This is a video inside the Stonewall Inn while the vote was taking place. What a difference 42 years makes! Great video clip from Riley Kilo.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Sally Kern - Cashing in on Ignorance
Sally Kern, the Oklahoma lawmaker who seems incapable of saying anything that doesn't offend a minority has decided to cash in on her notoriety She has a new book, "The Stoning of Sally Kern" which apparently explains her martyrdom in detail. Morover, the book contains lots of nice examples of Kern's ignorance and bigotry.
From an interview in the Tulsa Beacon she reiterates:
From an interview in the Tulsa Beacon she reiterates:
“I am always being accused of hating homosexuals. I don’t hate anyone. This isn’t a matter of hating someone or trying to deny them their equal rights. All American citizens have equal rights under our Constitution. This is trying to get acceptance for a behavior that is specifically mentioned in God’s Word that is wrong.”Perhaps she should join Rick (man on dog sex) Santorum on a GOP presidential ticket?
If the homosexuals get special status for same-sex marriage, what would stop them from seeking approval for group marriage or marriage to animals or children, Kern said.
“It just opens Pandora’s Box,” Kern said.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Gay History Moment, Fire at the Everhard Baths 1977
As part of a little research for Pride Week, I ran across this footage of the fire at the "Everhard Baths" (the nickname for the Everard Baths) back in May 1977. The Everard Baths were a popular gathering lace for gay men since the 1920's. The fire resulted in several deaths and many injuries. ironically a fire sprinkler system was about to be installed in the aging structure. The date on the video is incorrect.
Rethinking Nuclear Power - A Really Bad Idea
I have never been a fan of nuclear power except when I was a child and the government was boasting the the Atomic Power Plant would make electricity so cheap it wouldn't pay to meter it. Sounded too good to be true then, and it was.
Nuclear has proven to be expensive and very dangerous. Three Mile Island and Chernobyl were the tips of the nuclear iceberg. The massive amounts of radioactive waste and the continuing safety problems make this kind of power generation a fools bargain. Want proof?
Look at Fukushima in Japan. After the massive tsunami the plant was damaged we were told, but now the extent of that damage looks much worse than anyone was lead to believe. Three reactors went into full melt down, their nuclear cores melting through the bottom of the containment vessel and into the ground. The are still hot, reacting and not under control.
This interview with theoretical physicist Michio Kaku should send shivers up your spine because what he says is all too true.
Meanwhile the US Senate has decided to at long last investigate the aging US power plants that should have been decommissioned long ago. According to an article in Huffington Post: "Of the plants were licensed for 40 years, 66 of 104 reactors have been re-licensed for another two decades. Safety regulators at the NRC have never denied a request."
Our Friend the Atom?
Nuclear has proven to be expensive and very dangerous. Three Mile Island and Chernobyl were the tips of the nuclear iceberg. The massive amounts of radioactive waste and the continuing safety problems make this kind of power generation a fools bargain. Want proof?
Look at Fukushima in Japan. After the massive tsunami the plant was damaged we were told, but now the extent of that damage looks much worse than anyone was lead to believe. Three reactors went into full melt down, their nuclear cores melting through the bottom of the containment vessel and into the ground. The are still hot, reacting and not under control.
This interview with theoretical physicist Michio Kaku should send shivers up your spine because what he says is all too true.
Meanwhile the US Senate has decided to at long last investigate the aging US power plants that should have been decommissioned long ago. According to an article in Huffington Post: "Of the plants were licensed for 40 years, 66 of 104 reactors have been re-licensed for another two decades. Safety regulators at the NRC have never denied a request."
Our Friend the Atom?
And Then There Were Eight. More Resignations at GLAAD
GLAAD, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation serves an important role. I am somewhat attached to this organization since I served on the board of the local chapter here in Dallas many years ago during the organizations formative years. Back then, the local chapters were really a grass roots effort to monitor the media and attempt to change the way LGBT people were portrayed.
Today GLAAD seems to be more about Hollywood celebrities and media money. Just look at the current scandal that has decimated the Board of Directors of the organization. So far eight members have resigned over the AT&T letter campaign to the FCC in which GLAAD directors sent letters that seemed to be against "net neutrality". Is this an LGBT issue? Maybe.
More startling was the letter to support the merger of AT&T and T-Mobile. Other than AT&T being a corporate sponsor of GLAAD this one seems a real stretch and it is what brought the board down.
For me the most important resignation was that or Troup Coronado. He resigned voluntarily, stating that he wanted "to do what was in the best interest of GLAAD." Troup must feel awful about it, but I have serious questions about his loyalties since he previously served with the Heritage Foundation, a far right organization that has a well known anti-gay stance. He also worked for Orin Hatch of Utah and his work helped put several judges backed by George W. Bush on the bench. I would pretty much classify Mr. Coronado as a "mole" who has infiltrated the LGBT political scene with questionable motives or perhaps he is working deep cover in the GOP, however that seems pretty remote. This is all speculation of course, and I seriously doubt if we will ever know the whole story.
Welcome to LGBT politics!
