Indiana
updated
10:38 a.m.
"I thought I'd stumbled on some sort of astronaut humour but he was absolutely serious that aliens are definitely out there and there's no debating it." —Radio host Nick Margerrison , who was interviewing former astronaut and Apollo 14 moonwalker Edgar Mitchell when Mitchell claimed that aliens exist and "have visited Earth on several occasions—but the alien contact has been repeatedly covered...
Shakespeare's Sister - 10:38 a.m.
In 1567: Mary, Queen of Scots, was deposed. In 1701: The city of Detroit was founded as a fort by a French fur trader. In 1866: Tennessee was readmitted to the Union. In 1911: Hiram Bingham discovered the lost Inca settlement of Machu Picchu. In 1969: The Apollo 11 astronauts splashed down in the Pacific after their historic mission. In 1974: The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously rul...
Shakespeare's Sister - 10:06 a.m.
Or, U.S. Patent 7,255,627 , a bra convertible to a facemask to protect wearers from contaminated air "as a result of biological or chemical warfare, poison-based weaponry, pollution or other environmental circumstances." Nice illustration: By the way, I'm hoping this will change Liss' stance on bra wearing and boob freedom . Buckle up for safety, my friend! (Via Harper's .)...
Shakespeare's Sister - 10:06 a.m.
There's an interesting article up at Politico.com regarding Republicans/Conservatives "losing the new media war. " According to the author, the Right is losing the online political news battle, because so much of conservative "news" is opinion-based, and not actual news-breaking reporting. I'm sure people on the right will complain, shouting about ground-breaking hot stories involving kerning a...
Shakespeare's Sister - 10:06 a.m.
So, the John Edwards Love Child story is back , after the National Enquirer wrote a new piece (and follow-up ) about Edwards meeting with his alleged mistress, Rielle Hunter, in a hotel in LA. Edwards still denies he fathered Hunter's child; his long-time associate and friend Andrew Young still claims he (Young) is the father. Anonymous sources claim otherwise. I've got no bloody idea; I ...
Shakespeare's Sister - 10:06 a.m.
Obama's not doing too badly among LGBT adults : Among LGBT adults, 60 percent favor Obama while 14 percent favor McCain. Three percent of LGBT adults favor Barr, while 1 percent choose Nader. Six percent choose "other," while 17 percent of all LGBT voters are not yet sure which candidate to support -- comparable to the general population. We can joke all we want about that 14%, b...
bilerico.com - 10:06 a.m.
Everyone is pretty whipped up about the release of The Dark Knight , which shattered Spiderman 3's record for largest first-weekend box-office draw over the weekend. Unlike Spiderman 3, The Dark Knight is actually a very entertaining film. Christopher Nolan's Batman franchise is darker, more serious, and, consequently more frightening. It also captures the psychological complexity of the ...
bilerico.com - 10:06 a.m.
When it begins like this : Barack Obama is too young to be president. Yes I know he is 46 and the Constitution sets the presidential age qualification at 35 or higher, but... Really. Once you reach that point, you'd just better stop and re-think....
Shakespeare's Sister - 8:11 a.m.
I know I've said a thousand times that our political system is populated by a bunch of spoiled, tantrum-prone six-year-olds, but this recent whining by McCain's followers really takes the cake. McCain camp cries foul Washington - In a campaign week dominated by Barack Obama's trip abroad, the pro-John McCain camp has made headlines by complaining about coverage of Senator Obama's trip abroad...
Shakespeare's Sister - 8:11 a.m.
Getting the boy or girl of your dreams to say yes to your marriage proposal is only the first step in having the fiercest wedding in all the land. And no, I am not thinking about how crucial it is to find the perfect matching outfits or figure out how to convince Madonna to perform at your wedding. Because of the Defense of Marriage Act, same-sex couples are denied the federal benefits of marr...
bilerico.com - 8:11 a.m.
If there's one thing that current gas prices have taught us, it's this - environmentalists hate America . It's been explained over an over again in right-wing circles. Why are so many people so concerned with the environment when we have gas underneath some caribou somewhere? Or offshore? Don't they understand that by drilling in conserved areas the U.S. would see prices at the pump drop by a...
