All Reality Zone

So, are Christians the only moral Americans? Or is it smoke & mirrors?

2011-11-08T10:30:00.000-08:00

So, are Christians the only moral Americans? Or is it smoke & mirrors?

"Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford in “Mommy Dearest”

Wait a minute, those Reich-wingers are always going on and on and on, like a broken record, spreading outright hatred and lies about the LGBT community to anyone that will listen. Especially if there is a microphone and a Video Camera around ever hear the term, Levirate Marriage? Seems it was common practice in the times of the Old Testament. Take a look-see at these passages, they explicitly ooze’s morality. As it turns out, not only are people like me are immoral (LGBT people.) With allot of us it’s a twofer, imagine being both gay & Liberal. I am sick to death hearing how gays are destroying our country, they shouldn’t get special rights. The “special rights” thing is particularly silly, To be treated equal and enjoy the rights of full citizenship is a CIVIL RIGHT. Not a special one. I may have to go all Joan Crawford. However, I live nowhere near, "The Most Beautiful House in Brentwood." But I may launch into Joan's infamous rant about wire hangers.

No wire hangers! What are wire hangers doing in this closet when I told you no wire hangers?! EVER!!!! I work till I'm half dead and I hear people say she's getting old! What do I get? A daughter who cares as much about a beautiful dress I give her as she cares about me. What are wire hangers doing in this closet?! Answer me! I buy you beautiful dresses and you treat 'em like some dishrag! Okay it's a partial Joan rant but I’m sure people get the idea, But I digress.

Okay back to this thing called Levirate Marriage, from my understanding the term is from the Latin word "levir," which means "brother-in-law." Again, the following passages are from the Old Testament of that book that most hard-line religious jihadist, sometimes known as The American Taliban. It cannot be stated enough, "GOD" as we all know or have at least heard this claim at least a zillion times literally wrote the sacred holly book some of them like to use to thump allot of us with. Yes "GOD" wrote the Bible. Every bit of it, at least that's what I keep hearing, this comes from Deuteronomy 25:5-10. King James Version (KJV)

5. If brethren dwell together, and one of them dies, and has no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him as a wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother unto her.

6. And it shall be, that the firstborn which she breadth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.

7. And if the man likes not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, my husband's brother refuses’ to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother.

8. Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her;

9. Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, so shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house.

10. And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.

This is just WRONG and thankfully has gone the way of the Dodo Bird. It much like the aforementioned Dodo just doesn't fly. No wonder MOST of the Repiglickin Party in their heart of hearts just does not care for, or actually despise women. It's because the "GOD," most of them claim to follow. Yes sir/mam, the same "GOD" I mentioned in the third paragraph. He's the literal author of the book this nonsense is taken from.

Surely folks know what book I'm talking about, unless someone reading this has been living a under rock. Come to think about it, ALLOT of Americans may have no other options left other than living under a rock or in a cave if the greedy default derivative swapping Wall Street barons finish the attacks on those who were only trying to live the American Dream. Well turns out since he, "GOD" really doesn’t care too much for women either. He thinks they should be subservient and know their place in the home, and be a baby maker.

Willing, or not, and If she doesn't conceive does she then get stoned. And I am not talking about Cheeche & Chong kind of stoned! Also should she scrub the house spic n span clean, & cook the Head & Master of the home and her, what he orders here to cook and it better be ready when he is. Everyone knows that’s today's Women would and SHOULD NOT, I repeat SHOULD NOT stand for this kind of behavior not now. Okay it should not have been biblical law then, of now. I'm just saying. ALL women should be treated with respect in today’s society and thought of as an EQUAL.

Let me say a Powerful, Strong willed take no prisoner women of today, Is what some men need today to tame them of their of their misogynistic a-hole way of thinking and acting. These are qualities I truly admire in a woman. Powerful, Strong willed take no prisoner. If I didn't happen to be gay, Qualities like there would be something I would look for to share life with.

OH yeah not to beat a dead horse of anything. But, I have also heard people talk of this will jolly old guy that gives EVERY child in the WHOLE World toys on a certain night of the year, well if you have been nice, BAD boys and girls get a lump of coal in their stocking. Next year perhaps you will behave. Jolly old guy, isn't that an oxymoron or what? But I have a hunch that this "jolly old guy" is make believe. What do you think? Hope this was worth the read.

Thanks for your time.

Johnny Carson

The Scariest Moment Came When

2010-07-10T11:33:00.001-07:00

That stupid idiot tried to lower himself from the roof of his apt bldg to his 3rd floor balcony, and wouldn't you know it he slipped and after hitting the ledge of his own balcony the ledge of the 2nd floor balcony then bouncing off the first floor stair rail when he hit the ground you could hear the screaming for blocks away. When 911 was called and paramedics arrived they cut all his clothes off in front of all the neighbors that came running to the screams. The fool broke his pelvis in half and on the left side, cracked three vertebrae, three ribs and had a whole in his left leg. I know he won't try that again.

I never thought aliens

2009-10-16T05:37:00.001-07:00

I never thought aliens would look like Michelle Malkin...

Sermon Of Hatred

2009-08-23T03:47:00.000-07:00

Listen to these combined clips (h/t Crooks and Liars) I like to call The Sermon of Hatred.

Pastor Steven Anderson of Faithful Word Baptist Church in Tempe, Arizona thinks I or others like me should be executed. OH and he thinks Barak Obama should die too. I cannot figure out who he hates more, gay people or our President. It would seem that he and some of our other Talibangelical brethren (Fred Phelps) want to interpret the bible to adapt to their ideology and disregard any of the teachings that doesn't fit their needs. They make-up the rules as they go along. I realize that Organized Religion (Christianity) has brought compassion to the suffering (if you are not in one of groups their pissing on) Of course to judge all of religion(s) as wicked ignores the sacrifices of so many for so much throughout time. But some of our Talibangelical brethren forget these words. "That which you do to the least of my brothers, that you do onto me!"

