Berlin: 1936--1945

The glory...


...and the price of folly and evil!

A Sideways Look at Shirley Bassey

I seem to recall Ms Bassey has some fans over here on Pabulum, so when they showed the Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show from 1971, featuring the Welsh Wonder, I just had to post her contribution.

Stars queued up to be humiliated by the comedy duo, and Shirley was shown up good and p0roper.

Eartha Kitt - Where Is My Man

For the Boyz:


There was something hilariously ironic about this femme fatale blasting on speakers in every gay club in America in the '80's.

Eartha Kitt RIP - Santa Baby

She spoke truth to power (LBJ), getting her banned from Batman (she WAS, what else. The Catwoman), and was purrfect in everything else.

Harold Pinter 1930-2008--A Very Unflattering Portrait of America

...but as the sun sets on the Bush regime, it's one of the clearest images ever painted. This clip is 45 minutes, but certainly worth it. This was his acceptance speech for the Nobel Prize for Literature, which he received in 2005.

I saw this and thought of you

My best friend and I are honorary members of each other's families. I was supposed to go to her house today to have Christmas Dinner with her and her mother, but then her brother and his relatively new wife, who's Bulgarian, invited us all to eat with them.

They live in an apartment in a big old country house which is used as a private country club. Ricky is their accountant. The house is high on a hill in the Weald of Kent, and from their living room window thay have an amazing view over miles of Kent countryside.

They have acquired small plots in the grounds to garden, and Katya has taken to it with a vengeance. She has also become obsessed with orchids, and has some in their apartment, and some in a meeting room, where she has been allowed to leave the heating on all over the festive season, while no-one else much is around.

I don't know what this one is, but it is in glorious flower, and I immediately thought of Gunga Dean.


Any idea what it is?

Jib-Jab's The Year in Review

And Later Today...

I got in one of K's sister's car for an excursion and looked down at my ankles and low and behold, there was Kerry. (I had successfully avoided assisting in unpacking the car knowing he lurked somewhere within.)

Sister sez: "I hope you're OK. I forgot he was down there!"

I sez: "Its OK. We are old friends."

We also finished decorating the palm tree. You may recall the pictures from last year of Kerry up on a ladder decorating it in black socks with sandals, bermuda shorts and white belt (faux pas due to lost luggage). Kerry always poured his heart and soul into decorating this tree. So we had a major tribute to pay. The first palm frond took us an hour. As we progressed we honed our technique and did the last frond in under 10 minutes. Lights, lights, and more lights. At night, you can now see it from the space station. We're labeling the tree tonight as "Kerry's Tree".

It is the marvel of Periwinkle Park. People have come by with tripods snapping photo's. Methinks, Kerry is pleased.

Catie's Shell update:

Banded Tulip
and
Drum Roll, Please!
At last, the tiniest Sanibel Wentletrap EVEH!!! (thank you, Maggie)

Also, on the aforementioned excursion I found a silver pendant of a Lighthouse. It spoke to me! I had to have it! It was triple marked down because...

It has the most obscene shape, due to the ill conceived placement of a scallop and a sand dollar at its base. Kerry is laughing.

Get Packin', Rod Blagojevich!

by John McHugh
(to the tune of "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen")

Get packin', Rob Blagojevich
The state's in disarray
The Tribune wants you unemployed
At least by Christmas Day.
The TV pundits want your head
Could there by pay to play?
Oh, tidings, of comfort and joy
Save Illinois!
Oh, tidings, of comfort and joy

Good riddance Rod Blagojevich
Your Elvis look's inane,
The Senate's mad, so's Lisa's dad
You drive us all insane.
Our transit's broke, the state's a joke,
The Tollway's one big pain.
Oh, tidings, of comfort and joy
Save Illinois!
Oh, tidings, of comfort and joy

Good luck old Rod Blagojevich
The feds have quite a place
Fitzgerald's poked his nose around
And if he has a case,
George Ryan's moving stuff around
Creating extra space.
Oh, tidings, of comfort and joy
Save Illinois!
Oh, tidings, of comfort and joy

Yes, Rick Warren really is an asshole! UPDATED

Rachel Maddow nails this lying prick...but good! (Are you taking notice Barrack?)

Sanibel - Day 7

Well. What I thought were insect bites has turned out to be sun poisoning. I have a feeling my face is going to peel off in one sheet today. I wonder what we will find underneath. Hopefully not TOO scary.

Woke up at 5:30 and walked down to the beach to watch sunrise. It was a beautiful morning. Tide was out. Found a few shells for Catie. So far shell cache includes:

Apple Murex
Paper Fig
Fighting Conch
Jewel Box
Alphabet Cone (I think)
Lightning Welk
Augers

But alas, no Sanibel Wentletrap. Kerry's sister has the market cornered on those. I seem to have lost my touch.

However. I am the only one sighting shooting stars. BTW Jupiter seems to be out every night extremely bright.

