Thursday, March 31, 2011

Rep. Weiner Gets Cute

At the Congressional Correspondent's Dinner Rep. Weiner (D-NY) gave a speech which was more of a roast.  Whoo!  This NYC Mayoral hopeful knows how to let his hair down.  He lambasts himself, Pelosi, Bachmann, CNN, and just about everyone else. 

Hey, if his bid for Mayor fails he can always go on tour with Margaret Cho. 


Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Death Anxiety Linked To Intelligent Design

A study was conducted recently at the University of British Columbia which found that people who believe in intelligent design are more likely to be afraid of death. 



"For their study, the researchers had one group of participants imagine their own death and then write about their feelings. Another group, which was used as a control condition, imaged pain from dental work and then wrote about that.

"Those who imagined their own death reported greater support for intelligent design and liking for Behe, compared to those who imagined dental pain."

While I'm not sure I believe that their conclusion is sound (the study seemed to me to be making some assumptions) it posits an interesting question.  Most anthropologists, etc, think that we have religion thanks to mankind's need to explain what happens when we die.  One would think that if you believe li'l baybee Jeebus was running the show, you would lack death anxiety.

Maybe we're scared of judgment.  I know that I have spiritual leanings, but don't believe that anybody is going to judge me when I die.  I have a healthy fear of death-- I try to avoid it, thanks-- but I wouldn't say I have anxiety over it.  Does religion cause us to fear death?

[TheRawStory]

Geek Shit Wednesday Vol. V

This Wednesday we have two stories about how geek shit can save lives after a disaster, as well as a story of one woman who loved the iPad so much her boyfriend skipped an engagement ring and went straight to the Apple store.

Pakistani Floods Displace Arachnids, Post-Disaster Disease Curbed

The unprecedented floods which plagued Pakistan in the latter half of 2010 had some unexpected results: the regions arachnid population took to the trees.  They are so concentrated in some parts of the countryside that the local flora has been blanketed in dense webs, bringing us this amazing image:



Okay, it made my skin crawl a little bit.  But putting aside your case of the heebie jeebies, this development has had unforeseen benefits.  One of the problems of floods, earthquakes, etc. in developing countries is that disease is rampant-- stagnant water breeds mosquitoes carrying malaria and other diseases which prey on survivors.  However, with these increased pockets of arachnid activity, the expected rise in malaria cases hasn't happened.  Rad.

[Wired]

Jobsians In Love

There's nothing more heartwarming than geeks in love.

Ok, I lie.  When hanging out with my bestie Duncan and his boyfriend Atom, I often get annoyed by their twin iPads that never get put down.  Seriously!  They both have one and cannot seem to figure out how to live without the damn things in their hands.  This guy, however, takes the cake.

He took his girlfriend on a romantic vacation in the redwoods.  Stopping underneath a tree, he presented her with a gift:  A brand new iPad 2.  Cute, right?

It gets cuter.  He proposed marriage to her-- by engraving "Will you marry me?" on the back of the iPad.  Her response?  "Yes.  Now give me my iPad!"

At least she's not like Duncan and Atom-- she isn't likely to immediately log into Grindr as soon as the gadget gets in her hot little hands.  Uh, I assume.

[Mashable]

Geek Auction To Benefit Japan

Gaming collectibles sure to make any gamer drool are being auctioned off in order to raise money for post-earthquake Japan.  Included are the guitar used while composing the Silent Hill soundtrack, a copy of StarCraft II signed by the development team, a sketch used as concept artwork for Batman: Arkham Asylum.





This is some pretty cool shit.  Click on over to Ars Technica to find out more ways to help Japan rebuild.

[Ars Technica]

Chris Hemsworth: TOO MANY MUSCLES

So I want to say that it's kind of ridiculous some of the posts that get the most widely read.

After my recounting of my arrest in DC and my admission that I was a meth addict, the most-read posts of all time all have to do with eye candy.  That's right!  You folks think that Renato Ferreira is more important than ENDA, and Chris Hemsworth is more important than Teabagger candidates (I might agree with you on that one).



Anyway, I posted back in December a still shot of Chris Hemsworth as Norse God and superhero Thor in his upcoming May movie.  One of my most widely read posts ever.  Perverts.

Now, he says, he gained almost TOO much muscle mass in order to fit the part-- because he no longer fit his costume.

The Reprieve For Binational Couples Is Over

Gay binational couples' hopes were briefly raised, as I reported on Sunday, by word that Immigration would hold deporting gay spouses who were being denied green cards on the basis of DOMA.  Those hopes were dashed today.



"But on Tuesday, Mr. Bentley issued a new statement, saying that Citizenship and Immigration Services 'has not implemented any change in policy and intends to follow the president’s directive to continue enforcing the law.' Mr. Bentley said the agency’s field offices had suspended cases for a short period, perhaps a week or two, while lawyers clarified a 'narrow legal issue' concerning the marriage act. He said the agency would probably resume action on same-sex marriage cases in coming days and would continue to deny immigration status to foreigners based on those marriages."

