Ben Cohen's Sixth Week On SCD

Oh emm gee, he went shirtless.

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ben Cohen caused quite a stir on the Strictly dancefloor after he shed his shirt to perform the paso doble. The rugby ace had previously made an impact when he stripped to a vest to perform the salsa with partner Kristina Rihanoff – but took things one step further with Saturday’s semi-clad performance. And unsurprisingly viewers flocked to Twitter to give the performance a resounding thumbs-up. ‘Ben Cohen becoming my fav #strictly contestant! Nothing to go with being topless…..much!’ tweeted one viewer, while another said: ‘Ben Cohen 10/10 for just existing.’ Another added: ‘In my humble opinion, Ben Cohen’s dance tonight just wasn’t long enough’, while a fellow fan tweeted: ‘Ben Cohen with no top on is all Strictly needs.’

His score tonight was 32.

(Tipped by JMG reader Andrew)

Afternoon View - Bella De Ball

I ran into Bella De Ball and her giant inflatable self at the Palm Springs Pride Fest, which runs all day today and tomorrow.

DAY THREE: Hawaii House Committee Hears Marriage Testimony

Day three of the batshit crazy testimony in the Hawaii House has just begun and we've already heard references to Sodom and Gomorrah and a demand that gay couples "give up their children." Oh, and now here's a lady calling gay marriage "nothing short of tyranny." Thousands have already testified and there are many, many more waiting to do so today. Hit the link if you can bear it.

OKLAHOMA: Governor Might Sue To Block National Guard Benefits For Gays

On Thursday, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced that he was ordering all National Guard units to comply with Pentagon policy regarding spousal benefits for gay soldiers. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin may go to court to stop him.

Alex Weintz, spokesman for Gov. Mary Fallin, said she “is working with Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to evaluate the legal options available to the Oklahoma National Guard.” Weintz stopped short of saying Oklahoma will refuse to follow Hagel’s order, but made it clear Fallin would not go along with it willingly. “Gov. Fallin is calling on President Obama and Secretary Hagel to stop using the National Guard as a pawn in a larger social agenda,” said Weintz. “The president has made it clear he supports gay marriage. He has the legal authority to order federal agencies to recognize gay marriages. He does not have the legal authority to force state agencies to do so, or to unilaterally rewrite state laws or state constitutions.”

Following Hagel's edict, Indiana's Attorney General agreed to comply. Other states who have not yet done so: Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas and West Virginia.

Morning View - Theft Deterrence

LAX Shooter: Pissed Off Patriot

After every mass shooting, the Tea People launch a furious media campaign to characterize the perpetrator as a leftist. This time they've got their hands full.

A law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly, said Ciancia was wearing fatigues and carrying a bag containing a one-page handwritten note that said he wanted to kill TSA employees and “pigs.” The official said the rant refers to how Ciancia believed his constitutional rights were being violated by TSA searches and that he’s a “pissed-off patriot” upset at former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. The note and the gunman’s rifle each had an orange TSA inspection sticker on it.

Commenters over at Twitchy are claiming that the word "pigs" proves that the shooter was not a right winger.

Quote Of The Day - Thomas Peters

"The accident has taught me to be more humble and realistic about my own efforts and contributions. Before my accident I took pride in my self-reliance, and my ability to contribute to the causes I care about, and I still do, but since the accident I have gained a far greater appreciation for the fact that everything I do and am is because of the Lord. I certainly didn't bring myself back from the brink of death and, as a wise priest told me, my prayers and sacrifices these weeks and months have done more to aid the causes of life, marriage and religious freedom than anything I wrote, said or did to promote these prior to the accident. But make no mistake, as soon as I am able, I am coming back to fight harder than ever for all of these things because I know now that it is prayer that makes the warrior his strongest." - NOM communications director Thomas Peters, who was left a quadriplegic after a July swimming accident.

RELATED: Peters' wife and family have been writing a recovery blog ever since his accident. While we couldn't be any more opposed to Peters' politics, the blog has provided interesting insight into the myriad challenges brought by such a devastating injury. We wish him well.

