Rush Limbaugh Suggests Hungry Kids Dumpster Dive! Further Proof He Is A PIG.

Further proof that Rush Limbaugh is a total PIG.  He manages to take a story about child hunger into a political diatribe.  He seems to think everyone's house has food in it.  Again he shows he lives in an insulated world of the privileged.  Suggests that hungry kids go dumpster diving!

GM Says - No Summer Shutdown!

Well I guess I wasn't the only American ready to buy a new car this year.  General Motors has decided to forgo its usual summer furlough and keep the plants open.  This is great news for the auto giant that was on the brink of bankruptcy last year until Obama and the Democrats bailed them out.  Good move!

I would like to think I helped.  I bought a brand new Chevy ( I will not use Cheverolet) Equinox and it's a dandy car.  Incredible warranty and it gets an average of over 25 miles to the gallon.  Not a hybrid either.  I was tempted to get a hybrid, but the cost to savings was just not there for an SUV.  Still much better mileage than my old Dodge Durango....12mpg on a good day.  Of course it was 10 years old, too.

Smokey Joe Changing His Tune, Now Trying To Distance Himself From His Own Words!

"Smokey" Joe Barton (R-TX), is backpedaling as fast as he can after apologizing to BP for the White House forcing them to set up a $20 billion escrow fund to repay for damages they caused.  I have the video in a previous post and he absolutely does this.  Now, he has drastically changed his tune.

In his own words this afternoon after his little grandstand play didn't go over so well with the American public Joe says:

"I want the record to be absolutely clear that I think BP is responsible for this accident, should be held responsible, and should in every way do everything possible to make good on the consequences that have resulted from this accident. And if anything I said this morning has been misconstrued in an opposite effect, I want to apologize for that misconstruction."

Oh yea?  Well Mr. Barton here is a transcript of what you said, and let me know how it was "misconstructed"?  He was speaking to Tony Hayward CEO of BP.

"I'm ashamed of what happened in the White House yesterday, I think it is a tragedy in the first proportion that a private corporation can be subjected to what I would characterize as a shakedown -- in this case a $20 billion shakedown -- with the attorney general of the United States, who is legitimately conducting a criminal investigation and has every right to do so to protect the American people, participating in what amounts to a $20 billion slush fund that's unprecedented in our nation's history, which has no legal standing, which I think sets a terrible precedent for our nation's future. I'm only speaking for myself. I'm not speaking for anyone else, but I apologize...."

"Smokey" Joe Barton, Oil Company Pawn? Oh Yes!

Well, if there was ever a clear message that Smoky Joe Barton was deeply in the pockets of the oil companies here it is.  He actually apologizes to BP for forcing them to pay for their mess!  He called the escrow account to clean up the spill a "shakedown"!

How does he keep getting elected?  Watch this video and try not to let your jaw hit the desk.

Prop 8 Decision Expected Today

After spending the afternoon multi-tasking, working while following the transcript of the Prop 8 trial, I really believe that the Judge in this case is first, of all a really astute jurist and second, will rule against Prop 8.  His questions of the defense (those defending Proposition 8) were brutal.  He didn't buy the argument that marriage is strictly for procreation and the good of children.  He also took issue with the fact that the defense brought only one witness.  Seemed like a poorly prepared case to me.  Expect a decision today.

Pride Reception Planned at White House

Rumours are bubbling through Washington that the White House is planning a Pride Reception for June 22. This would be historic!

The Advocate has more.

"Touchdown Jesus" Gets Fried By Lightning Bolt From Above

The giant 6 store statue of Jesus with his arms raised that sits aside Interstate 75 has been nicknamed "Touchdown Jesus" from the pose with his arms extended.  The statue was had it's critics many of whom think it's a gimmick for the Monroe, Ohio, Solid Rock Church.

Well, Mother Nature made her own critical statement when the statue was hit by lightening and caught fire.  It is constructed of foam and fiberglass and burst into flame during a thunderstorm last night.  Personally, I think it was a sign that the stature was in direct violation of the commandment against making graven images.

The Jackass Effect - Teens More Reckless Than Ever On YouTube

This article in the New York Times confirms something I have long suspected.  It's what I called the "Jackass Effect" and doctors are seeing lots more injuries by teenagers trying to become famous for their stupidity on YouTube.

Youth First Texas Needs Your Help NOW!

The board of Youth First Texas, an organization supporting LGBT youth in Texas needs hep now.  Here is a statement from their board:

Board of Directors Statement

Like many other nonprofits in the community, Youth First Texas (YFT) has experienced a greater need for services, and unfortunately a decreased level of financial resources.

YFT’s move in January 2010 to a new location provided an opportunity to meet the increasing number of youth served which is surpassing even the Board of Director’s projections. YFT has seen 1,700 unique visits by youth to the YFT Dallas Center since January, an increase from the same period last year. New initiatives offered this year include a stable and individual counseling program staffed by graduate interns, survivor’s group, coming out group and HIV testing (in partnership with the Resource Center Dallas). An exponential growth of transgendered youth attending YFT is requiring an increase in the level of services provided through YFT’s Gender Identity program. The Collin County YFT group is experiencing increased numbers of youth attending programs also at the center in Plano.

While the YFT Board of Directors is encouraged by this growth, there has been an impact from the reduction of revenue available. Many donors have continued their extremely generous support through YFT’s sustained giving program for which there is great gratitude. Unfortunately, a decline in the number of one-time contributions from individuals and corporations is being experienced this year.

YFT has worked to manage these reductions to limit the effect on services and programs during the busy start to the year, and have sought access to a number of grants available. The grants are not expected to be awarded until the latter part of 2010, or early 2011. This has left YFT with the decision to address the shortfall to ensure that YFT continues to serve the ongoing needs of many youth. While the board works diligently to not reduce services during annual peak periods, summer has provided the opportunity for the board to address the financial shortfalls that have affected YFT.

The board is announcing the immediate plan to reduce expenses by limiting the number of days the YFT Center is open during the summer, which will limit some services currently provided. While the board is fully committed to preserving the programs and services to the youth that have come to depend upon them, the difficult decision had to be made to cut back YFT hours of operation for the summer due to lack of available funds. In cooperation with YFT staff, the board has also made fiscally responsible cuts and continues to look for ways to increase revenue.

Even with these decisions, the financial situation for YFT is not good. During these next few months, as YFT carefully navigates through this financial squeeze, your help is needed. Please consider making a donation today. Any amount will help YFT continue to provide a safe space for our LGBTQA youth.

There are several ways to contribute to YFT as indicated on the YFT donation page. The Board of Directors stand committed to demonstrating good stewardship of your gifts and sincerely appreciate your loyalty and shared belief in YFT’s mission to reach the LGBTQA youth of our community that have called Youth First Texas home for the past 10 years.

Questions related to this may be directed to our board co-chairs, Cathy Gonzales and T.J. Wilson.

Thank you for your support.

 So here is the link again if you didn't get the message!

PrEP - New Treatment or Drug Company Hype?

If you haven't heard of PrEP you are probably not gay or scientifically curious. No matter, you will no doubt hear of it soon..

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis and it is the subject of quite a bit of research in the HIV/AIDS field. The theory goes that if you take antiretroviral drugs even though you are HIV negative, you will reduce your chance of getting the disease. Animal testing is promising, but the sticky problem goes far beyond anything that can be tested in lab rats.

Research has found that gay men, when given the chance to take a drug regimen that might be 80% effective, indicate they would be much more likely to stop using condoms. This means riskier behavior and unprotected sex.

