A personal blog by a Black, Gay, Caribbean, Liberal, Progressive, Moderate, Fit, Geeky, Married, College-Educated, NPR-Listening, Tennis-Playing, Feminist, Atheist, Math Professor in Los Angeles, California
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Exactly 35 days Until Election Day
Post Number 2000!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Obama Takes Huge Lead In National Tracking Polls
Obama McCain MoE +/- RV/LVResearch 2000: 50 (49) 43 (43) 3 LVRasmussen: 50 (50) 44 (44) 2 LVDiageo/Hotline: 47 (48) 42 (43) 3.2 RVGallup: 50 (49) 42 (44) 2 RV
First Yes On 8 Ad Released
Google Opposes Proposition 8!
As an Internet company, Google is an active participant in policy debates
surrounding information access, technology and energy. Because our company
has a great diversity of people and opinions -- Democrats and Republicans,
conservatives and liberals, all religions and no religion, straight and
gay -- we do not generally take a position on issues outside of our field,
especially not social issues. So when Proposition 8 appeared on the
California ballot, it was an unlikely question for Google to take an
official company position on.
However, while there are many objections to this proposition -- further
government encroachment on personal lives, ambiguously written text -- it
is the chilling and discriminatory effect of the proposition on many of
our employees that brings Google to publicly oppose Proposition 8. While
we respect the strongly-held beliefs that people have on both sides of
this argument, we see this fundamentally as an issue of equality. We hope
that California voters will vote no on Proposition 8 -- we should not
eliminate anyone's fundamental rights, whatever their sexuality, to marry
the person they love.
Posted by Sergey Brin, Co-founder & President, Technology
Sunday, September 28, 2008
NYT Prints Letters To Editor on Obama/Prop 8 Article
One letter is from Alice Huffman, President of the California State Conference of the NAACP and reads:
To the Editor:
Same-Sex Marriage Ban Is Tied to Obama Factor,” a Sept. 21 Political Memo about marriage equality and the voting patterns of African-Americans, does not examine the differences and attitudes among specific demographics of our community.
African-Americans are not monolithically homophobic. I have worked closely with many African-American community leaders and supporters of full rights for gay men and lesbians, including the right to marry in California.
Black voters across this country have repeatedly elected African-American officials who support equality for gay and lesbian citizens. In California, these officials include Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally and Willie L. Brown Jr., the former mayor of San Francisco.
Both blacks and whites have been divided on the issue, and race appears to be less of a determinant than age, gender and party affiliation on black voters’ views on marriage equality.
The news media narrative of blacks versus gays on the issue of marriage for same-sex couples should include the diverse views, values and opinions held in our community.
Alice A. Huffman
Sacramento, Sept. 24, 2008
The other letter is from Sean Cahill, who used to head the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's think tank, the Policy Institute. His letter says:
To the Editor:
Re “Same-Sex Marriage Ban Is Tied to Obama Factor,” which says opponents of the marriage ban are worried that black voters, who are traditionally conservative on this issue, will turn out in high numbers in the November election:
The anti-gay movement has long sought to pit gay people and black people against each other, portraying the two communities as mutually exclusive.
Ironically, the anti-gay policies of the Christian right, such as the attempted repeal of marriage equality in California, pose a disproportionate threat to black same-sex couples.
According to 2000 census data that we analyzed at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, black same-sex couples are twice as likely as white same-sex couples to be raising children. They earn less and are less likely to own their homes. This is especially true of black lesbian couples.
Denying the protections that come with marriage disproportionately hurts the ability of black gay men and lesbians to save money, provide for their children, buy a house or prepare for retirement.
Sean Cahill
New York, Sept. 24, 2008
The writer, who was director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute from 2001 to 2007, is managing director, public policy, at Gay Men’s Health Crisis.
I agree with the sentiments expressed in both letters. It's great to see these issues aired in the national paper of record! Let's hope it continues.
Clay Aiken Comes Out
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Comparing the Obamas and McCains
Which one is the elitist again? The McCains have 8 houses, a private jet, 13 cars while the Obamas have 1 house and 1 car. You decide!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Eye Candy: Italian Rugby Team In D&G Underwear
Hat/tip to TowleRoad for these images of members of the Italian Rugby Team (Sergio Parisse, Denis Dallan, Ezio Galon, Andrea Masi, Gonzalo Canale) in underwear designed by Dolce & Gabbana. Ahh, this brings back good memories of my trip to Milan, Florence, Turin and Bololgna earlier this year!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Another Gay Survivor
Herschel is a graduate of the University of Pennslvania and a first-year associate at one of the Top 10 law firms in the world, Weil, Gotshal & Manges.