NEW YORK: West Point To See First Gay (Male) Wedding

Two male former West Point cadets will marry there today in the first-ever such ceremony for the academy.

Larry Choate III, class of 2009, will marry Daniel Lennox, class of 2007, on Saturday at the U.S. Military Academy's Cadet Chapel. West Point hosted two same-sex weddings of women in late 2012, more than a year after New York legalized gay marriage. But this is the first time two men are being wed at West Point. "It's maybe one more barrier that's pushed over a little bit, or maybe one more glass ceiling that's shattered that makes it easier for the next couple," Choate said Friday. Choate, 27, said the landmark Gothic chapel at the Hudson Valley academy is a special place and it's an honor to be wed there. He taught Sunday school at the chapel as a cadet and always thought of it as the place he would get married, if he could. The pair did not know each other as cadets, but met later through a mutual friend.

Both men are now civilians.

Perkins: It's An ENDA Emergency!

"Imagine how many conservatives would find themselves in the unemployment line if ENDA were the law of the land! The workplace would be open season on people with religious convictions and beliefs. Christians (and people who follow most major religions) would be silenced and forced underground, while homosexuals and transgenders turn the business world into their strongest political platform. A lot of squishy Republicans think they fix the problem with a religious liberty amendment to ENDA. But as we've seen with the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (which the courts have shot full of holes), it will take a legislative firewall -- not an amendment -- to protect faithful Americans." - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via email.

Nov. 5th: Million Mask March

Afternoon View - Palm Springs Tram

When Dr. Jeff suggested that we check out the Palm Springs Tramway today, I looked at the little old hill behind our hotel and said, "Sure, we've got time." What he did not tell me is that the tram climbs 8516 feet from the Coachella Valley floor and up "North America's sheerest mountain face." The tram does this WHILE ROTATING. Next to where the tram lets you out is Mount San Jacinto, which is the sixth highest peak in the lower 48. Ow, my balls. Ow.

HomoQuotable - Andrew Sullivan

"I loved New York City with a passion until I tried to live here. It’s been over a year and I am horribly home-sick. So we’re going to move back to DC next month. I miss my DC apartment (1500 square feet of a school classroom I got for a steal in 1991); I miss my friends, many of whom I’ve known for decades, and some of whom I bonded deeply with during the plague years of my 20s and 30s; I miss the relative calm; I miss the green; I miss the increasing vibrancy of the city – which somehow doesn’t make it harder to live in. I miss the oases of quiet and the energy of a new emerging city that is both a second Brooklyn and a global hub of media and politics. But I’ll be commuting to New York City for up to two weeks a month – as a visitor. So it’s more like finding a home I love while keeping New York close. I realize I’m married to Washington, and it’s best for me to think of New York as a mistress." - Andrew Sullivan, writing today on his blog.

RUSSIA: Anti-Gay MP Vitaly Milonov Crashes & Halts Halloween Party

He doesn't hate gay people, he hates everything.

Lawmaker Vitaly Milonov, known as the co-author of the St. Petersburg's anti-gay legislation, has disrupted a Halloween party in one of the city's parks. United Russia deputy Milonov arrived at Internationalists Park on Thursday in the Kupchino district where about 1,000 people were celebrating Halloween with pumpkin carving contest and a fireworks display, Komsomolskaya Pravda reported Friday. Milonov and a few of his supporters showed up shortly after the audience had jokingly summoned the devil and called a halt to the "sabbath." He called the police and the organizers were subsequently forced to stop the event "due to technical reasons."

Milonov claims he was "defending the cross."

White House Issues New Clip Promoting Obamacare Enrollment

HAWAII: House To Resume Marriage Equality Hearing Shortly

If you didn't get enough batshit crazy testimony during yesterday's 12-hour marriage equality hearing in the Hawaii House, another 5000 people have signed up to rant today. The live video stream should begin shortly. In other news, Hawaiian stores have sold out of tin foil.

