MAINE: Federal Judge Rejects NOM's Attempt To Hide Names Of Donors

A federal judge ruled yesterday that Maine's campaign finance disclosure law is constitutional, rejecting NOM's long-running battle to hide the names of its donors.

The challenge was brought by the National Organization for Marriage, which spent $1.9 million dollars in a successful campaign to overturn Maine's same-sex marriage law in 2009. The Ethics Commission had determined that NOM was required to disclose the identities of its donors, but the group refused, and filed suit on grounds that Maine's requirements were unconstitutional on a number of fronts. NOM argued, for example, that Maine's law was vague, that it wrongly treats ballot question committees the same as political action committees, and that its requirement for such entities to disclose all contibutors giving over $100 dollars is overly burdensome. The 22-page decision from U.S. District Court Judge D. Brock Hornby, rejects all of these arguments, and simply concludes that Maine's dicslosure law is constitutional. Attorneys for the National Orgnization for Marriage could not be reached for comment by airtime.

NOM has repeatedly lost this fight and just goes on to appeal to the next higher court. Will they ignore this ruling too and try to push this to SCOTUS? Not a word about yesterday's loss on their blog.

Digital Is Not Saving The Music Industry

Digital music sales have plummeted since their 2005 peak.

Twitter Suspends App Clients

Twitter has suspended their affiliation with UberMedia, a company that owns a broad variety of Twitter applications used to amplify the traditional user experience. UberMedia owns TweetDeck, UberTwitter, EchoFon, and Twidroyd, among other Twitter-based applications.

Twitter says:

We ask all developers in Twitter ecosystem to abide by a simple set of rules that are in the interests of our users, as well as the health and vitality of the platform as a whole. We often take actions to enforce these rules; in fact, on an average day we turn off more than one hundred services that violate our API rules of the road. This keeps the ecosystem fair for everyone. Today we suspended several applications, including UberTwitter, twidroyd and UberCurrent, which have violated Twitter policies and trademarks in a variety of ways. These violations include, but aren’t limited to, a privacy issue with private Direct Messages longer than 140 characters, trademark infringement, and changing the content of users’ Tweets in order to make money.

TweetDeck, to which I am addicted, does not appear to be suspended (so far) and is operating at this writing. That may change as UberMedia only acquired Tweetdeck a few days ago.

MONTANA: Tea Party Rep Introduces Bill Overturning All Local LGBT Rights

Tea Party-backed Montana GOP Rep. Kristen Hansen has introduced a bill that would overturn all local LGBT rights laws in the state. The bill "limits all local rights ordinances to state-protected classes" of people. Montana House Bill 516. Via Montana Capitol Report, we learn that GOP lawmakers refused to allow opponents of the bill to be heard, even though anti-gay activists were heard from, including one pastor that called for the death penalty for homosexuality.

Opponents of the measure came from across the state to testify. Unfortunately, the Republican majority on the committee attempted to limit testimony on both sides of the issue to ten minutes. Democrats on the committee objected and even presented rules that require the public be able to at least verbally state their opposition to the bill. The Republicans on the committee ignored the rules, and refused to let opponents of the bill testify. In response to the GOP actions, Rep. Diane Sands (D-Missoula) took to reading the names of every opponent (all 50+) of the measure and asked them to stand and be acknowledged. After the hearing, opponents of the measure held their own hearing, next to the statue of Rep. Jeannette Rankin, where they allowed all of the opponents of the measure speak and be heard. During this informal hearing, Sen. Carol Williams and other Democratic lawmakers showed up to show their frustrations with the treatment of these Montanans that simply wanted to be heard.

The above-linked story notes that other recent Montana bills allow cities to form local militias, call for the withdrawal from the United Nations, and allow for the carrying of handguns into banks and churches.

VIDEO: Pastor Harris Himes explains that homosexuality is an abomination worthy of being put to death and therefore gay people should not be rented homes in Montana.


VIDEO: After the hearing, Democrats gathered in a hallway to denounce having been shut out of the debate.

WISCONSIN: Pro-Union Protesters Chant "Fox Lies" During Live Report

And the anchor responds: "Those folks protesting Fox, I'm wondering if they would prefer a state-run television network." Because the protesters are communists, of course.

(Via - Buzzfeed)

MONTANA: Tea Party Rep Introduces Bill Declaring Global Warming "Beneficial"

Newly elected Tea Party-backed Montana GOP state Rep. Joe Read has introduced a bill declaring that global warming is not only natural, it benefits the economy of his state. From Montana House Bill 429:

The legislature finds that to ensure economic development in Montana and the appropriate management of Montana’s natural resources it is necessary to adopt a public policy regarding global warming.

(2) The legislature finds:
(a) global warming is beneficial to the welfare and business climate of Montana;
(b) reasonable amounts of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere have no verifiable impacts on the environment; and
(c) global warming is a natural occurrence and human activity has not accelerated it.

In an interview with Think Progress, Read says he didn't consult any scientists before authoring his bill. Because global warming is a giant financial scam run by the federal government.

Quote Of The Day - Chris Barron

"Considering we don’t support gay marriage and DADT isn’t part of our 2011 legislative agenda, I'm not sure how this effects us at all." - Chris Barron, telling Red State that GOProud will have no problem adhering to new CPAC rules which stipulate that any organization supporting LGBT rights may not attend in the future.

A Red State commenter observes: "GOProud has recently scrubbed their website of all material referring to the repeal of DADT and their support for gay marriage." He adds that an old press release celebrating the repeal of DADT does remain on the site at the moment.

UPDATE: A reader directs us to this clip of Barron's own March 2010 wedding in DC, which he apparently doesn't support.

