Headlines Of The Day

The shit is really hitting the fan for Tucker Carlson's wingnut Daily Caller and its months-long campaign to bring down Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ).  The Daily Caller writer who launched the story and followed up with daily outraged updates is Matthew Boyle, who recently jumped ship for Breitbart.   Boyle and I have occasionally exchanged tweets on various subjects, but after the Menendez story began to fall apart a few weeks ago, he stopped responding to my questions about it.  Since then Boyle, usually a many-times-per-day tweeter, has gone almost silent.  Hit any of the above headlines for the stories.

Rush Limbaugh: I Sit On It Every Night

"What do you say to people who say 'you know what, you’re old fashioned, you’re stuck in the past. We can never go back to it, it wasn’t what it was. It’s all fuddy-duddy, and you’re going to have to modernize or society is going to leave you behind?' I love my sofa and I sit on it every night. And it loves me back. If I could marry my sofa I might think about it. I would. And maybe in a few years it could be possible? You never know." - Rush Limbaugh, speaking about marriage equality yesterday on his radio show.

Paris Haters Announce New March Route

After losing their court battle to march down the Champs-Élysées, the anti-gay Demo For All group has posted the above revised demonstration route which tomorrow will converge from three directions at Les Sablons and finish at a stage at the Arc de Triomphe.  Here's Demo For All's Frigide Barjot and her accomplices announcing the changes.

(Via JMG reader David)

NEW YORK CITY: Anti-Labor Group Donates Big Bucks To Christine Quinn

The New York Daily News reports that a group opposing NYC's pending bill to mandate paid sick leave has donated $370,000 to City Council Speaker Christine Quinn's mayoral campaign.

The business leaders were among the 180 people who penned an open letter to Quinn last summer arguing that mandating paid sick leave would be prohibitively costly for small businesses. They called themselves the “Coalition for a Healthy Economy.” At the time, the Daily News reported that several of the letter’s signatories were major Quinn donors, including her campaign finance chair, Sally Susman. But a review of the latest campaign finance reports reveals just how much money those donors have pumped into Quinn’s mayoral campaign. Susman, an executive at Estee Lauder, had raised more than $126,000 for Quinn through last week. And Christine Taylor, of the holding company MacAndrews & Forbes, has raised more than $48,000 for the speaker.

Even though a majority of the City Council supports the bill, Quinn has blocked it from coming to a vote, saying that while she supports the concept, the city's economy is presently too weak for employers to take on the cost. On Thursday a spokesman for Quinn said that she has made it "crystal clear she supports mandatory paid sick leave and that its not a matter of if paid sick leave is enacted, but a matter of when." Two of Quinn's mayoral rivals testified yesterday at yet another City Council hearing on the bill, which has the backing of several major labor unions. Quinn reportedly left the hearing before its conclusion.

Quinn has maintained a commanding lead in all recent mayoral polling. Thus far the sick leave bill has dominated criticism of her candidacy, with the slush fund scandal of 2008 rarely mentioned except by the LGBT group that has dogged Quinn at personal appearances for years.

On Monday newspaper publisher Tom Allon, one of Quinn's most vocal detractors, dropped his long-shot bid for mayor. Back in January, Allon made headlines when he published an incendiary ad claiming that Quinn had "bet the lives" of New Yorkers in the closure of St. Vincent's Hospital, which is being demolished for 350 luxury condos. Allon was backed by the Liberal Party, which says it is now seeking another candidate.

Three Days

Visit United For Marriage for event locations and details.

Special Swag Friday

Courtesy of the film's producers, we have a special week's end giveaway of the Les Misérables Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, which is on sale beginning today online and at retailers nationwide.

Academy Award® nominee Hugh Jackman and Academy Award® winners Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway star in Les Misérables, the critically acclaimed adaptation of the epic musical phenomenon. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells the story of ex-prisoner Jean Valjean (Jackman), hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe), after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever. This enthralling story is a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit and “an unforgettable experience” Les Misérables arrives on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand March 22 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack is loaded with an extra 45 minutes of exclusive content taking viewers behind the scenes of the groundbreaking production for an unmatched entertainment experience and includes a Blu-ray™ disc, DVD, Digital Copy and UltraViolet™ for the ultimate, complete viewing experience.

We have three copies of Les Misérables to give away. Enter to win by commenting on this post and please remember to leave an email address in the text of your comment. Entries close at midnight on Sunday, west coast time. Publicists: If you'd like to take part in giveaways on JMG, please email me.

