Ben Cohen's Ninth Week On SCD

From a report on tonight's show:

Strictly Come Dancing’s Ben Cohen took an unfortunate tumble to the bottom of the scoreboard as Strictly Come Dancing returned from Blackpool. While Mark Benton remains the favourite to leave the competition this weekend after two consecutive weeks in the dance-off, the rugby ace failed to impress the judges as he tackled the Charleston with Kristina Rihanoff. And despite his best efforts he scored just 27 points from the judges, putting him one point behind Benton and potentially placing him in the danger zone. ‘It wasn’t the most electrifying Charleston I’ve ever seen,’ complained Craig Revel Horwood. ‘There was no cross what so ever and you lacked any freedom of movement… this is what it’s about quirkiness.’

(Tipped by JMG reader Darryl)

RELATED: Britain's Express reveals that Cohen last year refused an offer to appear on a reality show.

Ben Cohen has revealed that he could have been swapping sequins for snakes after being offered a place in the I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here jungle. The former England rugby star admitted that producers from the ITV reality show approached him last year, but he declined their offer because it didn't give off the right message for his anti-bullying foundation. "Strictly is the best one to do," he said. "I got offered to do I'm a Celebrity last year and I didn't want to do it. This is the right show, the right audience to promote the message of the [Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation.] I'm the weakest dancer out of everyone that's left, and that's a fact," he said. "But for every week I stay in, the foundation gets another mention."

Alex Jones Goes To Dallas

Crackpot conspiracy theorist Alex Jones loaded his flying saucer with several dozen fellow crazies yesterday to descend on Dealey Plaza in Dallas so that they could, at last, reveal the truth about JFK's assassination. On Wednesday, Jones had exposed the super-secret plot of the Dallas police to kidnap him before the protest so that the truth never comes out. Unfortunately, that kidnapping plot was foiled and Jones and his band of asylum escapees were able to create headaches for local law enforcement.

RELATED: Yesterday I took the above photo on the Upper East Side, where Jones' brigade of batshittery has been tagging the sidewalks.

Barber: Call The FBI On The SPLC

"Everyone at FRC is hateful. In fact, if you happen to be a Bible-believing Christian, you too are hateful. You get the drill. The Obama administration has absolutely no business partnering with this extremist organization – and it’s an outrage that it does. If this troubles you as much as it does me, please contact the FBI at (202) 324-3000 and respectfully voice your concern. Then call or email your local FBI office. It’s critical that freedom-loving Americans light-up the FBI’s phone lines and demand that all facets of government completely disassociate from the SPLC and disavow any further use of its anti-Christian propaganda. The Southern Poverty Law Center must be held accountable for its inflammatory and potentially deadly anti-Christian bigotry." - Hate group spokesdouche Matt Barber, writing for World Net Daily.

Dan Savage Goes Off On Mary Cheney

Dan Savage went ballistic on Mary Cheney last night on Bill Maher's Real Time.

While Liz Cheney faces an uphill climb in her bid for a senatorial seat in Wyoming, Savage said, Mary Cheney still had a history of supporting not just her father during his tenure as vice president, but 2012 Republican presidential Mitt Romney. Savage repeatedly mentioned that Mary Cheney both voted for Romney and donated $2,500 to his campaign. “Unlike her sister, Liz, who’s saying ‘it’s a state issue,’ Romney wanted to rewrite the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriage in every state, even overturning gay marriages in states where it had already been legalized,” Savage said. “Romney was 1,000 times worse than Liz, and Mary wrote that fucker a check.”

There's also a rather delicious attack on "kiddie-fucking Catholic priests." You'll enjoy this. 

PENNSYLVANIA: Marriage Trial Date Set

The Associated Press reports:

A federal judge Friday set June 9 as the trial date for a lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania's gay-marriage ban after rejecting a request to delay the proceeding. U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III also set a timetable for pre-trial motions and other paperwork to be filed before the trial at the federal courthouse in Harrisburg. Jones said a defense request to delay the trial until August would be unnecessary. "I'm an optimist by nature," he said. Pennsylvania is the only northeastern state that bars same-sex marriage. Nationally, Illinois this week joined 15 other states and the District of Columbia in allowing it. State Attorney General Kathleen Kane, a Democrat who took office in January, has refused to defend the law in court, saying it violates the state and federal constitutions.

This is the case brought by the ACLU.  Several other Pennsylvania marriage suits are working their way through the state and federal systems. For the ACLU case, Gov. Tom Corbett has hired former state Supreme Court Justice William Lamb to defend the state since the Attorney General has refused. Lamb will earn $400/hour and his associates will all bill the state at $325/hour.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: Last month Corbett filed a brief claiming that he is exempt from being named in the ACLU's suit. Three days before that he compared same-sex marriage to incest during an interview with a Harrisburg television station. In August he filed an ultimately successful suit to halt the issuing of marriage licenses by Montgomery County Clerk Bruce Hanes.

