Kansas House Speak Mike O’Neal asks House GOP to pray for Obama’s death

Kansas House Speaker Mike O’Neal is under fire after asking Republican House members to pray for President Barack Obama’s death. O’Neal made the request via an email he forwarded to GOP colleagues in the House. In an email sent in December, O’Neal asked his fellow Republicans to pray Psalm 109, which contains the following lines:

Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.

The email has become the subject of a mini-media frenzy. Numerous major news outlets began reporting the details surrounding the disturbing prayer request on Friday.

The relevant verse from Psalm 109 is considered a prayer for vengeance, a prayer for the death of a leader. The most damning part of the prayer is lines 7-12:

‘When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.
Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.
Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.
Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labor.
Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favor his fatherless children.’

Think Progress reports that O’Neal forwarded the prayer with his own message:

“At last — I can honestly voice a Biblical prayer for our president! Look it up — it is word for word! Let us all bow our heads and pray. Brothers and Sisters, can I get an AMEN? AMEN!!!!!!”

For a government official to pray for the death of President Obama, and encourage other government officials to do the same, is not only morally reprehensible, it is also treason.

I know there are reasonable Republicans out there. Is this the kind of political statement you guys like? Praying for the death of an American President?
(source)

AIDS Memorial Park Design chosen: ‘Infinite Forest’

Click pic to view larger 

The design for the AIDS Memorial Park in NYC’s West Village has been chosen.  Click the pic above for a larger view of the chosen design.

The act of memorializing the AIDS epidemic with a physical gesture goes beyond remembering and honoring the dead. AIDS is not a war, nor a disease conquered. There are no definite dates or victims. In our design process, we emphasize the changing and varied ways through which AIDS affects us personally and as a society. It is important to create a space that conveys our sense of solemn respect, remembrance and loss, without resorting to symbolism around a date, image, or names.

Read more about the project here.

The Candi & Randy Show: Welcome Back

Sunday night on The Candi & Randy Show we talked about my recent adventure ‘down-under’ to Australia for the premiere of Olivia Newton-John’s new movie “A Few Best Men” – which opened this weekend to the best box office numbers for an Australian comedy in 12 years!

Click here to listen to the show.

We also talk about the men of Australia, my stay at Olivia’s fantastic award-winning Gaia Resort and Spa, go on a walking tour of Melbourne with Olivia and a few other adventures along the way.

Plus we play a few tracks from the soundtrack of “A Few Best Men” featuring Olivia.

So hit play and find out what a movie red carpet is like, plus what it’s like to almost miss your international plane ride home.

If you’d rather download from iTunes for free and listen at your leisure – here’s the link.

(There’s a mandatory ad at the beginning that the player doesn’t play, just give it about 15 seconds…)

Melbourne and the Shrine of Remembrance

Recently while in Melbourne, Australia, Michael and I went on a walk with Olivia Newton-John as she showed us one of her favorite parks in Melbourne – the Royal Botanic Gardens – and the view of Melbourne from the Shrine of Remembrance.

Gorgeous botanic gardens, and the Shrine is amazing.  One the most recognizable monuments in Melbourne, it’s dedicated not only to the Australian soldiers of WWI, but also to the Australians who stayed behind but supported their troops.  Amazing view of Melbourne from the top of the Shrine. (As always, click on any pic for a larger view).

Michael and I at the Shrine of Remembrance

Michael and I at the Shrine of Remembrance

Olivia and I with the city of Melbourne in the background

Michael and I with Melbourne behind us

Rep. Allen West says President Obama needs to “get the hell out of the United States of America”

I have never heard the President be so rude or disrespectful to any member of Congress the way this man does here.

I’m appalled. Have your differences, but no elected Democrat ever said President Bush needed to “get the hell out of the United States of America.”

Sad.

‘Ab Fab’s’ Edina and Patsy pose in new jewelry campaign

New York jewelry designer Alexis Bittar booked Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley to star in his latest advertising campaign as their Absolutely Fabulous alter egos, Edina Monson and Patsy Stone.

“Such a fabulous shoot in the glorious jewelry from Alexis,” said Lumley. “ It was sensational and I am thrilled with the pieces I have from his generous talented hands. Patsy was transfixed by the quality and wants lots more forever. I hope the campaign rocks: I am a fan for life.”

Watch Patsy and Edina pose, pout, and ham it up for the camera in Vogue’s behind-the-scenes footage of the campaign shoot.