TSA Worker Sentenced to Prison for Planting Malware in Screening Computer Network

In the continuing theater that is the Transportation Safety Administration screening procedures comes this dandy little tidbit.  Douglas Duchak, an employee at the TSA’s Colorado Springs Operations Center, was convicted of planting what has been described as a "logic bomb" or malware in the data base of the system used to screen airline passengers.

Security records show that Mr. Duchak, after learning he was being terminated in 2009, entered the facility late at night and injected the code into the database.  Luckily the program was found by other workers before it activated and scrambled records. 


Now do you feel safer?  One guy with a thumb drive and a few lines of code could have screwed up the whole nation's system for screening passengers, or worse, he could have changed a couple of critical records that might have changed the "no-fly" list. 


Perhaps the TSA might learn that when they are terminating someone, pay them for 2 weeks, but don't let them hang around, especially if they work in a sensitive area. 

How About a Nice Steaming Bowl of Naga Viper Chili?

Apologies to the advertising folks who coined that question for Wolf Brand Chili, but it had to be asked.  The elusive title of hottest pepper looks like it is going to the Naga Viper, and judging by its rating on the Scoville scale, 1,359,000, it's will never be an ingredient in my chili con carne.

The Naga Viper edged out the Bhut Jolokia as the hottest chili pepper on Earth by 357,696 SHUs (Scoville Heat Units)!  That's one incendiary pepper.  The Scoville scale for those not in the know is a measure of the amount of capsaicin in a pepper.  A Bell pepper or sweet pepper rates a zero while a jalepeno rates between 2000 - 8000.  Now you understand why this pepper is so amazing!

The pepper was cultivated and invented by Gerald Fowler, owner of the Chilli Pepper Company.

Margaret Whiting - Jazz Singer and Wife of Jack Wrangler Dies

Margaret Whitings voice was crystal clear. Her duet with Johnny Mercer, "Baby it's Cold Outside" stayed on the Billboard charts for 19 weeks in 1949.  Later in life she appeared on TV on variety and music shows with stars from Red Skelton to Nat King Cole.  She continued her career in the 1960s in cabaret and night clubs as well as in touring productions of Broadway shows.

Whiting is best known to baby boomers as the woman who married gay porn star Jack Wrangler.  22 years younger than her they made an unlikely pair, but their marriage lasted 15 years until Wrangler died of emphysema in 2009. She wrote about their relationship in an autobiography, “It Might as Well Be Spring”.

Ms. Whiting died in Englewood, N.J. She was 86.

Just in Case You Are Wondering, This Guy is Not Related

A guy named Charles Turner Habermann has been making threats against Democratic Congressman Jim McDermott.  Habermann lives in Palm Springs and is absolutely no relation to me, that I know of.  So, just in case you are wondering....He's NOT!  One more wacko that is not in my family tree, what a relief!

Enough Violence!

OK, I have officially had it from politicians and pundits, myself included.  So much crap has been flying around from the right and the left in the wake of the Arizona shootings there seems to be no point in trying to speak in softer tones.  Palin is unrepentant and even used the term Blood Libel, which is a not so veiled anti-Semitic dig whether she realizes it or not.

From now on I will try my best to ignore the wackos and people advocating violence in future posts. That kind of discourse has no place here or anywhere.

So, sorry for the past activities that might have fed into that craziness.  Just not going to do it anymore.

That said, there are lots of political, spiritual and sexual topics that don't include crazy talk and most especially guns.  Sound like I am fed up with it, yup you betcha!

Arizona Republican Resign In Wake of Threats From Tea Party Blogs

It seems that Arizona Republicans are understanding the meaning of the Proverb "He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind".  The Tea Party folks in Arizona have been energized by the tragic shootings and instead of toning it down, have stepped it up.

Arizona Republican Legislative District chairman Anthony Miller, has announced his resignation.  He cites repeated threats and Internet blog posts by some local members with Tea Party ties made him worry about his family’s safety. 

"I wasn't going to resign but decided to quit after what happened Saturday," Miller said in a quote to AZCentral.com. "I love the Republican Party but I don't want to take a bullet for anyone."

According to a post on AZCentral.com:

The newly-elected Dist. 20 Republican secretary, Sophia Johnson of Ahwatukee, first vice chairman Roger Dickinson of Tempe and Jeff Kolb, the former district spokesman from Ahwatukee, also quit. "This singular focus on 'getting' Anthony (Miller) was one of the main reasons I chose to resign," Kolb said in an e-mail to another party activist. Kolb confirmed the contents of the e-mail to the Republic.

Assault Rifle Seller Engraves "You Lie" On Automatic Weapons

So much for civil discourse, at least in South Carolina.  There a gun manufacturer is making commemorative assault rifle components with the words, "you lie" etched in the lower receivers.  The limited edition assault rifles are commemorating Republican Representative Joe Wilson's infamous heckle of President Obama during an address to Congress.

The gun manufacturer issued the following "promotional" statement:

"Palmetto State Armory would like to honor our esteemed congressman Joe Wilson with the release of our new 'You Lie' AR-15 lower receiver.... Only 999 of these will be produced, get yours before they are gone!"

I would expect if the inscription had been in Arabic with something like "Allah is Great" the manufacturer and all employees would be in Guantanamo already.  Why are these kind of not-so-veiled threats legal?  Where is the Secret Service on this?

Note: The statement which appeared on the company's web site is now mysteriously missing.  I wonder if someone from Washington might have had a word with them about their crazy idea?

Gun Sales Soar After Arizona Shooting

I guess I should not be surprised by this but according to Bloomberg News Glock Sales have surged.

"After a Glock-wielding gunman killed six people at a Tucson shopping center on Jan. 8, Greg Wolff, the owner of two Arizona gun shops, told his manager to get ready for a stampede of new customers.

Wolff was right. Instead of hurting sales, the massacre had the $499 semi-automatic pistols -- popular with police, sport shooters and gangsters -- flying out the doors of his Glockmeister stores in Mesa and Phoenix."

Oh joy!  More guns, that's the answer to violence!  (For the irony impared, I am being sarcastic here.)

Jon Stewart Reacts to Arizona Shootings - Insightful Video

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Arizona Shootings Reaction
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Two Assassinations, Two Gay Heroes

By now most folks have hear of the heroic actions of intern, Daniel Hernandez and his acts that may have saved Congresswoman Giffords life.  By now most people also know he was gay.  That is not the story today, the heroism is and that tells me a lot about how far we have come. 

35 years ago another gay man, Oliver Sipple saved the life of President Gerald Ford during an assassination attempt and for his heroism he got estranged from his family and controversy. The LA Times has the stories of both Hernandez and Sipple here.

Tom Delay Headed to the Big House

Former Republican power broker and House Majority LeaderTom Delay was sentenced to 3 years in prison for his role in the scam to funnel campaign money illegally to candidates in 2002.

According to a story in Huffington Post:

Senior Judge Pat Priest sentenced him to the three-year term on the conspiracy charge. He also sentenced him to five years in prison on the money laundering charge but allowed DeLay to accept 10 years of probation instead of more prison time.

I hope this will send a message to all politicians they cannot play fast and loose with the rules...oh yeah, they changed to rules! Now corporations can fill candidates pockets without breaking the law!  Does this all sound like some kind of weird alter-universe? 

Palin Aide Falsely Claims Cross-Hairs on Map Were Not Bullseyes.

