When I’m this late with the roundup , there’s no need in being snarky or cute about it. Hope y’all enjoy the links:
1. Argh, I’m in DC so I missed what was probably the best NYCity’s Pride parade, which I am sure was a hell of a party since same-sex marriage was legalized two days before the festivities – I just hoping my sister took lots of pictures. But back to business. Via WaPo, Adam Serwer on the libertarian pitch that won over the four Republican votes necessary to make same-sex marriage legislation happen. Seems they got hip to recognizing gays have personal freedoms too! But don’t get it twisted, Serwer warns, nationally the GOP is pushing for a federal ban which would trump all this state-to-state progress. (Naima)
2. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Moammar Gadhafi, his son, and his intelligence chief. (Nicole)
3. The trial of several New Orleans police officers who killed two and severely injured four others on the Danziger Bridge a few days after Hurricane Katrina started this week. Opening testimony kicked off with a woman whose arm was shot off by the officers. (Nicole)
4. Jurors in the Rod Blagojevic trial found the disgraced former Illinois governor “likable” but guilty. Then they found him guilty. (Blackink)
5. Senator Rand Paul, in his infinite libertarian wisdom, does not think America should be in the business of feeding seniors. Speaking stupid deficit reduction ideas that hurt the elderly, the Washington Post endorsed a Social Security cost of living adjustment that would be especially detrimental to older women. (Nicole)
6. The man behind the nation’s least popular governor doesn’t play nice with the press. “‘He called me a ‘bottom-feeding journalist.’ That sort of endeared him to me,'” one reporter said. Charming. (Blackink)
7. Stop what you are doing right now and read Mac McClelland’s piece for GOOD about her PTSD, and coping with violent sex. Right now. (Nicole)
8. Once one of the world’s most popular websites, MySpace “has become an eyesore for News Corp.” (Blackink)
9. The newest front in the war on drugs? Possibly your local sewer. (Nicole)
10. Banks are still foreclosing on homeowners who are being considered for mortgage modifications. “Regulators have done little to stop the practice, and the ‘problem appears to be getting worse.” (Blackink)
11. SLUTWALK Chicago … yes, using/reclaiming the term “slut” may rub you the wrong way but what else would you have called it? Walktoendvictimblaming? Other contenders: HOstroll, Slutstrut, TrickRun, and SkankMarch. (Naima)
12. A young D.C. elementary-school principal talks out of school about why he’s leaving education altogether to get into the gourmet cupcake business. (Blackink)
13. Former presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brazil and John Agyekum Kufuor in Ghana won the World Food Prize last week. Lula pioneered Brazil’s cash transfer program, Bolsa Familia, and Kufour made agricultural development a keystone during his tenure in Ghana. As a side note, that piece was written by Phillip Brasher, one of the few DC-based agriculture reporters writing for a midwestern audience. Brasher was one of the 700 people laid off by Gannett. Civil Eats explains why his departure is especially bad for anyone concerned about agriculture or food. (Nicole)
14. Food prices are high enough that the G-20 is paying attention. (Nicole)
15. For a look at who was a hot mess at last night’s BET awards———->here. HuffPo to say the least, is way too gracious with their compliments. (Naima)
16. Newsweek’s “Diana at 50” cover was probably a bad choice. (Blackink)
17. For those who thought Nicki Minaj’s ascension to fame would lead to a barrage of femcees blasting down doors demanding their share of the cypher, be prepared to wait some more. Unless of course, by femcee you mean petite cute white girl donning door knockers then my bad, your wait is over. Jamilah King tells us there are more than enough reasons to hate on Kreayshawn, affiliate of Odd Future/OFTWG. Seems the industry will always prefer their “black music” packaged in white wrapping. Wrap on Kreayshawn. (Naima)
18. The world’s most dominant golfer is a 22-year-old Taiwanese woman. And “nobody even comes close.” (Blackink)
19. Speaking of dominant athletes, the legacy of Babe Didrikson Zaharias increasingly seems to mean less to successive generations of sports fans. Even in her southeast Texas hometown. (Blackink)
20. And a top University of Michigan basketball recruit is clinging to life following a plane crash Friday night that killed his father and stepmother. This comes eight years after his mother, sister and brother were killed in a plane crash also piloted by his father. (Blackink)
Enjoy the rest of the week.
