Can Straight People Change?

After Rev. Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary recently wrote on his blog that science “points to some level of biological causation” for homosexuality, the media is once again focusing public discourse on the question of whether there is a biological cause, and possible cure, for homosexuality. If anyone still thought the old biological “its not a choice” argument would solve the issue of gays rights, think again. It was a failed political strategy from the start, and is becoming more and more useless. It’s time for a change in political strategy. Why don’t gay people, and the media, pay more attention to SOCIOLOGY, and not just biology. The argument for an immutable biological “sexual orientation” is so full of holes (scientific, ethical, philosphical, and political) I can’t believe it is still being taken seriously by the gay movement, its opponents, and the media.

I’ve brushed off an old essay I wrote, based on research I was doing for my doctoral dissertation (“Beyond Essentialism and Constructionism: The Making of Gay Identity”), and have updated it for current events:
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Can Straight People Change? The Politics of Gay Identity
Jim D. Maynard

The Religious Right has traditionally argued that homosexuality is a choice and that gays and lesbians can, and should, "change" (i.e., become heterosexual through reparative therapy or religious conversion). In response, liberal advocates for gay and lesbian civil rights argue that homosexuality, or sexual orientation in general, is not a choice and that gays and lesbians should have civil rights protections because they are born gay or lesbian and cannot change their sexual orientation. Both of these arguments are misleading and oversimplify scientific facts and research on sexual orientation.

In a new twist, Rev. Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary wrote that science “points to some level of biological causation” of homosexuality, but he supports finding a scientific “cure,” since he believes homosexuality is still a sin. He wrote, “If a successful treatment to reverse the sexual orientation to heterosexual is ever developed, we would support its use...to avoid sexual temptation and and the inevitable effects of sin.” The media is once again focusing on the issue of a biological cause and cure of homosexuality. Why all the focus on the question of can gays change? Why not ask “Can straight people change”? Both questions focus on the same issue: If we could change our sexual orientation/identity, do we have a right to make that choice? This is the important issue.


As a sociologist, I am very leery of any theory of biological determinism to explain human behavior. The argument that human sexuality is biologically determined is contrary to social scientific research, which suggests that sexuality is largely socially constructed. It ignores not only the sociological evidence against an innate unchangeable sexuality, but also the radical insight of Freud, that humans are not born "heterosexual" or "homosexual," and that that the development of a an exclusive "heterosexuality" requires the repression of homosexual desire. Even Kinsey, the much misunderstood and misquoted sex researcher, rejected the concept of an innate sexual orientation, preferring to categorize people based on their sexual behaviors, and used a continuum from exclusive homosexual to exclusive heterosexuality to map human sexual behavior. Kinsey had to use this continuum because human sexual behavior did not fall into exclusive heterosexuality and homosexuality categories as the innate theory of sexual orientation suggested. Kinsey never argued that heterosexuals and homosexuals were two separate innate sexual orientations. Like Freud, he believed that all human beings were potentially bisexual.

As Foucault and other social researchers have demonstrated, there have not always been "homosexual" and "heterosexual" people; these labels were created by western European sexologists to control and limit sexuality to one of two types, with one being superior to the other. Foucault links the categorizing of "homosexuals" and other deviants to a broader structure of knowledge and power, a form of social control designed to separate the "normal" (heterosexual) from the "abnormal" (homosexual). Jonathan Katz looks at the other side of this question in his book The Invention of Heterosexuality (1995), which demonstrates that heterosexuality, like all human sexuality, derives not from immutable nature but from different historical, cultural methods of organizing the sexes and sexual desire. Heterosexuality, like homosexuality, is a social construction specific to certain cultures and historical circumstances.


Scientific research suggests that "sexual orientation" is a very complex phenomenon with many factors (biological, psychological and sociological) contributing to its development. No single factor can explain why people are homosexual, heterosexual or bisexual, and there may be different determinant factors for different people. As Kinsey demonstrated, sexual orientation is best viewed not as distinct categories, but as a continuum from exclusively heterosexual desires and behavior to exclusively homosexual desires and behaviors. Many people fall somewhere in the middle of this continuum in their desires or behavior, therefore, whether or not people can change their sexual orientation or sexual identity would depend upon where there were on that continuum. Kinsey's research revealed that while only about 8 percent of the male population in his sample engaged in exclusively homosexual behavior, almost half of the male population had some same-sex experiences or desires. More recent research confirms the basic finding that while only a small percentage of the population has exclusively homosexual experiences, or identifies as "gay" or "lesbian," many "straight" people have same-sex desires or experiences.


What about freedom of choice? Why do many in the mainstream gay movement argue that it is impossible to choose to be gay or lesbian? Many radical feminists argue that women can choose to be lesbian; that identifying as a lesbian is a social and political choice available to women to liberate themselves from patriarchy and compulsory heterosexuality. The early radical gay liberationists argued that gay liberation requires the sexual liberation of everyone from the socially constructed hetero/homo dichotomy. They believed that everyone could be "gay." They rejected the scientific claim that homosexuality was a biological or psychological pathology or that same-sex desire was even "abnormal." The gay rights movement created a modern "gay" identity. There have not always been "gay" people, so it is erroneous to claim that people are "born" gay. Bisexuals are also left out of the "sexual orientation is not a choice" paradigm, since they can choose their sexual identity. If we base gay/lesbian rights on the argument that it is not a choice, then we exclude bisexuals and deny their right to choose.


Mainstream gay/lesbian organizations have embraced questionable biological explanations of homosexuality (from the "gay gene" to the size of the hypothalamus) as a political tool to support gay and lesbian civil rights. In doing so, they are accepting the implicit premise that political equality for lesbians and gay men depends on whether being gay or lesbian is a choice or is biologically innate, while ignoring the question of whether heterosexuality is innate and challenging the heterosexist assumption that heterosexuality is preferable to homosexuality, unless the later is innate and immutable. It also assumes that "scientific" opinion is free from cultural and political bias, which it is not. Science has never been and cannot be "value-neutral." Freud, Kinsey, the early sexual reformers, as well as the current scientific researchers pursuing the Holy Grail of the "gay gene", are all directed by their personal moral and political values and beliefs. By accepting these terms for the political debates over gay/lesbian rights, we become vulnerable to the "ex-gay" groups who argue that gays and lesbians can change. The purpose of the "ex-gay" ad campaign (and the public focus on whether gays can change) is to undermine the central claim of the gay/lesbian rights movement that people are born gay or lesbian and that it is not a choice since no one can change their sexual orientation. The religious right is exploiting an opportunity handed to them by the misguided strategy of the liberal/mainstream gay movement.


While it is necessary to respond to the exaggerated claims of the "ex-gay" movement, it is not necessary to embrace their terms for the debate. We do not have to argue over whether or not "ex-gays" have really changed from gay to straight. Even if a few individuals are able to change their sexual orientation, or at least their sexual behavior and identity, it does not follow that everyone can or should change. We should focus the political debate on the freedom of people to be gay, lesbian or bisexual regardless of how or why they arrive at their sexual identity, not wasting time on the futile "nature vs. nurture" debate; it is a false and useless debate.


We need to develop a political strategy that does not assert that sexual orientation is innate and impossible to change. This argument is not supported by social or biological scientific evidence, and diverts attention away from the crucial political and moral questions of sexual justice to debates over the etiology of sexual orientation. We need to make a strong political argument for gay, lesbian and bisexual equal rights that is not based on questionable scientific research.


The beginnings of an approach to gay/lesbian equality that is not based on claims of a biologically mandated "sexual orientation" have been taking shape over the past decade. Beginning with the groundbreaking social, historical and philosophical arguments of Michel Foucault and queer theory and postmodernist sociological studies and research on the "social construction" of sex, gender and sexuality, we now have new tools to use in the fight for sexual justice. The political and legal fields have been slow to grasp the social constructionist argument but some legal scholars are beginning to catch on.


In 2001, Kenji Yoshino, an Asian-American law professor at Yale, wrote an article in the Yale Law Review arguing that by focusing on "immutable traits," the race model that many civil rights groups, including gays, have attempted to apply to their struggle for equal rights may obscure other forms of discrimination that all groups, even blacks, may be subject to but that are not forbidden by the law. Instead of sidestepping "behavior", he argues, we should call attention to it and attack the "coerced assimilation" of social minorities. Even IF a trait like race or sex could be changed, it is unjust to force people to assimilate (i.e., change)! The argument that "they" (i.e., blacks, gays, etc.) could change if they wanted to is NOT sufficient legal reason to discriminate against a group based on their "difference."


David Richard, a professor of law at New York University recently wrote a book, Identity and the Case for Gay Rights: Race, Gender, Religion as Analogies (1999), that should have received more attention than the questionable "gay gene" studies. In this wonderful book, Richards shows that the racial and gender models are not the best cases to use for gay rights. He argues very persuasively that the struggle for religious freedom offers a more compelling analogy for gay rights because "gay identity" involves an ethical decision of conscience. The argument for "gay rights" should not be based on questionable scientific claims of the biological immutability of "sexual orientation," but rather on the right of gays and lesbians to CHOOSE their sexual identity! This argument sets aside the biological argument and bases gay rights upon the constitutional right to speak and the freedom of conscience guaranteed to religious groups.

