“The tradition, until recently, had been adopted by all governments and major religions of the world. That’s how settled the issue of marriage has been in our country and in our world. And in Texas we dealt with this issue before and settled it at the polls the way it should, when voters voted 76 percent in 2005. It’s really …

Via Reuters: An unmanned Space Exploration Technologies mission blasted off on Saturday carrying cargo for the International Space Station, but efforts to reland the rocket on a sea platform failed, the firm said. The Dragon cargo capsule itself was successfully launched into space and is expected to dock with the space station on Monday. Seeking to cut the cost of …

Via the Guardian: A long-gestating big-screen version of the hit stage musical Wicked could see a release as early as 2016, with the acclaimed British director Stephen Daldry taking charge of the cameras. Producer Marc Platt, who was also behind the stage version, confirmed in an interview with Film Divider that work on developing the movie had begun, with Winnie …

After referring the issue to the full roster of nonrecused judges, the Ninth Circuit Court has denied Idaho Gov. Butch Otter’s demand for an en banc rehearing of his same-sex marriage appeal. The National Center For Lesbian Rights reacts: “The Ninth Circuit correctly recognized that there is no need to reconsider the panel’s decision that Idaho’s marriage ban violates basic …

Via Talking Points Memo: Former Gov. Mitt Romney (R) told a group of donors on Friday that he’s considering running for president in 2016, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cited “people present” for the former 2012 Republican presidential nominee’s comments. If he did run, it would be a third presidential bid for Romney. The news comes as former …

Buzzfeed reporter Chris Geidner recaps today’s action: After three hours of arguments, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals appeared poised to strike down bans on same-sex couples’ marriages in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas — joining all but one of the other appellate courts to consider that matter. More than halfway through the morning’s arguments, an exasperated Justin Matheny, the assistant …

Today’s oral arguments in the marriage equality case out of Louisiana have been posted. Listen and give us your analysis. Recordings of the arguments in the cases out of Mississippi and Texas should be posted here soon. NOTE: That site is getting hit with heavy traffic.

Andy Towle provides some of the transcript: “Everyday I am jealous of straight people because that tiny intimate expression of affection has never once been mine…I am jealous of that because gay people do not get to hold hands in public without first considering the risk…We look around to see where are we, who’s around, what kind of place is …

Via the New York Times: Rod Taylor, the ruggedly handsome Australian-born actor who fended off attacks from above in Alfred Hitchcock’s revered horror film “The Birds” and helped an 8,000th-century people escape a monster race in the film version of the science-fiction classic “The Time Machine,” died on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 84. His death …

Just in via email: The show “Naked And Afraid” has cast members who are dropped in the jungle with no food, no shelter and no clothes. The two humans selected, one male and one female, must work as a team but they have never met before in their lives. The program shows them stripped naked, blurring out frontal body parts …

Via the Irish Central: A Dublin priest received a standing ovation from his congregation this week as he called for same sex marriage equality in Ireland and came out to his parishioners. Father Martin Dolan, who has been a priest at Church of St Nicholas of Myra in Francis Street in Dublin’s city center for 15 years, opened up to …

“I would say, ‘Well first of all, I love you. I’ll never stop loving you. You’ll always be my grandson, but I want to show you what God says, and I want to show you maybe a way to reconsider what you think you are, and maybe you can be something different. I realize that people who feel like they’re …

Number 5 is alive!

Via the Washington Post: Nearly $1 in $3 in state revenue comes from the federal government, according to a new analysis. While taxes are responsible for most state general revenues, the federal government is responsible for about 31.5 percent of the total, according to the nonprofit Tax Foundation. Mississippi is most reliant on the federal government, with 45.3 percent of …

Via press release: Supporters of Governor Sarah Palin announce the formation of The Political Earthquake PAC/Grassroots4Palin, a Super PAC which will independently advocate on behalf of Palin and the leadership and vision that she has for our nation. “The Earthquake will harness the power of Americans nationwide to support Governor Palin,” said Sandra Bailey. “America is struggling, and President Obama …

From the director of brand marketing at Barry University: Greetings Joe, I hope you are well. I am writing in reference to your January 6 posting which discusses the Archdiocese of Miami’s recent letter to employees. Your post states that Barry University is operated by the Archdiocese. Unlike St. Thomas University, Barry University is not owned or operated by, nor …