Balloon Boy - Or Not!

I go out of town for a few days and don't watch TV and what do I miss? BALLOON BOY!

I caught a glimpse of it in J&R Music World in New York. For the uninitiated, J&R is a temple to anything electronic. A block long complex of stores that have everything imaginable that needs batteries or plugs into the wall.

Well, while waiting for a clerk at J&R I saw an image on the wall-sized Plasma TV that looked a lot like a stunt my partner and I tried several years ago. We constructed a bunch of balloons with glow sticks attached to release in the dark hoping to spark a little talk-radio buzz about UFOs. We got nada! Not a peep by anyone even though the ascending glows looked pretty cool.

Well here was a monster sized version, except some guy actually made a Mylar flying saucer balloon and the press was all over it. Not as a UFO but because somebody somewhere said a kid was in it. For hours the 24 hour news junkies followed pictures of the obviously unmanned or un-kidded balloon drifted aimlessly over Colorado.

Meanwhile lots of "real" news was happening but oh noooo, we had to watch endless pictures of a flimsy Mylar balloon and hear announcers ramble ad nauseam about how they really didn't know anything about it.

Turns out there was no kid on board and now the Sheriff is trying to drum up charges because he is so embarrassed he was wasting time following a damned balloon.

Ain't TV grand!

Another Reason Our Health Care System SUCKS

Pilgrimage To The Smithsonian

OK, I admit it, I am sooooo gay! We spent our last day in Washington at the Museum of American History, home of the original Ruby Slippers worn by Judy G in the Wizard of Oz. OK it's just a pair of shoes, but still I had to see them again. They look a bit dingy, but still have a sparkle left in them.

We also visited Julia Childs' Kitchen, preserved in its entirety in the Smithsonian. They even had a tape of Julia trussing up a chicken running from her TV show. Damn, that woman used a lot of butter!

After a late lunch we made our way to the Holicost Museum. Any elation I had from seeing the Ruby Slippers vanished there. It's a wonderful museum, but it is well designed to have an overwhelming effect on visitors.

The heavy iron truss work that surrounds you and the slow descent through the madness of Nazi Germany to the final rooms with an actual box car used to transport Jews, Gays and Gypsies to the camps was very effective.

The room that got to me was one filled with shoes. Shoes confiscated from prisoner prior to their gassing and cremation. These are the actual shoes gathered from one of the camps and seeing all of them piled knee-high as you walk a path through them was intense. Each pair spoke of the owner and their absence.

If you miss this museum on a visit to Washington, you are short changing yourself.

Tomorrow, riding the Acella Train to New York City!

And Now The Money Shot From The Oozenator!

This is a real kids toy that looks like a behind-the-scenes tool for porn producers. Go figure!

A Few More Photos of The Equality March in DC

Thousands of LGBT People March On Washington - Where Is Barney Frank?

He's off to the west coast to raise funds to Democrats. His opinion of the march, "Barack Obama does not need pressure." Commenting on Michelangelo Signoreli's radio program Frank says we should model ourselves as lobbyists on "the National Rifle Association." He says people should not come to Washington and should stay home and lobby their members of Congress.

Well Senator Frank, they should do both! If you and other members of Congress won't change the unequal system we have now, someone else will. I would not be surprised if Barney Frank loses his seat in the next election if full equality is not given to all citizens of America. I guess he has his, so screw the rest of us.

Sorry for the editorial comment, but lets get real. Incremental appeasement is only creating an apartheid in America. Imagine if the Civil Rights bill had been as "measured" an approach as our GLBT politicians are advocating?

And for Frank, who says most of Washington didn't even know about the march. Here is a photo of just a few Americans who are denied their rights, or did you forget who we were?

(Photos copyright Hardy Haberman 2009)

Equality March Draws Thousands

It was a big turnout for the National Equality March. I would estimate close to 200,000 or more.
Wonderful weather for the march and lots of news media, and that is what we hoped for!


I was tired but really happy when Patrick snapped this shot. I was glad the march had reached its destination.

Obama Says He Will End DADT

President Obama did what no sitting president has done before last night. He spoke to the Human Rights Campaign at their annual dinner. Though there were protesters gather outside, the scene inside was much more cordial.

He opened with a joke, saying, "It's a privilege to open tonight for Lady Gaga" the iconic singer who performed later in the evening. Then he got down to his speech.

Obama made a bold promise, "I will end 'don't ask-don't tell." The same words he spoke during his campaign. Then he acknowledged the he understood the impatience felt by the LGBT community but he assured the crowd of about 3000, "do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach."

Now my only question is, when? Thirty years ago I came to this same city and marched for gay rights. and here I am still marching 30 years later. I am not going to live my entire life without seeing equal rights!

So Mr. President, had I had a micerophone to ask questions during your speech I would have thanked you for your show of support and then encouraged you to take action and use the bully pulpit to move Congress forward to real equality for LGBT people.

Washington, DC - City Of No

When I was a child, my family took me to Washington, DC to see where the sausage was made. They didn't call it that, they used terms like "how our government works", but you get the idea.

Back then it seemed every street had a "No Left Turn" sign at the corner and my father began calling DC the "city of no". Well, here it is fifty years later and it's still true. I had to laugh at every corner because of thre number of "no" signs.

Some things never change.

In Washington, DC.

