#do people still add sources to their photo and gif sets?

[inkandpen22]

Permanent Chaos (4/?)

Pairing: MGK x Female!Reader

Word Count: 4k

Warnings: mild swearing

Part Summary: While Y/N is out shopping with Cara, news breaks that ties her with MGK. 

Masterlist

Masterlist

Two days later...

Cara and I go out shopping and have lunch for a girl’s day. I have yet to talk about the other night with Sam. Cara hasn’t mentioned it and I have no plans to either. Cameras have followed us up and down Rodeo Drive. By this point, Cara and I are both used to it. Carrying my bags however, I doubt I look graceful for these videos their taking. Oh well, they have fifteen thousand more of me.

“CARA! EXCITED TO WALK IN THE CHANEL FASHION SHOW?”

Cara ignores the paparazzi and points out a dress in the window at Dolce and Gabbana. I request to go inside to try it on. I’m not sure where I’d wear it to, but that doesn’t really matter.

“Welcome ladies!” A woman in a black dress approaches. “Can I help you find anything in particular?”

I point over to the dress in the window, “could I see that in a size six please?”

She leaves us to go find the dress for me and we roam around a small section while she does. My phone rings and I see Nicole’s name pop up. My heart immediately begins to race. She doesn’t call me unless absolutely necessary, usually we text. I step away toward the corner to be discreet.

I answer the call hesitantly. “Nicole? What’s up?”

“I got a call from Stephanie,” she sounds agitated on the other end.

Stephanie is my publicist, she handles everything that Nicole can’t basically. They bicker a lot since they’re both so headstrong and constantly need control. It’s the classic good cop/bad cop scenario, yet I don’t know who’s who. These two cover every aspect of my career, God bless them.

“Oh no, sounds bad,” I grumble anxiously.

“Depends how you look at it,” she lightens her tone.

“What is it?” I press.

“Well…” she hesitates.

“Nicole!” I drag out her name.

“It’s all over social media, magazines and it will be on TMZ tonight,” she stammers. “I’m surprised you haven’t already heard if I’m being honest-”

“Nicole! What?” I rush her.

“An article about you and Colson Baker just dropped on some gossip sight,” she explains. “It says that you and Colson Baker are dating. Stephanie and I figured no one would believe it but it’s everywhere! They have videos and photos of you two leaving The Ivy plus talking by Sam’s car. If I didn’t know you, I would be convinced.”

My head hangs low as I rub my forehead, letting out a deep sigh. “Oh dear God.”

“We can handle it, don’t worry!” Nicole assures. “This story will be gone soon!”

“I need to go, talk to you later!” I hang up on Nicole right when the woman shows me the dress.

“I’ll take it” I attempt to hurry up the process.

Cara comes up next to me “don’t you think you should try it on first?”

“I’ll explain later but we need to go” I whisper to her and just like that, she’s hurry the woman along at the register.

I have the dress and exit the store in a rush. I must act cool, the paparazzi will take notice of my mood change.

“HOW’S COLSON, Y/N?”

“SEEING HIM TONIGHT?”

“HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DATING?”

“HOW ARE GONNA HANDEL HIS FANS?”

“HAS HE MET THE FAMILY YET?”

“What’s going on?” Cara asks concerned.

“I’ll explain once we’re somewhere private,” I whisper so the cameras don’t pick up on it.

We speed walk to the car and I offer to drive since I made us cut the day short. Once we’re on the highway towards home Cara asks what the heck is going on.

“Why did they keep asking about Colson?”

I turn on the radio and Elvis Duran, along with his team, are discussing no other than me and Colson.

Danielle summarizes the article for the listeners. “The article says they’ve been dating for the past few months. They’re very happy but the relationship is still new. The pair has not yet met each other’s families but Colson is going on tour soon so maybe Y/N will join him and eventually meet the family. Throughout, there are tons of photos of the cute young couple leaving The Ivy Wednesday night. There’s even a link to a video showing them, what appears to be, having a deep conversation by Sam Merka’s car. If you watch the video, the two are clearly looking at each other very lovingly. I mean, he’s looking at her the way I look at a fresh pizza!”

The rest of the cast laughs and I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Actually, scratch that, I can believe it. I’m just pissed.

“If MGK and Y/N are officially an item, why did she leave with Sam Merka?” Elvis questions.

“I’m glad you asked! According to sources, they’ve been very close friends since the start of TSL. In fact, the duo have taken many vacations together along with their co-star Penelope Glass.”

Cara turns down the volume and looks to me with a steady expression. “Is it true?”

I narrow my gaze at her in bewilderment. “What? No! There’s no way in hell!”

“Okay, just checking,” she lets out a sigh of relief.

“Never ever!” I add and change the station.

Colson Baker is everything I despise in a person. I’ve never hated someone so fast as I’ve hated him. Us together as a couple is impossible. It’s completely irrational.

_________________________________________________________

Later in the afternoon, Stephanie sets up a meeting for us to meet with Colson and his publicist. I had to drag myself to her office. My Fridays aren’t well spent in an office building with enemies. In fact, my whole day could be tarnished by this incident. The meeting room we’re all ushered into is freezing and I’m still in my sundress from earlier. Cara and I were never able to get lunch so I’m starving on top of being cold. The photos of us play in a slideshow on the meeting room’s tv. An endless cycle of false advertisement is how I see the photos. The media is selling us as something completely far from the truth. On top of everything, I’m in a meeting with the one guy in all of Los Angeles I can’t stand. Death would be less painful than the current situation. I tune out the debate between Stephanie and Colson’s publicist. He told me his name but my brain is so numb from the temperature in here I can’t recall it.

“Y/N!” Stephanie calls my name and I search for her around the room until I find her in the doorway with Colson’s publicist.

“We’re going to go make a few phone calls. You two will stay here while we handle the press.” I nod “sounds good.”

I send her a weak smile to charm her out of an apology for zoning out. She huffs and escorts Colson’s guy to her office so they can talk on speaker privately. I stand up from my office chair and stroll over to the windows overlooking the courtyard. I watch the cars zoom by on the street and businessmen and women shuffle in and out of the Starbucks below.

“If it means anything, I’m sorry,” Colson says quietly behind me.

I nearly miss it, he speaks so quietly. I lean against the wall, crossing my arms as I face him.

“You’re sorry?” I shrug, not really seeing his blame. “Why? It’s not your doing.”

I return my gaze to the chaos below us. I watch as people with office jobs travel about. I wonder if they’ve heard of me? I wonder if they like me or think I’m a stuck up actress? I shouldn’t care what people think, but it’s easier said than done. When millions watch TSL every week, it’s hard to ignore the wondering.

“If I hadn’t walked you to the car none of this would be happening,” Colson reasons guiltily.

I shake my head, finding humor in the situation now. The paparazzi can make nothing into a months long romance. A brief conversation outside a restaurant and suddenly we’re meeting each other’s families.

“We were only walking to a car. How could either of us have predicted the amount of attention that would come of us walking?” I justify, not to ease his mind, but my own.

My flicker over to the tv, I examine the slideshow of us. Examining the photos I realize it wasn’t all in my head, the way in which Colson was gazing at me is a tad bit gawk-like. Images of us walking to the car while I’m answering the paparazzi’s questions depict Colson glancing at me with what seems to be such admiration. A picture of when Cara calls for Colson comes up and I’m stunned by how we look. Even I appear to be in awe of him in return. It’s evident Cara is speaking yet neither of us react. We were so caught up within on another.

“I have one question!” I blurt out suddenly with my arms crossed I walk back over to the table. Just one and then I wish to put all of today’s events to rest.” Colson perks up and hums for me to continue. I point over to the photos on the screen “why did you look at me the way you did?”

Turning his head, he reviews the photos blankly and I wait anxiously for some sort of reason. “I’m not looking at you in any particular way,” he disregards my accusations.

I chuckle, amused by his horrible way of lying. “Lies!”

He’s thrown off by my reaction and I storm over to the TV screen to point it out to him.

“It’s clear as day to the press, the public and now me included. You’re clearly lost in some kind of thought! You were there, so was I and our friends! Say all the lies you want but you’ll never convince anyone.”

His jaw clenches and he avoids my gaze. He leans back in his chair, staring out the windows. “Colson,” I sigh, slowly approaching the table. “Maybe the truth could help the lies disappear! If we’re honest then maybe the press will leave us alone!”

He shakes his head low, letting out a brief laugh. “I highly doubt that.”

I have a thousand questions but I’m aware none will go answered. He’s a lost cause. I’m in this alone I guess. Turning my back to him I return to my position by the window. Observing the worker bees swarming around the spaces below. The sound of Colson’s chair rolling back comes from behind me but I don’t even shift. Out of the corner of my eye, I see his figure in the reflection of the window beside me. My attention remains outside. He won’t give me the time of day so why should I treat him any better?

“You wanna know why I looked at you the way I did?” His presence hovers of me and he feels like a wall surrounding me.

“Please,” I mutter a subtle beg.

 “I... I had this imagine of you in my head, pre-judgements. You’re supposed to be America’s Sweetheart, Little Miss Perfect! You told me you had been working for this for years, had drive and trails.” He confesses. “You’re not what I expected... It caught me by surprise is all.” 

My eyebrows furrow close, “So you thought I was just some pretty face, goody-two-shoes, ditz? If it’s because my image, my past, you said so yourself it doesn’t matter!” 

“No, no, that’s not it!” he runs his hand through his hair nervously.

Narrowing my eyes, I press further. “Why then?”

The door swings open and I straighten up before forcing a warm smile to my face. I step back from Colson before the person ever appears in the doorframe. One of Stephanie employees informs us that we’re free to go. Steph doesn’t want to keep me here all day and since I’m allowed to go Colson’s publicist is releasing him. I clasp my hand together, walking over to fetch my purse.

“Thank you so much!” I gush. “Have a good day and please tell Stephanie “thank you!””

The young intern eats up my pleasant expressions. “You too Miss Voss! Will do!”

The young woman shuts the door behind her and I return to the state I was in. Expressionless, I gather my belongings and Colson does the same. Checking my phone for any missed emails or calls I can tell he’s staring me down.

“Does it ever get tiring?” His tone is light, but I can hear the ounce of mockery beneath the surface.

My attention is locked on my phone as text after text pops up from Penelope. She’s more likely than not has seen all the articles and Twitter posts. I should call her and explain.

“Y/N!” Colson shout pulls my from my thoughts.

“Huh? Does it ever get tiring?” I restate his question back to him. “What exactly are we talking about?”

I slide my purse over my shoulder while stepping over to the door, leaving Colson behind. That is until he follows me.

“Your whole act.” He forces a fake smile and tosses imaginary hair over his shoulder. “The “happy go-lucky goody goody All-American girl?””

I scoff, eyeing him up and down. “You’re ridiculous. It’s not an act.”

I swing open the meeting room door, eager to leave here. My heels clink against the white shiny tiles on my walk to the elevators. After hitting the down button, I call up Blake now that I have some time to kill. She’s my oldest friend, I’m sure she sees right through all of the tabloids and is only checking in.

“Calling your boyfriend?” Colson mutters over my shoulder and I quickly move away.

“Don’t have one,” I answer plainly, waiting for Penelope to pick up.

He smirks and props himself up against the wall beside the elevator doors. I side eye him, all he does is smile all the time and he calls me out for acting so happy all the time.

“Can’t you find anyone else to annoy?”

He grins proudly, “sure I could. None would as entertaining as you though.”

“Geez,” I mumble under my breath.

I pace outside the elevators as I wait for one to arrive and for Penelope to answer. Classic of her to text me non-stop but not to answer when I call her back. The elevator doors open and I step inside, ready to get out of here. I hit the ground floor and Colson strolls in lazily not rushed at all. He checks the button and doesn’t add any. The doors shut then silence sits flat in the small space with us. My phone buzzes continuously, I check the name at the top of the screen.

“Frickin’ frackin’!” I clench my teeth together in a growl.

Colson’s eyes widen at my sudden explosion. Closing my eyes, I exhale to calm myself then bring the phone up to my ear. Smiling helps to fake enjoyment when talking to someone on the phone. Sometimes I can fool myself into thinking I’m not miserable during discussions.

“Finn!” I greet. “What’s new?”

My southern accent surfaces. I flip the switch whenever I speak to my family or friends back in South Carolina. I can’t have them thinking I’m not the same Y/N from Charleston. Colson eyes me with his eyebrows raised, surprised by my sudden transition. He makes fun of me in a whisper for my fake enthusiastic voice. I wack him on the arm and it only encourages him more.

“Hi ya Y/N, uh so ya prolly already know butcha face is everywhere along with this MGK fella...” Finn’s voice falters at the end.

I sigh and press my forehead to the wall. Finn asks me if any of what he has read is true and I instantly deny.

My tone goes timid, “who all knows?”

“Just us, Odelle, Greyson and Myself,” he assures.

A sense of relief rushes over me. I turn back around and Colson sends me a sympathetic look, it shocks me. Going from mockery to sympathy from him has my entire mood shifting.

“What ‘bout Momma or Daddy?” I ask, keeping eye contact with Colson.

“Nah, at least I don’t think they do,” Finn guesses. “I’m not entirely sure. Greyson is sayin’ they don’t. He’s the only one that’s home at the moment.”

“Heavens to Betsy,” I exhale deeply, looking up to the heavens. “Let’s hope to the high heavens they don’t. Thank you Finn.”

I go to hang up but he says one last thing. Bringing my phone back up to my ear I reply. “Sorry, missed that.”

