The Malcontent

On the Getting of Frank

Bizarre Guevara-like imagery accompanies fawning film

One is hard-pressed to think of a better defender of Bill Clinton during the 1998 impeachment proceedings than Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.)  Whether in his countless TV interviews or his dogged defense of the President on the House Judiciary Committee, Frank flexed his formidable intellect and talent before the American people.

Of course, Frank was also ideally suited to run interference because he, like Clinton, had previously been involved in a sex scandal of his own making, which nearly resulted in the end of his political career.

And thus unfolds the tale upon which rookie director Bart Everly hangs his 2003 film "Let's Get Frank," a documentary that is now airing on Logo.

Everly uses the 1998 committee hearings that ultimately resulted in articles of impeachment against Clinton as a dramatic device to frame his portrait of Frank.  But it is a portrait that both supporters and detractors of the congressman will probably find lacking in many ways.

O'Reilly, "Fair and Balanced" As Usual on Gays

I actually tuned in to O'Reilly last night – something I rarely do – to see how he would handle the hubbub surrounding his Tuesday night interview on Letterman.  What I got was a lot of preening and self-congratulatory blather that, frankly, wasn't worth bothering anyone else with.

But what I also got was more of Bill's ongoing, zoo-visitor-like fascination with the gays.

While he frequently covers all things gay, last night he was just getting around to the "battle" – cable news loves that word – over gay-rights activists' decision to (quite legally) post the names and addresses of Massachusetts citizens who chose to sign petitions that would put an antigay-marriage measure on the ballot.  (The Malcontent covered this breaking news about four months ago.)

O'Reilly was positively apoplectic about this, of course, and took the side of the man representing the "family" group.  (Aside: Do you think if it were made known to organizations like AFA that when we see a queer guy, we say, "Oh, he's family!" that they would quit bogarting that word?)  It was funny how Bill's fair-and-balanced take on this "battle" doesn't also include the thousands of potentially fraudulent signatures on the petitions.  But these things do slip the mind.

This being "The Factor," there was a lot more heat than light.  But if anything good came out of it, I suppose, it is that the additional traffic Bill generated for knowthyneighbor.org produced a trickle-down effect of mouth-breathers who came to our site and goosed the readership stats.

I hope that at least they have been getting off on our "L Word" ad.

[Watch video – 7:17, WMV format, high bandwidth]

[Watch video – 7:17, WMV format, low bandwidth]

UPDATE: I should have mentioned O'Reilly's little "dolphin marriage" thing I kept at the end of the video clip.  I can't tell you how much the "slippery slope" argument pisses me off.  Anyone who truly believes this issue is a straight line to legalized marriage with aquatic mammals is not a serious participant in the debate.

Millions of my countrymen watch this idiot, and yet "Arrested Development" gets canceled.  Take me home now, Lord.

Mass. Hysteria

It is now a year and a half into legalized gay marriage in Massachusetts, and last night "The Daily Show" took a hard-hitting look at how life in the Bay State has gone straight down the crapper.

Reporter Ed Helms hit the streets to investigate the anarchy and pandemonium that has ensued.

He found at least one anti-gay activist who is sounding the alarm:

BRIAN CAMENKER, anti-gay-marriage activist: I could sit here and I could probably, you know, find some way of connecting the dots to gay marriage to all of these (adverse effects) if I had enough time and I did some research.

HELMS: Yeah, why take time to do the research, when saying it is so much faster?

See the full story here:

[Watch video - 5:01, WMV format, high bandwidth]

[Watch video - 5:01, WMV format, low bandwidth]

No "Stranger" to Marriage

Dan Savage talks to Time.com about his marriage.  Money quote:

When you're a writer, you want to try to avoid cliches. Unfortunately, when you're writing about marriage or family, all cliches seem to apply. Nothing has changed, and everything has changed. The marriage didn't change anything for us, or how we feel about each other, but there's been this intangible alteration in the way (his son) D.J. in particular perceives our relationship. I think the Massachusetts Supreme Court was really right, and maybe the religious right is correct to some extent, that marriage is kind of about kids. Kids value it in this way. Particularly D.J., particularly now, because so many of his friends' parents are getting divorced. At the moment that these other couples, who promised to stay together are, in his mind, breaking that promise, that his parents stepped up and made that promise has been a tremendous comfort to him.

Romney v Fairness and Reason

The case that could determine whether my marriage, and those of thousands of others, will be on firmer legal ground has gone before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court today.

It Was a Nice Honey-Moonie, Too

Memo to the Washington Times:

My gay marriage is entirely legal, and likely will be regardless of what happens in Massachusetts' highest court next week.  So cut the scare quotes around the word "marriage."  [HT: Queerty]

Political Speech ≠ Outing

I'm certain that I agree with GayPatriot more often than not, but we often diverge on gay marriage.  (Full disclosure: My male partner and I were legally married last month in Massachusetts.)  However, in this case, I think I would disagree with GP on principle, no matter the underlying political issue involved.