As the Above The Law blog notes, lawyers have done well on Survivor before, with Yale Law School grad Yul Kwon having won the million bucks just a few seasons ago. Above The Law also has some interesting shirtless shots of Charlie, curiously posed with several "babes in bikinis" but points out that his officla CBS bio says that "Charlie is a gay, single man."
Many gay men have appeared on the show, and Richard Hatch and Todd Herzog have both won the Ultimate Survivor title as openly gay men.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Obama Versus McCain in September National Polling
Spielberg Matches Brad Pitt's $100k Donation to NO ON 8
Design For Obama
Which do you like?
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
New Law To Improve Federal HIV Anti-Discrimination Imminent
This is a huge step forward for all disabled persons, including people with AIDS and HIV. Among the many barriers erected by some federal judges for HIV patients has been a narrow definition of "disability," such that HIV infection did not meet the standard of limiting a major life activity unless the plaintiff could prove that he or she was prevented or severely restricted from having children.
In a floor statement during yesterday's debate, Rep. Tammy Baldwin emphasized the importance of the bill to people with HIV, citing cases in which the current interpretation of the statutory language has blocked anti-discrimination protection. See Carrillo v. AMR Eagle, 148 F. Supp. 2d 142 (D.P.R. 2001); Gutwaks v. American Airlines, 1999 WL 1611328 (N.D. Tex); and Blanks v. Southwest Bell Communications, 310 F.3d 398 (5th Cir. 2002). Baldwin's full statement appears in the Congressional Record for September 17 at H8297-8298.
The ADA Amendments Act corrects this problem by specifically listing "functions of the immune system" as an example of what Congress intended to cover when it passed the ADA in 1990 and what will now be explicitly covered under the new language.
President Bush has announced that he will sign the legislation.
Topalov Wins Super GM Tournament and Regains #1 Ranking
Emmy Awards: MadProfessah's Results
DRAMA SERIES:
"Boston Legal," ABC
"Damages," FX
"Dexter," Showtime
"House," Fox
"Lost," ABC
"Mad Men," AMC
Should Win: Lost
Will Win: Mad Men.
COMEDY SERIES:
"Curb Your Enthusiasm," HBO
"Entourage," HBO
"The Office," NBC
"30 Rock," NBC
"Two and a Half Men," CBS
Should Win: The Office
Will Win: 30 Rock
ACTOR, DRAMA SERIES:
Gabriel Byrne, "In Treatment"
Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"
Michael C. Hall, "Dexter"
Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"
Hugh Laurie, "House"
James Spader, "Boston Legal"
Should Win: Hugh Laurie.
Will Win: Hugh Laurie.
ACTRESS, DRAMA SERIES:
Glenn Close, "Damages"
Sally Field, "Brothers and Sisters"
Mariska Hargitay, "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit"
Holly Hunter, "Saving Grace"
Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer"
Should Win: Glenn Close.
Will Win: Glenn Close.
ACTRESS, COMEDY SERIES:
Christina Applegate, "Samantha Who?"
America Ferrera, "Ugly Betty"
Tina Fey, "30 Rock"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "New Adventures of Old Christine"
Mary-Louise Parker, "Weeds"
Should Win: Tina Fey.
Will Win: America Ferrara.
ACTOR, COMEDY SERIES:
Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"
Steve Carell, "The Office"
Lee Pace, "Pushing Daisies"
Tony Shalhoub, "Monk"
Charlie Sheen, "Two and a Half Men"
Should Win: Steve Carell.
Will Win: Alec Baldwin.
SUPPORTING ACTOR, COMEDY SERIES:
Jon Cryer, "Two and a Half Men"
Kevin Dillon, "Entourage"
Neil Patrick Harris, "How I Met Your Mother"
Jeremy Piven, "Entourage"
Rainn Wilson, "The Office"
Should Win: Rainn Wilson.
Will Win: Rainn Wilson.
SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA SERIES:
Ted Danson, "Damages"
Michael Emerson, "Lost"
Zeljko Ivanek, "Damages"
William Shatner, "Boston Legal"
John Slattery, "Mad Men"
Should Win: Michael Emerson.
Will Win: William Shatner.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA SERIES:
Candice Bergen, "Boston Legal"
Rachel Griffiths, "Brothers and Sisters"
Sandra Oh, "Grey's Anatomy"
Dianne Wiest, "In Treatment"
Chandra Wilson, "Grey's Anatomy"
Should Win: Chandra Wilson.
Will Win: Chandra Wilson.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS, COMEDY SERIES:
Kristin Chenoweth, "Pushing Daisies"
Amy Poehler, "Saturday Night Live"
Jean Smart, "Samantha Who?
Holland Taylor, "Two and a Half Men"
Vanessa Williams, "Ugly Betty"
Should Win: Amy Poehler.
Will Win: Vanessa Williams.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Villaraigosa and Garamendi Show Up To L.A. NO ON 8 Kickoff Event
The Government Asks For $700 Billion--Here Are The Conditions
In my view, we need to go forward in addressing this financial crisis by insisting on four basic principles:The full text of Sanders' statement can be read here. I'm glad to see some people are standing up and saying "Whoa, nelly!" before they accede to a Bush administration request to spend another $700 billion (the same amount spent on the Iraq War to date.)
(1) The people who can best afford to pay and the people who have benefited most from Bush’s economic policies are the people who should provide the funds for the bailout. It would be immoral to ask the middle class, the people whose standard of living has declined under Bush, to pay for this bailout while the rich, once again, avoid their responsibilities. Further, if the government is going to save companies from bankruptcy, the taxpayers of this country should be rewarded for assuming the risk by sharing in the gains that result from this government bailout.
Specifically, to pay for the bailout, which is estimated to cost up to $1 trillion, the government should: a) Impose a five-year, 10 percent surtax on income over $1 million a year for couples and over $500,000 for single taxpayers. That would raise more than $300 billion in revenue;
b) Ensure that assets purchased from banks are realistically discounted so companies are not rewarded for their risky behavior and taxpayers can recover the amount they paid for them; and
c) Require that taxpayers receive equity stakes in the bailed-out companies so that the assumption of risk is rewarded when companies’ stock goes up.
(2) There must be a major economic recovery package which puts Americans to work at decent wages. Among many other areas, we can create millions of jobs rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure and moving our country from fossil fuels to energy efficiency and sustainable energy. Further, we must protect working families from the difficult times they are experiencing. We must ensure that every child has health insurance and that every American has access to quality health and dental care, that families can send their children to college, that seniors are not allowed to go without heat in the winter, and that no American goes to bed hungry.
(3) Legislation must be passed which undoes the damage caused by excessive de-regulation. That means reinstalling the regulatory firewalls that were ripped down in 1999. That means re-regulating the energy markets so that we never again see the rampant speculation in oil that helped drive up prices. That means regulating or abolishing various financial instruments that have created the enormous shadow banking system that is at the heart of the collapse of AIG and the financial services meltdown.
(4) We must end the danger posed by companies that are "too big too fail," that is, companies whose failure would cause systemic harm to the U.S. economy. If a company is too big to fail, it is too big to exist. We need to determine which companies fall in this category and then break them up. Right now, for example, the Bank of America, the nation’s largest depository institution, has absorbed Countrywide, the nation’s largest mortgage lender, and Merrill Lynch, the nation’s largest brokerage house. We should not be trying to solve the current financial crisis by creating even larger, more powerful institutions. Their failure could cause even more harm to the entire economy.
NO ON PROP 8 Begins Airing TV Ads
Eye Candy: Jameson Arasi
MadProfessah Quoted (Thrice) in NY TIMES!
Could Senator Barack Obama’s popularity among black voters hurt gay couples in California who want to marry?First off, the reporter Jesse Mckinley did quote me correctly here. Cringingly, I did not use the adverb "conservative[ly]" in the above quote, but it still gets the message across. However, the reporter did get some things wrong. Elsewhere in the article he mentions the Let California Ring
[...]
To blunt that possibility, gay leaders and Proposition 8 opponents have been sponsoring casual events at restaurants in traditionally black neighborhoods in Los Angeles, meeting with black clergy members and recruiting gay black couples to serve as spokespeople on panels and at house parties and church events.
