The Koch brothers are launching an anti-poverty group called Stand Together which “aims to raise $15 million this year”—a year in which the Kochs plan to spend close to $900 million to elect a president who is hostile
The Koch brothers are launching an anti-poverty group called Stand Together which “aims to raise $15
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Tennessee Republican Clearly Up to No Good
Here are some recent allegations lodged against Tennessee State Rep. Jeremy Durham (R):
- According to The Tennessean, Durham sent harassing and/or generally inappropriate text messages to at least three women working at Tennessee’s State Capitol in Nashville. To one woman in particular, the newspaper reported, “Durham repeatedly sent text messages and Facebook messages, sometimes late into the night. One text message, after 10 p.m., says he misses her. In another text, at about 1:30 a.m., Durham asks her for pictures.”
- According to Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey, a fellow Republican, Durham had an extramarital affair with another state representative. At a press conference on Thursday, Ramsey told reporters: “The press didn’t force somebody to have an affair with another state Rep. and force them to resign.”
- According to police in Williamson County, Tennessee, Durham attempted to a fill an illegitimate prescription for Adderall in June 2013 (a revelation that was not reported until December 2015 by the The Tennesseean). However a local jury decided not to issue an indictment against Durham.
Though Durham resigned from his position as House Majority Whip on Sunday, he still appears to insist upon his innocence. Here are his denials of the above allegations, in the same order:
- Text messages: “Not having seen the texts, not knowing who the other party to the conversation is, when they were sent, what exactly they say, whether I was responding or initiating the text stream, it is simply impossible to respond.”
- Extramarital affair(s): “As of January 27, 2016, Representative Durham has taken a couple of weeks of leave from the legislature ... Nevertheless, he categorically denies having any physical relationship with former representatives (Mike) Harrison or (Leigh) Wilburn [both of whom recently resigned from the state legislature].”
- Fraudulent Adderall prescription: “This situation is from two and a half years ago and was fully vetted by 12 Williamson County citizens who quickly agreed that nothing illegal occurred.”
Shady stuff! Anyway, if you know any more about Durham’s behavior in or out of state legislature, please get in touch.
Email the author: trotter@gawker.com · PGP key + fingerprint · Photo credit: AP
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All the Dumb Questions You Asked Google About the GOP Debate, Answered
Last night, we got a taste of our very first taste of a debate night duel. On one side, we had our typical, Fox News-facilitated pageantry of foot-stomping candidates vying for our love. On the other side, we got Trump. As for you—well, you had questions.
Google Trends pulled together the top five questions for each of the candidates still in the running. Some of your questions were very, very dumb. Some were not! Still, we answered all of them for you.
Jeb Bush
How old is Jeb Bush?
Jeb Bush is 62 years old.
Is Jeb Bush pro-life?
Jeb Bush is most certainly pro-life. As governor of Florida, Bush tried to stop public funds from being used for stem cell research, signed a parental consent of abortion bill into law, and preached that there’s no need to teach kids about abortions if we just teach them to be good people instead.
Is Jeb Bush George Bush’s brother?
If you’re talking about George W. Bush, then yes, he is. If you’re talking about George H. W. Bush, then no, you idiots—Jeb is his son.
Is Jeb Bush still in the race?
Boy is he ever:
What happened to Jeb Bush’s campaign?
The short and not very helpful answer is that Jeb!
Unfortunately for Jeb, all he really has going for him (other than tons of cash and a few sweaters
Ben Carson
How is Ben Carson polling?
According to Real Clear Politics, Ben Carson is currently in fourth place with 8.3 percent of the vote.
Where is Ben Carson?
In addition to being inside each of our hearts always, at the time of publication, Ben Carson is physically somewhere in Iowa. More importantly, at any given time, Ben Carson is mentally in a magical, Ben Carson-themed world where danger lurks
What happened to Ben Carson’s campaign?
Ben Carson’s campaign is still going a lot stronger than I would have ever predicted. But what will ultimately sink it, god-willing, is the fact that Ben Carson has no idea what the hell he’s talking about
What is Ben Carson doing now?
Ben Carson is touring Iowa and probably talking about brains somewhere.
Where did Ben Carson go to school?
Ben Carson completed his undergrad degree in psychology at Yale in 1973 and went on to get his M.D. from the University of Michigan in 1977.
Chris Christie
How long does Chris Christie have left in office?
Assuming every other candidate does not mysteriously die and Chris Christie does not become the President, he will mercifully end his term as governor of New Jersey in 2018.
What is Chris Christie’s net worth?
Chris Christie is sitting on about $4 million.
Is Chris Christie a Democrat?
Chris Christie is not a Democrat, although he did once support an assault weapons ban and currently supports drug law reform.
Where does Chris Christie live?
Much to Bruce Springsteen’s chagrin, Chris Christie lives in Jersey.
Where did Chris Chrstie go to school?
Much to the University of Delaware’s chagrin, Chris Christie goes to the University of Delaware.
Ted Cruz
Why was Ted Cruz born in Canada?
Ted Cruz was born in Canada while his parents, who had lived there for three years at the time, were working as engineers for an oil drilling company. Additionally, one might infer that Ted Cruz was also born in Canada because Ted Cruz loves maple syrup and hates America.
Where did Ted Cruz go to high school?
Ted Cruz attended the private Faith West Academy in Katy Texas and, later, the also-private Second Baptist High School in Houston, which was deeply unfortunate for the students of Second Baptist High School.
http://gawker.com/behold-the-ins...
Will Ted Cruz get the nomination?
That does seem the most likely scenario right now, although a lot of that will depend on what happens in Iowa and New Hampshire. Either way, his odds are definitely better than anyone else—Trump notwithstanding.
When did Ted Cruz become a U.S. citizen?
Canadian man Ted Cruz is not a U.S. citizen and therefore cannot legally be president considering the fact that he is a Canadian citizen.
Will Ted Cruz win Iowa?
Maybe! Iowa seems like a pretty terrible place so I wouldn’t be at all surprised. (Editor’s note: The writer stands by this comment, which is a flip joke borne out of ignorance and youth.)
Carly Fiorina
How does Carly Fiorina feel about health care?
Despite recently calling for an end to Obamcare, Carly Fiorina—a cancer survivor—did once support mandatory health insurance. Weird how that changes! Currently, Fiorina is purporting to support replacing universal healthcare with “high-risk” state-managed pools for the particularly needy, an alternative that has proved to be almost objectively terrible for everyone involved.
Is Carly Fiorina a Democrat or a Republican?
Carly Fiorina is a Republican.
Which high school did Carly Fiorina attend in Ghana?
Carly Fiorina actually attended five high schools in total (her father’s job as a law professor apparently forced her family to move around quite a bit), one of which was the Ghana International School in—you guessed it—Ghana.
What is Carly Fiorina against?
Carly Fiorina is against running huge technology companies in ways that don’t destroy them, abortion, Hillary Clinton, and also facts.
Is Carly Fiorina a feminist?
To hear her say it, yes! To hear pretty much any other woman say it, no. No she is not.
Jim Gilmore
Why is Jim Gilmore still in the race?
Mostly, because he thinks every other candidate is an idiot. And god bless him for trying.
Who is Jim Gilmore?
Jim Gilmore asks himself that question every day of his life. He was also the governor of Virginia until 2002.
Is Jim Gilmore married?
Jim Gilmore is married to his wife of 29 years, Roxane Gatling Gilmore. I’m sure she’s great.
What does Jim Gilmore want to do?
