Rod 2.0:Beta

"Today" on Gays and the Church

Not sure have you been watching Today, but they have been producing an ongoing series on faith and religion. This morning Meredith Vieira hosted a round table discussion—panelists included an atheist, two evangelicals and a progressive Christian. Invariably the discussion centered around gays and same-sex marriage.

The progressive—Mary Schinke, seen above—was the most sane voice in the discussion. Did a little research on her and apparently Ms. Schinke is a lawyer and lay leader in the New York Episcopal Diocese. She made some fabulous comments on gays and suggested some denominations and churches need to be more open-minded and less doctrinaire. Also, on a personal note, it's always a good thing to see media reach out for black church leaders who are progressive and gay-friendly, because the stereotype is that most—if not all—black church folk are rabid homophobes.

Video: A Look at Christianity in America (Today/NBC)

More on Blacks, Gays and the Episcopal Church:

• Homophobia In Black Churches (Rod 2.0) 
• MA Episcopal Church: No Marriages (Rod 2.0)
• Tutu "Ashamed" of Gay Priest Ban (Rod 2.0)
• Danforth Slams GOP on Gay Rights (Rod 2.0)
• Black Church Says "No" to Gay Priest (Rod 2.0)
• Black Episcopalians Church Too Focused on Gays (Rod 2.0)
• Nigerian Bishop: Remove Episcopal Church (Rod 2.0)
• Bishop: Gays Not Sinners (Rod 2.0)
• "You're Getting Testy with Me!" (Rod 2.0)

Gladys Knight on "Today"

This morning, a special treat at Today. Gladys Knight stopped by their spanking new HDTV studios for a live performance—video here—of "Stormy Weather" from her new CD, Before Me. The collection of standards pays tribute to legendary singers such as Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Dinah Washington. Gladys' cover is just incredible, you have to hear it.

"Ms. Knight conveys hurt and healing, heartbreak and forgiveness all at once, all of it grounded in a sturdy maternal resilience," described a reviewer in the Sunday New York TImes. That's right. Some of you can fuss or fight over Janet, Beyonce or Mariah. Just give us some Gladys any day.

Critic's Choice: Gladys Knight: "Before Me" (NYT)

Today Concert Series (Today/MSNBC)

More Gladys Knight:

• All. About. Gladys. (Rod 2.0)

Janet on "Today"

In case you were working or did not happen to be near a television set, Janet Jackson appeared on Today. Janet talks about turning 40, her new CD and the weight loss. Darian provides a quick review of the interview and performance and links to three You Tube videos.

Janet was looking fabulous, of course. But what a nice surprise to see Nelly perform "Call On Me" with her. What a Friday ... two good mornings.

Hello, Ms. Jackson (NBC/Today)

Janet Performs on Today (Living Out Loud with Darian)

Janet Jackson: Today Show "Call on Me" (You Tube)

Previously:

• Chris Brown: Live at the Roxy! (Rod 2.0)
• Nelly in Judith Lieber (Rod 2.0)
• Fashionista Nelly (Rod 2.0)
• Gay or Rapper? Part 2, 3 and 4 (Rod 2.0)

• Nelly: Part 2 (Rod 2.0)

Chris Brown: Live at the Roxy!

Well, not quite. The teen heart throb was live at Rockefeller Plaza on Today—which is why we're off to a late start, having covered the event for Access Hollywood. CB is such a good performer and a lil cutie. Even though it was heavily promoted, the morning's concert had all the trappings of a "surprise" Janet or Madonna-style appearance at Roxy.

Here are a few pictures. It's so refrshing to see a young R&B performer who is friendly and positive. 

"I Will Not Let That Result Stand"

Like the Wicked West of the West determined to ride into the sunset on an ailing broom, Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman is also determined to annoy the voters for as long as possible. After Tuesday night's dramatic repudiation in the Connecticut Democratic primary, Lieberman appeared on Today and the other morning shows to say ... well, damn the voters.

LAUER: "I imagine your phone will start to ring pretty early this morning. The likes of Frank Lautenberg and maybe Bill Clinton saying step aside. The voters have spoken. Will you take their calls or screen them?"

LIEBERMAN: "I will always take the calls of friends, but my mind is made up."

Lieberman's mind is also made up to begin a Karl Rove-style campaign to wrestle for Republican and conservative Democratic votes. Look whose name he drops in his closing remarks:

LAUER: "Is there any phone call you could receive, is there anyone in the Democratic party who could call you today and ask you to drop out that you would listen to?"