Schedule will be getting intense soon. Thursday Christmas, Friday Kerry's parents' 60th anniversary, and Saturday we scatter Kerry's ashes in the surf at sunset.

Needless to say I am getting more and more emotional from this point forward. I now tear up for rustling palms. The distant call of mourning doves bring on full fledge waterworks.

But still doing OK. The A' sisters are holding me together. And I'd rather be a wreck here than that frigid snowy wasteland of Chicago. Though the Chicago / Farwell Avenue beach should be pretty spectacular with ice pilings by now.

Paul M. Weyrich, Christianofacist

Dead at 66.
What can I say...


I got nothing.

The Country is in the Shitter, and THIS is the White House's Kiss Off?

The only thing that could've ended this piece of shit fittingly, is George or Laura following Barney around the house and eating his, ala Divine at the end of Pink Flamingos!

Westboro Baptist Church Protest at the Center on Halstead Fails Miserably

Thanks to my friend Michael Lehet and the Chicago Gay Examiner for the use of this video.

Blagojevich...okay, he's a douchebag, but....

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/14/opinion/14rich.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Dan Savage on the Passage of Prop 8

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Proposition 8 Protests - Dan Savage

Colbert at Christmas
Colbert Christmas DVD

Green Screen
Bill O'Reilly Interview

Mormons! Get your queer-hating paws off Broadway!

I Think I May Be Winning...

The Photo Caption Contest as The Broken Heart of Rogers Park

With one vote in...

If Craig likes me it would be 2

Sen Dick "Free George Ryan" Durbin Steps In It

This is the crap I'm talking about:

From his website:

“Our system of justice gives anyone accused of a crime the right to defend himself in court. The Governor will have that opportunity.”

“But if the allegations in the criminal complaint against Governor Blagojevich are proven true, he has clearly abused the public trust.”

Everyone in Illinois knows what kind of corrupt slimeball Gov Blago is. Better he had said nothing at all. This implies to me Durbin has issues, needing investigating.

And Blah Blah Blah, yeah, Of course everybody has a right to a fair trial. But they do not automatically retain the right to stay in office, pending outcome of said trial.

Blagojevich needs to be immediately impeached, NOW.

Atrios On Gov Blago

Well Said!

As I haven't been following Illinois politics, I found it pretty amazing when a month or so ago a poll came out showing that Blago had 4% approval. That's impressive! You can get 4% to come out in favor of shooting puppies.

Watching the guy now, he seems, well, nuts.

It really is embarrassing... How he got elected I'll never know. My Kerry always said: "The masses are asses." In Illinois this is sadly true. The hall of shame of the ethically challenged is astounding. This list, while not all jailbirds, is as slimy as any state has ever produced: Kerner, Walker, Ryan, Blago, Stroger Sr., Stroger Jr., Daley I, Daley II, Rostenkowski, and then there's Chicago alderman. At one point Daley II had built his aldermanic majority because he had to replace the ones who were sent to jail. And then some of these replacements were sent to jail.

Obama finally said today Gov Hairdo should resign. A day late but whatever...

Good One from My Congresswoman Jan Shakowsky

Via Crooks and Liars:

I thought at the time that I was a serious contender, but I realize now I probably wasn't, because he never asked me for anything. So I must have been out of the running.

And good to see she is calling on him to step down. I am keeping a list of the wait-and-see scheisters.

Really, our politics in this quadrant of Illinois (with a few exceptions such as Jan & Barack) is more corrupt than all of Alaska.

Is Blago the New "Bitch"?

Hopefully he'll end up as somebody's "bitch".

The worst kept secret in Illinois is how utterly slimy, despicable, contemptible and corrupt this man really is. Our Governor Rod "Elvis" Blagojevich (D-IL) is. (D is for Disgusting, he does not deserve the Democrat nom de plume.)

He needs to be removed from office immediately. Trust me, this man without honor will not do the honorable thing and resign. Impeachment is the only option.

Any politician giving out the "Let's-wait-and-see-cos-he-hasn't-been-convicted-yet" blather is either a moron or dirty themselves. Democrats cannot afford to dither on this one. While Republicans have racked up quite the rap sheet, Democrats should not be protecting this...

...Douchebag!

Impeach Rod Blagojevich now. And if his replacement turns out to be corrupt, impeach again, and again, and again, until we get somebody ethical in office.

Democrats were elected overwhelmingly on a platform of change, and change includes holding the ethical high ground.

Here's is my close encounter with this slimeball.

A couple of years ago when he was running for Governor against Judy Baer Topinka they both made an appearance in the Gay Pride parade. As Judy's car passed my section of the crowd one of Elvis's minions was trailing the car within the crowd stirring chants of "What was she thinking?" It was despicable Chicago politics. Most of the crowd chanted away thinking it was spontaneous, and probably not knowing why they were chanting to begin with. Although Judy was a Republican, she was and is just as gay friendly as Elvis ever was, so the reception was uncalled for.

