Obamacare Ad Stars Married Gay Couple

(Tipped by JMG reader Elroy)

"Ex-Gays" To Sue DC Over Torture Ban

Via the Christian Post:

An ex-gay organization is planning legal action against the District of Columbia for its recent banning of conversion therapy, also called Sexual Orientation Change Efforts therapy, for minors. Voice of the Voiceless, an organization focused on ex-gay rights and recognition, is in the early stages of planning to bring legal action against the government of the nation's Capital over the recently passed bill. Christopher Doyle, president and co-founder of VoV, told The Christian Post that at present they are seeking a plaintiff to bring a case against the new law. "We are still seeking a plaintiff (minor and their family) who has been disenfranchised by this law in the District, but at this point, we cannot find a licensed practitioner who even practices SOCE therapy in the District, nor can we identify a client who has been disenfranchised," said Doyle.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: When the DC City Council unanimously passed its ban, Doyle called the action "a victory for gay pedophiles everywhere." DC Mayor Vincent Gray signed the bill into law three weeks ago, prompting the Liberty Counsel to declare that "an assault on almighty God" had been committed. Tony Perkins bleated that DC City Council members had "opened a frightening chapter" on the recruiting of children into homosexuality. The Liberty Counsel has lost every single legal battle to overturn statewide bans on "ex-gay" torture in California and New Jersey, including before the US Supreme Court.

NORTH CAROLINA: State GOP To Appeal Same-Sex Marriage Ruling To SCOTUS

Via the Washington Post:

North Carolina lawmakers said they will file a petition this week with the U.S. Supreme Court to hear its appeal regarding marriage for same-sex couples. “We’ve said all along North Carolina voters deserve to have their voices heard, and this important issue won’t ever be settled until a final decision is made by the U.S. Supreme Court,” Sen. Phil Berger (R) said in a statement. The North Carolina legislature banned marriage between same-sex couples in 1996, and in 2012, voters approved a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman. In November, a federal judge struck down the state’s marriage ban. “Regardless of where you stand on the ultimate issue, it is important to protect the will of the North Carolina voters who overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment,” Rep. Tim Moore (R) said in a statement.

NOM and the state GOP appealed to the Fourth Circuit Court back in November.

Zimmerman Arrested Again

Details.

GOP Celebrates Senate Majority

Texas Hater Predicts Win At Fifth Circuit

"The tradition, until recently, had been adopted by all governments and major religions of the world. That's how settled the issue of marriage has been in our country and in our world. And in Texas we dealt with this issue before and settled it at the polls the way it should, when voters voted 76 percent in 2005. It's really a shame that all of that legitimate work could be undone by the stroke of a pen of a few federal court judges, but I think that a lot of people and a lot of legal experts believe and agree that the federal Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will rule in favor of state marriage laws. That will be for Texas, that will be for Louisiana and Mississippi, and that will be a significant turning point in the debate and the discussion on this issue."  - Texas Values head Jonathan Saenz, speaking to OneNewsNow.

Mixed Result For Today's SpaceX Launch

Via Reuters:

An unmanned Space Exploration Technologies mission blasted off on Saturday carrying cargo for the International Space Station, but efforts to reland the rocket on a sea platform failed, the firm said. The Dragon cargo capsule itself was successfully launched into space and is expected to dock with the space station on Monday. Seeking to cut the cost of space launches, SpaceX hoped to bring the rocket back to Earth, aiming to land it on a floating platform in the Atlantic Ocean some 200 miles (322 km) off Jacksonville, Fla., north of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station launch site. A ship stationed near the platform tried to capture the touchdown on video, but it was too dark and foggy, Musk said. Engineers will look to work out what went wrong by studying data relayed during the descent, as well as pieces of the rocket itself, he added. "Ship itself is fine. Some of the support equipment on the deck will need to be replaced," said Musk, who prior to the launch had put the odds of a successful touchdown on the first attempt at just 50 percent.

Movie Version Of Wicked Is In The Works

Via the Guardian:

A long-gestating big-screen version of the hit stage musical Wicked could see a release as early as 2016, with the acclaimed British director Stephen Daldry taking charge of the cameras. Producer Marc Platt, who was also behind the stage version, confirmed in an interview with Film Divider that work on developing the movie had begun, with Winnie Holzman, writer of the novelisation of Wicked, at work on a screenplay. Daldry, who studio Universal has been courting since at least 2012, remains attached to the project. Platt said a 2016 release is the aim, “but I don’t know whether we’ll make that goal or not. We will make the movie, but … the bar is really high. We’re going to scrutinise our work on the screenplay and our prep on the movie, and when we feel like it’s ready, OK. We’re not going to shoot a release date is what I’m saying. It’s in the works, it’s not in a rush.”

Wicked is the 11th longest-running show in Broadway history and was last week's top grosser.

IDAHO: Ninth Circuit Court Denies Gov. Butch Otter's Demand For En Banc Review

After referring the issue to the full roster of nonrecused judges, the Ninth Circuit Court has denied Idaho Gov. Butch Otter's demand for an en banc rehearing of his same-sex marriage appeal. The National Center For Lesbian Rights reacts:

“The Ninth Circuit correctly recognized that there is no need to reconsider the panel’s decision that Idaho’s marriage ban violates basic constitutional guarantees of equal protection. The Ninth Circuit’s decision striking down the Idaho marriage ban is consistent with the rulings of three other federal appeals courts, which have rightly concluded that our Constitution cannot tolerate the profound harm that denying same-sex couples the freedom to marry inflicts those couples and their children.”

Three judges dissented from the majority. The dissenting opinion, which goes on and on for many pages, cites the 1970 Baker V Nelson ruling.

