<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/55da7032bd86ef0e008b5473-1021-766/screen%20shot%202015-08-23%20at%206.57.01%20pm.png" alt="Foo Fighters 'rickroll' Westboro Baptist Church" data-mce-source="adamisntdumb" data-mce-caption="Foo Fighters 'rickroll' Westboro Baptist Church"><p class="source"><span>adamisntdumb</span></p><p class="caption">Foo Fighters 'rickroll' Westboro Baptist Church</p></img></div><p></p></div></div>The Foo Fighters <a href="http://time.com/4007453/foo-fighters-rickroll-westboro-baptist-church/">"Rick-rolled" the Westboro Baptist Church</a>, when the protest group gathered to protest at the entrance to one of their concerts on Friday.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The church, which is known for protesting military funerals with wildly insensitive signs, were picketing outside the Sprint Center in Kansas City, where the Foo Fighters were scheduled to perfom.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In response, the Foo Fighters drove up to the venue and lead a sing-along to Rick Astley's song "Never Gonna Give You Up," a phenomenon known on the internet as "Rick-rolling."</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The band brandished signs of their own, including "Keep it Clean" and "You Got Rick Roll'd Again."</span></p><p>The moment echoed another in 2011,&#xa0;when Foo Fighters responded to the hateful chants of the mob with an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWSeDYTHtiQ">impromptu flatbed concert</a>, the superstars fought fire with music yet again.</p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As you can see in the video below, the band sits in the bed of a pickup truck adorned with massive speakers blaring "American Idiot" from Green Day as it rounds the corner. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the truck approaches the "church" group, the speakers&#xa0;begin blasting&#xa0;"Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley (hence "Rick"-rolling). Taylor Hawkins, the drummer for the band, is seen holding a sign reading "You Got Rickroll'd (Again)" as Dave Grohl claps along to the song. There is also a rather large companion seen in a very small, colorful bathing suit holding a sign reading "Keep it Clean," an ode to the first time the Foo Fighters&#xa0;tussled with the group.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Given the two groups' shared history for loud, albeit peaceful, confrontations, a group of Foo Fighter fans seemed to be waiting for just such an occasion. And, seeing the opportunity to hijack the protest, a massive dance party erupts around the "church" group as the Foo Fighters egg their fans&#xa0;on.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div><iframe width="853" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/BD-fWMYcHXk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></span></p><p class="embed-spacer">&#xa0;</p><p>&#xa0;</p>

The Foo Fighters 'Rick-roll'd' the Westboro Baptist Church

<p><img class="float_right" src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/53d98bd269bedd8369386742-526-395/wbc-westboro-1.png" border="0" alt="WBC Westboro " />Typically found protesting outside Planned Parenthood locations and soldiers' funerals, the notorious <a href="http://valleywag.gawker.com/the-westboro-baptist-church-is-protesting-all-of-silic-1613372218/+laceydonohue">Westboro Baptist Church is planning a protest tour through the heart of Silicon Valley</a>, Valleywag reports. The extreme religious group put out a flyer detailing its route to harass nine Bay Area tech companies, including Facebook, Twitter, Apple, and Google.</p>
<p>It'll be a tight schedule for the WBC, who plans on spending at least a half hour at each destination, though seemingly has not really accounted for travel time. For example, even though the group only allotted for five minutes between the "visits" to Pinterest and Instagram, a Google Maps search reveals the two are at least an eight minute drive or a 17 minute walk.</p>
<p>Ironically, the WBC is taking to social media to promote its campaign. "Steve Jobs wasn't a god, he IS a dead fool who resides in hell's flames!" @WBCSays tweeted today with a link to this Instagram:</p>
<p><iframe width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" src="//instagram.com/p/rFJIznBDua/embed/"></iframe></p>
<p>And here's the flyer outlining the tour.</p>
<p><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/53d98ab96da811665f89cde4-636-358/wbctour.png" border="0" alt="WBCtour" /></p>

The Westboro Baptist Church Is Going On A Silicon Valley Protest Tour

<p><div class="image-container click-to-enlarge"><div class="image"><a title_source="Lauren Drain" title_caption="" class="zoomin" href="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/5223d13deab8eab1228b4569-960/lauren-drain-wedding.jpg"><span class="click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/5223d13deab8eab1228b4569-1200-924/lauren-drain-wedding.jpg?maxX=800" border="0" alt="lauren drain wedding" width="800" /></a><p class="source"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LaurenDrain">Lauren Drain</a></p></div></div>The <keyword id="583344" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Westboro-Baptist-Church">Westboro Baptist Church</keyword> is well-known for loudly making its hateful, virulently anti-homophobic views known by protesting at high-profile funerals, including those of soldiers.</p>
<p>But for family members who have escaped what they call a "cult," the church's silence may be the loudest protest of all.</p>
<p>Just before her 22nd birthday, Lauren Drain was kicked out of the Topeka-based church, reportedly for <a href="http://www.advocate.com/politics/religion/2013/03/14/escaping-westboro-former-church-member-lauren-drain-reveals-what-made">"questioning elements of church doctrine,"</a> according to Advocate.com. Since then, she moved on to becoming a registered nurse and she's also joined the NOH8 campaign.</p>
<p>On Sunday, Lauren posted a photo from her wedding <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/1lj31l/my_father_is_in_a_cult_wouldnt_attend_my_wedding/">to reddit</a>, showing her walking down the aisle not with her father, but with other friends who have escaped the church as well.</p>
<p>"My father is in a cult &amp; wouldn't attend my wedding, so two ex-cult members &amp; close friends who also escaped stepped in to take his role &amp; give me away," she titled the thread.</p>
<p><span>In an email exchange with Business Insider, Lauren confirmed she did invite her family members, but they did not attend, nor did they even respond.</span></p>
<p>"When I was ostracized I was given a few hours to pack my life into a few suitcases, dropped off by my father at a motel and told to never return, never contact my siblings and that I was now disowned," Drain wrote in a <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/Support-WBC-Escapees">fundraising plea to help other WBC escapees</a>. "Anyone that leaves or is kicked out is banished for life and all ties to your family, friends, community, life are severed and you are truly on your own.</p>
<p>In a comment in the reddit thread, Lauren explains: </p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span>My name is Lauren Drain &amp; I was kicked out of the cult (the Westboro Baptist Church) where the rest of my family, including my 3 younger siblings are still trapped. This is a photo from our wedding last month, none of my family attended but I was lucky enough to have Megan &amp; Grace Phelps-Roper, who also escaped, step in and take the lead roles during the wedding. I'm now doing all that I can to reconnect with my 3 trapped siblings. They are forbidden from speaking to me &amp; all my efforts thus far have been shut down. However, I hope they too escape by any means one day! Here is the wedding highlight video:</span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T_aPOc8pXU" class="imgScanned">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T_aPOc8pXU</a><span> or if you want to know more:</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LaurenDrain" class="imgScanned">https://www.facebook.com/LaurenDrain</a></p>
<p><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/5223d27769bedd72588b456e-960-960/539621_630015350350632_1030066728_n.jpg" border="0" alt="lauren drain" width="800" /><p class="source"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LaurenDrain/">Lauren Drain</a></p></div></div><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5223d2786bb3f75f208b4569-960-960/1005465_629859957032838_2056158455_n.jpg" border="0" alt="lauren drain" width="800" /><p class="source"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LaurenDrain/">Lauren Drain</a></p></div></div></p>
<p>You can see more from Drain's wedding <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T_aPOc8pXU">in this Youtube video.</a></p>

Lauren Drain Escaped The Westboro Baptist Church And None Of Her Family Came To Her Wedding