Today GLAAD seems to be more about Hollywood celebrities and media money. Just look at the current scandal that has decimated the Board of Directors of the organization. So far eight members have resigned over the AT&T letter campaign to the FCC in which GLAAD directors sent letters that seemed to be against "net neutrality". Is this an LGBT issue? Maybe.
More startling was the letter to support the merger of AT&T and T-Mobile. Other than AT&T being a corporate sponsor of GLAAD this one seems a real stretch and it is what brought the board down.
For me the most important resignation was that or Troup Coronado. He resigned voluntarily, stating that he wanted "to do what was in the best interest of GLAAD." Troup must feel awful about it, but I have serious questions about his loyalties since he previously served with the Heritage Foundation, a far right organization that has a well known anti-gay stance. He also worked for Orin Hatch of Utah and his work helped put several judges backed by George W. Bush on the bench. I would pretty much classify Mr. Coronado as a "mole" who has infiltrated the LGBT political scene with questionable motives or perhaps he is working deep cover in the GOP, however that seems pretty remote. This is all speculation of course, and I seriously doubt if we will ever know the whole story.
Welcome to LGBT politics!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Al Gore Asks, "How Many Disasters Will It Take?"
Apparently people are not listening. Climate change is happening and faster than I would like. Listen to this clip of Al Gore in a recent appearance.
What can you do? Buy a more efficient car when you consider a new car. We have a hybrid and a very fuel efficient small SUV.
Switch to a renewable energy supplier. We use Green Mountain. Only a slight bit more expensive and all renewable sources.
Recycle, reduce and reuse.
This list could go on, but I guess nobody is listening.
What can you do? Buy a more efficient car when you consider a new car. We have a hybrid and a very fuel efficient small SUV.
Switch to a renewable energy supplier. We use Green Mountain. Only a slight bit more expensive and all renewable sources.
Recycle, reduce and reuse.
This list could go on, but I guess nobody is listening.
GLAAD Resignation Exposes a Mole?
As GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios resigned under pressure Saturday, the organization discovered another tie to ATT. Barrios released statements supporting AT&T and it proposed merger with T-Mobile. Clearly issues outside the scope of the organization. As the story broke and more scrutiny was directed at GLAAD and its board, another member was caught in the spotlight.
Troup Coronado, former AT&T executive and current GLAAD board member has some suspicious ties to the virulently anti-gay Heritage Foundation. Coronado also sat on as many as four other LGBT rights organization boards including the Equality California Institute, and the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
Not surprisingly each of these organizations sent letters to the FCC in the recent "net-neutrality" hearings supporting AT&T's position. The letters have since been retracted.
Coronado would seem to be what in the world of espionage called a "mole". Someone who burrows deep into an organization and uses their position to gather information and to steer the organization surreptitiously.
The idea of someone from the Heritage Foundation deep in the hearts of several LGBT groups is disturbing. The incident calls into question the vetting of board members for LGBT groups and in general makes the right-wing look a heck of a lot more nefarious than before.
Make no mistake, groups like Heritage Foundation are not just folks with differing opinions, they are outright enemies and cannot be trusted or ignored. Additionally, donations from big businesses can be just as corrupting an influence on LGBT groups as they are on politicians.
UPDATE: Latest news is that at least 6 board members of GLAAD have resigned as the scandal grows.
Troup Coronado, former AT&T executive and current GLAAD board member has some suspicious ties to the virulently anti-gay Heritage Foundation. Coronado also sat on as many as four other LGBT rights organization boards including the Equality California Institute, and the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
Not surprisingly each of these organizations sent letters to the FCC in the recent "net-neutrality" hearings supporting AT&T's position. The letters have since been retracted.
Coronado would seem to be what in the world of espionage called a "mole". Someone who burrows deep into an organization and uses their position to gather information and to steer the organization surreptitiously.
The idea of someone from the Heritage Foundation deep in the hearts of several LGBT groups is disturbing. The incident calls into question the vetting of board members for LGBT groups and in general makes the right-wing look a heck of a lot more nefarious than before.
Make no mistake, groups like Heritage Foundation are not just folks with differing opinions, they are outright enemies and cannot be trusted or ignored. Additionally, donations from big businesses can be just as corrupting an influence on LGBT groups as they are on politicians.
UPDATE: Latest news is that at least 6 board members of GLAAD have resigned as the scandal grows.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Couple Together 61 Years Await Marriage in NY
I only hope I can live with my partner this long and someday even be married legally.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Clarence Thomas Must Resign! Caught Taking Corporate Bribes!
Say it how you will, taking money from corporations who bring cases before the court is called bribery in most places. Why has Clarence Thomas gotten a pass in this?
From Think Progress:
From Think Progress:
Harlan Crow, whose company often litigates in federal court, donated $500,000 to allow Thomas’s wife to start a Tea Party group and he once gave Thomas a $19,000 Bible that belonged to Frederick Douglass. The American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank which frequently files briefs in Thomas’ Court, also gave Thomas a $15,000 gift.We are talking about a sitting Supreme Court justice! This is outrageous and he needs to be forced to step down.
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