Dan Savage on the History of Marriage

Hot + funny + smart = Dan Savage. Here he is debunking the myth of "traditional marriage."



via Joe.My.God

Republicans Scozzafava Themselves

In the wake of the NY-23 Congressional election in which moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava was forced out by a dirty campaign waged by Dick Armey's Club for Growth, her name has become a verb used to described the process of being screwed over by the Republican purists. In a fascinating article in today's Washington Post, it seems clear that the GOP is in the process of Scozzafavaing itself.

Scozzafava was a long-time Republican NY state assemblywoman with a voting record to the right of the norm for her party in Albany. She seemed like a natural choice for an easy victory in a district that had never sent a Democrat to Congress. The Club for Growth came up with a goofball named Hoffman who knew nothing of local issues and in fact, didn't even live in the district. But he was ideologically pure. There was no sunlight between him and Sarah Palin and Jim DeMint. Scozzafava, on the other hand, had supported gay rights, abortion rights, and even had some contact with labor leaders. After a dirty campaign in which she was bizarely labeled the Acorn candidate, Scozzafava dropped out without endorsing anyone. Hoffman did not call her to offer condolences. Neither did George Pataki or any of the other prominent NY Republicans who encouraged her to run. Who did call? Bob Owens, the Democratic candidate for one. Bill Clinton for another. Also, Senator Shumer, Atty. General Cuomo, and a host of other prominent NY Democrats. As a result, Scozzafava endorsed Bill Owens and he won.

When Scozzafava returned to Albany, the punishment continued. She was stripped of her leadership position and she may be considering a switch to theDemocratic party. The Republicans control all of 40 seats out of 150 in the Assembly. They can ill afford to alienate a member, but that's just what they're doing.

So, while the GOP punishes those who stray from the strict party line, the Democrats are building coalitions. Which party seems like the party of the future?

Dreamgirls at the Opollo

The national tour of Dreamgirls is currently in previews at the Apollo Theater, a fitting location since the show begins and ends there. This revival began life in Korea where it was a hit with a Korean cast and took advantage of cheaper set construction costs. The producer is John Breglio, the executor of the estate of Michael Bennett. The production will feature some re-written scenes and the addition of the Beyonce song Listen (ugh) from the movie with new lyrics (maybe not so bad). In the picture above, Moya Angela, the new Effie White, admires the work of costume designer William Ivey Long. She said “This is definitely a big break for me. Most women in this role really take off after this.” That's an understatement, Moya.

'Tis the Season for Shopping at the Gap

The religious right's tiresome "war on Christmas" has begun again. Donald Wildmon's American Family Association has announced a boycott of The Gap because they "refuse" to use the word Christmas in their holiday advertising. Oh my God, how can people possibly be expected to maintain their faith when Christ has been taken out of T-shirt commercials? We need more Christ in commercialism!

Wildmon has a history of boycotts of Ford, Disney, Sears, and others who advance the "homosexual lifestyle" or whatever paranoid blather he comes up with. Typically they don't work and Wildmon eventually declares a fake victory and moves on to the next target.

Via Joe.My.God

Mad Men Mondays

The last episode! So much going on! Here are my thoughts (don't read further if you haven't see it yet):

Is Sal really gone forever? They keep teasing us with bits like Peggy's complaint that she doesn't have art because there's no art department. Bring Sal back to the new firm! Let's start a petition!

Thank God they found a new job for Joan. She should never have been sidelined.

No way Roger Sterling's marriage survives; Joan's either. Those two are meant for each other.

Either Betty doesn't go through with the divorce or she has a torrid post-divorce affair with Don.

I kind of wish they had chosen Ken over Paul. He's cuter and not such a dick. Decent gratuitous beefcake shot of Paul, though.

I suppose Duck is done.

Who among the left-overs at Sterling Cooper will stick around for next season?

What do you think?

Monday's Man: Marco Dapper

This ought to get your Monday morning going with a jolt. Calling Marco Dapper hot is like calling Mount Everest big. It doesn't begin to do him justice. He's beyond hot, post-hot, ultra hot. He's in a class of hotness of his own. His heat defies language. Just sit back and take it all in. Or maybe I should say sit up.

He was the lust object in Eating Out II, Sloppy Seconds in which he took it all off. If you would like to see Marco in all his glory, and it IS glorious, click here. It is very NTSW and very worth it.

First picture source.

Shooting Rampage at Fort Hood

Horrifying news out of one of my old duty stations, Fort Hood, Texas. Three active duty soldiers opened fire at the Soldier Readiness Center killing 12 and wounding 31. A soldier readiness center is a processing center for those about to be deployed to war zones. Fort Hood is the largest military base in the world and has sent a huge number of soldiers to Iraq and Afghanistan. about 250,000 military and civilian personnel go to work there every day.

My God.

UPDATE: The alleged killer is Major Nadal Hasan, an Army psychiatrist. He was born in Virginia of Jordanian immigrant parents. Contrary to previous reports, he is alive and expected to live. The New York Times coverage is amazing.