(via JMG)
Tweet of the day: Jason Alexander
Majority of Americans support saving the US auto industry
The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, conducted Feb. 8-12 among 1,501 adults, finds that 56% say the loans the government made to GM and Chrysler were mostly good for the economy, while 38% say the loans to the automakers were mostly bad for the economy.
Opinion about the auto loans has reversed since October 2009. At that time, just 37% said the loans were mostly good for the economy while 54% expressed negative views.
Republicans remain more skeptical than Democrats about the GM and Chrysler loans, but Republican support for the loans has nearly doubled since 2009 — from 23% then to 44% today.
That’s a net swing of 35 points in favor of the idea that the auto bailout was good for the economy.
“I’d do it again,” former President Bush said Monday during the closing address at the annual National Automobile Dealers Association convention in Las Vegas, according to The Detroit News. “I didn’t want there to be 21% unemployment.”
Chrysler repaid its loans last May, while GM has repaid about $23 billion. The U.S. Treasury owns 26% of GM’s shares. Chrysler reported a 2011 profit last week while GM, which is also profitable, will report full-year earnings next week.
GOP Sen. Alan Simpson on Santorum: he is “rigid” and “homophobic”
Rick Santorum got no love from former Wyoming GOP Senator Alan Simpson regarding the current competition for the GOP presidential nomination:
“He is rigid and a homophobic,” Simpson, a Mitt Romney supporter, said. “He said, ‘I want a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage,’ and they said, ‘Well, what about the people who are already married?’ And he said, ‘Well, they would be nullified.’ I mean what is, what’s human, what’s kind about that? We’re all human beings, we all know or love somebody who’s gay or lesbian so what the hell is that about? To me it’s startling and borders on disgust.”
Simpson also said that Romney was likely to emerge the nominee from the Republican presidential primary.
“I think Romney’s had the assault. He’s been shelled from coast to coast. He will not be there,” Simpson said. “Santorum, as they peel the onion, will not receive the support he thinks.”
Gaia Retreat and Spa named one of Travellers Choice Awards Top Relaxation Spa Hotels
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| Me relaxing at the multiple award-winning Gaia Retreat and Spa |
World travellers have recognised the Byron Bay health retreat owned by Olivia Newton-John and Gregg Cave as one of the most luxurious spa experiences on the planet.
Gaia Retreat and Spa has been honored again this year as one of the top Relaxation and Spa Hotels in the World on the 2012 Travellers’ Choice Awards.
The Travellers’ Choice awards are judged by the editors and travellers of Trip Advisor, one of the world’s most popular travel website.
The retreat has won numerous accolades since it was opened by Ms Newton-John and Mr Cave in 2005.
Set in lush sub-tropical gardens at the highest point in Byron shire, the location alone creates an atmosphere of serenity and relaxation.
“There are very few places like it,” Mr Cave said.
“We are sitting on the healing capital of Australia and I think Gaia taps into that.”
The 20-room boutique hotel and day spa employs 35 healers and therapists who all provide unique and specific skills.
Gaia offers massages, alternative therapies, facials, a sauna, pool, gym and yoga room, so there is a focus not just on luxury, but health as well.
Mr Cave said the secret to Gaia’s success was its friendly service, fresh organic cuisine and a philosophy that treats every guest as unique.
“People come here to have a personalised retreat journey because we are tailored to the individual,” Mr Cave said.
Oprah Winfrey lavished praise on Gaia when she treated her studio audience to a day at the retreat last year.
I spent several days at Gaia last month, and I can personally attest to the beauty, serenity and healing nature of Gaia. It was really the perfect way to unwind and find “center” again. If you head to Australia, don’t miss your chance to relax at one of the very best retreats in the world.
Jake Pavelka opens in Las Vegas as Celeb Guest host of Chippendales
The Bachelor and Dancing With The Stars alum Jake Pavelka is suiting up – or down? – for his new gig in Sin City.
He’s the new celebrity host of the best-selling Chippendales show at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in front of a live audience.
Not only that, Jake told RadarOnline his job is to “get the girls into their underwear!”
Preparing for his debut, Jake’s dealing with a case of nerves right now. Although he’s “been nervous for a month,” the buff star added, “Everything I’ve done before this has been scripted shows or taped but this is the real deal….I’m intimidated to shake it on stage.”
Fans won’t see him stripping or performing on stage since he pointed out, “I can’t dance! These Chippendales have choreography, they’re professionals.”
I don’t know about dancing, but I’m sure the ladies in the audience are looking forward to at least a glimpse of Jake shirtless. He’s got the body for it, and if he was fit enough to be shirtless on The Bachelor on TV, surely he can give his Vegas audience just a second of pecs and abs….?
GLEE – Behind the scenes of “On My Way”
Great little clip covering the making of this week’s powerful episode of GLEE.
Love the Max Adler segment talking about his role in the episode.
Marriage News Watch – February 23, 2012
Interview with Max Adler from GLEE
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| Max Adler from GLEE |
[SPOILER ALERT IF YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED THE MOST RECENT EPISODE OF GLEE]
Glee viewers were already shocked to see Kurt’s former bully Karofsky (Max Adler) pop up in last week’s Valentine’s Day episode, particularly since Karofsky pledged his love for his former victim.
