Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Reality Steve Bachelorette Spoilers 2016: Who Does JoJo Pick In The End?


Becca Tilley Weighs In on JoJo Fletcher"s "Bachelorette" Gig

Source: ABC

In the blink of an eye it seems that JoJo Fletchers season as the Bachelorette is almost over as she narrows down her group of guys from six to four. The final four is a big step on the show as audiences get a very good idea of who she is really connecting with, and perhaps who will be the next Bachelor. Regardless, fans are as anxious ever to find out who JoJo ends ups with and trusty spoiler master Reality Steve has all of the answers we need! So get your glass of wine, and settle in, because this is going to be good!

Reality Steve Bachelorette Spoilers 2016: Who Does JoJo Pick In The End?

After narrowing her final four down to Chase McNary, Luke Pell, Jordan Rodgers, and Robby Hayes, the four guys get to take JoJo on the fan-favorite hometown dates. After spending time in Castle Rock, Colorado with Chase, St.Augustine, Florida with Robby, Burnet, Texas with Luke, and Chico, California with Jordan, JoJo says goodbye to Luke. The remaining three and JoJo then jet off to Thailand for their romantic Fantasy Suite overnight dates which then sees Chase eliminated at the rose ceremony, leaving Robby and Jordan as the final two!

In the end, despite all of the questions about his motives and character, JoJo chooses Jordan leaving Robby heartbroken. To top it off Reality Steve is also reporting that the two get engaged!

Check Out JoJos Final 4 And Winner Here!

Source: http://www.fame10.com/trending-news/reality-steve-bachelorette-spoilers-2016-who-does-jojo-pick-in-the-end/

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Green Party"s Jill Stein Offers Glimpse of Hope for Bernie Sanders Supporters


Dr. Jill Stein Interview With The Young Turks" Cenk Uygur

Protesters in Philadelphia have found a glimmer of hope: Dr. Jill Stein.

Though Stein has been running as the Green Partys presumptive presidential candidate for 13 months now, here in the City of Brotherly Love shes had something of a bump in public opinion.

At a protest with a few hundred people today near City Hall, there were several rounds of chants for Jill Not Hill and signs lining Stein up with Sanders as the progressive alternative to Clinton.

Bernie was the opening act and now were going to enter the main event, said Ben Nettwiss, who was selling Stein buttons at the protest. In many ways shes better than Bernie, but she doesnt have the gravitas. She doesnt have the credentials, but well get them for her between now and November.

Moments earlier, Stein had been sitting in a coffee shop about a mile down the road, not drinking coffee. The 66-year-old former doctor prefers a snack of strawberries and blueberries to caffeine because they give me the same kind of lift without the crash, she told ABC.

Her campaign has been on the upswing as well. While she hasnt broken into the double digits, shes remaining optimistic about the difference that her campaign can make on the American political landscape.

Theres clearly a lot of interest in our campaign and were up against a really steep hill, she said.

This is how you build political movements - you have to gain trust and you have to work together and that"s what you can do in the course of a political campaign. You can test the waters and those waters right now are feeling very warm and welcoming, she told ABC.

This is Steins second time through the presidential campaign process. She feels that this time, Sanders has helped her campaign, even though she says the Green Party has been asking to meet with him for years with no response.

Meet the Other Woman Running for President

Its quite different [this time]. In 2012, we were really ahead of the curve. This year, the curve caught up to us and we have Bernie Sanders who lifted up our agenda and it found incredible resonance in the polls among people who are activists, she said.

The concern that a third party candidate would be more harmful for the major party candidate hasnt stopped Stein and her supporters from being vocal in their joint criticism of Clinton.

When asked what she would think of a Trump presidency, Stein said she wouldn"t wish that on anyone, nor would I wish Hillary on anyone. Hillary is a proven danger and Trump is a terrifying danger.

Theres no love lost between Stein and Clinton. Stein is quick to point out that, while Clinton will be making history by being officially nominated as the first female presidential candidate for one of the main parties, Stein is the woman who has earned the most presidential votes in the history of U.S. politics to date.

You can be sure that Hillary Clinton does not look favorably on another woman candidate who is actually progressive in the race, Stein said. We are a very inconvenient truth.

For some Sanders supporters, that truth looks like it could be their salvation.

Jeremy Dolan, 24, traveled to Philadelphia from St. Petersburg, Florida and was spotted today holding a pro-Sanders poster near the protest but said that hes already open to switching to Stein.

Ive already donated $1,000 to her campaign, he told ABC.

If Bernie doesnt make it past the convention with the nomination, well support Jill Stein, he said.