“This is black people talking to black people,” said Ron Buckmire, the board president of the Barbara Jordan/Bayard Rustin Coalition, a gay rights group in Los Angeles. “We’re saying, ‘Gay people are black and black people are gay. And if you are voting conservative on an antigay ballot measure, you are hurting the black community.’ ”
commercials that have been running throughout California which end with the tag line "What If You Couldn't Marry The Person You Love?" and labels them as "opponents" of Proposition 8. The Let California Ring campaign is a public education campaign about marriage equality and has no position on the ballot measure.
But, wait, there's more!
The black community has long had a conflicted relationship with gay men and lesbians, Mr. Buckmire said, equal parts homophobia and denial.Here I am paraphrased reasonably correctly, although I don't know if I would say the relationship between the black community and gay people is "equal parts homophobia and denial" although those are definitely significant aspects of the relationship. However, I would also include indifference and religiously-inspired disdain.
“For too long, black people seemed to think there were no gay people around, especially black ministers,” Mr. Buckmire said. “They’d say the most insanely anti-gay things, and then the choir would come up and the choir is 50 percent gay.”
Still, the tendency of black voters to oppose gay marriage extends beyond religion. Patrick J. Egan, an assistant professor of politics at New York University who has studied black voting patterns on same-sex marriage, said black voters consistently polled much lower than white voters on approval for same-sex marriage, about 16 percentage points, even when religion was not a factor.
The line about the Black ministers is a great one, but it is doubtful that I actually said it. The quoted version makes it seem like I know from personal experience what black ministers say and have intimate knowledge of LGBT choirs. As an agnostic/atheist I am offended by the suggestion that I would be in a Black church!
Anyway, being quoted (three times!) in the "paper of record" is pretty exciting. I guess my 15 minutes of fame start now. Tick, tick, tick.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Emmy Awards: MadProfessah's Predictions
DRAMA SERIES:
"Boston Legal," ABC
"Damages," FX
"Dexter," Showtime
"House," Fox
"Lost," ABC
"Mad Men," AMC
Should Win: Lost
Will Win: Mad Men
COMEDY SERIES:
"Curb Your Enthusiasm," HBO
"Entourage," HBO
"The Office," NBC
"30 Rock," NBC
"Two and a Half Men," CBS
Should Win: The Office
Will Win: 30 Rock
ACTOR, DRAMA SERIES:
Gabriel Byrne, "In Treatment"
Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"
Michael C. Hall, "Dexter"
Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"
Hugh Laurie, "House"
James Spader, "Boston Legal"
Should Win: Hugh Laurie.
Will Win: Hugh Laurie.
ACTRESS, DRAMA SERIES:
Glenn Close, "Damages"
Sally Field, "Brothers and Sisters"
Mariska Hargitay, "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit"
Holly Hunter, "Saving Grace"
Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer"
Should Win: Glenn Close.
Will Win: Glenn Close.
ACTRESS, COMEDY SERIES:
Christina Applegate, "Samantha Who?"
America Ferrera, "Ugly Betty"
Tina Fey, "30 Rock"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "New Adventures of Old Christine"
Mary-Louise Parker, "Weeds"
Should Win: Tina Fey.
Will Win: America Ferrara.
ACTOR, COMEDY SERIES:
Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"
Steve Carell, "The Office"
Lee Pace, "Pushing Daisies"
Tony Shalhoub, "Monk"
Charlie Sheen, "Two and a Half Men"
Should Win: Steve Carell.
Will Win: Alec Baldwin.
SUPPORTING ACTOR, COMEDY SERIES:
Jon Cryer, "Two and a Half Men"
Kevin Dillon, "Entourage"
Neil Patrick Harris, "How I Met Your Mother"
Jeremy Piven, "Entourage"
Rainn Wilson, "The Office"
Should Win: Rainn Wilson.
Will Win: Rainn Wilson.
SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA SERIES:
Ted Danson, "Damages"
Michael Emerson, "Lost"
Zeljko Ivanek, "Damages"
William Shatner, "Boston Legal"
John Slattery, "Mad Men"
Should Win: Michael Emerson.
