Sunday, March 30, 2008

Deep & Meaningful Pooh Character


"Pooh, promise you won't forget about me, ever. Not even when I'm a hundred."

Pooh thought for a little.

"How old shall I be then?"

"Ninety-nine."

Pooh nodded.

"I promise," he said.

Still with his eyes on the world Christopher Robin put out a hand and felt for Pooh's paw.

"Pooh," said Christopher Robin earnestly, "if I--if I'm not quite" he stopped and tried again --". Pooh, whatever happens, you will understand, won't you?"

"Understand what?"

"Oh, nothing." He laughed and jumped to his feet. "Come on!"

"Where?" said Pooh.

"Anywhere," said Christopher Robin.

Found this at that Kaeton woman's place (turns out, she's Tigger, and no surprise there) and had to try it. You can too, by going here.

I think I enjoy being Christopher Robin. In any event that's who I am...

And so it goes.
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It Might as Well be Spring

Fog, a fine mist, and a small flock of snow geese greeted me at sunrise as I sipped my coffee yesterday before heading off for the car’s 10K mile service and checkup. The fog and mist were a bit of a shock after Friday’s temperature of 82!!! Still, it didn’t last long and as I drove to the dealership the sky cleared and the sun appeared in all its glory. The afternoon was cooler, (well, it is March, after all) but brilliantly clear with a light wind off the Atlantic.

Dawn today brought cold clear skies, and a brisk wind. Yep, it’s a reminder that it’s still March.

I love it here. This place is almost magical with the view on any given day yielding many surprising scenes; from turtles, enormous frogs, blue heron, snowy egret, and a fox that seems to love playing in the yard near the marsh all by himself. Whenever he shows up I am reminded of a playful puppy. He rolls on the grass and seems to be having the time of his life. I know that while watching him, I am.

I would love to share these moment with someone special, but then if there was such a person I wouldn't be living here. Catchy one, that. Deep. Pondering. Needed.

Sometimes life’s joys just happen and you absolutely must be ready to savor what’s given to you and take in as much as possible. I did just that yesterday and plan to do so again today.

Well, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere so it’s time for a martini and dinner preparations. I am experimenting with an idea I had for shrimp scampi sautéed with fresh spinach, but not over pasta. I’ll not give anything else away, since you might want to fwow up. Hey, I’m Cajun and we try all kinds of things, so stay tuned and if it turns out well, I may share the recipe.

And so it goes.

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Dead Gay Soldier Kept in Closet by Media & Military

I regularly read posts on blogs of gay soldiers and sailors serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. Because of DADT these guys are forced to stay in the closet so they can continue to serve the country. This story from the Washington Blade burns my biscuits. Here's a small bit:

The death of a gay soldier in Iraq is drawing renewed attention to how the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy — and the mainstream media — help ensure that gays stay in the closet, even in death.

Maj. Alan Rogers, 40, a gay intelligence officer who served on a military transition team that trained Iraqi soldiers, died Jan. 27 in Baghdad from wounds caused by an improvised explosive device that detonated near him while he was conducting a patrol on his Humvee. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on March 14.

For sacrificing his life in the line of duty, the Army posthumously awarded Rogers a Purple Heart and a second Bronze Star.

Tony Smith, a friend of Rogers’, described him as “very positive” and “very outgoing.” Smith and Rogers worked together in the D.C. chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights, a group that works to change military policy toward gays. Rogers was out to friends in the Washington area, but “had to obviously be careful [about being out] to too many people because he was active duty military,” Smith said.

Rogers, a D.C. resident since about 2004, entered the Army in 1990 and served in the first Persian Gulf War and was on a second tour of duty in Iraq when he died.

Mainstream media coverage of Rogers’ death coincided with the grim milestone of 4,000 U.S. service members killed in Iraq and the five-year anniversary of the invasion. But the media reports about Rogers’ death omitted any mention of his sexual orientation. The Washington Post, National Public Radio and the Gainesville Sun, the local newspaper in his hometown of Hampton, Fla., made no mention of his sexual orientation or his involvement with a group that works to overturn “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Read the rest HERE.

And so it goes.
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Saturday, March 29, 2008

Torchwood Tonight

Here's a compilation from last week's episode. "Something Borrowed."



I am looking forward to tonight's episode "From Out of the Rain." And yes, I am totally taken with this show.

And so it goes.

Caturday!

I know the feeling.

And so it goes.
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Friday, March 28, 2008

Candidates Silent on Post Katrina New Orleans

Harry Shearer has been on top of this since the flood and makes a good case. I've been asking why questions about the Gulf Coast and NOLA have not come up during any of the debates, but here Harry puts it out there, but is anyone out there listening?

The president's head of Gulf Coast recovery, Donald Powell, has submitted his resignation, and, judging by the time that has passed without the naming of his successor, Gulf Coast recovery doesn't -- big surprise! -- seem to be a high priority for the administration.

Neither, according to Powell, does it seem to be one for those who would come next. Way at the bottom of a generally laudatory Times-Picayune writeup of Powell's farewell interview with the paper comes this, which should have been the lede of the story:

But none of the three U.S. senators still running for president showed much of an interest in working with him, he said. Powell recalled talking with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., a couple of times about recovery issues, but said he spoke with former President Clinton more often because of the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund. Powell said he didn't recall talking to the presumptive Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, nor to Clinton's Democratic primary opponent, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, although his staff dealt with Obama when he accompanied Lieberman on a tour of New Orleans in early 2007.

