Learn to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

A report due out today will reveal that investigators testing security conditions at 10 federal sites were able to smuggle bomb components past guards every time they tried. The Government Accountability Office was behind the test, which exposed lax security at sites including the State Department, the Department of Justice and the Office of Homeland Security.

In each case, actual bomb parts were smuggled in and bombs were easily assembled on site.

Also uncovered, an incident during which a guard inadvertently allowed a baby to go through an X-ray machine. The guard was fired, but later sued—and won!—for proving a lack of training in handling the machine.

It's safe to say that the Federal Protective Service, charged with keeping the sites safe, is in the crosshairs over this report.

Towleroad Guide to the Tube #504

WATCH YOUR BACK, CASPER: The ghost of Michael Jackson?

NOT A GHOST OF A CHANCE: CNN ghostbusts.

STRAIGHTFORWARD: Via Leave It To Seaver: "Why Marriage Matters."

MUNCHIES: Michael Phelps for Subway.

Not So Admirable Admiral: Don't Rush on Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Admiral Mike Mullen—chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and America's top military officer—said on CNN's State of the Union that he favors a "measured" approach if any changes are to be made to Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

"It's very clear what President Obama's intent here is. He intends to see this law change. I've had conversations with him about that. What I've discussed in terms of the future is I think we need to move in a measured way."

With all the talk we've had of the need for the policy to be reviewed, Mullen admitted he hasn't done "any kind of extensive review." His priority is to "give the president my best advice, should this law change, on the impact on our people and their families at these very challenging times."

The last bit heavily implies that allowing LGBT soldiers to serve openly could have some kind of detrimental effect on family values, and that wartime might be an inopportune moment to move on this. Pitting LGBT soliders against "our people and their families" begs the question: What about our people and their families, Admiral?

After the jump, video of Colin Powell's appearance on the same show, calling for DADT to be "reviewed"...

Anderson Cooper vs. Sarah Palin's Spokesperson: Full-Court Press

Anderson Cooper makes mincemeat of Sarah Palin's hapless spokesperson Meg Stapleton, who was in New York, not Alaska, at the time of Palin's sudden resignation. If he knew anything about basketball, the exchange might have been even worse for her.

Speaking of spokespeople, Palin's press secretary David Murrow posted this on his Facebook page a day before she quit: "There's gonna be some fireworks this weekend!"

Yes, but looks like this firecracker turned out to be a dud.

CNN Defends Host Glenn Beck's Use of Anti-Gay Slur

On Monday's Glenn Beck Program on CNN, the following exchange took place (I mentioned it briefly on Tuesday) regarding the Grey's Anatomy/Isaiah Washington incident:

BECK: But anyway, Dave, what is the—what is the controversy? One of the guys called another guy a naughty name.

GLOVER: Yes. Basically you have Isaiah Washington, who's one of the stars of the show, who referred to one of his co-stars during a heated argument as a derogatory term for a gay man that starts with “F”, rhymes with maggot. Did it a couple more times after that. And do you like how I did that?

BECK: Yes.

GLOVER: And…

BECK: Do you know that “The New York Times” wouldn't even print — I mean, we can say the word. We're having an adult conversation here. Wouldn't even print the word “faggot.”

GLOVER: Right.

BECK: Wouldn't print it. I find that amazing.

Now, this is far from the first offensive remark from Glenn Beck's mouth.

GLAAD complained to CNN about Beck's classification of the anti-gay slur to CNN's standards and practices department to object to the host's designation of the word fa**ot as a "naughty name" as well as his gratuitous use of it.

Said GLAAD President Neil Giuliano: “Beck's obnoxious repetition of the slur — and his flip dismissal of it as simply a 'naughty name' — speaks volumes about his appalling ignorance of its impact. Beck added nothing to the audience's understanding of the issue, except perhaps to demonstrate his juvenile belief that repeating an anti-gay slur makes him an 'adult.'”

CNN, a company that employs many gay and lesbian folks — some of them in front of the camera — defended their host's use of the F-word, according to GLAAD: "On Wednesday, a CNN spokesperson told GLAAD that Beck wasn't using the word himself, that Beck's show is an 'opinion show' and not a news program, and that Beck was expressing an opinion about The New York Times’ decision to not use the word."

Here's the question again. If Beck were discussing the N-word as a "naughty name" and mocking a national newspaper for not printing it, would the network's response be the same?

CNN defends host's use of the word "faggot" - network slammed by lead gay anti-defamation group [americablog]
GLAAD Criticizes CNN Host Glenn Beck's On-Air Use of Anti-gay Slur [glaad]

Related
CNN Censors Footage of Bill Maher Outing Ken Mehlman [tr]

CNN's Thomas Roberts Comes Out at Gay Journo Confab

I've always held a special place in my heart for CNN anchor Thomas Roberts, so I was interested to read a report by Beantown Cuban from the annual National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association conference that was held in Miami this month.

If he hadn't made his sexuality known before, he reportedly let it all out in Miami, announcing that the conference was the "biggest step" he had taken to really being out in public, and that he had slowly been coming out at CNN over the years.

Beantown Cuban reports that Roberts (who caused a lot of "swooning in the hotel's hallways" - no doubt) said he was proud of his partner, and said something that might be taken as words of wisdom to one of his fellow anchors:

"When you hold something back, that's all everyone wants to know.''

Bravo to Roberts. And if you haven't tuned in to Headline News to see him, you'd best be touching that dial.

(thanks christine)