Midday open thread

• If you're going to Netroots Nation this June, the two recommended hotels are sold out, but do not fear: Nolan has some other options for you.
• Lovely:

  A bill that proposes a ban on gay marriage on the 2012 ballot passed the Senate Rules Committee on Friday morning and will now head to the Senate floor for a full vote. During brief testimony, DFLers on the committee raised concerns about rushing the passage of such a contentious measure this year and about its possible unintended consequences for same-sex couples.

  Don't the homophobes know that outlawing teh gay is so 2008?

• Sigh. Apparently, Michigan homophobes didn't get the memo either:

  The Michigan House approved an amendment to the education budget on Thursday night that will penalize state universities and colleges 5 percent for offering domestic partner benefits for same-sex or unmarried partners.

• At least Brazil gets it:

  Brazil's high court ruled that same-sex civil unions must be recognized, a decision welcomed as a watershed by gay activists who also hope it will cool rising violence against homosexuals in Latin America's most populous nation.

  As Dan Savage points out:

  Gay people in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Columbia have more rights than gay people in the United States of America.

• Bankers no longer think Elizabeth Warren is "akin to the Antichrist."  
• Best lede ever?  

  Floridians are going to have to start pulling up their pants and stop having sex with animals soon.  

• Do not use the F-word in the State of South Carolina. And don't say "gay" in Tennessee.  
• Are these kids on to something?

  
  They might not be old enough to vote, but young climate activists are helping stage a legal campaign that seeks to force the federal government and all the states to curb greenhouse gas emissions because of their role in global warming.

  Attorneys representing the children and teenagers filed yesterday, or are preparing to file, 52 separate lawsuits and petitions based on a novel legal theory: that the government has failed in its duty to protect the atmosphere as a "public trust" for future generations.

• What would Jesus steal?

  A 46-year-old minister pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in Savannah to a wire fraud scheme in which he stole at least $200,000 from the church where he was the pastor.

  And that's not even the worst of it:

  At the same time, Terrell also is awaiting trial on charges that he molested a young Effingham County boy who attended New Harvest with his family, according to the Savannah Morning News.

• A consolation prize for those who are feeling deprived of dead bin Laden porn: Video of bin Laden's burial may be released.
• The dogs of war.
• And yes, the cats of war too.

Source: http://feeds.dailykos.com/~r/dailykos/index/~3/Bx5qM2y8g1k/-Midday-open-thread

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