Some of my best friends are gay

Judging these remarks, minus the context, I was almost prepared to say something nice about Mitt Romney.

“I oppose discrimination against gay people,” Romney said. “I am not anti-gay. I know there are some Republicans, or some people in the country who are looking for someone who is anti-gay and that’s not me.”

But then I read further, and discovered Romney made those comments to an AP reporter after a campaign event in which an audience member questioned whether pastors should preach that homosexuality is a sin. The anchorman said the government shouldn’t tell pastors what they can say.

Is anyone making that argument? That would’ve been a good time for Romney to state his opposition to homophobia, instead of delivering an irrelevant applause line. But that would require political courage, and clearly Mitt Romney has none.

Zinged by Duane

He knows me so well:

You are still mad that you couldn’t be head cheerleader, aren’t you? Well, I didn’t have a picnic in school either.

The interesting thing is, by continually belittling me because of your hate for them, you are just joining the ranks of those that continually bullies those that are already subject to other ridicule. I hope that it makes you feel better about that whole popular/cheerleader thing.

Think what you will about me dude, I couldn’t care less. We all know why you are so fixated on me anyway. I guess I do find it sort of flattering in a weird way, you know…?

Geez, I thought he’d welcome the Jessica Simpson comparison.

How to be the parent of a spoiled child

(Via Heinrich)

Five tricks for outsmarting your toddler; among the worst:

1. Be forgetful. If she’s refusing to put away her toys, pick up a few and put them not in the toy box but in some other unexpected place, like the bathtub or a kitchen cabinet. When your child balks (she knows where things belong, even as young as 2), say innocently, “What? I’m putting your toys in your toy box!” She’ll likely take pity on you and help you put her stuff where it really belongs.

2. Be wrong. Next time you foresee a battle getting your toddler in the stroller, try squeezing into it yourself. Chances are good she’ll announce, “That’s mine!” Finally her possessive streak is good for something.

I like Heinrich’s take: I wanna see that – a 250 lbs mom in a stroller….and than she is sueing the stroller company because it broke or what?

3. Be incompetent. Put your coat on backward and place your shoes on your hands. Say, “I’m ready to go, are you?” She’ll laugh, straighten you out, and get her own shoes on for once. Don’t worry: Your child won’t really think you’re a boob, says Dr. Karp. This is just a fun tactic, like playing hide-and-seek and pretending you can’t find her.

The legacy of Lonesome Rhodes

Lawmakers who say the military has kicked out 58 Arabic linguists because they were gay want the Pentagon to explain how it can afford to let the valuable language specialists go.

Seizing on the latest discharges, involving three specialists, members of the House of Representatives wrote the House Armed Services Committee chairman that the continued loss of such “capable, highly skilled Arabic linguists continues to compromise our national security during time of war.”

Whose fault is this? Lots of blame to go around, but no one’s more deserving than former President Clinton. He signed the executive order authorizing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” He could’ve ended the ban on gays in the miliary altogether, but instead chose politics over principle (as his initial support for ending the ban wasn’t playing well in Dick Morris’ polls).

Not that his successor has sought to reverse course, but let’s remember who’s initially responsible — the same man whose spouse has the gay lobby in pocket.

Torture how-to

Even Rumsfeld would blush at al Qaeda’s techniques (warning: graphic). Among their favored methods:

Drilling hands, severing limbs, removing eyes and dragging victims behind cars.

Noted and quoted, homophobia edition

“I’m not comfortable around those people.”

–John Edwards, when asked about his position on gay rights. The source: veteran Democratic strategist Bob Shrum. An Edwards aide said the comment was taken out of context.

Speaking of stupid girls

Jessica Simpson gets deep:

“Hey everyone. I hope you are all doing well! I am getting ready to start MAJOR MOVIE STAR and I am so excited! I just got back from spending some time in Europe, and while I was there I visited many museums, and have been reading about different artists. I have also been writing a lot in my journal recently. I was reading a book about Michelangelo and there were 2 quotes that caught my attention -

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” Michelangelo

“Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing.”

These quotes inspired me to write the below passage. I hope you can find your own individual meaning in it, as I keep coming back to it and find new strength.

“Sometimes we are all so afraid to be honest with ourselves because we know that honesty will lead us somewhere off the path of the life we’ve mapped out in our minds. Today, I challenge us to ask ourselves this…
What if we allow our fear to provoke us into action?
Can facing our fear be what walks us to somewhere better?
I do not have your answers, but in the quest to find my own, I’ve discovered somewhere worth traveling to…
In my life, I ignore my fears too often, but then I’m left with nothing to challenge the best of me. I just remain cowering from my true identity. There is no discovery.”

Sounds like something you know who would write.

Girls gone stupid

Each of the cable news channels led with the same story last night. Immigration? The war in Iraq?? Try the battle between the fat toad and the cheerleader on “The View”.