Apparently being duplicitous is standard operating procedure for Republicans.  Sarah Palin's aids are now saying that the cross-hairs on the infamous bullseye map on her website were never intended to be gun sights.  If you believe that, they have a failed Governor to sell you.

The statement runs absolutely counter to Palin herself.  Gun toting Mama Grizzlie made a statement on her twitter account saying, "Don't retreat, RELOAD!"  and on her Facebook page she boasted of defeating 18 of the 20 members on her "bullseye" list.  I think the intent was pretty clear, and if you don't get it you might just be in need of remedial reading classes.

Furthermore, if the Bullseye Map was so innocent, why was it removed immediately after the shooting in Arizona? Frankly, I am surprised Sarah didn't post a "Mission Accomplished" banner on her homepage.

Am I being unfair?  Not the least.  The kind of fiery rhetoric being used by Palin and her ilk is a quick way to drum up a frenzy in a rally, but she is playing with fire.  I have stated this before and will again, SHE IS PLAYING WITH FIRE.

Now innocent people are being burned because of right-wing rhetoric and rabble-rousing. I am reminded of a truism I learned years ago, many people are unable to understand irony and in many cases metaphors.  These are the same people who insist on a "literal" reading if the Bible, so why should we expect any more nuanced understanding of political speeches.  When they hear "target" they think "shoot".

Though a vast majority of conservatives in this country would never pick up a gun to do something this crazy, there are unstable folks who will.  Those people may not have a particularly well developed ideology, but are easily moved by strong emotionally charged language and need very little catalyst to go into action.  When politicians begin tossing around gun metaphors you can be sure someone will take them literally and act out.

Giffords Shooting Incited by Sarah Palin?

The kind of loud mouthed irresponsible rhetoric that has been vomited from folks like Sarah Palin and Glen Beck needs to end.  This graphic appears on Palin's web site and the cross-hairs are an unmistakable death threat.  She needs to be arrested and prosecuted for inciting violence.

Now Representative Giffords has been shot in the head along with bystanders and members of her staff.  How else can we interpret this event?

Marty Kaplan at Huffington Post has an opinion.

Muslims Protect Christians in Egypt

After the bombing of a Coptic Christian Church in Egypt, the last thing the terrorists expected were the events of Christmas Eve (Coptic Christmas - Thursday night).  Many people in the Muslim community came together to protect Coptic churches around the country and act as "human shileds" against any possible attacks.  Even the sons of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak showed up to help out.

From Ahram Online:

“We either live together, or we die together,” was the sloganeering genius of Mohamed El-Sawy, a Muslim arts tycoon whose cultural center distributed flyers at churches in Cairo Thursday night, and who has been credited with first floating the “human shield” idea.

“This is not about us and them,” said Dalia Mustafa, a student who attended mass at Virgin Mary Church on Maraashly. “We are one. This was an attack on Egypt as a whole, and I am standing with the Copts because the only way things will change in this country is if we come together.”

In the days following the brutal attack on Saints Church in Alexandria, which left 21 dead on New Year’ eve, solidarity between Muslims and Copts has seen an unprecedented peak. Millions of Egyptians changed their Facebook profile pictures to the image of a cross within a crescent – the symbol of an “Egypt for All”. Around the city, banners went up calling for unity, and depicting mosques and churches, crosses and crescents, together as one.

Border Fence - Billions to Build, Seconds to Climb Over!

While cruising around YouTube I found this gem.  It shows our multi-billion dollar border fence.  This structure, though very neat and impressive is easily conquered by two teenage girls in less than 18 seconds.  This shows the downright lame brained "build a wall" approach to border security is useless.

I understand this won't matter to the Tea Party or anyone else eager to use jingoistic talking points, but the proof is in the video, the fence was a boondoggle and made a whole lot of money for contractors and did absolutely nothing!

Bill O'Reilly & David Silverman Are Both Idiots.

The video that is making the viral rounds now with Bill O'Reilly and David Silverman, president of the American Atheist Group is getting a lot of play because both of these loudmouths can't seem to understand that the tides are caused by the gravitational effects of the moon (that is a very short version. My problem with the whole thing is this:

First, Bill O'Reilly as a spokesman and apologist for religion is like having Soupy Sales as the defender of genteel humor. He is not anyone who I would want defending my faith, and as a Christian I find him annoying and pretty much an example of how NOT to be a Christian.

Second, Silverman is an equally incompetent spokesperson for any kind of rational atheism. If he can't even defend the "tides" statement, he needs to find someone who can. Additionally, he like many who profess atheism seem to thing science negates religion. Science only negates those who profess biblical literalism, and that is a straw-man argument.

If you can stand almost 10 minutes of blathering ignorance on both sides, watch the clip below.

2 Days Into New GOP Controlled House & They Are Already Breaking Promises!

I rarely get too excited about the Republican Party lying, but this one is amazingly bold.  Only a couple of days into their control of the House and they are breaking three of their key promises.  And Fox News?  They are, not surprisingly, silent about this. 

From the Center for American Progress:

Republicans have already walked back three key promises they touted up through the end of 111th Congress:

– Open Amendment Process Now Closed: Republicans have long complained that Democrats “abused their power in bypassing regular debate” by ignoring “the open rule” which “allows for nearly unlimited amendments and debate.” After a victorious November election, GOP leaders promised “to treat the Democratic minority far differently” by ensuring an open rules process. After all, they had included it in their “Pledge to America.” But now, with their first legislation to repeal the health care law, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) is suggesting the GOP will skip the open rule to avoid potentially embarrassing Democratic amendments. The excuse? It’s a “straightforward document” of a “two-page, straight repeal” so “there’s nothing to amend.” According to Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI), “there’s no ability” to have open rules because “if you want to have an up-or-down vote, this is how you have to do it. And that is what our pledge was: an up-or-down vote.” Despite demanding the same of the Democrats last year, Republicans now think “some things you don’t need a hearing on.” In response to backlash over his backtrack, Boehner said, “I promised a more open process. I didn’t promise that every single bill was going to be an open bill.”
–$100 Billion Spending Cuts Now “Hypothetical”: Confidently touting their “Pledge to America,” Boehner and his Young Gun squadron reiterated the promise that they’d “save $100 billion dollars in the first year.” Just yesterday, Cantor told reporters that Republicans will soon “spell out” the cuts to obtain that number. But, according to Republican aides, that promise is more “hypothetical” than literal and the actual number “is about HALF the original estimate.” When asked by how much, Ryan said “I can’t tell you by what amount.” When Fox News pressed Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) about GOP waffling, Pence said anyone who focuses on the $100 billion figure is just “number crunching” and trying to “parse words.”
–Public Access Committee Attendance Now Unfair: In the name of transparency, the initial rule package the House GOP proposed included a provision to make committee attendance public. But (fittingly) “behind closed doors” in the House GOP conference meeting yesterday night, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) stripped the provision. The excuse? Committees have to stop scheduling hearings at the same time first. Also, “some GOP lawmakers were concerned about getting slammed for missing hearings when they may have extenuating circumstances.” “That’s not a matter of transparency. It’s a matter of inherent unfairness,” Gohmert said.

New "Gentlemens" Club Causes Uproar at DFW Airport

It's always funny to hear protestations about strip clubs.  Arlington tried to block one by keeping them from getting a liquor license, so the club opened without serving liquor and had fully nude dancers!  Surprise Arlington.
Now DFW is all up in arms about the new club.

Grow up people, it's a strip club and they are going to be with us forever.

