No More US Air Strikes In Pakistan

Pakistan has informed the US government that there will be no more air strikes in its country. This came as a result of yet another recent screw-up by US intelligence leading to an air strike that killed several Pakistanis and destroyed a few homes, but did not take out the intended target. Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz made the remarks at a news conference in Islamabad, with former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, in attendance. So much for the hunt for Osama bin Laden if he is indeed in Pakistan. And who knows where this will lead in relations between Pakistan and the US. Who knows; Bush may now put Pakistan on alert that it too is in the "axis of evil."

Gay Marriage Ban Overturned In Maryland

Well for all you MARYlanders out there, good news! A Baltimore judge struck down a 33-year-old state law against gay marriage Friday, declaring it violates the Maryland Constitution's guarantee of equal rights. Judge M. Brook Murdock immediately stayed her order, allowing for an appeal to Maryland's Court of Appeals. We can only hope that the Appeals Court will also agree with Judge Murdock.
February 15th is an important date for NJ gay rights activists. The NJ Supreme Court will hear a similar case brought by same-sex couples seeking the right to marry, claiming that the NJ Constitution does not prohibit gay marriage. Again, let's hope the NJ Supreme Court also decides in favor of gay marriage.

Bush V. Google...What Next?

I can't believe the Bush Administration has subpoenaed Google for details on what its users have been using Google to look for on the net. This is all part of the Bush Administration's efforts to revive an online pornography law that was previously struck down by the US Supreme Court. Google, fortunately, has refused to comply with the subpoena which was issued last year. The subpoena asks Google for a broad range of material from its databases, including a request for 1 million random Web addresses and records of all Google searches from any one-week period. US Justice lawyers have now filed papers demanding Google comply with the subpoena. I only hope Google does not give in. Although Google pledges to protect personal information, the company's privacy policy says it complies with legal and government requests.
First illegal spying on citizens of the US. Now monitoring where US citizens go on the net. What next for the Bush Administration? I know some would say, "If you're not doing anything wrong, then you have nothing to worry about." But, this is the US! It is illegal to spy on people without proper authorization from a court, and it is a violation of privacy to be monitoring where someone goes on the net, or what anyone does in the privacy of his own home.
Enough is enough! Is this also due to Bush's war on terror, like everything else Bush thinks he can do?

My Message To Osama

Now that Osama bin Laden has put out a message for the US, threatening more attacks, I would like to respond to Osama and give him a message from me: "F**K you, Osama! I will continue my life as I am planning! I will still be taking my summer vacation, and getting there via air travel. I will still be going to NYC, using the Lincoln Tunnel. I will not be putting my plans on hold because you want to threaten my way of life! I will continue to live! Go to Hell, Osama!"
I hope everyone else also has the same message for Osama!

We Got One! We Got One! Oops! No We Didn't!

US and Pakistani officials have now stated that Osama bin Laden's right-hand man, Ayman al-Zawahiri, second man in the al Qaeda terrorist network, was not in a remote Pakistani village targeted by a recent CIA airstrike. However, Friday morning's strike killed eight men, five women and five children, in the three homes reportedly targeted. "Their information was wrong, and our investigations conclude that they acted on a false information," a senior intelligence official told The Associated Press on Saturday. This incident no doubtedly will cause major outrage toward the US. And remember, this occurred in Pakistan, not Afghanistan.
Osama bin Laden and the rest of his people must be laughing their assess off about now. Believe me, I wish we could get these bastards just as bad as anyone. Problem is, I'm not really sure we can. And "al Qaeda" is so big, even if we get one or two of them, the network will continue to do its dirty work. I'm not even sure if "al Qaeda" is really flesh-and-blood men, or more of an idea. I don't know the answer to al-Qaeda, but the US seems to be having a real problem dealing with them/it. And God only knows where Osama is....the US certainly doesn't!

