Is anything really new?

I was facebooking (I love that websites end up becoming verbs) with a friend from HS the other day and she had asked me if there was anybody wanted to go to Wall Street for the Occupy Walls Street movement.  I replied that I would love to but that I have to work.  Her response was to ask if I could take any time off (a week was what she asked) to go to NYC.  I replied that I didn't have that much PTO, and couldn't go.  Her rebuttal was to say something along the lines of "I love you and I'll support you if you ever decide to fight back" (I'm paraphrasing).  But that last comment really got me thinking.

I really would like to protest the whole idea that 1% of the people in this country control 99% of the wealth, or some such thing like that, because I think that it's something worth protesting.  But how can you reconcile protesting an injustice with fulfilling your obligations.  So how do you protest something that you believe in if it means that you'll possibly lose your job.  Is it really fair to look down on those who choose not to protest in favor of fulfilling their obligations and keeping their job?  I don't think it's fair but that's the world we live in. 

Also, I have a friend who apparently is very offended at my repeating of good and fun sayings that I have heard.  I'm inclined to think that imitation is the greatest form of flattery.  Is this not the case?  More things to ponder.

Mental Rumblings

So, I haven't been updating.  I've been busy, and focusing on other things, ergo my blog has been languishing.  Which is not to say that I haven't had deep thoughts that ought to go out into the world, just that I don' think that they can be put here.  They're not bad, but they're not for public consumption, I think. I have been thinking about journaling more, but again, that leaves my blog to gather dust and cobwebs. 

Maybe I need a focus?  Something more to write about than my opinions, because let's face it, if I can't bring myself to write about them then clearly they aren't that important to me.  But then again, my opinions make up my voice, my thoughts, my personality, more or less.  If I don't care about them anymore, what do I have?  *le sigh*

I suppose I could write my opinions on Gay Rights and the fight for Equality, constantly coming out (no pun intended) against the GOP and other bigoted homophobic public figures.  Call them out, and hold them accountable for what they say and expect them to back it up.  I could focus on religious issues, but does anybody really care?  I mean outside of the liturgical and theological community who really cares, unless it pertains to an issue currently in the public eye.  Naturally I have to have an interest in two issues that are, for the moment, polar opposites.  Despite years of work on both sides, it seems that reconciliation isn't going to happen.  Perhaps the turmoil I feel spiritually comes from this?  I'm not sure.  I'm rereading the Dragonlance Chronicles (Autumn Twilight, Winter Night, Spring Dawning).  Usually I feel a connection with Raistlin.  He's an outcast, slave to his passion which leads to his downfall, and is physically weaker than most other people but has his own brand of strength.  Lately, however, I've been feeling a connection with Tanis Half-Elven.  A child of rape, he lives in two worlds, elf and human, and neither wants him.  He struggles for belonging and faith, which he can't wrap his brain around, at least until the end of the story.  I think he's sort of like me, or I'm like him.  I exist in the realm of the theological and the homosexual, and currently neither side really understands my beliefs which causes me to have one foot in each movement.  Gay rights people want me to change religions, to something that's gay affirming.  But asking me to do that is like asking me to give up the bedrock of what I believe in.  But asking me to ignore/abandon/change my sexual orientation and not embrace it as a part of who I am is tantamount to the same thing. 

No wonder I have such inner turmoil. 

I did not intend this blog to end up this deep, but when you get started sometimes things just come pouring out, and if that's the case then I just broke the dam.  Hope you, dear reader, didn't get washed away, and are still with me.  And technically, at least in central time, I'm still on time for a Wednesday entry. 

Happy Wednesday!

A break in the heat which also means a break in blogging inspiration

So, I slept for 11.25 hours last night, woke up at around 12:45pm central time (I usually get up around 10am) and went "What the F***!".  Then I remembered it was wednesday and spent the morning checking Facebook and my webcomics and some news sites, trying to discover something to blog about. 

So I found a couple of things.  One of which is here.  In regards to a comment said at an HIV/AIDS fundraiser.  And I agree, there needs to be more information about the fact that HIV/AIDS is not just an old persons disease.  It can happen to anyone at anytime.  From elderly people to infants, because it is borne on the blood.  Any contact with infected blood, from a car accident victim for example, potentially carries a risk of infection.   It's not just from gay sex, or hetero sex, that you can be infected.  If the idea that HIV/AIDS is a sad, old person disease is a prevalent one, we are doing our future and our young people a disservice by allowing it.  More information is always a good thing, whether you want to hear it or not.  At least if you know you can make an informed decision. 

Also there is a comment beneath the story that makes a point as well.  The A in AIDS which means Acquired.  To a lot of people that means that you have to do something, you have to go out of your way to end up infected with HIV.  As mentioned above, that is not true.  The infection of an individual can be a complete accident or a result of a mix of factors.  Only one way to get infected is via intercourse (homo or hetero).  As mentioned above, because HIV is a blood borne infection, any contact with infected blood carries a risk, no matter how small, and that is something to keep in mind.

Salt Lake City apparently is banding together to combat hatred and intolerance, in this story.  I think it's wonderful that a community, both hetero and homo, are banding together to show solidarity against this sort of tragedy.  I do think, however, that it's sad that it took the beating of this poor young man for this sort of coming together to occur.  It's very disheartening that in our everyday lives that the LGBT+ community can't find this kind of cohesiveness.  I realize that human beings tend to gather together in the face of tragedy, suffering, and persecution, but what most young people don't understand (or care about) is that everyday we are viewed as second class citizens by anyone of our countrymen or peers, we are being persecuted, we are suffering, and it is a continuing tragedy that some can't let go of their hate. 

So, we'll go on.  And hopefully, to quote Dan Savage and company, it will get better.

There's a Liberal in the Deep South, Parents who do it right, and Homohelp!

So it's been awhile since I've had anything to post (which is not to say that there has been nothing going on in the world) and since I have had any time to actually do a little research and get a coherent post out of my brain and into the internet.  But fear not, as I have finally completed all of those things, while doing dishes, laundry, and earning a paycheck.  I want a cookie.

Where to start?  I think I'd like to begin with something that's been on my mind for awhile.  A while ago, a friend of mine (We'll call him Sunshine, you can find his blog to the left titled "my life on the z-list") posted a graphic with a link to a site called Homohelp.  It's a fun little site with snarky, helpful, and sometimes uplifting messages to help members of the LGBT(and more) community to get through life with a little bit of a laugh.  I'll admit that they have made me laugh from time to time.  But there was one that I read, and I haven't really been able to get it out of my head.  See it below, and then further on for why it's in my head.

So there it is.  I read that and it was as if it started something in my head.  So I've been thinking about this phrase off and on since I saw it posed in May.  I realize just as much as anyone that there is a point when having interaction with the LGBT+ community (the plus is to denote all the other letters in the acronym) that everything is about them and their orientation.  And yeah, it gets a little tiring from time to time.  But just as I thought that, I reminded myself that in the struggle for equality, isn't that exactly what we're fighting for?  The right to not be thought of as different or less because of who we are attracted to/love.  So maybe pride isn't necessarily just about celebrating gayness, maybe its about finally being able to express yourself in whatever way you want, no matter what, and live a life that makes you happy.  If that means embracing the gayness of oneself or someone else, or having the strength of character to come out and join the ranks of those fighting for equality, then yes, pride is more than parades and glitter.  Our pride is found in the riots of Stonewall and on the fence with Matthew Shepard.  Our pride is dirty, broken, bleeding, and beaten.  But we still have the strength to fight and celebrate, and *that* is something to have Pride about.

