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Articles by Brendan Gauthier
When a doctor forced Sean Astin to hear his "Lord of the Rings" complaint
This story originally appeared on Winter is Coming. Twenty years ago, "The Lord of the Rings" movies were tearing up the box office and delighting fantasy fans everywhere. The cast — including Sean Astin as the ever-loyal hobbit Samwise Gamgee — were major celebrities, shuttled to and fro from event to event in limos. They met many a passionate fan, including some who went the extra mile to get their complaints heard. Astin recalled the story of one such fan to Screen Rant.
The night the Rolling Stones fired Trump: Keith Richards once pulled a knife to get him out of Atlantic City venue
by Brendan Gauthier February 15, 2020 Written by Brendan Gauthier / Reveal News and Salon February 15, 2020 In 1989, The Rolling Stones’ original members ended their seven-year hiatus and embarked on an ambitious and profitable 115-show tour of Europe and North America. The American leg, named after their comeback album “Steel Wheels,” began in August in Philadelphia and ended in December in Atlantic City.
Night the Rolling Stones fired Trump: Keith Richards once pulled a knife to get him out of Atlantic City venue
In 1989, The Rolling Stones’ original members ended their seven-year hiatus and embarked on an ambitious and profitable 115-show tour of Europe and North America. The American leg, named after their comeback album “Steel Wheels,” began in August in Philadelphia and ended in December in Atlantic City.
The night the Rolling Stones fired Trump: Keith Richards once pulled a knife to get him out of Atlantic City venue
In 1989, The Rolling Stones’ original members ended their seven-year hiatus and embarked on an ambitious and profitable 115-show tour of Europe and North America. The American leg, named after their comeback album “Steel Wheels,” began in August in Philadelphia and ended in December in Atlantic City.
Study: No relation between immigration and crime
His argument against immigration (i.e., “CRIME!”) is as nuanced as it is factual — which is to say, not at all.
Study: No Relation Between Immigration and Crime
Study: No Relation Between Immigration and Crime On Wednesday, the morning after his administration announced its plan to send the National Guard to patrol the United States’ southern border, President Trump tweeted "strong action today� on immigration: His argument against immigration (i.e., “CRIME!�) is as nuanced as it is factual—which is to say, not at all.
Even in Wealthy Districts, Black Students Are Disproportionately Disciplined
Even in Wealthy Districts, Black Students Are Disproportionately Disciplined The Government Accountability Office, a nonpartisan watchdog agency, released a damning report Wednesday on discrimination and discipline in U.S. public schools.
Donald Trump Jr. immediately politicized the YouTube shooting in the stupidest way possible
Donald Trump Jr. gets interviewed by WTAE in Pennsylvania (Screen cap). Donald Trump, Jr., wasted no time politicizing a shooting at YouTube’s headquarters on Tuesday. 39-year-old Nasim Aghdam was identified late Tuesday evening as the suspect who reportedly brought a handgun to the company’s San Bruno, California, campus, where she shot three people before killing herself.
One Midwestern State May Well Require Teachers To Carry Guns
Despite nationwide calls for strengthened gun controls, the Kansas legislature is mulling over a bill that would effectively require school teachers to carry guns. House Bill 2789—which proposes the creation of the Staff as First Emergency Responders Act—seeks to hold schools legally accountable for shootings if they prohibit their teachers from carrying firearms.
North Carolina Prisons Finally Banned This Barbaric Practice Used on Pregnant Inmates
North Carolina Prisons Finally Banned This Barbaric Practice Used on Pregnant Inmates North Carolina became the 19th state to prohibit or restrict the shackling of pregnant inmates during childbirth this week, after its director of prisons, Kenneth Lassiter, signed legislation banning the practice.
This Midwestern State is Going Further Than Any Other to Give Teachers Guns
This Midwestern State is Going Further Than Any Other to Give Teachers Guns Teachers are "sleeping dogs willing to protect our kids," argues one lawmaker. Despite nationwide calls for strengthened gun controls, the Kansas legislature is mulling over a bill that would effectively require school teachers to carry guns.
