LIfe as I don't understand it

In another life, I would have been in Chicago this weekend at the Democratic National Committee meeting. But life changed, Howard Dean didn't keep his word to me and I did not get re-appointed to the DNC. Oh well, now I am at home, planting a new hibiscus today and going to a cousin's birthday party.

As a jock, I still watch the game from the sidelines. This weekend has been particularly interesting because, once again, the gay and lesbian caucus tried to get itself inserted into the numbers game for the next Presidential election. But here's something to note about this effort, it has been tried since 1998. OK note the sarcasm here...What a win!

Taken from a 1998 press release from the DNC Gay and Lesbian Caucus:

"The DNC Rules & Bylaws Committee voted unanimously in favor of an amendment to the sections of the 1996 delegate selection rules governing outreach and inclusion of groups traditionally active but underrepresented in the Democratic Party. The amendment, submitted by California DNC member Garry Shay, requires state parties to develop and submit to the DNC outreach plans for delegate selection that include those " historically underrepresented" in the Democratic Party because of "race/ethnicity, age, sexual orientation or disability ." The new rules also require state parties to give "priority of consideration" to these underrepresented groups in a state's delegate selection process " in order to assist in the achievement of full participation by these groups."

You can view the whole release at http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_0062.htm

There have been numerous conversations going on behind the scenes about this change. If you read the Washington Blade article, you will see concerns about "opening the floodgates" for other constituency groups to be represented in the affirmative action. Oh no, the party of inclusion having to be more inclusive? And the even more troubling comment about finding gay African Americans so they can "two-fers." Holy shit, folks, that's pretty racist. But then if you notice all the folks commenting in the Blade article are white. As are all the heads of the national lgbt organizations except for the Black Justice Coalition.

But hey, wait a second, there is a black lesbian on the DNC. But you wouldn't know it if you didn't have the inside scoop. Why? Because she is closeted. Can't have the Presidential campaign manager be a lesbian or you might lose. Oh wait, we did lose.

So this bone that was thrown to the gay and lesbian caucus seems a little weak. To look at it on the surface seems nice. After all, we are all friends, get along nice, blah, blah, blah. But if you knew like I know how state parties operate, this isn't any good. There are no teeth in this new resolution. All bark and no bite.

Parties are supposed to be inclusive but what if they aren't? Then what happens? Doesn't say. As Donald Hitchcock says in the Blade article there are no requirements to set specific goals. And to further the problems, what about my transgender brothers and sisters? Where are they left. (Slap my head) Of course, they are just left behind.

There have been many behind the scenes conversations about this. It is apparent the Doctor is not on duty and really doesn't care about this core issue of inclusion and representation. There are key staff at the DNC who are hiding behind the religious mantle to dismantle all things that heave been built up for gay and lesbian inclusion at the DNC. I know Garry Shay and Brian Bond work hard to represent the community. But, but, but if all our representatives look the same, how do the African Americans perceive the gay and lesbian community except as white guys with privilege?

I am an unemployed Latina Lesbian living in San Jose, California. I have two privileges, my car and my house. I broke the law in Mass. to marry my spouse. I care deeply about the Democratic Party of John F. Kennedy, the way my immigrant grandfather did. But I am not represented now at the DNC and I wonder if I ever will be again.

Smackdown

A monstrous hat tip to John Aravosis at Americablog for this post about the idiot in chief:

I've had it with this idiot.

We've got the president of the fucking United States of America lecturing a US court of law that it's supposed to reach decisions NOT based on the rule of law, but on "the nature of the world we live in."

You God damn stupid fuck.

You have the nerve to claim Osama and the terrorists hate our democracy? They got nothing on you and your fellow "Republicans." Do you people even believe in freedom? Do you believe in the Bill of Rights? Do you believe in our Constitution? Do you fucking believe in anything other than your absolute power to do whatever the fuck you want like some two-bit communist dictator rather than the president of the greatest country on earth?

We live in a democracy, you incompetent ass - one that is quickly eroding because half the people of this country elected a moron to the presidency (twice) and now are so embarrassed by their vote that they refuse to stand up and demand an end to your idiotic reign of terror.

These are judges you're demeaning. American jurists. The people in charge of our laws. And you speak of them like they're nothing more than crap. You and your party have contempt for our entire system of jurisprudence, the entire system of checks and balances our democracy is based on, because you can't get your way 100% of the time. Well boo-fucking-hoo. We are a country of laws, you stupid stupid man.

The world in which we live is one in which the town drunk thinks he's the king of the fucking world.

Osama bin Laden is a danger to be sure. But the greatest threat to our democracy is from George Bush and his genuflecting Republicans.

I surely can sleep better tonight after reading and sharing this.

Dancin'

How many times can I dance around the living room celebrating the judge who put a stop to the warrantless eavesdropping by this fascist government? OK, I 'll go once around the room one more time - whoohoo, yeah baby, up yours Gonzales you pitiful excuse for a Mexican. And who, Mr. Gonzalez are you representing? Certainly not the Constitution and the American people. What's that, oh the President is your client? Hmmm, that's not right either. But, hey, thanks for being a good analogy for me to use. Just cus you're brown doesn't mean you know what's right. You are the walking definition of a malcriada. I so look forward to those subpoenas I see in your future.

And this judge, yeah baby, she put the slap on His Chimpiness.

"There are no hereditary kings in America and no powers not created by the Constitution,'' said U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor in rejecting President Bush's claim that he had the inherent power to authorize the program.

Oh yes, this is not a kingdom. Sing along with me, this is not a kingdom.

And now, with a hat tip to DailyKos, we have this little nugget from James Wolcott in answer to the question - Is Bush an idiot?

Is water wet?

Is Colin Farrell stubbly?

Unlike other two-term presidents, Bush hasn't grown in office, become an old familiar whose irritating traits and lapses could be accepted almost affectionately, like Reagan's dottiness. He's demonstrably diminished, dwarfed by the reality that he continues to deny and repeating himself in press conferences like a robot whose wiring is on the fritz, for whom words and phrases are nothing more than pre-programmed units of sound. He's more irritating and dangerous than ever before, because he doesn't know anything, doesn't know or care that he doesn't know anything, and yet persists in a path of destruction as if it were the road to salvation. It's finally dawned on responsible minds that Bush could take all of us down with him before he and the neocons are through.

Yes, that would be if we live through thise neocon period. But then I thought Castro was dead earlier this month too so what the hell do I know?

But the good news continues to roll in at my house. I have a job interview on Tuesday! That calls for another dance, listen you can hear Madonna... "holidaaay". Hockey season is a few weeks away, go Sharks, this year we get Lord Stanley's Cup. "It would be so nice..."

Finally a win!!!

A judge has ruled against the NSA wiretaps.

What? I'm boring?

I started another post earlier and bored myself to tears. It's all about me, what the fuck I did today, how magnificent my yard looks and how I can count to 20 in Russian. Whoohoo! As Rumsfeld would say, my goodness, BORING!

So today, Weds August 16th, I didn't get a call for an interview. I didn't sleep in but I did take a nap. I did do shit around the house and I did continue to read "Fiasco." Still boring.

I wish I was feeling witty and gay instead of just gay. Sometimes when I am around gay men for a while, I drop out of the funny competition because I can't keep up.

Just like in soccer when those little, skinny bitches run by me, I want to throw myself on the ground and just say, "Wait til you get to be my age, just wait!" Those hot flashes and night sweats are the stuff of nightmares, I tell you. And the mood swings, ugh. What mood swings, I just feel different from one moment to the next. Oh yes, mylittle pretty they will come to haunt your relationship too. Trust me on this one. Ok don't trust me, I don't care, but you'll see. I need to stop rubbing my hands together when I think these thoughts. It's really not pretty.

The idiot in chief continues to be the idiot in chief. Nothing has changed exept he looks even more stupid in safety glasses. Thanks to Shakes Sis for this contribution to our collective stupidity.

Ok here's another mental pause thought. Oh wait, I forgot. What was that word again?

