News Round-Up: January 31, 2019

Instagram hottie José Adones - check his moves out at the end of this post

Some news items you might have missed:

• A candidate for the Wisconsin state Supreme Court wrote just a few years ago that legalizing homosexuality would lead to bestiality. But he has no bias against LGBTs whatsoever...

• New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has signed a law requiring school boards to use instructional materials that accurately portray political, economic, and social contributions of LGBTs and persons with disabilities. #Bravo!

• Donald Trump responded to reports of the horrific attack on Empire star Jussie Smollett telling reporters in the Oval Office today, "That I can tell you is horrible. It doesn't get worse."

• Yorke Print Shoppe in Chicago refused to print a fundraising brochure for an LGBTQ charity. The owner, Brad Scull, says he has nothing against "those people" but has an issue with promoting "the lifestyle."

Note: There is no religious exemption to Illinois's nondiscrimination law, and sexual orientation is specifically included as a protected class. So, you do the math...

• The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday ruled the city of Fayetteville may not continue enforcing its anti-discrimination ordinance while the city challenged the constitutionality of a 2015 law that prevents cities and counties from enacting their own LGBTQ protections not covered by state law.

• A deaf lesbian couple say Delta Airlines mistreated them when they tried to communicate with a gate agent in Detroit. The women say they wrote down their request to sit next to each other on the plane, but the agent crumpled up their note and threw it away.

• This could technically qualify as a 'Daily Dance' post, but I thought I'd leave this right here.

Florida-based dancer/entertainer José Adones (top of page) is giving you all kinds Latin flavor here. And I ain't mad :)

View this post on Instagram

Que dios bendiga el reggaeton 🎶 • • • • #canciondeedwa #christianandrew #christianandrewunderwear #reggaeton #gogo

A post shared by Jose Dones � (@jose.dones) on Jan 30, 2019 at 7:34pm PST

Georgia Strips Tax Breaks From Delta Airlines Over NRA Discounts

After Delta Airlines announced the company would end its discount with NRA members after the deadly gun massacre at a Florida high school, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle of Georgia threatened the airline with retaliation via tax legislation.

I will kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with @NRA. Corporations cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back.

— Casey Cagle (@CaseyCagle) February 26, 2018

Casey made good on his threat as this week state lawmakers killed a proposed tax break that would have saved Delta Airlines millions.

The new tax bill passed in both chambers with the fuel exemption stripped out. The state Senate voted 44-10 with only Democrats opposing. The House approved the measure 135-24.

Republican Gov. Nathan Deal criticized the Delta kerfuffle but has signaled he would sign the tax measure.

Based in Atlanta, Delta Airlines is the state's largest single employer with 33,000 employees in the state.

Now, that was a pretty strong position to take - basically a $38 million slap to Delta.

You have to wonder how many NRA members have actually used their Delta Airline discount...?

Well, Delta confirmed to USA Today that only 13 discounts had ever been used by NRA members.

So, Casey and company have threatened the state's largest employer over 13 discounts?

I can't imagine that makes for smart economic growth. And I'm not the only one.

Several governors around the country sent clear messages they would be happy to welcome Delta.

Check out just a few of the invitations the airline has received.

Gov. Ralph Northam of Virginia:

Hey @delta—Virginia is for lovers and airline hubs. You're welcome here any time. https://t.co/BxxnOhEpt6

— Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) February 27, 2018

Gov Andrew Cuomo of New York:

.@Delta, if Georgia politicians disagree with your stand against gun violence, we invite you to move your headquarters to New York. https://t.co/BHvyPECWSe

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) February 27, 2018

Lt. Gov Kathy Hochul of New York:

.@Delta, as one of your most frequent flyers, know that the NY LG admires your principled stance. Let’s continue our great relationship. NY is open for business & ❤'s Delta – move HQ to where you’re appreciated? https://t.co/AZ8xeC0geo

— Kathy Hochul (@LtGovHochulNY) February 26, 2018

Gov. Cyrus Habib of Washington state:

With all due respect to my fellow LG from Georgia, I'd like to thank @Delta for joining the many companies that have ended their partnerships with the NRA, and let them know that they are certainly welcome in our state. https://t.co/lT03MiqXHw

— Cyrus Habib (@cyrushabib) February 27, 2018

Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio:

Hey @Delta — Northeast Ohio would make a great HQ if you’re put off by Mr. Cagle’s authoritarian tendencies. Quality of life, infrastructure, and wonderful communities. I’d love to show you around! https://t.co/7Fsh9g0yAD

— Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) February 27, 2018

Mayor Randall Woodfin of Birmingham, Alabama:

Hey @Delta . You know, in mathematics, Delta represents the change in something, e.g. 🔺HQ. Let’s chat. #BHM

— Randall Woodfin (@WoodfinForBham) February 27, 2018

Tweet Of The Day: Anna Navarro

After the hideous far-right politcal pundit Ann Coulter was moved from one seat to another on a Delta Airlines flight this weekend, she went on a Twitter tirade.

Lots of response from the Twitterverse, but CNN's Anna Navarro has to be the best (above).

Here's a bit more:

Just when you think it's safe to fly them again, the worst airline in America is STILL: @Delta

— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) July 15, 2017

"Why are you taking me out of the extra room seat I specifically booked, @Delta?' Flight attendant: "I don't know.” pic.twitter.com/a0M1faZXMu

— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) July 15, 2017

Hey @Delta, if it was so important for the dachshund-legged woman to take my seat, she should have BOOKED THE SEAT IN ADVANCE. Like I did.

— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) July 16, 2017

If you thought it was about $30, @Delta, why didn't you give this woman $30 and let me stay in my PRE-BOOKED, ASSIGNED seat? pic.twitter.com/sR1g8tuRWX

— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) July 17, 2017

@AnnCoulter We're sorry you did not receive the preferred seat you paid for and will refund your $30. (cont.)

— Delta (@Delta) July 16, 2017

@AnnCoulter Additionally, your insults about our other customers and employees are unacceptable and unnecessary.

— Delta (@Delta) July 16, 2017

Ann Coulter="Blacks need to get over their victim mentality"
Ann Coulter has to change seats on Delta="Oh my God, I'm being victimized!"

— Tariq Nasheed (@tariqnasheed) July 16, 2017

Poor Ann Coulter... Delta took a seat that was rightfully yours and gave it to someone else? Imagine how that felt to Merrick Garland.

— Sedrick R. Gilbert (@srgLIVEinHD) July 16, 2017

Congrats, @AnnCoulter, you've done the impossible. People are actually defending an airline.

— Elad Nehorai (@PopChassid) July 16, 2017

I much rather would have seen Anna Coulter getting dragged off the plane kicking and screaming. Anne, next time fly United ok?

— CAZWELL (@CAZWELLnyc) July 16, 2017

"Ann Coulter" #resist #resistance #TheResistance #indivisible #UniteBlue #GOP #DontheCon #MAGA #Trump #FoxNews #ResistTrump #ImpeachTrump pic.twitter.com/WaQQibNtDv

— Fredon Moniteau (@FMoniteau) July 16, 2017

Delta Airlines Bans Disruptive Trump Supporter For Life, Issues Apology To Passengers

Delta Airlines has issued this apology to the passengers who were intimidated into silence with an anti-Hillary rant during a flight from Allentown last week:

"We are sorry to our customers who experienced this disruption. We have followed up with the teams involved and all agree that this customer should not have been allowed to continue on the flight. Our responsibility for ensuring all customers feel safe and comfortable with Delta includes requiring civil behavior from everyone. The behavior we see in this video does not square with our training or culture and follow up will continue so we can better ensure our employees will know they will be fully supported to make the right decisions when these issues arise."

According to the person who initially uploaded the video of the rant, the man has been allegedly identified as Jamie Winnefrock, an employee of Rockwell Collins. Rockwell has come under fire for the behavior of their employee. The company posted this message on Facebook (without denying the man works for them):

Like many, we found the behavior of the person captured on video of Delta Flight 248 unacceptable. We are currently investigating the matter. Regardless, we don’t condone this type of behavior, nor does it in any way align with our company’s core values or the pride we take in fostering a culture of tolerance, integrity and respectfulness.

A memo to Delta Airline employees from the CEO of Delta asserts the man will not be allowed on any Delta flight in the future.

Internal Memo

Date: November 28, 2016

To: Delta Colleagues Worldwide

From: Ed Bastian

Subject: Disruptive Passenger on DL248

Thank you for the amazing job you did running our operation and taking care of our customers during the busy Thanksgiving holiday. At Delta, we strive to deliver a safe and reliable product while providing a customer experience that is second to none. You come to work every day prepared to serve our customers and to take care of each other while also dealing with the unexpected.

As you may have heard by now, last week a video began circulating around the internet showing a disruptive passenger on board a Delta flight. This individual displayed behavior that was loud, rude and disrespectful to his fellow customers. After questioning the customer, our team members made the best decision they could given the information they had and allowed him to remain on the flight. However, if our colleagues had witnessed firsthand what was shown in the video, there is no question they would have removed him from the aircraft. He will never again be allowed on a Delta plane.

Part of being a reliable travel partner and a servant leader is acknowledging our mistakes so we can learn from them and respond more effectively in the future. Delta has apologized to the customers onboard that flight. We are also refunding those customers the cost of their tickets.

I also want to make sure all of you know we have your backs. The heightened tension in our society means that now more than ever we must require civility on our planes and in our facilities. We must stay true to Delta’s core values and treat one another with dignity and respect. We also must remain committed more than ever to the safety of our customers and our crew members. We will not tolerate anything less.

Again, thank you for all you do.

Ed

Bolding is mine.

Here's the video again documenting the man's assholery:

Delta Airlines supports GLAAD

From GLAAD: Millions of travelers from all across the globe will learn about the need for vital LGBT-inclusive workplace protections with the release of a new full-page ad appearing in this month’s issue of ‘Delta Sky Magazine.’

The ad reads in part: “Today, in 29 states, a person can be fired from their job simply for being lesbian, gay or bisexual. In 34 states, a person can be fired from their job simply for being transgender.”

Readers are directed to glaad.org to learn more about how they can support the LGBT community.

Delta Sky is the world’s most-read onboard magazine with a circulation of over 5 million and introduces readers to the people, places and subjects that define our ever-evolving world. The ad, which was created by GLAAD, also commends Delta for its ongoing commitment to equality.

Delta Air Lines was designated as one of HRC’s ‘Best Places to Work’ for LGBT employees in 2011, and continues to earn near-perfect scores on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index.

Delta Air Lines is also the Local Presenting Partner of the GLAAD Media Awards in New York, as well as the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles.