Libya Teeters on the Verge, Gadhafi Moved to Desperate Measures

This video from Anderson Cooper 360 last night is very good.  One of the most telling comments by the woman reporting is that Libyans are disappointed that Obama hasn't been more strident against Gadhafi.

Comet Fly-by Audio and Video - Amazing!

Last week NASA held a press conference about the Stardust NExT mission to comet Temple1.  The video and audio of the fly-by is awesome. When you consider how many miles the mission fly and how close to the comet it got, it's amazing. Kudos to the team at NASA for a great mission and wonderful images.

Obama DOJ Won't Defend DOMA!

Just moments ago the Obama Administration announced it believes that Section 3 of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) — which prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages — is unconstitutional. This means the Department of Justice will no longer mount defenses of this bill.

More on Think Progress.

Amazing Video from Chinese World's Fair Closing Ceremonies

The following link shows the closing ceremonies at the Shanghai World's Expo in China.  Really nice pageantry and some pretty slick magic tricks as well.  Enjoy!

Wikileaks Confirms African Dictator Threatened Gays with Decapitation

Ah, what fun it must be to live in Africa!  I say that with a giant dose of irony.

Recently the Wikileaks cache of diplomatic cables have exposed Gambian President Jammeh as saying he would "cut off the head" of any homosexual caught in his country.  Though the President now says that was a rhetorical statement, he also confirmed the country's rigid anti-gay stance.

And remember this is the same dictatorial president who claims he has a cure for AIDS.  It involves bananas and herbs and  there are videos of him applying it to "cure" AIDS patients. 

At the risk of being insensitive, this is where the stereotypes of African's being "savages" comes from. Maybe it's time the Facebook revolution reached Gambia as well?

Westboro vs Hackers - A Hoax

OK, I was taken in by it as well.  Looks like there will be no battle of the internet nerds after all.  According to an anonymous press release about Anonymous the whole thing was a WBC fake.  Who knows?  With all the anonymity going around how can you tell?  Here is thelatest release fromthe Hackers:

Dear Phred Phelps and WBC Phriends,
So we've been hearing a lot about some letter that we supposedly sent you this morning. Problem is, we're a bit groggy and don't remember sending it. Our best guess is that you heard about us on that newfangled TV of yours and thought we might be some good money for your little church. You thought you could play with Anonymous. You observed our rising notoriety and thought you would exploit our paradigm for your own gain. And then, you thought you could lure some idiots into a honeypot for more IPs to sue.

This is not so foreign to us; as you may have heard, we trade in Lulz. You just do not have enough to offer right now.

While Anonymous thanks you for your interest, and would certainly like to take a break and have some fun with you guys, we have more pressing matters to deal with at the moment.
But, we will keep this application on file, and will certainly contact you if any openings become
available in future.
Next time, don't call us. We'll call you.
Additionally, as your "Press Release" failed to understand: When Anonymous says we support free speech, we mean it. We count Beatrice Hall among our Anonymous forebears: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
Do some among our number hate you and your cynical exploitation of your human rights for monetary gain? Of course. But the MoralFags are also the first to admit that they are, in fact, your rights to exploit.

In closing, let us assure you: We are not BAWWWING sissies, nor are we afraid of your false god; we're just really busy. Stay tuned, and we'll come back to play another day.
We promise.

To the Media: Just because it was posted on AnonNews doesn't mean every single Anon is in
agreement, in fact in this case it doesn't even mean a single Anon is in agreement. Next time, if you could give us a few minutes to put all our paperwork in order, we'll be sure to let you know what we're up to. (LOL)

To Anonymous: It's a trap. They've got their ports wide open to harvest IPs to sue. Don't DDoS, and boycott Operation Westboro. If you really want to continue messing with them, just send them a few male prostitutes and faxes of goatse. Nothing more.

(Note: This letter was written by more than 20 Anons, at the same time, and none of them were inbred family members. Unlike that other, shitty "Press Release".)

We are Anonymous.
We are legion.
We do not forgive.
We do not forget.
Expect us.

Hackers and Westboro Baptist Church Square Off!

The Westboro Baptist Church, better known as the Fred Phelps family cult, never fails to raise ire in anyone who has even a cursory understanding of Jesus message of love, inclusion and compassion.  Fortunately, most of the folks I know whose blood pressure automatically rises when they see the utter crap these sad folks spew have learned to ignore them.  The Phelps cult thrives on publicity and deprived of it, they look exactly like what they really are, as sad little group of disturbed hate-filled people.

My friends and myself, though we have encountered the WBC folks on several occasions, now give them a wide berth.  Their whole trick seems to be to aggravate people to the point of assault and then sue for damages.  To seriously consider them in any way representing God's message makes me glad it is not a God that I believe in.

