Brock Turner Released from Prison, Surrounded by Media

Brock Turner is officially a free man.

The former University of Stanford swimmer was convicted in March on three felony accounts of sexual assault.

A jury determined that Turner assaulted an unconscious woman outside a fraternity party in January of 2015.

Specifically, Turner was convicted of assault with intent to commit rape of an intoxicated woman; sexually penetrating an intoxicated person with a foreign object; and sexually penetrating an unconscious person with a foreign object.

He faced up to 10 years in prison, with prosecutors recommending six years behind bars.

Instead, to the shock and dismay of everyone outside of Turner"s family, a judge only sentenced Brock Turner to six months in jail.

Moreover, he only served half that time, leaving prison this morning around 6 a.m. after a three-month sentence.

You can see him walking out of the jail in the following video, ignoring the press and stepping into an SUV.

Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith told reporters soon after Turner"s release that "he should be in prison right now, but he"s not in our custody."

Smith added that "we need to change the laws in California … if you rape someone who is unconscious and intoxicated, you go to prison."

She is not alone in this thinking.

The case made national news mostly due to the ridiculously short sentence, but also because Turner"s father wrote the judge a letter than downplayed his son"s actions.

Drastically.

Mr. Turner claimed Turner should not go to jail for what amounted to just "20 minutes of action."

The judge somehow agreed, stating that a lengthy sentence would have a "severe impact" on Turner.

In response, the woman Turner raped released a statement of her own in court

There"s no video of her doing so and she has chosen to remain anonymous, but CNN anchor Ashleigh Banfield read the entire statement on air soon after this sentencing travesty went public.

“You don’t know me, but you’ve been inside me, and that’s why we’re here today,” Banfield read to open the message.

It went on to walk folks through the victim’s difficult experience – and it"s very much worthy of your time to listen to below:

Turner will need to attend drug and alcohol counseling and receive random testing as part of his so-called punishment.

But he was found guilty of raping an unconscious woman and spent only three months in jail.

Think about that as you watch him walk out a free man below:

Air New Zealand Suspends Employee for Lewd Social Media Pics

Come fly the friendly skies?

Not so fast, claim a few rogue Air New Zealand employees.

The company has been forced to respond to a handful of lewd images that were posted last year by a select number of pilots and flight attendants, but have only first gone viral now.

They include a blow-up doll in the cockpit and video of a stewardess saying she wishes she could spit all over some customers.

In response to these photos, which we’ve sprinkled throughout this article, Air New Zealand executives say they are “shocked and appalled.”

An employment attorney says the images could bring the airline into “disrepute”, and could amount to serious misconduct.

“We expect the highest standards of behavior and respect from all our staff,” an Air New Zealand spokeswoman says, adding that an internal investigation is underway.

It’s unclear what took the airline so long to pounce on this story.

The same spokeswoman says the Snapchat video (from which we’ve screen-capped a photo) was shared four years ago, while the blow-up doll pics (hehe) are about a year old.

“One of the staff members concerned no longer works for Air New Zealand and the other two have been removed from duties pending the outcome of our investigation,” the woman said in a statement, adding:

“It goes without saying that this is a situation we are treating with extreme seriousness – and our obvious concern is that the behavior displayed is a clear breach of not just our code of conduct but basic decency.”

Air New Zealand is a carrier often praised for its passenger-friendly service and amenities.

And who’s to say that some passengers wouldn’t like the idea of a blow-up doll sitting in the cockpit?

Still, you can understand why the airline would not be receptive to these messages and pictures.

The aforementioned attorney also says these sorts of social media posts could be ground for dismissal.

“Particularly in a situation where they are in full uniform, it would be difficult to argue that they would not bring the company into disrepute by virtue of those photographs,” he says.

Context would matter, employment lawyer Fraser Wood states, making us wonder what context there could be for these sex doll images

Perhaps they were being used as auto pilots, like in the movie Airplane?

At the end of the day, Wood had a simple message to pass along to those who wish to keep their jobs:

“Don’t post anything you don’t want your parents or employers to see,” he warns.

