D.C. Mayor:

[Pathfinder]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Embattled Mayor Anthony Williams started campaigning for voter support around the nation's capital on Sunday, his birthday, after he was kicked off the Democratic primary ballot for November's election.

Williams said he was looking at every option and vowed to find a way back onto the ballot to defeat what he considers an unjust ruling by the District of Columbia's elections board to deny him his spot because of fraudulent nominating petitions.

The three-member board ruled unanimously late Friday that Williams lacked the required 2,000 valid signatures, even though the registrar of voters said a review of the 10,240 signatures found at least 2,235 that seemed valid.

Among names on petitions were Billy Joel, Kelsey Grammer, Tony Blair and other specious signatures.

I think it is amusing...at least 2,235 seemed valid out of 10,240.

[Zoe_Zoebaboe]

'I am gay', says Tory

Leading Conservative Alan Duncan has become his party's first serving MP to openly declare his homosexuality.

Mr Duncan's "clear and unequivocal" statement that he is gay comes amid apparent feuding between Tory modernisers and traditionalists.

David Davis was axed as party chairman after anonymous claims that he was blocking Iain Duncan Smith's more progressive, inclusive agenda.

And the Tory leader has welcomed and supported Mr Duncan's decision to declare his sexuality, according The Times.

The shadow foreign affairs minister, who has never kept his sexuality from friends and colleagues, told the paper: "Living in disguise as a politician in the modern world simply isn't an option.

"The Tory view has always been, 'We don't mind, but don't say'. Well, that doesn't work any more.

"I think the only realistic way to behave these days, particularly if you are a politician, is to be absolutely honest."

[Fletch XXX]

"I think the only realistic way to behave these days, particularly if you are a politician, is to be absolutely honest."

Politics is based on pleasing the public, to do this, you must lie.

1984.