Welcome back Olie....

Matt Giraud looks dapper, sexy and classy tonight...

Forever our funny valentine, Matt Giraud singing "My Funny Valentine"..."Brilliant" says Simon


Kris Allen singing "The Way You Look Tonight"

Allison Iraheta singing "Someone To Watch Over Me"..."You are in trouble." says Simon.


Danny Gokey "Come Rain Or Come Rain"..."Outstanding," says Simon.


Adam Lambert singing "Feeling Good"

Team Tango led by Cheryl and Gilles won the team showdown last night.

Team Mambo...Chuck-Julianne, Tony-Melissa (performed by Lacey), Shawn-Mark.And I thought Lacey is sooo beautiful. Team Tango -- Gilles-Cheryl, Lil Kim-Derek and Ty-Chelsea...watch.

QueerGam to Kitty Walker: Stop seeing this gorgeous daddy!

One of TV's most gorgeous daddies could destroy Kitty's and Robert's marriage on Brothers & Sisters. Born: June 26, 1970 Birth place: Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Matt
graduated from the University of Michigan.

Watch Matt Letscher as Nathan Stone in Eli Stone....gorgeous.

A message from HIV-UB2.Ning.Com

Robert Brandon Sandor has sent you a message on HIV-UB2 Connections

To some, my posts will inspire. To others, my posts will empower. And to those in between, my posts will act as supportive evidence that we ARE stopping HIV. However, to all the HIV Agencies, Organizations, Researchers, "Experts" and "Professionals", my posts will be threating, insulting, offensive and out right dangerous.

Why? You might ask...it's because of this simple scientific fact: When HIV+ people (gay or straight) have sex with other HIV+ people, the virus is stopped dead in it's tracks. AND - When HIV-negative people (gay or straight) have SAFE sex with other HIV-negative people, the virus is stopped dead in it's tracks as well. How can this be? You might ask. Simple...The cycle of NEW transmission is PHYSICALLY broken and NO HIV-negative person gets infected.

Therefore, Serosorting (and MORE importantly) SAFE SEX Serosorting does MUCH MORE than stop the spread of HIV, it unites mankind in an effort of RESPECT for eachother and to reach a common goal. HIV+ people respecting the right for HIV-negative people to STAY HIV-negative, and HIV-negative people respecting HIV+ people who are making this choice. This is why the HIV agencies, organizations, researchers, "experts" and "professionals" will NOT tell the general public about my work - Why stop a virus that so many are making money from? I DARE ANY HIV researcher to prove me wrong...show the world that SAFE SEX SEROSORTING is wrong and will not physically stop the spread of HIV.

The key issue, and the focus of any lawsuit against the HIV agencies (etc) is this:

If they are accepting US $1.00 or more FOR HIV Prevention Programs, then they will promote Serosorting AND Safe Sex Serosorting, because PHYSICALLY breaking the cycle of any virus (including HIV) is a scientific fact and the general public has a LEGAL, moral AND ethical right to know.

HIV IS physically being stopped, it's just that the HIV researchers have not yet realized this.
Robert Brandon Sandor
FOUNDER
www.poz4poz.com

QueerGam to Bea Arthur: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND

Bea Arthur or Dorothy or Pussycat...we will always love you.
Bea Arthur passed away in her LA home today. She was 86. Her spokesman, Dan Watt, says Dorothy or Pussycat, as we know her better, died at home early this morning. He says Pussycat died of cancer. The tall, deep-voiced actress won a Tony Award for the musical "Mame" and Emmy Awards for "The Golden Girls". As you know, Arthur's razor-sharp delivery of comedy lines helped make the sitcoms hits and turned the veteran stage and film actress into a popular TV star. Pussycat first appeared as the character Maude in the 1970s landmark comedy series "All in the Family," making guest appearances as the loudly outspoken, liberal in-law of blue-collar bigot Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor). Her TV mom, Sophia, died a few months ago. Sophia was 92. The living girls are Blanche and Rose who are well and healthy.

Bam, is the use of torture moral?

Obama: We remember it well when you said “The buck stops here!” We are wondering if such a nice, solid, finality is still valid - that you are willing to take the blame. What about the torture? We think there is a complete unwillingness on both sides of the ailes to see what actually went on in our prisons in Afghanistan and Iraq. Let it all be brought to light if that was so. Are we normalizing something awful?

Campaign "Keep Matt Alive"...Kalamazoo town and her people regroup, come out with a strategy to help Matt become the next American Idol.

Yay!!! Go Matt Go!!! Below, Kalamazoo, Michigan radio personality Lori Moore, of WKZO-AM 590, center, and Michele Marquardt, right, celebrate and cheer at the Wild Bull Saloon & Steakpit Wednesday evening as they watch "American Idol" contestant Matt Giraud advance to the next round. Giraud is a Kalamazoo resident. (pix by Jonathon Gruenke, Gazette)

The "American Idol" Top 7 caught disco fever Tuesday night and the song of choice of Kalamazoo's Matt Giraud -- "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees -- proved metaphoric for his struggle on the show after nearly getting ousted last week. Tonight, Matt saved himself...with the help of millions of Americans who simply love him. And all the teenagers, housewives, husbands and all the local politicians and media personalities in Kalamazoo. Kalamazoo, a small little midwest town in Michigan, where the gorgeous, hunky, korn fed Matt is from, is now the most mentioned and googled town in the land. We read that today's business is brisk and people are talking about their precious idol.

Matt...if you are reading this, please please please stay alive and win this thing, be the next American Idol, for the love of God. And for gay-kind, be our next American Idol. America idolize you, Kamalamazoo love you, and we are voting for you. We are all campaigning for you for the next three weeks. Go for the kill Matt! First thing we all must do together: kick Danny Gokey and Kris Allen off the competition, and then get rid of Adam Lambert. And then Matt, after Adam is out, you will have to really sing your butt, your ass, your balls, your whatever off to beat the hell out of Allison Iraheta. She is fast becoming more and more amazing. We must beat her in the finals. Kalamazoo, if you are reading this, please knock on all doors and make sure everyone is voting for Matt next week.

We heard that Kalamazoo Gazette Online Content Editor Anne Holcomb, Gazette Entertainment Editor Earlene McMichael and Grand Rapids Press Entertainment Editor John Gonzalez asked everyone to join them in a live online chat about "American Idol" from 8 to 10 p.m. last nnight, and at 9 p.m. tonight at www.mlive.com/tv.

We also learned that Hopewell had asked Granholm earlier this month to join him in a campaign to ensure that yet another Michigan native is a top-finishing "Idol" finalist. The governor last threw her support around LaKisha Jones, of Flint, who made it to fourth place in Season Six in 2007. We also read that both wanted Fox TV viewers to know that today -- and every Tuesday Giraud is on "Idol" -- they can vote an unlimited number of times for their favorite finalists for up to two hours after the show goes off the air. Votes can only be made by phone or, by text message if the voter is an AT&T Mobility subscriber. The toll-free phone number assigned each contestant is announced during the live broadcast.

And as the day progressed, there was nothing stopping Kalamazoo and Granholm sounded the Giraud drum even louder, updating her Facebook page with a vote-for-Giraud message.

"The governor has been following Matt in the 'American Idol' competition and has placed a personal call to him," said gubernatorial spokeswoman Megan Brown in a phone interview from Lansing. She joined Mayor Hopewell in encouraging all 'American Idol' fans in Michigan to vote for Matt Giraud last night.

Mayor Hopewell, who is paying for the L.A. trip out of his own pocket and must take off time from his full-time job in Kalamazoo, hopes Giraud's time is not cut unfairly short.

"I think it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to see my friend perform on the stage of the No. 1 rated show in America," Hopewell said.

