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.