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Joe Biden Knows Exactly How to Talk to Southern Voters ... Pt 2

With "off-color" remarks about Barack Obama.

Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) kicked off his presidential campaign today with an interview in the weekly New York Observer. Biden has excellent foreign policy credentials but no natural constituency and a history of questionable malapropisms. His latest includes off-color remarks on Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL). Here's the key section:

“I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy,” he said. “I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”

In other words, Biden suggests that Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Shirley Chisholm, and, more recently, Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, were inarticulate.

In all fairness, "Democrat" Biden harshly slammed all of the top tier candidates—he's more or less B-list guy himself—and had harsh words for Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC), particularly over their Iraqi exit strategies. (Clinton here, Edwards here.) However, Biden's comments on Obama will haunt him throughout his hopefully brief campaign for president because recently he has made numerous racist remarks, possibly to appeal to Southern voters. Remember his jokes about Delaware being a “slave state that fought beside the North"?

Let's not forget his comments in re 7-Eleven franchises: "You CANNOT go into a 7-Eleven or a Dunkin Donuts without an Indian accent."

Not to suggest that Biden is a necessarily a racist. (He's probably just the opposite and worse, a patronizing 1970s-era liberal.) But it's become patently obvious that his tact and diplomacy, especially on social and race issues, leaves much to be desired. If he continues with the George Allen, macaca-style campaigning, his road to the White House will be mercifully briefer than voters had hoped.

There's been some discussion regarding the interview transcript, suggesting that writer did not include a key comma and his punctuation conveyed the wrong message. Listen to the audio of the interview. The writer interrupts once and there are two pauses. Possibly there should have been periods in that exchange. However, taken as a whole, it's still a curious passage.

As usual, Obama has waved off this latest hateration but Biden also insulted Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. You can be sure he will have some 'splaining to do...

Biden Lays Into Clinton, Obama, Edwards (NYO)

The Biden Tapes (NYO)

Biden Enters Presidential Race (Balto Sun)

Some Background ...

Joe Biden Knows Exactly How to Talk to Southern Voters (Rod 2.0)

"Brother Outsider" Screenings

Bayard Rustin—the civil rights leader best remembered for organizing the 1963 March on Washington—is finally getting more of the recognition that he deserved. Several colleges are screening Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin, the documentary that explores his many accomplishments and exposes why so little is reported of him in black history—because he was openly gay.

By screening the film to students, Rustin's legacy will be preserved ... and maybe some minds will be changed about gay history. "You hear the same thing every year, you hear the 'I have a dream' speech," says Arielle Clay, who co-chaired the recent two-week Martin Luther King 2007 Celebration at the University of Miami. "I felt it would be good to highlight Bayard Rustin to go outside that same box."

The film also details one little-known fact: Rustin was briefly separated from Dr. King's campaign because of a threatened sex scandal rumor between the two activists.

Unfortunately, despite significant progress in gay rights, Rustin's sexuality has kept him from being a common name in textbooks. "We don't necessarily need one particular person to stand up," Arielle Clay says. "But I feel that the African-American community has grown stagnant and that the community is not moving as far forward as we would like it to be."

Brother Outsider will also be screened tomorrow, Thursday Feb 1, as part of the "Out of the Closet and Onto the Screen" series at Ithaca College.

Rustin Left in Closet of History (Miami Hurricane)

Thanks BlackGriot!

A Little Background ...

Black Museums Should Celebrate Gays (Rod 2.0) Billy Strayhorn Documentary on PBS (Rod 2.0) Strayhorn and Bridgers (Wandering Caravan)

Environment: Global Warming, White House Pressures Scientists

Global warming will leave Sydney in permanent drought by 2070, according to a grim new report. Experts predict the average temperature will rise 40 degrees Fahrenheit, rainfall will fall by 40 percent and the number of heat-related deaths is expected to soar almost 800 percent. "This might sound like a doomsday scenario but it's one we must confront. We don't need to be waiting for the impact, it's real and it's here."

Australia is currently experiencing its worst drought on record and is the only major industrial nation other than the United States to reject the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. Prime Minister John Howard has not commented on the report.

· Canada's top environmental officer was abruptly fired amid reports she demanded action on global warming. Meanwhile, the United Nations' environment agency is pressuring Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to call an emergency climate summit.

· Scientists were pressured to edit their writings on global warming by the Bush Administration—in some cases under the direction of a former oil-industry lobbyist—according to key testimony on Capitol Hill. A survey presented to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee reported 150 climate scientists personally experienced political interference in the past five years, for a total of at least 435 incidents. Nearly half of all respondents were pressured to "eliminate the words 'climate change,' 'global warming' or other similar terms."

