What is Nikki Haley doing? The answer is clear enough: demonstrating the inconvenient fact that a sizable portion of the Republican primary electorate isn’t on board with another Donald Trump nomination‚ no matter how inevitable it seems. She did it again in Saturday’s South Carolina primary‚ which saw the former United Nations ambassador trounced by 20 points in her home state—yet still notching 40% of the vote‚ a remarkable showing for a candidate with no plausible path to victory. “40% is...

“It takes no time to bend the knee‚” Tyrion Lannister tells Jon Snow in the seventh season of “Game of Thrones‚” urging him to “pledge your sword” to Queen Daenerys Targaryen. “And why would I do that?” Snow thunders back. Speaking in Greenville‚ South Carolina‚ Tuesday‚ former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley sounded a similar tone‚ insisting she plans to stay in the Republican primary battle even if former President Donald Trump continues to dominate the race. “I feel no need to kiss the...

In early February 2024‚ Beyoncé rocked the music world by releasing a surprise new album of country tunes. The album‚ Renaissance: Act II‚ includes a song called "Texas Hold 'Em‚" which shot up the country charts—with a few bumps along the way—and landed Queen Bey at the No.1 spot. As the first Black female artist to have a song hit No. 1 on Billboard's country music charts‚ Beyoncé once again proved her popularity‚ versatility and ability to break barriers without missing a beat. In one fell swoop‚ she got people who had zero interest in country music to give it a second look‚ forced country music fans to broaden their own ideas about what country music looks like and prompted conversations about bending and blending musical genres and styles. And she inspired the Gardiner Brothers to add yet another element to the mix—Irish stepdance.In a TikTok that's been viewed over 17 million times‚ the Gardiner Brothers don cowboy hats while they step in time to "Texas Hold 'Em‚" much to the delight of viewers everywhere. Watch: @gardinerbrothers Beyoncé 🤝 Irish dancing #beyonce #countrymusic Michael and Matthew Gardiner are professional Irish-American stepdancers and choreographers who have gained international fame with their award-winning performances. They've also built a following of millions on social media with videos like this one‚ where they dance to popular songs‚ usually in an outdoor environment. The melding of Irish dance with country music sung by a Black American female artist may seem unlikely‚ but it could be viewed merely as country music coming back to its roots. After all‚ country music has its roots in the ballad tradition of the Irish‚ English and Scottish settlers in the Appalachian region of the U.S. And despite modern country music's struggle to break free from "music for white people" stereotypes‚ it has roots in African-American traditions as well. For instance‚ the banjo‚ which has long been used in bluegrass and country music‚ was created by enslaved Africans and their descendents during the colonial era‚ according to The Smithsonian. People are loving the blending of genres and culture that the TikTok exemplifies."Never thought I’d see Irish step dancing while Beyoncé sings country‚" wrote on commenter. "My life is complete. ♥️""So happy Beyoncé dropped this song and exposed my timeline to diversified talent 👏🏽👏🏽‚" wrote another."Beyoncé brought the world together with this song 😭‚" offered another person."Ayeeee Irish Dancing has entered the BeyHive chatroom… WELCOME!! 🔥🔥🔥" exclaimed another."I don’t think I can explain how many of my interests are intersecting here‚" wrote one commenter‚ reflecting what several others shared as well. The Beyoncé/Gardiner Brothers combo and the reactions to it are a good reminder that none of us fit into one box of interest or identity. We're all an eclectic mix of tastes and styles‚ so we can almost always find a way to connect with others over something we enjoy. What better way to be reminded of that fact than through an unexpected mashup that blends the magic of music with the delight of dance? Truly‚ the arts are a powerful uniting force we should utilize more often.And for an extra bit of fun‚ the Gardiner Brothers also shared their bloopers from filming the video. Turns out stepping in the rain isn't as easy as they make it look. Beyoncé Bloopers #texasholdem #gardinerbrothers @gardinerbrothers Beyoncé Bloopers #texasholdem #gardinerbrothers