KENTUCKY: Governor Vetoes Bill To Legalize Anti-Gay Discrimination

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear (D) today vetoed the so-called Religious Freedom Act, which would permit just about any discrimination against LGBT people (or anybody else) on the basis of  "sincerely held religious beliefs."  Beshear has posted a statement on his official website:

I have significant concerns that this bill will cause serious unintentional consequences that could threaten public safety, health care, and individuals’ civil rights. As written, the bill will undoubtedly lead to costly litigation. I have heard from many organizations and government entities that share those same concerns. Therefore, after giving this measure thoughtful analysis and consideration, today I vetoed the bill.

The governor's site goes on to recount numerous ways in which the bill would hurt the citizens of Kentucky, not the least of which would be "weakening of local civil rights laws." The GOP will doubtlessly attempt to override the veto. (Tipped by JMG reader Craig)

Sigur Rós - Brennisteinn

From the comments over on Stereogum: "I’m seeing these guys on Sunday and I’ve never heard a note. What should I expect?" Answer: "Really relatable lyrics about relationships and concise pop song structures." Heh. The new album is due in June.

Line Forms Outside Supreme Court

Via Andy Towle: "A line has already begun forming at the Supreme Court to hear arguments on Proposition 8 and DOMA which are next week on Tuesday and Wednesday. The line apparently began forming yesterday." Reportedly this is the earliest a line has ever formed to hear a Supreme Court case, including for Obamacare.

UPDATE: JMG reader John tips us that a friend of his is blogging from his place in the line.

NY Sen. Ruben Diaz: We Will Pray All Night On The Way To The Supreme Court

"You should know that on Monday, March 25, 2013 at 12:00 midnight, the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization will hold an all-night vigil on buses bound to Washington, D.C., to join the National Organization for Marriage who is organizing a demonstration on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 9:00 AM in front of the United States Supreme Court.

"You should know that the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) has always been in the forefront, throughout the nation, in the struggle to stop same sex marriage. It is also a fact that for many years, NOM has been raising funds, and coordinating every march and demonstration in the state of New York and everywhere else." - NY Sen. Ruben Diaz, posting on his official state government webpage.

You should ALSO know that it was a member of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization who stood on the steps of the Bronx Courthouse with Diaz and Brian Brown to scream that gay people are worthy of death.  I wonder if THAT guy will do the same on the steps of the US Supreme Court.

Big Bang Cast Does Rocky Horror

With Jim Parsons as Frank N. Furter, of course. Details. More photos.

Drunk Driving SF Archbishop: Won't Somebody Please Think Of The Children?

"To legalize marriage between two people of the same sex would enshrine in the law the principle that mothers and fathers are interchangeable or irrelevant, and that marriage is essentially an institution about adults, not children; marriage would mean nothing more than giving adults recognition and benefits in their most significant relationship. How can we do this to our children? No matter what the Supreme Court rules, this debate is not over. Marriage is too important and the issues raised by treating same-gender unions as marriages are too fundamental to just go away.

"Just as Roe v. Wade did not end the conversation about abortion, so a ruling that tries to import same-sex marriage into our Constitution is not going to end the marriage debate, but intensify it. We will have a bitterly polarized country divided on the marriage issue for years if not generations to come." - San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, speaking to USA Today.  Cordileone goes on to cite numerous debunked stories about the oppression of Christians at the hands of homofascists.

Protect Marriage: We Caught Judge Vaughn Walker Working With Ted Olson

Three months ago now-retired Prop 8 Judge Vaughn Walker emailed Ted Olson to ask whether he should attend next week's oral arguments at the Supreme Court. Armed (somehow) with a copy of that email, Protect Marriage is claiming that Walker's request demonstrates "the cozy relationship between Walker and our opponents, casting even more doubt on the legitimacy of Walker's one-sided and unprecedented handling of the 2010 trial against Prop 8."  This news comes via a breathless "breaking" alert from Protect Marriage which links to a website that reports the story with this disclaimer:

This blog post is a piece of journalism, breaking a story that should be of public interest regarding the conduct of a former jurist on a significant case. This site does not advocate an anti-gay rights agenda, and the proprietor of this web site is a supporter of gay marriage (although he disapproves of the imposition of gay marriage on society through judicial fiat).

Nor does this web site assert that Walker, Olson, or Olson’s partner has engaged in any breach of legal ethics. Walker’s views on the decision are no secret: he has spoken since retirement of his belief that the case was appropriately brought and that his decision was correct. It is not shocking that a judge would defend a decision he has already made.

But the behavior of Walker, as revealed by these emails, creates the appearance of a partisan rather than an impartial former jurist who simply believes he issued a correct ruling. Walker was so invested in his ruling that he wanted to watch the appellate courts’ argument himself. He went out of his way to make sure that he consulted with the winning side to help them prevail in the appellate courts. 

Meh. This is nothing.

