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Hannah Gadsby Returning To Netflix Less Than A Year After Slamming Them For Dave Chappelle’s ‘The Closer’

Less than a year ago, it seemed like Hannah Gadsby and Netflix were no longer on sturdy ground. The comic, whose stand-up regularly deals with queer issues, was none-too-pleased that Ted Sarandos, the streamer’s co-CEO, was using her as an example of the diversity available on their coffers, in an attempt to shield them from the hot mess over all the trans jokes in Dave Chappelle’s special The Closer. She even called him out by name in a furious Instagram post. But apparently they patched things up because Gadsby announced a third Netflix special is en route.

The latest special is called Body of Work, and it’s set to be taped next year at the Sydney Opera House. But there’s more: She will also oversee another special featuring multiple “gender-diverse comedians.” Netflix previously hosted 2018’s Nanette and 2020’s Douglas.

So what happened? In a statement, Gadsby didn’t directly address how she patched things up with Sarandos and team, but she did imply that she did get them to agree to correct some wrongs by making the streamer’s comedy wing even more diverse.

“In an effort to further open a door that I had to fight to get through myself, I will curate and host a lineup show on Netflix featuring six new, gender-diverse comedians,” Gadsby wrote. She continued:

“In a notoriously transphobic industry, I am looking to broaden the scope of opportunities for genderqueer performers from around the globe, as well as expand the diversity of offerings to audiences on one of comedy’s biggest platforms. Coupled with a mentorship initiative for these up-and-coming comics, the program aims to foster the professional development of a demographic that is still struggling to have their voices heard. Recorded in a single run in the U.K. in 2023, this will be a chance for the world to hear these voices for the first, but definitely not the last, time.”

Last October, when The Closer was been raked over the coals for all its trans jokes, Gadsby was singing quite a different tune. “Hey Ted Sarandos. Just a quick note to let you know that I would prefer if you didn’t drag my name into your mess. Now I have to deal with even more of the hate and anger that Dave Chappelle’s fans like to unleash on me every time Dave gets 20 million dollars to process his emotionally stunted partial word view,” she wrote on social media. She went on:

“You didn’t pay me nearly enough to deal with the real world consequences of the hate speech dog whistling you refuse to acknowledge, Ted. F*ck you and your amoral algorithm cult… I do shits with more back bone than you. That’s just a joke! I definitely didn’t cross a line because there isn’t one.”

When news of the new Gadsby Netflix specials broke, some didn’t forget her outrage this time last year. One person wrote, “.@Hannahgadsby literally said ‘f*ck you’ to Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos during the Chappelle backlash and is now back in business with the streamer for their next stand-up special — as well as one focused on ‘gender-diverse comedians.’”

(Via The Hollywood Reporter)

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Tobe Nwigwe Dances Over A Grave In The New ‘Head To Hades’ Music Video

Tobe Nwigwe‘s “Head To Hades” is relentlessly infectious and witty. Out today, the new song comes with a music video of the same caliber. It finds the camera looking up at the rapper and his entourage from a grave plot as they surround the edges and dance. It’s both unsettling and hilarious, which is the perfect vibe for the track. It also features Royce Da 5’9” and Foggieraw to make it even bigger.

As usual, Nwigwe’s flow is almost philosophical in its eloquence and contemplation: “Most measure man’s worth, but what brings pleasure? / I endeavor to add some feathers on the wings of those transgressors that feel lesser / And can’t quite apply the pressure to the esophagus of they oppressor,” he raps.

“Head To Hades” follows his recent song “Mini Me,” which came with a similar video, in which he led a group in dance in a garden, joined eventually by his wife, Fat, as well as Dame D.O.L.L.A. Over the summer, he also unveiled the track “Passing Through,” with wrestled with similar themes, such as heaven. Spirituality and mortality tend to shine through in his work, especially with all of the new material this year.

Watch the video for “Head To Hades” above.

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Documentary Footage (That He Commissioned) Shows Roger Stone Getting Ready To Flee D.C. After Jan. 6

On Wednesday, one of the biggest hits of summer television appointment viewing returns: the hearings for the House select committee investigating Jan. 6. They even have a big get for the start of Season 2: Roger Stone. The longtime GOP fixer with a Nixon tattoo on his back played a major role in the build-up to the Capitol riot. What’s more, he did something that may seem retroactively foolish: He invited a camera crew to follow him around as he may have done some pretty unseemly things.

