conspiracies of course! And this is the segment that attempts to explain the unexplainable! Of course I am coming to you live from an underground doomsday prepper shelter deep in the alkali flats of the New Mexico badlands. Undisclosed location of course. Now this week, the GOP is full of conspiracy theorists, and perhaps the two dumbest men in America Jacob Whol and Jack Burkman, who we have covered on this program many times are finally throwing in the towel. Yes, theyve decided to give up on their shenanigans and let the adults run things again. But theyre not going down without a fight! Just let me adjust my tin foil hat for maximum government interference and there we go!
That is a good question! Apparently the biggest kind because as we have pointed out, these guys are certifiably insane. And they are out to take down alleged democratic voter fraud by committing real election fraud! Folks, I dont need to tell you that voter intimidation is a crime and we are in the final hours of the election that could send Donald Trump packing. But his supporters arent going down without a fight. May they be regulated to the dust bin of history!
That is a good point sir! And yes these two if found guilty, will be going away for a long time, and they will emerge at a time when Trump is no longer president, so no pardon, fellas! And by the way thats not the only thing these two idiots have been up to. Theyve also been scheming and attracting the attention of the FBI through their leaking of documents pertaining to conspiracy theorist #1 Roger Stones trial. Yes, it goes all the way to the top!!!
So voter intimidation and jury tampering any other crimes these two Trumpiest of the Trump supporters can conjure up? How about extreme robodialing? Yes, not only are they trying to rig the election (and failing badly at it), theyre also engaging in some extreme voter fraud and misinformation regarding propositions and ballot reforms! Really, the sooner these two idiots go away and are never heard from again, the better!
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[font size="8"]People Are Dumb
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Hit it!
Of course you know by now that people are people and people are dumb. So who is dumb this week? I want to start with dumb products. And this product may be one of the dumbest! Seriously, theres a high tech chastity belt for men out there. Who the fuck would buy this and who the fuck would actually wear this thing? Oh and theres no surprise that it can be hacked! I mean come on its one thing to get an STD. Its another thing to get a virus on the device thats supposed to be protecting your junk. Really I have so many questions about this thing. But if we answer all of them fuck, I just dont have that kind of time!
Good pull! Next up poop! Yes, our bathroom time is never immune from a People Are Dumb story, and we go to the state of Michigan for this one! Yes, Florida isnt the only state where the stupid and crazy exist. Shocker they are everywhere!!! And this disgusting story is definitely something that Trump era politics have brought on us. And well, lets let the story do the talking.
Somehow I dont think Flushing Meadows is supposed to work that way! Next up we of course have to go to Americas most penis-shaped state, the Sunshine State, good old Florida. Florida is always one of the craziest states in the union and for good reason. For one thing the Good Book is not supposed to be a weapon! Unless youre John Wick, but if thats the case, that dude can literally use anything as a weapon. But if youre not John Wick, dont do it!
Next up we go to the Florida town of St. Petersburg! Look, I know times are tough right now because of COVID and we could all use a pick me up. But maybe dont follow the lead of Florida Man and start passing out weed like its Halloween candy. Yeah really. I sure could use a hit right now and I know a lot of us could. But in some parts of the country mainly in those run by conservative states weed is still illegal last I checked!
Good point Homer! Finally this week is yet another Florida Man story and this might be one of the strangest Florida Man stories yet! We go to the town of Ocala, thats the home of John Travolta dont you know. So heres the thing, if you are out fishing and you find something like, I dont know, an explosive hand grenade, do you really think your next stop should be getting some fast food? I know that I dont!
Thats it this week for:
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[font size="8"]Road To The White House: Trump Bails On Debate
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Welcome back to . Cue reverb ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE!! Oh man that was some good reverb there. Last week, which seems like an eternity ago this year, we covered the first presidential debates and of course the term shit show doesnt even begin to describe it. Of course we are in a raging pandemic and all rules about the way society is supposed to function are thrown out the window, and we are in an election year at that! But then again Trump is still our president, and he refuses to abide by the rules. So put those two things together and the question is asked is there a possibility there will even be a second debate? To which I answer: are you fucking kidding me?.
So rather than play by the rules and hold a virtual rally, Trump instead is going out on his own and holding super spreader events! So what happens if Trump decides to again bail on the second debate its widely known that hes infected with COVID and continues to infect everyone in his path, so the idea of holding an in-person debate is out of the question. But theres no mistaking that Trump is an abusive, obnoxious jerk and would love to give Biden the virus if he could!
That is true and Trump is quite the evil fucker. In fact not only does he have COVID, hes flying out to Florida (obviously) to do another in-person campaign event. And of course his supporters dont give a flying fuck about COVID or their own health. Dear Leader is speaking and they will avoid Satan himself to go see him! But heres where it gets creepy and weird.
Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!! EW! EW! EW! EW! EW! EW! EW! Wait a minute EW. Why the flying fuck does he always make every thing so creepy and weird? Because he is a creepy weirdo and its just totally disgusting. OK now that I have got that off my chest, you know what the GOP really thinks of us and Joe Biden? Well lets just say that theyve gone full asshole and now all rules are off the table.
[font size="8"]And Now This:
Folks last week we lost one of the greats of all time Eddie Van Halen. And I know that live music is off the table right now so I am paying tribute to him through live music. Really anyone who knows the Sunset Strip scene has a Van Halen story or two. Me Ive always liked his song Right Now from his 1991 album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge and its a protest song even though it at one point was used for a Pepsi product that no longer exists. So here it is Van Halen performing Right Now.
Folks, before we get out of here, a programming note. Next week is our last new regular Top 10 before the election. 10/28 will be a Viewers Choice All Time Best Of (with maybe a new entry or two), and 11/4 will go dark. Maybe we will do a Top 10 Mini depending on how I feel or how things are going. We will be back in full on 11/11 once the dust has been settled and hopefully in a much better mood than we have been the last 4 years! Next week, we will have our final thoughts going into the election in Road To The White House.
See you next week!
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Top 10 Conservative Idiots #9-14: Pretty Fly For A Really White Guy Edition
Top 10 Conservative Idiots #9-14: Pretty Fly For A Really White Guy Edition
Welcome back to the Top 10 Conservative Idiots! Hows everybody doing? Are you guys doing fucking good? I know, right? Seriously didnt this last week feel like it was an entire year? I know! Can I gloat for a minute? Its about damn time a team I root for won it all! Im of course talking about the Los Angeles Lakers! Yes, congratulations to the Los Angeles Lakers for winning their 17th title in NBA history! Thank you canned audience! I mean seriously, ever since that horrifying helicopter crash that took the life of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, and 7 others, nothing has gone right this year. But I think last night was a turning point because the Lakers got their title and were able to dedicate it to Kobe on what has otherwise been an extremely shitty year. So yeah since February we havent really had much to celebrate and were looking at a nightmare scenario for the transition period after Trump loses to Biden and thats going to be ugly. And yes I have watched nearly every game in the NBA bubble in Orlando because its a pandemic and everyone is bored as hell. But that said, congratulations again to the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers for winning it all! OK thats enough of the intro so we have a lot of idiocy to cover in the weeks leading up to the election. But first Bill Maher is back and he has a dire warning and nightmare scenario laid out should Trump decide that hes not going to concede to Biden:
Were just a mere 3 weeks away from the 2020 election and its shaping up to be quite the shit show we all knew it would be, wouldnt it? Taking the first slot this week is our vice president Mike Pence (1) and the debate between Mike Pence and Kamala Harris was quite the shit show, but we can all agree that the fly on Pences head was the star of the show, am I right? Even Joe Biden had some fun with the buzz in the room! Taking the second slot this week, is our current and inexplicable president, Donald J. Trump he has not only infected the whole West Wing, but hes very slowly losing his mind! At slot #3 is Donald Trump Supporters. Remember his infamous LIBERATE MICHIGAN! tweet back in April? Well it inspired some real home grown terrorism, and well, this one fucked up situation! Taking the fourth slot this week is also Donald Trump (4) and this week after all the batshit crazy things hes done, Nancy Pelosi is finally discussing the 25th Amendment! In the fifth slot this week is our weekly investigative piece, Top 10 Investigates (5) and you may have noticed plexiglass barriers everywhere due to COVID-19 but what do they do and how effective are they? Taking the sixth slot this week is our weekly visit to the Holy Church Of The Top 10 in Holy Shit and this week - are we fighting a holy war? The evangelical crowd is suggesting yes, but our resident pastor has a different theory! In the seventh slot this week is a new Beating A Dead Horse and Saturday Night Live (7) once again attempted to cater to Trump fans by having a country music guy on and one whos known for partying and he has been partying hard in the middle of a pandemic! At slot #8 is a new edition of Conspiracy Corner (8) and this week, everyones favorite (?) theorists Jacob Wohl and Jack Berkman are finally throwing in the towel and turning themselves in. I cant wait to see the future movie about them starring Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill! In the number 9 (NEIN!!!) slot this week we have a new People Are Dumb, because of course they are! Finally this week in Road To The White House Trump is bailing on the debates and going on his virtual Deplorable Tour! Yes, he is actively losing his mind! Enjoy! And as always dont forget the key!
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[font size="8"]Mike Pence
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We need some music for this one!
Yeah love me some Offspring! I dont know if anyone saw the Vice Presidential debates but it was quite the shit show that everyone had expected. Kamala did great at the debate, as was expected, and Mike Pence showed himself off as Trumps mini me. But there was an unexpected star of the show during the 2 hour shit show, and that was that a fly unexpectedly landed on Pences head and stayed there for a whole two minutes. And if you watched the whole thing you can see that well, even Pence himself didnt know about it! But thats to be expected, I mean flies are drawn to horseshit. Hey o!!! But yeah, like most things just walk it off!
Vice President Mike Pence said Monday he learned afterward from his children that a fly had landed on his head during last weeks debate against California Sen. Kamala Harris.
Theyre the ones that told me. I didnt know he was there, Pence told Fox News in an interview, referring to the insect that lit up Twitter in the hours after the vice presidential forum.
They all told me, Dad, you did OK, he said. But they did tell me about the fly. And it was a good laugh for all of us.
The black bug sat on Pences closely cropped, white hair for roughly two minutes last Wednesday as he debated racial justice and police brutality with Harris, the running mate to Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
The Biden-Harris campaign began selling fly swatter merchandise within minutes of the vice presidential candidates leaving the stage, and jokes about the fly have continued on social media and cable news through this week.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/12/mike-pence-fly-on-his-head-429000
Theyre the ones that told me. I didnt know he was there, Pence told Fox News in an interview, referring to the insect that lit up Twitter in the hours after the vice presidential forum.
They all told me, Dad, you did OK, he said. But they did tell me about the fly. And it was a good laugh for all of us.
The black bug sat on Pences closely cropped, white hair for roughly two minutes last Wednesday as he debated racial justice and police brutality with Harris, the running mate to Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
The Biden-Harris campaign began selling fly swatter merchandise within minutes of the vice presidential candidates leaving the stage, and jokes about the fly have continued on social media and cable news through this week.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/12/mike-pence-fly-on-his-head-429000
Unfortunately Barts head wasnt on the fly. But that said it was absolutely hilarious that this happened, but no one in the Trump administration has a sense of humor and is able to laugh about themselves, so thats that. But thats kind of sad when youre such a transparent person that the fly not only outranks you in the debate but actually steals your thunder! Mike Pence is such a soulless, animatronic excuse for a human that he shows no emotion over this, nor does he have a sense of humor about it.
Ahead of Wednesdays vice-presidential debate, the buzz was around whether Kamala Harris or Mike Pence would turn in a standout performance.
Instead, the unexpected star of the show was a fly, which landed on Pences head and sat there, seemingly carefree, for a full two minutes.
The unnamed fly prompted much commentary online, and the word flies began trending on Twitter. Some pointed out that flies, according to conventional wisdom, are drawn to feces.
It wasnt long before the fly had its own Twitter account Mike Pences Fly.
During her debate prep Harris and her team were aware of the double standard women in power are subjected to compared with men including increased scrutiny over how women look.
But it was Pences appearance which drew more attention.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/07/fly-mike-pence-vice-presidential-debate-pink-eye
Instead, the unexpected star of the show was a fly, which landed on Pences head and sat there, seemingly carefree, for a full two minutes.
The unnamed fly prompted much commentary online, and the word flies began trending on Twitter. Some pointed out that flies, according to conventional wisdom, are drawn to feces.
It wasnt long before the fly had its own Twitter account Mike Pences Fly.
During her debate prep Harris and her team were aware of the double standard women in power are subjected to compared with men including increased scrutiny over how women look.
But it was Pences appearance which drew more attention.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/07/fly-mike-pence-vice-presidential-debate-pink-eye
I think having a killer spider might make things even worse! But really no one took the liberty of naming the fly? Thats pretty lame! Seriously, even the fly has more charisma than Mike Pence does. In this otherwise extremely dark and depressing year, we need things that make us laugh. And this was definitely one of them, even both sides can agree on! If thats pretty fly for a white guy, this is Pretty Fly For A Really White Guy!
In comparison to the disorderly spectacle that was the first presidential debate, the vice-presidential was relatively tame. As expected, Kamala Harris spoke eloquently and emphatically when asked to discuss Trumps negligent and reckless response to the pandemic and Joe Bidens tax plan, among other topics. On the other side of the inadequately sized plexiglass barriers sat Vice-President Mike Pence, who spent the debate dodging moderator Susan Pages questions entirely, repeatedly interrupting Harris, and cynically posturing himself as a man who cares deeply about every American.
By the time the clock struck approximately 10:16 p.m. a mere 14 minutes away from the debates conclusion things were feeling pretty lethargic. That is, a little black object that suddenly appeared atop Pences Lego-helmet hair, perplexing viewers across the country. Is something wrong with my television screen? some wondered. Personally, I thought that a piece of ceiling debris had conveniently landed on Pences head, which I found gratifying. And then, seemingly simultaneously, we identified the puzzling mark:
But what made this guest appearance so stunning is that said fly did not immediately take flight upon realizing its landing pad was living and emitting a stream of monotonous sounds. Rather, this resolute little bug dug its toes into Pences helmet and hung out for a remarkably long two minutes, almost as if it were atop a bountiful feeding ground, like a deer carcass, or maybe even warm pile of garbage. (Naturally, Bidens campaign has already seized onto this viral moment and is selling a Truth Over Flies Fly Swatter.)
https://www.thecut.com/2020/10/a-fly-landed-on-mike-pences-head-during-the-vp-debate.html
By the time the clock struck approximately 10:16 p.m. a mere 14 minutes away from the debates conclusion things were feeling pretty lethargic. That is, a little black object that suddenly appeared atop Pences Lego-helmet hair, perplexing viewers across the country. Is something wrong with my television screen? some wondered. Personally, I thought that a piece of ceiling debris had conveniently landed on Pences head, which I found gratifying. And then, seemingly simultaneously, we identified the puzzling mark:
But what made this guest appearance so stunning is that said fly did not immediately take flight upon realizing its landing pad was living and emitting a stream of monotonous sounds. Rather, this resolute little bug dug its toes into Pences helmet and hung out for a remarkably long two minutes, almost as if it were atop a bountiful feeding ground, like a deer carcass, or maybe even warm pile of garbage. (Naturally, Bidens campaign has already seized onto this viral moment and is selling a Truth Over Flies Fly Swatter.)
https://www.thecut.com/2020/10/a-fly-landed-on-mike-pences-head-during-the-vp-debate.html
Yeah wheres a Venus Fly Trap when you need it? Oh and in case youre wondering yes the fly already has its own brand of merchandise! Merchandising thats where the real money from this administration is made! My personal favorite even though Joe is already selling his own brand of fly swatter, theres the Mike Pence fly bobblehead! Thats right this is a thing that exists!
The moment a fly landed on Mike Pences head during Wednesdays vice-presidential debate is being immortalized with a bobblehead.
You might say the buzz hadnt died down from the debate when the folks at the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum issued the news.
Pre-orders are available for the Mike Pence fly bobblehead, which costs $25. The bobblehead includes the fly on Pences head, a plexiglass-like barrier and a removable mini swatter. Shipping is expected in January.
The fly landed - and stayed on Pences head for a couple of minutes as he debated Sen. Kamala Harris in Salt Lake City.
While bobbleheads gained fame for depicting moments mostly in sports, this year has expanded the reach of the Milwaukee-based hall.
https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2020/10/mike-pence-fly-bobblehead-set-to-be-released.html
You might say the buzz hadnt died down from the debate when the folks at the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum issued the news.
Pre-orders are available for the Mike Pence fly bobblehead, which costs $25. The bobblehead includes the fly on Pences head, a plexiglass-like barrier and a removable mini swatter. Shipping is expected in January.
The fly landed - and stayed on Pences head for a couple of minutes as he debated Sen. Kamala Harris in Salt Lake City.
While bobbleheads gained fame for depicting moments mostly in sports, this year has expanded the reach of the Milwaukee-based hall.
https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2020/10/mike-pence-fly-bobblehead-set-to-be-released.html
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[font size="8"]Donald Trump
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Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that Trump not only got infected with, but has been spreading the very virus that he has been calling a hoax since this February! Well weve been following the events of this potential walking biohazard returning to the White House, and its been quite the shit show that you would absolutely expect from the Trump White House. When Biden gets in, hes going to need to do some serious fumigation to not only get COVID out, but to get the smell of stupid out of the damn room! Thank you canned audience! Man I miss having an audience. But yes, Trump is turning the White House into a biohazard. And its not pretty.
In the wake of his return to the White House yesterday from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for COVID-19 treatment, President Donald Trump continued to downplay the threat from the virus, with more infections reported in a growing circle of people around him and in upper military ranks.
In another development, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today released its COVID-19 vaccine standards for developers, following an earlier block by the White House due to its concerns that the guidelines would delay the arrival of the first doses until after Election Day.
Trump returns with defiant messaging
After Trump returned to the White House by helicopter last night, he climbed stairs to a balcony, took off his mask, and posed for pictures, drawing a contrast to reports yesterday of infections in White House staff, including housekeepers, and news photos of workers in personal protective equipment disinfecting the press room in the facility's West Wing. Two people with confirmed COVID-19 are now being isolated treated at the White House: Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
As Trump prepared to leave the hospital yesterday, he tweeted that Americans shouldn't fear the virus or let it dominate them. His comments, followed by his mask removal, prompted sharp blowback from public health officials, who accused the President of downplaying the virus again and pointed out that Trump received a combination of experimental and state-of-the-art treatments that most patients don't get.
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/10/trump-returns-white-house-outbreak-expands-more-staff-and-military
In another development, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today released its COVID-19 vaccine standards for developers, following an earlier block by the White House due to its concerns that the guidelines would delay the arrival of the first doses until after Election Day.
Trump returns with defiant messaging
After Trump returned to the White House by helicopter last night, he climbed stairs to a balcony, took off his mask, and posed for pictures, drawing a contrast to reports yesterday of infections in White House staff, including housekeepers, and news photos of workers in personal protective equipment disinfecting the press room in the facility's West Wing. Two people with confirmed COVID-19 are now being isolated treated at the White House: Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
As Trump prepared to leave the hospital yesterday, he tweeted that Americans shouldn't fear the virus or let it dominate them. His comments, followed by his mask removal, prompted sharp blowback from public health officials, who accused the President of downplaying the virus again and pointed out that Trump received a combination of experimental and state-of-the-art treatments that most patients don't get.
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/10/trump-returns-white-house-outbreak-expands-more-staff-and-military
Yes everyone, all is well!!! Actually all is not well! If you want a truly alarming statistic, theres more cases of COVID-19 in the White House than there are in all of New Zealand! And you know what? The cases arent going to stop there. While the rest of us watch in horror at the shit show unfolding at the West Wing, they simply dont seem to care and are getting back to business as usual!
Dr. Scott Gottlieb on Monday urged the White House to develop stronger health protocols after the Covid-19 infection of President Donald Trump.
Trump, who announced his diagnosis early Friday, is now being treated for Covid-19 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
I hope the whole White House takes a different approach. I dont think there were good precautions taken at the White House. They werent modeling good precautions, but equally important, they werent taking good precautions to protect the president, in my view, Gottlieb said on Squawk Box. They both need to model better precautions for the nation so that people see a better example being set by our leaders.
Gottlieb, earlier on Squawk Box, took issue with most of the prevention strategy relying on testing for the coronavirus. Many public health experts during the pandemic have emphasized that coronavirus testing is one component of a larger mitigation strategy. They have said other protocols such as wearing face coverings, maintaining social distance and good hygiene are critical to preventing transmission, too.
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/05/scott-gottlieb-hits-white-house-over-trump-coronavirus-precautions.html
Trump, who announced his diagnosis early Friday, is now being treated for Covid-19 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
I hope the whole White House takes a different approach. I dont think there were good precautions taken at the White House. They werent modeling good precautions, but equally important, they werent taking good precautions to protect the president, in my view, Gottlieb said on Squawk Box. They both need to model better precautions for the nation so that people see a better example being set by our leaders.
Gottlieb, earlier on Squawk Box, took issue with most of the prevention strategy relying on testing for the coronavirus. Many public health experts during the pandemic have emphasized that coronavirus testing is one component of a larger mitigation strategy. They have said other protocols such as wearing face coverings, maintaining social distance and good hygiene are critical to preventing transmission, too.
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/05/scott-gottlieb-hits-white-house-over-trump-coronavirus-precautions.html
Seriously dude, what COVID precautions? Anyone whos been watching the horror show unfold the last 7 months should be aware that he clearly doesnt give a shit and that were on our own. But $10 says that he doesnt make it past election day to serve his second term. And remember what I said about New Zealand? Look at this theres more cases in the White House than there are in all of that country!
The coronavirus outbreak has infected "34 White House staffers and other contacts" in recent days, according to an internal government memo, an indication that the disease has spread among more people than previously known in the seat of American government.
Dated Wednesday and obtained by ABC News, the memo was distributed among senior leadership at FEMA, a branch of the Department of Homeland Security and the agency responsible for managing the continuing national response to the public health disaster.
The memo also notes that a senior adviser to the president is among those infected. Hope Hicks and Stephen Miller, both senior aides to the president, have tested positive in recent days.
The new figures underscore both the growing crisis in the White House and the lengths to which government officials have gone to block information about the outbreak's spread. ABC News had previously reported that a total of 24 White House aides and their contacts had contracted the virus. It was not clear in the FEMA memo with the larger number what other contacts referred to.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/34-people-connected-white-house-previously-infected-coronavirus/story?id=73487381
Dated Wednesday and obtained by ABC News, the memo was distributed among senior leadership at FEMA, a branch of the Department of Homeland Security and the agency responsible for managing the continuing national response to the public health disaster.
The memo also notes that a senior adviser to the president is among those infected. Hope Hicks and Stephen Miller, both senior aides to the president, have tested positive in recent days.
The new figures underscore both the growing crisis in the White House and the lengths to which government officials have gone to block information about the outbreak's spread. ABC News had previously reported that a total of 24 White House aides and their contacts had contracted the virus. It was not clear in the FEMA memo with the larger number what other contacts referred to.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/34-people-connected-white-house-previously-infected-coronavirus/story?id=73487381
I dont think its too early to tell sir. Its very well way past time to tell Trump is a walking, talking biological weapon. Hes so far infected 34 people and is on his way to infect the whole damn West Wing, and I dont want to point fingers but someone is going to die from this. Of course its like playing a game of Russian Roulette and you never know who the bullet is going to hit. But as with most things, this is going to get worse before it gets better.
One of the best weapons to deploy against a killer virus is accurate informationthat is, the truth. If the public is fully and well informed about the dangers and the best countermeasures, the better the chances this threat can be arrested. Donald Trump, who with his wife, Melania, has tested positive for COVID-19, recklessly chose not to adopt this fundamental strategy in the face of a pandemic that has claimed over 207,000 American lives and that has yet to be tamed. You know the list: He downplayed the coronavirus (comparing it to the flu), he pronounced it was under control (it wasnt), he said it would miraculously disappear with warmer weather (it didnt), he promoted unproven and crackpot remedies (bleach, light, and hydroxychloroquine), he denigrated the most basic means to stop the spread (mask-wearing), and he refused to encourage safe practices (holding rallies with thousands of unmasked supporters).
Trump has mounted a disinformation campaign since COVID-19 landed in the United States. He has undercut and contradicted the guidance provided by his own governments public health experts. He has fueled the passions of the misguided anti-maskers and provided ammo to fools who believe the pandemic is a hoax. This week a Cornell University study that analyzed 38 million English-language articles about the coronavirus concluded that Trump was the largest driver of the infodemic. In other words, he is the chief spreader of the virus of disinformation. That was hardly a shocker. The Washington Post fact-checkers have chronicled over 20,000 false statements and lies from Trump since he stepped into the White House.
So now when the coronavirus hits the West Wing, infects the president, a top aide, his wife, and perhaps others and triggers yet another crisis, a crucial element will be missing: trust. Can the public believe anything Trump and his minions say about this latest development? Of course not.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/10/with-covid-hitting-the-west-wing-what-happens-when-the-president-is-a-liar/
Trump has mounted a disinformation campaign since COVID-19 landed in the United States. He has undercut and contradicted the guidance provided by his own governments public health experts. He has fueled the passions of the misguided anti-maskers and provided ammo to fools who believe the pandemic is a hoax. This week a Cornell University study that analyzed 38 million English-language articles about the coronavirus concluded that Trump was the largest driver of the infodemic. In other words, he is the chief spreader of the virus of disinformation. That was hardly a shocker. The Washington Post fact-checkers have chronicled over 20,000 false statements and lies from Trump since he stepped into the White House.