I've had it, no more jocularity for me. Maybe tomorrow I won't be so boring. Or menopausal. Wait, what was I thinking?

And the beat goes on...

Well so many people on my side of the blogospere are lit up about another idiot Republican, this time Senator George Allen, who used a racial slur popular on white supremacist sites to describe an Indian American man yesterday. Of course there is now a ton of research on the word he used, the roots of it and the fact that Allen's mother is a French citizen and guess where the word originated? You betcha, in the land of fries and brie. I bet Zidane has been called that a time or two on the soccer field.

Ok so for my nice liberal friends who are outraged I have one thing to say. DUH! The man belongs to the most elite men's club in the world what do you expect??? He represents Virginia, was at an all white gathering and he had a chance to let his folks there know he is one of them. They were just missing a few white sheets, is all.

And then you expected a real apology? Please. I could have told you what he was going to say. But then that requires folks to talk to people of color and get our hit on it. Do I see that on the blogs, nope. All white, all the time.

That's why I keep pounding on the keys here. Not only is it good for me to write every day (that journalism degree has to count for something) but my viewpoint, this Latina lesbiana view point is out there.

I have an idea that this blog is read by some folks and I am hoping folks will start posting a little more so there can be more conversation. Until then, I'll keep speaking up and reminding the universe that there are other opinions, other experiences and other lives. At least there is a little window open here to move the air around and see if we can get some fresh air. We'll all think more clearly.

Sixteen candles

Today Jo and I celebrated 16 years together. I think this makes us a long term couple. We had a nice evening together. We had our nephew Ben over here in between his football practices. An all around lovely day. Now if I could just find a job.....

This photo was taken at our wedding reception in our backyard in Santa Fe.

Brave

Last Friday, I was talking with my aunt as we made tamales. My uncle, her husband, is going to the VA for some assistance. She said she saw an Iraq vet there last week who is missing a part of his head. That image has stayed with me for days.

That image especially creeps in my consciousness as I read "Fiasco" and watch the daily tragedies unfolding in the Middle East. What is it like for this man who went to do his duty for country and came back without many of abilities? Why is it we, as a country, don't have to make some sacrifice in this war? This war in Iraq has gone on longer than WWII and yet there is no collective gasp at the loss of life, limbs and brains by a some of our fellow Americans. There are, however, attempts by the Republican bullies to make us afraid.

We should be afraid of everything, toothpaste will blow us up and let's not even talk about those expensive lipsticks. There are a lot of people who have criticized the vile and disgusting displays by that sick bastard Cheney and Ken Mehlman who say sick shit about Ned Lamont, the democratic process and the outcome of a fair primary in Connecticut. If you are not familiar, check out AmericaBlog and the DailyKos. My point is this country is quickly degenerating into a large sandbox, complete with bullies and cat shit.

I return to my vision of this young man in the VA. As no one asks or offers sacrifice, what becomes of him? Does he have a wife, girlfriend. siblings, parents? He has people who care about him, no doubt, who will be forever impacted by this radical curve in his path. So the ripple effect takes place and we can't hear the cries, the agony of this war because it is drowned out by cowards and bullies who wish to change this uncomfortable subject to something more to their liking. Even the cat shit is easier to discuss than the part of this man's head which was left in Iraq.

But this man is brave. He has come back and is living his life. Braver than those in office. Braver than some of us who don't want to be inconvenienced at the airport. Braver than those who think that Bush will keep them safe because it is easier to believe his lies than ask questions.

I refuse to be afraid of those terrorists. I refuse to give in to Bush's lies. I refuse to be manipulated. I will be brave like that man in the VA.

I wish I knew his name.

check this out

NBC News has learned that U.S. and British authorities had a significant disagreement over when to move in on the suspects in the alleged plot to bring down trans-Atlantic airliners bound for the United States.

A senior British official knowledgeable about the case said British police were planning to continue to run surveillance for at least another week to try to obtain more evidence, while American officials pressured them to arrest the suspects sooner. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case.

In contrast to previous reports, the official suggested an attack was not imminent, saying the suspects had not yet purchased any airline tickets. In fact, some did not even have passports.

Questions and more questions

So if we are faced with such a critical national safety threat, why is Bush still on vacation? I see deja vu all over again. Hello New Orleans?

If Bush and Cheney knew about this threat and didn't say a damn thing til Wednesday, after preparing talking points about the Dems, national security and Joe Lieberman, they are beyond disgusting. They are the devil spawn. Check out this timeline from the Democratic Congressional so you can see what they did and when. Coincidence? I think not.

It is past time for us to talk about how they have blown up everything they have touched, the Middle East, New Orleans, the fedral budget. Nice record. Oh yes, I trust you to take care of social security, immigration, fair elections. Ned Lamont is leading the way to show others that they can speak up, tell the truth and win elections.

I have to make a couple of Lieberman points here. First here is a quote from my Congresswoman, Zoe Lofgren. Love this:

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, a San Jose Democrat, was harsher: ``This is typical Joe Lieberman -- confusing his own well-being with that of his country.''

Then I have to agree with one of my favorite political gals, Maria Cardona, in today's San Jose paper.

Maria Cardona, a Democratic consultant in Washington, said she saw another element in the Lamont victory that has not received a lot of attention -- minority voters who see Iraq as an economic issue, draining resources from pressing domestic needs.

No kidding it is not receiving a lot of attention, like none. Although I must admit that I cannot read all 300+ postings at Kos or AmericaBlog. But even still, can we just add this to the conversation about the war? There's another Democratic phrase to keep using - draining resources.

Alright enough already, if I keep this up, I won't be able to get up out of bed in the morning and go make tamales. My aunt is calling all the girls to make tamales tomorrow so she can sell them. She is raising money for the National Lymphoma, Leukemia and Hodgkins group. She is hiking the Grand Canyon and raising money for this effort. So we are pitching in to help her. Oh boy, hours of gossip and putting masa on hojas. Something normal.

Otra vez

After reading this post on Time.com from Josh Marshall, I finally realized why I was so mad at Lieberman.

This captured it perfectly for me.

His continual embrace of President Bush — both literal and figurative — was an insult to Democrats, the great majority of whom believe Bush has governed as one of the most destructive Presidents in modern American history.

In my former life as a member of the Democratic National Committee, I was invited to a number of receptions at the DNC meetings. OK, it wasn't just me but all the DNC members. I wasn't that special. Anyway, when big baby Lieberman was running for President, he was hosting a reception at the DNC meeting. I got a very fancy schmancy invite to go to his reception as a member of the gay and lesbian caucus. The way the invite was phrased was so that it appeared that he was throwing this reception so he could meet with the gay and lesbian caucus exclusively. Well that turned out to be a big fat lie.

When I was approached by somebody from his staff I told her it was insulting for him to send out such deceptive invites. In fact the reception was for every single affinity group at the DNC. Pretty much the only people NOT invited were the straight white people. It was a classic bait and switch operation. Insulting, disrespectful and deceitful.

No wonder he still pisses me off. He hasn't changed his behavior one bit.

Oh toooo bad

Can I just say what a big butt hole Joe Lieberman is? Yes, the alleged man of faith is a big ass, proving it all day today on talk shows. Waah, wah, waaaah, I didn't win, it's all someone else's fault. And by the way, staff, you're all fired. The blogoshpere has it that his staff was going to quit anyway if he ran as an independent which is what he is going to do. He filed papers today to run as an independent Democrat.

In a Reuters article today this is how the big baby is characterizing this race. "But Lieberman said he was anxious to renew the debate, calling Lamont an example of the polarizing forces that voters were tired of in Washington." If that was the case why did Lieberman lose? If the Connecticut voters wanted a bipartisan ass kisser in DC, why did he lose?

Wait, wait, I know the answer!! Call on me, call on me!

The answer is - because Lieberman doesn't really believe in bipartisanship. He believes in his right to occupy a seat on the US Senate floor and thus will do anything he needs to keep his ass in that seat. That includes putting his cheek next to Bush's and scolding Dems for speaking out against everything wrong with this administration. Blaccchhh. Disgusting.

