Saturday, August 16, 2014

Garfunkel & Oates - Rainbow Connection

Quite the touching departure for this comedy duo.

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Perkins Praises Pennsylvania Bakery

"At Pennsylvania's Cake Pros shop, they're pros at more than baking. Lorraine Fleming knew the day might come when she'd have to stand up for her beliefs on marriage. And this month, it did. Like the bridal shop just a few hours down the road, Cake Pros was the target of an underground movement to expose and torment businesses with a moral view on marriage. A lesbian couple put Lorraine's shop in the crosshairs, openly asking for a cake for their same-sex ceremony. Lorraine prayed about it for days but finally came to the conclusion that she couldn't, in good conscience, accept the order. One of the young women said she got a call from the shop to explain 'that they were a Christian bakery, and the owner talked to Jesus for two weeks. And because it was two females getting married, she couldn't bake our cake.'

"The brides, Jennifer and Bethany, took to Facebook to vent, publicly ripping the shop. Now, Lorraine says, her employees can't walk outside without being harassed. Still, she insists, 'I'm sorry for the damage that has been done as far as hurt feelings. (But) I'm not sorry for my decision, and I feel strong. I know that I'm doing the right thing.' Good for her! Like W.W. Bridal Boutique, Masterpiece Cakes, and Sweet Cakes by Melissa, Lorraine knows that the only way to stop bullies is standing up to them. In the Left's mind, surrendering your beliefs is just the price of doing business. But as far as most Americans are concerned, it's a price no business should have to pay. When asked, more than 80% said wedding vendors should be able to turn down same-sex 'wedding' requests. In the meantime, thank goodness for Christians like Lorraine. She may bake cakes, but she's not about to sugar-coat her convictions!" - KKK-affiliated hate group leader Tony Perkins, via press release.

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Ricky Loved Madonna

Gentle readers, today is Madonna's 56th birthday. Below is a short story that first appeared on JMG on this day in 2006, a date which, as you'll see, plays a role in the story.


Ricky Loved Madonna

Twenty years ago today, August 16th 1986, I was a few months into a new job with AMC Theatres, a position that I would hold for seven years after having spent a few years after college drifting around bartending and DJing. After burning through three DJ gigs in about a year, I took the management job with AMC almost in desperation, happy to finally have a regular paycheck. I bought my first brand new car. I had several dozen underlings. I had a business card. I felt like a grown-up, almost.

Twenty years ago today, it was a Saturday. As the assistant manager, I had to be at the theater at 10am even though I had closed the midnight shows the night before, not getting home until almost 4am. I stumbled through the still-unfamiliar opening procedures. My mind was on Ricky. I took the cash drawers out to the concession stand and the box office and turned on the air conditioners and lights in all the auditoriums. The first movie, a Disney cartoon, started at 11:30am and we had hundreds of people in front of the box office before I even rolled up the mall gates.

Twenty years ago today, the night before was a Friday. It was the opening night of the remake of The Fly starring Jeff Goldblum. My six-plex was jamming. The Fly sold out at every show, driving the overflow audiences into Top Gun and Aliens, which were still doing decent business on their own. All six auditoriums sold out by 8pm and I rushed to get that show's money counted before the first of the auditoriums began to let out and we had to start the process all over again. I pushed into the counting room inside the manager's office and dumped several thousand in $20s onto the countertop.

The intercom buzzed.

"Mr. J., there's a man here to see you."

In the lobby was my friend Todd. "Joe, I'm on my way to see Ricky. Can you come? He's worse."

I looked out into the mall where hundreds of teenagers milled around in front of closed storefronts. The Interstate Mall was on its last legs. All that was left within view was the theater, a pinball arcade, an adult novelty shop, and the driver's license bureau, which was closed at that hour. The teens roamed the broad unswept avenue of the mall in swirling, shrieking packs, anxious for the late show to begin.

I shook my head. "Todd, I'm the only one here. I have the late show and then the midnights. The last movie doesn't let out until almost 3am. I have to lock up." Todd nodded and made a move like he was going to hug me, then realized that a dozen of my employees were watching. Awkwardly, he stuck out his hand as if that's what he'd intended all along. I shook it and he left. I had never shaken Todd's hand before.

Twenty years ago today, one week earlier, Ricky went into the hospital. He'd had a seizure on the bathroom floor of his sister's condo. Todd and I went to the hospital the next day and found him lying unconscious in his bed, unattended, in a pool of feces. Todd staggered into the hallway and tried to control his retching while I looked for a nurse. At the nurses' station, the stout Jamaican woman behind the counter nodded curtly but didn't get out of her chair when I asked that Ricky receive some attention. I went back to find Todd sitting out in the lounge.

"Joe, I can't be here. I'm freaking out. Do you know we walked right in there without a mask on?"

"I think the mask is more for him than us....so if..."

"I have to go."

At Todd's insistence we stopped at the Burger King a few blocks away and washed our hands. Even though we hadn't touched Ricky or anything but the door of his hospital room, we scrubbed the front and backs of our hands like we'd seen surgeons do on television.

Twenty years ago today, two weeks earlier, Todd and I dropped in at Ricky's sister's condo. Ricky had been forced to move in with her. He'd lost his job at the giant hotel near Disney where he'd been training to be a pastry chef. For a long time he'd managed to keep his illness a secret, wearing long shirts even in the hot kitchen so that nobody saw the purple lesions that were marching inexorably from his elbows to his wrists. A lesion appeared on the back of his hand and that one he covered with make-up, but when one appeared right on the tip of his nose, the head chef and head of human resources had called him in on his day off to fire him. Surely he understood, they told him, that they couldn't have him handling food

When Ricky's sister opened the door, she made a face. "He's not feeling well." She'd already made it clear to Todd on his previous visit that she did not like her brother's "friends." Todd said quickly, "Oh, well, we just wanted to drop off a present for him." I had Madonna's latest release, True Blue, on CD in a sparkly bag. We knew that he'd gotten the vinyl album earlier in the summer, but since he was such a big fan, we knew he'd like to have the CD version too.

His sister led us into the bedroom where we found Ricky shrouded in blankets and watching television. He was cranky and inattentive to us, but momentarily brightened when we gave him the CD. He examined the cover. "It's the same as the album, just smaller." He didn't have a player, hardly anyone did yet, so he laid the longbox reverently on his nightstand, propped against the lamp. His sister hovered in the doorway, smoking, anxious for our departure, and we soon obliged her.

Twenty years ago today, three months earlier, I met Ricky for the first time at a party thrown by Todd. I'd heard from Todd that Ricky was "sick," as we nervously called it back then, but he seemed fine to me. We stood outside on the patio and watched guys jumping into the pool.

