Mission accomplished

So Obama was able to do after just 2 years what Bush wasn't able to do in 7 years: take out Osama bin Laden. And no American troupes were killed in the process. But what I don't understand is why people would want to see photos of the deceased bin Laden. I certainly don't!

Do they think that someone's trying to fool them into thinking bin Laden is dead when he really isn't? Wouldn't that be a rather risky thing to try? I mean, what if the US claimed bin Laden was dead and then he went on TV or something?

And even if Obama did release the photos of bin Laden's corps, do they think that seeing the photos would be the proof they need, as if they could tell the real bin Laden from the stunt doubles? And how would they know the photos weren't Photoshopped or faked in some way?

I even received a conspiracy email that claimed bin Laden has been dead for years and that Obama is claiming credit now for taking him out for re-election reasons. Good grief.

Can we not just be happy that our country is (allegedly) safer now that bid Laden is gone, without making it a polarizing political debate?

Friday fragments

Welcome to Friday fragments, my weekly recap of topics too big to forget, yet too small to be their own post.

My cousin Hilleary will be visiting me this afternoon. He lives in CA but spends 2 weeks on the East coast every Aug to spend time with this parents and siblings. He's been at the beach for a few days, and will stop by our house this afternoon to chat and then go to dinner with us, similar to last summer. I'm looking forward to visiting with him and 2 of his sons.

My neighbor Claudia's fig tree is producing like crazy, and Claudia generously brought over a bunch of sweet, delicious figs for us! They are wonderful to eat plain, but can also be fabulous stuffed with goat cheese or wrapped with bacon. Until living here I had never eaten a fig, unless you count those Fig Newton snacks.

My friend Bill sent me this.

I think its funny because it suggests an older woman would try to 'trade in' her clunker/husband, but it also demonstrates how so many lazy Americans don't read or learn the facts. Confusing a car trade-in program with health care reform is completely believable, considering what we hear coming out of some of the Town Hall meetings. To rebut them, I offer to you this:Isn't that poignant?

I am in love with Ohs cereal. There's something about the balance of graham, honey, and oats that I find delicious. And as an added bonus, it is the least expensive cereal on the entire isle at just $1.99.

Despite my early reluctance, I have really been enjoying Facebook. But my enjoyment has not been without some trials. Early on I located a friend from high school named Tim, with whom I was very close. We spent time at each other's houses, and he wrote a very nice tribute in my senior yearbook. Soon after reconnecting on Facebook and exchanging some 'nice to see you again' kind of messages on each other's walls, I noticed he dropped out of my friend list. I sent him a friend request again, but it was ignored. After finding and friending several more friends from high school who were also friends of Tim's, I tried yet again to friend him, but he as ignored the request. I'm sure now that he does not want to be friends with me, and I suspect it is because he now knows that I'm gay. Whatever! Its his loss. I finally had to de-friend a former high school friend named Christa. Somehow, she turned into an ultra-conservative racist, and I got tired of seeing all her anti-everything posts. It was like watching Fox News. So I de-friended her. I am still enjoying Facebook though, despite these minor trials.

Our accountant was too busy to complete our Federal and State tax returns by April 15, so he filed extensions for us. This week we got our completed returns from him (to sign and mail) and were delighted to see that we are still going to get sizable refunds, despite having sold our house in VA last year. YAY!!

I saw this lovely video over at Kelly's blog and had to share it. Who knew the Golden Girls were so ahead of their time?!?!

A friend posted this link on Facebook and I just had to share it. Doesn't this aptly named 'Double Bypass Burger' look delicious?

Its a hamburger topped with 5 slices of bacon, 4 slices of cheese, 2 fried eggs, mayo, lettuce, tomato, and onion stacked between 2 grilled cheese sandwiches. Seriously. I'm drooling. Who's with me?