Actually not only is he disgusting but he is immoral. Don't give us a freakin' lecture about what is wrong with DC if you have been there this entire time and your contribution has been to bitch at us not in power. And vote for this immoral war. That whole line of reasoning about this being the blogs' fault, you know what? Bite me. Free speech, good organizing, standing up to Bush, that is what the majority of the country wants, not some whiny ass man who lost his morality on the way to the Senate floor. Go home.

You make me sick. Just proves he never was a Democrat, just an embarrassment.

Mr Toad's Wild Ride

The blogoshpere is lit up tonight over Joe Lieberman's loss in Connecticut. I am not going to pile on here because I 1. don't have anything new and witty to say and 2. don't have anything new and witty to say.

Today, thankfully, I give a shit about the world. There is a lot of activity going on all over the place, like the Fed is not raising rates. That's good news for us lesbians with equity. Still no sightings of Fidel or Raul Castro.

My friend, Carla Marinucci. from the SF Chronicle posts this little tidbit from SoCal. Seems the jewish community's best friend, Mel Gibson, signed a support letter for Repug candidate for Light Guv of California, Tom McClintock. I bet his campaign wishes they had that one back.

Considering this is August I am surprised there have been so many political flurries. Usually this is vacation time in the world of politics. Already ads are up on tv for the fall races, some people are paying attention to what is happening in campaigns, there is more political gossip than usual at this time of the year. Ah politics, a year round addiction.

But I must add that most people are not paying attention. It is summer time still, kids are not in school yet, there is still time to schedule and/or take vacations. Most civilized people do not want to pay attention let alone have an opinion about who they are voting for in November. That is where the bulk of the votes are, with normal people whose lifeblood is not in politics. That's not me, I guess. There I've said it, that is the first step, recognizing the addiction. But I am not ready for the 12 step program yet. I still have Clark Williams' campaign, there is the Governator's race, there is a good chance we can take one, if not both houses of Congress back.

So I am just buckling up for another shot at Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, otherwise known as the world of politics. Whoohoo, yeah baby, here we go!

Eh

I just discovered that I don't give a shit about anything today. I caught up on the back issues of the New Yorker, Time and Newsweek then lo and behold, I found out don't care about anything I read. I am quite sure this is just temporary or it may be an August slump. Bu then on the other hand don't know, don't care.

I have looked through all my regular blogs, the web pages of the Chronicle, the WaPo, Miami Herald, Washington Blade, 365gay.com, and my reaction is so what. No Fidel or Raul sightings, no truce in the Middle East, no equal rights in the country, no new Hollywood golden couple, nothing of interest.

Oh no, could it be the dreaded summer "I'm bored" time? This is what happens for kids before they go back to school, not an adult who has magazine subscriptions, digital cable, a library card, and unlimited internet access.

Oh yes, an adult without a job, that's right. Time on my hands and loads of Mexican Catholic guilt to go around. Must do something, can't sit down and read, must garden, take out the garbage, plant the giant pumpkin plant, apply for a job, cook dinner, do laundry, recycle, feed the dogs. Damn, no wonder my feet hurt. I am sure I am channeling my great grandmother, Mamita, when I get like this.

Tomorrow is another day, maybe I might care about something. Then again, maybe not. I don't care.

Stay there

From the administration that brought you the brilliant response to Hurricane Katrina and the war in Iraq as well as the Mes' o' potamia (alright I had to steal from Jon Stewart) now we have, dun da dah... Condi telling the Cubans they can rely on the US!

So I have to say, "Stay in Cuba until your family comes for you." This is one time where folks really need to stay until the coast is clear. Otherwise you'll end up in Idaho or Houston or some place you never heard of.

I love Cubans

Here's another reason I love the Cubans. This is a story in the Miami Herald about the patron saint of Cuba, Our Lady of Charity of Cobre, and Castro. Yes, they are related in this story.

While I am at it, here's another one about Castro, Elian Gonzales and the Afro-Cuban religion of Santeria.

The real deal

There is a very important study which was done for the California Progress Report on why Francine Busby lost in SoCal in June.

Wanna know why? Because she had the wrong message. The district overwhelmingly is Repug but thinks the country is going the wrong way. Her message of the "culture of corruption" did not resonate with voters because they didn't think she could change Bush/Congress. They want a candidate/Congresswoman who will stand up to Bush.

Please read this. It is the road map for November. Stand up, have some ovaries.

My new hibiscus

A purple hibiscus from my backyard. Cheaper than going to Hawaii.

Chula

Chula must think she is photogenic or something. Here she is posing on Jo's bed. It is one of the truly amazing things about pets when we catch them in these human positions, lounging heavily.

This and that, v. 2.0

It's a good day when Hillary bitch slaps Rumsfeld in Senate hearings. And his response??? "My goodness." Eeeehehehehehe. Finally, someone with some ovaries in public! Asking the right questions for a change what a concept. And poor widdle Donald had to be saved from the line of questioning by Senator Warner, he who promised to get to the bottom of the Abu Ghraib fiasco. Apparently Warener is lacking a set.

I loved this one, too from the Chron. A woman in New Hampshire baked cookies on the dash of her car on Wednesday. Now that is damn hot!

While I am gleeful tonight, let's also celebrate the demise of the Congressional attempt to give a tax break by dropping the estate tax for a whopping 7200 people in the country. Bastards had the huevos to attach this larceny to the minimum wage legislation. Yeah that's a fair deal, let's rip off working people by attaching this piece of shit to it and see if anyone notices that it is stinky in here.

And if you need any more evidence that the world as we know it is ending, here it is...Homos in the Castro are seriously discussing not having a big bash for Halloween. Can you imagine, the queer holiday not celebrated in the Castro? There are legitimate safety concerns and I think it is very grown up for people to actually be talking about it and not just throwing hissy fits or threatening each other.

Meanwhile there is stil no sign of either Castro brother in Cuba. Speculation is that Raul is planning Fidel's funeral. Or has drank himself into oblivion.

Speaking of dictatorships, the courts refused to take Tom DeLay's name off the ballot in Texas. Oops, too bad, someone living in Virginia can't run for Congress in Texas. Oh wait, now he has to run and he becomes the poster boy for GOP corruption. Convicted people are good poster children for corruption.

On final note, I am going to high school reunions starting tomorrow night. Wish me well.

I hate Pacific Care

For those of you in northern California, here's a warning. Do not sign up for Pacific Care insurance if you have a choice. This is a real tale of woe and they have pissed me off again and again and again with their incompetence.

I have been on this insurance since last July. Now I am on the COBRA plan and let me tell you, it has come back to bite me time and time again. I started calling them at the end of May wondering when I was going to get paperwork to start the COBRA. "Oh no" they said, "you still have insurance, we are not going to send you any paper work because you have insurance."

Well I had insurance until the middle of June. I kept calling every week asking what was going on. Same answer, you have insurance. Then the middle of June they got nasty. "Well", the guy huffed, "you don't have coverage." No shit, Sherlock, that's what I have been trying to tell you. What do I do now? "Well you have to get COBRA" came the rocket scientist's answer. Really???? I had no clue.

When do I get the paperwork? "Oh well we have to get our paper work together. You should have it by Friday." I still have not received it. This conversation happened in the middle of June.

In the meantime, I called the insurance broker to see what she could do to help me. Thank god for her because Pacific Care still doesn't understand my brand of English, apparently. I asked if they could fax the paper work to me and then I would fax it back. A credit card payment was necessary for the payment. I get the insurance broker to fax it to me after the losers at Pacific Care tell me I am not eligible for COBRA. The broker fixes it with my last job, faxes me the form, I fill it out, fax it back and then....nothing. I ask the broker to call them and guess what? LOSERS cannot find my form. Luckily we had planned on that happening so she had a copy of my form and she faxes it to them, again.