GEORGIA: Wingnut GOP Rep Wants Police To Investigate All Miscarriages

Not only does whackadoodle Georgia state Rep. Bobby Franklin want abortion classified as murder, according to his latest bill, the police will have to investigate all miscarriages to ensure that they were "spontaneous." Here's the complete bill. Via Daily Kos:

Franklin wants to create a Uterus Police to investigate miscarriages, and requires that any time a miscarriage occurs, whether in a hospital or without medical assistance, it must be reported and a fetal death certificate issued. If the cause of death is unknown, it must be investigated. If the woman can't tell how it happened, than those Uterus Police can ask family members and friends how it happened. Hospitals are required to keep records of anyone who has a spontaneous abortion and report it. Yup, we've been waiting for someone to suggest this--and Franklin has. Needless to say, there are no exceptions allowed. Not for rape victims. Not for incest victims. Not to save the life and health of the mother (the fetus must get equal care).

We last heard from Franklin two weeks ago when he said that repealing DADT was the same as allowing drug dealers to join the military. Franklin has also sponsored a bill requiring Georgia to transact all its business in gold and silver coins, as is stipulated by the Constitution.

The Cars - Blue Tip

Their first record in 24 years. Like time stood still.

Maddow On Glenn Beck's End Times

This Party Took A Turn For The Douche

Audio totally way NSFW.

(Via - Dan Savage)

House Defunds Planned Parenthood

Even though Planned Parenthood has been long banned from using any of its federal money for abortions, today the GOP led a lopsided vote to completely defund the agency. The vote was 240-185 with ten Democrats siding with the GOP.

The measure would eliminate about $330 million through the end of September for preventative-health services, including federal funding for contraception and cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood clinics across the country. The amendment takes away the money they use to provide for family planning, birth control, medical and preventive services.

Yesterday Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) went off about the bill and shocked the chamber with an angry recounting of her own abortion. Watch this.

NEW YORK: World's Largest Apple Store Planned For Grand Central Terminal

Apple plans to install what would be their largest outlet in the world in the massive balcony area of Grand Central Terminal. The 16,000 square foot store will displace at least one of the restaurants presently in that location. The store will be Manhattan's fifth Apple location. While relatively low-profile tenants like restaurants and their tables and chairs don't detract much from the physical beauty of Grand Central, I'd imagine that Apple will face the ire of city purists if their store design involves very much that can be easily seen from the main floor.

Hackers Group Warns Westboro Baptist: You Will Face Our Vicious Retaliation

The mysterious hackers group Anonymous, best known so far for their campaign against the Church of Scientology, has issued a stark warning to the Westboro Baptist Church.

We, the collective super-consciousness known as ANONYMOUS - the Voice of Free Speech & the Advocate of the People - have long heard you issue your venomous statements of hatred, and we have witnessed your flagrant and absurd displays of inimitable bigotry and intolerant fanaticism. We have always regarded you and your ilk as an assembly of graceless sociopaths and maniacal chauvinists & religious zealots, however benign, who act out for the sake of attention & in the name of religion. [snip]

ANONYMOUS cannot abide this behavior any longer. The time for us to be idle spectators in your inhumane treatment of fellow Man has reached its apex, and we shall now be moved to action. Thus, we give you a warning: Cease & desist your protest campaign in the year 2011, return to your homes in Kansas, & close your public Web sites.

Should you ignore this warning, you will meet with the vicious retaliatory arm of ANONYMOUS: We will target your public Websites, and the propaganda & detestable doctrine that you promote will be eradicated; the damage incurred will be irreversible, and neither your institution nor your congregation will ever be able to fully recover. It is in your best interest to comply now, while the option to do so is still being offered, because we will not relent until you cease the conduction & promotion of all your bigoted operations & doctrines.

The warning has been given. What happens from here shall be determined by you.

WE ARE ANONYMOUS.
WE ARE LEGION.
WE DO NOT FORGIVE.
WE DO NOT FORGET.
EXPECT US.

This should be very interesting.

RELATED: Late last year Anonymous took credit for denial of service attacks that brought down the websites of Mastercard, Visa, and PayPal after the companies refused to process donations to Wikileaks.

(Via - Good As You)


WYOMING: State Senate Approves House Bill Banning Recognition Of Gay Unions

Christian groups formed joyous prayer circles outside the Wyoming Senate chamber this afternoon to thank Jeebus for the action of their lawmakers, who today voted to ban the recognition of out-of-state gay unions.

House Bill 74 passed 16-14 after tagging on a last-second amendment guaranteeing out-of-state couples in civil unions access to Wyoming courts. Because of the amendment, the bill will now head back to the House to approve the changes. The House passed the legislation late last month 32-27. Supporters of the bill, House Bill 74, said the legislation is needed to resolve a conflict in Wyoming law, which defines marriage as a contract "between a male and a female person" but also recognizes any valid marriage performed outside the state.

Narnia Producer Dead Of Overdose

Perry Moore, 39, the openly gay executive producer of the wildly successful Chronicle Of Narnia movies, has been found dead in his Manhattan home of a suspected Oxycontin overdose.

Moore was found unconscious in the bathroom at about 9:30 a.m. by his partner, Hunter Hill, inside the W. Houston St. home they shared, the sources said. "We're in shock," said the producer's father, Bill Moore, 69, adding that he just spoke to his son the night before. "He was in a great, great mood," he said. "No one was expecting this." Moore - who with beau Hill wrote and directed "Lake City," starring Sissy Spacek and Rebecca Romijn - was pronounced dead shortly after responders arrived. The exact cause of death has not been determined, but sources said it appeared to be an overdose of OxyContin. "We're so sad," said his father. "He's been able to reach out and touch a lot of people."

The Narnia movies have grossed over $1.5B to date.

Glenn Beck: End Times Are Here

He totally proves it with his chalkboard!

Wisconsin, America's Egypt?

Russia Today speculates that Wisconsin's anti-union actions and the resultant protests, which continue to roil the state for the third straight day, may herald a coming Egyptian-style revolution against the wealthy ruling class in America. That's a bit far-fetched, to say the least, but what's happening in Wisconsin is riveting. In the clip below, some "small government" Tea Party type claims that protesters are "being bused in" by President Obama. It's otherwise an interesting conversation.

