Words are very powerful. Just one can make a big difference. Extremist politicians like to change a word to benefit their cause and sometimes it takes only one. By changing the word "Equal" to the word "Special" they have gained a big following because nobody thinks homosexuals should have "special" rights. Neither do I.
The truth is that we want EQUAL RIGHTS - nothing more and certainly nothing less.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Mutts are People Too
This is sort of a follow up to my entry entitled Put the Children First, only this time it deals with pets.
My Ex invited me to visit the other day and see the new puppy he had given his boyfriend for Christmas. It was a beautiful Boston Terrier that was just delightful and fun. But I was surprised that my ex would spend that kind of money on a pure breed dog. Back when we were together we always considered rescuing a dog that was homeless instead - or maybe that was just me.
Pure Breed dogs are wonderful and I have nothing against them. My only point is that there are so many pets in shelters every day that are put to sleep for lack of homes. I wish more people would consider adopting one of these animals rather than paying big money for the pure breed animal.
I'm proud to say that in my adult life I have rescued 3 mixed breed dogs who have been wonderful companions that I wouldn't have traded for the world. Thankfully even gay folk can legally adopt a pet!
My Ex invited me to visit the other day and see the new puppy he had given his boyfriend for Christmas. It was a beautiful Boston Terrier that was just delightful and fun. But I was surprised that my ex would spend that kind of money on a pure breed dog. Back when we were together we always considered rescuing a dog that was homeless instead - or maybe that was just me.
Pure Breed dogs are wonderful and I have nothing against them. My only point is that there are so many pets in shelters every day that are put to sleep for lack of homes. I wish more people would consider adopting one of these animals rather than paying big money for the pure breed animal.
I'm proud to say that in my adult life I have rescued 3 mixed breed dogs who have been wonderful companions that I wouldn't have traded for the world. Thankfully even gay folk can legally adopt a pet!
Monday, January 09, 2006
Preaching to the Choir
I'd like to make a positive difference in this world - possibly through my Blog. But it occurred to me that people really only read things they already agree with. So I decided to make a point of reading something that differs with my point of view. My Supervisor at work, who is the political opposite of me, had this book carefully placed in her office so I thought I'd take a look. The name of the book is "The Enemy Within" by Michael Savage.
I only got about 20 pages in and couldn't continue. What a Nazi that dude is! I sincerely hope all Republicans are not that off base.
This short literary adventure didn't change my mind or make me lean any further to the right. But, despite a bad choice here, I still want to read things I don't necessarily agree with - and I hope other people do too.
I only got about 20 pages in and couldn't continue. What a Nazi that dude is! I sincerely hope all Republicans are not that off base.
This short literary adventure didn't change my mind or make me lean any further to the right. But, despite a bad choice here, I still want to read things I don't necessarily agree with - and I hope other people do too.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
A Personal Message to Pat Robertson
Dear Pat,
Since you are always looking for signs from God in ordinary events, How about this one:
Hardly any church steeples survived the winds of Hurricane Wilma. Most of them are not back up yet. Isn't that interesting?
Since you are always looking for signs from God in ordinary events, How about this one:
Hardly any church steeples survived the winds of Hurricane Wilma. Most of them are not back up yet. Isn't that interesting?
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Sticks and Stones
You may have noticed on my previous post "Racism on the Flip Side" that I did not use politically correct terms. Actually, I did start to put them in but it got weird so I change it back. Native American Reservation just didn't sound right to me having grown up there and I've always been against the term African American because a lot of people of color do not come from Africa and may not even be Americans.
In most cases I do try to be politically correct but it can be quite difficult and frustrating. I think people today have just gotten too sensitive. Others have gone completely overboard trying not to offend anybody. Plus, the proper word or phrase changes too frequently. In my opinion, as long as you try your best not to offend someone, stay away from the obvious hurtful words, and chill out when someone makes an honest mistake it should be ok.
A gentle reminder of the word or phrase you prefer is ok too, but keep in mind that your word might not fit everyone. Also note that any word can hurt if used in hate. It's really more about semantics than words.
A previous co-worker's young child once said something that I found very amusing. Why do white people call us colored she asked, when they turn red when they are mad, pale when they are sick or blue when they are cold? I love the way children think!
In most cases I do try to be politically correct but it can be quite difficult and frustrating. I think people today have just gotten too sensitive. Others have gone completely overboard trying not to offend anybody. Plus, the proper word or phrase changes too frequently. In my opinion, as long as you try your best not to offend someone, stay away from the obvious hurtful words, and chill out when someone makes an honest mistake it should be ok.