His tale of Barney Frank is nothing less than pure slander and he should have his tax exempt status removed or sued. Yes Rep. Frank is gay and did at one time have a relationship with a prostitute whom he befriended and hired as an aide. That he fired when learned he was running a prostitution ring out of his house. BUT, the prostitute that he was involved with (Mr. Steve Gobie) was not a minor; and none of the prostitutes Mr. Gobie pimped out were minors either. Barney Frank reported all of this to the House ethics committee entirely on his own when he found out what was going on, and was not arrested over any of this. Frank continues to sit in Congress as one of it’s' most respected and principled members.

Say what you will, I know that religion (Christianity) has helped some through bad times, been a source of joy and inspiration. BUT, I refuse to cleave to a religion (Christianity) that encourages me to hate anybody, or blame people for who they are, or take action on things that are no business of mine. Never once in my life have I molested anyone, or thought about it for that matter. Nor have I tried recruiting anyone don't get me wrong, today I am happy being who and what I am. At the same time I wouldn't dare actively pull ANYONE into most of the things I have been through in my life. I was born who I am, I do not need a scientific proof I was born gay. We (Gay people) are the proof. This is not something I have chosen; unlike my "lifestyle" religion, (Christianity) on the other hand is a chosen "lifestyle." You chose who to hate not who to love.

Pastor Anderson asked! How Are They Multiplying? This is silly actually if you think about it. Most of us have just become more comfortable coming out and being who we really are. Therein lies one of Anderson's biggest fears, because for the longest time religion (Christianity) has been used by some of our Talibangelical brethren as a way of Marginalizing women, Marginalizing homosexuals, Promoting war, Fostering intolerance, Making preachers rich, Keeping people scared for their entire lives & Repressing natural sexual desire. NOW pure hatred for them is bubbling up. This doesn't stop people from being who they are, and that’s what I admire in a person. Someone who can be who they are and can think for themselves and not living life the way someone else tells them they should be living it, I have more respect for someone like that than I would Pastor Anderson or of the religion (Christianity) he lets spew like bile from his lips. Steve Anderson is a walking testimony of why people are running from religion (Christianity) like the plague.

Do you posses Biblical Morality?

2009-06-15T07:46:00.000-07:00

This was a fun quiz to take. I will admit although, I answered the questions as if I were a victim of the brain-washing techniques of the Religious Industrial Complex. Alas I escaped their stronghold and enjoy being allowed to think for myself and I never wait to be spoon fed what it is I am supposed to think.

Your morality is 85% in line with that of the bible.

You are a good and moral Christian. Jerry Falwell would be proud! Now go sacrifice an ox for the sweet savour of the lord!

Do You Have Biblical Morals?
Take More Quizzes

Exactly what do these people THE GAY, have to be proud about?"

2009-06-13T20:45:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month President Obama declared June to LGBT Pride Month, and right on cue the American Taliban (religious right) went into overdrive. Take a look at this prize winning “Media Advisory” via Christian News Wire.

Contact: Catherine Rouse, Vision America, 936-560-3900, Catherine@visionamerica.us

Noting that President Barack Obama has proclaimed June "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month," Vision America President Dr. Rick Scarborough asks: "Exactly what do these people -- defined exclusively by their aberrant sexual behavior -- have to be proud about?"

"Perhaps they should be proud of the fact that, according to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2005, 71% of all HIV infections were among 'men who have sex with other men' -- a group that represents at most 2% of the adult population?"

Wow what can be said about this? Once again this is a favorite tactic with the foes of Moe’s, using outdated information. That information is actually from 2003 released in 2005. Let’s just take a look at the LATEST numbers from The CDC.

Persons infected through male-to-male sexual contact accounted for nearly half (48%, or 532,000 persons) of all persons living with HIV in the US in 2006.
"Maybe the president thinks they should be proud that, according to a 1978 study, 36% of male homosexuals reported having up to 1,000 different sex partners over the course of their lives? Researchers tell us that the AIDS epidemic has changed nothing in this regard."

Now, I have to say with this cited study, it would be nice if the good man of god would have provided a link with some proof to back up his statement. So I roamed the Google looking for any information regarding this study, wouldn’t you know it the only web sites where this study appeared happened to ALL be right ring Christian sites. Pouring over them we learn that Dr. Rick Scarborough is trying to pull a fast one. It was 28% not 36%

The study was done 30 years ago and the extrapolation that the homosexual population's sexual behavior then and now is the same is not validated. Contrary to that, in a different long-term prospective study carried out more recently, Johnston et al (1999) looked into the sexual risk behavior of homosexual men in 1984/85 and 1995/96. They found that the percentages of homosexual young men who had more than 10 partners in 1984/85 was 55% and in 1995/96 was 16%, showing clearly that the homosexual male population’s number of partners have reduced very significantly from the ‘80s to the ‘90s.

"Does the president think gay militants should be proud of the part they're playing in the deconstruction of marriage and assaults on First Amendment freedom of speech and religion, through so-called same-sex marriage, 'hate crimes' legislation and public school indoctrination?" Scarborough inquired.

OH brother how long are we going to have to keep hearing all the lies? First of all DIVORCE is the leading cause of the deconstruction of marriage. No religious official or denomination would be forced to recognize that marriage. Just like today, no church is required to recognize any marriage conducted by a civil authority. Why would marriage suddenly be taught it school if LGBT people are given equal marriage rights? It’s never been taught concerning opposite marriage.
If you want to truly discuss indoctrination, start with religion. Although religion and people of all faiths have contributed greatly to society, failing to acknowledge the misdeeds, harm and turmoil it has contributed too as well is utterly hippocratic.

Dr. Scarborough added: "Barack Obama is the first president to ask us to celebrate that which the Bible specifically and unequivocally condemns."

