I just thought I would post a couple of quick quotes from the EU Constitution. The quotes are Article 20 & 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Article 20
Equality before the law
Everyone is equal before the law.
Article 21
Non-discrimination
1. Any discrimination based on any ground such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation shall be prohibited.
2. Within the scope of application of the Treaty establishing the European Community and of the Treaty on European Union, and without prejudice to the special provisions of those Treaties, any discrimination on grounds of nationality shall be prohibited.
Friday, February 25, 2005
Thursday, February 24, 2005
A Plea for Input
I have recently developed a very sour opinion of my country. I don't know if this is a skewed vision or if what I am seeing is reality. So, this is what I would like from all of you in Blogger Land. Please respond to this post with one positive thing about contemporary America. While I would prefer some specific examples, even a quick sentence will do. Help me restore some faith in our Nation.
A brief note of change on my Blog. I have changed the layout so that only my recent days post will come up on the initial screen. If you would like to go back a couple of days, you can do so with the links to the right.
Shaych
A brief note of change on my Blog. I have changed the layout so that only my recent days post will come up on the initial screen. If you would like to go back a couple of days, you can do so with the links to the right.
Shaych
Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought
Yep, it's back.
In a recent series of articles Fox News Reporter Greg Palkot followed the Bush Train through Europe trying to get the "real European man's" view on Americans and our policy. The first story I read of his was the last installment of the series written from Slovakia. The entire article is written from a negative "back in the USSR" mentality that really upset me. Perhaps it is because the eastern European block countries are near and dear to my heart but this article really upset me. He talks as though they have lived for generations without Soviet rule when in fact they only gained their own sense of independence a relatively short time ago, so they have not really had a lot of time or money to come into their own.
In this article he also asserts that only by becoming more American and more capitalistic will these countries survive. I find this to be amazingly arrogant. In case some haven't noticed, we do not have the only form of democracy nor do we have a 100% perfect way of running a country. There are a number of serious problems we face as a nation on domestic issues that should not be spread to other countries. In this article he only slightly addresses some negative feelings that apparently only one person in the whole of Slovakia has, then moves on to some perky secretary who says she "loves" America.
The entire article reminded me of reading pieces written by early explorers who talk about the savages and how it was the responsibility of the explorers to show them the right way to live. I have a hard time with the mentality that "progress" is measured by how many Wal Marts and Barnes and Nobels are on each block. I mean will Eastern Europe finally be brought into the modern era when you can't spit without hitting a Starbucks? Why can't they find their own way to democracy and to their own economic system. I mean G-d forbid they should suddenly have a system of fair taxation, centralized health care for all citizens, a viable retirement plan for senior citizens, a governing body that truly represents the people and a society that doesn't look down on history, culture and those who cant afford it?
For an interesting take on Communist/Socialist to capitalist change see Good Bye Lenin.
In a recent series of articles Fox News Reporter Greg Palkot followed the Bush Train through Europe trying to get the "real European man's" view on Americans and our policy. The first story I read of his was the last installment of the series written from Slovakia. The entire article is written from a negative "back in the USSR" mentality that really upset me. Perhaps it is because the eastern European block countries are near and dear to my heart but this article really upset me. He talks as though they have lived for generations without Soviet rule when in fact they only gained their own sense of independence a relatively short time ago, so they have not really had a lot of time or money to come into their own.
In this article he also asserts that only by becoming more American and more capitalistic will these countries survive. I find this to be amazingly arrogant. In case some haven't noticed, we do not have the only form of democracy nor do we have a 100% perfect way of running a country. There are a number of serious problems we face as a nation on domestic issues that should not be spread to other countries. In this article he only slightly addresses some negative feelings that apparently only one person in the whole of Slovakia has, then moves on to some perky secretary who says she "loves" America.
The entire article reminded me of reading pieces written by early explorers who talk about the savages and how it was the responsibility of the explorers to show them the right way to live. I have a hard time with the mentality that "progress" is measured by how many Wal Marts and Barnes and Nobels are on each block. I mean will Eastern Europe finally be brought into the modern era when you can't spit without hitting a Starbucks? Why can't they find their own way to democracy and to their own economic system. I mean G-d forbid they should suddenly have a system of fair taxation, centralized health care for all citizens, a viable retirement plan for senior citizens, a governing body that truly represents the people and a society that doesn't look down on history, culture and those who cant afford it?