Petition Of The Day

Sign the petition. (Tipped by JMG reader Justin)

Moscow Bans Tribute To Gay Holocaust Victims: It Would Promote Homosexuality

The Moscow government has banned a tribute to the gay victims of the Holocaust became it would give children the wrong idea about homosexuality. Via Gay Star News:

Around 20 participants applied to hold a peaceful event in Kudrinskaya Square in Moscow on 5 November. The intention of the tribute was to also spread the message about not repeating past mistakes and ensuring something like the Holocaust never happens again. But the authorities rejected the application, saying paying tribute to gay victims of Nazi Germany could potentially "influence" children on homosexuality. Nikolai Alekseev, founder of Moscow Pride, said: "The Moscow authorities are becoming increasingly absurd, and the banning of the rally to denounce the crimes of Hitler and Nazism is more proof of this. The government is approving of Nazi Germany’s genocidal policies."

Scott Lively is likely thrilled.

NEBRASKA: Gay-Bashing Of Straight Marine Investigated As Hate Crime

The attack on the straight Marine who was gay-bashed in Omaha after standing up for a friend in drag will be investigated as a hate crime.

Omaha Police said Thursday officers are investigating this incident as a hate crime. Gay rights activists in Omaha want people to know there's nothing scary about a man in a dress. They will be hosting a rally Saturday to take a stand against hate crimes and homophobia. The rally was organized in response to an assault that happened early Sunday in the Old Market. Ryan Langenegger of Omaha, a 22-year-old straight man and Marine, said he was punched in the face after he peacefully defended his two gay friends.

More about Saturday's rally:

The gay community considers Langenegger’s actions heroic, and is hosting a “Drag Out Hate!” rally in his honor on Saturday. “I wanted to show in broad daylight that there is nothing to fear about gay people and there is nothing disgusting about drag,” said Chad Bugge, one of the organizers of the rally. “Drag is fun and it has been the source of entertainment for the gay community for years.” Mayor Jean Stothert said in a statement that she’s been assured the Omaha Police Department is treating the incident with the seriousness it deserves.

(Tipped by JMG reader Paul)

Quote Of The Day - Sally Kern

"I find it kind of sad that this tribe is not willing to recognize what 75 percent of the voters of Oklahoma declared years ago, that marriage is a union between one man and one woman. Those of us who are Christians, who believe the Bible, are we going to have to give that up to satisfy the minority group that wants to redefine marriage. They can love whomever they want, there’s no laws right now that prevents two people of the same sex from living together." - Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern, who is super-upset that another Native American same-sex couple has legally married. (Image and transcript via Towleroad, who has video.)

RELATED: In 2011 Kern declared that gay people "are worse then terrorists." A month later she declared that gay people might be plotting to murder her.

Mass Shooting At LAX

Story developing...

Meanwhile In Nebraska...

Chicago Cubs co-owner Pete Ricketts is running for governor of Nebraska. Despite having a gay sister who owns the team with him, he's against gay marriage as are the other GOP candidates.  Shocking. But the Chicago Cubs have participated in Chicago's gay pride parade, which one candidate is trying to use against him.

The Cubs' connection to the parade raised objections from a fellow Republican candidate, who said Thursday it called into question Ricketts' gay-marriage opposition. Republican Beau McCoy said that Ricketts should be held responsible for the fact that the Cubs are supportive of the gay community. Ricketts said he had no involvement in that decision. He also said that despite some “difficult conversations” in his family, he and his sister remain family. “My sister is gay. I love her, but I disagree with her on this issue,” said Ricketts, an Omaha businessman.

Ricketts, Dubas and several of the other Nebraska gubernatorial candidates staked out their positions on gay marriage Thursday, the day before the Nebraska Legislature was set to hold a public hearing on the topic. In Nebraska, voters banned gay marriage in 2000. Gay couples who are legally married in other states qualify for federal benefits as the result of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision. But their marriages are not recognized in Nebraska. All five Republican candidates say they want to keep it that way. Ricketts, McCoy, State Auditor Mike Foley and State Sens. Charlie Janssen and Tom Carlson are on record saying marriage should be between a man and a woman.

McCoy: "I don't see how it's possible to be against gay marriage while, at the same time, owning with your family, a national baseball team that purports to be one of the most gay-friendly baseball teams in the country."