So now when the coronavirus hits the West Wing, infects the president, a top aide, his wife, and perhaps others and triggers yet another crisis, a crucial element will be missing: trust. Can the public believe anything Trump and his minions say about this latest development? Of course not.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/10/with-covid-hitting-the-west-wing-what-happens-when-the-president-is-a-liar/
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[font size="8"]Michigan Republicans
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You know that every week in 2020 has felt like 10 years hasnt it? So remember back in April when Trump tweeted to LIBERATE MICHIGAN!!! when protesting the COVID lockdowns? We covered this back in Idiots #8-14, which feels like an eternity ago! Well anyways in that length of time, it seems that a group of people in the great state of Michigan have decided that they are going to well, liberate Michigan. And this is why you should never listen to a guy like Trump. Because he is a raging psychopath with serious anger issues, and you dont want to piss a guy like that off, he will explode! And these dumbfucks who attempted to kidnap Governor Whitmer, what did they expect? Were they going to go full Bane from the Dark Knight Rises and hold their own trials? Because lets ask Bane and Scarecrow how well that worked out.
Federal prosecutors on Tuesday revealed new and sometimes shocking details of the case they have built against six men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Defense attorneys began their efforts to shoot holes in the government's story, suggesting through questions they directed at an FBI agent that some of the plotting was just talk and that there was no specific kidnapping plan, just a range of ideas being tossed around.
Five of the six defendants sat with chains around their waists and wrists, sometimes nodding to family members or friends in the courtroom in the Grand Rapids federal building, as assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler showed photos and videos and drew testimony from an FBI special agent.
The sixth federal defendant is still in Delaware, where he was arrested. All six are charged with conspiracy to kidnap and have been held in custody since their Oct. 7 arrests.
Seven other defendants face state charges brought by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, including supporting terrorism, gang membership, and possessing a firearm in commission of a felony.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/10/13/suspects-plot-kidnap-michigan-gov-gretchen-whitmer-face-court/5977284002/
Defense attorneys began their efforts to shoot holes in the government's story, suggesting through questions they directed at an FBI agent that some of the plotting was just talk and that there was no specific kidnapping plan, just a range of ideas being tossed around.
Five of the six defendants sat with chains around their waists and wrists, sometimes nodding to family members or friends in the courtroom in the Grand Rapids federal building, as assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler showed photos and videos and drew testimony from an FBI special agent.
The sixth federal defendant is still in Delaware, where he was arrested. All six are charged with conspiracy to kidnap and have been held in custody since their Oct. 7 arrests.
Seven other defendants face state charges brought by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, including supporting terrorism, gang membership, and possessing a firearm in commission of a felony.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/10/13/suspects-plot-kidnap-michigan-gov-gretchen-whitmer-face-court/5977284002/
Seriously was this plot inspired by Bane or something? I mean you couldnt make up something this frothing-at-the-mouth crazy! And in case youre wondering the caliber of people that Trump has been attracting to his cause lately, well lets take a look at a place that was going to be visited by one of Trumps dim sons Eric. Apparently one of the guys who worked at this gun shop was being wait for it a belligerent, abusive jackass!
Eric Trump canceled a visit to a gun shop in Michigan where one of the men accused of plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used to work.
Sarah Al-Arshani 2 hours ago
Eric Trump canceled a visit to a Michigan gun shop after it was discovered that one of the 13 men accused of plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used to work there.
Huron Valley Guns wrote in a Facebook post that one of the men accused in the plot worked there for three weeks in February and was fired after showing up to work wearing "a LOT of tactical gear."
"We found that a little odd. We weren't comfortable with him for a few other reasons and fired him after 3 weeks. He ended up being one of the fringe characters arrested for the Governor Whitmer kidnapping," the organization wrote.
Ed Swadish, owner of Huron Valley Guns, told The Detroit News that he couldn't reveal the name of the employee on the advice of his lawyers but said the former employee worked on the gun range.
Read more: https://www.businessinsider.com/eric-trump-canceled-visit-michigan-gun-man-accused-whitmer-worked-2020-10
Sarah Al-Arshani 2 hours ago
Eric Trump canceled a visit to a Michigan gun shop after it was discovered that one of the 13 men accused of plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used to work there.
Huron Valley Guns wrote in a Facebook post that one of the men accused in the plot worked there for three weeks in February and was fired after showing up to work wearing "a LOT of tactical gear."
"We found that a little odd. We weren't comfortable with him for a few other reasons and fired him after 3 weeks. He ended up being one of the fringe characters arrested for the Governor Whitmer kidnapping," the organization wrote.
Ed Swadish, owner of Huron Valley Guns, told The Detroit News that he couldn't reveal the name of the employee on the advice of his lawyers but said the former employee worked on the gun range.
Read more: https://www.businessinsider.com/eric-trump-canceled-visit-michigan-gun-man-accused-whitmer-worked-2020-10
No it really isnt! But never mind the batshit crazy conspiracy theorists plotting to kidnap the governor and overthrow the government. Thats all crazy talk dont you know? Its all just a big, hearty gut laugh that we can all look back in a few years and go See? Remember how crazy the year 2020 was?. But thats the play from the defense it was all crazy talk from a bunch of crackpots. Ha ha ha ha ha, its all so obvious now!
There was no real plan to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, but only "military wannabes" who engaged in "big talk" and played with guns in the woods, defense lawyers argued in court Tuesday.
As one defense lawyer suggested, the case appears to be one of "big talk between crackpots," or "people who talk a lot ... but are never going to do anything."
"Have you ever dealt with big talkers?" defense attorney Scott Graham asked an FBI agent on cross examination, adding: "There's kind of a military-wanna-be theme that runs between the militias."
Graham was grilling FBI special agent Richard Trask about his testimony that at least 13 militia members plotted to kidnap Whitmer from her vacation home and do one of two things: either take her on a boat in the middle of Lake Michigan and leave her there, or, take her to Wisconsin and try her for treason.
Graham asked the FBI agent how the suspects planned to get Whitmer to Wisconsin.
https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/10/13/whitmer-kidnap-plot-defense-adam-fox-kaleb-franks/3639980001/
As one defense lawyer suggested, the case appears to be one of "big talk between crackpots," or "people who talk a lot ... but are never going to do anything."
"Have you ever dealt with big talkers?" defense attorney Scott Graham asked an FBI agent on cross examination, adding: "There's kind of a military-wanna-be theme that runs between the militias."
Graham was grilling FBI special agent Richard Trask about his testimony that at least 13 militia members plotted to kidnap Whitmer from her vacation home and do one of two things: either take her on a boat in the middle of Lake Michigan and leave her there, or, take her to Wisconsin and try her for treason.
Graham asked the FBI agent how the suspects planned to get Whitmer to Wisconsin.
https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/10/13/whitmer-kidnap-plot-defense-adam-fox-kaleb-franks/3639980001/
No it really isnt at all! Now heres where it gets weird. Because this is the Trump administration, and you knew it was going to. Apparently, Whitmer wasnt the only governor these goons were planning to kidnap. Virginia was also on their list of states to be liberated. Because guess what? Thats another of the states that Trump has been targeting because of lockdown restrictions, because hes a certifiably insane individual!
Accused conspirators charged in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also discussed "taking" Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, an FBI agent testified at a court hearing Tuesday, as federal authorities offered new details about the alleged anti-government plot.
During the hearing here in Grand Rapids to discuss the charges filed last week against members of a self-proclaimed militia accused of plotting to kidnap Michigans Democratic governor, FBI Special Agent Richard Trask revealed that months ago, some of the suspects met in Dublin, Ohio, where Northam, also a Democrat, was discussed as a potential target.
At this meeting, they discussed possible targets, taking a sitting governor, specifically issues with the governors of Michigan and Virginia, based upon the lockdown orders, Trask told the court, referring to state-mandated restrictions implemented to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
No one has been charged with plotting to kidnap Northam, but, like Whitmer, Virginias governor was the target of intense criticism from some conservatives over the summer. President Trump has sharply criticized both governors, tweeting all-caps demands in the spring that their states be liberated.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/ralph-northam-gretchen-witmer-kidnapping-plot/2020/10/13/26b4e31a-0d5f-11eb-b1e8-16b59b92b36d_story.html
During the hearing here in Grand Rapids to discuss the charges filed last week against members of a self-proclaimed militia accused of plotting to kidnap Michigans Democratic governor, FBI Special Agent Richard Trask revealed that months ago, some of the suspects met in Dublin, Ohio, where Northam, also a Democrat, was discussed as a potential target.
At this meeting, they discussed possible targets, taking a sitting governor, specifically issues with the governors of Michigan and Virginia, based upon the lockdown orders, Trask told the court, referring to state-mandated restrictions implemented to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
No one has been charged with plotting to kidnap Northam, but, like Whitmer, Virginias governor was the target of intense criticism from some conservatives over the summer. President Trump has sharply criticized both governors, tweeting all-caps demands in the spring that their states be liberated.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/ralph-northam-gretchen-witmer-kidnapping-plot/2020/10/13/26b4e31a-0d5f-11eb-b1e8-16b59b92b36d_story.html
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[font size="8"]Donald Trump
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Its no secret that Donald Trump has gone off his fucking rocker. The man is certifiably insane and hes getting worse as each day inches closer to the election. And its going to be the election from hell, that you can be assured of! So impeachment didnt work, and giving him a lame duck Congress didnt work, so whats behind door number 3? Why its the 25th amendment! Yes, that most sacred of constitutional amendments that says that the president can be removed from power if hes proven to be abusing it, could actually be invoked! We actually saw this being put to use in season 2 of the TV show 24 when President Palmers ability to govern is questioned by Vice President Prescott. So how would this work in real life?
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Thursday that Democrats will hold an event on Friday to discuss the 25th Amendment amid concerns over President Trumps coronavirus diagnosis.
Tomorrow, by the way, tomorrow, come here tomorrow. We're going to be talking about the 25th Amendment. But not to take attention away from the subject we have now, she said in response to a question at a press conference regarding a possible coronavirus stimulus package.
When pressed for clarification as to whether Pelosi believes it is time to invoke the 25th Amendment, which delineates presidential succession, she declined to provide an explicit answer but hinted the discussion was tied to what she said was a lack of transparency from the White House over Trumps health.
Im not talking about it today except to tell you, if you want to talk about that, well see you tomorrow, she said. But you take me back to my point, Mr. President, when was the last time you had a negative test before you tested positive? Why is the White House not telling the country that important fact about how this made a hotspot of the White House?
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/520191-pelosi-were-going-to-be-talking-about-25th-amendment
Tomorrow, by the way, tomorrow, come here tomorrow. We're going to be talking about the 25th Amendment. But not to take attention away from the subject we have now, she said in response to a question at a press conference regarding a possible coronavirus stimulus package.
When pressed for clarification as to whether Pelosi believes it is time to invoke the 25th Amendment, which delineates presidential succession, she declined to provide an explicit answer but hinted the discussion was tied to what she said was a lack of transparency from the White House over Trumps health.
Im not talking about it today except to tell you, if you want to talk about that, well see you tomorrow, she said. But you take me back to my point, Mr. President, when was the last time you had a negative test before you tested positive? Why is the White House not telling the country that important fact about how this made a hotspot of the White House?
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/520191-pelosi-were-going-to-be-talking-about-25th-amendment
Ok, Jack, you do that! So how would invoking the 25th amendment work? Theres numerous times over the last 4 years that it could have been used. So why wait until now? Nancy Pelosi has brought about the fact that it could be used. Because right now it would take a commission to kick Trump out of the Resolute Desk, but theres no way that committee could prove to be partisan. Well, theres a loophole.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., unveiled a bill Oct. 9 to establish a commission that could be tasked with determining if a president is no longer fit for office.
The bill from Raskin, a former constitutional scholar, comes on the heels of President Donald Trumps Oct. 2 announcement of his positive COVID-19 test. The bill would create what would be known as the Commission on Presidential Capacity to Discharge the Powers and Duties of the Office in accordance with the 25th Amendment to the Constitution.
The commission would not have the unilateral power to invoke the 25th Amendment and kick Trump or any future president out of the White House. Pelosi and Raskin insisted in a press conference that the move was unrelated to the election less than a month away.
This is not about President Trump, said Pelosi. He will face the judgment of the voters. But he shows the need for us to create a process for future presidents.
https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2020/house-democrats-new-bill-on-the-25th-amendment-explained/
The bill from Raskin, a former constitutional scholar, comes on the heels of President Donald Trumps Oct. 2 announcement of his positive COVID-19 test. The bill would create what would be known as the Commission on Presidential Capacity to Discharge the Powers and Duties of the Office in accordance with the 25th Amendment to the Constitution.
The commission would not have the unilateral power to invoke the 25th Amendment and kick Trump or any future president out of the White House. Pelosi and Raskin insisted in a press conference that the move was unrelated to the election less than a month away.
This is not about President Trump, said Pelosi. He will face the judgment of the voters. But he shows the need for us to create a process for future presidents.
https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2020/house-democrats-new-bill-on-the-25th-amendment-explained/
And thats a guy who you do not want to fuck with either. And speak of guys who you dont want to fuck with, Trump is hopping mad that this is even being remotely considered. But what he doesnt know is that in the event that he tries to fuck with the election and its unresolved by December 15th, Nancy Pelosi becomes president. So yeah hes becoming his own worst enemy at this point.
When the presidents COVID-19 diagnosis was acknowledged, there was naturally a lot of interest in what would happen if he were to become so ill that he was incapacitated to do his job, even temporarily. At the time I wrote about the three incidents in which two presidents (Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush) invoked Section 3 of the 25th Amendment upon undertaking surgical procedures and made George H.W. Bush and Dick Cheney, respectively, acting presidents of the United States very briefly. This remains an option for Donald Trump if he finds that he is no longer doing as well as he currently claims.
But with the president seeming to act as his own chief physician, and conducting such odd stunts as riding in his SUV motorcade around Walter Reed Medical Center not long before he succeeded in obtaining a discharge, following a disturbingly brief hospitalization, inquiring minds are beginning to wonder about Section 4 of the 25th Amendment:
Section 4 involves involuntary measures to declare the president incapacitated. Heres the first paragraph:
Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
That possibility is beginning to circulate in part due to the presidents rather odd conduct since entering Walter Reed, and in part because of concerns about the possible psychological impact of the treatment he is continuing to receive, as former Solicitor General Neal Katyal notes:
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/10/25th-amendment-wont-save-us-from-trump-on-covid-19-steroids.html
But with the president seeming to act as his own chief physician, and conducting such odd stunts as riding in his SUV motorcade around Walter Reed Medical Center not long before he succeeded in obtaining a discharge, following a disturbingly brief hospitalization, inquiring minds are beginning to wonder about Section 4 of the 25th Amendment:
Section 4 involves involuntary measures to declare the president incapacitated. Heres the first paragraph:
Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
That possibility is beginning to circulate in part due to the presidents rather odd conduct since entering Walter Reed, and in part because of concerns about the possible psychological impact of the treatment he is continuing to receive, as former Solicitor General Neal Katyal notes:
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/10/25th-amendment-wont-save-us-from-trump-on-covid-19-steroids.html
Seriously, where is that guy when you need him? Of course we all know what happened when we saw Mitt Romney get ostracized from Trumpland when he voted for impeachment. And if you think Trump is bad now, wait until you see him on steroids! Not of the anabolic variety but of the kind used to cure crippling lung diseases. He is frothing at the mouth batshit crazy!
President Trump announced early Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for COVID-19. At 74 years old and obese, Mr. Trump is considered at higher risk for complications of the infection. On Friday evening, Mr. Trump was transferred to Walter Reed Medical Center "out of an abundance of caution," where he will continue to do his job, the White House said.
White House spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany said Mr. Trump has mild symptoms but "remains in good spirits" and continued working throughout the day.
"Out of an abundance of caution, and at the recommendation of his physician and medical experts, the President will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days," McEnany said. "President Trump appreciates the outpouring of support for both he and the first lady."
Still, the news of his positive coronavirus test drove an immediate surge in Google searches for the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which lays out the succession for the executive branch should the president be incapacitated or deemed unable to carry out the duties of the presidency.
White House communications director Alyssa Farah said that despite the president's stay at Walter Reed, he has not transferred power to Vice President Mike Pence.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-covid-test-what-is-the-25th-amendment-succession-white-house/
White House spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany said Mr. Trump has mild symptoms but "remains in good spirits" and continued working throughout the day.
"Out of an abundance of caution, and at the recommendation of his physician and medical experts, the President will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days," McEnany said. "President Trump appreciates the outpouring of support for both he and the first lady."
Still, the news of his positive coronavirus test drove an immediate surge in Google searches for the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which lays out the succession for the executive branch should the president be incapacitated or deemed unable to carry out the duties of the presidency.
White House communications director Alyssa Farah said that despite the president's stay at Walter Reed, he has not transferred power to Vice President Mike Pence.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-covid-test-what-is-the-25th-amendment-succession-white-house/
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[font size="8"]Top 10 Investigates: Plexiglass Barriers
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Its time to investigate beyond the headlines! This is Top 10 Investigates!
You may have seen pieces of plastic Plexiglass pop up at various supermarkets, fast food restaurants, and just about everywhere. They have also been a hot topic of discussion during the Vice Presidential Debates. But what do these windows do? Supposedly theyre for stopping the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. However, in the health care world, theres been a debate about whether or not these plastic barriers are actually effective or not. Can they actually stop the spread of the virus? How do they work against protecting you from the virus? And in the long run is spending all this money on a temporary solution really a good thing? These are the many questions that need to be answered while the pandemic is still going on.
Mike Pence's team agreed Tuesday night to allow the Commission on Presidential Debates to erect a plexiglass barrier near the vice president for Wednesday's debate in Salt Lake City, a Pence aide and commission member told CNN, bringing an end for now the negotiations over coronavirus safety precautions around the contest.
Pence's team made clear throughout the week that they thought putting any plexiglass barriers near the vice president was unnecessary and that they opposed such a move. Sen. Kamala Harris' team, however, wanted the plexiglass barriers, in part, because of the ongoing spread of coronavirus inside the White House and the fact that Pence attended a Rose Garden event over a week ago that may have been the genesis of the spread. Pence has since repeatedly tested negative for the virus.
"We have inquired as to the medical or scientific need for a plexiglass barrier when two times the (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) distancing guidance has been implemented," said a Pence aide. "But most importantly the Vice President is looking forward to having a conversation about the marked shift left that Joe Biden wants to take this country, so we are not going to let a barrier prevent the Vice President from making the case for four more years of Donald Trump."
Physical barriers like plexiglass are typically recommended when social distancing cannot be maintained. The candidates will be separated by 12 feet on stage. Masks are considered the best defense against both droplet and aerosolized transmission of the virus.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/06/politics/plexiglass-vp-debate/index.html
Pence's team made clear throughout the week that they thought putting any plexiglass barriers near the vice president was unnecessary and that they opposed such a move. Sen. Kamala Harris' team, however, wanted the plexiglass barriers, in part, because of the ongoing spread of coronavirus inside the White House and the fact that Pence attended a Rose Garden event over a week ago that may have been the genesis of the spread. Pence has since repeatedly tested negative for the virus.
"We have inquired as to the medical or scientific need for a plexiglass barrier when two times the (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) distancing guidance has been implemented," said a Pence aide. "But most importantly the Vice President is looking forward to having a conversation about the marked shift left that Joe Biden wants to take this country, so we are not going to let a barrier prevent the Vice President from making the case for four more years of Donald Trump."
Physical barriers like plexiglass are typically recommended when social distancing cannot be maintained. The candidates will be separated by 12 feet on stage. Masks are considered the best defense against both droplet and aerosolized transmission of the virus.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/06/politics/plexiglass-vp-debate/index.html
Much like shooting the virus, having a small piece of plastic on your desk isnt really going to help protect you from an airborne virus. And just like masks, plexiglass is not only the latest divide in the right wing culture wars, its dividing scientists as well. So the question is do plexiglass barriers really help protect you from coronavirus? The answer is a definite maybe.
Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that because of Pences proximity to the president and exposure to the virus, he should quarantine for another week. However, with Pence testing negative for the virus, his advisers say that not only will he go forward with the in-person face-off, but that any dividers are not medically necessary because the candidates will be 12 feet apart.
Plexiglass dividers are one tool to prevent transmission of the virus, but are typically used in combination with other measures, like maintaining a 6-foot social distance and requiring masks. The demand for barriers in the vice presidential debate was among a larger list of Biden campaign conditions, which included testing, face coverings and a larger distance between the candidates.
The debate over the debate is bound to have an effect beyond Wednesday, since the vice presidential debate will likely serve as a trial run for the final two match-ups between Trump and Biden in the run-up to Election Day. But even if plexiglass barriers are used in the remaining debates, their protective benefits are far from proven when it comes to the coronavirus.
Dr. Saskia Popescu, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the University of Arizona, said it wasnt entirely clear how effective plexiglass barriers are at preventing the transmission of Covid-19. The dividers are not a substitute for any of the efforts we know work, she said.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/06/plexiglass-barriers-debates-426935
Plexiglass dividers are one tool to prevent transmission of the virus, but are typically used in combination with other measures, like maintaining a 6-foot social distance and requiring masks. The demand for barriers in the vice presidential debate was among a larger list of Biden campaign conditions, which included testing, face coverings and a larger distance between the candidates.
The debate over the debate is bound to have an effect beyond Wednesday, since the vice presidential debate will likely serve as a trial run for the final two match-ups between Trump and Biden in the run-up to Election Day. But even if plexiglass barriers are used in the remaining debates, their protective benefits are far from proven when it comes to the coronavirus.
Dr. Saskia Popescu, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the University of Arizona, said it wasnt entirely clear how effective plexiglass barriers are at preventing the transmission of Covid-19. The dividers are not a substitute for any of the efforts we know work, she said.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/06/plexiglass-barriers-debates-426935
Thats probably the only safe way you can protect yourself from COVID. Only problem is you cannot use the bathroom, eat, or drink in one of those. In fact leading medical experts are calling the glass minimal protection and saying that the barriers are mainly for cosmetic purposes. The next time you see a plexiglass barrier just remember that it really isnt doing much to protect you at all.
Nonetheless, a person familiar with the debate planning told NBC News that Harris campaign asked for the plexiglass to be used at the event at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
The plexiglass is minimal protection, Schaffner said in a phone interview, adding that the barriers are mostly cosmetic.
However, he added that barriers are one part of a layered approach that includes testing and distancing of everyone on stage. Those in the debate hall are required to wear a mask and there will be no handshake or physical greeting between Pence and Harris, according to the commission. Altogether, he said, the steps have likely reduced the risk of spread occurring.
The plexiglass barriers are just one part of the CPDs overall approach to health and safety, according to a fact sheet distributed by the commission.
The debate is due to take place indoors and, of course, plenty of talking is expected. Thats important because the CDC released new guidance on Monday that said the virus can spread through particles in the air between people who are further than 6 feet apart in certain environments. The CDC said the risk of that occurring increases indoors and when people are doing certain activities, including speaking.
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/07/plexiglass-barriers-at-pence-harris-debate-are-a-joke-wont-stop-coronavirus-medical-experts-say.html
The plexiglass is minimal protection, Schaffner said in a phone interview, adding that the barriers are mostly cosmetic.
However, he added that barriers are one part of a layered approach that includes testing and distancing of everyone on stage. Those in the debate hall are required to wear a mask and there will be no handshake or physical greeting between Pence and Harris, according to the commission. Altogether, he said, the steps have likely reduced the risk of spread occurring.
The plexiglass barriers are just one part of the CPDs overall approach to health and safety, according to a fact sheet distributed by the commission.
The debate is due to take place indoors and, of course, plenty of talking is expected. Thats important because the CDC released new guidance on Monday that said the virus can spread through particles in the air between people who are further than 6 feet apart in certain environments. The CDC said the risk of that occurring increases indoors and when people are doing certain activities, including speaking.
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/07/plexiglass-barriers-at-pence-harris-debate-are-a-joke-wont-stop-coronavirus-medical-experts-say.html
Unfortunately youre not Mr. Burns, and theres no such thing as being completely indestructible. So plexiglass shields are everywhere now based on CDC guidelines. And the truth of the matter is that they could not be helpful. Or someone could also be screwing with us. Because in a raging pandemic you cant take too many precautions but when you do, make sure that the ones you take are going to protect you from the virus and will not hurt you.
Youve no doubt seen the plexiglass dividers being used to protect people in different public settings.
They were even installed on the stage at the 2020 Vice Presidential Debate to shield the participants from each other.
But are they effective?
Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommend the use of plexiglass and other barriers in work environments to reduce direct spread of potentially infectious droplets between people, especially in manufacturing, retail or food service settings where physical distance might not be consistent.