Anyway, I saw this clown doing his dirty work and then turned around and saw Governor Hairdo gladhanding the crowd right in front of my face. I should have called him out as an ass at the time but instead did nothing.

I can never vote for a Republican. Not until this generation of bigots die off. Instead I sat out the gubernatorial election by not voting this category. If Judy wants my vote she needs to change parties, and I will give my vote and greenbacks in support of her run gladly.

As for AG Patrick Fitzgerald, Keep going! Our state, county and city government needs serious housecleaning of these embarassingly corrupt douchebags.

The Death of Newspapers

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Clusterf#@k to the Poor House - Final Edition Edition

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

Jon Stewart Thumps Bible Beater Mike Huckabee on Gay Marriage

God I love this man! Why can't the mainstream media grow a pair as big as Stewart's?

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Mike Huckabee Pt. 2

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

Why it's important to fight Prop 8 and it's supporters:

Let's look at the agenda of the same people oppose Prop 8:

They support the protection of discrimination against sexual minorities in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit.
They treat terroristic violence against queer communities as a non-problem
The oppose the creation of support groups for sexual minorities in high schools and colleges, and support restrictions on the ability of such groups to use public facilities.
They work to remove any positive images and representations of sexual minorities from mass media texts and artistic productions.
They attempt to remove any public support for institutions that produce or sponsor queer-inclusive cultural representations.
They work to keep queer sexuality and relationships out of health and sexuality education materials
They boycott businesses that support their LGBT employees

Let's embrace the Stonewall 2008 mindeset and fight these fuckers wherever we can.

Is Gay the New Black?

She's PATSY! Or Is She "KELLY'S" MOM??

She's BOTH!

Super Squirrel to the Rescue...or not.

Super Squirrel to the rescue! Or not... @ Yahoo! Video

Bjorn Borg...

I don't understand the priest thing, but it is Sweden and they have always been light years ahead of us culturally!

Prop 8 The Musical...enjoy!

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Westboro Baptist Lunatics Coming to Chicago

...so in honor of Fred Phelps and his merry band of inbred psychopaths, here's a little video of one of them getting 'hit-on' by a very amusing Aussie reporter!

kewl!

the journey north.....
the journey south.....

what can i say?

the neph is kewl!

Peter's Home for Christmas...

I'm sure we all remember this long running Folger's Coffee commercial. It first broadcast in the early 80s and I believe the last time I saw it televised was last Christmas. Peter was such a hunk, too!!!!


Peter was actually played by an actor named Greg Wrangler, who has appeared in many TV shows and films, most recently, I believe, Heroes.

Something to be Truly Grateful for this Thanksgiving!

...the last one George W. Bush will be President and that for the next one, this guy will!

Liberal Response to Aforementioned, "Thank you, Sarah Palin!"

Get the latest news satire and funny videos at 236.com.

Anthony Clark's stand up routine...

I saw him live in 1997...biggest crush I ever had on a comedien! And, he's 'family' don't ya know! You may remember him for 'Yes, Dear' and the short-lived 'Boston Common.' Born in Virginia, Anthony attended college in Boston at Emerson College! (If I'd only known...sigh*)

PAC That Smeared Obama 'Thanks' Sarah 'Mooselini' Palin.

It really begs the question if these hypocrites realized how utterly ridiculous they look in this cheesy attempt at ass kissing!

Comics: Matt Bors

Protest videos..Part 2

I saw myself in this a couple of times and I think I saw Catie and Snark as well, but the video is very dark and jiggly.

The Cinemark Plot Thickens ... or ... How Alan Stock Shamelessly Flaunts His Height of Hypocrisy ...

A CATCH 22 FOR THE GAY RIGHTS MOVEMENT???

This ... from Friday's New York Times (click here for entire article) ...



LOS ANGELES — When the movie “Milk” comes next month to Claremont, a college town about 30 miles from here, Patrick Milliner intends to greet it with a candlelight vigil protesting the newly passed state prohibition of gay marriage.

Before this month’s election, Mr. Milliner organized unsuccessful opposition to California’s same-sex marriage ban, Proposition 8. Now he expects the movie, about Harvey Milk, the murdered gay-rights crusader and San Francisco supervisor, to ignite his “Shame on 8” campaign.

“It fits perfectly with the plan,” Mr. Milliner said.

That may be good for the movement. Whether it is also good for the movie is less clear.

The convergence of “Milk,” which portrays gay-rights battles of 30 years ago, and a looming new culture war over homosexual marriage and other issues, has raised unusual expectations around Focus Features’ plan to release the film. It will be shown in a widening group of theaters, beginning with some in New York, Los Angeles and about a dozen other cities on Wednesday.

Proposition 8-related vigils have already occurred outside prerelease screenings in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Amy Balliett, a founder of jointheimpact.com, a clearing house for gay rights information, said on Friday that her site would urge its network of supporters to see the film on Dec. 5 at one of a list of “gay-friendly” theaters.

