The Dooryard

Like a vampire, Hillary rises from the dead

This couldn't be going any better. Hillary Clinton last night won primaries in Ohio and Texas, reviving her sagging campaign after losing 11 straight states (oh, she also won Rhode Island). While Obama still leads in the all-important delegate count, her wins here are incredibly important. She now has an important claim to use with the superdelegates: She has won California, New York, Texas and Ohio (plus Florida and Michigan, if you want to count it), meaning she's won all of the eight most populous states except Obama's home state of Illinois. Going into Pennsylvania, she's also won the major states that surround it: New York, New Jersey and Ohio.

Keep watching kids, this is going to get really ugly. With Clinton's wins, she isn't going away until the convention. There will be hard-fought battles over the superdelegates, and there will be a war over seating Florida and Michigan (and in a recent CNN poll, over 50% of the people think they should be - despite the agreement between Clinton and Obama that they wouldn't be).

The birds have come

In August, on one of our two trips to the Catskills, I bought a bird feeder to hang outside our apartment in Manhattan. When I was a kid, I loved birds. I got it from my grandmother, who had probably a half dozen bird feeders around her house when I was growing up. We both had Roger Tory Peterson bird books, and we'd compare the birds we saw. I distinctly remember the day I saw my first scarlet tanager, a thrill for me as a kid.

Dan made fun of me when I bought the bird feeder, and he continued to make fun of me for three months as day in and day out the level of seed in the feeder never went down. Until two weeks ago; he awoke one morning to find two birds perched on the feeder eating. It felt like magic when I later woke up and saw them: A pair of house finches sitting on the railing, fluttering up to the feeder (right), and eating the basil seeds in the basil plants that had long-since passed in my herb garden. They've been coming just about every day since they first found the feeder, and I must say I love having the little visitors. It's like having a bit of nature on our sixth-floor patio in the middle of Manhattan.

The one who loves the birds most: Toby. When he sees them, he freaks out, crouches down and stalks them as though there isn't a glass window stopping him from ever getting them. He's become so obsessed that throughout the day he stops what he's doing (napping, playing) to look up at the bird feeder to see if his new friends have returned.

Toys for Tots 2007

The 22nd (believe it or not) annual Toys For Tots party in Manhattan will have some familiarity and some changes. The biggest changes are a $35 ticket price and a need to buy a ticket in advance of the party. The beauty of the party in the past is that it's cost the price of a toy to get in. That has opened it up for anyone who can pull together $10 in change to buy a toy. Unfortunately, this year it's going to cost $45 (the ticket and a toy, which will be at least $10), and some people who get priced out of every other fun gay party will be priced out of this one, too.

I know it doesn't seem like a lot to most of the affluent gay Manhattanites who go to these things, but $45 is just out of the price range of many people, gay or straight. It's my constant complaint about gay culture: That it is elitist because the "lower class" is kept out of the who's-who parties. This party was always the exception to that rule. Oh well. I'm sure the organizers have good reason for wanting to raise $70,000 in ticket prices, so this isn't a criticism of them. It just sucks that this one great annual party is evolving into every other higher-priced gay gala.

One thing kind of does bug me a bit. Maybe this is how it's always been, but I never realized it. Three of the organizations this event is benefitting are religious institutions: Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, Brick Presbyterian Church, and St. Ann's Episcopal Church. Given I have no desire to support any religious institution, chances are I'll (sadly) be skipping this year, unless Dan tells me I have to go. There are no good NFL games that afternoon, so maybe.

Party specs:
Toys For Tots 2007
Metropolitan Pavilion (125 W. 18th Street)
Sunday, Dec. 2, 5pm-9pm
You must by a ticket in advance

Members of the media overwhelmingly donating to the Dems

I haven't been paying much attention to the election, since I can't even cast a vote for another four months or so. I heard some rumblings about Hillary Clinton's "plantgate" (shocker) and Giuliani picking up Pat Robertson's endorsement (an actual shocker). But I stumbled across this on The Huffington Post (a little vomit in my mouth): A great service that tells you who has donated money to what candidates.

