News 7/13/10

(Today in tight-fitting: Actress Bianca Lyons shows of the new (1902) corset. My two cents: Curvy women rule!)

• BP testing new, tighter-fitting cap on their disastrously gushing oil well.

• US law guy vows to continue pursuit of Roman Polanski.

• Log Cabin Republicans sue the government over Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

• To receive breaking news on Judge Walker's imminent Prop 8 ruling, send a text message to 69866 with the single word "equal." The American Foundation for Equal Rights will send you a text as soon as Walker rules. (Hat tip to Dr. Snickerdoodle.)

• Inappropriately named "National Organization for Marriage" crapping its drawers over DOMA loss in Massachusetts. Maggie Gallagher searching for work at Burger King.

News 7/12/10

(Today in shoes: The Kitten Heel. Photo by Bret L.)

• Go arthropods! Octopus accurately predicts World Cup winners. (via Joe My God.)

• High speed boat race in the Bahamas nabs "barefoot bandit." Law enforcement ponders who will play suspect in movie.

• US fails to provide vital information to Swiss. Roman Polanski free to make more bad films.

• Possible losses in US House of Representatives signal worries for Democrats' continued strategy of bold caution.

• Capehart applauds Massachusetts DOMA ruling, still concerned about prop 8 case.

News 7/11/10

("I just had to wear a tight uniform and make eyes at Anne Francis. I was pretty thin back then," said Leslie Nielson of his role in the 1956 technicolor, cinemascope, sci-fi goodie Forbidden Planet. ...and don't call me Shirley!)

• The Federal suit fighting Arizona's new law against brown people who don't talk good English is based on the fact that states have no jurisdiction over immigration. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder chatted about that and other vital things on telly yesterday.

• "Yer fired." CNN cans senior middle east editor after she tweets praise for one of the founders of Hezbollah.

• Opposition lobs a few (figurative) hand grenades at Elena Kagan as her confirmation vote looms.

• Why didn't they just ask: "How do you feel about c*cksucking soldiers sharing your dorm?" SLDN reacts strongly to DADT troop survey seemingly designed to "stoke the fires of homophobia."

• I guess we'll have to get those "other mice" to make Cinderella's dress. Scientists create lesbian mice for some reason. (Hat tip to Dr. Snickerdoodle.)

• Super, happy birthday wishes to Schep, I mean Jim. Hug and a kiss for you - and don't call me Shirley!

News 7/10/10

(Ladies and gentlemen, I offer you "The Waffle." photo by cipher.)

• Obama administration still deciding whether to appeal DOMA ruling. I would be surprised if they didn't appeal.

• Nutty Teabaggers have their knickers in a twist about the Massachusetts DOMA ruling. They support getting the federal government out of the marriage business, but Gay Marriage gives a lot of them the willies.

• BP Still puttering away at their environmental disaster thingy.

• President Obama makes it easier for veterans to file for Post Traumatic Stress assistance.

• Dr. John Sentamu thinks Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams's wishy-washy waffling on gay and women's rights is the neatest thing since sliced bread.

PS everyone: If you see weird, anti-gay advertisements on this blog, just remember: it would be a terrible thing if you clicked the link and freeped their polls.

PPS to Anita Bryant: Ha ha.

News 7/09/10: Buh - Bye DOMA

(2nd President of the United States, author of the Massachusetts constitution, "obnoxious and disliked" John Adams in Gilbert Stuart's 1823 portrait.)

• A federal judge yesterday ruled that the so - called Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. Not just unconstitutional mind you, the ruling states that DOMA doesn't even survive rational basis scrutiny. Joe My God has aggregated lots of thoughtful reaction and is covering the whole thing with his usual wit.

• A little additional digging this morning reveals the Federal district judge's ruling in Mass. has not been staid. In other words all married couples in that state are now married under both state and federal law.

• Today Show changes policy, will allow gay couples to enter wedding contest.

• Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams proves more than willing to sacrifice gay clergy for the larger good of keeping the Church of England free to humiliate and discriminate against queers. Next on C of E's agenda: Are women human beings?

• They say it is going to be 92 degrees in Portland, OR today. What's the weather like for you?

Mystery Solved

Special, gooey chocolate-filled thanks to Glamour Maven Linda Mercury who informs us that the random picture of cute guy in the ugliest sweater in the world is, indeed, Wil Wheaton.

His blog post about the ugliest sweater in the world is absolutely charming.

Remember everyone: Wil Wheaton says: "Don't be a dick."

Good advice.

(Linda wins some sort of sinful, desserty thing...)

News 7/08/10

(Today in hats: The Derby. Paul Strand's photograph is from 1916. Possibly my favorite kind of hat.)

