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RIP: The Middle Class

Dingo — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 14:07:27 +0000

Conservatives are working hard to dismantle almost every policy that protects the American middle class. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer at a staggering rate. Once upon a time, the United States had the largest and most prosperous middle class in the history of the world, but now that is changing at a blinding pace. The truth is that the middle class in America is dying - and once it is gone it will be incredibly difficult to rebuild.

Middle class Americans are being pushed against their will into the Lower Class. Such is the nature of all the trends in the American economy over many years, not just a consequence of the current Great Recession. This is happening as the rich and powerful Upper Class continues to enjoy their incredible wealth.

The current unemployment crisis will persist for many, many years. Together with a terrible housing market and continued mortgage foreclosures coupled with rising health care costs there is nothing but doom for millions of Americans who once thought of themselves as comfortably middle class, living the American dream. Their children surely are questioning their futures, especially because college graduates are now facing great trouble finding good jobs and anyone with an ounce of smarts knows that the enormous national debt spells higher taxes and lower benefits for the rest of the century.

Older Americans facing major losses in their savings and higher costs face precarious golden-turned-to-lead years, especially as they worry about reduced Medicare benefits and increasingly look for food banks and pantries to get some free food.

Sound bad? You better believe it. Connect all the dots and what you should understand is that the political system has become a willing partner in a class war of the rich and powerful against the middle class. All we have is misrepresentatives in Congress who, like those in the Executive Branch, are primarily serving the interests of the Upper Class which provides the money to keep them in office.

The Middle Class in America Is Radically Shrinking - Here Are the Stats to Prove it

The statistics detailed below prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the middle class is being systematically wiped out of existence in America.

So why are we witnessing such fundamental changes? Well, the globalism and "free trade" that our politicians and business leaders insisted would be so good for us have had some rather nasty side effects. It turns out that they didn't tell us that the "global economy" would mean that middle class American workers would eventually have to directly compete for jobs with people on the other side of the world where there is no minimum wage and very few regulations. The big global corporations have greatly benefited by exploiting third world labor pools over the last several decades, but middle class American workers have increasingly found things to be very tough.

Here are the statistics to prove it:

• 83 percent of all U.S. stocks are in the hands of 1 percent of the people.

• 61 percent of Americans "always or usually" live paycheck to paycheck, which was up from 49 percent in 2008 and 43 percent in 2007.

• 66 percent of the income growth between 2001 and 2007 went to the top 1% of all Americans.
• 36 percent of Americans say that they don't contribute anything to retirement savings.
• A staggering 43 percent of Americans have less than $10,000 saved up for retirement.

• 24 percent of American workers say that they have postponed their planned retirement age in the past year.

• Over 1.4 million Americans filed for personal bankruptcy in 2009, which represented a 32 percent increase over 2008.

• Only the top 5 percent of U.S. households have earned enough additional income to match the rise in housing costs since 1975.

• For the first time in U.S. history, banks own a greater share of residential housing net worth in the United States than all individual Americans put together.

• In 1950, the ratio of the average executive's paycheck to the average worker's paycheck was about 30 to 1. Since the year 2000, that ratio has exploded to between 300 to 500 to one.

• As of 2007, the bottom 80 percent of American households held about 7% of the liquid financial assets.

• The bottom 50 percent of income earners in the United States now collectively own less than 1 percent of the nation’s wealth.

• Average Wall Street bonuses for 2009 were up 17 percent when compared with 2008.

• In the United States, the average federal worker now earns 60% MORE than the average worker in the private sector.

• The top 1 percent of U.S. households own nearly twice as much of America's corporate wealth as they did just 15 years ago.

• In America today, the average time needed to find a job has risen to a record 35.2 weeks.

• More than 40 percent of Americans who actually are employed are now working in service jobs, which are often very low paying.

• or the first time in U.S. history, more than 40 million Americans are on food stamps, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects that number will go up to 43 million Americans in 2011.

• This is what American workers now must compete against: in China a garment worker makes approximately 86 cents an hour and in Cambodia a garment worker makes approximately 22 cents an hour.

• Approximately 21 percent of all children in the United States are living below the poverty line in 2010 - the highest rate in 20 years.

• Despite the financial crisis, the number of millionaires in the United States rose a whopping 16 percent to 7.8 million in 2009.

• The top 10 percent of Americans now earn around 50 percent of our national income.

Giant Sucking Sound

The reality is that no matter how smart, how strong, how educated or how hard working American workers are, they just cannot compete with people who are desperate to put in 10 to 12 hour days at less than a dollar an hour on the other side of the world. After all, what corporation in their right mind is going to pay an American worker 10 times more (plus benefits) to do the same job? The world is fundamentally changing. Wealth and power are rapidly becoming concentrated at the top and the big global corporations are making massive amounts of money. Meanwhile, the American middle class is being systematically wiped out of existence as U.S. workers are slowly being merged into the new "global" labor pool.

What do most Americans have to offer in the marketplace other than their labor? Not much. The truth is that most Americans are absolutely dependent on someone else giving them a job. But today, U.S. workers are "less attractive" than ever. Compared to the rest of the world, American workers are extremely expensive, and the government keeps passing more rules and regulations seemingly on a monthly basis that makes it even more difficult to conduct business in the United States.

So corporations are moving operations out of the U.S. at breathtaking speed. Since the U.S. government does not penalize them for doing so, there really is no incentive for them to stay.

What has developed is a situation where the people at the top are doing quite well, while most Americans are finding it increasingly difficult to make it. There are now about six unemployed Americans for every new job opening in the United States, and the number of "chronically unemployed" is absolutely soaring. There simply are not nearly enough jobs for everyone.

Many of those who are able to get jobs are finding that they are making less money than they used to. In fact, an increasingly large percentage of Americans are working at low wage retail and service jobs.

But you can't raise a family on what you make flipping burgers at McDonald's or on what you bring in from greeting customers down at the local Wal-Mart.

Posted Jul 15, 2010 02:25pm EDT by Michael Snyder in Recession
From The Business Insider

Editor's note: Michael Snyder is editor of theeconomiccollapseblog.com

WEBSOURCE: finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/the-u.s.-middle-class-is-being-wiped-out-here%27s-the-stats-to-prove-it-520657.html?tickers=^DJI,^GSPC,SPY,MCD,WMT,XRT,DIA

having a hard time

Mark — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:10:02 +0000

the title of my blog might illicit advice. may i remind you'all that advice is insulting. the first sign of intelligence i look for in another person is his ability to shut up, quit making noise and listen. simply, i want to testify. needless to say i'm having problems with living. i'm not tolerating humans very well. sometimes i even have a physical reaction. i see one and i run back inside my apartment fast.

to be fair, i must also share that things are going well. we humans. things get complicated like that. not all right or wrong; this or that; black or white. i'm on a forceful spiritual journey: experiencing my surroundings as much as possible as a dog. i play when she signals to do so; i cook organic food and we eat together; i get on all fours; i follow her sometimes for miles and miles. maybe it sounds insane. its not.

but when i return...when i visit with a human or turn on the television or come to a staff meeting...that's when insanity comes dangerously close. i don't have intelligent or educated people around me. define intelligence and education anyway you want to. i know what i mean. i was scheduled to go to my first hiv retreat but my case manager advised me not to. she said i'd come away feeling more isolated and alone than before.

i have a hard time watching keith and racheal on msnbc. they're the only reason i get cable. a sociologist at heart but, nonetheless, cannot cope well keeping informed on white america's ongoing fearful response - hateful response - to barrack obama. then, a black man from holland moves into our building. a driver by mimicked shooting him as the black man smokes a ciogarettes outside. welcome to america.

in tempura, i painted "hate free zone" on my window. thought i threw that sign away in 1988. ignorant straight white people, christian people, advice me on the "hate free zone" message. infuriating that the black man is shot at in a mock way and the white man is pathologized for being an allie. odd, painfully rageful really, to be advised on how to deal with opression by the oppressor. fascinating isn't it how the "i'm not a racist" crowd ostracizes the allie as well as the target of hate.

i'm having a real hard time my brothers. but cried for the first time today in many, many years. that's a good thing.

(((addendum)))

oh..wanted to add

high school reubion - 30 years next weekend. i ain't going. they're upset. i just told 'em if i wanted to go to fuckin tea party convention i'd go to one in the bahamas! and...

some liberal types invited me to their wedding. politely told them thank you but i'm not in the mood to celebrate heterosexual privelege. their advise to this homo on how to deal with oppression: it's not an appropriate or effective tactic to boycott weddings. dumb asses.

Ethics & Accountability - The Witch Hunt vs Sherrod

Dingo — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:46:12 +0000

The story being played out in the press is now entirely focused on the behind the scenes maneuvering of the White House and Shirley Sherrod - a process story about who knew what when - rather than on where Andrew Breitbart got the video. For his part, Breitbart isn't revealing where the video came from. And this isn’t the first time Breitbart and his Big Government website (and Fox) have manipulated the public and the mainstream media with an edited video. Remember what he did to ACORN?

A Special Comment by Keith Olbermann on this witch hunt.

Andrew Breitbart posted an edited video of a portion of a speech delivered by United States Department of Agriculture official Shirley Sherrod at the NAACP 20th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet over a year earlier on March 27th, 2009. In the snippets posted on Big Government.com (a Breitbart website) and YouTube.com, Sherrod (an African American) recounted an incident 24 years earlier when she worked for Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund. In the posted video, she explained that she limited how much help she gave a white farmer in foreclosure. Later explanations by Sherrod, given during an interview with John Roberts on CNN, indicated that the point of her speech was to describe for the audience how her thinking had evolved over time to view all needs not as a race issue but as a true poverty issue, which is what they applauded. Throughout the day, Breitbart refused to post the entire video of the speech. The NAACP initially posted a comment condemning Sherrod's remarks, but removed the post from their website after her John Roberts interview. That evening, in a spirited interview conducted by John King on CNN, Breitbart indicated that his purpose in posting the video snippet was not to get Sherrod fired. Rather, he claimed that he was interested in showing how the NAACP participants who attended the March conference reacted to Sherrod's statements of discomfort with racial issues. In the interview, Brietbart commented, "this tape is about the NAACP. It’s raison d’etre is about non-discrimination. And when Shirley Sherrod is talking there, in which she expresses a discriminatory attitude towards white people, the audience responds with applause and the NAACP agrees with me. And it rebuked her and the audience." The statement appeared inconsistent with Brietbart's earlier stated reason for posting the video: that it exposed racism on the part of the NAACP, not racism practiced by certain individuals.

By July 21, 2010, Breitbart posted the entire video of the speech. The NAACP also posted the complete video of Sherrod’s public address at their 2009 March banquet.

----------------------------------------------------------------

TEXT OF BREITBART’s BLOG (including videos edited out of context)

Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010
by Andrew Breitbart

“Context is everything.

In this piece you will see video evidence of racism coming from a federal appointee and NAACP award recipient and in another clip from the same event a perfect rationalization for why the Tea Party needs to exist.

But first the context:

For the past week, Americans who consider themselves aligned with the Tea Party movement have suffered the indignity of being falsely labeled racist by the NAACP and their pro-bono publicity managers, the main stream media. The constant calls to “repudiate the racists from your ranks” have not only been insulting, but have also served to force a false standard upon America’s fastest-growing and most vibrant political movement that no other group could ever live up to nor would ever be asked to live up to.

While the media has chosen to do the Democratic Party’s bidding in allowing for the NAACP to negatively and falsely brand the millions strong, loosely affiliated tea party phenomenon as “racist”, the moral indignation over race and racism has taken center stage in a summer of economic and political discontent.

The NAACP, an undeniable weapon in the Democratic Party’s arsenal, was more than happy to exploit this nation’s sensitive racial schism for possible political gain. The Democratic Party and the NAACP, needless to say, are playing with fire.

From the beginning of the Tea Party movement, the Left, its aiders and abettors at MSNBC, the NY Times and other reliable left of center propaganda venues, raised race as the driving force behind the movement, even though the evidence was never there. MSNBC even egregiously cut off a black protester’s head in a photograph of a man carrying a gun to a rally in order to discuss that anti-black racism was rearing its head in America.

But it got even more blatant when Congressmen Andre Carson and John Lewis and other Congressional Black Caucus members staged a walk through the Tea Party crowd in front of the capitol the day before the health care vote. They claimed they were threatened by a violent mob and were subjected to the vile N word slur fifteen times. With the unpopularity of the toxic health care bill that the majority of Americans did not want, the Democrats needed a November strategy. Neutralizing the growing Tea Party movement with charges of racism was clearly its post-health care reform vote priority.

What they did not expect was that new media would successfully challenge the propaganda of the old media and the Congressmen’s racial smear.

First, my $100,000 video challenge for any evidence of racism was met with crickets. The CBC, looking for a fight, and taking to the airwaves to accuse the Tea Party of racism made a 180 degree turn and went into hiding when challenged on the truthfulness of the outrageous allegations. From camera hogs to ostriches in snap of a finger.

When the media chose to ignore that Representatives Lewis and Carson’s story was falling apart, we dug deeper. We found four videos from the moment Rep. Carson claimed the racist Tea Party incident occurred. The four videos, which include audio, show beyond a reasonable doubt that the incident was a manufactured lie. That lie that was supposed to be the centerpiece in the Democratic strategy to destroy the Tea Party. The videos had been available on YouTube almost immediately after the incident occurred and could have been found by any reporter interested in investigating the truthfulness of Rep. Carson’s claim.

While the media ignored these newsworthy revelations, the CBC remained in hiding and ignored a letter in good faith from the Tea Party Federation repudiating all forms of racism, but also asking for the CBC’s help in investigating the Capitol Hill incident. The silence from the CBC was deafening.

The NAACP and the Congressional Black Caucus do not want racial harmony. They want political victory, and the race card is their Stradivarius.

Three months later, the NAACP decided to “double-down” on the fabricated “”Tea Party/racism” narrative and has the gall to include the disproved Capitol Hill “N Word” non-incident as their formal condemnation of the Tea Party. Simply by snapping its figures, the mainstream media again parroted lies. The Tea Party was guilty until it proved itself innocent. A most un-American and, dare I say, culturally Marxist construct.

In fact, it’s worse. The media that provided the left a platform to accuse the Tea Party, all the while refusing to air any exculpatory evidence. Again, the mainstream media inserts itself as the number one weapon in the progressive weapons stash. Political correctness, as the Duke Lacrosse case exemplified, trumps all in PC America and her afflicted media.

But the new media will not be silenced. It will not allow for the main stream media to propagate hateful and hurtful lies in order to save the Democratic Party from the toxic choices it has made over the past few years. And by bringing up race, and demanding a zero tolerance of racism, the left, and the NAACP in particular, has opened itself up for scrutiny.

We are in possession of a video from in which Shirley Sherrod, USDA Georgia Director of Rural Development, speaks at the NAACP Freedom Fund dinner in Georgia. In her meandering speech to what appears to be an all-black audience, this federally appointed executive bureaucrat lays out in stark detail, that her federal duties are managed through the prism of race and class distinctions.

In the first video, Sherrod describes how she racially discriminates against a white farmer. She describes how she is torn over how much she will choose to help him. And, she admits that she doesn’t do everything she can for him, because he is white. Eventually, her basic humanity informs that this white man is poor and needs help. But she decides that he should get help from “one of his own kind”. She refers him to a white lawyer.

Sherrod’s racist tale is received by the NAACP audience with nodding approval and murmurs of recognition and agreement. Hardly the behavior of the group now holding itself up as the supreme judge of another groups’ racial tolerance.

The second video affirms the real reason there is tension between the Democratic Party and a growing mass of middle Americans — and it’s not because of race.

The NAACP which has transformed from a civil rights group to a propaganda arm of the Democratic Party and social-justice politics, supports a new America that relies less on individualism, entrepreneurialism and American grit, but instead giddily embraces, the un-American notion of unaccountability and government dependence. Shirley Sherrod, a federal appointee who oversees over a billion dollars of federal funds, nearly begs black men and women into taking government jobs at USDA — because they won’t get fired.

This is why the Democratic Party is scared. This is why the NAACP is scared. This is why black conservatives, previously marginalized as “Uncle Toms” by these progressive bullies, and shamefully, the NAACP, are coming out of the woodwork to join and, in many cases, lead the Tea Party movement.

The emerging Tea Party nation understands that the media has focused on the manufactured racial schism while intentionally ignoring the schism between free market thinkers and government expansionists, that the latter of which is brazen in its desire to transform America into a European-model welfare state with a healthy dose of socialism.

It’s unfortunate that the NAACP’s recent resolution and false accusations have forced us to show you video 1 when video 2 is the bigger problem. That’s not to say video 1 is not a problem, but this country can ill afford, in this time of economic peril, to waste our time poking and prodding at the racial hornet’s nest that was supposed to have been removed with this post-racial presidency. But now President Obama and the modern-day Democrat party reveal they are anything but post-racial.

Yet again, the juxtaposition of the real video evidence shown here versus the mainstream media’s straight faced reportage of the NAACP’s baseless accusations demonstrates that, once again, the American main stream media has asserted itself as the number one enemy of the truth, when the facts don’t fit the left-wing narrative. Like the NAACP, it has become no better than Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson in its willingness to exploit race for political ends and their unflinching support of the Obama’s left-wing agenda.”

END OG BREITBART’s BLOG

----------------------------------------------------

I am disgusted by the treatment of Shirley Sherrod at the hands of Fox News and Andrew Breitbart. This woman, who has helped countless farmers keep their land, was accused by Fox of racism based on manipulative editing of a tape of a speech she gave about how she learned that race should never matter in helping the poor. That edited tape came from Breitbart who used it to go after the NAACP, not Shirley Sherrod.

Breitbart and others like him could care less about the ordinary people - they're only interested in going after Obama, liberals and anyone who attempts to show what they really are - racists.

For telling her tale of enlightenment, and discovering that racism is never the answer, in any community, she was lied about, misquoted, and ultimately lost her job she held in the US Department of Agriculture.

Although apologies have since been issued from the White House and her boss at the USDA, and she has been offered a new position at the USDA, the fact remains that Andrew Breithart used an edited video of her to get back at the NAACP, which in my opinion also caused defamation of her character.

The same thing happened to ACORN. Although ACORN was cleared in several investigations, edited videos led up to causing defamation of that organization. And because they lost their funding, ACORN shut its doors resulting in both the loss of jobs of some very good people and valuable services to impoverished people. All because of the immediate reactions of politicians based upon the lies and deceitful actions of Andrew Breithart.

The farmers (who are white) whose farm she saved testified that she is the kindest, fiercest advocate of color-blind advocacy of the poor. Fear is the road to ruin, not just for the Democrats, but the country as well. The far right will burn in its own flames of hatred and lies, but only if we stop being timid, academic, scared, cautious.

The Obama Administration must not be afraid of the far right. The White House must admit that they got tricked by the far right playing dirty.

The far right has no fear of lying about a black woman who fought, twenty years ago, to save a white farm in the deep South. Why? Because we let them do this. Their lies killed ACORN, which made small mistakes that were lied about and killed. ACORN was a service to poor communities of people of all colors including whites - all who are under-served and disempowered. Now they smell blood. They think they can use the Karl Rove strategy of lying with impunity, never retracting and never legally being held accountable.

If the Democratic majority loses in the mid terms, it will be our responsibility. Then the people who brought us ten years of lies will come back to screw us. This is not about politics. It's about lying to gain political advantage and power -- against the interest of the people who our public servants must serve.

