Worker Testifies BP Rig had Alarms Turned Off on a Regular Basis

As the government is investigating just what went wrong on the BP/Transocean Deep Water Horizon rig, the list of problems looks pretty long and moreover, pretty damming for BP.


In an article on the New York Times Mike Williams, chief electronics technician aboard the Transocean rig, testified that emergency alarms and procedures were routinely disabled or just set to bypass mode. The safety alarm system was set to "inhibited" to avoid its noisy siren going off and waking the crew in the middle of the night.  Unfortunately when the rig caught fire, that siren did not alert anyone and 11 men died.

On Friday, Mr. Williams added several new details about the equipment on the vessel, testifying that another Transocean official turned a critical system for removing dangerous gas from the drilling shack to “bypass mode.” When he questioned that decision, Mr. Williams said, he was reprimanded.

“No, the damn thing’s been in bypass for five years,” he recalled being told by Mark Hay, the subsea supervisor. “Why’d you even mess with it?”

He recalled that Mr. Hay added: “The entire fleet runs them in ‘bypass.’ ”
Problems existed from the beginning of drilling the well, Mr. Williams said. For months, the computer system had been locking up, producing what the crew deemed the “blue screen of death.”

“It would just turn blue,” he said. “You’d have no data coming through.”
Replacement hardware had been ordered but not yet installed by the time of the disaster, he said.

The rest of the article details even more infractions and for me it was sickening.  The whole thing smacks of corporate expediency and just plain cutting corners at the expense of safety and the environment.  In case you are wondering, that adds up to just plain GREED.  Make money as fast and as long as you can and if there are accidents, well that will not show up in this quarter's report.

The result of these investigations is still in play, but from what I have read, BP, Transocean and the rest have no business operating in US waters.  Furthermore, the callous disregard for safety shown by BP and Transocean must be rectified.  I sincerely believe that the only just way to deal with these criminals is to seize their assets and either sell them off for damages or operate them safely to pay for the lives and livelihoods they have destroyed.  Just fining them a few billion is not enough.  They need to be put out of business.

US House Votes To Ban "Crush" Vids

And to think some people call me twisted?  In a million years I would never consider watching or worse yet making videos of animals being deliberately crushed to death.  It gives me shivers just to say it, but apparently it's all the rage on the sick side of viral videos.

In an effort to stop the despicable practice the US House has passed a bill to prohibit the making or distribution of such videos.  The new bill specifically exempts videos showing hunting, trapping, fishing, or any typical veterinary practices.

And please, do not send me any links to these disgusting videos!  Seriously.

Republicans Declare War On Unemployed

In a continuing effort to block just about any legislation at all, the Senate Republicans are trying to block the unemployment extension by tactical means.  They are filing a batch of motions design to delay it as long a possible.  Apparently they feel they can make some kind of political gains by starving Americans who are unemployed. 

The GOP lives in a fantasy land where people do not seek jobs because they are rolling in government money.  If you have ever collected unemployment it is hardly a windfall, and without it many people are falling below subsistence level.  Though the GOP feels there are plenty of jobs out there, apparently they have never had to actually search for a job.

Write your GOP Senator and tell him or her to stop diddling and get this relief bill passed now!

Pete Sessions Asks What Would You Cut From the Budget? Start WIth His Salary!

I once wrote a letter to Pete Sessions, my Congressperson, or at least the Representative from my part of Texas and BINGO I am on his mailing list! That is a mixed blessing. First it lets me know what the GOP propaganda line is on whatever is going on in Washington, and second, it occasionally gives me a chance to screw up their "push polls" and other disinformation initiatives.

In my last update, Representative Sessions wanted me to join other "loyal supporters" and tell the GOP what we thought could be cut from the budget. As a start they suggested a half dozen red herrings and then made the mistake of asking me what I thought could be cut. Well let me tell you what I told Pete.

For starters how about trimming tax subsidies we give the oil companies. In a study by the Center for American Progress it is stated that "the total government savings from eliminating these subsidies is projected to be $45 billion over 10 years." That's not chump change and a good start.

Next I suggested that the C-17 Cargo plane the military uses was another example. The military already says it needs 180 of these heavy lifting cargo planes for efficient operation. So what does the Congress do? It authorizes 223 of them, 43 more that the military even wants. In 2009 Congress continued to fund the production of C-17s with a $2.5 billion appropriation, despite the strong objection by Defense Secretary Robert Gates and the President.

The military in general is a problem. The Pentagon budget for 2010 is $693 billion. That represents more than all other discretionary spending programs combined. In fact the US spends 55% of the global military budget, more than any other country. How about a little trimming the fat there?