In his own words, Jim Gilmore wants “the American people to know that I think that this is a grave time of danger for the United States.” I’d imagine that Jim Gilmore also wants to be President.
What does Jim Gilmore want to accomplish?
Don’t get smart with me.
Mike Huckabee
What does Mike Huckabee believe?
I’m glad you asked
Is Mike Huckabee married?
Yes, Mike Huckabee married Janet Hucakbee (née McCain) in 1974.
Is Mike Huckabee still a presidential candidate?
Unfortunately, yes.
Where is Mike Huckabee in the presidential polls?
According to Real Clear Politics, Huckabee is currently sitting in tenth place with 2.0 percent of the vote.
Where is Huckabee from?
Mike Huckabee is unsurprisingly from Arkansas.
John Kasich
Why would John Kasich be a good president?
He wouldn’t. Unfortunately for Ohio, Kasich was a terrible governor. He was responsible for stunting job growth, cutting school funding, and shuttering half of the state’s abortion clinics.
Who is John Kasich’s wife?
John Kasich used to be married to Mary Lee Griffith, but the two divorced in 1980. John Kasich later married Karen Kasich (née Waldbillig) in 1997. Karen kind of looks like she could be his daughter.
What religion is John Kasich?
Kasich was born Catholic but now identifies as a part of the Anglican church.
Is John Kasich a Democrat?
While John Kasich is most certainly a Republican, he is far more reasonable and/or liberal than most of his running mates in that he’s promoted the expansion of Medicaid under Obamacare in addition to being a vocal proponent of same-sex marriage.
How old is Kasich’s wife?
Karen Kasich is 51 years old. She looks great!
Rand Paul
Is Rand Paul running for president?
Yes. Next question.
How tall is Rand Paul?
Rand Paul claims to be 5' 8", but I would be willing to bet that Rand doesn’t stand a hair over 5' 6".
What does Rand Paul stand for?
Rand Paul is the “libertarian” pick, otherwise known as the Reddit candidate. He is a slightly (and unfortunately for us) less insane version of his father. But generally, Rand Paul stands for freedom and Bitcoin.
Is Rand Paul a Democrat
Rand Paul is not a Democrat, though he is arguably the most liberal of the bunch. In terms of foreign policy, he is staunchly opposed to intervention for intervention’s sake, supports marriage equality, and fucking loves guns.
How old is Rand Paul?
Rand Paul is 53 years old.
Marco Rubio
How old is Marco Rubio?
Marco Rubio is a youthful 44 years old.
What does Marco Rubio believe in?
Great question! Marco Rubio believes in making sure people like him as much as they possibly can. He’s gone back and forth on immigration reform, national security spending, and the Iraq war, just to name a few. He does, however, definitely hate both Obamacare and net neutrality.
How does Marco Rubio feel about guns?
Marco Rubio thinks that Obama wants to take away your guns and that gun control laws are effectively pointless.
Is Marco Rubio Hispanic?
Sí.
How old is Marco Rubio’s wife?
Marco Rubio’s wife is 42 and this question is getting uncomfortable.
Rick Santorum
Who did Rick Santorum endorse?
Rick Santorum is still running for President so, himself.
How many kids does Rick Santorum have?
Rick Santorum has seven (!) kids.
What was Rick Santorum’s childhood like?
Rick Santorum’s grew up in an Italian family with parents who worked for the VA, so he spent a large portion of his childhood living in the dormitories of veterans hospitals.
Why does the media not like Rick Santorum?
The media doesn’t hate Rick Santorum. Rick Santorum just thinks the media hates Rick Santorum because it often embarrasses by him reporting the things that he says. So really, it would seem that Rick Santorum just hates Rick Santorum.
When did Rick Santorum start running?
Rick Santorum announced his (second) bid for president back in May.
Donald Trump
Why did Donald Trump walk?
A lot of reasons, really. Donald Trump didn’t do the debate because he didn’t like that Megyn Kelly asked him questions that made him look bad, he didn’t like that Fox News was backing her up, and he really didn’t like the idea of opening himself up to failure so soon before Iowa. Plus, he apparently tried to pull $5 million from Fox in exchange for showing up to the debate. Fox News declined.
Trump also skipped the debate because he is a whiny, narcissistic infant who has never had to face a single negative consequence for any of his horrible, loathsome actions.
What channel is Donald Trump on?
He was on CSPAN last night, though that probably doesn’t help you now. But you can watch it again here if you’re looking to self-flagellate.
Will Trump’s event be televised?
See above.
What did Megyn Kelly ask Donald Trump?
The question that really pissed off Donald Trump during the last debate Kelly moderated was this:
Your Twitter account has several disparaging comments about women’s looks. You once told a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice it would be a pretty picture to see her on her knees. Does that sound to you like the temperament of a man we should elect as president, and how will you answer the charge from Hillary Clinton, who was likely to be the Democratic nominee, that you are part of the war on women?
To which Trump responded with:
As well as:
“Wow.”
Will Trump debate?
He did not. Instead, he chose to hold a massive, masturbatory display
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In Confidential Letter, Ousted Mizzou President Blames Black Lives Matter, Football Team For Resignation
Ten days ago, Tim Wolfe—the ex-University of Missouri System president who famously stepped down from his position last November after a black student’s hunger strike made the state’s flagship campus in Columbia the focus of a national discussion regarding the treatment of minority college students—sent an email to confidants that he labeled “CONFIDENTIAL.”
http://gawker.com/how-jonathan-b...
In the message, which was first reported by local papers in Missouri and stretches five pages, Wolfe presents a bullet point list of people who he believes made it impossible for him to keep his job, a group that includes: his boss, ex-Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin; ex-Mizzou football coach Gary Pinkel and his players who joined in the strike; and, most curiously, the presence of an unnamed “significant Ferguson protestor,” a likely reference to DeRay McKesson.
Wolfe places the blame for some of what led up to Jonathan Butler’s protest—temporarily eliminating health insurance for graduate students, the barring of Planned Parenthood from a local hospital—on Loftin, an analysis that at the very least contains partial truth. But despite stating later in the email that he’s “willing to accept some of the responsibility” for his ouster, Wolfe fails to acknowledge the depth of his own culpability: specifically his refusing to seriously consider the demands of Bulter and his organization Concerned Student 1950 until it had become abundantly clear that Wolfe had no way out of the situation.
Wolfe is certainly correct when he states that the “football team’s strike is actually what brought most of the national attention to our university,” though he apparently still thinks that the resultant tidal wave of national attention could have been avoided. “Coach Pinkel missed an important opportunity to teach his players a valuable life lesson,” Wolfe writes, by which we can assume he means that Pinkel should have disciplined his players for exercising free speech.
The funny thing, though, is that it was Wolfe that learned a lesson: football players are more important to colleges than presidents. Or, Wolfe should have learned that lesson—this letter makes it clear that he hasn’t yet. Pinkel, who quickly sided with his players lest he be sacrificed as well, recognized that lesson immediately.
As for Black Lives Matter, Wolfe writes:
My sudden decision to resign was largely motivated by a significant pending event that was to occur on the campus the day I resigned. We had brought in Diversity and Inclusion consulting experts that had dealt with this issue before at other campuses. They, along with the FBI, Missouri Highway Patrol, Columbia Police Department and MU Campus police were aware of a significant Ferguson protestor on our MU campus and there was a threat that more were coming in for significant protest that day. So as to prevent, injury and further embarrassment on our campus, the only way to relieve the pressure and stop the momentum was for me to resign. This was the right decision that was vetted with trusted advisors and board members.