Fox News Uses Trumpian Legal Tactics To Keep Bill O’Reilly’s Accusers Quiet
Reprinted with permission from AlterNet. Fox News is distancing itself from its former tentpole personality, Bill O’Reilly, as some of his harassment accusers now want out of their nondisclosure agreements.
GOP Congressman Trolls Immigration Advocates With Insulting Proposal for Cesar Chavez's Birthday
It's highly unlikely that Chavez would approve of Gohmert's policies. Republican Congressman Louie Gohmert on Tuesday filed a House resolution to declare March 31 “National Border Control Day.� The date marks the birthday of Cesar Chavez, the revered Mexican-American labor leader who co-founded the United Farm Workers union. “Cesar Chavez was best known for his passionate fight to gain better working environments for thousands of workers laboring in harsh conditions on farms for low wages.
Fox News Uses Trumpian Legal Tactics to Keep Bill O’Reilly’s Accusers Quiet
Fox News Uses Trumpian Legal Tactics to Keep Bill O’Reilly’s Accusers Quiet Fox News is distancing itself from its former tentpole personality, Bill O’Reilly, as some of his harassment accusers now want out of their nondisclosure agreements. The New York Times reported in April that Fox News doled out a total of $13 million in settlements to five women who had accused the “O’Reilly Factor� host of “sexual harassment or other inappropriate behavior.�
A Worldwide Ranking Says Americans Aren't as Happy as We Used to Be
A Worldwide Ranking Says Americans Aren't as Happy as We Used to Be The U.N.’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network on Wednesday released its 2018 World Happiness Report. Finland jumped four spots since 2017 to succeed Norway as the happiest country. Conversely, the United States fell as many spots, to number 18. Aside from Finland’s surge and Sweden’s stealing the ninth position from Australia, the top ten remained intact.
A California Teacher Almost Shot a Student, Proving We Don't Need Armed Educators
A California Teacher Almost Shot a Student, Proving We Don't Need Armed Educators Seaside High School in Monterey County, California, placed teacher Dennis Alexander on administrative leave after he accidentally discharged his gun in his classroom on Tuesday. Though Alexander—a reserve police officer—primarily teaches math, it was during his Administration of Justice class that he pointed his gun at the ceiling to “make sure his gun wasn’t loaded,� according to KSBW 8.
Mississippi Just Passed A Disastrous Anti-Abortion Bill In A Major Blow To Roe V. Wade
Reprinted with permission from AlterNet. The Mississippi State Senate on Tuesday passed by a vote of 35 to 15 House Bill 1510, which would prohibit abortions after 15 weeks except for medical emergencies and “in cases of severe fetal abnormality.” “The Legislature finds that the intentional commitment of [dilation and evacuation procedures] for nontherapeutic or elective reasons is a barbaric practice, dangerous for the maternal patient, and demeaning to the medical profession,” the bill states.
A Texas Judge Used a Barbaric Courtroom Punishment on a Defendant Who Pleaded the Fifth
A Texas Judge Used a Barbaric Courtroom Punishment on a Defendant Who Pleaded the Fifth Texas’ Eighth Court of Appeals has ordered a new trial for convicted sex offender Terry Lee Morris after it found that the sentencing judge shocked the defendant with a powerful stun belt for pleading the Fifth.
Mississippi Just Passed a Disastrous Anti-Abortion Bill in a Major Blow to Roe v. Wade
Mississippi Just Passed a Disastrous Anti-Abortion Bill in a Major Blow to Roe v. Wade The Mississippi State Senate on Tuesday passed by a vote of 35 to 15 House Bill 1510, which would prohibit abortions after 15 weeks except for medical emergencies and “in cases of severe fetal abnormality.�
These Florida Democrats Have a Bold Strategy for Fighting Back Against the NRA
These Florida Democrats Have a Bold Strategy for Fighting Back Against the NRA The liberal PAC Run for Something, which encourages progressive millennial candidates to run for office, ran full-page ads Sunday and Wednesday in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel listing 24 Republican legislators in the state who have an A or A-plus rating from the National Rifle Association and are running unopposed in November.