There are many problems with the “people cannot choose to be gay” biological argument: it ignores the sociological evidence of the social construction of sex, gender and sexual identity; it ignores bisexuality and the right of bisexuals to choose their sexual identity; it ignores the few but undeniable cases of people who have “changed” their sexual identity (gay to straight and straight to gay!). Even if science could prove a biological cause of sexual orientation, the anti-gay right has even embraced eugenic research to “cure” it. The biological argument is inadequate and fails to address the complexity of sexual identity and justice.

Our right to be gay or lesbian or bisexual is the right to be free from religious and government interference in our private lives, to make our choices about who we have sex with and who we want to have intimate relationships with (as long as they are consenting adults). Let's not let those opposed to sexual equality take away our right to choose. To be gay, lesbian, bisexual or straight involves making a series of choices. Those choices should be a right like any other basic human right, and not dependent upon scientific opinion about how and why a person arrives at their sexual identity. Let's defend the freedom to choose our sexual identity and quit hiding behind questionable scientific dogma.


Suggested reading:

Michel Foucault, The History of Sexuality: An Introduction (1980)
Jonathan Katz, The Invention of Heterosexuality (1995)
Edward Stein, The Mismeasure of Desire: The Science, Theory, and Ethics of Sexual Orientation (1999)
Vera Whisman, Queer by Choice (1996)
Vernon A. Rosario (Ed.), Science and Homosexualities (1997)
Edward Stein, Forms of Desire (1990)
David A. Richards, Identity and the Case for Gay Rights: Race, Gender, Religion as Analogies, (1999, Univ of Chicago)
Morris B. Kaplan, Sexual Justice: Democratic Citizenship and the Politics of Desire (1997, Routledge)
Queer By Choice Website http://www.queerbychoice.com

Homo-Cons & Christo-Fascists Embrace Matt Sanchez

I hope this is the LAST post I do on Matt Sanchez, the former "straight gay pornstar," who is now the boytoy of the anti-gay right-wing Christo-fascists. Sanchez, who appears in over 30 "gay porn" flicks now claims is is not and never was "gay." He has denounced his gay porn past on Salon.com and says porn is "liberal". He has been embraced by right-wing nuts from David Horowitz to Kevin McCullough, who uses Sanchez as a case example of the "filth" of homosexuality, and proof that homos can change. Nevermind that Sanchez claims that he was NEVER gay to begin with! Of course "straight" men can fuck other men, history is full of examples of that. But these wing-nuts seem to only focus on sexual behaviors of "homosexuals." Sanchez is playing right along, thanking McCullough for writing this piece on him. I guess he has found a way to make more money off the backs of gay people, he will become the next darling of the "ex-gay" business, no doubt focusing his book on how he overcame his homosexual porn past. McCulough repeats the same talking pionts of Matt Sanchez, Ann Coulter and the right of the anti-gay conservative Reich: It is LIBERALS who are intolerant and "homophobic"! UNBELIEVABLE!
Matt Sanchez is a "proud Marine", writing endlessly about how great the marines are, and the military, which may be kicking him out along with the proud gay soldiers, if the current chair of the joint cheifs has his way. General Pace, chair of the Joint Chiefs says that homosexuality is "immoral" and should not be tolerated in the military. Will Sanchez challenge the anti-gay "Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy" or will he continue to defend the anti-gay military establishment? Sanchez praises the new film "300" for its graphic portrayal of violence and militarism and cheers the Spartans kicking the ass of the "drag-queen" Persians. Talk about re-writing history! Do they not teach world history at Columbia?? Those Spartan warriors were HOMOS ! The Sacred Band of Thebes "is usually considered as the prime example of how the Ancient Greeks used homoerotic and homosexual relationships between soldiers in a troop to boost the fighting spirit of their militaries." Wow, why doesn't the U.S. military learn from history?

Now the Uncle Tom Gay Republicans are also defending Matt Sanchez against the intolerant "gay left"!

Message to Matt Sanchez and the gay Uncle Tom Republicans: No, we "gay lefties" are not intolerant of everyone who disagrees with us (hell we disagree with each other all the time!). Quit trying to change the topic from your right-wing, racist, sexist, militaristic, pro-corporate, political agenda. What we, what I, do not tolerate are Uncle Tom Republicans who sell out their own community for tax breaks and capital gains tax cuts, and support illegal wars and wasteful military spending to spread "democracy" (i.e., capitalism) and U.S. imperialism throughout the world and feed more hate and terrorism against us. Yes, I HATE fascists! I despise you! Not because I "disagree" with you, but because you are responsible for and support militarism, war, poverty, misery and anti-gay Christian fascism! You are a threat to democracy and your support of the Republican Party and conservatism is underming the U.S. Constitution! We have NOTHING in common and I do not even see us as part of a "gay community." We are on opposing sides of a class struggle! So I have had enough of you Matt Sanchez, you are a LIAR. You have used the "gay community" for years and made money off us, like most conservative porn makers and bar owners who take money from the "gay community" and funnel it back to the Republican Party and anti-gay political organizations. You obviously have NO respect for gay people, especially the men you have screwed trying to prove what a macho man you are (not). Please go and leave us alone and quit using us to further your "career."

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Response from Matt Sanchez:
Get a grip. You've blamed me for everything everything except for Lincoln's assassination. No wonder no one takes you seriously.

Rudy Giuliani for President !

I am endorsing Rudy Giuliani for the GOP Presidential nomination! No I will not endorse him for the general election, but I want, BEG, the Republicans to nominate him as their candidate! Why? What could be better for the Democrats than forcing the "pro-family," "pro-life," anti-gay, conservative Republicans to defend a candidate who has been divorced three times, supports Roe v. Wade and a woman's right to abortion, supports most "gay" rights, shacked up with gay men, and likes to dress in drag! Hell, Rudy could be our first "gay" president! His nomination could really shake up the GOP base and cause a split in the Republican Party! Maybe the right-wing anti-gay/pro-life nuts will not vote! Maybe they will form their own party and leave the Republicans with their rich country-club wing.
While Giuliani is OK, or at least tolerable, on most social issues, he was a neo-fascist mayor and would no doubt be a neo-fascist president, cracking down on "crime" (i.e., colored folks), and continue the militaristic nationalist crusades of George W. Bush against the rest of the world. Contrary to the media hype after 9/11, he botched that up too. He would be a disaster as president.

UPdate: here's a video of Rudy Giuliani defending public funding of abortion! (Thanks to TN guerillawomen.

Good News! Giuliani increases his lead over the other GOP candidates!"

Pardon Me--Now Perjury is NOT a crime? How About Lying to Congress

Ironic that the Republicans who supported impeaching Bill Clinton for lying about a private consensual sexual affair, oppose impeaching Bush for lying about Iraq and misleading Congress, deliberately using forged intelligence, and now argue that purgery is not a serious crime and Scooter Libby should be pardoned. ANd what crime was Scooter Libby covering Up? Read this and find out what Cheney and company were trying to keep out of the media:

Libbygate: Let’s Get to the Real Story

And go here to read the ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT against Bush/Cheney

Uncle Tom Republicans Play "Victim Card"

Conservatives sure know how to play the "victim card" they accuse women, blacks, gays and poor people of playing...
Over on his blog Matt Sanchez whines about how he has been mistreated by mean liberals and how the conservatives love him. He's full of shit. Is he really dumb enough to think Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity would have had him on their shows if he was an openly gay man who wanted to serve in the military? Hell no. The consevative Republicans want to kick people like him OUT of the military, or at least the proud gay ones. The anti-gay Republicans will accept repressed homosexuals who confess their sins and deny being gay and attack liberals, progressives and "socialists" who support equal civil rights, peace and social justice. Enjoy your 15 minutes of fame Matt... Now if you really want to be a "hero" join the campaign to end the military's Don't Ask Dont' Tell policy of kicking out openly gay soldiers. Then maybe I will listen to your whine. And I recommend you read David Brock's BLINDED BY THE RIGHT to learn the truth about the anti-gay Republicans, and some stories about a drunk Ann Coulter crawling around on gay bar floors.

Instead of focusing on the bigotry in the Republican Party, these Uncle Tom's try to turn the tables on the facts and accuse their liberal critics of being "intolerant."

Speaking of Uncle Tom Republicans, here is a good response by John Aravosis to the gay conservative republicans who criticize Clinton and the Democrats for being "anti-gay" while they support the party that attacked Clinton and Democrats for supporting the "gay agenda"

So Gay Republicans Think Bill Clinton was Anti-gay.."

Ann Coulter's "Faggot" Fan: Matt Sanchez

You can't make this up! See that hot hunk posing with neo-fascist bitch Ann Coulter? His name is Matt Sanchez. He is a conservative Marine and Columbia University student who has been making the rounds on conservative talk shows to complain about how he has been mistreated by radical "socialist" anti-military students on campus. He even made an appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference with Ann Coulter (where she "jokingly" called Dem. Presidential candidate John Edwards a "faggot"). He may look familiar to you gay porn sluts, he is also known as ROD MAJORS, and has appeared in many gay porn films, including "Patriot Ass" and "Jawbreaker".

You can read and see all the dirt(and pics) on Tom Bacchus and Joe My God.

