Bush's Surgeon General Pick Another Right-Wing Ideologue

Bush's nominee for Surgeon General, Dr. James Holsinger, has been under attack from gay rights groups for his past writings on the "pathology" of homosexuality and his alliance with anti-gay religious groups who promote various "cures" for homosexuality. Holsinger told a congressional hearing that those past writings no longer reflect his current views. Still, there are reasons to be concerned about his nomination. Former Bush Surgeon General, Dr. Richard Carmona, has accused the Bush administration of censoring his reports to support conservative ideological views on sex education and stem cell research. It is clear that the Bush administration is using every government position to promote right-wing extremist policies and is beholden to anti-gay religous groups.

Michael Moore Slams CNN/US Media

Michael Moore Slams Wolf Blitzer on CNN for their biased analysis of his movie about the U.S. health care system, Sicko, and for failing to do their job on other issues like Iraq. Now this is how liberals should act! Let's show more emotion: anger, frustration, enthusiasm, etc. about what we believe and defend it! Lesson for Democrats: Stand up to the media and conservative lies!

Impeach Bush/Cheney!

According to a new Poll by the American Research Group, 45 Percent of the U.S. support Congress starting IMPEACHMENT hearings agasint George Bush and 54 PERCENT support the impeachment of Dick Cheney! So why does the mainstream media and the moderate Democeratic Party leaders ignore the will of the American people and continue to ignore the crimes of Bush/Cheney?
With the inexcusable pardon of Cheney's right-hand man "Scooter" Libby, convicted of lying and perjury in the coverup of Cheney's criminal behavior, it is time to start the impeachment hearings on Dick Cheney. Go to Impeach Cheney.org and watch a great video presentation on the article of impeachment for Dick Cheney and sign the petition and contact your representatives to support Dennis Kucinich's H.R. 333 to Impeach Cheney! The next step will be to Impeach Bush!

Olbermann: Bush/Cheney Should Resign!

Another excellent Keith Olbermann Special Commentary on Why Bush and Cheney should Resign!

Libby Gets Off

George Bush has commuted the sentence of Lewis "Scotter" Libby today That's the same Bush guy who refused to commute the death sentences of poor, mentally retarded people in Texas. Remember the Righteous Republican Indignation about Bill Clinton's little lie? Conservatives cannot pardon lying about blow jobs, but they sure turn their snake eyes away from lies about illegal wars and lies to cover up crimes by Bush & Cheney in outing CIA agents who are wives of critics of their illegal war. Will Bush & Cheney ever answer for their crimes? It is time to IMPEACH BUSH & CHENEY

SiCKO

I just saw Michael Moore's new movie SiCKO and highly recommend, no I insist, that everyone sees this important movie (is it showing at Studio on the Squre in Memphis). The film, one of Moore's best, does a good job of showing the human tragedies caused by the American for profit health care system and the need for a single-payer universal health insurance system like Canada, Great Britain, France, even Cuba have. None of these systems are perfect, but it clearly all of these countries do a better job of providing healthcare for ALL of their citizens and keeping them heathier than the U.S. does. Moore actually visits these countries and shows real examples to disprove the right-wing propaganda about the "horrors" of "socialized medicine." Even in Canada and Europe, "conservatives" even embrace the "socialist" view that health care is a HUMAN RIGHT for all, not a commodity to be rationed based on ability to pay. The culprits in the U.S. are the profit hungry insurance campanies, drug companies, and the American Medical Association. My partner, who has no health insurnace since he is unemployed, and I came away from the movie wanting more than ever to leave the U.S. and move to Canada, or a European country, or even Cuba. But Moore's main message is that we, the people, in a Democracy must rise up and demand health care for all before profits, as people have done in these other countries. People, all of us, must get politically active and organize to change the system. We have to stand up to the healthcare-indusrial complex. To get involved and take action, go to SickCure.org or check out the Physicians for a National Health Program. Also, read this article on Health Care For All by the Democratic Socialists of America

The Fascist Bitch Strikes Again

Ann Coutler, the Fascist Bitch, spewed more of her vile on Hardball, joking that she learned from her joke about Edwards being a fag that she should just wish he were killed in a terrorist attack. She was once again trying to use Bill Mahr's comments about Dick Cheney being killled by terrorists (which I'm not sure he actually said..) She also continued with her lies about Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda, WMD's in Iraq, etc. Media Matters has a long list of them on their website. Coulter is a lying lunatic, so why does CNN, MSNBC, etc. still reward her ego by giving her air time? Elizabeth Edwards called in to ask her to stop the hateful, personal attacks, but she was too polite. You cannot be polite to Ann Coulter, she won't let you talk, she will interupt and yell over you. You have to be direct: Ann you are a vile, evil fascist bitch!

