Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Remember This?


It's been so hot and humid this summer, and the warm weather has continued until now, the end of September, that it is very easy to forget that winter will be here soon. Tonight may be the first night in a long time that the temperature has gone below 50 degrees. To be honest, I do not like the real cold winter, but I am so tired of the heat and humidity, that I am actually looking forward to a time like the one in the photo taken from my balcony. Bring it on, Old Man Winter!

Demand A Strategy For Iraq

Please join Senator Barbara Boxer in demanding that George Bush develop a strategy to bring our troops home from Iraq. Then contact your Congressman and demand the same thing. Together we can demand an end to the stalemate in Iraq.

More Karl's New Rules

More of Karl's New Rules:

New Rule #4: The only Hummer that should be on the road is the one happening in a
normal size vehicle! Any vehicle that is capable of running over another
should be reserved for use in the desert of Iraq or any other battle field, not
a city or state highway.

New Rule #5: To be politically correct, the BET will now be called the AAET. And, I
am no longer "Caucasian" but "European-American." But then why do we
have to label anyone?

Sunday, September 25, 2005

Support For The War?

About 400 people joined together in Washington, DC to show support to the war in Iraq. This was in contrast to the hundreds of thousands that gathered yesterday to protest the war and speak out against the Bush Administration. Of course, Cindy Sheehan was a big topic of discussion at the pro-war rally. One sign on the mall read "Cindy Sheehan doesn't speak for me" and another "Arrest the traitors"; it listed Sheehan's name first among several people who have spoken against the war. As for me? Cindy Sheehan DOES SPEAK FOR ME! How about you?

The EVIL Catholic Church's History

Today’s Philadelphia Inquirer (Sunday, September 25, 2005) contained a front page story about the recent scathing grand jury report incriminating priests, and providing evidence of cover up by many high ranking officials The jist of the article , called Faith strong despite scandal, was that “Area Catholics are angry, but some call the idea of leaving the church unfathomable.” Many Catholics, the article stated, are disappointed, and even mad, but with a faith in God that is still strong, many would never think of leaving the Catholic Church.
I’ve got news for the many Catholics in the world.
The Catholic Church, not to mention other churches as well, has had scandal and blood on its hand since its beginning. This recent sex abuse scandal is just another in a long line of embarrassing and illegal atrocities of men who call themselves Christian, and “men of God.”
Remember the
Crusades? Remember the Inquisition? Remember the silence and even support of Hitler? Remember the many peoples conquered by the Catholic Church in the name of God? And now, think of the many children abused by the Catholic Church.
I do not understand how a “strong faith in God” equates to support of the Catholic Church, or any church that commits such heinous atrocities. God is God. He is not any one denomination or man-made institution. I have to say I know my Bible pretty well, but tell me where it says that God is the Catholic Church? Where is this “once a Catholic, always a Catholic” thing written? The God I believe in doesn’t require me to belong to any particular church group.
Would a God-fearing Christian continue to hold fast to any other organization that conducted illegal activity? If one belonged to a civic organization that decided to engage in criminal activity to increase its budget, would one think twice about leaving that organization? If a group a God-fearing Christian belonged to had several members committing sexual abuse, would that group still be supported?

Saturday, September 24, 2005

A Tale Of Two Mourning Mothers, One Against The War, The Other In Denial

Two mothers, Diane Ibbotson and H. Elaine Johnson, who have lost sons in Iraq, will be at the Peace Demonstrations in Washington today. Johnson, will protest the war, while Ibbotson will speak out in support of the military action. “There are families who lose children in accidents, in tragic illnesses. Young people die and it seems without a purpose,” said Ibbotson, whose son was 21. “My son gave his life for a cause that he believed in. He fought and died for God and country.” I only hope that when Ms. Ibbotson finally comes to the realization that this war was just a farse, a political move of George Bush, that she will be able to hold it together like she has so far. One of the first stages of grieving is denial. I am afraid that Ms. Ibbotson is still in that stage, trying to explain her son's death by rationalizing the war as just. I hear so many times people of soldiers killed in Iraq saying they died for our freedom, for God and country. I respect those opinions, and I respect the soldiers for doing the job they signed up for, but I am sorry to say nobody in Iraq has died for my freedom. That may sound harsh, but I was just as free before Iraq and I would have been just as free if the US never invaded Iraq. Organizers of today’s anti-war protest predict about 100,000 people will crowd the Ellipse near the White House for a rally and march. Among those expected are Cindy Sheehan, the California mother who drew thousands of protesters to her 26-day vigil outside President Bush’s Texas ranch last month. I applaud all who will be there protesting, whichever "side" they're on.

