Fox News Reprimanded By Texas State Board of Education

Fox News is trying to stir up a war in Texas and it's doing it by laying. Big surprise!

The alleged "news" channel is drumming up a supposed conspiracy to make Texas textbooks "liberal". I guess the arm lock the Right-Wing has had on Texas education isn't good enough for them. Now they are intent on making the piss-poor textbooks we already use even worse. How? By claiming they are being controlled by a liberal cabal!

Oh puleeze! Think Progress made this montage. Watch it and get sick!

Eric Massa - The Elephant in the Room

I will be the first to admit that the Republicans are not the only sleezebags around. We Democrats have our full share as well and right now the biggest one would seem to be Representative Eric Massa. Unless you have been living under a rock, you have heard about this jerk who groped one of his male staff members. That would be sexual harassment in the business world and would result in prompt termination.

Not so in politics. Here this kind of thing becomes political theater and so Massa makes a big deal about resigning because of health reasons. The theater continues with an insane interview with Massa on Glen Beck's show.

Many have called it a train wreck and I think that is being kind. First, Massa is a complete idiot to go on that show in the first place, much less as the accused in a sexual harassment scandal, much less in a gay sex scandal! Second, Beck behaving true to form, was a jerk and made great sport of Massa, getting him to say lots of juicy sound bites that will no doubt be played back for years to come.

So there it is, the elephant in the room that many Dems are reluctant to talk about. Well, talk about it and get the creep out of the House!

Once again Jon Stewart sums it up best:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
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Corey Haim Dead at 38

In the sad but true category, child star Corey Haim was found dead at his home around 3:30am this morning. Police are calling it an accidental overdose. Haim had struggled with drug addition for several years.

This is something I suspect people saw coming. It once again makes me wonder if children in show business isn't a very subtle form of child abuse.

Rush Limbaugh Goes Racist - Calls Patterson "Massa"

OK I am not being sensation when I say that Rush Limbaugh has gone way too far. He refers to David Patterson as "the 'massa' who will replace Massa" when referring to the possible appointment by Patterson of someone to fill Representative Erik Massa's seat.

Where is the NAACP? Why are folks calling for Limbaugh's head?

Location Sharing A Bad Idea!

Sometimes just because you can do something you shouldn't. Take the case of sites like Foursquare or the new feature showing your location in Facebook. Yes it is all the rage of social networks, but I can hear my mother's voice now. "Just because everyone else is jumping off a cliff should you?"

If you need a good argument against location tracking visit Please Rob Me. It was created in response to the trend by a bunch of geeks who realized the dangers in announcing to the world where you are...or where you are not, like at home!

OK, so I may be paranoid, but having been burglarized numerous times, I assure you there are folks out there who will use this as a ticket to quick and painless jackpots.

"Oh, you are at Starbucks? Well, I am visiting your unlocked garage and breaking into your house!"

Roy Ashburn - GOP Closet Case

I am sure everyone has heard about the California GOP lawmaker Roy Ashburn who after being arrested for DUI leaving a gay nightclub has finally come out on a talk radio show? No? Well, that pretty much sums it up except for the fact that this guy has been virulent in his work against LGBT rights in California for the past 15 years.

Now he says he voted that way because his constituents wanted him to.

That is the biggest crock of crap I have ever heard. Imagine how those same constituents feel now that they find out he is gay? Betrayed, defrauded? I certainly would. His defense is simply a lie.

Ashburn voted against LGBT rights to protect himself or at least to keep himself in office. As a closeted politician he had no incentive to be pro-LGBT and every reason to be against it. If he worked for equal rights he was sure to come into contact with someone who would recognize him from a gay venue and that would mean an end to his career. It's that simple. The guy is not concerned with his service to votes, only to keeping his position and power.

Guess what Roy? I get the feeling your voting record won't amount to a hill of beans in the next election. The GOP in California is just as homophobic as the Republican Party in the rest of the country and you won't stand a chance as an openly gay man. Your career might be limited to speaking at Log Cabin Republican events from this point forward.

The Right-wing can forgive the drunk driving, even womanizing, but being gay? Never!

Oscars Again!

OK, I am officially gay, I watch the Oscars!

I even managed to predict a lot of the winners. This morning I found a site that has a great parody of the winning pictures posters. Enjoy!

Lady Gaga Wows Again.

OK, it's official. I am a Lady Gaga fan.

She sings with power and style, her songs are catchy and musically interesting and her outfits...OMFG! I am not a big fan of glitter but she could convert me. This performance features a dress with automatic alterations that happen during the song. OMG.

Alice In Wonderland - Dark and Magical

It isn't your average Alice, but I didn't expect that from Tim Burton. The new and eye popping Alice in Wonderland is darker than the animated Disney version, but all the usual suspects are there.

Johnny Depp is the Mad Hatter and he plays it suitably loony, but not so much funny as disturbed, Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen is wonderful in her terrifying portrayal of a monarch obsessed with beheading.

The 3D was perfection. I often found myself flinching as thing s flew from the screen, and the line between reality and fantasy has all but disappeared. Aside from the effects the story is quite a bit different from the books, yet some of the characters and events flow together nicely in this re-imagining of the tale.

Don't go expecting singing flowers and silly card soldiers and you will have a great time!

Butt Drugs! Great Video.

Thanks to Joe.My.God. for finding this gem!

Pentagon Shooter - Right-Wing Terrorist

Another right-wing wacko! Just what we need.

The shooter who opened fire at the Pentagon and ended up being killed by police was just such a wacko. He was a conspiracy theorist and radical who was opposed to government in general and specifically to a list of grievances. His rant was posted on a podcast available here.

The growing number of violent right-wing vigilantes should be cause for concern. Fueled by venom from people like Glenn Beck and the teabaggers, these people are getting pretty crazy.

Vatican Running Gentleman's Club? Sex Scandal in Rome!

OK, not that kind of Gentleman's Club, but one that trades money for sex!

Gentleman of the Holiness is the title of Angelo Balducci, a high official in the Vatican. Apparently he was caught on tape negotiating payment for delivery of men he wanted brought to him for sexual purposes. The price? A whopping 2,000 euros or about $2700 US.

Strange that the Vatican, a bastion of anti-LGBT rhetoric and rulings now has it's own sex scandal brewing. Why is it always the folks who complain the loudest about the "sins of homosexuals" who are closeted gays themselves?

Jon Stewart Exposes Talking Points of GOP

I watched the Daily Show last night as is my habit, and Jon Steward once again exposed the blatant talking points of the right wing. He string together dozens of clips of Republicans and right-wing pundits repeating the exact phrase about the health care reform measure. "Rammed down our throats"!

Oh puleeze! And yet the American public doesn't understand that Fox News, the GOP and the right in general get their talking points every day and stick to them religiously. Don't believe me? Catch this clip and then ask yourself why can't the Democrats try this tactic for a bit, just for a test.

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Christian Terrorist Hate Group? Closer Than You Think.

Not to be alarmist, but WTF?

A Christian hate group in Amarillo is promoting itself as Repent Amarillo. Their website is filled with military images and weaponry and they refer to themselves as the "Army of God". Last time I checked that is the translation of the name Hezbollah and from what I can tell they are cut from the same cloth.

