Monday, October 31, 2005

William Walsh, Sept. 5 1932-Oct. 15, 2005

Funeral services for my father will be Thursday, Nov. 3, at Arlington National Cemetery. Attendees are asked to meet at the administration building at 2:30 p.m.; services will begin promptly at 3 p.m. With Father Jim Greenfield officiating. See the schedule at Arlington National Cemetery here. Read his obituary from the Pottsville Republican here.

Gender Bending 101


I'm hooked on Sundance Channel's new reality show "TransGeneration," which follows a year in the lives of four transgender college kids at four different universities around the country.

I don't know about you, but it's pretty hard to shock me in this day and age, especially with lame reality TV. But there's something truly wondrous and awe-inspiring about peeking into the world of four people whose lives are so different from your own. You're quickly reminded of the things you take for granted.

Raci is a male-to-female (MTF) and is my favorite. In addition to being transgender, she is also dealing with the challenges of being poor and hearing-impaired. The girl has a smile that could break your heart. The show also features another MTF, Gabrielle, who's completely self-absorbed and can think of nothing except her impending sex-reassignment surgery; and two female-to-males (FTMs), Lucas, who is a sweetheart but finds himself in the awkward position of transitioning at an all-women's college; and T.J., whose family in Cyprus does not approve of his life-altering decision.

The show is thoughtfully produced, well-edited and highly addictive. Check it out Tuesdays at 9 p.m.

UPDATE: Turns out "TransGeneration" was inspired by a 2004 New York Times article ("On Campus, Rethinking Biology 101") by my friend Fred Bernstein, who had never been told about the series but made the connection by Googling himself in 2018!

Old Holly-wood


Marlon Brando wallpaper by Greg Jelinek.

Sunday, October 30, 2005

Page 1 Consider (10/30)

— Who knew the Pope Mobile was a 1975 Ford Escort? (via MSNBC)

Hollywood bans Silly String. Now if they'd only do something about all of those crappy movies. (via NYT)

Madonna's Ugly Secret


Last night I sat through much of Madonna's new documentary, "I'm Going to Tell You a Secret." It didn't take long to figure out why this film was rejected by Cannes and no distributor would touch it. It is truly an embarrassment. It was so bad that in order to get over my blushing hangover, I actually had to listen to Madonna's wonderful first couple of albums this morning to remind me why I ever even liked the Belle of Bay City.

Before you start getting all bent out of shape on me, just remember this: I adore Madonna. I always have. I eat it all up. The albums, the videos, the "Sex" book, the bad movies. All of it. But this Kabbalah-inspired, British-accented, re-invented daughter of a rabbi man routine is just beyond belief. The "fame bubble" has swallowed our girl alive, completely blinding her from seeing how ridiculous she's become. I'd always assumed that Madonna must be incredibly intelligent to have gotten this far, but this documentary really showcases how sophomoric she truly is. She spends half the film bragging about how much her ego has shrunk since she discovered Kabbalah and the other half writing junior-high poetry. And the more she talks about how much nicer she is now and how much she has grown up, the more narcissistic and shallow she comes across.

What I find most perplexing about Madonna is that given all the hype that surrounds her, you would think that Madonna the personality would be far more intriguing than Madonna the singer. Oddly, the Madonna saga is quite the opposite. Re-listening to "Physical Attraction," "Everybody" and "Burning Up" over breakfast had my boyfriend and me in a tizzy all over again. This woman knows how to write and sing a great pop song — and that's not an easy thing to do. All of her albums have been at least interesting and usually quite entertaining. Even now, I can't wait to run out and buy "Confessions on a Dance Floor."

But if "I'm Going to Tell You a Secret" was supposed to fill us in on what it's like to be Madonna in 2005, as she says it is, then I can only say this: If Mrs. Ritchie needed to join a quasi-cult at middle-age to figure out that she should treat her fellow man with dignity and respect, then this is an ugly secret that I wish she hadn't told me.

Saturday, October 29, 2005

All of My Thumbs Up


I just came home from seeing "The Squid and the Whale" and I have to say that I'm completely blown away. My guy has a theory that I related a little too much to the whole wacky family (I think it had more to do with the fact that every scene took place in an indoor racquet club -- not unlike the early years of my life -- and there were Donnay Borg Pro racquets and '80s Fila clothing all over the place), but whatever the case, I can't say enough about this brilliant slice of life.