My brother becomes stern on the other side, “do you and this guy spend tons of time together?”

I shift uncomfortably, preparing myself for the older brother advice I already see coming. “From time to time but I promise, we’re just friends.”

There’s a pause on his end, an unbearable pause. “I trust you Y/N,” Finn finally speaks. “It’s him I don’t trust. He’s not the best sort of guy. Ya’ll aint right for one another.”

I hope Colson can’t hear any of what Finn is saying. To keep him from becoming suspicious, I keep my replies indifferent. “Sure thing. Uh, talk ya later Finn.”

“Bye, talk to you soon.”

We hang up and I slip my phone into my purse.

Colson leans back onto the railing next to me. “Who was that?”

“My older brother, kinda overbearing,” I laugh nervously then bite my lip. My accent begins to subside again.

“I didn’t know you had a brother,” Colson remarks.

A faint smile appears across my lips thinking of my brothers. “I have two actually and an older sister. The order is Finn, Odelle, me then Greyson.”

Colson returns a kind and gentle smile. “That must’ve been nice to grow up with so many siblings.”

“It was.” I nod as memories flash across my mind. “Finn and Odelle were grouped together and so was me and Greyson since our age gaps are less.”

As we pass each level on the elevator there is a “ding.” Facing toward the doors again, I absentmindedly watch the numbers go down as we pass the levels. My mind wanders to the many memories I’ve made with my brothers and sister.

“Finn is about Sam’s age, so he likes to believe he’s almost a co-parent for me and Grey,” I describe with a pleased expression. “He’s the total opposite of Odelle.”

Colson genuinely shows interest, “how is she?”

“She’s a total wild card! We all joke that it’s every other kid. Finn and I are the rule followers. He was student body president, quarterback of the football team and still managed to graduate with honors. I’m nowhere near him on the perfect child spectrum but I’m supposed to be “America’s Sweetheart.” My parents eat that up. Then there’s Odelle, she’s the total opposite of Finn. My parents had to beg her to improve her grades so she could graduate. I remember being twelve, it was the middle of the night when I got up to get a drink. I went downstairs and saw her sneaking out of the backdoor. She made me promise not to tell our parents. I haven’t talked about it until today. There were days she’d fake being sick just to ditch school with her friends. By her senior year nothing had changed. She ended up graduating but my parents forced her to go to a college close to home so they could keep an eye on her. Her antics continued the entire time I was in high school. College for her was a playground. For some reason, I envied her. I still do. I suppose it’s because no one expects anything from her. She messes up, well, that’s Odelle for you. She causes trouble, just another day. For me, my parents have me up on a peddle stool. By the time I turned sixteen people out here started taking notice of me. When I reached seventeen the title of “America’s Sweetheart” popped up and from then on, I was longer a teenager. I had a role to play and an image to uphold. I could never make mistakes like Odelle. I have to be “perfect” constantly. Sometimes I feel like a doll, plastic. None of it is real.”

The bell rings for the floor. I comprehend the words escaping my mouth and snap back to reality. I revealed so much about myself while I was in that daze, private facts about myself that I’ve never spoken of before.

Straightening up and adjust my dress, I apologize. “I’m so sorry. I have no idea what came over me.” The doors slide open and I step out. “Good to see you Colson,” I rush out a farewell before speed walking towards the exit.

I mentally slap myself for all I confessed. If only Nicole found out, my head would be on a stick. My life, my background, every aspect of my being is supposed to be flawless. An All-American girl from South Carolina with a wholesome up brining is who I’m supposed to be. If word gets out that I’m not so perfect then… then I would be finished. My hand digs for my keys in my purse.

“Y/N! Wait up!” Colson jogs up next to me then steps in front of me, blocking my path.

“Colson, please....” I practically plead in a mutter, stepping around him.

He wraps his hand around my wrist, stopping me. “Let me buy you a drink!” 

Workers around us walk around in multiple directions like zombies. I wonder if they’re taking notice. Hesitant, I narrow my gaze at me. The reason we’re in this mess is because we were seen with one another.

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” I admit and release myself from his grip.

I only make it a few feet before he’s in front of me again.

“Fine, no to a drink! How about we go get some coffee? Or tea? If you prefer tea!”

His chest rises and falls rapidly, his desperation is evident. The reason behind is desperation is still unknown to me, along with the reason he looked at me the way he did last night. Who is this mysterious man who stands before me? So many questions I wish to ask but I can’t get passed his eyes. Puddles of crystal blue settle on a white canvas. Confused beyond belief, for a reason unbeknownst to me, I accept. Could be my curiosity is getting the best of me.

“Coffee it is,” I give in to his request.

He grins ear to ear and steps to the side so we can leave side by side. “Unless of course you prefer we get tea!” he suggests, sounding a tad nervous.

Honestly I like both drinks but I prefer coffee. He holds the door for me and the bright sunlight of California weather strikes me.

“Nah, I normally drink a cold brew with a shot of espresso,” I describe.

He winces and pretends to gag. “Ew! That sounds horrible!”

“It gives you a boost in the morning! Nice and strong!” I laugh.

“You’re nasty!” He waves his hands in disgust.

“Eh, you’ve called me worse,” I laugh, unfazed by his insult.

He chuckles, “you’re not wrong.”

Our laughing dies down a little as we stroll over to the Starbucks. I peer up at him with a side eye. When our eyes meet we begin laughing again uncontrollably.

___________________________________

Masterlist

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[phantombandit-films]

Why ‘War of the Worlds’ (2005) is a underrated masterpiece.

‘War of the Worlds’ was released in 2005, it is directed by the film god that is Steven Spielberg (Jaws, E.T.) and written by Josh Friedman (Terminator: Dark Fate, Avatar 2) and David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Mission: Impossible) 

Cast:  - Tom Cruise as Ray Farrier. - Justin Chatwin as Robbie Farrier. - Dakota Fanning as Rachel Farrier. - Miranda Otto as Mary Ann. -Tim Robbins as Harlan Ogilvy. - Ann Robinson as Grandmother.  - Gene Barry as Grandfather. 

First lets start with some history of ‘The War of the Worlds’ - The 2005 film is based off the novel of the same name which was written by H.G. Wells between 1895 and 1897, it then was then made into a series by Pearson’s Magazine in 1897 in the UK, Cosmopolitan in the US. Then becoming a hardback novel in 1898, it is one of the earliest written pieces to tell a story of conflict between Martians and man and so its one of the most commented on pieces of science fiction. 

It has been adapted and developed several times over many decades in many medias, the ones that come to mind are the famous 1938 dramatic radio reading that was directed and starred Orson Welles that actually caused public panic to those who listened in and didn’t know that the Martian invasion was fiction, its said that up to a million people ran out of their homes in terror.  (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_of_the_Worlds_(1938_radio_drama) )

The 1953 ‘The War of the Worlds’ film adaptation, which was produced by George Pal and directed by Byron Haskin. It also starred Gene Barry (who played Dr. Clayton Forrester) and Ann Robinson (who played Sylvia Van Buren) who can also been seen at the end of the 2005 film, they play the grandparents of Robbie and Rachel which I think is a sweet little cameo to see for those who loved the 1953 film.  Ann Robinson also revived her role as Sylvia Van Buren in two other films and three episodes of ‘The War of the Worlds’ tv series in 1988. 

In 1978 the most well known musical album by Jeff Wayne was produced and based off the story of ‘War of the Worlds’ this album included the voices of Richard Burton and David Essex.

This was then turned into a concert musical which tours annually through out the UK and Europe, the concert includes live performers such as Carrie Hope Fletcher but also a 3D hologram of Liam Neeson. It also includes a mix of computer animation, pyrotechnics and a big mechanical tripod that comes out on stage and lights up and can fire its heat-ray. 

(Source: Birmingham Mail.)

There have also been several Tv series, the two newest being the 2019 BBC version staring Poldark’s Eleanor Tomlinson and Full Monty’s Robert Carlyle, that has a Edwardian setting and follows closely to the novel. 

The other being the FOX 2019 adaptation that is set in present day Europe but I found this version didn’t really go off the novel, and was frustrated with the lack of the famous Tripods.  (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_of_the_Worlds) 

As a kid I would watch the 1953 film with my mum all the time as its one of her favourites and I do really like it, but then 2005 rolled around and in comes Steven Spielberg’s version. To be fair it was probably 2006 when I finally saw it, I was nine years old at the time and I remember my dad bringing home the DVD that someone at work had lent him. I don’t remember watching it but I do remember having nightmares for a month after, only for a month though.  Many years later when I was half way through high school and getting more and more into film my dad then bought the DVD from Woolworth's before it shut down, the DVD didn’t have a case only a see through CD case so I think it only cost him something like 50p. So I re-watched and again I don’t really remember this but all of a sudden I was hooked, and it climbed to the second spot on my favourite movies list where it still sits today. Honestly if you asked anyone I was friends with at that time they will tell you just how obsessed I was with it.  

I have many scenes that I love in this film the first being the rise of the first tripod, but there are two that I geek out over every time. 

The first scene being the one in the basement at Robbie and Rachel’s house, the scene starts off with Ray asleep in a chair. He starts to stir when when a blue flash of light on his face, but then jolts up right at a load whooshing noise followed by closely by Robbie shooting up from just below the camera. I love the way that Robbie appears sort of fits with the sound that’s heard, also the whole mood of the scene which is pitch black with this blue flashing light every now and then. The fact that you’re just as clueless as the characters as well, you find out what’s happening when they find out.  Also the way that Rachel appears behind the basement stairs, which will appear again near the end of the movie in a much more damaged basement which shows just how much their world has changed in just a short few days.  The sound design in this movie as well is something that I love, I love when the sound in a film alone can creep you out. The tripod sound is one of my favourite sounds to exist, like if I heard that from outside I would be so creeped out and scared.  At this moment in time Robbie and Rachel have no idea what is hunting them or what Ray has seen, Imagine running from something and seeing something completely destroy the whole of your neighbourhood yet not knowing what it looks like. This is what runs through my mind when I heart Rachel cry “Is it them, Is it them?!”  Then the next morning when Ray goes upstairs and see’s that the house is just completely destroyed by an aeroplane that has crashed down in the middle of the the housing estate. This Boeing 747 was a out of use plane and the production crew bought it for $60,000 which then cost them $200,000 to transport, it was then broken into pieces and houses were built around it. Which just shows how far some movie productions will go to make a film look more legit. (We love practical effects in this house.) This scene is still set up at Universal Studios Hollywood and can be seen on the Studio tour. 

(Basement and Plane crash scene.)

My second favourite scene, which is one of my all time top favourite scene ever with no surprise is the dock scene.  The speeding train that’s on fire is absolute stunning in every sense but for me the scene starts when the music starts.  ‘If I ruled the world, everyday would be the first day of spring.’ But i’m really glued to the screen when Rachel starts to follow the birds coming in from the river to in land, she follows them up to the hill where she notices the tree’s on the top are moving weirdly. “The tree’s are funny.” She then reaches out and grabs onto Rays hand who was talking to a friend.  Robbie turns to the hill as the camera slowly comes back and shows Robbie also turning to look at where Ray is looking. (Just remembering that this is the first time Robbie and Rachel ever see the tripods.) 

The camera then shows us what the family is looking at to reveal a tripod stood on the top of the hill, it then moves one of its legs which crushes a tree and makes everyone else look back. Obviously chaos ensues from this point on, everyone running trying to get onto the ferry to get away from the impending doom, unfortunately we learn that no where, not even on the water is safe. As a tripod comes up from out of the water and attacks the ferry, the family manage to escape and get to land on the other side of the ferry. They stop for a moment to catch their breath as people are being picked out of the water below them, they turn as a old air raid alarm is heard on the other side of the hill and we see tripods coming over another hill that was filled with people and using their head rays to wipe them all out, we also see in the distance a lighting storm indicating more Martions are still coming to earth. The scene is like a depiction of all the stages of the attack.  (Dock attack scene.)

I mean all the action scenes in this movie are just so beautiful and amazing, but did we expect any less from Spielberg? And the CGI and practical are all done extremely well and fitted together to make a scene look as real as possible. One of the art directors that worked on this film, Doug J. Meerdink who has also worked on Jurassic Park: III, Cloverfield and Jurassic World. 

I was looking up some trivia on IMDB for this movie and found that there was a deleted scene that is called the ‘Camelot’ scene. This scene is supposed to take place between the attack on the ferry and the battle on the hill, it involves Ray, Rachel and Robbie walking through an abandoned housing estate that’s named Camelot, when a pack of tripods start walking near by.  One of the tripods breaks off and the family has to take cover behind a SUV, they watch helplessly from behind as the tripod reaches into the house and grabs people from the houses. This scene has never been released but apparently it was fully finished, VFX and all but then taken out a few weeks before post production was wrapped up.  There is only one official video from this scene that was in the actual trailer for the film, and it’s only a shot of the family hiding behind the SUV. 

The only other shot from the scene is this landscape shot of a CGI tripod. 

There are also photos of the set designers setting up the miniature of the housing estate to shoot this scene, the rest are fan arts of how the scene maybe looked/ played out.  (Source)

I really hope that one day Steven releases this scene, or for some anniversary adds it into an extended version of the film like we’ve seen for other films. Because I would love that so much! It seems like such an incredible scene, and to see the tripods up this close again would be so cool! 

