Tag Archives: money

CNN Trots Out Prized Show Pony Anderson Cooper To Defend Rigged Donald Trump Town Hall.

CNN Trots Out Prized Show Pony Anderson Cooper To Defend Rigged Donald Trump Town Hall.

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Gloria Vanderbilt would not be happy .

Gay CNN anchor Anderson Cooper went on air Thursday to defend CNN’s decision to host a town hall for former President Donald Trump.

It did not go well.

Cooper, who has anchored for CNN since the early 2000s, defended his TV home during the opening segment of “Anderson Cooper 360” Thursday.

“Many of you have expressed deep anger and disappointment. Many of you are upset that someone who attempted to destroy our democracy was invited to sit on a stage in front of a crowd of Republican voters to answer questions and predictably continued to spew lie after lie after lie,” Cooper said. “I get it. It was disturbing.”
“The man you were so disturbed to see last night, that man is the front-runner for the Republican nomination for president,” Cooper said. “You have every right to be outraged today, angry and never watch this network again, but do you think staying in your silo and only listening to people you agree with is going to make that person go away?”
“After last night, none of us can say: ‘I didn’t know what was out there. I didn’t know what was coming.'” – Anderson Cooper
USA Today

Cooper’s apology for the network came before the public learned that the “Town Hall” audience was hand picked Trump supporters and questions were screened ahead of time. In other words: It was rigged.

The backlash was quick to follow.

Historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat, an expert on authoritarianism, called out CNN for giving Trump a platform to rebuild his image and smear his accuser.

“CNN became a party to Trump’s need to psychologically ‘undo’ his defeat by getting the audience to applaud him *for being an assaulter,*” she tweeted. “The more approval authoritarians get, the more they feel emboldened to be even more lawless. This is why this ‘town hall’ was so dangerous.”

And as for Cooper himself?

Donald Trump’s Arraignment Scheduled For Tuesday April 4 At 2:15PMMillion Defamation Lawsuit Against CNN

Trump Files $475 Million Defamation Lawsuit Against CNN

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Via Bloomberg News

Former President Donald Trump sued CNN for defamation, claiming the cable news network has escalated a campaign of libel and slander against him recently because it fears he’ll run for re-election in 2024. Trump is seeking at least $475 million in damages, according to the filing. CNN has attempted to taint Trump “with a series of ever-more scandalous, false, and defamatory labels of ‘racist,’ ‘Russian lackey,’ ‘insurrectionist,’ and ultimately ‘Hitler,’” the former president’s lawyers said in the suit filed Monday in federal court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Court in Florida? Isn’t CNN based in Atlanta?

Legal Zoom should open a satellite office at Mar-a-Lago.

Hass Foundation To Halt Grants $$$'s to LGBT Non-Profits

Hass Jr. Foundation To Halt Grants $$$’s to LGBT Non-Profits

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After 21 years The Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund announced on January 28 that it is commencing a “two-year wind-down” of its grants for LGBT equality non-profits.

To date the fund has invested a total of $105 million over the years to LGBT programs.

“Recognizing the challenges in achieving nationwide federal protections, and citing a new wave of anti-transgender laws in the states, Cathy and Robert acknowledged that the LGBT movement’s work is far from over. In the coming two years, the fund will be providing its LGBT grantees with the transitional support they need to prepare for the next chapter in their work. This will include unrestricted general operating support and capacity-building support for fundraising.” – via Bay Area Reporter

The Haas Jr. fund is shifting its focus “to be more rooted in our home state of California.” When asked why this won’t include funding LGBTQ equality efforts in California, Sadiq stated, “We are a policy and outcomes oriented foundation and California already has by far the strongest pro-LGBT laws in the nation.”

Roger Doughty, president of Horizons Foundation, a San Francisco-based philanthropic that also makes grants to LGBT nonprofits called the funds halting its donations as a “bad news” for the LGBT community.

“The bad news is that the exit of any major funder is a loss, since funding for everything from LGBT legal equality to LGBT health care, from support for LGBT elders to empowering queer youth — and so much more — remains terribly underfunded. 

This is a devastating loss to LGBT equality non-profits across the country.

