Afternoon View - Porky's BBQ Shack

When Father Tony and I drive to Key West, one of our traditions is to stop off in Marathon for lunch at Porky's BBQ Shack, a ramshackle open-air joint where customers often arrive by boat. The rafters of the place are papered with hundreds of dollar bills autographed by the patrons. Next stop, Island House.

Michigan Kills Anti-Gay Adoption Bills

Three GOP-sponsored bills that would have allowed adoption agencies to discriminate against gay people died quietly yesterday. From the blog of Equality Michigan:

At 4 AM this morning it was official - the Michigan legislature did not hold final votes on House Bills 5763 and 5764, which would have provided adoption agencies with licenses to discriminate based on a moral or religious conviction, or on Senate Bill 975, which would have provided similar licenses to discriminate to healthcare professionals. I was proud to be there for that moment and today we celebrate with our supporters - along with all LGBT families across Michigan and our friends within partner organizations from Unity Michigan, labor, education, and other human rights movements!

And that was the only good news out of Michigan this week. (Tipped by JMG reader Nicholas)

The Gun Machine

Gun Owners Group: Liberals Have The Blood Of Children On Their Hands

"Gun control supporters have the blood of little children on their hands. Federal and state laws combined to insure that no teacher, no administrator, no adult had a gun at the Newtown school where the children were murdered. This tragedy underscores the urgency of getting rid of gun bans in school zones. The only thing accomplished by gun free zones is to insure that mass murderers can slay more before they are finally confronted by someone with a gun." - Larry Pratt, head of Gun Owners of America. (Via Igor Volsky @ Think Progress)

Huckabee Dittos Bryan Fischer

Take The Blue Pill, Neo

Some physicists are trying to determine if we are actually living in the Matrix.

In 2003, University of Oxford philosophy professor Nick Bostrom published a paper, "The Simulation Argument," which argued that, "we are almost certainly living in a computer simulation." Now, a team at Cornell University says it has come up with a viable method for testing whether we're all just a series of numbers in some ancient civilization's computer game. Researchers at the University of Washington agree with the testing method, saying it can be done. A similar proposal was put forth by German physicists in November.

So how, precisely, can we test whether we exist? Put simply, researchers are building their own simulated models, using a technique called lattice quantum chromodynamics. And while those models are currently able to produce models only slightly larger than the nucleus of an atom, University of Washington physics professor Martin Savage says the same principles used in creating those simulations can be applied on a larger scale. "This is the first testable signature of such an idea," Savage said. "If you make the simulations big enough, something like our universe should emerge."

I always thought the fake world in The Matrix was more appealing that the real one.

How To Turn Boys Into Godly Men

New from Kirk Cameron.

When does a boy become a man? What does it mean to be a man? How do fathers turn their boys into men? Today, Biblical manhood is often misunderstood, neglected, and mocked. Discover key practical steps a father can use to help his son successfully maneuver through the process of becoming a man. Boy's Passage -- Man's Journey is an eye-opening message of how to deliberately and strategically transform boys into the productive and godly men of the future. In addition to five engaging DVD conversations with Kirk and Brian, the box set includes a 64-page study guide and Brian's 240-page comprehensive book.

All this for the low low price of $59.95.

Petition Of The Day

The text reads:

The goal of this petition is to force the Obama Administration to produce legislation that limits access to guns. While a national dialogue is critical, laws are the only means in which we can reduce the number of people murdered in gun related deaths. Powerful lobbying groups allow the ownership of guns to reach beyond the Constitution's intended purpose of the right to bear arms. Therefore, Congress must act on what is stated law, and face the reality that access to firearms reaches beyond what the Second Amendment intends to achieve. The signatures on this petition represent a collective demand for a bipartisan discussion resulting in a set of laws that regulates how a citizen obtains a gun.

Sign the petition.

New From Ireland's Haters

Their mission statement: "The Iona Institute promotes the place of marriage and religion in society. We defend the continued existence of publicly-funded denominational schools. We also promote freedom of conscience and religion." The below clip was posted yesterday on NOM's blog.

Quote Of The Day - Rush Limbaugh

"I found myself in an elevator with Mrs. Clinton once. It was at a wedding, Brooklyn, doors locked, she hits the stop button. She said, 'Oh Rush, I've wanted to see you for so long, and nobody would believe it. Would you, would you make a real woman out of me?' I said, 'Sure, let's take off our clothes.' So I took mine off, and I pointed and I said, 'Now fold them.'" - Rush Limbaugh, speaking on yesterday's radio show.

