God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Christmas is upon is and to celebrate, here is Annie Lennox' inventive take on my personal favorite carol:

Pentagon Study Finds Soldiers Don't Care About DA/DT Repeal

I could have told them this.  The massive Pentagon study of the impact of Don't Ask/Don't Tell on soldiers and their families is in and the overwhelming attitude of military members to openly gay servicemembers is a big whatever, dude. Basically, Barry Goldwater had it right decades ago when he said soldiers don't care if a colleague is straight as long as he can shoot straight. The commander of the U.S. Army Europe said concerns about DA/DT repeal were “exaggerated and not consistent with the reported experiences of many service members.” Defense Secretary Gates said that repeal “would not be the wrenching, traumatic change that many have feared and predicted.” According to the New York Times:


"The report also found that a majority — 69 percent — believed they had already worked with a gay man or woman, and of those the vast majority — 92 percent — reported that the unit’s ability to work together was very good, good or 'neither good nor poor.'”

Of course, John McCain reiterated his opposition to DA/DT repeal today.  Keep in mind that his excuses for opposition are ever-shifting along with his integrity.  His gal pal Lindsey Lohan Graham said yesterday the she was opposed to repeal despite the fact that it's glaringly obvious that Graham as queer as a 3-dollar bill.  What a farce. 

Sarah Palin a Flop in Dallas

Here's one piece of good news, Dallas apparently doesn't give a shit about Sarah Palin.  The picture above is of the huge, throng at a Barnes and Noble on Sunday when the ex half-term governor made an appearance to sign copies of her new book, How to Get Rich if You're Dumb, Pretty, and Borderline Illiterate.  Wait, that's not what it's called?  Oh, who cares, that's about 30 people in line.  B&N set aside a whopping 250 books for Palin to sign.  Fox 4 didn't even send one of it's name reporters.  I hope Sarah's saving her money.        

James Franco and Anne Hathaway to Host Oscars

The announcement was made this morning.  Unexpected and brilliant.  Of course, it might get a bit awkward for the host to be nominated for Best Actor.    

Leslie Nielsen: 1926-2010

Handsome, funny Leslie Nielsen has died at the age of 84. His acting career began in 1950 and included literally hundreds of film and TV credits including Tammy and the Bachelor and The Poseidon Adventure. In 1980, his second act began with the hit movie Airplane! and Hollywood suddenly discovered his gift for deadpan comedy.  The Police Squad/Naked Gun movies soon followed and made him more famous than ever.  I remember him from the 70s when he seemed to be a Special Guest Star on every Quinn Martin production.  His characters were always a bit dangerous, very suave and so very good looking.  I totally had a crush. 

Nielsen was born the son of a Mountie in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and he was mostly raised in the Northwest Territories.   He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force in World War II, then returned home to begin his career in radio in Edmonton, Alberta.  By 1950, he was in New York and made his TV debut in The Actors Studio.  In 1952, he made his Broadway debut in Seagulls Over Sorrento, a short-lived play.  He is survived by his wife and two daughters.   
 

Love and Other Drugzzzzzzzzzzz

Wes and I completed the Thanksgiving weekend movie trifecta with the new Jake Gyllenhaal/Anne Hathaway movie Love and Other Drugs.  Who would have thought that a movie that features Jake's perfect ass over and over would be boring?   Not to mention Anne's tits, if you're into that sort of thing.  "Too many tits" was Wes' assessment of this film.  There was so much nudity that it kind of got old. 

Jake plays a sexy, hot shot pharmaceutical sales rep in the 90s when the world was on the verge of Viagra.  He's assigned the Ohio River Valley as his territory although the cars seem to have Pennsylvania license plates.  Does Pittsburgh qualify as Ohio River Valley?  Whatever, Jake wants to get to the promised land of Chicago and to get there he has to convince Dr. Hank Azaria to switch from Prosac to Xanax.  Let's see a show of hands of who thinks he'll get offered Chicago in the 3rd act and turn it down for Anne?  See?  We haven't even met Anne yet and we already know what will happen.  Jake basically bribes Dr. Hank to let him shadow him while he sees patients.  All it takes is $1,000 for Dr. Hank to betray his patients' trust and commit a serious ethical violation, but this is never explored.  Jake follows Dr. Hank into an examination of Anne Hathaway which involves the first of many displays of her mammories.  Jake is instantly smitten with Anne, Anne smacks him over the head when she finds out he's a drug rep and not a doctor, they have coffee and fuck on the floor.  Anne tries to keep it just about sex because she has early onset Parkinson's.  Jake is fine with that since he doesn't yet appreciate the seriousness of her disease, blah, blah, blah, he falls in love.  They both try to resist it, Anne pushes Jake away, Jake goes through some soul searching, has a 3-way with two beautiful women, realizes that he really loves Anne, and they end up together because love is stronger than Parkinson's, or something.