Another spot where a little fat could be snipped? Tobacco Subsidies in the United States totaled $944 million from 1995-2009. How about making that $0? Spend enough to transition farmers to less deadly crops and stop subsidizing the deaths of millions of Americans.

Shall I continue?

Now do I think Sessions will read or much less care about my suggestions? Aw hell no. Pete is in business for Pete. He and his cronies will manipulate public opinion and federal dollars to benefit their pals, that is a given especially with the GOP. But at least it made me feel better.

Oh and the best cut we could make wold be to snip his salary. If we did, he might resign and go into the "private sector". After all the Private Sector does everything better, right Pete?

Quantum Physics Friday - Gravity May Not Exist?

OK, most of the details of quantum physics go way beyond my understanding and I have only recently been able to scratch the surface on "string theory" and "membrane theory" (M-theory)  Let's say I won't be passing any theoretical physics tests any time soon, but the latest in the world of "spooky action at a distance" comes from Dr. Erik Verlinde, a Dutch professor of physics.

Verlinde, father of something called "Verlinde Algebra" which is essential to string theory, has posited that to explain gravity we have been looking in the wrong direction. Rather than it being a force caused either by the distortion of space-time or other phenomenon, he suggests gravity is a side effect or new element of an entropic force. In short, Gravity as a force does not exist.

So while I re-read the article from the New York Times and try to wrap whatever neurons I have left around it, take a gander at this and see if you understand.  It is a novel and interesting idea that really could lead to further more concrete research.

Tesla and Toyota to Build Electric Rav4

A lot of critics scoffed at the Tesla Motors first few models.  They first said electric cars are slow.  Then they said no one would buy them. Then they said they would never be affordable.

Tesla, creator of the Tesla Roadster set out to prove that electric cars could be peppy, sporty and outperform internal combustion.  They proved it with their first release.

Buyer flocked to Tesla and quickly filled up the slots on the waiting list for new models.  and though the Tesla was pricey, now comes the announcement that Tesla and Toyota are going to produce an electric version of the Rav4 perhaps at the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. plant in Fremont, Calif.  The Rav4 EV was previously available in California only 10 years ago but was pulled from the market.  Still a number of the vehicles are still running today.

I fully expect to see electric or hybrid electric cars as the norm in the next 10 years.  Just my wish.

Glenn Beck for President? Oh Puleeze!

I needed a laugh today and this video provided it. The woman in need of a makeover actually is serious, so my laughter is tinged with a tear for the vapid stupidity on display here. Sad but true, she actually wants Glenn Beck to run for president? I believe so. Heck if the "Moose Killer Mom" can run, why not the bipolar Beck.

A further sign that critical thinking is a thing of the past in America. Enjoy!

BP Spill Might Be Capped

Keep your fingers crossed.  BP says the new cap may have worked.  They are still monitoring it to see if it holds, but the video shows no more oil.

Streaming live video by Ustream

Subway Car Star Wars!

Divorce Ban May Make the Ballot in California - Now That's Defense of Marriage!

Several years ago when the ridiculous Defense of Marriage Act was passed, the then pastor of my church, Rev. Michael Piazza suggested if people really wanted to defend marriage they could ban divorce.

Well, some enterprising folks in California have taken up the cause.  The California Secretary of State announced that a citizen has filed papers to do just that. John Marcotte has started a drive to put the measure on the ballot.  If he can raise 694,000 in the next 150 days it will go to a vote!

Here's to  you, Mr. Marcotte!  Good luck and I certainly hope you succeed since marriage is far more threatened by divorce than giving same-sex couples the right to marry.

New National AIDS Policy Will Take Community Involvement

When friend of mine started getting sick in the 1980's we got worried.  Once the cause of their illnesses and deaths was found we got busy.  We started educating our friends to practice safe-sex and to get tested for HIV.
We also felt pretty sure that once the scientific community got fully engaged in fighting HIV/AIDS the epidemic would be wiped out in a few years.  We mourned those who had fallen and held out hope for those who were living with AIDS.

It's been 30 years and still no cure and that's a shame.  30 years and people are still getting infected and that is preventable!  HIV is not being transmitted through transfusions any more, the blood supply is safe and tested, it's being transmitted by unprotected sex and sharing needles, both are pretty basic and very fixable.  Finally a White House realizes this and is willing to propose this concrete goal.

The United States will become a place where new HIV infections are rare, and when they do occur, every person, regardless of age, gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socio-economic circumstance will have unfettered access to high-quality, life-extending care, free from stigma and discrimination. 

Now to implement that plan it's going to take work and our community is a great place to start.  We are where the rubber meets the road (pardon the intentional pun).  We cannot wait for the government to do something, because it is us, every LGBT person who can and must do something.  First we have to insist on safer-sex and that means always having and using condoms.  Barebacking needs to be de-eroticized and made unacceptable.  That means boycotting bareback videos and websites and consciously eroticizing condom use for penetrative sex.