Gay Pride in North America

Several major cities in North America celebrated Gay Pride this weekend, from Toronto to Mexico City. I sometimes have mixed feellings about all the resources the gay community throws into gay pride celebrations, but it is amazing how "gay pride" unites so many people from around the world. I can't think of another social group or movement with that much world-wide unity on a common identity. The big political news in the U.S. is that the wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, Elizabeth Edwards, came out in support of gay marriage at a Pride Breakfast in San Francisco, taking a position at odds with her husband John Edwards who stops just short of gay marriage.

Pics from Vacation (Blanchard Springs, AR)

I'm back from my week vacation in the Ozarks (Blanchard Springs, Arkansas). I'm usually short on money so Arkansas is about as far as I get on vacation, but I really love Blanchard Springs in the Ozark National Forest. It's a lot cheaper than a cheezy theme park like Silver Dollar City, and there's a lot to do for little money. Like Enjoy Nature! The Blanchard Springs recreational area has a lot to offer: The Blanchard Springs Caverns (one of the best caves in North America), camping, swiming, hiking and fishing. You can see more pics on my .mac homepage.

Vacation Time!

I'll be on vacation in Arkansas this week (June 18-22). Will return sometime the end of the week...

Congress and Bush Fail Country

Poor George Bush's approval ratings have been on a steady decline for sometime, but now the "Democratic" Congress is joining him down in the low approval ratings. Approval of Congress is at its lowest in a decade, now even lower than Bush's approval rating! Why? Marianna Huffington correctly blames Tyrannosaurus Democrats. As I predicted, Nancy Pelosi and and the "moderate" Democratic leaders would fail to live up to the expectations of voters by not being tough enough in taking on Bush, the military, business and the other "special interests" that control Washington. It has been business a usual. And the main reason for the low approval of Congress must be the failure of the Democrats to stop Bush's illegal occupation of Iraq. The D. C. Democrats have failed to respond to the base of the Democratic Party, and the majority of Americans, and end the Iraq military occupation. By providing Bush & Co. with more funds, they must now join with Bush in owning the illegal war they approved and funded. And as I predicted, Pelosi is a disappointment.

Mid-South Pride

Here I am with my Impeach Bush sign at the start of the Mid-South Pride parade Sunday. It was a good day, Mid-South Pride has been improving each year it has taken over Memphis Pride. It was encouraging see a few Democratic candidates at the Pride Festival. State Senator Beverly Marrero and Jeanne Richardson, the candidate to replace her in the TN House (Dist. 89) spoke, as did Herman Morris, candidate for Memphis Mayr. Morris seemed pretty supportive of equal rights for LGBT people, and any candidate who speaks in favor of "lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender" rights deserves our support. But where were the other candidates ???

Republicans Play Anti-Gay Card Again

With an approval rating falling to the levels of Richard Nixon, the Bush Administration is trying to win back support of its Christo-Fascist base by once again attacking gays, or more precisely, forcing the Democrats in Congress to vote on controversial bills that will force them to side with LGBT people. First is a bill that will include funding for abstinence (i.e., anti-gay) sex education programs. Second, the nomination of a Neanderthal anti-gay surgeon general, James Holsinger who sides with the anti-gay Christain right on homosexuality. So the Democrats must choose between LGBT voters and conservative Christian voters. Hopefully the Democrats will listen to its own base rather than try to placate the GOP base.

Democrats Vs. Republicans

I didn't watch all of the Democratic or Republican Presidential candidate debates, I just can't watch stupid reporters asking stupid questions and polished candidates trying to spin their answers to get the best poll numbers. I thought the Democratic candidates were OK, nothing to get excited about, but compared to the Republican idiots tonight, the Democrats sure look good, even Hillary. Seems like one thing the Dems and Repugs all agree on now is that Bush screwed up Iraq. The Republican candidates attacked Bush on Katrina and Iraq. They disagreed on immigration and other issues, but all the Republicans agree on one thing..homos should not be allowed to serve "openly" in the military. It was painful to watch Giulliani and Romney back peddle away from queer folks. At one time, both support some "gay rights," Gulliani even supported "civil unions" once upon a time, but no more. Except for Kuccinich, the Dems have no backbone to defend marriage equality for gays and lesbians, but according to the HRC Report Card they all support "equal rights" for gays, including the same rights and benefits as "married" couples, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and all oppose the military's anti-gay "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy. Wonder what excuse the homo-cons and Uncle Tom Republicans will come up with to support the Republicans in 2008??
And here's something you won't find ont the Republican Party webiste, the Democratic Party Gay Pride Web page and Pride Proclamation!