Along the way, we meet Jake's brother/sidekick, a fat slob who got rich from some software thingy.  Why must all handsome leading men have fat slobs as best friends?  In the old days, Cary Grant's best friend was the fey and groomed Tony Randall, now it's Zach Galifanikis, or at least it would have been if Zach hadn't become a star in his own right first.  Fat slob is the new closeted gay.

Since Zach was unavailable, the role was played by some incredibly unattractive guy.  I could tell you who it was if I cared enough to look it up.  He was ugly and disgusting and had no redeeming qualities.  In one scene that was supposed to be funny, Jake catches fat brother whacking off to a video of Jake and Anne having sex.  Strange, sick and gross.  Not funny.  Nobody laughed. 

BTW, I'm being totally unfair to Zach Galifanikis.  I think he's funny and sexy in his own way.  He would have been a huge asset to this movie.   

The movie also wastes George Segal and Jill Clayburgh in her last roll.  They play Jake's parents in one pointless scene.  I guess the producers thought George and Jill would look really classy in the trailer.

The big problem with this movie is it can't decide what it is.  Is it a Jerry Maguireish tale of a sexy, ambitious, money-crazy guy who discovers what's important in life when he meets the right girl, with the added twist that the girl is sick?  Is is a hard-hitting drama about the tough choices we must make when a love one is diagnosed with an incurable disease (if so, I could tell them a thing or two)?  Is is Cinemax after dark?  The one thing that saves it from being a R-rated Lifetime disease-of-the-week movie is Anne Hathaway's strong performance.  There is never a false note with her.   She has an amazing ability to parade around naked, straddling Jake at the drop of a hat and still come off as a lady.  Sharon Stone should take notes.  I love Jake.  He's totally charming and his body is beyond words.  He and Anne are great together and should make a movie every year.  Just not this one. 

     

Monday's Man: Cam Gigandet

 I guess this is no surprise for anyone who read my Burlesque review below.  Cam was the bad boy bartender (you knew he was a bad boy because he drove a motorcycle) who had a heart of gold and won Christina's heart.  Above, you see him in his Burlesque Lounge drag complete with eyeliner.  The eyeliner was a set up for Christina to do a lame bit about thinking he was gay.  She didn't quite carry it off. 

Cam has appeared shirtless in virtually everything he's done and who can blame him?  If I had a lean, hard body like that, I'd walk around naked, which he does in Burlesque.   

He manages to look pretty cute in clothes, too. 

More Cher, Less Christina

That's my advice if anyone decides to make Burlesque II.  OK, bottom line up front, it's not as bad as you've read.  I know that's faint praise, but the reviews were scathing and the movie is a fun bit of froth.  Sure, it's collection of cliches that were getting moldy when talkies were invented and sure, it borrows heavily from Chicago and Cabaret (with Alan Cumming in a glorified cameo just in case you don't get it), but it's Cher!  And Glitter!  And Sequins!  There were so many gays of a certain age in the theater that it was like a field trip from the Rainbow Acres rest home. 

The film opens in a fake small town in "Iowa" where we meet Ali (Christina Aguilera), the impossibly coiffed and perfectly made-up waitress at a dive bar.  The owner stiffs her so she grabs some cash from the till, throws on some hooker heels, walks across the Tallahatchie Bridge to the bus station and buys a one-way ticket to LA.  Once there, she happens upon the Burlesque Lounge on the Sunset Strip where she sees Velma Kelly performing All That Jazz Kristen Bell lip syncing to something or other and Christina/Ali is enthralled.  With the stage, not Kristen.  She meets bartender Cam Gigandet, who's obviously the man she's meant for, who tells her if she wants to be on stage, she has to convince Tess (Cher).  Tess pays her no mind, so she picks up a cocktail tray and starts working as a waitress because she's got spunk!  Before you can say bump and grind, she's on-stage, belting out her growling-through-the-scales routine and she's an instant hit.

My next husband Stanley Tucci is on-hand to reprise his role from The Devil Wears Prada, only with a nicer boss.  He even hooks up with a sexy male DJ from the wedding of some tangential characters nobody cares about.  We see him in bed with his beautiful hairy chest!  Worth the price of admission.  Tucci and Cher have great chemistry and seem to be having a blast.  They need to be paired up for a romantic comedy and soon. 