A gentle reminder of the word or phrase you prefer is ok too, but keep in mind that your word might not fit everyone. Also note that any word can hurt if used in hate. It's really more about semantics than words.
A previous co-worker's young child once said something that I found very amusing. Why do white people call us colored she asked, when they turn red when they are mad, pale when they are sick or blue when they are cold? I love the way children think!
Racism on the Flip Side
I'm against discrimination and racism in any form and I often speak out about it. But I'm not only an activist - I'm frequently a victim and I've dealt with these situations my entire life. I guess it's because I'm often found in places that people like me usually are not.
I grew up on an Indian Reservation and was the only full blood white male in my graduating class. I endured a lot of situations and name calling that some of my younger sisters were not able to tolerate. For me I think it was a good learning experience. But that was years ago and I no longer live there.
My current situation is worse - because we are now adults. You see I am a gay man who happens to be mostly attracted to black men. I also go to gay hip hop clubs because I love the music and of course I like the guys that go there. Most of the guys in those clubs don't speak to me because they are interested in other black men and that is fine. But occasionally I will run into someone I've met previously in another setting - some of them I've known for a while. But when they see me in the club they want to act like they don't know me. I guess it's sort of "un-cool" to be associated with the white guy in a mostly black club. I do have a problem with that. I usually try to find a way to point it out to the person later on, which they usually deny. But it has happened so frequently to me that I know it is real and not imagined.
It's sad to me that people who have also dealt with racism and discrimination their whole lives would take part in it themselves. We ALL need to get past this and I urge people to speak out when they see things like this happening. Bringing it to the surface makes people think and could possibly bring about change.
I grew up on an Indian Reservation and was the only full blood white male in my graduating class. I endured a lot of situations and name calling that some of my younger sisters were not able to tolerate. For me I think it was a good learning experience. But that was years ago and I no longer live there.
My current situation is worse - because we are now adults. You see I am a gay man who happens to be mostly attracted to black men. I also go to gay hip hop clubs because I love the music and of course I like the guys that go there. Most of the guys in those clubs don't speak to me because they are interested in other black men and that is fine. But occasionally I will run into someone I've met previously in another setting - some of them I've known for a while. But when they see me in the club they want to act like they don't know me. I guess it's sort of "un-cool" to be associated with the white guy in a mostly black club. I do have a problem with that. I usually try to find a way to point it out to the person later on, which they usually deny. But it has happened so frequently to me that I know it is real and not imagined.
It's sad to me that people who have also dealt with racism and discrimination their whole lives would take part in it themselves. We ALL need to get past this and I urge people to speak out when they see things like this happening. Bringing it to the surface makes people think and could possibly bring about change.
Cliche Phrases I Try to Live By
- Today is the first day of the rest of your life
- Live life to the fullest
- All things in moderation (it's not a contradiction to the one above)
- Take nothing but pictures - Leave nothing but footprints
- Waste not - Want not
- What comes around - goes around
- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
- Love thy neighbor
- Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today (unless it's a sunny beach day)
- A sunny beach day takes all the work away (ok - I made that one up)
And occasionally:
- Eat, Drink and be Mary (it's not a typo)
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Put the Children First
I've said before that God works in mysterious ways. But sometimes its not really that mysterious and makes perfect sense - if we look at the situation with an unbiased mind.
Doesn't it seem probable that God created childless couples - both straight and gay - to take care of the children that are unwanted by other people? Why do people go to such extremes with fertility clinics etc. when there are so many children that need a good home? Everyone wants a child of their own and I think that is a bit selfish.
Furthermore, the adoption process in this country is overly complicated and slow. Nobody spends that much time interviewing teenagers or other married couples before they have a baby naturally. I agree care should be taken not to put a child in a situation that would be harmful, but the process should not be so strict and lengthy. Each day a child spends without a loving home makes a negative impact on that little life.
Finally, not only should gays be allowed to marry like every other citizen of this country, they should be allowed to legally adopt children if they qualify. And those qualifications should be exactly the same as any other person or couple who is trying to adopt. I personally know several gay couples that have raised children as foster parents from infancy to young adults. Those children are well balanced, intelligent, and no different than children raised by straight parents. Yet I live in one of those backward states (Florida) that could remove those children from their foster parents at any time. That is not only unfair - it's cruel.
We need to think about the children and put them first - not our own selfish desires or political or religious hang-ups.