Gays Attacked & Arrested in Moscow

Gay Activist Peter Tatchell Getting Punched by Russian Nationalist in Moscow

It looks like the spirit of Jerry Falwell lives on in Russia, as gays are attacked by right-wing fascists and orthodox Christians in Moscow, and arrested by the police for exercising their "freedom" to speak and assemble. British human rights activist Peter Tatchell was among the protesters attacked. One crucifix-bearing Christian threatened to beat up any gay person he saw! The Christian attackers called the gays "satanic"! Maybe they have been listening to too much Pat Robertson in Russia. Looks like Russia has embraced Western Christianity.

Gay Linguists Booted from Army

The U.S. Army has booted nine more gay linguists, including six trained to translate Arabic. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is hurting the "war on terror."

Democrats Cave In on Iraq Funding

Democrats Cave on Iraq Funding

Well, as expected our "Democratic Leaders" in Congress caved in to Bush (who has a 28% approval!) and took out all timetables in the Iraq Funding bill. Great job Pelosi!! The Democrats who support this bill may think they are doing the politically expedient thing, but they will face some angry Democratic voters--I hope! Jimmy Carter caved in, now the Democrats in Congress are caving in. It's PATHETIC! This is why the Democratic Party fails over and over again--the "leadership" of the party is barely distinguishable from the Republican Party on many issues, like mlitary spending.

Carter Backtracks on Bush

Well, I thought finally Jimmy Carter found the backbone to call George Bush the worst President in U.S. History, but after winning praise from progressives everywhere, Carter backed away from his own statements today and says they were either "careless or misinterpreted." No, Jimmy you did say it! Now he says he only meant to say he was worse than Nixon, even though that's not what he said. So like so many "liberals", Carter cannot stand by his own statements and beliefs. Why do so-called "liberal" Democrats have to be so weak when it comes to standing up for their own beliefs? Why do they allow the right-wing media machine and the Republican operatives to intimidate them over and over again? Why can't they just stand up and speak the truth "Bush is the Worst President in History!" and not apologize for it? Get a political spine Jimmy!

Christopher Hitchens on Jerry Falwell

If you think I was rough on Jerry Falwell, check out what Christopher Hitchens had to say about the death of the theocratic homophobic bigot on CNN!



I'm confused by Hitchens support of Bush's illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq, but I like his new anti-religion crusade. His new book is GOD IS NOT GREAT. Check it out.

Falwell Dead--One Less Bigot

The world has one less right-wing homophobic bigot. Jerry Falwell, founder of the Moral Majority is dead. While it is not polite to speak ill of the dead, in this case I will make an exception. While I sympathize with his family for their personal lost, we cannot ignore the evil of Jerry Falwell’s political legacy. Indeed, Falwell came to symbolize all that is wrong with conservatism in the United States. Let’s not forget that Falwell condemned the civil rights movement as well as Dr. Martin Luther King. Like Reagan, who Falwell helped elect for political power, he supported Apartheid in South Africa. In the name of “Christianity” he supported very un-Christian economic and social policies that hurt the poor and rewarded the rich. Like Osama bin Laden and Islamic terrorists, he called 9/11 God’s judgment upon secularism, feminism and homosexuality. He vilified gays and lesbians for political gain. He attacked the Constitutional principle of the separation of church and state and advocated a theocractic government, which the founders of this secular democracy adamantly opposed. It would be tempting to find some comfort in the death of such a person who has brought so much harm to our democracy and to gays and lesbians, but the truth is that bigotry and homophobia did not die with him. He has left behind an army of holy warriors who will no doubt continue his assault on equality, freedom and social justice. I find no cause for rejoicing or celebration in what our future may hold.

Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day to my Mom, Carla! While we remember our Mothers and all the sacrifices they made for us, let's also remember those mothers who have lost their sons and daughters in Bush's illegal occupation of Iraq, they have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Italian Catholics Rally Against Gays in Rome

Italians Rally Against Rights for Gay Couples" The Rally Saturday, organized by Catholic and other religious groups opposed to rights for unmarried couples, inlcuding gays, drew an estimated 250,000. Amazing that a quarter of a million people can be mobilized to oppose civil rights for a group of people who do not share their religious beliefs. The Catholic Church is opposing gay rights throughout the world, and is the world's largest anti-gay organization.

Oh My iPod

Here's an iPod accessory you might want:
OhMiBod
A vibrator (yes one of those kind) that will sync with your ipod.
(I thought the ipod toilet speakers were the next big thing..)

Bush Approval Rating Sinks but Will it Help Dems in 08?

George Bush's approval rating has sunk to 28% according to a new Newsweek Poll, and it seems to be dragging down the whole GOP. The poll also shows every Democratic candidate beating the Republicans in 2008. However, Hillary Clinton seems to be the one hope the Republicans have of winning. She does worse than any other Democratic candidate, barely edging out a Republican opponent. So why is she the leading Democratic candidate among Democrats?