Furthermore many of the men who were surveyed are regular users of "club drugs", and we all know how rational decisions work when you are high! The backlash of PrEP is something researchers call "risk compensation". In other words men taking the antiretrovirals feel riskier behavior is less of a problem and so they do it.

At a time when the infection rates of HIV are rising among gay men because of unprotected sex, this really raises a red flag for me. I understand that is intended to save lives, but I have a nagging feeling in the back of my head it could lead to a whole range of unintended consequences.

The first one is drug resistant strains of HIV. Just as prophylactic use of antibiotics has lead to drug resistant infections like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) this kind of widespread use of antiretrovirals could lead to still more virulent HIV strains.

Second, and something I suspect is really driving these tests is profit. The drug companies realize that marketing their drugs to HIV+ individuals limits the market, and since even though life expectancies have increased, AIDS is still deadly no matter what the marketing hype says. Faced with a shrinking or limited market, they want to sell more drugs, so why not sell them to everybody whether you need them or not? Now you have a huge market and what once was a niche drug is now the hottest thing since Viagra.

Call me cynical? Yes I am. I have watched the pharmaceutical companies glamorize HIV/AIDS and try to position it as a "manageable condition" much like Diabetes. Bullshit! You can manage it until the drugs stop working or you run out of money, which ever comes first. Then you disappear from their radar and begin the process of succumbing to the disease. David Webb spoke of this in last weeks Dallas Voice and he was speaking the cold hard ugly truth. HIV/AIDS is a life threatening disease. It isn't pretty or sexy or cheap. It changes your life from carefree to a carefully controlled regimen of drugs and tests and jumping through insurance company hoops. So I am a bit skeptical when something like this comes along.

Will PrEP be a blessing or a curse? Well I think finding a cure for HIV would be more valuable than finding a way for people to have riskier sex. I sincerely believe the drug companies concentrate on treatments instead of possible cures simply from the economics of it. Cure the disease, your product becomes obsolete. Treat the disease; you can milk your market forever.

Freedom to Marry Video

Rand Paul Advocates Mountain Top Removal Coal Mining. No Seriously He Does!

Rand Paul is becoming an endless font of delightful quotes. The latest from this joker was found by the website Crooks and Liars. Appropriately, Paul who is running in Kentucky for US Senate was asked about the destructive process of "mountaintop removal" hat is used in coal mining. This process causes a host of ecological problems as well as just plan raping the landscape.

Paul's comment...(Drum roll please)

I think whoever owns the property can do with the property as they wish, and if the coal company buys it from a private property owner and they want to do it, fine. The other thing I think is that I think coal gets a bad name, because I think a lot of the land apparently is quite desirable once it’s been flattened out. As I came over here from Harlan, you’ve got quite a few hills. I don’t think anybody’s going to be missing a hill or two here and there.

BP Still Blocking Reporters From Public Beaches - And Lying About It!

BP Continues to stonewall media from speaking with workers on the cleanup efforts even though the lying officials at BO are saying they have free access. This video shows a private security guard blocking access to a PUBLIC BEACH. So where the hell does BP get the right to block access to a public beach? And where is the local law enforcement on this?

Fox News Lies Again! Surprised?

So, Fox News has just decided to start lying instead of reporting news. Their latest is a whopper too!

Brian Kilmeade made the bald faced lie that the Obama Campaign received $750 million from BP during the election. First that would amount to the entire amount raised by Obama and second it would have been illegal at that time.

BP is on record having donated $1000 directly and its employees through a political action committee donated about $70,000. That would be a whole hell of a lot less than $750 million!

Fox News is not content to have a corporation blamed for this disaster and is trying desperately to pin it on the Obama administration. They should loose their broadcast license for falsely claiming what they report is news, it has reached the level or complete and utter crap, not the the right-wing slant on real news. Fox lies!

Haitian Earthquake Video - Presidential Palace Collapses

Really spooky footage of the Presidential Palace in Haiti collapsing from surveillance cameras taken during the earthquake.

BP Live Cam - Success? Not By Any Measure!

While BP struggles to survive in the market, their "fix" seems to be doing nothing or even making things worse.  The live video below is terrifying in its intensity.  This is what their success looks like!

Online TV Shows by Ustream

Yuma Mayor is an Idiot - Calls Gay Troups "Limp Wristed"

Yup he's an idiot. I have a lot of gay and lesbian friends who either are serving or have served in the military and I can assure you they were neither "limp-wristed" nor did they wear "lacy drawers".  These statements by the Mayor of Yuma are just plain garbage.  If you think so, write to this asshat and let him know how you feel!

Is GM Doing The "New Coke"?

Remember when Coca Cola made the worst advertising and marketing mistake in modern history?  The "New Coke" debaucle took years to undo and cost not only shelf space but hurt the iconic brand.  Well, I have to wonder if the brain doner who came up with that idea hasn't moved to GM.

In a leaked email GM is requesting it's dealers and affiliates to stop using the household name "Chevy" and roll back time a half a century to call their flagship line of automobiles, Chevrolet.  Say what?

Maybe it's a PR trick to gain attention, but at a time when GM has finally got some cool new Chevys, one of which I bought (new Chevy Equinox), and are about to roll out their new Volt electric vehicle, changing the brand name seems like insanity.

Dealers and bloggers are amazed and downright annoyed by the advertising manifesto and I suspect if it's not a gimmick to get us talking about Chevy, then some agency creatives have been really using some "new coke".  Aw heck, they are doing that no matter what!

Reverse The Ban on Gay Blood Donors

It's 2010 folks and science has lots of good ways to test our blood supply.  The ban on gay men donating blood is archaic and needs to be reversed.  Want more reasons?

• Newer tests have shortened the window period in which HIV is undetectable to between 9 and 11 days. A permanent, lifetime ban is outdated and no longer makes sense.

• The U.S. blood supply is frequently at critically low levels. Less than 5% of all eligible donors give, while donation recipients include mothers delivering babies, trauma victims, cancer patients, transplant patients and others. The respected Williams Institute estimates that lifting the ban would result in an estimated 130,150 additional donors who are likely to donate 219,000 additional pints of blood each year, while shortening deferral to one year would result in 53,269 additional men who are likely to donate 89,716 pints each year.

• The ban is a form of discrimination by unfairly targeting men who have sex with men, or effectively the gay and bisexual community. A permanent, blanket ban is instituted on any male who has had sex with another male even once since 1977 and without regard for his partner's HIV status nor for frequency, safe sex practices, or duration since. Yet if one has sex with an opposite-sex partner who is knowingly HIV-positive, he or she can give again in a year. This is discrimination and it is wrong.

• Other countries like Australia, Japan, Sweden and Russia have either revised or completely lifted the deferral period, while Italy, Spain and France screen donors based on risk rather than a blanket ban on a community.

• The American Red Cross, America's Blood Centers, American Association of Blood Banks, American Medical Association, and a coalition of nearly fifty other organizations all support a revision of the ban.

You can use these reasons in combination with your own personal ones, or the form letter in the extended entry. Please submit a public comment via jerry.holmberg@hhs.gov, and urge that the ban be revised to improve the nation's health, meet sound scientific practices, and eliminate discrimination. Thanks for helping improve the nation's health and eliminating another form of discrimination.

Breakthrough For Transgender Rights - Passports!

This just in from the US Department of State:

The U.S. Department of State is pleased to use the occasion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Month to announce its new policy guidelines regarding gender change in passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad.

