First off, a word of advice.
If your date wows you with a show that contains a struttin', beltin', diva... By all means, go, and have a ball, but...
Take pause. 'Cos there just might be a few things stirring in the wind.
Anyway, picture this, Summer 1977. Janice and I, a couple of fresh faced 18 year old's, go downtown on a date.
Janice and I were tight high school friends having slugged through Thespians and a severely mauled senior class production of "Our Town" in high school. (I missed my queue which caused us to cut out nearly a third of the show.)
So we decide to go on a date.
It all started well enough. I grabbed my dad's putput Cortina (a beater of a car) and Janice and I whisk off to a night on the town. We are dressed to the nines. I think I was wearing my overlapelled powder blue polyester Homecoming suit with matching platform shoes. Janice bedazzled in her pink chiffon dress and disco sandal pumps.
We were south suburban kids from Midlothian so we head up I-57 to the Dan Ryan up to the Near North Side for dinner at the Pinnacle on top of the Holiday Inn (now the W). It was a wonderful dinner (except for some really sucky shrimp cocktail) in the revolving restaurant overlooking Lake Shore Drive at Ontario. It cost a goodly chunk of my Jewel stock boy's salary but we were livin' it up.
Actually, I was too intimidated to complain about the Shrimp Cocktail.
From there we headed downtown to the Shubert (now the restored Lasalle Bank Theatre). I had landed us some nice mezzanine tickets for the Liza Minnelli's Broadway bound work in progress called "Shine It On", soon to be renamed "The Act".
The show was a dazzler with Liza delivering a whole host of Kander and Ebbs. "Shine it On", "City Lights" and the slightly dirty "Arthur in the Afternoon". I still have the Original Cast Recording on LP. (You can also sample the music by clicking here if my YouTube clip below has fed your appetite.
Also, kids that we were, we were startled to find that her leading man was none other that Mark Goddard, better known as Major Don West from "Lost in Space"! (BTW, did you know he is related to Robert Goddard, the father of rocket technology?)
We had a great time. Post-show we returned to the car as a thunderstorm moved into the area and headed back down the Dan Ryan, Midlothian bound.
As luck would have it. I had just maneuvered the car into the express lanes when strange noises started emanating from the engine. Gradually I note that I can no longer keep up with traffic. The poor Cortina was ailing.
We made it as far 43rd street when the car completely died. In a ferocious thunderstorm, in the inner express lane shoulder, in the heart of the ghetto.
Me: "I need to call my dad to come get us. I'll go up to that gas station and call him."
Janice: "You can't leave me here! I'm coming with you."
Me: "Are you sure you want to do that? It's really a mess out there"
Janice: "Are you friggin' kidding me? You can't leave me alone in the car. What if 'somebody' comes!" She had a point, the ghetto was much rougher in those days. And our suburban white bread breeding screamed we have to stick together.
So together, in the pouring rain we hop over the express lanes divider and scramble across the local lanes to the embankment leading up to the gas station. For those of you who don't know the Dan Ryan expressway was dug down into a trench through the city's south side. We now had to climb up the muddy, soaked, embankment to reach our targeted pay phone.
So we climb, crawl actually, in our respective heels, up the muddy slope and reach the phone.
And so I call and...
There's NOBODY HOME!!!!!! I FORGOT!!!!! My parents were off to the campground for the weekend and unreachable. And none of our friends were home either.
So Janice had to call home and wake her parents to come save us. Not particularly fitting into the neighborhood we decide that they will fetch us from the car. So back down the embankment we descend, slide, and tumble. Back across the local lanes, over the divider, back to the car, dedraggled, drenched and soiled, to await the parental rescue.
And the wait, began. We laughed, we cried. And were the duly retrieved 45 minutes later by Janice's slightly annoyed parents. Yes, they both had to make that trip to see the sight of us! I think, now, they were quite bemused at our failed coifs and muddied garments. So homeward bound we were, slumped in the back seat, as the smells of wet 70's synthetics wafted about us.
Deeply scarred, I rarely ventured again into the dating pool.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Liza Minnelli - My Date With Janice, Con't...
Here's "City Lights" from what became "The Act" of Liza workin' her fedora for the '78 Tony's. Ah! Memories of that dark and stormy bedumble date. "Country air means zilch to me, I won't breath nothin', I can't see!"
Liza Minnelli on Singers Spotlight with Ann Hampton Callaway
Pardon me for a bit of a gay moment if you will...
Be sure to catch "Singer's Spotlight with Ann Hampton Callaway":
Be sure to catch "Singer's Spotlight with Ann Hampton Callaway":
Airs Saturday, July 28 at 3:30 am on WTTW11
Encore Airings of this EpisodeSunday, July 29 at 9:30 pm
Monday, July 30 at 2:30 am
Award winning singer, composer, actress Ann Hampton Calloway, welcomes her old friend, iconic Oscar winner, Liza Minnelli and pianist/composer Billy Stritch. Ann and Liza sing together and separately, reminisce and share fascinating insights on artistry and performance.
I caught this debut epsisode last night. (Thanks, Mike & Steve for the heads up). The show is way to0 short at only an half hour. But there is an absolutely stunning duet between these dazzling divas of "Stormy Weather" that is not to be missed.
