Liberty Bell

Yesterday I posted a photo from the web of the Liberty Bell, but I
took this one in person. Independence Hall is in the background.

On the Train to Philly

I'm on the train to Philadelphia. This is Havre de Grace, MD, which is
about 15 minutes from where I grew up. I grew up in Rising Sun, MD.
Havre de Grace is a cute little town with lots of antique stores and
an amazing candy store (Bomboys). It also has a cool decoy museum.

Off to Philly

Shane has a business trip to Philadelphia and I have lots of leave, so I decided to go with him and visit the City of Brotherly Love. We're taking the train up this afternoon. I haven't been there to see the historical sites since a school trip as a kid. I didn't really appreciate what I was seeing then. I plan to be doing some postings this week using my iPhone.

11 Years Together Today

Today is our 11 year anniversary. This is not a wedding anniversary obviously. This is the date we've always considered our anniversary. It was 11 years ago today that we had our first date. We met online (I know, how sleazy) and Shane drove down to the DC area from Connecticut. He had car trouble and was very late. We saw a play at the Kennedy Center and went to the Holocaust Museum (I know, very romantic).

It wasn't until several months later that we actually moved in together. The photo above is from our third date. We had been to Provincetown, MA, for a long weekend and this was taken on our way home when we made a stop-off in Rhode Island.

We've had our ups and down, but I never thought I would find someone that would make me this happy. Maybe one of these anniversaries we'll be able to actually get married. I love you Shane!

Hate Crimes Law 101 with Rachel Maddow and Judy Shepard

This is an excellent overview of what the Hate Crimes Law is all about. I never really understood why a hate crime was really necessary, since the crime itself is already against the law. This explains very nicely why hate crime legislation is needed and what it will do. It also includes the clip of NC Congresswoman Virginia Foxx and her beyond belief ignorant statement that Mathew Shepard's murder was not based on his being gay. I guess anyone can become a member of Congress. What a dumb ass.

Top 10 New Names for Swine Flu

The Government doesn't like the ring of the name, "Swine Flu." It gives a bad name to pigs and pork products. They suggest renaming it H1N1. That just won't catch on I'm sure. Below are my top 10 suggestions for new names for the Swine Flu.

10. Fox News Fever
9. Porky Plague
8. The Population Deploder
7. R2D2/CP30
6. OK to Eat Pork Flu
5. 1918 Revisited
4. Obama’s Outbreak
3. La Epidemica de Porko
2. The Gay Marriage Scourge
1. The Disease We Dare Not to Speak It's Name

Let me know if you have any suggestions.

Marion Barry with 4 Marriages Protests My Right to Marry

Let former Mayor for Life Marion Barry and his staff know how you feel about his participation in today's anti-gay rally against marriage equality! Barry participated at the rally at "Freedom Plaza" with various "religious leaders."

This link contains e-mails for Barry as well as all of his staffers:

The following is a letter written by "Elizabeth," which I found as a comment on Joe.My.God. today.

Dear Councilmember Barry,

I was incredibly disappointed to learn about your participation in today's anti-gay rally at Freedom Plaza. The rally contributed to the ongoing stigma that gay Americans face, as we were compared to animals, pedophiles, and Satan, all because we want our government to recognize our families the same way it recognizes straight families. I find it absolutely represensible that an elected official would take part in such a divisive and demonizing event.

At the rally you reportedly defended your position against gay couples saying, "I am a politician who is moral." Forgive me sir, but I'd rather not take my lessons on morality from you of all people.

I am a tax-paying citizen who works, volunteers, and supports my family and my community. I am just trying to support my family the best I can, which is why it is wrong for you to deny my family the rights and recognition that other families take for granted.

To add insult to injury by going out of your way to paint me as immoral is simply enraging. I hope you find the heart to consider the real hardships that gay families face because of government-imposed discrimination, rather than rushing to denounce us.

You are a National joke and an embarrassment to all Americans, especially African Americans.

-------------------------------------

Awesome letter Elizabeth. The last paragraph, however, is my language. I sent it to Marion and hope you all do too.

Gay Presbyterians Ministers Must Stay Closeted

The Associated Press reported yesterday that another effort to allow gays and lesbians to serve as clergy in the Presbyterian Church was defeated on Saturday.

Though I'm an atheist, I did grow up going to church and I eventually became a member of the Presbyterian Church. I haven't been to church in years (hence the atheism), but I am somewhat surprised that the Presbyterians are still dragging their feet on this issue. I thought they were a bit more progressive than that.

The AP story did add this quote: “The tide is turning before our very eyes in understanding that GLBT men and women are loved by God and called to ministry,” said the Rev. Janet Edwards, co-moderator of More Light Presbyterians, which supports changing the ordination standards. “The church is catching up with the love Jesus has for all God’s children.”