Gay Marriage Comes To The Caribbean

The tiny Caribbean island of Saba has legalized same-sex marriage.

Two men were recently married in Saba, marking the first ceremony of its kind in the region and setting off a frenzy of calls from gay couples in other Dutch Caribbean islands seeking to marry, said Julietta Woods with Saba’s Civil Registry office.”People keep calling me every second,” she said by telephone this week. As part of the Netherlands Kingdom, the islands of Saba, Bonaire and St. Eustatius have to recognize same-sex marriages. While Bonaire and St. Eustatius have balked at the idea of legalizing such unions, the idea has been embraced in Saba, long considered a gay-friendly destination. “We’ve seen it as a human rights issue,” said Saba council member Carl Buncamper, who is openly gay. “It is important to give the partners equal rights when it comes to inheritance and other benefits.”

The Netherlands became the first nation in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001.

From The NYC Department Of Health

After several new cases of meningitis among gay men, the NYC Department of Health has issued the above notice and this message:

The Health Department continues to recommend vaccinations for any New York City man who is HIV-positive and has had intimate contact with another man that he met through a website, digital application, or at a bar or party since September 1, 2012. In addition, vaccinations are now advised for men, regardless of HIV status, who have had intimate contact with another man that he met through a website, digital application, or at a bar or party since September 1, 2012 AND live in the following neighborhoods: Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, Bushwick, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Dumbo, East New York, Prospect Heights and Williamsburg.

Bloomberg To Obama: It's Time For Action

"With all the carnage from gun violence in our country, it's still almost impossible to believe that a mass shooting in a kindergarten class could happen. It has come to that. Not even kindergarteners learning their A,B,Cs are safe. We heard after Columbine that it was too soon to talk about gun laws. We heard it after Virginia Tech. After Tucson and Aurora and Oak Creek. And now we are hearing it again. For every day we wait, 34 more people are murdered with guns. Today, many of them were five-year olds. President Obama rightly sent his heartfelt condolences to the families in Newtown. But the country needs him to send a bill to Congress to fix this problem. Calling for 'meaningful action' is not enough. We need immediate action. We have heard all the rhetoric before. What we have not seen is leadership - not from the White House and not from Congress. That must end today. This is a national tragedy and it demands a national response. My deepest sympathies are with the families of all those affected, and my determination to stop this madness is stronger than ever." - NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, in a statement issued this afternoon.

Happy Holidays From The NRA

The above tweet is from yesterday. Unshockingly, the NRA has been completely silent on its social media accounts today.

This Afternoon Outside The White House

Note the White House's flag.

Quote Of The Day - Ezra Klein

"If roads were collapsing all across the United States, killing dozens of drivers, we would surely see that as a moment to talk about what we could do to keep roads from collapsing. If terrorists were detonating bombs in port after port, you can be sure Congress would be working to upgrade the nation’s security measures. If a plague was ripping through communities, public-health officials would be working feverishly to contain it.

"Only with gun violence do we respond to repeated tragedies by saying that mourning is acceptable but discussing how to prevent more tragedies is not. But that’s unacceptable. As others have observed, talking about how to stop mass shootings in the aftermath of a string of mass shootings isn’t 'too soon.' It’s much too late." - Ezra Klein, writing for the Washington Post.

President Obama Chokes Up During Press Conference On Connecticut Shooting

Today In Christian Love: God Let Those Children Get Murdered Because There's No Prayer In Public Schools

Update On Connecticut Shooting

Beyond horrible.

Matt Damon On Liberace

"These two men were deeply in love and in a real relationship—a marriage—long before there was gay marriage. That’s not an insignificant thing. The script is beautiful and relatable. Their conversations when they’re dressing or undressing or having a spat or getting ready for bed? That’s every marriage. It feels like you’re witnessing something really intimate you would normally see with a man and a woman, but instead it’s two men, which was thrilling. There’s stuff I think will make people uncomfortable. Great. It’s HBO—they can change the channel. We both have a lot of gay friends, and we were not going to screw this up or bullshit it.

"It wasn’t the most natural thing in the world to do, though. Like, for one scene, I had to come out of a pool, go over to Michael, straddle him on a chaise longue and start kissing him. And throughout the script, it’s not like I kiss him just once. We drew it up like a football plan. Michael was a wonderful kisser. My concerns ended up mattering a lot less once we were filming. The dynamic between the men was complex and interesting. Liberace was very powerful and adored, a great showman making $50,000 a week doing his act in Vegas. Scott was much younger and grew up in foster homes, so there was a lot to play." - Matt Damon, speaking to Playboy.

Headline Of The Day

There aren't a lot of details at this writing.

