The Senate voted to move forward on gun control Thursday, clearing the first of what is expected to be many 60-vote hurdles for the legislation.
In a 68-31 vote, the Senate approved a procedural motion that will allow debate on the Democratic measure to being. Sixteen Republicans voted in favor of the motion, while two Democrats — both from states President Obama lost in the 2012 election, voted against it.
The two Democrats were Sens. Mark Begich (Alaska) and Mark Pryor (Ark.). The vote comes nearly four months after 26 people including 20 first-graders were killed by a lone gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.
This new smartphone from Samsung comes eith a massive 6.3 inch screen. Makes the Note 2 look like child’s play.
The firm suggested its size made it ideal for watching videos or running two apps alongside each other.Samsung helped popularise the so-called “phablet” category – in which phones approach tablet dimensions – with its original 5.3in Galaxy Note in 2011.
That proved more popular than many expected, but one analyst suggested the latest device might be a step too far.
Samsung is marketing the Android-powered handset as having a high-definition screen – however, a spokesman was unable to confirm whether it supported 720p or the “full HD” 1080p resolution.
Another South Korean firm, Pantech, currently lays claim to offering the biggest “full HD” smartphone with its 5.9in Vega No 6 which was announced in January.China’s Huawei had previously boasted having the biggest largest-screened 720p smartphone with its 6.1in Ascend Mate.
Branden Lee is a blogger, screenwriter, producer, and actor, currently residing in Boston, MA. Follow Branden on Twitter @Brandeness and Tumblr.
Unfortunately there wasn’t enough room in my previous piece about Webseries Worth Watching to include all of my favorite online shows. The internet is full of limitless entertaining programs available for your viewing whenever you find the time. Here are a few more of my favorite webseries.
1. Husbands
Husbandstakes place in a sci-fi world, where gay marriage is nationally recognized and there are out of the closet openly gay pro-athletes. If that type of mythical universe doesn’t seem too implausible to comprehend then Husbands is perfect for viewing. The show follows Brady, a freshly out of the closet pro-baseball player, and his new husband Cheeks, who’s an unapologetically flamboyant gay TV star. Brady and Cheeks find themselves married after a drunken night in Vegas and that’s where the show kicks off. The episodes are super short, but every second is amazing. Husbands was created by acclaimed producer/writer Jane Epenson and Brad “Cheeks” Bell who’s also one of the stars of the show. and features tons of celebrity cameos. Husbands has already completed 2 seasons, and episodes are available for viewing on their website or on YouTube.
2. Old Dogs & New Tricks
Old Dogs & New Tricks takes the basic format of 4 best friends with uniquely different personalities and follows their dating lives. Where as most gay shows focus on beautiful young guys, Old Dogs & New Tricks focuses on all 40+ aged gays. It gives a perspective on what it’s like to accept aging as a gay man, but still being active, sexual, desirable, and not letting age hindering happiness and finding love. The season 2 finale of Old Dogs & New Tricks is next week, but there’s plenty of time to get caught up on the series. All episodes from both seasons are available on YouTube.
3. Gay’s Anatomy
As you can probably tell from the title, Gay’s Anatomy is a bit of a parody to Grey’s Anatomy. Just without the network TV budget and most of the characters are gay, bi, or unknown. Gay’s Anatomy follows a bunch of fresh out of med school residents as they begin their medical careers. Hilarious antics and drama ensues when a bunch of doctors get together inside and outside of the hospital. Gay’s Anatomy has already completed 2 seasons, and all episodes are available for viewing on their website and YouTube.
As more and more shows approach their season/series finale, you’ll need something new to watch. Get online and watch some webseries! You definitely won’t regret any of my suggestions.
Remember during the Presidential campaign when we found out that Mitt Romney had thousands of fake Twitter followers? Now it seems the fake following is becoming a huge money-making industry in itself. Politicians, celebrities and average joes are all shelling out the cash to magically gain thousands, even millions of followers… fake followers that is.
