theroot--2020-10-14--Harvard Study Finds Trump Is Responsible for Spreading Misinformation About Mail-in Voting, Not Soci

Harvard Study Finds Trump Is Responsible for Spreading Misinformation About Mail-in Voting, Not Social Media

Since it became clear that the president was losing in the polling and that a global pandemic was pushing more and more folks towards mail-in voting , President Trump and his merry band of Trumpesticles have consistently claimed that mail-in voting is open to massive fraud .
Well , a working paper from Harvard ’ s Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society found that the mail-in voting disinformation campaigns from President Trump—or “ Don ’ t believe the shit that comes from his anus-shaped mouth , ” as Democrats call him—is largely responsible for spreading these lies around mail-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found that the president himself , on Twitter as well as through press conferences and interviews , was the main source of falsehoods about mail-in voter fraud .
In turn , right-wing media organizations and media organizations in general abetted the spread of that misinformation by uncritically parroting it without full context .
The intention is to get people to believe mail-in voting is faulty precisely as 80 million people are set to vote by mail this year , due to the coronavirus .
Uncertainty about the mail-in voting process has the potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the outcome of the upcoming election .
Vox notes that this isn ’ t the first time Trump has used his misinformation bugle to blow crooked notes ; a Cornell study ( pdf ) found that the president is also the “ biggest driver of coronavirus misinformation as well.
” Our results are based on analyzing over fifty-five thousand online media stories , five million tweets , and seventy-five thousand posts on public Facebook pages garnering millions of engagements .
They are consistent with our findings about the American political media ecosystem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in which we found that Fox News and Donald Trump ’ s own campaign were far more influential in spreading false beliefs than Russian trolls or Facebook clickbait artists .
This dynamic appears to be even more pronounced in this election cycle , likely because Donald Trump ’ s position as president and his leadership of the Republican Party allow him to operate directly through political and media elites , rather than relying on online media as he did when he sought to advance his then-still-insurgent positions in 2015 and the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all read that ?
Not only did Trump and his tribe have more of an impact than social media , but they were also more influential than “ Russian trolls of Facebook clickbait artists.
” So not only is the president the biggest pusher of lies about mail-in voting , but he ’ s also the biggest dealer in coronavirus mistruths .
Basically , the Harvard and Cornell studies found that the president is a big-ass liar who lies about lying and then lies about lying about lying .

Since it became clear that the president was losing in the polling and that a global pandemic was pushing more and more folks towards mail-in voting, President Trump and his merry band of Trumpesticles have consistently claimed that mail-in voting is open to massive fraud.
Well, a working paper from Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society found that the mail-in voting disinformation campaigns from President Trump—or “Don’t believe the shit that comes from his anus-shaped mouth,” as Democrats call him—is largely responsible for spreading these lies around mail-in voting.
Advertisement
From Vox:
In particular, the study found that the president himself, on Twitter as well as through press conferences and interviews, was the main source of falsehoods about mail-in voter fraud. In turn, right-wing media organizations and media organizations in general abetted the spread of that misinformation by uncritically parroting it without full context. The intention is to get people to believe mail-in voting is faulty precisely as 80 million people are set to vote by mail this year, due to the coronavirus. Uncertainty about the mail-in voting process has the potential to subdue voter turnout and undermine faith in the outcome of the upcoming election.
Advertisement Advertisement
Vox notes that this isn’t the first time Trump has used his misinformation bugle to blow crooked notes; a Cornell study (pdf) found that the president is also the “biggest driver of coronavirus misinformation as well.”
From the Harvard study:
Our results are based on analyzing over fifty-five thousand online media stories, five million tweets, and seventy-five thousand posts on public Facebook pages garnering millions of engagements. They are consistent with our findings about the American political media ecosystem from 2015-2018, published in Network Propaganda, in which we found that Fox News and Donald Trump’s own campaign were far more influential in spreading false beliefs than Russian trolls or Facebook clickbait artists. This dynamic appears to be even more pronounced in this election cycle, likely because Donald Trump’s position as president and his leadership of the Republican Party allow him to operate directly through political and media elites, rather than relying on online media as he did when he sought to advance his then-still-insurgent positions in 2015 and the first half of 2016.
Advertisement
Did y’all read that? Not only did Trump and his tribe have more of an impact than social media, but they were also more influential than “Russian trolls of Facebook clickbait artists.”
So not only is the president the biggest pusher of lies about mail-in voting, but he’s also the biggest dealer in coronavirus mistruths. Basically, the Harvard and Cornell studies found that the president is a big-ass liar who lies about lying and then lies about lying about lying.


theroot--2020-10-14--AirPods 2 (Wired Charging) Are at Their Lowest Price at $115 on Prime Day

There ’ s a good chance you know someone who has a pair of AirPods , and you have been @ @ @ @ @ of the group .
Thanks to Prime Day , there ’ s a good chance @ @ @ @ @ $ 115 , Apple ’ s AirPods with Wired Charging Case are the lowest they @ @ @ @ @ Especially if 2020 is the year you are upgrading to the newest iPhone 12 line @ @ @ @ @ the device , with its touch controls and sensors that pause tracks when you take @ @ @ @

Daryl Baxter on Kinja Deals, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Apple AirPods with Wired Charging Case | $99 | Amazon
There’s a good chance you know someone who has a pair of AirPods, and you have been wanting to be a part of the group. Thanks to Prime Day, there’s a good chance you can be.
At $99 , Apple’s AirPods with Wired Charging Case are the lowest they’ve ever been. Especially if 2020 is the year you are upgrading to the newest iPhone 12 line, these will perfectly compliment the device, with its touch controls and sensors that pause tracks when you take an AirPod out.
This deal was originally posted by Daryl Baxter in October 2020 and updated by Quentyn Kennemer with new information on 11/5/2020.


theroot--2020-10-14--Feds Charge Michigan Man With Hate Crime for Attacking Black Teen for Playing ‘Gang Music’

With days left before he was set to graduate from high school , Devin Freelon and his friends decided to visit Sterling State Park in Michigan , a recreational park on the lip of Lake Erie , just an hour away from Detroit .
They were playing music in the parking lot when a white man they had never met before began taunting and hurling racial slurs across the parking lot at them .
“ Niggers don ’ t belong on this beach , ” witnesses reported hearing the man say , as well as , “ Black lives don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confrontation ended with the man , 42-year-old Lee James Mouat , striking the 18-year-old Freelon across the face with a bike chain lock , knocking out several of his teeth and causing facial fractures and lesions .
This week , federal prosecutors charged Mouat with a hate crime for “ willfully causing bodily injury to an African-American teenager because of the teenager ’ s race.
” Mouat had already been charged just days after the attack on charges of ethnic intimidation , assault with intent to do great bodily harm and assault with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news outlet Click on Detroit .
With the federal hate crime charge , Mouat faces an additional 10 years in prison .
Four witnesses , including one of Freelon ’ s friends , spoke to federal investigators about the assault .
In each of their accounts , Mouat—who was with his family at the time—was the clear aggressor .
One witness , who observed Mouat as he was walking with his family toward the parking lot , said the man was agitated by music the young men were playing .
“ These niggers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witness reported overhearing Mouat say .
“ I want to hit them with this cooler.
” Mouat also wished the young men , all of whom were Black , would say something to him so he could beat them .
Mouat continued to yell slurs and threats at the group across the parking lot until they began yelling back , after which Mouat approached them .
A friend of Freelon ’ s said they thought Mouat was gearing up to fight them ; when they threatened to “ kick [ his ] ass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting three people wasn ’ t fair , the witness said .
Mouat then turned to go back to his vehicle , saying “ I ’ ve got something for you in my car.
” Freelon grabbed a portable speaker from the group ’ s vehicle and was walking up to his friends when Mouat returned , taking a chain bike lock and striking the teenager across the face with it .
He also attempted to hit another member of the group but missed .
Within moments , police were on the scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the attack , Freelon ’ s community rallied around him , reports the Washington Post .
His cousin Kiara Phillips started a GoFundMe , which raised more than $ 18,000 , and a local dentist fixed Freelon ’ s teeth for free .
But the pain of the attack lingers , marring what was supposed to be a time of celebration .
Phillips told the Post , “ This year has already taken a lot from him as a senior and as an African American , with the tension going on in America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hate in this world has taken another thing from him .
”

With days left before he was set to graduate from high school, Devin Freelon and his friends decided to visit Sterling State Park in Michigan, a recreational park on the lip of Lake Erie, just an hour away from Detroit. They were playing music in the parking lot when a white man they had never met before began taunting and hurling racial slurs across the parking lot at them.
“Niggers don’t belong on this beach,” witnesses reported hearing the man say, as well as, “Black lives don’t matter.”
Advertisement
The June 6 confrontation ended with the man, 42-year-old Lee James Mouat, striking the 18-year-old Freelon across the face with a bike chain lock, knocking out several of his teeth and causing facial fractures and lesions. This week, federal prosecutors charged Mouat with a hate crime for “willfully causing bodily injury to an African-American teenager because of the teenager’s race.”
Mouat had already been charged just days after the attack on charges of ethnic intimidation, assault with intent to do great bodily harm and assault with a dangerous weapon, reports the local news outlet Click on Detroit. With the federal hate crime charge, Mouat faces an additional 10 years in prison.
Advertisement Advertisement
Four witnesses, including one of Freelon’s friends, spoke to federal investigators about the assault. In each of their accounts, Mouat—who was with his family at the time—was the clear aggressor.
One witness, who observed Mouat as he was walking with his family toward the parking lot, said the man was agitated by music the young men were playing.
Advertisement
“These niggers are playing gang music,” the witness reported overhearing Mouat say. “I want to hit them with this cooler.” Mouat also wished the young men, all of whom were Black, would say something to him so he could beat them.
Mouat continued to yell slurs and threats at the group across the parking lot until they began yelling back, after which Mouat approached them. A friend of Freelon’s said they thought Mouat was gearing up to fight them; when they threatened to “kick [his] ass,” Mouat complained that one person fighting three people wasn’t fair, the witness said. Mouat then turned to go back to his vehicle, saying “I’ve got something for you in my car.”
Advertisement
Freelon grabbed a portable speaker from the group’s vehicle and was walking up to his friends when Mouat returned, taking a chain bike lock and striking the teenager across the face with it. He also attempted to hit another member of the group but missed. Within moments, police were on the scene to break up the confrontation.
After the attack, Freelon’s community rallied around him, reports the Washington Post. His cousin Kiara Phillips started a GoFundMe, which raised more than $18,000, and a local dentist fixed Freelon’s teeth for free.
Advertisement
But the pain of the attack lingers, marring what was supposed to be a time of celebration. Phillips told the Post, “This year has already taken a lot from him as a senior and as an African American, with the tension going on in America currently. It’s a shame the hate in this world has taken another thing from him.”


