Peace On Earth

It seems like Peace on Earth is a far off fantasy and that human kind are incapable of getting along with each other.

Well I don't believe that. I believe it is an obtainable goal if people could learn to put their differences aside and celebrate diversity rather than try to force other people to be like them.

We should try Peace - for a change.

I'll have 2 eggs over easy with ham and a new car please.

Can someone please explain how these three Senate items got grouped together?

• Money to support our troops
• Money to help Hurricane Katrina victims
• Approval of the Arctic Oil Plan

This is not only crazy but reeks of dishonesty. The only way I can think of for grouping these three items (and more) together is to try to pass something that would unlikely pass on its own. This practice has to stop and should be outlawed - especially for big ticket items like these. Each of these items should be voted on separately. To group them together is wasteful and political BS.

I applaud our Senators for (narrowly) defeating this bill.

Bad Cord Luck

I suffer from a condition I've decided to call "Bad Cord Luck". Let me explain:

Whenever I go to pull a garden hose, extension cord or anything else that could possibly get caught on something - it absolutely will get caught. It is no longer a question of "if" it will get caught but more likely what will it get caught on? There have even been times when I'm winding something up and there clearly is nothing around that could impede my progress. In that case the item somehow gets caught up in itself. Tangled messes are a daily occurrence for me.

This is especially evident during the Holidays with all the light strings, extension cords, garland, and don't even get me started on tinsel. After realizing this pattern in my life I've decided to find it "interesting". It also extends to other parts of my life. Traffic lights - always red. Checkout line at the store? You can rest assured the tape will run out or they will change shifts just as I approach.

I only have myself to blame for all this. Some years ago I prayed for patience. I've heard that God works in mysterious ways and I guess bad cord luck = lots of patience!

Vote for President Bush?

Today I saw a bumper sticker that read:

Support
PRESIDENT BUSH
and the Troops

Interesting how a President in his second term would need to continue to campaign. Personally, I think there should be a law that says a president may not be elected unless they receive 2/3 of the vote. It's dangerous (and a little sad) that half the country doesn't support their own president. We need to elect people who are more politically "middle of the road" instead of a person who aligns hard right or hard left.

A Life Of Death

Today the state of California executed Stanley Tookie Williams after over 20 years on Death Row. His execution is surrounded by controversy and rightly so. But I'm not going to comment on his guilt or weather he was rehabilitated or not. Rather I'd like to comment on the length of time he spent with a sentence of death on his head.

As I've said before, I do not support capital punishment - but if our laws support it why should it take so long? It makes sense to me that no one should be sentenced to death unless they are absolutely, 100% without-a-doubt guilty. In that case, it seems inhumane to keep a person waiting over 20 years for that eminent execution to occur. In my opinion, once the sentence of death is given - it should occur with 24 hours.

Over There

Once again, President Bush said in a speech today : "Our short-term objective is to stay on the hunt and bring the killers to justice before they hurt us again." "I'd rather be defeating them there than face them here at home." (excerpt from USA Today)

Meanwhile, earlier this week the 911 commission gave the USA a failing grade on their effort to combat terrorism here at home.

There is a HUGE problem with this theory: Where is "over there"? Currently, I suppose, it is in Iraq, or some other middle eastern country. But they are not the only country with disrespect for the United States. That list changes all the time and is growing very fast under the direction of our current Administration.

Republicans are always saying that Democrats "just don't get it". Here is what they don't get: If you focus on protecting our country OVER HERE, then you are protecting the country from ALL the threats. The number one priority in this country should be protecting us from terrorism right here - right now.

Empty Alters

So the new Pope thinks that homosexuals shouldn't be priests. Good luck with that! Personally, I don't think the problem is with homosexuals, I think the problem is with celibacy. It is un-natural for a human being (or any being) to suppress their sexuality. Doing so only creates sexually frustrated people who will eventually act on that frustration - regardless of their sexual identity.

This is a clear case of treating a symptom and ignoring the cause.

