BREAKING: Seattle Police Arrest Suspected Arsonist Of Gay Nightclub

Seattle police have arrested the man that some suspect attempted to murder over 750 gay nightclub patrons by setting fire to the packed club moments after midnight on New Year's Eve. Via Capitol Hill Seattle:

Musab Mohamed Masmari, 30, was arrested Saturday morning as police say he was on his way to the airport. Masmari, who has not been charged with the crime, was booked into King County Jail for arson, according to police. Masmari has been a resident living near Broadway and Roy, but at a recent sentencing hearing he said he had since moved to the Eastside. His Facebook profile lists Benghazi, Libya as his hometown. He was listed as living in Lynnwood in early 2009. CHS learned Masmari has had a U.S. passport since at least 2010. Masmari is scheduled to appear in court Monday for an unrelated assault charge.

Police have not yet said if Masmari was attempting to flee the country and they have not released the destination of his flight. Masmari was identified late last month by local business owners after the police released surveillance images taken in the club on the night of the fire. Masmari has a long history of run-ins with local businesses. More from Capitol Hill Seattle:

Masmari has a record of Seattle assaults and arrests that increased in frequency starting last spring. Since the January 1st incident, several business owners in north Capitol Hill told CHS they have had run-ins with the man. Last April Masmari put a cigarette out in a man’s cheek as he entered the Lookout bar, one employee told CHS. “He was trying to come in with a cigarette, and the guy just told him he couldn’t do that, so he put it out in his cheek,” said Stevie Gayle, who was bar tending at the Lookout that night. A fight broke out outside the bar, but Gayle said Masmari fled before the police arrived. CHS spoke with a north Broadway business owner familiar with Masmari who said he talked with police after the pictures were released and tips began coming in to SPD’s arson and bomb squad detectives. The Broadway business owner said that he and others were forced to “86″ Masmari from their venues after run-ins in recent months.

With the limited information we have so far, my gut tells me that Seattle police had not yet fully built their case but were forced into today's action when they realized that Masmari was on his way to the airport. I'll update this post if more details become available. My previous seven reports on this story are here.

UPDATE: Here's the press release from Seattle police.

Seattle Police made an arrest this morning of a 30-year-old suspect wanted for the arson at Neighbours on January 1st. This morning, Seattle Police arrested the 30-year-old man near Seattle as he was enroute to the airport. Detectives from our Arson/Bomb Squad, working along with members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), have been investigating this case since the early morning hours of January 1st. Detectives would like to thank the public for all the tips they have received on the person of interest. Following his arrest, the suspect was interviewed by detectives and later booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Arson.

UPDATE II: Seattle station KING 5 has a video report.

How To Find Girl Scout Cookies

As I reported yesterday, a coalition of anti-gay and wingnut groups has launched a national boycott of Girl Scout cookies, which are lovingly baked by Satan, according to the haters. You can find your closest Girl Scout cookie seller by downloading this smartphone app. In New York City, the Girl Scouts will launch National Cookie Weekend on Friday at Grand Central Terminal, where the crazies have promised to disrupt sales and hand out religious flyers. I'm gonna pack my freezer with Thin Mints and each cookie will have the delicious taste of "fuck you."

UPDATE:  Also enter your zip code here to find a location.

Media Matters: Right Wing Rodeo

Their weekly recap of crackpottery.

Christian Post Headlines Of The Day

The bible is nothing if not self-contradictory. Denver. Seattle.

Editorial Of The Day

From the editorial board of the Newark Star-Ledger:

Forget about the White House in 2016. The question now is whether Gov. Chris Christie can survive as governor. David Wildstein, the man who ordered the George Washington Bridge lane closures, is now pointing the finger directly at Gov. Chris Christie, saying the governor knew about the lane closures in September when they occurred. That directly contradicts Christie account at his Jan. 13 press conference when he made this statement: "I had no knowledge of this — of the planning, the execution or anything about it... I first found out about it after it was over." If this charge proves true, then the governor must resign or be impeached. Because hat would leave him so drained of credibility that he could not possibly govern effectively. He would owe it to the people of New Jersey to stop the bleeding and quit. And if he should refuse, then the Legislature should open impeachment hearings.

Key line: "By the governor's own standard, lying is a firing offense."

Cult Of Dusty Vlogger Takes On Latest Christian Anti-Masturbation Campaign

Yesterday I posted the latest Christian anti-masturbation video, which potty-mouthed Cult Of Dusty vlogger dissects below. This guy continues to SLAY me. 

Budweiser's Super Bowl Commercial Is Yet Another Sign Of The Anti-Christ

So says the Third Eagle Of The Apocalypse and Co-Prophet Of The End Times.

Coalition Of Human Rights Groups: Sochi's Top Corporate Sponsors Must Speak Out

A coalition of 40 human rights groups have issued a joint letter to the top ten corporate sponsors of the Sochi Olympics which demands that they denounce Russia's abuses against LGBT people. Via press release:

Corporate sponsors of the Sochi Winter Olympics should act now to urge Russia to halt the rising tide of discrimination, harassment and threats against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, 40 of the world’s leading human rights and LGBT groups said today, in an unusual joint open letter. The letter to all of the leading sponsors of the Sochi Olympics asks them to use their leverage as underwriters of the 2014 Winter Games in a variety of concrete ways.

The groups urged sponsors to speak out against Russia’s anti-gay “propaganda” law, which violates the Olympic Charter’s principle of non-discrimination, and to ask the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to undertake systemic reforms to monitor and prevent human rights abuses in future host countries. “Time is running out for the sponsors to take a clear stand in defense of Olympic values,” said Minky Worden, director of global initiatives at Human Rights Watch. “These companies are sponsoring an Oympics marred by ugly discrimination and serious rights abuses. They should speak out forcefully for equality and human rights.”

The joint letter is addressed to the 10 TOP Sponsors of the Sochi Games (members of “The Olympic Partner” (TOP) Program)--Atos, Coca Cola, Dow Chemical, General Electric, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Procter & Gamble, Samsung, and Visa. The Human Rights Campaign, Human Rights Watch and several other groups have engaged with the sponsors for nearly a year to urge them to act on abuses.

