Saturday, January 15, 2011

Miss Arkansas

Miss New York and her unprecedented platform of LGBT equality did not triumph at Miss America tonight. Neither did Miss Arkansas, but her talent of yodeling ventriloquism will surely be what people remember.

Labels: , ,


Tucson Shooting Victim Arrested For Saying "You're Dead" To Guns Advocate

One of the victims in last Saturday's shooting in Tucson was arrested today after saying, "You're dead," to a man advocating for gun ownership. The arrest of Eric Fuller, 63, came at a taping of ABC's Town Hall, which was being moderated by Christiane Amanpour.
Toward the end of the taping, Amanpour brought up the issues of gun safety and mental health. As one member of the audience stood up and expressed his support for gun ownership, Fuller, seated near the front in an area reserved for victims and special guests, appeared increasingly frustrated and agitated. Fuller then swiveled in his chair, raised his camera and took a photo of the pro-gun speaker, muttering, "You're dead," according to Joel Tranter, who was sitting behind him. "I told him, 'You need to be respectful. You need to calm down,'" Tranter said. "He said, 'What'd you do, vote for this guy?'" As police officers approached to escort Fuller outside, he turned and shouted at the audience: "You whores!" The rest of the taping continued without incident and wrapped up about five minutes later. Outside, Fuller was arrested for making threats, said Capt. Byron Gwaltney of the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
According to a local Tucson television station, Fuller's comments were directed at Tuscon Tea Party founder Trent Humphries, who garnered some poor press of his own on Thursday when he blamed Rep. Gabrielle Giffords for not carrying a firearm to prevent her own shooting.

Labels: , , , ,


Rip Taylor As The Black Swan

The Advocate reports that this MTV/Jackass spoof of Black Swan was shown to the audience, which included the movie's cast, at last night's Critics Choice Awards. I had just been wondering what Rip Taylor was up to these days. He's 77! Sadly, there are no buckets of confetti in this clip.

Labels: , ,


Larry Kramer: AIDS Is A Plague That Was And Is Allowed To Happen

As the world approaches the 30th anniversary of the first noted cases of AIDS, famed activist Larry Kramer publishes a typically blistering editorial for CNN International in which he shouts that AIDS is a plague that was allowed to happen. And still is. An excerpt:
Governments and bureaucrats and presidents and politicians and the people who run this world lie to people. They tell us HIV is under control. They tell us case numbers are decreasing. They tell us that all is being done that can be done. They tell us HIV is too complicated to eradicate. They tell us gay people and people of color have made more progress than ever before. These are all lies. [snip]

For some 30-plus years, I have been trying to tell the world where this plague came from and why, and I will continue to do so until I die, too. You see, I simply can't get the memories and the ghosts of just about every friend I had out of my life. And since there is no doubt in my mind that this plague of HIV/AIDS that took them from me was and continues to be allowed to happen, I am duty bound to tell this hideous history as best and as fully as I can. It's the least I can do. That is correct: This plague of HIV/AIDS was intentionally allowed to happen. It still is. Nothing has changed in the intentionality department. Hate has a way of hanging around forever and too often winning out in the end.
Please read Kramer's full piece, especially his "ten realities about AIDS." And read the comments, where AIDS denialists and anti-gay Christians are rushing to attack.

Labels: , , , , , ,


Amanda Palmer - Map Of Tasmania

The always interesting Amanda Palmer (Dresden Dolls) turns in an oddly danceable tribute to the vajayjay. Definitely NSFW. The openly bisexual Palmer, whose middle name, by the way, is "Fucking," revealed last week that she has married noted sci-fi author Neil Gaiman.

Labels: , ,


Tweet Of The Day - Peter LaBarbera

And I have repeatedly tweeted Porno Pete, calling on him to denounce his BFF Scott Lively for hiring a convicted child molester to work with school children. Lively has been the subject of numerous praising posts on LaBarbera's site and the two have appeared together at an event held by the SPLC-certified hate group, MassResistance. Last year, MassResistance endorsed Scott Lively as a write-candidate for governor of Massachusetts, but they too have yet to comment about the arrest at Lively's coffeehouse.

Since LaBarbera remains silent on the Lively scandal, we can only presume he approves of anti-gay Christian teen outreach centers hiring somebody who raped a ten year-old girl, who failed to register as a sex offender, and who then gave a false name to police. But we probably shouldn't be surprised that two certified hate groups, Labarbera's AFTAH and MassResistance, would close ranks around a third, Lively's Abiding Truth Ministries. After all, just because somebody rapes a third grader doesn't mean he can't be an effective Minister of Hate.

Labels: , , , , , , , , ,


Pope Ratzi: Same-Sex Marriage Perverts The Meaning And Goals Of Families

Emperor Palpatine yesterday issued yet another attack on same-sex marriage, saying that the effort to legalize gay unions "perverts" the meaning of the word "family."
Addressing officials from the city of Rome and the Italian region of Lazio, Pope Benedict said that legislation and policies that promote same-sex unions end up “penalizing” heterosexual couples, “who, not without effort, seek to maintain stable emotional ties which are juridically guaranteed and publicly recognized.” “To this end,” he stressed, “the various components of society must agree on the objectives of education, in order for human love not to be reduced to an article of consumption, but to be seen and lived as a fundamental experience which gives existence meaning and a goal.”
Ill Papa made his comments in a traditional exchange of New Year messages with the mayor of Rome.