The “significant Ferguson protestor” figures to be DeRay McKesson, who was on campus the day Wolfe resigned, but the entire passage again shows that Wolfe didn’t really learn much from his own resignation. McKesson and further reinforcements from Black Lives Matter weren’t a “threat” to the MU campus, and the only people they were embarrassing were those stubbornly trying to keep the status quo from crumbling.
You can read the full text of the letter, which culminates in Wolfe asking its recipients to pressure the Board of Trustees to reach a settlement agreement with him, below (contact information has been redacted):
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A Big Ol’ Friday News Dump, Courtesy of Hillary Clinton’s Email Server
Remember how Hillary Clinton used a private homebrew email server
The Obama administration confirmed for the first time Friday that Hillary Clinton’s unsecured home server contained closely guarded government secrets, censoring 22 emails with material requiring one of the highest levels of classification.
As the Associated Press notes, this could very well contradict the argument (floated by Clinton and her surrogates) that the former Secretary of State “never sent or received information on her personal email account that was classified at the time.” Given the nature of the classification, the Obama administration is not required to explain what exactly the top secret emails were about.
The candidate, for her part, appears to be protesting the classification, which allows the government to withhold the entirety of the emails (as opposed to simply redacting certain portions of them). A spokesperson for Clinton’s campaign told NBC News that “we firmly oppose the complete blocking of the release of these emails. Since first providing her emails to the State Department more than one year ago, Hillary Clinton has urged that they be made available to the public. We feel no differently today.”
Email the author: trotter@gawker.com · PGP key + fingerprint · Photo credit: Getty Images
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Variety's Important Message About Oscars Diversity Preempted By Even More Important Message
Variety magazine’s most recent issue takes on the controversy of this year’s whitewashed Oscars with a cover that reads “SHAME ON US.” But before that, there’s a more pressing issue to attend to.
Please vote The Martian—written by, directed by, and starring white men—for all the awards!
[via Eric Haywood]
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Steven Avery's Defense Attorney and Prosecutor Address Important Information Making A Murderer Left Out
Since Making a Murderer debuted late last year on Netflix, the internet has been overrun with amateur sleuths looking for evidence presented in Avery’s trial that the show suspiciously overlooked. Investigation Discovery’s Steven Avery: Innocent or Guilty, which premieres tomorrow at 9 pm, features a clip of Murderer co-director Laura Ricciardi explaining, “It would have been impossible for us to include all of the evidence that the state submitted. We chose all of what the state itself was claiming to be its most compelling evidence. We feel that we did a very thorough, a very accurate, and fair job.”
The Keith Morrison-hosted special nonetheless examines several points absent from the series, with commentary from prosecutor Ken Kranz (Former DA, Calumet County, who wanted Avery to confess so that he could write a book about it) and Avery’s former defense attorney Jerry Buting. Among them:
The vial of blood
Kratz calls its handling “one of the more irresponsible claims” of Murderer. “The suggestion is that this purple-topped tube was tampered with, that clearly it had a hole in the top of the tube,” he explains. However, Kratz claims all blood-sample vials carry such holes after the sample has been collected. “How do you think the blood got in there? The blood gets in there by putting a hole in it. There was a nurse that was interviewed that said, ‘I’m the one that put the hole in there.’”
(For further reading, here’s a whole Reddit thread about holes in blood vials.)
Buting, though, according to Morrison “was more interested in another clue”: the blood that was visible between the stopper and the glass, which, according to Buting “you could only get if the stopper’s taken out,” thus suggesting it had been tampered with and used to plant Avery’s blood in Teresa Halbach’s car.
Avery’s communication with AutoTrader and Teresa Halbach before her murder
Kratz points out that Avery specifically called Autro Trader, requested Halbach come to his home, and that he left his sister’s contact information instead of his own.
Buting says the answer for this is quite simple: She was the only photographer for Auto Trader in that whole area of the state. “He doesn’t say, ‘Send Teresa Halbach.’ He says, ‘Send that woman out here again to take pictures. We want to put another vehicle in your magazine,’” says Buting.
Kratz claims, “The filmmakers don’t tell the viewer that Teresa is lured onto the property using the *67 feature, or that different names or phone numbers are used.” On the day of her murder, Avery called Halbach’s cell phone twice using *67 to block his number. He called her again at 4:35 without blocking his number, the implication being that Avery was attempting to give himself an alibi. “Teresa would have been dead by then,” offers Morrison.
Without addressing the *67 flip-flop (per Investigation Discovery’s edit), Buting tackles the state’s theory that Avery attempted to obscure his identity by saying, “The problem with this theory was, if he already had her cell phone, then all he had to do was call her cell phone and have her come out there, but instead he called the Auto Trader office and made an appointment.”
“The vehicle that she was to take pictures of was his sister’s vehicle and she was the one who would ultimately be the seller of the transfer of the title,” says Buting regarding the charge that Avery used a “false name.” On the show, Buting follows this up with, “Kratz has really misrepresented what that evidence was about.”
Additionally, Kratz touches on Halbach’s previous dealings with Avery before her murder: “She told [colleague] Tom Pearce ‘This guy creeps me out,’ and he said, ‘Don’t ever go in that house.’” Morrison claims that “according to a friend of Teresa’s,” Avery at one point answered the door in nothing but a towel when Halbach arrived.
Avery’s DNA being found on the hood of Halbach’s car
“There’s no suggestion that the officers had vials of Mr. Avery’s sweat with them,” says Kratz regarding the DNA evidence from the skin/sweat of Avery’s fingers that was found on the outside hood latch of Halbach’s car.
“There were no fingerprints at all of Steven Avery on the car,” says Buting. “If he’s wearing gloves, he’s not going to get his DNA on it.”
Additionally, there was the matter of Halbach’s charred cell phone and camera being found in Avery’s burn barrel, evidence of which the series omitted.
In the special, Buting says Kratz “tainted the trial” with his “outrageously inappropriate press conference” that happened the year before, in which Kratz announced that Avery had tortured and raped Halbach. Though these charges did not make it into the trial, one of the jurors nonetheless claimed he or she not only thought Avery was guilty of murder but that he was guilty of rape and torture as well.
Regarding the sexting scandal that happened a few years after the trial and cost Kratz his job, Kratz told Investigation Discovery, “To suggest that those behaviors not only were present three years earlier or five years earlier when the whole case started, but to say somehow it impacted decisions I made or the prosecution or investigation decisions I made is absolutely unfair.”
[Making a Murderer still via Netflix]
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Today's Best Deals: Under Armour, 4K Vizio, Roomba Vacuums, and More
An Amazon Under Armour sale, a popular Vizio 4K TV, and a highly-rated garbage disposal lead off today’s best deals. Bookmark Kinja Deals and follow us on Twitter to never miss a deal. Commerce Content is independent of Editorial and Advertising, and if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale. Click here
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Top Deals
Today only, Amazon’s taking up to 40% off select workout gear from Under Armour. The sale includes everything from bags and socks to sweatpants and sports bras, so be sure to peruse the full collection to find what you’re looking for. [Under Armour Sale]
If your current TV isn’t going to cut it for the major professional football game next weekend, Prime members can upgrade to a 55” Vizio M-series 4K TV for just $780 (discount shown at checkout), which is the best price we’ve ever seen. That comes complete with local dimming, smart apps, and a well-reviewed upscaling engine for 1080p content. [Vizio M-Series 55” 4K, $780 for Prime Members, $800 otherwise.]
http://www.amazon.com/VIZIO-M50-C1-5...
