More Male Beauty

Sally Kern - Shoots Herself in the Foot [Head] Again

Having called attention to herself through her ignorant, hate-inspired anti-gay rant that she did not realize was being taped, Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern clearly has not learned to shut her mouth and keep it shut. Her latest effort to show herself to be a totally ignorant ass can be found in her letter to the editor in the Bethany Tribune (http://www.bethanytribune.net/opinion.htm) which serves portions of Oklahoma City.

The "facts" she cites to justify her anti-gay bigotry and hatred are pure Paul Cameron quality and on their face probably came from Cameron’s web site and/or some of his dubious pay to publish articles. By way of background, Cameron was officially expelled from the American Psychological Association in 1983 and officially condemned by both the American Sociological Association and the Canadian Psychological Association, because of his fraudulent research. Sadly, it’s no surprise that Kern relies on a quack like Cameron and those in Christianist circles who continue to cite him as an expert. Also, note that she has to cite a 1952 article as one of her sources, obviously because any more current reputable source would not support her claims. The more Kern keeps it up, the more likely she is going to be either forced to resign or be defeated in her next re-election effort. She is a one woman negative advertising campaign for the State of Oklahoma, who has now added the States of New York and California to the list of persons and places she has insulted. Here are highlights from her latest rant:

“The International Journal of Epidemiology” states that the mortality rate for those engaging in homosexual relations before age 20 have their life expectancy reduced by as much as 30 years. The study “The Longevity of Homosexuals” found that the average lifespan for lesbians is only slightly higher than that of homosexual men.

Homosexuals insist they are born gay, yet a study by Dr. Neil Whitehead and Briar Whitehead on various cultures states: “If homosexuality were influenced by genes, it would appear in every culture, but in 29 of 79 cultures surveyed in 1952, homosexuality was rare or absent.” Regarding homosexual couples and domestic violence, a recent study by the Canadian government states that “violence was twice as common among homosexual couples compared with heterosexual couples.”

The homosexual agenda’s influence on education is evident from their own organization’s literature. The book, “Tackling Gay Issues in Schools,” for K-12 gives teachers reasons for including homosexual, bisexual and transsexual lifestyles in schools. The Gay Straight Alliance offers instruction on teaching homosexuality in every subject. The Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) has materials promoting the homosexual lifestyle. The National Education Association is sending all 16,000 public school districts in the U.S. a 24-page pro-homosexual booklet telling students that homosexuality is normal. “It’s Elementary” is a training video used in schools to persuade children that the homosexual lifestyle is normal. There is a homosexual agenda in our schools.

Homosexuals are already citizens who have equal rights. They want “special rights” for the acceptance of their deviant lifestyle. I’m thankful that Oklahoma is different than California and New York. I pray it stays that way.

Sally Kern, District 84
Oklahoma State Representative

Saturday Male Beauty

Poles Favour EU Gay Rights Treaty Despite Government Opposition

The Roman Catholic Church – which continues to believe that it should be able to dictate matters of Civil law in nations around the world – and reactionary elements in the Polish government have been leading opposition to Poland’s execution of the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights because it would guaranty civil rights to LGBT citizens in Poland. As is all too typical, the opponents of the treaty have used scare tactics and raised the specter of a homosexual agenda and gay marriage that they claim threatens Polish institutions and citizens. Fortunately, their propaganda campaign has failed based on a new poll. Here are some story highlights (http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/politics/2005-7211.html):

An opinion poll in Poland has found strong backing for a new EU treaty criticised by the country's homophobic President in an address to the nation last week. The survey will come as an embarrassment to President Lech Kaczynski, who used lurid images of gay marriage to illustrate the "threat" to the Polish nation he claims the Lisbon treaty poses.

The poll was published by daily newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza. Despite the President's dire warning that the treaty would lead to the introduction of gay marriage in Poland, 69% of respondents did not believe him. Overall 65% want the treaty to be approved and 15% do not.

Over footage of two men getting married in Canada the President, a notorious homophobe, claimed the Lisbon treaty would "affect the accepted moral order in Poland." Former Prime Minister Kaczynski claimed that Poland was "culturally different" from their EU partners, especially when it came to the rights of LGBT people and the use of the death penalty, and refused to sign up.

Exposing Ex-Gay Lunacy

Living in Virginia, one frequently hears about the efforts of the Christianists to defeat responsible, fact based sex education in the public schools in the Maryland counties that border Washington, D.C. Montgomery County has seen a great deal of news coverage of late with the Christianists trying to gain the right to circulate their anti-gay, choice myth materials to counter genuine sex ed materials. As the new APA release on sexual orientation sent out to public school superintendants correctly points out, school divisions that cave in to the Christianist demands could be inviting lawsuits for (1) violation separation of church/state laws, and (2) negligence for harm done to LGBT students by virtue of the Christianist materials and/or the atmosphere of hate and intolerance they foster. Hence it was entertaining to see that the Prince George, Maryland Sentinel has published a column that takes the Christianists to task (.http://www.thesentinel.com/311576543500486.php). No doubt the paper will be assailed for being anti-Christian by the wingnut crowd. Here are some highlights:

This morning one of our reporters got a pamphlet from the GONAD [(Gender Opposition Network Against Disinformation] group telling us "You Don't Have to Be Gay!" with a subtitle "Real Answers to Questions about Homosexuality."

As glad as I was to hear I didn't have to be gay (I'm sure that will be comforting to my wife), I thought at first and still have to wonder if this pamphlet is serious or intended as satire. If it's satire, then it's of first order. If it's serious, then it's insidiously stupid. Yes, I said stupid.

This pamphlet contains dozens of laughs on each page. A subheading says, "Is homosexuality just as good as heterosexuality?" "Not at all," the pamphlet answers itself. How did the writers know? Did they try both and opt for our team? Gay people across the land may now live comforted by the thought that "specially-trained psychotherapists have been helping people for decades to reduce same-sex attraction and free themselves for normal heterosexual attraction." Normal?

There's more. Did you know that some people "become aware of being sexually attracted to members of their own sex, not just as a passing phase, which is common, but in a lasting way?" Maybe the writers of this pamphlet are still struggling to understand their own passing infatuation with members of their own gender. Is that possible? Toe-tapping in the bathroom anyone? Anyway, this group also says "both gays and straights who support the gay rights movement are 'in denial' and have emotional blocks of some kind." Well, perhaps the writers of this pamphlet are in denial.

The scary part about this Orwellian pamphlet is that it pretends to be a campaign against disinformation, but at every turn its hypocrisy smacks you in the face. It encourages people to "go to the top whenever possible," to argue against gay rights, and to do so in a pathetically feeble and juvenile manner. "Indirect or anonymous action may be your best bet in a given situation," it argues. The hate and fear in this pamphlet cannot be disguised, despite all the rhetoric.

