Schocked! Congressman Aaron Schock Resigns Amid Multiple Scandals

Well, helllloooooo, Mr. Schock!

The hottie Congressman from Illinois has finally stepped in so much doody, that his backtracking and backpeddling is only spreading it all around. The sexually ambiguous Representative is in it up to his eyeballs (balls deep, as it were), and has decided it's all just too much. And so, he's stepping down from Congress. Which is pretty amazing. And it makes me wonder how long it'll be until the coming out party.

[Excerpt]

Aaron Schock, Politically Dead at 33

Aaron Schock painted his office to look like landed gentry, but at the end a series of damaging stories he was reminded he was a public servant. And as of March 31, he won’t even have that title. Schock’s sudden resignation on Tuesday ended a 44-day free fall from power that began after a reporter from The Washington Post noticed his brightly hued-office made to look like the set of Downton Abbey. . .

Read more at: The Daily Beast

Right Wing World Notices Aaron Schock Gay Rumor

The buzz over the weekend is that that cute little muscley GOP Congressman from Illinois, Aaron Schock, just might be gay. You don't say. Well, he initially came to the attention of gay bloggers because he's a) cute, b) often photographed in skimpy clothing, and c) votes anti-gay like all the time. Then, people started to notice that he's often photographed in ways that straight people just aren't. And that there is significant scuttlebutt out of Illinois that he's in a "glass closet."

Well now, a journalist has posted a pondering to Facebook which heavily implies that Schock is in fact gay. I, like many other politically active gay people, see absolutely nothing wrong with "outing" a closeted person who does tangible damage to the gay community. If he had an unremarkable or positive record on such issues, I'd be a bit more skittish. As it stands, I say shine a light on him.

Right Wing World has a slightly more sticky issue on their hands with this though. First and foremost, they love to rag on gay people. So they're totally on board with Schock's voting record. But if he's really gay, they have to first condemn him for that, while simultaneously finger-wagging at the left for making an issue of it at all. It's a bit of an outrage/faux outrage tightrope. Schock just might have a costume in his closet perfect for that activity!

[Excerpt]

Conservative media picks up Aaron Schock gay rumor

You have to hand it to the right-wing noise machine. They’re not exactly the brightest bulbs in the box. To wit: Lead far-right Web site WorldNetDaily is now writing about growing speculation that conservative anti-gay Republican Illinois congressman Aaron Schock is gay. . .

Read more at: AmericaBlog

Hawaii Leap-frogs Illinois for 15th Place in Marriage Equality

After the largest amount of the most hideous, ill-informed, bigoted citizen commentary I've ever heard, Hawaii's state senate has finally approved marriage equality. The Governor will sign it this week, beating Illinois, whose Governor plans to wait until the end of the month to make it official. Hawaii will also be performing the actual ceremonies sooner, starting next month. Illinois couples will have to wait until June of next year. I've never understood why so often there is a months-long buffer between approval and officiating. Whenever the system goes against marriage equality, it always seems to be instantaneously squelched.

In any event, Hawaii's decision marks not just the 15th state (and Illinois the 16th, and in addition to Washington DC), it makes the ninth state to pass marriage equality in just over a year! It's pretty amazing stuff.

[Excerpt]
 
Hawaii is 15th state to legalize gay marriage



Hawaii was poised to become the 15th state to legalize same-sex marriage Tuesday evening after state senators sent legislation to Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s (D) desk. After a same-sex marriage bill hit legislative roadblocks earlier this year, and after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that the federal Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional, Abercrombie called the legislature back into special session to pass a compromise measure. The new version of the bill includes protections for religious officials who object to same-sex marriage. . .

Read more at: Washington Post

Hawaii Marriage Equality Advances Despite "Citizens' Filibuster"

Well, glory be. Go and watch a little ordinary TV and the news changes while you're not looking! Apparently, that parade of ignorance and hate had the opposite effect of what they intended. Hawaii's house committees sent the bill on through, and it looks to be rather smooth sailing to the Governor's desk! Could Illinois' surprise announcement have spurred them on? Or were they just as disgusted as I was with that display? Either way, it looks like Hawaii will make 16! Well, plus DC (poor DC, always getting tacked on at the end).

