First Look: Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Banks as The First Couple

Here is the first shot of Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Banks as George and Laura Bush in Oliver Stone's upcoming film W.

It's ok. The arrogant smirk's not bad.

If you remember, I posted the first pages of the script back in April which feature the members of Bush's team trying to come up with the name "Axis of Evil" and a flashback to a drunken frat party at Yale.

Previously

Oliver Stone's Bush Flick: Fade in on Turdblossom, Frat Hazing [tr]

(image via justjared)

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Eli Manning Digs for Meaning in President's Speech

Yesterday, George Bush honored the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants at the White House.

(via wonkette)

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White House Rewrites 'Mission Accomplished' Banner

Tomorrow is the five year anniversary of the day Bush stood on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln in front of the banner that read "Mission Accomplished" and said, "Major combat operations in Iraq have ended." Since then, 3,920 U.S. soldiers have been killed and countless Iraqi civilians.

Here's this year's spin on that speech, according to a White House press conference today:

Dana Perino: "President Bush is well aware that the banner should have been much more specific, and said, 'Mission Accomplished For These Sailors Who Are On This Ship On Their Mission'. And we have certainly paid a price for not being more specific on that banner. And I recognize that the media is going to play this up again tomorrow, as they do every single year."

According to Think Progress, "This is only the latest tack the White House has taken to defend Bush’s 2003 remarks. Last year, Perino insisted that 'we did prevail,' while former press secretary Tony Snow laughably claimed that Bush 'said just the opposite' of 'mission accomplished.'"

Watch the press conference, AFTER THE JUMP...

Um...um...um. Dana Perino is about this close to a Kristen Wiig SNL character. What a joke, if it weren't such a crying shame.

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News: David Blaine, Spiders, NFL Draft, Methodists, George Bush

Bush disapproval rating breaks Gallup poll record: "President Bush has set a record he'd presumably prefer to avoid: the highest disapproval rating of any president in the 70-year history of the Gallup Poll. In a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll taken Friday through Sunday, 28% of Americans approve of the job Bush is doing; 69% disapprove. The approval rating matches the low point of his presidency, and the disapproval sets a new high for any president since Franklin Roosevelt."

Breathe: David Blaine to attempt record-breaking inhale on Oprah.

Queer Month at Rhode Island College plagued by vandals.

"Possesses a V-shaped torso with a well-defined upper body, good bubble, developed calves and good chest thickness." Craigslist ad or NFL Draft profile?

Gay joke ban rejected by British House of Lords: "The television stars Rowan Atkinson and Christopher Higgins, who is himself homosexual, are among the prominent figures to have spoken out against the proposal to create a new offence of incitement to 'homophobic hatred'. ...Peter Tatchell, the prominent homosexual rights campaigner, also spoke out against the measure, arguing that freedom of speech should be sacrosanct."

Brad Pitt is a ruff rider.

Gay-straight alliance challenged in Janesville, Wisconsin.

David Beckham to strip for Ellen Degeneres?

Market: Clay Aiken will premiere his new album to audience of housewives on QVC.

Plague of venomous spiders shuts hospital in Australia: "The black spiders with a red stripe, close relatives of the black widow, are about 2-4 centimetres (0.8-1.6 inches) long and common across Australia. Their bites can cause severe pain, muscle spasms and death, although no fatalities have been recorded since an anti-venom was introduced in the 1950s."

Methodists hold convention in Fort Worth, brace for debate on homosexuality: "...there will almost certainly be another round of heated debate and contentious votes over whether the UMC should change its official position that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching and withdraw its ban on noncelibate gay pastors. Recent General Conferences have seen protests by gay-rights supporters. Eight years ago in Cleveland, some 200 demonstrators, including two bishops, were arrested for disrupting proceedings. Still, most experts believe the big tent of the UMC will hold, however the winds blow in Fort Worth. Some even say the denomination has turned a corner toward unity."