Dem Rep Gets Death Threat For Saying Pentagon Shouldn't Sponsor NASCAR

After Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) suggested cutting Pentagon sponsorship of NASCAR events, she received the above fax.

"We alerted Capitol Police this morning after we got the fax," Maria Reppas, communications director for McCollum, said. "We leave it to them to determine the threat level for pieces of correspondence such as this." McCollum's proposal seeks to ban the military from spending taxpayer money on racing sponsorships. Currently, the Army sponsors a car in the NASCAR's Sprint Cup series to the tune of about $7 million per year. McCollum contends that money -- which NASCAR says helps boost Army recruiting -- is wasted. Since announcing the proposal, McCollum's office has received more than a few calls from irate NASCAR fans upset at what they perceive as a slight against their sport. "We've had calls," Bill Harper, McCollum's Chief of Staff, told TPM. "Lots of Mississippi people, North Carolina people. We had a Florida person." Asked what the callers say, Harper replied, "'Get your hands off my NASCAR', mostly."

Abolish funding for the arts, abolish the Department of Education. But if you dare take a $7M sticker off NASCAR vehicles, you deserve to die. Everybody got that?

Bryan Fischer: I Mean Every Word I Say

With even many Christianists backing away from Bryan Fischer's outrageous statements, he wants everybody to know that he means every word when he says, for example, that homosexuals should be round up and put in concentration camps, or that Satan himself is behind animus towards Sarah Palin, or that Native Americans should have no right to own land because they've rejected Jesus Christ. Fischer's show is heard on 200+ radio stations in the American Family Association network and has an estimated daily audience of two million.

(Via - Right Wing Watch)

Infighting Is Funny, Part 87

Wingnut gadfly and perennial failed GOP presidential candidate Alan Keyes is attacking Sarah Palin for endorsing GOProud's appearance at CPAC last week. According to Keyes, Palin just doesn't understand that "legitimizing homosexuality is a life-and-death issue." And will mean the end of America. Or something. From Keyes' column published today by World Net Daily:

Why, you rightly ask, would someone touted as the maverick spokesman for the pro-life, pro-family tea-party grass roots of the GOP be anxious to make it clear that she had no problem with the push to make GOProud an icon of conservative legitimacy? "Palin suggested that conservative groups had more important issues to worry about than which groups were attending the conference. 'There are so many life-changing, life-and-death issues out there in front of us. You know, we'd better be concentrating on what is really important here. …'"

Whatever the touts have made of her, the fruit of Palin's statement is clear. Someone influenced by it would logically reach the conclusion that the ongoing effort to legitimize homosexuality by redefining marriage is not a "life-changing, life-and-death issue." Is this true? I know few serious pro-family people who would dismiss the health consequences of homosexuality so easily. Be that as it may, however, Palin's words also imply that the homosexual lobby's effort by law to discard the Creator-endowed unalienable rights of the family has no implications for the life and death of America's Constitution and liberty.

Once again, we must thank GOProud for bringing on wingnut infighting.

MA Gov. Deval Patrick Issues Executive Order Protecting Trans State Workers

Yesterday Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick "quietly" signed an executive order protecting state workers from discrimination on the basis of gender identity. Christian groups have denounced the protection as "the bathroom bill" and are screaming the usual nonsense about men in dresses stalking little girls in public restrooms.

“This Executive Order ensures that all employees in the executive branch will continue to be able to perform their duties free of discrimination,” Patrick spokesman Alex Goldstein said in a statement. Gay rights groups hailed the move yesterday as a strong “first step” in equality for transgendered people, but critics have cautioned that the bill could make state restrooms and lockers unisex. “If this indeed is a bathroom bill, if it is there’s no doubt that it will impact the public schools,” said Kris Mineau, a longtime opponent of the bill. Arline Isaacson, co-chairwoman of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, said she’ll still work to get the legislation passed in order to ensure equal rights in the private sector. “We are deeply grateful yet again to Gov. Patrick for his solid and consistent support,” Isaacson said.

Valentine's Marriage Actions Nationwide

Compiled by Stop 8's Matt Baume, here's a look at marriage equality protests that took place across the country this week.

Crazy Talk At NH Marriage Debate

Over at Think Progress, Igor Volsky has compiled some of more outrageous claims made at yesterday's marriage debate in New Hampshire. A sampling from the below video:

REP. ALFRED BALDASARO: “The same thing happened in Canada, where they passed gay marriage. Now they’re fighting in the courts to get 3 husbands, 3 wives.”

SEN. FENTON GROEN: “[Homosexuality] will significantly increase their risk of serious diseases and can be expected to significantly shorten their lives.”

HOWARD KAUFMAN: “A future redefinition of marriage that permits polygamy would facilitate the introduction an aspect of Sharia or Islamic law that permits a man to have up to four wives.”

The first guy on the clip denounces the "anti-Christian bigotry" inherent in same-sex marriage.

The Final International Bear Rendezvous

Organizers of International Bear Rendezvous, the annual party weekend that for 17 years has drawn thousands to San Francisco, are calling it quits after this week's events.

"It was a big decision but we are going to do it," said Chuck Rudd, one of the organizers of the annual event aimed at hairy gay and bisexual men – and their admirers. The main reason behind the decision is economics, said Rudd. "It is becoming cost prohibitive to do. The hotel costs keep going up and transportation costs keep going up," said Rudd. The main draw at IBR is the International Bear Competition that crowns winners in the categories of International Bear Cub, International Daddy Bear, International Grizzly Bear, and the overall title of International Mr. Bear. It too will cease to exist. "The whole weekend is built around the contest. We are not doing the contest or the weekend next year," said Rudd. The Bears of San Francisco host the rendezvous. A related event, Bears Invade the Castro, now in its eighth year, that encouraged IBR participants to shop, eat or drink in the Castro over the course of the weekend, will also come to an end this year.