VETOED: Baylor's Plan To Replace "Homosexual Acts" With "Deviate Sexual"

Last week the Baylor University student government voted to replace "homosexual acts" with "deviate sexual acts" in its list of banned behaviors. Because that, somehow, was supposed to make gay students "feel more loved." Yesterday the student body president vetoed the change. (Tipped by JMG reader Rob)

Glenn Beck Really Loves The Idea Of David Barton Running For Senate

Vatican Polls Parishes On Marriage

Via the Washington Post:

The Vatican is taking the unusual step of conducting a worldwide survey on how parishes deal with sensitive issues such as birth control, divorce and gay marriage, seeking input ahead of a major meeting on the family that Pope Francis plans next year. The poll was sent in mid-October to every national conference of bishops with a request from the Vatican coordinator, Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri, to “share it immediately as widely as possible to deaneries and parishes so that input from local sources can be received.”

Among the questions are whether gay marriage is recognized in their country and how priests minister to same-sex couples, including how churches can respond when gays seek a religious education or Holy Communion for their children. The poll also asks “how is God’s mercy proclaimed” to separated, divorced and remarried couples. Additional information is sought on the pastoral care of men and women who live together outside of marriage. The survey also asks parishes whether they believe married men and women tend to follow church teaching barring the use of artificial contraception.

According to the above-linked article, the poll reflects Pope Francis' intent to move the church away from "Vatican-centric" policies and allow local leaders to have a bigger role in decision-making. Read the survey here.

FAA Approves Use Of Most Electronic Devices For Take-Offs & Landings

Soon you'll no longer have to stop playing Candy Crush during take-off.

Airplane travelers will soon be able to watch videos and play games with their electronic devices throughout their entire flight -- and not just above a certain altitude -- the Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday in a long anticipated announcement. But don't expect to be chatting on your cell phone. A ban on using cell phones for voice communication remains in effect. The FAA, following months of study by a group of aviation experts, said that airlines can soon allow passengers to use portable electronic devices such as tablets, laptop computers, e-readers and cell phones in airplane mode throughout the flight -- with some circumstantial restrictions.

Each airline must submit proof that their planes can withstand any interference before they can adopt the new ruling.

David Bowie - Love Is Lost

This has been my most-played track on Spotify for at least a month and finally there's a video. The remix is by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem. Dig the hat tip to Ashes To Ashes. And definitely check out the full ten-minute version.

NEW YORK CITY: Banksy Painting Raises $615K For AIDS Thrift Shop

The painting that Banksy donated to Housing Works has sold at auction for $615,000. What an amazing windfall for them.

Carol Costello Vs Hallmark

"Oh Hallmark. You didn't. Oh, wait you did. Hallmark's 'Holiday Sweater' ornament is decorated with 'Don we now our FUN apparel' instead of "Don we now our GAY apparel."Why? Hallmark says: 'When the lyrics to 'Deck the Halls' were translated from Gaelic and published in English back in the 1800's, the word 'gay' meant festive or merry,' according to a statement released Wednesday. 'Today it has multiple meanings, which we thought could leave our intent open to misinterpretation.' Homophobic? I say, yes you are." - CNN anchor Carol Costello, writing on her Facebook page.

UPDATE: Hallmark has issued an apology.

"We've been surprised at the wide range of reactions expressed about the change of lyrics on this ornament, and we're sorry to have caused so much concern," the statement read. "We never intend to offend or make political statements with our products and in hindsight, we realize we shouldn't have changed the lyrics on the ornament." But Hallmark spokeswoman Linda Odell said the company has no plans to stop selling the ornament.

One Million Moms: We Beat Capital One

Via email from Monica Cole:

Dear Joe, In the original "Quicksilver" Capital One commercial starring Samuel L. Jackson, he blurts out the d-word! Capital One's "Quicksilver" ad was irresponsible and offensive but after our members contacted the company a new commercial has begun airing. Capital One has updated their commercial to leave out the profanity. The revised commercial now says, "Every single day." This is a HUGE improvement! The commercial is family-friendly now. 1MM appreciates Capital One taking appropriate action to make this correction. Your voice was heard once again!

Cole notes that she actually doesn't know if the original commercial is still airing.