But more than that, Matt is a very talented small town boy-next-door who would make a very good American Idol.

Disco night, boogie, oogie...who is going home tonight? Lil? Anoop? One of the frontrunners?

After a performance like that, Matt Giraud is definitely going to be staying for awhile on Idol. The other frontrunners were not all that great last night anyway...Matt got to take part in Disco Week last night...and he did more than well. He did very well indeed. Some disagreed with the saving of Matt Giraud. The Judges' Save, they all have said, was supposed to be used to rescue a real frontrunner, someone whose elimination was a shocker and a great injustice - should be used to save others just like the Chris Daughtry/Michael Johns/Tamyra Gray type. They said it should not have been used to save someone who had already landed in the bottom multiple times and had been told by Simon Cowell that he had "no chance of winning this show." So last week's decision to save Matt was just puzzling, and more than a little annoying. It's almost impossible for any singer to do disco without seeming as hokey and dated as a polyester suit or a pet rock (even Adam Lambert, was a little cheesy-loungey when he boogie-oogie-oogied to Wild Cherry's "Play That Funky Music" a few weeks ago), so the contestants certainly had their work cut out for them. All of them needed to be worried tonight. No one was safe.

Just not for Matt, for the others, too, stayin' alive wasn't going to be easy tonight.

I'm Every Woman: Lil Rounds did Donna Summer:
It was do-or-die time for Lil Rounds. But on the positive side, she was the one singer in the top 7 whose singing style was well-suited to disco: All she had to do was belt out a divalicious Donna Summer or Gloria Gaynor anthem with conviction, and she'd be good as solid gold. Well, she sort of did that. Lil chose to sing Chaka Khan's "I'm Every Woman," and it was the first time she showed any sort of real personality this season. She smiled a lot, she did the Hustle, she strutted through the audience...frankly, this was the performance Lil needed to deliver weeks ago. But it was probably too late. Kara DioGuardi said, "I'm not sure it was worth the wait," snarkily adding in reference to Lil's ongoing identity crisis, "You've been every woman on that stage--every other woman but yourself." Simon was, unsurprisingly, the harshest on Lil. "Your vocals were a mess," he barked. "I think this is going to be the last week we're going to see you."

Well, I agreed with Simon that Lil's time was probably up, especially since two people get cut this week, thus upping the probability of her demise. But I still thought this was her best performance to date, and the only performance of hers that even slightly measured up to all the hype she prematurely (and, let's face it, undeservedly) received earlier in the season. So if, or when, she goes tomorrow night, at least she'll go out on a high note. But I won't miss her--or her incessant arguing with the judges--all that much.

She Works Hard For The Money: Kris Allen did Donna Summer:
Singing second was Kris Allen, unexpectedly doing a Donna Summer story song, "She Works Hard For The Money." It could have been a disaster, but he did the smart thing and didn't try to do a straight-up disco number. Instead he--to use a frequent but fitting Idol cliche--"made it his own," giving it what Paula Abdul called a "classy Santana feel." Randy Jackson said the song proved that Kris is "ready for the big time, dawg," and Kara righfully told Kris, "You took a real risk with that arrangement, and it paid off!" Then Paula made one of her typically oddball remarks about Kris's brave choice to sing a female artist's hit ("A lot of women are willing to shop in the men's department, but not many men are willing to shop in the women's...") Um, OK, but isn't the women's department where Simon buys all his V-neck shirts?

September: Danny Gokey did Earth Wind & Fire:
But, much like Paula, I digress. Singing third was Danny Gokey, doing one of tonight's more cliched choices, Earth, Wind & Fire's "September." I personally thought he came across as smug and over-emotive. But the judges, as usually, loved him. Randy admitted he'd been worried about Danny doing the not-melodic-enough EW&F song (which is odd, since I think the classic tune HAS a pretty strong melody), but then he predictably told Danny: "You worked it out!" Paula then said, "I think you have one of the sexiest voices ever, and I think women of all ages will agree." Well, I didn't agree. I agreed more with Simon, who said: "I didn't get any star power from that." But I have a feeling more voters tonight will side with Paula. There's just something about Danny that people other than myself dig. I still don't get him, though.

Hot Stuff: Allison Iraheta did Donna Summer
Next up was my girl Allison Iraheta, belting out Donna Summer's "Hot Stuff." And it was hot stuff! It was a rough, rocked-up version, almost metal (OK, lite metal), and it suited her gravelly, glass-gargling vocal style perfectly. Randy didn't love the rockish arrangement but added, "I love you! You're one of the best singers in this competition." Simon called her an underdog (which is true...which is why I really wish they'd reserved the Judges' Save in case they needed to use it on Allison this week), but also called her performance "brilliant." I hope the voters think so too.

If I Can't Have You: Adam Lambert did Yvonne Elliman:
Up fifth was Adam Lambert, who--as I pointed out a few paragraphs ago--veered dangerously into Wisconsin-worthy cheese territory when he did disco on Top Downloads Night. So as awesome as it would be to hear him sing, say, "It's Raining Men" this evening, I was hoping he'd go the "Mad World"/"Tracks Of My Tears" route and do something downtempo and acoustic, like the Bee Gees' "How Deep Is Your Love." Well, he didn't do that song specifically, but he did do another one of my personal faves off the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, Yvonne Elliman's "If I Can't Have You." He turned it into a slowed-to-a-crawl ballad, and unlike the other contestants really seemed to connect to the lyrics emotionally; as Paula put it as only she can, it was as if he "tore his heart out and left it on the stage." Nope, not cheesy at all. Just another genius Lambert performance that melted Paula into (Ryan's words) a "pool of Abdul." Um, I'm not sure anyone wants to see that...but I know I want to see a whole lot more of Adam. Really, just give him the record contract now. If I can't have Adam as my Idol, I don't want nobody, baby.

Staying Alive: Matt Giraud did Bee Gees:
Singing next was comeback kid Matt Giraud, and the song he chose, the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive," was fitting, since he's barely stayin' alive in this competition. He's been kicked around since he was born--or at least since his pre-Wild Card "Viva La Vida" disaster--but it's all right, it's OK, you may look the other way. Tonight, Matt hit the stage with something to prove, and seemed in it to win it, full of energy and giving it his all. Randy was impressed by Matt's vocals, as was Paula, who said: "Last week the judges saved your life; tonight after this performance, you saved your own life." However, Simon, ever the contrary one, said Matt "came over as a bit desperate." Well, why shouldn't he be desperate? He almost went home last week! But Paula was right: Matt probably will be safe this week.

Dim ALl The Light: Anoop Desai did Donna Summer:
Singing last was Anoop Desai, another contestant who ought to be desperate after the number of times he's been in the bottom three. His song choice, "Dim All The Lights," was also fitting, since his future is looking pretty dim at this point. He sang it well (except for that screechy missed note at the end--yikes!), but probably not well enough to stay on the show any longer, especially in a double-elimination week. I agreed with Simon that Anoop was "mediocre at best," though I thought Simon took it too far when he told Anoop it was his worst performance yet. It wasn't that bad. Anyway, Paula told Anoop he ought to "smile more," but I understand why Anoop's been such a sad-sack lately, when he keeps getting critiques like Simon's.

So, who is going to hustle right off the show this week? Well, if you've been reading this blog closely, you already know my prediction: Anoop and Lil will get axed. At least I hope that's who goes, because they were, in my not-so-humble opinion, the weakest this week. If it's not them, then the judges may wish they still had that Judges' Save lying around. I just hope I don't have to say, "I told you so!" in tomorrow night's results show blog.

Let's see who are going home tonight. Your guesses are as good as mine. But I am not saying who they will be.

