-As the transition to an Obama Administration moves into full gear, we are learning the consequences of some of the more major appointments. When Governor Janet Napolitano moves into her big office at the Department of Homeland Security, she will leave Arizona in the hands of reactionary right wing Arizona Secretary of State Jan Brewer. The citizens of Arizona will see the progressive government that they voted for disappear overnight.

-And while we are chatting about Homeland Security, can't wait to see who Napolitano appoints to head   FEMA. Remember, more than any other event, Hurricane Katrina began the downfall of President Bush. (For a reference point, type in "Heckuva Job, Brownie" into your browser...) We should all pay attention to this position. The person must have exceptional organizational abilities, be very personable and have direct access to other agencies. They will be very visible over the years and must have a media presence to mobilize a nation.

-The endangered Cross River Gorillas got a great holiday gift. There are only 300 of them left and the nation of Cameroon recently created the National Takamanda Park which borders The Crossriver National Park in Nigeria giving the gorillas plenty of roaming room.

-Another historical milestone as open lesbian Mary Beth Maxwell is among the finalists being vetted for Secretary of Labor. If she makes it, she would be the first open member of the LGBT community to serve in a cabinet of the President of the United States.

-Wouldn't it be incredible if New York Governor David Paterson could bring himself to appoint the first openly gay or lesbian to the United States Senate to fill Hillary Clinton's recently vacated seat? He seems like the kind of person who also would love to make history. Well, here is your opportunity, Governor!

-Not a good omen for the wonderful movie MILK. It failed to get a "Best Picture" nomination from the Independent Spirit Awards. Sean Penn and James Franco, however, did get well-deserved nominations.

-Just when you thought it was safe to go into the water again, Jed Bush is considering a run for United States Senate in 2010. God, I hope the Democrats can come up with a good and powerful candidate to put him out to pasture with his older brother.

-Here is a "bravo" to my good friend Jeff Trandahl (pictured on left). When he was Clerk of the House of Representatives, he started the Capital Visitors Center project. The new facility, a wonderful addition to the United States Capitol, opened this week. He deserves many kudos for this project.

-An amazing new poll commissioned by GLAAD and taken by Harris Interactive shows huge advancement in the public's feelings toward the struggle for LGBT rights. Concerning marriage equality it is a virtual tie nationwide! Get all the results of GLAAD's powerful new survey by clicking here!

-The more tapes that come out from the Nixon Library the more you have to wonder if our dearly beloved deposed and departed President Nixon was playing with a full deck! For those interested in the time period, see Ron Howard's wonderful film adaptation of Peter Morgan's play FROST/NIXON.

-I am sure David Gregory will do a fine job at "Meet the Press" but I think NBC missed an incredible opportunity to take it in a different direction with Chuck Todd - one of their brightest political minds.

-Donald Trump is rumored to be in financial trouble having difficulty meeting interest payments and loans. It is hard to feel sad about it. Perhaps it is a time for shareholders to send a memo to The Donald: "You're fired!"

-Rolling Stone magazine has run an interesting article on the passage of Proposition 8 and you can read it by clicking here.

-My good friend, Terry DeCrescenzo has written movingly and powerfully about the need to bail out charitable organizations in the Los Angeles Times. Be sure to read "Where Is My Bailout?"

-We are coming up to 2009 quicker than you think (only 26 more days!). Do you realize that in 2009, we will celebrate the 40th anniversaries of the Moon Walk, Woodstock, the Vietnam Moratorium, and Stonewall Protests? Get out the Champagne!