For an interesting take on Communist/Socialist to capitalist change see Good Bye Lenin.
Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought (part two)
In another article written by Greg Plakot he talks about being in Germany. His article makes absolutely no mention of any protest marches or any dissent in the small German town he visited. He does talk about some woman and her first chewing gum and how she marveled at the "big cars that the Americans tooled around in, real ambassadors for the American way." What he doesn't mention is the large protest happening just 10 minutes from where he is. If he really wanted to know how the Germans feel about Bush and our Policies, he should have asked these people.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Just a Matter of Latitude
As our neighbors to the north consider 
national legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in all Canadian Provinces and Territories, opponents of same-sex marriage in the United States are voicing their opinions. Apparently several thousand letters have flooded the Prime Minister's voicing the concerns of American Conservative Christians telling him to abandon his pursuit of same-sex marriage. In other words, Americans are trying to tell Canadians who should and should not get married in their country. The arrogance of these people astound me. The decision on whether or not Canada allows same-sex couples the right to marry is Canada's decision. I really don't think we want Canadians weighing in on our public policy, so we should stay out of theirs.
Article
national legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in all Canadian Provinces and Territories, opponents of same-sex marriage in the United States are voicing their opinions. Apparently several thousand letters have flooded the Prime Minister's voicing the concerns of American Conservative Christians telling him to abandon his pursuit of same-sex marriage. In other words, Americans are trying to tell Canadians who should and should not get married in their country. The arrogance of these people astound me. The decision on whether or not Canada allows same-sex couples the right to marry is Canada's decision. I really don't think we want Canadians weighing in on our public policy, so we should stay out of theirs.Article
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Two Interesting Polls
Majority of Americans believe that the United States is ready for a female president and what's more, they believe that it can be Hillary Rodham Clinton. Here
A majority of Americans do not believe that humans evolved at all, instead they believe that G-d created us just as we are. They also favor teaching both creationism and evolution in schools. Here
A majority of Americans do not believe that humans evolved at all, instead they believe that G-d created us just as we are. They also favor teaching both creationism and evolution in schools. Here
Monday, February 21, 2005
A Question of Spiritutality
DISCLAIMER: In this post I address issues of religion, G-d and faith. Nothing in here is meant to be a statement of aggression or negativity. I am simply exploring ideas and thoughts that I have had from time to time. While I am on what some may call a spiritual quest, that does not mean that I am in search of a particular religion or dogma. So, if you have interesting and constructive ideas to share, please do. HOWEVER Do not make any attempt to bring me to the life of g-d or any church in particular. I will completely ignore and disregard any attempt at ANY conversion. Religion and spirituality are extremely personal issues and as I try and respect the decisions others have made, I fully expect the same respect in return. Let me also add; the discussion and ideas I share in this post are not political but philosophical. I see a clear line between theology and politics and while I do spend quite a bit of time talking about the politics of religion, this is essay is written from a theological approach. This disclaimer applies for this post and any other posts on this Blog that deal with the exploration of religion.
In an attempt to work out some of my own philosophical and spiritual issues, I have decided to share some of my thoughts on G-d. A number of events recently have led me back to questioning what I believe and why I believe it. This posting is the first of what I hope to be several personal essays exploring the ideas of religion and spirituality. It is incomplete and not a polished piece of writing, so please bear with me.
Let me first begin by admitting most of what I know about G-d (I’ll explain later why I have chosen to use G-d) I learned from movies. I have always been drawn to the big picture battle between good and evil and how that battle is played out on and through man kind. I am fascinated by the “mystical” elements of religion and how those elements (angels, demons, saints… etc.) live among us in our every day world. I gain a lot of satisfaction from the idea that there is a whole other layer to the world that we live in that we do not understand or see.
I have seen and felt things that I know exist and to me denying their existence is pure naiveté. I have felt the power of meditation and magic. I have sensed the manipulation of energy, the force that I believe holds us all together. There are things that make sense to me because I can feel that they are real. This is not a blind faith of a deity but just something that comes from deep inside me that I know it is true.