Wow.  That's a little deep, even for me.  Well continuing right along let's talk about parents.  Some parents have a rough time of it and some parents don't.  Other parents are doing it right, at least as far as I'm concerned.  Sunshine (see above) linked a story to his blog which you can find here.  The original story can be found here.  And I have posted it below, with no malicious intent or infringement intent either, because apparently Tumblr and Blogger don't like each other.

“Mommy, they are just like me.” 

My oldest son is six years old and in love for the first time.  He is in love with Blaine from Glee. 

For those who don’t know Blaine is a boy…a gay boy, the boyfriend of one of the main characters, Kurt.

This isn’t a ‘he thinks Blaine is really cool’ kind of love.  It is a mooning at a picture of Blaine’s face for a half hour followed by a wistful “He’s so pretty” kind of love.

He loves the episode where two boys kiss.  My son will call people in from other parts of the house to make sure they don’t miss his ‘favorite part.’  He’s been known to rewind it and watch it over again…and force other to, as well, if he doesn’t think people have been paying enough attention.

This infatuation doesn’t bother me or his father.  We live in a very hip-liberal neighborhood, many of our friends are gay, and idea of having a gay son isn’t something that bothers either of us.  Our son is going to be who he is, and it is our job to love him.  End of story.

He is also six.  Six year olds get obsessed with all kinds of things.  This might not mean anything at all.  We always joke that he’s either gay, or we have the best blackmail material in the history of mankind when he’s a 16 year old straight boy. (Take that naked bath time pictures!)

Then the other day we were traveling across the state listening to the Warblers album (of course), and in the middle of Candles, my son pipes up from the back seat.

“Mommy, Kurt and Blaine are boyfriends.”

“Yes, they are,” I affirm.

“They don’t like kissing girls.  They just kiss boys.”

“That’s true.”

“Mommy, they are just like me.”

“That’s great, baby.  You know I love you no matter what?”

“I know…” I could hear him rolling his eyes at me.

When we got home I recapped this conversation to his Dad, and we stood simply looking into each other’s eyes for a moment.  Then we smiled.

“So if at 16 he wants to make a big announcement at the dinner table, we can say ‘You told us when you were six.  Pass the carrots’ and he’ll be disappointed we stole his big dramatic moment,” my husband says with a laugh and hugs me.

Only time will tell if my son is gay, but if he is I am glad he’s mine.  I am glad he has been born into our family.  A family full of people who will love and accept him.  People who will never want him to change.  With parents who will look forward to dancing at his wedding.

And I have to admit, Blaine would be a really cute son-in-law.

So there it is.  I have to say that if all parents were as in touch with whatever true spirit of raising children there might be, these two have finally got it.  They realize that children are weird and that's ok.  And if he grows out of it, so what?  If not, so what?  And they're even mature enough to have a little humor about it with the "big announcement" comment and the blackmail material.  If all parents were to retain such a calm and sense of humor in the face of dealing with a weird infatuation of a 6 year old, maybe the world would be in a little better shape.  I'd be interested to see where this kid is in 10 years.

And now, for the Pièce de résistance, I finally found a liberal in the deep south.  I'll admit I was a little elated so realize that they exist down there and I hope he keeps doing what he's doing with his blog.  I was a little disappointed to see that he got his start with blogging as a reaction to some crazy homophobic preacher in the south.  I wish to extend my sympathy and empathy regarding all of that, and state for the record that not all of those who call themselves Christian are insane and psychologically manipulative through the use of religion.  Which I have to say that after watching a few YouTube videos of this pastor's preaching, I have to say it's a little cult-ish.  In that it uses similar ways cults would to break people down and reprogram them.  You can find one of the videos at Ashton Elijah's blog, (the video is at the bottom of the blog post) and another one on YouTube from the David Pakman show.  So, Ashton, keep up the good work, and know that you're not completely alone.  


So on that note I leave you, until next week because I have more laundry, dishes, and shopping to do, and it's not going to get done by itself.  Happy Wednesday!

The Return

So I have internet once again, for all the good it does my blog.  The first day I get internet I have to work and the second day I have internet I have to take care of a hell of a lot of adult things (chores, bill paying, laundry, and dishes).  Whoever said that being an adult was fun should be drug out into the street and shot at dawn.

So while I have nothing constructive to blog about recently, aside from my return to the net.  But expect exciting, new, fun things to happen next week Wednesday.  Thanks for following me during my exile from the internet. 

Bereft of internet...so this is what it's like

So, I moved on the first of June and still don't have internet.  I'm not in charge of it, and my roommate, who is in charge of it apparently doesn't think it's a priority.  I could go to alterra or something that has free internet access, but that's not going to work with my schedule or my budget.  So, for all of you people who are now reading my blog since I pretty much stopped updating, thanks, and I'll be back soon! 

Holy lack of posts!

Well I'm back after a month of no updates.  For which I have no excuse except for my own lack of motivation and the lack of anything really constructive to say. 


I've increased my hours at work, and am apartment hunting, which has been taking a significant chunk of time.  So between all of that and my other standing extra curricular activities I have no time left to blog, read recent news, or have anything resembling a constructive coherent thought regarding how things are.


Although last night I had a very uplifting experience/realization.  I was out at a bar, and doing my usual.  And someone was singing (poorly) karaoke and it was a song I know, like, and am familiar with.  It was a love song and I was getting into a moment and closed my eyes to imagine being with the person that I've been holding on to for awhile when I realized I couldn't.  When I imagined myself with the man of my dreams it wasn't the boy I've been holding on to.  Which did nothing but make me smile and make my week because I think I'm finally over him.  And that's a good thing.  So, between that and 9+ hours of sleep today, albeit which postponed my plans for the day, I feel surprisingly well.  Which is a good thing and has been a long time in coming.


Happy Wednesday!

Busy day

So I've been spending the day doing laundry, going grocery shopping, and now writing a blog while trying to contain my incalculable and vehement rage at something that I discovered and watched, although as much as I'm wanting to comment on it, I may only mention it and not refute it.  We'll see how things go as I write this.

Well I finally started working 40 hours a week, so here's hoping that things go well enough and I keep my sanity.  Speaking of sanity, I've discovered (or rediscovered) something that it helping me maintain my sanity.  Allow me to introduce Dorothy Parker to this blog.  I finally found a copy of both her complete stories and complete poems.  In reading her stories, I've found that not only is she a window into a completely different era (she wrote during the 1920s and 1930s), she also found stories and satire in everyday people doing everyday things.  I guess as I'm reading her snarky tales I'm comforted by a couple things.  1) Even ordinary people going about their lives can make interesting stories, primarily if you make it as sarcastic sounding as Dorothy.  It makes my average life seem not so bad, because that's what everyone elses' life is.  2) Not much has changed in our culture as far as I can see. 