Among the groups in the coalition: Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Human Rights Campaign, Athlete Ally, GLAAD, Family Equality Council, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Including in the requests for action, the letter asks that Sochi's top corporate sponsors address LGBT rights in their Olympic advertising.

MONTANA: Catholic Diocese Files For Bankruptcy Over Sex Abuse Suits

Montana's Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena yesterday filed for bankruptcy protection as it settles molestation lawsuits filed on behalf of hundreds of children.

“The settlement here will be as much help financially as we can offer to claimants,” the spokesman, Dan Bartleson, told NBCNews.com. “And the bankruptcy puts us in a place at the diocese where we can care for the Catholics who are currently part of the church.” The lawsuits, originally filed in 2011, claimed that clergy members had abused children from the 1940s to 1980s and that the diocese knew or should have known what was happening. “It’s widespread … (and) some of the most horrific abuse we’ve dealt with,” Dan Fasy, an attorney with law firm Kosnoff Fasy, which represents 268 of the 362 claimants, told NBC News. Although the settlements are not official yet, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Montana would supervise the disbursement of $15 million if the Chapter 11 protection is approved, with an additional $2.5 million set aside for victims who have not yet come forward, Bartleson said.

Most of the settlements will be paid by insurance companies. (Tipped by JMG reader Dan)

TEASER: New Album From Matt Alber

"Preorder WIND SAND STARS on Feb 1st at mattalber.com and receive an instant download of his new song "Spectacularly." Deluxe Vinyl, Flashdrive, and Standard CD/Digital packages available for a limited time. WIND SAND STARS is due to release on 4.1.14."

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

BREAKING: Insider Claims Gov. Christie Knew About Plan To Block Bridge Traffic

Via the New York Times: 

The former Port Authority official who personally oversaw the lane closings on the George Washington Bridge in the scandal now swirling around Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey said on Friday that “evidence exists” the governor knew about the lane closings when they were happening. In a letter released by his lawyer, the former official, David Wildstein, a high school friend of Mr. Christie’s who was appointed with the governor’s blessing at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which controls the bridge, described the order to close the lanes as “the Christie administration’s order” and said “evidence exists as well tying Mr. Christie to having knowledge of the lane closures, during the period when the lanes were closed, contrary to what the governor stated publicly in a two-hour press conference” three weeks ago.

From the New York Daily News:

The closings, between Sept. 9-12, caused massive gridlock and delayed local police and ambulance response. Christie, in a two-hour news conference earlier this month, repeatedly denied any knowledge of the shutdown — which was purportedly payback against the Democratic Mayor of Fort Lee, N.J. “I would never have come out here four or five weeks ago and made a joke about these lane closings if I had ever had an inkling that anyone on my staff would have been so stupid,” Christie said at the Jan. 9 news conference. The Bergen County mayor had declined to endorse Christie during his landslide re-election campaign last year. Wildstein — a high school classmate of Christie — resigned his $150,00-a-year job as the Bridgegate scandal mushroomed. The bridge lanes were closed during the morning rush hour, and only reopened Sept. 13 after word of the shutdowns spread through the PA.

Good timing for the Super Bowl, eh?

VIRGINIA: Court Grants Class Action Status To ACLU/Lambda Marriage Lawsuit

Via joint press release from Lambda Legal and the ACLU:

Today, a federal district court in Virginia certified as a class action a lawsuit challenging that state’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples, extending the scope of those represented in the lawsuit to all same-sex couples in the state who cannot legally marry or whose legal marriages performed elsewhere are not recognized by the commonwealth. The case was initially filed on behalf of two couples by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Virginia, Lambda Legal, and the law firm Jenner and Block.  “We want to be clear that we’re fighting for families across the state,” said Claire Guthrie Gastañaga, executive director of the ACLU of Virginia. “This marriage ban affects families in a number of different ways by denying them the many protections that come with marriage. It’s important that our case address the many ways that families are hurt by our discriminatory laws.” The lawsuit was originally filed on August 1, and argued that, through the marriage bans, Virginia sent a purposeful message that lesbians, gay men, and their children are viewed as second-class citizens who are undeserving of the legal sanction, respect, protections, and support that heterosexuals and their families are able to enjoy through marriage.

NOTE: This suit is separate from the AFER lawsuit, which was joined last week by Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring. That case begins opening arguments on Tuesday.

1999 Flashback: LA Gay Men's Chorus Performs We Shall Overcome In Moscow

The Los Angeles Gay Men's Chorus today posted the below 1999 concert footage with some recent and disturbing images from Russia added. Above is infamous and recently apprehended Russian gay-basher Maxim Martsenkevich.

One of the largest gatherings of LGBT people in Russian history occurred when the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles performed in Moscow in 1999. Here's the climax of that landmark event in Tchaikovsky Hall, where tears flowed on both sides of the footlights. Watch the LGBT communities from Russia and the US unite for the first time, holding hands without fear of oppression or reprisal. Our message to the world: We Shall Overcome."

Definitely watch this.

One Million Moms: Victory Over Disney

Just in via email:

Dear Joe, Disney did air the "Good Luck Charlie" episode featuring two moms as a same-sex couple this week, but your efforts were not in vain. Although One Million Moms is disappointed in Disney after we urged the network not to air this particular episode, Care.com did pay attention to our outcry and did not sponsor the program, nor did any other company. Disney did not have any financial support in airing LGBT agenda. The network had to foot the bill themselves. Thank you for your help! One Million Moms will continue to fight the good fight with your support. Your order will help One Million Moms remain strong. A Valentine's Special, that includes two Thomas Street Coffee Mugs and a 12oz bag of coffee (plus FREE SHIPPING), will make someone feel special this year with a gift that is making a difference! Click here to find out available coffee blends, tasting notes and pricing. Not only will this order help One Million Moms continue its efforts, but it also will help spread the Good News. When you order Thomas Street Coffee, you are supporting efforts to proclaim the gospel of Christ in countries where 40% of unreached people groups live, including Ethiopia, Peru, Uganda, Honduras, Indonesia and other coffee growing regions. Sincerely, Monica Cole.

