Sunday, November 30, 2008

scene twelve



Image courtesy of filmgecko.com

Tagged by Dora with the dreaded book meme, I decided to give the game a slight Hollywood twist. The challenge:

"Here's the game. Open the book nearest your computer (and be honest not something artsy-fartsy so you can impress everyone) turn to page 56 and post the 5th sentence, plus a bit before and after for context."

I'm going for the closest reading material, which happens to be the script to an upcoming film that my friend Ken is producing. It's called Manure, and its about competing Fertilizer salesmen in Kansas in the early 60's. So it's a romance. Anyway, its where Tea Leoni hooked up with Billy Bob Thornton, so maybe it's porn. Whatever.

Rosemary:

"Just one moment while I change into something more comfortable".

The Miracle workers smile and look at one another. She runs past a room in the back. Four other miracle workers are gagged and tied up.

Rosemary climbs out the rear bedroom window and runs.

when fetishes collide

Some sunday fun. My harmless crush on Anderson Cooper continues to roll along. Yes, I still have a thing for the king of the puppies, the blue eyed god in a polo shirt. In this 60 Minutes clip below, he interviews Olympic studmuffin Michael Phelps and challenges him to a one lap race. Although you don't get to see Michael's tattoos (and they are there), we do get Coop in board shorts. Alas, no speedo, but the segment is still way fun.

My high school fantasies are returning to me now.....


Watch CBS Videos Online

Saturday, November 29, 2008

thankful

I had four different invitations for Thanksgiving. Each one was a sincere extension of hospitality from a devoted and well meaning friend, and each involved family and good fellowship. And I was very grateful for each, it made me feel valued and cared for. In the end, I declined all four and stayed home. Thursday was the first anniversary of her passing, and I spent the day with her. I was in the right place.

No weeping, no wailing, just a quiet day of reflection. I'm very thankful for the time I had with her, and for all of the crazy adventures we had. Yes, she was a handful at times, but she loved me without limits and constantly reminded me how proud she was of me. Every child should be so fortunate.

I'm thankful for the Mom I was given.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

yahrtzeit



One year today. How the time has flown, already an anniversary. Not a particulrly easy one either, considering how much she loved the holiday season. I needed to do something for her. I was reading a friend's blog when I stumbled upon the Jewish tradition of Yahrtzeit, which literally means "one year later". They comemmorate the passing of a loved one by rituals that include setting up a photo shrine with a candle, and saying a special prayer.

I was touched by the idea. So I took the pictures of her that I shared with you last week, and placed them on the Magnavox. Next to those I set up the ceramic Christmas tree that she made in the late 60's in ceramics class. I added a candle and here it is- my own version of Yahrtzeit.

I feel better having it here.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Hold your loved ones close to your heart.

conscientious objector


Although I have a thousand stories about her. I don't have all that many that specifically pertain to thanksgiving. A couple predictable ones- the time the oven door failed and launched the turkey across the kitchen floor while it was being basted comes to mind. The mind hearkens back to the jello dish that got nicknamed "aluminum salad" for reasons that indicate a possibility of inadvertent metallic contamination. But today's tale is one in which I have more of an active role than was usual.

It was Thanksgiving Day, 1964, and as had been customary, after our own holiday dinner we would head over to my grandparents for leftovers and dessert. My Mother, on this particular year, was exhausted from preparing her own feast and did not feel like attending. She explained her reasons to my father in front of cute little toddler me, but made no admonition that these were not to be shared.

Here I digress. At my grandparent's gathering, it was customary for the daughters to help serve and the daughters-in-law to clean up. Mom referred to it as the in-laws and the outlaws, and her adherence to the policy was tepid at best.

My father, my brother, and I crunched through the snowy driveway up the stairs and into the kitchen of the old farmhouse. The cast iron stove was blazing and the room was toasty warm as we unbuckled our galoshes on the red and yellow linoleum floor and removed our heavy winter coats. Grandmother greeted us with a big smile. "Where's your Mother?", she asked. "She stayed home", I blurted out. She said she didn't want to do the dishes".