[Excerpt]

Hawaii House committees forward gay marriage bill

Two state House committees sent a bill that would legalize gay marriage to the full chamber Tuesday night, ending a five-day public hearing that exposed deep divisions in Hawaii on an issue being considered across the United States. . .

Read more at: Times Union

Illinois to Become the 15th State with Marriage Equality

While Hawaii dithers with a parade of really hateful, oh excuse me, "loving" Christian protestors at their marriage equality debate-a-palooza, Illinois snuck in while no one was looking, and passed it their own selves! The Land of Lincoln becomes the fifteenth state to pass marriage equality, in addition to Washington DC. More than 36% of Americans now live in a state where same-sex couples will be able to legally marry.

There are presently a number of states with court cases that could add to the tally, though Hawaii stands the best chance of becoming state number 16, with the possibility of New Mexico to follow. I'm hopeful that the more states we add, the fewer crazy protest parades we'll be subjected to. It should be becoming clear that this is really no big deal, except to those of us affected. Given that this happened on an election day, it barely even registered in the news!

[Excerpt]

Illinois Sends Bill Allowing Gay Marriage to Governor

The Illinois House of Representatives voted Tuesday to allow same-sex couples to wed, ending months of delay over the issue in the Capitol and clearing the way for Illinois to become the 15th state, along with the District of Columbia, to permit gay couples to marry. The vote was 61 to 54, mostly along partisan lines, with only three Republicans voting yes. . .

Read more at: New York Times

Illinois One Step Closer to Marriage Equality

Happy Illinois legislators, from Chicago Tribune

Baby steps. Every phase of a civil rights struggle is made in baby steps. It's frustrating though, when it feels like the finish line should be behind us, and yet the tiny little steps haven't yet gotten us quite over the line. In Illinois--the latest state to take up marriage equality with any gusto--another hurdle has been crossed (and my metaphor becomes more strained). After a particularly nasty last effort by the anti-gay busybodies, a Illinois House committee has passed a marriage equality bill. Though there are officially two hurdles left--the full House vote, and the signature of the Governor--the last one has already been assured. Crossing my fingers, though it will mean two of The Other Half's home states will have legal same-sex marriage, while both of mine still don't. Still, it's good news!

[Excerpt]

Illinois House committee advances gay marriage bill

A bill legalizing gay marriage cleared a Democratic-led committee late Tuesday and now moves to the full House, where the issue is expected to meet its toughest test. The proposal, approved on a 6-5 vote in the House Executive Committee shortly before 10 p.m., is coming under increasingly heavy fire from church organizations who say same-sex marriage violates moral and religious principles. But advocates have ratcheted up calls for swift action. . .

Read more at: Chicago Tribune

Tuesday Was a Big Gay Day!

The gay rights victories have been piling up of late. This is--I'm sure--much to the consternation of groups like National Organization for Marriage and Pope Palpatine.  Screw 'em, we've been kicked around long enough!

[Excerpt]

Gay marriage clears first hurdle in Illinois Senate

Gay couples would be allowed to marry in Illinois under legislation that cleared a first hurdle Tuesday, setting up a key state Senate vote supporters say they want on or before Valentine's Day. . .

Read more at: Chicago Tribune

[Excerpt]

U.K. Takes Big Step to Legalize Gay Unions, as Some Tories Rebel 

British lawmakers voted in favor of allowing same-sex couples to marry, taking a major step Tuesday toward adding the U.K. to a growing list of jurisdictions around the globe legalizing the practice, while highlighting the divisions in the Conservative Party. . .

Read more at: Wall Street Journal

Mitt Wins Illinois, Whether They Voted for Him or Not!