Well, no wonder none of them has anything of substance to say about the disaster in New Orleans, no comment on the movement for an 8/29 Commission to examine all the causes and deficiencies in response to the flooding of the city, no comment on the affordable-housing crisis still gripping the city, no comment on the deficiency in mental-health personnel and facilities still facing the city, no comment in depth on the need for a comprehensive plan for coastal wetland restoration to protect the city. And before you Edwards fans write in, his most substantive recommendation on his website's New Orleans section was for more cops.

Maybe, someday, some enterprising reporter (do they still have those?) will ask each of the remaining candidates for the presidency why they didn't show much of an interest in working with the administration's point man for the recovery. Until then, we're free to draw our own conclusions.

And so it goes.
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Thursday, March 27, 2008

Monday, Monday: Revisited

In a previous post “Monday, Monday” I related a story of the damage done to my car by an irresponsible dickhead and the experiences with insurance company, and body shops.

What an excellent experience this turned out to be for me. Having settled on a body shop, I brought the car over for an evaluation. A thorough inspection was made and pictures taken, then uploaded to the insurance company by the nicest, cutest straight guy who clearly loves his work. He told me what needed replacing, and made the phone calls to secure the parts as I sat in his office. After printing out the estimate he explained everything and gave me a date to bring the car in.

He said the work would take three days. In reality it took two. I was told they put their best technician on the job and I believe them.

The work has been done and I was amazed at the exact match of the paint colour. He explained that they use computer probes to match the exact colour of my car, meaning that any fading or environmental changes would be added to the mix so that the new parts match perfectly. And, by God, they do. You could see by the look on his face that he was as happy as I with the results.

I am so happy to have the car back. The rental, a Dodge Caliber, was terribly inferior to my little Toyota in every way.

So, I’m on the road again and even more careful of where I park.

And so it goes.
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Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Oh, the Places I've Seen.

I really need to include some of the other side of the world. Like, down under. This map shows where I have traveled.



create your own visited country map
or check our Venice travel guide

Although the map assumes I have been to Alaska, it ain't true, yet...

And so it goes.
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Monday, March 24, 2008

Judy Shepard to Sally Kern

I wonder if sweet Sally even knows who Matthew Shepard was. Matt's mom responds to Sally's ignorance:

Sally Kern’s comments hit me like a punch to the gut. I was enormously saddened that someone—anyone, really, but especially an elected official—could say such mean things about other human beings. We have so much to deal with already—the incessant dreary news about war, about the economy, about shocking crimes. I’m amazed that someone like Sally Kern found the time to push a whole new theory about who we should fear.

But as despicable as Sally Kern’s ideas are, she is of course free to shout them from the rooftops. One of the oddest responses of people who agree with her has been that we are trying to restrict her freedom of speech. In reality, the Victory Fund gave her a megaphone. If she’s that proud of her speech, she must be thrilled that more than 1 million people have listened to it.

No, the question isn’t whether she has a right to spew hateful rhetoric. The question is whether she ought to.

My son died nearly ten years ago at the hands of people whose hatred changed many lives that day. It hardened hearts and brought others to their knees. It shook a nation and enraged millions. At that time, I knew there was a window of opportunity that I could use Matthew’s story and my voice in replacing hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance. Through the Matthew Shepard Foundation, we are reaching young people who are at risk of being poisoned by the dark ideas of people like Sally Kern.

I don’t know why Sally Kern is proud of comparing gay people to cancer or terrorism, but count me as someone who’s listening now to people like her. She may be free to say people like my son are a threat to America, but when she does she puts other mothers’ sons in danger. I pray she doesn’t say it anymore.

I am so tired of all this...

Story from HERE.

And so it goes.
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Sunday, March 23, 2008

A Personal Meme

Tapped by Steve:

1. What was the last thing you put in your mouth? Merlot.

2 What was the last food item you touched? Hamburger.

3. Who ticked you off last and why? The dickhead to who hit my car in a car park and left without a trace

4. What would you change about your special someone? No special someone, but I wouldn’t want to change anything, or I fell in love for the wrong reasons

5. What is your worst habit? Attempting make everything right.

6. Do you make fun of people who are different than you? No.

7. What’s the best news you’ve gotten recently? Finishing my tax returns and discovering that I am due a small refund.

8. The worst? A friend recently had heart bypass surgery, but is recovering well.

9. You have $200 to blow…what do you spend it on? Nothing. It would go into the kitty for my dream cruise to Alaska.

10. One month to live…what do you do? Take that dream cruise to Alaska ASAP.

11. Who do you call first with any kind of news? Barbara

13. Who knows the most about you? Barbara

14. What makes you absolutely livid? Dickheads who hit people’s vehicles and shirk responsibility.

15. You can only have one makeup item, what is it? I have no idea.

16. What’s the last thing you dressed up for? New Year’s Eve 2005.

17. What television show are you embarrassed to admit you watch? None.

18. What band are you embarrassed to admit listening to? None

19. What’s you’re favorite ice cream place and what do you get there? No ice cream shop, but I love Moose Tracks and Triple Chocolate.

20. When you’re in a store and see this person, you try to not get noticed. Who would that be? What does this mean?

21. The dumbest thing you’ve done recently is…On the way to work last week I decided to stop for a fresh bagel only to find out that I had forgotten my wallet at home. Had to drive back to get it making me late and unable to enjoy a bagel.

22. The dumbest thing you’ve seen someone else do lately? At the supermarket checkout I watched as the bagger placed my eggs in the bottom of the bag, then as she placed my round watermelon on top. The look on her face as we heard the eggs crack was priceless.