It's a good thing I was so cute.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

domestic partner



A very thought provoking essay from Tom Ackerman. I like the way this guy thinks:

-----

I no longer recognize marriage. It’s a new thing I’m trying.

Turns out it’s fun.

Yesterday I called a woman’s spouse her boyfriend.


She says, correcting me, “He’s my husband,”
“Oh,” I say, “I no longer recognize marriage.”

The impact is obvious. I tried it on a man who has been in a relationship for years,


“How’s your longtime companion, Jill?”
“She’s my wife!”
“Yeah, well, my beliefs don’t recognize marriage.”

Fun. And instant, eyebrow-raising recognition. Suddenly the majority gets to feel what the minority feels. In a moment they feel what it’s like to have their relationship downgraded, and to have a much taken-for-granted right called into question because of another’s beliefs.

Just replace the words husband, wife, spouse, or fiancé with boyfriend, girlfriend, special friend, or longtime companion. There is a reason we needed stronger words for more serious relationships. We know it; now they can see it.

A marriage is a lot of things. Culturally, it’s a declaration to the community that two people are now a unit, and that unity should be respected. Legally, it’s a set of rights and responsibilities. And spiritually, it’s whatever your beliefs think it is.

That’s what’s so great about America. As a Constitutionally secular nation, or at least in reality a vaguely pluralistic nation, we can all have our own spiritual take on what marriage is. What’s troublesome is when one group’s spiritual beliefs deny the cultural and legal rights of another.

But, back to the point. They say their beliefs don’t recognize my marriage, I say my beliefs don’t recognize theirs. Simple. It may seem petty, and obviously the legal part of the cultural/legal/spiritual trilogy is flip-floppy, but it may be the cultural part that really matters.

People get married to be recognized as a permanent couple. To be acknowledged by friends, family, and strangers as being off the market, in a relationship, totally hooked up, yikes… it’s impossible to say without saying ‘married.’ We wear rings to declare this!

So, we can take this away. We can refuse to recognize marriage in the cultural sense. It is totally within our rights, as Americans, to follow our beliefs and recognize or not recognize what we like.

I guess this is a call out to all Americans with beliefs similar to mine.

If you believe that all people should have equal rights, and if you believe that marriage is one of the greatest destinations of a relationship, then perhaps you believe that nobody should have marriage until everybody does.

That’s what I believe.
-----

Read the original here. Cartoon by Mar Bennett.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

sunday drive: more downtown LA

No sooner did I have last week's sunday drive photos posted when I received another email from Mitchell, with even more photos of the Downtown Los Angeles "No on 8" protest. I love these images, they show the divesity of the City of Angels. From the architecture, which includes City Hall, the Los Angeles Mall, the Federal Courts, Historic Olvera St, the Pico House and Chinatown, to the activists. Pay particular attention to the No on 8 sign in Chinese. This is the city, Los Angeles Calfornia.









Saturday, November 22, 2008

goodbye to you

Scandal featuring Patty Smyth. One of my favorite club songs of the 80's, usually heard in combination with the Flirts and the Weather Girls. Many pleasurable Saturday nights at YP, before heading to La Cage. Can't get it out of my head tonight.



Topical, as my late night thoughts tend to be. Consider it a goodbye wish to Dubya. Can it get any more eighties than this?

Friday, November 21, 2008

the consequences..

Of gay marriage. From the clever folks at Graph Jam, via Sullivan.

Says it all...

Thursday, November 20, 2008

fight out loud

Absolutely tragic, and an inveitable outcome of the relentless campaign to dehumanize gay and lesbian people by so-called "Christians" who know nothing of the love of God. This is why we are taking to the streets.



Hat tip to Pam

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

sunday drive: los angeles says no on 8

Today is a bit of a departure, as it is Tuesday and I'm showcasing an event from Saturday, but the pictures are so awesome that they truly deserve to be a Sunday Drive. And a guest hosted one as well. My friend Mitchell, who has been a tireless organizer, has been keeping us all on top of the action with his "Warriors of Love" email blasts.