Beginning June 10, when a passport applicant presents a certification from an attending medical physician that the applicant has undergone appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition, the passport will reflect the new gender. The guidelines include detailed information about what information the certification must include. It is also possible to obtain a limited-validity passport if the physician’s statement shows the applicant is in the process of gender transition. No additional medical records are required. Sexual reassignment surgery is no longer a prerequisite for passport issuance. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad can also be amended with the new gender.

As with all passport applicants, passport issuing officers at embassies and consulates abroad and domestic passport agencies and centers will only ask appropriate questions to obtain information necessary to determine citizenship and identity.

The new policy and procedures are based on standards and recommendations of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), recognized by the American Medical Association as the authority in this field.

What Will They Eat?

According to an article in the Dallas Morning News, Texas schools serve 2.9 million meals a day.   For many children in Texas, those meals they get in school are about the only nourishment of any value they get all day.

As summer is upon us, schools are in recess, but kids still need to eat.  For most of us this isn't a concern.  We dine on a feast of varied foods every day that some people could only dream of.  The dark fact is that many of those who are hungry are right here in our own city and state.  We are just too cocooned in our affluence to see the problem.


AmeriCorps the volunteer organization is teaming with Central Dallas Ministries "Move Summer Feeding Initiative" to provide 500,000 nutritious meals for children in the next 3 months.  That is a wonderful idea, but sadly it is a drop in the bucket.  

My church, Cathedral of Hope, provides breakfast every Saturday to anyone in the neighborhood who is hungry.  We serve hundreds of meals with no strings attached and yet there are still hungry children who need food on the other 6 days of the week.  

Another opportunity is the Summer Food Program from the FDA.   Individuals and companies can volunteer and donate to keep the lunch and breakfast programs going throughout the summer. The main problem with all these programs from what I have seen is their accessibility.  The web site for the FDA is bewildering and has no clear call to action, but if you are resolute you can thread your way to the key information.

I sincerely believe it is time to urge our local, state and national  officials to do something to alleviate this problem.  A full-year school calendar might be a solution. It keeps kids fed and it keeps the knowledge in their heads fresh.  Sounds like a win-win to me.





 

The Perils of Lesbianity - Video

OK, right off the bat, I apologize to any of my lesbian friends who find this offensive, however I suspect most will roll on the floor and laugh their ass off.

I love you all sisters!

Oklahoma Bigot Sally Kern Has Challenger - And She is Transgender!

In case that headline was misleading, Sally Kern is not transgender, but her challenger is.  Democrat Brittany Novotny, an Oklahoma lawyer filed to run against Kern.  In case you don't reacll, Kern is the woman who made such inflammatory statements as homosexuality was "the biggest threat to our nation has, bigger than terrorism and Islam which I think is a big threat."  Just Google her name and you will find reams of similar idiotic quotes.

In an interview with The Tulsa World, Novotny said, "for six years, we’ve had someone who has not represented her district, has been ineffective on problems and is bad for business.... She focuses on things that aren’t critical issues to the district, like education."

Kern, to her credit, says gender identity will not be part of her campaign. 

Thousands of Dead Fish and Dolphins Wash Ashore in Mississippi

Even as Fox News is spinning the story to show how successful BP is in their efforts, something I just saw on my way back from lunch, this photo in the New York Times tells a much different story.  The thousands of fish dead on the beaches of Mississippi betray Republican Gov. Haley Barbour's declaration that the "coast is clear, come on down".

While Barbour is lying dolphins are starting to wash up dead on the same beaches.  What advantage does he have for being such a complete liar?  Oh yes, he gets lots of money from oil companies!

What Does Fake Chicken Taste Like? Chicken!

More than once in my life I have gone vegetarian. Once on a new years resolution/bet I gave up meat for almost 10 years. Finally after doing a lot of traveling and finding it increasingly hard to stick with a vegetarian regimen, I gave in and tried meat again. I was expecting to get sick since many friends who were vegetarians told me that is what would happen.

Naw! I was fine and I gleefully started chowing down on barbecue and steaks and chicken again. Recently, though, I have started trying to move away from beef and eventually chicken. It's not from some ideological bent, but from simple health concerns. Meat in this country is over processed and medicated and I suspect I would be healthier without it.

Now comes word that a couple of scientists have produced the Holy Grail in non-meat products. A fake chicken analog that not only tastes like chicken, but chews and feels like chicken when you eat it. Once this comes on the market, I think I might try going meatless again.

Jane Lynch vs. iPhone HD (Spoof video)

Bush Glibly Admits Waterboarding Prisoners

Last week a comment by former president George Bosh slipped right by most media sources. I guess in terms of the American public’s attention span, Bush is “old news”.

In a speech in Grand Rapids, Michigan Bush made the following statement.

“Yeah, we waterboarded Khalid Sheikh Mohammed… I'd do it again to save lives."

So here we have a former President of the United States admitting he authorized torture which while sitting as President he denied. Not only is that duplicitous, something I am not at all surprised at by Bush. But this statement it is admitting a war crime and according to retired Brigadier General David R. Irvine, a scholar and teacher of military law and treatment of prisoners for over 18 years, “it cannot be demonstrated that any use of waterboarding by U.S. personnel in recent years has saved a single American life."

In an interview on Huffington Post Irvine further stated, “we are seen by the rest of the world as having abandoned our commitment to international law. We have forfeited enormous amounts of moral leadership as the world's sole remaining superpower. And it puts American troops in greater danger -- and unnecessary danger."

Bush’s glib statement will put American soldiers at greater risk of torture in the future because of the perception that all bets are off when it comes to treatment of prisoners. This is a giant step backwards and it will take a great deal of diplomacy and moral leadership to reverse.

The whole admission just confirms what I long believed, Bush and his administration was lacking in any kind of moral compass other than expediency. His leadership of the country was inept at best and criminal as worst. Perhaps it is time to reexamine his Presidency and more to the point hold him accountable for the breaches in both domestic and international law he and his cronies were responsible for.

I am sure more information will come out and I feel sure the gravitas of this will not fade away anytime soon.

Librarians Do Gaga!

Who says Librarians don't have fun? Washington State Librarians doing a "Poker Face" parody.

Rand Paul Just Can't Shut Up!

A few days ago I called Rand Paul a walking train wreck.  I was understating it.  This guy is his own worst enemy.  He knows the media spotlight is on him and he still makes amazing gaffs that anyone who has spent more than a few minutes in public life would avoid.  Call it idealism?  I think he is just naive and that is not the kind of person you want leading a state.

In his latest foray into the waters of controversy he said he things smoking in public restaurants should be a right.  Specifically he stated, "For example, I am opposed to the government telling restaurant owners that they cannot allow smoking in their establishments."  

OK fine, but what about the employees who have to work in the smoke filled restaurants?  Then in the same Op-Ed piece for the Bowling Green Daily News, Paul compared himself to Martin Luther King, Jr.  Strange from a man who thinks the Civil Right Bill infringes on the rights of businesses to discriminate and segregate.

Mr. Paul, you 15 minutes of fame is up.

Corpus Christi Comes to Dallas

Terrence McNally's allegorical passion play Corpus Christi finally made it to Texas.  When it opened back in 1998 it was received with protests and bomb threats.  So what the heck could cause such hatred?

The story is told through characters living in Corpus Christi, Texas and the principal character Josh, is gay.  As I noted it is a passion play and Josh represents Jesus and that was the key to all the anger.  Protests and hatred have dogged this play since it was first performed, but I would suspect most of those who are angry have never seen it or read it. 

