A Gay Old Time In Provincetown

Spent 5 nights in Provincetown, Massachusetts, the gay mecca of the east coast. And like the Pilgrims that landed in Provincetown (Yes, the Pilgrims landed in Provincetown before heading off to Plymouth. It was in the Provincetown Harbor that the Mayflower Compact was signed, establishing the first written laws of the New World), there is a freedom that still exists to this day in PTown, as it is lovingly known. It is not necessarily the freedom the Pilgrims envisioned, but PTown is a very gay friendly town. I would estimate 80-90% of the inhabitants and visitors are gay. But it is NO big deal! Nobody is judged there for who they are! And what a freedom that is! Gay, straight, or whatever, people just are! While there, PTown celebrated Carnival, sort of a gay Mardi Gras. And what a blast it was!

THE PILGRIM MONUMENT

THE STREET IS FILLED

GIRL'S JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

Bush + Diplomacy = ZERO!

The following is a Letter to the Editor that appeared in The Press of Atlantic City on Wednesday:

Dear Editor,

From the beginning of this recent Middle East crisis between Israel and Hezbollah, President Bush said very little, except to say Israel had a right to defend itself against terrorism and that Israel should proceed cautiously so as not to harm the government of Lebanon. Bush pretty much stayed quiet during the whole event. Then, on the day the cease fire took effect, Bush had to announce that Hezbollah was the definite loser in this conflict, despite Hezbollah's proclamation that they defeated Israel.
From what I saw, neither side won a victory. Both Israel and Hezbollah suffered death and destruction. I cannot for the life of me figure out why our president had to taunt either side. President Bush should have kept his mouth shut! Instead of trying to further peace, Bush only seemed to incite more hatred. Bush had to speak his "bring it on" talk once again. (The last time he did that was on a battle ship in the Gulf proclaiming the US victory in Iraq, and look what that brought us).
There really is no diplomacy in the Bush Administration. President Bush is too busy telling other nations what they will and will not do, and what consequences they will face if they do not obey the US. And we wonder why other people hate us?

Sincerely,
Karl

The Bush Administration's lack of diplomacy is mindblowing! Bush's approach to diplomacy is "do what we say or else." He constantly tells us "they" hate our freedom and democratic way of life and that's why "they" hate us, but I contend there is much more to the hatred than just that.
Bush does not even try to understand what it is about them that makes them tick. The Bush Administration needs a good lesson in diplomatic tactics!

Please Keep Quiet, Mr. President!

Why doesn't George W. just keep his mouth shut? Today he couldn't help but claim that "Hezbollah suffered a defeat in this crisis." Bush further declared of Hezbollah, "How can you claim victory when you were a state within a state in southern Lebanon, and now you're going to be replaced by an international force?"

Why is it necessary for the US to side with either Israel of Hezbollah in this crisis? Bush seemed to be quite quiet while the "crisis" was going on. So much for his diplomacy! I don't know about you, but it looks to me like both sides lost! I really don't believe either side won. Both lost life unnecessarily. Both accomplished nothing but destruction! Innocent people were devastated! And George W. has to make a political statement out of the entire mess!

If I am correct, the Bible says, "Those who live by the sword will die by the sword." George W. seems to love to live by the sword. Why not just tell Hezbollah and the terrorists in the world to "bring it on!" Oh yeah...he did! And look what that's brought us. And we wonder why "they" hate us!

Help LoBiondo Keep His Pledge-Vote Him Out!

In 1994, when Congressman Frank LoBiondo won his first seat in US Congress, he pledged to limit his stay in Congress to six terms. He has broken his own pledge by seeking a 7th term. Seems LoBiondo has learned that membership has its privleges. Like most Republicans seeking office in 2007, I hope LoBiondo pays for being a pawn of George W. We all need to help him keep his pledge...we need to vote him out! I wonder what other promises LoBiondo has broken on in the past 12 years?

Phone Call From Congressman LoBiondo's Office

My phone rang this afternoon and I noticed immediately a "202" area code. When I answered, the caller told me he was calling from Congressman Frank LoBiondo's office. The member of LoBiondo's staff was responding to my letter that I recently sent to LoBiondo asking him why he supported discrimination by voting in favor of H.J. Res. 88, the Marriage Protection Amendment, the House of Representatives' version of the Senate's Federal Marriage Amendment, permitting marriage only between a man and a woman. (See my earlier post for the specifics). LoBiondo's staff person stated that the Congressman voted his conscience and believes that marriage should be between a man and a woman. The staffer said that the amendment would have allowed "civil unions" to be decided on a state by state basis, and that NJ has "civil unions." I informed the staffer that NJ does not have civil unions but some benefits for gay couples living together. I further explained to the LoBiondo staffer that my position is that "civil unions" are less than equal to "marriage" and that any two people should be able to "marry" and enjoy those benefits if he/she so desires. The staffer explained that Congressman LoBiondo does not agree with that position, and I again stated my position. I did thank the staffer for contacting me.