Ivanka Trump Pisses Social Media Off With Tweet About Unpaid Interns

Throughout her father’s campaign for the presidency, Ivanka Trump has played important roles as both organizer and mediator.

When Trump’s campaign appeared slapdash and disorderly, Ivanka reportedly spearheaded the effort to convince the real estate mogul to work with proven, experienced strategists.

When the GOP establishment wondered aloud how Trump would be able to convince women and working Americans that he understood their struggles, Ivanka stepped up to act as a go-between and interpreter of sorts, most visibly in her speech at the RNC last month:

Ivanka Trump RNC Speech

Unfortunately, Ivanka’s days as the Trump campaign’s most valuable asset may have come to an end.

For starters, it appears that her father is no longer following her advice, hiring firebrands such as Steve Bannon and laughingstocks like Kellyanne Conway to help him close the widening poll gap between himself and Hillary Clinton.

Even worse, it appears that Ivanka has become almost as gaffe-prone as her dad.

Earlier today, Ivanka tweeted a link to an article she had posted on her website entitled “How to Survive as an Unpaid Intern.”

To accompany to the tweet, she posted this Emoji collage:

It’s one of those situations that are so problematic it’s hard to know where to begin.

But we’ll give it a go anyway:

For starters, unpaid internships have been widely criticized as a means by which the rich get richer and the poor stay oppressed.

Rich kids get ahead because they can afford to take these internships, while poor kids are forced to get paying jobs.

In addition, CEOs and business owners frequently exploit unpaid interns as sources of free labor.

But Ivanka thinks you should suck it up, stop complaining, and, in her words, find a way to “make it work.”

Especially if you’re a woman of color.

Yes, the Internet was none too pleased with the Emojis that Ivanka chose for her tweet, and they made their feelings crystal clear:

“PS: This meme of a Black Woman w/ Cash & a Light Bulb linked to a post about working 4 free is frankly BULLSHIT,” commented one Twitter user.

“What the hell do you know about being an unpaid intern? Or making it work? Why all your emojis black women??” wrote another.

Needless to say, Ivanka probably regrets this tweet, but she has yet to delete it.

We guess that’s not too surprising.

She wasn’t raised by a man who’s known for admitting his mistakes.

View Slideshow: Ivanka Trump: 15 Photos of Donald’s Gorgeous Daughter!

Qandeel Baloch, Pakistani Social Media Star, Murdered by Own Brother

An unspeakable crime has taken place in Pakistan.

Qandeel Baloch – an actress, model and strong social media presence in that country – was found dead on Friday in her family’s home in the city of Multan.

According to CNN soon after news of the incident broke, Baloch’s father, Muhammad Azeem, reported his own son, Waseem Azeem, to the authorities as the culprit.

Waseem was unable to be found at the time, but police eventually tracked him down and arrested him for the heinous crime.

At a press conference on Saturday, Waseem then admitted to murdering his sister.

Speaking with his face covered, Waseem told reporters that he “killed for honor” and had “no regrets” about murdering his younger sibling.

Waseem, who was one one of Baloch’s six brothers, told cops that he strangled Qandeel after giving her a sedative.

He then fled the house before being taken into custody.

“Girls are born only to stay at home and to bring honor to the family by following family traditions, but Qandeel had never done that,” Waseem said. 

Baloch (whose real name was Fauzia Azeem) was a popular and controversial figure on social media; some even dubbed her Pakistan’s answer to Kim Kardashian.

The blogger dared to show off her body and speak out about female empowerment in Pakistan, an especially conservative country.

Baloch would share videos with her 750,000-plus Facebook followers that featured her making faces at the camera, talking about her famous crushes and playing around with different hairstyle.

Last month, Baloch made headlines for her video with Muslim cleric Abdul Qavi in which she donned his cap and snapped selfies.

This was a big deal in Pakistan.

In that nation, approximately 1,000 women die every year as a result of “honor killings,” with many of them murdered by male relatives for bringing dishonor to their family.

“I am a drug addict, but I was in my senses when I murdered her and I accept it with pride,” Waseem said of the murder, adding:

“Now everybody will remember me with honor that I have provided relief to my parents and brothers who were suffering for the last two decades because of her.

“I have no regrets.”