Their site even has a "warfare map" with specific locations highlighted as targets that include gay bars and adult oriented businesses as well as churches they deem too liberal. The Unitarian Church is shows as a "pagan enclave" and the Wildcat Bluff Nature Center is called a "pagan center" because there is an "earth circle" on the property.

This kind of militaristic crap is what can spur right wing wackos into doing deadly tings wrapped in the bible and a false sense of righteousness. Things like that warfare map are intended to scare the non-believer and essentially act as a terrorist tactic. If these folks don't scare you, then you are not reading the fine print.

If you live in Amarillo, keep on your guard, because this kind of thing can get out of control fast. Not to be alarmist or anything but these guys could be easily called the Texas Taliban!

Anti-Gay GOP California State Senator at Gay Club Before Arrest?

My feet just can't stop tapping to the beat of the Schadenfreude Polka! Anti-gay state Senator from Southern California was arrested for drunk driving after being tailed leaving a gay bar. Now you gotta love that!

The California Highway Patrol pulled over Sen. Roy Ashburn at 2:00 a.m. Wednesday after an officer noticed his state issued black Chevy Tahoe swerving. A male passenger, not identified as a lawmaker, was also in the car but was not detained.

The Senator has a history of being against gay rights measures. Oh the irony?

The Dallas Voice has more.

American Family Aassociation Calls for Sea World Management to be Stoned to Death

When I heard the tragic news of the death of Sea World trainer, Dawn Brancheau, the last people I expected to comment were the crazies at the American Family Association.

Normally, (and I use that word cautiously with these folk) they are the first to respond when LGBT rights are in question or someone decides to give control of a woman's body over to her. Ah, but never doubt their ability to surprise!

A blogger for the AFA has chalked up the whale killing to a lack of following scripture. Damn these people are starting to sound like Muslim Fundamentalists more and more every day!

Here is the quote:

Chalk another death up to animal rights insanity and to the ongoing failure of the West to take counsel on practical matters from the Scripture. [...] Says the ancient civil code of Israel, “When an ox gores a man or woman to death, the ox shall be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten, but the owner shall not be liable.” (Exodus 21:28) So, your animal kills somebody, your moral responsibility is to put that animal to death. You have no moral culpability in the death, because you didn’t know the animal was going to go postal on somebody. But, the Scripture soberly warns, if one of your animals kills a second time because you didn’t kill it after it claimed its first human victim, this time you die right along with your animal. To use the example from Exodus, if your ox kills a second time, “the ox shall be stoned, and its owner also shall be put to death.” (Exodus 21:29)

Gotta love that Old Testament slash and burn religion! Watch your back Sea World folks, better wear hard hats to protect yourself from those stones!

Porsche Hybrid Conecpt!

Porsche has never shied away from new ideas, and this one is a doozie. The Porsche 918 Spider Hybrid. Yup, HYBRID! Still a concept car, but with the kind of power and buzz this can generate, (no pun intended) they just might.

Sarah Palin Does Stand-up on Leno

Sarah Palin continues to dance across the media stage even though her 15 minutes of fame is up! Her appearance on Jay Leno is absolute stand-up! She actually said she joined Fox because in her opinion there was "too much opinion interjected in hard news stories".

I swear she has a comedy writer working for her.

Republicans In Texas Hate LGBT People

If you ever wanted proof that the GOP herein the Great State of Texas absolutely hates LGBT people, check these paragraphs taken from the 2008 Texas Republican Party Platform:

Marriage Licenses - We support legislation that would make it a felony to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple and for any civil official to perform a marriage ceremony for such.

Homosexuality – We believe that the practice of homosexuality tears at the fabric of society, contributes to the breakdown of the family unit, and leads to the spread of dangerous, communicable diseases. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country’s founders, and shared by the majority of Texans. Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable “alternative” lifestyle in our public education and policy, nor should “family” be redefined to include homosexual “couples.” We are opposed to any granting of special legal entitlements, refuse to recognize, or grant special privileges including, but not limited to: marriage between persons of the same sex (regardless of state of origin), custody of children by homosexuals, homosexual partner insurance or retirement benefits. We oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values.

Texas Sodomy Statutes - We oppose the legalization of sodomy. We demand that Congress exercise its authority granted by the U.S. Constitution to withhold jurisdiction from the federal courts from cases involving sodomy.

Now, please can anyone tell me why in Gawd's name a self respecting LGBT person would be part of a party that absolutely and categorically hates LGBT people?

I am waiting Log Cabin Republicans!

NOTE: There is a resolution on the GOP primary ballot to resend this hateful language. I am also eager to see if this passes.

HRC's Solmonese Says DADT Will Be Repealed This Year

It was a pretty bold statement from Joe Solmonese to promise that Don't Ask Don't Tell will be repealed this year. He made the statement in a speech at an HRC fund raising dinner in Raleigh, North Carolina.

That was the good news, the bad news was he feels that support for gay rights will decline after the midterm elections. That means we have to put the pressure on NOW.

His assurance also really puts Human Rights Campaign's relevance on the table. Success in the repeal will show that the organization still has some clout in DC. Failure will signal it's death knoll.

HRC has been struggling to remain relevant and show that it has some effect on the state of rights for LGBT people in this country and if it can't help move along some of the meager efforts now in the pipeline, then what good is it?

Fort Worth - Still Hates Gays - Still A Hick Town

In the grand tradition of the "good ol' boy" network, Fort Worth has decided to circle the wagons and protect the police in the Rainbow Lounge Raid, by prosecuting the victims. The two men who were "arrested" in the raid both of whom suffered injuries, including Chad Gibson who was hospitalized for a brain injury are being prosecuted for "public intoxication" and "assaulting a state agent."

These same "state agents" were fired by the TABC for misconduct in the raid! The police were reprimanded and the city bragged that this was an "opportunity to learn and move forward."

Well they are indeed moving but not forward. With this ridiculous prosecution Ft. Worth is moving backward into the early 20th century and beyond. They are banking on the short attention span of the public and hoping people will forget the outrageous police riot that sent people to the hospital and enraged the public just a few months ago.

Well guess what Fort Worth? We remember! You (the city) would style yourself as a cosmopolitan mecca, but at the heart you are still a dusty cattle town governed by a bunch of bigots. Fighting words? You betcha, see you in the streets. With any luck there will be bigger and louder protests that the ones after the raid. Enough is enough.

Penis Pants? Fashion Designers Go Off The Deep End!

OK, you have heard me rail about the creatively bankrupt world of fashion here. My suspicions that these folks hate the models they work with and are intent on humiliating women. Well the same goes for the designs by female designers for me. Can I hear a big "Puleeze!"

This crap that they are trying to pass off as couture is less than comical, it's pitiful. I really long for Lagerfeld and Coco. They knew how to make people look glamorous. Watch this video and look at the faces of the male models. They look embarrassed.

ISABEL MASTACHE Fall Winter 2010 / 11 Cibeles from NEOMODA on Vimeo.

Killer Whales & Showbiz

In years past I worked around sea life parks and came to respect the creatures that those attractions showcased. I admit enjoying watching performing sea lions and dolphins and even had a chance to interact with a few of these animals.

The whales are a different story. They are social beings in the wild and travel in well defined families and pods. They roam far and wide in the oceans and communicate through methods we are still struggling to understand. I have to believe that a whale is better off in the ocean than a swimming pool.