<p><table class="image-container float_right" width="200"><tr><td><div class="image"><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/50d244e7ecad044b71000008-400-300/obamafiscalcliff.12.12.jpg" border="0" alt="obama fiscal cliff" /></div><p class="source">AP</p></td></tr></table>Representatives from the Obama administration <a href="https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/responses">have responded to dozens</a> of citizen petitions throughout the President's first term created on the White House's "We The People" petition page.         </p>
<p>The threshold for White House response is 25,000 signatures, and advocates for various issues — from <a href="https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/response/message-president-obama-about-your-petition-reducing-gun-violence">gun control</a> to <a href="https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/direct-united-states-mint-make-single-platinum-trillion-dollar-coin/8hvJbLl6">a platinum coin</a> to <a href="https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/secure-resources-and-funding-and-begin-construction-death-star-2016/wlfKzFkN">Death Star construction</a> — have chimed in with both practical and impractical desires.</p>
<p>Some of the popular petitions, despite widespread support, still haven't received a response yet. </p>
<p>Here's a look at the top 10 issues that the Obama administration hasn't responded to yet. Some petitions were redundant — specifically, several dealing with <keyword id="40905" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Marijuana">marijuana</keyword> legalization — and in those cases, only the top petition is listed here. </p>

The 10 Most Popular Petitions That President Obama Has Not Yet Responded To

<ul class="summary-list"><li>In 2012, Aaron Jackson bought a <keyword id="6363870" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="home">home</keyword> in <keyword id="242201" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Topeka">Topeka</keyword>, <keyword id="59552" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Kansas">Kansas</keyword>, and painted it the colors of the Pride flag.</li><li>The rainbow "Equality House" is located across the street from the anti-gay Westboro Baptist <keyword id="6361455" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="church">Church</keyword>.</li><li>Planting Peace, the nonprofit that runs the home, calls it a symbol of "equality for all." </li></ul><p>When Aaron Jackson found a property for sale across the street from the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, right away he had the idea to buy the house and paint it the colors of the Pride flag.</p><p>The founder of <a href="https://www.plantingpeace.org/">Planting Peace</a> - a global nonprofit whose initiatives include environmental conservation and <keyword id="729067" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="LGBTQ">LGBTQ</keyword> advocacy campaigns - Jackson wanted to make a statement with his choice of paint colors.</p><p>While a number of religious groups are supportive of LGBTQ inclusion and equality, according to the <a href="https://www.glaad.org/reference/religionfaith">Gay &amp; Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation</a> (GLAAD), the Westboro Baptist Church is not one of them.</p><p>The organization is considered to be an extremist and anti-gay religious group, according to the <a href="https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/westboro-baptist-church">Southern Poverty Law Center</a>. And its members believe that homosexuality is a sin, according to <a href="https://www.godhatesfags.com/faq.html">the church's website</a> (which includes a homophobic epithet in its URL).</p><div type="image" title="Westboro Baptist Church Equality House Google Maps skitched" height="1055" width="1407" msid="82784829" hostid="261"></div><p>In October 2012, Planting Peace purchased the home - which cost $81,400 at the time, according to <a href="https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1200-SW-Orleans-St-Topeka-KS-66604/77503803_zpid/">Zillow's property records</a> - and Jackson moved in with a colleague, he said. </p><p>A few months later, in March 2013, they painted the outside of the home rainbow, and the "<a href="https://www.plantingpeace.org/campaign/equality-house/">Equality House</a>" was born.</p><div type="image" title="Equality House   Credit Aaron Jackson" height="3024" width="4032" msid="82784832" hostid="261"></div><p>The house instantly captured media attention.</p><p>Jackson told <a href="https://www.cjonline.com/article/20130319/NEWS/303199722">The Topeka-Capital Journal</a> in 2013 that the home wasn't "us trying to start a war with them or anything of that nature. This is just, they believe one thing and we believe another. We're opposing their view."</p><p>In a statement <a href="https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-xpm-2013-mar-20-la-na-nn-westboro-rainbow-house-20130320-story.html">provided to the Los Angeles Times</a> at the time, the Westboro Baptist Church referred to Jackson's house as the "Sodomite Rainbow House."</p><p>When contacted by Insider for comment on this story, the Westboro Baptist Church said in a statement sent via email: "The only equality that you need to worry about is that every human equally deserves to go to hell."</p><p>The statement went on to describe the Equality House as "a monument to glorify sin," and said those behind the home "mock, rebel against, and show their hatred for the Lord Jesus Christ."</p><h2>Today, the house still stands as a symbol of defiance</h2><p>Jackson said he originally thought Planting Peace would sell the Equality House after a few months. But today, it serves as a headquarters for the organization and an important symbol to many in LGBTQ communities.</p><p>The Equality House exists "as a visual reminder of our commitment, as global citizens, to equality for all," the nonprofit says on <a href="https://www.plantingpeace.org/campaign/equality-house/#what-is-the-equality-house">its website</a>. </p><p>Since March 2013, a steady stream of people have visited the property, according to Jackson. People are invited to walk on the lawn and take photos of the house, he said, though it has traditionally been closed to members of the public.</p><p>In a typical year, the house receives around 150 visitors per day, Jackson said, but the daily average has dropped to around 20 to 40 people during the pandemic. Many visitors have shared photos of their visits to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/1057376954317288/equality-house/">Instagram</a>.</p><div type="image" title="Westboro Baptist Church and Equality House diptych" height="1425" width="1900" msid="82784833" hostid="261"></div><p>Jackson told Insider that the public's reaction to the house has been, broadly, one of acceptance over the years.</p><p>However, Jackson said that Planting Peace has received hate mail for years, and in October 2016 <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/equality-house-vandalized-homophobic-slurs-bullet-holes-n674271">NBC News</a> reported that the house had been vandalized for months. As NBC reported at the time, Jackson and authorities discovered anti-gay graffiti as well as seven bullet holes on the outside of the home.</p><p>Jackson told Insider that he had been in the home during the shooting and that the vandals were never caught. He said that a month or two before the incident, someone who identified themselves as a member of the Ku Klux Klan stopped by the house and warned him of possible violence towards LGBTQ people ahead of the presidential election.</p><div type="image" title="Equality House wall closeup   Credit Aaron Jackson " height="3024" width="4032" msid="82784834" hostid="261"></div><p>The 2016 incident didn't deter Planting Peace from staying in the house, Jackson said. </p><p>At the time, Jackson said church members walked video footage of the incident across the street after he asked if they could share it. And in a separate instance, Jackson said he texted Westboro Baptist Church members to let them know that people were jumping the church's fence.</p><p>While Planting Peace and the Westboro Baptist Church disagree with each other as organizations, Jackson said that members of the respective organizations are often cordial when they bump into each other in the neighborhood.</p><p>"We get along just fine from a neighborly standpoint," he said.</p><p>Above all, Jackson said it's important that the house maintains its status as a symbol of equality.</p><p>"Anytime anyone sees a photo of the Westboro Baptist Church forever more, they'll see a Pride house. That was my main intent," he said. </p><p>Jackson said he hopes that when LGBTQ kids see the house, they "realize that they're not less than, that they're equal to all of us, even though messages out there from people like the Westboro Baptist Church preach that they're somehow less than right."</p>

A man bought a home right across the street from a homophobic church and painted it the colors of the Pride flag

