Will an active professional American male athlete ever come out of the closet?

Q: What do the NBA, Major League Baseball, PGA Tour, NFL, Major League Soccer and NHL have in common?

A: Spacious closets.

Yes, friends, the six biggest male professional sports leagues in America share one major thing - not a single one its athletes is openly gay. Not one.

Which makes English cricketer Steven Davies admission that he is a gay male all the more brave. From Towleroad:

In a frank and moving interview with Monday’s Daily Telegraph, Davies, who started his professional cricketing career with Worcestershire when he was 18, said he could no longer bear to lie about his sexuality. Davies, who told his family he was gay five years ago and has enjoyed their complete support, said it was a huge relief to finally come clean and be honest with the wider public.

And he said he hoped his decision would help other young gay people to have the confidence to follow in his footsteps. He explained: “This is the right time for me…I feel it is right to be out in the open about my sexuality. .”

There are Gay males in the major American sports leagues. Any arguments that athletes can’t be gay are not just illogical, but outright stupid.

There are approximately 4,000 men actively participating in the six major U.S. sports leagues. There are Gay males amongst those 4,000. To think otherwise is both old-fashioned and out-of-touch thinking. Yet not a single one of them has come out of the closet.

Take it a step further - no active athlete in the history of these sports has EVER admitted to being a gay male.

This is by no means to insinuate that it is the fault of Gay Male Athletes in these sports that none have ever come out of the closet. It is a cultural issue, and a decision that will most definitely cause a loss of income and a plethora of hateful comments and actions. Even in 2011, it is strictly taboo for a professional male athlete – especially in a team sport – to come out as Gay.

And a post such of this would be woefully misinforming if it didn’t mention the athletes that have come out as LGBT while either active or following their careers. They are to be respected and applauded.

One day, an active male athlete in one of these sports will come out of the closet about his sexuality. It will be a brave and selfless decision. It is time for this taboo to end. And to paraphrase Mr. Davies, it will be a good thing.

-WKW

New law will make it legal to murder politicians that threaten to kill middle-class

SAN FRANCISCO - A recently passed law here would expand the definition of “justifiable homicide” to include killings that are intended to prevent harm to the Middle Class — a move that will make it legal for Americans to murder politicians who put the lives of the majority of Americans at risk.

The law alters the city’s legal definition of justifiable homicide by adding language stating that a homicide is permissible if committed by a person “while resisting an attempt to harm” America’s Middle Class via tax-cuts for the rich, attacks on Unions or attacks on the rights of women.

The law allows anyone to kill any politician who attempts to screw over the U.S. middle class and poor.

A parade of right-wing groups—the Family Heritage Alliance, Concerned Women for America, the South Dakota branch of Phyllis Schlafly’s Eagle Forum, and a political action committee called Family Matters in South Dakota—all testified in favor of the law, after earlier this month making it clear that they considered murder subjective.

“We just want to streamline the law, is all,” said a supporter of the bill. “Americans have the Constitutional right to protect the lives of other Americans. It’s not like we’re advocating murder or anything.”

-WKW

Kazaky - the greatest thing you’ll see all weekend

This is awesome on more levels than actually exist. Let me present Ukranian sensations, Kazaky:

HT Michael

-WKW

The music keeps playing for Mike Finnigan

Aside from being a founding father of the modern blogging culture (he lent John Amato money to get Crooks & Liars started), Mike Finnigan has decided it’s time to hang up his blogging pen and enjoy his travels as one of the world’s most well-respected musicians.

Today, Finnegan announced he will leaving his long-time spot at Crooks & Liars, as well as his “Mike’s Blog Round Up: his daily blog post shining a light on smaller bloggers. The name and spirit of the daily post will remain, however. Here’s what Finnegan had to say at Crooks & Liars:

I began the blog roundup shortly after John Amato started Crooks and Liars. It has been a real blessing to be a contributor to a site that evolved into an important progressive voice in American politics.The bloggers I got to know and the readers who took time to express their appreciation, or who sent tips, have enriched my life. Now my work and travel outside the U.S. has made it nearly impossible to be a reliable part of C&L so I wanted to say goodbye to all of you and tell you how much I will miss you and this wonderful place.

