Homophobic Former Rep. Allen West (R-FL) Joins FOX News

Former Rep. Allen West (R-FL), who has compared homosexuality to choosing an ice cream flavor, has said anti-gay workplace discrimination doesn't exist, opposed DADT repeal, and fired an intern for retweeting a pro-gay tweet, has joined FOX News as a contributor:

In making the announcement, Shine said, “Representative West’s congressional and military experience along with his fearless approach to voicing key issues will provide a valuable point of view to the FOX News lineup.”

Currently, West is the Director of Next Generation TV Programming with PJ Media. Prior to that, West served as a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Florida, representing the state’s 22nd congressional district, from January 2011 to January 2013. While a member of Congress, he served on the Armed Services and Small Business Committees. Additionally, West was a member of the Tea Party Caucus.

Anti-Gay Florida Rep. Allen West Concedes to Patrick Murphy

After two weeks of refusing to accept that vote-counting by officials in St. Lucie County, Florida, favored his opponent Patrick Murphy, including a recount which extended Murphy's lead, Rep. Allen West (R-FL) conceded the race late Tuesday, Politico reports:

West acknowledged that he couldn’t surmount his 1,904-vote, or 0.58 percent, deficit. That difference was just outside the 0.5 percent threshold to automatically trigger a recount of all votes.

Said West in a statement:

“For two weeks since Election Day, we have been working to ensure every vote is counted accurately and fairly. We have made progress towards that goal, thanks to the dedication of our supporters and their unrelenting efforts to protect the integrity of the democratic process. While many questions remain unanswered, today I am announcing that I will take no further action to contest the outcome of this election...I pray he will serve his constituents with honor and integrity, and put the interests of our nation before his own.”

News: Nate Silver, Jeremy Renner, Marriage Money, Gaza

Miami bar Tobacco road has been many things in its 100 years, including a gay bar.

With weed food possibly going mainstream in Colorado and Washington, CBS News takes a look at some cooks crafting foods that will make you smile.

Some low ball estimates for immediate revenue Maryland, Maine and Washington could enjoy once same-sex marriages get up and running: "Wedding-related spending for in-state couples is projected be about $16 million in Maine, $63 million in Maryland and $89 million in Washington."

On Dean Chambers' attacks on Nate Silver and his "voodoo statistics": "There was more than a touch of homophobia to the criticism (Silver is gay), not to mention an aversion to scientific rationalism that has come to characterize certain segments of the conservative right. (Gawker compared the attack to "something like a jock slapping a math book out of a kid’s hands and saying, 'NICE NUMBERS, FAG.'")"

An Israeli airstrike on Gaza City killed eleven people today.

Oh, Rupert Murdoch: "Why is the Jewish owned press so consistently anti-Israel in every crisis?"

Tea Party Rep. Allen West's supporters are losing their minds after election officials failed to meet a recount deadline, meaning that, as expected, Democratic rival Patrick Murphy will take West's seat in Washington, though not before more right wing protests, of course.

Adam Roberts somehow got great chefs to share their best kept culinary secrets. Now he's passing them on to you. How delicious.

"Because You're So Sweet"

Just for the record, David Beckham is not leaving the LA Galaxy to play in Australia.

Michael Fassbender rubbed up on co-star Ryan Gosling while shooting Terrence Malick's new film in Mexico.

The happiest of birthdays to Rachel McAdams.

Check out Fiona Apple's new track for This Is 40.

Don't expect marriage equality in Pennsylvania, at least not without federal or SCOTUS intervention: "Gov. Tom Corbett and many in the Republican-controlled General Assembly oppose gay marriage, and state law barring it would have to be repealed or struck down by a court. Those on both sides of the issue say the commonwealth's political climate has not forced lawmakers to take a stand on the issue, which isn't viewed as a high priority."

Jeremy Renner and the SNL cast had a ball sending-up The Avengers last night.

The origin of Twitter-born words: "Jacob Eisenstein at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and colleagues examined 30 million tweets sent from US locations between December 2009 and May 2011... After collecting the data, the team built a mathematical model that captures the large-scale flow of new words between cities. The model revealed that cities with big African American populations tend to lead the way in linguistic innovation."