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling said that she "never set out to upset anyone."</li><li>Rowling has been the subject of controversy in recent years after espousing transphobic viewpoints.</li></ul><p>J.K. Rowling says that people who claim that she has "ruined" her own "legacy" have misunderstood her. </p><p>The author of the Harry Potter novels has become known in recent years for making transphobic comments online, and is speaking about the controversy in a new podcast series titled "The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling."</p><p>In a trailer for the show, Rowling said that she "never set out to upset anyone" but had different thoughts regarding her legacy than some fans. </p><p>"What has interested me over the last 10 years, certainly in the last few years, the last two, three years, particularly on social media... 'You've ruined your legacy. Oh, you could have been beloved forever, but you chose to say this,'" Rowling said, "And I think, 'You could not have misunderstood me more profoundly.'"</p><p>The podcast is hosted by Megan Phelps-Roper, who left the Westboro Baptist Church at age 26. It's published by former New York Times op-ed writer and editor Bari Weiss' media company, The Free Press. </p><p>In June 2020, Rowling <a href="https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1269382518362509313?s=20">mocked an article referring to "people who menstruate."</a></p><p>"'People who menstruate.' I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?" In subsequent tweets, she doubled down on her anti-trans and trans-exclusionary-radical-feminist (TERF) ideology, in which she argued that transgender activism is "erasing the concept of sex."</p><p>"If sex isn't real, there's no same-sex attraction. If sex isn't real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn't hate to speak the truth," she <a href="https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1269389298664701952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1269389298664701952%7Ctwgr%5E172a839faedf1d4c0a7dd7ad414081247b7420ed%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.insider.com%2Fjk-rowling-is-terf-tweets-same-sex-attraction-feminists-lesbians-2020-6">tweeted.</a></p><p>Controversy around Rowling came to a head later that month after she published an <a href="https://www.insider.com/jk-rowling-transgender-women-statement-response-2020-6">essay</a> defending <a href="https://www.insider.com/jk-rowling-is-terf-tweets-same-sex-attraction-feminists-lesbians-2020-6">transphobic comments she had made in the past.</a> Some of Rowling's claims, like there being an "explosion in young women wishing to transition," aren't supported by evidence, <a href="https://www.insider.com/jk-rowling-says-explosion-of-young-women-have-transitioned-detransitioned-2020-6">as Insider previously reported.</a></p><p>Several Harry Potter stars, including Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe, denounced her comments. </p><p>But the author's reputation has bled into Harry Potter-associated properties that Rowling herself isn't involved in. Most recently, "Hogwarts Legacy," the open-world video game released on February 10 that <a href="https://www.insider.com/hogwarts-legacy-wizarding-world-canon-harry-potter-lore-2023-2">takes place in the Harry Potter universe,</a> has sustained backlash since it was <a href="https://www.insider.com/hogwarts-legacy-harry-potter-new-trailer-video-open-world-game-2020-9">first announced in September 2020.</a></p><p>The podcast, <a href="https://www.thefp.com/p/the-witch-trials-of-jk-rowling">according to a post from Phelps-Roper published on The Free Press</a>, includes interviews with Rowling and others on "all sides of this conflict." It premieres on February 21. </p>

J.K. Rowling says that people who claim that she 'ruined' her 'legacy' with transphobic comments have misunderstood her 'profoundly'

<p><strong><span><div class="image-container float_right" style="width:400px"><div class="image"><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5162ccc66bb3f7381b000000-1159-869/roger-ebert-4.png?maxX=400&amp;maxY=300" border="0" alt="Roger Ebert" width="400" height="300" /></div><p class="source">Kevin Winter/Getty</p></div></span></strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong style="line-height: 1.5em;"><keyword id="530725" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Roger-Ebert">Roger Ebert</keyword></strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">'s </span><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/roger-eberts-funeral-be-held-434274" target="_blank">funeral will take place this morning at 10 a.m.</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> at the Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, where both f</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">riends and fans are invited to attend. But members of Kansas' Westboro Baptist Church will not be there to mourn, instead they're <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/westboro-baptist-church-picket-roger-434594" target="_blank">protesting Ebert as what they call a </a><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/westboro-baptist-church-picket-roger-434594" target="_blank">"f-- enabler,"</a> complaining that he used his Twitter "to mock the faithful servants of God at Westboro Baptist Church." Ebert did in fact <a href="https://twitter.com/ebertchicago" target="_blank">tweet</a> a link to a <a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/03/24/my_day_at_westboro_baptist_yes_jesus_hates_you/" target="_blank">Salon post</a> about the church with the message "Just another day at Westboro Baptist." </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The church is notorious for picketing at the funerals of soldiers and gay teenagers.</span></li>
<li><strong style="line-height: 1.5em;">Estella Warren</strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> is being investigated by police for allegedly </span><a href="http://www.gossipcop.com/jaime-pressly-estella-warren-cops-fight-purse-stolen-police-video-bootsy-bellows-2013/" target="_blank">stealing <strong>Jaime Pressly</strong>'s assistant's purse</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> after getting caught red handed and lying about it. </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">This isnt the actress' first run-in with the law -- she was busted two years ago for a DUI, before resisting arrest and allegedly </span><a href="http://www.gossipcop.com/estella-warren-arrested-dui-escape-police-station-kicking-hitting-assault-resisting-arrest-drunk-driving-cops-jail/" target="_blank">kicking a police officer</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">.</span></li>
<li><strong style="line-height: 1.5em;">James Cameron</strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">'s </span><a href="http://www.vulture.com/2013/04/avatar-sequels-underwater-motion-capture.html" target="_blank">"Avatar 2" will introduce underwater motion-capture</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">. "We want to take advantage of the technologies brilliant <keyword id="6360040" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="people">people</keyword> are putting out to make the next two movies even more emotionally engaging and visually tantalizing, and to really wrap up the story arc of our two main characters," says longtime Cameron producer </span><strong style="line-height: 1.5em;">Jon Landau</strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">.</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Bravo </span><a href="http://www.vulture.com/2013/04/bravo-cancels-kathy-griffins-talk-show.html" target="_blank">canceled <strong>Kathy Griffin</strong>'s talk show</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> after two low-rated seasons. </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">New York </span><em style="line-height: 1.5em;">Daily News</em><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> reports that sh</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">e and </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">BFF</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"></span><strong style="line-height: 1.5em;">Anderson Cooper</strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> are already developing a show for CNN.</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Meanwhile, </span><strong style="line-height: 1.5em;">"Judge Judy"</strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> has been </span><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/judge-judy-renewed-2017-434691" target="_blank">renewed through 2017</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">. The CBS distributed court show, which currently draws more viewers than any other program in daytime, will remain on the air for at least 21 seasons.</span></li>
<li><strong style="line-height: 1.5em;">Rihanna</strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2305544/Rihanna-gets-flirty-male-companion-basketball--Chris-Brown-parties-blonde.html" target="_blank">sported a questionable outfit courtside</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> at</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> the Los Angeles Clippers vs Los Angeles Lakers basketball game.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span><br /></span></span></p>

Roger Ebert's Funeral Being Protested Today In Chicago - Here's Today's Buzz

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/55de091ebd86ef21008b61c2-1632-1224/ap080330027931.jpg" alt="bigfoot" data-mce-source="AP/The News Tribune, Russ Carmack" /><p class="source"><span>AP/The News Tribune, Russ Carmack</span></p><p class="caption">Michigan loves Bigfoot evidence.</p></div><p></p></div></div>One of the more amusing places to dig through the differences between the psyches of American states is in their Google search results history.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This sometimes unearths not only the things people in those states think about a lot, but also the things they might be embarrassed to ask their fellow humans and would rather ask a machine. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With that in mind, <a href="http://blog.estately.com/2015/08/mapping-each-states-most-embarassing-google-searches/">real estate search site Estately</a> combed through 11 years of Google search data to try and find the most embarrassing search terms each state Google more than others, creating a map of the results.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The definition of "embarrassing" is, of course, subjective. But a quick glance at the map Estately created shows that these terms have a fairly universal embarrassment factor. And the terms also, for better or worse, tell you a bit about the local flavor of each region. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here are a few highlights from Estately's analysis of what terms each state in the US searches for disproportionately often (compared to other states):</span></p><p><strong>ARIZONA</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">:  Is Obama American?</span></p><p><strong>FLORIDA</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">:  Lunchables coupons / eyebrow piercing / Home Shopping Network / "A Good Day to Die Hard" (2014 movie) / tongue piercing / Warren Sapp (NFL player)</span></p><p><strong>MICHIGAN</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">:  Bigfoot evidence / pyramid scheme / Little Caesars (pizza chain) / Lou Bega ("Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of)")</span></p><p><strong>OKLAHOMA</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">:  Supernumerary nipple (third nipple) / ISIS videos / Toby Keith / pumpkin spice latte / Westboro Baptist Church</span></p><p><strong>UTAH</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">:  Video game addiction / unicorn pictures / Razor scooter / mustache / Dilbert (comic strip) / traditional marriage</span></p><p><strong>WASHINGTON</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">:  Socks in sandals / moving to Canada / Canada / Soylent (liquid meals)</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And here's the full map:</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/55de0853bd86ef12008b61f7-811-619/shameful-google-searches3.png" alt="shameful google searches3" data-mce-source="Estately" data-link="http://blog.estately.com/2015/08/mapping-each-states-most-embarassing-google-searches/" /><p class="source"><span><a href="http://blog.estately.com/2015/08/mapping-each-states-most-embarassing-google-searches/">Estately</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p> </p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/inside-the-insane-life-of-sean-parker-napster-facebook-2015-8">Inside the insane life of Facebook billionaire Sean Parker</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="djYXZ4djo8F4ptbDwldBI28l1PG-kk1B" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'djYXZ4djo8F4ptbDwldBI28l1PG-kk1B',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