23. If someone gave you a coloring book and crayons you would… Give them to a friend’s kids.

24. Favorite Disney character? None.

25. Favorite Disney movie? Fantasia.

26. My dream dinner party would be with Christopher Meloni or John Barrowman.

27. I would serve _____as the meal.: Steak, Lobster, braised asparagus, Caesar salad.

28. And after dinner ________: Whatever they wanted to do.

29. Last thing someone bought for you: Box of Godiva Dark Chocolates.

30. Someone pranks you…your first guess as to who it is? R or B

31. The last person you called a name was: The anonymous dickhead who hit my car.

32. How do you want to be remembered? As someone who tried his best to help others and one who worked for equality for all.


And so it goes.

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Saudi King Bitch-Slaps Cheney

I love to see headlines like this one, well not exactly like this one, in the morning:

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah in a meeting with visiting US Vice President Dick Cheney has rejected any US military strike against Iran.

King Abdullah Expressed his opposition to any US military strike against Iran, Saudi official sources said.

Cheney who arrived in Saudi Arabia on Friday discussed Iran's nuclear program and its increasing influence in the Middle East with senior Saudi officials, DPA reported.

Saudi Arabia, along with other Persian Gulf Arab countries, sees negotiations as the best way to resolve the standoff between the US and Iran.

The king also told Cheney that the Middle East should be free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, the sources added.

Read more HERE.

Happy Easter.
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Saturday, March 22, 2008

Cavalier Telephone Can Kiss My…

Last summer with nothing but turmoil in my life I endured a two month nightmare at the hands of, among others, Cavalier Telephone. The original post is HERE if you're curious about the background and details.

In late December 2007, I received a cordial, yet formal letter from attorneys in Richmond, VA demanding payment or the reasons for not paying. OK, so it was a collection letter.
I retrieved all the saved files, notes, bills, names and dates. I then wrote a two-page letter to the attorneys detailing in chronological order exactly what transpired, when it happened, and the result, or resolution, if any. Yeah, like that happened!

The letter was mailed shortly after the holidays and I’ve thought no more of it.

Well, you can imagine my surprise when I picked up the mail today and found another letter from these same attorneys. It reads as follows:

Re: Creditor: Cavalier Telephone Mid-Atlantic, LLC

Dear ******* ********

This letter will confirm that your account was placed with our firm in error. Accordingly, we have closed your account and apologize for any inconvenience.

Please contact me should you have any questions. Thank you.

Sincerely,
*********
In other words, Never Mind! There is justice, sometimes.

So, the company touting: “When you want it done right, you can count on us” (which I had to listen to while on hold for at least 15 minutes every day for a month) not only didn’t live up to it’s motto, they lost out on the money I was willing to pay, and a customer as well.

Christ on a Cracker the stoopid, it burns.

And so it (happily) goes.

Torchwood Time

A new episode airs tonight at 9 pm on BBCA, with last week's episode airing at 8. This clip is from an episode this season titled "Sleeper" and as usual, this show defies description. These are mainly funny bits from an otherwise extremely intense show. The sound's a bit low so crank up the speakers. If you're a fan, enjoy. If not, you might want to give a shot.



And so it goes.
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Caturday at the Movies

As usual, it's from HERE.

And so it goes.
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Friday, March 21, 2008

Then & Now

Have been thinking about my previous life and the events that ultimately propelled me forward alone. For almost 30 years this could have been my life song, until 2006.



Now, after two years, if I had a life this would probably be the song I'd choose. It's from COMPANY and ironically, it was cut from the original, but put back in for the (wait for it) 2006 revival. This is a video from that revival sung by Bobby (Raul Esparza) which I was privileged to see in November 2006. No coincidence there. Of course I cried at the time, but now I sing the song regularly if only as a reminder of my vulnerability. My only regret is that trusting anyone will be difficult from here on.



So, there it is. I'm in a relatively good place now, though I occasionally have disturbing dreams. If I ever do get involved with someone, caution is the call of the times.

And so it goes.
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Different Coverage for Black & White Ministers?

With all the hoopla over the video snippets of Obama's past minister, Cenk Uyger has a post up that responds by examining the ministers of the other candidates. Here's a bit:

Rudy Giuliani's priest has been accused in grand jury proceedings of molesting several children and covering up the molestation of others. Giuliani would not disavow him on the campaign trail and still works with him.

Mitt Romney was part of a church that did not view black Americans as equals and actively discriminated against them. He stayed with that church all the way into his early thirties, until they were finally forced to change their policies to come into compliance with civil rights legislation. Romney never disavowed his church back then or now. He said he was proud of the faith of his fathers.

Jerry Falwell said America had 9/11 coming because we tolerated gays, feminists and liberals. It was our fault. Our chickens had come home to roost, if you will. John McCain proudly received his support and even spoke at his university's commencement.

Reverend John Hagee has called the Catholic Church the "Great Whore." He has said that the Anti-Christ will rise out of the European Union (of course, the Anti-Christ will also be Jewish). He has said all Muslims are trained to kill and will be part of the devil's army when Armageddon comes (which he hopes is soon). John McCain continues to say he is proud of Reverend Hagee's endorsement.

Reverend Rod Parsley believes America was founded to destroy Islam. Since this is such an outlandish claim, I have to add for the record, that he is not kidding. Reverend Parsley says Islam is an "anti-Christ religion" brought down from a "demon spirit." Of course, we are in a war against all Muslims, including presumably Muslim-Americans. Buts since Parsley believes this is a Christian nation and that it should be run as a theocracy, he is not very concerned what Muslim-Americans think.

John McCain says Reverend Rod Parsley is his "spiritual guide."

What separates all of these outrageous preachers from Barack Obama's? You guessed it. They're white and Reverend Jeremiah Wright is not. If it's not racism that's causing the disparity in media treatment of these preachers, then what is it?

I'm willing to listen to other possible explanations. And I am inclined to believe that the people these preachers go after are more important than the race of the preacher. It's one thing to go after gays, liberals and Muslims -- that seems to be perfectly acceptable in America -- it's another to accuse white folks of not living up to their ideals.