Liza's Back and She's Still Got It!
OH BILLY . . . YOU BE SO SILLY . . .
I realize this is old news by now, but it's just too MAD not to share right here at Pabulum.
If this were only true . . . do you think O'Reilly would still be alive? Don't ya think these dozens of lesbian gangs would have hunted him down, sliced off his genitals, and force-fed them to Michael Vick as his own special dog treats?
And the Big "O" on the other side of the fence (my side) has a field day with it. And who can blame him? Maybe Michael Moore's next big film should be "Lesbian Gangs From Outer Space!"
More proof of O'Reilly's incompetence as a "journalist." What a fear-mongering douche bag.
If this were only true . . . do you think O'Reilly would still be alive? Don't ya think these dozens of lesbian gangs would have hunted him down, sliced off his genitals, and force-fed them to Michael Vick as his own special dog treats?
And the Big "O" on the other side of the fence (my side) has a field day with it. And who can blame him? Maybe Michael Moore's next big film should be "Lesbian Gangs From Outer Space!"
More proof of O'Reilly's incompetence as a "journalist." What a fear-mongering douche bag.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Of Blue Hairs and Honeysuckle
On any family visit, my responsibilities are twofold. First and foremost, I am the Prodigal Son returning from "The North," speaking with an accent and expressing opinions not based upon the bible. Secondly, I am conductor of The Blue Hair Express. My mother is 90 and my Aunt Kitty is 97. Though orphaned since the influenza epidemic and inseparable for 90 years, they have yet to figure out a way to get along for more than 5 minutes at a time. Conversing with both in the car revealed their limited geriatric world couched in terms of the familiar. On my last visit, wanting to move at a pace that outstripped their limited mobility mph, I suggested we take a drive through the neighborhood. Passing a house where I used to visit and play with a friend, I said, "There's the old Killian house."
My mother said, "She died last year." (Meaning my friend's mother.)
Aunt Kitty said, "Who died?"
Mother said, "Jean Killian."
"She died last week?"
"No, Kitty, she died last year."
"I didn't know that."
"Well, Kitty, you went to the funeral."
After a pause, my aunt said "I didn't go to any funeral last week."
And so the weekend went, whether traveling in The Blue Hair Express or sitting in a living room the world was small and getting smaller. Defined by diminished physical capacity, intrusions by others to accomplish daily tasks, the loss of all friends, it was confining and restrictive for me. The days were humid, the pace glacial and the nights welcome. In the evening, when the scent of honeysuckle blew through the open windows on night breezes, the pace was more in sync with the world of the Blue Hairs. People sat, relaxed in the heat, and told stories with that distinctive southern rise and fall in cadence. There is a natural harmony with the night as old age progresses. Edging closer to bedtime, slowing down evermore as that hour approaches. Their daylight is the well remembered past, when children played and bodies were strong.
My niece was also there with her newborn daughter. Cradling it, hovering like the first time mother she is. It is incomprehensible to me that a child would be born in this world. The future of that generation is bleak beyond words. When Marx said capitalism would destroy itself, he couldn't have imagined it would destroy the entire planet. His dream was too big to encompass the punitive and cowardly spectre of total destruction. The property we now fight for is oil, the bodies of women, the ideas of long dead gods. That generation will fight over water, air, and who knows what bodies, living or dead. It seems to me the flow of things is day into night with those approaching their final hours finding refuge and pleasure in the memories of their days. That cannot be the future.
My mother said, "She died last year." (Meaning my friend's mother.)
Aunt Kitty said, "Who died?"
Mother said, "Jean Killian."
"She died last week?"
"No, Kitty, she died last year."
"I didn't know that."
"Well, Kitty, you went to the funeral."
After a pause, my aunt said "I didn't go to any funeral last week."
And so the weekend went, whether traveling in The Blue Hair Express or sitting in a living room the world was small and getting smaller. Defined by diminished physical capacity, intrusions by others to accomplish daily tasks, the loss of all friends, it was confining and restrictive for me. The days were humid, the pace glacial and the nights welcome. In the evening, when the scent of honeysuckle blew through the open windows on night breezes, the pace was more in sync with the world of the Blue Hairs. People sat, relaxed in the heat, and told stories with that distinctive southern rise and fall in cadence. There is a natural harmony with the night as old age progresses. Edging closer to bedtime, slowing down evermore as that hour approaches. Their daylight is the well remembered past, when children played and bodies were strong.
My niece was also there with her newborn daughter. Cradling it, hovering like the first time mother she is. It is incomprehensible to me that a child would be born in this world. The future of that generation is bleak beyond words. When Marx said capitalism would destroy itself, he couldn't have imagined it would destroy the entire planet. His dream was too big to encompass the punitive and cowardly spectre of total destruction. The property we now fight for is oil, the bodies of women, the ideas of long dead gods. That generation will fight over water, air, and who knows what bodies, living or dead. It seems to me the flow of things is day into night with those approaching their final hours finding refuge and pleasure in the memories of their days. That cannot be the future.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Ralph's Ficus Benjamina
A number of years ago, Ralph gave me his Ficus tree (because he did not want to move it). Under Boris's tender loving care the beast has flourished. Boris repotted it about 2 weeks ago and this tree has suddenly and completely, figged out. There are hundreds of fruit.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Vitter Epilogue
I do not give a shit what people do with their sex lives. If you stay out of mine, I will stay out of yours.