 This map shows the most embarrassing Google searches of every state in America 

<p>Last month we wrote about <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/14-things-that-are-mildly-interesting-2013-6">Reddit's /r/MildlyInteresting subreddit</a>, which is actually one of our favorite places on the internet. </p>
<p>Unbeknownst to us at the time, there is in fact a marvelous network of subreddits that arouse mild emotions from you. </p>
<p>Our newest favorite <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating">is /r/MildlyInfuriating</a>, stocked with things that make you infuriated, but mildly so. We're not talking the Westboro Baptist Church or identity theft here, just the little things that make you twitch. </p>
<p>In order to get more attention to this excellent sub, here are 13 things that are mildly infuriating:</p>
<h3><strong>1. <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/19shjo/no_legitimate_technology_should_do_this_when_you/">This popup</a> is just galling every time</strong></h3>
<p><div class="image-container" style="width:800px"><div class="image"><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/51e5c06e69bedda811000004-750-562/screen%20shot%202013-07-16%20at%205.46.32%20pm.png?maxX=800" border="0" alt="Mildly Infuriating" width="800" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/19shjo/no_legitimate_technology_should_do_this_when_you/">/r/MildlyInfuriating</a></p></div></div></p>
<h3><strong>2. Some guy just <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/171xnz/its_cool_just_leave_315_lbs_laying_there_im_sure/">left 315 lbs of weight sitting there</a>. Who can possibly move 315 lbs of wight besides that aforementioned guy. </strong></h3>
<p><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/51e5c06e6bb3f7a129000017-841-643/screen shot 2013-07-16 at 5.47.01 pm.png" border="0" alt="Mildly Infuriating" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/171xnz/its_cool_just_leave_315_lbs_laying_there_im_sure/">/r/MildlyInfuriating</a></p></div></div></div></p>
<h3><strong> 3. In Hell, <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/16xp17/every_fucking_time/">the last bit of slushie</a> looks like this every time. </strong></h3>
<p><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/51e5c06fecad04641400000f-729-616/screen shot 2013-07-16 at 5.47.14 pm.png" border="0" alt="Mildly Infuriating" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/16xp17/every_fucking_time/">/r/MildlyInfuriating</a></p></div></div></div></p>
<h3><strong>4. As a species, we should have <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/18m6ax/butter_so_hard_that_this_happens/">advanced beyond frozen butter</a> long ago. </strong></h3>
<p><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/51e5c06feab8ea5d7e000002-696-585/screen shot 2013-07-16 at 5.47.24 pm.png" border="0" alt="Mildly Infuriating" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/18m6ax/butter_so_hard_that_this_happens/">/r/MildlyInfuriating</a></p></div></div></div></p>
<h3><strong>5. The <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/17r9lf/the_volume_slider_on_youtube_its_at_max_right_now/">YouTube volume bar</a> looks like this at full volume. I want that extra volume.</strong></h3>
<p><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/51e5c06e69bedd010a000042-977-464/screen shot 2013-07-16 at 5.47.34 pm.png" border="0" alt="Mildly Infuriating" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/17r9lf/the_volume_slider_on_youtube_its_at_max_right_now/">/r/MildlyInfuriating</a></p></div></div></div></p>
<h3><strong>6. <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1549dk/oversized_usb_devices_that_dont_let_you_plug_in/">Oversized USB plugs</a> should be banned by Congress.</strong> </h3>
<p><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/51e5c06eecad04b81600000e-637-521/screen shot 2013-07-16 at 5.47.48 pm.png" border="0" alt="Mildly Infuriating" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1549dk/oversized_usb_devices_that_dont_let_you_plug_in/">/r/MildlyInfuriating</a></p></div></div></div></p>
<h3><strong>7. <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1f9uke/theyve_been_at_it_for_about_30_miles_so_far_on/">Trucks that do this</a> for hours grate on your soul. </strong></h3>
<p><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/51e5c06f69bedd070a000027-950-633/screen shot 2013-07-16 at 5.48.01 pm.png" border="0" alt="Mildly Infuriating" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1f9uke/theyve_been_at_it_for_about_30_miles_so_far_on/">/r/MildlyInfuriating</a></p></div></div></div></p>
<h3><strong>8. These extra keys <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/18io0l/the_extra_keys_dont_do_anything_why_couldnt_shift/">do absolutely nothing</a>. This keyboard is bad. </strong></h3>
<p><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/51e5c06feab8eac179000013-856-500/screen shot 2013-07-16 at 5.48.14 pm.png" border="0" alt="Mildly Infuriating" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/18io0l/the_extra_keys_dont_do_anything_why_couldnt_shift/">/r/MildlyInfuriating</a></p></div></div></div></p>
<h3><strong>9. Why do you need to know this. My old flashlight never cared about<a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/19uwi1/when_every_single_app_wants_my_location/"> this kind of stuff.</a></strong></h3>
<p><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/51e5c06f6bb3f75b27000009-508-546/screen shot 2013-07-16 at 5.48.26 pm.png" border="0" alt="Mildly Infuriating" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/19uwi1/when_every_single_app_wants_my_location/">/r/MildlyInfuriating</a></p></div></div></div></p>
<h3><strong>10. <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/166s5n/this_is_one_of_the_keyboards_at_my_university/">This keyboard</a> has ruined my day. </strong></h3>
<p><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/51e5c06f69bedda71100000d-963-616/screen shot 2013-07-16 at 5.48.37 pm.png" border="0" alt="Mildly Infuriating" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/166s5n/this_is_one_of_the_keyboards_at_my_university/">/r/MildlyInfuriating</a></p></div></div></div></p>
<h3><strong>11. <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1ia5wd/god_dammit_papa_johns/">Papa Johns</a> you are [mildly] killing me. </strong></h3>
<p><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/51e5c07069bedd4d0f00000b-827-680/screen shot 2013-07-16 at 5.48.47 pm.png" border="0" alt="Mildly Infuriating" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1ia5wd/god_dammit_papa_johns/">/r/MildlyInfuriating</a></p></div></div></div></p>
<h3><strong>12. <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1ggip1/i_hope_you_die_in_a_spider_fire/">Sites that do this</a> are terrible. </strong></h3>
<p><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/51e5c06f69bedd170f00001d-881-235/screen shot 2013-07-16 at 5.49.01 pm.png" border="0" alt="Mildly Infuriating" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1ggip1/i_hope_you_die_in_a_spider_fire/">/r/MildlyInfuriating</a></p></div></div></div></p>
<h3><strong>13. Lastly, <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1gm5fv/this_gif/">this GIF</a> will frustrate you to no end</strong></h3>
<p><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/51e5c0706bb3f7562700000b/i7jrrifp7lpbz.gif" border="0" alt="Mildly Infuriating" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1gm5fv/this_gif/">/r/MildlyInfuriating</a></p></div></div></div></p>
<p>(Here is <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/chemicalreactiongifs/comments/1gl3sr/a_carnation_frozen_in_liquid_nitrogen_meets_a/">the satisfying full version</a>)</p>
<p>So anyway. be sure to check out <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/">/r/MildlyInfuriating </a></p>