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNEvrDaXra4f54FLDqTkC3M2lIdPrA&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ei=GpyXV-jiNYzK3gGRy6O4Bg&url=https://gma.yahoo.com/green-partys-jill-stein-offers-glimpse-hope-bernie-202504588.html

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Call Their Bluff: The Case For Jill Stein


Jill Stein Appeared on Fox News, Made Their Heads Explode

Imagine this. Imagine being in a party where everyone is progressive. Imagine creating a party platform with millions of other like-minded souls who want to see the same reforms as you. Who want to look after people like you do, with a decent living wage and good healthcare for all. Who want to see an end to the gruesome military interventions that are spawning terrorist organizations. Who want to stop giving welfare to Walmart, and instead give it to people who need it. Take a moment to imagine that.

And imagine this too imagine being able to freely sell and enact this platform.

There are no closet Republicans or bribed and corrupted senators or pundits inside your party trying to mess with your agenda.

No one undermining your message and campaign from within.

A party free from inertia and corruption itself. Yes, there will be push-back from the opposition parties, but your party is streamlined, with everyone collaborating in the highest interest.

Well, this could happen, and it could happen in this election cycle.

#GirlIGuessImWithHer Jill Stein arrested in Philadelphia to protest bank housing foreclosures. pic.twitter.com/eQk8XqgW0y

#JillNotHill (@ryder7189) June 8, 2016

If the Green Party can get 15 percent of respondents in opinion polls, then their candidate will be invited into the presidential debates.

This 15 percent must by necessity come from social media awareness. The mainstream media will not be interested in giving airtime to a third party, so it is up to the internet to get the first 15 percent.

The Bernie Sanders campaign, all online and crowd-sourced, proved that this is well within the range of possibility. A third party option in the presidential debate will be enough to make the mainstream viewing audience sit up and listen.

The DNC/Clinton camp are desperate for you not to know that. Thats why theyve continued this smug game of domination even after the evidence of their corruption and collusion has been extensively revealed.

They will continue to run the fear campaign on a Trump presidency, while subtly goading the progressives with their abusive tactics. They are sure that the fear of a Trump presidency means well be forced to get okay with their lies, manipulations and blatant Wall Street cronyism, and vote for their candidate anyway.

They are mistaken.

I"m not okay with Trump or Clinton as President. I"m not okay with a warmonger or a corporatist. We deserve better.https://t.co/HMkqtppbau

Dr. Jill Stein (@DrJillStein) July 18, 2016

American politics can be summed up quite nicely in a single sentence: Since the fears of urban-dwelling citizens are typically different from the fears of rural-dwelling citizens, politicians and pundits can pit those fears against each other to ensure that the populace is always voting from fear, instead of voting for what they want.

Keep us afraid and you can keep us begging for protection, instead of demanding more from our government.

Thats really all there is to it. People who live in smaller communities tend to be more fearful of outsiders, foreigners, government intrusion and a disruption of their belief systems, whereas people who live in more densely-populated areas tend to be more afraid of guns, violence, religious zealotry and corporate oppression. America has succeeded in perpetuating one of the most stable governmental systems in the history of human civilization not because of any particular founding principles, but because theres always been a nice, even split between areas with a large urban population and areas with a large rural population.

Theyve kept us in line by keeping us voting from fear, and this presidential cycle is no different. Donald Trump is saying, Ill protect you from those scary Muslims and immigrants, and Hillary Clinton is saying, Ill protect you from Donald Trump.

#DEMexit isFLOODING @DrJillStein camp!#JillStein"s platformSAME/BETTERthan #Bernie"s#BLM #BLMLA #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/CDJc42uzJK

veganBARBARIAN (@veganBARBARIAN) July 14, 2016

And until about two days ago, enough liberal voters were buying it. Fine Hillary, I can forgive your warmongering, your corporate cronyism, your lies and manipulations, just protect me from that scary orange man!

Then Clinton announced shed be doing as Wall Street donors instructed and selecting a shill for the one percent as her running mate, then came the Wikileaks debacle proving that those kooky Bernie conspiracy theorists had been right all along about the rigged primaries. Then she hired the woman responsible for this impropriety to help with her campaign, thumbing her nose at the outraged Berners and progressives by releasing a statement saying that Wasserman Schultz would continue to serve as a surrogate for my campaign nationally, proudly and openly acknowledging that the scandal-immersed DNC chair had been in her pocket all along.

Outrage has understandably ensued and continues to get louder. The Democratic elites are betting it dies down. This is the same power-corrupted cockiness thats seen so many brutes and dictators ousted over the years, and theyre dumb enough to be doing it in a country where people can vote. People are finally angry. Theyre finally looking for a way to topple the party that is so brazenly ignoring their votes and their wishes.

Watch @DrJillStein on Fox Jill Stein Appeared on Fox News, Made Their Heads Explode https://t.co/8mTGJ1IeVN

Lisa Gerrish (@GerrishLisa) July 18, 2016

Enter presumptive Green Party presidential nominee, Dr. Jill Stein. Smart, charming, witty, identical to (or in some cases even more progressive than) Sanders on all issues. For instance, Sanders doesnt have a superPAC nor accepts corporate or lobbyist money. Shes been able to hold her own talking about the issues gracefully and confidently with the reptiles on CNN and Fox News, and most importantly, she can win.

