Jonathan Capehart: 'Hands Up, Don't Shoot' Was a Lie
The out columnist concludes that the popular narrative around the killing of Michael Brown was untrue, but that doesn’t diminish the larger problem of racism.
Dawn Ennis
www.advocate.com/politics/media/2015/03/17/jonathan-capehart-hands-don-t-shoot-was-lie
Raven-Symoné On Univision Host's Michelle Obama Comment: 'Some People Look Like Animals'
Nearly a week following the dismissal of Univision host Rodner Figueroa for comparing Michelle Obama’s appearance to someone from the cast of the “Planet of the Apes,” the Emmy Award-winner’s comments were among a selection of hot topics on Monday’s episode of “The View.”
During the show’s segment, which featured Raven-Symoné as a guest host, co-host Rosie Perez said Figueroa’s comment exposed a secret in the Latin community that stems from Latinos’ reluctance to recognize that “African blood” is embedded within their ancestry.
“There is a secret in the Latin community, specifically the Caribbean, South American, Central American Latin community. They are very racist,” Perez said. “They never want to be in the same group as black people. And it’s very, very sad. And he did say Michelle Obama looked like a cast member of the ‘Planet of the Apes.’”
Raven-Symoné, however, questioned whether Figueroa’s intent was “racist-like” since he admitted to voting for President Barack Obama in both elections. Perez disagreed.
“I am the Latin person here on this table and I would like to tell you that it was racist, period,” she declared. “And the thing is this is a problem in the Latin community that we do not talk about. That we do not address. And it is real and it was revealed by this man’s statement. And you do not disrespect the first lady of our country.”
The “That’s So Raven” star quickly interjected by saying, “Some people look like animals. I look like a bird. So can I be mad if somebody calls me a Toucan Sam?”
Check out the moment in the clip above (beginning at the 8:17 mark).
Hundreds Rally against Bill in Georgia Attacking LGBT People
Hundreds of fair-minded Georgians gathered this afternoon at the State Capitol to stand in opposition to SB 129, a bill that targets LGBT people and also threatens to undermine all existing state civil rights law.
HRC.org
BREAKING: Rep. Aaron Schock Resigns, Possibly Joining The Cast Of “Downton Abbey”
What a waste of $40,000.
We’re talking about our favorite non-gay Republican Aaron Schock’s Washington, D.C. office. The one he spent 40,000 taxpayer dollars on to resemble the set of Downton Abbey. Well, it looks as though the freshman congressman from Illinois will be vacating that office at the end of this month after announcing his resignation following a long string of ethics scandals.
“Today, I am announcing my resignation as a Member of the United States House of Representatives effective March 31,” Schock said in a statement released earlier today. “I do this with a heavy heart. Serving the people of the 18th District is the highest and greatest honor I have had in my life.”
By “serving the people” we can only assume he means “spending their money.”
In case you need a refresher, earlier this year, 33-year-old Schock was accused of misreporting a private flight as a “software expense” and of using taxpayer money to take his staff on getaway to New York City. This was in addition to flying himself on a private jet to a football game in Chicago. Then there was that whole $10,000 trip to India in which he secretly snuck his “male companion” along to “take pictures for his Instagram page.” For a penny-pinching fiscal conservative, Schock seems to have no issue spending loads of cash. So long as it doesn’t belong to him, that is.
“The constant questions over the last six weeks have proven a great distraction that has made it too difficult for me to serve the people of the 18th District with the high standards that they deserve and which I have set for myself,” Schock’s statement continued. “I have always sought to do what’s best for my constituents and I thank them for the opportunity to serve.”
While his time in Washington may be up, we’re confident this won’t be the last that we’ll be hearing from the Men’s Health model. Unconfirmed reports say he’s angling for a spot on next season’s Downton Abbey.
We’ll keep you posted.
Related stories:
Aaron Schock Doesn’t Want Anyone To Know About His Expensive Male “Companion”
The Amazing Adventures Of The Fabulous Aaron Schock — Courtesy Of Donors And Taxpayers
Ten Reasons Why We Would Want Aaron Schock To Come Out–Or Maybe Not Come Out
Graham Gremore
FDA Approves Further Study Of Promising Gene Therapy HIV Treatment
Experimental stem cell gene therapy that could act as functional cure for HIV infection has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to move into early human test trials. Unlike other treatments that use healthy stem cells from uninfected donors, this form of therapy uses cells harvested from a positive person’s own body. The stem cells are genetically manipulated to develop into white blood cells that are missing the key cellular receptors that the HIV virus uses to insert its genetic code into healthy cells. The modification effectively models a HIV-positive person’s white blood cells after the cells of people who have a natural resistance to HIV.