In 2019 the Evelyn and Walter Haas Fund had a total net worth of $462,643,912

American Corporations EXPOSED Donating To GOP “Sedition Caucus”: Boeing, UPS, Merck, J&J, More Listed

American Corporations EXPOSED Donating To GOP “Sedition Caucus”: Boeing, UPS, Merck, J&J, More Listed

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This should be bombshell that rocks the country and the business world. But unless WE do something it probably won’t.

The flow of money from corporate PACs and industry groups to political committees allied with the Sedition Caucus started just days after the insurrection, and within the first few months after the deadly attack, their total contributions had already climbed into the millions of dollars.

The recipients in these tallies include the campaigns and leadership PACs of the 147 members of Congress who voted not to certify the 2020 election results, as well as the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), the two main Republican party committees supporting these members.

The CREW

The list is long and while no one is exactly sure how much money has been donated to the Domestic Terrorist’s Caucus , But in the end the answer is not one cent should have been given and these corporations MUST be held accountable!

Read the full article. There’s a list which is unfortunately too long to post here.

The real question is what do we do about it?

World’s First LGBT Cryptocurrency,"Maricoin" To Enter Crowded Market

World’s First LGBT Cryptocurrency,”Maricoin” To Enter Crowded Market

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Maricoin, the world’s first LGBT+ cryptocurrency, officially launched last Friday in a week-long pilot test in an LGBT+ neighborhood in Madrid, Spain.  A total of 25 commercial establishments, spread across Spain’s major towns, are already planning to adopt it in concept with more planning to join upon the currencies official release.

Hair stylist and entrepreneur, Juan Belmont who came up with the idea said  he “had to do something” to use the LGBT+ community’s economic clout in the fight against homophobia. “It would give us power in this globalized and capitalist world,” said Belmonte. “We will be able to assist those who currently lack the same legal protections as we do.”

According to Maricoin’s Chief Executive Francisco Alvarez, there are already 8,000 people waiting to buy the cryptocurrency before it starts trading. Backed by Miami-based venture capital firm Borderless Capital, the initiative aims to have Maricoin be used as payment in establishments that will sign an “equality manifesto.” The said manifesto basically defends the rights of LGBT+ people and “everyone suffering from exclusion, and advocates a “social, ethical, transversal and transparent economy.”

The short-term goal of this digital token initiative is to raise $1 million; this money is supposedly going to be utilized to fund Gay Pride Day in 2022. This digital currency’s creators guarantee that all monies make from this token will be put to good use in the community.

Maricoin’s name, is derived from a homophobic slur in Spanish, is a play on words that some may find offensive.

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Trump Attempts To Freeze Federal Workers 2019 Pay Raise Citing "Economic Emergency"

Trump Attempts To Freeze Federal Workers 2019 Pay Raise Citing “Economic Emergency”

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Despite the fact that Donald Trump was able to find $2.5 trillion for his budget-busting tax cut for the rich, but now suddenly he can’t pay federal employees.

Via CNBC:

President Donald Trump said Thursday that civilian employees of the federal government will not receive raises in 2019. In doing away with the 2.1 percent across-the-board pay increase that was scheduled to take effect in January, Trump said he was working “put our Nation on a fiscally sustainable course.” Scrapping the raises will save more than $25 billion, Trump said.

“I have determined that for 2019, both across the board pay increases and locality pay increases will be set at zero,” the president said in a letter addressed to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-WI, and released by the White House. “These alternative pay plan decisions will not materially affect our ability to attract and retain a well qualified Federal workforce.”

Under current law, the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act, absent congressional action to establish a pay raise, the annual, across-the-board pay raise for most federal employee is set using a formula tied to the Department of Labor’s Employment Cost Index (ECI), which measures the rise in private sector pay. Under the formula prescribed under this law, the ECI figure minus a half percent, the across-the-board pay increase should be 2.1 percent. However, this same law also provides the President with the ability to set a different pay raise amount, which is required to be transmitted to Congress by September 1st of the preceding calendar year. Today’s action formalizes the White House’s planned January 2019 pay freeze as originally proposed earlier this year in the administration’s FY19 budget request to Congress.