Just for the record, I do have a theory on why there are so many homosexual priests in the Catholic Church. The church teaches that homosexual conduct is not acceptable and so homosexuals must remain celibate. If a person is condemned to a life of celibacy, why not just become a priest? I can speak on some authority about this topic because it nearly happened to me. I thought of becoming a priest once for just that reason. Thankfully I realized that celibacy is a ridiculous notion and so I didn't become a priest. However, I was an alter boy for many years and never once was inappropriately touched by a priest - many of whom I'm sure were homosexual. So either there are many good homosexual priests, or I was just a really unattractive alter boy.

What's the Plan?

I find it hard to believe that most of the people who supported the Iraq war from beginning are now the ones screaming that we should pull our troops out immediately. It is a ridiculous notion that we could turn a country upside down for whatever reason and then just leave while they are still in turmoil.

No. Now that we have started this mess, we MUST finish it. While we do not need an abrupt end to the support from our troops, what we do need is a plan, or more specifically - goals. I think setting a timetable is a very good idea.

A timetable of some sort will help everyone understand where we are headed. It would help the troops feel like they are not fighting an endless war. And it would help the Americans (and the world) see what progress is made toward that particular goal. But this is where I think President Bush has a problem with the concept.

The President does not want to put a timetable on our actions because it could look very bad for him if we do not accomplish that goal. He has admitted no fault up to this point, but putting a timetable in place and possibly not meeting it would clearly show a failure of sorts. He can't risk that. And so it goes on and on and on with no end in sight.

Goals are good. The President should swallow his pride and set up a timetable for our actions. Doing so would not mean we would suddenly stop supporting Iraq at the end of the stated time, but merely give us all something to shoot for (pardon the pun).

Santa Is a Jew

I saw Santa Clause today. Well I thought it was him anyway - he certainly looked the part. He wasn't wearing his usual Holiday attire, in fact he was in normal business clothes, but he looked exactly like Santa - except for the yamaka.

I guess it makes sense. After all, Jesus was Jewish so why not Santa Clause? The fact that Jesus was Jewish is a fact most people ignore, along with the fact that he was also Middle
Eastern. The ironic part is that if Jesus were physically alive today most "Christians" wouldn't want to associate with him. They would more likely ask him to get off the plane.

I'm not sure if I even have a point in this post. These thoughts just occurred to me today after I saw Santa in a yamaka.

Chicken Soup for AIDS

It will be very interesting to see how quickly they can develop a vaccine for the possible Bird Flu pandemic. A lot of money is already being spent on the mere possibility that it could happen. Meanwhile, AIDS continues to kill thousands of people every day. These viruses cannot be that different - except for the fact that the Bird Flu threatens white heterosexuals as much as those "other" people.

Screw the Poor, Old and Sick

As if in an immediate response to my entry yesterday http://denbec.blogspot.com/2005/11/billion-here-billion-there.html, The Senate approved a budget today that cuts 36 billion in spending. Surely they cut some frivolous spending on minor programs - right?

Of course not. Here is what they cut according to USA Today On-line:

"The bill, passed by a 52-47 vote, makes mild cuts to the health care programs for the elderly, poor and disabled, but leaves the food stamp program untouched. "

That is incredibly revolting.

Power to the Man

Power was finally restored to my house today - 11 days after Hurricane Wilma. What a blessing!

A Billion Here - A Billion There

Spend, Spend, Spend - The Bush administration seems to be very good at it. Got an endless war? Throw 80 Billion a year at it. Earthquake overseas - throw some billions there (we should of course). A possible bird flu pandemic - it's ok - we got billions! Spending is easy - but where is this money coming from? Certainly not from increased taxes - perish the thought! There is an easier way - just borrow it!

I wonder what would happen if I quit my job and just charged everything? That's basically what the Bush administration is doing to this country.

