Dear Mr. Weitzman...

On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a historic hearing to consider the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, S. 2521, which would provide equal family benefits to LGBT federal civilian employees.

Although the federal Office of Personnel Management was formally neutral on the bill at the start of the hearing, and its witness—Howard Weitzman, Deputy Director of OPM—submitted written testimony to that effect, Weitzman reversed course during the hearing after receiving a note from a colleague.

Weitzman stated that a domestic partner benefits program would be vulnerable to fraud, and cited the Adam Sandler film “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry,” in which two firefighters pose as domestic partners in order to secure health benefits. Weitzman, as quoted in today’s Washington Post, said at the hearing, “this is not farfetched.”

Dear Mr. Weitzman...

When you're citing an Adam Sandler movie in defense of your political position...it's as good as admitting that there is no defense for your political position.

Can we impeach them noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow?

With the current economic situation, a record 70 percent of Americans disapprove of George W. Bush's job performance; a career-low 26 percent approve.

Just two presidents have had lower approval (Richard Nixon and Harry Truman) than President Bush, and none has had higher disapproval in polls since 1938.

McCain's problem: Fifty-three percent of registered voters think he'd lead the country in the same direction as Bush, inching back up over a majority.

Finally, a conservative position with which I agree 100%

Conservatives to McCain camp: Let Palin be Palin

Yes. Please. Oh dear god, do. Let Palin be the lying, cheating, antifeminist, unethical, wannabe book-banning, charge-women-for-their-own-rape-exams woman she is.

I think that's a great idea.

The long and the short of it

Ron Suskind, author of The One Percent Doctrine among other books, and a renowned journalist, has a piece up at the Huffington Post about just what the hell happened to the economy over the weekend.

The short answer is that McCain thought there was honor among thieves. And Bush said...psych!

For the long version, see here.

I'm always doing something, something for the boys

In this case, posting a few videes that I hope will put a smile on Jason's face. You're all welcome to enjoy them, too.

This is 10 minutes of Monty Python, including the "Buying A Bed" sketch.



Robbie Williams sings on the Tonight Show; gives Simon Cowell a lapdance, and makes Mike Myers run like a scared little rabbit.

Come to think of it, Robbie's a lot like the Doctor Who show's Captain Jack, in'e? If it moves, he'll hit on it...



Here's Marvin Gaye singing our national anthem better than anyone has ever sung it.



This is still one of my favorite things that I've discovered so far via YouTube. It's basically everything you want rock n roll to be. It's kind of stupid, frankly a bit sexist, and a little childish.

I love it.

Stand up and live

Interview with Damian Lewis; Sarah Shahi, stars of Life (which you did all watch the season premiere of last night, didn't you?), and executive producer/creator Rand Ravich on The Futon Critic.

"This kind of vengeance machine," Ravich interjected, is "inside the Charlie Crews character [and] at any moment he could decide he's had enough and walk away. But if he needs that satisfaction - that vengeance that is very un-Zen-like - he'll never stop looking. And so, at some point, the question has to be asked is this enough? Have I closed enough circles? Have I sought enough - have I gained enough vengeance? And can I get back to life or will it never be enough. That conspiracy level works both from the inside and the outside."

Patrick Wilson must be killed.

Why? Because in writing the last post, it suddenly occurred to me that in his acting career, Wilson has played...

In a scene with Mary-Louise Parker where she's full-frontal nude.



Love scenes with Kate Winslet--in a film where his character was married to Jennifer Connelly.


Part of a couple with Kerry Washington.

A man Emmy Rossum falls for.

And now? Anne Hathaway's romantic partner.







Oh, and he's also Daniel in next year's Watchmen, partnered with Malin Akerman.

Patrick Wilson must be killed.*



(Should any of Wilson's fans or indeed, any officers of the law be looking in, let me state that I am just joking. And jealous. Incredibly jealous.)



*Especially before he has a chance to act opposite Holly Hunter (thus completing his hat trick of playing romantic partners with my Holy Trinity, Holly, Kate, and Anne).

Passengers in time

Uh-oh, a choice to make. As I may have mentioned--once or twice--Saw V is set to be released on October 24, 2008. As it turns out, another movie also has that release date...a movie starring my Reason Enough to Believe in God, Anne Hathaway.

Well, let's see what we can find out about the film...

Passengers (2008)

Synopsis: After a plane crash, a young therapist, Claire (Anne Hathaway), is assigned by her mentor (Andre Braugher) to counsel the flight's five survivors. When they share their recollections of the incident – which some say include an explosion that the airline claims never happened – Claire is intrigued by Eric (Patrick Wilson), the most secretive of the passengers. Just as Claire's professional relationship with Eric – despite her better judgment – blossoms into a romance, the survivors begin to disappear mysteriously, one by one. Claire suspects that Eric may hold all the answers and becomes determined to uncover the truth, no matter the consequences

Oh dear. From the description, this sounds like it's going to suck. On the other hand, you can't fault the cast, besides my Reason Enough to Believe in God, Braugher, and Wilson, this includes David Morse and Clea DuVall.