Hunky Eric Dane plays what passes for a heavy.  He's a business man who wants to buy the Burlesque Lounge and turn it into (gasp) a high-rise!  In LA!  It'll block the view!  He offers Cher and her business partner/ex-husband (Peter Gallagher in one of the more pointless rolls) a cool million for the place, although why he doesn't just wait for the imminent foreclosure is beyond me.  Along the way, he tries to seduce Christina in his fabulous Hollywood Hills mansion.  She ultimately chooses Cam, of course (this is not exactly a spoiler alert) because the pretty girl always chooses the poor bartender over the rich business man.  I don't make the rules.  Besides, once you see what Cam can do with a box of Famous Amos, you'd choose him over Eric Dane, too.  The cookie company scored the greatest product placement in the history of product placement. 

A brunette Kristen Bell is miscast as Christina's rival for the spotlight.  She's no Crystal Connors, but she tries harder than Dane to be a bitch.  She gets drunk, mouths off to Cher and drives off in a huff and who can blame her?  One song from Christina, and Cher sent Kristen to the chorus.  Kristen is supposed to be boozy, and she always has a drink in her hand, yet she never seems tipsy in the slightest.  One can't worry about the details in Burlesque.

Cher is Tess.  Tess is Cher.  She's basically playing herself, but so what?  She's Cher and she looks fabulous.  She has two numbers, including one of her signature power ballads.  The rest of the musical numbers, and there are many, belong to Christina.  What a waste.

The movie also features small parts for James Brolin and Glee's Diana Agron who, in 30 seconds makes you wonder why Cam choose nicey-nice Christina over her. This illustrates the biggest problem with the movie.  Christina's Ali is just too nice.  There is a complete lack of dramatic tension.  You know from the first moment that Ali will find love and stardom.  You know that Cher will save the club from the dastardly Eric Dane and you know that Kristen Bell will clean herself up and happily return to the chorus. Christina's acting is perfectly serviceable, but her character has no flaws.  She's friendly, perky, pretty, (very) blonde, and talented.  Who wants to root for that?  Give me Nomi Malone or Neely O'Hara any day.

Bottom line, totally worth a matinee price to see Cher, Stanley Tucci's chest, and Cam Gigandet's Famous Amos.       

Harry Potter and the Deathly Depression

If you insist on seeing the Harry Potter film like I did today, take my advice and pop a Xanax first.  It was 2 1/2 hours of Daniel Radcliffe brooding in dreary English weather.  The last book has been divided into two movies to keep the cash cow on life support and it showed.  We get it, Harry is wandering in the wilderness just like Jesus.  Move on.  I went to Sunday School, I know this story. 

If you like films that are relentlessly depressing and end with no resolution, then HP Part Sept is for you. It borrowed heavily from The Lord of the Rings series, but without Viggo Mortensen.  It had creepy Gollum-like creatures and it even had a piece of jewelry that turned all who wore it into assholes.  Picture Rupert Grint tromping around the forest becoming a tiresome jerk.  Who wants to see that?  For God's Sake, kids, get out of the wilderness and get back to Hogwarts.  Where were the floating candles?  Where was the humor?  Where was Maggie Smith, for God's sake?  This HP had a humorectomy and it took itself way too seriously. 

Daniel Radcliffe is apparently impressed with his physique and took his shirt off at every opportunity.  He's way to skinny for my taste, but he does have some nice chest hair that he left in place.  If you're into petite guys with no chests, this is the movie for you.  Of course, if that's what you're into, you're probably not reading this blog.  Rupert Grint, who is turning into quite a tasty ginger, displayed his chest once, but there a grievous wound that I won't describe so it kind of killed the mood (spoiler alert!  He lives).  Emma Watson looked totally cute in various jeans-n-tops as she pitched tents in the woods (and I suppose Rupert was pitching a tent for her, but that's for the porn version).  This is the kind of thing I was thinking about when I suppose I was supposed to be feeling foreboding or whatever. 

There was the usual parade of Distinguished British Actors. Julie Walters was totally humorless, which is a crime.  Ralph Feinnes was sinister even with Michael Jackson's nose.  Helena Bonham Carter seemed like she really wanted to let loose and create some havoc, but even she was held back.     

There was a lot of death, too much for little kids.  The whole thing was really bleak and then it was over.  I should have seen Burlesque.        

Happy Thanksgiving!

What's on the menu?  For us, it's turkey, my mother's cornbread stuffing (with a sinful amount of butter), my mother's baked macaroni and cheese (with a sinful amount of sharp cheddar), sweet potato souffle (which isn't exactly a souffle, but does have a sinful amount of brown sugar and a pecan praline crust), cranberry sauce, crescent rolls, gravy, and, oh yeah, something green like peas or whatever.  There's white wine and champagne and our friends are bringing dessert.  And soup.    

Guilty!

The bug man has been brought down.  A Texas jury today found Former House Speaker Tom Delay guilty of one count of money laundering and one count of conspiracy.  He could face 2 to 20 for the conspiracy and 5 to 99 or life for the money laundering. 