It is still possible that Congress could act to provide a pay raise. As of now, though overall FY19 congressional appropriations work remains incomplete as we near the start of the new FY on October 1st, the Senate has passed an appropriations measure to provide on average a 1.9 percent pay raise amount in January. Specifically, the Senate-passed FY19 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill would provide a 1.4 percent across-the-board raise for employees covered by the General Schedule, and increase the various locality pay rates by 0.5 percent. Language has also been included to ensure that wage grade employees receive the same pay raise that is ultimately provided to employees covered by the General Schedule.

Trump said in his letter to Congress that “I view the increases that would otherwise take effect as inappropriate.”

Over the past 5 years Federal workers pay have only been raised 5%.

Fire Island Manager Sued by Former Employees Over “Sexual Harassment”. But……..

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Two twenty-two year old men Joe Rapuano-Novella and Dylan Pace ,are suing the umbrella company Outpost Pines which owns several entertainment and food venues at the gay resort on Fire Island.

Rapuano-Novella and Pace are suing their former manager Mario Priola and owner PJ McAteer for sexual harassment and assault.

The NY Post reports:

He and Pace interviewed in March 2016 for jobs at “The Pines,” an enclave of bars and restaurants which cater primarily to the LGBTQ community, according to their Brooklyn federal court filing.

Rapuano-Novella was “hired on the spot” via Skype during a bizarre interview in which Priola asked him to take off his shirt, the suit says. Pace, a Long Island resident, was asked to report for his interview to Priola’s hot tub on the island, the suit alleges.

Before Rapuano-Novella even got to Fire Island, Priola, who was twice his age, allegedly sent him “inappropriate texts,” noting in one that “you’re perfect” and asking for explicit photos, the suit says.

Rapuano-Novella charges in the suit that Priola repeatedly asked him to sleep over and “groped his penis.”

In addition, Rapuano-Novella claims he was forced to promote live sex shows, which was never discussed as a part of his job description prior to starting employment. (That is a new one on me.)

Wrote Rapuano-Novella on Facebook:

I haven’t yet come forward with my #metoo story because I was waiting for the right moment. A lot of people know I worked on Fire Island last year. My time on the island was abruptly cut short when a series of dark harassments and assaults at the hands of my boss drove me from the place.

So lets get this straight. Well as much as we can.

“Rapuano-Novella was “hired on the spot” via Skype during a interview in which Priola asked him to take off his shirt”  But he still continued wanting the job.

Priola, sent him “inappropriate texts,” noting in one that “you’re perfect” and asking for explicit photos.” BEFORE the job started. But RN still wanted the job.

He was told to “Report to Priola’s hot tub on the island foe his interview.”  And went and still took the job.

Now these are some seriously major red flags Rapuano-Novell  should have noticed.

Look sexual harassment and abuse is a serious problem.  But suddenly the floodgates are open and all kinds of accusations are spilling forth.  Some true and some perhaps not so true.  But with both Rapuano-Novella and Pace being 22 years old and all the warnings that were had before they started the job.  Something just does not seem quite right.

Now I am not saying they are lying or telling the truth.  I am just saying we must all be careful.

As for the live sex shows on Fire Island?   Anyone got the address?

 

 

 

 

 

HRC Makes Pledge of 26 Million Dollars To Fund Pro-LGBT Candidates in the Midterm Elections

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Could it be?  Is the Human Rights Campaign actually doing something?

Perhaps.  But the real question is can they pull it off?  

Personally I’m sure this will be as efficient and effective use of funds as the HRC has a reputation for.

The nation’s largest LGBT organization is setting aside $26 million to fund opposition to President Donald Trump’s agenda, the largest grassroots investment in the group’s 37-year history.

The Human Rights Campaign’s move, which leaders are set to announce Tuesday, signals the group will ramp up spending on grassroots activism even after going all-in with Hillary Clinton in 2016 and coming up short.

Instead of retreating, it plans to boost its spending to help pro-LGBT candidates win at all levels of government and assist rank-and-file activists as they take action to block Trump’s plans. – Time Magazine

According to the HRC  they  plan to send staff and cash to Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin—each a state with a top-tier Senate race. 

Look forward to receiving an invitation to make a donation to their next fund raising event soon.

The Human Rights Campaign. Changing the world one black-tie gala at a time.

