Impressions....by David Mixner

 

 

-Maya Angelou in an interview with The Guardian says she expects this upcoming campaign to be a nasty one by November:

"I think we are going to see a number of people who say: 'I have no racial prejudice in my heart, not in my conversation,'" Angelou says. "But in the next few months, as we wind up to the double campaign, I tell you we are going to see some nastiness, some vulgarity, I think. They'll pull the sheets off."

-My favorite headline of this election year has surfaced this week. Santorum was campaigning in Georgia and the local paper ran the headline "Santorum Draws Crowd In Cumming." Google definition of 'Santorum' aside, that is the name of the town where the event was held!

-The Advocate ran an article about the 'short list' for the new CEO of the Human Rights Campaign. If this is indeed the short list then it is quite an impressive group of folks. What do you think?

-According to "Greg In Hollywood", Raquel Welch made it her mission to have sex with co-star in "Fantastic Voyage" - Steven Boyd. It is a delightful story of how one of Hollywood's leading men in the 1950's gently declined her advances. A somewhat less lurid version had Doris Day also chasing after the chilly Mr. Boyd while they were filming "Jumbo." There was, at the time, whispered gossip about Boyd's sexual orientation. Seem all my childhood fantasies of him clearly were not wasted! Photograph of Mr. Boyd (on left) is with Charlton Heston in Ben Hur.

-The Glass House Tavern had a diverse crowd from the entertainment industry.  Seen dining at the eatery was Hollywood and Broadway powerhouse Scott Rudin, Susan Sarandon, John Glover and Michael McKean! 

-As we wait for the Maryland Senate vote and the Governor's signature to make Maryland the eighth state to make marriage equality legal, it is interesting to note that according to "Think Progress" that former Vice President Dick Cheney made calls urging Republicans to vote for marriage equality.

-The last two years was the first time since 1946 that there hasn't been a Kennedy in the United States Congress. Hopefully that will just a temporary hiatus because Joseph Kennedy III (the grandson of Senator Bobby Kennedy) has announced that he is running to fill Congressman Barney Frank's seat in Congress. Here is his announcement:

-Want to know how much your favorite Senator or Senate candidate raised by the end of last year and the amount of cash they have on hand? Roll Call has the entire chart. Unfortunately Republican Senator Scott Brown has the most cash on hand with over $12 million in the bank.

-Openly gay Republican candidate for President Fred Karger has just released his ad for his Michigan campaign. Click here to see one pretty good ad.

-The Georgia Legislature (yes, Georgia) just saw its fourth openly LGBT State Representative elected to that body. Keisha Waites won a special election. Interestingly three of the four elected to the State Legislature are African-Americans. What a wonderful trend.

-As the one term Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie vetoed legislation for marriage equality, the people of the state are clearly for it. A Rutgers-Eagleton Poll show that 54% of the citizens of the Garden State supporting marriage equality and 35% opposed to it.

-Feel like taking a walk on the wild side? How about walking the 'boardwalk' of the Huashan Cliffside Path in China. This video is not for the faint of heart!

-A number of polls have come out this week as we approach Super Tuesday. Here is a quick summary of them.

- In Oklahoma, it is Santorum 39%, Romney 23% , Gingrich 18% and Paul was at 8%.

-In Texas, Santorum is slamming Romney who is running third! Santorum is at 45%, Gingrich 18%, Romney 16% and Paul at 14%.

-In Virginia only Romney and Paul are on the ballot. Right now Romney leads Paul by 53% to 23%.

-In Arizona Romney hold a slim lead with 36% to Santorum's 33%. Gingrich is running third with 16% and Paul is at 9%.

-President Obama is having a tough time in his once stronghold of Iowa. In the latest poll, Ron Paul would defeat Obama by 7%. Santorum would defeat the President by 4% and Romney would defeat him by 2%. The President does defeat Gingrich by 14%!

-Young handsome talented actor Michael Urie (above) of "Ugly Betty" and "How to Succeed In Business" fame has signed on to star in the CBS pilot called "Partners" It is about two business partners one who is straight and the other is gay.

-Republican United States Senator Scott Brown is currently leading Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts by 9% in the latest poll.