See also, Conservatives Laude Gay Porn Star Marine

WARNING: these links will show nude pictures of Rod Majors and his "11 inch uncut monster".

Remember "Jeff Gannon", Karl Rove's gay hustler who was treated as a journalist in the White House Press room? Here's another Uncle Tom Republican queer conservative who kisses (among other things) the asses of his oppressors.

Libby Convicted: Now Impeach Bush/Cheney!

Now that Libby has been convicted for lying and obstructing "justice", maybe the media and the DEMOCRATIC Congress will start looking at the REAL, underlying crimes of Bush and Cheney. As the jurors admitted after the verdict today, the real question is why was Scooter Libby on trial and NOT Cheney and Karl Rove? There are many more crimes to be investigated, crimes which led to an illegal war and occupation of Iraq. Now, this isn't "Libbygate" it is IRAQGATE! It is time the Democrats in Congress got some backbone and gonads and start the investigations that WILL lead to the impeachment of George Bush and Dick Cheney.

And think about this, we have now had 3 REPUBLICAN presidents and administrations who have engaged in criminal acts that undermined the U.S. Constitution they swore to protect and uphold: Watergate, Iran-Contra, and Iraqgate. Reagan and Bush Sr. got away with illegally waging a terrorist war against Nicaragua and arming terrorists in Iran! (The World Court found Reagan guilty of TERRORISM in Central America!) Will Bush Jr. get away with illegally invading Iraq and lying to Congress, the American people and the world??

For a good summary of the underlying facts and crimes of Iraq/Libbygate, see this excellent article over on Common Dreams:
Libbygate: Now Let's Get to the Real Story by Dave Lindorf. If Libby is guilty, then so are Karl Rove, Dick Cheney and George W. Bush!

For more on the case for Impeachment see:
WORSE THAN WATERGATE, by John Dean
THE CASE FOR IMPEACHMENT by Dave Lindorff and Barbara Olshansky

Impeach Bush.org
Impeach07
Impeach Cheney

Right-Wing Nut Ann Coulter Calls John Edwards a "Faggot"

Potty Mouth Right-Wing Nut Case Ann Coulter Called Democratic Presidential Candidate John Edwards a “Faggot” at the Conservative Political Action Conference

"I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word 'faggot,' so I - so kind of an impasse, can't really talk about Edwards," Ann Coulter told GOP activists attending the annual Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday.

Democrats were quick to condemn her remark.

Howard Dean, the Democratic National Committee chairman, called on Republican presidential contenders to denounce the "hate-filled" comment.

Edwards' campaign sent an e-mail to supporters calling the comment a "shameless display of bigotry."

It asked supporters to help raise $100,000 in "Coulter Cash" so that the former North Carolina senator could show "every would-be Republican mouthpiece that their bigoted attacks will not intimidate" him.

The Republicans who attended the conference laughed and applauded Ann Coulter’s anti-gay bigotry. She also recently called Al Gore a “Fag,” and mocked the widows of 9-11 victims. She seems to now represent what the Republican Party has become, a party of bigotry and hate. Will the Republican Party and the Republican candidates who shared the stage at Conservative Political Action Conference (Mitt Romney & Rudy Giuliani) denounce Coulter’s anti-gay bigotry, or do they support her hatred of the the people of United States of America?

Will the media hold Coulter and her conservative audience under the same microscope they hold every word of Democratic leaders and candidates?

(I agree with Richard Kim at The Nation Faggot Feud, Ann Coulter has a serious gaydar problem if she really things Al Gore and John Edwards are "fags." More likely, she know they are not, and is using "fag" and "faggot" to refer to "effiminate" liberal men who care about people, the environment, the poor, etc. She equates "liberal" and "faggot".)

Here's more on Ann Coulter's Faggot Remark and Mitt Romney over on Alternet

UPDATE: At least Four Companies have Pulled Ads From Ann Coulter's Website
Daily Kos and has launched a grassroots campaign against her advertisers/supporters, as has the Human Rights Campaign

"Lesbian Gang" Out to Sodomize Your Daughters

ABC 24/CW30 “Eyewitness News” ran a sensationalized story last night about “violent lesbian gangs”. What caught my attention was lead-in headlines about “gay gangs.” While the reporter gave a disclaimer at the end that they were not trying to stereotype the gay and lesbian community, the Sheriff Deputy (Beverly Cobb) came across as a homophobe, scaring parents with the claim that these violent lesbians are “sodomizing” and raping girls in public restrooms, and “recruiting” them. It was just like the story Fox 13 did a few years ago about “gay men” having public sex in Overton Park in front of children (with a rainbow flag in their video footage!). It would be nice if the local media would do some stories about REAL gays and lesbians for a change!

The printed story online is tame compared to the video they broadcasted, so check out the video link to see what they aired. While the online story deletes terms like ‘gay gang” and violent “lesbian gangs”, the broadcast on TV emphasized the “gay/lesbian” angle, despite their disclaimer.
I believe I:F has contacted them and may be following up on it.


UPDATE:
GLAAD has issues an Action Alert on WLMT/ABC24's
"Lesbian Gangs" Story

The story has been removed from the eyewitnessnews website, but here it is:
http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=3decdd0a-e491-4b53-9e90-c8fcf3d00280

Girl Gangs Getting Violent
Last Update: Feb 28, 2007 10:37 PM
Posted By: Rebecca Medina

Gang Specialists tell Eyewitness News Everywhere G-T-O’s are raping and sodomizing young girls and they're doing some of this at school.
A Shelby County Gang Unit specialist says girl gang members are raping other young girls at local schools. Deputy Beverly Cobb has been with the Gang Unit for more than four years, she is POST certified by the state of Tennessee to train deputies on how to identify and handle gang members. Prior to coming to work with the Gang Unit she worked with the Memphis & Shelby County Criminal Court system.

She says the attacks are happening inside school bathrooms and stairwells. This isn’t news to two G-T-O members currently serving time for identity theft and robbery. Anissa and Karen strongly deny their organization is a gang. They say their organization came together more than a decade ago. It was to take in and support young women being shunned by their families for coming out of the closet. They say G-T-O used to be about love.

Cobb says those days are over and today's younger generation of G-T-O's are about anything but love. She says male gangs focus on making money. She says female gangs focus on power. And to G-T-O’s there is nothing more powerful than forcing young girls to have sex. Anissa and Karen don't deny that the new generation of G-T-O's is a violent one. They say it's causing big problems for a group of women who wanted nothing more than to go unnoticed. Cobb says this gang is bold and unlike any gang she's ever studied. She says its members want everyone to know they're here, and your daughters will have to deal with them whether you like it or not.

Members of the gay community notified us to tell us they had concerns about our story. Our investigation did not turn up widespread violence in schools due to this. However, gang specialists say the victims they have dealt with claim they've been sexually assaulted or harassed at the following schools.

1.Craigmont Middle School 2.Craigmont High School 3.Trezevant Vocational Technical School 4.South Side High School 5.Frayser High School 6.Hamilton High School 7.Kirby High School 8.Ridgeway High School 9.Germantown High School 10.Bolton High School

Gang specialists say they don't have hard statistics because those calling the gang unit are too embarrassed or afraid to report G-T-O members.

Right-Wing Echo Chamber (media) Attacks Gore

Al Gore's movie "An Inconvenient Truth" won two oscar awards, Best Documentary and Best Song (Melissa Etherage's "I Need to Wake Up"). As expected, the right-wing nuts went ballistic and trotted out their dirty smear campaign against Al Gore. Never mind the evidence of global warming presented by Gore and the consensus of world scientists, the right-wing nuts are more concerned about Al Gore's utility bill! A right-wing "think tank" (The Tennessee Center for Policy Research), with links to Exxon and anti-environmental conservative groups, accused Gore of being a hypocrite because his utility bill is was 20 times the average american's bill. Not only did the right-wing nuts like World Net Daily News, Matt Drudge, Hannity, Limbaugh etal. push this story, but even the "mainstream" media ran with it. As usual, the right-wing nuts and their media echo chamber were more concerned with attacking Al Gore and did not care too much about getting the facts straight. The FACT is that Al Gore uses GREEN POWER through GREEN POWER SWITCH, and purchases "carbon offsets" to offset his carbon footprint, and is installing solar panels on his mansion. All things Al Gore is encouraging everyone to do. No one, not even Gore, claims to be "peferfect" on environmentalism, but they are trying and encouraging the rest of us to take the necessary steps to save our planet, while the right-wing nuts just ignore the facts altogether. Just another example of the right-wing media echo chamber getting their facts wrong and launching personal attacks against liberal Democrats.

Get "The Facts" over on the Huffington Post

Will Cuba Move Ahead of the U.S. on Gay Rights?

Interesting article in USA Today When it Comes to Gay Rights, Is Cuba Inching Ahead of USA?
Gives me another reason to flee to Cuba.

UPDATE: I received an email from Walter Lipman who travels frequently to Cuba and he wanted to share his web page on LGBT Issues in Cuba
Very interesting...looks like there are some welcome changes taking place in Cuba, hopefully the Cuban government will add "sexual liberation" to the Cuban Revolution.