Gary Bauer: Mitt Romney Only Won NC Because Of The Anti-Gay Marriage Ads

Former FRC president and 2000 GOP presidential candidate Gary Bauer filled in for Tony Perkins on the radio yesterday to say this about Mitt Romney:

The people of North Carolina took another look at Barack Obama and decided, ‘Hey, we made a mistake four years ago,’ and this time around they voted differently. I’d like to think at least in part that happened in North Carolina because of some ads that I and other groups ran in that state on the marriage issue, reminding the voters of North Carolina who had just voted just a little over a year ago to keep marriage between a man and a woman, that President Obama had come out right after that vote and had endorsed same-sex marriage. I believe the only reason that Gov. Romney won North Carolina was because the voters of that state were reminded of that issue, so it’s a lesson I think for the Republican Party.

Right Wing Watch reminds us how bad Bauer's ad was.

"Ex-Gays" Lose London Bus Ad Case

Britain's "ex-gay" wackos have lost their court battle to overturn London Mayor Boris Johnson's ban on the above planned public transit message. The BBC reports:

Justice Lang ruled TfL's process in introducing the ban "was procedurally unfair, in breach of its own procedures and demonstrated a failure to consider the relevant issues". But that was outweighed by factors against allowing the ad, including that it would "cause grave offence" to those who were gay and was perceived as homophobic, "thus increasing the risk of prejudice and homophobic attacks", said the judge. TfL refused to carry the Core Issues Trust advert on the grounds it was "likely to cause widespread or serious offence to members of the public", and it contained "images or messages which relate to matters of public controversy and sensitivity".

The Christian Legal Centre, which represented the "ex-gay" group, issued a statement following the ruling: "Some people choose not to act on same-sex attraction. They should not be ostracised for doing so but helped, if that is what they choose."

NOM Attacks Pediatrics Group

"We are disappointed that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has taken the transparently political step of endorsing same-sex marriage in an attempt to influence the US Supreme Court. They have done a grave disservice to America’s children by endorsing a policy that intentionally deprives children of either a mother or a father. Their position seems to be that the unique contributions of both mothers and fathers do not matter. Which parent can a child do without — her mother or her father? The AAP has not conducted any new research to justify their preposterous conclusion, adding evidence that it is a political act, not a scientific one." - Vatican stooge Brian Brown, in a statement published today on NOM's website.

Christians Must Rise Up And Resist If SCOTUS Strikes Down DOMA

The Good Guys At SCOTUS Rally

Trump Vs Malkin

Donald Trump's flame war with crackpot Michelle Malkin continues today on Twitter.  Malkin's Twitchy site has been attacking Trump all week.

Christie Denounces "Ex-Gay" Therapy

Speaking a town hall meeting yesterday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie waffled on whether he'd sign a bill to ban "ex-gay" therapy, saying that he never thinks about pending legislation until the final bill reaches his desk.  After complaints from Democrats, Christie's spokesman rushed out a clarification.

"Governor Christie does not believe in conversion therapy," spokesman Kevin Roberts said in a statement. "There is no mistaking his point of view on this when you look at his own prior statements where he makes clear that people’s sexual orientation is determined at birth." Roberts declined to say why Christie crystallized his opinion overnight, or whether he would sign a bill pending in the Legislature that would ban the practice of trying to "convert" gays to become straight. Christie remains opposed to same-sex marriage.

In 2011 Christie told CNN: "I’ve always believed that people are born with the predisposition to be homosexual. And so I think if someone is born that way it’s very difficult to say then that’s a sin."

Here's what Christie said at that town hall meeting.

"I’m of two minds just on this stuff in general. Number one, I think there should be lots of deference given to parents on raising their children. I don’t — this is a general philosophy, not to his bill — generally philosophically, on bills that restrict parents’ ability to make decisions on how to care for their children, I’m generally a skeptic of those bills. Now, there can always be exceptions to those rules and this bill may be one of them."

Imagine A World Without Hate

The Anti-Defamation League imagines a world that still has Harvey Milk, Anne Frank, Martin Luther King, and Matthew Shepard in it.

Released 50 Years Ago Today

The first Beatles album was released in the UK fifty years ago today.  The record hit #1 on the British album charts in May 1963 and stayed there for the next 30 weeks until it was dethroned by their followup UK release, With The Beatles. The first US releases came in January 1964 when competing labels issued Meet The Beatles and Introducing...The Beatles.  Feeling old?

Fox News Poll: 49% Back Marriage

Will Tony Perkins attack Fox News too?

Women Of Mary Tyler Moore To Reunite

The five female cast members of the Mary Tyler Moore Show will reunite for the first time ever in an upcoming episode of Hot In Cleveland.