I’ve had the good fortune to get to know Mike and have been linked by him several times. It’s always an honor and an ego-boost to see the reader numbers swell. More that that, Mike has been an online friend and someone who is always quick to give a word of encouragement, support or honest advice. He is a great ally.

Also, if you’re a conversationalist, a dream conversation should be with Finnigan. The man can riff - in depth - on virtually any topic, and usually have several personal anecdotes at the tip of his tongue.

Here’s a feature I wrote on Mike, his music career, hius trials and tribulations and long-time sobriety, as well as his beginning days as a blogger. I spoke with Mike’s wife, Candy Finnigan - an interventionist on the hit A&E show “Intervention” - in a story you can read here.

-WKW

Reggie Bush catches fire on Twitter

Here we have a short tale on Twitter of how professional NFL Player Reggie Bush handles a fire at his neighbor’s house.

Reggie Bush - @reggie_bush

Damn my neighbors house is on fire!!!!! Whoa!!

about 1 hour ago 

Brand new house he couldn’t have been living in it more than a month! This is crazy!!!!

about 1 hour ago 

I’ll tweet pics tomorrow too dark to tweet now

32 minutes ago

My response?

Wolfrum - @Wolfrum

Walter Payton would have put out the fire in the time it took you to Tweet RT @reggie_bush Damn my neighbors house is on fire!!!!! Whoa!!!

30 minutes ago

Also, I’d like to suggest a hashtag game - #ThingsReggieBushTweets

For instance:

Hey, a little girl is bleeding. Let me go update my Facebook status. #ThingsReggieBushTweets

half a minute ago

—WKW

“Crazy Eddie” Fraudster Sam Antar to return to crime - thanks to Darrell Issa & Anti-Regulation Republicans

Sam Antar, one of the architects of the “Crazy Eddie” fraud of the 1980s, has examined the current state of politics and has made an important decision - He’s going back to crime.

After the SEC took down the Crazy Eddie’s scam, Antar has spent his time working as a whistleblower. But with the likes of Darrell Issa and Michele Bachman representing the Republican Party,  Antar has decided to give up the clean life and make his glorious comeback to a life of crime.

In an exclusive interview, Antar - who has previously called White-collar crime more devastating than many other crimes due to the number of people it can hurt - said that the time was perfect for a White-Collar criminal like him to get back into the game.

“Now, crime is easy and much more profitable. We have Republicans like Bachmann and Issa who are making the world safer for criminals,”said Antar, who famously devised the “Panama Pump” embezzlement scheme. “Bachmann wants to repeal Dodd-Frank, so I won’t have to worry about whistleblowers turning me in for a reward. And Issa wants to gut the SEC, so I won’t have to contend with them investigating me for securities fraud.”

Antar added that the system was heavily tilted for criminals like him before, but with the help of the current crop of Conservatives, the pickings should be easier than ever.

“The Big Four accounting firms (Deloitte, KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Ernst & Young) still can’t catch crooks like me,” said Antar, who helped embezzle more than $80 million at Crazy Eddie. “Audit committees are padded with cronies. The SEC can’t even keep a straight set of books. Even the US Supreme Court has narrowed the definition of fair services fraud.”

While some may be confused or even outraged about Antar’s public decision to return to crime, accountant Caleb Newquist, editor of the blog Going Concern, said it makes perfect sense.

“Sam Antar’s return to a life of white-collar crime couldn’t be more perfectly timed.  The SEC was already overworked, understaffed and many of the employees already spent much of their time watching porn at their desks,”said Newquist.  “If the Congress successfully slashes their budget, the Commission will have to make some tough choices about protecting investors or allowing employees to satisfy their primal urges.  

“With a weakened SEC, his previous success as the CFO of Crazy Eddie and the perpetual ineptitude of audit industry, Sam will have no trouble reaping an ill-gotten fortune at the expense of the American People,” added Newquist.

Antar said he has no worries about being caught as he was in the 1980s, thanks to a “pro-business” Republican culture and corporate-owned politicians like Issa that makes crimes like fraud and embezzlement easier than ever.

“It took the combined efforts of the SEC, FBI, IRS, US Postal Inspector’s Office, and an army of class-action lawyers to take me down in the 1980s,” said Antar. “It wasn’t are fair fight back then. I could have beat them two at a time. Today, I can take them on all together.