But something something Ralph Nader! you may be exclaiming at this point, to which I can only respond, Where have you been this last year?

In 2016 there is no longer any valid reason to say that an outsider candidate cannot win a major American election. In 2000 there was, absolutely. In an age with very minimal internet use, zero social media and zero easily-accessible alternative media, the billions and billions of dollars in free coverage granted to the two main parties granted them an entirely unassailable lead. But were not in the year 2000 anymore, bucko; its an entirely different world youre living in.

Bernie Sanders campaign was almost entirely crowd-funded and social media driven, and he nearly ran away with the whole thing despite media blackouts and constant sabotage from his own party at every turn, the latter of which wouldnt even be an issue for Stein.

MT If Bernie continues to promote Hilary, I will be supporting Jill Stein For https://t.co/fBOusDwu9z #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/jUfaZCvafG

The Progressive Mind (@Libertea2012) July 21, 2016

One might argue against her on the basis of her relative lack of political experience, but a glance at the total inexperience of the presumptive Republican candidate and the disgust at the corrupting political entrenchment of the Democratic presumptive candidate suggests that Americans arent terribly interested in experience this election term. The only real knock against Stein is that she could stand to take a few speaking lessons from Sanders. Sanders always speaks as if he is already president. People are going to need that kind of winners speech pattern if she is going to be the solid ground on which the country stands.

Convincing models have been made showing that Sanders could win a three-way race between himself, Clinton and Trump by taking a large chunk of the Democrat and independent votes, and if the Democratic elites are stupid enough to nominate Clinton at the convention following that sham of a parody of a primary election, people are going to start looking for another name to plug into those models. Their eyes will land on Jill Stein, and the outrage and hunger for change is getting strong enough to ensure that theyll stay there.

We dont have to be frightened into voting for something we hate just to avoid something we fear. We dont have to subject ourselves to the gruesome indignity of hoping for what we hope might be the lesser of two evils. We can vote our conscience and still elect a candidate who will care for our environment, our sick, our elderly and our poor without driving us into more senseless acts of military interventionism. We can create the world we want to see for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren. We just have to call their bluff and push for what we want. Theyll either hand us Bernie or well take Jill.

Fifteen percent. Thats all. If we can get Stein polling at 15 percent by the time the general election debates start, we can thrust a Green Party representative into the mainstream spotlight, where her solid grasp of the issues and rapier wit would make mincemeat out of Clinton and Trump (and Gary Johnson if hes up there, since his new support for the TPP revealed hes nothing more than a pot-friendly Republican). In 2016, all youve got to do is get people googling, and once people know who Jill Stein is and what shes about, shell steal their hearts just like Bernie Sanders did.

And then were in control. If we can keep the momentum rolling on this thing, we might soon hear the unthinkable words, Vote for Jill! A vote for Hillary is a vote for Trump!

"For my brothers and sisters that supported Bernie Sanders (Jill) is the next progressive step." @CornelWesthttps://t.co/nlZwziWI6i

Dr. Jill Stein (@DrJillStein) July 17, 2016

[Image by AP Photo/Brynn Anderson]

Source: http://www.inquisitr.com/3345953/call-their-bluff-the-case-for-jill-stein/

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Josh Gordon a value in Fabiano"s 12-team mock


JOSH GORDON Reinstated By the NFL [Aldon Smith Allegedly Smoking Blunt in New Video]

Another day, another mock draft.

Our latest mock was a 12-team standard league that included a bunch of NFL Digital Media folks and some analysts from other sites that wanted in on the action. Much like the last mock I did, which was a 10-team PPR format, I was pleased with the final results. Jokingly, I can call this the "Suspension Squad" (a tribute to the "Suicide Squad" movie that"s coming out in August) as I was able to land both Tom Brady and Josh Gordon to a roster that has a whole lot of upside. You"ll also see the reason I continue to wait on quarterbacks and tight ends.

Enjoy.

Round 1, Pick 4: Todd Gurley, RB, Rams - The first three picks in this draft were wide receivers, so I landed Gurley at number four. I"ll take that all day long, as he"s the top overall player on my board. The Georgia product is a virtual lock to put up top-five fantasy totals among backs, as coach Jeff Fisher loves to run the football. Gurley will push for the NFL lead in rushing yards.

Round 2, Pick 21: Alshon Jeffery, WR, Bears - Motivation can be a powerful thing in sports, and Jeffery will be playing with a lot of motivation this season as the Bears decided to franchise tag him rather than sign him to a long-term extension. As a result, he"ll be singing for his supper. In the nine games he played last season, Jeffery averaged a solid 10.4 targets and just under 90 yards.

Round 3, Pick 28: Brandin Cooks, WR, Saints - Cooks started slowly last season, but he was quite the consistent contributor in the second half en route to finishing 11th in fantasy points among wide receivers. Now in his third pro campaign, he should at least duplicate the totals he produced in 2015 with veteran Drew Brees throwing him the ball. Cooks is a nice No. 2 option for this team.

