03/28/2007
News: Sanjaya Ponyhawk, Alberto Gonzalez, Iowa, Billy Bean
The Iowa state Senate has approved a bill prohibiting discrimination against gays and lesbians: "Backers of the bill, mostly Democrats, pushed it to passage on a 32-17 vote. They portrayed the legislation as a needed strike against discrimination that would also make the state more economically attractive. The bill, Senate File 427, would add the words 'sexual orientation' and 'gender identity"' to the Iowa's Civil Rights Act, which currently bars discrimination based on age, race, creed, color, sex, national origin, religion and disability. The act specifically targets discrimination tied to employment, housing, public accommodations, education and credit." The bill has been sent to the House.
Sanjaya and the ponyhawk rule American Idol, plus: "Gwen Stefani can't mentor worth a damn! What the hell kind of advice was she giving...yeah no advice! She just stood there and smiled and then told us what she really thought of your no-talent asses behind their backs!"
Radar lines up out gay athletes John Amaechi, Billy Bean, and Esera Tuaolo for a roundtable on life in the locker room. Bean: "I was actually once asked if I was a top or a bottom on a radio show, and that was the first time that I think I was embarrassed in public. When you become public, when you "come out," when you invite the public into your private life, there is a sense that you deserve to be asked that question."
No, nothing to hide: Alberto Gonzalez directly contradicts his own statements about the firing of U.S. attorneys.
Wingnut and Earth-hating Senator James Inhofe vows to stop Al Gore's global warming concert from taking place on Capitol grounds.
Cristiano Ronaldo: balcony underwear flasher.
Dina Matos McGreevey prepares to speak and a once-married gay man has a few things to say about it: "When a gay man finally decides to come out to his wife, it's a moment he's prepared for, in some cases over the course of his entire life, but in all cases, he's worked up to it, he's had time to prepare for this new reality. In most cases, he's chosen the time and the place, he's rehearsed the scene many times in his head. Furthermore, he sees it as the beginning of a new life, a mentally healthier life (or so he hopes,) the pursuit of wholeness as a human being. He goes into it prepared and on his own terms."
John McCain calls media a bunch of "jerks".
Van Hansis, who recently was nominated for a daytime Emmy for his role as a gay teen on As the World Turns, is about to get a boyfriend (on the show). (Show clips...)
Burger King set to make "historic advance" in animal welfare: "...the world's second-largest hamburger chain, said Tuesday that it would begin buying eggs and pork from suppliers that did not confine their animals in cages and crates. The company said that it would also favor suppliers of chickens that use gas, or "controlled-atmospheric stunning," rather than electric shocks, to knock birds unconscious before slaughter. It is considered a more humane method, though only a few slaughterhouses use it."
Posted 1:05 PM EST by Andy Towle in Al Gore, American Idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, Discrimination, Gay Rights, Iowa, John Amaechi, John McCain, News, Sports, Van Hansis | Permalink
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Let me begin by saying I never have, nor ever would have an interest in watching anything related to "American Idle". I see it as nothing more than a collosal waste of time and energy. That said, when I first saw Sanjay (and that sobbing idiot that they planted in the audience to get him votes) as NEWS on every national station, I thought "High School Talent Contest - Runner Up." That was about the caliber. Someone put into the contest on a dare.
Considering how the media just will not let Anna Nicole Smith die, I am sure that Sangay... er... jay will be around for a long while, too. Perhaps in a duet with Clay Aiken?
Posted by: Rad | Mar 28, 2007 1:39:15 PM
For decrying American Idol as a "collosal [sic] waste of time and energy", you seem to be quite familiar with it. I ignore it by, well, ignoring it.
Posted by: Ryan | Mar 28, 2007 2:23:11 PM
"...Sangay... er... jay..."
Yup - cultural elitists are seldom clever.
Posted by: Anita Woodward | Mar 28, 2007 2:25:16 PM
"cultural elitists," my ass! Mediocre amateurism is mediocre amateurism regardless of what color it comes in. Who knew hijras could afford speed dialing software.
Posted by: Leland | Mar 28, 2007 2:43:17 PM
Oh come on, get off the high horse. Television is at least partly entertainment. This blog shows that there are a wide array of interesting topics, from politics to fluff. If you aren't interested in a topic, then don't read it or watch it. Move on to the next one. And there is no need to throw around big terminology just to show us how impressive you are.
Posted by: John | Mar 28, 2007 2:56:09 PM
Sanjaya for American Idol!
To the person who doesnt know American Idol -- perhaps you are not aware that many of his votes are spawned on by Howard Stern fans or people who visit votefortheworst.com. Sanjaya is not a reflection of American taste; he's slowly become a reflection of subversive rebellion through cheap mainstream media.
Posted by: Gregoire | Mar 28, 2007 3:04:32 PM
Well to be off topic about the Sanjaya haters and supports here, let me just say, more Ronaldo please!
Posted by: Sam | Mar 28, 2007 3:11:45 PM
Did you really write Inhofe as an "earth hating Senator" cause I'm pretty sure his carbon footprint is a hell of a lot smaller than Gore's. Besides the fact that is blatant slander.
