Just got back from a 70's flashback concert featuring Sly and the Family Stone. It would have been easy to feel ripped off because Sly only was on for two songs. However, it would appear that the promoter was a boob, hired really bad sound guys who never managed to have a band up on stage without feedback. So it wasn't a case of Sly being flaky or anything, he was jamming and really getting into the music.
Sly is about 60 something now. He came on stage looking weary. He looked like he had really lived through the 60's and grabbed every slice of whatever was offered. But that voice was unmistakable. However thanks to the sound people, his mic didn't work, we couldn't hear his organ, two of the singers had to share a mic and oh yes, there was feedback.
On top of it, the sound system was so f*cked up, it took forever in between the Average White Band and Sly to try to get things going. So while we were politely waiting, the boob promoter got on stage and started doing a God speech. Dressed for a party, mister want-to-be-important started telling us about God in his life. Whatever.
Then he made a comment that he would stop talking soon and people started clapping. He was shocked, I tell you, shocked that we didn't want to hear him. A precious moment in the evening.
At any rate, the band was jamming, we were dancing and then, boom, it was over. Seems there is a city ordinance that no music can be played after 9. So with all the technical f/u's we were all left a little hungry for more of the man.
The tickets were cheap, we had a girls night out so I don't feel bad about the evening. We heard from Tierra, El Chicano and Malo playing their greatest hits. Average White Band was impressive and played a fabulous set. There was no alcohol so the crowd was very mellow. The weather was nice, the tunes were great and we got to see Sly. Ah yes, summer in California.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Too hot!
Today I ran up to San Francisco for a rally in support of students who are fasting for a week in support of the DREAM Act. That particular bill died last week with the rest of the immigration bill. Students from all over the state are fasting and have now converged in San Francisco to try to get Nancy Pelosi's attention. I heard her staff person telling them they should be talking to Zoe Lofgren's office. Students have been out there for three days fasting away.
Of course I am much more interested in the latest Villagairosa gossip. Seems the woman he has been having an affair with for A YEAR has had previous dalliances with Fabian Nuñez and other Latino political types. Summer is much more fun with gossip.
This however, makes the 2010 gubernatorial race much more interesting. Now Gavin is back in the race because his indiscretions are even up with LA's mayor. Handsome boy cheaters for Guv.
Of course I am much more interested in the latest Villagairosa gossip. Seems the woman he has been having an affair with for A YEAR has had previous dalliances with Fabian Nuñez and other Latino political types. Summer is much more fun with gossip.
This however, makes the 2010 gubernatorial race much more interesting. Now Gavin is back in the race because his indiscretions are even up with LA's mayor. Handsome boy cheaters for Guv.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Amor, amor
In the latest round of mayoral telenovelas, here's the newest about LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Seems the mayor has taken up with a local Spanish language tv anchor. According to Ms Marinucci, she actually broke the story that the mayor separated from his wife. I guess this brings a whole new meaning to covering politics.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Different scooter
I have a different take on the Scooter Libby get out of jail crappola.
First, I have to say I find it outrageous that Paris Hilton served more time than Libby. Hell, I have served more time than Libby.
Second, is this the dame crowd that howls at the moon every night over "illegals" crossing the border? Is this the same crowd who was apoplectic over "amnesty" for undocumented people? Is this not amnesty for Scooter? Is this not the same frigging thing except one guy belongs to the country club and the other people are just plain brown? I say yes.
So while people are outraged over this piece of caca from Bush, let us not forget the people who go left by the wayside last week with the collapse of the immigration bill. They will still live in the shadows while the real criminals live in DC.
First, I have to say I find it outrageous that Paris Hilton served more time than Libby. Hell, I have served more time than Libby.
Second, is this the dame crowd that howls at the moon every night over "illegals" crossing the border? Is this the same crowd who was apoplectic over "amnesty" for undocumented people? Is this not amnesty for Scooter? Is this not the same frigging thing except one guy belongs to the country club and the other people are just plain brown? I say yes.
So while people are outraged over this piece of caca from Bush, let us not forget the people who go left by the wayside last week with the collapse of the immigration bill. They will still live in the shadows while the real criminals live in DC.
Monday, July 02, 2007
No cells
I feel like such a jet setter. I went to LA today, just for the day. Back at home now with a meeting first thing in the morning with Congressman Honda's office then to meet with the college students on a hunger strike. Fun. But I have no brain. Hopefully those cells will return tomorrow. But it still sucks that Nixon, I mean Bush, commuted Libby's sentence today. The spouse pointed out today that the jurors in the case must feel particularly empowered today.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Hot off the internets
Party politics
After his partner criticized the Democratic National Committee for not doing enough on gay issues, Donald Hitchcock lost his job as the group's director of fund-raising from gay donors. Coincidence? Hitchcock thinks not. He sued the DNC, chairman Howard Dean, and two others this May—and speaks here for the first time anywhere about what happened to him.
By Dan Allen
An Advocate.com exclusive posted June 29, 2007
Party politics
In May 2006, Donald Hitchcock was fired by the Democratic National Committee as director of its Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council—less than a week after his partner, fellow Washington politico Paul Yandura, e-mailed high-level Democratic donors and suggested they withhold financial support from the DNC in protest of the group's apparent neglect of antigay ballot initiatives. Hitchcock, whose role was to raise funds from gay donors, claimed his sudden dismissal was retaliatory, but the DNC denied the charge. Indeed, in an Advocate interview at the time, Dean suggested that Hitchcock's poor job performance was to blame.
This May, after settlement negotiations failed, Hitchcock filed a lawsuit in District of Columbia superior sourt against the DNC, Dean, treasurer Andy Tobias (who is gay), and deputy finance director Julie Tagen, alleging retaliation, defamation, and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Again, the DNC denied the allegations.
Hitchcock hasn't spoken publicly about his firing or the lawsuit, but in this exclusive interview he finally breaks his silence, maintaining the DNC ousted him unfairly and charging that other perceived wave-makers at the group faced similar strong-arm tactics. And in a bittersweet twist, he reveals that his replacement at the leadership council, Brian Bond, sought strategy advice from him after he was dismissed.
The Advocate: Let's start at the beginning: Did you have any knowledge of Paul's letter before he sent it?
Hitchcock: No, I did not.
If you had, would you have tried to stop him from sending it?
Well, first of all, when it happened I was in New Orleans at the Democratic National Committee meeting, so he was doing it on his own. And Paul has his own credentials to criticize the party. Paul worked in the White House [as an aide to the Clinton administration], he was the executive director of the Stonewall Democrats, and he was actually hired by Andy Tobias as the first GLLC director for the DNC. And anyone who knows Paul knows that me wanting to stop him wouldn't stop him. He's his own political entity, and he's been in politics in D.C. for 13 years.
And within days of Paul's letter you were asked to leave the DNC.
That's right. I was asked to leave by Julie Tagen. She pulled me aside as a friend and asked me to resign. What I found out [later] was that there was a strategy to ask me to resign. It wasn't just a friend talking to a friend; it was an effort and a discussion that had occurred with some other DNC employees. She had already asked me to keep Paul silent. And because I couldn't keep Paul silent, I feel I was asked to resign.
The DNC has said that it was your poor job performance, not retaliation, that lead to your dismissal.
The derogatory comments were to cover up what the DNC had done to me and to try to shame me for something that Paul said. They continually attacked me, thinking I wouldn't defend myself. They had to cover their tracks to make it look like they weren't punishing me for somebody criticizing the party.
Was there any indications up to that point that your superiors were unhappy with your job performance?
No, there was no problem with that. I didn't have any negative performance reviews. I've never been written up, and I was never reprimanded. So that all came out of the blue.
What did you think when you read Howard Dean's comments in The Advocate last year alluding to your poor job performance?
It didn't surprise me, because there was already that kind of talking point coming out of the DNC. The fund-raisers had been doing that for some time. Ultimately they're just trying to raise money from our community. It was actually a sad, shameful thing for Governor Dean to say, because there was no poor job performance review or any sort of criticism of my performance while I was at the DNC.
What was the most shocking aspect of how things went down?
That the fund-raisers in the Democratic Party feel that they can't be held accountable for defaming somebody, and they're exempt from consequences when they go out and slander people that used to work for the Democratic Party. This lawsuit's about holding them accountable and holding the Democratic Party to our values.
Have things changed at all for the better at the DNC since you've left?
I don't think so. What a lot of people don't know is that Brian [Bond] asked to meet with me a few months ago to discuss the strategy of what's happening within the DNC. Brian even called Paul and asked if he'd keep up the outside pressure during the delegate selections rule fight, because the senior staff was working against the gay community's desires. Brian specifically asked that Paul keep up the pressure so that we didn't get screwed in the process. He will obviously deny this, because if he doesn't, he'll be fired. But during the court proceedings everyone will be under oath--including myself--and I look forward to shining some sun on this.
Joseph Sandler, who's representing the defendants in your suit, has said that the DNC won't respond publicly to your charges, and has asked people to keep in mind that “everything you see may well be one-sided for a while.” How do you respond to that?
One thing we should point out is that it's been one-sided from them for a long time. Now the community is actually seeing two sides to this issue. I've been silent over the past year around my firing. I've been talking about policy issues of substance. Unfortunately, the DNC believed I wouldn't protect myself and they could act with reckless abandon in order to keep money flowing. I've always held the Democratic party to a higher ideal. I walked into the DNC building expecting more out of the Democratic Party. The easy thing for me now would be to walk away and be quiet, because we've been meeting people who have done just that. As we're telling our story, they're saying, “That happened to me [too]”--not with regard to LGBT discrimination, but personal attacks and defamation against anyone who stands up to the party.
All under the Dean regime?
That is under the Dean regime. Several people have approached us where this has happened to them, and we're referring them to our lawyers.
Do you worry that this could affect fund-raising for the DNC going into 2008, especially given that the presidential campaign has already begun?
Well, I'm a loyal Democrat, and I want to help the Democratic Party. I think this lawsuit can help the Democratic Party get better on our issues. Honest conversation can only move us forward. The DNC could have settled this privately. I approached them at least five times before going public, but the DNC lawyers or senior staff refused to settle out of court.
Can you talk at all about the settlement you tried to reach?
I don't want to go into details, but the settlement was really not about money. The settlement was clearing my name and setting the record straight about my job performance at the DNC and also asking DNC agents to stop defaming me. There were no hard lines in the sand. It was just about coming to the table and having a responsible conversation and being honest about what's happened so we could all move forward. But it's obviously the stubbornness and arrogance of their senior staff that prevents them from coming to the table. For them it's all about money, and that means fighting this with a P.R. spin campaign and trying to keep this from hurting their fund-raising. For me, it's about doing the right thing, having the right values, and expecting our party to have the values that we all espouse.
How has this experience affected your career?
When this happened to me I kind of reevaluated where I was at. It's hard to say, because the DNC fund-raisers have spoken to a lot of influential people about my job performance. I actually am very interested in the Democratic movement and staying in the LGBT movement, and I do not want to be criticized when I speak on policy issues moving forward--and this is what has been happening. I'm back in school getting a master's in public policy, but I'm not going anywhere.
After his partner criticized the Democratic National Committee for not doing enough on gay issues, Donald Hitchcock lost his job as the group's director of fund-raising from gay donors. Coincidence? Hitchcock thinks not. He sued the DNC, chairman Howard Dean, and two others this May—and speaks here for the first time anywhere about what happened to him.
By Dan Allen
An Advocate.com exclusive posted June 29, 2007
Party politics
In May 2006, Donald Hitchcock was fired by the Democratic National Committee as director of its Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council—less than a week after his partner, fellow Washington politico Paul Yandura, e-mailed high-level Democratic donors and suggested they withhold financial support from the DNC in protest of the group's apparent neglect of antigay ballot initiatives. Hitchcock, whose role was to raise funds from gay donors, claimed his sudden dismissal was retaliatory, but the DNC denied the charge. Indeed, in an Advocate interview at the time, Dean suggested that Hitchcock's poor job performance was to blame.
This May, after settlement negotiations failed, Hitchcock filed a lawsuit in District of Columbia superior sourt against the DNC, Dean, treasurer Andy Tobias (who is gay), and deputy finance director Julie Tagen, alleging retaliation, defamation, and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Again, the DNC denied the allegations.
Hitchcock hasn't spoken publicly about his firing or the lawsuit, but in this exclusive interview he finally breaks his silence, maintaining the DNC ousted him unfairly and charging that other perceived wave-makers at the group faced similar strong-arm tactics. And in a bittersweet twist, he reveals that his replacement at the leadership council, Brian Bond, sought strategy advice from him after he was dismissed.
The Advocate: Let's start at the beginning: Did you have any knowledge of Paul's letter before he sent it?
Hitchcock: No, I did not.
If you had, would you have tried to stop him from sending it?