King George Calls For Silence

George Bush has again warned critics of the war in Iraq to be careful what they say, so as "not (to bring) comfort to our adversaries." And even though he hasn't called for compete silence, he wants debate over the war that "brings credit to our democracy, not comfort to our adversaries." I am sure Bush would rather there be no debate over what he is doing in Iraq. When the war began, critics were afraid to speak; 911 had just happened and saying anything in contrary to Bush's "war on terror" was seen as unpatriotic. Maybe if more debate had taken place the US would not be in Iraq today and 2,200+ American soldiers would be alive today. And maybe thousands of Iraqis would still be alive, and Saddam Hussein defeated anyway. (There were certainly other methods of getting rid of Hussein). If Bush were King, he'd have anyone who criticized the war placed in prison as traitors. And who knows, the way things are going, Bush still may be able to do so. He can illegally approve wiretapping, mail-reading, and other techniques to fight the "war on terror" so who knows what Mr. Bush might get away with in the future!

Somebody Get Bush A Dictionary! Or Don't Let Him Leave Home Without A Script!

I had the displeasure of seeing George Bush comment today about the start of Judge Alito's Supreme Court nomination after having breakfast with Judge Alito. I must say it was almost painful to watch the President of the United States fumble around for words and make facial gestures that pretty much resembled some lunatic in an aslyum. "Sam’s got the intellect necessary to bring a lot of class to that Court," Bush said. What the ****? Now that was a profound statement! I don't know about anybody else, but I have the hardest time in the world watching Bush speak. I usually try to avoid his speeches. He's ok when he has a written script in front of him, but when he tries to adlib, OH MY GOD! It is absolutely embarrassing! Hard to believe this man graduated from Yale and Harvard, let alone any community college. (Guess money can get you any degree). And what to me is even more amazing is there are people out there that still think George Bush is an intelligent, great leader!

Brokeback Mountain

Finally got to see Brokeback Mountain last night. It was a good movie, for a love story. (I personally don't get that into "love stories" whether between straight or gay characters). Both actors Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal were very convincing in the roles they portrayed. The scenery was beautiful, and the movie began in 1963 in Wyoming, a place and time where being gay was much more difficult than it is in 2006. The movie's main theme was the difficulty these 2 men had in expressing their true love for each other. And what a shame that is; that people, even today, cannot love who and how they want to without being ridiculed, or in some cases, physically abused or even killed.
The theatre where I saw Brokeback Mountain was packed. It appeared to me that many straight couples were in the audience, more so than I had expected. If nothing else, I do believe this movie will indeed help in moving forward gay rights. The movie was only postive in its portrayal of the love these 2 men had for one another. There was no "Jack McFarland" (Will & Grace) type characters; these were 2 ordinary, hard working men who happened to be gay. When most straight people think of gays, they immediately envision flambyont queens prancing around. If there's one thing I learned the first time I went into a gay club, was that every type guy imaginable, from construction worker to retail clerk, can be gay. And lesbians: not all butch with mullets, but some that would knock the socks off the straightest straight guy. And Brokeback Mountain furthers this understanding.
I would suggest that everyone see Brokeback Mountain, even if you don't necessarily like "love stories" as I don't. It may just enlighten you a little.

Is It The State's Job To Take Care Of Families?

I'm going to do something I don't usually do: defend NJ's Division of Youth & Family Services (DYFS). I work for another State entity, and believe me, I have my problems with DYFS, but I think some of the flack DYFS is receiving from the state child advocate is unwarranted. Now, granted, children in DYFS care have been injured and killed, and the DYFS system was in need of repair, and I'm sure still is to some extent. But come on! I don't care how much reform there is, unfortunately, children in NJ are going to be abused and even killed. It's just a fact of life! And is DYFS totally responsible for protecting every child in NJ? Or, is DYFS there to lend some assistance to families to lessen harm to children?
Two reports released by the state child advocate yesterday has found that the Division of Youth and Family Services sometimes fails to help New Jersey's abused, neglected and otherwise vulnerable children _ even amid an ambitious reform effort. Most of NJ's children under the care of DYFS remain in the homes of their families, not in foster care. "Too many families in this study appeared to be left to their own devices to solve their problems," said Arburta Jones, the chief of staff for the child advocate's office and the lead author of the report on families. Let me ask you, what's wrong with families solving their own problems? Who solved your family's problems? Who solved my family's problems? Was it the State? NO!
We live in a time when nobody takes responsibility for their own actions. It is not the State's job to take care of families; it is the family's job to take care of itself. Why does everyone think the State is responsible to provide the care? State agencies are there to lend support and assistance, but not be totally responsible for the care of families. Women (and men) have child after child, then expect the State to take care of them. Then if there's a problem, blame the State! Even for a child taken from his/her family and placed in foster care, who is ultimately to blame if something bad happens to that child? I would argue it is ultimately the natural parents to blame who for whatever reason shirked their parental responsibilties! It is not the State's fault. The State comes in to provide help, but cannot be held accountable for the problem in the first place.
Instead of blaming DYFS, maybe we should be supportive of the work it does. Budgets are limited, and nobody wants their taxes raised to provide the adequate funding needed. Caseworker try their best to provide assistance to families in need, but they are not in the situation 24/7, and bad things happen when they're not there. It is not the State's responsibility to care for families! It is the family's responsibility. And I would suggest that if someone does not want the responsibility of caring for their own children, then don't have them in the first place!

