rt--2020-01-04--‘Supermani’: CNN contributor falls for obvious Iran satire as US journos struggle to understand who

‘Supermani’: CNN contributor falls for obvious Iran satire as US journos struggle to understand who Soleimani really was

Neoconservative mainstream media favorite Michael Weiss appears to have fallen for a satirical piece on Qassem Soleimani that claimed the man did not cast a shadow and was nicknamed “ Supermani.
” Daily Beast senior editor and frequent CNN guest Michael Weiss is earning plenty of mockery on social media following him appearing to fall for a clearly satirical story on the legend of Qassem Soleimani , the late Iranian general recently assassinated by the US military .
“ It was a well cultivated ( and mythologized ) aura , which the U.S. has also played into , treating him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nicknamed ‘ Supermani ’ for his ability to fight four or five wars simultaneously .
And fight them effectively .
So no , he ’ s not easily replaced , ” Weiss tweeted about Soleimani following the man ’ s death .
The “ Supermani ” nickname got the attention of Karl Sharro , the writer who penned the satirical piece on Soleimani in 2014 .
It was also him who gave the general the “ Supermani ” nickname and made up that “ mythologized ” ability of the general to be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Weiss by blowing up his “ aura ” claim , saying that only media heads clueless to the satirical nature of his post actually picked up on that .
“ Lol , no he was n't , I made it up in the post above and several media outlets and pundits fell for it , believing it to be true , ” he tweeted .
After a Twitter user responded to Sharro by calling him a “ credible source ” for creating nicknames , Weiss tried to double down on his original @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give yourself more credit .
US officials have used this term in interviews , no doubt picking it up from the meme you started , ” he tweeted .
Many commentators saw Weiss as embarrassing himself by not admitting to taking satire as fact and continued the mockery .
“ Really interested to hear your expert IR insights on Iran 's Supreme Leader Megahamenei ( strength of ten men , can read minds ) and other Middle Eastern super villains , ” wrote Micheál , adding that he just “ ca n't wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Unfortunately for Weiss , he ’ s already got a reputation of a neoconservative pundit who often talks on global politics and countries he has no direct knowledge of – which incidentally includes Russia .
The blunder drops as the collective mainstream media seemed confused on how exactly to report on the Soleimani death .
CNBC editor-at-large John Harwood even took to Twitter to ask whether “ assassinate ” is the right word to describe what happened to Soleimani .
What ensued what a debate about congressional authorization and whether Soleimani ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of other terrorists like Osama bin Laden , since the general , unlike the Al-Qaeda leader , was an officer of a UN member state ’ s military .
From Weiss falling for satire to journalists confused on how to even report on the story , it would appear that the MSM may just need to admit they ’ re a little out of their depth on this one .
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Neoconservative mainstream media favorite Michael Weiss appears to have fallen for a satirical piece on Qassem Soleimani that claimed the man did not cast a shadow and was nicknamed “Supermani.”
Daily Beast senior editor and frequent CNN guest Michael Weiss is earning plenty of mockery on social media following him appearing to fall for a clearly satirical story on the legend of Qassem Soleimani, the late Iranian general recently assassinated by the US military.
“It was a well cultivated (and mythologized) aura, which the U.S. has also played into, treating him as a formidable adversary. He was nicknamed ‘Supermani’ for his ability to fight four or five wars simultaneously. And fight them effectively. So no, he’s not easily replaced,” Weiss tweeted about Soleimani following the man’s death.
Also on rt.com The US unwittingly helped create Qassem Soleimani. Then they killed him.
The “Supermani” nickname got the attention of Karl Sharro, the writer who penned the satirical piece on Soleimani in 2014. It was also him who gave the general the “Supermani” nickname and made up that “mythologized” ability of the general to be in several places at once.
Sharro responded to Weiss by blowing up his “aura” claim, saying that only media heads clueless to the satirical nature of his post actually picked up on that.
“Lol, no he wasn't, I made it up in the post above and several media outlets and pundits fell for it, believing it to be true,” he tweeted.
lol, no he wasn't, I made it up in the post above and several media outlets and pundits fell for it, believing it to be true pic.twitter.com/8PsnSQ7fua — Karl Sharro (@KarlreMarks) January 3, 2020
After a Twitter user responded to Sharro by calling him a “credible source” for creating nicknames, Weiss tried to double down on his original tweet.
“Yes. You should give yourself more credit. US officials have used this term in interviews, no doubt picking it up from the meme you started,” he tweeted.
Many commentators saw Weiss as embarrassing himself by not admitting to taking satire as fact and continued the mockery.
Really interested to hear your expert IR insights on Iran's Supreme Leader Megahamenei (strength of ten men, can read minds) and other Middle Eastern super villains. — Micheál (@Nameless_Weevil) January 3, 2020
“Really interested to hear your expert IR insights on Iran's Supreme Leader Megahamenei (strength of ten men, can read minds) and other Middle Eastern super villains,” wrote Micheál, adding that he just “can't wait for the next great Neocon graphic novel.”
Unfortunately for Weiss, he’s already got a reputation of a neoconservative pundit who often talks on global politics and countries he has no direct knowledge of – which incidentally includes Russia.
Weiss is a lobbyist at NATO’s @atlanticcouncil adjunct, who was previously employed by @CNN as a (contracted) Russia analyst, despite the fact he’s never been to Russia & can’t speak Russian. His ubiquitous presence on US mainstream media speaks volumes about how things work https://t.co/xyR8N5Pklv — Bryan MacDonald (@27khv) January 4, 2020
It’s worth noting that Michael Weiss is famous for not knowing shit about shit. He’s one of the stupidest neocons out there, & that’s saying something https://t.co/vF37DgS99d — Patrick Fenelon 🌹 (@Patrick_Fenelon) January 3, 2020
The blunder drops as the collective mainstream media seemed confused on how exactly to report on the Soleimani death. CNBC editor-at-large John Harwood even took to Twitter to ask whether “assassinate” is the right word to describe what happened to Soleimani.
What ensued what a debate about congressional authorization and whether Soleimani’s death could be compared to the death of other terrorists like Osama bin Laden, since the general, unlike the Al-Qaeda leader, was an officer of a UN member state’s military.
From Weiss falling for satire to journalists confused on how to even report on the story, it would appear that the MSM may just need to admit they’re a little out of their depth on this one.
Also on rt.com Like with Osama? Is it right to call Soleimani’s killing an assassination, CNBC roving editor wonders…& Twitter responds
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rt--2020-01-04--‘White males are blamed for everything wrong with the world’: ‘Tired’ Terry Gilliam lashes out at #M

‘White males are blamed for everything wrong with the world’: ‘Tired’ Terry Gilliam lashes out at #MeToo & ‘offended’ people