Our reporter wanted a comment from someone who was named as harassing County Councilwoman Duchy Trachtenberg. That person didn't want to speak to The Sentinel, and instead sent us two e-mails. One was the aforementioned pamphlet. The other e-mail, just as loathsome, came on a letterhead from the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, or NARTH, and it tries to tell Catholics how to respond to transgender individuals.

More Friday Male Beauty

A Closet Case in My Old Neighborhood

Back in July, 2004, I did a post on a New York Magazine article that focused on the use of Craigslist by married men in New York City for sexual hook-ups with other married men (http://michael-in-norfolk.blogspot.com/2007/07/married-man-seeks-same-for-discreet.html). Per the article, some cheated on their wives regularly and over a long period of time. Shortly thereafter, I found that this blog had been quoted in follow up comments to that article (http://nymag.com/nymag/letters/35548/). In any event, since then from time to time I check out the local Craigslist to see if similar situations occur in this area. The answer is, oh my, yes, indeed. There are lots of married guys looking to cheat on their wives, many looking for young Navy guys to satisfy their needs. Imagine my surprise, however, when I randomly came across this ad today from someone in my former outwardly straight laced, church going, Republican, neighborhood, Baycliff, in Virginia Beach:

baycliff bi guy - 40

Date: 2008-03-28, 12:20PM EDT

would love to find a bi neighbor in the baycliff subdivision to meet and have some discreet, safe, m2m fun occasionally. Very sane, safe, d/d free guy here. Just like to get with a guy occasionally and would prefer someone in my neighborhood or close by. white guys only, please. I do have a pic. 5'10", 190, clean-shaven face, professional, clean-cut type guy here. Hope to hear from someone.

Believe me, I am not a prude, but I definitely believe in honesty. I had my life changing slip up and came clean to my wife. Not until after we formally separated and I moved out of the house would I have ever thought of seeking out meetings like this guy is doing. Especially in my own neighborhood!!

Lunatic Parents Pick Prayer Over Doctors and Girl Dies

This very sad story (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gy_FocuLcPyslOqVeaOFan8yo7eQD8VM3A680) is yet another example of the insanity that occurs when religious nutcases cling to delusional religious beliefs and ignore medical science. One can only hope that these parents are charged with felony child neglect, convicted and locked up for a good while. If any of the girl's siblings are minors, they definitely need to be removed from the parents' custody immediately.

Increasingly, I believe that in this country, "religious belief" has to be the leading excuse/cause for lies, refusals to admit objective, imperical fact, and hate and intolerance. It sometimes seems that religion is one of the great evils in the world - it surely has caused so many needless deaths over the centuries. How many wars and deaths over the course of time are because of varying types of belief in the Bible? Here are some highlights from this story of how an elen year old girl lost her life because of religious lunacy:

WESTON, Wis. (AP) — Police are investigating an 11-year-old girl's death from an undiagnosed, treatable form of diabetes after her parents chose to pray for her rather than take her to a doctor. An autopsy showed Madeline Neumann died Sunday of diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition that left too little insulin in her body, Everest Metro Police Chief Dan Vergin said.

The girl's mother, Leilani Neumann, said that she and her family believe in the Bible and that healing comes from God, but that they do not belong to an organized religion or faith, are not fanatics and have nothing against doctors. She insisted her youngest child, a wiry girl known to wear her straight brown hair in a ponytail, was in good health until recently.

Family members elsewhere called authorities to seek help for the girl. "My sister-in-law, she's very religious, she believes in faith instead of doctors ...," the girl's aunt told a sheriff's dispatcher Sunday afternoon in a call from California. "And she called my mother-in-law today ... and she explained to us that she believes her daughter's in a coma now and she's relying on faith." The dispatcher got more information from the caller and asked whether an ambulance should be sent.

"Please," the woman replied. "I mean, she's refusing. She's going to fight it. ... We've been trying to get her to take her to the hospital for a week, a few days now." The aunt called back with more information on the family's location, emergency logs show. Family friends also made a 911 call from the home. Police and paramedics arrived within minutes and immediately called for an ambulance that took her to a hospital. But less than an hour after authorities reached the home, Madeline — a bright student who left public school for home schooling this semester — was declared dead.

Leilani Neumann said she and her husband are not worried about the investigation because "our lives are in God's hands. We know we did not do anything criminal. We know we did the best for our daughter we knew how to do."

Friday Male Beauty

My Son's Adventure Begins

My son - pictured above in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Charlottesville - is off to Georgia to start on his hiking adventure on the Appalachian Trail. As a parent, I hope he is careful and makes his journey safely and without mishap. I also wish him much enjoyment and believe that he will have an incredible experience in the process. He seems well equipped and he seems to have done his "homework" in terms of planning of traversing the length of the Trail up to Maine. He has e-mailed me a link to the Flicker account he has opened where he will upload photos as and when he can along the way.

Obviously, I am very proud of my son and love him very, very much. He and his sisters are what give meaning and a reason to my years in the closet. In order to have them, I'd go through all the pain and unhappiness all over again.

Thoughts on Same-Sex Committed Relationships

I have been conversing recently with a friend about the ups and downs and challenges of gay relationships and why I believe we seem to face more challenges in maintaining stable relationships - or at least so some people claim. Obviously, not having any legal recognition of same-sex relationships in the vast majority of states or under the federal laws in and of itself deprives gay of relationships of a legal framework and societal recognition that enhances stability. I also believe that gay relationships are more difficult than those of heterosexuals because (1) there are no real role models that define what such relationships should look like - we make up our own rules, so to speak, and (2) when you do not have kids and all the activities and chaos they generate, there is much more time for couples to focus upon relationship issues.

On this latter point, from my experience in the closet and living in a straight marriage for many years, I believe that married heterosexuals with kids are just plain exhausted by the end of most days due to all the family related things going on. Between work, household chores, child rearing duties and childrens' activities, there simply is very little time left to contemplate the larger issues of one's relationship with the other spouse. In the majority of gay relationships, such is not the case and therefore, the greater amount of time there is to evaluate the relationship and to scrutinize perceived failings. For straights, assuming couples remain together and have children, arriving at this situation occurs much later in the relationship, generally in middle age. Hence, this is why I think so many married couples - at least in the US - split and divorce once the kids are grown and the parents become empty nesters. Suddenly, it is just the two of them and many come to realize the relationship is either not there anymore and/or that it is not what they want/need.

In my own case, perhaps because of all my years in a marriage, I want a relationship that is akin to marriage with someone who will be my soulmate and best friend.