If this is modern feminism, then please, cancel the movement. And cancel Rosie, who predictably wallowed in her fans’ sympathy after the sophomoric howdown (fat toad’s self-pity in italics):

elizabeth writes:

Rosie, Please remove yourself from all that makes u unhappy. U deserve better. I am just sick about what has happened. U can fix it. Move on, Surround urself w/ good. U r important and LOVEDknowthat.

indeed

Donna writes:
WOW! I felt the pain in you today, she didn’t even get it, it is about a friend sticking up for a friend. You will be missed!
Vermont loves you!

sad

Vickie writes:
ro
Watch. Stunned. wow cubed.
I would walk.
work isn’t worth that battle

agreed

Sher writes:
Your hurt feelings by EH are an example of your geniuneness and why I applaud your decision to leave. The fight today was painful for anyone who cares about you. Please walk away. It’s not worth it.

well u know
when its time 2 go

pokey writes:
Dear Ro..Wow what a hot topic segment today.Was stunned the way EH was going at u. U have said she is ur friend-.I would not want a friend like her.
I could hear in your voice the pain u feel PEACE2U

shock mostly

Smells like Holy Spirit

Finally, a fragrance that serves a spiritual purpose, combining ingredients such as frankincense and myrrh. Seriously. Introducing Virtue.

(Via Andrew Sullivan)

Some of my best friends are gay

Judging these remarks, minus the context, I was almost prepared to say something nice about Mitt Romney.

“I oppose discrimination against gay people,” Romney said. “I am not anti-gay. I know there are some Republicans, or some people in the country who are looking for someone who is anti-gay and that’s not me.”

But then I read further, and discovered Romney made those comments to an AP reporter after a campaign event in which an audience member questioned whether pastors should preach that homosexuality is a sin. The anchorman said the government shouldn’t tell pastors what they can say.

Is anyone making that argument? That would’ve been a good time for Romney to state his opposition to homophobia, instead of delivering an irrelevant applause line. But that would require political courage, and clearly Mitt Romney has none.

Zinged by Duane

He knows me so well:

You are still mad that you couldn’t be head cheerleader, aren’t you? Well, I didn’t have a picnic in school either.

The interesting thing is, by continually belittling me because of your hate for them, you are just joining the ranks of those that continually bullies those that are already subject to other ridicule. I hope that it makes you feel better about that whole popular/cheerleader thing.

Think what you will about me dude, I couldn’t care less. We all know why you are so fixated on me anyway. I guess I do find it sort of flattering in a weird way, you know…?

Geez, I thought he’d welcome the Jessica Simpson comparison.

How to be the parent of a spoiled child

(Via Heinrich)

Five tricks for outsmarting your toddler; among the worst:

1. Be forgetful. If she’s refusing to put away her toys, pick up a few and put them not in the toy box but in some other unexpected place, like the bathtub or a kitchen cabinet. When your child balks (she knows where things belong, even as young as 2), say innocently, “What? I’m putting your toys in your toy box!” She’ll likely take pity on you and help you put her stuff where it really belongs.

2. Be wrong. Next time you foresee a battle getting your toddler in the stroller, try squeezing into it yourself. Chances are good she’ll announce, “That’s mine!” Finally her possessive streak is good for something.

I like Heinrich’s take: I wanna see that – a 250 lbs mom in a stroller….and than she is sueing the stroller company because it broke or what?

3. Be incompetent. Put your coat on backward and place your shoes on your hands. Say, “I’m ready to go, are you?” She’ll laugh, straighten you out, and get her own shoes on for once. Don’t worry: Your child won’t really think you’re a boob, says Dr. Karp. This is just a fun tactic, like playing hide-and-seek and pretending you can’t find her.

The legacy of Lonesome Rhodes

Lawmakers who say the military has kicked out 58 Arabic linguists because they were gay want the Pentagon to explain how it can afford to let the valuable language specialists go.

Seizing on the latest discharges, involving three specialists, members of the House of Representatives wrote the House Armed Services Committee chairman that the continued loss of such “capable, highly skilled Arabic linguists continues to compromise our national security during time of war.”

Whose fault is this? Lots of blame to go around, but no one’s more deserving than former President Clinton. He signed the executive order authorizing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” He could’ve ended the ban on gays in the miliary altogether, but instead chose politics over principle (as his initial support for ending the ban wasn’t playing well in Dick Morris’ polls).

Not that his successor has sought to reverse course, but let’s remember who’s initially responsible — the same man whose spouse has the gay lobby in pocket.

Torture how-to

Even Rumsfeld would blush at al Qaeda’s techniques (warning: graphic). Among their favored methods:

Drilling hands, severing limbs, removing eyes and dragging victims behind cars.

Noted and quoted, homophobia edition

“I’m not comfortable around those people.”

–John Edwards, when asked about his position on gay rights. The source: veteran Democratic strategist Bob Shrum. An Edwards aide said the comment was taken out of context.