Friday, September 23, 2005

WASSUPPPPP

Wassupp.....Watch it if you can handle it!

Need A "Clinton" or "Lewinsky"?

A rubber company in China has begun marketing condoms under the brand names Clinton and Lewinsky. The Guangzhou Rubber Company began handing out 100,000 free Clinton and Lewinsky condoms as a promotion. According to Liu Wenhua, spokesman for the company, "The Clinton condom will be the top of our line....The Lewinsky condom is not quite as good." The company chose the names because most Chinese consumers viewed former president Bill Clinton as a responsible person who would want to stress safe sex as a means to prevent the spread of HIV. When will the Clinton and Lewinsky make their way to the US?

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Karl's New Rules

Bill Maher, on his HBO show, Real Time With Bill Maher, has his "New Rules". I have decided it's time for Karl's New Rules. So, every now and again, you will be honored to see what new rules I would like to see instituted. So I begin:

New Rule #1: Unless you have a penis, you will not be allowed to drive an SUV. There is
nothing more dangerous than a woman driving an SUV! I have been almost
run over by too many to count!

New Rule #2: Being fat should not be a reason to get handicapped license plates. Maybe
if these slobs walked a little bit further to the front door of the store, they
wouldn't be so damn fat!

New Rule #3: Grocery shopping should not be a family outing! Mom, Dad, and the 2 or 3
kids do not all need to go on the weekly grocery shopping outing. Mom or Dad, stay home with
the kids. And whoever created those god-awful shopping carts with little cars attached for the kids to play in, should be shot!

More Karl's New Rules to come.

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

It Wasn't Ellen...It's God's Punishment Of The Red States

Well, look out! God is getting ready to punish another "red" state, Texas? That is how I explain the current hurricanes, Katrina and now Rita. It's as good an explaination as Pat Robertson can give. Robertson said Katrina was God's punishment for Ellen Degeneres being the host of the Emmy Awards. “By choosing an avowed lesbian for this national event, these Hollywood elites have clearly invited God’s wrath,” Robertson said on “The 700 Club” on Sunday. “Is it any surprise that the Almighty chose to strike at Miss Degeneres’ hometown?” Robertson also noted that the last time Degeneres hosted the Emmys, in 2001, the September 11 terrorism attacks took place shortly before the ceremony. Earlier, Repent America, the anti-gay, conservative christian organization, blamed Katrina on the "Southern Decadence" gay celebration slated a few days after Katrina hit. Come on! God didnt' cause Katrina to punish anyone! What about when a natural disaster hits a town in the bible belt of America? Did God cause that too?

Let's Hear It For The (Catholic) Church!

WOW!!! What a report! I am talking about the grand jury probe investigating the Philadelphia Archdiocese. The report stated that leaders of the Philadelphia Archdiocese -- including two former Cardinals -- actively concealed sexual abuse by priests for decades. However, no charges can be brought against the church because of statute of limitation laws in PA. The Catholic Church's response, of course, is that the investigation was one-sided and anti-Catholic. Didn't Jesus say, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"? Catholic Church...stop telling me how to live! Thank you! How anybody can be proud to call themselves a catholic is beyond my comprehension.

Baylor Bans Starbuck Coffee Gay Quote. What's The Big Deal?

Most of you probably have heard or read by now that Baylor University, Texas, has decided to NOT allow Starbucks coffee cups with a quote from Armistead Maupin, a gay writer, to be sold on campus. The quote from Maupin that is on the coffee cups is, "My only regret about being gay is that I repressed it for so long. I surrendered my youth to the people I feared when I could have been out there loving someone. Don't make that mistake yourself. Life's too damn short." The decision by Baylor is causing an uproar by gays all over America. To me, a gay man who also gets disgusted by all the anti-gay propaganda and actions in this country, it's no big deal. Baylor University is afterall, a Baptist university. It is a private institution. It can make its on choice on what it wants to sell on campus or not. If this were a public institution I may feel differently. If Starbucks itself said they were not going to allow any of the cups with Maupin's quote on it to be sold, I would be upset. My first thought about the whole issue was, "just boycott Starbucks!" But, it really isn't Starbucks fault either. If the people who attend Baylor aren't that upset with the university's decision, and I am not sure what the overall feeling is there, then I'm not going to upset with it either. I am not attending Baylor. But if the students/professors on Baylor's campus are that angry at the decision, then they need to do something. It is their decision to be at Baylor, and only their actions that can change the university's policy.

Sunday, September 18, 2005

Falwell In Favor of Gay Rights?


