Is it January 20th yet?!?!?

Below, please find David Letterman's Top Ten Bush Moments.

My question is, how'd he narrow it down to just 10???

One year and one day ago...

January 3, 2008: The day the world (or, at least these United States of America) refused to stand still any longer...

Dogs Rule!

Just in case you were wondering.

Get married. Go To Jail. Go Directly To Jail.

Go To Jail. Go Directly To Jail.

Sounds like the boardgame, Monopoly, doesn't it?

But it's not. Unfortunately, this is no game. It's what can happen to you if you’re a same-sex couple residing in Wisconsin & you plan to get hitched in California.

Should you dare to commit such an illegal act & then bring your Golden State Marriage Certificate back home to the Badger State, you risk trouble (and I DON'T mean that other board game!)...

Here’s a video report from CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/07/09/dnt.wi.same.sex.jail.wkow

Here’s the info from the GLBTQI rights website, Fair Wisconsin…

http://www.fairwisconsin.com/

Jesse Helms Dead at 86

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/04/conservative-icon-senator_n_110867.html

I never agreed with him & I am disgusted at what he did to make people like me feel like second-class citizens & less-than-human.

As with his brother-in-arms, Jerry Falwell, I will not miss him; I will not pretend I am sad that he is gone; and, I will not heap fake praise on a human being so undeserving. I do, however, wish his family quick relief of pain at their obvious loss, and pray that God is much more merciful with Sen. Helms than the Senator was with his "enemies" on earth.

1-866-4U-TREVOR

Not sure how many of you have ever heard of the Trevor Helpline, but it is a 24/7 toll-free phone number that is dedicated to GLBTQI teens who are in need of a kind, understanding voice who won't judge them or try to change them--just listen to them & help them. Unfortunately, they gets lots of calls--15,000 calls per year--from GLBTQI kids, many who feel like they can't go on.

The Trevor Helpline was named for the 1994 Academy Award winning short film, "Trevor", which Amazon.com describes thusly:

Trevor constists of diary excerpts narrated by their author, a buoyantly charming 13 year old (Brett Barsky) who loves to lip-sync to Diana Ross records, gets excited looking at photos of men, and develops a crush on the most popular boy in school, Pinky Faraday (Jonah Rooney), who befriends him. Trevor's world comes crashing down when his true feelings for Pinky are discovered. Mocked by classmates and branded a "fairy", Trevor is shunned by his new best friend and attempts to kill himself in a scene that is both heart wrenching and darkly funny, but as played by Brett Barsky, Trevor is no victim. You can be certain that his enthusiasm and developing sense of self will see him through.

I saw it when it was shown on HBO & then I had to buy the DVD! It's a wonderful little film that not only sends out a message to the world that it's tough to be a teen NO MATTER WHAT YOUR SEXUAL ORIENTATION but that it's even harder for GLBTQI kids, who just don't look or feel or act like most other teens. It's why the suicide rate amongst GLBTQI kids is so high. According to the website Religious Tolerance.org, nearly 1 out of every 3 kids who commit suicide are GLBTQI!

Anyway, it's a great little film if you've never seen it!

The reason I am posting this is because CNN has an article about the Trevor Helpline. I hope that, being in such a prominent place on the world wide web, more people (and more kids) will see & hear about it & understand that there is hope & help out there.

I hope you get a chance to read it & that you will spread the word about the Trevor Helpline, too! :-)

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/07/02/trevor.project/index.html

24-hour help for gay youth

by Jacque Wilson
CNN

(CNN) -- The transgendered woman on the other end of the line was threatening to kill herself by jumping off of a parking structure. The Trevor Helpline counselor who answered the phone worked to get the 24-year-old calm and immediately called police for help.

Exactly one month later, that same woman called the helpline back -- to thank them for saving her life.

Stories like these are the reason The Trevor Project operates its helpline, the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention number for gay and questioning youth. More than 500 volunteers are trained for 40 hours to run the bicoastal call centers.

"There's a high level of stress that youth face in the transition from youth to adulthood," Charles Robbins, executive director of The Trevor Project, said. "Add on top of that the challenges of sexual orientation or gender identity and we get 15,000 calls a year."