Many have confused my lack of belief in the Christian G-d with a lack of belief in any higher power. I find that assumption to be absurd. I firmly believe in the existence of an entity that reaches beyond our present comprehension and our single plane of existence. I see this entity as being omniscient and omnipresent, not because it created life but because it is created of life. In fact not just life, but existence itself. Imagine Puff The Magic Dragon, Puff existed because the children believed in him, they invested time energy and life force to create an entity that would not exist without them. Once the children stopped believing, he stopped existing.
In this writing and others, I use the written form of G-d as G – d. This idea originally came from Orthodox Judaic Teachings that one must never write the name of G-d because if you were to have to erase or destroy the document that the name of G-d is written on, then you are in fact destroying G-d himself. While I found that idea fascinating at the time, the more I thought about it the more I realized that for me the idea of writing the name of G-d in this manner separates what is see as G-d and what others see as God. G-d throughout history has been called many different names. Every religion has placed a different label on what I believe to be the same exact thing.
I don’t see organized religion as a natural thing. I think that organized religion is an invention of mankind in an attempt to create something to explain what I see as G-d. I think that is why I never have felt comfortable with any religious institution. I don’t believe that knowledge and enlightenment should cost financially. I don’t believe that one should have to go to any single building or place to access the power that it is G-d through a single point person. I think that we all are and should be our own temples and our own gateway to this entity that is G-d. I see churches as being large organizations that have entirely too much power and wealth for their own good. I believe that G-d exists hot because of organized religion but in spite of it.
In an attempt to work out some of my own philosophical and spiritual issues, I have decided to share some of my thoughts on G-d. A number of events recently have led me back to questioning what I believe and why I believe it. This posting is the first of what I hope to be several personal essays exploring the ideas of religion and spirituality. It is incomplete and not a polished piece of writing, so please bear with me.
Let me first begin by admitting most of what I know about G-d (I’ll explain later why I have chosen to use G-d) I learned from movies. I have always been drawn to the big picture battle between good and evil and how that battle is played out on and through man kind. I am fascinated by the “mystical” elements of religion and how those elements (angels, demons, saints… etc.) live among us in our every day world. I gain a lot of satisfaction from the idea that there is a whole other layer to the world that we live in that we do not understand or see.
I have seen and felt things that I know exist and to me denying their existence is pure naiveté. I have felt the power of meditation and magic. I have sensed the manipulation of energy, the force that I believe holds us all together. There are things that make sense to me because I can feel that they are real. This is not a blind faith of a deity but just something that comes from deep inside me that I know it is true.
Many have confused my lack of belief in the Christian G-d with a lack of belief in any higher power. I find that assumption to be absurd. I firmly believe in the existence of an entity that reaches beyond our present comprehension and our single plane of existence. I see this entity as being omniscient and omnipresent, not because it created life but because it is created of life. In fact not just life, but existence itself. Imagine Puff The Magic Dragon, Puff existed because the children believed in him, they invested time energy and life force to create an entity that would not exist without them. Once the children stopped believing, he stopped existing.
In this writing and others, I use the written form of G-d as G – d. This idea originally came from Orthodox Judaic Teachings that one must never write the name of G-d because if you were to have to erase or destroy the document that the name of G-d is written on, then you are in fact destroying G-d himself. While I found that idea fascinating at the time, the more I thought about it the more I realized that for me the idea of writing the name of G-d in this manner separates what is see as G-d and what others see as God. G-d throughout history has been called many different names. Every religion has placed a different label on what I believe to be the same exact thing.
I don’t see organized religion as a natural thing. I think that organized religion is an invention of mankind in an attempt to create something to explain what I see as G-d. I think that is why I never have felt comfortable with any religious institution. I don’t believe that knowledge and enlightenment should cost financially. I don’t believe that one should have to go to any single building or place to access the power that it is G-d through a single point person. I think that we all are and should be our own temples and our own gateway to this entity that is G-d. I see churches as being large organizations that have entirely too much power and wealth for their own good. I believe that G-d exists hot because of organized religion but in spite of it.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
A Brief Reprise and Response
It has been brought to my attention that some who read my blog have been potentially offended by my apparent hatred of Christians and Christianity. So I would like to take a moment and perhaps clarify my position.
