Second

It's time to fight the Good Fight

"In the clearing stands a boxer, and a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him
til he cried out in his anger and his shame
I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains
Yes he still remains."

Do I live in the land of the free and the brave?

Two days ago, the state of California made it sure that gay people are not part of that land and free statement. Nope, with outside peddling from the Catholic Church and the Mormons, Prop 8 passed, ensuring that gay men and women can be and will be discriminated against.

What strikes me most about this blow to equal rights is how some folks who have really no problem with gay people, the so called friends, who seem to think this is all about some judges who acted in defiance of the constitution (with the often ubiquitous "activist judges" thrown around because that seems to be the only word they know how to use; besides it also makes them sound smart) and the will of Californians. They claim they had to pass it, because if they let it fail, then the Constitution means nothing. That some sort of anarchy would be created if it was to fail.

These so called friends are not that at all, because a true friend would help out, no matter what the cost. These people are nothing but the mouth piece to religious zealots who command power through the use of money.

The influence of both the Mormons and the Catholics does not surprise me, but the fact that they got away with it, and the fact the Mormons now want everyone to treat people with "civility, with respect and with love" just astounds me beyond belief.

Jebus on a crutch, can Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the LDS be serious?

As Towleroad said, "Bitch, Please."

On Star Trek they say "revenge is a best dish served cold." And while revenge is petty and, at times, just as bad as the offense, I'm all for an appeal of all Church's tax exempt status. Force these weasels to start paying taxes, and they'll have less money to influence discrimination.

And this was never, ever about children (indecently, only children who are signed up for Comprehensive Sex Education in California schools are taught about gay relationships and sex., so you see how YES on 8 distorted the issue). I was talking to my cousins wife, a stalwart Republican. While she voted NO on Prop 8, she was able to shelter her two children, 11 and 8, from both the YES and NO groups. It wasn't until she passed a rally for YES on 8 that she had to explain to her kids what it was about. And as one who does not believe in lying to her children when they ask a question, she explained to them what was going on. She was not ready to say these things to her children, but she felt, in the end, that it was better to tell the truth.

So, ironically, it was the YES on 8 and not the NO people who forced her hand. Way to go.

But some of this failure to stop this was gays themselves. This was, perhaps, not the most important issue on our road to equal rights. Personally, as I've said before, call it a Civil Union. The word "marriage" carries too much baggage, too much pain and hate. Much like the abortion issue that polarizes a nation, having gays be able to call their commitment together a marriage is never, ever going to happen.

What we need to fight for, in all fifty states of this great Union, is equal rights when is comes to money, and life decisions. Once again, I'll note personal finance guru Suzie Orman when she says its sad that her partner is not entitled to get her money when she dies, because that partner is a woman and that their relationship is not seen as legal, like in straight and common law arrangements. Yes, even in common law arrangements, who ever survives does get their partners pension and inherits their belongings.

In a gay relationship, that is not so. If I have a pension and I die, my partner does not get it. As a matter of fact, my family members could then come to my survivng partner and take everything that was mine -including the roof over his head - and my partner would not have a legal foot to stand on.

And in anyone's book, that is not right.

And one more thing, before I leave, this is not a choice. The flimsy house of cards the religious right builds their argument on is quickly falling by the wayside, and that scares them. But the sad aspect, one I learned this past Saturday when a YES on rally was right outside my front door, that the only way these fools will change their argument is if science gives them 100% empirical evidence (though, they'll still cart out the "activist" phrase because, well, that's the only argument they'll have left). Nothing less than one hundred percent proof -as if the is any actual proof God actually exists.

And while the Catholics had modified their stance for the coming truth with the love the sinner, hate the sin propoganda, the Evangelical Christians will never, it appears, surrender to reality. They want to live in a closed world where only a few people have knowledge and power, and where the rest should be just just lambs, molified by endless episodes of Dancing with the Stars.

On Novemeber 4th, America overwhelming swept away the one of the last shackles of racial intolerence by electing a black man to lead our nation. We took a huge leap forward in this land of the free and brave, but after all the confetti settled, here in California, the people decided that discrimnating against the entire GLBT nation still okay.

After all, it was for the kids.

But like my friend JT said, I'm not done with Prop 8. It's time to become more visable in this battle for equality.

I can no longer sit back and let this intolerance continue. If the Mormons, if the Evangelicals, if the Catholics want a fight, well with my God behind me, I'll fight.

This separate but equal crap is over.

History is made tonight as Barack Obama wins Presidency!

Barack Obama elected 44th President

NO on 8 -yep I VOTED!

Well, I voted.

And I, of course, voted NO on Prop 8.

Personally I do think they should call it a Civil Partnership or whatever. Calling it a marriage seems a lost cause and one I'm not really worried about.