Ask anyone who is trying to recover from serious credit card debt how their life is - they will tell you they are miserable. No one will give you any new credit and you pay outrageous fees on all the debt you do have. You can't get ahead because every time you try to buy something - you have to pay such a high interest rate. Plus things start to break and can't be fixed. It's not fun at all.

This country is in the same situation and will be for many years to come. America needs to get a better job! Either that or win the lottery. But that never worked for me.

A very big THANK YOU

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who is helping out down here in South Florida trying to get us back to a functioning city(s). It is a tremendous task and I see a lot of people working long hours in all parts of the effort.

Your work has not gone unnoticed!

Hard Habits

Ten days without power following hurricane Wilma and I'm still hitting that bathroom light switch every time.

Total Misunderstanding

I took offense to governor Bush's statement that we should have been better prepared for the storm. He is correct that we should all have enough food and water for several days - and some people don't prepare as they should. But I did. I had enough food and water and gas for about a week and so did most people that I talked to in the lines. But the number one priority within 24 hours of the storm is ICE! Without it - everything in the refrigerator and freezer spoils within about 24 hours. We simply can not store ice. FEMA should be aware that food and water are very important - but time is of the essence when it comes to Ice. Make helicopter drops if necessary.

How sweet it is!

My roommate picked up a couple of hurricane relief packs [presumably] distributed by FEMA. Thankfully, we have had plenty of food so far but he was curious, and so was I, what were in them.

As it turns out - nothing that would support life for long. Juice, Jello, sugar, sugar and more sugar. There was a can of raviolies, but that was the only thing that an adult might be able to eat - especially one with blood sugar issues like mine (hypoglycemic).

Is this what is considered proper nutrition? Even in an emergency - no - especially in an emergency, people need proper nutrition to help get through the mess. How many fallen trees can I cut up on a sugar buzz? It wouldn't last for long.

If the food packs were not from FEMA - I thank those agencies that did supply them. Even if they were from FEMA - thanks are in order. But some consideration should be given to what goes in them. Real nutrition is what disaster victims need to get through the ordeal.

Some Hurricane Wilma questions from my sister and answers

Sisters questions:

Oh boy, thanks for the update, those trees look really bad! That would definitely be hard to wait 4 hours for ice -- I can't even imagine.. . Wasn't that a Category 3 by the time it got to you? I thought the others were much higher, but it seems like this one did more damage. Things are probably just getting worn down with all the thrashing they've taken this year. You must have electric at work huh? Why don't you just bring a cot in and stay there -- if you're being forced to work anyway -- just a thought.

Love You!

Glad to hear you're hanging in there! Mom said you could always move back in with her :-)

Answer:

There is some debate about how strong the storm was here but the general consensus is that it was a Cat 3 when it went over us. Katrina and Rita were both Cat. 1 storms when they hit us but were much stronger in the gulf coast. I hope I never see a cat 4 or 5. This one was very scary.

We are on generator power here at work. No AC and our building had extensive roof damage so the carpets are wet in most of the building. They have the doors open to try to dry them out. We have minimal lighting etc. but at least we have the Internet!

After we got the mess cleaned up around the house it's actually been not too uncomfortable for us since we have cool weather and a gas grill with a side burner - a wise purchase I made this spring. We've been eating all the food that was in the freezer so we have been eating pretty good. But most of that is gone now. Some stores are open now so that won't be a problem any more. Gas lines, however, are a big problem. Lines are miles long and cars are running out of gas waiting in line (no electricity to pump the gas). I have about 2 days worth left (I filled up before the storm) so I'm hoping to get some out here in Coral Springs where where I work. They have power restored out here to some parts because the power lines are underground. My roommate was actually able to find ice and food rations before I even got up this morning. That saved me a lot of time today. Looks like them Bush folks are finally getting their act together. We have another one of them as our governor you know.

I actually wouldn't mind moving back in with Mom, except the cold and total lack of gay folk. LOL I'm attaching a couple of pictures that were in the newspaper.

Wilma was a bitch!