By this point, I am breaking my meds in half, trying to make them last until I have insurance. The broker keeps following up with the rocket scientists at Pacific Care and finally, finally I get insurance, in July. This process took two months to complete.

Now I need to make my August payment. I look on my bill to fill in the credit card information and guess what? There is nothing on the form to pay with a credit card. The last payment had to be by credit card, now they won't take it. I hate dealing with these people.

So, stupid me, I call thinking they can help me make this payment by credit card. Oh noooo, I get a stupid man on the phone who can't answer my questions. "Can I talk to someone who can answer my question." Uh, uh, uh hold on please. Then silence. By now I am crushing the phone.

So I decided to just get even and put the whole little sordid story here and hope I save someone the nightmare of dealing with Pacific Care. The end.

More Cuba

The Miami Herald continues to have the most in depth coverage of the changes in Cuba. I found this article very interesting because some of the experts have said to pay attention to troop movement, particularly on the east part of the island. So here are people on the eastern part saying they have been visited by the police and there is military presence. Additionally, Raul Castro has not been seen in the 48 hours since he was handed power. And of course, Fidel typed out his statement that his health was good on a computer from his hospital bed. Right.

Summertime and no job

This is not another attempt to climb back up on the cross. It just occurred to me that I could do my own little lists of the pros and cons of this summer without a job.

Pros:

1. I can sleep late.
2. I can stay up late.
3. No meetings unless I want to go.
4. I get to drive my nephew around.
5. I get to help my mom whenever she needs help.
6. Soccer is totally accessible. I can go to everything.
7. Santa Cruz is 30 minutes away so I can go whenever I want.
   
8. I use waaaaaaaay less gas.
9. BBQ any night I want.
10. Waaaay less stress. My shoulders are no longer around my ears.
11. Getting to walk the dogs all the time.
12. Getting to spend way more time at home with all the family members.
13. The crankiness factor has disappeared.
14. It is not hot anymore so I don't have to sit in front of the a/c right now.
15. Getting to spend time with other members of the family.
16. Blogging every day, or rather every night.
    
17. No longer having to go to bed at 9 at night.
18. Getting to know Andres Duque better. Check out his blog, it is on my blog list.
19. Having time to figure out what I want to do on my next job.
20. Reconnecting with Tom Graves. His blog, Leftist Twaddle, is on my blog list, too.
21. More time for myself.
22. Getting a library card because I cannot throw money around like I used to for books.
23. Getting to watch the whole World Cup tournament.
24. Having a summer off for the first time in 30 years.
25. Working on Clark Williams campaign.
    

Cons:

1. Waaaay less money.
2. Not being able to buy books.
3. Not being able to work with people in a helpful manner.
4. Not being very focused. Of course, this could go on the first list, too.
5. Being totally irresponsible sometimes.
6. Dealing with COBRA insurance and the idiot insurance company.
7. Feeling bad about myself because I don't have a job.
8. Feeling bad if I watch TV before 5 PM.
9. Guilt over sleeping late. I'm a recovering Catholic, what can I say?
10. Struggling to buy my meds. See #1 and #6.
    
11. LOSER!!!
12. Financial stress.
    

If I am doing the math correctly, I would see that not having a job can be ok. Well, more than ok. Wooo hoo, party on! Oh wait, there are those bills. Never mind. I'll keep looking.

What next????

I checked in with one of my Cuban home boys to see what it was like in Miami after the news of Castro's surgery. The Miami Herald was webcasting from the Cafe Versailles, a totally happening place on Calle Ocho, showing all the partying and jubilation from the Cuban community. If there is one thing I know, those Cubans know how to party. My friend reported the Coast Guard was starting to patrol more heavily in anticipation of armadas going both ways to and from the island. This is when the old "wet foot/dry foot" immigration policy will get very interesting. In case you don't know, there is a special immigration policy for Cubans leaving Cuba. If they can get to land, having a "dry foot", they will immediately be eligible to live here. If they get caught offshore with a "wet foot" they will be sent back to Cuba.

My views about Cuba have changed radically over the years after hanging out with my Cuban home boys. I went to go work on the Anita Bryant part 3 campaign a few years back with my friends, Jorge Mursuli and Jorge Diaz. We were the gay Latinos fighting back against the homobigots. I adore these two men and have exchanged many a laugh with them. But they are also two of the smartest guys and they have educated me about their community and the realities of having parents who will never see their Cuban home again. Jorge Diaz' father died a few years ago and he talked about it today that his father never got to go home. Also, Fidel locked his father up in prison for years so there are some serious hard feelings.

OK why am I talking about Cuba and the Cubans in Miami? I have spent a fair amount of time there, love my friends there and am intrigued with the idea that Fidel may be dead now. What happens next? There are a lot more smarter people than I are publishing articles but definitely check out the Miami papers to see that perspective. Just remember that Cuba is only 90 miles away from the Key West. It wouldn't be the first time boat loads of people ended up here quickly and wouldn't that change the immigration debate in a hurry?

Happy anniversary

What a glorious day it was today. Got the lawn mowed, went out to breakfast with the spouse, went to dinner with the spouse. Played with my cousin's kids, drove around topless. That would be with the top down on my convertible so don't get all grossed out here.

Meanwhile nice to see our Secretary of State being so successful in Israel and Lebanon. According to the NY Times, Condi continues to display a remarkable amount of forgiveness and understanding for Israel's bombing of Lebanon despite giving their word to stop the bombing. Do these people know any other way of conducting operations without going down the same damn path? Hmm, don't talk, just bomb, why does this sound so familiar? Because it is the same thing Bush did in Iraq. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results.

In today's San Jose Mercury, there was a startling bit of reporting about what is happening in Lebanon post Israeli bombs. The pictures were breathtaking and the history of the area bombed was even more devastating. There are two families in this one village that was hit. The village was hit in 1996 and yesterday's casualties included a large number of children, two of whom were sleeping in their mother's arms.

I guess I am starting to take sides here. I know the situation is complex but at the end of the day, US hands are even bloodier due to the lack of skill, political capital and integrity of this administration.

Then I see that Castro of the Cuba Castros has turned over power to his brother, Raul, while he undergoes intestinal surgery. This is a very big deal for Castro to let loose of the reigns for even a nanosecond. The outcome is being very closely watched in Miami. Too bad he out lived Celia Cruz. It would have been nice for her to go back home one more time. I bet there is a run on marine supplies while folks wait to see if he makes it out of surgery alive. Then stand back and watch what happens!

What a nice way to spend the anniversary, the world is going to hell quickly and I am enjoying wedded bliss . It may be illegal here but it is still bliss.

Two years and counting

Monday, July 31 is our two year anniversary. That would be wedding anniversary, like wedding of two women which is a threat to every state's well being except in Mass. So we were married in Mass. Not Catholic mass, the state of.

We stayed after the Democratic convention in Boston and with the help of our friends, John and Wilfred, we said "I do" in front of family and friends. Since that time, the United State has not fallen into total disarray. If it did fall into such a state that is the Bushies fault, not ours. All we did was make all the animals legitimate children.

A gazillion words have been written lately both for and against gay marriage. I read some of them, mostly let the wingnuts fly by me. I don't care what they think. I care that my mother come to the wedding recpetion we had when we lived in Santa Fe. I care that my sister cried and cried after our wedding. I care that my niece wrote and read one of the most incredible homages to us at the wedding. I care that my nephew who doesn't talk much anyway, came and sat with me during my pre-ceremony jittters. I care that many members of Jo's family drove up to Mass to be with us on the big day. I care that friends from Santa Cruz, Washington, D.C., and Boston all were there to celebrate my crying non-stop before, during and after the ceremony.

The events were remarkable which got us to that point. We were nothing without the gay men, especially Wilfred. They decorated, helped us get the flowers, drove us around to get all the right documents and tests. They made us laugh. The people at the clinics and offices kept helping us along the way. We helped another lesbian couple who were also at the convention get married, too.