I've emailed Care.com to ask if they actually had any ads scheduled to run during the show.

VIRGINIA: House Advances Bill To Give Itself Standing To Defend Marriage Ban

The Virginia House today advanced a bill that would (they claim) give members of the chamber standing to defend the state's marriage ban in federal court.

Del C. Todd Gilbert’s measure, which will be on the House floor for a final vote Monday, includes an amendment by Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William [PHOTO]. The amendment would also give the House of Delegates, the state Senate or the entire General Assembly standing to file suit in federal court. “We do not want to end up in a position like the people of California who voted for Proposition 8 and were abandoned by their attorney general and their governor,” Marshall said. Del. Joseph D. Morrissey, D-Henrico, questioned the proposal's constitutionality. “No state legislature can give itself such standing,” Morrissey said. “This bill cannot under any circumstance withstand a challenge in federal court. If you don't want to embarrass yourselves, you will resist the temptation and move that finger from the green to the red,” he said.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe is expected to veto the bill should it pass in both state chambers.

RELATED: Yesterday's scheduled opening arguments in federal court, which were canceled due to weather, have been rescheduled for Tuesday at 10AM.

The hearing is expected to last two and a half hours. AFER’s attorneys will make the case that bans on marriage for gay and lesbian couples, like that in Virginia, violate the Equal Protection and Due Process clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. The plaintiffs are two couples: Tim and Tony, who have been together for nearly 25 years, and Carol and Mary, who have been together for nearly 30 years. This is the first time the plaintiffs are appearing in court.

(Tipped by JMG reader Rob)

Football!

State Department Issues Gay-Inclusive Clip To Promote Team USA At Sochi

Via press release:

In honor of Team USA’s participation in the 2014 Winter Olympics (February 7-23) and Paralympics (March 7-16) in Sochi, Russia, the U.S. Department of State has produced a one-minute video highlighting the diversity of the U.S. athletes competing in the Games as well as everyday Americans. The video focuses on the theme “We Are All Athletes,” to promote diversity, social inclusion, sportsmanship, and teamwork. “We Are All Athletes” showcases U.S. Olympians, Paralympians, and recreational athletes of various backgrounds, including gender, race and ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and abilities. Viewers are encouraged to join the U.S. Department of State in cheering on Team USA to bring home the gold by sharing the video and discussing it via the hashtags #Sochi2014 and #TeamUSA.

The clip is also available with Russian subtitles. Ahem.

Satan Wants You To Masturbate

Fappers = wounded soldiers. Or something.

(Via Christian Nightmares)

RUSSIA: Head Of Teen Support Group Charged With Violating Propaganda Ban

J. Lester Feder reports at Buzzfeed:

Russian authorities reportedly filed charges on Friday against the head of an online support group for LGBT teens, for violating the law prohibiting “the promotion of non-traditional sexual relationships to minors.” The case is being brought against Elena Klimova, who runs Children-404, which posts stories from Russian LGBT teens on the Russian social networking site VKontakte. This is the fifth case reported in which Russian authorities have invoked the propaganda law passed in June. It follows the conviction on Thursday of the editor of a Russian newspaper for its reporting on the firing of a gay teacher, for which he was fined the equivalent of about $1,400.

Klimova: "This is an extreme level of madness. We publish letters from underage gay men and lesbians and this is considered propaganda among minors."

Cookie Cott 2014

Anti-abortion groups have launched yet another national boycott of Girl Scout cookies because, among other reasons, the organization tweeted a link to a 2013 Huffington Post article that included Texas gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis in a list of candidates for "Woman Of The Year." The groups intend to disrupt cookie sales by thrusting flyers at potential buyers.

The groups have united to form Cookie Cott 2014, which encourages all those who support pro-life to distribute flyers at locations where Girl Scout cookies are sold, detailing why they are boycotting Girl Scout cookies this year. The Cookie Cott website reads that it is boycotting the well-known treats because the youth organization's "national leadership continues to show its attachment to pro-abortion leaders and organizations." "I am offended that the Girl Scouts honor pro-abortion activists like Wendy Davis and Kathleen Sebelius and hold them up as leaders to be emulated by our young women and girls," John Pisciotta, director of Pro-Life Waco, who is spearheading the effort, said in a statement about his Cookie Cott campaign.

Right wing sites regularly call Davis "Abortion Barbie."

NEW JERSEY: American Atheists Place Billboard Near Super Bowl Stadium

Via press release from American Atheists:

On Thursday, American Atheists launched a new billboard near Metlife Stadium with a dig at prayer. It is believed to be the first-ever atheist-sponsored ad aimed at a Super Bowl audience. The billboard features a priest cradling a football with text reading, “A ‘Hail Mary’ only works in football. Enjoy the game!” The billboard will run through Super Bowl Sunday. “Prayer is superstition, plain and simple,” said American Atheists President David Silverman. “It trivializes the dedication of the players and takes away from their achievements. A third of football fans pray in hopes of helping their team. These are adults we’re talking about—people with children, people with careers, people who vote. It’s 2014; it’s time to stop believing that prayer works. Give credit where credit is due and celebrate what this is really about—coming together to cheer on hard-working athletes doing what they do best.

The convention mentioned on the billboard will feature former Vikings punter Chris Kluwe as its keynote speaker.

AFA Radio Host Don Wildmon: I Can Spot Gay Men Because They Walk Like Girls

Child torture advocate Linda Harvey blames Hollywood: "It is definitely pulling people away from a biblical model of manhood and womanhood."

Christian Rapper Creates Response To Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' Same Love

Via the Houston Chronicle:

In light of the success of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis‘ “Same Love” song (which has become something of a gay-rights anthem and Sunday night’s Grammy performance of the track that included the televised marriage of more than 30 homosexual and heterosexual couples) Houston-based Christian rapper Bizzle offers his own response over the same instrumental. Bizzle’s lyrics attempt to refute the comparisons of the gay-rights movement to the civil rights fight of African-Americans and proposes that disagreement on the issue does not equate to hatred of homosexuals. The song is being offered as a free download at his website: GodOverMoney.com.