theroot--2020-10-14--Prosecutor Says Amy ‘Central Park Karen’ Cooper Made a 2nd 911 Call, Claiming a Black Man ‘Tried to

Prosecutor Says Amy ‘Central Park Karen’ Cooper Made a 2nd 911 Call, Claiming a Black Man ‘Tried to Assault Her’

Amy Cooper—the Becky of all Karens whose hit single “ I ’ m Not a Gentrifier , I Just Shoo Away the Blacks a Lot , ” who went viral earlier this year when she called the police on Black bird watcher Christian Cooper—made two separate 911 calls on that fateful day in New York City ’ s Central Park , according to prosecutors .
We all saw video footage of the first call where Cooper falsely claimed to 911 dispatch that “ there ’ s an African American man threatening my life.
” On Wednesday , a prosecutor said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was previously unreported where she falsely claimed Christian “ tried to assault her.
” The New York Times reports that Cooper—not Christian who recently authored a comic book based on the Central Park incident , but Amy who is now the villain in all comic books in my mind—appeared in court virtually on Wednesday to negotiate a plea deal after being charged with falsely reporting an incident in July .
Joan Illuzzi , a senior prosecutor , said that Ms. Cooper in her two 911 calls in May had used the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racially offensive and designed to intimidate ” and her actions were “ something that can ’ t be ignored.
” Still , Ms. Illuzzi told the court that the Manhattan district attorney ’ s office was exploring a resolution to the case that would require Ms. Cooper to publicly take responsibility for her actions in court and attend a program to educate her on how harmful they were .
“ We hope this process will enlighten , heal and prevent similar harm to our community in the future , ” Ms. Illuzzi said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 to give Ms. Cooper ’ s lawyer , Robert Barnes , and prosecutors time to work out the details of an agreement .
Barnes is wack as fuck too , honestly .
I mean , I get that a defense attorney ’ s job is to come up with plausible defenses for their clients , but this dude didn ’ t even try .
Instead , he called the accusations against Cooper part of a “ cancel culture epidemic ” and asked “ How many lives are we going to destroy over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the Times reports .
First of all : Even if “ cancel culture ” were a real thing—which I don ’ t believe it is but for various reasons , I don ’ t have time to go into in this write-up—it ’ s something that normally applies to celebrities , not random white women who probably think the expression “ catch a fade ” means siccing the police on a Black guy with a fresh haircut .
Secondly : What exactly was misunderstood ?
The video clearly shows Cooper making a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was threatening her when the Black man in question was not doing anything that could be reasonably construed as threatening .
And not only did Christian make no attempt to physically assault her , but in the video , Amy can be seen approaching him and he can be heard responding by saying , “ Please don ’ t come close to me.
” The whole “ What happened before the recording started ?
” copout doesn ’ t really work when everything a person is being accused of can be viewed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prosecutors , Cooper—who lost her job as head of insurance portfolio management at Franklin Templeton behind the incident—admitted to one of the responding officers that none of what she reported was true .
I would counter Barnes ’ question about how many lives “ are we going to destroy ” with a question of my own : Who the fuck is “ we ” ?
Seems to me that Amy Cooper did all of this shit to herself .
What she did could have ruined the life of the Black man she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against .
Instead , she may have ruined her own life ... and I got ta say , I ’ m fine with that .

Amy Cooper—the Becky of all Karens whose hit single “I’m Not a Gentrifier, I Just Shoo Away the Blacks a Lot,” who went viral earlier this year when she called the police on Black bird watcher Christian Cooper—made two separate 911 calls on that fateful day in New York City’s Central Park, according to prosecutors.
We all saw video footage of the first call where Cooper falsely claimed to 911 dispatch that “there’s an African American man threatening my life.” On Wednesday, a prosecutor said that Liar McGet-a-Negro-Lynched made a second call that was previously unreported where she falsely claimed Christian “tried to assault her.”
Advertisement
The New York Times reports that Cooper—not Christian who recently authored a comic book based on the Central Park incident, but Amy who is now the villain in all comic books in my mind—appeared in court virtually on Wednesday to negotiate a plea deal after being charged with falsely reporting an incident in July.
From the Times:
Joan Illuzzi, a senior prosecutor, said that Ms. Cooper in her two 911 calls in May had used the police in a way that was “both racially offensive and designed to intimidate” and her actions were “something that can’t be ignored.” Still, Ms. Illuzzi told the court that the Manhattan district attorney’s office was exploring a resolution to the case that would require Ms. Cooper to publicly take responsibility for her actions in court and attend a program to educate her on how harmful they were. “We hope this process will enlighten, heal and prevent similar harm to our community in the future,” Ms. Illuzzi said. The case was adjourned until Nov. 17 to give Ms. Cooper’s lawyer, Robert Barnes, and prosecutors time to work out the details of an agreement.
Advertisement Advertisement
Barnes is wack as fuck too, honestly. I mean, I get that a defense attorney’s job is to come up with plausible defenses for their clients, but this dude didn’t even try. Instead, he called the accusations against Cooper part of a “cancel culture epidemic” and asked “How many lives are we going to destroy over misunderstood 60-second videos on social media?” the Times reports.
First of all: Even if “cancel culture” were a real thing—which I don’t believe it is but for various reasons, I don’t have time to go into in this write-up—it’s something that normally applies to celebrities, not random white women who probably think the expression “catch a fade” means siccing the police on a Black guy with a fresh haircut.
Advertisement
Secondly: What exactly was misunderstood? The video clearly shows Cooper making a claim that “an African American” was threatening her when the Black man in question was not doing anything that could be reasonably construed as threatening. And not only did Christian make no attempt to physically assault her, but in the video, Amy can be seen approaching him and he can be heard responding by saying, “Please don’t come close to me.”
The whole “What happened before the recording started?” copout doesn’t really work when everything a person is being accused of can be viewed in the proper context.
Advertisement
Hell, according to prosecutors, Cooper—who lost her job as head of insurance portfolio management at Franklin Templeton behind the incident—admitted to one of the responding officers that none of what she reported was true.
I would counter Barnes’ question about how many lives “are we going to destroy” with a question of my own: Who the fuck is “we”? Seems to me that Amy Cooper did all of this shit to herself. What she did could have ruined the life of the Black man she was allegedly attempting to weaponize the police against. Instead, she may have ruined her own life...and I gotta say, I’m fine with that.


theroot--2020-10-14--Jared Dudley Details Life Inside the NBA Bubble, Admits the Lakers Laughed at the Clippers Just Like

Jared Dudley Details Life Inside the NBA Bubble, Admits the Lakers Laughed at the Clippers Just Like the Rest of Us

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley will never make an All-Star game in his life , but if we ’ re picking an All-Star squad of the best personalities in the entire league , he ’ s absolutely a lottery pick .
On the latest episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast , Dudley did what Dudley does : tap into his lengthy experience as an NBA vet to provide stories and insight we would never receive otherwise .
And as it turns out , we weren ’ t the only ones who laughed at the Temecula Clippers ’ Game 7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the 35-year-old admitted that the Lakers did the exact same thing .
“ We were laughing , ” Dudley said .
“ We were laughing .
In a sense like , ‘ I can ’ t believe it.
’ I picked them to win Game 7 .
There ’ s no way I thought they were gon na lose .
Our whole mind was we got ta beat the Clippers .
We want the Clippers ; they wanted us.
” Dudley then went on to mock Paul George ’ s infamous “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clippers had become a part of the Lakers ’ everyday lives .
“ Playoff P talking about ‘ he the best , ’ him and Kawhi with the commercials and the crown .
We ’ re seeing all the billboards up here , ” Dudley continued .
“ So when we go to practice every day , there ’ s a Kawhi billboard .
We see that billboard every single day .
The world wants it , the world picking the Clippers .
[ ... ] We were looking forward to that matchup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t want to be in the bubble .
They didn ’ t want to be there .
I don ’ t blame them for certain times , but the world needed to see the Lakers and Clippers , and it ’ s unfortunate we didn ’ t get to see that.
” You goddamn right the world needed to see that shit .
After mortgaging their future in order to secure the services of PG-13 and Kawhi last summer , I drank the same Kool-Aid as everybody else and was 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoisting the Larry O ’ Brien trophy on Sunday night .
But with their glaring roster flaws , non-existent effort and maddening inconsistencies on full display against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals , the Temecula Clippers ( since Los Angeles doesn ’ t claim them no mo ) inexplicably blew a 3-1 series lead and now are the laughingstock of the entire universe .
Congrats !
Aside from dragging the Clippers , however , Dudley also dished on what life was like inside the NBA bubble and how it felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know if you guys have seen that picture .
It ’ s me , Kuzma , Bron and [ Anthony Davis ] .
We get off the plane , we walk down , ” he said .
“ You ever seen the movie Shawshank Redemption ?
When he gets out of prison and his eyes are like ... the air felt different .
We ’ re sitting there for a minute just soaking it in .
“ I ’ ve never been to prison .
I ’ m not saying it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt like we were isolated from the world .
So to get out , man , and be a champion and have that trophy ?
No better feeling I ’ ve had.
” As for the bubble itself , Dudley revealed that their accommodations were a bit questionable early on .
“ It got off to a rocky start , ” he said .
“ The hotel wasn ’ t prepared for that many people .
The food was awful early on .
[ ... ] If you didn ’ t like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eat .
So guys were eating protein bars , brought in peanut butter and jelly , like , ‘ Yo , I can ’ t do this.
” As usual , Dudley always makes for an entertaining listen .
So should you find the time , check out the rest of his hour-long interview here .