Actually he is NOT the first president to declare June to be LGBT Pride Month. President Bill Clinton proclaimed June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month in America June 11, 1999; furthermore no one is being FORCED or asked to celebrate that which they do not agree. Now since the good Dr. asked in the beginning of his “Media Alert.”

"Exactly what do these people -- defined exclusively by their aberrant sexual behavior -- have to be proud about?"

First I think it is telling that he assumes our lives and loves are only about sex, this is a common misconception. As more and more people are beginning to realize that our lives are not all that different and can be just as productive or possibly dysfunctional as any other family in any neighborhood, but still there will always be that fraction of society that has NO DESIRE to get to know us on a personal level. Lets face it the anti-gay industry is very profitable. But I digress. Here are just a few things the LGBT community has to proud of.

Florence Nightingale is best known for having founded modern nursing and helped improve the care provided by hospitals. Nightingale became famous for her dedication toward the welfare of her patients, earning the nickname "the Lady with the Lamp" for her tending the sick through the night.

Nightingale, played a vital role in the opening up of legitimate careers for women outside the home and, in this way, helped create the social and economic conditions that made the modern lesbian (and heterosexual working woman) possible. Her work won her fame, awards, and honors during her lifetime. She was honored with the Royal Red Cross in 1883 and was also the first woman elected to the Royal Statistical Society.

In 1907, she was the first woman to be granted the British Order of Merit. Her work was invaluable to society and set a foundation for high sanitary standards. The world is indebted to Florence Nightingale and her amazing contributions to medicine.

Alan Turing! Considered to be Father of the modern computer science. Although to Turing a "computer" was a person who carried out a computation, we must see in his description of a universal Turing machine what we today think of as a computer with the tape as the program.

When war was declared in 1939 Turing immediately moved to work full-time at the Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park. Although the work carried out at Bletchley Park was covered by the Official Secrets Act, much has recently become public knowledge. Turing's brilliant ideas in solving codes, and developing computers to assist break them, may have saved more lives of military personnel in the course of the war than any other.

Turing was recently named by Time Magazine as one of the most influential people of the 20th Century.

Baron von Steuben, February 23, 1778. A Prussian military genius, he trained George Washington's bedraggled militia at Valley Forge, molding it into a powerful force that, to everyone's amazement, fought the mighty British to a draw at the Battle of Monmouth. Many historians consider him to be the second-most-indispensable hero of the American Revolution after Washington. In fact, Von Steuben's ideas and techniques remained the foundation of the U.S. military for 150 years. Nonetheless, most Americans have never heard of him. You see, Baron von Steuben was gay. He fled Europe and ended up at Valley Forge. Also, it pertains immensely to the issue of homosexuals in the U.S. military now. The following winter (1779-1780) his commission was representing Washington to Congress regarding the reorganization of the army.

He later traveled with Nathanael Greene-the new commander of the Southern campaign. He quartered in Virginia since the American supplies and soldiers would be provided to the army from there. He aided the campaign in the south during the spring of 1781, culminating in the delivery of 450 Virginia Continentals to Lafayette in June. He was forced to take sick leave, rejoining the army for the final campaign at Yorktown. At Yorktown his role was as commander of one of the three divisions of Washington's troops. He gave assistance to Washington in demobilizing the army in 1783 as well as aiding in the defense plan of the new nation. He became an American citizen by act of Pennsylvania legislature in March 1784 (and later by the New York authorities in July 1786). He was discharged from the military with honor, March 24, 1784.

Seems to me we have quite a lot to proud of. You must know, I have only barely scratched the surface; there’s ALOT of noteworthy LGBT individuals throughout history that have contributed to the betterment of society.
Author: JC

Another Right Wing Website, American Principles Project

2009-05-29T19:46:00.001-07:00

American Principles Project. Aren't there already enough of these organizations duping Americans? Like Family Research Council, Focus on the Family, Concerned Women for America, the American Family Association, or the Traditional Values Coalition! So what I ask is why do we need another organization operating under the guise of a religious organization?

This is basically their Mission Statement.

The United States of America does not need new principles. It needs renewed fidelity to the principles set forth in our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. These are timeless principles: truths that we hold, in Jefferson's immortal words, to be, "self-evident." They are, moreover, universal principles, not the historically contingent beliefs or customs of a particular sect, clan or tribe. They are rooted in the nature of man as a being who, by virtue of his God-given dignity and rationality, owns the right to participate in the great project of self-government as a free and equal citizen. Whatever others may say, we at the American Principles Project and all who join with us reaffirm the truth that each and every member of the human family is, "created equal, endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, and among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

{Emphasis Mine} They forgot to add! Except LGBT, brown people, atheist or ANYONE who doesn't march lock and step with them or and all their beliefs. No way will all Americans agree on everything. I find it impossible for these people to think American citizens (except for the fringe element) would or could agree with any policy that works to relegate some CITIZENS to a second class status. I do not recall ever seeing it written "With Liberty and Justice for ALL, EXCEPT TEH GAY"

If these timeless principles are to be restored and our national commitment to them renewed, then a new voice is needed in American politics, a voice that is unafraid to stand up for what is right and speak out against what is wrong. Indeed, that "voice" must be nothing less than millions of American voices raised in unison in defense of political liberty and economic freedom, the sanctity of human life and the integrity of marriage and the family, and the sovereignty and security of our nation.

{Emphasis Mine} In other words the only voice that should be counted and relied upon are voices that is in agreement with their beliefs, and to hell with what the rest of American Citizens think. Boy they really respect that constitution, No freedom of speech in their view of America. To think these people claim marriage equality would infringe on their freedom of speech, but its fine for them to suggest theirs should be the lone voice.