Labels: , , , ,


Quote Of The Day - Maine Gov. Paul LePage

"Tell 'em to kiss my butt. They are a special interest. End of story. And I'm not going to be held hostage by special interests. And if they want, they can look at my family picture. My son happens to be black, so they can do whatever they'd like about it." - Tea Party-backed Maine Gov. Paul LePage, after refusing to attend an NAACP-sponsored event honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. LePage has an adopted son from Jamaica.

Labels: , , ,


Explaining Law & Order: UK


(Tipped by JMG reader Mick)

Labels: , ,


Friday, January 14, 2011

Cops Find Photos Of AZ Shooter Posing With Gun While Wearing Red G-String

Investigators today said that they've received a bizarre series of photos of mass murderer Jared Lee Loughner. The photos show Loughner wearing a red g-string with a Glock pistol next to his naked buttocks.
The photos were turned over to the police by Walgreens, where Mr. Loughner had taken the 35-mm film to be developed on Jan. 7, the day before the shooting. In some of the photos he is holding the gun near his crotch, and in others, presumably shot in a mirror, he is holding the gun next to his buttocks, the police said. It was not yet clear when the photos were taken. According to a detailed timeline released by the Pima County Sherriff’s Department on Friday, Mr. Loughner posted one of the photos and a bulletin saying, “Goodbye friends,” on MySpace early Saturday morning.

Labels: , , ,


NOM Is Very Upset About The DOJ's "Collusive" Defense Of DOMA

"The DOJ brief amounts to collusive litigation, failing to even offer to the court, much less vigorously defend, the reasons Congress laid out in the statute when it passed DOMA, especially responsible procreation. This is an attack not only on marriage, but on the prerogatives of Congress. The Executive branch should not attempt to exercise this kind of retroactive line-item veto over a bill passed by Congress.

"All the parties to this litigation want the court to strike down DOMA; this is clear from their behavior, no matter what President Obama and his politicized DOJ pretend to convey to the public. If Obama’s DOJ had merely honestly refused to defend the law, the court would likely have permitted another party to intervene to defend the law. Obama’s DOJ is trying to retain control so it can lose this case." - NOM president Brian Brown.

Labels: , , , , , , ,


Reince Priebus Elected RNC Chairman

Reince Priebus, former head of the Wisconsin GOP, has been elected as chairman of the Republican National Committee. A general foe of LGBT rights, last month Priebus promised NOM's Maggie Gallagher that he would oppose marriage equality as head of the RNC. Known for chasing pork barrel projects for Wisconsin, his last gig was as part of his legal firm's "Stimulus Legislation Team," which sought to "identify opportunities, prepare appropriate proposals and make targeted contacts to secure federal funds."

Labels: , , ,


Michael Steele Drops RNC Chair Bid

Three ballots so far and no one has reached the 85 votes needed to win. Reince Priebus leads with 54 votes, but Michael Steele is reportedly telling his backers to throw their support behind Pfizer lobbyist Maria Cino.

Labels: , ,


GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter To Introduce Bill To Blockade DADT Repeal Certification

Wingnut GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter plans to introduce a bill that would require all of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to sign off on the certification of the repeal of DADT. As you may recall, USMC Commandant James Amos loudly protested DADT's repeal late last year.
Hunter’s measure would require the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps chiefs to submit to the congressional defense committees “written certification that repeal … will not degrade the readiness, effectiveness, cohesion and morale of combat arms units and personnel of the armed force under [each] officer’s jurisdiction engaged in combat, deployed to a combat theater, or preparing for deployment to a combat theater,” according to a copy obtained by The Hill. “The emphasis here is on combat troops,” said the aide, “because when Congress heard from the military chiefs, it was the leaders of the Army and Marine Corps who had the strongest concerns — the services that are most engaged in war right now.”
According to an aide to Hunter, 15-20 other GOP reps have signed on to be cosponsors of his bill.

Labels: , , , ,


Jon Giovanni - Take Off

Very much a Junior Senior retro disco feel. Produced by Basement Jaxx' Felix Burton.

(Tipped by JMG reader Matthew)

Labels: , ,


American Family Association: Satan Is Making People Criticize Sarah Palin

"The hatred directed at her is mindless, it is baseless, it is utterly irrational, and it is disturbing to an alarming degree. When we look into the face of the unvarnished and seething meanness focused on Ms. Palin, we are looking into the face of evil. We are looking into the face of Satan himself, who is the ultimate source of this vitriol and toxic hate." - American Family Association radio host Bryan Fischer.

Labels: , , , ,


Ron Reagan Jr: Dad Was Showing Signs Of Alzheimer's While Still President

In his coming book, Ron Reagan Jr. says that his father was showing the early signs of Alzheimer's while still in office. Reagan Jr. says that he won't discuss the book until its release, but U.S. News & World Report today published several excerpts discussing the former president's state of mind while in office, closing with this paragraph from the book.
"I've seen no evidence that my father (or anyone else) was aware of his medical condition while he was in office. Had the diagnosis been made in, say 1987, would he have stepped down? I believe he would have. Far less was known about the disease then, of course, than is known now. Today we are aware that the physiological and neurological changes associated with Alzheimer's can be in evidence years, even decades, before identifiable symptoms arise. The question, then, of whether my father suffered from the beginning stages of Alzheimer's while in office more or less answers itself."

Labels: , , ,


Hate Groups Back Pawlenty On DADT

"I think he's showing that he is more willing to listen to the voices of combat personnel and leaders than the current administration -- and certainly more so than are the members of Congress, who recklessly rushed to repeal a law that enjoyed such widespread support among the military." - Elaine Donnelly of the Center For Military Readiness, responding to former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty's pledge to reinstate DADT should he become president.