That said, I a deeply saddened by the death of Sea World trainer Dawn Brancheau. She was killed when the whale she worked with in a show at Sea World dragged her under water and drowned her. Her death is even more tragic since this same scenario has happened before with the same whale.

I have to suspect that the captivity and unnatural living arrangements for the whale somehow led to the aggressive behavior. It is time we reexamined our fascination with capturing sea creatures of this size and trying to turn them into vaudeville acts.

Miss Beverly Hills Justifies Killing Gays

Well seems that the Ugandans have nothing on folks from Beverly Hills. If Miss Beverly Hills is any indicator, LGBT folks need to steer clear of this pricey enclave of bigotry.

Miss Beverly Hills 2010, Lauren Ashley, told the Fox News folks the following:

“The Bible says that marriage is between a man and a woman. In Leviticus it says, ‘If man lies with mankind as he would lie with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death and their blood shall be upon them.’ The Bible is pretty black and white,”

Shades of Carrie Prejean!

Wall Street Bonuses Over $20 Billion?

The year after we, that is you and I bailed out the big Wall Street banks comes the news that executives on the street took home a tidy $20 billion in bonuses. TWENTY BILLION!

That makes 2009's booty 17% higher than the swag taken home in 2008. What the f*#k?

In a report given by New York state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, at many of the big firms, compensation was up 31 percent, while sector-wide the average was a 27 percent increase. The truth is we pay and they take!

DiNapoli is a backer of stricter regulation and said in an interview he wants to,"make sure the securities industry thrives without driving the rest of us out on a fragile economic limb."

Well, as a person who lives out on the edge of that economic limb, I can tell you that none of this sits well with me. I would like to see Wall Street bonuses tied to long term company performance instead of a quarter by quarter view. The robber barons of Wall Street need to be reigned in.

Jealous? Not so much but angry that they are profiteering while we support them, hell yes!

Coyote in Central Park!

I used to be skeptical of the thought that Coyotes were living here near our house in Dallas, TX. Well if one can survive in Central Park in the middle of Manhattan, I guess it's not so far fetched that we have them here in Texas!

London Fashion Week - Very Odd Indeed!

Once again I am appalled at what designers are passing off as fashion. I swear these guys must hate their models with a passion to send them down a runway looking like refugees from a sci-fi convention.



More here if you can stand it.

GOP Lawmaker Thinks Deadly IRS Attack Was Justified!

"Yeah, but he's our terrorist!" That is the gist of the response from Rep. Steve King, Republican from Iowa. King was interviewed at the CPAC fiesta where he told a questioner that the attack on the IRS was justified. Read about it on Think Progress.

Finally, Great German Food in Dallas

Ever since my partner and I returned from a trip to Germany a couple of years ago I have lamented the lack of a great German restaurant in Dallas. I have always been fond of German food, I suspect it comes from my grandmother who was from the Old Country and cooked a lot of Eastern European dishes.

German food in Dallas has been limited to a couple of delis where some pretty good wurst is served, but for schnitzel, spaetzel and sauerbraten I was out of luck.

Well imagine my surprise when I found that the restaurant voted "Best German Restaurant in America" had been hiding in the Metroplex for years! Up in Plano, tucked away in a strip center is the Bavarian Grill. My partner and I fond it while scanning restaurant listings in the Dallas Observer.

I expected a hole in the wall, but this place is cavernous. It feels much like the restaurants we visited on a train ride through the Black Forest. The atmosphere was enhanced by live music in the bar complete with yodeling and beer drinking songs. The restaurant had a bad as well plaing more sedate accordion and tuba fare.

If you are a beer lover, their menu of authentic German brew is impressive. If you are a food lover, dive into just about anything on the menu. They feature a "Winter Menu" with Bavarian specialties of the season like wild boar sausages and venison. I had the G’selchtes im Kraut mit Erbs, pork chops cooked with sauerkraut. They were actually more like ham steaks on a mount of steaming Bavarian style kraut with tasty pureed green peas (think green mashed potatoes) and a side of Kartoffelpfannkuchen (latkes as my grandmother would call them). My partner had the Oberstdorfer Sauerbraten mit Semmelknödel und Rotkraut, roast beef in a ginger sauce with dumplings and red cabbage.

For those unfamiliar with German cooking, go hungry and leave your diet plans at home. Bavarian Grill is open 7 days a week and has live music almost every night.

CPAC Descends Into Civil War Over Gays

The CPAC conference has deteriorated into name calling. Seems the sponsorship of the right wing love fest by an alleged Gay Republican organization GOProud has caused much consternation. '

First a speaker from Students for Liberty was roundly heckled and booed for his mention of the GOProud group's sponsorship. Then the YAF, Young Americans for Freedom verbally bashed the gay group to cheers.

It's all very telling as the GOP may very well be melting down a little bit. Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of bigots.

Texans are Dumber than A Box of Rocks - New Poll Proves It!

Sometimes it is easy to forget how politicized our education system here in Texas is. Case in point, our textbooks. Since Texas is the largest buyer of textbooks, many publishers make the business decision to abide by whatever standards Texas sets. That means material in Texas textbooks is hotly contested. Specifically, the right wing and fundamentalists try to push their religious agenda into every page of school books here in Texas.

The end result of this politicization is an electorate that gets progressively dumber and dumber. If I were a conspiracy theorist I would point out that this is a long term strategy to create a nation of sheep who can be easily controlled by a fascist government. Bahhhh!

Meanwhile, the anti-science bent in Texas school texts has produced this disturbing result:

• 51% believe, “Human beings, as we know them today, developed from earlier species of animals.”

• 38% believe, “God created human beings pretty much in their present form about 10,000 years ago.”

• 30% believe, “Humans and dinosaurs lived at the same time.” Another 30 percent said they “don’t know” whether the statement is true.

This should make you scared for our future, since these same ideology laden books are used across the country to "uneducate" our children.

Meanwhile, there are a whole bunch of Texans who will never be able to compete on the world stage in science, since they believe the Flintstones is a documentary!

The Name Game - Men's, Women's and Gender Neutral?

I saw something at the NGLTF Creating Change conference in Dallas that surprised me. Not so much because of the political correctness of it, but because of our Great State of Texas laws. The restrooms on the main floor of of the conference had been relabeled as "Gender Neutral Restrooms".

I have no problem with the idea, though the state differs. I understand the needs of my trans friends and how sometimes they are caught in the gender trap of public conveniences. What I saw was revealing. In many places the "Men's" is on the right and the "Women's" is on the left. This may or may not be an architectural convention but it seems pretty common. Even though the signs had been changed to "Gender Neutral", men and those identifying as men turned right and women and those identifying as women turned left.

Go figure?

The good thing about gender neutral restrooms is that it could eliminate the need for potty parody and the long lines at public events. Just choose the restroom with the shortest line and voila, problem solved.

I seriously doubt if this nod to political correctness will ever catch on in mainstream society, but it was an interesting experiment in social engineering. Now, how about adding those sofas in the Men's room that used to be mandated by Texas law in Women's restrooms?

Manifesto of Suicide Pilot in Austin?

Before you go running into the streets in terror, the plane crash in Austin just may be the work of a man who was depressed over debt and troubles with the IRS.