"The NEWSWEEK Poll finds each of the leading Democratic contenders beating the Republican frontrunners in head-to-head matchups....

"Though the New York senator and former first lady aims to project an aura of inevitability that she will win the Democratic nomination, Obama beats the leading Republicans by larger margins than any other Democrat: besting Giuliani 50 to 43 percent, among registered voters; beating McCain 52 to 39 percent, and defeating Romney 58 percent to 29 percent.

"Like Obama, Edwards defeats the Republicans by larger margins than Clinton does: the former Democratic vice-presidential nominee outdistances Giuliani by six points, McCain by 10 and Romney by 37, the largest lead in any of the head-to-head matchups. Meanwhile, Sen. Clinton wins 49 percent to 46 percent against Giuliani, well within the poll’s margin of error; 50 to 44 against McCain; and 57 to 35 against Romney.

"Where Clinton remains the undisputed champ is among Democrats. When matched against her main rivals for the Democratic nomination, Clinton is the choice of 51 percent of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters over Obama’s 39 percent; and she defeats Edwards 57 percent to 38 percent. Obama has not substantially narrowed Clinton’s lead since the early March NEWSWEEK poll, where he trailed Clinton by 14 points. Edwards has narrowed Clinton’s lead over him though. Back in March Edwards trailed Clinton by 31 points; now her lead is down to 19 points."

Wake up Dems! We have a good chance of winning in 2008, but NOT with Hillary Clinton! Her negatives are too high among most voters, especially independents and "swing voters" and she would probably loose in the general election because of all her baggage (i.e., "hillary health care", Bill and Monica, etc.) Many Democrats I know even say THEY will not vote for her! Our best chance is a new face, like Obama or Edwards.

Bush/GOP Pander to Christo-Fascists

The U.S. House passed the "Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act" Today, and the White House wasted no time dismissing the law and threatening a Presidential Veto, Bush's 3rd Veto in his two terms. The Republicans are pandering to the anti-gay Christo-fascists (Pat Robertson, James Dobson, Focus on the Family, etc.) who do not want ANY government recognition of the civil rights of gays and lesbians which would legitimate our citizenship in the United States. Amazingly, many religious fundamentalists, including a group of African-American pastors, are actively opposing including gays and lesbians in the hate crime law arguing that the law would impose upon their freedom to preach against homosexuality! James Dobson's Focus on the Family and other anti-gay extremist groups have been spreading a BIG LIE that the hate crimes law would outlaw their religious beliefs and freedom to speak against homosexuality. (The law explicitly defends freedom of speech, and only applies to cases in which CRIMES are committed against individuals based on the gender identity or sexual orientation!)

(BTW, the Memphis CBS station, WREG CH. 3, ran a story last night in which they repeated much of the anti-gay religious opposition to the bill without giving any FACTS about the bill. Most of the story was an interview with a black preacher who opposed equating homosexuality with civil rights, and said the law would prohibit him from preaching against homosexuality. That was a LIE. WREG gave NO factual information about what the bill actually said, and gave only a few short minutes to local gay activist Herb Zeman who was not able to counter all the misinformation in the story.) I think we need to contact their station to point out how biased the story was and how they failed to inform the public of the FACTS about the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act!)

If you could not stomach watching the first Republican debate tonight on MSNBC, here's an excerpt in which Tommy Thompson says it is OK for employers to FIRE someone just for being gay!
Republican Debate: Thompson Says Employers Should Allowed to Fire Gays
And as expected, the leading GOP candidates pandered to the religious extremist base of the Republican Party by opposing abortion and gay rights, and each supported the illegal Bush invasion and occupation of Iraq. While they supported the impeachment of Bill Clinton, none were asked about whether they would support the impeachment of Bush and Cheney for their crimes. To learn more about the REAL Republican candidates, check out the DNC Report on the Republican Candidates

Mission Impossible

It's the Fourth Anniversary of George W. Bush's "Mission Accomplished" speech, and he continues to lie. Today he vetoed the funding bill Congress sent to him because it included a "nonbinding" resolution with a timetable to withdraw U.S. troops in a year. Using Orwellian logic, Bush and the GOP are accusing the Democrats of witholding funds to the military and U.S. troops, even though it is BUSH who is blocking the funding bill, NOT the Democrats.