Ricky said, "So what do you do, Joe?"

I said, "Well I just started working for AMC Theatres."

Ricky screamed a little bit. "Which ONE?"

I stepped back. "Interstate Six, why?"

"Because I am in there ALL the time. I saw At Close Range about five times just to hear Madonna's song in it!"

"She wasn't in the movie, was she?"

"No, but I'm just a freak for her." He paused, then added dramatically, "We have the same birthday!"

"Oh....really." I began to look around for Todd.

Ricky began to get very animated and his words tumbled out. "Yes. Same day, same year. I was born exactly at midnight and my mother always said I could have August 15 or August 16 for my birthday - it was my choice - and for the longest time I had it on August 15 cuz that's Julia Child's birthday and she's a chef and I wanted to be chef and so she was my idol when I was little. Such a fag, right? Anyway, when Madonna came out and I found out her birthday, I was all...that's IT. I'm August 16 from now on!"

Ricky continued professing his undying love for Madonna until I was finally able to make a graceful escape. Later, Todd told me that Ricky had dressed as Madonna for the previous Halloween and belonged to her mail-order fan club and we laughed a little bit at his adorably nutty fandom.

Twenty years ago today, August 16th 1986, it was a Saturday. The theater had brisk business for the morning show, selling out the Disney movie. After all the houses were rolling, I pulled the money from the box office and sat alone in the office to count it. I turned on the radio so I could hear Casey Kasem counting down the Top 40.

Todd called. "Well, the hospital just told me Ricky died around midnight last night."

"Oh, no. Did you get in to see him...before.....?"

"No, his sister and mother were there, so I just left without going in."

"Right." That's how it often went back then.

Todd hung up and I sat there finishing up my money counting. I didn't know how to feel. I really couldn't call Ricky a friend. I had to count and recount the money several times, I kept losing my place. Then I heard Casey Kasem say, "Hitting number one today is Madonna with Papa Don't Preach."

I called Todd back. "So, did they give you a time of death for Ricky?"

"Yeah, midnight."

"Right, but is that today or yesterday?"

"What?"

"Well, today is his birthday and it's Madonna's birthday and I just heard that she's number one today...and.....it would be, you know, sorta nice if it was today."

"What the fuck is nice about dying on your BIRTHDAY?"

We never talked about it again. I never did find out what day was listed for Ricky's death. As the years went on and Madonna's fame increased, the press began to note her birthday. And ever since that started, I think of Ricky on August 16th. I never knew Ricky's last name. He wasn't a close friend. But he has stuck with me over these two decades.

Twenty years ago today, Ricky, aged 28, died on his birthday. I will always hope that it was his August 16th birthday. Ricky loved Madonna.

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Friday, August 15, 2014

TEXAS: Gov. Rick Perry Indicted On Two Felony Charges Of Abuses Of Power

Via the Houston Chronicle:
A grand jury indicted Gov. Rick Perry on two counts of Friday, accusing him of abusing his veto power by threatening to withhold funding from the Travis County's public corruption unit if the district attorney did not resign following her drunken driving arrest. The Travis County grand jury, led by special prosecutor Mike McCrum, indicted Perry on one count of abuse of official capacity, a first-degree felony, and coercion of a public servant, a third-degree felony. The punishment range for the first count is 5 to 99 years in prison and on the second count, 2 to 10 years in prison,McCrum said.

"I'm ready to go forward," McCrum said. Asked about the effect on Perry carrying out his duties or eyeing higher office, McCrum said, "I took into account we're talking about the governor of a state... When it gets down to it, the law is the law." Grand jurors for months have been looking into whether Perry violated the law last year when he said he'd kill funding for the Travis County district attorney's public corruption division unless District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg resigned after a messy drunken-driving arrest.

Perry carried through on the veto threat when Lehmberg stayed on the job. Austin watchdog group Texans for Public Justice filed a complaint with prosecutors last year over Perry's threat. The group, which tracks money in politics, contended that with the threat, Perry violated laws against coercion of a public servant, abuse of official capacity, official oppression and, potentially, bribery.
The Texas Observer has posted a fascinating dissection of the scandal. Highly recommended to understand the full backstory.

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Al Gore Sues Al Jazeera America

Former Vice President Al Gore has filed a breach of contract suit against Al Jazeera America, alleging that the network is withholding $65M owed from the sale of Current TV. Note the name of Gore's attorney.
“Al Jazeera America wants to give itself a discount on the purchase price that was agreed to nearly two years ago,” Gore’s lawyer David Boies said in a statement. “We are asking the court to order Al-Jazeera America to stop wrongfully withholding the escrow funds that belong to Current’s former shareholders.” Boies said the full complaint was sealed at the request of Al Jazeera but that Gore and his business partner Joel Hyatt believe it should be made public. In the case summary from court documents, Gore and Hyatt allege fraud and breach of contract. “Rather than return the $65 million remaining in the escrow, as it was obligated to do, defendant, on June 27, 2014, submitted five claim certificates through which it attempts to manufacture several ways to retain all of the escrow balance for itself in express violation of the merger agreement,” said the summary.
Boies also represented Gore in 2000's Bush V Gore, which gave us Dubya's first term. The winning attorney in that case, of course, was Ted Olson.

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Media Matters: Right Wing Rodeo

"The week's worst moments in conservative media."

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HOUSTON: Judge OK's LGBT Rights Bill,
Issue Won't Be On November Ballot,
Haters Get January Court Date

This afternoon a Texas district court judge lifted the temporary restraining order on Houston's equal rights ordinance and set a January court date for a trial regarding the validation of the repeal signatures. The issue will NOT be on the November ballot, much to the sadz of Texas Values leader Jonathan Saenz.
UPDATE: But wait, there's more.
Also Friday, Houston's 14th Court of Appeals denied a separate request from opponents to force the city secretary to certify the signatures on their petition and trigger a referendum. A three-judge panel ruled that the emergency writ of mandamus plaintiffs sought would have the same result as a favorable ruling in their pending lawsuit that went before Schaffer's court Friday. The plaintiffs, the judges wrote, could appeal after a ruling comes down at the trial court level. Opponents filed the state district lawsuit last week after Mayor Annise Parker and City Attorney David Feldman announced foes had not gathered enough valid signatures to send the issue to voters. City Secretary Anna Russell initially counted enough signatures to send the issue to the ballot, with about 600 more than the required 17,269 signatures. Feldman then looked through all of the petition pages to see if those who gathered signatures met city charter requirements -- that they were registered Houston voters and signed off each page, for instance. That process disqualified more than half the group's 5,199 pages. In their suit, opponents claimed Russell's original count should be the most important one and alleged Feldman had illegally inserted himself into the process.