Next we need to sponsor needle exchanges.  Making sterile needles available for intravenous drug users will lessen the possibility that they will cross contaminate their friends and partners.  To those who think this will enable drug use, I say bullshit.  Drug use will happen with clean or dirty needles whether we want it to or not.  We need to take an adult view of the problem and address the transmission of HIV through dirty needles.

Finally the government needs to do a couple of things to help.  Make health care accessible to everyone and make funds available for HIV prevention education and programs. 

With or without the government we can make a difference in our community, but first we have to get off our collective asses and work for it.

Iraqi Police Beat LGBT Suspects in Raid

Reason number 501 to pull out of Iraq.

Iraqui police raided what they describe as a Male Beauty Parlor.  The business offered waxing and massage and catered to gay men.  the raid was ostensibly for prostitution, but the owners say that is not what they offered.

Witnesses say the police beat patrons and used cattle prods on them before arresting them.  Though the government claims, "homosexuality is not a criminal offense in Iraq" apparently the police believe otherwise.

It's time we left this country to it's own devices.  Supporting an opressive regeim is the last thing we need to do.
The story was reported by UK Gay News.

More Gibson Rant Released - Worse Than Others!

Wow!  Just when I thought I had heard all the venom Mel Gibson could spew, part 3 of the infamous tape comes out.  His language and dialogue is so bad a writer couldn't come up with this filth.  He rants and insults and spews more racial epithets and threats.

I feel like a voyeur listening to it, and yet it's like watching a train wreck, I just can't look away.

Gibson has lost his agent, his reputation such as it is and I would not be surprised if he didn't "go postal".  Someone needs to take him into protective custody or something really bad is going to happen.

In the long run I guess it is his just deserts.  His hatred and prejudice and severe mental problems have surfaced and it really makes him unattractive to anyone.  Unattractive is the worst thing an actor can be, especially a former "star" like Gibson.  Too bad.

Nevada Health Organization Splits from Local Church Over Uganda Anti-gay Laws

It's interesting to note that some folks other than the LGBT community are taking matters in Uganda seriously.  The Southern Nevada Health District in Las Vegas has cut ties to the Canyon Ridge Community Church.  The state organization had been working with the church to find a location for their HIV testing and AIDS awareness activities.  After learning that the church had an ongoing relationship with anti-gay pastor Martin Ssempa of Uganda, they severed ties.

Ssempa is one of the forces behind the draconian anti-homosexuality laws in Uganda and Canyon Ridge has supported him and the policy.  More from Salon.com.

Mel Gibson is a Ranting Lunatic. Talent Agent Drops Him.

I just listened to the tape of Mel Gibson ranting and cursing at his ex-girlfriend and he is certifiable. The guy is out of control and a raving rage-aholic. The tape of the phone conversation is amazing and disturbing. She is calm and he is shouting like a crazy man screaming curses worse than anything I could imagine.

I would not be surprised if Gibson ends up in a hospital or graveyard from his craziness. If you think you can stand it listen to the insanity here on Radar Online.com.

UPDATE:  News just came in that his agency, William Morris Endeavor is dropping him.  This means they feel representing him is a liability to their reputation or that he is no longer a bankable property.  Either way it's a blow to what is left of his career.

Where Was This Guy a Few Years Ago?

Hawaii - Not Very Civil About Civil Unions

I have been to Hawaii twice, both times on business, but I did get a chance to spend a few days relaxing and enjoying the scenery. Scenery is about all Hawaii has going for it right now, that and some of the strongest pot around. (Something I no longer indulge in.)

The Governor of Hawaii is being widely quoted as saying allowing same-sex civil unions is tantamount to allowing incest. Well that is not exactly what she said. She stated that she felt civil unions were not a civil right. Since the state could restrict brother and sister from marrying, there was precedent to disallow same-sex marriage.

OK, splitting hairs aside, Linda Lingle has made a powerful mistake.  She vetoed the same-sex civil union bill and tacked on this little gem in her response, "A vote by all the people of Hawaii is the best and fairest way to address an issue that elicits such deeply felt emotion by those both for and against."  So we are going to put civil rights to a popular vote?  How is that going to work on other "deeply felt emotional" issues.  Say taxes?

Ask just about anyone and they will tell you they would prefer not to pay taxes.  Is Hawaii going to put state taxes to a vote of the people?  Oh hell no!  This is a pile of manure as an argument against doing the right thing.  The governor is just weaseling her way out of making an unpopular decision that is morally right.  Governor Lingle, it comes with the territory!