GP is lambasting a pair of gay-rights activists who plan to "post on the Internet the name and address of anyone who signs a petition to ban gay marriage and civil unions in Massachusetts."  [Boston Herald link]

However, nowhere in the Herald story (or on the couple's website) do they embrace anything other than making information available so that people can make decisions, such as to which businesses to give their patronage.  In fact, the couple's website is specifically disavowing intimidation tactics:

KnowThyNeighbor.org has come out in full support of the rights of all citizens to sign the petition and outrightly condemns anyone who might consider harming a person or their property in retribution. But [webmaster and the group's co-director Aaron] Toleos clarifies, "Let's be honest about who's really being intimidated here. It's the same-sex couples and their children who have been singled out by the Massachusetts Family Institute to have their rights eliminated who really need to be protected."

As I commented over on GP:

I’m not very keen on the outing campaign, at least in the way it has manifested itself: i.e., impersonating reporters to get information, drumming up harassment of staff, etc. But I’m a little more ambivalent about this one [...] .

When you sign such a petition, there is no right to privacy guaranteed. It is an overtly political statement one chooses to make. (In fact, it seems a bit cowardly to expect that no one should be able to “call you out” on such an act.)

For instance, it is already exceptionally easy to find out about your neighbors’ political contributions, yet I don’t hear a hue and cry over that. And giving money is arguably a much stronger form of political speech than merely signing one’s name to a petition.

So simply posting the names to me seems to be making a political statement in its own right, so long as it doesn’t cross the line of actually advocating physical retribution.

The Blogosphere:

BfT says: "I think it is a good idea for the Secretary of State to create such a database."

Hothouse says: "Now if only someone would do a Google Mashup like that one that helps you find a decent slice of pizza in your area."

A Stitch in Haste says: "There is nothing 'mean-spirited' about de-hooding a Klansman."

Pesky Apostrophe says: "My cautious side thinks that publishing a name and city is good enough, because publishing an address is inviting violence ..."

Downtown Lad says: "Gay people deserve to know the names of those who are not only interfering in their lives, but who are trying to wreck their marriages as well."  Then he dings my new friend, La Shawn, for advocating the ultimate retribution against gays.

And finally, Big Cat Chronicles becomes my new friend by default, i.e., in becoming my enemy's enemy.

I See You

Sick bastard.

Blogosphere Reax to Weld Announcement

.08 Acres (and a Donkey) says: "Someone is going to run to the right of Weld in the GOP primary. The question for Weld is whether there are enough liberal Republicans left in New York to win the nomination."

The Bad Hedgehog says: "The first thing Weld is going to have to explain to all of us is WHY."

Colorado Pols says: "Maybe Governor Bill Owens has a new political future as governor of New Mexico or Wyoming."

Minipundit says: "This guy is the perfect blend of social liberalism and economic moderation. I don't care if he's a Republican; he's my guy."

Blogcabin says: "If Mitt Romney can run for President from Michigan, I say why not?!?"

North Dallas Thirty says: "Personally, this would be a tough choice for me on the gay-rights issue."

The Four Horsemen says: "He was elected in Massachusetts and appointed ambassador by Clinton - sounds liberal enough for New York. Welcome to the race Mr. Weld."

The Politicker quotes Empire State Pride Agenda, which says this of Weld on gay rights: "His recent statements represent a complete and disappointing reversal of his original position."

Bostonist says: "We can offer kudos to Weld for resisting the siren song of the white house, which seems to be luring Republican governors from their jobs left and right these days."

And finally, Gothamist says: "Weld is a native New Yorker and has been working at a city law firm, which might temper some carpetbagger criticism, but his liberal leanings - support for abortion rights and gay rights - might be unattractive to conservative New Yorkers (the ones upstate)."

Another Pro-Gay GOP Gov in New York?

What started out as the most half-baked of ideas has now emerged from the oven: Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld wants to return to the governor's mansion, but this time in Albany rather than in Boston.

A northeast progressive Republican in the same mold as George Pataki, Weld could appeal to a lot of the constituencies tapped by the current governor.  His agenda appears solidly center-right:

Mr. Weld said he would seek to cut New York's income and capital gains taxes, overhaul public education, aggressively protect the environment and crack down on Medicaid abuse.

He also has a good record on gay rights.  Short of getting married to a man himself, Weld did the next closest thing to walking the walk: He officiated at the same-sex wedding of his college roommate.

But the pre-primary panderfest to the right might have already begun.  Weld says he now opposes gay marriage outside of Massachusetts.  (I guess he was for equality before he was against it?)  It will be interesting to see how far to the left of Weld the current Democratic front-runner, Eliot Spitzer, will tack on gay issues.  Spitzer previously issued a legal opinion that there is little to stand in the way of New York's recognizing out-of-state gay marriages.

But don't count out Bill Weld yet.  He has proven himself a consistently tenacious candidate.  And if Hillary can carpetbag her way to legitimacy in New York, why not Weld?

Content (A.K.A. "Ptown Marriage Blog" Conclusion)

(The long-promised conclusion to the wedding saga ...)

Sometimes I worry that I'm doing a poor job of upholding the good name of "The Malcontent," because the fact is, I'm pretty damn happy most of the time.  Don't get me wrong, there is no shortage of snark and smarm left in me.

