#dnc speech

[filosofablogger]

The President Is On FIRE!

The President Is On FIRE!

I know that quite often people, even those within his own party, see President Joe Biden as too meek, too weak, not strong enough to stand up to the challenges before him, but I think if there was ever any doubt, his speech at the DNC rally yesterday should have put those doubts to bed!  Here are a few excerpts from that speech: In 2020, you and 81 million Americans voted to save our democracy.…

[pippin-katz]

Alex & Being Bisexual 🩷💜💙

I've seen a lot of people complaining about Alex not having as big of a crisis over being bisexual as he did in the books, but I feel like a lot of people are overlooking the development he does go through.

Henry is the first guy he has felt attracted to that he actually knew prior to getting physically involved.

Alex & Miguel

Nora's asks specifically about men Alex has "been with", not men he's liked or interested him. She means physically, and he knows that too. Alex doesn't even bother with giving any context or details for his high school hook up. His description of his hook up with Miguel is straightforward, direct, and factual, because he doesn't have an emotional attachment to that moment or Miguel.

This, and his interactions with Miguel, gives the impression that they don't really know each other that well. It seems like they met during the campaign, made out in a hot tub, and now occasionally they talk at school.

They don't seem like friends, rather acquaintances after a one night stand, which is pretty much what they did. Their first conversation is mostly Miguel trying to get quotes for his journal and flirting with him rather than any kind of real discussion.

Gifs courtesy of @phakphumm from this post

Alex isn't stupid; he knows Miguel is flirting with him, however he chooses not to acknowledge it. He doesn't discourage him, but he does not encourage him either.

He avoids saying anything about it at all. His expressions after the eyelashes comment show him at a bit of a loss for how to respond. Alex seems flattered by the compliment, but doesn't seem to have any real desire to hook up again.

Everything Miguel says, he says in an attempt to get something out of him, whether it be flirting to hook up and/or get quotes for his journal.

Same thing at the state dinner; Alex isn't fully paying attention cause he's busy staring at Henry, but Miguel opens with compliments, specifically about his memo, which is definitely an attempt to flatter him. Then he starts asking direct questions about the campaign, Alex doesn't answer, and he walks away. They're not really friends.

New Territory

It's one thing to admit being somewhat attracted to the same sex, under limited, physical circumstances. Lots of people often joke about "being straight/gay but I would sleep with this person".

It's another thing to develop an attraction to a person you know of the same sex when you've never had those feelings before. It's not just physical anymore, because you know and like this person outside of that context, and the physical intimacy gains a new meaning.

Alex VS Feelings

This is a new feeling for Alex. This man practically makes out with two women he barely knows without any qualms, but when he's waiting to see Henry? His close friend who he knows and plans to kiss?

He is nervous; not just a little nervous either:

Alex is a pretty confident guy, able to host massive parties and dance without any reservations about it, unlike Henry who awkwardly bounces. He's a fantastic public speaker. Excluding the wedding, which were extreme circumstances, he's able to navigate a room comfortably. We know from the closet conversation that he used to get scared, but it's clear based on his campaign efforts, the DNC speech, and so on that he's grown into his role and can play it well.

Here, Alex can't sit still. He doesn't know how to stand. He's shifting around, almost pacing. He visibly tries to muster up the confidence we know he has, but can't. He's trying to pose, or look confident, and almost gets there, but the second the door opens, he panics and just stands there.

"But that's just cause he really likes Henry!"

Yes, exactly; Henry is his first step towards fully realizing his identity.

Once the tension is broken, Alex is confident again and doesn't hesitate anymore. He may not be completely sure of his identity, but he is completely sure that he wants Henry. Those thoughts take priority when he kisses him. He knows physical intimacy. He knows how to kiss with someone regardless of who they are. He has been with a couple men, and is a man himself, so he knows what feels good. His confidence stays intact during their exchange when they get to his bedroom.

There are very small moments where you can see his nerves poke through.

When Henry pushes Alex over the couch, not only is it surprising to him, it also disconnects them for a few seconds. He has a chance to look at Henry while they're not touching or kissing, no direct distraction.

When Henry starts undoing his pants, he looks up, inhales quickly, blinks a couple times, and swallows; it's almost like he's thinking "okay this is actually happening now". Again, no direct distraction, as Henry isn't doing anything yet, and Alex isn't touching or kissing him.

Both moments go by fast though because he's focused on what he knows, the physical part. He knows he wants Henry physically, so he can focus on that, and deal with the other feelings later.

Alex is aware that he has feelings toward Henry that are new to him. He doesn't know what they mean, and it's nothing even close to what he feels later in Paris and at the lake house, but they're starting to form. He's the one who suggests that he and Henry see each other again, and you would have to be blind not to see the brief disappointment on his face when Henry says it has to be very casual. It's also important to note that this is right after Alex comes out.

The Bisexual Label

While his feelings make Alex nervous, Henry is still his friend and he feels comfortable around him. He's the first person he comes out to; he was unable to say anything definitive about his identity during his conversation with Nora, despite her best efforts to help him.

Henry is the first person he tells and he distinctly shows uncertainty when he first uses the bisexual label:

He's serious about it; not overly serious, but he's coming out very formally. He's nervous, even though he's telling Henry, who he literally hooked up with five minutes ago. Henry already knows he's attracted to men. Alex is not nervous about that; it is clearly the label that he's uncertain about.

Confidence

A lot of people get taken by surprise when they start questioning their identity because they had simply never thought about it before.

The uncertainty Alex has about his identity was initiated by his feelings for Henry. Alex clearly never considered the idea of being in an actual relationship with a man. Without Henry, he may have never figured out that he was fully bisexual. He may have continued fooling around occasionally with guys, never giving serious thought to the other possibilities, unless/until he met someone like Henry who basically smacks him in the face with a mirror.