Latest suspect is Joseph Andrew Stack, who apparently set fire to his home and then stole a small airplane which he crashed into the building. That building in Austin houses some of the IRS offices and that may be the motive. Someone who seems suspiciously like Stack left a manifesto here and it sound like both a rant and a suicide note.

Business Insider found the rant and has more on the story here.

Hope there are no additional deaths other than the pilot.

Love Wins In New Hampshire

A measure to overturn the law allowing same sex marriage was defeated in the New Hampshire state house yesterday. The vote was decisive, 210 to 109, that number included 40 Republicans voting to maintain same-sex marriage!

Great news!

Rick Votaw - Bigot, Republican and Potty Mouth

And the hits from Utah just keep coming! Latest news from the "bigot state" is Rick Votaw, the vice chairman of the Salt Lake County GOP who made the delightful comment in response to a silent protest. LGBT activists had gathered on the steps of the Utah Supreme Court wearing tape or cloth over their mouths symbolizing the message that they won’t be silenced.

GOP uber-bigot Votaw remarked, "I think it’s because they want to keep the cocks out of their mouths".

Whoops! Well now he says he is sorry... of course that is only after the press got hold of this juicy quote. Meanwhile Republicans and Democrats have agreed to suspend legislation on gay rights until the 2011 legislative session. Score one for inaction!

Over Enhanced Skin Tones Mar Winter Olympic Coverage

Watching the Winter Olympics tonight I noticed how the new technology of HD worked for and against the event. The depth of color and detail made the skaters look like I was watching them through a window not a TV. That was great, Then they cut to the panel of experts and things went south.

Apparently these on-camera folks learned about the "skin tone detail adjustment" that is available in modern HD cameras. This feature is actually the camera recognizing skin tones and softening them to eleminate the details that might be more obvious in HD. For example pits and blemishes, thought small will show up. So, I suspect the on-camera talent insisted that the technical folks turn this control to the max to smooth out their skin and eliminate any wrinkles or imperfections. What you get is a smooth almost plastic look. It was like watching "pod people' rather than humans.

Scott Hamilton is in his 50's but his face looked like a pink blob, only eyes, nose and mouth breaking the uninterrupted smoothness. Oh come one folks, you look like mummies not people. Live with your wrinbkles and stop trying to use technology to mask the fact that you are aging. Big deal, we all age, it's what experience and life is about!

Boo Hoo! Glenn Beck Has No Sponsors inUK

Cry baby Glenn Beck has lost 103 sponsors in the United Kingdom for his show. In fact it ran for five straight days without any sponsors at all! The lack of paying advertisements is a result of an action by Color of Change, a group dedicated to strengthening Black America's voice in the media. Their campaign to urge sponsors to pull their ads from Glenn Beck because of his radical racially charged hate speech has worked.

Now, I have to wonder when Fox will tire of keeping Beck on the air as a nonprofit program. Though Fox is the propaganda arm of the GOP, they are also motivated by profit, and no proifit means no programs.

New Crime - Flying While Fat!

OK, everyone has heard about actor Kevin Smith's recent kerfuffle with Southwest Airlines. The air carrier tossed him from a flight because they said he was too big to fit in the seat. Smith claims he was in the seat and buckled in securely when they ousted him.

It was a PR nightmare for Southwest, but it raises an interesting question. First, if yo know me you know I am not skinny. When I fly I purposely try to avoid Southwest because the seats are cramped and you can't reserve a seat. Mostly, I fly American Airlines since I can often get an upgrade with my advantage miles. (Though I have some beefs with AA mainly related to their rotten "on-time" schedule)

Now since much of America is growing, and I mean in the waistline department, it would seem silly to alienate an entire class of flying customer. I have to wonder if airlines wouldn't be advised to pull a few rows out and make larger seats for FF's (fat fliers). I for one would pay more for the comfort, though not as much as the exorbitant first class seats.

Just an idle observation. Meanwhile, Kevin Smith has challenged Southwest to bring their seats to the Daily Show where he will face the challenge of sitting and bucking himself in. If he fails he has pledged $10,000 to the charity of their choice.

For those long flights, like overseas, I use this trick. I book the seats well in advance and get the lowest rate possible, then book three seats so my partner and I can relax with the seat rests up and never feel cramped. Not that much more expensive and feels like First Class without the china and glassware.

Amazing Skater - Gary Beacom

You won't see him in the this year's Olympics, but his skating is amazing. Off the ice he is pretty much a wacko, tax-protester, wing nut. On the ice he breaks all the rules and is inspirational.

Utah Legislature Considers Dropping 12th Grade

Ah yes, seems the legislature in Utah is trying to out-stupid Texas again. (Being from Texas I can say that with impunity.) Now they have decided that since they are facing a deficit the best way to cut that down is to eleminate 12th grade in public schools. Yup! Drop the Senior year of high school and you save big time!

What the heck? Well, here is the spin the GOP is trying to put on this proposal:

"The bottom line is saving taxpayer dollars while improving options for students," said state Sen. Howard A. Stephenson, a Republican and co-chairman of the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee. "The more options we give to students to accelerate, the more beneficial it is to students and taxpayers."

You see when a Republican wants to eliminate a critical service, they call it an option. Like having kids that are ill-prepared for college is an option. Although, I guess considering the average IQ of the Utah Legislature, 12th grade seems like a luxury!

If these guys were selling cars they would tell you that brakes and steering are options. Oy vey!

The Best Lernin' is Home Lernin'!

Well I just couldn't resist this lovely photo posted over at Joe My God. I think it really sums it up as far as the IQ of the Perry/Palin folks.

Cheney Reconsiders DADT?

And as the earth shifts on it's axis, our old friend Dick Cheney has decided that it is time to take a second look at "Don't Ask Don't Tell". Will wonders never cease?

The Three Musketeers and Black History Month?

When I was younger I loved swashbuckling stories. I read the The Three Musketeers and Count of Monte Cristo albeit in the Classics Illustrated edition after finding the novels a bit beyond my reading level. In later years I tackled them in the original version and found them riveting.

I even studied them in high school along with other classics of European literature and never once did I learn that the author, Alexander Dumas was black! That little nugget was conveniently ignored in my white-centric schooling, though I expect it is not today. So, as my contribution to Black History Month, I encourage you to find out a little more about Dumas and the next time you consider one of the many versions of his novels that have made it into film and television, remember his heritage.

The French writer was from an aristocratic Hatian/Creole family, though his widowed mother had long lost any wealth and raised Alexander as best as she could. His love of books and admiration for his fathers military career lead to his later storylines of daring do.

Enjoy!

KD Lang Wows The Olympics

If you missed the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, you missed a lot of high-tech theatrics and visuals. The biggest thing you missed was KD Lang, everyone's favorite "cow-punk" lesbian crooning a knockout version of "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen. Watch it here and try not to get shivers up your spine!

She stood on a high platform in a stunning white suit and belted it out as the whole crowd lit battery operated candles and swayed to the tune. It was so simple and yet so powerful. Canada should be proud!

Surviving the Great Dallas Blizzard

Some have called it Snowpocalypse, others Snowmageddon, but no matter what you call it it sucked!

Dallas received over a foot of snow, and though to folks in the great white north that is just a mild annoyance, to us here in Dallas it's a record breaker. Dallas has no snowploughs, no snow emergency routes and no real provisions for tons of heavy wet snow. The show broke tree limbs across the area and as they sagged or fell they in turn broke power lines. Voila! A full fledged mess.