A day before she was killed, Baloch addressed her critics, likely unaware that her own brother would end up taking her life:

“No matter how many times I will be pushed down under… but I’m a fighter, I will bounce back,” one of her last Facebook posts read.

“Qandeel Baloch is a one-woman army. Qandeel Baloch is an inspiration to those ladies who are treated badly and dominated by the society. I will keep on achieving and I know you will keep on hating.

“Damn, but who cares.”

Dani Mathers: Playboy Model Body-Shames Stranger, Gets SLAMMED on Social Media

In 2016, most public figures have the sense to keep the douchiest parts of their personalities under wraps.

Sadly, it seems Playboy model and inexplicably mega-popular social media star Dani Mathers can afford neither a PR team nor a sense of basic human decency.

Yesterday Mathers posted a photo of a naked woman in the locker room of her gym, along with a caption reading:

“If I can’t unsee this, neither can you.”

Yes, obviously what Mathers did was more than just plain wrong, it was incredibly tone deaf.

Countless celebrities have spoken out about the serious problem of online body-shaming in recent months, and it’s unimaginable that a young woman with a major web following would think that’s even remotely okay.

That said, Mathers did post a lengthy, and seemingly genuinely contrite apology on Twitter shortly after the image went viral:

“I want to acknowledge my post from snapchat earlier. There is no excuse…I understand fully the magnitude of this post and that I have hurt

“This mistake has truly made me realize that something that can seem silly in a private conversation isn’t unnecessary. All I’ve done here is

“Spread negativity and hate when that isn’t who I am. I chose to model because I appreciate women and their bodies, so me of all people,

“[I] should never make light of another woman’s naked body.”

Before deleting her account entirely, Mathers added:

“I’m sorry for what I did… I need to take some time to myself now to reflect on why I did this horrible thing. Goodnight.”

It goes without saying that what Mathers did was deplorable beyond description.

That said, her apology seems genuine, and then online smear campaign against her has turned truly ugly.

If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, think of Cersei Lannister in Season 5.

She did some awful, awful things, but seeing her forced to walk naked through King’s Landing while being pelted with fruit was still incredibly tough to watch.

Think of that next time you’re tempted to eviscerate a stranger online, and if you’re not familiar with the show, just remember this oft-quoted chestnut:

“Let he who has never accidentally posted a nude throw the first shade. – St. Anthony Weiner

View Slideshow: 13 Celebrities Who Admitted To Suffering From Postpartum Depression

Duggar Family Endorses Frozen Yogurt Shop, Gets SLAMMED on Social Media

How hated is the Duggar family these days?

So hated that they can’t even get ice cream without becoming the subjects of unwanted attention on social media.

Okay, so it’s actually frozen yogurt that lured the Jim Bob, Michelle and Jinger out of the Duggar compound over the weekend, but the reaction to the above photo was still downright frigid.

As you can see, the Duggars were joined by Jinger’s new boyfriend, Jeremy Vuolo, when they stopped by Sweet Loring Frozen Yogurt in Laredo, Texas.

No word on what brought the Dugz to the streets of Laredo, but they seem to be more or less constantly on tour these days.

Anyway, the owner of the shop posted the pic on Facebook and Twitter, along with a “huge shoutout” to the Duggar clan.

That’s when all hell broke loose.

Jeremy got his first taste of life as a member of the Duggar clan when social media commenters asked for extra nuts on their two scoops of Duggar hate.

View Slideshow: The 11 Biggest Duggar Family Scandals of 2015

Some choice comments:

“@SweetLoring because everyone is proud to have bigoted cult members who enabled their son to molest 4 of their daughters for 2 years there.”

“@SweetLoring not sure I would brag about this family visiting you. They are not a family to admire.”

“@SweetLoring Obviously your business is anti gay, woman and transgender. No thank you.”

“@SweetLoring Having TLC’s Duggar family promote your place is not a good thing. Over 1,000 advertisers have dropped this family.”

Yes, these days the Duggars can’t step out for slightly healthier ice cream without getting raked over the coals.

And considering a damaged reputation is their only punishment for helping their teenage son molest five young girls, we’re gonna go ahead and say it’s a good thing that the public won’t let them forget about it.