House committee takes up hate crimes bill

[From 365gay.com]

By Jennifer Vanasco
04.21.2009 12:10pm EDT

(Washington) Legislation to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of categories covered under federal hate crime law will be taken up Wednesday by the House Judiciary Committee. It is expected the bill will be marked up and be sent to the full House for a vote, possibly before the end of the month.

The bill was introduced with bipartisan support by Reps. John Conyers (D-MI) and Mark Kirk (R-IL). In addition to LGBT rights groups, the bill has the support of more than 300 law enforcement, civil rights, civic and religious organizations.

Gay rights groups have been fighting to have the legislation passed for over a decade.

Read more on 365gay.com

Way to go Matt!

Matt Giraud singing "Staying Alive" to stay alive on Idol...literally. The judges saved him last week. Did he save himself tonight?

Will it be sing or die for Matt G tonight?

Will your favorite Idol, Matt Giraud, sings the right song tonight? Watch and vote! Keep Matt's dream alive.

9-9-9 score for Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke tonight for their classy Vienese Waltz...but wtf with the music?

Lil Kim and Derek Hough...scoring a high point (9-8-9) again with an impressive rumba. Gorgeous makeup and gown designed by...hmmmm Derek. Gay!


Melissa Rycroff and Tony Dovolani scoring top point for their Argentine Tango. 10-9-10 tonight.

Forget about the sisters...you go bros!

Ok I have to say it was the gayest episode of "Brothers and Sisters" by far. The up arrow went way up with the kiss! and then the shirtless scene. I could not stop laughing at Scotty when he opened the door. Those first few minutes were priceless and saved the show from being a real downer. I've gotten to the point I could care less about Kitty they should have offed her and just keep Rob Lowe around for eye candy. Sarah's fling with Cal (Cristian de la "Cheryl Burke" Fuente) was a nice change of pace and the up arrow also went way up when his shirt came off. YUMMY. Episode was the best shirtless episode in any series so far this year!.

Having said that...I am a proud log cabin (or a gay conservative republican) and I was all set to criticize last Sunday night's episode of "Brothers & Sisters" for having the gay couple involved in a threeway, because, like many queers, I was worried that it contributed to a common stereotype about gay people being raging sex maniacs, as if being gay as some sort of gateway relationship to every kink imagineable.

Cristian de la Fuente (Cal) and Sarah...

But in a gratifying surprise, the episode wound up with them (Kevin and Scotty) reaffirming their devotion to one another. And more significantly, the threeway story was in the same episode where Nora’s swinging ex-BF Roger showed up (he of the “open” marriage), thereby reminding us that the real kinksters out there are straight, oily, geriatric Europeans. And a hot gorgeous fire fighter, Cristian de la Fuente banging Sarah in her office's storage room reminding us that straight people are even more kinkier than gay people...no?

Kevin's and Sarah's gayest moment...


Back on good old Puritanical American soil, Roger announces the open marriage has now closed shop. He a one-woman man, and the one woman is Nora. She’s briefly happy about this, but then announces she needs some time off to deal with all her family drama first. Roger says he’s willing to wait for her. Good luck with that, buddy. Nora should have grappled with all the Walker family drama in, oh, I’d say 2014.

Robert and Kitty moment...

From 365gay.com

This past weekend, Washington, DC welcomed the national convention of a group I haven’t had a lot of nice things to say about in the past. The Log Cabin Republicans took my fair city by storm, with a series of sessions and speeches that have had serious reverberations around the gay blogosphere.

Meghan McCain
What made this year’s conference interesting were the surprising faces that headlined the event. Could the strong show of support from more moderate parts of the Republican Party indicate a sea change? Is this the beginning of a new GOP?

I’m not willing to concede my long-held belief that the very existence of the Log Cabin Republicans validates the discriminatory and hateful positions of the GOP.

But I am impressed that the Log Cabin Republicans were able to draw such interesting, and diverse, allies from their party to speak to their conference. The top three appearances of the weekend, in order of surprise-factor and significance:

3. Meghan McCain

Meghan McCain’s appearance at the Log Cabin convention has certainly drawn the most headlines, but not because it was particularly surprising. Her relatively progressive stances on most social issues, including marriage equality, keep me from being shocked at her participation. I was, however, surprised at her exuberance. She tweeted about her nervousness and excitement in the days leading up to her appearance, and delivered a thoughtful speech to the crowd.

That her mother Cindy attended the convention with Meghan was, perhaps, more interesting.

2. Christy Todd Whitman

The former governor of my former home state also spoke this past weekend to the Log Cabin Republicans, and her speech was hard-hitting about specific policies. She made three specific demands to the Republican Party: that they remove the anti-marriage equality language from their party platform, that they work to reverse DOMA, and that they oppose DADT. Those are strong positions for any former Republican governor, and she followed it up with one of the best lines of the conference:

“I am not saying to Christian conservatives, ‘There is no place for you,’ I am saying, ‘Please stop saying there is no place for us.’”

(h/t JoeMyGod)

1. Steve Schmidt

Steve Schmidt is probably the least well-known name on this list, but his appearance definitely represents something important for the Republican Party. Former advisor to Governor Arnold Schwartzeneggar and Senator John McCain, Steve Schmidt is one of the top strategists in the Republican Party. He appeared at the convention, he indicated, because he loves and supports his gay sister and his relationship with her helped shape his view on equality issues.

While Meghan McCain and Christine Whitman might have higher profiles, they’re both progressive on most social issues. Both have been tagged RINOs (Republican In Name Only) by other members of their party. But Steve Schmidt is a little different. To me, Schmidt represents the change any of us can affect just by coming out to those around us. So kudos to Steve– and his sister– for thinking outside the box.

Miss California USA 2009 messed up with the wrong queer!

Miss California USA 2009, Carrie Prejean answering Perez Hilton's question, offending queers.

QueerGam to Miss California 2009: We are so happy you lost!

We counted on you to lead the way but you ruined and blew your only chance at doing something special for the LGBT community in California and America.

Why Cheryl Burke is a dance phenomenal...

Each season the pro dancers on Dancing With The Stars submit a list of 100 music pieces; the producers select the dance music from those suggestions. Neither pro nor celeb have any say about what music they will dance to.
The big choreography challenge for the pro is to match the dance style to an unusual music choice for that dance, and make the choreography match the skill level of the celeb. Cheryl Burke is the best at meeting all these needs... which is very very difficult. She mixes and combines just about enough basic steps with cool, stunning, sensual and sometimes "uncomfortable to watch" moves within a compact 1.5 minute choreography. "She makes magic, that's her" says her current celeb partner, Gilles Marini, after their 10-10-10 score for their Argentine Tango two weeks ago. Watch Cheryl and Gilles tonight, Mon, ABC at 8pm PT. And vote! Call 1-800-868-3405 and then go online abc.com and vote some more. Watch Cheryl's choreography Argentine Tango with current partner, Gilles Marini of Sex and the City Movie. Enjoy.

OMG! Cristian de la Fuente on Brothers & Sisters tonight...

It is so good to see Cristian again tonight on Brothers & Sisters. And he looks hotter than ever. He partnered Cheryl Burke on Dancing With The Stars two seasons ago...Remember their rumba? Watch.

Miss North Carolina is Miss USA 2009

Kristen Dalton, 22, of Wilmington, North Carolina, is crowned Miss USA 2009 at the conclusion of the 58th annual Miss USA competition. She will spend her year-long reign making special appearances on behalf of the Miss Universe Organization, its sponsors and affiliated charities.

Latest from Christian and Ollie

Andy Roddick and Brooklyn Decker Wed!

Andy Roddick and Brooklyn Decker wed in Austin, Texas
Tennis ace Andy Roddick and Sports Illustrated model Brooklyn Decker have made it official! The pair wed on Friday night in Austin, TX, People magazine reports. Read on for all of the "I do" details!