Over 250,000 homes without power including ours! So, we toughed it out for a night and then wimped out and moved to a hotel. The first hotel, a friendly La Quinta on Central Expressway had rooms available, even though the town is packed for the NBA All-Star game Friday night. We arrived, My aging Aunt and Cousin in tow, since their house was dark and cold as well, only to find the hotel had lights but no heat. That is a deal breaker for sure.

The folks at La Quinta were very helpful and they did find us a room for the night...in Irving, Texas. So we trucked across town and ensconces ourselves in the hotel. After a nice dinner at the Outback with my Aunt and cousin we spend a warm cozy night in Irving.

This morning we called our house and the answering machine failed to pick up. Making an exploratory trip we found the house fully powered and warm, the cats serenely asleep on the bed greeting us with insouciance. But hey they are cats and that is what they do. We checked my Aunt's house and she did not have power, so I treated them to another night at the hotel should they need it.

All in all quite a little adventure and all because of the pretty white stuff that falls from the sky.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, my ass!

Update 2/14/10 - Not so fast! Well we had a nice dinner out and returned home last night to a dark street. Power out yet again! So, we spent the night with friends and finally today the electricity is back on. Hopefully, it will stay that way.

Homosexual vs. Gay - Words Color Poll Results

I just read a new study that said that more people polled support "gays serving in the military" than "homosexuals serving in the military". The numbers are astounding, 70% in favor versus 57% even though both terms are accurate and neither is a slur.

It is absolutely wierd how a simple change in semantics can color a poll. This is a good thing to remember in the future and especially when it comes to minorities. I suspect if the term "negro" is used instead of "African American" in a poll you'd get similar results.

Now that our community has started adding letters to LGBT such as QQIA (queer, questioning, intersex,allied) I have to wonder how that poll would work with those terms. My suspicion is that if you askede people if they wanted "queers to serve openly in the military" they would be overwhelmingly against it. That word, though many in our community have embraced it, still carries a big emotional wallop.

The lesson here is when speaking with the general public, use non-inflamitory words to get better results. Does this mean we should assimilate? Hell no, just refraim from using our jargon with the unenlightened.

Online Sex Game for Teens!

OK, that's a pretty inflammatory headline, but it is mostly true. The Middlesex-London Health Unit, a Canadian public health service has launched a new online video game called Sex Squad. It's aimed at teens who are starting to become sexually active and it just might work. Meanwhile the graphic was too good to pass up, especially the guy with the big penis for a fist. Talk about Freudian!

Quantum Mechanics Friday Blog

Yup time to expand or possibly blow your mind with a little quantum theory tidbit.

Some physicists in Hanover, Germany have been doing a little experiment (GEO600) to try to detect gravitational waves. There are ripples in space-time thrown off by super-dense astronomical objects like black holes. Funny thing. So far no gravitational waves have been detected, but in the tradition of many physics discoveries, they might have found something even more nifty.

In a story that reminds me of the discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation, (remnants from the Big Bang, Edwin Hubble's theory) they have been getting noise in their detector. They just couldn't find an explanation until a coolleague at Fermilab, Craig Hogan, postulated that they might have stumbled upon the fundamental limit of space-time. That is the point where space-time stops behaving like the smooth continuum Einstein described and dissolves into "grains". Think of a photo in a newspaper when you examine it under a magnifying glass.

In a quote by Hogan that is sure to either puzzle you or make you say "what the f*&k?" the doctor makes the copmparison, "if the GEO600 result is what I suspect it is, then we are all living in a giant cosmic hologram."

Can I get another "what the f*&k?"

Ah again physics reaches a level that sounds more like either The Matrix or religion or maybe both. Alas, that is the kind of strangeness you get when space-time is examined at this kind of level. Which brings me to my next revelation. Our whole universe is quite likely just a construct of our consciousness that makes our existence easier to comprehend. The recent theory of "bio-centrism" pretty much say time and reality are simply the way our minds understand existence. This means where we should be looking to understand the universe is in our cognitive processes as well as in what we perceive as the physical world.

So to make a very very long story short, relax your reality is only an convenient illusion and eventually it will be replaced by another one. And no I haven't been smoking wacky tabaccy.

Cheers!

Debra Medina Backtracks on 9/11 Comment

So if you ever want to know what the Tea Party is about,it's about quotes like this one by Debra Medina, Republican "Tea Party" candidate in the GOP primary for Governor of Texas. She was on Glenn Beck and he asked her if the US Government was behind 9/11 to wit she replied:

"I don't have all of the evidence there, Glenn," Medina said. "I think some very good questions have been raised. In that regard there's some very good arguments and I think the American people have not seen all the evidence there."

I suspect that answer wasn't written on her palm, because once her opponents got hold of that she backed away like she had just touched a hot stove. Her official tune is now: "There is no doubt in my mind that Muslim terrorists flew planes into those buildings on 9/11...."

That's a far cry from "good arguments".

So, like I figured, the Tea Party folks are populists without a clue.

Video Footage of the White House in the Snow

For those of us in Dallas, at least it isn't as bad as Washington, DC. Here are clips from the White House.

APA Issues New Guidelines & BDSM is Still a "Disorder"

Well, so much for lobbying the American Psychological Association. The new DSM-V is about to come out and guess what? Anything but missionary position for sex is pretty much a disorder.

This means that even though the fine print clarifies that Paraphylia, or what the real world calls fetishes are not a disorder unless it causes "distress and impairment", few shrinks are likely to read past the heading. This has been an ongoing problem and a lot of time and money has been expended to try to get fetishes tossed out completely, since it is not the fetish that is the problem in most cases. However, the folks at the APA are very, very, very conservative and wouldn't budge.

After all, it took years to get them to declassify homosexuality as a disorder, so what do you expect?

Meanwhile people with Asperger's Syndrome, many of whom I am very familliar with, are now classified as Autistic. Poof! A whole disease is dismissed. My guess is that Asperger's Syndrome doesn't get the same kind of money from insurance companies that Autism does, so the APA, following the money just enriched their members with full coverage!

Call me cynical? Maybe just suffering from Life Irony Disorder?

AFA Unhealthy Fixation With Showers

The old bigots at the American Family Association are up to their same tired tricks. They are railing about the repeal of DADT. Their cry is the same as always, "gays in the shower"!

Here is a bit of news for them. There are gays in the showers now in gyms, military and colleges. The military does not deny that LGBT people already serve, they just have to lie about being straight. That means that LGBT people are already naked and cleaning themselves alongside straight counterparts. That won't change under a repeal of DADT.

And here's another buliten for the AFA. According to a Zogby poll, 73 percent of military members are comfortable with lesbians and gays. 73%! So why is the AFA so fixated on the showers?

I figure it's because they are the ones who want to be in that steamy environment leering at the other naked men and women, and they are just projecting that onto the LGBT service members.
Time for some serious soul searching AFA folks!

Iowa Republicans Propose Pro-Bullying Laws Against LGBT Students

Take a good look. This is the face of a bully. He is the guy that might have pushed you to the ground in the schoolyard and called you "fag". He is the guy who might have robbed you of your lunch money or slammed you into a locker and he is trying to do it again in Iowa, but with the this time he wants to do it with a law.