Being with Henry makes him truly think about himself, and come to the conclusion that he's bisexual. Seeing/dating Henry also makes him more comfortable and confident in his identity over time.

While Alex hadn't acknowledged Miguel's advances before, after he sleeps with Henry, he actively calls him out on it and refuses without hesitation as soon as Miguel puts the suggestion out there. Miguel even says "Well, I don't anymore", confirming that had been his intention in earlier scenes.

He had been trying to hook up with him again, and because Alex never addressed it, Miguel thought that it was possible. Alex may not have addressed his comments, but Miguel could see for himself that they had a positive reaction; he felt flattered and bashful. That response coupled with the fact that Alex did not outright tell him to stop was enough reason for Miguel to think it could happen again.

Also, Alex told Nora that he got the feeling Miguel wanted to hook up again, but that he was a journalist, which does not say he wouldn't be down. He never says he wouldn't want to; instead he expresses his apprehension to the idea due to his job. So for all intents and purposes, before Henry came along, Miguel was correct to think it was a possibility.

This seems to be the first time Alex has ever actually addressed their tension, and it occurs after he starts seeing Henry and using the bisexual label.

Owning The Bi Label

Then Zahra finds him and Henry the next morning. She is kind enough not to tell Ellen immediately, because even if she won't admit it, she does care about Alex a lot and recognizes the importance of something like this. However, she makes it very clear that he needs to tell her ASAP or she will.

When he comes out to his mom, he is significantly more sure of himself when he uses the bisexual label. He laughs and uses the shorten term "bi" which is a small detail but indicates his confidence, compared to how he cautiously said "bisexual" when coming out to Henry. He's not at all nervous to use the term, and says it grinning.

This is also indicative of his confidence in his label because Alex doesn't lead with his sexuality. He leads with meeting someone, and clarifying that it's a man, and that it's Henry. So once they're on the couch talking, Ellen is also already aware that he is attracted to men, but this time, he's prompted about his label and he shows zero nerves about using the term "bi".

Queer Identity

By the end of the movie, Alex is able to publicly refer to himself as having a queer identity. Obviously, he was outed against his will, but he is still able to stand up and acknowledge who he is without nerves about it. He has been with Henry for a year, and he knows who he is, and he’s not ashamed of it. As he says, the leaks were an issue of privacy, not shame. Alex is not afraid to say who he is, and he is queer, he is bisexual. He’s a different person than he was before Henry. He’s learned about himself because of him.

Does he have a complete, computer-error-noise breakdown over it? No, he doesn’t, but he does not immediately start waving a bi flag around either.

Okay, that’s all! This took so freaking long to put together, but I hope it helps people understand how his bisexuality is addressed in the movie. Just because he has a different journey than he did in the book does not mean he did not have a journey at all, and I hope this allows people to see it more clearly! Thank you for reading!

[bigassbowlingballhead]

There's so many reflecting shots in this movie.

We see alex on the outskirts of the party, drinking. The mirror shows the party he doesn't want to be at in front of him.

After he gives Henry a mouth full, we see the Washington Monument reflecting on the reflecting pool, some very phallic imagery.

Then we get to Texas

First we see Alex laying in bed, watching Henry at some ribbon cutting. We the audience only see the reflection of the TV in the mirror. I feel this harkens back to when they were texting, and Henry was an ever present presence for Alex.

Then he's working out in Texas, again we see a reflection this time of his mom, literally over his shoulder while he's working on her campaign.

his claremont stump speech taped to the mirror as he practices it.

the infamous (to me) DNC hotel mirror shot

Henry viewing the people he feared would hate him, praise, welcome, love, and adore him.

and Alex joining him

I just really love this final shot, of them kissing before they go out to greet the crowd. With the reflection of the cheering crowd and the reflection of the clouds making it appear as if they are a part the sky.

Matthew loves a reflection, and i love that.

Serves as a reminder to always be reflecting on yourself, your pre-conceived notions of how things should be. And just the world around you.

[meraki-yao]

RWRB Deleted and Replaced Scenes: Updated List (14 Feb 2024)

Because we have new information and because I am quite literally gonna go insane if we don't get anything new soon, here's a list of scenes that we need to demand from Prime

Also, I recently realized that while a lot of deleted scenes are straight-up cut which are for the most part the ones we often mention, there are also scenes that are technically deleted, but replaced in reshoots, so I'm adding those to the list too

Unreleased Deleted Scenes:

Amy and Alex after Cakegate (from Aneesh in podcast)

Alex with his parents and Zahra (from Taylor during Glaad screening)

Extended Polo Match (from speech montage + from Bea's credits + from Matthew in podcast)

Paris Extended Cafe (from Matthew's bts photos on Instagram)

Paris Extended Love Making (from earlier screening audience)

Paris morning scene (from bloopers)

Alex checking Henry after Lake Scene (from earlier screening audience)

Kensington Breakfast (from trailer + BTS photos from the cast)

Thanksgiving (BTS photos from cast + from early screening audience)

Miscellaneous Video calls (Mentioned in Taylor's "What's up hrh prince dickhead" post)

Scenes replaced in reshoots:

DNC meet-up (Nick's wearing a wig)

Alex watching his speech and Zahra contacting Shaan (In the BTS photo Matthew posted of that scene Taylor is wearing a coat over his costume, shooting was in summer, reshoots were in winter)

Piano Scene (Nick's wearing a wig)

Alex and Henry greeting supporters at Buckingham Palace (Nick's wearing a wig)

Election Victory Speech (Nick's wearing a wig + photos were repurposed into Alex's intro + Alex's Instagram account)

Questions/Not Confirmed/Where did you come from:

Scene from Zahra Credits: Is that from the Claremont-Diaz Family scene that Taylor mentioned?

