Daily Blend: Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Kim Jong-il’s palace as seen from Google Earth

Dang, I hate slow news days. Then again, gives me time to write … and finish going through Nostalgia Critic videos … (And yes, it turns out that all that’s been said on the subject of the Star Wars Holiday Special is true.)

• Sen. Roy Ashburn (R-California), who admitted to being gay last March after being caught driving drunk out of a gay bar, has now come out (no pun intended) in favor of gay rights, including gay marriage and repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. Not that this necessarily absolves him from having voted down every single gay rights measure that passed through the state legislature (all of which passed anyway), but it is a good step in the right direction, and that is commendable. Hopefully, he might even serve as an example for other closeted anti-gay legislators (but don’t hold your breath).
  (via @todayspolitics)

• Here’s another thing you can do that North Koreans can’t: get stunningly detailed views of Kim Jong-il’s palaces [pictured], golf course, private yacht, ostrich farm and assorted labor camps (via Google Earth) without getting arrested, tortured and executed.

• Has Seattle run out of “family values” preachers? Seattleites reveal their greatest desires for the city’s future to be legalizing (and taxing) marijuana and opening nude beaches. The hippies.
  (via @todayspolitics)

• And the idea that human relations are meant to last forever takes yet another hit as Al and Tipper Gore announce their separation. (Okay, okay, I’m stretching it a little. But dammit, I needed a fourth link!)

As always, if you have any story suggestions, feel free to send them in.