Numerous other anti-gay groups have praised Pawlenty's promise to defend DOMA and reinstate DADT.

Labels: , , ,


GOProud Issues 2011 Agenda

GOProud prefaces the release of its 2011 agenda with this message:
The so-called “gay agenda” is defined by the left through a narrow prism of legislative goals. In contrast to the approach of the left, GOProud’s agenda emphasizes conservative and libertarian principles that will improve the daily lives of all Americans, but especially gay and lesbian Americans.
On their list of 2011 legislative goals: The repeal of healthcare reform, opposition to gun control, defense of constitutional originalism, cuts in corporate taxes, support for school vouchers, and opposition to federal marriage reform. Not stated is GOProud's opposition to ENDA, which we presume has not changed.

Labels: , , , , , ,


Vatican To Beatify Pope John Paul II

Emperor Palpatine has waived the traditional five year post-death waiting period and is moving to have Pope John Paul II named a saint. Because he was a miracle worker. Literally.
The pope on Friday signed off on the miracle needed to beatify Pope John Paul II, and set May 1 as the date to honor one of the most beloved popes of all times as a model of saintliness for the church. Pope Benedict XVI said in a decree that a French nun's recovery from Parkinson's disease was miraculous, the last step needed for beatification. A second miracle is needed for the Polish-born John Paul to be made a saint. The May 1 ceremony, which Benedict himself will celebrate, is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to Rome — a major morale boost for a church reeling from a wave of violence against Christians and fallout from the clerical sex abuse scandal.
Victims of abuse at the hands of Catholic clergy are denouncing the beatification, noting that thousands of incidents of child molestation were covered up by Catholic authorities during John Paul's reign.

Labels: , , , , , ,


Canada Celebrates 10 Years Of Marriage

Same-sex marriage became legal across Canada in July 2005. But that road to national equality began in ten years ago today in Toronto, when Joe Varnell and Kevin Bourassa were married in the Metropolitan Community Church, a ceremony that was later ruled legal when it was performed. Starting in 2003, with Ontario leading the way, province after province legalized same-sex marriage, ultimately resulting in the landmark Civil Marriage Act in 2005. Congratulations, Canada!

(Tipped by JMG reader Neil)

Labels: , , , ,


Wingnuts Back Crazy Eyes 2012

The religious right is lining up behind Rep. Michele "Crazy Eyes" Bachmann's possible plan to run for president in 2012, which she said she'll do only upon direct orders from God.
Some tout her as the next Ronald Reagan — with a twist. Religious leaders supporting her include Matt Barber of the late Jerry Fallwell’s Liberty Council, who said, “To date, no man has succeeded in filling the conservative standard-bearer’s legendary boots. Well, maybe it’s time to swap boots for pumps.” Like Reagan, Barber added, Bachmann values principle over popularity. “She has been a stalwart in advocating on behalf of constitutional conservatism. She’s chairwoman of the House Tea Party Caucus and has put her money where her mouth is, voting consistently in Congress to limit the size and scope of government, fortify national security and protect life, liberty and the natural family.”
Larry Klayman of the anti-gay Judicial Watch says about Bachmann: "She's the one truly principled politician who can unite conservatives, libertarians, independents, tea partiers, people of faith and any American who truly believes in constrained government, fiscal and individual responsibility, a strong national defense, life, and yes, freedom under God!”

Labels: , , ,


DOJ Files DOMA Defense

The Department of Justice yesterday filed its defense of the overturn of Section Three of the Defense of Marriage Act, which was ruled unconstitutional last July in Gill v. Office of Personnel Management and Massachusetts v. United States.

A quote from the government's brief comes via Chris Geidner at Metro Weekly:
DOMA is supported by rationales that constitute a sufficient rational basis for the law. For example, as explained below, it is supported by an interest in maintaining the status quo and uniformity on the federal level, and preserving room for the development of policy in the states. When DOMA was enacted, the institution of marriage had long been understood as a formal relationship between a man and a woman, and state and federal law had been built on that understanding. But our society is evolving, and as is well-established, the “science of government . . . is the science of experiment.” Over the years, the prevailing concept of marriage has been challenged as unfair to a significant element of the population. Recently there has been a growing recognition that the prevailing regime is harmful to gay and lesbian members of our society.
Rather tepid, eh? Richard Socarides of the newly-formed Equality Matters responds.
"There are some improvements in tone in the brief, but the bottom line is the government continues to oppose full equality for its gay citizens. And that is unacceptable. The administration claims that it has a duty to defend the laws that are on the books. We simply do not agree. At the very least, the Justice Department can and should acknowledge that the law is unconstitutional."
And from GLAD, who won the case, we get this response via press release.
The government’s appeal follows a decision issued on July 8, 2010 by federal District Court Judge Joseph L. Tauro in favor of GLAD’s plaintiffs, seven married couples and three widowers, who have been denied access to federal programs because of DOMA. In that decision, Judge Tauro concluded that DOMA is unconstitutional. “We see nothing really new in this brief, which reiterates many of the same arguments the government made in the District Court,” said Mary L. Bonauto, who is leading the DOMA team for GLAD. “We’re prepared to meet these arguments head-on, and bring to an end the discrimination that is suffered by married same-sex couples like our plaintiffs and that DOJ has admitted is caused by DOMA.”