Even though these recommendations are in place, there is surprisingly little science that supports their use or that gives clear guidance on the best design for them.
https://www.kark.com/news/health/coronavirus/covid-19-plexiglass-how-effective-are-the-barriers/
They were even installed on the stage at the 2020 Vice Presidential Debate to shield the participants from each other.
But are they effective?
Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommend the use of plexiglass and other barriers in work environments to reduce direct spread of potentially infectious droplets between people, especially in manufacturing, retail or food service settings where physical distance might not be consistent.
Even though these recommendations are in place, there is surprisingly little science that supports their use or that gives clear guidance on the best design for them.
https://www.kark.com/news/health/coronavirus/covid-19-plexiglass-how-effective-are-the-barriers/
Thats it this week for Top 10 Investigates. Good day.
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[font size="8"]Holy Shit
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Gather around my fair brothers and sisters! Its time to take a seat in the virtual pew make an online donation in the LAWRDs virtual collection plate, for the Holy Church Of The Top 10 has convened and its time to remind you that the holiest among us are the most full of:
My fair virtual congregation! Is it safe to say that we are in the midst of a holy war? Because we are currently vying for the SOUL of this great country! And the reason I ask this is because I have been told by supporters of the unholy, ungodly Dark One, whose name shall not be spoken in my church that that is indeed the case! In fact, the Dark One is currently running a cult and it is a very dangerous and scary one at that. In fact heres a perfect example of how one takes his indoctrination into the cult way too seriously and way too far!
Trump-loving right-wing pastor Robert Henderson streamed a video on his YouTube channel Friday night in which he declared that President Donald Trump was chosen by God and therefore should never be criticized.
Henderson, who claims to have secured Trumps 2016 victory by beseeching the courts of Heaven and asserts that he has been called by God to serve as Trumps spiritual running mate in 2020, warned that Christians who are criticizing Trump are bringing a curse upon our nation.
I promise you there is a curse on our nation, not because the secular world speaks against President Trump, but because the Christian world does, Henderson said. We are violating the laws of God, and we are violating the ways of God by rising up and speaking evil against President Trump. People may not like his mannerisms, they may not like the way he does things, they may question his motives, but heres the reality: He sits in the seat of the president of the United States of America, and because of that, he should never be reviled, he should never be spoken evil of, he should never be criticized.
I pray that all the negativity that has been spoken against President Trump, that it would not be held to our account, Henderson wept, and that the Lord would be merciful to large portions of the church that thinks that we have a right to our opinion.
https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/robert-henderson-says-trump-was-chosen-by-god-and-should-never-be-criticized/
Henderson, who claims to have secured Trumps 2016 victory by beseeching the courts of Heaven and asserts that he has been called by God to serve as Trumps spiritual running mate in 2020, warned that Christians who are criticizing Trump are bringing a curse upon our nation.
I promise you there is a curse on our nation, not because the secular world speaks against President Trump, but because the Christian world does, Henderson said. We are violating the laws of God, and we are violating the ways of God by rising up and speaking evil against President Trump. People may not like his mannerisms, they may not like the way he does things, they may question his motives, but heres the reality: He sits in the seat of the president of the United States of America, and because of that, he should never be reviled, he should never be spoken evil of, he should never be criticized.
I pray that all the negativity that has been spoken against President Trump, that it would not be held to our account, Henderson wept, and that the Lord would be merciful to large portions of the church that thinks that we have a right to our opinion.
https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/robert-henderson-says-trump-was-chosen-by-god-and-should-never-be-criticized/
Now really there was a time when someone would talk like that and they would get sent to the place with padded walls and straight jackets! These days we give them a platform and followers who latch onto their garbage! Seriously were less than 4 weeks away from the election that could send the Dark One packing, so that means that extreme far right Christians have upped their ante!
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, now led by Billy Grahams right-wing-activist son Franklin Graham, has turned the October issue of its Decision magazine into a virtual 38-page campaign brochure for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Franklin Graham hosted a prayer march on the National Mall on Sept. 26, the same day a group of End Times prophets hosted a rally calling for national repentance and revival.
The over-the-top propagandistic tone is set on the cover, which features a heroic image of Trump and a photo of Democratic presidential Joe Biden caught with a lost puppy look on his face.
Franklin Graham introduces the issue with a column under the headline, Blessed in the nation whose God is the Lord, a scriptural quote used often by Christian nationalists who insist the U.S. must return to God. Graham describes the Trump presidency as a wonderful season of progress for the cause of religious freedom and the moral and Biblical values we hold dear, and he warns that if Trump loses, all that wonderful progress could be quickly and permanently reversed.
The magazine warns that religious freedom is on the ballot, asking, Will Christians remain free, or will the government impose a godless, immoral social agenda upon them?
https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/billy-graham-evangelistic-association-evangelizes-for-trump/
The over-the-top propagandistic tone is set on the cover, which features a heroic image of Trump and a photo of Democratic presidential Joe Biden caught with a lost puppy look on his face.
Franklin Graham introduces the issue with a column under the headline, Blessed in the nation whose God is the Lord, a scriptural quote used often by Christian nationalists who insist the U.S. must return to God. Graham describes the Trump presidency as a wonderful season of progress for the cause of religious freedom and the moral and Biblical values we hold dear, and he warns that if Trump loses, all that wonderful progress could be quickly and permanently reversed.
The magazine warns that religious freedom is on the ballot, asking, Will Christians remain free, or will the government impose a godless, immoral social agenda upon them?
https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/billy-graham-evangelistic-association-evangelizes-for-trump/
Man what book are you reading Reverend? You do *NOT* use GAWD to stump for the Dark One under any circumstances! For the good LAWRD JAYSUS is apolitical and if he were to meet the unholy one, would surely cast him into the fiery pit of HELL!!! Now heres where they are taking the Holy War a step too far. Fake coach Dave Daubenmire is taking the battle against Hillary Clinton just a wee bit too far!
On his Pass The Salt Live broadcast Thursday morning, radical right-wing activist Dave Daubenmire declared that publicly executing Hillary Clinton would be the greatest example of love.
During the program, Daubenmire read from his recent column in which he proclaimed that Hillary should hang from the neck until dead.
I do not believe that there has ever been a more corrupt American politician than Hillary Clinton, Daubenmire said. Her public life has been one slimy action after another. The demonic left loves her. There is no doubt in my mind that she is under control of very dark forces. Spiritual forces. Demonic forces. Gates of hell forces. Hillary Clinton is a child of the devil.
The greatest example of love is discipline, he added later in the program. The greatest example of love is to kill those traitors, so others learn never to do it.
https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/dave-daubenmire-says-executing-hillary-clinton-would-be-the-greatest-example-of-love/
During the program, Daubenmire read from his recent column in which he proclaimed that Hillary should hang from the neck until dead.
I do not believe that there has ever been a more corrupt American politician than Hillary Clinton, Daubenmire said. Her public life has been one slimy action after another. The demonic left loves her. There is no doubt in my mind that she is under control of very dark forces. Spiritual forces. Demonic forces. Gates of hell forces. Hillary Clinton is a child of the devil.
The greatest example of love is discipline, he added later in the program. The greatest example of love is to kill those traitors, so others learn never to do it.
https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/dave-daubenmire-says-executing-hillary-clinton-would-be-the-greatest-example-of-love/
Now youve dang gone too far there, fake Coach! These people have a bizarre obsession with Hillary Clintons death, dont they? I would hope that the Secret Service is protecting her 24/7. That said, despite all the unusually violent rhetoric coming from the Christian right during this madness, when the Civil War comes, it will be business as usual. But really since about March of 2020, nothing has been business as usual.
Right-wing pastor Rick Joyner posted a video on his Facebook page Friday in which he told viewers not to worry about the looming civil war that is supposedly coming to the United States because even though there will be violence and bloodshed, itll mostly be confined to the inner cities, and life will be pretty much business as usual for everyone else.
Joyner, who has been warning for years that the United States is heading for civil war and martial law and recently declared that God had seeded our country with military veterans who are experienced with urban warfare to head up good militias, assured his viewers that they would most likely be minimally impacted by the coming conflagration.
Everyone, when they hear civil war, they think, Oh no, every city, community, everybodys gonna be in battles,' Joyner said. Think about it: Only a tiny percentage of the population of America was engaged in the first Civil War. Really it was 1 or 2 percent of the actual population of the country were engaged in battles in the Civil War. The rest of the country went on with business as usual.
Now, I believe this one is going to be of a different nature, he continued. Its not gonna be pitched battles with armies. I believe it is going to be inner cities. I believe its gonna be a lot of militias engaged. I believe its going to be difficult, no doubt about it, but its going to be different. But still, in most of the country, its gonna be pretty much business as usual.
https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/rick-joyner-assures-his-viewers-its-gonna-be-pretty-much-business-as-usual-during-the-coming-civil-war/
Joyner, who has been warning for years that the United States is heading for civil war and martial law and recently declared that God had seeded our country with military veterans who are experienced with urban warfare to head up good militias, assured his viewers that they would most likely be minimally impacted by the coming conflagration.
Everyone, when they hear civil war, they think, Oh no, every city, community, everybodys gonna be in battles,' Joyner said. Think about it: Only a tiny percentage of the population of America was engaged in the first Civil War. Really it was 1 or 2 percent of the actual population of the country were engaged in battles in the Civil War. The rest of the country went on with business as usual.
Now, I believe this one is going to be of a different nature, he continued. Its not gonna be pitched battles with armies. I believe it is going to be inner cities. I believe its gonna be a lot of militias engaged. I believe its going to be difficult, no doubt about it, but its going to be different. But still, in most of the country, its gonna be pretty much business as usual.
https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/rick-joyner-assures-his-viewers-its-gonna-be-pretty-much-business-as-usual-during-the-coming-civil-war/
So never mind that, just go buy things at Bed, Bath & Beyond and go to your favorite events during a civil war. Its just business as usual! These people are clinically insane! Mass has ended, may you go in peace! Thats it this week for:
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[font size="8"]Beating A Dead Horse
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Saturday Night Live is finally back with their first new episodes since the pandemic began and its been something of a mixed bag. You had SNL At Home, which fucking blew. But now theyre back in the studio with a live audience which has been good but not great. However, their attempts to cater to the right wing after being accused of liberal bias have backfired on them spectacularly. But first off lets have a control group here, is that host Bill Burr had what some might call a mixed bag of jokes, mainly because he was railing on the concept of cancel culture. Now this is 2020 and the Me Too movement is 3 years old, so were already getting sick of the cancel culture talk!
Saturday Night Live continued its strong October kickoff with Bill Burr as its host in the Oct. 10 episode. It marked Burrs first time doing the gig, but the seasoned comedian has an extensive resume when it comes to sketches and punchy routines.
Hes sarcastic, snarky, humorous, and at times raunchy, and his work can be seen in stand-up specials as well as scripted TV series. Burr is no stranger to commanding a stage, but his SNL opener left the audience divided with some expressing their discontent and others noting some ironies.
Twitter lit up with commentary during and after his monologue.
As some viewers chuckled out loud at Burrs monologue, others werent feeling his cracks about white women, wokeness, and oppression.
After giving his explanation of the woke movement, Burr said white women swung their Gucci-booted feet over the fence of oppression, and hijacked the cause. He then referred to them as his b*tches.
One of the other parts of Burrs routine that some people didnt care for was his comparison of the Black History Month to Pride Month. Unhappy with his comments, some called him and his routine trash, unfunny, embarrassing, and belittling.
https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/why-some-are-angry-at-bill-burr-snl-monologue-and-why-many-fans-are-calling-it-genius.html/
Hes sarcastic, snarky, humorous, and at times raunchy, and his work can be seen in stand-up specials as well as scripted TV series. Burr is no stranger to commanding a stage, but his SNL opener left the audience divided with some expressing their discontent and others noting some ironies.
Twitter lit up with commentary during and after his monologue.
As some viewers chuckled out loud at Burrs monologue, others werent feeling his cracks about white women, wokeness, and oppression.
After giving his explanation of the woke movement, Burr said white women swung their Gucci-booted feet over the fence of oppression, and hijacked the cause. He then referred to them as his b*tches.
One of the other parts of Burrs routine that some people didnt care for was his comparison of the Black History Month to Pride Month. Unhappy with his comments, some called him and his routine trash, unfunny, embarrassing, and belittling.
https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/why-some-are-angry-at-bill-burr-snl-monologue-and-why-many-fans-are-calling-it-genius.html/
Seriously did you ever stop to think that the reason why youre getting canceled is because youre just not funny? Although that brings up another good subject is how do you make fun of woke culture? It is not something you can really make fun of because otherwise your jokes come off as cringy and embarrassing. I mean seriously its been 3 years since the dawn of the Me Too Movement, and you really cant joke about it.
When Saturday Night Live has a genuine stand-up comedian as a host, it can shift the whole structure of the show, which is what happened last week, with Chris Rock, and this week, with less famous comedian Bill Burr. Combined with the seasons endless debate sketches, a longer stand-up-based monologue can reduce the amount of airtime available for actual sketches. Unlike Rocks gig, the Burr-hosted episode seemed to take some of its cues from Burrs stand-up material and with so few sketches making it to air, it only takes a few with common ground to make an episode feel more thematically unified than usual.
In his monologue, Burr poked fun at notions of wokeness and allyship, making his case that white women have hijacked national conversations about equality and that a longer, warmer gay pride month has an unfair advantage over Februarys Black History Month. These jokes worked well enough on their own, if not wildly inventive in their development or execution. Burrs set ended with an abrupt thats my time! without the usual big-laugh button thats supposed to precede it.
Its not so far removed from the type of material Rock sometimes favors: acknowledging certain social ills without necessarily giving a left-leaning audience what they think they want or expect. Burr, though, had a whole episode that felt keyed into his lightly satirical yet not fully developed point of view. Then again, maybe Burr is just compatible with SNLs ongoing struggle to figure out new, less predictable angles on, for lack of a better word to capitalize for faux-importance, The Discourse.
https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/10/bill-burr-snl-wokeness/
In his monologue, Burr poked fun at notions of wokeness and allyship, making his case that white women have hijacked national conversations about equality and that a longer, warmer gay pride month has an unfair advantage over Februarys Black History Month. These jokes worked well enough on their own, if not wildly inventive in their development or execution. Burrs set ended with an abrupt thats my time! without the usual big-laugh button thats supposed to precede it.
Its not so far removed from the type of material Rock sometimes favors: acknowledging certain social ills without necessarily giving a left-leaning audience what they think they want or expect. Burr, though, had a whole episode that felt keyed into his lightly satirical yet not fully developed point of view. Then again, maybe Burr is just compatible with SNLs ongoing struggle to figure out new, less predictable angles on, for lack of a better word to capitalize for faux-importance, The Discourse.
https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/10/bill-burr-snl-wokeness/
See we live in a weird time in the comedy world. The pandemic has killed live audiences for the foreseeable future, and woke culture as its been called has made everything from timeless monologues to current comedians super cringe worthy. And come on if you dont know why theyre trying to cancel John Wayne well lets just remember that John Wayne was a racist asshole! And if you dont know why, youre probably a racist asshole too.
The second episode of Saturday Night Lives 46th season opened with a noticeably low-energy sketch skewering last weeks vice-presidential debate.
Mike Pence (Beck Bennett) gets repeatedly called out by Kamala Harris (Maya Rudolph) for interrupting her, although he effectively puts her on the defense by pivoting to the two issues Americans do care about: swine flu and fracking.
The fracking question causes Harris to flip-flop and dodge, as does a later question regarding court packing.
But this is no match for the pesky insect that stakes its claim on Pences snow-white dome. It turns out its actually Joe Biden (Jim Carrey) who, sensing Harris needs his help, teleports to the debate but gets transformed into a half Jeff Goldblum/half fly creature in the process. (For those not up on their David Cronenberg, this is a reference to the classic Goldblum starring The Fly).
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/oct/11/saturday-night-live-jim-carrey-mike-pence-pesky-fly
Mike Pence (Beck Bennett) gets repeatedly called out by Kamala Harris (Maya Rudolph) for interrupting her, although he effectively puts her on the defense by pivoting to the two issues Americans do care about: swine flu and fracking.
The fracking question causes Harris to flip-flop and dodge, as does a later question regarding court packing.
But this is no match for the pesky insect that stakes its claim on Pences snow-white dome. It turns out its actually Joe Biden (Jim Carrey) who, sensing Harris needs his help, teleports to the debate but gets transformed into a half Jeff Goldblum/half fly creature in the process. (For those not up on their David Cronenberg, this is a reference to the classic Goldblum starring The Fly).
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/oct/11/saturday-night-live-jim-carrey-mike-pence-pesky-fly
And speaking of canceled, heres the kind of jokes that they come up with in whats been an increasingly humorless world. So since a lot of Bill Burrs material is off limits, they joke about, among other things pumpkin spice beer! And come on, Sam Adams is the Boston equivalent of Foster if you are in a real Boston bar and you try to order that shit, they laugh at you! And yes, I have tried just about every beer that Sam Adams makes, including the Pumpkin Spice variety!
Real Bostonians agree that Sam Adams' Jack-O Pumpkin Ale is a win at least when theres nothing else to drink.
Canton native Bill Burr hosted Saturday Night Live, so of course there was a Boston-centric sketch.
The sketch included Burr in a fake commercial as a real Bostonian trying a new pumpkin beer, Jack-O Pumpkin Ale from Sam Adams, at the grocery store. The commercial is a parody, but the Jack-O Pumpkin Ale is real.
This is the kind of beer somebody brings to a party at your house, and it just sits in the fridge for like eight months, Burr says. And then one day your buddy comes over and hes like Hey, you gotta beer? And Im like, Well, you know, Ive got this pumpkin s***.
The sketch also includes the classic non-beer drinker" and a guy talking about the beers hops.
https://www.masslive.com/entertainment/2020/10/bill-burr-stars-in-snl-fake-sam-adams-commercial-that-has-real-bostonians-try-pumpkin-beer.html
Canton native Bill Burr hosted Saturday Night Live, so of course there was a Boston-centric sketch.
The sketch included Burr in a fake commercial as a real Bostonian trying a new pumpkin beer, Jack-O Pumpkin Ale from Sam Adams, at the grocery store. The commercial is a parody, but the Jack-O Pumpkin Ale is real.
This is the kind of beer somebody brings to a party at your house, and it just sits in the fridge for like eight months, Burr says. And then one day your buddy comes over and hes like Hey, you gotta beer? And Im like, Well, you know, Ive got this pumpkin s***.
The sketch also includes the classic non-beer drinker" and a guy talking about the beers hops.
https://www.masslive.com/entertainment/2020/10/bill-burr-stars-in-snl-fake-sam-adams-commercial-that-has-real-bostonians-try-pumpkin-beer.html
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[font size="8"]Conspiracy Corner
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Hello everyone and welcome to Conspiracy Corner! When people have things that they cant explain, they turn to conspiracies of course! And this is the segment that attempts to explain the unexplainable! Of course I am coming to you live from an underground doomsday prepper shelter deep in the alkali flats of the New Mexico badlands. Undisclosed location of course. Now this week, the GOP is full of conspiracy theorists, and perhaps the two dumbest men in America Jacob Whol and Jack Burkman, who we have covered on this program many times are finally throwing in the towel. Yes, theyve decided to give up on their shenanigans and let the adults run things again. But theyre not going down without a fight! Just let me adjust my tin foil hat for maximum government interference and there we go!
Two right-wing political operatives accused of orchestrating robocalls aimed at deterring voters in Detroit and other major cities from casting their ballots by mail were arraigned Wednesday on voter intimidation charges, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl were each charged last week with one count of intimidating voters, one count of conspiracy to commit an election law violation, one count of using a computer to commit the crime of intimidating voters and using a computer to commit the crime of conspiracy. The first two charges each carry a maximum of five years in prison and the latter two charges carry a maximum of seven years in prison.
Both men turned themselves in to Detroit law enforcement early Thursday morning, according to a news release and appeared for their court appearance virtually from the Detroit Detention Center.
"The Attorney General's office alleges that Burkman and Wohl attempted to deter electors from participating in the November election by creating and funding a robocall targeted at certain area codes, including Detroit and other major U.S. cities with significant minority populations," Nessel said in a release ahead of the court proceeding. "It's believed around 85,000 robocalls were made nationally, though an exact breakdown of the numbers of calls made to each city or state is not available."
https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/08/politics/jack-burkman-jacob-wohl-robocall-voter-intimidation-charges/index.html
Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl were each charged last week with one count of intimidating voters, one count of conspiracy to commit an election law violation, one count of using a computer to commit the crime of intimidating voters and using a computer to commit the crime of conspiracy. The first two charges each carry a maximum of five years in prison and the latter two charges carry a maximum of seven years in prison.
Both men turned themselves in to Detroit law enforcement early Thursday morning, according to a news release and appeared for their court appearance virtually from the Detroit Detention Center.
"The Attorney General's office alleges that Burkman and Wohl attempted to deter electors from participating in the November election by creating and funding a robocall targeted at certain area codes, including Detroit and other major U.S. cities with significant minority populations," Nessel said in a release ahead of the court proceeding. "It's believed around 85,000 robocalls were made nationally, though an exact breakdown of the numbers of calls made to each city or state is not available."
https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/08/politics/jack-burkman-jacob-wohl-robocall-voter-intimidation-charges/index.html
That is a good question! Apparently the biggest kind because as we have pointed out, these guys are certifiably insane. And they are out to take down alleged democratic voter fraud by committing real election fraud! Folks, I dont need to tell you that voter intimidation is a crime and we are in the final hours of the election that could send Donald Trump packing. But his supporters arent going down without a fight. May they be regulated to the dust bin of history!
Two right-wing political operatives accused of voter intimidation in Michigan have turned themselves in to authorities in Detroit, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Thursday.
Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl appeared virtually for arraignment on multiple felony charges in the 36th District Court in Detroit.
The Attorney Generals office alleges that Burkman and Wohl attempted to deter electors from participating in the November election by creating and funding a robocall targeted at certain area codes, including Detroit and other major U.S. cities with significant minority populations. Its believed around 85,000 robocalls were made nationally, though an exact breakdown of the numbers of calls made to each city or state is not available.
Burkman, a 54-year-old Arlington, Virginia resident, and Wohl, a 22-year-old Los Angeles resident, are each charged with:
One count of election law intimidating voters, a five-year felony;
One count of conspiracy to commit an election law violation, a five-year felony;
One count of using a computer to commit the crime of election law intimidating voters, a seven-year felony; and
Using a computer to commit the crime of conspiracy, a seven-year felony.
https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/michigan/2020/10/08/michigan-ag-burkman-wohl-turn-themselves-in-on-voter-intimidation-charges/
Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl appeared virtually for arraignment on multiple felony charges in the 36th District Court in Detroit.
The Attorney Generals office alleges that Burkman and Wohl attempted to deter electors from participating in the November election by creating and funding a robocall targeted at certain area codes, including Detroit and other major U.S. cities with significant minority populations. Its believed around 85,000 robocalls were made nationally, though an exact breakdown of the numbers of calls made to each city or state is not available.
Burkman, a 54-year-old Arlington, Virginia resident, and Wohl, a 22-year-old Los Angeles resident, are each charged with:
One count of election law intimidating voters, a five-year felony;
One count of conspiracy to commit an election law violation, a five-year felony;
One count of using a computer to commit the crime of election law intimidating voters, a seven-year felony; and
Using a computer to commit the crime of conspiracy, a seven-year felony.
https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/michigan/2020/10/08/michigan-ag-burkman-wohl-turn-themselves-in-on-voter-intimidation-charges/
That is a good point sir! And yes these two if found guilty, will be going away for a long time, and they will emerge at a time when Trump is no longer president, so no pardon, fellas! And by the way thats not the only thing these two idiots have been up to. Theyve also been scheming and attracting the attention of the FBI through their leaking of documents pertaining to conspiracy theorist #1 Roger Stones trial. Yes, it goes all the way to the top!!!
The FBI is investigating blundering conservative operatives Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman for a series of possible crimes, according to a document filed by federal prosecutors.
Ironically, the document revealing the investigation was filed just days after Wohl and Burkman staged a fake FBI raid on Burkmans home in a bid for media attention.
The FBI investigation centers on Wohl and Burkmans February release of confidential juror questionnaires from the trial of Trump associate Roger Stone. The FBI is investigating the pair for potential witness harassment, criminal contempt, and obstruction of justice, according to the filing.
The case could mark more legal trouble for the pair, who have become notorious in the political world for their quickly foiled schemes to smear Trump opponents with bogus sexual assault allegations.
In an email to The Daily Beast, Burkman said he wasnt aware of any FBI investigation. Wohl told The Daily Beast via a text message that he also didnt know about the case.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/sealed-docs-reveal-fbi-investigation-into-jacob-wohl-jack-burkman-over-roger-stone-trial-leaks
Ironically, the document revealing the investigation was filed just days after Wohl and Burkman staged a fake FBI raid on Burkmans home in a bid for media attention.
The FBI investigation centers on Wohl and Burkmans February release of confidential juror questionnaires from the trial of Trump associate Roger Stone. The FBI is investigating the pair for potential witness harassment, criminal contempt, and obstruction of justice, according to the filing.
The case could mark more legal trouble for the pair, who have become notorious in the political world for their quickly foiled schemes to smear Trump opponents with bogus sexual assault allegations.