As for Hawaii, well I put it to a popular vote, and it's a tourist trap that can live without my or any other GLBT dollars.  Take your leis and inedible poi and fake hula shows and stuff it!

Next time I want to pay way too much or a vacation, I'll head to Massachusetts for a tour of the fall foliage. 

Pro Gay Marriage Ad - Argentina

From Joe. My. God., this lovely commercial in Spanish.

Despicable Me - A Lovable Picture!

Steve Carell is everywhere this month. Doing cameos on the Colbert Report, making the radio talk circut and all over the media.  His career has been on the ascendant for several years but his latest copu,. having a successful TV show, and two movies released at the same time really shows just how much this guy works.

His latest role, as the voice of Gru in "Despicable Me" give Carell a chance to do a really broad character that clearly falls outside his "look".  If it was a live action movie, it wouldn't work, but as the voice of the nefarrious and yet lovable Gru he is perfect.

At times sounding a bit like Boris Badenoff of "moose and squirrel" fame Gru is driven by his life long quest to be the most evil villain ever.  His foil is a Bill Gates like nerd who dresses in sweatpants and has a Moe Howard haircut.

The story is fun and sweet and spiked with enough dual-level humor to entertain adults...a lot!

The 3D was spectacular and used to good effect, though the gimmick aspect was evident, however the producers used the gimmicks self consciously and so it all became part of the joke.  The inside joke came at the end during the credits.  If you had an iPhone or other smart phone, you could download an app...yes there is an app for this movie.  Best Buy teamed up with the producers to provide an interactive experience at the end of the picture.  I won't spoil the gag, but get the app before going and turn on your iPhone to silent and start the app when the picture begins.  You won't be disappointed.

Futurama - Robosexual Marriage! Oh My!

Futurama	Thursdays 10pm / 9c
No on Infinity
www.comedycentral.com
Futurama New Episodes Futurama New Episodes It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

LGBT Youth In Prison - Violence Behind Bars

The idea of being in prison is bad enough, especially for a young person.  When the other youth in the facility attack and abuse you, who do you tell?  When the guards call you," a disgrace to mankind," a "punk" or "fucking faggot", what do you do?

It's not a very pleasant world for an incarcerated LGBT youth, and the recent article in The Nation gives a vivid picture of how bad it is for LGBT kids who wind up in correctional facilities. What's worse is that many are jailed prior to their trials in inordinate numbers.  According to the article, "in Louisiana, 50 percent of the gay youth picked up for nonviolent offenses in 2009 were sent to jail to await trial, while less than 10 percent of straight kids were".  Louisiana is not alone.  The same holds true for many states.

Once in a facility after a conviction, gay youth report constant attacks, rapes and little if any recourse.  Many are placed in isolation after an attack rather than punishing their attackers.  It's a no win situation and it is made worse by the disproportionate number of LGBT youth in the system.

An LGBT youth's problems with the law frequently begin at home. "LGBT youth are more likely to be arrested than straight youth because they're more likely to be pushed out of their homes," says Dr. Beyer. And "family rejection is a direct pipeline to the juvenile justice system," says San Francisco State University researcher Caitlin Ryan of the Family Acceptance Project. While only 3-10 percent of Americans are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, LGBT youth make up 15 percent of the prison population. Indeed, one-quarter of all LGBT youth are kicked out of their homes or run away. Compared to their heterosexual peers, incarcerated LGBT youth are twice as likely to report abuse at the hands of family members, homelessness or state-ordered foster placement. A shocking estimated 20-40 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBT.

This article is worth a read and worth thinking about.  As a community, we have to start recognizing the problems specific to LGBT youth and finding ways to address them.

Beheading Was a Hoax

Today the blog, Box Turtle Bulletin issued a retraction for the story of the murder of a gay activist in Uganda.  Apparently the story, first propagated by Changing Attitude, an LGBT Anglican blog was true in that there was a beheading, but the victim was not an LGBT activist as first reported.

Box Turtle Bulletin has the rest of the story.

Woman With Leukemia Has Insurance Canceled Because She Was One Penny Short

OK, if you ever needed a reason why we need health care reform, check this out.  A woman with Leukemia had her coverage canceled because she was 1 cent ($0.01) short in her payment. Only when she threatened to go to the press was she reinstated.  The Colorado Springs Gazette describes it this way:

La Rosa Carrington has more than enough to worry about. She’s a single mother with two teenage daughters, she’s fighting a type of leukemia that requires five days of chemo a month for four months, and she lost her job in May. So the last thing she needed was news that her health insurance benefits would be terminated because she hadn’t paid her premium in full. The shortfall? One penny.

Read more: http://www.gazette.com/articles/rosa-101227-carrington-threatened.html#ixzz0t253z9ES

Amazing!

