Lady GaGa in Portland

I don't usually cover the celebs, but Lady GaGa showed up across the street from my house yesterday, resulting in my filing this short down-and-dirty piece for the Daily Beast. She's trying to pressure Maine Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe to repeal the current policy on gays in the military.

A few details not in the piece: Ms. GaGa spoke from the open air bandstand at Deering Oaks Park, a venue usually associated with less prominent acts like Portland's Italian Heritage Club Band. She was preceded on stage by several vets kicked out of the service under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy -- including one who says he was asked and didn't tell, but got the boot anyway -- as well as by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (who sits on the Armed Services Committee) and Portland's (unelected) mayor, Nick Mavodones.

Will be interesting to see if either of Maine's senators are willing to break the Republican filibuster and repeal the policy.

[Update, 9/21/10, 6:30 pm: On our senators, it looks like the answer is no.]