Scene from Pez's Credits: Is that from Kensington Breakfast?

Scene from Philip's Credit: Is that from Kensington Breakfast?

Scene with Philip that Thomas posted: Is that from Kensington Breakfast?

Forest Kiss from Speech Montage: Is there a longer version? Was it a scene on it's own?

Texas Holiday Montage: Was there more?

When I say I need these scenes and answers to these questions, I mean I need them like I need air 😭😭😭😭😭😭 PRIME WHAT THE FUCK

And again these are just the ones that we know of or kind of know of! We didn't know about the "Amy and Alex after cakegate" scene and "Taylor's first scene with Uma" until these two weeks and it's been six months since the movie released! God know how many scenes we're still completely unaware of????

*desperately sobbing and clawing at Prime

[ausetkmt]

Newsweek: Ron DeSantis Accused of Being 'Pro-Slavery' Due to New Florida Curriculum

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is facing new criticism over his state's new curriculum for African-American history in which some say is "pro-slavery."

DeSantis, a Republican who is running for president in 2024, has made his embrace of right-wing social causes a cornerstone of his style of politics. He has decried "woke" education, signing into law requirements about how race can be taught in Florida schools as educators across the United States grapple with conservative efforts to limit discussions of diversity, including African American history, in public schools.

Advocates for more restrictive lessons on race have argued all sides of a political or historical debate should be presented in schools. Critics, however, are accusing DeSantis and other Republicans of attempting to erase the history of slavery, and that students should learn about this topic in its entirety.

This standard has sparked criticism from educational and civil rights leaders, who have accused Florida Republicans of seeking to whitewash the history of slavery.

Representative Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat, accused DeSantis of being "pro-slavery" over the educational policy.

"Please keep this simple: If you require schools to teach the 'personal benefits' of slavery you are pro-slavery. Ron DeSantis is pro-slavery," the Democratic lawmaker tweeted on Saturday.

— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) July 22, 2023

DeSantis defended the standards when pressed by a reporter, saying that he "wasn't involved" in writing these standards, which were "not done politically."

"I think what they're doing, is I think that they're probably going to show some of the folks that eventually parlayed, you know, being a black smith, into doing things later in life," the Florida governor said. "But the reality is all of that is rooted in whatever is factual."

Newsweek reached out to DeSantis' office for comment via email.

Still, many others also condemned the new standards.

Will Hurd, a former congressman from Texas who is also running in the GOP 2024 presidential primary, tweeted on Friday, "Unfortunately, it has to be said – slavery wasn't a jobs program that taught beneficial skills. It was literally dehumanizing and subjugated people as property because they lacked any rights or freedoms."

Unfortunately, it has to be said – slavery wasn't a jobs program that taught beneficial skills. It was literally dehumanizing and subjugated people as property because they lacked any rights or freedoms.https://t.co/4JjIgeDhKX — Will Hurd (@WillHurd) July 21, 2023

Jaime Harrison, the chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), slammed the policy as "disgusting."

"The much anticipated DeSantis reset: Teaching our kids that slavery had its benefits," he tweeted on Friday. "Disgusting."

Vice President Kamala Harris, during a speech at Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.'s 56th national convention in Indianapolis on Thursday, described the standards as an attempt to "gaslight us."

"Just yesterday, in the state of Florida, they decided middle school students will be taught that enslaved people benefitted from slavery," she said. "They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us and we will not stand for it. We who share a collective experience in knowing we must honor history in our duty in the context of legacy. There is so much at stake in this moment."

[rwrbmovie]

Since someone brought up the timeline just wondering if this is correct/fill in what’s missing

Royal wedding- September?

Alex flys back to London- September?

NYE- Dec/Jan

PM dinner-March?

Polo Match- April?

Paris- ?

DNC- August ?

Vacation house- September (Labor Day weekend)

Storming KP- September?

Getting Outed- October

Election- November

I know some things are different in the book. I was just wondering the movie timeline and thinking about how long they in between seeing each other.

Also it would be cool if someone made a gif set with the months (unless it’s already been made!)

oh my god, sorry this took forever to reply to! i actually forgot it was an ask – i took your idea, took notes while rewatching the movie and started planning a gifset. it's taken me forever to complete (life is busy atm), but ill try to post it today to celebrate 100 days of the movie!

but for now, here's the timeline (complete with screenshots for some) under the cut (you got most of them right btw!):

if i got anything wrong, pls let me know!

august - cakegate, damage control, first text from henry (aug 27)

september - 'but we were ever so careful, dear' (sept 18)

october - 'the bromance we deserve' (oct 4)

november - turkey, phone call

december - nye party

january - first kiss

february - alex texts henry again, nora and alex talk

march - state dinner, red room, alex's room (PM's dinner next month)

april - polo ('charity polo match next month')

paris probably happens late march

may - alex campaigning in texas (guardian article dated may 4 (aka star wars day!))

august - dnc

september - lake house (labor day weekend), storming kensington (a week after the lake house), v&a

october - leak, speech (similarly in the book where the speech was on oct 2nd), sound barrier

election nights are held in the first week of november and zahra told alex they'd 'find out next week', so im assuming the speech was done in late october

november - election night

[iboatedhere]

Words of Affirmation

Alex taps his pen against the notebook in the same rhythm as his bouncing leg.

He thought maybe writing out his speech long hand would be better than typing because, Jesus fuck, that was getting him nowhere fast.

"Love," Henry murmurs from the couch, book open and David curled up on his lap.