The NAACP jumped the gun. They apologized and rightfully so. The White House and Secretary of Agriculture jumped the gun and are making amends. They need to stop cowering to these slanderous journalists and stand up for the real heros and heroines of our times. This has to happen now, or we will vote for change in November.

Shirley Sherrod was treated badly by both sides and that is wrong. Andrew Breitbart and the FOX news media should be held accountable to ethics, fairness and objectivity in their journalism; they should also be held accountable for the defamation of character they have caused in their manipulative callous treatment of Shirley Sherrod by using edited footage of her speech, using her to get back at the NAACP. And those in the US Government and USDA who were quick to react and demand that she resign should also be held accountable for making decisions without looking FIRST at all the facts.

dingo

WHO is Andrew Breitbart? (This is from Wikpedia and other sources)

On March 22, 2010 ACORN announced that it was disbanding due to insufficient revenue, attributable in great part to the effects of the controversy ignited by Andrew Breitbart's investigations that originated from his conservative Big Goverment website.

Andrew J. Breitbart is an American publisher, a commentator for the Washington Times, author,and an occasional guest commentator on various news programs. He may be best-known for serving as an editor for the Drudge Report website. He currently runs his own news aggregation site, Breitbart.com, and five other sites: breitbart.tv, Big Hollywood, Big Government, Big Journalism, and Big Peace.

in 2008 Breitbart launched the website "Big Hollywood," a "group blog" driven by Tinseltown, with contributions from a variety of writers, including entertainment-industry professionals who politically lean right.[19] John Nolte is the editor-in-chief of Big Hollywood. Other contributors include Greg Gutfeld, Mike Wilson, Adam Baldwin, Gary Graham, and Iowahawk (Dave Burge). The site, an outgrowth of the column "Big Hollywood" that Breitbart wrote for the Washington Times, addresses issues facing conservatives who work in Hollywood.

In 2009,Andrew Breitbart launched a new website called Big Government. The site started out by airing footage of ACORN staffers in Baltimore who gave unethical advice concerning underage prostitution and tax-evasion on-tape to Hannah Giles and James O'Keefe, who were employed by Big Government and Big Hollywood. Within 24 hours of the video's release, the two women featured on the hidden camera were fired by ACORN over the incident. After the release of the second in the tape series, which targeted the Washington D.C. ACORN office, the U.S. Census Bureau severed its connection with ACORN, which had been scheduled to assist in the 2010 census. Five "sting tapes," with Hannah Giles portraying the "prostitute" Kenya, and O'Keefe acting as her boyfriend pimp, have been released; these feature the ACORN offices in Baltimore, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Brooklyn, New York, and both San Bernardino and San Diego, California. The videos were highly edited to remove almost all of the comments of the ACORN personnel.

Breitbart vowed to "continue exposing" the ACORN organization; as the controversy became a media event in the US, it was accompanied by charges by Andrew Breitbart and Fox News that the "mainstream media" did not respond promptly or cover the story in sufficient depth.

ACORN's partnership in the 2010 United States Census was terminated on September 11, 2009. The United States Senate voted to exclude ACORN from federal funding on September 14, and the House of Representatives voted to eliminate federal funding to ACORN on September 17, although both resolutions were later nullified in a federal court ruling that the measures were an unconstitutional bill of attainder. On September 23, the Internal Revenue Service removed ACORN from its volunteer tax-assistance program. On September 24, the US Treasury Department's Inspector General announced it would initiate a broader probe into "the government's oversight of tax-exempt organizations like ACORN when they engage in political activities."

On October 1, 2009, the California Attorney General's office opened an investigation "into the controversy surrounding videos that purportedly show members of community organizing group ACORN giving advice on how to open a brothel." Attorney General Jerry Brown later found O'Keefe's tapes to be "severely edited" and despite appearing in the publicized videos as a "1970s Superfly pimp," "in his actual taped sessions with ACORN workers, he was dressed in a shirt and tie, presented himself as a law student, and said he planned to use the prostitution proceeds to run for Congress. He never claimed he was a pimp."

Brown concluded, "Even if O'Keefe and Giles had truly intended to break the law, there is no evidence that any of the ACORN employees had the intent to aid and abet such criminal conduct or agreed to join in that illegal conduct." While faulting a few of the recorded ACORN members for "terrible judgment and highly inappropriate behavior," Brown stated that "they didn't commit prosecutable crimes in California." Regarding the publicity surrounding the videos, Brown stated, "The evidence illustrates ... that things are not always as partisan zealots portray them through highly selective editing of reality. Sometimes a fuller truth is found on the cutting room floor.

The New York Attorney General began an investigation on September 15, 2009 to ensure that state grants given to ACORN were properly spent. The New York City Council suspended all ACORN grants while Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes conducted an investigation. On March 1, 2010 the DA issued a press release announcing that no criminality on the part of ACORN had been found in the investigation.

On June 14, 2010, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) released its findings which showed that the now disbanded community organizing group ACORN evidenced no sign that it, or any of its related organizations, mishandled any of the $40 million in federal money which they had received in recent years.

Breitbart often appears as a speaker at fiscally conservative Tea Party movement protests across the U.S. For example, Breitbart was a keynote speaker at the first National Tea Party Convention at Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville on February 6, 2010.

When Reps. John Lewis, Andre Carson and Emanuel Cleaver claimed Tea Partiers had hurled racial abuse at them, including the word "nigger", as they walked through a protest outside the U.S. Capitol on March 20, 2010,Breitbart stated that the Congressmen had videoed their walk but not produced any videos of the alleged abuse, suggested they were trying to "manufacture the false appearance of" racism and offered to donate $10,000 to the United Negro College Fund if Rep. Lewis provided any evidence of his claims. Later he raised his offer to a $100,000 donation "for any audio video footage of the N-word being hurled at Congressmen John Lewis and Andre Carson" and said that Nancy Pelosi also walked through the crowd "looking to provoke a negative reaction. They didn’t get it. So they made it up." He added, "Nancy Pelosi did a great disservice to a great civil rights icon [Lewis] by thrusting him out there to perform this mischievous task. His reputation is now on the line as a result of her desperation to take down the Tea Party movement."

WESBOURCE: The above post is a compilation of edited material from several Internet sources with an injection of my own personal thoughts and comments. The primary source was Wikipedia.

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Shirley Sherrod, a Family Farmer's Friend

Shirley Sherrod has been a great friend to me, Farm Aid and family farmers for 25 years. She has always worked to improve economic opportunities for family farmers in the South, going back to when I first met her as the director of the Georgia Field Office for the Federation of Southern Cooperatives Land Assistance Fund. Like Ms. Sherrod herself has said, she's always tried to help those who don't have so that they can have a little more.

The real story of Shirley Sherrod deserved to be told a long time ago. She has had an amazing impact on the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of families and communities throughout the South. Farmers of every race have struggled with the income inequities that have persisted for generations, and advocates like Ms. Sherrod have moved mountains to ensure that families can remain in their homes and on their farms.

While all family farmers in our country face an uphill battle to stay on their land, growing good food for rest of us, black farmers have lost their land at an alarming rate, faster than any other family farmers. Lending discrimination and inequities in agriculture programs are largely responsible for the shrinking number of black farmers. Farm Aid began supporting the Federation in 1985, where Shirley worked at the time, because of the group's unique ability to reach out and help struggling farm families in the South. Many had owned their land for generations and were, and continue to be, under constant threat. We continue to support the Federation's work to this day, and hundreds of farmers are still on their land because of Ms. Sherrod's efforts.

During her time at the Federation, she fought to make sure that family farmers got what they needed to stay on their land. She has been a national leader for family farmers and a compassionate, courageous advocate for all struggling family farmers. Shirley Sherrod has dedicated her life to working on behalf of family farmers, civil rights and the alleviation of poverty and it's up to Secretary Vilsack to right this wrong immediately.

This country desperately needs more farm advocates with Ms. Sherrod's expertise. But this is not just about a job -- it's about ensuring that Shirley Sherrod has the opportunity to continue to support family farmers and the rural poor, something she has spent her life doing.

Posted by Willie Nelson
Singer Songwriter, President of Farm Aid
July 21, 2010 05:26 PM

WEBSOURCE: huffingtonpost.com/willie-nelson/shirley-sherrod-a-family_b_654824.html

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Friday July 23 UPDATE:
Sherrod and the Spooners reunite after 24 years - this video speaks for itself.

A New May 2010 GMHC report reveals HIV increasingly affects older adults; Severe gaps in research and services exposed - By 2015, over half of people living with HIV will be over the age of 50

Nearly one-third of people living with HIV in the United States are over the age of fifty, according to a comprehensive report on HIV among older adults released today by GMHC (the Gay Men's Health Crisis). "Growing older with the epidemic: Aging and HIV" provides a striking overview of current knowledge on older adults and HIV.

This population is growing at a startling rate, increasing by over 61% from 2001 to 2007, posing many unknowns and challenges. This groundbreaking report provides a roadmap to understand and address the needs of this burgeoning population of older Americans.

"Baby boomers are aging into older adulthood, people with HIV are living longer due to anti-retrovirals, and 17% of new HIV infections occur among people over the age of 50," said Marjorie Hill, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of GMHC. "Our society is not prepared for the baby boomer generation as it enters old age. We don't have enough geriatricians to care for the sharply rising number of seniors. We are even less prepared to care for populations with unique health care needs, such as HIV-positive older adults," Hill added.

Growing older with the epidemic signals concerns as we enter uncharted territory.

We do not have the answers to many of the pressing questions which will determine health outcomes for this burgeoning generation of older adults living with HIV," said Sean Cahill, PhD, Managing Director of Public Policy, and co-author of the study.

"While longer life spans are the benefit of successful antiretroviral therapy, we lack knowledge on how aging and HIV interact. The process of aging includes the development of multiple medical conditions (comorbidities) such as cancer, liver and kidney failure, arthritis, and depression. In coming years, research must address how these diseases, and the medications to treat them, interact with HIV and HIV treatment," added Cahill.

Growing older with the epidemic examines what we already know about HIV among older adults-demographics and epidemiological trends - and reveals what we do not yet understand - the biological impact of HIV on aging bodies. The report describes the contexts in which older adults with HIV live, and the social service and healthcare programs designed to care for both older adults and people living with HIV. It concludes with a comprehensive set of recommendations focused on the widening gaps in scientific knowledge, provision of appropriate services, and necessary changes to public policies addressing HIV and aging.

"As we approach the fourth decade of the HIV epidemic, we know that by 2015 over half of people living with HIV will be 50 years of age or older. Living longer with HIV is a welcome development but one our nation is not prepared for. However, we can and we must get ready. Through research, education and public policy changes we can take on these issues before they reach emergency proportions," continued Cahill.

Report recommendations provides a unique roadmap to the future

Growing older with the epidemic provides a roadmap to the future with a broad and detailed range of policy recommendations which tackle the critical issues revealed in the report: gaps in research, service provision, and government support.

Stigma, a thread throughout the findings, is a leading challenge: One survey finds that 96% of HIV-positive older adults experienced HIV-stigma; 71% also experienced ageism. Increased training in places where older adults receive care, from medical providers, to, geriatric educational programs, from congregate living facilities, to senior center to caregivers is crucial. The needs of LGBT and HIV-positive elders are often overlooked within these environments. These elders often lack social support systems, (often isolated from family or friends) face stigma and discrimination from service providers, staff, and other seniors.

Sexphobia combined with ageism impacts the experiences of older adults. Currently, older adults experience a near total lack of attention to their sexual health from health care professionals and broad assumptions that they are not sexually active.

Medical professionals are hesitant to talk with older adults about sexual health thereby putting at risk the health of older Americans. Combined with research showing that gay and bisexual men of color are less likely to disclose sexual behavior to doctors than white gay men, these findings suggest significant health disparities and implications for HIV among older adults. It is likely that older gay and bisexual men of color disclose to their doctors at the lowest rates.

Faced with lack of attention to elder sexual health by medical professionals compounded with likely low disclosure rates, it is probable that older gay and bisexual men of color face significant health disparities and increased risk for HIV. The de-sexualization of older adults also results in policies and practices in senior settings, including residential and social services communities, which deny older adults control over decisions around sexual intimacy and privacy, an experience for LGBT seniors that is often linked to homophobia.

Public policy changes at federal and local are critically needed. Following passage of federal health care reform, the GMHC report defines a public policy agenda addressing the specific needs of HIV-positive older adults. Federal policy changes could have a significant impact on addressing health disparities among older adults, as well as stigma and discrimination. Designating HIV-positive and LGBT elders as a vulnerable population in the Older Americans Act is an important next step.

Additionally, changes are needed in federal laws and policies, including the Family Medical Leave Act, Social Security spousal benefits, and Medicaid regulations, which discriminate against same-sex couples. "Addressing the complexities of aging and HIV is a pressing issue requiring the support and input of a broad range of organizations, policy makers and community leaders," noted Dr. Hill.

"Meeting the pressing demands in this new era of the epidemic is a challenge we can take on, but only if we address the needs revealed in "Growing older with the epidemic," said Lois Aronstein, AARP New York State Director. "It is an invaluable report, for everyone, from researchers to medical professionals, from policy makers to older adults aging with HIV. After reading this report, you can't claim in 10 years, we didn't see this problem coming," added Aronstein.

GMHC is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. We provide prevention and care services to men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City. We advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide.

WEBSOURCE: www.gmhc.org/news-and-events/press-releases/growing-older-with-the-epidemic-aging-and-hiv

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About the Above Video and photo: Triangle Square in Hollywood, California, was built by Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing (GLEH), a nonprofit organization dedicated to high quality, affordable, multicultural housing developments that provide social and recreational services for LGBT older adults. Financing for the $21,500,000 development of this 103 unit in the heart of the Hollywood entertainment district was provided by the City of Los Angeles, Redevelopment Agency, Housing Department and the Housing Authority, the California Housing Finance Agency, the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, the California Department of Housing & Community Development, and SunAmerica. This is an excellent program that could be used as a model in other areas of the country. For more about GLEH visit http://gleh.org/

Invisible and Overlooked – GBLT Seniors

Bob McCoy is a youthful, active 78-year-old. He sings in his church choir, takes a weekly computer class, and regularly attends social gatherings organized by a gay senior citizens group in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lives. But McCoy worries about a day when he can no longer care for himself: he has no close family, no partner, and he's outlived most of his friends. "I'm used to having friends I can call up and say, 'Let's go to (a movie),'" he says. "But now there's nobody to call."

Newly engaged, Jim Fetterman, 62, and Ilde Gonzalez-Rivera, 56, look forward to growing old together at their home in Queens, N.Y., where they share a garden and a green Cadillac. But the couple isn't sure if or when they'll be able to marry. Their house is in Rivera's name, but because the couple can't legally wed in New York, Fetterman won't automatically inherit it, should his partner die. And even though they are registered domestic partners in New York City, neither man will have access to the other's Social Security, because the federal government doesn't recognize their relationship. "It's not something we like to think about, but there's a certain amount of anxiety that comes with not having those things," says Fetterman.

These are typical faces of the gay and aging—a growing population often overlooked by mainstream advocates. Gerontologists haven't traditionally viewed sexual orientation as relevant to their work—and, according to a study by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, most national health surveys of elderly citizens fail to assess sexual orientation. But gay seniors confront unique challenges: they're twice as likely as straights to live alone, and 10 times less likely to have a caretaker should they fall ill. Older gay men are at high risk for HIV, and many suffer the psychological effects of losing friends to the AIDS crisis. (See our report on HIV and aging. Click here for the report http://www.newsweek.com/2008/09/17/a-lot-of-unknowns.html )

Many face discrimination in medical and social services, and on top of it all, they're less likely to have health insurance: one survey, by the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law, at UCLA, estimates that gay seniors are half as likely to have coverage as their straight counterparts.

"In many ways, this population is a mirror opposite of what the mainstream aging community looks like," says Karen Taylor, director of advocacy and training for the New York-based Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders, or SAGE, the nation's oldest senior network. "The average senior in the United States lives with one other person; two-thirds of LGBT seniors live alone. If you don't have those informal support networks built into your life, then everything else becomes a bigger issue. Who forces you to go to the doctor? What happens if you fall?"

As this community grows, in both population and visibility, those questions are becoming harder to ignore. Over the next 25 years, persons in America who are 65 and older are expected to grow from about 12 to 20 percent of the total population, and various estimates indicate that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals will comprise 7 to 10 percent of that senior population. Meanwhile, like the Baby Boomers of all stripes, aging gays and lesbians are radically redefining what it means to be a senior—and how they fit into the larger community. They're coming out of the closet, vocalizing their experiences and needs, and, most importantly, demanding public recognition. "If you go back 40 years, there were virtually no openly gay seniors," says Gary Gates, a senior research fellow and demographer at the Williams Institute. "But now you have a large enough group that people are paying attention."

This year (2008), SAGE is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and running an ad campaign in New York to raise awareness about their constituents. And when the organization holds its national conference on aging next month, it will be sponsored for the first time by the AARP. Just that acknowledgement, say advocates, is huge: with 40 million members, the AARP is considered one of America's most powerful lobbying groups—and an influential voice on health care and social policy. "When we look to the future, we know we cannot progress if we don't bring in these other communities," says the Washington-based organization's chief diversity officer, E. Percil Stanford. "The (gay and lesbian) community is quite often invisible and overlooked."

That recognition is much needed—especially for older seniors, many of who spent years hiding their sexuality, and in some sense, still do. Many of today's seniors were already in their 20s and 30s when the Stonewall riots took place in 1969, considered the birth of the gay rights movement. Until 1973, homosexuality was still considered a mental illness, and in some jurisdictions in the United States, gays could be prosecuted as recently as five years ago, before the Supreme Court struck down a Texas sodomy law. Attitudes may have changed, but many seniors harbor chilling memories of being shunned, isolated, and in fear for their physical safety.

Social worker Lee Chew, 59, remembers, in junior high school, looking up "gay" in the dictionary, to find out just how "sick" he was—and deciding, until he was in his mid-20s, "to keep this to myself." At 90, Jerre Kalbas, one of SAGE's original female members, tells stories of growing up in the 1930s, when women weren't supposed to even wear pants. She describes men hooting at her on the street, yelling "dyke"—and even though she had relationships with other women, she was terrified she'd be exposed to her family, or fired from her job. McCoy, who spent years as an Army communications official, remembers going to a bar in Greenwich Village in the late 1960s, and climbing out a bathroom window to escape police officers during a surprise raid. Fetterman, who came out to his wife and the Episcopal church where he was a priest just six years ago, was dismissed from his job and kicked out of his home. "My entire life came crashing down," he says.

Some seniors, like McCoy, still won't offer up their orientation willingly. (Though McCoy considers himself out, he still hasn't told his doctor, therapist or social worker he is gay.) And in some cases, that internalized fear may actually prevent lesbian and gay seniors from accessing public services. One study, by the Milwaukee County Department On Aging, found that gay seniors who feared they wouldn't be welcome at an aging center were five times less likely to step foot in the door.

For those who can afford it, there are gay-specific retirement communities and free service centers dotted around the nation, mostly in urban areas. But most regular nursing homes give shared-room preference to their married clients, and only a few states require employers to give leave for employees caring for same-sex partners. Inside care centers, advocates tell stories of social workers using gloves to treat only their gay patients, or those patients being shuffled around from room to room to avoid harassment from other residents. In rare cases, social workers say that couples have gone to the extent of agreeing not to visit each other, for fear the staff will treat them differently. And many patients revert back into the closet to protect themselves. "If you can imagine a situation where you're 80 years old, with no kids, a partner passed, no cousins or relatives and not one service that will provide you help with an emoticon of respect, that's what most LGBT seniors in this country face right now," says Michael Adams, SAGE's executive director.