I am appriciative of the call. I have never received a phone call from any legislator despite many letters I have written. (I have received letters in response to my concerns/questions). Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion, and Congressman LoBiondo is no different. But I too, and those like me, are entitled to our opinion as well. It is time we stand and defeat such hatred, bigotry, and discrimination!

LOBIONDO MUST GO IN 2006!

Come On Boys! Get Your Weapons Ready!

As NJ awaits a State Supreme Court decision as to whether or not gay marraige will be allowed in NJ, social conservatives say they are prepared to take the fight to the ballot box if they lose in the legal arena. "If we get to an imminent threat, if we get to the point where marriage is going to be decided by the court, shouldn't we get to weigh in an issue of such magnitude?" said Len Deo, president of the New Jersey Family Policy Council.

Gotta love that phrase, "imminent threat"! Damn! What a threat we are! We'll all take up our guns and prance wildly in the streets shooting all those married heteros. Or perhanps if gay marriage is allowed in NJ, all the hetero marriages will certainly crumble as all the closeted gay men (know any?) will decide now is the time to split from their wives and come out and get married to their boyfriend! Or maybe each time a gay marriage occurs, a hetero marriage will mysteriously disintegrate with our fabulous gay guns!

I will never for the life of me understand the "imminent threat" gay marriage poses on society. A gay couples' marriage is no more a threat to any hetero marriage than inter-racial marriage. Absolutely NONE!!! You would think all people would be glad that two loving people are willing to commit to each other, to devote their lives to each other and their family. What is the big fear anyway?

Lieberman A Victim Of War

Well, Joe Lieberman lost his primary election to anti-way candidate, Ned Lamont. Hopefully this will just be the beginning for those who continue to stand in support of the Iraq war. Lieberman has supported, and continues to support, the debacles of George W. in Iraq. And Lieberman is now paying the price. But according to some, this is not the only thing that defeated Lieberman. Some hold that Lieberman lost touch with his voters by staying in the DC bubble and not listening to his constituents.

The next two elections at least, the 2006 mid-term elections and the 2008 presidential election, will be a referendum on the Iraq War. This may be the only hope for those men and women dying in Iraq. Politicians will see that if they want to win an election, they must support getting our troops out of Iraq. And the next President I believe, will be an anti-Iraq War president intent on stopping it, if it's still going on by then.

George W. is intent on "staying the course" and he will do nothing to stop the killing in Iraq. It will only be when the people of this country get sick and tired of seeing our military men and women die in vain for nothing in Iraq! Already polls show 60% of Americans do not support the war in Iraq. Who knows what that figure will be by the 2008 election?

No Wonder They Still Support George W.

A new poll shows that half of Americans believe Iraq had WMD's in 2003. I was just discussing with a coworker the other day how any American can support George W. He has lied (or distorted the truth) several times, has misused his powers, and is just down right stupid, but still he has his following. As a matter of fact, there are still Americans who think George W. is one of the wisest men around. And I wonder why? With this new poll, despite a 16-month, $900-million-plus investigation, the U.S. weapons hunters known as the Iraq Survey Group declared that Iraq had dismantled its chemical, biological and nuclear arms programs in 1991 under U.N. oversight, some Americans still chose to believe George W. was right in regards to WMD's. But then again, there are still some Americans who believe a man never walked on the moon!

Vote...........Our Future Depends On It!

I know it's a bit early to be thinking about the 2006 election, but I want to encourage every Pennsylvania resident to vote Rick Santorum out of office! Santorum does nothing but pander to the right-winged religious crazies and the ultra-conservative Republicans. He has really damaged gay rights, not only for PA, but for every US citizen. And it's time that he is stopped!

I have considered moving to PA just to be eligible to vote against Santorum, but I am sure NJ will have its battles to fight in the future. To my knowledge, there are no big decisions to be made in NJ, but in 2008 I am pretty sure Frank LoBiondo is up for re-election, and he too must be defeated.

Philadelphia is a very gay-friendly city. Philly should be proud of its cultural diversity. Afterall, it is where freedom began. It is the City of Brotherly Love, and one which allows true freedom for those who love a bit differently than the "norm." Be proud Philly! Stand up and lead the rest of PA in defeating Rick Santorum!

Come On, Congressman LoBiondo!