I would have no comment or opinion, and would be personally offended on your behalf, if you lived by the same rules.
Heck, I even think prostitution should be legal, if regulated.
However, if your mouth and your laws keep invading my private space and my civil rights based on your supposedly superior sense of morality, I fully expect for the full court press to come down on your pathetic ass when your house of cards comes tumbling down.
I'll shut up now.
I would have no comment or opinion, and would be personally offended on your behalf, if you lived by the same rules.
Heck, I even think prostitution should be legal, if regulated.
However, if your mouth and your laws keep invading my private space and my civil rights based on your supposedly superior sense of morality, I fully expect for the full court press to come down on your pathetic ass when your house of cards comes tumbling down.
I'll shut up now.
Tucker Carlson Has a Hissy Fit While Defending David Vitter
Tucker Carlson is both stupid and a dick. Its is the hypocrisy you blithering idiot.
And remind me, Mr. Standard-Keeper-Of-Press, just what were your impeccable standards 9 or so years ago? Oh. I see. That was different. It wasn't one of your own. IMHO, that makes YOU, TC, a slimy little steamer.
Wendy Vitter - A Star Is Born????
Shorter Wendy: "Hello everybody, This is Mrs. David Vitter."
"Oh yes, And in keeping with my previous campaign promises, I shall remain married to this latest member of the castrati congressional boys choir. His version of the 'National Anthem' has improved remarkably"
WHATEVAH!!!
When you build a career, or lend support to your husband's career, by moralizing on other peoples' bedrooms and then your own bedroom door pops open with some nasty revelations...
Why the surprise if people have something critical to say about what they see?
Monday, July 16, 2007
More On McCain's Gay Sweaters
Via Cliff Schecter:
Dear, Dear John, I would be more concerned that your staunchly antigay, pro-"family"-Protection-of-Straight-Marriage, Florida Co-Campaign Chairman got caught offering to pay to give BJ's in a public park restroom.
From Wayne Besen:
In the comments section it's noted that this hypocritical clown "was pushing for HARSHER legal punishments for people who got caught having sex in public places." Now this is something to panic about. BTW, I do not regard these people as gay. We don't want them. Methinks this is what should be referred to as "stunted homosexuals" (not even practicing).
Make it stop, GOP jokes are writing themselves!
Nope, not the walk in the Baghdad market, his support for a ridiculous war, his flip-flopping on evolution, abortion, Falwell, Bob Jones, campaign finance reform, lobbying reform and every other issue.Not his temper, his ambition or his obstinence. Gay sweaters have done him in:I would call this RGP. Republican Gay Panic.In the final days of his imploding candidacy, John McCain has taken a page out of Richard Nixon's play book, finding increasingly bizarre explanations for his political failures. Strangest of all: He reportedly feels his handlers forced him to wear "gay sweaters."
Dear, Dear John, I would be more concerned that your staunchly antigay, pro-"family"-Protection-of-Straight-Marriage, Florida Co-Campaign Chairman got caught offering to pay to give BJ's in a public park restroom.
From Wayne Besen:
When Mark Foley (R) isn't trolling for male pages and (Rev.)Ted Haggard isn't paying escorts, we have Sen. David Vitter (R) hooking hookers and co-chairman for Sen. John McCain's presidential bid, Bob Allen (R), soliciting oral sodomy in a public Florida park.
In the comments section it's noted that this hypocritical clown "was pushing for HARSHER legal punishments for people who got caught having sex in public places." Now this is something to panic about. BTW, I do not regard these people as gay. We don't want them. Methinks this is what should be referred to as "stunted homosexuals" (not even practicing).
Make it stop, GOP jokes are writing themselves!
Christian extremists disrupt Hindu Senate invocation
Christian Extremists? Karl Rove's Republican base.
In The Name of God...
"God made me do it."
Onward Christian Soldiers!
Via Andrew Sullivan
Nutjobs everywhere. Republican base.
A Cypress man charged in the death of a Southwest Airlines flight attendant said Saturday that he was doing God's work when he went to a Montrose-area bar last month, hunting for a gay man to kill.
"I believe I'm Elijah, called by God to be a prophet," said 26-year-old Terry Mark Mangum, charged with murder June 11. " ... I believe with all my heart that I was doing the right
thing."
Onward Christian Soldiers!
Via Andrew Sullivan
Nutjobs everywhere. Republican base.
THEY
Found this via Firedog Lake. Go over there. Democrats debate over gay issues. Republicans debate over gay sweaters. John McCain, Tres Gay?
I Dreamed...
...last night about talking bivalves. What the hell does that mean?
Had one that talked me into moving him from one salt marsh to another. And then the ones in the new salt marsh squirted stuff at my friends.