Well, first of all, when it happened I was in New Orleans at the Democratic National Committee meeting, so he was doing it on his own. And Paul has his own credentials to criticize the party. Paul worked in the White House [as an aide to the Clinton administration], he was the executive director of the Stonewall Democrats, and he was actually hired by Andy Tobias as the first GLLC director for the DNC. And anyone who knows Paul knows that me wanting to stop him wouldn't stop him. He's his own political entity, and he's been in politics in D.C. for 13 years.
And within days of Paul's letter you were asked to leave the DNC.
That's right. I was asked to leave by Julie Tagen. She pulled me aside as a friend and asked me to resign. What I found out [later] was that there was a strategy to ask me to resign. It wasn't just a friend talking to a friend; it was an effort and a discussion that had occurred with some other DNC employees. She had already asked me to keep Paul silent. And because I couldn't keep Paul silent, I feel I was asked to resign.
The DNC has said that it was your poor job performance, not retaliation, that lead to your dismissal.
The derogatory comments were to cover up what the DNC had done to me and to try to shame me for something that Paul said. They continually attacked me, thinking I wouldn't defend myself. They had to cover their tracks to make it look like they weren't punishing me for somebody criticizing the party.
Was there any indications up to that point that your superiors were unhappy with your job performance?
No, there was no problem with that. I didn't have any negative performance reviews. I've never been written up, and I was never reprimanded. So that all came out of the blue.
What did you think when you read Howard Dean's comments in The Advocate last year alluding to your poor job performance?
It didn't surprise me, because there was already that kind of talking point coming out of the DNC. The fund-raisers had been doing that for some time. Ultimately they're just trying to raise money from our community. It was actually a sad, shameful thing for Governor Dean to say, because there was no poor job performance review or any sort of criticism of my performance while I was at the DNC.
What was the most shocking aspect of how things went down?
That the fund-raisers in the Democratic Party feel that they can't be held accountable for defaming somebody, and they're exempt from consequences when they go out and slander people that used to work for the Democratic Party. This lawsuit's about holding them accountable and holding the Democratic Party to our values.
Have things changed at all for the better at the DNC since you've left?
I don't think so. What a lot of people don't know is that Brian [Bond] asked to meet with me a few months ago to discuss the strategy of what's happening within the DNC. Brian even called Paul and asked if he'd keep up the outside pressure during the delegate selections rule fight, because the senior staff was working against the gay community's desires. Brian specifically asked that Paul keep up the pressure so that we didn't get screwed in the process. He will obviously deny this, because if he doesn't, he'll be fired. But during the court proceedings everyone will be under oath--including myself--and I look forward to shining some sun on this.
Joseph Sandler, who's representing the defendants in your suit, has said that the DNC won't respond publicly to your charges, and has asked people to keep in mind that “everything you see may well be one-sided for a while.” How do you respond to that?
One thing we should point out is that it's been one-sided from them for a long time. Now the community is actually seeing two sides to this issue. I've been silent over the past year around my firing. I've been talking about policy issues of substance. Unfortunately, the DNC believed I wouldn't protect myself and they could act with reckless abandon in order to keep money flowing. I've always held the Democratic party to a higher ideal. I walked into the DNC building expecting more out of the Democratic Party. The easy thing for me now would be to walk away and be quiet, because we've been meeting people who have done just that. As we're telling our story, they're saying, “That happened to me [too]”--not with regard to LGBT discrimination, but personal attacks and defamation against anyone who stands up to the party.
All under the Dean regime?
That is under the Dean regime. Several people have approached us where this has happened to them, and we're referring them to our lawyers.
Do you worry that this could affect fund-raising for the DNC going into 2008, especially given that the presidential campaign has already begun?
Well, I'm a loyal Democrat, and I want to help the Democratic Party. I think this lawsuit can help the Democratic Party get better on our issues. Honest conversation can only move us forward. The DNC could have settled this privately. I approached them at least five times before going public, but the DNC lawyers or senior staff refused to settle out of court.
Can you talk at all about the settlement you tried to reach?
I don't want to go into details, but the settlement was really not about money. The settlement was clearing my name and setting the record straight about my job performance at the DNC and also asking DNC agents to stop defaming me. There were no hard lines in the sand. It was just about coming to the table and having a responsible conversation and being honest about what's happened so we could all move forward. But it's obviously the stubbornness and arrogance of their senior staff that prevents them from coming to the table. For them it's all about money, and that means fighting this with a P.R. spin campaign and trying to keep this from hurting their fund-raising. For me, it's about doing the right thing, having the right values, and expecting our party to have the values that we all espouse.
How has this experience affected your career?
When this happened to me I kind of reevaluated where I was at. It's hard to say, because the DNC fund-raisers have spoken to a lot of influential people about my job performance. I actually am very interested in the Democratic movement and staying in the LGBT movement, and I do not want to be criticized when I speak on policy issues moving forward--and this is what has been happening. I'm back in school getting a master's in public policy, but I'm not going anywhere.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
The graduate
This is Jo on the right with our friends, Morty and Carol. They convinced Jo to go to school at the National Labor College where they teach. They all completed the circle on Saturday.
Next thought
Finally coming back to some senses after taking two days to get back from DC this weekend. Of course, I feel dumber than a box of rocks but managed to survive the terror of flying American through Dallas. My sister and I spent the night at the Sleep Inn in Dallas after our flight was canceled. Would it be so hard for an announcement that the flight is canceled?
I certainly slept better last night because Paris was out of jail, how about you?
I predict the head of the California Hypocrites, I mean Republican party will resign on Friday afternoon. I also would like to see Elizabeth Edwards run for President since she supports marriage for my team. Ms Marinucci scored both those scoops. Funny how Media Matters was all up in her koolaid that she was so anti-Dem by cherry picking her articles then she gets to prove otherwise.
This was enough to make me kick up my heels today. The Senate Judiciary slapped Bush and his homeboys with subpoenas. Oh yes, let the howling begin.
I certainly slept better last night because Paris was out of jail, how about you?
I predict the head of the California Hypocrites, I mean Republican party will resign on Friday afternoon. I also would like to see Elizabeth Edwards run for President since she supports marriage for my team. Ms Marinucci scored both those scoops. Funny how Media Matters was all up in her koolaid that she was so anti-Dem by cherry picking her articles then she gets to prove otherwise.
This was enough to make me kick up my heels today. The Senate Judiciary slapped Bush and his homeboys with subpoenas. Oh yes, let the howling begin.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate subpoenaed the White House and Vice President Dick Cheney's office Wednesday, demanding documents and elevating the confrontation with President Bush over the administration's warrant-free eavesdropping on Americans.
Separately, the Senate Judiciary Committee also is summoning Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to discuss the program and an array of other matters that have cost a half-dozen top Justice Department officials their jobs, committee chairman Patrick Leahy announced.
Does anyone else think that it is really early for Presidential endorsements? I am waiting all this out to see who makes the first stumble.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
HAHAHAHAHAHA
I can't stand it. The pompous Republicans of California are getting their asses handed to them. The now former treasurer of the Rethugs was arrested for immigration violations according to the Chronicle. I just love it when the irony is just too, um, ironic.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
SF Pride
There will be an article about San Francisco Gay Pride in tomorrow's Chronicle. What a shock.
But they are going to be highlighting the fact the Elizabeth Edwards will be there in the parade. I think that shows some political sophistication for both sides, the lgbt community and the Edwards campaign. I think this is wonderful news.
But they are going to be highlighting the fact the Elizabeth Edwards will be there in the parade. I think that shows some political sophistication for both sides, the lgbt community and the Edwards campaign. I think this is wonderful news.
Memory lane
Today was a really great for a stroll down memory lane. I got to talk to a friend from high school and see another friend from college. Both were great strolls down memory lane, getting to catch up a little from times when we remembered more, weighed less and life was a little less complicated. Of course, I am having this nice memories without including all the times I got sick from drinking too much, got into trouble with the law and was barely able to function due to some combination of whatever.
But I did escape fairly intact from that time of my life, having learned a few lessons. It was really wonderful though to reconnect with these women. I am looking forward to having more catch up time with both of them in the very near future.
In the meantime I am flying into Darth Vader's capital tomorrow. Today the blogoshpere took notice of the fact that Cheney doesn't live by the rules of the rest of the country, let alone the executive branch. He now insists that his office is not part of sad branch so therefore rules don't apply to him. Please check out TPM Cafe here for further clarification of the new form of government in place. And thanks to Rahm Emmanuel for producing this chart with the suggestion that Cheney move out of the White House if he is not part of the Executive Branch.
I am also happy to provide this link showing that since I am the oldest child, I am the smartest. Drum roll please.
But I did escape fairly intact from that time of my life, having learned a few lessons. It was really wonderful though to reconnect with these women. I am looking forward to having more catch up time with both of them in the very near future.
In the meantime I am flying into Darth Vader's capital tomorrow. Today the blogoshpere took notice of the fact that Cheney doesn't live by the rules of the rest of the country, let alone the executive branch. He now insists that his office is not part of sad branch so therefore rules don't apply to him. Please check out TPM Cafe here for further clarification of the new form of government in place. And thanks to Rahm Emmanuel for producing this chart with the suggestion that Cheney move out of the White House if he is not part of the Executive Branch.
I am also happy to provide this link showing that since I am the oldest child, I am the smartest. Drum roll please.
New research wholeheartedly agrees with Big Sis - she's much smarter than you are.
Scientists reported Thursday that first-born children, including those who become first after an older sibling dies young, tend to be smarter than subsequent offspring.
Now I will go read the comics.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Huh?
The irony is breathtaking. Bush vetoes stem bill legislation:
"America is a nation founded on the principle that all human life is sacred."Unless of course you are anywhere near Iraq or Afghanistan.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Damn
Today I went to the podiatrist to confer about my continuing foot pain. I had surgery on it two months ago and I am in more pain now than before. The doc told me the surgery didn't work. I am shock, I think. His next suggestion will elicit a roar from people who know me personally, wear shoes with an inch and a half heels. That's like going in drag.
He gave me a couple of shots in each foot. I could have gone through life without experiencing this medical procedure cus it REALLY hurts! This is the 5th time I have done it. So with any luck or maybe I should light a candle (anyone know who the patron saint of feet would be?) then I will get through a couple of museums in DC without crying my eyes out in front of all the other tourists. If not, you will know who I am on the mall, weeping away. Too bad they don't have little scooters to take around the museums. This gives me an excuse to sit in front a Dutch painting or two for a long while.
He gave me a couple of shots in each foot. I could have gone through life without experiencing this medical procedure cus it REALLY hurts! This is the 5th time I have done it. So with any luck or maybe I should light a candle (anyone know who the patron saint of feet would be?) then I will get through a couple of museums in DC without crying my eyes out in front of all the other tourists. If not, you will know who I am on the mall, weeping away. Too bad they don't have little scooters to take around the museums. This gives me an excuse to sit in front a Dutch painting or two for a long while.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Monday Monday
Immigration is on the table again this week in DC, at least in the Senate. In discussing this with one of my colleagues, we were feeling very deflated. What is being proposed now is really bad and we think it will get worse. Then somehow the House will magically fix this pile of crap. I don't believe it will happen that way.
What I think will happen is that the rocket scientists at the White House will try to get their bloody fingerprints all over this legislation and will, once again, be wrong about every single element. Families will be ruptured, the US will again look like a selfish, greedy, hateful country and nothing good will come out of it. That is my optimistic view point, too.
But I will be traveling to DC this weekend to see my spouse graduate from college. I am glad she made it to the finish line on this one. My sister will be joining us and we will do some touristy things on Sunday. I hope to not melt in the humidity.
What I think will happen is that the rocket scientists at the White House will try to get their bloody fingerprints all over this legislation and will, once again, be wrong about every single element. Families will be ruptured, the US will again look like a selfish, greedy, hateful country and nothing good will come out of it. That is my optimistic view point, too.
But I will be traveling to DC this weekend to see my spouse graduate from college. I am glad she made it to the finish line on this one. My sister will be joining us and we will do some touristy things on Sunday. I hope to not melt in the humidity.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
We won!
Yeah we won we won we won! Now the marriage certificate can go on the wall. No can take it away.
Donald 2.0
GAY PEOPLES CHRONICLE
June 15, 2007
Ex-outreach head sues Democratic Party for anti-gay bias.
by Eric Resnick
Washington, D.C.--The former director of LGBT outreach at the Democratic National Committee is suing the party and three high level employees for discrimination by sexual orientation, retaliation and defamation.
Donald Hitchcock was fired last year after his partner, former Clinton administration official Paul Yandura, criticized the party for not doing enough on LGBT issues, particularly state marriage ban amendments. Yandura claims that the party viewed gays as primarily a source of donations.
Hitchcock, who worked for the DNC from June 2005 to May 2, 2006, says the party violated the D.C. Human Rights Act, which bars employment discrimination by sexual orientation. He says that besides firing him, they paid him less than non-gay employees doing similar work, and made false public statements that he was not doing his job.
He sued the DNC, its chair Howard Dean, its openly gay treasurer Andy Tobias, and deputy finance director Julie Tagen in District of Columbia Superior Court on May 1.
The defendants answered the complaint May 31, denying all the allegations.