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Bush: I'm Thrilled to Be Anywhere with High Ratings These Days

A sign of the times...

FDR gave the country The New Deal. George W. Bush gave the country Deal or No Deal.

And I'd say we got a raw deal.

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

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News: Alan Tudyk, Pope Benedict, Provincetown, Christina Aguilera

Bush thanks Pope Benedict XVI for an "awesome" speech. Approval rating at 28%.

Armani Exchange holds London briefing.

Somebody is way too young to be flipping the bird. Did he learn it from his mother or his father?

Study: Same-sex marriage in Iowa would be a boont o the economy. "The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law estimates that same-sex weddings and related tourism would lead to $160 million in spending over the next three years. The total economic activity related to same-sex marriage would give the state an extra $5.3 million per year in tax revenue, the study says."

Earthquake rocks Illinois: "A 5.4 earthquake that appeared to rival the strongest recorded in the region rocked people awake up to 350 miles away early Friday, surprising residents unaccustomed to such a powerful Midwest temblor. The quake just before 4:37 a.m. was centered 6 miles from West Salem, Ill., and 66 miles from Evansville, Ind. It was felt in such distant cities as Chicago, Cincinnati and Milwaukee, 350 miles north of the epicenter, but there were no early reports of injuries or significant damage."

Chace Crawford on his perfect companion: "I don’t have any real guidelines for any particular girl. If they ring your bell, they ring your bell."

Alan Tudyk tapped for gay role in new pilot from Will & Grace creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan that centers around the partnership between two writers, based on them. One is straight, one is gay.

University of Massachusetts hosts Drag Ball: "Students were decked out in their drag finest, men in wigs and gaudy prom-inspired eveningwear and women suited up with matching fedoras and suspenders. The Drag Ball kicked off with an entertaining introduction from host Envy Chanel, winner of Miss New England International Plus 2008. The feisty bundle of joy donned an outfit nothing short of noticeable. 'I bought you disco ball arms, Asians on the body, and slippery black boots," she playfully cooed.'"

LOGO claims broadcast of first gay-targeted High-Definition TV show.

Matthew McConaughey channels Jesus.

Rich of FourFour honors the best vagarm in history.

New writers colony sprouts in Provincetown, in Norman Mailer's old house: "Joan Didion, William Kennedy, Doris Kearns Goodwin and Gunter Grass have consented to be on the board. Four universities have expressed interest in partnering with the project. Mailer's third-floor studio, just as he left it, will be preserved as a museum. The home's four bedrooms will be used to house visiting distinguished writers and scholars. The first floor will be an area for lectures and conferences. Writers who are accepted will receive a stipend and be housed in other locations in town. There will be slots for writers of fiction and non-fiction, as well as those working on scripts for stage and film. Funds have already been pledged, and Schiller hopes the colony will be launched next year."

Domestic partners: Salt Lake City begins registration of gay couples.

The Gay Recluse honors the smokin' hot statuary of Washington Heights in NYC.

Florida same-sex marriage foes kick off ballot initiative in West Palm Beach. Sidney Lanier, a retired Florida Highway Patrol officer: "The world that we grew up in is very different than the world we live in. Some changes have been good. But some things are never meant to change, because they define us as human beings."

Kylie Minogue's new video for "All I See" has been released - watch it.

Gay sperm donor loses bid for guardianship of his blood child, being raised by two lesbians: "Rejecting his claim yesterday, Mr Justice John Hedigan said the child's welfare was best served by remaining with the couple, and by the man in his forties having no guardianship or access to the infant. There was nothing in Irish law to suggest that a family of two women and a child had 'any lesser right to be recognised as a de facto family than a family composed of a man and woman unmarried to each other and a child'. The judge added that the rights of a man who acted as a sperm donor were no greater than those of an unmarried father. He had the right to apply to be appointed as a guardian, but no automatic right to appointment."