In an email to The Daily Beast, Burkman said he wasnt aware of any FBI investigation. Wohl told The Daily Beast via a text message that he also didnt know about the case.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/sealed-docs-reveal-fbi-investigation-into-jacob-wohl-jack-burkman-over-roger-stone-trial-leaks
So voter intimidation and jury tampering any other crimes these two Trumpiest of the Trump supporters can conjure up? How about extreme robodialing? Yes, not only are they trying to rig the election (and failing badly at it), theyre also engaging in some extreme voter fraud and misinformation regarding propositions and ballot reforms! Really, the sooner these two idiots go away and are never heard from again, the better!
Jacob Wohl, a conservative activist known for his largely bumbling attempts to stage political scandals, has been charged with running a robocalling scheme to spread false election information. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed four felony charges today against Wohl and his partner Jack Burkman. Theyre accused of targeting Detroit residents with calls that discouraged voting, including false claims that mail-in ballots would let health agencies track people for mandatory vaccines.
Wohl and Burkman allegedly targeted voters in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois, making a total of around 85,000 calls in August. The calls claimed to come from a group called Project 1599, a civil rights organization founded by Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl, and they were aimed at areas with large Black populations, urging them to not be finessed into giving your private information to the man.
Michigan officials denounced the calls at the time, but they stopped short of confirming that they were made by Wohl and Burkman. The 2020 presidential election has been fraught with concerns about misinformation and voter suppression, especially because many voters could be mailing in their ballots amid the coronavirus pandemic. President Donald Trump, who has retweeted posts by Wohl, has repeatedly and falsely cast doubt on mail-in votings validity. Wohl himself was suspended from Twitter last year after announcing that he would create fake accounts to interfere with the election.
https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/1/21497823/jacob-wohl-jack-burkman-michigan-robocall-voter-intimidation-felony-charges
Wohl and Burkman allegedly targeted voters in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois, making a total of around 85,000 calls in August. The calls claimed to come from a group called Project 1599, a civil rights organization founded by Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl, and they were aimed at areas with large Black populations, urging them to not be finessed into giving your private information to the man.
Michigan officials denounced the calls at the time, but they stopped short of confirming that they were made by Wohl and Burkman. The 2020 presidential election has been fraught with concerns about misinformation and voter suppression, especially because many voters could be mailing in their ballots amid the coronavirus pandemic. President Donald Trump, who has retweeted posts by Wohl, has repeatedly and falsely cast doubt on mail-in votings validity. Wohl himself was suspended from Twitter last year after announcing that he would create fake accounts to interfere with the election.
https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/1/21497823/jacob-wohl-jack-burkman-michigan-robocall-voter-intimidation-felony-charges
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[font size="8"]People Are Dumb
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Hit it!
Of course you know by now that people are people and people are dumb. So who is dumb this week? I want to start with dumb products. And this product may be one of the dumbest! Seriously, theres a high tech chastity belt for men out there. Who the fuck would buy this and who the fuck would actually wear this thing? Oh and theres no surprise that it can be hacked! I mean come on its one thing to get an STD. Its another thing to get a virus on the device thats supposed to be protecting your junk. Really I have so many questions about this thing. But if we answer all of them fuck, I just dont have that kind of time!
A security flaw in a hi-tech chastity belt for men made it possible for hackers to remotely lock all the devices in use simultaneously.
The internet-linked sheath has no manual override, so owners might have been faced with the prospect of having to use a grinder or bolt cutter to free themselves from its metal clamp.
The sex toy's app has been fixed by its Chinese developer after a team of UK security professionals flagged the bug.
They have also published a workaround.
This could be useful to anyone still using the old version of the app who finds themselves locked in as a result of an attacker making use of the revelation.
Any other attempt to cut through the device's plastic body poses a risk of harm.
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-54436575
The internet-linked sheath has no manual override, so owners might have been faced with the prospect of having to use a grinder or bolt cutter to free themselves from its metal clamp.
The sex toy's app has been fixed by its Chinese developer after a team of UK security professionals flagged the bug.
They have also published a workaround.
This could be useful to anyone still using the old version of the app who finds themselves locked in as a result of an attacker making use of the revelation.
Any other attempt to cut through the device's plastic body poses a risk of harm.
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-54436575
Good pull! Next up poop! Yes, our bathroom time is never immune from a People Are Dumb story, and we go to the state of Michigan for this one! Yes, Florida isnt the only state where the stupid and crazy exist. Shocker they are everywhere!!! And this disgusting story is definitely something that Trump era politics have brought on us. And well, lets let the story do the talking.
A man pooped in an empty box, closed it, then left it on a shelf at a Van Buren Township Meijer, police said Tuesday.
The Meijer's security footage recorded the suspect pooping in the aisle and then placing the box containing feces back on the shelf. This incident took place at the Meijer store located at 9701 Belleville Rd. on Thursday around 4 p.m. The suspect also stole some items from the store.
Employees at Meijer brought the footage over to Van Buren Township Police.
Police uploaded the footage onto their Facebook page. However, Meijer officials requested the department to take any images and videos of the incident down, citing their corporate policy as a reason.
The suspect left the parking lot in a light-colored Ford Escape. Police said they have no leads on any suspects at this point.
https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/10/06/van-buren-poop-box-meijer/3637667001/https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/10/06/van-buren-poop-box-meijer/3637667001/
The Meijer's security footage recorded the suspect pooping in the aisle and then placing the box containing feces back on the shelf. This incident took place at the Meijer store located at 9701 Belleville Rd. on Thursday around 4 p.m. The suspect also stole some items from the store.
Employees at Meijer brought the footage over to Van Buren Township Police.
Police uploaded the footage onto their Facebook page. However, Meijer officials requested the department to take any images and videos of the incident down, citing their corporate policy as a reason.
The suspect left the parking lot in a light-colored Ford Escape. Police said they have no leads on any suspects at this point.
https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/10/06/van-buren-poop-box-meijer/3637667001/https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/10/06/van-buren-poop-box-meijer/3637667001/
Somehow I dont think Flushing Meadows is supposed to work that way! Next up we of course have to go to Americas most penis-shaped state, the Sunshine State, good old Florida. Florida is always one of the craziest states in the union and for good reason. For one thing the Good Book is not supposed to be a weapon! Unless youre John Wick, but if thats the case, that dude can literally use anything as a weapon. But if youre not John Wick, dont do it!
A man whod just broken into his neighbors home because he claimed God told him to throw a Bible at a deputy who responded to the scene, according to the Marion County Sheriffs Office.
Deputies said the victim called them on Sept. 22 because he returned to his home in Summerfield after being gone for about an hour and found that his door had been kicked in.
The mans neighbor, 39-year-old Robert Hoskins, told him, I (expletive) up man, I was mad," records show.
Hoskins had asked the victim to borrow clothes and when the man declined, he waited until he left and kicked down the door, according to the affidavit.
Deputies said as they arrived at the scene, Hoskins approached them while only wearing underwear, yelled something along the lines of I condemn you and threw a Bible, hitting a deputy in the face.
After that, records show Hoskins was hit with a Taser so that he could be subdued and handcuffed.
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2020/09/30/bible-thumping-florida-man-accused-of-throwing-holy-book-at-deputy/
Deputies said the victim called them on Sept. 22 because he returned to his home in Summerfield after being gone for about an hour and found that his door had been kicked in.
The mans neighbor, 39-year-old Robert Hoskins, told him, I (expletive) up man, I was mad," records show.
Hoskins had asked the victim to borrow clothes and when the man declined, he waited until he left and kicked down the door, according to the affidavit.
Deputies said as they arrived at the scene, Hoskins approached them while only wearing underwear, yelled something along the lines of I condemn you and threw a Bible, hitting a deputy in the face.
After that, records show Hoskins was hit with a Taser so that he could be subdued and handcuffed.
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2020/09/30/bible-thumping-florida-man-accused-of-throwing-holy-book-at-deputy/
Next up we go to the Florida town of St. Petersburg! Look, I know times are tough right now because of COVID and we could all use a pick me up. But maybe dont follow the lead of Florida Man and start passing out weed like its Halloween candy. Yeah really. I sure could use a hit right now and I know a lot of us could. But in some parts of the country mainly in those run by conservative states weed is still illegal last I checked!
A man accused of passing out marijuana over the weekend to people in downtown St. Petersburg told police he was doing it because it was Christmas, according to multiple reports.
Records from the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office show police arrested Richard Ellis Spurrier, 67, on Saturday to face one count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.
In an arrest affidavit obtained by the Tampa Bay Times, police said officers saw small pieces of marijuana hanging off one of Spurriers shirt sleeves when they spotted him around 11:30 p.m. near the intersection of Second Street and Central Avenue.
Content Continues Below
When officers approached him, they noticed Spurrier carried a backpack. A search of the bag turned up 45 grams of marijuana, a prescription bottle bearing Spurriers name and a glass pipe and a digital scale with marijuana residue on them, WTSP reported.
https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/trending/florida-man-accused-handing-out-marijuana-passersby-because-it-was-christmas/22VOOFIAPVFXPGLFDZ7RJMN56I/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Records from the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office show police arrested Richard Ellis Spurrier, 67, on Saturday to face one count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.
In an arrest affidavit obtained by the Tampa Bay Times, police said officers saw small pieces of marijuana hanging off one of Spurriers shirt sleeves when they spotted him around 11:30 p.m. near the intersection of Second Street and Central Avenue.
Content Continues Below
When officers approached him, they noticed Spurrier carried a backpack. A search of the bag turned up 45 grams of marijuana, a prescription bottle bearing Spurriers name and a glass pipe and a digital scale with marijuana residue on them, WTSP reported.
https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/trending/florida-man-accused-handing-out-marijuana-passersby-because-it-was-christmas/22VOOFIAPVFXPGLFDZ7RJMN56I/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Good point Homer! Finally this week is yet another Florida Man story and this might be one of the strangest Florida Man stories yet! We go to the town of Ocala, thats the home of John Travolta dont you know. So heres the thing, if you are out fishing and you find something like, I dont know, an explosive hand grenade, do you really think your next stop should be getting some fast food? I know that I dont!
A Florida man made an explosive discovery Saturday while magnet fishing.
While using a magnet to search water for salvage items, the fisherman pulled up a World War II hand grenade, according to police in Ocala, Florida, about 80 miles northwest of Orlando.
The fisherman threw the grenade in his trunk and drove to a Taco Bell, where he called police. The Taco Bell was evacuated, police said, but was reopened later that day.
Ocala police later verified on their Facebook page the device was a WWII hand grenade and a bomb squad had removed the device without incident.
https://ktla.com/news/florida-man-prompts-evacuation-at-taco-bell-after-bringing-grenade-he-found-while-fishing/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
While using a magnet to search water for salvage items, the fisherman pulled up a World War II hand grenade, according to police in Ocala, Florida, about 80 miles northwest of Orlando.
The fisherman threw the grenade in his trunk and drove to a Taco Bell, where he called police. The Taco Bell was evacuated, police said, but was reopened later that day.
Ocala police later verified on their Facebook page the device was a WWII hand grenade and a bomb squad had removed the device without incident.
https://ktla.com/news/florida-man-prompts-evacuation-at-taco-bell-after-bringing-grenade-he-found-while-fishing/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Thats it this week for:
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[font size="8"]Road To The White House: Trump Bails On Debate
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Welcome back to . Cue reverb ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE!! Oh man that was some good reverb there. Last week, which seems like an eternity ago this year, we covered the first presidential debates and of course the term shit show doesnt even begin to describe it. Of course we are in a raging pandemic and all rules about the way society is supposed to function are thrown out the window, and we are in an election year at that! But then again Trump is still our president, and he refuses to abide by the rules. So put those two things together and the question is asked is there a possibility there will even be a second debate? To which I answer: are you fucking kidding me?.
It seemed novel when Donald Trump boycotted the final debate before the Iowa caucuses four years ago.
This time, polls and the timing of the election suggest, it looks more like a mistake.
Twenty-six days before the election, more than 6.3 million people have already voted, according to the United States Elections Project, and that number is ballooning by the day. In declaring Thursday he wouldn't do a remote debate, he's surrendering an opportunity, with an audience of tens millions, to turn around his campaign.
I dont see how he catches up to and passes [Joe] Biden without two more debates, said Frank Luntz, the veteran Republican consultant and pollster. While an online debate is clearly problematic, no debate at all is worse.
Trump's reelection prospects are already precarious, at best. He is running behind Biden by nearly 10 percentage points nationally, and he has given up so much ground in battleground states that Biden is expanding the map into states that Trump was once expected to win comfortably, like Texas and Ohio.
https://ww w.politico.com/news/2020/10/08/trump-debate-boycott-428039
This time, polls and the timing of the election suggest, it looks more like a mistake.
Twenty-six days before the election, more than 6.3 million people have already voted, according to the United States Elections Project, and that number is ballooning by the day. In declaring Thursday he wouldn't do a remote debate, he's surrendering an opportunity, with an audience of tens millions, to turn around his campaign.
I dont see how he catches up to and passes [Joe] Biden without two more debates, said Frank Luntz, the veteran Republican consultant and pollster. While an online debate is clearly problematic, no debate at all is worse.
Trump's reelection prospects are already precarious, at best. He is running behind Biden by nearly 10 percentage points nationally, and he has given up so much ground in battleground states that Biden is expanding the map into states that Trump was once expected to win comfortably, like Texas and Ohio.
https://ww w.politico.com/news/2020/10/08/trump-debate-boycott-428039
So rather than play by the rules and hold a virtual rally, Trump instead is going out on his own and holding super spreader events! So what happens if Trump decides to again bail on the second debate its widely known that hes infected with COVID and continues to infect everyone in his path, so the idea of holding an in-person debate is out of the question. But theres no mistaking that Trump is an abusive, obnoxious jerk and would love to give Biden the virus if he could!
The fate of the final debates between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden was thrown into uncertainty Thursday as the campaigns offered dueling proposals for moving forward with a process that has been upended by the presidents coronavirus infection.
By Thursday afternoon, it was unclear when or how the next debates would proceed, or whether voters would even get to see the two men running for the White House on the same stage again before Election Day.
The whipsaw day began with an announcement from the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, which said the next debate on Oct. 15 would be held virtually. The commission cited health concerns following Trumps infection as the reason for changing the structure of the town hall-style debate.
Trump, who is eager to return to the campaign trail despite uncertainty about his health, said he wouldnt participate if the debate wasnt in person. Biden suggested the event be delayed a week until Oct. 22, which is when the third and final debate is already scheduled.
https://www.ocregister.com/2020/10/08/second-trump-biden-debate-to-be-virtual-due-to-trumps-covid-19/
By Thursday afternoon, it was unclear when or how the next debates would proceed, or whether voters would even get to see the two men running for the White House on the same stage again before Election Day.
The whipsaw day began with an announcement from the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, which said the next debate on Oct. 15 would be held virtually. The commission cited health concerns following Trumps infection as the reason for changing the structure of the town hall-style debate.
Trump, who is eager to return to the campaign trail despite uncertainty about his health, said he wouldnt participate if the debate wasnt in person. Biden suggested the event be delayed a week until Oct. 22, which is when the third and final debate is already scheduled.
https://www.ocregister.com/2020/10/08/second-trump-biden-debate-to-be-virtual-due-to-trumps-covid-19/
That is true and Trump is quite the evil fucker. In fact not only does he have COVID, hes flying out to Florida (obviously) to do another in-person campaign event. And of course his supporters dont give a flying fuck about COVID or their own health. Dear Leader is speaking and they will avoid Satan himself to go see him! But heres where it gets creepy and weird.
Donald Trump has claimed he is immune to coronavirus and told a rally it makes him feel so powerful he would jump into the crowd and give supporters a big fat kiss. The US president called the pandemic a lovefest and threw face masks into the crowd of hundreds at the Orlando Sanford International Airport, Florida, on Monday night. Trump told the predominantly mask-less audience: One thing with me, the nice part: I went through it, now they say Im immune. I feel so powerful, Ill walk into that audience. Ill walk in there, Ill kiss everyone in that audience. Ill kiss the guys and the beautiful women, everyone, Ill just give you a big fat kiss.
Speaking at his first rally since falling ill, the 74-year-old president defended his handling of the pandemic which has so far killed 215,000 Americans in a bid to revive his campaign with just weeks to go until Election Day. Although he was admitted to hospital with the virus only a week ago, Trump claimed to the audience the pandemic was almost a thing of the past. He said: Under my leadership, were delivering a safe vaccine and a rapid recovery like no one can even believe. If you look at our upward path, no country in the world has recovered the way we have recovered.
Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2020/10/13/trump-tells-fans-hell-give-them-big-fat-kiss-after-covid-infection-at-packed-rally-13412428/?ito=cbshare
Speaking at his first rally since falling ill, the 74-year-old president defended his handling of the pandemic which has so far killed 215,000 Americans in a bid to revive his campaign with just weeks to go until Election Day. Although he was admitted to hospital with the virus only a week ago, Trump claimed to the audience the pandemic was almost a thing of the past. He said: Under my leadership, were delivering a safe vaccine and a rapid recovery like no one can even believe. If you look at our upward path, no country in the world has recovered the way we have recovered.
Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2020/10/13/trump-tells-fans-hell-give-them-big-fat-kiss-after-covid-infection-at-packed-rally-13412428/?ito=cbshare
Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!! EW! EW! EW! EW! EW! EW! EW! Wait a minute EW. Why the flying fuck does he always make every thing so creepy and weird? Because he is a creepy weirdo and its just totally disgusting. OK now that I have got that off my chest, you know what the GOP really thinks of us and Joe Biden? Well lets just say that theyve gone full asshole and now all rules are off the table.
Ronna McDaniel seethed at the Commission for Presidential Debates for their decision to adopt a virtual format for their second event of the 2020 election.
The GOP chairwoman remains in quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19, which seems to have originated from the White Houses apparent super-spreader event that left President Donald Trump and many others infected. Nonetheless, McDaniel gave an interview to Fox News Sandra Smith on Thursday, where the focus was on Trumps refusal to participate in a virtual debate.
McDaniel began by slamming the commission and saying it was filled with Republicans who have been very critical of this president, and a large group of Democrats. After that, she insinuated that the commission is in Joe Bidens pocket, claiming 47 years of Joe Biden being in D.C. has bought him a lot of favors across the aisle.
I hope no future nominee of our party works with this commission, McDaniel said. They are a total joke and they are hurting our democracy and impacting this election.
https://www.mediaite.com/tv/ronna-mcdaniel-blasts-debate-commissions-virtual-format-from-quarantine-after-trump-bails-theyre-a-total-joke/
The GOP chairwoman remains in quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19, which seems to have originated from the White Houses apparent super-spreader event that left President Donald Trump and many others infected. Nonetheless, McDaniel gave an interview to Fox News Sandra Smith on Thursday, where the focus was on Trumps refusal to participate in a virtual debate.
McDaniel began by slamming the commission and saying it was filled with Republicans who have been very critical of this president, and a large group of Democrats. After that, she insinuated that the commission is in Joe Bidens pocket, claiming 47 years of Joe Biden being in D.C. has bought him a lot of favors across the aisle.
I hope no future nominee of our party works with this commission, McDaniel said. They are a total joke and they are hurting our democracy and impacting this election.
https://www.mediaite.com/tv/ronna-mcdaniel-blasts-debate-commissions-virtual-format-from-quarantine-after-trump-bails-theyre-a-total-joke/
[font size="8"]And Now This:
Folks last week we lost one of the greats of all time Eddie Van Halen. And I know that live music is off the table right now so I am paying tribute to him through live music. Really anyone who knows the Sunset Strip scene has a Van Halen story or two. Me Ive always liked his song Right Now from his 1991 album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge and its a protest song even though it at one point was used for a Pepsi product that no longer exists. So here it is Van Halen performing Right Now.
Folks, before we get out of here, a programming note. Next week is our last new regular Top 10 before the election. 10/28 will be a Viewers Choice All Time Best Of (with maybe a new entry or two), and 11/4 will go dark. Maybe we will do a Top 10 Mini depending on how I feel or how things are going. We will be back in full on 11/11 once the dust has been settled and hopefully in a much better mood than we have been the last 4 years! Next week, we will have our final thoughts going into the election in Road To The White House.
See you next week!
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October 7, 2020
Top 10 Conservative Idiots #9-13: Mr. COVID Goes To Washington Edition
Welcome back to the Top 10 Conservative Idiots! Hows everybody doing? Are you guys doing fucking good? I know, right? Holy fuck, what a crazy week this has been right? I was originally going to do a Wheel Of Corruption for this edition but well save that for next week. OK, do we really need celebrities making collaborations with fast food companies? I know that its 2020 and no one can go out and perform right now because of this fucking virus, and people got to make money. So do we really need more advertising? And do we also really need more fast food? Of course this started with Travis Scott, who I like to call the Krusty The Klown of the hip-hop industry. And now theres J. Balvin who also announced a collaboration meal with McDonalds. Do we really need this? Or is McDonalds now becoming that restaurant that names sandwiches after celebrities now? And I mean lets face it if anyone needs their own McDonalds meal named after them its Trump! Come on, think about it next time you go to McDonalds, you can experience Trumps slow, steady gorging process with two Big Macs and two Filet OFishes. I guess he doesnt include a heaping order of fries in that meal because it might be a little too healthy! OK thats enough of the intro, we have a lot of idiocy to get to. But first John Oliver is back and he delves into the latest surrounding the 2020 mother of all elections to end all elections:
Well, it looks like Trump got COVID and now nobody in his direct line of sight is safe from it! Taking the number one slot this week of course is Donald Trump (1) and not only did he get the highly infectious and very contagious disease, his reckless victory parade is the stuff of legendary conservative idiocy! In the second slot this week is Trumps campaign manager Brad Parscale (2) and I originally wasnt going to cover this story because domestic abuse is nothing to make fun of, but when Brad might be hiding some deep, dark secrets about his former boss, they need to get out there! In the third slot this week is the future Trump brownshirt army the Proud Boys (3) and they are going all in after Trumps debate shout out, but gay people have been taking back the name Proud Boys! Ha ha! Taking the number 4 slot this week is Donald Trump. A joint study by Harvard and the WHO examined some 8 million articles about COVID-19, and guess who is the key source of misinformation? Yup, him! In slot #5 this week is Top 10 Investigates, and we had this story planned for our edition a couple of weeks ago that unfortunately got axed, but we are going to talk about Charles Feeny, the billionaire who wants to die broke and penniless! In the number 6 slot this week is our weekly visit to the Holy Church Of The Top 10 in Holy Shit and were going to find out does anyone really hate God?. The Dark Ones campaign is trying to paint Joe Biden as godless but his faith suggests otherwise! In slot #7 this week we add Wisconsin senator Ron Johnson to the ever-growing list of People Who Somehow Got Elected (7)! In the 8th slot this week we have a new edition of Conspiracy Corner it hasnt even been 24 hours and the conspiracy theorists are already speculating about how Trump got COVID! In the number 9 (NEIN!!!) slot this week, we have a new I Need A Drink (9) and come on, racism and homophobia has no place in an MLS game, so we salute the San Diego Loyals for doing the right thing! Finally this week in Road To The White House we have a complete recap of the first debate, and speculate whether or not we will have a second! Enjoy! And as always dont forget the key!
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[font size="8"]Donald Trump
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You know Ive been saying since the start of the Trump presidency that if you hang with Donald Trump, youre gonna get a virus. Im just saying it happens. Hes an overweight, dirty, lazy, unkempt slob of a man who thinks hes got taste and class. For that he really doesnt have any. He spends all day lying in bed and yelling at Fox News, only occasionally getting up to indulge in his favorite hobby. So it should be absolutely no surprise to anyone that he contracted COVID-19 after holding rallies that have hundreds of people in attendance. I kind of think of it like that game of chicken - where you stand in front of traffic before jumping out of the way at the last second. He tried to jump out of the way this time, but he failed big time!
Seriously, this is his Dont cry for me Argentina moment. Though this isnt Evita and he isnt Eva Paron crying for help. Instead, this is more like Mr. COVID Goes To Washington, and instead of acting presidential, Trump is just some schmuck who got the virus by doing something stupid. And in case youre wondering, yes, the experts actually did tell him that the thing that gave him the virus was in fact a dangerous thing to do. Even worse is that he only stayed literally two days in the hospital.
Oh fuck it, just run the negative ads there, Joe! There's your first one right there! Seriously even Trumps own sons think hes gone too far. First the victory parade, then the shout out from the White House balcony. And lets not ignore that the whole White House might be a biohazard dont worry, well cover that next week and thats just barely scratching the surface. When Trumps sons think hes gone too far, hes gone too far!
Clean that up. And by the way yes the merchandise has already started. You can buy a Trump beats COVID commemorative coin right fucking now! For the low low price of $100! But that said, how is this going to affect his poll numbers? If anything America has had enough and its getting safer to say that Trump might be done.
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[font size="8"]Brad Parscale
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Hoooooooooooooooooooooooooly crap. I originally wasnt going to cover this story but you guys bombarded me with emails and social media replys saying that I need to cover this. Because last week before Mr. COVID went to Washington, Trumps campaign manager went absolutely batshit crazy, and its like peeling an onion. The more layers you peel back, the more it stinks. And the more youre likely to cry as a result. So what happened? Now the thing is before we delve into this story, I am not making fun of the man himself or even the situation. Im just reporting the facts with my usual brand of nonsense commentary. While COVID went to Washington, DC Brad Parscale went to Florida for a campaign stop.