Shakespeare's Sister - 7:38 a.m.
Those of you following the news about the proposed constitutional amendment in Arizona to prohibit same sex marriage will find the latest round of shenanigans very upsetting. On Wedesday, Equality Arizona called on Senate President Tim Bee (R-30) to immediately form a bipartisan commission to investigate alleged illegal actions that took place on the Senate floor on the last day of this year's...
bilerico.com - 7:38 a.m.
Election officials in California made what could be an important change to Proposition 8's language yesterday. Prop 8, which was put forward by fundies to reverse the state's Supreme Court decision to legalize same-sex marriage, is on the ballot in November. Some activists think the language change, which spells out the removal of the right for same-sex couples to marry, could help add su...
bilerico.com - 6:08 a.m.
"We have a really interesting, wonderful, funny way of laying out the story of Callie and Erica that I'm pretty excited about, that I feel like is not necessarily your typical -- if there can be a typical-- your typical way of dealing with the storyline." --Gray's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes on the upcoming lesbian relationship on her show var AdBrite_Title_Color = '000000'; v...
bilerico.com - 6:08 a.m.
iPhone users: Click to watch Abigail's impression of Heath Ledger's Joker. See more at www.abigailsxratedteendiary.com ! var AdBrite_Title_Color = '000000'; var AdBrite_Text_Color = '000000'; var AdBrite_Background_Color = 'FFFFFF'; var AdBrite_Border_Color = '000000'; var AdBrite_URL_Color = '4a853b'; ...
bilerico.com - 5:39 a.m.
Elaine Donnelly, an anti-gay activist, made a fool of herself in front of a Congressional committee discussing the status of "don't ask, don't tell." Donnelly treated the panel to an extraordinary exhibition of rage. She warned of "transgenders in the military." She warned that lesbians would take pictures of people in the shower. She spoke ominously of gays spreading "HIV positivity" through th...
Shakespeare's Sister - 4:40 a.m.
iPhone users: Click to watch A weird made-for-Youtube video about a mother coming to terms with her son's sexuality. var AdBrite_Title_Color = '000000'; var AdBrite_Text_Color = '000000'; var AdBrite_Background_Color = 'FFFFFF'; var AdBrite_Border_Color = '000000'; var AdBrite_URL_Color = '4a853b'; ...
bilerico.com - 4:09 a.m.
What are you currently reading? I'm reading Three Cups of Tea , which Misty sent me ('cuz she's awesome like that), and it is just so inspiring. Tres teaspoony!...
Shakespeare's Sister - 1:11 a.m.
The Fat Princess thread has proven enormously amusing, as the fat-hating, homophobic, misogynist dancing monkeys have boogied to the sound of my organ grinding [insert your own double entendre here] without a hint of irony or self-awareness all day, but my email has been providing me with lots of treats, too. This one was too good not to share: Thanks, Sean. Not only was I enormously worr...
Shakespeare's Sister - 1:11 a.m.
Editors' Note: Guest blogger Lalita Amos is Founder and Managing Director of Total Team Solutions, LLC , a 12 year old leadership and team development firm offering strategic planning and executive coaching to entrepreneurs and intrepreneurs and runs Like Nobody's Business, a blog and podcast of the same name, where she challenges conventional business wisdom in an unconventional busines...
bilerico.com - Wed 3:32 p.m. - 2 clicks 
click to enlarge I hate to keep on McCain and his intellectual gaffes, but the latest about the surge and the Awakening, brings up another thought. Even if McCain tells us he will pick good advisers, but if he can't keep his facts straight and if he can't use a computer, how in the world is he going to whip up the brainpower to pick knowledgeable advisers? We have gone long enough with ...
bilerico.com - Wed 3:32 p.m.
How Not to Help Barack Obama Get Elected by Melissa McEwan Don't use the phrase "tar baby." The End. * * * Now, someone in the senate office of Senator John Kerry (D-MA) put my new book on his summer reading list, 'k? I'll just repeat what I said when Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) used the term back in May : Cue the usual excuses about how Davis Kerry "didn't know" and "didn'...