But last night’s winter finale, “On My Way,” proved to be even more surprising. Spurred on by his own homophobic high school bullies both in school and online, Karofsky attempted suicide but was unsuccessful. Max Adler says he applauds Glee‘s producers for tackling such a timely subject: ” As an actor to portray this role on a show like this has been the most amazing opportunity that I could have asked for,” says Adler. “I was incredibly happy that they were brave enough and honest enough to go there because I think it’s a very prevalent issue now in the world.”
Here’s an excerpt of Max’s newest interview with Entertainment Weekly:
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: When did you find out about the suicide attempt?
MAX ADLER: It’s always [in] the script. The kiss. The prom. The suicide. I just get the scripts and am delighted to get that script. I remember last year there were a bunch of interviews I’ve done where I said I could see this ending that way, like as a negative result. But I didn’t think they would go there. I think because the fact that it’s so prevalent in the news and it’s such an epidemic, it needs to be shown and it needs to be talked about. I think all our hopes is that it saves a lot of lives and, to the bullies, I think it sheds a whole new perspective on what their words really do to people.
Was there any concern that the twist was too dark? Or too heavy for Glee?
My thought was this: the show is about high school kids. At that time of your life, there are no decisions that have been made for you. You have so much optimism and hope and you do anything you want. Along the lines of the comedy/tragedy map, you also need to also, to gain perspective, show the struggles and the fears and the anxieties of people in high school. I feel like if you ignore one side and show the other, it’s not as rich and powerful of an experience. If everyone can see both sides, there’s an amazing window of perspective that opens up and you can appreciate one now that you see the other. I thought it was necessary to go here to contrast with what is normally seen on the show. At the end, there is a message of hope.
The scenes leading up to the suicide attempt were so intense and emotional. That must have been tough to film?
Yeah, incredibly tough. I’ve talked to so many people via charities, via Facebook, via twitter. I didn’t have Facebook when I was in high school. Bullying then was more of a hand-to-hand combat. You had to do it face to face and you saw the reaction and you could see the emotion. Now it’s become more of like a verbal sniper. There are people that can fire at you from all angles on tumblr, Facebook, Twitter and there’s no way to stop it. And you get deeper and deeper into this whole and it’s incredibly scary. For me, to experience that and walk a mile in someone’s shoes, it was incredible and it was an amazing learning experience. Was it easy? No. But valuable? Yes.
It’s amazing to think about Karofsky’s 180. You at first appeared to be a standard bully and now he’s this rich, shaded character.
When I was first cast it was just two lines and throwing that slushy onto Finn and that’s what I signed on for. Now to be in over 20 episodes and three seasons has been incredible. You’re right, it’s a 180 but you have to understand why and what motivates that. For Karofsky, back at McKinley he expressed himself by fitting into this mold and not being himself and bullying was his outlet. When that didn’t work, he turned to the sensitive, softer Gorilla-gram method. That didn’t work. That’s when the desperation sets in.
My dad always said to me that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. That always stuck with me. I feel like that what it is. You can have a few bad days but you gotta understand that there’s a whole future and a whole world out there that do accept you for who you are. That’s why we do what we do on the show is to make everyone realize that being who you are is one of the most beautiful things that you can do.
Do you think Karofsky is legitimately in love with Kurt? Or in love with the life Kurt leads?
Exactly. To me it’s never been lustful or sexual. It’s always been that connection of really admiring Kurt for being the only person Karofsky sees that’s truly himself. I think that’s so rare and for Karofsky to see that there’s just an incredible amount of respect and admiration. Kurt is like this beacon of hope and how it could be for Karofsky. It’s not so much he wants him in a romantic way. It’s always just a different need to have a genuine human connection with someone. That eventually is what can make Karofsky happy in the future, finding someone who will love him for everything that he is.
Mary Chapin Carpenter – “House of Cards”
I completely get this song and video.
I’m always in the mood for some Mary Chapin Carpenter. What’s surprising is how I’m still ‘surprised’ at how much I love her writing.
Federal Court rules Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional
U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey White has ruled the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which denies same-sex married couples federal rights, unconstitutional for violating the Constitution’s guarantee of equality:
Politico’s Josh Gerstein:
U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey White, who sits in San Francisco and was appointed to the bench by President George W. Bush, issued the ruling Wednesday afternoon in a case involving federal judicial law clerk Karen Golinski’s request for benefits for her female spouse. White said the stated goals of DOMA, passed in 1996 and signed by President Bill Clinton, could not pass muster under a so-called “heightened scrutiny” test or even a lower “rational basis” threshhold.
“The imposition of subjective moral beliefs of a majority upon a minority cannot provide a justification for the legislation. The obligation of the Court is ‘to define the liberty of all, not to mandate our own moral code,'” White wrote. “Tradition alone, however, cannot form an adequate justification for a law….The ‘ancient lineage” of a classification does not render it legitimate….Instead, the government must have an interest separate and apart from the fact of tradition itself.”
Reuters’ Dan Levine adds:
“White, who was appointed by President George W. Bush, a Republican, issued a permanent injunction preventing the government from further interfering with Golinski’s ability to enroll her wife in the insurance program.”