Roddick, 26 and Decker, 21, married in in front of their friends and family in a small, candlelit ceremony at the tennis player's home, where none other than Sir Elton John performed. Other guests included tennis stars Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi. The decorations included tropical flowers, while the bridesmaids wore chocolate-colored gowns. The twosome reportedly met in 2007 and became engaged in March of 2008.

The Most Important American Idol Contestant Ever: Matt Giraud

He is gorgeous, to say the least. His name is Matt Giraud. He is 23yo from Kalamazoo, Michigan. He is American Idol's prized fighter.

The long-threatened veto was finally exercised last night. On Lil! Wait, no. On Gokey! Oh, hm, not that either. On Matt Giraud. A season's worth of build-up for... Matt Giraud. Not that Matt isn't good. I mean he's great if you like him. If you like that kinda thing, I mean, if that's your bag, if that's what you're into, if that knots your knickers, if it kibbles your bits. Me? I think he's too hot to handle. I can tell he hotter than most men (gay or not) in the bed. Anyway.

The episode! So many things happened. The kids went to go advertise 17 Again and it was their first movie premiere—they said this like it was their first date, or their first time at the rodeo. They'd be here again. Because, you know, that's what people do. They go to movie premieres. This our first one. Oh fuck off.

Then, golly, I dunno. Jennifer Hudson showed up. She looked great and sounded good and isn't it remarkable how in only a few years' time, someone can go from raw and unwieldy in front of the camera to smoothed-over soundbite machine? She was a regular pro up there, trading witticisms with Riley Oceanview and his Doo Wop Quartet. Good for her. She's had a shit year, but she pulled herself together nicely. Her mommy is watching in heaven, she is shining down on her.

Miley Cyrus (what the fuck?) was also wheeled out for a pre-taped performance that involved smoke and fog machines and a spangly gangly dress and the London Symphony Orchestra and the crystalline tears of Billy Ray falling gently from the sky, like butterfly-kissed snowflakes, and holy moly, are we really supposed to buy that creature? Ohhh she gives me the shivers! Isn't she so creepy? I just want to drive a stake through her heart or whisper some ancient incantation so she'll lurch back into her sarcophagus. Aieee! I'm getting scared just thinking about her. Miley Cyrus is voodoo. She's old, bad magick. Kill it, Oceanview!

The bottom three were announced and Adam chuckled and thought about how silly it is that he's never been in the bottom, because... you know... buttsex. The anti-winners were unsurprising: Lilitia Roundelay. Anoop Degarmo. And Matt Girmaund. All three of them should have just been set ablaze and left to smolder there as a warning? Or lest anyone else dare to try and get to the top seven on a string of bad performances? But there are some pretty strict fire codes in Los Angeles, so that dream could not be made a reality. Instead Loopy Noopy was sent tar-heeling back to his smug compatriots on the Couch of Relief Orgasms, where everyone was shifting in their seats, awkward and gooey. In the far, faraway future when they're interviewing decrepit old Idol contestants, they'll ask them what sums up the show more than anything else. They'll all nod their heads gravely and say: "Sticky underpants."

So we were down to just Lillian Hellmann's and Mappy the police mouse. Ryan did one of his awkward reveals: "Lil... I'm sorry... that you're going to win... at a losing contest... if it's opposite day... on the South Pole... because hamburger tiddlywink... Eddie Cibrian's haircut... the smell of bacon in the kitchen when you wake up on a Saturday morning... you are... going home... if you consider... home... to be... the Semen Sofa. Congratulations Lil. You've lost... at losing. You're safe. Let's go to commercial."

Lil was safe. She yelled "Hallelujah!", and it was off-key. So poor Moaning Mattle was the ousted. The dejected and the scorned. But what was this triumphant feeling in the air? What was this hum and shrill when he sang his stupid Bryan Adams song for ladies? Kara and Paula just didn't care who knew they biddness and just started freak dancing right there at the shimmerdesk. It's as if they knew something was going to happen... For his part, Simon tried to look concerned and interested while King Koopa Randy over there practiced his phonics.

At the end of the performance the giddy, stupid live audience—flush with the presence of Zac Efron, elated by the pure pheromones and teenage boy-stink that is pumped into the auditorium, oddly turned on by Paula's strange, creaking, rhythmic gyrations—started a cheer that was something like "Save him! Save him!" or "Rescue him! Rescue him!" or "Matt Giraud graduates to the top seven of Idol! Matt Giraud graduates to the top seven of Idol!" Whatever it was, it flicked some switch on in Simon's obsidian insides and he grinned his toothy, wicked grin and he said "Matt... it's good news." So everyone pissed themselves and splooged all over each other's faces and the world erupted into a happy chaos not seen since Admiral Ackbar and his friends blew that Death Star the hell fucking up for a second time and there was an Ewok orgy. Everyone was just so goddamned happy. Because history had been made that day. Never before had American Idol flagrantly ignored the will of the people so.

About Matt Giraud? Really?

I guess the judges cleave to that idea that if you don't use it, you lose it. So they're almost at the Top Five veto cut-off and what the hell. Here's hoping the Gokester ends up in the bottom next week and they'll be stuck with their be-ringed thumbs up their asses and they'll have to sacrifice Kara at Aulis just to steer this thing into port. Fingers crossed. And who else might go home? 'Cause, you know, it's two people next week. Lil and Anoop. It's time.

It's really, really time. Anoop, namaste! Lil, enough already, go home mommy. Cook or something and record an album...but just go home please.

Matt Giraud promoting himself on Idol...

Matt Giraud sinigng "Part Time Lover"...warm, sultry, sexy soulful vocal

Queers' favorite Idol finalist, hunky Matt Giraud of Michigan was saved by the judges' one-time power tonight...Matt will be back next Tuesday singing a disco song...We hope he will pick "Last Dance" by Donna Summer.

Time was running out when Matttook the stage to perform Stevie Wonder's "Part Time Lover." So the judges kept it short and sweet.
Randy complimented, "Vocally, one of the best of the night."
Kara added, "Incredible on every level. Unbelievable."
Paula had two kind words: "Standing O."
And Simon said, "Better than last week. Well done." Listen.


Not the highest quality video but here is Matt singing "Part Time Lover". Watch.

Afghanistan's President, Hamid Karzai, has signed a law which "legalises" rape, women's groups and the United Nations warn.

Critics claim the Afghan president helped rush the bill through parliament in a bid to appease Islamic fundamentalists ahead of elections in August. In a massive blow for women's rights, the new Shia Family Law negates the need for sexual consent between married couples, tacitly approves child marriage and restricts a woman's right to leave the home, according to UN papers seen by The Independent.

"It is one of the worst bills passed by the parliament this century," fumed Shinkai Karokhail, a woman MP who campaigned against the legislation. "It is totally against women's rights. This law makes women more vulnerable."

The law regulates personal matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance and sexual relations among Afghanistan's minority Shia community. "It's about votes," Ms Karokhail added. "Karzai is in a hurry to appease the Shia because the elections are on the way."

The provisions are reminiscent of the hardline Taliban regime, which banned women from leaving their homes without a male relative. But in a sign of Afghanistan's faltering steps towards gender equality, politicians who opposed it have been threatened.

"There are moderate views among the Shia, but unfortunately our MPs, the people who draft the laws, rely on extremists," Ms Karokhail said.

The bill lay dormant for more than a year, but in February it was rushed through parliament as President Karzai sought allies in a constitutional row over the upcoming election. Senator Humeira Namati claimed it wasn't even read out in the Upper House, let alone debated, before it was passed to the Supreme Court. "They accused me of being an unbeliever," she said.