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Where The Bears Are, Season 3, Ep. 2

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HomoQuotable - Robert Hanson

"Performing my best means bringing my authentic self to work, every day. Unlike others, I’ve always had a supportive family and terrific friends and champions. I also have the benefit of my geography (a coastal city), my gender (male) and my ethnicity (white). While I’ve worked very hard, I recognize how fortunate I am. I often meet other gay people in business…as well as women and people of color who also remain underrepresented in senior roles…who are extraordinarily gifted, yet have not had the same opportunities. Sexual orientation can remain hidden, unlike gender or ethnicity, regardless of the public profile with which one lives. To understand why other executives directly or tacitly hide their sexual orientation, it’s helpful to consider the paths that lead them there. Remaining closeted is not, in most cases, due to a lack of courage, authenticity or integrity. This is their conundrum: They’ve been hired primarily to drive performance and deliver returns; but they are also supposed to serve as champions and role models for a wide swath of people, and do not want their sexual orientation to overwhelm or distract from their impact and tenure. The reason it might? History."  - John Hardy CEO Robert Hanson, in a TIME essay in response to recent media attention to the paucity of openly gay CEOs. Hanson is the former global brand director for Levi's. (Tipped by JMG reader Robert)

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UTAH: Facebook Donates $10K To The Campaign Of Anti-Gay AG Sean Reyes

Q Salt Lake reports:
According to disclosures filed with the Utah Lieutenant Governor’s office, Facebook, Inc. donated $10,000 to the campaign of Attorney General Sean Reyes on May 13, 2014. Facebook, according to its “diversity” page, “values the impact that every individual can have. We are dedicated to creating an environment where people can be their authentic selves and share their diverse backgrounds, experiences, perspectives and ideas.” When asked about the donation to the person who has arguably become the face of legal opposition to marriage equality in America, a Facebook spokesperson responded with: “Facebook has a strong record on LGBT issues and that will not change, but we make decisions about which candidates to support based on the entire portfolio of issues important to our business, not just one. A contribution to a candidate does not mean that we agree with every policy or position that candidate takes. We made this donation for the same reason we’ve donated to Attorneys General on the opposite side of this issue – because they are committed to fostering innovation and an open Internet.”
Earlier this month Reyes filed the first same-sex marriage overturn appeal with US Supreme Court. A petition which demands that Facebook retract its support for the Reyes campaign has been launched.

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NEW JERSEY: Federal Suit Filed Against Grindr Over "Lax" Age Verifications

A New Jersey man has filed a federal lawsuit against Grindr, alleging that the hook-up site's lax age verification standards resulted in his arrest for having sex with an underage boy.
In his suit, William Saponaro Jr., of Cape May, N.J., says he was invited June 21, 2012, to have sex with two other males who had met over Grindr, a mobile phone app geared toward gay men. A week later, according to the suit, Saponaro learned that one of them was only 13 years old. He was arrested and charged with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, and faces up to 20 years in prison. Saponaro filed suit against Grindr in Cape May County Superior Court on June 19 and, on July 17, lawyers for the Los Angeles company removed the case to Camden, N.J., federal court. On Aug. 8, Grindr moved to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.

According to the suit, the 13-year-old was allowed to become a paying member of Grindr even though the site restricts access for persons under age 18, or 21 in places where 18 is not the age of majority. Saponaro claims in the suit that the other adult who took part in the liaison told him he met the third participant on Grindr. Instead of verifying the minor's age himself, Saponaro said, he relied on the other adult's representation and the fact that the third participant had a Grindr account to ensure he was over 18. Saponaro's suit alleges Grindr was negligent for failing to ensure that its members are over the age of majority and for negligently training its employees, agents and representatives. The suit claims the company's negligence was the proximate cause of Saponaro's arrest.
Grindr's motion to dismiss cites the Communications Decency Act, which they claim immunizes companies from bad acts resulting from misinformation provided by other parties. They additionally claim that the Third Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that it is "not feasible" for web publishers to verify the age of users. The plaintiff claims that he "reasonably believed" the boy was 18 years old, which stretches credulity to my mind.

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Dark Dungeons, Episode One

Based on the Chick tract about the dangers of playing Dungeons & Dragons. One of the first lines: "I am excited to announce that this year more people have decided to become homosexuals than ever before in history."

(Via Christian Nightmares)

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VIRGINIA: Chief Justice John Roberts Sets Monday 5PM Deadline For Stay Response

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who has jurisdiction over the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, today set a deadline of Monday 5PM for attorneys for the Virginia plaintiffs to respond to yesterday's stay demand by the Alliance Defending Freedom. Should Roberts reject the stay demand, same-sex marriages would commence on Thursday at 8AM. (Tipped by JMG reader ArchiLaw)

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Viral Video Of The Day

No set up needed. Language is very not work-friendly.

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MISSISSIPPI: Tea Party Leader Prays For God To Be "Violent" Against The GOP

Via the Jackson Free Press:
At the beginning of the meeting, just after asking God in the opening prayer to "be violent against" the GOP establishment, Mississippi Tea Party Chairman Roy Nicholson thanked [right wing journalist Charles] Johnson for getting "down in that dirty, muddy trench and exposing a lot of truth" in Mississippi politics. Coming from California, Johnson made a splash in Mississippi this election cycle with the launch of his online news outlet, GotNews.com, which exposed the allegedly corrupt election practices of the Cochran-McDaniel U.S. Senate race. Only, he didn't just cover the controversy, he became it. By paying a Meridian preacher for text messages possibly implicating Sen. Thad Cochran's campaign staffers in a vote-buying scheme, Johnson made the public and other media question his journalistic integrity.
(Via Alan Colmes)

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Missouri Police Release Name Of Shooter

Via PBS NewsHour:
Police announced Friday morning that Darren Wilson is the officer who is being investigated in the shooting of Micahel Brown. In a halting and sometimes disorganized statement, Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson announced that his department was releasing details of a strong-arm robbery that had occurred in the area prior to the shooting of Michael Brown. Police were responding to a 911 call about the robbery when they encountered Mr. Brown. No details about the officer’s or Mr. Brown’s actions were released during the press conference. Packets containing some information requested by the press through FOIA were distributed at the statement.

