House Holds Eric Holder In Contempt For Fast And Furious Files

Attorney General Eric Holder made history today, and unlike his vow not to defend the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act, this accomplisment is not worth celebrating.

For the first time ever, the House of Representative voted 255-67 to a sitting Justice Department head in criminal contempt. In Holder's case, it's for his refusal to turn over documents relating to the Fast and Furious gun-running scandal that was sparked by the death of a border agent named Brian Terry. According to CNN, nearly all of the House Republicans voted "yea" and were joined by 17 Democrats.

Holder doesn't seem too stressed about the being held in contempt. He described the vote as "the regrettable culmination of what became a misguided — and politically motivated — investigation during an election year."

"By advancing [this case] over the past year and a half, Congressman (Darrell) Issa and others have focused on politics over public safety," said Holder.

"Instead of trying to correct the problems that led to a series of flawed law enforcement operations, and instead of helping us find ways to better protect the brave law enforcement officers, like Agent Brian Terry, who keep us safe — they have led us to this unnecessary and unwarranted outcome."

DC Stabbing Being Called Hate Crime

Police in Washington DC are treating a Tuesday night stabbing as a hate crime.

According to the Washington Blade, two men and one woman were arrested after allegedly stabbing a 16-year old man outside the District's Howard Theatre while shouting anti-gay slurs.

A police arrest affidavit filed in D.C. Superior Court says a witness reported seeing Ali Jackson stab the victim in the left bicep, lower back, and left leg after Campbell grabbed the victim from behind and held him in a “headlock.” The affidavit says Alvonica Jackson assisted [Desmond] Campbell in holding the victim against his will as the stabbing took place.

While the three defendants approached the victim, Ali Jackson “made several homophobic slurs directed at the [victim],” the affidavit says.

The victim “produced a can of pepper spray and sprayed all three defendants, who fled the location after being sprayed,” the affidavit reports the witnesses as saying.

The unidentified victim was treated and released from Howard University hospital. The accused stabbers face a court hearing tomorrow.

Minnesota Marriage Measure's Name Is Pretty Explicit

Minnesota law requires the secretary of state pick an "appropriate title" for all ballot measures, and current Secretary Mark Ritchie certainly did just that when mulling the name of a measure that would constitutionally define marriage as being between one man and one woman.

The Pioneer Press reports:

Ritchie wants the ballot measure, which will define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, to be titled: “Limiting the Status of Marriage to Opposite Sex Couples.”

He sent his recommendation to Attorney General Lori Swanson on June 15. State law requires the secretary of state to provide “an appropriate title” for each ballot question.

The proposed marriage amendment is one of two slated for the Nov. 6 ballot. The second question asks voters whether to amend the state’s constitution to require voters to show ID at the polls.

No word on what that ID measure will be called, but surely Democrat Ritchie can think up something.

(h/t JMG)

Trevor Thomas Makes Final Push In Michigan Congressional Race: VIDEO

With the clock ticking toward Michigan's August 7 primaries, Congressional candidate Trevor Thomas is ramping up his campaign. And things are looking good for Thomas -- that is, when voters are given more information about Thomas, meaning that Thomas needs to focus on getting his name and message out there. Today's endorsement from Rep. Patrick Murphy, a key Democrat in the fight to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, could, in theory, help in that regard.

"Trevor Thomas is a passionate public servant who will stand up for middle class families and fight for the people he represents," Murphy said, according to a press release. "A member of Congress needs to be able to work with people of different views. The repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell didn't just happen — it required extensive legwork and a willingness to reach across party lines. We would not have succeeded in repealing this discriminatory policy without Trevor. He showed the kind of dedication and commitment we should expect from a member of Congress. In this age of partisanship and rancor, West Michigan - and America - need Trevor Thomas in Congress."

Thomas said he is "honored" by Murphy's endorsement. "Representative Murphy's work has brought America closer to realizing its promise: that all are created equal and should have the same opportunities to serve our country."

But even a high-profile endorsement may not be enough to fill Murphy's campaign coffers, and with only a few days to go before fundraising ends, he's still out there stumping for change. If you want to help him out, you can do so HERE.

Meanwhile, you can check out video of Thomas telling a bit about why he's gone into politics, how to help the auto industry and what he would do about immigration reform, AFTER THE JUMP.

Towleroad Guide To The Tube #1155

'ACTIVIST:' Michele Bachmann joins the anti-John Roberts chorus.

MURJANI: Blondie shills for Gloria Vanderbilt jeans in 1980 commercial.

TOTAL: Trailer for the Total Recall remake starring Colin Farrell.

ASTEROID HUNTER: Private deep-space telescope looking for space rocks.

For recent Guides to the Tube, click HERE.

News: Ancient Pottery, Nerdwallet, Adele's Inspiration, Dubious 'Spoof'

Guess where President Obama found about the health care ruling. Stumped? Cable news. Leaders of the free world — they're just like us!

Anti-gay activist Bill Whatcott is suing Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for libel after the network aired footage of one of his homophobic fliers that read "Kill The Homosexual." He claims it was simply a spoof of a death metal song that said "Kill the Christian."

Will a ballot measure legalizing pot give President Obama a solid win in Colorado come November?

Adele's heartbreak over a bisexual boyfriend who left her for a gay man allegedly inspired her Grammy-winning album 21. Why can't all breakups be so fruitful.

Lourdes does Madonna.

Nagging question: "Who needs feminism?" Um... ladies? Men? Everybody? Nobody?

Gay Green Lantern goes off the rails after a train explosion seems to kill his boyfriend in DC Comics' Earth 2 #3.

Singer Corey Hart talks more about re-releasing his song "The Truth Will Set You Free" as a gay pride anthem.

The Defense of Marriage Act creates a labyrinth of tax and real estate laws. The website NerdWallet wants to help cut through the clutter: "This week, financial information website NerdWallet launched a tool to help LGBT partners work through the tangled financial, legal and tax complications implicit in their relationships."

Rightwingers are turning on Chief Justice John Roberts after he supported President Obama's individual mandate philosophy, but they shouldn't be: "If you read the opinions, he sided with the conservative bloc on every major legal question before the court. He voted with the conservatives to say the Commerce Clause did not justify the individual mandate."

From Australia: "Four in ten same-sex couples are Christians, according to a detailed snapshot of the nation's gay community based on the latest census data. Christians represent a smaller proportion of same-sex couples than heterosexual couples, of which more than two-thirds affiliate with the religion."

Shocking news, everybody. Raising children makes same-sex couples just as tired as straight couples, and therefore less energetic for sex: "Researchers at SF State interviewed 48 gay male couples who are raising children together in San Francisco and Salt Lake City. What they found was that these gay parents had similar lifestyle changes as straight parents, specifically they have less time and energy for sex."

Ancient pottery suggests man started cooking during — and because of — of the ice age.

If you wanna get with Chris Evans, you got love his doggie-loving style.

Los Angeles Times reporter Matt Donnelly on how the late director Nora Ephron helped him grow into the man he is today: "It was me, and Nora in my head, against the world for a while. I finished college when I Feel Bad About My Neck was released, and things had changed. I had a stronger sense of community, not just gay but with my changing and increasingly consistent circle of friends."

Tsk-Tsk: Mila Kunis lied about her age to land a role on That 70s Show.

Does Andrew Garfield have what it takes to be a leading man? That's the $220 million question. ($220 million, naturally, being The Amazing Spider-Man's budget.)