Hitchcock says that in February, 2005, Dean led a restructuring of the DNC that included eliminating his LGBT outreach position, but not the outreach positions to other Democratic Party constituency groups. That action has been widely criticized.
Hitchcock was then hired to fill a new position as the director of the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council in June, 2005.
The conflict began when Hitchcock realized he was not being supported in the new position by the DNC and was being left out of key meetings.
In his complaint, Hitchcock repeats the claim that the DNC did not want to do political work with the LGBT community, and that the new position was, instead, all about fundraising.
Yandura, now a Democratic fundraiser, continues to be critical of the DNC, telling LGBT contributors that under Dean, the community is not being better served, only better solicited for funds.
“If your goal is simply to elect Democrats, then give to the Democratic National Committee,” Yandura told the Gay People’s Chronicle in March. “But if your goal is to make the Democratic Party better on LGBT issues, then your money should go to supportive state parties and independent LGBT groups like the Stonewall Democrats.”
The lawsuit says, “Mr. Hitchcock never received a budget or any senior staff support on LGBT issues. It was clear that the DNC’s highest priority for Mr. Hitchcock--and LGBT Americans--was securing financial contributions.”
According to the suit, Tagen blamed Hitchcock for failing to stop Yandura from publicly criticizing the party. Hitchcock says she told him “not to fight this fight” and that he was “going to get fired.”
Six days before Hitchcock was fired, Tagen sent an e-mail to Yandura saying he had done “a huge disservice to [Hitchcock].”
Hitchcock contends that the D.C. non-discrimination law was violated when Tagen blamed him for what his partner was doing.
“DNC had never fired James Carville for exceedingly critical statements made about the Democratic Party by his wife, Mary Matalin, counselor to Vice President Dick Cheney,” the complaint reads.
“Other heterosexual DNC employees or consultants also continued working with the DNC despite critical comments that they, or their close relatives, made about the Democratic Party,” it continues.
Hitchcock contends the DNC did not fire Sandi Jackson after her father-in-law criticized the party in 2006, and did not terminate consultant Donna Brazile after she criticized the party.
“Thus, the DNC treated Mr. Hitchcock differently because he is gay,” the complaint continues.
The suit also points to Federal Election Commission records showing that Hitchcock was paid $2,156 bi-weekly as the LGBT outreach director, while non-LGBT constituency directors were paid $2,508.
The records also show that DNC paid its former finance director Lindsey Lewis, who is gay, $500 less per week than his heterosexual replacement Carl Chidlow.
The suit also alleges that the DNC, and especially Dean and Tobias, told reporters and contributors that Hitchcock’s firing was due to poor job performance, and that Tagen told other DNC staff that Hitchcock had made racially insensitive comments suggesting “it’s gays against blacks.”
Hitchcock accuses the three of lying about him in order to create a pretext to move him out once Yandura’s comments began getting traction.
Hitchcock wants a jury to determine the amount of his award, which includes compensatory and punitive damages. He also wants retractions of the statements made on his job performance and racial insensitivity, and a public apology.
He is represented by attorney Lynne Bernabei of the Bernabei Law Firm in Washington and three of her associates.
The DNC, Dean, Tobias and Tagen are represented by Joseph Sandler of Sandler, Reiff, and Young in Washington, and chief DNC counsel Amanda LaForge.
Sandler issued a written statement saying the DNC will not respond outside the legal process other than, “[Hitchcock’s] charges have no merit and that DNC is committed to defending its position vigorously in court.”
“We regret that we cannot say much more publicly and we ask that readers of this and other publications keep in mind that since the DNC is not able to speak publicly about the case, everything you’ll see may well be one-sided for a while.”
The case is before Judge Robert E. Morin.
June 15, 2007
Ex-outreach head sues Democratic Party for anti-gay bias.
by Eric Resnick
Washington, D.C.--The former director of LGBT outreach at the Democratic National Committee is suing the party and three high level employees for discrimination by sexual orientation, retaliation and defamation.
Donald Hitchcock was fired last year after his partner, former Clinton administration official Paul Yandura, criticized the party for not doing enough on LGBT issues, particularly state marriage ban amendments. Yandura claims that the party viewed gays as primarily a source of donations.
Hitchcock, who worked for the DNC from June 2005 to May 2, 2006, says the party violated the D.C. Human Rights Act, which bars employment discrimination by sexual orientation. He says that besides firing him, they paid him less than non-gay employees doing similar work, and made false public statements that he was not doing his job.
He sued the DNC, its chair Howard Dean, its openly gay treasurer Andy Tobias, and deputy finance director Julie Tagen in District of Columbia Superior Court on May 1.
The defendants answered the complaint May 31, denying all the allegations.
Hitchcock says that in February, 2005, Dean led a restructuring of the DNC that included eliminating his LGBT outreach position, but not the outreach positions to other Democratic Party constituency groups. That action has been widely criticized.
Hitchcock was then hired to fill a new position as the director of the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council in June, 2005.
The conflict began when Hitchcock realized he was not being supported in the new position by the DNC and was being left out of key meetings.
In his complaint, Hitchcock repeats the claim that the DNC did not want to do political work with the LGBT community, and that the new position was, instead, all about fundraising.
Yandura, now a Democratic fundraiser, continues to be critical of the DNC, telling LGBT contributors that under Dean, the community is not being better served, only better solicited for funds.
“If your goal is simply to elect Democrats, then give to the Democratic National Committee,” Yandura told the Gay People’s Chronicle in March. “But if your goal is to make the Democratic Party better on LGBT issues, then your money should go to supportive state parties and independent LGBT groups like the Stonewall Democrats.”
The lawsuit says, “Mr. Hitchcock never received a budget or any senior staff support on LGBT issues. It was clear that the DNC’s highest priority for Mr. Hitchcock--and LGBT Americans--was securing financial contributions.”
According to the suit, Tagen blamed Hitchcock for failing to stop Yandura from publicly criticizing the party. Hitchcock says she told him “not to fight this fight” and that he was “going to get fired.”
Six days before Hitchcock was fired, Tagen sent an e-mail to Yandura saying he had done “a huge disservice to [Hitchcock].”
Hitchcock contends that the D.C. non-discrimination law was violated when Tagen blamed him for what his partner was doing.
“DNC had never fired James Carville for exceedingly critical statements made about the Democratic Party by his wife, Mary Matalin, counselor to Vice President Dick Cheney,” the complaint reads.
“Other heterosexual DNC employees or consultants also continued working with the DNC despite critical comments that they, or their close relatives, made about the Democratic Party,” it continues.
Hitchcock contends the DNC did not fire Sandi Jackson after her father-in-law criticized the party in 2006, and did not terminate consultant Donna Brazile after she criticized the party.
“Thus, the DNC treated Mr. Hitchcock differently because he is gay,” the complaint continues.
The suit also points to Federal Election Commission records showing that Hitchcock was paid $2,156 bi-weekly as the LGBT outreach director, while non-LGBT constituency directors were paid $2,508.
The records also show that DNC paid its former finance director Lindsey Lewis, who is gay, $500 less per week than his heterosexual replacement Carl Chidlow.
The suit also alleges that the DNC, and especially Dean and Tobias, told reporters and contributors that Hitchcock’s firing was due to poor job performance, and that Tagen told other DNC staff that Hitchcock had made racially insensitive comments suggesting “it’s gays against blacks.”
Hitchcock accuses the three of lying about him in order to create a pretext to move him out once Yandura’s comments began getting traction.
Hitchcock wants a jury to determine the amount of his award, which includes compensatory and punitive damages. He also wants retractions of the statements made on his job performance and racial insensitivity, and a public apology.
He is represented by attorney Lynne Bernabei of the Bernabei Law Firm in Washington and three of her associates.
The DNC, Dean, Tobias and Tagen are represented by Joseph Sandler of Sandler, Reiff, and Young in Washington, and chief DNC counsel Amanda LaForge.
Sandler issued a written statement saying the DNC will not respond outside the legal process other than, “[Hitchcock’s] charges have no merit and that DNC is committed to defending its position vigorously in court.”
“We regret that we cannot say much more publicly and we ask that readers of this and other publications keep in mind that since the DNC is not able to speak publicly about the case, everything you’ll see may well be one-sided for a while.”
The case is before Judge Robert E. Morin.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Misc
H/T to Pam for this report from Human Rights Watch on the anti-gay violence in Russia
Ms Marinucci reports about the California GOP hiring a Canadian to be deputy political director. Yours truly is quoted in the article. I can hardly wait for the fallout.
Yesterday I had the chance to visit with my former Governor, now Presidential candidate. Bill Richardson. He gave me crap as usual which I always enjoy. The joust is fun. He got some good press here. And not so good press in DC.
Meanwhile I am trying to control my nuclear tomatoes in the back. I bought a huge tomato cage to try and corral the biggest one. It has grown over two other cages so far. I don't even like tomatoes.
Ms Marinucci reports about the California GOP hiring a Canadian to be deputy political director. Yours truly is quoted in the article. I can hardly wait for the fallout.
Yesterday I had the chance to visit with my former Governor, now Presidential candidate. Bill Richardson. He gave me crap as usual which I always enjoy. The joust is fun. He got some good press here. And not so good press in DC.
Meanwhile I am trying to control my nuclear tomatoes in the back. I bought a huge tomato cage to try and corral the biggest one. It has grown over two other cages so far. I don't even like tomatoes.
Monday, June 11, 2007
One
The new Vanity Fair came today. I am always happy to sit down and read the monthly dirt, wrapped in perfume and designer labels. But this one is different. Bono has edited this edition. It as all about Africa.
My first reaction was so American, "I don't want to read about Africa." Then I started reading it. I still need to digest more but I think may get over myself enough to figure out ways to get more involved in the One campaign.
Sign up at One campaign. Change the world tomorrow.
My first reaction was so American, "I don't want to read about Africa." Then I started reading it. I still need to digest more but I think may get over myself enough to figure out ways to get more involved in the One campaign.
Sign up at One campaign. Change the world tomorrow.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
SJ Pride
It is San Jose Pride weekend. I spent the better part of the day at the festival. Unlike my brother, Nikolai Alekseev in Moscow, I am able to go to Pride, not be harassed, have conversations witht he police and not worry about getting beaten up or thrown in jail. Tomorrow I will be back at it, registering people to vote, sticking rainbow Democratic stickers on people and having a great time.
Happy Pride!
Friday, June 08, 2007
Moscow court
I am sure this will elicit another response from the reader writing in Russian who thinks I am stupid. However, here is more from Moscow regarding the court cases for the activists arrested while trying to hand the Moscow mayor a letter.
immigration
I wrote this to submit to the San Francisco Chronicle. It is now irrelevant.
Spring is a wonderful time to be in California. The air is fresh with rose scents. The stores are brimming with fresh fruit. Those cherries look wonderful don’t they?
But how do you think those cherries got to Safeway? Where did there journey begin and whose hands picked them from the trees? In the heat, for long hours for not so much pay.
That’s right, there are immigrants involved in bringing all kinds of goodies for us to enjoy, fish, fruit, vegetables, flowers to enrich our California experience.
Those same people’s fate is being argued about right now in Washington, D.C. The threats to our future safety that is being painted by some of our Senators is really a threat to the fabric of this country.
Let’s face, the immigration system is broken. Thousands of Filipino families have to wait over 20 years for the reunification of their families. There is a monstrous backlog of citizenship applications which the federal government has not been able to reduce for years. There are many arguments about the border, none of which will be solved by unmanned drones flying over the southern borders. Remember the woman you walked by today at the bus stop with two small children? Imagine her walking across the desert with those two children, trying to give them a better life.
There are already bad laws on the books right now regarding immigration. So we don’t need more bad laws. The current debate in both the House and the Senate should be about good reform not just reform for reforms sake. That’s like shaving your head because you want a new hair do, doesn’t necessarily work well and yes, there is a new ‘do but it is really a “don’t” OK think of a certain pop star.
There are 12 million people, yes, they are people, who live in the US who could become citizens. The path currently set out is similar to the Iron Man Triathalon of bureaucracy and money. Think of the guy who washes your car and think what it would take for him to earn and save $5000 to pay for the application.
How many people do you see each day going to work, to school, the store. How many are here legally? Do you care that they pay the same prices at the gas station as you do? Pay the same for BART or those lovely cherries at the farmer’s market?
Of course this is a nation of laws but how may people did you see today running a red light, jaywalking, or speeding? Can we please get back to being a nation of immigrants, unified in our desire to see our children have a better life?
Support good, humane immigration reform. Ask your federal representatives to act humanely and remember that child at the bus stop who really just wants some chocolate and a hug from her parents.
Spring is a wonderful time to be in California. The air is fresh with rose scents. The stores are brimming with fresh fruit. Those cherries look wonderful don’t they?
But how do you think those cherries got to Safeway? Where did there journey begin and whose hands picked them from the trees? In the heat, for long hours for not so much pay.