Had one that talked me into moving him from one salt marsh to another. And then the ones in the new salt marsh squirted stuff at my friends.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Lady Bird Johnson 1912 - 2007
(Click on picture for a larger and nicer view)
I remember my mother mentioning that she always associates Blue Bonnets and Lady Bird.
So here's to one class act.
Click Here for a link to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center tribute and then click on the page for a bio focusing on her environmental work.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Phrase Of The Day: "Moral Avatars"
I love this phrase!
Check out this link to Balloon-Juice on The DC Madam Palfrey / Republican Senator "Paragon of Virtue" David Vitter (LA).
Another One Bites The Dust. Another staunch "Defender of Marriage", a fallen warrior in the culture wars.
Whatever.
F'n hypocrite!
They are on a roll over there today. I'm gonna add them to the Blogroll. So go over there and take a read by clicking the link under the "Daily Reads".
Check out this link to Balloon-Juice on The DC Madam Palfrey / Republican Senator "Paragon of Virtue" David Vitter (LA).
But there’s the rub: far more than for Democrats, Republicans put themselves forward as moral avatars, righteous defenders of the sort of theocratic values that gets their evangelical base warm and flushed.
Another One Bites The Dust. Another staunch "Defender of Marriage", a fallen warrior in the culture wars.
Whatever.
F'n hypocrite!
They are on a roll over there today. I'm gonna add them to the Blogroll. So go over there and take a read by clicking the link under the "Daily Reads".
The Trying NY Times
Follow this link to the NY Times editorial where they tried to be supportive, they really tried to be supportive of gays and dis the possible confirmation of our new Surgeon General:
"Practicing homosexuals"? Perhaps when I'm done practicing I'll go pro and make some porn or something. Or maybe I'll don my wig and cha cha heels and prance away to some dead diva for tips and bar shots.
I wonder if my parents are practicing heterosexuals. I shudder to think if they were professionals. I can handle the truth but what would my siblings, and God forbid, my nieces and nephews think?
Why can't they just drop the clinical speak that creates that concept of "the other", separate and apart, subcategorized, and dehumanized, though use of the term "practicing homosexuals". It conjures completely unnecessary images of "practiced" sexuality. Just refer to us as "gay people", (I'm not even asking for the dreaded "GLBT" bull. Never liked it anyway.)
Anyway, The OpEd piece is overall supportive. "Dr." (hows that, again?) Holsinger and his neanderthal views should not be allowed anywhere near the office of Surgeon General. Let him go "practice" his "medicine" elsewhere.
Update: Boris comments that "accomplished" might be a nice touch in the step up from "practicing". Would this make my sister an "accomplished heterosexual" with her brood of five, brilliant children.
Hmmm, I wonder what category my maternal great grandparents would fall under with their astounding pack of 14 progeny.
The Bush administration says the white paper reflected the scientific understanding of the time, but it reads like a veneer of science cloaking an aversion to homosexuality. The committee should examine whether Dr. Holsinger cherry-picked the literature or represented it objectively. Most important, it must determine whether Dr. Holsinger holds these benighted views today. The Senate should not confirm a surgeon general who considers practicing homosexuals abnormal and diseased.
"Practicing homosexuals"? Perhaps when I'm done practicing I'll go pro and make some porn or something. Or maybe I'll don my wig and cha cha heels and prance away to some dead diva for tips and bar shots.
I wonder if my parents are practicing heterosexuals. I shudder to think if they were professionals. I can handle the truth but what would my siblings, and God forbid, my nieces and nephews think?
Why can't they just drop the clinical speak that creates that concept of "the other", separate and apart, subcategorized, and dehumanized, though use of the term "practicing homosexuals". It conjures completely unnecessary images of "practiced" sexuality. Just refer to us as "gay people", (I'm not even asking for the dreaded "GLBT" bull. Never liked it anyway.)
Anyway, The OpEd piece is overall supportive. "Dr." (hows that, again?) Holsinger and his neanderthal views should not be allowed anywhere near the office of Surgeon General. Let him go "practice" his "medicine" elsewhere.
Update: Boris comments that "accomplished" might be a nice touch in the step up from "practicing". Would this make my sister an "accomplished heterosexual" with her brood of five, brilliant children.
Hmmm, I wonder what category my maternal great grandparents would fall under with their astounding pack of 14 progeny.
Monday, July 9, 2007
When The GreenMan Goes Bad
Check out the photo from this Bank Robbery here.
MANCHESTER – Police said this morning a tip has led them to an arrest in the leafy robber case.
James Coldwell, 49, of 50 Lowell St. has been charged with robbery in connection with a Saturday morning holdup at the Citizens Bank branch at 1550 Elm St.
The robber had duct taped tree banches to his head and torso to disguise himself, police said.
(h/t Pam's House Blend)
Bush Flips Off Congress
Invokes executive privilege again.
So what IS Congress going to do about it?
(image shamelessly stolen from Cliff Schechter)
Sunday, July 8, 2007
I have to say it..........