Read a short review from Rolling Stone

Page 1 Consider (10/29)

  • Liar Liar: Special Prosecutor Patrick J. Fitzgerald summed up the charges against Scooter Libby this way:

    "At the end of the day what appears is that Mr. Libby's story that he was at the tail end of a chain of phone calls, passing on from one reporter what he heard from another, was not true. It was false. He was at the beginning of the chain of phone calls, the first official to disclose this information outside the government to a reporter. And then he lied about it afterward, under oath and repeatedly." (via AP)

  • I wouldn't call it a hate crime when I finally get around to bashing Asian-American rightwing nutcase Michelle Malkan's face in (via Michelle Malkan.nut)

  • Psyche out: A woman who apparently had a grudge against self-professed psychics severely punished a mall palm reader who failed after being put to a test (via WJZ/AP)

  • Friday, October 28, 2005

    Deaf Bitch (No, Not Def — Deaf)


    Everyone's favorite hard-to-please/hard-of-hearing nail salon customer Foxy Brown is apparently not a big fan of bicylists, either.

    The NY Post is reporting that Robert Herschenfeld and other bikers were apparently blocking where Brown's chauffeur-driven SUV was attempting to go, at which point the rapper screamed out the window: "Get out of my way, you dumb white faggots!"

    Brown's driver proceeded to plow over Herschenfeld and then tried to speed away (cops were later able to arrest the driver).

    I just love how news like this goes by nearly unreported. If the situation had been reversed, and a comparable epithet had been used against her, you can be sure it would be national news.

    Full story: Foxy Driver Probe (via NY Post)

    Gary Bauer Was Right ...

    ... the recruiting never ends. (via JustInsomnia)

    Fun With Dick and Scooter

    I guess it depends on what you mean by distinction ...

    Scooter Libby, chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, was indicted this morning on five charges, including one count of obstruction of justice, two counts of perjury and two counts of making false statements. Cheney's reaction to the charges levied against his top aide?

    "Scooter Libby is one of the most capable and talented individuals I have ever known. He has given many years of his life to public service and has served our nation tirelessly and with great distinction."

    Alert the Attorney General's Office


    Kudos to Congress for voting to have Rosa Parks lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol.

    Now let's just hope her estate doesn't sue the U.S. government for using her likeness ...

    Don't Want No More (of the Crying Game)


    My cyber pal Rich over at FourFour informs me that apparently-not-a-tranny Coryn of "America's Next Top Model" fame was on "The Tyra Banks Show" yesterday and Tyra actually brought up the shenis rumors started here by yours truly:

    So, I don't know if you know, but every Wednesday, Tyra has last week's ANTM cast-off on her talk show (the segment is called America's Next Top Model Bootees -- hee!). So yesterday, of course, Coryn was on. Tyra totally addressed the penis rumors! She was like, "Up in Top Model headquarters, we heard people were saying you was a man!" Coryn was really good natured about it, too, all like, "Yeah, the weave looked like a wig and I could see where people were coming from" (even though you called it way before the makeovers). It was so awesome.

    So there you have it. And to Coryn I say this: Thanks for being a good sport. I'm glad to see you have a sense of humor about the whole thing. You seem like a sweet gal and you're obviously happy to be out of that house full of bitches, so for you, my dear, the crying game is now officially over ...

    (Screen cap courtesy of FourFour)

    Locker Room Confidential


    NYT sports columnist Selena Roberts' piece in today's paper, Homophobia Is Alive in Men's Locker Rooms, makes the excellent point that openly gay female athletes are great for the gay community, but until there are male equivalents, we still have a long way to go:

    There is no diminishing the importance of each female athlete who publicly declares she wants to love freely in a homophobic culture, to live truthfully in a society divided biblically on gay rights. Somewhere, a girl may feel less alone and less of an outcast because someone like Sheryl Swoopes — a black woman — has further diluted the taboo. But where is the Oliver Cruise Line for a “Queer Guy on the Straight Team”? It is hard to know when no male team player dares to come out while still on the roster.