One of the trailers that was released for this film doesn’t have any of the film shots it in, It takes place in a normal neighbourhood where people are just going about their normal nightly routine when suddenly over the hill there are all these brilliant flashing lights, everyone's just coming out of their houses in their pj’s and standing in the street marvelling at this sight in front of them. Then we see explosions and suddenly heat rays are blowing up the tress on the street which then goes into the title.  I just love this, a trailer that doesn’t give anything away from the movie but creeps you out enough to be invested.  (Trailer.)

All in all it’s just an very visually pleasing film, it feels real enough to give you a sense of fear for the characters and for yourself. I also love that Steven stayed true to the source material,more truer than some of the other adaptations and also added in his own little Easter eggs.  The sounds, the aesthetic, the colours just everything comes together so beautifully. I think its a very underrated movie that deserves so much more love.

[hopelikethemoon]

Coffee (Javier x Reader) {MTMF}

Title: Coffee Rating: PG-13 Length: 2700 Warnings: A brief discussion about abortions.  Notes: You can find the Maybe Today, Maybe Forever Timeline here. And release order here. Set early February 1998. My personal headcanon for Reader/Annie is Phoebe Tonkin and Elena is Camilla Mendes. They are supposed to look strikingly similar. And if you don’t know my backstory for Reader it’s alluded to in this chapter.  Summary: Reader meets up with an old acquaintance. 

Taglist:  @grapemama  @seawhisperer @huliabitch @pedropascalito @rogrsnbarnes @thewallpapergoesorido @twomoonstwosuns @gooddaykate @livasaurasrex @ham4arrow @hiscyarika @plexflexico @readsalot73 @hdlynn @lokiaddicted @randomness501 @fioccodineveautunnale  @roxypeanut @just-add-butter @snivellusim @amarvelousmandalorian @lukesrighthand @historynerd04 @mrsparknuts @synystersilenceinblacknwhite @behindmyeyes-insidemyhead @exrebelshocktrooper @awesomefandomsunited @ah-callie @swhiskeys @lady-tano @beskar-droids @space-floozy @cable-kenobi @longitud-de-onda @cool-ultra-nerd @himbopoes @findhimfives @pedrosdoll @seeking-a-great--perhaps @frietiemeloen @arrowswithwifi @random066 @uncomicalhumour @heather-lynn @domino-oh-damn @cyarikaaa @ahopelessromanticwritersworld @im-still-a-pieceofgarbage @ksgeekgirl  @yabby-girl @xqueenofthecraziesx @punkass-potato @coredrive @pascalesque @theduchessofkirkcaldy @queenquazar @sabinemorans @buckstaposition​ (if I forget to tag you, I’m sorry)

Elena greeted you with a warm hug, “It’s so good to see you again. It has been such a long time.”

“I know.” You squeezed her back, before you released her and sat down at the table. “You look good.”

“So do you.” Elena assured you as she sat down across from you. “I did not know you and Javier were here in Miami. What a small world.”

You laughed, “When Connie mentioned someone from Colombia who bore a resemblance to me…” You gestured between the two of you, “I was shocked.”

She nodded, “As was I. When Connie found me on Monday and told me about the connection, I was floored.” Elena rested her chin on her palm, propping her elbow on the table. “Of all the people I knew in Colombia.”

“I tried to get Javier to come, but…” You shrugged, chewing on your bottom lip. Javier couldn’t understand why you were so determined to meet with one of his informants — especially since that part of his life was well and truly in the past. But it wasn’t that. You had actually liked Elena. There were no hard feelings towards her. 

She deserved better than the situation she was in in Colombia. 

“The last time I saw him, you had just told him you were pregnant.” Elena mused with a slight smirk. “I had never seen Javier scared before. After everything he’d endured, it was the promise of fatherhood that brought him to his knees.”

You smiled wistfully. “It wasn’t the best situation.”

“No,” Elena shook her head slowly. “I told him years before he should’ve acted on his feelings. But he ignored me.”

“What?” Your brows furrowed. 

Elena gestured between the two of you, “The first time I met him, I could’ve sworn he’d seen a ghost.”

A knot coiled in the pit of your belly. You weren’t a fool — you had known that your similarities with Elena were no coincidence. He hadn’t just sought her out for her the information. “I remember walking into that motel room and…” You frowned. 

Years later, you still didn’t know how to explain your feelings on that situation. It wasn’t like you and Elena were identical, but it was close enough that if you squinted the similarities were all there. It had left you with a strange fire in your veins. 

“He adored you.” Elena stated firmly. “I was almost jealous that there was a good man like him left to pine after someone who didn’t want him.”

You shook your head, “I wanted him, I just… You know how Javier was.”

“I do.” She agreed. “I’m glad things worked out for the two of you. Javier was one of the few good men who came through the doors of the brothel. He deserved a happy ending.”

“He’s the best father. Those girls are his everything.” You told her. 

“Girls?”

You laughed and nodded, “We have two daughters now.”

“Connie didn’t mention that.” She laughed. “Javier is a father two times over?”

“Sofía will be one in June.”

“Congratulations.” Elena smiled at you. “What do you do now? I assume you are not with the DEA.”

“Javier teaches,” You explained. “And I’m contracted with the Miami PD to handle narcotics training.”

“Still kicking ass.” Elena brought her coffee cup to her lips and took a sip. “I’m impressed.”

You grabbed your purse off the back of the chair, pulling out your wallet. “This was our family photo for Christmas.” You said as you slid the picture across the table.

“Look at the four of you!” She grinned at you, “You have a beautiful family.”

You beamed, “They're pretty cool, I guess.” Elena passed the picture back to you and you stared down at it. “I can’t believe how big Josie is getting.” 

The photographer had been so frustrated with you. He was determined to get the classic Christmas card picture with the tree in the background and one of the kids holding a present. But that wasn’t your style. You both wanted a picture that represented your family. 

 Javier had worn a pair of dark blue slacks with a white shirt.  He’d rolled up his sleeves to his elbow and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt beneath a tie Josie had picked out. Neither of you were the Christmas sweater type. You had, however, gotten the girls matching dresses, navy blue with silver snowflakes. And your own silver maxi dress was meant to tie the four of you together. 

 You loved all the pictures from the shoot, but the one you carried around was your favorite. Josie was sitting in her father’s lap, cheesing for the camera, while you sat beside him with your cheek against his shoulder as you helped Sofía balance on her feet in front of you. It wasn’t a picture-perfect Christmas card family — but it was all yours. 

 “Are you living with your cousin?” You questioned, lifting your gaze back to her as you tucked the photo back into your wallet. 

“You remembered! Santiago lives in Tampa. I lived with him while I went to school, but I’m on my own now.” Elena explained with a polite smile. “He visits when he can.”

“That’s great. I’m glad you have family nearby.”

“He helped a lot when I first arrived.” She shook her head slowly, “I just knew I couldn’t stay in Colombia.”

“I’m glad you got out when you did.” You assured her, “Things were heating up near the end.” 

“I’m sure it was.” She nodded, “What prompted the two of you to leave?”

You tucked a lock of hair behind your ear, leaning your elbow against the table as you looked out the window to your right. “The DEA wasn’t exactly thrilled that I was pregnant,” You explained. “They did everything in their power to make me miserable and it worked. After Josie was born, Javier and I came clean about who the father was and I was let go.” You shrugged. “He quit and we left the country.”

Elena rolled her eyes, “I’m not surprised the rest of the DEA are swine.”

“They certainly were.” You laughed, “And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I’m actually working on exposing them.” 

“Really?”

You nodded. “Javier requested all of the files my name was in. It’s a stack of them.” You sank back in your seat, glancing out the window again. “We’ve got a reporter covering it. The first article is supposed to drop in the Washington Post next month.” 

“Holy shit.” She leaned against the table. “You’re really trying to take them down, aren’t you?”

You rubbed at the back of your neck as you looked back at her, “They omitted me entirely from the reports about Escobar. It’s just Steve and Javi.” 

She frowned, “But you were right there.” 

“Yeah.” Your brows furrowed and you shook your head. “They essentially redacted me from the history books, simply because I had Josie.” 

“That’s bullshit.” She took another sip of her coffee, staring at you. “You were so dedicated to your job. Not only was that plain to see when we worked together, but Javier…” She pressed her lips together. “He was proud of you.” 

“Did he really talk about me that much?”

Elena shrugged, “I did not expect to see him again after the first time you and I worked together. I don’t know if he realizes how much he said without really saying anything. But it was clear he cared about you more than as just a partner.”

You sat up a little straighter then. “We’ve had a lot of discussions about that period in our lives. It’s just nice to hear from an outside source that I wasn’t alone in my… feelings.”

Elena pushed her hair behind her shoulders, smiling a little at you. “I really thought he was an idiot for not saying something to you. I did try to get him to.”

You laughed, shaking your head. “Luckily we are better about talking things through. It’s an uphill battle sometimes, but we try.” You leaned against the table. “So, how’d you get into social work?”

“It felt natural. I wanted to do something to give back. Ideally, I would like to work with women who are in difficult situations, but the hospital is a stepping stone to that.” Elena took another sip of coffee. “I’ve been volunteering at a women’s shelter downtown, which has been really fulfilling.” 

You smiled, “I wish I had more time to help the community. Javi’s got a full class schedule this semester and Monica is juggling a lot on her plate.”

“Monica?” Elena questioned with an arched brow. 

“Oh.” You laughed softly as you grabbed your wallet again, shuffling through the pictures before you produced a picture that had been taken at Thanksgiving. “Monica is one of Javier’s students. We’ve essentially adopted her into our family.” 

She gave you a look. 

“Her parents are not… understanding. To put it lightly.” You explained, “She’s been helping us with the girls, but she just started dating a really sweet girl and I don’t want her missing out on that.” 

Her eyes widened, “Ah.” 

“Exactly,” You shrugged with a short laugh. “We tried to get her to join us for the family photo at Christmas, but the lure of Nadia was too strong. They have this arcade they go to all the time.” You rolled your eyes. “I don’t get the appeal.” 

An incredulous sound escaped Elena as she stared at you, “You really did it, didn’t you?” 

“Did what?” 

“Domesticated Javier Peña.” 

You laughed loudly, much to the annoyance of the older couple sitting at the table behind you. “Sorry.” You offered, before looking back at Elena. “He’s extremely domesticated.” You grinned. “The man has a favorite coffee mug.”

Elena chuckled, “That’s the sort of life both of you deserve.” 

“I appreciate that.” You smiled at her. “Honestly, I thought I’d end up married to my work. Javier and Josie changed my life and I couldn’t be happier.” 

“You’re a stronger woman than I am,” Elena said with a warm smile. “If I had been in your situation, I don’t know if I would’ve chosen the motherhood route.” 

You took a sip of coffee, nodding your head slowly. “I didn’t even consider the alternative.” You admitted quietly, “I was ready and willing to do this alone if Javier didn’t want to be involved. It would’ve broken my heart, I think, but… she was the best accident.” You bit down on your bottom lip, thinking for a minute. “My own childhood wasn’t great.” 

“Really?”

You rubbed your lips together, giving a slight nod. “I overcame it, I came out on top, but… I don’t want my girls to have to work that hard to be loved. No one should have to feel like love is conditional. Monica, Josie, Sofía deserve better than that.” You raked your fingers through your hair. “I think that’s why, with Josie… I didn’t even consider having an abortion. I wanted to prove to myself that I could be the mother I never had.” 

Elena reached across the table and squeezed your hand, “And look at the life you’ve built from that decision.” 

“We should have coffee again sometime,” You suggested. “There’s no reason to be strangers in a city that is clearly small.”

“I would like that,” She patted your hand, before reaching for her coffee cup once more. “And please send Javier my best. He was a good man and he finally has the life he deserves.” 

“He’ll appreciate that.” You finished off the last of your coffee. Your eyes flickered to your wristwatch, “Shit. I need to pick up the kids.” You said as you got up, pulling your purse across your chest. “Thank you again, Elena.” 

“I’m glad we reconnected,” Elena said as she stood up, “I’m sure we’ll see each other again.” 

You exchanged a brief hug with her, before you ducked out of the coffee shop and headed for your car. You were relieved that the meeting had gone well — though you had expected it to. You’d worked alongside Elena a handful of times back in Colombia, where it was necessary that you play a part to get intel and she’d always been gracious to you. 

Outside of the first time you met her at the motel room, there was no lingering awkwardness there. Though you had a sneaking suspicion that more of his informants had known about you than just Elena. Considering how bad Javier was at keeping your second pregnancy secret, you figured he’d had a case of loose lips when it came to you. 

This was definitely going to come up with Nancy. If not straight from you, from Javier’s sessions. You were certain, with each passing session, Nancy was finding the two of you more and more unusual. Especially given the fact that Nancy had devoted an entire session to try to work out whether you held resentment towards Javier for sleeping with informants — as if you hadn’t as well. 

It was just never something that concerned you. It didn’t affect your relationship with Javier whatsoever. Sure, Elena bore a striking resemblance to you, but Steve had made you aware of the fact that you’d gone after men that even reminded him of Javier. 

Gotta love a good proxy. 

As you settled into your car your phone started ringing. 

“Hey,” You said after you pulled it free from your purse. “I was just thinking about you.” 

“Oh yeah?” Javier countered with a short chuckle. “I was thinking about you too, baby. You done with coffee?”

“Just got in the car to head over and pick up Josie.” You told him, shouldering the phone so you could buckle your seatbelt. “What’s up?” 

“I just wanted to see how it went.” He cleared his throat and you could practically feel his nerves through the phone. “How… How’d it go?”

“We spent the entire time gossiping about you.” You teased, trying to allay his worries. “We just caught up, Javi. It was nothing deeply profound.” 

Javier grumbled, “But you did talk about me?”