Bush's America: Record Numbers Plunged into Poverty

According to a report released by McClatchy Newspapers Saturday, In U.S., Record Numbers are Plunged into Poverty The analysis of the report shows that:
almost 16 million Americans live in "deep or severe poverty" (defined as a family of four with 2 children earning less than $9,903--half the federal poverty line. For individuals the "deep poverty"threshold was an income under $5,080 a year.
The number of severly poor Americans grew by 26% from 2000 to 2005, 55% faster than the overall poverty population grew in the same period.
This surve in poverty has taken place alongside an unusal economic expansion in which worker productivity increased dramatically since the recession of 2001, but wages and job growth have lagged behind. The share of national income going to corporate profit, on the other hand, has drwarfed the amount going to wages and salaries. "These and other factors have helped push 43% of the nation's 37 million poor people into deep poverty--the highest rate since 1975." The report notes that social programs in the U.S. are minimal compared to those of Western Europe and Canada. The U.S. has a population of 301 million people, with 37 million poor people, and 45 million U.S. citizens have no health insurance.

Maybe the U.S. media will take some time off the dead body of Ana Nicole Smith and Britney Spear's bald head and cover this story--the social and economic decay of the American working class under George W. Bush!

Christo-Fascists Fret! Gay Rights Advances Likely in Democratic Congress

The anti-gay Christo-Fascists have their panties in a knot at the prospect that the Democratic congress may actually pass some laws protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination! ENDA (Employment Non-discrimination act), Hate Crimes, and ending the anti-gay “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” military policy seem likely to pass, but will Bush veto them?

Gay Rights Advances Likely in Congress

George Takei ("Mr. Sulu") Responds to to Homophobe Tim Hardaway

George Takei (Star Trek's "Mr. Sulu") responds to homophobic statements by former NBA star Tim Hardaway on the Jimmy Kimmel show.

In a recent interview, Tim Hardaway responded to a question about the recent coming out of John Amaechi, another former NBA player, by saying "I HATE GAY PEOPLE...let it be known I DON'T LIKE GAY PEOPLE. I'M HOMOPHOBIC."

After a major backlash, Hardaway has "apologized," saying he should not have used the word "hate," but no one takes his "apology" seriously. I can accept someone letting the work "fag" slip through their lips without being homophobic and I can accept their apologies, although the word "fag" really does not bother me. But saying I HATE GAY PEOPLE, is very different.

As Mr. Sulu saaid on the Jimmy Kimmel show, "we will be watching you..." Tim Hardaway, but I will not be lusting after your bald black head.

John McCain: Flip-Flopper

There he goes again... John McCain, a man who continues to remold himself as a Christian Conservative, is pandering to the Republican Religious Reich again...

The "straight talking" John McCain, who once called Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson "agents of intolerance" is singing that "Old Time Religion" now!

McCain: Roe v Wade Should Be Overturned

Civil Unions in New Jersey: Separate but Equal??

Many gays and lesbians are celebrating the first day of civil unions in New Jersey today. For some reason, I just don't feel too excited anymore about "civil unions". I don't care much for "marriage" either. Civil Unions do not give all the same rights as "marriage," but I think "gay marriage" is a loosing battle as long as Christo-fascism reigns in the United States. I would rather do away with all government-sanctioned "marriages" and replace it with "civil unions" for gay and straight couples--and give them the exact same equal rights. Let the religious groups and churches have their institution of "marriage." Let's repace it with a secular, non-sexist, civil institution. Face it, they are NOT going to allow gays to "marry" legally! And neither political party is ready to champion "marriage equality."

Presidents Day: The Worst?

It's "Presidents Day"! Yeeppe!
Which was/is THE WORST? There's a lot of competition!

Thom Hartmann Coming to Air America

Hopefully now that Air America has been bought and is coming out of bankruptcy, things will start improving at the progressive/liberal radio network. Conservative critics argue that there is no "market" for liberal radio, but they are wrong, and Thom Hartmann has proved that with the right marketing and station backing, progressive and liberal talk radio can compete against the right-wing big mouths, and even beat them! Thom Hartmann is the best radio talk show in the nation. He has published over a dozen books and is the most knowledgeable person I've heard on the radio. He even invites conservatives, usually libertarians, to discuss issues and he is polite even to them. He is not the scream and yell type, he is a thoughtful, considerate host, and he takes calls for most of his program. He is a great replacement for Al Franken on Air America, and I would argue he is a great improvement that will help Air America build a larger audience. Even thoughtful and intelligent conservatives (there are a few I guess) will like him. He does very well in Seattle and many markets, sometimes beating Rush Limbaugh! (I would love to see those two "debate", but Rush would be no match for Hartmann.) You can hear Thom Hartman on the internet, satellite radio and now Air America (Memphis Progressive Talk 680 AM), weekdays from 11-3 PM I think).

"License to be Gay"?

Check this out, from TN Guerillawomen:
A conservative TN blogger, Bob Krumm has responded in typical conservative fashion to the bill that’s been introduced in TN to offer a Tennessee Equality Project license plate.. Which we all need to support!


License to be a Brute

UPDATE: Bob Krumm has now removed the vulgar anti-gay license plate he designed and says he was only trying to get people to see the problem with political groups having their own license plates.... sure.

U.S. Military; Felons, But No Gays

Amazing, according to this post by Aaron Belkin on Huffington Post, there has been a surge in the number of felons admitted into the U.S. military since the Iraq war began, while they have fired over 11,000 gay soldiers and personnell, including 1,000 considered "mission critical" and over 300 foreign linquists, which there is a critical shortage of. Guess that is what they call "miliary intelligence"..

A "Strong Case for Impeachment"

Commercial Appeal (Feb. 12, 2007)

Letter to the Editor:

Strong case for impeachment

It's hard to believe 30 percent of the American people still think President Bush is doing a heck of a job. It is time the Democratic leadership in Congress showed backbone and began hearings to draft articles of impeachment against Bush and Vice President Cheney. They lied to Congress and the American people about Iraq to justify an illegal invasion of a country that had nothing to do with Sept. 11 and never attacked the U.S.

Bush and Cheney have manipulated intelligence to support their illegal acts, violated the constitutional rights of U.S. citizens, engaged in torture in violation of international law, and disclosed the identity of a CIA agent in an act of vengeance against her husband for his criticism of their misuse of intelligence to justify the Iraq invasion.

The crimes of Bush and Cheney are more serious than Nixon's, and far more serious than Clinton's lies about his private sexual affair. Let the impeachment hearings begin.

Jim Maynard
Memphis



IMPEACH BUSH!

Media, Double Standards & Right-Wing Hypocrisy

The right-wingnuts continue to masterfully manipulate the "mainstream" media. This past week conservative attack dogs got the media to focus more on John Edwards' bloggers and Nancy Pelosi's plane than any imporant issues like the Iraq War or the trial of Scooter Libby and the mounting evidence that Dick Cheney is guilty of treason. I could not keep with it all but Media Matters.org has done an excellent job of countering the right-wing propaganda. Turns out, Nancy Pelosi NEVER requested a big commercial plane to carry her, her family, friends and the whole liberal congress around the country. It was the seargant in arms who made the request for a military plane that could fly non-stop to CA, for Pelosi's safety. As for the feminist bloggers hired by John Edwards, I personally find nothing they wrote in the past about Catholicism offensive, I agree with their attacks on the patriarchal catholic church. Edwards had to distance himself from their past blog attacks on the Catholic Church, but he refused to fire them as demanded by Bill Donahue and the Catholic League for Relilgious and Civil Rights. Donahue's attacks on the the anti-catholic liberal bloggers is an excellent example of conserrvative hypocrisy and double standards. These guys (Limbaugh, O'Reilley, Hannity, and Donahue) constantly cry and whine about "bigotry" against white men, catholics, christians, conservatives, etc. , despite the bigotry that their big mouths spit out about gays, feminists, atheists, liberals, immigrants, etc. Listen to the statatements by Bill Donhue attacking gays, jews and liberals:

Donohue has said:

"People don't trust the Muslims when it comes to liberty." [MSNBC's Scarborough Country, 2/9/06]

"The gay community has yet to apologize to straight people for all the damage that they have done." [MSNBC's Scarborough Country, 4/11/05]

Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular. It's not a secret, OK? And I'm not afraid to say it. ... Hollywood likes anal sex. They like to see the public square without nativity scenes. I like families. I like children. They like abortions. I believe in traditional values and restraint. They believe in libertinism. We have nothing in common. But you know what? The culture war has been ongoing for a long time. Their side has lost." [MSNBC's Scarborough Country, 12/8/04]

"Name for me a book pulishing company in this country, particulary in new york, which would allow you to publish a book which would tell the truth about the GAY DEATH STYLE. There are certain things that the left won't tolerate. They are censorial at heart. Indeed, the signature appetite of the left has always been power." [MSNBC, Scarborough Country, 2/27/04]

You get the idea.. BILL DONANUE IS A BIGOT AND A HYPOCRITE (just like Limbaugh, O'Reailly and Sean Hannity!)