YouTube Comment Reconstruction

This is great.

(Tipped by JMG reader Daddy Ray)

Washington Post: NOM Has Lost

"Like a candidate losing every primary, you wonder how long the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) can hold on. It’s now in the red to the tune of more than a million dollars. What exactly does NOM do as voters in state after state decide to expand marriage to gay couples? There aren’t enough states for a constitutional amendment. It’s no longer a matter of judicial activism, but a sea change in public opinion that is propelling the legal shift. How many contests does NOM lose before it — or its donors — figures out the argument is not going to carry the day?" - Jennifer Rubin, right-wing columnist for the Washington Post.

Tam O'Shaughnessy On Sally Ride

Yesterday Tam O'Shaughnessy accepted the Presidential Medal Of Freedom on behalf of her late partner, Sally Ride. This afternoon the White House posted the below clip to their official YouTube channel. As of this writing, there's no clip from Walter Naegle, who accepted yesterday on behalf of his late partner, Bayard Rustin.

Breitbart: JFK's Killer Was A Liberal

Breitbart is blaming the assassination of JFK on the ACLU and liberalism.

Although conspiracy theories abound as to who orchestrated President John F. Kennedy’s murder 50 years ago, there is little doubt regarding who actually pulled the trigger and shot the 35th president: left-wing radical Lee Harvey Oswald. Whatever theories exist about connections to the Soviet Union, Cuba, the mob, the CIA, or anything else, Lee Harvey Oswald was a leftist true believer that wanted to take out the President of the United States and leader of the free world. Ultimately, Oswald was militantly anti-American, desperately tried to join the country’s enemies, and would have willingly betrayed the United States. That he killed a president many liberals adore was incidental to his Communist cause that was most threatened by the democratically-elected leader of the United States and the American people.

One wonders how many Breitbart readers would endorse the Christian American Patriots Militia?

Susan Boyle Sings For Frothy Mix

The Christmas Candle, the first film from the Christian movie studio headed by Rick Santorum, opens today. Making her acting debut in the film is Susan Boyle, and the studio just posted the below song which will appear on the movie's soundtrack.

Deep in the heart of the English countryside lies the enchanting village of Gladbury. Legend has it every 25 years an angel visits the village candlemaker and touches a single candle. Whoever lights this candle receives a miracle on Christmas Eve. But in 1890, at the dawn of the electric age, this centuries old legend may come to an end. When David Richmond (Hans Matheson), a progressive young minister, arrives in Gladbury, the villagers discover a new formula for miracles: good deeds and acts of kindness. While David's quest to modernize Gladbury sets him at odds with the old world candlemaker, he finds an unlikely ally in the lovely skeptic, Emily Barstow (Samantha Barks). Now, the fiery candlemaker must fight to preserve the legacy of the Christmas Candle. But when the candle goes missing, the miraculous and human collide in the most astonishing Christmas the village of Gladbury has ever seen.

According to one review, the movie "isn't particularly memorable or dramatic" and Boyle's performance in particular is singled-out as stiff and unemotional. Still, it is expected to do very well as churches nationwide have been targeted by an aggressive marketing campaign.

WEST VIRGINIA: Attorney General Files To Defend State Against Marriage Suit

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey today filed a motion to intervene in the federal marriage equality lawsuit filed last month by three gay couples.

Morrisey's filing reads in part: "The State intervenes...for the sole and limited purpose of defending the constitutionality of the statutes in question." One of the three statutes that Morrisey references reads: "Every application for a marriage license must contain the following statement: 'Marriage is designed to be a loving and lifelong union between a woman and a man.'" Morrissey had until the end of the month -- 60 days from when the original lawsuit was first filed -- to decide whether he would intervene or not.

The suit was filed against the two West Virginia county clerks who had denied marriage licenses to the couples. (Tipped by JMG reader Chuck)

Sarah Palin Has The Filibuster Sadz

"This is significant as further proof that our government is so broken. When politicians can’t get anything to work, they change rules and hope we’ll just get distracted. The hugely divisive, dysfunctional “Nuclear Option” sets a terrible precedent. Mark Levin appropriately calls it 'the latest act of leftist tyranny.' It’s also leftist hypocrisy. Back under Republican control of the Senate, Democrats blocked President Bush’s judicial appointees. But don’t let this distraction ruin your Thanksgiving, America! Be thankful for at least one thing revealed in this latest radical act of the far left: more Americans are now stirred from slumber! Only a Butterball’s serotonin-induced sleepiness after dinner will lull us back in; Senate power grabbing distractions won’t do it." - Sarah Palin, writing today on her Facebook page.