As those who know me will tell you, I have been searching for the perfect apartment for 2 months now and, most recently, for the perfect roommate. I have exhausted myself looking at all types of places and have seen the very worst along with the very best. I have come to realize that "close to the L" means you can hand them coffee as they go by in the morning, "study nook" indicates that dead space in the living room behind the water heater that is useless, "quaint neighborhood" means that none of the store signs are in English" and "vintage" or "Victorian" means the place is to die for but you won't get it if you are not a gay male couple. Don't get me wrong, I love gay men, but I am tired of having the perfect place snatched out from under me by the next cute couple to come along. If this was a one time occurrence I would not say anything, but more and more the landlord will begrudgingly hand me an application but refuse to take my deposit check or discuss move in dates. I am an attorney, I am single, I have one cat, and I make a decent amount of money. I LOVE vintage and Victorian and just about wet my pants when I see a fireplace mantel or a built in china hutch in a formal dining room, but I am tired of getting turned down for apartments. I own antique furniture, don't throw wild parties, and always invite the neighbors when I cook. (For the record, I grow my own herbs because fresh is the only way to cook from scratch.) Straight people need nice housing too and I should not be condemned to live in a place that barely passes for habitable because of my gender, age or sexual persuasion. There, I said it. I do feel a bit better for venting, but I am still going to be homeless August 1.
As those who know me will tell you, I have been searching for the perfect apartment for 2 months now and, most recently, for the perfect roommate. I have exhausted myself looking at all types of places and have seen the very worst along with the very best. I have come to realize that "close to the L" means you can hand them coffee as they go by in the morning, "study nook" indicates that dead space in the living room behind the water heater that is useless, "quaint neighborhood" means that none of the store signs are in English" and "vintage" or "Victorian" means the place is to die for but you won't get it if you are not a gay male couple. Don't get me wrong, I love gay men, but I am tired of having the perfect place snatched out from under me by the next cute couple to come along. If this was a one time occurrence I would not say anything, but more and more the landlord will begrudgingly hand me an application but refuse to take my deposit check or discuss move in dates. I am an attorney, I am single, I have one cat, and I make a decent amount of money. I LOVE vintage and Victorian and just about wet my pants when I see a fireplace mantel or a built in china hutch in a formal dining room, but I am tired of getting turned down for apartments. I own antique furniture, don't throw wild parties, and always invite the neighbors when I cook. (For the record, I grow my own herbs because fresh is the only way to cook from scratch.) Straight people need nice housing too and I should not be condemned to live in a place that barely passes for habitable because of my gender, age or sexual persuasion. There, I said it. I do feel a bit better for venting, but I am still going to be homeless August 1.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
MSNBC's David Shuster mops floor with Fouad Ajami
My New Hero!! Down with Tweety. Shuster Rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It took a while.....
I am overjoyed to have been invited to pull up a chair and spout a few words. I am more accostomed to being told to shut up. That said, there has been so much going on in the world that I must take a moment to say a few things. First of all, what everyone seems to have conveniently forgotten is that Scooter Libby was not convicted of outting anyone. Scooter was convicted of obstructing justice for lying and trying to derail a federal investigation. Scooter Libby was convicted of the same crime as Martha Stewart and Lil Kim. Unfortunately for them, they were not white, male, Republicans who had sold their souls to the devil in exchange for a stint in the White House. Bush only "pardoned" Libby (and trust me, just a matter of time) because Mrs. Libby threatened to start telling secrets. Libby was kept out of jail so he could ducttape his wife's mouth shut.
That said, it is time for everyone to stop yelling, pointing fingers and blasting away at the idiot who occupies the really nice office with the great address and start working on finding a suitable replacement. We have an obligation to ourselves, our children and the world to find someone who will do what it takes to start cleaning up this mess. Bush is a complete idiot, I get that, but what is done is done. They will not impeach the idiot for lying so let's gear up and find a real president to replace him. Fortunately even the 54 million idiots who voted for him twice would NOT vote him in again and would NOT stand for changing the laws to allow a third term.
There, I came, I saw, I spewed.
I am overjoyed to have been invited to pull up a chair and spout a few words. I am more accostomed to being told to shut up. That said, there has been so much going on in the world that I must take a moment to say a few things. First of all, what everyone seems to have conveniently forgotten is that Scooter Libby was not convicted of outting anyone. Scooter was convicted of obstructing justice for lying and trying to derail a federal investigation. Scooter Libby was convicted of the same crime as Martha Stewart and Lil Kim. Unfortunately for them, they were not white, male, Republicans who had sold their souls to the devil in exchange for a stint in the White House. Bush only "pardoned" Libby (and trust me, just a matter of time) because Mrs. Libby threatened to start telling secrets. Libby was kept out of jail so he could ducttape his wife's mouth shut.
That said, it is time for everyone to stop yelling, pointing fingers and blasting away at the idiot who occupies the really nice office with the great address and start working on finding a suitable replacement. We have an obligation to ourselves, our children and the world to find someone who will do what it takes to start cleaning up this mess. Bush is a complete idiot, I get that, but what is done is done. They will not impeach the idiot for lying so let's gear up and find a real president to replace him. Fortunately even the 54 million idiots who voted for him twice would NOT vote him in again and would NOT stand for changing the laws to allow a third term.
There, I came, I saw, I spewed.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Welcome JP Le Joyeux!!!
That is a most elegant starter post.