Read more of Bill Donahue's Bigotry at Media Matters

Christian Fascism

Here's a good article by Chris Hedges on The Rise of Christian Fascism and its Threat to American Democracy

Bush's Budget: More War, Less Compassion

George W. Bush's New Budget is a great example of conservative priorities FUND WAR, TAX BREAKS FOR THE RICH, CUT AID TO POOR

Bush slashes Aid to the poor to Boost the military's war chest. Bush's $2.9 billion budget boosts military spending by over 11 percent, inlcuding $145 billion more for Iraq and Afghanistan, boosting overall military spending to over $600 billion! This huge increase in military spending is paid for by cutting domestic social programs (Medicare is cut $66 Billion over five years, and medicaid is cut $12 billlion).

Bush wants to give give his "base" (millionaires) an average tax cut of $162,000 a year by 2012. The top 1 percent will get 31 percent of the tax cuts, compared to just 4 percent for the bottom 40 percent! (Center on Budget and Policy Priorites).

And he claims to be working toward a "balanced budget"...don't believe it. He will also have to rob more money from the Social Security Trust Fund.

So this is "compassionate conservatism"??

Impeach Cheney

Here's a must read column by Frank Rich on Why Dick Cheney Cracked Up If you saw the Vice-Prince of Darkness on CNN you know what he's talking about. He is not in a good mood. It seems Dick is getting worried that the perjury trial of his ex-aid Scotter Libby will expose how he and Bush lied to the world and misled Congress into an illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq. Perhaps he fears that the Democratic leadership may actually grow a backbone and begin hearings leading to Articles of Impeachment.

Because of the timing of the Libby Trial, and the evidence coming out of it implicating Dick Cheney in Plamegate and exposing his lies and criminal behavior, maybe we should start with impeaching Cheney before Bush. Check out the Case for Impeaching Cheney

Mich. Court: No Same-Sex Benefits

Court: Ban prohibits state's DP benefits
Michigan's governments and public universities can't offer domestic partner benefits, due to the state's marriage ban, according to a decision by the Michigan Court of Appeals. "The marriage amendment's plain language prohibits public employers from recognizing same-sex unions for any purpose," a three-judge panel found.  Washington Blade/Associated Press

Now the theocon Anti-Gay Agenda becomes clearer. All along, while telling voters that they only want to ban same-sex marriages, their real goal is to prohibit any recognition or rights for gay and lesbian couples. In almost every state that has passed anti-gay marriage amendments, you can bet that civil union and domestic partnershp benefits have also been killed.

RIP Molly Ivins

Sad News. Progressive columnist/writer/activist/rabble-rouser Molly Ivins Has Died. Molly nicked named George Bush "The Shrub", an example of her wit and how she could use simple, down-home words and phrases to make powerful statements. While right-wing nuts like Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly pretend to represent ordinary working class people, Molly Ivins was the real thing, and she could put powerful people in their places, often with humor and a smile. I will miss her greatly, and she will leave a big hole in newspaper columns across the country. We will miss you Molly, but we will fight on!

Tell Congress to Impeach Bush!

I'm already growing impatient with the new Democratic congress, and I think the American people are as well. A hundred thousand people just marched on D.C. demanding an end to the war (and the impeachment of Bush!). While the dead bodies keep piling up, our Democratic "leaders" are debating totally worthless "non-binding resolutions" to let Bush know what they think about Iraq. They should be ending the funding for the illegal occupation of Iraq. If/When the fascist war supporters accuse them of cutting off the troops, Congress should stand up and show some spine by explaining their constitutional responsibilities to protect the troops and the American people from an imperialist President. Speaking of which, where are the impeachment hearings? It is time to impeach Bush & Cheney! Start the hearings, and lay out the high crimes and misdemeanors of the Bush/Cheney regime. I'm tired of hearing Nancy Pelosi and Charlie Rangel telling the media and public that impeachment is off the table. We want it on the table now! IMPEACH BUSH!

Harold Ford's Gay Marriage Problem

As expected, Anti-Gay Harold Ford Jr. to Chair DLC
The National Stonewall Democrats press release expressing "concerns" with Harold Ford Jr. has made a lot of national news, as one of the few negative takes on the DLC's new chair. because of his support for the Republican anti-gay Federal Marriage Amendment and the similar TN state amendment. Now, I can understand Democrats in conservative southern states not being able to support "gay marriage," but it was not necessary for HFJ to support the FMA. He could have take the same position as John McCain who opposes same-sex marriage, but opposes amending the U.S. Constitution, preferring to leave it up to the states. HFJ took the additional and politically unnecessary step of crossing party lines to support the GOP amendment, condemned by Howard Dean, the DNC, and even the DLC! In July 2004, the DLC called politicans (like HFJ!) who supported the FMA "CYNICAL AND DESPERATE."

HFJ'S office told many of us who contacted him before the 2004 vote that he would oppose it because of the Defense of Marriage Act, but they sent out a different email message to supporters of the amendment, which some of us got by mistake, which said: "While I question whether an amendment to our sacred Constitution is needed at this time, I will carry out the wishes of citizens like yourself who favor a constitutional amendment."

While I'm still angry at HFJ for campaigning against marriage equality for gays and lesbians, I'm not sure it is accurate to call him "anti-gay". In response to my write-in campaign against him in 2004, HFJ issued this statement to the press, quoted in the Memphis Flyer:

MEMPHIS FLYER 10/8/2004
STATEMENT BY CONGRESSMAN HAROLD FORD ON H.J. RES. 56, THE FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT
"My position on same sex marriage has been clear from the beginning. I am opposed to it. The Defense of Marriage Act--which I suppot--is likely not to withstand a court challenge. To ensure that the institution of marriage remains one reserved for the union of a man and a woman, yesterday I supported the effort to enact a constitutional amendment. However, my support for rights for gay Americans remains strong and intact. I am able to distinguish between marrriage and work place, labor benefits and civil rights protections for gay and lesbian Americans. I am unapologetic in my support of anti-discrimination efforts against gays and lesbians and will remain so. But when it comes to marriage, I differ with friends and allies in the gay and lesbian community."

It may be that HFJ would like to be supportive of gay and lesbian civil rights, short of marriage, and therefore is about as progressive on LGBT issues as most Democratic candidates, and more than most in the south. It is only on the issue of marriage equality that he betrayed us, and used as a political tool to counter GOP accusations that he was too liberal and supported "gay marriage" which they planned to do, and did anyway! I think gays and progressives should push HFJ and the DLC to stand by HFJ's statement of support for gay civil rights, and the DLC's past opposition to the Federal Marriage Amendment. Maybe something good can come out of this, though I personally still have some "anger issues" and find it difficult to rationalize HFJ's political actions against gays in TN the past couple of years.

Still it seems that Harold Ford Has a Gay Marriage Problem

State of the Union

Bush will continue to blow smoke up our ass tonight, so to get the true State of the Union, visit the Center for American Progress Special Report: What Bush will Say, What You Need to Know

Universal Health Care Gaining Support

Finally, universal health care is gaining support, according to this article in the Washington Post. Unlike most advanced democratic societies, the United States lacks a single-payer universal health insurance program, instead it forces individuals and employers to pay increasingly higher premiums to private insurance companies. As a result, the U.S. spends more money and provides less health insurance for its citizens, thanks to the greed and lies of the insurance companies. But it is no longer communist hippies in the U.S. calling for a universal, single-payer, health insurance system. Doctors (see Physicians for a National Health Care Program, family advocates (see Families USA and even more and more businesses are organizing to get REAL health care reform in the United States--a single-payer public universal health insurance program.
For more information see the Democratic Socialists of America pamphlet debunking conservative lies and scare tactics, and makeing the case for Health Care for All

Capitalism: "Wall Street Falls on Good Economic Data"

I just don't understand Capitalism :)
Wall Street Falls on Good Economic Data

(notice that when unemployment goes DOWN and Wages go UP, Wall Street Panics!)

Christian "Pro-Life" Group teaches Tipton Students

These Christo-facists seem to be able to get away with anything in Tennessee!

Tipton Students Learn from Pro-Life Group

Ten Commandments in courthouses, Bible classes in public schools, creationism taught as science, and now this...
Will anyone in Tipton County stand up to these nuts?

John McCain: Flip-Flopper

I hope John McCain is the GOP Presidential candidate, the Democrats could recycle those anti-kerry flip-flop ads. John McCain has been flip-flopping so much lately it is hard to keep a straight face when the fawning media continue to describe him as a straight-shooting guy. First, while McCain in 2004 criticized Jerry Falwell and the Religious Right for being intolerant, the 2007 John McCain embraces the "agents of intolerance." He has been meeting with Falwell and other RR leaders, and now wants to meed with and make amends with James Dobson who this week said he could not support John McCain and accused him of not supporting traditional marriage. No harm, John McCain wants to kiss and make up with Dobson:

James Dobson criticizes McCain presidential bid
copyright AP1/17/2007 9:30:07 AM

John McCain

Senator John McCain says he hopes to talk with a conservative Christian leader who has declared that he won't support the Republican's presidential bid under any circumstances.

In an interview last Thursday with a Dallas Christian station, Focus on the Family's James Dobson said the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law has prevented Christian broadcasters "from telling the truth right before elections."

Dobson also contended that McCain "is not in favor of traditional marriage," adding, "I pray that we will not get stuck with him."