Financial and estate-planning matters can complicate things further. In most cases, gay survivors don't have rights to a partner's pension plans, and are taxed on 401(k)s and IRAs they might inherit. Same-sex couples must also pay federal estate taxes on jointly owned homes where married couples don't. Sometimes they even have to fight with blood relatives over how to dispose of a partner's remains. To approximate some of the protections of marriage, many gay couples have to set up extra legal frameworks, such as powers or attorney and joint tenancy agreements. "Senior citizens have enough of a challenge just figuring out all the paperwork for health insurance—but gays and lesbians have this added layer," says attorney David Buckel, the director of the Marriage Project at the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, a civil rights group. "It can be overwhelming."

The good news, of course, is that attitudes are changing. At New York's 2008 gay pride parade, SAGE made the rounds in two purple trolleys, amid 90 degree heat, with walking canes and colorful streamers waving out the windows. Some had been coming to the parade for years; for others, it was their first time. One couple, in matching T-shirts, held a sign that read: "Together 51 Years"—to raucous cheers from the crowd. "The fact is," says Adams, "the gay and lesbian community is going through a sea change in terms of the way we live our lives." For gay seniors, there's no time to waste.

WEBSOURCE: newsweek.com/2008/09/17/invisible-and-overlooked.html

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Dignity is a word people like to use when talking about the elderly.

People “age with dignity” and “die with dignity.”

What happens, though, when a member of the LGBT community ages? Is there any dignity in being an elderly LGBT American?

Imagine trying to feel dignified when the state makes your decisions for you. Imagine clinging to your dignity when the government takes away your property, your partner and your life.

That is what happened to Clay Greene and Harold Scull of Sonoma County in California back in the early part of 2010.

After spending 20 years together, an overzealous government tore Harold and Clay apart. Harold fell down the stairs, and Clay was left to deal with his ailing partner, as well as a system that would only recognize him as a roommate.

Clay had confidence he would be able to care for Harold, even after the fall. Partners for 20 years, who had done all that they could to protect their rights and their commitment to one other. They’d executed detailed wills, they’d signed powers of attorney for healthcare, they dotted all the Is and crossed all the Ts to handle any emergency to protect their partnership and their property. They had done everything they were supposed to do.

Sonoma County officials and health-care staff disregarded these documents, just as they disregarded Clay’s place in Harold’s life. , Clay was not able to spend any more time with his partner.

County officials, not only refused to tell Clay where Harold was taken and refused to allow Clay to see his partner but they also forced Clay into a different nursing home and auctioned off every piece of property, every family memento acquired over their lifetimes. After 20 years together, with the two men in different nursing homes, the two of them never saw each other again and Harold died without his partner at his bedside

Harold died alone, in a way that was anything but dignified.

Such stories aren’t uncommon. Nor does the law help. In fact, many cases, it actively hurts older gays. Social Security, for example, gives same-sex couples an average of 17.8 percent less in benefits than heterosexual married couples. Same-sex partners must apply individually for Medicaid, resulting in much less protection of assets.

The worst examples of this prejudice, however, are found in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Many members of the LGBT community face discrimination when they attempt to visit their ailing partners or play a role in their care. However, steps are being taken to put a stop to this type of discrimination.

Recently, President Barack Obama ordered the Department of Health and Human Services to make it possible for LGBT people to visit their partners in the hospital. Obama also told the department to create a rule that will force hospitals to honor advanced care directives. If this policy had been in place when Harold Greene was in the hospital, his partner would have been able to play an active role in his care. President Obama’s recent directive on hospital visits by gay partners is a welcome step to remedy some of this inequality.

Inside the issue

San Diego Gay & Lesbian News spoke with Laurie Young, the aging specialist at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. According to Young, older members of the LGBT community are invisible to both heterosexual and homosexual people. Because they are forced to live in the shadows, their issues are rarely addressed.

Invisibility is not the only issue they face. Legal and social discrimination are serious issues for aging LGBT Americans, Young says. This discrimination plays out in several ways. First, there is discrimination inside of nursing homes. Nursing home staffs are rarely trained in cultural competence, and few nursing homes have guidelines for protecting LGBT residents.

This environment causes LGBT seniors to fear for their lives, Young says. These men and women know how ugly discrimination can be, as they lived in the world before Stonewall kicked off the LGBT rights movement. They remember the time when people were thrown in jail due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. They also recall a time when members of the LGBT community were forced into psychiatric hospitals, where they received cruel and invasive treatments. Having lived during that time, they are fearful of the discrimination they face in nursing homes. To cope, many go back in the closet, which makes them feel even more isolated.

In addition, the LGBT community faces discrimination from home health workers. Just like the employees in nursing homes, home health workers are rarely trained in dealing with the LGBT community. Not only are they ignorant of LGBT issues, but many discriminate against gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people. This discrimination can create a hostile environment.

Many members of the LGBT community try to hide their sexuality from home health workers. They take down pictures of their partners, remove artwork and do other things to make their homes look more “heterosexual.” Then, they wait for the workers to arrive, and hope they are able to conceal the truth. For many, it would be devastating if the worker found out they were gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. They could be physically or verbally abused, and fail to get the care they need.

Aging lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender baby boomers are the first generation of LGBT Americans who have lived openly. While most Americans face challenges as they age, these men and women - who lived before Stonewall revolutionized the way we were perceived and treated - have the added burden of a lifetime of stigma; familial relationships that lack recognition under the law; and unequal treatment under laws, programs, and services designed to support and protect older Americans.

The lack of financial security, good health and health care, and social and community support is a fearful reality for a disproportionate number of all older adults, but it especially strikes hard at such a stigmatized population.

In March 2010, a groundbreaking study, "Improving the Lives of LGBT Older Adults," was released by a coalition of organizations headed by the Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders (SAGE). Other groups that participated were the Movement Advancement Project, the American Society on Aging, the Center for American Progress, and the National Senior Citizens Law Center.

At the same time, Gay Men’s Health Crisis, the world’s largest private AIDS service agency, released a report, "Growing Old With the Epidemic: HIV and Aging."

With people living longer with HIV, and the epidemic entering its fourth decade, the once unheard-of issue of geriatric AIDS is coming to the fore. Already, one-third of people with HIV in the United States are 50 or older - a figure that will grow to one-half by 2015.

This is in some ways a pleasant problem. After all, only 15 years ago, AIDS was a death sentence. But that doesn’t mitigate the problem of dealing with aging with the additional burden of a severely compromised immune system.

Any chronic condition presents problem with aging, but HIV means decades of medications with side effects that are hard on much younger people, let alone the elderly. One survey finds that nearly all HIV-positive older adults have experienced HIV-stigma. Nearly three-quarters also experienced ageism.

Increased training in places where older adults receive care is crucial. "The needs of LGBT and HIV-positive elders are often overlooked within these environments," the report states. Like other elder gays, these people are often isolated from family or friends.

Following passage of President Obama’s health-insurance initiative, the report advocates for a public policy agenda to address the specific needs of HIV-positive older adults. "Designating HIV-positive and LGBT elders as a vulnerable population in the Older Americans Act is an important next step," the report states. "Additionally, changes are needed in federal laws and policies, including the Family Medical Leave Act, Social Security spousal benefits, and Medicaid regulations, which discriminate against same-sex couples."

Some of those same issues arose at the briefing in Washington, D.C. At the SAGE-sponsored event, Winnie Stachelberg, of the Center for American Progress Action Fund, emphasized that gay seniors’ issues may be getting lost in the fight for the national Employee Non-Discrimination Act, gay marriage and changing military policy.

After years of being ignored, gay seniors are getting a hearing at last. On Wednesday, April 28, 2010, U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) joined experts in geriatrics to discuss new legislation to meet the unique needs of older LGBT Americans.

Baldwin, who is an out lesbian, told of the story of Eleanor and Jay, a lesbian couple in New York City (Jay is also transgender). "Eleanor and Jay both suffered debilitating illnesses made worse by a medical system that refused to accept their relationship," she related. "Jay had employer-based health insurance which would not cover her partner so they bought a costly private plan for Eleanor. When she developed diabetes, the rates and the copays on that insurance skyrocketed to the point where they had to really scale back on the extent of the coverage.

"Eleanor then suffered a stroke. She ended up in a nursing home where she was abused and told repeatedly by an attendant that she was going to go to hell when she died for being a lesbian. Jay tried to protect her as best she could but cancer struck Jay and her treatments kept the two apart even more."

Baldwin announced that she would be introducing legislation that addresses the specific needs of aging LGBT Americans. She also noted that federally funded health studies don’t ask questions about sexual orientation.

Ineke Mushovic who is the executive director of the Movement Advancement Project, spoke of the study’s research and surveys of older gay Americans. Like the GMHC study, it found widespread instances of homophobia and being stigmatized because of their sexuality.

The study even found that nearly half of the senior centers and agencies on aging said LGBT older adults "would not feel welcome in their senior centers and in fact, almost three-quarters of LGBT elders said that they were tentative about using services at their area agencies on aging because of a lack of trust that they would be treated well if they did so."

In order to address pending legislation and lobby members of Congress, SAGE opened an office in Washington. John Johnson, a veteran congressional aide, heads the office.

Financial issues

Aging LGBT people also face financial issues. A report by the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) titled “Improving The Lives Of LGBT Older Adults” states that LGBT seniors are poorer than heterosexual seniors are.

LGBT seniors have money problems for a variety of reasons. First, many members of the LGBT community lose money due to the lack of Medicaid protections. Medicaid has spousal impoverishment protections for married couples. These protections allow the healthy spouse to maintain a high enough income to live independently, while the other spouse receives Medicaid to pay for long-term care. Since the LGBT community cannot receive this protection, they often run out of money while caring for ailing partners.

In addition, surviving members of same-sex couples are unable to receive survivor’s benefits from social security. Married couples receive these benefits and use them to supplement their incomes.

Estate taxes also financially cripple the LGBT community. When a person in a same-sex relationship dies, the surviving partner has to pay estate taxes on the property they inherit. This can be incredibly expensive, and causes many people to lose their savings.

Possible legislation

Advocates look toward legislation that can help with the social, legal and financial issues many LGBT seniors face.

Young said she has her sights set on the Older Americans Act, which is up for reauthorization in 2011. This act currently excludes the LGBT community, but Young is hopeful the reauthorized act will include protections for LGBT seniors.

While the act will be too late to help Clay, Harold and countless other LGBT seniors, Young believes it could provide valuable protections for people who are currently aging or receiving long-term care.

While the Older Americans Act is the focus of many LGBT groups, there are people working behind the scenes to create other legislation. John Johnson, the federal director of governmental affairs at Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders (SAGE), spoke with the San Diego Gay & Lesbian News about SAGE’s role in helping create LGBT-friendly legislation.

Under Johnson’s leadership, SAGE is working with the federal government to create LGBT-friendly aging legislation, as well as to amend current legislation so it includes the LGBT community. Johnson is focused on issues relating to Medicare and Medicaid, long-term care facilities, health insurance and domestic partner benefits.

Johnson and Young are both positive about what the future holds for aging LGBT Americans. They hope legislation and education will work together so this group will be protected in hospitals, in long-term care facilities and at home.

Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders (SAGE), a national advocacy, public policy, education and support organization for LGBT seniors has many resources available for LGBT older people and those interested in LGBT aging issues. Visit their website at: http://www.sageusa.org/index.cfm

WEBSOURCE: The above post was edited using various news posted from April – June 2010 found one the website www.graygay.com/

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The Junkman Cometh

Kenny — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:19:58 +0000

From my blog: AdventuresInGayDating.blogspot.com

It’s been a funny couple of weeks since I last posted. We’ve all been stunned and sleepily trapped in endless days of 100 + temperatures. I’ve just been trying to get through the days with the most minimal effort. I don’t have a/c, so I try not to stir up any more sweat than absolutely necessary. My bed stinks because the bed linens never quite dry from the nightly drenching I give them. I keep three fans trained on me even after I turn the lights out and yes, it gave me a horrible summer cold, just like your mother said it would.

Two miles from my house, someone murders the local junkman at 5:30 pm. Who murders people at 5:30 pm, during the summer when it’s still light and people are driving by on the way home from work? A very sloppy criminal that doesn’t know the meaning of the word: covert, that’s who.

The first murder of 2010 in my little town of 10,000 and it’s near my house. Kinda creepy, but not as bad as the guy that committed suicide six feet from my doorstep when I lived in DC. Now, that was creepy, folks! I opened my door to leave for work one morning and this group of cops came rushing over to find out if I’d heard anything the night before. Shots? Arguing? Crying? Nope, nope, nope, I answered them quickly and looked over at the blanket-covered body before I left for work. It seems my neighbor had got into a disagreement with his girlfriend and had blown his head off on my doorstep to get back at her. “Good God, dude! Why my fuckin’ doorstep?” I wanted to scream, but I guess if you’re in that much pain, one place is good as the other to end it all…

The word around town was that the junkman was weird, freaky and extremely eccentric. He always seemed to be in the local news because the police were constantly arresting him for not paying his tax or having the proper permits for running a junkyard within the city limits. People in the South don’t really appreciate and smile fondly at the neighborhood's lovable old kook as they might in a more cosmopolitan place.

Being “different” and too colorful can be downright dangerous to your health. Sadly, they usually want to squash and rub-out that which they do not understand.

The junkman was sort of a white, hillbilly version of Fred Sanford but in denim overalls. People constantly bitched about what an eyesore his business was. I have to admit that I’d almost drive off the side of the road when I drove by his junkyard because I was so distracted by the sheer quantity of junk. He even had this 6-foot, fiberglass Ronald McDonald fastened to chimney that seemed to be holding his hand up in jaunty salute to all the passer-byers on highway 150.

I personally didn’t know the man, though I constantly passed him on the road in his old 70’s Ford pick-up painted the color of an old swimming pool bottom. He was a large man with abundant white hair and always seemed to be spilling halfway out the windows of his old truck as drove along on his quests for more and more junk. He was a nice old man or so it has been said since his murder. People have stepped forward to offer up stories about his largesse. A neighboring man even claims that the junkman often paid for his chemo. Who knows? It’s funny how everyone becomes a saint once they die, right?

People who frequented his business said that the junkman had the bad habit of carrying a fat, bulging wallet and didn’t mind flipping it out in front of customers to make change. This, I think was his undoing (see note). Somebody thought they’d easily relieve the old junkman of his fat wallet but he put up a struggle and ended up dead in the process. His body was doused with gasoline and then set on fire at 5:30 pm. The police and fire department get there twenty minutes later to find that the damage has been confined to the room where the smoldering body is located. The fire had already mostly extinguished itself and the rest of the building is untouched by the fire. But for a few limp strips of crime tape across the driveway, you’d never know that something horrible had happened here. Last I heard, the police have a lead and are searching a location in the neighboring town of Cherryville for the murder weapon.

Take care, guys and be good, okay.

Note: One of the things my father taught me was this: always be very discreet about the amount of cash you carry on your person and be very discreet about opening your wallet in front of strangers. My father had this pounded into his head by his sergeant before he was shipped off overseas at the start of his military career in 1952 because it seems that those crazy, wacky foreigners in third-world countries liked nothing better than robbing drunk American G.I.’s on pay day. Go figure.

Protecting the Rich from the New Poor

Dingo — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:00:37 +0000

Recently, a new hiring practice has been incorporated by various companies; background credit checks for potential employees. Consequently, a low credit score means that the individual may not be hired. This has become another method for corporations to control people. By making it difficult for individuals to get jobs, they impede the person from the opportunity of paying back their debt. What happens to these people?

Renting an apartment is already contingent on approved credit. This practice doesn't make any sense. If the person is denied a job based on credit and then denied a residence on the same grounds, they are basically forced into destitution. Even buying auto insurance at an affordable reduced rate is based upon how your credit rating is. If your credit rating drops you pay more and can even be dropped. The well known insurance companies won't even sell auto insurance to anyone with a below average credit score. So the newly impoverished person becomes "a high risk" and winds up either paying out more and ultimately becomes poorer. Who ends up having to deal with this new impoverished class?

At the same time corporations are lobbying to reduce regulation and government control, they line the pockets of politicians whose agenda is cutting social programs. Of course, this is not some grand conspiracy, but rather it is an accumulation of individual decisions made by various corporate leaders to increase their bottom line. Either way, it is a vicious cycle whose end product will be a large number of poor and angry people.

As this continues, and lobbyists gain complete control over our government causing increased deregulation, then there will be no way of affirmatively dealing with this new influx. And what has history shown us when we have too many people with no options?

Social instability, civil war, revolution and not to mention the rise of tyrants - who will be given free rein to propagate their agenda by feeding on the desperation of a populace plunged into poverty - will be our fate.

Even as the American economy shows tentative signs of a rebound, the human toll of the recession continues to mount, with millions of Americans remaining out of work, out of savings and most are nearing the end of their unemployment benefits.

More than 1.3 million laid off workers won't get their unemployment benefits reinstated before Congress goes on a weeklong vacation for Independence Day.

An additional 200,000 people who have been without a job for at least six months stand to lose their benefits each week, unless Congress acts.

For the third time in as many weeks, Republicans in the Senate successfully filibustered a bill Wednesday night (June 30) to continue providing unemployment checks to people who been laid off for long stretches. The House is slated to vote on a similar measure Thursday, though the Senate's action renders the vote a futile gesture as Congress prepares to depart Washington for its holiday recess.

A little more than 1.3 million people have already lost benefits since the last extension ran out at the end of May.

Economists fear that the nascent recovery will leave more people behind than in past recessions, failing to create jobs in sufficient numbers to absorb the record-setting ranks of the long-term unemployed.

Call them the new poor: people long accustomed to the comforts of middle class life who are now relying on public assistance and living in poverty for the first time in their lives — potentially for years to come – and many families, including single Americans over the age of 50, are on the verge of being homeless.

Children and families are now the largest growing segment of the homeless in America, and this has presented new challenges, especially in services, to agencies who are continuing to face serious cuts in funding.

Some trends involving the plight of the homeless have provoked some thought, reflection and debate. One such phenomenon is paid physical advertising, colloquially known as "sandwich board men” and another specific type as "Bumvertising".

Bumvertising is a form of informal employment in which a homeless person is paid to display advertising. In high traffic areas, such as intersections many beggars hold up a sign describing their plight but most people that pass by do not contribute to the beggar. To an advertiser this has become a valuable resource to reach a broader audience. The homeless person will usually carry the sign for a small amount of money or food for a rather low expense to the advertiser. The cost to get the beggar to hold the sign is much lower than paying minimum wage to a person wearing a sandwich board or costume.

Sometimes, homeless people can be victims of passive aggressive advertising by companies. Such as, when some cities host homeless conventions (i.e. Project Homeless Connect in Minneapolis), some companies may sponsor the event and hand out clothing and accessories with their company logo on it. You may see a lot of Caribou Coffee t-shirts and Target hats in downtown Minneapolis as a result of this.

Another trend is the side effect of unpaid free advertising of companies and organizations on shirts, clothing and bags, to be worn by the homeless and poor, given out and donated by companies to homeless shelters and charitable organizations for otherwise altruistic purposes. These trends are reminiscent of the "sandwich board signs" carried by poor people in the time of Charles Dickens in the Victorian 1800s in England and later during the Great Depression in the United States in the 1930s.