Romney 2016

Via Talking Points Memo:

Former Gov. Mitt Romney (R) told a group of donors on Friday that he's considering running for president in 2016, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cited "people present" for the former 2012 Republican presidential nominee's comments. If he did run, it would be a third presidential bid for Romney. The news comes as former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has been making moves that point almost directly at his own plans to run for president in 2016. Bush's early but major steps toward running for president seemed to be partially an effort to prevent other mainstream Republicans (like Romney) from taking up the same place in a Republican primary field. Romney, according to the Journal, made the remarks Friday afternoon in front of GOP donors in midtown Manhattan.

The 2012 clown car is making another lap. Come on, Crazy Eyes and Herman Cain. Jump in!

Bryan Fischer: God Probably Killed Those French Cartoonists For Blaspheming Jesus

Chris Geidner On Fifth Circuit Court

Buzzfeed reporter Chris Geidner recaps today's action:

After three hours of arguments, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals appeared poised to strike down bans on same-sex couples’ marriages in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas — joining all but one of the other appellate courts to consider that matter. More than halfway through the morning’s arguments, an exasperated Justin Matheny, the assistant attorney general in Mississippi charged with defending the state’s ban, tried to change his tune during his rebuttal arguments.

It being clear that the three-judge panel was leaning against upholding the bans, Matheny told the judges that although the “trajectory” on marriage rights for same-sex couples is “undeniable,” he argued that “it’s not there yet.” Judge Patrick Higginbotham, born in Alabama almost eight decades ago and appointed to the appeals court by President Reagan more than three decades ago, spoke up. And though the older judge was hard to hear at times, he spoke up and spoke clearly when he responded to Matheny: “Those words, ‘Will Mississippi change its mind?’ have resonated in these halls before.”

Hit the link and read the rest.

LISTEN: Oral Arguments At Fifth Circuit

Today's oral arguments in the marriage equality case out of Louisiana have been posted. Listen and give us your analysis. Recordings of the arguments in the cases out of Mississippi and Texas should be posted here soon. NOTE: That site is getting hit with heavy traffic.

IRELAND: Drag Star/Activist Panti Bliss Wows Crowd With Dublin TEDx Talk

Andy Towle provides some of the transcript:

"Everyday I am jealous of straight people because that tiny intimate expression of affection has never once been mine...I am jealous of that because gay people do not get to hold hands in public without first considering the risk...We look around to see where are we, who’s around, what kind of place is it…are there bunches of lads outside a pub? ... I’m 45 years old and I have never once casually, comfortably, carelessly held hands with a partner in public... I’m 45 and I’m fed up of putting up so I’m not anymore. I’m 45 years old and I’m not putting up anymore because I don’t have the energy anymore. Putting up is exhausting. I’m 45 years old and I’m not putting up anymore because I don’t have the patience anymore. I was born 6 months before the Stonewall riots and you have had 45 years to work out that despite appearances, I am just as ordinary, just as unremarkable, and just as human as you are. I’m 45 years old and I’m not asking anymore. I am just being…human being."

Watch this.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: Panti Bliss honored as Ireland 2014 Person Of The Year. Panti Bliss hosts Irish prime minister at local gay bar. Pet Shop Boys remix Panti Bliss speech into new single. Panti Bliss marches in Queens St. Patrick's Day Parade. Panti Bliss' anti-homophobia speech at Dublin's Abbey Theater goes globally viral.

No Marriage News From SCOTUS Today

Actor Rod Taylor Dies At Age 84

Via the New York Times:

Rod Taylor, the ruggedly handsome Australian-born actor who fended off attacks from above in Alfred Hitchcock’s revered horror film “The Birds” and helped an 8,000th-century people escape a monster race in the film version of the science-fiction classic “The Time Machine,” died on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 84. His death was announced by his daughter, Felicia Taylor, a former correspondent and anchor for CNN and CNBC. Mr. Taylor was only the second Australian actor, after Errol Flynn (who was born in Tasmania), to achieve major Hollywood stardom, though many moviegoers did not know his origins. He made more than 50 films but played Australians in only a handful. In his most famous roles, he played a Briton and an American. His “Time Machine” character, an inventor, was known as H. George Wells, for H. G. Wells, the British author of the classic time-travel novel on which the film was based. In “The Birds,” Mr. Taylor was a California lawyer who offers a ride to a reckless blond heiress (Tippi Hedren) and ends up fighting off gangs of the homicidal title characters.

One Million Moms Vs Discovery Channel

Just in via email:

The show "Naked And Afraid" has cast members who are dropped in the jungle with no food, no shelter and no clothes. The two humans selected, one male and one female, must work as a team but they have never met before in their lives. The program shows them stripped naked, blurring out frontal body parts but never blurring out their backsides. Even though the frontal body parts are blurred out, showing so much skin is considered soft porn. In cold temperatures, they must survive by using each other's body heat, pressing their bare bodies together to keep warm.

The network has decided that a five-hour marathon of "Naked And Afraid" on Wednesday is a good idea. This decision to air a program full of nudity from the time school lets out until time for bed is harmful to the cast members and their families, and to all children and families that happen to view the show. This ultimate sexual exploitation of families is disturbing and inexcusable. Discovery Channel has lost its moral compass and should be ashamed to air nudity and call it entertainment. This program needs to be canceled immediately. Previews and promos for this show air all throughout the day and on many other networks.

The email calls on OMM supporters to deluge Delta Faucet and Mars Inc. with threats of a boycott unless they pull all advertising from Naked And Afraid, which "must be canceled immediately."

RELATED: In their 2014 recap press release, One Million Moms claimed to have waged boycott campaigns against over 30 network programs and dozens of those shows' advertisers.

IRELAND: Catholic Priest Comes Out During Mass, Urges Support For Marriage

Via the Irish Central:

A Dublin priest received a standing ovation from his congregation this week as he called for same sex marriage equality in Ireland and came out to his parishioners. Father Martin Dolan, who has been a priest at Church of St Nicholas of Myra in Francis Street in Dublin’s city center for 15 years, opened up to his congregation at the Saturday night Mass. He also confided in his Sunday morning congregation. Dolan is the only priest in the parish. Calling on his Dublin city congregation to support same sex marriage in the upcoming Irish referendum, set for the end May, Dolan said “I’m gay myself.” A referendum on same sex marriage will take place at the end of May 2015. Although polls consistently show that over 70 percent of the Irish are in support of gay marriage, campaigners admit that there’s no room for complacency during the run up to the vote. The Dublin Archdiocese declined to comment until they had spoken directly to Dolan. However, the Catholic Church hierarchy in Ireland showed their disdain for the referendum in December 2014. Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin said legalizing same-sex marriage would change the meaning of marriage itself.

The Irish government is supporting a "yes" vote in the referendum.

If Alan Robertson Had A Gay Grandson

"I would say, ‘Well first of all, I love you. I’ll never stop loving you. You’ll always be my grandson, but I want to show you what God says, and I want to show you maybe a way to reconsider what you think you are, and maybe you can be something different. I realize that people who feel like they’re gay or trans will tell you, ‘Look, I don’t want to be changed. I don’t want you telling me I can be anything different.' I would tell them respectfully from a biblical perspective, ‘I don’t think that’s the answer,’ and I would tell my grandson that or anybody else that I run into – and we have done that quite a bit in ministry – but we do that in a sense that’s not judgmental. I wouldn’t say, ‘Get out of here. What’s wrong with you? You’re terrible.’ I would do it in love, and I would try to show them something better." - Duck Dynasty cast member Alan Robertson, speaking to Huff Post Live.

RELATED: Robertson and his wife released a book this week in which they reveal that she has had an abortion and that she had a 14-month affair.

TRAILER: Chappie

Number 5 is alive!

LIVE VIDEO: French Terrorists Killed

First Reactions From Fifth Circuit Court: Judges Appear Poised For Pro-Gay Ruling

MAP: Federal Aid By State

Via the Washington Post:

Nearly $1 in $3 in state revenue comes from the federal government, according to a new analysis. While taxes are responsible for most state general revenues, the federal government is responsible for about 31.5 percent of the total, according to the nonprofit Tax Foundation. Mississippi is most reliant on the federal government, with 45.3 percent of general revenue in the most recently available fiscal year coming from the feds. Oil-rich Alaska‚ whose revenue is highly volatile, is least reliant on the federal government. The Tax Foundation’s analysis is based on a simple calculation of Census state revenue data published last month. The Census data offer a detailed breakdown of revenue sources for each state, so the Tax Foundation simply divided the “intergovernmental revenue” each state received from the federal government by the state’s “general revenue” total.

Palin Backers Announce 2016 Super PAC

Via press release:

Supporters of Governor Sarah Palin announce the formation of The Political Earthquake PAC/Grassroots4Palin, a Super PAC which will independently advocate on behalf of Palin and the leadership and vision that she has for our nation. “The Earthquake will harness the power of Americans nationwide to support Governor Palin,” said Sandra Bailey. “America is struggling, and President Obama and Washington business-as-usual politicians are the problem. The Earthquake will support a leader who has inspired millions, who understands that government stands in the way of unleashing America’s entrepreneurial spirit, and who believes America must remain the world’s superpower.” Bailey added, “America needs Governor Palin’s leadership as a commonsense Constitutional Conservative not to continue to fundamentally change America, but to restore America. The American people are ready for a leader with integrity, who has been thoroughly vetted and has proven she will work to rid our government of the cronyism that gets in the way of doing the people’s work. America needs Governor Palin’s leadership.”

(Tipped by JMG reader Lynda)

Correction To Miami Archdiocese Post

From the director of brand marketing at Barry University:

Greetings Joe, I hope you are well. I am writing in reference to your January 6 posting which discusses the Archdiocese of Miami’s recent letter to employees. Your post states that Barry University is operated by the Archdiocese. Unlike St. Thomas University, Barry University is not owned or operated by, nor is it not a sponsored institution of, the Archdiocese of Miami. Barry University was founded and continues to be sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan. Barry University is an independent 501(c) (3) organization and has an independent Board of Trustees. We request that you remove mention of Barry University's name from your blog. If you are unable to remove, please edit the blog to include the correct information as provided above.

My information came from the Wikipedia page for the Miami Archdiocese. I've updated my original post with the message from Barry University, who perhaps unsurprisingly, is not so keen at the incorrect affiliation.

Perkins Praises Rubio On Florida Marriage

"Some Republicans try so hard to be popular that they forget to be principled. The real leaders of the GOP are proving you can be both. While some conservatives duck down and hope their social positions won't be noticed, Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) proudly defends the values of his party -- and the values of the majority of most Americans. When judges threw his state's voters under the bus and forced same-sex 'marriage on Florida, Marco Rubio wasn't about to back away from his convictions on the issue. If Americans want to know why the next generation is turning on our values, it's because adults aren't leading on them--and in many cases, not living by them. The same ones who say same-sex 'marriage' is inevitable are inevitably letting the other side do the talking. Thank goodness for conservatives like Marco Rubio who aren't afraid to stand up for what's right -- regardless which way the political winds are blowing." - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via press release.

FRANCE: Paris Police Surround Gunmen In Two Separate Hostage Standoffs

Via CNN:

French authorities waged two intense standoffs with gunmen in and around Paris early Friday afternoon -- one involving the two brothers wanted in the Charlie Hebdo massacre and the other a hostage situation at a kosher grocery store near eastern Paris' Porte de Vincennes. It was not immediately known if the two situations were related, but both underscored France's nightmare and anti-terrorism fight.

The hostage situation spurred police anti-terror units and the French internal security directorate, known as the DGSI, to race to the scene in eastern Paris, the city's prosecutor's office said. Hostages were taken after a shooting there or nearby. CNN affiliate France 2 aired live video of police tactical teams getting into position at the scene of the standoff.

Meanwhile, law enforcement officers had also surrounded a building about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast in the town Dammartin-en-Goele. Authorities have expressed a high degree of certainty that they have surrounded the Kouachi brothers -- the suspects in Wednesday's killing of 12 people at the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo -- in Dammartin-en-Goele, which is northeast of Paris and a few miles from Charles de Gaulle Airport. Interior Ministry spokesman Pierre Henri Brandet tweeted that it's not confirmed whether or not the brothers are holding anyone hostage.

All US cable news outlets are covering the situation live.

Meet Two Of The Louisiana Plaintiffs

From the New Orleans Times-Picayune:

On a recent trip to the roller derby, Nicholas Van Sickels and Andrew Bond were laden with 30 pounds of toddler and 20 pounds of gear. Their provisions for the two-hour outing are familiar to Louisiana parents preparing for standard emergencies when leaving the house with a 2-year-old: diapers and changing supplies; baggies of snacks; juice. Then there are extra items that same-sex parents in Louisiana need to bring along whenever they leave the house: birth and adoptions records and other legal paperwork that shows that both Van Sickels and Bond are parents to their daughter.

"When we go to the beach it's in the glove box," Bond said in a recent interview at the family's home in Mid-City. "It's one more thing to think about: Do you have it with you? And if you forget, it's scary, though I admit, we've never had to get it out." Van Sickels and Bond married in 2012 in Washington, D.C., after nearly 10 years as a couple, in part because they wanted to adopt a child. Louisiana allows single people or married people to adopt children. But because Louisiana does not recognize same-sex marriage, only one parent can be listed on birth certificates or adoption records. Gay couples like Van Sickels and Bond can't adopt jointly.

The Fifth Circuit Court will hear their appeal today as well as the appeals out of Texas and Mississippi. Their case is also among those under consideration by the US Supreme Court today.

Plaintiffs Arrive At Fifth Circuit Court

Follow the action on Twitter at #5thCircuit. Oral arguments begin at 10AM eastern time.

More On My Husband's Not Gay Flap

Via Media Matters:

TLC denies claims that its newest show, "My Husband's Not Gay," helps promote the discredited notion that gay men can choose to be heterosexual. But one of the show's stars has a history of promoting "ex-gay" therapy, even acting as a spokesman for a major "ex-gay" organization. But one of the stars of TLC's show - Preston "Pret" Dahlgren - has a history of speaking on behalf of "ex-gay" ministries, repeatedly using his testimony to promote organizations that promote reparative therapy. Dahlgren is the former chairman of Evergreen International, a Salt Lake City-based ex-gay organization which catered to the Mormon community. The group promised to help people "diminish... same-gender attractions and overcome homosexual behavior," largely relying on the work of the notorious National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH). At a 2012 Evergreen Conference Fireside, Dahlgren gave a speech defending efforts to help people overcome same-sex attraction, stating that "same-sex attractions are almost invariably rooted in deeper issues."

Dalgren is now on the board of new "ex-gay" Mormon group called North Star International. He and his wife have made a video for them too.

GEORGIA: Marriage Lawsuit Advances

Via press release from Lambda Legal:

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia ruled today to allow Lambda Legal’s case challenging Georgia’s discriminatory marriage ban to proceed. The case was filed on behalf of four same-sex couples and the surviving spouse of a fifth couple -- Christopher Inniss and Shelton Stroman of Snellville, Rayshawn Chandler and Avery Chandler of Jonesboro, Michael Bishop and Shane Thomas of Atlanta, Beth and Krista Wurz of Brunswick and Jennifer Sisson of Decatur.

"We are delighted that the Court will allow this case to continue. We look forward to our day in court to demonstrate Georgia’s marriage ban is unconstitutional and relegates the state’s same-sex couples to a second-class status that keeps them and their families vulnerable," said Tara Borelli, Senior Attorney in Lambda Legal’s Southern Regional Office based in Atlanta.

"Today, after the blizzard of rulings over the last few months, Georgia now finds itself in the minority of states continuing to enforce these discriminatory marriage bans.” Borelli said. “Surely, Georgia state officials must see the writing on the wall. Georgians believe in the Southern values of love, honor and family, but as long as the State of Georgia continues to bar same-sex couples from marriage, it devalues these families and reinforces unfairness and discrimination. These families need marriage equality and should not have to live with a law that treats them as inferior."

But the news isn't entirely good. Via the Los Angeles Times:

A Georgia federal judge disagreed with nearly every legal argument by four same-sex couples and the surviving member of a fifth couple seeking to marry, but nevertheless found that he could not dismiss their case. U.S. District Judge William S. Duffey Jr. said in an opinion issued late Thursday that the couples do not have a fundamental right to marry a person of the same sex, but he disagreed that Georgia’s “interests in child welfare and procreation are advanced by the state’s prohibition on same-sex marriages.” The state filed a motion in August seeking to have the cased tossed out. Duffey's ruling means the Georgia case can proceed to trial. But much of his decision centered on the deficiencies of the same-sex couples’ arguments. He declined, for instance, to “extrapolate a fundamental right to marry a person of the same sex. … The court concludes that the Supreme Court’s decisions regarding the fundamental right to marry are confined to members of the opposite sex—a conclusion that is confirmed by the decisions of the Supreme Court.”

Read the ruling.

PHILIPPINES: Authorities Suggest Adult Diapers For Catholics During Papal Visit

Via the Associated Press:

When Pope Francis visits the Philippines next week, traffic enforcers won't let the capital's streets get gridlocked if they have to answer the call of nature. About 2,000 traffic enforcers who will be on duty during the Jan. 15-19 papal visit will be required to wear adult diapers, said Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino. Tolentino also encouraged people who will wait for hours to see the pope to also wear diapers. The prospect of wearing diapers while on duty was "well received" by his men, he said Wednesday. Tolentino said the idea will be tested on Friday by 800 traffic enforcers who work shifts during the nearly 24-hour annual procession of the Black Nazarene. It will be the first time that traffic enforcers in the Philippines will wear diapers while on duty in the streets, he said. Priests, nuns, seminarians, and the elderly also should consider wearing diapers, he said.

More from Quartz:

Tolentino told a local radio station that the diapers can absorb “up to four rounds of urination,” and added that he would “try” to wear a diaper himself for the pope’s four-day visit, which starts on Jan. 15. The pope’s final mass in Manila is expected to draw as may as 6 million people. It’s not clear why Manila was unable to provide enough portable toilets for the papal visit. The government allocated 20 million pesos ($445,000) to prettify the 40-hectare Rizal Park, including the installation of toilets. But the estimated crowd would require approximately 6,000 portable toilets, based on the proportion used for a recent beatification ceremony in Rome.

Frothy Mix On 2016: I'm A Uniter

REPORT: Michael Sam Is Engaged

Unconfirmed by Sam, but here's what TMZ is saying:

Finally, some good news for Michael Sam -- HE'S ENGAGED!!! It all went down in Europe where the 25-year-old football player has been vacationing with his college sweetheart Vito Cammisano ... the man Sam famously kissed when he was drafted into the NFL last year. Unclear who asked who ... but one of Vito's friends (who was on the University of Missouri swim team with Vito) is already congratulating the couple about it on Twitter ... and Sam "liked" her post.

Tweet Of The Day - Catholic League

Despite what Donohue claims above, it is Hewitt who destroys in a segment that aired nationwide today on the Salem Radio Network. (Salem is the parent company of Twitchy, Townhall, and other far-right sites.) Hewitt, perhaps obviously, is himself a far-right Christianist, which only makes his truly brutal evisceration of Bill Donohue much, much more enjoyable. Hit the link and listen - it will make your day. Infighting is funny, y'all.

TEXAS: GOP Rep Introduces Bill To Stop Paying State Employees Who Issue Same-Sex Marriage Licenses

GOP Texas state Rep. Cecil Bell today introduced a bill that would suspend the paychecks of any state employee who issues a same-sex marriage license in the event that becomes legal. Via the Texas Tribune:

State Rep. Cecil Bell, R-Magnolia, said he filed HB 623 to prevent any federal court or federal action from allowing gay marriage in Texas. "The federal government is trying to act to create moral standards, and that's just not acceptable," Bell said. His bill says taxes or public funds can’t be used to issue same-sex marriage licenses or be used to enforce a court order to recognize same-sex marriage. The bill also requires state courts to dismiss legal actions that challenge a provision of the bill and award legal costs and attorney fees to the defendants. Citing the 11th Amendment, which gives states sovereign immunity, the bill also says the state isn’t subject to a lawsuit for complying with the act — regardless of a contradictory federal ruling. "It is my belief and expectation that our courts should not be tied up in that matter," Bell said.

From the bill:

State or local taxpayer funds or governmental salaries may not be used for an activity that includes the licensing or support of same-sex marriage. A state or local governmental employee officially may not recognize, grant, or enforce a same-sex marriage license. If an employee violates this subsection, the employee may not continue to receive a salary, pension, or other employee benefit at the expense of the taxpayers of this State.

Taxes or public funds may not be utilized to enforce a court order requiring the issuance or recognition of a same-sex marriage license. A court of this State shall dismiss a legal action challenging a provision of this section and shall award costs and attorney's fees to a person or entity named as a defendant in the legal action. A person employed by this State or a local governmental entity who violates or interferes with the implementation of this section may not continue to receive a salary, pension, or other employee benefit.

If any section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this Act is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such holding shall not affect the constitutionality or validity of the remaining portions of this Act, the legislature hereby declaring that it would have passed this, and each and every section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, paragraphs, subparagraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or words hereof may be declared to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise ineffective. All constitutionally valid applications of this Act shall be severed from any applications that a court finds to be invalid, leaving the valid applications in force, because it is the legislature's intent and priority that the valid applications be allowed to stand alone.

Republicans outnumber Democrats in the Texas House by a 2-1 margin. (Tipped by JMG reader Luis)

Brian Brown Fundraises On Firing Of Former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran

"Mr. Cochran was simply exercising his First Amendment rights, publishing a book as a private individual and not making any claims as a representative of the city. His views - which, incidentally, are views shared by a majority of Georgians and a majority of people throughout the country and across the globe - have no bearing on whether he is fit to serve as the city's Fire Chief. There is simply no justification for firing him on the basis of this book! But, of course, the radical gay agenda isn't interested in the First Amendment, or in the values of tolerance and respect for a diversity of opinions. They simply want to silence any opposition and turn traditional values about marriage and family into the social and legal equivalent of hate speech and bigotry. We cannot stand by and allow this kind of bullying and intimidation to continue. Click here right away to sign our petition and to say, 'Enough is enough!' We need to stand united against the intolerant bullies who want to drive good people like you and me and Mr. Cochran from the public square in shame." - Hate group leader Brian Brown, launching a petition which adds the signees' names to the NOM mailing list. The Family Research Council, Faith Driven Consumer, and Charisma Magazine have all launched petitions of their own, but those won't help NOM's money woes.

RELATED: The LGBT hijacking of the #ExtinguishIntolerance hashtag is well under way. If you've got a Twitter account, join in.