I understand that there are a number of wonderful people in this world who have faith in G-d and lead wonderful lives. They have beautiful families and understand what it means to be a positive member of a community and how their community fits into the world as a whole. There are Christians who believe that tolerance, love, peace and honesty are virtues that we should all uphold. I would agree with them. I think that the world could use a lot more tolerance and understanding. I recognize that there are a number of positive religious organizations in the world: Religious Tolerance.org, Unitarian Universalists, and Habitat for Humanity. My frustration is not with those who would follow the true idea that I believe lies at the heart of most religions, but with those who would use G-d as a weapon.
Let me share a little about myself. I was raised in a family that did not have any strict religious views. I was taught growing up that I should be a responsible and good person because it was the right thing to do, not because some omnipotent being would punish me if I did the wrong thing. I was taught that knowledge and independent thought are the two most important virtues any person could possibly have. Growing up I saw a lot of pain and anger in my family and I learned very quickly what excess and abuse can do to a home. Once, I entered school, I also learned what it feels like to be harassed, bullied and called names, something that would continue for the next 13 years.
Now that I have grown, the names have changed and the faces have aged but the message is still the same. Instead of the children on the schoolyard, the jabs come from a much higher and much more organized force. These groups of people hide behind seemingly innocent names and messages of family values and a better America, when at their core, they are really teachers of hate and fear. I understand that you may not see it that way, but I have seen the worst of them all.
On a personal note:
In a recent response to Valium Blog, it was brought to my attention that, after reading my blog, they felt the way that I would feel, if they posted daily gay bashing information on the net. To this person I say this; I do see daily gay bashings happening on the net; not by you personally, but I do see it. I see it in the 11 states that just passed legislation that says no matter how long I am with my partner and husband, we will never be anything more than strangers. I see it when I read that I am responsible, because of my affectual orientation, in any way for the deaths on September 11. I read it when I am compared to pedophiles, zoophiles, rapists, and worse. I hear it on the radio when my president tells me that my relationship is one of the single greatest threats my country faces. You may not see it, but I do.
Let me say just one more thing about politics in general. I don’t think religion (of any kind or fashion) belongs in government. Period. If someone chooses to align themselves with the politics of our current administration and see my criticizing them as an attack on Christians in general, I cannot help that. Nor will I ever back down from my fight against the dishonesty and blatant greed of the current administration. I may regret being too general, something my foes are all too often guilty of, but I will stand behind each and every individually directed comment I have ever made on my blog.
I don’t want to get into too much detail here, if you would like to exchange ideas, contact me. I would love to have an open and honest discussion with any of you. I don’t want to burn familial bridges before they even have the chance to be built. I would love to have seen anyone from Valium’s family be at our wedding. I am sure our families would get along well. If it is one thing you will learn about me it is that I have strong opinions and convictions, both of which I am more than happy to share. I welcome good meaning debate and discussion, I believe that is how we learn and grow as humans. When our beliefs are challenged we learn, and that knowledge makes our beliefs even stronger.
I understand that there are a number of wonderful people in this world who have faith in G-d and lead wonderful lives. They have beautiful families and understand what it means to be a positive member of a community and how their community fits into the world as a whole. There are Christians who believe that tolerance, love, peace and honesty are virtues that we should all uphold. I would agree with them. I think that the world could use a lot more tolerance and understanding. I recognize that there are a number of positive religious organizations in the world: Religious Tolerance.org, Unitarian Universalists, and Habitat for Humanity. My frustration is not with those who would follow the true idea that I believe lies at the heart of most religions, but with those who would use G-d as a weapon.
Let me share a little about myself. I was raised in a family that did not have any strict religious views. I was taught growing up that I should be a responsible and good person because it was the right thing to do, not because some omnipotent being would punish me if I did the wrong thing. I was taught that knowledge and independent thought are the two most important virtues any person could possibly have. Growing up I saw a lot of pain and anger in my family and I learned very quickly what excess and abuse can do to a home. Once, I entered school, I also learned what it feels like to be harassed, bullied and called names, something that would continue for the next 13 years.
