This one is very amusing.  The Atlanta Braves combine baseball with the gospel in their second "Faith Day" event this year.    The event features a post-game speaker and performance by a Christian group, with sponsoring organizations setting up tables and all the usual special event stuff.  FotF participated in the July event along with Tocca Bible College and the Gospel Music Channel. 

But, at the Braves request, they ain't coming back for the August event.  No official word on why the Braves uninvited Jimmy and gang.  But speculation is that the Braves are troubled by the organization's comparison of homosexuality to alcoholism or drug addiction:

But the Braves may have been troubled that Focus on the Family was promoting its Web site http://www.troubledwith.com, in which the group gives its suggestions for dealing with myriad problems.

Under the heading "Love & Sex," homosexuality is listed along with items such as dating, miscarriage and post-abortion syndrome. The group debunks the belief that homosexuality is caused by genetics, saying that males are often influenced by incest, molestation, exposure to pornography and negative body image.

"No solid scientific evidence exists today that people are born homosexual," the Web site says. "Interestingly enough, genetic predeterminants have also been theorized for alcoholism or depression. Neither alcoholism nor depression is embraced as healthy. Rather, we try to help people who suffer from these tendencies to find relief and recovery."

In other FotF news, founder and chief-bigot James Dobson has stepped up to defend the architect of the Holy Grail of wingnut movies, Mel Gibson. 

Dobson said in a statement that "we certainly do not condone that racially insensitive outburst," but added "Mel has apologized profusely for the incident and there the matter should rest."

"Mel has also indicated his willingness to seek help to overcome his alcoholism, and has asked the Jewish community for forgiveness," Dobson said. "What more can he do?"

Well, he can admit he is an anti-Semit rather than just a drunken lout.  AND he can admit he's a sexist asshole for using the phrase "Sugar Tits."  But, apparently, that little offensive slur gets all lost b/c no one cares about offending some uptight frigid feminist bitches, right?  Would Gibson call the Blessed Mother "Sugar Tits" or would he reserve that for Mary Magdalene?

Dobson is just posturing to defend his Christian porn flick from any nay-sayers. 

You know, I find it interesting that so many people who rant on and on in support of Gibson have no problem with his movies being made in foreign languages (Mayan?), but resent a guy who orders a cheesesteak in Spanglish. 

I wonder how you say "Sugar Tits" in Mayan?

Shame on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette! You have dropped the ball by failing to once again keep your readers informed of the slightest allusion to homosexuality in contemporary movies.  What the hell kind of bastion of morality are you folks running over there?

David A. Smith of McMurray read a Post-Gazette movie review and dutifully loaded up the spawn for a night out at the movies.  He was horrified - appalled even -- to see man-kissing! 

Absolutely nothing was mentioned about the gay relationship of the French driver or the full extended lip-to-lip kiss between Will and the French guy. We had to get up and leave. Don't you think family film reviews should share this info with the parents?

Having yet to see the movie (love John C. Reilly myself), I can only speculate as to the nature of the "lip-to-lip" kiss BUT I'm guessing Will Ferrel's character ain't gay and the scene is played for one of those "uh oh" moment laughs.  Just my hunch.  There is probably a world of difference between this man kiss and, say, the tent scene in Brokeback Mountain. I could be wrong. 

Regardless, David A. Smith of McMurray is a full out hate-wielding, homo-loathing, child-perverting bigot.  Oh, I'm sure he comes across as a nice enough guy who just wishes the homos would crawl under some rocks rather than actually signing us up for the reeducation camps.  He probably doesn't keep a picture of a fetus on his desktop, but he may be attending the upcoming Focus on the Family rally. 

But his self-righteous indignation is a load of crap for two reasons.

First of all, the Post-Gazette is not responsible for full-disclosure on potential homoerotic content in movies.  In spite of what Ruth Ann Dailey might think.  If you want someone to filter out the movies with gay content, surf on over to one of the wingnut websites where you can get your fill of rants on the downfall of contemporary culture.  Even the Pittsburgh Catholic has movie reviews. 

Second, you are a stupid hypocrit for moaning about a quasi-gay kiss when the paper DID clearly indicate that there is sexualized content in the movie

 Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, language, drug references and comic violence.
Starring: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly.
Director: Adam McKay.
Web site: www.sonypictures.com
/movies/talladeganights
Family Film Guide: 'Talladega Nights'

Crude and sexual humor.  Language, Drug References.  So that's all okay viewing for the fruit of your loins, but one kiss is not.  Guess what dude?  Let's put your high-horse right back in the stable where it belongs because you have no legs to stand on.  You are the one choosing to expose your family to adult content so you need to take responsibility for your parenting choices instead of blaming the local newspaper. 

What an idiot!

Last night, we drove up to The Brillobox for the latest arragement by comedian and all around great gal Gab Bonesso.  Her show is called "The US Government Killed Lenny Bruce"

I wasn't going to blog about it, I really wasn't.  Because I've told you how much we like Gab's comedy and the performances of her co-conspirers in defaming the US government (Jason Kirsch, Bill Eberle, Autumn Ayres, etc).  And last night, they were good --- we saw Gab and Jason perform, along with a sketch comedy troupe that had an appealing dark humor I'd like to see in a more receptive venue and a guest appearance by departing Pittsburgh comedian/radio personality Alan Cox.  It was entertaining, bawdy and outright funny at most points. 