And now...we go back in time....uh, wait. Back in 2005 Sarah Palin was the unemployed former mayor of a tiny town then most famous for having produced porn actress April Flowers, who that year won an award for Best All-Girls Sex Scene in Bad Wives 2.

Tweet Of The Day - Thomas Peters

We're still wondering why Brown and NOM failed to participate in last week's social media fundraising campaign for Peters' medical care. According to his blog, they raised $60K. Not incidentally, Peters' follow-up tweet to this one links to a Catholic Vote story about Bishop Thomas Paprocki's gay marriage exorcism in Illinois. An excerpt from Paprocki's words:

The work of discouragement by the Devil in same-sex marriage is apparent in the message being conveyed to defenders of traditional marriage that the universal redefinition of marriage is unstoppable, so we might as well just stop trying. But the legalization of abortion on demand forty years ago did not silence those who believe that abortion is contrary to God’s law. On the contrary, Roe v. Wade only heightened the need for more concerted efforts to protect all human life from conception to natural death. So, too, the legal redefinition of civil marriage does not put an end to the need for discourse and action to defend natural marriage in accord with God’s plan, but only serves to heighten the need for greater efforts in this regard.

Facebook Graphic Of The Day

Source.

Fox Continues Costco Nonsense

Today In Porno Pete Hypocrisy

And now....we go back in time.

"We call for a restoration of Senate traditions, returning to the majority vote on Advice and Consent the Constitution mandates. While there is no doubt that the Minority’s filibusters have helped Republicans win recent elections, we are certain that Republicans will do the right thing for themselves and the Nation by ending the partisan obstruction now. We call on the Senate Leadership and the Republican Majority to end the filibusters on appellate nominees and well before a Supreme Court vacancy occurs." - Peter LaBarbera, signing on to a 2005 open letter to the US Senate.

The Robots Have A New Hat

Even diehard Apple fanboys should love this. Really cute.

(Tipped by JMG reader Chris)

Anti-Gay NYC Councilman Fernando Cabrera Investigated For Corruption

In the photo above you'll see NYC Councilman Fernando Cabrera (D-Bronx), who is besties with virulently anti-gay state Sen. Ruben Diaz, attending a June 2011 anti-gay marriage rally at City Hall where the red-caped Catholic loons marched in support. Cabrera has bigger things than homo marriage to worry about these days. Via New York Times:

Bronx residents stand to benefit from new jobs, education programs and even free skating under an ambitious plan to redevelop the Kingsbridge Armory into a nine-rink ice center. But now a Bronx councilman is facing questions about whether he sought to benefit from the ice center, too. Councilman Fernando Cabrera has come under scrutiny in the past week after revelations that he demanded that the developer of the ice center, KNIC Partners, pay $100,000 a year for 99 years to a little-known organization, Community Action Unlimited. The organization, which lost its federal tax-exempt status in 2010, has been associated with Mr. Cabrera and his church, New Life Outreach International. Mr. Cabrera’s demand was first reported by The Norwood News. Mr. Cabrera also asked city officials to turn over the former Fordham Library Center to Community Action Unlimited, according to people familiar with the matter.

Lots more juicy details are at the link. (Tipped by JMG reader Duncan)

Infighting Is Funny, Part 94

Enjoy!

The Christian American Patriots Militia

JMG reader Steven sends us the above from the Facebook page of Christian American Patriots Militia. Note the hundreds of shares and the date of November 19th, which was the day of Larry Klayman's call for the beginning of "the second American revolution." From their Facebook page:

These rogues and thugs are in fact supplanting our Constitution with a communist Oligarchy of corrupt political and legal elites. Christian American patriots, this is no time to be silent nor to sit. (Romans 1:16) We must NOW RISE and FIGHT VIGOROUSLY to protect our nation and our posterity. Your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren depend on you. We need no further evidence that those we trusted are not honoring their oaths: Their oaths are not sacred to them---abusing us and disobeying God. Therefore, it is time that we remove them from their duties. It is time to act; and we pray that God give us guidance as we do.

Bryan Fischer On The Cheney Feud

"The one doing the sniping here is not the heterosexual, happily-married, Christian sister. The one who is lobbing the grenades here is her perpetually aggrieved, sexually-confused, gay-activist sibling. I'm not sure what you call it when one sister is trying to pick a very public fight with the other, and the second sister won't fight back, but instead turns the other cheek, just as Jesus taught. I would call it intolerance and bigotry and a form of bullying. In other words, Liz Cheney is not the intolerant bigot here. Mary Cheney is." - Hate group spokesdouche Bryan Fischer, writing for Renew America.

Bright Light Bright Light - In Your Care

It was six years ago that I first posted about scruffy Welsh cutie Rod Thomas, who now records as Bright Light Bright Light, a name he took from Gizmo in Gremlins. I love his understated nu-disco style and this tribute to his mom is lovely.

