Category: Media and Culture,

From Trump’s controversial words, a pattern: Outrage, headlines and then denial 

On By peanutgallerynhIn Domestic Affairs,, Media and Culture,Leave a comment

The pattern has repeated itself again and again. First come Trump’s attention-getting expressions. Then come the outraged reactions. The headlines follow. Finally, Trump, his aides and his supporters lash out at the media, accusing journalists of twisting his words or missing the joke.

From Trump’s controversial words, a pattern: Outrage, headlines and then denial – The Washington Post

hmmmm

In vilifying Russian swimmer Yulia Efimova, Americans are splashing murky waters 

On By peanutgallerynhIn Media and Culture,Leave a comment

No American would do such a thing, right? Actually, as NBC correspondent Alan Abrahamson has pointed out, Efimova’s case was very similar to that of Jessica Hardy, banned for ingesting a tainted supplement in 2008 only to win two medals at London 2012. No one splashed water in Hardy’s face or refused to shake her hand.

…Salo has qualms about the inclusion in Rio of Efimova and other Russian swimmers who tested positive and has even indefinitely suspended all international swimmers from his Trojan program. But he does not believe in demonizing them for the systemic practices they were reared with in their federations.

…Regardless of what anyone thinks of Efimova, it’s hard to see how the American censoriousness against her — or any individual athlete — is a solution to state-sponsored doping. And it’s just begging for anti-American backlash. King is just 19, and you would never want to curb her outspokenness or competitiveness. But it’s worth suggesting to her that a lot of beloved American athletes take supplements and use medical assistance not on the banned list. It’s also worth suggesting that she’s never walked a mile in the shoes of someone born in Grozny in 1992.

“Usually in the Olympic Games, all wars stopping,” Efimova said.

 

In vilifying Russian swimmer Yulia Efimova, Americans are splashing murky waters – The Washington Post

Yup.

Is Russia’s Yulia Efimova really a villain?

On By peanutgallerynhIn Media and Culture,Leave a comment

“One day in 2013 she went to a local GNC in L.A. and bought a nutritional supplement. Her English was poor, and she didn’t check the contents, which included the banned hormone DHEA. Efimova’s offense was deemed unintentional, and the normal two-year suspension was reduced to 16 months.” Efimova bought her PEDs from a GNC. She probably also bought a smoothie while she was there. This, at least, was not the work of some secretive state-sponsored doping program. This was an American-style doping scandal!

In Lilly King’s view, there are only clean swimmers and dirty swimmers. King is 19 years old and, as such, might be expected to see the world in such stark terms. But between black and white there is also murky green, as anyone who has watched the Rio diving competitions knows full well. Nobody really knows anything about anything. King and her teammates can feel free to say what they want, but the rest of us should refrain from valorizing their self-righteousness.

Is Russia’s Yulia Efimova really a villain?

Mmmmhmmm

Yulia Efimova on doping: What about Michael Phelps? 

On By peanutgallerynhIn Media and Culture,Leave a comment

“Of course I’m not for doping, and I’ve never used it on purpose,” Efimova continued. “But I know there have been very many occasions where people do it because they don’t know or because they’re stupid or naïve. There always should be another chance. When you are driving a car and break a rule, you get only a ticket. You don’t lose your license for life or get put in jail.”

Yulia Efimova on doping: What about Michael Phelps? | SI.com

hmmmm

Court rules Marine’s religious rights not violated – Stripes

On By peanutgallerynhIn Military,, Religion,Leave a comment

The highest U.S. military court has upheld the bad conduct discharge of a Marine whose case had climbed to the top of the legal system over the question of whether her religious freedom had been violated.

In a 4-1 ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals of the Armed Forces upheld lower court determinations that Lance Cpl. Monifa Sterling’s religious rights were not violated when a superior ordered her to take down signs containing a biblical passage that she’d posted around her desk at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The judges upheld lower court conclusions that Sterling’s refusal, in the context of a contentious relationship with her bosses and the combative nature of the passage, was less an exercise of religion than an act of insubordination.

