celebrities
When Hollywood takes Washington. Keep tabs on the celebrities influencing politics with their activism, opinions, campaign endorsements and more.
Aslan's Deception
Clearly, as Reza Aslan so eloquently demonstrated, obscurantism is the new black. With an all but creepy smile, Aslan has been lionized, sniffing things like Islam does not need a reformation. Really? Then how does he answer to the experiences of Ayaan Hirsi Ali in Somalia, who against her own will, suffered female genital mutilation? Painfully, Hirsi Ali recounts the details of this event for all to witness:
By Roger Smith7 years ago in The Swamp
American Ostrich
Americanus Ignoramus. Successor to the now extinct American Eagle. Symbolic emblem for a nation of 350 million people unwilling to face increasingly unpleasant realities. Icon of a country spoiled by prosperity to a point that they are no longer willing to administer their own affairs with any semblance of maturity.
By Dan Johnson7 years ago in The Swamp
10 People Who Should Replace Sean Spicer and Why. Top Story - June 2017.
After just a few months, the Trump administration has been a clown car of scandal. The mouthpiece for this, alongside the golden-skinned leader himself, is former Easter Bunny, Sean Spicer.
By Erik Skaarsgard7 years ago in The Swamp
Dear Donald... Sorry, Not Sorry
Why apologize? Why should actors and other creatives keep apologizing to you for expressing their feelings? You have never apologized. In some ways that wouldn't be such a big deal, or at least not unprecedented. I was always bothered when Obama declined to apologize for certain things he did and said. Stupid. But not unprecedented. The real problem, though, is that you don't actually believe that you have ever made a mistake that warrants an apology. The difference between you and Obama is that he did not do something daily that most of us feel he owed us an apology.
By Frank White7 years ago in The Swamp
The Wonder Woman of Tel Aviv
There’s a billboard on the Tel Aviv highway that proclaims “We Love You” under a picture of Wonder Woman. More accurately, under a picture of Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. In Israel, she’s kind of a big deal. And if you’re wondering why all you have to do is watch her late night interviews. She mentions her home country in all of them. Jimmy Fallon? Check. Kimmel? Check. Even Conan. And Conan didn’t even interview her. During a segment where she takes him through her workout regimen, he mentions that she was trained in the Israeli army (she served for two years). Now imagine you live in a country like Israel, where United States exposure to your culture is limited. And if somehow you do manage to break into the cultural sphere, odds are the focus isn’t really on where you’re from. It might be mentioned in an offhand question - “You’re from so-and-so, what do you think of America?” - but the bulk of the questions will be fun personal anecdotes about your breakfast, your kids, or that time you met that other famous person and you were just so star struck. But there’s Gal. On American TV. Talking about Israel.
By Zane DeYoung7 years ago in The Swamp
The Pulled Show
The Carmichael Show was a surprise hit for NBC when they debuted it 2 summers ago. It won over critics by tackling controversial, and timely topics while still managing to be funny. It's a rare feat in these days of family sitcoms and super sexy single people comedies. Every summer, fans eagerly anticipate what writers, producers, and the stars of The Carmichael Show have in store for them. This week NBC was supposed to air an episode about a mass shooting, on the very same day that a mass shooting happened in our nation's capitol. The Peacock network was left with an impossible decision, to air or pull the episode? Jerrod Carmichael, the star/creator of the show thinks they should have aired it.
By Edward Anderson7 years ago in The Swamp
Golden Sexism
When it's late at night, there's nothing better than cuddling up with your favorite sexy, senior ladies. Who are also known as The Golden Girls. As they fight, date, and eat cheesecake, you can imagine that you will be doing the same thing when you are their age. Hallmark has the marathons at night, and as I was deep into one, an episode struck me the wrong way. "Strange Bedfellows" took me out of my deep sleepy haze and got my brain to thinking: This episode exploited and exposed sexism to the highest degree.
By Edward Anderson7 years ago in The Swamp
An Open Letter To Kathy Griffin
Dear Kathy Griffin, I love you. Truly I do. Your special brand of saying what's on your mind, with a side of crass jokes is what has made you one of the most successful female comics in the business. Your Cher stories are quoted on my Facebook ad nauseam. Your take on the Kardashians always makes me smile and secretly envy that you've met them. Heck, you even made me sort of like Anderson Cooper with your New Years Eve specials. But this week, you went too far and I think that you know it.
By Edward Anderson7 years ago in The Swamp
Manchester Tragedy Sees Suicide Bomber ID'd, Humanity Rising
Terror has hit the world's youngest, and once again, humanity is showing its resolve. Pop sensation Ariana Grande had just finished her concert in a packed Manchester Arena when concertgoers heard a loud "bang" and saw smoke, sending fans and parents reeling and seeking both cover and medical aid. By the time the smoke had cleared, 22 people were dead and 59 were injured.
By Christina St-Jean7 years ago in The Swamp