Details of the law emerged after Mr Karzai was endorsed by Afghanistan's Supreme Court to stay in power until elections scheduled in August. Some MPs claimed President Karzai was under pressure from Iran, which maintains a close relationship with Afghanistan's Shias. The most controversial parts of the law deal explicitly with sexual relations. Article 132 requires women to obey their husband's sexual demands and stipulates that a man can expect to have sex with his wife at least "once every four nights" when travelling, unless they are ill. The law also gives men preferential inheritance rights, easier access to divorce, and priority in court.

A report by the United Nations Development Fund for Women, Unifem, warned: "Article 132 legalises the rape of a wife by her husband".

Most of Afghanistan's Shias are ethnic Hazaras, descended from Genghis Khan's Mongol army which swept through the entire region around 700 years ago. They are Afghanistan's third largest ethnic group, and potential kingmakers, because their leaders will likely back a mainstream candidate. Even the law's sponsors admit Mr Karzai rushed it through to win their votes. Ustad Mohammad Akbari, a prominent Shia political leader, said: "It's electioneering. Most of the Hazara people are unhappy with Mr Karzai."

A British Embassy spokesman said diplomats had raised concerns "at a senior level".

Idol judges used their one-time power to save Matt Giraud tonight

A sequel has been greenlit for Matt Giraud on "American Idol."

The 23-year-old piano player from Kalamazoo, Mich., who crooned Bryan Adam's "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman" from "Don Juan DeMarco" for his movie-themed performance Tuesday, received the fewest number of viewer votes Wednesday on the Fox singing competition. However, the judges decided to use their one-time power to save him from elimination.

Joining Giraud as the bottom three vote-getters this week were 24-year-old mother of three Lil Rounds from Memphis, Tenn., and 22-year-old college student Anoop Desai from Chapel Hill, N.C.

Because Giraud was rescued this week, two finalists will be sent packing following next week's disco-themed performances.

QueerGasm: We think Lil Round and Anoop Desai/Kris Allen will go home next week.

Queers to Matt Giraud: Dude, we love you even if you are to really love a woman...

Matt Giraud singing "To Really Love A Woman"...or a man, it doesn't matter, queers love him. Watch


Allison Iraheti singing "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing"


Kris Allen



Danny Gokey..."Endless Love"


Lil Round...singing "The Rose"


Anoop Desai...singing "Everything I Do, I Do It For You"


Adam Lambert singing "Born To Be Wild"

Spring arrived for gays this year, not with daffodils and cherry blossoms, but with Iowa and Vermont

So celebrate these victories. We’ve earned them, and we need them. But we also need to brace ourselves for an ugly backlash, as our opponents become increasingly desperate. Indeed, the NOM has already released a “Gathering Storm” ad spreading the myth that marriage equality undermines personal freedom. (Bravo to Good As You, and others, who have quickly responded with counter-ads and parodies correcting NOM’s false claims—you can find them on YouTube.) But there’s even more good news. Unlike California, where marriage-equality advocates had mere months to rebut opponents’ falsehoods before the amendment vote, these new developments allow us time to mount a more thoughtful response. We need to tell our stories. We need to demonstrate why marriage equality is a basic matter of fairness. We need to listen to our opponents’ concerns and then respond sensitively yet firmly. There are those who will frantically work to blunt these victories. They may win a few minor battles. But wildflowers are resilient—and unstoppable once they take root. Happy spring.

It was the marine boys, the navy seal pros who did it...why is it Obama's success? He only asked them to do it...

According to television news reports last few days, President Obama was asked no less than four times about the Pirate situation off the coast of Somalia. Yet he had no comment, preferring to talk about his emphasis on the helping homeowners avoid foreclosure. President Bush would have acted on it immediately. He acted on Sept 11 after a few hours at an elementary school in Florida. He was severely criticized for not caring enough. Media, what gives? Why is it Obama's big success? He didn't do anything other than asking them to go ahead and kill the pirates!

So now the captain is saved and the pirates are dead...President Obama, the United States needs to take a firm and harsh stand against this. There should not be a proportional response, there should be a decisively disproportional response. We need to set fear in the hearts of any willing pirates so our ships remain untouched for the next 200 years. The only thing these thugs understand is force, so let’s give it to them.

We don’t negotiate with terrorists. Mr. President, do what you can to save the life of the ship’s pilot short of paying a ransome, but once he is safe, let the rains of hell befall the pirates and all who support them. Failing that, the American flag on the side of a vessel that once kept it’s crew safe is now nothing more than a bullseye.

Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke jive it up as Lil Kim and Melissa Rycroff dance their way to the top...

The Score: 9-8-9
Our Score: 9-9-9
Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke jiving it up perfectly. They should have gotten the highest point for the choreography and Gilles's sharpness and all that sleek fast flying kicks. Hectic? No! Len, this is Jive. It should be fast and fun. And it was. Watch.


The score: 10-8-10
Our Score: 9-8-9
Lil Kim and Derek Hough dancing the Jive. The highest for the night. Watch.


The Score: 8-7-8
Our Score: 7-7-7
Julianne Hough and Chuck Wicks...it was more about Julianne spinning around. Watch.


The Score: 9-9-9
Our Score: 8-8-8
Melissa Rycroff and Tony Dovolani scored another high point from the judges. Last week their Paso was a mess but the judges gave them point they didn't deserved. Tonight their rumba was good but they should've gotten one point less from each of the judges. The second highest for the night. Watch.


The Score: 8-9-9
Our Score: 8-8-8
Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas performing the rumba. It was not bad. There is indeed a discomfort in her eyes. Rumba is the sex of dances. What she gave us tonight is less than that. There is no womanness about her (she is only 16yo) but rumba is all about being a woman, a sexy woman in the arms of a manly man. It was a nice touch by Mark, giving Shawn her prom dance. But after watching it over and over again, there was nothing sugary and romantic about their rumba. Watch.


The Score: 7-7-7
Our Score: 7-7-7
Lawrence Taylor and Edyta Slivinska dancing the Jive. Much better. Thanks to LT's friend, Warren Sapp -- last season's runner up. Watch.


The Score: 6-6-6
Our Score: 7-7-7
Ty Murray and Chelsea Hightower tackling the Jive. Much better. Less robotic. It was high energy, considering it was Ty -- the macho, manly bullfighter. Watch.


The Score: 7-4-5
Our Score: 6-7-7
Lacey Schwimmer did her best every week. But Steve-O is a hard nut to crack. Another beautifully choreographed piece but poorly executed by Steve. Watch.

Gay-Left Advocates Causing 'Chilling Effect' on Freedom of Americans with Traditional Religious Views

By Tim Graham | April 12 | NewsBusters.Org

Court victories for "gay rights" are often a defeat for other rights, most notable the freedom to associate or not associate – but largely for people who with traditional religious convictions, hardly a group that includes the national media. The Washington Post’s Jacqueline Salmon reported on Friday that religious people are increasingly losing in court. Left unaddressed: will America head in the same direction as Canada or Sweden, where religious charities or even sermons inside churches become grist for inspection by "human rights commissions" objecting to a "bigoted" religious orthodoxy?

Salmon’s story balanced out liberal and conservative advocates, but its list of court defeats might raise in conservative minds that old liberal concern about a "chilling effect" on freedom. Salmon began:

Faith organizations and individuals who view homosexuality as sinful and refuse to provide services to gay people are losing a growing number of legal battles that they say are costing them their religious freedom.

For general discussion and debate: Shouldn't EVERYONE pay income tax?