A 2005 Massachusetts Department of Education survey of 3,500 high school students, in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found almost 11 percent have seriously considered suicide. And that percentage is almost four times as high for 10 to 24-year-olds who identify themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual.

"Because of the unfortunate stigma that still exists in the United States around homosexuality ... youth tend to hold back their feelings, don't disclose, live in denial or shame," Robbins said.

Every year The Trevor Project honors one individual who publicly works to reject that stigma and helps in the group's overall goal: to promote the acceptance of gay and questioning youth in society. This year's honoree, actor Alan Cumming, has been "unapologetic, and true to himself," Robbins said.

"Anything that helps those people have a voice and have someone to talk to and have somewhere to turn is really important," Cumming said. "Suicide is in the top three causes of death for teens. That's a shocking statistic."

The Trevor Project began in 1998, named after the short film "Trevor" that won an Academy Award in 1994. To encourage open discussions about suicide, personal identity and sexual orientation, the organization created The Trevor Survival Kit. The kit includes the DVD of "Trevor" and a classroom teaching guide.

"All of these resources are helpful and necessary for gay and questioning youth because it's important for them to understand that they are not alone, that there is a safe place for them to find someone to listen, and most importantly, that their lives are valuable," Jacqueline Wing, communications manager for The Trevor Project, wrote in an email.

For more information on The Trevor Project, or to see a list of suicide warning signs, visit www.thetrevorproject.org. To contact the helpline, call 1-866-488-7386 or (866) 4.U.TREVOR.

Flip-Flop McCain

How clear is it where McCain stands on the issues?

FROM CNN’s Jack Cafferty:

If John McCain doesn’t stop changing his position on the issues, he threatens to make John Kerry look like an amateur.

In order for McCain to win in November, he has to appeal to both the traditional Republican base and to independents. Dana Milbank in the Washington Post says it’s a delicate dance, and if McCain’s not careful “he’s liable to break a hip.” Of course any doctor will tell you a broken hip can be very difficult to recover from.

On Iraq, the economy, guns and God, McCain is to the right. On immigration, campaign finance reform and global warming, he’s to the left. It’s all very reminiscent of John Kerry back in 2004.

McCain went after Barack Obama yesterday, for proposing a windfall profits tax on oil companies. A month ago McCain said he was willing to consider a windfall tax on the oil companies.

What about offshore drilling? During his last presidential run, McCain was against it. Now he’s for it, saying the states should decide if they want to drill for oil off the coast. This could cost him big time in states like California and Florida which are extremely environmentally conscious.

Then there are the Bush tax cuts. McCain was against them – twice – but now he’s for them.

McCain has also called for the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay to be closed down and torture banned. But last week he criticized the Supreme Court’s ruling that detainees there should have access to U.S. courts – calling it “one of the worst decisions in the history of this country.”

Link:
http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/06/18/how-clear-is-it-where-mccain-stands-on-the-issues/

"Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution."

Today, California makes history & proves, as Dr. King once said, that "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice".

I have included part of one of Dr. King's sermons, which he had entitled, "Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution." Of course, he spoke of the fight of those who hungered after equality & justice for African-Americans, but he could so easily have also spoken the same words in regard to our fight today for GLBTQI justice today. As a matter of fact, for many, the fights run parallel. As Coretta Scott King said just a few days before the 30th anniversary of her husband's death:

"We are all tied together in a single garment of destiny . . . I can never be what I ought to be until you are allowed to be what you ought to be," she said, quoting her husband. "I've always felt that homophobic attitudes and policies were unjust and unworthy of a free society and must be opposed by all Americans who believe in democracy..."

As usual, though, in the fight for human dignity & justice, no one can describe it better than Dr. King himself:

We're going to win our freedom because both the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of the almighty God are embodied in our echoing demands.

We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.

We shall overcome because Carlyle is right: "No lie can live forever."

We shall overcome because William Cullen Bryant is right: "Truth, crushed to earth, will rise again."

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair the stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.

Happy Marriage Equality Day, California.

Thanks for giving the rest of us who live somewhere between Massachusetts & California a little more hope!