“Our goal is to make this movie one of the top three-grossing movies of the weekend,” Ms. Balliett said in an e-mail message.

Yet the unforeseen alignment between “Milk” and the gay-marriage ban — there was no Proposition 8 on any ballot when the director Gus Van Sant began shooting the film in January — also creates a conundrum for those Focus executives. How do they honor their movie hero’s feisty brand of confrontational politics without being consumed by them?

To join the fight could turn off some of the viewers Focus needs to make “Milk” a broad-based hit. But to sidestep it might disappoint a core audience that has begun to see the film as a rallying point.

Mr. Milk, played in the movie by Sean Penn, was not one to pull punches. “If this thing passes, fight the hell back!” Mr. Penn says at a pivotal point in the film, as his allies ponder the likely passage of Proposition 6, a 1978 ballot initiative aimed at curbing gay rights in California. (It failed.)

But Focus has been stepping carefully of late.

In a particularly ticklish exercise, the studio continues to plan showings of “Milk” in theaters owned by the Cinemark chain, whose chief executive, Alan Stock, donated to the campaign for Proposition 8.

Taking a cue from Milk — who made his political breakthrough by supporting a union boycott of Coors beer — opponents of the marriage ban have begun their own boycott through a Web site, NoMilkforCinemark.com.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Cinemark, one of the country’s largest theater chains, said its decision to proceed with plans to show the movie also reflected a principle: “It would be inappropriate to influence our employees’ position on personal issues outside the work environment, especially on political, social or religious activities.”

On Thursday James Schamus, the chief executive of Focus, struck a diplomatic note. “I know there’s a lot of anger out there,” said Mr. Schamus, who noted that Cinemark three years ago was among the first chains to embrace the studio’s gay-themed “Brokeback Mountain.”

“I hope that gets settled,” he said of the boycott call.

Last Night's Protest at the Century Theatre in Evanston

Thanks to Catie and Snark for their attendance as well! We done good!

The Great Alaskan Turkey Slaughter

From Countdown last night with my BFF David Shuster...
Watch the caption. They are hilarious.

Focus on the Family: Who Would Jesus Fire?

Bush has the 'Cooties!'

All pretense aside, the world's leaders simply do not like George W. Bush! Gosh, do you think that unlike too many Americans, they actually realize that his 'cowboy diplomacy' and hyper-Republicanism pushed the U.S. and the world to where it is today?

CT State Comptroller Nancy Wyman Makes the Cause for Gay Marriage

(This is CT State Comptroller Nancy Wyman in a public hearing talking about gay marriage - watch the part after her statement. She has a Q&A with two Republicans who try the "slippery slope" argument, the "what about polygamists" argument and all the nonsense that the opponents of same sex marriage like to toss around. She handles it with so much dignity and grace that these guys just crumble.)

Well done!

Shepard Smith is Too Good for Faux News!

I expect Mr. Smith to get a job with a REAL network very soon!

Wanda Sykes: "We were attacked!"

From 28 to 104: What a DIFFERENCE a YEAR Makes!

Today the Associated Press reported that yesterday, 104 retired U.S. generals and admirals signed a statement calling for the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy with regards to gays and lesbians serving in the United States military.

"As is the case with Great Britain, Israel, and other nations that allow gays and lesbians to serve openly, our service members are professionals who are able to work together effectively despite differences in race, gender, religion, and sexuality," the officers wrote.

Wow. Blown away. That means there are 104 intelligent (albeit retired) generals and admirals in the U.S. I'm kinda verklempt. Remember, it was just a year ago that only 28 such distinguished individuals were willing to sign on the dotted line.



Now here's the potential downside, per the A.P.'s report:

While Obama has expressed support for repeal, he said during the presidential campaign that he would not do so on his own - an indication that he would tread carefully to prevent the issue from becoming a drag on his agenda. Obama said he would instead work with military leaders to build consensus on removing the ban on openly gay service members.

"Although I have consistently said I would repeal 'don't ask, don't tell,' I believe that the way to do it is make sure that we are working through a process, getting the Joint Chiefs of Staff clear in terms of what our priorities are going to be," Obama said in a September interview with the Philadelphia Gay News.

Nevertheless, Retired Admiral Charles Lawson, who has a lesbian daughter, had some encouraging things to say (in addition to being one of the 104):

"I know a lot of young people now - even people in the area of having commands of ships and squadrons - and they are much more tolerant, and they believe, as I do, that we have enough regulations on the books to enforce proper standards of human behavior," Larson said.

Interesting how Lawson specifically mentions the "young people." Yes, folks, the YOUTH of this country ARE our future. That was evident at Saturday's rally at Federal Plaza, where many of the "youth" were heterosexuals coming out to support their LGBT friends and family. The "winds of change" are upon us; let's just hope Obama doesn't fart in the wrong direction. Fingers crossed.

Now, if only we can get at least some of the UNretired generals and admirals to admit that their senior officers are right ...

Oh Delicious irony!!!