Some of that footage will play during Wednesday’s session, but a couple clips have already gone public. As per Raw Story, one such clip aired on MSNBC Monday, and it shows Stone and associates plotting to get the heck out of dodge not long after the failed insurrection.

The clip finds Stone on the phone in D.C. Willard Hotel, in what he dubbed the “war room.” Who he’s talking to isn’t yet clear, but he can be heard telling them, “All right, well we’re going to start pulling our stuff together.” He then turns to Kristin Davis, a close associate, and says, “Let’s pack. We’re outa here,” adding, “As soon as possible. They want to get out of town.”

It’s not the only damning clip that was made public. Another, also from Jan. 6, shows him encouraging Capitol stormers, advising them to “shoot to kill,” before adding, “I’m just kidding.”

In another, filmed the day before the 2020 election, according to CNN, Stone seems to already ready for things to get ugly, telling someone, “F**k the voting, let’s get right to the violence.”

Stone is getting it from all sides. He was recently lambasted by some of his QAnon supporters for daring to post a portrait of him eating pizza, complete with a pepperoni tie.

The next Jan. 6 hearing is set to go down on Wednesday, starting at 1pm EST. You can watch MSNBC and guests discuss Stone and show the clip in the video below.

(Via Raw Story and CNN)

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How To Build The Perfect Chipotle Burrito Bowl (Three Different Ways!)

Chipotle, like Subway, is the sort of fast food (or fast casual, in this case) joint that is only as good as you make it. The restaurant supplies the ingredient, but ultimately the flavor is in your hands. This can lead to some truly great tasting food or — if you insist on including every single ingredient offered into your meal — you’re going to end up with a muddled pile of food that has no rhyme or reason to its construction.

Point being, you can get some seriously delicious food at Chipotle if you don’t try to take advantage of an ordering system that essentially allows you to get an abundance of everything (aside from meat and guacamole) for free. We’ve already covered which of Chipotle’s protein options are the most flavorful, and even taught you how to make the greatest burrito you can possibly order (seriously, try it, I’ve received nothing but praise for this burrito in my email inbox, which is rare for a food writer) — so now it’s time to teach you how to make the best Chipotle Burrito Bowl you’ll ever eat.

Unlike the burrito, which whether you acknowledge it or not, is inspired by a San Francisco Mission Burrito and tastes best when you build it like one, the Burrito Bowl has no traditional baggage behind it. So I couldn’t just settle on one ultimate burrito, I had to make three:

  • The Best Tasting Burrito Bowl
  • The Best Tasting Keto Burrito Bowl
  • The Decadent Anything Goes Burrito Bowl

If you want additional bowls in other styles (vegan?) let us know and we’ll get on it. For now, here are three ways to make the best Chipotle Burrito Bowl you’ll ever eat.

The Best Tasting Bowl You’ll Ever Eat

Best Chipotle Bowl
Dane Rivera

The Build

The Beans:

If we’re looking to make the best bowl, we have to start with the best beans, and at Chipotle, that’s the pinto. I know the black beans are fun and different, and maybe slightly less calorically dense, but when you want flavor, pinto is where it’s at. These beans are tender, creamier, and spicier than the black beans, so in addition to a better and softer mouthfeel, they just pack more flavor.

The Rice:

It’s got to be the white rice. Yes, the brown rice is better for you thanks to the higher fiber content, but again, you want a nice mouthfeel and the white rice is going to get you that. The brown is earthy and chewy — we don’t want that. The white cilantro lime rice is fresh and herbal, with just a hint of citrus that is flavorful enough to be enjoyable, but neutral enough to act as a sponge for the barbacoa juice we’re going to spoon all over it.

The Meat:

Now we’ve come to perhaps the most important ingredient in this bowl. You’re going to get barbacoa, it’s Chipotle’s best permanent meat option by far. It’s tender, savory, and juicy, with a blend of herbal oregano, clove, and bay leaf adding some deep earthy flavors. But before you ask for the barbacoa, you need to ask the Chipotle employee to spoon that juice the meat is sitting in all over your rice and beans.

It’s important that you do this before they actually add the meat. The meat is already juicy, we want that savory goodness all over our relatively bland rice and beans. This is a game changer.

Fajitas:

When I built the perfect Chipotle burrito I skipped out on the fajitas, which was hard for me to do because I love fajitas and at Chipotle this is the most flavorful single ingredient on the whole menu. This isn’t an SF burrito, so go nuts and go ahead and ask for extra fajitas here. The onions and bell pepper are going to add some nice aromatics to this bowl and a whole lot of depth of flavor.