Obama & The Gays (Part 2)

From the Advocate website...

Obama Pledges to Support LGBT Issues

Sen. Barack Obama released the following statement regarding the 2008 Pride season on Saturday:

“I am proud to join with our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered brothers and sisters in celebrating the accomplishments, the lives, and the families of all LGBT people during this Pride season. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core this issue is about who we are as Americans.”

“It’s time to live up to our founding promise of equality by treating all our citizens with dignity and respect. Let’s enact federal civil rights legislation to outlaw hate crimes and protect workers against discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Let’s repeal 'don't ask, don't tell' and demonstrate that the most effective and professional military in the world is open to all Americans who are ready and willing to serve our country. Let’s treat the relationships and the families of LGBT Americans with full equality under the law.”

“We are ready to accomplish these goals because of the courage and persistence of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people who are working every day to achieve equal rights -- the gay couple who demands equal treatment in our family laws as they raise their children, the lesbian soldier who wants nothing more than to serve her country openly and honestly, the transgendered workers who asks for the simple dignity of being judged by the quality of their work. Generations of LGBT Americans, at once ordinary and extraordinary, have made possible this moment in our history. With leadership and hard work we can fulfill the promise of equality for all.”

Obama’s website has a section directed toward his LGBT constituency (http://pride.barackobama.com/). The site features the senator’s views on LGBT issues and allows visitors to search for pride events in their area. On Saturday Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton endorsed Obama and pledged her full support in helping him win the presidency. (The Advocate)

Yes He Can!

"America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past. Our time to bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for the country we love."

His speech from last night in St. Paul, Minnesota:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2008/06/03/sot.obama.entire.cnn

Gays Bringing Love to the Beehive State!

Post Subtitle: (Gay) Love In The Time State of Cholera Utah

I read about an online poll being posted on a Utah TV station's website asking, in light of the California Supreme Court ruling in favor of equal marriage rights, if gays & lesbians in Utah (I know, it may be hard to believe that there are homosexuals brave enough to live in the Land of Orrin Hatch, but like--Warning: Nightmare Before Christmas reference approaching--the seemingly unbelievable world of Christmastown, they do exist) should enjoy the same rights. The results of the poll as of about 7:00 am today (5/30) are shown below, and, as you can see, it's NO CONTEST! WE WIN IN UTAH! In your face, Hatch! ;-)

Actually, in the interest of full disclosure, equal marriage rights for homos may still yet be a few millennia off in the heart of the LDS belt, but Dan Savage, one of my most favorite gay columnists, in one of his blogs asked his OBVIOUSLY many fans to go to the TV station's website & vote YES in the poll, which may be why the results may seem a little skewed for the conservative Beehive State (obviously named for the official state hairdo). Still, the results gave me a smile...I just love being subversive...especially when all you have to do is make a little clicky!!

By the way, in a serious vein, I wanted to include a copy of the article from the station's website about how the California ruling is affecting conservative bastions like Utah. You can find that article below the poll results.

Gay Mormons Don't Want To Be 'Demonized' By LDS Church

http://www.kutv.com/content/news/topnews/story.aspx?content_id=15178d54-85bc-45bc-b2f5-588b96682ff6

SALT LAKE CITY - A support group for gay Mormons urged church leaders Wednesday to stay on the sidelines after the California Supreme Court said same-sex marriage there is legal.

The church, which teaches that gay sex is a sin, has expressed disappointment in the recent ruling. Some critics and conservative groups want to overturn it through a constitutional amendment.

In a statement Wednesday, the executive director of Affirmation said he hopes church leaders would not ``use their energies and their funds'' to overturn a ruling that affirms the worth of families or meddle in politics that demonizes gays.

"Rather work with us to counsel and assist individuals and families who have been devastated by the church's teachings that have caused family members to reject their children who are gay,'' Olin Thomas wrote.

"We encourage LDS leaders to find a new focus by preaching and living a Gospel of love and respect toward all peoples and all families,'' he said of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Thomas said the California ruling doesn't affect Mormon church doctrine or the sacred ceremonies conducted in Latter-day Saint temples, which bind couples for eternity.

