I can't believe it's not a democracy!

And then there were six:

New Hampshire legalizes gay marriage. The bill goes into effect on January 1 (presumably January 1, 2010). That gives the religious reich six months to try to mount something. No doubt they will take the opportunity. So congratulations to New Hampshire, now if only California and New York could quickly follow.

Hope the federal prosecutor brought a waterboard with him:

Rove questioned by federal prosecutor about his role in the firings of U.S. attorneys. A good first step, if followed by a second step. As usual, I am not holding my breath. Please Attorney General Holder, surprise me.

And now there are five:

MAINE, FIFTH STATE TO ALLOW GAY MARRIAGE. Man, things are moving quickly, no?

What...another one? BREAKING: NH Legislature passes marriage equality! According to Buster CT1K, a diarist at Daily Kos, the New Hampshire house voted to concur with the senate to support marriage equality. Now the bill goes to the governor for signature. Will he sign? I have no fucking clue.

Swine flu forces republican senators' hands:

U.S. Senate approves health chief amid flu fears. Wow, this flu must really be scaring the republicans when they are willing to pass up the opportunity to "filibuster" Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius to appease their anti-choice asshole base. And yes, filibuster is in quotes because Harry Reid (waste of flesh, NV) doesn't require them to actually, you know, filibuster. When will the democrats replace Reid with a senator who actually has balls/ovaries/principles?

Well, my governor certainly fucked up the appointment process for Hillary Clinton's senate seat, but he's got this right:

Paterson Will Introduce Same-Sex Marriage Bill. Sadly, it won't be smooth sailing. As the NY Times City Room Blog notes: The legislation is likely to have an especially bumpy ride in the Senate, where more lawmakers oppose same-sex marriage than support it. Gay rights advocates are now actively seeking more senators, both Democrats and Republicans, to vote for the bill.

Wow:

Vermont legalizes gay marriage. And you know what's really amazing? The legislature voted to override the republican governor's veto of the bill that extends marriage to gays and lesbians. Two-thirds of each chamber voted for justice and decency. I really have to plan a vacation to Vermont.

And if that wasn't enough, there's this: DC to recognize gay marriage in other states. Reuters reports that "[s]ome city lawmakers lauded the move as a prelude to legal same-sex marriage in the U.S. capital." Four states allow gay marriages now. New Jersey allows for civil unions (will full marriage rights be next?), and California, well, the fiht continues. So, which state is next? Sadly, I don't think New York is ready yet, but you never know.

Hope this is the first of many similar articles:

Sallie Mae to add 2,000 jobs to US in 18 months. And where are these 2,000 jobs coming from? Overseas. Apparently, Sallie Mae has announced that it will bring 2,000 jobs to the U.S. as it shifts call center and other operations from overseas. The article should say "returns 2,000 jobs, because I'm guessing these were jobs that were killed here for some call center in Bangalore.

Good for Sallie Mae, although I guess things have gotten so bad here that it's just as cost efficient to move the call centers back to the U.S. rather than off shore them to India. Still, it's a first step. Now if only the government would kill the tax provisions that encourage businesses to move operations abroad and keep the money there. If that happens, Sallie Mae won't be the only corporation to bring back jobs back they outsourced abroad.

It's time for the Feds to play hardball. This is a good first step:

Feds looking to freeze Ruth Madoff's assets-NY Post. Click the link for the story. Yes, it's the Post, but they know their audience can be whipped into a froth with the Madoff story and they are working their sources. Long and short, the feds want to freeze Ruth Madoff's assets--$93 million is held in her name--because she smells like a flight risk. Apparently there is a voluntary freeze in place, but according to the Post "that agreement is not legally binding." And the feds are working up a criminal case against her. While it appears she didn't play a role at her husband's company, she did withdraw $15.5 million before her husband's arrest and mailed more than $1 million worth of jewelry and watches in violation of a court order. Hope the feds go after her and the sons. Put the whole fucking family in jail. Yeah, it's been one of those days.

Thanks to John for the link.

Obama gets another point:

Pentagon allows coverage of war coffins. CNN reports that the Pentagon will lift its ban on media coverage of the flag-draped coffins of war dead, but families of the dead soldiers will have the final say on whether to allow the coverage. That seems like a sensible plan. I am not happy with Obama's economic team, and I am worried about the planned bank bailout, but he seems to have made so very good decisions (so far) about some other important issues, like lifting this ban so that Americans can't pretend that men and women aren't dying in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Thanks to Mr. Slice for the link.

Blago booted:

Illinois governor unanimously convicted, tossed from office.

Update: And it looks like the fine folks in Illinois caught a lucky break. Namely, their new governor sounds like a good guy: New Illinois governor made career as a grass-roots crusader. Yes, Illinois' new governor apparently has built his career "on grass-roots organizing to cut government and protect the little guy." And he's a former tax attorney. What's not to love?