The exterminator turned politician first ran for office because he was pissed off at having to abide by EPA regulations in the pest control business.  In the Texas Lege, he was known as Hot Tub Tommy for his partyin' ways with women and booze.  When he decided to seek national office he, naturally, found Jesus and cleaned up his act.  Apparently graft and corruption aren't sins in his church.  

This is a man who apparently believes his own bullshit.  He said that when he posed for his mug shot, he wanted people to see Jesus through his eyes.  When I look at those beady little raisins, Jesus is the last thing I see.       

Widely known as a gigantic, bleeding asshole, Tom Delay is now finding that karma is a bitch.

No Palin Puts Baby in a Corner

Jennifer Grey won Dancing With the Stars.  Bristol Palin came in third, behind Jennifer and somebody else.  Obviously, it's a vast left-wing conspiracy.

I know I'm late reporting this, but I don't exactly keep up with DWTS.  In fact, I haven't watched since Cloris Leachman got voted off.

Cher is Here! Plus Jake!

Predictably, the Dallas Morning News hates Burlesque, or more accurately, the Kansas City Star hates is since the DMN has fired most of its film critics and cribs reviews from other papers.  Here's a quote:

"Every movie has a few cliches.  You've just got to finesse them.  In Burlesque, writer-director Steven Antin lays them on with a trowel..."

Whoo hoo!  Lay it on with a trowel, Cher!  What did he expect, subtlety?  Didn't he see the trailer?  I am so there. 

The other big opening today is Love and Other Drugs with Jake and Anne Hathaway.  The DMN hated it, too.  Apparently there's lots of sex and nudity featuring Jake.  Let me repeat that, Jake Naked.  A lot.  Let that sink in a moment.  Here's a quote from the review:

"These two (Jake and Anne) just seem like well-lit models in a soft-core Cinemax fantasy." 

Sounds good to me!

Daniel Craig From Behind

Words escape me. 

More at Square Hippies.

Mark Ruffalo in GQ

Now that's what I'm talking about.

source

Sara Palin's What?

All those people who are upset over Bristol Palin's possible victory on Dancing With the Stars can feel better knowing that ratings for Sarah Palin's Alaska have plummeted.  The premiere set a ratings record for whatever basic cable network carries it, and this was reported endlessly (as is everything that flatters Palin).  For the second episode, the audience dropped by half.  

Everybody Gets a Car!!! Again!!!

Heads explode at Harpo Studios:


Hey, guy in the dark blazer and blue shirt, can I get a ride in your Beetle?

New Favorite Site

Fuck Yeah Dudes Kissing.  Not safe for work, although not exactly porn, either. 

Via Dan Savage.

Quote of the Day

"I have a very difficult time leading an organization—one of whose pillars is integrity—and asking people to lie every single day they come to work."

--Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on his opposition to Don't Ask/Don't Tell.  This is precisely why I left the Army after 12 years. 

In similar news, the Pentagon has announced that there have been no discharges under DA/DT since October 21. 

Norris Church Mailer, 1949-2010

Norris Church Mailer, the widow of Norman Mailer, has died at the age of 61.  The cause was gastrointestinal cancer.  Mailer was born Barbara Jean Davis and was raised in poverty in Arkansas.  She became a high school art teacher and met Mailer in Russellville, AR when he came through town on a book signing tour.  She was half his age, but there was an instant attraction, or as she put it, "sex is the cord that bound us together."  They married in 1980 and eventually added their two children to his existing seven.  She put up with his many infidelities, worked as a Wilhelmina model, had art shows, and became a writer, herself.  She published two fiction novels and a well-received autobiography, A Ticket to the Circus, published earlier this year.  She was a great Southern dame, taken before her time.

Monday's Man: Matthew Morrison

LC NY Bureau Chief Doug sent me pics from Details Magazine's photo shoot of Glee's Matthew Morrision.  He sings, he dances, he's got a banging body, what more could you want in a man? 

Maybe some chest hair?  In Details, he has shaved his fur to show off his pecs.  What do you think?   Hairy?

Or Hairless?



I know what I prefer. 



Palin Slams Michelle Obama

Sarah Palin has a new book out with the vomit-inducing title of America by Heart, Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag. In the book, Palin has written there is a particularly ugly and racist passage that criticizes Michelle Obama for not being proud of America and, well, for not being white:

Certainly his wife expressed this view when she said during the 2008 campaign that she had never felt proud of her country until her husband started winning elections. In retrospect, I guess this shouldn't surprise us, since both of them spent almost two decades in the pews of the Reverend Jeremiah Wright's church listening to his rants against America and white people.

Of course, that's not really what Michelle Obama said and this horse has been beaten to death, but I thought this passage was pretty breathtaking in it's racism.  Palin doesn't even try to hide it anymore.

h/t, LC NY Bureau Chief Doug.