In actuality the play is a very engaging and accessible portrayal of the life of Jesus and the actors in this production based out of LA carry it off with enthusiasm and sincerity without being preachy.  That is a good trick, since the script is really what I call pure theater.  The staging is minimal, most carried onstage by the actors in backpacks.  Characters continuously assume other roles and personae and the changes are sometimes startling and a bit confusing.  Gender is no obstacle to any character since men and women play roles of both genders. 

The story is well known, yet this cast manages to being freshness to their roles and to the plot that you are actually wondering how it will end.  But we all know that, and when Josh is arrested and beaten and finally crucified, there were few dry eyes in the house. 

The traveling production performed at my church the Cathedral of Hope, and it was a great setting for the play since it begins and ends with a draped table resembling an alter with a single candle on it.  Very moving and touching and poignant and even more so being performed in a predominately LGBT church. The final perfomance is tonight, so you probably won't have time to get tickets but if you can do it.

And if you are thinking about protesting the performance, forget it, the church property extends so far away from the building you wil be unnoticed except by the police who were in attendance for the audience and actors safety.

Gallup Poll Shows More American's Approve of Gay and Lesbian Relations Than Ever

This one almost sneaked by.  Gallup did a survey of American's Acceptance of Gay and Lesbian Relations and for the first time the folks who come down on the LGBT side are over 50%.  The group who consider our relationships "morally wrong" dropped to 43%.  That is the lowest percentage since the survey was started 10 years ago.

What is really interesting to me is the breakdown of this survey.  Women's approval passed 50%  last year and their approval rating increased only 2 percentage points since 2006.  Men however, made real strides.  Since 2006 their approval rating jumped 14 percentage points.  That may just mean the Metrosexuals are more than a rumor!  The change however is mostly among men under 50 years old. 

No surprise that acceptance among Democrats and Independents was the most visible but one eye raiser was the number of Catholics who apparently have changed their minds.  It's a 16 percentage point jump, more than 3 times that of Protestants.

I guess we are making progress?  My suspicion is that the visibility of LGBT people in the media and politics is helping to make straight folks more comfortable with us and that can only be a good thing!  God bless Will and Grace.

Anyone Have Anything On This Homophobe?

It's time we started actively looking for dirt on these holier-than-thou right wing asshats. Take this guy as a case in point.  Brent Bozell, a spokesperson for the "Media Research Center" a right-wing propaganda group, is outraged that the TV show Glee portrays its homophobic bullies in a bad light.  And just how would he make these characters lovable?

Like so many outspoken opponents of LGBT rights, I wonder when we are going to find out that there might be a few skeletons in a well locked closet somewhere?  It seems that every week a new homophobe is caught with his pants down in a restroom, or hiring "rent boys" for European vacations.  I just wonder if Mr. Bozell might have a few secrets of his own.  Just sayin.

Here is his bio if it rings any bells with anyone, after all he is a University of Dallas graduate.  If so, let me know.  I feel sure my readers would find it fascinating.

The Spill - How Bad Could It Get? BAD!

Well the latest computer model of the oil spill from National Center for Atmospheric Research is not very cheerful.  The models show the possibility of the growing oil slick meandering around Florida and all the way up the east coast.  Nice.

Meanwhile BP keeps trying one jake leg fix after another and so far none have stopped the flow.  If this takes until August, we are in for a world of hurt and all the money BP has wont fix it.  I am praying they succeed in stopping the gusher. Really!

Check out the story on CNN Money.

Picture of the Day

Actually published in a Miami Living magazine.  Ooops!

The tell tail shadow really works with the headline?

Gay Republicans Back Anti-Gay Candidate in California

For the life of me I cannot understand the Log Cabin Republicans.  That group continues to amaze me with its ability to act against its own self interests.  Yet, they are pikers compared to the other allegedly gay Republican group, GOProud.  This bunch of supposedly LGBT people have really done themselves "proud" by endorsing the most homophobic candidate in a California primary.

GOProud is backing Carly Fiorina, who openly opposed same-sex marriage over moderate Republican Tom Campbell who approves same-sex marriage.  Why?  Well my guess is since GOProud is a puppet group run by the party elite, it's a no brainer.  Fiorina is who the GOP wants to go against Barbara Boxer in November.


This puts this allegedly LGBT group in alliance with the National Organization for Marriage who successfully passed Proposition 8 in California last year.  Say what?  


OK you gay Republicans, explain this one to me!

SC State Senator Calls Obama "Rag Head"

Well you can take the boy out of the country but you can't take the bigotry out of the boy I guess.  South Carolina state Senator, Jake Knotts decided he needed a little extra ammunition against the woman who is the front-runner for the GOP nomination for governor.  Nikki Haley was raised in a Sikh family but has since converted to Christianity, but in Knotts book that still means she is one of "them". 

In a delightfully colorful country slang Senator Knotts stated, "We already got one raghead in the White House, we don’t need a raghead in the governor’s mansion."  Classy guy!  And he is talking about a fellow Republican!

To me this just goes to show that the GOP really is the party of the "big tent".  A big tent full of bigots!

Want further proof? Knotts is supporting the other GOP candidate, Andre Bauer who made the equally delightful statement about government assistance:

“My grandmother was not a highly educated woman, but she told me as a small child to quit feeding stray animals. You know why? Because they breed. You’re facilitating the problem if you give an animal or a person ample food supply. They will reproduce, especially ones that don’t think too much further than that. And so what you’ve got to do is you’ve got to curtail that type of behavior. They don’t know any better."

I state again, the GOP is a tent full of bigots.

Crazy Car Jump Video at DFW Airport

Dallas Observer posted this video yesterday and it is amazing.  A drunk driver trying to leave DFW ariport floored it and did a great Evil Kenevil jump over the safety barricades.  Once the car crashed to a halt, she got out and promptly got on her cell phone.  Meanwhile her car exploded!  She was alive with minor injuries and now in jail.

Rand Paul Violates Copyright Law - Rush (The Band) Not Amused

The walking train wreck that is Rand Paul has slammed into another PR obstacle.  Paul's campaign has been using the music of the Canadian band Rush as background in a fund raising video.  The band is not amused.

Using music without a license in a political advertisement is a violation of copyright law.  Not the kind of thing a potential Governor should be doing.  Additionally, in an ironic twist the band is not even American! 

Paul continues to make missteps and though they might not be big, after his comments about Civil Rights, birthright and a few other choice peccadilloes the press is waiting with baited breath for him to stumble again.

He shoots and SCORES!  Keep it up Rand and you will end up as a bit on Saturday Night Live.  That did wonders for Ross Perott and Sarah Palin!

Guatemala Devastated By Torrential Rains

I guess I sometimes forget how bad just plain old rain can get.  In Guatemala City where tropical storm Agetha has caused flooding landslides and this amazing sinkhole that swallowed a 3 story building.  (Photo from Guatemalan government)

It is not Photoshop either!

Saudis Investigate Sinfulness of MTV Program

Saudi Arabia, the repressive kingdom we call our allie has started a new inquisition.  This time it is into an MTV program. On the show, a documentary crew followed a trio of young Saudis around in their adventures. 

Now these people are vocal in their desire to reform the fundamentalist theocratic laws of the country.  The girl of the group makes her own colorful abayas which she wears and sells to her friends.  She dresses like a boy so she can ride a bicycle, something not permitted for women.