Round 4, Pick 45: Thomas Rawls, RB, Seahawks - I admit that I"m a little worried about Rawls, who is coming back from an injured ankle and might not even see preseason work. I"m not so worried about him that I wouldn"t pick him in the fourth round in a 12-team league. If he returns and puts up numbers like he did last season, this could end up being one of the steals of this mock draft.

Round 5, Pick 52: Julian Edelman, WR, Patriots - Like Rawls, there"s some cause for concern with Edelman as he returns from multiple foot surgeries. But when I saw him sitting there in the fifth round, I had to take a chance on him. After all, I have Jeffery and Cooks ahead of him and can use Edelman as a No. 3 option. I"d expect him to be a No. 2 fantasy wideout in most 12-team formats.

Round 6, Pick 69: Jeremy Langford, RB, Bears - I have modest statistical expectations for Langford, who seems destined to end up in a backfield committee under coach John Fox. On a positive note though, he does project to start the season atop the depth chart and should lead Chicago"s backfield in touches. He"ll also serve as good depth should Rawls have any issue with his ankle ailment.

Round 7, Pick 76: Ameer Abdullah, RB, Lions - This is another example of adding depth to what is a thin running back position. Abdullah, who struggled to produce good totals as a rookie, comes in as the No. 4 runner for this team. He figures to lead the Lions in rush attempts with Joique Bell no longer in the mix, which makes him worth a roll of the dice at this spot in the mock draft.

Round 8, Pick 93: Allen Hurns, WR, Jaguars - I have no illusions that Hurns can duplicate last season"s impressive totals in the yardage and touchdown categories, but he"s the No. 4 wideout on this team. In that scenario, Hurns is a nice add in a 12-team league. Remember, he finished just 0.30 fantasy points fewer than Demaryius Thomas in 2015. Anything close to that now makes him a steal.

Round 9, Pick 100: Tom Brady, QB, Patriots - Here"s where my strategy kicks in. After focusing on running backs and wideouts in the first nine rounds, I still landed Brady to be my quarterback once he comes back from a four-game suspension. I don"t know about you, but I think 12 games of Brady is better than 16 games from most NFL quarterbacks ... and he"ll be ticked off upon his return.

Round 10, Pick 117: Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers - I wanted Coby Fleener here, but he went one spot ahead of me (blast!). Gates might be long in the tooth, but how has his value not improved after the Chargers lost Ladarius Green to the Steelers? He wouldn"t be the first Hall-of-Famer caliber tight end to put up nice fantasy totals towards the end of his career either. Tony Gonzalez, anyone?

Round 11, Pick 124: Blake Bortles, QB, Jaguars - I need a quarterback for the first four weeks (until Brady returns), and Bortles was the best option on the board. With that said, Matthew Stafford, Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton, Jay Cutler and Marcus Mariota were left undrafted ... so there"s no shortage of potential matchup-based starters for me to grab should I decide to bench Bortles.

Round 12, Pick 141: Julius Thomas, TE, Jaguars - Duval county residents must love this team, as I land a third member of the Jaguars in Thomas. While Gates is the starter for this squad on paper, I could use J.T. as an alternative should the veteran fail to post solid totals. A touchdown machine, Thomas has found the end zone a combined 29 times in his last 39 games. Not too bad, right?

Round 13, Pick 148: Josh Gordon, WR, Browns - So this draft happened before the news broke of Gordon"s reinstatement. I took a flier, and the flier took off to become one heck of a steal. The talented wideout, who led his position in fantasy points just a few seasons ago, should now be considered in the No. 3 or 4 receiver conversation. Of course, his presence hurts Corey Coleman"s stock.

Round 14, Pick 165: Darren Sproles, RB, Eagles - This was simply a "draft the best player on the board" pick. Sproles isn"t a spring chicken as far as running backs go, but you"d have to think he"ll find a decent role in the offense behind Ryan Mathews. Wendell Smallwood is also in the mix, but I prefer Sproles as the second runner to draft out of the Philadelphia backfield. At least for now.

Round 15, Pick 172: Chiefs defense - I didn"t draft a kicker in this mock because Adam Rank took Stephen Gostkowski in Round 5 (not a misprint), but I did take the Chiefs defense. This unit has been one of the best in terms of fantasy points over the last three seasons, finishing first in 2014 and second in 2016. If Kansas City takes a step back, however, I"ll just take to the waiver wire.

Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com and NFL Network and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Have a burning question on anything fantasy related? Tweet it to @Michael_Fabiano or send a question via Facebook!

Source: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000676680/article/josh-gordon-a-value-in-fabianos-12team-mock

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How Long Can Donald Trumps Twitter Troll Ringmaster Hold On?


Donald Trump and Jeb Bush at war on Twitter

How many hoax videos or anti-Semitic memes can you share before youre out? Thats the question for Dan Scavino, Trumps director of social media.