More Thursday Male Beauty

Hillary Condoned Blackmailing the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

The Huffington Post is reporting that Hillary Clinton's campaign knew of the "blackmail" letter sent by a group of Hillary donors threatening to withhold money from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee if superdelegates fail to overturn the popular vote in favor of Obama and chastising Nancy Pelosi for standing up to a democratic selection process within the Democratic Party. It should be obvious by now that Hillary will do anything to win the nomination and is willing to trash the Party like a spoiled child if she doesn't get her way. I also have to wonder what pay backs - ambassadorships, high paying appointments, etc., Hillary is offering these folks to get them to take such an action. Can someone buy Hillary and Bill one-way tickets out of the country - not sure who deserves them, maybe China - please!!!! Here are highlights from HP (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/27/clinton-campaign-stands-b_n_93749.html):

Aides to Sen. Hillary Clinton said on Thursday that they knew key fundraisers for her campaign were sending a letter to Nancy Pelosi, castigating the Speaker over her position on superdelegates and threatening, vaguely, to withhold campaign donations. And while they did not go so far as to say they approved of the letter's content -- "we didn't know what was in it," said spokesman Phil Singer -- they did argue that the "letter speaks for itself."

"We have been strong supporters of the DCCC," they wrote. "We therefore urge you to clarify your position on super-delegates and reflect in your comments a more open view to the optional independent actions of each of the delegates at the National Convention in August."

On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Pelosi said that the Speaker was "confident" in her proclamation that superdelegates -- when deciding between Sen. Barack Obama and Clinton -- should take into primary consideration the tallies of both the popular vote and the pledged delegate count. "The speaker believes it would do great harm to the Democratic Party if superdelegates are perceived to overturn the will of the voters," said Brendan Daly, a spokesman for Pelosi. "This has been her position throughout this primary season, regardless of who was ahead at any particular point in delegates or votes."

Proposed Florida Marriage Amendment Targets More Than Gays

As was the case in Virginia, the proposed marriage amendment that Christianists are working to get on the Florida ballot this November would impact many more people than just gay couples. Yet its proponents disingenuously emphasize only that it will ban gay marriage - the same ploy they used in Virginia. This should come as no surprise since, if one studies the Christianists' true long term agenda, they want EVERYONE to have to live by their religious dictates: only married heterosexual couples will have recognized rights; sodomy laws will be re-enacted, abortion will be banned under all circumstances; contrception will be banned - they continually complain about the Supreme Court's decision in Griswold v. Connecticut finding a right to privacy - and homosexuals are driven out of sight and unmentionable in public schools.

Anyone who doubts this need only start monitoring sites like AFA, FRC, CWFA, etc., on a regular basis. Fortunately, some groups have awakened to this reality. Hopefully, they will be able to educate enough voters to defeat the proposed amendment as occurred in Arizona. Of course the fact that the amendment is underconsideration shows how far the USA has fallen from being the "land of the free" when a nation like Cuba is considering sweeping gay rights legislation (see the prior post). Here are highlights on the debate in Florida (http://tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080327/CAPITOLNEWS/803280310):

The main sponsor of a proposed constitutional ban on gay marriage said Wednesday all "aberrant forms of marriage" might become legal unless Florida voters adopt his proposal at the polls next November. But the former head of the National Organization for Women argued that the state already has laws recognizing only heterosexual unions — and warned that the pending change would jeopardize rights of tens of thousands of unmarried couples, gay and straight.

John Stemberger, president of the Florida Family Policy Council, and Miami attorney Patricia Ireland, representing anti-amendment group Florida Red and Blue, debated Amendment 2 at a luncheon of the Capital Tiger Bay Club. Stemberger's Florida4Marriage.org group succeeded Feb. 1 in getting more than 600,000 voter signatures to qualify the gay-marriage ban for a statewide referendum.

Ireland noted that Stemberger's amendment bans any "other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof." Ireland said no one knows what "substantial equivalent" means.

"We do know that if Amendment 2 passes, someone is going to be down the next day at the courthouse, filing a lawsuit saying domestic-partner benefits are treating people who receive them as if they were married, in terms of sharing their health care, or retirement benefits or making medical decisions," she said.

After the hour-long debate, a straw ballot of the audience indicated 45 listeners opposed to putting the gay-marriage ban in the constitution, 12 favored it and two checked "could go either way" on the issue.

Thursday Male Beauty

Cuba Considers Sweeping Gay Rights Bill

Once again Cuba - not generally deemed a leader the area of civil rights - is ahead of the USA in terms of granting equal legal rights to all citizens, including gays. As 365gay.com is reporting (http://www.365gay.com/Newscon08/03/032708cuba.htm), proposed legislation is going to be introduced into the national assembly which, if enacted, would make Cuba one of the most progressive nations in terms of gay rights. Here are some highlights:

(Havana) Cuban lawmakers will vote in June on a bill that would make the country one of the world's most progressive in LGBT civil rights. The draft legislation would make it illegal to discriminate in jobs and housing against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transpeople. It would recognize same-sex domestic partnerships, although not grant marriage or adoption rights, and it would allow transsexuals to have identity cards showing their true sex. In addition the bill would require the government health service to pay for sex reassignment surgery.

The measure has been championed by Mariela Castro, the daughter of Cuban president Raul Castro. She heads the government-funded National Centre for Sex Education and has been a longtime LGBT rights advocate.

"In Cuba marriage is not as important as the family and at least this way we can guarantee the personal and inheritance rights of homosexuals and transsexuals," she told the BBC. Last month Cuba's Culture Minister Abel Prieto said that he supports gay marriage.

California freefall: Home prices down 26% in February

While McCain blathers about economic jargon he does not even understand and Hillary Clinton keeps trying to knee cap Barack Obama - who I suspect Bill and Hillary refer to in private as that "uppity nigger" - the country is going to Hell in a hand basket quickly, as shown by what is happening to home prices in California. I truly wish that for the good of the country Hillary would close down her campaign, stop trying to blackmail Nancy Pelosi and the U. S. House of Representative Democrats, and slink off somewhere to spend the $30+ million she and Bill have accumulated in a little over 3 year's time. Here are highlights on the housing free fall in California that has to be leaving many homeowners with mortgage balances well in excess of what their homes are now worth (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laland/2008/03/california-free.html):

Signs of distress are piling up in the California housing market, where prices are falling at three times the national rate of decline. Statewide, median sales prices fell by a stunning 26% from year-ago levels in February, with home prices dropping at a rate of nearly $3,000 a week, the California Association of Realtors reports. Further, the CAR says the Fed's interest rate-cutting campaign "will have little near-term direct effect on the housing market."

In the San Fernando Valley, losing a home to foreclosure is now almost as common for families as buying a home. The L.A. Daily News: "During January and February, there were 1,084 foreclosures and 1,335 sales of houses and condos in Valley communities from Glendale to Calabasas, according to the San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center at California State University, Northridge."