So let's have a look at the director: Rodrigo Garcia. Never heard of him. What else has he done?

...oh, crap. He was director of photography on Body Shots.

Do you happen to have any idea how awful of a movie Body Shots is? Well, I'll tell you. We're talking here about a movie which stars Amanda Peet, Tara Reid and Emily Procter.The last two are in raunchy nude sex scenes in the movie. Reid's were filmed before her nightmarish plastic surgery, and in Procter's, she wears a fetish outfit.

And the movie is unwatchable. Absolutely un-fucking-watchable.

That's how awful of a movie Body Shots is.

Getting back to Passengers, the writer, Ronnie Christensen, has no previously produced credits.

Before we conclude, let's take a couple minutes to look at the trailer.



Final observation: I can't be the only one to think the slogan on the poster evokes thoughts of Hathaway's breakup with the conman, now can I?



"The Truth Can't Hide Forever?" I mean come on.

Denise Richards has some really nice legs for a vampire

Denise Richards

That reminds me, I must get some more Sunkist soda

(for the record, that's Jennifer Aniston again)

What's weird is, I actually think Sarah looks better like that

Ok, some things I've been posting a lot about here in recent days: Yummy women of course, the Saw movies, and the upcoming election; more specifically the conservative ticket of John McCain and Sarah Palin.

I know what you're wondering. You're wondering, "But, Ben! Isn't there any way that you could combine all those interests?"

Funny you should ask.

This is Julie Benz.
Via Fearnet

And Meagan Good.


Via my favorite horror-movie review site, Arrow in the Head.

who are part of the cast for Saw V.

And this...well, speaks for itself.



Via TheBadAndUgly

Benjy don't play dat

I got the weirdest thing in my mail today. It was a white envelope, the size that usually means it has a CD in it someone wants me to review, but it was too light for that, and there was no identifiable return address.

It was addressed to me, not "occupant," but with no mention of Ink19, the site for which I most recently wrote. Inside was an all-white postcard with the words "i am blind" in raised type and Braille lettering beneath.

Also a stamped envelope with an address in Toluca Lake, CA pre-printed on it. Then at the very bottom, in two small white tear-shaped tubes, were two pairs of "sunglasses" made out of a thin plastic film, with the URL "iamblind.org" on the side.

So finally I put it together. This is a promotion in the form of an "ARG"-that's alternate reality game, in case you didn't know (I didn't)-for the new movie Blindness.

I don't think I'll be playing. It's just not what I'm into. But, I don't mind their trying to hype the movie any way they can (if the early reviews are accurate, it needs it).

What I was wondering, though, was how the hell did I end up on this list?

I don't play ARGs; I've never played ARGs. And this blog certainly doesn't have enough page views per day to make it a worthwhile spot for some free advertising.

I doubt I'm even gonna be able to get any of ya to watch Chris Rock's new HBO special (which is fucking funny) or go see Saw V, which I am giving free advertising.

And then, only as I was writing the above, it dawned on me. Who's the star of Blindness? Julianne Moore. Figure someone must've done a search for bloggers that have written about her, as I have, and sent us all the material.

(In a related mystery, who keeps looking me up from Santa Rosa, California?)

I never thought I'd say this, but nice tag, Begala

Paul Begala calls Bush a 'high-functioning moron'

Paul Begala, the television commentator and Democratic strategist who with James Carville propelled Bill Clinton to the presidency in 1992, knew he was about to get into trouble on CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360" show Thursday night with his description of President Bush.

"I'm going to get in trouble. He's a high-functioning moron, and that's what Congress treats him as. Both parties."

How to Be a Swimsuit Model Today

Walking out on the catwalk. Being showered with flashes from below. Feeling unstoppable and the hottest thing on the planet for 10 seconds. That's the dream of someone who wants to be a swimsuit model.

So. You may be wondering on the kind of effort it takes to be one. It's not all glamor and fame and wearing designer bikinis or boxers. If you really want to show off that swimsuit to the best possible extent, you as the model must undergo tremendous sacrifice.

We're talking weight loss, gaining lean muscle, specific meals, specific sleep times, endless hours practicing the way to walk, the expression... and that's only the start. Still, if you're pretty intent on being a swimsuit model, you're reading the right article. A resource will be provided to help shape your body so that it's in perfect condition for that impending cat walk.

Talking to a photographer once who was doing my profile photos, he told me of his own experience being a swimsuit model. He wasn't allowed to drink water for two days and could only eat boiled chicken. This was so the water beneath his skin would drain out so that his six-pack would look more defined. He said that his lips were parched by the end of the couple days. As you would be.