In the majority of GOP caucus and primary elections held thus far in the 2012 presidential cycle, something has gone wrong, or just been weird. The delegates don't line up, the totals are wrong, the "winner" is later changed. Here in Nevada, they had record low turnout, and it still took them three days to declare Mitt Romney the winner. . .and he won by a landslide! But, if Republicans aren't embarrassed by their candidates, can they be embarrassed by the insanity going on at the state election level?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

AOL/Huffington Post "In the Tank" for Mitt Romney?

Really, Arianna?

No, I'm not really accusing AOL/Huffington Post of being in the thank for Mitt Romney. It's just that I've heard the term so often, pertaining to the mainstream media and President Obama, I thought it would make a catchy headline. And, the image I've chosen is also AOL's idea of a catchy headline. But a low-information voter reading, "Romney Captures Obama's Home State" might think that Romney somehow beat Obama in Illinois. . . or maybe Hawaii. Oooh, Kenya! Anyway, I thought it merited a post.

Ron Paul Wins Illinois Straw Poll

Yeah, I'm just making shit up. But it's funny, right?

First, it was Donald (Hell Toupee) Trump. Then, Michele (my husband is not gay!) Bachmann. Then it was Rick (not drunk, I'm really this way!) Perry. For the last couple of weeks (unbelievably) it has been Herman "Black Walnut" Cain. Could the next GOP "flavor of the month" be Ron Paul?


[Excerpt]

Ron Paul Wins Illinois GOP Straw Poll
 The Illinois Republican Party says Ron Paul has won a statewide straw poll that sought to determine voters' unofficial preference for the GOP presidential nomination. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

Rahm Emanuel Mayor of Chicago

Image from AP

I don't really care one way or the other. I wasn't Emanuel's biggest fan when he was in the White House, but this is a very different role. And now, he's too busy to be too involved in national politics.

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Rahm Emanuel Wins Chicago Mayoral Race



Rahm Emanuel decisively won Tuesday's mayoral election, becoming the city's 55th mayor.


With 86 percent of the city precincts reporting, Emanuel had 55.63 percent of the vote -- enough to avoid a runoff election. His main rivals were Gery Chico, with 24.52 percent, City Clerk Miguel del Valle, with 9.53 percent, and former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun (D-Ill.) with 8.87 percent. . .

Read more at: AOL

Chicago: The Day After Tomorrow, TODAY!

This picture just blew me away. It was cold here in the Las Vegas desert today, but our temperature span ranged between the twenties and the forties.  I wore a sherpa hoodie today, not even a winter coat! I'd like to say I feel your pain, Chicago (and the rest of the country), but I'd be lying!

Source: Chicago Tribune

Stephen Colbert Interviews Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL)

Aaron Schock is the youngest member of Congress, and a Republican. He is notable for a couple of things so far, such as the fact that he semi-famously rebuked Barack Obama after a meeting with the President. Also, he has a (more famous) beefcake photo circulating. The fact that he is single has also led to gossip about his sexuality, which Stephen Colbert very subtly alludes to by flirting with him. In a comic way of course.

Here is the video:

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Better Know a District - Illinois' 18th - Aaron Schock
colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor NASA Name Contest

And here is the beefcake photo (why not?):

Blagojevich Indicted on Multiple Felony Counts

Photo from source, Raw Story

The saga of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is strange in a lot of ways. On of the strangest being that little political hay has been made over the fact that he's a Democrat. After so many years of embarrassing Repbulican scandals, you'd think the GOP wold have been all over this one, tarring the entire Democratic party with a Blago-hair brush.

You have to admit, it's out of character for them to show such restraint. Maybe Blago is such a unique character, the attack just wouldn't play. Or maybe it was just too early after the election for partisan attacks to really stick. Whatever it is, it won't hold. Blago will be remembered as scandal number one, after there are (surely) more Democratic scandals. Being in power will bring out corruption in some of them just as it always does.

[Excerpt]

Blagojevich indicted on 16 federal corruption charges

Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich has been indicted by federal prosecutors, the AP reports."