So with his permission, here is his recap of Saturday and his photographs. As much as I love downtown architecture, there is something about the sight of the 20,000 energized activists that makes it truly come alive. Ladies and Gentlemen, let Mitchell introduce you to downtown Los Angeles on one of its finest days:



-----

Now, sadly we didn't get much, if any, media coverage for yesterday's massive turnouts due to the horrific fire devastation in Southern California. So, for those of you who missed it:

The L.A. City Hall rally had what seemed to be 20,000 people, tho' the media estimate is 10-12,000. I know that the previous Saturday's Sunset Junction rally had approx. 10,000 and this was much, much more massive. It was a beautiful day (see the attached pics and more that I'll send afterwards, as Earthlink only lets me send 3 at a time) and the crowd just made everyone excited and happy. There were only a handful of the opposition, this time with a bullhorn, and of course they were being protected by the police, aside from one guy with a bible at 4th and Spring.

To this excitement was added several inspirational speeches by L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (w/ intro by Torie Osborn, former head of the National Gay/Lesbian Task Force and current head of the Liberty Hill Foundation), L.A. City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo (who spoke of our "manifest dignity"), openly gay Assemblyperson John Perez, Councilmember John Duran, Lorri Jean (head of L.A. Gay/Lesbian Community Center), both of "Hairspray's" Tracy Turnblads: Rikki Lake and Marissa Jaret Winokur (who mentioned that her son is gay, tho' "he's only 3 months old but we're hoping"), Lucy Lawless (Xena- Warrior Princess), comedian Matt Lucas of "Little Britain," two African-American speakers (one gay, one straight), one Latina, and an ex-fosterkid who movingly told of the 13 years that he and his sister had to endure in various foster homes, partially because gay couples weren't allowed to adopt.

Of course, toward the end of all those speakers, many were anxious to March, provoking Councilmember Duran to cut off his speech and say, "O.K. Let's march!" And the thousands upon thousands of us did march, down Spring Street, turning east on 4th Avenue, then north onto Main which we took until it merged w/ Alameda to the park just past Chinatown. All the while we passed hundreds of supporters on the sidewalks and several above in their lofts cheering from their windows, not to mention passing many Los Angeles landmarks, such as City Hall, Olvera Street, the old L.A. Times building, etc. Since we were such a huge crowd, as I was marching down Main, I could look down the east/west streets and still see marchers beginning the route on Spring. It was an amazing rally!

But it wasn't just there. Approx. 1,000 people rallied at Pasadena City Hall and rallies were held all over the state and in several other cities in the nation and the world! In Las Vegas, comedienne Wanda Sykes addressed a rally and said she's "proud to be gay." As if we didn't love her enough already!

I can't imagine seeing as much support for our rights as was out yesterday in any preceding time. Our efforts are going to succeed this time.

With tremendous hope in my heart,
Mitchell











Friday, November 14, 2008

time to go

for alto:



Joanne was my favorite aunt. She and Uncle David had it all- a successful business, three beautiful children, and a garage full of old Buicks that I loved riding in. They were my favorite relatives to visit, and we did so often.

Their perfect world was shattered in 1976 when three year old Brian, whom each thought the other was watching, fell head first into their swimming pool and drowned. They pulled him out quickly, and David tried desperately to perform CPR, but it was too late.

Their grief was both overwhelming and debilitating. My own parents were in Montreal when the call came. They dropped everything and raced home to Flint in the big Buick Electra. Dad, who was not a speeder, learned new talents as he desperately tried to get home to his anguished brother. Mom said they were all but airborne that trip. Once home, Dad helped Uncle David with the heartbreaking task of arrangements, and Mother glued herself to Joanne's side.

Joanne kept her composure through the visitation and funeral with Mother never out of her sight. Mom was afraid that she would simply pass out from the grief, but somehow she made it through. Finally the graveside service was over and people began returning to their cars. Except Joanne. She was unable to leave her little boys side, and just sat there in silence. Every time Mother tried to lead her away, Joanne pulled away. Finally Mother took her hand and said "Joanne, it's time to go". Joanne resisted but Mother was firm. "You have two children at home that need you. It's time to go". She led her to the waiting car.