Meanwhile, their hateful web site has been hacked by a group calling itself "Anonymous".  It may or may not be the same group that disabled Hosni Mubarak's websites during the Egyptian revolt as they claim, but now they have chosen the Phelps cult as their latest target.  They temporarily disabled the WBC website and issued a letter which follows:

TO THE CONGREGANTS OF WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH:

    We, the collective super-consciousness known as ANONYMOUS - the Voice of Free Speech & the Advocate of the People - have long heard you issue your venomous statements of hatred, and we have witnessed your flagrant and absurd displays of inimitable bigotry and intolerant fanaticism. We have always regarded you and your ilk as an assembly of graceless sociopaths and maniacal chauvinists & religious zealots, however benign, who act out for the sake of attention & in the name of religion.
    Being such aggressive proponents for the Freedom of Speech & Freedom of Information as we are, we have hitherto allowed you to continue preaching your benighted gospel of hatred and your theatrical exhibitions of, not only your fascist views, but your utter lack of Christ-like attributes. You have condemned the men and women who serve, fight, and perish in the armed forces of your nation; you have prayed for and celebrated the deaths of young children, who are without fault; you have stood outside the United States National Holocaust Museum, condemning the men, women, and children who, despite their innocence, were annihilated by a tyrannical embodiment of fascism and unsubstantiated repugnance. Rather than allowing the deceased some degree of peace and respect, you instead choose to torment, harass, and assault those who grieve.
    Your demonstrations and your unrelenting cascade of disparaging slurs, unfounded judgments, and prejudicial innuendos, which apparently apply to every individual numbered amongst the race of Man - except for yourselves - has frequently crossed the line which separates Freedom of Speech from deliberately utilizing the same tactics and methods of intimidation and mental & emotional abuse that have been previously exploited and employed by tyrants and dictators, fascists and terrorist organizations throughout history.

    ANONYMOUS cannot abide this behavior any longer. The time for us to be idle spectators in your inhumane treatment of fellow Man has reached its apex, and we shall now be moved to action. Thus, we give you a warning: Cease & desist your protest campaign in the year 2011, return to your homes in Kansas, & close your public Web sites.
    Should you ignore this warning, you will meet with the vicious retaliatory arm of ANONYMOUS: We will target your public Websites, and the propaganda & detestable doctrine that you promote will be eradicated; the damage incurred will be irreversible, and neither your institution nor your congregation will ever be able to fully recover. It is in your best interest to comply now, while the option to do so is still being offered, because we will not relent until you cease the conduction & promotion of all your bigoted operations & doctrines.

    The warning has been given. What happens from here shall be determined by you.

 Well as I expected, Westboro Baptist Church will not be denied the added publicity this gives them.  Their response begins:

"Open Letter from Westboro Baptist Servants of God to Anonymous Coward Crybaby 'Hackers'             BRING IT!"

 So to those who follow this stuff, it should be interesting as the folks living in their mom's basement square off against the trailer park wackos with the storefront church.  Stay tuned.

Me, I am not taking sides, but if WBC disappeared from the web, it wouldn't upset me at all.

20% of People Don't Know Bareback Sex Can Spread HIV

All the work we did trying to educate gay and bisexual men about safer sex seems to have been for nothing, and that pisses me off.  I read a recent poll in the UK where one in five people did not k ow AIDS/HIV could be transmitted through bareback sex.  Though I haven't seen the figures here, I would hazard to guess it's even higher.

Furthermore only one in 10 adults could identify all the ways AIDS could be transmitted.  That's just sad.

AIDS could have been eradicated in a generation if people listened to the Safer-Sex message, but I guess human beings are just too damned stupid, or perhaps it's because the frigging fundamentalists don't want accurate information about condoms out there, and so the real message gets muddled in a fog of misinformation.

Either way, it's disturbing.

Leaked Memos Show US Awareness of Growing Uganda Homophobia

The march toward violence against LGBT people in Uganda is documented in leaked cables on Wikileaks.  The US Embassy in Uganda noted the worsening climate for human rights.  Memos show that embassy staff noted anti-gay hatred being used to scapegoat homosexuals for the country's "socio-political failings".

This anger eventually ended in the death of David Kato, a gay rights activist in Uganda.  Still the US government funnels $500 million in foreign aid to Uganda.  Why?  Ask your Congressperson that question!

CPAC Invited GOProud Back - If They Don't Advocate Gay Rights Issues

Now, if you ever wondered just how deep the amount of self-loathing the GOProud folks have, you will soon know.  Seems CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) who uninvited the allegedly LGBT Republican group has now changed their position.  Now they will welcome the GOPround folks if they will leave their "gay issues" at the door.

To quote CPAC Chairman Al Cardenas:

"It's got nothing to do with your orientation. It's got to do with the principles that you advocate. There are a number of gays in America who don't advocate gays in the military issue or gay marriage. And so they'll fit within the tent of what we stand for...It's not that easy. It's complicated. But we'll do our best to be inclusive while at the same time adhering to the principles that Ronald Reagan dreamed about and we've been following."

