X Marks The Spot

I'm sure that everybody reading this, no matter where they live, has been watching the UK version of The X Factor, right?  Or maybe not. Earlier this evening (or last night, for those of you in more easterly time zones)  The UK X Factor announced its top twelve contestants, including boy bands Union J and GMD3. I would say that both groups are somewhat talented. 

Now, here's where the X Factor conspiracy theorists are going to go crazy.  Union J started out as a trio known as Triple J, but were dumped at Boot Camp.  Another band that did get through Boot Camp never made it to Judge's Houses because of "visa issues."  Hmmmm. They were replaced by two boy bands: Times Red, who were subsequently dismissed, primarily because they were too old for this kind of thing, and Union J, who suddenly became a quartet with the addition of George Shelly, who initially auditioned as a solo act.

And the thing about George (or rather, Jorge, as he calls himself now, in order for his name to begin with a "J") is that even though he's only a quarter of Union J's membership, his addition to the ranks has quadrupled the group's sex appeal.  He's  divooooon.  See his truncated initial audition below.

Styles That Might Not Catch On: SVU

I've had my eye on today's unfortunate fashion victim, model Matt Ardell, for a while now, so when I picked up the latest issue of 10 Men I was happy to see him starring in one of their editorials. As it happens, he is attired in some of the best examples of "not gonna happen" that I've come across lately. Kilts, skirts, crinoline petticoats, lacy collars and stockings, and the return of the Michael Jackson glove; all very lovely, but, aside from a few scene queens, nobody is going to dress like that. Or, let me put it another way: nobody who can afford those clothes is going to want to dress like that.  Sorry. I like the boots.

By that way, in case you were wondering what skinny Matt looks like in more conventional (and fewer) clothes, here he is..

Perfect Moments At The Movies #5

Funny Girl is two thirds of a good movie, maybe even three quarters, but the last half hour or so is really quite dreary. Then, WHAMMO, maybe the best finale to any musical ever, Barbara Streisand, standing in one spot, sings My Man.  Here's your Oscar, Babs.

Over And Unger

A few days ago, Billy Unger, 16-year-old star of  Disney XD's  Lab Rats, treated his followers on Twitter and Instagram to this photo.  He's not posing, he insists,  but simply applying sunscreen to the back of his neck.  Whatever you say, Billy.  And I mean that. Whatever you say.

When The River Runs Dry

What do you do when one of your future ex-husbands, someone you adored as much as you can without benefit of actually meeting him,  does something so spectacularly disappointing that you will never be able to look at him in the same way again? Hypothetically speaking, of course. Do you throw yourself on your bed and cry?  Write bad poetry? Plot sweet revenge?  In my case, I simply go in search of a suitable replacement. 

 Truth be told, I didn't set out to do a post about young Tom Norkett here.  I had someone else in mind, but Tom's photos seemed to pop up everywhere I looked.  I was beginning to think, in the words of George McFly, that he was "my density." 

Will Tom truly take a place in my pantheon?  Too early to say, but he has a lot going for him. He's already been photographed by some of my favorite photographers, including Cecilie Harris,  a woman of superb taste, and great skill,  who seems to really dig him. I'll just say, as handsome as he is,  it's that sexy little gap between his front teeth that really gets to me.  Hot, hot, hot.

YouTube Wet Dream

Tyler Oakley and Jack and Finn Harries doing a video together?  Are you freakin' kidding me? Wait, wait... Tyler Oakley and The Harries Twins doing two videos together?  Is this real life?

And, just because I know you want to see it, here's Jack and Finn's naked bungee jumping video.  Use it wisely.

Republican Values

Disdain for Workers - the modern Republican Party
 just doesn’t have much respect for people who work for 
other people, no matter how faithfully and well they
 do their  jobs. All the party’s affection
 is reserved for “job creators,” 
aka employers and investors.  -- Paul Krugman

...

In pushing for draconian cuts in Medicaid, 
food stamps and other programs that aid the needy, 
Mr. Ryan isn’t just looking for ways to save money. 
He’s also, quite explicitly, trying to make life 
harder for the poor — for their own good.
... Paul Krugman

Source: gocomics.com via Candace on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Gayle on Pinterest

I'll Have To Settle For Living While I'm Old

One Direction released their new video, Live While We're Young, today, weeks ahead of schedule, supposedly because it had already been leaked online.1D does not do innovative videos, and this is no exception. It mostly consists of the boys jumping around and being cheeky. What stands out here is the super-catchy tune, Louis' shapely legs, Zayn's reverse Cruella de Vil blonde streak, lots of shirtless Niall, and Harry's thin white tee shirt, wet and transparent. Sorry for the lack of love, Liam, but you gotta get a gimmick if you want to get ahead. Also, the boys seem to be living in giant, carefully interior decorated tents, which makes perfect sense. Final verdict:  I kind of unabashedly, unironically love it.

The Trickle-Down Theory and the Poor

Great Photograph by Dorothea Lange "Migrant Mother" 1936

Source: imgfave.com via mary on Pinterest

Update: 10/1/12

Paul Ryan Cracks Under Pressure and Admits
Romney's Tax Plan is Trickle Down

The Separation of Church and State--My Take

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Source: Uploaded by user via Gayle on Pinterest

If you have visited this blog before, you will have noticed that I'm quite religious and a re-born Christian.  However, I think one of the main reasons that the United States has been such a successful enterprise is that this country was based on the separation of church and state. Observe the countries in the world that are theocracies.  They seem to exist in a state of chaos and are incapable of solving their problems. The countries that seem the most violent are the ones that are theocracies.  Religion is suppose to bring peace, but it does just the opposite when it gets mixed up with politics.

Although the separation of church and state was practiced by the Soviet Union, they suppressed religion, which doesn't work either. There has to be a complete separation of religion and politics, without the suppression of either of them over the other.  Why?  Because that's what works.  The USA proves that by its history.

It's ironic how organized religion seems to instigate so much hatred when the entire purpose of religion is just the opposite--to bring peace, inner and outer.  The Republicans with all their hatred and anger towards Obama is just the opposite of the religious principles that they profess to have.

We are one nation under God, 

not one country under Christianity

I have a grassroots webpage for collecting donations for Obama.  Please visit and maybe make a small donation.  Thank you.