Salsa:

Tomatillo red. Always tomatillo red. If you really can’t handle the spice, go ahead and get the green tomatillo, but be careful — that salsa is heavy on the onions and you’ve already got onions via the fajitas and the guacamole we’re going to add.

Sour Cream:

Skip it. Sour cream is great, I get it, but you don’t need that tangy fatty flavor here, it’s only going to distract and one of the easiest mistakes at Chipotle that people make is doing too much.

Cheese + Lettuce

Always, of course. The lettuce will water down the flavors just a bit, but it’s just a small handful so it won’t do too much damage while still adding a nice texture. The cheese is a must, it’ll add some sweet, salty, and nutty notes that will pair nicely with the more earthy herbal qualities. My editor

Guacamole:

The guacamole is a must here, it adds so much flavor and helps the bowl to be even more filling than it already is. But the best move is to order this stuff on the side. If you order it in the bowl, it’s going to muddle and overwhelm the flavors and lead to a really inconsistent experience. Some forkfuls will be better than others, so instead order it on the side, and scoop out a nice portion onto your fork between each bite. Yes, it’s a slight pain in the ass, but it’s going to allow you to control the amount of guacamole you get in each forkful, making each bite from first to last a wonderfully flavorful experience.

The Final Touch:

Best Chipotle Bowl
Dane Rivera

Once your bowl is built you need to walk to where Chipotle keeps the forks and napkins and add a dash of the green pepper tabasco sauce. A simple drizzle of this stuff is going to add just a touch more heat, and a smokey quality that is going to wrap all the flavors together harmoniously and make them downright mouthwatering.

Tasting Notes:

Best Chipotle Bowl
Dane Rivera

Way more savory than you’d ever imagine a Chipotle bowl to be. Each forkful is spicy, smokey, earthy, and slightly sweet with mouthwatering aromatics that deliver half of the flavor before you even take your first bite. The barbacoa is juicy and tender with its clove and oregano notes combining with the spicy cumin-heavy pinto beans. By the time you get to the bottom of this bowl, your rice should be adequately soaked in that barbacoa juice, adding adobo and pepper notes to the rice and giving it a lingering sweet and meaty finish.

A forkful of guacamole before every bite will add some fresh citrus notes and more onion emphasis. I think this is even better than the burrito, when I order it I don’t even think about the tortilla.

The Best Tasting Keto Bowl

Best Chipotle Bowl
Dane Rivera

The Build

The Meat:

We’re going with a double serving of chicken here. Chicken is the only protein option on Chipotle’s menu that doesn’t include any carbs, aside from the Carnitas which just don’t taste good. Carnitas are delicious, but Chipotle’s are dry and stringy. The chicken can be a bit hit or miss, but it’s your best protein option if you’re trying to keep carbs low.

The steak, with one gram of carbs per serving, is also a great option, but ultimately we’re trying to keep this bowl at 16 grams of carbs total, so we have to make some sacrifices here.

Fajitas:

Get them, a single serving is going to give you a whole five grams of carbs, but we promise it’s going to be worth it as the fajitas are going to add a lot of flavor and aromatics.

Guacamole:

Chipotle’s guacamole will add an additional eight grams of carbs to your meal but considering it’s loaded with monounsaturated fats and a good amount of protein and fiber, it’s really one of the best things you can add to your bowl.

Salsa:

Get a light serving of tomatillo-red chili salsa. A little goes a long way with this spicy salsa and a half serving will only add two grams of carbs to your meal.

Sour Cream:

If 18 grams of carbs isn’t too much for you, get the sour cream, it’ll add some more fat and some tangy notes to the meal but I think this is an optional ingredient. We’re going to have plenty of flavor courtesy of the fajitas, guacamole, and salsa.

Cheese:

Add it, it’s giving us a lot of protein, and cheese just tastes great. Always. Cheese on everything!

What’s the damage?

Our burrito bowl, according to Chipotle’s nutrition calculator, is approximately 735 calories, with 44 grams of fat, 73 grams of protein, and just 16 grams of carbs. That’s a big and hearty meal and a relatively low carb count that should allow you to eat at least two more meals throughout the day.