Equality Matters Debunks Fox On ENDA

Marco Rubio On ENDA

From the spokesperson for Sen. Marco Rubio:

"He believes people’s qualifications, performance and honesty are the most important qualities by which they should be judged in the workplace. If you’re a good worker, that’s all that should matter. This legislation goes far beyond protecting workers from discrimination based on sexual orientation, and he is currently studying what kinds of burdens it could impose on small businesses, frivolous lawsuits that could result, and ensuring that religious freedoms under the First Amendment are protected."

Because wanting to keep your job is frivolous.

Morning View - Forever Marilyn

You can't tell without a human in the shot, but the statue is 26 feet tall. It arrived from Chicago last year and goes to New Jersey in 2014.

Fischer: Satan Is In The White House

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel To Squash Rogue National Guard Units

As I've reported several times, National Guard units in several states have refused to grant spousal benefits to legally married gay couples, claiming that state laws supersede federal military policies. That's going to stop. From a speech given last night by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel:

Today, I directed the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, General Frank Grass, to take immediate action to remedy this situation. At my direction, he will meet with the Adjutants General from the states where these ID cards are being denied. The Adjutants General will be expected to comply with both lawful direction and DoD policy, in line with the practices of 45 other states and jurisdictions. Whether they are responding to natural disasters here at home, in their states, or fighting in Afghanistan, our National Guardsmen all wear the uniform of the United States of America. They are serving this country. They – and their families – are entitled to all the benefits and respect accorded to all of our military men and women.

Read the full speech.

David Barton: Global Warming Is Actually The Judgment Of God

COLORADO: Marriage Lawsuit Filed

Add Colorado to the list:

A Colorado couple is suing to overturn the state ban on same-sex marriage. Dr. Rebecca Brinkman and Margaret Burd filed the suit in Adams County District Court Wednesday, according to attorney Ralph Ogden. The lawsuit alleges that Article II, Section 31 of the Colorado Constitution, which states that “only a union between one man and one woman shall be valid and recognized as a marriage,” violates the equal protection and due process guarantees of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Brinkman and Burd went to the Adams County Clerk and Recorder’s office and applied for a marriage license, Ogden said. The deputy clerk said they were not eligible to marry each other because they are both female, and instead offered them an application for a civil union. "They rejected this offer because civil unions are more akin to a business relationship than to the expression of dignity, love, respect and commitment that married heterosexual couples enjoy because they are married," Ogden stated.

(Tipped by JMG reader Matt)

Tomorrow: JMG Meet-Up Palm Springs

Swing by Oscar's in Palm Springs tomorrow between 8-10PM and meet your fellow JMG readers. There's a big block party right down the street at the same time, so....convenient! Facebook event page.

Cloture To Be Filed On ENDA

Geidner has more at Buzzfeed:

Reid is likely to file a cloture petition on the bill this evening, a Democratic leadership aide told BuzzFeed Thursday, which would set a vote on the motion to proceed on debate of ENDA for Monday evening. If the motion to proceed, which requires 60 votes, is agreed to, the Senate would debate and eventually vote on the bill. The vote would be the first Senate vote on the legislation since 1996 and the first vote ever on the legislation with both sexual orientation and gender identity protections. Advocates say that they have clear support from 59 senators, including all 55 Democrats in the Senate and four Republicans, with a handful of other Republican senators as potential yes votes.

I'll spare you today's email from Eugene!

Father Of Ted Cruz: I'd Like To Send President Obama Back To Kenya

Sen. Cory Booker Sworn In

LIVE VIDEO: Hawaii House Committee Debates Marriage Equality Bill

They've just started and it's getting ugly already.

Afternoon View - Palm Springs

Flying into Palm Springs you see endless beige deserts and rolling barren mountains. Then, quite suddenly, the landscape is punctuated by randomly connected squares and rectangles of bright green. Somewhat like this view from my hotel room. It's hot here! And not just because I ran into a couple of dozen bears at the airport.