You rolled your eyes, putting your keys into the ignition and starting the car off. The radio came on, blasting Los Del Rio’s hit, and you quickly turned the knob to turn it down. “Of course we talked about you, Javi. Did you think you wouldn’t be brought up?”

“I just…” Javier trailed off and for a second you thought the call had dropped. “I used to tell her a lot more than I should’ve.”

“I gathered this.” You laughed softly. “But I also recall you told another informant that I was pregnant.” 

“Yes.” 

“You were a terrible agent Javier.” You said lightly. “Loose lips sink ships.” 

“I just couldn’t tell the right person.” He remarked, sighing heavily. “At least I’ve made up for it.” 

“Have you?” You countered, chewing on your bottom lip. “Do you have any plans this weekend?”

“Working on next week’s slides. Why, baby?”

“We should go out.” You suggested. “We haven’t really had a date since Sof was born. We could give Le Mystere a try.” 

Javier hummed, “The new Mediterranean place off Washington?”

“I know you’ve been dying to try it.” You smiled, “Come on, Javi. We deserve a kid-free night.” 

“I’ll give Steve a call after we get off the phone.” Javier drawled out, “See if I can get us a reservation tomorrow.” 

“I thought you’d jump on this opportunity.” It had been a long time since the two of you had actually had a real date. It was hard to balance two careers, two kids, and still manage to get a decent night of sleep. 

“How could I say ‘no’, baby?” He chuckled. “What’s the occasion?” 

“I love you. Do I need an occasion, Javi?” 

“No, you don’t. But you’ve got me looking forward to the weekend now.” He chuckled, “Alright, lemme get off the phone and get us a reservation.” 

“Perfect. I’m gonna go get the kids.” 

“See you at home, baby.” 

“See you soon.” You smiled as you hung up the phone, tossing it into the passenger seat beside you. 

Sure, you both had been more than willing to try new things, but the old thing — just the two of you — was pretty good too. Dinner out, the house to yourselves… Hopefully this time you won’t accidentally fall asleep after dinner, because you were breaking in the newest lingerie set you’d bought. 

[larrytay881]

Week 4: Is blogging still relevant in the age of TikToks and Instagram?

Is blogging still relevant in the age of TikToks and Instagram? If you create your first blog in 2021 and not familiar to TikToks or Instagram, this is a question that will undoubtedly cross your mind. But do you know what blog and blogging is?

What is blog?

A blog is a website (or a section of a website) with regularly updated information on one or more topics. The phrase is an abbreviation for "web log," which refers to the act of logging information on a website. The content on a blog is usually in the form of blog posts, which are articles on individual web pages. One such example is the article you're reading right now. On the blog's homepage, you'll find a list of these posts in reverse chronological order, from the most recent to the oldest (Maisha 2021).

What is Blogging?

Blogging is a set of abilities required to manage and maintain a blog. This includes providing tools to a web page to simplify the process of authoring, uploading, linking, and sharing information on the internet easier. As news organisations began to use blogs as instruments for outreach and opinion formation in the early stages, they became popular. They grew as a new information source (Minaev 2021).

Who is blogger?

Bloggers have recently gained attention for a variety of reasons. For many people, blogging has turned into a second job or a side income. As a result of this, more people are deciding to join the ranks of bloggers. So, who exactly are bloggers? Bloggers are people who enjoy sharing parts of their lives with you. They publish articles on a variety of themes, including arts, home design, furniture making, and money. Bloggers are mobile and don’t need to be in one place. They are completely reliant on the internet (Minaev 2021).

What is TikTok?

What exactly is TikTok? TikTok is a site that combines music, lip sync videos, humour, and microblogging material. It is not a simple platform to grasp at first sight. It has even sparked the creation of Triller, a rival platform that attempts to divert some of the attention away from the app.

For anyone above the age of 25, TikTok is still uncharted terrain. TikTok provides a look into what it's like to grow up in today's hyper-connected society, and it's extremely popular among Gen Z. The great majority of Facebook users nowadays are above the age of 40, but Instagram is more popular among users aged 20 to 40 (Daniel 2021).

What is Instagram?

According to Holak (2017), Instagram is a free online photo-sharing application and social networking platform. Instagram is a smartphone app that allows users to edit and publish images and short videos. Users may add a caption to each of their posts, and hashtags and location-based geotags can be used to index and search these posts within the app. When a user tags their posts with hashtags or geotags, they show in their followers' Instagram feeds and may also be accessed by the general public. Users may also make their profiles private, allowing only their followers to see their posts.

Is blogging still relevant in 2021?

According to Sanders (2021), Blogging is absolutely still relevant in 2021. In fact, roughly 409 million internet users read about 20 billion blog pages monthly. This is why 53% of marketers prioritize blogging as their primary content marketing strategy. Furthermore, blogging continues to flourish with a 12% increase in the last 5 years.

Is blogging still relevant in the age of TikToks and Instagram?

In my opinion, blogging is still relevant in the age of TikToks and Instagram. Despite the fact that blogging websites such as Tumblr do not have as many users as TikToks and Instagram, they (blogging websites) yet have their own "market" and customers. Is blogging no longer relevant? Certainly not. Although blogging websites such as Tumblr serve a different function as a diary-style publishing website than TikToks and Instagram, which are more focused on sharing images and videos on the platforms, but blogging can serve as a portfolio of edited summative assignments. People can publish completed newspaper articles, editorials, photo essays, podcasts, animations and other products. People may keep historical records of everything they do over the course of a year in these small places of cyberspace.

So what do you think?  Is blogging still relevant in the age?

List of References

Maisha, R 2021, “ What Is a Blog? An Introduction to Blogging “, Hostinger Tutorials, viewed 25 September 2021, <https://www.hostinger.my/tutorials/what-is-a-blog>.

Minaev, A 2021, “ What is a Blog? – Definition of Terms Blog, Blogging, and Blogger “, viewed 25 September 2021, <https://firstsiteguide.com/what-is-blog/>.

Daniel 2021, “ What is TikTok? Why Is It So Popular? “, Brandastic,  viewed 25 September 2021, <https://brandastic.com/blog/what-is-tiktok-and-why-is-it-so-popular/>.

Holak, B 2017, “ What is Instagram? “, TechTarget, viewed 25 September 2021, <https://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/Instagram>.

Sanders, K 2021, Are Blogs Still Relevant in 2021, Neal Schaffer, viewed 25 September 2021, <https://nealschaffer.com/are-blogs-still-relevant-in-2019/>.

[maryadeolascott]

6 Ways to Host a Fabulous Wedding Ceremony on a Budget

For most people, weddings are the perfect days to live out have the fairytale events perfectly scripted in their minds and brains. How cute! Unfortunately though, unless you come from an extremely rich family, or you have some really good money yourself, your heart might be broken when you find out that having fairytale weddings cost a whole lot, and in my opinion, far much more than you might have imagined them to be.

Don’t get gloomy though, for there s a silver lining to this. Your fairytale wedding can still be possible, even on a budget, so long as it’s devoid of excesses. As long as you’re not aiming for over-the-top, expensive styles and services, then, you will have a perfect wedding without breaking the bank. Allow me to show you how.

1. Work with a guest list

You do not need the whole world present at your wedding ceremony. Heck, you do not need all your family members present- that’s how serious this is. Truth is, if you really want to cut costs, then you need to trim your guest list. Plus, fewer guests make for a more intimate event. Bear in mind that the more guests you have at your event, the larger your reception. And, the larger your reception, the greater the cost involved. Plan wisely!

2. Serve your guests sheet cake

Have you been dreaming of a 7-tier, ganache filled, with dotted swiss piping cake? Fantastic. Your dreams are valid dear, although, they’re unrealistic. Let’s face it, cakes cost a whole lot, and wedding cakes, even more. This article isn’t aimed at tearing your dreams down but rather seeks to help you live your dream without drowning in an ocean of debt. You want a 7-tier cake? No worries. Simply choose a fake cake with a real top layer that you can cut. Dear, no one but yourself and your spouse will know. As for your guests, simply buy a sheet cake to serve them later on. Easy peasy!

3. Source your photos from the crowd

In other words, you do not have to hire a photographer. However, if you’re big on professionally edited photos, and you can comfortably pay a photographer to cover your big day, by all means, go ahead and hire one. But, if you are on a budget, you can crowdsource your photos. Ask a number of your friends who own cameras if they would be willing to be of help by taking pictures at the event. Give each of them a portion of the wedding they’d be responsible for covering so as to prevent them from feeling overwhelmed. You can also provide a computer station where people can download pictures from their cameras at the end of the event. By so doing, you get to have pictures from different angles. Who knows? You might even get some worth framing.

4. Make use of a wide-open space

I can imagine that your mind is set on some beautiful, ballroom somewhere exotic. Well, luxury isn’t usually affordable, and the place you’re eyeing may be freaking expensive. Try renting a public venue to host your wedding. Usually, a venue that does not necessarily give off the wedding venue vibe wouldn’t be so expensive. If you happen to have someone who owns a large field or has a wide backyard, then you are in luck as those are suitable, rustic wedding venues.

5. Go for less decoration

Less is more, yippie! And for a wedding ceremony, this is so true. When picking venues, go for one that speaks for itself. If you host your wedding in a grand venue, you get to save on decoration because the building will do all the talking. Wedding decor, rentals, or even thrift store finds can all add up.

6. Consider hosting on other days of the week

Weddings don’t always have to be held on Saturdays, especially the ones on a budget. Choose a weekday, or a Sunday, duh. This way, you get to spend less on venues, food, and beverages. You also do not have as much crowd, saving you quite some amount on food and other costs.

[patriotsnet]

How Many Registered Republicans In Utah

New Post has been published on https://www.patriotsnet.com/how-many-registered-republicans-in-utah/

How Many Registered Republicans In Utah

Your Voice Your Vote Your Future

In Conservative Utah, Many Mormon Voters Distrust Trump

We believe that change happens at the local level. Thats why were working with 200+ YWCAs across 46 states to help build political power in our communities.

Were an official Voterise partner to get 20,000 potential women voters in Utah registered to vote on issues that impact their lives and their families. Learn more about Women Registering Women and sign up.

Get Started;

Register to vote! Dont forget if you had a name change or change of address you must update your registration.

Get your friends and family registered. That friend who just isnt into politics? Your cousin who just turned 18? Help them see the value in showing up to the polls.

Lend your support locally. Whether its volunteering to plan or participate in a voter registration drive, helping with a candidates forum or with voter education events, or simply lifting up efforts through social media we can each play a role in empowering our community.

Host your own voter registration drive! Whether its at your school, place of worship, office, or a sporting event, it is quick and easy to set up and a great way to make registering easy for people in your community. and hand out pledge cards and get going!

SHOW UP ON ELECTION DAY AND VOTE.

Find more information about tracking your ballot and see your specific voter information at vote.utah.gov.

Voter Registration And State Political Control

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.

The state Democratic or Republican Party controls the governorship, the state legislative houses, and U.S. Senate representation. Nebraska’s legislature is unicameral, i.e., it has only one legislative house and is officially non-partisan, though party affiliation still has an unofficial influence on the legislative process.

The simplest measure of party strength in a state voting population is the affiliation totals from voter registration for the 30 states and the District of Columbia as of 2019 that allow registered voters to indicate a party preference when registering to vote. 20 states do not include party preference with voter registration: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. The party affiliations in the party control table are obtained from state party registration figures where indicated. Only Wyoming has a majority of registered voters identifying themselves as Republicans; two states have a majority of registered voters identifying themselves as Democrats: and Kentucky .

Chart 1 And Table : Nationwide Party Registration Trends Since 2000

Since 2000, the nationwide proportion of registered Democratic and Republican voters in party registration states have both gone down, while the percentage of registered independents has steadily grown. The latter has nearly reached the nationwide percentage of registered Republicans, which has long been second nationally to the Democrats. Altogether, the combined number of registered Democrats and Republicans, which was 77% in October 2000, is now down to 69%, while the proportion of registered independents over the same period has increased from 22% to 28%.

Note: Based on active registered voters in states where the number of active and inactive registrants is listed. In the election-eve 2000, 2008, and 2016 entries, Independents include a comparatively small number of registered miscellaneous voters who do not fit into a particular category. Percentages do not add to 100 since the small percentage of registered third party voters is not included.

Richard Wingers monthly newsletter, Ballot Access News, for election-eve party registration numbers in 2000, 2008, and 2016; the websites of state election offices for July 2018.

You May Like: How Did The Democrats And Republicans Switch

Huntsman At Risk Of Shocking Defeat In Utah

After a decade away from Utah politics and a weeks-long fight with the coronavirus, the former governor is locked in a tight race for his old job.

Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman. | Alex Brandon/AP Photo

06/29/2020 07:19 PM EDT

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When former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman launched a bid for his old job last November, his entry to the race elicited one immediate question: Why?

Now, on the eve of the state’s Republican primary, many GOP voters are asking that very question. Huntsman, despite once owning 90 percent approval ratings as governor and a surname thats legendary in Utah, is struggling to fend off Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox for the GOP nomination.

Back in 2009, just a few months after he was reelected to a second term with nearly 80 percent of the vote, Huntsman left Utah to serve as ambassador to China under then-President Barack Obama before fleeing Beijing abruptly in 2011 for an ill-fated presidential campaign against the man who appointed him.

Then Donald Trump, in need of a credible ambassador in Moscow after Russia’s interference in the election, tapped the experienced Huntsman for the job even though the former governor had called on him to drop out after the “Access Hollywood” tape.