That’s right, there are immigrants involved in bringing all kinds of goodies for us to enjoy, fish, fruit, vegetables, flowers to enrich our California experience.
Those same people’s fate is being argued about right now in Washington, D.C. The threats to our future safety that is being painted by some of our Senators is really a threat to the fabric of this country.
Let’s face, the immigration system is broken. Thousands of Filipino families have to wait over 20 years for the reunification of their families. There is a monstrous backlog of citizenship applications which the federal government has not been able to reduce for years. There are many arguments about the border, none of which will be solved by unmanned drones flying over the southern borders. Remember the woman you walked by today at the bus stop with two small children? Imagine her walking across the desert with those two children, trying to give them a better life.
There are already bad laws on the books right now regarding immigration. So we don’t need more bad laws. The current debate in both the House and the Senate should be about good reform not just reform for reforms sake. That’s like shaving your head because you want a new hair do, doesn’t necessarily work well and yes, there is a new ‘do but it is really a “don’t” OK think of a certain pop star.
There are 12 million people, yes, they are people, who live in the US who could become citizens. The path currently set out is similar to the Iron Man Triathalon of bureaucracy and money. Think of the guy who washes your car and think what it would take for him to earn and save $5000 to pay for the application.
How many people do you see each day going to work, to school, the store. How many are here legally? Do you care that they pay the same prices at the gas station as you do? Pay the same for BART or those lovely cherries at the farmer’s market?
Of course this is a nation of laws but how may people did you see today running a red light, jaywalking, or speeding? Can we please get back to being a nation of immigrants, unified in our desire to see our children have a better life?
Support good, humane immigration reform. Ask your federal representatives to act humanely and remember that child at the bus stop who really just wants some chocolate and a hug from her parents.
Another Paris
I know everyone is jumping up and down about Paris Hilton being sent home and now sent back to the big house. Everyone is judgmental, talking about what an ass she is.
Two points to make about this. 1. This society created Paris Hilton. WE made her a star for doing nothing but being rich. Then folks are all upset when she acts this way. Get a clue, this is a societal issue. 2. This child needs some help. She no doubt has a drinking problem and needs help. She is sick. Plus she didn't weasel her way out of the slammer, the sheriff did this.
I have been in this situation. It is really no fun waiting to go to jail for being a f/up. Maybe someone will say the magic words to her, "You don't have to live like this." Maybe she will change, who knows. But enough with the self righteousness. That's boring too.
Two points to make about this. 1. This society created Paris Hilton. WE made her a star for doing nothing but being rich. Then folks are all upset when she acts this way. Get a clue, this is a societal issue. 2. This child needs some help. She no doubt has a drinking problem and needs help. She is sick. Plus she didn't weasel her way out of the slammer, the sheriff did this.
I have been in this situation. It is really no fun waiting to go to jail for being a f/up. Maybe someone will say the magic words to her, "You don't have to live like this." Maybe she will change, who knows. But enough with the self righteousness. That's boring too.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Richardson's reply
Here is my former Governor's reply to HRC's questionnaire.
2008 Presidential Questionnaire
Candidate Name: __Governor Bill Richardson______________________________________
1. Currently, there is no federal law protecting individuals from job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Qualified, hardworking Americans can still be denied job opportunities, fired or otherwise be discriminated against just because of their sexual orientation in 33 states and because of their gender identity in 42 states As president, would you support and work for passage of a federal bill that would prohibit job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity?
_Support Comments: I am committed to protecting all hardworking Americans from employment discrimination. Early in my administration as Governor of New Mexico, I recognized that the civil rights of the sexual minority community must be protected, and that no American should suffer discrimination for being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. As Governor of New Mexico, I fought for such protection in 2003 by signing into law an extension of the New Mexico Human Rights Act to grant employment protections for our citizens, regardless of an employee's sexual orientation and gender identity.
2. Currently the federal hate crimes law does not protect all Americans from bias-motivated violence. Would you support federal legislation that adds sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability to existing federal law giving authority to the federal government to investigate and prosecute violent crimes (H.R. 1592)? This authority already exists for crimes committed because of the victim’s race, color, religion and national origin and because they were attempting to exercise a federally protected right.
_Support Comments: Again, it is clear in this new century that the civil rights of American sexual minorities must be protected the same as other minorities. In New Mexico, I stepped up to the plate by successfully fighting for the New Mexico Hate Crimes Act, which I signed into law in 2003. Where there was no protection for the GLBT community before, the law of New Mexico now enhances criminal sentences for criminals who are motivated by hate due to the victim's actual or perceived age, gender identity, handicapped status, or sexual orientation.
3. New treatments have improved the quality of life for those living with HIV/AIDS, but those treatments are expensive, and not available to everyone who needs them. Years of flat-funding for the Ryan White Care Act has forced states across the country to institute waiting lists, limit formularies, and other cost containment measures. The CARE Act provides access to life-saving treatment and care for over half a million low-income Americans with HIV/AIDS. Would you support increased funding for this critical program?
_Support Comments: In America, the treatment of people with HIV/AIDS has had a shameful history. As the disease spread during the 1980’s, Republican administrations ignored the problem and community activists spent countless hours trying to get funding for this urgent health care crisis. Yes, I would support increased funding to treat Americans with HIV/AIDS through the CARE Act, but my administration will also work tirelessly to address the larger issue -- to make high-quality health care affordable for every American, regardless of their health status.
4. Would you support the Early Treatment for HIV Act (ETHA), S. 860, federal legislation that would allows states the option to provide Medicaid coverage to low-income, HIV positive Americans. Currently, only Americans that can be considered disabled are eligible for Medicaid coverage, excluding those who are HIV positive but have no symptoms of the disease?
_Support Comments:
Would you support increased funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and research?
_Support Comments:
5. Would you support the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act which would create a federal grant program to channel money to states that choose to teach comprehensive and age-appropriate sex education for America’s students that includes science-based prevention methods?
_Support Comments:
6. Currently, only Massachusetts recognizes equal marriage rights for same sex couples. Do you believe the civil institution of marriage (with absolutely no requirements imposed on religious institutions) should be made legally available to two committed adults of the same sex?
_Oppose Comments:
If you do not believe that civil marriage for same-sex couples should be made available to same-sex couples on the same basis as opposite sex couples, is there any legal construct you do embrace that would extend legal recognition to same sex couples?
Comment: I am on record supporting domestic partnerships in New Mexico. As a matter of fact, when the regular legislative session adjourned this last session in 2007, I called a special session of the legislature and placed domestic partnerships legislation on the agenda, among other matter. Unfortunately, the legislature was unable to reach an agreement, but I remain committed to the legal recognition of domestic partnerships.
If a state has taken the steps to recognize same sex couples and their families for purposes of state-based benefits, rights, privileges and responsibilities (such as marriage in Massachusetts and civil unions in Vermont and Connecticut), should the federal government recognize the state’s legal recognition of such couples and families for purposes of federal benefits and tax treatment?
_Support Comments: The law of the land now recognizes that personal family relations are a protected part of our liberty rights as Americans, as expressly held by the United States Supreme Court in Lawrence v. Texas in 2003. In terms of marriage and family relations, states have generally recognized other states’ family laws and the federal government should do so as well.
7. According to a 2004 GAO report, over 1,100 benefits, rights and privileges are provided to married couples and their families in federal law that are not available to same-sex couples. Do you support extending federal benefits, rights, privileges and responsibilities to same-sex couples (and their children) provided the partnership meets certain federal standards of commitment and mutuality of interest?
_Support Comments:
Specifically, do you support the expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act to cover domestic partners and their children?
_Support Comments: I believe that all employees in equally committed long-term relationships must enjoy the same employment benefits offered to married persons, including FMLA benefits.
Do you support modifying the Social Security System to pay survivor benefits to the same-sex partners of gay and lesbian people?
_Support Comments:
Do you support fair and equal tax treatment of same sex couples on the same basis as married couples?
_Support Comments: This is one of the last bastions of discrimination against sexual minorities: unfair tax penalties based on sexual orientation marital status. In order to mitigate the unfair tax penalties that they suffer, sexual minorities incur additional legal expenses in drafting wills, powers of attorney, real estate documents, pension plans, trusts -- all to compensate for the lack of adequate recognition of civil unions in the tax code. My administration will seek fair and equal tax treatment for same-gender families, so they have the same tax benefits as traditional, married couples.
8. Many gay and lesbian people serve in the federal government but do not receive the same health insurance and other employee benefits of married couples. Do you support domestic partner coverage for gay and lesbian employees of the civilian federal workforce?
_Support Comments: As Governor of the State of New Mexico, I signed into law Executive Order 2003-010 establishing employment benefits for domestic partners of New Mexico State employees. My Executive Order recognizes both opposite-gender and same-gender domestic partnerships and extends health, dental, and vision benefits to domestic partners of state employees. As President, I will do everything I can in my administration to extend benefits to federal government employee domestic partners.
9. While 47 states allow gay and lesbian people to adopt children, some legislators are pushing to prohibit capable, committed adults from adopting because of their sexual orientation. As president, would you support giving appropriate judicial authorities the full authority to make decisions on adoption based on the best interest of the child, without bans based solely on sexual orientation?
_Support Comments:
10. Would you support the Uniting American Families Act which would enable an American citizen to petition for immigration sponsorship for a same-sex partner, and the INS would treat the relationships between opposite and same-sex couples in the same manner under the immigration code?
_Support Comments:
11. Would you support a congressional repeal of the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy which would allow gay, lesbian, and bisexual soldiers the right to serve openly in the military as is currently the policy in nearly every NATO country (H.R. 1246)?
_Support Comments:
2008 Presidential Questionnaire
Candidate Name: __Governor Bill Richardson______________________________________
1. Currently, there is no federal law protecting individuals from job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Qualified, hardworking Americans can still be denied job opportunities, fired or otherwise be discriminated against just because of their sexual orientation in 33 states and because of their gender identity in 42 states As president, would you support and work for passage of a federal bill that would prohibit job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity?
_Support Comments: I am committed to protecting all hardworking Americans from employment discrimination. Early in my administration as Governor of New Mexico, I recognized that the civil rights of the sexual minority community must be protected, and that no American should suffer discrimination for being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. As Governor of New Mexico, I fought for such protection in 2003 by signing into law an extension of the New Mexico Human Rights Act to grant employment protections for our citizens, regardless of an employee's sexual orientation and gender identity.
2. Currently the federal hate crimes law does not protect all Americans from bias-motivated violence. Would you support federal legislation that adds sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability to existing federal law giving authority to the federal government to investigate and prosecute violent crimes (H.R. 1592)? This authority already exists for crimes committed because of the victim’s race, color, religion and national origin and because they were attempting to exercise a federally protected right.
_Support Comments: Again, it is clear in this new century that the civil rights of American sexual minorities must be protected the same as other minorities. In New Mexico, I stepped up to the plate by successfully fighting for the New Mexico Hate Crimes Act, which I signed into law in 2003. Where there was no protection for the GLBT community before, the law of New Mexico now enhances criminal sentences for criminals who are motivated by hate due to the victim's actual or perceived age, gender identity, handicapped status, or sexual orientation.
3. New treatments have improved the quality of life for those living with HIV/AIDS, but those treatments are expensive, and not available to everyone who needs them. Years of flat-funding for the Ryan White Care Act has forced states across the country to institute waiting lists, limit formularies, and other cost containment measures. The CARE Act provides access to life-saving treatment and care for over half a million low-income Americans with HIV/AIDS. Would you support increased funding for this critical program?
_Support Comments: In America, the treatment of people with HIV/AIDS has had a shameful history. As the disease spread during the 1980’s, Republican administrations ignored the problem and community activists spent countless hours trying to get funding for this urgent health care crisis. Yes, I would support increased funding to treat Americans with HIV/AIDS through the CARE Act, but my administration will also work tirelessly to address the larger issue -- to make high-quality health care affordable for every American, regardless of their health status.
4. Would you support the Early Treatment for HIV Act (ETHA), S. 860, federal legislation that would allows states the option to provide Medicaid coverage to low-income, HIV positive Americans. Currently, only Americans that can be considered disabled are eligible for Medicaid coverage, excluding those who are HIV positive but have no symptoms of the disease?
_Support Comments:
Would you support increased funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and research?
_Support Comments:
5. Would you support the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act which would create a federal grant program to channel money to states that choose to teach comprehensive and age-appropriate sex education for America’s students that includes science-based prevention methods?
_Support Comments:
6. Currently, only Massachusetts recognizes equal marriage rights for same sex couples. Do you believe the civil institution of marriage (with absolutely no requirements imposed on religious institutions) should be made legally available to two committed adults of the same sex?
_Oppose Comments:
If you do not believe that civil marriage for same-sex couples should be made available to same-sex couples on the same basis as opposite sex couples, is there any legal construct you do embrace that would extend legal recognition to same sex couples?
Comment: I am on record supporting domestic partnerships in New Mexico. As a matter of fact, when the regular legislative session adjourned this last session in 2007, I called a special session of the legislature and placed domestic partnerships legislation on the agenda, among other matter. Unfortunately, the legislature was unable to reach an agreement, but I remain committed to the legal recognition of domestic partnerships.