It has been confirmed that DOMA will continue to be enforced in these cases.  Le sigh.  Looks like my planned seduction of the Crown Prince of Montenegro is going to have to go on hold.

[NYTimes]

Reintroduction Of ENDA Delayed Due To Lack Of Support

Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) was prepared to bring ENDA to the House today, but the bill can't be formally reintroduced without more co-sponsors.




"During a news conference on Capitol Hill, Frank said the upcoming introduction of ENDA would help educate lawmakers and the public about the bill as he continued to express skepticism that it would advance with Republicans in control of the House.

"'This is a chance to continue — not begin, but continue — a lobbying effort that I am convinced will be successful, frankly, next time the Democrats take back the House of Representatives,' Frank said.

"As it was introduced in the 111th Congress, ENDA would bar job discrimination against LGBT people in most situations in the public and private workforce. According to Frank’s office, job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is legal in 29 states and legal in 38 states on the basis of gender identity."

I really wish that America's policy makers would realize how important non-discrimination in the workplace is for gay Americans.  It seems, in my mind, to be a more realizable goal than achieving the right to marry federally yet somehow it just never seems to work out.  Really?  In a time when having a job and getting paid is intensely crucial, our leaders are hell-bent on preserving the right to fire someone for being gay?  It's sad.

[Washington Blade]

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Bush Era Policies Maintained By The Obama Administration

GodlessLiberalHomo reminds us of some of the ridiculous powers Bush granted himself during his terror campaign against the American People-- which the current administration continue to support. 



"121) Refusing to respect any treaties with the indigenous population of this country.

122) Demanding the "right" to assassinate US citizens.

123) Continuing the Bush-era policy of opposing the return of Haiti’s ousted former president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who was overthrown in a 2004 U.S./France/Canada-backed coup.

124) Supports government Internet ID to spy on Americans.

125) Sicking a grand jury on peace activists.

126) Pushes a salary freeze on federal workers.

127) Votes against ending Cuban trade embargo at UN."

Find more here.  

Tiny Hats Are Important!

I actually watched this video to educate myself.  Seriously!  I have this problem where I want to make strange things into hats-- pizzas, cans of fruit, baby dolls-- and am very glad to have learned that superglue is NOT the way to go.


SHOCKING NEWS: Fox News Exec Didn't Believe The Schlock He Was Spreading Around

I was simply appalled to learn that Fox News managing editor Bill Sammon admitted that he spread lies about Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential election.



"Speaking in 2009 onboard a pricey Mediterranean cruise sponsored by a right-wing college, Fox Washington managing editor Bill Sammon described his attempts the previous year to link Obama to 'socialism' as 'mischievous speculation.' Sammon, who is also a Fox News vice president, acknowledged that 'privately' he had believed that the socialism allegation was 'rather far-fetched.'"

I guess to some "fair and balanced" means "balancing my private beliefs with crocks of shit I like to fling at the American people."

Isn't that an image?

[MediaMatters]

This Leaf IS MADE OF SCIENCE!!!

Or to be more exact, it's made of silicon, electronics and inexpensive synthetic materials.  What does it do?  Why the same thing a regular leaf does-- splitting water molecules into its component oxygen and hydrogen atoms, generating electricity.  Introducing MIT Professor Daniel Nocera's leaf solar cell:



"Nocera's leaf is stable -- operating continuously for at least 45 hours without a drop in activity in preliminary tests -- and made of widely available, inexpensive materials -- like  silicon, electronics and chemical catalysts. It's also powerful, as much as ten times more efficient at carrying out photosynthesis than a natural leaf.

With a single gallon of water, Nocera says, the chip could produce enough electricity to power a house in a developing country for an entire day. Provide every house on the planet with an artificial leaf and we could satisfy our 14 terrawatt need with just one gallon of water a day."


FUCKING RAD.  Goes to show-- even in the synthetic world of manufacturing power sources, the best way to do it is to mimic what nature has been researching for billions of years. 


[Wired]

Ricky Martin: "Hell's Ambassador" Or Cute Leatherman?

Ricky Martin got all gay up in the shit in Puerto Rico this past weekend, kicking off his "I like to stay home and nurse my gaybies" tour (I lie!  It's called Music Soul and Sex).  Puerto Rico is craaaaaaaaaaaayzee for young Ricardo so you know that San Juan got busy. 

Well, some are crazy FOR and some are just CRAZY.  Wanda Rolon, for instance, picketed his performance and then got on the book of faces to squawk:

"This weekend Puerto Rico receives a man saved and brought from hell to the light, Nicky Cruz, while another one pretends to drag us all to hell. RM [Ricky Martin] has been proclaimed its ambassador (hell's, that is). Puerto Rico wake up, everyone praise the lord. This is the island of the Lamb. Alert God."

Yeah!  Alert him.  Get him on the line.  For instance:  Did he know RICKY MARTIN IS A LEATHER DADDY?!