The forecast indicates we're going to get a bit of a reprieve from this oppressive heat this weekend. We're going to drive Big Ella to a Corvette show at a Chevrolet dealership on Sat. We've been to this show before and have seen others drive their non-Corvettes for car enthusiasts to see and enjoy. In the afternoon we're going to the beach. Sun we're going to a birthday party.

Have a great weekend!

Crush du Jour: Adam Tucker

Friday fragments

Being a car guy, I was intrigued by this car knowledge quiz. I was surprised I only got 15 out of 20 correct. I'm consoling myself by pointing out that many of the questions were brand-related. If you think you know a little something about car brands, take the quiz and tell me in the comments how many you got correct. My current dream car is the BMW 3 series retractable hardtop convertible.
This is car porn.

The other day I heard friends talking about books they're reading/had read and I realized its been over a year since I read a book. This made me feel badly about myself. My mind immediately flashed to me and Spouse sitting on the sofa watching (mostly mindless) TV every night instead of reading books. Really, how could I have stopped reading? Then it hit me: I read everyday! Not books, but blogs! I immediately felt better about myself.

Tony shared with me this interesting survey whose answers will tell you what religion most closely matches your beliefs. My top 4 were:
1. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (100%)
2. Liberal Quakers (97%)
3. Unitarian Universalism (94%)
4. Secular Humanism (Atheism) (84%)

On Tues this week I went to the doctor about my shin. Now 3 days later, my ankle has begun to swell and turn colors like my shin. WTF?!?!?! Looks like I'll be going back to the doctor next week.

Wanna see Obama naked? Aren't those "interesting"?

Today is my (estranged) sister's 33rd wedding anniversay. Isn't that "interesting"?

Progress on the addition is coming along nicely. Look for my weekly addition update with photos tomorrow. Our entire house is filthy, now that much of the work has moved inside. Drywall was torn out, sending drywall dust into the air and all over the entire house. We'll spend some time this weekend vacuuming, dusting, and steam mopping the wood floors, even though it will all get dirty again next week. Hopefully it won't get as dirty next week, since all of the interior demo is done now, I think. (Crossing my fingers.)

On the social front, tonight is our regular Friday Night Dinner with 'the usual suspects. Tomorrow afternoon we're going to an anniversary party for our friends who've been together 15 years. Later that evening we're meeting some out-of-town friends for cocktails and then dinner. Should be fun!

Have a great weekend, y'all.

Crush du Jour: Preston Jones

Friday fragments

Several of you have asked about photos and progress reports on our addition. I decided that instead of peppering each post with tidbits and photos, I would write one weekly post, on Saturdays, with photos and commentary of what was done during the week. Look for the 1st one tomorrow.

My friend Marty, who is also a vintage car fan like me, sent me this link to an article featuring the 2-door version of Big Ella. Same year, same color. The only difference is that Big Ella has 4 doors, and wider white-wall tires.

Like many of you, I'm disappointed with Obama's recent actions and inaction regarding keeping his campaign promises to the GLBT community. His new benefits for same-sex partners of federal employees do not apply to non-federal works nor military personnel, and they don't include health insurance or pension benefits, which is what everyone wants/needs. There's also the recent brief that stated Obama's support of DOMA, which he said he'd work to repeal. This article really resonated with me, as it pretty much sums up my feelings. Please give it a quick read. If you feel so inclined, why not sign the petition requesting the President and Congress to 'Dump DOMA'?

A friend sent me this funny photo with the caption "Why men should not pick out the wedding cake".

Too funny, right?

I found it hilarious that so many of you liked and commented on my post about Spouse and the 'XP-90'! I guess it should serve as a lesson to me, that you all don't come here for political or GLBT updates, you come here for silly (true) stories of two (sorta) married gay guys. Okay, I hear ya. Remember this one?