If a state has taken the steps to recognize same sex couples and their families for purposes of state-based benefits, rights, privileges and responsibilities (such as marriage in Massachusetts and civil unions in Vermont and Connecticut), should the federal government recognize the state’s legal recognition of such couples and families for purposes of federal benefits and tax treatment?
_Support Comments: The law of the land now recognizes that personal family relations are a protected part of our liberty rights as Americans, as expressly held by the United States Supreme Court in Lawrence v. Texas in 2003. In terms of marriage and family relations, states have generally recognized other states’ family laws and the federal government should do so as well.
7. According to a 2004 GAO report, over 1,100 benefits, rights and privileges are provided to married couples and their families in federal law that are not available to same-sex couples. Do you support extending federal benefits, rights, privileges and responsibilities to same-sex couples (and their children) provided the partnership meets certain federal standards of commitment and mutuality of interest?
_Support Comments:
Specifically, do you support the expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act to cover domestic partners and their children?
_Support Comments: I believe that all employees in equally committed long-term relationships must enjoy the same employment benefits offered to married persons, including FMLA benefits.
Do you support modifying the Social Security System to pay survivor benefits to the same-sex partners of gay and lesbian people?
_Support Comments:
Do you support fair and equal tax treatment of same sex couples on the same basis as married couples?
_Support Comments: This is one of the last bastions of discrimination against sexual minorities: unfair tax penalties based on sexual orientation marital status. In order to mitigate the unfair tax penalties that they suffer, sexual minorities incur additional legal expenses in drafting wills, powers of attorney, real estate documents, pension plans, trusts -- all to compensate for the lack of adequate recognition of civil unions in the tax code. My administration will seek fair and equal tax treatment for same-gender families, so they have the same tax benefits as traditional, married couples.
8. Many gay and lesbian people serve in the federal government but do not receive the same health insurance and other employee benefits of married couples. Do you support domestic partner coverage for gay and lesbian employees of the civilian federal workforce?
_Support Comments: As Governor of the State of New Mexico, I signed into law Executive Order 2003-010 establishing employment benefits for domestic partners of New Mexico State employees. My Executive Order recognizes both opposite-gender and same-gender domestic partnerships and extends health, dental, and vision benefits to domestic partners of state employees. As President, I will do everything I can in my administration to extend benefits to federal government employee domestic partners.
9. While 47 states allow gay and lesbian people to adopt children, some legislators are pushing to prohibit capable, committed adults from adopting because of their sexual orientation. As president, would you support giving appropriate judicial authorities the full authority to make decisions on adoption based on the best interest of the child, without bans based solely on sexual orientation?
_Support Comments:
10. Would you support the Uniting American Families Act which would enable an American citizen to petition for immigration sponsorship for a same-sex partner, and the INS would treat the relationships between opposite and same-sex couples in the same manner under the immigration code?
_Support Comments:
11. Would you support a congressional repeal of the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy which would allow gay, lesbian, and bisexual soldiers the right to serve openly in the military as is currently the policy in nearly every NATO country (H.R. 1246)?
_Support Comments:
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Gloves are off
I have known Donald Hitchcock for years. Our history goes back to when he and Paul first started going out. From the first I thought he was a very nice, gentle man who was a committed activist with a real moral center.
Donald has now sued his former employer, the Democratic National Committee (DNC). In a past life, he was the outreach person to the LGBT community for the DNC. But he was fired, coincidentally, right after his partner, Paul Yandura, published a letter to donors asking them to stop giving money to the DNC because they were not helping the lgbt community. As in not helping with all the anti-gay propositions around the country, as in taking queer money but not giving anything back.
So this is the irony to me of this whole situation. The DNC did not help to stop anti-marriage propositions and we lost in every single election, out spent, out organized, kicked to the curb. But yet they want to treat our relationships as if they are equal. Donald and Paul were then treated as if they had equal privileges and equal rights so therefore Donald becomes responsible for Paul. 2 + 2 does not equal a queer three dollar bill. The DNC cannot have it both ways. You're equal when we want you to be equal but we will not pay you the same and won't treat you the same as say James Carville/Mary Matalin.
In full disclosure, I have known both Paul and Donald for double digit years. There has been some speculation in other places that Paul is a Log. Not that there is a problem with being a Log but you don't know Paul. He was head of the Stonewall Dems for a while, was the LGBT outreach desk for both Clinton campaigns. When I stay in DC, I try to stay at their home because they are fun, treat me well and we can gossip endlessly. They have always been helpful with whatever I have been doing there.
The lines have been drawn now. Stay loyal to a person who runs the party or stay loyal to your tribe. I have picked my tribe.
Donald has now sued his former employer, the Democratic National Committee (DNC). In a past life, he was the outreach person to the LGBT community for the DNC. But he was fired, coincidentally, right after his partner, Paul Yandura, published a letter to donors asking them to stop giving money to the DNC because they were not helping the lgbt community. As in not helping with all the anti-gay propositions around the country, as in taking queer money but not giving anything back.
So this is the irony to me of this whole situation. The DNC did not help to stop anti-marriage propositions and we lost in every single election, out spent, out organized, kicked to the curb. But yet they want to treat our relationships as if they are equal. Donald and Paul were then treated as if they had equal privileges and equal rights so therefore Donald becomes responsible for Paul. 2 + 2 does not equal a queer three dollar bill. The DNC cannot have it both ways. You're equal when we want you to be equal but we will not pay you the same and won't treat you the same as say James Carville/Mary Matalin.
In full disclosure, I have known both Paul and Donald for double digit years. There has been some speculation in other places that Paul is a Log. Not that there is a problem with being a Log but you don't know Paul. He was head of the Stonewall Dems for a while, was the LGBT outreach desk for both Clinton campaigns. When I stay in DC, I try to stay at their home because they are fun, treat me well and we can gossip endlessly. They have always been helpful with whatever I have been doing there.
The lines have been drawn now. Stay loyal to a person who runs the party or stay loyal to your tribe. I have picked my tribe.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Which is it?
This is either political heaven or hell depending on what time of the day it is.
Today I was part of a group of immigrant activists who met with Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren about, yes, immigration reform. Tomorrow John Edwards is here but I am going to a meeting at Dianne Feinstein's office to talk about, yes, immigration reform. And in between I am trying to do reports and write an op-ed. Hillary is hanging around these parts and big Bill is coming to San Jose in a couple of weeks to do a speech.
Then there is Santa Cruz Pride this weekend to be followed by San Jose Pride the following weekend. Oh wait, I am going to LA on Monday and Tuesday for meetings too.
This could be heaven or this could be hell.
Today I was part of a group of immigrant activists who met with Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren about, yes, immigration reform. Tomorrow John Edwards is here but I am going to a meeting at Dianne Feinstein's office to talk about, yes, immigration reform. And in between I am trying to do reports and write an op-ed. Hillary is hanging around these parts and big Bill is coming to San Jose in a couple of weeks to do a speech.
Then there is Santa Cruz Pride this weekend to be followed by San Jose Pride the following weekend. Oh wait, I am going to LA on Monday and Tuesday for meetings too.
This could be heaven or this could be hell.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Nyet
While I have been posting updates on the disaster in Moscow, I have had underlying guilt about the whole sordid mess. Sara Whitman expressed many of the same thoughts I had about being in the US and having a whole bundle of rights as compared to my Russian brothers and sisters.
Yes, I cannot get married in California but I did get married in Boston. We have a house with animals and family around. Muscovites felt compelled to throw eggs and rocks at queers in the streets.
I remember sitting in line to get across the US/Mexico border after spending the weekend with gay men living with AIDS in Juarez. It had been a long time since I had seen someone dying of AIDS. It was shocking to me, the family there trying to get the dying man to eat, all his roommates seeing their future on the couch. After all the years I had spent working so everyone living with AIDS had access to medicine and then my family in Mexico was without. The clinic I had been at was literally next door to a farmacia and they couldn't go get aspirin next door because there was no money.
Seeing the pictures on various web pages of the religious Russian types pelting people is nauseating. But then what can I do I ask myself. Can I get my Democratic club to send a letter? Can I ask Barney Frank to send a letter? What more can I do besides feel guilty? Being so Catholic guilty doesn't really help so I must ponder how to best support my Russian family.
Yes, I cannot get married in California but I did get married in Boston. We have a house with animals and family around. Muscovites felt compelled to throw eggs and rocks at queers in the streets.
I remember sitting in line to get across the US/Mexico border after spending the weekend with gay men living with AIDS in Juarez. It had been a long time since I had seen someone dying of AIDS. It was shocking to me, the family there trying to get the dying man to eat, all his roommates seeing their future on the couch. After all the years I had spent working so everyone living with AIDS had access to medicine and then my family in Mexico was without. The clinic I had been at was literally next door to a farmacia and they couldn't go get aspirin next door because there was no money.
Seeing the pictures on various web pages of the religious Russian types pelting people is nauseating. But then what can I do I ask myself. Can I get my Democratic club to send a letter? Can I ask Barney Frank to send a letter? What more can I do besides feel guilty? Being so Catholic guilty doesn't really help so I must ponder how to best support my Russian family.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
and more Moscow
Nikolai Elekseev, who was arrested at Moscow Pride and is the head of the Moscow Pride, has issued a statement asking Chancellor Angela Merkel to call Putin out.
Moscow Pride
Moscow Pride has turned out to be the nightmare everyone thought. H/t to Pam for this story from Doug Ireland. He provides live coverage of this atrocity.
I read a lot of Russian history. Way too much for any sane person not in school to be reading. So in reading about the downfall and murder of the Romanovs, the various revolutions throughout its history, it is no wonder gays and lesbians are sitting in jails right now. The local org has more on their website here.
But considering the number of journalists who have been killed under KGB, I mean Russian President Putin, no one can be surprised at the outcome. The people who were attacked are the ones sitting in jail. There is a lot of footage up showing people being interviewed and then mugged on camera. I guess the thugs knew they had permission.
This is what Russian democracy looks like.
I read a lot of Russian history. Way too much for any sane person not in school to be reading. So in reading about the downfall and murder of the Romanovs, the various revolutions throughout its history, it is no wonder gays and lesbians are sitting in jails right now. The local org has more on their website here.
But considering the number of journalists who have been killed under KGB, I mean Russian President Putin, no one can be surprised at the outcome. The people who were attacked are the ones sitting in jail. There is a lot of footage up showing people being interviewed and then mugged on camera. I guess the thugs knew they had permission.
This is what Russian democracy looks like.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
More Migden
More on the Migden story from the SJ Mercury. This headline is an understatement:
I'm surprised the guy could get anyone to talk on the record.
Senator Carole Migden's history of brash behavior
I'm surprised the guy could get anyone to talk on the record.
Weekend
This long weekend appears to be one of my hiding out times. There are moments when paying attention to the world is just too painful. Between the whales being stuck in the Sacramento river to the liars that run the country, no wonder all I want to do is garden. So garden I did all day. (That was a very Yodaesque sentence, think I.)I believe I am growing some sort of nuclear garden. Apparently I am a little too good with the soil after all those years of working in New Mexico crap. Now I have poppies that are over 4 feet tall and a tomato plant that is being held up by a regular tomato cage and two other square cages. It has overtaken a large portion of the veggie garden. Until this year the veggie garden was a sandbox. So it is now a salsa garden with chiles, tomatoes, onions and cilantro all growing at a brisk rate. Nuclear, actually.
Last night we went to see Captain Jack Sparrow and Miss Elizabeth Swann in the latest installment of Pirates. Somehow I had the idea that we would take my three little cousins to go see this flick. What the hell was I thinking? It is nearly 3 hours in length with tons of violence and a complicated plot. Great for me but not so good for a four year old. So Shrek it is!
My cousin's son is quite the character. He told his older sister the other day that he was better cus he has a pickle. You know, that pickle.
Thank goodness for those kids, they are constant reminder to me to have hope. Of course, I always get to walk away from them if they get to be too much. That's the advantage of being the favorite aunt/cousin, I can get them all worked up and leave. What an ass, huh?
Well I don't want to turn this into too much of a reality show so I guess I will just end the adventure now. Hopefully there will be Pirates 4.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Grocery list
I drove to Sacramento today, the second time this week and was terrified I would see Carole Migden on the road. The CHP is citing her for not one but two accidents last Friday. Apparently she has given up driving until she finds out what is wrong. Oh don't get me started.
This has been quite the week for me, including the afore mentioned Sac trips. I went to Santa Cruz Tuesday morning for the funeral of my first sponsor. She lived to be a ripe 92 and died with 59 years sober. She was treated like a saint in the Santa Cruz AA community. I have to admit I was somewhat shocked at the turnout. I thought it would be overflow crowds at both the rosary and the funeral. Both were respectable showings but I guess now that people are sober they have jobs and can't just take off for funerals.
