DramatistDreamer

Thank you. Also, I kept wondering, what in the world goes on at the Chicago PD that he was able to get off scott-free without even having to make financial restitution? Was I the only one wondering about this? Nobody seems to be asking that question in the media. In terms of Puerto Ricans residing in Florida, I don't know if this was truly the case but around mid-terms last year, I read accounts of people saying that they were too busy trying to get settled in their lives after so much post-hurricane upheaval to vote. I'd really like to know if that was the case. Does anyone know what the voting tallies were for Puerto Ricans who migrated to Florida specifically after the hurricane Maria? I know there had been a slow trickle migration of teachers and doctors and other professionals from the island in previous years because of the worsening economic situation but I'd love to see the data on just how many Puerto Ricans residing in FL voted and have it deconstructed into the various groups who migrated during different periods, those who migrated due to economic reasons vs. those who migrated post hurricane Maria, etc.

What Smollett did was unconscionable. POC have already been catching hell, being beaten, shot and it has been escalating year over year. I don't believe a B- celebrity changes anything in the real lives of black people, or people of color (I cannot speak from the LGBTQ perspective) who continually face peril every day of our lives with very little regard from media.

This is probably most upsetting to fans of Smollett and Empire. I hadn't watched the show since the beginning of Season 3 so I really wasn't up to date on anything about either until this. All I know is that, in the wake of Donald Trump's presidency, hate crimes have surged year over year and there only seems to have been a glancing interest in the most egregious cases (usually violent deaths) and people are suddenly pretending that somehow this fraud moves the needle on anything. The right wing sought to tear down Obama and some people accused Obama of being too much of a "high bar" in his actions and demeanor, so the simple act of being Black and a public figure sets the right-wing aflame. Today, those folks invoke Obama for real and imagined acts that they feel offended them. When I got followed in a store, it wasn't because somewhere someone was thinking of Tichina Arnold once being hauled in for shoplifting, it is because the owners/managers/store employees already have a pre-conceived notion that somehow blacks are inherently criminal or trying to get away with...something. The same way right-wing nutjobs always believed that Obama, a "crafty black" was up to...something and trying to get away with "it". Speaking of Chicago and LGBTQ, how many people are actually paying attention to this?

The twitter accounts dedicated to the show have good intentions but I wish that there were an "official As The World Turns account", there are a number of ATWT alumni on social media. Wouldn't it be nice if they got a tweet from an ATWT social media account, thanking them for their service to the show? Even a group tag would be thoughtful. I miss the show too, by the way, and wished there were an actual commemoration, even an online one. Could you imagine a livestream where fans could gather and watch around their computers or streaming boxes and either watch the same classic episode at the time that the show aired in their area or watch the episode later on? The We Love Soaps blog used to put out classic episodes sometimes. I miss the days when the soap blogs had an active interest in the classic soaps, other than putting out the same clips and trivia.

The idea of any one person being representative of an entire group of people is so ridiculous on its face.

This is basically my complaint about people who railed on and on about Jussie Smollet. Do people actually believe that Smollett represents the average black and/or LGBTQ person?

Was Lucinda Walsh the only character who would tell someone "Good morning" before she slapped them? NGL but I watched this slap about 3, 4 times. I've remember the times I've seen both Sierra and Lily slap people but had no memories of when Lucinda did it, but I should have because clearly, this was memorable.

I hope that Mr. Hastings is enjoying good health and a very happy birthday!

Nia Long and her sons at the Kids Choice Awards last week.

This has GOT to be an April Fool's joke.

The whistleblower has been named and for her honesty, she has faced very petty and vindictive retaliation. Sometimes I have to take stock of what kind of country this is and it just floors me that this is the reality.

The joke was still on all the soap fans who had been consistent and ardent supporters of Procter & Gamble products when within an 11 year time span, P&G would dump all remnants of their shows. This is one of many infamous P&G related anniversaries.

To people who may not fully understand the history and impact of blackface and minstrelsy (beyond that sitcom from the 1980s), this Op-Ed essay offers a pretty concise and informative timeline of the act and its corrosive effects in American society.

Can't say that I'm at all surprised by this. Russia has been in Africa before helping to train and arm resistance fighters, including anti-apartheid fighters in Southern Africa but this time the Kremlin appears to be aligned with autocrats in politically fragile countries if its alliances with the Central African Republic, Eritrea, Sudan and Libya are any indication (yikes!). And with the U.S. currently being run by a man who regards Africa, not as a continent but one big sh*thole country, it's not surprising that even democratic-leaning African countries like Mali are looking to the Russians more and more.

The media is really picking up the story with Joe Biden in earnest. Because Biden has been in public office for so long, there's a lot of 'meat' to pick at there. I think it may also become a case of 'the more you know, the less there is to like' type of scenario. It's been mentioned many times in this thread that Democrats and Republicans have different standards for their candidates. Republicans probably wouldn't have balked at backing John Edwards, despite his awful personal history, because look who is in office now. Democrats have expected more, even before the emergent 'ultra-progressive' left arrived on the scene.

I hadn't heard of this at all until today when I saw @Faulkner's post about it and I have yet to read his response but apparently Federer has responded to Tsitsipas' favoritism claims.

Yes, I saw him say Justin and the camera was on Gimelstob for a good amount of time. Apparently, others saw it too.

That shout-out to Justin Gimelstob by Isner was vomit-inducing. As long as it wasn't against one of my faves, I'm fine with Federer winning this.

I guess we have to take these victories where we can get them.

I just saw a promo of Marj Dusay and Beverlee McKinsey, back to back. It was a promo for Capitol and Guiding Light. I couldn't help but reflect on the fact that at that time neither woman would have any idea that they would eventually portray the same character.