So, let's see.  Gaga while doing her Gagavision episodes confronts a protester who claims that she is going to Hell.  You can read about it and see the video here.  And while I'm not in favor of confronting people who protest things with their religious convictions to drive them while they're out in public, I will do so if they really really irk me.  But I will always attempt to do so with a mindset of spirited debate, rather then being a jerk.  So, I guess I'm saying that I don't really agree with how she did it, but I agree with her message that hate and expressing that hate isn't a good thing.

Alright, so speaking of hate, *that group* has created a video as a spoof version of the no H8 campaign about the California gay marriage debate.  The whole video is about who God hates, and about dispelling some "misconceptions" about the Bible.  And I have more than a few issues with this.

The primary one being that God hates.  First of all, the person appearing in the segment to refute the idea that God actually does hate states that the OT is filled with intstances of God's wrath, anger, judgment, and hate.  Firstly, wrath, anger, and judgment are not the same as hate.  Keep in mind, God is supposed to be a Heavenly Father.  Using a parental analogy, God can get angry, even wrathful, and pass judgment on humans without hating any of them.  Sending unrepentant sinners to hell is the (in a really bad analogy) eternal version of grounding a child to their bedroom.  If God did hate anyone/anything that was/is his prerogative, but not our example. 

Next they address the issue that being gay is equal to eating shellfish, which is an argument presented to refute the use of OT passages to condemn homosexuality.  In refuting this argument they make note of the fact that God/Jesus appeared to Peter and told him that everything was ok to eat.  Therefore we can infer that the NT overrules the OT in certain instances.  Ergo, the whole OT business regarding sexual purity could be considered to be overruled due to the New Covenant of the NT.

Ok, and that's enough of that.  I can't even finish the video.  It's too painful.  I can't believe that there are people that would twist Christianity so much that it's not even the same religion.  I mean it looks, smells, sounds the same, but it's not.  For future reference, when I speak of Christianity, I'm not speaking of any sort of Christian fundamentalists, notably *that group*.

Now, shifting gears a little bit, apparently a teacher in San Diego was fired for posting an ad on Craigslist for sex.  Read the advocate story and the LA times story.  Mutual adult consenting sex.  With another man.  And he was fired.  Now, how is it that someone can be fired from a position based on what they do in their private life?  They shouldn't, plain and simple.  The argument that he violated a moral conduct code isn't valid because the (im)moral behavior of the code is purely subjective based on those who came up with it, so anything that they don't like would be considered immoral and therefore a terminable offense.  Not fair, and it should be illegal. 

Now I'm depressed and pissed, and I think I need to go play a video game or read some Dorothy Parker to get out of my funky mood.  To quote Dorothy's stories "Here's mud in your eye!"

Blast you, delays!

So I don't really have anything fun to write about this week, aside from the fact that I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off today tryign to get things done so I can be to work on time. 

I didn't get a blog entry in yesterday, because I was busy writing a work of fiction that has been put on the backburner for a number of years, but I recently got bit by the writing bug and have taken up my proverbial pen, so to speak.  So I looked through the 8 or so possible beginnings that I wrote way back when, took a few good lines out of them, and picked a spot and started writing.  I'm hoping that if I just write and then revise after I'm finished, I'll avoid the problem I usually have, which is revising in the midst of writing.  Blah.

Also, took my [new] car to get it fixed from the accident I had in November.  The estimate increased the amount of damage from around 3k to 4k+, which was a shock to me.  But since I only have to pay my deductible (which is outrageous anyway) I guess it could be worse.  Oh, and they're gonig to need my car for exactly 2 weeks, because they need to order parts and such.  So the world of rental cars is where I'm living for the next two weeks.  Which makes me sad, because I have to pay for it.  And while I have the money, it really makes me cranky.  Believe me when I say I'm going to be revising my insurance policy, which means I'll never need a rental car from an accident as long as I have insurance on this car, because that's the way it goes. 

Needless to say, didn't get to do much reading of gay news in the last week, been busy working on other projects and whatnot.  But we'll see what happens.  Summer is coming and therefore events are going to be happening that I will get to report on, or I'll just continue to complain about my job, while being grateful that I have one.  =)

Happy Thursday!

Busy day and delay-ish-ness

So, I was planning on doing this early, but then I got involved in some busywork that while tedious needs to be done.  So late blog.  But at least I'm writing.

So, since my roommate is getting married and I received the news, I have been taking steps to prepare myself for the eventual move out that I'm going to have to make.  And while I understand that it's not for quite some time yet, planning ahead never hurt anyone.  Most seriously in this case.  I'm also realizing that the cost of living is ridiculous.  I've increased my hours at work to an even 40 (and it got approved) so that's more money, and I'll be getting a raise (and finding out how much by the end of the week, hopefully), and submitted my name for a slightly better paying position but one that's casual in nature.  Unfortunately, it looks like that's not going to be enough for me to be able to live on my own.  For a couple of reasons.

One reason being that I own a dog.  Any place that I could feasibly rent for myself (cheap studio apartments) don't allow dogs, and any that do are at least $200 more expensive because of dogs, with an additional $25 as a pet fee.  And that's just additions to the base rent which is usually $400+.  The second reason being that I have made some poor choices in the past and I have a feeling that the results of such choices are going to render me unable to rent anywhere.  Which means roommates, which isn't all bad, truth be told.  Finding one, that's the kicker.  I guess I'm just a little down because I don't make enough to support myself.  Adulthood is dumb.

I've recently (possibly because I've been depressed about the current state of my adult existence) been thinking about how I relate to people and who I decide to interact with an why and etc... That being said I recently had an exchange with someone that I considered a friend on Facebook (which is totally the place for intelligent discourse and completely comprehensible conversation) but his pompous wordy method of communicating notwithstanding, I was left wondering (after I unfriended him) if the reason that I don't have time for such convoluted discussion is because I'm concerned for my survival.  I mean, I remember having spirited debate in college about obscure topics and philosophy and ideas and all that, but I don't do that anymore.  Did the glamor of pontificating about the nebulous finally wear off in the bleak face of adulthood survival?  I don't know.  I guess, or maybe I'm being melodramatic.  Wouldn't be the first time I've been accused of that.

So being that it's nearly 1 am, and I have to work tomorrow, I will leave you with this article.  I've been feeling similarly for a long time now, which is why I can't really throw all my support behind the It Get's Better campaign.  Because it may get better for some, but where are those people during the daily torment.  Sound bites are all well and good, but when faced with the harsh realities of life, sound bites ring hollow and empty and leave people with echos of dreams that they won't see for a long time. 

Ok, there.  I'm done.  Perhaps happier things next week. 

I'm a loser, so that mean I win? Apparently not...

As a point of order (yes I'm referencing Glee, which I will be addressing) I have to say that I usually watch Glee on Wednesday mornings, as I'm not home Tuesday nights and get home far to late to appreciate it.  In any case, there's a couple of issues I have with Glee, or more poignantly it's fans.  And then it's message from this week's episode, which incidentally is an issue I've been having for awhile.