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley will never make an All-Star game in his life, but if we’re picking an All-Star squad of the best personalities in the entire league, he’s absolutely a lottery pick.
On the latest episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Dudley did what Dudley does: tap into his lengthy experience as an NBA vet to provide stories and insight we would never receive otherwise. And as it turns out, we weren’t the only ones who laughed at the Los Angeles Temecula Clippers’ Game 7 implosion in the Western Conference Semifinals, as the 35-year-old admitted that the Lakers did the exact same thing.
Advertisement
“We were laughing,” Dudley said. “We were laughing. In a sense like, ‘I can’t believe it.’ I picked them to win Game 7. There’s no way I thought they were gonna lose. Our whole mind was we gotta beat the Clippers. We want the Clippers; they wanted us.”
Dudley then went on to mock Paul George’s infamous “Playoff P” monicker and how the Clippers had become a part of the Lakers’ everyday lives.
Advertisement Advertisement
“Playoff P talking about ‘he the best,’ him and Kawhi with the commercials and the crown. We’re seeing all the billboards up here,” Dudley continued. “So when we go to practice every day, there’s a Kawhi billboard. We see that billboard every single day. The world wants it, the world picking the Clippers. [...] We were looking forward to that matchup.
“But those boys, they didn’t want to be in the bubble. They didn’t want to be there. I don’t blame them for certain times, but the world needed to see the Lakers and Clippers, and it’s unfortunate we didn’t get to see that.”
Advertisement
You goddamn right the world needed to see that shit.
After mortgaging their future in order to secure the services of PG-13 and Kawhi last summer, I drank the same Kool-Aid as everybody else and was 1,000 percent convinced that the Clippers would be hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy on Sunday night. But with their glaring roster flaws, non-existent effort and maddening inconsistencies on full display against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals, the Temecula Clippers (since Los Angeles doesn’t claim them no mo) inexplicably blew a 3-1 series lead and now are the laughingstock of the entire universe. Congrats!
Advertisement
Aside from dragging the Clippers, however, Dudley also dished on what life was like inside the NBA bubble and how it felt to finally leave.
“I don’t know if you guys have seen that picture. It’s me, Kuzma, Bron and [Anthony Davis]. We get off the plane, we walk down,” he said. “You ever seen the movie Shawshank Redemption? When he gets out of prison and his eyes are like... the air felt different. We’re sitting there for a minute just soaking it in.
Advertisement
“I’ve never been to prison. I’m not saying it’s like prison, but it felt like we were isolated from the world. So to get out, man, and be a champion and have that trophy? No better feeling I’ve had.”
As for the bubble itself, Dudley revealed that their accommodations were a bit questionable early on.
Advertisement
“It got off to a rocky start,” he said. “The hotel wasn’t prepared for that many people. The food was awful early on. [...] If you didn’t like a meal, you literally had nothing to eat. So guys were eating protein bars, brought in peanut butter and jelly, like, ‘Yo, I can’t do this.”
As usual, Dudley always makes for an entertaining listen. So should you find the time, check out the rest of his hour-long interview here.


theroot--2020-10-13--Get Your Teeth White and Bright With Crest Whitening Strips, 20 Treatments for $27 This Prime Day

What ’ s the better value : a $ 300 dentist bill or a $ 28 box of whitening strips @ @ @ @ @ expensive trip , try out these Crest no-slip teeth whiteners .
They supposedly remove up @ @ @ @ @ for up to 12 months , and there are two other “ Express ” strips @ @ @ @ @ , perfect for an unexpected hot date .
The standard treatments require a 30-minute application @ @ @ @ @ is totally reasonable to improve that already rock star smile of yours .

Quentyn Kennemer on Kinja Deals, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Crest Whitening Strips | $28 | Amazon
What’s the better value: a $300 dentist bill or a $28 box of whitening strips? Before you make that expensive trip, try out these Crest no-slip teeth whiteners. They supposedly remove up to 14 years of staining for up to 12 months, and there are two other “Express” strips for a quick same-day result, perfect for an unexpected hot date. The standard treatments require a 30-minute application once a day, which is totally reasonable to improve that already rock star smile of yours.
This deal is only for Prime members.
This deal was originally published in October 2020 and updated with new information by Sheilah Villari on 6/22/2020.


theroot--2020-10-14--The Supreme Court Allowed the Trump Administration to Halt the 2020 Census Count

On Tuesday , the Supreme Court gave the Trump administration the green light to halt the 2020 census count ahead of schedule .
While the order technically only pauses the count while a federal appeals court decides whether or not the count should be stopped early , experts say the ruling effectively shuts down the count for 2020 and may affect the process for counting the U.S. population over the next decade .
The New York Times reports that the court gave no reasons for the decision to allow the census count to be halted temporarily and that Justice Sonia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Because the harms associated with an inaccurate census are avoidable and intolerable , I respectfully dissent from the grant of stay , ” Sotomayor wrote .
The census count has already been a big drama due to the pandemic and the involvement of the Trump administration both of which have caused deadlines to shift back and forth .
The original August deadline was pushed to Oct. 31 then abruptly changed to Sept. 30 by the Commerce Department , which oversees the Census Bureau .
According to CNN , the Trump administration argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t give Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross enough time to deliver a count of the nation ’ s population to the president by Dec. 31 .
But some say that the administration is trying to take advantage of a difficult situation for political gains .
Mr. Ross ’ s action came over the objection of career census experts who argued that it would undermine , perhaps fatally , the accuracy of the count .
It forced the bureau to abandon on short notice some of the counting safeguards it was using to make the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lawsuit seeking to keep the tally going .
The move came not long after the announcement in July that the administration would seek to exclude undocumented immigrants from the population totals it would send to Congress for reapportioning seats in the House .
The two developments appear related .
The old deadlines would have allowed the winner of the presidential election to transmit the population totals next spring .
Readopting the December deadline would ensure that Mr. Trump controls that process , even if he loses the November election .
Ultimately , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the order of Judge Lucy H. Koh of the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California .
“ Because the decennial census is at issue here , an inaccurate count would not be remedied for another decade , ” Koh wrote .
She also suspended the Dec. 31 statutory deadline for submitting the results .
More from the Times : And that ’ s when the administration asked the Supreme Court to intervene .
Jeffrey B .
Wall , the acting solicitor general , told the court in a brief filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ constitutes an unprecedented intrusion into the executive ’ s ability to conduct the census according to Congress ’ s direction.
” “ As the law stands , assessing any trade-off between speed and accuracy is a job for Congress , which set the Dec. 31 deadline and has not extended it , and the agencies , which acted reasonably in complying with that deadline , ” Wall wrote .
On Tuesday , the Census Bureau released a statement saying that “ well over 99.9 % of housing units have been accounted for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ self-response and field data collection operations for the 2020 Census will conclude on October 15 , 2020.
” But the claim that 99 percent of households have been counted is “ widely questioned by census and demographic experts , who cast the number as a public relations estimate that concealed broad gaps in the accuracy of the tally , ” the Times reports .
The Commerce Department ’ s decision to move the deadline up to Sept. 30 was met with a lawsuit filed by the National Urban League , the League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local governments .
According to the suit , moving the deadline up doesn ’ t just undermine the accuracy of the count , but it would “ facilitate another illegal act : suppressing the political power of communities of color by excluding undocumented people from the final apportionment count.
” Attorneys for the groups told CNN that they “ will wait to see the Census Bureau ’ s next steps to determine how to respond.
” Melissa Arbus Sherry , an attorney at Latham and Watkins who argued the case in court , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s order staying the preliminary injunction does not erase the tremendous progress that has been made as a result of the district court ’ s rulings.
” But the court ’ s decision does erase any chance of the census count being resumed , according to the Times .
It ’ s a process that involves hundreds of thousands of government workers and it can ’ t easily be restarted especially with the official deadline being only two weeks away .