“This race is kind of Huntsman versus Huntsman,” said Doug Foxley, a political strategist and senior adviser to the Huntsman campaign. “Some of these people have feelings about Jon and they’re either voting for him, or they’re voting against him.”

Filed Under:

Political Party Strength In Us States

Political party strength in U.S. states is the level of representation of the various political parties in the United States in each statewide elective office providing legislators to the state and to the U.S. Congress and electing the executives at the state ” rel=”nofollow”>U.S. state governor) and national level.

Don’t Miss: 115th Congress By Party

Y Identification Party Registration And Unaffiliated Voters

Only 26% of unaffiliated voters also identify as independents. The remaining unaffiliated voters split evenly between Republicans and Democrats . In other words, its probably okay to confuse registered Republicans with self-identified Republicans , but unaffiliated voters are not always independents.

This analysis was performed by Zach Smith, a student research fellow at;;, in collaboration with CSED faculty.; The writing is mostly his. Inquiries about this research should come to Quin Monson.

Even though they sound alike, party registration and party identification are conceptually different.; In Utah and many other states, when you register to vote you can also register with a specific political party or as unaffiliated. This registration status can be changed online. Formal party registration is technically different from party identificationthe psychological attachment or sense of identity that a voter has for a political party.; Party identification is usually measured on a survey with a question something like, Generally speaking, do you consider yourself a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or what?

Party identification is also typically separated into seven categories so that partisan identifiers can express the strength of their identity.; Independents are typically allowed to lean toward one party or the other .2

How And When To Return Your Ballot:

; Your ballot;MUST;be postmarked no later than the Monday before the election, in order for it to be counted. ;

Drop Box; Secure Ballot Drop Boxes will be available at;the following;locations:

Millard County Clerks Office; 765 S Hwy 99, Ste. 6, Fillmore, Utah during business hours, through the Monday before each election and from 7:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Public Safety Building; 765 S Hwy 99, Fillmore, Utah 24 hours up to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Millard County Satellite Offices; 71 S 200 W, Delta, Utah 24 hours up to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Millard County Offices; 50 South Main Street, Fillmore, Utah 24 hours up to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Drop Boxes allow voters to drop their voted ballot, sealed in the signed envelope, at any one of the locations without having to put a stamp on the envelope.; ;Ballots dropped at drop boxes are regularly retrieved by election staff and delivered to the Clerks Office for counting on Election Day.

Polling Locations Election Day Two vote centers will be available on Election Day and during Early Voting, for those who may require assistance, or may have issues with their ballot, i.e.: spoiled, torn or damaged, or did not receive a ballot, need to make name and/or address changes, missed the deadline to register to vote, etc., or simply wish to hand deliver their voted ballot.

Voters needing assistance are encouraged to contact the Clerks Office and/or come in person during early voting or on Election Day.

Read Also: Did Trump Call Republicans Stupid In 1998

A Group Of Friends And A Few Acquaintances Were Having A Politic Many Of You Guys Can Add It Up In One Minute So Please Tell Me:

Eric rauchway, professor of american history at the university of democrats seized upon a way of ingratiating themselves to western voters: There were nine new senators and a minimum of 89 new representatives , as well as one new delegate at the start of its first session. During this time, african americans were largely disenfranchised. Get more help from chegg. The us political parties, now called democrats and republicans, switched platform planks, ideologies, and members many although what happened is complex, in many cases there was no clean sudden shift, and some voter bases and factions never switched, you can see evidence of the. How many new democrats are there? Voter registration is the requirement that a person eligible to vote registers on an electoral roll before that person is entitled or permitted to vote. Voter registration and participation are crucial for the nations democracy to function properly and for the us government to provide fair representation. Republicans who worked with democrats were traitors in the war for seats in congress. Ive seen a lot where it says theyre a registered democrat . A group of friends and a few acquaintances were having a politic many of you guys can add it up in one minute, so please tell me: Republicans and democrats after the civil war. In the others, such as virginia, voters register without.

Nearly 100000 Voters Registered As Republicans Before The Primary But Most Of Those Were Independents Not Democrats

In Battleground States, Newly Registered Democrats Are Outnumbering Newly Registered Republicans

Then-Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, former House Speaker Greg Hughes and former Gov. Jon Huntsman participate in the Utah governor primary debate at the PBS Utah studio at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, June 1, 2020. A new study says voters switching parties had a minimal effect on the outcome of the race, which Cox won by just over 6,300 votes.

There has been much hand-wringing among Utah Republicans even legislation over the potential of Democrats changing their party affiliation to vote in and potentially disrupt GOP primary elections.

But, a new study concludes Democrats didnt have much of an impact on last years Republican primary despite a concerted effort to get voters of all stripes to register with the GOP.

The report from the Princeton University Electoral Innovation Lab says while the number of Utah voters who were registered as Republicans surged ahead of the June primary election, most of those were unaffiliated voters becoming Republicans rather than Democrats switching parties.

Spencer Cox edged out Jon Huntsman for the GOP nomination, winning just 36.15% of the vote in the four-way race in June. Huntsmans campaign encouraged unaffiliated voters who usually vote for Republicans in the general election to register with the GOP for the primary.

And a couple of prominent Democrats also urged members of their party to switch before the primary.

Courtesy Electoral Innovation Lab at Princeton University

Recommended Reading: Trump Calls Republicans Idiots

The 2018 Midterm Elections

The 2018 midterm elections held many historic firsts Congress will have more women of color serving at the same time than ever before, and nationally women made unprecedented wins! We congratulate all of this years winners, and applaud first-time candidates, voters, and organizers for getting involved.

The Increasingly Republican Pandemic

Increasingly, it’s a Republican pandemic.

The Associated Pressreported last week that of the 18,000 American COVID-19 deaths in May, only 150 involved fully vaccinated people and that “breakthrough” infections of vaccinated people accounted for fewer than 1,200 of the 853,000 COVID-related hospitalizations during the month. Those low numbers suggest the pandemic death rate “could be practically zero if everyone eligible got the vaccine,” the news service concluded.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of vaccine holdouts. As David Leonhardt points out today at TheNew York Times, the refusers are trending Republican: The average county that voted for Donald Trump is just 34 percent vaccinated; the number is 45 percent for counties that went for Joe Biden. And unsurprisingly, the counties that have a low proportion of vaccinations have higher rates of new cases.

It’s here where you have to consider if Tucker Carlson holds the power of life and death or, at least, good health or ill over his nearly 3 million conservative viewers.

But Carlson can use his influence for good. During the first, terrifying days of the pandemic last March, he reportedly was a pivotal figure who helped convince then-President Trump to finally start taking the coronavirus seriously. “I felt I had a moral obligation to be useful in whatever small way I could,” Carlson toldVanity Fair in March 2020.

You may also like

Also Check: Did Trump Call Republicans Stupid In 1998

Political Party Strength In Illinois

Illinois is a Democratic stronghold in presidential elections and one of the âbig threeâ Democratic strongholds alongside and New York. It is one of the most Democratic states in the nation with all state executive offices and both state legislative branches held by Democrats. For most of its history, Illinois was widely considered to be a swing state, voting for the winner of all but two presidential elections in the 20th century. Political party strength in Illinois is highly dependent upon Cook County, and the stateâs reputation as a blue state rests upon the fact that the majority of its population and political power is concentrated in , Cook County, and the Chicago metropolitan area. Outside of Chicago, the suburban collar counties continue trending Democratic while downstate Illinois can be considered more conservative with some moderate regions, particularly suburban St. Louis.

Illinoisâs electoral college votes have gone towards the Democratic presidential candidate for the past eight elections, and its congressional makeup tilts heavily Democratic. However, it has a long history of competitive statewide elections and has elected a small number of Republicans in recent years, including Governors Jim Edgar, George Ryan, and Bruce Rauner, Senators Peter Fitzgerald/

William Lee D. Ewing 94R, 83D

Special Exceptions And Processes

If you are incarcerated for a misdemeanor, or if you are a person in pre trial-detention, you are still eligible to vote.

If you are currently incarcerated for a felony conviction, you are NOT eligible to vote.

Convicted felons voting rights are automatically restored upon receiving parole or probation, or being released from incarceration.

Youths ages 16 and 17 may preregister to vote online or by submitting a State of Utah Voter Registration Form. Voting in primary elections is permitted for 17-year-olds who will be 18 by the general election.

You May Like: What Caused Republicans To Gain Power In Congress In 1938?

How The Primary Works

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political partyâs candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Illinois uses an open primary system. Voters do not have to register with a party, but they do have to choose, publicly, which partyâs ballot they will vote on at the primary election.

Actors Who Are Republican

Hollywood looks like a haven for the liberal-leaning Democrat supporters but if you look beyond the surface youll find there are actually quite a few who lean the other way. From superheroes to comedians the list of actors who are Republicans may surprise you.

1. Laura Prepon

You know her from That 70s Show and Orange Is the New Black, Laura Prepon is known for playing quite liberal-leaning roles but off-screen shes a proud Republican having famously supported Bush during his election.

2. Christian Bale

Though it hasnt been confirmed officially it would appear that former Batman Christian Bale is Republican. Many point to his attendance of actor and political activist Charlton Hestons funeral as proof. Christian Bale is thought to be one of the very few actors who attended.3. Adam Sandler

Adam Sandler lets his money do the talking, he quite notably donated a substantial sum of money to support Rudy Giulianis Presidential campaign during the 2012 election.

4. Peyton Manning

Star Quarterback Peyton Manning is known for showing his support for the Republican party by writing checks. Hes donated over $20,000 to Senators and Presidential hopefuls through the years. Most recently he supported Jeb Bushs Presidential run with $2,700, the most a single person can donate to an election.

5. Heather Locklear

The former Superman openly backed Mitt Romneys Presidential bid during the 2012 election and hes a regular guest on Fox News.

7. James Earl Jones

8. Tom Selleck

Recommended Reading: What Party Controls The Senate

Record 22 Million Californians Registered To Vote Heading Into General Election

SACRAMENTO, CA Secretary of State Alex Padilla released the final statewide Report of Registration ahead of the;November 3, 2020, General Election. As of October 19, 2020, a record 22,047,448 Californians were registered to vote. This represents an increase of 2,635,677 registered voters since the last Report of Registration at a similar point in a presidential election cycle .

87.87% of eligible Californians are registered to vote.;This is the highest percentage of eligible citizens registered to vote heading into a General Election in the past;80 years.

For the first time, California;now;has more than 22 million registered voters, said;Secretary of State Alex Padilla. There are more voters registered in California than the number of people in the state of Florida!;Record;registration and a historic election points towards a big;voter turnout, which could also;mean longer lines and wait times on Election Day. If you havent voted yet, I;highly recommend that;you;consider voting early.

If you missed the voter registration deadline, you still have to opportunity to vote using Same Day Registration. 2020 marks the first year that voters can complete the Same Day voter registration process and cast their ballot at any in-person voting location in the county;or the county elections office, Padilla added.

Trends in Statewide Voter Registration 1996 2020

22,047,448

Registration Comparison October 19, 2020 Report vs. October 24, 2016 Report

Political Party

[150289city]

Camera Lens Filters - Research Task

1. Circular Polariser;

A circular polariser is a filter that’s quite similar to a neutral density filter. It helped to adjust the quality of light in an image and helps to remove haze and glare. It Is typically used to reduce or remove refelections of light on water or glass by controlling the quality of light. This filter is commonly used by landscape photographers as it can enhance the saturation of the colours in the image.

2. Neutral Density Filter;

ND filter acts like sunglasses would to your eyes, it blocks light coming into the lens like sunglasses blocks light coming into your eyes. ND stands for Neutral Density which means it blocks the light in a neutral way without changing the colour of the light.

A Neutral Density filter allows a photographer to control the exposure in an image very easily. The filter stops light reaching the camera sensor, therefore allowing us to leave the camera with a higher aperture for a longer amount of time.

Instead of changing the aperture to reduce the amount of light in the image, we simply add on a ND filter, then adjust the exposure to the amount we want. It is easy and very effective, plus we can still set the aperture to a low value for sharper images, or wide open for a shallow DOF.

ND filters do not effect the colour in the photo in any way.

ND Grad filters

ND Grads are mainly used to darken down skies and balance out exposure. Below is an example using a hard grad ND filter. The one on the left is a normal picture shot using the camera’s built in light meter. This is what the camera thought was the correct exposure. The one on the right with the 2 stop hard grad ND filter. This has darkened the sky by 2 stops to give a much more balanced exposure.

3. Ultraviolet {UV} Filter;

UV filter is a glass filter that attaches to the front of your camera lens and blocks ultraviolet rays. They used to be necessary for film photography, but now most photographers use them to protect their lenses. Digital sensors are designed to be largely insensitive to these particular wavelengths.

UV filters are a common cause of lens flare, and while some really well-designed filters may not always create this issue, cheap filters and lights in the frame rarely mix well.

4. Red filter

A red filter is a screw on, which fit directly on your lens. Yellow filters and UV filters are also screw in. Some people may want to use a red filter to add drama. Obviously depending what your image/scene is… In nature photography, a red filter will increase the contrast between red flowers and green foliage. A red filter will deepen a blue sky and make white clouds pop out. It can also decrease the effects of haze and fog.

5. 80B filter

80B filter - converts 3400K (tungsten light or morning or early evening) light sources to match 5500K (average daylight). Used in film camera. Commonly occurs indoors when your main light source is incandescent light bulbs. The 80B filter transforms the colour of the ambient light entering the lens by adding blue to the overall exposure.