Tasting Notes

Best Chipotle Bowl
Dane Rivera

I know, it looks f*cking boring but, welcome to keto, my friends. While it isn’t all that much to look at, the flavor should be dominated by a savory adobo zest, with some smokey roasted fajitas adding a sumptuous and elevated quality to the guacamole, all wrapped together with some nutty sweet salty cheese. The light serving of tomatillo salsa might not add much visually, but that spicy aftertaste it leaves on the palate is incredibly satisfying. with 73 grams of protein and 44 grams of fat, this bowl is going to fill you up, despite the fact that it looks a bit empty.

The Decadent Anything Goes Bowl

Best Chipotle Bowl
Dane Rivera

The Build

The Meat:

Garlic Guajillo Steak. It’s a limited-time protein option but it’s Chipotle’s spiciest and juiciest meat. When the Garlic Guajillo Steak window is closed, defer to the barbacoa.

The Rice:

Go with white for the same reason listed in our first build.

Beans:

This is our Anything Goes bowl so go nuts and get half black beans and half pinto beans if you want to. I still think the pinto is a better option, but the main concept behind this bowl is to have everything you want, so long as it still results in a great-tasting bowl, so go nuts!

Fajitas

As we’ve said before, fajitas are one of Chipotle’s most flavorful additions. You get a lot of sweet and savory notes from the onions, and smokey peppery sweetness from the bell peppers, plus a great crunch, which you’re going to need in this wet and sloppy bowl.

Salsa:

Always the tomatillo-red! But in this case, we’re going to suggest you order it on the side. As I mentioned before, this is going to be a sloppy bowl, so you don’t need salsa in the mix making it even more of a mess. Getting it on the side will allow you to control the portioning much easier without getting messy.

Sour Cream:

Get it! We’re finally suggesting you get the damn sour cream, are you happy? It adds an extra layer of savory goodness and even though the rest of the ingredients muddle up that distinctive tang, it’s still there lurking in the aftertaste.

Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa

This bowl is going to be wet, the roasted chili-corn salsa is going to add some much-needed texture.

Cheese and Lettuce

Always. In fact, go heavy on the cheese, it’ll only make your bowl that much better. Once again, the lettuce is for texture.

Guacamole

Duh, guacamole is appearing in all three of our builds because, well, it’s f*cking guacamole. It’s a must. People have a tendency to complain that Chipotle charges for guacamole but where don’t they charge extra for guacamole?! If you’re getting guacamole and not charged for it, it’s probably some shitty guacamole.

Queso Blanco

I don’t suggest putting this in the bowl, but a side order of Chipotle’s queso blanco will make a good dip anytime you feel like you need some extra salt. The queso blanco here is made with aged white cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, giving it a sharp and nutty quality. I get it on the side because I feel like it can become quickly overwhelming, but hey, if you want it on the bowl itself, go nuts!

The Final Touch:

Add that jalapeño tabasco! The smokiness is an underrated flavor quality and it makes Chipotle taste that much better. There is a reason they stock this stuff, why so many people ignore it is beyond comprehension!

Tasting Notes:

Best Chipotle Bowl
Dane Rivera

Look at this thing, it’s got a little bit of everything! The bean combination provides a nice spicy and smokey backbone which compliments the roasted garlic and chili pepper kick of the Guajillo Steak. That combination plus the tomatillo red salsa makes each bite so spicy it’s downright drool-inducing, with the guacamole and sour cream balancing things out with a refreshing citrusy tang. Dip a forkful in the queso for a sharp and salty initial taste that makes the whole thing taste just a bit more decadent.

The Bottom Line:

Start with the best-tasting bowl and eat the other ones for curiosity’s sake. Our first recipe is guaranteed to be one of the most satisfyingly flavorful experiences you’ll ever have at Chipotle, and we didn’t even need a tortilla to get you there!

Find your nearest Chipotle here.

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The Biden administration’s new rule forces airlines to disclose all their hidden fees upfront

Have you ever seen a fantastic deal on an airplane ticket but as you are checking out you realize there are fees for just about everything? Your $99 airfare balloons up to $250 after you add baggage fees, carry-on charges, seat selection and insurance. Some airlines even charge an additional fee for unaccompanied minors.

Pretty soon, what seemed like a good deal on a cheap carrier costs more than if you bought a ticket on a full-service airline.

The Biden administration is announcing new rules that will make airline ticket fees more transparent to consumers. Under the proposed new rule, the first time your fee is displayed, travel websites will have to disclose any fees for baggage, cancellations or to sit with your child.


“Airline passengers deserve to know the full, true cost of their flights before they buy a ticket,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “This new proposed rule would require airlines to be transparent with customers about the fees they charge, which will help travelers make informed decisions and save money.”