With a reference to the Crazy Styrofoam Cross Lady.

(Tipped by JMG reader Rob)

Bill Maher To Ask Viewers To Help Him Unseat The Worst Member Of Congress

On tonight's episode of his HBO show, Bill Maher will announced a plan to oust the "worst sitting member of Congress." Via the New York Times:

Mr. Maher and his staff plan to ask viewers to make a case for their individual representatives in the House to be selected as the worst in the country. After some culling and analysis, one member of Congress will be selected, and the show will follow up through November with examples of what it considers terrible work by that representative. Mr. Maher will make occasional visits to that member’s district to perform stand-up and generally stir up hostile feelings toward the show’s target. “This year, we are going to be entering into the exciting world of outright meddling with the political process,” Mr. Maher said in an email message. The project — which the show is calling the “flip the district” campaign — is intended to get real results, said Scott Carter, the show’s executive producer. Among the criteria for selecting a representative, other than some degree of outrageousness in statements or voting record, is that the member be in a truly competitive race. Those running unopposed will not be selected, no matter how egregious the show’s fans may claim them to be. “We want the chance to win,” Mr. Carter said. The choice may be a Republican or a Democrat, though he acknowledged, “with our viewers voting, I imagine it is much more likely we will pick a Republican.”

Oh, WHO to vote for? Louie Gohmert? We can't vote for Crazy Eyes - she's retiring. Let's hear your choices.

The 2014 Ford Canyonero

Source. (Tipped by JMG reader Jeff)

Paging Reince Preibus

Headline Of The Day

The bird's name: Amore. Details. (Tipped by JMG reader Dwight)

Fox News: Most & Least Trusted Network

In a Public Policy Polling survey released today, Fox News tops the list of the most AND least trusted news networks.

35% of Americans say they trust Fox News more than any other TV news outlet, followed by 14% for PBS, 11% for ABC, 10% for CNN, 9% for CBS, 6% each for Comedy Central and MSNBC, and 3% for NBC. It leads the way because of its continuing near total support among Republicans as the place to go for news- 69% of Republicans say it's their most trusted source with nothing else polling above 7%.

Meanwhile Democrats are split between a lot of different outlets when it comes to who they have the most faith in- PBS at 21%, CNN and ABC at 18%, and CBS and MSNBC at 12% all poll in double digits. It's interesting that while Fox News and MSNBC are often thought of as equivalent, Fox News is by far and away the most trusted source of GOP voters while MSNBC is only tied for 4th among Democrats.

Fox News also leads the 'least trusted' list in our annual poll. 33% give it that designation to 19% for MSNBC, 14% for Comedy Central, 11% for CNN, 5% for ABC, 4% for CBS, and 2% each for NBC and PBS. That's largely because 57% of Democrats give it their least trusted designation, with only Comedy Central at 18% also hitting double digits with them. MSNBC leads the way among Republicans at 38%, but CNN at 17% and Comedy Central at 13% both hit double digits as well. It's interesting to note that Republicans seem to hate MSNBC more than Democrats like it.

Breakout details of the survey are here.

NEW YORK CITY: Queer Nation To Protest At Russian Consulate On February 6th

Via press release:

Members of the gay activist group Queer Nation and others who oppose the Russian government’s continued attacks on human rights, including the rights of LGBT Russians, will mark the start of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games with a protest outside the Russian consulate in New York City at noon on February 6. “Gay bashing is not an Olympic sport,” said Scott Wooledge, a member of Queer Nation. “The International Olympic Committee, the Olympic sponsors, including Coke, P&G, and McDonald’s, and the athletes who are competing in Russia have refused to support human rights -- so we will. The Russian government is on notice that the start of the Olympics is not the end of this fight." "Vladimir Putin," Russia’s president, will appear at the protest outside the Russian consulate at 9 E. 91st in Manhattan, where he is expected to desecrate an Olympic flag.

Get updates from the Queer Nation Facebook page.

Reince Preibus: Despite Apology, MSNBC Remains On Probation With The GOP

Via Mediaite:

On Thursday, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus demanded that GOP politicians and committee staffers boycott MSNBC after the network sent out a tweet accusing the “rightwing” of being offended by a commercial featuring a biracial family. On Thursday night, Priebus joined Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity where he lauded MSNBC President Phil Griffin for quickly responding to the controversy. He warned, however, that the network was “on probation.” “In their professed world of tolerance, they’re sure hitting on all eight cylinders of intolerance,” Priebus said of MSNBC. He reveled that he called Griffin personally and left a message asking for an apology and asking for a corrective action.

The SPLC notes that for all his "raaaacist" screams, Preibus had no problem a few weeks ago when he appeared on the radio show of the KKK-affiliated Tony Perkins, who also once spoke before Louisiana's White Citizens Council, which opposes "race mixing" and calls black people "a retrograde species of humanity."

Email Of The Day - Eugene Delgaudio

"Dear Joe, The Homosexual Lobby and their allies in the media have unleashed an attack on my livelihood as a humble public servant. Several newspapers -- including the Washington Post -- have published articles that dredge up the anti-Family Southern Poverty Law Center's dishonest mislabeling of Public Advocate as a 'hate group.'  They want to silence me. And they want to silence the nationwide grassroots network of pro-Family activists that you and I have worked so hard to build over the years. Just like they tried to silence popular television personality Phil Robertson when he made strong comments defending his Christian views on traditional marriage. Please chip in $10 or $20 or even $35 to help Public Advocate stand strong against the Homosexual Lobby. I must admit that sometimes these personal attacks get to me. But when I hear from Public Advocate supporters like you it gives me the courage to redouble my resolve." - Eugene Delgaudio, whose 18th money beg of 2014 does not mention that the above-cited WaPo article reports on this week's order by a court to show cause why he shouldn't be booted from office.