I'll keep this brief, but James Dobson's (You know, you may have read about his creepy shower festish from an earlier post) Focus on the Family, after dumping $500,000.00 dollars into Proposition 8, is getting ready to announce another round of layoffs today, amid budget cuts at the so-called 'ministry!' Maybe they should've taken the gays' advice and focused on their own damn families! Isn't Karma lovely!???

UPDATE!!!

It's even better than I first thought! Focus On The Family announced that it has layed off 200 Bible-Beating Bigots...ummmmm, employees. It was by far the biggest blood-letting (..and not the soul redeeming blood of Christ type, either!) in the group's 31 years of spreading intolerance! The reasons cited for the layoffs were the economy and declining contributions. Gosh, imagine if instead of donating over $500,000.oo to Prop 8, they'd actually used that money to 'focus on the families' of their employees? Well, no matter...I'm sure over the approaching holidays all these jobless nitwits can feast on the knowledge that they helped destroy the families of gays and lesbians all over California. Perhaps that knowledge will keep them warm...but let's hope the bastards freeze under their Christmas trees anyway after the lump of coal Dobson just dropped in their stockings is used up!

JOIN US! BOYCOTT EVANSTON'S CENTURY 12/CINEARTS 6 ON SATURDAY!

One of the BIG messages to come out of Saturday's rally and march at Federal Plaza (and similar rallies all over the country) was that SUPPORTERS of Proposition 8 (and anti-gay legislation LIKE Prop. 8) should be boycotted. The religious right, after all, has been doing it for years, boycotting companies like Disney, etc., for ANYTHING they do that might be construed as positive to/for the LGBT community. Well, folks, the sword cuts both ways. This coming Saturday, November 22nd, I urge all those opposed to Proposition 8 and similar legislation, to join us in an organized protest at the Century/Cinearts Theaters in Evanston.

The reason for the protest, kicking off the boycott, is simple. The Century and Cinearts theaters are owned by Cinemark and Cinemark has a Utah resident by the name of Alan Stock as its C.E.O. Dear old Alan donated $9,999 to the "Yes on 8" initiative. It's time we sent Cinemark, and corporations like Cinemark, a message they can comprehend: we will NOT support those who wish to deny civil rights to the LGBT community.

So join us on Saturday, Nov. 22nd, at 5:00 p.m. at 1715 Maple Avenue in Evanston and let Cinemark know that not even a midnight screening of "Pink Flamingos" can save their sorry asses now! You can also post your thoughts about Century/Cinearts ownership here:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/evanston-century-12-and-cinearts-6-evanston

"Oh, this is no ordinary protest, Cotton! I smell deep, dark trouble!"

The theaters are accessible via the Red Line to Howard; transfer to the Purple Line; exit at the Davis Street station.
Walk a short distance N on Benson Ave.
Turn left on Church St.
Walk a short distance W on Church St.
Turn right on Maple Ave.
Walk a short distance N on Maple Ave.
Total walking is 0.15 miles.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Evanston&state=IL&address=1715+W.+Maple

The "Decision"

Many people were shocked, appalled, furious, intrigued, angry, etc., that I would even have considered NOT fighting this. My point all along was that until we know what "this" was, I was too tired to consider fighting the monster under the bed. IF this had been much worse then it actually is, my choice would have been to not fight it. However, because it appears to be less horrible then I thought, fighting it is not going to be the huge uphill battle it could have been. AND, I will get the much wanted reduction out of this as part of my reconstructive therapy.

So, I am feeling much better now that I am back on the allergy meds and the vitamins. Apparently, now was not a good time to stop taking those....LOL I have stopped smoking completely and although there are the unconscious thoughts of "I want a smoke", my body really seems to be turned off to the idea. I am going to carefully watch what I eat and try to lose the recommended weight before the reconstruction surgery. I would love to have a treadmill in the house but I have NO CLUE where I would put it.......unless the buffet disappeared???? Just a thought.

The nausea seems to have died down but I am still hypersensitive to smells. We shall see how it goes.

Scenes from the Protest Against 8 in Boston

Bob's sister Pam sent these. These are Bob's niece and newphew, Katlyn and Gabriel. They will be one year old next month! Thanks to Bob's sister for taking a stand out there on the East Coast for equality.

Chicago Protest Videos

This is a video by my friend Michael Lehet; he was kind enough to let me use his pictures for the blog.

The Protest Against Proposition 8 in Chicago

These photos were taken by a friend of mine at the rally yesterday, as I forgot to take mine. It was a very powerful day!

Bill Maher..the prophet!

Obama should give this guy and his crystal ball a cabinet position!
(This show was televised in 2005!)

Buddy Cole & Marriage--Kids in the Hall

Mormons Resigning from the LDS Because of Anti-Gay Bigotry

...too bad more Catholics didn't have such strong convictions!

FYI on the BC

I apologize for bumping the top post, but I thought I would take a moment to briefly let everyone know that I have created a blog to keep everyone up to date. You can find me at: http://www.catieblythe.blogspot.com/

The Backlash Continues...