Bush To Blame For Retiree Benefits' Cuts?

Has anyone else noticed the correlation between Bush's proposed privatization of Social Security (which thankfully has not gone anywhere) and the recent push by companies to cut the benefits of retirees? Back in October GM had reached a tentative agreement with the United Auto Workers Union to cut health benefits of retirees, and other car manufacturers were following suit. Today, IBM announced that it too would be changing its traditional pension plan by 2008. Could it be that companies have caught onto Bush's plan to make workers contribute to 401K and other retirement plans instead of the companies having to contribute to the pension and retiree benefits of those workers retiring? Could this be the wave of the future? Have private companies, in an effort to cut costs, and make more profits for the owners and stockholders, screwed those men and women who for year sacrificed for this company, with the understanding and agreement that there would be a pension and health benefits at the time of retirement? Could it have been the Bush Administration that is to blame for this trend? I would say that it sure as hell could be. Bush & Company have done more to hurt the "little guy" than any president in recent history. And Americans don't seem to be able to see through this. Just look at how many of the "little guys" supported Bush in 2004 because he promised safety from the evil terrorists. But, Bush has done nothing to keep Americans safe from the terrorists within, the big company owners!

Come On, People! This Is 2006!

It's hard to believe stuff like this still happens in America, the nation that is supposed to be so freedom-loving, so example-setting, and the big melting pot! A 19-year old Army Private who was beaten by one soldier and threatened by another after they learned he is gay has been discharged. Private Kyle Lawson (pictured to the left) was punched in the face by a fellow member of a training unit at Fort Huachuca at an off-post party in October after a friend let it slip that Lawson was gay. Of course Private Zaccharias Pierre, the soldier accused of hitting Private Lawson, has used the excuse that Lawson was coming on to him. Private Zacharias Pierre was charged with felony aggravated assault - a charge that draws an average 3 1/2 years in prison upon conviction in Arizona, more if a judge finds the crime was hate-based. And I only hope the judge does indeed find Pierre to be in violation of a hate-based crime. The military should also be doing the same thing, but using military regulations officials at Fort Huachuca took control of the case, dropping the charges laid by Sierra Vista police. They have refused to say if any appropriate action has been taken to hold his attacker accountable but media reports indicate that Pierre has received only a slap on the wrist - the withdrawal of a weekend pass. The US military needs to make an example of Pierre and any others who commit such crimes! Private Lawson left the military with an honorable discharge, and even military police doubt there was any provocation on Lawson's part.
Here is a man who was serving his country. A man that gave up everything to be a good soldier, and he was not abused by any enemy, but by a fellow officer! “The command at Fort Huachuca owes Private Lawson, Congress and the public an explanation about why an anti-gay attack appears to have gone unpunished," said C. Dixon Osburn, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. " Congress and the Pentagon must repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ immediately and impose strict penalties against those who engage in any form of harassment. If America is fighting for democracy abroad, it must abide by those same principles at home." The US needs to lead not only with words, but with example!

NJ Moves Still Closer to Full Gay Partner Rights!