Labels: , , , ,


February 9th In NYC: amfAR Gala With Elton, Dionne, Gladys, And Stevie Wonder

On February 9th, amfAR will host its New York City gala where Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, and Elton John will reunite for a performance of their Grammy-winning smash single That's What Friends Are For, which was recorded 25 years ago as a fundraiser for amfAR. To date, the single has raised more than $3M for AIDS research. Honorees at the 2011 black tie gala will be former President Bill Clinton, Elizabeth Taylor, and Diane von Furstenberg. The evening is a special tribute to amfAR founding chairperson, Dr. Mathilde Krim. Also performing: Liza Minnelli and violinist David Garrett.

Get tickets here.

RELATED:
That's What Friends Are For was written by longtime Dionne Warwick collaborator Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager. It was first recorded by Rod Stewart in 1982.

Labels: , , , , ,


GOProud Pleads Its CPAC Case To Fox

Labels: , , , ,


Habbibi

The New York Times looks at Habbibi, Manhattan's long-running dance party for gay Arabs.
In the D.J.’s booth, Abraham kept the hits coming — mainly from Egypt and Lebanon, but also some South Asian and Indian pop. “Anything with a belly dance beat,” he said. “Keeping people on the dance floor is a natural high for me.” The dancers included plenty of non-Arab men, many of whom Abraham said were regulars. "Hummus queens,” a 24-year-old grocery clerk from Queens named Hilal joked at one of the parties. “That’s what you call white guys who go for Arabs.” Some of the guests yearned for something more than just a good time. “There’s a lot of post-9/11 baggage that people want to deal with,” Hilal said during another party. “But the only option they have is to go out to a club and dance?” Still, Hilal, wearing a “Hummus Is Yummus” T-shirt and a Mohawk haircut, took his place on the dance floor, too.
I've attended Habbibi with my beloved Farmboyz, but I don't think anybody called us "hummus queens."

Labels: , , ,


Waistline Chart

(Source)

Labels: ,


FRC's Peter Sprigg Responds To GLAAD

Labels: , , , ,


Photo Of The Day - Inside Westboro

From Life's photo essay, Inside The Westboro Baptist Church.

(Tipped by JMG reader Andi)

Labels: , , ,


Casey Spooner - Spanish Teenager

Featuring Jake Shears. Video possibly NSFW.

Labels: ,


Press Release Of The Day

From the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, in its ruling that radio stations may no longer play Dire Straits' 1985 smash, Money For Nothing:
Like other racially driven words in the English language, “faggot” is one that, even if entirely or marginally acceptable in earlier days, is no longer so. The Panel finds that it has fallen into the category of unacceptable designations on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or physical or mental disability. In addition to the terms already so categorized by previous CBSC Panels, there are undoubtedly other racial epithets (not yet the subject of CBSC Panel decisions) that would likely fall into the category of words that are inherently problematic. In any event, the Atlantic Regional Panel concludes that the use of the word “faggot” in the song “Money for Nothing” was unacceptable for broadcast and that, by broadcasting an unedited version of the song, CHOZ-FM breached Clause 2 of the CAB Code of Ethics, and Clauses 2, 7 and 9 of the Equitable Portrayal Code. The Panel notes parenthetically that the song would not otherwise fall afoul of any of the foregoing broadcast standards if suitably edited.
(Tipped by JMG reader Tone)

Labels: , , ,


Rachel Has Fun With New Zodiac Signs

Point for the sly SNL reference from 1975.

Labels: , ,


The Big Blue Horrible

Labels: , , ,


Tired Old Queen At The Movies #66

1953's Roman Holiday starring Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn, and Eddie Albert

Labels: , ,


HomoQuotable - Jane Lynch

"I don’t know when or if that will ever happen. I think because since most of the world is straight — and maybe we'll get to a place where this will happen — most of the world is straight and we want the audience to project their hopes and dreams for love and romance onto those actors. And if it’s not in some way possible, maybe never probably, in their mind that it could never happen, then they're not going to do it. You know, most people are straight, and I think that’s probably why."- Glee star Jane Lynch, telling After Elton why she thinks openly gay actors are rarely cast in leading roles.

Labels: , , ,


One Year Of GetEQUAL

Labels: , , , ,


The "Ex-Gay, Ex-Drag" Pastor

Pastor Ja'Von Crockett appeared on Atlanta television to let people know that he's no longer the fierce ball queen known as the Mother Cavalli. And he brought his "best friend" on the show for support.

Labels: , , ,


Drinking Tips For The Weekend

Photographed at some bar somewhere.

Labels: , , ,


Thursday, January 13, 2011

Quote Of The Day - Trent Humphries

"It’s political gamesmanship. The real case is that she [Giffords] had no security whatsoever at this event. So if she lived under a constant fear of being targeted, if she lived under this constant fear of this rhetoric and hatred that was seething, why would she attend an event in full view of the public with no security whatsoever?" - Tucson Tea Party founder Trent Humphries, blaming Rep. Gabrielle Giffords for her own shooting.