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Asst. Defense Secretary Under Reagan Says End 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Lawrence J. Korb, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress and Assistant Secretary of Defense from 1981 to 1985, strongly criticized the Bush administration's policies in Iraq and Afghanistan with regard to the U.S. military and told the House Committee on Armed Services that not allowing gays and lesbians to serve is endangering troops and the military as a whole.

Said Korb:

"The Army and Marine Corps cannot afford to place unnecessary obstacles in the way of qualified men and women who want to serve. Over the past 10 years more than 10,000 personnel have been discharged as a result of ['Don't Ask, Don't Tell'], including 800 with skills deemed 'mission critical,' such as pilots, combat engineers, and linguists. These are the very job functions for which the military has experienced personnel shortfalls. General John M. Shalikashvili, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1993 when the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy was enacted, no longer supports the policy because he now believes that allowing gay men and women to serve openly in the military would no longer create intolerable tension among personnel and undermine cohesion. A recent Zogby poll supports this view. It found that three-quarters of Afghanistan and Iraq veterans were comfortable interacting with gay people."

Yesterday, Box Turtle Bulletin made note of the growing list of public servants who have publicly opposed the flawed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

Reagan-era defense expert to House: Allow gays to serve openly in the military [pageoneq]

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Fighting the Real McCain

David Brock's Progressive Media USA begins running this ad on cable today, according to Talking Points Memo.

They report: "The ad, called 'Out of Touch,' will be running on cable beginning tomorrow and can be seen in D.C. on CNN and MSNBC -- which is to say, it's a small buy aimed at an insider audience of potential future donors, political operatives, and the like."

Brock's group is in the process of raising $40 million to fund its media campaign against the Republican candidate.

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

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Bush Gives his Endorsement to John McCain [tr]

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Oliver Stone's Bush Flick: Fade in on Turdblossom, Frat Hazing

The Hollywood Reporter has published the opening scenes to Oliver Stone's W flick which you can read above, and AFTER THE JUMP.

As we fade in, a couple of speechwriters as well as Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rice's assistant Stephen Hadley, and Karl Rove attempt to come up with the "Axis of Evil" moniker. The scene then shifts to Bush at a drunken frat party at Yale.

Says the Reporter: "According to four Bush scholars who read a draft of the script, the tale has elements that are unquestionably accurate (like when George Jr. comes home drunk and nearly gets into a fistfight with his father) and elements that are just plain made-up (like when the president and his advisers discuss high-level policy in a casual, even frat-house, sort of manner)."

No doubt. But with lines like "Don't get cute, Turdblossom," I can't wait to see it.

Josh Brolin as Elizabeth Banks have been cast as the first couple. Check out pages two and three of the script, AFTER THE JUMP...

First Showing has a rundown of the cast so far.

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George W. Bush Booed at Washington Nationals Season Opener

As he strode to the mound Sunday night to deliver the first pitch at Washington Nationals season opener at the new National Ballpark, President George W. Bush received a chilly welcome from the 40,000+ crowd who booed him the entire time he was on the field.

Nationals manager Manny Acta caught Bush's pitch.

Above, the president waits nervously in the wings...

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #266

REAL WORLD HOLLYWOOD: The trailer for the new season.

RYAN PHILLIPPE: Phillippe visits Ellen Degeneres and they talk about his first acting role as a gay teen on One Life to Live but she does not ask him for his 'gayest look'. (source: queerty)

RECESSION: The movie.

SEX AND THE CITY: Starring Bea Arthur. (source: a socialite's life)

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here.

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News: Barney Frank, Bullied, Missing Emails, Steve May, Birdwatcher

White House has new excuse for missing emails: we threw away the hard drives.

Mangina: Make Me a Supermodel's Perry demonstrates how to do "a proper tuck".

Ryan Phillippe gives Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon his blessing.

Arizona Republican Steve May rescinds Congressional bid after mom and pop refuse to release him from family business: “(My parents) always see my behavior as erratic because they’re dishonest. Sobriety showed me that they were engaged in … evil behavior that I want nothing to do with."