Alex stills. "Sorry."

Henry looks up. "It's all right," he says, "I just don't understand why you're so antsy."

"Because I have to give a speech in front of thousands of people at Madison Square Garden in three weeks, and I have nothing written. Well, not nothing, but not enough."

"How many people were at the DNC?"

Alex slides his glasses off and scrubs his hand across his face. "That was different. It was about my mother, this is about me."

Read More on Ao3

[mulderscully]

been thinking about my sweet prince henry all day bc of this fic i have planned and. i just keep thinking about how one of the reasons he tells alex it has to casual is because he sees himself as an issue. he sees himself and his mere existence as a gay man as a problem. and then he sort of starts to forget to feel that way until zahra catches them.

i know it's a funny scene but i think she really fucked with his head. he flies over to see alex because in their emails alex has told him he is afraid he's letting his mother down, that he isn't good enough etc and the dnc is a big deal and he wants to support the man he loves, the man he has always loved. so he has this amazing night with alex, and they're so so so happy then he gets literally shoved into a closet and yelled at by zahra who essentially confirms that he is a problem and a threat to ellen's reelection, right? then there's the climax of him telling alex that he won't trade on prison (the crown) for another (politics) because he knows how much making a difference matters to alex, he knows that alex does is important and he thinks it's amazing and he cannot in good faith get in the way of that. this is why when alex steps in at the airstrip he freezes and says, "go win an election." the obvious visual here is that they cannot kiss because if they did it would cost ellen the election, or this is what henry feels. and alex respects that and treats it with complete understanding.

on top of that you add the layer that he feels completely useless. nothing the royal family does matters and he knows that, and he has such little freedom which is showcased by alex's disbelief at the fact that henry isn't allowed to vote. and this is all why the ending works, because while being outed as they were is genuinely horrific henry was genuinely SHOCKED that there would be thousands of people supporting him. he genuinely thought he would be locked up somewhere, he thought the entire county - TWO entire countries - hated him, but that isn't the case at all. but what gets me the most is alex's speech sort of being a life raft to henry, because alex knows what henry is afraid of, he knows what the royals will attempt to do and he stops it in it's tracks. he says, YES henry and i are together before the royals can say it was a smear campaign! more importantly, he is actively choosing henry over the election, even over his own future as a possible politician as well.

yes, this is a fairy tale and they live happily ever after and ellen wins etc more to say etc but i feel like matthew did such a great job tying it down to reality on screen and having what henry is feeling in the book be showcased by his behavior and body language ouughhhh ACADEMY AWARD

[theivorybilledwoodpecker]

Vote-blue-at-all-costs people: Please stop using these arguments:

"Refusing to vote for Biden because he's committing genocide is childish/spiteful/stupid": 14,800 people are dead. What number does the death toll need to reach for you to consider opposing genocide the "mature" decision? Oh, wait, let me guess. There is no number. Just as long as it's not you getting hurt. Using that argument shows people you're a cunt.

"But what about meeeee!!!!!": You're a stupid cunt. You think he won't turn on you?

"He would never turn on Americans!": A willfully ignorant, stupid cunt. He already is. People are getting arrested for peaceful protests. People are being fired for opposing genocide. Rashida Tlaib was censured, and no, not by him, but did he come to her defense? Has he spoken out in defense of antigenociders right to protest? Spoken out in defense of free speech in reference to people getting fired? What about in response to the silencing of Jewish Voice for Peace? No. People who oppose genocide are likened to nazis and deemed antisemitic. Because he only cares about freedom of speech and freedom to protest when no one is protesting genocide.

And we've seen in history that genocidal maniacs do not make safe allies. Get in bed with one at your own peril.

"We just need to influence him to do better!": We've been protesting and calling reps for a month and a half. And yes, they are slowly caving. But we should not need to beg our leaders for a month and a half to cede to the will of the people. Especially when that will is to not commit genocide. Genocide is something that even if all of America wanted, a leader should oppose.

"Actually, he's helpless, and none of this is his fault!" He wants to give billions to Netanyahu. He has repeated unconfirmed information, knowing it will stir up Islamophobia. He doubted the death toll when his administration knew it was higher.

"You're an idiot!": Oddly enough, you won't be able to get us to support genocide by hurting our feelings.😭

"Trump is worse!" No, he's different. Different is not the same as worse or better. Biden and Trump are just as evil. Biden just hid it better. People didn't see Bundy as evil for quite a while. Even after his arrest, a lot of people thought he couldn't possibly be guilty. Spoiler alert, he was. But even the highest estimates of the number of people Bundy killed only go into the hundred. Biden's funded the murders of over 14,800 people and hasn't even pretended to call for a ceasefire.

"If Trump wins, it will be your fault!" 🙄 No. It will be Biden's and the Democrat's fault. All Biden had to do was not commit genocide. I would have voted him. A lot of people would have. Because while his flaws were mounting, he had not yet reached the stage where he was the same as Trump. But genocide is not a mere pecadillo. It is a huge fucking deal. And despite everyone warning him that this is a deal breaker, he has continued to commit genocide. He chose to forfeit our votes.

Moreover, we have made it clear that we have a very reasonable demand of Democratic candidates: Don't commit or condone genocide. The DNC has time to shift and meet this demand. If it chooses not to do so, they choose to lose the election.

[nokingsonlyfooles]

“It’s my hope, Mr. President, that you listen to us, that you choose democracy over tyranny.” - Abdullah Hammoud, Dearborn Mayor and Voter

YES! I can't fuckin' believe the media accurately reported this as a protest and printed/publicized the words of the voters explaining why they did it. AND NOBODY HAD TO ATTEMPT SUICIDE! This is big and it could get even bigger! But it's a qualified bigness, because...