Monday was immigrant day at the Capitol and I was overworked and underpaid for that day. Between 400 and 500 people came from all over the state to lobby legislators on a variety of issues, including health care, citizenship services and increases for programs. It was really cool to see the diversity of participants and the various issues. Plus it was a nice day. I went to a meeting with staff from the Governator's office. Priceless moment: I mentioned that immigrants are very diverse in California. The staff member replied that he knew that, after all he is an immigrant from Austria. Um, missed the point, babe.
My gal is about to be and edumacated woman. She will be graduating next month from the National Labor College and finished her statistics class tonight. Whoohoo, break out the ice cream!
This has been quite the week for me, including the afore mentioned Sac trips. I went to Santa Cruz Tuesday morning for the funeral of my first sponsor. She lived to be a ripe 92 and died with 59 years sober. She was treated like a saint in the Santa Cruz AA community. I have to admit I was somewhat shocked at the turnout. I thought it would be overflow crowds at both the rosary and the funeral. Both were respectable showings but I guess now that people are sober they have jobs and can't just take off for funerals.
Monday was immigrant day at the Capitol and I was overworked and underpaid for that day. Between 400 and 500 people came from all over the state to lobby legislators on a variety of issues, including health care, citizenship services and increases for programs. It was really cool to see the diversity of participants and the various issues. Plus it was a nice day. I went to a meeting with staff from the Governator's office. Priceless moment: I mentioned that immigrants are very diverse in California. The staff member replied that he knew that, after all he is an immigrant from Austria. Um, missed the point, babe.
My gal is about to be and edumacated woman. She will be graduating next month from the National Labor College and finished her statistics class tonight. Whoohoo, break out the ice cream!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
No way!
This is just too much. State Senator Carole Migden was involved in a car crash, driving her state leased vehicle last Friday. Migden, who is not known for her sunny disposition, may actually have been involved in as many as three crashes that day. According to the Chronicle, she may have bounced off a center divider and a median divider.
On top of this, she disclosed that the reason she may have been driving impaired is because she has leukemia and has been getting treated for the condition for years. So now she must be headed for chemo rehab to explain all this away.
Migden, a lesbian, is involved in one of the bitchiest re-election battles right now with gay state Assemblyman Mark Leno. For those who have been to Castro street, imagine the two of them rolling in a ball down Castro, pulling each other's hair.
On top of this, she disclosed that the reason she may have been driving impaired is because she has leukemia and has been getting treated for the condition for years. So now she must be headed for chemo rehab to explain all this away.
Migden, a lesbian, is involved in one of the bitchiest re-election battles right now with gay state Assemblyman Mark Leno. For those who have been to Castro street, imagine the two of them rolling in a ball down Castro, pulling each other's hair.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
a question
So which Mexican is doing more harm to the US, Gonzalez or the guy who washes your car and mows your lawn?
Friday, May 18, 2007
API HIV testing
This morning I went to Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI) to support their HIV testing day. They had a couple of elected officials, including my favorite little brother, Evan Low, getting tested. Here is his cute face.
And here is the story:
MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
May 14, 2007
Santa Clara Community Leaders to Publicly Take HIV Tests at the 3rd Annual National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
WHO: Michele Lew, President & CEO, Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI)
Councilmember Margaret Abe-Koga of Mountain View
Councilmember Evan Low of Campbell
Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center (A&PI Wellness Center)
WHAT: In commemoration of the Third Annual National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDSAwareness Day, three groundbreaking leaders of Santa Clara County’s Asian & Pacific Islander (A&PI) communities will publicly receive HIV tests. This event also highlights the launch of HIV rapid testing, open to the public, at AACI’s Alternative HIV Testing Site in San Jose. AACI’s HIV testing program is a joint effort with the Community Health Partnership. This program was made possible through funding from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. Leaders demonstrating the importance of being tested for HIV will be: Michele Lew, President and CEO of AACI; Councilmember Margaret Abe-Koga, of Mountain View; and Councilmember Evan Low, of Campbell. All three will be receiving the Rapid Oral HIV test, a non-invasive test which provides results in 20 minutes, as well as providing individual remarks and answering questions for the media.
WHEN: Friday, May 18, 2007 at 9:00 am
WHERE: Asian Americans for Community Involvement, Banyan Tree Room (Room 216)
2400 Moorpark Avenue
San Jose, CA 95128
WHY: To focus attention on the rising rates of HIV/AIDS in A&PI communities and reduce related discrimination and stigma, especially fear around getting an HIV test. According to the CDC, at least 25% of all Americans infected with HIV are unaware of their status. Knowing personal HIV status increases individuals’ power to take care of their self and their community. By publicly receiving HIV tests, these three A&PI leaders demonstrate the need for increased education and support around those living with or at-risk for HIV in A&PI communities in Santa Clara County.
This event is held in conjunction with the Banyan Tree Project, a national initiative led by A&PI Wellness Center, striving to foster acceptance and compassion toward A&PIs living with, or at risk for HIV/AIDS. For information about National A&PI HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, go to www.banyantreeproject.org or call 1-866-5BANYAN. Press materials are available on the website.
Falcons
Just down the road the peregrine hawk couple, Jose and Clara, are esconced with their new babies on the San Jose city Hall building. Thanks to modern technology, you can read about them here with the web site for the falcon cam in this article. The whole valley is excitedly watching some very rare family moments. It's a nice change from what is going on down below with the humans.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Perfect v 2.0
This is perfect. Go on over to Pam's place to see the press release from Fred Phelps and his haters. They are going to picket Falwell's funeral.
Nice
OK this really irks me. This short Chronicle article about the anti-memorial for late homobigot Falwell makes it sound like the organizer, a certain out spoken gay men in the City, is only about gay men. Is the word lesbian used as if gay men had the bigotry locked up over gayness and AIDS? Uh yeah I am one of those lesbians who was there changing underwear and sheets for people too sick to take care of themselves. Sexism rears its ugly head in the face of the demise of one of our enemies. Funny how that happens.
At least Tinky Winky can exist in peace now.
At least Tinky Winky can exist in peace now.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Why
Back in the bad old days of AIDS, the 80's and 90's, there used to be a safety net for people living with AIDS. There was medicine, there were doctors, there were food banks, there was a way to pay for the meds. Apparently those days are long gone.
I just talked to a friend living with HIV who just had a minor stroke. He is not able to use his left hand except, as he described it, as a claw. But he is back at work now because he can't afford to not work and not have insurance. His spouse is on Medical and they just had to pay $900 for a dose of medicine. One prescription. I mean WTF kind of care is that?
If you don't have the right insurance and don't have the dough you die, right? So here is a guy who can't use both hands needing to work so he can pay for his spouse's meds because the feds won't help. This is the same kind of care this administration has given us. This is way beyond benign neglect, it is a kick in the ass, a kick to the curb and driving over people with a steam roller all combined to create an illusion of care. The same thing can be seen in military hospitals, New Orleans indigent care and county hospitals all over the country.
I don't know that this many morons could be found this easily all over the country let alone running the government. Between the lies, the scandals, the sheer ineptitude, it is a wonder there is any semblance of infrastructure left. It is truly heinous what we are witnessing. And there are still more than 600 days left for this man to destroy our spirit.
So what is the answer? Who knows? Universal health care? I wish. Who can one trust to offer real health care reform and the needed real health care? This is one of those conundrums of life in the US. The most advanced country in the world allegedly and the government seems content to let its citizens suffer.
I just talked to a friend living with HIV who just had a minor stroke. He is not able to use his left hand except, as he described it, as a claw. But he is back at work now because he can't afford to not work and not have insurance. His spouse is on Medical and they just had to pay $900 for a dose of medicine. One prescription. I mean WTF kind of care is that?
If you don't have the right insurance and don't have the dough you die, right? So here is a guy who can't use both hands needing to work so he can pay for his spouse's meds because the feds won't help. This is the same kind of care this administration has given us. This is way beyond benign neglect, it is a kick in the ass, a kick to the curb and driving over people with a steam roller all combined to create an illusion of care. The same thing can be seen in military hospitals, New Orleans indigent care and county hospitals all over the country.
I don't know that this many morons could be found this easily all over the country let alone running the government. Between the lies, the scandals, the sheer ineptitude, it is a wonder there is any semblance of infrastructure left. It is truly heinous what we are witnessing. And there are still more than 600 days left for this man to destroy our spirit.
So what is the answer? Who knows? Universal health care? I wish. Who can one trust to offer real health care reform and the needed real health care? This is one of those conundrums of life in the US. The most advanced country in the world allegedly and the government seems content to let its citizens suffer.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Hahahaha
To prove that there is justice in the world, Mary Cheney's book is selling for a whopping 7 cents over at Amazon. H/t to Michael Petrelis for unearthing this gem. What a great way to start the weekend! The lawn is mowed and watered, the woman who has sold out lesbians everywhere in the country gets a taste of the free market. Ah Friday nights.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
T-night in the City
I can't remember the last time I have enjoyed an article so much. I could smell the bathroom.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Back
I just returned from LA where I attended a meeting for progressive organizations to talk strategy. The retreat was held at the Serra retreat center in Malibu. It was such a lovely place to meet and talk about the upcoming years and what the ramifications are for us in the progressive movement.
Among my peers from the Bay Area, I have such a hard time understanding them sometimes. Not a language thing but they really like to "go deep" in their analysis and I have never dealt with politics at this level before. As I tell them, I have no idea where they are going but I try to follow them down the path.
But today we had a chance to visit, hang out and get to know each other. Apparently none of them knew I was the class clown so I had them laughing at lunch with my standard going out to dinner lines. So it was fun to entertain a whole new audience. Oh boy, my lines won't be all stale old jokes!
At the center I had such a nice time wandering among the gardens, looking out at the ocean, watching the sparrows and hummingbirds and walking among the gazillion lizards. It was a place to reconnect with myself for a bit. Plus I had forgotten my cell phone, my work email is not working so I was cut off from my normal pushes and pulls. It was actually a bit teary over leaving because that meant back to work. Waaaah.
So now I will see if the Congress has enough ovaries to do something about this damn war, whether Wolfie gets the boot from the World Bank and what my purple poppies look like in the morning.
Among my peers from the Bay Area, I have such a hard time understanding them sometimes. Not a language thing but they really like to "go deep" in their analysis and I have never dealt with politics at this level before. As I tell them, I have no idea where they are going but I try to follow them down the path.
But today we had a chance to visit, hang out and get to know each other. Apparently none of them knew I was the class clown so I had them laughing at lunch with my standard going out to dinner lines. So it was fun to entertain a whole new audience. Oh boy, my lines won't be all stale old jokes!
At the center I had such a nice time wandering among the gardens, looking out at the ocean, watching the sparrows and hummingbirds and walking among the gazillion lizards. It was a place to reconnect with myself for a bit. Plus I had forgotten my cell phone, my work email is not working so I was cut off from my normal pushes and pulls. It was actually a bit teary over leaving because that meant back to work. Waaaah.
So now I will see if the Congress has enough ovaries to do something about this damn war, whether Wolfie gets the boot from the World Bank and what my purple poppies look like in the morning.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Ugh
The Sharks are toast. I am going to LA tomorrow for work. The two are a bad combination. Think I'll go eat some worms.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Blahhh!
Oh ugh, the Sharks were disgusting today. I will have to eat octopus on this series from my friend Leslie, the wing nut. That was all hockey jargon. Bottom line, my team sucks and may not make it to the next round.
At least the weather is grand, it is the spouse's birthday weekend so we are trying to liven things up by going to Santa Cruz a couple of times for meals with friends. This is a real sign of getting older, I couldn't remember how old she is. Actually it was mental pause. At any rate, off to surf city tomorrow. The joys of California life.
At least the weather is grand, it is the spouse's birthday weekend so we are trying to liven things up by going to Santa Cruz a couple of times for meals with friends. This is a real sign of getting older, I couldn't remember how old she is. Actually it was mental pause. At any rate, off to surf city tomorrow. The joys of California life.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
A moment
Whoa, I forgot I had a blog! That's mental pause for you.
I cannot report many interesting things today. I did get the stitches out of my foot yesterday and could then enjoy a big girl shower without a giant condom on my leg. I drove to Sacramento yesterday too and had more Chico State flashbacks all the way up and back.
This evening I had a priceless moment with one of my dogs. I had gone out to the garage for something and came back in to the house. There was Allegra, sitting there, waiting for me, wagging her tail and just showing how much she likes me. She has such warm brown eyes, I just fell in love all over again with a dog who has been abused in the past and just wants some love from me. I gave it to her happily with no strings attached. Pure love from the animals and pure love back.
Sometimes it is the little things that can make me grateful. Today I had that moment.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Women and blogs
I think a light bulb just went on here in San Jose. I was reading this article in the WaPo about women being harassed and intimidated on their blogs. This has the apparent response of pushing women out of the blogosphere. Duh!
In the past I wrote about the threats that Shakespeare's Sister had to deal with as part of the fallout with the Edwards campaign. The threats weren't just in the blogosphere but came right to her front door.
