Our Wins Of The Week - March 19, 2023

We can’t launch into our wins of the week without celebrating the week’s biggest winner of all:

Everything Everywhere All At Once!

I’m so pleased to see a film with such positive Asian representation be embraced and lauded by Hollywood. It has been a long time coming for the AAPI—Asian American Pacific Islander—community.

Michelle Yeoh captured the importance of the film’s triumph well in her acceptance speech:

Spencer Althouse @SpencerAlthouse

"For all the little boys and girls who look like me tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is proof that dreams do come true. And ladies, don't let anybody ever tell you you are past your prime!" —Oscar winner (!!!) Michelle Yeoh

During Ke Huy Quan’s emotional acceptance speech, he spoke of his journey from refugee camp to the Oscar stage.

philip lewis @Phil_Lewis_

"My journey started on a boat. I ended up in a refugee camp ... They say stories like this only happen in the movies. I cannot believe this is happening to me. This is the American dream!" - Ke Huy Quan #Oscars

Yes, we’re all crying.

The film’s editor Paul Rogers, who is not only easy on the eyes but quite a beautiful soul as well, made quite an impression, acknowledging this kind of thing happens to guys like him…all the time. 

Karl Delossantos @karl_delo

When you thought you couldn’t love Everything Everywhere’s hot editor Paul Rogers more he goes and says this: “This kind of thing unfortunately does happen to guys like me a lot… too much.”

On the political front, Trump’s lawyer went on MSNBC to try to claim that Trump lying about his hush money payment to Stormy Daniels wasn’t really “lying” and yeah, it did not go well for him.

I mean, if you lunge at the interviewer, who didn’t let him snatch those receipts, that’s never a good sign.

The Beat with Ari Melber 📺 @TheBeatWithAri

Trump defense lawyer Joe Tacopina lunges for receipts on “The Beat.”

This trans lawyer is taking to TikTok to track publicly recorded arrests and convictions of sex crimes against children. I’ll give you one guess as to who is NOT committing those crimes:

Marjorie Gaylor Queen 🏳️‍🌈 @Tim_Tweeted

A lawyer on TikTok is performing a weekly list of recently arrested pedophiles in America simply to point out that it’s all youth pastors and politicians, not drag queens https://t.co/MNHZtoL4OT

And speaking of actually protecting children, Joe Biden announced an executive order win this week.

President Biden directed the Justice Department to go as far as they can to expand background checks on gun sales.

CAP Action @CAPAction

Biden's new executive order will: ✅ Increase background checks before firearm purchases ✅Increase awareness about red flag orders and laws ✅Promote safe gun storage ✅Hold gun manufacturers accountable

In case you were wondering what “woke” actually means, well, this conservative author has no idea either:

The Vanguard @vanguard_pod

LOL: Briahna Joy Gray BREAKS the brain of Rising guest Bethany Mandel by asking her to define "wokeness"

And now it’s awkward.

Nebraska state Democratic Senator Machaela Cavanaugh vowed to make life hell for her colleagues if they insisted on pushing forward with an anti-trans bill. 

And now she is 3 weeks into her filibuster.

Heartland Signal @HeartlandSignal

NE State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh (D-Omaha) prepares to filibuster every bill on the legislative agenda unless Republicans pull their anti-trans bill. "If people are like, 'Is she threatening us?,' let me clear: Yes, I am. I am threatening you."

Hero.

And Randy Rainbow has a brilliant new video roasting George Santos. 

Like Randy, it is perfection.

Randy Rainbow @RandyRainbow

This might be the gayest thing to happen for George Santos since he won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical... 🎶🌂 #HeyThereGeorgyGurl #NewVideo

There were also some inspiring everyday heroes highlighted this week.

This 11-year-old boy’s persistence was truly inspiring. 

But warning: the first few attempts looked quite painful! I’m glad he was at least wearing a helmet.

GoodNewsCorrespondent @GoodNewsCorres1

If at first you don't succeed... This 11-year-old kid is built differently. Way to hang in there 🤯🛹💪🏽😃👏🏽🔥 (🎥:tutiskate)

This Dad of the year recreated his kids’ impressionistic drawings of animals, and they are just amazing.

Buitengebieden @buitengebieden

Dad recreates his children’s drawings of animals and it’s so funny.. 😅 Which one’s your favorite? (Part 1)

And the special day this soccer team showed a little boy recovering from a brain tumor will melt your heart, as it did mine. 

Everton @Everton

This is Harry’s story. 💙 And it’s one we want to share with you…

Speaking of melting your heart, this side-by-side took us way back and hit us right in the feels.

E! News @enews

A full circle moment for Harrison Ford and Ke Huy Quan at the #Oscars. 😭

Here’s to the winners and their winning moments this week! 

Have a great rest of your weekend, and remember to upgrade to become a paid supporter if you haven’t already to keep receiving our bonus Wins of the Week each Sunday, beginning in April.

— George Takei and Team