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BRITAIN: Pop Legend Sir Cliff Richard Investigated On Child Molestation Claims

Via the Independent:
Detectives are making arrangements to interview Sir Cliff Richard following a search of his £3.1m penthouse apartment over an alleged sex crime against a boy at an evangelist event at a Sheffield stadium in 1985. Sir Cliff, 73, who is currently in Portugal, has been told through his lawyers of the request to meet police. The pop star described the allegation made against him, dating back to an appearance by the American evangelist Billy Graham at Bramall Lane, as “completely false”. In a statement, Sir Cliff said he had previously chosen not to acknowledge the allegation, which had been circulating for months online. He had not been pre-warned of the operation by South Yorkshire police at his penthouse on a private estate in Berkshire and is currently in Portugal, where he has a home. His lawyers contacted the police when they first learned of the search.
Richard has never married and has repeatedly denied rumors that he is gay.

RELATED: With 14 hits reaching #1, Richard is the third-greatest selling singles artist in British history (behind the Beatles and Elvis) and is the only act to have scored a #1 UK pop single in five consecutive decades. He's been far less successful in the US and is best known here for the 70s top ten hits Devil Woman and We Don't Talk Anymore.

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BRITAIN: Scott Lively Debates Newly Out Christian Singer Vicky Beeching

Via Pink News:
US pastor Scott Lively, who believes gay people can be ‘cured’, came to blows with lesbian Christian rock star Vicky Beeching yesterday (14 August). He told her she had ‘given into a lie’ into believing there is any such thing as a ‘gay person’. Beeching, a British theologian and musician who made her name in the US Bible Belt and came out this week, said she wants to become an advocate for gay rights within the church. But Lively has called on Beeching to not succumb to the ‘temptations of the flesh’ and repent her ‘sins’. The pastor, on trial for crimes against humanity for advising the Uganda government on drafting their anti-gay law, continued urging her to shrug of the ‘identity’ she has ‘adopted’. When he asked her whether she cared what ‘God thinks’, she said: ‘I do and that actually why I am taking this step today so young people don’t have to listen to the kind of teaching you peddle, because it damages people.’
The clip below opens with some background on Beeching. Lively joins via Skype at 7:30. Beeching handles herself admirably.

(Tipped by JMG reader Tom)

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Mat Staver: Not Fighting Gay Marriage Is Like Not Fighting The Holocaust

"I think from the political right, the Republicans and so forth, those that are Republican elected officials state and federal, those who remain silent will ultimately be held accountable just as much as Democrats who advocate to the contrary. This is not an issue in which you can remain silent any more than you can remain silent during Nazi Germany. That was a moral issue, it was not defined by geography, there was a moral imperative there of the dignity of the human being, you can’t remain silent there and expect no consequences. Nor can you remain silent or advocate to the contrary with regards to the undermining of marriage as a union of a man and a woman." -Liberty Counsel president Mat Staver, speaking on Christian radio.

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CALIFORNIA: Senate Shelves Bill To Mandate Condom Use In Porn Statewide

In November 2012, Los Angeles County voters approved a bill that mandates the use of condoms in all local porn productions. The bill's passage resulted in a 90% decline in porn production permit applications in the county. Yesterday the California state Senate killed a bill that would have expanded that mandate statewide.
The measure, set aside by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, would have required the filmmakers to produce documentation showing condoms were used if a complaint was filed with the state. The appropriations panel’s decision came the same day that the committee boosted a proposed tax credit for Hollywood studios to $400 million a year, four times the current level, to stem the flight of film and TV production to other states. “It is unfortunate that some legislators don’t believe that protection should include keeping California actors safe while they are at work,” said Assemblyman Isadore Hall, a Los Angeles Democrat and the bill’s sponsor. The U.S. adult film industry produces 4,000 to 11,000 films a year, employing as many as 1,500 workers in Los Angeles, according to a legislative analysis. The films generate $9 billion to $13 billion a year in gross revenue, according to the report.
The bill had the backing of the controversial AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which also vigorously opposes the use of Truvada as a daily HIV preventive.

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NORTH CAROLINA: ACLU Asks Court To Act Swiftly On Same-Sex Marriage Ban

Via the Associated Press:
Gay marriage advocates want a federal judge to quickly overturn North Carolina's ban on same-sex unions after an appeals court ruling to overturn a similar prohibition in Virginia. Federal Judge William Osteen in Greensboro has put no timeline on when he might rule over whether North Carolina's same-sex marriage ban can stay in place. The American Civil Liberties Union says in a new court filing the judge should quickly overturn North Carolina's ban since the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last month that Virginia's similar marriage ban is unconstitutional.
North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper has said that he is dropping his defense of the ban. (Tipped by JMG reader Amber)

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Help Sought In San Francisco Murder

My post about the crime is here. Find more information at Stop The Violence.

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New Yorkers Protest Missouri Shooting

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Thursday, August 14, 2014

Brian Brown To SCOTUS: Grant The Stay Demanded By Our Fellow Hate Group

"We urge the Supreme Court to grant Prince William County Clerk Michèle McQuigg's request for a stay of the decision in Bostic v. Schaefer while the matter is appealed. The 4th Circuit has wrongly rejected the request for a stay, and now it lies with the Justices in Washington to ensure that this case can be appealed in an orderly and reasonable fashion without the spectacle of premature same-sex ‘marriages’ filling the news as an affront to the people of Virginia who voted overwhelmingly to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. As the Court stayed a similar decision in the case coming out of Utah, we urge them to find the same good reasons for staying the present decision, maintaining the dignity and credibility of the judicial process and giving the people of Virginia the respect they deserve to defend their vote for marriage before our highest court." - Hate group leader Brian Brown, in a posting on NOM's blog.

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Alliance Defending Freedom Formally Files Fourth Circuit Stay Demand With SCOTUS

Late this afternoon the virulently anti-gay Alliance Defending Freedom formally filed their demand that the US Supreme Court stay the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that overturned Virginia's ban on same-sex marriage. According to their stay demand, which was filed on behalf of the clerk of Prince William County, there is a "fair prospect" that SCOTUS will overturn the Fourth Circuit and therefore no marriages should take place until that happens. Or else there will be "irreparable harm." Hit the link from Equality Case Files and dig in to the arguments. If SCOTUS does not act on this demand, marriages would commence next Thursday at 8AM.