Many advocates for the homeless contend that a key difficulty is the social stigma surrounding homelessness. There is evidence that many Americans complain about the presence of homeless people, blame them for their situation, and feel that their requests for money or support (usually via begging) are unjustified. The public's sympathy has limits. In a national survey, 74 percent say the police should leave a homeless person alone if he or she isn't bothering anyone. Yet 71 percent say the police should move the homeless away from a shopping area and 51 percent say the homeless should be moved away from a public park.

Legal practices that criminalize homelessness do nothing to address the underlying causes of homelessness. Instead, they exacerbate the problem. Measures passed "prohibit activities such as sleeping or camping, eating, sitting, and begging in public spaces, usually including criminal penalties for violation of these laws. Violators of such laws typically incur criminal penalties, which result in fines and or incarceration. Although the U.S. 9th District Court ruled in 2006 that "making it a crime to be homeless by charging them with a crime is in violation of the 8th and 14th Amendments," the practices and legal harassment by cities local law enforcement still continue, using newer updated ordinances.

Those who believe poor people are responsible for their own poverty would have us believe the poor had a choice either be poor not be poor. Being poor is not a choice, it is a condition brought about by the people in power. The people in power have a means and the ways to control those less fortunate and less able to change their conditions.

“For the bureaucrat, the world is a mere object to be manipulated by him.” Karl Marx. For the bureaucrat the poor are merely puppets, marionettes to do their bidding then toss them off when they are no longer needed.

One can look at just about any historical society and observe what happens between “the haves and the haves not” – the rich and the poor – in the years to come civil unrest will continue to grow and this country will go through a 2nd American revolution.

Okay, I've done my rant on this one. I wish to present the following blog I found on the Internet.
dingo

Aside from being concerned about the rise of extremist militias, we should definitely be concerned about Blackwater, a legal for profit militia, a major component of what has become our country’s "military industrial complex,” something that Dwight D. Eisenhower warned the country about in his exit speech on Jan.17,1961. Blackwater (Xe), as mentioned in the blog below, also provides other private services, such as personal body guard services for corporate entities and corporate heads. If our country ever goes through any major civil or social revolution, you can bet Blackwater will be involved. So will Haliburton and other for profit private contractors who build and maintain prisons here and abroad (Yep!). You can read in depth reports and view some interesting videos in our related forum
Thugs 'R Us - Our Legitimized Thugs by clicking on this link: http://www.pozville.org/forum/politics-issues-news-41/blackwater-aka-xe/

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As the Poor Get Poorer Look for Brutalizing Police to become the New ‘Buffer’ Middle Class Set to Protect the Rich

As the economy worsens and the gap between the Have and Have Nots widens we are going to have some serious problems. One disturbing note is that an estimated 75% of the people do not trust the government. That’s playing out with the rise of militias, increasing threats by Tim McVeigh like domestic terrorists and just an overall overt disrespect for anyone in office. A lot of anger has been directed at President Obama, but increasingly more and more ire is being turned toward anyone in office.

Part of what has driven this is the nagging perception is that those in office work for the rich and powerful and not for the people. There’s a lot of media middleman efforts seemingly designed to keep people’s anger directed at politicians and not the rich and powerful figures behind the scenes who are driving policy. It’s only a matter of time before folks come to realize that no real changes are gonna take place until the proverbial Wall Street fat cats are put in place. Sadly they seem to realize this as well.

Now once upon a time the Aristocratic class and Land Barons who ran this country realized it was just a matter of time before their African slaves and white (European) indentured servants would come to realize as they were working side by side on the fields they were being smashed on by the same person. They feared these lower class folks would rise up and turn on the rich and so these Aristocrats did a couple of things. First they elevated the status of the indentured servant. They were granted more privileges than their African counterparts and were literally told they were better. Many were given overseer status. Their job was to keep everyone especially the African slaves in check and basically protect the rich land owners. The overseers became the first police officers.

The original concern from our founding fathers was to protect the rich and powerful from the poor they were exploiting.

Next they put laws in place that would protect them from the ‘Tyranny of the majority’. This is one of the basis for the Federalist Papers put forth by early president James Madison. As Professor and fellow radio host Dr Jared Ball once explained to me…The ‘tyranny of the majority’ the Aristocratic class was afraid of was the poor and desperate who were being oppressed yet vastly outnumbered the ruling class. If they should ever get into power the fear was they would start redistributing the wealth and might start returning the harsh oppressive favors they levied on everyone else. Because of that fear, in a nutshell the game plan was to find ways to protect the interests and property of the rich and powerful and with each passing year and generation different scenarios, tactics and schemes have been thought up. It might’ve been saying slaves were only 3/5th human and not allowing them to vote. It might’ve been making women property and denying them the right to vote. It might have been concocting the ‘American dream’ narrative and leaving a whole lot of poor whites under the illusion that with a bit of hard work, elbow grease and determination they too could one day become rich and powerful.

For decades the rich and powerful were able to keep things moving because they had a buffer class that kept the misery of the poor from smashing on the oppressive nature of the rich. They were the Middle class. For the overwhelming majority of people in this country getting a nice house and a white picket fence was the goal. Forget being a land baron, just give me a small piece of the pie and I’m straight is how most people thought. Become Middle Class and issues of inequality, injustice and the existence of an underclass would be swept under the rug. We saw this with poor whites who became working class and would show a disdain for Blacks and Browns shooting for the same goals. It was the outspoken voices of the so-called working and Middle class who shitted on things like affirmative action and welfare. We even saw this amongst Middle class Blacks and Browns who would buy into what has often been described as the illusion of inclusion. The need to continue to struggle for total freedom and equality was abandoned by many ‘who got theirs’ who would then turn around and arrogantly chastise those who didn’t make it.

But as we can see that illusion has all but crumbled and those who were happy being middle class the reality has sunk in that they to are not only poor, but they may now be a part of this expanded permanent underclass. This realization is setting on for many as they’ve seen their 401ks tank, their credit completely ruined, overwhelming mounting debt that they can’t get rid of thanks to new and more stringent bankruptcy laws designed to protect the rich, sky high school tuitions and jobs permanently gone while more and more workers are being told they are too old or too irrelevant for today’s youthful and politically dumbed down job market. Today in 2010 we’ve seen a collapse of the Middle Class. It’s either your rich or poor. Very very few are in between. Those who are holding on desperately and willing to do whatever it takes to avoid the plight of those around them. Enter the new Middle class.

Private 'security' outfits like Blackwater are increasingly being used to be a buffer between the rich and poor.

To protect themselves from the ‘Tyranny of the majority‘ we are now seeing the formation of a new buffer class made up of law enforcement. Police, prison guards, Border patrol, ICE, private security firms like Blackwater, Haliburton or whatever names they now go by and their subsidiaries, IRS agents etc.

Those who are willing to smash on ‘their own’ are finding they can escape being apart of this permanent underclass by joining up. We’re hearing about the formation of more and more gated communities and private police forces being used to patrol them. We’re seeing this phenomenon in areas where gentrification is taking place and there is concern that newcomers may have to endure the anger of displaced residents.

We’re also hearing about how private police forces are being used to ‘supplement’ supposedly beleaguered police departments. Journalist Jeremy Scahill noted this a while back with Blackwater mercenaries who has been investigating. What took place in New Orleans during Katrina with them being them holding down empty hotels while poor people around them desperate for food and shelter were forced away seems to have just been a test run for what will soon be commonplace.

Adding to all this is the increasing number of egregious incidents of police brutality. First, many of these incidents seem to be more brazen. It doesn’t seem to matter that incidents are caught on video. You can find many videos of these incidents on YouTube.

Such incidents also seem to be taking place beyond the confines of the hood where police suppression has been an everyday thing. What took place with innocent students many of them white during the G20 Summit at the University of Pittsburgh is one of the more glaring examples. Having experienced being tear gassed and seeing out of control police running into dorms whupping on students while pursuing ‘fictional’ anarchists was eye-opening. It suggested that it did not matter that students from this prestigious university who are generally heralded and cuddled by the city were gonna be shielded. Police came after them like there was no tomorrow and left many of us this is just the tip of the iceberg.. Look at what happened to students in California protesting fee hikes.

In this video notice the officers of color seem to be going off the most. Also note how many people seem to cheer the cops on in the comment boxes. They praised the cops for smashing on students protesting 40% fee hikes at a time when everyone is losing jobs. What sort of backward thinking is that? The type to prevent the ‘tyranny of the majority’. Something to ponder.
Davey D

WEBSOURCE:
http://hiphopandpolitics.wordpress.com/2010/04/19/as-the-poor-get-poorer-look-for-brutalizing-police-to-become-the-new-buffer-middle-class-set-to-protect-the-rich/

No Drama With Obama

Denn — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:40:41 +0000

Cool and semingly detached, President Obama may not be an enigma, not too emotional, but his persona certainly does ellicit a lot of emotional responses around the nation. 'Aloofness', for lack of a better word makes most people uncomfortable. We all gravitate to the familiar, which includes being able to express ourselves emotionally. Everyone does, just not in front of any and everyone we meet.

Drama is part of the human experience. It is why the dream factories in Hollywood exist. Drama and emotion fuels Hollywood's creative fires, giving us the stuff we enjoy watching on the silver screen and are able to relate to, most of the time. Some people simply do not express themselves publicly; others are gushers, able to turn on the water works, anger or laughter on cue. Cool personalities are dominated with methodical, plodding, self descipline and calculating traits. They're not very interesting to watch, this is why News media seldom interviews scientists, economists, statiticians or engineers. Those minds are left to the Public Broadcasting Stations and other enclaves where intellectuals gravitate.

E/I-that is, emotion over intellect is what boosts ratings. FOX News,CNN and and the three majors have mastered tapping into the emotions of its audience. Any news of consequence morphs into a mini-soap opera. On the other hand, when you have I/E-intellect over emotion-you're not going to get very good ratings. America is an anti-intellectual society. There is a dearth of intellectual curiosity about the world and all of its awe and wonder. The Universe? Forget it. Americans like a certain amount of theatrics, even in politics, otherwise boredom sets in and TV ratings drop.

I get the president's cool aloofness. This is an unpredidented time in the history of our country. President Obama has been working on accommidating our public servants in Washington DC in the hope to bring the country together and moving forward. It is apparent he's dealing with people that simply aren't interested in bringing the nation together. Some people, 'politicians', hold overs from the previous administration that drove the country into the ditch economically,now, like spoiled teenagers want the car keys back after someone else pulled the car out of the ditch.

I get Obama's coolness because of shared experiences growing up in America. We all-African American men understand the potential lose-lose scenario we create simply by the emotions we express. We know that aggressive angry displays scare people-even other Black men. I've always said that it is unfortunate for the majority to not have experienced what unfolded 400 years ago and to be able to pass the experiences and emotions of hate, sorrow, pain, loss and rejection down from father to son in perpetuity. That would weld us a more solid core of humanity and compassion for humankind if it did,I believe.

In black men assertiveness has been interpreted as aggression, while being nice as obsequiousness, or having no backbone. Either way, it is always passing a judgement to keep the object of the person doing the judging at a distance,unapproachable and unacceptable to established social paramenters, an outsider. It's an inherent double standard, one of many that have maintained the great divide in America. As we know women suffer from the double standard(s); Many won't say it openly but assertive career oriented women still wear the 'bitch' tag. It's a tag that is metaphorically slapped on their backs the way kids in high school tape paper signs on the backs of the objects of their pranks.

Obama and African-American male type coolness is an adaptation and a survival mechanism that that evolved to deal with life in a stratified society where money, gender and race can predetermine your station in life and your destiny. I'm no big fan of exceptionalism, I think one has to be born of priviledge to fully appreciate the concept of exceptionalism: But in this case, of having an African American as president, I think has shown us, and the world that as a country any career path or lifestyle is for the choosing if one apply themselves, and that race or gender should not matter.

African American men had to learn early in the history of this country what behavior, indeed what face to put on display when dealing with the dominant culture. Everyone adapts to oppression by modifying their behavior in order to survive. It happened in 'dramatic fashion' during the rise of the Third Reich in Europe in the 1930s. At one point in time one wrong discussion or just being in the wrong place could make an African American the guest of honer at a lyching party. When one is part of the dominant culture you have freedom of movement, virutally unlimited access to resources, and even if you have less than someone that's not part of the dominant culture, status wise, you are still in a better position because of your ethnicity, and perceived birth right.

Oprah Whinfrey was refused entrance into an exclusive boutique in New York City. She was not recognized, the vendors only saw her for what is was, not who he is. When you are not part of the dominant culture coolness is part of the method of how you must function, otherwise those little irritants, like Oprah experienced, that many more see daily can become distracting and over whelming. You learn to just let it roll off your back. Drama is a drawback. Such a reaction to any social transgression would be infantile, and primitive an expense a minority cannot afford.

The behavior of the tea baggers is great subject matter for this type of behavior between the dominant culture and those not considered to be. Being part of the dominant culture, and comprised of mostly affluent White males, the tea party crowd gets a pass because historically there has never been any consequence for their behavior, no matter how extreme they get. The emotions observed by the tea baggers manifest the fear of change and of the changing demographic in this nation. One that shows the true muliculturalism that is unique to America. I think the president and the rest of the sane world watching these tea party spectacles know that to respond in kind with anger would be counter productive.

That would be what the tea baggers want, especially if they are able to ruffle Obama's feathers. The frustration you see on the faces of the tea party crowd is indicative of not not knowing how to deal with what they are confronting in the changing landscape of America, and that-'it's just not all about them.' They know that what they believe about wanting smaller government, less taxes and immigration reform has more to do with who is in charge rather than what laws they would like to have repealled to protect their special interests.

Anger is the easiest emotion to deal with. An angry mind is the product of frustration, and frustrated minds get angst, bellicose and aggressive. Anger is the easiest emotion to put out there through the media. The drama of anger is cheap, requres little thought or work, and all one has to do is react. Anger sells and it's giving fodder to the right wing media outlets to construct a narrative that caters to the lowest common denominator.

If cool heads and cool people were the only ones featured in Hollywood it would probably look more like the type of films made on the planet 'Vulcan'. President Obama might make an excellent Vulcan. He's got the ears. That Vulcan coolness we see in the Star Trek series is really not about coolness or being detached. Its more about a (fictional) race that has mastered control over their primal emotions, literally and figurativly putting them light years ahead of Earthlings in manner of all things evolutionary. But movies with Vulcan personalities wouldn't sell well. We like our yelling, screaming, our passion and the limitless supply of imbeciles paraded across the screen.

Perhaps President Obama should come down from his aloof tower and give the people some theatrics. Or maybe instead of tooling along like a proficient bureaucrat, making adjustments here, administering constitutional law there, what he needs is one major feat to get the public's attention. Not so much an Earth shaking moratorium on drilling for oil in the wake of the gulf disaster, but something above and beyond his campaign promises.

We got plenty of theatrics the other day from the US Army brass. There was tostosterone wafting all over the hotel lobby in Paris during his meeting with the French heads of state,to talk the French out of pulling out of Afghanistan. General McChrystal was flipping the bird, emoting obsenities, intimating physical confrontations and of course, a tinge of homophobia got tossed out in the exchange by one of his staff members. Now this drama is all over CNN, it's sad and laughable at the same time.

I'm sure the general would like to see more 'umph!' from the president. On some level,"So would I." Even though I do prefer my leaders to be on the cool side. I get that General McChrystal is frustrated at the turn of events in Afghanistan. 'History is repeating itself'; It's the same frustration we saw in the faces of the military brass leading up to the fall of Saigon. I get McChrystal's anger, but hey,you've been on the job for only a fucking year! Get an attitude adjustment. And loose the need for instant gratification so typical of Americanna.

McChrystal you aint the only general in the US Army and no man is irreplacable. You might want to consider letting some of that Obama coolness rub off on you. And if you don't like eating in fancy restaurants because they're too'Gucci' as you say, be a man and suck it up! I was in the military and had to put up with more than my fare share of bullshit! It comes with the territory, and how you deal with it is what seperates the men from the boys.

So, as the president said on Air Force One "Shut the fuck up and keep a lower profile"... and just go to France and drink the goddamned 'Bordeaux' it never hurts anyone to change their venue from time to time, especially if you're in a position of leadership. Get off your Harvard highhorse! Besides general, most people around around think Americans are wimpy anyway because so many of us drink 'light beer'. If you want to prove your manhood drink a man's drink! We appreciate your role in this conflict General McChrystal but remember: A true Democracy depends on civilian leadership.

Mr. President, Mr.Cool...,you need to make a radical move that the country and the world will take notice of. That's why you won that Nobel Peace Price. You got some political capitol from that award. You have shown the world promise, you sold us with your great speeches. You still have time on the clock to, Like you I'm pacing myself. I can delay gratification, I'm cool... but I'm also human, I got limits.

The move you make Mr. President will need to have a concrete connection with the financial market, and I'm not talking bank bailouts! But something we can all relate to, that will put America back to work. I think them Mr. President you would be able to wear your cool like a badge of honor,or maybe even put it up there on the shelf next to your Nobel...though I doubt many will get it because most Americans won't stay in the kitchen long enough and deal with the heat. Even if there's not much heat, like in Alaska..., and don't remember as much because as a nation our short attention span causes us to repeat the same mistakes over and over.

BlkDawg

Ramblings - A Dingo Rant

Dingo — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 20:05:05 +0000

It's been a week of frustrations, mostly related to my desk top crashing and not being able to access my external hard drives coupled with using an extremely slow laptop hasn't made it any more pleasant. Watching more oil spill out into the Gulf, seeing new photos of dead wildlife, disseminating and spreading information, emailing my senators and congressmen about recent state funding cuts in services for people with HIV and keeping up with other causes I'm active in has been somewhat enduring this week. But this blog is not about a week of frustrations, it about the way some poz gay men are reacting to the Hispanic immigration issues and being stifled for expressing their opinions, good or bad.

Yesterday I saw a post that grabbed my attention in one of the Yahoo poz men groups I belong to. It was titled "Joe vs. Jose - Illegal Immigration.” Several members of the group, including myself, quickly responded with some very good opinions and comments. The guy who started the original thread later commented why he started the thread by saying, "I knew if I sent this (posted thread) we would get are selves back on track about the bigger issues in our society...instead of sittin round cryin bout our spilled milk.”

I love it when guys like him engage into stimulating others into good conversations – its a refreshing breath of fresh air in these little Yahoo groups, particularly in a time when many of these groups have started to become less active. Its a great way to bring life into a mundane group and gives people a chance to get to know each other a little better.

Most of the replies were good on the Jose vs Joe subject but after two members responded how they didn't really care to read about "political bullshit,” the group moderator announced that he was putting an end to "Joe vs Jose” and stated all further group discussions and replies would be moderated in the future. The posted comments weren't flaming or derogatory (I've posted them below). The two members who complained rarely post anything and when they do, they're either critical or they take offense of others comments.

Prior to the new rule, I had posted a second reply under a new thread titled "Conversations and Politics in Groups.” It never made it into the group discussions and I'm certain others' comments didn't make it either. No big deal for me but I'm sure it's irritating and frustrating for others. It should be noted that this particular group has never really defined what its members are (not) allowed to post.