The Reverend Jerry Falwell, conservative televangelist and founder of the Moral Majority and Liberty University, supports full civil rights for gay individuals. Yes! That is correct. And the Human Rights Campaign has formally thanked Falwell for publically speaking out in favor of gay rights. “I may not agree with the lifestyle,” Falwell said. “But that has nothing to do with the civil rights of that… part of our constituency.... Civil rights for all Americans, black, white, red, yellow, the rich, poor, young, old, gay, straight, et cetera, is not a liberal or conservative value,” Falwell went on to say. “It’s an American value that I would think that we pretty much all agree on.” Joe Solmonese, president of the HRC said, “Like most Americans, it seems Rev. Falwell has reached the conclusion that everyone deserves basic rights.... I hope he also supports legislation that would deliver on these values.” We shall see what Falwell says and does in the future in supporting gay rights.

Karl Rove At It Again?

Is Karl Rove throwing his weight around again? Seems he personally called the Texas secretary of state about a newspaper story quoting a staff lawyer about whether of not Rove was eligible to vote in Texas. The lawyer, Elizabeth Reyes, 30, was subsequently fired. Roger Williams, Secretary of State in Texas, said he decided to fire Reyes after discussing the situation with Rove, but Williams insists Rove did not ask that the Reyes be removed. According to Reyes, she was answering a hypothetical question about eligibility to vote in Texas by the Washington Post 3 days earlier, in which Rove’s name was never mentioned. Even the Post acknowledged that Rove’s name was never mentioned. Reyes was supposedly fired for violating an agency policy against talking to the media. In Texas, state employees can be fired at will. (Thank God I work in NJ where we have due process, not to mention a relatively strong union).
Apparently there is some question as to whether or not Rove meets the eligibility criteria to vote in Texas. An individual only needs to own property in Texas to be able to vote. Rove sold his home in Austin, but claims that 2 bed-and-breakfast cottages make him eligible to vote.
Hey! I believe Rove had nothing to do with the firing of Elizabeth Reyes. After all, the WMD existed, didn’t they? Well, how about the link between Iraq and 9-11? And George Bush, the puppet for Rove, is a great, well good president, isn’t he?

OUCH! Take That, You Bastard Rapists!

Sonnet Ehlers has developed a controversial device designed to decrease the problem of rape in South Africa and for women everywhere. The device nicknamed the "Rape Trap," is a condom-like device bristling with internal hooks designed to snare rapists during penetration. The device is inserted inside a woman's body, and it would hook onto the rapist and have to be surgically removed. It disables the rapist immediately, allowing the victim to escape, but the device does no permanent damage to the assailant, and it would not hurt the woman in anyway. Women would have to treat the device as any other safety device, making it part of
any daily security routine. I am sure my good friend Medbh would think very highly of the device. I have to agree it would make quite an impact!

NO To Domestic Partner Benefits In AC?

A letter appeared today (Sunday, 9/18/05) in The Press of Atlantic City, Voice of the People which really portrays the ignorance and hatred some harbor in their hearts for gay Americans. Below is the letter:

No A.C. benefitsfor gay partners
Regarding the Sept. 7 story, "Atlantic City considering benefits for domestic partners": At a time when the nation is focusing in on the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, my home town of Atlantic City is focused on the lifestyles of those involved in immoral behavior. On one hand, you talk about keeping sexual predators out of Atlantic City, but in the next instance, you are rewarding another type of immoral sexual group with benefits. Domestic partnership is simply about those who enjoy a perverted sexual lifestyle. It is a bad example for society, and this behavior should stay where it belongs - behind doors, not in City Hall laws. Keep the taxpayers out of this illicit behavior. I pray that the churches would have the heart to stand up against this foolish move.
JEFFREE FAUNTLEROYLand O Lakes, Fla.

To Mr. Fauntleroy I would say, “Stay in Florida!”