(Via Towleroad)

OREGON: Christian Group Files Measure To Legalize Anti-Gay Discrimination

An anti-gay Christian group has filed an Oregon ballot measure that would make it legal for businesses to refuse to provide wedding services to gay people on the grounds of religious belief.

The initiative comes after Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian launched a well-publicized investigation against a Gresham bakery that refused to provide a cake for a marriage between two women. "We are deeply concerned that even Oregon elected officials are becoming hostile towards religious freedom," said Teresa Harke, spokeswoman for Friends of Religious Freedom, a group formed to support the initiative campaign. Harke is also communications director for the Oregon Family Council, a group opposing the proposed initiative that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state. Jeana Frazzini, executive director of Basic Rights Oregon, the state's major gay-rights organization, said in a statement that "while we are all entitled to our religious beliefs, those beliefs don't entitle any of us to discriminate against others, or disobey laws that are already in place to ensure that everyone is treated equally."

The group must have the wording for the measure approved before it can begin collecting the required 87K signatures to place it on the 2014 ballot. (Tipped by JMG reader Sam)

Today In Tea Party Hypocrisy

"Judges have lifetime tenure. Activist judges can read their views into the Constitution. We saw it when the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act this year and upheld ObamaCare last year. But frustrated by his inability to ram some of the most radical nominees in history through the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid -- with the president cheering from the sidelines -- just abolished the judicial filibuster. Now, all Reid needs is 51 votes, out of 55 Senate Democrats, to confirm literally anyone the president nominates. The president could even nominate his Marxist buddy Bill Ayers to the federal bench and probably get him confirmed. You would think the spectacular failure of ObamaCare would have tempered his hubris. Instead, it's fed his already enormous ego. Truly, this president is out of control." - Tea Party Unity president Rick Scarborough, in a press release published today by Christian Newswire.

And now...we go back in time.

"In just the past two weeks, Scarborough has recruited 2,000 more Christian ministers for his Patriot Pastor network, boosting total membership of the three-year-old alliance to about 5,000 members. The Senate returns tomorrow from a one-week recess, and the showdown over judges could come sometime in the next few weeks. Scarborough is part of a constellation of Christian right and socially conservative groups that are spending millions to mobilize their followers to pressure the Senate to try to break a Democratic logjam blocking some of Bush's most conservative and controversial judicial nominees. Focus on the Family has run ads in favor of the filibuster rule change and co-sponsored with the Family Research Council a televised Sunday evening simulcast." - From a May 2005 article in the Washington Post. (Tipped by JMG reader Kyle)

Homocon Robert Oscar Lopez Records Anti-Gay Clip For British Hate Group

This was made for Christian Concern, Britain's version of the Family Research Council and the home of that pinch-faced woman who channeled Minnesota's Kally Yanta in dozens of anti-gay clips. Earlier this year Lopez filed a SCOTUS brief against the overturn of DOMA and spoke onstage at one of France's massive hate rallies.

UCF Calls Out Big Guns In Campaign To Cloak Emails About Regnerus Study

The University of Central Florida (my alma mater!) has hired the former chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court to defend themselves against demands that they produce the emails leading up to the publication of Mark Regnerus' discredited study on gay parenting. Via the Human Rights Campaign:

A judge ruled the university had to release the documents, deemed public records under Florida law. Late last week, UCF retained legal counsel and ignored the court order. The Law Office of Andrea Flynn Mogensen, P.A., and Barrett, Chapman & Ruta, P.A – which represents John Becker, the reporter who initially sought the documents under Florida public records law - immediately filed an emergency motion for civil contempt.  "What is UCF hiding?" asked Becker. "And why are they fighting tooth and nail - spending taxpayer dollars in the process - to keep these public records under seal?" UCF has retained Charles Wells, former Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice, to serve as lead counsel in the case. "These latest stalling tactics are typical of the way UCF has conducted itself throughout this entire months-long ordeal," said Becker. "Instead of respecting the rule of law in Florida and turning over these public records, the university has stonewalled and obstructed at every turn. Nevertheless, I'm confident that we will prevail in the end and uncover all the public records, including even more of the anti-LGBT animus behind Regnerus' research.”

(Tipped by JMG reader Str8 Grandmother)

Cher - Take It Like A Man

While this clip was posted to Cher's official YouTube channel, it's essentially an underwear commercial. And it must have filmed in Key West, because the models are wearing Island House shirts in the one brief shot that they have a shirt on.

(Tipped by JMG reader Daddy Ray)

50 Years Ago Today

I was four years old when JFK was assassinated and lately I've wondered how real my memories of my mom, my aunt, and my grandmother crying in front of the TV are. We were at my grandparents' house in Newark for Thanksgiving that week and my mother later often told the story about everybody rushing home from work that day because of fears that the city would erupt into "race riots." Do I really remember all that drama or have my mom's stories sort of insinuated themselves into a false memory? If you're old enough, share your own memories.

President Obama Signs Bill To Lift Ban On Organ Transplants Between HIV+ People

Chris Johnson reports at Washington Blade:

President Obama signed into law on Thursday afternoon a bill approved by Congress with significant bipartisan support that lifts the ban on the donation of organs from HIV-positive people to others with HIV. In a statement, Obama said he signed the legislation, called the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act, or HOPE Act, to provide the opportunity for people with HIV to receive organ donations. “The potential for successful organ transplants between people living with HIV has become more of a possibility,” Obama said. “The HOPE Act lifts the research ban, and, in time, it could lead to live-saving organ donations for people living with HIV while ensuring the safety of the organ transplant process and strengthening the national supply of organs for all who need them.”

The ban had been enacted in 1988.

Today In Liberty Counsel Hypocrisy

"Today’s action by Harry Reid is frightening, and every freedom-loving American should be deeply concerned. Not only is the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals considered a launching pad to the Supreme Court, this circuit court hears constitutional challenges to executive rules and regulations. President Obama has been issuing ‘fixes’ and using ‘enforcement discretion’ to roll out his tyrannical overreach into healthcare. Now he is trying to stack the court that would rule on his unconstitutional executive orders. One thing is clear, today’s change in Senate rules is about packing the D.C. Circuit with liberal ideologues that will transform it into a rubber stamp for anything the President wants." - Liberty Counsel president Mat Staver, in a press release issued yesterday.

And now...we go back in time.

"Liberty Counsel, as part of the National Coalition to End Judicial Filibusters, recently signed a letter urging the the U.S. Senate leadership 'to end the judicial filibusters at the earliest possible moment and well before a Supreme Court vacancy should occur.' The letter also pointed out that 'while it is the right of the President to expect the Senate to give Advice and Consent within a reasonable period of time, it is the duty of every Senator to offer Advice and Consent through an honest, up or down vote.' A number of Republican senators still remain opposed or undecided on the issue. We have compiled a list you can use to call the Senators and ask them to end the judicial filibusters."- Liberty Counsel president Mat Staver, in a press release issued April 5th, 2005.

(Bolding is motherfucking mine.)

Today In FRC Hypocrisy

"Democrats used a parliamentary trick to change the Senate rules and strip the minority of the little power they had. In doing so, they blew up a 225-year-old process and cleared the way for a simple majority to rubber stamp the President's outrageous nominees. Instead of requiring 60 votes to end debate on a nomination, liberals lowered the threshold to 51 -- virtually guaranteeing the majority party a blank check to confirm anyone they want, regardless of how extreme or unqualified. In the short term, it will help consolidate more power for Democrats, silence conservatives, and end what little negotiating the Senate does. Of course, Senator Reid is only in favor of rewriting the rules when it suits his purposes. Apparently, the Majority Leader lives by the same creed as the President: if you don't like the law, break it." - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via email.

And now...we go back in time.

"Partisan special interests have threatened judicial independence again by inserting ideology into the Senate confirmation process of federal judges. Now the Minority has changed 215 years of Senate tradition by abusing the filibuster for the first time against nominees with clear majority support. The Senate must act as steward of the federal courts by returning the power to confirm judges to the Constitution’s simple majority requirement.  The unprecedented abuse of the filibuster is a device intended to undermine the prerogatives of the Presidency as well as the tradition of the Senate. It must not stand." - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, in an open letter to the US Senate dated April 4th, 2005.

(Bolding is motherfucking mine.)

ASAP Science: Your Brain On Crack

Denver Post To Launch Marijuana News Site, But Will Drug Test Its Reporters

From the news director of the Denver Post:

Colorado will open the doors to legal recreational marijuana sales in the new year. We have been covering the medical marijuana industry for more than a decade. But last year, voters approved legalized recreational marijuana. We have written extensively about the research on marijuana, the regulation, the wrangling in the legislature, cooking with marijuana and growing it. The new year will bring all angles together in a way that is challenging and exciting for us. We plan to do what we do with any major story: throw our best muscle, creative minds and ingenuity at the project. We’re going to have some fun – with a mix of news, entertainment and culture stories. Say what you want about the newspaper industry, but The Post is the most powerful news organization in the region. We know how to cover big stories. And with pot, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

Here's A Book Trailer From Iowa Hate Group Leader Bob Vander Plaats

The theme of the book is that Jesus will turn America back into a Christian nation if everybody prays at 7:14am and 7:14pm every day. Or something. Vander Plaats, you might recall, was last year accused of offering to sell his presidential endorsement to Frothy Mix for a sweet million dollars.