Are we conservatives? You bet we are, if by a "conservative" one means a believer in the rule of law, democracy, limited government and respect for civil liberties, private property and the free market, equality of opportunity, the sanctity of human life, the protection of marriage and the family, and the defense of our nation's sovereignty and security. For us, these convictions are not platitudes. We are convinced that the renewal of our nation and the flourishing of our people vitally depend on making these historic ideals and commitments once again operative in the laws and policies by which we govern ourselves.

{Emphasis Mine} 1. Rule of law: Except for when torture is involved, especially against brown people who worship a false religion. 2a. Limited government and respect for civil liberties: Except when it involves a women's uterus and a fetus. 2b. Except when it comes to keeping marriage from LGBT individuals, consenting adults who happen to be taxpaying CITIZENS. The only civil liberties these groups want protected are you can bet religious liberties is what their focus is on, as if there is an effort to curtail these liberties. Well there is, but only in their minds. Limited government? I think these groups just like the way that sounds and will garner them attention, they do not really mean it.

Our ancestors came from Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America . . . and from all over the globe. We practice many different religions. But we are united as Americans in our commitment to the wisdom and goodness of the principles upon which the United States of America was founded and in our willingness to act on these principles and defend them in the public square. We believe that the way forward, economically, politically, and morally, is to rededicate ourselves to those timeless self-evident truths.

{Emphasis Mine} AHEM more of the lie that America is a Christian Nation, this is not true. So yeah in some cases we do need to "rededicate ourselves." America is not a Christian according to the constitution, Never at any time in history have all Americans been Christians.

In 1797 America made a treaty with Tripoli, declaring that "the government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.

"The U.S. Constitution is a secular document. It begins, "We the people," and contains no mention of "God" or "Christianity." Its only references to religion are exclusionary, such as, "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust" (Art. VI), and "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" (First Amendment). The presidential oath of office, the only oath detailed in the Constitution, does not contain the phrase "so help me God" or any requirement to swear on a bible (Art. II, Sec. 1, Clause 8). If we are a Christian nation, why doesn't our Constitution say so?

Thomas Jefferson had this to say.

"[When] the [Virginia] bill for establishing religious freedom... was finally passed, a singular proposition proved that its protection of opinion was meant to be universal. Where the preamble declares that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed, by inserting the word "Jesus Christ," so that it should read "a departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion." The insertion was rejected by a great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend within the mantle of its protection the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mahometan, the Hindoo and infidel of every denomination." --Thomas Jefferson: Autobiography, 1821. ME 1:67

"Our civil rights have no dependence upon our religious opinions more than our opinions in physics or geometry." --Thomas Jefferson: Statute for Religious Freedom, 1779. ME 2:301, Papers 2:545

"Our Constitution... has not left the religion of its citizens under the power of its public functionaries, were it possible that any of these should consider a conquest over the consciences of men either attainable or applicable to any desirable purpose." --Thomas Jefferson: Reply to New London Methodists, 1809. ME 16:332

"Our particular principles of religion are a subject of accountability to God alone. I inquire after no man's, and trouble none with mine." --Thomas Jefferson to Miles King, 1814. ME 14:198

The Future is looking Brighter Day by Day.

2009-05-18T13:59:00.001-07:00

Proof that children are capable of understanding things that most
adults cannot. We should all be proud of Ethan. Congratulations to his
Mother and Father for raising such a wonderful son.

Tyra Banks: Gay is the new Black

2009-05-18T12:14:00.000-07:00

On May 6th Tyra talked to people on both sides of the spectrum in an effort to figure out: Is gay the new black? What follows is a comment that was too long to post in her comment section.

As a gay male, first off let me say that I think some of you are reading too much into the statement “Is Gay the new Black” It’s a figure of speech, not a direct statement. No one in the LGBT community has ever or will ever suggest that both groups struggles are the exactly the same. What I really find disheartening about some of these comments is the fact that none of you, that feel so angry about the comparison even stop to think that the LGBT community has NO racial boundaries. LGBT people are not trying to minimize the horrible, awful, and sickening way that African Americans were treated in the past and on some level are still not treated equally by some in our society.

Some need to brush up on a bit of history as well, weather you realize it or not when the fight for civil rights began for African Americans there were also gay African Americans fighting right alongside their straight counterparts. Now for MARYAM, (05/16/09 6:31 am) part of your comment shows a somewhat severe lack of knowledge regarding the struggles that LGBT people have suffered. Take for example “black people were denied the simple right to a job, career, or better education due to the color of their skin. The gay community has never been denied these things nor were they hung from trees.” This is not a contest to see what group has struggled more that the other. Considering the fact that gay people have been denied or lost jobs and in some cases housing, although not on the same level as the African American community.

Not to mention FBI crime statistics against the LGBT community. In 2007 over 47% of sexual orientation bias offenses were violent assaults, in comparison to 31% for all hate crimes. Nongovernmental monitors reported a substantial increase in 2007 of violent attacks on LGBT people. Organizations across the country reported a 24 percent increase in incidents of violence against LGBT people in 2007, compared to 2006. They noted that murders more than doubled from 10 in 2006 to 21 in 2007. Again this is not a contest; I am letting you in on this information to let you know that although your ancestors went through hell. In this day and age it is the LGBT community who are going through hell, and considering the African American community knows what that is like it is more than understandable why someone would ask “Is Gay the new Black?” It was not asked to “diminish the reality of black slavery and its tragic consequences resulting from that which lasted for years and years.” Only to draw a slight comparison to the plight of LGBT community in today’s society.

