senator kirk was joined by just six of his republican colleagues in voting yes on the measure. respected 2016 presidential candidates rand paul and marco rubio both voted no. and as the senate passed that bill, congressman mike mccode came out of the closet. the 58-year-old democrat who is also running for governor wrote an op ed for two state newspapers in response to what he called whisper campaigns about his sexuality. he acknowledged being gay, writing yes, i am, but why should it matter? apparently, former president jimmy carter was this close to slugging then south african president thabo mbeki. in the 1970s, mbeki was refusing to let aids patients in his country be treated. mr. carter now says he never came as close to getting into a fistfight than at that very moment. who knew he had it in him? the future of the houston astrodome is at stake today. voters are asked to authorize $217 million in bonds to transform it into a convention center. area leaders say if the