Keep up the good work, Internet.

View Slideshow: Josh Duggar Sex Scandal Timeline: How His Family’s Empire Crumbled

14 Times Stars Totally Failed on Social Media

Everybody makes mistakes… even celebrities!

Social Media is an exciting way to keep your followers updated about the latest developments in your life. 

It"s also a huge way to embarrass yourself to the point the whole world is laughing at you. 

The gallery below chronicles celebrities that embarrassed themselves in hilarious fashion.

1. Rita Ora’s Retweet Mess

In October 2014, Rita Ora posted to Twitter that she would be releasing her new song a few days later if she got 100,000 retweets, but she only had just under 2000 and attempted to delete the tweet. It didn’t go unnoticed with her fans!

2. Scott Disick Being Told What To Do

It was pretty damn obvious that Scott Disick wasn’t a fan of Bootea when he blatantly copy and pasted an email that was sent to him, telling him what to do. Yikes.

3. Lindsay’s Fake Butt

Lindsay Lohan does not want to live a life out of the public eye, so she got creative when she needed a new post for Instagram. The thing is, everyone knew what she up to. FAIL.

4. Khloe’s Door of Disaster

Khloe thought it would be fun to photoshop a picture of herself, but she failed to how silly the door looked and was called out by fans.

5. Queen B To The Photoshop!

Beyonce even tried to photoshop her thighs. Just look at that stair in between them!

6. Kim K Gets Owned!

Kim Kardashian took to Twitter to complain about being on her last bottle, but she had a spelling error!

View Slideshow

14 Stars Who Have Tried to Quit Social Media

As previously documented, celebrities have said some very dumb things on Twitter over the years.

Due to these mistakes, or due to a number of other reasons, many stars out there have attempted to quit the social media service.

Some have succeeded, while others have returned shortly after they vowed to leave.

Here"s a look at various celebrities who, at various times, have simply had it with Twitter…

1. Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato left Twitter in way back October 2010, right before she went into rehab. She returned five months later… and then left again in 2012 after going on a Twitter rant about trust. She then returned for a number of years, sharing personal stories about her struggle, only to say goodbye in the summer of 2016 because trolls suck.

2. Lena Dunham

After getting in some trouble for some inappropriate Tweets, and receiving loads of backlash as a result, Dunham said Twitter was no longer a “safe space” for her. She left the website in late September 2015.

3. Iggy Azalea

Iggy Azalea does not always “fancy” the social media service. She tweeted on February 18 that she was taking time away from social media because she “[needs] to be happy and it is too negative and draining.” But she has since returned.

4. Jennifer Love Hewitt

Jennifer Love Hewitt took a break in 2013 due the negativity people choose to send on Twitter, but she returned just a few months later.

5. Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin famously vowed in 2013 he would never reopen his Twitter account after he exploded in a expletive-filled Twitter rant directed at a British reporter. He’s since returned, but not under his former personal account.

6. Kanye West

Kanye West said goodbye to Twitter in 2012, deleting his old Tweets and unfollowing everyone except his then-girlfriend Kim Kardashian. But he’s now back to talk about Kim, his fashion line and other topics.

View Slideshow

14 Stars Who Have Tried to Quit Social Media

As previously documented, celebrities have said some very dumb things on Twitter over the years.

Due to these mistakes, or due to a number of other reasons, many stars out there have attempted to quit the social media service.

Some have succeeded, while others have returned shortly after they vowed to leave.

Here"s a look at various celebrities who, at various times, have simply had it with Twitter…

1. Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato left Twitter in way back October 2010, right before she went into rehab. She returned five months later… and then left again in 2012 after going on a Twitter rant about trust. She then returned for a number of years, sharing personal stories about her struggle, only to say goodbye in the summer of 2016 because trolls suck.

2. Lena Dunham

After getting in some trouble for some inappropriate Tweets, and receiving loads of backlash as a result, Dunham said Twitter was no longer a “safe space” for her. She left the website in late September 2015.

3. Iggy Azalea

Iggy Azalea does not always “fancy” the social media service. She tweeted on February 18 that she was taking time away from social media because she “[needs] to be happy and it is too negative and draining.” But she has since returned.