Labels: , , , , ,


NORTH CAROLINA: Tea Party-Backed School Board Reinstitutes Segregation

Wake County, North Carolina Republicans swept onto the Raleigh school board with the backing of the Tea Party are abolishing the busing of minority students from poor neighborhoods into better-funded school districts.
The new school board has won applause from parents who blame the old policy - which sought to avoid high-poverty, racially isolated schools - for an array of problems in the district and who say that promoting diversity is no longer a proper or necessary goal for public schools. "This is Raleigh in 2010, not Selma, Alabama, in the 1960s - my life is integrated," said John Tedesco, a new board member. "We need new paradigms." But critics accuse the new board of pursuing an ideological agenda aimed at nothing less than sounding the official death knell of government-sponsored integration in one of the last places to promote it. Without a diversity policy in place, they say, the county will inevitably slip into the pattern that defines most districts across the country, where schools in well-off neighborhoods are decent and those in poor, usually minority neighborhoods struggle.
The NAACP has filed a lawsuit. Wake County's school superintendent has resigned in protest. His expected replacement is a Tea Party activist and retired general who lists himself as a fan of Glenn Beck on his Facebook page.

Labels: , , ,


GOP Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson To Retire

Three-term moderate GOP Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (Texas) told supporters today that she will not seek reelection in 2012. Hutchinson was trounced in her 2010 bid to unseat Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
Hutchison is one of the Republican Party's brightest stars, often appearing on political talk shows to press the GOP agenda. Still, she broke ranks during the health care debate and opposed an attempt to stall the bill in the Senate. But on most issues, she stands by her party. Just last month, she said she would not support the DREAM Act and voted against the repeal of "Don't ask, don't tell." In 2006, she received more campaign contributions from members of large oil and gas corporations than any other member of Congress. Just this week, in a press release from her office, she "cautioned against putting American energy jobs at risk through new layers of bureaucracy recommended in the National Oil Spill Commission's report on the BP oil spill."
By waiting until her term expires, Hutchinson prevents Gov. Perry from selecting her replacement.

Labels: , , ,


The Angry Traveler's Guide

I'm not getting Greece.

(Source)

Labels: ,


NOM Launches $100K Campaign Against Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee

NOM is pouring big bucks into their video attacking Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee.
The local chapter of the National Organization for Marriage is launching a $100,000 TV advertising campaign aimed at defeating the legalization of same-sex marriage in Rhode Island. The first TV ad scheduled for airing on Tuesday will challenge "Governor Lincoln Chaffee's claim to have a mandate to redefine marriage,'' according to a news release issued by the group that misspelled new Governor Lincoln D. Chafee's name. "Lincoln Chaffee got just 36% of the vote in the recent election, and fewer popular votes than the Cool Moose Party's candidate for Lieutenant Governor," Christopher Plante, executive director of NOM-RI, said in the release. "Our message is that getting 36% of the vote is no mandate to redefine the institution of marriage for all of Rhode Island society."
RELATED: Here's an HRC clip about the "new nicer" NOM. Somehow I missed this a couple of months ago.

Labels: , , , , ,


Back In The 1970s You Were Totally Wearing The Wrong Gold Chain

Astronomers say that position of the Earth is totally different than when astrology was dreamed up 3000 years ago. Therefore, your sign isn't really what you think it is.
"This is not something that happened today. This has gone on for thousands of years," said astronomer Parke Kunkle. The star doctors say Earth is currently in a different spot in relation to the Sun, and its equatorial alignment has changed from 3,000 years ago when the study of astrology began -- back when 12 zodiac signs were assigned to 12 different periods of the year. Those signs you were born into are different now because the Earth's wobble on its axis has created a one-month bump in the alignment of the stars, according to Kunkle. "Because of this change of tilt, the Earth is really over here in effect and Sun is in a different constellation than it was 3,000 years ago."
So you're supposed to subtract one month to get your "real" sign. This is where you say, "Oh, I just knew I was really a Virgo!"

Labels: ,


GLAAD Angry About Westboro Radio Deal

The Westboro Baptist Church has agreed not to picket the funeral of the federal judge murdered in Saturday's massacre in Arizona. In return, a nationally syndicated radio show will give Westboro airtime to broadcast their repulsive message. GLAAD wants the deal called off.
This week Westboro has reacted to the tragedy in Tucson with messages like "God Sent the Shooter." Giving airtime to this malicious group is like negotiating with terrorists. Except in this case, Westboro is being incentivized by being provided with an outlet to broadcast their hate to thousands of others. While countless radio stations and media outlets around the country are properly paying tribute to the fallen and taking a serious look at the tragedy in Tucson, KXXT-AM and CFNY-FM have decided to renege on their responsibility as broadcasters by rewarding one of the most anti-American groups in the country. Make your voice heard. Tell KXXT-AM and CFNY-FM that rewarding hateful behavior doesn’t work and demand that they immediately rescind their offer of airtime to the Westboro Baptist Church.
Here's GLAAD's petition.

Labels: , , , , , ,


The Only Time She Makes Sense


(Via - The Daily What)

Labels: , ,


MASSACHUSETTS: Convicted Sex Offender Arrested At Scott Lively's Coffee House

Police have arrested a convicted child molester working at the Springfield, Massachusetts coffeehouse of infamous anti-gay activist Scott Lively, who runs the business as a Christian outreach to local teenagers.
A local man who served as manager of the Holy Grounds Coffee Shop on State Street -- a cafe operated by anti-gay pastor Scott Lively that serves free coffee and offers conversation to teenage visitors -- is a sex offender from New York who was imprisoned for the sexual abuse of a 10-year-old girl in 1995, according to police. Police detectives on Thursday arrested Michael Frediani, 38, of 453 State St., for failing to register as a Level 2 sex offender in Springfield. He was living in an apartment above the coffee house. He was being held at the Springfield police lock-up, said Sgt. John M. Delaney, a spokesman to Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet. In New York, Frediani is listed as a Level 3 sex offender, defined as most likely to repeat an offense.
Frediani was convicted in New York in 1995 for "deviate sexual intercourse" with the ten year-old child. Upon his arrest in Springfield, he described himself as a "minister of Jesus." Last week Lively's coffeehouse was raided by public school truant officers, who accused Lively of allowing students to ditch school there. According to my tipster, students were offered free coffee and hot chocolate in return for wearing one of Lively's Jesus pins.