Will Win: William Shatner.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA SERIES:
Candice Bergen, "Boston Legal"
Rachel Griffiths, "Brothers and Sisters"
Sandra Oh, "Grey's Anatomy"
Dianne Wiest, "In Treatment"
Chandra Wilson, "Grey's Anatomy"
Should Win: Chandra Wilson.
Will Win: Chandra Wilson.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS, COMEDY SERIES:
Kristin Chenoweth, "Pushing Daisies"
Amy Poehler, "Saturday Night Live"
Jean Smart, "Samantha Who?
Holland Taylor, "Two and a Half Men"
Vanessa Williams, "Ugly Betty"
Should Win: Amy Poehler.
Will Win: Vanessa Williams.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Conservative San Diego Paper Opposes Prop 8
Proposition 8 would repeal the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry. It stipulates, by a one-sentence amendment to the state constitution, that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. Our guess is that even voters who may have reservations about gay marriage will be reluctant to repeal a right that now exists as a matter of law. To do so would smack of singling out a particular group for discrimination, a move that offends many Californians' sense of fairness.Woo hoo! It's really starting to look like a consensus of California opinion-leaders who oppose Proposition 8.
Supporters of Proposition 8 make two arguments. The first is that, for thousands of years, marriage has been defined as between a man and a woman exclusively. Considering how Californians historically have been wide open to change, this appeal is not likely to carry much force.
The second argument made by supporters is that children should be raised solely by a father and a mother, not by two fathers or two mothers. Yet the debate over child-rearing is entirely beside the point, because Proposition 8 is about marriage only. It would do nothing to prevent gay couples from adopting children or from having children through artificial means. Indeed, all Proposition 8 would do is ensure that the children of gay couples would be raised in households where the parents were unmarried. Would that be a healthier situation for children?
In the past, this page has advocated civil unions for gay couples rather than marriage. But our thinking has changed, along with that of many other Californians. Gay and lesbian couples deserve the same dignity and respect in marriage that heterosexual couples have long enjoyed. We urge a No vote on Proposition 8.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Latest Field Poll Shows Prop 8 Losing 55% No, 38% Yes
The poll analyzed the impact of the change in the ballot summary by Attorney General Jerry Brown to straightforwardly describe that, if passed, the measure would ban gay marriage, not simply "Limit Marriage" as the original circulated ballot language stated.
Among the 70 percent of likely voters who already were familiar with Proposition 8, the modification appeared to make little difference. Among those who knew about the amendment, 56 percent said they opposed it when they heard the original wording and 53 percent opposed it they were given Brown's revised version.
But among the 30 percent of those surveyed who were not previously aware of the measure, the ballot language appeared to matter. Within that subgroup, 42 percent of the respondents said they were inclined to vote 'no' with the original summary, a share that climbed to 58 percent under the new wording.
[...]
"It's not surprising given the attorney general's latest attempt to influence the elections. We were expecting it would affect the numbers by a few percentage points," [Yes On 8 spokeswoman] Kerns said.
At the same time, she said the Yes on 8 campaign's internal polling shows voters to be much more evenly divided and the initiative's backers expect support to pick up once they start airing television commercials later this month.
Kerns also disputed the Field Poll's accuracy, noting that in the weeks before California voters considered a gay marriage ban in March 2000, the company found support for it topping out at 53 percent. The measure—one of two marriage laws the Supreme Court overturned as unconstitutional—passed with more than 61 percent of the vote.
It is true that the Field Poll under-estimated the heterosexual supremacist vote by at least 8 percentage points in 2000, and I really expect that the ballot measure will fail by a nail-bitingly close margin. DONATE NOW TO STOP PROPOSITION 8!
Poizner Announces Run For California Governor
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Karen Ocamb Exposes LGBT Celebrity Absence in Prop 8 Fight
So while their visibility as openly LGBT celebrities and entertainment power players is important, their financial absence from the specific fight to save the fundament right of same-sex couples to marry is hurting.It will be interesting to see if Karen's article and Brad Pitt's recent donation of $100,000 will shame (and, yes, that is the right word!) others who have the financial resources to contribute monetarily (and proportionately!) to the fight to prevent Proposition 8 from being the first instance in the history if the United States of a right previously granted to a minority being eliminated by a vote of the majority.