Here are 5 other outrageous spenders in Trump's cabinet besides Ben Carson
There are especially bad times for a government agency to spend $31,561 on a table and chairs, the Department of Housing and Urban Development learned after The New York Times reported on Tuesday that it spent as much on a dining room set for Secretary Ben Carson’s office in late 2017.
5 Other Outrageous Spenders In Trump's Cabinet Besides Ben Carson
Reprinted with permission from AlterNet. There are especially bad times for a government agency to spend $31,561 on a table and chairs, the Department of Housing and Urban Development learned after The New York Times reported on Tuesday that it spent as much on a dining room set for Secretary Ben Carson’s office in late 2017.
5 Other Outrageous Spenders in Trump's Cabinet Beside Ben Carson
5 Other Outrageous Spenders in Trump's Cabinet Beside Ben Carson There are especially bad times for a government agency to spend $31,561 on a table and chairs, the Department of Housing and Urban Development learned after The New York Times reported on Tuesday that it spent as much on a dining room set for Secretary Ben Carson’s office in late 2017.
From John Kelly, A Revised But Still Slimy Response To Domestic Abuse Scandal
White House Chief of Staff John Kelly gave staffers in a Friday meeting a revised account of his response to allegations that former staff secretary Rob Porter physically and emotionally abused two ex-wives, according to a Washington Post report.
Trump Ignores President's Daily Brief, But Hears 'Good News' About Himself
The Washington Post reported on Friday that Trump is the first president in over half-a-century to forgo the President’s Daily Brief (PDB), a written intelligence document compiled primarily by CIA analysts.
John Kelly's Response to the Rob Porter Scandal Is So Slimy
John Kelly's Response to the Rob Porter Scandal Is So Slimy Kelly just wants to save his own skin. White House Chief of Staff John Kelly gave staffers in a Friday meeting a revised account of his response to allegations that former staff secretary Rob Porter physically and emotionally abused two ex-wives, according to a Washington Post report. “Kelly told those in attendance to say that he took action to remove Porter within 40 minutes of learning that abuse allegations ... were credible,�
In Alarming New Move, ICE Is Now Going After Immigration Activists
In Alarming New Move, ICE Is Now Going After Immigration Activists Several immigration rights groups on Friday filed a federal lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for “specifically targeting the most vocal immigration activists� in violation of the First Amendment. “Defendants have investigated, surveilled, harassed, raided, arrested, detained, and even deported these activists in order to silence them,�
Trump Is Totally Ignoring Daily Advice From The CIA
Trump Is Totally Ignoring Daily Advice From The CIA The Washington Post reported on Friday that Trump is the first president in over half-a-century to forego the President’s Daily Brief(PDB), a written intelligence document compiled primarily by CIA analysts. President Trump—whose Fox & Friends dependence and accompanying short attention span are hardly secrets—prefers an oral briefing, “according to three people familiar with his briefings.�
This Week In Crazy: Alex Jones Makes Incoherent Case For White Reparations
Eclipse apocalypse, white reparations, and a journalism crash course from a conspiracist blogger. Welcome to This Week In Crazy, The National Memo’s weekly update on the loony, bigoted, and hateful behavior of the increasingly unhinged right wing. Starting with number five: 5.
Remembering a Hartford that didn’t kowtow to commuters
The New York Times reported last week that Hartford is “teetering on the brink of bankruptcy” — a forecast that didn’t hit me like a freight train. As The Times noted, the capital city has for decades watched its tax base shrink while “its pension obligations and debts have piled up.” In fact, one has to go back decades — before I was born — to remember a flourishing Hartford. Go back close to a century and you’ll find Hartford at its peak.