On the off chance that you still don't believe that the media is biased, try these numbers on for size:

• Of all the people whose job description is "journalist," 96.7% gave to Democrats; the other 3.3% gave to Republicans.
• Of all the people whose job description is "writer," 87.3% gave to Democrats; the other 12.7% to the GOP.
• There has long been a claim that, while the writers are liberal, the people with power are conservative Republicans. Not so. Of all the "editors," 84.2% gave to Democrats, and 67.1% of "publishers" gave to Democrats.

I also tried a few job descriptions of other kinds of people of interest to my life:

• 82.7% of all "plumbers" gave to the GOP.
• 50.1% of all "athletes" gave to the GOP.
• 52.4% of all "dentists" gave to a Democrat.

Ongoingness

I'm going to write an "I'm back" post later today, but I just had to jump into this one. Believe it or not, "ongoingness" is a word in Merrriam-Webster's online dictionary. It's like they've waved the white flag and everything is a word now. Harrumph.

Guest-hosting ESPN Radio in L.A.

On Monday and Tuesday, 4pm-6pm Eastern Time, I'm guest-hosting the D'Marco Farr Show with Kevin Kiley. You can listen live here. I'm pretty excited about it. For ESPN Radio to have an openly gay voice guest-host one if its popular shows in the second largest media market in the country is pretty freakin' cool. Tune in if you can!

Example #374 that gay people have lost their sense of humor

It's just one in a line, but the latest demonstration that gay people have lost their collective sense of humor comes from Telluride, Colo., where a bunch of straight people got together to march under the banner "straight pride" in an Independence Day parade. Hysterical, right? Walking with wacky signs about backdoors and kissing boys. Not so fast. As Andy Towle reports, some gay people, and some waaaay overly sensitive straight people, are crying foul.

How DARE the straights mock the gays! The gays would NEVER mock the straights.

The Outsports Revolution

It only took two years from conception to publishing, but my first book, THE OUTSPORTS REVOLUTION, is finally on the shelves. Woohoo! I hadn't given it much thought in the last couple of months until I ventured into a bookstore in Provincetown this past weekend and saw it on the shelf. The clerk asked me to sign it, which was cool.

Early reaction has been very strong. Bob Lipsyte, who is one of the most respected sports journalists in this country, emailed us and said "it's great, a terrific read AND an important source book." To get that kind of praise from him is pretty incredible, to me. Other straight and gay people who have read it have told me they really enjoyed it. "I couldn't put it down," one told me. Maybe that's just because I know them, but I don't think so.

Please do buy a copy of the book - you can get it at Amazon. From the early reaction I've heard, I think it's safe to say you won't hate it, and you'll definitely learn some things. We'll be having some book signings here and there, so stay tuned for that too. Thanks!

Scooter Libby no Martha Stewart

Been on the Cape since Friday. Love it. I ran into Andy Towle last night, who was as lovely as ever. I do enjoy him. More on him, ipods and Provincetown later.

Anyhow, he asked me what I thought of Bush's commuting Scooter Libby's sentence. I've run into several people this weekend asking me to defend Bush for this or that. But the thing is, I'm just not a big fan of George Bush. I haven't been for a few years. This one, though, is pretty defensible. To me. Presidents pardon people all the time, wiping the crime they've been found guilty of off their record entirely. Bush didn't do that. He said that Libby would not have to serve jail time; though the quarter-million-dollar fine and two years or probation stand. I also like that he did it now, while he still has 18 months as president, instead of waiting until he's hours from being a civilian again.

Hillary Clinton, of course, attacked Bush for it, saying that it was done to protect Bush's legacy. Even if that was the case (Bush said he did it because it was a trumped-up - though just - charge and the penalty was harsh), so what? Her husband pardoned 140 criminals and waited until he had one foot out the White House door to do it. And you know what? If she is president, she'll pardon criminals too.