I’m not saying you’ve ever forgotten to refill your pet’s water dish, but wouldn’t it be nice to not have to worry about it so much anymore? [Replendish Waterer 4 Gallon, $18 for Prime members]
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
You’re probably familiar with the color-changing Hue lights that screw into your existing lamps and light fixtures, but if you really want to paint your rooms with color, you’ll want to pick up a few Hue Bloom accent lights as well.
These lights normally sell for around $80, but Amazon has them marked down to $60 right now. If you’re already invested in the Hue ecosystem, you should absolutely pick up at least one. [Hue Bloom Accent Light, $60]
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...
Most new DSLRs and mirrorless cameras have Wi-Fi built right in, but you don’t need to upgrade to a totally new kit just to transfer photos to your phone; all you need is this discounted Eyefi SD card.
If you aren’t familiar, the Eyefi Mobi works just like any other class 10 SD card, except that it broadcasts a wireless network of its own, no matter where you are. Just connect your phone, open an app, and transfer your photos and videos for easy Instagramming. You’ll still pay a premium compared to a standard SD card, but today’s $35 deal beats Amazon’s previous low price by $10. [Eyefi Mobi 16GB Wireless SD Card, $35]
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...
If your Xbox Live Gold membership is running low, you can re-up for another year for just $38 today. That’s $22 less than renewing through Microsoft. [Microsoft Xbox Live 12 Month Gold Membership, $38]
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1416071844...
Own a ping pong table, but no friends to play with? Here’s your solution. [iPong Topspin Table Tennis Trainer, $40]
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...
You don’t see a ton of products on Amazon with over 4,000 reviews, but this Waste King garbage disposal manages a 4.6 star average from over 4,200 customers, and it’s marked down to an all-time low price, today only as part of a Gold Box deal. If you happen to be in the market for a disposal, this should be a no-brainer. [Waste King L-8000 Legend Series 1.0-Horsepower Continuous-Feed Garbage Disposal, $88]
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000DZGN7Q?...
Update: Mohu charges variable shipping rates, so depending on which model you choose and where you live, Amazon might come out cheaper.
If you don’t currently have any means of watching the Super Bowl, Mohu is offering an extra 25% off all of their refurbished HDTV antennas with promo code SUPERDEAL. The game is on CBS, so be sure to use Mohu’s zip code tool to figure out which product is right for you. [25% off Refurb Mohu Antennas with code SUPERDEAL]
http://lifehacker.com/five-best-indo...
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No matter how many HDMI ports are on your TV, chances are, it’s not enough. Luckily, this affordable 4x1 HDMI switch will let you plug in three extra devices, and even watch them all at once with built-in picture-in-picture functionality. [Etekcity 4K x 2K 4 Port High-Speed HDMI Switch with IR Wireless Remote Control, $27 with code SWITCHO2]
http://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-High-...
We’ve seen dozens of deals on cheap kitchen scales over the years, but I think this might be the best looking one yet. The stainless steel measuring bowl is removable (but appreciated), and the base can even double as a digital cooking timer. [Etekcity 11lb/5kg Digital Kitchen Food Scale, Stainless Steel, Alarm Timer & Temperature Sensor, $15 with code OEBHKB55]
http://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Multi...
http://lifehacker.com/5840209/why-yo...
It’s been awhile since we’ve seen a solid Wii U deal, but today, you can get a Deluxe Mario Kart bundle (complete with all of the game’s DLC) for $40 off. [Wii U Deluxe Mario Kart Bundle, $260]
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3018444195...
The best thing about these solar-powered garden lights is that they require zero maintenance. Just stick them in the ground, and let them do their thing.
Actually, I lied. The best thing about them is that an 8-pack costs just $20. [8-pack] Ohuhu Solar Garden Lights, $20 with code RMGZH28N]
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B014CUHURY
For some people, sitting by the fire during the winter and working a puzzle is as good as life gets. I’m not one of those people, but if you are, Amazon’s offering steep discounts on a huge collection of puzzles, today only.
Inside, you’ll find everything from kids puzzles to 3D models to 2,000 piece Ravensburger epics, so be sure to slot in your favorites before they start selling out. [Get up to 50% Off a Large Selection of Puzzles at Amazon]
Adult coloring books were one of 2015's surprise hits
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1338030019/...
http://toyland.gizmodo.com/crayola-now-ha...
If you’ve been waiting for a good price to pick up Mortal Kombat X, it’s only $30 on PS4 and Xbox One today. [Mortal Kombat X, $30]
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
http://www.amazon.com/Mortal-Kombat-...
Need some convincing?
http://kotaku.com/mortal-kombat-...
This stunning Good Smile Legend of Zelda action figure can be positioned in multiple poses, and even includes two different facial expressions. I can’t think of a better desk toy for hardcore Zelda fans. [Good Smile The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Link Figma Action Figure, $30]
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008AGAXV2/...
Assuming you don’t live in California, on the moon, or somewhere equally dry, this intelligent Rachio irrigation controller can keep your lawn green with practically zero work on your part.
The Rachio IRO can control sixteen different zones in your yard, and automatically adjusts watering schedules based on the weather. If you want to keep tabs on it, its iOS and Android app will show you how much water you’re using (and saving), and allow you to make any adjustments necessary, no matter where you are in the world. All of these smarts mean that the IRO can save you 30% on your outdoor water use, so it should pay for itself over time. It’s also EPA WaterSense Certified, meaning your local water company might offer you a rebate for purchasing it.
Today’s $200 deal is reserved for Prime members, but it matches an all-time low, and is well below its usual $300 asking price. [Rachio IRO Smart Irrigation Controller, $200 for Prime members]
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Life’s too short to vacuum every other day, but luckily, you can pawn that tedious chore off to your very own robot, and three of the best are on sale today.
The iRobot Roomba 650, 770, and 880 are $70-$105 off their normal prices today, with the 650 checking in at just $330. All three models have great reviews, so your decision will come down to the included features. Here’s a chart to help you decide:
Note: This isn’t in the chart, but the 770 includes HEPA filters and two virtual walls, while the 650 has standard filters and just one virtual wall.
Whenever we post a Roomba deal, we see plenty of effusive praise in the comments, so let us know if you think they’re worth it.
iRobot Roomba 650 ($330) | Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/iRobot-Roomba-...
iRobot Roomba 770 ($425) | Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/iRobot-Roomba-...
iRobot Roomba 880 ($595) | Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/iRobot-Roomba-...
iOttie’s original One Touch smartphone dash mount won a Kinja Co-Op way back when
http://co-op.kinja.com/the-best-smart...
http://bestsellers.kinja.com/bestsellers-io...
The One Touch 3 features an enhanced telescoping arm to bring the phone closer to you while you drive, and is equally suited to mounting on your dashboard or your windshield. And naturally, the cradle has expanded to accommodate 2016's ever-expanding phones. [iOttie One Touch 3, $17 with code EOT3UPGD]
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0197549HS
You can get cheap Lightning and MicroUSB cables just about anywhere, but if only the best will do, you should give Anker’s PowerLine models a look.
These cables are built with kevlar fiber and feature reinforced stress points, which means they can last 5-10x longer than typical cables. I own a couple of these, and while I can’t yet speak to how long long they actually last, I can say that they just feel nice. Weighty, solid, premium.