Today, Obama and many congressional Democrats (as reported on NewsBusters.org) want the "wealthy" to pay even more so there is more money for them to redistribute. The president says he wants the wealthy to pay their "fair share." Who can argue with that? But he never defines what that means. Is it fair for 10% to pay 70% of the income tax? Does he believe they should pay 75%, or 95%, or does fairness mean they should pay it all? It's clever politics to speak like that, but it is risky policy. Mr. Obama is adding to this trend with his "Make Work Pay" tax cut that means almost 50% of the country will no longer pay any income taxes, up from a little over 40% today. A certain amount of income redistribution in a capitalistic society is healthy, but this goes too far. The economic and moral problem is that when 50% of the country gets benefits without paying for them and an increasingly smaller number of taxpayers foot the bill, the spinning triangle will no longer be able to support itself. Eventually, it will spin so slowly that it falls down, especially when the economy is contracting and the number of wealthy taxpayers is in sharp decline.

QueerGasm to Jennifer Loven of AP: Are you running for the Press Secretary post in the White House? Dream on babe!

Navy Hostage Rescue a 'Big Win' -- for Obama and Liberals, Says AP

Associated Press White House reporter Jennifer Loven was quick on Monday to declare the rescue of an American hostage a victory -- for Barack Obama. In a news analysis, Loven declared:

The U.S. economy is showing only glimmers of life and two costly wars remain in the balance, but President Barack Obama's "no drama" handling of the Indian Ocean hostage crisis proved a big win for his administration in its first critical national security test.

And:

"it goes some way toward dispelling the notion that a liberal Democrat with a known distaste for war — Obama campaigned on his consistent opposition to the Iraq invasion — doesn't have the chops to call on U.S. military power."

Loven's analysis sounded like she's auditioning for the White House press office staff:

For Obama, the benefits were instantly clear: an American life saved and a major victory notched against an increasingly worrisome scourge of the seas off the Horn of Africa.

QueerGasm to Congresswoman Betty Brown: Apologies unaccepted! Apologize to the Asian community and to the newsrooms across the fruited plain

And stop being stupid!

Why New Gun Laws Won’t Work

On Friday’s World News with Charles Gibson on ABC, substitute anchor Diane Sawyer previewed the same night’s special on guns in America, "If I Only Had a Gun," and, on World News, ran a report focusing on how difficult it is to react to a gunman when taken by surprise, even if one is armed. ABC News enlisted the services of police officers to train college students in firearm use and then had the students react to one of the officers as he pretended to be a crazed gunman and burst into a small lecture room. Sawyer informed viewers: "Our training is already more than almost half the states in the country require to carry a concealed weapon."

The report documented that all of the trained students performed poorly in trying to defend themselves. Sawyer narrated a clip of one such botched attempt at self-defense: "Joey struggles to get his gun out, but it's stuck in his shirt. He can't even get it out to aim it. Had this event been real, police say Joey would have been killed in the first five seconds."

But the report only focused on this one narrow scenario in which the law-abiding citizen, sitting amidst a relatively small crowd, is taken by surprise by a skilled gunman, while the report ignores other scenarios and crime situations when the record shows that armed citizens do sometimes succeed when forced to confront criminals.

In the May 31, 1999, National Review article, "Why New Gun Laws Won’t Work," University of Chicago Professor John Lott, author of More Guns, Less Crime, wrote about two then-recent school shooting sprees that were cut short when an armed citizen in each case used his own weapon to capture the gunman. Lott:

Last Friday, MSNBC's Contessa Brewer expressed her shock and disbelief that Arizona State University would not award Obama an honorary degree

However, over the weekend, the University announced it would instead name "their most important scholarship" after Obama - instead of awarding the president an honorary degree.

"Here's the statement from ASU President Michael Crow: ‘We never felt an honorary degree was the only or event the best means of honoring his tremendous service to our country,'" Brewer said. "‘Naming the scholarship program after President Obama that will affect the lives of thousands of students is an honor befitting, not only the president's exceptional achievements, but also his value as an individual.'"

That didn't impress Brewer, responding on MSNBC in a segment on April 13. "Whoop-dee-do! That's my reaction," Brewer said

QueerGasm to Obama: Learning to stand in somebody else's shoes to see through their eyes, that's how peace begins. Comment.

Obama is the most divisive president ever

Partisanship
Obama is the most divisive president ever. A recent Pew Research Center study found that President Obama has the most polarized early job-approval ratings for a new president in the modern era. Fully 88 percent of Democrats approve of Obama's performance, while only 27 percent of Republicans do—a gap of 61 percentage points. That's worse than George W. Bush, who had a 51-point gap between Republican and Democratic approval ratings. What happened to the candidate who was going to bring us a "postpartisan" era of outreach and cooperation? Obama promised to reverse the partisan trend, but he's made it worse.

Executive Power
Barack Obama is no different from George Bush. Obama has embraced one of his predecessor's worst abuses. Three different times he has tried to shut down judicial proceedings based on the grounds that proceeding will compromise national security (most recently in Jewel v. NSA). This is the most muscular interpretation of the "state secrets" privilege. The question is not whether certain information is too sensitive to be aired in court. Obama is asserting that the information is too sensitive even to let judges look at it in any form. Yikes. Obama promised that his administration would be transparent, and he specifically mentioned the state-secrets privilege as a Bush-era abuse he would correct. Now he's going back on that pledge.

The President of the HRC vs. the President of NOM, the National Organization for Moronic Bad Acting.

Joe Solmonese vs. Mary Gallagher re: "There's a storm gathering!"

Gays, guns put right on defense

The culture wars are making a comeback, but this time social conservatives are playing defense. Photo: AP
The culture wars are making a comeback, but this time around, social conservatives find themselves in an unfamiliar position: playing defense. Just look at the headlines of the past few weeks — gay marriage is gaining ground with landmark rulings in Vermont and Iowa; the Obama administration is putting immigration back on the front burner; gun control is on the table again in the wake of several mass shootings; and, as POLITICO reported this week, the vague prospect that the Senate will ratify the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child has some conservatives talking about a constitutional amendment to guarantee the rights of parents.

Any of these issues used to be enough to ignite the social conservatives and rally their leadership in Washington.

But there is no longer a sympathetic evangelical ear in the White House. There is no Tom DeLay calling divisive yet base-pleasing votes on the House floor. Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), who was able to force Senate debate on gay marriage and flag burning in 2006, is long gone from the chamber.

That leaves social conservatives with minority-party amendments, obscure procedural maneuvers and Internet ad campaigns. Being powerless forces you to do things differently,” said Maggie Gallagher, president of the National Organization for Marriage, an anti-gay marriage group that has raised $4 million in 18 months. “You have an awakened and energized liberal base. … But the liberalism in power is energizing conservatives to stop bad things.” As Christians head into the holiest weekend on the calendar, some social conservatives believe they are on the verge of a new awakening on the political front — one driven by grass-roots activists, disdain for the Obama administration and viral Internet campaigns rather than reliance on their political leaders in Washington.

“The more Democrats push on these issues, the more they face a backlash,” said Keith Appell, a Republican public relations strategist who has represented a wide range of conservative groups, including Concerned Women for America. “The conservative base is itching for a fight.”

But as social conservatives try to regain their leverage on gay marriage, gun control or immigration, they risk accusations of being politically tone deaf for pushing such issues while the U.S. economy remains in a crisis. When people are more worried about health care, job security and cratering 401ks, heated debate over who’s allowed to marry whom may seem out of touch.

“I think most people want relief from the divisive debates of the culture wars,” said Mark McKinnon, a former adviser to John McCain’s presidential campaign and GOP consultant. “Given the economic hardships most are facing, they probably view these arguments as old, irrelevant and a distraction. That said, I’m sure the cultural warriors are putting on their war paint and banging the tom-toms.”

Capt Richard Phillips is free...pirates slained. Somali pirates are misunderstood ecologists?

