-Washington Post top columnist Sally Quinn had a tough and interesting column the other day. Quinn, one of Washington's leading social arbiters, has called for the immediate resignation of Desiree Rogers (photograph), who is the White House Social Secretary. Also in the column was the interesting news that Rahm Emanuel might be running for mayor of Chicago. My guess is there are a number of folks in DC that would happily start a 'Draft Rahm Movement!'

-Am a huge fan of the Olsen/Bois lawsuit against Proposition 8 in California. Deeply believe this has the possibility of being one of the historic turning points in LGBT history. There is a fantastic article in California Lawyer about the history and inside of this case. In "Challenging Prop 8: The Hidden Story," Chuleenan Svetvilas does a commendable job of capturing the background story and drama surrounding this case.

-The Congressional Budget Office says that extending same sex benefits to federal employees could cost near $900 million. Wonder if they did a similar analysis before extending them to married couples? It appears to place a dollar value on our rights.

-In case you live outside New York and haven't seen the New York Magazine Article on Larry Kramer, you can catch it here. "4,000 Pages and Counting" by Jesse Green is just terrific about an amazing man. Larry has written a new opus, "The American People" that has George Washington having sex with Alexander Hamilton. (hmmm...with or without wooden teeth?). I can't wait to read it or for that matter, anything written by Kramer.

-Tough times in Kenya continue and have affected a beloved friend of mine. African wildlife and environmentalist pioneer Kuki Gallmann was assaulted in her home by poachers, leaving her left hand disabled. The poachers have been killing elephants everywhere in an area already affected by drought, arson and now floods. Keep up with one of the world's bravest women at http://www.gallmannkenya.net

-What I loved about Mayor Annise Parker's recent swearing-in was that she took time in her speech to deliver a special and powerful message to the LGBT community. So many others have shied away from such a gesture. Houston has a real class act for mayor.

-Although Amanda Simpson rather not be the 'first', all of us in the LGBT community are extremely proud of the first Transgender ever to be appointed to serve in the federal government. Obama deserves praise for appointing this very talented women. By the way to the folks at The Late Show with David Letterman: not funny, not funny at all.

-The man who coined the term 'blogosphere' passed away at the extremely young age of 41. Brad
Graham (photograph) wrote one of the first blogs called "Bradland" and was the inspiration six years ago for Andy Towle of Towleroad.com. Even those of us who didn't know him realize that most bloggers stand on his shoulders for his pioneering work!

-Now, this shouldn't shock anyone since it has become so commonplace. Obama's Organizing for America sent out to its members a poll asking them to pick from a list their most important issue. Absent from the list totally was LGBT rights, civil rights and human rights. Don't they get it yet? David Plouffee knows better.

-If the Grammys had any guts they would invite Adam Lambert to perform. Give this guy a break. Enough of this 'black list' crap.

-In his "The Week" column, Bob Shrum says maybe Obama should institute a new rule of no one named "Janet" is allowed in the cabinet! If Jane Harman replaced Janet Napolitano, at least all we would have to do is remove the letter "t' on the door!

-Not a good week for Democrats. While Senator Christopher Dodd not seeking re-election increases our chances in Connecticut, Senator Byron Dorgan's seat is most likely to turn to a Republican in North Dakota. Other Democratic incumbents who could be in trouble include Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado and Senator Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas.

-Increasingly there is talk of General David Petraeus running for the Republican nomination for President in 2012.

-In a Zogby Poll, 47% of Americans say they are worse off financially than they were a year ago. Yikes.

-And finally from "Lemonwade.com" comes this scary picture. Extreme artist Eskil Ronningsbakken stands on a stack of chairs at the edge of the cliff!