Seriously, Bugs Bunny had the right idea! I mean come on Brad, you knew it was the wrong time to go to Florida! Even just setting foot in the Sunshine State anymore guarantees that you will succumb to the craziness! But now that I have got that out of my system, what was Brads motivation for doing this? I heard some say that he was suicidal and we are not touching that one with a 10 foot pole. But at least his wife is cooperating with the police!
Yeah probably! But hey Brad, heres the thing underwhelming stress? Look, 2020 has been a cruel mistress to us all, and were all dealing with it in our own ways. But heres the real underlying trouble remember last week when we said that Trump was broke? Well guess what? Brad Parscale might have had a hand in it! See, grifting begats grifting! And maybe that Q Anon slogan was right where we go one, we go all!
Damn right the shit just got real! And whats even more real is that Parscales family is worried that hes going to squeal on his former boss. Heres where the shit is going to hit the fan and why we had to cover this story. Trumps campaign is broke and theyre spending cash faster than a drunken gambler at a bachelor party at Caesars Palace. And if the truth comes out, Trump is in some seriously deep shit!
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[font size="8"]The Proud Boys
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If you havent heard of the alt-right Fight Club known as the Proud Boys, then you definitely havent been to a protest lately. Because whenever the dreaded Antifa shows up, the Proud Boys are almost certainly going to follow, mainly to kick some ass. Even though they are the ones getting their asses kicked and then go on social media to complain about how liberals are big meanie heads. We first covered the Proud Boys starting in Idiots #2-22, way back in 2017 and theyve been appearing in Top 10s ever since. And 2017 seems like an eternity ago doesnt it? Well, now theyve become self-aware, and that is fucking scary.
Seriously, this isnt Fight Club and youre not Brad Pitt. In fact most of the Proud Boys look about how you would picture the exact opposite of Brad Pitt to look. Hey o! That joke would have killed in front of a live audience. And just like the previous Terminator reference, not only are the Proud Boys now-self aware because of Trumps debate shout out, theyve joined forces with another hate group that youre probably familiar with the Nazis! And you never go full Nazi, ever!
Seriously, where are Jake and Elwood when you need them? And by the way with Trumps little joy ride outside the hospital this week guess who was there with support? Thats right Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes, who we profiled on a segment of This Fucking Guy back in the 5th season of the Idiots (see: Idiots #5-7 ). And yes hes every bit as batshit crazy as you might imagine!
Oh wait, that was Jingle All The Way. And by the way, we have to talk about the latest clash in Portland, because it seems that the Proud Boys are hell bent on turning the hipster capital of America into Americas Trump-loving fight club. And you know that other saying the beatings will continue until morale improves! Yes, this group is Trumps new BFF, and they will literally fight for him.
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[font size="8"]Donald Trump
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Look, I know that were in the middle of a raging pandemic and everyone is bored, tired, restless, isolated, angry, and pissed off. I know that I am. But before we start pointing fingers, lets not forget the one man who is largely responsible for us getting into this mess. And that man is of course is the guy whos in charge of the country right now the man who we inexplicably still call president, Donald J. Trump. Thats right, you read that correctly Trump is the sole source of misinformation on the virus known as COVID-19, responsible for one of the biggest disasters in United States history both politically and economically. But yeah lets blame Trump for all of this!
Yeah probably. Especially when this is one of the most alarming things coming out of the Trump administration since his diagnosis hes the key spreader of misinformation about the virus! See, Ive been saying that since the Trump administration began that when you hang with Trump, youre going to get a virus. Now when you hang with Trump, not only do you get a virus, hell give you a heaping pile of bullshit to go with it!
That is certainly true sir! But thats also what happens when the President Of The United States lives in a bubble not just because of COVID but also constantly feeds off of his own bullshit when it comes to the news. See, the news sources that Trump says are actually news, are in actuality, fake news! Its all so obvious now! But yeah he might be fucking with us, and if hes going down, hes going down swinging.
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[font size="8"]Top 10 Investigates: The Broke Billionaire
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Its time to investigate beyond the headlines. This is Top 10 Investigates!
Billionaires. Most people either love them or hate them. Some even want to elect them president of the United States. Those people are crazy. However, this week, theres one billionaire in particular who made headlines this week for one particular reason. He wants to die broke and penniless. Meet Charles Feeny. Feeny made his fortune as the backbone of the Duty Free shops that you see at the airport. He made billions off of his investment. Now his dying wish is to die broke and penniless. And he may just have achieved that goal.
So why did Mr. Feeny decide to do this and why are his assets so hidden? What made him do this? Well you know the old adage about how you cannot take it with you. Mr. Feeny is a different kind of billionaire he made his wealth through investing. And then he turned around and invested those investments into different investments. In fact, his charitable contributions earned him the nickname the secret billionaire.
Yes and then light it all on fire! Mr. Feeny is not the only billionaire who is risking it all. We go to Thailand, where 41 year old billionaire Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit is risking it all because hes fed up with the current state of the Thai monarchy. So rather than using his money for evil, people like this and Mr. Feeny are using their money for good. In fact hes starting his own political party to help reform the monarchy.
But Mr. Feeny and Mr. Juangroongruangkit arent just giving away their fortunes for free. Instead theyre making sound and sensible investments that will help determine their countrys futures. But Mr. Feeny has a 35 year head start and he has already accomplished his goal. At 89, he most likely doesnt have a lot of time left on this earth, but he feels like his goal is accomplished.
Thats it this week for Top 10 Investigates. Good day.
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[font size="8"]Holy Shit
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Gather around my fair brothers and sisters! Its time to take a seat in the virtual pew make an online donation in the LAWRDs virtual collection plate, for the Holy Church Of The Top 10 has convened and its time to remind you that the holiest among us are the most full of:
My fair virtual congregation! You know we are just one month out from the election. And this election will determine the future of America. Now, do we go with the unholy, ungodly Dark One a man so disgusting and depraved that I will never allow his name to be spoken in my church even if we arent a real church right now? Or do we choose the lighter path and go with Joseph R. Biden? I know which way I would choose. But that said, the ungodly Dark One is trying to accuse Biden as being ungodly. Which makes me ask this question does anyone really hate GAWD? Both sides make this claim, and none of it is true. No one hates GAWD. But the LAWRD welcomes all even the haters and the losers. So why is Biden being painted as the godless one?
These people really have a thing for demonic forces dont they? And why do they refer to themselves as prayer warriors? Are they actually fighting a war? Maybe only in their warped and twisted minds. But Im not really sure they know what the word tyranny means. In fact the Unholy Dark One is getting some much needed help from the pulpit.
Well so can I, I do have that power as I am a man of GAWD!! And the LAWRD shall send them to hell when he sees fit now doesnt he? Now lets take a look at the actual religions of these two men starting with the man who is going to be the 46th president of the United States Joe Biden! He is a real man of GAWD, and he makes no mistakes about the religion he chooses to worship!
Now on the flipside we have the Unholy, Ungodly Dark One! And why do I keep referring to him as The Dark One? Because he is the leader of the free world. And hes a man who is so full of sin, so disgusting, depraved, and batshit crazy that I will never, ever speak his name in my church! Except that one time I did, but there are exceptions to every rule. In fact hes a man so disgusting that a religion known for insane lifestyles is denouncing him as being demonic!
Thats right even the Mormons some of the most devout of all the religions are calling him the Godless one! Mass has ended, may you go in peace! Thats it this week for:
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[font size="8"]Ron Johnson: People Who Somehow Got Elected
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Politicians at the state and local levels who are so toxic, you wonder how theyre able to get away with the things they get away with. This is:
This week: Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson. How did this guy get elected? While the world is sitting in horror of Trumps recent COVID diagnosis, theres another case thats going dangerously overlooked and thats Ron Johnson. The CDC is reporting that super spreader individuals are infecting hundreds of people and they might not even know it. Ron Johnson is one such individual. And this guy could be deciding the vote that puts Amy Coney Barrett on the Supreme Court. So what makes Mr. Johnson so dangerous? Well, while mass gatherings are shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ron Johnson said fuck it and went to an Oktoberfest party anyways. Yes, holding an Oktoberfest party during a pandemic. That is a thing that happened.
Yes, theyll get special host recognition all right when everybody at the party comes down with the virus because they didnt listen to scientists and ignored the warning signs. So guess what happened with the party? Thats right! He tested positive. And that means that Senator Johnson can join Trump in the recovery wing at Walter Reed Hospital.
Thats probably the only safe way to live right now in the age of COVID. And guess what else is going on not only did Ron Johnson come down with the virus, at least 3 senators all in the GOP have also tested positive. This isnt going to look good when they go to cast that SCOTUS vote that will replace Justice Ginsburg. This is what happens when you dont take this virus seriously.
Thats what is going to happen from now until theres a vaccine. And if people like Ron Johnson keep doing this thats what is going to happen. But thats not before he puts fellow super spreader Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Thats right Ron Johnson could be one of the deciding votes that puts Judge Barrett on the highest of high courts. I like senators who dont get the virus!
That man could help decide the fate of the future of the United States. Thats Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, yet another inexplicable candidate to add to the ever-growing list of:
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[font size="8"]Conspiracy Corner
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Welcome back to the segment that attempts to explain the unexplainable! We are of course coming to you live from our remote basement bunker deep in the alkaline flats of the New Mexico badlands I cant disclose too much about the location because I dont want the evil government to read my thoughts! Now just let me adjust my tin foil hat for maximum government interference and there we go! So what are conspiracy theorists blabbering about this week? Well, of course you know their Dear Leader got the dreaded coronavirus. And that hasnt stopped the conspiracy theorists from coming up with some absolutely batshit theories! Yes, the guano is flying fast and furious with this crowd!
By the way, anyone else really surprised that Trump is the mastermind behind most of these batshit crazy theories out there? And if youre not, have you been following this administration? You know how absolutely batshit insane Trump is and how he doesnt live in reality he only lives in the reality that he chooses to create. And that is a very dark and scary one!
And by the way, is anyone really surprised that the Q Anon dipshits have been coming up with the craziest conspiracy theories surrounding Trump and COVID? To which I ask you again have you been following this administration? Trump attracts the craziest and most depraved minds in not only America, but all over the world. So its absolutely no surprise that the basement dwellers of 4chan are fabricating the most batshit things youve ever heard.
Now heres where it gets weird because you knew it was going to. And again, I ask have you been following this administration? I keep asking that because this administration has unleashed some of the most batshit stuff youve ever heard. But the real weirdness in all of this is that Q Anon and COVID conspiracies are merging! Yes, they are going to create the largest turd of misinformation youve ever seen in your life! They know too much!
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[font size="8"]I Need A Drink
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Whew, I dont know about you guys but I could really use a drink!
Whew, so much bad news this week! So of course you know by now that the idea is that we have some drinks and while we are drinking, we talk about literally anything in the news as long as it doesnt relate to politics. And not only that, this has the bonus of being a sports story with an added dash of some old school homophobia. Yup, were talking 1950s fire and brimstone. So tell me virtual bartender, what goes well with a story about sports bullying? A seabreeze? Yeah no thanks. I think I will have my usual Jack Daniels mixed with Jack Daniels. I call it the Double Jack. So we go to San Diego for this story. The San Diego Loyals are a relatively new team in the MLS world, managed by international superstar Landon Donovan. Well last week something unbelievable happened. The Loyal forfeited a game. Heres what happened.
Man I miss drinking in front of a live audience! Well get that freedom back at some point. So good for San Diego for taking a stand against rampant bullying in sports. Of course that doesnt matter because we have a president and first lady who are on a Be Best! campaign so everybody is putting their best face forward! Ah, who am I kidding? Of course everyone is at their worst right now, were in a raging pandemic with a raging asshole at the helm. Thankfully the San Diego Loyal are the opposite of that!
Ah, thanks, I needed that! So the San Diego Loyal walked off not once, but twice. And unlike a baseball walkoff, youre not celebrating in a football walk off. Instead, youre probably ranting and cursing and throwing your empty beer bottles at the TV. Because its 2020 and you cant do that at your favorite watering hole. But taking a stand is costing them in both fans and controversy. Lets ask womens football star Alex Morgan what she thinks.
So the impact of this decision will be felt across the league but who knows how long this will go on and what are the long term consequences of this decision? Well the short term decision is that this is going to have an affect on the Loyals playoff hopes. And yes, this is one of those things where doing the right thing could actually be the wrong thing. Yeah think about it!
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[font size="8"]Road To The White House: Debate Recap
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Welcome back to our ongoing coverage of the 2020 election to end all elections! This is *cue reverb* THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE!! Ooh, that was some good reverb there! So in the last week , we covered the possible scenarios that could happen if Donald Trump decides that hes not going to leave the White House in the event that he loses the election. Weve also covered the coveted endorsement of rapper Ice Cube and what that would mean. Now this week were going to talk about the first debate that happened last week, and in the sea of news last week, that feels like an eternity ago. Though the first debate can be boiled down to five words: Shut the fuck up Donny. Seriously, where is Walter Sobchak when you need him? But really it was quite the shit show.
Yeah seriously, why wasnt that guy moderating the debates? Now CNN, what did you learn? Youre Trumps public enemy number one! Things got even crazier when the subject of white supremacy came up. And todays white supremacists are nothing like your fathers white supremacists! Yes, Trump has received endless amounts of very well-deserved shit for failing to denounce one of Americas biggest problems.
Seriously, Donny, shut the fuck up!!! But switching gears now, will a second debate be held? Thats the question right now. Well whether or not a second debate happens, theres going to be some rules changes in place. Like actually getting Donny to shut the fuck up. Because thats something that he needs to do if hes going to prove to be presidential. Because right now his plan of constantly talking over your opponent just isnt working.
Yeah seriously. Shut the fuck up Donny! Why dont we have this guy moderating the next debate? Well there might not even be a next debate, at least for the time being. But at this point does anybody even really care? Or will the poll numbers make that much of a difference? People are already mortified by Trumps behavior and that might not carry well going into the actual election of which we are only 30 short days away! Assuming this country is still standing then!
See you next week!
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Top 10 Conservative Idiots #9-13: Mr. COVID Goes To Washington Edition
Top 10 Conservative Idiots #9-13: Mr. COVID Goes To Washington Edition
Welcome back to the Top 10 Conservative Idiots! Hows everybody doing? Are you guys doing fucking good? I know, right? Holy fuck, what a crazy week this has been right? I was originally going to do a Wheel Of Corruption for this edition but well save that for next week. OK, do we really need celebrities making collaborations with fast food companies? I know that its 2020 and no one can go out and perform right now because of this fucking virus, and people got to make money. So do we really need more advertising? And do we also really need more fast food? Of course this started with Travis Scott, who I like to call the Krusty The Klown of the hip-hop industry. And now theres J. Balvin who also announced a collaboration meal with McDonalds. Do we really need this? Or is McDonalds now becoming that restaurant that names sandwiches after celebrities now? And I mean lets face it if anyone needs their own McDonalds meal named after them its Trump! Come on, think about it next time you go to McDonalds, you can experience Trumps slow, steady gorging process with two Big Macs and two Filet OFishes. I guess he doesnt include a heaping order of fries in that meal because it might be a little too healthy! OK thats enough of the intro, we have a lot of idiocy to get to. But first John Oliver is back and he delves into the latest surrounding the 2020 mother of all elections to end all elections:
Well, it looks like Trump got COVID and now nobody in his direct line of sight is safe from it! Taking the number one slot this week of course is Donald Trump (1) and not only did he get the highly infectious and very contagious disease, his reckless victory parade is the stuff of legendary conservative idiocy! In the second slot this week is Trumps campaign manager Brad Parscale (2) and I originally wasnt going to cover this story because domestic abuse is nothing to make fun of, but when Brad might be hiding some deep, dark secrets about his former boss, they need to get out there! In the third slot this week is the future Trump brownshirt army the Proud Boys (3) and they are going all in after Trumps debate shout out, but gay people have been taking back the name Proud Boys! Ha ha! Taking the number 4 slot this week is Donald Trump. A joint study by Harvard and the WHO examined some 8 million articles about COVID-19, and guess who is the key source of misinformation? Yup, him! In slot #5 this week is Top 10 Investigates, and we had this story planned for our edition a couple of weeks ago that unfortunately got axed, but we are going to talk about Charles Feeny, the billionaire who wants to die broke and penniless! In the number 6 slot this week is our weekly visit to the Holy Church Of The Top 10 in Holy Shit and were going to find out does anyone really hate God?. The Dark Ones campaign is trying to paint Joe Biden as godless but his faith suggests otherwise! In slot #7 this week we add Wisconsin senator Ron Johnson to the ever-growing list of People Who Somehow Got Elected (7)! In the 8th slot this week we have a new edition of Conspiracy Corner it hasnt even been 24 hours and the conspiracy theorists are already speculating about how Trump got COVID! In the number 9 (NEIN!!!) slot this week, we have a new I Need A Drink (9) and come on, racism and homophobia has no place in an MLS game, so we salute the San Diego Loyals for doing the right thing! Finally this week in Road To The White House we have a complete recap of the first debate, and speculate whether or not we will have a second! Enjoy! And as always dont forget the key!
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[font size="8"]Donald Trump
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You know Ive been saying since the start of the Trump presidency that if you hang with Donald Trump, youre gonna get a virus. Im just saying it happens. Hes an overweight, dirty, lazy, unkempt slob of a man who thinks hes got taste and class. For that he really doesnt have any. He spends all day lying in bed and yelling at Fox News, only occasionally getting up to indulge in his favorite hobby. So it should be absolutely no surprise to anyone that he contracted COVID-19 after holding rallies that have hundreds of people in attendance. I kind of think of it like that game of chicken - where you stand in front of traffic before jumping out of the way at the last second. He tried to jump out of the way this time, but he failed big time!
President Trump, who spent the weekend in the hospital being treated for COVID-19, made a theatrical return to the White House on Monday evening, disembarking Marine One and walking the staircase to the South Portico entrance, where he turned to face the cameras, removed his mask and gave his signature two thumbs up.
Shortly before, a masked Trump had emerged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he was receiving treatment, pumping his fist and giving a thumbs up as he ignored questions from reporters.
In a video recorded at the White House that he tweeted later, the president seemed somewhat more circumspect about a virus that he has often downplayed, along with measures to halt its spread, such as wearing masks.
Trump thanked the staff of Walter Reed and said that during his three-night stay he had "learned so much about coronavirus."
"One thing that's for certain don't let it dominate you. Don't be afraid of it. You're going to beat it," he said. "We have the best medical equipment. We have the best medicines. All developed recently. And you're going to beat it."
https://www.npr.org/sections/latest-updates-trump-covid-19-results/2020/10/06/920625432/maybe-i-m-immune-trump-returns-to-white-house-removes-mask-after-covid-treatment
Shortly before, a masked Trump had emerged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he was receiving treatment, pumping his fist and giving a thumbs up as he ignored questions from reporters.
In a video recorded at the White House that he tweeted later, the president seemed somewhat more circumspect about a virus that he has often downplayed, along with measures to halt its spread, such as wearing masks.
Trump thanked the staff of Walter Reed and said that during his three-night stay he had "learned so much about coronavirus."
"One thing that's for certain don't let it dominate you. Don't be afraid of it. You're going to beat it," he said. "We have the best medical equipment. We have the best medicines. All developed recently. And you're going to beat it."
https://www.npr.org/sections/latest-updates-trump-covid-19-results/2020/10/06/920625432/maybe-i-m-immune-trump-returns-to-white-house-removes-mask-after-covid-treatment
Seriously, this is his Dont cry for me Argentina moment. Though this isnt Evita and he isnt Eva Paron crying for help. Instead, this is more like Mr. COVID Goes To Washington, and instead of acting presidential, Trump is just some schmuck who got the virus by doing something stupid. And in case youre wondering, yes, the experts actually did tell him that the thing that gave him the virus was in fact a dangerous thing to do. Even worse is that he only stayed literally two days in the hospital.
President Donald Trump on Monday announced that he planned to leave the hospital that same day despite a COVID-19 infection.
I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M., Trump wrote on Twitter.
Feeling really good! Dont be afraid of Covid. Dont let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge.
I feel better than I did 20 years ago!
It was not immediately clear if the presidents medical team had cleared his release.
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/10/trump-tweet-announces-hes-checking-out-of-hospital-on-monday-dont-be-afraid-of/
I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M., Trump wrote on Twitter.
Feeling really good! Dont be afraid of Covid. Dont let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge.
I feel better than I did 20 years ago!
It was not immediately clear if the presidents medical team had cleared his release.
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/10/trump-tweet-announces-hes-checking-out-of-hospital-on-monday-dont-be-afraid-of/
Oh fuck it, just run the negative ads there, Joe! There's your first one right there! Seriously even Trumps own sons think hes gone too far. First the victory parade, then the shout out from the White House balcony. And lets not ignore that the whole White House might be a biohazard dont worry, well cover that next week and thats just barely scratching the surface. When Trumps sons think hes gone too far, hes gone too far!
Donald Trumps erratic and reckless behavior in the last 24 hours has opened a rift in the Trump family over how to rein in the out-of-control president, according to two Republicans briefed on the family conversations. Sources said Donald Trump Jr. is deeply upset by his fathers decision to drive around Walter Reed National Military Medical Center last night with members of the Secret Service while he was infected with COVID-19. Don Jr. thinks Trump is acting crazy, one of the sources told me. The stunt outraged medical experts, including an attending physician at Walter Reed.
According to sources, Don Jr. has told friends that he tried lobbying Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, and Jared Kushner to convince the president that he needs to stop acting unstable. Don Jr. has said he wants to stage an intervention, but Jared and Ivanka keep telling Trump how great hes doing, a source said. Don Jr. is said to be reluctant to confront his father alone. Don said, Im not going to be the only one to tell him hes acting crazy, the source added.
One area where the family seems united is over the presidents manic tweeting early Monday morning. After Trump sent out more than a dozen all-caps tweets, the Trump children told people they want Trump to stop. Theyre all worried. Theyve tried to get him to stop tweeting, a source close to the family told me.
The Trump familys private concern about Trumps behavior could raise questions about his fitness for office. Trump has been prescribed drugs that medical experts say can seriously impair his cognitive function. Last night the New York Times reported that steroids, which Trump is reportedly taking, specifically dexamethasone, are known to affect mood, causing euphoria or a general happiness.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/10/don-jr-thinks-trump-is-acting-crazy-presidents-covid-joyride-has-family-divided
According to sources, Don Jr. has told friends that he tried lobbying Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, and Jared Kushner to convince the president that he needs to stop acting unstable. Don Jr. has said he wants to stage an intervention, but Jared and Ivanka keep telling Trump how great hes doing, a source said. Don Jr. is said to be reluctant to confront his father alone. Don said, Im not going to be the only one to tell him hes acting crazy, the source added.
One area where the family seems united is over the presidents manic tweeting early Monday morning. After Trump sent out more than a dozen all-caps tweets, the Trump children told people they want Trump to stop. Theyre all worried. Theyve tried to get him to stop tweeting, a source close to the family told me.
The Trump familys private concern about Trumps behavior could raise questions about his fitness for office. Trump has been prescribed drugs that medical experts say can seriously impair his cognitive function. Last night the New York Times reported that steroids, which Trump is reportedly taking, specifically dexamethasone, are known to affect mood, causing euphoria or a general happiness.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/10/don-jr-thinks-trump-is-acting-crazy-presidents-covid-joyride-has-family-divided
Clean that up. And by the way yes the merchandise has already started. You can buy a Trump beats COVID commemorative coin right fucking now! For the low low price of $100! But that said, how is this going to affect his poll numbers? If anything America has had enough and its getting safer to say that Trump might be done.
WASHINGTON (Sinclair Broadcast Group) President Donald Trump has joined the ranks of a handful of world leaders who contracted the coronavirus after downplaying its seriousness.
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, 56, tested positive for the virus March 27 after rejecting a shutdown of British businesses. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, 65, announced he had the virus July 7 after flouting social distancing requirements and shrugging off the growing number of deaths in his country. In both cases, those leaders saw a slight sympathy bump after their diagnoses.
Experts doubt whether President Trump, 74, will see a similar boost from a sympathetic American electorate. Like other populist leaders, he has publicly downplayed the severity of the pandemic and was flouting social distancing and mask requirements in the days before his diagnosis. But none of the other leaders got their diagnoses in the final four-week stretch of a general election.
Back in April, Johnson saw a six-point surge in approval between the time he was diagnosed with a serious case of COVID-19 until he was discharged from the hospital after a week of intensive treatment. In total, his approval was up more than ten points from before his illness. Johnson's personal approval hit a peak of 66% and remained relatively high for more than a month before slumping into the 30s.
https://wjla.com/news/nation-world/trump-may-not-get-a-sympathy-boost-after-covid-diagnosis-experts-say
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, 56, tested positive for the virus March 27 after rejecting a shutdown of British businesses. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, 65, announced he had the virus July 7 after flouting social distancing requirements and shrugging off the growing number of deaths in his country. In both cases, those leaders saw a slight sympathy bump after their diagnoses.