Quote Of The Day - Orson Scott Card

"I’ve had no criticism. I’ve had savage, lying, deceptive personal attacks, but no actual criticism because they’ve never addressed any of my actual ideas. Character assassination seems to be the only political method that is in use today, and I don’t play that game, and you can’t defend against it. All you can do is try to offer ideas, and for those who want to listen to ideas, great. For those who simply want to punish you for not falling in line with their dogmas, there’s really not much you can do about it." - Ender's Game author Orson Scott Card, whining to the Deseret News, which is owned by the Mormon Church.

NOTE: Among Card's "actual ideas" is his prediction that President Obama is going to unleash "an army of urban thugs" on America.  And his plan for Christians to violently overthrow the federal government rather than submit to same-sex marriage.

RNC Slams "Bystander President"

HI House Reps May Seek Extra Religious Exemptions On Marriage

Members of the Hawaii House may attempt to tack a sort of "wedding cake" amendment on to the marriage bill that would allow businesses with five or fewer employees to refuse to serve LGBT customers.

Some House lawmakers want an exemption in the same-sex marriage bill that gives small businesses, especially those in the wedding industry, an "opt out" option. "The purpose is to avoid the type of litigation you're seeing on the mainland where you have same-sex marriage and you have small businesses who feel that they're being imposed upon and being challenged to sacrifice their religious freedoms, their beliefs," Rep. Marcus Oshiro said. But House minority leader Aaron Johanson believes there isn't enough time in the special session to properly cover the same-sex debate, let alone a broader exemption. "For democracy to be at its best, at its fullest, there must be that kind of time to be able to not just consider it but also factor that into the final outcome and the product, and whether we even proceed with it or not," he said.

We'll likely hear more about this "opt out" nonsense during today's hearing.  Any approved amendments would send the bill back to the state Senate, where the Democratic super-majority would have a fit.

Hee said after the Senate vote that he has spoken with leadership in the House and told them that senators may not support expanded religious exemptions if they allow gay couples to be discriminated against as a separate class of people from others. "Those are efforts that I would caution against," Hee told reporters after the Senate vote.

Ellen Degeneres As Nicki Minaj

HAWAII: House Committee To Hear Marriage Testimony Today

Hawaii's House Judiciary and Finance Committee will hear marriage equality testimony today. And the hearing looks to be another agonizing marathon like we saw in the Senate on Tuesday.

To accommodate the expected high numbers of people wishing to testify on SB1 and to allow testifiers to plan their time accordingly, the House Judiciary and Finance Committees plan to begin the public hearing at 10am and end at midnight. At that time if there are people who signed up to testify still waiting to speak, the hearing will be continued on Friday, November 1 at a time to be determined. Due to the anticipated high volume of testifiers for the October 31, 2013 House hearing on SB1 relating to equal rights, the Judiciary and Finance Committees will assign registration numbers to people who submit testimony and wish to testify in-person.

I'll post links to the live stream late this afternoon. Presumably more of the batshit crazy nutters from the other day will make an appearance.

Beards, Baseball, Boston

"There’s no point to a trimmed and well-groomed beard, which resembles exactly the sort of suburban lawn that often led to the growing of the beard in the first place. (That’s why my hero among this year’s pennant-winning crop is Mike Napoli, whose dense and colorful beard is as gonzo as his all-or-nothing, free-swinging style at the plate.) One of the beauties of the beard is that its lushness is polysemic, lending itself to an interpretive exuberance to match its flow.

"A beard is a celebration of nature that brings appearance closer to that of untamed human animals—a Rousseau-esque gesture that was crucial to the age of Aquarius, a time when long-established norms of behavior collapsed and made public life a clearer expression of formerly unspeakable private desires. By contrast, the shaven and crew-cut athlete suggests a martial fury that is joyless—a grim, self-denying efficiency that may work in war but is exactly the opposite of the essence of baseball, which, for all its competitive ardor, is playtime." - New Yorker columnist Richard Brody, writing about the world champion Boston Red Sox.

Maddow BUSTS E.W. Jackson

PA House Advances Bill To Post "In God We Trust" In All Public Classrooms

By a vote of 14-9, the Pennsylvania House Education Committee has approved Rep. Rick Saccone's bill which mandates that "In God We Trust" be posted in every public classroom.  Start the clip below at 8:00 as Democratic reps shred Saccone's reasoning for the bill. All of the Democrats on the committee voted against the bill, but Republicans currently hold a 19-seat majority in the full House.