His name is Matt Windschitl, and he is a state representative in Iowa. He and his bullying friend, Jason Schultz have introduced a bill entitled, "Exclude Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) Students from Safe Schools Law ".

These assholes actually have the nerve to actively push a law that encourages bullying and harassment of LGBT kids. Now perhaps you think my language is a bit strong. You're God damned right it is! This is the kind of thing I would expect form the American Nazi Party not the Republicans, but perhaps I have forgotten that the GOP is now run by jackbooted thugs!

This is going to take a national effort to bring these bigots to their knees. I propose a letter writing campaign to flood their offices with mail. Not EMAIL either, real honest to God letters.

The bullies addresses are:

Matt Windschitl
222 West Huron
Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555

Jason Schultz
18 Valley View Circle
Schleswig, Iowa 51461


Let these two know how you feel and why they are the problem not the solution.

Here is the bill!

A Big Thank You To Everyone at Creating Change

To all the folks who made Creating Change such a success, I do not have enough words to thank you. I saw so many excited and energized LGBTQ activists this weekend I feel a whole lot better about the state of our movement.

I also wanted to thank the NLGTF for their unexpected award for Leather Leadership. I will cherish this for the rest of my life and I will try to live into the expectations such an honor means. I hope I am up to it.

I thought I would print my thank you speech here, in case some of my friends might want to read it.

I am incredibly honored to receive this award. I want to thank the task force for their bravery in continuing to present this award every year. I well understand that the Leather community is often used by our enemies as that boogie man that can drum up fear in their followers. They portray the LGBTQ community and more specifically the leather community with half truths and inflammatory lies.

It is sad that they cannot see people like us as simply another facet in the jewel that is God’s gift of sexuality. Now I also understand there are those here who will get uncomfortable when I bring God into the discussion, but I can find no better explanation for the intense and rewarding relationships I have found in the LGBTQ leather community but a gift of the divine.

On a hopeful note, I want you to know that in my travels and presentations at leather, BDSM and Fetish events across the continent, I find that we leatherfolk have a unique ability to unite people of many sexual orientations including heterosexuals. These people have found common ground in the leather BDSM fetish realm and have come to understand the unique difficulties being a sexual minority. The knowledge we share with one another, the principals of safety, consensuality and negotiation in our activities contributes to a richness and authenticity in their lives and relationships. That can only be a good thing.

I sincerely hope that the work of the task force continues, but not for too long. The goal of any organization that works to end discrimination and intolerance is to work itself out of a job. My fondest dream is that someday we will no longer need to dedicate so much time and money and effort to enjoy the freedoms and rights that most Americans take for granted. Until that time, we all have a lot of work to do.

Dallas Morning News Favors Repeal of DADT.

The Dallas Morning News is a bastion of conservative opinion in Dallas and has been all of my life, that's why it is so surprising that they have come down on the side of repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell.

Long out of touch with the changing political demographic of Dallas the News often rails against anything that even resembles progressive, so this move is huge. I can only imagine that even the DMN inderstands that DADT is just plain bad policy and encourages dishonest behavior. I would think honesty is something you would want in people serving in the military.

I know several military men who are not LGBT and all of them favor the repeal. They have seen good officers and specialists discharged when the military needs all the expertise they can get. Even General Colin Powell is in favor of doing away with this crappy policy.

Creating Change Notes - Friday Afternoon

Well, after a short tri to the X-ray guys, I made it to Creating Change. The keynote by Rea Carey was great. She took a few well needed jabs at President Obama and then acknowledged the passage of the Hate Crimes Bill. More to the point she encouraged everyone to become ambassadors for the movement. Talking to people each week about who we are and why we need to have the same rights as everyone else.

I also attended a workshop on Sexual Liberation that was interesting. I am glad to see sex becoming part of the LGBT movement again. For a long time activists seemed like eunuchs and it was not PC to talk about sex. Assimilation was the vogue, but I am glad to say that detour is behind many of us.

Tomorrow much more in the way of workshops and speeches, and then Sunday I get an award! (download the nifty poster with me on it here.)
Anyone interested, please attend the Leather Caucus this Saturday at 6:00 pm. It should be fun and enlightening.

Obama Calls Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill "Odious"

Well it is a start anyway. Today at the National Prayer Breakfast, President Obama dropped a bomb when he called the pending Ugandan legislation "odious". It is significant since that event is sponsored by the Fellowship Foundation, a far right religious group.

From Think Progress come these quotes:

CLINTON: And I recently called President Museveni, whom I have known through the Prayer Breakfast, and expressed the strongest concerns about a law being considered in the parliament of Uganda.

– OBAMA: We may disagree about gay marriage, but surely we can agree that it is unconscionable to target gays and lesbians for who they are, whether it’s here in the United States or as Hillary mentioned, more extremely in odious laws that are being proposed most recently in Uganda.

I have criticized the President for attending this fake official event, but if he uses it to give these guys a nice verbal spanking, then I recant!

"National" Prayer Breakfast Includes the President

Sad, but true. Obama succumbed to political pressure and spoke at the fundamentalist propaganda fest, the National Prayer Breakfast. This event, which masquerades as some sort of official gathering is actually sponsored by the Fellowship, a shadowy fundamentalist group. The Fellowship has had it's fingers in the Uganda Anti-Homosexual laws, as well as numerous scandas in the infamous "C Street House".

It is politically difficult to not attend, since it would immediately garner attacks from right winders, but still to have Obama, Biden and Clinton at this gathering is disturbing.

I have no problem with prayer, I pray daily. I have a problem with associating with far-right fundamentalists who have worked to spread their radical brand of Christianity through our military and government. I put them right up there with the radical Islamists who have infiltrated Middle Eastern governments.

It's time Christians took their religion back from the far right.

Colin Powell Comes Out - In Favor of DADT Repeal!

General Colin Powell, once mentioned as a possible Republican candidate for VP and former top military officer in the 1990's has come out in favor of repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell.

“In the almost 17 years since the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ legislation was passed, attitudes and circumstances have changed,” General Powell said in a statement issued by his office. He added: “I fully support the new approach presented to the Senate Armed Services Committee this week by Secretary of Defense Gates and Admiral Mullen.”

More from the NY Times.

Why President Obama Should Not Attend The National Prayer Breakfast

It is no secret, I am a Christian. Now, before you go imagining fire breathing evangelists, let me assure you I am not that kind of Christian. The Bible thumping fundamentalists have hijacked the word "Christian" and it's almost impossible to identify as one without the negative stereotypes getting in the way.

Well here is one reason those stereotypes exist. It's a group known as the "Fellowship Foundation" or sometimes "The Family". They are a strange group of people who hang out at the infamous "C Street House" in Washington DC and their members include Senators and Congressmen. My problem with this bunch is their subversive attempts to integrate religion with the government.

For example, Senator James Inhofe(R-OK)evangelizes while traveling at taxpayer expense. That is pretty clearly a violation of that whole church/state separation. More importantly, this group sponsors the National Prayer Breakfasts which have become almost mandatory for politicians wishing to score points with the fundamentalist right.

It is because of that group and their activities that CREW, the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington is urging everyone from the President on down to avoid the breakfast. You can read their letter here.

If you want more proof of the Fellowship Foundation's dirty deeds, look to Uganda and their anti-homosexual law that is before the Ugandan legislature. It was inspired by a visit from Fellowship members.