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court gave the Trump administration the green light to halt the 2020 census count ahead of schedule. While the order technically only pauses the count while a federal appeals court decides whether or not the count should be stopped early, experts say the ruling effectively shuts down the count for 2020 and may affect the process for counting the U.S. population over the next decade.
The New York Times reports that the court gave no reasons for the decision to allow the census count to be halted temporarily and that Justice Sonia Sotomayor was the only dissenting voice.
Advertisement
“Because the harms associated with an inaccurate census are avoidable and intolerable, I respectfully dissent from the grant of stay,” Sotomayor wrote.
The census count has already been a big drama due to the pandemic and the involvement of the Trump administration both of which have caused deadlines to shift back and forth. The original August deadline was pushed to Oct. 31 then abruptly changed to Sept. 30 by the Commerce Department, which oversees the Census Bureau.
Advertisement Advertisement
According to CNN, the Trump administration argued that the Oct. 31 deadline didn’t give Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross enough time to deliver a count of the nation’s population to the president by Dec. 31.
But some say that the administration is trying to take advantage of a difficult situation for political gains.
Advertisement
From the Times:
Mr. Ross’s action came over the objection of career census experts who argued that it would undermine, perhaps fatally, the accuracy of the count. It forced the bureau to abandon on short notice some of the counting safeguards it was using to make the tally reliable. And it quickly triggered a lawsuit seeking to keep the tally going. The move came not long after the announcement in July that the administration would seek to exclude undocumented immigrants from the population totals it would send to Congress for reapportioning seats in the House. The two developments appear related. The old deadlines would have allowed the winner of the presidential election to transmit the population totals next spring. Readopting the December deadline would ensure that Mr. Trump controls that process, even if he loses the November election.
Advertisement
Ultimately, the Oct. 31 deadline was restored by the order of Judge Lucy H. Koh of the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California.
“Because the decennial census is at issue here, an inaccurate count would not be remedied for another decade,” Koh wrote. She also suspended the Dec. 31 statutory deadline for submitting the results.
Advertisement
More from the Times:
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in San Francisco, turned down a request from the Trump administration to stay Judge Koh’s order and allow it to stop counting before the end of the month. But the panel said it would not bar the administration from trying to comply with the Dec. 31 reporting deadline.
Advertisement
And that’s when the administration asked the Supreme Court to intervene. Jeffrey B. Wall, the acting solicitor general, told the court in a brief filed on Wednesday that Koh’s ruling “constitutes an unprecedented intrusion into the executive’s ability to conduct the census according to Congress’s direction.”
“As the law stands, assessing any trade-off between speed and accuracy is a job for Congress, which set the Dec. 31 deadline and has not extended it, and the agencies, which acted reasonably in complying with that deadline,” Wall wrote.
Advertisement
On Tuesday, the Census Bureau released a statement saying that “well over 99.9% of housing units have been accounted for in the 2020 Census” and that “self-response and field data collection operations for the 2020 Census will conclude on October 15, 2020.”
But the claim that 99 percent of households have been counted is “widely questioned by census and demographic experts, who cast the number as a public relations estimate that concealed broad gaps in the accuracy of the tally,” the Times reports.
Advertisement
The Commerce Department’s decision to move the deadline up to Sept. 30 was met with a lawsuit filed by the National Urban League, the League of Women Voters and other groups and local governments. According to the suit, moving the deadline up doesn’t just undermine the accuracy of the count, but it would “facilitate another illegal act: suppressing the political power of communities of color by excluding undocumented people from the final apportionment count.”
Advertisement
Attorneys for the groups told CNN that they “will wait to see the Census Bureau’s next steps to determine how to respond.”
Melissa Arbus Sherry, an attorney at Latham and Watkins who argued the case in court, said that “the Supreme Court’s order staying the preliminary injunction does not erase the tremendous progress that has been made as a result of the district court’s rulings.”
Advertisement
But the court’s decision does erase any chance of the census count being resumed, according to the Times. It’s a process that involves hundreds of thousands of government workers and it can’t easily be restarted especially with the official deadline being only two weeks away.


theroot--2020-10-14--The Trial of the Chicago 7: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Knows He Has a Responsibility to Protect the Inter

The Trial of the Chicago 7: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Knows He Has a Responsibility to Protect the Interests of His People

Emmy-Award winner and 2020 The Root 100 honoree Yahya Abdul-Mateen II certainly steals my attention for superficial reasons , but his pure talent can not be denied in his incredible portrayal of Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale in Netflix ’ s upcoming sociopolitical flick , The Trial of the Chicago 7 .
The synopsis of Aaron Sorkin ’ s film from Netflix ’ s press release sent to The Root : What was intended to be a peaceful protest at the 1968 Democratic National Convention turned into a violent clash with police and the National Guard .
The organizers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rubin , Tom Hayden and Bobby Seale—were charged with conspiracy to incite a riot and the trial that followed was one of the most notorious in history .
Yahya has been using his own platform to speak out against the injustices in firm support of the Black Lives Matter movement and subsequent uprisings this year , so I had to ask the actor ( who joined us from Germany , while filming Matrix 4 ) , “ What radicalized you ?
” “ As a Black man in America , from the south—parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always known I had a responsibility to protect my own interests , protect the interests of my people and the interests of my family , ” Yahya told The Root .
“ The protection of your soul , dignity and your rights that are promised to you under the constitution of the country , you actually have to fight , uphold and call for others to upholds those rights and values along with you.
” Check out the video above as he also talks about what he learned from portraying Seale .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Hollywood , having recently scooped a co-starring role in the upcoming Mad Max spinoff , Furiosa .
The Trial of the Chicago 7 debuts Oct. 16 on Netflix .

Tonja Renée Stidhum on The Grapevine, shared by Tonja Renée Stidhum to The Root

We may earn a commission from links on this page.
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude


theroot--2020-10-14--'I'm Rooting for Everybody Black' : Meet 3 Honorees From This Year's The Root 100

From NASCAR to social media and beyond , Black folks have once again proven to be the nation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ icons .
And 2020 ’ s The Root 100 list is a perfect reflection of @ @ @ @ @ American society for the better .
In the video above , get to know three @ @ @ @ @ phenomenal honorees : Olympian Ashleigh Johnson , journalist Tre ’ vell Anderson , and Lovecraft @ @ @ @ @ .


theroot--2020-10-14--Under Jasmyn Lawson's Unapologetically 'Strong Black Lead,' Our Lives Are That Much Better and Black

Under Jasmyn Lawson's Unapologetically 'Strong Black Lead,' Our Lives Are That Much Better and Blacker

Not only is the 29-year old editorial and brand manager at Netflix ’ s Strong Black Lead and Twitter legend @ @ @ @ @ she ’ s also making sure our stories are amplified in the process .
Lawson @ @ @ @ @ Black Americans who “ ride hard for our community ” on this year ’ s @ @ @ @ @ shares her thoughts on being recognized by The Root in the video above .


theroot--2020-10-13--Snag the Kindle Paperwhite for $45 off While You Can

Tired of scrolling through the news every night ?
Maybe a Kindle may help you unwind after a long day @ @ @ @ @ Tweets and articles that might just bum you out .
Amazon ’ s Kindle Paperwhite @ @ @ @ @ lit display for night-time reading .
Typically , it costs $ 130 , but right @ @ @ @ @ to $ 85 , so grab it while you can .

Jordan McMahon on Kinja Deals, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Kindle Paperwhite (8GB) | $85 | Amazon
Kindle Paperwhite (32GB) | $105 | Amazon
Kindle | $60 | Amazon
Tired of scrolling through the news every night? Maybe a Kindle may help you unwind after a long day without having to slog through Tweets and articles that might just bum you out. Enter Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite, which is waterproof and has a lit display for night-time reading.
Typically, the base model with 8GB storage costs $130, but right now it’s down to $85. The 32GB edition is $55 off at $10 5 , meanwhile. Both of those are ad-supported versions that show lock screen ads, but you can buy the ad-less version for an extra $20 (or pay the fee later to remove the ads).
If you want something a bit simpler, the base Kindle model is just $60 right now . It has the same-sized screen (albeit less crisp) but it lacks the Paperwhite’s waterproofing. Still, it’ll get the job done and it’s $30 off right now for the ad-supported version. As above, it’s an extra $20 for the version without ads.
This deal was originally published by Jordan McMahon in October 2020 and updated by Andrew Hayward with new information on 07/20/2021.


theroot--2020-10-14--The New York Jets File for Divorce From Le'Veon Bell Citing Irreconcilable Differences

There is nothing simple—or easy—about divorce .
There are ugly custody battles , alimony payments to figure out and a host of other shit to sort through when it ’ s time to divide the pie .
But sometimes , love does not conquer all .
So the Jets lit a cigarette , threw on some Mary J. Blige , and after a good ass cry , decided that enough was fucking enough .
Where did things go wrong ?
Coach Adam Gase and Bell never saw eye to eye—when the Jets put a four-year , $ 52 million ring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gase didn ’ t even show up to the wedding—but despite their differences , Bell was still seen as a premiere talent who was paid accordingly .
In four ( we ’ ll pretend like he never sat out the 2018 season over a contract dispute ) seasons with Pittsburgh , his distinct running style and immense value as a receiver out of the backfield earned him two All-Pro nods and he made three Pro Bowl teams .
He routinely carved up opposing defenses with his otherworldly patience behind the Steelers ’ offensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the best at his position .
But when it was time to cut the check , the Steelers bristled at Bell ’ s outrageous contract demands .
So after spending his entire 2018 season sitting on his ass playing Call of Duty , the Michigan State product eloped with the Jets and left for greener pastures—and greener jerseys .
Where Bell fucked up in all of this was that by taking the money and running—literally—he also left behind a much better coach , a much better roster , a much better quarterback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So in his first season as a Jet , his numbers plummeted from the 4.4 yards per carry he averaged in Pittsburgh to a paltry 3.2—and he didn ’ t even break 800 rushing yards on the season .
In short , the Jets gave Bell a Michael Bay budget and ended up with a Tyler Perry movie .
Shit , I ’ d probably file for divorce too .
But looking at Bell ’ s production in Pittsburgh and comparing it to the dysfunctional pile of giraffe shit that is the Jets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Bell is the culprit here .
He ’ s still only 28-years-old and doesn ’ t have the same tread on his tires as other running backs since he took a year off .
So it ’ s perfectly reasonable to assume that if he were to play for a coach who actually likes his ass , as well as behind a stout offensive line with a competent offense , he could become a productive back again .
Still , it ’ s completely insane to think that the Jets paid this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dreck .
Even Kevin Federline is looking at Bell like , “ You did that , bro !
Drain that purse ‘ till the hearse !
” Other NFL players took to Twitter to share their thoughts on Bell crawling back to Tinder too .
For his part , Bell seems ready for whatever opportunities lie ahead .
“ Got a lot to prove , ” he tweeted .
“ I ’ m ready to go.
” So what teams would provide an ideal fit ?
I would throw up in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pats have been in the business of refurbishing damaged goods and maligned players for an eternity .
Seattle is also an option , as he can give Russell Wilson another weapon , but if he goes to the Chiefs or Bucs consider the season over for the rest of the league .
Divorce doesn ’ t always have to be a bad thing , right ?
Although in this instance , the Jets cut ties with the wrong person .
It ’ s Gase that should ’ ve come home to find his @ @ @ @ @