Shakespeare's Sister - Wed 2:39 p.m.
Don't get any ideas, boys—Johnny Mac is spoken for! Republican presidential candidate U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) (L) arrives for a news conference with former U.S. President George Bush on a golf cart at former President Bush's residence on Walker's Point in Kennebunkport, Maine July 21, 2008. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES) ...
Shakespeare's Sister - Wed 2:39 p.m.
What's the frequency, Shakers? Recommended Reading: Ginger: The 61st Carnival of Feminists Mannion: That Voyeur Thing Amanda T: What's Next for the Netroots? PSoTD: The Presidential Debates Cara: Bill O'Reilly Is Getting Desperate The Rotund: Flying While Fat Autumn: In Uniformed Employment, Should Government Enforce Societal Gender Norms? Leave your links in comments......
Shakespeare's Sister - Wed 2:39 p.m.
Here are two first-person accounts of economic hardship. I am a single mother with a 9-year-old boy. To stay warm at night my son and I would pull off all the pillows from the couch and pile them on the kitchen floor. I'd hang a blanket from the kitchen doorway and we'd sleep right there on the floor. By February we ran out of wood and I burned my mother's dining room furniture. I have no oil for ...
Shakespeare's Sister - Wed 2:39 p.m.
While Bush may be unaware of many things , he was specifically unaware of his being recorded recently at a fundraiser when he thought it was safe to act like a complete ass: I take particular pleasure in the fact that Bush made it abundantly clear that he intends to move to Dallas once his bullshit is over and done. Did you hear that, all of you stupid fucking jokers who wanted to ...
Shakespeare's Sister - Wed 2:39 p.m.
First: Holly takes the time in a great post to patiently explain exactly what's problematic about "Fat Princess," since my contempt was so absolute I couldn't be arsed. Secondly, there are about eight zillion pathetic rejects who are insistently emailing links to this picture and this picture , both fine examples of both the superb cleverness and mad Photoshoppin' skillz endemic to the fan...
Shakespeare's Sister - Wed 2:39 p.m.
John and Linda Johnson, parents of PFC LaVena Lynn Johnson, were interviewed on Democracy Now! by host Amy Goodman. Activist and retired Army colonel Ann Wright was also part of the program. Three years ago, on July 19, 2005, Army Private First Class LaVena Johnson was found dead in Balad, Iraq. Her body was found in a tent belonging to the private military contractor KBR. She had abrasions ...
Shakespeare's Sister - Wed 2:39 p.m.
Think Progress : Politico reports that conservative pundit Robert Novak "was cited by police after he hit a pedestrian with his black Corvette in downtown Washington, D.C., Wednesday morning." Novak initially "drove away from the scene," but turned around when "a bicyclist stopped him and said, 'You hit someone.'" Novak claimed: "I didn't know I hit anybody." But Washington DC's local ABC aff...
Shakespeare's Sister - Wed 2:39 p.m.
The recipe this week comes from Shaker datacine for all the sashimi lovers out there: Hawaiian Ahi Poke (Hawaiian Sashimi) 1 lb. Sashimi Grade Tuna 1/2 Cup Soy Sauce 1/2 cup sliced Scallions 1 TBS Sesame Oil 1 1/2 TSP Toasted Sesame Seeds Crushed Red Peppers to taste 1 TBS finely chopped Macadamia Nuts Cut tuna to 1/2" to 3/4" cubes. This can be done more easily if you put the piece o...
Shakespeare's Sister - Wed 2:39 p.m.
I don't like to think of myself an an angry person. Certainly, I get angry from time to time. That's just part of having emotion and being human. But there is a huge difference between short-term, controlled, constructive anger and the kind of scorched-earth fury that sometimes passes for commenting on blogs these days. Unfortunately, recent posts here on Bilerico have highlighted this unfort...
bilerico.com - Wed 2:39 p.m.