In the Hot In Cleveland episode, which tapes April 5, I hear Elka (White) and Mamie Sue (Engel) decide to get their bowling team, named GLOB: The Gorgeous Ladies of Bowling, back together. They reunite with former team members Diane (Moore), Peg (Leachman) and Angie (Harper). The quintet had a falling-out after their championship season went to their heads. This is believed to be the first time the five former castmates will act in front of a camera since taping the MTM finale in 1977. It’s also Moore’s second visit to Cleveland — she previously played Elka’s cellmate in a Season 2 episode. Shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show paved the way for female driven comedies like Hot In Cleveland. Hot In Cleveland, toplined by White, Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick, returns for its summer season with a live episode June 19.

Eurovision: Macedonia's Esma & Lozano

Esma Redžepova is called the "Queen Of Gypsy Music."  I guess we'd call this gypsy-disco. I don't hate this, mostly because it's different from this year's avalanche of schlocky English-language power pop entries.

Quote Of The Day - Mark Regnerus

"I’m neither surprised at the statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics endorsing gay marriage nor at its timing. Whether the statement adequately captures the consensus of pediatricians across the country is, of course, unknown. The report points out the strengths and weaknesses of the social science in this area, and notes correctly that causal arguments here are very difficult to make. The science on same-sex parenting remains comparatively new, unable to keep up with political and legal developments.

"But those few population-based studies that exist — that map what’s going on across the country — seem to foster skepticism about moving quickly or universally to deny children their right to a mom and a dad. It’s not a popular position, of course. In the end, we all want children to thrive. Many organizations and scholars assert that same-sex marriage is a step toward that end, ensuring household stability. Others remain skeptical, and wonder whether this isn’t more about parents’ wishes than those of children." - Discredited researcher Mark Regnerus, writing for the National Review. (Tipped by JMG reader Str8Grandmother)

Gay Patriot Falls For Limbaugh "Prank"

Gay Patriot blogger, former GOProud board member, and possible 2014 US Senate candidate Bruce Carroll caused a minor uproar in Teabagistan yesterday with the above tweet that repeated a story he'd heard on Rush Limbaugh's radio show.

“You want to hear something totally outrageous?” Limbaugh asked before revealing his big scoop about the popular movie-streaming service. He went on to explain that Netflix has decided to raise all users’ monthly charge in order to “pay for those who can’t afford it.” He predicted that people “are not going to put up with that.” After a break, Limbaugh declared, “Mission partially accomplished.” He admitted that “Netflix is not raising their prices for any reason. I made that up to see what kind of reaction that it would get because I’m trying to illustrate a point here.” What exactly that point was, was not immediately clear.

Limbaugh's alleged "point" probably had something to do with our commie, socialist, Kenyan president. That Carroll fell for it and went apeshit on Twitter is the only amusing part. Netflix stock closed slightly down yesterday, causing some to suggest filing a "prank" lawsuit against Limbaugh.

Prosecutor "Indicts" Punxsutawney Phil

Ohio's Butler County prosecutor has indicted Punxsutawney Phil for lying about an early spring.

Gmoser says that on Groundhog day, Phil "did purposely, and with prior calculation and design, cause the people to believe that Spring would come early. Contrary to the Groundhog day report, a snowstorm and record low temperatures have been and are predicted to continue in the near future, which constitutes the offense of MISREPRESENTATION OF EARLY SPRING, a Unclassified Felony, and against the peace and dignity of the State Of Ohio." The "indictment" further states that for the "crime" of: misrepresentation to the people, that the death penalty be implemented to the defendant, Punxsutawney Phil."

It's 28 degrees in NYC right now. String him up.

RI Senate Hearing Ran Until 5AM

The Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee stayed up until 5am this morning as the marriage equality hearing ran for more than twelve hours.

Some 650 people signed up to speak at the hearing. Christopher Utter and his partner of 20 years, Stephen Pompei, arrived seven hours before the meeting began to make sure they got seats. "We thought about getting married in Massachusetts, but we wanted to do it here," said Utter, of Providence. "It's going to be close in the Senate, but we're very hopeful." Opponents called on lawmakers to reject the legislation, or at least put the question of gay marriage on the ballot and to a popular vote in November 2014. Opponents said gay marriage would force religious charities and schools to change employment benefit policies and set off a social experiment with unknown consequences. "What we're being asked here in Rhode Island and throughout the country is to radically redefine the definition of marriage," said attorney Joseph Cavanagh, a member of the National Organization for Marriage-Rhode Island. "The people should decide this."

The committee adjourned without taking a vote, but most expect the bill to advance to the full chamber, although that vote may be months away.

RELATED: At this writing the JMG live thread from the hearing is at 1075 comments. I'm pretty sure that is the all-time JMG record. You guys are amazing.

One Million Moms Boosts Gay Comic Sales

The makers of Archie Comics thank OMM for the attention.

Fake Pediatrics Group Attacks AAP

The crackpot American College of Pediatrics, a fake organization hastily assembled by hate groups a couple of years ago, is attacking yesterday's statement by the real professional association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has 60,000 members.