The director of ‘ 12 Monkeys ’ and ‘ Monty Python and the Holy Grail ’ , Terry Gilliam , called the # MeToo movement a “ witch hunt ” and lamented how sensitive people have become with his brand of humor .
In these strange modern times , even a liberal director like Gilliam can end up sounding like a conservative voice .
In an interview with the Independent promoting his film ‘ The Man Who Killed Don Quixote ’ , which has been in various states of production for 20 years , Gilliam gave his blunt thoughts on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibly identifying as a black lesbian .
Speaking about # MeToo cases , Gilliam said despite there being real victims , the movement was driven by a mob mentality .
“ Yeah , I said # MeToo is a witch hunt , ” Gilliam said .
The director said many who came forward should have taken more responsibility for their situations as he believes a female character who works as a model and escort does in his new film .
“ We ’ re living in a time where there ’ s always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t like this .
I want people to take responsibility and not just constantly point a finger at somebody else , saying , ‘ You ’ ve ruined my life.
’ ” Speaking on the topic of producers like Harvey Weinstein , who faced dozens of sexual assault and sexual harassment accusations that kicked off the # MeToo movement , Gilliam said no one should be surprised about the things that were happening in Hollywood .
He even revealed that he was once propositioned by a “ well-known actress ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movies .
Gilliam also doubled down in the interview on a statement he made last year proclaiming to be a black lesbian .
While the “ revelation ” was meant to be a joke mocking modern identity politics , ‘ woke ’ crowds did not see the humor – and neither did Gilliam ’ s latest interviewer .
“ I ’ m talking about being a man accused of all the wrong in the world because I ’ m white-skinned .
So I better not be a man .
I better not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t find men sexually attractive , I ’ ve got to be a lesbian .
What else can I be ?
I like girls .
These are just logical steps , ” he said .
“ I ’ m just trying to make you start thinking .
You see , this is the world I grew up in , and with Python , we could do this stuff , and we weren ’ t offending people .
We were giving people a lot of laughter.
” On the subject of “ giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the filmmaker seems to believe there is little benefit to being the offensive comedian in today ’ s bubble-wrapped culture .
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The director of ‘12 Monkeys’ and ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’, Terry Gilliam, called the #MeToo movement a “witch hunt” and lamented how sensitive people have become with his brand of humor.
In these strange modern times, even a liberal director like Gilliam can end up sounding like a conservative voice. In an interview with the Independent promoting his film ‘The Man Who Killed Don Quixote’, which has been in various states of production for 20 years, Gilliam gave his blunt thoughts on everything from disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein to possibly identifying as a black lesbian.
Speaking about #MeToo cases, Gilliam said despite there being real victims, the movement was driven by a mob mentality.
“Yeah, I said #MeToo is a witch hunt,” Gilliam said.
I really feel there were a lot of people, decent people, or mildly irritating people, who were getting hammered. That’s wrong. I don’t like mob mentality. These were ambitious adults.
The director said many who came forward should have taken more responsibility for their situations as he believes a female character who works as a model and escort does in his new film.
“We’re living in a time where there’s always somebody responsible for your failures, and I don’t like this. I want people to take responsibility and not just constantly point a finger at somebody else, saying, ‘You’ve ruined my life.’”
Also on rt.com #MeTooBots that will scan your personal emails for ‘harassment’ are an Orwellian misuse of AI
Speaking on the topic of producers like Harvey Weinstein, who faced dozens of sexual assault and sexual harassment accusations that kicked off the #MeToo movement, Gilliam said no one should be surprised about the things that were happening in Hollywood. He even revealed that he was once propositioned by a “well-known actress” for a part in one of his movies.
I don’t understand why people behave as if this hasn’t been going on as long as there’ve been powerful people. I understand that men have had more power longer, but I’m tired, as a white male, of being blamed for everything that is wrong with the world.
Gilliam also doubled down in the interview on a statement he made last year proclaiming to be a black lesbian. While the “revelation” was meant to be a joke mocking modern identity politics, ‘woke’ crowds did not see the humor – and neither did Gilliam’s latest interviewer.
“I’m talking about being a man accused of all the wrong in the world because I’m white-skinned. So I better not be a man. I better not be white. OK, since I don’t find men sexually attractive, I’ve got to be a lesbian. What else can I be? I like girls. These are just logical steps,” he said. “I’m just trying to make you start thinking. You see, this is the world I grew up in, and with Python, we could do this stuff, and we weren’t offending people. We were giving people a lot of laughter.”
On the subject of “giving people a lot of laughter” though, the filmmaker seems to believe there is little benefit to being the offensive comedian in today’s bubble-wrapped culture.
People work so hard to be offended now. I don’t know why I’m doing it. It’s not fun anymore.
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rt--2020-01-04--Like with Osama? Is it right to call Soleimani’s killing an assassination, CNBC roving editor wonder

Like with Osama? Is it right to call Soleimani’s killing an assassination, CNBC roving editor wonders…& Twitter responds

When you celebrate the death of an enemy , why would some people use dirty words like “ assassination ” ?
A puzzled CNBC editor-at-large turned to Twitter for insight into the term ’ s definition – and probably regretted it .
When you deliberately kill an important figure for political reasons , it ’ s fair to say that you have assassinated them .
But the word has this nasty aftertaste smacking of some criminality or even brainwashed youths with crooked knives .
READ MORE : 35 ‘ vital US & Israeli targets ’ within Iran ’ s reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s death – senior IRGC commander So one John Harwood , the editor-at-large at CNBC , took to Twitter to argue that the killing of Iran ’ s Quds Force commander should be described in some nicer terms .
And if the term is right , “ did [ the ] US ‘ assassinate ’ Osama Bin Laden ?
” he asked .
It didn ’ t take long for him to get feedback , and the collective answer seemed to be a resounding “ yes ” to both questions .
Some commenters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the two killings .
After all , Qassem Soleimani was a high-ranking officer of a UN member country ’ s military , not a stateless fugitive living in obscurity .
READ MORE : Iran reserves right to self-defense , ‘ harsh revenge ’ for Soleimani coming – Tehran ’ s envoy to UN There was also the legal issue of authorization by the US Congress .
Bin Laden ’ s killing was agreed to by US legislators after the 9/11 terrorist attack while Soleimani was targeted in what many have called an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US in a new war .
Doubts about the strike are widespread even among the centrist part of the Democratic Party , which tacitly endorses the claim that Soleimani was a legitimate target for a targeted attack .
Donald Trump himself has called Soleimani a “ number one ” terrorist – which sounds puzzling as the general was instrumental in the defeat of Islamic State ( IS , formerly ISIS ) , which the US president likes taking full credit for .
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When you celebrate the death of an enemy, why would some people use dirty words like “assassination”? A puzzled CNBC editor-at-large turned to Twitter for insight into the term’s definition – and probably regretted it.
When you deliberately kill an important figure for political reasons, it’s fair to say that you have assassinated them. But the word has this nasty aftertaste smacking of some criminality or even brainwashed youths with crooked knives.
READ MORE: 35 ‘vital US & Israeli targets’ within Iran’s reach for potential REVENGE for General Soleimani’s death – senior IRGC commander
So one John Harwood, the editor-at-large at CNBC, took to Twitter to argue that the killing of Iran’s Quds Force commander should be described in some nicer terms. And if the term is right, “did [the] US ‘assassinate’ Osama Bin Laden?” he asked.
It didn’t take long for him to get feedback, and the collective answer seemed to be a resounding “yes” to both questions.
Some commenters went further and challenged the implied equivalency between the two killings. After all, Qassem Soleimani was a high-ranking officer of a UN member country’s military, not a stateless fugitive living in obscurity.
READ MORE: Iran reserves right to self-defense, ‘harsh revenge’ for Soleimani coming – Tehran’s envoy to UN
Osama bin Laden was a leader of a *non-state* Salafi-jihadist terrorist group (and he had US gov. backing in the 1980s in Afghanistan)Soleimani was a top official of a sovereign state recognized by the UN. Assassinating him was an act of war against Iranhttps://t.co/SmBcccGzLT — Ben Norton (@BenjaminNorton) January 4, 2020
There was also the legal issue of authorization by the US Congress. Bin Laden’s killing was agreed to by US legislators after the 9/11 terrorist attack while Soleimani was targeted in what many have called an abuse of presidential power that may land the US in a new war.
Perhaps — but there's a distinction.Taking out Osama Bin Laden was authorized under the post-9/11 2001 AUMF.Congress authorized that war.Congress has not authorized acts of war against Iran. — Cyrus Toulabi (@CyrusToulabi) January 3, 2020
Doubts about the strike are widespread even among the centrist part of the Democratic Party, which tacitly endorses the claim that Soleimani was a legitimate target for a targeted attack. Donald Trump himself has called Soleimani a “number one” terrorist – which sounds puzzling as the general was instrumental in the defeat of Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS), which the US president likes taking full credit for.
Also on rt.com ‘We’re becoming the terror’: Virginia senator hated by ISIS calls Soleimani killing ‘tragedy,’ warns against war with Iran
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rt--2020-01-04--'End #TrumpsWar now', US congresswoman & presidential candidate Gabbard tweets after drone strike ki