In South Carolina Tuesday, McCain said he's "obviously disappointed" with the remarks and would like to have a dialogue with Dobson. McCain said he already has had dialogue with the Reverend Jerry Falwell, the Reverend Rick Warren and the Reverend Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention.
------
Wow, talk about Flip Flop!

And then there are the different positions taken by the "straight-shooting" John McCain on the Iraq War. Moveon.org has launched ads calling out McCain on his Iraq Flip-Flops. Lets see if the medias love affair with McCain will end soon.

MLK, Liberalism and Gay Rights

It's hard to believe that there is STILL opposition (mainly in the South) to observing the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. I travel to Hernando MS as part of my job, and I noticed the the sign on the courthouse door said that the courthouse would be closed Jan. 15 to observe "ROBERT E LEE & MARTIN LUTHER KING" holiday. Robert E. Lee?? (They also have a Conferderate Veterans Day down in Mississippi!) Yikes!

Anyway, it is also funny that even conservative Republicans (& Dixiecrats who have not yet moved over to the GOP) now give lip service to Dr. MLK, when back when he was alive they villified him as anti-American and communist. Most of the media and political leaders today only honor MLK's work for the civil rights for African-Americans. Even many in the black community have forgotten or did not understand that MLK's "dream" went beyone racial justice, he was part of a broader struggle for economic and social justice. And he was outspoken in his opposition to the Vietnam War! MLK preached against militarism. He was a proud LIBERAL who advocated economic justice, peace, and cutting military spending to increase spending on social programs. Why won't today's "liberals" speak the truth to power as MLK did?

To those who try to demonize liberals and liberalism, we should just quote Martin Luther King. Will they call this hero anti-American? Let's put a face on liberalism--MLK. Ghandi, even "jesus christ" were all "liberals" in that they stood for social justice, peace, economic equality and against war and militarism.

And for those who don't see the connections between all forms of social injustice, and exclude gays and lesbians from "civil rights" and family values, hear Dr. Kings widow explain it:

Coretta Scott King, Civil Rights Leader
"I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the civil rights of lesbian and gay people and I should stick to the issue of racial justice. But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.' I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream to make room at the table of brother-and sisterhod for lesbian and gay people." (Reuters, 3/3/98)

Or check out this essay Martin Luther King Jr. and Gay Rights by Rev. Gilbert Caldwell, an associate of MLK's who participated in several of his marches for civil rights.

MLK inspired many oppressed groups to organize and demand equality--we are all human beings and deserve to be treated equally regardless of race, sex, gender, social class, religion or sexual orientation.

Let's honor and remember MLK by continuing to fight for his dream: peace and social & economic justice for all.
What would MLK say today? STOP THE WAR, FEED THE POOR, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

National Conference for Media Reform

If you were unable to attend the National Conference for Media reform in Memphis this weekend there are several places to catch up online:
Common Dreams News Center
and
Free Press
Great Speeches by Bill Moyers and Socialist Senator Elect Bernie Sanders!

Harold Ford Jr. to Lead the DLC ?

Just saw this article in the Commercial Appeal:
Stonewall Democrats Leery of Ford--Gay, lesbian group at odds with possible DLC chair"
Accroding to the article by Bartholomew Sullivan, who didn't contact the Memphis Stonewall Democrats for a reation, the Stonewall Democrats, a group of "homosexual" Democrats expressed "deep concern" at the propsect of former Memphis congressman Harold Ford Jr. chairing the Centrist Democratic Leadership Council.

I've been hearing/reading about the DLC courting HFJ or probably more the reverse, and it seems likely that HFJ will probably be the next leader of the "centrist" Democratic group that is trying to move the Democratic Party to the "center" (i/e. RIGHT). The conservative policies advocated by the DLC fit nicely into HFJ's political strategy to become a U.S. Senator by appealing to the Christian Right, especially the anti-gay ones, by opposing the civil rights of gays and lesbians for political power. It may work in Tennessee.

But I'm glad the National Stonewall Democrats have spoken out in opposition to Harold Ford Jr. leading the DLC. Even the DLC has been somewhat more supporting of LGBT rights than HFJ. As Stonewall Democrat Communications Dir. John Marable points out, even the DLC opposed the anti-gay marriage amendment.

As many of you know, I ran two write-in campaign against HFJ because after he continually crossed party lines to support the GOP and Bush on issue after issue, he broke my camel's back when he LIED to Memphis gay activists by telling us he would oppose the GOP anti-gay Federal Marriage Amendment, and then turned around and voted FOR it, being the political coward he is. His campaign for the U.S. Senate was more evidence that HFJ will do or say anything to get elected, he has no principles, and he does not support equality for gays and lesbians, and more important, he does NOT support the separation of church and state! So I have set up a STOP HAROLD FORD JR! Harold Ford Jr. should not be leading ANY Democratic Party organization, perhaps he could go join Joe Lieberman's Party or start a TN for Harold Ford Jr. Party and quit pretending to be a "Democrat".

UPDATE: here's the Press Release by the National Stonewall Democrats:
Stonewall Concerns over Harold Ford Jr.

It's time: IMPEACH BUSH

Ok, the election is over and Bush has just given his anticipated speech calling not only for an escalation of the illegal Iraq military occupation, but threatening to take on Iran as well. He has ignored the advice of the military, he is either a cold blooded war criminal determined to do whatever it takes to "win" in Iraq, or he is a delusional, crazy lunatic. Either way, he must be stopped. The Democrats must stop the "bi-partisan" niceties and begin impeachment hearings. They must exercise all of their Constitutional authority to end the illegal military occupation and bring our troops home NOW! Anti-war groups are organizing anti-war rallies and marches. It is time to take to the streets and call our Democratic representatives and demand action to end the war and move forward with impeachment hearings to prosecute George Bush and Dick Cheney. Go to Impeach Bush.org and Vote No War, join groups like Move On and let's try to save this country from fascism!
Don't wait for the moderate Democratic Party leaders to take action, we don't follow them, they must follow us!

Another Bush Lie: Photo Shows Bush & Abramoff

Campaign photo shows Bush with Abramoff
By Matt Apuzzo, Associated Press

January 8, 2007

WASHINGTON - A liberal watchdog group published on its Web site Monday a picture of President Bush and imprisoned lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the kind of photo the White House has refused to release.

The picture was taken at a campaign fundraiser in December 2003, according to the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. It was taken by a private photo contractor who posted it on a Web site, but then was removed before it made it into distribution, said Melanie Sloan, CREW's director.

A previous photo of Bush and the disgraced lobbyist surfaced last year but Abramoff was in the background, slightly blurry.

"This is the one they didn't want you to see," Sloan said.

Kim Eisler, Washingtonian magazine writer and a friend of Abramoff's, confirmed the photo's authenticity for The Associated Press. He said he had seen the picture at Abramoff's house.

The White House did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Abramoff helped raise more than $100,000 for Bush's 2004 re-election campaign. He is serving nearly six years in prison for a fraudulent Florida casino deal and is cooperating with the FBI in a bribery investigation involving members of Congress and the Bush administration.


ON THE NET

Citizens for Respsonsibility & Ethics in Washington

Marching on Memphis: National Conference for Media Reform

Memphis wil be in the national spotlight this week as the National Conference for Media Reform comes to Memphis this weekend (Jan. 12-14). The purpose of the conference is to save the U.S. media from conservative government and corporate control. For several decades, conservatives have taken control of most of the "mainstream media" (corporate controlled networks, media owenrship, etc.), and even expanded their own major media outlets (e.g. "Fox News"). The "mainstream media" has failed to do its job of critical oversight of the Bush administraton and the political system and participated in a stolen election (2000) and an illegal war based on lies and "misinformation" by our government. It is time to take OUR media back!

The speakers list at the conference is a who's who of U.S. progressive/liberal journalists, politicians and celebrities: Amy Goodman, Bill Moyers, Helen Thomas, Phil Donahue, Jane Fonda, Jesse Jackson, Sen. Bernie Sanders, etc... Its a great event for Memphis and the nation! If you can't attend, Free Press and Democracy Now! will be streaming some of the conference on the internet.

Here's a good article on the conference by Danny Schechter at meddiachannel.org, Marching on Memphis: The Media Movement

There are several other events being held in Memphis in conjunction with the conference:
The Mid South Peace & Justice Center will be having its 25th Anniversay Celebration on Thusday, Jan. 11, with special guest Amy Goodman from Democracy Now!

FAIR, Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting will be having a 20th Anniversay Party on Friday, Jan. 12, 6:00 PM at T J Mulligans (362 N. Main).

Let's make Memphis the launching point of a major battle to take back our national media from right-wing conservatives and the corporate rich!

Ten Most Outrageious Right-Wing Comments in 2006

I almost forgot to share my favoriteTop 10 list for 2006, Most Outrageous Right-Wing Comments for 2006 over on Alternet Actually there are at least 11 there, including Ann Coutler, Rush Limbaugh and other nasty wing-nuts. For more on the right-wing media and conservative media bias, check out Media Matters for America. And if you are in Memphis, be sure to check out the National Conference for Media Reform sponsored by FreePress

Socialist Senator Makes History

Here's a great article about Senator Elect Bernie Sanders (Vermont) on the BBC Socialist Senator Makes History Too bad we only have ONE socialist in the U.S. Congress, most advanced countries have viable socialist parties! Another reason to move to Vermont--the next best thing to Canada! If you are interested in building a socialist movement in the U.S., check out the Democratic Socialists of America, which Bernie Sanders is a member of. It's not a political party, but is trying to build a progressive Democratic Left in the Democratic Party--make the Democratic Party a REAL DEMOCRATIC Party. There is also a Socialist Party in the U.S., but the two-party system in the U.S. makes it impossible to have a viable third party at this time. As many of you know, I sometimes get so frustrated with the Democratic Party I threaten to join the Socialist Party, but I'm going to give the Democrats another chance and a little more time.