Billboard's Song Of The Year

The rest of the Top 100 songs of 2012 is here.

Ian McKellen: I've Never Met A Gay Person Who Regretted Coming Out

(Via Towleroad)

Ill Papa Ratzinger: Same-Sex Marriage Is A Threat To Justice And World Peace

"There is also a need to acknowledge and promote the natural structure of marriage as the union of a man and a woman in the face of attempts to make it juridically equivalent to radically different types of union. Such attempts actually harm and help to destabilize marriage, obscuring its specific nature and its indispensable role in society. These principles are not truths of faith, nor are they simply a corollary of the right to religious freedom. They are inscribed in human nature itself, accessible to reason and thus common to all humanity. The Church's efforts to promote them are not therefore confessional in character, but addressed to all people, whatever their religious affiliation. Efforts of this kind are all the more necessary the more these principles are denied or misunderstood, since this constitutes an offence against the truth of the human person, with serious harm to justice and peace." - Pope Ratzinger, in a message to promote World Peace Day 2013. (Via Gay Star News)

Tweet Of The Day - Nancy Pelosi

Her link goes here. Stand by for trolls. #TotallyBraggable

MNDR - Feed Me Diamonds

Featuring Raven from RuPaul's Drag Race.

Is Justice Scalia's Son An "Ex-Gay"?

In an article about Justice Antonin Scalia's recent comments on homosexuality, the Los Angeles Times delivers a fascinating nugget about Scalia's son.

The notion that there are no homosexual people, just homosexual acts, is an ancient one. Until recently it was the attitude of the Roman Catholic Church. Scalia’s son Paul, a Catholic priest who has served as chaplain to Courage – “a spiritual support group to help those with same-sex attractions live chaste lives” – continues to resist the idea of a gay identity. He has written: “We must always distinguish the person from the attractions. Most errors in this area come from the reduction of the person to the attractions: to say, ‘A person who has homosexual attractions must be homosexual.’ This reduces the human person to the sum total of his sexual inclinations.”

In a 2005 article in the magazine First Things, Paul Scalia warned against the labeling of high school students as “gay” and even took the Vatican to task for using the term “homosexual person,” which, the younger Scalia said, “suggests that homosexual inclinations somehow determine, which is to say confine, a person’s identity.” Of course, this is a straw man; psychologists and other who speak of a gay identity don't argue that “gay” is an exhaustive description of an individual’s personality traits, only that there is more to being gay or lesbian than participation in sexual acts.

There's nothing in the article that says Paul Scalia is "ex-gay," but people who work for those crackpot groups usually are.

Tony Perkins: The Military Hates Xmas

"For our troops in the Middle East, it's not away in a manger -- it's away goes the manger! After years of celebrating Christmas with a live nativity, the U.S. Navy is ordering military families to tear down its display on a Bahrain base. Service members were stunned. The news was most upsetting for the kids, who look forward to playing their parts all year long. 'It was devastating,' one officer told Fox News. 'Here we are serving in the Middle East, defending our country and other people's religions... and we can't even enjoy our own.' The order came down just days after a secular group, the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, complained that the nativity somehow endangered U.S. lives. 'It's unconstitutional,' the group argued, 'it's bad for the military, and in a Muslim country, it's dangerous.' Funny , that didn't seem to matter when our troops flew rainbow flags over camps in Afghanistan -- or hosted gay pride parties at our Baghdad embassy. Where was the concern for Muslim sensitivities then?" - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via press release.

Morning View

Billboard Of The Day

God's Gentle People in Chico, California didn't like the "Don't Believe In God?" message of the above billboard. Also vandalized was the website for the local atheists group.

Obama Wants To Destroy Free Enterprise

Because he's a secret socialist!

Linda Harvey: Gays Are Not People

"Why should the equal protection argument be made in favor of homosexual behavior, which is changeable?  People are not naturally homosexual, so the definition of 'person' in the Fourteenth Amendment is being twisted to make this assumption. 'Person' should be understood based on historic, beneficial, or at least neutral and fact-based traits; it should not be twisted to incorporate behavior that most religions and most cultures have said a firm 'no' to. It's also behavior for which there's no recognized science demonstrating a genetic or hormonal origin.  And it's also not beneficial and does not stand the definition of marriage, used for millenia - that is, the act of consummation.