'End #TrumpsWar now', US congresswoman & presidential candidate Gabbard tweets after drone strike killed Iranian general

US Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard , one of the Democratic Party contenders in the 2020 presidential race , said American armed forces must leave Iraq and Syria , instead of pushing towards war .
`` End # TrumpsWar now .
Remove our troops from Iraq and Syria , '' the politician from Hawaii tweeted on Saturday .
Gabbard , a longtime critic of US-led interventions and regime-change wars , had earlier argued that killing Soleimani `` was an act of war , with no authorization or declaration of war from Congress . ''
US President Donald Trump `` has put us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has seriously escalated this tit-for-tat conflict , pushing us deeper into an endless quagmire , '' she said in a video address .
Later on Fox & Friends , Gabbard stressed that by approving the raid Trump was `` clearly violating the Constitution . ''
Major General Soleimani was killed in a drone strike at Baghdad 's airport on Friday morning .
Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis , the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias the Popular Mobilization Forces ( PMF ) , and eight other officials died with him .
US State Secretary Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was killed in order to prevent future attacks by Iran against US army personnel and civilians .
Tehran , in turn , called the action an act of `` international terrorism '' and vowed to retaliate .
The operation was heavily criticized by the Democrats , including senators and 2020 hopefuls Joe Biden , Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders , as well House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , who is leading the impeachment of Trump .
They all said that the killing of Soleimani further increases tensions in the Middle East and brings Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump 's allies in the Republican Party , on the other hand , welcomed the airstrike , with Senator Lindsey Graham calling it `` a preemptive , defensive '' action against Iran .
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US Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, one of the Democratic Party contenders in the 2020 presidential race, said American armed forces must leave Iraq and Syria, instead of pushing towards war.
"End #TrumpsWar now. Remove our troops from Iraq and Syria," the politician from Hawaii tweeted on Saturday.
End #TrumpsWar now. Remove our troops from Iraq and Syria. — Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) January 4, 2020
Gabbard, a longtime critic of US-led interventions and regime-change wars, had earlier argued that killing Soleimani "was an act of war, with no authorization or declaration of war from Congress."
US President Donald Trump "has put us in a state of war with Iran and has seriously escalated this tit-for-tat conflict, pushing us deeper into an endless quagmire," she said in a video address. Later on Fox & Friends, Gabbard stressed that by approving the raid Trump was "clearly violating the Constitution."
We need to get out of Iraq and Syria now. That is the only way that we're going to prevent ourselves from being dragged into this quagmire, deeper and deeper into a war with Iran. #WWIII#TrumpsWar#StandWithTulsipic.twitter.com/nb8mLfiywq — Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) January 3, 2020
Major General Soleimani was killed in a drone strike at Baghdad's airport on Friday morning. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), and eight other officials died with him.
US State Secretary Mike Pompeo and the Pentagon insisted that Soleimani was killed in order to prevent future attacks by Iran against US army personnel and civilians. Tehran, in turn, called the action an act of "international terrorism" and vowed to retaliate.
Also on rt.com ‘Trump just threw a dynamite stick into a tinderbox’: US Democrats savage US strike that killed Iranian Quds chief Soleimani
The operation was heavily criticized by the Democrats, including senators and 2020 hopefuls Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, as well House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is leading the impeachment of Trump. They all said that the killing of Soleimani further increases tensions in the Middle East and brings Washington closer to an open war with Iran.
Trump's allies in the Republican Party, on the other hand, welcomed the airstrike, with Senator Lindsey Graham calling it "a preemptive, defensive" action against Iran.
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rt--2020-01-04--US-led coalition DENIES conducting airstrikes north of Baghdad amid reports of medics killed in US r

US-led coalition DENIES conducting airstrikes north of Baghdad amid reports of medics killed in US raid

The US-led coalition spokesman said the forces did not hit targets near Camp Taji north of Baghdad , after Iran-backed @ @ @ @ @ medics were hit in a recent air raid on a convoy late Friday .
The @ @ @ @ @ conduct airstrikes ” in the area in recent days , the spokesperson for Operation Inherent @ @ @ @ @ , tweeted .
Earlier , Reuters reported , citing an Iraqi Army source , that @ @ @ @ @ three critically injured in a raid that Iraqi state media blamed on the United States @ @ @ @ @ Popular Mobilization Forces ( PMF ) then reportedly claimed that the airstrike hit a convoy @ @ @ @ @ came after a US drone strike killed the chief of Iran ’ s elite Quds @ @ @ @ @ Soleimani , and PMF deputy commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis at Baghdad ’ s airport .
@ @ @ @ @ US President Donald Trump sanctioned the operation to take out Soleimani .
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The US-led coalition spokesman said the forces did not hit targets near Camp Taji north of Baghdad, after Iran-backed Iraqi militia reportedly claimed that medics were hit in a recent air raid on a convoy late Friday.
The US-led forces “did NOT conduct airstrikes” in the area in recent days, the spokesperson for Operation Inherent Resolve, Colonel Myles Caggins, tweeted.
FACT: The Coalition @CJTFOIR did NOT conduct airstrikes near Camp Taji (north of Baghdad) in recent days. — OIR Spokesman Col. Myles B. Caggins III (@OIRSpox) January 4, 2020
Earlier, Reuters reported, citing an Iraqi Army source, that six people were killed and three critically injured in a raid that Iraqi state media blamed on the United States.
The Iran-backed Shia militia Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) then reportedly claimed that the airstrike hit a convoy of medics.
The reports came after a US drone strike killed the chief of Iran’s elite Quds Force, Major General Qassem Soleimani, and PMF deputy commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis at Baghdad’s airport. The White House confirmed that US President Donald Trump sanctioned the operation to take out Soleimani.
Also on rt.com 6 killed in airstrike north of Baghdad targeting convoy carrying Shia militia members – report
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rt--2020-01-04--Irreconcilable differences: Methodist church goes for breakup over gay marriage row