The collective anguish and guilt of the tragedy soon spelled the end of David and Joanne's marriage. I saw her very infrequently after that, and usually only at a major family event, but we retained the warm bond we always had. Years went by.

Joanne wasn't able to make Mother's funeral last December, as she was working out of town. It was a lovely and touching service, and after the mourners had filed out, it was just my brother, Dad, and I. Then it was Dad and I, and finally just myself. Looking at her, touching the lapel of her pink suit, recounting stories of how crazy and full of life and how utterly irreplaceable she was. And I stood there, unable to leave her. It was the last time I would ever see her, and I simply could not bring myself to part with her.

Then the door opened, and in walked Joanne. She had sped up from Detroit and missed the service, but wanted to pay her respects. She gave me an gigantic hug and we talked about her. We looked at the display boards of photos and she talked about what enormous strength Mother had given her when Brian died. She had come up to thank her for that time. We stood silently for a few minutes, and then Joanne took my hand and softly said, "It's time to go". I knew exactly what she was doing. Hand in hand, we walked outside into the setting sun.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

when leaves turn



I think of her especially when the leaves turn. We're coming into her favorite time of year. She loved autumn- color tours to view the turning leaves, trips to the apple orchard, the advent of Hallowe'en. When my brother and I outgrew our need for home-made costumes she started making them for the little neighbor girl. Her parents whom I had not seen in years recounted the story to me at her service.

I took these images in late October, 1983. I was learning to use my new Nikon 35 mm camera and as you can see, was pretty impressed with my star filter. It was a stellar fall day, sunny and crisp and I was taking glamor shots of Dad's 1941 Packard Limousine. I decided I needed a model and talked Mom into the part, in her favorite antebellum lace dress and parasol. The pictures were taken in the middle of the street. Somehow, we managed to dodge the upcoming cars and then afterward went inside for hot chocolate.

I'm terribly glad she agreed to it, because they are among my favorite images of her. It will be one year on Thanksgiving. I miss her so much.



In remembrance and love, here is Eva Cassidy with a wonderful live version of Autumn Leaves:

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

live from new york- its no on 8

Amazing footage from Father Tony of the enormous demonstration at the Mormon Temple in Manhattan- a crowd of close to 10,000 took to the streets to demand our civil rights. Beautiful and awe inspiring.



Read his account here.

Thank you, New York. I salute you.

one bright spot

One bright spot in the news this morning- Momentus happy tidings for gay and lesbian couples in Connecticut, who can wed beginning today. From my sunny window in California, where the chickens have rights but I no longer do, may I extend my best wishes for love and happiness to all of the devoted couples about to marry in Connecticut

-----

Gay couples start marrying in Connecticut
The Associated Press
8:54 AM PST, November 12, 2008


NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- A judge cleared the way today for gay marriage to begin Wednesday in Connecticut, a victory for advocates stung by California's referendum that banned same-sex unions in that state.

Couples immediately marched to New Haven City Hall to get marriage licenses, and less than two hours after the final court hearing, Peg Oliveira and Jennifer Vickery were married in a brief ceremony next to New Haven City Hall.


"I feel so happy," said Vickery, a 44-year-old attorney. "It's so much more emotional than I expected."

Gay marriage is legal now only in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The unions were legal in California until a statewide referendum to ban gay marriage narrowly passed last week. The vote has sparked protests and several lawsuits asking that state's Supreme Court to overturn the prohibition.

The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled 4-3 on Oct. 10 that same-sex couples have the right to wed rather than accept a civil union law designed to give them the same rights as married couples.


Some of the eight couples who had challenged a state law prohibiting gay marriages last month wept as Judge Jonathan Silbert entered his judgment that opened the way to the issuance of licenses.