Anker 3-Pack PowerLine MicroUSB Cables ($7) | Amazon | Promo code D6SWG2EN
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015MJLEUS
Anker PowerLine 6ft Apple MFi Certified Lightning to USB Cable ($10) | Amazon | Promo code Y4QNX8RS
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011KPE8FG
Update: Still available, but only on the green and blue models.
We see great deals on Bluetooth headphones almost every day, but even I did a double take when I saw this pair of Aukeys for $11. [Aukey V4.1 Bluetooth Sports Headphones with Noise Canceling Wireless Stereo, $11 with code 5FOD8D3G]
http://www.amazon.com/Aukey-Bluetoot...
All I can say is wow, this might legitimately be the best Xbox One deal I’ve ever seen, including Black Friday. $349 gets you the Gears of War console bundle, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, Forza Horizon 2, and a $30 Amazon gift card. Those games are actually good! If you’ve got a tax refund on the way, I can think of worse ways to blow it. [Xbox One Gears of War Bundle + Assassin’s Creed Syndicate + Forza Horizon 2 + $30 Amazon Gift Card, $349]
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
Just because your house or apartment doesn’t have a doorbell doesn’t mean you’ll have to rely on knocking like a caveman. This $14 kit has everything you need to install one, no wiring required. You can even choose from 52 different chimes! [iClever Smart Wireless Doorbell - 600 Feet Operating Rang with 52 Optinal Chimes, $14 with code P5RIFW4D]
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SGKJD7W/
Tech
Storage
- SanDisk - Pixtor 16GB SDHC Class 10 Memory Card ($11) | eBay
- SanDisk - Pixtor 16GB microSDHC Class 10 Memory Card ($11) | eBay
- SanDisk Ultra Plus 64GB microSDXC Class 10 UHS-1 Memory Card ($30) | Best Buy
- SanDisk Ultra Plus 128GB microSDXC Class 10 UHS-1 Memory Card ($60) | Best Buy
- Current Gen WD My Passport Ultra 2TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive ($73) | eBay
Power
- Aukey 20000mAh Portable Charger External Battery Power Bank with AiPower Tech ($19) | Amazon | Use code OKQ4JHJT
- Imneed 10000mah Slim Portable Charger ($10) | Amazon | Use code QU6652NG
- Tronsmart 3-Port Quick Charge 2.0 USB Car Charger ($8) | Amazon | Use code 3USBCHAR
- Tronsmart 6 Packs Premium Micro USB Charge & Sync Cables ($8) | Amazon | Use code 6USBCORD
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N9ZG7GO/...
Audio
- Able Planet Clear Voice Stereo Headphones with Linx Microphone ($9) | Staples
- BATTOP Bluetooth Music Knitted Hat ($14) | Amazon | Use code 2K2ZVE9U
- Vansky Bluetooth Sport Earbuds ($11) | Amazon | Use code LLEWPUIK
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01700B9G6
Home Theater
- Etekcity 4K x 2K 4 Port High-Speed HDMI Switch with IR Wireless Remote Control ($27) | Amazon | Use code SWITCHO2
- BenQ 1920 x 1080 DLP Projector HT1075 ($750) | Best Buy
- Panasonic 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart HDTV, TC-55CX420U ($901) | Panasonic | Use code FOOTBALL
- LG 49-Inch 1080p 60Hz Class LED HDTV ($300) | Walmart
- RCA 48-Inch 1080p 60Hz Class LED HDTV ($280) | Walmart
- Yamaha RX-V477 5.1 Channel Home Theater AV Receiver ($228) | Newegg
Computers & Accessories
- Thermaltake SMART Series SP-650PCBUS 650W ATX 12V 2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Power Supply ($35) | Newegg | After $25 rebate
- NZXT Source 210 S210-001 Black “Aluminum Brush / Plastic” ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ($30) | Newegg | After $10 Rebate
- DIYPC D480-BK Black Dual USB 3.0 ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ($39) | Newegg | After $10 rebate
- Texas Instruments TI-84+CE Graphing Calculator ($125) | Best Buy
- Refurb Neat Refurbished NeatReceipts Portable Scanner ($85) | Best Buy
PC Parts
- PNY XLR8 SATA 240GB 6Gbps 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive ($67) | Amazon
- Crucial MX200 2.5" 500GB SATA 6Gbps (SATA III) Micron 16nm MLC NAND Internal Solid State Drive ($160) | Newegg
- G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 2400 (PC4 19200) Intel Z170 Platform / Intel X99 Platform Desktop Memory ($68) | Newegg
Mobile Devices
- Logitech Type+ Keyboard Case for Apple iPad Air ($30) | Best Buy
Photography
- DBPOWER 6 Axis Quadcopter with Headless Mode and One Key Auto Return ($140) | Amazon | Use code B5JLQW3R
Home
- Refurb Dyson DC39 Multi Floor Bagless Canister Vacuum ($170) | eBay
- La-Z-Boy Bradley Bonded Leather Executive Chair ($200) | Staples
- ClosetMaid Systems and Other Storage is On Sale at Home Depot
- Mabor Solar Powered Motion Sensor Light ($8) | Amazon | Use code HGLYWFK2
- [8-pack] Ohuhu Solar Garden Lights ($20) | Amazon | Use code RMGZH28N
- DBPOWER Dimmable LED Desk Lamp ($22) | Amazon | Use code TWV22JVK
- Dimmable Touch Control Clip-On LED Desk Lamp ($9) | Amazon | Use code TWV22JVK
http://www.amazon.com/DBPOWER-Dimmab...
Kitchen
- Etekcity 11lb/5kg Digital Kitchen Food Scale, Stainless Steel, Alarm Timer & Temperature Sensor ($15) | Amazon | Use code OEBHKB55
- Anchor Hocking 10-Piece TrueSeal Storage Set ($17) | Amazon
- Waste King L-8000 Legend Series 1.0-Horsepower Continuous-Feed Garbage Disposal ($88) | Amazon
- DOB Bag Heat Sealer ($10) | Amazon | Use code WZSKOFJS
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
Fitness
- Omron HJA-312 Activity Monitor ($7) | Amazon
- Body Rider 2-in-1 Folding Upright / Recumbent Bike ($140) | Sears
- Mid-Width Weight Bench with Leg Developer ($90) | Sears
- DAS Leben Compression Leg Calf Graduated Sleeves ($6) | Amazon | Use code CALFSOFF
- DAS Leben Therapy Wrap Compression Foot Sleeve Prevention Varicosity ($7) | Amazon | Use code SLEELOFF
Apparel
- Up to 40% Off Under Armour Gear at Amazon
- Reebok Tactical Police Army Military Boots ($50) | eBay
- Canari Pinnacle Bike Jersey - Women’s ($24) | REI
Camping & Outdoors
- Wenzel Alpine Pass Daypack ($14) | REI
- Stansport 10x12 foot Reinforced Multi-Purpose Tarp ($10) | Amazon
- Primos 63051 Easy Cam IR LED 5MP Game or Trail Camera ($30) | eBay
- Forfar Camping Stove ($16) | Amazon | Use code VQHLG2R2
- ThorFire Solar LED Camping Lantern ($13) | Amazon | Use code CL04CODE
- 4-Mode LED Headlamp ($8) | Amazon | Promo code 2BH4PZQS
Tools & Auto
- Intocircuit Ultra Compact Car Jump Starter and Portable Charger ($49) | Amazon | Use code VMK4XG4V
- 12000mAh Portable Auto Car Jump Starter / Power Bank ($33) | eBay
- JEGS Performance Products 80900 92-Piece Port & Polish Kit ($30) | eBay
- 2M 6LED USB Waterproof Endoscope Borescope Snake Inspection Camera ($5) | eBay
- Stanley SortMaster Tool Organizer ($9) | Amazon
- Pioneer DEH-X4700BT Single-Din In-Dash CD Receiver with Mixtrax, Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, USB, Pandora Ready & Android Music Support ($78) | Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017GPYRDC
Media
Movies & TV
- Howl’s Moving Castle ($16) | Amazon
- Castle in the Sky ($16) | Amazon
- Gone Girl ($8) | Amazon
- Birdman ($8) | Amazon
- Marley ($4) | Best Buy
- Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory 1971 ($6) | Best Buy
- Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb ($8) | Amazon
- WarGames ($6) | Best Buy
- Far From The Madding Crowd ($6) | Best Buy
- The Sandlot ($6) | Best Buy
- Rango ($6) | Best Buy
- Rick & Morty: The Complete First Season ($12) | Deep Discount
- Pokémon: The Movies 1-3 Steelbook ($35) | Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B019GE15PY/...