Also missing (as of Sept. 10) from the rolls were: Rosie O’Donnell, whose Feb. 27, 2004, marriage to Kelli Carpenter was nullified; Sir Elton John, who tied the civil partnership knot with partner David Furnish in England; rock star Melissa Etheridge, whose domestic partnership/wedding to actress Tammy Lynn Michaels Sept. 22, 2003, was celebrated in In Style magazine.
Other producers and directors not on the list include Paul Colichman (here!TV) Greg Berlanti (Brothers & Sisters), Marc Cherry (Desperate Housewives), Bryan Singer (Superman Returns), Joel Schumacher (Batman & Robin), and Gus Van Sant, though Bruce Cohen, who produced Milk, directed by Van Sant, was recently married and did contribute. Max Muchnick (Will & Grace) also contributed, as did David Geffen, partner in DreamWorks, who gave $50,000, and Bryan Lourd, managing partner of Creative Artists Agency who contributed $5,000.
Top individual donors are philanthropist David Bohnett ($600,000), David Maltz, of Cleveland ($500,000), James Hormel ($150,000) and Gene La Pietra ($100,000).
Among companies and foundations that contributed monetarily and “in-kind,” Equality California is the largest contributor at $4 million (EQCA’s annual budget is $1.5 million). The Human Rights Campaign has contributed $2 million (with a budget of $40 million); the ACLU, $1.5 million; National Center for Lesbian Rights, more than $500,000; the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, $250,000; Gill Action Fund, $350,000. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has contributed $257,000 (with a budget of $9 million), but has 90 percent of its field staff working in Southern California for the fight. (Full disclosure: IN magazine contributed $20,000.)
Hot Straight Guy Donates $100k Against Prop 8
Shockingly, Pitt is the first A-list celebrity to publicly donate to the campaign to prevent the elimination of the right to marry for same-sex couples in the state of California.
He said in a statement:
"Because no one has the right to deny another their life even though they disagree with it, because everyone has the right to live the life they so desire if it doesn’t harm another and because discrimination has no place in America, my vote will be for equality and against Proposition 8."Variety reported that openly gay billionaire David Geffen has donated a mere $50, 000 and openly gay agent Brian Lourd has donated $5,000.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Arnold Plays Chicken With California
This is bad news for the several bills that Equality California has managed to pass that advance LGBT equality this year.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
VIDEO: Palin-Clinton Skit on SNL
Obama Raised $66m in August; $77m on Hand Sep 1
From The New York Times:
David Plouffe, the Obama campaign manager, said a half-million new donors signed up to give money to Mr. Obama. He said the campaign’s bank account had $77 million at the end of last month.
“The 500,000 new donors to the Obama campaign demonstrate just how strongly the American people are looking to kick the special interests out and change Washington,” Mr. Plouffe said in a statement, adding that more than 2.5 million people have now made contributions to the campaign in the last 19 months.
Mad Professah is attempting to raise $1000 for Obama by October 1. Please donate now!
Former NBA Star Kevin Johnson Opposes Prop 8
Johnson is running for mayor of Sacramento against incumbent Heather Fargo. In June, Johnson placed first in a non-partisan primary election and is in a run-off on November 4, 2008.
MOVIE REVIEW: Tell No One (Ne Le Dis A Personne)
It is a fascinating crime thriller, based on a novel of the same name by Harlan Coben. The plot is incredibly intricate, and the cast is superb. The main protagonist is played by Francois Cluzet (Dr. Alexandre Beck), who looks like a young Dustin Hoffman. His wife is played by Marie-Josée Croze and the British actress Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient) plays Beck's sister's lesbian lover (with impeccable French).
The film is the only summer release that I went back and saw a second time. It is simply that good.
The plot is intricate, but the direction is so expert that one is never lost or confused, just amazed and entertained as the story unspools. In addition, the use of music to deepen the emotional impact of pivotal scenes (U2's "With or Without You" and Jeff Buckley's "Lilac Wine" are especially poignant) is particularly noticeable during a second viewing.
Another interesting aspect of the film is its intimate look at how real French people live their lives right now (in Paris). The film depicts a French pediatrician, a gangster, a ghetto (banlieue), and several police officers going about their daily business. It is fascinating to see a contemporary European slice of life, so matter-of-factly portrayed. This is just one of the many significant features of the film that strengthen its connection to the viewer.