There is often a distinct line between social impact—that is‚ something meant to provoke thought‚ connect us to our humanity‚ inspire positive change‚ etc.—and entertainment‚ which provides us a fun escape. But sometimes that line can become blurred in innovative ways‚ allowing entertainment itself to be the change agent. This is the concept behind creative partners Aaron Brown (Onion Creek Productions) and Lenny Barszap (Entertaining Entertainment)’s Been There music festivals‚ which are specifically intended to be social movements in disguise. But first‚ let’s go back to 1997 when Brown and Barszap were in college. They met an unhoused former professor living in the park at the end of their block - a chance encounter that would change their lives forever. Not wanting the man to suffer Texas’ infamous storms‚ Brown and Barszap offered the man a chance to crash on their porch—and later their couch as boundaries began to soften—which began a nearly yearlong chapter of bonding with him and others from his community. Their relationship‚ along with the antics that ensued‚ would later become the basis for “Home Free‚” a coming-of-age college comedy that Barszap calls “‘Dazed &; Confused’ meets ‘Superbad‚’” which premiered at Hollywood's iconic Chinese Theatre in July 2023 and earned rave reviews‚ including one from Kevin Smith saying it is “the most important comedy you’ll see this year.” And while “Home Free” succeeds in providing laugh out loud moments‚ Brown and Barszap hoped it could be the first of many “Trojan horse-style social impact films‚” using humor as the spoonful of sugar to raise awareness on the serious issue of homelessness. That’s why the duo partnered with The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF)‚ an organization that offers people in Austin‚ TX facing homelessness shelter‚ opportunities and support. Through this partnership‚ six percent of all donations raised for Brown and Barszap’s film went directly to the foundation. In addition‚ 10% of the film's profits were earmarked for TOOF and other nonprofits fighting to end homelessness. Which brings us back to Been There‚ which got its title as a way of suggesting “we can get beyond homelessness and someday look back from a new perspective with empathy.” Here’s how it started: In 2021‚ TOOF had recently begun supporting a tent encampment of around 200 people experiencing homelessness in East Austin‚ later renamed The Esperanza Community. Brown and Barszap began making relationships with Esperanza’s residents during production of “Home Free” (especially when filming was slowed to a halt during COVID).That year‚ Austin had been hit by some severe ice storms‚ causing power outages and devastating the tent community. And while replenishing supplies would have been enough to help the neighborhood recover‚ Barszap and Brown thought “why not go beyond necessities and replenish people’s spirits as well?”And so‚ the pair called upon their musician friends‚ who just so happened to be Grammy award-winning heavy hitters in the industry‚ to put on a kickass private music festival. The Esperanza community got to enjoy the talents of Adrian Quesada‚ best known for his work with The Black Pumas‚ as well as local legends like the latin funk orchestra Grupo Fantasma and indie darlings Wild Child‚ just to name a few. And even better‚ though no one intended to make the event a fundraiser‚ a couple of inspired attendees donated a collective $600‚000 to TOOF on the spot.Because their first event was such a success‚ another Been There festival was held in 2023‚ this time intended as a fundraiser‚ composed of musical heroes from the 90s and local Austin heavyweights. Headlining the act was legendary hip hop group The Pharcyde‚ who also contributed two new songs to the original soundtrack for “Home Free‚” produced by Adrian Quesada. The Pharcyde were accompanied for the first time ever by a live band‚ Austin’s Latin-funk heroes Brownout who have backed the likes of Prince‚ GZA and many more.Barszap told Upworthy the second festival was an even bigger hit. Not just because of the money it raised‚ but because it brought people together who might normally be separated by social barriers. And it all took place in Esperanza‚ which has now become a flourishing transitional tiny home community. “It was incredible…so many showed up to the event and were surprised they were having an amazing night with people who were transitioning out of homelessness and getting back on their feet. Everyone was so moved that we raised over $1million that day‚ enough to build over 100 new tiny homes for The Esperanza Community‚” he said. The first two Been There music Fests were hosted at The Esperanza Community in Austin but Barszap and Brown envision a series of Been There's in cities across the country. "When you see the power of artists coming together to help our neighbors and spotlight the organizations doing the most innovative work‚ it's undeniable. We've seen first-hand how music and art can change lives‚" says Brown.As more non-profit music festivals similar to Been There continue popping up across the country‚ both to reinvigorate those who are disenchanted with how capitalism has affected the industry‚ it’s becoming clear that this is more than a novel concept—it’s a style of entertainment that people actually want to participate in.As for what the future holds: today‚ Been There is more than a music festival. It has transformed into a non-profit in its own right‚ bringing even more “Trojan horse-style social impact entertainment that kick-starts a movement” including festivals‚ films‚ art‚ music and proving that making a difference doesn’t have to be a chore or byproduct of guilt. Maybe it’s not so impossible to‚ as Barszap puts it‚ “have fun doing good.”If you’d like to support more of Been There’s impactful entertainment‚ donate here.

"Oh my god‚ he’s better than both of us!" The post Pat Smear on the best guitar player in Nirvana first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

