My Bus Slogan

Go on over and make your own. You know you want to do it.

And so it goes.

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Pope Benny's Latest Gift to NOLA...

Elevate some batshit crazy cleric to Bishop; you know, the Austrian guy who claims Katrina was God's wrath for the sins of the city.

VATICAN CITY -- An Austrian pastor who has been quoted as calling Hurricane Katrina God's punishment for sin in New Orleans is being promoted to the rank of bishop.

The Vatican announced Saturday that Pope Benedict XVI has tapped the Rev. Gerhard Wagner, 54, to be auxiliary bishop in Linz, Austria. It made no mention of the reported remarks about Hurricane Katrina.

Wagner has served since 1988 as pastor of a church in the Austrian town of Windischgarsten and received a doctorate in theology from the prestigious Gregorian Pontifical University in Rome, the Vatican said.

In 2005, Wagner was quoted in a parish newsletter as saying that he was convinced that the death and destruction of Hurricane Katrina earlier that year was "divine retribution" for New Orleans' tolerance of homosexuals and laid-back sexual attitudes.

Kath.Net, a Catholic news agency in Austria, released in 2005 excerpts of what it said were comments Wagner made in a parish newsletter in Linz about Katrina.

It said the newsletter quoted Wagner as saying that Katrina destroyed not only nightclubs and brothels in New Orleans, but also abortion clinics.

"The conditions of immorality in this city are indescribable," Wagner was quoted as saying.

For some reason I don't think that ol' Ratzy has ever read 'How to Win Friends and Influence People.' Reinstating the loon who insists the Holocaust never happened was proof enough, but this really nails it.

This is so bogus. I visited last summer and can vouch for the areas of the city hardest hit and they were primarily residential. Everyone knows the most 'sinful' parts of NOLA were spared the flood waters, but don't tell the Catholic Church.

Taxi! Drive me off this movie.

More later.

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Anti Marriage Donors Must be Public

So, no secrecy for bigotry - that's a good thing. From the AP:

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A federal judge has denied a request to keep secret the names of donors to California's anti-gay marriage initiative.

U.S. District Judge Morrison England Jr. ruled Thursday that the state's campaign disclosure laws are intended to protect the public and are important during expensive initiative campaigns.

Supporters of Proposition 8 had sought a preliminary injunction to hide the identities of those who contributed to their campaign.

The initiative was approved by voters in November. It overturned a state Supreme Court ruling that allowed gay marriage.

Reports that identify those who donated within two weeks of the election or afterward are scheduled to be publicly released Monday.

It's a beautiful morning here with bright sun, clear sky and temps climbing into the 50s. A walk on the beach is in my future this afternoon.

More later.
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It's Caturday

(sigh.)

Off to work. More later.
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Aretha's Hat: Seems Everybody Wants it...

Well, as a gay man I am shocked and amazed. I mean, even Tom Cruise wanted one. Haven't white people ever seen black women looking good in dazzling outfits and fabulous hats on their way to church?
The Smithsonian's putting together an exhibit on the historic Obama inauguration -- so of course they want Aretha Franklin's hat. The Swarovski-crystal-encrusted, big-bowed, hat-line-inspiring chapeau (to use Aretha's own word -- so chic!) has since acquired a sort of following of its own.

And as if Aretha needed help making a statement, the Smithsonian's now planning to give the hat an even wider audience. Will she? Won't she?

The full release:

