Remains of the Day (02/02)

BREAKING: The Senate has confirmed @PeteButtigieg as Transportation Secretary, making him the first-ever openly LGBTQ person to be confirmed by the Senate to a Cabinet-level position.

Another barrier broken for our community. pic.twitter.com/LYEtziSnBZ

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 2, 2021

Mayor Pete makes LGBTQ+ history! 

State Department’s Openly Gay Spokesperson Ned Price Holds First Press Briefing: WATCH LIVE https://t.co/nzZsNLoehr pic.twitter.com/0LnxWoDUNd

— Towleroad (@tlrd) February 2, 2021

"That the voice of the Biden administration on the world stage, whose words will be analyzed in foreign capitals and provide direction for U.S. diplomats overseas, will be a gay man is unremarkable, which is itself a remarkable thing. It also sends a potent message to foreign LGBTQ activists, especially those fighting in countries where same-sex relationships are still criminalized.” 

lol this country is broken pic.twitter.com/WHdyxbefVb

— lindsey marie (@thekuhlest) February 1, 2021

John Aravosis: This is why we must must get rid of the electoral college. Republicans are stealing the presidency and forcing unpopular policies down the throats of the majority of Americans. 

I don’t care about that stuff - the problem is there’s not enough money https://t.co/53w06i831S

— Will Bunch Sign Up For My Newsletter (@Will_Bunch) February 2, 2021

White House open to narrowing who qualifies for stimulus checks but keeping payments at $1,400 per person 

House impeachment managers filed their arguments for Donald Trump's trial next week: They say Trump was “singularly responsible” for the Capitol riot and that he would do anything to “reassert his grip on power” if he were allowed to seek election again. https://t.co/xhET84oxtQ

— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 2, 2021

Conspiracy theories and disinformation must be treated as "the urgent threats they are" or "the potential for violent unrest and civic dysfunction will only grow.” 

Trump's formal answer to his impeachment starts off by misspelling "United States."

It goes downhill from there. pic.twitter.com/G2S0Bx50bt

— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) February 2, 2021

Trump doubles down on false election claim in impeachment response 

A woman did her regular aerobics class out in open without realizing that a coup was taking place in #Myanmar. A Military convoy reaching the parliament can be seen behind the woman as she performs aerobics. Incredible! pic.twitter.com/gRnQkMshDe

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) February 1, 2021

'Black Mirror' is starting to look subtle 

Russian court reimposes jail sentence on opposition leader Alexei Navalny as Kremlin defies Western calls for his release https://t.co/DCJrgQeg7V

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) February 2, 2021

This is classic George Zimmerman logic: The Kremlin poisons Navalny and leaves him nearly dead, then penalizes him for not checking in with his parole officer while he's unconscious 

So you’re being held accountable? That’s not ‘cancel culture’ ... My column https://t.co/UOGogOsLO3

— ☀️ Margaret Sullivan (@Sulliview) January 31, 2021

When people say 'cancel cancel culture,' what they're really saying is 'stop holding people accountable' 

Which are you pic.twitter.com/SXotWJKDs9

— Scott Heim (@Scott_Heim) February 1, 2021

In the words of the great philosopher Sarah Palin: 'All of them, Katie' 

I just rediscovered Cinnamon Toast Crunch and it might just be the thing that singlehandedly saves 2021.

— Benj Pasek (@benjpasek) February 2, 2021

Indeed. And have any of you tried French Toast Crunch??? 

Hal Holbrook won 2 Emmys for "Pueblo" the year Cicely Tyson won 2 for "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman." They died within 5 days of each other, at 95 (him) & 96 (her). I remember him for "Designing Women" & "That Certain Summer." https://t.co/vWMBvo95Mk

— Matthew Rettenmund (@mattrett) February 2, 2021

Hal Holbrook, five-time Emmy winner, dead at 95 

A friend writes:

I'm so glad this obit mentions "That Certain Summer," a remarkably good TV movie in which Holbrook, who is divorced, has to break the news to his teenage son that he is gay. It aired, somewhat incredibly, in 1972. Holbook's boyfriend is played by a very young, very handsome Martin Sheen.

And how fun are these "Search Party" dolls? When people ask if I recommend the show, now in its fourth season, I never know what to say. The first season is an absolute must-watch. Since then, it has jumped the shark two or three times, yet the characters are so much fun I'm willing to look the other way even though I know others may not be so forgiving.