There is nothing simple—or easy—about divorce.
There are ugly custody battles, alimony payments to figure out and a host of other shit to sort through when it’s time to divide the pie.
But sometimes, love does not conquer all. So the Jets lit a cigarette, threw on some Mary J. Blige, and after a good ass cry, decided that enough was fucking enough.
Advertisement
Where did things go wrong?
Coach Adam Gase and Bell never saw eye to eye—when the Jets put a four-year, $52 million ring on it back in March 2019, Gase didn’t even show up to the wedding—but despite their differences, Bell was still seen as a premiere talent who was paid accordingly.
Advertisement Advertisement
In four (we’ll pretend like he never sat out the 2018 season over a contract dispute) seasons with Pittsburgh, his distinct running style and immense value as a receiver out of the backfield earned him two All-Pro nods and he made three Pro Bowl teams. He routinely carved up opposing defenses with his otherworldly patience behind the Steelers’ offensive line and was universally revered as one of the best at his position.
Advertisement
But when it was time to cut the check, the Steelers bristled at Bell’s outrageous contract demands. So after spending his entire 2018 season sitting on his ass playing Call of Duty, the Michigan State product eloped with the Jets and left for greener pastures—and greener jerseys.
Where Bell fucked up in all of this was that by taking the money and running—literally—he also left behind a much better coach, a much better roster, a much better quarterback and a much better offensive line. So in his first season as a Jet, his numbers plummeted from the 4.4 yards per carry he averaged in Pittsburgh to a paltry 3.2—and he didn’t even break 800 rushing yards on the season. In short, the Jets gave Bell a Michael Bay budget and ended up with a Tyler Perry movie.
Advertisement
Shit, I’d probably file for divorce too.
But looking at Bell’s production in Pittsburgh and comparing it to the dysfunctional pile of giraffe shit that is the Jets, it’s hard to believe that Bell is the culprit here. He’s still only 28-years-old and doesn’t have the same tread on his tires as other running backs since he took a year off. So it’s perfectly reasonable to assume that if he were to play for a coach who actually likes his ass, as well as behind a stout offensive line with a competent offense, he could become a productive back again.
Advertisement
Still, it’s completely insane to think that the Jets paid this dude $28 million for 17 games of dreck.
Advertisement
Even Kevin Federline is looking at Bell like, “You did that, bro! Drain that purse ‘till the hearse!”
Other NFL players took to Twitter to share their thoughts on Bell crawling back to Tinder too.
Advertisement
Advertisement
For his part, Bell seems ready for whatever opportunities lie ahead.
“Got a lot to prove,” he tweeted. “I’m ready to go.”
Advertisement
So what teams would provide an ideal fit? I would throw up in my mouth if it happened, but the Pats have been in the business of refurbishing damaged goods and maligned players for an eternity. Seattle is also an option, as he can give Russell Wilson another weapon, but if he goes to the Chiefs or Bucs consider the season over for the rest of the league.
Divorce doesn’t always have to be a bad thing, right? Although in this instance, the Jets cut ties with the wrong person. It’s Gase that should’ve come home to find his clothes on the curb.


theroot--2020-10-15--'COVID Can't Cancel Your Dreams' : Aisha Nyandoro on Working in Purpose and Her The Root 100 Recogni

'COVID Can't Cancel Your Dreams' : Aisha Nyandoro on Working in Purpose and Her The Root 100 Recognition

“ Lists like The Root 100 need to exist .
Those of us who are doing the work need to see that work recognized , especially for those of us who work in community.
” — Aisha Nyandoro , CEO at Springboard to Opportunities , 2020 The Root 100 Honoree Aisha Nyandoro was midway through her morning routine when she first saw the news .
The CEO of Springboard to Opportunities put down her coffee and showed her mother and husband her phone while excitedly saying , “ Hold on , that ’ s my picture !
” Nyandoro made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list .
The acknowledgment of her nonprofit ’ s hard work was one she didn ’ t take lightly .
In late 2018 the anti-poverty advocate instituted the Magnolia Mother ’ s Trust , which is a guaranteed income project that provides $ 1,000 a month of 12 months to low-income Black mothers in Jackson , Miss .
No strings attached .
“ Last year , we worked doubly hard to get to this year where we could have more women getting the money , ” said Nyandoro .
Currently , the program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is especially crucial during the pandemic .
“ If that ’ s not evidence that my God is dope , I don ’ t know what else is.
” Nyandoro shares what fuels her work , why we must celebrate Black achievement now more than ever and more in the video above .


theroot--2020-10-15--Billboard Music Awards 2020: En Vogue Implores You to 'Free Your Mind,' Nearly 30 Years Later

It ’ s time for yet another ( virtual ) awards show !
This time , it ’ s the Billboard Music Awards ( BBMAs ) !
The presenters , performers and some of the winners rented out The Dolby Theatre in Hollywood .
I say “ rented out ” because it was just the stars—no audience .
Host Kelly Clarkson even had to make her own audience cheer noises .
Awkward !
Now , on to the Black-ass BBMAs highlights !
Lizzo won for Top Song Sales Artist .
“ Would I be standing right here if it weren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who refused to be suppressed ?
” Lizzo mused during her acceptance speech , rocking a statement dress with the word “ VOTE ” printed all over it .
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms presented Killer Mike with the inaugural Change Maker Award .
“ This is our award , ” the rapper-activist said to his wife during his acceptance speech .
The performers ’ list was a hodgepodge of different genres and groups of folks who you wouldn ’ t expect to perform together—but this is 2020 and it happened .
For example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khalid performed on one stage together—when does that happen other than in 2020-ville ?
!
OK OK , they have a song together , but still !
Alicia Keys ( who was rockin ’ a bayang ... not the bayang ! )
performed her new song , “ Love Looks Better.
” Brandy performed “ No Tomorrow Part 2 '' with Ty Dolla $ ign and did a rendition of the emotional jam , “ Almost Doesn ’ t Count.
” This was a big deal since it was Brandy ’ s first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doja Cat gave vintage vibes with her performance of “ Juicy ” and “ Say So ” while SAINt JHN bopped around the stage to “ Roses.
” John Legend took the stage to perform “ Never Break , ” which , of course , was very emotional and layered given his and Chrissy Teigen ’ s recent loss .
En Vogue closed out the show with their iconic revolutionary hit , “ Free Your Mind , ” which really had me reminiscing about their legendary appearance on A Different World .
Plus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains very , very relevant right now .
Viral social media influencers were a part of the show , too , such as Tim and Fred Williams .
If you don ’ t know their names , you know their reactions .
The YouTuber twins went extra viral when they reacted to Phil Collins ’ “ In the Air Tonight , ” which absolutely is forever a bop .
First Time Hearing Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight Reaction / YouTube What did the twins do during the show ?
They reacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on in the show ( particularly when Garth Brooks performed ) , they inserted sounds of the crowd , which was pretty damn jarring after watching winners walk out onto the stage to accept their award to complete silence for over an hour .
Finally , I just want y ’ all to revel in Lil Nas X ’ s bayang ... To view the complete winner list for the 2020 Billboard Music Awards , head to billboard.com .

It’s time for yet another (virtual) awards show! This time, it’s the Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs)!
The presenters, performers and some of the winners rented out The Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. I say “rented out” because it was just the stars—no audience. Host Kelly Clarkson even had to make her own audience cheer noises. Awkward!
Advertisement
Now, on to the Black-ass BBMAs highlights!
Winners
Advertisement Advertisement
Lizzo won for Top Song Sales Artist. “Would I be standing right here if it weren’t for the big Black women who refused to be suppressed?” Lizzo mused during her acceptance speech, rocking a statement dress with the word “VOTE” printed all over it.
Khalid took home the Top R&B Artist Award.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms presented Killer Mike with the inaugural Change Maker Award. “This is our award,” the rapper-activist said to his wife during his acceptance speech.
Advertisement
Performances
The performers’ list was a hodgepodge of different genres and groups of folks who you wouldn’t expect to perform together—but this is 2020 and it happened. For example, Kane Brown, Swae Lee and Khalid performed on one stage together—when does that happen other than in 2020-ville?! OK OK, they have a song together, but still!
Advertisement
Alicia Keys (who was rockin’ a bayang...not the bayang!) performed her new song, “Love Looks Better.” Brandy performed “No Tomorrow Part 2" with Ty Dolla $ign and did a rendition of the emotional jam, “Almost Doesn’t Count.” This was a big deal since it was Brandy’s first time ever performing at the BBMAs.
Doja Cat gave vintage vibes with her performance of “Juicy” and “Say So” while SAINt JHN bopped around the stage to “Roses.”
Advertisement
John Legend took the stage to perform “Never Break,” which, of course, was very emotional and layered given his and Chrissy Teigen’s recent loss.
En Vogue closed out the show with their iconic revolutionary hit, “Free Your Mind,” which really had me reminiscing about their legendary appearance on A Different World. Plus, as Clarkson said, this song remains very, very relevant right now.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Everything Else
Viral social media influencers were a part of the show, too, such as Tim and Fred Williams. If you don’t know their names, you know their reactions. The YouTuber twins went extra viral when they reacted to Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight,” which absolutely is forever a bop.
First Time Hearing Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight Reaction / YouTube
What did the twins do during the show? They reacted to it, of course!
Later on in the show (particularly when Garth Brooks performed), they inserted sounds of the crowd, which was pretty damn jarring after watching winners walk out onto the stage to accept their award to complete silence for over an hour.
Advertisement
Finally, I just want y’all to revel in Lil Nas X’s bayang...
Advertisement
To view the complete winner list for the 2020 Billboard Music Awards, head to billboard.com.


theroot--2020-10-14--Lindsey Graham Refers to Jim Crow as the 'Good Old Days.' He Says He Was Being Sarcastic. I Say He W

Lindsey Graham Refers to Jim Crow as the 'Good Old Days.' He Says He Was Being Sarcastic. I Say He Was Being Sar-racist