A simple compare and contrast is all that needs to be done, but there is no reason to take it to the extremes and accuse the LGBT community of trying to hijack or out suffer the struggles of your ancestors. More than anything, what seems to be strange in this situation is that how some in the African American community could overlook these things and not even care to understand how citizens are being treated to this day. I was raised in the south and most of my family was pretty racist when I was growing up I would let them know how wrong they were and continue to do so today if it comes up. The reason is because YOU and the entire African American community are first and foremost American Citizens. I believe in our founding documents that “ALL men are created equal” and as such we should all be treated equal.
Now as for the religious aspect of things, we are a nation of laws and those laws are not based on religion. Religion has no place in the debate, in doing so religious people are only trying to force others to live the way think we should. Another reason the comparison is being made is simply because that most of the same excuses being given as to why LGBT people shouldn’t be able to marry were the same reasons given when slaves were not allowed to wed, or when interracial marriage was illegal. Take that up with the church and religious leaders, also this nonsense about letting voters decide what other citizens do in their own lives is crazy. What’s next? Would you support voters being able to decide if Christians couldn’t get a divorce? You see when you let the majority decide for minorities that’s Tyranny of the Majority, that’s exactly why we have the courts to override unconstitutional laws. Not only that if we had let the people vote on segregation back then, how do you think that would have turned out? Another thing to think about anyone of us at anytime can be considered a part of a minority group at some point or another, which means any of us, could possibly have the majority decide what it wants for us. No one is safe from having rights taken from them in that case.

Things people keep trying to bring into the debate that do not belong. Pedophilia and homosexuality are not related or even close to the same thing. The American Psychological Association is on record saying that there is no relationship between homosexuality and child sexual abuse. And it’s ILLEGAL. Polygamy, now this should be an easy one. It’s ILLEGAL equally to everyone. So there is no case that could be made that to deny this would be to deny equal rights, because it’s equally off limits for everyone. Marriage on the other hand is only off limits to LGBT people; therefore it constitutes unequal treatment under the law. Let’s continue the discussion as adults; we are talking about two taxpaying consenting adults. Not children or animals that cannot consent or group marriages.

How I met Julie Newmar

2009-05-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

Me (John) with Julie Newmar 5-02-09

Saturday night, May 2^nd I attended “Cheap Chic” Fashion Show and Auction. The statuesque Julie Newmar, the original Catwoman from the Batman series played hostess and emcee for the night. The Fashion Show featured clothing from Out of the Closet store(s). “Cheap Chic” Fashion Show and Auction was at Out of the Closet in Hollywood at 6210 Sunset Blvd. The theme of the fundraiser was wonderfully titled Tough Times, Great Solutions!” with assistance by Designer Louis Natividad. Proceeds will benefit AHF, the largest AIDS group in the US, this organization currently provides more than 15,000 free HIV and STD tests annually in California through a community-based testing program. Cocktails were served from 7:30 to 9:00 PM, the models were decked out in trendy and affordable clothing and costumes straight from the racks of “Out of the Closet.” Tickets were only $15.00 and they sold out quick. And they offered Free HIV testing, by AHF’s counselors.

Parking was terrible of course, but we finally found a public lot about half a block north of Sunset. I was ready to start snapping photos shortly after we arrived, but me being a genius and all had forgotten that I had taken the batteries out of the digital camera that morning to replace the ones that were dying in my cordless mouse. Needless to say I tried using my cell phone camera, but it doesn’t have a flash and I have never been able to take a decent picture with it. They all come out blurry from my shaking hands, never the less, always there when I need something. Jim my partner of 9 years as of April 30^thdecided to walk across the street to Rite-Aid and get batteries. So I was able to snap one good photo of Julie Newmar and was satisfied with that, but secretly wanted to have my photo taken with her.

As the night drew to an end, the Out of the Closet store opened so that people attending the soirée could make purchases’. I think I spent about $30.00 and got 12 really nice shirts, Lucky me as I was taking my purchases’ to the register who do I see? The statuesque Julie Newmar, right by the cash register having a seat. I asked if she would mind having a photo taken with me, of course she was happy to do so. All in all it was a pretty productive night; I helped a charity, got some nice duds and met Cat Woman.

About “Out of the Closet”

Out of the Closet, the world's most fabulous thrift store, is a chain of thrift stores in Northern and Southern California owned and operated by AIDS Healthcare Foundation. As the nation’s largest retail fundraising vehicle for HIV/AIDS medical care, the “Out of the Closet” Thrift Store chain generates 30,000 donations and nearly 1 million shoppers a year. In addition to retail operations, seven of the stores offer free, confidential HIV testing by certified counselors through AHF’s innovative prevention and testing program, the largest such program in California. Since 1990, the “Out of the Closet” Thrift Stores have helped raise funds for AHF’s HIV/AIDS medical care, testing and prevention programs. Ninety-six cents of every dollar earned goes to the care and treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Out of the Closet Thrift Stores are renowned for donations made by today's most popular celebrities and major television and film studio production houses. In addition, at least three film production companies have shopped and used OTC for wardrobe and set needs, some even re-donated the goods post production: "Monster" (2003), "Real Women Have Curves" (2002), "Relax, It's just Sex" (1998), and "Shopgirl" (2005). You just never know what you might find at an Out of the Closet Thrift Store and at the thrift store price!

About AHF

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the nation’s largest non-profit HIV/AIDS organization. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to more than 100,000 individuals in 21 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and Asia.

Fox News parrots lies that claim Democrats voted to "protect," "defend" pedophiles

2009-05-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks the Reich-wingers (religious right) and their cohorts have really been working overtime to derail the hate crimes legislation. Recently we have heard. “The First Amendment protects freedom of speech and religious liberty, both of which are jeopardized under this bill.” Not to mention the next line, it has been played ad-nausem on the teevee machine. “The chilling effect this legislation could have on the right of the clergy to address sinful behavior flies in the face of the spirit of the First Amendment.” This is from Catholic League President Bill Donohue ; of course if one reads the actual bill one would know this is false. But I suspect Mr. Donohue already knew this.