Well, now their reality show has them in hot water and the authorities are investigating the show for its sinfulness.  Yes that is the expression they used, "sin".  Now this all comes after the rulers of the kingdom have stated openly they are considering reforms. 

Does anyone else see the parallels between this kind of repressed fundamentalism and our own Christian right?

And we call these folks allies?  OK, Saudi Arabia has long been our pusher.  They supply the highest grade oil to feed our addiction, but they are far from friendly.  Just like a drug dealer, once we stop buying, they will no longer care a fig about us. 

Mark Kirk - Gay Republican, Votes Against DADT Repeal!

Mike Rogers who has been behind some of the most important "outings" of recent memory has done it again. This time it is Representative Mark Kirk of Illinois.  This GOP lawmaker has been relatively benign in the past but when he had a chance to vote with 5 other republicans including Ron Paul to repeal DADT he voted against it.  This wouldn't be such a big deal if he wasn't a closeted gay man.

Rogers gives the details including his own testimony that Kirk came out to him back in 2004 at a party, prior to Rogers' blogging activity.  I understand a lot of folks have problems with "outing" but in the case of hypocrites who deny us our rights, my opinion is, "OUT THE BASTARDS"!

President Obama Signs LGBT Pride Month Proclamation

This is a big deal. Obama is the first president to give such a whole hearted recognition of LGBT people and their effect on the culture and character of our country.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release May 28, 2010

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2010

- – - – - – -

A PROCLAMATION

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

As Americans, it is our birthright that all people are created equal and deserve the same rights, privileges, and opportunities. Since our earliest days of independence, our Nation has striven to fulfill that promise. An important chapter in our great, unfinished story is the movement for fairness and equality on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. This month, as we recognize the immeasurable contributions of LGBT Americans, we renew our commitment to the struggle for equal rights for LGBT Americans and to ending prejudice and injustice wherever it exists.

LGBT Americans have enriched and strengthened the fabric of our national life. From business leaders and professors to athletes and first responders, LGBT individuals have achieved success and prominence in every discipline. They are our mothers and fathers, our sons and daughters, and our friends and neighbors. Across my Administration, openly LGBT employees are serving at every level. Thanks to those who came before us — the brave men and women who marched, stood up to injustice, and brought change through acts of compassion or defiance — we have made enormous progress and continue to strive for a more perfect union.

My Administration has advanced our journey by signing into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which strengthens Federal protections against crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation. We renewed the Ryan White CARE Act, which provides life-saving medical services and support to Americans living with HIV/AIDS, and finally eliminated the HIV entry ban. I also signed a Presidential Memorandum directing hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds to give LGBT patients the compassion and security they deserve in their time of need, including the ability to choose someone other than an immediate family member to visit them and make medical decisions.

In other areas, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a series of proposals to ensure core housing programs are open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. HUD also announced the first-ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the rental and sale of housing. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services has created a National Resource Center for LGBT Elders.

Much work remains to fulfill our Nation’s promise of equal justice under law for LGBT Americans. That is why we must give committed gay couples the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple, and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. We must protect the rights of LGBT families by securing their adoption rights, ending employment discrimination against LGBT Americans, and ensuring Federal employees receive equal benefits. We must create safer schools so all our children may learn in a supportive environment. I am also committed to ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” so patriotic LGBT Americans can serve openly in our military, and I am working with the Congress and our military leadership to accomplish that goal.

As we honor the LGBT Americans who have given so much to our Nation, let us remember that if one of us is unable to realize full equality, we all fall short of our founding principles. Our Nation draws its strength from our diversity, with each of us contributing to the greater whole. By affirming these rights and values, each American benefits from the further advancement of liberty and justice for all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2010 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

IML Winners Video Clip

Here is a clip of the winners being announced at IML 2010.

Israeli Commandos Kill Passengers Aboard Gaza Relief Ship

Israel has seized a ship in international waters.  Commandos from Israel surrounded a relief ship bound for Gaza and have reportedly killed several people.   The ship contined all civilians according to reporters on board the ship before it was attacked. 

Meanwhile Benjamin Netanhayu has canceled a meeting with President Obama.  I expect Israel is embarrassed about the botched military action or maybe they have just decided to become a rogue nation?  Who knows?

Al Jazera has the report below.  Don't expect the US news organizations to cover this attack, they probably will not.

Top Kill Fails - Now What?

Well the whole Top Kill thing was a bust.  I knid of figured they were not having success when I heard them try the junk shot, which just sounds desperate but supposedly it can work.  Now it try to cap the thing with what is basically a big box again, this time bigger and better supposedly. 

Meanwhile the gulf coast gets progressively worse.  It may be time for the government to bring in Army Corps of Engineers and get the coasts better protected.  It also is high time the press started looking to BP for solutions.  The government is not at fault and they have no expertise in oil drilling.  Unfortunately, it is up to the folks who caused the mess to stop the leak.  Once that happens, my opinion?  Nationalize BP's interests in the Gulf of Mexico and use the seized assets to pay for the damage.  Press criminal suits against the well operators for cuting corners and using sea water instead of drilling mud and hold them responsible for the deaths of the 11 men on the rig who died in the explosion.

Malawi Pardons Gay Couple!

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the gay couple who were being sentenced to 15 years in prison for getting married.  Well Malawi's laws have not changed, but pressure from the UN and other human rights groups has softened the heart of the President of Malawi, Bingu wa Mutharika.  The Mutharika said he was pardoning the couple for humanitarian reasons.  

This means they will be freed without repercussions, however local human rights groups in Africa are going to take them to a safe location fearing reprisals by citizens.

This is great news, though LGBT people in Malawi are criminals by definition, this move may show a step toward the 21st century and basic freedoms for all Malawi's people.  I applaud the president on his action and pray for the safety of Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza.

Rand Paul Hates the Constitution

OK strong headline, but check out this latest quote from an alleged libertarian.

"I recently have been talking more about satellite observation. They say you can sit in front of the store here and a satellite can read the headline on your newspaper. So I think you could also monitor your border with satellites, and then you just have to have some means of intercepting people who come in illegally. You could have helicopters stations positioned every couple of hundred miles. . .

We’re the only country I know of that allows people to come in illegally have a baby and then that baby becomes a citizen. And I think that should stop also."

Paul made the statement that directly contradicts the 14th Amendment (birthright) in an interview with Russian television.  Strangely enough he advocates an incredible level of surveillance for someone who claims to be for civil liberties.

This guy is a walking PR nightmare and the GOP must be trying to distance themselves from him as quick as possible.

DADT Repeal Measure Might Make It

Both the House and the Senate panels have passed an amendment to the Defense Appropriation Bill that would end Don't Ask Don't Tell as an official policy once the military gives their OK.  This is both big news and no news.  First of all it isn't a done deal.  The obstreperous GOP has threatened to filibusterer this measure, and once signed into law it still depends on the military to "pull the trigger" and strike the policy from the books.

The military is doing a study to see how it could be enacted and how it would affect their operations.  So far it looks promising, bu I will wait to celebrate until it actually becomes policy. 

I applaud President Obama and Congressional leaders for getting this far.  It's a tough step to take in an off year election cycle, but some apparently have the guts to actually vote their conscience. 

Now it's up to the guys in uniform and that won't be until December.  My fingers are crossed.

CEO of BP Admits Environmental Catastrophe in Gulf

The CEO of BP has finally acknowledged that the situation in the Gulf of Mexico is an "environmental catastrophe".  Those are words I never expected to hear from an oil company executive about the situation their company caused, but I guess the British are less prone to spin than their American counterparts.  Who knows?