Walz, a major supporter of Biden’s reelection campaign, said Michigan’s “uncommitted” results were a healthy demonstration of democracy. “I think they feel passionate, as they should, about an issue we all care about,” Walz said, adding that he expected most protest voters would eventually return to Biden’s side in a likely November rematch with former President Donald Trump, who himself has struggled with college-educated voters and suburbanites in his ongoing Republican primary against former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. “I’m much more convinced there’s a chance bringing those folks home is much greater than bringing the ‘Never Trump’ folks back home,” Walz said.

Yeah. I know this song and dance. I've seen it happen in person, at protests, in reatime. They come out to "do voter outreach" and they're all smiles to start. "Yes! Please do continue to act upon your freedom of speech in a way I, an advocate for the status quo, find nonthreatening. Your feelings are valid, ha-ha! I expect nothing to change, and indeed I will act to change nothing, but good for you!" A few folks always believe the message has been received and quiet down, that's why they do it. But wait and see what happens to that smile when a few people start interrupting and yelling, "THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH!"

At least this guy's willing to suggest Biden would pick up more votes by moving left than moving right, although I doubt he actually expects anything radical. A few more forgiven student loans or somewhat cheaper drugs aren't much of a problem, and that's leftist too! So we don't really have to worry about the ongoing genocide.

The thing is, if/when this picks up momentum and the DNC starts to think they might have to change something or lose, it will become something other than a positive demonstration of free speech. It'll be childish tantrum-throwing, pointless, uncivil, attention-whoring, astroturfed, counterproductive foreign interference, and whatever else sounds bad. If any of you out there in internet-land already feel threatened by it, you're probably saying that right now. (Go ahead and comment, you'll boost this with other people who think like you, and I might change some minds.)

And, if you are comfortable with it and want voters to do it instead of threatening to withhold votes from Biden in the general, check your privilege. Not every state offers this. Unless something changes real fast (at least, I THINK it hasn't changed, it's hard to do a search when "uncommitted" brings up SO MANY news articles about Michigan 😁), mine won't. I can't do this. I can't vote in a third party primary either. It'd be all blue or nothing. And neither of those things will get me any press, so I gotta keep talking. Maybe I'll motivate someone who can vote uncommitted! Or scare a politician! I still think I'm doing more good by staying alive, and I'm a bit distant from any property I might meaningfully damage (although I am open to suggestions that won't get me arrested and silenced), so this is the only thing I got that won't injure a human being.

Tumblr, no matter how you actually intend to vote, if you're not up for living in a two-party system where both parties think they can do a little genocide and stay in power, you have ways of making yourself heard. There are options beyond falling in line behind the lesser evil. Don't let anyone tell you there aren't. And when you start hearing "stop!" or "you can't!" that means you have something they want. A cessation of hostilities! Well, now you might be in a position to negotiate terms! Don't give up!

Please, please, please don't give up. There is so much to be done.

[y0ur-maj3sty]

List Of Clinton Associates Who Died Mysteriously Or Committed Suicide Before Testimony

1- James McDougal – Clintons convicted Whitewater partner died of an apparent heart attack, while in solitary confinement. He was a key witness in Ken Starr’s investigation.

2 – Mary Mahoney – A former White House intern was murdered July 1997 at a Starbucks Coffee Shop in Georgetown .. The murder …happened just after she was to go public w:th her story of sexual harassment in the White House.

3 – Vince Foster – Former White House counselor, and colleague of Hillary Clinton at Little Rock’s Rose Law firm. Died of a gunshot wound to the head, ruled a suicide.

4 – Ron Brown – Secretary of Commerce and former DNC Chairman. Reported to have died by impact in a plane crash. A pathologist close to the investigation reported that there was a hole in the top of Brown’s skull resembling a gunshot wound. At the time of his death Brown was being investigated, and spoke publicly of his willingness to cut a deal with prosecutors. The rest of the people on the plane also died. A few days later the Air Traffic controller commited suicide.

5 – C. Victor Raiser, II – Raiser, a major player in the Clinton fund raising organization died in a private plane crash in July 1992.

6 – Paul Tulley – Democratic National Committee Political Director found dead in a hotel room in Little Rock , September 1992. Described by Clinton as a “dear friend and trusted advisor”.

7 – Ed Willey – Clinton fundraiser, found dead November 1993 deep in the woods in VA of a gunshot wound to the head. Ruled a suicide. Ed Willey died on the same day his wife Kathleen Willey claimed Bill Clinton groped her in the oval office in the White House. Ed Willey was involved in several Clinton fund raising events.

8 – Jerry Parks – Head of Clinton’s gubernatorial security team in Little Rock .. Gunned down in his car at a deserted intersection outside Little Rock Park’s son said his father was building a dossier on Clinton He allegedly threatened to reveal this information. After he died the files were mysteriously removed from his house.

9 – James Bunch – Died from a gunshot suicide. It was reported that he had a “Black Book” of people which contained names of influential people who visited prostitutes in Texas and Arkansas

10 – James Wilson – Was found dead in May 1993 from an apparent hanging suicide. He was reported to have ties to Whitewater..

11 – Kathy Ferguson – Ex-wife of Arkansas Trooper Danny Ferguson, was found dead in May 1994, in her living room with a gunshot to her head. It was ruled a suicide even though there were several packed suitcases, as if she were going somewhere. Danny Ferguson was a co-defendant along with Bill Clinton in the Paula Jones lawsuit Kathy Ferguson was a possible corroborating witness for Paula Jones.

12 – Bill Shelton – Arkansas State Trooper and fiancee of Kathy Ferguson. Critical of the suicide ruling of his fiancee, he was found dead in June, 1994 of a gunshot wound also ruled a suicide at the grave site of his fiancee.