What the YES on Prop fail to mention is that what we gays a really fighting for is the rights of our partner's benefits and other financial issues that straight couples get. If my partner dies, and he has a pension, I'm not entitled to it like a straight married couple is. Financial guru Suzie Orman has been saying this for years, that she finds it sad that when she dies, her partner - a woman - will not get any of her money and vise versa.

That's what this all about, really. Gay couples should get everything straight couples get -whether married or not, cause even common law gives the spouse the pensions and inheritance.

Plain and simple.

Fine, don't call it a marriage (but I will fight a constitutional change, if only because its unnecessary), but we should be entitled to our partners stuff when they die.

To deny us this, is to discriminate against us. And that, my friends, is where hate is born.

On the eve of...

It's the eve of one the biggest -don't we say this every 4 years - presidential elections. We've come to the crossroads, folks. And now we all must decide who'll run this country for the next four years. I'm hopeful whoever wins, we as Americans will come together in unity. We've become a polarized country, fighting an endless battle between right and left, using religion as crutch for everything and failing to understand that our Founders had a reason to keep it separate from the rest of government.

Fundamentally, both Obama and McCain would -and should - govern down the center, if only because you have too. Going to far in either direction further opens the schism that is tearing this nation apart.

And let's not forget, we are a divided nation. I do believe in God, but I don't think a higher being such as a God would careless about who sits in a big white house. He wants us to live in peace and harmony, but we humans choose not live that way. Even the so called Jesus Freaks don't want that, you know.

Yes, we choose to be this way.

And until we decide its in the best interest to help all -instead of helping just yourself - we'll continue this schism.

America is great, but it can be a shallow greatness. Just scratch its surface, and you see the hate and the discrimination, the pettiness and the pain.

We need to grow up and stop acting like children on a playground.

Vote tomorrow, please.

Discrimination comes to La Verne, Ca.

They claim its about protecting the word "marriage" and the kids, but what ever your feelings on marriage, Prop 8 is still about discrimination. That's why this must fail. Why we must fight anything that makes groups of people second class citizens.

And where were all the black folks?

It was a total white wash, and that made it even more scary.

I did end talking to one guy, and he admitted that he too was surprised that no one of color showed up.

Discrimination in any form must be stopped.

I also find it interesting that on City Hall grounds, this protest happened today.

Ron Howard's Call to Action

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

Geraldine Ferraro

So, Geraldine Ferraro speaks up, and tells Daily Breeze of Torrance, Calif that "If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman (of any color) he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept."

Some have called her out on that, but I think she has a point. Sure, its not all about race, but lets be honest folks, it is partly about race. I've spoken about Obama here before, mostly on what little record he actually has as the the freshman senator from my home state of Illinois.

I helped put him here today, yet his spotty at best record in the senate gives me trouble to think what he plans to do if he's elected president. I'm fine with a black man or woman or anyone of mixed race taking the highest office, I justr want them to stand on a real platform of explaining just what they intend to do once they hold that seat.

Obama has said nothing, beyond some very nebulas and trite answers as to what he'll do to help America.

I was not alive when Kennedy ran for president 49 years ago, but now I suspect why some people felt he was too young, too inexperienced to lead the nation. Of course, somewhat, he proved his critics wrong. Some still, and forever will, hate him.

I don't hate Obama, I just feel he needs a few more years in the senate to show us what he can do. I challenge anyone to give me information on what he has done as a senator. What he has done to help Illinois. Where's his record?

If this is not about the first really viable African American man running for the White House, what is it then? Race is the central issue here, and I think alot of folks are voting for him because of his race.

Because I don't see them voting for him because of his experience. He has all of about 3 years as a senator.

And that is his record. I'm not impressed.

But go on, deny, deny, deny. Ferraro is a smart cookie. She knows the score and so do I.

My Obama dilemma

Why not Obama?

When I lived in Illinois, I voted for him. He’s charismatic, smooth and presents a front based on the idea of change. And Chicago politics is well known for its patronage and corruption, so his voice was new and different enough to sway me.

It wasn’t until I left Illinois, and saw that his record in the senate was spotty at best and who seemed to support big business that I began to wonder if I made a mistake. I love change, and I love someone who can be decisive leader, but with Obama you ended up with was the same old same old that has haunted American politics since time immortal. The question is that bad or good?

But what change is he actually going to do, I ask?

He’s very tight lipped about how he’s actually going to change Washington (and is that a realistic goal for any leader of our country?). But that bothers me, as I feel it would be like buying a house based on the picture of the outside and never bothering to see what’s on the inside.

What does Obama stand for, besides change?

Yes, he wants to pull the troops out of Iraq, which all of you would like, but even the dyed-in-the-wool liberal that I am knows that its no longer that simple. Like it or not, Bush has woven the US like a tapestry into the future history of that country. Pulling out now is not realistic or even practical.