On a percentage basis, the California price meltdown is more than three times as severe as the national decline of 8.2% in median prices reported this week by the National Association of Realtors. On an absolute basis, the California meltdown is even more severe: Nationally, prices fell over the past year at a rate of $338 per week; in California, prices fell at a rate of $2,788 per week.

Final Wednesday Male Beauty

Amazing Race goth couple Kynt and Vyxsin Honor Lawrence King's Memory

I have watched Amazing Race a few times, including a couple of episodes with Kynt and Vyxsin. I will confess that I do not get the goth look, but to each his/her own if it makes them happy and harms no one else. More importantly, these two are demonstrating that their hearts are in the right place and they are taking affirmative steps to highlight the need for tolerance and acceptance of diversity. Among them is the co-sponsoring of a vigil for Lawrence King. Here are highlights from Toweleroad ( http://www.towleroad.com/2008/03/amazing-races-k.html):

Amazing Race goth couple Kynt and Vyxsin are speaking out against anti-gay hate crimes following the murder of 14-year-old Lawrence King in Oxnard last month. The couple are scheduled to meet with parents, teachers, and students from E. O. Green Jr. High School at a park near the campus.

Kynt and Vyxsin, who at heated moments were dismissed as "freaks" and "witches" by fellow competitors on the show, feel they can relate to being targeted for being different: "On the night of September 25th, 2004, Kynt was attacked by three men [in Louisville, KY] who 'didn't like the way he looked.' Kynt was hospitalized and his face required reconstructive surgery of his left oribital bone, which was crushed in the assault."

The couple is also co-sponsoring a candlelight vigil for Lawrence King, which takes place tonight in West Hollywood: "FALLEN ANGEL: A Candle-Light Tribute to Lawrence KingLos Angeles, CaliforniaWednesday, March 26, 2008, 5-9 PM. Kynt also released this statement:

"I would like to express my condolences and support to the family and friends of Lawrence King. It has been documented that Lawrence was subjected to marked negativity from fellow male students for occassionally wearing make-up, jewelry, and feminine clothing.

The seemingly harmless jokes and name-calling escalated toward this horrific act of violence. Lawrence was considered an outcast, and often teased for his appearance, which is a situation I can relate to very well, as I am a male who is proud to enjoy a more effeminate appearance.

I am saddened that Lawrence's creativity, free-thinking, and individuality might have contributed to his murder. Every student deserves to attend school with the assumption that they will be safe, no matter how they choose to express themself aesthetically. This is a tragedy but one I feel can be averted in the future with an increased emphasis on diversity and tolerance education in schools.

Parents need to take charge as well, and be mindful of acceptance as they mold the thoughts, ideas, and outlook of their child. Creating a culture based on an 'acceptance and appreciation of difference,' whether that difference is race, religion, sexuality, gender expression, or aesthetic, is the responsibility of EACH and EVERY American. This must happen."

Sally Kern Continues to Demonstrate Her Ignorance and Hate-filled Mentality

In her anti-gay rant, the new Queen of Hate, Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern cited the threat of gays infiltrating city councils and cited the cities of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Eureka Springs, Arkansas as examples of such cities. As I previously posted, Pittsburgh was quick to slam Ms. Kern and demand an apology. Now, Eureka Springs has also taken her to task as reported in the Carroll County News (http://www.eurekaspringstimesecho.com/articles/2008/03/21/news/we2.txt):

EUREKA SPRINGS - Statements made by Oklahoma State Representative Sally Kern (R), secretly recorded and released on YouTube.com on March 7 brought a rebuke from Mayor Dani Joy at the conclusion of Monday's's city council meeting. Kern used Eureka Springs as an example of a town “taken over by the militant homosexual agenda,” and can be seen on the Web at http://www/youtube.com/watch v=1T7s3x4JoQ.\

The mayor's statement, released earlier on Geekfest, an electronic community bulletin board, describes Eureka Springs as “welcoming to all visitors and residents without regard to their race, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability or national origin.

It is our hope that all people would aspire to this ideal.”She also added that in her opinion it was appalling that Kern used Eureka Springs and its citizens to further a private agenda. Elected officials, she said, are put into office for other reasons, and added that she feels that Kern owes the city an apology.

Meanwhile, the sadly deranged and hate-filled Ms. Kern doesn't seem to know when to shut her mouth and is managing to continue to dig her hole deeper and show her incrdible level of ignorance. Contrary to her allegations, the Christianist organizations outspend the LGBT organizations by a margin of almost 10 to 1 and no legitimate science/medical knowledge supports her position that sexual orientation is a choice. The woman is a moron. Here are highlights from this past weekend when she was on television in a debate with a gay pastor (http://pageoneq.com/news/2008/kern_032508.html):

Oklahoma House Rep. Sally Kern made an Easter Sunday appearance on KFOR-TV's "Flash Point" to face off with an openly gay pastor, elaborating on her recent leaked speech and defending her views. A spirited theological and political debate ensued between Rep. Kern, host Kevin Ogle, panelists Burns Hargis and Mike Turpen, and Dr. Scott Jones of Oklahoma City's Cathedral of Hope.

I was talking about the homosexual agenda, and how they are out there putting forth--funding very heavily--homosexual and pro-homosexual candidates to run against, and defeat, conservatives across the nation. "I did talk about what I believe...scientific evidence, health evidence...proves that the homosexual lifestyle is a dangerous lifestyle. And, yes, I did compare it to being more dangerous than terrorism. And my point in doing that, gentlemen, was this: Everybody knows terrorism destroys and tears down, and that was the only analogy I was making is that the homosexual agenda, this lifestyle which is so destructive to individuals, is at the heart trying to tear down what is the bedrock foundation of our society, which is the family and traditional marriage."

If a person is born black, they can't change that," Kern explains. "You see, that's the heart of this issue is the homosexuals believe they're born that way. No medical research--" "--Even Al Mohler, the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has agreed that all science is leading toward the idea that we are born that way." "I disagree with that wholeheartedly," Kern says. "We're all born with a sinful nature. I'm just as sinful as anybody else in this world."

"The American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association all disagree with you, ma'am," Jones responds, "and they're the people I would respect as having a mainstream view, and yours is in an extreme view." "Mine is not an extreme view," counters Kern. "Mine is the view of the average American citizen, and I disagree with you."

More Wednesday Male Beauty

Peter Akinola Behind Anti-Gay Violence?

