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BRASILIA (Reuters) - The graft conviction Wednesday of former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a front-runner for next year's presidential election, opens the door for an outsider to take power in Latin America's largest country, political experts said.

Lula, a giant on the Brazilian political scene who led Brazil from 2003 to 2011, has said he wants to run for president again next year. But if his nearly 10-year sentence is upheld on appeal, Lula, a founder of the leftist Workers Party, would be barred from seeking office again for eight years, beginning after any jail time is complete.

Lula, 71, is among a raft of Brazilian elites toppled by an epic corruption scandal that has battered the nation's economy, engulfed every major party and deepened public cynicism about politics. It's a toxic mix that has enraged voters, who are searching for someone to lead them out of the political and economic wilderness.

"Brazil is now as polarized as the U.S., it really has been for years," said Carlos Melo, a political scientist with Insper, a Sao Paulo business school. "But if Lula is absent it would unquestionably open the space for an outside, very emotional leader, a bit like U.S. President Trump."

Lula was convicted on Wednesday by Judge Sergio Moro, who found Lula guilty of accepting 3.7 million reais ($1.15 million) worth of bribes from engineering firm OAS SA [OAS.UL]. That is the amount prosecutors said the company spent refurbishing a beach apartment for Lula in return for his help winning contracts with state oil company Petroleo Brasileiro.

OAS was part of a supplier cartel that prosecutors said fleeced billions of dollars from Petrobras through inflated contracts, funneling some of the ill-gotten gains to politicians and political parties. Several OAS executives were jailed by Moro, the hard-charging judge overseeing the so-called Car Wash investigation, the largest-ever corruption probe in Brazils history.

Lula' lawyers said he is innocent. He will remain free while his attorneys appeal the ruling, which they have characterized as a political witch hunt. The appeals court is expected to take at least eight months to rule.

"This politically motivated judgment attacks Brazil's rule of law, democracy and Lula's basic human rights," Lula's defense team wrote in an emailed statement. "It is of immense concern to the Brazilian people and to the international community."

Despite his legal woes, the charismatic Lula remains Brazil's best-known politician and has retained a base of loyal supporters. As president, he channeled resources from a commodities boom into social programs that helped lift millions from poverty.

Recent surveys from the respected Datafolha polling institute show that in a second-round runoff next year, Lula would beat all contenders with the exception of the environmentalist and two-time presidential candidate Marina Silva, with whom he is in a technical tie.

But if Lula cannot run, and with roughly 20 percent of the electorate undecided on any candidate, the election is up for grabs.

While Silva has polled well, Melo and other political watchers doubt that the soft-spoken, environmental expert could win, in part because her campaigns have lacked the fiery speeches and dramatic flair needed to engage many voters.

The public's thirst for showmanship and anti-establishment candidates, Melo said, could give a boost to two outsiders: Ciro Gomes, a tough-talking former governor, federal minister and congressmen who is now with the Democratic Workers Party; and Joao Doria, a millionaire media mogul and former star of Brazil's version of "The Apprentice."

Gomes, despite his long career in politics, is a rough-and-tumble politician who could easily position himself as an anti-government candidate. Loud and politically incorrect, Gomes called unpopular President Michel Temer, himself facing a corruption charge, the "captain of the coup" that led to the impeachment of former President Dilma Rousseff last year.

Doria, who had never held elected office before, stunned the political establishment last year when he won the mayorship of South America's largest city in the first round, capturing 53 percent of the vote. A member of the centrist Brazilian Social Democracy Party, he is loved by the business community for his pro-market stance. And he has caught the public's attention with stunts such as donning a street sweeper's uniform and spending days cleaning roadways.

Shortly after the Lula verdict was made public Wednesday, Doria posted on Twitter that "Justice has been done."

"The most shameless man in Brazil was condemned to nine and a half years in prison," Doria continued. "Long live Brazil."

The latest Datafolha polls shows Gomes and Doria in a technical tie in a second-round presidential vote next year.