    The stigma is still too much of a burden, still too dangerous. In male locker rooms, gay slurs are the ultimate insults to raging manhood. How is this for a support group: Over the past few years, Matt Millen, the president of the Detroit Lions, directed a derogatory term for gays at Chiefs receiver Johnnie Morton; the Giants’ Jeremy Shockey referred to Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells with a gay slur; and the Dolphins’ Junior Seau, upon accepting a leadership award, reportedly joked about wanting to tell his teammates that he loved them but added, with his own choice word, that he didn’t want to be labeled as gay.

    Even the enthusiasm over Swoopes’ gay declaration is tempered — even in places like Outsports.com. In a lively message-board discussion, one respondent reflected a despair in waiting for the first male team star to step out. “Like it or not, the stereotype of homosexuality is attached to women’s sports while being detached from male athletics,” the person wrote. “Unfair though it is, the impact of a top male basketball player coming out would resonate so much more. I’d like to reiterate that I think this is wonderful news. And I hope her courage inspires others. But I don’t think it’s the big breakthrough the gay community is hoping for.”

    It's a great column that's definitely worth a read. But I have just one question: You mean to tell me male locker rooms aren't there for gay sex?

    Page 1 Consider (10/28)

    — "Laguna Beach" Kristin dated Stephen, Brody Jenner and Matt Leinart? I hate this chick ... (SeattleTimes via Trent)

    — Keep it in your pants, will ya? When a lover issues sexual ultimatums (via MSNBC)

    — Another winning Republican candidate: 'Africans Will Have Sex With Anything With a Pulse' (ConnectionNewspapers via AmericaBlog)

    — If the Democrats had done to Harriet Miers what the psycho right-wing did, the world would stop spinning (via NYT)

    Sulu's a fag! (via AP)

    Thursday, October 27, 2005

    The Goodbye Girl


    Harriet Miers, the president's controversial pick for the Supreme Court, withdrew her nomination this morning. Asked what she would do now, Miers said she would return to her career as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines.

    Read her withdrawal letter (via MSNBC)

    It Ought to Be Illegal ...





    These Chris Evans photos from famousmaleforums have popped up on various sites in the past day or two (ohlalaparis and trent, to name two), but I couldn't resist putting them on my own.

    Readers may recall my own Chris Evans moment from the other week ...

    Morning Wood: Andy Roddick

    Andy Roddick wallpaper by Greg Jelinek.

    Reality Check

    Kevin Peake from "Manhunt" and Landon Lueck from "The Real World"

    Page 1 Consider (10/27)

    Brian Williams is so dreamy that I wish my apartment would flood (via NYT)

    — So it turns out "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino isn't illiterate after all, she's just a moron (Full story: with illiteracy or without illiteracy)

    — It's no fun when Tom DeLay admits what a liar he is ... (via CNN)

    — Like just working for Karl Rove isn't bad enough ... (via NYT)

    — I think I know a few myself. New reality show: "America's Next Muppet" (via Variety)

    — It's hard to get away with anything in this town (via CraigsList)

    Wednesday, October 26, 2005

    Check Lists





    I've always been obsessed with lists. My brothers were, too. I can remember before the World Wide Web became part of my workday I used to sit at my desk (during down time) and just write lists. Lists of movies I'd seen, lists of books I'd read, lists of albums I owned. The Go-Go's even wrote a song about list obsessions called "Girl of 100 Lists." These days lists are all the rage. My friends in the magazine industry say that the only way to get an issue to sell is to feature some snazzy list on the cover. TV shows are based entirely around lists.

    My cyberfriend Ed over at Whine and Cheese posted two fun lists that you might want to check out:

    Time Magazine's All-Time 100 Novels

    Total Film's 100 Greatest Movies Of All Time

    He "did better" on the movie list than on the book list, and so did I ...