Hello Projectors, Fannie here. I'm sad to announce that this will be my farewell post to Fiercely Fannie. I've been doing this advice thing for the past year or so, and it's really been a fun, fun run with y'all. I deeply appreciate how much some people have been willing to open up to me over emails with questions about their lives. I've learned so much about myself through answering your ques...
bilerico.com - Wed 1:36 p.m.
Pregnant transman Thomas Beatie recently gave birth to an absolutely gorgeous little girl. The proud father shows off he and his wife's newborn in the latest issue of People magazine . Congratulations to the happy parents! While they were subject to quite a bit of media scrutiny, Good Morning America did a very nice piece on the story this morning. Video after the jump. Contin...
bilerico.com - Wed 12:34 p.m.
First it was James from Big Brother 9 with a gay porn past , now it seems like another reality TV star is in some hot water over adult films. Michael Verdugo, an out gay cop from Hollywood, FL and a contestant on HGTV's Design Star, has started the blogs buzzing with a possible porn past. And he might lose his job as a police officer because of it. According to South Florida's NBC6, ...
bilerico.com - Wed 11:42 a.m.
Don Wildmon thinks that California could be the last battle of the so-called Culture Wars : "If we lose California, if they defeat the marriage amendment, I'm afraid that the culture war is over and Christians have lost," said Wildmon, "I've never said that publicly until now--but that's just the reality of the fact." Wildmon pointed out that If the "homosexuals" were "able to defeat th...
bilerico.com - Wed 11:42 a.m.
I try to micro-manage everything in my girlfriends life. I realize this. She doesn't feel like she can go do things without me because I'll get mad. How do I get over controlling her?? I don't know how to let go and let her be an individual, too. Miss Micro Manager Dear Miss-Micro-Manager, I commend you on recognizing and accepting that you have some controlling tendencies. As w...
bilerico.com - Wed 11:42 a.m.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are at it again. Last year they were turning heads with their ads featuring naked Playboy models protesting fur . This time they're running TV ads that compare teenage girls to cats and dogs . The ad opens with a surly teen girl sighing loudly as her parents plant themselves on her bed wearing "We need to talk about sex" expres...
bilerico.com - Wed 11:42 a.m.
On the right is a letter sent from the RNC treasurer to a Republican and fundamentalist activist in Indiana. The text version is after the jump. The letter reads like it's begging Kristen to come back to into the party's arms. Notice how quickly treasurer Tim Morgan asks if Kristen's "given up." It's the first thing that comes to his mind, apparently, and then he accuses her of deserti...
bilerico.com - Wed 11:42 a.m. - 8 clicks
Ever wondered how many gay people there are in this country? How many of us have children? How much we earn? Where we live? Whether we receive public assistance? Well, no one can give perfect answers to these questions. No large, reliable data source asks people their sexual orientation (and of course it's not clear that would reveal accurate information.) But there's an amazing amount of res...
bilerico.com - Wed 11:42 a.m.
Lock the doors, batten down the hatches, and cover your kid's eyes- Waymon's back! After a bit of a long delay (okay, a REALLY long delay), I'm back home and getting back to work. As many of you know, I have been on an extended honeymoon after my San Francisco nuptials. It has been quite a long, fun road trip with my new husband- and I got to meet lots of great members of the Bilerico fam...
bilerico.com - Wed 11:42 a.m.
From Commenter Steve Dalton: Buzz, for some reason I don't have your email and therefore didn't get this announcement to you last week: 6 pm tomorrow at On Site Computers, first ever NW Indiana Blogger cocktail hour. Agenda: Meet Brainstorm Listen to proposal by 219.com More brainstorm Is that free enough for bloggers? Time for all of us to meet. And, of course, I'll be out on business...
Blue County in a Red State - Tue 8:35 p.m. - 8 clicks
One of the perks of being a Lake County Sheriff is boating on Lake Michigan in the summer. Not for long! This cut is almost a no-brainer. When the Coast Guard says that your "service" is redundant, it's a damn good chance that your service is redundant!...
Blue County in a Red State - Mon 6:01 a.m. - 2 clicks