-According to Roll Call, being a Rockefeller isn't what it use to be! Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WVa) is only the fifth richest person in the United States Congress. The richest member is Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.). He is being given a run for the money by second place finisher Congressman Darrell Issa (R-California).

-Getting cold up north and people are starting to take cruises down south. However, am I the only getting concerned about the size of these ships? The new Oasis will hold over 6,000 people on one ship! At eighteen decks and four football fields long, it is a disaster waiting to happen. Hope the engineers and builders are 'right on' in the creation of these super cruise liners.

-Once again (and again), Frank Rich of the New York Times has written a brillient piece on President Obama and the choices he faces in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This column is simply a 'must read' for anyone who has concerns about our policy in the region. Here is an excerpt from the amazing article:

Obama’s decision, whichever it is, will demand all the wisdom and political courage he can muster. If he adds combat troops, he’ll be extending a deteriorating eight-year-long war without a majority of his country or his own party behind him. He’ll have to explain why more American lives should be yoked to the Karzai “government.” He’ll have to be honest in estimating the cost. (The Iraq war, which the Bush administration priced at $50 to $60 billion, is at roughly $1 trillion and counting.) He will have to finally ask recession-battered Americans what his predecessor never did: How much — and what — are you willing to sacrifice in blood and treasure for the mission?

-White House personal director John Berry says all we have to do is focus on ENDA and all the rest of our issues will fall in place. Say what?

-Remind me again why people go into public service? Kevin Jennings, one of our most respected, decent, honest and kind leaders, is getting the crap kicked out of him by the religious right. According to Pam Spaulding's Morning House Blend, the right can't stand that an openly gay man who headed GLSTN is now President Obama's appointee to be Deputy Secretary of the Office of Safe and Drug-Free School. I can't think of a better choice! We all need to stand up for him.

-Once again blogger Andy Towle is all over a serious hate crime this time in my new neighborhood of

Hell's Kitchen in New York City. Blake Hayes (photograph) was called a fag and he and his friends were pushed and battered. New York City Police seem to have cared less about the case when they showed up at the scene. As for Blake, he is heading to DC to March on October 11!

-Was anyone as offended as I was by the treatment of Governor David Paterson (D-NY) on Saturday Night Live? Did not find a funny moment in it.

-In the Davidmixner.com poll, near 55% of the respondents said they don't want to attend events or dinners where the key speakers are against marriage equality!

-Could be a troublesome year in Arizona for the Republican Party in 2010! Rasmussen Reports says that 61% of Republicans feel Senator John McCain is out of touch with the Republican Party. In addition, Democratic Terry Goddard leads incumbent Republican Governor Jan "repeal domestic partnership benefits" Brewer by 42% to 35%.

-Joe.My.God has a wonderful picture of Germany's new power couple who just happen to be gay. The pair are soon to be new Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and his partner Michael Mronz (photograph). Can't wait to see them together at international conferences! ,p>-Rasmussen is also showing California Attorney General Jerry Brown leading all possible Republican challengers for governor while San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom still trails them all. E-Bay CEO Meg Whitman is out and running for the Republican nomination and from her first appearances she put on E-Bay an auction for help with her fumbling campaign.

-New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is holding strong in his lead over City Controller William Thompson. The new Quinnipiac Poll has the mayor with a 16% lead. That might explain why President Obama is staying out of the race and not supporting the Democrat at this time.

-Good news for all of us who like political 'eye-candy!' Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden is home from Iraq. We are thrilled for the Vice President and his family for his son's safe return.

-With a number of Washington politicos predicting Democratic losses in the House of Representatives of over twenty seats, is it any wonder many of us were pushing so hard to get LGBT legislation passed this year? Do you think the Democratic Party is going to advocate strongly for our issues facing those kind of potential losses? Yea...sure they will, right.

-According to Chip Arndt, Harvard is coming to the National Equality March. The Harvard Gay Lesbian Caucus (HGLC) is joining with the Harvard Queer Students and Allies meeting at the Navy Memorial to march on October 11!

-Speaking of the National Equality March, word is that most planes in the Northeast are sold out on Sunday! Broadway Impact reports that so far they are sponsoring near two dozen buses from New York City.

-Now there are "Free Roman Polanski" T-Shirts as a fashion must. I am sorry but it is hard for me to feel sympathy for a man who had sex with a 13 year old girl. If it would have been anyone else, they would be wearing a ankle bracelet and attempting to find housing.

-Fasten your seat belts and get out the winter coats, Bloomberg Reports says that Matt Rogers, a forecaster for the Commodity Weather Group, is predicting a very cold and snowy winter for the Northeast this year because of the weak El Nino.

-More violence out of Africa. Guinea soldiers opened fire on an opposition rally and killed more than 130 people. "Killed" might not be strong enough word. In this case, "slaughter" fits better.

-Not sure how my move to Hell's Kitchen will go this week so if I am a little sparse or miss a day this Thursday and Friday, forgive me. You all overwhelmingly voted for "Live from Hell's Kitchen..." and the Steven Guy photograph taken out my window is my first banner. Here is one more to highlight my big move.