Celebrate PRIDE!

There's nothing quite like the Gay Pride celebration in New York City. After about a 4 hour parade, the streets were filled with gay men and women celebrating their pride in who they are. From the serious to the sublime, here are just a few of the sites I witnessed:


NEW YORK CITY'S FINEST START OFF THE PARADE


HILARY CLINTON LENDS HER SUPPORT


THE FAMILIAR RAINBOW FLAG


A POLICAL STATEMENT


A LITTLE FUN


A LITTLE CRAZY


THE MANY FACES IN THE CROWD

Back From NYC

Spent a great time in NYC this weekend. Even in the rain, NYC is terrific. Here are just a couple pics from my adventure:


TIMES SQUARE ON A MIDNIGHT'S SUMMER NIGHT


NYC IN THE RAIN

More to come!

Rick Santorum-The Weapons of Mass Destruction Expert?

Senator Rick Santorum and Rep. Peter Hoekstra, both Republicans, now claim that Iraq did indeed have weapons of mass destruction. According to Santorum and Hoekstra Iraq had approximately 500 mustard gas and sarin nerve agent weapons. There's only one problem, Rick and Peter: intelligence officials say the weapons of mass destruction referred to by Santorum and Hoekstra were produced before the 1991 Gulf War and there is no evidence any such weapons were produced by Sadam Hussein following the Gulf War, and those produced prior to 1991 could more than likely do no damage.

I guess Rick Santorum is getting pretty worried about his upcoming November election bid. Polls show his support quickly sinking. Come on, Rick. You can't campaign on the Weapons of Mass Destruction theme forever! It may have worked at one time, but it isn't going to work again. That "fact" of Bush & Company, WMD, has been proven to be another exagerated bit of US intelligence a long time ago. While most Republicans are distancing themselves from Bush, Santorum is still trying to hang on to the Bush coattails. It ain't gonna work, Rick. You're going down. Thank God!

Celebrate Pride

It's off to New York City for the weekend, the primary reason to celebrate in NYC's Gay Pride Celebration weekend. Hope to have lots of pictures, stories, and memories to tell about when I return.

OH Those Caring Republicans

Well, once again the Republican controlled legislators have shown us how much they care about the "little guy." Last week, the the House gave themselves yet another pay raise, and today, the Senate squashed an increase in the minimum wage. So while workers are supposed to exist on $5.15 per hour, our Congress can live their lavish lives so they can solve the world's problems. And not only do US legislators get a nice pay, they have full health benefits...for life! Maybe the rationale there is to encourage the "little guy" to make a bid for Congress? Problem is, most of the "little guys" aren't crooked enough to make it in Congress!

But, we must not forget, that even though our Republican controlled Congress are selfish, they do care about our safety. The Republicans, afterall, are the party of the global war on terrorism. They are the supporters of Bush & Company, who keep all of us safe at night so that our babies can sleep soundly knowing terrorism won't get them. But then can babies that are hungry because their parents don't have food to buy them, sleep at all?

This Is All I Need

"Here's your card, Daddy. I am a little broke so I didn't get you any present," my daughter said to me today as she handed me this card. Well, to me, that's fine. All I really need is a "Happy Father's Day" salutation and I am pleased. My kids don't need to spend money on me; I have all that I need. Just letting me know they care is all the present I need!

Thanks To Our Reps

A letter sent to House Reps. Frank LoBiondo and Jim Saxton, and to the Press of Atlantic City:

I would like to thank Representatives Frank LoBiondo and Jim Saxton for sentencing more US soldiers to death in Iraq. By voting yes on a House resolution to not set a timetable for the pullout of US troops in Iraq, hundreds, maybe even thousands more, US men and women will die in Iraq.
Iraq is a quagmire in which the US must get out! Congress has sided with President Bush & Company to "stay the course." The reality is there is no "course" and the US will have to continue in Iraq for years to come. Face it. Whenever US soldiers leave an area of Iraq, insurgents return, set up their nests, and US soldiers must return. If the democracy Bush & Company wish to see is ever to be a reality, US involvement in Iraq will only increase.
The only hope is going to be when representatives devoted to see an end to the mess in Iraq are elected. The current president and Congress have no desire to see an end!
Thank you

Sorry Again Smokers....NOT

A Philadelphia smoking ban? Oh Happy Day! All I can say is how glad I am. And the poor bar and club owners! They're going to lose money? I don't think so. Maybe at first there will be a backlash of protestors staying home, but give it a little time, and those that love to hang at such establishments will be back. Those that stay away because of the smoke will beging to come too. So, business owners will make out better. Just be a little patient. Stop all the fuss! Let's face it: smoking is OUT!

Mad As Hell

A glass of red wine on an empty stomach, Natalie Maines singing, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not ready to back down" (Not Ready to Make Nice, Dixie Chicks, Taking The Long Way), and a copy of the latest The Advocate is a bad, bad combination! Why? Because I'm sick and tired of the self-righteous telling me what is and is not my right! And I'm sick and tired of the Democratic party being the wusses they are!