It appears that homophobe and falsely pious Archbishop Peter Akinola of the Anglican Church in Nigeria may be behind more violence. I previously posted about Akinola’s possible involvement in the massacre of approximately 600 Muslims. It seems violence is one of his preferred methods. Why the weak kneed and spineless Archbishop of Canterbury doesn’t call Akinola out on these issues is baffling. If Gene Robinson is unfit to attend the Lambeth Conference, then what the Hell is Akinola? Increasingly, it seems that Akinola is nothing more than a brutish thug who is using the Church for power and his own hate-driven agenda. Here are some highlights from a press release by Changing Attitude Nigeria (http://akinolarepent.wordpress.com/2008/03/24/gay-man-attacked-at-mac-%20iyalla-funeral/):

A shocking story of mob violence has emerged which almost culminated in thedeath of one of the leaders of the Changing Attitude Nigeria (CAN) group inPort Harcourt. The violent attack occurred in the context of the funeralceremony being held for the sister of Davis Mac-Iyalla, attended by sixmembers of the Port Harcourt group on Thursday, 20 March 2008. While hymn singing was going on a muscular man walked up to meand asked me for a word outside the compound.

“The next thing I saw was a mob group who were there to attack me. Theystarted slapping and punching me, kicked me on the ground and spat on me. Ihave never known fear like I knew when they were brutalizing me. I thoughtthey were going to kill me there and then. While beating me they wereshouting: ‘You notorious homosexual, you think can run away from us for yournotorious group to cause more abomination in our land?’ Those who attacked mewere well informed about us so I suspect an insider or one of the leaders ofour Anglican church have hands in this attack.”

Violence against LGBT people has been encouraged by Archbishop Peter Akinola and the leaders of the Church of Nigeria. They have attacked the presence of LGBTs in church and society, and supported a bill which would reinforce prejudice against LGBT people. “Changing Attitude calls on the Church of Nigeria to denounce violence against LGBT people. We challenge the leaders of the global south coalition to repent of their un-Biblical views which fuel prejudice against LGBT people in our Communion.”

As for Akinola’s involvement in the 2004massacre, fortunately someone is asking this important question which should be on the lips of the leadership of the Anglican Communion, not to mention break away Episcopalians who are placing themselves under Akinola’s leadership (http://frjakestopstheworld.blogspot.com/2008/03/more-violence-in-nigeria.html):

Regarding Abp. Akinola's involvement in violent acts, it has been almost a month since he was implicated in the 2004 massacre in Yelwa, yet to date there has been no response to our questions regarding those implications, other than a weak attempt to sidestep the issue by his communication staff. His silence is cause for me to wonder why he is so hesitant to issue a clear denial, unless he was somehow involved, and is simply hoping the questions will just go away. Well, they're not going away this week, Archbishop.

Hillary - Queen of Sleaze (and Faulty Memory)

Hillary Clinton continues to try to sleaze her way to winning the Democrat nomination and rather than explaining why she’s the better candidate she is simply trying to destroy Obama. As 365gay.com is reporting, Hillary is doing her damnedest to disingenuously keep the Rev. Wright controversy alive. Interestingly enough, it now looks like Hillary may be the one to disavow some of her own affiliations, beginning with her own former pastor who has made supportive statements concerning Rev. Wright. Similarly, Hillary needs to explain why she appears to be in league with the likes of Richard Mellon Scaife, a principal financial backer of some of the most hateful and insane elements of the Christianist far right who funded the Arkansas Project, which was set up to destroy Bill Clinton. You've heard of Paula Jones, Vince Foster's "murder," Troopergate, and Whitewater? Mellon Scaife is responsible for all of them, yet Hillary is ass kissing Scaife and his editorial board. Then there’s Hillary circulating a hit piece by the American Spectator. One would truly think from such conduct that she was the GOP candidate.

Here’s a highlight from 365gay.com (http://www.365gay.com/Newscon08/03/032608clint.htm) showing Hillary trying to breathe new life into the Wright controversy:

"I think that given all we have heard and seen, he would not have been my pastor," Clinton said at a news conference after being asked if Obama should have left the church. She declined to say what Obama should have done, or whether the subject is now a legitimate topic for her appeals to Democratic superdelegates, the party leaders who will decide whether she or Obama will be the presidential nominee.

I cannot help but wonder what Hillary thinks of the remark made by her own former pastor, Dean J. Snyder of Foundry United Methodist Church, concerning Wright? Is she going to condemn Mr. Snyder too? Hopefully, some journalist will grow some balls and ask her this very question point blank and see how fast she throws Snyder under the bus. Here's Snyder's comment (http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/deborahwilliams/CpVd):

The Reverend Jeremiah Wright is an outstanding church leader whom I have heard speak a number of times. He has served for decades as a profound voice for justice and inclusion in our society. He has been a vocal critic of the racism, sexism and homophobia which still tarnish the American dream. To evaluate his dynamic ministry on the basis of two or three sound bites does a grave injustice to Dr. Wright, the members of his congregation, and the African-American church which has been the spiritual refuge of a people that has suffered from discrimination, disadvantage, and violence. Dr. Wright, a member of an integrated denomination, has been an agent of racial reconciliation while proclaiming perceptions and truths uncomfortable for some white people to hear. Those of us who are white Americans would do well to listen carefully to Dr. Wright rather than to use a few of his quotes to polarize. This is a critical time in America’s history as we seek to repent of our racism. No matter which candidates prevail, let us use this time to listen again to one another and not to distort one another’s truth.

The woman increasingly sickens me and has managed to remind me of all the reasons I could not stand the Clinton presidency. Both she and Bill lack honor, integrity and morals. The USA does NOT need more of their nasty style of leadership.

Wednesday Male Beauty

Catholic Church Interferring with British Columbia Diversity Education

The Vancouver Sun is reporting (http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=b50249ce-2e12-42be-8d71-8d89c11a19a6) that a Roman Catholic Church affiliate organization is endeavoring to interfer with the implementation of a diversity education program in the provincial public schools. Its too bad these Kool-Aid drinkers don't spend an equal effort demanding accountability from the Church hierarchy for all of the cover ups and intimidation of families done by bishops and cardinals. Until such time as they do so and get their noses out of the hierarchy's ass (really, it's a wonder these people don't suffocate), they have no standing to argue any matters of morality whatsoever. One might also ask these folks when hate, discrimination and intolerance became Christian values. Not that the public schools should be teaching only what comports with one group's religious views in any event. Here are some story highlights:

The Catholic Civil Rights League is urging parents to protest a B.C. teacher guide that encourages discussion about diversity -- including sexual orientation -- in all subjects and in every public school classroom. The Education Ministry drafted the guide as part of an agreement reached in 2006 with Vancouver activists Murray and Peter Corren to make the curriculum gay-friendly. With the signing of the deal, the Correns dropped a human-rights case accusing schools of systemic discrimination.

In a release titled "Resist, Counter and Protest," the league promises to work with other groups to develop strategies to fight the ministry's drive to introduce "non-heterosexual realities" in all classrooms. It sent the release and its critique of the teaching guide to every school board and district parent advisory council in B.C.