Experts doubt whether President Trump, 74, will see a similar boost from a sympathetic American electorate. Like other populist leaders, he has publicly downplayed the severity of the pandemic and was flouting social distancing and mask requirements in the days before his diagnosis. But none of the other leaders got their diagnoses in the final four-week stretch of a general election.
Back in April, Johnson saw a six-point surge in approval between the time he was diagnosed with a serious case of COVID-19 until he was discharged from the hospital after a week of intensive treatment. In total, his approval was up more than ten points from before his illness. Johnson's personal approval hit a peak of 66% and remained relatively high for more than a month before slumping into the 30s.
https://wjla.com/news/nation-world/trump-may-not-get-a-sympathy-boost-after-covid-diagnosis-experts-say
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[font size="8"]Brad Parscale
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Hoooooooooooooooooooooooooly crap. I originally wasnt going to cover this story but you guys bombarded me with emails and social media replys saying that I need to cover this. Because last week before Mr. COVID went to Washington, Trumps campaign manager went absolutely batshit crazy, and its like peeling an onion. The more layers you peel back, the more it stinks. And the more youre likely to cry as a result. So what happened? Now the thing is before we delve into this story, I am not making fun of the man himself or even the situation. Im just reporting the facts with my usual brand of nonsense commentary. While COVID went to Washington, DC Brad Parscale went to Florida for a campaign stop.
At 6 feet, 8 inches tall, campaign strategist Brad Parscale literally stood atop the political world after his boss, Donald Trump, trounced the Republican field in the 2016 Florida primary and overcame Hillary Clinton in the critical Sunshine State to claim the presidential election.
Though the digital guru hailed from Texas, he started scouting locations to live in Florida, a key swing state, just a year after Trumps victory. Parscale zeroed in on Fort Lauderdale, said one person who has known him for years, because it was conveniently located between Miami and Trumps palatial property at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach.
Plus, while it was more buttoned down than South Beach, the city offered similar sun, sand and fun and, the person said, Parscale, 44, had a reputation for being a wild guy, a risk taker.
Fort Lauderdale is known for being a place to have a good time, while still being respectable and geographically central, said the person. He chose Fort Lauderdale probably because it suited his lifestyle.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article246174240.html
Though the digital guru hailed from Texas, he started scouting locations to live in Florida, a key swing state, just a year after Trumps victory. Parscale zeroed in on Fort Lauderdale, said one person who has known him for years, because it was conveniently located between Miami and Trumps palatial property at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach.
Plus, while it was more buttoned down than South Beach, the city offered similar sun, sand and fun and, the person said, Parscale, 44, had a reputation for being a wild guy, a risk taker.
Fort Lauderdale is known for being a place to have a good time, while still being respectable and geographically central, said the person. He chose Fort Lauderdale probably because it suited his lifestyle.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article246174240.html
Seriously, Bugs Bunny had the right idea! I mean come on Brad, you knew it was the wrong time to go to Florida! Even just setting foot in the Sunshine State anymore guarantees that you will succumb to the craziness! But now that I have got that out of my system, what was Brads motivation for doing this? I heard some say that he was suicidal and we are not touching that one with a 10 foot pole. But at least his wife is cooperating with the police!
Brad Parscale, a senior adviser to Donald Trumps campaign who was involuntarily detained by police this weekend, said he is stepping away from the reelection effort and seeking help for what he called overwhelming stress on him and his family.
In a statement provided to POLITICO on Wednesday, Parscales wife, Candice, also denied that Parscale physically abused her, despite a police report in which said she told authorities the contrary.
The statements I made on Sunday have been misconstrued, let it be clear my husband was not violent towards me that day or any day prior, she said.
Parscale, 44, was demoted as campaign manager in July as the presidents poll numbers cratered. Long one of Trump's closest aides, Parscale remained on the reelection effort in a limited capacity: He made trips from his home in Florida to the campaigns Arlington, Va., headquarters and worked on digital projects, including producing videos for the Republican National Convention.
I am stepping away from my company and any role in the campaign for the immediate future to focus on my family and get help dealing with the overwhelming stress," Parscale said in the Wednesday statement.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/30/brad-parscale-stepping-down-trump-campaign-424069
In a statement provided to POLITICO on Wednesday, Parscales wife, Candice, also denied that Parscale physically abused her, despite a police report in which said she told authorities the contrary.
The statements I made on Sunday have been misconstrued, let it be clear my husband was not violent towards me that day or any day prior, she said.
Parscale, 44, was demoted as campaign manager in July as the presidents poll numbers cratered. Long one of Trump's closest aides, Parscale remained on the reelection effort in a limited capacity: He made trips from his home in Florida to the campaigns Arlington, Va., headquarters and worked on digital projects, including producing videos for the Republican National Convention.
I am stepping away from my company and any role in the campaign for the immediate future to focus on my family and get help dealing with the overwhelming stress," Parscale said in the Wednesday statement.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/30/brad-parscale-stepping-down-trump-campaign-424069
Yeah probably! But hey Brad, heres the thing underwhelming stress? Look, 2020 has been a cruel mistress to us all, and were all dealing with it in our own ways. But heres the real underlying trouble remember last week when we said that Trump was broke? Well guess what? Brad Parscale might have had a hand in it! See, grifting begats grifting! And maybe that Q Anon slogan was right where we go one, we go all!
Brad Parscales wife told police hes been stressed out for the past two weeks and suicidal.
President Donald Trumps former campaign manager is reportedly under investigation for stealing millions from the 2020 presidential campaign and Republican National Committee.
According to a DailyMail report, Brad Parscale pocketed between $25-$40 million from Trumps 2020 presidential campaign and $10 million from the RNC, insiders told the outlet. The news follows the release of bodycam video that shows Fort Lauderdale police detaining Parscale after his wife reported that he was threatening to commit suicide on Sunday afternoon..
theGrio previously reported, Candice Parscale told authorities that her husband had guns in the home and that he had been physically violent towards her. Parscale reportedly went willingly to a hospital with the responding officers under Floridas Baker Act, which allows police to detain someone whos potentially a threat to themselves or others.
Candice told police Parscale had been stressed out for the past two weeks and has made suicidal comments throughout the week to shoot himself.
https://news.yahoo.com/trump-ex-campaign-manager-under-010512163.html
President Donald Trumps former campaign manager is reportedly under investigation for stealing millions from the 2020 presidential campaign and Republican National Committee.
According to a DailyMail report, Brad Parscale pocketed between $25-$40 million from Trumps 2020 presidential campaign and $10 million from the RNC, insiders told the outlet. The news follows the release of bodycam video that shows Fort Lauderdale police detaining Parscale after his wife reported that he was threatening to commit suicide on Sunday afternoon..
theGrio previously reported, Candice Parscale told authorities that her husband had guns in the home and that he had been physically violent towards her. Parscale reportedly went willingly to a hospital with the responding officers under Floridas Baker Act, which allows police to detain someone whos potentially a threat to themselves or others.
Candice told police Parscale had been stressed out for the past two weeks and has made suicidal comments throughout the week to shoot himself.
https://news.yahoo.com/trump-ex-campaign-manager-under-010512163.html
Damn right the shit just got real! And whats even more real is that Parscales family is worried that hes going to squeal on his former boss. Heres where the shit is going to hit the fan and why we had to cover this story. Trumps campaign is broke and theyre spending cash faster than a drunken gambler at a bachelor party at Caesars Palace. And if the truth comes out, Trump is in some seriously deep shit!
Donald Trumps campaign is still assessing the political damage from Tuesday nights chaotic first presidential debate. The presidents refusal to condemn white supremacists, of course, is the immediate crisis. He blew that for sure, a campaign adviser told me. Its nuts, a former West Wing official said wearily, sounding like a storm survivor with PTSD. Total lunacy, said another former White House staffer, who remains close to the campaign. Trump didnt win over any voters, and he pissed off a lot of people, added a prominent Republican.
Trump advisers agree on what he needs to do differently at the next debate. He has to just relax and let Joe Biden speak, said the ex-official, who remains close to the White House. But Republicans are resigned to the fact that Trump is unlikelyor unwillingto course-correct. Trump thinks he won. He didnt, said another Republican with ties to the campaign. But does anyone have the balls to tell him that? No. Theyd be fired.
Trump doesnt accept the consensus that the debate was a disaster because, sources said, he was unabashedly himself. The thing about the debate is people got to see why no one that has any integrity can work for Trump. This is what Trump is like in the Oval Office every day. Its why [John] Kelly left. Its why [Jim] Mattis quit, said the prominent Republican. Trump doesnt let anyone else speak. He really doesnt care what you have to say. He demeans people. He talks over them. And everyone around him thinks its getting worse.
Inside Trumpworld theres a view that the past week is an inflection point in the campaign. It started on Sunday night with the bombshell New York Times report that Trump paid just $750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and 2017. For Trump the Times story was worse than losing reelection, said the second Republican. If you had told Donald back in 2015 that his tax returns would be exposed and hed have all these investigations, I guarantee you he wouldnt have run.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/09/trumpworld-panics-over-debate-fiasco-as-campaign-turmoil-mounts
Trump advisers agree on what he needs to do differently at the next debate. He has to just relax and let Joe Biden speak, said the ex-official, who remains close to the White House. But Republicans are resigned to the fact that Trump is unlikelyor unwillingto course-correct. Trump thinks he won. He didnt, said another Republican with ties to the campaign. But does anyone have the balls to tell him that? No. Theyd be fired.
Trump doesnt accept the consensus that the debate was a disaster because, sources said, he was unabashedly himself. The thing about the debate is people got to see why no one that has any integrity can work for Trump. This is what Trump is like in the Oval Office every day. Its why [John] Kelly left. Its why [Jim] Mattis quit, said the prominent Republican. Trump doesnt let anyone else speak. He really doesnt care what you have to say. He demeans people. He talks over them. And everyone around him thinks its getting worse.
Inside Trumpworld theres a view that the past week is an inflection point in the campaign. It started on Sunday night with the bombshell New York Times report that Trump paid just $750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and 2017. For Trump the Times story was worse than losing reelection, said the second Republican. If you had told Donald back in 2015 that his tax returns would be exposed and hed have all these investigations, I guarantee you he wouldnt have run.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/09/trumpworld-panics-over-debate-fiasco-as-campaign-turmoil-mounts
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[font size="8"]The Proud Boys
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If you havent heard of the alt-right Fight Club known as the Proud Boys, then you definitely havent been to a protest lately. Because whenever the dreaded Antifa shows up, the Proud Boys are almost certainly going to follow, mainly to kick some ass. Even though they are the ones getting their asses kicked and then go on social media to complain about how liberals are big meanie heads. We first covered the Proud Boys starting in Idiots #2-22, way back in 2017 and theyve been appearing in Top 10s ever since. And 2017 seems like an eternity ago doesnt it? Well, now theyve become self-aware, and that is fucking scary.
When hundreds of supporters of President Trump gathered for a Labor Day rally in Oregon, a man in the signature black-and-gold shirt of the Proud Boys approached the crowd with a welcoming smile.
If the Republican activists ever needed security for an event, said the man, Flip Todd, the Proud Boys were available. They had sworn loyalty to the country and the president, he said. Well continue to fight for you.
It took only a few hours to demonstrate what that might entail. As some in the rally caravanned by car to Salem, the state capital, the Proud Boys joined a group of right-wing demonstrators who rushed across a street and began attacking people who had set up a leftist counterprotest. At one point, a large man in a bulletproof vest knocked a much smaller counterprotester to the ground, an event the Proud Boys celebrated later when they posted video of the attack. Hulk smash! it said.
The far-right band of brothers who have turned street thuggery into political theater had not quite become a household name before President Trump was asked about the Proud Boys during Tuesday nights presidential debate, and whether he would condemn white supremacists: Proud Boys, he said, stand back and stand by.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/30/us/proud-boys-trump.html
If the Republican activists ever needed security for an event, said the man, Flip Todd, the Proud Boys were available. They had sworn loyalty to the country and the president, he said. Well continue to fight for you.
It took only a few hours to demonstrate what that might entail. As some in the rally caravanned by car to Salem, the state capital, the Proud Boys joined a group of right-wing demonstrators who rushed across a street and began attacking people who had set up a leftist counterprotest. At one point, a large man in a bulletproof vest knocked a much smaller counterprotester to the ground, an event the Proud Boys celebrated later when they posted video of the attack. Hulk smash! it said.
The far-right band of brothers who have turned street thuggery into political theater had not quite become a household name before President Trump was asked about the Proud Boys during Tuesday nights presidential debate, and whether he would condemn white supremacists: Proud Boys, he said, stand back and stand by.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/30/us/proud-boys-trump.html
Seriously, this isnt Fight Club and youre not Brad Pitt. In fact most of the Proud Boys look about how you would picture the exact opposite of Brad Pitt to look. Hey o! That joke would have killed in front of a live audience. And just like the previous Terminator reference, not only are the Proud Boys now-self aware because of Trumps debate shout out, theyve joined forces with another hate group that youre probably familiar with the Nazis! And you never go full Nazi, ever!
The far-right extremist group the Proud Boys publicly claim they are not white supremacists, however local members in Denver have been seen at protests with known neo-Nazis.
In 2019, 9NEWS profiled local Proud Boys in an investigation titled Homegrown Hate.
The investigation included images of local Proud Boys posing in photos with local neo-Nazis during a protest at a drag queen event at Mile High Comics.
In video images, Samuel Cordova was seen posing with Proud Boys.
Cordova pleaded guilty to a hate crime in Denver after vandalizing a local book store during a drag queen story time. At the time of his arrest, police said in their report Cordova had stickers belonging to the white supremacists group Patriot Front in his backpack.
https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/local-politics/colorado-proud-boys-remain-active/73-78490ce9-3466-4ff1-8522-e5687b1fb2c5
In 2019, 9NEWS profiled local Proud Boys in an investigation titled Homegrown Hate.
The investigation included images of local Proud Boys posing in photos with local neo-Nazis during a protest at a drag queen event at Mile High Comics.
In video images, Samuel Cordova was seen posing with Proud Boys.
Cordova pleaded guilty to a hate crime in Denver after vandalizing a local book store during a drag queen story time. At the time of his arrest, police said in their report Cordova had stickers belonging to the white supremacists group Patriot Front in his backpack.
https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/local-politics/colorado-proud-boys-remain-active/73-78490ce9-3466-4ff1-8522-e5687b1fb2c5
Seriously, where are Jake and Elwood when you need them? And by the way with Trumps little joy ride outside the hospital this week guess who was there with support? Thats right Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes, who we profiled on a segment of This Fucking Guy back in the 5th season of the Idiots (see: Idiots #5-7 ). And yes hes every bit as batshit crazy as you might imagine!
The founder of the Proud Boys joined the vigil for Donald Trump outside Walter Reed Medical Centre this weekend after the president gave a shout-out to the far-right group during the first presidential debate.
He was spotted in the crowd, draped in what appeared to be a Trump/Pence campaign flag, outside the Maryland hospital by a CNN video producer. Mr McInnes also appeared to be holding a Budweiser beer and not wearing a mask.
Some were chanting Gavin! Gavin! as he arrived, Donald Judd tweeted on Saturday afternoon.
Gavin McInnes, who co-founded Vice , established the Proud Boys in 2016 before leaving the group in 2018.
The Proud Boys has taken on "Stand Back and Stand By" as a new motto in reference to Mr Trump's response of Joe Biden's requests he denounce the group and white supremacy.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-proud-boys-alt-far-right-gavin-mcinnes-covid-hospital-b789243.html
He was spotted in the crowd, draped in what appeared to be a Trump/Pence campaign flag, outside the Maryland hospital by a CNN video producer. Mr McInnes also appeared to be holding a Budweiser beer and not wearing a mask.
Some were chanting Gavin! Gavin! as he arrived, Donald Judd tweeted on Saturday afternoon.
Gavin McInnes, who co-founded Vice , established the Proud Boys in 2016 before leaving the group in 2018.
The Proud Boys has taken on "Stand Back and Stand By" as a new motto in reference to Mr Trump's response of Joe Biden's requests he denounce the group and white supremacy.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-proud-boys-alt-far-right-gavin-mcinnes-covid-hospital-b789243.html
Oh wait, that was Jingle All The Way. And by the way, we have to talk about the latest clash in Portland, because it seems that the Proud Boys are hell bent on turning the hipster capital of America into Americas Trump-loving fight club. And you know that other saying the beatings will continue until morale improves! Yes, this group is Trumps new BFF, and they will literally fight for him.
The Proud Boys claimed that they would bring legions of dedicated patriots to the city of Portland, Oregon, in a powerful show of strength against their anti-fascist foes, but when the moment of truth came on Saturday, the right-wing gang failed to deliver.
Despite weeks of hype and deep concerns over the possibility of severe and deadly violence, the organization, which the Southern Poverty Law Center lists as a hate group, drew a modest crowd of angry men and women, whose brief gathering mostly consisted of swilling cheap beer and hard seltzers and assaulting journalists in a park on the edge of town. The absence of large-scale violence, which has so often defined the groups forays into Portland over the past few years, came as a relief to a city that has been blanketed in wildfire smoke in recent weeks and targeted by the Trump administration as an anarchist jurisdiction for its nightly protests against police brutality.
In the run-up to the rally, Gov. Kate Brown declared a state of emergency and established a law enforcement task force led by the Oregon State Police, which reportedly deployed approximately 500 officers to police the event. At most, several hundred people turned out for the demonstration, a far cry from the 20,000 participants and observers the Proud Boys had estimated in their request for a permit the city denied the request, citing coronavirus restrictions that cap group gatherings at 50 people.
https://theintercept.com/2020/09/28/portland-proud-boys-rally-journalists/
Despite weeks of hype and deep concerns over the possibility of severe and deadly violence, the organization, which the Southern Poverty Law Center lists as a hate group, drew a modest crowd of angry men and women, whose brief gathering mostly consisted of swilling cheap beer and hard seltzers and assaulting journalists in a park on the edge of town. The absence of large-scale violence, which has so often defined the groups forays into Portland over the past few years, came as a relief to a city that has been blanketed in wildfire smoke in recent weeks and targeted by the Trump administration as an anarchist jurisdiction for its nightly protests against police brutality.
In the run-up to the rally, Gov. Kate Brown declared a state of emergency and established a law enforcement task force led by the Oregon State Police, which reportedly deployed approximately 500 officers to police the event. At most, several hundred people turned out for the demonstration, a far cry from the 20,000 participants and observers the Proud Boys had estimated in their request for a permit the city denied the request, citing coronavirus restrictions that cap group gatherings at 50 people.
https://theintercept.com/2020/09/28/portland-proud-boys-rally-journalists/
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[font size="8"]Donald Trump
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Look, I know that were in the middle of a raging pandemic and everyone is bored, tired, restless, isolated, angry, and pissed off. I know that I am. But before we start pointing fingers, lets not forget the one man who is largely responsible for us getting into this mess. And that man is of course is the guy whos in charge of the country right now the man who we inexplicably still call president, Donald J. Trump. Thats right, you read that correctly Trump is the sole source of misinformation on the virus known as COVID-19, responsible for one of the biggest disasters in United States history both politically and economically. But yeah lets blame Trump for all of this!
Is President Trump the nations chief disinformation officer?
Controversial posts concerning COVID-19 on Monday in which the president tells the public "Dont let it dominate you" and "Dont be afraid of it" and claims he may have immunity to the deadly virus have heightened public criticism of Trump for spreading dangerous falsehoods.
On Tuesday, Facebook removed a post by Trump comparing COVID-19 to the seasonal flu, while Twitter added a warning the message contained "misleading" information.
There is no doubt that Donald Trump is the largest spreader of specific and important types of misinformation today, said Graham Brookie, director of the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab.
In the critical last weeks of the election, social media companies are facing a tsunami of conspiracy theories, hoaxes and fake claims on everything from COVID-19 to voting. And whether during a presidential debate, in press briefings or in posts on Facebook and Twitter, much of that misinformation is being generated and amplified by Trump, two recent studies show.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2020/10/05/trump-covid-19-coronavirus-disinformation-facebook-twitter-election/3632194001/
Controversial posts concerning COVID-19 on Monday in which the president tells the public "Dont let it dominate you" and "Dont be afraid of it" and claims he may have immunity to the deadly virus have heightened public criticism of Trump for spreading dangerous falsehoods.
On Tuesday, Facebook removed a post by Trump comparing COVID-19 to the seasonal flu, while Twitter added a warning the message contained "misleading" information.
There is no doubt that Donald Trump is the largest spreader of specific and important types of misinformation today, said Graham Brookie, director of the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab.
In the critical last weeks of the election, social media companies are facing a tsunami of conspiracy theories, hoaxes and fake claims on everything from COVID-19 to voting. And whether during a presidential debate, in press briefings or in posts on Facebook and Twitter, much of that misinformation is being generated and amplified by Trump, two recent studies show.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2020/10/05/trump-covid-19-coronavirus-disinformation-facebook-twitter-election/3632194001/
Yeah probably. Especially when this is one of the most alarming things coming out of the Trump administration since his diagnosis hes the key spreader of misinformation about the virus! See, Ive been saying that since the Trump administration began that when you hang with Trump, youre going to get a virus. Now when you hang with Trump, not only do you get a virus, hell give you a heaping pile of bullshit to go with it!
When I asked public health experts how the United States had reached 200,000 coronavirus deaths, several of them cited the misinformation coming from the White House and President Donald Trump himself.
The president has questioned the efficacy of masks, hyped unproven treatments, and continues to promise a vaccine before experts and the drug companies themselves believe it will actually be ready. That lack of clear and accurate communication has now extended to Trumps own Covid-19 diagnosis, with his doctors seemingly obfuscating the details of the presidents condition. They have outright acknowledged downplaying the seriousness of his symptoms, and the treatment Trump is receiving does not entirely comport with the sunny prognosis advanced by the White House.
The effect of all of these communications failures is diffuse and uncertain. But we do know this much, according to new Cornell University research: The president of the United States was the loudest megaphone for Covid-19 misinformation during the first few months of the pandemic.
https://www.vox.com/coronavirus-covid19/21497221/donald-trump-covid-19-coronavirus-news-misinformation-study
The president has questioned the efficacy of masks, hyped unproven treatments, and continues to promise a vaccine before experts and the drug companies themselves believe it will actually be ready. That lack of clear and accurate communication has now extended to Trumps own Covid-19 diagnosis, with his doctors seemingly obfuscating the details of the presidents condition. They have outright acknowledged downplaying the seriousness of his symptoms, and the treatment Trump is receiving does not entirely comport with the sunny prognosis advanced by the White House.
The effect of all of these communications failures is diffuse and uncertain. But we do know this much, according to new Cornell University research: The president of the United States was the loudest megaphone for Covid-19 misinformation during the first few months of the pandemic.
https://www.vox.com/coronavirus-covid19/21497221/donald-trump-covid-19-coronavirus-news-misinformation-study
That is certainly true sir! But thats also what happens when the President Of The United States lives in a bubble not just because of COVID but also constantly feeds off of his own bullshit when it comes to the news. See, the news sources that Trump says are actually news, are in actuality, fake news! Its all so obvious now! But yeah he might be fucking with us, and if hes going down, hes going down swinging.
As the 2020 presidential election approaches, social networks have promised to minimize false rumors about voter fraud or rigged mail-in ballots, a mostly imaginary threat that discourages voting and casts doubt on the democratic process. But new research has suggested that these rumors arent born in the dark corners of Facebook or Twitter and that fighting them effectively might involve going after one of social medias most powerful users.
Last week, Harvards Berkman Klein Center put forward an illuminating analysis of voting misinformation. A working paper posits that social media isnt driving most disinformation around mail-in voting. Instead, Twitter and Facebook amplify content from political and media elites. That includes traditional news outlets, particularly wire services like the Associated Press, but also Trumps tweets which the paper cites as a key disinformation source.
The center published the methodology and explanation on its site, and co-author Yochai Benkler also wrote a clear, more succinct breakdown of it at Columbia Journalism Review. The authors measured the volume of tweets, Facebook posts, and open web stories mentioning mail-in voting or absentee ballots alongside terms like fraud and election rigging. Then, they looked at the top-performing posts and their sources.
The authors overwhelmingly found that spikes in social media activity echoed politicians or news outlets discussing voter fraud. Some spikes involved actual (rare) cases of suspected or attempted fraud. But the most common by far, Benkler writes, was a statement Donald Trump made in one of his three main channels: Twitter, press briefings, and television interviews.
https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/5/21499009/harvard-berkman-klein-center-paper-voting-misinformation-trump-tweets-media-framing
Last week, Harvards Berkman Klein Center put forward an illuminating analysis of voting misinformation. A working paper posits that social media isnt driving most disinformation around mail-in voting. Instead, Twitter and Facebook amplify content from political and media elites. That includes traditional news outlets, particularly wire services like the Associated Press, but also Trumps tweets which the paper cites as a key disinformation source.
The center published the methodology and explanation on its site, and co-author Yochai Benkler also wrote a clear, more succinct breakdown of it at Columbia Journalism Review. The authors measured the volume of tweets, Facebook posts, and open web stories mentioning mail-in voting or absentee ballots alongside terms like fraud and election rigging. Then, they looked at the top-performing posts and their sources.
