It’s a case of mixed messages with the Obama administration this week. Even as the Pentagon has announced that it will “obey the law” and stop enforcing the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, administration officials are requesting a delay in the repeal’s implementation while supporting the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act at the same time.
On Tuesday, District Judge Virginia A. Phillips ordered the Pentagon to comply with her September ruling—to cease and desist DADT because it violates the First Amendment rights of gay and lesbian service members. The Pentagon acquiesced, and will no longer pursue investigations and discharges of soldiers in violation of DADT.
The Obama administration has been pushing for Congress to repeal the ban, hence its request that the Pentagon wait on dismissing DADT immediately. But the repeal came up 60 votes short in the House, closing off debate. Administration spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler said in a statement, “The Justice Department is defending the statute, as it traditionally does when acts of Congress are challenged. The President believes and has repeatedly affirmed that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is a bad policy that harms our national security and undermines our military effectiveness … The President and his Administration are working with the military leadership and Congress to repeal this law.”
In regard to the Defense of Marriage Act—the thing that keeps gays and lesbians from their equal marital rights—Tracy Schmaler also said, “As a policy matter, the President has made clear that he believes DOMA is discriminatory and should be repealed. The Justice Department is defending the statute, as it traditionally does when acts of Congress are challenged.” Is this taking one step forward for every two steps back, or is it just running in circles?
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Over in the “new research suggests” corner, scientists at Albright College, Pennsylvania, have discovered quantifiable evidence that women like to snuggle after sex—but men just get the munchies.
Psychologist Dr. Susan Hughes collected self-reported survey data and published her findings in the Journal of Sex Research, and the data suggests that women put more emphasis on afterglow intimacy and cuddling than men. Men would rather have a snack or a drink, unless they want a replay of the consensual canoodling. Both sexes agreed on the importance of saying “I love you” in a relationship, so that’s nice.
Smaller sex research projects are perhaps feeling overshadowed by the leviathan “Biggest Sex Survey Ever (at least since 1994).” That giant survey is still being covered by news outlets, probably because it professes much more interesting things, like everybody loves anal.
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The online dating site Zoosk has hosted a poll asking singles who they think are the sexiest politicians today—and, whaddya know? Sarah Palin tops the list.
Also topping the list is San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, beating out President Obama as the “most datable” elected official by a whole 9 percent. Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown placed third, maybe thanks to his past Playgirl experience, and California Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger scooted in to fourth place.
Back in the women’s rankings, Palin was ahead of Tea Party Candidate Christine O’Donnell, who is not a witch, followed up by New Jersey Sen. Teresa Ruiz. And, although most of the people polled by Zoosk were Democrats, 87 percent said they would date outside their political affiliation. Now that’s bipartisanship.
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The guy who ran naked in front of President Obama has reached an agreement to streak again, in front of another undisclosed head of state, even though he didn't get $1 million for his first effort.
British billionaire Alki David, who issued the online dare, said Rodriguez' s stunt fell short of the website challenge.
"I spoke with Mr. Rodriguez directly," the New York Post quoted David as saying in a statement.
"Mr. Rodriguez agreed that he was not able to complete all the criteria of the challenge. But he came so very close, and his personal story about why he decided to take such a risk for his family, moved me to provide him with a generous consolation prize," he said.
David had said he would not pay the one million dollar prize unless the White House confirmed that Obama actually saw Rodriguez in all his glory.