Hypocrisy and bias in the media? Nah, couldn't be that. It's all because Obama's black and need to be scrutinized more closely. Yeah, that's it.

Read the rest HERE.

And so it goes.

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Wednesday, March 19, 2008

To Honor The Fallen of the Iraq Invasion.

The fifth anniversary of this disastrous mistake; Mars, the Bringer of War. This video was produced by Down with Tyranny: Turn up your speakers and enjoy.




And (sadly) so it goes.

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A Hero of Mine is Gone

Arthur C. Clarke was not my first love of Science Fiction, but he was the only one that made me believe what he was writing would be possible, some day. He and I have lived to see much of what he imaged become reality. Rendezvous with Rama, The City and the Stars, and Childhood's End are my all time faves. Here's a compact version, if you will, of 2001, A Space Odyssey.



Clarke died yesterday at age 90. We have only to read, or re-read his works to discover again what he added to the techno conversation.

R.I.P.

And so it goes.
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Tuesday, March 18, 2008

A New York Moment: Memory Lane

I stumbled upon a series of historic colour photos and "borrowed" this one of Times Square, taken around the time I moved there, shows the first hotel I stayed in - The Claridge - the Hotel Astor (gone, now) and of course, the famous Camel billboard that literally blew smoke rings over Broadway & Seventh Avenue. Click the image to make bigger for better detail.


I'd like to remember those days as the "good old" ones, but that's too easy. The city was crime ridden; gangs were everywhere, and Hell's Kitchen lived up to it's name. The tenement apartments were for the most part seedy, drug and alcohol infested. Now many of those apartments today have been cleaned up and are renting to theatre folks for high prices, of course.

Still I loved the city for the 18 years I lived there. Central Park was my back yard and the Cloisters my solitude. But, as the saying goes; nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. Not that I could afford it.

And so it goes.
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Monday, March 17, 2008

Great Idea

Knottyboy, over at Paper or Plastic is an artist suffering through this economy like the rest of us, had to take a job to make do. He put this up and titled it :"feel free" so, here you go.


Yes, I know, but the dream lives on...

And so it goes.
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Sunday, March 16, 2008

Open Letter to Sally Kern

I found this over at First Draft. It's heartbreaking:

Rep Kern:
On April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City a terrorist detonated a bomb that killed my mother and 167 others. 19 children died that day. Had I not had the chicken pox that day, the body count would've likely have included one more. Over 800 other Oklahomans were injured that day and many of those still suffer through their permanent wounds.
That terrorist was neither a homosexual or was he involved in Islam. He was an extremist Christian forcing his views through a body count. He held his beliefs and made those who didn't live up to them pay with their lives.
As you were not a resident of Oklahoma on that day, it could be explained why you so carelessly chose words saying that the homosexual agenda is worst than terrorism. I can most certainly tell you through my own experience that is not true. I am sure there are many people in your voting district that laid a loved one to death after the terrorist attack on Oklahoma City. I kind of doubt you'll find one of them that will agree with you.
I was five years old when my mother died. I remember what a beautiful, wise, and remarkable woman she was. I miss her. Your harsh words and misguided beliefs brought me to tears, because you told me that my mother's killer was a better person than a group of people that are seeking safety and tolerance for themselves.
As someone left motherless and victimized by terrorists, I say to you very clearly you are absolutely wrong.
You represent a district in Oklahoma City and you very coldly express a lack of love, sympathy or understanding for what they've been through. Can I ask if you might have chosen wiser words were you a real Oklahoman that was here to share the suffering with Oklahoma City? Might your heart be a bit less cold had you been around to see the small bodies of children being pulled out of rubble and carried away by weeping firemen?
I've spent 12 years in Oklahoma public schools and never once have I had anyone try to force a gay agenda on me. I have seen, however, many gay students beat up and there's never a day in school that has went by when I haven't heard the word **** slung at someone. I've been called gay slurs many times and they hurt and I am not even gay so I can just imagine how a real gay person feels. You were a school teacher and you have seen those things too. How could you care so little about the suffering of some of your students?
Let me tell you the result of your words in my school. Every openly gay and suspected gay in the school were having to walk together Monday for protection. They looked scared. They've already experienced enough hate and now your words gave other students even more motivation to sneer at them and call them names. Afterall, you are a teacher and a lawmaker, many young people have taken your words to heart. That happens when you assume a role of responsibility in your community. I seriously think before this week ends that some kids here will be going home bruised and bloody because of what you said.
I wish you could've met my mom. Maybe she could've guided you in how a real Christian should be acting and speaking.
I have not had a mother for nearly 13 years now and wonder if there were fewer people like you around, people with more love and tolerance in their hearts instead of strife, if my mom would be here to watch me graduate from high school this spring. Now she won't be there. So I'll be packing my things and leaving Oklahoma to go to college elsewhere and one day be a writer and I have no intentions to ever return here. I have no doubt that people like you will incite crazy people to build more bombs and kill more people again. I don't want to be here for that. I just can't go through that again.
You may just see me as a kid, but let me try to teach you something. The old saying is sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will never hurt you. Well, your words hurt me. Your words disrespected the memory of my mom. Your words can cause others to pick up sticks and stones and hurt others.
Sincerely
Tucker

How will she respond, I wonder. Probably won't just as she has all week. Looney Bitch!

And so it goes.
*

Ellen & Wanda Sykes Discuss Sally Kern

See the original post and audio in the previous post. This video is from a few days ago on the Ellen Degeneres show.


This ignorant wingnut isn't going away just yet. And she refuses to apologize. While the Victory Fund is leading the charge, others need to get on this story. Good on Ellen. I'm just sayin'.