"This is about civil marriage as an institution of the state _ a legal institution based on core societal values, such as the worth and dignity of the family unit,'' Thomas said. "Religions are not being asked to marry anyone they don't want to marry.''

A telephone message seeking comment from the Salt Lake City-based church was not immediately returned.

The church was part of a coalition, including Roman Catholics, evangelicals and Orthodox Jews, which filed court papers in the California case asking the high court to uphold a ban on gay marriage.

Mormons believe God only sanctions marriage between a man and a woman and tout the traditional family as the basic unit of society. Gays are welcomed as church members and can hold church roles, but only if they remain celibate.

Some who have acted on what the church calls ``same-gender attraction'' have been excommunicated.

Formed by students at church-owned Brigham Young University in the late 1970s, Affirmation has more than 2,000 gay, lesbian and transgender members. It is not sanctioned by the church and until recently was not even acknowledged by leaders.

In its May 15 statement, the church said it recognizes "that same-sex marriage can be an emotional and divisive issue'' and called the court's ruling "unfortunate.''

It's unclear whether the church will play a role in trying to place a constitutional amendment on California's fall ballot. But Mormons have a history of fighting gay marriage initiatives nationwide.

In 2000, the church actively supported Proposition 22, a ballot measure that prohibited California from legally recognizing gay marriages performed outside the state.

In a letter read from the pulpit, the 740,000 members in California were urged to give time and money to get the measure passed. It was approved but struck down by the recent court ruling.

In February, Affirmation leaders invited new church President Thomas S. Monson to open a discussion about issues important to gay Mormons and their families.

A meeting with LDS Family Services Commissioner Fred C. Riley is scheduled for Aug. 11, said Dave Melson, Affirmation's assistant executive director.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Pixie Dust To The Rescue

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/05/26/regrowing.body.parts/index.html

Gas Saving Myths

From CNN...
Link = http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/12/autos/ways_to_not_save_gas/index.htm?postversion=2008051515

6 gas-saving myths
Sure you want to save gas, but there's a lot of bad advice on how to do it. Some of it makes no difference, and some of it can wind up costing you.

By Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNNMoney.com staff writer

Last Updated: May 15, 2008: 3:59 PM EDT

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- With gasoline prices hitting record levels, it seems everyone has a tip on how to save fuel. Much of the advice is well-intentioned, but in the end, much of it won't lower your gas bill.

Here's a look at a few misconceptions:

#1. Fill your tank in the morning

You may have heard that it's best to fill your gas tank in the early morning while the fuel is cold. The theory goes that fluids are more dense at lower temperatures, so a gallon of cold gas actually has more gas molecules than a gallon of warmer gas.

But the temperature of the gasoline as it comes out of the nozzle varies little during the course of the day, according to Consumer Reports, so there's little, if any, benefit, to getting up early to pump gas.

#2. Change your air filter

Maintaining your car is important, but a clean air filter isn't going to save you any gas. Modern engines have computer sensors that automatically adjust the fuel-air mixture as an increasingly clogged air filter chokes off the engine's air supply.

While engine power will decrease slightly as the air filter becomes clogged, a lack of performance or an increase in fuel consumption will be negligible, Consumer Reports says.

#3. Use premium fuel

With prices already over $4.00 a gallon, premium gasoline is a hard sell these days. But a lot of drivers think because their owners' manual recommends premium, they'll get better fuel economy with it. Really, they may be paying more money for nothing.

Newer cars for which premium is "recommended" - but not "required" - won't suffer with regular fuel. Modern engine technology comes to the rescue again. When sensors detect regular instead of premium fuel, the system automatically adjusts spark plug timing. The result is a slight reduction in peak horsepower - really, you'll never notice - but little or no reduction in fuel economy.

Always check your owner's manual before putting anything into your car. And if your car runs badly on regular, by all means, go back to the pricey stuff. (See editor's note at bottom)

#4. Pump up your tires

Proper tire inflation is important for a number of reasons. Under-inflated tires are bad for handling and can even cause a crash. Improper tire inflation also causes tires to wear out faster and to heat up more, which could trigger a dangerous high-speed blow-out.