 

Philly Pride Defiantly Rufuses To Change It's Date For National March: We're Not Canceling for D.C. March

Philly Pride Defiantly Rufuses To Change It’s Date For National March: We’re Not Canceling for D.C. March

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Philly Pride Defiantly Rufuses To Change It's Date For National March: We're Not Canceling for D.C. March

The organizers of Philadelphia’s LGBT Pride weekend have stated that they have no intention of canceling their annual  LGBT Pride event because of a planned march mass LGBT March on Washington, D.C. rights that falls on the same date.

In a statement on its website and a follow-up post on Facebook, Philly Pride Presents said that there was no way to change the date of its June festivities, which run from Friday, June 9, to Sunday, June 11th.

Philly Pride said in a statement Wednesday that the march threatens to significantly cut the attendance of its festivities that weekend, the proceeds of which are used to fund other events, like OutFest in October.

“This event was proposed by a single individual without consultation with local Pride organizations, many of which have their events that weekend,” the statement read, claiming that the D.C. pride group has a clear incentive to join forces with the recently planned march since it is likely to increase attendance at its weekend activities.

“Make no mistake about it, this event was spontaneously scheduled without any due consideration of those of us who work so hard to keep our local voices heard,” the statement read.

PhillyVoice columnist Natalie Hope McDonald wrote that Frannie Price, operator of Philly Pride Presents, has already put out a call to action on Facebook asking Philly’s LGBT community to petition Capital Pride (the main organizer of the June march in D.C.) to consider holding the National March on a different date (May, July or September, Price suggests).

Thursday, Philly Pride reiterated on Facebook that it would not alter its plans, despite many people contacting organizers about that possibility.

“Yes, all Pride groups support the concept of a National Pride March, and we have suggested a variety of alternate dates for same wherein we can partner to make the National March much more successful,” the post read. “No, it is simply impossible for us (and other gay pride organizations) to change long existing dates.”

Philadelphia is  2-3  hours from the Nation’s Capital.

 

 

 

And Now Backpage’s CEO Is Arrested On Charges Of Pimping And Conspiracy – #SexPanic

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And Now Backpage’s CEO Is Arrested On Charges Of Pimping And Conspiracy - #SexPanic

 

Coming on the heels of the RENTBOY bust and  CEO Jeffrey Hurant pleading guilty to promoting prostitution — which could land him 10 years in prison and a $10 million dollar fine.  Backpage.com CEO Carl Ferrer has been charged with nine counts of “pimping, attempted pimping, and criminal conspiracy,” according to AVN.

The charges revolve around Backpage’s large escort ads, which cater to both men and women. Organized much in the same way as Craigslist’s discontinued adult section, the ads aren’t much racier than what you’d find in the back pages of any “alternative” weekly, hence the name.

“Raking in millions of dollars from the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable victims is outrageous, despicable and illegal,” said Attorney General (Kamilia) Harris in a press release announcing the criminal charges. “Backpage and its executives purposefully and unlawfully designed Backpage to be the world’s top online brothel. Thank you to the California Department of Justice Special Agents, investigators, attorneys, and our partners in law enforcement who have worked tirelessly to bring the operators of this online brothel to justice and protect thousands of victims of trafficking.”

Ferrer was arrested yesterday in Houston after his flight from Amsterdam landed at the airport there, and in addition to the charges leveled by California, Texas is also charging Ferrer with money laundering, though the details of that are not currently available.

“Making money off the backs of innocent human beings by allowing them to be exploited for modern-day slavery is not acceptable in Texas,” Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement.

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that despite the indictments, the congressional investigation into Backpage’s practices will continue unabated.

“For the past 18 months, we have led a bipartisan investigation into the scourge of online sex trafficking,” said McCaskill and fellow Sen. Rob Portman (D-OH) in a statement. “That investigation led us directly to Backpage, an online marketplace that has been involved in hundreds of reported cases of sex trafficking, including child exploitation. We certainly wish that Backpage had willingly cooperated with our investigation. Despite its refusal to do so, our investigation was the first to uncover Backpage’s practice of editing ads in manner that serves to conceal evidence of criminality. As law enforcement officials in Texas and California do their job, we will continue to press forward and complete our longstanding investigation.”

Backpage has been fighting that Senate investigation for several months, though most recently, a federal judge in the District of Columbia issued an order enforcing the investigative committee’s subpoenas for certain Backpage records which Ferrer had refused to produce, claiming attorney/client privilege.

There has been no news as of yet if Homeland Security was involved.