A right-wing, law-and-order candidate, congressman Jair Bolsonaro, of the Social Christian Party, also has polled well, taking 15 percent of a simulated first-round vote in the Datafolha survey, putting him behind only Lula.

But political watchers caution his appeal is likely to wane as opponents dig into his trove of anti-gay, pro-dictatorship utterances. Bolsonaro is facing a trial before Brazil's Supreme Court for inciting violence after he told a female congresswoman on the floor of the lower house that he "would not rape her because she would not be worthy of it."

Sergio Praca, a political scientist at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, a leading Brazilian University, said he sees the Lula conviction as giving all politicians a deep scare rather than any one candidate a bounce.

"This conviction is a black mark on Brazil's history. But it is a great moment in the fight against impunity," Praca said.

"The Brazilian voter will no longer accept a presidential candidate who is not clean, and that is a real evolution in our democracy," he added. "In this trying moment, that is the positive outlook we have to hold onto."

Editing by Marla Dickerson

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In Brazil, Lula conviction opens field for 2018 presidential race - Reuters

YouTube feminist Laci Green, who enjoys a popular following of over 1.5 million subscribers, has become persona non grata among the social justice crowd for daring to question feminist orthodoxy and for dating a man on the other side of the political aisle. Recently, Green has taken to publicly questioning her previously held beliefs about gender and the sex binary, which has earned her the scorn of feminists who are accusing her of bigotry.

To a mainstream audience, the spats that happen on Twitter may seem like pointless drama but given the broad reach of all the personalities involved, these arguments have a trickle-down effect that affect millions of the viewers who watch their videos and listen to what they say.

Recently, Green took issue with a Vogue magazine infographic describing females as non-prostate owners.

This is what Im talking about when I say I cant even use basic biology terms in sex ed anymore, commented Green, adding that terms like male and female are now politically incorrect and not inclusive.

Female and male are not identities or genders, she continued. There are biological sexes and refer to someones literal body parts (for reproduction).

Its basic biology that anyone will learn in high school.

In a separate tweet, Green highlighted opinions she held that are considered controversial in 2017. She described same sex attraction as gay.

While many other users on Twitter expressed their support for her views, an equal number of feminists especially male feminists were upset by what she wrote.

Following her comments, Green was attacked for being a TERF or trans exclusionary radical feminist, which describes a fringe section of feminists who exclude transgender people from the discourse. Others accused her of homophobia and biphobia, for stating the obvious that same sex attraction is gay.

Many implied that she only held her beliefs because of who she was dating, and not because she was capable of thinking for herself.

Another popular YouTuber, Daniel Hardcastle, who once described Feminist Frequency as trash, weighed in on the situation by aligning himself with Greens detractors and cried about ableism when he was called out on it.

Its curious to see where the lines will be drawn in the ongoing discussion on political correctness and the language of sex and gender as more young people rise to prominence within the media.

Ian Miles Cheong is a journalist and outspoken media critic. You can reach him through social media at @stillgray on Twitter.

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YouTube Star Attacked Following Comments About Gender - The Daily Caller

Album Review: Jay-Z Makes You His Therapist on the Confessional 4:44 Student Edge Describing himself with psychoanalytical language like emotionally available, and amending his comments when he's politically incorrect, the unretired and very apologetic Jay uses his comeback record to respond to wife Beyonc's adultery ... and more »

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Album Review: Jay-Z Makes You His Therapist on the Confessional 4:44 - Student Edge

TORONTO Speaking into a working microphone (this time), and to a rabid, yet supportive crowd (as always), Conor McGregor came to Canada on Wednesday and spent his afternoon ridiculing Floyd Mayweather in nearly every imaginable way with profanity, politically incorrect comments and, mostly, biting humor.

Mayweather may have every advantage in their Aug. 26 boxing match in Las Vegas, but on this wild, free-wheeling, four-city, three-country promotional tour, its McGregors game they are playing. Mayweather is one hell of a promoter, but McGregor is a showman for the ages.

The problem is it probably wont help him come fight night.