Lean muscle is pretty much your best friend when it comes to being a swimsuit model. I would presume it's not as good as draining the water beneath your skin for two days, but lean muscle with little fat looks hot. Everyone knows that. You don't have to get super big like strong men, but you can layer yourself with enough muscle so that you look like a demi-god.

The person who wrote the resource which I'll provide for you at the very end of this article has modeling experience. There are pictures on his site that prove this and on emails he sent me. I'm a heterosexual guy but let me tell you that he's hot. I'll admit that. And that's in the least homosexual way that I can say it. Don't write us guys off, ladies. We know a dominant alpha male when we see one.

Maybe you just want to have the body of a model and just want to flaunt it when you go to parties and a night out on the town. What's wrong with that? Absolutely nothing. Being a swimsuit model is no easy task. Why have all the stress of being one when you could just have the attractiveness of one, as well as much prosperity due to the success you're pulling in from your career, where your boss is FINALLY noticing you and your new found confidence.

Whether you are hell bent on being a swimsuit model, are dreaming about being one, or simply want the body and all the other advantages that being one entitles you to, the resource below will let you have your way. All that's left is for you to work for it!

By Cheng Kee

How To Become A Swimsuit, Swimwear & Bikini Model

Many famous women have made a name for themselves appearing on the pages of glossy mens magazine. The most famous of these being the cover of Sports Illustrated including Tyra Banks, Elle MacPherson and Petra Nemcova.

In recent times men's magazine favorites, such as Joanna Krupa & Emily Scott, have become household names as a result of this new type of media exposure.

Becoming a swimsuit model isn't quite the same as becoming a high fashion model you see on the catwalks of Milan or the pages of Vogue. Fashion models are required to be between 5'9 and 6' and typically have bust-waist-hip measurements close to 34-24-34. Whereas there appears to be a little more leniency in the realm of swimsuit modeling.

Of course, beauty is still a prerequisite, as is a slim physique. In general a generous bust size (C cup plus) is an advantage as is the hard to measure "sex appeal" of a model. While many top models have a quirky look that sets them apart from the crowd, bikini models typically have a girl next door quality that is easily relateable.

Following are 7 steps you can take to conquer the world of swimsuit modeling:

Enter Competitions - Many magazine hold swimsuit competitions through various nightclub & bar venues - this is a great way to get yourself noticed.

Approach Photographers - Reputable photographers only, preferably photographers who have previously been published in the magazine you would like to appear in.

Develop a hook - Are you a female mechanic? What about a mad football fan? These themes could look great in a photo shoot and magazines LOVE hooks.

Network - Use social networking sites such a Myspace and Facebook to find out everything you can about what is going on in the industry locally.

Approach Swimwear Companies - And other swimsuit related products. Maybe your friends uncle owns a surfboard company or a car company that uses bikini girls in their advertising, once you have some photos to add to your portfolio it makes everything easier.

Workout - Your body is going to have to be in top shape to even have a chance in this market.

Get Practise - Once again reputable photographer only! To do TFP work (time for prints). This will allow you to discover your best angles and put you in good stead when you start getting paid work and are expected to perform.

BY Summer Fisher

Swimsuit Shopping For Your Shape

Need to know the best type of swimwear for your body type. Following are 4 typical body types; Curvy, Pear Shaped, Big Bust & Small Bust with all the tips and tricks you need to make the most of your shape and get you looking your best for the up coming swimsuit season.

Curvy - An overall body boost can be achieved in one of 3 ways - construction, colour & cut. In terms of construction, swimsuits can have support systems built into them to suck in the inches; dark colours or patterns with a dark base will also trim centimeters. When it comes to cut, a deep V-neck is flattering and the fashionable cut out will create an enviable hourglass effect.

Pear-Shaped - The 3 keys to enhancing a pear shape is using colour, print and ruching. Details such as frills or a busy print along the bust line focuses attention to your top half and away from the hips. Rather than covering your curves with sarongs, opt for a high cut leg and avoid boy shorts.

Big Bust - Those with ample bosom need to choose a cut that offers wide straps for extra support or even under wire to keep your top half looking amazing. If you don't mind the sporty look, a racer-back design will offer you security. A cute tie details or a contrasting trim will allow your sporty look to still be pretty.

Small Bust - There are various padded styles available, designed to give you the bust worthy of a part on Baywatch. However a great silhouette can also be achieved by looking beyond padding to design details such as frills, ruffles, bandeau twist tops and other tricks which add volume to your upper half. Also take into account busy prints that follow the shape of your bust line, visually enhancing contours for that extra va va voom.

By Summer Fisher

"Listen, I don't mean to be a sore loser, but when it's done, if I'm dead, kill him."