The headline, you see, refers to the adjective, not the noun.  All along the way, from the time we first discussed making it "legit" up until the moment that I said "I will," there was never a moment of hesitation.  Not once.

I used to say that the ridiculous amount of money I spent on LASIK surgery several years ago was the best decision I had ever made.  But it would be a shallow existence indeed if I went to my grave with that opinion intact.  Thankfully, getting married has supplanted those 30 minutes with the eye doctor.

Mail Call!

As a relatively new blog (if not a new blogger), The Malcontent doesn't get much fan mail yet.  But this one was just too precious not to share:

Congrads [sic] on being a silly couple of queens...who seem to be misguided in a political view.

Arrogant NY Bitches would be a better title for your blog.

As an older Gay Man...I could give a shit about your visit to Ptown...whoever sent me your blog will have hell to pay.

DM

Dear DM:

Aww, sorry you're so angry!

My husband is a die-hard Democrat who is apparently much more open-minded about the world than you are.  I hope you find someone like him.  Even bitter old trolls deserve happiness!

Kisses!

--M

Back to Reality

We head back to the Apple in a little more than an hour (sob).  It has been a terrific week in Ptown.

And yes, we did indeed go through with it.  No runaway brides here.  (Although you have to admit, if a gawky Georgia woman can make headlines for days on end, the a runaway gay groom would have made a helluva front-page story!)

I hope to post more about how things actually went down in the next day or so.  Until then, thanks for following us to the Cape.

One Step Closer

Now all we need is the signature!

By the way, on Massachusetts marriage licenses, it now has blanks for "Partner A" and "Partner B," instead of husband and wife.  This, of course, is one of the many things that has made my favorite big, fat, soft target, Rick Santorum, go ballistic.

Yeah, Rick, we get it.  You oppose gay marriage.  (YAWN.)  But assuming that it is happening even without your oh-so-sage consent, what would you propose we do?  Cross through "wife" with a big pink Crayola and write in "Husband #2"?

Massachusetts has treated us with such dignity throughout this entire process that, for at least a moment, it doesn't feel like there are millions of my fellow Americans who want to consign us to second-class citizenship.  From our minister to the town clerk's office, everyone has been completely congratulatory and happy for us.  I have felt no disdainful stares, and heard no stifled snickers.  It is a wonderful feeling of acceptance and inclusion.  If this puts me on the blue side of red-state/blue-state issue, then so be it.

Speaking of our minister, a big Malcontent shout out to the United Church of Christ, the first mainline Christian denomination to fully recognize same-sex marriage.  The extremists who throw out this Bible verse or that to justify their hate have apparently forgotten a much simpler and more basic precept of Christianity, from 1 John 4:8: "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

Profiles in Dis-courage

We saw a hot boy at breakfast this morning.  Or what we thought was a hot boy.  In profile, he had sort of a Toby thing going on.  Then when he turned to face us, he bore a striking resemblance to Peter Lorre.

He was with a girl, but between the pink polo shirt with popped collar and plaid, pastel shorts, we're sure he had to be a homo.

The Gimp Would Like To Ask a Question

... after the jump, faint-of-hearts ...

Oh, Me So Oily, Me Love You Long Time

I am happy because:

1) I just got a 90-minute, deep-tissue massage.

2) I avoided the awkwardness of a proferred "happy ending."

3) I took a pass on an $80 "facial" that would have consisted of having mashed-up strawberries smeared all over my face.  I could get the same for far cheaper at Safeway's produce section.

I am unhappy because:

1) My masseuse had wicked B.O.

2) I think the Hottie's masseuse might have given us both the croup.

3) I was never offered a happy ending in the first place.

New Digs

  The resort management has upgraded our accommodations to a much larger room with a full kitchen and dining area.

If we actually knew anybody here, we could have a helluva party!  (BTW, the picture on the right is the Hottie washing the dog poo off his Steve Madden sandals.  He totally cops to a self-described Lady Macbeth complex.)

Today we are going to try to meet with Rev. Clarke, then two hours of spa treatments, including my first-ever facial.  (The kind you get in a spa, gutter-brains.)  If I had waited much longer to get one, my gay card surely would have been in jeopardy.

Many thanks to those who have so far offered their congratulations.  We could not be happier!

Ptown Photoblog, Part I

Following the jump, a complete rundown on our trip so far.  Hopefully there might also be a few insights for any other same-sex couples thinking of taking the plunge in Massachusetts.

Coming Up: Love, Massachusetts Style

My gorgeous honey and I will be heading off tomorrow for a wonderful week in Ptown.  As it turns out, the plan also includes our legal marriage to each other.  Thus, I will be crossing one threshold, but also another, into the realm of those who can speak in support of gay marriage not just in principle (ahem), but also in practice.  (By the way, I hope Rick Santorum finds out, and I hope it pisses him off.)

I hope to live-blog this important life event, to an extent, but I'm sure you will understand if other forces conspire to rein things in a bit next week.

In the meantime, in the spirit of AGR's pre-vacation valedictory, I will take steal his silly survey (which he, in turn, stole from various other bloggers), and present it after the jump ...