After introducing the modified white blood cells into a positive person’s bloodstream, researchers reason, the cells would naturally proliferate, effectively revitalizing their immune system to be able to fend off the virus indefinitely. A small testing pool of 12 volunteers have undergone the therapy in controlled trials being conducted by Calimmune, a California-based pharmaceutical research firm.
The preliminary results have been promising, with uncompromised white blood cells remaining present in test subjects’ bloodstreams for up to four years. In theory, later versions of the treatment would result in permanent rejuvenation of healthy cells after a single round of treatment.
The FDA’s authorization of further tests means that a larger group of people will be able to participate in a future study exploring the therapy’s efficacy. As of now trials are planned for California’s City of Hope medical research center with funding help from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
“This kind of work is too important to just try one method at a time and sit back and wait to see if it is effective,” CIRM board chair Dr. Jonathan Thomas explained to Imperial Valley News. “We have a mission to find treatments for patients in need. By trying several different approaches, taking several shots at goal at the same time if you like, we feel we have a better chance of being successful.”
Charles Pulliam-Moore
www.towleroad.com/2015/03/fda-approves-promising-gene-therapy-hiv-treatment.html
Book Haul diciembre-febrero | LGBT, Opposition, Seraphina…
Nuevo vídeo! Book Haul de diciembre, enero y febrero RESEÑAS: Imperio: Dos hombres y un niño: El insólito viaje de una gota de lluvia: Seraphina: Opposition: Conexo: Amazon Wishlist:…
Op-ed: Ignoring Trans Suicide Is Not 'Responsible Reporting'
Industry standards discourage journalists from reporting details on suicide, but silencing the final words of trans people is more likely to contribute to erasure than contagion.
Greta Martela
www.advocate.com/commentary/2015/03/17/op-ed-ignoring-trans-suicide-not-responsible-reporting
Amy Schumer Isn't Shy About 'Feeling Entitled To An Orgasm'
All hail Amy Schumer.
The 33-year-old comedian sat down with Entertainment Weekly reporter Danielle Nussbaum at the SXSW festival on March 16 according to Cosmopolitan.com she discussed her new movie “Trainwreck,” her thoughts on feminism and just how much her stage persona reflects her real life.
“I think people know that [my persona] is a major exaggeration,” Schumer told Nussbaum. “Look, I’m no stranger to a cock… I completely love sex and I don’t feel shy about feeling entitled to an orgasm if I’m having sex with somebody. But I don’t really have that much of it and I’ve been in mostly monogamous relationships. But then in between if I meet someone and I’m attracted to them, I’m gonna have sex with them.”
Nussbaum interviewing Schumer at SXSW
Nussbaum asked Schumer what she thinks of Jerry Seinfeld’s recent comment that there aren’t any barriers for women in comedy. According to Cosmopolitan, Schumer agreed with Seinfeld and explained how comedy in particular lends itself to a more even playing field: “I think if you’re funny, you’re funny, and people seek it out… I feel like there’s always been an abundance of funny women. I grew up loving Gilda [Radner] and Carol [Burnett] and Lucille Ball and Whoopi Goldberg.”
Schumer also explained her thoughts on feminism and why she identifies as a feminist.
“[It’s the] social, political, economic equality of women,” she said. “I think if you’re against that, you’re a crazy person. Or you don’t know what it means. And that we don’t actually have it is a bummer. It seems like we should be further along. That’s why it was so exciting to see Patricia Arquette shout that out about equal pay because it’s insane that it’s still an issue. But there are definitely a million issues. And I think there’s still that weird association with the word feminist and, I don’t know. I think people are afraid for some reason.”
Sounds about right to us.
Legislation Introduced to Ensure Equality in Social Security Benefits
Earlier today, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) as well as Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) introduced legislation to ensure that all same-sex couples are able to receive equal benefits from the Social Security Administration.
HRC.org
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