Oil Catastrophe Becomes Clearer - Biggest in US History

As BP comes closer to stemming the flow of the oil gusher that has polluted the Gulf of Mexico the magnitude of the tragedy is starting to become clearer. For those who have asked my why I am so concerned with this issue the answer is simple. I love our coastlines here in Texas and Louisiana and know the devastation the people and animals who call that area home had dealt with over the past few years.  Now comes this and it's a whopper!

Latest estimates saw it dwarfs the Exxon Valdez. 

To see just how bad it is, check out this photo essay on Huffington Post.

"Top Kill" May Be Working - Still Waiting for Confirmation

The oil mess in the gulf may have some good news today.  News sources say the "top kill" tactic being used by BP is starting to work and reduce the flow of oil.  Still a wait and see period right now.  Below is the live feed from the underwater remote robots working on the well.

American Family Association Claims Hitler Was Gay - Say What?

The American Family Association will stop at nothing to demonize LGBT people.  They are a fountain of lies and if you ever needed proof here is a direct quote from one of their mouthpieces Director of Issue Analysis for Government and Public Policy, Bryan Fischer.  Mr. Fischer in a radio broadcast makes the ludicrous assertion that Adolph Hitler was gay and it gets worse.

"So Hitler himself was an active homosexual. And some people wonder, didn’t the Germans, didn’t the Nazis, persecute homosexuals? And it is true they did; they persecuted effeminate homosexuals. But Hitler recruited around him homosexuals to make up his Stormtroopers, they were his enforcers, they were his thugs. And Hitler discovered that he could not get straight soldiers to be savage and brutal and vicious enough to carry out his orders, but that homosexual solders basically had no limits and the savagery and brutality they were willing to inflict on whomever Hitler sent them after. So he surrounded himself, virtually all of the Stormtroopers, the Brownshirts, were male homosexuals."

OK Mr Fischer, here is the truth.  Hitler was not gay.  Ernst Röhm, one time director of the Brownshirts was but Hitler had him and his companions murdered. That little incodent called "The Night of the Long Knives" On June 30, 1934 was the beginning of that purge.

Hitler was a megalomaniac, a mass murder of gays, Jews and gypsies among others, but he had a long time girlfriend whom he married just before committing suicide. Which just proves how dangerous heterosexuals are.  Now, shut the fuck up!

Pray the Top Kill Maneuver Works on the BP Disaster

The incredible amount of oil vomiting into the Gulf of Mexico might be stopped today or in the next few days if the risky tactic known as a Top Kill works.  BP officials only give it a 70% chance since it has never been tried as the kind of depths where the leak is located.

The procedure involves pumping huge quantities of drilling mud down the well in hopes of stopping it up.  If that works, cement will be forced down and the well will be capped permanently.

Aside from the technical gamble, the environmental problems are already myriad.  Photos from the Louisiana coast show hopelessly clogged marshes and wetlands black with oil.  Worse, the oil that has been dispersed is sinking to the bottom, where shrimp feed.  This spill may kill the lucrative gulf shrimp industry for many years or perhaps permanently.

Stories have surfaced that BP had a warning that there was a problem prior to the blowout, and operators of the well were using seawater instead of drilling mud.  A worker for Trans Oceanic, operator of the platform, Truitt Crawford testified, "I overheard upper management talking saying that BP was taking shortcuts by displacing the well with saltwater instead of mud without sealing the well with cement plugs, this is why it blew out."

I suspect we will be hearing about this and other surprises in many days to come.  Meanwhile, pray that the effort works, otherwise the leak may spew for months until relief wells can be completed.

Miller Lite Goes Homophobic

I have to wonder when advertisers are going to realize that making juvenile sissy jokes is just downright offensive. The latest campaign without a clue is for Miller Lite. In the spot men who drink outher light beers are shown wearing skirts and being less macho. No I understand it's a joke, but it's every bit as offensive as a racial or ethnic joke. The agencies just don't get it.



It's time they did. Write to Miller and let them know their campaign is boorish and offensive. Better yet, tell bars that serve Miller Lite to STOP. It worked pretty well back in the 80's with Coors.

Miller Brewing Company is encouraging homophobic/transphobic attitudes and even though they are done tongue in cheek, it's crude and wrong.

Philippe Cousteau Dives Into the BP Spill - "It’s absolutely disgusting"

“I think this has got to be one of the most horrible things I’ve ever seen underwater.”

New BP Ad Parody - Video!

BP Trys Another Tactic to Stop the Gusher

Once again BP and its minions are going to try to stem the geyser of oil polluting the Gulf of Mexico.  This time, they claim, they will try to "top kill" the well.  This involves pumping a lot of mud into the well to try to clog up the flow. 

The biggest problem is this has not been tired at the depth they are drilling in the Gulf.  Oh boy!  Another prototype!

Supposedly they will utilize the failed blowout preventer to do this, ramming tones of mud down the openings in the device.  Some will most likely flow back out the damaged pipe that is the source of the trouble right now but they hope enough will go in to essentially smother the gusher.

I sincerely wish them all the luck in the world and I sincerely want to know why they didn't have some kind of plan-B in place should a blowout "preventer" fail as it did in this case.  Apparently they never considered that.

On a personal note, I love with an engineer.  These guys eat and breathe "what ifs" and it absolutely amazes me that BP just figured their only safety measure would work no matter what.  My guess is that once the hearings start we will see how engineers were ignored in order to improve the bottom line.  Already it looks like Halliburton and others finagled things and insufficient inspections, etc. are coming to light as well.

Once the leak is stopped, and the clean up begins, I will be interested to see how long BP stays in business.  My guess is they will quickly sell off assets to another shell corporation and mysteriously evaporte before the big lawsuits can be filed.  Just a guess.

Tony Perkins - Family Research Council - Is An A*&$#T

I normally refrain from calling names here, but sometimes I just can't avoid it.  Tony Perkins (of Family Research Council, not the actor) is an ASSHAT!

Let me back that up with a quote from Mr. Perkins.

"I know a lot of people point to militaries that have allowed homosexuality within the ranks – there’s twenty-five of almost two hundred nations but the top militaries in the world do not allow homosexuality to be openly engaged in, in the military – I mean, if you want a military that just does parades and stuff like that then I guess that’s okay."

Parades and stuff?  Excuse me you ASSHAT, but I have many friends who are gay who served honorably and heroically in the military, all the while hiding their sexual orientation.  That takes guts.  More over some of those same friends would have served just a honorably and heroically if they had been allowed to be open about their sexual orientation.

Now about those top militaries, most folks consider Isreal, Canada and the United Kingdom as having pretty darned good militaries and all three of those countries allow openly lesbian or gay service members. And another thing you ASSHAT, they do a lot more than parade!

Meanwhile Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA)is one of the sponsors of the measure to toss out the flawed policy of DADT.  By the way, he's straight and he is a war veteran.

Fox News Slips - Host Asks GOP, Where Are "We" Now?

Think Progress found this tidbit and it is painfully obvious that the "fair and balanced" folks at Fox are just the GOP noise machine with a fancy wrapper. In an interview with Georgia Republican, Rep. Tom Price, host Bill Hemmer lets this one slip:

HEMMER: I want to know from you how you evaluate all these primaries we’ve been watching now. … As you evaluate things right now, some five a half months out, I mean, where do we stand? How strong a position are Republicans? Or what happened in Pennsylvania, in Jack Murtha’s old district, does that give people like you pause and say, hang on here, we’ve got a lot of work to do still.’