This sort of thing can be very disempowering for some guys and discourages many others from participating and posting with small groups. It happens frequently in Yahoo groups and IMHO is one of several contributing factors in the steady decline of intelligent Yahoo group discussions - most of these groups have been reduced to "booty call" or sale pitches posts. That's sad because there are a few guys out there in rural areas and others who don't go out to the bars – for them these groups may be the only gay social interaction they can get. Some people are comfortable participating in regular networks such as Facebook or MySpace interacting with everyone, others prefer to interact with their peers (gay or poz).

Whenever a conversation comes up about ageism or anything related to racism,most gay group moderators are quick to "nip” these type of discussions. They'll often suppress opposing views and facts which go against their political beliefs and lifestyles. That's how conservative gays are, they're no different than their het counterparts in their thinking. There's a lot of gay racists in the south. There's even a small group called the Gay Patriots based in Atlanta, an early version of a Gay Tea Party. If most of these gay extremists were born in the south I could understand why they act that way but most of the gay racists I've met over the years in Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, Tenn and Alabama are transplants from the Midwest and North East and West coast states. Regardless, one would think that at east the poz gay men who are racists, who have been subjected to a lot of discrimination and ugliness, might have learned what its like being on the receiving end. They haven't.

Okay, that's the end of my rant guys! It's Sunday and I'm counting down the days to the arrival of the new desk top and being able to get back into my routines and my other efforts. dingo

Here's the post that got rejected
SUBJECT: Conversations and Politics

Its not often that I see gay men having political discussions in these groups. If a group is designed to help people meet others with similar interests, what's wrong with starting a discussion. Several here have engaged by posting their opinions on politics and other topics. What's wrong with this? How is politics different than discussing new movies, where to eat or any other topics for that matter? Several months ago there were posts about the raid at the Eagle and a "call to rally." For some that subject would fall into the political issues category and had absolutely nothing to do with HIV issues and peer support. So where do you draw the line and define what should or should not be discussed in a Group?

Its purely selfish for people to think that conversations should only be about what interests them. IMHO that is part of the "me me me" syndrome that has taken hold of society today.

Passionate viewpoints are drivers for change in society and communities. If you start to limit viewpoints to singular discussions then you also limit change, ie everything remains at status quo, becomes boring and you'll probably never find what you might be looking for. And that's why most people never connect and remain alone!

Yahoo Groups allows you to get a Daily Digest. Its already been stated by others in this group that if you don't want to read something, just ignore it. If you're getting each post delivered, you may want to consider changing how you receive your messages by electing the Daily Digest option.

There may be a few who disagree with what I stated and that's okay. We should be able to agree to disagree.
dingo

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Here's the original thread posted by a member from the group and the related comments - the only thing I've changed are the USER IDs:

SUBJECT: ILLEGAL immigration: JOE vs. JOSE

"Many of you are going to think I am a conservative....but please read” --- MascHung

JOE vs. JOSE
You have two families: "Joe Legal" and "Jose Illegal".
Both families have two parents, two children, and live in California .

Joe Legal works in construction, has a Social Security Number and makes $25.00 per hour with taxes deducted.

Jose Illegal also works in construction, has NO Social Security Number, and gets paid $15.00 cash "under the table".

Ready? Now pay attention...
Joe Legal: $25.00 per hour x 40 hours = $1000.00 per week, or $52,000.00 per year. Now take 30% away for state and federal tax; Joe Legal now has $31,231.00.

Jose Illegal: $15.00 per hour x 40 hours = $600.00 per week, or $31,200.0 0 per year. Jose Illegal pays no taxes. Jose Illegal now has $31,200.00.

Joe Legal pays medical and dental insurance with limited coverage for his family at $600.00 per month, or $7,200.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $24,031.00.

Jose Illegal has full medical and dental coverage through the state and local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.

Joe Legal makes too much money and is not eligible for food stamps or welfare. Joe Legal pays $500.00 per month for food, or $6,000.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $18,031.00.

Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for food stamps and welfare. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.

Joe Legal pays rent of $1,200.00 per month, or $14,400.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $9,631 .00.

Jose Illegal receives a $500.00 per month federal rent subsidy. Jose Illegal pays out that $500.00 per month, or $6,000.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $ 31,200.00.

Joe Legal pays $200.00 per month, or $2,400.00 for insurance. Joe Legal now has $7,231.00.

Jose Illegal says, "We don't need no stinkin' insurance!" and still has $31,200.00. Joe Legal has to make his $7,231.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, etc.

Jose Illegal has to make his $31,200.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, and what he sends out of the country every month.

Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or gets a part time job after work.

Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family.

Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend the same school.

Joe Legal pays for his children's lunches while Jose Illegal's children get a government sponsored lunch.

Jose Illegal's children have an after school ESL program. Joe Legal's children go home.

Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same police and fire services, but Joe paid for them and Jose did not pay.

Do you get it, now? If you vote for or support any politician that supports illegal aliens... You are part of the problem! It's way PAST time to take a stand for America and Americans! What are you waiting for? Pass it on. Go Green in 2010. RECYCLE CONGRESS

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THE COMMENTS:
There is a bunch of that diatribe that is simply pure bullshit. Without a valid SS# nobody gets food stamps or rent subsidies.How about going after the employers who are hiring people without documentation and not paying payroll taxes? Oh, wait, those employers are contributing to all those "conservative republican" campaign funds so can't do that.Knee-jerk reactionary bullshit does nobody any good and only contributes to the problem, it isn't a solution. CE
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If the "Corporate Americans" would stop hiring illegals for cheap labor and STOPoutsourcing jobs to countries with cheap sweat shop labor, part of our problems would be solved. I agree that we really need to overhaul our immigration laws.

Most of the people in this country who say things such as "If you vote for or support any politician that supports illegal aliens...You are part of the problem! It's way PAST time to take a stand for America and Americans" also echo he same words "you're not a real American (or patriot) if you don't support ProFamily (Christian) Values, Pro Life,.....".

Whether you agree or disagree with that Jose vs Jose crap, you're still an American regardless.
dingo
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EXCELLENT! Sorry, despite family issues and relatives here legally etc, you still have to do the math. We need to cut government spending and this is one huge way to start. Immigrants that came here in the early 1900's did so legally.
Sent from my iPhone
WS53
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The dollars being spent on health care for illegals in ERs are no where nearly as high as other government over spending costs. If the Feds want to make someserious cuts in spending, they should cut out those billion dollar "war"contracts to companies such as Halliburton and Blackwater (Xe) who wind uphiring "locals" and "imported cheap laborers" over in Iraq, Afganistan and other countries.
dingo
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You are DEAD WRONG on that issue....sorry. A good friend of mine works in Social Services up in NC and he gets many illegal immigrants coming in there who get FREE food stamps all the time, not to metnion free public housing and free medical care. Especially the ones who have babies on our soil, that baby is a automatic citizen. Welfare mommy applies for food stamps and WICKY-WIC coupons and free healthcare for she and her new babies. The only vailid point you have is that there are people who hire illegals to work here- many both liberal and conservative. But it pisses me off to no end to see them come over here and demand "rights" when they never paid a fucking dime into the system. Oh, did forget to inform you that islamic terrorists are coming thru the border now, not to mention the Mexican drug cartels, many of whom live right here in good ole' Atlanta. If you don't believe me about the food stamps thing and free rent, just call the Social Security office up in Union County NC. I support folks who want to come here legally - but don't come here and expect me to have to press for English and you demand this be a dual-language country- not to mention you demanding special protections, free education, free food for you.
Ciao. and Hasta la vista.
LEATHERMAN
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Oh, the "friend of a friend" shit. Stop it already. Your xenophobia is practically dripping through the computer. You got caught in a lie now you're trying to weasel out of it. Stop it already. You want to hate someone, go ahead, but at least be honest about it.
CE
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they never paid a fucking dime into the system. What about the sales tax they pay just as everybody does. Isn't that a dime or more???? And don't their employers withhold taxes out of their wages as they do with legal employees? TopGuy
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Now those that work regular taxpaying jobs with deductions from their employers do pay into the system and many don't file taxes and or get any kind of refund......This does not offset all the expense that so very many do incur from our free services.....
MascHung
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If you ever been to GRADY you know why we need some TUFF LAWS now. First the guys come here and when the wife or girl friend is about to gave birth they come here. The KID is the ANCHOR to getting free food stamps and Medicare and everything for free which they never pay into.
BearMan
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there are also many who are paid under the table, thus paying no taxes, and the amount of sales tax they pay is not enough to cover any health care they use. I'd also venture to say that was part of Grady's problem a year or so ago SM
----------------------------------

A note on sales tax - sales tax pay for local items such as schools, MARTA, and the like and are currently in the 7% range for the metro area and are lower in the outlying areas. And don't forget that the fed income taxes typically fall into the 32% range with another 6% for state....So there is a huge gap between saying sales taxes pay for the welfare system - the sales taxes are already allocated to other things - and seeing any kind of contribution of substance by the illegals (and some citizens as well) into the system that is supposed to have limits dollar and time. The food stamp issue - they are not as substantial as used to be and are harder to get.Phew! Climbing down off of my soap box.
MK
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Can someone help me understand how to stop getting these emails. I joined this group thinking i would have an opportunity to meet people with similar situations that I might be in, maybe get a good friend or two, and at least get support or information. I did not intend on joining the"VIEW". Sorry guys, no offense, but don't we get enough of this crap everywhere else?
MANUEL
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Political bullshit! I get to read plenty of political debate daily , from sources I choose and trust. If this is the kind of S.I.N. "updates" that are going to start being sent out, complete with opinions filled with factual inaccuracies, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE moderator, start another group called-I don't know- "Politics" so that I and other people who don't want to hear other people's political viewpoints can opt in or out. Jesus Christ can't you just express your political opinions on the phone, or at a bar, a party, or on FACEBOOK? Why bring it in here? Grownups know where and when an appropriate forum to talk politics, and I don't think this is it at all.
Thanks. DP
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May be the state can NO LONGER AFFORD TO PAY for these people Housing and Medicare and food stamps.
Bearman
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Guys I knew if I sent this we would get are selves back on track about the bigger issues in our socirty...instead of sittin round cryin bout our spilled milk...Like a bunch of girls!
MascHung
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In most cases the IRS and Ga.State of Workmans' Comp. has a series of SSN' specifically given to illegal aliens. I say start with the Employers thathire them...fine them and maybe then us who have paid into the system can'tactually get the jobs. But since I'm retired now and never claimed not one dayof Unemployment, Workman's Comp, those who are still in the workforce don't wantto do the jobs these illegals are. How many of us would work picking fruit andworking in chicken plants? But as I said start w/the employers.Now can we talk about what the Groups name represents and no more someone did me wrong in a relationship songs...its getting so so BORING!!! I say if you have those kind of relationship issues call Dr. Phil. or better yet Jerry Springer.
MoonGuy
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I just paid a visit to our group to read once again why it was founded, here is what it states; We are a volunteer-based network of social groups for HIV+ gay men. The goal is to empower poz guys to build better, healthier relationships and learn more from each other as peers......So if one of our group members needs to "cry like a little girl" about their relationship, then let them, if you aren't interested hit delete. As much as I have enjoyed reading everyones view on illegal immigration I don't see how that topic has anything to do with HIV issues. Just saying we all have issues and needs to discuss and this is why we are here, for one another.
JL
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joe vers jose is done, this group messages will be modreated going forward. Enjoy your weekend guys!
HC (moderator)

An explanation about the above photo - Originally posted October 2008

Gay Skinheads Nabbed in Obama Assassination Plot<>br>

America breathed a collective sigh of relief on news that two white supremacist skinheads were arrested in Tennessee over plans to go on a killing spree that would culminate in the assassination of Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama. Daniel Cowart and Paul Schlesselman met on the Internet about a month ago and had planned to decapitate 14 African Americans and otherwise kill another 88. The letter H is the eighth letter in the alphabet and "88″ is a greeting amongst racist Nazis that represents "Heil Hitler.” The 14 beheadings are a reference to the 14-word slogan: "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children” coined by David Lane, founding member of The Order who died in jail recently while serving a 190 year sentence his involvement in the death of radio talk show host Alan Berg.

What’s really interesting in all of this, and so far, only reported by Reuters is that:

The men planned to wear white tuxedos and top hats during the assassination attempt, which would have involved driving as fast as they could toward Obama and shooting him from the windows of the car.

Huh?? OK so what do we have here. Two hot young guys from rural Tennessee, who met on the Internet and who planned on being killed together in a blaze of glory, while wearing white tuxedos and top hats. White tuxedos and top hats are usually worn at uh… weddings. That’s right. Daniel Cowart and Paul Schlesselman were queer for each other. When you talk about a love that dare not speaketh it’s name – that goes double if you live in a rural part of a redneck state and all your friends are bad ass racists.

Surely pundits will posit the blame for this on societal racism, but clearly there’s another form of intolerance at play here. Had Daniel Cowart and Paul Schlesselman been simply allowed to consummate their obvious love, had Tennessee been a tolerant state that allowed Gay Marriage, none of this would likely have happened. Instead, the nation is shocked and two young lovers will be separated by prison for years to come. See how intolerance breeds intolerance?

WEBSOURCE:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE49Q7KJ20081027

"When I see racism and sexism in the gay white male community, I want to grab those people and shake them, and say, ‘do you not see these connections? Can’t you extrapolate from your own experience and then put that to work?’” Bishop V. Gene Robinson (2007 )

Racism in the Gay Community – Two Perspectives

From an Anglo Viewpoint

The discussion about ethnic community based disparities in voting patterns on Proposition 8 has led to the question: can we talk about homophobia in ethnic communities without discussing racism in the gay community?

I would think not.

Refusing to be self-reflective and address our own community’s flaws will only encourage and justify a negative impression. And because race-based homophobia and gay-based racism feed each other, it seems wise to address them jointly.

As a white guy, I am not qualified to make grand declaration about racism in the community. And I’m not even certain what kind of race-based distinctions can be categorized as racist or harmful.

But I do know that racism exists and that it expresses itself in both blatant and subtle ways.

An example of obvious racism is the common presumption that Asian gay men are sexually submissive. And the fetishism of black men in art and literature is unquestionably dehumanizing and far too common. These are on top of the plain old fashioned blatant bigotry and biases that are part of mainstream society.

But other examples are less obvious. Is it racist to only be attracted to persons of a particular race? Is the notion that ethnic minorities should automatically find commonality with sexual minorities itself a racist presumption of privilege? And what about gay magazines that seem to illustrate articles solely with images of white men or women?

And there are other issues that are difficult to address. When one is a minority within a minority, it can be empowering (even life saving) to find others like yourself. But do race specific bars — and even separate pride events — in and of themselves serve to segregate and disempower ethic groups? And what should my response be when a black friend uses a Shirley Q. Liquor phrase?

And just how prevalent is racism in the community? Is it more, less or the same as in the society around us?

Obviously, one example of bias and discrimination based on race is one too many. But just how pervasive is ethnic bigotry in the gay community? And what should, or can, we do?

Unfortunately, I don’t have answers for any of these questions. All I know is that no one is benefited by thinking of gay racism as someone else’s issue or by congratulating ourselves that the gay community is "better” than society at large.

And perhaps it’s time to start the conversation and then sit back, listen, and learn.

WEBSOURCE: boxturtlebulletin.com/2009/01/15/8081

From an African American Viewpoint

Most people have seen the rainbow flag of the gay community. The multiple stripes that are supposed to symbolize the various differences, in gender, nationality, race, and even proclivity, that make up the vibrancy of the LGBT community. Let me call your attention to something – the lines between the colors are sharp and clearly defined. They do not blend or run into one another. They’re still separate.

People tend to believe that racism, on all sides of the color lines, is something that stops at the gates of the LGBT community. As though at the entrance to the various Boys Towns around the country you were required to check your ideas about Blacks, Asians, Jews, Arabs, etc… the way cowboys were required to turn over their guns when they walked into a salon in the Old West.

It just doesn’t happen that way. In fact, I think it’s worse now than it was when I came out in l980. Back then the bars felt a lot more friendly, prejudice was a dirty word, and the kids of the l960’s and early 70’s – those that had created the gay movement – were still on the dance floors of America elbow to elbow with the people who’d marched in Vietnam protests and Black Power parades, and had been active participants in the original Civil Rights Movement.

Those were the grownups who were standing at the bar when I got there. They welcomed me. But they’re gone. That spirit seems to have evaporated. Not everywhere and not for everyone, but enough so that if you’re over the age of thirty-five you would notice.

Now, somehow, we’ve sunk back into old habits of separating ourselves from each other. People talk about white bars and black bars. We have white prides, black gay prides, and Latina/o gay prides. And they’re more than just celebrations of culture and gayness. These prides exist because a great many men and women feel unwelcome in mainstream gay communities.

It’s been happening for a while, but now, suddenly, people are talking about it. Our community has finally decided to talk about its dirty laundry. And it’s not an easy conversation to have. Race and race relations are a thick thread in the fabric of our country. It was a factor in the last presidential election, and for a while it was the cause of a lot of finger pointing after the Proposition 8 decision here in California.

In the early days after the election, a lot of gay activist blamed black voters for not showing support for their plight for marriage equality. First they got the numbers wrong. Black voters, especially in Los Angeles, were not the tipping point. Second, they failed to understand what the issues of civil rights and equality mean to black people in this country. They – meaning well intentioned gay activists – assumed that since theirs was an issue of equality and civil rights, that they’d have natural allies among a people who’d spent centuries being discriminated against. It’s a valid hope.

But then again, when did a group of gay activist ever show up to make sure that black and Latino a neighborhoods had decent schools or safe streets, or march for union job protection? All things being equal, when did that ever happen? How many gay men and women care or are aware that the President of the Southern California branch of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Eric Lee is being pressured to resign for supporting marriage equality? Where are we as a community on his behalf? We are all first Americans, despite our sexual identity. And, as Americans we inherit its issues like racism. It’s not possible for us not to, is it?

This inheritance is why I’m surprised when I find out that LGBT people think we, as a community, aren’t riddled with racism. Think of it as a scale like anything else – there are people who have none at all and there are people who are riddled with it – gay and straight. If it weren’t part of this nation’s core then CNN wouldn’t keep doing series about it, HRC wouldn’t commission studies about it, the fact that the president is black wouldn’t be cause for celebration or concern, depending on your point of view.

It’s a different world for white Americans than it is for black, brown, and yellow Americans. Especially if you have education, income, and available resources. And we’re finally beginning to openly talk about the differences. Until we do, until we acknowledge the realities of all the isms that exist within the LGBT community, we will never be able to face the discrimination and hatred that is aimed at us.

Until we realize that the civil rights inequalities exist within the very worlds we’ve designed for ourselves then we’ve really just recreated the places a lot of us tried to escape from.

Until rice queen and snow queen disappear from our own vocabularies, and until I don’t have to overhear two white guys describe me as Mandingo (as I did in a club in LA one night) then we’re not much better than the people out there who stand on corners with signs that say God Hates Fags.

We can do better. We can be better. We’re trying. I see that now. And maybe it’s time for a new flag.

Doug Spearman was born in Washington, D.C., at the height of the Civil Rights movement. He’s currently an actor/writer/producer/activist living in Los Angeles. Spearman is best known for his work on the television show, Noah’s Arc which focuses on individuals dealing with the intersection of sexual and racial identities in present-day Los Angeles.