And so it goes.
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Another Response to Sally Kern's Hate

Grabbed this graphic from First Draft where Athenae makes her case with "Coming to Get You":


Read it.

Where can I get me one of them pink tanks? It would come in handy during tourist season.

And so it goes.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Time for Torchwood

New episode tonight on BBC America with a repeat of two episodes tomorrow afternoon. Check you listings.
This is a fanvid compilation and "best of Jack & Ianto" from a single episode earlier this season.


Yes, it's a bit scary. Enjoy

And so it goes.

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Beatles Caturday

Couldn't resist. See more HERE.

And so it goes.
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Friday, March 14, 2008

FISA Bill Passes without Immunity

So, the House finally grew a pair and called Dubya's bluff (though I don't believe it's a bluff) and voted not to grant immunity to the telecom giants:


From The Gavel:
The House has just passed the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3773, to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to establish a procedure for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence, and for other purposes, by a vote of 213-197-1. The revised House legislation to amend FISA grants new authorities for conducting electronic surveillance against foreign targets while preserving the requirement that the government obtain an individualized FISA court order, based on probable cause, when targeting Americans at home or abroad. The House bill also strongly enhances oversight of the Administration’s surveillance activities. Finally, the House bill does not provide retroactive immunity for telecom companies but allows the courts to determine whether lawsuits should proceed.
So, if Chimpy vetoes this one he is truly with the terrorists and not for protecting the American people. Now pop some corn and be prepared for a hissy from the petulant putz.

It's time to celebrate; I'll have a dry gin martini, shaken, not stirred, up with olives, thanks.

And so it goes.
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Gibson's Gone!

And...another one bites the dust. h/t Freddie Mercury. It's another reason to celebrate. First it was Michelle Malkin, Melanie Morgan, then Tucker Carlson, and now it's none other than the FOX news comedian - John Gibson! YAY, everyone gets a pony, or a martini up with olives.

This from the NYT:
Fox News Channel, tinkering for the first time in eight years with its popular early evening lineup, is replacing its 5 p.m. news broadcast, “The Big Story,” with an election-theme program for the foreseeable future. The network confirmed this week that “America’s Election HQ,” a program that displaced “The Big Story” temporarily last month, would continue indefinitely. The program’s hosts, Bill Hemmer and Megyn Kelly, also anchor the network’s mid-morning newscast and are seen as rising stars on the channel. The change was first reported by the blog TVNewser.com. John Gibson, the longtime host of “The Big Story,” will continue to have a role on television, the network said, although it appears that his future for now lies mostly on radio.
I've never watched his show, however, thanks to Crooks & Liars I've watched some of his most outrageous tirades, and that was quite enough, thank you every much. His tasteless insult (Gibson called it a joke) the day Heath Ledger died and his subsequent lame apology may have finally done him in. At least I can dream.
The tide is finally changing and that's a good thing. There will be less screeching from talking-heads on TV now. I'll have that martini now...

And so it goes.
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Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Identity of OK Legislator Revealed.

You may remember my earlier post with video/audio on the homo-hatred of one female OK legislator recorded by the Victory Fund. Well, since the tapes were released, she has received, well, just read this from the Tulsa World:
Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, said she has been barraged with more than 5,000 e-mails since she made national headlines over the weekend. Most of the communications were critical, and several contained language that Kern said she has never heard before.

The lawmaker related some of the e-mails to Republican caucus members in a closed meeting Monday. She later said the group gave her a standing ovation.

Rep. Al McAffrey, the only openly gay member of the state Legisla ture, said he resents Kern's assertion that homosexuality is worse than terrorism.

"Gays are law-abiding; they pay taxes. Some have children," he said, noting that he is a father and grandfather.

Kern said she has made these comments about four times to various Republican groups and that apparently someone secretly recorded her comments at a meeting in January.

An audio presentation of her comments first appeared on a Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund Web site; then on YouTube. The YouTube file had received nearly 400,000 hits by Monday evening.

Kern said many of those who sent her electronic messages would deny her right to free speech.

"To put this simply: As a Christian I believe homosexuality is not moral," she said. "Obviously, you have the right as an American to choose that lifestyle, but I also have the right to express my views, and my fellow Oklahomans have the right to debate these issues."

Read the whole piece HERE.

A
nd so it goes.
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Action on Dems Caving on FISA

Just received this from Jane Hamsher at Firedoglake and I think she's right:

Dear *******,

At this point it seems that all is lost on FISA. It looks like in the process of negotiating a compromise with the Senate, the House will be forced to have an up-or-down vote on retroactive immunity. We shouldn't expect that vote to go our way.

But rather than getting mad while we watch the Fourth Amendment go up in flames, we're going to start getting even.

We've picked out some of most reactionary Democrats, and are turning it over to progressive activists like you to decide who the worst offenders are. We'll then run ads and robo-calls in their congressional districts to let their constituents know how poorly their Representative is representing their rights.

Go here to cast your vote and chip in to the effort to hold Congress accountable:
http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/getevenforfisa

We're starting our effort to get even on several of the Blue Dog Democrats: John Barrow (GA-12), Leonard Boswell (IA-3), Chris Carney (PA-10), Brad Ellworth (IN-8), Zack Space (OH-18), and Heath Shuler (NC-11). This pack of conservatives may caucus the right way, but they actively work to undermine progressive values, including sending a letter to Speaker Pelosi last week encouraging her to grant the telecom companies retroactive immunity.

Since the final votes haven't been cast yet on FISA, hopefully we can shame some of them into righting their moral compass and voting against retroactive immunity. If not, we'll make sure that each one of their constituents knows about it.