There are many posts about our dear friends Michael & Jamie whom I refer to as 'The Newlyweds' on this blog. Last Aug they moved to the left coast to fulfill a dream of theirs to live in Portland, OR. We've kept in touch via email and phone, and they read this blog too, but we've missed them terribly. This week I got the following email from them which truly warmed my heart:

"Subject: It takes 6 people or 3 couples
Mark and Joe,
Jamie and I were driving to the coast this weekend to go camping (I know right) and started thinking about all of our trips to visit you guys. We were remembering all the good times and then Jamie made an interesting observation about how we are finding aspects of our friendship with you guys in other people/couples, but no one or no couple has come close to the friendship we share with you two.

Our friend Mark S. is like Mark R. and is super fun and great at telling funny stories and making people laugh. Our new friends Jim and Rob are a nice, solid couple just like Mark and Joe. Our friend Bob is a good, smart man and often acts as a voice of reason, similar to Joe. We talk to our friends Adam and Amanda about real estate a lot and they own a few properties....just like Mark and Joe. I could go on.....

Can you believe it takes so many people to equal just one MARK AND JOE!!!???

We miss you guys and really hope you can come visit sometime. We had a great weekend along the coast and want to share our new home state with you.

Take care,
Michael and Jamie"

I'm not sharing this to brag about what great guys we are. My point in sharing this is to remind everyone that we all have opportunities to 'make someone's day'. It can be as easy as sending a heartfelt email, remembering someone's birthday, or doing something unexpected and nice for someone else. Often it doesn't take much, but it means a lot.

Have a great weekend!

Crush du Jour: Andre Coelho

Proclamations of GLBT support

Last week Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama both acknowledged the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and delivered proclamations of support of the GLBT community. (Click on their names to read their statements.)

Now, don't get me wrong; I like Clinton and Obama a lot and feel that they are our best hope for civil rights equality... but not for marriage equality.

Remember that when both were campaigning last year and were asked directly whether they supported same-sex marriage, both said no. VERY disappointing. Yet in June of this year, the 40th anniversary of Stonewall, both of them suddenly gush with appreciation over the accomplishments and struggles of the GLBT community, and pledge their support.

Their support of what? Civil rights that do not include marriage, which allow us to remain second-class citizens?

Although I want to, I'm just not sure I'm buying it.

"I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security." - Barack Obama

"As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected." - Barack Obama

"I extend our appreciation to the global LGBT community for its courage and determination during the past 40 years, and I offer our support for the significant work that still lies ahead." - Hillary Clinton

"We are grateful for our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees in Washington and around the world. Their contributions are vital to our efforts to establish stability, prosperity and peace worldwide." - Hillary Clinton

"Though the road to full equality for LGBT Americans is long, the example set by those fighting for equal rights in the United States gives hope to men and women around the world" - Hillary Clinton

In the quotation above, notice that it is NOT the example set by the United States, but rather, the example set by those fighting for equal rights in the US that gives hope. In other words, the gays are doing the work while government officials stand by and applaud their fight.

I'm not cynical by nature, but it almost seems like Clinton and Obama simply decided to capitalize on the 40th anniversary of Stonewall for a "feel good moment" by paying lip service to the gays without really committing to do anything.

I realize Obama has only been in office 5 months and his plate has been full with our country's economic crisis, so I'm cutting him some slack for now. But last years' campaign speeches and this week's Stonewall speech have created some large and necessary expectations of him.

Imagine how devasting it was for Lt. Dan Choi and Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach. Choi was recently discharged from the military and Fehrenbach most likely will be too, due to Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT). Both had long, distinguished careers of medaled service to our country that were ripped away from them due to nothing more than the fact that they are gay. Obama could have stopped this, but didn't.

If you were Secretary of State or President and you did nothing to stop these DADT dismissals, wouldn't you be just a tad bit embarrassed to use the 40th anniversary of Stonewall as an opportunity to pledge your support of the GLBT struggle for equal rights?

Its time for action, people.

Crush du Jour: Reece Karena

Friday fragments

Company
My cousin Inez (we call her Nez) and her husband Steve are coming to visit this weekend. I'm embarrassed I can't even remember when the last time was that we saw each other. Maybe 4-5 years ago? We've talked on the phone and IM'd since then though. Nez & I are less than a year apart in age and spent a lot of time together when we were kids and teenagers. I'm looking forward to their visit!