Posted by: tim | Mar 28, 2007 3:11:58 PM
Tim, shut the fuck up you clueless shit.
Posted by: Jason | Mar 28, 2007 3:32:25 PM
The pony hawk convinced me that Sanjaya is part of an elaborate practical joke. He keeps upping the ante each week until people catch on.
That being said, I'm totally voting for him. I'd love to see him in the finals!
Posted by: sam | Mar 28, 2007 3:48:16 PM
Um, go Iowa? What an interesting event for a state, like my homestate, that also (WHY DAMMIT? WHY?) re-elected commander-in-chimp for a second term. I guess if you're into farmers and cornfed homos? With their declining population statistics, it will be interesting to see how this strategy pans out.
Also of note (per Wikipedia and I have no idea when these statistics were taken or by whom, but...):
Protestant – 50%
Lutheran – 16%
Methodist – 13%
Baptist – 5%
Presbyterian – 3%
Pentecostal – 2%
Congregational/United Church of Christ – 2%
Other Protestant or general Protestant – 11%
Roman Catholic – 23%
Other Christian – 1%
Other Religions – 6%
Non-Religious – 13%
Did not answer – 5%
Perhaps religion is NOT necessarily the bugaboo commenters on Towleroad as of late have been making it out to be? Just sayin...
AI is just fun to poke fun at. At least I hope that's the real reason people watch. I'm just going to shut off the reality capacitor in my brain and deny that anyone really takes that garbage seriously. Al Gore is still President, right? RIGHT?
Billy Bean is a victim of his own bullshit.
"Billy Bean: And if you are a jock and you want to be in sports, you learn to act like everyone else behaves, you learn to act [emphasis] straight."
He could've left that last bit out and still made his point perfectly clear...don't squeal, lisp, swish and behave like a STEREOTYPE and people don't get all bent out of shape or weirded out. Let's face it, even some homos get bent about their own peeps acting out, it's just human behavior. I find nothing wrong with the diverse nature of sexuality, but on occasion, I can see where the excessive behavioral performances of some "stereotypes" can make people uncomfortable, not unlike dying my hair black and spiking it to jesus, wearing eyeliner, and painting my fingernails black, but having nothing to do with being a drag queen in the mid 80s. So friggin what. Billy Bean's own experience isn't mine and I sure as hell don't need the world thinking of his experience as my own. Personally, I would've asked the moron in his previous radio interview number 1, why he was asking, and 2, did he want to go home with me later, because otherwise, it was none of his goddamn business...but that's just me. Sure Billy took great steps and was courageous in coming out when he did, but c'mon! The interview just makes him sound so inadequate.
If athletes are going to be spokespeople, I'd much rather John Amaechi do it and Billy Bean can STFU. Whiner.
Alberto Gonzalez? Another patsy for the regime. Is anyone else waiting for the day the curtain falls from behind GW and there's Cheney pulling strings and wires while cranking a million pulleys and tapping pedals shouting "PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!" No, I take that back. I'm takin' bets it's Mom Babs. She's the true face of evil.
...and Inhofe can lick her feet in hell.
Until Ronaldo gets caught in some Europorn Guys Gone Crazy gangbang video, I'm still yawning. Boring. But hey, it's always funny to see how careless (careful?) these guys get.
Haven't we covered what a pair of douchebags the McGreevy's are? And Oprah is pretty much taggin' herself for that interview. Yeah, their top concern is for their children now, isn't it?
McCain needs his meds. Isn't there some system of checks and balances for the mental stability of our government employees? Oh right.
Yay Van! Nice job...now can we credit the writing team too?
Burger King and "Animal Welfare Associates"? Gross!
What animal welfare advocates SHOULD be saying is "If you can't kill it, pluck it, skin it and cook it yourself, YOU SHOULDN'T EAT IT!"
Hrmmm, maybe I should move to Iowa.
Posted by: FizziekruntNT | Mar 28, 2007 4:00:56 PM
Yikes. Fizziekruntnt, get your OWN blog! LOL.
Posted by: Martin | Mar 28, 2007 4:18:18 PM
I do NOT watch Idle. Coverage of this... low point of social dreck has made every national news cast. Much like the OJ trial, you can't escape it even when you try and escape it.
And yes, I calls 'em likes I see's em. Sanjay is a Queen in the making. Eyecandy, regardless of the venue, still catches my eye when my Gaydar explodes.
Posted by: Rad | Mar 28, 2007 4:19:47 PM
You know, Martin, I have always resisted saying that to others when I've noted the same, however, it was MY TURN, BEEHATCH! Tell that to Leland and RJP3PO etcetera next time! lmao.
Posted by: FizziekruntNT | Mar 28, 2007 4:23:51 PM
Tim,
Inhofe is an Earth-hater and a hater of everything else that doesn't fit into his pathetic, narrow-minded, little world. Gore may use greater amounts of energy, but his carbon footprint is probably smaller than Inhofe's, who couldn't care less about the environment.