Way to go NJ! The New Jersey Senate late Thursday passed sweeping amendments to the state's domestic partner law that would, upon a partner's death, give the surviving partner control of the estate and inheritance in the absence of a will. The legislation also would give the surviving partner control of burial decisions absent a directive otherwise. Here we go again, NJ! First Domestic Partner rights, now this amendment, and who knows, soon gay marriage...or at least civil unions? I still think NJ is a great place to live!

Poor Jeb Bush!

The Florida Supreme Court ruled yesterday that using tax payers' dollars to pay for tuition at private schools is unconstitutional. This venture was the "centerpiece" of Jeb Bush's educational reform in Florida. When are the Bush's going to realize that public money is for public things, not for private, mostly religious things?

Preacher Of Doom, Pat Robertson!

Now Pat Roberson is suggesting that Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon was "smote" by God because of his decision to "divide" Israel. "He was dividing God's land, and I would say, 'Woe unto any prime minister of Israel who takes a similar course to appease the [European Union], the United Nations or the United States of America,'" Robertson told viewers of his long-running television show, "The 700 Club." When are people going to realize Pat Robertson is off his rocker. (I have to admit, years ago, I was a big fan of Robertson's, so it took me awhile to realize what a moron he really is). I can only imagine how far back Robertson's comments will put Christian/Jewish relationships.

Thank You For Your Answer, Pat Robertson! It Had Nothing To Do With My Request!

A few days ago I wrote to Pat Robertson, Christian Broadcasting Network/700 Club, requesting his prayer for the people in Oklahoma and Texas as God’s purging continued there in the form of heavenly fires. I informed Mr. Robertson that I felt God was punishing these states for supporting a war monger and divisive president. I received a response from CBN, but it had nothing to do with Oklahoma and Texas. It was a general response about my asking for prayer for others. It was a generalized, probably computer-generated response. Shows how much CBN/700 Club really care. The following is their response:

Your prayers to God in behalf of others are pleasing to the Lord. The Bible tells us that the Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayers of the righteous and is pleased by them (Proverbs 15:8, 29). We encourage you to continue in prayer for those you are concerned about.James 5:13-16 presents a powerful lesson on the prayer of faith. Here we learn that if anyone is in trouble, he should pray. If anyone is happy, he should sing songs of joy. And if anyone is sick, the elders of the church should pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. Whatever the need is, general or specific, we should stand together in prayer for those needs to be met.Prayer that is offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. We are to confess our sins to each other and pray for one another. If we do these things, we can know that any concern we have for others, whether for salvation, healing, or financial need, can be brought before God in faith, and He will hear and answer that prayer.Prayer for another is an outreach of God's love through us to other people. It is something we can do for anyone, anytime, and anyplace, and it is definitely something we all need! It costs so little to give, only our time and spiritual energy, but it reaps so much good in return. If we will trust in Him, the results are priceless!CBN has a 24-hour prayer line that you can call anytime you need someone to pray with you or for you personally. Just call 1-800-759-0700. Someone is here for you!

Thanks for the help!

My Hopes For 2006

The following are just a few of my hopes for the year 2006:

1. George Bush will be impeached and convicted of crimes against humanity and
abuse of power, and tossed out of office along with his cronies;
2. The senseless killing will end in Iraq, and the US will get the hell out;
3. Gays across this nation will win respect and the right to marry, or at least experience
civil unions;
4. Discrimination of all kinds will end in the US

It's a big order, but if we all band together and fight, it can happen. As Andy Warhol once said, "They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." Let's all change, then change our society...for the better.

Heavens Purging Fires on Texas and Oklahoma?

Well, Pat Robertson and the likes of you? How do you explain the current wild fires in Oklahoma and Texas? Perhaps it’s God’s wrath and Heaven’s purging fires being brought down on a people who supported a war monger and divisive president? I wrote Mr. Robertson at the 700 Club asking him to pray for the people of these states. The following is my correspondence to Mr. Robertson:

Please pray for the people of Texas and Oklahoma who are experiencing Heaven's purging fires for supporting a war monger and divisive president. God's wrath is upon them.

Let’s see if Mr. Robertson responds.

I Love New York!