UPDATE: According to this 2010 chart, Loudoun County supervisors have an annual salary of $39,674.  And according to a recent 990 tax filing by Public Advocate, that year Delgaudio pulled in $1,456,511, from which he paid himself $171,606. Where that other $1.2M went is anybody's guess. Yeah, the evil gays are really attacking his livelihood.

HAWAII: Crackpot Rep. Bob McDermott Loses Marriage Equality Challenge (Again)

Hawaii GOP state Rep. Bob McDermott was the undeniable crackpot star of his state's ugly "people's filibuster" against same-sex marriage. And yesterday a state court once again shot down his attempt to overturn the bill.

First Circuit Judge Karl Sakamoto ruled Wednesday that the Hawaii Marriage Equality Act of 2013 is constitutional under both the state and federal constitutions. Hawaii Attorney General David M. Louie issued a statement saying the ruling “unequivocally affirmed the right of people to marry the person they love without regard to gender.” “This is a very good day for the people of Hawaii,” Louie said. Following lengthy sessions, the bill was passed by the state Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Neil Abercrombie in November. A lawsuit challenging the move was filed by Rep. Bob McDermott, a Republican from Oahu, before the bill was even approved.

Unsurprisingly, McDermott plans to appeal.

SWEDEN: 2000 Sing Russian National Anthem In Support Of LGBT Rights

From the clip recap:

2,000 people of the city of Stockholm gathered at the Stockholm Olympic Stadium to show their support to the LGBT people of Russia and to sing the most beautiful national anthem in the world. You can do the same, make your own rainbow version of the song and upload under the hashtag #liveandletlove

Is is a lovely national anthem.

(Tipped by JMG reader Jonas-Olaf)

George Zimmerman, Celebrity Boxer

TMZ has the details:

Now's your chance to kick George Zimmerman's ass with zero legal repercussions -- he just agreed to a celebrity boxing match ... and he says he'll fight ANYONE ... even black people. Celebrity boxing promoter Damon Feldman threw down the challenge, offering George money to step in the ring. Now here's the kicker ... the opponent has NOT been selected. We're told George is open to fighting a black person, but the promoter is not discriminating, telling us "We're not looking at it as a race thing ... We haven't discussed purple, yellow, white, black." Lately George has been more interested in boxing than guns ... regularly training in the ring.

Zimmerman will reportedly donated his cut to charity.

Red Hot Chili Pipers - Wake Me Up

Mother Russia: A Musical Spoof

Clip recap:

Our hilarious rebuttal to Russia's cruel stance on homosexuality ahead of the Olympics! iTunes: Almost! Facebook page. Daniel Jourdan - Director / Producer / Editor. Adam Cohen - Writer / Lyricist / Producer / Voice of Mikhail / Ballet Dancer. Music Written By - Michael Sousa.

"Don't restrict our freedoms cuz my lover is a bear, no kids give a crap about our steamy love affair."

(Via Good As You)

Christian Hate Group Cheers Uganda: Homosexuality Is Worse Than Murder

Brian Tashman writes at Right Wing Watch:

Paul Cameron’s Family Research Institute is upset that Marvin Olasky of the Religious Right-aligned WORLD magazine dared to criticize Uganda’s draconian anti-gay bill, which recently passed parliament but has been blocked by the president, at least for now. In a response on its website, Cameron’s group took issue with Olasky’s claim that the bill is “harsh and unlikely to be effective,” saying that harsh measures are needed to curb homosexuality…just like murder.

From the Family Research Institute:

Homophobia? This propaganda word does not belong in Christian discourse. Dislike of homosexuality, general avoidance of those who practice it, and trying to keep our kids safe from gay predators are hardly ‘problems’ for Christians — it is ‘who we are supposed to be.’ To be sure, we will find ourselves out of tune with Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s “If I go up to heaven and find a homophobic God, I will tell him I prefer the other place.” Similarly, we will find ourselves on the wrong side of President Obama, Hollywood, David Cameron, Bill and Hillary Clinton, the EU, the media, etc. If God calls something wrong but our elite say it’s precious, our marching orders are clear. Laws against murder are harsh and unlikely to be effective (in completely stopping murder). But such laws educate as to what is ‘correct’ and serve as a disincentive to commit murder. Just because we cannot specify how many lives were saved by a particular law hardly means the law was ineffective. Surely the fact that people still commit murder, rape, or theft would not cause Dr. Olasky to label them as “ineffective” and not worth having.

And then we get this:

Homosexuality violates God’s first commandment to ‘be fruitful,’ and is at the very heart of Biblical denunciation of rebellion against God (see Deut 32 and Romans 1). Homosexual lust led to the painful incineration of 26 brave Ugandan Christian boys and young men. It cannot be ignored without substantial intellectual and moral peril. Arguably Christianity’s greatest preacher, John Chrysostom, called it the worst sin, worse even than murder. While every sin in Scripture is not to be carried into public law, if this sin is not, what would Olasky nominate and how would he justify it?

Paul Cameron, lest you forget, is the lunatic whose deranged claim that the average gay man dies at age 42 is regularly parroted by anti-gay hate groups.

Feminists To Honor PA Rep. Brian Sims

Next week openly gay Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims will receive the National Champion Of Choice Award from NARAL Pro-Choice America. Via press release:

"As President Obama said in the State of the Union, when women succeed, America succeeds! As a first-term representative, I am humbled and honored to receive this national award for my defense of women's rights, and I will continue to stand up for those rights and oppose the attacks on them. Women's rights are human rights," Sims said. Sims is strongly pro-choice and attracted national acclaim for his impassioned defense of women's rights during an April 2013 state House debate on legislation that restricts a woman's right to an abortion and access to health care by putting government restrictions on private insurance companies and how women can spend their own money.

Sims has sponsored a Pennsylvania House bill that makes it easier for women to sue for equal pay and benefits. The bill also protects women from retaliation by employers for making such demands. As a member of the Women's Health Caucus, Sims is also backing the outlawing of so-called "revenge porn" - in which jilted partners use social media to post harassing sexual photos of their exes.

VIDEO: Here is the 2013 speech which gained Sims national attention.

JMG Exclusive: 30th Anniversary Remix Of Cyndi Lauper's Classic Time After Time

Sony Music has given JMG the distinct privilege of the exclusive hosting of the Bent Collective Remix of LGBT icon Cyndi Lauper's classic Time After Time, which comes from a brand new package that celebrates the 30th anniversary of the release of She's So Unusual.

Music icon Cyndi Lauper will celebrate the anniversary of her groundbreaking, record-setting debut album with She’s So Unusual: A 30th Anniversary Celebration which will be released through Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, on April 1, 2014 and is available for pre-order on iTunes and Amazon now. The 2-CD deluxe edition will feature the original album, rare demos, live concert recording as well as remixes by some of today’s hottest DJs and producers including NERVO, Bent Collective and Yolanda Be Cool. The collection will also be made available as a solo CD (original remastered album and 3 new remixes) as well as a 1-LP vinyl (includes an insert for download of 3 new remixes).  In addition to rare and never-before-heard recordings, the physical deluxe edition includes an unusual surprise. The collection includes a reusable sticker set, including vinyl cut outs of Lauper’s cutting-edge outfits and accessories that can be arranged in different combinations on a 3D fold-out backdrop of the bedroom featured in her iconic “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” music video. Journalist and author Jancee Dunn, who worked with Lauper on her 2012 New York Times Best Selling autobiography, authored the detailed liner notes.

She's So Unusual spent 65 weeks on Billboard's album Top 40 and sold over 28 million copies worldwide. The first four singles from the album reached the Billboard singles Top 5, including the Grammy-nominated Time After Time, which spent two weeks at #1 in 1984 after its release 30 years ago this week.

GOP Calls For Boycott Of MSNBC, Bans All RNC Staffers From Working With NetworkUPDATE: MSNBC Fires Twitter Staffer, Apologizes For Third Time

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus has issued a call for a boycott of MSNBC over yesterday's tweet which suggested that "right wingers" would hate the biracial family featured in a new Cheerios commercial. The tweet was deleted almost immediately and was followed by two tweeted apologies. Via Breitbart:

"Until you personally and publicly apologize for this behavior, I have banned all RNC staff from appearing on, associating with, or booking any RNC surrogates on MSNBC. I have asked Republican surrogates and officials to follow our lead," Priebus told MSNBC President Phil Griffin in a letter sent today. Priebus also sent a memo to Republican officials and surrogates urging them not to appear on the network until Griffin apologizes. "This is more than just a tweet or an offhand comment. This is part of a pattern of behavior that has gotten markedly worse, and until Phil Griffin personally apologizes and takes corrective action, we cannot be part of this network's toxic programming," Priebus said. "MSNBC hosts---including Alec Baldwin, Martin Bashir, Melissa Harris-Perry, Alex Wagner, and Ronan Farrow just to name a few---have had a troubling streak in the last several weeks of making comments that belittle and demean Americans without furthering any thoughtful dialogue. Perhaps it's time for the executives at MSNBC to consider whether their network is upholding a meaningful journalistic mission," the Wisconsin Republican added.

As I noted in my post about this nonsense earlier today, neither Breitbart nor Preibus seem to remember that General Mills had to block commenting on the last Cheerios commercial because of the thousands of racist comments being made by God's Gentle People. Many of those comments mocked President Obama for being biracial himself.

UPDATE: MSNBC has issued another apology and fired their Twitter person.  From MSNBC president Phil Griffin, here is the apology that was read on the air this afternoon.

“The tweet last night was outrageous and unacceptable. We immediately acknowledged it was offensive and wrong, apologized and deleted it. We have dismissed the person responsible for the tweet. I personally apologize to Mr. Priebus and to everyone offended. At MSNBC, we believe in passionate, strong debate about the issues, and we invite voices from all sides to participate. That will never change. Signed, Phil Griffin.”

West Virginia Marriage Suit Gets OK

Lambda Legal's marriage equality suit against West Virginia has survived motions to dismiss, but with an important stipulation regarding one aspect of the case. Via the Associated Press:

A federal judge ruled this week that most of the lawsuit against the state's ban on same-sex marriage could continue, but said the lawsuit's claim that West Virginia should recognize gay marriages from other states can't proceed without additional plaintiffs. None of the couples named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit has an out-of-state marriage license, so they don't have legal standing to challenge the fact West Virginia won't recognize them, U.S. District Judge Robert C. Chambers said in his order Wednesday.Chambers gave the plaintiffs - three same-sex couples from West Virginia -- until Feb. 12 to amend their complaint. Karen Loewy, an attorney with Lambda Legal, said attorneys are considering whether to add plaintiffs to the case. But she doesn't see how, if West Virginia officials are forced to allow same-sex marriages in their own state, they could continue not to recognize such marriages from other places. "We're probably not inclined to add additional plaintiffs, but we're evaluating it. We feel like we've got the substance of the way those families are harmed already in front of the court," Loewy said.

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, a Republican, is defending the state.

Former NOM Staffer Thomas Peters Fights DC Hospital Over Use Of Walking Machine

As you may recall, nine months ago NOM communications director Thomas Peters was paralyzed from the chest down after a diving accident. Yesterday a Washington DC Fox affiliate reported on Peters' battle for the use of a high-tech machine that might help him walk again.  Hit the link to watch their report. As always, please temper your reactions to stories such as this.

RELATED: In November an online fundraiser for Peters' medical bills raised over $40K and led many to wonder if he had already lost his insurance with NOM. Last month a posting to his recovery blog celebrated his enrollment in a "new health insurance plan," prompting more speculation that the ardent Obamacare opponent had taken advantage of the very system he worked so hard to thwart.

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) To Retire

Staunch progressive and LGBT ally Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), who has a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign, has announced his retirement at the end of this term, his 20th.