The Inaugural ceremony of President Barack Obama on January 20 had the world talking -- about the official oath of office, the President's Inaugural address, the record breaking attendance, the adorable First Family, Aretha Franklin's gospel-infused rendition of the anthem "My Country 'Tis of Thee," and "the hat." The Smithsonian Institution has now asked Franklin if she will donate the now iconic Inaugural hat to the museum to become a part of an exhibit of President Obama's Inauguration, joining other items scheduled for display including First Lady Michelle Obama's Inaugural night gown. Commenting on the Smithsonian's request, Franklin says, "I am considering it. It would be hard to part with my chapeau since it was such a crowning moment in history. I would like to smile every time I look back at it and remember what a great moment it was in American and African-American history. Ten cheers for President Obama." The now-famous bow-tied, Swarovski jewel-studded, heather grey wool hat worn by the Queen of Soul seemingly took on a life of its own, becoming an overnight sensation worldwide in the media and cyberspace. Everyone from Jon Stewart on the "Daily Show" to the ladies on "The View" to Jay Leno of The Tonight Show" talked about the hat the following day, and Ellen DeGeneres wore an exaggerated version of the hat on her show. Women's Wear Daily (WWD), the fashion-industry trade journal sometimes called "the bible of fashion," wrote about the hat in their daily publication. On the Internet, people have created dozens of sites devoted to the hat and, using software, it has been placed on mug shots of Dick Cheney, dogs, President George Washington and the heads of Mt. Rushmore, among many others. The hat even has its own Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aretha-Franklins-Inauguration-Hat/71597018624). With the onslaught of coverage the hat generated, newspapers from across the country began writing about it: "Aretha Franklin's Inauguration Hat Becomes Overnight Fashion Sensation" (Detroit Free Press), "Aretha Franklin's Inauguration Hat Inspires a Line of Toppers" (People Magazine), "Aretha Franklin's Hat, Detroit-Made, Wins Global Acclaim" (Detroit Free Press), "Fans Flock to Copy Aretha Franklin's Big Bow Inauguration Hat" (New York Daily News), "Aretha's Hat Upholds Tradition Born in Churches of the South" (The Providence Journal) -- many outlets asked readers to voice their own opinions about the hat. Aretha Franklin performed at President Obama's historic Inauguration during the Swearing In Ceremony in front of an international audience of billions. Franklin is now recording and releasing a commemorative version of "My Country 'Tis of Thee."

So, this answers Sondheim's question, "does anyone still wear - - - a hat?"

I'll drink to that.

And so it goes.

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Openly Gay High Court of Australia Justice Retires

From the Independent Weekly:

Judge Michael Kirby, who retires next Monday, aged 70, showed courage both outside and inside chambers. Australia's first openly gay High Court judge famously "outed" himself with an entry in Who's Who.

A maverick in the often musty legal profession, the nation's longest-serving judge thought it was "uncool" to be predictable. So when it came time to give one of his final public speeches, he spoke in praise of a four-letter word he said had the power to extinguish human rights injustices, racism and discrimination.

"I refer to love," Justice Kirby said in a festive season speech in Brisbane. "Love for one another, love for our community, love for others everywhere in the world. I have always thought that the essential underpinning of fundamental human rights is love.

"Some Australians still did not love their indigenous people, consigning them to the outskirts of civilisation. So too with Asian people in the decades of White Australia. We did not love them either. So also for women and for gays."

It was the last that affected him most directly, never more so than in 2002 when Liberal senator Bill Heffernan used parliamentary privilege to accuse Justice Kirby of misusing his taxpayer-funded car and of trawling for under-aged male prostitutes in Sydney.

Senator Heffernan's evidence turned out to be a forgery, and he was forced to apologise. But it was the dignity of Justice Kirby's response that stuck in many minds.

"I accept Senator Heffernan's apology and reach out my hand in a spirit of reconciliation," he said. "I hope my ordeal will show the wrongs that hate of homosexuals can lead to."

Kirby did not come out until 1999, but thereafter quickly embraced his status as an iconic gay Australian. He visited schools and encouraged gay students to feel comfortable about their sexuality. He spoke publicly in support of gay rights, and opened the 2002 Gay Games, where he said the "unstoppable" movement for equality would eventually reach the four corners of the world.

As an Anglican Christian, he accused Sydney's Anglican and Catholic archbishops, Peter Jensen and George Pell, of reinforcing homophobia.

He campaigned for same-sex marriages, saying Australia lagged behind many countries and the relationships of gay couples could only be registered, "rather like a dog or busker's licence".

He won a victory late in 2008 when federal MPs agreed on measures which included equalising his partner Johan with the pension rights of the partners of other judges.

Read the rest HERE.

h/t MadPriest

And so it goes.

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Don't Mess with Michelle!

Of course she'd never say that.

It is so refreshing to have intelligent, classy people in the White House. I'm just sayin'.