Although a big following may look good on your profile, the big losers here are the real lovers of Twitter who use the social media to genuinely communicate with those they consider ‘friends.’ Twitter itself is also a loser, as their credibility now comes into question.
A Canadian teenager committed suicide after photos allegedly showing her being gang-raped spread through her school, her family has said.
Rehtaeh Parsons, 17, was found by her mother in the bathroom of their family home in Nova Scotia shortly after she hanged herself.
Her family said her suicide was the result of almost two years of bullying and depression after a photo purporting to show her being raped by four boys went viral and spread through her school in Dartmouth.
The photo of the incident reportedly also included one of the boys present posing with a smile and a thumbs up.
Speaking to CTV News in Canada, Leah Parsons said the attack occurred in November 2011 when her daughter was just 15. After drinking vodka with others at a friend’s house, Rehtaeh soon became heavily intoxicated.
“The group began drinking vodka straight. Rehtaeh didn’t remember all of it [but] she remembers a guy leading her up the stairs [and] guys taking turns on top of her.”
It was then that the boys took pictures of the attack and of her vomiting out the window.
Her mother said severe bullying and trauma following the incident meant Rehtaeh never fully recovered. According to Ms Parsons, Rehtaeh was repeatedly called a “slut” by fellow pupils and regularly received text messages jokingly asking for sex.
Despite moving schools and to a different community entirely, she continued to suffer from depression and was forced to spend almost six weeks in hospital as she became increasingly suicidal.
She hanged herself on Thursday and was taken off life support by her family on Sunday evening.
If recent news reports are accurate, then the United States Senate will be discussing gun control measures that will look like John Cleese and the Ministry of Silly Walks: Take one small step, slide. take a giant stride forward, then backtrack a bit before moving forward again.
Whatever it takes.
Yes, the gun deal the Senate is discussing doesn’t include a lot of things that I would like to see including bans on certain firearms and a limit on how much ammunition a person can purchase or use. According to the NRA, this is a good thing and it will protect my Second Amendment rights to carry an arsenal in my back pocket so the Obama Administration doesn’t confiscate my guns in the name of public safety. I get that. But this is a major step forward in what will be a years-long process to bring our gun laws in line with socially responsible behavior and the sense that Newtown changed the debate for good over whether the constitution allows us unlimited personal firepower.
I am cautiously optimistic that we will get a gun bill through the Senate. The House will be a higher hurdle, but enough conservatives can probably feel safe to vote for any compromise bill. If the House votes it down, look for President Obama to pull out all the stops to make it an issue in 2014.
It’s imperfect, but it’s a start. Get a bill passed. It can always be improved later on.
As far as I’m concerned, seeing Anthony Weiner in any political office would be a blessing. Like Senator Bernie Sanders, Weiner was a fighter for the American middle class. He was know for his ability to hit the Republicans where it hurts, and was the one who coined the phrase, Republican Party is “a wholly owned subsidiary of the insurance industry.
Mr. Weiner made a mistake. There are some who did worse things than he did, and they are still in government. It’s time we forgive, forget and move on.
Saying that he would like, at some point, to “ask people to give me a second chance,” Anthony D. Weiner, the former congressman who resigned in 2011 amid a scandal over his lewd online behavior, is mulling a run for mayor this year because “it’s now or maybe never for me.”
In an interview with The New York Times Magazine, which was posted online Wednesday morning and is to be published in print on Sunday, Mr. Weiner cautioned that he did not know when he would decide about entering the race, and conceded that “the fact that I don’t know tells me I shouldn’t run. Or I should not run now.” He also acknowledged that he would be “the underdog in any race I ran,” citing a poll he commissioned earlier this year to gauge whether voters were prepared to forgive him and take him seriously as a candidate.
Mr. Weiner and his publicity-averse wife, Huma Abedin, sought in the interview to demonstrate that he was a changed and humbled man: a stay-at-home father living in what the magazine writer describes as a “sprawling apartment” on Park Avenue South, far from the Queens and Brooklyn neighborhoods Mr. Weiner represented in the House of Representatives for more than a decade.