Vote on your least favorite here:
http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/getevenforfisa

Hopefully when it comes down to the wire, things will go our way, and the House Democrats will stand up for the rule of law. In the meantime, however, we would be naive not to start taking action to hold them accountable if they don't.

Thank you for taking action,

Jane Hamsher, Glenn Greenwald, Howie Klein, and the Firedoglake Team

P.S. This is just the first part of this effort. You can rest assured that we'll hold Republicans accountable for their role too.


And so it goes.
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Saturday, March 8, 2008

Homo-hatred from Oklahoma Legislator

OK legislator gets her Homo-hate on assuming that no one outside the hall is listening. Well, the Victory Fund was listening, too. And now, so can you. Clearly this legislator doesn't know the POWER we wield, uh, even as second class citizens. I mean, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, the Bermuda Triangle, flower arrangements, fabulous interior design, Movies, Broadway hits, well, you know the drill...



I feel as though transported to the Anita Bryant era all over again. Why is it that crazy straight folks know more about being gay than I do?

Found this over at JMG's place. One of the best gay blogs around.

I was getting tired of the fight until this election cycle. I haven't seen gays so involved in the political process since the 60s. Their sudden interest has energized me. I'm ready.

And so it goes.
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Lest We Forget: Pierre Seel

Mémorial de la Déportation Homosexuelle
----------------------------------------

In Memory of Pierre Seel (1923 - 2005):
A Key Figure in the Public Recognition of the Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals Dies at Age 82

PARIS -- The Mémorial de la Déportation Homosexuelle (MDH), the French national association that works to commemorate the homosexual victims of the Nazi regime, has announced the death of Pierre Seel on Nov. 25 at age 82 in Toulouse, France. Of some 200 men from the annexed French region of Alsace-Lorraine deported to Nazi concentration camps as homosexuals, Mr. Seel was the sole survivor who had spoken out publicly about his experience.

He was recognized internationally for his book, "I, Pierre Seel, Deported Homosexual: A Memoir of Nazi Terror," first released in French in 1994 and subsequently published in English, German and Spanish, and for his deeply moving testimony in the American documentary film "Paragraph 175" (Telling Pictures, 2000).

In a statement released in conjunction with three other French national gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender organizations, Bruno Gachard, president of the Mémorial de la Déportation Homosexuelle, noted that "Pierre Seel died peacefully in his sleep, leaving us the memory of his martyrdom. Through his example, through his kindness and through his openness, he enabled us to know who we are and where we came from." Mr. Seel was a member of the committee of honor of the MDH and had worked closely with the organization since it was founded in 1989.

In 1941, at the age of 17, Mr. Seel was seized by the Nazis in his boyhood hometown of Mulhouse in Alsace because his name appeared on a list of suspected homosexuals that had been complied by the local French police; the Nazis had invaded Alsace and annexed the territory in 1940, declaring it to be part of Germany. Mr. Seel was violently tortured by the SS, then sent to the Schirmeck-Vorbrück concentration camp in Alsace.

During his internment, he was forced to witness the murder of his 18-year-old partner, Jo, who was torn to shreds by guard dogs on the order of the camp authorities. After six months of severe privation and brutality, Mr. Seel was released from the camp, only to be drafted against his will into the German army and sent to the Russian Front.

Following the Second World War, Mr. Seel returned to France determined to establish a safe and quiet life. As with many homosexuals during an era when French culture continued to sharply disapprove of homosexuality, he married and founded a family.

He eventually established himself as a shopkeeper and later a department store manager, looking after his wife and three children--but remaining resolutely and painfully silent about his homosexuality and his traumatic experience of persecution. In his memoirs, Mr. Seel recalled this period of his life as "years of shame" from the unhealed psychological and physical wounds he had suffered at the hands of the Nazis.

After nearly four decades, with his children grown and with the French gay liberation movement well under way, Mr. Seel ultimately decided to break his silence in 1982. He spent the remaining 23 years of his life as an emblematic figure of the gay movement, playing a key role in demanding public recognition that there were indeed French victims of the antihomosexual policies of the Nazi regime.

The French government granted this acknowledgment only in 2001, when Lionel Jospin, then the prime minister, finally mentioned homosexual victims in his speech for the national commemoration held annually to recognize all French citizens who were deported to the Nazi concentration camps.

Historians estimate that the Nazi regime sent a total of 5,000 to 15,000 men from Germany and the annexed territories to concentration camps specifically on charges of homosexuality; the majority of those men perished before the liberation of the camps in 1945.

Paragraph 175, the Nazi law against male homosexual behavior, was applied in Alsace-Lorraine because the Nazi regime annexed the region in 1940 and regarded it as part of Germany; by contrast, the law was not applied in occupied France. With the death of Mr. Seel, fewer than 10 homosexual internees who have publicly borne witness to their experience are known to be alive anywhere in the world.

Mr. Seel is survived by his partner, Eric Feliu, of Toulouse; by his wife, from whom he had been separated since 1978; and by two sons and a daughter. After private funeral services in Toulouse, he was buried in the communal cemetery of Bram in France on Nov. 28.

There's more HERE.

And so it goes.

Friday, March 7, 2008

A Blogiversary! And I Forgot...

Thanks to a commenter, I was reminded that yesterday was the one year anniversary of this blog. Anonymous said:
What a bummer. Jesus, along with everything else, you can't seem to catch a break. by the way, today is OT's one year bloaversary. Congratulations.

Did you forget?

Good luck with the car repair and stay away from Staples. LOL

Yes, I do allow anonymous comments, but they are moderated. Sorry.

Hey, this place ain't much, but it's mine. God I feel the stoopid. I am amazed that in one year this site has received over 2500 visits. I am amazed by the passion and compassion of those who choose to leave comments.