Utah Considers Dropping 12th Grade To Fix Budget

Gosh, I certainly hope the Texas Legislature doesn't start reading the news.  If they do, they might read about Utah, where in order to fix the state budget there actually is a serious proposal to drop the 12th grade from state high schools!

Heck, who needs more than an 11th grade education anyway?  Besides, rich folks will still be able to educate their kids in private schools, so this will only hurt the "under-class".  Those kids should be getting jobs by 17 anyway and stop being a burden to society. Bah Humbug!

If history tells me anything, it is that the Texas Legislature is second to none when it comes to lame-brained ideas, so look for this to be floated soon.  Meanwhile, keep an eye on Perry and the legislature to find more ways to funnel money into big business and away from the public good.

Homeless Man With the Golden Voice May Have Landed a Job!

I have worked in radio in the dim past and the truth is often that the man or woman behind the voice looks nothing like you would imagine.  Thus is the case of a Columbus, Ohio man named Ted Williams.  Homeless, but 2 years sober he was standing by a freeway "auditioning" for any kind of radio or TV gig he could find while panhandling.  His voice and appearance on the internet may have indeed landed him a job.

Word on the street is the Cleveland Cavaliers have offered him a job as an announcer.  When you watch the video you will hear why!

Republicans Read the Constitution - Finally!

In a move that is pure political theater, the Republican members of the House will read the Constitution on the floor of the chamber.  Of course this is to show that they are "behind the constitution" and the Democrats are not.  After much wrangling the Democrats were invited to join in.

My question is this, "when the Republicans get to that part in the Bill of Rights about, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." I wonder if they will choke?  These are the same politicians who have falsely claimed that America is a "Christian nation".  Our founding fathers must be rolling in their deist graves!

The good thing is for many of the new lawmakers this will be the first time they have ever actually read the document.

Another Texan Cleared by DNA Evidence

It took 30 years but finally, even after parole Cornelius Dupree wanted his name cleared of a crime he didn't commit. Accused and convicted of kidnapping, rape and robbery, State District Judge Don Adams declared Cornelius Dupree "free to go".  His family and friends cheered.

Dupree got a 75 year sentence even after the rape victim and her companion misidentified him in a lineup.  The Texas justice system has a history of pushing convictions even without sufficient evidence and the recent developments in DNA mapping have served to exonerate numerous wrongly convicted people. 

Though the ruling comes 30 years too late for Dupree, it's a good thing his name has been cleared.  The man deserves massive restitution!

Republicans Threaten to Defund Food Safety

It amazes me how little the Republican Party actually cares about Americans and their safety.  First the threaten to kill the health care reform measures and now the want to defund the Food Safety Bill before it is even signed.

The bill will provide more inspectors and will actually create new jobs as it makes our food supply safer.  It is a deficit neutral bill, which means it raises fees to offset its cost.  What's not to like?  Safer food and more jobs and no additional deficit. 

Ah, but that's not enough for the new Republicans.  They want to block any advances the Obama administration makes so when 2012 rolls around they can gloat at the inability of the Democrats to do anything.  In reality it is the GOP who has tried again and again to block EVERYTHING!

And as far as food safety goes, well how about this? (from the Center for American Progress)

"At the moment, one out of six Americans suffers from a food-borne illness every year, with 128,000 of those resulting in hospitalization. Ultimately, 3,000 people die from food-borne illness each year, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. The law gives the FDA the ability to force recalls, which it currently is barred from doing, and do more to inspect food coming into the country."

Again, what is not to like?

Anne Francis Dies at 80

The woman who shared the screen with Robbie the Robot in the 1950's Si-Fi classic Forbidden Planet has died.  Anne Francis, an actress whose career spanned both TV and motion pictures was a former child model and radio actress.  She got her first role with Mickey Rooney in the MGM film "Summer Holiday" and moved into television during its infancy.

Her biggest TV role was her series "Honey West" where she played a female private eye.  Surprisingly one of her most memorable roles was in a Twilight Zone episode where she played a department store mannequin who came to life.

Personally, I will always remember her as Altair, the daughter of Walter Pidgeon in Forbidden Planet. One of the other stars of that movie, Leslie Nielson died in late 2010.  I can hear the Theramin music now!

Obama Signs Zadroga Bill Into Law

It took the haranguing by comedian Jon Stewart, but the Republicans blocking the "James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act" finally relented and the bill to help first responders to the 9/11 disaster passed Congress before the recess.  President Obama signed the bill into law yesterday in Hawaii.  His statement follows:

"I was honored to sign the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act to ensure that rescue and recovery workers, residents, students, and others suffering from health consequences related to the World Trade Center disaster have access to the medical monitoring and treatment they need.  We will never forget the selfless courage demonstrated by the firefighters, police officers, and first responders who risked their lives to save others. I believe this is a critical step for those who continue to bear the physical scars of those attacks."

Makes you wonder why any member of Congress, Republican or Democrat would block this bill.  I guess the GOP values subsidies for Billionaires over doing what is right for the people who gave so much during a national emergency.

Blackbirds Fall From Sky - End Times?

OK, though it sounds pretty strange the rain of dead birds that fell on Beebe, Arkansas may not be so strange.  As a weather watcher and storm chaser, I was watching the radar as quite a few nasty supercells moved over northwestern Arkansas on Friday.  Storms crossed much of the rest of the state for most of the day on New Year's Eve.  It isn't out of the realm of possibility that the flock of birds ended up being pulled into a thunderstorm updraft and then pummeled to death with hail stones. Wildlife experts suspect lightning might have played a role.

Either way it's not the end times.  I looked at the radar and the four horsemen were not showing up anywhere in North America.  Stranger things have fallen from the sky, like these frogs raining down in the UK.

Famous Faces We Lost in 2010

Nothing makes me aware of my own mortality like these year end "who we lost" montages.  This year the names are almost all people I grew up watching on TV or in the movies as well as even a few sports figures I actually followed. I guess it puts things in perspective to watch these and helps me realize how fleeting our lives are and how important every day is.

Somber thoughts for a New Years Eve? Not really, since the joy and effect of these famous folks still lives on in our memories.

Geraldine Hoff Doyle - WWII Icon Dies

If you ever saw the poster of the determined woman making a fist with the words, "We can do it" above her, might know her as Rosie the Riveter.  She was not Rosie, but she was Geraldine Hoff Doyle who at 17 worked in the war effort.  She operated a metal stamping machine and inspired the poster.

She died today at 86 from age related causes.  Her image still inspires young women today as it was resurected during the early days of the Feminist movement,  Ironically, she only worked in the factory for a few weeks injuring her hand and leaving the job.

L.A. Times has more.

Earth from the Edge of the Solar System

The blue dot near the right of the photo is Earth.
Photo taken by Voyager 1990 (NASA)

My friend Lex tweeted this story from Discovery News.  It has this picture and a quote from Carl Sagan that is worth considering at the turn of this New Year.

"From this distant vantage point, the Earth might not seem of particular interest. But for us, it's different. Look again at that dot. [...] On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there – on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam."

The Real Gay Agenda

Barney Frank shares the REAL gay agenda. (Thanks to The Dallas Voice for finding this clip!)

GOP Still Making Sausage With PORK - Senator Shelby Stuff $500M Into Useless Program

As I long expected, the Republicans who wailed and bemoaned the pork of Washington during the campaign are still bringing home the bacon.  Case in point: Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) who stuffed a $500 million provision into the 2011 budget.  It was for NASA spending on the Ares I rocket program.  Now, I am a fan of NASA and at first blush this sounds fine, except that NASA doesn't want or need it.  They had scrapped the program, but Shelby's pork deal continues to fund two contractors,  Lockheed Martin and Alliant Techsystems (ATK) both in the Senators home state of Alabama.