I am very intimidated but undaunted. I must work on my loquaciousness.
I am very intimidated but undaunted. I must work on my loquaciousness.
The Declaration Of Independence
In another quaint little document
I found these grievances against King George:
I found these grievances against King George:
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the
public good.
...
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our
constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of
pretended Legislation:
...
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
Law and Order Republicans
I give you The Mittster (who wouldn't pardon an Iraq war wet for a BB gun violation) Mitt Romney:
I give you Mr RICO himself Rudy Guliani:
http://www.joinrudy2008.com/news/pr/346
Slimy Kerik Lovin' Asshole!
And Mr Duh Dum Fred Thompson:
Just another ordinary Republican "Law & Order" asshole.
Defending Bush, Romney said at a campaign stop that "the president looked very carefully at the setting" before deciding to commute the 2 1/2-year sentence of Libby, the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, who was convicted in the CIA leak case.
The prosecutor in the case "went after somebody even when he knew no crime had been committed," Romney said. "Given that fact, isn't it reasonable for a commutation of a portion of the sentence to be made?"http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/07/03/romney_opposed_pardons_as_governor_but_defends_bush_on_libby/
Creepy Lyin' Asshole!
I give you Mr RICO himself Rudy Guliani:
"After evaluating the facts, the President came to a reasonable decision
and I believe the decision was correct."
http://www.joinrudy2008.com/news/pr/346
Slimy Kerik Lovin' Asshole!
And Mr Duh Dum Fred Thompson:
"I am very happy for Scooter Libby. I know that this is a great relief tohttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/07/02/253699.aspx
him, his wife and children. While for a long time I have urged a pardon for
Scooter, I respect the President's decision. This will allow a good
American, who has done a lot for his country, to resume his life."
Just another ordinary Republican "Law & Order" asshole.
A Queer in Muir Woods
Visiting my friend in San Francisco, we decided to take an afternoon trip to Muir Woods. Not sure what to expect, it was the strength of the redwoods rather than their height or age that took me by surprise. Their survival skills are numerous. Their tiny seed pods open in the heat that is generated by fires but fire by no means kills the trees. They are tall and thick enough to weather a forest fire as evidenced by the frequent burned out and blackened base of a tree approaching 200 feet tall. So they sprout from an inferno. If they were to burn and die, their root base is strong enough to sprout new growth in a circle around the original tree and establish a new circular colony outlining the original parent by the absence of a center. If the tree is cut down without the stump being removed, the same process occurs. This circular family structure allows for another impressive feature: if a tree falters or is structurally weak and begins to fall over, the circle allows the other members of the family to support it and let it live and grow for hundreds of years at angles crossing the center of the circle.
One designated stop at a tree stump gave the mandatory story of the rings - World War I ended here, Christopher Columbus sailed here, Jesus Christ was born here. These delicate and resilient structures have been around for thousands of years and it struck me as I looked at this worn tourist attraction that queers are older than all this (some possibly still living). The power of our gay families has been around, encircling us since far before the christ was born despite years of oppression, prejudice and hatred. To my mind, one of the most significant families was that of the christian god's son, known as Jesus. If we do away with religious dogma and internal homophobia (no one that truly important could be gay...), it is clear that he was gay and had a strong and loving gay family. Look at it another way. If you had a friend who never had sex, had one close female friend from whom he was inseparable but not married, the only other woman to whom he was that close was his mother, and he hung out otherwise with men exclusively, sometimes large groups of them, would you have any reason to believe he was not gay? Our gaydar would be all over that yet we have great difficulty in recognizing the obvious due to the traditional glory attached to his persona. I believe we, as gay men, could use the christian Jesus as an enduring example of the power of the gay family and what it can accomplish. Aside from a somewhat grisly death for most of them, they endured in a community of strength, mutual support, and compassion. It is the inheritors of their message that have permanently fashioned it into a movement of hatred and intolerance, in part as a means of fleeing from the obvious nature and sexuality of at least one manifestation of their tripartite god. Whether a believer or not, the changes this gay family brought about are profound.
Our gay families have endured and still thrive in strong and compassionate communities, some large and some small. The death of Robbie, a bartender at my favorite dive is an example of gay strength and resiliency. While I knew him, I am not speaking of Robbie rather the living, those who rallied around him and gave him the support and compassion he needed to die at home and with dignity. We as queers don't give ourselves enough credit for this probably due to the to the terrible ordinary part of our lives it has become since the plague. It is important to name those who helped. Michael, his companion, surly and compassionate to the end, providing meals, clean clothes, home and friendship. Steve, his employer and friend who spent time transporting him to and from the hospital, getting his medication, assisting him in his affairs. Gary, the abiding cynic, who offered his heart, friendship, time and humour. And there were others of whom I do not know. Like the redwoods, they circled around and supported and, like the redwoods, there is an emptiness at the center that reminds us of time passing and those who stood before.