"An Ageless Diva of a Certain Age"

That's the title of the New York Times' profile of Cher on the eve of the release of her new movie Burlesque.  On her performance in the film, the article says:

"For her most ardent fans multiplexes might want to stock smelling salts."

Mine are ready to go.  Of course, many have already noted that the trailer for Burlesque makes it look like Valley of the Glitter Showgirls, and let's hope that's true, but whether it's fabulous, trashy, or fabulously trashy, I'll be there opening night.    

h/t, LC NY Bureau Chief Doug.

Gal Pals Make a Movie

I am so seeing this.

Bryan Safi's A-List Audition

I love this guy:

Religious Campaign Launched to Oust Texas House Speaker

The efforts to replace moderate Texas House Speaker Joe Straus of San Antonio with a teabagger have started out ugly. Emails from GOP activists that are circulating among House members have mentioned Staus' rabbi and stress the true Christian faith of his rivals.  For example, Kaufman County Tea Party Chair Ray Myers circulated an email stating that Rep. Bryan Hughes of Mineola is "a Christian Conservative who decided not to be pushed around by the Joe Straus thugs."  Myers said it never crossed his mind that Straus is Jewish.  Another email, written by conservative activist Peter Morrison said that Straus "clearly lacks the moral compass to be speaker...Both Rep. Warren Chisum and Rep. Ken Paxton, who are Christians and true conservatives, have risen to the occasion to challenge Joe Straus for leadership."  Morrison said he was simply making factual statements about Chisum and Paxton.  Yet another email, with vague origins, said "Straus is going down in Jesus' name." 

Do these people have any idea what Jesus actually said and taught?

Gosh, I Wonder Where She Learned That?

Someone who dared criticize Sarah Palin's Alaska got the Palin treatment from 16 year old Willow via Twitter.  The youngster called him a faggot, told him not to talk shit, and demonstrated a grasp of English grammar rivaling her mother's.  I can't imagine where she learned homophobia in such a fine family. 

h/t LC NY Bureau Chief Doug.

FYI, I've started some contract work that involves long hours and no on-the-job blogging.  Thank God for Doug and the NY Bureau or I'd go days without updating this thing.  Thanks Doug!  Remind me to give you a raise. 

They're Engaged

The palace has announced the engagement of Prince William and long-time girlfriend Kate Middleton.  The wedding will be sometime in the spring or summer.  The future queen is from a solidly middle class background.  Kate's family built a party supply business, Party Pieces.  There may be some scandalized royals over a commoner marrying the Prince of Wales, but good for William for choosing love and taking his time.  Let's hope he's fully cognizant of his mother's experience and has taken that into account.  Let's also hope that Kate, who is older and more highly educated than Diana, is mature and prepared.

OK, now let's talk gowns.  She's tall, thin, and gorgeous, so I see something sleek and modern.  Thoughts?   

Alaska Has Sarah Palin's Number

Sara Palin's Alaska may be a hit, but it's clearly not Sarah Palin's Alaska.  A Public Policy Poll released today found only 15% of Alaska Republicans think she should be the next GOP nominee.  You might think that people in a small state would be proud of a native daughter who is talked about as a possible presidential contender, but Alaskans have already experienced her "leadership."   Let's hope the rest of the country takes note.     

Monday's Man: Maradona Rebello

Cute Indian actor Maradona Rebello is starring in the new movie Dunno Y, described as Bollywood's Brokeback Mountain.  Here hs is getting steamy with costar Kapil Sharma. 

The poster is much steamier:

I seriously need to see this movie.  Here's a quick teaser:

Bush's Official White House Portrait

This isn't your Uncle Fred who dropped by to watch the game and grab a brewski.  This is the official White House portrait of the 43rd President of the United States.  Not exactly De Kookning's JFK, is it?

Quote of the Day

"The first line of the book would be 'After Rhett Butler made love to Ashley, he lit a cigarette, handed it to Ashley, and asked, 'Have I ever told you that my grandmother was black?'"

--Author Pat Conroy's proposed first line for his never-written sequel to Gone With the Wind.  He was contacted by the Margaret Mitchell estate about writing the book before the family's copyright expired, but they put so many restrictions on him, including no homosexuality and no miscegenation, that he got fed up and suggested that opening sentence.  According to Conroy, "it didn't work out."  Too bad.  The approved sequel wasn't nearly so interesting.   

Beastweek? Newsbeast?

Today in odd publishing news, the once proud weekly magazine Newsweek is merging with Huffpost wannabe The Daily Beast.  Tina Brown is to be Editor-in-Chief.  Will Newsweek be energized by the new media synergy of Brown's web creation (does anybody acually read the Daily Beast?) or will the new company be the news biz version of Studebaker-Packard? 