Commando
The other day I went 'commando' for a few hours. I had on flannel pajama pants (without underwear) and a t-shirt, but realized I needed to walk the dog. Rather than putting on underwear for a 20 minute walk around the neighborhood, I just slipped off the pjs and put on jeans, sans underwear. I felt a little 'naughty', knowing I was walking around town with no underwear. I kinda liked it.

Ted Haggard
Speaking of naughty, a friend sent me this (obviously doctored) photo of Ted Haggard, which I just had to share. As usual, click to enlarge.

Vintage vs. Retro

Vintage is when something is from a past decade. Retro is when something modern is made to look like its from a past decade. Your grandparents wedding photo is vintage. The photos you took yesterday using black and white film are retro. Just because they're black and white doesn't make them vintage.

Toolboxes

Have you ever noticed how toolboxes smell like vomit? Growing up, my dad had a metal toolbox that smelled like vomit. Many years ago our lesbian housemates had a big plastic toolbox that smelled like vomit. We have a small plastic toolbox that smells like vomit. What's up with that?

Not the same
You may have read earlier this week that Nevada is trying to implement a domestic partner registry that will grant most of the rights of marriage but without the term 'marriage'. Then on Wed I had yet another discussion with some gays who feel that 'as long as we get the rights, who cares what they call it'. I had to remind them, as I have many others, that separate is never equal. We will not have equal rights if we are granted separate rights from our hetero counterparts. I swear, sometimes I get weary from trying to help people understand this. Then I read the following on Facebook, written by a hetero woman, and had to share it:
"There are lots of differences between a 'committed relationship' and legal marriage. The ability to represent my spouse is very convenient… at the bank, in court, applying for a loan, discussions with creditors, medical professionals, even changing the cable package. These are mundane things that most take for granted. What about the stuff that really matters? Medical emergencies? Right of survivorship? Benefits earned as a part of your pay? To claim your spouse's dependent as your dependent? To co-parent adopted children? Marital privilege in a court of law? None of those issues have to do with sex or lifestyle; granting these benefits to all adults does not diminish the sanctity nor deplete the rights of hetero marriages. Those who oppose equal rights are guilty of tyranny." This momentarily restored my hope.

Obama

While conservatives may like this because it appears to be making fun of Obama by ridiculously comparing him to Jesus, I find this hilarious, and not that far off the mark! Then there's this Obama float...What is the blond girl holding onto???

Big Ella
It seems Spouse has become obsessed with protecting Big Ella. You'd think it would be me, since she's my girl. Whenever we go somewhere in her and I park, he always has to give me suggestions about where to park that will have the least potential for someone damaging her, as if I hadn't already thought of that. Then there's his latest: he now wants us to pay $120./month to store her at a public storage facility. I said that if we were approaching winter, I'd consider it, but since it is spring, I didn't see the need. Knowing we did not yet have a garage, we agreed we'd keep a car cover on Big Ella after she was repainted to protect her from dirt, sun damage, pollution, bird poop, etc. I believe that is sufficient.

Salad and chocolate
I have noticed that whenever I eat salad as a meal, I always crave chocolate afterward. I wonder what the connection is? Its as if my dark side is saying "You think you're being healthy by eating that salad, eh? Well now I'm gonna make you crave something fattening! Muah-ha-ha-ha!!!"

Happy Friday everyone!

Crush du Jour: Freddie Guerrero

Short subjects

Its been unusually cold again recently. Yesterday morning at 8:15 when I took Jordan for her walk it was only 24 degrees, and the wind chill factor made it feel like 13 degrees. Now, I know that doesn't sound all that cold to some of you, but for this area, that's cold. I really felt badly for the guys doing landscaping work at my neighbors.

