The Beer Bar

Antibody Discovered for 91% of HIV Strains By MARK SCHOOFS http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703609004575355072271264394.html U.S. government scientists have discovered three powerful antibodies, the strongest of which neutralizes 91% of HIV strains, more than any AIDS antibody yet discovered. Looking closely at the strongest antibody, they have detailed exactly what part of the virus it targets and how it attacks that site. Together with recent research into how to make animals produce antibodies, the new findings constitute a significant step toward an AIDS vaccine. The antibodies were discovered in the cells of a 60-year-old African-American gay man…

Israeli Security, still embarrassed by the discovery of its use of fake passports in the killing of a Hamas leader in Dubai and the botched operation to storm the convoy of ships heading to Gaza, has egg on its face once again. But this time, the blame seems to lie elsewhere. American Airlines has apparently managed to lose the contents of a bag belonging to agents travelling with the Israeli Prime Minister. The contents? Four 9mm Glock handguns. The AA baggage handlers reportedly put the bag on a flight to LAX instead of to Washington where the PM was to meet with President Obama. Although the bag has now been discovered, the guns have not! BBC News - US airline 'l…

Los Angeles, CA -- Ilene Woods, the voice of Cinderella in Disney's animated classic, has died. She was 81. Woods died Thursday of causes related to Alzheimer's disease at a nursing home in Canoga Park, her husband, Ed Shaughnessy, tells the Los Angeles Times. Woods was an 18-year-old radio singer in 1948 when she recorded a demo for an upcoming Disney feature. Two days later, Walt Disney himself auditioned her and she went on to voice the title character's speaking and singing parts for 1950's "Cinderella," about a mistreated stepdaughter who finds her Prince Charming. Woods sang on the Perry Como and Arthur Godfrey shows in the 1950s before retiring from …

Taken from Iraqi GLBT (http://iraqilgbt.org.uk/) 22.6.2010 There is growing concern that the Iraqi government is stepping up a witch-hunt against gays and lesbians in the country after a police raid on a Karbala safe house, the London-based Iraqi LGBT said at the weekend. Last week, twelve police officers are reported to have burst into the safe house, and then violently beat up... See full article at: http://gaymiddleeast.com/news/news%20213.htm

Syria cracks down on gays, at least 25 men arrested! Syrian authorities have raided more than four different private gay parties over five weeks between March and April, arresting more than 25 men on their last raid. Indictments have been officially submitted against them; most of the arrested guys are charged with "having a homosexual act", others are charged with dealing and/or buying and consuming illegal drugs... See full article at: http://gaymiddleeast.com/news/news%20210.htm

Art Linkletter, TV Host, Dies at 97 By WILLIAM GRIMES Published: May 26, 2010 Art Linkletter, the genial host who parlayed his talent for the ad-libbed interview into two of television’s longest-running shows, “People Are Funny” and “House Party,” in the 1950s and 1960s, died on Wednesday at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles. He was 97. Art Linkletter Dies

In a move I find inexplicable, the former British Prime Minister has been awarded the 2010 Liberty Medal and its US$100,000 prize by the National Constitution in Philadelphia. Philadelphia's mayor Michael Nutter praised Blair's "relentless pursuit of a long-elusive peace in Northern Ireland as British prime minister and his dedication to the Middle East peace process". The Northern Ireland part I almost get, but it was an American, former senator George Mitchell, who really got that peace process to work. The Middle East part is ridiculous. Blair has been the mid-East envoy working for the USA, Russia, the United Nations and the European Union for three whole years. I…

This from today's Guardian newspaper in London. The pope handed one of the most powerful jobs in the Vatican to a cardinal who said recently that abortion was wrong, even in cases of rape. As prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, until now the archbishop of Quebec and primate of Canada, will be responsible for drawing up shortlists from which the pope decides who is to get a bishop's mitre. The prefecture is often regarded as the third most important job in the Vatican administration since its incumbent can prevent even the most gifted priest from rising to a position of leadership in the church. Ouellet has in the past been touted as a s…

I just read on AOL that Al and Tipper Gore are separating after 40 years of marriage. No details were given.

How many of you from America miss a breakfast like this.. I am about to just faint!

Chinese Companies 'Rent' White Foreigners By Lara Farrar, for CNN June 29, 2010 Beijing, China (CNN) -- In China, white people can be rented. For a day, a weekend, a week, up to even a month or two, Chinese companies are willing to pay high prices for fair-faced foreigners to join them as fake employees or business partners. Some call it "White Guy Window Dressing." To others, it's known as the "White Guy in a Tie" events, "The Token White Guy Gig," or, simply, a "Face Job." Chinese companies 'rent' white foreigners - CNN.com

Here's a ghastly report from today's BBCs website. BBC News - Circumcisions kill 20 boys in South Africa

Seattle's Gay Pride Parade had a great turnout, and was well supported by the whole community-both straight and gay. This years theme is, as usual, over-the-rainbow. Local News | Seattle Pride Parade show of support for gay community | Seattle Times Newspaper Pictures at: The Seattle Times: Seattle celebrates its pride

Thought it might be worthwhile to post this link to The Runaway General, the Rolling Stone piece that has occasioned such an uproar lately in D.C.

US Soldiers Remake Kesha's 'Blah Blah Blah' Video Into 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Spoof (VIDEO) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Upi2DNRKdyU&feature=player_embedded

SAN FRANCISCO — Lawyers arguing a landmark federal case involving California's same-sex marriage ban made their final arguments Wednesday, with supporters describing matrimony as an institution intended to promote childbearing and opponents saying the U.S. Supreme Court had recognized it as a fundamental right. Former U.S. Solicitor General Theodore Olson delivered the closing argument for the two, same-sex couples who sued to overturn voter-approved Proposition 8, claiming it violated their civil rights. He told Chief U.S. Judge Vaughn Walker that tradition or fears of harm to heterosexual unions were legally insufficient grounds to discriminate against gay couples. "…

Perez Hilton posted a photo of Miley Cyrus on his Twitter. It was her getting out of a car without panties. Her pussy was showing. The problem. She is 17. Thus, Perez is in hot water. Miley has said she is very comfortable with her body and wants to show it off. Personally, I think Miley is stupid for this and her parents should have been in charge of the situation. However, she is almost 18 and I don't think Perez really thought about the consequences of the photo before it appeared. Do you think Perez should get charged? The photographer? Or, is this even a big deal?

If you could only visit one website for the rest of your life, what would it be? Me: I choose BBC

"She Loves It When You Poke Her Face" “When it comes to gag factor, Lady Gag Gag’s got it,” says Kevin Johnson, Marketing Manager of Pipedream Products. “This is going to be one of those boxes people are going to collect and display proudly for friends to come over and talk about. We definitely recommend everyone stock up because she is going to sell out fast!” http://www.pipedreamproducts.com/email/060110-Press-Release/060110-Press-Release.html

The season finale to Breaking Bad was fantastic! Can't wait for next season.

(Reuters) - Iceland, the only country in the world to have an openly gay head of state, passed a law on Friday allowing same-sex partners to get married in a vote which met with no political resistance. The Althingi parliament voted 49 to zero to change the wording of marriage legislation to include matrimony between "man and man, woman and woman," in addition to unions between men and women. Iceland, a socially tolerant island nation of about 320,000 people, became the first country to elect an openly gay head of state in 2009 when Social Democrat Johanna Sigurdardottir became prime minister after being nominated by her party. "The attitude in Iceland is fairly pragma…

Tony Award show host Sean Hayes had implied in a press call last week that he might make a nod to the Newsweek article that said he wasn't convincing as a straight man in his Broadway show Promises, Promises. And last night night during the Tony show he did. He didn't say anything, he planted a big wet kiss on his play co-star Kristin Chenoweth. "I know what you thinking," he said afterward. "She's too short for me." A photo doesn't really do it justice. Here's video: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/06/sean-hayes-makes-out-with-kristin-chenoweth-at-tony-awards/1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdAPagwN55U&feature=player_embedded

Country Music Legend, Sausage Pitchman Jimmy Dean Dies By Ed Payne, CNN June 14, 2010 (CNN) -- Country music artist and sausage entrepreneur Jimmy Dean died at his home in Varina, Virginia, Sunday evening, police said. He was 81. Dean, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, was with his wife Donna at the time of his death, which appears to be from natural causes, said R.J. Clark of the Henrico County Police department. Jimmy Dean dies

Tony Award show host Sean Hayes had implied in a press call last week that he might make a nod to the Newsweek article that said he wasn't convincing as a straight man in his Broadway show Promises, Promises. And last night night during the Tony show he did. He didn't say anything, he planted a big wet kiss on his play co-star Kristin Chenoweth. "I know what you thinking," he said afterward. "She's too short for me." A photo doesn't really do it justice. Here's video: Sean Hayes makes out with Kristin Chenoweth at Tony Awards - USATODAY.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdAPagwN55U&feature=player_embedded

Saw this yesterday on fridae.com. I have no information about the Conference or the validity of the findings, but its comments about KY, perhaps the most commonly found lube in Thailand, are surely worrisome.