Judge anticipates more dirt in McGreevey divorce trial: "If Dina Matos McGreevey presses a claim that she was duped into marrying New Jersey's gay ex-governor, she'll likely endure a mountain of embarrassing evidence exposed at the trial. 'This week was just the tip of the iceberg,' Union County Superior Court Judge Karen Cassidy cautioned the warring former first couple at a hearing Thursday."

Kate Beckinsale tells Allure she'd rather eat vagina than sushi: "I have to say, sushi freaks me out more than almost anything. At least a vagina would be warm. [laughs] My publicist has literally turned a funny color and is going to go have a lie-down. He's throwing up now, as well. I find a lot of things kind of funny and I often say what's on my mind, and then get nine texts from all my friends going, 'What's the matter with you?' But I haven't ever made a big attempt to have any particular image. And I don't really worry about it."

Good news, Wentworth Miller fans. Prison Break has been picked up for a fourth season.

Mr. DeMille, your estate is ready for its close-up.

Barney Frank calls for decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana on Real Time with Bill Maher: "Frank offered no details on his legislation, and it's not at all clear that he could ever get it to the House floor for a vote. A Frank aide was unaware of his plans other than his statement on HBO. Frank has introduced legislation in previous years to allow the use of 'medical marijuana,' although the bills never made it out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Asked by [Bill] Maher as to why he would push a pot decriminalization bill now, Frank said the American public has already decided that personal use of marijuana is not a problem. 'I now think it's time for the politicians to catch up to the public,' Frank said. 'The notion that you lock people up for smoking marijuana is pretty silly. I'm going to call it the 'Make Room for Serious Criminals' bill.'"

Hire your own paparazzo.

Bullying Billy: The NYT explores the case of one Fayetteville, Arkansas boy whose parents say has become a target for torment.

Mika steps up security after death threats: "Apparently the 24-year-old crooner has been forced to step up security after receiving some dodgy death threats from over-zealous fans. But the Grace Kelly star seems determined to put on a brave face, insisting: 'I'm absolutely fine - don't worry about me - I'm not scared.' In fact, far from shying away, he's promising to be much more flamboyant. 'I want to make my shows even more dramatic,' he told us."

Rediscovering God: Britney Spears negotiating to sing gig at Mel Gibson's Holy Family Catholic Church in Malibu.

Welsh TV birdwatcher Iolo Williams says his tight-fitting shorts have found him a new audience: "The dad-of-two, married to wife Ceri, told Wales on Sunday: 'A friend of mine, a girl who lives in Newport, told me about one of her mates who is gay, and said they have an informal gay club. One thing they did was tape my S4C programmes wearing my tight shorts and would get together in a bar to watch it. I was a little bit surprised at first but absolutely delighted. If they all watched my programmes it would probably double my audience!' Game-for-a-laugh Iolo said he’d would be more than happy to pop out for a pint with his newfound fanbase."

I Love My Boo: NYC safe sex campaign targets young Black and Latino gay and bisexual men. "One of the elements of this campaign that I love is that the language reflects it's target audience. It's current and even a little hood. ... Beautiful images of brothers loving and respecting each others bodies and souls. Now that's not something you see everyday."

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #261

5 YEARS IN IRAQ: Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) has a message on the anniversary.

LOCKSTEP: Bush and McCain on Iraq.

UNION STATION FREEZE-IN: Code Pink protestors borrowed the Improv Everywhere Grand Central Station 'freeze' concept and staged a protest in Washington DC's Union Station - five minutes for five years.

SHANTYTOWN: BBC covers the tent cities which have sprung up outside of L.A. in the wake of the mortgage crisis.

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here.

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The Dream Ticket and The Scream Ticket

Political portraiture.

(left image via Joe.My.God, right image via our earlier post)

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Truth in Advertising: Bush is the American Psycho

Speaking in a language most everyone in the world can understand, advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi created this billboard to promote the TVNZ premiere of American Psycho in New Zealand.