 What do you mean "we" Mr. Hemmer?

Oh No! Kung Fu Bears!

I can't wait to see what Stephen Colbert does with this. Remember his #1 enemy of America is BEARS!

Nancy Pelosi Speaks at Harvey Milk Day in SF - Ending DADT Will Happen This Year

OK, she makes about as much of a promise as I can imagine, so let's hold the Democrats to it.

Louisana Coast May Never Fully Recover From The BP Disaster

As the BP oil disaster grows, the coast of Louisana is beginning to feel the pain.  The sensitive wetlands and marshes along the coast are filling up with oil.  Pelican rookeries have been sighted with the birds and their eggs covered in oil. 

The biggest problem with the marshlands is there is no effective way to clean them up.  Waco suggestions such as burning them off and flooding them to "float the oil" off have been suggested but thankfully neither has been put into practice.

The coast may have to recover on its own which means many years from now it might be cleaner, but never the same.  The industries that rely on this are may be destroyed as well.  Shrimping, oysters, etc are not happening any time soon.

Thanks BP!  Glad you are Beyond Petroleum.  Now if you were only beyond incompitent that would be better!

How To Destroy A Landmark (Video)

This is what happens when you don't do your engineering studies prior to trying to move a century old landmark.  Not pretty and I suspect not very funny for the folks involved.

Rand Paul Says Obama Un-American for Criticizing BP (Hint to Paul, It's British)

Meanwhile in the "can this guy stick his foot any further down his throat" department Rand Paul is calling President Obama "un-American" for criticizing BP over the gulf oil disaster they caused. 

Paul is amazing in his ability to say precisely the wrong thing.  First he debates the virtues of the Civil Rights Bill, arguing that it infringes on the personal liberties of businesses to perpetuate racist policies and now this.  I believe he is trying to out "Palin" Sarah Palin!  Way to go Kentucky!

Tomorrow is Harvey Milk Day

Tomorrow, May 22 will mark the second observance of Harvey Milk Day in California. It was Harvey's birthday and it should be a day all people, LGBT or straight should observe. Milk sought to being people together to work for the common good. Funny, that sounds a lot like the same ideals of the founders of our country.

USA Today has a nice interview with Cleve Jones about Harvey. Cleve has been active in the LGBT movement since the days back in the Castro and was instrumental in the AIDS Quilt Project. Take a moment and listen to him.

Malawi Sentencing - Prison For Loving

As Steven Mojenza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, were sentenced to 14 years in prison for loving each other in the Malawi courtroom, Tiwonge made this statement.  I warn you it will make you cry.

"I love Steven so much. If people or the world cannot give me the chance and freedom to continue living with him as my lover, then I am better off to die here in prison. Freedom without him is useless and meaningless." Tiwonge Chimbalanga

 Meanwhile the politicians of  Malawi, the land locked, dirt-poor African country were belligerent of criticism by the international community.

"I do not think that in this particular case that these two people were prejudiced against," he said. "We have no law that criminalizes sexual orientation, just certain sexual acts." Anthony Kamanga, Malawi's solicitor general.

In years past the west looked at Africa and unfairly called the people living there "savages".  In this case, I can understand why.

PeeWee Herman On Broadway!

Just heard from PeeWee that his Broadway show will open in October for 6 weeks.  Some lucky people already have seats!

The official show site is here.  Hint:  the secret word is SCREAM.

Rand Paul Wants End To Civil Rights

Rand Paul, wunderkind of uber-libertarian Ron Paul has been in the news a lot lately.  Finally his real values have come out in an interview with the Louisville Courier-Journal Paul declares that he thinks it should be OK for businesses to deny service to people because of their race.  Trying to reconcile an ultra-libertarian philosophy with the Civil Rights Act Rand is exposed for what he really is.

Now I know many folks will call me radical for saying this, but come on, if you take away the provisions that insure businesses treat everyone equally regardless of race, you take away the whole Civil Rights Act and you are right back to separate but equal.  So let's call it like it is, Rand Paul is racist at his core and he masks it in libertarian "values" but the reality is clear.

Think Progress says it this way:

INTERVIEWER: But under your philosophy, it would be okay for Dr. King not to be served at the counter at Woolworths?

PAUL: I would not go to that Woolworths, and I would stand up in my community and say that it is abhorrent, um, but, the hard part—and this is the hard part about believing in freedom—is, if you believe in the First Amendment, for example—you have too, for example, most good defenders of the First Amendment will believe in abhorrent groups standing up and saying awful things. . . . It’s the same way with other behaviors. In a free society, we will tolerate boorish people, who have abhorrent behavior.

For the record, here is an example of the “boorish people” that Paul thinks a free society must tolerate:

NASA Photo Shows Oil Slick Growing and Going Toward Open Ocean

This latest NASA photo shows the oil spill headed to the open ocean and that is not a good thing.  The magnitude of this mess is evident from the photo. 

Click on the photo for a larger version.

Mark Souter Video - Endorsing Abstinence with His Mistress!

Disgraced Re. Mark Souder discusses abstinence with the woman he had the affair with.  Oh the irony is so rich!

Of course the Daily Show is on hiatus this week, which is probably why he resigned this week!

Malawi - Gay Couple Goes to Prison for 14 Years Because of Love

File this under the category of places you don't want to visit!

Malawi, the tiny land locked nation that borders Zambis, Mozambique and Tanzania has struck a blow for homophobia by convicting two men for gross indecency and unnatural acts...in other words being gay.

According to a BBC article, the couple faces 14 years in prison for celebrating their engagement ahead of a wedding planned for 2010.

For a country with the motto "Unity and Freedom" it seems that only unity of heterosexuals and freedom only if you are straight.  Perhaps they should rethink that motto?

Malawi is one of the most populated and poorest countries in Africa.  Right now 40% of the country's development budget depends on donors, therefore the government there would be more likely to listen to international concerns about this matter.  Human rights in Malawi are abysmal for LGBT people, please write your congressperson and let them know you oppose further aid to this country is it does not reform it's anti-LGBT laws.

Another GOP Family Values Politician - Caught in a Sex Scandal

It has almost become a given if a politician runs on "Family Values", he or she will get caught in a sex scandal.  Well, more proof to that hypothesis comes in the form of Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN).  He has long run on that old platform, family values, and so I guess this should come as no surprise.

In a Fox News exclusive, Souder says he is leaving office to spend more time with his family.  Sound familliar?  Seems Souder was having an affair with a 45-year-old staff member.  That infraction would have ended up with him in front of an Ethics Panel and a messy press situation. 

Thanks to AmericaBlog for finding this nifty tidbit.

ADHD Linked To Pesticide Use

I wondered why the whole ADHD thing was so prevalent these days and this new study may have the answer.  Organophosphates used in pesticides like Malathion are toxic to the nervous system.  Traces of these are higher in children with ADHD than those without.  Interesting study.

Indiana Stonewall Democrats Shun Party Pick to Replace Bayh

Sometimes the Stonewall Democrats make me so proud!  The Indiana Stonewall Democrats refused to endorse the party's pick to replace Evan Bayh.  Here is theri statement in full:

For Immediate Release - - Today, the Indiana Stonewall Democrats (ISD) spoke resolutely and loudly by saying nothing on our ballot to determine Evan Bayh's successor for Democratic candidate for United States Senate.

To any who would question our commitment to the Democratic Party based on our abstention, we would respond with a simple question, "What does it mean to be a Democrat?"
We find our answer in the Indiana Democratic Party's 2008 platform, which includes the following statements:

As a party of the people, we strongly oppose restriction of opportunity to Hoosiers based on their race, religion, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or economic background.