Methodist Pastor Gets 30-Day Suspension For Officiating Son's Same-Sex Wedding

Earlier this week a United Methodist minister in Pennsylvania was found "guilty" of officiating at his son's wedding to a man. Now he's been sentenced by the church to a 30-day suspension.

Frank Schaefer, 51, the pastor at Zion United Methodist Church of Iona in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was found guilty by a jury of 13 ordained clergy members on two counts: officiating a same-sex wedding and being disobedient to the discipline and order of the church, according to Cathy Husid-Shamir, a Schaefer family spokesperson. Schaefer received a concurrent 30-day suspension for both counts. If he does not uphold the church's discipline after the suspension, he must surrender his credentials, according to Husid-Shamir. The jury had full power in determining Schaefer's penalty, which could have ranged from a reprimand to a full defrocking. "I'm obviously relieved to receive a lighter penalty than defrocking," Schaefer said in a statement to CNN after receiving his sentence. "I gave the jury every excuse to take my credentials when I was honest with them and said that I must continue to serve all people -- no exceptions."

The church had told Schaefer he could avoid a trial entirely if he'd just promise to never conduct another gay wedding. He refused.

Frank Bruni Found Courtney Love's iPhone

Lots more at New York Magazine.

Gay Cruise Company Boycotts Russia

From the San Diego Gay & Lesbian News:

Tuesday night, Atlantis CEO Rich Campbell outlined the new cruises in store for 2014, including the return of the popular Baltic European cruise. This time, however, one port of call that had always been included in the past was pointedly excluded for the 2014 cruise: St. Petersburg, Russia. Campbell said that while the people of St. Petersburg were always friendly and welcoming to us in the past, and that the immense cultural attractions made it an obvious port of call under normal circumstances for any Baltic cruise ... these were no longer normal circumstances. The hostile anti-gay attitude of the current Putin regime has made Russia an unacceptable destination for a gay cruise, and he expressed hope that the economic effect of the decision would in some small way help to bring about change in the current sad state of affairs there. The crowd of veteran Atlantis cruisers at the reception responded to the announcement with cheers and applause.

Good for them. But a check of the upcoming Caribbean cruise by Atlantis Events reveals that they will be making a port call in Barbados, where homosexuality is technically punishable by life in prison, although Wikipedia notes that the law is "rarely enforced." The Caribbean cruise will also stop in St. Lucia, where homosexual acts between males are punishable by ten years in prison. At least in Russia homosexuality itself is not illegal. Yet.

Obama Applauds Filibuster Vote: Change Was Overdue, Enough Is Enough

Petition Of The Day

Anti-gay crackpots are ganging up to flag the YouTube videos posted by Right Wing Watch, which always eventually wins back the clips in question, as they did when Pat Robertson's stormtroopers tried to squash his "AIDS ring" video. The freak shows know this, but they continue their campaign. Sign the petition posted today by People For The American Way.

Quote Of The Day - Alec Baldwin

"I've loved men in my life. There are some men I've loved in my life as much, if not more, than the women in my life. I don't have a sexual preference for men ... but I've loved men.  I've been in love with about three or four men, as much, if not more, than any woman I've loved. I don't wanna have a sexual relationship with them." - Alec Baldwin, speaking last night on what some are calling his "apology tour."

ARKANSAS: Supreme Court Overturns Visitation Bans In Child Custody Cases

Another great win today by the ACLU:

The Arkansas Supreme Court today reversed a lower court child custody order that prohibited a parent from having overnight visitation with his child in the presence of his long-term domestic partner. The ruling ends a widespread practice in Arkansas custody cases of courts automatically barring parents from living with an unmarried partner regardless of the circumstances.

A Pulaski County judge had ordered that it was in the child’s best interest to have overnight visitation with his father, John Moix. However, Moix’s partner was barred from being present in their home during any overnight visitation. The judge imposed this restriction despite determining that the father and his partner have lived together in a committed relationship for at least five years and that the partner “poses no threat to the health, safety, or welfare” of Moix’s son.

In today’s decision, the Arkansas Supreme Court said that there is no “blanket ban” against cohabitation and that whether such a restriction should be imposed on a parent must be based on the circumstances of each particular case and in light of the best interest of the children. The case was sent back to the trial court to make this assessment.

Read the full ruling.

RUSSIA: Bomb Threat Delays St. Petersburg LGBT Film Festival

Via Queer Russia:

The grand festival opening scheduled for the evening of November, 21 is disrupted. A call of a bomb threat in the “Warshavsky Express” cinema is delaying the opening ceremony and screening of the first film of the festival. With all guests being evaquated, police began checking up the building. About 200 guests arrived at the opening. Aggressive opponents of LGBT also gathered near the cinema, but police is holding them back. After checking, the building is still going to host the first screening, Rosbalt reports.

HomoQuotable - Mary Cheney

"I’m not supporting Liz’s candidacy. By supporting, I mean not working, not contributing, and not voting for (I’m registered in Virginia not Wyoming). I am not saying I hope she loses to Enzi." - Mary Cheney, in an email sent to Politico.  And the family feud rolls on. Enzi, by the way, is destroying Cheney in the polls, so maybe all his "she LOVES gay marriage" lies are working.

New Filibuster Rules For Senate

Via Buzzfeed:

After months-long threats and last-minute deals to avoid a major rules change in the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid led the chamber in eliminating the 60-vote majority needed to vote on most presidential nominations. The vote began at a little past noon, with 52 Democrats voting to eliminate the 60-vote threshold needed to invoke cloture and avoid a filibuster — a threshold that Democrats said has kept too many of President Obama’s nominees from a final vote in the Senate. Democratic Sens. Carl Levin, Joe Manchin and Mark Pryor voted against the rule change. No Republicans voted for the change.

Fox News is very unhappy.

It's a defining feature, for better or worse, of the U.S. Senate -- the power of the minority to gum up the works through what's known as a filibuster. While this makes the Senate one of the most deliberative (read that as, slowest) legislative bodies in the world, it also prevents legislation and appointments from moving too fast. But now, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is moving to undermine that right. Republican Leader Mitch McConnell charged that Reid's attempt proves the Democrats are willing to "do and say just about anything" to get their way. The particulars of what Reid is doing are highly technical but make Republicans seethe.

Of course, this could come back to haunt the Democrats the next time there's a GOP majority in the Senate and a Republican president in the White House.

PETA To Obama: Don't Pardon Any Turkeys This Thanksgiving, Eat Tofu Instead

NYC Subway Breaks Single-Day Record

For those that are interested in mass transit trivia:

The weather was mild on the subway system’s perfect day — clear skies to coax New Yorkers outdoors, paired with a breeze that discouraged long walks. There were probably few vacations planned, with summer a recent memory and the year-end holidays looming. It was, perhaps most important, a Thursday. And so, on Oct. 24, 5,985,311 subway rides were taken in New York City, the most in recorded history, according to an internal memo prepared by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority last week. (The authority began keeping daily records in 1985.) Last year, the authority said, the subway recorded more than 1.65 billion rides, the most in 62 years. Still, the singular triumph of Oct. 24 remains difficult to decode. There was no major citywide event, no stadium full of baseball fans to carry home, with the Yankees and the Mets long since eliminated from championship contention.

New York City's metro system is the seventh-busiest in the world The next US city on the list, Chicago, is 47th.

Queer Nation: The Road To Sochi

(Via Towleroad)

Breitbart Headline Of The Day

Palin is really milking this one.

VIDEO: Watch The Full Illinois Marriage Equality Bill Signing Ceremony

In case you didn't get to watch it live yesterday, the state of Illinois has posted the full video of  the marriage equality bill signing ceremony. The clip is on auto-play, so turn it down before you click over. (Tipped by JMG reader Thomas)

Bishop Thomas Paprocki Exorcizes Gay Marriage Demons Out Of Illinois

Above is a page from yesterday's program at the gay marriage exorcism held in Illinois by Bishop Thomas Paprocki.

The head of the Springfield Diocese delivered his remarks to a large crowd of worshippers in the cavernous Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception only blocks from the Capitol, where lawmakers approved the same-sex marriage legislation two weeks ago. "I exorcise you, every unclean sprit, every power of darkness, every incursion of the infernal enemy, every diabolical legion, cohort and faction, in the name and power of our Lord Jesus Christ," Paprocki said during the hourlong ceremony 200 miles from the bill-signing celebration in Chicago. The exorcism performed is known as a minor one in the pantheon of the practice, said Paprocki, who noted similar renouncements of the devil in the acts of baptisms and confirmations.

Afterward, the bishop said he did not expect people to see instant results, restating a point he made during the service that Hollywood had sensationalized exorcisms. He maintained his remarks "are not meant to demonize anyone, but are intended to call attention to the diabolical influences of the devil that have penetrated our culture, both in the state and in the church." Yet Paprocki also charged that "politicians responsible for enacting civil same-sex marriage legislation are morally complicit as co-operators in facilitating this grave sin." "We must pray for forgiveness of these sins and deliverance from this evil which has penetrated our state and our church," Paprocki said.

A small group of pro-gay Catholics protested outside the cathedral during the exorcism rite.

RUSSIA: Ikea Cuts Story About Lesbian Couple From Its Magazine

Saying that they fear breaking the law on "homosexual propaganda," Ikea has removed a story about a lesbian couple from the Russian version of its magazine.

