News 7/29/10

(...and the diamonds in the hair. Have you ever seen anyone so fresh and unspoiled? The Pope via buzzfeed's 15 gayest pictures of the Pope. Thanks again Wicker Parker.)

• Andrew Sullivan: "The Vatican is Super-Gay!" Short and interesting comments about church hypocrisy from the mouth of a real-live Catholic. (Via Joe My God.)

• President appears on telly today with the ladies of The View. Stage fright not an issue.

• Journal of Applied Developmental Science comes out forcefully in favor of adoption rights for gay couples. Hey Maggie Gallagher, you and your buddies don't have a lot left to talk about, do you?

• Who is Elisabeth Hasselbeck and why is she such an idiot? Try this one on for size: "I think people turn out straight because they're not cute enough to be gay." Does that statement insult straight people? You decide.

7/28/10 Special News Update via Mikey!

The jerk who is running for governor of Florida explains why he hired a homophobic jerk at great taxpayer expense.

You all remember George "Long Stroke" Rekers?

Well, he's the best the republicans can dig up to bash the gays in court. Have a look, he has a go at single mothers too.

(Special hat tip to Wicker Parker.)

Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Green Olive Sauce

Skinless, boneless chicken thighs marinated in garlic and buttermilk, lightly fried and topped with a sauce of shallot, tomato and green olives.

Full recipe and more pictures after the jump.

Morning News 4/07/10

How do the folks back home feel about HCR? Karen Tumulty over at Time's Swampland has a discussion going about the public's reaction as midterms (already?) loom.

Homophobe Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell declares "Confederate History Month."

Brits argue over who's pro-business and who is not.

Alan Greenspan testifies that the government cannot prevent another financial crisis, sort of.

Recent Polling Suggests that a majority of Californians support marriage equality.

For Wicker Parker, in response to yesterday's I Miss Lynne Russell post: here's Jane Russell in Howard Hawkes 1953 Musical "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." This shot is from the number "Ain't There Anyone Here for Love?" Those fellas may be there for love, but they're not interested in Jane Russell.  Well, maybe they're interested in discussing eye makeup.

(Only two days left to vote in our Milk v Dark Chocolate poll!)

Sunday Morning News 3/21/10

Wonderful article by Scott Calvert in the Baltimore Sun about Maryland gay couples flocking to DC to marry in the wake of Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler's legal opinion that gay marriages would be recognized in his state. Maryland resident Lisa Polyak's simple words sum up most of my feelings:

"I wonder when people are going to get past what is holding them back from saying we deserve simple equality(?)"

(Hat tip to Dr. Snickerdoodle.)

It is going to be a real nail-biter: Congress votes today on Health Care Reform. The Boston Globe reports that abortion remains a contentious component, but it looks like the special gimme to Nebraska is out. I'm still not clear on whether the new tax on so-called "Cadillac plans" will still be there. You will recall that this new tax has really upset labor unions. Anyone out there who knows more clearly about this one-please comment or contact me.

Stay classy guys: The Washington Post has some good coverage of the ugly protest that took place yesterday when teabaggers spit on Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver and called him a nigger. They also called Rep. Barney Frank a faggot, but refrained from spitting.

Special Volcano Porn for Wicker Parker: 450 people have been evacuated from an area 100 miles southeast of Reykjavik, Iceland because a volcano is shooting its wad like a frat boy on a date.

(I'm not sure who took the above picture or which volcano is shown. If you know, or if you are the owner of the copyright, please contact me and I will attribute or remove the picture immediately.
(Update: Photo by Patrick Gansler)

The Flaming Chef Finally Talks About Food

The night before last, Dr. Snickerdoodle and I shared with our guest a dry-roasted pork shoulder which is super easy to make.

1. Just rub the outside of the roast with crushed garlic, thyme, sage, rosemary, salt and fresh ground pepper.

2. Let the roast marinate for at least twenty minutes (in the fridge of course) but overnight is even better.

3. Brown on all sides (about 2 min. per side) in a hot pan, then roast the shoulder in a preheated 350° oven for 2 and a half hours.

4. Voila!

The fat will be melty and yummy and the meat will be falling apart and tender.

This roast goes equally well with sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes or any root vegetable. Broccoli, spinach, asparagus or a simple, green salad are all lovely accompaniments.

For a wine recommendation, Wicker Parker has a charming review of some Oregon Pinot Noirs that, I think, would go great with pork and they won't break the bank.

Go. Eat.

(image from coolrain)

Re: The Eternal Battle Between the Good, and the Not so Good

My dear friend Wicker Parker points out a lot of things that I missed, ignored and otherwise skipped in my post about Robert Kagan yesterday. His comments under that piece are a must read and I deserved his forceful, yet polite reminder to think before I post.

It is with a humble heart that I am reminded that Kagan is an unreliable douche who (among other things) was a cheerleader for the Bush Administration's fabricated hunt for WMD's in Iraq, even after everyone on the planet finally came around to the fact that it was all horseshit. Also correct is that Kagan makes a lot of assertions in his piece, and quotes no sources.

Hmm? That should have told me something right there. Kagan is an ideologue, bent on painting Obama in the worst possible light, and I jumped right on to the bandwagon.

I have been so impatient with the apparent lack of urgency from the Obama White House, that I went off half cocked about an issue that really gets me riled (DADT) and used for my source a right - wing mouthpiece who, obviously has an axe to grind. And Kagan wasn't even talking about DADT.

My apologies.

In my fight for equality, I must remember who MY allies are.

After eight years of the worst president in history, it is nice to have someone in the oval office who isn't using homophobia for political gain. Obama may not be moving as fast as I like, but at least he is moving. For that I am grateful.

As Chuck advised me last night:

"Calm the fuck down."

I will try.