ABOVE: Now this is how you do a profile.
BELOW: Wilson is Out, Trump is out of good options, the poolboy is outing the Falwells and more ...
ABOVE: Now this is how you do a profile.
BELOW: Wilson is Out, Trump is out of good options, the poolboy is outing the Falwells and more ...
ABOVE: If you wanna be a bottom banana ...
ABOVE: Daddy issues.
BELOW: Trump can't stand the rain, Rick Scott wants to seize voting machines, Chris Pine's peen and more ...
UPDATE: NBC News is reporting that Mateen called 911 moments before he began shooting in order to pledge allegiance to the leader of ISIS.
Evidence is mounting that Omar Mateen, the 29-year-old Port St. Lucie, Florida, resident and security guard—and American-born U.S. citizen—either had ties to the Islamic State or at the very least was a lone wolf who had sworn allegiance to it. If nothing else, it is clear he was radicalized; the government was aware of him as a threat, but was not aware he was planning any attacks.
From Daily Beast:
The attack is being investigated as an act of domestic terrorism. Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said on CNN that, according to Homeland Security and local law enforcement officials, Mateen “made a pledge of allegiance” to ISIS and had been “heard praying in a foreign language.” It is unclear if Mateen was praying during the shooting, Schiff said.
Mateen's father is claiming the shooting had “nothing to do with religion” and everything to do with Mateen's homophobic response to seeing two men kiss recently, but his explanation is either a bald-faced lie or yet another example of the close friends and family members of radicalized terrorists and even just nut jobs having no idea what their loved ones were really up to.
Florida's useless Gov. Rick Scott, an anti-gay Republican, has declared a state of emergency in the area of the shooting (Orange County) and has briefed the press—but has not talked about the fact that LGBT people were the targets.
Florida Governor Rick Scott issues state of emergency in Orange Country, following deadly mass shooting. pic.twitter.com/6XaDucRdr0
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) June 12, 2016
As the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, this event will undoubtedly spawn countless tragic stories in the days and weeks to come. I was struck with dread by this anecdote from Daily Beast:
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer told CNN that the death toll jumped from 20 to 50 as additional victims were found inside the club. Personnel could not go in immediately as there were suspected explosives. According to Dyer, there were five to eight hostages in one room with the shooter and another 15-20 in a separate room at the time when police entered.
Mina Justice’s son Eddie was inside the club and texted her when the gunshots erupted, the Associated Press reports. Justice told his mom he and others ran into the bathroom to hide.
“He’s coming,” Justice texted, adding later: “He has us, and he’s in here with us.”
“That was the last conversation,” his mother said.
In other news, an instantly notorious tweet from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick of Texas, an avowed anti-gay crusader, was apparently scheduled to be posted well in advance of the shootings, so was not intended to blame the victims' sexual orientations for their murder.
Politicians and celebrities react to the mass murder here.
Notable gay voices reacting to the slaughter:
We all form the Pulse of America. #OnePulse pic.twitter.com/braFLJOHFM
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) June 12, 2016
Sobbing.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) June 12, 2016
My heart goes out to all those affected by this terrible tragedy in Orlando. There are no words. Sending love and prayers.
— Matt Bomer (@MattBomer) June 12, 2016
I am sickened to awake to the horrific news out of #Orlando. Smiling, happy, dancing people gunned down for no reason. Hug your friends. ❤️🌈
— Ross Mathews (@helloross) June 12, 2016
💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔 My heart is broken for all 50 & their families. #Orlando 🌈
— Ross Mathews (@helloross) June 12, 2016
My heart goes out 2 the families & friends of those who lost their lives in Orlando last nite. A sad, horrific day in US history.
— Sean Hayes (@theseanhayes) June 12, 2016
Our love and prayers are not enough. GUN. CONTROL. NOW. #LGBTPOWER #Orlando
— Dustin Lance Black (@DLanceBlack) June 12, 2016
Hard to contemplate devastating news of worst mass shooting in US history in Orlando at LGBT club. Thoughts & prayers w families of victims.
— Craig Zadan (@craigzadan) June 12, 2016
i want so badly to just be brave, but this weekend has made me so scared. meet & greets after a tour stop? gay bars during pride month?
— Tyler Oakley (@tyleroakley) June 12, 2016
The only words I have tonight pic.twitter.com/vN82TW9Z92
— Simon Curtis (@simoncurtis) June 13, 2016
A little Bernie told me you should change your vote—or else! (Image via BernieSanders.com)
Anarchist Bernie Bro publishes superdelegate “hit list.” He wants to work within the system ... via harassment & stalking. (Bernie supports a superdelegate strategy.)
Taylor Swift receiving the Taylor Swift Award. God, imagine if they'd given it to Katy Perry.
NY, VT, WA guvs order MS travel ban over anti-gay law. If you're in any of those states, you're probably thrilled not to be sent to Mississippi anyway.
She's more than a little bit country. (Image via Independent Music Promotions)
Mimi LaRue's “Country Star” video is like female drag, by a woman. The chorus is C-U-Next-Tuesday-tastic.
Glamour thinks size 6-8 Amy Schumer is “plus-sized.” To be fair, I thought a size 6 was morbidly obese in Condé Nast terms.
VIDEO: FL's Republican Gov. Rick Scott chased from Starbucks: “A**hole!”
Ab-tastic Celebrity Big Brother's Gladiator flashes almost everything.
Sexxxy military men. WOOF.
America panics over 3 cases of Ebola. 2nd infected nurse goes to MD.
Lance Bass wants you to see his boyfriend's A+ ass.
Scott Walker might lose his governship to Mary Burke.
Entire Love Boat cast is alive, is reuniting!
Straight alley Ashley Parker Angel grabs a handful vs. cancer:
This former O-Town member is attempting to tease out your O face...
Glenn Close: Former cultist.
Hillary is pro-Net neutrality.
Magic Mike XXL. Needs. Women.
Floridians are split on Crist vs. Scott, but most think Scott will prevail.
Charming PA teens chant about Ebola to West African rival.
Anti-IRS, anti-millennial & pro-fetus Ernst leads in Iowa Senate race.
Madonna goes Inside the Actors Studio with Perez Hilton.
If Rick Scott (R) is re-elected as Florida's governor after childishly refusing to debate Charlie Crist (D...lately!) because the latter had a fan and he did not, the state should be sawed off and cast into the ocean, Bugs Bunny-style.
Watch the incredible video after the jump...