Last Night In New York City

RUSSIA: Trans People Are Now "Mentally Disqualified" From Driver's Licenses

Via the BBC:

Russia has listed transsexual and transgender people among those who will no longer qualify for driving licences. Fetishism, exhibitionism and voyeurism are also included as "mental disorders" now barring people from driving. The government says it is tightening medical controls for drivers because Russia has too many road accidents. "Pathological" gambling and compulsive stealing are also on the list. Russian psychiatrists and human rights lawyers have condemned the move. The announcement follows international complaints about Russian harassment of gay-rights activists. In 2013 Russia made "promoting non-traditional lifestyles" illegal. Valery Evtushenko at the Russian Psychiatric Association voiced concern about the driving restrictions, speaking to the BBC Russian Service. He said some people would avoid seeking psychiatric help, fearing a driving ban.

(Tipped by JMG reader Bill)

FRANCE: Neo-Nazi National Front Party Sees Opportunities In Wake Of Attack

France's neo-Nazi National Front Party is already working to capitalize on nationalistic and racist sentiment in the wake of yesterday's terror attack by Islamic extremists. Via Slate:

For the first seven hours after the attack on the Paris office of Charlie Hebdo, the National Front, France’s far right political party, kept an old feature about the influx of Roma and “gypsies” into French cities on its website. Then, shortly after noon, Marine Le Pen, the leader of the increasingly popular party with the slogan “The French Come First,” appeared in front of three French flags and hammered out her demands—and a selfless offer. It is time for “frank and clear responses” against “inaction and denial,” she declared. In other words: The country’s two main political parties have failed to stem the Islamist tide, and you the voters now have all the evidence you need that France requires new leadership. “I intend to assume this vital responsibility so France can defend itself in the war that has been declared upon her,” she continued. Marine Le Pen told a talk show host on Thursday morning she was “still waiting for her phone to ring” with an invitation from the prime minister to participate in Sunday’s national unity march. But Le Pen’s phone has remained silent. Government leaders are gambling that they don’t need her and can keep the National Front at a safe distance from its street-level display of strength and solidarity. For now, she will continue to taunt them from the other side of the barricades.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: Last month the Kremlin lent the National Front €9M in the first installment of a reported €40M payment presumably meant to help tilt France's government to the far right. The National Front is a backer of the anti-gay Manif Pour Tous and has supported its numerous, vicious and often violent rallies, as have hate group leaders Brian Brown and Tony Perkins.  Founder Jean-Marie Le Pen has been convicted six times for inciting racial hatred, including for denying that the Holocaust took place. Last year he "joked" that his critics, who include Madonna, will be in the next "batch" headed for the gas chambers.  He has also "joked" that ebola is the "solution" to Europe's immigration problems. In 2013 Le Pen's daughter, Marine Le Pen, herself a failed candidate for France's presidency, praised the man who committed suicide at Notre Dame Cathedral in protest of same-sex marriage. In February of last year Le Pen's granddaughter, 24 year-old Marion Maréchal-Le Pen, led a massive anti-gay march through the streets of Paris. In January of last year the youth leader for the National Front called for France to institute anti-gay laws similar to those in Russia.

Tony Perkins On Atlanta's Fired Fire Chief

"Atlanta's Kelvin Cochran knows all about fire -- but being fired? That's a whole new experience -- one Cochran hopes other Christians never face. The long-time member of the city's Fire Rescue Department was forced out of the squad in a shocking display of anti-religious prejudice after a distinguished career that [sic] an appointment by the Obama administration as the U.S. Fire Administrator. Unfortunately for Cochran, Mayor Kasim Reed seems intent on making an example of the African-American, who self-published a book -- with the permission of the mayor's office -- on biblical morality. After chatting with a handful of Christian co-workers, Kelvin offered them copies of Who Told You That You Were Naked? which includes a chapter on human sexuality that's consistent with the Bible's teaching on the subject. Despite the fact that Cochran had his superiors' approval, and despite the fact that he only gave the book to friends, he was suspended late last year -- until yesterday, when the Mayor fired him. Obviously, it's one thing to use your platform to intimidate subordinates, but the idea that you should have to surrender your First Amendment rights merely for being a public servant is outrageous. What's to prevent the government from going after another employer or contractor?" - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, in a press release that fails to report that Mayor Reed's office denies having been notified about the book.

FRC staffer Travis Weber picks up the story in a posting on their blog today:

In essence, the chief was fired by the mayor and his allies because (if they were honest) they “think he might discriminate against gay people.” Never mind there is zero evidence of any such discrimination. Simply put, no one can point to any adverse action Chief Cochran has ever taken against someone based on their homosexuality! If they could, we certainly would have heard about it, given the frenzied fears of “potential” future discrimination and a “possible” hostile work environment. But because that’s all the mayor and his allies have to go on, all we’ve heard about is the “possibility” of future discrimination. This is a clear case of someone being eliminated from their position because of their views alone. This is even worse than other recent cases of disapproval of orthodox Christian views among public figures in the United States. Without exaggeration, we can say we have just seen the government monitoring personal expression for approval or disapproval, backed up by power of law.

As the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has made clear, Cochran "forced his own firing" by going on a speaking tour of churches during his suspension where he declared (to great applause, no doubt) that he would continue to proselytize at the workplace upon his return. The FRC has launched a pro-Cochran petition as have the anti-gay Faith Driven Consumer, who writes:

People of faith in Atlanta have been sent a clear message -- unless you agree with the mayor and his point of view, you could be subject to persecution. Concerned citizens aware of similar actions taking place in other parts of the world where human rights are not respected, but are stunned to learn this is happening not only in America, but also in the very city that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born and raised. "We are calling on Mayor Reed to immediately reinstate Chief Cochran, to apologize for his actions, and to take specific steps to ensure that no person of faith in Atlanta will be singled out by his administration simply due to the expression of their religious convictions. The people of Atlanta and America will not stand for intolerance, inequality, and flagrant bigotry. We are demanding Equal Application of Equal Protection for all people -- including people of faith.