The forces that pushed Proposition 8 face the anger of a community that realizes finally that it's being marginalized and dehumanized...and is not sitting back any longer!


Also, if anyone's got the time, there will be a protest rally downtown this Saturday. It's actually nationwide and will set the tone for where we go from here! It promises to be one of the greatest displays of gay power in recent memory! Yes, they are coming for us and we're finally waking up and smelling the coffee!

Bill Maher--New Rules, November 7, 2008

Let the Backlash Begin!

After years of coordinated, religion-backed hatred and abuse of the gay community, it looks like the LGBT community of California has had enough. Could this be the beginning of Stonewall II?

The Conscience of a Liberal by Paul Krugman

This is from The NEW YORK TIMES Opinion section today! (hope this is citing the source sufficiently...it was just too good not to relate here!

November 5, 2008, 8:25 am
The monster years
"Last night wasn’t just a victory for tolerance; it wasn’t just a mandate for progressive change; it was also, I hope, the end of the monster years.
What I mean by that is that for the past 14 years America’s political life has been largely dominated by, well, monsters. Monsters like Tom DeLay, who suggested that the shootings at Columbine happened because schools teach students the theory of evolution. Monsters like Karl Rove, who declared that liberals wanted to offer “therapy and understanding” to terrorists. Monsters like Dick Cheney, who saw 9/11 as an opportunity to start torturing people.
And in our national discourse, we pretended that these monsters were reasonable, respectable people. To point out that the monsters were, in fact, monsters, was “shrill.”
Four years ago it seemed as if the monsters would dominate American politics for a long time to come. But for now, at least, they’ve been banished to the wilderness. "

There is a downside

One Moronic Bitch from Minnisota got reelected.

Michele Bachmann

Idiot extroardinaire, and as is her district

The Republican Reign of Terror is Over

God bless America, and God bless Barack Obama.

Democracy stil works

I Voted

And it never felt so good. Took me from 6:30AM to 8:00 AM to make it thru the line.

I wish my Kerry could see the excitement that's in the air.

Borat Takes on 'The Gay' Haters!

For his new film, The Bruno Movie, Cohen re-creates his flamboyantly gay Austrian character Bruno and does a sit down interview with yet another in the tedious long line of bigots passing themselves off as 'men of God.'

The 'Grinch' That Stole Halloween!

It looks as though Ms. Shirlie Nagle of Gross Point Farms decided to dress up as a Nasty Bitch for Halloween! If you didn't have a good enough reason to vote against John McCain, here you go... (I wonder if she's related to Gary?)

Halloween at Catie's

...and a wonderful time was had by all! Thank you Catie!

I think this was, however, the beginning and the end of Bob's drag career!

REPUBLICAN Mayor of San Diego Comes Out Against Proposition 8

A very poignant moment for a man who broke with his party and changed the way he saw the rights of others!


...and in another development, a VERY well deserved slap in the head to the Mormon Church!

God Bless Samuel L. Jackson!

Happy Halloween!

So now the Christian Fascists are Calling us "Nazis?"

Isn't it telling how whenever the forces against gay marriage appear, they're usually always followed by bigots and simpletons saying the most outlandish lies and misrepresentations?

Wednesday Weekly Weill - Le Train du Ciel

Not the version I want but a first time I found it

From "Marie Gallante"
I've been looking for a version of this since way before K got sick. Perhaps it is appropriate I found this now. But it does sound better in French...
Look-up Ute Lemper or Angelina Reaux and listen to it in the language it was written in.

What's Love Got To Do With It?

Everything!

Back Playing V-Ball

But I miss MyKerry
And it appears this feeling is not going away anytime soon.

Elizabeth Dole Jumps The Shark! Accuses Sunday School Teacher Opponent of being 'Godless!'

In what has to be an all time new low in last minute campaign desperation, soonsoon-to-be ex-Senator Elizabeth Dole launched this really offensive ad against her opponent, Kay Hagan, who is not only a devout Christian, but a Sunday School teacher as well. (Methinks it's time for Liz to go back to helping her hubby Bob prove what a wonder-drug viagra is! She certainly doesn't belong in the Senate anymore...not that she ever really did!)

"State Senator and U.S. Senate Candidate Kay Hagan
Remarks as prepared
October 29, 2008 press conference

* Thank you for coming today. I know this was called at short notice, and I appreciate you being here for this.* Let's get right to it. Elizabeth Dole should absolutely be ashamed of herself.

*I don't know what things were like when she grew up in North Carolina, but the North Carolina I was raised in would NEVER condone this kind of personal slander.

* I can't begin to tell you how upset I am that she has attacked my Christian faith.

* She's been in Washington for too long, gotten too close to George Bush and the special interests and this is what she's become.

* I am appalled at these tactics. This is politics of the worst kind, and it's been rejected by North Carolinians at every level. This is so unbecoming of the woman she claims to be.