Before there was the controversy over a tweet involving theStar of David, Hillary Clinton, and a pile of money, there were other screw-ups.

Dan Scavino, Donald Trumps social media chief, once shared a video he claimed was of Syrian refugees rallying in support of ISIS in the streets of Germany. The video was a hoax, footage of a 2012 protest that had been repurposed by the fringe right as anti-refugee propaganda.

He criticized Barack Obama for giving a televised address on the first night of Hanukkah. He suggested, instead, that the president should have done so on the previous Friday or Saturday night, during Shabbat, when a considerable portion of Jewish people forgo television and other technology.

And then he posted another video, one that implied, with no discernible evidence, that Ted Cruz had an affair with his former staffer Amanda Carpenter, a married mother of two who was forced to go out and declare, on CNN, where she now works, that she has always been faithful to her husband.

All of this was done on Twitter, one of the mediums that Dan Scavino, as director of social media for a major presidential campaign, is supposed to have mastered. But like so many aspects of Donald Trumps operation, Scavinos digital outreach is not just unorthodox but a veritable forest of dumpsters doused with gasoline and lit by a match. Scavino, who did not return a phone call, text message, or email requesting an interview, is about as skilled a director of social media as Corey Lewandowski would be a masseur.

A registered independent, Scavino couldnt even vote for his boss in the New York primary.

But to Trump, none of this matters much.

Scavino has a large, square head and close-cropped hair. His nose is permanently scrunched up, like hes smelling something awful, and his lips are permanently pressed together, like hes tasting something sour. He is everything Trump, the de facto Republican nominee, looks for in an employee: confident despite little reason to be; bright enough to take orders but not enough to question them; frankly just lucky to be there; and above allmostly due to that last thingloyal.

Is there anything he could say or do that would lead you to abandon him? Scavino was asked in April.

For the briefest moment, he looked off into spacealmost a suggestion of introspection, though he never quite got there.

He shook his head and he said it again.

On Saturday, a graphic was sent from Trumps personal Twitter account@realDonaldTrumpthat depicted Hillary Clinton, in black and white, before a pile of money. History Made, it read. And, within the confines of a red Star of David, Most Corrupt Candidate Ever!

Thank You!

You are now subscribed to the Daily Digest and Cheat Sheet. We will not share your email with anyone for any reason

Trump added his own commentary. Crooked Hillary - - Makes History!

The graphic was apparently put together by a Twitter user who also distributed an image of a swastika made out of photos of Hillary Clintons head. From there the meme made its wayto a white supremacist message board.

Trumps criticsincluding House Speaker Paul Ryanlabeled the graphic anti-Semitic, but Trump, true to form, blamed the media for his own actions.

The social media graphic used this weekend was not created by the campaign nor was it sourced from an anti-Semitic site, Scavino said in his own statement. It was lifted from an anti-Hillary Twitter user where countless images appear. He added, The sheriffs badgewhich is available under Microsofts shapesfit with the theme of corrupt Hillary and that is why I selected it.

On Twitter, Scavino was even more defensive. For the MSM to suggest that I am antisemite is AWFUL. I proudly celebrate holidays w/ my wifes amazing Jewish family for the past 16 years [sic].

Scavino is a devoutly religious husband to a wife with what he says is chronic Lyme disease. He"s a father who twice met the pope and was named an Inspiring Catholic of 2012 by Our Sunday Visitor. But the idea that he would be down in the trenches of anti-Semitic s**t with Trump at 40 years old is not quite the surprise youd think. Trump seems to inspire a certain kind of Northeastern man to get down in just about any trench with him without a second thought.

Scavino met Trump during his freshman year as a communications major at SUNY Plattsburgh, he told Westchester magazine. Since high school, hed spent his summers caddying at what was then called Briar Hall Country Club and one day, Trump, who was considering buying it, showed up.

Ill never forget the day his limo first pulled up, Scavino told the publication. I was star-struck. I remember his first gratuity. It was two billstwo hundred-dollar bills. I said, I am never spending this money. I still have both bills.

Scavino said he remembered Trump saying, You are going to work for me one day.

Trump eventually bought the club and renamed it Trump National Golf Club Westchester, and true to Trumps alleged prediction, Scavino eventually became its managersucceeding Carolyn Kepcher, who left to join The Apprentice.

In 2008, speaking to the Aberdeen Evening Express, Scavino discussed all the big names who frequent the golf course, including Bill Clinton. Clinton comes up in the evening with eight Secret Service guys, he said. Weve got to know them pretty well.

He told HVMag that Clinton is one of the most unbelievable people Ive ever met, as far as charisma. He has a tremendous personality and h**l play with anybody. He plays with Donald and he too loves the game of golf.

Scavino, who is on the board of the Eric Trump Foundation and, according to his bio there, has committee involvement with The Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation, along with the Wounded Warrior Project, became Trumps director of social media in February 2016, after first helping to build donor lists, according to one source formerly associated with the campaign.