Local merchants are lamenting IBR's demise, which packs clubs and shops at a time of year when tourism is otherwise quite slow. While IBR cannot be reasonably compared to the traditional idea of a circuit party, its end does track with the overall spiraling down of the circuit phenomenon, which peaked about ten years ago.

Shirtless Frat Boys Lip-Dub Katy Perry

From students at the University of Arkansas.

(Tipped by Dr. Jeff)

SNEAK PEEK: It Gets Better Book

JMG reader Alex writes from Vancouver to share a peek at the It Gets Better book, which features his story in both English and Spanish. Advance copies are going out to the book's contributors right now and it goes on sale across North America on March 22nd. Proceeds benefit the Trevor Project and the Gay & Lesbian Straight Education Network. Order yours here.

FLORIDA: Lawmakers Introduce Recall Bill

Saying the bill doesn't specifically target Gov. Rick "Medicare Fraud" Scott, Florida lawmakers have introduced a bill allowing voters to recall state-level elected officials. Many Florida cities and counties have recall mechanisms for local politicians, but there's no such ability at the state level.

If the legislation is approved, voters would have four months to circulate a recall petition throughout Florida. For statewide public officials, signatures would have to be collected in all 67 counties. If the signatures equal 15 percent of the total votes cast in the last election, then a recall election can be held. Public officials include the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and a member of the Cabinet. Under the legislation, a petition can also be used to recall a state legislator. However, that petition would need signatures from the district the lawmaker represents. To have a recall election for that legislator, the signatures must equal 20 percent of the total votes cast in the last election for that office. Only voters from the district would be able to vote in that recall election.

Purely by coincidence, the bill's filing came on the same day that Scott rejected billions in federal stimulus money meant to build a high-speed rail link between Orlando and Tampa. Scott's move infuriated legislators on both sides of the aisle and a bipartisan coalition has vowed to overrule him.

Maggie Gallagher Testifies In NH

Towleroad directs us to the below clip of NOM's Maggie Gallagher testifying yesterday at New Hampshire's hearing to repeal same-sex marriage. That sea of red surrounding Maggie are supporters of equality. The NH legislature is not expected to vote on the repeal until next year.

"Draft Trump" Site Launches

The just-launched Draft Trump 2012 site begins:

Donald Trump is one of the most successful business leaders in the world; he would bring a unique perspective to a Republican primary field populated with has-been and never-were politicians eager to curry support with traditional political horse-trading and backroom favors. As a global manager and executive, owing no favors to any political boss or party, Trump would bring needed credibility and independence to a presidential campaign. His candor and honesty are never in question; Trump is famous for saying what he believes and has decades of phenomenal success in business to validate his judgment, eye for talent, and ability to manage people, which are the key qualities required in a Commander-in-Chief.

No mention of his numerous bankruptcies or marriages.

Andy Cohen & Ben Cohen On Bullying

Britney Spears - Hold It Against Me

And pop music reaches new heights in product placement.

Valentine's Surprise From George Takei

Facebook Adds Civil Unions & Domestic Partnerships To Relationship Status

Facebook users in America, Canada, Australia, Britain and several other countries now have two more options when announcing their relationship status: civil unions and domestic partnerships.

The changes were made in consultation with Facebook's Network of Support, a group that includes LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender] organizations such as the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, and the Human Rights Campaign. "As LGBT people face a patchwork of relationship recognition laws, this gives people more tools to adequately describe their relationship," said Michael Cole-Schwartz, spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign. "Facebook has been a company that has tried to be inclusive of the LGBT community and this just one sign of it."

Iowa's Zach Wahls On Ellen DeGeneres

After his passionate speech defending his two moms to the Iowa legislature went viral, 18 year old Zach Wahls has become a media sensation. Today he appeared on Ellen.

(Tipped by JMG reader Iowa Mike)

Moral Majority Founder Tells Huckabee: Obama Is Hastening The End Times

(Via - Right Wing Watch)

Indiana's Bil Browning: It's Time To Out Closeted Anti-Gay State Legislators

Bilerico editor Bil Browning has called for outing the closeted Indiana legislators that voted last week in favor of enshrining a ban on same-sex marriage in the state constitution. And he wants your help.

I specifically want to learn more about the alleged blowjob one of our married legislative leaders got caught receiving from a staffer in the Statehouse parking lot. I also want to know more about the single Senator who got all of his money after a rich non-related older man died and left it all to him. Rumor has it that there's a handful of legislators who are in the closet and have been spotted visiting the Unicorn Club's strippers and the gay baths. Several southern legislators supposedly have a fondness for blow. Do you know who they are? Will you tell me? E-mail me and I'll blow the whistle.

Browning is also looking for dirt on straight lawmakers. Local television is interviewing him today about this campaign.

PSA: Know Who Arcade Fire Is

Or else the hipsters WILL KILL YOU.

Today's Message From Eugene Delgaudio

Today's email from Eugene Delgaudio, the self-named Public Advocate of the Unites States, comes with a photo of a frog attached. Because somebody out there has been calling poor Eugene some really really mean names. Like "frog-faced." And the 300 other names listed below. But you know what would make him feel better? If you sent him some money. Right now.

There is a saying that you can tell a man by the caliber of his enemies. The liberals and homosexuals call me “frog”, toad, caliban of the right (a monstrous, and ugly creature), racist, homophobe, cockroach, snake, unknown, nobody, dangerous, underhanded, threatening, confrontational, antagonist of the left, rightwing extremist, gadfly, loon, lunatic, over the edge, fundamentalist, charismatic, ego driven, single issue, loner, uncompromising, immoderate, intemperate, narrow-minded, irrelevant, pinhead, lesser-known, infamous, intransigent, paleo-conservative, knuckle dragging caveman, over-the-top, bug, dirty, maggot, fear mongerer, right wing ring-leader, hyperactive, headline-hunting, crude, purist, prude, dirty- trickster, religious freak, anti-gay, opportunist, bigot, monster, bizarre, Nazi, zealot, nut job, notorious, flamboyant protester, propagandist, obscure, inflammatory, browbeating, intimidator, toxic, poison, fringe and wacko. All these threats just make me work harder with greater humility. A miracle by itself. I stand and fight for our values. But liberals curse me in public and on prime time TV News shows in front of millions of viewers. Will you support my fight with a quick donation today?