Doesn't it seem probable that God created childless couples - both straight and gay - to take care of the children that are unwanted by other people? Why do people go to such extremes with fertility clinics etc. when there are so many children that need a good home? Everyone wants a child of their own and I think that is a bit selfish.
Furthermore, the adoption process in this country is overly complicated and slow. Nobody spends that much time interviewing teenagers or other married couples before they have a baby naturally. I agree care should be taken not to put a child in a situation that would be harmful, but the process should not be so strict and lengthy. Each day a child spends without a loving home makes a negative impact on that little life.
Finally, not only should gays be allowed to marry like every other citizen of this country, they should be allowed to legally adopt children if they qualify. And those qualifications should be exactly the same as any other person or couple who is trying to adopt. I personally know several gay couples that have raised children as foster parents from infancy to young adults. Those children are well balanced, intelligent, and no different than children raised by straight parents. Yet I live in one of those backward states (Florida) that could remove those children from their foster parents at any time. That is not only unfair - it's cruel.
We need to think about the children and put them first - not our own selfish desires or political or religious hang-ups.
Patriot Act BS
The White House is twisting reality around again to promote their agenda. I'm referring to the current debate over the Patriot Act.
I would like to remind my gentle readers that numerous probes and inquiry's have proven that there was no lack of information that lead up to the 9/11 attack. There were plenty of clues. The problem was the lack of communication between various Government agencies - through several Administrations. We need to resolve those communication gaps in order to prevent another tragedy.
The Patriot Act, on the other hand, does not rest well with me. Personally, I have always been the type of person that has nothing to hide. But the provisions of the Patriot Act are seriously invading a person's right to privacy. And what will they do with all this personal information? I can only imagine it will somehow help big business pad their bottom line. This administration has used 9/11 as an excuse for many political gains and I think the Patriot Act is just another example.
The Government does not have the right to know every detail of our lives. And despite our seriously off balance administration, I hope our good Politicians can recognize that fact and edit the Patriot Act into a useful but non-intrusive article.
I would like to remind my gentle readers that numerous probes and inquiry's have proven that there was no lack of information that lead up to the 9/11 attack. There were plenty of clues. The problem was the lack of communication between various Government agencies - through several Administrations. We need to resolve those communication gaps in order to prevent another tragedy.
The Patriot Act, on the other hand, does not rest well with me. Personally, I have always been the type of person that has nothing to hide. But the provisions of the Patriot Act are seriously invading a person's right to privacy. And what will they do with all this personal information? I can only imagine it will somehow help big business pad their bottom line. This administration has used 9/11 as an excuse for many political gains and I think the Patriot Act is just another example.
The Government does not have the right to know every detail of our lives. And despite our seriously off balance administration, I hope our good Politicians can recognize that fact and edit the Patriot Act into a useful but non-intrusive article.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Happy 2006!
I can tell it's a new year - not because I woke with a headache or flipped the calendar - the evidence is at the gym. I hate going to the gym right after New Years. It was packed today with people who had clearly made resolutions to get back in shape. Sadly I know that in a couple of weeks I won't be waiting for machines anymore.
I applaud those that made a resolution to get back into shape, I only wish people would stick with it. Having done a little traveling to other countries, I can report that Americans are by far the most out of shape. In my opinion there is nothing more important than taking care of your body - you simply can not live without it.
Good health should not be a resolution that fades after a couple of weeks - it should be a lifetime commitment. However, a resolution is a good place to start and for those who may read this with that resolution in mind, I wish you a lifetime of good health. If you can stick with it regularly (that is the key) for at least a month, you will more than likely be hooked.
I wish everyone a Blessed, Happy and Healthy 2006!
I applaud those that made a resolution to get back into shape, I only wish people would stick with it. Having done a little traveling to other countries, I can report that Americans are by far the most out of shape. In my opinion there is nothing more important than taking care of your body - you simply can not live without it.
Good health should not be a resolution that fades after a couple of weeks - it should be a lifetime commitment. However, a resolution is a good place to start and for those who may read this with that resolution in mind, I wish you a lifetime of good health. If you can stick with it regularly (that is the key) for at least a month, you will more than likely be hooked.
I wish everyone a Blessed, Happy and Healthy 2006!
Saturday, December 24, 2005
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.
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.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
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!
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!
Friday, December 16, 2005
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
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.
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.
Friday, December 09, 2005
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.
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.
Friday, December 02, 2005
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.
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).
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.
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.
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