Scavino soon joined the campaigns traveling staff which, incidentally or by design it isnt clear, was populated, too, by politcal novices like himself. Beyond George Gigicos, the director of advance about whom little is known, there is Hope Hicks, the spokeswoman who rarely speaks; and, until very recently, Lewandowski, the campaign manager whod never run a presidential campaign before he helped Trump all-but secure the Republican nomination. (Lewandowski, who was fired on June 20, now works for CNN.)

Scavino developed a friendship with Lewandowski, with whom he shared his ferocious loyalty to their boss, but he was not similarly pushed out of Trumps orbit with the hiring of more traditional campaign operatives like Paul Manafort, an establishment lobbyist.

Unlike Lewandowski, who courted and valued power during his time with Trump, Scavino was considered harmless by the Manafort faction of the campaignhis many mistakes notwithstanding. Much like Hicks, Scavino is seen as a facilitator rather than an operator.

But how many hoax videos or anti-Semitic memes can you share before youre out? Thats the question for Scavino, as he remains in Trumps ever-professionalizing inner circle despite an apparent lack of professionalism.

with additional reporting by Gideon Resnick.

Source: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/07/06/how-long-can-donald-trump-s-twitter-troll-ringmaster-hold-on.html

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DNC Day 1: Boyz II Men, Paul Simon, Sarah Silverman, Demi Lovato


Paul Simon - Wristband

PHILADELPHIA Day One of the Democraticconvention kicks off with speeches from first lady Michelle Obama, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Al Franken, Rep. Luis Gutierrez from Chicago and more.

Call to Order

The Honorable Stephanie Rawlings-BlakeSecretary, Democratic National CommitteeMayor of Baltimore

Invocation

Rev. Dr. Cynthia HaleFounding and Senior Pastor, Ray of Hope Christian Church Decatur, Georgia

Presentation of ColorsMembers of Delaware County American Legions and Veteransof Foreign Wars

Pledge of Allegiance

Ruby GilliamOhio Democratic National Delegate. At 93 years old, she is the oldest member of the Ohio delegation.

Clarissa RodriguezTexas Democratic National Delegate. At just 17 years of age, she is the Youngest DNC national delegate.

National Anthem

Bobby Hill14 years old, Veteran member of Keystone State Boychoir (KSB)

Roll Call

The Honorable Stephanie Rawlings-BlakeSecretary, Democratic National CommitteeMayor of Baltimore

Performance

Boyz II MenNathan Morris, Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, House Band

Introduction of and Report by the Credentials Committee

Lorraine MillerCo-Chair, Credentials Committee35th Clerk of the United States House of Representatives

James RooseveltCo-Chair, Credentials CommitteeGrandson of President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Introduction of and Report by the Rules Committee

The Honorable Barney FrankCo-Chair, Rules CommitteeFormer Member of the US House of Representatives, Massachusetts

The Honorable Leticia Van de PutteCo-Chair, Rules CommitteeFormer State Senator, Texas District 26

The Honorable Nancy PelosiHouse Democratic LeaderMember of the US House of Representatives, California

The Honorable Marcia FudgeMember of the US House of Representatives, Ohio

The Honorable Maxine WatersMember of the US House of Representatives, California

The Honorable Gina RaimondoGovernor of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

The Honorable Hilda SolisFormer United States Secretary of Labor

The Honorable Norman MinetaFormer United States Secretary of Transportation

The Honorable Gary PetersUnited States Senator, Michigan

The Honorable Wellington WebbFormer Mayor of Denver

The Honorable Stephanie Rawlings-BlakeSecretary, Democratic National CommitteeMayor of Baltimore

Turning Over the Gavel

The Honorable Stephanie Rawlings-Blake,Secretary of the Democratic National Committee,turns over the gavel to The Honorable Marcia Fudge, Permanent Chair of the 2016 Democratic Convention.

Remarks

The Honorable Marcia FudgeMember of the US House of Representatives, Ohio

Presentation of Rules ReportThe Honorable Wellington WebbFormer Mayor of Denver

Remarks

The Honorable Steny HoyerParliamentarian, Democratic National ConventionHouse Democratic WhipMember of the US House of Representatives, Maryland

Introduction of and Report by the Platform CommitteeThe Honorable Elijah CummingsMember of the US House of Representatives, Maryland

The Honorable Shirley FranklinFormer Mayor of Atlanta

The Honorable Dannel MalloyGovernor of Connecticut

Presentation of Platform

Paul BoothMember, Platform drafting committee

Voice Vote On Platform Committee Report

The Honorable Marcia FudgeMember of the US House of Representatives, Ohio

The Honorable Shirley FranklinFormer Mayor of Atlanta

The Honorable Dannel MalloyGovernor of Connecticut

Remarks and Moment of Silence

The Honorable Robert BradyMember of the US House of Representatives, Pennsylvania