For me to really support Obama, I need to see what his plans are for the US, and not some nebulas answers to the questions he been asked and the sniping between him and Clinton. While the War in Iraq is important, and one that should be addressed, it the economy that worries me more. How is he going to correct this recession we're in? How is he going to stop the hemorrhaging housing industries -and is he going to make the lenders pay for what is basically their fault (beyond the people who were stupid to buy a house they could never afford)?

Will he actually help the middle class, or be ignore them as many republicans have done? Will his interaction with the rich and famous (people like the ultra rich Oprah) make him more sympathetic to their whiny ass issues with paying taxes?

And for a guy who has missed 59% of the senate votes, do you really want him taking on a more complex role as leader of this country?

I think we need to take a hard look at all the presidential hopefuls. And while many hate Hillary Clinton and John McCain, they've actually tried to say things about what they want to do. You all may think them not important or even dumb, but they've said something.

Just because Obama says he wants to bring "change" to Washington, while not explaining what that really means, is not, in my opinion, a reason to vote for him.

Romney out; McCain the virtual winner?

With Mitt Romney's exit from the race, it seems all but sure that John McCain will now be the choice of the republican party for President. Mike Huckabee, who had even less delgates than Romney, is play super trooper and is staying in the race.

One thing that appears to going on, now, is who will run with McCain? Does Romney dropping out give him a chance to run for VP? Sure, I guess it could be. But I think McCain and Romney don't like each other -they disagree on more things than agree. Then again, there is Huckleberry Hound. Mike Huckabee is the darling of the far right, one who has been getting the votes of more consrvatives than Romney.

While his chances are slim, there is a potential that McCain could use him to garner the conservative vote that has eluded him, because, really McCain's success has been with moderates and independents.

While Romney might be more favored by those same people mentioned above, he is still a Mormon and there is enough people -especially the Anne Coulter/Rush Limbaugh/Sean Hannity ultra-right to max side - who will not want Romney as VP and one-step nearer to the Oval Office.

And, most Conservatives see McCain as an opportunistic flip-flopper (and might I add, that is one of the most over used phrases by politicians and alike; it’s their version of Hollywood’s “creative differences”). And he is hated by the Huckabee loving crowd. It could make some really strange bedfellows if McCain took him on the ticket.

I don't know.

McCain gives moderate republicans -like my housemate - a get-out-of-jail free card. They may hate him for his policies, but not having Romney or Huckabee as the parties frontrunner means they can still vote republican. But, I also think that if McCain chooses either Romney or Huckabee for VP, I think you'll see those same moderate (and independent) not voting, writing in Ron Paul or maybe voting democratic (though, I don't really see that, but anything can happen).

I've also heard someone suggest Fred Thompson as VP. Of course, many criticized him for his lazy campaign, and his almost blasé attitude. Then again, what exactly does a VP do? Sounds like a perfect job for Thompson.

Super-duper Tuesday

Well, I voted.

It was easy, and very quick. In and out, much like a White Castle Hamburger. There was a five step way to vote. You get in line, and the guy asks your name. He finds it, you sign and move on to the lady next to him.

I'm unsure where they got this lady, who looked like she voted in the Teddy Roosevelt election. Apparently, she got confused about the street address where I live. I said D Street. D as in David -my name.

So for about a thirty-second period, she looked at me like I had just pissed in her morning juice and then thrown it on her. Anyways, once all that confusion was done, she crossed off my name and street address. Moved onto the third, where I was given my ballot and then told to go over to the booth, the first three appeared to be for democrates. I have no idea why this is, and found it very odd.

Did my civic duty, chose my canidates and propositions and left. I was there all of maybe 5 minutes. Say what you will, but yoy got to love the democratic system.

So, beyond the old, very confused lady at Step Number 2, it was a fun and delightful five minutes.

Of course, now we play the waiting game.

Errr....

Dum de dum.

Oh, I hate the waiting game, let's play Hungry, Hungry Hippo.

Anne Coulter to campaign for Clinton?

So, Anne Coulter, the Wicked Witch of Right, was on Fox News' Hannity and Combs and basically said that if John McCain is the Republican Parties nominee, she said she'll campaign for Hillary Clinton.

Apparently, she thinks Hillary Clinton is more conservative than McCain, and lies less than him. Plus, she thinks she'll not pull the troops out as soon as she gets into office, citing the King Georges State of the Union where he said the surge is working. She stood up and applauded, while Obama and Uncle Ted just sat there.

The universe, it seems, is tilting out of balance.