Following the Karl Rove/GOP playbook, Rudy Giuliani warned that if the Democrats win in 2008, they will retreat from the "war on terrorism" and put the U.S. on the defensive rather than an offensive position on the "war on terror." How can Bush and the GOP keep getting away with this BIG LIE. Do we have to remind them and the American people that it was BUSH and the GOP who allowed the terrorist attack on 9/11 to take place? Richard Clarke and several other former members of the Bush adminstration have testified that BUSH did not even discuss terrorism before 9/11! Cheney's terrorism task force NEVER MET! Bush ignored repeated warnings from the intelligence community about a terrorist attack. BUSH, was the President almost a year before 9/11 and HE failed to protect and defend the U.S., and he has used 9/11 and the perpetual "war on terror" to gain "political capital." Bush and the GOP have weakened the U.S. military, and have aided the growth of terrorism world wide. Terrorism has INCREASED in Iraq since the illegal U.S. invasion and occupation. Bush is a LIAR. He has used the military and U.S. troops and they have paid the price for his incompetence.

Mission Accomplished.

Another Right-Wing Hypocrite

Bush AIDS Abstinence Appointee Quits State Department In Hooker Scandal

Bush AIDS Abstinence Appointee Quits State Dept. In Hooker Scandal
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: April 29, 2007 - 12:00 pm ET

(Washington) Randall Tobias, the head of the US Agency for International Development and President Bush's former coordinator for global AIDS relief, has quit amid allegations he was a client of a high-priced DC call-girl ring.

In announcing his resignation the State Department said on that Tobias was resigning for personal reasons.

ABC News was given the names of clients of what has been described as an exclusive escort service in the capital by Deborah Jeane Palfrey, the owner of the service who has been charged with running a prostitution ring.

Palfrey, who is 65 and married, maintained in an interview with the Washington Post that her service provided university educated women to engage in legal game-playing of a sexual nature at 275 dollars an hour for a 90 minute session.

Tobias' name was among those clients. He submitted his resignation a day after being confronted by the network.

In an interview with ABC he confirmed that he had called the Pamela Martin and Associates escort service to have women come to his condo and give him massages. But he denied there was any sex involved.

Tobias, 65, who is married,

In 2003 Bush appointed Tobias as the first global AIDS coordinator. For three years he promoted abstinence over the use of condoms, and fidelity in traditional marriage, to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa and was blamed for tying abstinence programs to aid to foreign countries.

His agency also funneled money to faith-based groups that not only preached abstinence, faithfulness, and denounced sex between men or ignored male-on-male sex altogether in AIDS educational programs.

In 2006 Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice named Tobias to head USAID.

Before joining the Bush administration Tobias was chair, president and chief executive of the pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly. In addition, from 1997-2000, he was chair of the board of trustees at Duke University.

©365Gay.com 2007

Impeach Bush/Cheney Demonstrations April 28

An Impeachment Demonstration was held in Memphis, TN and across the nation on April 28, as part of a nationwide day to speall impeachment across the United States, sponosred by a coalition of groups called A28.
I was there with my Impeach Bush sign. Response in Memphis was overwhelming, lots of honks in support of impeaching Bush and Cheney. Many people wanted to sign a petition or get more info and bumper stickers. Why is the Democratic Party ignoring the growing movement to Impeach Bush/Cheney? Why aren't more Democrats in Congress supporting Dennis Kucinicjavascript:void(0)h's proposal to Impeach Cheney? The Democratic "leadership" in Congress is turning its back on its base once again. While the GOP responded to their base an impeached Bill Clinton for far lesser crimes, the Democrats are more worried about offending "swing voters" and independents. Have they not looked at the polls showing growing support for impeachment of Bush and Cheney? Do they not care if Bush/Cheney are held to account for their crimes? If the Democratic Party does not take its base seriously, they may loose more of us to the Green Party, which does take the impeachment of Bush/Cheney seriously.
If you want to get involved, take action and put some pressure on our Democratic representatives to move on impeaching bush/cheney get invovled in one or more of the groups organizing aroune impeachment:
Impeach Bush.org
Impeach07
After Downing Street
World Can't Wait
The Green Party

Giuliani Flip Flops Again

In the race to the Christ-Fascist base of the Republican Party, adulterer and part-time drag queen Rudi Giuliani Now Says He Opposes Civil Unions for Gays .
As recently as 2004, on Fox News, he said he supported civil unions. It seems Giuliani is suffering from "mutiplemittromney" syndrome. Even the few "moderate" Republican candidates realize they can't win the GOP nomination without pandering to the anti-gay base of the GOP. So much for the great white hope of the Log Cabin Republicans.

He was for abortion, now he's not so much. He supported gay righs, now he's not so supportive. He committed adultery, but claims to be a defender of "family values." Let's use, what does the book of Leviticus say about adulters?