LIEBERMAN: "Respectfully, no. I am committed to this campaign, to a different kind of politics, to bringing the Democratic party back from Ned Lamont, Maxine Waters to the mainstream."

It's no mistake that Lieberman strategically dropped Maxine Waters' name, using a right-wing tactic to label anyone who criticizes the administration's failed Iraqi policy as "out of the mainstream." Recent polling suggests most Americans believe that the Iraq war was a mistake and most support some type of withdrawal. If you open up today's Post, you'll see the right-wing talking points in an article that lists the political "winners" and "losers" from Lieberman's defeat.  "The Revs. Al Sharpton/Jesse Jackson" are listed as big winners, while "Bill and Hillary Clinton", the "Jewish community" and "the troops" are listed as big losers.

Interesting that Lieberman summed up his spoiler's race by saying, "For the sake of our state, our country and my party, I cannot and will not let that result stand." The country didn't support his presidential bids, and, the state and party aren't supporting him now.

Political Gains and Pains (NY Post)

Lieberman Sets Sights on Independent Candidacy (WaPo)

Washington Post-ABC News Poll (WaPo)

Rove Reaches Out to Lieberman (Think Progress)

Lieberman Defiant In Defeat (Hartford Courant)

Previously:

• Political Briefs: Only on Fox (Rod 2.0)

· Set your TiVos. Right-wing hack Ann Coulter will be the guest on Tonight with Jay Leno. You can bet that once again, she'll wear an age appropriate outfit to discuss religion and "family values." Last week, NBC News anchor Brian Williams called Coulter's vicious Today assault on four New Jersey widows of the September 11 attacks "over the line—the line that is shared by just about everybody because some things, it turns out, are still sacred.” Obviously, ratings and the entertainment division are exempt.

· Meanwhile, Today hosts yet another conservative pundit. Fox News flag waver Bill O'Reilly criticized Democrats who dared to question the administration's Iraqi "strategy." O'Reilly tried to distance himself from Coulter, but distorted his own record on personal attacks. Transcript and video.

· HIV rates among New York City's gay men are increasing, especially among younger and black demos.

Lourdes Santiago becomes the second openly gay member and first lesbian on the Toledo City Council. Santiago was born in Puerto Rico and has been an attorney and administrator with the city for 23 years.

· "Many of us believe we are fighting ghosts." One Republican state senator in Pennsylvania criticizes attempts to amend the state constitution to outlaw gay marriage and civil unions, despite no legal challenge to a state law that bans gay marriage.

· Manhattan detectives have collared a suspect in the brutal overnight stabbing spree that injured four people. Two men are critical: A Texas visitor who was stabbed ...

Tuesday afternoon on the downtown "C" at 103rd. The other man was attacked early this morning on the downtown "F" platform at Rockefeller Center. An hour later, two Canadian women were attacked near the W Hotel in Times Square. They are in stable condition.

No word yet on a motive, but police say the suspect is homeless and may undergo psychiatric evaluation:.

· More crime in the city. The four suspects in the Kevin Aviance attack are arraigned on charges of first-degree hate crime and gang assault. Four Long Island teens face similar charges after beating and attacking two Mexican immigrants . .

· Karl Rove can now concentrate on gay-bashing. After numeous grand jury appearances and admitting that he disclosed classified information, presidential advisor Karl Rove will not be indicted in the CIA leak case.

Is this reason to celebrate? "I don't think anyone is happy this morning besides the White House," Democratic National Committe chair Howard Dean said on Today. Netcast should be available at Today.

"If the Bush administration were concerned about the country, they would have fired Rove." The interview is a must-see: Campbell Brown was quite tenacious in her attack on the Democratic response to administarions' Iraqi "exit strategy." Funny, we didn't know the administration had an exit strategy.

Report: Hillary Clinton's fundraising has moved "beyond the vast donor network set up by her husband."

· Wisconsin: Overwhelming majority of United Church of Christ delegates are against a proposed state amendment that would define marriage,

· More right-wing apologists for Ann Coulter: David Horowitz was almost laughed off Larry King Live for suggesting Coulter's new book, Godless, was a philanthropic effort. "I don't think for a second that she wrote this book for money."

"You're Getting Testy with Me!"