During a congressional career that began when Gerald R. Ford was president, Waxman became one of the Democratic Party’s most prolific and savvy legislators, focusing on issues related to healthcare and the environment. He played a central role — sometimes over opposition within his own party — in passing laws that dramatically cut air pollution, helped reduce smoking, expanded Medicaid coverage for the poor, reduced pesticides in food, made generic drugs more widely available, helped AIDS patients, promoted the development of drugs for rare diseases and improved federal regulation of nursing homes. Among his legislative victories was the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which he helped write and push through the House. Passage of the law fulfilled “one of my lifelong dreams” by guaranteeing access to healthcare coverage for Americans, he said.

Waxman has long been the whipping boy for the Tea Party, primarily due to his advocacy for the environment and his vehement opposition to the death penalty. We thank him for his service.

Potpourri Of Pearls - Sochi 2014

From the download site:

Sochi (sô′chĭ) n. A delightful anus v. To do butt sex With our new release, SOCHI, we infiltrate internationally sanctioned homophobia by redefining the very site of the 2014 Olympics. Sochi is no longer the location of the 2014 Olympics; it is a gay club banger about doing it in the butt. Humorous, sexy and..... dangerous?

Featuring the legendary Justin Bond. Not office friendly.

(Via Towleroad)

UPDATE: Dan Savage weighs in. "Someone on Twitter suggested that Sochi might be Russian for santorum. I think Potpourri of Pearls has a better idea."

National Marriage Week USA Is Coming

Via press release from the anti-gay Manhattan Declaration:

Dear Friends of Marriage, Here’s a vibrant opportunity for you to turn the tide of public thinking and behavior about marriage! National Marriage Week USA (Feb. 7-14) provides a positive way to actually help reverse the alarming decline of marriage in your church or your town during the week leading up to Valentine’s Day. WHAT CAN YOU DO? You can ask your clergy to preach and teach about marriage on Sunday, February 9th, and use the week to gather a new team who would bring a Sunday School marriage class or home group to your church or town—even host a special speaker or class at a YMCA or public library, a great way to reach out to your community!

Signees of the Manhattan Declaration vow to disobey LGBT rights laws. The number of signees stalled at around 500,000 about two years ago. Since then the site does not list a number.

RUSSIA: Gay Activist To Sue Actor Ivan "Burn Gays Alive" Okhlobystin

A Russian gay activist says he will sue actor and former Orthodox priest Ivan Okhlobystin, who earned international headlines for saying that he'd like to burn all gays alive in ovens. Via Russia's official news agency, RIA Novosti:

Nikolai Bayev said in a post on his Facebook account Wednesday that he did not expect his suit against Ivan Okhlobystin to succeed in Russia, but that he hopes to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights. Bayev seeks 30,000 rubles ($850) in damages, his lawyer Andrey Zaytsev said. Okhlobystin reacted in typically combative fashion on Twitter. “The very existence of the lawsuit offends my religious sentiment,” Okhlobystin wrote. Offending the feelings of believers has since June been made a criminal offense in Russia, punishable by up to three years in prison. Okhlobystin, 47, was embroiled in scandal last month after saying during a chat with fans that he would “put [gays] all alive in the oven… it’s a living danger to my children.” The actor refused to apologize and later petitioned the Kremlin to ban “sodomy.” No response followed. He was sacked as creative director of Yevroset mobile phone retailer over his gay-bashing. But Okhlobystin got a similar job at clothes maker Baon within days.

Bayev said he is also asking local authorities to charge Okhobystin under Russia's "vaguely worded" extremism law, which is usually used against Islamist and far-right nationalists. The above-linked story does not make it clear, but it appears that the lawsuit was filed on the grounds of Russia's law against "offending religious beliefs."

Today In Russia...

Via Memeographs.

TMZ: "Camera-Whoring" Pols Kept Jason Collins From Meeting Willie Robertson

TMZ talked to Jason Collins about his experience at the State Of The Union address.

"Duck Dynasty" star Willie Robertson was less than 20 feet away from Jason Collins during the State of the Union, and Jason says he might have reached across the aisle to him ... if not for all the camera-whoring Congressmen. Jason -- the first NBA player to come out -- was First Lady Michelle Obama's guest in D.C. ... and says, "They were moving [Robertson] from one Republican to another Republican" all night. And Jason says the seemingly impossible -- the guy whose family patriarch said gays are gonna burn in Hell meeting America's new gay icon -- could have happened if not for all the photos and glad-handing Robertson had to do. "We passed each other in the hall, and that was about it." So, how did Jason see a conversation between himself and Willie going down? Watch the clip. We think he's very ... optimistic.

Hit the link for the video.

WaPo-ABC 2016 Poll: Hillary By 61 Points

A WaPo-ABC poll released today shows Hillary Clinton leading other possible 2016 Democratic primary candidates by 61 points and higher. Poll watchers say this is the largest such lead ever seen at this distance from the election. Some Democrats are getting louder in their demand that Clinton officially state her intent as the window to properly organize behind other potential candidates gets smaller. The poll also shows Clinton leading Chris Christie by 53-41 in a head-to-head match-up. Christie's popularly has sagged in recent weeks due to the ongoing scandals in New Jersey.

Jeb Bush On 2016: I'm Still Thinking

"I don't wake up each day saying, 'What am I going to do today to make this decision?' I'm deferring the decision to the right time, which is later this year. And the decision will be based on 'can I do it joyfully' because I think we need to have candidates lift our spirits. It's a pretty pessimistic country right now. And, is it right for my family? She [Barbara Bush] promised me she wouldn't keep saying this. But she is 89 years old and if you have elderly parents or grandparents, you know they speak their mind. There is not much stopping between thinking and speaking. I love her." -  Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, responding this morning to his mother's comment about "family dynasties" dominating the White House.

Tweet Of The Day - George Takei

(Tipped by JMG reader Birdie)

Author Of Revoked Oscar-Nominated Song Tells Christian TV: I Did Nothing Wrong

INDIANA: Marriage Ban Bill Assigned To State Senate Rules Committee

Republicans outnumber Democrats on the Rules Committee by 8-4. Long is the committee's chair and the state Senate's president.