When it's election time, the GOP will squeal about pork, but once the votes have been counted they wallow back to the trough.

Next Time Someone Protests the DADT Repeal, Tell Them This True Story

Though Gerald Ford only served a short time as president, he managed to make at least one enemy.  Sara Jane Moore. On Sept. 22, 1975, she approached the President with a revolver in her purse. As she reached in and drew it out, a quick thinking former Marine and Vietnam Vet named Billy Sipple lunged at her and grabbed her hand, deflecting the shot that could have killed Gerald Ford.

What does this have to do with DADT repeal? Well, Billy Sipple was gay.

It is a sad story what happened to him after that. Though he received a letter of thanks from the President, Sipple's life spiraled downward. News stories about his heroism included his sexual orientation, and his family who hadn't known previously reacted badly. That turn of events haunted Sipple for the rest of his life.

He died alone in his apartment in San Francisco with half-gallon bottles of bourbon and 7-Up nearby in 1989.

So next time someone starts going off about how unfit LGBT service members are, tell them about the heroics of Billy Stipple, a Marine who was discharged as "undesirable" because he was gay.

FBI Files Reveal Much About LGBT History & Oppression

On July 4 1967, a group of gay men and lesbians from the Mattachine Society picketed Independence Hall in Philadelphia. They handed out leaflets that, in-part, bore these words which still ring true today.

The Declaration of Independence says: “All men are created equal.”
But in no walk of life, and in none of his dealings, whether with his fellow citizens or with his governments (Federal, state or local) is the homosexual American citizen treated as equal to others; he is always placed in a status of inferiority. Systematically and unrelentingly, he is placed into and kept in the category of second-class citizen….

The Declaration of Independence says: “All men are endowed with certain unalienable Rights – among these are – the pursuit of Happiness.”
But the homosexual American citizen, upon savage penalty of law, and upon pain of loss of livelihood and other severe disadvantage, is denied proper pursuit of harmless happiness open to other citizens.

This hand typed and mimeographed document contains much more and is part of the FBI files recently declassified and available online here. Though the government’s surveillance was despicable, the preservation of documents reflecting the history of LGBT struggles in America is a good thing. Without these files much of this would be lost. It is worth your time to download and read some of this.

Happily, several of these grievances have been addressed in recent years. The Supreme Court decision of Lawrence vs. Texas did a lot to change things. Most recently, the repeal of DADT has given new hope to LGBT activists that the long march toward freedom may be nearing its goal. As we approach the New Year, take a few moments to read some of these documents and consider how far we have come. They look at how far we still must go to achieve full citizenship in our own country.

What Would Christmas Be Without Charlie Brown?

Not a great edit, but still fun.  Enjoy.

Beware the Bizarre World of the Bisexuals

Found this on Joe My God.  Wonderful instructional video!

Maine Tea Party Governor Elect Already Corrupt - Hires Own Daughter - Nepotism?

In a startlingly and blatantly corrupt move the Tea Party backed Governor elect of Maine, Paul LePage (Republican), has hired his own daughter as an assistant to the tune of $41,000 per year. This from a man who pledged to surround himself with "the best and the brightest" and to "avoid political cronyism.”

So at first glance, the "Tea Party" looks like the same old Republican political machine.  In the words of the song by The Who,  "meet the new boss, same as the old boss."  So much for "we won't be fooled again!"  Thank you Pete Townshend.

More TSA Nonsense - Rape Victim Refuses Grope & is Arrested

OK, this is just getting insane.  The TSA detained a lady in Austin, TX this week after she refused a pat down by TSA agents. She has a pacemaker implant and could not be X-rayed, so she was escorted to a room for a pat down.  She is a rape survivor and is very sensitive about being touched. She told the woman from TSA she would not have her breasts touched.  The less than friendly screener said, "yes you are!"  When she resisted she was thrown to the floor and dragged through the lobby and arrested.

Now does it take a genius to figure this one out?  Holiday rush and an underpaid over zealous TSA agent gets angry.  Is that a reason to wrestle a 56 year-old woman with a pacemaker to the floor?

The TSA theater is getting really annoying.  Pretty son, it will affect the airline industry profits and they will start complaining.  Maybe then someone will figure out how to maintain reasonable security without these kinds of silly invasions of privacy.

12 Daze of Christmas - Las Vegas Lounge Act Fay McKay Sings

Fay did this act for years in Vegas. She is a charming lady whose twisted sense of humor has inspired numerous drag queens to do the same song. Still funny after all these years!

Merry Christmas! Have A Cup Of Xmas Weirdness - Grace Jones Sings to Pee Wee Herman

Amazing video from the PeeWee Playhouse show. Enjoy and spread the weirdness!

Very Nice WSJ Article on Our Interfaith Peace Chapel

The architecture critic for the Wall Street Journal wrote eloquently about the Phillip Johnson Interfaith Peace Chapel at the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas.As many of you know it is my home church and the chappel and ultimately the new cathedral has been a project our congregation has poured our money and souls into for years.  Nice that someone "gets it"!
Learn more about the church and the new chapel here.

Eartha Kitt Sings "Santa Baby" - Wouldn't be Christmas Without It!

This rare footage of Ms. Kitt singing "Santa Baby" is well worth watching, always makes the season feel warmer!  Also, there is a strange remix of the song at the end...not nearly as much fun as the original.

Yet Another Xmas Gif Suggestion - For ME!

Dust Ball from Dave Hakkens on Vimeo.

LeAnn Rimes Signs With GMCLA

John McCain Hates Our Troops

Strong headline?  Yes, but true.  In an amazing display of petulance for an old guy like McCain, he has stripped a provision from the National Defense Authorization Act for 2011 which is designed to prevent suicides of veterans.  The provision funds counselors who check up on members of the IRR (Individual Ready Reserve) who have had PTSD diagnoses.  It's specifically designed to catch and prevent suicides and for someone like McCain who is a survivor of PTSD it's unconscionable for him to block this.

Of course McCain has been slipping into crotchety "old man" mode for some time.  Now he is just being hateful.

President Obama Signs DADT Repeal

I just watched President Obama sign the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell and I got goose bumps.  He spoke eloquently of the gay and lesbian service members who have been unfairly discharged because of the policy and actually encouraged them to reenlist once the policy has been set in place.  Pretty nice to hear.

I will admit I have been critical of Obama over the past year.  I am impatient for the change his presidency promised.  I also am delighted to see at least some of that change starting to happen.

Do I believe all the barriers to equal rights for LGBT people will fall during his term in office?  No. However I am grateful for the changes that have happened so far. As of this date his policies and the laws passed in the past two years have gone further toward equal rights for LGBT American's than any other administration.  Perhaps, even with a GOP controlled House further advances can be made. 

Louie Gohmert - Yet Another D**k!

OK this guy is officially an idiot!  Why does he have to be from Texas?

Missouri Names Highway After Killed Gay Trooper, But Refuses To Give His Partner Benefits

As the story in Riverfront Times says, "Merry F-ing Christmas!"  Yup the Show Me state decided to name a section of Interstate 44 in Franklin County after Dennis Engelhard.  The State Trooper was killed last year after he was struck by an SUV that was skidding on icy conditions.  He had been assisting a stranded motorist.