The College does not support the alteration of this time-honored and proven standard to conform to pressures from “politically correct” groups. No one concerned with the well-being of children can reasonably ignore the evidence for maintaining the current standard, nor can they or we ignore the equally strong evidence that harm to children can result if the current standards are rejected,” says Den Trumbull, MD, President of the American College of Pediatricians. “The AAP ignores generations of evidence of health risks to children in advocating for the legality and legitimacy of same-sex marriage and child-rearing.

Family Research Council vice president Peter Sprigg:

This is a highly misleading claim, especially in light of the research published last year by University of Texas sociologist Mark Regnerus—the most methodologically-sound research on the subject ever done, using a large and representative population-based sample—which showed children whose parents had a homosexual relationship suffered numerous disadvantages compared with children raised by their married, biological mother and father.

As everybody knows, including Peter Sprigg, the Regnerus study has been thoroughly debunked. (Tipped by JMG reader Bernie)

NEW YORK CITY: Police Make Arrest In Strangling Murder Of Queens Gay Man

The NYPD has made an arrest in the murder of Queens school teacher David Rangel, who was found strangled in his home in January.

Cecil Golden, 20, was charged Tuesday with the murder of David Rangel, 53 — who was found choked to death in his Jackson Heights apartment on Jan. 27, the sources said. Investigators initially suspected that Rangel — who often dated men he met online — may have encountered his killer on the Internet. But sources said the two men already knew each other before the murder. A law enforcement source said that Golden confessed to killing Rangel while robbing his 91st St. home. Another source said that Golden was still carrying Rangel’s cell phone.

New From Respect For Marriage

The ad is going to run next week in DC and then nationally.

CO Gov Signs Civil Unions Bill

And it's done!

LIVE VIDEO: Rhode Island Senate Committee Hearing On Same-Sex Marriage

The Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing on its marriage equality bill right now.  Live video here.  Follow along on Twitter at the hashtag #RI4M. GLAD reports that the capitol building is full of supporters and the usual hate groups such as MassResistance.  Keywords so far: blasphemy and abomination. And something about salad dressing. Seriously.  At times you can hear the screaming between both sides in the hall outside the hearing room.

FOTF Attacks Pediatrics Group

Focus On The Family is attacking the American Academy of Pediatrics, which today issued a statement in support of same-sex marriage and gay adoption. From the Focus blog Citizen Link:

This announcement is not science, but propaganda rooted in social activism regarding the family, which is the foundational unit of humanity. That such a credentialed and well-known organization would play politics with this issue should grieve all of those who are committed to the integrity of science when it comes to the future of our children. Their well-being and health is far too important an issue to play politics with, especially of such a radical nature. The AAP would be well-advised to stick to what the reliable and time-tested body of research tells us about what kinds of families promote the robust array of child-health: a family where children are raised by their mother and father who are in the midst of a healthy marriage.

"Ex-Gay" Crackpots PFOX Ask Sen. Rob Portman And Wife To Join Their Group

The "ex-gay" crackpots at PFOX, who last month filed a Supreme Court brief against same-sex marriage, have issued a press release that both denounces Sen. Rob Portman and his wife and invites them to join their group. From PFOX head Regina Griggs:

My heart goes out to Sen. Portman and his wife. As the mother of a homosexual child, I understand how Sen. Portman feels. It is not easy, but as a responsible parent I must stand firm in my belief that marriage must remain as that of a man and a woman. To deliberately deny children a mother or father by supporting genderless marriage will create grave consequences. All children do best who live in a society where healthy relationships come from living with and being exposed to both genders. As the executive director of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX), I believe parents do not have to approve of everything their children do and say. Responsible parenting means loving and respecting our children in spite of our differences. Sen. Portman, we invite you to rethink your recent statement and for you and your wife to become honorary members of PFOX. We welcome you with open arms.

We'd love to hear from the "homosexual child" of Regina Griggs.

SCOTLAND: Cardinal O'Brien's Accuser Was Once His Long-Term Boyfriend

Scotland's Herald reports that one of the priests who brought about the downfall of Cardinal Keith O'Brien was once his long-term boyfriend.

The man left the priesthood in the middle of the last decade but rejoined and is living on the continent in a post the cardinal helped him secure. The complainant is known to have been in regular telephone contact with Cardinal O'Brien until recently and was a frequent visitor to St Benets, his official residence in Edinburgh's Morningside. It is understood the cardinal confessed to the relationship after it was recently revealed there had been several complaints to the Vatican about his sexual behaviour towards priests in the 1980s. It is thought to be part of his reference to his sexual conduct as "a priest, a bishop and a cardinal".

The Herald further reports that the other complaining priests were angry about his hypocritical stance on gay relationships and same-sex marriage.