Copied from an e-mail to my family:

Hey all,
Just a quick FYI as I am at work today (not sure why - but my boss insisted). We survived reletivly intact but it was very a very scary storm this time. I really thought we would lose the roof for a while but thankfully, it appears to be OK. I'm sure you have seen pictures on TV on the damage down here - and it's all real. It looks like a bomb went off - especially downtown. Entire sides of buildings are missing. All the trees have been stripped of their leaves and many are not standing at all. It's almost like someone took a buzz saw and chopped everything down to house top level. Fences are down everywhere and it's weird to be able to look right through to other people's yards.
With all the leaves off the trees it looks like winter - but of course it isn't winter here in S. Florida. However, directly after the hurricane we had record low temperatures in the low 50s. That usually doesn't happen until December - but the storm was so powerful that it brought all the cool air from up north down here. It's actually a welcome change since we don't have electricity to run our AC.
The power is off to almost the entire S. Florida area, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach. The Star viewing at night has been very nice though! They say we may be without power for a month - and I believe it. Lines are down everywhere. Traffic is very complicated with blocked roads and no traffic lights at any intersections. It's not just that they are off - they are not there anymore.
I waited in line for 4 hours yesterday to get ice. We have plenty of food and water, but without ice everything spoils (and the beer sucks). You can't plan in advance to store ice because it just melts as soon as the power is out. We were also without running water for 2 days - but thankfully that has been restored. A boil order is still in effect.
I'm including some pictures - mostly of my big tree in the front yard. Keep in mind that it was whole and full of leaves just days ago. The pool has taken 3 days to get the debris out - including lots of shingles. We got it mostly out now but without electricity, it won't get cleaned up for a long time.
All in all - it's a huge mess. But, despite it all, we are in much better shape than those in Cancun. I can't imagine having to go through 3 days of a storm like that.

Maybe I'll throw the first stone.

Um........Mr. Pope? Do you really think that Jesus meant communion to be only for those that think they are without sin? Seems to me it should be the other way around.

We don't build hospitals for people who are already well. Why do we build churches for people who think they are already perfect?

King Tut's Bird Flu

Sometimes I wonder where all these new viruses and diseases come from. One theory I have is that they are not new at all - but very old aliments that we keep digging up. Whenever we open a tomb, or dig up a body for whatever reason, we expose ourselves to whatever it was that killed those people.

Of course I think it is important to explore history by exhuming ancient tombs etc., but perhaps we should be a bit more careful on how we do it. I think each find should be treated as a possible health risk, until it is determined how the person, or animal died.

God is not playing golf.

Is it possible that God spoke only once and we wrote it all down in the Bible and God has never spoken again since? Doubtful. I believe that God talks to us all the time. God guides us and helps us each and every day. If people would look up from that one book and open their minds - they would realize that there is so much more God wants us to know - and it's changing all the time. Listen - God is still speaking

Is it possible that God created the Heavens and the Earth - and then was done? I think it's unlikely that God is enjoying an early retirement. The Heavens and the Earth are changing in big and little ways constantly. How can Christians dismiss the idea of evolution when it is happening right before their very eyes? Watch - God is still creating.

Welcome! You're Late!

I've enjoyed watching Andrew Sullivan on "Real Time - with Bill Maher" several times over the last few years. After all, a gay Republican is always sort of an oxymoron. (he is gay - right?) Anyway, on the last show he clearly has seen the light about George W. Bush, and he is not alone. With the Bush approval rating below 40 percent it's clear that W's base is slipping.

But what did it take to make this change? An endless war without a plan? A slow economy and un-imaginable deficits? Record gas prices? A painfully slow response to a major national emergency (several of them)? Failed policies? Failed proposals?

Nope - none of that. The straw that broke the camel's back seems to be the latest Supreme Court nomination. Republicans don't care for her much - even though she is one of W's close friends. Now they are starting to take notice that George W. isn't quite the steady leader they thought he was.