Anti-Gay Marriage Ban Proposal Passes in MA

Marriage Ban Proposal Passes in Massachusetts
Lawmakers in Massachusetts voted today to allow a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage to move forward. The amendment only needed 50 votes, it got 61, with 132 opposing it. It will have to pass the legislature one more time before it goes to the voters in Massachusetts. Massachusetts is the only state that has legalized gay marriages, and 8,000 gay couples are legally married there. The Massachusetts Supreme Court mandated marriage rights for gays. In not one state have the voters or their elected representatives approved gay marriages. In only one state, Arizona, have voters defeated a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. It is not certain such an amendment would be defeated in MA. It would be a great setback if it passes. When will the public finally quit rationalizing their anti-gay bigotry and prejudice and stop supporting discrimination against gays and lesbians??

Ex-Joint Chief Chair Says Military Ready for Gays

Former Head of Joint Cheifs says the military is ready to accept homosexuals" John Shalikashvili, a "respected" former chair of the Joint Chiefs has come out publicly to support allowing gays to serve openly in the U.S. military. Citing the change in public opinion, which now supports allowing gays to serve in the military, and a recent Zogby Poll of soldiers in the military, he says the military should be able to move toward allowing gays to serve openly in the U.S. Military. The Zogby poll of 545 U.S. soliders found that 3/4 of the soldiers felt comfortable around gays. While 37 percent were still opposed to allowing gays to serve openly, 26 percent support allowing them to serve openly and 37 percent were neutral or had no opinion. Of those who knew gays were in their unit, 2/3 said it did not hurt morale. So much for the main anti-gay wing nut argument for discriminating against gays in the military. While Clinton should have kept his campaign promise and signed an executive order lifting the ban, the public and the military were not ready back in 1993 for the dramatic change. Now they are. Clinton was ahead of the times, as he was on universal health insurance. It looks like we may get both in the next decade, and catch up to the majority of "advanced democratic" countries that have universal health insurance and the growing number (Britain, Israel, etc.) who allow gays to serve in their military. Not that I would encourage gays to join the military and promote U.S. imperialism, but I support equal rights and oppose discrimination in any government institution.

God Speaks to Pat Robertson Again!

Get Ready! God has spoken to Pat Robertson. According to Pat, God told him there will be a "mass killing" around Sept. 2007, but the good news is "the Lord didn't say it would be nuclear."

It's comforting to know that god is still speaking to his humble servant Pat.

New Year's Resolutions

OK, I'm going to share with the world my "New Years Resolutions" for 2007:

1. Eat Healthy
2. Exercise Daily
3. Loose 20 pounds
4. Spend more time reading and writing and less time downloading porn
5. Go To Bed before midnight
6. Be more disciplined
7. Save money
8. Restrain emotional outbursts

Yes, these were bascially the same resolutions as last year.
I may require some interventions by close friends and family on occasion...
Thanks for all your help!

Happy New Year
Jim

Happy New Year/3,000 U.S. Soldiers Dead in Iraq

The U.S. soldier death toll in Iraq reached 3,000 today.

Happy New Year

U.S. & Islamic Barbarism

While many Americans celebrated and rejoiced at the barbaric hanging and execution of the former U.S. backed tyrant Saddam Hussein, most of the "civilized" world expressed disgust at the display of revenge and barbarism. Most of the advanced democratic societies in the world have banned state-sponsored executions. The Pope and the Catholic Church have denounced the execution and the death penalty. Where are all those "pro-life" fanatics when it comes to state-sponsored killing? Perhaps they should read more of the teachings of the man they claim to follow, who I believe denounced revenge and commanded his disciples to NOT return evil with evil, but rise above their enemies.
The graphic above is from an Italian newspaper, and depicts the common ground shared by the U.S. and fundamentalist Christians and Muslims--they endorse revenge and state-sponsored killings of human beings. Is it really a cause for celebration that the United States shares this barbaric notion of "justice" with Islamic religious fanatics?

No, I don't defend Saddam Hussein. I believe "justice" would require him to stand trial in a world court for crimes against humanity, and allow more of his victims, expecially the Kurds, to testify to his brutality and inhumanity, and sentence him to prison for life. Repayig his inhumanity and cruelty with more of the same is not "justice", it is barbaric revenge.

The Execution of a former U.S. Ally: Saddam Hussein

While I am no fan of the tyrant Saddam Hussein, I do not see how executing him makes Iraq more "democratic" or solves any of the problems facing the country in a violent religious civil war. While Saddam Hussein was certainly guilty of many many war crimes and crimes against humanity, he was executed for only one of them, which killed a few hundred Shiites in the 80s. That trial was a farce. And wasn't he an "ally" of the United States during that period when he committed so many crimes against humanity? Didn't Ronald Reagan send Rumsfeld over to shake the tyrants hand and offer him U.S. support in his war against Iran? And if Saddam can be executed for "crimes against humanity" for ordering or presiding over the slaughter of hundreds of innocent civilians, what about other leaders, like George W. Bush, who have committed similar "crimes against humanity"??

For more on the U.S. complicity in the crimes of Saddam Hussein, read this article by Robert Fisk.

When will Bush face justice for his crimes?

Should We Pardon Gerald Ford?

With the death of an ex-President the media tries to focus on the good things the departed did as President, so we have been hearing a lot about what a great person former President Gerald Ford was. I was going to do some of the same, and say that Gerald Ford was one of the "better" Republican politicial leaders, since he was not quite as right-wing as Reagan or Bush. But how can we now say that he did the right thing by pardoning Richard Nixon for his crimes? Then I read this piece on DEMOCRACY NOW and was reminded not only of that bad decision, but also of Gerald Ford's tacit approval and the U.S. participation in the Indonesian invasion of East Timor that killed one-third of the Timorese population. I'm sure there are a lot more things like that the meda will not be discussing.
Ford wasn't a right-wing nut like Ronald Reagan or George W. Bush, but he was no saint either. We should reflect on the whole record of dead presidents and not forget their mistakes and the consequences of their policies.

I can say one good thing about Gerald Ford.. he did support gay rights, including marriage equality, in his old age. Hopefully the next president will not take that long to support equality for all.

War on "Christmas"?

It's that time of year again, Bill O'Reilly (Fox News) and his christo-fascist fans have been doing their annual whinning about the "War on Christmas" by us mean ol' secular humanist liberals. I haven't seen much evidence of it, but facts do not matter to these fanatics. To the theocon christo-fascists, any recognition of diverse religious and non-religious holiday observances which conflict with their religious Christmas holiday is an attack on baby Jesus and his followers. Is it really too much to include all "Happy Holidays" rather than only one--Merry Christmas??
As an atheist, I still send Christmas cards and say "Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays" or Happy New Year, some of my friends have joked about it. I think "Christmas" has become more than just a religious observance of the supposed birthday of jesus christ. Many atheists and secular humanists observe "Winter Solstice" rather than christmas, but I sill like "Christmas", I put up a tree and decorate it, I like getting a bonus at work I can use to buy presents for family and friends (and myself!), and I like haveing some time off work to be with family.
So I say "Merry Christmas"! Happy Holidays!
Or as little Tim says in A Christmas Carol, one of my favorite books/movies about the evils of materialistic laissez-faire capitalism, "Merry Christmas to all!"

Atheists must COME OUT of the closet!

With recent best-selling books by atheists Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins, it seems like atheists and secular humanists may have finally reached a point where they can become a politically organized group to counter the Christo-fascists who have virtually dictated social and political policies in the United States for the past decade. I have little "faith" in the weak liberal Christian churches who are losing membership and political clout. It is time, as Richard Dawkins argues in his speeches, for American atheists to get politically organized to fight theocracy, and to promote science and secular humanism instead of living in fear and silence. As a gay atheist, I see many similarities to "coming out" for atheists and gay people. It took me a little longer to "come out" as an atheist than as a gay man. Atheists are still probably the most hated and feared group in American society, but things will change as more and more people admit that they do NOT believe in the sky-gods of Christians, Jews and Muslims. And if we want to preserve democracy and secular constitutional government, we better get politically organized! But organizing atheists and humanists is like herding a bunch of cats! Now there is a SECULAR political action group to counter the Christian Coalition--the Secular Coalitoin for America which currently includes a coalition of secular groups: American Humanist Association, Atheists Alliance Int'l, Freedom from Religion Foundation, and others. It may be the best opportunity yet for secular humanists and atheists to gain some political power.

NJ Approves Civil Unions

In an attempt to satisfy the recent New Jersy Supreme Court ruling that gays and lesbians must have the same rights as heterosexual married couples, the NJ legislature has approved a "civil union" law that is supposed to provide the same rights as married couples, but with a different name. Given the overewhelming opposition to "gay marriage," can gays and lesbians achieve equal marriage rights with "civil unions"? It makes political sense to give up the loosing "marriage" battle and work for civil unions, but it just doesn't seem very progressive to work hard to create a "separate but equal" instution for gays and lesbians that my fail to withstand judicial scrutiny in the hopefully near future.

Democrats Will Increase Military Spending

If you thought a "Democratic" Congress would mean a dramatic change in military spending think again.
Democrats Expected to Increase Military Spending
While Dennis Kucinich and some progressive anti-war Democrats are proposing cutting funds for the Iraq occupation, most of the Democratic Leadership seems intent on proving they are "tough" on "national defense" and will support MORE military spending. As the article points out, the current federal military budget is over $430 billion, which does not include the $140 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan. And if you add up all the money being spent on past and current wars (military actions) the total is nearly $1 trillion!

Wing Nuts Say Soy Causes Homosexuality!

According to Jim Rutz, a "commentator" over on World Net Daily News (AKA Wing Nuts Daily News), Soybeans are making children queer!
Read it for yourself

Romney's Position on Gay Rights Questioned

The anti-gay Christian Right is raising questions about Mitt Romney's Record on Gay Rights
Seems like the Republican Governor of Massachusetts, and likely Republican presidential candidate, is suffering from the same ailment as John McCain--waffling on civil rights for gays and lesbians. While Romney has been a vocal opponent of gay marriage and tried to force the Democratic legislature in MA to take up the anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment, he once told the Log Cabin Republicans that he would do more for gay rights than Ted Kennedy! In a 1994 letter when he was a candidate for the U.S. Senate running against Kennedy, Romney pledged to be a more effective champion for gay rights than Edward Kennedy. In the letter he wrote: "I am more convinced than ever before that as we seek to establish full equality for America's gay and lesbian citizens, I willl provide more effective leadership than my opponent."
In his 2002 gubernatorial campaign, Romney's staff campaigned for him in the Boston Gay Pride Parade.

Now he is singing John McCain's new tune with the anti-gay Christian Right. Neither can win the GOP nomination without the support of the Religious Right, and they are now questionning Romney's conservative credentials.

Another Evangelical Preacher Comes Out

Ok, this is becoming an epidemic!
Pastor Resigns Over Homosexuality
In a tearful videotaped message Sunday to his congregation, the senior pastor of a thriving evangelical megachurch in south metro Denver confessed to sexual relations with other men and announced he had voluntarily resigned his pulpit.

A month ago, the Rev. Paul Barnes of Grace Chapel in Doug las County preached to his 2,100-member congregation about integrity and grace in the aftermath of the Ted Haggard drugs-and-gay-sex scandal.

Now, the 54-year-old Barnes joins Haggard as a fallen evangelical minister who preached that homosexuality was a sin but grappled with a hidden life.

"I have struggled with homosexuality since I was a 5-year-old boy," Barnes said in the 32- minute video, which church leaders permitted The Denver Post to view. "... I can't tell you the number of nights I have cried myself to sleep, begging God to take this away."

There seems to be a strong correlation between religious fundamentalistm and homosexuality/homophobia.
What is the cause/effect???

Grammy Awards Snubs Bob Dylan (again)

In another case of the Grammys losing its "artistic" credibility, the "Academy" snubbed Bob Dylan's MODERN TIMES in its Album of the Year nominations. Somehow, they found Justin Timberlake more worthy of the nomination.
Oh well, here's a great video to watch while listening to THUNDER ON THE MOUNTAIN from the Best Album of 2006, Bob Dylan's MODERN TIMES.

(Yes, there are probably fewer gay Bob Dylan fans than there are Gay Republicans...)

Mary Cheney Pregnant, Christian Right Has Cow

V.P. Dick Cheney's Lesbian daughter, Mary Cheney, is pregnant and the Christian Right is having a cow! I'm no fan of Uncle Tom Republican Mary Cheney, but it will be interesting to see how the public will respond to the reality of gay and lesbian couples having children--with no civil rights as parents! Since Mary and her partner cannot get married, thanks to her Dad and the Republican Party, they will lack many of the basic rights that married parents have. Maybe that will wake up "middle America" and the rational wing of the Republican party. We already know the reaction from the Religious Right: Concerned Women for America call the decision of Mary Cheney to have an out of wedlock baby "unconscionable," and Focus on the Family belittled the love of lesbian mothers for a baby as less than what a mother and father could provide... blah blah.
While Mary Cheney's book (Now It's My Turn) was a big flop, selling less than 10,000 copies last I heard (the market for repressed Republican lesbians must be very small indeed), maybe the socio-political obstacles she and her partner will face as parents will shed some light on why gays and lesbians MUST be allowed to legally marry!

Gay Rights Agenda: Hate Crimes, Discrimination

Gay Rights Activists Hopeful About New Agenda
Now that the "gay marriage" issue is put on the backburner until the next election and a few more states amend their constitutions to ban it, gay rights organizations (HRC, NGLTF) are focusing on passing the hate crimes bill first, and then trying to get the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) passed later... I'm not sure why the leaders of HRC and NGLTF want to focus on Hate Crimes first, since that issue affects few GLBT people, while employment discrimination is a real threat for most GLBT people, since there is no federal laws protecting GLBT people from it. I have always had mixed feelings about hate crime laws, sure I support the, but I don't see how they do much to stop hate crimes, and they fuel the anti-gay right's accusation that we want "special rights." Why should crimes against certain groups get more severe penalties than others? Hard to argue that issue, and I think there will be more opposition to the hate crime bill than the employment non-discrimination bill--but I could be wrong. I think it may be a mistake for gay rights groups to settle for the hate crime bill, instead of pushing the Democrats in Congress to pass ENDA. Should it be the priority?

It will be good to get the public focus back on discrimination against LGBT people and off of gay marriage for a while...

Thanks to Chris Lugo/Green Party

I almost forgot to thank CHRIS LUGO, the Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate, and the rest of the Green Party candidates for giving TN voters a PROGRESSIVE alternative to the conservative Democratic and Republican candidates. I am a Democratic Socialist, not a Green Party member, but I appreciate the work the Green Party candidates did, especially Chris Lugo, in championing the issues that a REAL progressive Democratic candidate should be fighting for in Tennessee. Chris only got about 2500 votes, but every one of those votes, including mine, was vote for progressive values and NOT a vote for conservative Democrat Harold Ford Jr., who sold out much of the Democratic party's base to appeal to the conservative theocratic base of the Republcian Party--and he still lost! And for those Democrats who will try to blame those of us who voted for Chris Lugo for Jr.'s defeat, do your math! Ford lost by over 50,000 votes, Chris got 2500! So you can stop blaming the Green Party for the failures of the Democratic Party!

Here's part of Chris Lugo's message to his supporters on his website which I would like for you to read:

"My main objective in running for office this year was to give peace a voice at the ballot box. About 2500 people felt so strongly about peace that this is what they voted for on November 7th and I think that is very exciting. I hadn't planned on stepping into such a big race nor such a tight race this year, and in many ways it was just a good year to run. The Senate seat was an open seat, the representative stepping down was the Senate majority leader, the major party candidates were both conservative and the race was tight so it was getting a lot of national media attention.
I made a lot of Democrats nervous this campaign season and Harold Ford Jr. spent a lot of energy on telling the Democrats not to vote Green. His campaign called me the "Tennessee Ralph Nader" and told Democrats not to give in to the temptations of the Green party again like they did in 2000. The pressure and bullying that the Democratic party took this year with Greens and progressives was huge and it worked, but it still didn't bring them victory in Tennessee. I think was an important lesson, which goes to show that even if you decide to sell out your vote, you still might lose.
Perhaps it is a calculated gamble that some progressives are willing to make, I would estimate that several percentage points of Democrats made that choice this year in Tennessee, and decided to vote for someone who has voted for war, voted for torture, voted against civil rights for the glbt community, voted for limiting first amendment rights and sat in a church with a cross behind him while he informed voters that he voted for the patriot act, against immigrants and proudly boasted of voting for five trillion dollars in defense expenditures in the last ten years."

Thanks Chris! Hopefully the "Democratic Party" and voters in Tennessee will wake up and demand that the TN Democratic Party offer voters a real alternative to the Republican Party.

I will continue to support PROGRESSIVE Democratic candidates and work to save the Democratic Party in TN, but I will not lift ONE FINGER to help conservative Democrats!

S. Africa Legalizes Gay Marriage

While TN and most U.S. states are taking steps to deny marriage equality for gays and lesbians, South Africa has joined Canada, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain (and Massachusetts) in legalizing same-sex marriages, over the opposition of Christian and Muslim groups who agree that homosexuality is an abomination to god.

Class War in the Democratic Party?

The battle for the Democratic Party, and the American working class, is taking shape as the newly elected Democratic Congress decides which side of the class struggle they will line up behind and support. It looks like Nancy Pelosi and the "moderate" Democrats are lining up behind big business and Wall Street, like they did under Bill Clinton.
It looks like the great hope of the Democratic Left and the working class will be the newly elected Democratic Socialist Senator from Vermont, Bernie Sanders