· Testimony: The White House has barred Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte from saying “global warming.” "Apparently, he was allowed to say the word ‘global’ in a separate sentence and ‘warming’ in a separate sentence, but not together."

Chad White for Diesel

Not sure have you seen the new Diesel campaign for Spring/Summer 2007, but at least one of the ads is interesting on several levels. The obvious: Supermodel of the moment Chad White stretched out on a (faux) beach. For those of you guys who appreciate a man's well-moisturized, well-pedicured set of toes ... have at it.

Moving along to the Mount Rushmore imagery in the background. History buffs will immediately notice the art director Photoshop'd the angles of Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln so that their eyes are laser-focused at Chad's package. Not sure about Teddy, but some historians will argue that Honest Abe is living up to his nickname. Over-sized scan of Chad and Rushmore here.

In other Chad White-related news: No boxers, no briefs, "If there is a special someone in my bed, I like to sleep butt naked." Imagine that.

More Chad White...

Chad White/Oh La La Confessions (Oh la la Paris) Chad White in Genre (A Cause des Garcons) L'Uomo Chad (Rod 2.0)

Boykin on Offensive Language

If you missed last night's discussion with Keith Boykin on Paula Zahn Now, here is the You Tube video. Much of the conversation was centered around the Isaiah Washington controversy, extensively deconstructed by Keith and Jasmyne Cannick.

At the top of this video there is commentary from Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Right Campaign, who stressed that "there is no question" that the "f-word" is "just as offensive to members of the gay and lesbian community as the 'N' word is." That's an interesting observation, seeing that his group and GLAAD has failed to adequately address offenses such as this, or, more recently, this. Thankfully, in last night's discussion, Keith mentions the racial implications of the Washington controversy and the some of the discomfort experienced by many other black gays and lesbians.

That exchange is in the video clip. It's a strong discussion, enjoy.

News: Haggard's Hustler, Tyson Beckford, Hillary and the Gays

· Via Page One Q: The former male escort whose exposed New Life Church founder Ted Haggard has paid a visit to the mega-church. Mike Jones says several people shook his hand during the visit and told him, "God bless you."

Jones, who has a forthcoming book, told The Denver Post, "I had read a lot about the church, but there's nothing like seeing it for yourself. It wasn't to rub anyone's face in it by any means. I was wanting to get some perspective, to see where they are coming from, what the magnet is." In November, Haggard resigned from the church and as president of the National Association of Evangelicals after Jones alleged he paid him over three years for sex and took crystal meth during some encounters.

· Supermodel, actor and all-around Rod 2.0 fave Tyson Beckford contributed his recipe for 'Shrimp fra divalo with penne rigate' to The Celebrity Pasta Lovers' Cookbook, a free, new cookbook that shares favorite celebrity pasta dishes to benefit the nation's largest hunger-relief organization. "I like pasta," Tyson says in the introduction to his dish. "It's affordable and healthy and only takes minutes to prepare." Awww. Download your free copy here.

· Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) once again calls for an end to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"—she first denounced the law in 1999, while still First Lady—but many gays and lesbians are not impressed with her candidacy. "She can ring me when she calls for the repeal of the Bill Clinton-era federal Defense of Marriage Act," notes Pam Spaulding. "Particularly since she's on record with 'I believe in full equality of benefits, nothing left out.' "

Senate Begins Katrina "Hearings"

Yesterday, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Sen. Joseph Lieberman (ID-CT), held a field hearing in New Orleans to discuss the lack of progress in the recovery from hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), a member of the panel, noted that President Bush's recent State of the Union address failed to mention the rebuilding and "there is not a sense of urgency in this administration to get this done." Louisiana's Mary Landrieu (D) noted that it would take a terrorist bombing of the levees for Bush to pay attention.

From the moment the hearings began, a protester called for investigating the White House, shouting "Stand up for Justice!" CNN's Susan Roesgen described the scene:

What this person was protesting was he said that Senator Lieberman needs to do more and should do more to lead a federal investigation of the White House response to Hurricane Katrina similar to the 9/11 Commission hearings. He said that has not been done, he wants that to be done.

According to Newsweek, Lieberman, the only Democrat to endorse President Bush’s troop escalation to Iraq, has backed away from his pre-election demands that the White House "turn over potentially embarrassing documents relating to its handling of the Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans." Responding to the demonstrator, Lieberman said, “We don’t want to play ‘gotcha’ anymore.”

Obama Criticizes Pace of Katrina Aid (LA Times)

Bush Would Pay Attention if Terrorists... (Raw Story)

Protester Demands Probe (Think Progress)

Bush’s Best Democratic Buddy (Newsweek)

Gay, Straight or Porn Star?