Here's where I have to honest and say what I really think.  We left early along with the 80 year olds.  Maybe because we are just too old to hang out with 20something hipsters enjoying a night on the town.  Our tolerance for annoying behavior is low.  I should clarify that its my tolerance b/c Ledcat was willing to stay while I insisted we leave. 

Here's what annoyed me:

Smoke - Its a cramped second floor space filled with people.  So light up your cigarette and share your stupid addiction with us please.  Because nothing says entertainment like another level of tar and nicotine on my pink lungs.  Really, I didn't mine sucking on my inhaler for an hour afterwards.  Or defunkifying my clothing with Febreeze when I got home.

Annoying laugh - I think she may be a friend of the performers, but she sat right behind and literally screeched into my ear.  Screeched.  My head was ringing and I prayed for the jokes to fall flat so she wouldn't crucify me.  Apparently, her humor appreciate is low b/c she laughed BEFORE the punchlines.  And I was trapped because the nicotines addicts were at the back of the room.  I was choosing between my cancer free existance and my sanity.  If you cannot control your demonic howls, go into a corner and have some consideration for the rest of us.  Don't rock forward in your seat so you get real close to my ear and let loose.  Ledcat and I argue all the time about the ability to control sneezes, yawns and laughter.  Since Screechy seemed to laugh at a normal level on occasion, either she was doing it intentionally or she was part of the performance.  Honey, its only funny to your friends.  Because they love you.  You may be a lovable person, but you annoy the fucking shit out of strangers like me so give us a break.  Because if I see you at another show, I'll probably stand in the back with the addicts and duck out early again.  How is that helping your friends' performances?  ITS NOT.

Annoying woman by the bar -- Get your damn drinks and move on to your uncomfortable folding chair.  Undrape yourself from the bar, say good-bye to your chums and get the fuck out of my way. Don't visit.  Its not a park.  Its a bar. I need my ginger ale.  Then when you end up sitting next to us, don't roll your eyes and huff indignantly when I complain about your obnoxious self.  Take responsibility for your behavior.  Pledge to be more considerate of your elders. 

Talkers - "Hey, lets go see Gab's show!"  But let's talk all the way through it and how about we raise our voices right after she asks us to stop talking to listen to a performance w/o microphones.  Because we want to support her effort in putting this whole production together and reaching all these people who came to see the show.  I bet they would love to hear our ongoing commentary throughout the performance, especially when we talk about things that have nothing to do with comedy, music, politics, or Lenny Bruce.  People will love it!

So there you have it ... I missed Bill, Autumn and Gab's jokes about Fred Phelps because of the obnoxious behavior of oblivious twits who have no consciousness of anything beyond their own immediate gratification and pleasure.  I am definitely not comedy club material.  Thankfully my medication is working well b/c three weeks ago, I would have bitch slapped the bar whore and said mean things to Screechy until she cried and left me in peace.  Although I hate to think what her "I'm not crying" shudders and heaves would sound like ...

I am an evil person.  But not as a evil as Gab. 

Maria and David were highlighted in a nice article in The Morning Call

''When someone says, 'Two plus two equals five,' I think it's my responsibility to say, 'Two plus two equals four, you idiot,''' [David] said.

Chris Potter has gone round the bend, perhaps due to reading too many rants about Pittsburgh driving habits.  I know he's got this whole young, hipsteresque, artsy street cred from editing the city's only alternative paper, but I think his white middle class male roots have reared their ugly head ....and he may be heading for membership in the Allegheny County Young Republicans Democrats.  They might even make him Deputy Chief White Guy.

In this week's column, Potter delves into the Thursday Morning Massacre to question the potential political motivations (and machinations) of former Chief of Staff BJ Leber and City Solicitor Susan Malie.  He concludes that both "sides" engaged in backroom politics, a fair conclusion.  But Potter goes one step further defending the Irish Mafia machinators against the label of "old boys network":

Except that Zober, whose appointment triggered this mess, is not a particularly old boy. He?s a 31-year-old professional, with a law degree and everything. Even some of my ?progressive? friends ? people who backed City Councilor Bill Peduto for mayor last year ? say Zober is a smart, decent guy. After years of whining about how Pittsburgh?s ?young people? are ignored, should we be outraged if one is poised to become deputy mayor?

Give me a freakin' break, Chris.  Only another young white heterosexual middle class male would possibly try to defend this as a young people issue.  There are hundreds of uber-qualified women, people of color, people with disabilities, people with same sex partners and so forth living in this region.  And we will NEVER have entree into the old boys network.  Zober may be the nicest guy in the world with all the qualifications one would desire in an appointed mayor, but its ludicrous to somehow distance him from the old boys network. If Zober were a chick, black or spoke with a funny accent, he would be safely tucked away somewhere on a semi-defunct advisory committee. 

Potters' column is a classic example of how far we have to go in the struggle for equal representation here in our fair city.  He claims we shouldn't have to choose between  having smart women and smart young people.  Yet all of his political columnists are white middle class heterosexual men. 

Frankly, I am tired of being reassured by white middle class heterosexual men that you have my best interests at heart.  Yet every time we turn around, more of your kind land the big jobs, the columns, the media slots, the appointments, etc.  God love all the progressive white men out there but you need to share some of your actual privilege with us. 

Next up, which white middle class guy will fill Alan Cox' slot on WQED's "Off Q"?  Wait and see ...