-How very disappointing that Rev Rick Warren will deliver the invocation at the Inauguration of President-elect Obama. What were they thinking? This man compared marriage equality to "incest and child abuse". Now, we will all survive this bigot praying over us but how sad that those of us who were so excited about this special day will have a cloud put over it. I am all for a big tent but this time the tent is too damn crowded.

-We can find some joy in the fact that National Gay and Lesbian Marching Band will officially participate in the inauguration parade. Many of us in 1992 and again in 1996 attempted to have them march. The best we were able to do is position them on a side street during the main event. It will be a source of great pride to watch them march.

-Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. Turncoat Senator Joseph Lieberman is receiving his lowest approval rating ever in Connecticut. How sweet it is!

-Republican Senator Sam Brownback is not seeking re-election to the United States Senate. He has had one of the most right-wing voting records around and it good riddance. The good news compounds with news that charismatic Democratic Governor Kathleen Sebelius might run for the open seat.

-Given Obama's appointments, everywhere you look there is an open United States Senate seat, the latest is in the state of Colorado with Senator Ken Salazar being appointed to head the Department of Interior. My choice for his replacement would be the progressive mayor of Denver - John W. Hickelooper. How you not be for someone with that name?

-Speaking of Senator Salazar, could he please remove his cowboy hat the next time he is standing with the President of the United States? We know you like to be viewed as a 'cowboy' but there is such a thing as respect for the office. Take it off cowboy!

-Tis the season to be jolly, have a sense of humor and laugh a little. Queerty.com has the results of a survey done by the "Institut fuer Kondom-Beratung" and I can't stop chuckling about it. This academic group actually got over 10,000 men in the 25 countries of the European Union to allow their erect members to be measured! The results have both created joy and sadness all over Europe! The French are a prouder people today placing number one in the European Union while the Irish and Greeks, coming in last place, are demanding a recount!

-Have to smile at all the Andrew Cuomo people who are stating that Caroline Kennedy wouldn't even be considered if it weren't for her last name. Now exactly what is Andrew's last name and where would he be if it wasn't for Mario?

-More results from the November election: Obama actually carried one of the two Cuban-American districts in Florida serving notice on Republicans that we are now competitive among Cuban-Americans.

-An early holiday gift for environmentalist and wildlife lovers. The African nation of Namibia has just created a new 10,000 square mile national park in the former diamond mining area. The Sperrgebiet National Park will be part of the regional wide effort with South Africa, Botswana and Angola to create a corridor for wildlife.

-This weekend begins, "Tis the Season...". Thought I would leave you with some reindeers to get you all in the mood for the various seasonal holidays at the end of the month!