(via bestadsontv)

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #257

GERALDINE FERRARO: Defends her remarks that Obama is where he is because he is black.

DREAM TICKET: Nancy Pelosi puts the kibosh on any Clinton-Obama, Obama-Clinton combo.

GEORGE W BUSH: The president sings an early farewell at the Gridiron Roast.

BILL O'REILLY: O'Reilly vs Godwin's law.

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here.

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Josh Brolin Flaunts It, Gives Thoughts on Milk, Bush

Josh Brolin appears in the new issue of Flaunt. More images at Boy Culture. He also gives an interview to the San Luis Obispo New Times in which he discusses taking on the characters of Dan White (in Milk) and George W. Bush for the upcoming Oliver Stone flick.

"Dan White, there's so much footage of him and there's so much video and audio in his confessions and all that, that it's definitely ... nerve-wracking because you feel like you have to do the family justice in some way, and the person justice, but you don't want to do a carbon copy. It's the same thing with Bush. I'm getting ready to play Bush, George W. We're talking just about how close we want to get to him, and we want to stay in the spirit of it instead of trying to do a carbon copy because there's been so many comedies based on George Bush. So yeah, it gets a little more nerve-wracking. But I think once you get those iconic portions of the character, then you can go and kind of do your own thing and get away with it and still feel free instead of stifled."

Brolin also reveals how his participation in Milk came about:

"Sean [Penn] was the one that went to Gus [Van Sant] for Milk and said 'What about Josh,' 'cause me and Sean and Woody Harrelson and Catherine Keener had a great night when we were in Toronto and me and Javier Bardem, we all went out one night and had one of the funnest nights I've ever had in my life. It was hilarious, and we were all completely insane. I've known Sean off and on, but really through that night Sean went to Gus and said 'What about Josh for playing Dan White' and then when they came to me with it, I read it and thought it was amazing but I just thought it'd be fun. It'd be fun to play with Sean. Literally. Like a kid. I want to go play with Sean. Anyway, I know it starts to sound a little insane, but it's true."

He'd be so much hotter without that cigarette.

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Javier Bardem Trades Oscar Statue for Josh Brolin [tr]
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Diane Lane: Gay Men Lust for My Husband Josh Brolin [tr]

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The Republican Nominee

Said Bush yesterday: "I've had my time in the Oval Office. It's been a fabulous experience...and by the way, I'm not through."

View a new spot for Campaign to Defend America, AFTER THE JUMP...

Previously
Bush Gives his Endorsement to John McCain [tr]
(image source)

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Bush Gives his Endorsement to John McCain

Bush: "I've had my time in the Oval Office. It's been a fabulous experience...and by the way, I'm not through."

Lucky us.

The press conference, AFTER THE JUMP...

(via shakespeare's sister)

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News: GQ France, Breakdancing Beckham, Atlantis, Jason Statham

One of the judicial nominees Bush has been threatening a recess appointment for was recently arrested for DUI wearing a little black dress, fishnet stockings and stilletto heels: "Apparently, Federal Judge Robert Somma, rear-ended another motorist in his Mercedes-Benz after tying one on in a local gay bar. He had difficulty locating his drivers license in his purse. His wife, Wendy, says he's not interested in talking to the press right now."

Spice Girls shocked by baby breakdancing Beckham.

Wisconsin gay rights group utilizes election to raise awareness of upcoming court vacancies.

British BMW salesman forced from job by homophobic co-workers: "Ben Hamilton, 26, claims he was branded 'the nice poof', 'faggot' and 'bender Ben' by workmates at a BMW showroom. He told the hearing he was banned from wearing pink clothing and was made to change. And when he grew a beard he claimed colleagues walking past him would jeer the phrase 'Deal or No Deal?' at him after gameshow host Noel Edmonds up to 30 times a day. Mr Hamilton said a manager told him: 'It must be great to be gay. Does it mean you and your fella can go out, have a few beers, have a curry, beat each other up and still get laid?'"

