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29 Oct 2009 21:46

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Politics: If Anderson Cooper is gay, we don’t care. Neither should you.

Anderson Cooper

  • There's a possible chance that Anderson Cooper is gay. There's also a possible chance that you're gay. As well as us. We could possibly be gay. But here's the thing, and this is what Gawker doesn't get: It's our choice whether or not anyone knows about it. And even if we tell the world, it shouldn't be treated like a big deal.
  • Outing not our job Listen, Gawker. We recently gave you props for your handling of the Balloon Boy saga, but we’re not happy with your insistent desire to get the CNN newsman’s sexuality out in the open. You have a huge voice and a great pulpit. Use it to do more than stir up bees’ nests not looking to be stirred up. Focus on things that show that moral compass we know you have. source
  • Outing not our job Listen, Gawker. We recently gave you props for your handling of the Balloon Boy saga, but we’re not happy with your insistent desire to get the CNN newsman’s sexuality out in the open. You have a huge voice and a great pulpit. Use it to do more than stir up bees’ nests not looking to be stirred up. Focus on things that show that moral compass we know you have.
  • How it affects him Anderson Cooper has a career to think about, which we’re sure is why Gloria Vanderbilt’s son is holding back (if he is). But think about it. You have this journalist who’s done a pretty good job of being the objective face of CNN. And if he comes out, he’s the story. That’s not fair to him. If he wants to come out, let him do it. Don’t constantly prod or push. source
  • Outing not our job Listen, Gawker. We recently gave you props for your handling of the Balloon Boy saga, but we’re not happy with your insistent desire to get the CNN newsman’s sexuality out in the open. You have a huge voice and a great pulpit. Use it to do more than stir up bees’ nests not looking to be stirred up. Focus on things that show that moral compass we know you have.
  • How it affects him Anderson Cooper has a career to think about, which we’re sure is why Gloria Vanderbilt’s son is holding back (if he is). But think about it. You have this journalist who’s done a pretty good job of being the objective face of CNN. And if he comes out, he’s the story. That’s not fair to him. If he wants to come out, let him do it. Don’t constantly prod or push.
  • Does it matter? Some would argue that the gay rights movement needs people to come out to help further its goals. We argue that there are better places to push. There’s nothing wrong with being proud about it. There is something wrong with pulling a blanket off someone when they’re naked underneath. That’s what Gawker is doing right now. And it’s wrong. source

29 Oct 2009 21:02

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About: We’re going to come up with the best damn set of twitter lists EVAH!

My Twitter List
  • We’re sure Twitter is still working out the kinks of it, but their new lists feature is pretty awesome. To help with our ever-important goal of giving short bites, we’re going to curate the hell out of our “Sources I recommend” list. You should become a fan or something. And if you have any suggestions, of course, throw them this way.source

29 Oct 2009 20:48

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U.S.: The U.S. was infected with swine flu on a wide scale this summer

  • 5.7 million likely H1N1 sufferers between May and July source

29 Oct 2009 20:40

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U.S., World: As expected, Iran was like “uh…… no” about that nuclear deal

  • The key issue is that Iran does not agree to export its lightly enriched uranium. That’s not a minor detail. That’s the whole point of the deal.
  • A senior International Atomic Energy Agency official • Discussing (off the record) the details of Iran’s response to that nuclear deal that seemed like it could be a major breakthrough last week. The sticking point? The U.S. was trying to get the country to ship most off its nuclear material to other countries for enrichment into materials that couldn’t be made into weapons. Iran wants to wait to export the material until the fuel assemblies are built for their reactor in Tehran, at which point the whole agreement means nothing. • source

29 Oct 2009 20:25

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U.S.: Henry Louis Gates and James Crowley have another Beer Summit

  • No Obama was needed this time. “River Gods” in Cambridge is now a vapid landmark. Back in July, a much simpler time for our country, the president got in the middle of a festering racial tussle between Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates and police officer James Crowley. It became a massive, unlikely news story – the president drinking a beer with a couple of guys he built a media controversy around. At the time, the professor and the cop said they might meet up again. They appeared to do so last night at a Cambridge pub called “River Gods,” which we’re sure is loving the press. source

29 Oct 2009 20:13

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Culture: Michael Jackson is off to a good start on the record concert film tip

  • $7.4 million the amount “This Is It” made in the U.S. in its first full day of release – it also got another $12.7 million worldwide; Sony Pictures paid a pricey $60 million for the rights, plus marketing source

29 Oct 2009 17:10

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Tech: Pavegen begs you to get your “step in the right direction” puns ready

This little square lights nearby things using the energy of the people that step on it. Currently being tested out in London, it’s not long until it takes over the world or something. source
 

29 Oct 2009 11:26

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Offbeat: This Transformer dude already has your Halloween costume beat

  • At least he decided to dress like something cool instead of Tron Guy. Though if the guy did this in front of our house as we were passing out candy, we’d point and laugh.source

29 Oct 2009 11:18

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Music: Daily poll: Is a )&!&)% swear word enough to kill a band’s fame?

  • Last year, a band named !)*!&!)# Up released one of the year’s best-reviewed albums, “The Chemistry of Common Life.” This year, another band named @)&! Buttons released “Tarot Sport,” which is also being called one of the year’s best by your dad’s publications. Which leads us to question: Could these bands get past their )@&!!%) names and become popular on their own accord? Vote here.source

29 Oct 2009 11:08

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U.S.: How big is Nancy Pelosi’s house health care bill? (We’ll tell you.)

  • $894 billion the size of the health care bill Nancy Pelosi introduced today; that’s similar to the size of the senate bill source