"It's another sad fact of homosexual behavior that two men or two women can never consummate a marriage; they can never conceive children together. This should still have some standing and it remains a fact that there are only two types of human in the world: male and female.  Any other distinctions made are appearance, custom, and construction.  So marriage is the lawful, orderly confirmation of what we already see in nature. The Supreme Court says they will give their decision in June.  Pray, friends, for truth to prevail." - Hate group leader Linda Harvey, speaking on her radio show. (Via Right Wing Watch)

The Plot To Murder Justin Bieber

Obituary Of The Day

Details.

House GOP Raises DOMA Defense Budget

The Republican House secretly raised their budget to defend DOMA by $500,000 according to September documents just revealed.

House Administration Chairman Dan Lungren, R-Calif., signed off in September on a $500,000 increase in the maximum value of the contract with the firm, Washington-based Bancroft. Republicans have raised the cap of the contract twice: first on Sept. 29, 2011, from its original maximum of $500,000 to $1.5 million, and again on Sept. 28 to its new maximum of $2 million. Although the latest lifting of the contract cap occurred almost three months ago, House Democrats — and the public — were in the dark about the move until this week.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi reacts on her official website:

Here they go again. It’s bad enough that Speaker Boehner and House Republicans are wasting taxpayer dollars to defend the indefensible Defense of Marriage Act – and losing in every case. Now, they have reached a new low – signing a secret contract to spend more public money on their legal boondoggle without informing Democrats. Their actions are simply unconscionable; their decisions are utterly irresponsible. “Hiding this contract from voters in the midst of an election season was a cynical move at best, and a betrayal of the public trust at worst. With Americans focused on the creation of jobs and the growth of our economy, Republicans should not be spending $2 million to defend discrimination in our country.

Ambassador Susan Rice Withdraws From Secretary Of State Consideration

Responding to the continuing assault upon her handling of the Libyan embassy attack, UN Ambassador Susan Rice has withdrawn her name from consideration to succeed Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.

“I am fully confident that I could serve our country ably and effectively in that role,” Rice wrote in a letter to President Obama today. “However, if nominated, I am now convinced that the confirmation process would be lengthy, disruptive and costly – to you and to our most pressing national and international priorities.” “That trade-off is simply not worth it to our country,” she added.

According to unnamed sources cited by ABC News, the president had already decided that Sen. John Kerry was the better candidate.

VATICAN CITY: Pope Blesses Uganda's Rebecca "Kill The Gays" Kadaga

Ugandan Parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, who last month promised the passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Act as a "Christmas gift to Christians," yesterday appeared in Vatican City to receive the motherfucking blessing of the Pope. From the website of the Uganda Parliament:

Kadaga who led a delegation of Ugandan legislators to the Vatican expressed delight at meeting the Pope and visiting St Peter’s Basilicca. “I think this is a moment that cannot be repeated. We have been reading about him, hearing stories about St.Peter’s Basilica but now we are here physically. I think it is something that I will remember all my life. Its a very great moment and I thank God for this opportunity,” she said minutes after meeting the Pope. The Speaker dedicated to all Ugandans readings from the book of St. Mark which the Pope quoted in several languages during the Vatican mass.

And there you have it. A blessing from the Pope upon the woman who wants you executed. It can't get any plainer than that, can it?

World Net Daily Endorses Uganda's Plan To Imprison Homosexuals For Life

World Net Daily has republished Scott Lively's endorsement of Uganda's allegedly revised Anti-Homosexuality Act, which he claims now only plans to imprison LGBT people and their allies for the rest of their lives.  Christian Love™ in action.

Editorial Of The Day

From the Washington Post:

In striking down both laws, the Supreme Court could adopt the logic of the various appeals courts, or it could find other legally acceptable ways to avoid a sweeping ruling just yet. Same-sex couples could then marry in California, and married same-sex couples across the country could obtain federal benefits — but other states would have more time to consider their own policies on the issue. Such an outcome might disappoint those who see no justification for continued discrimination. But it would nevertheless be an important step in the right direction.

Of course, the justices have a third option: upholding DOMA, Proposition 8 or both. Choosing that way would be a historic mistake. The court’s job is to determine judges’ proper role in moving the country away from discrimination, not to enshrine that discrimination in constitutional doctrine. However the court rules, its decision will be a guidepost on a road that eventually ends in legal and social acceptance of equal rights. It should not point backward.

Has your own paper opined on this topic?