13 Things That Are Mildly Infuriating

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/524ae3796bb3f76d2852dd06-534-400/hunter-moore-2.jpg" border="0" alt="hunter moore" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_1FIBA_kpk">zone3/YouTube</a></p><p class="caption">Hunter Moore launched the now-defunct <keyword id="6429802" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Revenge-Porn">revenge porn</keyword> site "Is Anyone Up?"</p></div><p></p></div></div>California's <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-11/california-crackdown-on-revenge-porn-in-brown-s-hands.html">new law criminalizing "revenge porn</a>" has gotten people talking about whether the <keyword id="916586" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="First-Amendment">First Amendment</keyword> guarantees you the right to post naked pictures of your exes to the Internet.</p>
<p>Here's exactly <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/our-government/the-constitution">what the First Amendment of the Constitution says</a>:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">The First Amendment provides that Congress make no <keyword id="6355470" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Law">law</keyword> respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise. It protects freedom of speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.</p>
<p>Despite this guarantee, courts have established <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/20/supreme-court-overturns-a_n_544307.html">exceptions</a> to free speech, notably defamation and child pornography. <span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Revenge porn could be held up as another exception, since it obviously wasn't considered by the authors of America's Constitution (even if courts have ruled that</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> some "</span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/fourth-circuit-rules-facebook-likes-are-protected-speech-2013-9">speech" on the Internet</a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> is protected).</span></p>
<p>Victims of vindictive pornography distribution, aka revenge porn, are often women who originally shared naked pictures of themselves with their boyfriends. The distribution of the photos online can be utterly <a href="http://www.today.com/video/today/51760815">humiliating for the woman in those pictures</a>, especially if they're attached to her name and address.</p>
<p>The U.S. <keyword id="6354977" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Supreme-Court">Supreme Court</keyword> has upheld the right to some pretty unsavory speech, though. In 2010, the high court overturned a law that banned videos showing <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/20/supreme-court-overturns-a_n_544307.html">graphic violence against animals</a>. The law was intended to stop the sale of fetish videos showing women crushing kittens to death with high heels, but the Supreme Court said it was so broad it <a href="http://www.law360.com/articles/163264/high-court-strikes-down-animal-cruelty-video-law">violated the First Amendment</a>. </p>
<p>More recently, America's highest court ruled the Westboro Baptist Church has a Constitutional right to<a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/03/02/134194791/supreme-court-sides-with-westboro-church-on-funeral-protests"> hold hateful protests</a> outside military funerals. Those bizarre protests center around the military's tolerance of gays, and the high court found those demonstrations are protected by the First Amendment because they're a matter of "public concern."</p>
<p>This kind of unsavory First Amendment protection <a href="%20http://video.foxnews.com/v/2686143328001/is-revenge-porn-protected-by-first-amendment/">should extend to revenge porn</a>, former judge Andrew Napolitano said on Fox News, where he is an analyst.</p>
<p>"Criminalizing the distribution of that which was freely given and freely received would be invalidated under the First Amendment," Napolitano said on Fox. "The First Amendment is not the guardian of taste."</p>
<p>When California was drafting its revenge porn bill, the ACLU stepped in to object to it on First Amendment grounds for a similar reason. "The posting of otherwise lawful speech or images even if offensive or emotionally distressing is constitutionally protected," the ACLU <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/sen/sb_0251-0300/sb_255_cfa_20130703_114233_sen_floor.html">said in its objection</a>. </p>
<p>The ACLU didn't object to the final version of the bill, which required that the person who posted revenge porn had to do so with the intent to "<a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/sen/sb_0251-0300/sb_255_bill_20130916_enrolled.html">cause serious emotional distress</a>." The final law also says the other person had to actually <em>experience </em>emotional distress, making it more specific than the draft the ACLU opposed.</p>
<p>Indeed, a "suitably clear and narrow" law banning nonconsensual postings would likely survive court challenges, UCLA law professor <a href="http://www.volokh.com/2013/04/10/florida-revenge-porn-bill/">Eugene Volokh has written</a>. Unlike the Westboro funeral protests, private naked photos have nothing to do with public commentary about society.</p>
<p>"I think the courts can rightly conclude that as a categorical matter," he wrote, "such nude pictures indeed lack First Amendment value."</p>

Here's What The Constitution Says About Posting Naked Pictures Of Your Ex To The Internet

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><a href="http://radaronline.com/category/tags/Oprah-Winfrey/"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/532b428f6da8111c2459987a-595-446/oprah-red-carpet-2.png" border="0" alt="Oprah red carpet" /><p class="source"><span>Ethan Miller/Getty</span></p><p class="caption">Oprah refuses to give up her private diaries despite the Plaintiff's beliefs that they hold important information.</p></a></div><p></p></div></div>Oprah Winfrey has shared her life and lessons with <a href="http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2014/03/lindsay-lohan-reality-show-own-walks-off-tantrum/">fans through TV shows</a>, magazines, books, and more, but there's one area of her life that's off limits.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2014/02/oprah-buys-house-for-long-lost-sister/">TV talk queen</a> has told a court she won't hand over her private diaries as part of an ongoing lawsuit against her - despite the fact that the Plaintiff thinks they could hide some important secrets.</p>
<p><a href="http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2014/02/fashion-nightmare-vera-wang-served-subpoena-derail-fashion-week-presentation/">As Radar has reported</a>, Winfrey is being sued by <a href="http://radaronline.com/category/tags/simone-kelly-brown">Simone Kelly-Brown</a> over Winfrey's use of the term "Own Your Power," to which she says she has claim. Kelly-Brown's lawyers recently filed documents asking for a two-week extension of the discovery period, but Winfrey's attorneys quickly responded with a strongly-worded letter insisting the suit move ahead as originally scheduled.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.radaronline.com/photos/image/31786" target="_blank">PHOTOS: Oprah: Through The Years</a></p>
<p>In the letter, obtained by Radar, Winfrey's counsel insists that "Defendants have abided by all deadlines and done everything to accommodate the preferred schedule within the parameters of the Court's expert discovery deadline … No extension is warranted, and any extension would prejudice Defendants.</p>
<p><a href="http://amradaronline.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/oprah_redacted.pdf" target="_blank">READ: Oprah's Attorney Explains Why She WON'T Hand Over Her Diary</a></p>
<p>They claim that the Plaintiff has actually engaged in "gamesmanship," demanding last-minute teleconferences, and asking for to change the time and/or location of scheduled depositions.</p>
<p>What's more, Kelly-Brown's attorneys had asked the court to "compel production of 'Ms. Winfrey's <a href="http://radaronline.com/photos/oprah-through-the-years/photo/143428/">personal, professional journal or diary</a> entries'" , but Winfrey's attorneys insist in the letter that that won't be happening.</p>
<p>"Ms. Winfrey examined her journals and there is nothing relevant," the letter to the Court insists.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.radaronline.com/photos/image/128612/2011/05/oprah-gets-star-studded-farewell-surprise" target="_blank">PHOTOS: Oprah Gets Star Studded Farewell Surprise!</a></p>
<p>In conclusion, Winfrey's attorney writes, "We request that the Court deny the Plaintiff's request for an extension of discovery …"</p>
<p>The judge agreed with Ms. Winfrey's counsel, and denied the Plaintiff's motion to extend discovery by written order entered on the docket on March 14.</p><div class="feed-footer-wrapper"><div class="feed-footer">

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Oprah Winfrey Refuses To Surrender Her Private Diaries In Lawsuit