According to on-the-road driving tests by both Consumer Reports and auto information site Edmunds.com, underinflated tires reduce fuel economy, so proper inflation is key.

But you should never over-inflate your tires. They'll get you slightly better fuel economy because there will be less tread touching the road, reducing friction. But that means less grip for braking and turning. The added risk of a crash isn't worth the extra mile a gallon you might gain.

#5. To A/C or not A/C

There's no question air-conditioning makes extra work for the engine, increasing fuel use. But car air conditioners are much more efficient today than they used to be. In around-town driving, using the A/C will drop fuel economy by about a mile a gallon.

Meanwhile, driving at higher speeds with the windows down greatly increases aerodynamic drag. As speed increases, drag becomes more of an issue, making A/C use the more efficient choice at high speeds.

At most speeds and in most vehicles, A/C use drains slightly more fuel than driving with the windows down, contends David Champion, head of auto testing for Consumer Reports. "My final take on is that it's very close," says Phil Reed, consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com. "It's hard to measure the difference and every vehicle is different."

The best choice - if temperature and humidity allow - is to keep the windows rolled up and to turn the A/C compressor off. You can keep the fans running to blow in air from the outside, but your car will be as aerodynamic as possible while still letting you breathe. You will save gas, but the fuel economy improvement will be slight.

#6. Bolt-ons and pour-ins

Before you buy a device that's supposed to make your car more fuel-efficient or pour in an allegedly gas-saving additive, ask yourself this: Don't you think oil and car companies aren't doing everything they can to beat their competitors?

If BP (BP) could add something to its gasoline that made cars go farther on a gallon, cars would be lining up at the company's pumps. Sure, people would burn their fuel-saving BP gas more slowly, but then they'd drive right past rivals' gas stations to come back to BP for more. BP stations could even charge more for their gas and still sell tons of the stuff.

So if there really was an additive that made gas burn up more slowly, it wouldn't be sold over the Internet one bottle at a time.

Likewise, car companies are already spending big bucks to increase fuel mileage. If General Motors could make its cars go significantly farther on a gallon simply by putting a device into the fuel line, don't think for a second it wouldn't be doing that. GM's car sales would go through the roof.

"There are a number of these gas-saving devices that are generally useless," says Champion.

But drivers who try them will swear they work. In reality, it's probably an automotive placebo effect, says Reed. Buy one of these devices or additives, and you're like to pay extreme attention to your fuel economy and how you drive.

Of course it can't hurt to keep a close eye on your driving habits -- and what kind of car you drive. In the end, that can make the most difference in saving gas.

Gas prices have climbed to record levels. Are you feeling the pinch? Tell us how gas prices are affecting you and what you're doing to cope. Send us your photos and videos, or email us to share your story.

-Editors note: This story was revised from an earlier version to clarify that the advice to use regular gas instead of premium may not apply to all cars.

CNN also had a list of the 8 most fuel-efficient vehicles, which includes...YOU GUESSED IT...my car, the Toyota Yaris. Yes, it came in at #8, but at least it's ON the list...is yours?!?! ;-)

Here's your winners*:
Link = http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/autos/0803/gallery.most_fuel_efficient/index.html
* Source: Fuel economy and cost estimates, EPA

1. Honda Civic GX

Overall mpg: 28 miles per gallon-equivalent of compressed natural gas

Est. annual fuel cost: $884

Lowest base price: $24,590

2. Toyota Prius

Overall mpg: 46

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,019

Lowest base price: $21,100

3. Honda Civic Hybrid

Overall mpg: 42

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,117

Lowest base price: $24,350

4. Toyota Camry Hybrid

Overall mpg: 34

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,380

Lowest base price: $25,350

5. Nissan Altima Hybrid

Overall mpg: 34

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,380

Lowest base price: $25,170

6. Smart For Two

Overall mpg: 36 (premium fuel)

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,397

Lowest base price: $11,590

7. Ford Escape Hybrid (front wheel drive)

Overall mpg: 32

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,470

Lowest base price: $26,265

8. Toyota Yaris

Overall mpg: 32

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,470

Lowest base price: $11,350

Now THAT'S what I call HARDBALL!!