I recently wrote an e-mail to Congressman Frank LoBiondo urging him to not support the Marriage Protection Amendment that thankfully was defeated in Congress a few weeks ago. The amendment was the House of Representative's version of the Senate's Federal Marriage Amendment, which was also defeated. LoBiondo supported this amendment by voting in favor of such an amendment to the Constitution. I received a response from Congressman LoBiondo thanking me for my concern and explaining to me what the Marriage Protection Amendment was, and that it was defeated. I already was aware of both these points. So, I wrote back to Congressman LoBiondo, and below is my letter to the Congressman:

Dear Congressman LoBiondo,

Thank you for your response to my e-mail regarding H.J. Res. 88, the Marriage Protection Amendment.

As I am very much aware, H.J. Res. 88 was an amendment to the Constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. I also know that the resolution did not garner the required two-thirds majority of the House. These two points I completely understand.

My question to you was why did you support such a resolution? Do you honestly believe that discrimination should be a part of the Constitution, or are you too playing Republican politics by being used as a pawn of the extremely right-winged majority and the President of the U.S.?

Gay individuals in this country are not second class citizens and should have the same rights as any other citizen in the U.S. Marriage should be included as one of these rights.

I certainly hope in the future you will vote keeping the wishes of your constituents in mind, not just the outdated desires of the current Republican Party.


Frank LoBiondo, in my humble opinion, is another Republican that needs to go! He does nothing but vote whatever way the Republican Party says he should. His time has run out, and I will do my best to see to it that he is defeated when his term ends (in 2008 I believe).

Prime Those Teats

There was an picture in this morning's newspaper (not the one to the left) reporting the effect the heat has on the production of milk cows. The picture showed a man "priming" the cow's udders. PRIMING THE COW'S UDDERS??!! Such a thing exists in the cow milking world? Having never been raised on a farm, despite what many believe, and having never actually milked a cow myself, I decided to check this out. And yes indeedie, one must prime a cow's udder prior to milking.

After bringing your cow to the milking center or going to the cow, "The next phase involves the removal of a few squirts of milk from each teat" This makes a couple of things happen: It allows the farmer to see if the milk has clots or flakes in it, and secondly, it gets rid of bacteria that may be in the teat opening. So next time you grab that glass of milk, remember some cow's teat was primed for you to get that!

A Stuck Record?

Bush and Rummy continue to sound more and more like a stuck record. During a Senate public hearing today, Senator Hilary Clinton reminded Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld that this, "is not 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, when you appeared before this committee and made many comments and presented many assurances that have frankly proven to be unfulfilled." Clinton also called for Rumsfeld's resignation. I too am tired of the same old song and dance. Bush and Rummy say the same things at every public occasion. Perhaps they think if something is said enough times, everyone will believe it. Problem for Bush and Rummy is more people are not buying the BS any longer. Clinton has not until now joined the number of Democrats calling for Rumsfeld's resignation, but she too is now not believing the nonsense.

An Easy Way To Piss Off Your Conservative Friends

I recently came across a commentary written by Alan Wofe in the Washington Monthly. I learned today it is an easy way to piss off your conservative friends, if you have any. After slamming the Bush Administration, stating that, "This administration, if not the worst in American history, will soon find itself in the final four", Wolfe begins his reasoning for why Conservatives cannot govern.

Wolfe starts out by presenting the major premise of Conservatives that, "Contemporary conservatism is first and foremost about shrinking the size and reach of the federal government." This mission, Wolfe argues is "an ideological one." As such, this Conservative ideal cannot solve "real-world problems, such as managing increasing deficits or finding revenue to pay for entitlements built into the structure of federal legislation." But once in office, Conservatives must seek ways to better the lives of citizens by handing out wanted entitlements.

Wolfe continues by stating that, "Conservatives cannot govern well for the same reason that vegetarians cannot prepare a world-class boeuf bourguignon: If you believe that what you are called upon to do is wrong, you are not likely to do it very well." Wolfe also makes the point that this is one of the reasons FEMA has failed under the Bush Administration while flourishing under the Clinton Administration. Conservatives do not believe in government being utilized to assist and help, while Liberals do.

Wole give a lot more examples of why Conservatives cannot govern, and the article is worth the read. How can someone lead if what they believe in, in this case little or no government, is what they are supposed to lead?

Hezbollah....A Surprisingly Strong Foe?

Did Israel or the world ever expect Hezbollah to be such a strong foe? This conflict is in its 23rd day and it doesn't appear Israel has inflicted any real hurt on Hezbollah. The Hezbollah missles keep flying and Israel keeps pounding...further and further into Lebanon. What does it all mean? Who the hell knows!