• Arizona activists protest against that state's icky new law against brown people who don't talk good English. They want to forgive lawmakers and enforcers. Isn't that nice?

• In California, Barbara Boxer tied with Carly Fiorina in senate race.

• SLDN urging LGBTQs not to fill out survey regarding military's gay ban for fear of outing vulnerable service members.

• Federal Administrative Judge tells lesbian she's SOL regarding her discrimination suit. That's right everyone, it's still legal to harass and fire the queers.

• We seem to be having a heatwave here in Portland. What's the weather like in your neck of the woods?

...Like Any Decent Presbyterian!

(Is that Wil Wheaton in the ugliest sweater ever knitted? I'm not sure. I'm also not sure where the picture came from. Any guesses Flaming Fans?)

Looks like the largest christian denomination in the US is moving towards both marriage equality and the ordination of gay clergy.

How freakin' 'bout that huh?

Thanks Presbyterians! Keep up the good work.

(From the St. Louis Globe with a hat-tip to Dr. Snickerdoodle.)

Self - Centered Chatterbox Finds Perfect Hobby

(Freud's Structural Model of the Ego and the Id from 1923.)

It's called "blogging."

Courtesy of Little Larry I plan to watch "Showgirls" for the first time tonight.

I'm also doing laundry and vacuuming today.

Absolutely riveting. I'll keep you all posted.

News 7/07/10

(Here's the 1923 Oklahoma State wrestling team. Just because.)

If civil unions are a fair compromise for gay people who seek marriage equality then why did Hawaii's shetbag governor veto her state's civil union bill? Up yours Linda Lingle.

UK's highest court rules that gay asylum seekers may stay in Britain.

NBC "Modern Wedding" show says gay couples need not apply.

Richard W. Thorington Jr. and Katie Ferrell have written "Squirrels: The Animal Answer Guide" and it turns out the little creatures engage in deception, tactical problem solving and kissing. Could the damn things be any f*cking cuter?

"Don't have sex. Sex is for married people."

For fans of "Shoes," here's Text Message Breakup:

Lyrics NSFW

News 7/06/10: Buzz Aldrin!

(Buzz Aldrin and two other guys test NASA's prototype, "anti - Richard Nixon box" after returning from the Moon. July 24th, 1969.)

Another offshore drilling ban may be in the works as we head into a potentially severe Atlantic Hurricane season.

Thai government extends state of emergency as threats of violence loom.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visits New York City today. Atta girl!

Wake Me Up...before you smash your car into my Snappy Snaps photo shop. George Michael (and his car) lose a drunken brawl with a building. The singer apologized for screwing up again and boring everyone with his stupidity.

News 7/05/10

(Pop! Another photo with murky origins...)

Obnoxious twit marries jerk. Carrie Prejean, defender of opposite marriage and star of her own solo, sex-tape exercised her right to heterosexually marry in a hotel that donated $125,000 to the "Yes on 8" campaign.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson supports Marriage Equality.

Major Kerfuffle at Coney Island Hot Dot Eating Contest! Um... OK.

It's Monday, so I think we need a drag queen and some flaming hoola hoops.

Let's get some shoes:  I think it's suitable for work, but Kelly drops the F bomb and calls someone a "betch," so be cautious:

News 7/04/10: Independence Day!

(Thomas Jefferson: "Hey Tyranny, Up Yours!")

• I'm not sure what Michael Steele is up to, but he seems to think Afganistan is entirely Obama's fault? Even John McCain is PO'd. (Via Joe My God)

• Scientists uncover early draft of the Declaration of Independence with the word "suckers" in it. Sort of.

• Tony Perkins is a hateful dweeb.

• Looks like M. Knight Shyamalan's new movie really sucks, but... who cares?

News 7/03/10

( "OK fine, we'll call him 'His Majesty, the King' rather than 'that putz.'")

• Even though the Flaming Chef did not win the Freedom to Marry blog contest I would like to thank you all for your well wishes, votes and support. I think I owe you all a drink, don't I? Congratulations to Natsha Dillon, Zack Ford and Zack Rosen.

• Oil tanker flips over in Democratic Republic of Congo. At least one of the people who tried to collect the oil was smoking so the damn thing exploded, killing 230 people and injuring almost 200 more. I know smoking is glamorous and irresistible but please quit.

• Indian LGBTs in Dehli celebrate a year of not being criminals.

• Jonathan Rauch thinks we should compromise on Marriage Equality and allow the people to decide whether or not I have equal rights. Up yours Jonathan Rauch.

• On this weekend when we celebrate what a jerk King George III was, let's all remember the things that matter: Meat! Booze! and some other third thing!

News 7/02/10

(Today's public domain, celebrity mugshot: Mel Gibson.)