-Dutch Prince Johan Frisco is in critical condition in a Swiss hospital after being buried for 15 minutes in an avalanche. Queen Beatrix is at his bedside.

- A delightful video of First Lady Michelle Obama and First Dog Bo surprising tourists on a White House tour.

-This one will make your day. Evangelical Lutherans overwhelmingly voted to OPPOSE the Minnesota Constitutional Amendment to the ban marriage equality. One out of every four Minnesotans are Lutherans. Hallelujah!

 

Impressions...by David Mixner

 

 

-"White Collar" star Matt Bomer has officially come out of the closet and powerfully acknowledged his family at a Palm Springs Awards ceremony. Bomer was fantastic in "Normal Heart" and he proclaims that role moved him to be more active in the community. The LGBT family just gained another wonderfully talented out and proud actor. Not to mention drop-dead gorgeous.

-Speaking of 'out actors' Broadway star Howard McGillin has been out for years. As "Phantom of the Opera" celebrates it 10,000th show, he will be remembered for playing the Phantom longer than any other actor. On February 27th he will be guest of honor for a fundraiser for Missouri Democratic United Senator Claire McCaskill. She deserves our support and hope you all can make it or send a check.

-California's "Love, Honor and Cherish" has decided not to proceed with their attempt to place on the ballot a measure to repeal Proposition 8. The timing was tough and the court case is moving along.

-Michigan has been considered for months one of Romney's safest big states. Guess they will have to rethink that strategy since Public Policy Polling has him trailing Santorum by astounding 15 points! Santorum does well in every part of the state except Oakland County, which includes some of the wealthy suburbs of Detroit. The New York Times is reporting that one of Romney's 'Super Pacs' is getting ready to spend $500,000 in Michigan.

-AmericaBlog is reporting that former HRC and SLDN Communications Director Trevor Thomas is joining the ever expanding list of out candidates for US Congress. He will be seeking the seat of incumbent Michigan Republican Justin Amash. The distract is in Western Michigan and you can find out about his race on his website.

-In Georgia, Romney might as well pack it up and head to Ohio. In the latest poll, Gingrich is first with 35%, Santorum coming on strong with 26% and Romney way behind at 16%.

-Redondo Beach, California firefighters need a kitchen badly in their station. So they have made a musical video which is both cute and funny. Take a look.

-Traditional and extremely Conservative magazine The National Review, is calling for Gingrich to get out of the race. Remember the days when Gingrich was charging Santorum with being the spoiler?

-Both the art world and the LGBT community is deeply saddened by the early death of Canadian artist Steve Walker at the age of 50. Here is an example of his art called "Rain".

-Count another state for Santorum in Tennessee where he has surged into the lead according to the American Research Group poll. Santorum has 34% and Romney is now second at 27%. Gingrich is third at 16%. Ron Paul makes a decent showing with 13%.

-In California where Romney has held wide margins in the past, the latest poll shows Santorum has come within 2 points of Mitt who has 33% to Santorum's 31%.

-Busy week at the Glass House Tavern located on 47th Street off Times Square. Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone (photograph) were breaking bread at the eatery several times in the past couple of weeks. Others seen at the celebrity filled restaurant were Judith Light, Robert Desiderio, Thomas Roberts, John Glover, and  Bob Shrum and Marylouise Oates.

-Whitney Houston was a star one last time at the Grammys. The award show had its second highest rating in the history of the program and in good part it was because of Whitney.

-The New Jersey State Senate passed marriage equality by a 24 to 16 vote on Monday. It now heads to the Assembly where it is expected to pass. Governor Christie has promised to veto the legislation. According to The Washington Blade, we have until next January 2014 to override the veto!

-The United States Chamber of Commerce has just launched a $400,000 smear campaign against open lesbian United States Senate candidate Tammy Baldwin. Time for you to open up your wallets and give to Tammy one more time! Click here.

-Here is an interesting Gallup Polling chart showing the Santorum surge and the ups and downs of this Republican Presidential Primary race.

Impressions...by David Mixner

 

 

-"The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away..." Just last week the LGBT community was so excited about Governor Chris Christie's appointment of openly gay Mayor Bruce Harris to the New Jersey Supreme Court. Now we find out Harris made a pact with the devil and agreed to Christie's condition that he would recuse himself from any marriage equality cases! Does that mean African-Americans and Jewish-Americans have to recuse themselves too on cases impacting those communities? Is it even legal for the governor to demand a 'vote' before appointing someone! Outrageous!