HomoQuotable - Keith Strickland

"Dear friends, I wanted to let you know that I will no longer be touring with the band. This has not been an easy decision for me to make, but it is the path I know in my heart I must follow. I will continue to be in The B-52s... I will just not tour. My barnstorming days have come to an end, but I wholeheartedly support Cindy, Fred and Kate's decision to continue. It has been an amazing journey and I'm amazed at all that we have accomplished as a band over the past thirty-five years. I'm grateful for the music Ricky, Cindy, Fred, Kate and myself have created together. I'm thankful for the many opportunities I've had to perform, and I'm filled with gratitude for your continued presence, love and support - together we made something wonderful happen. Even though I will miss performing with the band and for you, I am looking forward to this new adventure. Follow your bliss. - B-52s guitarist Keith Strickland, in a message posted to the band's Facebook page. (Tipped by JMG reader Will)

Charlie Crist Regrets Marriage Petition

"Would I do it today? No. I think the best way to judge where my heart is is to look at the deeds that I have done, whether as attorney general, governor -restoration of rights, civil rights cases, things of that nature that I think show a compassionate heart and hopefully someone who cares and knows who the boss is - and the boss is the people of Florida." - New Democrat Charlie Crist, on his 2006 signing of a petition to place a ban on same-sex marriage in the Florida state constitution. The ban was approved by voters in 2008 with 2% more than the 60% majority requirement.  It would surely fail today.

NEW YORK CITY: Hasidic Bleach Attacker Surrenders Himself To Police

The Hasidic man accused of throwing bleach into the face of an advocate for the sexual abuse victims of Brooklyn's ultra-Orthodox sects has surrendered himself to New York City police.

Melech Schnitzler, 36 years old, turned himself in to police at the 90th Precinct stationhouse in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, a day after Rabbi Nuchem Rosenberg was doused with a cup of Clorox, according to NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly. Schnitzler, who was accompanied by a lawyer, has been charged with assault, menacing, criminal mischief and criminal possession of a weapon. He was awaiting arraignment on Wednesday afternoon. Rosenberg, 62, runs a website and hotline that encourages victims of sex abuse in the Hasidic community to come forward and report the crimes to the police and has been ostracized by the Jewish community as a result.

Rosenberg's blog (in Hebrew) is here.

PENNSYLVANIA: State GOP Rep Plans Constitutional Ban On Gay Marriage

Pennsylvania GOP state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe plans to introduce a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Via press release from Equality Pennsylvania, here is Melcalfe's announcement:

This constitutional amendment will eliminate confusion as to what constitutes a legal marriage, and it will also designate marriage as the only type of union that will be legally recognized in Pennsylvania. The language contained in my legislation is modeled after Florida’s marriage protection amendment, which was approved by more than 60 percent of Florida voters in 2008. To date, voters in 30 states have ratified similar amendments to their state constitution. It is important that we support traditional marriage and have constitutional amendments to protect it at the state level. Marriage is a common good, not a special interest. Special interests should not have the right to redefine marriage for all of us.

Equality Pennsylvania adds:

In April 2012, Equality Pennsylvania stopped a similar effort dead in its tracks getting the proposed amendment removed from consideration. In 2013, we intend a repeat performance if this ugly and mean-spirited proposal rears its head. That’s our guarantee. But we’ll only be able to do that if we are around, and that means we need operating funds to continue the fight. If you share our values and want us to continue fighting against this and other anti-LGBT efforts in Harrisburg, then please be generous TODAY and make a donation. Let’s stop Daryl Metcalfe in the new year.

(Tipped by JMG reader David)

ILLINOIS: Lame-Duck Session May See Marriage Vote Next Month

Illinois is moving fast towards marriage equality.

After counting heads and consulting with legislative leaders, the chief sponsors of a bill to permit same-sex couples to get married in the state this morning disclosed they intend to push for a vote in the General Assembly's lame-duck session, which will occur over two weeks just after New Year's. And, in an indication of how big a campaign the pro side is launching, they've hired the firm founded by top presidential adviser David Axelrod to help them with media, organization and outreach to potential supporters, including corporate officials. "We think we can get this done in January," said state Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, who will be the chief Senate sponsor of the bill. With Gov. Pat Quinn saying he'd like to see a bill sooner than later, and other legislative chiefs apparently signing off, too, "the timing is right," Ms. Steans said.

Lambda Legal and the ACLU are representing 25 same-sex couples who are suing Cook County for the right to marry. Those cases are being defended by anti-gay groups on behalf of several downstate county clerks. Lambda Legal today issued this statement via press release:

"By bringing the marriage bill to a vote, Rep. Harris and Sen. Steans the co-sponsors of HB 5170 have brought hope to thousands of same-sex couples across Illinois," said Camilla Taylor, Marriage Project Director for Lambda Legal. "Whether it's through the courts or through the legislature, Illinois same-sex couples and their children need the freedom to marry now, and it's encouraging that our elected officials agree. The time is now."

Exciting!