Firstly, I would like to call attention to the fact that just last episode pretty much everyone (including me) was not happy with Glee and/or it's message.  Some were even ready to jump ship and abandon the show altogether because of the tiresome storyline that last episode wove.  I'll admit freely that I had issues with the presentation of the storyline and the lack of realism it had, but it's TV and primetime TV on Fox no less, so I was willing to give it a little leeway.  After all, everyone (even Television show writers) have off days.  But apparently not everyone felt as I did (shocking, I know).  However, after last nights episode all seems to have been forgotten, and even praised because of a couple of things, I'm guessing.  One probably was the fact that Blaine and Kurt finally got together.  It's about time.  Jeez, they've only been singing around each other for pretty much the whole season, so it's nice to finally see two boys kiss on primetime network television (twice!).  Kudos!  The second issue that probably had fans rushing back to declare allegiance to the show is the fact that it returned to spouting that "new" idea that being a loser is something to be celebrated because "it get's better'. 

Now, I'm not against the It Gets Better project at all.  In fact I'm wholly behind it.  I only mean to use the phrase as a anecdote that people spout because they're unwilling to really listen to other people's problems and share their pain, because while immediate pain is fleeting, that doesn't mean that there won't be more down the line.  Then Glee performed Pink's song Dirty Little Freaks.  And then the original songs that New Directions performed.  All good songs with a great message.  But the idea that celebrates being a freak is a little chalky to me.  I grew up as a freak/nerd/outcast/pick appropriate term.  I was never really accepted by my peers (and oddly enough it continues to this day, meh, whatever).  In any case, yay, celebrate the things that set you apart from others, don't be a sheep, own who you are.  Those are all wonderful messages when they come from pop stars(and starlets) and television shows.  But what nobody mentions that along with accepting your differences comes hardship and ridicule from those who are agents of upholding the status quo.  It's hard to be different or have different ideals or opinions, and you have to be willing to stick with it and deal with the crap that will be slung your way for embracing that.  Nobody ever mentions that. 

Now the reason that I mention that is that I read this story and I watched the video, and then I read the news story linked on the one that I originally saw.  Now, I'm not sure of the orientation of the young man who got attacked, but I feel for him.  I've never been physically assaulted in my adult life (and I work very hard not to be) but to be honest, I'm actually afraid sometimes that it will happen.  And I know that I don't have the physical wherewithal to protect myself and am pretty much solely reliant on my wits and my ability to talk my way out of things, which has served me well.  But I think his message of we need to do more is a relevant one.  With all due respect to the It Gets Better project, it's one thing to say that it gets better, but a whole other thing to work towards that goal.  I see a lot of talking, but I don't see a lot of action and or outrage at the state of affairs for Gay Rights in this country.  Maybe we've become complacent, but maybe we're victims of a society of distractions.  Or maybe we're just waiting for the majority of our opponents to die off.  Who knows?  But either way there's not much fire/passion/heart in the movement for gay rights, beyond a general agreement that something needs to get better.

As evidence that while we're talking and saying that it gets better, another young man ends up beaten to death.  Read about it here and here.  At the end of the news story (the second link) the aunt of one of the party crashers says he can't be a gang menber because he's anemic and weighs "like 80 pounds".  Really, it's impossible for him to be a gang member because of that.  I'm sorry, last I checked even someone with those physical stats and whatnot could wield a firearm, which is more than threatening enough. 

I thought about writing more, but I've been eloquent and indignant enough.  I got passed over for even the chance to interview for a supervisor position at work.  I was going to go more in depth about the situation, and wrote all about it, but then sense got the better of me and I thought I'd better not.  Since this is on the internet which even people at work can access.  =)

Anyway, I have to shower and go walk my dog.  Happy Wednesday!

Seriously am I the only sane one?

Ok, so maybe it's that I'm not really sane.  Maybe I've gone 'round the bend, and the rest of  you are sane but it looks like crazy because I'm a loony toon.  I mean let's get real here people.  Also, apologies for the delay, apparently the disparity between sanity and insanity causes synapses to misfire and I get some sort of mental time differential going on.  Either that, or, I just didn't care.  Anyway, apologies all around!

So, yes, I'm talking about some personal issues. My roommate for example, who is now engaged to her boyfriend/fiance after only knowing him for 4 months.  Yes, 4 months.  Not 4 months of dating after being friends for a year or two, nope, 4 months total.  Kinda crazy.  And don't give me that BS about sometimes it works, because the only way it works is if you give it time.  Period.  Any arguments to the contrary, especially involving my grandparents (who had a romance of the ages) are null and void, because of 3 reasons.  1) love like what my grandparents had happens for about 6 couples every year, and assuming that they actually stick with it, maybe about 3 couples every year will have such a relationship.  That's 6 people total out of 6.5 billion people in the world.  2) it was a different time and had different values.  People were forced to marry due to pregnancy because (much like today) nobody teaches anything about sex (more on that in a bit) and because they couldn't tell their parents to butt the hell out of their lives, and also because people died much earlier than they do now.  When the average age of dying is somewhere around 75-80 then that means that you had to get married at the ripe and worldly age of 20 something because you'd be dead-ish by the time your children were of marrying age. (ok so there were really 2 reasons under number 2 but whatever) 3) the love that my grandparents had was so epic it was nearly visible.  You could see a marked change in my grandmothers mannerisms and personality when she spoke of my grandfather, not to mention her physical posture and stance was completely different.  The kind of love that allows you to get married/engaged after knowing each other for under a year is so powerful it's nearly palpable. 

And then I get word that my best friend is moving into a house with her brother, his wife (my cousin, don't ask my family tree is convoluted, but not hillbilly convoluted), and their 2 kids.  A house which they are all going to rent.  But according to my source, my B.F. is going to be spending 90% of her time at her boyfriends house.  Clearly there's something wrong with this picture...

Anyway, onto other things.  I watched this past weeks episode of Glee, and while I'm completely over Blaine (who's not that cute anyway), I'm a little disappointed at the approach glee took to the whole sex ed episode.  I mean I understand that Glee is supposed to be wholesome family entertainment while a vehicle to communicate about bigger issues, blah blah blah.  Which means that you shouldn't be doing anything about sex, personally.  But if you're going to do that, it might behoove you to make an actual (or semi-actual) representation of High school students and what they know about sex.  I mean let's get real here, when I was in HS (nearly a decade ago, god I feel old) we all knew about sex and nearly half of us were having it.  Clearly things have progressed to the point that even the most sexually ignorant HS student still knows how it all works, if not having been taught by their parents/or in school, then they looked it up on the internet or from their friends.  Clearly Glee missed the mark on realism.  I mean, cucumbers causing pregnancy and storks bringing babies?  Really?  I would challenge anyone to find a HS student in the US that doesn't at least know the functions/mechanics behind sex.

So a comment on what's going on in WI at this point.  Basically, as near as I can figure, our new governor proposed a bill to actually fix the budget (which actual fiscal responsibility had been shelved for the future) after he spent 130ish million dollars on special interest groups, and said that getting rid of collective bargaining rights would help balance the budget.  The 14 democrats fearing what this would mean for their state and constituents fled the state so they could not be compelled to enter the capitol building and allow a vote (since only their physical presence in the building is required for measures regarding money.)  After three weeks of nobody listenting to anyone, the GOP of WI decided to strip the money provisions from the bill and vote on the collective bargaining rights, passing it (obviously) without the presence of the dems there.  Which they said they could do because the presence of the dems was only needed for measures regarding money, GOP removed any provisions regarding money, ergo the vote.