The name of their petition: Extinguish Intolerance, which they are supporting with a hashtag campaign on Twitter. Time for some hijacking!

Sen. Barbara Boxer To Retire In 2016

Via CNN:

Sen. Barbara Boxer announced Thursday that she will not run for reelection in 2016, setting up a big money political battle for her seat in the nation's most populous state. Boxer, the 74-year-old Democratic junior Senator from California, said that she is not retiring altogether and will continue working on "the issues that I love" through her political action committee, PAC for a Change. Boxer was first elected to the Senate in 1992. "I am never going to retire," Boxer said. "The work is too important." Boxer's announcement leaves open a contest in a blue state filled with rising Democratic stars -- including California attorney general Kamala Harris and lieutenant gov. Gavin Newsom -- as well as plenty of hopefuls on the Republican side. The progressive Senator explained her decision in a mock interview with her oldest grandson in a video posted to YouTube.

The Human Rights Campaign reacts:

“Senator Boxer has been a trailblazing champion of equality for LGBT people since her earliest days in public office,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “She was a leader against DOMA and ‘Don't Ask, Don’t Tell’ when many of her colleagues either championed or quietly voted for the discriminatory legislation. LGBT Americans need more principled leaders like Barbara Boxer fighting for full equality. We congratulate and thank her for her exceptional years of service and look forward to continuing to work with her throughout the remainder of her term.” Senator Boxer has steadfastly stood on the right side of history on issue after issue of LGBT equality, including leading the fight against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in 1993, being one of only 14 Senators to vote against the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, and securing passage of the HOPE act to lift the ban on HIV+ organ donations. She has consistently scored a perfect 100 on the HRC Congressional Scorecard.

WASHINGTON: Court Rules That State Can Proceed With Lawsuit Against Florist

Via the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

The state of Washington can sue the owner of a Richland flower shop, as well as her business, for refusing to sell flowers for the same-sex wedding of a longtime customer, a Benton County Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday. Arlene’s Flowers, and owner Barronelle Stutzman, are the centerpiece of a nationally watched battle involving the scope of state anti-discrimination laws and the right — if any — to deny service based on personal religious convictions. Judge Alex Ekstrom, in his Wednesday ruling, found that the Washington attorney general can sue both Stutzman and her business for violating the state’s Consumer Protection Act as well as the Washington Law Against Discrimination. In his ruling, Judge Ekstrom said that “the clear language (of the consumer and anti-discrimination laws) supports both individual and corporate liability.” “As admitted by Stutzman, she not only participated in the conduct alleged, her personal actions (in defining corporate policy and in her interaction with Ingersoll) constitute the sum total of the conduct complained of by the plaintiffs,” Ekstrom wrote.

Stuzman is being defended by the Alliance Defending Freedom. The case will go to trial sometime this spring.

Top Porn Search Terms For 2014

Montreal-based PornHub has compiled their traffic stats for 2014 and created numerous infographics. They report over 78 billion videos views for 2014, which comes out to 11 videos for every person on the planet. The top search term for both the United States and the United Kingdom: lesbian. Hit the link for much more. Alexa ranks PornHub at #73 in its list of the 100 most-popular sites in the world.

Bill Donohue Takes His "French Writers Had It Coming" Crusade To Fox News

Since declaring that the French victims of terrorism had it coming to them for insulting religion, Catholic League head Bill Donohue has been strongly denounced by the Washington Post and numerous other outlets, even the right-wing National Review. But last night Donohue got a sympathetic ear on that bastion of free speech, Fox News.

Tomorrow: Another Big Day For Marriage

Tomorrow the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in the cases out of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Lots of LGBT journos will be there in New Orleans, including Kathleen Perrin of Equality Case Files. Things kick off at 9AM local time and I'll be posting live tweets from the reporters as well as any audio and video that is available.

Also tomorrow the US Supreme Court will meet in conference to consider taking which, if any, of the same-sex marriage appeals currently before them. The five cases they could select are the Louisiana case and the appeals out of the Sixth Circuit Court: Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Should any of these cases be chosen, a decision would likely come by June.

UPDATE: Equality Case Files breaks down tomorrow's action in New Orleans.

Arguments will be before a three judge panel consisting of Reagan appointees Patrick E. Higginbotham and Jerrry E. Smith and Obama appointee James E. Graves. Each side in each of the three cases will be allocated 30 minutes, for a total of approximately 3 hours of arguments. Arguments are due to start at 9 am CT and should conclude sometime after noon (allowing for breaks in between each case). The Court will post recordings of the arguments at its website "within one hour of he conclusion of the last argument." Those should be available here. We'll post direct links to the arguments when they become available.

Headline Of The Day

Details. (Tipped by JMG reader David)

GOP Attacks "Poor Hillary"

FLORIDA: State Agencies Fall In Line

Via the Miami Herald:

Among the first tangible signs that Florida government has accepted that gay couples can be legally married: Same-sex spouses of state employees are now eligible for state coverage for health insurance and retirement benefits. “Employees whose marriages will be legally recognized in Florida as of Jan. 6, 2015, have a qualifying status change event window between Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, through Friday, March 6, 2015, to enroll in a family plan,” reads a memo to state agency and university personnel officers and benefit coordinators from Suzetta Furlong, operations chief of the Florida Department of Management Services.

“God, I hope nobody is surprised that state officials now are following the judge’s order. That’s their duty,” said Howard Simon, executive director of the ACLU of Florida, which represented LGBT-rights group SAVE and eight same-sex couples who sued Florida to recognize their out-of-state marriages. “This is what our case was all about, affecting the lives of real families and real people in Florida,” Simon said. “It was always all about protecting and strengthening families. Health insurance, pensions, all the things for which opposite-sex couples get married to and enjoy. They are implementing what they've been ordered to do.”