So as we celebrate tomorrow, I just wanted to share out here in the blogoshpere, that all is well at the Kennieto household. Ain't nothing but love here. If that is too much for some folks, tough shit. We're married anyway.

Zip

YEAAAAHHHH! I finally had a job interview! Yippee, now I can really get down off the cross.

I was so consumed with getting ready for the interview tonight I forgot to pay attention to the world. So as I understand it, Lance Bass is still gay, I just caught one of my cats licking her butt on my bed, it is not hotter than hell in San Jose, I still don't know what the homosexual agenda is, it is still two months til hockey season starts, gay marriage is still only allowed in one state, my friend Tom got a new job, my partner is going to Pride in San Diego this weekend leaving me to be the mom, Monday is our two year wedding anniversary.

That's it, I'm done, no deep thoughts, nada. I just want to watch a few hours of CSI and Jon Stewart.

Here is a picture of Miss Kitty, the butt licker... I forgot to post her picture and now I will have my revenge!!!!

The face in the tortilla

The bulk of my day was spent going to a funeral and the gathering afterwards. At the gathering, I sat in awe of all the Mexican women around me. Everyone knew what to do, like we had all been born with that knowledge. All the right foods were cooked, all the right expressions were made, all the long time friends were there for the family. No questions asked, we knew we needed to be there. The hugs were long and meaningful, there was more expressed in those moments than any words could ever convey. I saw all the aging in my elders but rejoiced in being able to just sit with them, enjoy our very Mexican senses of humor and eat chile verde. My God I was one happy Mexican in those moments.

There were a number of speakers at the funeral. They told some tales of the deceased. I always wonder what will happen at my funeral. Will people be sad? Will they tell hilarious tales of my pranks and sarcasm? Will they talk about me with respect, that I made a difference in their lives? Oh who knows, I won't be around. I will have found out what the other side is like. I will be reunited with those who have gone before me and enjoying whatever that side has to offer me. Hopefully I'll be taller and thinner.

Sheesh, this Halloween birthday business can sneak up, always talking about death with ease and comfort. My friend, Gary McMillin, had the same birthday, same day and same year. We were so terrible together. He was one of the few people who could say something so rude that he could shut me up.

He was one of my dear friends who died from AIDS before the drugs kept people alive so much longer. I miss him daily. But I still laugh, remembering his smile, his caring but most of all his disgusting sense of humor.

Once he looked down at me and said "You know, you're so short you could blow me without bending over."

No wonder I like hanging out with gay men, they can be so disgusting that way. Mexicans can be that way too. I am a combination of all those worlds and thankfully I have lived long enough to enjoy the effect. Not sure if everyone around appreciates the outcome but I sure do. As i saw today, life can too short to not eat tortillas.

Why me?

This just in, double losses for the lgbt community. Washington state decided we cannot marry and Lance Bass, formerly of 'N Sync is gay.

Oh sorry, I was the center of the universe again when I was channeling nancy Kerrigan in the headline. My bad.

Time's up

Wahh wahh, time to get off the pity potty. No more being the center of the universe. Hey wait a second, this is my blog, I can write what I want. So then it is all about me, all the time. EEEEWWWW, how boring.

I have been scrolling through the various blogs and newspapers on line and I find the world is giving me a stomach ache. So disgusting, so hot, so unfriendly, so competitive for everything. California is a about to short out because of this heat wave. Can't blame Enron this time. The Governator has gone up 8 points in the latest polling. The day after the idiot in chief vetoed stem cell funding he finds money to fund stem cell research here. We're screwed if this keeps up. Ahnold gets re-elected. Another stomach ache coming up for me, I can tell.

This is what happens when you have a Halloween birthday, you can see the future. I see more stomach aches coming up from now until the elections and maybe continuing after that. Or maybe not if we can take one of the two chambers on Capitol Hill.

I can just see it, the chairs of all the committees change. Priorities change. Answers given to questions asked. Yeah baby, I can see Jane Harman, chair of the House Intelligence Committee! Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House. It is mind boggling to think about the changes in the country if we can win one of these chambers. It would be so nice to see one of the nicest men on the planet, Tom Udall, my former Congressman from Santa Fe actually being able to get things done with legislation, funding and all those cool things our legislators can get done when they are not penalized for being Dems.

I have a job interview on Thursday, thus the need to get off the pity potty. No more feeling sorry for myself. Get over myself, get down off the cross and give someone else a chance. Time to bitch slap myself back into action. Enough already, many people would love to have time off I have. I have time to work on Clark Williams' campaign, visit with the family, garden, sleep. So get over yourself already.

Time to get going.

En fuego

So it was 88 degrees in my backyard on Saturday night. At 10 pm. It has been so frigging hot for days on end that I apparently cannot do anything but sweat. No really, I can't read, can't talk, can't clean up, can't sit at my computer and apply for jobs.

I went to the library today and the a/c was not on. Can I tell you what an unpleasant experience it was to stand in the racks, continually wiping sweat off my face? I went through four shirts today. Watered the plants twice and stuck my head under the hose both times. I was dry within minutes. Apparently there is not a fan to be bought in the whole bay area. We are waiting for our ebay delivery of fans, I kid you not.

Yet beyond my own parochial interests, there is death and destruction in many parts of the world. I may be sweating my ass off but there are no bodies strewn around San Jose, I know I will wake up in my house every morning, my family is all healthy. I am not worried about getting hit by a rocket when I drive in my car.

It also seems the feds do not want to tell the idiot in chief that there is a civil war in Iraq. What world do these people live in? They broke Iraq, have made a shambles of thousands of people's lives and the people in charge don't want hear about it? No wait, they don't want to use the phrase "civil war" because it is too pessimistic. That is why the Shrub has not been given an assessment of the situation since 2004. I don't know but it seems kind of odd that he hasn't asked for one either. I mean dude, the HOUSE IS ON FIRE, don't you want to know? Apparently not. "I would like to continue riding my mountain bike, chewing like a cow in public and treating Tony Blair like my little poodle, thank you. Life is grand that way." It's a new version of don't ask, don't tell.

There is also no progress on the job front. No interviews, no phone calls, nada. Today at the library I saw a guy writing words out of a help manual on how to write cover letters. I can write cover letters in my sleep but can I get an interview??? Noooo. Can I even get a return phone call? Noooo. It is also fairly difficult to keep up my spirits when I circle the phone all day waiting for calls. Not to mention self-esteem, that one's a killer.

It has been so long since I have had to look for a job, I had forgotten how vulnerable I can feel when trying to put myself out there trying to get hired. It is amazing to me that I can't even get an interview in almost three months of looking.

So instead I guess I just sweat it out, literally and figuratively. But at least I am not responsible for the downfall of countries while I look for work. I can live with that.

buh bye PAC

Another one bites the dust. I am having music flashbacks here with Freddie Mercury. How perfect, a bisexual singer's words coming back to personify the end of Tom DeLay's PAC. Closed down, fined, sent home in disgrace, just like the Hammer himself.

A good start to the weekend, I say.

My brain is melting

I can't stand this heat. I am not leaving the house except to dash out and give my nephew a ride to football. I sit in the house, ready to watch crap on tv. My brain is melting. Of course it is Bush's fault.

The heat, ahhhh, I'm melting here! We even have an air conditioner in one room and I still can't take it. Jo went out today and bought a kids pool to sit in. We put fans in every corner of the house. But do I get relief???? Nooooo. I keep imagining what it would be like to have gone through menopause in New Orleans in 1850, complete with petticoats. No wonder women swooned.

Ok enought whining, there is war going on in the Middle East and I am sure it is much hotter there. Thank God for Jon Stewart in the midst of all this. He makes me laugh about all this crap. He can do such a good job of slapping the Repubs upside the head and still get a laugh. He doesn't translate to the Oscars but he is still a national treasure.

Consequently I can't think, can't write, have read almost everything in the house and feel the need to go sit a theater for a few hours with Keira Knightley complete with kettle corn.

In the meantime, here's a picture from my family party this weekend.