Artist Formerly Known as Prince Says the Internet Is "Over"

First he was Prince, then he was (whatever that symbol was) and now he is back to Prince I think.  Though I love his music, his intellect is somewhat in question.  His latest pronouncement is that, "The internet's completely over".

In an interview with the Daily Mirror the pop icon is shutting down his website and pulling his material from YouTube.  In the interview he stated, "the internet’s like MTV, at one time, MTV was hip, and suddenly it became outdated.... Anyway, all these computers and digital gadgets are no good. They just fill your head with numbers and that can't be good for you."

Well he is releasing a new album,and it was recorded digitally, so all those numbers, specifically 1's and 0's must be good for something!  Let's hope his dismissal of the internet isn't followed by the public's dismissal of Prince.  I like his music!

Ugandan LGBT Rights Volunteer Beheaded in Brutal Murder

When I hear the name of the country Uganda, I have vivid memories of Idi Amin, the brutal dictator who ruled that African nation for many years.  I also think of the draconian laws against LGBT people in that country especially a draft of a new law that makes even knowing the whereabouts of homosexuals a crime.  Not a happy place.

That impression was strengthened when I saw the horrifying news in the Box Turtle Bulletin blog about the murder and beheading of a gay rights activist there.  Pasikali Kashusbe who volunteered for Integrity Uganda, a pro-LGBT organization founded by an Anglican Bishop, Christopher Senyonjo. 

Here are some of the details published in a release on the Anglican, Changing Attitude blog, they are not pretty.

Judith Nabakooba, a police spokesperson, identified the head as that of Pasikali Kashusbe, one of the workers on Kigggundu’s farm and a member of Integrity Uganda. Pasikali and his partner Abbey are youth workers with Integrity Uganda charged with the responsibility of mobilising young LGBT people in activities which build community capacity to face up to the challenge of homophobia, especially in the area of attitude change and care through drama and sports activities.

According to the police, a mutilated torso which was earlier in the week discovered in Kabuuma Zone, about half a kilometre away from Kiggundu’s farm was probably Pasikali’s The torso was described as belonging to a young man and had no genitals.
Pasikali went missing over three and half weeks ago when the country was celebrating Uganda Martyrs Day. All efforts by his partner Abbey and other family members to find him had been fruitless.

Bishop Christopher Senyonjo, Chairperson of Integrity Uganda lamented the murder of this young man as ‘absurd’ adding that, ‘clearly, the values of tolerance and social inclusion are sadly being sacrificed on the altar of state ignorance, ineptness and good old colonial stupidity’.

 What is worse is that the state owned media is encouraging a "crackdown" on homosexuals.  I put crackdown in quotes because it is in my opinion a code for vigilantism.  One article published a few years ago contained the following inflammatory rhetoric, “The police should visit the holes mentioned in the press, spy on the perverts, arrest and prosecute them”.

Obviously, some people in Uganda have decided to take the law in their own hands.

A-Team Tries to Thrill. Fails!

What was I expecting?  Well I figured it would be a campy send up of the A-Team that would have a good story with a few self conscious nods to the old series.  As it began, I had high hopes.  The just in the nick of time rescue and the reappearance of the A-Team van worked into a somewhat plausible story.  Unfortunately that was just the credits.  From there it went downhill, or at least into far left field quickly.

Why the writers had to include the impossibly beautiful Army Captain/busted to Lieutenant in charge of some sort of top secret sting operation, I don't know.  Also the whole "we are all crazy rangers" thing made no sense at all. But as I said the whole story made little sense.

Part of a good movie is the "suspension of disbelief".  The same thing that is needed for a good play.  You have to believe the characters and action is real, even though you know it's acting and special effects.  I found I could not suspend my disbelief long enough to get two bites of popcorn down. The whole thing was unbelievable, and not in a "wow isn't his a great fantasy", or "gee this is so goofy" kind of way. It was just bad, and when it got so convoluted there seemed like no way out, Well, the producers used the old "deus ex CGI" to save the day. Except it didn't.  

I rarely find a movie where I not only don't care about the lead characters, but I actively am rooting for their demise!  The A-Team was the B or really the D-Team.  Don't waste your money and 2 hours of your life.

Michael Steele Puts Another Foot In His Mouth!

Sometimes it's just too easy.  Michael Steele is challenging Rand Paul for the silliest guy in politics.  Either he has decided to try just ignoring history or he has a short term memory loss problem.  Either way it's just too easy to shoot holes in this guys arguments.

Yesterday, he makes a speech at a fundraiser in Connecticut and says of the war President Bush started in Afghanistan:

"Keep in mind again, federal candidates, this was a war of Obama’s choosing. This is not something the United States had actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in."