Now that I have grown, the names have changed and the faces have aged but the message is still the same. Instead of the children on the schoolyard, the jabs come from a much higher and much more organized force. These groups of people hide behind seemingly innocent names and messages of family values and a better America, when at their core, they are really teachers of hate and fear. I understand that you may not see it that way, but I have seen the worst of them all.
On a personal note:
In a recent response to Valium Blog, it was brought to my attention that, after reading my blog, they felt the way that I would feel, if they posted daily gay bashing information on the net. To this person I say this; I do see daily gay bashings happening on the net; not by you personally, but I do see it. I see it in the 11 states that just passed legislation that says no matter how long I am with my partner and husband, we will never be anything more than strangers. I see it when I read that I am responsible, because of my affectual orientation, in any way for the deaths on September 11. I read it when I am compared to pedophiles, zoophiles, rapists, and worse. I hear it on the radio when my president tells me that my relationship is one of the single greatest threats my country faces. You may not see it, but I do.
Let me say just one more thing about politics in general. I don’t think religion (of any kind or fashion) belongs in government. Period. If someone chooses to align themselves with the politics of our current administration and see my criticizing them as an attack on Christians in general, I cannot help that. Nor will I ever back down from my fight against the dishonesty and blatant greed of the current administration. I may regret being too general, something my foes are all too often guilty of, but I will stand behind each and every individually directed comment I have ever made on my blog.
I don’t want to get into too much detail here, if you would like to exchange ideas, contact me. I would love to have an open and honest discussion with any of you. I don’t want to burn familial bridges before they even have the chance to be built. I would love to have seen anyone from Valium’s family be at our wedding. I am sure our families would get along well. If it is one thing you will learn about me it is that I have strong opinions and convictions, both of which I am more than happy to share. I welcome good meaning debate and discussion, I believe that is how we learn and grow as humans. When our beliefs are challenged we learn, and that knowledge makes our beliefs even stronger.
Friday, February 11, 2005
A Moment of Reflection
I love creation, I love inspiration, I love knowing that I have brought something beautiful into the world. The entire creative process excites me, no mater the medium. Along with Valium, I too touched brush, to paint, to canvas for the first time today. I had a dream several months ago that I was painting, and the feeling I had in my dream was of pure joy and relaxation, something I hope to find in my waking life. Sometimes I find myself so stressed out and overwhelmed that worry that it has consumed me and I would like to explore painting as a way to release some of this energy and maybe find some peace within.
I would also like to explore mediation. There is a Buddhist center down the street from the new apartment that offers weekly mediations led by a Buddhist monk, I think I would like to give it a try. Any one else up for it?
I would also like to explore mediation. There is a Buddhist center down the street from the new apartment that offers weekly mediations led by a Buddhist monk, I think I would like to give it a try. Any one else up for it?
Thursday, February 10, 2005
A Short Break
I think that it might be time for me to take a little break from the daily headlines. Lately, most of my writing has been incredibly political which has served as an opportunity for me to vent some of my frustration on what is going on in our world. Sometimes it can be so overwhelming that I just don't know what to do and writing helped with that. However, I also need to start taking some time to write about other things and work on my creative side. So, I think I am going to take a short break from the Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought and instead move into a more narrative/creative direction.
I hope you all like it.
I hope you all like it.
Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought
Isn't it bad enough that Fuckus on the Family has created gay panic and hysteria in our country? Apparently, FOF, CFV, and other AMERICAN RIGHT WING CHEST BEATING JESUS FREAKS have been trying to influence Canadian Parliament to vote against adopting same sex marriage. What is it about us (gays and lesbians) that freak these people out? Really, I want to know. What have I done as an average American gay man that has harmed any of them? I truly believe that their fear and hatred (I don't care what they say, that is precisely what it is) has crossed the line and has become pathological. Focusing that much on my sexuality is just not healthy.
