What is hype may never die. There were a lot of loose plot threads heading into this season’s finale. Not only were they paid off spectacularly but we are set up for the stretch run of Game of Thrones with a series of mic drops as the episode came to an end.
Author: Steve Murray
Wednesday Link-Off: Summer is Coming
Despite the fact that the temperature is supposed to be in the mid-teens (Celsius) in my part of Canada on July 1st, make no mistake. Summer is coming. Everyone around here makes the same damn Ned Stark joke so I want to lazily spin it on its head. Considering that Ned’s head is no longer attached to his shoulders, I can’t imagine that would be difficult. By the way, this week’s Game of Thrones review drops tomorrow rather than the usual Friday post date.
Anyway it’s Wednesday which means that it’s time for the links. Since Game of Thrones just wrapped up, let’s kick off with GoT star Maisie Williams.
The House’s Benghazi Report says that there was no wrongdoing on Hilary Clinton’s part. That’s not going to stop it from being a Republican talking point but she has something to fire back with. (New York Times)
Former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski has joined CNN to add his insight on the reality TV star turned Presidential candidate despite his relatively hostile relationship with the press. (Washington Post)
Despite fears of the foolish, the legalization of marijuana hasn’t led to the downfall of society. In fact, their teen marijuana use is lowest in America. (Foundation for Economic Education)
Facebook Fails of the Week
Every so often, we look at the most spectacular fails that the internet has to offer. Well today, we look at the most spectacular fails that Facebook has to offer. This week, we have five of the best fails Facebook has to offer.
Worst of Music: Fall Out Boy – Ghostbusters
It’s been a while since we’ve done one of these. While the Worst of Music isn’t dead (it can’t given music today), I still have to bust it out for special occasions. And the good folks in Fall Out Boy were kind enough to give me a reason to officially christen something the Worst of Music with their new song for the Ghostbusters reboot. Ray Parker Jr. this most certainly ain’t.
Sunday Link-Off: Battling Bregret
Did anything interesting happen in the news this week? Probably not. Nobody abandoned a multi-national political-economic unions. Nobody’s political campaign saw a power struggle end with a change of campaign managers. Nothing at all noteworthy.
Anyway, it’s Sunday so it’s time for us to do the links. Since we just got through the NHL awards and draft, here’s Erin Heatherton with the Stanley Cup.
Was Brexit a series of mistakes and apathy that allowed Leave to win or is it a sign that people are done with globalization? (MacLean’s)
It’s not just Americans planning a move to Canada because of a vote. Brits are looking to make a move to Canada because of the EU referendum. (Global)
Scotland voted to stay in the EU. Now, they’re thinking about separating from the UK so they could join the EU. There’s a hell of a way to galvanize an independence vote. (Mirror)
Entertainment Link-Off: Power Brokers
This week’s edition of the entertainment links is all about people with power and money and ratings and all the things that matters in the acquisition of power in Hollywood. Not to sound too cynical but everybody wants to rule the world. We have a lot of those people featured in today’s ELO.
So how many of you have heard of The Neon Demon? IMDB has that as the best movie coming out this weekend. Also out this weekend are the far too late Independence Day cash-in, the one where Blake Lively gets eaten by a shark and a biopic with Matthew McConaughey. So let’s kick off with Blake Lively before she gets eaten by the aforementioned shark.
Game of Thrones: Battle of the Bastards Review
Sure, Game of Thrones is at its best when it tells a story and focuses on its characters. However, the show also has this expectation that the ninth episode will wow us. This season’s ninth episode brings us the biggest and most expensive battle in the show’s history as the forces of Jon Snow and Ramsay Bolton did battle for control of Winterfell and the North. And, yes, it was pretty epic.
Brexit and the Car Industry (Infographic)
I haven’t been paying that much attention the EU Membership Referendum over in Britain. I thought this would be similar to the Scottish independence referendum in that it was a pretty cut and dry case that the economic benefits of free access to the European economy would make “remain” the overwhelming choice. Polling before today’s vote suggest that it’s too close to call and will come down to undecided voters.
Since we occasionally talk about cars, let’s take a look at what the motor industry thinks about the potential exit from EU in this handy infographic.
Wednesday Link-Off: White Hat
Is a story really an insider story when it was extracted by less than kosher means? If the facts can’t be obtained any other way, maybe it’s for the greater good. Anonymous is pretty divisive but you have to admit their hactivism doesn’t make them villains. While the law doesn’t seem to take too kindly to White Hat Hackers, there’s definitely a need for them out there if they’re serving the public good.
Anyway, it’s Wednesday which means that we usually do the links. Let’s kick off with Emilia Clarke and Jenna Coleman.
Hackers got into Hilary Clinton’s campaign servers and the Democratic National Committee’s servers and went from there to hack info from all sorts of politically affiliated groups. (Bloomberg)
The real damage might be done by Guccifer 2.0 who found and posted all sorts of Clinton campaign docs. Maybe Bernie should stick around until the convention in case he’s needed. (Washington Examiner)
Meanwhile, Donald Trump is being accused of using his Foundation as a political slush fund. (The Daily Beast)
Fails of the Week
Every so often, we take a look at the most epic fails from the week that was in the Fails of the Week. This week, we have five pictures, GIFs and videos that we think are the most epic fails of the week.
The Lowdown 