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CLEVELAND: 99 Year-Old Runner Ida Keeling Sets Record At Gay Games

Via local television:
"My doctor told me two years straight I'm as healthy as a healthy 20-year-old. Hooray!" Keeling said prior to her race. Her coach and daughter, Shelley Kelling, reminded Ida to stay in her lane and focus on the finish line. When the starter fired his pistol, the crowd immediately began cheering for the senior citizen from New York City and the clapping and whistling didn't stop until she finished, with a time of 59.80 seconds. She came in last place, but that didn't matter to anyone, including Ida. "I feel I'm still a winner," she said. Shelley Kelling said no woman at her mother's age has ever recorded a faster time in an internationally certified 100-meter race. "She does not only inspire people that are young or that are out here. It's a message that you can do this at any age," Shelley added.

(Tipped by JMG reader Rob)

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Linda Harvey Slams Ohio Republicans For Welcoming Participants In Gay Games

Linda Harvey wants her followers to send emails to the Ohio GOP because they welcomed participants to the Gay Games in Cleveland. Sort of related: I've just figured out why Harvey's voice has always sounded so familiar - she sounds exactly like the old biddy in A League Of Their Own who goes on the radio to complain about the "masculinization" of women. 

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American Bar Association Resolution:
LGBT Rights Are Basic Human Rights

Here's the resolution in full:
RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association recognizes that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people have a human right to be free from discrimination, threats and violence based on their LGBT status and condemns all laws, regulations and rules or practices that discriminate on the basis that an individual is a LGBT person;

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association urges the governments of countries where such discriminatory laws, regulations, and practices exist to repeal them with all deliberate speed and ensure the safety and equal protection under the law of all LGBT people;

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association urges other bar associations and attorneys in jurisdictions where there are such discriminatory laws or incidents of targeting of LGBT people to work to defend victims of anti-LGBT discrimination or conduct, and to recognize and support their colleagues who take these cases as human rights advocates; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association urges the United States Government, through bilateral and multilateral channels, to work to end discrimination against LGBT people and to ensure that the rights of LGBT people receive equal protection under the law.
(Tipped by JMG reader Wilson)

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Michael Jackson - A Place With No Name

Via Stereogum:
A video for Michael Jackson’s “A Place With No Name” from his posthumous album XSCAPE has been released by his estate and label, Epic Records. It premiered on Twitter and was simultaneously broadcast in Times Square in New York. The video was previewed before its release on [last night's] episode of So You Think You Can Dance, which was Jackson-themed. It was directed by Samuel Bayer, who has directed videos for Nirvana and the Rolling Stones and serves as an homage to Jackson’s 1991 video for “In The Closet” and features outtakes and repurposed footage from that video.

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VIRGINIA: Fourth Circuit Says Marriages To Commence Next Thursday Barring Action By SCOTUS

Via SCOTUSblog:
The clerk of the Fourth Circuit Court has notified counsel that the decision against the Virginia same-sex marriage ban is scheduled — as of now — to go into effect at 9 a.m. next Thursday — a day later than state officials had expected. However, that could be delayed if the Supreme Court were to impose a delay. Attorneys for the Prince William County clerk, who has been defending the Virginia same-sex marriage ban, said on Wednesday afternoon that they will ask the Supreme Court to postpone the Fourth Circuit’s ruling against that ban. They said they would do so before the appeals court decision takes effect.
The Thursday start date is contrary to the Monday date reported yesterday by numerous outlets.

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President Obama Calls On DOJ & FBI To Investigate Missouri Shooting, Denounces Police For Bullying Journalists, Urges Calm

President Obama made a statement this afternoon on the continuing chaos in Ferguson, Missouri.
President Obama said Thursday that he tasked the Department of Justice and the FBI to investigate the circumstances that led to the shooting of an unarmed black teen in a St. Louis suburb that prompted violent protests and tension between police and the community. Obama, who was speaking from Martha’s Vineyard where his family is vacationing, said he was updated on the events in Ferguson by Attorney General Eric Holder, and the federal government will work with local authorities to see that "justice is done."

The president kept a measured tone and urged calm. He said that law enforcement officials on the ground should not be arresting journalists and allow protesters to form peacefully, but also told protesters that they should not target police officers. "There is never an excuse for violence against police or those who would use this tragedy as a cover for vandalism or looting," Obama said. He also urged police transparency in the investigation, which has been criticized by protesters.

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Media Matters: How The Right Wing Insults The Appearance Of The First Lady

Nothing enrages me more than the disgusting and often racist attacks on the appearance of our gorgeous and fit First Lady. Nothing. And I've got a lot on my rage plate.

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World Net Daily Writer: American Gay Activists Are Like The Terrorists Of ISIS

"What I’d like to concentrate on at the moment is that the majority of the unfortunates in Iraq who are facing this genocide are Christians. Indeed, the majority of those being horribly persecuted by Muslims in nations across the Middle East and parts of Africa are Christians. In America, we are seeing a different methodology being used to disenfranchise Christians, but rest assured, many of the principals and operatives are the same people. Last week, President Obama took a break from his strenuous schedule of fundraising, golf and vacationing to make a surprise video appearance at the opening ceremonies of the 2014 Gay Games in Cleveland. Obama went out of his way to recognize the persecution of homosexuals in other countries, America’s openness and the acceptance of gays being part of the 'very idea' of America. So why has there been such an imperative around the inculcation of homosexuality into our culture? Activists would tell you they’re just stumping for the rights of homosexuals, but that’s twaddle. Were that the case, it wouldn’t take the wholesale indoctrination and attempts at the normalization of homosexuality we see daily." - Erik Rush, writing for World Net Daily.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: Erik Rush says Obama orchestrated the murders of several gay men, a Buzzfeed reporter, the White House dog trainer, and Andrew Breitbart. Erik Rush says Obama wants Christians declared insane and put in asylums. Erik Rush says that anybody who disagrees with him belongs in prison with Obama. Erik Rush says that journalists who criticize Mitt Romney should be imprisoned or executed.

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ARIZONA: Court Rules That Thomas "Pregnant Man" Beatie Can Divorce Wife

The Arizona Court of Appeals has ruled that Thomas Beatie, who earned global headlines in 2008 as the "pregnant man," can divorce his wife.  Beatie married in Hawaii, where he was legally recognized as male.
In March 2013, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Douglas Gerlach ruled that Beatie's marriage was between two females because Beatie had given birth. Same-sex marriage is illegal in Arizona. In one of his rulings, Gerlach wrote that Beatie's "marriage was between a female ... and a person capable of giving birth, who later did so." Wednesday's ruling, however, noted that Arizona law also permits people who have had gender reassignment to alter their birth certificates and legally change gender. In fact, according to the opinion, Arizona's law on the matter is more "liberal" than Hawaii's in what evidence must be presented to amend the birth certificate. "The question before this Court is not whether the State of Arizona allows same-sex marriage or divorce, but whether the laws of the State of Arizona allow a marriage, lawfully entered into in another state, between two persons the foreign state formally recognized at the time of the marriage as male and female, to be dissolved," the appellate decision said. "At the time of the Beaties' marriage in Hawaii, that state only allowed marriages between a man and a woman, and Hawaii's legislature, like Arizona's, had established statutory authority allowing persons who had undergone a sex change operation to apply for and obtain an amended birth certificate reflecting the appropriate gender." Beatie and his wife may go ahead with divorce proceedings, according to the opinion.
Beatie: "I feel I have finally been recognized in Arizona as not just a man, but a human being." (Tipped by JMG reader Dale)

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CNN's Anthony Bourdain For Marriage

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Open Thread Thursday

Yesterday's kitty-EDM thread reminded me of the hilarious opera clip below. Share with us your favorite YouTube performance clips - whatever you return to for quick mood elevation. And stick around for the final notes below.

