Gay Man In SF Court Case Says Reversal Therapy Almost Drove Him To Suicide

Testifying in the San Francisco trial to overturn Proposition 8, Ryan Kendall demonstrated why you can’t change someone’s sexual orientation.

Kendall said the therapy he underwent at the insistence of his parents while a teenager drove him to the brink of suicide and did nothing to turn him into a heterosexual.

A lawyer for the ban’s sponsors objected to Kendall being allowed to testify, saying it’s irrelevant to the legal issues in the case.

The Republican mayor of San Diego says he used to be against gay marriage but flipped on the issue.

In other testimony, San Diego Mayor …

Who Would Jesus Shoot? Marines May End Deal With Vendor That Put Bible Codes In Guns

The Marines may be ending its contract with Trijicon, a Michigan company that engraved Bible inscriptions in hundreds of thousands of guns.

“We are aware of the issue and are concerned with how this may be perceived,” USMC spokeswoman Capt. Geraldine Carey told ABC News. “We will meet with the vendor to discuss future sight procurements.”

Since 2005, Trijicon has been making rifle scopes for the Marines with references to Bible passages next to the serial numbers. Of course, shooting at Muslims with Christian passages wouldn’t make it seem like a holy war, would it?  But some in the military …

Whites-Only Basketball League Would Ban Blacks, Foreigners

A whites-only basketball league is looking to launch in 12 cities. (h/t Huffington Post)  Commissioner Don “Moose” Lewis (pictured) denies this has anything to do with racism.

“There’s nothing hatred about what we’re doing,” he said. “I don’t hate anyone of color. But people of white, American-born citizens are in the minority now. Here’s a league for white players to play fundamental basketball, which they like.”

Lewis said he wants to emphasize fundamental basketball instead of “street-ball” played by “people of color.” He pointed out recent incidents in the NBA, including Gilbert Arenas’ indefinite suspension after bringing guns …

Richard Dawkins: It’s Also The Non-Religious Who Give To Haiti

Atheist Richard Dawkins wants you to know that unbelievers are caring, too.

The champion of unbelief Richard Dawkins, Britain’s star atheist scientist, has announced he’ll personally cover the PayPal fees (up to $10,000) for donations to two non-religious relief groups — Doctors without Borders and the Red Cross — through a newly established site called Unbelievers Giving Aid.

Those who believe that the universe is indifferent to human suffering, and that this is the only life we have, often feel a special responsibility to alleviate suffering when it appears.…

Brown Winner In Massachussets Senate Race

Voter anger is seems to be what explains the upset victory of Scott Brown over Martha Coakley.

The loss by the once-favored Coakley for the seat that the late Sen. Edward Kennedy held for nearly half a century signaled big political problems for the president’s party this fall when House, Senate and gubernatorial candidates are on the ballot nationwide.

More immediately, Brown will become the 41st Republican in the 100-member Senate, which could allow the GOP to block the president’s health care legislation and the rest of Obama’s agenda. Democrats needed Coakley to win for a 60th vote to thwart …

Deutsch Suggests Brown Is “Traditional Looking Middle-Age White Male” Causing “Visceral Comfort”

Donny Deutsch says after Obama we’re “going back to basics.” (via Mediaite)

“We’re going back to basics, we’ve obviously had our first African American president we’ve had the female candidates and whatnot [and whatnot!] you look at him he looks like the candidate, the traditional view of the candidate, and is there a visceral comfort in that for people? I’m just curious from real kind of sociological point of view.”

And Peggy Noonan says we’ve evolved from “the scrappy Reagan Democrat ethnic and working class” to someone like Scott Brown, a “regular guy, looks like an American.” Comforting.

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On Tuesday’s Radio Show…

• Senate Showdown in the Bay State: As the polls close, Alan will have all the latest results and reaction from Massachusetts.

• A new poll shows high support for efforts to legalize medical marijuana. Kurt Gardinier of the Marijuana Policy Project joins Alan to discuss ways to reform the current laws.

• Hanging in the Balance: Alan examines what the election results in Massachusetts mean for health care reform.…

Sally Quinn Says Scott Brown Was Helped By Posing Nude

Scott Brown did a nude Cosmo spread sometime in the last century.  Sally Quinn of the Washington Post says he’s “a hunk” and that posing nude helped give him national recognition.

But I think that there are a number of factors here. It’s not as black and white as it may seem. First of all Scott Brown is a hunk. And I think that the fact that he posed semi-nude for a magazine gave him a huge advantage in public recognition.

…

Name recognition… it made him a recognizable public figure which he was not before and also a lot …

Undocumented Haitians Can Start Applying Thursday To Stay In US Legally

Haitians who are in the US illegally as of January 12 will be able to apply to say in the country legally as of Thursday.  They will be allowed to stay here 18 months and work during earthquake recovery.

Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Alejandro Mayorkas says applications can be filed as soon as official notice is published in the Federal Register, likely Thursday. Some Haitians have already started showing up at centers to get help filling out forms.…

Kraft Had Better Keep Those Cadbury Creme Eggs

Isn’t that why they’re buying the company?

Kraft’s cash-and-share acquisition, which dealmakers said was struck after all-night negotiations at the London headquarters of investment bank Lazard, values each Cadbury share at 840 pence, with shareholders also set to get a 10p special dividend, bringing it to a total of 850p.

And that’s just for the Creme Eggs, right?…

Scott Brown Favored Subsidized Golf Course, But Not Aid For 9/11 Rescue Workers

Massachusetts senate candidate Scott Brown has defended his vote to deny aid to 9/11 Red Cross workers, telling Think Progress he had other, more local priorities.  Think Progress approached Brown again, and it turns out one of those priorities was a golf course.

TP: Mr. Brown, in 2001 when you voted against financial aid for 9/11 rescue workers, you were pushing a bill for a tax subsidized golf course in your district. Can you explain that?

BROWN: I’m not sure what you’re referring to. ... Read more »

TP: Are you going to explain that vote?

BROWN: Number two, …