Gay Vs Gay For NYC Council

When I ran into attorney and activist Yetta Kurland at the Stonewall Inn two weeks ago, she told me she hadn't yet decided on whether to challenge Community Board 4 chairman Corey Johnson in the race to succeed Christine Quinn as Chelsea's representative on the New York City Council. Today we learn Kurland is in. Via Gay City News:

In 2009, Kurland took on Quinn, who had then been speaker for four years, and earned a third of the vote in a three-woman race, holding the incumbent to just over 50 percent. Since then, Kurland’s visibility has remained undiminished –– tackling issues like the closure of St. Vincent’s Hospital and the rights of Occupy Wall Street participants to hold their ground in Zuccotti Park, and also hosting a weekly radio show on WWRL AM 1600. In announcing her candidacy, Kurland evoked her now familiar combatively progressive tone. Saying New York, her home for the past two decades, is “the greatest city in the world,” she warned, “We’re heading toward becoming a place where only the richest can afford to live and where our public resources are being converted into private profit.”

Kurland has released a list of 65 prominent local activists who support her campaign. Johnson issued his own lengthy list of backers in August.

DISCLOSURE: Johnson is a personal friend and my name appears on his list. However I also quite like Yetta Kurland.  I don't live in their district and therefore cannot vote for either.

NARTH: We Will Continue Gay Cure Work Even If Epigenetics Theory Is Proven

"The theoretical model itself attributes only 10-14 percent of the factors to genetics or epigenetics. That leaves the remaining 85 percent or so of the factors to environmental influences. Common sense would then suggest that even if the unproven theory was completely correct individuals would still seek assistance in living lives congruent with their own personally chosen goals and values." - David Pruden, vice president of NARTH, the National Association for the Research and Treatment of Homosexuality.

Billboard Of The Day

The Cocaine Vaccine

As work progresses on the cocaine "vaccine," the aim of which is to prevent users from getting high, some are discussing whether it should be made available to parents who want to preemptively give it to their children. Right wingers have "joked" that it should be put into the water supply of public housing projects. The PBS clip below discusses results of recent vaccine testing.

Tammy Baldwin Tapped For Senate Committee That Oversees LGBT Issues

Senator-elect Tammy Baldwin has been chosen for a Senate committee whose responsibilities include LGBT issues. Via Julie Bolcer at the Advocate:

Baldwin will sit on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; the Senate Special Committee on Aging; and the Senate Budget Committee. The assignments are subject to approval by the full Democratic caucus and approval of organizing resolution by the full Senate when it convenes next month, according to the announcement.

The Senate HELP Committee has jurisdiction over the Employment Non-discrimination Act and the two measures, the Safe Schools Improvement Act and the Student Non-discrimination Act, which would address bullying in schools. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has jurisdiction over the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, long a priority of Baldwin’s, which would extend benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees.

The full list of 2013 Senate committees and members is here.

Turner Classic Movies Remembers 2012

Here's this year's Hollywood obituary reel.

"Give Me" Vs "Let Me"

"Among voters who saw the desire by gays and lesbians to be legally wedded as a bid primarily for the rights and protections that heterosexual couples have, same-sex marriage was a loser. Only 26 percent of them voted for its legalization, while 74 percent voted against. But among voters who believed that gays and lesbians were chiefly interested in being able to pledge the fullest and most public commitment possible to their partners, same-sex marriage was a huge, huge winner. Eighty-five percent of those voters supported it, while only 15 percent opposed it.

"That’s a fascinating microcosm of, and window into, broader political dynamics. When an initiative in this country is framed or understood largely as an attempt by a given constituency to get more, the opposition to it is frequently bolstered, the resistance strengthened. Even if the constituency is trying to right a wrong or rectify a disadvantage, 'Give me' can be a risky approach. 'Let me' is often a better one, and when voters hear gays and lesbians asking to participate in a hallowed institution for the most personal and heartfelt of reasons, voters may have a more positive reaction." - Frank Bruni, writing about an analysis of Washington state's voters.

Photo Of The Day

Jeremy Hooper asks: "How long do we think the folks behind the anti-LGBT Manhattan Declaration (which has no real connection to Manhattan) drove around looking for an HRC sticker to park beside?"  As I've noted here a couple of times, the Manhattan Declaration people are hilariously proud of their new logo, hence the posting of the above photo on their Facebook page.

2012 Golden Globes Announced

Jessica Lange!