You may not believe it, but I am really not a confrontational kind of person & yelling & screaming is not usually my modus operandi, but I inadvertently saw this on Hardball last night (I was just wasting time waiting for my hero, Keith Olbermann, to light up my TV & my life) &, even though, in my humble opinion, Chris Matthews is a little too enamored of John McSame & has proven himself to be a bit of a Clinton-hater, and is altogether just not my cup of tea, politically- or televisionally-speaking, I was just mesmerized by his interaction with a hapless, screaming right-wing Bush lover named Kevin James (not he of King of Queens fame, by the by) trying to take down our Mr. Obama & trying to equate talking with your enemies with surrendering to your enemies (a la Neville Chamberlain).

To Chris's credit, he just couldn't let that bit of stupidity ride & repeatedly challenged Kevvy to specifically state what it was that Chamberlain did pre-WWII that the world now sees as appeasement of Adolf Hitler. It seems that (obviously NOT) College Boy couldn't answer the question. Seems the Kevster was more interested in trying to take down a few notches the guy he knows not-so-deep inside is probably gonna be the next President of these United States with some mindless spoon-fed right-wing pablum.

I can't believe I find myself saying it, but Chris was right*: we can't just talk to our friends in this world; if we want to make progress on some issues & make the world even a tiny bit safe & potentially more stable, sometimes--JUST SOMETIMES--we're gonna have to talk to our enemies. It's not like they're gonna go away if we pretend they're not there (no matter what President DICK Cheney & his sidekick Dubya & their fanboy Kevin seem to have concocted in their nefarious noggins)! TALKING TO YOUR ENEMIES IS NOT THE SAME THING AS CAPITULATING TO THEM...DUH!

You gotta give it to ol' KJ, though, even given his obvious anger issues, what he lacks in historical knowledge, he sure makes up in hysterical volume! I actually even felt oddly uncomfortable for the guy. Heck, I even almost didn't laugh out loud at his getting caught at his obviously flawed imitation of a Repugnant Party parrot!

Give it a watch! Mark Green, by the way (the actually obviously sane guy Chris was interviewing too, does a great job. Made me glad he's on my side!)

*in this ONE instance

The Right To Not Believe

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/26/atheist.soldier.ap/index.html

Soldier Jeremy Hall says he "was ashamed to say that [he is] an atheist..." during his tour in Iraq, but did so when he was directly asked by his commander, after an enemy attack, if he believed in God. For "coming out" of his atheist closet, some of Hall's peers labeled him "immoral", "a devil worshipper" and--OF COURSE--"gay".

After all the love & all the good deeds associated with Religion American Style, I couldn't begin to understand why this soldier can't find it in his heart to believe in God (I hope you can detect facetiousness when you read it!). :-/

Of course, it goes without saying that any of us American citizens has the right to believe (or not believe) in whatever higher being(s) or lack thereof suits us. That right is not removed or diminished when the uniform of the US Armed Forces is put on either; to the contrary, that right is made more real when you place your actual life & limb & blood on the line to fight for that right and all the others we cherish in the Land of The Free. Jeremy Hall has nothing to be ashamed of...unlike those who feel the need to hurl epithets & who obviously delight in bearing false witness against a brother soldier.

Not that I am advocating atheism, but I can see how some people could come to that conclusion. Unfortunately, not every person driven away from Religion will be able to Keep The Faith. So many mistakenly (I feel) believe that Religion=Faith. It took me a while to really understand that Religion & Faith are really antonyms.

This is certainly a case, for me, of "I may not agree with what you say [believe], but I will defend to the end your right to say [believe] it!"

Since that's what Jeremy is doing for the rest of us, I guess that's only fair.

Isn't there "a better way to judge our presidential candidates than by the jewelry they wear?"

From Crooks & Liars, regarding the non-issue of Sen. Obama not wearing a US flag lapel pin every minute of every day and his political enemies who think it means he's OBVIOUSLY unpatriotic (funny, but most of the ones criticizing him just happen to have forgotten their own pin whilst they are attacking him), the transcript of Bob Schieffer's commentary on yesterday's Face the Nation.

