Morning News 6/05/10

 (Everyone loves a monkey astronaut.)

Tuscon Police officer Martin Escobar challenges Arizona's new law against brown people who don't talk good English. Escobar explains the law "seriously impede(s)" his ability to patrol Tuscon's gritty south side.

Israeli forces board the Rachel Corrie, bound for Gaza. This time it's a kinder, gentler boarding.

BP's well cap helps just a teeny bit as Obama  mobilzes 1,900 ships and 20,000 people to deal with the disaster.

Another celibate, self-hating Catholic bigot against marriage equality. This one is a celibate lesbian who makes the unsubstantiated claim: "...I really like being gay..." Excuse me NYT? but that claim is ridiculous. (Hat tip to Dr. Snickerdoodle.) (Oh, and Ms. Tushnet: screw you.)

"Homophobia is so gay." Mr. Blow, also at the NYT discusses changing attitudes towards gays. Seems we're not as icky as we used to be.

Today In Hair And Make-Up

With special thanks to Kevilu Productions I offer you this timeless photograph of Hollywood Royalty.™

The Hair. The lipstick. The eyebrows. The fact that Joan walks arm-in-arm with Louis B. Mayer.

It takes my breath away.

At the behest of Kevilu, the other night Dr. Snickerdoodle and I watched the 1959 film "The Best Of Everything" starring several people, the most important of whom was Ms. Crawford.

The "story" follows three career gals who get an apartment together and suffer through success, insanity, drunkenness, crypto-abortion and the awful-awful men of 1959.

It was sort of a pre-Valley of the Dolls.

As a primary source document, "The Best Of Everything" reveals that the final year of the 1950's sucked for the ladies. Even if they are glamorous career gals in the big city.

Girl Power!

(Have you had your Joan Crawford today?)

Morning News 6/04/10

(Five Minutes To Love, starring Rue McClanahan as "Poochie" produced and wholly owned by Headliner Productions. Image info here.)

World Plunges Into Darkness As Full Impact Of Rue McClanahan's Death Settles On Weary Populace.

...but there is some good news in the world. JMG informs us that today is National Donut Day!

Bill O'Reilly thinks McDonald's should do an Al Quaida commercial, since they've already done a gay commercial. Being gay and being a terrorist are identical to Mr. Bill. I won't link to anything about that jackass. You can find it yourself, but why bother?

Here's the real Mr. Bill saying "No" to drugs with the help of his Nemesis, Sluggo:




Tobacco Companies are concerned about (and suing over) posters of diseased lungs, teeth and brains in New York. Not the glamorous image they'd prefer to help them hook and keep new smokers. Hmmm... Bette Davis smoking and flashing her electric eyes at us as she sips her 5th martini of the night... or rotting molar?

You're right. It is a tough call.

Here's a Busby Berkley style anti-smoking ad that I think you'll love:



A smoker dies every 8 seconds, but...
...let's all focus on those seven seconds in between.

Spring Veggies To The Rescue!

It was one of those afternoons that remained cool, wet and overcast no matter what I did.

Even my cat stared at me as if it was my fault:

So I steamed some broccoli, sliced carrots and yellow squash. Then I tossed them with extra virgin olive oil, salt and a couple handfuls of splendido tiny tomatoes.

...and served it all with roast pork shoulder and mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy.

It is marvelous what a little color can do.

My cat remains unimpressed.

Morning News 6/02/10

 (Fondant-draped wedding cake. Photograph by Michael Prudhomme.)

But They Seemed So Happy. Al and Tipper Gore to split after 40 years of holy, God-sanctioned, heterosexual bliss.

Congratulations! Jane Lynch and Lara Embry married on memorial day in Massachusetts.

Brace Yourselves. Crystal methamphetamine/gay prostitute fan and homophobe-preacher Ted Haggard poised to make big, whoop-di-doo announcement today.

It'll Be Pre-Recorded And On A Jumbotron, But...OK. Nancy Pelosi to "participate" in SF Pride this year.

A Little Bit Is Better Than Zilch, N'est Pas? Federal workers' gay domestic partners can apply for limited coverage starting next month.

On this day in 1953, the coronation of HRH Queen Elizabeth II was televised. It's also the birthday of the Marquis de Sade.



(Originally uploaded to youtube by glyndwr65)

Morning News 6/01/10

 (My brother and sister-in-law had us over for burgers last night. I helped install drywall and felt very butch about the whole thing. Photo attribution below.)

Suckier And Suckier. BP's market value plunges as it becomes clear that they have no idea what they're doing.

Almost Human. SF Chronicle details the thawing of Roy Ashburn.

I Admonish You Sir. UN condemns Israeli attack on blockade runners, after US blocks stronger language.

Bring Me The Head Of Bill Gates. Google ditches Windows because Windows kinda sucks.

(Typical, homemade, north American hamburger photographed by Neal Whitaker.)

Morning News 5/31/10

(For no good reason, here's the 13th President of the United States: Millard Fillmore.)

"Be careful Mr. President. I think he's drunk." Netanyahu cancels visit with Obama after White House criticizes attack on Palestinian sympathizers.

Praise the Lord! Pakistan and Facebook are friends again. So much for Everybody Quit Facebook Day.

Steak! It's Memorial Day and we're having steak tonight. Tell me about your food plans for today. BBQ? Beer? Crunchy, salty snack foods? Talk to me...

Holy Hetero-Patriarchy! Batgirl has always been a kick-ass kinda gal. This Public Service Announcement is from the 1960's and it's simply dripping with Girl Power! And we're still fighting for equal pay:



(Originally uploaded to youtube by dreadscott33)

Morning News 5/30/10

(The Comb over.)

Still Trying. New BP plan not assured success.

The old Dutch clock it told me so, and that is how I came to know. Poizner flogs immigration in primary fight against billionaire Whitman for republican nod in CA primary. Winner will duke it out with Brown for governor.

Celebrity Dirtnap. PopEater reports outpourings of sentiment for recently deceased Dennis Hopper who died yesterday at 74.

(Photo illustrating the hairstyle known as "Comb over" courtesty Boss Tweed.)