Look at him!  He would totally fit in at the Cuff in Seattle (ca. 2005, before there were nothing but straight girls going).  Plus, I would probably still be a Seattle Men in Leather member-- Ricky has an appeal that certain other Capitol Hillbilly gaylebrities lack.  You know, certain ones whose names start with T and have a ridiculous haircut and like, five different collared boys fawning around him.  You Seattlites know who I'm talkin' bout.

[Dlisted]

Monday, March 28, 2011

GOP Welfare Bill Targets Children

Who, exactly, is the GOP trying to help?



Attacking social programs once again, the Republicans are trying to set strict caps in the amount of food assistance given to families under the poverty line.  The bill in question, HR 1135, is "to provide an overall spending limit on means-tested welfare programs."  However hunger relief groups are decrying the bill as unacceptably harming children.

"Lisa Davis, vice president of policy at Feeding America, said 44 million people participate in food stamps each month – the figure increased 62 percent between 2007 and 2009.

"'Any kinds of changes that start to weaken the food safety net are going to increase the burden on
communities across America,' she said, noting that half of all beneficiaries of food stamps are children."

 Right.  Because a recession during a time of climbing food prices is the time to start cutting back on food stamp services.  Right?

Pfffft.  One hopes this particular crapislation gets tossed and we perhaps cut costs in terms of how many bombs we drop in the Middle East

[TheRawStory]

Donald Trump Produces Birth Certificate, Uh, Except It's Not A Birth Certificate

Teh Trump appears to have wholeheartedly given himself over to the insane birther idea that Barry O. isn't a US citizen.  He has turned over his birth certificate to the conservative website Newsmax in order to illustrate that it's easy to produce a birth certificate!  So why doesn't the Prez?



Forgetting the fact that the President shouldn't have to-- let's be honest, the birther movement is a racist attempt to discredit Obama based on the color of his skin-- Donnie T. made one mistake!  The document he provided in no way is acceptable as a legal document of citizenship.

"Except the document is not an official New York City birth certificate, but rather a document generated by Jamaica Hospital, where Trump’s mother Mary reportedly gave birth in June 1946. Official birth certificates are issued (and maintained) by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Office of Vital Records."

Well, Donnie, what are you trying to hide?

[TSG]

ENDA To Be Reintroduced, No-One Believes It Will Pass

Rep. Barney Frank has stated his intention to reintroduce the trans-inclusive ENDA this week.  Not even Frank (D-MA) has any illusions-- he has admitted that it will most likely not advance in the Boehner-led House.



"But, Frank -- the longest-serving out member of Congress -- says, 'I'm going to be urging people to spend their time talking to those who have voted in the past for ENDA and are supportive of ENDA but where we're not certain they're still with us on the transgender issue.'

"Talking about the bill's movement -- or lack thereof -- in the 111th Congress, Frank says, '[W]e have work still to do and we have overwhelming -- over 90 percent -- support on the Democratic side for ENDA based on sexual orientation and we had, in the last Congress, about 30 Republicans that way. Unfortunately, there's a drop-off from that number to transgender, and this is a chance to work hard to sway those who are committed to ENDA to support the full transgender inclusion as well.'"

It's sad during these financially unstable times come to pass during an "era of change" that we don't have stronger leadership to make something as simple as job security a possibility for sexual minorities in America.

[MetroWeekly]

Matt Barber: Disgusting As Usual

Bullying-- an issue that strikes to the core for many gay adults as we remember tormented childhoods-- is not a political matter.  These kids are literally killing themselves because of the hatred they are exposed to by their peers and by adults.  Adults like Matt Barber.

This insane, bilious rat is willing to use these children's deaths to forge a career as a hate-monger in order to garner donations for his shite Liberty Counsel.  He now callously states, in the video below, that gay teens kill themselves because they know how immoral they are.  What a sick, sick fuck.


Richard Simmons Films Safety Video For Air New Zealand

From the folks that brought you the naked in-flight safety video comes Richard Simmons giving you the rundown as only Richard Simmons can.  These guys are the only people that have thus far managed to produce a safety video that can actually be used as entertainment.


Disaster Averted, Amy Adams To Play Lois Lane

Looks like Snyder pulled his head out of his rectal cavity and avoided destroying the Superman franchise by casting thrice Academy nominated actress Amy Adams as Lois Lane.  You'll recall my perfectly justified panic attack in February when rumors abounded that Kristen Stewart was going to be tapped for the role-- I would have just gone crazy and not even seen the film had this crap come to pass.



I never considered Adams for the role, but I can go back to looking forward to seeing the Man of Steel on the silver screen.

[PinkIsTheNewBlog]

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Landmark Decision Saves Binational Couples

Two United States Citizenship and Immigration Services District Offices have confirmed to the press that they will not deny naturalization requests for married same-sex spouses.

Stop The Deportations clarifies:

"Instead, final decisions on these applications will be held in abeyance, i.e. put on hold.  This historic first seems to be directly linked to the Obama administration's change of position on DOMA announced on February 23.  The DOMA Project welcomes the new and exciting potential this presents for married gay and lesbian couples to obtain legal status and prevent deportations of the foreign partner. However, in this new and rapidly changing legal environment, we urge attorneys and binational couples to proceed with an abundance of caution."