Now, I'm going to say that were situations reversed GOP would have fled and Dems would have done exactly what their opponents did, mostly because nobody is communicating/listening to anyone else.  That and politicians in the US are bought and not elected, and need to tow the party line in order to keep the money coming in.  That's all that's happening here in WI, and now in other states.  This is the US, welcome to the Plutarchy.

*sigh* Anyway, so I was doing some facebook-ing, or something.  I don't really remember how I came across them, except the princess ones.  That link came from a facebook group.  Anyway, since I'm a disney fan, I always like seeing art about my favorite disney characters.  So I present to you a dark take on Disney princesses, and really HOT Disney Princes.

OK, so not a lot of news, and a lot of opinionated bitching.  Welcome to the last week of my life.  Hope you enjoy the Disney stuff though!  Have fun.

Things I don't understand

As my state continues to find itself in the spotlight as information filters to those previously too inept to find it, and realize that they made an egregious mistake, I find myself not understanding a few things about how this all works.

I really don't understand how people didn't know that this sort of thing was going to happen if a member of the GOP was elected.  With the increase in the teabaggers, clearly that was the way the whole crapshoot was going to go, and anyone with half a brain could see that.  Ergo, I don't understand why this all came as a huge surprise.

I don't understand why the governor won't communicate with the unions.  They have said numerous times that they'd be willing to make numerous concessions in regards to helping to reduce the budget shortfalls, as long as they keep their collective bargaining rights.  Maybe they did make a mistake by refusing to compromise in the beginning, but both sides should be working and communicating  towards something that can get our state moving again. 

I don't understand that when we, the people, are called to do our civic duty and sit on a jury that we are told that we cannot allow our personal, religious, or any other bias to influence the way we rule as a jury.  We are to look at the law only.  But why can politicians not follow that directive when making and influencing policy?  Shouldn't the will of the people, who elected them, have greater say over how their elected officials represent their needs/wants rather than some party line or political agenda, or religious ideal?

Shouldn't news organizations be held to a higher standard that what we are currently doing.  When Fox news can show footage when talking about protests in Madison, WI that is clearly and obviously not in Madison, WI, isn't that misleading?  Now I watched the clip, and clearly the segment was about the protests in Madison, WI.  Indeed, they make a point of marking all the footage from Madison.  Then they move on to talking about people from other areas of the country, coming to Wisconsin to protest.  While doing this they show footage of a union protest turning sour.  Clearly it is misleading, as they want to instill in the minds of viewers that protests in Wisconsin are not peaceful, and that is bad form.

So while things in Wisconsin are going wonky, some Teabaggers want to take us huge steps backward on the right to vote.  I mean, clearly this is the overtones of an agenda to turn the clock back for the US, and take us back to a grossly outrageous class-ist system, as if we're not already living in a Plutarchy.  If you're confused it's an amalgamation of the words Oligarchy and Plutocracy. 

In other news, I have remained employed for one continuous year.  I'm grateful and whatnot, but after overdrawing my bank account, I'm realizing that this whole living paycheck to paycheck thing is a pain in the ass.  *le sigh* I'm just hoping that this all doesn't go on too much longer.  I mean as it is I'm hoping for the end of the world next year, because things just aren't getting better.  Blah!

Sorry for the short bitchy post, but I'm overwhelmed with Wisconsin drama, and not much else is going on.  See you next week!

Delay's be gone!

Well I think that's an appropriate title for a blog post regarding teh announcement today from Washington to stop defending DOMA in regards to it's civic definition of marriage.  Delays be gone!  So, here's the thing.  I have an issue with the "gay marriage debate" and an opinion that most people don't want to hear, because I don't toe the party line as far as the gay viewpoint.  Another article I read this week made me smile, since I now know I'm not alone with not being in line with the common thoughts on gay issues.

So, gay marriage.  There's two separate issues in regard to this issue in the legality of gay marriage that I can see, and one opinion of my own.  One is the definition of marriage.  Two is the separation/joining of civil benefits with a traditionally religious institution.  My opinion is that we [the gay community] shouldn't want anything to do with such a hetero tradition anyway. 

So the definition issue.  Marriage has two definitions.  One of them is (as much as gay activists dislike it) a traditional, historical, and biblical definition that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.  The other definition, as I see it, is that of a contract between two individuals in regards to how their government views them.  Like it or not, marriage has ceased to be strictly a religious institution because of the number of civil benefits associated with it. 

This brings me to the second issue of marriage.  That of the number of civil benefits it gives, contrasted by the religious benefits.  Of the latter there are none, aside from the intangible.  The idea that God now sees you as one person.  Of the former there are numerous (too numerous to name) but a few of them pertain to hospital visitation rights, joint property, inheritance, medical power of attorney, etc.  In my opinion marriage stopped being a religious institution the minute the benefits of the government outweighed the benefits the church gives you.  Also, when that happened, the definition changed to be that of a contract, and the rights of the people afforded them under the Constitution of the US became applicable. 

My personal issue: since the inception of the "gay community" we have had our own, pretty much everything.  Our own neighborhoods, bars, businesses, etc.  And we have fought for equal treatment in nearly everything, despite the only difference we collectively share that separates us is a preference to engage in sex acts with a member of the same sex.  But we still want a part of that hetero idea of marriage, for some reason.  I guess it is so we can be considered truly equal to the average hetero.  But why can't we be content with something that has a different name, and gives the same benefits according to the government?  If you think about it that way (I do at least) the whole argument is over a name.

The entire article that spawned the above, would be found here, because President Obama has finally decided that the contract definition of marriage should be paramount and therefore all US citizens rights should be protected and not discriminated against.

On to other things.  I was very happy to read that another 'Mo finally had the guts to publicly say something that I have thought and said since I came out.  You can find out what was said here.  And I for one am very glad that they haven't found any way to determine why a person is homosexual.  Because if they did determine it to be biological, they'd figure out a way to screen for it, and that would open up a whole different can of worms.

Going in a completely different direction, I was watching the Glee that we recorded last night, and saw a preview/commercial for this movie and I was pretty irked.  I mean the story is basically a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast, as far as I can see.  And those retellings aren't getting any better.  I mean they turn a pretty boy ugly and tell him he'll stay that way unless he finds someone to love him.  That's not really making it easier for those of us who don't have "movie star looks", you know?

What I would like to see is a take on Beauty and the Beast where the beast is turned into a horrible monstrous and animalistic thing, a la the Disney version, with the same sort of curse, be this way until you find someone to love you as you are.  Then enter the prince(ess), a young man wandering in the middle of nowhere, who finds himself in the company of said beast.  They fall in love, and the curse is lifted, but when the beast's true form is revealed, its really a prince/guy, thus proving that love really is blind.  Although I'm not sure if my version has a happy ending or not yet.  I'd like it to, but there's no telling.