"Today, Connecticut sends a message of hope an inspiration to lesbian and gay people throughout this country who simply want to be treated as equal citizens by their government," said the plaintiff's attorney, Bennett Klein.

The first license issued in New Haven went to plaintiffs Robin Levine-Ritterman and Barbara Levine-Ritterman, who have been together since 1989. A crowd of about 100 people outside city hall applauded as Barbara Levine-Ritterman proudly held up the license.

"It's thrilling today. We are all in one line for one form. Love is love, and the state recognizes it," she said.

Read the entire article here

go susan go


One of the most encouraging things about this entire tragic referendum on gay lifestyles disguised as Proposition 8 is that I have met some amazing people of faith, including our favorite priest, Father Geoff Farrow, and the awesome Rev. Susan Russell of All Saints in Pasadena. These two, among many others, have stood up for us and reminded me what an inclusive God of love is all about.

Check out this transcript of Rev. Susan Russell on yesterday's CNN "Issues" segment:

-----

VELEZ MITCHELL: Day five of outrage in California over the gay marriage ban. You just heard movie star Drew Barrymore joining thousands of angry protesters desperate to overturn Prop 8. Even Governor Schwarzenegger said he hoped the state supreme court would overturn the ban.


Reverend Susan Russell of the All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena has been protesting right along with the gay rights supporters.


Reverend Russell, exit polls showed three-quarters of weekly churchgoers voted to ban gay marriage. Now, you are a person of the cloth, and you were fighting to give gays the freedom to marry. Why?


REV. SUSAN RUSSELL, ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH: Absolutely. In a nutshell, I think it's because, as a person of faith and a patriotic American, I believe in both the freedom of religion and the freedom from religion. And while I`ll defend to my last breath the rights of those who think that marriage should only be between a man and a woman, they don`t have the right to write their theology into our constitution. And because people of faith have been so much on the side of promoting bigotry and exclusion regarding gay and lesbian people, I think it`s critical that people of faith, with another perspective, stand up and speak out now, and that`s what we`re doing.

Read the full transcript here

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

this vote is horrible

Keith Olbermann is brilliant:



How does my having rights affect yours in the least?

Monday, November 10, 2008

postcards from california

Planning a visit? Here's what you will enjoy in California:





Hat tip to JMG

hear it from harvey

Harvey Fierstein's column in this morning's Huffington Post:

While we dance in the streets and pat ourselves on the back for being a nation great enough to reach beyond racial divides to elect our first African-American president let us not forget that we remain a nation still proudly practicing prejudice.

I have heard this day described as one of transcendence where Americans came together to prove that we are, above all, a nation of fairness. World witnesses wrote that we rose above ideology, politics and bigotry to achieve a great moment for America. Meanwhile, on this same Election Day, we great Americans passed laws as heinous as any Jim Crow legislation. We great Americans reached out and willfully put our name to language that denies an entire minority group their equal rights.

Of course I am referring to the states of Florida, Arizona and California passing legislation to specifically deny gay people from entering into the contract of marriage. Actually, that's not true. We can still get married, just not to each other. Yes my friends, Florida and California have now made it legal for gay men and lesbians to marry as long as we don't marry our partners. How much sense does that make?

Now, before you rise up on your high horse to holler, "We're not against Civil Unions, just Gay Marriage", let me once again explain that THE SUPREME COURT HAS STATED THAT SEPARATE BUT EQUAL IS NOT EQUAL. And even if it were, civil unions are simply not equal to marriage.

Let me give you a simple example that anyone can follow. John and Jim are registered as domestic partners and so, just like a married couple; Jim is covered by John's employee health care. That's really nice. BUT... since the IRS does not recognize civil unions or domestic partnership Jim has to pay income tax on the value of this coverage. So, unlike a married couple, John and Jim are penalized hundreds of dollars for not being married. That's not fair. That's not in the spirit of the civil union legislation. And that's just the tip of the iceberg of the inequality being offered.