4. Jennifer Love Hewitt

Jennifer Love Hewitt took a break in 2013 due the negativity people choose to send on Twitter, but she returned just a few months later.

5. Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin famously vowed in 2013 he would never reopen his Twitter account after he exploded in a expletive-filled Twitter rant directed at a British reporter. He’s since returned, but not under his former personal account.

6. Kanye West

Kanye West said goodbye to Twitter in 2012, deleting his old Tweets and unfollowing everyone except his then-girlfriend Kim Kardashian. But he’s now back to talk about Kim, his fashion line and other topics.

View Slideshow

Demi Lovato Quits Social Media, Tells Trolls to GTFO

Demi Lovato may be Cool for the Summer.

But she isn’t cool with a lot of the stuff being said about her and to her on social media.

Following a string of insults and negativity on various platforms, Lovato surprised Twitter followers on Monday afternoon when she announced her departure from nearly all of social media.

“Damn I gotta quit sayin s–t. Bye Twitter,” she wrote. “And Insta.”

It’s unclear what, exactly, prompted this decision on Demi’s behalf.

But she added that she will remain on Snapchat and made it clear that online haters have simply made Twitter and Instagram too unpleasant for her these days.

“I like Snapchat cause I don’t have to see what some of y’all say,” she Tweeted. “

“Follow me if you want: theddlovato. But why do people actually give a f–k what I say?? Like if you don’t care the gtfo haha.”

Lovato, who recently split from Wimer Valderrama after six years of dating, is one of our favorite celebrity follows.

She keeps it real. She speaks her mind. She focuses on important issues.

Multiple times in the past, Lovato has spoken out about such personal topics as her former cocaine use, hoping to use her mistakes and life story in order to help others.

In early May, Lovato went on somewhat of a Twitter rant, even referencing her bipolar disorder during the diatribe.

It wasn’t clear at that time, either, exactly what prompted the rant.

View Slideshow: Demi Lovato Selfies

Before Demi signed off for good on Monday night, the artist dropped another Twitter message that have fans speculating wildly.

That one time I started my own charity providing mental health care for people who can’t afford it and this is what y’all talk about.

And people wonder what’s wrong with the world. Pay more attention to good than bad.

It’s not really too hard to figure out what happened here.

Lovato wants to assist those with mental illness. She wants to help people overcome their personal insecurities and substance abuse issues.

And idiotic trolls likely just want to make fun of her body.

That’s the Internet far too often for you, isn’t it?

View Slideshow: 25 Celebrities Who Suffer From Mental Illness

Duggar Family Launches Social Media Campaign to Save Reality Show From Cancelation

When TLC announced that the Duggars would be returning to television with a full season of Jill & Jessa: Counting On, execs likely assumed they had another hit on their hands.

After all, prior to the Josh Duggar sex scandals that forced its cancelation, 19 Kids and Counting was a reliable ratings juggernaut for ten seasons.

Unfortunately, it seems the folks at TLC underestimated the public’s ongoing outrage over Josh Duggar’s numerous transgressions.

Ratings for Counting On were decent (though they never reached the heights of 19 Kids at its peak), but the show faced a different problem as a result of the ongoing controversy surrounding the Duggar clan.

Advertisers began pulling their support shortly after the first episode aired, with many of them issuing statements publicly condemning TLC and the Duggars.

Now, nearly a month after the show’s first season finale, TLC has yet to renew Counting On, and industry insiders believe the network may have reached the decision that the Duggars are simply not worth the hassle.

Of course, it would be tough to support such a large (and ever-expanding) clan without those sweet reality TV checks rolling in, so the Duggars have enlisted their fans to help them save the family cash cow.

View Slideshow: The 11 Biggest Duggar Family Scandals of 2015

The hashtag “#BringtheDuggarsBack” started popping up on various social media platforms earlier this week, and the campaign to convince TLC to bankroll another season of Counting On was reportedly launched by the Duggars themselves.

It makes sense that Jim Bob and company would be masterminding the whole thing.