But lots of us knew that long ago - even before the first time he was selected. And it became so very obvious to even more of us during that first term. Yet Bush supporters will follow - without question - no matter what. Only now are they beginning to realize what a huge mistake it is to have this leadership (or rather lack of leadership) in the White House.

So welcome Andrew. We are glad you, and those like you, finally see the light. But you are a little too late. Your vote in the last election would have changed history in a very positive way. And just for the record, you can still be a Republican (even if you are gay), but it's always wise to vote for the best person for the job, and not just for your party line.

Large Grade "B" Eggs

I've looked through the entire egg case at the supermarket and no Grade B eggs. Only Grade A.

They must be hanging out with the B batteries.

I'm still in "Shock and Awe" over Iraq

Top 10 celebrities I'd like to be naked with for at least 30 minutes

**Not necessarily sexually**
I'll update this list periodically.

Eddie Murphy (Because I've been infatuated with him since High School)
Blair Underwood (sexiest man alive in my opinion)
Brad Pitt (because who wouldn't?!)
Will Smith (Another very sexy man)
R. Kelly (because I already saw him naked - allegedly)
Taye Diggs (very hot!)
Ja Rule (Also very hot - I like his style)
Sean Paul (a new infatuation)
Madonna (because it would just be fun)
George W Bush (because it would make him seriously uncomfortable)

Partial Birth Murder

Ok - I guess I have one more comment on the abortion issue. The practice of the "Partial Birth Abortion" is barbaric, inhumane, and truly revolting.

Life support - Part 2

The subject of abortion is a complicated and hot topic because, like most issues, there is no cut-n-dried answer. It is a topic that is both religious and political, can be deeply personal and their are many ways to look at it.

As stated in my previous post I believe life is precious - born or unborn. Part of the difficulty in discussing this topic is the question of when life begins. Personally, I believe that life begins at conception. In my opinion, after that point we are dealing with a human life.

I believe that birth control is something that needs to be considered before, not after. But what about the "exceptions"? Is it ok to take the life of the unborn child in order to save the mother? What about rape victims, teen pregnancy, incest and the other complicated issues? Well they are all very good questions and ones I don't have an easy answer for. It might be easy for someone who is not dealing with one of those situations to give a firm answer, but in the lives of the people actually affected it is never quite so easy.

My biggest issue is with the phrase "a women's right to choose". In my opinion, this is completely ignoring 2 other lives involved - that of the father and that of the unborn child. The child cannot speak for its self, but the father can and should be able to. Many women take this life without ever even telling the father. It's quite possible the father could raise the child and would be traumatized to learn that he didn't even have the option. Of course I realize the huge commitment it takes to carry a child to birth - but a decision like this should not be made without considering all the many alternatives. Too often abortion is considered a first resort rather than a last resort.

The other big issue is the political side. In the last presidential debates, John Kerry was asked a very difficult question about abortion and I think he did an excellent job of answering it. I will close this topic with his response.

Q: Some Catholic archbishops said that it would be a sin to vote for a candidate like you because you support a woman's right to choose an abortion and unlimited stem-cell research. What is your reaction to that?
A: I completely respect their views. I am a Catholic. And I grew up learning how to respect those views. But I disagree with them, as do many. I can't legislate or transfer to another American citizen my article of faith. What is an article of faith for me is not something that I can legislate on somebody who doesn't share that article of faith. I believe that choice is a woman's choice. It's between a woman, God and her doctor. That's why I support that. I will not allow somebody to come in and change Roe v. Wade.

Life Support - Part 1

How many people voted for George W Bush, despite his obvious issues, simply because he is "pro-life"? Yet this man has a lot of death on his hands both as a Governor and as a President. Thousands of lives have been lost at the hand of this one man. How can that be considered pro-life? And it's not just him - there seems to be a clear double standard with the religious conservatives on this issue.

Abortion? No! Capital Punishment? Of Course! They also have no problem dropping bombs killing thousands of innocents "over there" in order to accomplish some political goal. So apparently "pro-life" to them really means "keep the ones we like". Its one of the many hypocritical beliefs of these conservatives that should keep this blog going for years!