* I have taught Sunday school. I'm an elder in this church, where the Hagan family has attended for over 100 years. I go on mission trips. I was raised going to Sunday school and church every week. And I raised my children that way.

* On Christmas Eve, we attend the 11:00 evening service, then early on Christmas mornings, my children and husband and I go to the Bell House and cook breakfast for the residents there. My family, my community and my church are the anchors of my life.

* If Senator Dole wants to pass judgment on my faith, that's her right - but it's not what my faith teaches.

* This is a fabricated, pathetic ad.

* I am outraged...That is not my voice at the end of the ad, and I do not share their beliefs.

* This was an event with nearly 40 hosts, including an ambassador and a sitting U.S. Senator (John Kerry).

* We have already contacted our lawyers and are proceeding with a cease and desist order sent to Elizabeth Dole.

* This kind of politics should not be tolerated.

* The politics of George Bush won't create one new job, lower the cost of health care, or do one lick of good for North Carolina.

* At their core, Americans aren't Democrat or Republican, red or blue - they're Americans, plain and simple. We ALL love our country, and we all value the role of faith in American life.

* Shame on anyone who says differently.* Congress just had to bailout Wall Street, workers' retirement savings are out the window, people are genuinely concerned about keeping their job in this tough economic climate, and Elizabeth Dole is trying to talk about ANYTHING but the issues.

* This attack speaks volumes about her personally and politically, but more importantly, it speaks to the lack of leadership she's shown on behalf of North Carolinians. At this critical point in American history, why isn't Elizabeth Dole talking about what she's done for North Carolinians and what she's planning to do if re-elected?

* This is exactly why people in North Carolina are supporting me - I have real, concrete proposals to help fix what's broken in Washington and advocate on behalf of working families. I've been talking about the issues and ensuring North Carolinians know what real leadership looks like.

* Elizabeth Dole is just relying on the same old, tired rhetoric that divides people instead of bringing them together, and that's the last thing people in North Carolina want right now."

You go, Kay, girl!

Why Obama? Ask Charles...

BREAKING NEWS: Obama Assassination Plot Thwarted By ATF

From the Associated Press ...

Federal agents have broken up a plot to assassinate Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and shoot or decapitate 102 black people in a Tennessee murder spree, the ATF said Monday.

In court records unsealed Monday, federal agents said they disrupted plans to rob a gun store and target a predominantly African-American high school by two neo-Nazi skinheads. Agents said the skinheads did not identify the school by name.

Jim Cavanaugh, special agent in charge of the Nashville field office for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said the two men planned to shoot 88 black people and decapitate another 14. The numbers 88 and 14 are symbolic in the white supremacist community.

The men also sought to go on a national killing spree, with Obama as its final target, Cavanaugh told The Associated Press.

"They said that would be their last, final act — that they would attempt to kill Sen. Obama," Cavanaugh said. "They didn't believe they would be able to do it, but that they would get killed trying."

Farewell Chicago - I leave thee with a riddle: When is tolerance a vice masquarding as a virtue?

Since my name in German means a "trick or a ruse" and the creature of ancient Greece most know for this was the Minotaur...



So my riddle for you to ponder. I'm not going to give an answer, nor pretend that there is even just one. However, in my nearly four years here, its the one question no one seems to ponder, the one riddle no one seems inclined to solve.

That being said, I've milked Chicago like a goat, had some fun times, met some fun people. I'll miss them, especially "my" street people. I've been honored to be a bearer of comfort, friendship, and playful papillon dogs to quite a number of them. None of them are left in the Granville neighborhood though... the people I'll most miss are the ones to whom I cannot say "goodbye." Even Sam of "Granville Foods (and formerly liquors)" who supplied my chocolate and junk food fixes is gone. He just couldn't compete with all the other grocers at this corner and make it without alcohol sales.

I've said something about the details on my other blog, no need to here. But while I'm tying up loose ends, and since I was already logged in to blogger to put a space-holder post on my rug blog, I thought I'd drop in to tell ya'll that I was dropping out. I'll be posting the same riddle on my multiply blog, so if you want to hear my thoughts on it, check there in November or December. I'll probably post it there right before I go off line for the move, and give my musings later in November or December.

Savina and Killian survived their poisoning scare... probably better than we did... and are doing well. Tess got out of the hospital last week, but of course moving is no fun. Barb is having rotator cuff surgery the day after election day... we'll be around for a while to help her recover, then we're off.

God bless, be well, machts gut, see you on the dark side of the moon, etc.

Today California, tomorrow the rest of the country! Defeat Proposition 8!

The outcome of the fight in California will decide whether or not the rest of the country becomes a battle ground between the forces of equality and bigotry!

The Waaaaassssssssuuuuuuppppp guys at the end of 'the Bush years.'

Then...




Now...

Liar Exposed and the McCain Camp Initially Wanted this Lie Pushed in the Media

How sad is it when even the Russians start making fun of you?

A Trip Down Memory Lane...For A Great Cause!