RELATED: Last week grocery giant Publix, the state's largest privately-held employer, extended all benefits to the legal spouses of LGBT employees regardless of where they got married.

Sen. Marco Rubio Has The Florida Sadz

"If they wanted to change that law, they should have gone to the legislature or back to the Constitution and try to change it. I don’t agree we should be trying to make those changes through the courts. While I believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman, while people want to change that law - and a lot of people apparently do - there is a way to do that. You go through the legislature, or you go on on the ballot, but I don’t agree the courts have the power to do this." - Sen. Marco Rubio, reacting to the advent of same-sex marriage in his home state.

Banksy On Charlie Hebdo

RELATED: Via Talking Points Memo.

Staffers for satirical French newspaper Charlie Hebdo said Thursday that the publication will come out next week, after gunmen killed 12 people in a terror attack on its Paris offices. “The Charlie Hebdo newspaper will come out next Wednesday,” lawyer Richard Malka told the Agence France-Presse. Malka said the issue would be shorter than normal, but that a whopping one million copies would be printed -- far more than its normal circulation, which is less than 100,000. Patrick Pelloux, a columnist for Charlie Hebdo, indicated that surviving staff were working hard to put the issue out in the midst of their mourning.

UPDATE: CNN points out that Banksy posted the artwork of another artist.

The elusive artist Banksy is known for producing powerful imagery, so it makes sense that more than 100,000 people would share his Instagrammed tribute to those killed in Paris on Wednesday. Except the artist says it's not his. The caption on the Instagram says "RIP." A tag was later added for French illustrator Lucille Clerc, who is based in London. "We can confirm this is not by Banksy," the representative said. Clerc tweeted her tribute to the dead, among whom were several respected political cartoonists, with the caption "Break one, thousand will rise #CharlieHebdo #JeSuisCharlie #raiseyourpencilforfreedom."

TEXAS: Local Haters Launch Campaign To Repeal Plano's LGBT Rights Ordinance

As I reported last month, Plano's recently passed LGBT rights bill contains huge loopholes in the name of "religious liberty." But that's not good enough for the local haters. NOTE: If the video won't display, watch it here.

(Tipped by JMG reader Kent)

Fire Sale On Fire Island

Five years ago three young hotshots bought the bulk of the commercial district in Fire Island Pines for a reported $17M.  Later this month that same group of businesses goes up for auction for a considerably lower opening bid.

Maltz Auctions, a leading full-service auction company serving the New York metropolitan region, announced today that it will auction The Fire Island Pines resort commercial district complex, comprising restaurants, nightclubs, retail, a hotel and residential housing, conveniently located only 90 minutes from New York City. Considered the best-known and most beloved gay community in the world, with its famous sandy beaches facing the Atlantic Ocean, The Pines is the premier gay vacation get-away in the tri-state area and attracts an affluent, international audience. Originally listed at $24.925 million, the suggested opening bid is only $8.5 million, offering tremendous potential to the right buyer to convert the existing Botel, the only commercially zoned hotel in The Pines, into a boutique hotel. All viewings and inspections will be by appointment. The auction will be held on Jan. 22, 2015, at 1 p.m., with registration beginning at 12 p.m., at Maltz Auctions Gallery, 39 Windsor Place, Central Islip, NY 11722.

Among the businesses being sold as a group are the recently rebuilt Pavilion nightclub, the Blue Whale bar and restaurant, the Botel Hotel, the Rack Gym, and several retail shops.

John Waters' Kiddie Flamingos

"For a new multimedia show at Marianne Boesky Gallery, the perennially tongue-in-cheek provocateur reimagined his X-rated 1972 cult classic with a cast of children."

Courtney Love - All I Ever Wanted

Via the New York Times:

Singer, songwriter, punk-rocker, actress, fashionista, tabloid bonanza and ... piano mover? That’s part of Courtney Love’s latest and thoroughly unexpected gig. The performer who made her name in the 1990s with her primal rasp and confrontational, straight-from-the-id songs will play the lead in “Kansas City Choir Boy,” a music-theater piece she’s performing with its songwriter, Todd Almond, in the 84-seat South Village performance space Here from Jan. 8-17. It’s not “Mary Poppins,” but it’s not Grand Guignol either. Billed as a “theatricalized concept album,” “Kansas City Choir Boy” is a song cycle with very little dialogue: the story of a couple pulled apart by ambition. In Kansas City, he’s a nameless musician who composes on his laptop and his piano; she’s a singer, Athena, and they’re teenage sweethearts. He’s content in the Midwest, while she leaves him behind to make it in New York. He tries to follow her and reconnect, but she has been seduced by the siren call of fame.

Very Marianne Faithfull.

Open Thread Thursday

Many JMG readers have already friended each other on Facebook. This week JMG reader SpiderPig suggests ramping up the community connectivity by sharing your Twitter handles.

Who Are The Leaders Of The GOP?

From People For The American Way.

Chat Show For Neil deGrasse Tyson

Via the Hollywood Reporter:

Neil deGrasse Tyson is getting his own show. The astrophysicist and TV personality, who fronted Cosmos in 2014, has nabbed a late-night series on National Geographic Channel called Star Talk. “Cosmos allowed us to share the awesome power of the universe with a global audience in ways that we never thought possible,” said Tyson. “To be able to continue to spread wonder and excitement through Star Talk, which is a true passion project for me, is beyond exciting. And National Geographic Channel is the perfect home as we continue to explore the universe.” Star Talk will indeed follow a similar format to Tyson's podcast, which marries science and popular culture and feature interviews with celebrities, comedians and scientists. He's still sorting through all of the elements that he'll add to the television iteration, but he does intend to give Bill Nye a platform for a minute-long rant in each show, much as Andy Rooney had for many years on CBS' 60 Minutes.

The show will debut in April and will tape before a live audience in Manhattan at the American Museum of Natural History’s Hayden Planetarium.