As a reward to Engelhard's partner of 15 years, the state has denied any benefits, even though Kelly Glossip and Dennis Engelhard had raised a child together.  Nice frigging present Missouri!

Pope Officially Loony - Claims Child Pornography Was "The Norm" in The 1970's

No offense to any of my Catholic friends, but Pope Benedict XVI has gone round-the-bend.  His Christmas message is bizarre.  It sounds like he is apologizing for the pedophile priests who molested their congregation's children and were conveniently shuffled from one parish to another by the church. 

How am I to interpret this statement in his Christmas message?

“In the 1970s, pedophilia was theorized as something fully in conformity with man and even with children,” the Pope said. “It was maintained — even within the realm of Catholic theology — that there is no such thing as evil in itself or good in itself. There is only a ‘better than' and a ‘worse than'. Nothing is good or bad in itself.”

This comes on the heels of an investigative report in "Der Spiegle" about the Pope's role in allowing a known pedophile priest to continue to serve back in the 1980's.

The Holy Father has succeeded in pissing off just about everyone with this Christmas' message.  I suspect it will not be a Silent Night in Rome this year.

Tom Coburn is a D**K - Blocks 9-11 First Responder Health Care!

OK how can I out this delicately?  Tom Coburn, Republican from Oklahoma is a dick.  Nope that really doesn't do him justice, he is a huge dick!  That's better.

Coburn, in a fit not unlike a petulant child is doing everything he can to block health benefits for the first responders to 9-11.  I know you won't believe it so here is a video of his dickishness. His claim that the bill hasn't gone through the process is a lie. Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions committee did in fact hold a hearing on the bill in June — and Coburn should know as he sits on that committee.

John Lewis In Support Of DADT Repeal

In case you missed the debate in the House last week over DADT Repeal, you missed one of my heroes, Representative John Lewis give an impassioned speech for the repeal of the law.  He is one of the living legends of the Civil Rights movement and someone who I have had the honor of meeting. He is a giant of justice in Congress.

Idaho Football Hazing Scandal Includes Sexual Assault

I though hazing had gone the way of the Dodo bird but apparently not in Idaho.  Last year at Blackfoot High School three football players, "restrained the victims in a locker room and on a school bus during a three-month period that began last December".  What they did with them includes penetration with foreign objects and other sexual charges that have rocked the Boise State and Idaho State football teams.  Most of the players charges are in college now and have been suspended from their respective teams while the investigation continues.

Read more here on Huffington Post.

DADT Actually Repealed!

Yes Virginia, maybe there really is a Santa Clause, at least for the LGBT service members who have until now served in silence or left the services.  The Senate voted Saturday to repeal the 17 year old law.

It's about time and 17 years too late for some brave Americans, but still the victory is sweet.  The bill passed with some Republican support as well.  Good news all around!

TSA Lets Loaded Gun Fly!

With all the technology our government has been hoodwinked into buying to keep us safe when we fly, an Iranian-American buisnessman from Houston, with a loaded Glock pistol packed in his computer bag went through security and flew to his destination even though TSA scanned the bag and him.

Once again it shows that our "screening" methods are more theater than security.

AmericaBlog has the story.

Republicans May Blackmail Senate To Block DADT

Republican Senator Corker of Tennessee made an outright threat to walk away from the New START treaty if Speaker Reid brings DADT repeal to a vote.

So the Republicans value hating LGBT Americans more than world peace! AMAZING!

Jon Stewart Blasts GOP Filibuster of First Responder Health Bill

This is what the mainstream media should be doing but are far too chickens#*t to consider.  Again, kudos to the Daily Show and same on the GOP!

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
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War on Christmas!

OK I know some of you found this post because of the headline about the "War on Christmas" and expect me to rail about people using "Happy Holidays" instead of Merry Christmas.  Well let's get all historical here.

When this country was founded, the celebration of Christmas had been banned in England.  It was considered by the British Parliament "a popish festival with no biblical justification".  Take that Santa Clause!  Meanwhile in Boston, the celebration was actually banned from 1659 to 1681.

The Christmas celebration we know today is a relatively recent phenomenon. In 1843 When Charles Dickens wrote the now famous "A Christmas Carol" many thought the whole idea of Christmas was dying out. Because of Dickens. the expression "Merry Christmas" gained popularity and in a few decades became the mantra of the season.

Oh there was a feast dating back to the mid 300's, but previous to that the nativity was observed in late May.  The December 25 day was apparently settled on because of a legend that Mary conceived at the Spring Equinox, which would put the birth 9 months later on....Christmas Day.

So much for history, my point of the post is this.  If there is a war on Christmas it is being waged by the merchants and mainstream churches who capitalize on the holiday.  Christmas is big business, especially for churches.  Often the only time parishioners darken the church door is during Christmas.  (and maybe Easter).

Churches like the First Baptist Church of Dallas have used the "holy day" as an excuse for cheap publicity stunts like the "naughty and nice" website started to track all those "bad" folk who are saying "happy holidays" instead of "merry Christmas".  So I have to wonder if a cheap stunt like that is really appropriate to celebrate the birth of Christ?  And the whole Santa Clause thing?  Well it just equates greed with the birth of Christ, who I believe said, "blessed are the poor..." 

I love Christmas, and I love all the traditions and decorations and parties and carols, but I know the difference between the secular celebration we call Christmas and the real religious significance of the liturgical season.  Christmas should be a personal experience.  It is a sacred day in the church calendar and no matter what the talking heads on Fox News say, it is neither endangered or cheapened by someone saying Happy Holidays. 

I suspect if Jesus were to chime in on  the discussion He might wonder what all the fuss is about.  I feel pretty sure his greeting would be neither "happy Holidays" nor "Merry Christmas" but simple "Peace be with you."

And also with you.

And Another Question for the Log Cabin Republicans...

Anyone who has ever read my blog knows I am a liberal and a Democrat. They will also know I have questioned over and over the whole raison d'être for the Log Cabin Republicans. In this clip from Rachael Maddow she bolsters the reasons for my confusion as to "what the heck they are all about"?
Watch it and ask that question yourself.

House Passes DADT Repeal Motion

I have been listening to the debate on the floor of the House for the stand-alone DADT repeal bill. A lot of bluster from the GOP specifically quoting Commandant Amos of the Marines, while the Democrats quote the Joint Chiefs.

Really is annoying to hear the politicians implying that our military can't serve professionally beside LGBT people. They already do that, and right now they have the distraction of not knowing if they are gay or not. Why would knowing it be more distracting? It's a red herring and in reality it's something that should have happened years ago.

The final vote was 250 for repeal and 175 against. DADT motion to reconsider is on the table!

TSA Christmas Carol - Animated

Handgun + School Board + Angry Man = Deadly Consequences

Watching the video of Clay Duke shooting at the members of the Panama City Florida School Board I have to wonder again just why him having a handgun is a good thing?  If the 2nd Amendment is interpreted as written than he was certainly not part of a "well regulated militia".  Instead I suspect he was a very disturbed man who felt wronged by the powers that be.  His Facebook page has a rant about government and media and rich people.  Though I can sympathize with his feelings, there is indeed a growing disparity between the ruling class and the rest of us folks, pulling a can of spray paint and a gun on the school board is certainly no way to change things.

The easy availability of handguns only encourages permanent solutions to temporary problems.  Mr. Duke felt like he wanted to die, and though I cannot read his mind, his allusions to a fictional movie and his theatrics lead me to believe he wanted help.  The reason he didn't get it was that little piece of metal he was holding.  The handgun turned what could have been a manageable situation into a deadly one.  Handguns do kill people when they are in the hands of irrational people.  Not much of a bumper sticker, but the truth.