Eugene says you people have been meaner to him than you even were to "sainted conservative hero" Jesse Helms!

USMC Sets DADT Repeal Training Deadline

The Marine Corps has issued a memo declaring that May 31st is the deadline to complete its training for the implementation of the repeal of DADT. Six months from repeal to the completion of training is a timetable with which we should all be satisfied, yes? OutServe has the full (and all caps) memo. An excerpt:

SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION DEPENDS ON LEADERSHIP, PROFESSIONALISM, DISCIPLINE, AND RESPECT, WHICH MUST CONTINUE TO BE PRACTICED AT ALL TIMES AND IN ALL SITUATIONS. LEADERS AT ALL LEVELS MUST SET THE EXAMPLE AND MUST BE FULLY COMMITTED TO DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) INTENT TO SUSTAIN UNIT EFFECTIVENESS, READINESS, AND COHESION. IN THE PROFESSION OF ARMS, ADHERENCE TO STANDARDS OF CONDUCT IS ESSENTIAL, EACH SERVICE MEMBER MUST BE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY, AND LEADERSHIP IS KEY TO CREATING AND SUSTAINING SUCH AN ENVIRONMENT AND COMMAND CLIMATE WHERE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE AND ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE IS AVAILABLE TO ALL.

(Tipped by JMG reader Justin)

Beth Ditto - I Wrote The Book

How many visual references to Madonna can you spot?

UPDATE: This video has been blocked by the Sony Music Sales Prevention team. You can still view it here.

God Will Hook You Up

"You're Christian. You're single. Find God's match for you." Apparently God is the sysop at ChristianMingle.com. Probably not at Manhunt, we're guessing.

Wikileaks: Ugandan Activist David Kato Was Mocked At UN Human Rights Seminar

According to U.S. embassy cables released by Wikileaks, Ugandan panelists at a 2009 United Nations seminar on human rights openly mocked activist David Kato as he attempted to deliver his speech denouncing his country's still-pending "kill the gays" bill. Attending the meeting were the bill's author, Ugandan MP David Behati, and Pastor Martin "Eat Da Poo Poo" Ssempa. Kato was bludgeoned to death last month in a crime the corrupt Ugandan police have classified as a "personal disagreement."

Throughout his talk a member of the Ugandan Human Rights Commission "openly joked and snickered" with supporters of the bill, the diplomat claimed in the cable. The "consultative meeting" in December 2009, organised with funding from the UN, aimed to discuss the bill, which would impose the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality" and life imprisonment for consenting adults who have gay sex. In the cable, dated 24 December 2009, the diplomat claimed Ugandan politicians, including the author of the anti-homosexuality bill, David Bahati, had channelled anger at the country's socio-political failings into "violent hatred" of gays. Other confidential memos sent between Kampala and Washington in 2009-2010 and sent to WikiLeaks paint a picture of a worsening human rights climate in the run-up to Ugandan elections Uganda's "chilling" descent from tolerance to violent homophobia and a deepening fear among gay activists, who claim they are being increasingly monitored and harassed.

According to the confidential cables, Behati believes increasing revenue from Uganda's oil industry will soon free from his nation from the influence of foreign countries, leaving them free to persecute homosexuals in whatever fashion they choose.

UPDATE: Box Turtle Bulletin has posted the diplomatic cables in their entirety as well as some excellent analysis.

Interpretive Dance

On the BBC's Fast And Loose, panelists wearing noise-blocking headphones must discern the title of the song being acted out by comedian David Armand. Sort of like ASL for the hearing. Previous installments of this bit are here.

Today In Frivolous Lawsuits

A New Jersey woman has filed a $5M class action lawsuit against NYC-based discount retailer Century 21 because when she returned items for a cash refund, she didn't get 80 cents in credit for the coupon she'd used when making the original purchase.

In Manhattan federal court papers, Tova Gerson claims she used a coupon, good for $5 off a $50-or-more purchase during a Jan. 10 shopping spree at Century 21's Paramus, NJ, store. Gerson plunked down a total of $106.82, before tax, for items that included faux-suede moccasins, a child's dress, stuffed toy and little girls' lace tights, underwear and T-shirts, according to the filing. But then, on Jan. 19, Gerson returned a $17.97 kid's ensemble, claiming it was the wrong color, the filing states. Century 21 refunded her money -- minus the 80 cents she'd saved, on a pro-rated basis, by using the discount coupon. Gerson, a hat designer who sells her creations from her suburban home, flipped her lid. Century 21's take-back, she claims, deprived her of the "full benefit" of the $5-off coupon.

Gerson's suit was filed by her lawyer father, who makes his living suing retailers over similar "coupon schemes." According to the above-linked story, some retailers have settled out of court rather than deal with the lawsuits.

Karl Rove: Obama Loves Birthers

Karl Rove says the White House is deliberately allowing the birther movement to fester because it makes conservatives look stupid and detracts attention from Obama's failings.

Target Rewrites Donations Policy

After suffering through a long year of negative press and calls for boycotts over their sizable donation to an anti-gay group, Target has published new guidelines to corporate giving. The new policies appear to install tighter executive review of proposed donations. The Washington Blade's Chris Johnson reports:

Jessica Carlson, spokesperson for Target, said the change was enacted within the last month after the company’s corporate responsibility committee and board of directors conducted a review of policies regarding public policy engagement. Among the new changes, which have been posted on Target’s web site, are establishing a policy committee made up of senior executives to guide decision-making for financial support of political activities. “The policy committee and our CEO are responsible for balancing our business interests with any other considerations that may be important to our team members, our guests or other stakeholders,” Carlson said. Carlson added the new policy committee will determine whether Target will make political contributions directly to candidates, political parties or to other groups such as 527 or 501(c)(4) committees.