-Count me among the many millions of "Downton Abby" fans. I can't wait for the Sunday night series. Now we get word that legendary actress and old friend Shirley MacLaine (photograph above) will be in the cast of Season Three starting in September! By the way, isn't it long overdue that MacLaine receive a Kennedy Center Honor? Now, that page should be created on Facebook!

-In Washington State, the Senate will vote on marriage equality tomorrow.  If it passes, the House will quickly vote on it and send to the Governor who will sign the legislation. Keep your fingers crossed!

-Did your jaw drop as much as mine when I heard that Mitt Romney and his wife Anne made his dead father-in-law a Mormon? Seems as deceased wasn't big on religion at all when he was alive. Nothing like forcing your values and religion on the dead.

The Glass House Tavern packed the celebrities in the last two weeks. Seen gracing their tables were Stephen Sondheim, Bernadette Peters, Nick Jonas (photograph), Michael Lurie, Beau Bridges and Agent Michael Moore.

-New Public Policy Polling has arrived on the anti-LGBT Constitutional Amendment that will be on the ballot this coming fall in Minnesota.  At this moment 48% will vote against us and 44% for us. Looks like a tough road ahead on this one.

-The United States might have set an all time low temperature record for all fifty states. One station in Alaska might have passed -80 degrees. While we have been having the year without winter, Alaska has been frigid and tons of snow. God help us if it breaks loose and heads south.

-In the 1960's, people would shout at protestors to move from the good ole USA if they didn't like it here. Congressman Alan West (R-FL) gave a speech where he suggested that the President, the Speaker and The Senate Majority Leader should all "get the hell out of the United States!"  

-This week will be the vote in New Hampshire to repeal the marriage equality bill. Already some Republicans are refusing their party leadership to fall into line. What is clear is that Governor John Lynch will veto the bill and it is becoming increasingly unlikely there will be the votes to override the veto. By the way, over 60% of the people of New Hampshire support marriage equality.

-At last a real heroine emerges from the Costa Concordia shipwreck. After the cowardly captain 'accidentally' fell into a life boat, a young Peruvian waitress, Erika Fani Soriamolina, stayed onboard, helped passengers into life boats and gave her life jacket to an elderly man. Her body was found on the ship this week.

-Finn Air was taking a plane full of passengers from Helsenki to Delhi to celebrate India's Republic Day. Suddenly before take off dancers appeared in the aisle and gave them all a taste of Bollywood!

-London's 'Countdown to the Olympics' has started and the plans are well underway for the Opening Night. The theme will be a Shakespearean "Isles of Wonder" under the direction of Danny Boyle, Oscar-winning helmer of "Slumdog Millionaire."

-Producer/Director Ryan Murphy of "Glee" fame has had NBC pick up his new pilot "The New Normal.". The comedy is about two gay men and the surrogate mother they pick to carry their baby! Andrew Rannells from Broadway's "Book of Mormon" would be one of the three leads.

-MassResistance in 2007 posted this piece about how 'pro-life Romney' really didn't have his heart into it back then. Worth a read.

-Chicago might have its hands full come the G-8 Conference May 1. A leading Occupy Movement magazine is calling for 50,000 protesters to converge on the city to protest the G-8 policies. Mayor Rahm Emmanuel might have wished he stayed in DC. Here is a video clip from the 1968 Democratic Convention the last time so many protesters visited Chicago. And we all know how well that turned out.

Impressions.....by David Mixner

 

 

-Thank God, now we can all relax! Todd Palin, Sarah's husband, has let it be known he is supporting good ole Newt. He proclaims it is not an indication of how the former Vice Presidential candidate is going to endorse...if she endorses.

-Political Insider reports that for the fifth day in a row in the Suffolk Tracking Poll Mitt Romney has lost ground. Sunday he was at 33% and falling.

-National Wildlife Foundation has five pictures of adorable baby animals. The one above is a bison with her baby calf who was born that very day. Check the others out!