So you can't suddenly fly in your Dutch partner, but it looks like there's hope that someday Klaus will be welcome to immigrate based on your same sex marriage.  Woot!

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce MY intended, Boris!  He's married and has a baby, but I don't mind!  Once he meets me, he won't be able to resist me, I know it.  Look at him!  He's adorable.  Plus he's a prince!  The crown prince of Montenegro.  


We're in love.  SRSLY.

Prince William Invites Gareth Thomas To His Wedding; Prince Harry Still Hotter

Prince William invited the (perhaps) most visible gay athlete there is to his wedding, says the Welsh rugby player.

While in London to get a suit fitted, he said, "I'm a friend of William through rugby. I'm just going to the service. I'm not nervous about it. It will be really good."

It'll be okay-- until THIS HOT GINGER BEAST ARRIVES.  Then it will be extraordinary.  If I were Gareth I would know which Windsor to tackle.  THIS GUY:

 [TheTelegraph]

Thursday, March 24, 2011

This Homo Needs A Hobby Or: How Disney Songs Made Me Tear Up A Little

Yeah, yeah, the end got to me a bit.  I've never been one to love Disney since I turned 15, but I was captivated after his rendition of my fave Disney song "Be Our Guest."


Dear Fascists

I've been fuming all day over Bryan Fischer.

Sounds stupid, doesn't it?  Some dude that I don't even know goes and makes some inflammatory statement regarding Muslims and the First Amendment and it puts me off my feed.  It's rather lame and pretty ludicrous.
 Even this guy told me to shut up.

However, I can't really be stopped when it comes to speaking my mind (I've literally had Dan Choi tell me to shut my trap and edit myself.  Dan fucking Choi) so I wrote this letter to Mr. Fischer.  And, uh, sent it to him.

"Dear Mr. Fischer,


My name is Ian Finkenbinder, and I am writing you in response to your blog post on RenewAmerica.com, 'Islam and the First Amendment.'  First, I want to recognize you as a fellow blogger and congratulate you on your success in exercising your First Amendment right to free speech.  Your ability to make yourself heard has undoubtedly contributed to your success and I'm sure I join you in being thankful that we live in a country that allows our voices to be heard.


I myself am a writer, being a columnist for hivster.com, amongst other publications.  However, I am contacting you not only as a writer, but as an activist, former soldier, and fellow American.


In September of 2000, I gave an oath that I hold sacred, and that oath was to protect the Constitution of the United States.  While I no longer serve that oath in uniform, I feel privileged in that I have had the opportunity to uphold that oath as a writer and as an activist.  I continue that service today when I inform you, sir, of the inaccuracies and patent falsehood of this most recent blog post in which you state:

'Islam has no fundamental First Amendment claims, for the simple reason that it was not written to protect the religion of Islam. Islam is entitled only to the religious liberty we extend to it out of courtesy. While there certainly ought to be a presumption of religious liberty for non-Christian religious traditions in America, the Founders were not writing a suicide pact when they wrote the First Amendment.'

It is apparent to any scholar of Constitutional law that yes, indeed, the founding fathers were Christian.  However, to assert that the freedoms they granted all Americans are only applicable to Christian Americans is frankly disgusting and a perversion of the oath that I freely gave.

Nowhere in the First Amendment or the entire Bill of Rights does it state that these rights are only applicable to Christians, and for that assertion you should be ashamed.  You are the head of an organization touting itself as the "American Family Association," but this is a misnomer.  Your attempted destruction of gay families in our great nation does not seem to satisfy you, but now you desire nothing less than the devaluation of all families except Christian ones. 

I would have given my life to allow you the right to spew your lies-- how do you sleep at night knowing you tell such untruths to your vapid followers?-- and you desire instead to take my willingness to sacrifice and defile it with disgusting, un-American notions such as this.  People died so that any American whether he be gay, straight, Muslim, or Christian may be heard.  Friends of mine have died to give you the right to spout such lies.

And I do call attacks such as yours on the First Amendment un-American.  The attempt to strip someone of their right to be heard is naught but rank fascism, sir, and you should be ashamed of yourself.  I am disgusted and appalled at your bile, and know that history shall judge you as the bigot that you are. 

This veteran swore to defend the Constitution against threats foreign and domestic, and I deem you to be such:  Nothing less than a threat to the rights that God gave us.  Happily, in this great country of ours, I can combat your foolishness and amateurish blatherings in the way our founding fathers intended: with words. 

God grant that I may keep them, though I may not be Christian nor fit into your definition of the word 'family.'  I challenge you, sir, to re-read the Bill of Rights, re-read your Bible, and re-read your heart and tell me true:  Do you believe this arrogant, bilious notion that we can take away someone's First Amendment right to free speech because they are Muslim? 

From one American to another,

Ian Finkenbinder"

We will see if I get any response.