SEC. 8. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct protected from legal prohibition by, or any activities protected by, the Constitution. The authors of this bill added explicit protection meaning, First Amendment rights are in no way threatened by the legislation. You guessed it, Looks like yet again a member of the religious community, are bearing false whiteness to claim the bill does things that it does not, and claiming that it doesn’t have protections that it plainly does. But this is only the beginning.

We have also had organizations like American Family Association telling us. The Hate Crime law, S.909 (and HR1913), will make 30 sexual orientations federally-protected. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has published 30 such sexual orientations that, because of Congress's refusal to define "sexual orientation," will be protected under this legislation. Just no name a few of the supposedly “sexual orientations” the big bogey man that has been a favorite of the foe’s of Moe’s pedophilia. The more common paraphilias include Voyeurism and frotteurism, and the rarest paraphilia is zoophile. Now if this seems strange to you that these are considered sexual orientations, well that’s because these are considered Paraphilias. DSM-IV-TR criteria include the following. Paraphilias are a part of the impulse control disorders or if they fall within the spectrum of obsessive-compulsive disorders. Therefore these ARE NOT considered sexual orientations.

One can easily understand the end result that groups like AFA, FOF, and TVC are trying to accomplish. It’s the same trick Rep. Steve King (R-IA) tried to pull link gays with pedophiles as often as you get the chance. This is disingenuous at best, no wait it’s an outright LIE. King offered an amendment that would have barred pedophiles from receiving special protection under the hate crimes bill. There was no need for this amendment to be added to exclude pedophiles from protections, because they weren’t included in the first place. Just like there was no reason to add Veterans to this bill, have there been a rash of veterans being targeted, beaten and left for dead that we are not hearing about? It’s no wonder these people are losing the so called “culture war” How can we really take these people seriously?

The 1968 federal hate crimes law permits the federal prosecution of a hate crime only if the crime was motivated by bias based on race, color, national origin, and religion. The person committing the crime intended to prevent the victim from exercising a “federally protected right” such as the right to vote or attend school. This legislation ONLY adds disabled, sexual orientation and gender identity, to ALL READY existing hate crime legislation. Because even if a crime may target an individual person, the result is that they invoke fear among many in a community. It expands laws to include not only "federally protected right” But it includes EVERYONE in situations other than voting and attending school.

Honestly they have enjoyed their “extra protection” for 40+ years, would they be willing to have their “protected status” taken away? Somehow I doubt that, but in the meantime it’s full speed ahead with the lies and insinuations in order to trivialize the lives of LGBT American citizens for political gain.

The Effects of Deportation

2009-04-24T02:07:00.000-07:00

Otero County Processing Center New Mexico

This is a rather long essay; rant whatever you want to call it.

On Thursday I was listening to America Air at airamerica.com. One of the topics was about a Venezuelan illegal immigrant; she gives authorities false information when the chicken processing plant where she worked was raided. was raided. This was in October, 2008. So of course the only information I could find online about the story was about a raid, here. This particular immigrant happened to be the mother of an infant, born an American citizen. Because she gave false information she was arrested and given a one year jail term after which she is/was to be deported. Her infant was later sent to live with two aunts who are here legally, but already had other children and limited income. The aunts cared for the child for as long as they could possibly manage, so the state takes this infant and gives it up for adoption. This was legally done using the premise that she abandoned the child.

No matter what you think of immigrants being here illegally, this to me is wrong on so many levels. From what I understand she is trying to get the child returned to her custody, and/or visitation rights. This of course is going to be an uphill battle for a poor immigrant from Venezuela against the adoptive parents who can and have hired lawyers. How can this be possible in America? Now I’m sure this isn’t the only, first or last story of this type. Can you only imagine what this mother is going through? Moreover can you imagine anyone doing this to both mother and child? No matter what opportunities the adoptive family may be able to offer this child, he has a mother, a mother that loves her child.

I cannot say that I know exactly how she feels or what affects this will have on this child, but I do know what it feels like to have someone you love taken away, jailed and held for deportation. I just went through this experience in the past few months. It’s not easy. But I wanted to share a bit of what this whole ordeal is like. The person in my story is not a family member in the legal scene, but we are as close to family as possible. A bit of a back story here, my partner and I moved West Hollywood, CA about seven years ago from small town Anderson, South Carolina seven years ago. We met shortly after I moved into the neighborhood; he lived two buildings down from me. Our birthdays are three days apart, so we are both Libras and we spent so much time together my partner jokingly started calling him my other boyfriend. Since neither of us had family here we all spent our holidays together as family, This past summer I spent several weeks in Palm Springs with him while he did some work on vacation property of another friend. These are things that we may never be able to experience ever again. Although he was a bit slow in getting things corrected, he was expecting some help from another friend’s father that is a retired LA judge. It never happened.

He was arrested February of this year, only after being falsely accused of a crime. The police showed up at his door one day not an hour after we talked on the phone that day, that night he called collect from the downtown LA jail. By that time I had already knew from someone in the neighborhood that seen him being arrested and carried away. I tried visiting him there on visiting days which for general population are Thursday & Sun 10am-7pm. After my third trip to visit I was finally able to visit. Because he honestly told them he was gay he was placed in the section of the jail labeled “High Power” They have different visiting hours but I wasn’t told this until after the second visit attempt. I looked forward to Saturday so I could visit my friend and put some money in his commissary account. Luckily I had spare key to his place and his debit card was still there and he trust me enough to give me the pin number.

The day after he was arrested there was a three day notice to pay or quit on his apartment door, as if that wasn’t bad enough within the next couple of days there was a notice of abandonment on the door. Although it’s only a small studio apartment it’s completely filled with a lot of stuff, he asked me to get a few things he really wanted to keep. I go in that weekend and while there the manager of the building knocks on the door, and tells me that I am trespassing, according to the building owner. Knowing that I had permission to be there on top of having a key to get in I knew that I had every right to be there since technically the apartment would legally be his residence. I promptly came home and called the West Hollywood sheriff’s station, I was told an officer would meet me at the residence in question. Shortly two officers showed up, after filling them in with the details I escorted one officer to the managers apartment. He returned shortly and reassured me that I had every right to be there and if I had any other problems with management call the station and they would send someone back out.