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OMM Claims Victory With Black Jesus

Just in via email:
Joe, Victory! American Eagle Outfitters heard you loud and clear and pulled their support from the “Black Jesus” program! Here is American Eagle's quick response:

Dear One Million Moms, Thank you for expressing your concerns. American Eagle Outfitters does not support or affiliate ourselves with messaging of the show Black Jesus and have pulled our spots from their particular broadcast times. Advertising during this show was an oversight on our part and we sincerely apologize for any offense this may have caused. Thank you, Kayt Pritts, American Eagle Outfitters, Associate Manager, Communications

One Million Moms has thanked them on behalf of all of our supporters for their quick response and for their cooperation. One Million Moms appreciates that they listened to our concerns and will no longer sponsor this inappropriate program "Black Jesus." No further action is needed.
OMM head Monica Cole adds that Christians can once again "confidently patronize" American Eagle Outfitters.

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PENNSYLVANIA: Bakery Owner Refuses Gay Couple After "Talking To Jesus"

Yet another Pennsylvania business has legally refused to serve a gay couple.
Growing up in Schuylkill Haven, Jennifer and Bethany Petrich, said they were very familiar with the Cake Pros bakery. That's why when the two were planning a ceremony to renew their vows the bakery seemed like an obvious choice to supply the cake. "My mom, who is planning our wedding, called and made the appointment for us," Jennifer said. "It was okay at that time and and she was open and honest and said it's for Bethany and Jennifer." A call to Jennifer's mom, while Jennifer was in the hospital, changed their plans.

"They had called and said to her they were a christian bakery and the owner talked to Jesus for two weeks," Jennifer said. "And that because it was two females getting married she couldn't bake our cake." The couple took to Facebook to let everyone know about their story. After they shared their story the bakery got a lot of added attention.

Lorraine Fleming, the owner of Cake Pros, told Eyewitness News that employees of the store have been harassed. "I'm sorry for the damage that has been done as far as hurt feelings," Fleming Fleming told Eyewitness News it was a tough decision since she has gay people in her family. She said it was a religious choice and she stands by her decision. "I'm not sorry for my decision and I feel strong," she said. "I know that I'm doing the right thing." Fleming said she doesn't plan to change her decision.
Pennsylvania is one of 29 states without statewide public accommodation protections for LGBT citizens. A bill to correct that remains pending in the state legislature. (Tipped by JMG reader Rob)

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Ho Hum, Matt Barber Is Outraged

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Fusion Reports On Bear Week

Via the Fusion Network:
Since 1987, The Discovery Channel has gone deep into the ocean to bring us our favorite part of summer: Shark Week. But to celebrate Fusion's first summer, AM Tonight wanted to try something a little different: Bear Week. We're not talking about the 600-pound run-for-your-life grizzly bear type, but rather, the subset of gay men who since the early '80s have been redefining body image within gay culture. To better understand and celebrate this group of men, our show traveled to Provincetown, Massachusetts. For years, Provincetown -- or P-town, as it's affectionately known -- has been a popular gay destination and the host of the annual Bear Week celebration. The annual event isn't just good fun, it's good business. Local business owners say Bear Week is one of the busiest times of year, yielding huge profits.

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ILLINOIS: Hundreds Attend Meeting About Gay Music Director Fired By Catholic Church For Announcing Engagement

Hundreds of Catholic parishioners yesterday attended an "emotionally charged" meeting about their former music director, who was fired after using social media to announce his engagement to a man.
Many of the roughly 700 people who attended appeared to support Colin Collette, who received a standing ovation when he entered the sanctuary. Members of the media were not allowed to attend, but parishioners described the scene afterward. Collette was terminated from the job he held for 17 years in late July, after being told that his same-sex relationship violates the tenets of the Catholic Church, he said. Collette has said that church leaders knew he was gay long before he posted the announcement of his wedding plans on Facebook. Kevin Keane of Bartlett, one of dozens of people addressing a panel that included representatives of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, quit his position as cantor in protest of Collette's firing. “He has given his entire life to the church,” Keane said, repeating a portion of his speech. “That leads me to the conclusion if he's not fit to serve, then I am not fit to serve.” Others derided the church and called for change. But some supported the church's decision, such as Frank Girjatowicz of Hoffman Estates. “I am not against homosexuals,” he said. “But their style of life, according to human nature, is not acceptable.”
The church's pastor, Rev. Terry Keenan, released a statement: "Through the use of social media, the Archdiocese of Chicago has become aware that Colin has publicly endorsed a position in conflict with Church teachings. Employees who make such choices cannot remain employed by the Archdiocese." (Tipped by JMG reader Ray)

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SAN FRANCISCO: Vigil Held For Local Gay Man Murdered In Street Attack

Friends and members of San Francisco's Radical Faeries held a vigil in Duboce Park yesterday for Bryan "Feather" Higgins, who was killed in an attack that is being investigated as a possible hate crime. Higgins was taken off of life support at 3:33pm yesterday as balloons were released in the park.

Higgins was found unconscious Sunday morning in San Francisco’s Duboce Triangle neighborhood. Police are investigating his death as a homicide. “At this time the family would like to keep private yet we want to express our extreme gratitude for the kindness and support,” Higgin’s uncle Steve Horton said in a statement on Wednesday. “Bryan ‘Feather’ Lynn Higgins was a very spiritual, kind, caring, loving individual and we are all sad that he has been taken from this earth far too soon.” Higgins’ family, including his husband since last year, Brian Haggerty, and friends held a vigil in his honor at 3:33 p.m.; the exact time family had said they would be removing him from life support.