If it hasn't been obvious by the irregular posting schedule, it's been a rather hectic week with work—yes, even we do this—and travel. One story that we meant to move was the introduction of Ann Coulter's new book, Godless: The Church of Liberalism. The essays rehash many of Coulter's traditional attacks against Democrats, liberals and progressive Christians—but this time, she and her supporters have stooped to an all-time low. Given current events and the upcoming elections, we will be sure to monitor these trends.

Here is a chronology including video links where available:

Tuesday: Coulter's third appearance in eight months on Today. Wearing a slinky black cocktail dress at 7am, Coulter viciously attacks widows of Sept 11:

"These broads are millionaires!" Matt Lauer reads passages from the book and the pundit is not pleased. "Look," she says. "You're getting testy with me!" Transcript and Video at Media Matters. Longer clip at You Tube.

· Kathy Griffin immediately follows. "Who fact checks? You can't just run Ann Coulter without a fact checker!" Honesty, we never were big on Griffin but that last statement has made us fans for life.

· NBC begins taking heat for Coulter's unfiltered appearance.

Wednesday: WWJD? Buy Ann Coulter's book. Wonkette uploads You Tube of Coulter's appearance on MSNBC's Hannity & Colmes and The Situation with Tucker Carlson. Coulter declared that "Jesus would say that we are called upon to do battle" on liberalism and endorse her book.

· Speaking of Jesus ...Did you know that Jews are Christians but Episcopalians are not? A new report slams the scholarship in Coulter's book. Open to page 3, where the right-wing ideologue describes Christians as "anyone who subscribes to the Bible of the God of Abraham, including Jews and others." On page 5, she notes the Episcopal Church is "barely even a church", undoubtedly news to its 2.3 million members in this country, including former Pres. George H.W. Bush.

It's about time. NBC News apologizes for the Today fiasco. Anchor Brian Williams said Coulter's comments about the 9-11 widows were "over the line—the line that is shared by just about everybody because some things, it turns out, are still sacred." Video at MSNBC.

· Sen. Hillary Clinton responds to the Coulter's "vicious, mean-spirited attack." Repubs such as Gov. Pataki and Rep. Peter King join the senator.

· Conservative pundits and GOP strategists defend Coulter. Bill O'Reilly on The O'Reilly Factor says that she has a "valid point ... No doubt some far left pundits have said far worse things than Ann Coulter will ever say, and the mainstream media often celebrates them." Fox News contributor Sandy Rios: "Ann's words are laser-focused on truth. She says things no one else dare say." Video at Media Matters.

Thursday. Coulter appears on CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight. Lou Dobbs suggested the cocktail dress-wearing pundit is the right-wing counterpart to filmmaker Michael Moore. Coulter responded, "I reject that. ... I think I am the right-wing [H.L.] Mencken, the right-wing Mark Twain. I am not the right-wing Michael Moore." Coulter also suggests that liberals deliberately use victims of tragedies—"human shields"—to promote their agenda.

· Not familiar with Mencken? Many of his writings displayed an excess of early 20th century elitism, racism and Social Darwinism, for example: "The educated Negro of today is a failure, not because he meets insuperable difficulties in life, but because he is a Negro. His brain is not fitted for the higher forms of mental effort; his ideals, no matter how laboriously he is trained and sheltered, remain those of a clown."

On MSNBC's Imus in the Morning, GOP strategist Mary Matalin—a former counselor to Vice President Cheney—defended Ann Coulter’s vicious attack. "I take her larger point," Matalin repeatedly said, refusing to condemn her because "I don't know her" and "I haven't read the book." Transcript at Think Progress, Video at Crooks & Liars.

· Raw Story finds that Coulter is "unknown" at the New York City church she claims to attend.

Sharon Stone stopped by Studio 1A to promote to Basic Instinct 2 and tease Matt Lauer. Let's admit it: Girlfriend looks like a million dollars. Actually, $14 million according to some reports and this time around, la Stone reportedly demanded more nude scenes. "She's 48 and the mother of two. She's trying to survive in Hollywood, and at her age, when you've got it—even if you paid a surgeon to supply it—you're contractually obligated to flaunt it." Work it out, girl.

Patrik-Ian Polk is in Cape Town for the Out in Africa film fest. An interviewer asked the director why did America need Noah's Arc. "The black, gay experience is similar to all other experiences: it's human, it has its daily work traumas—the same we all go through. But there hasn't been much exploration from a black, gay perspective."