Cynthia Deford, a lesbian mother in Washington state, has started a petition to ban teachers from campaigning for political causes in school after her daughter's teacher wore a button supporting a ban on gay marriage there.

Allen West Demands Recount as Ballot Tally Shows He Lost

With 100 percent of the vote in, Florida Congressman and teabagger Allen West has lost to Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy by approximately 2,500 votes.

Said Murphy last night:

“I am humbled by the outpouring of support from the voters of the Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches. I pledge to be a representative who will work across the aisle, listen to all points of views, and work to end the divisiveness in Congress. Our country faces many challenges, and by working together we will continue to move our country forward.”

West is refusing to concede.

Writes his campaign manager Tim Edson:

"This race is far from decided and there is no rush to declare an outcome.  Ensuring a fair and accurate counting of all ballots is of the utmost importance.  This race is far from decided and there is no rush to declare an outcome.  Ensuring a fair and accurate counting of all ballots is of the utmost importance.  There are still tens of thousands of absentee ballots to be counted in Palm Beach County and potential provisional ballots across the district.

Late last night Congressman West maintained a district-wide lead of nearly 2000 votes until the St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections "recounted" thousands of early ballots.  Following that "recount" Congressman West trailed by 2,400 votes.   In addition, there were numerous other disturbing irregularities reported at polls across St. Lucie County including the doors to polling places being locked when the polls closed, in direct violation of Florida law, thereby preventing the public from witnessing the procedures used to tabulate results.  The St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections office clearly ignored proper rules and procedures, and the scene at the Supervisor's office last night could only be described as complete chaos.   Given the hostility and demonstrated incompetence of the St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections, we believe it is critical that a full hand recount of the ballots take place in St. Lucie County.   We will continue to fight to ensure every vote is counted properly and fairly,  and accordingly will pursue all legal means necessary."

Towleroad Guide to the Tube #1219

MOUNTAIN CLIMBING IN PAKISTAN: Incredible footage shot by a drone.

DISORDERLY INTOXICATION: Rep. Allen West's hideous attack ad on Patrick Murphy. Murphy campaign responds: “Allen West is shamelessly attacking Patrick Murphy for a mistake he made as a teenager, which he has discussed at length in the media as a mistake he learned from.  West then goes on to discuss his tenure in the military in 2003 while failing to acknowledge that he was criminally charged that year for assault and violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice," said Murphy for Congress communications director Erin Moffet.  "The only reason he was able to escape prosecution is because he cut a deal to retire.  Unfortunately, West's unstable behavior has continued in Congress, and he continues to diminish the office and the people to which he serves.”

ROSS WATSON: The Australian artist has an exhibition opening in London. Ian McKellen speaks.

CROCODILE TEARS: The Obama campaign previews the upcoming debate.

For recent Guides to the Tube, click HERE.

Rep. Allen West Upset That Obama Hasn't Yet Released 'The Angel of Death in the Form of an American Bald Eagle'

Rep. Allen West (R-FL) went off on Facebook in reaction to Obama's UN speech yesterday with some bizarre language:

My statement to the United Nations would have been, “The future does not belong to those who attack our Embassies and Consulates and kill our Ambassadors. The Angel of Death in the form of an American Bald Eagle will visit you and wreak havoc and destruction upon your existence”

Here's the rest of his statement if you're interested:

In his speech today to the United Nations, President Obama stated six times that the attacks across the Islamic world are attributed to a silly video. Furthermore, he refused to use the words terrorist attack in referring to what occurred in Benghazi Libya at our US Consulate on the 11th anniversary of 9-11. He continues to offer up apologies instead of defending our hard earned First Amendment right to freedom of speech and expression. There is no message to this silly video trailer, and it is beneath the dignity and esteem of the Office of the President of the United States to mention it at all. When tolerance becomes a one way street it leads to cultural suicide. I shall not be tolerant of the intolerant. I know about the UN Resolution 1618 which would make any statement deemed by the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) “offensive’ to Islam a crime…..NOT ON MY WATCH FELLAS!