Newman remembered.

Apparently, some think women who wear ties look "mannish."

Per this clotheshorse, for example.



If that's mannish...I'm gay.

It must bother Mila Kunis that I've always thought Laura Prepon was cuter than she was...

...cause she's sucking up to me.

I can't accept that.

"Shia Labeouf is the Harrison Ford of the 21st Century."

Dieses könnte mich Wunsch fast bilden, den ich ein Battlestar Galactica Aussenseiter war.

"The American spirit is celebrated in the outrageous and totally irreverent comedy..."

That's how some publicity for the new movie An American Carol begins. You may have seen ads on television recently for the film. The ads make pretty clear what the intended satirical premise is:

A left-wing documentary filmmaker, with an obvious resemblance to Michael Moore, is visited by three spirits to teach him "the true meaning of America."

It's directed and co-written by David Zucker, who, after peaking early with Airplane! has made more bad films than good ones. Will this be one of the good? I dunno, but the odds are against it. Of his two co-writers, only one has a previously produced feature to their credit--and that was BASEketball.

But here's what grabbed my attention. Does it seem to anybody else unlikely that this movie both "celebrates the American spirit" and is "totally irreverent?"

It's hard be totally irreverent--which means "lacking proper respect or seriousness"--and also celebrate anything, much less "the American spirit." Groucho Marx could've done it (maybe) but Groucho Marx was a great clown.

And I'm pretty sure his definition of "the American Spirit" was more liberal than that of Bush Republicans Zucker and his stars Kelsey Grammer, Jon Voight, James Woods and Dennis Hopper.

I thought I'd give it a try...

The proudly liberal group People For the American Way is running a little contest. The idea is that you submit one to three haiku having to do with the right wing; more specifically, McCain-Palin.

First prize is to be published in The Nation magazine, but I decided to do it more because I like this kind of writing exercise, helps me work the cricks out. So here's what I submitted.

An apple a day
Torture chic among the right
Ethics, what ethics?

Two campaigners less
Spooks in private life defeat
How can we elect?

Witch hunts of days past
To shut down dissenting speech
Try misdirection

the ultimate necessity of love

This is one of my favorite--and most frequently quoted--Erasure songs (I actually like one of the 12" remixes best). They were near their peak at this point.

The video was shot, near as I can tell, in my room. No matter when it was shot or where I was living at the time, it was shot in my room.

The good news...and the bad news.

"Well Mr. Varkentine, we're going to put up 15 million to make your picture. However, in order to get the money, you have to cast as your leads..."

Jennifer Aniston...bikini...green

I'm sorry but that seems to be all I can say for the time being.



Jennifer Aniston...bikini...green...



Jennifer Aniston...bikini...green...

(and eight more here.)

ETA: And there's still more here.



Jennifer Aniston...bikini...green...

I suppose this means I have to watch a whole show, doesn't it?

Anne Hathaway will be hosting Saturday Night Live on Oct. 4th

Egad.

Nadine Velazquez

Nadine Velazquez was born on November 20, 1978, in Chicago, Illinois. At the age of 13, she knew without a shadow of a doubt that she wanted to be an actress. “I'd seen Punky Brewster, I'd seen Webster, I saw Annie, and it was time to either be an orphan or an actress,” she says. Convincing herself was one thing, but convincing others was quite another. [askmen]

Sexy picture of Nadine Velazquez

After she failed to find an agent, Nadine Velazquez was forced to pursue her interest through school plays and local theater. Luckily for us, Nadine Velazquez never abandoned her dream, and after completing a degree in marketing from Columbia College she packed up her Honda Civic and headed for Los Angeles.

Nadine Velazquez in Maxim Magazine

Nadine Velazquez is one of the actors in the star-studded monologue show Skirts & Flirts. Her latest roles were in the film War with Jet Li and Jason Statham, and in the Oxygen Network original television film Husband for Hire. [wikipedia]

Nadine Velazquez hot woman

Nadine Velazquez’s ambition was soon rewarded, and within two years she landed starring roles in the films Biker Boyz (2003) and Chasing Papi (2003). Additional parts followed in the Dennis Hopper thriller The Last Ride (2004), the John Leguizamo comedy Sueño (2005) and the television shows The Bold and the Beautiful, Entourage and Las Vegas.

Nadine Velazquez wallpaper

Scarlett Johansson pics 2008

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson

Brooke Burke wallpapers 2008

Brooke Burke

Brooke Burke

Brooke Burke

Brooke Burke

Brooke Burke

Brooke Burke

Kim Smith wallpapers

Kim Smith

Kim Smith

Kim Smith

Sara Jessica Parker images

Sara Jessica Parker

Sara Jessica Parker

Sara Jessica Parker

Sara Jessica Parker

Sara Jessica Parker