Listen, my fellow Americans, I am only asking that we get sensible about this controversy. Gays are not asking for religious blessings. We are not asking for everyone to come to our weddings. We are not asking the government to force churches and synagogues to perform marriage rituals or even to allow us into their tax-exempt edifices. We are simply and forcefully demanding equal protection under the laws of this nation as tax paying, voting, property owning citizens. I want no more or less protection than granted any heterosexual to control and distribute my holdings.

State sanctioned marriage is a civil contract period. A contract is not a judgment of moral value. It is a legal agreement between two parties that testifies to a meeting of minds between those consenting entities. It is not a religious act or rite and so has nothing to do with Adam and Eve or Steve or even Harvey. I often say that if you want to really want to understand the contract of marriage just ask anyone who has been divorced. The marriage contract is one of property rights. Or maybe you can look in the bible to see what Adam had to say about divorce since Eve was his second wife.

So, while we rightfully celebrate the election of our first African American president, let us take a moment to mourn the passage of three new laws legalizing prejudice. Of course there will be those who claim that voters were only protecting the institution of marriage to whom I would suggest it is just as likely that Obama's supporters were only voting against W. Breaking the lock on my door doesn't make your home any more secure.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

no chance

From Saturday's San Francisco Chronicle:

View it here

No chance for normalcy after Prop. 8 loss
C.W. Nevius


Now that the election is over, there's a refrain coming from those who
supported Proposition 8, the constitutional amendment to ban same-sex
marriage:
Well, they say, we're glad that's over. Now we can move on and get back to
everyday life. Hope there are no hard feelings.

It's a lovely sentiment and an optimistic thought. There is just one
problem. It isn't happening.

"There ARE hard feelings," said Lisa Geduldig, a San Francisco resident.
"If I voted against your social group having equal rights, you'd be sore
too. You might be lovely people, but you voted in favor of
discrimination."

This isn't like a disagreement between two co-workers about who should be
president or a debate about whether city funds should be set aside for
affordable-housing projects. This is a deep, visceral divide between two
cultures. And, with more protests scheduled this weekend in San Francisco
and in the state, it seems the anger and resentment will only increase.

Gay and lesbian couples who wanted to get married were deeply disappointed
and hurt by the outcome of the election. But now the Prop. 8 backers are
complaining that they are the wronged party.

"I think what infuriates me the most is that supporters of Prop. 8 could
now possibly be portraying themselves as victims after successfully taking
the rights away from other people," said San Francisco resident Paul
Holtz. "It's bizarre, paranoid, and silly for them to be claiming
suffering at this point."

Prop. 8 backers have been writing me to say they have been shocked at the
vehemence of the reaction to their "Yes on Prop. 8" yard signs and bumper
stickers. A woman, who asked to be identified as "Kathy in Pleasanton,"
because she fears retaliation, detailed a list of encounters.

"I've had eggs thrown at me, been accused of being a homophobe, and was
even tailgated home from the Oakland airport (all the way to Pleasanton)
by a man who cornered my car and screamed at me because of our 'Yes on 8'
bumper sticker," she said. "I'm a small woman, it was late at night, so
this was very frightening."

My guess is that they never expected that this would turn so personal. Out
in the suburbs, political signs in front yards are as common as autumn
leaves. If you don't agree with your neighbor, the sign is usually a good
reason to avoid that topic.

It is understandable that Prop. 8 supporters are upset about having eggs
thrown at them. That's just dumb. But they didn't just challenge their
neighbors' political views - they challenged them as people.

"They voted for hate, and that's what we are going to give them," said
Gary Young, a San Francisco resident.

Gino VanGundy sounds like someone that Kathy in Pleasanton could relate
to. She said she was concerned about her children as this debate heated
up, and VanGundy, a married gay man, has the same worries.

"This entire process has changed me," he said. "Is it because I'm a gay
man? Perhaps, but I think it has more to do with the fact that I am a
father - and a father first. As most of us are, I am fiercely protective
of my family, and I see this as a direct attack on my family and tens of
thousands of other families."

And compare VanGundy with Javier Peregrino, a staunch supporter of Prop.
8. His greatest worry, he says, is his family.

