What about love

Posing for a White House Christmas photo, the young Senate staffer in his navy-blue suit looks to be the picture of a conventional D.C. politico. Except for one thing: the young man gets his kicks watching men rape infants. “Babies are some of my biggest turn-ons,” he wrote, according to court documents. “Young rape…I love all that.” In case you missed the story, D.C. Metropolitan police arrested 27-year-old Ruben Verastigui in February on federal child porn charges. The Republican operative stands accused of trading and receiving videos of infant rape and inviting others to join him in Washington to sexually assault kids. I should have told you to brace yourself. But to be honest, I’m tired of soft shoeing around this grotesque violence. We should be shouting it from the rooftops. Pedophilia is a national epidemic. And we should leave no stone unturned in a national, nonpartisan campaign to bring its child victims justice. Like everyone reading this, I’d heard about … [Read more...] about Darcy Olsen: The Monster You Know

(AP) — Loving classic films can be a fraught pastime. Just consider the cultural firestorm over “Gone With the Wind” this past summer. No one knows this better than the film lovers at Turner Classic Movies who daily are confronted with the complicated reality that many of old Hollywood’s most celebrated films are also often a kitchen sink of stereotypes. This summer, amid the Black Lives Matter protests, the channel’s programmers and hosts decided to do something about it. The result is a new series, “Reframed Classics,” which promises wide-ranging discussions about 18 culturally significant films from the 1920s through the 1960s that also have problematic aspects, from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and Mickey Rooney’s performance as Mr. Yunioshi to Fred Astaire’s blackface routine in “Swing Time.” It kicks off Thursday at 8 p.m. ET with none other than “Gone With the Wind.” “We know millions of people love these films,” said TCM host Jacqueline Stewart, who is participating in many … [Read more...] about Turner Classic Movies Examines ‘Problematic’ Film Classics in New Series

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Broadway theaters and other venues across New York City will soon welcome back audiences, with plenty of rules in place. As CBS2’s John Dias reported, COVID stole the show, but now it must go on. READ MORE: Cuomo: Potential Reopening Of Broadway To Be Fueled By Series Of Pop-Up Concerts Beginning Feb. 20 Starting April 2, New York arts and entertainment venues can reopen at 33% capacity , with up to 100 people inside and 200 outside. Those numbers can go up with testing. The new rules apply to arenas with less than 10,000 people. Audiences will need to wear face coverings and practice social distancing, and performers may also be required to wear masks. The news is giving hope to actress Catherine Russell, who runs the Theater Center in Midtown. “I love being on stage, selling tickets, I love mopping the floor,” she said. “I think people miss that sense of community.” A member of the Actors Equity National Council said this is crucial to … [Read more...] about Broadway Theaters, Comedy Clubs And Other Venues Set To Reopen Next Month In New York

President Joe Biden warmly embraced House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during a video conference with House Democrats Wednesday night. “Nancy, I love you. There’s no one I’d rather work with than you,” Biden said , and added, “I admire the devil out of you.” Biden made comments about Pelosi after she introduced him via video at the House Democratic Caucus Virtual Issues Conference. Pelosi said the United States is “blessed” to have Biden as president, citing his “empathy, grace, and courage.” She also cited his experience in Washington as an asset. “Now more than ever, we need a battle-tested, forward-looking leader who will fight for the people,” she said. Pelosi also praised Biden’s global leadership. “President Biden is a distinguished world leader who commands the respect of allies and adversaries alike,” she said. Pelosi spoke about her grandchildren, who were also fond of the president. “My grandchildren have for many, many years have been long-time friends of Joe … [Read more...] about Joe Biden Praises Nancy Pelosi: ‘I Admire the Devil Out of You’

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The pandemic has impacted how animal rescue organizations operate. Many in the industry think the changes are here to stay, and it’s for the best. “Our entire movement thought the worst, which is, ‘Here’s this uncertain time. People are going to surrender their pets. Shelters are going to be flooded with animals,'” said Julie Castle, CEO of the Best Friends Animal Society. READ MORE: Kidsburgh: Family-Fun Activities In March The Best Friends Animal Society operates seven regional programs around the country and have more than 3,200 rescue partners. When the pandemic hit, Castle said, they were forced to think outside of the physical shelter space. “Virtual adoption, that foster-based programming and really involving the community more in life-saving rather than thinking about our work as a standalone thing,” Castle said. Animal welfare groups knew that they would no longer be able to safely have their armies of volunteers come into their shelters every … [Read more...] about Animal Rescue Organizations Say Pandemic Has Changed Their Industry For The Better