First Democratic "Debate"

The Democratic candidates had their first "debate" on MSNBC tonight. (Isn't it kind of early to be having debates for a an election that is a year away??) Anyway, I was not too impressed with any of the leading candidates. The only two candidates that seemed real and honest were Kucinich and Gravel. I never heard of Gravel until tonight, I like him. He was angry (justifiable since he was ignored) and he showed something most Americans feel right now--he was mad as hell! He was mad a Bush/Cheney and their lies and crimes. He was mad the the Democrats for being talking out of both sides of their faces on the war. And in the most embrassing moment for progressive Demcrats, when candidates were asked who supported Kucinich's proposal to impeach Cheney, no one raised their hands (didn Gravel? I don't remember). Gravel made Kucinish seem more "mainstream," but I have to say that Kucinich is the only real "progressive" Democratic presidential candidate and he gets my vote in the primary. While I will support the eventual nominee (probably HIillary, god help us) and think any of them would be better than Bush or the Republican candidate, Kucinich is the best choice based on the issues and his positions on the War, Impeachment, and gay rights. He is the only one that supports marriage equality and doesn't hide behind "civil unions," though that issue was not discussed much. He may look funny, but he is the most attractive Democratic candidate on the ISSUES.

Kucinich Introduces Articles of Impeachment Against Cheney

Congressman (and Democratic Presidential Candidate) Dennis Kucinich has introduced Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Dick Cheney. In H.S. 333, Kucinich lays out the case against Dick Cheney for:
1. Manipulating intelligence to fabricate a threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction
2. Manipulating intelligence to fabricate a relationship between Iraq and al Qaeda
3. Openly threatening aggression against Iran absent any real threat to the the United States

You can read the resolution, Article of Impeachment and lots of supporting documentation on his website.

Go to Impeach Cheney to take action and support the Impeachment of Dick Cheney!

Gay Anti-Discrimination Bill Introduced (ENDA)

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would make it illlegal to fire or refuse to hire employees based on sexual orientation or gender identity, has been reintroduced into Congress Today. It is still legal to discriminate against gays and lesbians in 33 states and in 42 states it is legal to discriminate against transgender people. A majority of Fortune 500 companies, nearly 90 percent actually, include sexual orientation in their non-discrimination policies. ENDA was introduced in 1974 and came witin one vote of passing in 1996. With Democrats back in control of Congress, and some bipartisan support, passage is looking pretty good. ENDA is one of three pieces of pro-gay legislation in Congress (along with The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act and a bill to abolish the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on gays openly serving in the military.

Now that the focus is off of "gay marriage," maybe we can at least get some legislation to protect us from employment discrimination, hate crimes and anti-gay military policies. I think we have a majority of the people on our side on these issues.

Catholics in Limbo

Do people really believe in this crap in the 21st Century? "Pope Revises Limbo View, Hope for Unbaptised Babies" Apparently Catholics, who cherish the life of zygotes and unborn fetuses, believe that unbaptized babies will be punished by their "loving god" for eternity, or wait somewhere called "limbo", a waiting area for those who can't get into heaven but are not evil enough to burn in hell. Thi is about as relevant or rational as debating how many angels can sit on a pinhead. Hello! The Dark Ages were a long time ago, welcome to the MODERN WORLD where we are supposed to use reason and science to undestand the world.

The End of Roe v. Wade?

The Bush/Scalia Supreme Court decision ( Gonzales v. Carhart upholding the law against "partial birth abortion" is a signal of the end of Roe v. Wade. With the addition of Bush appointees John Roberts and Samuel Alilto, the Supreme Court is now 5-4 conservative and anti-abortion rights. This means the next major challenge to Roe v. Wade will probably be the end of a women's right to abortion in the U.S.

Spineless Politicians Won't Stand Up to NRA

Our spineless DEMOCRATIC leaders are unwilling, even after another "largest massacre in U.S. History" by a mentally ill person with semi-automatic weapons purchased LEGALLLY, to stand up to the NRA and the gun industry profiteers. CNN says Gun Control Unlikely to Get on the Agenda Despite The Shootings, Senate Majority "Leader" Harry Reid Warns Against Rush to Gun Control. We have such spineless political "leaders" in the U.S.

And the few gun laws politicians do throw out, like background checks and waiting periods, are not enough to stop the LEGAL purchase of the semiautomatic weapons that allow people to kill 30 people in a matter of minutes. The guns the VA Tech killer used were bought LEGALLY, under current laws. There is no way to stop people like him, withouth crimninal records or any officially recognized "mental illness", from legally buying weapons of mass destruction, designed for the sole purpose of killing other human beings, quickly and efficiently. In addition to doing a better job of detecting and addressing mental problems, we have to BAN the legal purchase of these kind of weapons which have NO legitimate sporting purpose, and we can do so WITHOUT infringing on the "rights" of hunters and sportsmen to have hunting rifles. Why is everyone bending over backwards to kiss the asses of the gun nuts in this country???