Now some sad news, at least to me, is that one of the co-producers of the visually stunning, if a bit plot lack-luster, Chronicles of Narnia movies passed away.  He was also the author of a book about a gay teen with superpowers, which makes his works on the christian-ish narnia movies very interesting.  The article that I found reporting on his death can be found here. 

In regards to the dissent in my state, I have only to say that I'm not going to write about it here, save this paragraph and anything already written.  I'm in support of the protesters because I disagree with Gov. Walker's method, which is (as far as I can see it) going outside of the democratic process.  This clip, from MSNBC by State Rep. Gordon Hintz, exemplifies my feelings, if not my vehemence.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

And someone in this country ought to have a job that is protected, since all private sector workers are basically at will employees and can be fired at any time for any reason.  But I agree with the opposite, in that unions can get too big for their britches and overstep their bounds.  But the fact is that we live in a country that has a fundamentally broken system on all levels, and until we rectify that, nothing constructive and productive can come from this nation.

So while my state tears itself apart, my delays keep happening

So my delays have absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Wisconsin seems on the verge of implosion.  I'm pretty sure if this goes on for much longer, there'll just be a huge hole where the state used to be filled with cheeze floating in beer/booze and viscera.  Gov. Walker apparently wants to toe the party line and rid out state workers of collective bargaining rights and effectively de-unionize the state. 

Now, there are two issues with this.  One being that I think that with the rise of the private sector and the power that it has gained since the Reagan years and the deregularion of the US pretty much, that unions are just as necessary as they were when they first began in order to protect the rights of US workers across the nation, not only in Wisconsin.  Assuming that any of these major corporations has employees in the US aside from CEO's and the like, their rights need to be looked after.

That is not to say that Unions are the best thing in the world.  Like any institution that exists for any length of time, unions have the chance to become as corrupt as the corporations that they were created to protect against.  I think that this is usually due to money and where it comes from.  Much like lobbyists, people pay money to a union to "support" it, but really paying to make sure certain interests are looked after as far as the union is concerned.

This brings me to issue two.  After seeing my home state on the verge of implosion, I have to wonder at what point does following a party line fail?  At what point does loyalty to a political ideal or a religious one for that matter, overshadow the blatant needs of the people?  And when are the people in charge of this country going to start asking themselves this questions?

There are a few facts that people seem to overlook.  People in this country need Jobs to pay for things, and they're aren't any to be had.  The price of things necessary to live (food, housing, etc...) is getting to be outrageous.  The money paid to keep people healthy and not die is astronomical and sending numerous people into bankruptcy.  Because people aren't working/can't find work they're falling back on government programs designed to help them for a short time and overtaxing the system because the programs weren't designed to be a long term fix. 


I am not an politician nor an economist but after being unemployed and nearly homeless, these are issues that I have noticed.  These are issues that need to be addressed in a frank and rational manner.  I'm sure there are multiple ways to fix the issues, and I have a feeling nearly all of them (due to the over politicized and dual political party nature of our country) there will have to be some compromise.  But, in reference to the issue above, neither party is really willing to give any ground on the issues because they're too wrapped up in their own party ideals to take a step back and really do what needs to be done.


Ok, so now I'm finished with the really deep part of the post.  So the reason why I'm delayed is because of not having a computer caused a number of things to build up that needed to be typed and read and printed, and some of them were time sensitivity, ergo when I got a computer I needed to work hardcore on some of them.  So aside from running errands, and my other bi-weekly D&D game (I leveled from 4 to 5 in Wiz and Clr meaning 3rd level spells, YAY!  Bonus points if this made you smile and/or giggle) I was working all day on other stuff, which led to the delay.


So here's something.  One of my NYR's was to give up something from my past (I won't get into all the sordid details) but suffice it to say I wrote a letter expressing all my feelings and put it in an envelope and put it in a box, content to let that piece of paper shoulder my burden.  Which from Jan1 it has.  Last night I had a (good/decent) dream about the thing I was letting go.  I'm not sure what to do with that.  I'm inclined to ignore it and just move on with my life, but how are you supposed to give up something/let something go if your subconscious keeps reminding you of that which you're supposed to be giving up.  Blarg.


So, I was perusing news and I came across this article.  Now, I thought that sexual orientation wasn't supposed to change, but according to this guy it's as easy as flipping a switch. *quirks eyebrow*  Really?  I smell BS.  And then he claimed that he OD'd on Mucinex?  Come on!  You don't shoot someone with a pistol, a shotgun, and then axe them all to hell while on Mucinex.  Mostly because if you're on Mucinex, you're probably too sick to to anyting much less shoot someone and axe them into oblivion. 


And then there's the huge news that this article goes on to say.  Which living in the State/City where the university is located, I have to say "really?"  As if this is big news.  But there again, as my state tears itself apart, other news stories get publicity. 


I think that this article, while having an inflammatory headline, is really good.  I'd like to write a similar letter to my college explaining how things changed and how I was treated differently by people after I came out.  And how a lot of people stopped talking to me and I lost a lot of people I considered to be friends after I came out.  It didn't seem like such a big but apparently it got around. 


Oh well, here's the blog, I'm updating regularly, and I have a computer again.  YAY!  So here's to a blog update on time next week!

All Things New

So in an effort to supplant my desire to work on nothing but gaming stuff tomorrow since I'm writing this from my new netbook which I have developed a sincere fondness for at this point (probably because it's the first computer I've had in approximately a year and a half). 

Anyway, I'm planning on blogging tomorrow since my computer powers have been restored and seem to be better than ever.  So I bid you farewell until tomorrow when I can give this sturdy netbook a run for it's money.

Hopefully the last delay & Good news

Well, in the spirit of last week, there was unexpected delays for the blog this week.  The computer I was using took a dive into the Well of Oblivion (gaming joke), after an epic battle with my gremlin and numerous viruses.  It seems that I have an anti-technologic touch, courtesy of my gremlin (I have named him Charlie).  I mean if you think about it the only thing technological that I haven't broken is my cell phone(s) and numerous remotes.  My old computer, external HD, VCR(remember those?), my car(s), My roommates old computer, my roommates work computer, it's just insane. 

Anyway, I have a backup computer now, and I have a netbook on the way.  Hopefully I'll get blogging regularly again on Wednesdays again by next week.  Yes, I saved up money every paycheck, since about last September or so, and finally had enough to buy a netbook so I at least have a basic computer again.  Once other fundage comes in, a nice shiny new gaming desktop is in order.  Along with car repairs.  Which should drain the aformentioned fundage.  *grumble grumble*

Things being as they are, however, I neglected to spend time reading anything newsworthy and therefore have no other fun things to report, and nothing to rant about.

Although, due to the efforts of an aspiring professional stagehand, I(we) have ended up with a surround sound system in our basement which is connected to a computer for music, and we have stage/club lighting as well.  Which makes gaming (D&D and the like) interesting, but I'm also thinking of having a party at some point.  We'll have to see. 

Anyway, happy Thursday!

This just in - Snow in Winter! People shocked!