Despite gray skies and a light rain, over 10,000 rowdy fans descended on an outdoor, lake-front amphitheater here to watch McGregor strut around and mercilessly mock Mayweather.

He hit Mayweather on The Money Team casual attire He looks like a little break dancer Youre 40 years old, dress your age.

He hit Mayweather on the strip club he owns in Vegas Fifty strippers on his payroll. At least Rob Kardashian only had one.

He hit Mayweather on his less-educated background You cant read.

I dont read, Mayweather shot back later, quickly shifting to his ability to bank dollars as the worlds highest-paid athlete. I do numbers. I make money.

You owe money, McGregor interrupted, slamming Mayweather for his recent $22 million IRS lien, which will be handled with part of his earnings for the bout, which projects to be the richest prize fight in history.

The crowd soon started chanting, Pay Your Taxes.

Floyd Mayweather (L) and Conor McGregor yell at each other during their news conference on Wednesday in Toronto. (Getty)

Toronto in particular, and Canada in general, is an MMA stronghold. It is such a reliable market for the Ultimate Fighting Championship that the promotion routinely stages shows up here, including its first ever in a stadium, drawing 55,000-plus back in 2011.

As such, Mayweather never really stood a chance. This was a McGregor event. When McGregor hit, the crowd roared. When Mayweather countered, they booed.

There was a classic tell in McGregors comments, though, a sign that he was thinking about more than just selling $99.99 pay-per-views. McGregor isnt the greatest fighter, but he is a very clever and calculating one. So while he wants to show the people a good time, he also wants to rattle Mayweather, upset him enough to move him off his game and into an act of ill-advised fight-night rage.

The proof came when he mentioned his December 2015 bout against Jose Aldo, a man that was then on a 10-year unbeaten streak and considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC.

They said the same thing then as they are saying now, McGregor crowed. They said I had no chance. They said Im in over my head. They said he kicks too hard. They said he had too many weapons.

It took me two whole seconds

Actually, 13 seconds, but the specifics dont matter. McGregor spent years not merely months in the buildup to the fight hammering and humiliating Aldo with his sharp tongue and vicious wit. He was so relentless on the soft-spoken Brazilian that when they squared off at the weigh-in, he noticed Aldos right hand, twitching. McGregor then, before the fight, predicted to the English-speaking media how it would end.

Hes ready to unload that right hand and I feel that could be the downfall for him, McGregor predicted. If he lets that right hand go, I will not be there I will create traps and dead spaces in the Octagon. I will walk him into that dead space. All of a sudden, he will be in danger.

Sure enough, Aldo, who should have sat back and tried to get McGregor to the ground, charged at the opening bell and threw a wild right that grazed McGregor. It also led Aldo into that predicted dead space, where a McGregor left ended the fight in an instant.

It was Mystic Mac at his finest. It also represents one of the few paths to victory he can attempt in a boxing match against the 49-0 Mayweather: Get him so mad that he tries to kill you and then counter with a knockout.

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Its hard to believe he can out-point Floyd Mayweather, UFC president Dana White said Wednesday. Its a fight, though. When guys are throwing punches, anything can happen.

Sure, unless Mayweather is cautious and simply ducks them all. Which is why the antagonize game isnt just worth a try, it may be the only try.

His head is too small, McGregor cracked, while questioning Mayweathers toughness and durability. One shot is all it will take. He hasnt fought a day in his life. Hes a runner. Hes boxings biggest [expletive].

Except there was Mayweather standing behind the amphitheater after the promotional show Wednesday, laughing at McGregors one-liners, brushing off any concerns about what got said and nodding approval at McGregors hustle.

If one of the goals here is to get under Mayweathers skin, it doesnt appear to be working.

Its about giving the people entertainment, Mayweather said calmly. People want to be entertained. And I think both press conferences [here and Tuesday in Los Angeles] have been unbelievable.

I mean, Im not upset with him, Mayweather continued. Its not like the guy has done something harsh to me. It has nothing to do with talking. Ive been world champion for 19 years. Ive never been overthrown. Its all about keeping my composure. Anytime I went out there and competed against the best guys in boxing, I kept my composure. I went out there and executed the gameplan Im the best in the business. We have to be sharp. We have to be smart.