As one of Inhofe's constituents, I'd write urging him to support Live Earth, but it wouldn't do any good. The man can't see past his own vindictive ego and being slapped down by Boxer in front of Gore certainly did nothing to help. Inhofe simply hates Gore and is more than willing to let that hate dominate everything he does.
Inhofe cares only about himself and his power. He doesn't give a damn about OK or his constituents other than the bible-bashers who live in the same fantasy world he does.
Posted by: OKGhostrider | Mar 28, 2007 4:27:19 PM
In addition to not really getting Fizcunt's beef, or should I say baloney with Billy Bean, I can say that I'm casually acquainted with Billy and he isn't deserving of such shit-for-brains flaming. He remains extremely active in the struggle for LGBT rights, is remarkably articulate for an athlete, and doesn't claim to represent all gays, even all gays in professional sports. So, Fizzie, if anyone needs to STFU it's toi-t.
Posted by: Leland | Mar 28, 2007 4:53:02 PM
Great for Iowa! They are moving in the right direction. Fizzie, religion has a long history of oppressing gay people. That's why I don't trust religion one bit. Having oppression end doesn't turn that around automaticly. Maybe in 5 thousand years gay people will not have to worry that their life and freedom are threatened.
I think Sanjaya is cute.
I think all three sports players are great speakers. Esura is wrong in saying that he expects a white person to say f@ggot but not someone of another race. On the issue of gay people they confirmed everything I believe about the current state of attitudes toward gay people.
Posted by: Jack! | Mar 28, 2007 4:54:24 PM
Nobody requires your personal understanding of their commentary, Leland, but in most circumstances, you of all people seem most ignorant of that fact. As you have quite adequately demonstrated in your past, and typical rants and raves, you're the smartest and only acceptable source of commentary in your own microcosm. Perhaps a bit more name dropping and name calling will add another layer of class to your self-esteemed highness? If I personally address you and tell you to STFU, please feel free to return the favor. Otherwise, have a nice day hon.
Posted by: FizziekruntNT | Mar 28, 2007 5:07:50 PM
Fizcunt: calls us back when you're through menopause.
Posted by: Leland | Mar 28, 2007 5:19:50 PM
Yes, Sanjay is a joke. If Melinda Doolittle wasn't competing, I'd say have at it Sanjay. Fuck it up good. I would like to think he doesn't represent American taste, but all the little girls who think he's cute tell me otherwise.
And to those who turn their nose up at this show, I can't say I blame you. I certainly did my share of AI bashing till my husband got me hooked on it this season.
But everyone has their guilty pleasures... EVERYONE.
What's yours?
Posted by: mark m | Mar 28, 2007 8:49:54 PM
Leland is only saying all that because he's a self-hating fem who wishes guys like Billy gave him the time of day. Also, he's a misogynistic ass.
Posted by: Jason | Mar 28, 2007 10:48:55 PM
FizziekruntNT,
The scope of my comments regarding your observations shall be limited to your correlation, analysis and conclusion regarding religion and whether or not it's nearly the problem that some of us believe it to be. From a purely statistical and analytical perspective, the vague correlation that you draw between the statistical breakdown of religious affiliations as a percentage of the Iowa State population vs. the State legislatures progressive move to protect the rights of it's minority citizens from discrimination really isn't valid. The devil, as the saying goes, is in the details. Your analysis lacks enough statistical depth to draw such a sweeping conclusion regarding the relative benign or harmful nature of religion to the human species in general and specifically to the LGBT struggle for equality.
Posted by: Robert In WeHo | Mar 29, 2007 5:30:58 AM
Did anyone notice how hot Cristiano looks in his undies or is everyone focused on the daily slash and burn contest?
Posted by: Johnny Lane | Mar 29, 2007 8:24:33 AM
Dear Robert,
I am in awe of such energetic verbosity, but in quick recap, I made no such analysis nor "sweeping conclusion" as you so duly noted, nor would I have dared go as far as you to have made any absolute correlation between "the Iowa State population vs. the State legislatures progressive move to protect the rights of it's minority citizens from discrimination". Having read the article in question thoroughly, my precise supposition was in finding the percentages of religious affiliations of the State of Iowa as listed by Wikipedia (also noted as neither fact nor fiction as there was no reference to polling venue or statistical validity) to be an interesting comparison to what the state legislature is proposing. In effect, although apparently not stated clearly enough, my notation was merely to suggest that financial reasons are at play and that religion does not appear to play sides when money is at stake. I couldn't disagree more with your noble accolades for the state legislature of the state of Iowa.
Posted by: FizziekruntNT | Mar 29, 2007 10:04:55 AM
I've been posting to the Sioux City website (regarding the situation in Iowa)...wow, there's a zealot there already. I'm glad my homestate has joined the 21st Century, but saddened at the same time that such rampant hatred resides here as well. [URL]"http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2007/03/27/news/latest_news/ed0dc5c23dcef3a0862572ab004a0462.txt[/URL]
This link will take you to the comments page.
Posted by: Saturn69 | Mar 29, 2007 10:51:03 AM