Today, Post media columnist Howard Kurtz tackled the popular outcry over the Washington City Paper’s Marion Barry “You Put Me Out In Denver ‘Cause I Wouldn’t Suck Your Dick” cover line. Some readers, Kurtz wrote, found the headline’s final “three-word phrase” vulgar, obscene, and even racist. The Post declined to print the phrase, but I’ll give you a hint: it ain’t “Out in Denver.”

Read More “Why You Should Care About Marion Barry’s Un-Blow-Job” »

Mike DeBonis‘ cover story on Marion Barry and his alleged stalkee’s relationship-caught-on-voicemail is breaking news. The cover image is forever. The Washington Post has capitalized on selling commemorative copies of its Election 2008 issue, its Inauguration 2009 issue, and its Michael Jackson is dead issue. The Washington City Paper’s “You Put Me Out in Denver ‘Cause I Wouldn’t Suck Your Dick” collector’s edition is FREE, and available on newsstands tomorrow! Get ‘em while they’re hot.

Over on City Desk, Mike DeBonis is reporting that the D.C. Council voted unanimously to pass a package of bills that includes recognition for out of state same-sex marriages.

Why did Marion Barry, who led a chant of “No to same-sex marriage” at an anti-gay-marriage rally last week, decline to oppose the gay marriage bill? Oh: He didn’t realize what he was voting on. According to DeBonis, Barry realized his mistake minutes later and moved for reconsideration, firing up the Council debate on marriage.

No take-backs, Marion Barry. No-take backs.

The D.C. Council is getting closer to approving a gay marriage bill, The Examiner reported this week. Openly gay Councilmember Jim Graham said that same-sex marriage was just “steps away” in the District. Those steps, however, are significant ones; since Congress has oversight over D.C. Council legislation, local marriage will become a national issue. In order for conditions to be right to pass the bill, many are saying that Barack Obama must become president, the Democratic majority must be strengthened in Congress, and Prop. 8 must fail in California.

Local government, though, appears more than ready to introduce the legislation. The D.C. Council moved on Tuesday to strengthen the retirement benefits in the domestic partnerships of District police and firefighters. And the only current Councilmember who opposes gay marriage, Marion Barry, says he would support the measure anyway, “despite his personal feelings on the issue.”