Captain Richard Phillips
In this family file photo released on Wednesday, April 8, 2009, Capt. Richard Phillips of Underhill, Vt., is seen. Phillips, the American captain held hostage by four Somali pirates made a desperate escape attempt Friday April 10, 2009, but was recaptured, and officials said other pirates sought to reinforce their colleagues by sailing hijacked ships with other captives aboard to the scene of the standoff.(AP Photo)

Somali Pirates Are Misunderstood Ecologists?
Amid the widespread relief that the captain of the Maersk Alabama, Richard Phillips, was freed from the Somali pirates, there is a growing feeling among the left that those pirates are "misunderstood." The idea of those pirates as really being some sort of seafaring ecologists seems to have begun with Al-Jazeera last October with this article by Najad Abdullahi:

Somali pirates have accused European firms of dumping toxic waste off the Somali coast and are demanding an $8m ransom for the return of a Ukranian ship they captured, saying the money will go towards cleaning up the waste.

The ransom demand is a means of "reacting to the toxic waste that has been continually dumped on the shores of our country for nearly 20 years", Januna Ali Jama, a spokesman for the pirates, based in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, said.

Fox orders downsizing reality series "Someone's Gotta Go" features real-life company layoffs

"You're fired" -- but for real.

Fox has ordered a one-hour unscripted series that turns real-life company layoffs into a reality contest. The show's working title is "Someone's Gotta Go." Employees are called to a meeting and informed there will be layoffs, but with a reality show twist: The staff will be allowed to determine who is fired. The employees will have access to the company's internal information -- budgets, HR files, salaries, etc. -- to help make their decision. It's the anti-"Apprentice": Instead of contestants vying for a dream job, they're fighting to keep the lousy one they already have. Each episode will focus on one small company (less than 20 employees). The host is a business expert, not yet named, who also serves as a consultant to the companies featured on the show. There's no word yet when "Someone's" will air. The show's concept (produced by Endemol) goes against the instincts of most broadcaster programmers, who are picking up shows that remind viewers of anything but the economy. "Escapism" and "comfort food" have been mandates as networks try to find programs that help viewers forget the recession. The order comes on the heels of Fox announcing "More to Love," a dating show for overweight contestants.

OMG! This minced beef noodle is heavenly...at Emperial, Ferry Terminal Building in San Francisco

I had two bowls today! Yes, two bowls. Then finished it off with the most divine sorbet ever!

Minced Beef Spicy Noodle


Strawberry and Chocolate/Orange Sorbet

Mango Peach Sangria!

Mango Peach Sangria
What a fantastic drink!







Ingredients
1 cup frozen mango chunks
1 cup frozen peach slices
1 cup peach schnapps (recommended: Dekuyper)
2 (11.5-ounce) cans mango nectar (recommended: Kerns)
1 bottle white wine

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir. Refrigerate for several hours for flavors to blend, or serve immediately. Serve chilled in wine glass

AND NOW THE EMPIRE STATE WILL THROW DOWN...

From thinkprogress.org:

New York Gov. David Paterson (D) today said that he plans to re-introduce legislation making same-sex marriage legal in the state. “We’ll put a bill out and let the people decide one way or the other,” Paterson told WHCU-AM in Ithaca. In 2007, then-governor Eliot Spitzer introduced similar legislation, but it stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate. The state Senate is now controlled by Democrats but “still appears a few votes shy from having the 32 votes needed for passage.”

New York state currently recognizes same-sex marriages performed legally in other states.

10-9-10 score for Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke's Paso Doble tonight

Another great performance from Gilles and Cheryl this week, scoring 10-9-10 point and a standing ovation from the crowd, Carry Ann and Bruno. They are fast becoming the fan's favorite partners and the judges love them as do America. Watch and vote!

Cheryl Burke and Gilles Marini on Ellen...sexy!

Will they continue their domination tonight?

"We had safe sex ...most of the time" -- Levi Johnston to Tyra Banks

Truth is -- America is obssessed with teenage sex especially when it comes to famous teenagers like Levi Johnston and Bristol Palin. Teenagers will have sex and there is nothing we can do -- not even Obama or The Pope can stop teenagers having sex. Levi Johnston is being used by Palin-haters. And Tyra Banks knows it. It is not Levi's or Bristol's fault. It is the fault of those who are exploiting them. We are disppointed at the ways people like Tyra, Oprah, and all the talk show hosts out there using innocent ones to increase their viewership. That is why when something bad happens to talk show hosts, we celebrate with champagne. We want them to fail and to feel the pains. We want them to feel what it feels like destroying others on live TV/radio just because they can. We want them to suffer and to fall very very hard. We hate them. We hate everything about them. Below is an example of how a talk show host uses an innocent 18 year-old, Levi Johnston, to improve her ratings. This is not something we should be proud of. This should not make us feel good. This is very cheap and very distasteful.



Palin camp responds to Levi Johnston
Bristol Palin's ex boyfriend and father of her baby, Tripp, went on the Tyra Banks show this week and spilled secrets, including that he thinks Sarah Palin knew the two were together in the biblical sense. This, obviously, did not go over well with the Palin camp who released the following:

"Bristol did not even know Levi was going on the show. We're disappointed that Levi and his family, in a quest for fame, attention, and fortune, are engaging in flat-out lies, gross exaggeration, and even distortion of their relationship," says the statement from the Palin family rep, Meghan Stapleton.

"Bristol's focus will remain on raising Tripp, completing her education, and advocating abstinence," the statement continues. "It is unfortunate that Levi finds it more appealing to exploit his previous relationship with Bristol than to contribute to the well being of the child." The statement ends, saying, "Bristol realizes now that she made a mistake in her relationship and is the one taking responsibility for their actions."

Also featured on Tyra Banks recently...
"GAY FOR PAY"...on Tyra Banks Show Pt 1


GAY FOR PAY...on Tyra Banks Pt 2


GAY FOR PYA...on Tyra Banks Pt 3


GAY FOR PAY...on Tyra Banks Pt 4

SWEDEN LEGALIZES GAY MARRIAGE.

Sweden will go from Civil Union to full marriage equality on May 1st with a law that was just passed. Swedish same-sex couples will have the same choice as straight couples to either get married at City Hall or in their church. The Lutheran Church, with 74% of Swedes attached to it in 2007, is highly supportive of the law and is expected to accept it during a synod in October. Sweden had had registered partnerships since 1995. Those will remain in effect and can be converted into full marriages if the partners so desire. However, new registered partnerships will no longer be available to couples starting May 1st as there's no more need for them under the law.

IOWA DECLARES GAY MARRIAGE BAN UNCONSTITUTIONAL, VERMONT BILL PASSES HOUSE.

Good news for gay marriage in the US: The Iowa Supreme Court has unanimously declared state law banning gay marriage unconstitutional. The ruling will take effect on April 24, 2009 and Iowa will thus become the third state where same-sex marriage will be legal in the US. Meanwhile in Vermont, the appropriate bill has passed the House this week- but the Governor can still, and intends to at this point, veto it.

For those of you who have yet to be hooked...watch the Starter Kit of Season 1 and Season 2.

Brothers and Sisters, ABC, Sunday 8PT..It is getting better and better. For those of you who have not seen this family drama, don't miss next season.
Watch the starter kit below.

Joseph Stiglitz: "It's going to be bad, very bad"

In an interview, the Nobel Prize-winner and former chief economist at the World Bank talks about the Great Depression, Obama's stimulus package and today's financial crisis.

By Spiegel via Salon.com

Many people are comparing the financial crisis to the Great Depression. Will it really be that bad? It's going to be bad, very bad. We're experiencing the worst downturn since the Great Depression, and we haven't reached the bottom yet. I'm very pessimistic. Governments are indeed reacting better today than during the global economic crisis. They're lowering interest rates and boosting the economy with economic stimulus plans. This is the right direction, but it's not enough.