It is an irony that the inheritors of that great gay family that offered such promise, that of the Jesus, have become agents of our genocide. I believe that queer families are stronger and better than the christian model of heterosexual union. That model lies in hypocritical ruins in every divorce court in the land. We queers have endured a long time, longer than the religions that now call for our extermination and we are faced with a gathering of the strongest enemies we have encountered: the United States empire, the christian, muslim and jewish religions, and - always - the longing of men who want to love men but are afraid to do so. This genocide is occurring and our future is in doubt but I want to celebrate the living gay families. They are fluid and may change and reform, their support may be waylaid by a night too long at the bar, they may lose members, but, at least for now, they are here for us.
One designated stop at a tree stump gave the mandatory story of the rings - World War I ended here, Christopher Columbus sailed here, Jesus Christ was born here. These delicate and resilient structures have been around for thousands of years and it struck me as I looked at this worn tourist attraction that queers are older than all this (some possibly still living). The power of our gay families has been around, encircling us since far before the christ was born despite years of oppression, prejudice and hatred. To my mind, one of the most significant families was that of the christian god's son, known as Jesus. If we do away with religious dogma and internal homophobia (no one that truly important could be gay...), it is clear that he was gay and had a strong and loving gay family. Look at it another way. If you had a friend who never had sex, had one close female friend from whom he was inseparable but not married, the only other woman to whom he was that close was his mother, and he hung out otherwise with men exclusively, sometimes large groups of them, would you have any reason to believe he was not gay? Our gaydar would be all over that yet we have great difficulty in recognizing the obvious due to the traditional glory attached to his persona. I believe we, as gay men, could use the christian Jesus as an enduring example of the power of the gay family and what it can accomplish. Aside from a somewhat grisly death for most of them, they endured in a community of strength, mutual support, and compassion. It is the inheritors of their message that have permanently fashioned it into a movement of hatred and intolerance, in part as a means of fleeing from the obvious nature and sexuality of at least one manifestation of their tripartite god. Whether a believer or not, the changes this gay family brought about are profound.
Our gay families have endured and still thrive in strong and compassionate communities, some large and some small. The death of Robbie, a bartender at my favorite dive is an example of gay strength and resiliency. While I knew him, I am not speaking of Robbie rather the living, those who rallied around him and gave him the support and compassion he needed to die at home and with dignity. We as queers don't give ourselves enough credit for this probably due to the to the terrible ordinary part of our lives it has become since the plague. It is important to name those who helped. Michael, his companion, surly and compassionate to the end, providing meals, clean clothes, home and friendship. Steve, his employer and friend who spent time transporting him to and from the hospital, getting his medication, assisting him in his affairs. Gary, the abiding cynic, who offered his heart, friendship, time and humour. And there were others of whom I do not know. Like the redwoods, they circled around and supported and, like the redwoods, there is an emptiness at the center that reminds us of time passing and those who stood before.
It is an irony that the inheritors of that great gay family that offered such promise, that of the Jesus, have become agents of our genocide. I believe that queer families are stronger and better than the christian model of heterosexual union. That model lies in hypocritical ruins in every divorce court in the land. We queers have endured a long time, longer than the religions that now call for our extermination and we are faced with a gathering of the strongest enemies we have encountered: the United States empire, the christian, muslim and jewish religions, and - always - the longing of men who want to love men but are afraid to do so. This genocide is occurring and our future is in doubt but I want to celebrate the living gay families. They are fluid and may change and reform, their support may be waylaid by a night too long at the bar, they may lose members, but, at least for now, they are here for us.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Does Cheney Intend To Hire Libby Back?
This was asked of Tony Snowjob today.
Why not?
While they're at it, hire in Oliver North, Chuck Colson, Duke Cunningham, Tom Delay, Ted Stevens, Jack Abramoff, John Doolittle, OReilly, Beck, Hannity, Malkin, Limbaugh, and Drudge ET AL AD NAUSEAM into the Cabinet.
At least we would know where they all are and could limit the number of cookie jars being raided.
And replace Dana Perino with the Coultergeist; the 49% of America who put these people,in power, again, need to hear her puke out her venom until their ears curdle and their eyes crust shut.
And take Holy Joe Lieberman and William Jefferson too, 'cos we don't want them!
But hide the constitution from their shredders. It's a quaint little document and we may like to adher to it again some day.
Why not?
While they're at it, hire in Oliver North, Chuck Colson, Duke Cunningham, Tom Delay, Ted Stevens, Jack Abramoff, John Doolittle, OReilly, Beck, Hannity, Malkin, Limbaugh, and Drudge ET AL AD NAUSEAM into the Cabinet.
At least we would know where they all are and could limit the number of cookie jars being raided.
And replace Dana Perino with the Coultergeist; the 49% of America who put these people,in power, again, need to hear her puke out her venom until their ears curdle and their eyes crust shut.
And take Holy Joe Lieberman and William Jefferson too, 'cos we don't want them!
But hide the constitution from their shredders. It's a quaint little document and we may like to adher to it again some day.
Here's It Is In A Nutshell
Ambassador Joe Wilson countered the Iraq war drumbeat by dismissing the DUBIOUS allegations that Iraq was seeking uranium in Niger.
Cheney and Rove decide Joe Wilson must be destroyed and orders the stormtroopers to put the word out about that Wilson's wife was the covert agent (whether true or false, it is irrelevant) who sent Wilson on his fact finding mission to Niger.