WEBSOURCE: hrcbackstory.org/2009/08/equality-forward-doug-spearman/

Behold Our Dark, Magnificent Horror

ARENA — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 12:01:49 +0000

There is, you have to admit, a sort of savage grace, a tragic and terrible beauty, to the BP oil spill. Like any good apocalyptic vision of self-wrought hell, the greatest environmental disaster in U.S. history has its inherent poetry. You see that creeping ooze of black, that ungodly wall of unstoppable darkness as it slowly, inexorably invades the relatively healthy, pristine waters adjacent, and you can't help but appreciate the brutal majesty, the fantastic, reeking horror of this new manifestation of black death we have brought upon ourselves, as it spreads like a fast cancer into the liquid womb of Mother Nature herself.

Really, it's not just the incredible photographs of the spill that are, in turns, heartbreaking, stunning, otherworldly and downright Satanic in their abject revulsion. It's not just the statistics that tell us how many millions of gallons might ultimately be spilled, or the stunned scientists who can only hypothesize how this unprecedented catastrophe might affect the fragile food chain and distress the ocean's ecosystems at the very root level.

It's not even the endless, heartrending tales of livelihoods lost, industries destroyed, coastlines ravaged or wildlife killed. The fact is, any one of these aspects alone is enough to poison your soul for as long as you wish to wallow in that murky state of fatalism and doom. It is nothing but bleak.

I think the most disturbingly satisfying thrill of this entire event -- and it is, in a way, a perverse thrill -- comes from understanding, at a very core level, our shared responsibility, our co-creation of the foul demon currently unleashed.

What a thing we have created. What an extraordinary horror our rapacious need for cheap, endless energy hath unleashed; it's a monster of a scale and proportion we can barely even fathom. Because if you're honest, no matter where you stand, no matter your politics, religion, income or mode of transport, you see this beast of creeping death and you understand: That is us. The spill may be many things, but more than anything else it is a giant, horrifying mirror.

Do you wish to try and deflect it? Lay responsibility elsewhere? Really? We can't quite blame an "act of God," as we would for some sort of hurricane or tsunami inflicted upon meager humankind by an angry deity, punishing us all for being too war-like, violent or perhaps naive enough to want to enjoy the sunshine for five goddamn minutes before He decided He'd better kill some people lest we forget who's in charge.

We cannot blame evil terrorists, some cluster of swarthy foreigners who hate our shopping malls and secretly envy our Porsche Cayenne's. Nor can we blame the spill on some sort of nefarious conspiracy, a secret act wrought by devious agents in black helicopters designed to destabilize the U.N. and induce universal mind control -- unless, of course, you're getting a little desperate and don't get outside much, in which case, you absolutely can.

Finally (and a bit shockingly), I'm not hearing Pat Robertson or any of his cretinous cult of apocalypticans blame the gays, or voodoo, or anal sex, or reality TV for what's happening in the Gulf. Oil is, after all, completely non-denominational. It mocks all religions equally -- except, of course, the only one that really matters: capitalism.

This is how you know this is one of the more universally damning disasters of our time: No one really seems to know how to process it, much less react. The GOP is backtracking like terrified hyenas from Sarah "Queen of Duh" Palin's "drill baby, drill" mantra ass tattoo, as suddenly the incessant Republican wail for more oil exploration, more drilling, more tax cuts for oil conglomerates don't just reek of the usual inbred cronyism; they reek of death and destruction the likes of which the country has never seen.

On the other hand, hardcore lefties are going mad with desire that the disaster will lead to the immediate imprisonment of every BP employee worldwide, as if BP is somehow any different than any other oil titan raping the planet right now (hi, Alberta's oilsands). Hardcore lefties would also appreciate it if Obama would use the disaster as a surefire excuse to instantly change the entire course of energy history by immediately shutting down all 48,000 oil wells in the Gulf and hand every American a bicycle and a solar panel. See? All better.

Sure. As if oil wasn't woven like oxygen into every single aspect of American life, as if fully 30 percent of domestic transportation fuel didn't come from the gulf, as if shutting down a fraction of those wells wouldn't re-devastate the economy, as if petroleum and coal weren't powering the very energy plants that deliver the electricity that charges the iPhones that allows everyone to Tweet their angry complaints through all the various energy sucking server farms the size of a small country.

Truly, BP is behaving no better or worse than any other corporate spawn of Satan would in a similar situation. What's more, if you don't think every oil company on earth is right now kneeling before Beelzebub in gratitude that it wasn't one of their own wells that exploded, you haven't been paying attention.

That said, after all is said and done, it's gloomily nice to think our darkest disaster in a generation could somehow ultimately improve our attitudes, change our behavior, lighten our violent treatment of the planet. As someone recently noted, the BP spill isn't Obama's Katrina, it's actually Big Oil's Chernobyl. Meaning: a disaster so appalling and devastating it might very well alter the industry and change the course of our energy policy forever.

Is it possible? Or, more accurately, are we even capable of such a shift? Is there any silver lining to be found in that black and greasy gloom? This is, perhaps, the most imperative question of all: If we can produce a demon of such extraordinary scale and devastation, can we not also somehow create its exact opposite? Let us pray.

Written by Mark Morford

Websource: commondreams.org/view/2010/06/04-7

Mark Morford's Notes & Errata column appears every Wednesday and Friday on SFGate and in the Datebook section of the San Francisco Chronicle.

It Came And Took Something Away-From All Of Us

Denn — Tue, 25 May 2010 05:21:31 +0000

It Was not visible, at least not to my eyes, or anyone else, not because it was quick, or stealth or ghostly. It was benign, riding piggy back on the aura of amour, of hope, of feelings we all knew would bring us pleasure, joy and the ecstasy we often sought after paying our dues, pulling our fair share after a 40 hour work week, the acceptance, as a part of building a life together till death do us part. If not for those reasons then for just pure selfishness and amusement. Instant gratification. Like a drug it disguised it's intentions behind the veil of pleasure, masking its true aim, setting up shop and then slowing picking away the pieces.

What HIV and AIDS took away was more than just physical, it was psychological, social, and emotional. It wasn't just those of us that were and are infected, but also those around us that were not. We all felt that wave of fear because there was no defense. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. No cure. A helpless situation. Whether you or just surviving all you could do was watch as this scrounge wreaked havoc in your life, and by proxy those around you. If you had it you were quarantined. Maybe not by physical isolation but by emtional and psychological distance. People avoided you. Relationships crumbled, people were dismissed from their jobs, and there was shame, betrayal, nervous breakdowns and suicide. If you didn't have it you circled the wagons, in your mind at least, hoping to keep this sinister pathogen at bay. Straights, having shunned homosexuals as a regular practice anyway had more cannon fodder to harass and marginalize, which shored up their homophobia and giving it a false legitimicy.

One of the worse things to unfold through all this was the way a surviving partner's life was turned upside down by a system that does not recognize this union. Then in steps the family of the deceased, they intrude on the surviving partner's life and take the possessions of their dead relative. Possessions that are not rightfull theirs. Those possessions are the culmination of memories shared, of milestones made and professions of love. Those material things represented a life together family members did not honour or respect but instead assualted, with the consent of a society that tells these people that they are second class, not worthy of full citizenship because of what we think if them....daily. Thoughts that manifest themselves everyday from subtle discriminatory behavior to extremes like physical attacks.

Once you are diagnosed, the sun sets on that life you once lived. Whether your test results are positive or not, you know that the plans in your life have changed. Your chices have been altered, some eliminated. You see it out on the singles scene, the meat rack and the personals. HIV Neg-UB2 or HIV Neg 'intend to stay that way' ; HIV and AIDS splintered the gay community. When you are HIV positive you see the way everyone looks at you-differently. Sure the pretense is there the 'understanding'. For some it was a resolve to, and of our strength of character. We soon learned who our real friends were. We also discovered what we were really made of.

The sun rose again to a new day and a new life. Some relationships died, but out of that death new relationships were born. Some guys fled, figuratively and literally from ground zero, away from the infected and the sick. Perhaps it wasn't the disease that made them turn tail and run, but the social stigma and it's consequences. Some found refuge in drink and drugs. Fragile egos were no match for HIV and AIDS. They didn't just cut off their sick friends but all of their friends that happened to be gay. They wanted to distance themselves from the bug that could tell the difference between a gay person and a straight person.

If that wasn't so sad it would be laughable. To think that there are people in this day and age that believe there's a virus with the ability to identify people based on their sexual orientation. At least that asinine notion died a quick death when the reports from Africa and India started circulating. Or did it? 'Proving that the majority of the people living with HIV and AIDS are heterosexual. Beyond people retreating into substances to numb the pain and drown the fear, there was something even more disconcerting and disheartning. Apathy. Maybe it was a form of denial about the state of affairs, but like that deer standing in the highway and staring into the head lights of an on coming vehicle, some people froze. They didn't know what to do, with themselves or those in need. Some didn't run away, but instead rolled up their sleeves and dove into the fray, much the way those firemen ran into the twin towers to rescue the trapped occupants.

HIV and AIDS had a matrix of suffering and misery that extended to all corners of the world. You never died once. It was the stigma of the disease that made some die a thousand deaths before the ultimate state of necrosis set in. Part of that death was the killing of the spirit. Ironically 'it seems' the fortuante were killed by fearful hate filled denizens in countries like Uganda, China and The Congo. Perhaps having your life taken away by the hands of another was less exacting, and in some twisted thinking, more humane than watching yourself athrophy; taking pills daily and getting poked, prodded and tested the rest of your life. All the while kidding yourself into thinking one day you'll awaken and will be all cured. Less dogmatic but equally harsh in treatment were people like Ryan White who was terrorized in his home town by the fearful and the ignorant. There were no winners, everyone lost.But then why an I looking at this as winners and losers? HIV and AIDS took that fighting spirit, that hope that humility and that dignity away from all of us.

It is no game, there are no winners, but it is strange how scores are kept on the willing and the unwilling. Lines are drawn and tallies are kept by counting the invaders in your bloodstream that are slowly picking away at your life. Your viral load read out is the score board. On one side of the drawn line: Life, the other side Death, depending on your viral load you are closer to one or the other. Your immune system does what it what it has been designed to do for millions of years, but it's not enough. You bring in the big guns. Man made. They don't eliminate the invader, they don't cure the host, they just beat the hell out of the uninvited guests, pounding them into submission.

The little buggers run and hide, like the cartoon roaches in those television ads when that animated can of raid walks into the room and zapps them. Or, like the 'insurgents' in Iraq, dodging humvees and tanks that are rolling up and down their city streets. There are set backs, nothing is free, everything has a trade off. You drop a lotof bombs in a war that's going to have consequences on the environment and possibly the offspring of the recipients. Dump a lot of drugs into your system there will be some form of side effects, for most of us. Sometimes the host can't handle the drugs or the invaders. Sometimes like a roadside bomb blowing up an armored personnel carrier full of soldiers, the virus gets the upper hand.

HIV and AIDS took away our sense of inquiry and threw the blanket of fear over our eyes, shrouding the light and blocking the path to enlightment and understanding. The unknown became maginified, and rife with uncertainty. We pay more attention to that blemish that doesn't go away for months. A sore throat send us into panic mode. Some doctors dishonour the Hippocratic Oath; choosing to not treat. Denying some people the help they need because of their fear of the unknown. They could not think outside the box-beyond what they were trained to do in medical school. Few were willing to take chances. Free thinking was taken away from us. Instead we have allowed the narrow minds of the timid to spin us into retrograde and onto a path of regression to the 'neo-dark ages'. Opening up cans of worms in the minds of the ignorant.

When I dropped out of the work force for a few years to care for my sick friends and associates I didn't discuss much about what was happening in my life to my family and straight friends. I knew them fairly well enough to know how they would react. They weren't unique. One day I did open up to one friend. I told her I was a care giver to someone with full blown AIDS. "Oh, is he gay?" She asked, I said "WHAT THE HELL DIFFERENCE DOES THAT MAKE YOU STUPID BITCH!; WHY DOES EVERYONE HAVE TO PREOCCUPY THEMSELVES WITH WHAT PEOPLE DO IN THE PRIVACY OF THEIR BEDROOMS!"....Well...that's what I was thinking but it wasn't my response to her question. I replied calmly, "I don't know how he contracted AIDS, I didn't ask and it doesn't matter to me." You see, it took something from me. Though I bit my tongue a lot during that period of my life, it was really tiresome hearing the stupid words coming out of the mouths of these people. I tried to be understanding. I know now that they were scared and didn't know any better. Humans don't like mortality thrown in their faces.

Spirit as I mentioned here us, along with the normal funtioning of the body was taken away by HIV and AIDS. The body and the spirit are one. The mind. There is no separation of the two. A healthy body cannot function without a healthy mind. It is the stress of being labled a leper, different, rejected and not a part of society that can weaken the immune system. Stress from suppressing one's feelings can depress the immune system. When there is no one to confide in without fear of rejection, harrassment or reprisals the immune system suffers. Keeping your feelings bottled up can have a negative impact on your overall well being.

When the spirit is beaten down the body cannot defend itself. I guess this is where I'm suppose to say "think positive" or "cheer up" and all that-but it takes more. I think one of the first things a person experiencing the impact of HIV and AIDS, whether you are positive or not is to seek spiritual reinforcement. Seek out people that you care about. I think it's important to direct some of your energy into caring for some one less fortuante than yourself. This is a gesture that feeds the spirit. It might sound a bit selfish onthe surface but it is a recipricol relationship that does hang in the balance of life and death. If you can find it in a church that's cool. Its not a one size fits all and we must seek it out where it works best for you. Physical contact is very important. We've discussed here in the past how important and hand hold or a hug can be.

Moving forward, the best way to get back that which was taken from us is to accept who we are, keep an open mind, an open heart and an ear to allow others a confidant. Even if there is a major break through medically, It will not be easy moving past the stigmas attached to what the world is dealing with in terms of this disease. It is important that POZ networks keep reaching out to people and let them know that they are not alone. Support systems within social groups encourages the will to live. A little bit of attention, advice or time well wasted together just doing something meaningless for an afternoon can make a difference, for all parties involved.

Unlike hotlines, therapy groups or shrinks, POZ social networks are giving us an avenue where we can take that first step to getting back what has been taken from us. There is a relative amount of amnonymity on POZ networks so you can ease in at your own pace. Social networks like this are helping in laying the foundation for healing, and for people to get a foothold in an effort to get back their dignity, their humanity and their lives.

Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain. Thoreau

Keysman — Sun, 16 May 2010 15:17:55 +0000

I grew up in the most simple of life. My father was a brick mason, a builder. We had little, but wanted for nothing. It was in this atmosphere that I began to cherish nature and growing things. Somewhere, in the pursuit of a "successful life?" I lost the sheer joy of watching a honey bee land gently on a clover bloom or a hummingbird flutter its wings hundreds of times hovering almost still in front of a flower filled with the nectar only nature can create. If we stop and look at nature, the trees, the flowers, the streams, the oceans, the mountains, or even the tiny grain of sand on a beach, is it so difficult to believe there is some "higher power" than man? I am not about to preach - we all believe what we want. No one needs my approval.

Seeking approval, however, can lead us nowhere but where someone else wants us to go. That is where I got lost. To some degree, I am still lost. I no longer seek approval, except to keep a job to keep things going. See, still lost. But I am improving. See, it is not until a man is lost that he can find himself. We are not born lost. We only lose ourselves when we begin to follow, seek approval, or climb a ladder to ... where?

To find myself again, I really had to let go of a lot of things. I could still let go of a lot of things. Now I feel the best when I am in the company of Thor and the Dingo (who is "lost" in monitoring and improving this website as I write). It is a comfort to sit in our quiet humble surroundings hearing only the rhythm of the keystrokes and an occasional foul outburst behind me or Thor bursting into his spontaneous howling song.

If I get really lost, now I go back to nature. In our natural surroundings, such as a pleasant yard or garden, or even just next to a plant in bloom, we can revel in both the simplicities and complexities of nature itself. Wow, it is so vast! "Nature is full of genius, full of the divinity; so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand” (Thoreau). Nature flows at its own pace. As much as I try to hasten that first tomato of the season, that plant it comes from has its own time frame. Sure man has done his best to control it through genetic manipulation (to enhance profit no less – the root of all evil – let it go Keith, that digression is a genie in a bottle all by itself), but still cannot make a tomato without the plant first. Whatever, I have to get pleasure from watching that first tomato grow and ripen, because Dingo will snatch and eat it while I am at work anyway.

I am glad there are other folks here interested in gardening. Check out the Gardening group on here created by Denn – the master grower. Share your photos and your stories. I can get lost in the beauties of nature, and find myself at the same time!

Alas! how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance the beauty of the landscape!
(Henry David Thoreau)

Ordinary People

Denn — Thu, 06 May 2010 14:37:59 +0000

From all walks of life and from the many corners of the world, we the people, simply go about our daily lives which are moments strung together made up of events that string together the days, weeks, and years that we all live. Those moments bring to mind the common ground that brings us all together. Social groups have a common denominator, it could be a cause, a physical ailment, or an event that changed his or her life and encouraged them to chart a new course. Whatever is it is that has brought people together, it is an indicator of the importance of people needing contact with other people as a base requirement for survival.

I enjoy meeting the people in this group. I think our moderator Jim, aka Dingo has given many here that are living with something we have yet to not view as a stigma a common ground where we can meet other people not much different from ourselves. I often think that if HIV and AIDS had its genesis attached to the general population that it would have been one less judgement, or fence that people could erect to isolate, alienate, and psychologically quarentine a group of people they already fear and scorn because of their sexual orientation.

Pozville has shown that we are all just ordinary people. The variety of people here representing so many life experiences, viewpoints and challenges we face simply reflect what we see everyday in any town or city. There are voices out there, most are never heard. The Internet has now become that platform for the many unheard voices.

We as gay and bi-sexual men and women cannot, by choice ignore that one part of our being-our sexual oreintation which is a small but important part of the sum total of our identity. Society and culture made that descision for us. Intimacy connected with procreation has defined a major part of humanity since people started living together in collectives. The desire for sex is the primal drive needed for the perpetuation of the species; like water, food and shelter, sex & intimacy is one of many moments in our day to day living that makes us all ordinary because it is one of the many common denominators bringing us together.

As men attracted to other men we are often labeled as hypersexual beings, not because we're getting plenty of action, which I think many of us can agree is not the case; Well...some us at least; But that there might be some resentment 'I think', from the general hetrosexual population because of the sexual freedom we a gay and bi-sexual men, 'and women I will add', are perceived to have.

True, today hetrosexuals enjoy wide latitude for recreational sex without strings or 'coming into heat' for procreation; However, we can shed light on the fact that gay and bi-men have access to something straight men don't, and that it's available to them twenty four hours a day, seven days a week-for life, because the monthly gift that mother nature delivers to the women that prefer sleeping with the opposite sex tends to, but not always puts sex on hold for a few days.

But the bottom line is-on some level we define everyone we meet based on how they enjoy having an orgasm, if we are privy to that information about the person. Even if we aren't we all have a base perception anyway. It could be wrong, but it is there nontheless. That perception is primal. I believe we all-gay or straight, within that few microseconds of meeting someone whether on the Internet, or out in public that maybe that person, albeit subconsciously, is someone we may or may not would like to go to bed with.

I think that gay and bi-sexaul men and women are reminded of their sexuality everyday. Maybe so with hetrosexuals as well, the only difference being is that hets have been given permission to act out their behavior and therefor are allowed to take sex as a given because it is needed to procreate, which means sex is not just something to be enjoyed as a pass time.

This may be why people attracted to the same sex, whether they are aware of it or not are sending out signals as they go about their daily lives. It is in how they dress, walk, and with whom they are going to be social with. I think a person seeking sex for recreation does willingly send out directed signals to potential sex partners, signals that are on prominent display, but only picked up by those that know what it is they seek. In this these social circles that's all ordinary.