So I guess when Bush ordered troops into Afghanistan to track down Osama Bin Laden it was just a bad dream?  I wish it was but now Obama is havingto finish Bush's war.  Not a plesant situation and certainly not of "his choosing".

Either the man is an idiot, or just a really bad spin doctor.  Either way it's another embarrassment for the GOP and it has me dancing the "schadenfreude polka"!

Friday Engrish Blogging

I have long been a fan of the website engrish.com.  They post hundreds of pictures of signage form Japan that is mistranslated into broken English.  But they are not the only ones with this kind of malapropism.  Huffington Post recently posted a series of pictures of least appetizing food.

This example must be what I had for lunch yesterday.  Still can't get the taste out of my mouth.

Bon Appetite!

Mel Gibson is an Asshat & Other Well Known Facts

The recording of Mel Gibson spewing a stream of invectives at his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, mother of his child, just goes to prove that the star who may seem hot and romantic on-screen is a really good actor.  In real life he is a bitter, racist, homophobic jerk.

Radaronline posted a few choice quotes from the tape like these:

"You're an embarrassment to me.... You look like a f***ing pig in heat, and if you get raped by a pack of n***ers, it will be your fault."

Sad really, when I think of how I had fantasies about Mel back in his Road Warrior days.  I now have trouble picturing him as anything but a bitter drunk. 

George W. Ranks High - In Worst Presidents of All Time!

I always suspected George W. Bush would go down in history as a really bad president, but just how bad is startling.  A recent poll of 238 Presidential scholars ranks "W" 5th from the bottom.  He can take heart that he ranked above Andrew Jackson,  James Buchanan, W.G. Harding, and Franklin Pierce.

At the top of the list for Best President stands FDR for the fifth consecutive survey.  It's interesting reading for sure.

2 Shot at Vigil for San Francisco Shooting Victims

The shooting that happened near the Gay Pride celebration in San Francisco this weekend has spawned another problem.  At a vigil help last night for the victims, two more people were shot and injured.  Luckily no one was killed this time.

Though the previous deaths were not classified as hate crimes, since they were most likely gang related, I have to wonder how this could be related unless it was indeed a hate crime.  This story will not go away soon, I suspect.

Montana Republicans Hate Gays Too!

I have to admit, the Montana Republican Party's platform sounds much more sane than the wacko document released by the Texas GOP.  Still, just because it sounds a little less zany does not mean it is good.

Look under the section on "Crime" and you will find this little nugget:

Homosexual Acts
We support the clear will of the people of Montana expressed by legislation to keep homosexual acts illegal.

Clear will?  Funny how these guys have their finger on the pulse of the will of all Montana citizens.  First of all "homosexual acts" sounds like something you would see in a bus and truck musical, not to mention the fact that "homosexual acts" are no longer illegal by the ruling of Lawrence v. Texas. 

What this comes down to is hate, pure and simple.  Not as vehement as the hate in the Texas platform, but hate none the less and once again it shows why anyone who considers themselves an LGBT Republican is living in cognitive dissonance.  For God sake at least call yourselves "Independents" and stop supporting the Republican Party! The LGBT community has enough enemies, we don't need them working from the inside to harm us as well.

Oil Layer Coats Pensacola Beach

The pride of the gulf, Pensacola Beach is destroyed for the near future.  These photos on TampaBay.com show not only tar balls and patches on the surface of the white sand beeches, but a layer of tar and oil about 6 inches below the surface.
The "Redneck Riviera" will not be a vacation spot this summer.

There is a movement to demand the government seize BP's assets and use them to pay for damages.  I have to say I think it might be a good idea.

Robert Byrd, Senate Icon, Dead at 92

He always carried a copy of the Constitution in his pocket and frequently referred to it in his speeches on the floor of the Senate. Robert Byrd, the longest serving member of Congress in US history has died at age 92. The conservative Democrat from West Virginia had been hospitalized for about a week prior to his death.

He was elected to the Senate in 1958 and reelected nine times, a record for any Senator. His work for the citizens of West Virginia was often seen as "pork barrel politics" but it won him praise from his constituents.

As a young man he once was "Exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan" but in later life his views moderated. He supported the Martin Luther King holiday and endorsed President Barack Obama.

His achievements included a scholarly history of the US Senate as well as numerous laws.

I best remember him as standing on the floor of the Senate and vehemently opposing the Iraq war. His words still haunt many in Washington:

I believe in this beautiful country. I have studied its roots and gloried in the wisdom of its magnificent Constitution. I have marveled at the wisdom of its founders and framers. Generation after generation of Americans has understood the lofty ideals that underlie our great Republic. I have been inspired by the story of their sacrifice and their strength.