The American government has committed over a trillion dollars to save the banks and $789 billion to boost the economy. Do you think this is too little?

I do. More than $700 billion sounds like a lot, but it's not. On the one hand, a large part of the money will first be given out next year, which is too late. On the other, a third of it is drained away by tax cuts. They don't really stimulate consumption, because people will save the majority of that money. I fear that the effect of the American economic stimulus plan won't be even half as big as expected. At least governments worldwide are bracing themselves against the recession, as opposed to the global economic crisis where they accelerated the recession through their savings policy. That's right. That's why I'm confident we'll get off lighter than during the Great Depression. On the other hand, there's a series of developments that make me very anxious. The state of our financial system, for example, is worse than it was 80 years ago.

Hundreds of banks collapsed in the U.S. at that time. Today most of them are being saved by the government. What's so bad about that?

The banks that survived 80 years ago continued to lend money. Today many banks aren't lending money anymore, above all the large investment banks. This will deepen the crisis. The U.S. government's emergency plan is supposed to prevent this, though. The banks receive money from the state so they can continue to give loans. That's the idea, but it doesn't work. We're just throwing money at them and they pay billions of it out in bonuses and dividends. We taxpayers are being robbed for all intents and purposes in order to reduce the losses that some wealthy people bear. This has to be changed.

What do you suggest?

We have to reorganize our bailout system for the financial sector. For one thing, any bank that actually lends should get money from the government; more money to small and medium-size banks in smaller towns and less to Wall Street institutions. The government must also accept the consequences when banks become insolvent ...

… and let them go bankrupt?

No, they have to be saved, because the consequences to the monetary system would be incalculable. But as a countermeasure, these institutions have to be nationalized, which even Alan Greenspan is now demanding. Then the government can close those business segments that have nothing to do with lending and make sure that the banks no longer organize esoteric stock deals that they themselves do not understand.

Today the world is much more intertwined than in the 1920s or 1930s. Does this make the fight against the economic crisis easier?

On the contrary, it's going to be more difficult. When a country introduces an economic stimulus plan, a large part of the stimulus goes abroad. For instance, a U.S. company receiving a road construction order from the state buys equipment from Germany, concrete from Mexico and engineering services from Great Britain. The incentive to profit from the economic situation of one's neighbor is correspondingly great, while doing as little as you yourself can do. There is only one solution for this: Economic stabilization policy has to be coordinated internationally in order to diminish the already dangerous global imbalances.

What do you mean by that?

For years the U.S. was the economic powerhouse of the world. It imported more goods from abroad than it exported, to the joy of manufacturers in Asia or Europe. But this model no longer works. The Americans are completely over-indebted. They can't increase their consumption, instead they have to save. This is why other global growth has to be increased.

Washington sees it that way, too. In particular, it wants countries with strong exports to offer further economic stimulus packages. Do you think that's justified?

Absolutely. Export surpluses are counterproductive in times of economic crisis. They have to be reduced through economic stimulus programs, for example. Economist John Maynard Keynes was even of the opinion that surplus countries should be taxed during times of economic crisis. Which might not go over so well. That's why we wouldn't go that far. I propose that countries with a positive trade balance should stream part of their surplus to the International Monetary Fund. This can then stimulate the economy in developing countries or prevent the economy from collapsing in Eastern Europe.

The global economic crisis following 1929 only really began when governments sealed off their respective countries from international trade. Is there still a danger of this?

I think it's unlikely that countries will again enter into open protectionism. What I do fear is indirect insulation measures like financial aid or subsidies. The consequences wouldn't be less serious. There is the threat of secret commercial obstacles that could similarly greatly restrain global exchange, like tariff increases.

The leaders of the 20 largest industrial nations are meeting in London this week to discuss the regulation of financial markets. Will the meeting be successful?

I'm skeptical. The American government does talk a lot about stricter regulation of financial markets. I doubt that it's serious, though. The Americans have always been masters at changing a supposed regulation measure into further deregulation.

Do you expect this of the new Obama administration as well?

Obama himself has made clear in many speeches that he wants to prevent prospecting in the American financial industry. But Obama is under pressure from Wall Street. Even within his own administration, there are a lot of officials who are only for cosmetic corrections.

The U.S. is against too much regulation in the financial markets, and Germany and Japan would prefer no further economic stimulus packages. Can much come out of the G20 summit?

The governments will find the words to put a positive spin on the conference. If they can do anything, they can do that. Everyone will say that more regulation is necessary and that balance is needed between national sovereignty and common action in a globalized world. But how much substance will lie behind their words? I'm skeptical.

The economic crisis has severely damaged the economic model of finance-driven turbo-capitalism. Will this lead to a renaissance in the state economy?

I don't think so. The fall of the Berlin Wall really was a strong message that communism does not work as an economic system. The collapse of Lehman Brothers on Sept. 15 again showed that unbridled capitalism doesn't work either.

Could authoritarian systems like China's be the future?

Besides the two extremes of communism and capitalism, there are alternatives, such as Scandinavia or Germany. The Chinese model has succeeded very well for their people, but at the price of democratic rights. The German social model, however, has worked very well. It could also be a model for the U.S. administration.

The crisis began in America, spread to other industrialized nations and now threatens the emerging and developing countries. Is the target of the community of states to halve global poverty by 2015 still achievable?

Because we don't know how long this crisis will last, it will become more difficult to keep to this promise. I'm also pessimistic, for example, now that the USA is discussing whether we can still afford development aid during the crisis. But there are countries like Japan and Germany that have raised their contributions to the IMF and World Bank to help the Third World.

Will Africa be the big loser in the crisis?

I'm fearful of that, because even the high growth of 6 percent in Africa in the last few years hasn't been enough to permanently fight poverty. A lot of the countries on the continent which inherited a low standard of education, and no infrastructure from colonialism, have solely focused on increasing commodity prices. That was a risky strategy. The IMF's structural development policies also contributed to deindustrialization. We haven't managed to create a stable foundation for the African economies. World Bank president Robert Zoellick has said that the industrialized nations should direct 0.7 percent of their stimulus packages to the developing countries. That's too little. Take the U.S. example. Each country would receive around $5.5 billion per year from $789 billion. It's a lot more than nothing, but only a drop when compared to what the countries require, namely up to $700 billion in this year alone.

Mr. Stiglitz, thank you for this interview.

Will they continue their domination this week...?

Last week Gilles and Cheryl melted hearts with their sexy Argentine Tango, scoring the perfect 10-10-10, the first perfect score of the season. Will they continue to dominate the dance floor this week with their "deadly, ferocious, animal magnetism"? Watch.

Christian and Ollie ...new episodes on Verbotene Liebe

Gay Marriages to begin in Iowa April 24

Gay marriage, seemingly the province of the nation’s two coasts, is just weeks away from becoming a reality in the heartland and apparently it will be years before social conservatives have a chance to stop it.

The Iowa Supreme Court on Friday unanimously upheld a lower-court ruling that rejected a state law restricting marriage to a union between a man and woman. Now gays and lesbians may exchange vows as soon as April 24 following the landmark decision.

The county attorney who defended the law said he would not seek a rehearing. The only recourse for opponents appeared to be a constitutional amendment, which couldn’t get on the ballot until 2012 at the earliest.

“I would say the mood is one of mourning right now in a lot of ways,” said a dejected Bryan English, spokesman for the Iowa Family Policy Center, a conservative group that opposes same-sex marriage.

In the meantime, same-sex marriage opponents may try to enact residency requirements for marriage so that gays and lesbians from across the country could not travel to Iowa to wed.

U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, urged the Legislature to do so, saying he feared without residency requirements Iowa would “become the gay marriage mecca.”

via Source