Seattle's Gay Mayor On Nightclub Arson: Let The Police Do Their Job

"Less than an hour after I officially became Seattle's first gay mayor, there was an arson at Seattle's oldest gay nightclub with a potential for considerable loss of life. I am not just invested as the chief law enforcement officer of this city in bringing this case to justice, I am personally invested. But we also need to let our law enforcement professionals do their job, which they are doing with utmost diligence, caution, and concern for public safety. In the end, we want a conviction, and I'm asking for patience on the part of the public." - Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, responding to the public demands for action after a local man was identified as possibly being the arsonist in a New Year's Eve fire at a packed gay nightclub. The suspect has not been arrested.

Unconscious Skydiver Rescued Mid-Air

The video is from the unconscious man's helmet-cam.

MSNBC Tweet Draws Fire From The Right

Yesterday MSNBC posted the above tweet, immediately drawing scorn from Twitter's wingnuts, who then issued the usual "race baiting" nonsense. I guess they forgot the deluge of racism that followed Cheerios' last commercial, which forced General Mills to suspend YouTube commenting on the clip.  MSNBC has deleted the tweet and issued an apology.

NEW ZEALAND: Parliament Unanimously Passes Resolution Slamming Russia

Via the New Zealand Herald:

Parliament has unanimously passed a motion in support of gay rights in Russia ahead of the Winter Olympics. Green MP Jan Logie moved that "the House wish our athletes competing in the Winter Olympics in Sochi well, and note Russia's recent passing of anti homosexual legislation, and ask the New Zealand Government to urge other governments and the Winter Olympics Organising Committee to protect the rights of all people in Russia regardless of their sexual orientation." Russia's anti-gay legislation has drawn severe criticism from international leaders, athletes and rights activists ahead of the Games, which begin on February 7. Gay New Zealand speed skater Blake Skjellerup said last week he would not compete at next month's Games.

MP Logie says that New Zealand is the first national government to make such a statement. (Tipped by JMG reader NZArtist)

Bristol Palin Attacks Wendy Davis

"Gosh, children are sooo inconvenient, huh? I’m glad my mother didn’t put motherhood on the shelf when she was elected to City Council, then became our mayor, then Governor. Oh sorry – I mentioned my mother… Have you liberals gone into a tail spin of hate already? Did I lose you? I know you would rather think about Wendy Davis, so let’s get back to her. She’s more your type of woman. She left her kid, husband, made it into a false 'made-for-tv-movie-type-tale' and then demanded that Texans have the right to kill babies. That’s the woman you libs can really get behind! Let me be clear. I think it’d be so nice to have a husband take care of me, and my son, so I could attend school. (Any school — let alone, Harvard!) But the way Wendy Davis did it – by getting married and leaving him as soon as the ink dried on his last check – is downright pathetic. Plus, it perfectly shows that – no matter what they say – feminism is a farce. If you truly believe in strong, independent women, you’d be a conservative." - Failed reality show contestant Bristol Palin, writing for Patheos. (Tipped by JMG reader Dan)

Atlanta Roiled By Ice Storm Blame Game

UK: It's Raining Men Re-Enters Pop Chart

Earlier this month a member of Britain's far-right UKIP party declared that God was flooding the country in anger over the legalization of same-sex marriage. That prompted a Facebook campaign to push It's Raining Men to #1 on the singles chart more than 30 years after its release. The Guardian reports that might happen:

Three decades after its original release, It's Raining Men sits at No 21 on the midweek singles chart, now less than 40 copies from entering No 20, according to the Official Charts Company. This is a meteoric rise for a campaign launched just over a week ago, and around 15,000 supporters have registered on the crusade's Facebook page. Yesterday, Jeremy Joseph, owner of the London nightclub G-A-Y, pledged a £1,000 donation to the Elton John Aids Foundation if the song cracks the end-of-week Top 20. This month's It's Raining Men campaign has the full support of Martha Wash, the sole surviving member of the original Weather Girls, who has been promoting the cause on Twitter. While Geri Halliwell's version of the song debuted at No 1 in 2001, the disco original only ever reached No 2.

(Tipped by JMG reader Wayne)

UTAH: Tenth Circuit Court Sets Oral Arguments In Marriage Case For April 10th

Via the Salt Lake Tribune:

On Wednesday, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals announced oral arguments in the state’s appeal will take place April 10. The case will be decided by a panel of three judges, who will be randomly assigned about 10 days before the hearing. The 10th Circuit has agreed to let the same panel handle an appeal from Oklahoma, where a lower court struck down a similar ban on same-sex marriage. The court also will allow amicus briefs to be filed jointly in the Utah and Oklahoma cases. The appellate court has set an expedited briefing schedule for Oklahoma, with the last filings due April 7. The last filings in the Utah case are due March 4.

In related news, the above-linked article also notes that the ACLU's suit to force Utah to recognize the existing 1200+ marriages has been moved from state court to a federal district court.

Academy Yanks Oscar Nom For Christian Movie Over Shady Campaigning

Two weeks ago we puzzled over the Academy Award nomination for a song from a virtually unknown Christian movie that had only played a few shows in Los Angeles in order to qualify. Today the Academy yanked that nomination over shady campaigning by the songwriter. From their press release:

On Tuesday night, the Academy’s Board of Governors voted to rescind the Original Song nomination for “Alone Yet Not Alone,” music by Bruce Broughton and lyric by Dennis Spiegel. The decision was prompted by the discovery that Broughton, a former Governor and current Music Branch executive committee member, had emailed members of the branch to make them aware of his submission during the nominations voting period. “No matter how well-intentioned the communication, using one’s position as a former governor and current executive committee member to personally promote one’s own Oscar submission creates the appearance of an unfair advantage,” said Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Academy President.

In 1985 Boughton, who has won ten Emmys, got a Best Original Score nomination for Silverado. The Oscar that year went to John Barry for Out Of Africa.  (Tipped by JMG readers Jerry and Ricardo)