I guess not enough of them is catching up with Jesus's love yet.

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #191

Fluffy suddenly realized this was not the best way

to test his "pigs are dumber than horses" theory.

The above is the cartoon for New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest for week #191. Let me know if you come up with a caption. I just couldn't come up with anything for this one. I'm not happy with this caption at all. It is weak, but let me know if you come up with somehthing better. I shouldn't be difficult to beat this one. Click on the link to enter your caption.

Churches that May Have Violated Political Restrictions Wait for IRS Response

According to a recent Associated Press article, nearly 7 months after defying a prohibition on endorsing candidates from the pulpit, 33 churches across the country are still waiting to learn whether the Internal Revenue Service will take action against them. Why are these Political Action Committees given tax exempt status? My guess is there are many more than 33 churches guilty of this sort of activity. 

The AP article states that "legal experts suggest a number of possibilities: The IRS has nothing to gain from a costly and mainly symbolic battle; it has limited resources; or it could still be deciding how to respond."

The clergy "urged worshippers to vote according to conservative views on abortion and gay marriage. Several endorsed Republican presidential candidate John McCain." It sounds fairly black and white to me.

Under the IRS code, places of worship can distribute voter guides, run nonpartisan voter-registration drives and hold forums on issues, among other things. But they cannot endorse a candidate, nor can their political activity be biased for or against a candidate. Churches that violate the rule can lose their tax-exempt status.

The protest was organized by the Phoenix-based Alliance Defense Fund and involved pastors in 22 states.

See the complete article here.

Goodbye Bea Arthur -- We'll Miss You

The Garden -- Before and After

Shane and I did some gardening today. All we have is this small flowerbed in the front of our house. Below are some before and after shots. We're really taking a chance planting our flowers before Mother's Day. We have had them stolen out of the ground before, we suspect to be given the the thief's Mom for Mother's Day.

You Will Eat Your Babies? Westboro Baptists Protest at MD High School

A small group of crazies from the Westboro Baptist Church protested at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, MD, yesterday because the school was named after a gay man. The Washington Post story states that about 500 students from the school staged a counter protest.

One of the Westboro signs read, "You will eat your babies." Where does that even come from? I am sure the Gap loves the fact that one of the Westboro protestors was wearing a t-shirt with "GAP" across her ample bosom. Unfortunately, the biggest gap seemed to be in her education.

The good news is that the Walt Whitman students shouted down the crazies big time. It is hard to imagine that happening when I was in high school. Some change is a good thing.

It's World Malaria Day -- Do Something

Nearly 3,000 children die everyday from malaria. Think about that number -- that is 3,000 everyday. Malaria most frequently infects young children, who are often not strong enough to survive the disease.

Today is World Malaria Day. One of my favorite charities is AmeriCares. I've been supporting them for years. They do amazing work and there is always a link to the organization on the sidebar of this blog.

Americares is involved with malaria programs worldwide. One of their most recent projects is in Myanmar (Burma). Critical malaria medicines and anti-mosquito treatments donated by AmeriCares are helping to stop the spread of this deadly disease in Myanmar and in other places around the world.

Despite being highly preventable, malaria kills up to 3 million people each year. Severe symptoms include labored breathing, high fever, painful joints, violent nausea and coma, as well as massive convulsions that can lead to death.

Preventing malaria is just one of the many missions of this organization. The need is overwhelming. They are in Darfur helping refugees. They are working to stop Cholera in Zimbabwe and other parts of the developing world. AmeriCares helps the victims trapped in Sri Lanka’s Civil War. They work extensively in Africa including health programs in HIV/AIDS, malnutrition and anti-blindness initiatives.

What you give to Americares saves lives. This is not a bloated operation with fancy offices where only a small percentage of your money is actually doing good. More than 98% of their total expenses directly support programs and relief for people in need, and less than 2% represent administrative costs. I know times are tough these days, but most of us can spare something for people in incomprehensible desperate need. Click here to donate.

Thanks.

Openly Gay OPM Director Sworn In!

Last month I posted an article from Government Executive about John Berry being nominated as the director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The article noted that he would be the highest ranking openly gay person to serve in the Federal Government. He was sworn in on Thursday with both his domestic partner and First Lady Michelle Obama in attendance.

It is my personal hope that Berry will allow the domestic partners of Federal employees to receive health and retirement benefits, which are now only available to heterosexual married couples. How ironic it is that President Obama's remarks at the U.S. Holocaust Museum on Friday mentioned homophobia among the intolerances that "degrades its victims and diminishes us all." Isn't homophobia the root of these inequalities that are current U.S. Government policy? I know. I know. Baby steps.

Read a full account of the event The Washington Blade coverage.

Tube Watch for this Weekend

I was looking to see if there was anything of interest on the telly this weekend.