But Glen Hansman, president of the Vancouver Elementary School Teachers' Association, said the protest won't succeed because the courts have already ruled that public schools must be inclusive. Furthermore, he said the legalization of same-sex marriage suggests that most people are now comfortable with such diversity. The new guide will assist teachers in addressing social justice issues, just as a similar guide some years ago helped them incorporate aboriginal content across the curriculum, he said.

Repealing Gay-Rights Laws Has Economic Chilling Effect

The fundies in Oregon are attempting to repeal anti-discrimination laws that protect gays as well as the state's domestic partners law. As some business owners are beginning to recognize, being anti-gay is NOT good for business (something Virginia has unfortunately yet to figure out). This fact is addressed in a great op/ed piece (http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006803250318) as well as a new Newsweek article (http://www.newsweek.com/id/124550) that looks at where the so-called creative class that fuel economic growth gravitates to live. Rest assured, it is NOT in the Bible belt or areas that embrace "family values."

Sadly, too many people, including those who alleged to be journalists fail to see this fact or recognize the anti-knowledge agenda of the Christianists. Truth be told, the Christianist care nothing about economic growth or progress. They resist science based education and in many ways - like Benedict XVI - want to take the nation back to the dark ages. Thinking citizens, however, need to wake up and not be fooled by their "family values" jargon. These folks hate everyone who doesn't share their perverted form of Christianity. Gays may be favored targets of the moment on their agenda, but we are followed by the right to contraception, divorce and many other matters of secular civil law. Moreover, if a city or region wants to truly prosper, an atmosphere where diversity (and gays) is tolerated is essential. First, here are highlights from the op/ed piece:

Oregon voters may well face two issues this fall that many people probably think were resolved some time ago: the state's new anti-discrimination and domestic-partner laws. Although some are trying to characterize those potential ballot measures as solely "moral issues," both undoubtedly have economic implications that voters would be well advised to consider.

Though there was an unsuccessful, last-ditch effort to block enactment of the domestic-partner law, its success is undeniable: Thousands of same-sex couples already have registered throughout the state, and many more are doing so each day. Likewise, tens of thousands of Oregonians who previously might have lost a job or been refused housing simply because of the status or perceived status of their sexual orientation now enjoy legal protection, thanks to the anti-discrimination statute.

Such policies are increasingly the law of the land. More than 90 percent of companies listed in the Fortune 500, for instance, ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, including such Oregon stalwarts at Nike and Intel. America's most highly regarded colleges and universities, including Oregon State University, the University of Oregon and Portland State, ban such discrimination and provide domestic-partner benefits similar (although not equal) to those provided to married couples.

It's one thing not to have such laws in place; many states still do not. But it's another thing entirely to repeal them once they've been enacted. To do so would send a signal to the nation that Oregonians want the ability to discriminate, to treat neighbors and co-workers unfairly without repercussions.

Such a message would poison the environment in such areas as business relocations. How many companies would choose to set up shop in a state that is repealing civil-rights laws? It also would have a chilling effect on existing companies' ability to attract and retain the best and brightest employees, most of whom expect progressive workplaces and living environments.

If either or both measure makes it to the ballot this fall, voters must understand that the future for gay Oregonians is not the only matter at stake; a repeal would have significant consequences for our economy that could take years to repair. For the sake of both fairness and economic good sense, the laws should stay as they are.

The Newsweek story reinforces this view. Here are some highlights that suggest that cities like Norfolk need to wake the Hell up, tell Pat Robertson to shut his mouth, and demand that the Virginia General Assembly move into the 21st century:

[M]oney, innovation, and distinct personality types increasingly clustering in the world's major metropolises. Using data collected from satellites and census surveys, Florida describes how a "creative class" of people is changing the economic landscape by congregating in a shrinking set of cities located farther and wider than ever before. What's more, different types of these creative innovators are sticking with their own kind, molding each city's distinct demographics, job markets, and mating markets (or dating scenes).

But what we found in our research is that 40 million Americas move each year, and 15 million make really significant moves 50 to 100 miles out of the county they live in. That's a lot. And young people with high levels of education are the most likely to move. I call this the "brain migration" or the "means migration." In the past, mostly every city had the same profile of people: some college graduates, some graduate school graduates, some high school graduates, some high school dropouts. But now more and more highly educated people are moving to a smaller number of cities.

We're becoming so divided that these propulsive centers of our economy are generating fear, anxiety, and resentment. People say, "The cities are where the yuppies, trendoids, and gays live. We have to move back to family values." And our public policy actually punishes cities, as we transfer wealth from them to our hinterlands. It's in the culture wars, the Red and Blue states—the spiky centers are all bright blue, while the places being left behind are deep red. Barack Obama appeals to people in the spiky centers, Hillary Clinton appeals to the people in Ohio being left behind, and John McCain appeals to people who are outside and resentful of this kind of change. Sooner or later in our world economy, we're going to need leaders willing address this, but until then it's just going to get worse and worse, more and more concentrated.

More Tuesday Male Beauty

I realize that this is a repeat post, but I think this guy is so beautiful

The Clintons and Gay Rights

I continue to be doubfounded by the members of the LGBT community who are Kool-Aid drinkers when it comes to supporting Hillary Clinton. Just before writing this post I again visited both Hillary's campaign web site and that of Barack Obama. On Hillary's site, I STILL cannot find "gay" or "LGBT" ANYWHERE. Meanwhile, on the home page of Obama's web site under the "People" tab all in caps is "LGBT." If Hillary is such an advocate for gay rights and gay equality, why is she afraid to mention us on her web site or publicly except in interviews with The Advocate and similar gay media outlets? If she will not mention us now, what in the Hell makes these Kool-Aid drinkers think she will stand up for gays if elected? Let'ss face it, she wants our money and then will throw us under the bus as Melissa Etheridge corretly said Bill did while in the White House. Just because the Clintons say things does NOT mean the statements are true or that they can be trusted.

Compounding this issue is Bill Clinton's recent hissy fit when questioned about his policies towards gays while President. Andrew Sullivan has some details (http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/03/clinton-on-gays.html):

Watch him get testy when confronted with his own record on gay equality - going after a college student. And accusing her of "re-writing history." The facts are these: under Bill Clinton the rate of discharges of gay people from the military doubled; under Bill Clinton, the Defense Of Marriage Act did not only simply enshrine the pre-existing right of some states not to recognize the civil marriages of other states - as he misleadingly states - but barred all of us gay couples from any rights on a federal level; Bill Clinton cited the Defense of Marriage Act in re-election campaign ads in the South.

Even now, he claims that repealing DOMA would lead to more persecution of gays, because more states would allegedly pass anti-gay constitutional amendments. But there are very very few left that could do more to stigmatize gay couples than currently do. And he still resists any defense of gay equality in substance seeing it entirely, as he did in office, as a matter of partisan positioning. Just as he left any mention of any gay people and any gay appointees out of his interminable autobiography, he still will not stand up for gay equality when confronted by the next generation.