Scott Roeder Convicted of Murder

The man who killed Dr. Tiller in the foyer of the church where Dr. Tiller was serving as an usher has been convicted of murder. Scott Roeder saw himself as a champion of unborn children. Instead he was just a murder with delusions of grandeur.

Roeder was steeped in the anti-abortion rhetoric that fuels such violent acts, and his own statement, "those children were in immediate danger if someone did not stop George Tiller", shows how he has continued to try to justify murder.

The jury deliberated only 37 minutes to convict Roeder, and now he will serve a mandatory life in prison sentence.

In my opinion, the verdict should go further and should find that the radical organizations who fueled Roeders delusion should be included as accessories to this crime, but that won't happen.

No matter whether you are pro-choice or anti-abortion, such acts of violence and insanity should not go unpunished. A degree of justice has been handed out by the Kansas jury, the real injustice of Dr. Tillers murder can never be righted.

I am no fan of abortion, but I am certainly no fan of terrorists like Scott Roeder. The tough decision to seek an abortion should be between a woman, her physician and her family. Nobody rejoices over abortion, but it is a choice that should still be available as a last resort.

Jon Stewart Nails It Again!

How come a comedian can see the truth and our elected officials can't?

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Blues Clueless
www.thedailyshow.com
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Ted Haggard - White Knuckle Straight

In a recent interview with Oprah Winfrey, allegedly "ex-gay" evangelist Ted Haggard said he stays on the straight and narrow by checking in with his wife, constantly!

He calls this being "super accountable", but I really think it is something else. Let's try "white knuckle". This kind of continuous monitoring sounds an awful lot like Ted still wants to "lay with men as with a woman" to me. Like most "ex-gays" he is fighting his real nature. It is the same thing a lot of LGBT people do before they come out. They try tactics to "stay straight" even though their minds, their bodies and their souls are gay.

Eventually Ted might either learn to accept his true nature and live that "abundant life" spoken about in the New Testament, or he will continue to be a gay man on house arrest. That never turns out well.

I am praying for you Ted.

Face Zippers And Other Fashion Disasters!

Ever need proof that fashion designers are putting a big one over on the women of the world? Check out the "face zippers" that addorned the models at this Paris fashion show. Face zippers? Oh puleeze!

Right Wingnut O'Keefe - Watergate Redux?

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. The famous words of Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr are loosely translated as, "the more things change, the more they remain the same." They are quite apropos in the case of the recent break in of Democrat Sen. Mary Landrieu’s office by right-wing activist James O’Keefe. His arrest looks an awful lot like the Watergate break-in from many years ago. O'Keefe was doing dirty work, trying to polant a bug in the Senators office.

His previous adventures include impersonating a pimp and secretly taping an interview with an ACORN worker. Guess this arrest will pretty much stifle his "activist" career at least for a while. Funny how federal crimes do that?

He has already been pulled from the GOP speaking tour and dissinvited to address a group of conservatives in Salt Lake City. I suspect when the full involvement of others is discovered, things will really get interesting. Even Glenn Beck was outraged...well maybe that isn't so unique?

Working Toward Sexual Freedom

Last weekend I spent the time working with a group of hard core activists.The experience was both invigorating and humbling. Some of the people there were high powered legal types and other celebrities. And then there was me.

The group was the board and advisory committee for the Woodhull Freedom Foundation. Named after Victoria Woodhull, an early pioneer for women's equality and a champion for human sexuality. She is not often listed in the history books but she worked alongside Susan B. Anthony and even was nominated as a Presidential candidate long before women even had the right to vote.

The foundation focuses on a simple and elegant premise, "sexual freedom is a basic human right". The nice thing about that mission statement is that people across the political spectrum can get behind it. The advisory board encompassed people of a wide variety of sexual orientations and political background. That is encouraging.

The direction we, and I say we because I am now on the advisory board, are taking the group is an exciting one. You can expect to here more specifics soon. Until then you can find more about the organization at Woodhullfoundation.org. You can also make a donation there as well to continue and expand the organizations work.

While you are at it, mark the date September 23 on your calendar. It will be the first "sexual Freedom Day", and we are planning several events to commemorate it. The date just happens to be Victoria Woodhull's birthday!

Scott Brown's Wife In Racy Video

Over the weekend I was in Washington, DC working with a non-profit I am associated with. At one of our lunch breaks I spoke with a wonkish friend about the whole Scott Brown thing. He rolled his eyes and said, "there is a scandal there, and it just hasn't broken." I figured he was just postulating but this guy smells more and more like someone who has a past and I don't mean a clean one.

Not only did he pose nude in Cosmo, but his wife starred in a racy music video below for Digney Fignus. Enjoy now before it gets yanked from YouTube.

New Pro LGBT Film - Written for Teens

Below is a trailer for the upcoming film, FIT. It is a film about bullying, teenagers and being LGBT designed to be seen by teens. Needless to say, it won't be seen in the US anytime soon, but it will be shown in schools in the UK.

GOP Defrauds Citizens With Fake Census

Imagine this scenario. You open your mail and there is a very official form from the government that looks like the census. As you read it and answer the questions you come to a part that solicits money for the Republican party. What the hell?

Yup, you have been duped by the GOP. Michael Steel and the rest of the shysters at the RNC have created a fake census form that is actually a fund solicitation. Ben Smith at Politico describes it and AmericaBlog actually has one of the forms posted on their site. It is very convincing and the worry is that it will confuse residents when the real census comes out.

Already complaints have been filed with the Postmaster General's office and I expect this dirty trick to end up in congressional hearings.

One Nation of Corportations, for Corporations and by Corporations

Well the legacy of the Bush years continues to haunt our country. Now the Supreme Court has ruled essentially that corporations can pour as much money as they want into the political arena.

This opens the flood gates for political contributions that will shape the laws of this country in unprecedented ways. If you thought companies ran the country before, just wait!

The whole thing stems from a ruling that gave corporations the same rights as individuals. According to Bush ideologue, Chief Justice John Roberts, "The text and purpose of the First Amendment point in the same direction: Congress may not prohibit political speech, even if the speaker is a corporation...."

Now the saying that we have the best government money can buy will no longer be just a cynical jab, it will be the truth. God save America.

More Terror Panic - Is it a Bomb, No It's Tefillin!

OK this is just silly, but I suspect it reflects the growing xenophobia that has infected our citizenship.

On a US Air flight a Jewish teenager was reciting a prayer and practicing the orthodox ritual of "wrapping Tefillin". The ritual which is practiced by many orthodox Jews involves a literal enactment of a Torah verse that states, "And you shall bind them as a sign upon your arm, and they shall be a forefrontlet between your eyes.".

Leather straps are wrapped around the arms and forehead to attach small boxes with scripture verses inside. It is a beautiful process but strange to some, therefore it MUST BE TERRORISM!

The teenager was escorted off the plane by law enforcement officers. Sheesh! If a fundamentalist Christian was speaking in tongues would they be arrested as well? Good God folks, caution is one thing but just downright ignorance is another. As long as we remain so domned jumpy the terrorists have won. We are terrorized! Get it?

Morgan Stanley Execs Try to Drain the Company Dry

Morgan Stanley suffered a really bad year last year. The firm lost money, the first time in it's 74 year history. You'd think things would be tight there, but not for the high paid executives. They set aside $14.4 billion for salaries and bonuses. Needless to say, this has the folks in Washington fuming. It should have the shareholders in Morgan Stanley fuming as well.