My local candidate

OK the Middle East is in turmoil no thanks to the idiot in chief. Political capital, that non-monetary scrip that politicians horde is no where to be found in DC. Help in the Middle East forget it. Photo ops with all white snowflake babies, whatever those are, were in abundance today as was religious ass kissing. Is there such a thing as a snowflake baby of color? Or is that an oxymoron like CIA intelligence? No wonder all I want to do is watch CSI.

But, wait, there is hope, at least in San Jose. Clark Williams is running for San Jose City Council. He is one of the smartest, most sincere people I have ever met. He and his partner Jim have a very precious little girl named Caroline. He serves on a million boards in the community and is always trying to find ways to give back to this community.

So far it is a five person race. It could get even more crowded. This will likely cause a runoff in Jan '07. It is extremely difficult to win a multiple (more than 2) person race.

He is actually the kind of guy who could help turn around an ethically challenged community like San Jose. Clark has positions based on what he considers right, not just politically expedient. He is generous with his time and spirit. To see him with Caroline is to see hope for our future.

Jeez, the way I am going on about him, you'd think I was dating him or something. No, but I am working on his campaign. This campaign has given me hope for not just my home town but also for the communities a way to talk about positions without rancor and cruelty or stupidity like the President and his first veto. I have great hope that the discussions can focus on finding ways for everyone to talk about their positions without the usual parsing and half truths employed by many to be elected.

Remember "I'm a uniter not a divider"? What a whopper that was. Now, to my complete sorrow, the country is more divided than ever while people's rights are voted on every day as if our rights were disposable. Well actually they are. We are spied upon, monitored and treated as suspects.

I hold out hope for us here. With Clark leading the way, I ready to jump on that train to a better future.

Big babies

Israel is sending ground troops into Lebanon. Bush made a total ass out of himself at the G8 meeting. The country is acting like a broiler oven. But damn if the US House of Representatives didn't find another divisive, irrelevant issue to take a vote on today. That's right, it's the return of (Boris Karloff music, please) an assault on the Constitution to preserve heterosexual marriage! We're saved again from having to an effective arm of government debate issues of real importance. Thankfully, there is no need to provide leadership in the middle east. Just give us some posturing, please. More soup please, sir. Me no want to talk about bombs and missiles, me want to talk about two people in love.

But we won. Not enough votes, just like those jackasses knew beforehand. Let's have stupid debate and lots of gnashing of teeth and hair pulling. You'd think it was a drag show. Insipid comments, ridiculous arguments, a total lack of vision and leadership. And would someone please show Marilyn Manson Musgrave the door? What a whiny baby. It is hard to believe these are some of the most influential people in the world the way they throw temper tantrums like a 3 year old. The House has become agiant campout with lots of scary stories of homosexuals and what we are going do to their precious marriages. Grow up, will ya? Waah, waah.

Ralph Reed is toast

Yeah baby, the poster boy of the Christian Coalition, Ralph Reed got handed his butt tonight in Georgia. In front of God and everyone, the pretty boy was soundly defeated and even conceded tonight. Of course he ran off the stage promptly afterwards, to go weep and wail to Jack Abramoff, no doubt. Couldn't happen to a bigger liar. Oh wait, there is a long list of liars - Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Abramoff, Hastert, Frist, damn any elected Republican who opens his or her mouth. Let's not forget Gannon/Guckert, the he whore of DC. I see the revolution starting now! Time to dance!

Monday

This is how I spent my Monday. Schmoozing with Phil Angelides. Not only did I schmooze but I told him he needed to talk about lgbt people when he talks about Californians. I got the Latino councilman for the City of Santa Cruz, Tony Madrigal, to ask the very important question, will you sign the driver's licenses for immigrants bill. Yes was his immediate answer.

That's me on the right-the short one with the gardening tan.

Quick quiz

I went to the Egyptian museum today in San Jose. Therefore I have used up all my brain cells for the day looking at copies of Hammurabi's Code and the Rosetta Stone. I must now read the Egyptology magazine I bought. Therefore, I am leaving you with these questions to ponder. This is the Rosetta Stone on the left. Three languages are carved into it and proved to be the key in deciphering Egyption hieroglyphics.

50 Easy Questions to Ask Any Republican

Anyone can ask tough, intricate, confrontational questions. But all that ever does is start an argument, and it gets people nowhere. On the other hand, these are...well, easy. These are friendly questions. These are questions that allow another person to actually explain their thoughts, and explain fully. And to do so in as comfortable, as simple a way as possible.

Without feeling attacked. Without feeling pressure. Without feeling no one cares what they have to say. Friendly. Easy.

Print them out, carry them around in your pocket, and the next time someone begins quoting from a Republican talking points memo, take the list out and ask.



1. What are the Top Seven best things that the Bush Administration has done?

2. Is the Iraq War going well?

3. After three years thus far, when do you think Iraq might be able to "stand up" so that America can "stand down"?

4. For his part in the event, how would you rate the job the President did protecting New Orleans from devastation?

5. How do you think the rebuilding of New Orleans is going?

6. When Dick Cheney and the oil company and energy executives met in private to plan America's energy policy, how much of their goal was to benefit consumers?

7. Do you believe in the President's call for an Era of Personal Responsibility?

8. Since Republicans control the White House, Senate and House of Representatives, how personally responsible are they for conditions in America today?

9. Why do you think they haven't been able to find anyone who can verify that George Bush ever showed up for National Guard duty in Alabama?

10. Would you want Donald Rumsfeld to plan your daughter's wedding?

11. Are you aware that no government in the history of civilization, other than the Bush Administration, has lowered taxes during a war?

12. Are you married?

13. Do you personally feel threatened by gay marriage?

14. Since getting elected, do you think the President has been more a uniter or a divider?

15. How do you explain the President's approval rating going from a high of 90% to the current mid-30%?

16. Do you like the government collecting personal data on you without a warrant?

17. How much money do you have in your bank account, stocks and investments?

18. What's your partner's favorite sex position?

19. If you have nothing to hide, why aren't you answering?

20. Should we build a wall along the Mexican border?

21. Why isn't anyone building a wall along the Canadian border?

22. Does that terrorist gang arrested in Canada count as a threat?

23. If you shot someone in the face while drinking, how fast would the police show up to arrest you?

24. If Donald Rumsfeld had planned your daughter's wedding three years ago, would the guests still be there?

25. Even if no laws are broken, do you think it's okay to reveal the name of a covert agent?

26. During your lifetime, approximately how often have you changed your mind?

27. Why shouldn't people dismiss you as a flip-flopper?

28. Where do you think the Weapons of Mass Destruction might be?

29. Where do you think Osama bin Laden might be?

30. Is it fiscally responsible to cut taxes, increase spending and create a $9 trillion federal debt?

31. Are you glad liberals passed such programs as Social Security, Medicare, the Civil Rights Act, women's suffrage, federal deposit insurance, unemployment compensation, rural electrification, child labor laws, minimum wages and the 40-hour work week?

32. What are the Top Ten best things that conservatives have given to America?

33. If you were on life support, would you want a doctor you'd never met making a diagnosis about you via remote television?

34. Do you think man-made greenhouse gases have anything at all to do with depleting the ozone layer?

35. If Donald Rumsfeld had planned your daughter's wedding three years ago, and guests were still there, how many factions would they now be split into?

36. How good is it that the terrorist Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi was killed?

37. Are you aware that in 2002 the Pentagon knew where al-Zarqawi was and presented three separate plans to kill him, but the Administration refused to act each time?

38. Is George W. Bush the kind of guy you'd want to sit down and have a beer with?

39. When he started talking about being a Born Again Christian, would you want to stay or leave?

40. Is Ray Romano the kind of guy you'd want to sit down and have a beer with?

41. Would you want him to be President?

42. Does the Administration have an environmental policy that benefits the environment?

43. Since George Bush campaigned for President strongly against nation building, in what ways are our actions in Iraq not nation building?

