Page 1 Consider (06/23)

The Two Obamas: I'm not a huge fan of columnist David Brooks, but he does a great job of outlining what Hillary supporters have been saying about Barack "Change" Obama all along: "He's the most effectively political creature we've seen in decades. Even Bill Clinton wasn’t smart enough to succeed in politics by pretending to renounce politics." (And before you get your boxer-briefs in a wad, YES, I'm TOTALLY supporting Obama for president now. I was never against him, I just was for Clinton and never bought into Obama's "I'm different from other politicians" spiel.) (NYT) (Still don't believe it? Read on to the next item ...)

It Depends What You Mean by Reformer: And no sooner did David Brooks write that column about Barack Obama comes this story about the senator's ties to the ethanol industry, yet another example of what I believed all along: "Obama is running as a reformer who is seeking to reduce the influence of special interests. But like any other politician, he has powerful constituencies that help shape his views. And when it comes to domestic ethanol, almost all of which is made from corn, he also has advisers and prominent supporters with close ties to the industry at a time when energy policy is a point of sharp contrast between the parties and their presidential candidates." (NYT)

Gee, Stop the Presses: 70 percent of Jamaicans oppose ANY rights for gays and lesbians. (Are they sure that number isn't a little low?) I'm assuming the other 30 percent oppose letting gays and lesbians live at all. (365Gay)

A Total MAP: Steven Fales, who made his New York City theatrical debut with his acclaimed off-Broadway and national hit one-person, autobiographical play "Confessions of a Mormon Boy," is back with "Mormon American Princess," a new cabaret confection. "Mormon American Princess" will be performed for two nights only Friday, June 27 at 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 28 at 11:30 p.m. at Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette St., New York. Tickets are $20 for general seating and are available at www.joespub.com, 212-967-7555. For table reservations: 212-539-8778.

So Close in the Garden State: LGBT rights activists are stepping up their pressure on New Jersey lawmakers to take up legislation that would convert the state's civil unions law to provide for marriage. (365Gay)

He's Pregnant, You're Speechless: An interesting look at what impact the "pregnant man" has had on society: Partly a carnival sideshow and partly a glimpse at shifting sexual tectonics, his image and story powered past traditional definitions of gender and exposed a realm that seemed more than passing strange to some observers -- and altogether natural to those who inhabit it.. (NYT)

Back to Black Lungs: Somehow I bet "early stage emphysema" is the least of Amy Winehouse's health problems. (AP)

Rest in P***e: George Carlin, the Grammy-Award winning standup comedian and actor known for his groundbreaking routines like "Seven Words You Can Never Use on Television," died in Santa Monica, Calif., on Sunday. He was 71. (NYT)