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/531799526bb3f7b83e5e99ba-1000-667/j.k.%20rowling-1.jpg" alt="J.K. Rowling" data-mce-source="Photo by Dan Hallman/Invision/AP"><p class="source"><span>Photo by Dan Hallman/Invision/AP</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div>J. K. Rowling has captivated people around the world with her "Harry Potter" books, but the 46-year-old&#xa0;author is also gaining&#xa0;serious attention for her shorter writings&#xa0;too ... on Twitter.&#xa0;<p>Rowling joined Twitter in 2009, after discovering she was being impersonated on the social media site, <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/harry-potter/6242695/Harry-Potter-author-JK-Rowling-joins-Twitter.html">the Telegraph reported</a>.&#xa0;</p><p>Though the author has only tweeted 1,356 times in six years, she's managed to pick up 4.97 million followers,&#xa0;<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2015/05/28/jk-rowling-keeps-winning-at-twitter-how-does-she-do-it/">Washington Post noted</a>.&#xa0;</p><p>In addition to followers, Rowling has also gained a reputation for using the social media platform to defend and discuss important social issues.&#xa0;</p><p>Recently, Rowling made headlines after a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jk-rowling-tweets-about-serena-williams-2015-7%5C">Twitter troll dissed the 2015 Wimbledon champion, Serena Williams</a>.</p><p>Here's a look at Rowling's reaction to a user who said Williams is "built like a man."</p><p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/diegtristan8">@diegtristan8</a> "she is built like a man". Yeah, my husband looks just like this in a dress. You're an idiot. <a href="http://t.co/BCvT10MYkI">pic.twitter.com/BCvT10MYkI</a></p>- J.K. Rowling  (@jk_rowling) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/619886370081869824">July 11, 2015</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></p><p>Williams isn't the only person Rowling has supported&#xa0;on Twitter.</p><p>After&#xa0;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/madonna-fall-at-brit-awards-2015-2">Madonna fell onstage during a performance at the 2015 Brit Awards</a>, Rowling praised the singer&#xa0;for getting back up and continuing to perform. She even used the hashtag #TeamMadonna.&#xa0;</p><p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Are you the sort of person who gloats when they see a woman fall, or the kind that celebrates a magnificent recovery? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamMadonna?src=hash">#TeamMadonna</a></p>- J.K. Rowling  (@jk_rowling) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/571284024896950273">February 27, 2015</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></p><p class="embed-spacer">&#xa0;The author has also used her 140-character&#xa0;powers to&#xa0;support of the LGBTQ community.</p><p class="embed-spacer">When&#xa0;one Twitter user asked,&#xa0;"<a href="http://time.com/3756860/jk-rowling-harry-potter-dumbledore-gay/">I wonder why you said that Dumbledore is a gay because I can't see him in that way</a><span>," Rowling didn't miss a trick.&#xa0;</span></p><p class="embed-spacer"><span>Here's Rowling's response.</span>&#xa0;The original tweet has since been deleted, <a href="http://time.com/3756860/jk-rowling-harry-potter-dumbledore-gay/">Time reported</a>.&#xa0;</p><p class="embed-spacer"><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/anakocovic21">@anakocovic21</a> Maybe because gay people just look like... people?</p>- J.K. Rowling  (@jk_rowling) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/580414479604822016">March 24, 2015</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></p><p class="embed-spacer">&#xa0;She also tweeted to let her readers know that Hogwarts was a safe space for all&#xa0;wizards and witches.&#xa0;</p><p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/claraoswiin">@claraoswiin</a> But of course. <a href="http://t.co/Galu47MT4X">pic.twitter.com/Galu47MT4X</a></p>- J.K. Rowling  (@jk_rowling) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/544998416414412801">December 16, 2014</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></p><p>In celebration of Ireland's legalization of gay marriage, Rowling tweeted about a wedding between Albus Dumbledore and and Gandalf from "The Lord of the Rings."</p><p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/justaoifethings">@justaoifethings</a> ???????? Then they could get married IN IRELAND! ???????? <a href="http://t.co/yXedPavZfp">pic.twitter.com/yXedPavZfp</a></p>- J.K. Rowling  (@jk_rowling) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/602062845384204288">May 23, 2015</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></p><p class="embed-spacer">&#xa0;When the Westboro Baptist Church&#xa0;threatened to&#xa0;picket such an event (a bit strange given that both Dumbledore and Gandalf are fictional wizards), Rowling reacted&#xa0;perfectly.&#xa0;</p><p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I don't care about WBC. I think it's important that scared gay kids who aren't out yet see hate speech challenged. <a href="https://t.co/XumjDmEjuw">https://t.co/XumjDmEjuw</a></p>- J.K. Rowling  (@jk_rowling) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/603474537863327744">May 27, 2015</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></p><p class="embed-spacer">In January,&#xa0;Rowling disagreed with Rupert Murdoch's&#xa0;commentary on the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/charlie-hebdo-cartoon-of-muhammad-is-defense-freedom-of-religion-2015-1">Charlie Hebdo shooting</a>&#xa0;and&#xa0;she made sure to let Twitter know.&#xa0;</p><p class="embed-spacer"><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I was born Christian. If that makes Rupert Murdoch my responsibility, I'll auto-excommunicate. <a href="http://t.co/Atw1wNk8UX">http://t.co/Atw1wNk8UX</a></p>- J.K. Rowling  (@jk_rowling) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/554229281929564160">January 11, 2015</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></p><p class="embed-spacer">Rowling has little tolerance for Twitter users trolling her.&#xa0;</p><p class="embed-spacer">In May, a Twitter user called the author nasty names including "JK B----face," after they were upset by Rowling's political opinions.&#xa0;The&#xa0;initial tweets have since been deleted, <a href="http://mic.com/articles/117868/j-k-rowling-made-a-dick-joke-in-this-badass-response-to-a-twitter-troll">Mic reported</a>.</p><p class="embed-spacer">Here she is&#xa0;annihilating her internet hater.</p><p class="embed-spacer"><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/sjosiah0">@sjosiah0</a> The Internet doesn't just offer opportunities for misogynistic abuse, you know. Penis enlargers can also be bought discreetly.</p>- J.K. Rowling  (@jk_rowling) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/596720613433147392">May 8, 2015</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></p><p class="embed-spacer">This spring,&#xa0;Rowling used her Twitter popularity&#xa0;for social good. In an attempt to&#xa0;help find missing persons, she retweeted multiple pictures and descriptions of missing people from throughout the United Kingdom.&#xa0;</p><p class="embed-spacer"><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Keep RTing, wonderful people, and if you're in the UK don't forget to keep an eye out for the missing. <a href="https://twitter.com/missingpeople">@missingpeople</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheBigTweet?src=hash">#TheBigTweet</a></p>- J.K. Rowling  (@jk_rowling) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/602776161677156353">May 25, 2015</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></p><p class="embed-spacer">Rowling's Twitter game also shows of the author's keen sense of humor.</p><p>When actor Matthew Lewis, best known for playing&#xa0;dorky wizard Neville Longbottom in the "Harry Potter" film, posed half-dressed in a magazine spread, Rowling jokingly&#xa0;chided the former child-star.</p><p>"Now go put some clothes on," Rowling&#xa0;tweeted at Lewis.&#xa0;</p><p class="embed-spacer"><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/Mattdavelewis">@Mattdavelewis</a> I will always support you whatever you want to do, Matthew. Now go put some clothes on.</p>- J.K. Rowling  (@jk_rowling) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/601357841019047936">May 21, 2015</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hbos-the-leftovers-trailer-looks-completely-different-2015-7">HBO's 'The Leftovers' looks like it's going to be an entirely different show next season</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="RjaWpmdjoBiH7wdTt-RkCIhW6bxSzC_k" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'RjaWpmdjoBiH7wdTt-RkCIhW6bxSzC_k',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