Rival factions within the Methodist church are contemplating a divorce , weighing plans to split in half due to an intractable dispute over its current ban on gay marriage and LGBT clergy .
The plan will be considered at the church ’ s major yearly conference in Minneapolis , set for May , which if approved would rupture the denomination into traditionalist and ‘ progressive ’ camps .
The former branch would continue to oppose LGBT marriage and the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy , while the other will open its doors to anyone , regardless of sexual orientation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that acknowledges our differences , respects everyone in the process , and graciously allows us to continue to live out the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ , ” said New York Conference Bishop Thomas Bickerton , who helped draft the proposal .
Detailed in a 9-page document released on Friday , the schism plan proposes setting aside $ 25 million in church funds for the traditionalist branch to ease the separation process , and would not alter ownership of local church properties .
While church leaders say the split would impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affecting millions of members , a Washington DC-based council of bishops hailed the idea on Friday as the “ best means to resolve our differences.
” Traditionalist Reverend Keith Boyette said much the same , calling it a “ fair and equitable solution that puts decades of conflict behind us and gives us a hopeful future.
” Same-sex marriage was legalized across the United States by the Supreme Court in 2015 , but religious organizations retain the right to decline to officiate gay wedding ceremonies .
The plan was developed with the aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mediator who made his name working on several high-profile cases , usually overseeing pay disbursements to plaintiffs , including the 2010 British Petroleum oil spill .
He was also appointed by the Obama administration ’ s Department of Justice in 2016 to manage the Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund .
The United Methodist Church , a Protestant denomination , is the third-largest Christian body in the US , with over 7.5 million members , coming in behind the Southern Baptist Convention and the Catholic Church .
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Rival factions within the Methodist church are contemplating a divorce, weighing plans to split in half due to an intractable dispute over its current ban on gay marriage and LGBT clergy.
The plan will be considered at the church’s major yearly conference in Minneapolis, set for May, which if approved would rupture the denomination into traditionalist and ‘progressive’ camps. The former branch would continue to oppose LGBT marriage and the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy, while the other will open its doors to anyone, regardless of sexual orientation.
“The protocol provides a pathway that acknowledges our differences, respects everyone in the process, and graciously allows us to continue to live out the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ,” said New York Conference Bishop Thomas Bickerton, who helped draft the proposal.
Also on rt.com ‘I sort of do’ - Straight couples get the go-ahead for civil partnerships in the UK
Detailed in a 9-page document released on Friday, the schism plan proposes setting aside $25 million in church funds for the traditionalist branch to ease the separation process, and would not alter ownership of local church properties.
While church leaders say the split would impact Methodist organizations around the globe, potentially affecting millions of members, a Washington DC-based council of bishops hailed the idea on Friday as the “best means to resolve our differences.” Traditionalist Reverend Keith Boyette said much the same, calling it a “fair and equitable solution that puts decades of conflict behind us and gives us a hopeful future.”
Same-sex marriage was legalized across the United States by the Supreme Court in 2015, but religious organizations retain the right to decline to officiate gay wedding ceremonies.
Also on rt.com Church of the Open Borders: ‘Caged nativity’ is the perfect religious display for a politics that permits no heresy
The plan was developed with the aid of Kenneth Feinberg, an attorney and mediator who made his name working on several high-profile cases, usually overseeing pay disbursements to plaintiffs, including the 2010 British Petroleum oil spill. He was also appointed by the Obama administration’s Department of Justice in 2016 to manage the Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund.
The United Methodist Church, a Protestant denomination, is the third-largest Christian body in the US, with over 7.5 million members, coming in behind the Southern Baptist Convention and the Catholic Church.
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rt--2020-01-04--‘We’re becoming the terror’: Virginia senator hated by ISIS calls Soleimani killing ‘tragedy,’ warns

‘We’re becoming the terror’: Virginia senator hated by ISIS calls Soleimani killing ‘tragedy,’ warns against war with Iran

General Qassem Soleimani was among those responsible for defeating Islamic State and Al-Qaeda , and his killing is a “ great tragedy ” that could result in a “ vast war ” with Iran , a former Virginia senator and Marine veteran told RT .
Soleimani was killed on Thursday in a strike outside Baghdad International Airport , for which the White House admitted responsibility later that evening .
In a statement to RT on Friday , retired Virginia Senator Richard Black said the assassination “ may presage a new war of aggression—this time , against the Iranian people.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IRGC ’ s Quds Force had led the fight against both Islamic State ( IS , formerly ISIS ) terrorists and Al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria .
The former senator , who retired at the end of 2019 , cautioned against further escalation in the Middle East , recalling a claim predating the 2003 invasion of Iraq that regime change in Tehran was the ultimate objective .
“ I pray that we draw back from the vast war that looms , ” Black added .
“ Neither our soldiers nor our people have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the US Marines during the Vietnam War , Black became an outspoken critic of US involvement in Syria during his last term in the Virginia Senate .
In 2014 , he thanked Syrian President Bashar Assad for saving Christians and Jews from Al-Qaeda and IS .
The following year , IS dubbed him an “ American Crusader ” and put him on its enemies list .
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General Qassem Soleimani was among those responsible for defeating Islamic State and Al-Qaeda, and his killing is a “great tragedy” that could result in a “vast war” with Iran, a former Virginia senator and Marine veteran told RT.
Soleimani was killed on Thursday in a strike outside Baghdad International Airport, for which the White House admitted responsibility later that evening. In a statement to RT on Friday, retired Virginia Senator Richard Black said the assassination “may presage a new war of aggression—this time, against the Iranian people.”
Also on rt.com No war or regime change, Trump assures Iran after praising the killing of ‘#1 terrorist’, ISIS-fighting General Soleimani
Black noted that the commander of the IRGC’s Quds Force had led the fight against both Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) terrorists and Al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria.
We are not genuinely fighting a war on terror. I fear that in a sense, we are becoming the terror.
The former senator, who retired at the end of 2019, cautioned against further escalation in the Middle East, recalling a claim predating the 2003 invasion of Iraq that regime change in Tehran was the ultimate objective.
“I pray that we draw back from the vast war that looms,” Black added. “Neither our soldiers nor our people have a voice to stop it.”
Also on rt.com ‘Americans are war-weary, while Iran was never a threat to us’ – Virginia State senator to RT
Having served in the US Marines during the Vietnam War, Black became an outspoken critic of US involvement in Syria during his last term in the Virginia Senate. In 2014, he thanked Syrian President Bashar Assad for saving Christians and Jews from Al-Qaeda and IS. The following year, IS dubbed him an “American Crusader” and put him on its enemies list.
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rt--2020-01-03--GirlsDoPorn slapped with $12.8 MILLION in damages over ‘tricking’ 22 women into porn videos