All those who complained about Cardinal O'Brien and alleged they had been abused by him were known to him for decades. At least two are known to have been in same-sex relationships and had become exasperated at double standards in his statements about gay marriage. In the six months building up to him being forced to stand down last month, the cardinal had been under some pressure from priests to tone down the rhetoric. However, his statements, such as describing homosexuality as a "moral degradation", were a tipping point for those previously close to him.

MSNBC Adds Another Gay Anchor

Openly gay Salon senior writer Steve Kornacki will return to MSNBC to anchor the weekend slot held by Chris Hayes, who is moving to the weeknight position to be vacated by Ed Shultz.  Kornacki previously co-hosted MSNBC's The Cycle.

Steve Kornacki hopes to maintain a sense of continuity for viewers even as he develops his own style for the show. "We want to try to work with the template they’ve created," said Kornacki in a phone interview with The Hollywood Reporter. "Obviously, I’m not Chris, Chris isn’t me. I can’t be a carbon copy of him. If I tried to be, I’d fail, the show would fail. They’ll be some differences, but they’ll sort of evolve."

Kornacki, who came out publicly two years ago, will be MSNBC's third gay anchor, joining Rachel Maddow and Thomas Roberts.  (Tipped by JMG reader Birdie)

UTAH: Osmond Family To Host Hate Rally

(Via Good As You)

The Secret Service Hires Shape-Shifters

From the clip description:

Satan displayed all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every kind of evil that decieves those who are perishing II Thessalonians 2:9. JESUS SAVES FROM HELL. No matter how big your problem, JESUS can help. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord JESUS will be saved." Romans 10:13.

It's not clear what alien shape-shifters have to do with Satan, but there's also this helpful notation: "Baking soda cures cancer. Look it up!"  OK!

Eugene Delgaudio Launches 2015 Bid

Crackpot Eugene Delgaudio must think he'll survive the charges that he forced a public employee to solicit donations to his hate group, because he's launched the above hilariously transparent campaign to build the email list for his 2015 reelection as Loudoun County supervisor. Maybe if you sign up that "birthday salute" to Reagan, you'll also get an invite to one of those famed alcohol parties with long-haired men. In a dark and stormy warehouse.

Today's Money Beg From NOM

"Dear Joe, In a few days, on March 26th, NOM along with over 40 pro-family partners will March for Marriage in our nation's capital. We are running out of time. We still have many, many churches that want to organize buses for their congregants to attend the March, but do not have the money to fund them. Will you give now to help change history? Many generous donors have contributed to the March. But if everyone who receives this email would give something, anything — even $5 or $10 — we would easily have the resources to shape history together. Won't you please make an immediate, secure, confidential and tax-deductible donation to support this historic undertaking?" - Vatican stooge Brian Brown, via email.

Fred Karger Launches WaPo Ads

NOM's arch-enemy and 2012 GOP presidential candidate Fred Karger is running the above ad on the Washington Post's site for the next five days.  I ran into Fred in the lobby of Broadway Backwards on Monday night and he mentioned that he's just moved to Manhattan.  Hit the link if you'd like to kick in for his web campaign.

Headline Of The Day

Pam Geller, you will not be surprised to learn, is thrilled with this alleged development. (Or maybe, Holmes just stopped shaving.)

Australian PM Officially Apologizes To Victims Of Forced Adoptions

The BBC reports:

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has issued an apology to people affected by Australia's forced adoption policy between the 1950s and 1970s. Tens of thousands of babies of unmarried, mostly teenage mothers, were thought to have been taken by the state and given to childless married couples. Speaking in front of hundreds of the victims, Ms Gillard said the "shameful" policy had created "a legacy of pain."

NYC To Get 96-Story Condo Tower

The 79-story One Carnegie isn't finished yet, but its claim as the city's tallest residential building will be short-lived because 432 Park (rendering above) will be even taller at 96 stories. That will give it the national record, eclipsing Chicago's 92-story Trump Tower.

The building, known as 432 Park, has a total asking price for its 126 units of $2.7 billion, according to a filing this week with the New York attorney general. That amount reflects a 13% increase over July and is the highest total asking price ever for a Manhattan condominium. The building's average asking price of $6,742 a foot also is near the top. When finished in 2015, the Rafael Viñoly-designed tower will rise 1,396 feet, making it the tallest residential building in the U.S. The exterior features 1,800 glass windows, each measuring about 100 square feet, that are part of every apartment.

Unit prices range from a paltry $20M to the $86M penthouse.  The world's tallest apartment building is Dubai's Princess Tower at 100 stories, but much taller buildings are under construction in the Middle East and Asia.