10 times JK Rowling's social media game was completely on point

<p>Photographer <a href="http://www.anthonykaren.com/" target="_blank">Anthony Karen’s</a> use of the word sir in emails might stem from his service in the Marine Corps. It could also be indicative of his humanitarian side and his affiliations with charities including <a href="http://www.friendsindeed.org/" target="_blank">Friends in Deed</a>, <a href="http://www.smiletrain.org/" target="_blank">Smile Train</a>, and the <a href="http://www.humanesociety.org/" target="_blank">Humane Society.</a></p>
<p>That simple level of politeness is also a small window into how he has been able to document as a photojournalist many of the most feared, secretive, and marginalized pockets of society around the world.<br /><br /><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/520d036c6bb3f7ef5c00001d-1200-798/6.jpg.crop.original-original.jpg" border="0" alt="slate11" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.anthonykaren.com/">Anthony S. Karen</a></p><p class="caption">Carl, an imperial wizard of a Southern-based <keyword id="93329" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Ku-Klux-Klan">Ku Klux Klan</keyword> realm (or state-level group), takes aim with a pellet gun at a large cockroach (on the piece of paper just below the clock), while his wife and goddaughter try to avoid getting struck by a possible ricochet. </p></div></div></div></p>
<p>On his website, Karen writes that his passion for photography began during a trip to Haiti, where he documented <a href="http://www.mipj.org/lwa-mountain.html" target="_blank">Vodou rituals</a> around the country. From there he has created series about <a href="http://www.anthonykaren.com/?page_id=271" target="_blank">Skinheads</a>, the <a href="http://www.anthonykaren.com/?page_id=290" target="_blank">Westboro Baptist Church</a>, and the <a href="http://www.anthonykaren.com/?page_id=282" target="_blank">Ku Klux Klan</a>.</p>
<p>Gaining access to secretive pockets of society is based upon trust, something Karen doesn’t take lightly and that he sees as a foundation of photojournalism. “It’s a moment that’s constantly validated, the wordless acceptance into someone’s personal space with a camera,” Karen wrote via email.</p>
<p><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/520cfdaa69beddd675000015-1200-798/2.jpg.crop.original-original.jpg" border="0" alt="slate2" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.anthonykaren.com/">Anthony S. Karen</a></p><p class="caption">Members of a Louisiana-based Ku Klux Klan realm joke around at the home of one of their imperial officers. </p></div></div></div><br /><br /><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/520cfde2ecad04933b00000d-1200-798/5.jpg.crop.original-original.jpg" border="0" alt="slate3" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.anthonykaren.com/">Anthony S. Karen</a></p><p class="caption">"Little Charlie" of the Louisiana-based Dixie Rangers of the Ku Klux Klan displays her custom-made wedding veil as her fiancé looks on.</p></div></div></div></p>
<p>To gain access into the Klan, Karen initially reached out to members through contact information on websites via phone calls and emails. His began photographing a Klan event in 2005, and after earning the trust of the members, he was allowed to photograph without restriction.</p>
<p>During an interview with <a href="http://www.fotoevidence.com/anthony-karen" target="_blank">FotoEvidence</a>, which published his book <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/white-pride/id635330490?ls=1" target="_blank">White Pride</a>, Karen spoke about his level of access to one of the least-understood organizations. “I think a lot of the credibility I’ve earned also stems from my basic philosophy that you need to give some of yourself in order to receive anything back. I spend time with people, I listen to what they have to say, and I treat each person as an individual. I don’t have to believe what they believe, but whenever I’m in someone’s space, I feel I’m obliged to observe without judgment.That's not to say I wouldn't intervene if I felt a situation called for it, but I choose to observe moment to moment and simply take in what I see and experience without presumption or pretext,” he said.</p>
<p>He also isn’t in a rush once he begins a project and is always looking to go deeper into a story while attempting to maintain a level of neutrality. “I have a keen interest in religious ideology and marginalized subject matter. I prefer documenting long-term stories, because I feel a story can always be improved upon; there’s always some nuance that you’ll discover with subsequent trips. This methodology has proven helpful as I develop as a photojournalist,” Karen said. “The more time and experience I amass, the deeper my self-criticism has become, even in editing, but hopefully always for the better of a project. I find I challenge myself more and always strive to go even deeper.”<br /><br /><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/520cfe426bb3f74454000014-1200-798/7.jpg.crop.original-original.jpg" border="0" alt="slate5" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.anthonykaren.com/">Anthony S. Karen</a></p><p class="caption">Candidates wishing to become initiated into the Ku Klos Knights of the Ku Klux Klan take their oaths as part of a naturalization ritual. Candidates are blindfolded are led through the woods at a sometimes vigorous pace. They are questioned about Klan craft and history, and they swear certain oaths. They are then "knighted" through anointing with sacred waters, a sword touch on both shoulders, and a benediction. The new members are greeted and welcomed by the officiating officers. </p></div></div></div><br /><br /></p>
<p><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/520cfce569bedd9978000003-1200-798/1.jpg.crop.original-original.jpg" border="0" alt="slate1" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.anthonykaren.com/">Anthony S. Karen</a></p><p class="caption">Klan members gather at the site of a Civil War battleground for a traditional Ku Klux Klan wedding ceremony. </p></div></div></div></p>
<p>Karen’s ability to gain access into the KKK led to a collaboration with the Discovery Channel on a documentary about the Klan titled <a href="http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/kkk-beneath-the-hood" target="_blank">KKK: Beneath the Hood</a>.</p>
<p>“Whenever you’re granted access into a person’s intimate space, you’re establishing a relationship based on trust,” he said. “In my opinion, trust is trust. That doesn’t suggest I become complacent with my situation to the point of exploitation, nor does it mean I’m selectively disregarding certain moments to depict something that is not. I do admit I try to offer a balanced perspective as to my experiences within marginalized organizations. ... [T]o consciously distance myself will in effect (or could) create bias.”<br /><br /><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/520cfe9deab8ea051e000003-1200-798/3.jpg.crop.original-original.jpg" border="0" alt="slate6" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.anthonykaren.com/">Anthony S. Karen</a></p><p class="caption">The son of an imperial wizard of a North Carolina-based Klan realm. </p></div></div></div><br /><br /><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/520cfee769bedddb7f000000-1200-798/10.jpg.crop.original-original.jpg" border="0" alt="slate7" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.anthonykaren.com/">Anthony S. Karen</a></p><p class="caption">A Klansman during a unity gathering on his property in Virginia.</p></div></div></div><br /><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/520cff2c6bb3f7f45c000002-1200-798/11.jpg.crop.original-original.jpg" border="0" alt="slate8" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.anthonykaren.com/">Anthony S. Karen</a></p><p class="caption">An imperial officer (right) from a Midwestern-based Ku Klux Klan realm at the home of his imperial wizard and wife (left), shortly before departing for a Christmas party held for members at a local church.</p></div></div></div><br /><br /><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/520cff706bb3f70a5b00000f-1200-798/8.jpg.crop.original-original.jpg" border="0" alt="slate9" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.anthonykaren.com/">Anthony S. Karen</a></p><p class="caption">The granddaughter of an imperial wizard of a Southern-based Klan realm.</p></div></div></div><br /><br /><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/520cffc469bedde37d000017-1200-798/4.jpg.crop.original-original.jpg" border="0" alt="slate10" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.anthonykaren.com/">Anthony S. Karen</a></p><p class="caption">Members from a Midwestern-based Klan realm on a flyer drive.</p></div></div></div></p>