“So I am back to being a criminal. I couldn’t be happier. And let me personally thank Darrell Issa and the anti-regulation Republicans,” added Antar. “This time around, I’m going to make $80 million look like chump change.”

-WKW

William K. Wolfrum resigns after pathetic Craigslist encounter

Noted blogger and journalist William K. Wolfrum resigned today after the Web Site Gawker ran incriminating and racy photos and text that he had sent to an unidentified woman on Craigslist.

“It has been a tremendous honor to serve the people of the world as a blogger. I regret the harm that my actions have caused my family, my staff and my readers. I deeply and sincerely apologize to them all. Seriously, I’m really, really sorry. Just terribly sorry. Wow. Let me reiterate my sorriness,” wrote Wolfrum on his Web site.

On the morning of Friday, January 14, a single 34-year-old woman put an ad in the “Women for Bloggers” section of Craigslist personals. “Will someone prove to me not all Bloggers look like Andrew Breitbart?” she asked, inviting “broke & Cheeto-stained” men to reply.

Within minutes, Wolfrum replied, with a racy, shirtless photo:

To: [redacted]@yahoo.com
From: William K. Wolfrum
Subject: Will Someone Prove To Me Not All CL Men Look Like Toads - 34 (DMV)

Hi,

Hope I’m not a Breitbart. i’m a very fit fun classy guy. Live in Brazil. 6ft 190lbs blond/blue. 39.. Blogger. I promise not to disappoint. Also, I’m a cowboy.

 

Wolfrum’s Craigslist correspondent — a government employee from Maryland who asked not to be identified—liked what she saw. She replied flirtatiously. The correspondence continued with Wolfrum sending more photos.

To: William K. Wolfrum
From: [redacted]@yahoo.com

Wow. What a great photo.

To: [redacted]@yahoo.com
From: William K. Wolfrum

Thanks! I’m also a Blackbelt in Karate!

To: William K. Wolfrum
From: [redacted]@yahoo.com
 

Umm, great!

 

 

To: [redacted]@yahoo.com
From: William K. Wolfrum

And I look great in lederhosen!

To: William K. Wolfrum
From: [redacted]@yahoo.com

Err, yeah. Ok. Let me get back to you.

The woman says she cut off contact when she searched for Wolfrum online and concluded he’d lied about his age, occupation, Karate ability and how he looks in lederhosen. Then she forwarded everything immediately to Gawker.

It was not clear what Wolfrum was actually resigning from, however Wolfrum insisted that the resignation takes effect immediately.

-WKW

I broke my wife’s Kindle

It wasn’t pretty. Not at all.

Update: Thus far, Customer Support at Amazon has been extremely helpful. The warranty had expired, but a replacement was offered for $89. Will update once new one is in hand.

Update: The replacement Kindle arrived on Friday, Feb. 18. Total cost to me: $40.

Bravo Amazon.

-WKW

Reducing the President - Chuck Todd mistakenly gets honest

NBC Reporter Chuck Todd on Twitter just now:

“Gibbs says House GOP leaders and POTUS agreed to cut spending and reduce the president. #soundseasy doesn’t it. #detailsdetails”

He caught his error moments after.

Bad typo in last tweet. Gibbs said House GOPers and POTUS agreed to cut spending and reduce deficit. #soundseasybut

The truth was refreshing while it lasted.

-WKW

The U.S. Constitution in Easy-to-Tweet form for Conservatives

Something, something … the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed … something, something.

-WKW

Darrell Issa gives anti-regulation corporations a chance to line his wallet

Car-thieving, Gray Davis-recalling, anti-F-word Congressman Darrell Issa has released the letters from concerned businesses (Ok, mostly lobbyists) about regulations they feel should be wiped from the books. Shockingly, it seems businesses don’t like regulations.