Saturday, September 17, 2005

He Waits For Us All



About 2 months ago, a colleague of mine was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given a verdict of “3-6 months.” She has handled it well, making all the necessary arrangements for her imminent death. She processed the necessary paperwork for an extended leave from work, and has since moved out to Minnesota where she will spend her remaining days. I really don’t know how I would react to such news. Would I curl up into a ball and stay in my home? Would I go out and do anything and everything I ever wanted, legal or illegal, healthy or unhealthy? Would I spend hours per day in the gym trying to make myself “better”? Would I sit in a church everyday asking God to forgive all my transgressions?
But the reality of it is, each of us could only have 3-6 months. Each of us could be breathing our last breath this very moment. We never know when Death will come, but we only know that someday he will. And a situation such as the one facing my colleague makes me realize that everyday is a blessing. It helps me try my hardest to live each day as it were my last for it very truly could be.
But I also realize that when facing the ho-hum boring stuff of everyday, it is so easy to forget that each day could be the last. It is very easy to just wish every weekday away, hoping for the weekend. It is very easy to continually long for that vacation that will take me away from it all if only for a short time.
Hard as it is, we must all cherish our lives each and every moment. We must live each day as it were our last. And we must do whatever we can to try to make our lives last longer. If you don’t exercise, start! Every one of us can walk. It doesn’t cost anything, and it only takes about an hour a few times a week. Will it guarantee a longer life? No. But it will make you feel a whole lot better, and may prolong your life a bit.
If you smoke, stop! Statistics are there. Even if you don’t die of lung cancer from cigarette smoking, you more than likely will face some medical problems that will diminish a fuller life. If you drink excessively, take it easy. Alcohol has been shown to be somewhat beneficial, but too much can kill you!
Stop and smell the roses. Reach for all the gusto life has to offer. I ate lunch with another former co-worker of mine yesterday. She’s in her mid 70’s, facing open heart surgery for the second time in October. But she truly is an inspiration. Like the Energizer Bunny, she never quits. She carried her portable oxygen tank to the restaurant, and just looked at it as part of life. My first thought after we finished our lunch and I went on my merry way was that if I had to carry an oxygen tank with me everywhere I went, I’d probably just stay inside my home and never leave. But then, I remembered my friend’s attitude. She was grabbing all she could of life despite facing medical issues and a surgery that could in reality, end her life. But she is adamant to make the most of what time she has left.
Yes, Death comes for us all sometime, maybe today, maybe not for another 80 years. But I guess what we need to do is keep him at bay as long as we can, and when he does come, tell him, “I’m ready ‘cause I’ve lived the MOST I could!”

Miss America Leaving AC; Miss'd America To Stay


Although the Miss America pagaent is leaving Atlantic City, Queens of America relax. The Press of Atlantic City reported today (Saturday, 9/17/05) that the famous Miss'd America Pagaent, that always followed the Miss America Pagaent, will go on. The Miss'd America Pagaent is a drag queen beauty pagaent and poplular charity fundraiser. Organizers of Miss'd America announced that its beauty queens will carry on. "We're it, (the only pagaent left in AC)," said pagaent co-producer Gary Hill. "Which is a hoot to begin with. We figured we'd keep the tradition alive." The Miss'd America Pagaent has raised an estimated $250,000 for the AIDS Alliance in the past 13 years. Last year's event alone raised about $18,000. Usually the Miss'd America Pagaent is held outdoors. However, if the Miss America Pagaent takes place in January, as it is rumored to be held, the Miss'd America Pagaent will have to make some adjustments. So, the Miss'd America Pagaent will go on, but the time is still not known. Keep your eyes open for the date.

Friday, September 16, 2005

The Bush Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree!

Seems that the Bush(es) don’t fall far from the tree. Remember when the Bush Twins were always in trouble? Well, they sort of calmed down. NOW…John Ellis Bush, 21, the youngest son of Jeb Bush, George’s brother and Governor of Florida, was arrested for public intoxication and resisting arrest. Poor Bushes!

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Saturday, September 10, 2005

Let The TERMINATOR Know

Even though most of us don't live in California, drop Governor Arnold "THE TERMINATOR" a line to let him know your feelings on his threatened veto of the Gay Marriage Bill passed by the California legislature this week. Ask Governor Arnold to not terminate this legislation.

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Well, now we can get down to it! Owens and McNabb have made up!
Not that they're best buds or anything, but the feud is over. Both players, more so TO than McNabb (since TO probably was the bigger jerk), have mended fences and are ready to move on. So much wasted energy! So much wasted time! I am getting a bit excited as the Eagles take on the Falcons Monday night. Kids, learn from this. Sometimes acting like idiots only serves to make things worse! Sometimes life is just too short to sweat the small stuff. Be grownups, like the 2 boys are now, and move on. I AM READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL! Good luck EAGLES.

Thank God There's Been A Change...Let's Only Pray For More!