Remarks

The Honorable Brendan BoyleMember of the US House of Representatives, Pennsylvania

Remarks

The Honorable Ral GrijalvaMember of the US House of Representatives, Arizona

Remarks

The Honorable Nita LoweyMember of the US House of Representatives, New York

Introduction of New York Electeds and Leaders

The Honorable Nita LoweyMember of the US House of Representatives, New York

The Honorable Adriano EspaillatNew York State Senator

Remarks by Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee

The Honorable Tina KotekMember, Oregon House of Representatives

The Honorable Kevin de LenCalifornia State Senator

The Honorable Stacey AbramsHouse Minority Leader, Georgia General AssemblyMember, Georgia House of Representatives

Remarks

The Honorable Keith EllisonMember of the US House of Representatives, Minnesota

Remarks by Democratic Governors Association

The Honorable Dannel MalloyGovernor of Connecticut

Remarks

Rev. Leah DaughtryCEO of the 2016 Democratic National Convention

Remarks

John PodestaClinton Campaign Chair

Congressional Hispanic Caucus

Remarks

The Honorable Linda SnchezMember of the US House of Representatives, California

Remarks

The Honorable Marty WalshMayor of Boston, Massachusetts

Remarks by Labor Leaders

Lee SaundersPresident, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

Lily Eskelsen GarciaPresident, National Education Association

Mary Kay HenryInternational President, Service Employees International Union

Richard TrumkaPresident, AFL-CIO

Sean McGarveyPresident, North Americas Building Trades Unions

Randi WeingartenPresident, American Federation of Teachers

COMBATING SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Remarks

Pam LivengoodKeene, NH. Pam and her family have been personally affected by the growing substance abuse epidemic and are guardians for their grandson because of their daughters struggle with addiction.

The Honorable Jeanne ShaheenUnited States Senator, New Hampshire

Performance

Demi LovatoSinger-songwriter

BandSteven Rodriguez, Charity Davis, Ayana Williams, House Band

Remarks

The Honorable Jeff MerkleyUnited States Senator, Oregon

8:00pm 10:00pmKEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER

Remarks

Karla Ortiz (11-yr old) and Francisca Ortiz (mother)Karla is an American citizen but her parents, including her mother, Francisca, are undocumented and live in fear of deportation.

Astrid SilvaDREAMer sharing her story and her fight to keep families together

The Honorable Luis GutirrezMember of the US House of Representatives, Illinois

ENSURING EQUALITY

Remarks

Jason and Jarron CollinsTwin brothers and former professional basketball players

Jesse LipsonFounder, ShareFile

The Honorable Pat SpearmanNevada State Senator

AN ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR ALL

Remarks

The Honorable Bob CaseyUnited States Senator, Pennsylvania

The Honorable Luke FeeneyMayor of Chillicothe, Ohio

The Honorable Kirsten GillibrandUnited States Senator, New York

The Honorable Al FrankenUnited States Senator, Minnesota

Remarks

The Honorable Bernie SandersUnited States Senator, Vermont

Introduction

Sarah SilvermanComedian, Actress and two-time Emmy Award winner

The Honorable Al FrankenUnited States Senator, Minnesota

Performance

Paul SimonAmerican musician, singer-songwriter and actor.

Band

Mick Rossi, Carmen CJ Camerieri, Joel Guzman, Jim Oblon, Bakithi Kumalo, Vincent Nguini

Remarks

Anastasia SomozaInternational Disability Rights Advocate, Speaker And Consultant

10:00 PM 11:00 PM

Introduction

Eva LongoriaActressFounder, The Eva Longoria Foundation

Remarks

The Honorable Cory BookerUnited States Senator, New Jersey

Video Introduction of Michelle Obama

Remarks

Michelle ObamaFirst Lady of the United States

Remarks

Cheryl LankfordSan Antonio, TX

Introduction

The Honorable Joseph P. Kennedy, IIIMember of the US House of Representatives, Massachusetts

Keynote Remarks

The Honorable Elizabeth WarrenUnited States Senator, Massachusetts

Benediction

Rabbi Julie SchonfeldExecutive Vice President of the Rabbinical Assembly, first female rabbi to hold a chief executive position in an American rabbinical association

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About the Democratic National Convention

The 2016 Democratic Convention will be held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia July 25-28, 2016. Working in partnership with the Philadelphia Host Committee, the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, our goal is to make this the most engaging, innovative and forward looking Convention in history. The 2016 Democratic National Convention will leverage technology to take the Convention experience well beyond the hall in an effort to engage more Americans than ever before in the event. With the birthplace of American Democracy as a backdrop, the 2016 convention in Philadelphia will highlight our shared Democratic values and help put the Democratic nominee on a path to victory.

The Democratic Convention is the formal nominating event for the Democratic candidates for President and Vice President. At the Convention, the Democratic Party also adopts the official Democratic Party platform as well as the rules and procedures governing party activities including the nomination process for presidential candidates in the next election cycle.