Space Shuttle Atlantis heads home from International Space Station in preparation for Navy shootdown of errant spy satellite.

GQ launches French edition.

Student: Goldfish aren't the peabrains you think they are.

Excavated remains identified as Sir Hugh Despenser the Younger, lover of King Edward II: "Despenser died a gruesome death, being publicly hung, drawn, quartered and disembowelled for treason in 1326 following Edward's fall. The remains, found in the 1970s on Despenser's brother-in-law's estate at Hulton Abbey, Staffordshire, bear such hallmarks, anthropologist Mary Lewis says. Lewis, from Reading University, made the link by drawing on the manner of execution, carbon-dating of the bones and the absence of several parts of the body. The skull, part of the vertebra and one leg are buried on the family estate at Tewkesbury Abbey. 'Research on the bones shows he was stabbed in the throat and probably stabbed in the stomach, but we would not have any evidence to disembowelment unless the knife had hit any bones,' Lewis said."

Writer Andrew Holleran pays a visit to Fort Lauderdale.

Ben & Jerry endorse Obama, scoop "Cherries for Change" ice cream. "Barack is showing that when you lead with your values and follow what you have inside that good things will happen. What we saw is that when you want real change it's not a marketing slogan. You have to do things differently. And that is not going to be done by someone who's been involved in the system for years and years. It needs to come from inside and Barack Obama has it."

Winehouse likes her chicken fried.

Jason Statham drops the big burly half of himself.

Japan's top court rules Mapplethorpe photos not obscene: "The verdict was hailed as a victory for artistic freedom by a Japanese publisher who filed the lawsuit. His copy of a Mapplethorpe book was seized in 1999 when he tried to bring it from the United States for personal use. Reversing a lower court ruling, the Supreme Court ordered customs to lift its ban on bringing in the book of photographs, entitled 'Robert Mapplethorpe.' In the 2003 ruling, the Tokyo High Court ruled that the book, which included images of male genitals, went 'against good sexual morality.' But Kohei Nasu, the presiding judge, said at the Supreme Court: 'The book and pictures do not fall into a category that would disturb the public,' as quoted by Jiji Press."

UK father-to-be charged in "cowardly, disgraceful" attack on homophobe mistaken for gay man: "John Edwards, prosecuting, told York Crown Court yesterday the assault happened last July when Mr Sandey was returning home along St Mary's by the riverside in York after a night out. He said the area was known to be frequented in the evening by homosexual men, and a passer-by heard one of the group shouting homophobic insults. 'When the defendant pleaded guilty he did so, acknowledging this was aggravated by homophobia. The target of their violence, quite randomly it would seem, was this complainant,' he said. A woman who saw the attackers, including Walls, described seeing Mr Sandey on the ground. The men were punching him before one - it is not known who - jumped on his leg as they shouted 'he is a pervert'. Afterwards Walls spoke to the witness, telling her his name. Forensic experts later found blood on him."

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Tim Gunn Dubs Hillary Clinton's Fashion Sense 'Gender-Confused'

Last night Tim Gunn, whose Poindexter presence makes Project Runway, appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Conan had him analyze the fashion sense of a couple political figures, starting with a photo that was taken last summer of President Bush wearing a pair of Crocs and black socks with a Presidential seal on them.

Tim seemed a bit hesitant to lay into the president, saying "I can only imagine that the Crocs are a metaphor."

However, Gunn really dug into Hillary Clinton's fashion sense:

Gunn: "When she was in the White House I really thought there was hope for her. And then she became the senator from New York and I thought 'hurray, hallelujah, she's from New York, she's representing us, her fashion will really be ramped up,' but I think she's confused about what her gender is. She's so mannish in her dress, and I believe the suits are probably made out of Kevlar. I just don't get it. There is one Capitol Hill leader whose fashion I think can't be beat and that's Nancy Pelosi."