Survey: A quarter of young gay men in Northern Ireland have attempted suicide which mirrors findings on this side of the pond.

Same-Sex Mariage Wrap. Maryland: Failed attempt to revive a constitutional amendment. Minnesota: Proposed amendment would curtail rights for straights and gays. Pennsylvania: Legislators consider strengthening an existing ban on same-sex marriages.

The scenario is reminiscent of Kafka or a Costa-Gavras thriller: The Greek army bureaucracy is preventing gays from obtaining driver's licenses. All men are required to serve but Greek law bans gays from the barracks. Here's the catch: In order to get a drivers license you need to produce your discharge papers. As Queerty sez, "Don't Tell or You Don't Drive."

"I'm Not the Kind of Guy ..."

Did you know that Vin Diesel suffers for his art?

In interviews on Today, Letterman, and, as the current hunk-of-the-month in Details, the hunky studlet explains that he was forced to gain weight for his current role in Sydney Lumet's Find Me Guilty. In case you didn't hear, the Today producers reminded you with a banner "Weighty Role: Vin Diesel Adds 35 Pounds" and numerous low camera. After the obligatory gushing over Vin's "chrome dome and bulging biceps," Ann Curry launched into serious artiste mode:

CURRY: Sydney Lumet ... this guy who is no slouch, who has directed 12 Angry Men, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon. About you, he said, "He's a superb actor, not many people know it but they will after seeing this movie."

Vin explained his morphing as a combination of method acting and the result of two hours of make up a day. Above all, he had to unpack that six-pack.

CURRY: What did you eat?

VIN: Umm, a quart of ice cream a day.

CURRY: What flavor?

VIN: I went with the standard vanilla ...

CURRY: Just vanilla ...

VIN: With hot fudge. You gotta have hot fudge. I'm not the type of guy to have vanilla without hot fudge!

Oh Ann, what a silly question. He's bi-racial, so of course he would combine the two.

Vin is also "not the kind of guy" who discusses his dating life. On last night's Letterman, the chatty actor was almost speechless after the talk show host asked about dating. He slipped into third person pronouns and we all know what that means ....

LETTERMAN: You're not married, are you?

VIN: No.

LETTERMAN: You're not engaged?

VIN: No.

LETTERMAN: You probably have a lot of girls you kind of date and stuff, right?

VIN: Now David, c'mon. I'm not the kind of guy who says that, "Oh my God, I'm sooo in love!" ... I'm a regular meat and potatoes kind of guy. I just you know, go to dinner, do something simple, get to know the person, introduce them to my mom.

Contrary to popular rumors, Vin has had a girlfriend. At least once.

VIN: I was 16 years old, it was my first Valentine's date, I went to Times Square, waited online for about four hours and got these tickets to see Dreamgirls ...

LETTERMAN: Oh sure.

VIN: So I put on a very nice suit and went to her house to pick her up, because, you know, we had this romantic date to go see Dreamgirls.

You know how the story ends. The "girl" stood him up and Vin later saw her driving around the neighborhood with a local hoodrat. Memo to Vin: Inviting a teenage girl to a Broadway musical loosely based on the life of Diana Ross is not the best way get some.

The incident must have scarred the boy for life because, well, you know what everyone has thought for the past decade. The latest Details essays the actor's "signature coyness about his private life, which has led to all kinds of is-he-or-isn’t-he speculation on the part of his fans. ...  A female radio-talk-show caller in New York even confronted him about his sexuality, asking point-blank if Vin played for the other team."

“I was like, ‘How could you say that? Why would you say that?’” says Diesel, the smooth space between his brown eyes wrinkling up in a neat W. “I’m not gonna put it out there on a magazine cover like some other actors. I come from the Harrison Ford, Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino code of silence. I’m not gonna do that.”

For that reason, Diesel prefers dating in Europe, where he’s not as easily recognized. He thinks celebrity-on-celebrity hookups are crazy. People going through your trash, taking your photo at Starbucks, mashing up your last names into a Bennifer-style punch line. “It’s a sucker’s bet,” he says.

Some actors like David Hasselhoff are big singers in Europe. Others are big ... daters.

Vin-dic-tive (Details)

Vin Diesel: "How Could You Say That?" (Towleroad)

Previously:

• Vin's Bulge (Rod 2.0)
• The Pacifier (Rod 2.0)