I hope that the Canadian Government stands up and fights against this influence from the South. Events like this make me want to put my buttons back on and go militant again. I miss Queer Nation. Maybe what we have forgotten is that our sexuality, in fact our very existence in this country is political. We have tried to just live our lives and be quite subservient homos living in an essential closet. They kept telling us that if you weren't so forceful about it then it wouldn't be an issue. The apparent deal was that if we would go and sit quietly right outside the closet door, we would get the equal treatment that we deserve. Well, we quieted down, and the rights haven't come.
In an era of political correctness, we have changed our vocabulary to become more like everyone else. We have "gay pride" celebrations that are in all honesty a total joke. (I probably won't make any friends with the next few sentences but, whatever) Pride Fest has turned into a day long party that has done very little to actually advance our idea or to improve our community. The only thing to really come out of this day of "celebration" is the opportunity for the nightly news to get their annual 30 seconds of footage featuring drag queens, leather daddies and topless lesbians to remind the families at home what the queers are doing. Now don't get me wrong, I have no problems with drag queens, leather daddies and topless lesbians. In fact, it is probably those three groups that still hold on to some semblance of activism and true sense of what it means to have to fight for basic living rights.
I believe I have written before on the issue of our cause not being the general public's cause. I am astounded by how many people I talk to who don't understand what the actual and real legal status is of my life in our nation. Well let me take this opportunity to share a few ideas:
States without any meaningful legal recognition of same-sex couples: 48
States without basic anti-discriminatory laws that include sexual orientation: 35
Number of GLB members of the armed forces discharged under “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” in 2003: 787 that is 2.16 a day. Though I admit that was down from the all time recorded high of 1,273 (3.49 a day) in 2001. Then again, we are at war where historically discharges go down until after combat ends when they are likely to rise again.
Number of states where GLB couples are specifically allowed to adopt children: 5 States that absolutely forbid same sex adoption: 6 Same sex adoption in the other 39 states is ambiguous.
What does all this mean? It means that in an overwhelming majority of this country, my relationship with my husband has absolutely no recognition. We are treated as no more than causal roommates. For those of you who are married, think about how many aspects of your life is affected by your marriage and what that means.
It means that in an overwhelming majority of this country I can be refused service because of my sexual orientation, I can be fired because my boss doesn’t like that I am gay, I can be refused room and shelter in a public hotel, I can be refused the rental of an apartment or the purchase of a home, all without legal recourse. Because remember, in order for any discrimination to be illegal, there has to be a law forbidding it.
So whose fault is it? Ours, all of ours. Mine, yours, Focus on the Family’s, Bush’s, HRC’s, all of ours. What can be done? I don’t know, but I know that the answer does not lie in what we are doing today. Something has to change, drastically.
I just find it amazing that in the years since the 1969 Stonewall riots, while we have gained many advances in the overall culture and public acceptance, very little has changed where it matters. It doesn’t matter how many gay characters there are on television or how successful “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” is, we are treated as second-class citizens in the eyes of the law. And in the end that is all that really matters when the lights go out.
I hope that the Canadian Government stands up and fights against this influence from the South. Events like this make me want to put my buttons back on and go militant again. I miss Queer Nation. Maybe what we have forgotten is that our sexuality, in fact our very existence in this country is political. We have tried to just live our lives and be quite subservient homos living in an essential closet. They kept telling us that if you weren't so forceful about it then it wouldn't be an issue. The apparent deal was that if we would go and sit quietly right outside the closet door, we would get the equal treatment that we deserve. Well, we quieted down, and the rights haven't come.
In an era of political correctness, we have changed our vocabulary to become more like everyone else. We have "gay pride" celebrations that are in all honesty a total joke. (I probably won't make any friends with the next few sentences but, whatever) Pride Fest has turned into a day long party that has done very little to actually advance our idea or to improve our community. The only thing to really come out of this day of "celebration" is the opportunity for the nightly news to get their annual 30 seconds of footage featuring drag queens, leather daddies and topless lesbians to remind the families at home what the queers are doing. Now don't get me wrong, I have no problems with drag queens, leather daddies and topless lesbians. In fact, it is probably those three groups that still hold on to some semblance of activism and true sense of what it means to have to fight for basic living rights.