After all, is the casual Duggar fan even aware that Counting On is facing cancelation? We doubt it.

Unfortunately for the Duggars, the tag doesn’t seem to be gaining traction.

After several days in circulation, “#BringtheDuggarsBack” has failed to trend on either Twitter or Facebook.

So now it looks like the Duggars may have two major PR problems on their hands:

Angry advertisers – and apathetic fans.

View Slideshow: Duggar Family Members: The Official Power Rankings!

Caitlyn Jenner Wins GLAAD Media Award: Watch Her Speech!

Caitlyn Jenner earned another distinction and have another inspiring speech on Saturday.

Both of these were far less controversial than Jenner"s ESPY Awards honor last July.

A little over a year since her groundbreaking interview with Diane Sawyer – in which Jenner admitted she is now living life as a woman – this conversation won Outstanding TV Journalism – Newsmagazine at the GLAAD Media Awards.

And Jenner was hand to accept the honor.

“First of all, I had been trashed in the tabloids for years," she said in her speech.

"I had paparazzi following me everywhere I went. The life was really horrible. When I decided after many conversations with my family, with God, about what I should do with my life, I called up my good buddy Alan Nierob, who [was] my PR guy many years ago.

"And I had told him my story 25, 30 years earlier.

"And he never said a word to anybody. He’s a good, trustworthy person. And I said, ‘How can we do this that we can elevate not just me, but this community?""

The former Gold Medalist and current advocate for LGBT rights went on to explain how the interview with Sawyer came together, along with what it meant for various people around the globe.

She also focused on the impact it had on her children.

"My biggest concern was my kids," she said, explaining:

"Especially my last two, little Kendall and Kylie, who were 17 and 18 at the time. And I remember sitting there on the couch. I had Kylie on [my right side], Kendall on [my left side], and the show was getting ready to go.

"Within minutes after the show started, social media started to go crazy, okay? Celebrities – I think it was Lady Gaga was the first one, within 15 minutes of the show – with these positive comments. And the list went on and on and on.

"And, of course, I do live in the most social media family in the world by far. And I’ve got Kourtney, Kimberly, Khloe, Kendall, Kylie, everybody is there on the couch, with a reach of about 250 million people.

"And they all have their little phones going. ‘Oh, my God, look at this comment, look at this comment.’ The show was done in such a compassionate way."

Caitlyn concluded as follows:

And it just really started it off. And I’m so indebted to Diane, to ABC, to Mark. To everybody involved with it.

Because, boy, it has been quite a ride for the last year. And there is nothing better in life, than living your life authentically. Thank you.

Watch the full speech below:

Jill Duggar: Lying Low on Social Media to Hide Pregnancy?!

For weeks now, rumors that Jill Duggar is pregnant with her second child have been circulating throughout the more Duggar-obsessed corners of the Internet.

Much of the speculation is based on the photo above, which many believe shows Jill hiding a baby bump.

Not exactly ironclad evidence, but it does appear that some sort of change has recently taken place in Jill’s life, as the 24-year-old has been uncharacteristically quiet on social media lately.

In fact, Jill hasn’t posted anything on Instagram in over a week.

That may not seem all that unusual, but it’s unlike Jill to let an occasion like Mother’s Day come and go without giving her mom a shoutout online.

Adding to the mystery is the fact that Derick didn’t mark the holiday with a post in honor of Jill.

His only social media activity in the past few days is a photo of an outdoor party (with Jill nowhere to be seen) that he posted on Friday night.

The image confirms that despite reports that Jill and Derick had cut their mission trip short (again), they are in fact still in El Salvador. 

But as you can see, it does little to quash rumors that Jill is secretly knocked up.

And why would a family that’s as big on procreation as the Duggars keep a pregnancy under wraps?

Well, Jill and Derick have spent the last several months living in one of the world’s worst Zika virus hotspots.

Rumors that Jill got pregnant despite Zika concerns have resulted in tense debates on Duggar fan pages, and the family can hardly afford another controversy at the moment.

The fact that Jill seems to have stepped away from her beloved Instagram page could be an indication that she’s hoping to avoid the scandal for as long as possible.

View Slideshow: Jill Duggar Baby Photos