    Page 1 Consider (10/26)

    — Alert the k.d. lang fan club newsletter, WNBA's Sheryl Swoopes is a lezzie. (via CNN)

    — I guess Beverly Hills wasn't good enough ... Weezer's Rivers Cuomo heading back to Harvard (via Reuters)

    — Doesn't this guy who got HIV from heterosexual sex live in Los Angeles? Magic Johnson backs Bloomberg's re-election campaign (via MSNBC)

    — You're probably taking a blog break at work right now (via Advertising Age)

    — Darwinism at Wal-Mart (via NYT)

    — Where's Jeff Stone when Tonya needs him? (via CNN)

    Janet Jackson certainly was a fat-ass in the mid-'80s (via E! Online)

    Lesley Gore's coming out party (no crying required) (via NYT)

    — The White House isn't amused by The Onion (gee, what a shocker) (via MSNBC)

    Tuesday, October 25, 2005

    Madonna Makes a 'Comeback'

    Well, hello, hello, hello!

    I know that dissing her goes against everything we gays have been taught, but has anyone else noticed the Valerie Cherishing of Madonna? (Read: her nearly desperate desire to remain cool and relevant with the youngsters.)

    First she got a bizarre makeover to look just like Val. Then she turned up on teenybopper favorite "TRL" to judge a "dance-off." Later she sounded like an idiot on David Letterman speaking with a Valley Girl accent (who could have guessed that we'd actually start to miss her British one?). When Dave was discussing Madge's interest in riding horses and referred to cowgirl Dale Evans, Madonna replied, "Oh, isn't that the sausage guy?" (She wasn't kidding.) Now she's been seen hanging out with "the kids" in all the hip New York nightclubs.

    All I can say about watching my one-time fave grow old gracelessly is this: I did not need to see that!

    Related: Madonna's Going to Tell You an Ugly Secret

    (Thanks, Bill!)

    The Withdrawal Method

    The Washington Times is reporting that the Bush administration is beginning to make plans for withdrawing Harriet Miers as the president's nomination for the Supreme Court -- sort of. "White House senior staff are starting to ask outside people, saying, 'We're not discussing pulling out her nomination, but if we were to, do you have any advice as to how we should do it?' " a conservative Republican with ties to the White House told The Washington Times. Well, OK then. As long as you're not discussing it ... Full story: Insiders see hint of Miers pullout (via Washington Times) (Photos via A Sociate's Life)

    Laguna Breach


    The kids on "Laguna Beach" graduated from high school last night. But the more interesting thing about the show was that they finally showed everyone's parents (you might remember that about the only other time a parent was needed this season was to buy Kristin a BMW sport utility vehicle on last week's show; "Thanks, Dad!").

    Casey's mom is the best. She's had so much plastic surgery that she may have to flee Laguna for Wildensteinville. Jessica looks just like her mom (and her sister's a porker). Alex M. wore this halter dress that's cut really low in the back (down to her butt crack) and with that fat ass, she looked horrible (you were smart to run, well, do nothing, Jason).

    Oh, and in other news, L.C. and Jason continued their conversationless brand of dating (to the surprise/mock delight of Team Kristin). The previews for next week's episode were far more interesting as it looks like Jessica — once again — decides to remind Jason what a dog he is (it's not hard) and L.C. goes all Alex M. on her.

    Notice how all the kids are plotting to get the hell out of The O.C. now (don't let the show fool you, it sucks). I know I couldn't wait to move to L.A. when I lived in Laguna's ugly stepsister Huntington Beach.

    Television, Briefly




  • Zack Morris is joining the cast of "Commander In Chief" (like one stud isn't enough?) (via TV Fodder)

  • Megan Mullally gets a daytime talk show (do the producers realize she's no Karen Walker?) (via Reuters)

  • Stephen Colbert's ratings are good, but how about the show? (via NYT)

  • Who knew CNN Headline News could be so hot?


  • Ratings for "Curb Your Enthusiasm" are down 53 percent this season. Yet HBO canceled "The Comeback" (aka the best show of all time) because of "low ratings." Funny how not having "Sex and the City" as a lead-in does that to all of HBO's shows (told you so, HBO execs) ... (via MediaBuyerPlanner)
  • Monday, October 24, 2005

    Boys Don't Cry

    Everyone's favorite maybe-tranny Coryn was eliminated this week from "America's Next Top Model" for looking "too sad." Her reaction? She never looked happier.