Ouch. Of course, Clinton herself has recently poked fun at her own fashion sense but I can't help but think calling her gender-confused might not sit too well with some people. Though it certainly inspired a roar from the audience.

Watch the full clip, AFTER THE JUMP...

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Senate Approves Telecom Immunity, Broader Surveillance

The Senate voted yesterday to give the U.S. government more unconstrained power to spy on its citizens as it granted telecom companies immunity from lawsuits related to such surveillance.

"On a 68 to 29 vote, the Senate approved the reauthorization of a law that would give the government greater powers to eavesdrop in terrorism and intelligence cases without obtaining warrants from a secret court. The Senate's action, days before a temporary surveillance law expires Friday, sets up a clash with House Democrats, who have previously approved legislation that does not contain immunity for the telecommunications industry. The chambers have been locked in a standoff over the immunity provision since the House vote Nov. 15, with President Bush demanding the protection for the industry."

House leaders have vowed to oppose the measure until the White House releases more information about the warrantless surveillance program it began after 9-11.

The WaPo adds: "'This is the right way to go, in terms of the security of the nation,' said Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), chairman of the intelligence committee, which wrote the Senate bill. Rockefeller was one of 17 Democrats who joined 49 Republicans and one independent to reject an amendment offered by Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) that would have stripped the immunity provision from the bill. Two-thirds of the Democratic caucus opposed immunity. 'It is inconceivable that any telephone companies that allegedly cooperated with the administration's warrantless wiretapping program did not know what their obligations were. And it is just as implausible that those companies believed they were entitled to simply assume the lawfulness of a government request for assistance,' said Sen. Russell Feingold (D-Wis.), who co-sponsored the amendment."

Not good.

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #242

RICHARD ZEDNIK: Florida Panthers forward has his carotid artery cut by a skate blade during a game over the weekend. He underwent emergency surgery and is in stable condition in intensive care at Buffalo General Hospital.

CHRIS CROCKER: On the Homophobosphere. (warning: audio NSFW)

TORCHWOOD vs FRIENDS: A mash-up fan video. (source: i am a tv junkie)

ANAL-ORAL ISSUE KITTY: Originally created for The Art Parade, hosted by Deitch Projects in SoHo, NY, the A-O Issue Kitty recently made a visit to Millenium Park in Chicago. Its purpose? “This project is a vehicle for bringing complete strangers together for a flash of communal laughter. In the end, these costumes are a response to life being a temporary event. If all we have are a couple of fleeting moments together I hope our art pieces can generate moments of celebration and togetherness.” More here. (source: jockohomo)

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here.

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California Democratic Representative Tom Lantos Dies at 80

Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) died today at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland after a battle with esophageal cancer. He was 80, and a survivor of the Holocaust.

The Washington Post reports: "Lantos, born in Budapest to Hungarian Jews, served 14 terms in the House of Representatives. He is the only Holocaust survivor elected to Congress. His district included southwest San Francisco and much of San Mateo County, where he was known for supporting the socially liberal agenda of his constituents. Last year, he announced he would not seek reelection because of his cancer treatment...President Bush issued a statement praising Lantos as 'a man of character and a champion of human rights... As the only Holocaust survivor to serve in Congress, Tom was a living reminder that we must never turn a blind eye to the suffering of the innocent at the hands of evil men.' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), said Lantos 'used his chairmanship of the [House] Foreign Affairs Committee to empower the powerless and give voice to the voiceless throughout the world.' She said his death 'is a profound loss for the Congress and for the nation and a terrible loss for me personally.'"

Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese also issued a statement, saying, in part, "Over his tenure in Congress, Rep. Lantos was a strong ally in our community's fight for equality. He voted against a constitutional amendment defining marriage between one man and one woman, but also took the rare and courageous step by voicing support for same-sex marriage. He believed GLBT people should be allowed to adopt, and supported worker employment protections and hate crime legislation. On behalf of the Human Rights Campaign we remember the work of Rep. Tom Lantos and say thank you."