Marine Commandant Thinks DADT Repeal Will "Distract" Marines

OK, first of all let me say that in my experience in the kink community, and in the gay community, former Marines are usually the most enthusiastic play partners. That said, I find Marine Commandant Gen. James Amos' comment just plain silly.  He thinks Marines will be distracted by a repeal of DADT and will become suddenly unable to do their job, thus endangering their lives.

"When your life hangs on a line, on the intuitive behavior of the young man… who sits to your right and your left, you don’t want anything distracting you,”

If knowing that another Marine is gay or lesbian distracts you that much how distracted are they not knowing if the Marine next to you is gay or lesbian?  This is a ridiculous argument and smacks of just plain old fear, something no Marine I have ever know has very much of.  If the people in the Marines can be distracted so easily, then perhaps they are not trained well enough?  That ought to get some choice comments!

House Dems Introduce DADT Repeal Stand-Alone Bill

As the clock is running out the House Democrats will introduce an almost identical bill to the Lieberman/Collins bill in the Senate. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) confirmed this to the Washington Post.

"Today Rep. Patrick Murphy is introducing a new standalone bill to to allow for repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' and I am proud to join him as the lead co-sponsor. As Secretary Gates and others have stressed, it is critical that Congress pass this legislation, empowering the Defense Department to implement repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' itself, rather than have repeal imposed by the Courts,"

Harvard Library LGBT Books Destroyed

It seems that hate filled people just can't get enough of vandalizing and destroying books.  Whether by burning them like some fundamentalist Christian hate groups, or by a simple act of vandalism it is knowledge that stirs their anger. That anger apparently extends even to the halls of acedemia at Harvard.

Back in November, a shelf of LGBT books was soaked with urine and had to be destroyed.  A bottle was found nearby and the incident is being treated as a "hate crime" and wasn't reported until now because the library staff had to assess the value of the defaced books.

The Harvard Crimson reports that Harvard College Dean Evelynn Hammonds said: “Harvard College will not tolerate acts of vandalism, especially those that appear to be motivated by hate or bias. As a community, we will continue to affirm our shared values of dignity and respect for everyone in our community.”

Real-Life Tron Light Cycle - This is Not A Toy

And for those who absolutely must have the latest cool thing for their own, the Parker Brothers custom bike builders made a functional Tron Light Cycle. Here is a leaked video of a test drive.  Amazing.  Looks a little clumsy but still really a cool thing.

Robogeisha - Amazing Japanese Ansser to Transformers? Watch the Trailer!

While doing some last minute Christmas shopping at Fry's, I saw the Blu-Ray of this lovely film. I will own it some day soon, but until then enjoy the trailer. As one critic put it. it's 90 minutes of pure WTF. If the trailer is any indication, it goes way beyond "what the f**k" and deep into OMG territory. Enjoy and hold onto your seat, here comes, ROBOGEISHA!

Star Trek Pizza Cutter - ON MY CHRISTMAS LIST - Hint, Hint!

Ken Mehlman Urges GOP to Support Gay Marriage - Say What?

Ken Mehlman who earlier this shocked no one in the LGBT community, came out.  The former chairperson of the Republican Party does a lot of talking about the Party of Lincoln in this clip, but I think that party long ago dissipated in the waves of ultra-conservative religious right folks who have hijacked the GOP.  Interesting clip, watch it.

DADT Repeal Goes Down In Flames

So all this talk about bi-partisanship and compromise is a load of crap.  The GOP will not compromise and it's time the Democrats realized it.  I am proud of the House for scuttling the lame duck tax boondoggle.  Now let's see some real reform and stop trying to kill the middle-class and subsidize millionaires.

I still have hope the Senate might try the Armed Forces Appropriations bill again. We only need 3 measly votes!

Republicans Hate American Heroes - Block Medical Aid for 9/11 Workers

The GOP has long used 9/11 as a banner issue that has brought them both political and monetary riches. It would seem logical that these "patriotic" American public servants would naturally be interested in the health problems of the brave folks who worked around the clock on the site of the World Trade Centers to rescue the living and retrieve the dead.

Well, think again!  The Republicans have successfully blocked a bill in the Senate that would give medical care to rescue workers and residents of New York City who became ill as a result of breathing in toxic debris and dust from ground zero.  The "James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act", is named after a New York Police Department detective died as a result of his participation in the rescue efforts at ground zero.

Nice work GOP!  Why do you hate American Heroes?

DADT Vote Might Happen Today?

The buzz around Washington is that the Defense Authorization Bill might come up for a vote today.  The news is it still includes the repeal of DADT (Don't Ask Don't Tell).  The other big news is that Joe Sudbay of Americablog one of the hold-out Democratic Senators has been won over. Senator Mark Pryor of Arizona now says he can sign the bill with DADT repeal intact. 

If only a couple of Republicans go along it will pass.  That is a big "if" but apparently there is hope.  I had long ago counted this out, and if it does go through attached to the Defense Authorization Bill I will be amazed and will make all the appropriate apologies. So not wanting to count my chickens, I am still watching the eggs closely!

Glee Meets The Grinch

It is pretty funny that my partner and I were discussing how Jane Lynch's character, Sue is patterned on Dr. Seuss' Grinch.  Apparently the writers also came to that conclusion in the Christmas episode.  Enjoy!

Pearl Harbor Day

Though there are only a hand full of survivors left to observe the "day that will live in infamy" they still gathered in Honolulu for the observance.  It is still one of the most amazing events in history for me.  In this day of radar and GPS and satellites it seems inconceivable that the Japanese fleet could sneak up on Pearl Harbor and almost succeed in wiping out the US Navy in the Pacific.

I have been to that historic location and the USS Arizona memorial is sobering.  Though it has been 69 years, an oil slick still seeps from the wreckage of that battleship.  The memorial is a wonderful historic site and a gathering place for generations who come to try to understand what happened.  Surprisingly, a good number of Japanese tourists visit as well.  The souvenir books are printed in English and Japanese, a somewhat surrealistic touch.

The reality of the present would seem surrealistic to people who fought and died that day.  Both Americans and Japanese would marvel at the thriving trade and enduring friendship that have been established between our two countries. 

I hope someday people will visit the 9/11 memorial and wonder how such a tragedy happened and how countries who are now such good allies could have ever been so cruel.  That remains a dream, but perhaps it can come true if we have really learned the lessons of the past.

GOP Backed Subsidy for Millionaires Disguised as Tax Cuts

So even as the Republicans are spouting blather about deficits, they are behind the extension of the immensely expensive subsidy for millionaires that has come to be called the Bush Tax Cuts.  The Democrats have relented in opposing these because the GOP held unemployment benefits hostage until the subsidies were extended.

Meanwhile they will rail about spending and deficits while creating an even bigger hole to dig out of.  I sincerely expect they are planning to get the nation so deeply in debt that the only way out will be to cut all Social Security and Medicare to make ends meet.  The GOP is relentless and they will do anything to get their way, and they hate both programs, even though the American people love and need them.

The GOP is a party of the rich, by the rich and for the rich and don't believe them when they say anything different.  They will talk about class warfare and how bad it is, but they have already won the class war.  All of us are working and paying taxes to support the wealthy of this country and it's getting worse.

Meanwhile the Democrats try to reason and negotiate with the Republicans.  It hasn't worked in the past decade why should it work now? 