Fascist "Pro-Family" Blogger Tries To Strip Muslims Of Their First Amendment Rights

As a writer, activist, and former soldier, I hold the Constitution and the Bill of Rights dear to my heart and love them as many love their Bible or Qur'an.  The First Amendment and other rights accorded Americans are important enough to me that I would have gladly given my life for them.  You can imagine how I feel, then, when fellow blogger and conservative asshat Bryan Fischer decides that the First Amendment only applies to Christian Americans.



"'The First Amendment was written by the Founders to protect the free exercise of Christianity,' he wrote in his column at Renew America. 'They were making no effort to give special protections to Islam. Quite the contrary.'

"'Islam has no fundamental First Amendment claims, for the simple reason that it was not written to protect the religion of Islam. Islam is entitled only to the religious liberty we extend to it out of courtesy,' Fischer continued."

Keep in mind that he wrote this for the hate group the American Family Association.  So now not only does Fischer want to destroy gay families in America, but Muslim ones as well.  Fuck this guy.


[TheRawStory]

Hudson Taylor: Wrestling Coach And Straight Ally

Once again proving that straight athletes are hotter when they love the queers, this hottie started a website called Athlete Ally, a resource encouraging athletes to respect their gay peers and providing a forum making it safer for gay athletes to be themselves.

His name is Hudson Taylor, and a lot of sexy wrestling jokes came to mind.  I'm going to keep them there.



The Most Badass Protestors Ever

My friend Atom (yes, that's really his name) forwarded me a link to a list of the 8 most badass protest photos ever taken.  Seen below:  Jewish Grandma Vs. The Riot Police, South Korean Sweater Man Vs. The Water Cannon, and... Cow's Tit Vs. A Cop.



Atom suggested, and I humbly second his suggestion, that a 9th Badass Protestor be added:  American Soldier Vs. Everyone Else, Plus Lasers.



I mean, there's lasers, for God's sake (or at least it would be if the gif were working, gorrammit.... scroll to the bottom of my blog to see what I mean)...

[Cracked]

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Tony Perkins: Totally A Whiner

Tony Perkins had the audacity to to Tweet a comparison of the non-comparable:  The struggle of gay youth to escape childhood with their physical safety and mental well-being intact to the push to eliminate hatefests from the iPhone.  Yeah, Tony, you're TOTALLY being bullied.  Mary, please.

fag.

Trump Jumps On The Birther Bandwagon

GOProud presidential favorite Donald Trump asserted on the View today that he believes Barry O is hiding something from his birth certificate. 



"There's something on that birth certificate he doesn't like."

Really?  Is their something on your scalp that YOU don't like, Donnie?  Cuz, uh, you been tryin' to hide somethin' under that comb-over for YEARS.


RIP Elizabeth Taylor

February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011

Longtime AIDS activist, lover of the institution of marriage, actress, and friend to Michael Jackson passed away this morning.  I'm sure every gayborhood is drowning in tears today, and I'm a bit sad too.  Here's what amfAR had to say:

"The board of trustees and staff of amfAR mourn the passing of our beloved Founding International Chairman, Dame Elizabeth Taylor. Dame Elizabeth was without doubt one of the most inspirational figures in the fight against AIDS. She was among the first to speak out on behalf of people living with HIV when others reacted with fear and often outright hostility. For 25 years, Dame Elizabeth has been a passionate advocate of AIDS research, treatment and care. She has testified eloquently on Capitol Hill, while raising millions of dollars for amfAR. Dame Elizabeth’s compassion, radiance, and generosity of spirit will be greatly missed by us all. She leaves a monumental legacy that has improved and extended millions of lives and will enrich countless more for generations to come."

Thanks, Liz.  Rest in peace.

Huckabee Is Dumber Than We Thought

Presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee stated that if he were elected he would reinstate Don't Ask, Don't Tell.  Why?  Because it's what the soldiers want!



""I don't think that these are decisions that politicians should make,' the potential Republican 2012 presidential candidate added. 'These are decisions that soldiers should make. And when the soldiers in the foxholes make the decisions, they choose something different -- and we should listen to them.'"

Really, Mike?  And what about gay soldiers and their straight allies?  The current administration already polled the US armed services to death, repealed the policy, and hopefully will be moving on to more important things, like job creation.  You want to devote time to reinstating discrimination?  What a schmuck.

[Shakesville]

Saturday, March 19, 2011

They Just Wouldn't Let Mama Bear Shine

There are a lot of things credited for giving the 2008 presidential election to Miz Barry O ranging from prevailing winds of political change to Obama's magnetism as a charismatic figure in stagnant politics. 



According to Sarah Palin, however, the Repubs didn't win because she wasn't in charge.

"I don’t know why she couldn’t use his proper title, but Palin seems in many ways stuck back in 2008, constantly re-litigating her grievances and sure that if she just tells us that 'candidate Obama' is inexperienced, we will believe her. It’s as if she doesn’t quite grasp that while she was doing reality TV shows, he’s been in the White House.

"Purie didn’t buy this excuse and pushed her, 'You could have been change.

"Palin was quick to fire back with just a tad of that infamous venom, snapping, 'I wasn’t the top of the ticket!'"