Ever since I bought the Dixie Chicks new CD, I have had the songs in my head. And I'm mad as hell! Then I read interview with Howard Dean, Chairperson of the Democratic National Committee in The Advocate. Dean recently was on Pat Robertson's television show, The 700 Club, and he stated that the Democratic party platform opposed gay marriage equality. Dean was wrong! But when asked by The Advocate "Why don't Democratic politicians who privately favor marriage equality back it publically," Dean's response was, "Because I think it's extremely controversial, and we need to work through that controversy....It is very important that the LGBT community and the Democratic Party not get divided over the one issue that we're still having a big conversation about." BULLSHIT, HOWARD!!! Since when is protecting the rights of the American people "controversial"?

The Democrats are just too afraid to say anything they fear will lose upcoming elections! The Democrats are too busy trying to kiss eveyone's ass that they let Bush & Company take the US to an illegal, unjust war, just as the Democrats are allowing the Republicans to crush the rights of Americans! The Democrats don't want to make any waves! Where's Hilary been? Hiding? Waiting for the right moment to come? Enough already, you wishey-washey Democrats! Stand up and defend the rights of the citizens of the US, no matter what their lifestyle.

I'm mad as hell, and I'm not gonna take it anymore!

When Things Get A Little To Warm

When the summer seems to get too hot, just remember...winter's not far away!

Support For The Chicks

Yesterday the local country station, WPUR 107.3 Cat Country, ran a contest to win tickets to see the Dixie Chicks in Philadelphia. Well, the contest was called "Win or Flush," and the caller who was the lucky one could choose to win the tickets or flush them in protest to the Dixie Chicks. As of about 6PM, there were only 2 winners that chose to flush the tickets. (I am not sure how many callers in total there were).

As you probably are aware, the Dixie Chicks caused quite a controversy when, prior to the Iraq war, Natalie Maines, the lead singer of the group, stated while in concert in London that, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas." (I have to say that I am ashamed George W. Bush was ever elected President of the US). Well that was enough to send most country music fans up the wall and call for a boycott, flogging, and some even death, to the Chicks. The majority of country music fans appreciate the Toby Keith mentality that, "You'll be sorry you messed with the U.S. of A./'Cause we'll put a boot in your ass/It's the American way." (Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)).

I was one of those few country music fans that had to say, "Way to go Natalie! Speak the truth!" I sometimes wonder why I listen to country music stations, me, a gay, liberal, Democrat! I always come up with the same answer: I LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC, and where else am I going to hear country music? So, I make sure I let the stations I listen to know how I feel about the Dixie Chicks and other issues most country music fans like to put down, one being gay rights.

Well, the "Win or Flush" contest on Cat Country 107.3 motivated me to go buy a copy of the Dixie Chicks' new CD, Taking the Long Way. I gotta say the CD is pretty damn good. And the Chicks make no apologies whatsoever. Maines sings that she "Wouldn't kiss all the asses they told me to" in the song, THE LONG WAY AROUND. In NOT READY TO MAKE NICE, Maines sings, "Forgive, sounds good/Forget, I'm not sure I could/There's nothing left for me to figure out/I've paid a price/And I'll keep paying/I'm not ready to make nice." The songs are filled with bitterness toward the response to Maines' words 3 years ago, but she is confident, "I made my bed and I sleep like a baby." As a country music fan and an American, I give my support to the Dixie Chicks!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Bush Has Got To Go!!!

More spying on US citizens!!

My Garden Begun

The beginnings of my Balcony Garden:





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

NJ's Smoking Ban...2 Weeks Old, And Helping

It seems that NJ's smoking ban in public places such as restaurants and bars may actually be helping some businesses. In today's Press of Atlantic City, the paper reports that although it's too early to tell, some business owners are pleasantly surprised: their business has actually increased! People who stayed away because of the smoke are now coming in! In the article, a chef from a local Pub & Grill reported the NJ smoking ban as being very positive for that particular business. People who stayed away because they disliked the cigarette smoke, are now coming in!

I was in the Sands Casino the Saturday the ban went into effect. One of the very first things I overheard once I got off the elevator was 2 women stating how happy they were that they could now go eat in the Sands without all that smoke! And I did indeed notice a lesser smell of smoke in the Sands, although smoking is still allowed on the gaming floor.

As I have said before, and will probably say again, smokers are dinosaurs! Smoking is out! Breathing healthy air is in! All the crying in the world about rights, lack of business, or any other argument in favor of smoking is a shear waste of time! (If there was any drug on the market today that had the side effects that cigarette smoking does, that product would be pulled off the shelves immediately)!

I am going to be so bold as to suggest that smoking should be banned from the casino gaming floors as well! The amount of money the casinos take in would not drop as is so much feared. And who knows, like bars and restaurants are finding out, maybe business in the casinos would actually increase!