Is it that difficult for straight women in LA to find a date?

A recent episode of Gay, Straight or Taken, Lifetime's new "reality" series, showcased gay porn star Kamrun—seen on the left, sitting on the floor—and Rod 2.0 fave Jacoby (with the popcorn bowl) as two of the three contestants who were competing for Miss Right. In case you missed it, the Fleshbot Research Dept. recaps the highlights... (NSFW)

Should Students Receive HIV Testing in Routine Physicals?

Yes, says one Illinois legislator.

Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago) has introduced a bill (HB 0193) that would include HIV testing in routine physical examinations that are required for Illinois students before entering school. Illinois students normally receive physical exams before entering kindergarten, fifth and ninth grades. The HIV test would be administered when students receive tuberculosis testing and immunizations. Test results would remain confidential and school files would indicate if students were tested. However, parents would be required to pay for the testing, which would cost from $35 to $95, "depending on the type of test and insurance coverage."

Parents would be allowed to opt out of the test. However, Rep. Flowers says that because children could contract HIV at birth, through a transfusion or sex, it's important that parents know their children's status—especially in the black community, where HIV/AIDS is often discovered and treated at more advanced stages. "It's time for us to be open and real about what AIDS really does. It kills people," Flowers said. "There's no reason why anybody, any child, should have the AIDS virus and not get proper treatment."

HIV/AIDS educators are concerned about the possible ramifications of the bill, such as if parents feel pressured to agree to the test, or, the ability of teenagers to decline the tests. Standard consent allows people over age 12 to receive tests for sexually transmitted infections without permission, however, this bill would let parents decide. In addition, there are issues about testing children under age 13, which is the youngest age recommended by CDC. "I don't think we've completely closed the door" on Flowers' bill," says Edward Pont, president of the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. "We're in favor of good quality education. The spirit of (Flowers') bill is headed in that direction ... but I don't think we're quite where she is yet."

Bill Seeks HIV Test in School Physicals (Tribune)

HIV Test as Part of School Physicals? (Daily Herald)

Some Background ...

15th Anniversary of Johnson's Announcement (Rod 2.0) Mo'Nique: "It's Still Considered Shameful" (Rod 2.0) Is HIV A Gay Disease? (Keith Boykin) Just Put it in Your Mouth (Keith Boykin) Primetime Reports the Black HIV Epidemic (After Elton) "Out of Control: AIDS in Black America" (Rod 2.0) Jonathan Perry in "The Advocate" (Rod 2.0) Ending Black Homophobia Will Reduce HIV (Rod 2.0) Do You Disclose Your HIV Status? (Rod 2.0) New CDC Guidelines (Rod 2.0) 15th Anniversary of Magic's Announcement (Rod 2.0) Baltimore Could Lose Millions in Funding (Rod 2.0) AIDS Funding Uncertain (Rod 2.0) HIV Update (Rod 2.0) Hillary on AIDS Funding (Rod 2.0)

Cameroon Gay Man Re-Arrested

Disturbing news from the Cameroon where the legal ordeal of one gay man continues ...

New reports say Francois Ayissi, one of the infamous Yaoundé 11 who were arrested for simply being gay, has been re-arrested on bogus charges. Now, Ayissi is accused by his former employer of allegedly raping the man's 14 year old mentally ill son.

Ayissi says he was owed money and his former boss made up the charges to avoid paying him. Gay activists in Cameroon believe this arrest is yet another incidence of harassing gays because of their sexual orientation, “especially if their sexual orientation has been exposed either by denunciation, arrest or voluntarily coming out, they pay for it every single day,” says Charles Gueboguo with Alternatives-Cameroun.

Francois Ayissi was one of 11 gay men arrested in a June 2005 raid on a gay bar and spent more than a year behind bars. Unfortunately, one of the detainees, Alim Mongoche, died of AIDS-related complications shortly after his conviction.

Yaoundé 11 Re-Arrested (Behind the Mask)

A Little More on Gays in the Cameroon ...

"Homosexuelle en Afrique" (Rod 2.0) UN Condemns Cameroon Anti-Gay Laws (Rod 2.0) Yaoundé 11 Free? (Rod 2.0) HIV Poz Athletes at Gay Games (Rod 2.0) Cameroon Houseboy "Raped"? (Rod 2.0) Yannick Noah on 'Gay List' (Rod 2.0) "I Have a List of 50 Names" (Rod 2.0) Gay Games Wrap (Rod 2.0) Let the (Out)Games Begin (Rod 2.0)