Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Encourage CongressTo Vote NO!

The Federal Marriage Amendment is slated for debate the week of June 5th. Please contact your legislators and tell them to vote NO on the Federal Marriage Amendment which will put discrimination into the Constitution and make same-sex couples second class citizens.

Highly Recommended Wine

Casillero Del Diablo (Cellar of the Devil)
is a wine I recently discovered through a radio commercial. The legend of Casillero Del Diablo goes this way: "In the 19th century, the founder of Concha y Toro, Don Melchor, discovered that his vineyard workers were sampling his greatest wines. To discourage this action, Don Melchor spread the rumor that his deepest, darkest cellar was the Casillero del Diablo (Cellar of the Devil), so that no one would dare go in there. It worked, and a legend was born." I must say the Cabarnet is excellent! I found it at a local liquor store, so check it out if you like fine wines!

Another Republican On Our Side

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a Republican, has given his support to marriage equality, urging New York's highest court to rule in favor of five gay couples seeking the right to marry. Mayor Bloomberg also spoke out against a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. "The U.S. Constitution should be something that unites, rather than divides Americans," he said. Another Republican that supports us!

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Deal With The Stuff That Really Matters, Senators

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is again vowing to bring the Federal Marriage Amendment up for debate on the Senate floor a week from Monday. This is the amendment that would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, thus making gay marriage illegal. With all the important happenings in the US, one cannot wonder that this debate is for political purposes only. This will show America, and the Christian right, that the Republicans are the God-fearing, family-value, morally-right party. It is already pretty much known that the Federal Marriage Amendment does not have the two-thirds majority needed in the Senate to further the amendment, but the Republicans want to waste the time anyway.

It is often amazing to me that with so many other important issues that our legislators could be addressing, something that really has no effect on anyone else takes up the time and efforts of our elected officials. Just look at the news and you will see what I mean: People are dying in Iraq; Indonesia had a catastrophic earthquake; peace in the Middle East is not happening; and so on and so forth! But whether or not one man or one woman can create a legal bond between another man or woman is at the top of the Senate agenda! The Senate actually wants to add to our US Constitution an amendment that would discriminate and make certain citizens second class. And what ever happened to the Republicans' desire for States' rule, not involvement of the Federal government?

But today's Republicans, supported so well by the Christian right, men of stature like Jerry Fallwell and Pat Robertson (leg pressed 2,000 lbs, right), need something to get them elected in November. Bush & Company had devestated the Republican party with their lies and deceit, so it will be another "devil", those gays in America, that will become the target of fear used by the Republicans!

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Arlen Spector And His Bully Pulpit

Now now, Senator Arlen Spector! Be nice! Just because you're the Senate Judiciary Committee Chairperson doesn't give you the right to have all the say! Unfortunately, a Senate panel on Thursday advanced a measure that would amend the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. Senator Russell Feingold (D-Wis) walked out of the hearing because the meeting was not, in his opinion, sufficiently open to the public. Senator Spector shouted out, "If you want to leave, good riddance." Senator Feingold responded, "I've enjoyed your lecture too. See you later, Mr. Chairman."

The measure to ban same-sex marriage passed by a 10-8 vote in the committee to be brought to a full Senate vote. In 2004 the measure failed in the Senate, and the same is expected this time around. The same-sex-marriage ban is one of several hot-button social issues Republicans are raising to rally conservative voters ahead of November's congressional elections.

What a waste of time and effort! And what an act of trying to extend discrimination by the caring, family loving, moral Republicans!

Monday, May 15, 2006

Can The US Really Want To Build Fuel Efficient Cars?

Get this! Philadelphia high school students have been able to do what US auto manufacturers can't, or don't want to! West Philadelphia high school students have developed the Hybrid Attack, a vehicle that accelerates from 0-60 in 4 seconds and gets almost 60 miles per gallon, and can reach speeds of 150 mph. The vehicle is fueled by soy been oil. The students have tweaked and tuned the vehicle for a national alternative fuel competition in New York Wednesday. They are defending, two time Tour de Sol competition champs. Congratulations!

It's amazing that high school students can accomplish what US auto manufacturers cannot! President Bush talks a good game when he states that US consumers need to "get off gasoline" but when it comes to putting his words to action, he and the big auto makers refuse! I say refuse because the "proof is in the pudding." Don't tell me for a minute that the technology to "get us off gasoline" does not exist! It does, but profits are more important, profits for the oil industry as well as the auto CEOs. We could have more fuel efficient cars on the market within a month if all the money and attention to develop these cars was given by those who could. But no! It will be high school students and country singers (Willie Nelson) that fuel their vehicles with alternative fuel sources!

Sunday, May 07, 2006

My Garden Begun

The beginnings of my Balcony Garden:

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Let's see what it looks like in a month!