[onlinemarketinghelp]

6 Ideas To Diversify Your Income Streams https://ift.tt/33Oo5k2

The more I diversify my income, the more I realize what a huge blessing it is to have the opportunity to do this. It not only allows me to experiment with new ideas, but I also have the comfort of knowing that if one income stream fails, I have several more to back me up.

Remember, if you go back and think about the basic personal finance equation: Income - Expenses = Savings. You can only cut so many expenses, but you can boost your income to limitless potential.

It took me awhile to learn how to effectively diversify my income, but now the possibilities seem truly limitless.

Plus, you've probably heard the saying that the average millionaire has 7 different streams of income? Where do you stand compared to this?

If you’re just getting started, here are six ideas to diversify your income and add more to your bottom line.

Quick Navigation

Start With Your Day Job

Invest In Real Estate

Crowd Funded Real Estate

Flipping a House

Owning Rental Properties

House Hacking

Offer A Service

Sell A Product

Become A Micro-Entrepreneur

Become An Uber AND Lyft Driver

Food Delivery With Uber Eats

Deliver For DoorDash

Invest In The Stock Market

Get Good At One Then Work on Another

Start With Your Day Job

We talk a lot about "side hustling" and multiple income streams, but let's face it, your day job is, most likely, your number one source of income. This is what most likely pays your bills and keeps food on the table.

For me I’d consider my “day job” my freelance income. Even though I’m self-employed, I view certain income streams as the ones that pay my bills and others are goal money or fun money.

But for others, your day job might be a true nine to five. Regardless, there are several ways that you can boost your income stream with your day job. Can you pick up shifts at work? Volunteer for overtime? Or, even asking for a raise can boost your day job income.

Invest In Real Estate

My income is fairly diversified right now. The next thing I would love to add more of is investing in real estate. Of course, it’s going to take me a good amount of time to get the cash saved up for this, but there are options to get started investing in real estate for as little as $500! Yes, serious, $500.

Here are my favorite ideas for investing in real estate:

Crowd Funded Real Estate

​One of the newest options for investing in real estate is crowd funded real estate. This is where you join others to invest in a rental property – either commercial or residential. The great thing about this is that there are low minimums to get started, and you don't even have to be an accredited investor.

RealtyMogul – RealtyMogul offers investors a variety of properties to choose from, including residential, mixed-use, commercial and retail. They don’t charge their investors fees, instead placing that burden on the property holders. Investors can start seeing a return just a few weeks after the project is funded. We are partners with RealtyMogul, and they're one of the best platforms out there right now.

Streitwise – One of the most popular real estate crowdfunding sites, Streitwise has a minimum investment of $1,000 and charges between approximately 2% in fees. The site is ruthless about which projects it accepts – only about 5% of proposals are chosen. Streitwise is another one of our favorite sites simply because of the range of investment properties they have to choose from, but also because you don’t have to be an accredited investor to invest – they are one of the only platforms that allows this currently.

Flipping a House

​I know many people think that flipping is a very risky business and it can be, it just depends on the real estate market in your area. I have successfully flipped a house before (the one and only time that I tried) and I can’t wait to try it again.

Owning Rental Properties

​Owning rental properties is not for the faint of heart. You have to be able to plan for vacancies, repairs, and deal with renters. While I haven’t completely ruled out owning rental properties I’m not sure that I’d want to deal with tenants. I’d ideally use a property management service to handle this for me. However, this could still be a great way for you to diversify your income.

If you have a little more to get started, check out Roofstock. With Roofstock, you can purchase single-family turnkey investment properties directly online! Check out Roofstock here >>

House Hacking

​Along the same lines as owning rental properties, you can get started investing in real estate via house hacking. This is where you leverage your own property as a rental - maybe by renting out a room or turning it into an Airbnb listing. My best friend did this in college and basically had his roommates pay for his house!

Offer A Service

After your day job, your next step might be offering a service of some sort. This service should be based off of your skill set, your free time, and your hobbies.

A few ideas to get this started are:

Lessons

Writing

Resume Help

Coaching/Consulting

Tutoring

Babysitting

Social Media Management

There are both pros and cons to offering a service. The big pros are that you get to set the hours, choose the pricing, and pick the service. The cons are that it can take time to build up clients and that you’re still trading time for money.

We have a ton of other ideas for service-based side businesses here.

Sell A Product

This third idea will require initial time upfront, but then can become a passive income source. The royalty trickle of income can take a lot of upfront marketing to make successful, so don’t expect to create some sort of product and start raking in the big bucks. Earning royalties requires hard work!

With that said here are some ideas:

Write an eBook: Anyone can become an author on Amazon. In fact, I tried this a few years ago. All you have to do is write your eBook in a word doc, format for Kindle, and upload to Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing program. The process is simple, however, making sales and getting your book to rank high is a ton of work.

Sell Stock Photos: There are so many places that you can sell stock photos for royalties. If you’re a photographer this could be an excellent side gig for you. Just a couple places to sell your photos are 123rf.com and freedigitalphotos.net

Create T-Shirts: Do you ever see ads on Facebook for T-Shirts that have your name or occupation on them? Those ads are usually from people who create the T-Shirt and then advertise to you through Facebook. If you end up buying one of those T-Shirts the creator will earn a royalty. If you like this idea here’s an interesting podcast on it from Side Hustle Nation.

Become A Micro-Entrepreneur

I view micro-entrepreneurship a little different than selling a product or service. Yes, it's still side hustling, but it's about being able to do it on your own terms, but not totally having to start your own business.

Check out these ideas below and see if any of them make sense for you.

Become An Uber AND Lyft Driver

I love the idea of ride-sharing as a side hustle because it's one of the few "jobs" on here that you can truly do 100% on your own time. If you want to drive in the middle of the night from 2am to 6am, you can!

​All you need is a car and some spare time. Just sign up with Uber and start driving people around. You'll make what you put into it.

To maximize your earning and profit potential, you need to sign up for both Uber and Lyft and use both apps at the same time.  

To get started:

Sign Up To Drive With Uber​

Sign Up For Lyft (and see their current bonus offers)

Food Delivery With Uber Eats Or Instacart

If you don't like the idea of having people in your car, then maybe delivering food is the best avenue for you to take advantage of your car and earn extra money to diversify your income.

You can also deliver groceries with a service like Instacart. 

Or, maybe you don't even have a car? You can make money doing delivery with Uber Eats with a bike or scooter in some cities as well!

Sign Up for Instacart here.

Sign up for Uber Eats here.

Deliver For DoorDash

DoorDash is another delivering service that has been growing nationwide. Again, it's an alternative to not having people in your car but still getting paid to deliver.

More and more restaurants are signing up, so you can likely find gigs in your area. Sign Up For DoorDash.

Invest In The Stock Market

A mostly passive option to diversifying your income is investing in the stock market. Since Robert is the investing expert around here, I’ll leave you some of his posts on creating a monthly income through investing to check out:

How To Start investing With Just $100

How To Get Started Investing In Your 30s

Why Lending Club Is My Favorite CD Alternative

However, just like anything, investing does take a little up front capital to get started. However, you can build a dividend portfolio and start seeing rewards right away (albeit small). But the power of compound interest is a huge force, and you'll soon see your income stream grow!

Check out these great places to start investing (including M1 Finance where you can invest for free):

Open A New Brokerage Account

Broker

Promotions

Get Started

Up to

$600

Commission Free

No Monthly Fees

Open Account

Up to

$3,500

$100 Cash Bonus for Deposits of $25,000

Commission Free Trades for Deposits of $25,000

Open Account

Commission

FREE

Investing

$100 Minimum Deposit

No Commissions

Open Account

Get Good At One Then Work on Another

My motto for building multiple streams of income is to get really good at one thing before moving to something else. Trying to take on too much at once will only set you up for failure.

Pick one thing, master it, and then add another income stream. Over time, the income streams will start to compound and you'll start seeing massive growth. 

This is how you build wealth for the long run.

How do you diversify your income?

The post 6 Ideas To Diversify Your Income Streams appeared first on The College Investor.

from The College Investor

The more I diversify my income, the more I realize what a huge blessing it is to have the opportunity to do this. It not only allows me to experiment with new ideas, but I also have the comfort of knowing that if one income stream fails, I have several more to back me up.

Remember, if you go back and think about the basic personal finance equation: Income - Expenses = Savings. You can only cut so many expenses, but you can boost your income to limitless potential.

It took me awhile to learn how to effectively diversify my income, but now the possibilities seem truly limitless.

Plus, you've probably heard the saying that the average millionaire has 7 different streams of income? Where do you stand compared to this?

If you’re just getting started, here are six ideas to diversify your income and add more to your bottom line.

Quick Navigation

Start With Your Day Job

Invest In Real Estate

Crowd Funded Real Estate

Flipping a House

Owning Rental Properties

House Hacking

Offer A Service

Sell A Product

Become A Micro-Entrepreneur

Become An Uber AND Lyft Driver

Food Delivery With Uber Eats

Deliver For DoorDash

Invest In The Stock Market

Get Good At One Then Work on Another

Start With Your Day Job

We talk a lot about "side hustling" and multiple income streams, but let's face it, your day job is, most likely, your number one source of income. This is what most likely pays your bills and keeps food on the table.

For me I’d consider my “day job” my freelance income. Even though I’m self-employed, I view certain income streams as the ones that pay my bills and others are goal money or fun money.

But for others, your day job might be a true nine to five. Regardless, there are several ways that you can boost your income stream with your day job. Can you pick up shifts at work? Volunteer for overtime? Or, even asking for a raise can boost your day job income.

Invest In Real Estate

My income is fairly diversified right now. The next thing I would love to add more of is investing in real estate. Of course, it’s going to take me a good amount of time to get the cash saved up for this, but there are options to get started investing in real estate for as little as $500! Yes, serious, $500.

Here are my favorite ideas for investing in real estate:

Crowd Funded Real Estate

​One of the newest options for investing in real estate is crowd funded real estate. This is where you join others to invest in a rental property – either commercial or residential. The great thing about this is that there are low minimums to get started, and you don't even have to be an accredited investor.

RealtyMogul – RealtyMogul offers investors a variety of properties to choose from, including residential, mixed-use, commercial and retail. They don’t charge their investors fees, instead placing that burden on the property holders. Investors can start seeing a return just a few weeks after the project is funded. We are partners with RealtyMogul, and they're one of the best platforms out there right now.

Streitwise – One of the most popular real estate crowdfunding sites, Streitwise has a minimum investment of $1,000 and charges between approximately 2% in fees. The site is ruthless about which projects it accepts – only about 5% of proposals are chosen. Streitwise is another one of our favorite sites simply because of the range of investment properties they have to choose from, but also because you don’t have to be an accredited investor to invest – they are one of the only platforms that allows this currently.

Flipping a House

​I know many people think that flipping is a very risky business and it can be, it just depends on the real estate market in your area. I have successfully flipped a house before (the one and only time that I tried) and I can’t wait to try it again.

Owning Rental Properties

​Owning rental properties is not for the faint of heart. You have to be able to plan for vacancies, repairs, and deal with renters. While I haven’t completely ruled out owning rental properties I’m not sure that I’d want to deal with tenants. I’d ideally use a property management service to handle this for me. However, this could still be a great way for you to diversify your income.

If you have a little more to get started, check out Roofstock. With Roofstock, you can purchase single-family turnkey investment properties directly online! Check out Roofstock here >>

House Hacking

​Along the same lines as owning rental properties, you can get started investing in real estate via house hacking. This is where you leverage your own property as a rental - maybe by renting out a room or turning it into an Airbnb listing. My best friend did this in college and basically had his roommates pay for his house!

Offer A Service

After your day job, your next step might be offering a service of some sort. This service should be based off of your skill set, your free time, and your hobbies.

A few ideas to get this started are:

Lessons

Writing

Resume Help

Coaching/Consulting

Tutoring

Babysitting

Social Media Management

There are both pros and cons to offering a service. The big pros are that you get to set the hours, choose the pricing, and pick the service. The cons are that it can take time to build up clients and that you’re still trading time for money.

We have a ton of other ideas for service-based side businesses here.

Sell A Product

This third idea will require initial time upfront, but then can become a passive income source. The royalty trickle of income can take a lot of upfront marketing to make successful, so don’t expect to create some sort of product and start raking in the big bucks. Earning royalties requires hard work!

With that said here are some ideas:

Write an eBook: Anyone can become an author on Amazon. In fact, I tried this a few years ago. All you have to do is write your eBook in a word doc, format for Kindle, and upload to Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing program. The process is simple, however, making sales and getting your book to rank high is a ton of work.

Sell Stock Photos: There are so many places that you can sell stock photos for royalties. If you’re a photographer this could be an excellent side gig for you. Just a couple places to sell your photos are 123rf.com and freedigitalphotos.net

Create T-Shirts: Do you ever see ads on Facebook for T-Shirts that have your name or occupation on them? Those ads are usually from people who create the T-Shirt and then advertise to you through Facebook. If you end up buying one of those T-Shirts the creator will earn a royalty. If you like this idea here’s an interesting podcast on it from Side Hustle Nation.

Become A Micro-Entrepreneur

I view micro-entrepreneurship a little different than selling a product or service. Yes, it's still side hustling, but it's about being able to do it on your own terms, but not totally having to start your own business.

Check out these ideas below and see if any of them make sense for you.

Become An Uber AND Lyft Driver

I love the idea of ride-sharing as a side hustle because it's one of the few "jobs" on here that you can truly do 100% on your own time. If you want to drive in the middle of the night from 2am to 6am, you can!