Friday night has a new episode of Real Time with Bill Maher. I was worried, because his seasons are short and last week was a rerun, but tonight's episode is new and live. I DVR this show and sometimes it is good and sometimes, ehhh?

I just started watching a new series on Starz called Party Down. It is about a group of cater waitiers in LA. One of the stars of the show is Jane Lynch, who you might know from Best in Show and the 40-Year-Old Virgin. I love her. She is on the far right of the photo. You can watch some full episodes at the Starz web site by clicking here.

Also on this weekend, is a Barbra Streisand live concert on CBS. It is a 2006 concert airing to promote a DVD release she has coming out. First the bad news: Her special guest is Il Divo. The good news is she will be singing "The Way We Were," "Somewhere," "Evergreen" and a Broadway version reprise of "Don't Rain On My Parade."

Also on Saturday night, Animal Planet is airing another episode of Groomer Has It. This is their version of Project Runway with dog groomers. It was surprisingly entertaining. It is hosted by former Queer Eye regular Jai Rodriguez. Episodes of this can also be found online here.

Pulpit Power Pipes in on DC Marriage Equality Vote

There was an article in today's Washington Post by Michelle Boorstein on Washington DC-area pastors' effort to influence the upcoming vote on DC recognizing same-sex marriage and civil unions performed elsewhere.

The article states, "D.C.-area clergy who oppose same-sex unions are forming a coalition, but only time will tell how influential they will be on the vote. Politics-watchers in the District have noted in recent years that local clergy don't have as much political clout on politics in the city as they did in previous years."

The article goes on to say, "In a letter sent to clergy, the coalition says, "If we fail to act now, history will ask - 'Where were the pastors?'" I am thinking that history more likely will ask why are these idiots worrying about who gets married when there are people in the District that are homeless and starving! This is their priority? Did I miss the story where all the other problems in the world went away and homos getting married is the worst thing going on?

The anti-gay coalition of the men of God is having a rally in DC on Wednesday, April 28 at "Freedom Plaza." How's that for irony?

Favorite Running Song -- "Found Out About You" by the Gin Blossoms

I LOVE running to this song.

Random Thoughts -- Kids at Work, Maine Marriage, 401(k)s, Milk, and What I'm Over

Today is bring your kid to work day, so there are lots of kids running around at work today. Though the idea is to give kids an idea of what their parent does all day, where I work, they have programs and demonstrations for the kids. This is not what the work day is like for their parents. If they made the kids sit in my office and watch me read folders all day, they would never go out in the world looking for a real job. They have to fool kids into thinking life is a carnival ride or they would become depressed at the thought of growing up. They just need to learn that eventually, nobody will tell them what to do and they can have sex.

Maine is holding hearings on marriage equality this week. Shane is originally from Maine and we have land in Maine that we’re planning to build a house on for our retirement. Shane has lots of family in Maine and we’ve spent lots of time up there. I’ll be surprised if marriage equality passes. Though it votes Democratic, it still strikes me as conservative place. I do think Mainers (speaking in generalities) do have a more of a respect for personal privacy and that what is your business is not the government’s business. Fairness is important to them as well. They also like to be thought of as independent. You never know, but I’ll be surprised if it passes anytime soon.

I DVR 60 Minutes and they had a story on about people’s 401(k)s going down the toilet. Interestingly, I had not seen the story prior to writing the caption I posted for this week's New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest. My caption is about someone afraid to open their statement, and in the 60 Minutes piece, they interviewed someone who had received their statement, but had not yet opened it out of fear. He opened it on camera and it had gone down.

I finally got to watch Milk this week (Shane bought the blu-ray disc). Sean Penn (Academy Award Winner for this role) and the entire cast were amazing. I think the film did a great job showing how an ordinary person can become great. It was very inspiring. Dustin Lance Black (Academy Award Winning Writer) and Gus Van Sant (Academy Award Nominated Director) and everyone did a great job presenting an important part of our history.

In no particular order, these are the things and people I’ve had enough of this week:

Miss California and her Bible

Dick Cheney and his 2 cents (I love Secretary Clinton's comment though)

NOM and Gathering Storms

Susan Boyle and her eyebrows.

The "Torture Worked" Excuse

Marc Thiessen wrote a column for the Washington Post defending the torture policies of the Bush administration, claiming that the torturing worked. Thiessen served in senior positions in the Pentagon and the White House from 2001 to 2009. He basically states that the techniques garnered information that saved American lives.

Of course, the effectiveness of torture is beside the point because the policy is immoral. What he doesn’t explain is how many new terrorists were recruited out of a sanctioned torture policy. How many Americans and others died because terrorists made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) because Americans torture? How many suicide bombers killed themselves and untold others over the hate created by this policy? They should be ashamed for even trying to defend such actions.