Category: Uncategorized

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Montana: Helena City Commission passes LGBT protections

Montana’s capital city unanimously approved broad anti-discrimination protections for LGBT residents:

In a unanimous vote Monday night, the Helena City Commission passed an ordinance to prohibit discrimination in housing, employment and many kinds of public accommodation based on sexual orientation. Hundreds of people turning out to support or oppose the measure, with the commission opening two additional rooms in the City-County Building to provide audio and video of the meeting. Mayor Jim Smith gave each side an hour to speak on the measure.

“I believe, and I felt the commissioners believe, that being LGBT is part of the human condition,” said Commissioner Haque-Hausrath, the sponsor of the measure, speaking of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. “It’s something that people cannot change, and we believe that people should not be discriminated against because of their sexual orientations.”

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Al Pacino revival of Glengarry Glen Ross recoups investment in weeks

The current Broadway revival of David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross has already recouped it’s $3.3 million dollar investment in only a few weeks in spite of mixed reviews.

From The Hollywood Reporter:

“Despite mixed reviews for his performance, Pacino has also been the major draw in a production that has frequently grossed more than $1 million a week since opening on Dec. 8. Its cumulative box office is currently at $9.2 million. Those figures have been pumped significantly by premium seats selling for as much as $350 apiece.

“The negligible impact of reviews on the production can be seen in its grosses for the week ending Dec. 16, its first since the official opening. That tally of more than $1.2 million was the highest since the play began previews on Oct. 19.”

Some folks in the industry felt the current revival pales in comparison to the very strong 2005 production that starred Liev Schreiber and Alan Alda.

However, clearly it’s a good thing to have Al Pacino as your salesman.

The show continues on Broadway at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater.

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NY Mets Syndergaard apologizes for anti-gay slur

Newly-acquired New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard, whose anti-gay tweet was revealed by the New York Daily News, apologized Tuesday at a press conference call organized by the Mets to introduce him.

Said Syndergaard:

“I had a little mishap on Twitter about a month ago, and it was just brought to my attention this morning. I’d just like to apologize for anything that was said. A buddy and I were having a little conversation. I had a poor attempt at humor and an even worse attempt at using a term I shouldn’t have used. I hope I didn’t offend anybody. I’m really sorry my first introduction to being a New York Met had to be like this.”
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ENDA unlikely to see legislative action in next Congress

“I hope to continue to increase the number of sponsors of ENDA in the next session. I am confident we will be able to do that.

“We still face opposition from Republican leadership, both in the committee and within the wider House, and their opposition makes it very unlikely that we will be able to bring it to the floor even if we’re able to get a majority of members to commit to support it.”

– Rep. Jared Polis, confirming to Buzzfeed’s Chris Geidner that ENDA has little chance of passage in the next Congress.

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Teaser for Season 2 of SMASH

Although the show earned a Golden Globe nomination (remember Pia Zadora once won one), SMASH lost me after a few episodes – and I love Broadway.

However, I love the idea of the show and a lot of the talent in the cast, so I’m planning on watching the new season premiere and hope it works. Apparently “Gossip Girl” executive producer Joshua Safran has been brought in to “retool” the show.

Any of you readers watch the show? Love? Hate? Indifferent?

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President Obama named TIME Magazine’s Person of the Year 2012

President Obama has been named TIME Magazine’s Person Of the Year 2012:

The selection was announced Wednesday on NBC’s “Today” show. The short list for the honor included Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager who was shot in the head for advocating for girls’ education. It also included Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi and Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Obama also received the honor in 2008, when he was President-elect. Last year, “The Protester” got the honor. Time’s “Person of the Year” is the person or thing that has most influenced the culture and the news during the past year for good or for ill.

In 2010, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg received the honor. Other previous winners have included Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, Bono and President George W. Bush.

Read the full profile here.

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National Rifle Association statement: “Prepared to make meaningful contributions” to avoid future tragedies

After four days of self-imposed silence, the NRA has released the following statement regarding the Newtown, Connecticut shooting that left 20 children and six adults from Sandy Hook Elementary School dead:

“The National Rifle Association of America is made up of 4 million moms and dads, sons and daughters – and we were shocked, saddened and heartbroken by the news of the horrific and senseless murders in Newtown.

“Out of respect for the families, and as a matter of common decency, we have given time for mourning, prayer and a full investigation of the facts before commenting.

“The NRA is prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again.

“The NRA is planning to hold a major news conference in the Washington, D.C., area on Friday, December 21.”

At present, the NRA has shut its Facebook page and has not tweeted since the shooting.