Couldn't have said it better!

After reading Matt Foreman's, Executive DirectorNational Gay and Lesbian Task Force, comment on Jerry Halwell's death, all I could say to myself was, "I couldn't have said it better."

Here is what he said:

“The death of a family member or friend is always a sad occasion and we express our condolences to all those who were close to the Rev. Jerry Falwell. Unfortunately, we will always remember him as a founder and leader of America’s anti-gay industry, someone who exacerbated the nation’s appalling response to the onslaught of the AIDS epidemic, someone who demonized and vilified us for political gain and someone who used religion to divide rather than unite our nation.”

If there is one thing (OK maybe two) to learn is that we need to:

First, recognize the hate and the lies being propgated and try to never let it happen again; and,

Second, stop giving people like this a platform to spread there hate and lies.

That means, we need to stop allowing access to mass media outlets that allow them a voice. Sounds a little idealistic, but it should start somewhere. All I can do is change the channel - its not much but it's a start.

My favorite Aunt!

My aunt goes into chemotherapy for cancer tomorrow (Tuesday, April 17, 2006).

It's not her first time - but I would think that any time is a not a good time. Unfortunately, breast cancer in a woman is not news. But as they say, when it happens to you, it's different.

As I have always said, this blog site is for me, my thoughts and my opinions. So here I am writing about my aunt.

Is she great? I am not here to try to convince anyone of that. All I know is that she is Dusty's wife (a great wife at that), she is the mother of Brooks and Dustin (a great mother at that), she is Carol's sister (a great sister at that), and she is Jennifer, Shannon and Earle's aunt (a great aunt at that).

She is my aunt. I am Earle - her nephew.

I have no idea what a woman goes through in dealing with breast cancer. I am just a "guy." What I do know is that it can't be any be fun. I know it sounds simplistic, but as with most difficult times, the least said the better.

What I will say, is I my heart goes out to her. Obviously, I wish she didn't have to go through this. I wish I there was a way to take away her anxiety, take away her fear. I truly wish I could away the pain.

Why?

I guess it goes to family. In the end, it's your family that gives you your strength and the sense of being. I know it is not always the case, however my family is blessed. Our family - in their infinite and VERY bizarre way, gives each other the strength of conviction and ultimately the belief in who we are.

This is the strength that is inherent in my family. I am sure my aunt is going through all sorts of emotions as she prepares and deals with chemotherapy tomorrow. In the end, I truly believe (and hope) her strength comes from her belief in the love of herself and the love the family feels for her.

You always want everything to be perfect. It's a fault of mine in my business. But as I get older, I realize that all I really want is to do my best. Unfortunately, my best doesn't help my aunt. All I can give her is my love and hope that my love gives her the strentgh to get through a tough time.

CNN - WHAT R U DOING!

Students slaughtered!

I got home around 10:30 pm on the night it all happened. I was working all day and I knew the story would evolve all day. I figured I would get the "final" story in the evening. I walk in to my apt. and turned on CNN.

I came in in on the "Top Ten Questions". It reminded me of David Letterman. After the all the questions (unanswered) were revealed, I couldn't help but thinking that they were just out to evoke some emotional response from the viewer - only to get the viewer to "tune in".

I have to say that I always watch CNN and I am sure the other news stations did the same. But I definitely expected better from CNN. My only comment is this: "Let news evolve, do not try to create it!"

PS - We always need to questions the authorities that investigate crimes and I do not always trust the way they handle things. But let's at lest give them a chance.

Been a long time!

I haven't written anything in a while. The only excuse I have is that I was pretty exhausted after the election and really busy with work. Not much of an excuse.

In the end, I guess this is ultimately my space and I guess I'll write whatever I need to write.

Hope that is OK.

A Voters Story!

I received the following email from a friend about his experience at the polls. Great story! Thanks Eric.

“So, I was making my attempt to go vote this morning at Whitehorse (utter mayhem, by the way, with school starting at the same time). I stood in line and went to re-register since I had moved, and sat down next to this older woman registering. They were having trouble getting her information to register. Apparently she hadn't voted in well over 10 years, so they had deactivated her in the system. She explained to the clerk that she hadn't a reason to vote until now, stating that "what's the difference between one crook and the other." Also, she was handicapped, so it was difficult for her to get out and go anywhere

She started talking about a friend that she and her husband had known for well over 20 years that had passed away last year from HIV/AIDS. She said that they had not even known he was gay until the last few years of his life. She said that this was the first time she had been motivated enough to come out and vote, because she could not fathom why gay people should have less rights than she had.

I simply turned and said "thank you" without thinking and she patted me on the shoulder and said "you're welcome"

HOW COOL IS THAT!?”

Rothenberg predicts a sweep!

The Rothenberg Political Report, a non-partisan analysis of American politics and elections, released its final report before the election. Rothenberg is predicting a Democratic gain of 34 to 40 seats in the House, a victory that would rival the Republican tidal wave of 1994. Rothenberg also expects the Democrats to gain 6 seats in Congress and winning control.

We can only hope!

Link to website: http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.blogspot.com/

More Family Values!

In other family values related news, Ted Haggard, the president of the National Association of Evangelicals, resigned yesterday after a male prostitute (Mike Jones) said that Haggard had paid him for sex for three years.

The prostitute did not accuse Haggard of trying to choke him to death and no settlement has been reported. This news item is related to the election because Haggard has campaigned very hard for a proposition on the ballot in Colorado (where Haggard lives) that would ban gay marriages in the state. The proposition does not address the issue of gay prostitution, however.