When two people of the same sex move in together, their sexuality is on display and has intruded upon and called into question the statuesque their opposite sex 'coupled' neighbors have been accustomed to. If a good looking guy and attractive women are living together, or when one or the other is scene walking down the street and is noticed and clocked, it is usually fleeting at best and everyone moves on. Ordinary behavior on in their world, which we see all the time in all media.

Gay individuals and same sex couples on the other hand cause people to think that 'ordinary' as they see ordinary isn't just what their world revolves around, and that ordinary encompasses a lot more than the parameters some people have set to define one's sexual orientation and with whom and how they love and live their lives. Slowly and steadily, ordinary is becoming more inclusive, bringing into the fold many that weren't accepted, but as we get to know them, we see that normal beyound our set boundaries is well...just normal. As individuals we are all unique and aside from the common denominator that has caused us here on Pozville to cross paths, we are ordinary people-just like everyone else.

Are you a Terrorist?

Bruce — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 20:20:59 +0000

Are you a terrorist? There is a case in Michigan of a black man that is accused of being a terrorist and using a weapon of mass destruction because he bit a white man several times during a fight and he is HIV+.
This is what I copied from a SIN email to me.

*They're Trying to Call HIV-Positive People Bioterrorists? *

* HIV-positive Daniel Allen was charged with 'possession or use of a
harmful biological device' after biting his neighbor during a
neighborhood fight. *
*/April 16, 2010/ | *
* *
**
* *
* *

*The body of a 44-year-old man is a bioterror weapon, according to a
Michigan county prosecutor who is charging Daniel Allen, with
"possession or use of a harmful biological device" for biting his
neighbor during a neighborhood fight. Allen is African American and
HIV-positive; his case is believed to be the first in the nation where
prosecutors are linking anti-terrorism laws to an individual's HIV
infection.*

*On October 18, Allen and his neighbor, Winfred Fernadis Jr., got into
an argument that quickly turned violent. Allen contends he was the
victim of a hate crime -- Fernandis allegedly taunted him about his
sexual orientation after a stray football landed in Allen's yard -- and
he has filed a complaint with the FBI. (He also filed a personal
protection claim against the Fernandis family.)*

*Fernandis, however, suffered a severe bite through his lip, as well as
bites on his ear, nose and neck; he was hospitalized for his wounds.
Allen too suffered injuries. At an early hearing on the case, Allen's
lawyer presented 37 photographs of his wounds, including bite marks on
his body. Allen was initially arrested on assault charges, but when
Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith discovered he was HIV-positive from
his disclosure on a local news broadcast, he decided to additionally
charge him with using his body as a terrorist weapon.

In court on April 8, Allen refused a plea deal offered by the
prosecution, which would have obligated Allen to plead guilty to
"assault with intent to cause great bodily harm less than murder," a
charge that carries a 10-year-sentence. In exchange, Smith would have
dropped the charges of "assault with intent to maim" (another 10-year
felony), and "possession or use of a harmful biological device" -- the
"device" being Allen's own body. This last charge -- a 15-year-felony --
would apply a state anti-terrorism law that was broadly rewritten in the
wake of the 9/11 attacks.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan has filed an amicus brief
in Allen's case that urges the terrorism charge to be dismissed. The
/Macomb Daily/ reports that Allen's lawyer, James Galen, intends to
further file a motion to dismiss the charges. The case returns to court
for final pre-trial hearings at the end of April.

* HIV-Positive People as WMD*

Contracting HIV through a bite is exceptionally uncommon, according to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, the CDC has
only reported one case that suggests any possibility of blood-to-blood
transmission of HIV by a human bite. Other possible cases all have
involved "severe trauma with extensive tissue tearing and damage and
presence of blood." What's more, the small number of these possible
cases are dwarfed by the more than one million people in the U.S. who
are living with HIV/AIDS. According to the National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases, 33 million people live with the virus around
the world.

While the terrorism charge against Allen is unprecedented, it comes in
the context of public policy that increasingly characterizes people with
HIV as "weapons of mass destruction. " More than 30 states criminalize
consensual sex when one of the individuals has HIV (even when no
transmission occurs). Federal law requires each state to have a criminal
procedure in place for people who fail to disclose HIV status before
engaging in activity that could transmit the virus.

Willie Campbell, an HIV-positive man in Texas, was sentenced to 35 years
in prison in 2008 for "harassing a public servant with a deadly weapon"
when he spat on a police officer and taunted him, despite the fact that,
in the entire history of the HIV epidemic, there has never been a case
of the virus being transmitted via saliva. (In fact, saliva that is
uncontaminated by blood inhibits the transmission of HIV.) Nevertheless,
Campbell, who is African American and was homeless at the time of his
arrest, must serve at least half his sentence before he is eligible for
parole.

Campbell is not unique. HIV-positive individuals prosecuted for spitting
have been convicted of, among other charges, attempted murder, assault
with a deadly weapon, and "battery by body waste," according to the Yale
University Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS. One year ago,
Canada issued what is believed to be the world's first murder conviction
against a person with HIV for having unprotected sex with unsuspecting
partners. Johnson Aziga, a native of Uganda, had unprotected sex with 11
women without disclosing that he is HIV-positive. Seven of the women
contracted HIV, and two died of AIDS-related cancers. Aziga is serving a
life sentence for first-degree murder with no parole eligibility for 25
years.

While some might argue that such a violation merits some form of
sanction, criminal charges also loom over HIV-positive people who do
disclose their status to their partners. In October, a U.S. military
court sentenced Petty Officer 1st Class Steven R. Franklin to three
months in prison after he pled guilty to having unprotected sex with two
women who knew he was HIV-positive. Neither contracted HIV. Other
charges -- such as adultery -- were dropped as part of the plea deal.
The 37-year-old officer had signed a document through the military that
pledged to disclose his status and use protection for sexual activity.
This officer, who had been in the Navy for 18 years, was demoted and
given a bad-conduct discharge.

The new intensity of HIV criminalization charges and convictions has
dangerous implications. Current law provides a disincentive to getting
tested and learning one's HIV status -- if a person is unaware he or she
has HIV, that person is, legally, considered less responsible for the
consequences of, say, infecting a sexual partner. High-profile cases
like Daniel Allen's, then, have a serious public health cost.

They also spread misinformation, exacerbating the stigma on those who do
get tested, as if getting tested is evidence that someone is
promiscuous, gay, or a drug user. "Prosecutions that hinge on an
individual's HIV status, without proof of any intent to harm -- and
frequently resulting in convictions in cases where in fact no harm has
been done -- perpetuate public mispercpetions of HIV as easily
transmitted and people with HIV as toxic and dangerous to be around,"
Catherine Hanssens, executive director of the Center for HIV Law &
Policy, told AlterNet. "This is not only a huge, unfair burden on people
with HIV, it undermines public health goals of destigmatizing HIV and
getting people tested and into care and is therefore terrible public
policy."

Kristina Schmidgall, lead re-entry case manager with AIDS Partnership
Michigan, contends that the stigma of HIV/AIDS is both exacerbated by
legal cases like Allen's and is out of proportion with its threat on
public health. "HIV is infectious, but it's much easier to transmit
hepatitis C or hepatitis B -- though we don't have such a fuss about
them," Schmidgall told AlterNet, adding that both hepatitis C and B are
much more prevalent than HIV.

"We want to normalize testing (for HIV/AIDS) as a regular part of health
care," Schmidgall said. "Nobody asks me why I had a Pap smear; it's just
a basic thing you do to take care of yourself."

*'People have to push back against and stand up to this kind of
persecution' *

William B. Turner is a lawyer and research fellow with the James Weldon
Johnson Institute at Emory University. He believes that the
criminalization of HIV/AIDS is rooted in the lingering suspicion of gay
men as fundamentally irresponsible people who bring the disease upon
themselves.

"Although information about how to transmit [HIV], and, more
importantly, how not to transmit HIV is widely available, as the story
of the Michigan man indicates, even people who should know better don't
always have very accurate info," Turner, who is himself a gay man living
with AIDS, told AlterNet. "Biting is perhaps the single least effective
way to transmit HIV. This is all hangover from the beginning of the
epidemic, when no one was quite sure how it got transmitted. "

Turner said he believes the criminalization of HIV may have a concrete
negative impact on the health of people who, like Allen, are prosecuted.

"Then there's the impact of stress on one's health, well enough
documented," Turner said. "Few experiences are as stressful, presumably,
as a criminal prosecution. It may literally shorten [Allen's] life,
although that will never be provable."

Outside the realm of prosecutions and arrests, institutionalized
misinformation has long led to policies that restrict people living with
HIV, revealing the peculiar influence of the disease's stigma. In
Michigan, for example, HIV-positive individuals are not allowed to work
in the kitchens of state correctional facilities, despite the almost
nonexistent possibility of anybody contracting HIV through contact with
food. In contrast, Kristina Schmidgall points out, people with hepatitis
C are permitted to work in these same kitchens. The ACLU is currently
challenging the Michigan Department of Corrections on its policy's
targeting of HIV positive prisoners.

Policies that affirm misinformation about HIV/AIDS persist, despite the
fact that the virus has been thoroughly researched since it was first
discovered in June 1981. "In the 29 years since, we figured out how
(HIV/AIDS) is transmitted, how to test for it, how to treat it, and
while we haven't found a cure, people can manage the disease," said
Schmidgall, noting that this effort is supported by significant research
funding. "In the spectrum of other diseases in history, that's not so slow."

Schmidgall compared the trajectory of HIV/AIDS with that of polio,
another epidemic disease. While polio was depicted in prehistoric art,
its first clinical description came in 1789. The polio vaccine wasn't
announced until 166 years later.

But the wealth of research on HIV/AIDS over the last three decades
contrasts sharply with ongoing public misperceptions that are codifed by
polices that criminalize the disease -- paving the way for people like
Allen to find themselves susceptible to terror charges for actions that
not only are demonstrably incapable of spreading HIV, but would, for a
non-HIV positive person, carry much less serious sanctions.

While much HIV/AIDS funding, from federal and local governments to
foundations, supports research and treatment, much less money is
available for public awareness campaigns that might change the
trajectory of HIV criminalization. Schmidgall warns that the
disproportionate impact on communities of color may also influence how
HIV-positive people interact with the justice system. What's more,
communities that bear the brunt of the HIV/AIDS epidemic traditionally
have less voice in the media and legal system, making pushback against
misinformation an uphill battle. As a result, myths persist that
override the reality. "Most [HIV-positive] people would be horrified to
infect anyone else. They have a greater sense of responsibility about
it," Schmidgall said.

As for Allen, Turner believes his rejection of the plea deal and the
ACLU's involvement is a good start in challenging the motives behind the
terrorism charge. "People have to push back against and stand up to this
kind of persecution -- a term I use advisedly," Turner said.

/As of this writing, 1,240 have signed the Change.org petition for
Prosecutor Smith to drop the HIV-as-terrorism charges against Allen./*

*Anna Clark's writing has appeared in /The American Prospect/, /Bitch/,
Religion Dispatches and /ColorLines/ , among other publications. She is
the editor of the literary and social justice Web site, Isak
.*

Pedophiles Priests Popes Porn

Dingo — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 22:53:48 +0000

A few brave priests spoke out on the recent Vatican scandal, against the Pope and how the Vatican has handled their pedophile priests, and how this should be handled. But for the most part, it seems the priests, bishops and cardinals would rather defend their pope and how the Roman Catholic church handles pedophile priest.

"The Cardinal Secretary of State and number two man in the Vatican, Tarcisio Bertone, is under attack from within and without the Catholic Church, for stating that the clerical abuse crisis is linked to homosexuality in the priesthood."

Many in the GLBT community, myself included, are very upset about the cardinal's comment. Linking pedophilia to homosexuality fuels fear and hate - and the anti gay Christians and hate mongers will certainly use that against us.

It is ironic that on the day the cardinal made the comment, a neighbor living across the street from my adopted family's home in Austin, was busted for child pornography. (His photo and the story are on the bottom of this post, following the story about the Catholic church.

My family lives in an upper end wealthy neighborhood, an area within a couple of blocks from the Performing Arts center and two parks. The man living directly across the street from my family is married, he's lived there for years. I have spoken to the man and his wife a few times in the past at neighborhood meetings when I lived in Austin. I've seen him mowing his yard many times and was invited to his Christmas parties, which I always declined because he and wife are pretentious and superficial people. I never suspected him as the type involved in collecting and sharing child porn. These kind of people are always under the radar. I don't believe he is close to even being gay, I've seen how he looks at the female joggers.

You never know about these people until they are busted, or as in the case of the pedophile priests, when the victims speak out.

Being gay and being a pedophile are not the same. Pedophiles sexually abuse young children, a few will abuse kids who are in their early teens. Most pedophiles ARE married and are not gay.

I've previously blogged about how I was molested by my stepfather, then later by one of his friends he "introduced" me to, I was under the age of ten when that happened. I also remember seeing my stepfather screw the local whores. Years later I found out that my stepfather sexually molested his own 2 daughters when they were under the age of 10, then later "sold" them to his pedophile friend. That revelation came out from one of my step sisters long after his death.

So, when my adopted nephew told me about the neighbor across the street, it sent a shock wave through me and my family. And the other neighbors in the area, including the small private school for kids under 10, two doors down from this guys house. Fortunately my nephews have never had any contact with him but questions are being asked in an ongoing investigation that are revealing a for more details and based upon what I have heard, he's damn lucky that I am not living close to Austin.

And the pope? Well I'm in agreement with other American, British, German and French activists who are wanting to produce a case for charging Pope Benedict XVI over his alleged cover up of sexual abuse in the Catholic church.

Although the pope is treated like a head of state when he travels around the world to many countries, the pope is not recognized as a head of state by the United Nations.

We should probably change that too - the taxpayers in each country have to pick up the costs associated with the pope's visits, millions of dollars in each country. Other religious leaders are not given the same treatment, why should the pope be treated any differently. Those dollars could be better spent.

dingo

--------------------------------------------------

English Bishops Attack Cardinal for Comments on “Homosexual (Incest)” Priest Crisis

By Hilary White
ROME, April 15, 2010

The Cardinal Secretary of State and number two man in the Vatican, Tarcisio Bertone, is under attack from within and without the Catholic Church, for stating that the clerical abuse crisis is linked to homosexuality in the priesthood.

While visiting Chile, Cardinal Bertone said on Monday that while experts have found no link between priestly celibacy and the abuse of minors, psychologists “have demonstrated, and have told me recently, that there is a relationship between homosexuality and pedophilia.”

“That is the truth, this is the problem,” he added.

Today, a spokesman for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales struck out at the cardinal, saying there is no research showing a connection between homosexuality and abuse of minors.
Fr. Marcus Stock, general secretary to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said, “To the best of my knowledge, there is no empirical data which concludes that sexual orientation is connected to child sexual abuse.

“The consensus among researchers is that the sexual abuse of children is not a question of sexual orientation, whether heterosexual or homosexual, but of a disordered attraction or fixation. Many abusers of children have never developed the capacity for mature adult relationships.”

The Family Research Council (FRC), however, today came to Bertone's defense, stating that, "While activists like to claim that pedophilia is a completely distinct orientation from homosexuality, evidence shows a disproportionate overlap between the two."

According to the pro-family organization, "About a third of all child sex abuse cases involve men molesting boys - and in one study, 86% of such men identified themselves as homosexual or bisexual. Try as they might, gays and lesbians can't shrug off the link." The organization linked to one study of 229 admitted offenders by researchers with the St. Paul Ramsey Medical Center to substantiate their claim.

Bertone's comments have also touched off a small media flurry of editorials and comments from politicians denouncing the cardinal for drawing a connection between homosexuals in the priesthood and the abuse crisis.

However, in a statement that was widely interpreted in the press as a “distancing” from Bertone’s comments, Fr. Frederico Lombardi, papal spokesman and head of the Vatican’s press office, pointed out that the Vatican’s own statistics show that the great majority of cases from around the world involve “same-sex attraction.”

Lombardi did not address the question of the relationship between homosexuality and pedophilia directly, saying only that, “Church authorities do not consider it within their competency to make general statements of a specifically psychological or medical nature, but refer to research studies undertaken by specialists in these matters.”

He also quoted statistics compiled by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, showing that in fact only 10 per cent of priestly abuse cases can strictly be classified as pedophilia - that is, cases of sexual molestation of pre-pubescent children. Ninety per cent of cases, Lombardi said, “are better defined as Ephebophilia (ie attraction towards adolescents).” Of these, he said, approximately 60 per cent involve “same-sex attraction.”

The comments from the Catholic bishops of England were echoed by Bernard Valero, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of France, who said it is “unacceptable” to link pedophilia and homosexuality.
“France reiterates its commitment in the fight against the discrimination and stigma related to sexual orientation and gender identity,” Valero said.

After Bertone’s press conference, Chilean Senator Patricio Walker, of the Christian Democratic Party, said in a local radio interview, “I would like to know the studies he says he has because for me the declarations he made were very surprising.”

In the far-left magazine Huffington Post, Jesuit priest Fr. James Martin wrote that it is “blaming the wrong people” to tie homosexuals in the priesthood with the abuse crisis.

The cardinal’s comments, Martin said, are “to put it charitably, surprising,” because “being gay does not make one a pedophile.” Fr. Martin cited “the lived experience of emotionally mature and psychologically healthy gay men (and women) who have never, ever abused a child.”

But even Fr. Martin, a long-time apologist for homosexuals in the priesthood, could not completely ignore the statistics, some of which were compiled in 2004 by a report commissioned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, showing that the overwhelming majority of sexual abuse cases by priests have been homosexual in nature.

He admitted, “So, there were clearly some gay priests who were attracted to adolescent boys, and who preyed on them.

“But not the vast majority of gay priests, who never abused anyone. This is a critical point. And this is also where the situation grows more complex.”

Fr. Martin complained that the reason prelates in the Church associate homosexuality with abuse of young people is the lack of “public models of healthy, mature, loving celibate gay priests to rebut that argument.”

WEBSOURCE
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/apr/10041507.html

----------------------------------------------------------

UT staffer arrested for alleged child porn
Attorney General’s search revealed pornographic images on office computer
By Bobby Longoria, Daily Texan Staff
Published: Thursday, April 15, 2010

A research analyst at UT was arrested Tuesday by the Texas Attorney General’s Office on charges that he uploaded images of child pornography to the Internet from his office computer.

Clarence Anderson, 52, works in the University’s Information Management and Analysis Department. His office, located on the second floor of the Main Building, was searched at 10:30 a.m. by the authorities following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, a nonprofit group that seeks to prevent child abduction and sexual exploitation.

The information sent to authorities included eight images allegedly uploaded by Anderson of children younger than 18 who were engaged in sexual acts. The arrest warrant described two of them as involving prepubescent females.

“These aren’t mere photographs. Each one depicts a child being victimized,” said Michelle Collins, vice president of the center’s exploited children division. “These are pictures of children being sexually abused, and that should be a concern for all.”

Anderson was booked into the Travis County Jail on Tuesday and charged with possession of child pornography, a third-degree felony. He has since been released on $25,000 bond.

Patricia Ohlendorf, UT’s vice president for legal affairs, said Anderson has been placed on administrative leave. Ohlendorf said her staff will meet with the information management department and the Office of Human Resources to determine what other actions should be taken.