According to Johnson's above-linked report, unnamed sources have confirmed that Target consulted LGBT rights groups prior to issuing the new guidelines. The company has a generally positive record regarding its treatment of LGBT employees and has supported gay pride events.

Now Vs. Then

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Former Marine Advocates For Same-Sex Marriage

Longtime JMG reader Calvin writes to brag about his big brother, who has published a full-page pro-same sex marriage ad in New Hampshire's biggest newspaper.

Editorial Of The Day

In Kansas, the Wichita East High School Messenger has published an editorial advising students against same-sex dating. Because it's not normal and there's that pesky Leviticus bit about putting you to death.

These relationships just are not normal. One thing to notice is that there is legislation against homosexual marriage. However, there are no legislative restrictions to same sex dating. Dating does often lead to marriage, so same sex dating should be frowned upon. Some teens see it as abnormal, as well as the intimacy that comes with it. Some people believe that since the Bible verse Leviticus 18:22 said “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination,” they do not think it is proper for same sex relations.

Also, less commonly cited, is the death penalty called for in another Bible verse, Leviticus 20:13, “If a man also lie with man, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” These are the most common arguments against homosexual marriage and/or dating. Same sex dating in high school is not accepted by many, despite the efforts of a few. It is a social disruption in many cases, and should be kept out of school to ensure our educational mission with as little of a distraction as possible.

According to Michael Jones at Change.org, the editorial has generated local media coverage and outrage from some parents and students. The Wichita School District has defended the piece in the name of journalistic freedom, saying, "Staff by law cannot stop the article if it is not libelous, slanderous, and doesn't cause a disruption."

(Tipped by JMG reader Nick)

Links Of Love For Colorado's Lawmakers

On Valentine's Day, volunteers from One Colorado delivered "links of love" to lawmakers as a way of highlighting the need for the state's proposed civil unions law.

The New Normal

Over on Parenting.com, a lesbian mom of twins relates her initial trepidation when another mother of twins sits down next to her at the airport.

"No, we're not sisters,” I say, as I have hundreds of times before (Emily and I do look somewhat similar). “We're partners.” My new friend brightens and says, “Oh, who carried?” Who carried?! After I tell her that it was me who carried, we swap birth stories. Her husband leans over to tell Emily that he gained 25 pounds worth of sympathy weight. “Did you have the same problem?” he asks. Clearly, the only person there with any judgments or preconceived notions was me. I shouldn't have been surprised. In the five years that Em and I have been married (no, it's not legal), and in the three and a half years since we had the boys, that's pretty much the way it's gone. We've received nothing but love, support, or, surprisingly, plain old indifference from friends, family, and strangers. That apathy says a lot about how much a part of the social fabric we have become. Truth be told, we're neither sensational nor worth remarking upon. We're just the New Normal.

PHILADELPHIA: 37 Catholic Priests Investigated For Molestation

The Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia has announced a sweeping investigation of molestation accusations and has named 37 priests as suspected child abusers.

The Catholic Church in Philadelphia will investigate as many as 37 priests identified in a grand jury report as remaining in "active ministry with credible allegations of child sexual abuse," Cardinal Justin Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia, said Wednesday. "Sexual abuse of children is a crime. It is always wrong and gravely evil," Rigali said in a news release. "The grand jury report makes clear that for as much as the archdiocese has done to address child sexual abuse, there is still much to do." He also announced that three priests were placed on administrative leave pending a review. "The actions we announce today build on the changes that the church has already announced," Rigali said. He noted the church had already hired a victim services consultant and a compliance officer, and created a new position of delegate for investigations to assist with the review.

Note that only three of the 37 priests identified in the report have been removed from active duty.

Outside Rhode Island's Marriage Debate

Watch for the NOM supporter predicting a "demographic winter" of depopulation because of same-sex marriage. But it's very heartening to see so many LGBT supporters turn out in tiny Rhode Island.

Quote Of The Day - Al Cardenas

"We'll always be inclusive in regards to who comes to CPAC -- regardless of your ethnic origin, gender, color of your skin or orientation. You're always welcome as an individual. The challenge is always, in terms of our participating organizations, is are you within the sandbox of our principles or not. And if you're not, your individual members are welcome to come but not the organization." - American Conservative Union head Al Cardenas, telling C-SPAN that GOProud will not be invited back to CPAC unless they drop all gay rights issues from their agenda.

As far as most of us can tell, the only gay rights issue that GOProud has ever fully endorsed is the repeal of DADT. So that would have to disappear, judging by Cardenas' words. GOProud does oppose the Federal Marriage Amendment, but that's in line with their oft-stated position that marriage rights should be the exclusive province of the states. It seems that would have to change as well.

(Via - Equality Matters)

Eurovision 2011: Malta's Glen Vella

Oh dear.

His Name Is Horse

"My name is Horse. I have an extension cord tied to my nuts and penis. And I'm going to pull this car with my dick."

Yours For $150: Actual Brimstone That Killed Homos At Sodom & Gomorrah

Now on sale at Ark Discovery:

Brimstone samples from our search of the cities of the plain can be yours. Comes in an attractive 12" x 8" display case with glass top. A great conversation starter at your church, home, or office. These are available for a limited time. $150 for a medium size sample of brimstone, at least 1/2 inch in diameter. No returns, all sales final.

The certificate of authenticity is a nice touch.

AFA Reacts To Prop 8 News

The lying headline is just the start.

GOP 2012 Favorables/Unfavorables

Nate Silver:

It does look like Republicans have some legitimate reason to worry. In the previous five competitive primaries — excluding 2004 for the Republicans, when Mr. Bush won re-nomination uncontested — each party had at least two candidates whose net favorability ratings were in the positive double digits, meaning that their favorables bettered their unfavorables by at least 10 points. All five times, also, the nominee came from among one of the candidates in this group. Republicans have no such candidates at this point in time.