Books & Magazines
- Preorder Harry Potter Magical Places & Characters Adult Coloring Book ($10) | Amazon
- Mrs Queen Takes the Train ($4) | Audible
Gaming
Peripherals
PC
- 2K Publisher Weekend Sale | Steam
- Age of Mythology: Extended Edition ($7) | Steam
- The Ship: Murder Party ($3) | Steam
- Bioshock Triple Pack ($10) | Steam
PlayStation 4
- Preorder Mega Man Statue & E-Tank With Mega Man Legacy Collection Game ($104) | Amazon Prime
- Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris + Season’s Pass ($10) | Amazon
- Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 ($3) | Newegg | After $15 reabte
- Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor ($20) | Amazon
- FIFA 16 ($30) | Amazon
- Mortal Kombat X ($30) | Amazon
Xbox One
- Assassin’s Creed Unity ($3) | Newegg | After $15 rebate and Code EMCEFGN66
- Pro Evolution Soccer 2015 ($3) | Newegg | After $15 reabte
- Preorder Mega Man Statue & E-Tank With Mega Man Legacy Collection Game ($104) | Amazon Prime
- Far Cry 4 Complete ($30) | Amazon
- Controller Gear Controller Stand for Xbox One ($5) | Best Buy
- Mortal Kombat X ($30) | Amazon
- FIFA 16 ($30) | Amazon
Wii U
- Preorder Bayonetta 2 ($24) | Amazon | Prime members only, discount shown at checkout.
- Wii U Deluxe Mario Kart Bundle ($260) | eBay
Board Games
- Patchwork Board Game ($21) | Amazon
- Get up to 50% Off a Large Selection of Puzzles at Amazon
Toys
- GHOST Drone Aerial (iOS) ($500) | Amazon
- Razor Pro XX Scooter ($33) | Walmart
- Good Smile The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Link Figma Action Figure ($30) | Amazon
Commerce Content is independent of Editorial and Advertising, and if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale. Click here
Send deal submissions to Deals@Gawker and all other inquiries to Shane@Gawker
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Daily Intelligencer has a great compendium of Weekly Standard editor and conservative pundit Bill Kr
Daily Intelligencer has a great compendium of Weekly Standard editor and conservative pundit Bill Kristol’s preternaturally wrong predictions about Donald Trump’s rise (which is merely one of the things Kristol has been very wrong about).
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500 Days of Kristin, Day 370: These Are Not Kristin's Favorite Flowers
Budding memoirist Kristin Cavallari recently posted a photo of roses on Instagram, along with a double heart emoji.
Kristin’s favorite flowers, however, are peonies. (She Instagrammed a photo of peonies last month
This has been 500 Days of Kristin.
[Photo via Getty]
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Who’s Going to Keep Paying For This Crap?
Jim VandeHei, co-founder of The Politico, will leave the Washington-based news operation after the 2016 election. He will take with him Mike Allen, The Politico’s reporter-mascot, who says today that the two plan to start “a new venture that will change the world one more time.”
It seems safe to infer that VandeHei sought more expansion, and was rebuffed. As Erik Wemple says: “The reported departures follow whispers among Washington media circles that VandeHei was clashing with Politico ownership — chiefly Robert Allbritton — about matters related to Politico’s expansion and profitability.”
Meanwhile, at Bloomberg Media, Michael Bloomberg, having returned to running the company full-time after a hiatus spent as New York City’s mayor, appears to be done, more or less, with politics—the domain, at Bloomberg, of superstar reporters Mark Halperin and John Heilemann. Last fall, New York’s Gabriel Sherman reported that Michael Bloomberg, reassessing business decisions made in his absence, was narrowing the focus of his company’s journalism. As part of that narrowing, he doesn’t plan, Sherman claims, to renew Halperin and Heilemann’s contracts after 2016.
Bloomberg has long believed that the news division is supposed to serve the pricey terminals that made Bloomberg rich, and most political reporting—including the sort of personality-focused, policy-agnostic coverage that Halperin and Heilemann specialize in—means little to the firms that pay fortunes for those terminals. The writing has been on the wall for months: Everyone involved in recruiting Halperin and Heilemann and building a “Bloomberg Politics” brand around them—a plan made just before Bloomberg’s return as CEO—is now long gone from Bloomberg Media.
After November, then, Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, Mark Halperin, and John Heilemann—arguably the biggest superstars of modern political reporting—could all be without platforms. And it’s not at all clear who’d give any of them the cash they’d need to continue doing their current work.
None of them will lack for jobs, if they want them—writing books, giving speeches, consulting, appearing on cable news—but who’s going to give them tens of millions of dollars to invest in starting or running political journalism shops that reflect their particular sensibilities and styles of political coverage?
Maybe Halperin and Heilemann will simply return to book-writing (and book-optioning)—or maybe NBC News chairman Andy Lack, who has frankly baffling beliefs about what large numbers of people might want to watch on television, will just give them a show, to replace the one they host for Bloomberg—a show that MSNBC currently airs, despite it being produced by a rival channel, in one of the strangest arrangements in cable news.
It appears that VandeHei, at least, intends to try to start something new. His statements, and Allen’s, show every indication that the two intend to go off and do to The Politico what VandeHei and John Harris did to the Washington Post..
The founding story of The Politico is that two ambitious Washington Post journalists came up with a plan to shake up the political journalism industry, and found a wealthy backer—Robert Allbritton, a second-generation media mogul—willing to give them the investment necessary to build a powerhouse news outlet from scratch.
That investment was large, and it didn’t pay off right away. The Politico launched in early 2007. It wasn’t until 2009 that it became modestly profitable, earning $19 million on expenses of $17.2 million. Since then, they have expanded considerably—and stopped publicly reporting their operating expenses and earnings, though much of that expansion has happened in the supposedly lucrative paywall journalism business.
Now, to repeat that success story, Heilemann and Allen surely need a mogul or a conglomerate willing to spend big on political journalism, while absorbing a few years worth of probably pretty huge losses. We’re running out of those!
Bloomberg is exiting politics. Chris Hughes is done with The New Republic. Atlantic Media gutted National Journal. Disney killed Grantland—which wasn’t political, but was still Big Name-driven prestige journalism—and divested itself of Fusion. (FiveThirtyEight might find itself in post-election trouble too, though there’s plenty of ways data-driven sports coverage could still be useful to a media organization with a mutually beneficial relationship with scammy daily fantasy sports companies.) About the only people still investing significantly in name-driven politics coverage are Viacom, through some recent MTV hires, and Univision, now the sole owner of Fusion. Neither seems a likely home for Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei.