Not Again: VA Tech Massacre (Stop the NRA!)

It's happened again, each time the death toll gets higher. Over 30 people killed in the VA Tech Massacre. How many more will die needlessly before our political "leaders" (Democrats and Republicans) stand up to the NRA and the gun lobby that funds them and profits from the culture of guns and violence? When will our media (movies, music & video games,etc.) quit glorifying guns and violence? The NRA is little more than the lobbying arm of the gun industry. It pays politicians, mostly Republican, millions of dollars a year to stop or weaken meaningful gun laws. The groups opposing the NRA have dwindled down to ONE: Handgun Control which is now under the umbrella of the Brady Campaign to Stop Gun Violence Go there for more information on gun violence, the gun lobby, the myth of the Second Amendment, and to join and get involved with the campaign to STOP THE NRA! If you haven't seen it yet, or even if you have, now would be a good time to buy or rent Michael Moore's excellent film on gun violence in the U.S. : Bowling for Columbine
No the problem is not JUST guns, but guns and gun control is a big part of the problem. There are cultural issues and mental health issues, etc.. as well, but can we at least get some sensible gun control laws?

"Abstinence" Sex Ed Programs Do Not Work

Here's more evidence that abstinence only sex education programs DO NOT WORK. Abstinence Programs Questioned
Every major study has shown the same thing: students who take abstinence sex education classes engage in just as much, if not more, pre-marital sex and some have shown they are more likely to do so and not use contraceptives or condoms. It is time politicians quit listening to the religious fanatics and listen to the experts. Students need COMPREHENSIVE sex educaton that includes all their options and how to reduce pregnancy and diseases for those (most) who will engage in sexual activity.

Democratic Candidates Compete for Gay Support

Sometimes its frustrating being a gay democrat, until you look at the Republican candidates. Short of “gay marriage” all the Democratic candidates are courting gay voters and support our civil rights, while the Republican candidates (less and except Rudy Giuliani) are racing away from us.
I respect David Mixner and his decision to support Edwards..I’m still divided between Edwards, Obama and Bill Richardson. Despite all the media attention to the other candidates, Bill Richardson is the most qualified and experienced Democratic candidate (New Mexico governor, ambassador, secretary of energy, etc. etc..) and has a very good record on gay rights. I don’t understand why he isn’t raising more money and getting better poll numbers.

But despite the occasional timidity of Democratic candidates to fully support equal rights for gay people, their support for gay rights and the willingness of most of them to openly campaign for our votes distinguishes the Democratic candidates from the Republican candidates who are competing for the support of Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and James Dobson!
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Edwards Touts Prominent Gay Supporters
April 10, 2007 9:25 PM EDT
WASHINGTON - Democrat John Edwards is touting prominent gay supporters who have signed on to his presidential campaign, including a former adviser to President Clinton.

Blogger David Mixner is one of 25 people listed on a news release that the Edwards campaign distributed Tuesday, along with a statement from the candidate saying he is honored to have the backing of so many respected gay leaders.

"They work hard every day to make our country a better place and I am proud to join with them to fight for equal rights for all Americans," Edwards said.

Edwards is making a push for gay support in the competitive Democratic presidential primary. In February, he came out in support of legislation that would end the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that prevents people who are openly gay from serving in the military.

But Edwards has competition for the gay community's support - Barack Obama's campaign has also said he is opposed to "don't ask, don't tell," as has Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign. She also told the Human Rights Campaign last month that she wants a partnership with gays if elected president.

Clinton's husband, Bill, was president when the Pentagon instituted the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which says gays may serve in the military only if they keep their sexual orientation private. The policy was a compromise that Clinton was forced to accept.

"Don't ask, don't tell" created a rift between President Clinton and Mixner, who raised millions for him among gay and lesbian voters but was later arrested in front of the White House in a protest of the policy. The two later said they patched up their differences and agreed to disagree on the administration's policy.

Mixner said he's supporting Edwards because he agrees with his position against the Iraq war and believes he would bring the troops home quickly.

Mixner said the Democratic candidates are roughly equal on gay rights issues and he also likes Edwards' focus on poverty and his detailed policy positions.

"I have supported the Clintons in every race they have run in the last 33 years since Bill Clinton ran for Congress up to Hillary's two Senate campaigns," said Mixner, who lives in upstate New York. "But I am baffled and concerned and frustrated with her position on the war."

Mixner said he hadn't told Hillary Clinton that he was changing allegiances, but his position has been clear on his blog.
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"One of the problems of that campaign is that it's very hard to gain access if you don't have a lot of money or aren't in the inner circle or I would have talked to her directly," he said.