Finally, today, I watched the ABC debate the other night when that question came up again about why Senator Obama doesn’t wear a flag pin in his lapel. Since no one asked me, here is my thought on all that. I think it’s a nice thing if people want to wear a flag on their lapel. But I believe it more important to keep the flag behind our lapel in our hearts. I feel the same way about wearing my religion on my sleeve. It just fits me better on the inside. When I go to see our local baseball team, I do wear my Washington Nationals baseball cap. But am I less a fan if don’t wear it to work? The truth is I have been known to wear a red, white and blue stars and stripes tie on the Fourth of July. But am I less patriotic when I trade it for my Santa Claus tie at Christmas? Patriotism is no more about signs or pins than religion is about reminding others how pious we think we are. No, the proof in these puddings is not the signs that we wear, but how we act. Wouldn’t that also be a better way to judge our presidential candidates than by the jewelry they wear?

Amen, brother Schieffer, AMEN!

Link to C&L post:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/04/20/face-the-nation-schieffer-reminds-us-that-its-the-patriotism-not-the-lapel-pin/

Bo's Going Home

CNN Link to this story: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/18/dog.adoption/index.html

LAWRENCEVILLE, Georgia (CNN) -- Bo, a 2-year-old black Labrador and specialized search dog, has good reason to be wagging his tail.

The military working canine officially hung up his war leash at a moving ceremony Friday and retired to the good life in Georgia after being wounded in a roadside bombing that killed his handler in Afghanistan last year.

Staff Sgt. Donald Tabb, 29, serving his fourth deployment with the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, died February 5, 2007, when his vehicle was hit by the roadside bomb. Bo, who was trained to clear roadways, find explosives and bomb-making materials, survived and has been adopted by Tabb's family.

Willie Smith, Tabb's brother, fought back tears Friday as he officially received the dog.

"I just want to say, having Bo means a great deal to myself and my family," he said.

"Mr. Smith, today you've agreed to take Bo into your home to be part of your family," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Timmins, kennel master with the 6th Military Police Detachment. "You're not just receiving a pet today. Bo is an outstanding soldier, and he served his country with distinction."

Bo and Tabb went through extensive training together, graduating in March 2007 from the Defense Department's Dog Training Center at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. The dog's specialized training allowed him to be "off the leash at distances up to 100 meters," according to an Army news release.

"It's impossible to spend two minutes with this dog without smiling at least once," Timmins said.

Of Tabb, Timmins added, "The one constant thing he would always tell me is how much everybody loved Bo. And I wholeheartedly believe that a dog takes on a personality of its handler ... because everyone who knew Sgt. Tabb loved him too."

Tabb served with the Military Working Dog section, 6th Military Police Detachment, 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

Traditionally, a military working dog outranks the handler by one grade. Bo was officially retired as master sergeant. Tabb, an Atlanta native, was posthumously promoted to sergeant first class at Friday's ceremony at the Gwinnett County Fallen Heroes Memorial.

Video of Bo's retirement & adoption ceremony:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/18/dog.adoption/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

Obama & The Gays

You can find Senator Obama's interview with the online Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgendered (GLBT) magazine, Advocate, at http://advocate.com/exclusive_detail_id53285.asp.

Personally, it's always good to hear any major candidate speak to the issues affecting people like me. During the primary season, it's more common to see the Democratic candidates speak their minds to us (MOSTLY in support of GLBT people). It will be interesting to see how much communicating is done with us once they have to reach beyond the usual Democratic base. I hope that what our (Democratic) candidates see as fair & right in April doesn't get swept under the rug in October!

I guess I live in hope...

Martin Luther King Jr.: January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968

Anybody here seen my old friend Martin?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lotta people but it seems the good they die young
I just looked around and he's gone

Didn't you love the things that they stood for?
Didn't they try to find some good for you and me?
And we'll be free
Some day soon, it's gonna be one day

"Abraham, Martin and John" by Dion & the Belmonts

Today, April 4, 2008, is the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King died that day, the victim of a bullet to the head, on the 2nd floor balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee while visiting in support of striking sanitation workers.