    So let's review what happened here: Coryn goes on a national TV show to try to become a top model. She quickly finds the industry is filled with a bunch of catty, bitchy, backstabbing girls that she wants nothing to do with (I guess people from Minnesota don't already know this). She cries and cries — and cries some more.

    But then Tyra delivers the (presumably) crushing news that she has been eliminated. Suddenly Coryn is beaming and her exit becomes the only time she didn't cry. I don't know if this makes Coryn a man or not, but she definitely showed she's got some balls.

    So what will Coryn do now? Rumor has it that she'll either take off her weave and return to playing for the New Jersey Nets, or that she's prepared to give Hilary Swank a run for "her" money when the next sure-Oscar part comes along ...

    Hey, Mr. DJ


    I see that Ben Watt of Everything But the Girl fame will be DJing at Cielo this coming Thursday.

    Lately it seems like many of my favorite artists of years gone by have been popping up as DJs, Siobhan Fahey, Boy George and Bob Stanley to name a few (I'd rather they keep making music, but I guess we all evolve).

    I've never seen Ben in action (and probably won't go), but would love to hear from anyone who has/does ...

    Sunday, October 23, 2005

    Sunday Worship

    Fredrik Ljungberg wallpaper by Greg Jelinek.

    Wednesday, October 19, 2005

    Is Thievery the New Highest Form of Flattery?



    First PerezHilton.com (aka PageSixSixSix.com) lifted my item about "America's Next Top Model" contestant Coryn's tranny tendencies without giving me credit. And now the current issue of Entertainment Weekly has done the same.

    Now don't get me wrong, people, I'm flattered. Especially having something I wrote published under the heading "Baseless Rumor Alert!" (sort of sums up my style perfectly).

    But if you're gonna steal my stuff then how about giving a little holla to kenneth in the (212)?

    Honest to God ...

    Food Optional

    I had lunch at the famed Frank Gehry-designed Condé Nast Cafeteria the other day. The place is spectacular. Custom-designed booths enclosed in curved glass panels, perimeter walls clad in blue titanium panels and ash-veneer plywood floors. Oh, and they have food.

    The salad bar and the attitude were all too predictable. But the taco station and the plethora of desserts they had for the taking was perplexing — until I remembered that the binge-and-purge crowd needs something to keep 'em happy, too. Yum.

    Tuesday, October 18, 2005

    Blond(ie) Ambition


    Belle & Sebastian singer Stuart Murdoch tells GQ that the style icon he tries to emulate is Debbie Harry:

    "There has not been an icon to top Debbie Harry. It occurs to me that I might as well try to be her. Obviously, there are physical handicaps, but the outcome might be worth pursuing. Maybe if I picture myself as Blondie in a 1979 poster, I'll inch closer toward her everyday."

    Um. I'm confused. Don't all guys feel this way?

    Monday, October 17, 2005

    Blue Mood


    My dad's obituary ran in the Pottsville Republican today. It's not like I didn't know it was going to run, but just seeing it in print really made me sick.

    The funeral director in Pennsylvania was finally able to get in touch with Arlington National Cemetery this morning. Normally the cemetery can make arrangements within 5-7 business days, but the war on terror has created a backlog of kids waiting to be buried, so the wait is now closer to three weeks. It makes me so sad that all of these young Americans are coming home in boxes, so I certainly don't begrudge any of our troops for this (I thank the president), but I'm really disappointed that we won't be able to have the burial right after the service in Port Carbon. I know that it will cause many family members who are traveling for the viewing and mass to not be able to make another journey to come back for the actual funeral (now scheduled for Nov. 3).

    I leave you with a picture of my dad (right) and his twin brother, my uncle Kenny, (left) with the 1940s and '50s actress/singer Betty Hutton when she visited the troops in Korea. Naturally my charming father and his troublemaking twin were selected to hang with the Hollywood star and pose for the photo op. They were quite the characters.

    Saturday, October 15, 2005

    I'll Miss You, Dad






    My sweet father died today. Even though he had been seriously ill recently, and not in the best health for many years, I still somehow figured he'd be around forever. My heart is broken. Our family takes solace in the fact that Dad died happy while watching his beloved Notre Dame leading USC. And the way we see it, if the cancer hadn't killed him, the way that game ended surely would have. I sure will miss those blue eyes and that sharp tongue. I love you, Dad.