In my view, Bill Clinton was a lying piece of shit while in office and he still is - so is Hillary for that matter as the Bosnia visit fiasco has shown. For a clip of Bill Clinton speaking about gays, go to Andrew's blog.

Tutu To Receive International Gay Award

I have quoted Archbishop Desmond Tutu on a number of occasions for his courage and conviction in supporting gays and his public denunciations of the far right hate merchantswith in the Angalican Communion such as Nigeria's Peter Akinola (who it turns out may have had a had in a massacre of Muslim women and children). Would that there were more true Christians like Desmond Tutu. Thus, I believe it is completely justified that Tutu is receiving an award by the New York-based International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. Here are some brief highlights from 365gay.com (http://www.365gay.com/Newscon08/03/032508tut.htm):

(New York City) Archbishop Desmond Tutu has been named the recipient of a prestigious award by the New York-based International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. The IGLHRC will present its 2008 Outspoken Award as part of the organization's A Celebration of Courage human rights ceremony on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.

"There is really only one name in the world that immediately conjures up moral leadership in pursuit of dignity for all people on earth, and that is Desmond Tutu," said Paula Ettelbrick, IGLHRC's Executive Director. "Archbishop Tutu's vision of a world in which human rights are respected has always explicitly included LGBT people, despite the fierce opposition he has faced from his peers and colleagues. He has challenged political apartheid in South Africa and continues to challenge spiritual apartheid within his religious community."

Archbishop Tutu has vocally challenged discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. In a 2004 article in The Times of London, he condemned persecution on the basis of sexual orientation, comparing it to apartheid.

"We struggled against apartheid in South Africa, supported by people the world over, because black people were being blamed and made to suffer for something we could do nothing about-our very skins," he wrote. "It is the same with sexual orientation. It is a given. I could not have fought against the discrimination of apartheid and not also fight against the discrimination that homosexuals endure, even in our churches and faith groups."

He has been a vocal opponent of punishing the American branch of his own Anglican Church over the ordination of an openly gay bishop - Gene Robinson in New Hampshire. "Archbishop Tutu's decision to address our community while in the United States signals the rise in status that LGBT communities around the world are achieving," said Ettelbrick.

Tuesday Male Beauty

Focus on the Family’s “Anthropological” Report on Marriage

Box Turtle Bulletin (http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/) has an excellent article by a biological anthropologist that takes apart a recent article disseminated by the gay-haters at Focus on the Family that seeks to further the myth that the family has existed from time immemorial in the one man-one woman with children model. As is the case with nearly everything Focus on the Family does, being factually accurate and truthful are very low priority items. Rather, advancing their Christo- fascist agenda is all that matters. Fortunately, Patrick M. Chapman, Ph.D., sets the record straight as it were. Here are some brief highlights:

While Stanton highlights that many same-sex marriage advocates do not employ an anthropological understanding of marriage, he neglects to mention this is also the case for those who oppose same-sex marriage. For example, Focus on the Family’s definition of marriage is contrary to anthropological reality. Many cultures throughout the world traditionally accept same-sex marriage; opposite-sex marriages are often arranged, not based on love, and polygamous. Polygyny, one man with more than one wife, is by far the most commonly preferred form of marriage; polyandry, one woman with more than one husband, also exists.

What is particularly important with Stanton’s report is the recognition that anthropologists are the experts when it comes to understanding and defining marriage. As such, it increases the importance of the American Anthropological Association’s 2004 official statement condemning marriage amendments that exclude same-sex marriages from official recognition. Anthropologists recognize that same-sex marriage is one of the many legitimate forms of marriage practiced in cultures throughout the world. Stanton’s selective application of anthropology suggests to me that he is more concerned with Focus on the Family’s political agenda than promoting an honest, accurate, and representative definition for marriage.

[M]odern American same-sex marriages and relationships once again mimic opposite-sex ones. Importantly, as historian Stephanie Coontz indicates in “Marriage, a History”, there are few precedents for the modern American expression of opposite-sex marriage. Therefore, if lack of historical precedent is to be used as justification for banning same-sex marriage, as Stanton seems to imply, then modern opposite-sex marriages should also be banned.

As an addendum, I call upon Focus on the Family to acknowledge they deceived their readers when they recently said anthropologists agree with the so-called “traditional definition of marriage” and issue a public apology and correction. They must honestly inform their readers that the American Anthropological Association has previously and publicly condemned attempts to exclude homosexuals from marrying, declaring that marriage, as defined cross-culturally, is inclusive of same-sex marriages. A failure to do so simply reaffirms the view that Focus on the Family is more concerned about its political agenda than its Christian identity.

The Appalachian Trail and My Son

I met my son for lunch today before he heads off on his latest adventure at the end of the week – hiking the entire Appalachian Trail, starting at the terminus in Georgia and heading north up through Maine. For readers who do not know, the Appalachian Trail is a continuous marked footpath that goes from Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia, a distance of about 2,160 miles. As the map at left shows, one of the longest portions of the Trail is in Virginia, running up along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Along the way the Trail crosses six national parks, traverses eight national forests, touches 14 states, and crosses numerous state and local forests and parks. The Trail’s web site (http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.jkLXJ8MQKtH/b.1423119/k.BEA0/Home.htm)

indicates that it takes approximately 5 million footsteps to walk the entire length of the Trail. For the last year for which data is posted, about 29% of those who started out in Georgia made it all the way to Maine. Traversing it will be quite a feat and adventure.

Obviously, I would feel better in some ways if my son would go back and finish his four year college degree (he did two years at VCU and had good grades and a dean’s scholarship). On the other hand, I always did what was “expected” when I was his age – and for many, many years more – and it did not bring me happiness. Thus, I do believe that if my son has dreams of things he wants to do, now is the time to do them. He is 22, in very good shape and is wilderness savvy – one of his friends in Portland runs a wilderness survival training school, in fact – and has done much reading up on the Appalachian Trail, various groups that do expeditions, etc. As a parent, I will naturally worry about him, although he does plan on e-mailing us all from internet cafes that are available at points along the Trail and also setting up a new Flicker account where he can upload photos. If he does upload photos, I will post some here on the blog as he progresses along the Trail. He also plans on keeping a journal and can perhaps write a book or a blog about his experiences.

I am very proud of my son despite his marching to a different drummer at times. He is very good looking, extremely intelligent, and an altogether good person. Despite the messed up aspects of my marriage and my tortured years in the closet, I can honestly say that I have three wonderful kids and having them offsets the years of self-loathing and sense of failure I feel at times over the end of my marriage and my career path not being what it might have been. Lunch today was very enjoyable and I feel that my son knows I love him and that I support him in his endeavors. It is his life and he needs to live it in ways that make HIM happy. One should never live their life to meet the expectations of others – my son has figured this out at 22. It took me nearly three decades longer. I guess I am a slow learner. I love you Peter and good luck!!