Why can ’ t South Carolina Senator and official Trump foot-in-mouth-remover ( it ’ s a full-time job with political benefits ) Lindsey Graham ( R ) seem to stop saying shit that sounds so racist he ’ s forced to explain why it wasn ’ t racist at all ?
Graham is being called out by his Democratic opponent in the upcoming 2020 election , Jaime Harrison , for referring to the segregation era as the “ good old days ” during a confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett .
Graham made his comment while asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her views of so-called superprecedents , which she has loosely defined as Supreme Court rulings which are so well settled that no one in the country is thinking of challenging them .
Seeking to clarify Barrett ’ s view of Brown v. Board of Education , in which the Supreme Court outlawed segregation in public schools , Graham said “ you ’ re not aware of any effort to go back to the good old days of segregation by a legislative body.
” The comment appeared to be a flippant , off-the-cuff remark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebuke from any Democrats at the hearing .
So after Harrison tweeted , “ @ LindseyGrahamSC just called segregation ‘ the good old days ’ The good old days for who , Senator ?
It ’ s 2020 , not 1920 .
Act like it , ” Graham got all in his Black-tose intolerant feelings about it and wagged his old decrepit-ass finger at his opponent for taking him out of context .
“ It was with deep sarcasm that I suggested that some legislative body would want to yearn for the good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said while the hearing was in recess .
“ The point that I ’ m trying to make ... there is nobody in America in the legislative arena wanting to take us back to that dark period in American history .
For my opponent to suggest that says far more about him than me.
” What do you mean by “ dark ” period in history , Senator Graham crack ... ( actually , I ’ m pretty sure my editors aren ’ t going to let me write that .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be willing to believe that Graham was just being a flippant ass hole—after all , even if he felt that way he ’ s not so dense that he ’ d make a comment like that on national television during a national race reckoning and weeks away from a national election—but this isn ’ t the first time he ’ s said something like this recently .
Last week , while speaking at a forum for South Carolina Senate candidates , Graham came dangerously close to sounding like he was saying that only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the streets of S.C. “ I care about everybody , ” Graham said .
“ If you ’ re a young African American , an immigrant , you can go anywhere in this state .
You just need to be conservative , not liberal.
” Graham—who I ’ m just going to call Lindsey Marshmallow because graham crackers are brown as is chocolate and I ’ m pretty sure Lindsey ’ s pasty ass wants to segregate our s ’ mores—will tell you this one was taken out of context too .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about what it takes to win a senate seat in his state and that he wasn ’ t saying South Carolina is a place Black conservatives can roam around freely but it be comes a sundown town for negroes who are left of center .
Here ’ s a little more of what he said during the forum as reported by Business Insider : “ Do I believe that our cops are systemically racist ?
No .
Do I believe that South Carolina is a racist state ?
No , ” Graham said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people of color , to young immigrants , this is a great state .
The one thing I can say without any doubt , you can be an African American and go to the Senate .
You just have to share the values of our state.
” Graham then pointed to Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina , “ the only African American Republican in the country , ” he said .
Graham also name-dropped “ daughter of Indian Americans ” Nikki Haley , who is the former governor of South Carolina .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s not about the color of your skin or where you came from , it ’ s about your ideas , ” Graham continued .
All i ’ m saying is this : Besides the current president whose asshole the incumbent senator uses as a nose-sleeve , I ’ m not sure I can think of many white people who have as much trouble not “ accidentally ” saying racist shit like Lindsey Marshmallow does .
Anyway , in a press release sent to The Root , Harrison ’ s campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following : “ Yet again , Lindsey Graham has proven that he ’ s completely out of touch with the South Carolina of today .
Even as peaceful protestors demonstrate across our state for equality and justice , Lindsey can ’ t help but refer fondly to a time of violent oppression and segregation against African Americans .
It ’ s time for new leadership that is reflective of the New South , that is bold , inclusive and diverse .
Lindsey Graham has lost his moral compass .
”

So...
Why can’t South Carolina Senator and official Trump foot-in-mouth-remover (it’s a full-time job with political benefits) Lindsey Graham (R) seem to stop saying shit that sounds so racist he’s forced to explain why it wasn’t racist at all?
Graham is being called out by his Democratic opponent in the upcoming 2020 election, Jaime Harrison, for referring to the segregation era as the “good old days” during a confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.
Advertisement
From The Hill:
Graham made his comment while asking Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett about her views of so-called superprecedents, which she has loosely defined as Supreme Court rulings which are so well settled that no one in the country is thinking of challenging them. Seeking to clarify Barrett’s view of Brown v. Board of Education, in which the Supreme Court outlawed segregation in public schools, Graham said “you’re not aware of any effort to go back to the good old days of segregation by a legislative body.” The comment appeared to be a flippant, off-the-cuff remark and didn’t draw any immediate rebuke from any Democrats at the hearing.
Advertisement Advertisement
So after Harrison tweeted, “@LindseyGrahamSC just called segregation ‘the good old days’ The good old days for who, Senator? It’s 2020, not 1920. Act like it,” Graham got all in his Black-tose intolerant feelings about it and wagged his old decrepit-ass finger at his opponent for taking him out of context.
“It was with deep sarcasm that I suggested that some legislative body would want to yearn for the good old days of segregation,” Graham said while the hearing was in recess. “The point that I’m trying to make...there is nobody in America in the legislative arena wanting to take us back to that dark period in American history. For my opponent to suggest that says far more about him than me.”
Advertisement
Oh...Oh...Oh shit...Oh shit, hold up, bruh...
What do you mean by “dark” period in history, Senator Graham crack...(actually, I’m pretty sure my editors aren’t going to let me write that. I’ll start over.)
Advertisement
I would be willing to believe that Graham was just being a flippant ass hole—after all, even if he felt that way he’s not so dense that he’d make a comment like that on national television during a national race reckoning and weeks away from a national election—but this isn’t the first time he’s said something like this recently.
Last week, while speaking at a forum for South Carolina Senate candidates, Graham came dangerously close to sounding like he was saying that only conservative Black people were safe to walk the streets of S.C.
Advertisement
“I care about everybody,” Graham said. “If you’re a young African American, an immigrant, you can go anywhere in this state. You just need to be conservative, not liberal.”
Advertisement
Graham—who I’m just going to call Lindsey Marshmallow because graham crackers are brown as is chocolate and I’m pretty sure Lindsey’s pasty ass wants to segregate our s’mores—will tell you this one was taken out of context too. He’ll tell you his comment was about what it takes to win a senate seat in his state and that he wasn’t saying South Carolina is a place Black conservatives can tap dance roam around freely but it be comes a sundown town for negroes who are left of center.
Here’s a little more of what he said during the forum as reported by Business Insider:
“Do I believe that our cops are systemically racist? No. Do I believe that South Carolina is a racist state? No,” Graham said at the event. “To young people of color, to young immigrants, this is a great state. The one thing I can say without any doubt, you can be an African American and go to the Senate. You just have to share the values of our state.” Graham then pointed to Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, “the only African American Republican in the country,” he said. Graham also name-dropped “daughter of Indian Americans” Nikki Haley, who is the former governor of South Carolina. “In South Carolina, folks, it’s not about the color of your skin or where you came from, it’s about your ideas,” Graham continued.
Advertisement
All i’m saying is this: Besides the current president whose asshole the incumbent senator uses as a nose-sleeve, I’m not sure I can think of many white people who have as much trouble not “accidentally” saying racist shit like Lindsey Marshmallow does.
Anyway, in a press release sent to The Root, Harrison’s campaign spokesman, Guy King, said the following:
“Yet again, Lindsey Graham has proven that he’s completely out of touch with the South Carolina of today. Even as peaceful protestors demonstrate across our state for equality and justice, Lindsey can’t help but refer fondly to a time of violent oppression and segregation against African Americans. It’s time for new leadership that is reflective of the New South, that is bold, inclusive and diverse. Lindsey Graham has lost his moral compass.”


theroot--2020-10-15--Complete Your iPhone 12 With Top-Notch Accessories for Apple’s Latest

Apple ’ s October event has come and gone , announcing the entire iPhone 12 suite .
With varying shapes and sizes , including the standard iPhone 12 , the iPhone 12 Mini , the iPhone 12 Pro , and the iPhone 12 Pro Max , many who have been waiting to upgrade their 3-year-old device may be stuck for choice for their new iPhone .
With MagSafe , A14 Bionic , and an improved Night Mode , it ’ s a huge upgrade from last year ’ s iPhone already .
But before they arrive from October 23 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take advantage of the improved camera and OLED screens now standard across the iPhone lineup .
But first and foremost , MagSafe .
MagSafe was rumored to be coming back in some form , and Apple not only confirmed it but also released an accessory for your cards and cash .
It magnetically clasps onto the back of where the MagSafe is located , and if you have a card that supports contactless payments , it could allow for payment to occur without even using ApplePay .
For a photographer wanting even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is out of commission , you ’ ll want to have something that equals or even bests your professional camera .
This is where Moment comes in , a company that ’ s made a variety of innovative lenses to further expand the camera in the iPhone 12 .
These tele- and anamorphic lenses clamp onto the case below , which extends the lens of the iPhone 12 and 12 Mini even further .
It ’ s an innovative work of engineering which , combined with the stock camera app or even pro-camera @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the abilities of the impressive iPhone 12 camera when married to an external lens .
A thin case now updated for iPhone 12 models , the lenses are attachable to the case from Moment as they were before .
It ’ s also equipped with a pocket , so you can store any cards or folded up pieces of paper as needed .
However , given the material for this case , it ’ s MagSafe-incompatible .
But this is a case best suited for the outdoors , especially if you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of your camera gear with the iPhone 12 .
Making a comeback in name from the times of having a Macbook , MagSafe is now firmly back for the iPhone 12 line .
Attaching to the back of the devices , it ’ s Apple ’ s new method of wireless charging after their failed attempt with AirPower 3 years ago .
It ’ s Apple ’ s way of making it easier for the user , to make sure that the iPhone is placed into a wireless charger correctly , every time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not data , but that ’ s increasingly a non-issue as we make our way into the 5G era .
Apple ’ s premium wireless earbuds are a perfect fit for the iPhone 12 , particularly for those subscribed to Apple Music .
These little buds add in noise cancelation smarts for blocking the outside world , although there ’ s a transparency mode for when you do need to talk to someone in a pinch .
Thanks to the inclusion of rubberized tips , they ’ re also more comfortable than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now live , your AirPods will also actively switch to the Apple device you ’ re currently using .
If you ’ re using an iPad to watch videos with the AirPods Pro , then you switch to the iPhone 12 Mini for a quick errand , they will connect to the phone automatically and vice versa .
With MagSafe now confirmed , you will need a case that will be able to make this feature compatible , while protecting your phone .
This is where cases from Totallee come in .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , covering all four iPhone 12 models .
Each case will fit the need of someone wanting protection , or just wanting to have their phone in a different color .
They are well-made and at a great price if you ’ d like something other than Apple-made .
With the iPhone 12 line , Apple dedicated a lot of stage time towards the cameras of each model .
But with the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max , video was finally given a fair shake .
Thanks to Dolby Vision , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recording , you ’ ll definitely need a tripod to keep the iPhone 12 Pro steady when filming that movie you ’ ve always dreamt of doing .
The Joby Mini GorillaPod in particular has a very innovative design where you can bend and even wrap around your arm to have a solid hold of whatever you ’ re filming .
The clamps are tight and secure , and even if you ’ re only wanting the iPhone 12 mini , this tripod will more than service any filmmaker ’ s needs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re enjoying something on an iPhone , whether that ’ s a movie on AppleTV+ , an album on Spotify , or down a rabbit hole on YouTube , and you suddenly see the Low Battery notification flash on your screen .
With no nearby socket to plug in the phone and no MagSafe lead just yet , this is where a battery pack comes in .
Anker ’ s 20,100mAh capacity portable USB charger can recharge an iPhone 12 up to 3.5 times , so you can always power it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desperate times call for desperate measures .
Even other accessories you may have bought , such as the AirPods Pro , can be charged by the PowerCore if they ’ re running low .
At $ 50 it ’ s more for peace of mind and convenience , especially if you ’ re carrying a fully stocked bag around to support your workflow as required .