After the changes take effect, it’ll be much easier for travelers to find the best deal without being suckered into paying more in hidden fees.

The new proposal is an initiative from the White House Competition Council, which the Biden administration established to find cost-saving measures to help consumers as well as boost competition across the economy.

The administration says that in over 75% of industries a smaller number of large companies now control more of the business than they did 20 years ago. The administration believes that this lack of competition drives up prices for consumers and drives down wages for workers.

“Healthy competition is a hallmark of healthy capitalism because when there’s more competition, consumers end with lower prices and more options and workers get higher wages,” White House National Economic Council Director Brian Deese said according to The Hill.

Some economists also argue that when only a small number of companies are in an industry it also works to kill innovation.

The new rule should make it easier for people to figure out the best deal for airfare. But it also encourages healthy, transparent business practices in which consumers aren’t getting duped into paying extra for a flight. Airlines whose business models are based around tricky, misleading tactics to get people to overpay for a flight, are essentially profiting off being dishonest.

We’d all rather live in a world where we choose who we fly with based on price, customer service and comfort rather than falling for a bait and switch. In this new business model, airlines that provide excellent service and value will do a lot better than those whose business models are all about deception. This will reward the airlines that treat customers best instead of putting them in a position to lose out to those that don’t play fair.

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Christine And The Queens Unveil The Atmospheric New Single ‘Rien Dire’

In July, Christine and The Queens announced his first new album in four years, Redcar Les Adorables Etoiles. After having to push back the record release date as well as a tour due to injuries, the new single “Rien Dire” is out today after premiering on Zane Lowe’s Apple Music 1.

“Rien Dire” is an atmospheric track that pulsates and broods with mysterious energy. It sounds like the soft, immersive feeling of spacing out or daydreaming. When it ends, you look around to remember where you are.

Just a couple of months ago, Chris, the mastermind of Christine and The Queens, came out as a transgender man. “I’ve been a man for a year now — a little more officially in my family and in my relationship. It is a long process,” he noted. “My journey with gender has always been tumultuous. It’s raging right now, as I’m just exploring what is beyond this. A way to express it could be switching between ‘they’ and ‘she.’ I kind of want to tear down that system that made us label genders in such a strict way.”

Listen to “Rien Dire” above.

Redcar Les Adorables Etoiles will arrive on 11/11 via Because Music. Pre-save it here.

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Myles Garrett Was Taken To The Hospital After His Car Flipped In A One-Car Crash

Myles Garrett has quickly emerged as one of the best players in the NFL in his sixth season with the Cleveland Browns, as the former No. 1 overall pick has earned first team All-Pro status in each of his last two seasons.

Garrett is the leader of the Browns defense and is a significant reason for their 2-1 start to the 2022 season. Unfortunately, Garrett’s status for this coming week against the Falcons is unknown after the star defensive end was involved in a one-car crash that left him with “non-life threatening injuries,” per the Browns, and he was taken to the hospital for evaluations along with the female passenger in the car.

Per News 5 Cleveland, Garrett’s car went off the side of the road and flipped “several times” before coming to a rest around 3 p.m. on Monday afternoon following Browns practice. Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers said Garrett’s injuries were “minor,” that both he and the passenger were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, and alcohol and drugs were not involved as factors in the crash.

Hopefully Garrett and the passenger involved in the crash can make a full recovery quickly, and we will provide any further update when one is made officially by the Browns on his status.

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Billy Eichner Teams Up With Jack Black To Yell At People About Seeing ‘Bros’ In New ‘Billy On The Street’ Video

Billy Eichner has a new movie coming out: Bros, a very rare case of a gay rom-com being treated like a wide release blockbuster. As such, the performer has been advertising the only way he knows how: by recording special Billy on the Street videos, where he runs about city streets yelling at people, with celebrity guests in tow. He’s already done one with Paul Rudd. Now it’s Jack Black’s turn.

The video finds Eichner and Black in Hollywood, offering free tickets to Bros, but with a catch: They have to answer an incredibly easy question. Sometimes strangers are asked to name two Jack Black movies. Other times they only have to name one. Even that’s weirdly tough. Some people think Jack Black was in The Hangover. Others can’t figure out when Black gives a strong hint about one of his biggest hits, School of Rock. Kung Fu Panda is a popular answer, but no one names High Fidelity, the 2005 King Kong, or even The NeverEnding Story III: Escape from Fantasia.