But, today I weep for my country. I have watched the events of recent months with a heavy, heavy heart. No more is the image of America one of strong, yet benevolent peacekeeper. The image of America has changed. Around the globe, our friends mistrust us, our word is disputed, our intentions are questioned.


Instead of reasoning with those with whom we disagree, we demand obedience or threaten recrimination. Instead of isolating Saddam Hussein, we seem to have isolated ourselves. We proclaim a new doctrine of preemption which is understood by few and feared by many. We say that the United States has the right to turn its firepower on any corner of the globe which might be suspect in the war on terrorism. We assert that right without the sanction of any international body. As a result, the world has become a much more dangerous place.

Shaving Gay Cougars and Orange Drinks?

What in the heck is this ad trying to say?

HIV Study in Houston Show Many Have Disease and Don't Know It

Something many in the medical community long suspected has been proven out by an empirical test.  In Houston, the emergency rooms at two inner-loop clinics tried testing all patients for HIV as a routine part of their care.  They found one out of every one hundred people tested positive and many of those had no idea prior to the emergency room visit. 

Epidemiologists and HIV researchers have long believed that the general population has a higher infection rate than previously reported.  They believe almost 200,000 Americans are living with HIV and don't know it.

The routine testing removed any stigma that might have cased some people to opt out of testing and gives a much truer sample of how widespread the virus really is.  The long term goal of this pilot program is to make testing for HIV far more widespread to make sure people who are infected can get treatment early and avoid spreading the disease to others.  More from the Houston Chronicle.

Catholic Coloring Book Warns of Pedophile Priests

The Catholic Church with all its emphasis of orthodoxy and tradition has certainly strayed outside the lines with their latest educational initiative.  It's a coloring book for kids that warns them of the dangers of pedophile priests!  Well, not exactly, but the subtext is far from subtle.

The book comes from the New York Archdiocese and is entitled, "Being Friends, Being Safe, Being Catholic".  The book features among other interesting images, an angel cluing a child in to the safety tip,  make sure they're never alone in a room with a priest.  I would have thought this was a joke had I not seen it in Newsweek.

This will either become a valuable tool for protection of children, or the greatest camp joke of all time.  Only time will tell!

LGBT Youth - Alarming Number are Homeless and on the Streets

The figures are staggering. Between 1.6 million to 2.8 million homeless youth in our country! More staggering still is the data that shows up to 40% of those homeless are LGBT youth.

For some reason I never considered homelessness as an LGBT issue but the figures speak clearly, it is. The reasons for these kids ending up on the street are myriad, but they share some disturbing similarities.

A report from the Center for American Progress shows 58% of them are victims of sexual assault. This is much higher than their straight counterparts. Additionally, 62% suffer discrimination from their families because of their sexual orientation. I would imagine that is a big cause of the problem.

The report is eye opening and worth your time to read. Beyond understanding the problem is doing something about it. That will take both our community and our local state and federal governments getting involved and working to change this.

Raining Oil? Strange Video

OK, I am not at all convinced that this is real or at least really what the guys filming it believe, but it is interesting.  I personally suspect that the heavy rain pulled up oil from the streets.  The whole water cycle would have to be really messed up to rain oil.  What do you think?

President Pledges to Sign DADT

In the first White House Gay Pride event, President Obama made a great speech and this part stood out:

And finally, we’re going to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. (Applause.) That is a promise I made as a candidate. It is a promise that I reiterated as President. It’s one that this administration is going to keep. Now, the only way to lock this in -– the only way to get the votes in Congress to roll back this policy -- is if we work with the Pentagon, who are in the midst of two wars.
And that’s why we were gratified to see, for the first time ever, the Secretary of Defense, Bob Gates, testify in favor of repeal. And the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mike Mullen, has repeatedly and passionately argued for allowing gay men and women to serve honestly in the military. (Applause.) We know that forcing gay and lesbian soldiers to live a lie or to leave the military, that doesn’t contribute to our security -- it harms our security.

And thanks to Patrick Murphy and others, for the first time in history, the House has passed a repeal that would allow gay men and women to openly serve in our armed forces. And this repeal is authored so that the Pentagon can complete its review of the policy -- which is critical, by the way, not only to passage, but it’s also critical to making sure that the change is accepted and implemented effectively. In the Senate, the Armed Services Committee has approved repeal for the first time, and the full body is poised to vote soon.

So here’s the bottom line: We have never been closer to ending this discriminatory policy. And I’m going to keep on fighting until that bill is on my desk and I can sign it. (Applause.)

Rand Paul - Fake Doctor? His Board Certification is a Hoax

Rand Paul is the gift that keeps on giving.  The Kentucky ophthalmologist states in his bio that he is board certified by the National Board of Ophthalmology.  That would be no big deal, except that it's a bogus organization Dr. Paul actually owns and heads!