    William Walsh, 73, of Schuylkill Haven, Pa., died Saturday at the Rest Haven nursing home.

    He was born in Pottsville on Sept. 5, 1932, to Michael F. "Mickey" Walsh, who was a boxing promoter and a sportswriter for the Republican, and the former Stella Ryan. Both parents are deceased.

    Walsh was a member of the Catholic faith and a proud Irish-American who shared his father's love for sports, especially Notre Dame football. He served in the Air Force in the Korean War and raised three sons with the former Molly Kull in the Detroit area, where he worked for General Motors Corp. before returning to Pennsylvania for nursing-home care in the early 1970s.

    He was preceded in death by his son Kevin; his twin brother, Kenneth; two other brothers; and four sisters. He is survived by his sons William of Washington, D.C., Terence of Chandler, Ariz., and Kenneth of New York City; his brother Joseph of Littlestown, Pa.; and nieces and nephews.

    Family and friends are invited for visitation from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Robert A. Evans Funeral Home, Port Carbon. Services will be held at 5:30 p.m. from the funeral home with Monsignor Edward O'Connor officiating. He will be buried with his son Kevin in Arlington National Cemetery.


    Photos (starting at top):
    1. My Uncle Kenny (left) and my dad (right), the twins, duke it out in the boxing ring while their older brother, my Uncle Bob, referees, circa 1937.
    2. Dad with his new son (me!), 1967.
    3. My dad and my brother Billy (my favorite picture of them).
    4. The Walsh men go to Washington, circa 1970 (Dad's holding me; Terence has the kickass Fisher-Price camera!).
    5. Dad and me, 1993.

    Friday, October 14, 2005

    Where Did I Put Those Endorsements?



    Things sure aren't looking so good for New York Senate wannabe/plastic surgery victim Jeanine Pirro.

    First the mouthy Westchester County DA misplaced a key page from a speech she was delivering — right as she was about to rip into her rival Hillary Rodham Clinton — and then just stood there like a deer in headlights. And now two Republican leaders are disputing a claim on her Web site that they had endorsed her candidacy, one even saying that he had never even met her.

    The queen of self-promotion's campaign manager, who was about as quick as his boss was at improvising during that speech fiasco, had this to say: "We are confident (they) ultimately will endorse Jeanine as she picks up support from party leaders across the state."

    Well, that's good enough for me.

    Full story: What Endorsement? Two Reject Claim on Pirro Site (via NYT)

    Fighting Irish




    My proudly Irish father always dreamed that his sons would go to college at Notre Dame (pictured left, that's me in the middle looking very upset with my two older brothers on a pilgrimage to South Bend circa 1971).
    Things didn't end up panning out that way, but if their quarterback Brady Quinn (right) is at all representative of the school's student body, then it sure seems I should have listened to dad ...

    Now the only question is who do we root for when the Fighting Irish take on Matt Leinart and his Trojans ...

    Morning Wood: Paul Walker



    Paul Walker wallpaper by Greg Jelinek.

    Thursday, October 13, 2005

    Anything for a Better ZIP Code

    Full story: Arrest made in "hate-crime'' arson (via Queer Day)

    The Case for Gay Bashing


    NOTE TO HOLLYWOOD PRODUCERS AND CASTING AGENTS:
    Just because someone's gay it does not inherently make him "fabulous," "gay fabulous," "hip," "stylish," "fashionable," "hilarious," "fun" or any of the other things that make you think you should hire an untalented embarrassment like Steven Cojocaru. (There, I feel much better.)

    That said, I hope he fully recovers from his battle with kidney disease (and then is never on my TV screen again).

    This Snowman's Sangfroid


    It's crap like this that has us agreeing with the insufferably smug Bill Cosby:

    Full story: Cracking the Code in Hip-Hop (via NYT)

    I Only Have Lazy Eyes for You

    I'm really starting to like Lisa from "America's Next Top Model." She's definitely got the most train-wreck potential. I love how she can't stop ripping on everyone but the minute anyone says a word to her, she's in tears for days. (And how can she be so good at pointing out people's flaws yet she hasn't noticed that Coryn is a man?)