I guess these guys are not content with being extremely rich, they feel the need to be super-rich. Somehow, all these obscene salaries and bonuses make me not so much envious as sick to my stomach.

The Simpsons in Stained Glass!

Just found this in the Telegraph. An artist in England, Joseph Cavalieri produced a series of amazing works based on the long-running animated series. Check them out.

Martin Luther King - Dreams and Action

Dr. King did not just have a dream, he was a man of action and contrary to what many think, the speech on the National Mall during the March on Washington was not all about hopes and dreams, it was about injustice and what must be done to right the wrongs.

Here is a very little quoted passage from that great speech:

"In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt"

Now imagine if you will that he had substituted the acronym LGBT for "Negro". In reality, I believe Dr. King wanted freedom and justice for ALL people. Some may remember that one of the men who organized the march back in 1963 was Bayard Rustin, a black gay man.

Where are the leaders like Dr. King and Bayard Rustin today?

IE6 Source of Chinese Hack Attacks?

Microsoft products have long been seen as Swiss cheese by the hacker world. This was made abundantly clear this week when the Chinese hacker attacks on US companies found a nice convenient entry point in Microsoft IE6. According to BetaNews IE6 was given the official thumbs down from the German government who told its citizens they should stop using the popular browser. Further smoking guns come from McAfee's blog which specifically enumerates the vulnerability in the browser.

Should you stop using IE6? No, stop using any Microsoft browser. Their security issues are ongoing and there seems to be a systemic weakness in their products. Opera. Chrome, Safari and my favorite FireFox have much better security records.

CNN Reporter Joins the Rescue Effort

I watched CNN last night as hey covered the ongoing tragedy in Haiti. Dr. Sanjay Gupta was reporting from an area where volunteer doctors had been working with survivors. The doctors were told to pull out because of security concerns. The doctors let, but the CNN reporter, Gupta remained behind to treat people who needed help desperately. That is dedication and he deserves high praise for ending to his work as a doctor above his reporting duties.

I know lots of you are tired of me blogging about Haiti, but the situation there is worse than anything we have seen in the western hemisphere in a long time. Even the earthquake in Mexico City in 1985 was not this bad. Mexico City is a highly developed place with lots of infrastructure. The devastation there was heavy and 10,000 dead, but it was localized in fewer areas than Haiti. Haiti is dirt poor and so many people are affected in the capital it will be difficult to rebuild not just the buildings but the countries political structure as well.

Again, please donate to the legitimate organizations trying to help out.

Navy Hospital Ship on Route to Haiti

The Navy hospital ship, Comfort is steaming toward Haiti at this moment to bring much needed medical aid and hospital facilities. The ship has 250 beds and a staff of 560.

Wyclef Jean's Relief Fund for Haiti

Yele Haiti is a movement led by Wyclef Jean, Haitian Hip-Hop artist, that is helping to bring hope back to Haiti. Projects are designed to make a difference in the fields of education, health, environment and community development. Yele Haiti (previously known as the Wyclef Jean Foundation) is a 501 (3) tax exempt charitable organization.

Wyclef is actually in Haiti right now helping to extract survivors and bodies from the rubble. His effort and that of many folks like him may help bring Haiti much needed relief.

Dallasites Return from Haiti

A group of 10 members of the Highland Park United Methodist Church have safely returned from Port au Prince. A few are receiving medical treatment for injuries received during the earthquake. The 10 were members of a medical missionary group sent by the church. Two other members of the group are in Guadeloupe receiving medical attention.

Bodies Piled in the Streets in Haiti

The nightmare that is the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake continues. Bodies are piled in the streets and aids is slow in arriving because of logistical problems with the infrastructure.

Sarah Palin Even Amazes Glenn Beck With Her Stupidity

This clip speaks for itself. Beck even says "bull crap" when Sarah says her favorite founding father was "all of them".

Nightmare in Haiti

Aid agencies all need funds. Help has been arriving but the devastation is so widespread it will take years to rebuild what is left of the Haitian capital.

The clip below was taken just minutes after the quake. Warning:it's pretty graphic.

Teddy Pendergrass - Dead at 59

Another recording great from the 70's and 80's has passed into history. Teddy Pendergrass, the soulful voice that sang with Harold and the Blue Notes and later had a very successful solo career died from complications of colon cancer.

Pendergrass' career was almost cut short in the late 1980's when he was paralyzed from a car accident, but he continued singing from a wheelchair. His deep velvet voice will be missed.

Pat Robertson Claims Haiti Earthquake Due to "Pact With the Devil"

Yes Pat Robertson, that old fart of an evangelist is bringing "good news" again. (I am being sarcastic here, just in case you can't tell.) He has laid blame for the Haitian disaster at the feet of the Haitian people! He claims they made a pact with the devil and now they are paying their due.

Oh puleeze!

Pat claims Haitians were originally "under the heel of the French. You know, Napoleon the third, or whatever. And they got together and swore a pact to the devil.... They said, we will serve you if you will get us free from the French. True story. And so, the devil said, okay it's a deal."

Leave it to a money grubbing televangelist to ignore the suffereing and lay blame on the victims. He needs to just go away!

Bodies Piling Up in Haiti

Latest reports say there may be as many as 100,000 dead in Haiti after the massive earthquake yesterday.

Prime Minister Jean Max Bellerive said after touring the rubble, "I've seen so many buildings, so many neighbourhoods totally destroyed, and in some neighbourhoods we don't even see people."

More here from ABC News.

More News from Haiti

This blogger has updates from the scene in Haiti. It is not good, and according to his reports the National Palace, Government Buildings, a Boys Home, Hospital, UN Headquarters are all destroyed.

Livesay Haiti Blog

Video from Haiti

Just found this raw video post from Haiti. News is sketchy but it looks really bad.

Helping Haiti

If you are like me you have wondered how you could help the devastated people of Haiti. Relief is beginning but it will take days. I suggest the following organizations who have mounted Haitian relief campaigns:

Doctors Without Borders

International Red Cross

UNICEF

United Church of Christ Relief Effort

From the White House this morning:

You can also help immediately by donating to the Red Cross to assist the relief effort. Contribute online, or donate $10 to be charged to your cell phone bill by texting "HAITI" to "90999."

Families of Americans living in Haiti are encouraged to contact the State Department at 888-407-4747.

From FedEx:

FedEx is working with our designated charitable relief organizations to help ensure aid is on the way to Haiti. We plan to provide transportation services for the American Red Cross, Heart to Heart International, Direct Relief International and Water Missions as soon as conditions allow.

Glad to see American corporations pitching in so fast!

Pictures from Haiti

This just posted on HaitiFeed, The presidential palace in Haiti is gone!

Pray for Haiti - 7.3 Earthquake

Haiti, the poorest country in the hemisphere was devastated by a 7.3 magnitude earthquake this afternoon. The US envoy to the country calls the event a "catastrophe of major proportions".

Hospitals and other emergency buildings have collapsed and one official from the US who was on the scene says the sky is gray with dust from the destruction. The Haitian Ambassador to the US said, "I just hear a tremendous amount of noise and shouting and screaming in the distance".

More as this tragedy unfolds.