Whatever happens, an outcome in which Allen, VandeHei, Halperin, and Heilemann have less direct influence over political journalism is one in which political journalism does not greatly suffer, but—speaking as someone who’d like to continue to produce political journalism of my own!—I’m not exactly thrilled about the conditions leading to that diminished influence.
And I may be overly pessimistic. There will always be would-be media moguls. It may also be true that there will always be rich suckers who can be taken in by entrepreneurial journalists with snake oil business plans.
Disclosure: I attempted to peddle my own snake oil business plan to a rich sucker in 2014, and got axed. Send lists of potential rich suckers I may not be familiar with via email to alex.pareene@gawker.com. Yes, I’m making fun of Jack Shafer.
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Flint Mayor: Water Still Showing Lead Levels Beyond What Filters Can Remove
After lead poisoned the drinking water in Flint, residents received filters they were told would make their tap water safe. Now, tests over the last 24 hours are showing that lead levels in some homes are still too high for a filter to handle.
At a press conference this evening, Mayor Karen Weaver delivered the statement alongside representatives from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, which administered the testing. She encouraged residents to have their water tested immediately before using filters.
Some filters, specifically gravity-fed ones certified by the National Sanitation Foundation, are able to remove reasonable amounts of lead from drinking water, up to about 150 parts per billion. What Flint is seeing, however, are some levels higher than 150 parts per billion—in other words, what can safely be removed by those filters. Some tests showed levels as high as 4000 parts per billion. It’s not every home, but it is enough homes to cause an alarm.
This means that the “reliable” water source from Lake Huron is now not safe anymore due to the way the Flint River water heavily corroded the city’s pipes. Test kits are now being distributed so residents can continue to monitor their water and know when it’s safe to go back to the tap—if it ever will be
Meanwhile, Congress has proposed $400 million in federal aid which could help replace the city’s lead pipes
[WXYZ]
Brett Carlsen / Getty Images
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Model Responds to Unwelcome Dick Pics By Contacting Senders' Girlfriends
Emily Sears—a banging model with an hourglass bod and a large Instagram following—is no stranger to unwanted dick pics. Luckily, she’s come up with an extremely rewarding way to deal with them—by sending screengrabs to the senders’ wives, girlfriends, sisters, and moms.
When she’s feeling generous, Sears will merely respond to the dicks who send dick pics with screen captures from Facebook and Twitter that prove that she could easily contact their loved ones if she felt the inclination.
“We send the photos as a reminder for them to have respect for women,” Sears tells Buzzfeed News. “I think it provides an accountability that people seem to lose online; being behind a screen gives people a false sense of anonymity.”
Other times, she’ll go as far as to reach out the senders’ wives and girlfriends. It’s a practice she shares with her friend, L.A. DJ Laura Luxx:
“I think the first time I decided to contact a girlfriend was probably close to two years ago when I opened my Instagram inbox to yet another dick pic with an explicit caption about wanting to fuck me from some random guy I’d never spoken to,” Laura told BuzzFeed News.“I wrote back, telling him that his behavior was terrible, and he replied with a string of sexual slurs and abuse, and kept calling me a slut.”
When Laura clicked on the profile of the man to block him, she noticed almost every photo he had posted was with his girlfriend, and was described in captions by his girlfriend as “the best boyfriend ever!”
“I guess I felt really sad for her,” Laura said. “So I sent her a message with a screenshot of our conversation telling her that I was really sorry, but I thought she deserved to know how her boyfriend was behaving towards other women. “I know if the roles were reversed and it was my boyfriend sending that shit out, I would want to know.”
Sears, who estimates she receives about 1-2 dick pics a day, tells Buzzfeed that the number of photos have started to taper after she started publicizing her outing practices. Until she stops getting inappropriate photos entirely, she’s happy to do what she can to raise awareness of this dickerrific brand of online harassment.
“This isn’t just happening to models with a big followings,” she says. “It’s happening when women are online dating and denying matches with men. It can happen to any woman online, just like it can happen to any woman walking down the street.”
Images via Instagram.
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Facebook Bans Gun Sales, Sort Of
Facebook, once a safe haven for gun profiteers and those who wanted to, for some undisclosed reason, anonymously obtain a semi-automatic weapon that can take a life with the push of a button, is clamping down. The social media site announced this week that it will no longer allow private gun sales on its site or on that of Instagram, which it owns.
The ban is largely enacted by other users, according to Facebook. From The New York Times:
Facebook said it would rely on its vast network of users to report any violations of the new rules, and would remove any post that violated the policy. Beyond that, the company said it could ban users or severely limit the ways they post on Facebook, depending on the type and severity of past violations. If the company believed someone’s life was in danger, Facebook would work with law enforcement on the situation.
The news comes after reports of rampant unregulated sales of guns through the social media site, with no accountability for sellers to run adequate background checks on their buyers. In a statement to The New York Times, Monika Bickert, Facebook’s head of product policy, said that the site is “continuing to develop, test and launch new products to make this experience even better for people and are updating our regulated goods policies to reflect this evolution.”
The new ban, however, does not apply to licensed gun sellers, who are still free to peddle their wares unbridled, though they must complete gun transactions off-site (it’s not clear yet how Facebook will ensure this happens). So you can still get a gun on Facebook, you just can’t do it as easily now.
[Image via Facebook]
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There’s Only One Nurse for 5,500 Students in Flint, Michigan
In a town where lead poisoning is so prevalent that testings are held under the guise of family fun nights, there’s just one nurse on the school district’s payroll.
Her name is Eileen Tomasi, according to Marketplace, and she’s the sole care giver for all 5,500 children enrolled in Flint public schools. The district currently has a deficit of $10 million (which is lower than the previous year where it loomed at $21 million), but the lead crisis, which often demonstrates itself through learning disabilities, means more resources are needed.
“Some of the psychologists in the district have said the little kids, the three, four and five-year-olds that they’re testing, that they’ve already seen a difference. They’re not where they should be right now as far as like sociability skills that they test the little ones. This is going to be an ongoing issue for years and years and years. It’s a whole generation here that’s been poisoned. So the impact on the schools will be huge,” said Tomasi.
District superintendent Bilal Tawwab says his team needs more nurses, special education teachers and early childhood programs to deal with what the water crisis has created. Perhaps some of the $28 million in emergency aid that Michigan Governor Rick Snyder approved on Friday can help Flint’s ailing school district.
Elsewhere, Senate Democrats proposed a federal aid package of $400 million, contingent on Michigan spending the same amount, according to the Daily News.
An assessment cited in the state’s request for a federal disaster declaration estimated the potential cost of fixing the damage to Flint’s water distribution infrastructure at $713 million. Snyder and the Republicans who control the state Legislature have said it’s too early to talk about wholesale replacement of the pipes.
To compound the general horror of this story: it was reported yesterday that Michigan’s government had been offering state employees bottled water since 2015.
Image via AP.
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A Gallery of the Most Startling Photos of Donald Trump's Shrimp Fingers
It is not, as a rule, charitable to poke fun at another person’s physical shortcomings. However, when that person is both a public figure and a politician who actively and continually draws on the tenets of racism,
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, it therefore must be said, has shrimp fingers. This is not a new revelation by any means. Earlier this week, Washington Free Beacon blogger Andrew Stiles rocketed the term into the news cycle with a simple, straightforward tweet.