Chris Matthews Calls For Senate War Crimes Hearings Over Iraq Invasion

Booze Consumption By Country

From a just-published report by the World Health Organization. The Economist sums things up:

The biggest boozers are mostly found in Europe and in the former Soviet states. Moldovans are the most bibulous, getting through 18.2 litres each, nearly 2 litres more than the Czechs in second place. Over 10 litres of a Moldovan's annual intake is reckoned to be 'unrecorded' home-brewed liquor, making it particularly harmful to health. Such moonshine accounts for almost 30% of the world's drinking. The WHO estimates that alcohol results in 2.5m deaths a year, more than AIDS or tuberculosis. In Russia and its former satellite states one in five male deaths is caused by drink.

Information-laden country-by-country PDFs are here.

Sound The Alarm

Open Thread Thursday

Tell us your all time favorite gay bar/club.

HAWAII: Civil Unions Bill Passes Final Hurdle, Goes To Desk Of Governor

Just in from Equality Hawaii!

Equality Hawaii, the state's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, and the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBT civil rights organization, today applauded the Hawaii legislature for approving civil unions for the second time in ten months. The bill, which was passed in its amended form today by the Hawaii Senate on an 18-5 vote, now heads to Gov. Neil Abercrombie for his signature. "We honor and thank the legislature today for their commitment to equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Hawaii, said Alan Spector, co-chair of Equality Hawaii. “For the second time in less than a year, legislators have dedicated themselves to providing dignity and respect to all families in the Aloha State."

Congratulations Hawaii! Linda Lingle can SUCK IT.

Prop 8 Reactions

Lambda Legal

"Because the federal appeals judges said they need clarification, we look forward to a decision by the California Supreme Court confirming that initiative proponents lack legal standing to continue the Perry case. They are not law enforcers, and have the same limited rights as everyone else to litigate only when their own rights are at stake, not merely to assert their opinions about others' rights." Initiative proponents also cannot step into the shoes of the attorney general, the governor or other state officials. The reason for this is basic: the governor and attorney general are elected by the people to represent all the people, not just one point of view on one issue, out of countless, competing concerns. Most importantly, state officials swear an oath to uphold the federal and state constitutions, including their abiding promises of equal protection and due process for everyone. Initiative proponents take no such oath, and have no such duties.

AFER

“More than six months ago, the federal district court declared unequivocally that Prop. 8 is unconstitutional and that it causes grave harm to gay and lesbian couples and their families each day that it is in effect. We look forward to assisting the California Supreme Court reach an answer to the question before them so that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals can affirm the district court’s ruling and end the state-sanctioned discrimination of Prop. 8. The American Foundation for Equal Rights is committed to achieving the freedom to marry for all Americans. We look forward to taking this case to the U.S. Supreme Court, which 14 times before has declared that marriage is a fundamental right for every American.”

NCLR

For same-sex couples waiting to marry, and for all LGBT Californians waiting to be treated as equal citizens, the knowledge that they must endure further delay is incredibly painful and frustrating. Prop 8 should never have been permitted on the ballot. The rights of a minority should never be put to a popular vote. Prop 8 was a toxic, anti-democratic measure that continues to wreak havoc in the lives of real people and families. The court should move as quickly as possible to resolve this issue. It is clear that California law does not give initiative proponents the power to override elected state officials who have decided not to appeal a federal court decision holding that a challenged state law is unconstitutional. The California Supreme Court should rule accordingly, and the Ninth Circuit should affirm Judge Walker's ruling. Prop 8 is blatantly unconstitutional, and it is past time for it to be gone.

Equality California

For same-sex couples waiting to marry, and for all LGBT Californians waiting to be treated as equal citizens, the knowledge that they must endure further delay is incredibly painful and frustrating. Prop 8 should never have been permitted on the ballot. The rights of a minority should never be put to a popular vote. Prop 8 was a toxic, anti-democratic measure that continues to wreak havoc in the lives of real people and families. The court should move as quickly as possible to resolve this issue. It is clear that California law does not give initiative proponents the power to override elected state officials who have decided not to appeal a federal court decision holding that a challenged state law is unconstitutional. The California Supreme Court should rule accordingly, and the Ninth Circuit should affirm Judge Walker's ruling. Prop 8 is blatantly unconstitutional, and it is past time for it to be gone.

Courage Campaign

“Today’s California Supreme Court ruling does not change the fact that a federal court has ruled Proposition 8 unconstitutional, but it does mean that thousands of loving LGBT families remain in legal limbo---unable to exercise their constitutional right to access the security and recognition that only comes with marriage. It is unfortunate that while many California families are able to marry at a time and place of their choosing, equally loving LGBT families must endure months and years of legal uncertainty. They have waited long enough. That is why we are asking the California Supreme Court to move expeditiously to resolve the standing question once and for all. And we are confident that no matter what their decision, Judge Walker’s ruling will ultimately be upheld and the days of second class citizenship for thousands of California families will be relegated to the dustbin of history.”

CA Supes To Hear Standing Issue

And on we go. Some will say this is a good thing, as it could be the next step to getting Prop 8 before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Stand By....

Excellent breakdown of what today's any-minute-now decision might mean.

Today In Subliminal Marketing

(Source)

Unrest Spreads Through Arab World

Tweet Of The Day - American Red Cross

An American Red Cross employee accidentally tweeted from the official account. Oops? No, not really, the mistaken tweet resulted in an avalanche of blood donation pledges. And for their part, Dogfish Beer staffers joined in.

FLORIDA: Gov. Rick "Medicare Fraud" Scott Rejects Billions For High-Speed Rail

Keep his campaign promise, Florida Gov. Rick "Medicare Fraud" Scott has rejected $2.4B in federal stimulus money for a high-speed rail connection between Orlando and Tampa, a long dreamed of project for both cities' business leaders.