I believe that all life is precious - born or unborn. The topic of abortion is complicated and I will discuss that in part 2. However, if you are going to call yourself pro-life, and cast your vote in the name of life, try to look at the big picture. I'm thinking far fewer lives would have been lost under John Kerry than George W.

I Scream

I try to choose my battles carefully - I like to fight for the little things I find unfair. But apparently I'm no good at it and here is an example.

I work in a warehouse facility that also has a corporate office in the same building. I used to go out to the warehouse vending area to get ice cream because the machine in the office didn't have the kind I like. Several weeks ago they replaced the machine in the office with the same type machine and it had those drumsticks I like! But the price was $.50 more than the warehouse. I sent an e-mail to HR asking why and they said they would check with the vendor and have it taken care of. You can almost guess what happened - they raised the price in the warehouse!

I was re-assured that the vendor had intended to raise the price anyway but I still feel it was my fault they now have to pay more. It brings new meaning to the jingle "I scream - you scream".

Revolting Packaging

I can not tell you how much I hate the hard plastic packaging that everything comes in these days. I bought a new shower head today that was buried under two layers of this insane material. If you don't cut yourself with the steak knife you need to cut into this crap, you will most likely get cut on the sharp plastic edges while digging out the item inside. That is if you didn't damage the item too.

Who decided this was a good marketing tool? It's frustrating, dangerous and just plain stupid.

Science vs. Religion

As a person of both strong spiritual beliefs and logical thinking, I think my views on this topic are very well expressed in the movie "Contact". If you haven't seen it yet, please do so.

Jodie - you never looked so beautiful. Matthew - you never looked so sexy.

Cause of homosexuality revealed

The religious, scientific and psychiatric communities have long debated over the root cause of Homosexuality. I have their answer:

Unprotected Heterosexual Intercourse.

It is no more a disease, disorder, or chosen "lifestyle" than being born with brown hair or blue eyes. Why this debate continues amazes me - just ask one! I will use myself as an example.

I was born and raised in a very (very) rural part of South Dakota - the 3rd of seven children. We only had one TV for most of our formidable years and only 2 or 3 channels that "almost" came in. We had very little contact with other people as we lived in the country. Our parents didn't allow us to sleep over at other people's homes, we were not involved in after school sports or other activities especially in the younger years. My parents were very strict Catholics and raised us in the faith. My parents were happily married and we were, for all intents and purposes, a "normal" family.

Yet I can remember having a crush on a boy in the first grade. Where would I have learned this behavior? And why only me and not the rest of my siblings? This feeling brought me much grief because it wasn't supposed to be that way. Trust me, if this is something that could be prayed away, I would have been released long ago. "Please God, let me be normal" I prayed daily from that first crush all the way into my college years. Mind you, I didn't have sex with anyone until I was 23 years old. Finally in my late college years I changed my prayer - "If this is your will God, let me accept it". Little did I know that both prayers were answered. This IS normal - and finally I can accept it.

The fact is I didn't learn it - I was born this way. I was created this way and so were millions of others in every place and every race. Why would God create so many homosexuals? I'm afraid I don't have that answer. But I'm pretty sure God does have a reason and I doubt he would be pleased that so many people are calling his creation a mistake.

Tiny Soup

I went food shopping today and I noticed once again that things are being packaged in smaller containers but selling at the same price - or worse higher prices. Do they really think we don't notice? I think I would feel better if they would just raise the price - it seems a more honest thing to do. Having to buy 2 cans of chicken noodle soup instead of one just feels like a trick.

Computer got a cold?

Here is another possibly paranoid thought that is related to the last posting. Why would anyone write a computer virus program? There are several reasons that I can think of - but one seems most logical. To sell anti-virus software! I'm certain a good investigation would find a connection between those that write virus programs and those that sell the anti-virus software. There is tons of money to be made on this software - but they need a good scare once in a while to keep it selling. Again, I hope someone can prove me wrong.