At this point I made the decision that my friend was NOT going to lose everything he owned, but I knew there was no way I could handle this all on my own. I had a fall from the roof of my three story building a few years ago leaving me disabled, walking luckily but still disabled. I knew I could count on my partner and was able to get a couple of other people he knew, that I had been introduced to. So I rented a storage unit and we slowly went to work, since we had about twenty days we would be able to pace ourselves which was great since I am unable to lift heavy items or bee on my feet very long without being in severe pain. Even though I had/have access to his bank account and it was really my idea to save his belongings, admittedly because I know what it’s like to move and willingly lose or sell almost everything you own. I can only imagine what it would be like to lose everything you own, having no other option. Honestly the building owner was itching to get his greedy paws on the contents of the apartment.

My friend was held at the jail in downtown LA, until earlier this month and I was able to at least visit him once a week. As you can imagine our visit always began and ended with both of us in tears, talking to someone through a glass with a phone knowing this may be the last time you physically see this each other. Imagine your best friend, the only friend you have made since moving to CA. To put it dramatically is literally being ripped out of your life, and nothing can be done. Well that day did come; he called me on Sunday last week to tell me he was being transferred. On Tuesday night I get another call and he is telling me he is leaving in 30 minutes to be put on a plane headed for New Mexico. New Mexico? Why New Mexico, I ask? You are being deported to Canada! Why on earth New Mexico? This is not something either of us knew the answer too, we were expecting him to be held at one of the INS detention facilities here in CA. There are two INS detention facilities in CA, one is 142 miles from Los Angeles and the other is 220 miles and I already had directions printed for both facilities since either of those places would be possible for me to drive and visit. Here it was the day we both dreaded coming.

Since his arrest and subsequent deportation order he has insisted this would not be the last time we physically are in each other’s company. From the first visit we were able to have I have feared we would never see each other ever again after he is gone, but he insisted every time I got to visit that I would be visiting him in Vancouver, Canada. I am in the process of obtaining my passport; since I have never left the country I’ve never had the need for one. He has called me twice since being transported to New Mexico, and this past Saturday was the first time since his arrest that we were not able to talk face to face. Hearing this story today about this poor mother having her child ripped from her life made me realize that next to this poor mother, my situation isn’t anywhere as near as heartbreaking. But I must admit it is still hard, today I was able to have a good cry with my partner there to comfort me wishing there was something more he could do. I remember reading somewhere that “Fate decides who comes into your life, It’s your heart that decides who stays” I have but one thing to add to that. “Until your government gets involved.” I must admit that in that area I am one lucky man to have someone in my life to go through life’s ups and downs. We will celebrate our nine year anniversary on April 30^th.

If you are going through something similar, feel free to leave a comment or email.

Thanks for reading, JC

Best Tea Party Clip on the interwebs

2009-04-18T12:43:00.000-07:00

Now who is teabagging who?
This guy is a True American.

You can tell from the crowds reaction, That the TRUTH HURTS.

Today's Plinky Prompt

2009-04-11T07:04:00.001-07:00

Q: How good are you at sweet-talking? How do you get your way?

A: Listen here sugar! It's a really simple recipe, the thing is you cannot mix the ingredients in the same order every time. Otherwise you could be discovered to be cooking up a steaming pile of dung. Mix in some respect, dash of humor, flattery, charm, lots of eye contact and tiny bit of guilt. The situation will dictate what order and amount of each you use.

Gay, and Anti-Gay Marriage

2009-04-10T07:19:00.000-07:00

Well, Well, Well, I guess it was about time for out-of-the-closet actors, like Rupert Everett. He came crawling out of the wood-work; He basically gave the fundies a little something to smile about, I’m sure. The tyrants at NOM. wasted a lot of capital this week. Consider their latest ad campaign that cost $1.5 million. You see it looks like it’s not going to help them in their life-long quest for trying to marginalize the LGBT even further. But dear Mr. Rupert had these kind words to say in an interview with Kevin Sessums at The Daily Beast.

He said this about other gay men who want to get married and adopt children, dismissing the whole idea of gay marriage. “Gay politics! What gay politics? I don’t see any gay politics. I see a few lazy, torpid, unimaginative—certainly passionless—‘organizations’ that maintain they fight for us when what they do is relatively useless.” Also saying “Marriage and babies?” “Please. I want to be illegal. I want to live outside the mainstream. These awful middle-class queens—which are what the gay movement has become—are so tiresome. It’s all Abercrombie & Fitch and strollers. Everybody has the right to do what they want to do, but still...” “And I think this surrogacy thing is crap. It is utterly hideous. I think it’s egocentric and vain. These endless IVF treatments people go through. I mean, if you are meant to have babies, then great. But this whole idea of two gay guys filling a cocktail shaker with their sperm and impregnating some grim lesbian and then it gets cut out is just really weird. If I did have the impulse to be a parent, I would adopt—or foster. But this whole thing of forcing the idea of parenthood and marriage on us gay men is so bogus.”

Sure not all gay mean are itching to walk down the aisle or adopt, Or for that matter considering the economic downturn I highly doubt too many of these LGBT families are running out to Abercrombie & Fitch for the latest in Spring Fashion. Like most of us they probably have other priorities. Like paying car insurance and putting food on the table. The thing is if you are a part of the LGBT community and gay marriage isn’t something on your plate at this time, would it be too much to ask if this be a group effort? Who knows you may meet the person of your dreams in the near future, and you too could be hearing wedding bells.

Democracy Is Over, Well it is if you are a Reich-Winger.

2009-04-08T19:44:00.000-07:00

Click to enlarge.