"This issue has hit my family and its beliefs at its core," Peregrino
said. "We believe that (opposition to) Prop. 8 was an attack on our sacred
way of family and life."

As far apart as those two fathers are, couldn't they find common ground
through their families? Couldn't they each speak to their need to protect
and defend their sons or daughters?

Kathy in Pleasanton has a story about a kindly gay uncle whose longtime
partner nursed him through a nasty bout with cancer. However, even after
that, she would never support her uncle's marriage. What she really hopes,
she says, is that "you will reconsider your feelings toward those of us
who support Proposition 8."

Instead, my guess is that many of the Prop. 8 supporters, like Pira
Tritasavit of San Francisco, are asking some difficult questions of
themselves.

"As a Christian," he said, "should I feel apologetic for voting my
conscience? Should I feel proud over a victory? Should this be 'rubbed in
their faces?' Is this a done deal now? I don't think so. The passing of
legislation can never change human hearts."

To which VanGundy replies: "Bitterness, name calling and finger pointing
will do nothing to help. Ignorance is our enemy - not people."

But Prop. 8 supporters need to understand the basic truth. They can't have
it both ways. They won a bitter, unpleasant and divisive battle. It's
unrealistic now to expect those who lost their rights will understand and
respect the Prop. 8 point of view.


-----

So Kathy in Pleasanton, who views her uncle as a second class citizen, hopes we will all "will reconsider your feelings toward those of us who support Proposition 8."

Yeah, right. We'll get back to you on that one.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Friday, November 7, 2008

civil rights in california

From the Washington Post, via Andrew Sullivan:



Pretty much sums it up.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

morning paper



Yes, we did.

(Hat tip to gawker)

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

kevlar padre



Father Geoff Farrow spoke on Sunday in Fresno, as he had been used to doing before being suspended by the Catholic Bishop for failure to appropriately promote hate and bigotry as per pastoral instruction letter.

Although he was back in the old hood, things were different. First, he wasn't in the sanctuary, he was on the steps of City Hall. It wasn't his usual parish, it was a No on 8 Rally. He shared the stage with Christina Chavez, the granddaughter of immigrant rights activist Cesar Chavez.

And there was one other difference- it was the first time that he had ever worn a Kevlar vest under his collars. I borrowed it from my ex, Michael, who works in law enforcement and was more than happy to help out. There had been a few concerning messages and just enough Yes of 8 supporters starting fights and getting arrested (and one church promising to let out early for counter demonstrations) that it seemed a wise precaution. Of course, a vest is only so much protection, it wouldn't keep a bullet from entering his brain. But it was a darn sight safer than nothing.

After the rally, one of the undercover police officers came over to him and tapped his chest. "Too bad you have to wear that, Father" he said. Too bad indeed.

But he wasn't wearing it because of anyone from the No on 8 side of the aisle.

Kudos to Father Geoff for going back to Fresno on behalf of No on 8. The Kevlar padre's got guts.

these are days



These are the days
These are days you'll remember
Never before and never since, I promise
Will the whole world be warm as this
And as you feel it,
You'll know its true
That you are blessed and lucky
Its true that you
Are touched by something
That will grow and bloom in you

These are days that you'll remember
When May is rushing over you
With desire to be part of the miracles
You see in every hour
You'll know its true
That you are blessed and lucky
Its true that you are touched
By something that will grow and bloom in you

These are days
These are the days you might fill
With laughter until you break
These days you might feel
A shaft of light
Make its way across your face
And when you do
Then you'll know how it was meant to be
See the signs and know their meaning
It's true
Then you'll know how it was meant to be
Hear the signs and know theyre speaking
To you, to you...

Monday, November 3, 2008

Madelyn Payne Dunham, 1922-2008

In Barack Obama's own words:



Rest well, Madelyn. You did a fine job.

one day more

Saturday, November 1, 2008

use your voice

Kathy Griffin and friends, urging everyone to oppose the enshrinement of discrimination into law: