There's tension in the air: the Liberals are about to vote on a new leader, everyone's trying to figure out how best to spend tomorrow's 'Day Without A Gay' and the Iowa Supreme Court begins hearings on gay marriage but there's no shortage of silly videos to amuse me today. I've even got the VGL Boys getting me through the recession:

It's no "Dick in a Box" but Andy Samberg's latest digital short is Pet Shop Boys-inspired comedy for your inner 12-year-old (and watch for Justin Timberlake as the DJ/janitor):

Someone found the infamous Crispin Glover interview on David Letterman's old show! I saw this when I was a teen and never forgot it:

Lily Allen's back!  Drunk or sober, she's always a delight:

And, best of all, we are less than six weeks away from the end of the George W. Bush presidency!  I wasn't sure I'd live long enough to type those words and when he joked, "Welcome to my hanging," well....I jizzed in my pants:

Despite the rain, despite the cold, a couple hundred people in Toronto on Saturday "joined the impact" of the international protests against the California Prop 8 ban on gay marriage (along with amazing protesters in Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax and Sault Ste Marie!). Toronto blogger B Stewart has great photos and here's some video of our damp heroes: 

(Did your city take part?  Send us links to your photos and videos!)

This weekend's New York Times had a piece on the big, big Mormon spending on Prop 8. Meanwhile, in an astonishing coincidence, the anti-gay group Focus on the Family announced layoffs of a few dozen people (At Christmas?  What would Jesus say?). You know what they say: people in glass houses should pay their damn mortgage before spending it all on rocks!

Blogger Andrew Sullivan offers a reader's dissenting opinion on the protests:

"Yesterday my girl friend and I drove to downtown San Diego to attend the wine and food festival.  We encountered much difficulty because of the No on 8 Marchers. Efforts at mob rule have always worried me. This great democracy is fragile and I think we do not fully realize how very small numbers of people can cause great disorder. We had an election and the majority of Californians voted to preserve the thousands of years old institution of marriage.  Demonstrations like the one I witnessed yesterday gain no sympathy from those of use who still believe the the rule of law and democratic process. I am afraid we are going to lose this country."

I know I'm supposed to respect an opposing opinon but it'd be a lot easier for me if this guy didn't want gay people to accept being second-class citizens so it'll be easier for him to get to his wine tasting.

But as the gay community in America and beyond thrillingly unites for our rights, why does it seem like our Olympian Mark Tewksbury is tearing us apart, ready to repeat the Outgames debacle?  He'll be hosting a new 'Mr. Gay World' beauty pageant, directly competing with the established 'International Mr. Gay' event. You know what they say: one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist!

As for me (freedom fighter and terrorist), as promised, my dad and I went to see 'Quantum of Solace' for his birthday -- our contribution to the $70 million (!!) it made this weekend. We both loved it, though I was alone in my opinion that Daniel Craig is The Sex.

We were, however, cheated out of the new 'Star Trek' trailer that was supposed to be attached but at least it goes live on its website at 1pm EST today. Internet fanboys are already whining that Kirk and Spock "look gay." I have no problem with this.

Meanwhile, I was happy to record this week's 'Saturday Night Live' because it was hosted by Paul Rudd. (Have I mentioned him before?)  If you caught the show, you saw this surprise cameo:

Oh no! Those damn Hollywood liberals are back, bugging everyone to vote (You're not my dad, Harrison Ford!!!). Aww but wait -- there's Borat!  And Neil Patrick Harris, being extra-adorable! Okay fine, I'll watch it -- just please stop Jason Segal yelling at me:

So sure, I love a good left-wing, pro-environment public service announcement as much as the next organic food store shopper but someone seriously needs to take Greenpeace aside and say, "What the fuck were you thinking?" Their new ad, with its just-in-time-for-Halloween zombie JFK, is beyond creepy:

But, in the interest of fairness, it's important to note that there are Republican celebrities too (at least I think they're celebrities). They've joined forces against Minnesota candidate and former "Saturday Night Live" writer Al Franken, creator of nelly advice guru Stuart Smalley. Franken's good enough, he's smart enough, but doggone it, they really don't like him:

And while anything can happen with the US election next Tuesday, I have to admit to feeling a little sorry for John McCain: he got shafted today, not just in this drop-the-hammer ad from Barack Obama but by his own running mate Sarah Palin! It's like they say in Alaska: "Never trust a pitbull in lipstick with your moose from Neiman Marcus." Or something like that.

But since we're talking politics just before Halloween, check out this ad for anti-gay-marriage rally in San Diego -- I find the voiceover hilarious even as the content chills me down to my bones:

Fortunately, the LA Times has an excellent point/counterpoint on the whole ugly debate and, whatever happens in California on Tuesday, blogger Brian Frank gives us "Five Reasons Why the Opponents of Gay Marriage Will Ultimately Fail."

Suitably reassured, I can turn to more fictional Halloween terrors. I'm thinking of digging up an old favourite: "A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge" is the Gayest. Movie. Ever. (Yes, I'm including "Showgirls") Here's just one example:

While the Sunshine State is to blame for alligators, Disney World, high-pulp orange juice, fundamentalists and boy bands, a new poll reveals that "only" 55 percent of voters support a ban on gay marriage (enacting the ban requires at least 60 percent). I like to think it's the steady flow of Canadian values coming down with the snowbirds!

Speaking of which, Stephen Harper is campaigning for re-election based on a warmer, fuzzier image as some sweater-clad father figure like Bing Crosby (oh wait, bad analogy!). Asked about the family values of his rival, Harper said, "I don't know Stephane Dion all that well. I presume that he's been married a long time, has children. I presume he's a family man also.'' You gotta love that word "presume" -- it allows Harper the unspoken finish, "...but Dion could also be a pagan-worshipping homosexual who drinks the blood of children."

Justin Timberlake almost got punched in the face when a fight broke out in a New York club. Mariah Carey, Rihanna and Beyoncé and Solange Knowles were also there, ducking for cover. Is it just me or does "Celebrity Bar Brawl" not sound like the best reality show ever?

Austrailian diver Matthew Mitcham, gold-medal winner and one of the few openly gay athletes at the Beijing Olympics, is being honoured with his own postage stamp. Canada Post employees are praying that Mark Tewksbury doesn't hear about this!

Now that Kevin and Scotty are married, out Canadian actor Luke Macfarlane becomes a series regular when "Brothers & Sisters" returns on Sept. 28. That's not really news; just an excuse to print this very pretty publicity picture!