Page 1 Consider (03/19)

Report: David Beckham is still smokin' hot. (Daily Mail)

Unfriendly Fire': Janet Maslin gives a rave to Nathaniel Frank's compelling new book in which he takes the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy to task. (Did you know that the United States actually used a Marine Corps corporal’s buying of Anne Rice novels as evidence of homosexuality at the man’s discharge investigation?!!! And all this time I thought the Joan Crawford postcard in "Heathers" couldn't be topped.) (NYT)

Brown v. the Board of Education: I find this story from a school in the Bronx about young girls' reaction to Chris Brown's assault of Rihanna far more disturbing than the assault itself: "Even after they saw a photo of Rihanna’s bloodied, bruised face, which had raced across the Internet, they still defended Mr. Brown. “She probably made him mad for him to react like that,” one ninth grader said. “You know, like, bring it on?” “Everyone blames Rihanna for this, right?” she said. “She deserves it for being so jealous?” Some students nodded. (NYT)

Straight Talk Express: The United States, in a reversal of Bush administration policy, has decided to sign on to a U.N. declaration that calls for the decriminalization of homosexuality, the State Department said Wednesday. State Department spokesman Robert Wood said the Obama administration, which took office eight weeks ago, would now join 66 other U.N. member states who supported a U.N. statement in December that condemned human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.(Reuters)

Ex-Offender: Perhaps I've watched John Davenport in action too many times in "Powertool." But I sure wouldn't mind being locked up with this "probationer," Tyler Tomlinson. I wonder what he did wrong -- and if he's liable to do it again. (USA Today)

Roger Federer Fan Club: There's no doubt about who Gwen Stefani's rooting for this week in Indian Wells. (Revista Tenis)

Rafael Nadal Fan Club: And ditto for these Spanish fans. How much would we like to see a Federer-Nadal final of the BNP Paribas Open? (Sky Sports)

Croatia Is for Ethnic-Cleansing Lovers: You know the world financial crisis is in dire straits when Croatia reaching out to Serbian tourists to help rescue its economy. (NYT)

(Don't) Stop the Presses! Well, it sounds like it was at a bargain price. But someone actually BOUGHT a newspaper! (Love the "ambiguous" part about the San Diego Tribune's owner, "a shy, private man, better known for his arts patronage than for an interest in newspapers.") (NYT) BTW: Would you believe USA Today had one of the best (and most in-depth) articles I've read to date about the future of newspapers. Check it out HERE.

WrestleMania: Paul Donahoe, the nationally ranked -- and incredibly sexy -- wrestler who with another teammate was dismissed by the University of Nebraska wrestling team after being discovered on a gay porn site last August, transferred to Edinboro University and is now again ranked #1 in his weight class nationally. (Towleroad)

Bizarre Twist: The father of an Oxnard teenager accused of gunning down a gay classmate who was romantically attracted to him has been found dead, Ventura County authorities said Wednesday. Bill McInerney, 45, was found shortly before 8 a.m. in the living room of his Silver Strand home by a friend, said James Baroni, Ventura County’s chief deputy medical examiner. The friend was supposed to drive him to a court hearing in his son’s murder trial, Baroni said.(LAT)

For Christ's Sake: It's not enough for the Catholic Church to cover up child-sex abuse, make gay people feel like crap about themselves and treat women as second-class citizens. Now the Pope is going around saying that condoms INCREASE the problem of HIV/AIDS? Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. (NYT)

Helter Skelter: Just in case you've been sleeping too well at night, California corrections officials have released a new photograph of convicted mass murderer Charles Manson. (USA Today) And speaking of which. Did you know just about every crime scene photo ever is available online. ENTER at your own risk. A pregnant Sharon Tate lying murdered on the ground is almost as horrifying as the evil leader himself.

Dead or Alive? Singer Pete Burns is said to be in critical condition after a kidney operation in London failed. God knows he's been through enough medical drama given what's been done to his face over the years. Here's wishing him a speedy recovery. (Daily Mail)