The authors overwhelmingly found that spikes in social media activity echoed politicians or news outlets discussing voter fraud. Some spikes involved actual (rare) cases of suspected or attempted fraud. But the most common by far, Benkler writes, was a statement Donald Trump made in one of his three main channels: Twitter, press briefings, and television interviews.
https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/5/21499009/harvard-berkman-klein-center-paper-voting-misinformation-trump-tweets-media-framing
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[font size="8"]Top 10 Investigates: The Broke Billionaire
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Its time to investigate beyond the headlines. This is Top 10 Investigates!
Billionaires. Most people either love them or hate them. Some even want to elect them president of the United States. Those people are crazy. However, this week, theres one billionaire in particular who made headlines this week for one particular reason. He wants to die broke and penniless. Meet Charles Feeny. Feeny made his fortune as the backbone of the Duty Free shops that you see at the airport. He made billions off of his investment. Now his dying wish is to die broke and penniless. And he may just have achieved that goal.
Charles 'Chuck' Feeney, the former billionaire co-founder of airport retail giant Duty Free Shoppers, is now broke after giving away his massive fortune to charity.
The 89-year-old, who lived a frugal life, has donated more than $8 billion to charities, universities and foundations worldwide through his foundation, the Atlantic Philanthropies.
Feeney had pioneered the idea of Giving While Living, the idea to spending ones fortune on big charitable donations during one's lifetime instead of creating a foundation upon death. He was famous for his promise that he will give all his money away to charitable causes, and he fulfilled his dream this month. And he insists he couldnt be happier.
We learned a lot. We would do some things differently, but I am very satisfied. I feel very good about completing this on my watch, Feeney told Forbes.
In 2012, Feeney said he set aside $2million for his and his wifes retirement with plans to donate the rest. https://www.news18.com/news/world/the-broke-billionaire-duty-free-king-secretly-gives-away-all-of-his-fortune-to-charity-2881567.html
The 89-year-old, who lived a frugal life, has donated more than $8 billion to charities, universities and foundations worldwide through his foundation, the Atlantic Philanthropies.
Feeney had pioneered the idea of Giving While Living, the idea to spending ones fortune on big charitable donations during one's lifetime instead of creating a foundation upon death. He was famous for his promise that he will give all his money away to charitable causes, and he fulfilled his dream this month. And he insists he couldnt be happier.
We learned a lot. We would do some things differently, but I am very satisfied. I feel very good about completing this on my watch, Feeney told Forbes.
In 2012, Feeney said he set aside $2million for his and his wifes retirement with plans to donate the rest. https://www.news18.com/news/world/the-broke-billionaire-duty-free-king-secretly-gives-away-all-of-his-fortune-to-charity-2881567.html
So why did Mr. Feeny decide to do this and why are his assets so hidden? What made him do this? Well you know the old adage about how you cannot take it with you. Mr. Feeny is a different kind of billionaire he made his wealth through investing. And then he turned around and invested those investments into different investments. In fact, his charitable contributions earned him the nickname the secret billionaire.
Self-made billionaire Chuck Feeney had one main life goal: to die broke.
Feeney comes from a working-class New Jersey family. The Irish-American grandson of immigrants amassed his fortune after co-founding the duty-free shopping empire Duty Free Shoppers. Despite his riches, he doesnt own a car, rents a small apartment, flies economy class, and owns only one pair of shoes. He even crashes in his daughter's apartment while in New York. Instead of indulging himself, Feeney set up a foundation called The Atlantic Philanthropies in secret in 1982 and transferred almost all of his wealth into it. He made countless endowments to charities and universities across the world for 38 years.
Now, at the age of 89, he has finally run out of money and achieved his goal of striving for zero...to give it all away. Feeney became known as the secret billionaire because of his penchant for discretion, even while funding massive educational, medical, and philanthropic institutions throughout the U.S. and Ireland. Forbes even stated in 2012 that Feeney was the man who arguably has done more for Ireland than anyone since Saint Patrick.
Although Feeney always preferred flying under the radar, he continued to keep a low profile until 2005, when the opportunity came along to do some good with publicity. His work only came to light when journalist Conor OCleary wrote his biography with the goal of promoting giving while living to other wealthy people.
https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/inspiration-motivation/chunk-feeney-billionaire-donations
Feeney comes from a working-class New Jersey family. The Irish-American grandson of immigrants amassed his fortune after co-founding the duty-free shopping empire Duty Free Shoppers. Despite his riches, he doesnt own a car, rents a small apartment, flies economy class, and owns only one pair of shoes. He even crashes in his daughter's apartment while in New York. Instead of indulging himself, Feeney set up a foundation called The Atlantic Philanthropies in secret in 1982 and transferred almost all of his wealth into it. He made countless endowments to charities and universities across the world for 38 years.
Now, at the age of 89, he has finally run out of money and achieved his goal of striving for zero...to give it all away. Feeney became known as the secret billionaire because of his penchant for discretion, even while funding massive educational, medical, and philanthropic institutions throughout the U.S. and Ireland. Forbes even stated in 2012 that Feeney was the man who arguably has done more for Ireland than anyone since Saint Patrick.
Although Feeney always preferred flying under the radar, he continued to keep a low profile until 2005, when the opportunity came along to do some good with publicity. His work only came to light when journalist Conor OCleary wrote his biography with the goal of promoting giving while living to other wealthy people.
https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/inspiration-motivation/chunk-feeney-billionaire-donations
Yes and then light it all on fire! Mr. Feeny is not the only billionaire who is risking it all. We go to Thailand, where 41 year old billionaire Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit is risking it all because hes fed up with the current state of the Thai monarchy. So rather than using his money for evil, people like this and Mr. Feeny are using their money for good. In fact hes starting his own political party to help reform the monarchy.
Rising 34 stories above Bangkoks Phetchaburi Road, the Thai Summit Tower is the headquarters of Thailands largest car parts manufacturer. Until recently, it was also home to an upstart political party headed by the companys 41-year-old heir, Thanathorn. On the fifth floor, he and the fresh-faced activists of the Future Forward Party (FFP) would hold boisterous press conferences and hushed policy meetings. They gained 17 Juangroongruangkit % of the vote in last years general election despite being barely a year old.
That remarkable showing should have thrust 81 FFP lawmakers into Thailands 750-seat National Assembly. But the political establishment struck back. First, Thanathorn was banned from politics over shares he allegedly held in a media company. (Thai law says electoral candidates cannot hold such shares; Thanathorn insists they had been transferred to his mother.) Then, on Feb. 21, the party was dissolved over alleged funding irregularities. The legal action was described as politically motivated by Human Rights Watch. With it, the political will of 6.3 million voters was snuffed out.
Sitting down with TIME in the week before that decision, Thanathorn was sanguine. Over the past two decades, populist governments in Thailand have been removed from power twice by the military and three times by the courts. The FFP may have been a long way from Government House but the power nexus centered around the palace, the courts and the military was evidently spooked.
The Future Forward Party is a vehicle, but even if they dissolve us, we will continue the journey, shrugged Thanathorn at the time. This year, Im sure, with me leading, or otherwise, well return to public demonstrations.
https://time.com/5886694/thanathorn-juangroongruangkit-thailand-protests-monarchy-military/
That remarkable showing should have thrust 81 FFP lawmakers into Thailands 750-seat National Assembly. But the political establishment struck back. First, Thanathorn was banned from politics over shares he allegedly held in a media company. (Thai law says electoral candidates cannot hold such shares; Thanathorn insists they had been transferred to his mother.) Then, on Feb. 21, the party was dissolved over alleged funding irregularities. The legal action was described as politically motivated by Human Rights Watch. With it, the political will of 6.3 million voters was snuffed out.
Sitting down with TIME in the week before that decision, Thanathorn was sanguine. Over the past two decades, populist governments in Thailand have been removed from power twice by the military and three times by the courts. The FFP may have been a long way from Government House but the power nexus centered around the palace, the courts and the military was evidently spooked.
The Future Forward Party is a vehicle, but even if they dissolve us, we will continue the journey, shrugged Thanathorn at the time. This year, Im sure, with me leading, or otherwise, well return to public demonstrations.
https://time.com/5886694/thanathorn-juangroongruangkit-thailand-protests-monarchy-military/
But Mr. Feeny and Mr. Juangroongruangkit arent just giving away their fortunes for free. Instead theyre making sound and sensible investments that will help determine their countrys futures. But Mr. Feeny has a 35 year head start and he has already accomplished his goal. At 89, he most likely doesnt have a lot of time left on this earth, but he feels like his goal is accomplished.
Chuck Feeney will have given away the last dollar of his $9 billion fortune, $2 billion of it to Ireland. He will be delighted to kiss his last dime goodbye says Christopher Oechsli, the CEO of Feeneys Atlantic Philanthropies.
Oechsli revealed the news when he spoke to a business podcast on RTE, Irelands national broadcast station.
Now living in San Francisco after globe-trotting all his adult life, Feeney created Duty-Free Shops, known as DFS, and eventually sold his shares, netting an absolute fortune.
He was loudly proclaimed as a billionaire, but little did anyone know he was secretly giving every penny away starting 35 years ago.
Ive known him since 1987 and never knew for years what he was up to until Forbes magazine broke the story.
https://www.irishcentral.com/opinion/niallodowd/broke-billionaire-chuck-feeney
Oechsli revealed the news when he spoke to a business podcast on RTE, Irelands national broadcast station.
Now living in San Francisco after globe-trotting all his adult life, Feeney created Duty-Free Shops, known as DFS, and eventually sold his shares, netting an absolute fortune.
He was loudly proclaimed as a billionaire, but little did anyone know he was secretly giving every penny away starting 35 years ago.
Ive known him since 1987 and never knew for years what he was up to until Forbes magazine broke the story.
https://www.irishcentral.com/opinion/niallodowd/broke-billionaire-chuck-feeney
Thats it this week for Top 10 Investigates. Good day.
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[font size="8"]Holy Shit
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Gather around my fair brothers and sisters! Its time to take a seat in the virtual pew make an online donation in the LAWRDs virtual collection plate, for the Holy Church Of The Top 10 has convened and its time to remind you that the holiest among us are the most full of:
My fair virtual congregation! You know we are just one month out from the election. And this election will determine the future of America. Now, do we go with the unholy, ungodly Dark One a man so disgusting and depraved that I will never allow his name to be spoken in my church even if we arent a real church right now? Or do we choose the lighter path and go with Joseph R. Biden? I know which way I would choose. But that said, the ungodly Dark One is trying to accuse Biden as being ungodly. Which makes me ask this question does anyone really hate GAWD? Both sides make this claim, and none of it is true. No one hates GAWD. But the LAWRD welcomes all even the haters and the losers. So why is Biden being painted as the godless one?
President Donald Trumps right-wing backers have long joined in his attacks on media outlets that are anything short of reverential in their coverage of the president. In recent days, a couple of pro-Trump prayer warriors have gone a step further, denouncing the media as demonic.
Intercessors for America, an ardently pro-Trump prayer network that is closely allied with Paula Whites One Voice Prayer Movement, promoted an article Tuesday claiming that mainstream media and social media platforms are employing the demonic force of deception, promoting an agenda that happens to line up with goals of the principality of tyranny.
Lance Wallnau, a dominionist author who promotes Trump as Gods anointed, recently declared, Fighting with Trump is fighting with God and blamed demons living inside journalists for all of the animosity, hatred, venom, and vitriol that is stirred up against Trump.
In Tuesdays IFA article, contributing writer Michael Guidera wrote that the media has a responsibility to report truthfully and without bias but claimed that they are no longer able to do so because they have been corrupted by the devil. The media, he wrote, employ a number of deceptive techniques, including one borrowed from the serpent who tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden: Just a Little Poison, mix truth with a lie.
https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/pro-trump-prayer-warriors-declare-media-demonic/
Intercessors for America, an ardently pro-Trump prayer network that is closely allied with Paula Whites One Voice Prayer Movement, promoted an article Tuesday claiming that mainstream media and social media platforms are employing the demonic force of deception, promoting an agenda that happens to line up with goals of the principality of tyranny.
Lance Wallnau, a dominionist author who promotes Trump as Gods anointed, recently declared, Fighting with Trump is fighting with God and blamed demons living inside journalists for all of the animosity, hatred, venom, and vitriol that is stirred up against Trump.
In Tuesdays IFA article, contributing writer Michael Guidera wrote that the media has a responsibility to report truthfully and without bias but claimed that they are no longer able to do so because they have been corrupted by the devil. The media, he wrote, employ a number of deceptive techniques, including one borrowed from the serpent who tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden: Just a Little Poison, mix truth with a lie.
https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/pro-trump-prayer-warriors-declare-media-demonic/
These people really have a thing for demonic forces dont they? And why do they refer to themselves as prayer warriors? Are they actually fighting a war? Maybe only in their warped and twisted minds. But Im not really sure they know what the word tyranny means. In fact the Unholy Dark One is getting some much needed help from the pulpit.
In a livestream in the wee hours Saturday, prophetic author Lance Wallnau prophesied that God would heal the anointed President Donald Trump and send an angel against Trumps enemies to war on his behalf while he is sick with COVID-19.
Wallnau said that Trump getting sick so close to the election is like the Access Hollywood tape coming out just before the 2016 election. Almost everyone thought it would destroy Trumps chances, Wallnau said, but it was a sign of God at work, humbling Donald Trump before his promotion.
Trumps diagnosis, Wallnau said, was God immobilizing the president before God moves. Wallnau said he believes that God is about to release an angel to fight for the nation and against everything coming against Trump, from the Chinese government to thousands of witchcraft curses.
The Angel of the Lord is going to go forth for America. Why? Because the president cant fight now. You get what Im saying? He cant do it. So, the Lord is sending his angel. In a way, its the worst thing the devil could have done because if it was just Trump, then its just Trump. But now theres an angel going forth. And who knows what kind of mischief thats going to wreck on the enemys camp.
https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/lance-wallnau-claims-fighting-trump-%E2%80%8Bis-fighting-god-says-while-trump-%E2%80%8Bis-sick-gods-angel-will-wreck-his-enemies/
Wallnau said that Trump getting sick so close to the election is like the Access Hollywood tape coming out just before the 2016 election. Almost everyone thought it would destroy Trumps chances, Wallnau said, but it was a sign of God at work, humbling Donald Trump before his promotion.
Trumps diagnosis, Wallnau said, was God immobilizing the president before God moves. Wallnau said he believes that God is about to release an angel to fight for the nation and against everything coming against Trump, from the Chinese government to thousands of witchcraft curses.
The Angel of the Lord is going to go forth for America. Why? Because the president cant fight now. You get what Im saying? He cant do it. So, the Lord is sending his angel. In a way, its the worst thing the devil could have done because if it was just Trump, then its just Trump. But now theres an angel going forth. And who knows what kind of mischief thats going to wreck on the enemys camp.
https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/lance-wallnau-claims-fighting-trump-%E2%80%8Bis-fighting-god-says-while-trump-%E2%80%8Bis-sick-gods-angel-will-wreck-his-enemies/
Well so can I, I do have that power as I am a man of GAWD!! And the LAWRD shall send them to hell when he sees fit now doesnt he? Now lets take a look at the actual religions of these two men starting with the man who is going to be the 46th president of the United States Joe Biden! He is a real man of GAWD, and he makes no mistakes about the religion he chooses to worship!
In 2016, Mormons rejected Donald Trump in numbers unheard of for a Republican nominee viewing the thrice-married, immigrant-bashing Republican as an affront to their values.
In 2020, the president is going all-out to change their minds a little-noticed effort that could make or break him in Arizona and Nevada, home to more than a half-million members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints combined. Joe Biden's campaign, sensing an unlikely opening for a Democrat, is also targeting Mormons in the pair of Western swing states.
Before Trump became the party standard-bearer, Mormons had been among the most loyal GOP voters in the country. A 2010 Gallup survey found that Mormons are both the most Republican and the most conservative of any of the major religious groups in the U.S. today. But many Mormons found Trump blasphemous, and the church itself made thinly veiled statements condemning the candidates rhetoric on immigration and religious freedom.
Mormon support for the Republican ticket dropped from 80 percent in 2004 and 78 percent in 2012, to 61 percent in 2016, even as most other Christians moved further to the right, according to Pew.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/13/trump-biden-mormons-church-412234
In 2020, the president is going all-out to change their minds a little-noticed effort that could make or break him in Arizona and Nevada, home to more than a half-million members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints combined. Joe Biden's campaign, sensing an unlikely opening for a Democrat, is also targeting Mormons in the pair of Western swing states.
Before Trump became the party standard-bearer, Mormons had been among the most loyal GOP voters in the country. A 2010 Gallup survey found that Mormons are both the most Republican and the most conservative of any of the major religious groups in the U.S. today. But many Mormons found Trump blasphemous, and the church itself made thinly veiled statements condemning the candidates rhetoric on immigration and religious freedom.
Mormon support for the Republican ticket dropped from 80 percent in 2004 and 78 percent in 2012, to 61 percent in 2016, even as most other Christians moved further to the right, according to Pew.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/13/trump-biden-mormons-church-412234
Now on the flipside we have the Unholy, Ungodly Dark One! And why do I keep referring to him as The Dark One? Because he is the leader of the free world. And hes a man who is so full of sin, so disgusting, depraved, and batshit crazy that I will never, ever speak his name in my church! Except that one time I did, but there are exceptions to every rule. In fact hes a man so disgusting that a religion known for insane lifestyles is denouncing him as being demonic!
In 2016, Mormons rejected Donald Trump in numbers unheard of for a Republican nominee viewing the thrice-married, immigrant-bashing Republican as an affront to their values.
In 2020, the president is going all-out to change their minds a little-noticed effort that could make or break him in Arizona and Nevada, home to more than a half-million members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints combined. Joe Biden's campaign, sensing an unlikely opening for a Democrat, is also targeting Mormons in the pair of Western swing states.
Before Trump became the party standard-bearer, Mormons had been among the most loyal GOP voters in the country. A 2010 Gallup survey found that Mormons are both the most Republican and the most conservative of any of the major religious groups in the U.S. today. But many Mormons found Trump blasphemous, and the church itself made thinly veiled statements condemning the candidates rhetoric on immigration and religious freedom.
Mormon support for the Republican ticket dropped from 80 percent in 2004 and 78 percent in 2012, to 61 percent in 2016, even as most other Christians moved further to the right, according to Pew.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/13/trump-biden-mormons-church-412234
In 2020, the president is going all-out to change their minds a little-noticed effort that could make or break him in Arizona and Nevada, home to more than a half-million members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints combined. Joe Biden's campaign, sensing an unlikely opening for a Democrat, is also targeting Mormons in the pair of Western swing states.
Before Trump became the party standard-bearer, Mormons had been among the most loyal GOP voters in the country. A 2010 Gallup survey found that Mormons are both the most Republican and the most conservative of any of the major religious groups in the U.S. today. But many Mormons found Trump blasphemous, and the church itself made thinly veiled statements condemning the candidates rhetoric on immigration and religious freedom.
Mormon support for the Republican ticket dropped from 80 percent in 2004 and 78 percent in 2012, to 61 percent in 2016, even as most other Christians moved further to the right, according to Pew.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/13/trump-biden-mormons-church-412234
Thats right even the Mormons some of the most devout of all the religions are calling him the Godless one! Mass has ended, may you go in peace! Thats it this week for:
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[font size="8"]Ron Johnson: People Who Somehow Got Elected
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Politicians at the state and local levels who are so toxic, you wonder how theyre able to get away with the things they get away with. This is:
This week: Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson. How did this guy get elected? While the world is sitting in horror of Trumps recent COVID diagnosis, theres another case thats going dangerously overlooked and thats Ron Johnson. The CDC is reporting that super spreader individuals are infecting hundreds of people and they might not even know it. Ron Johnson is one such individual. And this guy could be deciding the vote that puts Amy Coney Barrett on the Supreme Court. So what makes Mr. Johnson so dangerous? Well, while mass gatherings are shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ron Johnson said fuck it and went to an Oktoberfest party anyways. Yes, holding an Oktoberfest party during a pandemic. That is a thing that happened.
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson attended an Oktoberfest fundraising dinner on Friday evening while he was awaiting the test results that would show he was infected with COVID-19.
The Wisconsin Republican chose to attend the bash even though he knew that President Trump and many of his inner circle had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Johnson, who didnt reveal his diagnosis until Saturday, justified his behavior in comments to the Madison, Wisconsin Capital Times by saying he only took his mask off when it was time to address the crowd. He also insisted that he was at least 12 feet from anybody during his speech at the event, which was sponsored by the Ozaukee County Republican Party. It was held at the River Club of Mequon, a self-described casually elegant private club committed to personal service.
I feel fine, I feel completely normal, he said in a conference call with reporters, adding that he didnt stick around to mingle at the dinner.
Attendees paid from $40 for a single ticket to $500 for gold host status, which included two meal tickets, priority seating, and special host recognition. Former Wisconsin attorney general Brad Schimel was the evenings featured guest, according to an invitation on the Ozaukee County Republican Partys Facebook page.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/gop-sen-ron-johnson-went-to-oktoberfest-party-after-testing-positive-for-covid-19
The Wisconsin Republican chose to attend the bash even though he knew that President Trump and many of his inner circle had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Johnson, who didnt reveal his diagnosis until Saturday, justified his behavior in comments to the Madison, Wisconsin Capital Times by saying he only took his mask off when it was time to address the crowd. He also insisted that he was at least 12 feet from anybody during his speech at the event, which was sponsored by the Ozaukee County Republican Party. It was held at the River Club of Mequon, a self-described casually elegant private club committed to personal service.
I feel fine, I feel completely normal, he said in a conference call with reporters, adding that he didnt stick around to mingle at the dinner.
Attendees paid from $40 for a single ticket to $500 for gold host status, which included two meal tickets, priority seating, and special host recognition. Former Wisconsin attorney general Brad Schimel was the evenings featured guest, according to an invitation on the Ozaukee County Republican Partys Facebook page.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/gop-sen-ron-johnson-went-to-oktoberfest-party-after-testing-positive-for-covid-19
Yes, theyll get special host recognition all right when everybody at the party comes down with the virus because they didnt listen to scientists and ignored the warning signs. So guess what happened with the party? Thats right! He tested positive. And that means that Senator Johnson can join Trump in the recovery wing at Walter Reed Hospital.
Just days after coming out of a self-quarantine prompted by being exposed to someone with COVID-19, Sen. Ron Johnson has contracted the virus, his office announced Saturday morning.
According to a brief statement, the Wisconsin Republican tested positive on Friday, the same day as announcements came that President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, several members of the White House staff, and multiple other prominent Republican Senators were all infected.
Johnson is currently asymptomatic and feel(ing) healthy, his office explained. He is expected to remain isolated until his doctor gives him clearance to return.
The senator plans to keep working through his isolation, however. Johnsons statement indicated they were already working remotely, and they will now go all virtual for the immediate future.
https://www.nbc15.com/2020/10/03/sen-ron-johnson-tests-positive-for-covid-19/
According to a brief statement, the Wisconsin Republican tested positive on Friday, the same day as announcements came that President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, several members of the White House staff, and multiple other prominent Republican Senators were all infected.
Johnson is currently asymptomatic and feel(ing) healthy, his office explained. He is expected to remain isolated until his doctor gives him clearance to return.
The senator plans to keep working through his isolation, however. Johnsons statement indicated they were already working remotely, and they will now go all virtual for the immediate future.
https://www.nbc15.com/2020/10/03/sen-ron-johnson-tests-positive-for-covid-19/
Thats probably the only safe way to live right now in the age of COVID. And guess what else is going on not only did Ron Johnson come down with the virus, at least 3 senators all in the GOP have also tested positive. This isnt going to look good when they go to cast that SCOTUS vote that will replace Justice Ginsburg. This is what happens when you dont take this virus seriously.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Saturday that the full Senate will not return until Oct. 19 two weeks later than planned after three GOP senators tested positive for the coronavirus.
But McConnell also vowed that the Senate would still move ahead with Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court nomination, with the Senate Judiciary Committee set to begin confirmation hearings on Oct. 12.
The Senates floor schedule will not interrupt the thorough, fair, and historically supported confirmation process previously laid out by Chairman [Lindsey] Graham, McConnell said in a statement announcing the schedule change.
Certainly all Republican members of the committee will participate in these important hearings, added McConnell who noted the panel has already been allowing members to participate virtually.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/03/ron-johnson-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-425829
But McConnell also vowed that the Senate would still move ahead with Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court nomination, with the Senate Judiciary Committee set to begin confirmation hearings on Oct. 12.
The Senates floor schedule will not interrupt the thorough, fair, and historically supported confirmation process previously laid out by Chairman [Lindsey] Graham, McConnell said in a statement announcing the schedule change.
Certainly all Republican members of the committee will participate in these important hearings, added McConnell who noted the panel has already been allowing members to participate virtually.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/03/ron-johnson-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-425829
Thats what is going to happen from now until theres a vaccine. And if people like Ron Johnson keep doing this thats what is going to happen. But thats not before he puts fellow super spreader Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Thats right Ron Johnson could be one of the deciding votes that puts Judge Barrett on the highest of high courts. I like senators who dont get the virus!
Sen. Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican who recently tested positive for Covid-19, said on Monday that he will do everything he can to vote for President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett, even if he has to wear a "moon suit" to do it.
"If we have to go in and vote, I have already told leadership, I'll go in a moon suit." Johnson said during an interview on 630 KHOW in Denver. "We think this is pretty important. People can be fairly confident that Mitch McConnell is dedicated to holding this vote," he said.
Asked if he would find a way to vote even if he tested positive the day before, but his vote was needed, Johnson said he "would certainly try."
"I would certainly try to find a way, making sure that everybody was safe," he said, adding, "So you can go into a medical clinic and you can take the precautions and do it safely, but we wouldn't be able to do that on the floor of the Senate? Where there is a will there is a way. We can do these things."
https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/05/politics/ron-johnson-moon-suit-supreme-court/index.html
"If we have to go in and vote, I have already told leadership, I'll go in a moon suit." Johnson said during an interview on 630 KHOW in Denver. "We think this is pretty important. People can be fairly confident that Mitch McConnell is dedicated to holding this vote," he said.
Asked if he would find a way to vote even if he tested positive the day before, but his vote was needed, Johnson said he "would certainly try."
"I would certainly try to find a way, making sure that everybody was safe," he said, adding, "So you can go into a medical clinic and you can take the precautions and do it safely, but we wouldn't be able to do that on the floor of the Senate? Where there is a will there is a way. We can do these things."
https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/05/politics/ron-johnson-moon-suit-supreme-court/index.html
That man could help decide the fate of the future of the United States. Thats Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, yet another inexplicable candidate to add to the ever-growing list of:
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[font size="8"]Conspiracy Corner
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Welcome back to the segment that attempts to explain the unexplainable! We are of course coming to you live from our remote basement bunker deep in the alkaline flats of the New Mexico badlands I cant disclose too much about the location because I dont want the evil government to read my thoughts! Now just let me adjust my tin foil hat for maximum government interference and there we go! So what are conspiracy theorists blabbering about this week? Well, of course you know their Dear Leader got the dreaded coronavirus. And that hasnt stopped the conspiracy theorists from coming up with some absolutely batshit theories! Yes, the guano is flying fast and furious with this crowd!
At the news of President Donald Trumps and first lady Melania Trumps positive COVID-19 diagnoses, right-wing actors and politicians went into overdrive testing out farcical conspiracy theories, blaming China and the Democrats, and attacking anyone who criticized the president.
Trump, who attempted to ridicule Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for regularly wearing a mask at Tuesday nights presidential debate, seldom sports a mask in public and has turned a CDC public health guideline into a controversial issue in the United States by repeatedly undermining public health experts.
In May, Trump went against state guidelines by choosing not to wear a face mask as he toured a Ford facility in Michigan, telling reporters, I didnt want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it.
But despite the presidents rare mask wearing in public, Tom Fitton of Judicial Watch seemed to defend him against any such criticism, claiming that no Fauci standard studies exist that masks curtail spread of #coronavirus. He also insisted that Hydroxychloroquine is a safe drug and that The suppression of hydroxychloroquine is the worst public health scandal of the modern medical era, despite evidence showing it is ineffective at treating COVID-19 patients and can be dangerous.
https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/right-wing-actors-test-out-conspiracy-theories-in-wake-of-trumps-positive-covid-19-diagnosis/
Trump, who attempted to ridicule Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for regularly wearing a mask at Tuesday nights presidential debate, seldom sports a mask in public and has turned a CDC public health guideline into a controversial issue in the United States by repeatedly undermining public health experts.
In May, Trump went against state guidelines by choosing not to wear a face mask as he toured a Ford facility in Michigan, telling reporters, I didnt want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it.
But despite the presidents rare mask wearing in public, Tom Fitton of Judicial Watch seemed to defend him against any such criticism, claiming that no Fauci standard studies exist that masks curtail spread of #coronavirus. He also insisted that Hydroxychloroquine is a safe drug and that The suppression of hydroxychloroquine is the worst public health scandal of the modern medical era, despite evidence showing it is ineffective at treating COVID-19 patients and can be dangerous.
https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/right-wing-actors-test-out-conspiracy-theories-in-wake-of-trumps-positive-covid-19-diagnosis/
By the way, anyone else really surprised that Trump is the mastermind behind most of these batshit crazy theories out there? And if youre not, have you been following this administration? You know how absolutely batshit insane Trump is and how he doesnt live in reality he only lives in the reality that he chooses to create. And that is a very dark and scary one!
A day and a half after the president tested positive for COVID-19, the conspiracy theories and disinformation around his condition are rampant, driven in part by his own administrations mixed messages and evasiveness about the specifics of how sick he actually is.
On Saturday morning, the doctors treating him at Walter Reed Medical Center refused to answer specific, straightforward questions at a press conference about Trumps condition, like how high his fever had been, and whether he has been on oxygen since testing positive for the virus. Minutes later, an unnamed person familiar with the presidents health told White House reporters the presidents vitals had been very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care.
Were still not on a clear path to a full recovery, the source said, adding confusion to the lack of clarity about the presidents condition.
Online, conspiracy theorists on both the left and the right speculated that Trump had either been much sicker than wed been told or not sick at all but rather using a fake diagnosis as part of an elaborate power play.
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/nidhiprakash/trump-coronavirus-case-conspiracy-theories
On Saturday morning, the doctors treating him at Walter Reed Medical Center refused to answer specific, straightforward questions at a press conference about Trumps condition, like how high his fever had been, and whether he has been on oxygen since testing positive for the virus. Minutes later, an unnamed person familiar with the presidents health told White House reporters the presidents vitals had been very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care.
Were still not on a clear path to a full recovery, the source said, adding confusion to the lack of clarity about the presidents condition.
Online, conspiracy theorists on both the left and the right speculated that Trump had either been much sicker than wed been told or not sick at all but rather using a fake diagnosis as part of an elaborate power play.
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/nidhiprakash/trump-coronavirus-case-conspiracy-theories
And by the way, is anyone really surprised that the Q Anon dipshits have been coming up with the craziest conspiracy theories surrounding Trump and COVID? To which I ask you again have you been following this administration? Trump attracts the craziest and most depraved minds in not only America, but all over the world. So its absolutely no surprise that the basement dwellers of 4chan are fabricating the most batshit things youve ever heard.
Americans on both sides of the political divide are spreading conspiracy theories on social media about President Donald Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis.
The president's announcement on Twitter early Friday that he and First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for the illness set off a flurry of speculation.
On the social media app Parler, where supporters of the QAnon conspiracy theory have congregated after being expelled from other platforms, there was widespread speculation about the meaning of the announcement.
Members interpreted the announcement as a covert message, designed to signal to them that the president is stepping out of the public eye in anticipation of what they call The Storm.
"The Storm" is the name QAnon believers give to the day when they claim that the president will take action to dismantle a network of child abusers and "deep state" agents secretly manipulating world events.
https://www.businessinsider.com/qanon-plus-some-progressives-spread-trump-virus-conspiracy-theories-2020-10
The president's announcement on Twitter early Friday that he and First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for the illness set off a flurry of speculation.
On the social media app Parler, where supporters of the QAnon conspiracy theory have congregated after being expelled from other platforms, there was widespread speculation about the meaning of the announcement.
Members interpreted the announcement as a covert message, designed to signal to them that the president is stepping out of the public eye in anticipation of what they call The Storm.
"The Storm" is the name QAnon believers give to the day when they claim that the president will take action to dismantle a network of child abusers and "deep state" agents secretly manipulating world events.
https://www.businessinsider.com/qanon-plus-some-progressives-spread-trump-virus-conspiracy-theories-2020-10
Now heres where it gets weird because you knew it was going to. And again, I ask have you been following this administration? I keep asking that because this administration has unleashed some of the most batshit stuff youve ever heard. But the real weirdness in all of this is that Q Anon and COVID conspiracies are merging! Yes, they are going to create the largest turd of misinformation youve ever seen in your life! They know too much!
Online and in real-life demonstrations, two viral conspiracy theories are increasingly coming together.
At first glance the only thing they appear to have in common is their vast distance from reality.
On one hand, QAnon: a convoluted conspiracy theory that contends that President Trump is waging a secret war against Satan-worshipping elite paedophiles.
On the other, a swirling mass of pseudoscience claiming that coronavirus does not exist, or is not fatal, or any number of other baseless claims.
These two ideas are now increasingly coming together, in a grand conspiracy mash-up.
Linked up
It was apparent on the streets of London last weekend, where speakers addressing thousands of followers at an anti-mask, anti-lockdown demonstration touched on both themes. Posters promoting QAnon and a range of other conspiracy theories were on display.
On Sunday, President Trump retweeted a message claiming the true number of Covid-19 deaths in the United States was a small fraction of the official numbers. The tweet was later deleted by Twitter under its policy on misinformation.
https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-53997203
At first glance the only thing they appear to have in common is their vast distance from reality.
On one hand, QAnon: a convoluted conspiracy theory that contends that President Trump is waging a secret war against Satan-worshipping elite paedophiles.
On the other, a swirling mass of pseudoscience claiming that coronavirus does not exist, or is not fatal, or any number of other baseless claims.
These two ideas are now increasingly coming together, in a grand conspiracy mash-up.
Linked up
It was apparent on the streets of London last weekend, where speakers addressing thousands of followers at an anti-mask, anti-lockdown demonstration touched on both themes. Posters promoting QAnon and a range of other conspiracy theories were on display.
On Sunday, President Trump retweeted a message claiming the true number of Covid-19 deaths in the United States was a small fraction of the official numbers. The tweet was later deleted by Twitter under its policy on misinformation.
https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-53997203
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[font size="8"]I Need A Drink
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Whew, I dont know about you guys but I could really use a drink!
Whew, so much bad news this week! So of course you know by now that the idea is that we have some drinks and while we are drinking, we talk about literally anything in the news as long as it doesnt relate to politics. And not only that, this has the bonus of being a sports story with an added dash of some old school homophobia. Yup, were talking 1950s fire and brimstone. So tell me virtual bartender, what goes well with a story about sports bullying? A seabreeze? Yeah no thanks. I think I will have my usual Jack Daniels mixed with Jack Daniels. I call it the Double Jack. So we go to San Diego for this story. The San Diego Loyals are a relatively new team in the MLS world, managed by international superstar Landon Donovan. Well last week something unbelievable happened. The Loyal forfeited a game. Heres what happened.
The San Diego Loyal boss' career was defined by a belief that some things are bigger than soccer, and that belief extends to the team he manages
Landon Donovan is fighting battles which are bigger than results in the game of soccer. As head coach of San Diego Loyal, Donovan is committing to making unprecedented decisions, not because they are easy but because they are right.
Donovan and SD Loyal made headlines for the second time in a week on Wednesday for forfeiting a second consecutive match. A first-year club in American soccer's second division, SD Loyal's inaugural season will not necessarily be remembered for what they accomplished on the field but the stances they have taken off of it.
Last week, SD Loyal's Elijah Martin was reported to have been called a racial slur by LA Galaxy II's Omar Ontiveros, prompting the club to forfeit after learning of the incident from the referee postgame.
https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/i-will-act-i-will-speak-donovan-setting-new-precedent-as-manager-/816ujbovn1x81uax4izgy62t3
Landon Donovan is fighting battles which are bigger than results in the game of soccer. As head coach of San Diego Loyal, Donovan is committing to making unprecedented decisions, not because they are easy but because they are right.
Donovan and SD Loyal made headlines for the second time in a week on Wednesday for forfeiting a second consecutive match. A first-year club in American soccer's second division, SD Loyal's inaugural season will not necessarily be remembered for what they accomplished on the field but the stances they have taken off of it.
Last week, SD Loyal's Elijah Martin was reported to have been called a racial slur by LA Galaxy II's Omar Ontiveros, prompting the club to forfeit after learning of the incident from the referee postgame.
https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/i-will-act-i-will-speak-donovan-setting-new-precedent-as-manager-/816ujbovn1x81uax4izgy62t3
Man I miss drinking in front of a live audience! Well get that freedom back at some point. So good for San Diego for taking a stand against rampant bullying in sports. Of course that doesnt matter because we have a president and first lady who are on a Be Best! campaign so everybody is putting their best face forward! Ah, who am I kidding? Of course everyone is at their worst right now, were in a raging pandemic with a raging asshole at the helm. Thankfully the San Diego Loyal are the opposite of that!
USL Championship club San Diego Loyal has forfeited a match for the second-straight week after alleging hateful language from an opposing player, this one costing the team its playoff hopes.
Sad Diego was leading Phoenix Rising 3-1 at halftime Thursday but decided not to continue the match after Phoenix Rising player Junior Flemmings was accused of using a homophobic slur against San Diegos Collin Martin, who is an out gay man.
Martin, who publicly came out while a member of Minnesota United in 2018, was sent off before halftime and told the fourth official that he was verbally abused.
Flemmings denied making any such comments in a lengthy post on Twitter and said after the game that he stands in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ movement. He said hes disappointed in San Diego as hes been mauled and ridiculed online with no opportunity to defend himself.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/soccer/san-diego-loyal-forfeits-match-after-allegations-of-homophobic-slur-against-martin/ar-BB19BCpB
Sad Diego was leading Phoenix Rising 3-1 at halftime Thursday but decided not to continue the match after Phoenix Rising player Junior Flemmings was accused of using a homophobic slur against San Diegos Collin Martin, who is an out gay man.
Martin, who publicly came out while a member of Minnesota United in 2018, was sent off before halftime and told the fourth official that he was verbally abused.
Flemmings denied making any such comments in a lengthy post on Twitter and said after the game that he stands in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ movement. He said hes disappointed in San Diego as hes been mauled and ridiculed online with no opportunity to defend himself.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/soccer/san-diego-loyal-forfeits-match-after-allegations-of-homophobic-slur-against-martin/ar-BB19BCpB
Ah, thanks, I needed that! So the San Diego Loyal walked off not once, but twice. And unlike a baseball walkoff, youre not celebrating in a football walk off. Instead, youre probably ranting and cursing and throwing your empty beer bottles at the TV. Because its 2020 and you cant do that at your favorite watering hole. But taking a stand is costing them in both fans and controversy. Lets ask womens football star Alex Morgan what she thinks.
Alex Morgan hailed Landon Donovan's San Diego Loyal side after they forfeited their match against Phoenix Rising on Wednesday following an allegation of homophobic abuse.
San Diego were leading 3-1 in the second-tier USL Championship when they left the field after it was claimed openly gay player Collin Martin had been on the receiving end of a homophobic slur, with opponents Phoenix denying the allegation.
"But also that he's travelling with the squad and is so outspoken about the team's beliefs was important, especially when it came to the homophobic slur that was said on the pitch.
"I just respect them so much for deciding not to play the remainder of the game. I think that's the right decision.
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12089424/alex-morgan-tottenham-womens-star-hails-san-diego-loyal-over-forfeit-decision
San Diego were leading 3-1 in the second-tier USL Championship when they left the field after it was claimed openly gay player Collin Martin had been on the receiving end of a homophobic slur, with opponents Phoenix denying the allegation.
"But also that he's travelling with the squad and is so outspoken about the team's beliefs was important, especially when it came to the homophobic slur that was said on the pitch.
"I just respect them so much for deciding not to play the remainder of the game. I think that's the right decision.
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12089424/alex-morgan-tottenham-womens-star-hails-san-diego-loyal-over-forfeit-decision
So the impact of this decision will be felt across the league but who knows how long this will go on and what are the long term consequences of this decision? Well the short term decision is that this is going to have an affect on the Loyals playoff hopes. And yes, this is one of those things where doing the right thing could actually be the wrong thing. Yeah think about it!
Led by Landon Donovan and backed by the club's owners, San Diego Loyal put actions above words after an anti-LGBTQ slur was directed at Collin Martin. In doing so, it revealed what its club is all about.
Why do we care so deeply about sports? Why endure such suffering simply to test our limits? Why risk disappointment and defeat? Why do people support a club? Why follow a team, and invest so much financial and emotional capital into the exploits of others?
Is it to win? To celebrate championships and hang banners? If so, then unless youve attached yourself to one of a select few teams from places like Munich or Foxborough, youre going to spend the vast majority of your life deeply disappointed. Most seasons dont end in titles.
Or is there something more?
On Wednesday night in San Diego, a second-division soccer team and its famous first-year manager bet big that there is.
I think people want authenticity, Landon Donovan told Sports Illustrated. Everybodys trying to get their dollar and trying to sell them something, sell them a ticket and sell them a scarf. But they want something thats real in their life and something they can believe in.
https://www.si.com/soccer/2020/10/02/san-diego-loyal-landon-donovan-phoenix-rising-collin-martin
Why do we care so deeply about sports? Why endure such suffering simply to test our limits? Why risk disappointment and defeat? Why do people support a club? Why follow a team, and invest so much financial and emotional capital into the exploits of others?
Is it to win? To celebrate championships and hang banners? If so, then unless youve attached yourself to one of a select few teams from places like Munich or Foxborough, youre going to spend the vast majority of your life deeply disappointed. Most seasons dont end in titles.
Or is there something more?
On Wednesday night in San Diego, a second-division soccer team and its famous first-year manager bet big that there is.
I think people want authenticity, Landon Donovan told Sports Illustrated. Everybodys trying to get their dollar and trying to sell them something, sell them a ticket and sell them a scarf. But they want something thats real in their life and something they can believe in.
https://www.si.com/soccer/2020/10/02/san-diego-loyal-landon-donovan-phoenix-rising-collin-martin
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[font size="8"]Road To The White House: Debate Recap
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Welcome back to our ongoing coverage of the 2020 election to end all elections! This is *cue reverb* THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE!! Ooh, that was some good reverb there! So in the last week , we covered the possible scenarios that could happen if Donald Trump decides that hes not going to leave the White House in the event that he loses the election. Weve also covered the coveted endorsement of rapper Ice Cube and what that would mean. Now this week were going to talk about the first debate that happened last week, and in the sea of news last week, that feels like an eternity ago. Though the first debate can be boiled down to five words: Shut the fuck up Donny. Seriously, where is Walter Sobchak when you need him? But really it was quite the shit show.
President Donald Trump turned his first debate with Democratic rival Joe Biden into a chaotic disaster.
Trump bullied, bulldozed and obfuscated his way through the 90-minute showdown, interrupting Biden and moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News at every turn. He ignored substantive questions and Biden's policy arguments, and instead swung at a straw-man version of Biden, taking aim at both Biden's son and a distorted description of his record that exists primarily in far-right media.
Over Trump's interruptions, Biden responded by mocking the President, calling him a "clown," a "racist" and "the worst president America has ever had." He criticized Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, his failure to produce a health care plan and his response to protests over racial injustice.
Over and over, Wallace tried to regain control of the debate, without success.
When Trump complained that only he was being chastised for talking over questions and Biden's answers, Wallace shot back: "Frankly, you have been doing more interrupting."
https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/30/politics/trump-biden-first-debate-takeaways/index.html
Trump bullied, bulldozed and obfuscated his way through the 90-minute showdown, interrupting Biden and moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News at every turn. He ignored substantive questions and Biden's policy arguments, and instead swung at a straw-man version of Biden, taking aim at both Biden's son and a distorted description of his record that exists primarily in far-right media.
Over Trump's interruptions, Biden responded by mocking the President, calling him a "clown," a "racist" and "the worst president America has ever had." He criticized Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, his failure to produce a health care plan and his response to protests over racial injustice.
Over and over, Wallace tried to regain control of the debate, without success.
When Trump complained that only he was being chastised for talking over questions and Biden's answers, Wallace shot back: "Frankly, you have been doing more interrupting."
https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/30/politics/trump-biden-first-debate-takeaways/index.html
Yeah seriously, why wasnt that guy moderating the debates? Now CNN, what did you learn? Youre Trumps public enemy number one! Things got even crazier when the subject of white supremacy came up. And todays white supremacists are nothing like your fathers white supremacists! Yes, Trump has received endless amounts of very well-deserved shit for failing to denounce one of Americas biggest problems.
President Donald Trump has said a far-right group should "stand down" and let law enforcement do its work, after his refusal to explicitly condemn the group in a TV debate sparked a backlash.
Mr Trump said "I don't know who the Proud Boys are", a day after urging them in the election debate with Joe Biden to "stand back and stand by".
Proud Boys members called his debate comments "historic" and an endorsement.
Mr Biden said Mr Trump had "refused to disavow white supremacists".
The exchange came during the first of three televised debates between the two men ahead of the 3 November election. The debate descended into squabbling, bickering and insults, with US media describing it as chaotic, ugly and awful.
The commission that regulates the debates said it would introduce new measures for the next two to "maintain order". Mr Trump said they should get a new anchor and a smarter Democratic candidate.
https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54359993
Mr Trump said "I don't know who the Proud Boys are", a day after urging them in the election debate with Joe Biden to "stand back and stand by".
Proud Boys members called his debate comments "historic" and an endorsement.
Mr Biden said Mr Trump had "refused to disavow white supremacists".
The exchange came during the first of three televised debates between the two men ahead of the 3 November election. The debate descended into squabbling, bickering and insults, with US media describing it as chaotic, ugly and awful.
The commission that regulates the debates said it would introduce new measures for the next two to "maintain order". Mr Trump said they should get a new anchor and a smarter Democratic candidate.
https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54359993
Seriously, Donny, shut the fuck up!!! But switching gears now, will a second debate be held? Thats the question right now. Well whether or not a second debate happens, theres going to be some rules changes in place. Like actually getting Donny to shut the fuck up. Because thats something that he needs to do if hes going to prove to be presidential. Because right now his plan of constantly talking over your opponent just isnt working.
The group that sponsors the presidential debates said Wednesday that it will make format changes to the next two showdowns between President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden to maintain order in light of their fractious first showdown.
A source close to the Commission on Presidential Debates told NBC News that no final decisions have been made on the changes. But the source also said that the group is considering cutting off a candidates microphone if they violate the rules.
The initial debate between Trump and Biden in Cleveland on Tuesday night quickly descended into disorder, with frequent name-calling and interruptions.
Trump on several occasions resisted moderator Chris Wallaces admonitions to follow the rules and to allow the former vice president Biden to speak uninterrupted.
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/30/next-trump-biden-debate-will-see-format-changes-after-criticism.html
A source close to the Commission on Presidential Debates told NBC News that no final decisions have been made on the changes. But the source also said that the group is considering cutting off a candidates microphone if they violate the rules.
The initial debate between Trump and Biden in Cleveland on Tuesday night quickly descended into disorder, with frequent name-calling and interruptions.
Trump on several occasions resisted moderator Chris Wallaces admonitions to follow the rules and to allow the former vice president Biden to speak uninterrupted.
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/30/next-trump-biden-debate-will-see-format-changes-after-criticism.html
Yeah seriously. Shut the fuck up Donny! Why dont we have this guy moderating the next debate? Well there might not even be a next debate, at least for the time being. But at this point does anybody even really care? Or will the poll numbers make that much of a difference? People are already mortified by Trumps behavior and that might not carry well going into the actual election of which we are only 30 short days away! Assuming this country is still standing then!
Just days after the first of three planned presidential debates, President Trump has tested positive for COVID-19, putting the likelihood of further debates in serious doubt ahead of Election Day on Nov. 3. But after the debacle that was the first debate, a second appears unnecessary anyway.
Commentators ranging from the New York Times editorial board to Democratic New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez called Tuesday's debate an unproductive shouting match levied with personal insults and constant interruptionsa "national disgrace." The debate did little to swing decided voters to the other side, while perhaps the most significant aim of a presidential debateconvincing undecided votershad a minuscule pool to work with in the first place.
A recent NBC News poll from Sept. 20 found that just 6% of voters were undecided, suggesting little room for the election to dramatically swing either way following a debate. Meanwhile, a FiveThiryEight poll in conjunction with Ipsos found that voters planning to vote for Biden only changed from 5.0 to 5.2 on a scale of 10 (with 10 meaning absolutely certain). Trump voters only changed from 3.8 to 3.7.
Furthermore, a CBS News survey found that just 17% of respondents felt "informed" by the debate. The majority, 69%, said their main takeaway from the debate was feeling "annoyed."
https://fortune.com/2020/10/02/second-debate-trump-biden-will-it-happen/
Commentators ranging from the New York Times editorial board to Democratic New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez called Tuesday's debate an unproductive shouting match levied with personal insults and constant interruptionsa "national disgrace." The debate did little to swing decided voters to the other side, while perhaps the most significant aim of a presidential debateconvincing undecided votershad a minuscule pool to work with in the first place.
A recent NBC News poll from Sept. 20 found that just 6% of voters were undecided, suggesting little room for the election to dramatically swing either way following a debate. Meanwhile, a FiveThiryEight poll in conjunction with Ipsos found that voters planning to vote for Biden only changed from 5.0 to 5.2 on a scale of 10 (with 10 meaning absolutely certain). Trump voters only changed from 3.8 to 3.7.
Furthermore, a CBS News survey found that just 17% of respondents felt "informed" by the debate. The majority, 69%, said their main takeaway from the debate was feeling "annoyed."
https://fortune.com/2020/10/02/second-debate-trump-biden-will-it-happen/
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