Page 1 Consider (01/28)

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: Today's Times looks at the "unusual, if happy, predicament" gay voters find themselves in this time around with not one but three Democratic candidates front-runners who have "staked out similar positions on issues that resonate with gay men and lesbians." The article makes its point, but I tend to agree with the unnamed "many gay leaders" buried at the end who are disappointed that none of the candidates have the balls to fully embrace gay rights. I mean really -- we're supposed to be excited that in 2008 we have presidential wannabes who are willing to make the same promises to us that Bill Clinton made 16 years ago? I'd hardly call that progress. (And why is a Times reporter hanging out at the Monster?!!) (NYT)

The Gray Lady Slept Here: Anyone else wonder what will become of the landmark New York Times headquarters building on West 43rd Street? Here's the story. (NYSun)

Missed the Target: What's up with "trendy" discount retailer Target? When a blogger wrote to complain about a new advertising campaign that depicted a woman splayed across a big target pattern -- the store's emblem -- with the bull’s-eye at her crotch Target offered this e-mail, um, "response": Target offered an e-mail response: "Unfortunately we are unable to respond to your inquiry because Target does not participate with nontraditional media outlets." (Meow.) To which I say, "Don't piss off the bloggers, Target. It will be the biggest mistake of your life." (NYT)

White Flag: The way appears to be over. Judith Regan, the publisher fired in the wake of her efforts to release O.J. Simpson's hypothetical "confession," has settled her $100 million lawsuit with Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. No word on who gets custody of Bernard Kerik. (AP)

Something to Gawk At: I bet Choire Sicha and those crazy kids over at Gawker wouldn't have resigned over their "per hit" pay schedule if they realized posting the Tom Cruise Scientology video would have garnered them a cool $17,000 in extra pay. Gawker's owner/founder Nick Denton, who replaced Sicha with himself as editor, told The Times, "Unfortunately, I don’t get page-view bonuses." (NYT)

Return to 'Oz': The son of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D-Kan.) is peddling a new board game called "Don't Drop the Soap," a prison-themed game he created as part of a class project at the Rhode Island School of Design. Like they do anything but drop it there. (AP)

Money Where His Mouth Is: Unlike the real conservative pundits who yammer on and on about what it means to be a good American, Stephen Colbert's silly Wrist Strong campaign actually raised $171,525 for the Yellow Ribbon Fund, a nonprofit that supports the families of injured war veterans. (E!Online)

No Country for Old People: While most people would shun a book if it were titled "How Not to Look Jewish" or "How Not to Look Gay," because to cater to discrimination is to capitulate to it. But the success of "How Not to Look Old" indicates that popular culture is willing to buy into ageism as an acceptable form of prejudice, even against oneself. (NYT)

Don't Sit So Close to Me: After going on the reunion tour for the Police all last year I was shocked to see Sting and Andy Summers sitting near each other during the final of the Australian Open. Have they finally grown up? (TimesOnline)

Dead Kennedys? The New York Times endorsed John McCain and Hillary Rodham Clinton, but the Kennedys are saying Barak Obama is tne next JFK. Bill is pissed ...(NYT)

Long Journey Home: After being prepared at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home in Manhattan, Heath Ledger's body was taken to a mortuary in Los Angeles where family members and friends paid their respects. Ledger's body was reportedly at the Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary on Saturday, where it was taken en route to his native Australia. (NYDN)