This Week In Crazy: David Crosby Faces Fire, Fury From Ted Nugent
Statue fetishists, blubbering neo-Nazis, and Cat Fight Fever. Welcome to This Week In Crazy, The National Memo’s weekly update on the loony, bigoted, and hateful behavior of the increasingly unhinged right wing. Starting with number five: 5. Scott Adams The Dilbert cartoonist is secondarily known as an inflammatory right-wing Twitter kook.
Trump's God-Given Mission To Nuke North Korea
Nuclear holy war, Chi-Raqi occupation, and Al Gore’s “big ugly ass.” Welcome to This Week In Crazy, The National Memo’s weekly update on the loony, bigoted, and hateful behavior of the increasingly unhinged right wing. Starting with number five: 5.
This Week In Crazy: Alex Jones Drinks Bone Broth Chocolate Milk
Shadow government ruffians, alt-right “journalists,” and bone broth chocolate milk. Welcome to This Week In Crazy, The National Memo’s weekly update on the loony, bigoted, and hateful behavior of the increasingly unhinged right wing. Starting with number five: 5. Joe Scarborough I don’t know whether it’s the unscripted nature of Morning Joe or its namesake’s political bipolarity, but Scarborough somehow manages to dig his own rhetorical grave at least once a week.
"Stop This Destruction Of Healthcare In Our Nation"
Sister Simone Campbell — executive director of NETWORK, a Catholic social justice lobby based in Washington, D.C. — on Thursday released a series of videos urging a handful of relatively moderate Republican senators to vote against repealing the Affordable Care Act.
Peter Thiel got his wish: Gawker Media declares Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Gawker Media Group has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Gawker has been the subject of several high-profile lawsuits recently, including two from Hulk Hogan, one of which — pertaining to a leaked sex-tape featuring the former wrestler and Heather Clem — settled for $140 million.
“Financial information, health records, dick pics”: John Oliver puts the Apple/FBI dispute in perfect context
“Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver last night took aim at encryption. “You may not think about encryption much, but it is pretty fundamental to all our lives,” Oliver explained.
CNN Is Paying Stephen Moore To Lie To Its Viewers About Health Care
Reprinted with permission from MediaMatters. Discredited economic pundit and former Trump campaign adviser Stephen Moore continues embarrassing CNN during news segments with his supposed policy expertise. Media Matters compared two of Moore’s recent appearances — one in which he appeared alongside a credentialed policy expert, and one in which he faced only an ill-prepared network host — and found distinct differences in the tone of each discussion.
JPMorgan CEO Blasts American Media, Washington Bureaucracy
Wholly unsurprisingly, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon made financial pages headlines for abstractly criticizing Washington bureaucracy and the American media during a conference call with reporters on Friday. The call was meant to detail the bank’s record-breaking second quarter earnings.
Why Joe Scarborough Says He's Abandoning The GOP
Reprinted with permission from AlterNet. Morning Joe co-host Joe Scarborough made a surprising announcement on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday: The former Florida Republican Congressman is giving his party the boot. “You changed your mind about Donald Trump. Why haven’t other Republicans done the same?” Colbert asked, drawing on Scarborough’s lifelong allegiance to the GOP. “I think it’s inexplicable,” Scarborough answered.
New York Times tries, fails to blame Virginia shooting on Bernie Sanders
This story has an updated description of a tweet issued from the account of Sen. Rand Paul. Maybe trying to play “both sides” was the reason the Times went to great lengths to blame Wednesday’s shooting of Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise on Sen. Bernie Sanders and the unsubstantiated “rage buried in some corners of the progressive left.” The suspect, James T.
Could the “Bachelor in Paradise” allegations lead to criminal charges for producers?