Spouse & I watched Obama's speech last night, and I must say that I found it to be inspiring. There's a lot of improvement needed in the US, but I thought Obama did a great job of selecting the most critical items, explain why he selected them, and then pledged to work with Congress to fix the broken processes and make America emerge from this recession. "We will rebuild; we will recover." If you're interested (and you should be) in the most critical areas Obama will concentrate on, check this out. If you want to read a transcript of his speech in its entirety, click here. How refreshing to hear from a President who actually sounds like he knows what he's talking about (rather than just reading a script), and who doesn't smirk and contort his face while delivering a speech!

Spouse & I went to the gym last night. Since most of the machines are different than those I'm used to at the trainer's, I asked the guy behind the desk for a little help. He gave me a 10-minute orientation of how the machines work, how to adjust them, and what order to use them. It was exactly what I wanted. Then I did 12 minutes on the treadmill to warm up, followed by 40 minutes on the machines. Spouse spent the entire time on the stair climber. I don't know how he can do it that long.

Tonight I'm going to an introductory yoga class. I'm kind of excited about it, as I've heard several people talk about how much they enjoy yoga. I think it will be fun.
Is it just me, or does this picture give anyone else dirty thoughts?

A few weeks ago I took Big Ella to a place that does vintage car restorations to get an estimate on a paint job. I was floored by what I was told. Keep in mind Big Ella is still wearing most of her original paint from 1959, although there are a few rust spots and other areas where the paint has worn off. The guy at the resto shop said "to do it right" he would remove the bumpers and all the chrome, sand the body down to the bare metal, cut out the rust and replace it with new sheet metal, prime and paint the car, then put the bumpers and all the chrome back on. He thought that would probably run somewhere between $15,000. - $20,000. I tried not to ask as surprised as I was when I said "Wow." I also decided not to tell him that was more than I paid for the car.

After relating this to a friend, he recommended Maaco.
I was skeptical, as I remembered hearing ads for $199. paint jobs. I figured the quality would be crap, but my friend said he had used Maaco to paint a vintage car he once owned, and it turned out very nice. I went online to look for Maaco locations and learn a bit more, and then I called them. Obviously the $199. paint job is a special; not their everyday price, and it does not include any bodywork, which is exactly what I expected. But the more I read and learned, accompanied by my friend's recommendation, the more I am considering doing it. The $15,000. paint job is simply out of the question. But even if I got the top-of-the-line paint job at Maaco, its only about $1,000. plus the body work. So I figure, I may be able to get it all done for $2,000. or so. At that price, even if the paint job only lasted a few years, I could just get it done again (several times) and still not spend as much as the resto guy quoted.

So I'm thinking about it. Have any of you ever used Maaco or know anybody who has? I'd love to hear about the experience.

Crush du Jour: Andrew Stetson

One word answers

I took a 1/2 hour break yesterday to watch the swearing in of VP Biden and President Obama. I found Obama's speech to be sober and realistic, yet simultaneously hopeful and inspiring. Indeed, I felt proud to be an American.
This photo was taken yesterday by my friend Kevin.

I'm dreadfully behind in my blog reading, and seem to barely be able to post my life's happenings and my mind's tinkerings. However, I will catch up. It may take me several more days, but I will catch up.

Got this little ditty from Seattle blogger buddy A Rad Homo. After reading my one words answers, copy/paste this into your blog and replace my answers with yours.