A searchable version of these letters can be found at the bottom of this post, via Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

The Big Lie in Issa’s outreach to his corporate overlords is that - while he claims it’s a chance for these corporations and organizations to have a chance to be heard - the very same corporations already had their chance to fight against the regulations. That’s how regulations work in the U.S. - opposing viewpoints are always heard. From Timothy Noah in Slate:

A committee press release congratulates Issa for bringing “the voice of job creators nationwide directly to Washington,” but Washington is no stranger to the needs and desires of business. Regulations typically are issued in a three-step process. First comes the “proposed rule,” which is published in the Federal Register. Then the public is invited to comment on the proposal and how it should be changed. What’s that you say? You’ve never offered your opinion about a proposed regulation to a federal agency? That’s because “the public” is in this instance a euphemism for business interests, which provide the overwhelming majority of comments on proposed regulations. The federal agency in question reviews various criticisms from business (along with an occasional comment sent in from a nonprofit representing the health, safety, or economic concerns of the broader public) and makes whatever adjustments it deems necessary. The White House meanwhile looks over the agency’s shoulder and offers, through its Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs—currently administered by Cass “Nudge” Sunstein—its own opinion about how the rule should be written. Then the agency issues a final rule. If the government issues a regulation that business doesn’t like, it isn’t because the government failed to consider how it would affect business. It’s because it weighed the arguments from business and found them wanting. (A more detailed explanation of how a rule is enacted is available here PDF.)

Business dominates the regulatory process so thoroughly—even in Democratic administrations—that it’s hard to escape the suspicion that Issa’s real purpose in soliciting business opinion was to elicit contributions to his campaign committee or to his two leadership political action committees.

Or, as the Washington Post simplifies even more:

In many cases, businesses are seizing the opportunity to reopen regulatory debates that they previously lost.

Issa’s dog-and-pony show will lead to a grand effort by Republicans to kill the EPA, gut the SEC and rid the nation of pesky regulations that keep many large corporations from flat-out murdering U.S. citizens. And that doesn’t even get into Issa’s interest in curtailing the use of the Freedom of Information Act.

Issa is purely a corporate tool. He has no interest in creating a single job for any American, or giving any American a “voice.” His interest is to keep corporate money flowing into his coffers. It’s a far better scam than stealing cars, after all. You don’t become the richest person in Congress (with $300 million) by having things like ethics or an interest in the word of the law.

Of course, that doesn’t mean he’s not without his fans. Like “Crazy Eddie’s” fraudster Sam Antar, for instance:

To Congressman Issa: I wish you were around in the 1980s. I’d still be the criminal CFO of Crazy Eddie today. We need more people like you

-WKW

Centrism: The Truth Rundown

David Broder stared out his office window. His calmness had an eerie quality to it, a feel that there was anger just underneath. This was a man obviously smarting from the closing of the Centrist Democratic Leadership Council, and it showed. Still staring out the window, he finally spoke.

“The DLC was never truly Centrist,” said Broder, choosing his words carefully. “They are bitter apostates.”

While Broder has been called “relentlessly Centrist” by The New Yorker’s political commentator Hendrik Hertzberg, nefarious stories of Broder and Centrism have long permeated the shadowy world of the Internet and alternative media.

These stories have challenged the genteel, Bi-Partisan image Broder has become famous for these many years as a Washington Post columnist. The stories always come to the same conclusion – that Broder and his Religion of Centrism are but a false-front for the Republican Party. It is a charge Broder vehemently denies.

“These guys are attacking — they’re not just attacking me, they’re attacking my whole Religion,” said a clearly peeved Broder. “This interview is over.”

The Dawn of Centrism

Broder - who created the Religion of Centrism in 1965 - has some reason to be angry. The closing of the DLC and the loss of Celebrity Centrist Jane Harman were considerable losses. But, the fact remains that Centrism is experiencing an expansion the likes of which it has not seen since the Clinton Administration.

Under the guidance of renowned Centrist Barack Obama - the President of the United States - Centrism has gained traction lately, with everyone from John McCain to Arianna Huffington coming out as Centrists.

“It’s just unbelievable what’s happened in the world of Centrism,” said Celebrity Centrist Harold Ford, Jr. “It’s a renaissance. It’s a revitalization. It’s everything we always dreamed of. … It’s pinch-yourself material.”

A Crisis of Non-Faith

The year was 2004 and Centrism was in trouble. Big trouble. The Presidency of George W. Bush had created a monolithic partisan divide that even Broder could not dispel with repeated columns praising the Centrist way of life. Things got much worse for Centrists later that year, when secret Centrist documents were leaked to the Los Angeles Times.

“A major cause of mankind’s problems began 75 million years ago,” the Times wrote, when the planet Earth, then called Teabaggia, was part of a confederation of ninety planets under the leadership of a despotic ruler named Reagan.