-Appears the National Stonewall Democrats are really getting their act together in preparation for the upcoming election. They have just appointed as their new Executive Director political wizard Jerame Davis. Congrats, Jerame!

-The entire LGBT community is sending best wishes and life long love to actor Alan Cumming and illustrator Grant Shaffer (photograph) as they got married in New York after registering for civil unions in Great Britain five years ago!

-Praise the Lord and pass the collection plate! Rick Santorum has those old time religion folks opening up their pocketbooks. He took in one million dollars in twenty-four hours after the Iowa caucuses and according to sources is approaching three million dollars by the New Hampshire primary.

-Allow me to give a 'shout out' to Lincoln Business Machine on West 68th Street in New York City. They have been coming to my rescue all week with my series of constant computer problems. Thanks to Boris, Jose and Milton! (212) 769-0606

-In the hotly contested Democratic primary in California's 50th Assembly District, grassroots activist and open lesbian Torie Osborn had a debate with establishment candidate Betsy Butler. Afterwards, the prestigious Malibu Democratic Club voted to endorse Osborn with 41 votes. Betsy Butler received 5 votes.

-China is testing a new high speed train that will travel at 500 km! Soon no one will want to fly in those cattle cars they call planes and enjoy a great system.

-Governor Andrew Cuomo's "State of the State" speech was powerful, articulate and filled with policy. He showed graciousness to the legislature and clearly demonstrated he heard the concerns of New Yorkers. This one should be shared with every Democratic leader as a paper on how it should be done!

-Here is an interesting statistic from the Center for Disease Control (CDC): Forty-Four per cent of straight men and thirty-six percent of straight women say they have had anal sex at least one time in their life.

-The Glass House Tavern had a busy week. Glee cast member Mark Salling and Lauren Bacall (photograph) were dining at different tables with friends.

-London's The Telegraph has picked the top ten ciites to live in the world. Victoria, Canada is on the list. Take a look at the rest!

-The Telegraph is also running a story coming out of France. Soccer's Manchester United player Eric Cantona is seeking a place on the ballot to run for President of France.

-What is Mitt's real first name? Vanity Fair took a poll and very few of their readers could nail it. Some actually thought it was "Mittens!" His first name is Willard!

-The marriage equality debate has come to Washington State with Democratic Governor Chris Gregoire. In a powerful and elegant speech she said she intended to bring it up in the upcoming special session of the Washington legislature. Keep your fingers crossed.

-Think about this statistic: There has been more snow in El Paso, Texas than in Chicago, Detroit or New York. What is wrong with this picture?

-The National Geographic announced the winners of this years photograph contest. Here is the Grand Prize winning photograph taken by Shikhei Goh. You can see more winners by clicking here.

Impressions....by David Mixner

 

 

-Sexy actor Daniel Craig has a very low opinion of elected officials. Craig is quoted by "Politico" as say that "politicians are shitheads." Craig was had a few more choice words when he also stated “That’s how they become politicians, even the good ones. We're actors, we're artists, we're very nice to each other. They'll turn around and stab you in the fucking back.

-Republican candidate for President Ron Paul evidently has a problem using rest rooms that homosexuals use. Hmmm, wonder if he uses the one in his own campaign headquarters?

-Broadway's hit musical "Jersey Boys" just passed "Ave Q" to become the 21st longest running show in the history of Broadway. On Monday, December 26th, they will have played 2,535 performances!

-More lists are coming out about the last year. GLBTQ.com has published their compilation of "The Top Ten Stories of 2011". It is an interesting list.

-The New York Times published a moving and long obituary for John Lawrence who was the plaintiff in the famous Supreme Court Case -Lawrence v. Texas who passed away on November 20th. Please read since this our history and our heroes.

-Since it is still holiday time and we can be frivolous, Greg in Hollywood published the result of poll of readers on Soaphunks.net. Winning 'Best Eyes" was Brandon Beemer (photograph above) of "The Bold and Beautiful".

-In the latest rankings, Brazil has overtaken Great Britain and has the world's sixth largest economy. The United States is still number one followed closely by China.

-Given up the cutbacks in budgets around the country, the mentally ill are seeing their services and support vanish. The problem is so severe that emergency rooms are being flooded by those mentally challenged and desperately seeking assistance.