Cindy McCain Speaks Out Against DA/DT

Cindy McCain and a bunch of B-list celebs are featured in a NoH8 PSA and McCain highlights the injustice of Don't Ask/Don't Tell:



Gee, if only there were someone she could influence; someone who is, oh I don't know, the chief roadblock to DA/DT repeal?  Someone she goes to bed with every night?  Ring a bell, Cin?  I sincerely appreciate the efforts of everyone who appears in this PSA, but come on Cindy, it's your frigging husband you have to convince.    

This reminds me of the Dubya administration leaking Barbara and Laura Bush's supposed pro-choice beliefs at every opportunity (before we knew the fetus in a jar story).  Don't take our hard line too seriously, they were trying to say, we're just pretending to be fanatics to play to the base.  Is that John McCain's excuse?  

UPDATE:  Cindy has backtracked...over the backs of her "gay friends."   

It's Veterans Day

Today should be a somber day of reflection.  Veterans Day was established after World War I to honor the war dead and was known for years as Armistice Day.  President Eisenhower established Veterans Day to honor all veterans.

I wonder how many of my readers are, like me, veterans?

My First Beard

This was last Saturday, about 10 days in.  It's a bit fuller now.  What do you think?  Keep it or loose it? 

Hillary Shows Her Fun Side

Watch Hillary match wits with a comedy duo in Australia.  She is one sharp lady and pretty fun, too:

Time to Duck and Cover: The TX Lege is Back

 I stole my headline from the late, great Molly Ivins who called the Texas Legislature the Lege and said it only comes into session every two years so that Texans are protected from it half the time.  I dearly wish she were here today to comment on the session about to begin.  In the last session, Dems were resurgent and almost captured the House.  In 2010, many good men and women were wiped out by Teabaggers and Republicans are now close to a super majority.  Guess what they're up to?  First day bill filings include:

A bill to require voters to present photo ID, despite the fact that the Attorney General spent millions in taxpayer funds investigating voter fraud in Texas and found a handful of cases.  Facts are irrelevant.

An Arizona-style immigration bill, because that has worked out so well for Arizona.  Wait a minute, Jan Brewer got re-elected by a wide margin.  I guess it has worked out well for Arizona.

A bill to make English the official state language (because Texans speak it so well) and mandate that all state documents be printed in English only.

A bill to allow concealed handguns on public university campuses because what we really need are hormonal 18 year olds packing heat.

An Oklahoma-style abortion bill that would require doctors to offer a sonogram prior to the procedure and would prohibit public hospitals, without exception, from performing  abortions.  That 14 year-old raped by her daddy better have the bucks to go to a private hospital.

A bill to eliminate straight-ticket voting.  These folks love anything that makes voting more difficult.

Meanwhile, Texas has a budget gap that is, percentage-wise, bigger than California's and leads the nation in uninsured children.  What is Rep. Warren Chisum's answer to the budget gap?  Secede from Medicaid, of course!  Don't Tread on Me!  Unless I'm poor, then walk all over me.    

Monday's Man: Brian Wilson

This should be my last World Series related post, but I had to devote one Monday's Man to the bearded one:  Brian Wilson.

He purposely died his beard darker than the hair on his head.  Maybe it's one of those baseball superstition things. 

I find that the older I get, the more I'm attracted to men with facial hair.  What's up with that?  Maybe I shouldn't examine it too closely. 

Here he is on the Tonight Show.  You've got to watch this:

The Apocalypse is Coming to Dallas

Get ready boys, the Gay Housewives are coming to Dallas!  And LA!  Logo's sign of the End Times, The A List, is apparently such a hit that the network's programming brain trust is planning spin-offs for Dallas and LA.  The consensus on the gay interwebs seems to be Dallas?  Really?  Why Dallas?  Are you people kidding me?  Dallas is perfect for this!  Dallas invented conspicuous consumption!  This is the birthplace of Neiman Marcus and Mary Kay and Lucy Ewing and the frozen margarita!  No place can do shallow and pretty like Dallas can do shallow and pretty, and for Dallas gays, shallow and pretty is turned up to 11.  I'm surprised it took Logo so long to figure this out.

Here's the casting notice: 

Are you a Dallas mo?  Are you painfully chic?  Have you never read a book in your life?  Do you not understand why I asked that question?  Is your brain as wrinkle-free as your face?  Do you have a charge account at Barney's?  Would you blow the cute Barney's clerk for a discount but refuse to be seen with him in public because he's a counter queen?  Then here is your opportunity for fame! 

I can think of several guys I've dated who would be perfect for this shit. 

By the way, if you haven't been reading Tom and Lorenzo's hilarious recaps of each A List episode, you should.  LC  NY Bureau Chief Doug sends me each update. 