Texas Tea Party Starts Anti-Semitic Push

The Texas branch of the Tea Bagger movement is really starting to look like a bunch of brown shirts.  The recently elected tea party candidates to the Texas House are now trying to oust fellow Republican, Joe Straus.  Why?  Because he is a Jew!

In an email between two members of the Texas State Republican Executive Committee (SREC) — Rebecca Williamson and John Cook. “We elected a house with Christian, conservative values. We now want a true Christian, conservative running it."

Cook who was interviewed by phone concerning the emails said, "I got into politics to put Christian conservatives into office. They’re the people that do the best jobs over all.”

When asked if he was being anti-Semitic he responded, "They’re some of my best friends...."

Yeah, right!

Bernanke: "America is...creating two societies." Ultra Rich and The Rest of Us

This is a quote from a 60 Minutes interview with Ben Bernanke.  It's very important and really doesn't mince words.

Pelley: The gap between rich and poor in this country has never been greater. In fact we have the biggest income disparity gap of any industrialized country in the world. And I wonder where you think that's taking America.

Bernanke: It's a very bad development. It's creating two societies. And it's based very much, I think, on educational differences. The unemployment rate we've been talking about. If you're a college graduate, unemployment is 5 percent. If you're a high school graduate, it's 10 percent or more. It's a very big difference. It leads to an unequal society, and a society which doesn't have the cohesion that we'd like to see."

TSA Musical Tribute - Kinsey Sicks Video!

DADT Repeal Officially Dead?

I hate "I told you so" moments, but as I said in my column last week in the Dallas Voice, I sincerely believe DADT repeal is dead, and so does Harry Reid.  In his floor schedule for the week of Dec. 6 there is no mention of debate on the Armed Services Bill to which it is attached.

The Senate will busy itself with the myriad of other important work they neglected to take care of during the past session, like Strategic Arms Reductions, the Dream Act and funding government so it doesn't shut down.

They have successfully kicked the can down the road so many times they only have one week left to do all the work and something gets sacrificed...namely LGBT rights.

So, what can we do?  Well for me calling or writing my Senator is hopeless.  My representatives in the Senate are the most dogmatically ideological Republicans in the bunch, Kay Bailey Hutchinson and Pete Sessions.  I have called and written many times and get nice polite form letters explaining how important "family values" are and how essentially I can go jump off a cliff.

My answer for now is this, put my money where my heart is.  I am spending at as many LGBT merchants for Christmas this year as I can, and have suspended all political contributions until I see some movement on LGBT  rights.  Of course I still get requests for funds from every Democrat in Congress and to them I say, "show me the rights and I'll show you the money"!

McCain Refuses To Help 9/11 Responders

Yet another reason to thank God that McCain didn't win the election for president.

Yesterday a 9/11 first responder approached McCain in the capitol and told he who he was and asked Senator McCain to support the Zadroga bill that provides $7.4 billion in aid to workers who were sickened or injured in the response to 9/11.  McCain thanked him for his service and then said, "I can't help you."

Nice from a man who used 9/11 as a rallying cry for his reelection and for a variety of political goals and now a veteran who benefited from government aid refuses to help these guys.  Once again McCain proves his "dickishness".  It's time for this old codger to retire and maybe he could take Anton Scalia along with him.

The New York Daily News had it right, McWeasel!

Vote in Facebook Poll - Is John McCain a Bigot?

From Facebook page:
 I bet we can find 1,000,000 people who think John McCain is a bigot We've found over a thousand people who think John McCain is a bigot. But I know there's more. Tell all your friends to go to http://www.facebook.com/JohnMcCainIsABigot (that's this facebook page by the way). It's time to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell and stand up to bigots like McCain.

Chappy Chanukkah - Chow About Some Cham?

I found this on the Joe My God blog.  Apparently it's an image from Balducci's in New York.  Amazing!

Pravda Calls Sarah Palin a Traitor and an Oaf - Refreshing!

It is rare that I have ever agreed with Pravda, the former Soviet Era wire service from Russia, but this commentary by Timothy Bancroft-Hinchey is something the US press should read and consider.  See the quote below:

“By attacking the democratically elected President of the United States of America at a sensitive time in her country’s history, she shows the tact of a boorish drunkard bawling obscenities at a funeral….


And now she turns not only against the fiber and backbone of her country, but against its democratically elected President, accusing him of being incompetent for not stopping Wikileaks. Where was she and where was her GOP before and during the 9/11 attacks? She accuses President Obama of not taking “steps” to assure the leaks were not published. What “steps”?……

If anything is a threat to the national security of the United States of America, it is this screaming, unrefined oaf with as much class as a searing release of flatulence followed by hysterical giggling at a state banquet. Is this what the people of the USA deserve?

To attack the President of the country at a time when the USA needs to close ranks and stand together to consolidate the enormous strides his (President Obama’s) intelligent and respectful approach has achieved in building bridges, when her party’s period in government bombed them, Spankin’ Sarah Palin comes across as a pitifully inadequate anachronism from the times of the Far West.”

 Way to go Pravda!

Bush Era "Millionaire Subsidies" to Continue?

Once again the Democrats fail to frame the debate and the Republicans will win on the issue of the Bush Era Tax Cuts.  If Democratic Senators would start calling these things what they are, instead of tax cuts they would wini the day.  These are "Millionaire Subsidies", plain and simple.  Yes there are minuscule tax benefits for the middle class, but whopping subsidies for folks who don't need it. 

The myth that these subsidies stimulate business is silly.  It might add a few more dollars to the coffers of Tiffany and Company, but on the whole the money just sits there. 

Meanwhile the GOP is holding hostage the much needed extension of unemployment benefits that actually do stimulate the economy.  Those unemployment checks get spent and that helps move this sluggish recovery forward and keeps the large number of unemployed from going hungry. 

Come on Dems!  Start calling things what they are and stop letting the GOP frame the debate!

McCain Thinks Military Should Be Governed by Internal Consensus - Again, Dickish!

Listening to the DADT hearings still...

Senator McCain would have the military conduct it's business by referendum.  He has repeatedly insisted that the military should ask service members whether DADT should be repealed.  He forgets that Truman integrated the Armed Forces during the Korean War and didn't take a poll of the service members to do it.  He forgets that the military is not asked if they are comfortable going to war.  He forgets that the military is directed by civilian authority and the Commander in Chief.  He forgets that he apparently was a soldier himself and I seriously doubt if there was an opinion poll prior to going into Vietnam.

That word "forget" keeps coming up.  Considering he has pretty much reversed his position on DADT I have to wonder if he has a memory problem.

In response to McCain's ludicrous suggestion that the military troops make decisions by some kind of consensus Gates said:

I can't think of a single precedent in America history of doing a referendum of the American Armed Forces on a policy issue. Are you going to ask them if they want 15-month tours? Are you going to ask them if they want to be part of the surge in Iraq? That's not the way our civilian-led military has ever worked in our entire history . . . I think in effect doing a referendum of the members of the Armed Forces on a policy matter is a very dangerous path.

McCain Proves He is a Dick Again!

Watching the hearings before the Senate today where the Secretary of Defense is giving his report on the repeal of DADT.  As I watch, it becomes clear that John McCain is a certified dick and a crotchety old fart. 

He asks the opinions of the generals and then contradicts them with his trying to spin the report as negative when it was positive.  Thank God he wasn't elected president!  He would have made a disastrous Commander in Chief.  Not that President Obama is doing that sterling a job, but I can take some comfort fomr knowing that McCain would have been far worse.