The owners and operators of GirlsDoPorn are on the hook for $ 12.8 million in damages and face sex trafficking charges after a California court ruled they conned 22 women into appearing in porn videos posted online .
The women sued GirlsDoPorn for fraud , saying they were lured in with lucrative modeling gigs , then told they would be shooting porn , but only for foreign collectors and certainly not for the internet .
The dishonest tactics “ caused the videos to become common knowledge in plaintiffs ’ communities and among their relations and peers – the very thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assured them would not happen , ” San Diego Superior Court Judge Enright wrote in his ruling on Thursday .
Enright found that the GirlsDoPorn CEO Michael Pratt , videographers Matthew Wolfe and Teddy Gyi , and a handful of other conspirators had engaged in “ malice , oppression or fraud , ” and imposed a fine of $ 9.475 million in compensatory damages and $ 3.3 million in punitive damages .
The deception , he said , occurred over the course of several years and caused severe harm to the victims .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ harassment , emotional and psychological trauma , and reputational harm ; lost jobs , academic and professional opportunities , and family and personal relationships ; and had their lives derailed and uprooted , ” the judge said .
Known only as Jane Does 1-22 , the women said they were seduced with Craigslist ads for modeling gigs paying $ 5,000 , then told they ’ d be shooting a porn scene instead ( usually for less money ) when they arrived at the hotel where the shoot was to take place .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then between the ages of 18 and 23 – that the porn videos they filmed would be distributed solely to private clients outside the US , usually in Australia and New Zealand , on DVD only and never with their names attached .
GirlsDoPorn even enlisted “ reference women ” to pose as satisfied “ models , ” reassuring the “ new recruits ” that “ the experience is safe and enjoyable , and that the videos have never appeared online or been discovered by anyone in the models ’ lives.
” Several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to back out of the shoot by putting furniture in front of the door .
Often after being plied with drugs and alcohol , the women were handed an eight-page contract with a single reference to “ online purposes ” buried at the bottom of the second page , and rushed to sign .
Enright declared the contracts “ unenforceable and void.
” GirlsDoPorn not only posted the videos to its own website , but spread them to numerous popular porn sites , including PornHub .
The women also had links to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members , and some were doxxed on online porn forums .
Enright ordered GirlsDoPorn to remove photos and videos of the women from its website , though it isn ’ t clear how or if the images have been scrubbed from other sites .
What was originally a civil lawsuit has since spiraled into a federal sex trafficking and child pornography case .
Wolfe is currently in jail , along with actor Andre Garcia .
Gyi , secretary Valerie Moser , and ‘ reference woman ’ Amberlyn Dee Nored were arrested but released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loose and believed to be hiding out in New Zealand ; an arrest warrant has been issued for his failure to appear at the civil trial , and he is extraditable under the child porn charges he faces .
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The owners and operators of GirlsDoPorn are on the hook for $12.8 million in damages and face sex trafficking charges after a California court ruled they conned 22 women into appearing in porn videos posted online.
The women sued GirlsDoPorn for fraud, saying they were lured in with lucrative modeling gigs, then told they would be shooting porn, but only for foreign collectors and certainly not for the internet. The dishonest tactics “caused the videos to become common knowledge in plaintiffs’ communities and among their relations and peers – the very thing that plaintiffs feared and that defendants expressly assured them would not happen,” San Diego Superior Court Judge Enright wrote in his ruling on Thursday.
Also on rt.com ‘Girls Do Porn’ coverup? Police ‘ignored’ reports of rape & harassment by women tricked by infamous XXX website owners
Enright found that the GirlsDoPorn CEO Michael Pratt, videographers Matthew Wolfe and Teddy Gyi, and a handful of other conspirators had engaged in “malice, oppression or fraud,” and imposed a fine of $9.475 million in compensatory damages and $3.3 million in punitive damages. The deception, he said, occurred over the course of several years and caused severe harm to the victims.
“Collectively, they have experienced severe harassment, emotional and psychological trauma, and reputational harm; lost jobs, academic and professional opportunities, and family and personal relationships; and had their lives derailed and uprooted,” the judge said.
They have become pariahs in their communities.
Known only as Jane Does 1-22, the women said they were seduced with Craigslist ads for modeling gigs paying $5,000, then told they’d be shooting a porn scene instead (usually for less money) when they arrived at the hotel where the shoot was to take place.
However, the company told the women – then between the ages of 18 and 23 – that the porn videos they filmed would be distributed solely to private clients outside the US, usually in Australia and New Zealand, on DVD only and never with their names attached.
GirlsDoPorn even enlisted “reference women” to pose as satisfied “models,” reassuring the “new recruits” that “the experience is safe and enjoyable, and that the videos have never appeared online or been discovered by anyone in the models’ lives.” Several women claimed the defendants blocked their attempts to back out of the shoot by putting furniture in front of the door.
Often after being plied with drugs and alcohol, the women were handed an eight-page contract with a single reference to “online purposes” buried at the bottom of the second page, and rushed to sign. Enright declared the contracts “unenforceable and void.”
Also on rt.com ‘NoFap’ founder files defamation suit against sex scientist who denies ‘porn addiction’ exists
GirlsDoPorn not only posted the videos to its own website, but spread them to numerous popular porn sites, including PornHub. The women also had links to the videos sent to their friends and family members, and some were doxxed on online porn forums. Enright ordered GirlsDoPorn to remove photos and videos of the women from its website, though it isn’t clear how or if the images have been scrubbed from other sites.
What was originally a civil lawsuit has since spiraled into a federal sex trafficking and child pornography case. Wolfe is currently in jail, along with actor Andre Garcia. Gyi, secretary Valerie Moser, and ‘reference woman’ Amberlyn Dee Nored were arrested but released on bond. Pratt is on the loose and believed to be hiding out in New Zealand; an arrest warrant has been issued for his failure to appear at the civil trial, and he is extraditable under the child porn charges he faces.
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rt--2020-01-03--Russian pranksters strike again: Fake Greta Thunberg convinces eager US politician that she has dirt

Russian pranksters strike again: Fake Greta Thunberg convinces eager US politician that she has dirt on Trump

US Congresswoman Maxine Waters has allegedly fallen for a prank call in which she thought activist Greta Thunberg was offering her a tape of Donald Trump confessing to pressuring Ukraine into investigating his political rivals .
YouTube pranksters Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexey Stolyarov , who go by the names Vovan and Lexus , are claiming they tricked Waters ( Dem-Calif. ) into thinking she was speaking to teen climate change activist Greta Thunberg .
Vovan and Lexus made names for themselves by previously pranking Congressman Adam Schiff ( Dem-Calif. ) into thinking there were nude photos of US President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on .
They also claim to have pranked Waters two years ago , in a phone call where one posed as Ukraine ’ s prime minister .
Though Waters herself has not responded to the new video , the woman at the other end of the phone identifies herself as the congresswoman and sounds an awful lot like her .
In the call , the pranksters pretend to be Thunberg and her father , with help from a female colleague , and claim to have proof that Trump pressured the Ukrainian government into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have claimed , for months now , is true .
Greta ’ s ‘ father ’ says on the call that his ‘ daughter ’ met Trump and he admitted to wrongdoing .
“ He said to her , ‘ You know , little girl , nobody believe you anyway , I will tell you the truth .
I really pushed on Ukrainian president and you know that you will never achieve your goals like those congressional fools that accuse me , ” the prankster posing as the famous teenager ’ s father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he mentioned the Ukrainian president ?
” the woman who identifies herself as Waters responds .
‘ Greta ’ then proceeds to offer to testify before Congress and Waters asks for a meeting when the teen activist is next in DC .
“ And if the public knew that he talked to Greta like that , he made her cry , and told her she would never achieve – this will go against him , too , ” Waters says .
The pranksters claim to have the Trump conversation recorded , which also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it to me , ” she says .
“ You tell me what day you can get there .
And we ’ ll arrange to meet with you as quickly as we can.
” Another highlight of the call is Waters being tricked into believing an island called “ Chunga Changa ” is an actual place dealing with serious environmental issues .
Though Waters is unlikely to ever admit anything about the call if it really is her , Twitter users seem to have made up their mind .
If you like this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !

US Congresswoman Maxine Waters has allegedly fallen for a prank call in which she thought activist Greta Thunberg was offering her a tape of Donald Trump confessing to pressuring Ukraine into investigating his political rivals.
YouTube pranksters Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexey Stolyarov, who go by the names Vovan and Lexus, are claiming they tricked Waters (Dem-Calif.) into thinking she was speaking to teen climate change activist Greta Thunberg.
Vovan and Lexus made names for themselves by previously pranking Congressman Adam Schiff (Dem-Calif.) into thinking there were nude photos of US President Donald Trump that Schiff could get his hands on. They also claim to have pranked Waters two years ago, in a phone call where one posed as Ukraine’s prime minister.
Though Waters herself has not responded to the new video, the woman at the other end of the phone identifies herself as the congresswoman and sounds an awful lot like her.
In the call, the pranksters pretend to be Thunberg and her father, with help from a female colleague, and claim to have proof that Trump pressured the Ukrainian government into investigating his political rivals, something Democrats have claimed, for months now, is true.
Greta’s ‘father’ says on the call that his ‘daughter’ met Trump and he admitted to wrongdoing.
“He said to her, ‘You know, little girl, nobody believe you anyway, I will tell you the truth. I really pushed on Ukrainian president and you know that you will never achieve your goals like those congressional fools that accuse me,” the prankster posing as the famous teenager’s father says.
“Oh my God, he mentioned the Ukrainian president?” the woman who identifies herself as Waters responds.
Also on rt.com Greta Thunberg SEX joke triggers outrage at disabled British comedian
‘Greta’ then proceeds to offer to testify before Congress and Waters asks for a meeting when the teen activist is next in DC.
“And if the public knew that he talked to Greta like that, he made her cry, and told her she would never achieve – this will go against him, too,” Waters says.
The pranksters claim to have the Trump conversation recorded, which also gets Waters excited.
“You bring it to me,” she says. “You tell me what day you can get there. And we’ll arrange to meet with you as quickly as we can.”
Another highlight of the call is Waters being tricked into believing an island called “Chunga Changa” is an actual place dealing with serious environmental issues.
Though Waters is unlikely to ever admit anything about the call if it really is her, Twitter users seem to have made up their mind.
@RepMaxineWaters Loved your performance on the Russian pranksters show 👇👇https://t.co/dhWuX1Xjl5 — JakeR❌ (@CommsClear) January 3, 2020
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rt--2020-01-03--‘De facto state of war’: DeBlasio warns New Yorkers of ‘new reality’ in wake of the killing of Iran’

‘De facto state of war’: DeBlasio warns New Yorkers of ‘new reality’ in wake of the killing of Iran’s Soleimani

New York mayor Bill de Blasio warned the city that attempted terrorist attacks may follow the US strike on Iranian commander Soleimani , anticipating never-before-seen threats would be unleashed – but told citizens not to panic .
After the strike on Baghdad airport “ we are dealing with a different reality , ” de Blasio told a press conference on Friday , admitting that “ none of us know how this will play out , ” as it has been decades since the US confronted “ the reality of a war with the government of a large country with an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Previous terror attacks on New York , he pointed out , came from “ non-state actors ” without Iran 's resources .
Warning New Yorkers to maintain “ constant vigilance , ” he explained that it was “ probably unlikely ” that anything would happen in the near future , but “ my fear is not just about the immediate term – it ’ s about what happens in the months and even years ahead.
” Stressing his “ absolute confidence ” in the New York Police Department – with whom he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisted “ there will not be a moment where we let down our guard , particularly where the possibility of hostilities with such a dangerous adversary exist.
” Of course , just because the city might be besieged by frighteningly well-equipped government-backed “ terrorists ” doesn ’ t mean New Yorkers should change their routines .
Citizens should “ continue to go about our lives , unafraid , unaware , always realistic , tough , ” de Blasio advised , after he had suitably terrified his audience .
Representatives from the NYPD admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” but pledged to “ monitor the threat stream , ” and advised New Yorkers that “ uniformed officers , many with long guns ” would be stationed in “ sensitive areas.
” The mayor said he was personally glad that Qassem Soleimani , Iran ’ s beloved military commander , was dead .
But , he added , “ we have to assume that this action puts us in a de facto state of war , and that can only be done under the laws of the Constitution.
” “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – it ’ s extremely dangerous for the American people , ” de Blasio said .
While Trump has yet to beg Congress for the green-light to go to war , he has merely followed in the footsteps of Barack Obama , who stretched a 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force that gave the military carte blanche to chase 'Al-Qaeda ' into any country to justify his own Middle Eastern adventures .
Curiously , Trump himself has repeatedly said that it was time to end the “ endless wars ” in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to agree with him on , saying that “ I think the American people have sent a message in election after election that we want to end all these wars.
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New York mayor Bill de Blasio warned the city that attempted terrorist attacks may follow the US strike on Iranian commander Soleimani, anticipating never-before-seen threats would be unleashed – but told citizens not to panic.
After the strike on Baghdad airport “we are dealing with a different reality,” de Blasio told a press conference on Friday, admitting that “none of us know how this will play out,” as it has been decades since the US confronted “the reality of a war with the government of a large country with an international terror network at its behest.” Previous terror attacks on New York, he pointed out, came from “non-state actors” without Iran's resources.
Warning New Yorkers to maintain “constant vigilance,” he explained that it was “probably unlikely” that anything would happen in the near future, but “my fear is not just about the immediate term – it’s about what happens in the months and even years ahead.”
No one has to be reminded that New York is the number-one terror target in the United States.
Stressing his “absolute confidence” in the New York Police Department – with whom he has clashed on numerous occasions – he nevertheless insisted “there will not be a moment where we let down our guard, particularly where the possibility of hostilities with such a dangerous adversary exist.”
Of course, just because the city might be besieged by frighteningly well-equipped government-backed “terrorists” doesn’t mean New Yorkers should change their routines. Citizens should “continue to go about our lives, unafraid, unaware, always realistic, tough,” de Blasio advised, after he had suitably terrified his audience.
Representatives from the NYPD admitted there are “no specific credible threats,” but pledged to “monitor the threat stream,” and advised New Yorkers that “uniformed officers, many with long guns” would be stationed in “sensitive areas.”
Also on rt.com ‘Act of international terrorism’: Iran vows ‘vigorous revenge’ on US after Quds Force chief killed in US airstrike
The mayor said he was personally glad that Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s beloved military commander, was dead. But, he added, “we have to assume that this action puts us in a de facto state of war, and that can only be done under the laws of the Constitution.”
“We should not go to war with Iran – it’s extremely dangerous for the American people,” de Blasio said.
While Trump has yet to beg Congress for the green-light to go to war, he has merely followed in the footsteps of Barack Obama, who stretched a 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force that gave the military carte blanche to chase 'Al-Qaeda' into any country to justify his own Middle Eastern adventures.
Curiously, Trump himself has repeatedly said that it was time to end the “endless wars” in the region – something even de Blasio seems to agree with him on, saying that “I think the American people have sent a message in election after election that we want to end all these wars.”
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rt--2020-01-03--3,000 more US troops headed to Middle East after Baghdad strike that killed Soleimani

Another 3,000 US airborne troops will be deploying to Kuwait to join the 750 already there , even as Washington warned Americans to leave Iraq after the airstrike that assassinated a top Iranian general .
The entire 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division is now headed to the US base in Kuwait , multiple outlets reported , citing anonymous Pentagon officials on Friday .
The deployment does not appear to be directly in response to the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani , however , but rather part of the build-up set in motion on Tuesday , following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baghdad .
A small force of US Marines reinforced the embassy and fended off the Iraqi Shia militia that had attempted to storm it , in protest over a US airstrike against their bases last weekend .
US President Donald Trump blamed Iran for both a rocket attack that killed one US contractor in Iraq last week , and for the embassy siege .
He ordered the retaliatory strike that killed Soleimani and several others , the White House said .
Soleimani was the head of the Quds Force of Iran ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and coordinated operations throughout the Middle East , including against Islamic State ( IS , formerly ISIS ) terrorists in Syria and Iraq .
Washington considered him one of the most dangerous enemies to US interests in the region .
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Another 3,000 US airborne troops will be deploying to Kuwait to join the 750 already there, even as Washington warned Americans to leave Iraq after the airstrike that assassinated a top Iranian general.
The entire 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division is now headed to the US base in Kuwait, multiple outlets reported, citing anonymous Pentagon officials on Friday. The deployment does not appear to be directly in response to the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani, however, but rather part of the build-up set in motion on Tuesday, following the siege of the US Embassy in Baghdad.
Also on rt.com US sending 750 troops to Middle East after Baghdad embassy siege – Pentagon
A small force of US Marines reinforced the embassy and fended off the Iraqi Shia militia that had attempted to storm it, in protest over a US airstrike against their bases last weekend. US President Donald Trump blamed Iran for both a rocket attack that killed one US contractor in Iraq last week, and for the embassy siege. He ordered the retaliatory strike that killed Soleimani and several others, the White House said.
Soleimani was the head of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and coordinated operations throughout the Middle East, including against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) terrorists in Syria and Iraq. Washington considered him one of the most dangerous enemies to US interests in the region.
Also on rt.com Trump tweets after Quds chief killing: ‘Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!’
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rt--2020-01-03--‘Please don’t kill us’: Rose McGowan apologizes to Iran for Soleimani death, backpedals, still gets