44. What's the maximum amount of time you'd want to spend alone with Dick Cheney?

45. After dismissing Saddam Hussein's old Iraqi army, was it a good idea to let them keep their rifles?

46. Would a policy that allows torture be something that makes you proud as an American?

47. Has the Mission been Accomplished?

48. Do you feel comforted that Dick Cheney is a heartbeat away from being President?

49. If Donald Rumsfeld had planned your daughter's wedding, and guests started fighting and were killed, would you expect to be allowed to view the caskets when they were returned home?

50. How glad do you think George Bush is that he's no longer active in the National Guard?


Please complete over the weekend.

It's always something

One of the greatest sayings ever spoken was given to us by the late Gilda Radner. "If it's not one thing it's another." If it isn't finding out that Bush has a White Office of Lessons Learned then it's an AIDS group sponsoring by "kill the gays" musicians. If It's not racism, it's homophobia. If it's not ruthless Republicans then it is morally bereft Democrats.

But then I read Maureen Dowd's column about Alberto Mora, the former Navy general counsel who recently won the Kennedy Foundation "Profiles in Courage" award. He had tried to warn the morally bereft administration about their morally bereft policies towards prisoners of war at Guantanamo. Because, duh, we are at war and they are prisoners.

I was so inspired by his comments.

"Cruelty disfigures our national character. It is imcompatible with our constutional order, with our laws, and with our most prized values. Cruelty can be as effective as torture in destroying human dignity and there is no moral distinction between one and the other. Where cruelty exists, law does not."

That is the word I have been searching for - cruelty. Our country has become cruel. We are cruel to each other, to animals,to children, to seniors, to people in New Orleans, to poor people, to people of color, to immigrants, to women. Who is left? The Right.

Apparently the Right suuports torture. How does that work with the guys who stand in front of Planned Parenthood wiht the signs and pictures saying abortion is torture? I knew a gay guy who was driving down the road with one of his friends. They saw one of these obscene demos and stopped, got out of the car and started making out in front of the anti-choice men and started making out in right next to them. Ended that business in a hurry. I wish some of you gay guys would try that action. Hear me, Konagod?

Speaking of being effective, let us look at what Rahm Emmanuel, Congressman from IL said on the House floor about the White House Office of Lesson Learned, which, by the way, pays over $100,000.

Here's Rahm:

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the President said we continue to be wise about how we spend the people's money.

"Then why are we paying over $100,000 for a 'White House Director of Lessons Learned'?

"Maybe I can save the taxpayers $100,000 by running through a few of the lessons this White House should have learned by now.

"Lesson 1: When the Army Chief of Staff and the Secretary of State say you are going to war without enough troops, you're going to war without enough troops.

"Lesson 2: When 8.8 billion dollars of reconstruction funding disappears from Iraq, and 2 billion dollars disappears from Katrina relief, it's time to demand a little accountability.

"Lesson 3: When you've 'turned the corner' in Iraq more times than Danica Patrick at the Indy 500, it means you are going in circles.

"Lesson 4: When the national weather service tells you a category 5 hurricane is heading for New Orleans, a category 5 hurricane is heading to New Orleans.

"I would also ask the President why we're paying for two 'Ethics Advisors' and a 'Director of Fact Checking.'

"They must be the only people in Washington who get more vacation time than the President.

"Maybe the White House could consolidate these positions into a Director of Irony."

I would apply for that job but I would probably have to wear a dress. Or become a Republican.

As Roseanne Roseannadana would say. it's always something.

Ruby

Now the next entrant in the pet parade is Ruby. I found Ruby after she had been hit by a van on Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe and just rolled out from underneath the van. I went back to get her, and took her to the shelter for care. I ended up continuing to go back every day. She won me over every day, especially when I would walk in and she would recognize and walk to the front of her cage. Jo's response to my wanting to bring her home was to question whether I was going to go through menopause by continuing to acquire animals. She has been our last adoption for the past six years. Ruby has a special way of curling up on my chest and purring to calm whatever my brain is conjuring up at the time. She is very adept at this in the middle of the night when I can't sleep. She starts purring and back to sleep I go.

Ahnold, where are you?

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the Governator and his wife, Maria Shriver, attended a dinner at the White House honoring Maria's mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. What makes is so unusual that the man who promised to have open government for Cahliforneea wouldn't admit it.

That's right, the Governor of California went to the White House but didn't tell anyone and his office wouldn't confirm. I meant, what, we wouldn't notice the guest list? Is this hide-and-seek? OK, Ahnold, it's ok to come out and admit you are married to a Kennedy and your mother-in-law is being honored for her humanitarian work founding the Special Olympics.

If this isn't an indication how radioactive Bush is in California I don't what is. Ahnold did a "don't ask, don't tell". According to John Meyers of KQED, Ahnold said "I am a very improvisational person." Calling up my friend Carla Marinucci who wrote the article for the Chron and pretending to be someone pissed off from the Governor's office is improvisational. Going to a White House dinner is not an improvisation. Did Maria just happen to forget to schedule for this and grab a little Dolce and Gabbana number for the event? Or perhaps she went with Carolina Herrerra with Jimmy Choo stilettos? (Thanks to Sex and the City I know these things. After all I am a lesbian who wears Hawaiian shirts.)

On top of that John Meyers reports that according to the Lt Governor's office, Ahnold has been out-of-state on non-state business 171 days since taking office in '03. What is with these Republicans? Can't work a real work week like the rest of us poor stiffs? Gotta take a month off cus your job is too hard?

Crybabies. Waaah.

No Monday morning blahs for me

Alright, alright, I admit unemployment has its advantages. For someone who has been so work focused for a very long time, it is a hard to re-learn the fine art of goofing off. But I was able to watch the entire World Cup. (Zizu what were you thinking with that head butt???) I have been to Santa Cruz a number of times for fun. The yard looks fabulous. The veggies are all looking good as are all the flowers I have not been able to grow in 11 years.

Today, the California appeals court heard the latest discussion on the merits or demerits of same sex marriage. Since I was having trouble getting the webcast to work, I realized I LIVE in California so it was on tv. I am such a rocket scientist sometimes.

So I plopped down and watched the arguments. This was damn good theater, not to mention dedicated people fighting for our rights! I love that the city of San Francisco was arguing for gay marriage. I love Therese Stewart, her final argument was thoughtful, delivered well and really was quite wonderful! I love Shannon Minter, he was totally fierce today in his arguments for us. On the day we win, they both get big smooches from me.

For some reason, I didn't know that my lesbian godmothers, Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, were two of the plaintiffs. If only in their lifetimes we get these rights... I asked Phyllis one time if they got married if I could be best butch.

I am very hopeful about the outcome of this hearing today. Apparently the decision won't be announced until October, just in time for a birthday present for me! A lemon poppyseed cake from Gayle's bakery and a marriage license, is that too much to ask?

Allegra

So here is Allegra. She is our special needs dog. We got her at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter. Actually we adopted both cats, two of the dogs and the guinea pig from the shelter.

Anyway, Allegra had been adopted as a puppy and then her owner gave her back to the shelter at 2 years of age. She has always had neuroses. She used to bark non-stop, lick people's legs and hide behind a door during lightning/thunder storms in New Mexico.

We have tried a number of avenues to help, the most current method is one the Dog Whisperer writes about and talks about in his tv show. It is simple - we have to be the leaders of the pack. And we have to walk them every day. WE have had great success with this over the past two months and Allegra is very happy, which is what every dog should have - kind owners and a happy life. Thanks Cesar!

Sunday morning

Thanks Pam's House Blend for this pic. I thought it was appropriate to start my Sunday morning with a little papal contemplation.

Are these two separated at birth? Does the creature on the right wear Prada as does the creature on the left? Will the creature on the right go to hell for imitating the creature on the left? Am I going to hell for making fun of the pope? Will I forgive my parents for making me go to Catholic school and actually question whether I am going to hell?

Selena

This is Selena, our corgi mix girl. She apparently was very worried about her good side being emphasized. Since she has a tendency to roll on her back to get her belly rubbed, this is her good side.

The Mexicans are coming!