On Sunday, Warner Brothers announced it was halting production on “Bachelor in Paradise” — a spinoff of ABC’s “The Bachelor” franchise — after DeMario Jackson was accused of sexually assaulting fellow contestant Corinne Olympios. “We have become aware of allegations of misconduct on the set of ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ in Mexico,” the production company said in a statement. “We have suspended production and we are conducting a thorough investigation of these allegations.
Listen to Australia’s prime minister imitate Donald Trump
Donald Trump loves parody. So for the president’s 71st birthday on Wednesday, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull appropriately shouted out the two-time “Saturday Night Live” host. In his speech during the off-the-record Canberra Ball — Australia’s version of the White House correspondent’s dinner — on Wednesday night, Turnbull was surreptitiously recorded imitating the president: “The Donald and I, we are winning and winning in the polls.
Donald Trump dismisses obstruction of justice allegations as a “witch hunt” again
President Donald Trump took to Twitter early Thursday morning to respond to mounting allegations that he obstructed justice. This after special counsel Robert Mueller requested to speak with three “high-ranking current or former intelligence officials” whose help the president may have sought to interfere with former FBI director James Comey‘s investigation into the president’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn, according to a New York Times report.
“We are in a downward spiral right now”: GOP lawmaker stops pretending to like Donald Trump
President Trump has again tested the limits of his party’s dogged loyalty, as it was reported on Monday evening that he “revealed highly classified information” in a meeting with Russian ambassadors last week. “We are in a downward spiral right now, and we’ve got to figure out a way to come to grips with all that’s happening,” Tennessee Republican Sen. Bob Corker told reporters on Capitol Hill on Monday.
Sean Hannity’s prescribed fix to White House press briefings is curiously identical to Donald Trump’s
On his self-titled show, Fox News personality and Trump huckster Sean Hannity on Monday advocated for “restructured” daily press briefings. “White House press briefings have turned into nothing more than a dog and pony show and are no longer serving the country,” the “Hannity” host argued.
Donald Trump is making western democracy look really bad - and making dictators feel pretty smug
President Donald Trump — a possible future victim of checks and balances — has delighted foreign autocrats, who look to our president either for justification for their despotism or, in some cases, just a good laugh. “Now you guys can’t lecture everyone else anymore,” a diplomat from an “undemocratic nation” — who said he was “taking a guilty pleasure in the spectacle” — told Politico after Trump fired former FBI director James Comey. Critics, like Connecticut Democratic Sen.
Fox, Infowars publish debunked conspiracy about murdered DNC staffer
The July 2016 death of Seth Rich was — at least among the fringe-right — fodder for conspiracy theories. Washington police maintain that the DNC staffer’s murder was the result of a botched robbery. On Monday, though, a D.C.-based Fox affiliate published an errant update to the almost year-old investigation.
@realDonaldTrump bumbles into his administration’s latest clean-up effort
Early Tuesday morning, President Trump tweeted a carelessly worded rebuttal to charges that he “revealed highly classified information” to Russian ambassadors in a meeting last week: In so doing, the president — who recently floated the idea of canceling press conferences in favor of “a piece of paper with a perfectly accurate, beautiful answer” — seemingly steamrolled the more pragmatic damage control efforts of his cabinet members: “During President Trump’s meeting with Foreign Minister...
Corporations, “dreading being the subject of a tweet,” are recycling jobs announcements to please Donald Trump
“Companies eager to avoid becoming the target of the next attack by President-elect Donald Trump are preemptively — or retroactively — announcing U.S. job creation plans,” NBC found. “But peel back a layer and the promises come with some caveats. A company’s plan to increase capital expenditures, which include jobs and facility improvements, are typically years in the making.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard embarks on “fact-finding” mission to Damascus, Syria
Congressional travel to the devastated country is exceedingly rare, especially as fighting continues in direct violation of a recent cease-fire agreement brokered by Turkey and Russia. This week, Syrian government forces backed by Lebanese militants attempted to recapture a rebel-controlled area near Damascus that includes a pumping station that supplies most of the city’s water.
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