God bless Ron Howard, Andy Griffith (whom I always assumed was a Gospel lovin' Republican) and Henry Winkler!

...and now, a word from the REAL threat to America's future:

It's religious psychos! Warning, this video may damage your faith in your fellow countrymen! I guess they're coming to town to 'pray away' gay marriage in California!

Yes, we do share this nation with some crazy, sick bastards!

For Snark...

Life Imitating Art? Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

There is something finer...

I never thought I'd ever see another JFK or Martin Luther King in my lifetime...but here are both.

Our Favorite Airhead!

Bartender Vs. Shrink

Because I still make a percentage of my income by slinging swill in a dive bar, I found this particular anecdote rather amusing:

EVER SINCE I WAS A CHILD, I'VE ALWAYS HAD A FEAR OF SOMEONE UNDER MY BED AT NIGHT. SO I WENT TO A SHRINK AND TOLD HIM . . .

'I've got problems. Every time I go to bed I think there's somebody under it. I'm scared. I think I'm going crazy.'

'Just put yourself in my hands for one year,' said the shrink. 'Come talk to me three times a week and we should be able to get rid of those fears.'

'How much do you charge?'

'Eighty dollars per visit,' replied the doctor.

'I'll sleep on it,' I said.



Six months later the doctor met me on the street. 'Why didn't you ever come to see me about those fears you were having?' he asked.

'Well, Eighty bucks a visit three times a week for a year is an awful lot of money! A bartender cured me for $10. I was so happy to have saved all that money that I went and bought me a new car!'

'Is that so! With an attitude he asked . ... and how, may I ask, did a bartender cure you?'

'He told me to cut the legs off the bed! - Ain't nobody under there now! ! '

SCREW THOSE SHRINKS.. GO HAVE A DRINK & TALK TO YOUR BARTENDER!



Now ... can anyone tell me who the "bartender" is in the above photo? Heh-heh-heh.

A Message to Sarah Palin...

Please forward to anyone you think would benefit from seeing this or have someone to whom they should pass it along.

More Blather from The 'Masses of Asses.'

(Notice how calm, respectful and SANE, quite frankly, the Obama supporter is.)

Republican Party...

GOTPOIB's

Grand Old Tired Party Of Illiterate Bigots:



H/T Americablog

Joe SixPack V Joe the Plumber

Is it just me that whenever I hear the term "Joe SixPack", I think of gay erotica (or jeans models)...



And when I hear "Joe The Plumber" I think of straight porn...


I don't think either one is what the McCain/Palin gasbags had in mind.

Follow up with Colin Powell

I guess the general is not swayed by hysterical screams of 'traitor, muslim or socialist!'

"Hey Sarah Palin!"

Recovering Republicans!!

Colin Powell has just endorsed Obama.

Is there anyone left but the nutcases?

Baby Palin!

Simply The Best ... Indeeeeeeeed

A little "Vincent" with your "Tina," Dear Gunga ... from my dear friend Jazzy ...

Grandpa Gets His Ass Handed to Him by David Letterman

...and reminds Grumpy that calling the into question the character of a person because of people they've met in their lives can be a two edged sword!

My New 'Hero'

Hayden Panettiere:
"Smoke, Vote for John McCain, and Don't wear a seatbelt...":

See more Hayden Panettiere videos at Funny or Die

...and they ask why someone like Michelle Obama may not always be proud of her country?

Listening to some of the inbred bigotted trash in this video, would you?

Empty Frames - Nanna's Lied

Background By Kerry
Lyrics & Music by Brecht & Weill:

So post prostitution, Wiemar Deutschland, anyway...
Nanna’s Song

Gentlemen, with seventeen years
I came to the market of love
And I had been through a lot
Bad stuff happens a lot
Indeed that’s the game
But nevertheless, I have some of the blame.
(After all, I am a person too.)

Thank God everything goes by so quickly
Both the love and even the sorrow.
Where are the tears of last evening?
Where is the snow of yesteryear?
Where are the tears of last evening?
Where is the snow of yesteryear?

Of course as you go through the years
The love market becomes easier
And you embrace them by the score.
But your feelings
Grow oddly cool
If they’re rationed far too little.
(After all, any supply has to come to an end.)

Thank God everything goes by so quickly
Both the love and even the sorrow.
Where are the tears of last evening?
Where is the snow of yesteryear?
Where are the tears of last evening?
Where is the snow of yesteryear?

And also if you have learned the trade well.
In the measuring of love:
To transform desire into small change
Still is never easy.
Now, you’ll make it.
Meanwhile you become older.
(After all, you can’t stay seventeen forever.)

Thank God everything goes by so quickly
Both the love and even the sorrow.
Where are the tears of last evening?
Where is the snow of yesteryear?
Where are the tears of last evening?
Where is the snow of yesteryear?

Nannas Lied by Bertolt Brecht, English translation attributed to
I apologize, i found them on the web, and did not copy enuf, however this is it.