Right-wing mob mentality kicks into overdrive in Tampa, where nearly a thousand showed up to attend a townhall meeting on healthcare reform. From 10Connects.com in Tampa:

Angry protesters and strong supporters are clashing inside and all around a health care reform town hall meeting in Downtown Tampa. The meeting which was scheduled to begin at 6:00 at the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County drew hundreds of people who quickly began to overwhelm staff and event organizers at the front entrance.

As the building filled to capacity, angry protesters stuck outside began to scream, yell, and chant. At one point, those trying to get inside began banging on windows as Tampa Police officers quickly spread out guarding all entrances.

10 Connects photojournalist Kevin Carlson, currently inside the meeting reports at least one fist fight breaking out inside. Some other journalists remain outside.

Democratic Congresswoman Kathy Castor and State Representative Betty Reed were hosting the event.

Video outside the townhall below.

Filmmaker John Hughes, best known for his teen comedies in the 1980s, passed away today at the age of 59.

Hughes died of a heart attack during a morning walk in Manhattan, [spokeswoman] Michelle Bega  said. He was in New York to visit family.

A native of Lansing, Mich., who later moved to suburban Chicago and set much of his work there, Hughes rose from ad writer to comedy writer to silver screen champ with his affectionate and idealized portraits of teens, whether the romantic and sexual insecurity of “Sixteen Candles,” or the J.D. Salinger-esque rebellion against conformity in “The Breakfast Club.”

Hughes’ ensemble comedies helped make stars out of Molly Ringwald,Anthony Michael Hall, Ally Sheedy and many other young performers. He also scripted the phenomenally popular “Home Alone,” which made little-known Macaulay Culkin a sensation as the 8-year-old accidentally abandoned by his vacationing family, and wrote or directed such hits as “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” “Pretty in Pink,” “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” and “Uncle Buck.”

Hugh’s films (and their soundtracks) are still loved and adored over 20 years later, particularly among the “sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, waistoids, dweebies and dickheads.”  🙂 John, you were definitely a “righteous dude.”  RIP.

Below, a tribute film made in 1991 at the height of Hughes’s career when he was named Producer of the Year by the National Association of Movie Theater Owners.

In what is sure to be a shock to those who think faith cures all, the American Psychological Association has determined that ex-gay therapy simply doesn’t work, as reported by the LA Times:

There is no evidence to support the claims of some practitioners that sexual orientation can be changed through therapy, a special committee of the American Psychological Assn. reported today. Mental health professionals should not tell patients that they can change their sexual orientation and instead should help them “explore possible life paths that address the reality of their sexual orientation,” according to the report, which was released at a Toronto meeting of the association and online.

Although the majority of scientists now believe that sexual orientation is genetically predetermined, many therapists have claimed to be able to change gay people into straight ones. Spurred by the controversy surrounding such claims, the APA in 2007 appointed a six-member committee of experts to examine the review and update the association’s 1997 report on the subject. Today’s 138-page report, approved by the APA’s governing council, represents their conclusions.

Exodus International, a primary player in the ex-gay therapy movement, responded as follows:

While Exodus does not fully agree with the APA’s crticisms of clinical techniques such as reparative therapy and its view of sexual orientation change, the report does recognize that some choose to live their lives in congruence with religious values. The report also encourages therapists to avoid imposing a specific outcome on clients.

A relatively tame response. Harsher rhetoric from other groups are sure to follow.

Senators from both sides of the aisle have introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which would end discrimination based on the sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Susan Collins (R-ME), Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) are lead sponsors on the bill. HRC president Joe Solmonese made the following statement:

“The introduction of an inclusive employment non-discrimination bill in the U.S. Senate is an important and historic step in ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. No American, and that includes LGBT Americans, should have to worry about their livelihood being taken away from them simply for being who they are. The overwhelming majority of the American people are in favor of this legislation and now is the time for our community to visit their representatives in Congress to let them know we need this passed into law.”

Senators Merkley and Kennedy also weighed in:

Sen. Merkley: “There is no place in the workplace for employment discrimination. No worker in America should be fired or denied a job based on who they are.  Discrimination is wrong, period.  I’m proud to join Senator Kennedy, who is a civil rights legend, and Senators Collins and Snowe, both champions for equality, in taking this next step in our ongoing effort to create a more perfect union and guarantee every American, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, the right to earn a living.”

Sen. Kennedy: “The promise of America will never be fulfilled as long as justice is denied to even one among us. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act brings us closer to fulfilling that promise for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender citizens.  I’m proud to join Senators Merkley and Collins in introducing this important legislation.”

The Senate version of ENDA joins the House version which was introduced last June, and comes on the eve of the August recess. Be sure to contact your senator or congressman over the break and urge them to support ENDA.