“Some people just don’t buy it,” Mr. Weiner said. “Like they just don’t have room for a second narrative about me.”
Since leaving Congress, Mr. Weiner has generally refrained from commenting on either the scandal that prompted his resignation or his political future. But his visibility has increased in recent months, first with a photo shoot in People magazine that featured Mr. Weiner and Ms. Abedin with their infant son, Jordan, and then, over the weekend, with tabloid photos of the family, paparrazzi-style.
Vice President Biden on Tuesday said GOP lawmakers who are threatening to block a vote on gun legislation are making an “almost mind-boggling” move but said he holds hope that the Republican lawmakers will come around and support a vote.
Fourteen GOP lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, have said they would likely move to block a vote on gun legislation out of concerns that the bill — which includes a provision to expand background checks —would infringe on American’s right to bear arms.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., announced Tuesday that the Senate will vote on Thursday to try to end the GOP filibuster.
“Why don’t people up there understand this?” Biden said in a speech to law enforcement officers in Washington. “What has to happen to break through the consciousness of the people up on (Capitol) Hill?”
The Senate is expected to begin debate on the gun legislation this week. The current version of the Senate gun bill would strengthen current laws on gun trafficking and straw purchasers, increase grants for improvements in school safety as well as expand background checks to nearly every gun purchase.
Branden Lee is a blogger, screenwriter, producer, and actor, currently residing in Boston, MA. Follow Branden on Twitter @Brandeness and check out his blog .
I may not know my way around the kitchen or be getting my own cooking show anytime soon, but I am an expert when it comes to the blender. Here are some recipes for some of my favorite drinks. They’re quick, easy, and can be completed in seconds, well not including the time it takes to shop for ingredients, but those are easy to find.
1. Pina Coladas
Pina Coladas are my absolute favorite drink! They’re delicious alcoholic or not. Plus I think they’re great for the skin, not scientifically proven, but personally I find them to be fantastic for my skin. Which is usually flawless.
I only enjoy cocktails where I can taste the alcohol, so I tend to be generous when pouring into the pitcher. But all measurements of ingredients depends on one’s own personal taste. Use as much ice as you want, depending on if you prefer your drink to be more of slushie or not. Place all ingredients into the blender, it’s best to put the liquids on the bottom so they’re closer to the blades. Putting ice near the blade makes it more difficult to blend. Cease blending once all ice has been crushed and all solid ingredients are now liquid.
Pour into glass, place whipped cream and maraschino cherries on top, and then enjoy!
2. Strawberry Daiquiris
Ingredients: Any flavored rum (personally I prefer Bacardi brands), strawberries, 1 ripe banana, and ice.
Directions are basically the same as a Pina Colada. Make sure the strawberries are ripe, along with the banana. There’s nothing worse than putting an unripened fruit into a blend. It gives the whole drink a sour taste and can ruin the drink. Well if that is the case just pour more alcohol into it, that should hopefully be able to salvage it. Never let alcohol go to waste!
3. Peanut Butter & Banana Smoothies
A Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie isn’t an alcoholic drink, but perfect for breakfast, especially when on the go.
Ingredients: A ripe banana, peanut butter, milk, ice
Place all ingredients into the blender, milk on the bottom, and blend! Personally I prefer vanilla flavored almond milk, but any type of milk, whatever your preference, should be fine. Measurement wise, I like to fill the blender 1/3 the way with milk. Peanut butter naturally has a strong taste, so it’s not necessary to use a lot. The recommended serving size is 2 tablespoons, but I just use 2 knife servings, but I’m a generous server. As a special ingredient I like to throw in a dash of Nutella. It doesn’t provide a noticeable taste, but everything is better with Nutella.
Blend until all ice has been dissolved, and enjoy!
I love frozen drinks all year long. I only enjoy warm drinks if I’m cold or feeling ill, so these recipes are perfect for whenever. But also since warm weather is approaching, it’s the perfect time to break out the blender and enjoy a frozen cocktail or breakfast smoothie.