No Money in a Cure

They can send a man to the moon but they can't find a cure for the common cold? That is something my Mom would say. I would ask - They can clone an animal, maybe even a human but they can't cure cancer or AIDS? Why is nothing "cured" anymore? The answer is very simple. Money.

CURE a cold and the pharmaceutical companies will thrive for a year. TREAT a cold and they can thrive forever! I believe there are already cures for most things these days, but just think how much money these drug companies are making treating these conditions rather than releasing a cure. Go down to your nearest pharmacy - it's not far - there is one on every corner these days. Now look at the wall of products used to TREAT colds. Impressive, isn't it. Now look at the prices. Get it? Now factor in the big ticket ailments - AIDS, Diabetes, Cancer etc. And you can easily see why the pharmaceutical companies are thriving these days.

Maybe I'm just being paranoid. I would LOVE to have someone prove me wrong. What we need is an independent investigation of these pharmaceutical companies. But be sure to keep the Government out of the investigation - after all, these companies are big contributors to the current administration. We need to offer large rewards to "whistle blowers" currently working in these companies and give them protection after the fact. Once we can prove this is happening we will be a very healthy society. Until then - gazundheidt.

The Blame Game

The Bush Administration likes the phrase "Now is not the time for the blame game". This has been said after every major event from the Abu Gharib prison scandal to the the slow response to Hurricane Katrina. What this phrase translates into is "We haven't made up a good cover story yet".

In fact, the Republican party is very familiar with the "Blame Game" and they are quite good at it. How much of the taxpayers time, money and resources were used in the Clinton years on the blame game for everything they could possibly conjure up. Thankfully none of it stuck, except for that mess on a dress.

But now we are dealing with REAL issues. Issues that deal with people's lives. The Bush Administration has handled them all very badly - from the war in Afghanistan where they let Bin Ladin get away, to the war in Iraq with tons of misinformation and no plan to complete the mission, to hurricane Katrina where help simply wasn't there for our own citizens in a desperate time of need. It's not only time for blame - it's time for action!

We need to stop letting these people get away with murder. Yes, I said murder. When our soldiers and innocent Iraqis are dying every day in a war without a plan - it's murder. When people are dying because of a slow response to a natural disaster - it's murder. When people are still being killed by Al Qaeda because we let the ring leader get away - it's murder.

The Republicans used the blame game to impeach a very successful President for lying about a minor sexual incident that was really only a problem between him and his wife. I think it's more than fair to blame this Administration for the real issues that are affecting not only Americans but people around the world. There should be a lot of blame, a lot of people getting fired and maybe even an impeachment. Come on people- let's get revolting!

Why is the driver always the one on the cell phone?

The Other List

GLBT is the shortest current version of the acronym used to describe what some call our "Alternative Lifestyle" (Alternative? I'll get to that in another posting). For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the acronym, it stands for Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgendered. But this acronym is growing out of control. It seems that no matter how hard you try to include an entire group of people into one acronym - someone always feels left out. I recently read an article in Clikque Magazine that said men of color don't think the word "Gay" fits them. They prefer something like "Same Gender Loving". So the acronym now looks like this GLBTSGL. Pretty isn't it?

In the past we have tried to find one word that generally covers this group of people - Gay, Queer, Homosexual etc. No matter what word they come up with - someone doesn't like it. But I think it is a much better approach than trying to fit everyone into and endless list. Unfortunately I don't have a good word that might work. Any suggestions?

Perhaps what we really need is more vowels in our acronym. Maybe that's where words like "Alternative" come in. How about GABLOSGL (Gay, Alternative, Bi-sexual, Lesbian, Otherwise, Same Gender Loving)? Really rolls off the tongue doesn't it?