 So it basically comes down to the whole "straight acting" thing. Sure you can be gay or lesbian or whatever, as long as you stay quiet and don't actually ask for equal rights.  Imagine asking a black Republican to forgo any mention of Civil Rights or minority issues?  Oh yes, that would be Michael Steel or Alan Keys!

If GOProud accepts the re-invitation, I vote we take away their "gay cards".

Ouch! Australian Co-Anchor Belittles Co-Host

Sometimes a line is just too good to let go. Enjoy!

Priscilla Queen of the Desert Coming to Broadway

Preview clip posted on YouTube.  I am ordering tickets for next fall now! Thanks to Towleroad for finding this

Glenn Beck Conspiracy Theory Generator - Almost Like The Real Thing!

Ever vigilant, Joe My God found this great gadget which generates Glenn Beck style blackboards full of nutty ideas.  I wondered where Glenn got that crap?

No GOProud at Next Year's CPAC

There is a surprise! Not really.

GOProud, the allegedly gay Republican organization whose involvement with the Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) conference stirred up so much anger among the right-wing they are politely being asked to not come back.  GOProud's presence atthe conference was enough to make a few very large participants stay away.  Those include, Heritage Foundation, Concerned Women for America, Media Research Center and the hate group, Family Research Council.

Apparently the CPAC cannot afford to alienate these major players in their activities, so the gays get thrown under the Republican bus.  Again, I have to wonder why the hell a group who is plainly not welcome and whose very existence goes against some of the GOP platform planks calls itself Republican?  The degree of self-loathing of the GOProud folks is apparently limitless.  For example, GOProud volunteer Matt Hissey is quoted as saying, "I don't really like gay people."  Nice!

Lady Gaga at Grammys - Fabulous!

OK I officially renewed my Gay Card.  Lady Gaga at the Grammy's was amazing!

An New Day In Egypt

Hosni Mubarak finally has stepped down ad president of Egypt.  His 30 year dictatorial rule is over and I suspect we will never know all the details, but here is my hypothesis.

Yesterday, the military published a statement called "Communique #1" in which the stated that the protesters demands would be met.  This caused a wave of jubilation to flow through the millions gathered in public spaces in Cairo and Alexandria. The crowds cheered when they heard Mubarak would be making a TV appearance that evening, and everyone, including foreign diplomats and news-people assumed it would be his resignation speech.

The crowds fell silent as Mubarak began his speech, but that didn't last for long.  He began enumerating all the good things he did for his "children" and continued to assert that he would follow his own timeline and wait until September for the new elections.  Meanwhile he would turn some powers over to his Vice President. 

When it became clear that he was not stepping down, the crowd erupted in violent angry shouts.  They waved shoes in the air and tore down the TV screens in a hostile rage.  Luckily, they did not choose to march on the Presidential palace but dispersed, vowing to reassemble in the morning even stronger.

This morning news came that the military would stand behind the transition as planned and most people saw that as an ominous sign.  Finally came the surprising announcement that Mubarak had turned power to the military council and was leaving office along with his Vice President.

My suspicion is that the military council met with the president and explained the reality of the situation.  They had what I would call a "Come to Allah" meeting.  This new Egyptian military has been trained mostly by US forces, and unlike the old military who learned from the Russians, the new Egyptian army didn't want any part of harming their countrymen.  I suspect they told Mubarak he could leave peacefully and immediately, or be placed under arrest.

He chose to leave and the whole story of Egypt has now been set on a new path.  My hope is it will find a way toward democracy and peace.

Very Funny Commercial - Banned From TV

So I will admit I have done some pretty strange things in my life but never this odd.

Mubarak Is A Fool! Refuses To Step Down.

Crowds of hundreds of thousands gathered to hear the President of Egypt as he resigned, instead he spoke about his sacrifices for Egypt and hoe much he loved the people.  What he didn't say was that he is leaving.  He reiterated his intention to not run for reelection in September.  This is not what people expected and wanted.

A crowd who was joyous has turned into an angry mob.  In Alexandria protesters are heading toward the military base, in Cairo they are waving shoes in the air.  How will the army and police handle this is very much in question. 

Mubarak could have stepped down and ended this and instead he resisted and has set Egypt ablaze.  Sad times in Egypt.

Is Mubarak Leaning Tonight?

If reports are to be believed, the Egyptian military has taken charge of the situation and told the crowds in Tahrir Square, "All your demands will be met today."

This comes as a welcome surprise if it is true.  If not it will only serve to inflame already burning passion among Egyptians who want Mubarak gone.   Huffington Post has more.

Worst Argument Against Gay Marriage Ever

Robert Broadus Testimony on SB 116 against gay marriage in the Maryland legislature is perhaps the worst I have ever seen. He goes from Android Marriage to claiming that the stars in the flag represent Jesus. This guy is a real head case. Enjoy!