RELATED: Very tall buildings are typically constructed to sway in the wind at 1/500th of their height.  Toronto's CN Tower, for example, reports a sway of  "three feet, four inches from center" at the Sky Pod observation deck level. I have a friend who has to retreat to the lobby of his 37 floor Jersey City apartment building because the sway makes him occasionally seasick. I wonder how he'd do at the top of 432 Park, where the sway might be more than two feet.

Tina Fey Revives Palin Impression

Tina Fey on same-sex marriage as Palin: "Well, the bible says it's gross. Marriage is meant for people who wear different kinds of swimsuits." Wingnuts are screaming over on Breitbart and Twitchy. Good.

You Are Assaulting Jesus Christ

From the Family Research Council's prayer team, which is asking God to make Ted Olson and David Boies present their Supreme Court arguments "in an inept, confusing, and unconvincing way."

For Bible-believing Christians this assault on marriage is not just against society. It is an assault against Jesus Christ, Himself. Whatever the court decides, "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever" (Heb 13:8). God created marriage to bless mankind, but also to be a visual representation on earth of the eternal relationship between Christ and His Church (Eph 5:31-32). Christians have an obligation to stand for marriage, not only because it is good for society, but for the honor of Him who created it.

May God guide us in praying for each member of the Supreme Court: for Samuel Alito, Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan, Anthony Kennedy, Chief JusticeJohn Roberts, Antonin Scalia, Sonia Sotomayor, and Clarence Thomas. May each Justice be governed by the fear of God and fidelity to the moral law and Constitution (2 Sam 23:3; Ps 9:17; 111:10; Pr 1:7; 9:10; Is 5:20).

May the attorneys defending traditional marriage be given anointing, clarity, effectiveness, conviction and persuasiveness in presenting their arguments. May traditional marriage prevail in the minds of a strong majority of the justices, and may traditional marriage be reaffirmed as the law of the land (Pr 16:1, 11; 25; 18:17; 21:3; Is 9:7; Mt 19:4-6; 2 Cor 5:11).

May those arguing on behalf of same-sex "marriage" present their arguments in an inept, confusing and unconvincing way. May they fail to gain traction in the minds of the Justices. May the right of Californians to amend their state constitution to protect marriage be confirmed by the Court, and may the Defense of Marriage Act be ruled constitutional (Lev 20:all; 1 Sam 2:8-10; 2 Chr 14:11; 20:12-27; Pr 22:28; 24:21; Is 8:18-20; Dan 7:25-27; 2 Cor 2:5).

(Via Good As You)

I am praying that God doesn't explode the earth at 11am.

UPDATE: You're welcome.

NY Post Slams Gay Left

Noting the criticism of Sen. Rob Portman's reversal on marriage from the left, the New York Post today published an editorial titled "When Yes Isn't Enough."

Never mind that embracing gay marriage in the GOP carries a risk while it’s completely safe for a Democrat. Or that another prominent flip-flopper on the issue — Barack Obama — also invoked personal experience (conversations with his daughters about friends with same-sex parents). Or that a good part of the effort to persuade opponents to shift has been based on the slogan, “We are your children.” Jimmy LaSalvia, executive director of the conservative gay-rights group GOProud, explains the attacks on Portman this way: “It just goes to show that the gay left hates conservatives no matter what their position on marriage.” We’ll leave it at this: What kind of activist asks people to have a change of heart, and then berates them when they do?

The Post and LaSalvia conveniently fail to note that Portman's support also came with a call for the Supreme Court to "stay out" of marriage equality.  Since LaSalvia is a Tenther, we presume that he feels the same way.

French Haters Announce New March Route

From Paris, JMG reader David sends us the above bus ad from France's anti-gay marriage group and notes the bad rhyme of their latest slogan, which translates as: "François, don't mess with marriage. Take care of unemployment."  Yesterday Manif Pour Tous lost their court battle to march down the Champs-Élysée. Today they issued a murky advisory on the new march route:

To Paris, Everyone! Avenue de la Grande Armée, Sunday, March 24. The Manif Pour Tous urges you to march en masse on Sunday March 24 on Avenue de la Grande Armée à Paris, so that the President of France will withdraw the legislative bill on marriage and adoption for all currently in the Senate. All Frenchmen and all Frenchwomen must stand up to refuse this bill which would capsize society with its disastrous social and human consequences. We will converge in the early afternoon at Porte Maillot to march up the Avenue de la Grande Armée toward Place de l'Étoile and Avenue Charles de Gaulle in [the city of] Neuilly and head toward the Arche in La Défense. Stay tuned we will keep up updated with the latest information hour by hour.

David adds: "The scarce information leaves people in the dark as to the exact starting point and the exact end point. Will they actually make it as far as the Grande Arche at La Défense? Stay tuned?"