Daryl Baxter on The Inventory, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Apple’s October event has come and gone, announcing the entire iPhone 12 suite. With varying shapes and sizes, including the standard iPhone 12, the iPhone 12 Mini, the iPhone 12 Pro, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max, many who have been waiting to upgrade their 3-year-old device may be stuck for choice for their new iPhone. With MagSafe, A14 Bionic, and an improved Night Mode, it’s a huge upgrade from last year’s iPhone already.
But before they arrive from October 23, you may want to consider some accessories to take advantage of the improved camera and OLED screens now standard across the iPhone lineup. But first and foremost, MagSafe.
Advertisement
MagSafe was rumored to be coming back in some form, and Apple not only confirmed it but also released an accessory for your cards and cash. It magnetically clasps onto the back of where the MagSafe is located, and if you have a card that supports contactless payments, it could allow for payment to occur without even using ApplePay.
Advertisement Advertisement
For a photographer wanting even more from their iPhone when their SLR is out of commission, you’ll want to have something that equals or even bests your professional camera. This is where Moment comes in, a company that’s made a variety of innovative lenses to further expand the camera in the iPhone 12. These tele- and anamorphic lenses clamp onto the case below, which extends the lens of the iPhone 12 and 12 Mini even further. It’s an innovative work of engineering which, combined with the stock camera app or even pro-camera apps like Halide and Obscura, showcases the abilities of the impressive iPhone 12 camera when married to an external lens.
Advertisement
Advertisement
A thin case now updated for iPhone 12 models, the lenses are attachable to the case from Moment as they were before. It’s also equipped with a pocket, so you can store any cards or folded up pieces of paper as needed. However, given the material for this case, it’s MagSafe-incompatible. But this is a case best suited for the outdoors, especially if you’re buying lenses and looking to replace some of your camera gear with the iPhone 12.
Advertisement
Making a comeback in name from the times of having a Macbook, MagSafe is now firmly back for the iPhone 12 line. Attaching to the back of the devices, it’s Apple’s new method of wireless charging after their failed attempt with AirPower 3 years ago. It’s Apple’s way of making it easier for the user, to make sure that the iPhone is placed into a wireless charger correctly, every time. It’s only power-transferrable, not data, but that’s increasingly a non-issue as we make our way into the 5G era.
Advertisement
Apple’s premium wireless earbuds are a perfect fit for the iPhone 12, particularly for those subscribed to Apple Music. These little buds add in noise cancelation smarts for blocking the outside world, although there’s a transparency mode for when you do need to talk to someone in a pinch. Thanks to the inclusion of rubberized tips, they’re also more comfortable than the standard AirPods. With the iOS 14 now live, your AirPods will also actively switch to the Apple device you’re currently using. If you’re using an iPad to watch videos with the AirPods Pro, then you switch to the iPhone 12 Mini for a quick errand, they will connect to the phone automatically and vice versa.
Advertisement
With MagSafe now confirmed, you will need a case that will be able to make this feature compatible, while protecting your phone. This is where cases from Totallee come in. This company already has a variety of cases, covering all four iPhone 12 models. Each case will fit the need of someone wanting protection, or just wanting to have their phone in a different color. They are well-made and at a great price if you’d like something other than from Apple.
Advertisement
Advertisement
With the iPhone 12 line, Apple dedicated a lot of stage time towards the cameras of each model. But with the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, video was finally given a fair shake. Thanks to Dolby Vision, improved Night Mode, and HDR when recording, you’ll definitely need a tripod to keep the iPhone 12 Pro steady when filming that movie you’ve always dreamt of doing. The Joby Mini GorillaPod in particular has a very innovative design where you can bend and even wrap around your arm to have a solid hold of whatever you’re filming. The clamps are tight and secure, and even if you’re only wanting the iPhone 12 mini, this tripod will more than service any filmmaker’s needs.
Advertisement
There’s always a time when you’re enjoying something on an iPhone, whether that’s a movie on AppleTV+, an album on Spotify, or down a rabbit hole on YouTube, and you suddenly see the Low Battery notification flash on your screen. With no nearby socket to plug in the phone and no MagSafe lead just yet, this is where a battery pack comes in. Anker’s 20,100mAh capacity portable USB charger can recharge an iPhone 12 up to 3.5 times, so you can always power it back up as a last resort when desperate times call for desperate measures.
Even other accessories you may have bought, such as the AirPods Pro, can be charged by the PowerCore if they’re running low. At $50 it’s more for peace of mind and convenience, especially if you’re carrying a fully stocked bag around to support your workflow as required.


theroot--2020-10-15--Next-Gen Roundup: Xbox Series X Boasts Stupid Fast Load Times, and PS5 Lets You Snitch on Your Frien

Next-Gen Roundup: Xbox Series X Boasts Stupid Fast Load Times, and PS5 Lets You Snitch on Your Friends

We are less than a month away from the next generation becoming the current generation and more details have steadily been trickling in about what the consoles will be capable of at launch .
On Thursday , Xbox released a list of the 30 games that will be optimized for the Series S/X at launch .
There are no real “ exclusives , ” as just about every game on this list is also available for folks who own the Xbox One .
Titles include Assassin ’ s Creed : Valhalla , Watch Dogs : Legion , and Gears Tactics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tactics was launching on Series X but no , you can already cop that shit on PC .
That means that Series X is launching without any real exclusive killer apps of its own .
After watching multiple gameplay videos of the Series X in action , though , it makes sense .
Xbox has continually labeled the Series X as the best way to play games and it appears they ’ re doing that by focusing on quality of life improvements .
In past generations , we lost our minds seeing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capable of .
There is some of that here but , considering how far we ’ ve already come graphically , there isn ’ t much further we can go beyond straight hyper-reality .
Hey man , science said it not me .
Xbox has smartly focused on improving the experience of simply playing the game .
Load times on the Series X look incredible , as this video from Gamespot demonstrates .
Red Dead Redemption 2 ’ s load times went from 2 minutes on the Xbox One to just over 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all four games that were tested , load times significantly went down from their Xbox One counterparts .
Graphically , games look better and run smoother on the Series X .
The current generation never quite seemed to get a firm handle on finding a good middle ground between high resolution graphics and fluid frame rates .
From what has been shown of the Series X , so far , that gap appears to be closing .
The Xbox Series X really seems to be pushing itself as having the best version of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I honestly respect it .
The focus on not only making the console backwards compatible , but also improving the performance of older games , offers a decent value proposition that , personally , I don ’ t feel Sony has rivaled .
I know the PS5 is backwards compatible but Sony hasn ’ t really shown how its games will perform better on PS5 .
Considering how weak the launch year is for both consoles , it ’ s a detail that ’ s more important than I think they may realize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Playstation 5 ’ s user interface on Thursday and , uh , it looks like a menu , I guess ?
The menu will never take you fully out of the game , which is a nice little quality of life feature but otherwise all the bells and whistles they ’ ve added just seems like shit you ’ ll try out day 1 and forget about .
It ’ s basically like when Apple added 3D touch to the iPhone , a feature you probably already forgot about .
What Sony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some clarification on the newly introduced snitching feature that came with this week ’ s 8.00 update .
Whenever you join a voice party on Playstation Network ( PSN ) , you must now agree that you may be recorded while playing .
Folks were not happy about the change as it was just sprung up with no warning .
I was hoping that by this point Sony would have at least released a blog post explaining how the change actually works in action .
It sounds like your friends will have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to report you to the Feds at Sony but , again , they haven ’ t clearly laid it out .
I ’ m typically a Sony guy , my first console was the original Playstation , but I got ta admit the Series X is just doing a better job at selling me on the console .
While Sony hasn ’ t made any of the same mistakes it made while trying to launch the PS3 ( overpriced console that was hard to develop for ) , it does seem to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hopefully , that changes as we approach launch day .