Totalitarian socialist establishment lies, chapter 742

The liberal establishment must be stopped at all costs. They are liars, cheaters and swindlers. And this is the latest example. Liberals in the media, like Chris Matthews and the despicable John Aravosis, have completely twisted something that Ann Coulter said to make it look like she wants John Edwards assassinated. Of course, that is NOT what she said. The little clip that these totalitarian liberals are playing of Coulter is a complete misrepresentation of what she said. Of course, they don't care what the truth is; they only care about control and spreading their hate-mongering. Thank God for people like Bill O'Reilly who talked to Coulter about what she said and played THE WHOLE CLIP for their audiences (above; her comment is at 2:45).

Thank you Ann for not comparing gays to John Edwards!!!

Edwards, Aravosis, Matthews, and the rest of the divisive totalitarian liberals who showed only a 10-second misrepresentation of Coulter in order to spread more hate and misunderstanding should be ashamed of themselves.

Yet another reason to be scared to death of the liberal establishment.

Please support someone other than Edwards

I've had enough of John Edwards and his little act. There are some good, qualified people running for president in both parties. Edwards is not one of them. He is a politician's politician. He is a lawyer who made tons of money from preying on people's sympathies and lack of good sense. He is neither good nor qualified. Please don't support him.

He is an opportunist like none other; and that includes Hillary Clinton! Thanks to Ann Coulter, he now has a section of his Web site dedicated to the eeeeevil right wing, featuring comments by Ann Coulter. Of course, he's giving her a platform, using his wife to keep Ann in front of the cameras, and using Ann to raise money for his campaign. Please don't give a penny to this man. He stands for nothing.

There are other worthy candidates out there. No matter where you are on the political spectrum, someone better represents you than John Edwards. No matter what issues you feel strongly about, one of the top candidates actually cares more about them than John Edwards. He is a heartless lawyer, a slick salesman, and I beg you to support Hillary Clinton before giving a penny to this man's quest to live in the White House.

"So what do you really think of him?"

I'll stick with myphone

I am so over the iphone. The hype is out of control. I can't escape it on the radio, on blogs, on youtube. I couldn't care less about some $600 phone that costs $100 a month to have. But, I've never been one of those people who desperately needs to own status symbols.

I completely understand gadget geeks getting excited about the phone, just like movie fanatics wait in line for 24 hours (or more) to get into the opening night of a movie. But the hype for the iphone isn't being driven by gadget geeks, it's being driven by people dying to have the latest status symbol. A friend of ours is delaying his trip to Provincetown this weekend to wait in line to get the iphone on Friday. Why? While he won't say it, it's so he can walk up and down Commercial Street holding an iphone and have people stop him and ask him to see it.

I have no doubt it will be cool. It looks like it has a true internet browser, which is great. If it accesses the internet with any kind of speed, that'll be awesome. And once the hype has settled and the cost has come down, I could definitely see myself getting one if it lives up to half of the hype it has garnered. But the need to wait in line, postpone trips and shell out a couple thousand dollars over the next year for it? Come on.

Rosie now rewriting the dictionary

I love how Rosie, in the video two posts down, says "viligent" when she means either "diligent" or "vigilant." Of course, this is the same two-big shyster who goes after the President every time he says a word that happens to not exist.

Gay-kid insurance

It'd work better if it was half the length and had a quarter the Ant, but this two-minute short is kind of funny. God knows it's better than the worst show on television. Thanks to Sebastian White for sending it over.

From Rosie to worse?

Here's the deal. I am so not one of those guys who whines about the media portraying every gay guy as a flaming queen. I don't get offended by really feminine or prissy guys, they don't turn me off. A lot of gay conservatives and gay guys in sports don't like people like that, or they keep them at arm's length. I'm not that person.

But, I will say, I'm bothered by the news that has popped up in the last 36 hours or so about The View looking for a gay guy to replace Rosie O'Donnell. Good idea, lots of gays are tuning in, it'd be interesting having that dynamic to play off the women. THIS is my problem: The guys they're looking at are Ross the Intern, Mario Cantone and Perez Hilton. Aaaaarrrghhhh!!! In other words, the only gay guys they want to have on are more catty and bitchy and feminine than Rosie was. Unfortunately, that's what the media (mainstream or gay) want to put out there as the face of gay men, so that's what we're stuck with.