Congressman Jim Kolbe of AZ, a gay man with a partner from Panama, is not interested in supportive language within the current immigration legislation to include LGBT people. I absolutely must plead stupidity on this one, I don't get it.

According to his quote in the Washington Blade, he doesn't want "add baggage" to the debate. Dude, this is a very weighty issue already, why not stand up for something which has a profound affect on your life?

Which brings me back to my own stupidity. If I had a chance to have a positive impact to affect my life and many others would I do it? Yes, because I have already done so. So I don't get it. No comprendo, no entiendo.

Oh wait, that's the issue, this immigration debate is really about Mexicans anyway. There is a duel right now for the hearts and minds of some Americans over which is scarier for them - same sex marriage, flag burning or Mexicans washing their dishes. Yikes! How can they sleep at night?

For those of us who are queer and Mexican, let me tell you, we are drunk with power. So much talk in DC about us, talking about us like we are part of the destruction of the world as we know it. I have never felt so empowered, knowing that I scare so many people.

But let us return to Congressman Kolbe. He is retiring this year. He only came out as a gay man when he thought the Advocate was going to out him. Now he doesn't even have the huevos to stand up for himself and his boyfriend? I still don't get it.

But I doubt in this lifetime I would ever understand that thinking. I come from a long line of very strong women who always have stood up for ourselves and did the right thing in the face of long odds. My great grandmother outlived 3 husbands, raised a gazillion children, including grandchilren, nieces, nephews and neighbors. My grandmother moved the family to California from Texas and left her husband behind because he wasn't ready to go and she was ready for new opportunities for her children. They lived in a tent for quite a while until they got real housing, part of the Mexican exodus out of Texas to the Golden State. We beat Ahnold here by decades.

So for us queer Latinos, so drunk with power and yet invisible in this discussion, we must continue to educate our gente about our lives. That's familia, something we will always have to work on. But the education of the Jim Kolbe's of the world, I'll leave that to some of you other folks to see if you can make those changes. I have my hands full with my own folks.

I am with Zapata on this one Es mejor morir de pie que vivir de rodillas. (Translation: It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.)

Aliens

Senator Hillary Clinton was in San Francisco yesterday to raise money for Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Phil Angelides. In an article written by my long time friend Carla Marinucci, the event was one of those hoi poloi events where the press is put into a cage, sequestered from the people with money. OK, I'm exagerating about the cage, that's reserved for Fred Phelps.

Anyway, the good Senator ran out of the room when she was asked about Thursday's New York State Supreme Court ruling against gay marriage. That's right, the woman had no ovaries when it came time to answer a question about a ruling which will have profound effects on not only a good number of her constituents but also on all those homos who have written LARGE checks to her in the past. Stand up for us when she has a chance, not a chance. Show some leadership, nada. This is the part where I would start making snarky comments about her marriage but I will refrain. Well maybe this once...girl, your kind of marriage is the last hing I aspire to in this lifetime. And how long did you take that public humiliation? None of that flava for me thank you.

This goes back to the lack of a moral center. Does she have one? Why does a woman who has spent decades fighting for civil rights, run out of the room when asked about same sex marriage? I wonder what else we can scare her with? Pictures of our weddings? Maybe we should all send her pictures of our weddings so at least her staff can see the faces of the people she doesn't fully support. The pictures of us on the happiest day of our lives, in front of friends and family, getting to publicly state our commitment to each other. (You should my pictures, I started crying before anything even started.)

I was watching "Aliens" this afternoon. I realized I want a leader who will take on the Republicans like Sigourney Weaver did in that robot drag. She came out to kick butt and she kicked that monster right into outer space. Miss Ridley was fierce and looked killer in her little undies at the end. That's the leadership I want.

Will someone please step up and be that leader?

Chula

I am going to give equal time to all the members of our pack of animals. So here is Chula. She is a lhasa apso and is my mother's favorite. Poor thing was terrified on the 4th from all the fireworks. She seems to have recovered and has been protecting me all day from flies in the house. I am sure her barking scared all the flies away.

What a maroon!

Senator Joe Biden said today "You cannot go to a 7-11 or a Dunkin Donuts unless you have an Indian accent". Oh where can I go vote for this man? The people of Delaware must be awfully proud of their Senator tonight. And he thought he was going to run for President, silly man.

So while out walking the dogs tonight (this actually involves three walks) I ws pondering the state of the state. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the Governator is in a strong position to win re-election in November. I guess there are worse things that could happen, like a change in the Constitution allowing the current idiot in chief to run again. Besides with the Dems in the majority in both houses, there are slim and no chances for him to wreck the state as some of his Reprublican predecessors have done.

Like Pete Wilson, for example. I can still hear his voice during the Prop 187 election, saying "They keep coming and coming." Uh huh and you are from where, San Diego? My doesn't that have a Spanish ring to it? So that would lead me to believe that us Latino types have been here waaaaaay longer than his types. Oh wait, prejudiced people have been here all along, I just forgot.

But luckily Joe Biden reminded me today that I shouldn't get fooled by apparent open minds in our Democratic party. I used to think he was really good on many issues. But apparently the fool went out to a few too many 7-11's and now is harboring obvious opinions which could have an effect on the country's foreign policy. (This is the time when I sarcastically remark "What foreign policy?")

We live in such an open country that the 7-11 employees have an impact on our policies in the world. Some people say it's the homos running amok. I say it is the slurpees.

my little man

This is my little man, Gus. He is sporting a new hair cut, always sticks his tongue out like that and is the studliest Yorkie on the block.

STOP!!!

Sheesh, this is what happens with no job and the World Cup almost over.

Ms Sarah B.

There was an article in the San Jose Mercury news about a friend assisting another friend to die. I was reading it while at the car wash. Tears just started alling down my cheeks, it hit so close to home.

I had a flashback to Santa Fe. I was sitting in the living room of Sarah Barber and Pat Bailey. I had known Sarah a number of years because in Santa Fe, it is a very small community of homos. She and I had worked together as volunteers with the Santa Fe Community Foundation.

In the last months preceding my visit to her living room, she had been diagnosed with a brain dysfunction. Sarah had first noticed losing her ability to read and write was diminishing. I was sitting at the table with her once and she asked which utensil she should use for eating.

So I asked what I could do to be supportive. She said I could come over and read to her. So I would schedule times with her and go read a chapter of Alice Munro's book to her. I would bring along the latest issues of the Advocate and whatever else I thought she would be interested in. Then I would sit in her living room and read with her terrier, Elvis, on my lap. Actually he was trying to hump my arm.

After the days of AIDS, I thought I had learned my lesson to show up more often. But I had been distracted by a gay bashing in Santa Fe and had spent my time organizing a candle light vigil. One afternoon we got a phone call to come over to Sarah's house, she had died.

But she hadn't just died. She made a tape recording to say that she had made a decision about her quality of life. She had no quality and was choosing to end her time with us.

Jo and I rushed over there to say goodbye. Ellie, Margie, Gloria D, and her partner Pat were all there. She lay in the bed, eyes open, but sightless. I kept expecting her to say something, anything.

Now I could no longer read to her. She could no longer tell me tales of her father, Red Barber and Jackie Robinson. Nor could we argue over strategies for the lgbt movement, either in New Mexico or the country. AS the student, she could not instruct me in the particular literary devices Alice Munro was using.

Sarah once said to me that I reminded her of Larry Kramer. I often said things people did not want to hear but that most times I was right. I was the proudest lesbian on the planet that day.

That day I said good bye I was one of the saddest lesbians on the planet.

I think about Sarah often the way I now think of Denice Denton often. Brilliant women who made a choice about the ultimate destiny of their lives. So as I sit here brooding about not having a job or whatever other thing I make up, I hope to learn the lesson they share in their deaths.

But what is that lesson? The answer only comes when I sit down and shut up so I guess it is time to do that.

But in the meantime, Sarah, I miss you but thank you for letting me walk the path with you.

Sarah is the middle lesbian in the picture.