Happy Blogiversary to us. I will celebrate with a martini. Hey, it's a good reason, isn't it? Well, it's the best I could come up with on such short notice.

Again, thanks to you anonymous, for knowing more about my blog than I do. And thanks for your visits and comments.

And so it goes.
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That Obama Speech

Hillary's sound bites this week have all included the same line; that while she has "been in politics all my life" all Obama has is a speech. Well, let's put down a bowl of cream for the kitty, shall we? I really don't like her when she gets agitated - because she gets ugly - and loose with the truth.

First; I didn't know 8 years in the East Wing was considered a lifetime. Does she think we're stupid? I'm just sayin'.
Second: It's unclear as to what speech is she referring? The one made at the Convention? Or maybe this one which really stirred my soul:

October 2, 2002

Good afternoon. Let me begin by saying that although this has been billed as an anti-war rally, I stand before you as someone who is not opposed to war in all circumstances. The Civil War was one of the bloodiest in history, and yet it was only through the crucible of the sword, the sacrifice of multitudes, that we could begin to perfect this union, and drive the scourge of slavery from our soil. I don't oppose all wars.

My grandfather signed up for a war the day after Pearl Harbor was bombed, fought in Patton's army. He saw the dead and dying across the fields of Europe; he heard the stories of fellow troops who first entered Auschwitz and Treblinka. He fought in the name of a larger freedom, part of that arsenal of democracy that triumphed over evil, and he did not fight in vain. I don't oppose all wars.

After September 11th, after witnessing the carnage and destruction, the dust and the tears, I supported this administration's pledge to hunt down and root out those who would slaughter innocents in the name of intolerance, and I would willingly take up arms myself to prevent such tragedy from happening again. I don't oppose all wars. And I know that in this crowd today, there is no shortage of patriots, or of patriotism.

What I am opposed to is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war. What I am opposed to is the cynical attempt by Richard Perle and Paul Wolfowitz and other armchair, weekend warriors in this administration to shove their own ideological agendas down our throats, irrespective of the costs in lives lost and in hardships borne.

What I am opposed to is the attempt by political hacks like Karl Rove to distract us from a rise in the uninsured, a rise in the poverty rate, a drop in the median income - to distract us from corporate scandals and a stock market that has just gone through the worst month since the Great Depression. That's what I'm opposed to. A dumb war. A rash war. A war based not on reason but on passion, not on principle but on politics. Now let me be clear - I suffer no illusions about Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal man. A ruthless man. A man who butchers his own people to secure his own power. He has repeatedly defied UN resolutions, thwarted UN inspection teams, developed chemical and biological weapons, and coveted nuclear capacity. He's a bad guy. The world, and the Iraqi people, would be better off without him.

But I also know that Saddam poses no imminent and direct threat to the United States, or to his neighbors, that the Iraqi economy is in shambles, that the Iraqi military a fraction of its former strength, and that in concert with the international community he can be contained until, in the way of all petty dictators, he falls away into the dustbin of history. I know that even a successful war against Iraq will require a US occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences. I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East, and encourage the worst, rather than best, impulses of the Arab world, and strengthen the recruitment arm of Al Qaeda. I am not opposed to all wars. I'm opposed to dumb wars.

Hillary, honey, lose the attitude. You're bigger than that. And, you're losing me big time.

Read the whole speech at his website HERE. Visit a while and learn more about the candidate. I am.

And so it goes.
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Thursday, March 6, 2008

Monday, Monday, Can't Trust That Day...

It was a beautiful Monday. Clear skies, light winds and a bright sun raising the temperature even as I drove to work. Monday is usually the day I run errands for the store. This Monday it was two simple errands; banking and a trip to Staple’s for two reams of printer paper.

A piece of cake, right?

Hold on there, partner.

While purchasing the paper at Staple’s, a matter of picking up the reams and checking out, (which took no more than 10 – 15 minutes tops) you can imagine my surprise when I returned to my car to find that someone had slammed into the front left side practically destroying the bumper (why are they still referred to by that name, anyway?) damaging the headlight assembly, and scraping across the fender.

No note, no phone number, no evidence of damage from the other vehicle. I couldn’t believe it. A hit and run. What have we become?

Stunned and angry I drove to the insurer’s office to file a claim. They were sympathetic and handled everything quickly and efficiently. I was told that an adjuster would call in about an hour.

He did.

Richard was soft spoken, compassionate and informative. He offered phone numbers of a few body shops in the area, as well as the local phone number of Enterprise Rent A Car.

Wednesday was a day off so I spent the morning doing laundry and visiting the body shops all afternoon (nice way to spend a free day!) before finally settling on the one that a few friends had experience with, and who were the friendliest, most informative and while not the least expensive, were in the middle range. The work will be done in about three days and the appointment is set for next week.

Now I may be old fashioned, but when I mentioned that there was no note, or anything for that matter, I was told time and time again that most people shirk their responsibility and just disappear as quickly as possible. Times have changed, I know, but…

Incredible!

And so it goes.

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Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Luke & Noah Controversy???

Who Knew? I didn't. That is until I received another hate email from the good ol' reliable American Family Association (no link) pleading with me to boycott Proctor & Gamble because the company is apparently spreading the "gay agenda" with two ongoing characters on the soap, As The World Turns who happen to be gay. Now, I am not much of a TV watcher, and I certainly don't watch soaps - I have my own muddy life and don't need to live anyone else's - but I have to say curiosity got the best of me. Found a few clips at YouTube. Nope, won't review the show, but the guys are sweet and cute and the show took some big chances in a few scenes. Unless, of course, daytime network TV has changed a lot since I've been away. The straight sex was always pretty over the top, but this is something else

Then I found this over at the Boston Globe. It's pretty long so here is just a bit. Go on over and read the rest:

Once upon a time, in the melodramatic environs of CBS's "As the World Turns," there was a boy named Luke and another boy named Noah, and they fell in love. They shared in self-discovery, made it through a trying time when Luke was paralyzed from the waist down, celebrated his miraculous recovery, and kissed onscreen. Twice.

