Confusing-to-me political commentary of the day: here. Andrew Sullivan is a recovering conservative and an interesting blogger that I often agree with and generally find to be a good read. Which is part of why I find that post so odd/vexing.

Keeping pressure on Obama to deliver on his campaign promises on gay rights = definitely a good thing, mind, and I can also see being disappointed that more hasn't been accomplished on this front so far. But it strikes me as singularly odd to complain about the new hate crime bill's inclusion of crimes motivated by hate of sexual orientation (and, as he omits, sexual identity - making this the first national law to include transgender rights) as a "piece of symbolism" while complaining that the president's remarks weren't up on his blog quickly enough and that he failed to use the word gay. That's just so perfectly backwards. Possibly this is motivated by his own opposition to hate crime legislation in general - he maintains his old conservative belief that they're inherently unnecessary - or maybe it's just your standard Boomer pundit's preoccupation with appearance and symbolism as more important than even actual legislative gains.

ANYWAY. Have I mentioned my new tv crush? It's Top Chef's Kevin. He's a freakishly talented cook (he's dominated the competition so far, and it's a pretty talented group), nice to the other contestants, completely drama-free, seemingly good at everything (loves cooking meat, eats vegetarian part of the year, gave up a full scholarship to MIT to go to cooking school, weirdly good at throwing horseshoes) yet not annoying about it. Plus, funny.

Kevin: *talks about how he can eat 150 chicken wings in an hour*
Other contestant: "He didn't get fat by accident."
Kevin: "It's a personal choice."

Basically, he's a magical gnome of awesomeness.