At the end of the film all of the seemingly disparate strands of the mystery are tied together in a very neat knot and the audience is left with a feeling of awe and appreciation at a well-executed film. (It will be released on DVD on October 15th, 2008.)
IMAGERY: A-.
PLOT: A+.
ACTING: A.
IMPACT: A+.
OVERALL GRADE: A.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
George Takei To Marry Partner of 21 Years Today
Takei, 71 and Altman, 54, were the first gay couple to obtain a marriage licence in West Hollywood on June 16.
At today's wedding, Nichelle Nichols (who played Communications Officer Uhuru on Star Trek) will be the "best lady" and Walter Koenig (who played Commander Chekov) will be the "best man." William Shatner who played Captain James T. Kirk was invited but never responded so he is not expected to attend.
Eye Candy: Olympic Decathlon Winner Bryan Clay
Saturday, September 13, 2008
VIDEO: McCain Lies
Friday, September 12, 2008
Feinstein Opposes Prop 8 AND (Maybe) Endorses Marriage Equality
“Proposition 8 would eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California. I oppose it as a matter of equality and fairness.
The right to marry is fundamental. It provides social stability, economic equality, and the ability to make decisions for a spouse in a time of crisis.
If Proposition 8 were to pass, not only would it eliminate the right to marry for gay and lesbian couples, but it would also create a complicated legal quagmire for those who have exercised this right under the California Constitution, as adjudicated by the Supreme Court of the State.
The views of Californians on this issue have changed over time, and as a State, I believe we should uphold the ability of our friends, neighbors, and co-workers who are gay and lesbian to enter into the contract of marriage.
I urge Californians to oppose Proposition 8.”
There had been a notable lack of comment from the Feinstein camp on the California marriage decision, Proposition 8 and marriage equality in general. It's good to see that she has come out publicly in favor of the good guys, but, I for one will not vote for her again (I didn't vote for her in 2006) not even if she runs for Governor in 2010. I want to see a real progressive champion as Governor, like Gavin Newsom or Antonio Villaraigosa.
Eye Candy: Adrian Peterson
Thursday, September 11, 2008
6 Episcopalian Bishops Unanimously Oppose Prop 8
The bishops argued that preserving the right of gays and lesbians to marry would enhance the "Christian values" of monogamy, love and commitment.The statement was signed by The Rt. Rev. Marc Handley Andrus (Bishop of California), The Rt. Rev. Barry L. Beisner (Bishop of Northern California), The Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno (Bishop of Los Angeles), The Rt. Rev. Mary Gray-Reeves (Bishop of El Camino Real), The Rt. Rev. Jerry A. Lamb (Provisional Bishop of San Joaquin) and The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes (Bishop of San Diego).
"We believe that continued access to civil marriage for all, regardless of sexual orientation, is consistent with the best principles of our constitutional rights," said the Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.
Bruno, flanked at a news conference by fellow clergy members and gay and straight couples, added: "We do not believe that marriage of heterosexuals is threatened by same-sex marriage."
09/11/2008: 7 Years Later
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
VIDEO: John McCain Gets BarackRolled
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
US OPEN 2008: Federer Wins 13th Major Title
27-year-old Swiss Roger Federer won his 5th consecutive US Open (and 13th major title over all) by defeating Andy Murray 6-2 7-5 6-2 relatively easily in 1 hour, 51 minutes in a rain delayed Men's Final on Monday afternoon in New York.
Eye Candy: Matt Woods
Monday, September 08, 2008
Wade and Noah Get Married!
The film is in theaters Friday October 24.
US OPEN 2008: Men's Final Preview
US OPEN 2008: Serena Wins 9th Major Over Jankovic
Serena Williams won her ninth major title on Sunday night, by defeating World #2 Jelena Jankovic 6-4 7-5 in a 2 hour 4 minute match that was filled with very long points and very close games. With the win, Serena will again become #1 in the WTA Tour rankings, more than 5 years after she last held the ranking for 57 consecutive weeks.
Serena did not serve well, having 3 aces (same as her opponent) and 3 double faults, and her average second serve was even slower than Jankovic's, whose serve is considered one of the glaring weaknesses in her game.
The TV commentators characterized the match-up as "the puncher versus the counter-puncher" but really it was more about offense versus defense. In that respect, Serena gave us a very different look at her game. She was extremely patient, pretty much content to keep hitting with Jankovic until she sense an opening and then she would unleash a punishing groundstroke to get her opponent off balance and put away the weak reply at the net.