And that's how I feel.  I cannot fathom that people are surprised that we (in Wisconsin) get snow, in winter.  Now, I apologize for the late blog entry, I spent yesterday digging the house out and getting my car unstuck.  All which went well thankfully.  But back to the point.  Every year, since well before the founding of the nation the area which would eventually become known as Wisconsin, tipped away from the sun during the winter bringing cold and snow.  It happens.  It's a fact of life that has happened every year since before the various people who are alive today.  So why then, if this happens every year, are people surprised and caught off guard by the fact that it is cold and we get snow?  This is not newsworthy people.  Just clean up, dust off your winter driving skills, and move on.  Jeez!

Nothing really noteworthy for me to comment on this week.  I guess aside from the unrest in Egypt.  Which is interesting and sad.  I'm not a proponent of violence but I guess I sort of admire the Egyptian people as they are finally rising up in opposition of a government that they are oppressed by.  Listening to Green 960 since I have satellite radio on my phone.  One of the show hosts there made a comment about what is it going to take for the American people to become so incensed as to riot and protest the treatment from the government?  I'm not sure that we Americans are capable of doing that.  I think we've become too complacent.  We just let things happen until it gets to the point that we can't handle it anymore, but then it's too late.  Things have moved to a point that no matter what we say and/or do, the system is rigged against us.  Do we have to wait until this point?  Or should we keep watch and attempt to make sure that things don't ever get to that point?

So, I guess the only other major thing going on is the ever present gay focus on gay marriage, now that DADT is repealed, more or less.  And while I'm a proponent of gay marriage, I have my own opinions about it, which I've shared before on this blog, I believe.  Somewhere..I looked and I can't find a link.  So maybe I haven't.  But that's a topic for another blog.  At least here, I can say that while I understand the importance of equality, I think that the extreme focus put on the Gay Marriage issue is ending up creating more opposition than it is pushing for the issue that it want's to achieve.  Mostly because people (some like me) are getting tired of the same arguments being thrown around with no real progress being made. Which is disheartening. 

Sorry for the lateness, snow removal takes precedence.  But I wasn't surprised about it, and like everyone else I'm not posting pictures...  =P

Onward

 I don't have anything to say about the State of the Union Address because I had to work and haven't watched it yet.  I may or may not watch it, ergo there may not be a post about my thoughts about it.

I will post about this article regarding some ads for Doritos that aren't going to air during the Superbowl (things that make you go bleugh) because...well I'll let you be the judge.  All I know is I find them entertaining and the one with the 2 guys by the pool caused me to laugh out loud, which doesn't often happen due to a commercial.  

Channeling the spirit of Carlin, I've been doing all this writing and haven't started complaining yet.  The following is something that I've been noticing for a long time and finally saying something about.

A disturbing trend I've noticed in gay personal ads is that there's an increasing number of "straight" (note the quotes) guys who want to have sex with other guys.  Sometimes even on a regular basis.  But they're not "gay", according to them.  Can I just make one thing clear?  If you like to have sex with men on a regular basis at the very least you should be able to admit that you're bi.  At the other end of the spectrum you're a self hating homo.  At least have the self respect and stop lying about it.  And another thing, there's all this "discreet" crap.  I'm sorry, before I came out it was called "closeted".  Discreet is just a nicer/fancier term for "being in the closet".  If I'm reading a personal ad, the biggest turn off for a guy looking for another guy is to say that he is discreet or requires his sex partner to be discreet.  HUGE turn off.  And lastly we have the proliferation of the masculine thing.  They want "masculine" guys, not "femmy" guys.  Who determines what is masculine and what is "femmy", may I ask?  Is there a certain way to look, talk, dress, etc that determines the difference between masculine guys and "femmy" guys?  And why don't straight guys ever say they want a butch woman?  Just some things to think about.  Gay men come in all shapes, sizes, and such.  For a community that effectively preaches about openness and tolerance we are a very judgmental and  intolerant community.

On a completely different note, it occurs to me that the reason that equality can't move forward is because of numbers.  We [the GLBT/LGBT/LGBTQIA] community are still looked at as a minority.  And no wonder with the increase of members of our own community to indulge in the very things that define our community and sets us apart from the majority, but refuse to accept the label of the community.  I wonder if it ever occurred to some people that if more people admitted and accepted that they are a member of this minority community, those in power would see that we are greater in number than anybody thinks, and equality could finally move forward for a greater number of oppressed US citizens.

On to more important issues, like censorship.  Great fun this censoring of words and images to protect the impressionable young children of these "United" States from the horrors of the "Gay Agenda".  Read this article, and tell me that things have not gotten out of hand.  Last time I checked a photo of 2 men and a baby (of which there's a movie that isn't censored about 3 men and a baby) is not censor worthy matieral.  And in no way is it "damaging".  Not to mention it's outrageous to subject a family photo to the same censorship levels as Maxim and Playboy, simply because the parents are the same sex.  2 loving parents and their child is in no way damaging to anyone. (Update: the shields have been taken down, but putting them up because "some customers complained" not only is censorship, but also takes away the rights of others, and doesn't address the larger problem.)

An additional censorship issue can be read about here.  Rather than fight to keep the video in an exhibit to show contributions to the world of Art by Gay artists, they caved to mounting pressure and their principles have eroded as far as artistic integrity.  But this article moves us into another interesting discussion I think.

Another discussion which is illustrated in this article is that how is the LGBT community supposed to fight for equality when our opposition has the funds of the republican party to draw on?  Not to mention the funds of various anti-gay churches who throw their support (and money) behind such people.  Meanwhile homosexual individuals who sue or what have you and attempt to make a stand for equality must pay for things out of their own pocket with little to no financial support.  Granted a few of them find help with pro gay organizations, such as the ACLU or the HRC, but still a vast number of them [gay individuals] are left with huge debt in the name of making a stand for equality.  Blog posts, Facebook posts, and other such forms of protest are good, but ultimately empty if we don't stick together as a community and support one another with the same fervor and sense of community that our opposition does.  Without that sense of cohesive community, is it any wonder that we can't advance the cause of equality?

Wow, this was a deep post.  I didn't expect to get that into these issue, but oh well.  Happy Wednesday.

Interesting times

So, here we are in week 2 of the NYR of blogging more.  Although after talking with a friend of mine, I have amended my NYR, essentially to writing more.  I just feel that if I were to focus more on writing (and I mean anything, blogging, journal-ing, writing fiction, etc...) I might feel better with that sort of creative outlet. 

Anyway, on to the main event.  This story I came across when going to check my email (although I heard about it earlier than this morning.  I have said before and I will say it again.  I firmly believe that our elected officials should be subject to the same rules that a jury is.  They shouldn't let their personal views or morality (whatever the genesis of those beliefs may be) to influence public policy.  They should look at the concerns of their constituents and protect the rights of the people.  All people.

Next we have yet another story about bullying related suicide.  And while I find bullying reprehensible in all forms, I also think that we really need to look at all the factors before we jump to conclusions.  If you look at the bottom of the story, it says that the boys father received a call from the cororner about an enlarged heart and a coronary edema.  A coronary edema is basically another way to say Pulmonary Edema which is also Congestive Heart Failure.  More info can be found here.  That link also has links for more information.  I'm a proponent of ridding schools and whatnot from bullying, but let's not go tacking a suicide label on every teenage death in hopes of using it to support an agenda.  Sometimes people, even young people, die.  And while it's sad, it's not always due to bullying.