The List

We've all seen it posted on businesses, inside our employee handbooks and many other places:

"We do not discriminate based on Age, Race, Sex, Handicap, etc. etc." and bla bla bla

Each of these groups has fought long and hard to earn a spot on this list - and well they should have. Each is a very important protection. One of the current groups trying to get on this growing list , and one that is certainly close to home for me is "Sexual Orientation". Oh yes, I believe that sexual orientation should be protected because I believe in equal rights for everyone. And that is why I think the list itself presents a problem.

Equal rights for everyone should be a fairly simple concept. Why do we have this list that shows which groups are protected? In my opinion, every person should be protected from discrimination - Period. If you can prove in a court of law that you were discriminated against, you should be protected from this injustice. If I got fired from my long term job because my boss found out I'm gay - and I can prove it, should a Judge refuse this protection because my particular discrimination does not appear on the accepted list? I think not.

In my opinion, the list is not necessary. Furthermore, I believe the list itself creates a type of discrimination. That line in your employee handbook should simply say "We do not discriminate." Lets lose the list.

Not Ugly - Revolting!

The title of this Blog is a joke - but the reason I named it that is not. I believe this country is in a state of change - BIG change. The politics of the Bush Administration have angered a lot of people and this anger is building with each ultra-conservative decision they make. Our rights and freedoms are quickly being eroded away each day - and we are not going to take it any more.

Oh sure, the Republicans didn't like it when the Democrats were in control, but this is different. The Bush Administration is destroying the very foundation that this country was built on - Freedom, Liberty and Justice for ALL. Instead we are becoming a country that is run on religious beliefs instead of fair legal laws. There is a very good reason why there is supposed to be a separation of Church and State. Christian Americans may not agree with Muslim Americans on religious views, but most will agree with laws that protect our people as a whole.

Hopefully my opinions in this Blog will help people understand why this is important and how it is affecting our lives as Americans. I'm not going to sit back and let my freedoms be taken away bit by bit. I'm revolting!

A Dear Friend Passes

I found out on Sunday that a dear friend Martin whom I have known since I moved to Fort Lauderdale passed away last week. He and his partner Jim of 58 years were a fixture at our Church - MCC Fort Lauderdale. I am reminded today because I spoke with Jim briefly this afternoon. He is understandably grief stricken and my heart goes out to him. Martin was a wonderful person and I am blessed to have known him. In the later part of his life he suffered from various health concerns but always kept a smile on his face. He and Jim never missed a Church service if they were able to attend. They are an inspiration to me and many others in their commitment to each other and to their community.

I hope I do honor to these two friends of mine by using this opportunity to voice an outrage in this country. It seems absolutely crazy to me that after all these years together in a committed relationship, these two were still not recognized as a legally married couple. If this is not marriage - I don't know what is. Of course these two men didn't need a legal document to share their life and love together but it really is important. Consider the following:

• Any hospital could deny them the right to see each other because they are not considered "next of kin"
• They can not claim each other on any tax documents
• Short of a will, neither has any legal claim to their partners property
• A family member of the deceased could legally take away any jointly owned property from the surviving partner.
• The list goes on and on.

These things can, and frequently do happen in long term gay relationships - and it's a shame. As Jim and Martin have shown, Marriage is way more than a legal document - but the document is important none the less. And these rights are "Legal" rights - not "Religious" rights. When it comes to legal rights - every American citizen should have EQUAL rights. That's all we ask.

Rest in peace my good friend Martin. You made a difference in this world - to me and many others.

Something Amazing

President Bush declared yesterday that he takes full blame for the sluggish response to Hurricane Katrina relief. I'm not even going to say anything negative - that is a HUGE step for W.

It starts today

Hello, my name is Dennis and I created this blog because I need a place to vent. But I promise not to be bitter all the time. I consider myself a well rounded person and I hope to cover a variety of subjects that may be of interest to someone. Let me start off with the most pressing thought in my mind at the moment:

President Bush has only one thing to say to the victims of Hurricane Katrina - "I'm sorry it took so long". Anything else is pure BS. Didn't hear that? Didn't think so.