Obama Is the Shrewdest Political Tactician Since LBJ

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The conventional view in Washington these days is that President Barack Obama is not having such a great second term and might already be suffering a bit of lame duckery. After all, he failed to overcome NRA and GOP opposition to modest gun safety legislation after the horrific Newtown massacre, and his immigration reform push has crashed into that brick wall known as the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. But here’s a Slate pitch: Obama is the most wily tactician in the nation’s capital since Lyndon Johnson. 

via Slate Pitch: Obama Is the Shrewdest Political Tactician Since LBJ | Mother Jones.

Interesting thesis for a contrarian #slatepitch by David Corn in Mother Jones. He might be right. Surely this week coming might shore it up!

What Soap Operas Can Teach Newspapers About Survival

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Like soap operas, the newspaper industry has been slow to innovate and adapt to the digital age. Instead of embracing new ways to tell stories, and new platforms to tell them on, soap operas — like newspapers — resisted. That is, until now. This week Bloomberg TV interviewed veteran soap actress Deidre Hall and co-executive producer Greg Meng from the daytime serial Days of Our Lives, which has seen a four percent resurgence in ratings since the show revamped itself in 2011 (and it’s not even the most popular afternoon soap on air). The Bloomberg segment reveals several interesting points that I believe are applicable to the news industry in its report, ”You thought soap operas were dead…. They’re Not.” The same holds true for newspapers.

via What Soap Operas Can Teach Newspapers About Survival | allDigitocracy.

A good piece. The Bloomberg segment (linked in the cut above) is good, but it would have been better if the empty-headed anchors knew a scintilla about what they were talking about. Well, not like we’ve never seen THAT before!

Fit to a T — Shirt, That Is

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Because men are dumb. That seems to be the thesis behind the now ubiquitous T-shirt, according to a fun article in today’s New York Times Magazine.

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I have to admit, I have a weakness for a man in a plain white T. It’s something that’s assured to drive me right round the bend! Also, it’s easy to remove. | Image via yworld.co.za.

It seems as though single men were forever trying to tame gaps and tears in their button-up undershirts with safety pins and other fasteners until the “bachelor undershirt” was invented. Obviously, because it took no work, really, to care for, even a dumb old single man could care for it!

T-shirts have changed over the years. Like everything else, especially in America, they’ve gotten larger. Today’s XL is significantly larger than the XL of 50 years ago. That because, in spite of our french fries and ice cream, retailers have decided that we’d be less likely to ask for a 3XL shirt, so they just make the XL bigger. Oy.

P.S. — Which literary lion gave us the name T-shirt? Find out!

Aaron Hicklin on Steve Grand: His success as an out gay musician couldn’t have existed decade ago

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Aaron Hicklin on Steve Grand: His success as an out gay musician couldn’t have existed decade ago | Out Magazine.

There’s something infectious about hanging out with someone whose life is on the brink of change. Grand was like a boy who’d won the golden ticket — well-behaved and gracious, and enjoying every minute. It was one of his first public performances, and the fact that it was in an opulent Chicago institution that’s received every president since Harry Truman spoke volumes about where America finds itself in this particular moment.

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Out magazine’s Aaron Hicklin chatting with Steve Grand in Chicago. |Image: Out magazine.

Technology, says Out’s Aaron Hicklin, that’s what we’ve got to thank for Steve Grand and for the plethora of entertainment options from across the spectrum that are now available to us thanks to the Innerwebs.

It’s a lovely article. Read it. 

Also, search around for Hicklin’s Q&A with Grand from that event. I’ve seen it, but I can’t recall where. Towleroad, maybe? Anyhow, it’s a nice interview. The cut above has a video embed of Grand playing his debut, All-American Boy, at the Hilton.

Below is a link to a recent piece I did, featuring a video embed of his latest, Stay.

Steve Grand Would Like You to Stay

 

OK Gov. Tells Guard Not to Process Benefits for Gay Couples

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Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has ordered the National Guard to stop processing requests for military benefits for same-sex couples, her office confirmed Tuesday, despite a Pentagon directive to do so.

Fallin spokesman Alex Weintz said the governor was following the wish of Oklahoma voters, who approved a constitutional amendment in 2004 that prohibits giving benefits of marriage to gay couples.

via Mary Fallin, Oklahoma Gov., Tells National Guard To Stop Processing Benefits For Gay Couples.

*sigh* It’s like living in a country run by wolves sometimes. With apologies to smart wolves.

Out Mass. Legislator Releases ‘Adorable’ Ad Featuring His Dad

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You’ve got to take a look at this. One of the best political spots I’ve seen in a long time. Maybe that’s because it’s about issues, it’s lighthearted and it doesn’t make out the opposition to be the worst thing since Hitler. He’s selling himself. And doing a damn fine job of it, I think.

According to the Huffington Post, Massachusetts State House member Carl Sciortino, Jr., 35, “is running to fill Sen. Ed Markey’s (D) empty House seat. The special election in the heavily Democratic district is set for Dec. 10, with the primary on Oct. 15. Sciortino is facing four other Democratic candidates.”

Sciortino is having a very busy fall. In addition to running for Congress, he’s set to marry his partner on October 5.

www.carlforcongress.com

Netflix Checks Piracy To Help Decide What To Buy

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Netflix has long argued that its service helps counteract piracy by offering a legal alternative; and it seems that the company is putting its money where its mouth is.

In an interview with Dutch tech website Tweakers, Netflix VP of content acquisition Kelly Merryman, says that it actively seeks out  TV series that have high rates or piracy when making programming decisions.

via Netflix Checks Piracy Stats To Help It Decide What To Buy – Forbes.

More than just a little bit smart.

And why do people pirate? Because traditional media outlets have not kept up with the needs/wants of the 21st century consumer.

FCC Inundated With Miley Cyrus Complaints

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The uproar over Miley Cyrus’ MTV Video Music Awards performance just won’t stop. Its newest iteration comes in the form of more than 150 complaints to the Federal Communications Commission from concerned citizens across the country who want MTV or Cyrus herself punished for indecency.

via FCC Inundated With Miley Cyrus Complaints.

Good grief, America. Aren’t there better things to be upset about. And let’s tell the truth, Miley Cyrus’ performance wasn’t indecent — it was just tacky as all hell. There’s a difference.

Simon Pegg Snuggles Up to Nick Frost

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He’s just lovely, this one!

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Wentworth Miller Attempted Suicide Before Coming Out As Gay

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Wentworth Miller Attempted Suicide Before Coming Out As Gay

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Out actor Wentworth Miller.

No one is glad that it happened, but people need to know what no matter how well-known you are, you can be affected by the same demons that gnaw at many of us “regular” folks. Miller should certainly be praised for his courage. Many people can dis this, but I’ve said it a thousand times, Hollywood is the most homophobic place in the world.

Towleroad has Miller’s comments about suicide made at an HRC event.