One Word Answers

1. Where is your cell phone? pocket

2. Your significant other? Spouse

3. Your hair? blonde

4. Your mother? distant

5. Your father? absent

6. Your favorite thing? love

7. Your dream last night? forgotten

8. Your favorite drink? cocktails!

9. Your dream/goal? contentment

10. The room you're in? office

11. Your fear? heartache

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? here

13. Where were you last night? potluck

14. What you're not? slender

15. Muffins? blueberry

16. One of your wish list items? BIGELLA

17. Where you grew up? VA

18. The last thing you did? talk

19. What are you wearing? sweatshirt

20. Your TV? Toshiba

21. Your pet? Pouncer

22. Your computer? slow

23. Your life? fabulous

24. Your mood? happy

25. Missing someone? sometimes

26. Your car? Cadillac

27. Something you're not wearing? sheer

28. Favorite store? Value City

29. Summer? best

30. Favorite color? green

31. Why did you laugh last? Spouse

32. Why did you cry last? Milk

33. Who will repost this? everyone!

34. A place I go over and over: dinner

35. Someone who emails me: Tony

36. Place I would rather be right now: warm

Crush du Jour: Vince Vaughn

Obama's commitments to GLBTs

Obama posts campaign pledges on LGBT rights
By 365gay Newscenter Staff

(Washington) President-elect Barack Obama has laid out his commitment to LGBT civil rights in an eight-point plan posted on his transition Web site.

It calls for passage of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act; a gender-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act; repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell; repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act; opposition to any attempt to reintroduce an amendment to the Constitution to ban same-sex marriage, support for inclusive adoption rights; and an expanded war on HIV/AIDS.

The program is identical to Obama’s positions during the campaign and LGBT rights groups said it shows that the president-elect is committed to keeping his word.

The Matthew Shepard Hate Crime Act would add sexual orientation to the list of categories covered under federal hate crime law. It passed the House in 2007 and the White House threatened to veto it. In an effort to get around a veto, the Senate version was tied to the 2008 defense authorization bill. It passed but then went to conference, where it was stripped out.
Obama was a co-sponsor of the bill. On his transition Web site, Obama notes that in 2004, crimes against LGBT Americans constituted the third-highest category of hate crime reported, making up more than 15 percent. As a state senator in Illinois, Obama helped pass tough legislation that made hate crimes - and the conspiracy to commit them - against the law.

Obama, in his eight-point plan, also supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and says it must include gender identity.

ENDA passed the US House in 2007 without protections for the transgendered, but was not taken up by the Senate.

The legislation would make it illegal for employers to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation in hiring, firing, promoting or paying an employee.

ENDA as originally introduced by Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass) included transpeople, but Frank removed those protections in committee, saying it would be impossible to pass the bill if it included gender identity.

More than a dozen LGBT groups immediately distanced themselves from the legislation. Frank has since said he would fight to ensure an inclusive ENDA is passed.

Obama’s support for an inclusive ENDA virtually assures it will include gender identity when it is reintroduced in the next session of Congress.

“While an increasing number of employers have extended benefits to their employees’ domestic partners, discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace occurs with no federal legal remedy,” Obama says on the transition site.

Legislation to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the ban on gays serving openly in the military, was taken up in committee this year for the first time, but did not make it to a vote.

DADT was enacted in 1993. Since then more than 12,000 servicemembers have been dismissed when it was learned they are gay. According to statistics from the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, which advocates for gays in the military, an average of two service members each day are dismissed under the law.

“The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited,” the Obama transition site says.

“Obama will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and ensure it helps accomplish our national defense goals.”

The Web site also touts Obama’s commitment to same-sex families, but he remains reluctant to support gay marriage.

“Barack Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples.” the transition site says.

“Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions. These rights and benefits include the right to assist a loved one in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits, and property rights,” the Web site says.

He also supports adoption rights for all couples “regardless of their sexual orientation.”

Obama’s plan also offers a comprehensive plan for combating HIV/AIDS.

“In the first year of his presidency, Barack Obama will develop and begin to implement a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategy that includes all federal agencies. The strategy will be designed to reduce HIV infections, increase access to care and reduce HIV-related health disparities,” the Web site says.

Part of that plan would see a diminished role for the Bush administration’s dependence on abstinence education, as well as distributing contraceptives in prisons and lifting the federal ban on needle exchanges.

Crush du Jour: Ryan McPartlin

Join the Impact!

By now everyone knows that on Nov 4 the United States made history by electing its first African-American (minority) president.

The state of California also made history that same day by voting to amend its state constitution to REMOVE rights from a minority. Proposition 8 was passed, which removed the right to marry from GLBT citizens.