Just got back from my annual after Christmas adventure to the Big Apple. It was, as usual, fantastic! There is nothing like NYC, especially at the Christmas/New Year's Season. I was particularly spoiled this time as we stayed at THE FOUR SEASONS hotel. We were pampered and treated like royalty. The crowds this year in NYC were reportedly larger than usual, and our trek in Times Square on Friday night, the night before the big New Year's Eve event, proved that Times Square was wall-to-wall bodies.

Chalk One Up For The Unions

I guess the New York City Transit Workers made their point last week when they walked off the job for brief three-day strike. Thousands of bus and subway workers are poised to reap up to $14,000 each in a new contract pension windfall that will ease the pain of their strike penalties - but will cost commuters an estimated $110 million. I know the strike was hell for those who rely on the NYC mass transit, but as a union man myself, I have to say, "Way to Go!" The MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority) and Transport Workers Union Local 100 President Roger Toussaint wouldn't comment yesterday, but some workers said the deal made last week's strike worthwhile. I had mixed feelings about the strike when it took place, but then I found out that the MTA had a surplus of about $1 billion, I sided with the Union members. Typical "corporate America": make more, more, more, and give less, less, less. Who was going to reap from that large surplus? Do you really think the transit riders or the workers? Of course not! That surplus would have probably stayed right in the bigshots pockets. So, it was time the transit workers reaped some of the benefits of the surplus, and they appear to have obtained it. Outsiders said there was no clear winner in the contract. Assemblyman Richard Brosky (D-Westchester, NY) said, "They both got what they could live with, which is what collective bargaining is all about." As far as I'm concerned, this was a victory for unions and workers all over America!

Another Postal Rate Hike

I was standing in line at the Post Office today, and the man in front of me asked the postal clerk for a book of stamps. The postal clerk asked if the man wanted the old stamps or the new? The man said, "What do the new stamps look like?" "As of January 8, 2006, the cost of a stamp goes up from $.37 to $.39," the clerk said to the man. I heard someone a few weeks ago say something about the Post Office wanting to raise the cost of stamps, but I don't remember reading or hearing anything more about it. But, sure enough, as of January 8, 2006, the cost of a first class stamp is going up to $.39. The United States Postal Service, it appears is raising its rates 5.5%, so it's not only first class stamps but all postal services. And if you think you'll save by using other mail delivery services, they're going to be following suit. FedEx and UPS will be also raising their rates as of January 2, 2006, and DHL will surely follow soon thereafter. The reason for the rate increase with the United Postal Service is to help pay for the cost of retirees benefits. Before I knew that, I must say, I was pissed! But, I guess I can't complain too much about the rate increase if it is going to be used for retirees. After all, look at what the major car manufacturers did to their retirees; cut their health benefits!
Even though I won't complain about the USPS rate increase, I will complain about its service, or lack thereof. It's one thing to have an increase in something if it means better service, but the USPS service just seems to get worse and worse! A few days before Christmas I needed a four stamps. So off to the local Post Office I went. The line, as I suspected, was long. So, I went to the handy-dandy stamp dispensing machine, which rarely works right anyway, and I know it. But it seemed functional. So I put in a buck for 2 stamps: total of $.74. I received my stamps, but no change. The machine's message read, "Credit for refund can be obtained from clerk." Well, that's nice; I used the machine because I didn't want to wait in line, so I'm not going to do so now for my $.26 change. So, needing two more stamps, I put in another dollar and lost another $.26. So, the USPS got an additional $.52 from me that day.
The Friday before Christmas, a package arrived for me. Since I was not at home during the time of delivery, the postman, or postwoman, left the package right in front of my apartment door. Damn good thing I was coming home! I cannot believe the package was just left there! Not that I really wanted to go to the Post Office to pick it up, but how did the mailman know I was even home. That package could have sat there for God only knows how long. And my friend informed the other day that his mailman had a package to be delivered for him. The mailman quickly rang the doorbell, tapped on the door, then left, all within a matter of a minute or so, before my friend could even answer the door. So he had to go to the Post Office to get his package.
No, I don't mind paying a little extra for postal service. But please, Mr. Postman! Give me a little better service for my little bit of extra $$$. I will continue to try to do as much over the internet such as bill paying to avoid adding too much revenue to the USPS.