The Clinton campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

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Imus And Conservative Bigotry

CBS radio and MSNBC have suspended Don Imus for two weeks after his latest racist/sexist outburst, calling the Rutgers women's basketball team "nappy headed hos". This is one of a LONG list of racist comments made by Imus, FAIR has a number of documented cases. A two week suspension is not enough. Bigots like Imus should not be rewarded and encouraged by mainstream media at all. The Imus racist outburst comes in the same week that Newt Gingrich tried to apologize, in Spanish, for his recent racist comment calling Spanish a "ghetto" language. We could go on and list the racist and sexist blather spewing from the mouths of Fox's Bill O'Reilly, CNN's Glenn Beck, and of course Rush Limbaugh. Add all this to the racist politics of the Republican Party and it is very clear that the conserative movement uses racism, sexism and homophobica to appeal to white men. According to recent polls, white men and the Republican Party have a lot to be worried about, as women and minorities gain political power and vote them out of office.

Is Conservatism Dead?

It is looking like conserativism, at least the Republican variety of "conservatism" is on its death bed. Polls are showing a growing majority of the U.S. population identifies as Democrat now, a big change from a decade ago. Democratic presidential candidates have raised a lot more money than the Republicans. Bush and Cheney's poll numbers continue their nose dive. The Democratic congress is getting good poll numbers, and most people in polls expect a Democrat to win the 2008 presidential election. Of course, all of this could change, but it certainly is looking bad for the Republicans and conservatives. Oh yes, strong majorities of Americans oppose the Iraq occupation, think the corporate rich have too much political power, support government programs like Social Security and Medicare, and want universal health insurance, all "progressive" positions, to the left even of the Democratic leadership in Congress!

Can"Ex-Gays" Change?

John Smid, President of 'Love in Action', the Memphis-based religious ministry that claims to help people struggle with homosexuality to change their sexual identity, responded to my Memphis Flyer Viewpoint Column in this weeks Memphis Flyer Letter to the Editor. Yes, unlike many in the gay community, I support the right of people who do not want to be "gay" for religious reasons to seek help to change their sexual identity and try to adopt a "straight" identity and live a "straight" lifestyle according to their religious beliefs. What I DO NOT support is forcing people, especially young people, into these programs against their will, which has happened recently in Love in Action. And groups like Love in Action and Exodus International often go beyond their religious ministries and mission and provide political support to groups who want to deny civil rights to gays and lesbians. So John, I will support your right to choose to be "straight" if you will support the rights of those of us who choose to live a happy healthy gay life. I hope you will not impose your religious beliefs upon us or deny us OUR right to choose.

Bush/Cheney Threaten to Cut Off U.S. Troops

While Darth Vice Cheney Accuses Democrats of Undermining U.S. Troops in Iraq, the fact is that it is CHENEY AND BUSH who have undermined our troops and the U.S. Military. The Democratic House and Senate have passed a bill to provide the funding Bush requested for the war in Iraq, but set a timetable to withdraw the troops in 2008. While many progressive/anit-war Democrats were upset that the Democratic congress approved the funding, the political reality is that Bush/Cheney would have used such a vote to accuse the Democrats of not supporting the troops. By aproving the funding with conditions for withdrawal, the Democrats have now put Bush in the position of vetoing the bill, and thus cutting off funds for the war, or signing off on the withdrawal of U.S. troops in 2008. Depending out how you look at it, Pelosi and the Democrats may have the upper hand on this one by siding with the majority of the American people who favor the withdrawal, but do not want to cutt off the funding for the military right now. Time will tell if this was the right thing to do, but it will be interesting to watch how Cheney & Bush will try to accuse the Democrats of not supporting the troops while Bush vetos the bill to provide the funds the military requested. Maybe, for once, the Democrats have outmaneuvered the Republicans.

Choosing To Be Gay

This week's Memphis Flyer has published a highly edited and very abbreviated version of my "Can Straight People Change?" article with a bad title I didn't choose:
Choosing The Gay Option
It's a "readers digest" version, sure to upset people on both sides of the issue.

Why Do Straights Hate Gays?

Once again, Larry Kramer expresses the anguish and pain of being gay in America:
Why Do Straights Hate Gays?

I'm a little more optimistic than Larry Kramer, but not much. Unfortunately, we cannot even count on our so-called "liberal allies" in the Democratic Party. Hillary Clinton lost my vote with her response to questions about Gen. Pace's comments about gays being immoral. If she can't respond to that by affirming the humanity and equality of gays and lesbians, she doesn't deserve our vote. Obama wasn't much better...but yes they are better than most of the Republican candidates except Rudy Giuliani. If the Presidential race is between Giuliana and Clinton, the gay vote may get split, because it will be hard to make a case for Hillary Clinton to gay Repubicans.

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.