Quote of the Day

“If you think what happened in Delaware is ‘a win’ for the Republican Party then we don’t have a snowball’s chance to win the White House,” he said. “If you think Delaware was a wake-up call for Republicans than we have shot at doing well for a long time.”


--Sen. Lindsey Graham discussing the belief among some on the right that the GOP was better off nominating Christine O'Donnell and losing the Delaware seat than winning with a moderate Republican like Rep. Mike Castle.

Quote of the Day

"And you made it all happen. Or rather, you failed to prevent it from happening, by not voting, by turning your collective back on Obama's tough love, by getting all whiny and dejected like some sort of sullen teen vampire who can't get laid."

--Mark Morford in his Letter to a Whiny Young Democrat, directed at the hoards of young people who failed to vote on Tuesday. 







Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fg%2Fa%2F2010%2F11%2F03%2Fnotes110310.DTL#ixzz14Jpz8J1N

More Broadway Stars: It Gets Better

Quote of the Day

"I want to believe that the republicans will work with our President and the rest of our lawmakers to bring jobs back to America, economic stability, great education for our children, health reform we can be proud of and funding for the arts.......Yeah, and that's gonna happen when I start shooting silver dollars outa my ass!!!!"

--Ann Walker

Headline of the Day

Electile Dysfunction
The GOP's incredible shrinking Boehner.

Read the Salon article here.

Anti-Gay Buck Looses in Colorado

Anti-gay teabagger Ken Buck, who compared homosexuality to alcoholism, has lost a tight senate race to Democrat Michael Bennet.  Maybe it wasn't such a good night for homophobes after all.    

Bad Night for Marriage, But There is Hope

Three Iowa Supreme Court justices who voted for marriage equality were up for a confirmation vote yesterday.  All three lost after a fierce campaign of lies and distortions from NOM. The new Iowa governor is going to be Republican Terry Branstad who defeated incumbent Democrat Chet Culver.  That's a lot of bad news for equality in Iowa.  All is not lost, however. The Supreme Court marriage decision was unanimous. There are seven Supreme Court justices in the state, that leaves four who have voted for equality.  Plus, the out-going Democratic governor can appoint three replacements before the newly-elected Republican takes over.  Certainly, though, NOM's ugly campaign to uproot the judicial system in Iowa will take a toll and justices may be nervous about decisions that follow the law but not popular opinion.

Look for a push to put an anti-marriage Constitutional Amendment on the ballot in Iowa in 2012, just in time for the Presidential election.   

In New Hampshire, NOM is bragging that they've elected a veto proof majority of Republicans in the state legislature.  This may be true, but they'll need it to get an anti-marriage bill past re-elected Democratic Governor Lynch.  A New England Republican is not necessarily an anti-gay Republican, so ripping marriage rights away from New Hampshire citizens is not a done deal.

Box Turtle Bulletin has an interesting wrap-up of NOM's efforts across the nation last night and it's not as cheery as Brian Brown's flamboyant tweets.  Here's an excerpt:

"But no indicator seems to have been more consistent this election than the extent to which a candidate was supported by the National Organization for Marriage. If you were a Senatorial or Gubernatorial candidate whom NOM supported, it seemed to be the kiss of death."

Read it all here.

More good news out of Rhode Island.  There's an excellent chance we could achieve equality there with the election of pro-equality Lincoln Chafee as governor.  The former moderate Republican senator left the GOP and ran as an independent.  Plus, Rhode Island elected openly gay Providence Mayor David Cicilline to Congress.  The state's Congressional delegation is all Democratic.

Red Tide

There was lots of bad news for Democrats last night, and a few rays of hope.  The Republicans won at least 60 seats in the House which are more than enough to gain a majority.  At least six Senate seats switched to the GOP, although Harry Reid defeated crazy Sharron Angle to hold on, with races still to call in Colorado, Washington, and Alaska.  Russ Feingold defeated.  Alan Grayson defeated.  Patrick Murphy, who fought so hard for Don't Ask/Don't Tell repeal, defeated. 
Crazy Christine O'Donnell lost big in Delaware and Chris Coon's win helped the Dems keep control of the Senate. 

In New York, insane Carl Paladino lost badly to Cuomo.

The red tide stopped in California where Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer both won.  Dems won most down-ballot races there also. 

Here is Texas, Rick Perry was elected governor.  Again.  Republicans won big in state wide elections.  My House District is so blue that our incumbent Democrat, Roberto Alonzo, ran unopposed.  However, a few districts over, Democrat Robert Miklos, a solid public servant and former colleague, lost his seat.