Oh good God.  Can you imagine what that campaign would have looked like with HER calling the shots?  Listen, I've experienced psychosis before (don't ask) and I have to tell you:  THIS WOMAN IS DELUSIONAL.

[PoliticsUSA]

Huffington Post Thinks Bloggers Are "Thrilled" To Starve

TOTALLY saw this coming.



The Newspaper Guild, which includes 26,000 writers, earlier this week urged bloggers to boycott the Huffington Post and quit providing the AOL property with free material.  HuffPo's spokesperson, Mario Ruiz, had this to say:

"'We make a distinction between our newsroom staffers and our group bloggers -- most of whom are not professional writers but come from all walks of life,' he said.

"'The vast majority of our bloggers are thrilled to contribute,' Ruiz continued. 'And we're thrilled to have them.'"

It goes without saying that HuffPo is thrilled to not have to pay thousands of people for their work, however I have to say I am in NO WAY THRILLED that I work for free.  Yeah right!  I'm thrilled to be going on food stamps, guys, just ecstatic!

[TheRawStory]

"In God We Trust" Bill Advances To House Floor

The latest attraction in the nutjob sideshow we call "the House of Representatives" opened up this week as a bill requiring the phrase "In God We Trust" be inscribed on all public buildings, to include schools.



"Congressman Randy Forbes, R-Va., who sponsored the measure, notes that the national motto was initially left off of some dollar coins in 2007 and was left out of the new Capitol Visitors Center until he and other lawmakers objected."


Tell you what, Rep. Forbes, I would be happy to see this pass if YOU pay to have every public school in America inscribed with "In God We Trust."  In the meantime, there's a recession going on, thanks.

[OneNewsNow]

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Chinese Media: Martin Sheen Was Once The POTUS

But hey, guys, the state controlled media is totes accurate!

 The only guy crazier than the Chinese Media

This op-ed has to be one of the craziest things I've ever read.  In it, the writer admonishes Charlie Sheen for not keeping his wives and mistresses in separate houses and lambasts "microblogs" for spreading "the most unhealthy contagions in society like a disease."

Wow.

"He ignored his own father's advice to keep quiet, who was once the president of the US. Sheen is a disgrace, unfilial to his father and his fatherland.

"Martin Sheen should at once go on television and tearfully apologize on behalf of his son for his inability to keep up appearances and keep his mouth shut."

This inaccuracy in reporting sounds crazy to Americans-- well, except for Fox News viewers.  They swallow bullcrap like this every day.


[Beijing Global Times]

Newt Gingrich Is GWB Jr

Raising the specter of Bush-era foreign policy, thrice-divorced cheater and defender of the institution of marriage Gingrich last night urged President Obama to go to war in Libya.  You know, with NATO's help and sans UN support.



Wha...?

"The United States doesn’t need anybody’s permission. We don’t need to have NATO, who frankly, won’t bring much to the fight. We don’t need to have the United Nations.  All we have to say is that we think that slaughtering your own citizens is unacceptable and that we’re intervening. And we don’t have to send troops. All we have to do is suppress his air force, which we could do in minutes."

Right, Newt.  In a time your fellow conservatives are lambasting the President for granting equality to gay service-members because he should be focusing on jobs you really think we should be GOING TO WAR IN A NEW COUNTRY? 

Watch this fuckery:




[ThinkProgress]

Kansas Attempts To Continue Arresting Gays For Teh Gay Secks

Back in 2003, the landmark Supreme Court case Lawrence v. Texas ruled that laws regarding sodomy were unconstitutional, thus rendering anti-gay-humping laws around the country unconstitutional.  One would think, then, that states that had these laws on the books would stop making arrests for sodomy, right?

Wrong.



"State Representatives Jan Pauls (D, Hutchinson), and Lance Kinzer (R, Olathe) said yesterday that being gay or lesbian should remain a crime in Kansas. Pauls made, with Kinzer's support, the successful motion in the Kansas Legislature's Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee to keep the criminalization of gay and lesbian relationships on the books. Their action removed key language from HB2321, proposed by the Kansas Judicial Council, which would have resolved inconsistencies in Kansas criminal code, as well as remove unconstitutional laws."

Essentially, they have been keeping this law on the the books-- even though it's illegal-- in order to arrest gays and lesbians, drag them before a judge, humiliate them, and then throw out the charges as unconstitutional.

WTF?  Essentially they want to keep arresting homos so that they can waste tax dollars in court time?  For what?  Simply to harass and embarrass American citizens?  Gross.

[Kansas Equality Coalition]

Exodus International Releases An App. The Rest Of Us Yawn.

Exodus Int., the forefront of the "ex-gay" movement in the United States, claims that prayer and counseling can change homos into heteros with the magic of Jeebus.  They TOTALLY use science, guys, really.

Well now they can facilitate the healing power of vag/peen sex with a handy dandy app!



This new app sends email updates about ex-gay homo hatefests and enables people to download podcasts from their favorite delusional "ex-gay."

Now if only it had a Grindr-like GPS function!  You know, so all of those totally straight ex-gays could get together and... pray...?