13 – Gandy Baugh – Attorney for Clinton’s friend Dan Lassater, died by jumping out a window of a tall building January, 1994. His client was a convicted drug distributor.

14 – Florence Martin – Accountant & sub-contractor for the CIA, was related to the Barry Seal, Mena, Arkansas, airport drug smuggling case. He died of three gunshot wounds.

15 – Suzanne Coleman – Reportedly had an affair with Clinton when he was Arkansas Attorney General. Died of a gunshot wound to the back of the head, ruled a suicide. Was pregnant at the time of her death.

16 – Paula Grober – Clinton’s speech interpreter for the deaf from 1978 until her death December 9, 1992. She died in a one car accident.

17 – Danny Casolaro – Investigative reporter, investigating Mena Airport and Arkansas Development Finance Authority. He slit his wrists, apparently, in the middle of his investigation.

18 – Paul Wilcher – Attorney investigating corruption at Mena Airport with Casolaro and the 1980 “October Surprise” was found dead on a toilet June 22, 1993, in his Washington DC apartment had delivered a report to Janet Reno 3 weeks before his death.

19 – Jon Parnell Walker – Whitewater investigator for Resolution Trust Corp. Jumped to his death from his Arlington ,Virginia apartment balcony August 15, 1993. He was investigating the Morgan Guaranty scandal.

20 – Barbara Wise – Commerce Department staffer. Worked closely with Ron Brown and John Huang. Cause of death: Unknown. Died November 29, 1996. Her bruised, naked body was found locked in her office at the Department of Commerce.

21 – Charles Meissner – Assistant Secretary of Commerce who gave John Huang special security clearance, died shortly thereafter in a small plane crash.

22 – Dr. Stanley Heard – Chairman of the National Chiropractic Health Care Advisory Committee died with his attorney Steve Dickson in a small plane crash. Dr. Heard, in addition to serving on Clinton ‘s advisory council personally treated Clinton’s mother, stepfather and brother.

23 – Barry Seal – Drug running TWA pilot out of Mena Arkansas, death was no accident.

24 – Johnny Lawhorn, Jr. – Mechanic, found a check made out to Bill Clinton in the trunk of a car left at his repair shop. He was found dead after his car had hit a utility pole.

25 – Stanley Huggins – Investigated Madison Guaranty. His death was a purported suicide and his report was never released.

26 – Hershell Friday – Attorney and Clinton fundraiser died March 1, 1994, when his plane exploded.

27 – Kevin Ives & Don Henry – Known as “The boys on the track” case. Reports say the boys may have stumbled upon the Mena Arkansas airport drug operation. A controversial case, the initial report of death said, due to falling asleep on railroad tracks. Later reports claim the 2 boys had been slain before being placed on the tracks. Many linked to the case died before their testimony could come before a Grand Jury.

THE FOLLOWING PERSONS HAD INFORMATION ON THE IVES/HENRY CASE:

28 – Keith Coney – Died when his motorcycle slammed into the back of a truck, 7/88.

29 – Keith McMaskle – Died, stabbed 113 times, Nov, 1988

30 – Gregory Collins – Died from a gunshot wound January 1989.

31 – Jeff Rhodes – He was shot, mutilated and found burned in a trash dump in April 1989.

32 – James Milan – Found decapitated. However, the Coroner ruled his death was due to natural causes”.

34 – Richard Winters – A suspect in the Ives/Henry deaths. He was killed in a set-up robbery July 1989.

THE FOLLOWING CLINTON BODYGUARDS ARE ALSO DEAD

35 – Major William S. Barkley, Jr.

36 – Captain Scott J . Reynolds

37 – Sgt. Brian Hanley

38 – Sgt. Tim Sabel

39 – Major General William Robertson

40 – Col. William Densberger

41 – Col. Robert Kelly

42 – Spec. Gary Rhodes

43 – Steve Willis

44 – Robert Williams

45 – Conway LeBleu

46 – Todd McKeehan

And the most recent, Seth Rich, the DC staffer murdered and “robbed” (of nothing) on July 10. Wikileaks founder Assange claims he had info on the DNC email scandal.

Not Included in this list are the 4 killed in Benghazi.

And you can add multi-millionaire Jeffrey Epstein to the list. Documents described how Bill Clinton held a private party on Jeffrey Epstein’s pedophile island.

Clinton made at least 27 times trips on Jeffrey Epstein’s private plane. Most of those flights were with underage girls. Despite a previous attempt on his life, the prison guards skipped the 30 minute required checks on Epstein’s cell that night.

[pippin-katz]

I was thinking about the posters after reading @meraki-yao's little post about it and I have made a mistake. I need the BTS of the promo pictures and posters.

I want to know the process they went through for them. Some of them seem to have been taken the day they filmed the scene, like the lake one and the Red Room, but the ones where they have the flag socks were definitely a product of a staged photoshoot.

Nicholas is wearing Henry's full formal royal suit.

Henry only wears that suit once, at the wedding:

But obviously, Taylor is not wearing the black and white suit Alex wears to the wedding in the posters/promos:

After an extensive amount of comparisons, I am absolutely, completely confused beyond belief. The difference in lighting made me fucking crazy.

I thought at first that the suit he wears to the DNC and the one he wears for his speech after the leaks were the same, but the more I've stared at them, the more uncertain I am.

I have to break this into sections to make this more streamlined.

Jackets The jacket he wears to the DNC looks a bit more grey while the other looks more blue. I thought the lighting could make up for the slight shade difference of the jacket, but I am not sure.