Congressman Tom Lantos Dies — VIDEO [ap]

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Attorney General Mukasey Reverses Anti-Gay Policy at Justice Dept

You may remember that five years ago former Attorney General John Ashcroft told the gay group 'Department of Justice Pride' that it could not hold an official gay pride celebration because the department could not sponsor events without an official declaration form the President. "The group also was told it could not post notices of general meetings and events on department bulletin boards," the Washington Post notes.

It was a policy that Alberto Gonzalez kept in place during his years as Attorney General. Now, AG Michael Mukasey has reversed the policy:

"Mukasey informed leaders of DOJ Pride last week that the department would give it the same rights as all other DOJ employee organizations, said the group's president, Chris Hook (above, left). In a statement, Mukasey said the department will 'foster an environment in which diversity is valued, understood and sought" and maintain "an environment that's free of discrimination.'"

Added Hook: "I do not know of any other employee-recognized groups that were denied access under these same conditions. [As a result of] what some would term a hostile environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees, the membership rolls have suffered. As you can imagine, it is difficult to let employees know of the group's existence when they are not informed of it in official department literature, or only through word of mouth."

Here's how it went down: "After Mukasey took over the department late last year, the group wrote to him to complain about its treatment. Hook said Mukasey met with group leaders, signed the new policy that allowed bulletin board postings, and agreed to host the pride celebration in one of the department's main halls. 'He has gone out of his way to ensure that the department has a new air of inclusiveness and an open and welcoming environment for all employees,' Hook said."

Attorney General Reverses Curbs On Gay Group at Justice Department [washington post]

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Rep. Christopher Shays on Why He Kissed Bush

It's amazing the media and discussion that one man-to-man kiss will generate.

Rep. Christopher Shays (CT-R) explained why he kissed President Bush on his way into the House chamber before the State of the Union on Monday night.

Said Shays: "I said some words of encouragement to the President as he walked by and he pulled me close and whispered something very thoughtful and kind in return. I wanted him to feel support as he walked into a very partisan chamber. I know he appreciated what I said to him. I realize many Americans are angry with the President and may even hate him, but I would have said the same thing to any leader who has the burden of the country and the world on his or her shoulders. I am particularly determined in this very ugly, political environment in which we find ourselves that the values of respect and compassion I grew up believing in extend even to a President who has a low approval rating."

Just what sweet nothing did Shays whisper in Bushie's ear before the parting kiss?

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Brit Hume Surprised at Bush and Barney Frank 'Affection'

As a follow-up to my post from last night on Bush's interaction with Rep. Barney Frank at the State of the Union address, here's a clip from FOX News' post-speech broadcast in which Brit Hume interrupts commentator Nina Easton to note that Bush (shock!) actually stopped to talk to a (gasp!) liberal.

Presumably this is when Bush told Frank he hoped he told his boyfriend how "open-minded" he is.

Said Hume: "Hold on a second, what we just saw there was an interesting moment, a moment of friendship, almost affection between the president and none other than Barney Frank, who I think it's fair to say is one of the most liberal Members of Congress, also one of the smartest guys up there, but, uh..."

I'd love to know what Hume was going to say next before Easton gave him the rational explanation.

Previously
Bush Interrupts Barney Frank Phone Call with Boyfriend [tr]

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Bush Interrupts Barney Frank Phone Call with Boyfriend

On his way into the House chamber for the State of the Union, Bush reportedly bumped into Barney Frank who was on the phone with his boyfriend. Bush didn't know who it was, but told Frank to tell them 'hello'.

After the speech, the Boston Globe reports, Frank sought out the President and told him, "Mr. President, by the way, the person I was talking to when you said to say hello was my boyfriend."

Bush's reply?

"Well. I hope you said how open-minded I am."

Said Frank: "I considered telling [the president] I wouldn't marry him, but then I thought, 'Nah.'"

An Unexpected Caller [political intelligence]

Previously
Bush Kiss: Man on Man Action at the State of the Union [tr]

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