Saturday, January 04, 2014

Freep This Utah Poll

Right here. (Tipped by multiple JMG readers)

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Schock Makes Instagram Account Private

A few days ago John Aravosis posted an AmericaBlog column titled The 7 Gayest Aaron Schock Instagram Posts Of 2013 in which he needled Schock's famous sense of fashion and devotion to bodybuilding. That AmericaBlog post was referenced in yesterday's Facebook piece on Schock by CBS reporter Itay Hod. And JMG reader Michael reports that Schock today made his Instagram account private. Previously the account was open to all, including non-members. Read into this as you will.

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Chelsea Clinton Cheers Chris Kluwe

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CBS News Reporter Itay Hod: That GOP Congressman From IL Is Definitely Gay

"Here's a hypothetical: What if you know a certain GOP congressman, let's just say from Illinois, is gay... and you know this because one of your friends, a journalist for a reputable network, told you in no uncertain terms that he caught that GOP congressman and his male roommate in the shower... together. Now they could have been good friends just trying to conserve water. But there's more. What if this congressman has also been caught by TMZ cameras trolling gay bars?

"Now what if you know that this very same guy, the darling of the GOP, has also voted against repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, opposed the repeal of DOMA, is against gay marriage; and for the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would add language to the US Constitution banning gay marriage and would likely strike down every gay rights law and ordinance in the country? Are we still not allowed to out him?

"Let me ask another question. Doesn't the media have an OBLIGATION to expose his hypocrisy? If he had done something so hypocritical and he wasn't gay, wouldn't we demand journalists do their job? But they can't... because we won't let them. you're not allowed to out ANYONE, we tell them. We've created a situation where even though news organizations know this guy is gay, they can't report it because he hasn't said so on Twitter." - CBS News reporter Itay Hod, writing on his Facebook page last night. In case it's not obvious, Hod is doubtlessly referring to Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL.)

NOTE: I've changed some punctuation and capitalizations in Hod's post for the sake of clarity. Click the above link and read his Facebook post in full in its original form.

UPDATE: Schock has an offer of help.

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Quote Of The Day - Chris Kluwe

"I'm glad they're taking it seriously. This is something I wrote down, because it's what happened to me, and I'm 100 percent confident in what I wrote, and there are witnesses that will back me up. Let the investigation begin." - Chris Kluwe, telling USA Today that he intends to cooperate with the Vikings' investigation to be conducted by the former chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.

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Ted Cruz Is Still A Canadian

Source.

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Rachel Maddow On Utah's Marriage Battle

"It turns out, Utah screwed it up." Great recap.

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Peter Sprigg On Marriage Math

"Advocates of redefining marriage to include homosexual couples have taken to using a new statistic that is apparently intended to communicate the growing acceptance of such redefinition. Instead of talking straightforwardly about the number of states which now issue civil marriage licenses to same-sex couples (eighteen as of this writing), they will say something like 'XX% of Americans now live in states with same-sex marriage.' Suppose we look, instead, only at states in which the voters themselves, acting on a referendum at the ballot box, have decided the definition of civil marriage. In only three states have voters actively endorsed laws to redefine marriage at the ballot box — Maine, Maryland, and Washington (all in November 2012). Combined, these three states represent only 4.5 percent of the American population. Yet I doubt that the media will ever report that almost fifteen times as many people live in states where voters have endorsed a one-man-one-woman marriage definition as live in states where voters have endorsed changing that definition." - Hate group leader Peter Sprigg, writing for the Family Research Council.

RELATED: Sprigg has declared that Lawrence V Texas was "wrongly decided" and that there should be "criminal sanctions for homosexual behavior." He said this on national television.

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Porno Pete To Porno Pete

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Friday, January 03, 2014

Phil Everly Dies At Age 74

Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers has died. The Los Angeles Times has the obituary:
Phil Everly, who with his brother, Don, made up the most revered vocal duo of the rock-music era, their exquisite harmonies profoundly influencing the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Byrds and countless younger-generation rock, folk and country singers, died Friday in Burbank of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, his wife, Patti Everly, told The Times. He was 74. The Everly Brothers were among the first 10 performers inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when it got off the ground in 1986. "They had that sibling sound," said Linda Ronstadt, who scored one of the biggest hits of her career in 1975 with her recording of "When Will I Be Loved," which Phil Everly wrote. "The information of your DNA is carried in your voice, and you can get a sound [with family] that you never get with someone who’s not blood related to you. And they were both such good singers--they were one of the foundations, one of the cornerstones of the new rock 'n' roll sound."


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Freep This Minnesota Poll

Lower right of this page. (Tipped by JMG reader Richard)

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Bob Barker Slams Obamacare


Click the image to stop the loop or start the audio.

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SEATTLE: Two US Soldiers Credited For Dousing Arson Attempt At Gay Nightclub

Seattle's KIRO-TV reports:
In the first few seconds after the fire roared up the back stairway of Neighbours nightclub in Seattle, US Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Bostick [ABOVE] was one of a few New Year’s Eve revelers who reacted immediately. “I’m embarrassed to say, my first move was to go after it with cups of water. Then I quickly realized, this fire is way bigger than that," he said. In the next breath, the Army Intelligence veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan tours sharpens his tone, as if news of impending violence is to follow. “You know, in 30 seconds, if that fire did what the arsonist intended, there’s no telling how many people could have died."

While 750 people counted down to the new year, Bostick rushed to grab a fire extinguisher from behind the bar. He and Air Force member Mike Casey went to work putting out the gasoline-fueled fire. “It was like the Carrie movie,” Bostick recounted, “you see just fire everywhere. And that's all you can see and for a second, that's all you're focused on." Bostick and Casey tamed flames filling the staircase, after an arsonist poured gasoline on the carpeted stairway from a plastic liter gas can, dropped the can on the top step, and lit it ablaze from the bottom. “If we hadn't reacted to it, it would have taken too long for someone to react, and that fire would have become unmanageable in another 30 seconds,’’ Bostick said.
Fittingly, Bostick is a terrorism specialist. My earlier reports on the incident are here and here.

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Linda Harvey: I Pulled My Book From Amazon Myself Because Of Gay Bloggers

"I saw the rotten reviews, a smear campaign by those who had not read the book, and the publisher attempted to get Amazon to pull the ad hominem reviews, but they were not immediately responsive.  So, since the book is brand new and I didn't want it to be harmed by this uninformed and vicious campaign stimulated by 'gay' bloggers, I decided to pull the page for now. We have the option to re-post it, but hopefully by that time, the book will have been read by others who will be honest and sincere, and at any rate, fair in providing review. This book reflects concern for all students, concern about the damage homosexual behavior and activism is doing in young people's lives and to our country. Anyone who reads the book with an open mind and a fair appraisal will not think it's hateful, but exactly the opposite." - Ex-gay torture and brainwashing advocate Linda Harvey, speaking to the Christian Post.

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Vikings Hire Former State Supreme Court Justice To Investigate Kluwe's Charges

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports:
The Vikings have called in former Chief Justice of Minnesota Supreme Court Eric Magnuson and former U.S. Department of Justice Trial Attorney Chris Madel to lead the investigation into former punter Chris Kluwe’s allegations released on Thursday. “It is extremely important for the Vikings organization to react immediately and comprehensively with an independent review of these allegations,” said Vikings Owner Mark Wilf in a press release. Madel led the high-profile investigation of the Fiesta Bowl committee in Phoenix, Ariz. and has been named Minnesota Lawyer’s “Attorney of the Year” for the last three years. The investigation is already underway and will include interviews with current and former members of the Vikings organization.

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UTAH: Mormon Man Hasn't Eaten In Twelve Days Because Gay Marriage

Bilerico tips us to Trestin Meacham's initial Facebook posting.
After explaining the situation to my family, I have decided to pursue the following course of action. After my dinner tonight, I will begin a fast which will not end until all counties in Utah stop issuing marriage licenses and performing marriages for same sex couples. Due to the rogue judge refusing to issue a stay, this will likely take several days. I cannot stand by and do nothing while this evil takes root in my home. Some things in life are worth sacrificing one's heath and even life if necessary. I am but a man, and do not have the money and power to make any noticeable influence in our corrupt system. Never the less, I can do something that people in power cannot ignore.
That was December 21st. According to yesterday's report from Salt Lake television, the fast is still going and Meacham says he's now lost 25 pounds. His Facebook page is open for reading.
(Tipped by JMG reader Arthur)

UPDATE: JMG reader Ken has started a fundraiser to send pizza to Meacham.

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Facebook Graphic Of The Day

"Just kidding, They don't really exist." (Via Memeographs)

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Buchanan: Obama Should Go To Sochi

Three-times-failed GOP presidential candidate Pat Buchanan has written a World Net Daily column in which he calls on President Obama to attend the Sochi Olympics in solidarity against the recent terrorist attacks in Russia.
Vladimir Putin, who has his prestige fully invested in the Sochi games, would see this as a magnanimous gesture, a reaching out of America’s hand, to him and to Russia. What would be the downside? Those who have been calling for stiffing Putin and boycotting his Sochi games to protest Russia’s law prohibiting distribution of pro-homosexual propaganda to youth have already had their point made. In an in-your-face gesture, the U.S. delegation is headed by Billie Jean King, tennis legend and lesbian, who will travel to Sochi with gay athletes Brian Boitano, the ice skating gold medalist, and Caitlin Cahow, a two-time hockey medalist. “This is the grandest of snubs, to Putin and to Russia,” exults Chad Griffin of the Human Rights Campaign.

When it comes to the war on terror, we are in it together. If Russia’s end of the boat sinks, how long do we think ours will stay afloat? A quarter century ago, Ronald Reagan was being cheered as he strolled through Red Square. Is Putin responsible for the fact that the Russian people themselves no longer view America as a friend? Or did we, by pushing NATO onto Russia’s front porch and cutting her out of the Caspian Sea oil, contribute as well? And did not Americans collude with the oligarchs who, in the Boris Yeltsin years, looted Russia of much of her national wealth? Obama going to Sochi would turn a page, start a new chapter. Perhaps it would not be reciprocated. But what does Obama have to lose with such a brave and bold beau geste?
PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: Last month Buchanan praised France's neo-Nazi Manif Pour Tous for its anti-gay rallies. In August 2013, Buchanan declared that "Russia has it right" in their campaign against LGBT people. In April 2013, Buchanan called for Christians to commit civil disobedience against LGBT rights. Also last April, Buchanan declared that America deserves a fate as "the next Sodom and Gomorrah" for allowing same-sex marriage. In 2012 Buchanan claimed that "militant gay activists" had gotten him fired from his commentator gig on MSNBC, a charge backed by the Family Research Council. In 2010, Buchanan declared that there are too many Jews on the Supreme Court.

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Vikings Kicker: I Stand With The Coaches

"I have been a member of the Minnesota Vikings for 2 years. I want to start off by saying I have the utmost respect for Rick Spielman, Leslie Frazier and Mike Priefer. All three, are good men. I have had countless conversations and interactions with Coach Priefer, and I personally can attest to his integrity and character. His professionalism in the workplace is exemplary, and I firmly believe that my teammates would whole-heartedly agree. The allegations made today are reprehensible and totally not compatible with what Mike Priefer stands for. [snip] In my time here at Minnesota, Rick Spielman and Leslie Frazier have exemplified true leadership. Contrary to Chris’ statements, they have promoted a workplace environment that was conducive for success. At no time did I ever feel suppressed or that I could not be myself.I firmly stand behind Rick Spielman, Leslie Frazier, and Mike Priefer." - Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh. (Tipped by JMG reader Dwight)

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Bill Nye To Debate Creationist Wacko

From the website of the Creation Museum comes this message from their director Ken Ham:
Most of you will recall Mr. Nye as the bow-tied host of the popular children’s TV program Bill Nye the Science Guy. On his TV program, watched by millions of children over the years both on TV and as videos in science classrooms, Nye promoted evolutionary ideas. In recent times he has often been seen on TV interview shows and YouTube videos, where he has defended evolution. Nye was the “2010 Humanist of the Year” as awarded by the American Humanist Association.  Because our ministry theme for 2013 and for 2014 is “Standing Our Ground, Rescuing Our Kids,” our staff thought that a debate on creation vs. evolution with a man who has influenced so many children to believe in evolution would be a good idea. Now, those of you who know me realize that I don’t relish public debates, so please pray for me. But this debate will help highlight the fact that so many young people are dismissing the Bible because of evolution, and even many young people who had grown up in the church decided to leave the church because they saw evolution as showing the Bible could not be trusted.
The debate will be live-streamed on February 4th. Get the popcorn ready. (Tipped by JMG reader Kevin)

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Beck: I Stand With GLAAD On Russia

Glenn Beck appeared on CNN several days ago to declare that he stands with GLAAD against Russia's "hetero-fascism."
Beck said he would gladly stand with GLAAD in the fight against Russia’s “hetero-fascist” laws criminalizing public homosexuality. Beck told Cupp that he finds it ridiculous that Americans were debating Santa Claus’ race and a comment made by a Duck Dynasty star while, over in Mother Russia, laws have criminalized public homosexuality and a well-known TV celebrity actually called for the burning alive of gay people. “Hetero-fascism,” Beck called it. And he said he’d gladly stand with GLAAD in taking a stand against Russia’s anti-gay legislation.
Beck's comments were picked up by Free Republic yesterday, where many commenters are reacting as you'd expect.

(Tipped by JMG reader P Joe)

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UTAH: Plaintiffs File Opposing SCOTUS Brief To State's Marriage Stay Demand

The plaintiffs in Utah's marriage equality case met the 5pm today deadline set by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and filed their opposition to the emergency marriage stay demand made by Gov. Gary Herbert. The brief cites the Windsor case (of course) and also mentions an article by the Salt Lake Tribune which recounts the over 1200 same-sex marriages that have already taken place.

But the best part of the brief is where they cite the debunking of the Regnerus study, which featured prominently in the state's demand. An excerpt:
The bulk of the research on which Applicants rely is outdated, and the current studies they cite by Mark D. Regnerus, Appl. at 15-17, have been wholly discredited by the scientific community, including the journal which published them. Tom Bartlett, Controversial Gay-Parenting Study is Severely Flawed, Journal’s Audit Finds, Chron. Of Higher Educ., July 26, 2012. Applicants’ citation to the study by Kristin A. Moore, App l. at 15, is equally misplaced because the authors added an introductory note to their study explicitly warning that no conclusions can be drawn from this research about the well-being of children raised by same-sex or adoptive parents. Kristin A. Moore, Marriage from a Child’s Perspective: How Does Family Structure Affect Children, and What Can We Do About It, Child Trends (2002).
Dig into the full brief at the link. (Via Equality Case Files)

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Postmodern Jukebox: 1-Take 2013 Mashup

YouTube viral stars Postmodern Jukebox took over the Manhattan office of Cosmopolitan Magazine yesterday to perform a great mashup of some of their hits of 2013.  There's no appearance by Puddles, sadly. Stick around for the last note.

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Tweet Of The Day - LZ Granderson

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Brendon Ayanbadejo Backs Chris Kluwe

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Breitbart Attacks Chris Kluwe

An excerpt
What Kluwe fails to grasp, as many in today’s society often do, is that NFL teams are private organizations: as such, they can release an employee for any reason that is not contrary to the law (e.g., race) and is not contractually forbidden. Moreover, the contracts players often sign with the teams include all manner of behavioral clauses, likely including that the player’s actions on-and-off the field not reflect poorly on the team. Oh, and did I mention the players have a very strong union that protects them? Somehow, however, Kluwe wishes for the reader to believe he is a victim of homophobes and cowardly-servants-of-homophoboes who wouldn’t just let-Chris-be-Chris.
Firing Phil Robertson for damaging the brand of his employer? That's an outraaage and a violation of Holy Word of the Baby Jesus. Firing Chris Kluwe for speaking his mind? Why that's just how things work in corporate America! Praise! Glory!

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NEW YORK CITY: Subway Breakdancers Charged With Reckless Endangerment

DNAinfo reports:
Two men were arrested for dancing on a crowded subway car at the West 4th Street station last week, NYPD said. Police spotted 20-year-old Shamik Watson and 18-year-old Andrew Washington dancing and somersaulting on a packed A train at about 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 27, police said. The pair caused a hazard to themselves and others around them, and made excessive noise by blaring music from a stereo, police said. Watson and Washington were charged with reckless endangerment as a misdemeanor
The commenters at Gothamist are cheering. Mostly.

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VIDEO: The Makeover Of NYC Streets

Via the Atlantic:
Clarence Eckerson has been documenting conditions on the city's streets since the 1990s, and he has a huge archive of footage. Here, he juxtaposes images of key New York locations before, during, and after radical redesigns that took place under the jurisdiction of the Bloomberg administration’s transportation commissioner, Janette Sadik-Khan. Eckerson shows the transformation of Times Square, Herald Square, the Brooklyn waterfront, the Queensboro Bridge, and several other formerly car-choked areas that are now havens for human beings on foot and on bicycles. If you've been walking or riding a bike in these places over the years, you know how profound the changes wrought by Sadik-Khan’s policies have been. But now that New Yorkers have begun to get used to more humane streets in many parts of the city, it's startling to see just how stark the contrast is. It makes you wonder, how did people accept the previous status quo?
Lets hope that De Blasio's administration continues one of the few Bloomberg campaigns that everybody loved.

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Mormon "Ex-Gay" Group Shuts Down

Evergreen International, the NARTH-affiliated and largest Mormon "ex-gay" group, has shut down and merged with a "softer" group of "ex-gay" nutters that downplays reparative therapy. The Salt Lake Tribune reports:
Days after hundreds of gay and lesbian couples swarmed county offices to get Utah marriage licenses, a group originally founded to help Mormons eliminate same-sex attraction closed its doors. Before doing so, Evergreen International turned over some of its resources and mailing lists — said to number up to 30,000 participants, including many from Spanish-speaking countries — to a newer LDS-based gay support group, North Star. Evergreen President David Pruden, who could not be reached Thursday for comment, will not be joining North Star’s leadership but will continue as executive director of the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality. Preston Dahlgren, Evergreen’s chairman, will become a member of North Star’s board. As to the question of changing or diminishing sexual orientation, North Star takes no position, says the group’s newly named president, Ty Mansfield. "If someone had a positive experience with reparative therapy or change, we are OK with them sharing that," says Mansfield, a marriage and family therapist in Provo. "If they had a negative experience, they can share that, too."
 Jim Burroway recaps at Box Turtle Bulletin:
This move is the latest in a larger re-alignment within the ex-gay movement. Nearly two years ago, Exodus International president Alan Chambers after Chambers acknowledged that “99.9%” of ex-gay ministry members “have not experienced a change in their orientation,”disavowed the particular form of sexual orientation change therapy known as Reparative Therapy, and acknowledged that gay Christians can enter heaven. Exodus, a predominantly Evangelical-based organization, was the largest ex-gay organization in the U.S. at the time of Chambers’s statements. Over the next year and a half, Exodus struggled to find a new direction within the ex-gay movement before finally announcing its closure at its final conference last June. A newer organization, Restored Hope Network, comprised of more hard core elements of the former Exodus network, has formed in an attempt to claim Exodus’ role in the ex-gay movement.
North Star's first convention is scheduled for May.

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NY Official Sworn In By iPad

When it came time for Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano to be sworn in for his second term yesterday, nobody could find a bible. Therefore Mangano took his oath on an iPad with a bible app on the screen. Sample comments from Teabagistan: "New York is so far left they have probably banned or burned all the Bibles." "These people don't want or need Bibles. They are lost souls and keep voting in losers and radicals." "Can't use a real bible. It burns their hands." "Obama's trying to get it changed to have them swear on a copy of The Communist Manifesto."  Mangano is a Republican.

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Billboard Of The Day

The billboard is on Interstate 15 in Salt Lake City.
American Atheists President David Silverman explained in a news release, "Our message is this: If you don’t believe anymore, don’t continue to base your identity in Mormonism. You’re so much more than an ‘ex-Mormon’; you’re an atheist." The three children were on board with the ad, Monnett says. He says people have accused him of brainwashing, but he allows them to draw their own conclusions. "The lack of pushing a belief system is not pushing a belief system," he says. As for invoking the LDS Church, Utah State University chair of Mormon History and Culture Philip Barlow says it’s only natural that the American Atheists would mention the elephant in the room. "It will certainly make some Latter-day Saints feel uneasy, but I think that’s just a natural outcome of where we are," he says. "The sign certainly wouldn’t look like that if we were in Dallas or Chicago."
The LDS Church has declined to comment on the campaign. (Tipped by JMG reader Matthew)

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Clay Aiken For Congress?

The Washington Blade reports that American Idol contestant and openly gay pop singer Clay Aiken is considering running for the U.S. House. Via Chris Johnson:
The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the 35-year-old Raleigh native has taken initial steps for a run, including consulting with political operatives in Washington, D.C., about a bid for the seat. One Democratic source said Aiken made phone calls to gauge support, talked to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and has met with figures in Raleigh, N.C., about a potential bid. Although it’s unclear when Aiken might formally announce a decision, the source said Aiken is “actively considering” it and “sounding and acting like a candidate.” To help explore a run, the source said Aiken has been working with Betsy Conti, a Raleigh-based political strategist who’s worked for former North Carolina Gov. Bev Purdue and Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore in addition to serving as Maryland’s deputy labor secretary in the Glendening administration.
Aiken came out in 2008. He has scored five Billboard top five albums, including his #1 full-length debut, 2003's Measure Of A Man. That album yielded the #1 pop single, This Is The Night.  Two years ago I attended the Family Equality Council's annual gala here in NYC, which was held on the day of the vote on North Carolina's Amendment One. Aiken performed that night and as most of the room anxiously checked their phones for the results of the vote, he spoke passionately and eloquently about the plight of LGBT families in his home state. I came away rather impressed.

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Venue Builds 400-Foot Vinyl Copy Of The Eagle's Hotel California (And It Rotates)

Stereogum recaps:
The record now sits atop the roof of the Forum in Inglewood, CA, and measures 407 feet in diameter — or maybe it’s more appropriate to simply call it a 4884-inch. It was installed in anticipation of the six Eagles shows to mark the re-opening of the Forum since its purchase and renovation by the Madison Square Garden Company. The record took 10 days and roughly 75 workers to construct, and it actually rotates.

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Now On Sale: Duck Dynasty Guns

Via the New York Daily News:
The Robertson family — who brushed with controversy after patriarch Phil Robertson waded in and out of a suspension from their hit A&E reality show — have partnered with Connecticut-based gun maker Mossberg on the line of nine shotguns, two rifles and a semi-automatic pistol. The embattled elder Robertson narrates four promotional videos for the camouflage-covered weapons, touting its ability to blast away birds. “You know what makes me happy, ladies and gentleman? To blow a mallard drake's head smooth off,” he says in the sleek promotional ad.

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Morning View - Upper East Side

A lot of hullabaloo for six inches of snow. But the wind chill is minus five.

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Thursday, January 02, 2014

Vikings Coach Mike Priefer: I Vehemently Deny The Charges Made By Chris Kluwe

"I vehemently deny today’s allegations made by Chris Kluwe. I want to be clear that I do not tolerate discrimination of any type and am respectful of all individuals. I personally have gay family members who I love and support just as I do any family member. The primary reason I entered coaching was to affect people in a positive way. As a coach, I have always created an accepting environment for my players, including Chris, and have looked to support them both on and off the field. The comments today have not only attacked my character and insulted my professionalism, but they have also impacted my family. While my career focus is to be a great professional football coach, my number one priority has always been to be a protective husband and father to my wife and children. I will continue to work hard for the Minnesota Vikings, the Wilf family and all of our loyal fans." - Vikings special teams coach Mike Preifer, in a statement published tonight by NBC Sports.

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MINNESOTA: Gay State Sen. Scott Dibble Reponds To Chris Kluwe's Charges

"In Chris Kluwe’s eight years with the Vikings, not only was he an outstanding contributor to the team on the field – setting several team records— he was also a tremendous contributor off the field, for his advocacy for freedom and dignity for all Minnesotans. His decision to publicly announce his opposition to the marriage amendment came at a critical time, when many in similar positions of leadership were afraid. His energy and humor helped give momentum to supporters of equality and helped ensure defeat of the marriage amendment. Kluwe’s allegations raise very serious concerns about the culture within the Minnesota Vikings organization. As a business partner of the state of Minnesota, we have strong expectations that the team uphold the values of tolerance and equality that we all share. I am encouraged to some degree by the team's statement in response, but the charges warrant a thorough investigation. If shown to be true, decisive action must be taken. I am pleased to know that team owner Zygi Wilf supports marriage equality, and I hope he will use his position as the head of this organization to foster an atmosphere that allows the Minnesota Vikings to accept and value all of its players and coaches." - Openly gay Minnesota state Sen. Scott Dibble, via press release.

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Vikings Respond To Chris Kluwe

Earlier today former Minnesota Vikings punter and LGBT ally Chris Kluwe posted a Deadspin column in which he stated that he believes that he was released by the team because of anti-gay animus. Among Kluwe's charges is that a Vikings coach said this in a team meeting: "We should round up all the gays, send them to an island, and then nuke it until it glows."

The Viking have issued a press release:
The Minnesota Vikings were made aware of Chris Kluwe’s allegations for the first time today. We take them very seriously and will thoroughly review this matter. As an organization, the Vikings consistently strive to create a supportive, respectful and accepting environment for all of our players, coaches and front office personnel. We do not tolerate discrimination at any level. The team has long respected our players’ and associates’ individual rights, and, as Chris specifically stated, Vikings ownership supports and promotes tolerance, including on the subject of marriage equality. Because he was identified with the Vikings, Chris was asked to be respectful while expressing his opinions. Team ownership and management also repeatedly emphasized to Chris that the Vikings would not impinge on his right to express his views. Any notion that Chris was released from our football team due to his stance on marriage equality is entirely inaccurate and inconsistent with team policy. Chris was released strictly based on his football performance. We will have further comment at the appropriate time.
(Tipped by JMG reader Helen)

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People Who Believe In Evolution Are Disqualified From Holding Public Office

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HomoQuotable - Brian Boitano

"When the president named the delegation, and I read in the news what his message was of tolerance and diversity, I thought, I have to take this opportunity. I think the message is so strong. I’ve always wanted to represent my country as best I could, and I knew that I had to go past my comfort zone and reveal a private side of my life that I’ve never done before because I felt that the message is so strong. I think that we have to be careful once we go over there. I think the statement is already being made by us being on the delegation and Billie Jean and Caitlin, and us standing together united as gay people showing that there is freedom of speech, and we are successful human beings and athletes. I think that speaks measures." - Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano, speaking today to NBC.

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Microsoft Celebrates Edith Windsor

In a new commercial for Bing, Microsoft celebrates the "heroic women" of 2013, including DOMA champion Edith Windsor and distance swimmer Diana Nyad.

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Charlie Crist Apologizes To Gays

In his first-ever interview with the LGBT press, former (and possibly future) Florida Gov. Charlie Christ repeatedly apologized for supporting his state's successful constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Via Orlando's Watermark:
WATERMARK: When you first ran for governor in 2006, you said that a ban on same-sex marriage was unnecessary, but then you signed a petition to place Amendment 2 [banning same-sex marriage] on the ballot…
CRIST: And I’m sorry. I’m sorry I did that. It was a mistake. I was wrong. Please forgive me.

WATERMARK: I appreciate that, but I want to make sure I spell this out in full. After you signed the petition you said Amendment 2 wasn’t an issue that moved you, but then you ended up voting for it, saying you believed in it. Just three years ago, when you were running for the Senate as a Republican, you told CNN that you believed that “marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman.” And just three years ago, when talking about gay adoption, you expressed a belief that traditional families are best…
CRIST: I’m sorry. I’m sorry.

WATERMARK: Well again, I appreciate that. But I think it’s important for you to address this. When you look back at the circumstances, one could come to the conclusion that your shifts in opinion were either politically expedient…
CRIST: They were. They were. And it was wrong. That’s what I’m telling you. And I’m sorry.
Crist goes to say that his anti-gay actions were just him trying to be the "good Republican" that his parents raised him to be.  The dogged Watermark interviewer then calls him out for having no mention of LGBT rights on his campaign website, which Crist vows to change.

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Headline Of The Day

Details.

Happy New Year From Ben Cohen


(Via Towleroad)

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Chris Kluwe: I Got Fired From The Vikings Because Of My Gay Marriage Activism

"Hello. My name is Chris Kluwe, and for eight years I was the punter for the Minnesota Vikings. In May 2013, the Vikings released me from the team. At the time, quite a few people asked me if I thought it was because of my recent activism for same-sex marriage rights, and I was very careful in how I answered the question. My answer, verbatim, was always, 'I honestly don't know, because I'm not in those meetings with the coaches and administrative people.' This is a true answer. I honestly don't know if my activism was the reason I got fired. However, I'm pretty confident it was. [snip]

"It's my belief, based on everything that happened over the course of 2012, that I was fired by Mike Priefer, a bigot who didn't agree with the cause I was working for, and two cowards, Leslie Frazier and Rick Spielman, both of whom knew I was a good punter and would remain a good punter for the foreseeable future, as my numbers over my eight-year career had shown, but who lacked the fortitude to disagree with Mike Priefer on a touchy subject matter. (Frazier was fired on Monday, at the conclusion of a 5-10-1 season.) One of the main coaching points I've heard throughout my entire life is, 'How you respond to difficult situations defines your character,' and I think it's a good saying. I also think it applies to more than just the players." - Chris Kluwe, writing for Deadspin. I recommend reading the full essay.

UPDATE: Here's an important bit I should have included in the first draft of this post.
As we sat down in our chairs, Mike Priefer, in one of the meanest voices I can ever recall hearing, said: "We should round up all the gays, send them to an island, and then nuke it until it glows." The room grew intensely quiet, and none of the players said a word for the rest of the meeting. The atmosphere was decidedly tense. I had never had an interaction that hostile with any of my teammates on this issue—some didn't agree with me, but our conversations were always civil and respectful. Afterward, several told me that what Mike Priefer had said was "messed up."

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Pat Robertson: God Told Me 2014 Will Be Shitty Except For The Republicans

Don't forget that God also told Pat Robertson that Mitt Romney would be a two-term president.

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Aaron Schock Loves His Espadrilles

From the AmericaBlog post titled "The 7 Gayest Instagram Posts By Aaron Schock."

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Coulter: I Recommend Capital Punishment For Pro-Gay Television Pundits

"We know A&E is not the government. It may shock your tiny little pea brains, but free speech existed even before we had a Constitution. Free speech is generally considered a desirable goal even apart from its inclusion in the nation's founding document. Suppose TV networks were capitulating to angry Muslims by suspending people for saying they opposed Sharia law? Would that prompt any of you pusillanimous hacks to finally take a position on the state of free speech in America? Or would you demand that we stop the presses so you could roll out your little cliche about a television network not being the government? A&E didn't dare cross the gays, never anticipating that the Robertson family wouldn't back down -- and the rest of the country wouldn't, either. Even non-Christians can have only contempt for the network's utter cravenness in suspending Robertson for stating basic Christian doctrine. The first time someone stands up to a bully and the sky doesn't fall, the tyranny is over. The gay mafia was out of control, drunk with power. This time, they got their wings clipped. Christians, 1; Angry gays: minus 1,000. Cliche-spouting hack TV pundits: I recommend capital punishment." - Ann Coulter, writing for Townhall.

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Port Authority: Airport Closures Likely

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Rob Ford Files For Re-Election

Toronto's crack-smoking mayor today filed for re-election and already the local papers have busted him for lying.
Ford then went on to declare himself the "best mayor" Toronto has ever had before rattling off a list of his alleged accomplishments, some of which in the words of the Star "were exaggerations or simply untrue." The most obvious errors of fact were his dubious claims that he saved the city "a billion dollars" (an overstatement by at least hundreds of millions of dollars by the paper's count) and that he had the best attendance record of anyone on Toronto's city council (he is, unsurprisingly, below average in that respect).
The election is in October.

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Limericks By Matt Barber

More have been posted to Charisma News. (Tipped by JMG reader Jollof)

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PETA: Vegans Last Longer During Sex

If you aren't vegan, you'll have to think about Fidel Castro during sex. Or something.

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SEATTLE: Gas Container Found At Scene Of Attempted Arson At Gay Nightclub

An update on yesterday's story.

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New York Times: Pardon Edward Snowden

From the Times editorial board:
Considering the enormous value of the information he has revealed, and the abuses he has exposed, Mr. Snowden deserves better than a life of permanent exile, fear and flight. He may have committed a crime to do so, but he has done his country a great service. It is time for the United States to offer Mr. Snowden a plea bargain or some form of clemency that would allow him to return home, face at least substantially reduced punishment in light of his role as a whistle-blower, and have the hope of a life advocating for greater privacy and far stronger oversight of the runaway intelligence community. [snip] When someone reveals that government officials have routinely and deliberately broken the law, that person should not face life in prison at the hands of the same government. That’s why Rick Ledgett, who leads the N.S.A.’s task force on the Snowden leaks, recently told CBS News that he would consider amnesty if Mr. Snowden would stop any additional leaks. And it’s why President Obama should tell his aides to begin finding a way to end Mr. Snowden’s vilification and give him an incentive to return home.

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UTAH: State AG Dropped Procreation Argument In Marriage Stay Demand

The Salt Lake Tribune reports:
Utah made a subtle shift in its arguments in defense of opposite-sex marriage in a stay application to the U.S. Supreme Court filed Tuesday. Gone is any mention of procreation. Instead, the state talks about child-rearing without discussing how children may be produced. Utah argues one reason it is likely to ultimately prevail in reversing legalization of same-sex marriage in the state is the "large and growing body of social science research" that supports its "rational" interest in opposite-sex marriage. That research, it argues, backs "the importance of providing unique encouragement and protection for man-woman unions" because it shows children do best when raised by their father and mother (whether biological or adoptive) and limiting access to marriage to such unions increases that likelihood. These are the core "legislative facts" that lawmakers and voters have relied on in limiting marriage to man-woman unions, it says.
So they are essentially basing their entire case on the debunked Regnerus study. (Tipped by JMG readers Dwight and Gilberto)

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UCF Wins Fiesta Bowl

The University of Central Florida, my alma mater, scored a huge upset in last night's Fiesta Bowl. I don't report on many sports items, but this one is rather satisfying as UCF's opponent was the highly-ranked and highly-anti-gay Baylor University, which bans "homosexual acts" by students and which recently offered a course titled "Homosexuality As A Gateway Drug." Go Knights!

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Gotta Get The Bread & Milk

Flight Aware reports that almost 1200 flights have already been canceled in advance of the blizzard which is due to hit much of the northeast today. Thousands of other flights face "significant delays."  Via CNN:
As of Wednesday night, New York City was under a winter storm warning, just like many other densely populated areas in seven other states. The city of 8 million people could get 9 inches of snow, sub-zero wind chills and turbulent winds, forecasters said. The Long Island counties of Nassau and Suffolk will be under a blizzard warning from 6 p.m. Thursday until 1 p.m. Friday, thanks to a forecast including 8 to 10 inches of snow, wind chills as low as 10-below zero and sustained winds of at least 35 mph. Farther upstate, the capital city of Albany could get buried under 14 inches of snow, with frigid wind chills of 15 to 25 below zero, the National Weather Service said. By Friday night, Boston should be covered by 5 to 11 inches of snow -- with freezing temperatures as low as 3 degrees below zero.
Gotta get the bread and milk.

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Linda Harvey's Book Pulled From Amazon

Back2Stonewall reports that Linda Harvey's book, Maybe He's Not Gay, has been pulled from Amazon after complaining emails. Harvey has not promoted the book's availability on Amazon and it remains on sale at Next Century, a small self-publishing outlet. Back in October, Amazon pulled thousands of "abuse-themed" e-books, some of which depicted rape, bestiality, and incest. That move was criticized by some as the sweeping deletions apparently included titles that might be considered mere erotica that didn't touch on rape, incest, etc. I'm unaware of any other "ex-gay" books having been pulled from Amazon under their "abuse-theme" rule, if that's why Linda Harvey's book has been pulled.

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Crowds Flock To Colorado's Pot Shops

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Carl Siciliano On Phil Robertson

Via Memeographs.

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Open Thread Thursday

Where were you at midnight on NYE?

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Michael Moore: Obamacare Is Awful

"Now that the individual mandate is officially here, let me begin with an admission: Obamacare is awful. That is the dirty little secret many liberals have avoided saying out loud for fear of aiding the president’s enemies, at a time when the ideal of universal health care needed all the support it could get. I believe Obamacare’s rocky start — clueless planning, a lousy website, insurance companies raising rates, and the president’s telling people they could keep their coverage when, in fact, not all could — is a result of one fatal flaw: The Affordable Care Act is a pro-insurance-industry plan implemented by a president who knew in his heart that a single-payer, Medicare-for-all model was the true way to go. When right-wing critics 'expose' the fact that President Obama endorsed a single-payer system before 2004, they’re actually telling the truth." - Michael Moore, writing for the New York Times.

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Wednesday, January 01, 2014

SEATTLE: New Year's Eve Arson Attempt At Packed Gay Nightclub

Seattle's Fox affiliate reports:
Police are searching for an attempted arsonist who allegedly poured gasoline on a carpeted stairway leading to the second level of Neighbours Nightclub and trying to set it on fire. Seattle police said an attempted arsonist poured the gas in the stairway just after midnight New Year’s Day. The arsonist lit the gas and left, police said. Luckily, the fire was quickly discovered and put out with a fire extinguisher. Someone in the club also pulled the fire alarm, causing sprinklers to activate and dousing the flames. Police said all of the 750 patrons celebrating the New Year’s holiday managed to evacuate safely and no one was injured.
Capitol Hill Seattle has a similar report:
The Seattle Fire Department’s marshal was called to Broadway’s Neighbours just minutes after the legendary gay night spot’s midnight 2014 celebration to investigate a suspected arson fire that triggered the club’s automatic fire sprinkler system. SFD’s Ladder 10 was dispatched to the dance club at 1509 Broadway at 12:16 AM. The arriving firefighters found the building’s sprinkler system activated and the club’s 750 or so partygoers were cleared outside. Seattle Police were called to the scene to assist in crowd control to keep patrons and staff from re-entering the building.
Neighbours performer Aleska Manila reacted on Instagram:
THANK YOU #SEATTLE for an amazing #nye2013 countdown at #neighboursnightclub unfortunately, someone tried to burn the club down after midnight. whoever you are - i hope you come forward, or if anyone knows any information, please call 911. this club has been the #1 gay nightclub in the northwest for over 30 years. nothing's gonna stop us from celebrating diversity & providing a safe space for everyone.
The Seattle Fire Department has issued a preliminary report.
Suspect being sought in arson bar fire. On 1/1/2014, just shortly after midnight, an unknown suspect poured gasoline on a carpeted stairway leading to the second level of a bar and ignited it. The bar in the 1500 block of Broadway was occupied by over 750 patrons celebrating New Years Eve at the time. The fire was quickly discovered before it could spread beyond the stairway and was extinguished with a fire extinguisher. Someone pulled the fire alarm and caused the fire sprinkler system to activate. An orderly evacuation was accomplished and no one was injured. Arson Bomb Detectives (ABS) responded after being notified by SFD Fire Investigators. No suspect information available. The investigation continues.
I'll update this post throughout the day if more information becomes available. (Tipped by JMG reader Jim)

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CALIFORNIA: Rose Bowl Parade's Gay Wedding Float Wins Award For "Color And Color Harmony"

Well, of course it did. During the 30 seconds that the float was onscreen during NBC's coverage, the two grooms atop the wedding cake waved, beamed, held hands, and generally seemed to be having a wonderful time. Parade host Al Roker: "A sincere shout-out to the newlyweds and the happy couples on the float." It's the end of America, people!

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