An IKEA spokeswoman said the move was made in accordance with laws in Russia banning "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations." The company replaced the article in Russia with a story about a designer living in China. The "IKEA Family Live" magazine is sent to customer club members living in 25 different countries, but is designed to meet language requirements and other norms in the individual markets where it is distributed. "One of the conditions we have of running our business is that we have to follow the law in the markets where we operate," IKEA spokeswoman Ylva Magnusson said in an interview Thursday. Russia is IKEA's fifth best-selling country, representing 6% of overall sales. IKEA has 14 stores and about 11,000 employees in the country.

Ikea says they only took the move after consulting Russian lawyers. "We have two guiding principles in the communication we distribute from Ikea. The first is home interior design. The second is following the law." (Tipped by JMG reader Duncan)

Costco Apologizes

"Costco has apparently had a 'Come-to-Jesus' epiphany. The national warehouse chain has apologized for labeling Bibles in a Simi Valley, Calif. store as fiction, calling it an error that they are working quickly to correct. 'We deeply regret the mislabeling of the Bible and meant no offense to anyone,' the company wrote in an email received by several customers. 'The buyer has let us know that this was an error and the books are being pulled off the shelves to be re-marked.' Cue the angelic choirs. That’s a message that resonates with pastor and author Robert Jeffress. 'Christians need to call out organizations like Costco whose actions undermine Christianity – regardless of whether those actions are accidental or intentional,' Jeffress told me. There you have it, good readers. Costco has seen the error of its way and repented. As the Good Book says, 'Forgive as the Lord forgave you.'" - Fox News reporter Todd Starnes, taking a victory lap for the non-story he invented.

Facebook Graphic Of The Day

Source.

NYC Stores Unveil Holiday Windows

I never actually go inside these fancy midtown department stores, but their windows can be pretty cool.

Because Internet

Business Insider notes the rise of a new preposition.

Let's start with the dull stuff, because pragmatism. The word "because," in standard English usage, is a subordinating conjunction, which means that it connects two parts of a sentence in which one (the subordinate) explains the other. In that capacity, "because" has two distinct forms. It can be followed either by a finite clause (I'm reading this because [I saw it on the web]) or by a prepositional phrase (I'm reading this because [of the web]). These two forms are, traditionally, the only ones to which "because" lends itself. I mention all that ... because language. Because evolution. Because there is another way to use "because." Linguists are calling it the "prepositional-because." Or the "because-noun." You probably know it better, however, as explanation by way of Internet—explanation that maximizes efficiency and irony in equal measure. I'm late because YouTube. You're reading this because procrastination. As the linguist Stan Carey delightfully sums it up: "'Because' has become a preposition, because grammar."

Teachers: How many points off for this new usage?

Rick Scarborough: ENDA Will Force Christians To Deny Their Christianity

"If the bill becomes law, Christians will be forced to violate their conscience or violate ENDA. While ENDA supposedly contains an exemption for churches and other religious institutions, there is none for individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs. This law is about forcing Bible-believing Christians to deny their faith rather than inconvenience cross-dressing, gender-confused adults.  How do you know if someone is engaged in homosexual behavior unless they tell you so? ENDA would force Christians, Orthodox Jews and other people of faith to employ those who flaunt their 'sexuality' in the work place." - Tea Party Unity head Rick Scarborough, who became a national laughingstock last month when he announced that Christians should file a class action lawsuit against homosexuality itself.

Open Thread Thursday

Tell us about your Thanksgiving.

Koch Brothers Vs Obamacare

"Americans For Prosperity" is an astroturf group invented by the multi-billionaire Koch Brothers.

Thomas More Society Has The Illinois Sadz

"The bill is called the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. But this act is neither free nor fair for people of religious convictions. Because the general assembly left out specific protections for individuals, businesses, religious organizations, and religious charities, we will have to discover the boundaries of this act through litigation. The idea that free people can be 'compelled by law to compromise the very religious beliefs that inspire their lives' as the 'price of citizenship' is a chilling and unprecedented attack on freedom,  This affects believers in myriad ways -- how they live out their faith, how they educate their children, and how they operate their businesses." - Peter Breen, senior counsel of the Thomas More Society, via press release.

Black Party 2014 Will Be At Roseland

Just yesterday I mentioned that the Saint-At-Large hadn't yet revealed if the Black Party would return to the Roseland before it closes on April 1st. I spoke too soon.

Red-Caped Catholic Loons On IL Marriage

I was looking for news coverage of this afternoon's signing ceremony and came across the below clip, which I somehow missed when it went up three weeks ago.  But since we've already won, that makes this clip damn enjoyable to watch today.

LIVE VIDEO: Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn Signs Same-Sex Marriage Bill At 4:30 Eastern

Watch history happen right here!

UPDATE: The video at the first link is sagging a little bit under the demand. Try this one too.

UPDATE: And it's DONE!

Porno Pete: So Alone, So VERY Alone