Dems Win Big in Dallas

You heard that right, people.  The popular perception of Dallas, Texas as deeply red is deeply wrong.  Tonight, the Democratic domination of county politics has been firmly cemented.  First, Democrat Clay Jenkins has defeated Republican Emmert Wade as County Judge (i.e., chairman of the county council).  Solid, smart public servant Dr. Elba Garcia (pictured) has defeated incumbant Kenneth Mayfield for a slot on  the County Commisioner's Court (the county council), giving Democrats a majority.  Dr. Garcia, a dentist, distinguished herself on the Dallas City Council until she was term-limited.  She voted yes on DP benefits for Dallas City Employees (a lifesaver when Wes was diagnosed with Huntington's Disease).  She campaigned for Hillary and then threw her support to President Obama when he got the nomination.  She sent out flyers with a picture of herself with the President in a year when the mainstream media has been saying Obama is toxic.  She won.  Big.  In Texas.   

Side note - my husband spent his career in AIDS prevention.  He's been in the fight since the beginning and I am very proud of him.  He has saved lives.  He used to work for the Dallas County AIDS Prevention Project, a ground-breaking initiative in the early days of the plague.  Then, Ken Mayfield got elected to the County Commissioner's Court and spearheaded an effort to get the AIDS Prevention Project completely defunded.  The scrappy group of dedicated AIDS workers, including my husband, got UT Southwestern Medical Center (the University of Texas medical school) to take them in so that AIDS prevention could continue in Dallas County.

Giants Win

The San Francisco Giants won their fourth game last night to win the World Series over the Texas Rangers.  There is no joy in Dallas.  Well, may be a little bit considering hot Giant Brian Wilson.

Election Day!

It's election day so GO VOTE!  I'll be working the polls all day.  Know Hope!

Quote of the Day

"It is men who ultimately awaken what is instinctive, the animal in me."

--Ricky Martin in an excerpt from his new memoir, Me. 

Awakening the animal in Ricky Martin.  That mental image ought to help get you through a Monday morning.  But why does this title sound familiar?

Hope for Dems on Election Eve

Tomorrow is election day and all is not lost for the Democrats.  Seriously!  In Nevada, veteran political reporter Joe Ralston is predicting a win for Harry Reid over crazy Sharron Angle, even though Reid is incredibly unpopular in his home state.  He believes that Reid's campaign did a good job of defining Angle while her campaign could not reconcile her statements on Sharia law in non-existent Texas towns, scary Latinos in ads, Hispanic kids magically becoming Asian, etc, etc, etc. 

In Alaska, Palin-endorsed teabagger fav Joe Miller has become the incredibly shrinking candidate.  A few months ago, he was considered unstoppable and Lisa Murkowski's flirtation with a write-in candidacy was considered crazy.  Well, Murkowski did launch a write-in campaign and she has soared in the polling as Miller has sunk.  Moreover, Democrat Scott McAdams, the unknown Sitka mayor who basically got the nomination because the state Dem convention was held in his town and nobody else wanted it, has seen his support double in the past few weeks.  He has a real shot at it, which is amazing in a bright-red state in what is supposed to be a GOP wave year.  If Murkowski wins, she'll certainly go right back to the Republican fold, but it would be a serious defeat for the over-hyped tea party and Washington will be short one crazy teabagger.  Plus, Murkowski and Palin are enemies (when asked if she would support Palin in a run for President, Murkowski said flatly "I would not.") and Palin has painted herself as the king maker who discovered Miller.  His loss would help reveal Palin as the naked empress she is.

In California, things are looking good for the Dems as Barbara Boxer and Jerry Brown are expected to win.  It looks like Meg Whitman's millions won't allow her to buy the governor's office.

In Delaware, it looks like Democrat Chris Coons will defeat the bizarre Christine O'Donnell by a nice margin.  That seat could have easily gone to Republican Mike Castle if the state's Republicans hadn't been in the thrall of the Tea Party, but too bad, so sad, this will be the Dem win that wasn't supposed to happen. 

In New York, teabagger Carl Palladino is quickly becoming a punch line and nothing more. 

In Texas...well, there's not much for a Texas Democrat to hope for.  For a while, it looked like Bill White had a real shot at unseating Rick Perry, but lately Perry's lead has widened.  He has managed to sell himself as an outsider, even though he is the ultimate insider.  I guess he'll be anointed governor for life. 

Headline of the Day

"Pitched into a hole"

--Headline in today's edition of The Dallas Morning News.  The article is about the Rangers' third World Series loss. 

Monday's Man: Cliff Lee

Continuing my series of cute Texas Rangers, I present pitcher Cliff Lee.  So far I've featured nothing but pitchers.  Don't read anything into that. 

Here he is in civvies meeting the fans.  What a guy.  Plus, he can totally work a tee shirt.

I realize that this picture dates from his days with another team that will go unnamed, but he looks so cute that I had to include it.  

Smile Cliff, you're in the World Series!  It ain't over yet.