“Then, as now, the materials state, the chief problem was Partisanship.” Reagan decided “to take radical measures.” The documents explained that surplus Partisans were transported to volcanoes on Earth. “The documents state that H-bombs far more powerful than any in existence today were dropped on these volcanoes, destroying the people but freeing their spirits — called Thinkans — which attached themselves to one another in clusters.” Those spirits were “trapped in a compound of frozen alcohol and glycol,” then “implanted” with “the seed of aberrant behavior.” The Times account concluded, “When people die, these clusters attach to other humans and keep perpetuating themselves.”

According to Broder, only Centrism could free people from Thinkans. “The path to true freedom and enlightenment resides in the soft, squishy middle,” the document stated.

While Bush and the released document were an embarrassment to Centrism, Broder had smartly enlisted a cadre of celebrities to push his cause. Actors including Ben Affleck, Garth Brooks, Dakota Fanning, Morgan Freeman, Eva Mendes, Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Piven and Reese Witherspoon unleashed an organization called “Divided We Fail,” which pled for Americans to drop their political views and come together as one.

With that video, and the election of Obama, the tide quickly turned. Today, with Obama speaking of Centrism at every stop, Centrism has regained it’s position of prominence.

The Apostates Strike Back

Still, not all is well with Centrism. Many former Centrists have come forward, but most have done so anonymously, fearful of retaliation from Broder.

“I followed Centrism for 35 years,” said writer Paul Haggis. “But one day I researched it and realized something - all being Centrist means is that Democrats stop being liberal and become more conservative.

“Really, when do you see Republicans act “Centrist” in any way?” asked Haggis. “The answer is they don’t. Only Liberals are expected to be Centrist in deed by acting more Conservative. Conservatives can say they are Centrist, but they just keep moving further to the Right.”

The Centrist Rules

For his part, Broder has denied allegations of angry retaliation against former Centrists. Ford has leaped to the defense of his Leader.

“What they want to do is extort money from the Church of Centrism,” Ford told me. “And right now you are their extortion vehicle. … you’re just their lackeys. They’re using you.”

An e-mail received from Broder went further, as he declared former Centrists to be “bitter apostates desperately clinging to their own ideologies.”

“They make up stories.” wrote Broder, noting, “The apostate is generally in need of self-justification. He seeks to reconstruct his own past to excuse his former affiliations and to blame those who were formerly his closest associates.”

Broder added that many apostates had gone back to being Centrists after the nation’s media had sent them to the Rehabilitation Project Force camps.

Defectors describe them as punitive reeducation camps. One defector says he was confined to R.P.F. for six years and says the properties were heavily guarded and that anyone who tried to flee would be tracked down and subjected to further punishment.

Ford scoffs at the claims.

“These are just the bitter ramblings of adulteresses and madmen,” said Ford, who will be moving soon to California in order to run for Harman’s seat in Congress. “Broder’s words - properly followed - give one a peace of mind. All the Camps are for is to gently remind apostates of the truth of Centrism.”

The Cult of Centrism

All the controversy aside, Centrism’s strength in the national media narrative is not to be denied. Blue Dog Democrats still litter Congress, and Obama’s pleas on behalf of Centrism continue daily. Weekend political talk shows extol the virtues of Bi-Partisanship. For Broder and his minions, Centrism is stronger than ever.

But to many, the veil of Centrism has been lifted. More and more evidence comes out that proves Centrism is but a ploy, or even a cult. It is not a movement or an ideology, but a diversion. In the end, one central question needs to be asked of Centrism:

Where in the Hell are the Centrist Republicans, anyway?

-WKW

Blogroll Amnesty Day is Un-American

Each year around this time, I’m contacted by a small cadre of political bloggers looking to push something they call “Blogroll Amnesty Day.” The idea behind this day is for big, important, A-List, nationally recognized bloggers like myself to give out links to small, unimportant, D-List, not-recognized-in-ther-own-home bloggers. Beginning this year, B.A.D. (as the cool kids call it) is dedicated to the memory of B.A.D. Co-founder Al Weisel, a gifted writer and satirist who blogged under the name of Jon Swift.