Dan Savage On Sex & Sexuality

God Controls Make-Up Artists

"I believe Mark Burnett and his wife and the History Channel. I don’t believe they intentionally portrayed the Lucifer character to look like Mr. Obama. I think God guided the hand of the makeup artist and blinded the eyes of everybody on the movie set while it was being recorded, and the spiritual blinders were removed Sunday night when the program was broadcast nationally on the History Channel. How many clues do we need from Heaven to understand that the man in the White House is a devil from Hell?" - Televangelist Rick Wiles, speaking on his radio show. (Via Right Wing Watch)

Megachurch Pastor Jack Shaap Sentenced To 12 Years For Sex With Teen Girl

Indiana megachurch Pastor Jack Shaap, a noble and Godly defender of marriage and family, has been sentenced to twelve years in prison on federal charges of sex with a sixteen year-old girl.

Disturbing details emerged earlier this month regarding the sex case, with the court noting that Schaap, a married father of two, had tried to justify his relationship with the young girl by claiming that it was a "gift from God." "You opened your heart wide to me – you made me more than a Pastor/Rescuer – you made me your friend your confidant, your beloved. You gave me your trust, your heart, your love, + your affection," the former megachurch pastor wrote to the girl in messages during their relationship. The former church leader had previously tried to explain his actions as being influenced by the extreme stress and heavy work weeks he had while leading the church.

Friendly Atheist points out that Schaap has written a dating advice book for young Christian girls.

By all means, keep your weight down to the proper level. Hundreds upon hundreds of times I have had young men tell me that they would date a particular girl in whom they were interested if only she would lose a few pounds. Fix your hair every day. Go to the library, study books on hair care and find new ways to wear your hair. Don’t be afraid to wear modest amounts of make-up. But, be very careful about using excessive eye shadow. Many guys are turned off by dark or colored eye shadow. Don’t be trendy. One of my best friends in college nearly broke up with his future wife because she was the first to wear colored stockings among her peers.

VIDEO: Here's Schaap talking about how men should be the unyielding masters of their women. Particularly the very young ones, as it turns out.

American Family Association Radio Host: Hillary Clinton Is Probably A Lesbian

"If you think that her support of lesbian and gay rights is something new, I’m sorry, she has repackaged herself so successfully but if you just do a little research on Hillary Clinton you know that her love of homosexuality goes back a very long way. Hillary Clinton, there have long been rumors about her sexual persuasion; if you don’t know that you need to know that. I can’t confirm or deny anything. All I can tell you there are rumors abound and I guess since it doesn’t matter anymore then it doesn’t matter anymore, does it? So if you think this is like a seismic shift for Hillary Clinton I can guarantee you this is not a seismic shift." - American Family Association radio host and Fox News contributor Sandy Rios, speaking on yesterday's show.

American Academy Of Pediatrics Backs Same-Sex Marriage & Adoption

The New York Times reports the big news:

The American Academy of Pediatrics declared its support for same-sex marriage for the first time on Thursday, saying that allowing gay and lesbian parents to marry if they so choose is in the best interests of their children. The academy’s new policy statement says same-sex marriage helps guarantee rights, benefits and long-term security for children, while acknowledging that it does not now ensure access to federal benefits. When marriage is not an option, the academy said, children should not be deprived of foster care or adoption by single parents or couples, whatever their sexual orientation.

From the group's abstract:

Extensive data available from more than 30 years of research reveal that children raised by gay and lesbian parents have demonstrated resilience with regard to social, psychological, and sexual health despite economic and legal disparities and social stigma. Many studies have demonstrated that children's well-being is affected much more by their relationships with their parents, their parents' sense of competence and security, and the presence of social and economic support for the family than by the gender or the sexual orientation of their parents.

Lack of opportunity for same-gender couples to marry adds to families’ stress, which affects the health and welfare of all household members. Because marriage strengthens families and, in so doing, benefits children’s development, children should not be deprived of the opportunity for their parents to be married. Paths to parenthood that include assisted reproductive techniques, adoption, and foster parenting should focus on competency of the parents rather than their sexual orientation.

Suck it, Mark Regnerus.

History Is Watching

Video by GetEQUAL. Wow.

More Homophobia In Venezuela

Venezuelan interim President Nicolas Maduro continues to imply that opposition leader Henrique Capriles is gay.  Yesterday the crowd cheered when Maduro said that Capriles is "in love with me."

(Via Blabbeando)

NYDN Slams Congress On Guns Bill

Two days in a row now.

Open Thread Thursday

Time for your quarterly book report. What are you reading?

Richard Branson Tweets Against NRA

Virgin Atlantic billionaire Richard Branson appears to be echoing the Vietnam War era chant used against President Lyndon Johnson: "LBJ LBJ how many kids did you kill today?"  Predictably, the wingnuts are already calling for a boycott of his companies.