I believe I have written before on the issue of our cause not being the general public's cause. I am astounded by how many people I talk to who don't understand what the actual and real legal status is of my life in our nation. Well let me take this opportunity to share a few ideas:
States without any meaningful legal recognition of same-sex couples: 48
States without basic anti-discriminatory laws that include sexual orientation: 35
Number of GLB members of the armed forces discharged under “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” in 2003: 787 that is 2.16 a day. Though I admit that was down from the all time recorded high of 1,273 (3.49 a day) in 2001. Then again, we are at war where historically discharges go down until after combat ends when they are likely to rise again.
Number of states where GLB couples are specifically allowed to adopt children: 5 States that absolutely forbid same sex adoption: 6 Same sex adoption in the other 39 states is ambiguous.
What does all this mean? It means that in an overwhelming majority of this country, my relationship with my husband has absolutely no recognition. We are treated as no more than causal roommates. For those of you who are married, think about how many aspects of your life is affected by your marriage and what that means.
It means that in an overwhelming majority of this country I can be refused service because of my sexual orientation, I can be fired because my boss doesn’t like that I am gay, I can be refused room and shelter in a public hotel, I can be refused the rental of an apartment or the purchase of a home, all without legal recourse. Because remember, in order for any discrimination to be illegal, there has to be a law forbidding it.
So whose fault is it? Ours, all of ours. Mine, yours, Focus on the Family’s, Bush’s, HRC’s, all of ours. What can be done? I don’t know, but I know that the answer does not lie in what we are doing today. Something has to change, drastically.
I just find it amazing that in the years since the 1969 Stonewall riots, while we have gained many advances in the overall culture and public acceptance, very little has changed where it matters. It doesn’t matter how many gay characters there are on television or how successful “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” is, we are treated as second-class citizens in the eyes of the law. And in the end that is all that really matters when the lights go out.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought
Iran
Thank you all who voted for Bush. A war in Iran will make Iraq look like a cake walk. Instead of actually declaring war on "terror" why didn't Bush just say what he really wanted to do, declare war on the Middle East.
Thank you all who voted for Bush. A war in Iran will make Iraq look like a cake walk. Instead of actually declaring war on "terror" why didn't Bush just say what he really wanted to do, declare war on the Middle East.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought
Ok, I am not finance minded but this is what I understand about the Social Security issue:
- The economic forecasts that Bush uses to calculate that SS is going to be exhausted by 2040, would also mean that our entire economy has come to a halt. What this also means is that his calculations of what the Personal Private Accounts (or whatever they are calling them now) would not have near the return percentage that he is reporting. In fact, if you use the economic forecasts that he is using to sell his privatization plan, then there actually is no Social Security crisis.
- His privatization plan would cost in the trillions of dollars, almost all of which will be paid for in an accumulation of debt. A vast majority of this money would go to paying the account fees for the private accounts. Now, if you were to put these trillions of dollars directly into Social Security, it would completely bail the system out.
- Again, I am not a fiscally minded person, however, it would make more sense to me to leave the Social Security system alone and allow individuals to invest more money in 401(k) plans or Roth IRAs. These private retirement investment systems are already in place, and would cost no money to change the allowed contributions. If there is someone out there in Blog land who can explain why this wouldn't work, I would appreciate it.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought
What the hell kind of world and country are we living in?
Soldiers editing "kill videos" to music.
Marine General says it was "fun to shoot some people".
Sniper fundraiser, hey they need love too.
Soldiers editing "kill videos" to music.
Marine General says it was "fun to shoot some people".
Sniper fundraiser, hey they need love too.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought
So, Girlzoot calls me tonight and asks me what I thought of the speech. My first thought was "What speech?" then I remembered that our sovereign leader delivered his State of the Union speech today. I must confess I didn’t see or hear his speech. Though I don’t really think I had to. Without so much as reading a transcript or hearing any sound bites from the speech I was able to guess what he talked about. Well, all but one thing.