    When Lisa "admitted" that maybe she was bitter about losing this week's "turn your flaw into an asset" challenge because she "has a lazy eye," I just loved her more. (And incidentally, Kyle's real worst attribute is that Michigan accent of hers.)

    Kudos for bringing Janice Dickinson back to shoot the girls. Lisa's not crazy enough to make this show that interesting (show 'em how it's done, Janice!).

    Laura Bush Is a Whore

    Mensa's finest Laura Bush said that she thinks all of the uproar over the nomination of Harriet Miers to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court is possibly the result of "sexism."

    To this I say: Laura, honey, don't worry your pretty little head about it. Let the men take care of the important things (like politics) and you keep doing what you do best, raising those well-mannered daughters and sneaking ciggies in the Rose Garden. Kisses.

    (OK, maybe not the most creative headline I've ever written, but I just can't take much more from First Lady Karina.)

    Full story: First Lady Enters Debate Over Nomination for Court (via NYT)

    The Indivisible Church and State

    Would it be asking too much for the president of the United States to take a few minutes to at least glance at the f**king Constitution?

    President Bush sought again today to reassure conservatives about his Supreme Court nominee, Harriet E. Miers, and he said that Ms. Miers's religion was pertinent to the overall discussion about her.

    "People are interested to know why I picked Harriet Miers," Mr. Bush said. "They want to know Harriet Miers's background. They want to know as much as they possibly can before they form opinions. Part of Harriet Miers's life is her religion."

    What is going on here? What does her religion have to do with interpreting the Constitution? The article goes on to say that the nutcase James Dobson of Focus on the Family was assured that:

    "Harriet Miers is an Evangelical Christian, that she is from a very conservative church, which is almost universally pro-life, that she has taken on the American Bar Association on the issue of abortion and fought for a policy that would not be supportive of abortion, that she had been a member of the Texas Right to Life."

    Full article: Bush Reassures Conservatives Once Again on Court Nominee (via NYT)

    A measure to ban same-sex marriage was approved for the ballot by the Texas Legislature earlier this year. Gov. Rick Perry, a Republican up for re-election next year, then made a ceremony of signing his name to the measure, although it was not required, at an evangelical church in Fort Worth filled with "pro-family Christian friends," as an invitation from his office put it.

    Full story: In Texas, Marriage Is on Ballot (via NYT)

    For the love of God, please make this stupidity stop.

    Wednesday, October 12, 2005

    Mouth Breathers Unlimited


    This "Laguna Beach" Casey/Terri Schiavo "separated at birth" image has made the rounds, but in case you missed it.

    (And you know how I love a persistent-vegetative-state joke.)

    Screen cap by TVgasm

    Too Sweet


    I've always felt like doctors were a bit of a racket. My kid sister noticed her husband was always thirsty and thought he must have diabetes. He did. One of my brothers could suck down two cans of club soda with a straw in about 10 seconds flat. Guess what? He had diabetes. You didn't need a doctor to figure any of this out. Considering the way I feel about medical doctors, you can only imagine how I feel about doctors of veterinarian medicine.

    So when my baby, Troy, developed an abnormal thirst over the past six months, going to the vet was the last thing I wanted to do. You see, we had a heat wave this summer in NYC, so at first I just thought it was taking its toll on the little critter. But when the fall rolled around and his thirst didn't dissipate, I knew that diabetes was the cause.

    For a paltry $350, the vet confirmed my diagnosis. He's got the sugar (as the old-timers say). Now I'm supposed to give Troy insulin shots twice a day and, for the time being, also check his sugar level (via a urine test) twice a day. This I gotta see. The vet suggested I put plastic wrap over Troy's box to try to capture some urine before it gets into the litter. Oh, right. The mere sight of any kind of plastic bag or wrapper sends Troy flying into the other room with his tail double its usual size. This is not going to be pretty.

    Nobody loves their pet more than I love my Troy (he even watches tennis with me, above), but I'm not sure I would expend that much effort to keep myself alive. Is this for real? Would love to hear from others in this situation to hear if this is as awful as it sounds.