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Intelligence officials worried another Trump term "could lead to an unprecedented level of politicization of intelligence‚" Politico claims. A group of senior intelligence officials are “on edge” over the prospect of a second Trump term‚ according to Politico. “Trump sought major changes at the intel agencies in his first term; former officials say he could be more radical in a second‚” Politico reported Monday‚ adding another Trump term “could lead to an unprecedented level of politicization of intelligence.” The prospect of a second Trump presidency has the intelligence community on edge https://t.co/hhZ7j6hwRm— POLITICO (@politico) February 26‚ 2024 Soros shill Fiona Hill‚ who was instrumental in the Democrats’ first impeachment coup against Trump in 2019‚ said the former president “wants to weaponize the intelligence community.” “‘And the fact is you need to look with a 360 degree perspective. He can’t just cherry pick what he wants to hear when there are so many U.S. adversaries and countries that don’t wish the U.S. well‚’ said Fiona Hill‚ a top Russia adviser on the National Security Council in Trump’s administration who has regularly criticized his policies. ‘If he guts the intel on one thing‚ he’ll be partially blinding us‚'” Politico reported.URGENT! Keep Alex Jones in the fight against the NWO! Please pray &; contribute at DefendJones.com today! Politico also downplayed the FBI’s false “Russia collusion” investigation into Trump‚ claiming that the probe (now known to have been masterminded by Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama) has tainted Trump’s impression of the bureau which it claims opens America up to Russian election interference efforts in 2024. Andrew McCabe‚ the then-deputy director of the FBI‚ said the bureau believed that was necessary to keep with a directive from then-President Barack Obama to compile all intelligence U.S. intelligence officials had on Russian meddling. Featuring it in the appendix was meant to make clear that the Steele dossier “was raw‚ unverified‚ and did not represent the basis of our assessments‚” he said.Several individuals who spoke with POLITICO argue that decision was a mistake that tainted Trump’s view of both the bureau and the broader intelligence community from the outset.The FBI “dug their own grave” on that one‚ one former intelligence official said.Many believe Trump’s lingering sensitivity to the Russia probe later led his administration to underplay the Kremlin’s role in election influence efforts in 2020 — and would likely continue in a second term. The Politico piece comes after recent revelations that former CIA Director John Brennan directed the “Five Eyes” foreign intelligence agencies to illegally spy on and “bump” 26 Trump associates before the 2016 election. And let’s not forget the Deep State’s other anti-democratic efforts against Trump‚ including the DOJ’s Mueller probe‚ impeachments #1 and #2‚ and the letter from 51 intel officials dismissing Hunter Biden’s laptop just before the 2020 election. Of course‚ this doesn’t even touch on the Biden regime and Democrats’ current politicized lawfare campaigns against Trump to prevent him from taking office again. Politico’s story was brutally dragged on social media for misrepresenting that intelligence agencies for years have themselves fomented these coups against Trump in 2016 and throughout his presidency. “Which intell people? The 51 member of the intell community who sent a letter that POLITICO published right before the 20/20 election FALSELY misstating that Hunter laptop etc was ‘Russian misinformation’ campaign? Are those the ones ‘on edge?'” journalist Greta Van Susteren wrote on X. Which intell people? The 51 member of the intell community who sent a letter that POLITICO published right before the 20/20 election FALSELY misstating that Hunter laptop etc was “Russian misinformation” campaign? Are those the ones “on edge?” pic.twitter.com/hcF0MMJ8qN— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) February 26‚ 2024 “Imagine taking these partisan clowns seriously‚” another X user said with a screenshot of the New York Post’s article exposing the lying 51 intelligence officials. Imagine still taking these partisan clowns seriously 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/41tbMfJiB2— 🇺🇲 Mami Memes🇺🇲 (@RunVictoria_) February 26‚ 2024 The intelligence community‚ after having been exposed for using fake intelligence to take down a president‚ now worries about that president politicizing intelligence?Is this parody?— Andrea E (@AAC0519) February 26‚ 2024 Considering how the intelligence community orchestrated J6 They should be nervous— Cat Ryan (@CatQuestionsAll) February 26‚ 2024 The same agencies that pushed Russia Russia Russia hoax? Or the laptop from hell was Russian disinformation? It's hard to keep track of all of the “intelligence agencies” hoaxes— Cash Loren (@CashLorenShow) February 26‚ 2024 Oh yes! After all set up‚ spying‚ they’ve done to him?!— Gordana (@GSchifanelli) February 26‚ 2024 The corrupt unelected coup should be nervous— the Knowledge Spoon (@5thgen_warrior) February 26‚ 2024 The intelligence community‚ worried about politicization under a second Trump term? That’s rich. Who knew the intel community was now hiring comedians.— Nicholas Giordano (@PasReport) February 26‚ 2024 Well‚ this is accurate in one sense. If you thought they were politicized during Trump’s first term‚ it will pale in comparison to what they’re going to do during his second term.— Phillip Jackson (@PEJ1952) February 26‚ 2024 This is a rich theory by Politico‚ given the politicized overhaul of the intelligence agencies by Barack Obama and Eric Holder on their way out the door.— Tosca Austen (@ToscaAusten) February 26‚ 2024 I still get shocked by articles like this one‚ but only for a split second. Then I remember how U.S intelligence officials along with a democratic presidential candidate and sitting members of congress conspired to fabricate evidence to usurp a sitting American president.— Lisa Cappiello (@LisaCappiello08) February 26‚ 2024 51 former intel agents say hold my beer— chris canio (@ChrisCanio) February 26‚ 2024 More than 7 years ago‚ Chuck Schumer warned everyone what was going to happen: "We have an opportunity. As the Chinese say‚ 'Danger is opportunity.' […] Let me tell you‚ you take on the intelligence community‚ they have six ways from Sunday at getting back at you." pic.twitter.com/lgg88XYeHi— Jim Hamilton (@Chaosity8) February 26‚ 2024 Yeah‚ they must be panicking in DC. As the weaponized justice department worries about the justice department being used against them‚ and the weaponized intelligence community worried the intel agency could be used against them.Quite a dilemma.— Jim Collins (@JimCollinsJr) February 26‚ 2024 Follow Jamie White on X | Truth | Gab | Gettr | Minds