According to a statement issued by the Justice Department, Blagojevich will be charged along with his brother, two former aides and two business associates," reports Roll Call. . .

Read more at: RawStory

Rod R. Blagojevich Impeached, No Longer Governor

Well, thank goodness that is over. Now, will the ever-bizarre Blagojevich continue to give media interviews, a la Sarah Palin? Or will we be mercifully spared the insane ramblings of at least this politician?

[Excerpt]

Impeached Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been removed from office

The Illinois Senate voted to remove Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office Thursday, marking the first time in the state's long history of political corruption that a chief executive has been impeached and convicted. . .

Read more at: Chicago Tribune

Gov. Blagojevich Impeached

Photo from source, LA Times

This doesn't come as a huge surprise. What's surprising is that Blago is so tenacious, and seemingly convinced that he's a victim, who did nothing wrong. So, there he has something in common with Alaska's governor, Sarah Palin.

[Excerpt]

Gov. Rod Blagojevich impeached by Illinois House

Hours after he became the first Illinois governor to be impeached, Rod Blagojevich today insisted he is innocent of corruption charges and will continue to fight to fulfill his job as the state's chief executive.

At a televised news conference, Blagojevich, 52, argued that the impeachment was expected given his tortured relations with the Legislature. . .

Read more at: Los Angeles Times

Gov. Blagojevich Appoints Obama Replacement?

Photo from source, MSNBC

What the hell, over? This guy has big ol' brass ones, don't he?

[Excerpt]

Race enters fight over Obama's Senate seat

Senate Democrats on Tuesday vowed not to seat embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's pick to fill the vacancy left by President-elect Barack Obama, prompting a House Democrat to object to the nation's only prospective black senator being denied a seat. . .

Read more at: MSNBC

Rod Blagojevich Refuses to Resign

Image from source, AOL News

I'm beginning to think that all the pundits are right, this guy is missing most if not all of his marbles. For what possible reason would he stay in office, with the weight of the charges against him? The fact that nobody is standing up for him ought to be enough to shame him out of office. At least Tom DeLay and Randy "Duke" Cunningham had some supporters, however misguided. What is Blagojevich hanging on to?

[Excerpt]

Blagojevich Ignores Pressure to Resign

With pressure mounting by the hour for him to resign or face impeachment, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich went back to work Thursday in what an aide described as an attempt to "return to normalcy. . ."

Read more (with video, and a heavily skewed poll) at: AOL News

Greenlee Gazette Disavows Blagojevich Ties!

I want to say here and now, that Greenlee Gazette, and its editor are in no way tied to the Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich scandal! I feel it is necessary to make this crystal clear, as Blagojevich's Deputy, Bob Greenlee resigned today. I don't know him! Never met him! Hey, they don't even invite me to the reunions. . .

[Excerpt]

Obama Calls for Governor Under Siege to Step Down

. . .Bob Greenlee, one of three deputy governors in Illinois, resigned on Wednesday, but the governor’s office would not say why. It was unclear whether Mr. Greenlee, 33, had any connection to the “Deputy Governor A” described in the federal affidavit supporting Mr. Blagojevich’s arrest. . .

Read more at: New York Times

Illinois Governor Blagojevich (D) Busted for Being a Sleazebucket

Photo from source, NYT

There you go, Mom. Happy now? I've criticized a Democrat in my headline, and even put a (D) there, to make it crystal clear! Far be it for me to jump to a corrupt politician's defense, regardless of which letter follows his name. Unlike say, Tom DeLay or Randy "Duke" Cunningham, who had conservatives jumping to their defense.

Look, a sleazebucket is a sleazebucket. If a politician has done wrong, he needs to get his comeuppance. And you have to hand it to the Democrats. When they screw up, they screw up BIG and STUPID!

[Excerpt]

Illinois Governor in Corruption Scandal

The governor of Illinois brazenly put up for sale his appointment of Barack Obama’s successor in the United States Senate, federal prosecutors said Tuesday. . .

Read more at: New York Times