Who else is on this "board"?  Well, his wife and father-in-law for starters.   He says he formed the non-profit after a dispute with the American Board of Ophthalmology, the only group recognized as actually being capable of issuing officially recognized certifications.

I would expect to hear more on this in coming days since the election is getting closer.  Wonder where his degree came from?  Though he may not be a fake doctor, bolting from the only organization that can certify a doctor in his field and setting up his own group to "certify" himself is really suspicious.

Remembering Leonard Matlovich - 22 Years Later

Leonard Matlovich is a name a lot of younger LGBT people don't recognize today.  Sgt. Matlovich was an early advocate for LGBT rights and he was discharged after a stellar career in the Air Force for coming out.  His forthright announcement that he was gay, shocked a nation into realization that there were thousands of LGBT people serving in the military.

Yesterday, on the 22nd anniversary of his death, his friend and roommate Michael Bedwell released this YouTube video.  atch it and if you never knew who he was, remember his name.  Leonard was a brave pioneer in the fight for LGBT rights.

I had the pleasure and privileged of knowing Sgt. Matlovich.  He came to Dallas to help us promote the National March on Washington for Gay Rights in 1979.  I spent a couple of days with him shuttling him from press event to press event.  We finished with an appearance on the Charlie Rose Show.  Charlie was a local talk show host then and shortly afterward his career took off on the national stage. Leonard was an unassuming man, yet he was fierce in his activism and belief in equality.

Leonard, unfortunately, was an early victim of AIDS and though his life was cut short, his achievements and spirit continue to inspire me and many other LGBT people.

McChrystal Resigns - A Day of Changes!

It's been a day of big changes.  The most significant one for LGBT Americans was the addition of family leave for LGBT families.  This means the same leave granted new mothers and fathers will be offered to new LGBT citizens as well.  Bravo President Obama!

The other change is still in the works, but it looks like General Stanley McChrystal is submitting his resignation.  Seems he just couldn't get beyond the outrageous things he said in a Rolling Stone interview.  Dissing the Commander in Chief is not a road map for career advancement!

Wonder what else will happen today?

Dismal Forecast for Texas Education - A State Full of "Idjits"

Sad state of affairs here in the Lone Star State.  According to a recent demographic forecast, we will have 3 of every 10 workers with no high school diploma by 2040.  Add that to the rising levels of poverty and you have whats called a "feedback loop".  Poor kids can't get an education and they raise more poor kids who can't afford an education....well you get the idea.

So far our state lawmakers have failed to step up to the plate and do anything about rising poverty and falling education except insist on testing and bellyache about welfare.  That won't cut it anymore.  It's time to actually do something.  Like support preschool education, fund more scholarships for higher education and make "learning" a priority, not "testing".

Yea, like that will happen.  Meanwhile as we slide into becoming a 3rd world country in this state maybe we could build a few assembly plants that require unskilled and uneducated workers cause the Burger Kings can only employ so many folks!

Oil Spill From Space

Here is what BP has left our country with.  This photo from space shows the extent of the spill in graphic detail.  They have turned the Gulf of Mexico into a cesspool and Joe Barton (R-TX) apologizes to them?

My guess is the $20 Billion will be a drop in the bucket when it comes to cleaning this up.  Now estimates of the leak range from 50,000 to 100,000 barrels a day.  Nice job BP!

NASA updates this image regularly here.

Tony Hayward Attends Yacht Race While the Gulf Drowns in Oil!

Well my bad.  I assumed that Tony Hayward, beleaguered CEO of BP was off the case, but instead he was only attending a yacht race and eating buttered scones for tea., Perhaps he even had time to play the grand piano while he considered the plight of the "small people" back in the coastal communities of the "colonies".

It sounds like a plot form a Monty Python sketch but it is true.  Hayward, in an effort to get his life back, is still in charge of the Gulf situation, he was just taking a break to attend the race.  Now I understand everyone needs a break, but could he PR of this situation be worse?  I hardly think so.

Tony Hayward Out! Carl-Henric Svanberg In! BP Switches Hitters.

Tony Hayward will now have his life back! The CEO of BP whose lackluster showing in front of Congress this week made both him and BP look like they were asleep at the wheel has been unceremoniously removed from day to day operations at the spill site.

BP Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg announced today that Hayward was out and in his words,  "this has now turned into a reputation matter, a financial squeeze for BP and a political matter and that is why you will now see more of me."

Let's hope he knows more than Hayward about the whole drilling business.

FOX & Other Wing-Nuts Defend Smokey Joe Barton

Apparently the talking points went out prior to Barton apologizing.  This is absolutely insane how these clones can defend Joe Barton for his apology to BP  This will not play well with the GOP base.

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.