Wow, Republicans are getting might desperate aren’t they? This ad campaign comes to us from the Washington State Republican Party, with the intention on helping Washington “welcome” Michelle Obama.  It really amazes me how completely juvenile this ad is. The women starring in this ad are perceived to be important members of the Republican Party and they’re acting like robots.

Don’t these women look proud of their country? Especially when they’re reading their pride right off a cue card! The West Wing type theme music in the back definitely brings a single tear down my cheek. And wow, the pledge of allegiance and Reagan cameo are great touches don’t you think? 

Hilarious.

I had to post this video of my new boyfriend Marty Thomas. Marty is an up and coming broadway actor who, most recently, was in the cast of Xanadu. I kind of think he’s amazing. Here’s him singing Pat Benetar’s We Belong live at Joe’s Pub in NYC. Happy Hump Day!

If you haven’t seen the interview (or heard the soundbites) from yesterday’s New York Times interview with Sen. John McCain, then you’re in for a treat. The “moderate” Republican Senator offered this gem when asked about his position on gay and lesbians adopting children. Courtesy of NY Times.

Q: President Bush believes that gay couples should not be permitted to adopt children. Do you agree with that? 

Sen. McCain: I think that we’ve proven that both parents are important in the success of a family so, no I don’t believe in gay adoption. 

Q: Even if the alternative is the kid staying in an orphanage, or not having parents.

Sen. McCain: I encourage adoption and I encourage the opportunities for people to adopt children and I encourage the process being less complicated so they can adopt as quickly as possible. And Cindy and I are proud of being adoptive parents. 

Q: But your concern would be that the couple be a traditional couple?

Sen. McCain: Yes. 

Alright Log Cabin Republicans, endorse this! If you currently venture to the Log Cabin Republican website, you’ll find them talking about how McCain’s current social security plan would provide fairness for LBGT families. I’m wondering, after hearing these words, what types of protection and fairness they’re expecting from their party leader. Don’t get me wrong, I understand fully that the Democrats (Obama and Clinton included) could be stronger in their convictions with regards to gay rights. Unfortunately many politicians have to walk the line publically, especially in election years. And it sucks. However, I’m inviting anyone who is for gay rights to defend this position. Anyone?

What saddens me most is that people just don’t get it. I was a caseworker for children in foster care in the state of Michigan for some time. I advocated for the best possible placements we had to offer these children.  When you’re talking a matter of permanency and it’s not safe to return to the care of their parents or family, there are very few options. For children over the age of 5, it is often hard to find prospective adoptive parents. The honest truth is that many adoptive parents want white babies under the age of 2. So to deny a child the opportunity to escape the system that we have built for it, just because the adoptive parents are a gay couple, is unfair and unjust. 

This is the real John McCain folks. He is no different than any other Republican wacko who thinks that my relationship and my ability to raise children will somehow threaten “the family.” The irony in all of this is that John McCain is an adoptive parent himself. I wonder if Cindy and he had the choice between leaving Bridget in the Bangladesh orphanage they saved her from or having her adopted by gay parents, what they would choose. A smart reporter would have asked that question.

I’m not even sure where this one came from. I was humming the tune in my head yesterday and it was driving me nuts. Somehow I remembered it being about a dinosaur and searched youtube until I found it. This song is so bad, it’s good. You’re watching Walk The Dinosaur by Was (Not Was). The song was released in late 1987, and it frightens me to know that I remember this jam after all of these years. Who remembers this one? Happy Sunday.

If you don’t know who Damien Rice is, well then you should. He’s been one of my favorite singer/songwriters for years. I haven’t heard much out of him since his album 9  was released in February 2007. However, recently his website has been a bit more active and he’s appeared with a string of live performances. The other day I stumbled on a group of videos he recorded for a live television music show from the UK, called From The Basement. I’m hoping he’s in the works to release another album soon. But until then, I thought I’d share these pretty amazing videos with you.

My favorite is his performance of 9 crimes. The original album version was sung with Lisa Hannigan as a duet. In this video, Rice sings it as a solo with a more dramatic arrangement on the piano. I’m totally digging the new twist he’s put on it.

9 Crimes (Live from the Basement)

Delicate (Live from the Basement)

The Blower’s Daughter (Live from the Basement)

Rootless Tree (Live from the Basement)

Ok, I’m well aware that Barack Obama isn’t perfect. And for the record, I never thought he was. However, watching the video above makes me completely amazed that anyone would want to vote for this joker. The Senator is being asked a very legit question by the reporter. Why is it that insurance companies will often cover Viagra, but not birth control. And why is it that he voted against legislation in 2003 that would have mandated birth control coverage?

It’s a question about the integrity of our health care system and the misogyny involved in the argument, and the Senator’s voting record with regards to it. And all he can do is squirm like a 5 year old who just figured that girls have vaginas?

This coming from the “maverick” who is best equipped to handle the tough issues. Amazing.

I’ve been sort of obsessed with this song since last season’s So You Think You Can Dance. The song, Dancing was featured on the showand danced by Kameron and Lacy. The video above is a live performance of Elisa singing Dancinglive in Faenza, Italy. She kind of tears it up, and is quickly becoming one of my new favorites. Elisa’s album was just released in the US and is available on iTunes.

Check out Elisa’s Album here.

Happy Hump Day!

This song came on random the other day on my iTunes while I was cleaning. Everyone remembers Tennessee and Mr. Wendel from the group Arrested Development. Hopefully you remember this gem, People Everyday (1992). I turned it on this morning before work and definitely got my groove on. Happy Sunday!

When I saw this article I had trouble believing it was true. Yes you read it right, Labelle is getting back together and recording a reunion album, officially due out September 23, 2008. As you know, I’m crazy about Patti Labelle, so this is absolutely fantastic news.  I’m cautiously optimistic, and hoping it doesn’t resemble the reunion of New Kids On The Block. I’m so excited to hear what this diva super group might have to offer us 30 years later.

Here’s my favorite Labelle song (no it isn’t Lady Marmalade)

Here’s the first installment in something I thought of doing this morning. I was going to write a series of political rants (don’t worry they’re coming), and thought i might overwhelm my readers with too much political discourse (but is there ever too much discourse?).  While keeping this blog authentic and providing you with plenty of my social commentary, I did want to offer something light midweek. Most of the time, it’ll be some live video of a musician/diva that i find fantastic. Something that’s picking me up and carrying me through the rest of the week.

This clip is of Shoshana Bean singing at Joe’s Pub in NYC. Shoshana has been making some noise in the Broadway world as she previously starred as Elphaba in Wicked. In the clip above Shoshana busts out Aretha Franklin’s classic Ain’t No Way. Amazing!!

If Aretha wasn’t so narcissistic, she’d probably be impressed. Yeah…I said it.