Friday Clutter: Trump, New Abortion Rules, Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Emma Stone, Doctor Who, GH, Young Sheldon, Eminem, Prince, and more
04/26/2024
Hi everyone,
Welcome back, and a happy Friday to you all. What's on the schedule for the weekend? I think we've got some running around to take care of before things get crazy again next week. It will be fine, as long as there is some garden time. Hold up...BDH and Little Buddha say it will be fine no matter what...but they'll do their best to work the garden into the schedule. Those two always have the right perspective.
Speaking of a hectic week, we will be out of the office again on Monday. There's a chance we won't be back until Thursday, but we'll have to play it by ear. Thank you for your understanding. Now, let's get to work. The guys made coffee, so grab yourself a nice medium DD, because it's time to clear out some Clutter.
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The conservative U.S. Supreme Court majority will likely not embrace Donald Trump's absurd claim of "absolute immunity" from prosecution, after hearing oral arguments yesterday. However, Trump may still have gotten the win he was looking for, because Chief Justice Roberts and his accomplices seem prepared to bend over backwards again by sending the case back to the lower courts for further litigation. That unnecessary delay could keep Trump's January 6 trial from happening before the elections.
The justices already put their thumbs on the scale when they took the case in the first place and then slow-walked oral arguments. Now, a decision probably won't be issued until June. Add to that Clarence Thomas hearing this case, despite his wife having a key role in the coup attempt, and you've got a bunch of radicals doing everything they can to save Trump from facing accountability for his actions. This court is corrupt to its core.
Lock him up. (pic via southernillinoisnow.com)
Former National Inquirer publisher David Pecker continued testifying at Donald Trump's hush money trial yesterday. He explained how the tabloid paid for former Playboy model Karen McDougal's story about her affair with Trump, as well as Pecker's role in coordinating the payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels. It's clear that these efforts were intended to help Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. That's why Trump falsifying records to hide the payment is such a big deal, and not just "business as usual." After hearing about Pecker's testimony, it's easy to see why no one in Trump's family is in the courtroom to support him.
Donald Trump has complained the hush money trial is keeping him from campaigning. However, court was out on Wednesday. Trump's response? To play golf.
Of course 17 Republican attorneys general are suing to block new federal rules that allow women to seek time off from work to have an abortion. Folks, conservatives hate women, particularly economically vulnerable women, and they'll do whatever they can to make life as hard as possible for them. Unbridled misogyny is one of the fundamental elements of the entire GOP platform. The rules don't force any employer to pay for an abortion (although that should be required in every single health plan anyway.) We're talking about time off for the procedure and recovery. Even just that is enough to send these gues into a blind rage.
It's good to see the FCC finally voted to reinstate "net neutrality" yesterday after the rules were previously overturned by the Trump administration in 2017. The Internet is a vital resource, and everyone should be treated the same by providers.
The Boston Red Sox lost 6-4 to the Cleveland Guardians yesterday, thanks to a grand-slam home run from Cleveland's Jose Ramirez. It was a bullpen day for Boston, but starter Chase Anderson got into trouble quickly, giving up five earned runs in just 1 2/3 innings. However, the Red Sox have to be pleased with the fact that they went 4-2 on this road trip. Now they have to figure out how to play at a much higher level at home, where they are currently 3-7.
Next up: Boston starts a weekend series at Fenway Park against the Chicago Cubs. Kutter Crawford gets the start for Boston.
The NFL Draft finally started last night, so that means we can confirm that the New England Patriots selected UNC quarterback Drake Maye with the #3 pick. Maye sounds like he has potential, and he'll have time to sit on the bench and learn from veteran Jacoby Brissett and the coaching staff. In the meantime, the Pats have seven more picks this weekend, so let's see if they can grab a left tackle and wide receiver at some point.
It's gross that the New York Court of Appeals overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction by a 4-3 decision. The ruling was based on a legal technicality that in no way cleared Weinstein's behavior, and the Manhattan D.A.'s office reportedly intends to prosecute him again. Meanwhile, Weinstein remains in jail in California after being found guilty of another rape charge in 2022.
Emma Stone would apparently love it if fans started addressing her by her legal first name, which is actually "Emily." BDH and Little Buddha just wrote themselves a reminder about that, in case they ever meet the actress. (Hey, you never know.)
Doctor Who boss Russell T. Davies recently defended the show's decision to now premiere on streaming services first before the TV broadcasts, saying it reflects modern viewing habits. Some angry fans have complained that this means they'll have to try to avoid spoilers for 18 hours if they want to watch the episodes on their televisions. Really, folks, staying off social media for a little while isn't one of the world's biggest problems. We used to have to do it when the show aired in the U.K. before the United States. It can be done. You'll survive. Go enjoy some fresh air.
Speaking of streaming, Law & Order: Organized Crime is reportedly moving from NBC to Peacock for a 10-episode run next season. It didn't look good when the show was the only Dick Wolf series not to get a renewal order from the network over the past few weeks. However, it's apparently performed better on the streaming platform. Once that's settled, the next question will be how long the current showrunner stays, because Organized Crime has had six of them in just four seasons. We're still wondering what that's all about.
Uh oh, General Hospital fans: Someone is reportedly gone from Port Charles. It doesn't sound like it's 100% official yet, but we'll be sorry if this person is really done with the soap opera. However, one suspects the character could easily come back with a new face...again.
Ian Armitage and Annie Potts recently shared some thoughts about the upcoming ending of Young Sheldon. Potts seems particularly baffled that the series wasn't renewed. We feel bad that they didn't get a full run of episodes to wrap things up, thanks to the Hollywood strikes. However, the time had come to turn off the lights. The show told the story it had to tell.
Congratulations to Sophia Bush on coming out as queer. The actress made the announcement via an essay for Glamour. Everyone deserves to be able to live their true life, and Bush sounds happy. Cheers.
After he finished his appearance at the NFL Draft last night, Eminem announced he has a new album coming out this summer called, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace). This will be his first since 2020.
Okay kids, that's going to do it for now. Here's Prince to close things out with, "Magnificent" for today's, "Song of the Day."
Thanks for stopping by, folks. It was great to see you, as always. Enjoy your weekend, be good, and we'll catch up with you again as soon as we can. Until next time, that's today's Clearing out the Clutter, and we are outta here.
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