Now, in theory, B.A.D. is a nice little socialist plan dedicated to encourage everyone to read Marx and wear drab clothing. Essentially, I am supposed to mention such bloggers as the angrily communistic Litbrit, or the anarchistic Fabulously Jinxed, or the angrier communisticier anarchisticier The Hunting of the Snark.

I have twice taken part in B.A.D., mostly out of pity for co-creator skippy the bush kangaroo, who has long suffered from the nightmare of ShiftandCapsLockaphobia. This year, however, I have decided I will not be involved. You see, B.A.D. is un-American. And I will not be a part of it.

My friends, since the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the ownership in the U.S. media has dwindled to the point that a mere handful of major corporations now own roughly everything media related.

This, my friends, is the New American Way. Limited media ownership is what America is about. Freedom of Speech still reigns, but in a corporate-owned nation, that speech has now been bought and paid for by the select few. Independent small blogs and bloggers - such as Odd time Signatures, Freak Out Nation and Gay Persons of Color  - are acting in a purely anti-American way when they try to add their voices to the limited media narrative.

Many Americans have a somewhat utopian view of the United States as a land of freedom, liberty, heroism, hot dogs, Black Eyed Peas, etc. But I live in the reality-based world. And in that reality, political opinion is the sole responsibility of the select few. It is not for blogs like Liberal Values, LT Saloon or Ramona’s Voices to thrust themselves into the political conversation. In a capitalistic society, money talks, and poor bloggers like David Seaton, Doctor Cleveland and Random Babble who don’t have two pennies to rub together have no business giving their two cents.

So no, I will not be partcipating in Blogroll Amnesty Day and help give smaller bloggers like Ezkool, Lance Mannion and The LeftNeck Chick a voice. That would just be Un-American.

-WKW

 

 

GOP cancels Black History Month party, slices $372.68 off budget

WASHINGTON - After making campaign promises that they’d cut as much as $150 billion from the U.S. budget, Congressional Republicans could only come up with $32 billion in savings for the remainder of fiscal 2011, a move likely to anger their Tea Party base. However, deficit-hawk Paul Ryan, the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, insisted their work is not yet done.

“We’re just getting started,” Tweeted Ryan.

Ryan is set to announce that Congressional Republicans will shave another $378.68 from the 2011 budget by eliminating the GOP’s annual “Black History Month” party.

“Do we even have any Black people in the GOP,” Facebook’d Ryan. “Seriously, who in the hell is this party for, anyway?”

Republicans currently have two African-Americans representing them in House of Representatives - Tim Scott of South Carolina and Allen West of Florida. There are no Black Republican Senators, and the GOP has just had one African-American Senator in the past 130 years.

Ryan said that it was time for Republicans to act more responsibly.

“Let’s face it - we’re never going to have more than two Black guys in Congress at any given moment,” Ryan wrote on his MySpace page. “It’s time we stop this reckless spending on things that just don’t represent our views.”

In lieu of a Black History Month party, Ryan wrote on Google Buzz that “We’ll take Tim and Allen out for a beer and let them about Black stuff. LOL”

-WKW

GOP to introduce “Nose-Cutting-Off” bill

WASHINGTON - Having returned to prominence with a campaign dedicated to promoting job creation and cutting spending, Congressional Republicans have made repealing Health Care Reform and redefining the word “rape” their two most pressing issues since taking control of the House.

But Republicans are now focusing on more pressing issues, and are preparing to introduce the “Proboscis Removal for America” bill, which will require all Americans to immediately cut off their noses to show that they refuse to accept any type of assistance from the U.S. government.

“Barack Obama and his cohorts are un-American and believe Americans need such things as Social Security, Medicare, health care and Unemployment to survive,” said Speaker of the House John Boehner, gently sobbing. “If all Americans cut off their noses, that’ll show that Obama. It’ll really show him, alright.”

The bill does not call for members of the U.S. Congress to cut off their noses.

“We in Congress need our noses, just like we need our own government-run health care,” said Boehner. “The rest of you can do without. For America.”

Boehner rejected claims that the nose-cutting-off bill was strictly crafted to score political points.

“This is an important bill that will help America move forward and create jobs,” said Boehner, holding a 9-iron. “But seeing nose-less Americans everywhere will really show that smug Obama a thing or two, let me tell you.”

-WKW

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