Interesting Sale Items - Do They See What Hillary Doesn't Yet Get??

Judy Shepard: Sally Kern’s Free Speech

I realize that there have been numerous stories on the hate speech of Sally kern, the deluded hate-merchant member of the Oklahoma legislature. None the less, I believe that thses comments by Judy Shepard (http://www.gaypolitics.com/?p=367) should be repeated over and over because it is people like Ms. Kern who create the mindset for violence against gays - as they all the while pat themselves on the back for being good "Christians," which, of course they are not. Compare Judy Shepard's remarks with those of Ms. Kern, and I believe it is obvious who is the true Christian. Here are some highlights from her comments:

Sally Kern’s comments hit me like a punch to the gut. I was enormously saddened that someone—anyone, really, but especially an elected official—could say such mean things about other human beings.

But as despicable as Sally Kern’s ideas are, she is of course free to shout them from the rooftops. One of the oddest responses of people who agree with her has been that we are trying to restrict her freedom of speech. In reality, the Victory Fund gave her a megaphone. If she’s that proud of her speech, she must be thrilled that more than 1 million people have listened to it. No, the question isn’t whether she has a right to spew hateful rhetoric. The question is whether she ought to.

My son died nearly ten years ago at the hands of people whose hatred changed many lives that day. It hardened hearts and brought others to their knees. It shook a nation and enraged millions. At that time, I knew there was a window of opportunity that I could use Matthew’s story and my voice in replacing hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance. Through the Matthew Shepard Foundation, we are reaching young people who are at risk of being poisoned by the dark ideas of people like Sally Kern.

I don’t know why Sally Kern is proud of comparing gay people to cancer or terrorism, but count me as someone who’s listening now to people like her. She may be free to say people like my son are a threat to America, but when she does she puts other mothers’ sons in danger. I pray she doesn’t say it anymore.

More Monday Male Beauty

The Mind of An Amoral Monster

Vice President Dick Cheney – a/k/a Emperor Palpatine Cheney – gave an interview to ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/WN/Politics/story?id=4513250&page=1) which leaves me believing the man is amoral and one of the coldest, most lacking in compassion people alive today. He truly cares nothing for the members of the U. S. military who have lost their lives because of his fool’s errand war in Iraq. To him, they are merely expendable fodder. Worse yet, he thinks the Chimperator has to bear a heavier burden than the families who have lost loved ones because of his megalomaniacal ego and thurst for money for Halliburton. The guy makes me sick. I hope that somehow, someday, the man is brought to trial for war crimes. If that ever happens, I'd have to think long and hard before I'd say a judicially imposed death sentence were inappropriate. It is disturbing that more Americans do not see this man for the cold, cruel, monster that he is. Here are a few highlights:

In an exclusive interview with ABC News, Vice President Dick Cheney was asked what effect the grim milestone of at least 4,000 U.S. deaths in the five-year Iraq war might have on the nation.
Noting the burden placed on military families, the vice president said the biggest burden is carried by President George W. Bush, who made the decision to commit US troops to war, and reminded the public that U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan volunteered for duty.

"The president carries the biggest burden, obviously," Cheney said. "He's the one who has to make the decision to commit young Americans, but we are fortunate to have a group of men and women, the all-volunteer force, who voluntarily put on the uniform and go in harm's way for the rest of us."

"When you talk about an all-volunteer force, some of these soldiers, airmen, Marines have been on two, three, four, some of them more than that, deployments," Raddatz said. "Do you think when they volunteered they had any idea that there would be so many deployments or stop-loss? Some of those who want to get out can't because of stop-loss?"

Last week Cheney made headlines when asked about recent polls that show about two-thirds of Americans say the fight in Iraq is not worth it. "So?" Cheney replied during that interview. "You don't care what the American people think?" Raddatz asked the vice president at the time.

Wall Street Firms Cut 34,000 Jobs; Home Prices Drop the Most in 40 Years

While Hillary Clinton doggedly refuses to admit that she has lost the Democratic Party nomination and prefers to destroy the Democratic Party to satisfy her own ego, the GOP economic program just keeps on giving campaign issues that are being lost in all of the noise Billary is generating. We have plunging home prices (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=atzjOWZh4RUU&refer=home) combined with more big lay offs (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aTARUhP3w5xE&refer=news). Meanwhile, the Chimperator has not been out of his bubble suffieciently and still doesn't understand the economic free fall and McCain "doesn't understand the economy." Instead of fighting off Hillary's deadhand grasp for the nomination, the Democrats should be running with these issues. On the housing front, where those who put 5% down on a purchase are now underwater, here are some story highlights:

The median price of single-family homes dropped 8.7 percent from February 2007, the most in four decades of record keeping. ``It looks like this may be a temporary pause,'' said Nigel Gault, chief U.S. economist at Global Insight Inc. in Lexington, Massachusetts. ``The price declines have helped, and people are still getting financing, though not on the good terms they could before. We're still a long way from a recovery in housing.''

Inventories may remain at elevated levels as foreclosures rise, continuing to pressure prices down, Briefing.com economist Timothy Rogers said. The Realtors group has said a five to six months' supply is needed to stabilize the market. Home foreclosure filings jumped 60 percent and bank seizures more than doubled in February from the same month last year as rates on adjustable mortgages rose and property owners were unable to sell or refinance, according to RealtyTrac Inc., a seller of foreclosure data.

On the employment front, the news of more big layoffs certainly will not help the economy rebound and likely will only add to the number of people unable to make their mortgage payments:

March 24 (Bloomberg) -- Wall Street banks hit by mortgage losses and writedowns have cut more than 34,000 jobs in the past nine months. ``This crisis is much worse than 2001 and we don't know how long it's going to last,'' said Jo Bennett, a partner at executive search firm Battalia Winston International in New York. Job cuts ``could be more than 100,000 in a few years.''

Securities firms started eliminating positions in mortgage departments as early as last July, when rising delinquencies on home loans to borrowers with poor credit histories led to a decline in the prices of bonds tied to the loans. Between July and December, almost 17,000 jobs were lost, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The bursting of what Glenn Reynolds of CreditSights Inc. has called the ``securitization bubble'' is affecting other industries. Lawyers who helped create mortgage-backed bonds, realtors who sold more houses as home ownership in the U.S. rose and mortgage brokers who found new customers as lending standards were relaxed are now looking for work, according to Jeanne Branthover, a managing director at Boyden Global Executive Search in New York. Some firms haven't fully disclosed their job cuts because they don't want to appear financially weak, according to Battalia Winston's Bennett. ``They're all dribbling people out the door, so the numbers don't show the true extent of the problem yet,'' said Bennett.