In both sets Serena was down a pretty early break. In the first set she came out attempting to blast the ball past Jankovic and made 10 unforced errors in the first 2 games, finding herself down 1-2. She then calmed down and won 3 games in a row but Jankovic broke back and held until she was serving 4-5 when she lost her serve and the first set on Serena's first set point.
In the second set, Serena had numerous chances to break Jankovic's serve, but the Serb kept winning the breakpoints, eventually forcing Serena to go 0-for-10 and broke Serena instead in the seventh game and held to be up 5-3. Serena seemed out of sorts and was quickly down 0-40 facing three consecutive breakpoints that were set points. She somehow managed to win that game, saved two more set points and won every game for the rest of the match--four in a row.
She is now tied with Monica Seles on the Grand Slam singles list, and (more importantly to her, I think) still maintains her edge of two more titles than her big sister. It is the third year since they both had their career nadirs in 2004 that both Williams sisters have won major titles in the same year, 2005, 2007 and 2008. And Serena Williams is back on top of Women's tennis, with her sister Venus relatively close behind at #8. Right where they should be.Sunday, September 07, 2008
US OPEN 2008: Women's Final Preview
Serena Williams USA (4) | vs. Jelena Jankovic SRB (2) |
The World #1 ranking is on the line. The 2008 US Open title is on the line. Bragging rights are on the line. 8-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams is facing first-time Grand Slam finalist Jelena Jankovic in a weather-postponed Women's Final at 6pm PDT (9pm EDT) on CBS.
Interestingly, the two have played each other six times head-to-head in their careers, splitting the matches 3-3 (all on hard courts). They have even played twice this year, with Jankovic winning at the Australian Open in straight sets when Serena was strangely flat while Williams won in Miami in three sets after blowing a large second set lead.
However, here in New York Serena has not lost more than three games in a set to anyone except her sister Venus and has also refused to lose a set, despite facing (count 'em!) ten set points in that magical quarterfinal. Jankovic is very hungry for a title, she wants to match her Serbian countrywoman's French Open title with one of her own, to confirm her #1 ranking with the concomitant major title. Serena has won this title twice before and has been working extremely hard all year long. She has been #1 before for 57 weeks in a row from 2002-2003 and by returning to the #1 spot she would complete a historical achievement by winning her 9th major championship and bring her one step closer to the extreme heights of tennis greatness of holding a double digit number of major titles.
PREDICTION: Williams in 2 sets.
More People Watch McCain Speech Than Watched Obama's
Nearly 39 million people watched Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s acceptance speech on the closing night of the GOP convention Thursday in St. Paul, Minn. That broke the week-old convention record of upwards of 38 million viewers set by Sen. Barack Obama only the week before.
Sen. McCain amassed an audience of 38.9 million viewers for his speech on two fewer channels than were carrying Sen. Obama’s speech Aug. 28 to 38.38 million viewers, according to data from Nielsen Media Research.
Federer Beats Djokovic; Murray Leads Nadal by 2 Sets
As predicted by Mad Professah, World #2 Roger Federer defeated World #3 Novak Djokovic in four sets on Saturday, 6-3 5-7 7-5 6-2 to reach his third major final of the year and fifth consecutive US Open. At times, Federer played at a level reminiscent of his 2005-2007 greatness, with 3 unforced errors in the first set and 1 in the fourth. The Swiss 27-year-old ended with 51 winners to 28 errors overall, compared to 43 winners but 47 errors for the 21-year-old Serb.
In the other semifinal, current World #6 Andy Murray shocked most observers (but not this one!) by easily winning the first set from current World #1 Rafael Nadal 6-2 when the match was moved (during the Federer-Djokovic match!) to the Louis Armstrong Court in order to try to have both semifinals completed before inclement weather arrived. Murray also won the second set 7-6(5) despite Nadal saving a handful of breakpoints and then promptly gave Nadal his first break points of the match to begin the third, which the Spaniard was able to convert. Play was suspended for the day at Murray leading 6-2, 7-6(5), 2-3 up two sets but still down a break in the third set. It will resume at 1pm Pacific time on CBS today, while the Women's Final will be at 6pm Pacific time on CBS today.