Then they stopped kissing. And some fans were happy. And some fans got very, very angry.

They point, these Luke-and-Noah champions, to two major near-misses since. Once, during an episode of the soap opera near Christmas, Luke and Noah moved toward a kiss, and the camera quickly panned to mistletoe. Then, on a very special Valentine's Day episode, every other couple on the show shared a kiss. Luke and Noah hugged.

One gay-themed website, afterelton.com, created a running ticker of the time that has elapsed since Luke and Noah since locked lips onscreen. (At press time, it was 157 days and running.) After the mistletoe episode, fans - who refer to the couple as "Nuke" - sent bags of Hershey's Kisses to CBS. More recently, they've launched a publicity drive, blitzing reporters with long, heartfelt statements of Luke-and-Noah support.

"We appreciate so much that the show is doing this," said George Hinds, 29, a youth employment counselor in Cambridge who helps run the fansite lukeandnoahfans.com, and praises the show for airing daytime TV's first gay kiss. "The campaign is really here to let them know we think it's time to move forward. We think America can handle it."



Poor Donald Wildmon, the man is obsessed with everything gay.

And so it goes.
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Sunday, March 2, 2008

Displaced Katrina Evacuees Could Make History

For anyone who remains convinced that all is well In New Orleans, this one's for you. From Karen Dalton-Beninato at HuffPo:

When Hillary Clinton skipped visiting Louisiana just before the primaries, she sent Bill to New Orleans instead. After losing the state, Clinton attended Tavis Smiley's State of the Black Union Symposium in New Orleans and Barack Obama did not. She may have been banking on the 250,000 displaced New Orleaneans in Texas paying attention, as well as re-vacuees who came home only to have to leave again.

Former Texas gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman houses a New Orleans musician friend who splits his time between New Orleans and the Austin ranch. The estimated quarter million evacuees who settled near family or friends could be a factor in Tuesday's primary. As these voters sift through what Obama and Clinton bring to the table on Tuesday, they are also weighing continually evolving factors in whether to come home.

Two human rights experts with the United Nations have published a study weighing in against destroying undamaged public housing in New Orleans. The study stated that African Americans are being denied the opportunity to return to the city with viable housing. Reaction to the study in Louisiana's conservative blogosphere rivaled the anti-UN backlash from Operation Iraqi Freedom.

And New Orleans' housing crunch is about to tighten even more. The proposed federal solution to residents suffering from formaldehyde in FEMA trailers is to move them into apartments and hotels before warm weather makes the health hazards worse, but Mayor Ray Nagin has written President George Bush, warning him that the solution will cause a second post-Katrina housing crisis. Nagin has instead asked for gap financing for trailer residents to speed up repairs to their homes. Thousands of trailers are still parked in front of gutted homes while 25,000 residents work out red tape with Road Home, contractors and insurance companies.

Then there are those with no housing at all, as the makeshift tent village under the Claiborne Bridge grows. A recent study showed that sixty percent of those in the tents lost their homes to Katrina. Eleven percent are homeless veterans, despite Bill O'Reilly's claim that there's no such thing, and the majority suffer from disabilities. Just like the compound across from City Hall, the tents are about to be razed. Relocation was postponed on Friday because there are not enough mental health workers to staff the army barracks-style tent that will serve as a new shelter, and the Feds' Homeless Czar is coming to town on Monday to try to talk the Mayor out of the plan. Earlier this month, I interviewed Obama's New Orleans staffer as well as a housing activist, and the tents you see at the end of the video may be gone by the end of the week. (Sorry about the ambient noise - I didn't choose the coffee shop.)

As far as returning home, housing is a major factor, and flood protection is another. The National Research Council has scolded the Army Corps of Engineers for delaying a study to let returnees know the odds of another levee breach. A tentative risk study map with no supporting data was released last summer, but the final flood map, funded with $25 million so far, is still in draft form.

Concerns about adequate housing, strong levees, public safety and restored wetlands are part of the reason hundreds of thousands of new Texas voters are hoping the last two Democratic candidates have a solid plan. Many of those no longer registered to vote in their home state will be heard heard in Tuesday's primary.

With a comprehensive recovery still in the works, New Orleans Recovery Czar Donald Powell, Chairman of the Office of Federal Coordinator of Gulf Coast Rebuilding since Katrina and the former head of the FDIC, is resigning and plans to go back to his old career in banking.

Oh, and C. Ray Nagin is still an a**hole.

And so it goes.
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What Kind of Fruit are YOU?


You Are a Banana



You are mellow, easy going, and a total softie on the inside.

People find it really easy to get along with you. You suit most tastes.

And while you're very sweet, you're not boring or ordinary.

You have an attraction to the exotic, and you could show up anywhere... doing almost anything!

You are spirited, energetic, and a total kick to be around.

You're also quite funny. Your sense of humor is on the goofy side, and it fits you well.



And so it goes.
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Saturday, March 1, 2008

A Bit of Torchwood

Well hell, it's Saturday and another new episode is on BBCA tonight so I thought I'd share one throw away line from MEAT, an episode from the first season. I won't even attempt an explanation or situation, but here goes.

Have you ever eaten alien meat?
Yeah.
How was it?
They seemed to like it.

Ba-Dum-Pom

So here's a little video from a recent episode. Jack and Ianto:


More later.
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