Jesse Jackson, who was with Dr. King at the time of the shooting, confirms that the last words spoken by Dr. King were to his friend & musician Ben Branch, who was to perform at a gathering later that evening. Those words, according to the 2006 book, At Canaan's Edge: America in the King Years, 1965-68, were "Ben, make sure you play Take My Hand, Precious Lord in the meeting tonight. Play it real pretty." It was his friend, the great, Grammy-award winning gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson, who sang the song, his favorite hymn, at his funeral at Ebeneezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where he is buried.

James Earl Ray subsequently confessed to Dr. King's murder on March 10, 1969.

Below is a couple of clips of speeches given by Dr. King. The first one is part of the final speech that Dr. King gave the night before his death at the age of 39. Next is a clip of an anti-war speech given by Sen. Robert Kennedy, who also assassinated in 1968--2 months & 2 days after Dr. King's death. Another shorter clip of Dr. King follows that.

Dr. King helped to introduce hope & the very concept of freedom to people of every different color & every walk of life, many of whom may have known the literal meanings of the words "hope" & "freedom", but who had never been personally familiar with the ideas that the words represent.

In the song, "America The Beautiful," I am reminded of the man who set all of us free:

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!

There is no way to properly describe what this world lost when Dr. King was taken from us. For so many--then & now--he was the very symbol of the potential our country had/has to be so much more than we think we are.

Even in death, he still reminds us today that what the world sees on the outside is the least of who we really are as beloved children of God.

Because of all he did for the Kingdom of God on earth while he was still here, he still speaks of his dream & of his undying hope for his beloved country & of his eternal belief that it is right that will make might...one day.

In his historic refusal to give up fighting the good fight, he still gently prods all who care about equality & justice to keep seeking the Promised Land.

Sometimes, it seems we still have so far to go, but, in Dr. King's honor, & because we really have no choice but to do the right thing, we must never allow ourselves to tire, and we must never take our eyes off the prize that Dr. King & so many others have earned with their precious blood. We must gently, yet steadfastly, continue that good fight even when we feel we have no fight left. It's what Dr. King did & it's what any lovers of liberty must do.

Dr. King: "All we say to America is, 'Be true to what you said on paper.' If I lived in China or even Russia, or any totalitarian country, maybe I could understand some of these illegal injunctions; maybe I could understand the denial of certain basic First Amendment privileges, because they hadn't committed themselves to that over there. But somewhere I read of the Freedom of Assembly. Somewhere I read of the Freedom of Speech. Somewhere I read of the Freedom of Press. Somewhere I read that the greatness of America is the right to protest for rights. So just as I say, we aren't going to let any dogs or water hoses turn us around; we aren't going to let any injunction turn us around."

"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead, but it really doesn't matter with me now because I've been to the mountaintop, and I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain, and I've looked over, and I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. So, I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

Sen. Robert F. Kennedy: "I don't think any of us will be satisfied in the United States until that war is brought to an honorable end and American soldiers are brought back here to the United States."

Dr. King: "One day we will have to stand before the God of history and we will talk in terms of things we’ve done."

"It seems that I can hear the God of history saying, 'That was not enough! But I was hungry, and ye fed me not...'"

In the interest of complete historical accuracy, the remainder of Dr. King's last quote follows here: "...I was naked, and ye clothed me not. I was devoid of a decent sanitary house to live in, and ye provided no shelter for me. And consequently, you cannot enter the kingdom of greatness. If ye do it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye do it unto me.' That’s the question facing America today."

Thank God for Wealthy Widows Who Want To Remain Anonymous!

I know that Matthew Budge & his family got a lot of prayers around the county & the world once the Texas TV station played his story.

Well, it seems that, as James 5:16 says, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much," because, according to WFAA TV (see link below), "a wealthy widow who wants to be anonymous" has come to the family's rescue & has offered to pay all the fees! I am quite sure she's not doing it for the hurting family, but for the obviously near-indigent apartment complex that needs the money so desperately (please note extreme sarcasm in that last sentence)!

So, it seems that my aforementioned outrage has now been replaced by thankfulness that the world still has at least one or two "righteous" men (and women!!)!

:-)

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/localnews/news8/stories/wfaa080331_jh_budgesamaritan.1c84cc23.html