U.S. American exceptionalism yet again.

[NYT: 12 Killed in Shooting at Colorado Theater]

Multiple Bain executives tell HuffPo (judge that as you may) that Mittens never would have run for President if he was going to have to publicly release his tax returns.

Oh please, oh please, oh please sweet Flying Spaghetti Monster and Ghost of Seamus, let’s have a floor fight in Tampa.

Two words: Shit. Show.

Alternatively: Cluster. Fuck.

Either way, start popping, Stinquers!

[HuffPo]

The Gray Lady has come up with a summer reading list for Mittens. It contains the to-be-expected history/poli sci books, plus Bill Clinton’s autobiography. Good luck with that Mittens, I never got past page 60.

We won’t talk about my abortive attempt to establish a monthly book salon/Stinque Book Club/Amazon kick-back scheme. But it’s time for some Audience Participation, girlz and boyz – what books would you put on Mittens’ summer reading list?

My nomination: How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend, by the Monks of New Skete.

Submit your nominations in the comments. Best suggestion gets a hamster toy. Or an alcoholic beverage of your choice purchased by moi the next time I’m in your town or you’re in Ess Eff.

[NYT: Mitt’s Summer Reading Assignment]

Police in Portland, Texas, a suburb of Corpus Christi, continue to insist that the execution-style murder and attempted murder of a lesbian couple in a neighborhood park in late June is not a hate crime motivated by the women’s sexual orientation, but do admit that “it was not a random attack.”

What we do know:  After they encountered a man with a gun on June 22, a college freshman named Mollie Olgin was murdered, and her girlfriend Mary Kristene Chapa was shot in the head and left for dead.  Chapa had so many injuries to her face that her brother and sister could not identify her at the hospital without looking at her hands.  She is still in the hospital, unable to speak and possibly paralyzed on one side.  Her brother told NBC that she was writing “Mollie?” on paper but the family hadn’t yet told her that Olgin was dead.  Chapa’s family is struggling:  her father – an Iraq War veteran – is out of work, so the family has no health insurance. Donations for her medical care can be made here, or sent to Prosperity Bank, 1127 East Sinton, Sinton, TX 78387.

In the three weeks since the shooting, vigils have been organized by LGBT and youth groups across the country to remember Olgin and Chapa.  Read more »

Shocking research from the Department of Water is Wet.

A new study of 48 gay male couples with children by San Francisco State University researchers found that parenthood decreases the frequency of sex.  “A lot of them reported that with children at home they’re exhausted so the frequency of sex decreases,” the study’s author said. “Roughly half the couples were in open relationships and reported there’s less time and desire to act on that.”  The couples reported spending less time with gay friends and more time with straight parents, and (gasp!) even moving to more suburban areas.

[Bay Area Reporter]

Because there’s nothing that says “Let’s celebrate our declaration of independence from the Limeys” like disapproving rabbits dressed as Uncle Sam.

I wish I could make this shit up. Because then it wouldn’t be real.

[MoJo]