[Ex-Gay Watch]

Monday, March 7, 2011

Elaine Donnelly Helping Antigay Soldiers Bitch To Congress

This bitch is so dumb.


Who is she?  Who cares, really, she's one of an army of constirpated "politicos" who bitch about the gays-- but specifically Elaine Donnelly heads up the Center for Military Readiness (a conservative organization which wants to keep the military ready to haze homos).  Now, she says, we need to start listening to soldiers about their gripes in relation to DADT.


"It is unfortunate, says Donnelly, that military personnel are not permitted to speak freely about the issue. Consequently, she has created a special area on her website for service members to express their concerns about the new policy.

"'There is a location on the site called "Confidential Contact." Anyone can go there,' she explains. 'There is a place there to indicate military service. We never repeat names and we can convey messages on behalf of anyone on active duty service to anyone in Congress. They can also directly write their own member of Congress, but there are some issues that are bigger than individuals. What is going on right now is something that the full Congress needs to investigate.'"

And she totally isn't going to take advantage of the anonymity to make up stories of our nation's heroes being victimized by militant homosexuals!

Hmmm.  I wonder what she would have said if I had had this option when serving during the war in Iraq-- had I complained about participating in what many felt was an unjust action, do you think she would have happily passed the message along to Congress?  Or would she have told me to shut the fuck up and do my goddamn job???  Hmmm.

[OneNewsNow]

Au Revoir, Glenn Beck

Fox News fans may have to soon look elsewhere for their dose of crackpot conspiracy theories and prophecies of the End Times as wingnut favorite Glenn Beck may be getting the axe at the end of the year.

Glenn is hoping to shit out better ratings.  VERBAL diarrhea always worked before.

Since his appearance on the talking-head circuit in 2009, he's amassed millions of fans, held rallies, railed against the President and generally made himself a nuisance.  Sadly, since his "Restoring Honor" rally with an attendance of 100,000, his viewership has dropped off-- by approximately a third.  Some blame the passage of "Obamacare," while some (notably myself) think he's just gotten too crazy for even the crazies to stomach.

Well, sounds like the kids at Fox can't stomach him either.

"He still has numbers that just about any cable news host would envy and, with about two million viewers a night, outdraws all his competition combined. But the erosion is significant enough that Fox News officials are willing to say — anonymously, of course; they don’t want to be identified as criticizing the talent — that they are looking at the end of his contract in December and contemplating life without Mr. Beck."

Pfffft.  Who cares?  He needs to hurry up, quit his show, make his bid in politics and get creamed in the primaries, publish his memoirs, and then just shut the hell up.  You know it's going to happen!   Well, maybe not that last part. 

[NYT]

Friday, March 4, 2011

The Ghost Of DADT: Don't Take A Nap With A Buddy

The Navy is undergoing discharge proceedings against a sailor because he fell asleep in the same bed with a fellow sailor in the barracks. 



Petty Officer Stephen C. Jones went to the room of a friend of his to watch "The Vampire Diaries."  They fell asleep while watching it.  They were discovered, their behavior was judged "unprofessional," and now they're getting kicked out.

"Navy officials, however, have a different view of his bedroom behavior at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, near Charleston, S.C. Even though there is no evidence the 21-year-old sailor committed any hanky-panky or that his friend was not permitted to visit, Jones has been charged with dereliction of duty. The Navy is seeking to discharge him, a move that he is contesting."

Despite repeated requests for clarification on the charge, the Navy prosecutor isn't giving any solid answers as to what this guy actually did wrong.  I think it goes without question that this is total crap.  Dear Navy:  If you're going to have a witchhunt, at least be honest enough to admit it and say "We're discharging you for doing icky gay things like taking a nap."

That being said, there were times in the field while I was in the Army where I really DID spoon with a straight male soldier in order to stay warm while sleeping.  And yes, they knew I was gay.

It was kinda hot.

Just kidding.

[WaPo]

What In GD Hell?

The evolution of the modern news source in America is one that continually frustrates me-- the purchase of the NYT by Rupert Murdoch, and was CNN ever really a good news source?  Well, this headline drove me batshit crazy:



Are whites racially oppressed?

Really CNN?  In forums and blog comments, we call BS attention draws like this "trolls."

I'll admit, the article was somewhat interesting, as it detailed a fringe group of crazy people-- when aren't those sorts interesting?  It's like driving by a traffic accident and being unable to turn away.  However, I classify this headline in the same style of fuckery such as inviting hate group leaders like Tony Perkins as "credible experts" on their talking head shows.

The point being of course:  NO, Tony Perkins is not an credible expert, and NO, whites are not fucking racially oppressed.  

Thanks for being a huge media joke, CNN!

[CNN]

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Charlie Sheen Pissed This Guy Off

After declaring himself a "Vatican Assassin Warlock," strong words came from the nation's warlock community.

Uh huh.

Ladies and gentleman:  Christian Day.

"Day explains, 'I am going to magically bind Mr. Sheen, not to harm him, but to simply prevent him from using this word in such a negative manner in the future.'