A dangerous precedent was set: the ruling majority can vote to remove rights from a minority. This begs the question: Which minority will be the next victim of the majority?

I urge everyone to familiarize themselves and participate in Join The Impact, a group that organizes believers in equal rights and encourages peaceful demonstrations.

You don't have to belong to a minority to believe in equal rights!

This Saturday, November 15, peaceful demonstrations are being planned in cities all over the US and the world against CA Prop 8. Please show your support for equal rights for ALL citizens - not just the majority - by attending. Bring a home made sign!

For demonstration locations, sign ideas, protest tips, etc. visit Join The Impact.

Please post a similar message on your blog, or copy this one and paste it into an email and send it to those you know who believe in equal rights for all Americans.

Crush du Jour: Daniel Miagany

Post election

Last Wed after Obama won the US presidency, and I wrote "Not only was this election important to Americans, it was important to America's reputation with the rest of the world." Indeed, it appears the rest of the world was eagerly watching.

A friend sent me this video, and I gotta say, it made me get a little choked up! Watch it and see if you feel the same way.

And if that didn't get you, check out these photos from around the world.

From Australia:
From Shanghai:

From Senegal:

From the Phillipines:

From London:

From Kenya:

From Jerusalem:

From Japan:

From India:

From Greece:

From Indonesia:

It was exciting to see and feel history in the making!

Crush du Jour: Andy Cohen

An unusual day

Yesterday was an unusual day.

Spouse was still in bed when I got up, showered, dressed, fed the cat and dog, and started working. Normally he's on his way to work when I get up, but yesterday he had the day off. DE state employees are given the entire day off for the election.

Last week Spouse decided he would volunteer at the polls on election day, on behalf of the progressive, open-minded candidate for Governor Jack Markell, whom we've supported financially and by attending rallies and having a yard sign. Spouse is sort of shy, so the idea of him talking to voters before they enter the voting stations seemed like something he'd avoid like the plague. But he did it and said he enjoyed it.

At about 11pm ET Barack Obama was declared the winner of the presidential election! This is unusual because just 4 years ago he delivered a speech at the DNC and had been virtually unknown until that time. He then became a US senator and now our president-elect. He is also the 1st African American (more accurately 1/2 African American) president in US history.

Also unusual is the fact that Obama was able to turn over at least 7 states (so far) that had previously voted Republican in the last election. One of these turn-over states is my home state of VA, which has not voted for a Democratic president in over 40 years, since 1964. Additionally VA's sitting Republican senator Gilmore was beaten by Democrat Warner. This former 'red state' now has a Democratic Governor and two Democratic senators, making it a 'blue state' now.
Unlike George W Bush who barely won the electoral college in 2000 and did not win the popular vote, Obama swept the electoral college and won the popular vote by at least 6 points.

Sitting NC Republican senator Elizabeth Dole lost her seat to Democrat Hagan.

Locally, our Democratic candidate for Governor Jack Markell won. This is unusual because in DE the Governor is almost always the former Lt. Governor, but not this time. Markell will be the 1st Governor in many years who was not formerly the Lt. Gov. The new Lt. Gov. and most other senate and house seats were won by Democrats. Since Spouse volunteered at the polls, we were invited to and attended one of the Markell victory parties last night.

Even without MO and NC (which are still too close to call), Obama has won the election by more than 6 points, and won states that were not Democratic in the last election. This tells me that Americans recognized that:

• John McCain was not a fresh, new voice for change
• Sarah Palin was unqualified for the office of VP (and potentially President)
• Barack Obama was the only person to demonstrate an ability lead our country toward the change we all recognize is necessary

Today I am proud of my country and fellow Americans.