‘Please don’t kill us’: Rose McGowan apologizes to Iran for Soleimani death, backpedals, still gets roasted

The # MeToo advocate and ‘ Grindhouse ’ actress Rose McGowan joined Hollywood celebs like John Cusack to condemn the killing of Qassem Soleimani , but this only inspired Twitter to question her sobriety and her loyalty to the US .
Much of Hollywood ’ s most politically active celebrities were not happy with the US assassination of Iran 's Quds Force chief Qassem Soleimani , but none were as broken up about it as actress Rose McGowan .
The author and ‘ Charmed ’ actress took to Twitter to apologize on behalf of the US and to beg Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dear # Iran , The USA has disrespected your country , your flag , your people .
52 % of us humbly apologize .
We want peace with your nation .
We are being held hostage by a terrorist regime .
We do not know how to escape .
Please do not kill us , ” she tweeted .
To say the tweet did not go over well would be an understatement .
The apology got both the actress ’ name and “ Dear Rose ” trending on Twitter as many slammed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the US and reside in Iran .
“ Hey Rose , If Iran is so great , you should go hang out there in the EXACT OUTFIT you 're wearing in your profile picture and let us all know how it goes , ” author and comedian Tim Young wrote in response to McGowan .
The actress is wearing a low-cut top in her profile image .
Retired Marine and Fox News contributor Johnny Jones added that he was “ ashamed ” that Rose McGowan had previously visited wounded veterans at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ INSANE , ” retired Army Infantry Colonel Kurt Schlicter sarcastically wrote in response to the actress .
McGowan seemed to see which way the tide was turning , so only hours after her initial tweet she sent out a half-hearted apology , saying she simply did not want to see another war kick off and more American soldiers killed in combat .
“ Ok , so I freaked out because we may have any impending war .
Sometimes it ’ s okay to freak out on those in power .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many Brave soldiers have fought for .
That is democracy .
I do not want any more American soldiers killed .
That ’ s it , ” the actress , who describes herself as a “ conscientious objector to the USA ” on Twitter , wrote in her defense .
The apology only stirred the pot more , with commenters totally unforgiving of McGowan ’ s earlier line about “ being held hostage by a terrorist regime.
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The #MeToo advocate and ‘Grindhouse’ actress Rose McGowan joined Hollywood celebs like John Cusack to condemn the killing of Qassem Soleimani, but this only inspired Twitter to question her sobriety and her loyalty to the US.
Much of Hollywood’s most politically active celebrities were not happy with the US assassination of Iran's Quds Force chief Qassem Soleimani, but none were as broken up about it as actress Rose McGowan.
The author and ‘Charmed’ actress took to Twitter to apologize on behalf of the US and to beg Iran “not to kill us.”
“Dear #Iran, The USA has disrespected your country, your flag, your people. 52% of us humbly apologize. We want peace with your nation. We are being held hostage by a terrorist regime. We do not know how to escape. Please do not kill us,” she tweeted.
Dear #Iran, The USA has disrespected your country, your flag, your people. 52% of us humbly apologize. We want peace with your nation. We are being held hostage by a terrorist regime. We do not know how to escape. Please do not kill us. #Soleimanipic.twitter.com/YE54CqGCdr — rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) January 3, 2020
To say the tweet did not go over well would be an understatement. The apology got both the actress’ name and “Dear Rose” trending on Twitter as many slammed the actress, and even suggested she move out of the US and reside in Iran.
“Hey Rose, If Iran is so great, you should go hang out there in the EXACT OUTFIT you're wearing in your profile picture and let us all know how it goes,” author and comedian Tim Young wrote in response to McGowan. The actress is wearing a low-cut top in her profile image.
Hey Rose, If Iran is so great, you should go hang out there in the EXACT OUTFIT you're wearing in your profile picture and let us all know how it goes. — Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) January 3, 2020
“Are you on crack?” asked Daily Caller’s Greg Price.
Are you on crack? — Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 3, 2020
Retired Marine and Fox News contributor Johnny Jones added that he was “ashamed” that Rose McGowan had previously visited wounded veterans at the Walter Reed hospital.
I’m ashamed we let you in Walter Reed to visit/PR harvest at our expense. https://t.co/ROrpSW9LK9 — Johnny (Joey) Jones (@Johnny_Joey) January 3, 2020
“NOT INSANE,” retired Army Infantry Colonel Kurt Schlicter sarcastically wrote in response to the actress.
McGowan seemed to see which way the tide was turning, so only hours after her initial tweet she sent out a half-hearted apology, saying she simply did not want to see another war kick off and more American soldiers killed in combat.
“Ok, so I freaked out because we may have any impending war. Sometimes it’s okay to freak out on those in power. It’s our right. That is what so many Brave soldiers have fought for. That is democracy. I do not want any more American soldiers killed. That’s it,” the actress, who describes herself as a “conscientious objector to the USA” on Twitter, wrote in her defense.
Ok, so I freaked out because we may have any impending war. Sometimes it’s okay to freak out on those in power. It’s our right. That is what so many Brave soldiers have fought for. That is democracy. I do not want any more American soldiers killed. That’s it. — rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) January 3, 2020
The apology only stirred the pot more, with commenters totally unforgiving of McGowan’s earlier line about “being held hostage by a terrorist regime.”
#RoseMcGowan thinking that she is a hostage in the USA and can’t fucking leave when she wants. pic.twitter.com/5xgYu3WSd7 — AJ (@AmberlYnJeaN) January 3, 2020
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rt--2020-01-03--Texas stabbing: 1 dead, several injured & suspect in custody after rampage in downtown Austin (VIDEO

Texas stabbing: 1 dead, several injured & suspect in custody after rampage in downtown Austin (VIDEO)

One man has been killed and several others injured in a mass stabbing in Austin , Texas .
Police tweeted that a suspect is in custody and no others are currently being sought .
According to first responders , a man in his 20s died at the scene , while a second man aged in his 50s has been taken to hospital with serious injuries .
At least two other people were hurt .
Police said the incident unfolded in a coffee shop on the 500 block of Congress Ave , and were urging people to stay away from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arose between a customer and another individual inside the coffee shop shortly before 8am , and escalated .
Eyewitnesses told local reporters that a man appeared to be having a crisis or breakdown before he lashed out in the coffee shop .
A number of bystanders reportedly tackled the suspect to prevent him from attacking others , but he managed to make his way out of the premises and climbed onto the roof briefly , in an attempt to escape law enforcement .
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One man has been killed and several others injured in a mass stabbing in Austin, Texas. Police tweeted that a suspect is in custody and no others are currently being sought.
According to first responders, a man in his 20s died at the scene, while a second man aged in his 50s has been taken to hospital with serious injuries. At least two other people were hurt.
Police said the incident unfolded in a coffee shop on the 500 block of Congress Ave, and were urging people to stay away from the area.
The Austin police crime scene unit are now at the center to investigate the morning stabbing. pic.twitter.com/c0A8k0Qi3c — Heather Osbourne (@Ozzy_Statesman) January 3, 2020
Suspect is in custody. At this time, no other known suspects are outstanding. More information to follow when available. https://t.co/8pL9ioG5DI — Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police) January 3, 2020
Investigators said that an altercation arose between a customer and another individual inside the coffee shop shortly before 8am, and escalated.
Eyewitnesses told local reporters that a man appeared to be having a crisis or breakdown before he lashed out in the coffee shop.
A number of bystanders reportedly tackled the suspect to prevent him from attacking others, but he managed to make his way out of the premises and climbed onto the roof briefly, in an attempt to escape law enforcement.
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rt--2020-01-03--Hustler’s Xmas card depicts Trump being ASSASSINATED, bringing conservative horror & liberal joy