• Sexist, homophobic dick turns out to be a racist, sexist, homophobic dick. I speak (to quote Rajiv Vindaloo) of "the ultimate piece of meat" Mel Gibson. (Via Joe My God.)

• Republican Senator Lindsey Graham is totally not gay. "Sorry fellas," says Graham. What am I supposed to do now? just pine away for such a hot piece of manflesh? It's all so unfair.

• Flying the flags at half staff to honor old, dead white guy conflict with flying the flags at full mast to honor independence day. Deceased former Klansman, Senator Robert Byrd has had it up to here with all your rules.

• M. Knight Shyamalan's new movie described as lumpish and leaden.

• I guess we find out today about that there blog contest thingy. I'll keep y'all posted and thanks again for all your help.

News 7/01/10 Happy Canada Day!

(HRH Queen Elizabeth II, Pat Nixon and Prime Minister Edward Heath in 1970. If I'm not mistaken, you can just see a sliver of Tricky Dick's ear behind her majesty's astonishing, muffin-like hat.)

• The land of socialized medicine, marriage equality and an eerie lack of gunfire celebrates: Canada Day! Even Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second has dropped by to hoist a few with our neighbors to the north.

• German Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition government in jeopardy as members rebel over Presidential vote.

• Creepy Idiot Freak Doctor Maria New giving dangerous drugs to pregnant women in an effort to prevent lesbians from being born.

• Since Domestic Partnership is unequal to marriage and carries a tax penalty, Google tries to make it up to their employees.

• Freedom to Marry will announce blog contest winners probably today or tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who voted and if you haven't done so already, consider donating to Freedom to Marry. They're a swell bunch of folks.

News 6/30/10

(Another nifty picture from God knows where.)

Wisconsin Supreme Court upholds gay marriage ban. This challenge, based on whether the ban effects two points of law simultaneously has been attempted before and has never worked.  The Wisconsin Supreme Court did not uphold the ban on equal protection or due process grounds.

Deep Cover Russian spy story begins to unravel in court. I smell a book deal and a movie. I'd say "made for TV" but, I don't know if people still do that sort of thing.

"Atta Girl!" In her Senate Judiciary Committee hearings, Elena Kagan comes out forcefully against Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Violent oppression of gay rights in Eastern Europe reminds us of the justness of the freedoms we seek.

News 6/29/10

(Today in horn rimmed glasses: Barry Goldwater, deceased.)

• Belgians raid Catholic Church in search of evidence regarding sex abuse.  Pope cranky.  (Hat tip to Dr. Snickerdoodle.)

• Well, duh. Elena Kagan refrains from answering questions about cases that could come before the Supreme Court.

• Ha ha. Supremes rule against anti - gay, Christian bigots.

• The DMV sucks.

• We find out late this week who won the Freedom to Marry Blog 4 Equality Netroots Nation Scholarship contest.  You can still head over to Freedom to Marry and help them out with even a tiny donation to help them in their very important work.  Thanks again to everyone who slaved away for my potential glory. If we don't win, we'll do something fun and stylish anyway.

News 6/28/10

(Recently Deceased Senator Byrd meeting with hip, hip man-about-town, President Gerald Ford.)

• AP has aggregated some testimonials to recently deceased former Klansman, Senator Robert Byrd. In later life the now dead Senator came to regret his virulent opposition to civil rights in the 60's and his membership in the Klan. So I guess that makes it all OK?

• Elena Kagan's Senate confirmation hearings begin today.

• Iceland's Prime Minister weds her wife on that nation's first day of marriage equality. They converted their partnership into a marriage so no ceremony was held. This is an outrage! No cake?

• Fabulous screaming, shouting, celebration for 41st New York Pride over the weekend.

• I guess you can still vote in the Freedom to Marry Blog contest, even though the whole thing is supposed to be over. Perhaps we'll find out soon whether my incessant whining paid off?

News 6/27/10

• 41 years ago today patrons of the Stonewall Inn, tired of constant harassment, rebelled against a police raid launching the modern Gay Rights Movement. Joe My God has posted the New York Daily News article from the time of the raids. Count the number of times you read the word's "lisp" and "prance."

• World's ugliest dog wins ugliest dog in the world contest. (Hat tip to Dr. Snickerdoodle)

• Tropical storm Alex + Gulf oil spill = even huger potential pain-in-the-ass.

• "Now don't be nervous. Just remember everything depends on this." Kagan's Judiciary Committee hearings scheduled for Monday.

• Your prayers have been answered. Dick Cheney is feeling better.

• They're still letting us vote over at Freedom to Marry's Blog Contest, so get over there and toss in a few more chips for me, Me ME!