RELATED: Last year Siccone introduced a resolution that declared 2012 to be "The Year Of The Bible" and earlier this year he tried to have April 30th declared to be "National Fasting Day."

MISSOURI: State Supreme Court Rules That Partner Of Killed Cop Gets Nothing

In 2009 a Missouri State Highway Patrolman was killed in the line of duty when he was struck by a car on an icy road as he assisted stranded motorists. On Tuesday the state Supreme Court ruled that his partner is not entitled to any survivor benefits.

His partner of 15 years, Kelly Glossip, filed suit after he was denied survivor benefits. By law, those benefits are limited to a surviving spouse. Glossip argued that the law was discriminatory because Missouri state law also forbids same-sex marriage. He also claims it is an unconstitutional special law. The court rejected these claims. In a 5-2 opinion, the court ruled that the law Glossip was challenging discriminated on the basis of marriage, not sexual orientation. "Glossip was denied survivor benefits because he and the patrolman were not married, not because of his sexual orientation," the ruling document stated. "If Glossip and the patrolman had been of different sexes, Glossip would have still been denied benefits no matter how long or close their relationship had been. The result cannot be any different here simply because Glossip and the patrolman were of the same sex. The statute discriminates solely on the basis of marital status, not sexual orientation.

Matt Alber - Tightrope

As a JMG exclusive, here's the latest from gay crooner Matt Alber, who this time takes it to the dance floor as four different characters. Two mixes are available today on iTunes and proceeds go the San Francisco's Larkin Street Youth Services. Definitely take a listen, I've been playing this all week.

CA Woman Ticketed For Glassholery

A California woman has gotten the first-ever ticket for driving while wearing Google Glass. Via Dennis Romero at LA Weekly:

Google Glass enthusiast Cecilia Abadie says she was ticketed for using the internet-connected device even though, she claims, it wasn't active when she was driving. The computer scientist posted her California Highway Patrol souvenir for the world to see on her Google+ page last night. The ticket says "Driving with Monitor visible to Driver (Google Glass)." Abadie was also cited for going 85 in a 65 miles per hour zone during yesterday's stop. "The speeding was justified as I was in a 65 mph zone and thought I was on a 75mph zone," she says in comments to her Google+ post.

According to the above-linked article, California law stipulates that drivers may not be exposed to a monitor except for GPS devices. I haven't owned a car in nearly two decades, but don't many vehicles have a monitor embedded right in the dashboard these days?

NEW YORK CITY: Cigarette Sales Banned For Those Under The Age Of 21

In what may be his final victory against smoking in New York City, yesterday Mayor Bloomberg applauded after the City Council approved a ban on the sale of tobacco products to people under the age of 21. 

Thomas Farley, the city’s health and mental hygiene commissioner, said the law, the Sensible Tobacco Enforcement Act, represents a "historic advance in our fight against New York City's leading killer." Bloomberg said the new age requirement will prevent more teenagers from developing a smoking habit, saving lives. Research shows that more than 80% of smokers in New York began lighting up before the age 21. When it is enacted, the new law would add one more component to Bloomberg’s legacy of anti-smoking and public health initiatives. Since he became mayor, the city has banned smoking in bars and restaurants and in public places, such as city beaches and parks. Aides say Bloomberg was convinced to raise the smoking age by data from London showing a major decline in youth smoking after that city raised its minimum age to 21.

RELATED: In addition to the above-cited measures, during his 12-year tenure Bloomberg also ushered in a series of tax hikes on cigarettes, which now retail at $13-$15 a pack at many locations. Those are the highest prices in the nation.

Satan Loves Halloween

"The coming of Halloween is a good time for Christians to remember that evil spirits are real and that the Devil will seize every opportunity to trumpet his own celebrity. Perhaps the best response to the Devil at Halloween is that offered by Martin Luther, the great Reformer: 'The best way to drive out the devil, if he will not yield to texts of Scripture, is to jeer and flout him for he cannot bear scorn.' On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther began the Reformation with a declaration that the church must be recalled to the authority of God’s Word and the purity of biblical doctrine. With this in mind, the best Christian response to Halloween might be to scorn the Devil and then pray for the Reformation of Christ’s church on earth. Let’s put the dark side on the defensive." - Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, lamenting that Halloween is a pagan ritual that hasn't become Christianized like Christmas has.