A Day In The Life Of The Ku Klux Klan, Uncensored

<p><table class="image-container float_right click-to-enlarge" width="200"><tr><td><div class="image"><a title_source="Kickstarter" title_caption="Equiso CEO Adam McBride." class="zoomin" href="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/500592566bb3f79f5d000000-960/screen shot 2012-07-17 at 12.20.10 pm.jpg"><span class="click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/500592566bb3f79f5d000000-400-300/screen shot 2012-07-17 at 12.20.10 pm.jpg" border="0" alt="adam mcbride" /></a></div><p class="source"><a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2028163448/equiso-smart-tv-turn-any-tv-into-a-smart-tv">Kickstarter</a></p><p class="caption">Equiso CEO Adam McBride.</p></td></tr></table><strong>UPDATE 3/28 10:17 AM:</strong> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/equiso-kickstarter-problems-response-2013-3">Equiso has issued the following statement in response to this story.</a></p>
<p><strong>PREVIOUSLY:</strong></p>
<p>In July 2012, Equiso was living the <keyword id="842662" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Kickstarter">Kickstarter</keyword> dream. Now<span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> it's in a Kickstarter nightmare.</span></p>
<p>It has legions of unhappy customers, alleged threats from hacking group Anonymous, and a forgotten co-founder who claims to have been unfairly ousted.</p>
<p>It's also being accused of selling a product that is just a rebranded version of something available from a Chinese company.</p>
<p>Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform that lets people raise money over the internet to pursue creative projects. Equiso leveraged the service last year to raise <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2028163448/equiso-smart-tv-turn-any-tv-into-a-smart-tv">$241,557 from 2,703 people</a> to bring its product to market. The company was pitching an Android-powered HDMI "<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-a-dongle-2013-3">dongle</a>" called the Smart TV, which promised to turn every television into a smart, web-connected device. Users would simply plug the dongle into their TV, enabling them to run apps like Netflix and Angry Birds on their television screens. The attachment essentially turned a TV into a giant Android tablet.</p>
<p>The device shipped late and didn't perform especially well. When <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/equiso-smart-tv-review-2012-10">we reviewed it in October</a>, we discouraged people from buying it. Apps lagged beyond the point of usability.</p>
<p>We weren't the only ones disappointed by Equiso's Smart TV.</p>
<p>Customers took to Equiso's <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2028163448/equiso-smart-tv-turn-any-tv-into-a-smart-tv/comments">Kickstarter comments page</a>, the Equiso <a href="http://www.equisoforum.com/">forum</a>, and even a Facebook page called "<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Do-Not-Buy-From-Equiso/580828418611546">Do Not Buy From Equiso</a>" to complain.</p>
<p>People who got their Smart TV <a href="http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=434656553275504&amp;id=580828418611546">complained of</a> "<span class="userContent">a product that barely functions, completely fails to meet the promises of its creators, and in all likelihood, never will.</span>" They also weren't happy that Equiso wasn't responding to complaints: "<span class="userContent">Emails are ignored, Facebook posts and tweets are deleted. If you happen to live in Boston and visited the Equiso office, I suspect you might see a tumbleweed.</span>"</p>
<p>To this day there are users complaining of never having received their product. <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Lots of Kickstarter backers are upset. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">All this complaining appears to have </span><a href="http://anonnews.org/press/item/2214/">gotten the attention of the infamous hacking group Anonymous</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">.</span></p>
<p>On the site where it posts its releases, AnonNews, <a href="http://anonnews.org/press/item/2214/">Anonymous is demanding that</a> Equiso CEO Adam McBride publicly apologize and refund "$241,000 to Kickstarter backers and $2,000,000+ to investors" within one week or it will begin leaking his personal details, such as "bank accounts, credit information, passwords, emails, and social media."</p>
<p>After that, Anonymous says it will do the same for other Equiso employees and will even attack its partners.</p>
<p>It's important to note that Anonymous is an amorphous group without any known structure or organization. These threats could be coming from any number of people who may or may not have the means to follow through with them. The group has previously hacked high-profile targets like the Westboro Baptist Church, Sarah Palin, and Citi. While it seems odd that it would turn its attention to a small company, it's not impossible.</p>
<p><span>McBride, however, believes the threats do not come from Anonymous at all.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Strained relations between co-founders<br /></strong></p>
<p>McBride believes that a former employee posted all the threats to AnonNews. <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">He says she is "a crazy employee who had gone rogue" after McBride fired her upon finding out that she had lied about previous work experience.</span></p>
<p>We reached out to this employee who requested to not be identified. She told us she wasn't just a former employee, but a co-founder, and that McBride recruited her via email through a mutual acquaintance. She says no resumes were ever involved and she never misrepresented any past professional experiences.</p>
<p>She says the trouble began when she started working from home due to disagreements with McBride, and soon found herself locked out of the company's email and computer systems.</p>
<p>She claims no connections to Anonymous and still maintains a 30 percent equity stake in Equiso, emphasizing that it would be against her interest to hurt the company while owning so much of it.</p>
<p>We returned to McBride with this information, who maintained that the co-founder didn't leave voluntarily and was, in fact, fired. It wasn't for lying about any specific job experience, but instead for misrepresenting connections to media partners like Hulu and for lying about having access to money to invest in the company.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Is Equiso just a rebranded gadget from China?</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://anonnews.org/press/item/2214/">Another one of the accusations from hacking group Anonymous</a> is that Equiso's Smart TV is little more than a rebranded product from UPTEK,<span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> a Shenzhen, China </span><a href="http://www.uptek.com.cn/product_en.html">company that makes its own "smart TV" dongle</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">. Tech-savvy users in the Equiso forum have confirmed <a href="http://www.equisoforum.com/Thread-Manufacturer-of-Equiso-Stick-and-Remote">the devices are one and the same</a>.</span></p>
<p>We asked McBride about his company's relationship with UPTEK and he told us that it was a partnership. But there's no mention of this in his Kickstarter video and no acknowledgment that he was getting the dongle from China and tweaking it.</p>
<p>His estranged co-founder/employee tells us that instead of working on improving the product, McBride would "spend hours looking at packaging design." </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Is Walmart a partner or not?</strong></p>
<p>There's another weird wrinkle in this story. Equiso partner Jeffry Waye told us via email that "the Equiso will be in Walmart stores nationwide starting April 10."</p>
<p>Another Equiso partner, Ralph Teed, <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ralph-teed/6/310/133">claims "over ten years experience with Wal-Mart Inc." on his LinkedIn page</a>, so the retail giant seems an obvious route for selling more devices. When we spoke to Teed on the phone, he told us that <a href="http://www.dpgdistribution.com/index.php">Equiso distribution partner DPG</a> had already received a purchase order from Walmart and had sent a purchase order of its own to Equiso.</p>
<p>We emailed Kevin O'Connor, vice president and general merchandise manager for consumer electronics at Walmart, to ask about the company's relationship with Equiso and DPG (which has an Equiso logo <a href="http://www.dpgdistribution.com/index.php">on its homepage</a>). O'Connor told us, "We have not heard of Equiso and they are not a supplier to us. If this is the brand or manufacturer, then we do not know them and would not be selling their product. Maybe on walmart.com. I don’t know DPG either."</p>
<p>We also reached out to Walmart's PR in case O'Connor was mistaken. We spoke over the phone yesterday morning to a Walmart spokesperson named Debbie who said she'd look into it and get back to us. We made several attempts to get back in touch throughout the day and this morning, but still haven't heard from her.</p>
<p>McBride tells us via email that the Walmart deal is "not official yet."</p>
<p><strong>UPDATE 3/27 11:14 AM: </strong>A Walmart spokesperson confirmed for us that the Equiso Smart TV will be in stores "this spring." No specific date was given.</p>
<p><strong>What went wrong?</strong></p>
<p>Equiso's problems seem to stem from its upset customers. The overwhelming complaint is that Equiso has not been communicative enough with its Kickstarter backers. At the time of this writing, <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2028163448/equiso-smart-tv-turn-any-tv-into-a-smart-tv/posts/387803">its last customer communication</a> went out on January 17.</p>
<p>We asked McBride about this lack of communication and he explained that he and his team are busy improving the product. He added that the company did most of its customer communication one-on-one via the comments section of Kickstarter, <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/profile/2028163448/comments">leaving 571 comments to date</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/597507018/pebble-e-paper-watch-for-iphone-and-android/posts">Consider the Pebble smartwatch</a>, by contrast. It was a similarly hyped and over-funded Kickstarter project that met similar difficulties in delivering on time. Instead of maintaining radio silence in order to ship at maximum efficiency, the Pebble team nearly over-communicated. Backers received more regular notifications, each one offering substantial updates on the company's progress. The Pebble team even created a dedicated website to give anyone an update at a glance – <a href="http://www.ispebbleshipping.com/">IsPebbleShipping.com</a>.</p>
<p>The lesson in this for Kickstarter backers is to be patient and understanding. This seems especially true with gadget-based projects. Manufacturers often run into delays and other unforeseen problems. When you "vote" <span>in favor of a creator's idea on Kickstarter, you are not actually buying a product like you would from an ecommerce site. You're funding a project and, </span>for better or worse, you're along for the ride. </p>
<p>And for a Kickstarter project leader, <span>the takeaway </span>seems to be to make sure your backers know what's going on. This is especially true for high-profile projects. Pebble handled its difficulties well. It's a model that Equiso would do well to follow.</p>

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