RELATED: Lively is considered largely responsible for Uganda's still-pending "Kill Gays" bill, legislation that was introduced after his visit with local evangelicals and politicians. Lively's book, The Pink Swastika, contends that the Nazi Party was conceived by and largely run by gay men. Lively is a dear, dear friend of Peter LaBarbera.

Labels: , , , , , ,


MoMA Gets Censored Smithsonian Exhibit

New York City's Museum of Modern Art has acquired the video created by late gay artist David Wojnarowicz, which was pulled by the Smithsonian after an outcry from the GOP and the Catholic League's Bill Donohue.
The museum acquired both the original 13-minute version of the video, titled “A Fire in My Belly,” and a separate 7-minute excerpt made by the artist; the two are now being shown in a loop as part of a display of contemporary art from the museum’s collection that will remain up until May 9. Mr. Wojnarowicz, who died of AIDS in 1992, made the video in the late 1980s in response to the AIDS crisis. It was included in a show at the National Portrait Gallery, a Smithsonian museum, examining gay themes in American portraiture but was removed after it was attacked by Bill Donohue, the president of the Catholic League, and several Republican congressmen who objected to an image in the video of ants crawling on a crucifix.
Another artist is threatening to sue the Smithsonian in a protest demand to have his own work removed.

UPDATE: The Catholic League's Bill Donohue isn't too upset with the MoMA move, but he still manages to call the museum's (straight and married) director a "queen."
Unlike the Smithsonian, which is federally funded, MoMA is largely supported by fat cats like Glenn D. Lowry, the museum's director, thus alleviating some of our objections. Lowry makes over $2 million a year and lives for free in a $6 million condo atop the museum. Unlike the rest of us, he pays no income tax on his housing. Looks like the artistic community got fleeced twice: once by embracing the "pathological nonsense" of this masterpiece, and once by the corporate welfare queen who runs—and lives in—the joint.

Labels: , , , ,


Rush Limbaugh's Tucson Billboard

Copyranter notes: "It's actually been there for quite some time. I know, because my girlfriend's mother lives in Tucson. It's of course via the radio station, not Limbaugh. Though, I'm sure he—or his "people"—had to approve it before it was erected."

(Via - Towleroad)

Labels: , , , , ,


Tim Minchin On Conan O'Brien

Hilarious Australian comedian/musician Tim Minchin made his U.S. debut on Conan O'Brien last night, performing his classic Inflatable You. (A less censored version is at that link.) You may recall the last Minchin song I posted, the insanely catchy Pope Song.

Labels: , ,


Former MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty: If Elected President I Will Reinstate DADT

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty tells the American Family Association's Bryan Fischer that if he is elected president, he will work to reinstate DADT. The below interview opens with Pawlenty's additional vow to thwart to overturn the DOMA.

(Via - Right Wing Watch)

Labels: , , , , ,


OREGON: Four Year Prison Sentence For Brutal Attack Over "Gay Hairstyle"

Brandon Sanchez, 21, has been sentenced to four years in an Oregon prison after attacking another man for having a supposedly "gay hairstyle."
Sanchez apparently targeted Mark Bryant, 20, because he showed up at an Aug. 11 party with his hair gelled into a faux hawk, or fake mohawk. Bryant was in a coma for 22 days, had part of his skull temporarily removed to relieve pressure on his brain from swelling and now -- five months after the attack -- wears a patch over his right eye because he can't see clearly out of it. In recent weeks, he's started to walk again. "I'd never wish this upon anyone," Sanchez said. "I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused in your family. ...I've been praying for you." Bryant then asked something he's always wondered about the attack: "Your honor, I have a question he never answered before: Why?" "I was stupid," Sanchez responded. "I wish I could tell you an answer."
(Tipped by JMG reader John)

Labels: , , ,


Ben, You're Always Running Here & There

Get ready to scream.

(Via - Gothamist)

Labels: , , ,


David Brock: Glenn Beck Spurred Three Thwarted Assassination Attempts

Media Matters founder David Brock claims that the perpetrators of three recent attacks on public figures were all dedicated viewers of Glenn Beck.

Labels: , ,


FLORIDA: Gov. Rick Scott Proposes Radical School Voucher Program

Florida Gov. Rick "Medicare Fraud" Scott is proposing a radical school voucher program that would pay parents 85% of the cost of their child's public education. Parents can then use that money to move their children into private and religious schools. In 2006, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that a similar proposal was unconstitutional. Critics argue that Scott's plan would mostly benefit families who can already afford private schools.
"I don't necessarily think I should have $6,000, or whatever the per pupil charge is, to take with me to send my (child) to Tampa Prep or Berkeley Prep or Jesuit, when I have the means," said Lincoln Tamayo, the head of Tampa's Academy Prep, a high-performing private school that accepts tax-credit vouchers for low-income kids. "Why would I take that away from the public coffers? I don't need the assistance." Tamayo - who for what it's worth is a Republican - is from the wing of the "choice community" that believes vouchers should be a limited tool, one aimed at giving more options to low-income students. Giving vouchers to all could affect the funding available for low-income students, he said. And it could take the focus away from helping them.
Florida has one of the lowest-ranked public school systems in the United States.