Court rules Marine’s religious rights not violated – Stripes

heh

This Republican mayor has an incredibly simple idea to help the homeless. And it seems to be working. 

On By peanutgallerynhIn Money, Class, and Poverty,Leave a comment

“Someone believed in them today.”

This Republican mayor has an incredibly simple idea to help the homeless. And it seems to be working. – The Washington Post

Screw the sing-songy tone of this article. The salient point here is that the people that services exist for have no knowledge of how to access them. This is a great story but that is a travesty.

The ‘Phelps Effect’ hits Atlanta’s Vintage The Barber Shop 

On By peanutgallerynhIn Local Interest,, Media and Culture,Leave a comment

As Michael Phelps slipped off his swim cap after anchoring the gold medal-winning men’s 4×200 freestyle relay, barber Raefus Cox smiled from his Atlanta home nearly 4,800 miles away. 

“To see a haircut that I did on the Olympic stage – it’s incredible,” Cox told The Undefeated. “It’s definitely a proud moment.”

The ‘Phelps Effect’ hits a black barbershop

awww, cool!

Egyptian judoka refuses to shake Israeli opponent’s hand

On By peanutgallerynhIn Media and Culture,, Middle East,Leave a comment

Egyptian judo fighter Islam El Shehaby was loudly booed at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics after his first-round loss to Israel’s fifth-ranked Or Sasson, when El Shehaby refused to shake Sasson’s hand, in a major breach of judo etiquette.

…There was no obligation to shake hands, but to bow is mandatory.

Egyptian judoka refuses to shake Israeli opponent’s hand

My first reaction is that this is bullshit. Unsportsmanlike behavior. Yada, yada.

…But. then there is this part,

El Shahaby had come under pressure from Islamist-leaning and nationalist voices in Egypt to withdraw entirely from the fight.

It is understandable he would be squeamish about appearing too friendly.

And this part,

The International Judo Federation said that the fact that the fight even took place between those two athletes was already a major sign of progress.

”This is already a big improvement that Arabic countries accept to (fight) Israel,” spokesman Nicolas Messner said in an email.

…Which is another good point. Progress is progress.
Sigh….

Convicted Rapist Austin Wilkerson Receives No Prison Time — Even Less Than Stanford Rapist

On By peanutgallerynhIn American Injustice System,, Chick Stuff,Leave a comment

Austin James Wilkerson was convicted of raping an unconscious woman. He won’t go to jail.

Convicted Rapist Austin Wilkerson Receives No Prison Time — Even Less Than Stanford Rapist

I highly doubt the judge is that merciful with all violent criminals.
No reason to be so here.
Rip that fucker off the bench!!!

Scientists say giant asteroid could hit earth next week, causing mass destruction

On By peanutgallerynhIn Media and Culture,Leave a comment

There’s no asteroid (at least not about to strike next week). But there is a new study by computer scientists at Columbia University and the French National Institute that has found that 59 percent of links shared on social media have never actually been clicked, meaning that most people who share news on social media aren’t actually reading it first, and that’ll probably apply to this article as well.

Scientists say giant asteroid could hit earth next week, causing mass destruction

Brilliant!

Here’s Simone Manuel’s Medal Ceremony, Since NBC Didn’t Air It [Update]

On By peanutgallerynhIn Race,Leave a comment

NBC couldn’t be arsed to show you Simone Manuel’s monumental medal ceremony after becoming the first black American woman to win an individual swimming event, as they felt it was more important to air seven-hour-old footage of Russians doing gymnastics badly. Here, then, is Manuel (with Canadian Penny Oleksiak, who tied for gold) at her medal ceremony, contrasted with what NBC felt more important to show you.

Here’s Simone Manuel’s Medal Ceremony, Since NBC Didn’t Air It [Update]

you know what?

I would have enjoyed this more without the useless NBC footage in the corner. Who are you, NBC? Trying to focus me to watch that, instead of just being able to focus on the incredible events at hand? Almost like feeling superior and getting your snark in was more important than your original point that we should have been watching Simone or something…