-For the first time in quite awhile, Gallup Poll shows that President Obama has more people approving of his job performance than disapproving. It's about time!

-Not everyone was happy with their Christmas Cards this year. Lulu the Cat was not a happy camper at all with her greetings.

-OutTraveler.com has picked the "Top 20 Gayest Destinations In the USA" for the year 2011. You will be surprised to hear that P-Town is number 20!

-Insideline.com picked the "100 Worst Cars Of All Time". Going through the list and pictures I was shocked at some of their picks. The number one pick of worst car ever was the 2001 Pontiac Aztek.

-A little historical fact from OMG Facts. In 1979, homosexuality was classified as an illness in Sweden. One day thousands of Swedish citizens called in 'sick' to work giving as their reason "homosexuality'. As a result of that action, Sweden became one of the first countries to say homosexuality is not a mental illness.

-Former "Today Show" host Meredith Vieira (photograph above) was dining at the Glass House Tavern with her husband journalist Richard Cohen. At another table was pioneering table show host Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas. Finally the beautiful actress Blythe Danner graced one of the tables at the Tavern.

-There is new site called "Celebrities on the Subway." People send him their pictures of celebrities riding the trains or subways. Love the one of Hugh Jackman!.(via JoeMyGod)

-When we first heard about the reports of the tropical storm hitting the Philippines the death toll was projected to be 600 from the flash floods. Now fisherman are finding bodies sixty miles out to sea that were washed away in the storm. The toll is near 1,300 dead and counting.

-One of my favorite sites for this year has been Boston.com's Big Picture which is the modern day version of the old "LIFE" magazine. They recently published "Best Photos From The Natural World" for 2011. Here are my favorites and you can click to see the rest and received the all important photographer credits

Hell's Kitchen Journal: The View From 'Mixner's Corner'

 

 

When there is free time ( a rare occurrence), I love to perch in Mixner's Corner in the front window of the Glass House Tavern with some hot chocolate, a great salad and watch the world provide me a show at my ringside seat. The holidays provide even more entertainment value as people tend to have wild clothing, are smashing drunk and more frantic than usual as they rush about their spirit filled routine.

Oh the things I see!

Last weekend was SantaCon in New York City with Santa's, Elves, Reindeer and lord knows what else on their annual bar hop to have an alcoholic filled day while collecting toys for kids. By late afternoon, if my window seat was any indication, Santa was having a hell of a time finding his way down the streets of New York. One tipped totally over while another white bearded genius walked right into a trash can where he most likely felt at home. Four grown up fully dressed elves, arms connected were skipping down the street together attempting to sing carols while hysterically laughing. Then there was that super small car loaded with six huge Santa getting out of it. There wasn't an inch of room left in that car for any packages. My guess is they toss the toys for the kids to make room for another Santa.

They mingled with the eloquent couples from the East Side of Manhattan slumming in it the theater district with their Fifth Ave shopping bags waiting for show time. You could see them create room between themselves and the riff-wrath in Times Square. These gentle visitors from across town prefer their drinks in glasses and not in a paper bags. They love the restaurants and theater we offer but often after the theater instead of hanging around to argue literature and theater at the local pubs they head back to their sanctuaries in building with marble lobbies and views of the entire decorated skyline.

Then they are the kids from home from college meeting either families or old friends from high school. They have their practiced 'new looks' to match their new maturity to show off to people from the past. You can notice them instantly as they chat on the cell phones with their college room mates counting the days until they can return to their new found freedoms. Ironically almost none of them take the time off from shopping, talking on cell phones or rushing to the next location to see the cacophony of lights, carols and decorations put out for their pleasure. All the beautiful trees, Santa's on the corner, white lights bringing barren trees alive for the season all are ignored as they become one big blur to the rushing masses.

Now inside the Glass House Tavern people are laughing, sitting visiting their children, gazing at celebrities at other tables, taking in the decorations and having those holiday parties. It is just simply two different worlds. The Tavern is ablaze with decorations, music and a cheerful staff instilled with a special holiday spirit. Give me a wave as you pass me in the window or better yet come in and get your Christmas hug!

Happy Holidays my dear friends and if you are traveling this holiday season, please travel safely.