In an effort to help reduce the stigma and homophobia from black communities, not to mention help reduce the risk of HIV infection in the African-American communities, some communities in the NY area have been putting up billboards.  Naturally with such a prominent display of gay pride, even with the good intentions behind it, there has been issues. If you read the article it claims that a city councilman thinks it sends the wrong message to children. This blog/article (I'm not sure what to label it as) goes on to say that a daycare provider has issues because she doesn't want to have that discussion with her charges.  Whatever happened to telling them that they should ask their parents, and have parents actually do some parenting?  And (obviously) local ministers have issue with the billboards as it "goes against God's purpose".  Now I'm not going to get into a huge (and deep, and minute) theological debate, but if the purpose is supposed to be what is mentioned above, and also has the possibility of reducing violence, how is that a bad thing?  The minister is quoted as saying something about a 13 year old realizing they are gay due to these billboards.  Well, looking at a billboard isn't going to turn people gay.  Just so you know.  And how does showing guys playing basketball or standing with their families (the only two billboards shown in the articles) equate sex?  Fortunately the boards are protected by the first amendment, but there's no telling how long before someone finds enough issue with them to challenge even that.

On a happier note, in the UK a blow was struck for gay rights when a gay couple was awarded damages for being denied a hotel room.  Even though it happened in 2008, with the state of legal systems, it still sets precedent.  You can read about it here.

So while not the deepest and most provocative blog it's something.  I'm not really into blogging today, ergo shorter blog without much opinion spewing.  But since I need to write more, at least I'm getting the old synapses firing. 

The return...

Well, it's been awhile since I've been here it seems.  *cough* There's quite a bit of cleaning to do apparently *wipes away the cobwebs around the blog, sending dust flying*  Although it hasn't been as long as I thought.  But apparently the holidays makes 2 months seem really really long.  The only thing that makes me remotely depressed is thinking about where to start with my commentary on life in the new year.  Things have been good and bad all at once it seems.  Well, we'll do what I do when someone says I have good news and bad news.  I always take the bad news first, that way the good news seems better/makes the bad news not seem so bad.  I think.

A couple of days ago a seriously disturbed young man opened fire with a handgun at a grocery store in Arizona, seriously injuring and killing some people.  Among those seriously injured was Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-Arizona) and others on her congressional staff.  Among those killed was 9 year old Christina Taylor Green.

Now a lot of things have been said regarding this whole issue, among them that the young man responsible (and I believe he is and should be held responsible.) is evil.  I think that is a poor choice of words.  I would stay disturbed more correctly illustrates why he did what he did.  And I think that also shines the light into an issue that we have been ignoring as the political rhetoric and debate gets slightly out of hand around here.

Whether we like it or not, there will always be people in power who are in the spotlight.  Whether these people are movie stars, rock stars, politicians, or what have you.  The fact of the matter is that these people hold enormous influence by virtue of their publicity and the reach of that publicity.  With the advent of twitter, skype, facebook, and 24 hour news, anything that is said, even if it is off the cuff or supposed to be private, is nearly instantaneously transmitted around the world for all to read.  This fact holds in itself immense power, whether those subjected to it want to see it that way or not.  Blessings and curses all around.

Now, whether anyone wants to admit fault for the whole extreme rhetoric thing is not my point.  Just as the young man should be held accountable for his actions in the shooting, so too should politicians and others in the spotlight be held accountable (and politicians even to a higher standard because they are representatives in public office) for what they say.  Because while words are powerful (again whether you want to admit that or not) a person in the public forum saying things or expressing their opinions have to realize that with the exposure given to those words and ideas it is possible that those ideas could find their way to the ears of those who might take them out of context and such things.  So while the criminals should be held accountable for the crimes that they commit, looking for the contributing factors as to why they committed such crimes could help us to keep such things from happening in the future.

Now, along with personal responsibility, I could mention something about the recent comments regarding a Blood Libel by a person who holds considerable sway in the conservative political arena here in the US.  Now, I think it shows enormous lack of forethought and horrible judgement to use such a phrase when talking about taking personal responsibility for the things that we say and do.  A blood liable is defined as (an actual definition not touched by these comments was not readily available, illustrating the instantaneous-ness of the transmission of information via the internet) an anti-Semitic lie regarding the killing of christian children for the purposes of using their blood for their religious rituals.  (It was the best "definition" I could find, if I'm incorrect please let me know and I'll correct it immediately.)   After looking up the actual definition of the term, I think that this particular person should exercise a great deal more forethought before she lets loose her comments, thoughts, and opinions into the public arena.

In other news, a massive fish kill and bird kill in Arkansas happened in recent weeks.  (I know I'm a little behind in the news, we'll get there in a minute).  But what you don't know is that come Christian leaders are claiming that the deaths of the wildlife are directly related to the repeal of the "Don't Ask Don't Tell".  Cindy Jacobs appears on a YouTube video claiming that the deaths are directly related to the repeal of "DADT" because the nation is going against scripture and going against God.  You can see the video here.  (I'm not posing that vitriol on my blog). And yes, I will take responsibly for referring to her video as vitriol.  =P

Now, despite her appeal about biblical principles, which I could.  But it would take a lot of time and such things.  Anyway, suffice it to say that need I remind people that this is not an exclusively Christian nation.  Our founding fathers created a nation with a freedom of religion.  Which means that our nation is home to thousands if not millions of different faiths, all of which, according to the Constitution, have a place here.  To claim anything else, at least politically, would be false and not at all what was supposed to be.  Ergo, I believe that just like we ask juries on criminal trials to set aside personal, religious, and other beliefs, so too should we ask our politicians to do the same and cast votes based on the majority opinion of their constituents.

Additionally, Arizona passed emergency legislation prohibiting the protesting of *that group*, at the funerals of those who died in the aforementioned shooting.  To which I say, about time.  I think it's interesting that nobody made a huge stink about *that group* when they were protesting at the funerals of AIDS victims or the funeral of dead soldiers.  The claim was that members of *that group* have the right of freedom of speech and freedom of religion.  But, again I ask, when do the rights of the grieving trump the right for religious or political posturing?  Apparently at the funeral of a murdered 9 year old.  I just think it is sad that it took the death of a child for people to realize the horror of what *that group* does, despite the fact that the gay community has been dealing with their awfulness for years.

So, on a lighter note, a friend of mine inspired me to set some New Years Resolutions (NYRs) and stick to them.  I have 4 total, which while not a lot are all things that needed to be dealt with.  1.  Personal (but completed), 2 - Stop actively looking for a boyfriend.  I figure this is less negative than it needs to be in that I think of it not as a stopping of looking but a redirection of my energies.  3 - Stop doing stupid stuff (and yes this is a euphemism, and anyone who knows me knows what it means) and I've been relatively successful regarding it, but it's only day 12 of 365.  Let's see how it unfolds.  4 - Blog more.  I figure I've got Wednesdays off, I can spend them doing something productive and creative, which is researching some news stories and indulging in a little journalistic foray. 

Needless to say, here's to a new year and may it be better than the last.  In all aspects.  As always, I welcome comments and such things provided they are in the spirit of ongoing discourse about issues.