Hundreds of mourners at Duboce Park, near Duboce Avenue and Noe Street stood in a massive circle that covered nearly half the park as Higgins was pronounced dead. They stood silently except for the sounds of occasional sobs, children playing at a nearby playground and the warm breeze filling the trees. The grief of some mourners was so pronounced they were barely able to stand, and had to be supported by the arms of friends standing at each side. A tent was erected on top of a large rainbow flag lying in the center of the circle where mourners left flowers and other gifts. The smell of burning sage filled the air. Higgins described himself on his Facebook profile as a “starving artist” who worked at Rosenburg Delicatessen at 276 Noe St., only a few blocks from where he was found.
Police are seeking a suspect in the attack but only described him as a "white man in his 20s or 30s wearing a grey sweater."

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LOUISIANA: Baton Rouge City Council Rejects LGBT Rights Bill By 8-4 Vote

Another LGBT rights bill was rejected last night in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The EBR Metro Council has voted against the controversial fairness ordinance by a vote of 8 to 4. Councilmembers John Delgado, Donna Collins-Lewis, Chandler Loupe, and C. Denise Marcelle all voted in favor of the ordinance. The ordinance would have made it illegal to discriminate against veterans, seniors and members of the gay, lesbian and transgender communities in Baton Rouge when it comes to employment, housing and public accommodations. The vote comes after public comments and opinions from both sides were shared at its July 22 meeting for more than three hours, but the council couldn't vote due to time limits.
Anti-gay protesters backed by the Louisiana Family Forum demonstrated outside the city council chambers before the vote took place. The bill was supported by numerous local business groups.

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Perkins Cheers Defeat Of Billings Bill

"It was well after 3:00 a.m., but to people in Billings, Montana, it was never too late to stand up to the forces of political correctness. Thanks to Mayor Tom Hanel, that's exactly what the largest city in the state did -- beating back a dangerous bathroom bill that would have literally opened the doors of Billings's public showers, locker rooms, and restrooms to both genders in a misguided show of 'tolerance.' After a 15-year fight, the council killed the proposal 6-5, with Mayor Hanel casting the deciding vote. 'I needed to ask myself, is this fair to everyone, beneficial to everyone? Will it build goodwill and friendships? I can't say for sure,' he told the crowded room in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The Montana Family Foundation, which has pushed back against these campaigns for a decade and a half, said the Left is only lobbying for these ordinances in places like Billings to '(target) Christians and other religious groups who find the homosexual/LGBT lifestyle morally objectionable.'" - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via press release.

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Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Headline Of The Day

Remember NARTH's boob lady? Turns out she had no idea.

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PHILADELPHIA: Rep. Brian Sims Joins Mayor In Courting DNC Convention Team

Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims joined Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter today in glad-handing the DNC's 2016 convention team, which was in Brooklyn earlier this week. Sims represents Philly's Center City, which is home to many of the hotels that would likely host attendees.  Philadelphia and Columbus are considered the leading contenders to win the convention.
Columbus has access to about 26,000 hotel rooms across five counties and 16,000 rooms within the city itself, said Brian Ross, chief executive of the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau. With no mass transit options, Columbus officials are looking at using chartered buses to shuttle delegates from their hotel rooms to convention events. Alternative transport options also were being explored, including compact and electric car rentals and the city's bike-share program. In Philadelphia, about 65% of the hotel rooms required to host the event were within a 15 minute walking distance of the Wells Fargo Center, where the convention would be held, said Kevin Washo, lead strategist for the Philadelphia host committee. Another 3,500 rooms were located across the river in University City, he said. "Brooklyn has 3,500 hotel rooms. We have 3,500 just in our University City location," he said.
Last week the RNC unanimously selected Cleveland for their 2016 convention.

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This Is An Ad For Something


(Via Towleroad)

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DOJ: Losing Losers At NOM Deserve No Legal Fees For Their Losing Lawsuit

The Department of Justice has issued a blisteringly scornful response to NOM's demand for nearly $700K in attorneys' fees for their lawsuit over the accidental release of their tax return. Enjoy:
Despite losing all the significant issues in this case and settling a damages claim of hundreds of thousands of dollars for $50,000, the National Organization for Marriage, Inc. (“NOM”) now seeks over $691,000 in attorneys’ fees. The Court should deny NOM’s motion in its entirety. The Court need not delve into NOM’s massive bills and complex algorithms to determine a reasonable attorney fee, because NOM is not the “prevailing party” — either with respect to the amount in controversy or the most significant issue pled. Regarding the amount in controversy, NOM has cherry picked the actual damages it was claiming during the course of this suit and, in fact, received less than half of what it was claiming when all amounts are properly considered. Also, NOM’s view of the most significant issue is belied by the face of its sworn Verified Complaint. Under both analyses, therefore, NOM is not a prevailing party. The Court’s analysis should end there — NOM is not entitled to any attorneys’ fees.

But even assuming, arguendo, that the Court were to determine that (a) NOM was the prevailing party, and (b) the United States was not substantially justified in defending this suit, NOM’s fee request is deficient in several respects. First, NOM incorrectly uses the Vienna Metro Matrix to determine a reasonable hourly fee for its seven timekeepers; federal law provides for a statutory cap on an attorneys’ hourly rate in such suits against the government. Second, the very request for over $691,000 in fees in order to collect a $50,000 settlement is facially unreasonable. There are also other deficiencies in NOM’s request, including the fact that counsel spent over a year preparing for, researching and drafting its Verified Complaint. Thus, if the Court were to even reach the issue of whether NOM’s fee request is reasonable, which it should not, the Court should significantly reduce NOM’s request and award it minimal fees.
Equality Case Files has the filing.

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Tweet Of The Day

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Pentatonix - Problem

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Koch Brothers Outfit: Gays Should Oppose Immigration Because They'll Get TB

According to the Koch Brothers' Franklin Center, gays should oppose immigration because HIV+ people are at risk of contracting tuberculosis from "illegals."
Somewhere over the rainbow, people with AIDS are dying from tuberculosis. The illegal border-crossers from Central America have a high incidence of TB on their side of their rainbow, and are bringing it into the United States. One demographic that is particularly vulnerable to catching TB and should be made aware of this health hazard is members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. As the border crisis continues with no apparent resolution, more and more unaccompanied minors flood the U.S. are coming from Third World countries. Their health was not good when they started and has deteriorated due to the arduous journey. According to a Department of Homeland Security report, holding facilities for illegal immigrant children are becoming disease-ridden with TB, scabies, chicken pox and respiratory infections. After a stay in holding facilities, these children are being transferred all across the U.S. and they are taking their communicable baggage with them.
With the Heritage Foundation, the Franklin Center is a sponsor of the Breitbart Awards, which last year honored wingnut shrieker Michelle Malkin.