"She's more conservative than he is. I think she'd be stronger on the war on terrorism. I absolutely believe that...I will campaign for her if it's McCain. He has led the fight against torture at Guantanamo. She hasn't done that. She hasn't taken a position in front....He keeps going on and on about how he was the only Republican who supported the surge and other Republicans attacked him. It was so awful how he was attacked, it was worse than being held in a tiger cage. Well I looked at the record, Republicans all supported the surge. He's not only not the only one who supported the surge. I promise you no Republican attacked him for this and you know why I think he's saying that, Sean. I realize cause he keeps saying it every debate. He's confusing Republicans with his liberal friends. They're the ones who attacked him for it. His real friends...Their positions are about that far apart. When George Bush said at the State of the Union address that the surge is working in Iraq, Obama sat on his hands, Kennedy sat on his hands, Hillary leapt up and applauded that we are winning the surge in Iraq. She gave much better answers in those debates when Democrats like Obama and Biden were all saying what will we do when three cities are attacked. She said I will find who did it and I will go after them. Hillary is absolutely more conservative (than McCain). Moreover, she lies less than John McCain. She's smarter than John McCain. So that when she's caught shamelessly lying. At least the Cliintons know they've been caught lying. McCain is so stupid he doesn't even know he's been caught."

Why the GOP will find itself locked out of the White House

While some might see this as nothing, this split among the social republicans and conservative ones will probably all but doom the GOP from taking the WH.

Huckabee on Meet the Press

Good old Mikey Huckabee said today on Meet the Press. Tim Russert asked him about his book and his comment on homosexuality.

Transcript:

RUSSERT: Peggy Noonan, a woman of faith who writes for The Wall Street Journal, said that sometimes it appears your philosophy is "This is what God wants," and that doesn't encourage discussion, it squelches it. And, and this is what you wrote in your book, "Kids Who Kill," in 1998: "It is now difficult to keep track of the vast array of publicly endorsed and institutionally supported aberrations--from homosexuality and pedophilia to sadomasochism and necrophilia." Why would you link homosexuality with sadomasochism, pedophilia and necrophilia?

HUCKABEE: Well, what I was pointing out is all of these are deviations from what has been the traditional concept of sexual behavior and men and women having children, raising those children in the context of a, of a traditional marriage and family. And, again, taken out of the larger context of that book, speaking about how so many of our social institutions have been broken down.

RUSSERT: But do you think homosexuality is equivalent to pedophilia...

HUCKABEE: Oh, of course not.

RUSSERT: ...or sadomasochism?

HUCKABEE: No, of course not. I didn't say...

RUSSERT: But this is what concerns people. This, this is what you did say about homosexuality: "I feel homosexuality is an aberrant, unnatural and sinful lifestyle." That's millions of Americans.

HUCKABEE: Tim, understand, when a Christian speaks of sin, a Christian says all of us are sinners. I'm a sinner, everybody's a sinner. What one's sin is, means it's missing the mark. It's missing the bull's eye, the perfect point. I miss it every day; we all do. The perfection of God is seen in a marriage in which one man, one woman live together as a couple committed to each other as life partners. Now, even married couples don't do that perfectly, so sin is not some act of equating people with being murderers or rapists...

RUSSERT: But when you say aberrant or unnatural, do you believe you're born gay or you choose to be gay?

HUCKABEE: I don't know whether people are born that way. People who are gay say that they're born that way. But one thing I know, that the behavior one practices is a choice. We may have certain tendencies, but how we behave and how we carry out our behavior--but the important issue that I want to address, because I think when you bring up the faith question, Tim, I've been asked more about my faith than any person running for president. I'm OK with that. I hope I've answered these questions very candidly and very honestly. I think it's important for us to talk about it. But the most important thing is to find out, does our faith influence our public policy and how? I've never tried to rewrite science textbooks. I've never tried to come out with some way of imposing a doctrinaire Christian perspective in a way that is really against the Constitution. I've never done that.

So, this is their way of not actually being called homophobes, cause like the the phrase "love the sinner, hate the sin" the conservatives motto also becomes: "Your actions are sin and thus we can judge you on them."

Nice.

Jerk.

Scary Huckabee wins Iowa polls; America doomed?

So, Mike Huckabee has won Iowa.

I cannot see how this will not but help the democrats. Not since Ronald Regan has this president (or maybe, in reality, Karl Rove), turned the Republican party into fanitical, religious zealots. As they continue to use fear mongering and blantent disreguard for our constitution, the 2008 election is coming down to a holy war. But it'll not be fundamentalist Islam. No, my children, al Queda will take American lives, but what Bush started, Huckabee intends to continue: they are out to steal the nation, eliminate the middle class, destroy the constitution and, in the end, our democracy.

Still, I think the more moderate Republicans (like my housemate) and, especially, the independents, will be turned off by Huckabee and will further drive them away. So, in a way, this can only help the democrats, like Obama, who pulled out a win also in Iowa.

What a tangled web Huckabee will weave when he tries to decieve a nation.