Cal Thomas wrote an article for the Washington Post on April 7th, 2009. I must say it was something else. What I mean by that, is that he has managed to link the LGBT community with some amazing accomplishments. Of course these accomplishments go against EVERYTHING the Religious Right stand for, but often are the very ones caught in scandals involving some of these very issues.

One must hand it to the gay rights movement. They have taken advantage of a morally exhausted nation that tolerates so many things that used to be intolerable - from abortion, to easy divorce, to pornography. And they have attacked American traditions at their strongest points, from the military, to pressuring Disney to allow "gay days" at their amusement parks, to marriage.

The problem is the Iowa court ruling vitiates a standard that defined marriage as between two people of the opposite sex, which was God's idea, not government's (see Genesis 2:24), while failing to substitute a new standard.

If gay marriage is now one of two equally valid choices, will other options be available anytime soon?
Read the rest here.

It is amazing to me who such a small group of Americans 2-5% that is, can manage to have so much control.

Then again we have this bit of information coming from Tony Perkins, Family Research Council: “Same-sex ‘marriage’ is a movement driven by wealthy homosexual activists and a liberal elite determined to destroy not only the institution of marriage, but democracy as well. Time and again, we see when citizens have the opportunity to vote at the ballot box, they consistently opt to support traditional marriage.”

h/t: Pam's House Blend

But those lovely Ladies? Over at Concerned Women for America: had this to say.

“Vermont legislators’ futile attempt to replace God by vainly redefining marriage eerily follows how that first man and woman acted on the first temptation — and the root of all temptations — to act as if they were gods. That one decision by Adam and Eve to believe that they could ‘be like God’ separated them from God, destroyed the peace that they had experienced, and ushered in what some would call ‘unintended consequences’ of pain and destruction.”

This is some bat-shit crazy gibberish goin on in that last statement.

h/t: Pam's House Blend

Man I tell you the fundies have gone off the deep end this week, No matter how many times the point is made that our Constitution is set up to protect minorities from the tyranny of the majority, mob rule if you will. I say Obama needs to get on the ball with that Health Care Reform, these people aren't getting their medication.

Now given these groups pension for smaller government you think they would be rejoicing especially if gay marriage will destroy our political system, you would think they would be cheering it along the way. I have one word for these people. HYPOCRITE.

The biggest threat to "traditional marriage" is not Teh Gay.

2009-04-08T14:47:00.000-07:00

Cross Posted at http://blog.allrealityzone.com/

Shouldn't heterosexuals hold themselves to the same "sanctity of marriage" standard and be allowed to marry only once. Who would support a prop that would only allow men and women a one shot chance, that limits marriage between a man and a woman for life? Does this seem fair? I mean if it really is about the "sanctity of marriage" this be getting to the root of the REAL problem here. The biggest threat to” traditional marriage” is DIVORCE, which would mean that people like Mr. Norris and I use the term loosely, as an adulterer he himself is a threat to “traditional marriage.” BUT people seem to want to forget about the facts and instead we read about one of them going off on some wild tangent like Bill O'Liley and Newt Gingrich spouting off about the gay fascism, and the “Gay Agenda.” What is the "Gay Agenda?" I am gay and I had no clue what these people were talking about. So I took it upon myself to look this up. What I found was quite disturbing, this is part of it. Restricting free speech, obtaining special treatment, distorting science, and interfering with freedom of association. Like slavery before it, the homosexual agenda threatens basic freedoms, including the First Amendment.

Talk about misinformation, it’s all false. This must be where those yes on Prop 8 people had gotten all their (talking points) misinformation. http://www.conservapedia.com/Homosexual_Agenda this is bat-shit crazy stuff, especially if people actually believe all the lies and distortions of the truth. What these people are advocating is no different than the way Hitler felt about gay people, by killing them. It would seem this is what they basically want to do. These people still think being gay is a choice, these people are supposed to be Christians and they are misleading their flock intentionally. I guess hate truly is a family value. That's another one of their talking points I do not get. Allow gay people to marry will end civilization. PLEASE can they not come up with a convincing argument? In their views only straight men and women are allowed to marry because marriage is about procreation, this is another falsehood. Thinking this way the next group they will go after will be the disabled or the sterile/infertile. By this same logic, menopausal women shouldn't be allowed to marry since the can no longer procreate. See folks it doesn't stop with the gay community and our allies this can only spread. Don't be fooled by all this, think for yourself, look up the facts. We have a world of information at our fingertips and if you are like the supposedly 65% of people that still get their news from MSM it's time to get on board in the here and now.

These “news agencies” are not committed to airing the real news!! Just talking points and teasing the watcher of their program with bits and pieces of information never to actually getting at the heart of the story, they deluded you into wasting your time listening when you can actively do a simple Google search. After weeding out the spam and not so important stuff you have still saved more time for yourself and your family. We are becoming a society that allows others to do our thinking for us. They think they have to because they cannot trust us to do what is their will, and that is too impose their beliefs on us ALL of us. Again these are part and parcel of the same lot of ideologist that made the decision to change the meaning of marriage when they decided its ok for heterosexual couples to marry and divorce multiple times. These same people that can go into men's restroom and tap their foot as an indication sex is wanted. They want every one of us to lay down our rights go with their will. This isn't about sex. It's about love, and it's about respect. Would we ever really advocate anyone's rights being taken away? NO we would stand up for their rights. Even if their rights are not what we personally believe, we would stand beside them and fight for their right to have said rights. What does this say about us and them? These people will not be satisfied until gays can be stoned in the public square, until women who disobey their husband can be be-headed and all our laws are biased on that mythical book called the holy bible. Yes folks it’s the American Taliban itching to enact their beliefs into our laws, these people are NO DIFFERENT than any other religious extremists.

Keep your chin up; we may have lost the fight. But the battle is just beginning.