Young People Support Marriage Because Teachers Have Indoctrinated Them

"Unfortunately, I have to agree with George Will on this. The polls show and the stats show that older people are the number one supporters of traditional marriage, they are older people and they are literally dying. The people who are the biggest proponents of homosexual marriage, they’re young people, they’ve come out of our public schools, the teachers unions have been establishing this agenda and this indoctrination through our public schools for quite some time. So they’ve succeeded in this indoctrination process in many of our public schools across the country for a new way of thinking, a new perspective. Along with Hollywood, we have a whole new mindset and in fact young people are overwhelmingly, I think it is 2:1, in favor of legalization of homosexual marriage. Of course, that number could easily change to include other forms of marriage as society continues to slip down that slippery slope." - Brad Dacus, head of the anti-gay Pacific Justice Institute.

RELATED: Dacus also claims that "ex-gay" therapy has an 80-85% success rate.

Dan Savage On The Christian Left

Scotland Introduces Marriage Bill

The Scottish government has introduced a draft version of its marriage equality bill.  Via Gay Star News:

The draft legislation will allow same-sex marriage in Scotland and give all religious and belief bodies (for example Humanist) the right to conduct same-sex marriages, if they wish to do so. The bill will also remove the requirement on a married or civil partnered transgender person to divorce before obtaining full Gender Recognition. In addition the bill will introduce religious and belief ceremonies for civil partnerships. Finally, the bill will allow civil marriages to take place anywhere a couple and their registrar choose. The Scottish government will now be consulting on the implementation of the draft bill, including the details of the legislation and proposals relating to religious bodies and celebrants, freedom of speech, education and employment. Following the close of the public consultation on 20 March, the Scottish government will make any changes to the bill that are considered necessary, then introduce the bill for a vote into the Scottish parliament.

The bill may become law by the end of 2013.

Family Research Council: NYC Is Paying The Price For Sex Education

Via press release from the Family Research Council:

New York City distributes more condoms, performs more abortions, and engages in more explicit sex education than almost any region in the country. Earlier this year, the city even launched a test program called CATCH, Connecting Adolescents to Comprehensive Healthcare, which gives high school students the option of getting regular birth control injections, the morning-after pill, and condoms at their schools without ever calling parents.

And what has the city gotten for its trouble? Thousands more sexually-related diseases -- most of them incurable, and all of them expensive. According to the CDC, a single case of HIV costs $400,000 to treat over a lifetime. But instead of discouraging promiscuity, the U.S. is pouring millions of dollars into STD treatments -- all because the government doesn't want to confront people about the dangers of premarital sex. In this age of "sexual freedom," our culture -- and now our tax dollars -- are promoting sexual activity with anyone at any time with complete disregard for the physical toll. It's as if sex were the new constitutional right.

The press release claims that "one-third of NYC neighborhoods are in the top 20% for residents with multiple STDs," implying that the referenced 20% is from a survey done nationwide. In fact, the survey was for New York City only.  But according to the Family Research Council, New Yorkers are slutty and diseased compared to the rest of the nation. There truly is nothing they won't lie about.

Morning View

The Queen James Bible

There's a "gay-friendly" version of the bible.

The "Queen James Bible" is a new interpretation of the good book which claims to 'arm' gay Christians against homophobes who often point to key passages as proof that God hates gays. Eight verses from six books, including Genesis and Leviticus, have been 'reinterpreted' by the authors who claim homosexuality wasn't mentioned until the 1946 Revised Standard Version.

From the book's website:

The King James Bible is the most popular Bible of all time, and arguably the most important English language document of all time. The brainchild and namesake of King James I, who wanted an English language Bible that all could own and read, it has been in print for over 400 years and has brought more people to Christ than any other Bible translation. Commonly known to biographers but often surprising to most Christians, King James I was a well-known bisexual. Though he did marry a woman, his many gay relationships were so well-known that amongst some of his friends and court, he was known as “Queen James.” It is in his great debt and honor that we name The Queen James Bible so.

Amazon is selling it for $34.95.

Zeitgeists Of 2012

Open Thread Thursday

Will you split your holiday between your biological family and what Amistead Maupin calls your "logical family?" How's that going to work?

NJ Gov. Chris Christie: I'm Not Too Overweight To Be President

Last night on Barbara Walter's "Ten Most Interesting People" special, NJ Gov. Chris Christie said that he doesn't think he's too overweight to be president.

When Ms. Walters said some people say he is too overweight to be president, Mr. Christie, a Republican who is often mentioned as a potentially formidable candidate in 2016, responded: “That’s ridiculous. I don’t know what the basis for that is.” Ms. Walters said that people were concerned about his health and that people who were overweight were more prone to health problems like heart disease and diabetes. “I think people watched me for the last number of weeks and Hurricane Sandy doing 18-hour days and getting right back up the next day and still being just as effective in the job,” he told Ms. Walters. “So I don’t really think that would be a problem.”