Scandals Could Cost Republicans Their Throne

Scandals Alone Could Cost Republicans Their House Majority

By Jonathan Weisman and Jeffrey H. BirnbaumWashington Post Staff WritersThursday, November 2, 2006; Page A01

"Indictments, investigations and allegations of wrongdoing have helped put at least 15 Republican House seats in jeopardy, enough to swing control to the Democrats on Tuesday even before the larger issues of war, economic unease and President Bush are invoked."

Link to Article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/01/AR2006110103146.html

A Must Read & See

This is one of the best commentaries on the Bush Presidency.

Olbermann’s Special Comment : There is no line this President has not crossed — nor will not cross — to keep one political party, in power.


Link to video & transcript: http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/11/01/olbermanns-special-comment-there-is-no-line-this-president-has-not-crossed-nor-will-not-cross-to-keep-one-political-party-in-power/

Family Values? Your kidding!

The NY Daily News has a story about congressman John Sweeney knocking his wife around so much that she called 911.


Rep. Don Sherwood, a Republican in northeastern Pennsylvania, said in a TV ad that he was "truly sorry" for cheating on his wife, but he denied ever abusing his mistress. I don't even have to mention Mark Foley chasing teenage boys.


The Republican claim of supporting family values raises one question: What exactly are those values?

Link to John Sweeney story: http://blogs.nydailynews.com/dailypolitics/archives/2006/10/sweeneys_report.php
Don Sherwood story: http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/politics/15678107.htm

Absorbing Gay Pain & Praise, Clinton Says She's Evolved

"In an appearance early Wednesday evening in front of roughly three-dozen LGBT leaders, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton indicated that she would not oppose efforts by Eliot Spitzer, the odds-on favorite to become the new governor, to enact a same-sex marriage law in New York."

Link to Article: http://www.gaycitynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17379741&BRD=2729&PAG=461&dept_id=568864&rfi=6

In Brazil's election, the gay vote counts

"When nearly 2.5 million people converged on Sao Paulo this year for the world's biggest gay pride parade, the celebration emphatically reminded Brazil's presidential candidates of the growing political clout of the gay community."

Link to Article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061026/wl_nm/brazil_election_gay_dc_1

Postal workers upset with 'homophobic hate mail'

"Vancouver postal workers are angry about a homophobic pamphlet they're being asked to deliver to about 200 east-side homes. "

Link to Article: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=8f4e1f6f-7b63-435f-8b3b-43623734ac0b&k=86532

T.K.'s a big 'ol mo!

SO WHAT! Future generations will look back on our news headlines and wonder what the big deal is. He's a good actor on a great show. That's good enough for me.

On a side note: Rumor has it that there are three 16 year old girls, four housewives and one gay 15 year old boy in Appleton, WI that are beside themselves with giref. (FYI - The 15 year old boy is so estactic that he cannot help keep back the tears.)

The Pink Purge

If you haven't read Johanna Neuman's article in the LA Times titled "Some Seek 'Pink Purge' in the GOP," THEN YOU MUST! (Here's the link: http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/la-na-gaygop18oct18,0,7173571.story?page=1&track=mostviewed-homepage).

The fact that there seems to be a call for the purging of high-ranking gay Republicans on Capitol Hill and in the administration is appalling enough. I'm not even sure that I should have any sympathy for gay Republicans that support some of the most bigoted, narrow-minded politicians this country has ever seen.

Once again, Rebublicans seem to be trying to deflect attention from the real issues. Can they not get it into their heads that the problem with our government is corruption, arrogance, intolerance, etc. And there response is to blame the homosexuals?

I hope that the Rebublican gay and/or closeted staffers realize that they are being thrown to wolves. They are being sacrificed by their own party to hopefully avoid the inevitable......

Democratic control of Congress.

Foley Fiasco!

It seems that the Foley fiasco cannot be shaken off the news. Are the Dems trying milk it for all it's worth? And is that good or bad? Are news stations holding onto the lurid details for "exciting coverage?" It certainly makes for one hell of a reality show. It could be called "Another Page in the Life and Times of a Congressperson." (No pun intended)

For me, it's just another example of the complete meltdown of our government. I actually find it humorous how the Republicans are scrambling to do damage control. It actually sickens me to listen to Fox News or MSNBC News and hear the "analysts" or the republican leadership referring it to a gay issue.

Wake up you idiots! It's about a Congressman having an inappropriate relationship with a minor. Plan and simple.

What also alarms me is the new breed of "gay" congressional staffer working with the Republicans. Talk about hypocritical! My favorite line in the past week has been the "gay anti-gay vote." As a gay Democrat, I can almost tolerate a gay Republican - but a closeted gay Republican? Please.......

In the end, there are two good things to come out of it: first, hopefully, with everything else, it will result in a change in who control's Congress; and, second, people will realize that Republicans are NOT the moral upstanding party they promote themselves to be.

They are just a sinful as us Democrats!

Wow! My first blog!?!

Well, here I am. Writing my first post. I'm not even sure why I am doing this. The motivation for this has really been all the news in politics. Bluntly, it's shameful what's going on. Foley, Abramoff, Ney, Hastert ... Iraq, Korea, Iran ... and I won't even start on the "analysts" on the news that are spinning everything to fit their own delusional ideals.

Where this goes, I am not sure. I hope that I can utimately make some observations -- sort through fact from fiction and maybe bring some clarity or make sense of it all. If not to anyone else, then at least to myself.