Its worth pointing this out: At the two lengthy staredowns here, Floyd Mayweathers hand never twitched. And its unlikely it ever will.

Continued here:
Conor McGregor's only hope: Dial up the antics and get under Floyd Mayweather's skin - Yahoo Sports

Donald Trump Jr., son of President Donald Trump, frequently uses his prominence on Twitter and proximity to the White House to promote right-wing media trolls who defend his father and smear mainstream media.

Key voices in the incestuous right-wingalternative media ecosystemhave found an ally in the younger Trump, who often retweets and favorites tweets from the echo chambers loudest voices, and who isrumoredto serve as a White House source to at least one far-right personality. Like the far-right trolls he expresses admiration for, Trump spends his time on Twitterspreadingdebunked conspiracy theories,smearingmainstream media outlets,promotingbogus alt-right videos, andamplifyingmessages with white nationalist undertones. Trumps behavior, in effect, validates the larger alternative media ecosystem and attempts to bring the fringe worldview into the mainstream.

Mike Cernovich

Trump has repeatedly indicated an affinity for right-wing troll and Infowars contributor Mike Cernovich. Cernovich gained notoriety during the 2016 election for promotingfakeconspiracytheoriessuch as the Pizzagate narrative, accusing Democratic officials of operating a child sex trafficking ring in the basement of a Washington, D.C., pizzeria. Infowars Alex Jones told his audience that the presidents sons, especially Donald Jr.,are Cernovichs sourceson White House affairs. And earlier this year, Trump claimed that in a long gone time of unbiased journalism Cernovich would win the Pulitzer prize for hisfaux scandal storythat alleged Susan Rice, who served as national security adviser to then-President Barack Obama, was responsible for improper unmasking of Trump associates caught in surveillance of foreign officials.

Stefan Molyneux

The younger Trump alsofrequentlyretweetsStefan Molyneaux, a prominent far-right blogger whopromotesright-wing trolls and conspiracy theories about globalism. Trump closely follows Molyneaux, boosting many of his tweets and favoritingonethat featured a depiction of CNN reporter Andrew Kaczynski in a Nazi uniform.

Infowars Alex Jones and Paul Joseph Watson

Infowars top conspiracy peddlers, Paul Joseph Watson and Alex Jones, also have Trumps attention. During the 2016 election, Trumpshared an Infowars articlethat falsely accused Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton of wearing an earpiece during the first presidential debate. Trump has alsoliked tweetsfrom Watson and recentlyattacked CNNwhile Infowars was pushing a meme war against the network.

4chan

While he wassharing anti-CNN memes, Trump also favorited atweetfrom a Twitter account connected to the internet cesspool known as 4chans politically incorrect message board (/pol/). The tweet contained a list of companies that advertise on CNN and encouraged people to tweet at the companies and ask them to stop advertising on the network. Alongside far-right ideologies, the board often features anti-Semitic, racist, sexist, homophobic, and white nationalist content.

Jack Posobiec

Trump also promotes right-wing troll Jack Posobiec on Twitter. Posobiecspublicity stuntsandbogus talking pointshave duped mainstream media sources and public officials. On July 8, Trumpshared a videoPosobiec posted that depicted protesters setting fires in Germany in response to the G-20 summit. Posobiec is a media troll who got temporary White House credentials to attend the press briefings. He is responsible for peddling hacked emails that were likely sourced from Russia, spreading the Pizzagate conspiracy, and orchestrating smear campaigns against people who opposed the senior Trump.

Trumps affinity for these far-right media personalities and his active promotion of their half-baked theories about the days news validates the alternative media ecosystem to its audience and furthers the far-rights attempt to delegitimize longstanding journalistic institutions. By emulating and affirming these fringe figures, Trump furthers his fathersdisdain for the pressand stokes public distrust of legitimate news outlets.

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Donald Trump Jr. loves far-right internet trolls and they love him back - Salon