​All you need is a car and some spare time. Just sign up with Uber and start driving people around. You'll make what you put into it.

To maximize your earning and profit potential, you need to sign up for both Uber and Lyft and use both apps at the same time.  

To get started:

Sign Up To Drive With Uber​

Sign Up For Lyft (and see their current bonus offers)

Food Delivery With Uber Eats Or Instacart

If you don't like the idea of having people in your car, then maybe delivering food is the best avenue for you to take advantage of your car and earn extra money to diversify your income.

You can also deliver groceries with a service like Instacart. 

Or, maybe you don't even have a car? You can make money doing delivery with Uber Eats with a bike or scooter in some cities as well!

Sign Up for Instacart here.

Sign up for Uber Eats here.

Deliver For DoorDash

DoorDash is another delivering service that has been growing nationwide. Again, it's an alternative to not having people in your car but still getting paid to deliver.

More and more restaurants are signing up, so you can likely find gigs in your area. Sign Up For DoorDash.

Invest In The Stock Market

A mostly passive option to diversifying your income is investing in the stock market. Since Robert is the investing expert around here, I’ll leave you some of his posts on creating a monthly income through investing to check out:

How To Start investing With Just $100

How To Get Started Investing In Your 30s

Why Lending Club Is My Favorite CD Alternative

However, just like anything, investing does take a little up front capital to get started. However, you can build a dividend portfolio and start seeing rewards right away (albeit small). But the power of compound interest is a huge force, and you'll soon see your income stream grow!

Check out these great places to start investing (including M1 Finance where you can invest for free):

Open A New Brokerage Account

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Get Good At One Then Work on Another

My motto for building multiple streams of income is to get really good at one thing before moving to something else. Trying to take on too much at once will only set you up for failure.

Pick one thing, master it, and then add another income stream. Over time, the income streams will start to compound and you'll start seeing massive growth. 

This is how you build wealth for the long run.

How do you diversify your income?

The post 6 Ideas To Diversify Your Income Streams appeared first on The College Investor.

https://ift.tt/2SHdpOY March 25, 2020 at 10:15AM https://ift.tt/2K5nDTs

[wherefancytakesme]

Trending 27th: My WOY ship(s)

A.K.A. My longest post ever because this is the only way I can post this many pics is through a text post.

Oh jeez, I never thought I’d do this.

Okay, so normally I keep this stuff to myself, ‘cause why bring it up, right? It’s just babbling on my part and others might not like it. Please, please forgive me; This is a very long one, loaded with gifs. Only now I really want to share along with everyone else and be heard. ‘Cause I know that the vast majority of shippers here are going to say how much they love Skeleton Dance. It’s a cute ship and all, but I always feel left out when every WOY fan I talk to agrees that it’s their OTP, and get the vibe that it’s accepted by everyone as the best. But this following ship is mine and I like it.

Death Glare

Why?

First of all, there is no way anyone can convince me Peepers isn’t in love with Hater. At first I didn’t ship them though, because I felt that Hater might not be able to give Peepers what he’d want. But this moment, that one in the gif right up there got me so excited about Peepers’ feelings, that the more I thought, the more I realized them forming a relationship and growing working through it, would be adorable. I love imagining Hater realizing that the feelings Peepers has for him make him feel really special, and that he wants to give them back.

Secondly, I love the Two-evil-people-in-a-pure-relationship trope.

Anyway, having Peepers- the character I love most- never obtain the only one he’ll ever love makes me sad. That’s the big reason I have a hard time shipping Hater and Wander, I guess. Making Wander- the character I love second best- a homewrecker makes me even sadder. (Yes, I know they’re only characters; suspension of disbelief.) Plus I picture Wander as totally ace/aro.

Peepers not only cares about Hater...

He’s not only crazy about him...

But together, they’ve had such sweet moments.

(Don’t forget these, for god’s sake don’t forget that important moment.) Though honestly there are indeed more.

Edit: I originally had something here about how sweet it is that they “need” each other. I wanna write something better.  Now I know that it’s important not to need someone, but to want someone, I think it’d be really good development to go into why Hater and Peepers want each other more than need each other. I do like that what sets them apart from Wander’s relationship with them is how they operate as a team-- I guess it’s more so that that can’t have one without the other is what I found sweet. Before Hater, nobody took Peepers seriously. Aaah, this is what would be so fun for me in Season 3. I’d really want exploration into how they need to not need each other to have better lives as indviduals and as partners.  I can’t help but imagine them starting out like early-Simpsons Marge & Homer and turning into something even sweeter and more healthy, but still funny. (End edit)

I definitely think, and secretly hope somewhere, that Peepers in canon- even if it had to be passed off in the context of friendship- might someday say to Hater, “I love you”. 

...I could go on, I think. But I won’t. Because holy crap this was long. It would have been shorter if I could bunch the photos together and post more than 10 of them at once, but... You know.

~As a bonus, I will add that I still like Wandering Eye, my first real ship, as Peepers needs a guardian angel like Wander when Hater won’t do.~ Yes I know shipping Wander counteracts my headcanon, this was an old ship.

And when it comes down to Skeleton Dance and Death Glare clashing, the Wandering Death Glare OT3 is always a good solution!

...And Brad and Hater (+maybe Wander) were my very first ship.

I never ever thought I’d get into ships this way, but here I am. Sorry.

Well, here are the sources I could find, some of them were impossible to get, I’m sorry. Tell me who to credit if I’ve missed anyone! @wanderin-over-yonder @hatermakesitbetter @skeez-queen13 @kitties-and-kartoons, @mascaraformythirdeye, @joons​ and @toonytrudy.

And lastly of course, as always,

SaveWOY!

[buildercar]

New Post has been published on http://www.buildercar.com/first-drive-unplugged-performance-2016-tesla-model-x-90d/

First Drive: Unplugged Performance 2016 Tesla Model X 90D

A limited-edition Pagani Huayra die-cast model signed by Horacio Pagani sits on the corner of Ben Schaffer’s desk, and just next to it is a 3D-printed Tesla prototype model signed by Elon Musk. “Those guys come from totally opposite ends, as far as left brain/right brain, but they represent the most innovative and exciting parts of automotive culture,” says Schaffer, president of Unplugged Performance, a SoCal-based tuning shop that shares a business park with Musk-founded SpaceX. The Unplugged team got its start building outlandish, SEMA-friendly performance cars such as Schaffer’s daily driver — a 2012 Nissan GT-R with a full carbon-fiber body and Lexan windows — and began working on Teslas three and a half years ago after Schaffer bought a Model S.

“When I drove it for the first time, my mind was blown, totally blown,” he says. “As a car enthusiast, the experience of driving a Tesla isn’t really relatable to anything else. But I would walk up to my car, and it didn’t feel as special as it was. When I drove it, it felt special. But when I looked at it, not so much.” Unplugged has since started to update Tesla “P” performance variants with a more aggressive, futuristically handsome aesthetic that matches the EVs’ unexpected performance. The hope is that even the most hardcore car enthusiasts are now drawn to Teslas.

Want your Model X to ride this low? Unplugged’s air suspension kit costs $495. Want your Model X to look this mean? The body kit costs a bit more — $9,895.

Schaffer leads us through Unplugged’s front door toward his 2016 Tesla Model X, which has been wrapped in burnt-orange vinyl and fitted with a prototype body kit made of hand-laid carbon fiber. “A lot of Tesla owners happen to come out of Aston Martins and Bentleys, Ferraris and Lamborghinis,” he says. “And, yeah, this Model X is quicker than some of those cars, but it didn’t feel as special.”

The Model X weighs more than 5,200 pounds and has the proportions, roofline, and shape of a six-passenger utility vehicle, which it is, but the car corners absolutely flat and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds. There’s disconnect between this top-of-the-line Tesla Model X’s appearance and its driving experience, and perhaps worse, nothing sets this car apart from lesser Model Xs. “Tesla has no differentiation factor between a car that costs $150,000 and an entry-level car that comes in the exact same color and has the exact same wheels, interior, and body,” Schaffer says. “You can’t tell them apart except when you press on the throttle. That was an opportunity to show the car in a new light. How would we make this thing look as exciting as it drives and amplify the feeling of what the car is?”

Unplugged Performance lowered the adjustable air suspension to get an extra 1.5 inches of drop, covered just about every exposed interior surface in carbon fiber, and fitted a body package that embraces the Model X’s big, smooth, aero-friendly vacancies on front and rear bumpers instead of tacking on fake vents or superfluous, nonfunctional trim. “No matter what,” Schaffer says, “it’s going to be a divisive design because the car itself is that way.”

Unplugged repurposes the stock Model X front fog lights by flipping them upside down and integrating them into a custom front fascia that’s far more aggressive than the base bumper.

Unplugged didn’t add power to this Model X mainly because Tesla owns the firmware on its cars and can update them and make them more powerful via a wireless signal. And power isn’t the only goal in the emerging EV tuning world, which also celebrates modifying a car to achieve maximum range. Unplugged focused its efforts on weight reduction, which would benefit both kinds of EV tuners. “On this Model X, the stock wheels are 37 pounds each,” Schaffer says. “Our wheels are 27 pounds, knocking out 40 pounds of unsprung weight.” The Model X didn’t need bigger brakes, but the carbon-ceramic brake package with six-piston calipers weighs less than stock. “We’re trying to pick up all the little percentage points of improvement we can,” Schaffer says. “Weight is important.” We ask him why Unplugged didn’t further reduce weight with carbon-fiber body panels, and Schaffer says the stock aluminum pieces are so thin and so light that Unplugged couldn’t do much better with composites. When we ask him why Unplugged didn’t replace glass with Lexan for the windows, the big panoramic windshield that continues well above the driver’s head, or the big panels on top of the falcon doors, he pauses, smiles, and says he’s not sure why as he hands us the Model X’s gloss-black key fob.

“Everyone is still learning what these things are and making up their minds about whether they like them or don’t like them.”

The driver’s door opens automatically as we approach it, and a tap of the key fob opens Schaffer’s door for him. A press of the brake pedal closes the driver’s door and starts the Model X. With the car in Ludicrous mode, I push the accelerator flat. We are tossed back into our cushy, curvy black leather seats as we merge onto the highway. A lift of the throttle lets braking regeneration ease us back down to the speed limit as we scoot into the left lane, activate Tesla’s Autopilot system, and zone out as we crawl through thick L.A. traffic. When we get into the San Gabriel Mountains and transition onto the challenging, windy roads writhing through them, I take back the steering wheel. Acceleration is smooth and absolutely linear. It starts off unbelievably strong but falls off a bit when you’re beyond 70 mph. The upgraded brakes slow everything down in a hurry. The car looks top-heavy, but with its slight suspension drop and its weighty battery packs mounted in the floor, it has a low center of gravity, which means this Model X can hide its heft amazingly well as it transitions between turns. The thick-rimmed steering wheel unwinds smoothly as you blast out of bends, and all you can hear is muted wind and the soft squeal of Toyo tires.

The carbon-fiber V stripe on the front end is a clean, subtle add-on, and the carbon-fiber theme carries over into the interior. Even the seatbacks are covered in the material.

As the sun sets and tints the clouds pink, we look up through the top of the windshield and watch a half-lit waxing moon push its way into the evening sky. We pull into an overlook to snap a few photos, and even though we’re in the middle of nowhere, we immediately draw a crowd when the falcon doors open. People ask what kind of car it is, and we tell them. We tell them how quick it is, and they can’t believe it. “And it’s all electric, right?” None of these folks has driven a Tesla, most haven’t heard of a Model X, and this modified example has them stunned. “Everyone is still learning what these things are and making up their minds about whether they like them or don’t like them,” Schaffer says. As EVs and Teslas seep further into the mainstream, we’ll see how the enthusiast car culture adapts to welcome and accommodate the new-age tech, if it does at all. Schaffer and the Unplugged team, who have no official relationship with Tesla, believe that by upgrading the latter’s products they’re forming a foundation for a new generation of car enthusiasts to build on when they hopefully embrace more sustainable, forward-thinking powertrains. “Our experience is one where we admire our neighbors a lot,” Schaffer says. “You walk around our business park, and it’s hard not to admire what they do.”

Imaginative creations of people like Pagani have challenged and inspired customizers, and maybe Musk too will become an idyllic figure in the aftermarket world.

Unplugged Performance 2016 Tesla Model X 90D

ON SALE Now PRICE $184,370 (as tested) MOTORS Three-phase four-pole AC induction 259 hp/244 lb-ft front, 259 hp/244 lb-ft rear; 328 hp combined TRANSMISSION 1-speed automatic LAYOUT 4-door, 7-passenger, front-engine, AWD SUV EPA MILEAGE 90/94 mpge (city/hwy) L X W X H 198.3 x 89.4 x 65.0 in WHEELBASE 116.7 in WEIGHT 5,211 lb 0-60 MPH 2.9 sec TOP SPEED 155 mph

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[patriotsnet]

Is The Media Biased Against Republicans

New Post has been published on https://www.patriotsnet.com/is-the-media-biased-against-republicans/

Is The Media Biased Against Republicans

Opiniontrump And His Voters Are Drawn Together By A Shared Sense Of Defiance

Are Google, Facebook, Twitter Biased against Conservatives?

Americans in general have begun to catch on: 66 percent of Americans believe that the media has a hard time separating fact from opinion and, according to a recent Gallup poll, 62 percent of the country believes that the press is biased one way or the other in their reporting.

So when CNN, NBC News, Fox News, or another outlet break a hard news story, there is a good chance that a large swathe of the public wont view it as legitimate news.