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates Named Head Of Boy Scouts USA

Former US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who championed the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, has been named president of Boy Scouts USA. From their website:

Gates' appointment was made upon the recommendation of national volunteer and professional leaders including the BSA national nominating committee. This move means that upon approval of voting members of the National Council, Gates would begin a two-year term as the BSA national president in May 2014 and lead the National Executive Board, which guides the Boy Scouts of America as it serves approximately 2.6 million youth members. "There is no finer program for preparing American boys for citizenship and leadership than the Boy Scouts of America. As an Eagle Scout, I know firsthand how impactful this program can be and I believe its mission is more important today than ever before," said Gates. "I am honored to take on this role and look forward to working on behalf of the millions of youth and adult members who make Scouting what it is today—an organization providing life-changing opportunities to today's youth."

Gates once hailed the repeal of DADT as a moment for "common sense and common decency." Let's hope he instills some of that ethic with  the Boy Scouts.

Senate To Hear ENDA Next Week?

According Fred Sainz at the Human Rights Campaign, the Senate will hear ENDA next week. Chris Geidner reports at Buzzfeed:

“Late last night, Leader Reid informed Leader McConnell that the Senate will consider ENDA next week. It’s still unclear as to when Leader Reid will file for cloture,” Sainz said of the bill, which bans sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in employment for most employers. A McConnell aide said he was unaware of any conversation having happened between the leaders about the plans. Spokespeople with Reid’s office did not provide comment on the plans. [snip] Currently, advocates claim support from 59 senators, including Wednesday’s announcement by Sen. Joe Manchin’s office that the West Virginia Democrat will support the bill and Thursday’s planned swearing-in of Sen.-elect Cory Booker, who backs the bill. All 54 Democrats in the Senate currently co-sponsor or at least have said they will vote for the bill. Four Republicans have signaled support for the legislation through co-sponsorships or votes: Sens. Susan Collins and Mark Kirk co-sponsor the legislation and Sens. Orrin Hatch and Lisa Murkowski voted for the bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Facebook Tests Cursor Tracking

Via the Wall Street Journal:

Facebook Inc. is testing technology that would greatly expand the scope of data that it collects about its users, the head of the company’s analytics group said Tuesday. The social network may start collecting data on minute user interactions with its content, such as how long a user’s cursor hovers over a certain part of its website, or whether a user’s newsfeed is visible at a given moment on the screen of his or her mobile phone, Facebook analytics chief Ken Rudin said Tuesday during an interview. Mr. Rudin said the captured information could be added to a data analytics warehouse that is available for use throughout the company for an endless range of purposes–from product development to more precise targeting of advertising.

And you thought cookies were bad.

Crazy Eyes On CNN: Americans Had Fabulous Health Care Before Obamacare

Tony Perkins On ENDA

"Dear Joe, ENDA would force religious business owners and workplaces such as Christian bookstores, religious publishing houses, pre-schools and religious television and radio stations to accept as normal any employee who has had a sex-change surgery, any employee who has changed or is 'transitioning' their public 'gender identity' (regardless of whether they have had surgery or hormone treatments), transvestites (people who dress as the opposite sex on an occasional basis for emotional or sexual gratification), and drag queens or drag kings (people who dress as the opposite sex for the purpose of entertaining others). Making matters worse, 'perceived gender identity' status does not require sex-change surgery, so ENDA would allow some biological males (who claim to be female) to enter and even appear nude before females in bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers. Please contact your Senators and urge them to oppose S. 815, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act as it imposes on employers freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of conscience and the free market economy." - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via email.

Open Thread Thursday

What movie have you seen the most times?

HAWAII: Marriage Passes In Senate!

LIVE VIDEO: Full Hawaiian Senate To Vote On Same-Sex Marriage

It should be a done deal, but watch history live right now.