Scott's decision likely means those dollars will be rerouted to California and other states investing in a high-speed rail network that Obama has likened to the national highway system. Scott had previously said he didn't want the state spending any money on the rail line, which required $280 million in matching funds. But backers of the project have said that the consortiums of companies set to bid on the line had indicated a willingness to put up their own money in return for a contract. At his brief press conference, Scott went into little detail about how he made his decision, referring only generally to his conclusions about the current and future cost of the train. The state has spent about $66 million on engineering for the 84-mile system and was about to issue contracts for another $170 million.

The money now goes to another state, tens of millions are now wasted on work already done, and tens of thousands of construction jobs have evaporated for Florida. It's the Tea Party way, people!

Sen. Scott Brown: I Was Molested

In a 60 Minutes interview to be aired this Sunday, freshman GOP Sen. Scott Brown reveals that he was molested by an adult male camp counselor while a young boy.

Brown told interviewer Lesley Stahl that even his mother didn't know about the abuse. "That's what happens when you're a victim. You're embarrassed. You're hurt," he said. Brown said the camp counselor had touched him and he had been forced to touch the counselor. He said the counselor threatened to kill him if he told anyone about what had happened. "Fortunately, nothing was ever fully consummated, so to speak, but it was certainly, back then, very traumatic," he said. Brown gave the interview on the eve of publication of his memoir "Against All Odds."

Brown also disclosed that his stepfathers had brutally beaten him when he was as young as six years old.

Focus On The Family Petitions Congress

Focus On The Family's zombie followers are flooding Congress with petitions demanding the defunding of Planned Parenthood and the blockage and repeal of LGBT rights.

4.) Defend the free exercise of religion and speech by rejecting the proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and repealing the Hate Crimes bill passed in 2009.

5.) Support the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and demand that the Obama Administration uphold and defend DOMA.

6.) Reinstate the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and underlying federal law that affirms homosexuality is incompatible with military service.

Note that they are even demanding the repeal of the Hate Crimes Act, which in 2009 added LGBT people to an already existing lengthy list of groups protected on the basis of religion, race, national origin, etc. Focus wants protection against anti-Christian hate crimes, but murdering homos? Glory! Praise His Name!

Frothy Mix Dogs GOP 2012 Contender

Former Sen. Rick Santorum's potential bid for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination continues to be dogged by Dan Savage's eight year-old website.

Roll Call asked Santorum why he didn’t reach out to Google to try to remedy the problem. He said he never contacted the search giant directly, and his longtime consultant John Brabender dismissed the problem as a matter of free speech. “There’s still the First Amendment,” Brabender said. But Roll Call has learned that former staffers consulted technology experts years ago about their options. Ultimately, they found there was little they could do. “You can bury anything on the Internet,” said David Urban, a Santorum ally and former chief of staff for former Sen. Arlen Specter (Pa.). “But at what financial cost and at what political cost? You can bury a bad story. But how do you bury your own name?” Urban suggested that Santorum could use the Google problem to his advantage. “The site’s completely gross. But I don’t think it’s a problem politically for Rick running for president. Quite the opposite,” he said. “If you’re Rick Santorum and you’re making an argument that there’s certain people that wish you ill, there’s exhibit No. 1. You say: ‘You want to see my battle scars? Google my name. You don’t think I’ve been in the trenches for years? I’ve got the scars to prove it.’”

For those unaware, here's the quote that spawned Spreading Santorum: "And if the Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual sex within your home, then you have the right to bigamy, you have the right to polygamy, you have the right to incest, you have the right to adultery. You have the right to anything. Does that undermine the fabric of our society? I would argue yes, it does." Santorum added that the repeal of laws against consensual sodomy opened the door to legalized "man on child, man on dog" sex. Keep hitting that link, folks.

Borders To Close 200 Stores

Borders Books will close 200 locations as part of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filed today. Analysts say today's actions may not save the company.

The filing — which comes 40 years after Borders started as a used bookstore on Ann Arbor's South State Street — gives the chain a chance to reorganize by slashing expensive leases and reducing its debt load, actions that could return the company to profitability. But it also presents the possibility that Borders will fail to identify a sustainable business model over the next several months of the bankruptcy proceedings, an outcome that could lead to its liquidation. Borders, which lost $604.8 million from 2006 to 2009 and another $168.2 million in the first 11 months of 2010, plans to cut about 30 percent of its 640 stores, equal to about 200 locations — a move analysts view as absolutely critical to its survival. The company is losing about $2 million a week on the stores it plans to close, according to court documents. Borders also indicated in bankruptcy documents that it may close an additional 75 to 136 stores based on extenuating circumstances.

Cat Burglar

He's climbing in your window, snatchin' your panties up...

HomoQuotable - Nick Gruber

"You only want me because of my fame, so you can go fuck yourself. Calvin [Klein] is my partner -- you don't understand because you don't have that. I am famous now, and people want me for my fame, and you should be careful 'cause of the people I know and what they could do to you." - Porn actor Nick Gruber, responding to Playgirl editor Daniel Nardicio.

Students At CPAC Argue With Leader Of White Supremacists Group

Slate's Dave Weigel points out this video shot at CPAC in which the leader of a white supremacist group tries to recruit student attendees to his cause. They aren't having it.

Gaga Lands Billboard's 1000th #1 Single

The 1000th number one single in the 52-year history of the Billboard Hot 100 is Lady Gaga's Born This Way.

"It is a tremendous honor," Gaga tells Billboard of the milestone. "To be the 1000th no. 1 on Billboard...I would be silly not to say this is the greatest honor of my career." "I am so humbled and so honored and overwhelmed by the reception to 'Born This Way,'" Gaga adds. "[It] has been so life changing for me as an artist, and between Billboard and the international number ones and the radio numbers...I couldn't be more blessed to have the fans that I have."

The single also notched the all-time highest first week digital sales for a female artist, a record last broken only four weeks ago by Britney Spears. It is the 19th single in Billboard history to debut at #1, a phenomenon that has become much more common in the download age.

RELATED-ISH: Express Yourself peaked at #2 in July 1989.