Sad state of affairs.

I Am Tired of World AIDS Day!

I am tired of World AIDS Day.  I am tired of watching friends get sick and die.  I am tired of listening to small talk about meds and side effects and t-cell counts.  I am tired of hearing about the latest "not quite cure".  I am tired of watching drug companies spin AIDS as the new Diabetes.  I am tired of seeing more and more bareback videos pop up online. I am tired of seeing the AIDS Quilt and having to bring extra tissues because of the flood of tears it causes for me and my friends.

I am tired!  When are we going to find a cure?  When are gay men and the ephemeral "MSMs" going to listen to the message that unsafe sex is UNSAFE!  When is World AIDS Day going to stop being a big trade show for drug companies and start being a time to look back and be grateful that the disease is no longer around.

Can you hear the frustration in my voice? 

I still wear my red ribbon in honor the memory of my brothers and sisters who have fallen to this pandemic, but I would like to retire it.  I would like to see it gather dust on a shelf.  Maybe some day that dream can come true.

Until then, I will continue to support the many organizations that desperately need funds and volunteers to fight the epidemic.  I will continue to emphasize the importance of safer-sex and I will continue to remind the next generation that AIDS/HIV is not just a disease of the Baby Boomers, it is alive and spreading through Gen-X and Y and beyond.

Until then I will continue to pray that an end is in sight.

Lame Ducks Probably Won't Repeal DADT

I hate to be an "I told you so" kind of guy, but , I told you so.  The Lame Duck Congress is nowhere near agreement on the repeal of DADT,at least according to Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Senator.

So why should I believe the Republican Senator?  Well, even though Democrats have a majority in the Senate and House for the next few weeks, apparently the GOP is calling the shots already. Only a few Democrats are willing to stand up and say DADT will go during the lame duck. After this session, I seriously doubt that any LGBT legislation will be brought up.  Kiss ENDA and marriage goodbye at least for now. 

For some reason the Democrats never acted like they had a majority even when they did.  Their 'ball-less" showing over the past two years speaks volumes about the problems we face.  LGBT issues get attention only when candidates are running for office and need our help and money.  After that, we hear "we might have to wait until the time is right".  Well if now is not the time then when?  Perhaps we need some other kind of action to gain equal rights.  Apparently politics isn't getting us very far.

Brewery Releases 41% ABV "Beer"

As if it isn't there aren't enough drunks during the holiday season, Brew Dog, a Scottish brewer has rolled out a new concoction with 41% alcohol by volume.   The "instant drunk" stuff is marketed under the name "Sink the Bismarck".

That means for most folks  one bottle will have you on the floor in no time!  Luckily the price tag is a hefty $100 per bottle in most stores.  I don't expect to see your average convenience store carrying this killer brew, but apparently there is a small market for it.  The company's last publicity stunt beverage was titled, "The End of History" and had a ridiculous 51% alcohol by volume.  That drink would set you back $777 per bottle, the high price presumably because of the unique bottle.  It was packed inside a taxidermied stoat (squirrel in the US).

Only 12 bottles were produced.  That is at least something to be thankful for this time of year.

Glee Gets Wet

The Singin' in the Rain/ Umbrella mash up is too good to be missed.  Glee's plot might be surrealistic, but their dance numbers are bringing the big Hollywood musical back to life!  Enjoy.

Leslie Nielsen - Dead at 84

Though most people will remember Leslie Nielsen as a comic actor in classics such as Airplane and the Naked Gun, he was an actor who cut his teeth in drama as a romantic leading man.  I personally will always remember Nielsen in Forbidden Planet, the big budget sci-fi hit from the early 1950's.


Nielsen passed away Sunday afternoon at age 84.  He had been hospitalized for pneumonia for a couple of weeks prior to his death.

Former Republican Powerbroker Convicted of Money Laundering

Tom DeLay, former GOP majority leader in the House now faces time in the Big House.  Convicted on charges of committing money laundering DeLay, formerly known as "The Hammer" could face life in prison for his crime.

It took the jury 19 hours to come to the verdict and DeLay say stone faced as it was read.  He was convicted of illegally passing $190,000 through the Republican National Committee to candidates from big corporations.  The strategy he created changed the face of politics in Texas and much of the nation.  His gerrymandered redistricting plan shaped what he had hoped would be a permanent Republican majority.

It is unfortunate that the Supreme Court, now fully packed with partisan conservatives has made direct contributions by corporations legal

Pardoning the Turkey?

I know it's a White House tradition to pardon the ceremonial Thanksgiving turkey, but isn't it a bit hypocritical? I mean on Thanksgiving there is a huge turkey feast served in the White House.  Where did that turkey come from?  Why was he sacrificed and the big, showy bird gets the pardon?

It is just another reason people today don't understand where their food comes from.  Milk from the store and turkey from some mythical place called Honeysuckle.  If more people were intimately familiar with how and where their daily sustenance comes from they would be more concerned about our delicate planet.

I have to admit there is a side of me that would like to see the President chop the head off the big bird and invite everyone in for the dinner!
 

History of the USSR Video - As Told By Legos

This is a very quirky video I found on Andrew Sullivan's blog. Enjoy!

TSA Pat Down Mania - Breaks Ostomy Bag During Screening

The whole pat down thing is getting silly.  First of all I have said it before that the "enhanced" security measures are pure theater.  Unless the TSA starts doing strip searches and cavity probes they cannot assure us that there are no devices hidden on passengers.  And I am not suggesting that!

The inept technique being used left one elderly passenger drenched in his own urine.  Nice.  Thomas Sawyer of Michigan was traveling to Orlando.  He is a cancer survivor and wears a urostomy bag.  During his pat down the agent broke the bag and left Mr. Sawyer drenched in his own urine, with no opportunity to clean up until he boarded the airplane.

The TSA agent was warned by Mr. Sawyer about the bag, but ignored his request to be gentle with it. 

The list of problems will grow steadily longer as this silliness continues and the traveling public and the airlines will suffer as the government tries to convince us that they are protecting us.  The cold reality is they can't protect us from every threat.  The near disaster of the toner cartridges shows that.  The terrorists want to terrorize us and they have succeeded, and we formally surrendered to them when we passed the Patriot Act.

Until we start dealing with the root cause of terrorism and not the symptoms we will continue to find ourselves in situations like this.  We are a nation driven by fear and that is exactly what the terrorists wanted. 

SPLC Officially Designates American Family Association and Others "Hate Groups"

The Southern Poverty Law Center, long-time repository of the official list of hate groups in the US has added a number of anti-gay groups to its list. Most prominent is the American Family Association, the group formed by Donald E. Wildmon that regularly broadcasts their rhetoric over 200 radio stations.

Additionally, on the list is the AFTAH (Americans for Truth About Homosexuality) as well as Beverly LeHay's Concerned Women for America.  This is a major step toward the marginalization of these groups and has been long awaited.  Kudos to SPLC for their stand in this matter.

How To Beat Your Slave - As Revealed in The Bible

While reading one of my favorite blogs, Joe.My.God. I found this juicy tidbit.  Nice little Bible story for anyone who tries to beat you up with a Bible.  Have them watch this video.


Now to those who know me, I am a Christian and I do read the Bible, however I do not believe it is the inerrant word of God. If it is, then the God who wrote it is bipolar and pretty much not the kind of God I would want. Instead, to make the story short, I sincerely believe the Bible is a collection of books and stories meant to reveal how humans have struggled to understand the divine. As I said it's a short explanation.