It's such a relief that Michael Brown, "Brownie" as George Bush affectionately refers to the head of FEMA, has been removed from the scene in LA and MS. I am very glad-NOT- that he is back in Washington waiting for more disasters to occur so he can plan a response to them. I only hope no disaster happens in the NJ/PA area. What a hoot! He can't handle the current disaster, so send him back to Washington to prepare for others. "Brownie" is the current scapegoat of the Bush Administration. I have no doubt that he will be permanently removed from his position. BUT I ask: "Who hired Mr. Brown, a man with no experience in disaster relief efforts?" IF I am correct, it was George Bush, wasn't it? "Brownie" will be the scapegoat for this current mismanagement of events, but the Bush Administration, led by King George himself, has been nothing but wrong! Management starts from the top! Bush himself, so incompetent to even be President, should take ultimate blame for the errors made in the help to LA and MS. I'm sure "Brownie" certainly intended to be a good FEMA Director. But I don't care how good one intends to be, the employer, George W. in this case, should consider one's credentials and experience before hiring one for any job. It's one thing if one of your cronies at least meets the criteria to be in a position, or place him in the position he does belong in, but when any manager hires someone unqualified for a position, the blame is on the manager. But, the American people still insist Bush is a good president and leader. Personally, I cannot even watch the man speak because I feel so bad for him, knowing he's just going to bobble his way through. "Brownie" will be gone, but so should many others in the Bush Adminsitration, perhaps even George himself. Katrina has just been another mistake of the Administration. Need I mention the others?

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

Goodbye Gilligan!


Bob Denver, "Gilligan" on Gilligan's Island, has died at age 70. Denver died of complications from cancer treatment he was receiving. Personally I love Gilligan, and never grew tired of seeing him and the rest of the gang of Gilligan's Island. I will miss Gilligan, but will continue to remember him with the reruns on tv.

Monday, September 05, 2005

John Street's Help Commendable, But....

It is very commendable that Philadelphia Mayor John Street is assisting with the housing of some 1,000 families, about 5,000 people, in 2 schools in the city. The schools have had to be refurbished, and there are cots in classrooms and cribs in the cafeteria; its two gymnasiums have been furnished with 30 computer work stations for local, state and federal agencies to process refugees. Various versions of "Welcome to Philadelphia!" are scrawled on blackboards and posters throughout the school. I just hope that when the refugees from New Orleans and Mississippi are done utilizing the schools, that perhaps the homeless of the City of Philadelphia can be housed there. Although commendable, it seems that this help for those outside the city has come pretty quickly while the citizens of Philadelphia have had to wait.

Friday, September 02, 2005

We Can Rationalize Anything By Using God

To Repent America, who blamed New Orleans' decadent lifestyle for Hurricane Katrina, I say maybe it was God's vengence on those "red" states that supported the warmonger, George Bush. Maybe Allah heard his people's prayers.....................................Now I really do not believe that, but seems we can justify almost anything by using the name of God.

Thursday, September 01, 2005

Cindy Sheehan Has My Vote!


I got to hear for the first time Cindy Sheehan speak. I saw her on this past week's REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER (August 26, 2005). I have seen Cindy Sheehan numerous times in the news, and heard 3rd hand what she has been saying, and I have been behind her ever since she went to Crawford, Texas. But after actually hearing what Ms. Sheehan has to say, I am even more of a supporter of hers. But, Ms. Sheehan realizes not everyone is a fan of hers. During her interview with Bill Maher, via satellite, Ms. Sheehan said, "It's getting – It's getting just so ridiculous that I think it's funny. You know, somebody said today that I'm being supported by Al Qaeda and white supremacists. And I'm just wondering why my checkbook is overdrawn by $1,200.00 if they're supporting me like this." Bill Maher went on to say to Ms Sheehan, "Okay. Let me ask you this. If you did get to talk to President Bush, you don't really expect him to say anything new, do you? I mean, come on, be honest. What – you don't think he's going to all of a sudden go, “You know what? You're right.”" And Ms. Sheehan's response was, " You know what? I didn't expect him to do that, but I wasn't going to let him lie to me. I was going to call him on his lies and hold him accountable for his lies." Thank you, Ms. Sheehan! While so many in authority are afraid to call the president on his lies and distortions, this ordinary woman wants to do it. I doubt, however, as so do many others, that Bush will never meet with Ms. Sheehan. He doesn't have the balls! And Cindy Sheehan has vowed that this movement cannot stop: "Bill, this isn't for me. It's in honor of our children who have already been killed. But there's millions of people in harm's way in Iraq . And we need to get our military out of there. We need to secure the country. And, you know, I was only the spark that started off this fire of the peace movement. And if I wanted to call it off today, I couldn't even do it. It's just got a momentum and a life of its own. It's organic and it's living. And like I said earlier, we are going to stop this war." I hope all who oppose this war get behind Ms. Sheehan one way or another.