Rep. Allen West is still a bad loser:
“I’m a warrior and I’m a statesman and I’m a servant of this republic. I’m not going away just because of a congressional race where he seems to have to cheat to beat me.”
GOP Rep. Allen West: I was cheated
New Jersey: Marriage equality ballot measure introduced
Yesterday openly gay New Jersey Assemblyman Reed Gusciora introduced a bill to place marriage equality before the voters.
Gusciora said he has been opposed to putting a civil rights question like marriage equality up to a popular vote. But the Assemblyman — New Jersey’s first openly gay legislator — said his constituents asked him to change his mind in light of last month’s election results. “I am the last person who believes civil rights should be on the ballot, but civil rights delayed is civil rights denied,” Gusciora said. “The timing is right. There is broader acceptance.” Modeled after the Maine ballot question, the bill, (A3611) would need support in both houses of the Legislature and Gov. Chris Christie’s signature to become law. The measure would then be added to the following election-year ballot. Gusciora said he expects the governor would sign his bill. Christie does not personally support gay marriage but has said he would sign a bill giving voters the right to decide the issue. “This is exactly what the Governor wants,” he added.
Said Christie in January: “Let’s put the question of same sex marriage on the ballot. It shouldn’t be decided by 121 people in Trenton.”
In November, NJ Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg disagreed with a ballot strategy, saying: I still don’t believe we should put civil rights onto a referendum.”
Polls have shown that voters both support same-sex marriage, and would like to vote on it.
(via JMG)
Donna Summer – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2013
What better news than this? So long in coming; so well deserved. Contactmusic is reporting that Donna Summer, uber-diva, will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year.
Artists become eligible 25 years after the domestic release of their first commercial full-length record.
“We are overjoyed the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame has recognized Donna’s tremendous musical achievements. Its an honor we know she quietly hoped for and would very much cherish. We are deeply grateful.” – The Family of Donna Summer
“The family cannot fully express the gratitude they feel for the outpouring of love received over the past few months in support of Donna’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. From fellow recording artists and industry executives to friends and fans from around the world, it will not be forgotten.” – Brian Edwards, Enter Talking Client Relations
Mario Lopez trims Christmas tree in his underwear
Mario Lopez’ wife tweeted this pic of Mario putting the final touches on their Christmas tree.
“My husband looks hot rockin his @RatedMOfficial with his little elf….#lovethem,” tweeted Courtney Lopez from her official Twitter account.
Mel Torme & Judy Garland: The Christmas Song
Mel Torme and Judy Garland sing a wonderful rendition of “The Christmas Song.” Amazingly, Mel wrote this classic carol at the age of 19.
Mel and Judy performed this duet on the Judy Garland Show in December, 1963.
Vote for the fab Betty Buckley in the BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards
Please take a minute and vote for Betty Buckley for the BroadwayWorld.com Awards as Best Female Celebrity Vocalist!
She is nominated for her recent show “The Other Woman: The Vixens of Broadway.” The New York Times called the show “master classes in how a singer arrives at the right balance of the self, the personality of a song and the character who sings it.”
Only takes a minute and, and her show was FAB!
Today is World Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day presents an opportunity, every year, to celebrate human rights, highlight a specific issue, and advocate for the full enjoyment of all human rights by everyone everywhere.
This year, the spotlight is on the rights of all people — women, youth, minorities, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, the poor and marginalized — to make their voices heard in public life and be included in political decision-making.
For more information on World Human Rights Day, click here.
Via White House press office:
“Today, we pledge to live up to Eleanor Roosevelt’s inspirational example, for in far too many places human freedoms are still denied. As long as a family anywhere is tormented by a state-sanctioned killer; a peaceful agitator is hounded by a violent brigade; an artist is locked away for expressing what she thinks; an LGBT individual is harassed because of whom he or she loves; a community is beleaguered because of how it worships; a person with a disability is marginalized by those who ignore plain injustice; or a girl is threatened for having the audacity to pick up a book; all of our rights have been violated.
“The United States is relentless in pursuit of a world that protects these rights. We fight for them at the United Nations, where we have made important strides, because we know that American leadership in the world can bring action against oppressors and hope to the oppressed. Our job is not done and the path ahead is fraught. But may we work together every day for the cause of human rights, so that our efforts can forge a world that respects our differences, protects our dignity, gives our children opportunities to pursue their dreams, and ensures that freedoms we have pledged to protect are universally enjoyed.”
Team Chippendales on Las Vegas 8 News Now – “After The Race”
Video: “You Ruined My Christmas”
Boy George and Dean Stockings direct this fractured holiday video featuring the Supreme Fabulettes with guest appearance by Johnny Hazzard.
(via JMG)
Australian DJs speak after British nurse commits suicide due to prank call
Last week, two Australian radio DJs made a prank phone call to Kate Middleton at the hospital where she was staying while enduring morning sickness.
Jacintha Saldanha, the nurse who released private information after being duped into thinking she was speaking with Prince Charles and The Queen, subsequently committed suicide.
The DJs, Mel Greig and Michael Christian took themselves off the air last week, and gave their first interview about the tragedy to Australia’s Current Affair.
It’s a heartbreaking event – very tragic.
Watching the interview, clearly the DJs are shattered. It is interesting that they don’t seem to be able to describe the “vetting” process for airing prank calls. More than once in the interview they are asked what the process is. They seem to know there IS a process to determine if a prank call is aired, but they don’t seem to even know “who” makes the decision to air such things. They simply say their job is to come up with material, and then it’s handed off and out of their hands.
Very sad all around.