As Buzzfeed quickly pointed out, others piled on the bandwagon, including U.S. Senator from Nebraska, Ben Sasse, who was personally targeted by Trump in a series of tweets.
Trump was once called a “short-fingered vulgarian” by the brilliant minds of the now-deceased Spy Magazine, and for good reason. Here is a collection of the most important photos of the man who is leading the Republican presidential candidates, and the fingers that have gotten him to where he is now.
[Images via Getty]
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Saturday's Best Deals: Cast Iron Cookware, $60 Monitor, 4K TVs, and More
Kick off you weekend with cast iron cookware, an ultra-cheap computer monitor, a $15 messenger bag, and more. Bookmark Kinja Deals and follow us on Twitter to never miss a deal. Commerce Content is independent of Editorial and Advertising, and if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale. Click here
Today only, Amazon’s offering some...sizzling discounts on Cuisinart cast iron grill pans and enameled cast iron dutch ovens. If you don’t own one of these already, you really should. [65% off select Cuisinart cast iron cookware]
http://skillet.lifehacker.com/kitchen-tool-s...
This is about as cheap as I’ve ever seen a 1080p computer monitor, and while I’m sure there are better options out there, this would be a nice, affordable option if you want to buy in bulk for a multiscreen setup. [Acer - S200HQL 19.5" LED Monitor, $60]
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Acer-S200H...
The Super Bowl is only 8 days away, which means this is one of the best times of the year to save on a new TV. These Samsung sets are from the same product line, but the larger 55" model is refurbished in this case. They’re both great deals though.
Refurb Samsung UN55JS700 55" 4K Full Web LED Super Ultra HDTV ($695) | Woot
http://www.woot.com/offers/samsung...
Samsung UN50JS7000 50" Class 4K SUHD Smart LED TV ($650) | eBay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Samsung-UN...
Please, use it responsibly. [AmazonBasics Balance Ball with Hand Pump, $14]
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R3MZZVC/...
gif via giphy
I don’t fully understand why this 4.4 star rated messenger bag is only $15 right now. I just know that you should buy it before the price goes back up. [High Sierra Tank Messenger Bag, $15]
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...
Victorinox’s Fibrox 8” chef’s knife is one of your favorite chef’s knives period, and by far the best value in the industry. It’s also the knife I’ve used almost every day for over three years. Amazon has it for $31 right now, which is an absolute steal for the quality you’re getting. [Victorinox Fibrox 8” Chef’s Knife, $31]
http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Fib...
http://gizmodo.com/five-best-chef...
If your Xbox Live Gold membership is running low, you can re-up for another year for just $38 today. That’s $22 less than renewing through Microsoft. [Microsoft Xbox Live 12 Month Gold Membership, $38]
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1416071844...
No matter how many HDMI ports are on your TV, chances are, it’s not enough. Luckily, this affordable 4x1 HDMI switch will let you plug in three extra devices, and even watch them all at once with built-in picture-in-picture functionality. [Etekcity 4K x 2K 4 Port High-Speed HDMI Switch with IR Wireless Remote Control, $27 with code SWITCHO2]
http://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-High-...
We’ve seen dozens of deals on cheap kitchen scales over the years, but I think this might be the best looking one yet. The stainless steel measuring bowl is removable (but appreciated), and the base can even double as a digital cooking timer. [Etekcity 11lb/5kg Digital Kitchen Food Scale, Stainless Steel, Alarm Timer & Temperature Sensor, $15 with code OEBHKB55]
http://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Multi...
http://lifehacker.com/5840209/why-yo...
The best thing about these solar-powered garden lights is that they require zero maintenance. Just stick them in the ground, and let them do their thing.
Actually, I lied. The best thing about them is that an 8-pack costs just $20. [8-pack] Ohuhu Solar Garden Lights, $20 with code RMGZH28N]
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B014CUHURY
Adult coloring books were one of 2015's surprise hits
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1338030019/...
http://toyland.gizmodo.com/crayola-now-ha...
More Deals
Tech
- Kindle Fire HDX 7" 16 GB ($150) | Amazon
- Acer - S200HQL 19.5" LED Monitor ($60) | eBay
- InFocus - ScreenPlay 1080p DLP Projector ($500) | Best Buy
- Elite Screens - Manual Series 92" Pull-Down Projector Screen ($90) | Best Buy
- Refurb Samsung UN55JS700 55" 4K Full Web LED Super Ultra HDTV ($695) | Woot
- Samsung UN50JS7000 50" Class 4K SUHD Smart LED TV ($650) | eBay
- Sennheiser HD 218i On-Ear Stereo Headphones ($25) | Woot
- Sennheiser MAIN-84125 IE 800 Audiophile Ear Canal Headphones ($635) | Woot
- Refurb LG G Watch Powered by Android Wear ($65) | Woot
- WD My Passport Ultra 2TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive - 2015 ($73) | eBay
- Tronsmart Three Ports Quick Charge 2.0 USB Car Charger ($8) | Amazon | Use code 3USBCHAR
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New York Times Endorses Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Presidential Nomination
On Saturday, The New York Times’ editorial board endorsed Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton for her party’s nomination, calling her “one of the most broadly and deeply qualified presidential candidates in modern history.” The board wrote:
Hillary Clinton is the right choice for the Democrats to present a vision for America that is radically different from the one that leading Republican candidates offer — a vision in which middle-class Americans have a real shot at prosperity, women’s rights are enhanced, undocumented immigrants are given a chance at legitimacy, international alliances are nurtured and the country is kept safe.
In recent history, the Times has generally endorsed Democrats, going with Bill Clinton in ‘92 and ‘96, Al Gore in ‘00, John Kerry in ‘04, and President Barack Obama in ‘08 and ‘12.
Update 12:09 p.m. As what really looks like an afterthought, the board also published an editorial on Saturday seeming to endorse Gov. John Kasich of Ohio for the Republican presidential nomination, though acknowledging that Kaisch is a “distinct underdog.” It went on:
Still, as a veteran of partisan fights and bipartisan deals during nearly two decades in the House, he has been capable of compromise and believes in the ability of government to improve lives. He favors a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and he speaks of government’s duty to protect the poor, the mentally ill and others “in the shadows.”
[Image via Getty]
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How The Iowa Caucus Works, Explained By Lego
We’ve been hearing a whole lot about the Iowa Caucuses, but often with little context about how that process actually works. Vermont Public Radio has put together an entertaining short that explains the process, in Lego.
For such an important event, it’s interesting to see just how much negotiation and goes into each meeting, especially when candidates aren’t viable. It helps to explain just why so much attention is lavished on Iowans in the early part of an election year.
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Dick Cheney's Unpopular Daughter To Run for Office in a State Where She's Despised
Liz Cheney, an aspiring politician who is unpopular among family members and constituents alike
On Saturday, The New York Times reported that Cheney filed federal election documents that indicated she intends to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. She plans to run in Wyoming, a state in which she has lived only two years—specifically, she lives in Jackson Hole, a resort town located in one of the wealthiest counties in the country. Cheney reportedly will announce her campaign on Monday, running on a pro-coal and anti-climate action platform.
The daughter of accused war criminal Dick Cheney, Liz Cheney is not a newcomer to political races. In 2014, she bailed on a Senate challenge to another Republican
http://gawker.com/liz-cheney-is-...
Cheney has also been publicly denounced by her sister Mary Cheney, a lesbian who said she didn’t support her sister’s campaign last time around
[Image via Getty]
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