Ambassador Wilson was correct one to go to Niger. This region of Africa was his area of expertise. And Plame's job was tracking the proliferation of weapons, especially nuclear, weapons of mass destruction. Valerie Plame's job was protecting the United States of America. Valerie Plame was and is a patriot.
Libby and Armitage dutifully released her identity to the press destroying her career at he CIA and her cover. This probably destroyed all contacts made by Plame throughout her career. Many of these contacts are probably now prematurely dead or imprisoned.
And the compliant and complicit press, with the old crypt keeper himself, Robert Novak serving as stenographer, dutifully reveals her identity, outing her as a covert CIA agent.
This disclosure to the press is treason. Treason committed because they didn't like the message beating contra to their Iraqi war drums. Treason committed for crass political expediency. Treason committed to crush dissent.
Libby fell on his sword by lying to a grand jury investigating the matter, committing perjury to protect his "betters(?)", and feloniously avoided revealing the truly treasonous source who ordered this disclosure.
A Republican attorney appointed by this administration prosecuted this case. A Republican judge appointed by this administration oversaw the trial where the jury found him guilty and decided the original sentence. More Republican judges appointed by the this administration reviewed the sentence and trial and found its renderings just, the evidence "overwhelming", the likelihood of it being overturned remote and ordered Libby to jail pending his appeals.
The commutation of the sentence removes any remaining leverage to get to the bottom of the original crime. Without the threat of jail time, what motivation does Libby have to "refresh" his memory. Republican pockets are deep so Libby's fines and court costs are paid and he may now retire to a life of gilded leisure. This is the presidential obstruction of justice by effect if not by statute.
"Law and Order" Republicans made all this happen.
This rank, corrupt, vindictive, utterly irresponsible and reprehensible administration now gets a pass on the most heinous of crimes, TREASON.
Paris Hilton, doobie puffsters, alley pissers, and other minor felons all serve more time than any of these perjuring, pompous, laws-are-for-the-little-people, sanctimonious and hypocritical assholes.
ITMF'sNA!! All of them!
Cheney and Rove decide Joe Wilson must be destroyed and orders the stormtroopers to put the word out about that Wilson's wife was the covert agent (whether true or false, it is irrelevant) who sent Wilson on his fact finding mission to Niger.
Ambassador Wilson was correct one to go to Niger. This region of Africa was his area of expertise. And Plame's job was tracking the proliferation of weapons, especially nuclear, weapons of mass destruction. Valerie Plame's job was protecting the United States of America. Valerie Plame was and is a patriot.
Libby and Armitage dutifully released her identity to the press destroying her career at he CIA and her cover. This probably destroyed all contacts made by Plame throughout her career. Many of these contacts are probably now prematurely dead or imprisoned.
And the compliant and complicit press, with the old crypt keeper himself, Robert Novak serving as stenographer, dutifully reveals her identity, outing her as a covert CIA agent.
This disclosure to the press is treason. Treason committed because they didn't like the message beating contra to their Iraqi war drums. Treason committed for crass political expediency. Treason committed to crush dissent.
Libby fell on his sword by lying to a grand jury investigating the matter, committing perjury to protect his "betters(?)", and feloniously avoided revealing the truly treasonous source who ordered this disclosure.
A Republican attorney appointed by this administration prosecuted this case. A Republican judge appointed by this administration oversaw the trial where the jury found him guilty and decided the original sentence. More Republican judges appointed by the this administration reviewed the sentence and trial and found its renderings just, the evidence "overwhelming", the likelihood of it being overturned remote and ordered Libby to jail pending his appeals.
The commutation of the sentence removes any remaining leverage to get to the bottom of the original crime. Without the threat of jail time, what motivation does Libby have to "refresh" his memory. Republican pockets are deep so Libby's fines and court costs are paid and he may now retire to a life of gilded leisure. This is the presidential obstruction of justice by effect if not by statute.
"Law and Order" Republicans made all this happen.
This rank, corrupt, vindictive, utterly irresponsible and reprehensible administration now gets a pass on the most heinous of crimes, TREASON.
Paris Hilton, doobie puffsters, alley pissers, and other minor felons all serve more time than any of these perjuring, pompous, laws-are-for-the-little-people, sanctimonious and hypocritical assholes.
ITMF'sNA!! All of them!
Monday, July 2, 2007
Bush Is Now Accessory To Obstruction Of Justice
Via Crooks and Liars, Pappa B circa 1999:
Via Needlenose:
Bush 41: “I have nothing but contempt and anger for those who betray the trust by exposing the name of our sources. They are, in my view, the most insidious of traitors.”
Via Needlenose:
On September 30, 2003, just after this investigation began, the President said:
"If there's a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is . . . If the person has violated law, that person will be taken care of."
We now know exactly what he meant.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Volleyball Tournament Yesterday
After 6 hours of playing all I can say is: I'm Dying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can somebody find me a muscle that doesn't ache?
But thank you, Jose, for making me do this. I did have loads of fun.
Can somebody find me a muscle that doesn't ache?
But thank you, Jose, for making me do this. I did have loads of fun.
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