So apparently this is not an isolated incident. According to this article, women are receding from the cyber community due to these threats of rape, violence and death against not just them but also their families.
A few weeks ago I posted a diary for the first time at Kos. It was the story about my friend Julia and her eventual demise from cancer. Oh wait, I posted it here too. Anyway, I got a blistering response from somebody for talking about my friend and making the comparison to Elizabeth Edwards. Although the moral of the story was how much I hate to see women having to deal with this, well I was just wrong.
Never mind that I knew about my own experiences with my friend but it was just enough to make me realize that, yes, the blogosphere is the wild west. But I didn't have to go look there or any other site that made me uncomfortable. I could get my news in places that weren't the wild west, that people weren't insane or intimidating or um, just stupid. So I stopped going to Kos and any other site that I felt was not friendly.
Anonymity and misogyny is a very bad combination. Add the ability for threats of violence to be posted without any repercussions and I really don't want to play in that sandbox.
I will just keep writing because I like to write. A few people drop by regularly and that is great. I just want a little community where we can share a laugh and talk about hockey or something and wave to each other in passing.
In the past I wrote about the threats that Shakespeare's Sister had to deal with as part of the fallout with the Edwards campaign. The threats weren't just in the blogosphere but came right to her front door.
So apparently this is not an isolated incident. According to this article, women are receding from the cyber community due to these threats of rape, violence and death against not just them but also their families.
A few weeks ago I posted a diary for the first time at Kos. It was the story about my friend Julia and her eventual demise from cancer. Oh wait, I posted it here too. Anyway, I got a blistering response from somebody for talking about my friend and making the comparison to Elizabeth Edwards. Although the moral of the story was how much I hate to see women having to deal with this, well I was just wrong.
Never mind that I knew about my own experiences with my friend but it was just enough to make me realize that, yes, the blogosphere is the wild west. But I didn't have to go look there or any other site that made me uncomfortable. I could get my news in places that weren't the wild west, that people weren't insane or intimidating or um, just stupid. So I stopped going to Kos and any other site that I felt was not friendly.
Anonymity and misogyny is a very bad combination. Add the ability for threats of violence to be posted without any repercussions and I really don't want to play in that sandbox.
I will just keep writing because I like to write. A few people drop by regularly and that is great. I just want a little community where we can share a laugh and talk about hockey or something and wave to each other in passing.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
The truth will set us free
Billie Jean's talk last night stirred up a lot of brain cells for me. How incredible to get to be in the company of such a leader. And what a doofus I am to have to be talked in to going last night, for a free event.
Anyhow, let me talk about my conversation with her. Because of this damn foot thing, I was in a wheel chair, provided by my friend Sharon. (You can read about her here.) Once again dealing with the very important issues of how does one get down to a floor with the elevator working. As usual, my snotty ass self made sure Sharon and I were front row.
I digress. After the speech, I rolled up to the stage to try to schmooze with the mother of women's sports. I finally rolled my way in front of her and had a lovely conversation. Introduced myself as the only Latina lesbian to ever address a presidential convention. She asked what I talked about. I told her it was about real family values, how my cousin's baby had died and they didn't care who my partner was but that I was part of the family and showed up for them. She agreed, talking about family was really important. I thanked her for opening the door for people like me. Her response, "We help each other."
BJK was so accessible, so friendly, so supportive, it was just unbelievable to hear the stories. The Bobby Riggs story, her galimony case, her start in tennis, what she did for women's sports, all were so important in the country's history, womens' history, LGBT history.
The critical piece I heard time and time again, tell your truth. Tell the truth about who you are, what you want, what your opinions are in every day of your life. And if you don't know the truth for yourself, find out. Find out who you are, no matter how painful because if you tell the truth about who you are, you can tell the truth to the world and make a difference.
No wonder I slept better last night, I am surrounded by women who tell the truth and make a difference, starting with me.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Tell the truth
Look who I spent the evening with? Yes, that would be the fabulous Billie Jean King. Due to my ongoing physical problems, I was in a wheel chair up front and personal as the King who is really the Queen of all women athletes talked about her life, the highlights and lowlights.
But I felt I made the better choice over Hillary and Obama and listening to BJK's version of the battle of the sexes against Bobby Riggs.
There will be more in the AM with more pics and hopefully film.
The boot
Will someone with ovaries please step forward and please give this comb licking lair the boot?
From WaPo:
From WaPo:
Wolfowitz has been under increasing pressure to step down since acknowledging his role in securing a job change and salary increase for Riza, his longtime companion. Shortly before Wolfowitz assumed the World Bank presidency in June 2005, Riza, a World Bank employee, was transferred to the State Department at an annual salary of $193,000.Duh, what did you expect from him? Morality, ethics? Not gonna happen.A draft of the report reviewed by the committee late Friday declared Wolfowitz had violated World Bank regulations in three areas: breach of contract, breach of ethics rules and undermining the reputation of the bank.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Yippeee
Ms Marinucci, has an article up on the Chronicle for Saturday about bloggers at the California Democratic Convention. I am quoted in the article. I am having performance anxiety.
If it wasn't for the damn foot, I would be blogging from down in San Diego. I have to depend on the local homos to keep me posted. That is not right on so many levels. Oh well, I will just go see Billie Jean King tomorrow night at Stanford. Thhhpppttt.
If it wasn't for the damn foot, I would be blogging from down in San Diego. I have to depend on the local homos to keep me posted. That is not right on so many levels. Oh well, I will just go see Billie Jean King tomorrow night at Stanford. Thhhpppttt.
Equal or not equal?
Thank you to the Congressional types who introduced ENDA this week. One of my favorite Congressmen, Barney Frank is leading the charge to get us equal protection at the federal level. This bill is also trans inclusive which a huge step forward for the whole community.
Back in my other life in New Mexico, we were able to get a state bill passed like this - a non-discrimination bill that was trans inclusive. Leading up to that legislative session there were many painful, rancorous conversations about trans inclusion. I was very sad to witness the chingasos which activists, alleged progressive people were only too willing to throw our trans brothers and sisters under the bus. I still hear and see it.
I would say in public that I wanted us to all get to the finish line together. To me, why would I treat someone the way I have been treated? Why continue that system of oppression, that hierarchy of discrimination when we could do something different? How does one say I want equality but just for me, leave the others behind?
Now I am as pragmatic as the next person. I know how to count votes, lobby, pressure and give money when needed. But, but, but I need to be able to look myself in the mirror and know I did the right thing for everyone, not just some.
This same argument runs through the thread of immigration. Immigrants are somehow less than human, they are "illegal." Those coming here without papers are criminals, trying to destroy the country. Yes because everyone wants to leave their family and live in crowded conditions and not see their children for months and years. All this so they can work in crappy jobs with low respect and be treated badly by segments of the population.
Wanting the best for our families is not solely and American concern. It is universal as should be our humanity. So whether it is a person from another country, a person who has changed their gender over the course of their lifetime, someone in a wheel chair or whatever makes the next person different, there is always a chance to treat them well.
Unless it's me then you can treat me REALLY well.
Back in my other life in New Mexico, we were able to get a state bill passed like this - a non-discrimination bill that was trans inclusive. Leading up to that legislative session there were many painful, rancorous conversations about trans inclusion. I was very sad to witness the chingasos which activists, alleged progressive people were only too willing to throw our trans brothers and sisters under the bus. I still hear and see it.
I would say in public that I wanted us to all get to the finish line together. To me, why would I treat someone the way I have been treated? Why continue that system of oppression, that hierarchy of discrimination when we could do something different? How does one say I want equality but just for me, leave the others behind?
Now I am as pragmatic as the next person. I know how to count votes, lobby, pressure and give money when needed. But, but, but I need to be able to look myself in the mirror and know I did the right thing for everyone, not just some.
This same argument runs through the thread of immigration. Immigrants are somehow less than human, they are "illegal." Those coming here without papers are criminals, trying to destroy the country. Yes because everyone wants to leave their family and live in crowded conditions and not see their children for months and years. All this so they can work in crappy jobs with low respect and be treated badly by segments of the population.
Wanting the best for our families is not solely and American concern. It is universal as should be our humanity. So whether it is a person from another country, a person who has changed their gender over the course of their lifetime, someone in a wheel chair or whatever makes the next person different, there is always a chance to treat them well.
Unless it's me then you can treat me REALLY well.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Remember
I wish I could give Mary Tillman a hug.
Mary Tillman is the mother of Pat Tillman. Pat Tillman was a pro football player who gave up the high life and went to war in Afghanistan. He enlisted in the Army Rangers after the 9/11 attacks. He was killed by Americans, Americans in the Army Rangers in a clear case of fratricide. Unfortunately the Army didn't get around telling Mary Tillman or her family about the fratricide until five weeks after his death.
Pat's brother Kevin was a few hundred yards away when their fellow Rangers opened fire on Pat and blew his head off. Now we know that a ranking officer told the man who witnessed Pat's death to not tell his brother. So began the cover up.
Pat Tillman was given a memorial service at a beautiful park in San Jose, not far from my house. One of the officers in attendance at the service knew he had been killed by his fellow Rangers but never said a frigging word to the family. We still don't know how far this cover up went in the ranks or in the Pentagon or in the White House.
But yesterday Mary and Kevin Tillman testified in Congress. They told the truth and questioned why they have been treated in a such an immoral fashion, with lies and obstacles placed in their way to the truth. How in the hell does the Army do FIVE investigations and still not yield the truth?
Well we know the answer. This is a rhetorical question at best but it is the heart of what this country has become. A country in the midst of a civil war in a country we have destroyed based on the lies of the president and his gang of bullies. Pat Tillman believed in his values, telling the truth, standing up for his country and doing the right thing. What his country did to honor him was to lie to his family.
That's why I want to give Mary Tillman a hug. Just to let her know I honor her son. I honor her family and I, too, just want the truth.
For more details on Pat Tillman read this story in Sports Illustrated. And send Mary Tillman a hug.
Mary Tillman is the mother of Pat Tillman. Pat Tillman was a pro football player who gave up the high life and went to war in Afghanistan. He enlisted in the Army Rangers after the 9/11 attacks. He was killed by Americans, Americans in the Army Rangers in a clear case of fratricide. Unfortunately the Army didn't get around telling Mary Tillman or her family about the fratricide until five weeks after his death.
Pat's brother Kevin was a few hundred yards away when their fellow Rangers opened fire on Pat and blew his head off. Now we know that a ranking officer told the man who witnessed Pat's death to not tell his brother. So began the cover up.
Pat Tillman was given a memorial service at a beautiful park in San Jose, not far from my house. One of the officers in attendance at the service knew he had been killed by his fellow Rangers but never said a frigging word to the family. We still don't know how far this cover up went in the ranks or in the Pentagon or in the White House.
But yesterday Mary and Kevin Tillman testified in Congress. They told the truth and questioned why they have been treated in a such an immoral fashion, with lies and obstacles placed in their way to the truth. How in the hell does the Army do FIVE investigations and still not yield the truth?
Well we know the answer. This is a rhetorical question at best but it is the heart of what this country has become. A country in the midst of a civil war in a country we have destroyed based on the lies of the president and his gang of bullies. Pat Tillman believed in his values, telling the truth, standing up for his country and doing the right thing. What his country did to honor him was to lie to his family.
That's why I want to give Mary Tillman a hug. Just to let her know I honor her son. I honor her family and I, too, just want the truth.
For more details on Pat Tillman read this story in Sports Illustrated. And send Mary Tillman a hug.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Small and smaller
My world is getting smaller again. Now it is just down to the stitches in my Mexican left foot. Pain, pain and frustration. Nothing I need or want is ever near me. I always have to get up and get something, a pen, a phone, something to read. AAAARRRRGGGHHHH!!! I am clumsy and knock over things, spilling things and then there is the pain.
Here I am still working too. Today I had a legislative breakfast for my job, then had a meeting with an organizer/ Back to the office for messages, back home to the computer then off to the LGBT Dem club meeting. It's just Monday, too.
Immigration legislation looks even more fucked up now. Bush is pushing an immigration bill which doesn't allow for family reunification. Congressman Gutierrez was here this weekend pimping his bill and trying to scare people-it's either his bill or more raids. His bill or nothing, the big liar.
To top it off, Alberto Gonzalez still has the same job. That is just not right.
Here I am still working too. Today I had a legislative breakfast for my job, then had a meeting with an organizer/ Back to the office for messages, back home to the computer then off to the LGBT Dem club meeting. It's just Monday, too.
Immigration legislation looks even more fucked up now. Bush is pushing an immigration bill which doesn't allow for family reunification. Congressman Gutierrez was here this weekend pimping his bill and trying to scare people-it's either his bill or more raids. His bill or nothing, the big liar.
To top it off, Alberto Gonzalez still has the same job. That is just not right.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
See ya sucker
If this works in hockey, it should work at the World Bank. Sing along with me "Nananana, nananana, hey, hey, hey, goodbye. So long Wolfie, you are the devil and have brought hell to this earth. All the directors of the World Bank have said Wolfowitz must resign. Nananana, heyhey, goodbye.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
VT
The world is such a sad place today. The killings in Virginia have once again ignited the flames of desire for many people in the country to address the issue of guns-what has them, who doesn't, who can get them, who can't. Why do you need a gun if you don't hunt?