However, my glee and elation over the Democratic sweep is tempered by my deep disappointment over 4 important ballot measures in CA, AK, AZ, and FL. Although the results are not yet final, with 95% or more precincts reporting, it appears that:

• Prop 8 in CA, repealing existing gay marriage, will pass
• Initiative 1 in AK, banning gay couples from adopting children, will pass
• Prop 102 in AZ, banning gay marriage, will pass
• Amendment 2 in FL, banning gay marriage, will pass

Unfortunately these ballot measures are not passing with narrow margins either. They are passing by 6-24 points! This should be a clear message to our legislators that leaving issues of personal rights up to the individual states results in terrible inequity. Why should all citizens of a state be able to vote on the rights of a minority? Legislation on the federal level is what is needed to ensure that all citizens are treated equally under the law. Hopefully Obama will be able to incorporate this into the new direction to which he'll be leading our country.

Not only was this election important to Americans, it was important to America's reputation with the rest of the world. It seems to me that our country sent a rather clear message to the world last night: "We know we've been awful the last 8 years, and we're really sorry. To prove it, we're changing".

Crush du Jour: David Alan Basche

Ellen

I've gotta hand it to Ellen. She has really been workin' the whole "No on Prop 8" campaign. She dontated $100,000. toward the campaign against Prop 8, and has been talking about it every chance she gets, with guests on her show, and when she is a guest on other shows.

Check out all the videos! I really admire a person who puts their money where their mouth is, and Ellen is continuing to do that. Go, Ellen!

I guess its no surprise who Ellen will be voting for on Nov 4th. Check out Ellen's visits from Barack and Michelle Obama.

Crush du Jour: Barry Watson

Undecided

Yesterday I was reading this article over at my buddy Clark's blog and had to chuckle. David Sedaris humorously characterizes undecided voters:
"I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. “Can I interest you in the chicken?” she asks. “Or would you prefer the platter of shit with bits of broken glass in it?”

Funny, right? The choice between McCain/Palin and Obama/Biden seems just that simple, doesn't it?

But then I was reading this article today and had to re-read sections to fully understand. Its confusing! This made me a bit more sympathetic to undecided voters if they are voting on specific issues rather than on the candidate's overall message.

In the article on the candidates' and VP candidates' view on gay marriage, we find:

• McCain opposes gay marriage but would oppose a federal constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, but supports state level amendments to ban gay marriage
• Palin opposes gay marriage, would support a federal constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, and supports state level amendments to ban gay marriage, but vetoed a bill that would deny benefits to partners of gay state employees in Alaska
• Obama opposes gay marriage, but would oppose a federal constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, but supports civil unions that provide all the same benefits as marriage
• Biden opposes gay marriage, but would appose a federal constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, but openly opposes Prop 8 in CA, and supports civil unions that provide all the same benefits as marriage

I don't feel embarrassed to say that most of this doesn't make sense to me.

Why would Palin want to ban gay marriage yet veto a bill to deny benefits to partners of gay state employees? Doesn't banning gay marriage effectively deny gay people these benefits?

Why would Biden be against gay marriage, but oppose Prop 8 which would invalidate the gay marriages that have already taken place in CA?

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Equal rights are most often fought for, not given freely. If you are a GLBT person and are not involved in the fight for equal rights yet, its not too late. Call, write, or email your representatives and tell them you want equal protection under the law. Tell them it is unfair to pay the same taxes as married people but not receive the same protections and benefits as married people. Tell them it is unfair to be unable to marry the person you love. Tell them it is unfair that you are vulnerable to discrimination (loss of employment, housing, etc.) based on your sexual orientation.

Remember the old adage: The squeaky wheel gets the grease. If you don't tell them, they won't know. Don't let your silence speak louder than your words.

Crush du Jour: Adam Baldwin

Ronald Reagan

I know I put a presidential politics moratorium on my blog until after the election, but a friend shared this video with me and I think its just too fabulous not to share with you.

I think it was created by an Obama supporter, as opposed to the Obama campaign itself.

If there's any way possible that someone could still be undecided on who they're going to vote for, this video should clear it up quickly.

Enjoy, and feel free to post on your blog.

Crush du Jour: Kyle Bornheimer