Hustler magazine sent Christmas cards to members of the US Congress which depict President Donald Trump lying in a pool of blood as people cheer ‘ Merry Christmas !
’ , sparking a mix of outrage and hilarity .
The cards depict an unnamed cartoon assassin aping comments Trump made on the 2016 campaign trail as it says , “ I just shot Donald Trump on Fifth Avenue and no one arrested me , ” with a smoking gun in hand .
Trump famously bragged that such was his support , he could literally get away with murder on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Republican Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson shared an image of the card he received and decried the extremism of the so-called “ radical left ” on display .
Even an erstwhile opponent of Trump , Mark Zaid , the attorney who represents the whistleblower in the Ukraine controversy at the heart of the impeachment hearings , expressed his disgust at the cartoon , saying it “ absolutely crosses the line.
” Others called for calm , arguing that the softcore porn magazine was hardly representative of the Democratic Party platform .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much for others , who couldn ’ t resist the opportunity to point out how ridiculous the entire situation was .
Hustler magazine confirmed the card 's authenticity as the company ’ s official holiday card , which was sent to multiple congressional offices , but has so far declined to comment on the controversy .
The magazine ’ s founder Larry Flynt is a known critic of the US president and previously offered a $ 1 million reward for anyone who could provide him with compromising footage of then-candidate Donald Trump .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Washington Post offering $ 10 million for information leading to Trump 's impeachment and removal from office .
It ’ s not the first time an artistic portrayal of a Trump assassination has drawn controversy .
A 2017 production of Julius Caesar by the Shakespeare in the Park group depicted a Trumpian 'Caesar ' being repeatedly stabbed to death , much to the outrage and consternation of conservatives and Trump supporters .
The play went on to lose sponsors Delta Air Lines , among others .
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Hustler magazine sent Christmas cards to members of the US Congress which depict President Donald Trump lying in a pool of blood as people cheer ‘Merry Christmas!’, sparking a mix of outrage and hilarity.
The cards depict an unnamed cartoon assassin aping comments Trump made on the 2016 campaign trail as it says, “I just shot Donald Trump on Fifth Avenue and no one arrested me,” with a smoking gun in hand. Trump famously bragged that such was his support, he could literally get away with murder on the streets of NY and still be elected.
Republican Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson shared an image of the card he received and decried the extremism of the so-called “radical left” on display.
Here's all you need to know about the radical Left. A young staffer of mine opened this in a stack of holiday mail today. Just imagine if a conservative had distributed such a disgusting and hateful piece about a Democrat. I hope this will be investigated by the @secretservicepic.twitter.com/0q4FRQGdkY — Rep. Mike Johnson (@RepMikeJohnson) January 2, 2020
Even an erstwhile opponent of Trump, Mark Zaid, the attorney who represents the whistleblower in the Ukraine controversy at the heart of the impeachment hearings, expressed his disgust at the cartoon, saying it “absolutely crosses the line.”
This is unacceptable, and clearly I'm no fan of this President. But this absolutely crosses the line and there should be a public apology. Something like this is not a joking matter. https://t.co/5nuY1IslTM — Mark S. Zaid (@MarkSZaidEsq) January 2, 2020
Others called for calm, arguing that the softcore porn magazine was hardly representative of the Democratic Party platform.
Meanwhile, the hilarity of the situation proved too much for others, who couldn’t resist the opportunity to point out how ridiculous the entire situation was.
My family and i are shocked. We usually put the HUSTLER christmas card up on the fridge. My children are crying and it is your fault mister flynt https://t.co/xB3TQmPTfA — Jake Flores (@feraljokes) January 2, 2020
Hustler magazine confirmed the card's authenticity as the company’s official holiday card, which was sent to multiple congressional offices, but has so far declined to comment on the controversy.
The magazine’s founder Larry Flynt is a known critic of the US president and previously offered a $1 million reward for anyone who could provide him with compromising footage of then-candidate Donald Trump. He later took out a full-page ad in the Washington Post offering $10 million for information leading to Trump's impeachment and removal from office.
It’s not the first time an artistic portrayal of a Trump assassination has drawn controversy. A 2017 production of Julius Caesar by the Shakespeare in the Park group depicted a Trumpian 'Caesar' being repeatedly stabbed to death, much to the outrage and consternation of conservatives and Trump supporters. The play went on to lose sponsors Delta Air Lines, among others.
Also on rt.com Trump-like Caesar performance: Pushing boundaries of art or creating climate of hate?
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rt--2020-01-03--Arch-hawk Bolton celebrates slaying of Quds commander as ‘first step to regime change in Tehran’

While there was no shortage of triumphant voices coming from Washington DC on Friday after the targeted assassination of a senior Iranian general , that of John Bolton seemed especially cheerful .
The former national security adviser in the Donald Trump administration took to Twitter to congratulate `` all involved in eliminating Qassem Soleimani , '' the commander of Iran 's elite Quds Force .
`` Hope this is the first step to regime change in Tehran , '' Bolton quipped .
The mustached cheerleader for any and all foreign interventions ever conceived in the US , Bolton has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Islamic Republic .
He even wrote an opinion piece titled `` To Stop Iran 's Bomb , Bomb Iran '' at the peak of Barack Obama 's negotiations with Tehran on the now-scrapped nuclear deal .
READ MORE : Trump tweets after Quds chief killing : ‘ Iran never won a war , but never lost a negotiation !
’ Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike as his convoy was traveling outside Baghdad International Airport early on Friday morning .
Washington claimed the assassination was an act of self-defense , accusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American citizens .
Tehran said it was an act of international terrorism and pledged to retaliate .
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While there was no shortage of triumphant voices coming from Washington DC on Friday after the targeted assassination of a senior Iranian general, that of John Bolton seemed especially cheerful.
The former national security adviser in the Donald Trump administration took to Twitter to congratulate "all involved in eliminating Qassem Soleimani," the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force.
Congratulations to all involved in eliminating Qassem Soleimani. Long in the making, this was a decisive blow against Iran's malign Quds Force activities worldwide. Hope this is the first step to regime change in Tehran. — John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) January 3, 2020
"Hope this is the first step to regime change in Tehran," Bolton quipped.
The mustached cheerleader for any and all foreign interventions ever conceived in the US, Bolton has a long record of advocating a war with the Islamic Republic. He even wrote an opinion piece titled "To Stop Iran's Bomb, Bomb Iran" at the peak of Barack Obama's negotiations with Tehran on the now-scrapped nuclear deal.
READ MORE: Trump tweets after Quds chief killing: ‘Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!’
Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike as his convoy was traveling outside Baghdad International Airport early on Friday morning. Washington claimed the assassination was an act of self-defense, accusing the Iranian general of plotting attacks on American citizens. Tehran said it was an act of international terrorism and pledged to retaliate.
Also on rt.com Thousands march in Tehran to mourn ‘beloved’ military commander Soleimani, killed by US drone strike
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