The CEO for the 2016 Democratic National Convention is Reverend Leah D. Daughtry. The official website of the 2016 Democratic National Convention is www.demconvention.com.

Source: http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/dems-tonite-boyz-ii-men-paul-simon-sarah-silvermandemi-lovato/

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Monday, July 25, 2016

Cubs land marquee closer Aroldis Chapman from Yankees


The Cuban Missile: The Legend Of Aroldis Chapman

The Cubs made their boldest move of the Theo Epstein regime by acquiring power-throwing closer Aroldis Chapman from the Yankees on Monday.

Chapman, 28, gives the Cubs the formidable left-handed late-inning specialist theyve sought in their efforts to win their first World Series title since 1908.

The trade cost the Cubs prized shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres, pitcher Adam Warren, left-handed-hitting outfielder Billy McKinney, 21, and, reportedly, minor leaguer Rashad Crawford.

But the Cubs believe Chapman, who has a 3-0 record with a 2.01 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings, is worth the cost and controversy surrounding him. Chapman has 165 saves over the past five seasons with the Reds and Yankees, and his fastball was clocked at 105 mph numerous times last week.

Chapman, however, served a 30-game suspension at the start of this season under Major League Baseballs new policy on domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. Chapman was accused of choking his 22-year-old girlfriend and firing eight shots in his Florida home after last season but was not prosecuted due to conflicting information.

Chapman also has been cited for numerous driving violations primarily speeding penalties in Florida.

In a July game at Great American Ballpark in July 2014, Cubs slugger Anthony Rizzo took exception to several of Chapmans pitches sailing near the heads of a few teammates.

Rizzo went toward the Reds dugout, igniting a bench-clearing incident. But Rizzo and several Reds players made their peace at the 2014 All-Star Game.

Epstein, who is in a win-now mode for the second consecutive summer, has been aggressive in his search to upgrade the bullpen particularly from the left side.

The Cubs acquired lefty Mike Montgomery from the Mariners in a four-player trade completed Wednesday. After making the deal, Epstein was pleased that he still maintained several of his top trading chips in the minors that allowed him to continue pursuing a marquee pitcher of Chapmans talents well in advance of the Aug. 1 trade deadline.

Travis Wood, the Cubs primary left-hander in the bullpen, is among the league leaders with 49 appearances.

Chapman was scheduled to earn $11.325 million this season in his final season as an arbitration eligible player and is expected to become one of the most highly sought-after free agents in what is projected as a shallow free agent pitching market this winter.

Chapman, a former starting pitcher, still is equipped to throw multiple innings. That fits in well with manager Joe Maddons habit of asking relievers to get more than three outs on certain occasions.

The Cubs have struggled against left-handed hitters in late-inning situations, but Chapman, 28, has limited left-handers to a .123 batting average with one home run in 309 career at-bats against left-handers.

Chapman also is familiar with the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates from his days with the Cincinnati Reds. The Cardinals havent scored in their past 25 innings against Chapman, who has a lifetime 2.01 ERA to go with an .099 batting average with 51 strikeouts in 31 innings against them.

Cardinals All-Star catcher Yadier Molina is 0-for-7 with four strikeouts against Chapman, while Matt Holiday and Matt Carpenter are each 1-for-8 with five strikeouts.

Chapman has a lifetime 0.90 ERA with 72 strikeouts in 40 innings against the Pirates, who are batting only .145 against him.

Chapman has pitched in only two postseasons and none since 2012, but he should know whats at stake as he approaches free agency with the chance to help the Cubs win their first World Series since 1908.

Against potential playoff opponents, Chapman has struck out 28 in 17 innings against the Washington Nationals while limiting them to a .125 batting average to go with a 1.04 ERA.

Chapman has been even more dominant against the Los Angeles Dodgers, not allowing a run while striking out 17 in nine innings. Dodgers sluggers Justin Turner, Chase Utley and Adrian Gonzalez are a combined 0-for-14 with eight strikeouts.

Hehas struck out 23 in 14 1/3 innings against the San Francisco Giants to go with a 1.26 ERA.

Reports also stated that the Yankees were hesitant to move left-hander Andrew Miller, who is signed through 2018 and drew heavy interest from the Cubs and several teams. That caused many teams to look at other relievers, especially Chapman.

A Yankees scout attended the Cubs three-game series at Milwaukee this weekend.

Torres, 19, was deemed expendable with Addison Russell, 22, as the Cubs shortstop and versatile Javier Baez, 23, who came through the Cubs" system as a shortstop.Torres hit.275 with nine home runs, 47 RBIs, 19 stolen bases and 62 runs in 94 games. The Cubs signed him to a $1.8 million bonus in the 2013 international draft.

The Yankees have been looking to fortify their 40-man roster with top high-level prospects to take over for aging, high-salaried veterans.

Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-aroldis-chapman-20160725-story.html

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