The heaviest president in history was William Howard Taft, who weighed 340 pounds when he left office. Christie's weight has not been disclosed.

Twilight Santas

Headline Of The Day

No sex until marriage! One man, one woman, FOR LIFE! Details. (Tipped by JMG reader David)

Eric Teetsel Vs George Will

"As the 28-year-old executive of the Manhattan Declaration, I join my 20-something colleagues Ryan Anderson and Andrew Walker of the Heritage Foundation in echoing Twain's famous line, 'the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.' Both the polling and the voters have demonstrated time and again Americans' strong support for marriage. What future voters may decide obviously remains to be seen; however, beating a retreat because the victory of the anti-marriage movement seems inevitable is a sure-fire way to guarantee precisely that result." - Eric Teetsel, responding to George Will's claim that the opposition to same-sex marriage is "literally dying."

NOTE: Signers of the Manhattan Declaration vow to disobey laws that protect LGBT Americans from discrimination.

RELATED: In September the administrator of the Manhattan Declaration's Facebook page lamented that a flood of people had requested to have their names stricken from its list.

Totally Not-Gay Never-Married Sen. Lindsey Graham On Gay Marriage

(Via Think Progress)

Google's Most-Searched Of 2012

Google's top ten most-searched items for 2012.

1. Whitney Houston
2. Gangnam Style
3. Hurricane Sandy
4. iPad 3
5. Diablo 3
6. Kate Middleton
7. Olympics 2012
8. Amanda Todd
9. Michael Clarke Duncan
10. BBB12

The last one is Big Brother Brazil.

Afternoon View

Hurricane Sandy did a number on Fort Lauderdale Beach, which seems about half as wide as when I last saw it. I don't recall that lifeguard stand being so close the water.

Bryan Fischer On Epigenetics

"Now these researchers are quite at pains to avoid saying anything like this, but the logic to me seems inescapable: Homosexual children, on this theory, are born evolutionarily and genetically disadvantaged. They have been overexposed or underexposed to testosterone because something has gone wrong in the process of genetic transmission. In other words, they are the product of a genetic abnormality at best, a birth defect at worst. I expect many abortion-minded parents will want to know exactly how strong this epi-marker is in their unborn children so they can decide whether or not to exercise reproductive choice. In fact, I expect that if this theory gains some currency, it will not be long before we have legislation from the homosexual lobby prohibiting 'sex-selection' abortions on any child carrying this epi-marker." - Bryan Fischer, commenting on the study released yesterday. (Via Right Wing Watch)

Billboard Of The Day

Now seen in Times Square and Bill Donohue is super pissed.

The Catholic League has battled it out with Silverman's group in the past, even posting opposing signs on each end of the Lincoln Tunnel in 2010. But Catholic League spokesman Bill Donohue said Silverman went too far this year. "This year it's different," he said. "This is vile. When you depict Jesus on the cross with a crown of thorns, this is exploitative. We as Christians never harass, intimidate or insult atheists. But they can't seem to say, 'We simply disagree with you.' They have to insult us."

Christian billboards across the nation promise eternal agony in a lake of fire for non-believers.  Christian billboards across the nation declare that non-believers are "lost" or "without hope" or just plain living their lives wrong.  But that's not insulting to Bill Donohue.

When You Criticize The "Welfare State"

Seattle's Famed Bears Tie The Knot

Larry Duncan (left) and Randell Shepherd, whose marriage license photo rocketed around the world last week, ditched their country bear gear for the official ceremony on Sunday. (Tipped by JMG reader Bob)

HomoQuotable - Greg Quinlan

"We are in a very precarious situation right now, so I don't know that the fears are justified from homosexual activists now who are afraid that the court won't use this to change the course of this nation and our ethics.  We're seeing over and over again that there are places where the Constitution doesn't matter, the will of the people doesn't matter, majority vote doesn't matter.  So I am concerned about the direction we are headed.  Mr. Olsen and his colleague are doing everything that they can to normalize homosexual behavior, which is an attack on society as a whole and on our faith." - PFOX president and "ex-gay" crackpot Greg Quinlan, who is worried about SCOTUS.

Ill Papa's First Tweet

Christians Under Attack!

Morning View - Fort Lauderdale Beach

I'm at Father Tony's in Fort Lauderdale for the start of my usual holiday visit to Florida. It was about 30 degrees at LGA early this morning. Here, it's 82 and muggy. Perfect.