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One Million Moms Vs Carl's Jr.

One Million Busybodies is calling for a boycott.
Joe, Will Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. ever learn? They are at it again with another disgusting ad. Their newest Texas BBQ Thickburger commercial focuses on the model’s sweaty chest and legs with several suggestive shots. This ad is extremely degrading to women and should be pulled off the air immediately. Not long after One Million Moms contacted the company about its advertisement starring Kate Upton making out with a burger at a drive-in movie wearing only skimpy lingerie, the company aired three different commercials all with the same theme. The restaurant is using sex to sell its burgers with scantily-clad models licking sauce seductively in provocative poses. 1MM has had enough with their soft porn ads! We will politely, but sternly let them know that we are not giving up on protecting our families. There is strength in numbers so be sure to send this to everyone you know! 1MM will remain consistent and dedicated, especially with companies that seem not to budge, which means we need EVERYONE’S help in taking action!
OMM says the company is blocking their emails (SNORK!) so they are asking their supporters to barrage their offices by phone. Here's the suggested script:
"Your advertising continues to offend me and my family. You have shown no respect for common decency, values or women. If you continue to advertise in this manner and refuse to remove your recent ad, my family will no longer eat in your restaurants. I also plan on telling everyone I know never to visit your restaurant again unless you pull the Texas BBQ Thickburger ad off the air and remove it from your website immediately!"

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Duluth Trading: Purses Are For Pansies

A reader just sent me the above insulting pitch from Duluth Trading Company. Let them know what you think.

UPDATE: Less than two hours after this post went up, the company tweeted an apology and a promise to "making sure this never happens again." THAT, folks, is how you handle these things.

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BREAKING: Fourth Circuit Court DENIES Stay On Virginia Same-Sex Marriages

Via the ACLU of Virginia:
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit today denied a request to delay implementation of its ruling striking down Virginia laws denying marriage to same-sex couples. The court’s action means that, unless the Supreme Court intervenes, couples may begin marrying and having their out-of-state marriages recognized in Virginia on August 18.

Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk Michèle McQuigg had asked the court to stay the ruling while she asks the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case. The ACLU of Virginia, ACLU, and Lambda Legal opposed the stay on behalf of approximately 14,000 Virginia same-sex couples. McQuigg may still ask the Supreme Court to stay the Fourth Circuit ruling.

“We hope that the Supreme Court will leave this ruling in place, so that same-sex couples may begin marrying right away,” said Claire Guthrie Gastañaga, Executive Director of the ACLU of Virginia. “Our clients have already waited far too long to exercise their constitutional right to marry, or to have their marriages from other states recognized.”
Yet another middle finger to the Alliance Defending Freedom. SCOTUS has five days to act or same-sex marriages commence in Virginia on Monday.

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FLORIDA: Broward County Commission Seeks To With Withhold Funds For AG Pam Bondi's Same-Sex Marriage Appeals

Yesterday the Broward County Commission voted unanimously to support same-sex marriage. Which is wonderful, but they're also trying to take things much further.
Along with approving the resolution decision unanimously, county commissioners are also asking the county attorney to research ways to withhold funding to Tallahassee that is used in the appeals process. The county commissioners do not want to waste taxpayer money fighting gay marriage. Broward County Commissioner Stacy Ritter said, "We want to show that opposition not just by submitting a resolution, but by withholding our donor county dollars that are quite frankly right now going to Tallahassee to fund this appeal process with which we are adamantly opposed."

After appealing the recent rulings by South Florida judges, commissioners fear that Bondi will shelf the issue until the United States Supreme Court rules again. "The United States Supreme Court, they're going to be the body who make this decision, and then we will have uniformity throughout the country," said Bondi. However, some commissioners are not sure that waiting for a decision by the Supreme Court would result in simplicity. "The problem with that is there is no guarantee that the United States Supreme Court is ever going to undertake this matter," said Kiar.
Last week Bondi asked the state appeals court to continue the stays on marriage rulings in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties AND to sit on those cases without kicking them upstairs to the Florida Supreme Court. With a population of 1.8 million, Broward County is home to Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors, and Oakland Park - all of which have huge LGBT populations. Hit the link for a video report on yesterday's move.

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MISSISSIPPI: Gay Couples To Attempt To Record Marriage Licenses With Clerks

Via the Associated Press:
Advocates for same-sex couples say couples in eight Mississippi counties will record their out-of-state marriage licenses Wednesday at their local Chancery Court offices. Organized by the Campaign for Southern Equality, the statewide day of action for marriage equality will involve couples recording their licenses in Amite, Desoto, Hancock, Harrison, Hinds, Lafayette, Lamar and Pearl River counties. Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, the group's executive director, says the participating couples want to "create a public record of their love and commitment." She says there's an urgent need for legal protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families and individuals in Mississippi.
More from the Washington Blade:
Dee Smith-Smathers, who married her wife of nearly 29 years, Charlene Smith-Smathers, in Massachusetts last year, hopes she will be able to record her marriage at Hinds County Chancery Court in Jackson, the state capital. “We think we’ve got everything covered with powers of attorney of this sort and that sort, but you never know,” Dee Smith-Smathers, who turns 73 next week, told the Washington Blade during a telephone interview from her home outside of Terry as she discussed why she and her wife plan to take part in the campaign. “It’s important to us on a personal level and it’s important to me.”

Jennifer Pierce of Biloxi, who married her wife, Jena Pierce, in Connecticut last December, plan to try to record their marriage with the Harrison County Chancery Court in Gulfport. “To us our marriage license is more than a piece of paper or even the state recognizing we are a legitimate couple,” Jennifer Pierce told the Blade, referring to their 6-year-old daughter Auna who began first grade last week. “It’s about the protection of the little girl who sees us as her parents and getting legally married was the first step of many we need to take towards the protection and well-being of our family.”
Follow along at Twitter feed for the Campaign For Southern Equality.

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Jimmy Carter Slams "Nutcases" Who Block Anti-Global Warming Campaigns

“We’ve seen some countries devote themselves to renewable energy.  The United States is right at the bottom, with only 10 percent of our energy coming from renewable sources. So we still have a tremendous opportunity to do what we haven’t done. The biggest problem we have right now is some nutcases in our country who don’t believe in global warming. I think that they are going to change their position because the evidence of the ravages of global warming is coming or is already there." - Former President Jimmy Carter, speaking yesterday at a renewable energy summit. The people are Twitchy are predictably losing their shit at being called nutcases.

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