Maybe I'm just starting to get an exposure complex. I've been doing more and more media appearances (Derek & Romaine, DKLA), and it has actually made me want to do more. It's a ton of fun. So yeah, I'd LOVE to be that gay guy on The View; but, I think I'd generally remind them more of Rosie or their husbands than the fun little gay friends from Sex and the City.

"I got a crush on Obama"

Now this is great political humor. It's not offensive, doesn't lie, doesn't distort. It's just a great, fun video with a cute chick and a handsome articulate politician. I actually think the song itself is pretty good. With a little more production value, this thing could hit the pop stations! Very cute and clever.

Obama Girl's Web site

The important issues

An interesting poll from CNN. They asked likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire what their first, second and third most important issues are heading into the election. Statistically, 0% said "gay marriage" was No. 1, and only 3% put it second or third. Those were probably the GAY Republicans who are PRO gay marriage; my guess is it would actually get more importance amongst Democrats for that reason.

I'm most encouraged by this because this kind of thing frees up politicians to take positions on both sides of the issue. With it really a non-issue, the candidates can move toward what they REALLY think.

How I would, at this point in time, rank the issues offered in the poll (and its rankings in the poll in parens):

1) Economy (3)
2) Terrorism (8)
3) Homeland security (5)
4) Budget deficit (12)
5) Environmental Concerns (Oddly, wasn't offered)
6) Employment/jobs (18)
7) Illegal Immigration (2)
8) Taxes (10)
9) War in Iraq (1)
10) Gay marriage (17)
11) Foreign policy (7)
12) Education (9)
13) Health care (4)
14) Social Security (15)
15) Electing a Republican (16)
16) Medicare/prescription drugs (14)
17) Gun control (11)
18) Morality (13)
19) Abortion (6)

18-year-old Republican coming out

Good for Tyler Whitney. The 18-year-old who works for presidential candidate Tom Tancredo has been slowly coming out of the closet of late, according to a publication in Michigan called PrideSource. According to the site, Whitney "has been telling other conservative activists for about a month of his coming out journey."

Bay Buchanan, an advisor to Tancredo's campaign, said exactly what most conservatives would say: "A person's sexual preference is a personal matter and has nothing to do with the campaign."

Unfortunately, some of the divisive gay mafia are already out to get Whitney because he dares disagree with them politically; they are trying to make his coming out seem salacious because he's a proud Republican. Imagine that: The gay left making it appear scandalous that someone is coming out of the closet. Oh, I'm shocked.

But I say good for him. He obviously understands the truly welcoming nature of most conservatives, and he isn't afraid to be himself. It's a breath of fresh air in a Republican Party that has way too many closeted members (as do the Democrats, but the perception of the two is certainly very different).

More than meets the eye

I don't think it's going to be the biggest movie of the summer, but I am more excited about TRANSFORMERS than any other movie coming out in the next three months. And the latest trailer (left) has just increased my already heightened excitement!

Growing up in the 1980s, Transformers were a staple of my childhood. From comics to the cartoon to the action figures, I was hooked. I stuck with Transformers into junior high school; I still have a couple I keep around.

A friend of mine who also produced X-Men produced Transformers. And if there's anyone I trust to take my favorite childhood comics and make them into kick-ass action movies, it's Tom.

Hannity: the good and the not-so-good

I often enjoy watching Sean Hannity of Fox's Hannity & Colmes and listening to his podcasts. Almost every walk to work goes by faster listening to Hannity chat with Dick Morris, Rudy Giulianni and others. But I must say, he does often sink to hyperbole and misdirection when discussing topics and it bothers me.

The latest is the immigration reform bill. He is dead against it. Keeps talking about the death of American and Mexicans coming here to raid our entitlement programs. What bothers me, though, is his constant painting of this bill as the result of a "smoke-filled back-room meeting" between U.S. Senators who have lost their way. As though only Sean Hannity can decide what is in the heart of men. "The Republicans have been swindled," he says, as though Ted Kennedy cast some powerful spell over the Republicans who are supporting the bill. It's the nonsensical misdirection like this that gives guys like Hannity and O'Reilly a bad name. I just wish they'd stick to the facts and their beliefs rather than sinking to the tactics of the divisives.