And so it goes.

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Love Those Crazy Ultra-Christianists

I guess this wingnut mom didn't catch 'Prayers for Bobby' last Saturday evening. G*d how the stoopid burns.

You just can't make this stuff up. Found HERE.

More later.

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Snow, Sleet, Rain, & Fog.

Talk about thick soup!!!

The view from the big window is a swirling of all of the above and not much wind to speak of, but there is no sign of the marshes or the edge of the property, for that matter.

Fortunately, we've not yet lost electric power as some of our neighbors to the north and west. This apartment is all electric and with the temperatures in the upper twenties it would be very uncomfortable.

The good news is that the forecast for the rest of the day is calling for the mercury to rise into the 40s or 50s, so it will eventually turn to all rain and (hopefully) rid us of the snow and ice. The other good news is that the sun is scheduled to make an appearance tomorrow. Yay!

More later.
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Feelin' Good

Snow was supposed to begin falling overnight, but when I left for work this morning there was no sight of the white stuff. And then it happened. By the time I headed back to the apartment, three inches of light powder had fallen.

Roads were clear, but drivers were in panic mode and given a wide berth.

When I got here I grabbed the broom and cleared the steps and porch, then swept the snow off my landlady’s car as well as her steps and porch. Recovering from serious surgery for about a week, I didn’t want her to exert herself – which she is apt to do – and disrupt her healing process.

It was with joy and relief that I finally entered the apartment, shed wet clothes and boots, and slipped into a perfect Manhattan. There is nothing like bourbon to warm the body and extremities.

In warm fleece and snuggled in a comforter, I warmed up as supper heated. It was difficult to tear myself from that cozy cocoon, but the roast and veggies were just what this old body needed; I am full of comfort food, feeling satisfied, and will likely head off to sleep after the KO program.

Forecast is calling for another 2 to 4 inches of snow overnight, but since I am off for the next two days, I don’t care. Enjoying the sight of snow as it settles over the marshes and the anticipation of seeing water birds that will undoubtedly visit will be fine with me.

It's back to the cocoon now.

And so it goes.

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Truth Wins Out: Investigate Ted Haggard's Former Church

Hush Money Scandal Emerges From New Life’s Closet, Says Truth Wins Out

From Wayne Besen at TWO

NEW YORK – Truth Wins Out (TWO) today called on Colorado officials to investigate New Life Church, after the Associated Press revealed that New Life paid money to keep a male volunteer from publicly disclosing a romantic affair with the church’s former minister Ted Haggard.
According to the AP, New Life’s current Senior Pastor, Brady Boyd, said that the church reached a legal settlement to pay the man for counseling and college tuition, with one condition being that none of the parties involved discuss the relationship publicly.
“Until conservative churches stop shaming gay people and learn to accept them, we will see more tawdry scandals,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “These calamities are a direct result of the closet.”
Rev. Boyd denied that New Life paid hush money and said, “Our desire was to help him. Here was a young man who wanted to get on with his life. We considered it more compassionate assistance – certainly not hush money.”
TWO called on Colorado officials to look into the matter.
“Authorities should investigate to ensure that this volunteer was not manipulated or coerced into silence,” said Besen. “The leadership of New Life has little credibility and should not simply be taken at their word. At a minimum, Boyd should resign for using his position of power to pressure a vulnerable member of his congregation into silence.”
In 2006, Denver escort Mike Jones disclosed that he and Haggard had a three-year relationship where money was exchanged for sex. Shortly after, Haggard stepped down from New Life. Next week, HBO will air a documentary on the rise and fall of Haggard. The disgraced minister will be promoting the show in media appearances throughout the week.
There is speculation that the HBO special spurred the volunteer to contact a Colorado Springs television station to discuss the situation.
Truth Wins Out is a non-profit organization that defends the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community against anti-gay lies. TWO also counters the so-called “ex-gay” industry and educates America about the lives of GLBT people.

Can I get an AMEN?

More later

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Bella and Tara

I just stumbled upon this video and I had to post it. Just beautiful. And they say animals can't feel love.

Nice way to end a sweet smelling day.

And so it goes.

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