But I thought if they're not the same jacket, that the blue one was the jacket he was wearing for the photoshoots.

But it's these two pictures that make me unsure:

On the left, the suit looks distinctly blue, while the one in the right picture looks way less saturated.

Shirts I also noticed that the shirt Alex is wearing for his speech is actually a very light shade of blue, whereas the other shirt is pure white.

Ties Look, I've been switching between these pictures, staring, comparing, and debating and I cannot fucking tell you if it's the same tie or not. At first I thought there was no way, that the one in the promos was too dark. It has the same pattern as the one he's wearing in his profile picture. But then I looked at pictures from the meeting with the king, and the tie looks way lighter again.

I am so confused. I have zoomed and zoomed, and I think they're the same pattern?? Even though the shades look different? This is where the lighting is killing me because I don't know what kind of fabric that is and if the lighting can really make them look that different!

And what makes this even more impossible is that there's no way to tell how much editing/color correction went into the promos and film scenes versus the BTS photo that looks pretty normal.

I HAVE SPENT SEVERAL HOURS ON THIS AND THIS WAS NOT EVEN WHAT I WANTED TO WRITE ABOUT IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! I HAVE TO WRITE A SECOND POST FOR THAT CAUSE THIS JUST GOT SO CLUTTERED!!

If you think you have any opinions or observations that would help with this, feel free to add on or comment cause I would love to know if I'm completely overthinking this or if I'm not crazy lmfao

[meraki-yao]

RWRB Movie Analysis: The Placement of Alex's Speech

Alright I’m really fucking sick of people complaining about the placement of the speech. (I swear, I write half of these essays out of irritation. But I’m happy while doing it so it all checks out)

Two things.

Regarding Henry’s consent

Use context clues people. Henry says, “Your speech was beautiful. Made me very proud to be your boyfriend.” It’s clear that Henry approves of the speech.

Again, what can be shown explicitly is restricted by the format. The point of Henry’s montages during the speech is to show how trapped and helpless he is in the situation. (for more, I wrote about it here.) The scenes need to keep that atmosphere/feeling of isolation and pain. If let’s say, we have a scene where the prime minister asks Henry about admitting and coming out, it would take away the consistent feeling of Henry’s pain. Cinematically, it won’t work. But that doesn’t mean in universe, it didn’t happen.

Also, Alex fucking loves Henry with every inch of his soul. He’s willing to fight for them, but he’s also willing to be patient for him. After getting his feelings sorted out and knowing with 100% clarity that he’s in love with Henry, he is never, ever going to do something that so obviously would hurt Henry. He would rather get hurt himself than hurt Henry. (Corresponding Book Quote: “Alex wants to go to war for this man, wants to get his hands on everything and everyone that ever hurt him.”) He wouldn’t make the speech without knowing Henry is okay with it. He just wouldn’t, that would straight up be out of character. So the fact that he did, means one way or another, he has Henry’s consent. And Henry later approving the speech in the piano scene, proves that. (It’s completely possible that the script itself meant to explain it this way, but if at any point they might have explicitly discussed coming out, my guess would be the Kensington breakfast scene, Prime, I’m coming for your hard drives—)

Regarding the placement of speech

There are two reasons for this.

One irl reason, is again, the format of the medium, and movie story telling. You want the tension to continuously build, increase and move upwards, then get a big but concrete resolution, and then this part is over. Having the speech as a conclusion after the balcony wave will not feel as well resolved as directly having the speech, then ending this part of the story with the big, big protest and balcony wave.  

But there’s a diegetic/ in universe reason as well.  

A lot of people, especially those who complain that Movie Alex is a himbo (also spite writing an essay on that, WIP, stay tuned), forget that Alex is a budding politician, and in fact, is a damn good one.

He, despite being kind of confused about his sexuality (read this essay for more), figures out Miguel’s flirting is mostly trying to get his statements for his articles, and in a fairly polite and classy way, Alex declines. (The state dinner slip was because he was way too entranced by Henry) He was a speaker at the DNC. His Texas campaign ultimately won Ellen the election.

When is comes to these things, he knows what he’s doing, and he’s good at what he does.

Making the speech before the crown can make a statement, was a strategic move.

Henry told Alex about his grandfather’s stance on this during the Paris date. He also told, well, yelled at Alex about the pressures he has from the crown during the Kensington confrontation. Alex knows the King will disapprove of their relationship and attempt to shove Henry into the closet.

So he has to be the one to control the narrative. He needs people to listen to, and believe in his, or rather, their side of the story.

And here’s a bit about human psychology. When receiving a new piece of information, our first impression and subsequent judgement of said information tends to be persistent. If we are provided with a second piece of contradicting information, we will tend to treat the second piece with much more criticism and suspicion. The mindset would be “prove to me the first one is wrong” instead of “Which one of these is right”.

Therefore, for Alex to get more people on his side, he must speak first.

(I almost imagine this is the reason the White House blocked communication with the palace. That bugged me for a while, until I thought, if the White House doesn’t block communication and receive a demand from the palace, they aren’t really on grounds to refuse it without a diplomatic mess. It’s the equivalent of avoiding talking to someone you don’t want to approach with the excuse “Oh my phone was off sorry”)

Imagine it. If the crown does what the King originally proposed and claims all the emails are fabrications and denies that Henry is gay and in a relationship with Alex, then Alex’s speech will be viewed through tinted glasses of “this is a fabrication, this is a lie” and it will take much more persuading for people to believe in Alex, because their first judgement of the issue, would be the crown’s lie of a narrative.

But by making the speech first, people’s first judgement of the issue, would be Alex’s explanation, of it being an invasion of privacy, and of it being true. Even if the crown denies it, with the first judgement being Alex’s narrative, it would make it much easier to see through the lie, because in people’s head, they already assumed that Alex is telling the truth.