I didn’t need to sit through who knows how long of a speech for him to tell me what his plan is to destroy our Nation. I really try to avoid using overstated terms, but I truly believe that unless he is stopped, that is precisely what will happen. Between the voting irregularities (Ohio in 2004, Florida in 2000), expansion of corporate roles in our day-to-day government (private military fighting in Iraq), privatization of everything from education to social security, loss of individual rights (Patriot Act), acts of unprovoked aggression (war in Iraq) and increase in religious fervor in our nations leaders, we are rapidly approaching despotism if not full on fascism.
What scares me most is that we as a citizenry will just stand aside and let it happen. Remember, even Hitler was elected to his office.
So let me leave you with two quotes from another infamous leader Bernito Mussolini and you make up your own mind:
“Fascism should more appropriately be called corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power.”
“Let us have a dagger between our teeth, a bomb in our hands, and infinite scorn in our hearts.”
I didn’t need to sit through who knows how long of a speech for him to tell me what his plan is to destroy our Nation. I really try to avoid using overstated terms, but I truly believe that unless he is stopped, that is precisely what will happen. Between the voting irregularities (Ohio in 2004, Florida in 2000), expansion of corporate roles in our day-to-day government (private military fighting in Iraq), privatization of everything from education to social security, loss of individual rights (Patriot Act), acts of unprovoked aggression (war in Iraq) and increase in religious fervor in our nations leaders, we are rapidly approaching despotism if not full on fascism.
What scares me most is that we as a citizenry will just stand aside and let it happen. Remember, even Hitler was elected to his office.
So let me leave you with two quotes from another infamous leader Bernito Mussolini and you make up your own mind:
“Fascism should more appropriately be called corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power.”
“Let us have a dagger between our teeth, a bomb in our hands, and infinite scorn in our hearts.”
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought
Moving sucks.
Well it has taken a couple of days but Valium and I are finally settled into our new apartment. Mind you, that does not mean that all the boxes are unpacked, it only means that it doesn't take us 20 minutes to find underwear in the morning. So far, we are quite happy with our new home and I think we could be quite happy here. Our course load has lessened by one class which should help us out with time and homework.
Over the weekend, my dad helped my grandmother move out of her home that she shares with my grandfather and move into an assisted living type apartment. I didn't know this was happening and I wish that I could have been there to help. I always remember my grandmother from my youth when she was a creative beacon in my life. Then some things changed and she began to grow tired, and her art and creativity began to wither and fade. She has spent her entire life taking care of other people. In her youth it was her brothers and sisters, once married her husband and children, and in some cases, her children's children. She has always been someone who has put other people's needs before her own and now I hope that she will take the time in her last years and take care of herself. I truly hope that she once again uses her time to create beautiful art.
I draw inspiration from my family but not by the things they have accomplished but by the things they have not. When my mom died, she left so many things undone. My uncle is a wonderful painter and yet never touches the brush. My grandmother who always wanted to study science and never did. I see their regrets and unfulfilled dreams and I realize that I still have an opportunity to not follow in their footsteps. Instead, I will do the things I always wanted to do.
Well it has taken a couple of days but Valium and I are finally settled into our new apartment. Mind you, that does not mean that all the boxes are unpacked, it only means that it doesn't take us 20 minutes to find underwear in the morning. So far, we are quite happy with our new home and I think we could be quite happy here. Our course load has lessened by one class which should help us out with time and homework.
Over the weekend, my dad helped my grandmother move out of her home that she shares with my grandfather and move into an assisted living type apartment. I didn't know this was happening and I wish that I could have been there to help. I always remember my grandmother from my youth when she was a creative beacon in my life. Then some things changed and she began to grow tired, and her art and creativity began to wither and fade. She has spent her entire life taking care of other people. In her youth it was her brothers and sisters, once married her husband and children, and in some cases, her children's children. She has always been someone who has put other people's needs before her own and now I hope that she will take the time in her last years and take care of herself. I truly hope that she once again uses her time to create beautiful art.
I draw inspiration from my family but not by the things they have accomplished but by the things they have not. When my mom died, she left so many things undone. My uncle is a wonderful painter and yet never touches the brush. My grandmother who always wanted to study science and never did. I see their regrets and unfulfilled dreams and I realize that I still have an opportunity to not follow in their footsteps. Instead, I will do the things I always wanted to do.
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