Quote of the Day

"If you remember with the McCarthy era, in the 50s and they were trying to hunt down communist sympathizers and not let them work and put them. What is the difference between McCarthy era communist blacklist in the 50s and the Million Moms saying, ‘Hey, JC Penney and all you other stores, don’t you hire any gay people, don’t you dare.’ What is the difference?"

--Bill O'Reilly.  Yes, Bill O'Reilly talking about the Million Moms' jihad against Dallas-based JC Penney over hiring Ellen DeGeneres to do commercials.  Of course, just when you think he's making sense, he goes and spoils it by saying this. 

From Andrew Sullivan

Did Santorum Surge or Crap Out?

Remember "Santorum Salad?"

Today's headlines were screaming about Santorum surging all over Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado, leaving Romney's inevitable nominee status in limbo.   But  there's more to the story.  Thanks to some insightful political analysis from LC Reader Ray (OK, he sent me an article from NPR), things might look a bit flaccid for Santorum after all.  It turns out that no delegates were chosen or committed or bound in any of the three states.  Further, the turnout was tiny - 6% in Missouri, less in Minnesota, and only 2% in Colorado.  Actually, this makes sense when you consider that the votes were largely meaningless.  Republicans in St. Louis, KC, the Twin Cities and Denver stayed home because they had better things to do.  It was Colorado Springs and the MO/MN redneck belts that put out for Santorum.   The folks who showed up for at the polls were the pissed-at-Komen's-cave crowd. 

Part of me wanted to rejoice at Santorum's Heartland spurt because surely Obama could win in a landslide against that looser.  However, this was tempered by the fact that we are one economic downturn away from a White House shuffle.  One sneeze in Greece and the GOP nominee will win.  If you can imagine President Santorum, then President Romney doesn't seem so bad.  Hell, President Gingrich doesn't seem so bad compared to that dumb fanatic Santorum.  Face it, Obama is vulnerable and Romney is the only Republican who might not be an absolute disaster for the United States and the World.  I believe Obama will win, but we cannot risk a Santorum nomination.  That would be too close.  I hope Romney is the GOP nominee.  Then I hope he looses.          

GOP Primary Seasons Continues To Be Frothy and Mixed

Last night was the night of Santorum as Rick won the Colorado and Minnesota caucuses and the non-binding Missouri primary.  Santorum's wins were solid with 44.8 % in Minnesota where Romney came a distant third behind Ron Paul.  Romney managed to hold Santorum to single digits in Colorado,  a state Romney was heavily favored to win.  Gingrich continues his freefall to irrelevance.  Republican voters really, really don't like Mitt. 

9th Circuit Rules Prop 8 Unconstitutional

The ruling was a narrow and did not reach the question of whether it is unconstitutional to deny gay people the right to marry.  Rather, the Court found Prop 8 unconstitutional because it lacked a legitimate reason for treating a class of people differently from others.  Gays may not begin marrying in California, however, until the pro Prop 8 camp has an opportunity to appeal this ruling to a broader 9th Circuit panel which they will certainly do.  In other words, this is good news, but the case will continue for years:

10-16696 #398_Decision

Don't You Bring Me Down, Smash

Like all good gays everywhere, I eagerly watched Smash last night.  What did you think?  Was it Smashing or Smashed?  In case you DVRed it and haven't watched yet, I'll put a few comments after the break.

Madonna's Super Bowl Half Time Show

OH.MY.GOD!

Monday's Man: Dan Stevens

Gentlemen, may I present the heir to Downton Abbey.

Here are the star crossed lovers in a gorgeous photo spread from The Evening Standard

Here we see Matthew Crawley easily charming Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) in his dashing scarlet uniform.

You may also remember Dan playing gay quite convincingly in The Line of Beauty.  The following is one of my favorite scenes from the BBC production. 

Dan also made a film called Hilde in which he displayed an admirable aversion to chest waxing.

Finally, here is Dan in real life, pleasingly scruffy.