And politicians, right and left, are taking advantage of this.

The entire ordeal is part of an ever-growing list of examples in which the media seemed to be biased, whether consciously or not, against Republicans.

Before Donald Trump, there was New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who in 2014 accused the media of dividing us because they asked him about some protesters who had chanted “NYPD is the KKK” and . He also accused the media of McCarthyism when they dug into the personal life of an aide of his, who reportedly had a relationship with a convicted murderer. The mayor also publicly and privately accused Bloomberg News of being biased against him, since it is owned by his predecessor. However, de Blasio is not terribly popular within his own party, so Democrats in New York did not buy what he was selling.

What To Watch For

The NYU report makes a series of recommendations for social media companies and the Biden administration to address the suspicions of anti-right bias, including giving more explanation for content moderation actions, letting users choose between different algorithms and creating a new Digital Regulatory Agency dedicated to social media oversight. The researchers also predict conservatives are unlikely to actually leave major sites like Twitter and Facebook because of their perceived biases. Conservatives like the wide platform those sites offer, researchers said, and appear to relish wielding the bias-claim cudgel, even though its based on distortions and falsehoods.

The Technology 202: New Report Calls Conservative Claims Of Social Media Censorship ‘a Form Of Disinformation’

with Aaron Schaffer

A new report concludes that social networks aren’t systematically biased against conservatives, directly contradicting Republican claims that social media companies are censoring them.;

Recent moves by Twitter and Facebook to suspend former president Donald Trump’s accounts in the wake of the violence at the Capitol are inflaming conservatives’ attacks on Silicon Valley. But New York University researchers today released a report stating claims of anti-conservative bias are a form of disinformation: a falsehood with no reliable evidence to support it.;

The report found there is no trustworthy large-scale data to support these claims, and even anecdotal examples that tech companies are biased against conservatives crumble under close examination. The report’s authors said, for instance, the companies’ suspensions of Trump were reasonable given his repeated violation of their terms of service and if anything, the companies took a hands-off approach for a long time given Trump’s position.

The report also noted several data sets underscore the prominent place conservative influencers enjoy on social media. For instance, CrowdTangle data shows that right-leaning pages dominate the list of sources providing the most engaged-with posts containing links on Facebook. Conservative commentator Dan Bongino, for instance, far out-performed most major news organizations in the run-up to the 2020 election.;

Also Check: Who Controls The Senate Republicans Or Democrats

Republicans Are Far More Likely Than Democrats To Say Major Tech Companies Favor The Views Of Liberals Over Conservatives At The Same Time Partisans Differ On Whether Social Media Companies Should Flag Inaccurate Information On Their Platforms

Pew Research Center has been studying the role of technology and technology companies in Americans lives for many years. This study was conducted to understand Americans views about the role of major technology companies in the political landscape. For this analysis, we surveyed 4,708 U.S. adults from June 16 to 22, 2020. Everyone who took part is a member of the Centers American Trends Panel , an online survey panel that is recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses. This way nearly all U.S. adults have a chance of selection. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other categories. Read more about the ATPs methodology.

Here are the questions used for this report, along with responses, and its methodology.

Americans have complicated feelings about their relationship with big technology companies. While they have appreciated the impact of technology over recent decades and rely on these companies products to communicate, shop and get news, many have also grown critical of the industry and have expressed concerns about the executives who run them.

Debates about censorship grew earlier this summer following Twitters from President Donald Trump as misleading. This prompted some of the presidents supporters to charge that these platforms are censoring conservative voices.

Top House Republican Opposes Bipartisan Commission To Investigate Capitol Riot

But McCarthy replied by opposing Katkos product, and more than 80% of the other House Republicans did too. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., initially said he was keeping an open mind but then announced that he too was opposed. This makes it highly unlikely that 10 of McConnells GOP colleagues will be willing to add their votes to the Democrats and defeat a filibuster of the bill.

Republicans have argued that two Senate committees are already looking at the events of Jan. 6, as House panels have done as well. The Justice Department is pursuing cases against hundreds of individuals who were involved. Former President Donald Trump and others have said any commission ought to also be tasked to look at street protests and violence that took place in the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd.

But with all that on the table, several Republicans have alluded to their concern about a new commission dragging on into 2022, the year of the next midterm elections. A lot of our members want to be moving forward, said Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the No. 2 Senate Republican toMcConnell. Anything that gets us rehashing to 2020 elections is, I think, a day lost.

Resistance even after 9/11

The Taliban were toppled but bin Laden escaped, and U.S. forces have been engaged there ever since. The troop numbers have declined in recent years, and President Biden has indicated that all combat troops will be out by this years anniversary of the 2001 attacks.

Recommended Reading: What Do Republicans Believe About Taxes

The Actual Reason Why Republicans And Their Media Are Discouraging People From Getting Vaccinated

Dr. Anthony Fauci told Jake Tapper on CNN last Sunday, I dont have a really good reason why this is happening.

But even if he cant think of a reason why Republicans would trash talk vaccination and people would believe them, its definitely there.

Which is why its important to ask a couple of simple questions that all point to the actual reason why Republicans and their media are discouraging people from getting vaccinated:

1. Why did Trump get vaccinated in secret after Joe Biden won the election and his January 6th coup attempt failed?

2. Why are Fox Newspersonalities discouraging people from getting vaccinated while refusing to say if they and the people they work with have been protected by vaccination?

3. Why was one of the biggest applause lines at CPAC: They were hoping the government was hoping that they could sort of sucker 90% of the population into getting vaccinated and it isnt happening!

Death is their electoral strategy.

Is there any other possible explanation?

So, whats left?

Censorship Of Conservative Content

Tech companies and social media sites have been accused of censorship by some conservative groups, although there is little or no evidence to support these claims.

At least one conservative theme, that of climate change denialism, is over-represented in the media, and some scientists have argued that media outlets have not done enough to combat false information. In November 2013, Nathan Allen, a PhD chemist and moderator on Reddit‘s science forum published an op-ed that argued that newspaper editors should refrain from publishing articles from people who deny the scientific consensus on climate change.

Shadow banning

Claims of shadow banning of conservative social media accounts were brought to the fore in 2016 when conservative news sites lashed out after a report from an unnamed Facebook employee on May 7 alleged that contractors for the social media giant were told to minimize links to their sites in its “trending news” column. The Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard investigated and found no evidence of shadow-banning of conservatives.

Don’t Miss: Why Do Republicans Still Back Trump

Despite Cries Of Censorship Conservatives Dominate Social Media

GOP-friendly voices far outweigh liberals in driving conversations on hot topics leading up to the election, a POLITICO analysis shows.

The Twitter app on a mobile phone | Matt Rourke/AP Photo

10/27/2020 01:38 PM EDT

Link Copied

Republicans have turned alleged liberal bias in Silicon Valley into a major closing theme of the election cycle, hauling tech CEOs in for virtual grillings on Capitol Hill while President Donald Trump threatens legal punishment for companies that censor his supporters.

But a POLITICO analysis of millions of social media posts shows that conservatives still rule online.

Right-wing social media influencers, conservative media outlets and other GOP supporters dominate online discussions around two of the elections hottest issues, the Black Lives Matter movement and voter fraud, according to the review of Facebook posts, Instagram feeds, Twitter messages and conversations on two popular message boards. And their lead isnt close.

As racial protests engulfed the nation after George Floyds death, users shared the most-viral right-wing social media content more than 10 times as often as the most popular liberal posts, frequently associating the Black Lives Matter movement with violence and accusing Democrats like Joe Biden of supporting riots.

Trump Continues To Push Election Falsehoods Heres Why That Matters

Trump: Social media discriminates against Republicans

Republican opposition to the commission

Rice was featured in one of the very few congressional commissions ever to receive this level of attention. Most are created and live out their mission with little notice. Indeed, Congress has created nearly 150 commissions of various kinds in just the last 30 years, roughly five a year.

Some have a highly specific purpose, such as a commemoration. Others are more administrative, such as the five-member commission overseeing the disbursement of business loans during the early months of pandemic lockdown in 2020. Others have been wide-ranging and controversial, such as the one created to investigate synthetic opioid trafficking.

In the initial weeks after the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, the idea of an independent commission to probe the origins of the attack and the failures that let it happen seemed a no-brainer. It had broad support both in Congress and in public opinion polls. It still enjoys the latter, as about two-thirds of Americans indicate that they think an independent commission is needed. The idea has fared well particularly when described as being 9/11 Commission style.

Also Check: Who Is The Speaker Of The House For Republicans

Its Time To End This Forever War Biden Says Forces To Leave Afghanistan By 9/11

The enormous national anger generated by those attacks was also channeled by the administration toward the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, which was conceived to prevent any recurrence of attacks on such a massive scale. Arguments over that legislation consumed Congress through much of 2002 and became the fodder for campaign ads in that years midterms.

The same anger was also directed toward a resolution to use force, if needed, in dealing with security threats from the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. That authorization passed Congress with bipartisan majorities in the fall of 2002, driven by administration claims that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. It became law weeks before the midterm elections.

Once those elections were over, the Republicans in control of both chambers finally agreed to create an independent commission to seek answers about 9/11. Bush signed the legislation on Nov. 27, 2002.

The beginning was hobbled when the first chairman, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and vice chairman, former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell of Maine, decided not to continue. But a new chairman, former New Jersey Gov. Thomas Kean, and vice chairman, former Rep. Lee Hamilton of Indiana, filled the breach and performed to generally laudatory reviews.

Long memories

The American Mainstream News Media May Be More Biased Than We Think

Barely a day goes by without President Trump firing off an angry tweet referring to the fake news media. But what do we know about actual political bias in the media? Eric Merkley studied 400,000 news stories published over three decades and has found that the tone of economic news is more favorable during Democratic presidencies compared to Republican administrations.

Since even before his election over two years ago, President Donald Trump and his Republican surrogates have made a habit of responding to critical news coverage with allegations that mainstream press reports are fake news. This allegation, regardless of how often it is repeated, has been shown to be fundamentally without merit.

However, there has also been a long history of complaints from conservative elites that journalists are biased against conservatives and the Republican Party in their reporting for mainstream news outlets. There is evidence that most journalists identify with the Democratic Party and as ideologicalliberals. Consequently, these allegations cannot be so easily dismissed.

In new research, I find evidence of considerable bias against Republican presidential administrations in mainstream economic news content.;

Also Check: How Many States Are Controlled By Republicans

Elections To Watch In 2021

In its study of the media landscape in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election cycle, the Pew Research Center found that of the 30 news sources it asked about, only Fox News was trusted by a majority of Republicans. This finding stands in stark contrast with the views of Democrats, who said they trusted a variety of news sources, and it marks a further decline in Republicans trust of other news sources since Pew last conducted a similar survey in 2014.

This is in part because animosity toward the other party is at an all-time high and Republicans increasingly associate the news media with the Democratic Party. That means they are more likely to dismiss a source that isnt Fox News as politically biased. For example, in a among people who said they voted for then-President Trump in 2020, a staggering 92 percent strongly or somewhat agreed that the mainstream media today is just a part of the Democratic Party.

related:Why Attacking Cancel Culture And Woke People Is Becoming The GOPs New Political Strategy Read more. »

Views About Whether Social Media Companies Should Label Posts On Their Platforms As Inaccurate Are Sharply Divided Along Political Lines

Americans are divided over whether social media companies should label posts on their sites as inaccurate or misleading, with most being skeptical that these sites can accurately determine what content should be flagged.

Some 51% of Americans say they strongly or somewhat approve of social media companies labeling posts from elected officials on their platforms as inaccurate or misleading, while a similar share say they at least somewhat disapprove of this.

Democrats and Republicans hold contrasting views about the appropriateness of social media companies flagging inaccurate information on their platforms. Fully 73% of Democrats say they strongly or somewhat approve of social media companies labeling posts on their platforms from elected officials as inaccurate or misleading, versus 25% who disapprove.

These sentiments are nearly reversed for Republicans: 71% say they disapprove of social media companies engaging in this type of labeling, including about four-in-ten who say they strongly disapprove. Just 27% say they approve of this labeling.

Liberal Democrats stand out as being the most supportive of this practice: 85% of this group say they approve of social media companies labeling elected officials posts as inaccurate or misleading, compared with 64% of conservative or moderate Democrats and even smaller shares of moderate or liberal Republicans and conservative Republicans .

Recommended Reading: How Many Registered Republicans In Illinois

The Capitol Siege: The Arrested And Their Stories

It would only be logical for that memory to inform the imagination of any Republican contemplating a similar independent commission to probe what happened on Jan. 6. The commission would likely look at various right-wing groups that were involved, including the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys, some members of which have already been charged. The commission might also delve into the social media presence and influence of various white supremacists.

Moreover, just as the 9/11 Commission was expected to interview the current and preceding presidents, so might a new commission pursue testimony from Trump and some of his advisers, both official and otherwise, regarding their roles in the protest that wound up chasing members of Congress from both chambers into safe holding rooms underground.

House Minority Leader McCarthy was asked last week whether he would testify if a commission were created and called on him to discuss his conversations with Trump on Jan. 6.

Sure, McCarthy replied. Next question.

All this may soon be moot. If Senate Democrats are unable to secure 60 votes to overcome an expected filibuster of the House-passed bill, the measure will die and the questions to be asked will fall to existing congressional committees, federal prosecutors and the media. To some degree, all can at least claim to have the same goals and intentions as an independent commission might have.

The difference is the level of acceptance their findings are likely to have with the public.