By making the speech first, Alex has won both himself and Henry, the pen to write history.

Making the speech first is in no way Alex disrespecting Henry.

By playing politics and strategy, Alex is protecting Henry in the most familiar way he knows.

[interestinglittlerelationship]

Tumblr,

I have only slept for about four hours. Bear with me.

So the movie. I have now watched it twice and feel coherent enough to share my thoughts.

First and foremost, I loved it. It was beautiful and funny and silly and heartbreaking and uplifting. I have been insanely and obsessively excited for this movie. To see these two characters brought to life on screen. Well I’m a firm believer in the fact that the book is always better. This is a great adaptation. There were a lot of moments they nailed. There were a lot of changes I liked.

AN INCOMPLETE LIST: THINGS THAT WERE PERFECT IN THE MOVIE

1. Cakegate

2. The closet apology

3. New Years Eve (seriously everything about it)

4. The “casual” talk

5. Paris!!!

6. Alex coming out to Ellen

8. Nora telling Alex to go to London

9. The V&A

10. The key/ring exchange

11. Zahra helping Alex call Henry (+ “Hello” “Baby”)

12. The hug on the stairs

AN INCOMPLETE LIST: THINGS I MISSED DESPERATELY

1. Henry’s grief, depression, and anxiety. Alex’s bi crisis, ADHD and avoidance. Bea’s addiction.

2. Rafael Luna’s whole plot

3. And in relation to that last one, Henry coming to the DNC because he’s worried about Alex (+ “Most things are awful most of the time, but you are good”

4. Richards campaign being responsible for the leak (seriously the reporter guy was a sucky villain)

5. “Corn bread knows my sins, Henry” (how could they have included the turkey scene without that???? Also pretty much every other line from that conversation we didn’t get. Honestly, that whole scene just felt weird to me, the fact that they weren’t actually talking on the phone really pulled me out of the moment)

5. Henry and Alex’s friendship development before the kiss (i.e., Alex calling Henry on Christmas when his parents are fighting)

6. The Emails (I knew only a little would make it in but I don’t understand why the little we had wasn’t even really from the book. And I feel like not having any email content after they confess their love really took away from the impact of the outing/leak because it wasn’t nearly as personal)

7. Alex’s speech on election night and Henry telling him about the brownstone

8. Alex “frog marching” the heir to the throne to the red room (Henry just shows up instead?)

9. “Jesus tits” and all the creative swearing

10. Alex standing in the rain and “Your royal fucking highness!”

11. The political/royal commentary (I know it was hinted at but I missed it anyway)

+1

My only other major gripe is that Alex gives his speech after the leak before he ever talks to Henry. He would have never confirmed anything without Henry’s permission in the book. The speech was perfect otherwise but that ruined it for me.

I knew there wouldn’t be time for everything. I knew it wouldn’t be perfect. I will still watch it a hundred more times.

Yours,

A

[little2nerdy]

thoughts after my first RWRB watch-through (SPOILERS!)

obviously, adaptations can't always be 100% faithful if they want to be less than like five hours long so there are things i wish had been there, however! this is my new comfort movie and i will be forcing everyone i know to watch it for the foreseeable future. here are some of my thoughts - there will be more.

things i loved

i loved the easter eggs from the book - lines taken straight from the page *chefs kiss*

Uma Thurman as president. need i say more?

the closet scene at the hospital

cornbread

the texts being read aloud and them being there but not really being there? ugh, i love.

the entire new year's party was so fucking good ("did he just say till the sweat drop down my balls?" - hrh prince dickhead)

THE RUGBY SCENE

the closet scene at the DNC (the way henry talks about telling his sister as if zara isn't having a heart attack right in front of him is fucking hilarious)

loved zahra so fucking much. the scene at the dnc? pure gold.

they referenced ellen making a power point post alex coming out which is good enough for me (plus the safe sex talk/lgbtq+ jargon was hilarious)

alex is reading one last stop while sitting in the hammock in texas

henry jumping into the lake instead of talking about his feelings has always been a mood and continues to be

the showing up in the middle of the night in the rain + the museum? so dramatic (they played the wrong song in the museum tho)

HISTORY HUH? !!!!!!! my little gay heart almost exploded

the ring + key exchange -> heart melted

THE EMAIL LEAK - there were tears in my eyes when henry found out let me tell you

alex's white house press conference speech post email leak was actually really good, its something that a queer person in America can only dream about

zahra calling shaan post email leak was *chefs kiss*

i know it was a change from the book but henry standing up for himself against Philip & his grandfather was so good

henry's yellow tie

ellen claremont being reelected made me cry because i know the likelyhood of a liberal female president in my lifetime is not something I'm bound to experience (its a scary time politically for queer people in the US so sue me for shedding a few tears over a fictional presidential election, ok?)

the bike ride to texas house post election ❤️

Things i missed

i needed more bea, percy, nora, and I NEEDED JUNE

why tf are alex's parents still together?

i know its because of copyright shit probably but i missed the starwars references and was really hoping for the mural at the end

i wish they'd done more with henry's nonprofit goals instead of just making him some washed up royal while alex was out there making moves

the email leak was such a pivitoal point in the book and i feel like they downplayed it so much. i needed the drama guys.

love stephen fry but where the fuck is henry's mom and the queen?

i missed nora's edible and energy drink fuled texas analysis at the end

i wanted to see them taking the royal couple photos

[shersh-5]

People peacefully demonstrating for a ceasefire lit candles to honor the 11,200 lives lost in #Gaza, but the police attacked them, kicking over candles and violating the freedom of speech. #US #DNC