Have you seen this photo yet? I’m sure you have. The photo has gone viral with over a million and a half views online. It shows an iPad, lodged in the bumper of a car. The car owner had no idea that the iPad was there until her father pointed it out to her.
We’ll file this one under ‘Technology…’ We’re sure Apple is proud.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s campaign team on Tuesday asked the FBI and U.S. attorney to investigate whether its headquarters was bugged after a secretly taped recording was posted by Mother Jones.
On the tape, McConnell’s aides discuss attacking actress-activist Ashley Judd for her struggles with depression and views on several topics, including religion.
Judd, who was considering a Senate bid in Kentucky, said in late March that she would not run for the Democratic nomination in 2014 to take on McConnell.
“We’ve always said the left would stop at nothing to attack Sen. McConnell, but Watergate-style tactics to bug campaign headquarters are above and beyond,” said Jesse Benton, McConnell’s campaign manager. “Obviously a recording device of some kind was placed in Sen. McConnell’s office without consent. By whom and how that was accomplished presumably will be the subject of a criminal investigation.”
The magazine said it obtained the recording of a Feb. 2 meeting last week from a source who requested anonymity.
“She’s clearly, this sounds extreme, but she is emotionally unbalanced,” a McConnell aide is heard saying on the tape. “I mean it’s been documented. Jesse can go in chapter and verse from her autobiography about, you know, she’s suffered some suicidal tendencies. She was hospitalized for 42 days when she had a mental breakdown in the 90s.”
McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate, is heard on the tape at the beginning of the meeting, in which a wide variety of opposition research on Judd is discussed. USA TODAY has not independently verified the tape.
Among other things, McConnell’s aides are heard talking about Judd’s support for President Obama, her opposition to coal mining, support for an energy policy known as “cap and trade,” and her views on abortion and religion. One McConnell aide says Judd is critical of “traditional Christianity,” according to the tape and transcript posted by the liberal magazine.
“This is yet another example of the politics of personal destruction that embody Mitch McConnell and are pervasive in Washington, D.C.,” Judd’s spokeswoman, Cara Tripicchio, said in a statement.
“We expected nothing less from Mitch McConnell and his camp than to take a personal struggle such as depression, which many Americans cope with on a daily basis, and turn it into a laughing matter,” the Judd statement continued. “Every day it becomes clearer how much we need change in Washington from this kind of rhetoric and actions.”
Some of the research on Judd came from her 2011 memoir, All That is Bitter and Sweet, in which she wrote about her struggle with depression and how she had contemplated suicide in sixth grade. In 2006, she entered a 42-day treatment program at a rehab facility in Texas.
“I would have died without it,” Judd told People magazine in 2011.
By early afternoon Tuesday, McConnell’s team turned the leaked tape into a fundraising opportunity. They posted a message on their website that read in part: “Breaking: Liberals wiretap McConnell office.
William Blakely, former Vice-Mayor of Mount Carmel, Tennessee, was accused in court yesterday of having a long-running streak of reckless driving incidents that stem from a penchant for sticking his genitals out of the window and masturbating in the direction of passing female motorists.
Three women appeared in a Kingsport court yesterday to submit testimony about their personal interactions with Blakely.
“At over 90 miles per hour, he had his penis out [the window]. He was masturbating,” said one victim. “[A]nd that’s when it got really, really bad.”
All three testimonies followed a similar pattern: Blakely would wave and honk at the female driver in an attempt to get her attention, then he would expose his chest and ask her to “please, please” do the same.
According to Detective Terry Christian, it was thanks to one of the three women who wrote his license plate number down that Blakely was finally being brought to justice after years of harassment.
Per Christian, over the course of “three or four years,” his department received “dozens of phone calls” from victims aged 16 to 65.
Blakely has been charged with indecent exposure, reckless endangerment, and attempt to commit aggravated assault.
A Grand Jury court date, where additional cases involving Blakely will be presented, has been scheduled for June 14th
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