BADMCU: Thursday Watercooler: Hernandez needs to be hired by a gay rights organization

Palin loves her whine. I’m no fan of Sarah Palin, but I have to wonder who gives her political advice. Here are a few rules she needs to start following: 1) never, EVER, use the phrase blood libel unless you are talking about the Middle Ages, Jews, and anti-Semitism, 2) it’s bad form to make yourself into a victim when talking about the murder of six, including a child, and the shooting of a representative, and 3) timing is everything. You have lots of skills former Gov. Palin (yes I’m being catty), but talking ain’t one of them. You gave your speech on the same day of President Obama? Really? Have you heard of him? Thin fellow with big ears? Known to have a thing for words on occasion? The comparisons are going to start between your videotape and his Tuscon speech. Sure those who drink their Tea Party brew straight, with no chaser, love everything you utter; however you might want to pay attention to folk who want to see your appeal broaden beyond the base. Just a suggestion from a “lame stream” media hack.

Obama’s speech in Arizona. Sure the clapping was uncomfortable at times, but even those who can’t stand the president as a politician noted he did what he had to do. Spoke to the country, even to those who can’t stand him, and tried to bridge our multiple differences. Here is Rich Lowry over at the National Review. “He subtly rebuked the Left’s finger-pointing, and rose above the rancor of both sides, exactly as a president should.”

Man of the year. Daniel Hernandez is an incredible young man. This would be true if he were a straight frat boy, who loved Duke basketball. OK. I’m lying about the basketball stuff. He just started working as an intern for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, and administered first aid to her wounds. He’s received well deserved praise, but at last night’s memorial ceremony deflected the spotlight off him and put it on others. A gay rights organization should give him a gig, with a corner office. Like now.

Thinking about Australia. Anyone paying attention the floods in Australia? Towns deluged with water. Residents running away with nothing but the clothes on their back. “The problem we have is that the people have been washed out of their homes, and some of the homes are actually destroyed, like bombs have gone off there,” Ian Stewart, Queensland’s deputy police commissioner, told Australian television Thursday. “It’s a war scene in the Lockyer Valley today.” Here is the website for the Australian Red Cross.

New Hampshire will deal only with economic issues. Republicans legislators in the Granite State have decided the economy, as opposed to social issues, will be on their agenda. So no same sex marriage repeal will be considered. Maggie Gallagher will not be pleased.

One year ago. Haiti, a habitually poor country, stumbles to recovery a year after the earthquake. There are signs of hope, but it would be naive to say the country is back on its feet. More than a million people still live under tents, and there is a lawlessness that is frightening. Doctors Without Borders is there doing good work. Give what you can.
365Gay book club in 2011. You all know we are doing the book club again? Just Kids is our first read and here are the dates: February 8: Forward-51. February 15: 51-88. February 22: 93-129. March 1: 129-162. March 8: 162-195. March 15: 195-232. March 22: 232-256. March 29: 256-end.