We are less than a month away from the next generation becoming the current generation and more details have steadily been trickling in about what the consoles will be capable of at launch.
On Thursday, Xbox released a list of the 30 games that will be optimized for the Series S/X at launch. There are no real “exclusives,” as just about every game on this list is also available for folks who own the Xbox One. Titles include Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, Watch Dogs: Legion, and Gears Tactics.
Advertisement
High key, I thought Gears Tactics was launching on Series X but no, you can already cop that shit on PC. That means that Series X is launching without any real exclusive killer apps of its own.
After watching multiple gameplay videos of the Series X in action, though, it makes sense. Xbox has continually labeled the Series X as the best way to play games and it appears they’re doing that by focusing on quality of life improvements.
Advertisement Advertisement
In past generations, we lost our minds seeing the crazy graphics the new consoles could be capable of. There is some of that here but, considering how far we’ve already come graphically, there isn’t much further we can go beyond straight hyper-reality.
Hey man, science said it not me.
Xbox has smartly focused on improving the experience of simply playing the game. Load times on the Series X look incredible, as this video from Gamespot demonstrates. Red Dead Redemption 2’s load times went from 2 minutes on the Xbox One to just over 30 seconds on the Series X. Across all four games that were tested, load times significantly went down from their Xbox One counterparts.
Advertisement
Graphically, games look better and run smoother on the Series X. The current generation never quite seemed to get a firm handle on finding a good middle ground between high resolution graphics and fluid frame rates. From what has been shown of the Series X, so far, that gap appears to be closing.
The Xbox Series X really seems to be pushing itself as having the best version of your games, old or new. I honestly respect it. The focus on not only making the console backwards compatible, but also improving the performance of older games, offers a decent value proposition that, personally, I don’t feel Sony has rivaled.
Advertisement
I know the PS5 is backwards compatible but Sony hasn’t really shown how its games will perform better on PS5. Considering how weak the launch year is for both consoles, it’s a detail that’s more important than I think they may realize.
Speaking of Sony, they revealed the Playstation 5’s user interface on Thursday and, uh, it looks like a menu, I guess? The menu will never take you fully out of the game, which is a nice little quality of life feature but otherwise all the bells and whistles they’ve added just seems like shit you’ll try out day 1 and forget about.
Advertisement
It’s basically like when Apple added 3D touch to the iPhone, a feature you probably already forgot about.
What Sony still hasn’t done is provide some clarification on the newly introduced snitching feature that came with this week’s 8.00 update. Whenever you join a voice party on Playstation Network (PSN), you must now agree that you may be recorded while playing.
Advertisement
Folks were not happy about the change as it was just sprung up with no warning. I was hoping that by this point Sony would have at least released a blog post explaining how the change actually works in action. It sounds like your friends will have the option to record you should they decide to report you to the Feds at Sony but, again, they haven’t clearly laid it out.
I’m typically a Sony guy, my first console was the original Playstation, but I gotta admit the Series X is just doing a better job at selling me on the console. While Sony hasn’t made any of the same mistakes it made while trying to launch the PS3 (overpriced console that was hard to develop for), it does seem to be a little complacent at the moment.
Advertisement
Hopefully, that changes as we approach launch day.


theroot--2020-10-15--Feast Your Eyes on the Best Outdoor Heaters to Keep Patio Dining Alive Through the Winter

With the pandemic still raging on in much of the United States , it stands to reason that we ’ ll continue socializing outdoors for much of the foreseeable future .
In fact , the New York City Council has made its outdoor retaurant program permanent and will allow restaurants to use portable heaters during the winter months .
The NYT ’ s Wirecutter review team put the struggles currently facing reviewers as outdoor patio heater models sell out faster than we can write about them into perspective .
“ At this point , if you ’ re looking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use in the coming months , you ’ re better off buying whatever ’ s available that fits your circumstances.
” With that in mind , here are the best outdoor patio heaters that , at the time of publication , are still available for purchase , complete with the best information I could find about them compiled for easy reading and shopping alike .
Here ’ s a great option for restaurants and other socially-distanced commercial spaces , if you need something sizable and seriously powerful .
Frontgate ’ s commercial patio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via a Piezo igniter system and uses stainless steel burners and a double mantle heating grid .
It ’ s pricier than the Member ’ s Mark model below , but could be better suited for your space and needs .
Best for Restaurants Overall : This outdoor heater from Member ’ s Mark is designed for restaurants , so it ’ s sturdy and durable .
“ It puts off a good amount of heat and warms a good area around the heater .
You ’ ll be perfectly comfortable in your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heater , ” says one Sam ’ s Club reviewer .
She continues , “ I love the lighted drink table around it !
It ’ s very conducive to conversation during an outdoor party .
I would highly recommend this patio heater to anyone who enjoys being outside , even in the winter !
” Another promising review makes one thing clear : The “ lighted table is VIP club cool.
” This budget-friendly space heater is rated BestReview.Guides ’ top choice for outdoor heaters .
It ’ s budget-friendly , due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but also versatile .
It can be used indoors and out , even in a greenhouse !
Featuring an extra-long cord , it heats quickly and is perfect for adding a little warmth into your outdoor socializing life .
This romantic backyard patio fire pit is perfect for romantic dates and hot chocolate moments with friends .
With a 4.5 amazon rating , reviewers are raving .
“ It took me approximately 30 minutes to put it together by myself and was pretty easy since the directions were straight forward to follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I have now used this fire pit table approximately 8-10 times and have been very happy with it.
” While most expensive , this pyramid outdoor heater is by far my favorite .
It ’ s the preferred style for restaurants sporting a classy sophisticated look .
It ’ s also safer than the mushroom top version of heaters .
The heat spreads across the entire length , rather than emitting from the highest point alone .
Most sought-after models are sold out , but this Oakmont is still available .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PatioBoss heater looks like it will do the trick .
Electric with a carbon fiber tube as a heating element it saves energy by being efficient .
It works rapidly , boasting a 3 seconds warm-up period .
The Patio Boss heater is also more affordable then standing heaters , perfect for small spaces .
If you ’ re looking for a compact outdoor heater that can rest easily and safely on a tabletop , then consider Hampton Bay ’ s Hewitt Tabletop Firepit Square .
It provides a flame and heat within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s only about 16 inches across and 8 inches tall , delivering a 9 square-foot heating area .
It ’ s ideal for patios .

Chaya M Milchtein and Andrew Hayward on Roundups, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

After nearly two years of this thing, we’re still not nearing the end of the pandemic. Things might be better or worse, but they’re not over. It means that a lot of people are still keen to look after themselves and others, but the isolation is hard to deal with. It means that looking at making a nice outside space is more important than ever, but in the colder months, that’s a big ask.
Thankfully, there are a few ways to take the chill out of the air, and getting a decent outdoor heater is probably the most efficient way to make your outside space more comfortable. They can be a bit expensive though, so it always helps to know what you’re looking for, and also where to pick one up. So, we’ve gone through the options out there and picked out the best outdoor heaters for you.
Advertisement
While not an ideal choice for home use, Frontgate’s commercial patio heater is an excellent choice for those with small businesses and outdoor dining areas. It kicks out an impressive 46,000 BTUs of heat thanks to a Piezo igniter system, and it manages it with stainless steel burners and a double mantle heating grid. Better yet, it’s currently on sale for $25 off, which isn’t the biggest saving in the world, but every little helps.
Here’s a great option for restaurants and other socially-distanced commercial spaces, if you need something sizable and seriously powerful. Frontgate’s commercial patio heater pumps out 46,000 BTUs of heat via a Piezo igniter system and uses stainless steel burners and a double mantle heating grid. It’s pricier than the Member’s Mark model but could be better suited for your space and needs.
Advertisement Advertisement
Providing a safe and warm bonfire experience, the Tacklife 28-inch outdoor fire table uses propane fuel to provide a stable and green burning fire. This product is also fashionable enough that when you cover the lid it can be converted into a casual outdoor dining table or coffee table. The bottom steel panels have a wicker look that is guaranteed to fit seamlessly with the rest of your outdoor furniture. It also comes with an automatic ignition device to control the fire while maintaining its satisfying temperature.
Advertisement
Advertisement
If you’re after something smaller and easier to bring with you, then the Buyplus Portable Patio Heater is a surprisingly effective way to warm up. It comes with an 89" cord, it’s light, and it has multiple modes to allow you to get the right heating for the setting. It’s also easy to adjust, so you can have it aimed at whoever is feeling the cold most. Plus, you can currently save 10% on it by clipping the coupon before you add it to your cart.
Advertisement
Nothing beats a rustic flair to our outdoor heating needs! This portable, small Terra Flame fireplace is great if you’re looking to soak in the ambience of a sunset on your patio deck. It’s 11" in diameter and over 5" in height. This product is hand-cast with organic concrete, and the bowl has a natural finish to look super southwest. It’s the perfect showstopper for when you invite friends for a socially distanced meal outdoors.
Advertisement
The Briza Infrared Patio Heater - Electric Patio Heater is a great investment for your outdoor heating needs. This product can be easily mounted to the ceiling or wall of your patio just as well as it could be to its tripod stand. With carbon infrared technology, this heater produces infrared rays that are easily absorbed by surface areas, thus raising the ambient temperature. The tripod stands’ adjustable legs extend far out, providing a stable base that eliminates the need for sandbags. It also has three options for heat settings, including 900W, 1200W, and 1500W.
Advertisement
Standing at 7'6" tall, this stylish propane gas heater is of commercial quality, radiating warmth from a ceramic-glass heating column with a 38,000 BTU output. This heater also comes with a built-in safety valve that will automatically shut off the fuel supply if the unit is tilted or tipped. Crafted with convenience in mind, this product includes wheels for easy transport and storage. While all required accessories are included in the box, be sure to purchase your own 20-pound propane tank and fuel in order for the item to be fully operational.
Advertisement
It’s not just people that get cold when the weather drops, your pets are probably feeling it too. If you like to let your furry friends run around outside on their own as they please, then it’s a good idea to make sure they’ll stay toasty by grabbing this Akoma Dog House Heater. The heat output can be adjusted between 30°F and 1o0°F, and it’s got a smooth design and a heat shield to make sure they don’t hurt themselves.