The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) on Friday praised the nomination of U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) to be Secretary of State during President Obama's second term.

Obama formally announced the nomination Friday at the White House

Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, would replace Hillary Rodham Clinton if confirmed by his fellow senators -- he is not expected to face much resistance in the Senate for confirmation.

Perhaps you hate President Obama

Because he won re-election
Because he’s a Democrat
Because he’s Black

Because he supports same-sex marriage
Because he organized to fight prejudice
Because he lived in Chicago

Because he initiated heathcare reform
Because he sometimes compromises
Because he sometimes doesn’t

Because he hesitates when he speaks
Because he’s weak on some issues
Because he’s strong on others

Dear President Obama,

I am writing on behalf of American Jewish World Service (AJWS) and its more than one hundred thousand supporters in the United States to urge you to use the persuasive powers of your office to demand that the President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, oppose the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill. This is an urgent matter, as the bill may come up for a vote in Uganda’s parliament in the coming days.

After the failure of a billion-dollar-plus wholesale bakery, a strident presidential election, a celebrated sex scandal (which would not be scandalous in countries less publicly vested in the whereabouts of folks’ dickles), and voter support for same-sex marriage in four states, thoughtful study and analysis of the outcomes is warranted. And what better place to find due consideration of lesson’s learned and key takeaways than in the media. Recent news stories and releases offered the following insights.