We also encourage legislation addressing hate crimes that would protect the freedom of all Hoosiers and create tougher penalties for those who infringe, criminally or otherwise, on those freedoms.

We must work to ensure that all people - without regard to race, religion gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or economic background - have the right to achieve the American dream. For the sake of current and future generations, it is our duty as Democrats to put an end to any injustices that threaten that goal.

We find further guidance in the Democratic National Committee's 2008 platform, which states:

We support the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the implementation of policies to allow qualified men and women to serve openly regardless of sexual orientation.

We support the full inclusion of all families, including same-sex couples, in the life of our nation, and support equal responsibility, benefits, and protections.

We believe it is time for the Democratic Party at all levels to live up to our expressed ideals.
Our abstention is born, in large part, from the frustration of feint support from the Indiana Democratic Party, which has taken our support for granted too long and shown no interest in developing ISD further.

We do not intend our abstention, in any manner, to be taken as support for Republican nominee Dan Coats. His objection to permitting highly-qualified gays and lesbians to serve in the armed services is well-documented, as is his historical hostility to the gay and lesbian community. Further, we doubt a high-paid, Washington, D.C. lobbyist is what average Hoosiers needs in this time of economic insecurity.

Nor do we intend our abstention to be construed as an indictment of Congressman Ellsworth's personal sentiments towards gays and lesbians. By all accounts, the Congressman interacts respectfully and meaningfully with our community, and to his credit, implemented a gay-friendly employment policy as Vanderburgh County Sheriff at great political risk to himself.
But as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stated, "Shallow understanding from people of goodwill is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will."

Regrettably, there has been, up to this point, a disconnect between not only the Democratic Party's words and deeds, but in the Congressman's personal conduct toward gay, lesbian, and transgender Hoosiers and his votes and public statements on their issues. Specifically, Congressman Ellsworth voted against the Hates Crimes bill and the version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that provides protection to transgender Hoosiers, and he has not expressed publicly his willingness to vote for the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Moreover, and perhaps most tellingly, when asked during our meeting whether he supports adoption by gay couples, Congressman Ellsworth stated he "needs more information."
Given the number of children suffering in the foster care system, the Congressman's reservations about gay adoption are deeply troubling

But, in fairness, we must say that our meeting with Congressman Ellsworth was constructive overall. Our hope is that he will continue to learn about our issues, moderate his positions on areas of disagreement, and follow through on our many areas of agreement.

Had the Congressman spoken publicly for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, voted for the Hate Crimes bill, or supported a transgender inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or had the Indiana Democratic Party shown interest in facilitating the growth of our caucus, perhaps our path today would have been different. But we see a clear distinction between an elected official with a record forged under the crucible of political pressure like Senator Evan Bayh's and a candidate who claims to be supportive but whose voting history and public rhetoric show an effort to too frequently side with those who demonize gay, lesbian, and transgender Hoosiers, and a political party that does the same.

In sum, we will no longer go along for the sake of "party unity" with a party that too frequently fails to unify with us under its own guiding principles.

We want to state emphatically on behalf of our members and our fellow progressives in the Democratic family that our support must be earned by living up to the Democratic Party's principles through action. When that is done, we will respond accordingly. Approximately two weeks ago, we hosted a fundraising event for several Indiana House of Representatives candidates. We did so to support our friends who have lived up to our platform and to help preserve the Democratic House leadership that has done the same.

It is our hope that we will soon be able to likewise embrace Congressman Ellsworth without reservation and usher in a more fruitful relationship with the Indiana Democratic Party.
The Indiana Stonewall Democrats will have no further comment at this time.

Video of Last Weeks Bombing in Iraq

If you have a weak stomach don't watch this.  YouTube may remove it soon but if it is still online and you want to know what kind of hell Baghdad is right now, watch it and pray.  This is not a bomb by the US but one set by internal Iraq factions fighting for control of the country and seeking to destabilize the existing government. 

Why am I posting this?  Because wars that we helped start should have a face, ignoring the suffering of others gives us a false impression of the world.  To the terrorists who did this and their heartless cruelty, they have stepped out of the human race and into something entirely different. I cry for their victims and for their own loss of humanity.

Miss USA - And the Winner is...

My partner and I were having a nice meal at Lucky's Cafe in Dallas last night.  Lucky's is a Dallas institution and serves great food for all tastes.  One of the annoying things about the cafe is the ubiquitous TV screens.  It seems that today you cannot go anywhere without seeing television, and in most cases, more than one channel at a time.

One screen was playing a baseball game and the other, since this is the gayborhood, had the Miss USA Pageant.

My partner and I had a close encounter with this event a few years back when we stumbled into the press conference in front of the then, Aladdin Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.  The hotel is not Planet Hollywood, but the pageant still resides in the massive performing arts theater in that venue.

As we casually watched the proceedings we took bets on who would be Miss USA.  It was a toss up between Miss Oklahoma and Miss Michigan.  Seems we were spot on, and Miss Michigan won the title.  \

We were too far from the set to see the names of the contestants and the sound was thankfully off, so all we saw was perfectly coiffed young impossibly pretty women competing and answering what I feel sure were softball questions. 

Imagine our surprise today when the right wing noise machine begins complaining about Miss Michigan winning the contest.  Why?  Because her family is of Arab descent!  Turns out she was raised in a dual faith family and attended a Catholic High School.  OMG!  That is just too much diversity for the right wing media.

These insane people see any diversity as something imposed from some sort of liberal/PC agenda.  I guess they can't understand that  the large Arab American population of Michigan might lead to at least a few entrants being of Arab heritage? 

OK lets call it what it is, bigotry.  FOX and Beck and the rest of these talking heads are pretty much bigots wrapped in American flags and pretending to be news reporters.  Enough already!  Let the pretty girl have her title and save the world, or whatever Miss USA's do.

Recent Oak Lawn Robbery Not A Hate Crime and Other Lies!

OK folks, if you don't like reading my stuff when I am on my soapbox, leave now. 

Friday night two men walking down Throckmorton Street toward the bars were attacked and savagely beaten with baseball bats by thugs screaming anti-gay epithets.  Now our esteemed police force decided that since the victims were robbed of their wallets, it was just a simple robbery and assault and not a hate crime. 

Excuse me?  This is what used to be called back in the bad old days "rolling queers" and even though  there was a robbery involved it is about as clear a hate crime as you can find.  Apparently our police cannot or will not protect the LGBT community and refuses to understand that calling people who you are beating into unconsciousness with a baseball bat, "faggot" is hate speech. 

I guess the LGBT community is going to have to start protecting ourselves, because the police do not take seriously this kid of crime.  Sad day for Dallas and even sadder for the LGBT community who has seen a rise in these kinds of attacks recently.

I recall the 1970's and 80's when a group of trained gay men and lesbians donned pink berets and patrolled the gayborhood.  They carried radios and whistles as well as cans of mace for protection.  Most knew self defense moves and were not itching for a fight, but their presence deterred a lot of crime.  The Dallas Gay Alliance handed out whistles to people at bars and clubs and we became vigilant.  The attacks diminished and he police took notice of our actions and increased patrols in the area.

Well I am willing to take a few shifts and I have a very nice uniform that could look even snazzier with a pink beret.  With the advent of cell phones it should be easier to stay in touch and I believe pepper spray works even better than Mace. 

Anyone with me on this?