Other times Eichner switches it up. He asks one person, “Which should we have more of: openly gay leading men or pandas that know kung fu?” (This person goes with the latter.) At one point he simply asks if someone is an ally, much like good old long-bearded Jack Black, who’s also wearing a rainbow cape. At another, Eichner simply chit-chats with a guy carrying a guitar about musicals, during which he confesses his favorite musical is Cats.

Bros hits theaters on Friday, Sept. 30.

(Via The Wrap)

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Blake the rescue Rottweiler is winning hearts and blowing minds with his singing duet

When a dog howls along to music, are they complaining because the music hurts their ears, or are they actually trying to sing along?

Most likely, it’s the latter—or something like it. According to the American Kennel Club, research shows that canines do actually have a sense of pitch and can differentiate between different tones. That ability stems from their wolf ancestors, who each howl at a different pitch as more and more wolves join in on a group howl.

So when Blake the rescue Rottweiler joins his owner in a viral TikTok video duet, perhaps he’s really trying to “sing” along with her.


Whether he’s singing or howling or a mixture of both, it’s as impressive as it is entertaining.

Blake’s owner starts her video singing, “I’m about to go lay down,” as Blake looks around and moves his mouth like he’s getting ready to chime in. When she hits a particularly forceful note, he joins her with a gruff howl.

The two sing along together for a bit, but it’s the moment when he actually matches her pitch and then appears to harmonize with her that has people rolling. Watch:

@chopfromgta

Reply to @mc.lex please watch until the end 😭🥺🤍 #dogsoftiktok #rottweiler #rottweilersoftiktok #petsoftiktok #animals

Then that punctuating howl at the end. Well done, Blake.

Blake has made a name for himself on TikTok not only with his musical stylings, but with his adorable personality. Watch him get super excited when he thinks Papa is coming and taking him for a walk.

@chopfromgta

Replying to @Jesse Okonek I think it’s clear who he loves more 😭😂 #rottweiler #rottweilersoftiktok #petsoftiktok #WorldPrincessWeek #AEJeansSoundOn #rottiesoftiktok #rottiepurr #rottiemom #rottweilerpuppy #rottweilerlife #rottweilerfamily #rottweilerlove #rottierumble

People also love his self-control and patience.

@chopfromgta

Reply to @prettygirl.tataaa he has a seat at the dinner table 😂💀 #TheHarderTheyFall #rottweiler #dogsofttiktok #youredone #bestfriend

Rottweilers are often feared and have a reputation for being aggressive. However, according to U.S. Service Animals, Rottweilers are highly intelligent and more easily trained than many other dog breeds, making them obedient dogs when they are well-trained. They do have some latent aggression and are prone to biting in play, and they make excellent guard dogs due to their naturally suspicious nature, but if they respect their owner and are well disciplined, they can be a loyal and protective companion.

If you want to see more of Blake, follow @chopfromgta on TikTok.

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Elton John moved to tears when President Biden shocks him with National Humanities Medal

In life, there are some things that just leave you speechless and Sir Elton John had that moment September 23 at the White House. After a performance on the South Lawn, Sir Elton was left with his mouth agape as President Biden took to the mic to explain that he would be receiving the National Humanities Medal for his work with the nonprofit Elton John AIDS Foundation, which supports HIV prevention, stigma reduction, education and help for people living with HIV and AIDS. The singer looked totally dumbstruck at the announcement as the reality began to sink in.


John has been open with his struggles around drugs and other risky behaviors that put him at risk of contracting AIDS, and at a conference in 2012 he pondered why he hadn’t died as many others did. Thankfully, John didn’t die in the ’90s from the still incurable disease and he went on to be one of its most fierce fighters for understanding and a cure. John has remained sober for well over two decades now and, in 1992, he started his foundation in an effort to end AIDS around the world. In 2021, John’s foundation joined forces with Walmart to keep access to testing, treatment and prevention accessible to everyone, including those in greatest need.

The “Tiny Dancer” singer has been in the trenches of HIV/AIDS work for decades and has been recognized for his efforts in the past, including receiving Harvard’s Humanitarian Award in 2017. But it’s clear from his reaction to President Biden announcing the medal that Sir Elton John was not prepared to receive such an honor. He quickly became overcome with emotions before saying, “I just said to the First Lady, I’m never flabbergasted, but I’m flabbergasted. I’m humbled and honored by this incredible award from the United States of America.” He went on to say that it will make him double his efforts to end the disease.

It’s such a moving moment and a wonderful surprise. Watch the video below.