But for me, the question becomes also about other issues we can't discuss, race and mental illness. Last year when I was just starting this blog, I wrote a lot about Denice Denton, the chancellor at UC Santa Cruz who committed suicide. There was an alarming number of flashing lights going on with the late chancellor but hardly anyone picked up the signs. Now again, the warning signs were flashing in Virginia but the systems there couldn't and wouldn't address this young man's mental illness.
In questioning my APA friends today, I asked if they had any repercussions from this horrible event. The answers were interesting. They all uniformly said, no, not any repercussions. But they had a number of viewpoints from their different angles:
But for me, the question becomes also about other issues we can't discuss, race and mental illness. Last year when I was just starting this blog, I wrote a lot about Denice Denton, the chancellor at UC Santa Cruz who committed suicide. There was an alarming number of flashing lights going on with the late chancellor but hardly anyone picked up the signs. Now again, the warning signs were flashing in Virginia but the systems there couldn't and wouldn't address this young man's mental illness.
In questioning my APA friends today, I asked if they had any repercussions from this horrible event. The answers were interesting. They all uniformly said, no, not any repercussions. But they had a number of viewpoints from their different angles:
- they were glad he spoke clear and precise English so it didn't look like he was a recent arrival with no skills to be in the country;
- why did the issue of race have to be raised so often in the reporting?
- why is Korean culture (specifically South Korean movies) being blamed for this assault?
- since Korean culture tends to be homogeneous, should all Koreans be ashamed of this act?
Monday, April 16, 2007
Tonight, tonight
So now that I am limping around and not so much hobbling on crutches, I went to the Sharks Stanley Cup game tonight. I was on both crutches and let me tell, what an amazing experience this was to not be fully capable in a large crowd.
I knew this already from other experiences with people in wheel chairs but sheesh, I had such a difficult time with people just walking, crossing, running in front of me. There was a fair amount of what? Selfishness? Self absorbtion? Total lack of attention to a person who was limited in the ability to walk? Stunning, really.
When I went to the bathroom, the women were at least friendly and not in a hurry to get around me. There were a number of men who were very kind and helpful while I was making my way to the jane. But for the most part I felt very invisible.
Quite the lesson learned tonight. Doesn't hurt to be kind to people with different abilities, they are people too.
I knew this already from other experiences with people in wheel chairs but sheesh, I had such a difficult time with people just walking, crossing, running in front of me. There was a fair amount of what? Selfishness? Self absorbtion? Total lack of attention to a person who was limited in the ability to walk? Stunning, really.
When I went to the bathroom, the women were at least friendly and not in a hurry to get around me. There were a number of men who were very kind and helpful while I was making my way to the jane. But for the most part I felt very invisible.
Quite the lesson learned tonight. Doesn't hurt to be kind to people with different abilities, they are people too.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Lying Heather
This is good. The DCCC has an ad up in the Land of Enchantment ripping lying Heather a new one.
In Washington Alberto Gonzales, the Attorney General of the United States, is testifying under oath about his role in the firing of U.S. Attorneys.
But here in New Mexico, no one is getting the truth about Heather Wilson’s involvement in the scandal.
Wilson said a constituent’s complaint led her to call Republican U.S. Attorney David Iglesias about an ongoing federal corruption investigation.
But Heather Wilson won’t identify the constituent … she still refuses to release her phone records … and many important questions remain unanswered.
In Washington Attorney General Gonzales is being asked to tell the truth …
Isn’t it time we asked Heather Wilson to tell the truth in New Mexico?
Check the facts at www dot Heather Wilson watch dot com.
People have asked questions on other blogs about the whole corruption topic being over with now. Just remember corruption is the life blood of New Mexico. People thrive on it. Corruption is as important as water.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
The week
Oh my what a week! The White House lost 4 million emails. Imus is toast. The Sharks won in double overtime last night.
Let's see....how in the hell do you lose that many emails? Oh I remember, when you are under suspicion for breaking many federal laws. Hiding things from Americans because you are unethical, lying, flying monkeys working in the White House?
Imus got kicked to the curb today and I couldn't be happier to finally see some accountability. Now, dude, about those eyebrows. Get some tweezers.
Tomorrow afternoon I am having surgery on my left foot. The movie will be called My Mexican Left Foot. Got the percocet already so as long as I get home in front of the tv for the Sharks game, life is good.
I may have to blog on percocet, wheeee.
Let's see....how in the hell do you lose that many emails? Oh I remember, when you are under suspicion for breaking many federal laws. Hiding things from Americans because you are unethical, lying, flying monkeys working in the White House?
Imus got kicked to the curb today and I couldn't be happier to finally see some accountability. Now, dude, about those eyebrows. Get some tweezers.
Tomorrow afternoon I am having surgery on my left foot. The movie will be called My Mexican Left Foot. Got the percocet already so as long as I get home in front of the tv for the Sharks game, life is good.
I may have to blog on percocet, wheeee.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Stealing
I had to steal this pic from my buddy Kathy at Birmingham Blues. I know stealing is wrong but...I had to have this.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
??????
Easter has not been on my list of top 10 holidays. But today certainly turned into one of the nicer days since moving back to CA. Out in the sun, bbqing, See's candy, family around, See's candy, potato salad, See's candy. We had one conversation about politics but nobody wanted to ruin the day by talking about that crap. We did stray into the territory of immigration while trying to get my mom's birth certificate online.
Like since she doesn't have a passport and no possession of her birth certificate, what would happen if ICE tried to pick her up at say an immigration rally? What would happen to anyone in that position, how do you prove you are here legally? Since we brown types are the subject of suspicion, again, our requirements become um, suspect.
So much for the land of the free.
Guess I'll go back to the See's and forget about this for the rest of the day.
Like since she doesn't have a passport and no possession of her birth certificate, what would happen if ICE tried to pick her up at say an immigration rally? What would happen to anyone in that position, how do you prove you are here legally? Since we brown types are the subject of suspicion, again, our requirements become um, suspect.
So much for the land of the free.
Guess I'll go back to the See's and forget about this for the rest of the day.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Time
Well apparently this Orange county lawyer has a booming business trying to force police departments to do two jobs at once. He is suing the City of San Jose to try to force the PD to become federal border patrol. On behalf of two locals who, of course. Some people just have too much time on their hands and apparently want to wash their own cars and their own dishes from now on. This promises to be the first of many more suits. I can hardly wait.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
A good day in the hood
I was going to get be all smug today on this post about my name appearing in an anti-immigrant blog. When I went to find it again, it was gone. Damn. The smugness will have to wait for another day.
I n the meantime I can celebrate the Sharks win tonight. I got my Stanley Cup tickets today, too. No work this weekend, thankfully, too. My red poppies are blooming out in front. I think I managed to make all my deadlines today. Whoohoo, a good day in the neighborhood for me. This gives me a chance to ignore Bush's stupidity of the day.
Oh but wait, why is he throwing such a fit about Nancy Pelosi going to Syria when there are Republicans there this week too? And why is he making asinine comments about Congress going off on vacation as he has one foot in the plane so he can go to Crawford? Ah the hypocrisy, it is always breathtaking.
I n the meantime I can celebrate the Sharks win tonight. I got my Stanley Cup tickets today, too. No work this weekend, thankfully, too. My red poppies are blooming out in front. I think I managed to make all my deadlines today. Whoohoo, a good day in the neighborhood for me. This gives me a chance to ignore Bush's stupidity of the day.
Oh but wait, why is he throwing such a fit about Nancy Pelosi going to Syria when there are Republicans there this week too? And why is he making asinine comments about Congress going off on vacation as he has one foot in the plane so he can go to Crawford? Ah the hypocrisy, it is always breathtaking.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Yeah baby
I love living in northern California. Where else does this happen? From the Chron:
The state's ban on same-sex marriage tells lesbians and gay men that they are "second class citizens" inferior to sex offenders and prisoners, and it contributes to discrimination, the city of San Francisco argued today in asking the California Supreme Court to strike down the law.
In a strongly-worded brief, the city traced the discrimination of lesbians and gay men from the first millennium to the Enlightenment to the present day. City attorneys compared the fight for same-sex marriage rights to the battle for desegregation, and they asked the state's highest court to ignore the pull of tradition and "the will of the popular majority."
Sister love
I have got to give a shout out to my sister, Kathleen DeBold, who is leaving the Mautner Project after a million years there. What a kind, generous woman she is. Anytime I needed her ear, she was there. Ok maybe not every time cus she was always really busy but most times she would be there for me. Plus I could always make her laugh and we carried on like a couple of old lesbos when we got together. It was really bad when we sat together at meetings, slipping notes to each other and making REALLY rude comments to provoke the other one.
She was always cognizant about issues of race, class and gender. If she said something that could use some correction, I would not hesitate in pointing it out to her. She was never defensive and always was a great friend and ally. We would have arguments about the L Word but it was way cool when she got Mautner recognized during the very sad story line about one of the characters dying of breast cancer.
I know there will be times in the future when we get to cause trouble again. Until then, my friend, take a much needed rest. You certainly earned it.
She was always cognizant about issues of race, class and gender. If she said something that could use some correction, I would not hesitate in pointing it out to her. She was never defensive and always was a great friend and ally. We would have arguments about the L Word but it was way cool when she got Mautner recognized during the very sad story line about one of the characters dying of breast cancer.
I know there will be times in the future when we get to cause trouble again. Until then, my friend, take a much needed rest. You certainly earned it.
A light
My world keeps getting a little smaller. Now I am just focused on my feet.
I finally have insurance at Kaiser and met my swell new doctor today. She has sent me on to the foot people so with any luck I will be getting that damn operation to alleviate the pain in my feet, the nasty case of plantar fasciatis. This is now four series of shots, steroids, pain pills and endless days and nights of this really terrible pain later maybe there is some help on the way.
Then I can go back to soccer and walk the dogs again. Good lord, a normal life????
I finally have insurance at Kaiser and met my swell new doctor today. She has sent me on to the foot people so with any luck I will be getting that damn operation to alleviate the pain in my feet, the nasty case of plantar fasciatis. This is now four series of shots, steroids, pain pills and endless days and nights of this really terrible pain later maybe there is some help on the way.
Then I can go back to soccer and walk the dogs again. Good lord, a normal life????
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Citizens
The last two Saturdays I have had to work. My agency sponsors a Citizenship Day and then we provide three Saturdays as a follow up to help people fill out their N-400 form.
So what the heck is an N-400 you may ask. That is the form that the wizards at the Department of Homeland Security use to process eligible residents to become citizens. It is a loooong, multiple page form asking some very interesting questions. We, staff and volunteers, assist these folks with this application. It has been a very eye opening experience for me. I want to share some of my experiences.
First, I find it amazing to see the complexities of people's lives. I was working with a man who had a traumatic brain injury so he cannot remember his work history. The people from southeast Asia have very complex histories that are a product of wars, dictators and genocide. One woman from Cambodia could not remember her birthday or the birthdays of two of her children. I could never imagine what she has seen or experienced in her lifetime.
Some of the questions on the form are kind of cheeky. Like asking a 70 something Vietnamese woman if she was ever a prostitute. Then her daughter has to translate the question for her. Or was she a drug addict, a habitual drunkard? These fall under the category of morality questions. Plus, what person is going to say yes? No drunk or drug user could get through this process! It is long, it requires patience and a real desire to get to the citizenship ceremony. This is not for the faint hearted!
At the end of very long days, though, I felt like I had done my part to make the US a better place, more of the real melting pot and less of a hypocrisy. I look forward to seeing more citizens who will vote and participate in a real democracy.
So what the heck is an N-400 you may ask. That is the form that the wizards at the Department of Homeland Security use to process eligible residents to become citizens. It is a loooong, multiple page form asking some very interesting questions. We, staff and volunteers, assist these folks with this application. It has been a very eye opening experience for me. I want to share some of my experiences.
First, I find it amazing to see the complexities of people's lives. I was working with a man who had a traumatic brain injury so he cannot remember his work history. The people from southeast Asia have very complex histories that are a product of wars, dictators and genocide. One woman from Cambodia could not remember her birthday or the birthdays of two of her children. I could never imagine what she has seen or experienced in her lifetime.
Some of the questions on the form are kind of cheeky. Like asking a 70 something Vietnamese woman if she was ever a prostitute. Then her daughter has to translate the question for her. Or was she a drug addict, a habitual drunkard? These fall under the category of morality questions. Plus, what person is going to say yes? No drunk or drug user could get through this process! It is long, it requires patience and a real desire to get to the citizenship ceremony. This is not for the faint hearted!
At the end of very long days, though, I felt like I had done my part to make the US a better place, more of the real melting pot and less of a hypocrisy. I look forward to seeing more citizens who will vote and participate in a real democracy.
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