"Day continues, 'If Mr. Sheen is open to it, our coven would be willing to perform a cleansing on both him, his home, and his career.'"

I agree!  Sheen seems to need some... cleansing.  At least with a sponge, anyway.

I think Mr. Day needs to be in touch with one of my favorite ladies, Witch Queen Bratara Buzea.  She has a lovely recipe involving cat poop and a dead dog that I'm sure would work wonders for Charlie's complexion.

[TMZ]

Red Skull Revealed

This week's EW had an exclusive interview with the director of "Captain America" and also unveiled Hugo Weaving (perfect actor selection, btw) as the villainous character Red Skull.  Super stoked!!!

I.  Want.  That.  Jacket.  No, I'm not telling you what I would use it for, that's private. 

[EW]

House Speaker Boehner Is Both Incorrect AND Whiny

Boehner is continuing his ride on the waaaaaaambulance by insisting that Miz Barry O is refusing to enforce the Defense of Marriage Act and oh, girl, she wrong fo' dat.



"BOEHNER: DOMA is the law of the land. It passed overwhelming in both the House and the Senate.  And I think it’s outrageous for the president to say, Well, we’re not going to enforce it. It’s the law of the land.  It’s the job of the Justice Department to defend the work of our government. And I just think it’s outrageous. We’re looking at our options, what’s available to us to intervene. The short — the long and short of this is that we are going to intervene. The question is how do we do it.

VAN SUSTEREN: Have you had any conversations with the executive branch, with the attorney general or the president about that?

BOEHNER: No."

Well, John, Maybe you SHOULD have a conversation with the executive branch-- or the AG-- or Miz Barry O herself.   Then you would get these simple facts which you seem to be lacking:

1.  Obama's administration is DEFINITELY still enforcing DOMA.  It is a gross overstatement and outright lie to keep insisting he is not.  He is merely passing on defending an indefensible law in court.

2.  Nowhere does it say that the President must defend this law.  Are you kidding?  There are unenforced laws on the books in every State in the Union.  I mean, here in Oregon, it is still illegal for women to sit at a bar.  In upstate New York, there's a small town where it is illegal for an automobile to impersonate a wolf.  Since DOMA is clearly just as ridiculous as these antiquated and draconian measures, he is doing the same thing that police officers do all over the country, every day-- ignoring an embarrassing law that should really go away anyway.

[ThinkProgress]

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Some People Just Submit Wedding Announcements

However, if you're Prince William, you get a whole fuckin' website.  Royalty fans can now increase the time they waste on the interwebs.



"As anticipation builds for the event, which is scheduled to occur on April 29 at Westminister Abbey, visitors can get their royal fix via a stream of news, pictures and videos at officialroyalwedding2011.org. People are also invited to follow updates via Twitter, YouTube, Facebook (launched in November) and Flickr. New content from those properties is included in a right-hand sidebar."

I'm scared to tell my old-ass mom about this.  She might start reading something more than my blog...

... whoops.

[Mashable]

iPad 2 Is Here, Blah Blah Blah

For all you Jobsian Cultists.



The iPad 2 was unveiled-- it's 33 percent thinner, 15 percent lighter, has a camera on both the back and front, and is twice as fast.  It is also guaranteed to make any geek you know froth at the mouth with joy.  Yup.

Gee, Thanks, Pope!

Jews everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief-- Pope Ratzboner says it's not their fault that Jesus was killed!  Phew!

Hey you guys!  You're still going to hell.



"In the second book in his series Jesus of Nazareth, set for release on March 10, Pope Benedict XVI says that the Jews are not collectively responsible for the death of Jesus Christ, reports the Associated Press.

"Though it is not the first time the Church has made that argument -- in 1965, the Vatican's Nostra Aetate stated that Jesus' death could not be collectively be attributed to either the Jews of the era or those alive today -- scholars believe that the reminder in a more accessible media form could assist in combating modern-day anti-Semitism."

I'm sure all my Jewish friends are REALLY concerned about the Pope's opinion on this.  On behalf of them, I would like to thank Mr. Silly Hat And Prada Shoes for FINALLY forgiving them 2000 years later.

*eyeroll*

[TheRawStory]

Sassy Gay Friend Reams Ms. Havisham A New One

What's funny  is I was wondering just yesterday where "Sassy Gay Friend" had gone.


BTW, Bible Bullying Is Still Bullying

Last week, an anti-bullying measure overwhelmingly succeeded in a Kentucky House committee, only to be stalled in the actual House this week because of one schmuck's need to protect Christian students' ability to harass students.



"Danville Republican Mike Harmon says rules against bullying are already in place.  Kentucky public schools are required to implement anti-bullying programs and report potential bullying felonies to law enforcement.  Harmon has filed an amendment that would allow students to condemn other students' sexual preferences as long as that expression of a religious belief does not include physical harm or damaging property."

Who the hell does he think does the most bullying?  He insists that preventing students from harassing kids is a form of bullying in of itself.

Riiiiiiight.

[WHAS11.com]