After an uneventful flight and a short train ride from Baltimore, we are in DC. The low light of the trip so far was the amazingly lack luster service at American Airlines ticket counter. Other than a half hour wait to speak to a ticket agent who was on the phone for that entire half hour, it was OK.

We arrived in Washington Union Station and had a tasty lunch at Pizzeria Uno and cabbed to the hotel. So far I highly recommend the Hotel Lombardy in Washington. Charming small boutique hotel just a couple of blocks from the White House and right off two Metro stops. Reminds me of some of the nicer hotels we stayed at in Europe.

Lots of LGBT people starting to be visible on the streets and particularly at Union Station. I suspect by tomorrow night the city will be bursting at the seams with queers! Yeah!.

Off To Washington!

I am leaving for Washington DC in the morning. My partner and I will be attending the March and various activities while there. I will be posting to my blog here and to the Dallas Voice blog with reports from the March and the events in DC. Hope to have pictures and more soon. See you ALL there!

Republican Senators Vote In Favor Of Covering Up Rape

I have often spoken about "family values" in this blog, usually in the context of the Republican lawmakers who seem to have none of them. Now I offer further proof that a big portion of the GOP is not only against"family values" but pro-rape. What?

Yup, just look at who voted against a recent amendment to the Defense Appropriations Bill by Senator Al Franken that would punish contractors if they "restrict their employees from taking workplace sexual assault, battery and discrimination cases to court."

Who would be against that? Well Huffington Post has a list.

Alexander (R-TN)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Gregg (R-NH)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johanns (R-NE)
Kyl (R-AZ)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Risch (R-ID)
Roberts (R-KS)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Wicker (R-MS)

Every one of these guys thinks it fine if a big company covers up a rape of one of its employees. Just to make it clear, they all feel business is more important that the safety of employees, even if they are sexually assaulted.

Now that's "family values" but only a "Crime Family". But hey, they are Republicans?

Larry Wilmore Plays The Race Card on The Daily Show

So it was a funny bit, but even better Larry Wilmore did some nice slight of hand on the Daily Show last night. Two of my favorite things, magic and political commentary, great work Larry.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Playing the Race Card
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Ron Paul Interview

Brand America - Number One!

It seems like forever since the USA was considered a respected member of the international community. Today comes the report that our brand, the USA, is the most admired country in the world.

According to the National Brand Index (NBI), the US rose from #7 to the top spot. From a report on Reuters:

The United States is the most admired country globally thanks largely to the star power of President Barack Obama and his administration, according to a new poll.

It climbed from seventh place last year, ahead of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan which completed the top five nations in the Nation Brand Index (NBI). “What’s really remarkable is that in all my years studying national reputation, I have never seen any country experience such a dramatic change in its standing as we see for the United States for 2009,” said Simon Anholt, the founder of NBI, which measured the global image of 50 countries each year.

Glenn Beck Loses More Sponsors!

Even more companies have decided to distance themselves from Glenn Beck, the poster child for the right wing lunatic fringe.

The total of advertisers who have walked away from Beck's show is now 80 and growing. Internationally his sponsor base is slipping as well. Think Progress poster these responses that were originally posted on Color of Change's website about Beck and his hate filled show.

“We are appalled at what’s going on. Metropolitan Talent Management is 100% dedicated to not buy advertising on any part of Fox News.” — Metropolitan Talent Management

– “We’re no longer going to book any of his air time. I’m really glad to be informed of what you guys are doing.” — Overture Films

– “The Seoul government has no plan to extend, resume, or add its commercial on the program. In other word [sic], there will not be Seoul commercial in the Glenn Beck program any more.” — Seoul Metropolitan Government

– “You will not see Flexitol commercials on the Glenn Beck show. Period.” — Eulactol USA, makers of Flexitol

Another Reason to March On Washington - DADT

As I get ready to travel to Washington D.C. for the National Equality March, I find another reason to go and to be vocal when I get there. When Senator Harry Reid sought President Obama's help in repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell he got this response:

"The President appreciates the Majority Leader's letter and looks forward to working with him and other members of Congress as they move towards a legislative repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

So, if anyone reading this can go, get your butts to Washington and let the President and Congress know there are thousands of LGBT people in this country who are second class citizens and demand full rights!

Depression, Psychosis - Go to the Emergency Room , The GOP Health Plan!

It's Official - Florida Hates Gays!

That is the message sent by a court ruling in a Dade County Federal Court when it threw out a lawsuit by the partner of a lesbian who was dying in the hospital. Her partner of 17 years was denied the right to visit her as she died.

To add insult to injury she was told by a social worker at the hospital "Florida is an anti-gay state".

To be fair this is a Federal Court and therefore it highlights just how LGBT people in this country are denied the same rights as anyone else. Read more about the case here.

Send Max Baucus Your Health Care Bills!

Watching Stephen Colbert and he had a GREAT idea. Max Baucus stated clearly he wanted a health care bill, yet he ditched a public option. Colbert's idea? Send Baucus your health care bills.

His address is here.

He and the other lame guys in Washington need a dose of reality. How about a truck load of medical bills. Heck they can afford it, hey get millions from insurance companies!

Dems Cave On Public Option

OK, let's just get this out in the open. Democratic Senators and House Members are PUSSIES!

They have a super-majority and the American public wants a public option, so what do they do? Strip it out of the health care bill.

What would you call that? Pussies for sure!