Labels: , , ,


Captain America Fights Teen Suicide

Marvel Comics has responded to the national discussion about teen suicide by issuing a free episode of Captain America in which a boy decides not to kill himself after watching the superhero fight villains.
John Draper, director of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a network of crisis centers across the country, told The Associated Press that Marvel approached the organization about using its logo in the book "which we happily granted them." The 11-page story "Captain America: A Little Help" is written by psychologist Tim Ursiny and illustrated by Nick Dragotta. In it, a despondent youth is poised to jump off a building when he spies Captain America facing a bevy of villains on a nearby roof. The fracas keeps him from going over the edge, literally and figuratively. There is no dialogue, save for the end, which ends with the boy saving both the hero and, in the process, himself. "Super heroes fight a lot of battles, but there are few more important than combating suicide," said Tom Brevoort, Marvel Entertainment's senior vice president of publishing.
The issue is available today on the Marvel Comics website.

(Tipped by JMG reader Michael)

Labels: , ,


Ireland Recognizes Gay Marriages

Beginning today Ireland will recognize same-sex marriages and civil unions performed abroad. However those married in other countries will have their relationships "downgraded" to civil partnerships upon arrival in Ireland.
Unions from 27 countries or states will be recognised; 17 of which currently give gay couples the right to marry. Couples will be automatically considered as civil partners and will not need to register. Brian Sheehan of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network said: “Same-sex couples who have already celebrated their relationships and made formal commitments to each other by having a civil marriage or civil partnership in another country will today have those relationships recognised in Ireland. This recognition will provide significant protections for these couples.”
Ireland begins performing its own civil partnerships in April.

Labels: , , ,


Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) To Propose Bill Allowing Guns On Floor Of U.S. House

Teabagger Rep. Louie Gohmert says he will introduce a bill authorizing members of Congress to bring guns to work.
“It’d be a good thing for members of Congress who want to carry a weapon in the District,” he said. “I know friends that walk home from the Capitol. There’s no security for us,” he said, adding that the measure would deter people from attacking members. “There is some protection in having protection.” He said there were times during the health care debate last year that he felt afraid, including when a stranger approached him on the street and started screaming at him. Though Gohmert doesn’t have a concealed weapon permit in Texas, he’s long been a strong advocate for Second Amendment rights.
What could possibly go wrong?

Labels: , , ,


Olbermann Speaks To Daniel Hernandez

Labels: , , ,


Open Thread Thursday

Tell us about your commute. Cost, duration, method.

Labels:


As You Were

Labels: , , ,


Wednesday, January 12, 2011

President Obama Speaks In Tucson

Obama's recognition of the heroes begins at 12:00.

Labels: , , ,


Daniel Hernandez Speaks At Memorial For Victims Of Tucson Shooting

Openly gay student intern Daniel Hernandez delivered a terrific and humble speech tonight at the memorial for the victims of the Tucson shooting. He may disavow all the accolades, but the president later said it for all of us: "Daniel, we've decided. You ARE a hero."

(Via - AmericaBlog)

Labels: , , ,


LIVE VIDEO: Obama Speaks In Tucson

UPDATE: The event is concluded. I'll post video recaps as soon as they become available.

Labels: , , ,


Straight Wrestler Hudson Taylor Launches Site Against Homophobia In Sports

Champion collegiate wrestler Hudson Taylor, who is straight, has launched Athlete Ally, a website where players, coaches, fans, and parents can take a pledge to end homophobia in sports. Taylor generated controversy at the University of Maryland when he competed with a Human Rights Campaign sticker on his wrestling headgear. Today he is a coach at Columbia University.

Labels: , ,


NEW HAMPSHIRE: State GOP Leader Says Repealing Gay Marriage Not On Agenda

A short but very interesting item just popped up on my Associated Press feed.
House Republican Leader D.J. Bettencourt confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday that jobs and the economy will be the top priorities that Republicans will use as their scorecard to measure themselves by for the next two years. Bettencourt said social issues will take a back seat. He said one abortion initiative will be on the agenda but he declined to say what it is.
Stand by for NOM's hissy fit.

UPDATE: New Hampshire Freedom To Marry responds:
"We hope press accounts are accurate that House Republicans have decided not to pursue a repeal of New Hampshire's gay marriage law this year. If so, we applaud the Republican leadership for listening to the people of New Hampshire. There is bipartisan opposition to repeal marriage equality. All families here want the legislature to focus on the economy, and now is not the time to consider taking away rights from committed couples and their families." - Mo Baxley, Executive Director, New Hampshire Freedom to Marry.

Labels: , , ,


Stop 8's Matt Baume Rips All The Lies In NOM's Rhode Island Marriage Ad

Labels: , ,


House Leaders Honor Shooting Victims

Labels: , , ,


LGBT History Museum Opens In SF

Tomorrow San Francisco's GLBT History Museum will stage its grand opening on 18th Street in the Castro. The museum is the only one of its kind in the United States and one of only two in the world. Via press release:
“A quarter century after the founding of the GLBT Historical Society, we’re proud to open a museum to showcase our community’s history,” said Paul Boneberg, executive director of the Historical Society. “The GLBT History Museum is in the heart of the Castro, a neighborhood visited not only by locals, but also by tens of thousands of tourists every year who come in search of queer culture. At our museum, they’ll discover treasures from our archives that reflect fascinating stories spanning nearly a century of GLBT life. We have gone all out to create a museum as rich, diverse and surprising as the GLBT community itself. Whether they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or straight, visitors are sure to be moved, enlightened and entertained
The museum has posted a list of its current thematic and biographical sections.

Labels: , ,


Unshocking: Pat Buchanan Praises Palin

Labels: , , ,


Out Magazine Releases Sex Survey

Out Magazine has issued its first-ever sex survey of its readers. The sample size is small, 1000 people, and the results are only indicative of folks who read Out, not the LGBT population as a whole. Still, there's some interesting factoids such as the above.

Labels: , , ,


Summer Floods Ravage Australia

In what the prime minister is characterizing as the "worst natural disaster in Australian history," torrential rains have brought massive flooding to Queensland and its capital city, Brisbane.

Labels: ,


Jewish Groups Denounce Sarah Palin's Usage Of The Term "Blood Libel"

Think Progress reports that Jewish groups are denouncing Sarah Palin's usage of the term "blood libel." As most of you doubtlessly know, "blood libel" refers to the anti-Semitic claim that Jews use the blood of Christian babies to make matzoh. Such claims have been used to murder hundreds of Jews.

From the Jewish lobbying group, J Street:
J Street is saddened by Governor Palin’s use of the term “blood libel.” The country’s attention is rightfully focused on the memorial service for the victims of Saturday’s shooting. Our prayers continue to be with those who are still fighting to recover and the families of the victims. The last thing the country needs now is for the rhetoric in the wake of this tragedy to return to where it was before. We hope that Governor Palin will recognize, when it is brought to her attention, that the term “blood libel” brings back painful echoes of a very dark time in our communal history when Jews were falsely accused of committing heinous deeds.
From the National Jewish Democratic Council:
Instead of dialing down the rhetoric at this difficult moment, Sarah Palin chose to accuse others trying to sort out the meaning of this tragedy of somehow engaging in a “blood libel” against her and others. This is of course a particularly heinous term for American Jews, given that the repeated fiction of blood libels are directly responsible for the murder of so many Jews across centuries—and given that blood libels are so directly intertwined with deeply ingrained anti-Semitism around the globe, even today.
Most are noting that Palin's claim is especially offensive considering that Rep. Giffords is Jewish.

Labels: , , ,


MySpace Likely To Shutter

News Corp is reportedly putting MySpace up for sale after cutting staff by 50% this week. If there are no immediately takers, the site is expected to shut down by June. This will come as a shock to millions who thought MySpace was already gone. The site lost $100M in the fiscal year that ended last June.

Labels: , , ,


Jamiroquai - Lifeline

Trying to like this, but it's no Virtual Insanity.

Labels: ,


Quote Of The Day - Rick Tyler

"It’s time to think out of the box, and we can succeed. Just this past year, we notched a huge victory in Iowa against the three judges that superseded the will of the people by imposing their own agenda upon the Constitution. Christians have a warrior in Bob Vander Plaats, who led the fight that resulted in sending three judges home after they grossly overreached their constitutional role in redefining marriage. We must show other judges who have forgotten the constitutional constraints that there are consequences for their actions. Make your voice heard. Watch your email for our ReAL Action Alert. We’re going to tell the Ninth Circuit that their services are no longer required." -Rick Tyler, chairman of Newt Gingrich's Renewing American Leadership, saying his group will somehow eliminate the entire Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Christianist blogosphere is roiling with anger this week over the Ninth Circuit Court's ruling that San Diego's Mt. Soledad Cross violates the separation of church and state. The status of the cross has been the subject of lawsuits for decades. In 2007, the California Supreme Court ruled that it was constitutional for the city to transfer the land under the cross to the federal government. This week the Ninth Circuit overturned that decision.

CORRECTION: In the first version of this post, I wrongly attributed the above quote to Pastor Jim Garlow of Skyline Wesleyan Church in San Diego, who is part of Gingrich's group. In fact, Garlow will be leading the planned protest against the Ninth Circuit Court's decision. My apologies.

Labels: , , , , ,


ARIZONA: Tucson Tea Party Says It Won't Change Its Campaign Rhetoric

Labels: , , ,


The Passion Of The Soccer Boys

The Bishop of Mallorca is ever so pissed at a local Catholic youth group, which is raising funds for its coming 20th annual performance of Passion Of The Christ by posing for an almost-nude calendar.
"It turns Easter week into something banal," the bishopric said in a stern written admonition. "It does not respect Christian symbols and is insensitive to Catholic feelings." The calendar marks the 20th anniversary of the Davallament Youth Association, one of whose principal tasks is to act out the passion of Christ in a fully-clothed version every Easter. "It all came from the need to celebrate our 20th anniversary," said Pep Mas, the group's co-ordinator. "The actors are the same people who take part in the Easter week representation, and the pictures are shot in the same places. I don't think, after all these years, that anyone can doubt our dedication." The town's mayor, Joan Magro, approves. "The calender is very original," he said. "The pictures are artistic and the models show what they have."
The calendar includes a semi-nude raising of the cross and an all-underwear Last Supper. Can anybody find the purchase link?

Labels: , ,


Liberty Counsel: We Are Totally Not Homophobic, We've Been Tested!

Mat Staver and Matt Barber say that they and other Liberty Counsel employees have taken some online test assessing homophobic attitudes and according to the results, not ONE of them are homophobic! Yes, they think you are perverted disease-infested sinners bound for eternity in a lake of fire. But according to the test, apparently, that doesn't make them homophobic.

Labels: , , , ,