Anderson is the second UT employee to be charged with online, child-related crimes this year. In February, Robert Riffle, 54, the coordinator for the UT Austin Institute for Advanced Technology, was accused of using his work computer to solicit sex from a girl he thought was 12.

According to the arrest warrant executed Tuesday, Anderson, using the screen name “lauren_mitch_019,” uploaded images to a Yahoo! user group from his UT computer that had an IP address established May 28, 2008. The IP address is unique to a particular Internet account and can determine the exact time and location of Internet use.

After his office computer was searched, Anderson admitted to officials from the Attorney General’s Office that he was in possession of child pornography at his home. A second search warrant was executed at his South Austin home at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday.

According to the search warrant, the Attorney General’s Office investigation into Anderson’s activities began on Oct. 10, 2009.

Jerry Strickland, spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office, said the number of images involved and whether they were allegedly taken by Anderson or simply possessed by him won’t be known until the investigation is complete.

“Putting a stop to this is important for families and communities across the state of Texas,” Strickland said. “Any image of child pornography — whether it’s one image, one thousand, two thousand or three thousand — is very serious to us.”

Authorities confiscated an iMac and other computer equipment, 12 floppy discs and 27 compact discs from Anderson’s home. They also seized a Dell computer from Anderson’s UT office.

Ohlendorf said that at UT, Anderson helped prepare documents involving student records, such as enrollment reports, but no student information was involved in this case.

“There is no evidence that he ever used any of our data inappropriately,” she said.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, established in 1984, provides information and services nationwide to professionals, families and law enforcement officials in an effort to prevent the abduction, endangerment and sexual exploitation of children.

Collins said that last year, the center received about 124,000 reports, many of them concerning child pornography being traded on the Internet. She said that information comes from either the public or an Internet service provider. Any information the center receives is then transferred to the appropriate law-enforcement agency.

Anyone wanting to report a case of child exploitation is encouraged to visit cybertipline.com or call 800-THE-LOST, Collins said.

The Attorney General’s Office will analyze the confiscated images in an effort to determine their origin.
“We are combing through, looking through page by page, bitmap by bitmap,” Strickland said. “This is a large amount of information, and that takes time and research, and doing that is a slow and methodical approach that is effective.”

WEBSOURCE
http://beta.texasmedia.org/content/ut-staffer-arrested-alleged-child-porn

The child porn collector is pictured below.

Responsibility?

James — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 13:45:39 +0000

I accepted that I was infected and bore no ill will towards the person who infected me, until I discovered that he knew he was infected and did not disclose his HIV status.
What's more, he is out there still doing it, having unprotected sex with multiple partners and not disclosing. I feel a moral obligation to the people he is infecting.
How can I NOT do something to protect those who might come into contact with this angry individual? ..and for those who say "those who participate in unprotected sex deserve what they get", I say if they made the decision knowing their partners status, then you are right. But if an HIV+ individual does not allow their partner to make an informed decision, then they pose a grave danger to society.
If I proceed with this all my "secrets" come out. Only a very few close friends know that I am bi and even fewer know I am HIV+. Criminal prosecution will result in all that information becoming public knowledge.

So, finally to the question:
Do I have a moral obligation, a responsibility to my fellow man to stop this person from infecting others?
No matter the cost to myself?

Feelings

Luiz — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:52:44 +0000

Making the effort to be amongst people and getting closer to friends is always a good thing, but those inbetween times are the kickers. I spend time with friends and in other social situations, but as soon as I get home I start getting an enormous feeling of loneliness. Sometimes it is so overwhelming I want to just curl up in bed and cry. I used to like being alone and sometimes could not wait to get home and be by myself. Now it is not the case anymore and I feel there needs to be some adjustments, but I don't know how to go about it. Well, that's life I guess!

Lonly but thankful

Brian — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 02:28:13 +0000

I moved to Florida a year ago. I thought leaving Massachusetts would give me a chance to finally meeting someone after 2 years of being single. Well now a year later and 3 years of being single. But thankful too. I have made a really great friend. I no longer have to mess with the cold and snow of New England. But it sure would be nice to meat someone around my age that I have somethings in common with and be able to settle down. I guess I will just have to wait till its my time. later for now

another one bites the dust

Mark — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:45:44 +0000

had lunch with my friend and his mother upon his discharge from psychiatric care. treatment goal achieved: over-medicated, no longer a threat to society or self, shaking hands, remote gaze, limp posture. i'm sad. very sad. another one of us removed from the living.

i will not even attempt to explain what a remarkable human being this person is...yes, i must. gentle, humble, no ego whatsoever, a jeweler, a reader, a learner, a brother to many and a friend to most. a jewish kid. straight. grew up in south LA. an addict in recovery. lost his twin brother to this disease. victims/participants of gang violence have died in his arms.

why, why, why schizoprenia for so many purposeful people. why do people with exceptional gifts, uncommon purpose descend into madness? he's sub-dued now. "medicated." gone.

Can a Corporation run for Congress?

Keysman — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:05:23 +0000

On Saturday, the Washington Post published a front-page story about the corporation Murray Hill running for Congress: "After the Supreme Court declared that corporations have the same rights as individuals when it comes to funding political campaigns, the self-described progressive firm took what it considers the next logical step: declaring for office.

"'Until now, corporate interests had to rely on campaign contributions and influence-peddling to achieve their goals in Washington,' the candidate, who was unavailable for an interview, said in a statement. 'But thanks to an enlightened Supreme Court, now we can eliminate the middle-man and run for office ourselves.'

"William Klein, a 'hired gun' who has been enlisted as Murray Hill's campaign manager, said the firm appears to be the first 'corporate person' to run for office and is promising a spirited campaign that 'puts people second, or even third.'"

They have run into a little snafu. When they went to apply to run for congress, they were not a registered voter. Now they are trying to register to vote. Since they can be considered with the same rights as an individual, I am sure they will succeed.

Is this a test for how far a corporation can go in the political process, or is it a tongue in cheek mockery of the Supreme Court ruling? How old is this corporation? Does it have a birth certificate? Can it run for President of the United States?

This run for congress already has 6000 facebook page friends encouraging the run. Big bucks for campaigns just get bigger and bigger, and at some point, we the citizens will have to actually vote for one of these "corporations". Considering how difficult it is to determine who is actually in control of a corporation, how many people will actually be fooled into voting for one?

President Obama rebuked the Supreme Court decision in his State of the Union address, and just a few days ago, Chief Justice John Roberts commented perhaps it would be better if the justices did not attend future addresses, implying that his ruling should be "beyond rebuke" in public.

This particular ruling, I believe, will be the undoing of the democratic process. Individuals will have less of a voice, and corporations will have a free reign.

Sons and Grandsons

Rick — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:56:16 +0000

Well here I sit thoroughly bewildered. I have had nine months to contemplate the fact that i was going to be a grandfather. Gosh how that time flew. Well my youngest son and his wife ( how odd that he is all grow) have brought this little critter home.

Now i have to admit it was love at first sight. I have always loved babies.. Especially one that go home to their parents..LOL So far they have been lucky. Anthony;y is not a fussy baby. He sleeps well, coos prettily and is all around a delightful little guy. My son for having just turned 19 is remarkably well adjusted and responsible and I believe both he and my daughter in law capable of being good parents. As they live in the apt I have downstairs if they need help dad is here and can ride to the rescue.

As of yet i have not been needed. I am a little disappointed but also rather proud. Disappointed that I find that I did my job of raising both sons to be capable young men but then proud that they are capable. I know it makes no sense. I feel a little left out now that my sons are grown. They do not have the same needs from me that they did when children. No more little faces to wash or bruised egos to bolster. Now I get to dote on the grand child.

Truthfully I feel a little odd now. Many years ago when I was diagnosed with HIV.. I suffered as did so many a rapid decline in my health. This lead to a fear of not seeing my sons grown. I always thought it a miracle that I saw the oldest through high school. Then a second miracle was his college graduation. Then I saw his brothers graduation from high school and now the first of my grand children. Who would have thought so many years ago that I would be so fortunate and that I would have been so blessed. With the loss of so many of my friends , acquaintances, and contemporaries I still am plugging along.I wonder why sometimes I am still here but more and more I just am grateful for the gift that has been given and now that gift is even more valuable. For you see I get to see the grandson start his way on this path of life.

CLEANING HOUSE 2010

GupsMan — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:27:36 +0000

CLEANING HOUSE 2010

Last Week I threw out Worrying,

it was getting old and in

the way.

It kept me from being me;

I couldn't do things God's way.

I threw out a book on MY PAST
(Didn't have time to read it anyway).

Replaced it with NEW GOALS,

started reading it today.

I threw out hate and bad memories,
(Remember how I treasured them so)?

Got me a NEW PHILOSOPHY too,

threw out the one from long ago.

Brought in some new books too,

called I CAN, I WILL,

AND I MUST.

Threw out I might,

I think and I ought.
WOW, you should've seen the dust.

I ran across an OLD FRIEND,

I hadn't talked to in a while.

His name is GOD the Father,

and I really like His style.

He helped me to do some cleaning

and added some things Himself.

Like PRAYER, HOPE, FAITH and LOVE,
Yes... I placed them right on the shelf.

I picked up this special thing and placed it

at the front door.

I FOUND IT- its called PEACE.

Nothing gets me down anymore.

Yes, I've got my house looking nice.

Looks good around the place.

For things like Worry and Trouble

there just isn't any space.

It's good to do a little house cleaning,
Get rid of the things on the shelf.

It sure makes things brighter;

maybe you should TRY IT YOURSELF.
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO SOMEONE ELSE!

Where I Am

Luiz — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:21:56 +0000

It's tough to think of how to describe the feelings that explain where I am. Physically I'm alone. Mentally is on a "'hole nutha leval." Definitely lots of emotions playing their parts, but need to focus on what will dictate what lies ahead for me. If my head isn't there it will not happen. Which brings into play am I really committed. In moments of clarity it is there. The other moments need to be as clear. They can be! They Will!!! I envision myself where I want to be. I have the steps to get me there. I need to take a walk.

The more things change...

Keysman — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:08:22 +0000

History always repeats itself as time has shown us. And just when I think we are making steps forward, those who refuse to accept a current reality, shove us further into the abyss of hatred and discrimination. Caught in the throes of social progress, such as health care and recognized rights regardless of sexual orientation reforms, are we seeing progression or regression?

With the election of President Obama and the message of change, I thought unrealistically that enough consensuses were present to move social progresses forward. But as always, there are those who believe they are the chosen few who must lead us away from the right paths to their “righteous” paths. Without saying it in words, these people enunciate with actions explicitly – if you are not like me, you do not deserve health care, or to marry, or to serve in the military. If you were not born into it, were not given it by me, or can’t find a way to earn it, then you deserve what you have, or don’t have seems to be the message. Why don’t you know that our charity will trickle down to you? Unless of course one of them gets caught using the needle or sleeping with someone of the same sex, then the forgiving and compassionate heart works, selectively. It is even more asinine that when a member of this group falls from grace, power, influence, and money works in concert to save everything except maybe an untarnished reputation. These folks prey on the gullible and the less educated to do the dirty work, stirring the pots with filthy sticks and lighting the fires with screams of bigotry and hatred. Educated and wealthy folks are currently using a coalition of neo-nazi, facist, and racist groups who have for years flown under the radar to be vocal and spread the messages. Suddenly gun toting thugs at political events is acceptable. Signs comparing our current government officials and policies to those of Hitler and Stalin are being carried acceptably (by those who promote those very ideas) in the name of democracy. And though these groups are in the minority, their voices seem countless as the 24 hour media networks are challenged to fill time.

Laws that were not enforced for years are now being pushed to the forefront. The state of Virginia is telling its universities and colleges that anti-discrimination policies protecting “sexual-orientations” are not legal. Gay groups sanctioned by the schools may be forced to meet off of university properties. And since state funding is threatened, during this time of economic uncertainty the state schools will be forced to abide. Not allowing same-sexed couples to marry, or a homosexual to serve in the military is as much about money as it is about beliefs. These shouts would be heard loudly and clearly from the well to do if they did not filter them through our legal system and the use of religious organizations.

The catholic pre-school in Colorado that will not re-enroll a child from a same sex couple is much more about money than religious beliefs. Catholic organizations in DC are dropping all spousal health benefits to keep from insuring soon to be married homosexual couples. The influential and powerful have used the Catholic Church for years to carry out discrimination.

Unfortunately, complacency within our own communities without doubt is the loudest voice heard in support of the way things are. As usual, someone from the outside has taken up the fight for marriage rights for same sex couples. Where is the passion in gay community? Do we leave it in the sheets?

The more things change…

crack instead of oatmeal

Mike — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:37:51 +0000

smokin
crack
getting
beat
life on the street

but wait
this is life
among the
elite!!

yankee from
maine
appearing
SANE

enjoying
boytoy
who
smokes
&
beats

tellin
him
he
ain't
nuttin

but
white
meat

reality IS
crack don't
know
color
R
religion
nor
sex
R
orientation

So
man
got himself
1st class ticket
2 God's
waiting room

gonna spend
30 days
doing
rehab

yeah
but
2night
got to
git
ONE
more
HIT

smoke
crack
pipe

MISTER

take another
them
beatings

don't show me
the bruises
don't proceed
to tell me
about
IT

When finished
with it
catch ur
flight

God is waiting for
YOU
in that room

Afterwards
fly on back to
Yankee Land
near where
the Loyalists
still live

live life as
someone's
Aunt

maybe those
rocks won't know
you really have
enjoyed
them

R maybe
I won't see you
HERE
in the MORNING

'cause that man you
with 2night
yeah the one
who give you that
CRACK PIPE
done beat you
to DEATH
as you lie
screaming for more!

Just so you can get
ONE MORE HIT
ease your pain
that is all in your
brain
& U
insisting he
move that pain
to them bones

getting beat to feel
something crack
can't even heal

yeah
continue
digging
that grave
you crave

sad, I feel
fed you some of my
oatmeal

still, off you went
still, off you went
still, off you went

Leap of Faith

Rick — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:03 +0000

"...I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference "
excerpt from The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Over the last few months, I have been going through some introspection. Portland has been my home for quite awhile now. I can’t express how my life has changed for the better here in the NW. It was certainly a leap of faith moving here from L.A. California, where I spent most of my childhood.

What were the chances of being a success in LA? Growing up in LA, where poverty, gangs and violence was an everyday occurrence. As a child, I learned early about survival. I was harassed, taunted and beaten up on a daily occurrence. I knew I was different, but this was just a minor concern, as our Mother (our dad abandoned us) had little or no money to live on, My 6 brothers and sister were on survival mode.

For these reasons and others to numerous to mention, our family moved to Oregon in the early seventies. It was in Oregon that I began to believe in myself and understand that God loves me. How I began to blossom and understand my sexuality and become a successful young man.

Unfortunately at the time that I came out was when AIDS was first becoming a known word. I was infected early in 84, but my Doctor said that it could have been earlier. I again, took a leap of faith and refused to believe that this disease would take my life. My best friend, who was not given much hope, decided the other way, and overdosed on his 20th birthday. Years go by, and I have lost many, many friends, and soon take a new direction, to try to make sense of this profound loss and stigmatization. I believed that I will “give back”, helping my brothers and sisters in my community who have been infected needing someone to affirm to them that there is hope. I again take a leap of faith to obtain a degree in college and focus my studies to obtain a Master degree in Social Work to “give back” and help those in my community. My efforts to achieve a degree was met with terrible side effects of the cocktail medication, which gave me everything from continual diarrhea, vivid nightmares and kidney stones, I stuck to the goal of trying to achieve a degree. My goal to make it became a reality in 2000.

Years go by and life goes on, I became very fortunate to be in relationships that have made me so happy and reaffirmed my belief in living a full life. But as I walk the streets of Portland, I still see ghosts of those that I have known when I visit certain places in Portland. Tears come streaming from my face more readily now, as I long to see the faces of my long departed friends. I hope that I have met their approval in the decisions I had made to help my community.
Now that I have felt some sense of closure in my efforts to give back, I had made the decision to take a leap once again and move to San Diego to live out my life. I feel life is once again new. I begin to feel myself once again as I did as I was younger, a man with hopes and dreams and wishes for a better day. It is not without risk, but deep in my heart I know I will find a way, I always have and always will. So if you see me sitting on a park bench in Balboa Park, please say “hi”, I would welcome a friend.

Peace!

Mixed Signals

Dingo — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:00:23 +0000

August 22, 2009
As an afterthought from a blog I recently read I was motivated to write on how people may or may not perceive what they read sometimes, including sending or receiving mixed signals. The quoted comments are from another blog. Hopefully I am able to kickstart new thoughts to those who may find themselves in a situation of sending or receiving mixed signals. Too many mixed signals sometimes alienates and isolates people from each other. We all get mixed signals at times, sending them out ourselves without even thinking about it. Everyone thinks and perceives things differently and we should always keep that in mind.

Blogging, file sharing, photo sharing, posting and other participation on the Internet allows us all to express ourselves in any way we choose and we all do it differently. It also allows us to share our thoughts and maybe bring about a better understanding between us all. That is also one of the goals of this community.

Sometimes we get the responses we want to hear and occasionally we get the ones we don't want to hear or read. We get that anywhere, not just on the Internet.

“I looked at the few guys here that I really want to know intimately in the Biblical sense and yet they don't have a clue no matter what has been said in the past they just have not caught on, or out of politeness have not said anything to cause mixed emotional signals out of respect”

This comment could be perceived as being judgemental about others or saying others don't have their act together and are clueless. It's possible they may not say anything to you because of prior experiences with others they have reached out to, or maybe they are not reading your posts. "Politeness and respect" of not saying anything isn't always a healthy attitude to have either. Silence has hurt people, more often than not.

Those who are seriously looking for long term relationships are not going to want to live or get involved with anyone for the long haul who comes across as just wanting to fuck. Being intimate in the "Biblical sense," this phrase is usually attached to "know." In the King James Bible, "to know" meant "to have sexual intercourse with." "And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord" (Genesis 4:1). So to know in the biblical sense is to be sexually intimate.

In the 90s I went to a Waterloo gay mens support group in Austin, a mixed group of HIV poz and neg men. The focus of the group was on how to develop and interact into meaningful intimate relationships. One of the elements of group counseling is to do some self examination openly to others within the group, which elicited responses from others. Easier said than done at first.

One man within our support group constantly talked about his frustrations of not being able to connect with anyone except for sex. He often spoke quite well contributing comments that helped others but he always shifted his speaking time to what he wanted to do with other men in bed. Initially others gave him positive feedback. After several weeks of hearing the same thing from him in group sessions a couple of men said that they were tired of hearing what he wanted to do with other men in bed and pointed out that it seemed all he was interested in talking about his bad times and his sexual conquests and fantasies. Another member of the group told him to piss or get off the pot. He got up and left the room.

The following week the guy passed on his speak time. Week after that he spoke about what had happened to him in the group, letting everyone know that he no longer felt like the support group was giving him the support he needed. He verbally lashed out at one guy then quickly lashed another. Before anyone could respond the guy got up and left the room making it clear he would no longer would be part of the ongoing support group. After the group session ended we saw him standing by his car in the far side of the parking lot smoking a cigarette, expressing a sad look on his face and not one of anger.

About a month later he came back to the group and over a period of time was able to affect positive change for himself and positive interactions between himself and others in the group. This all came about because he started sharing more about the other things he enjoyed doing and what he was doing. Things like working on his car, talking about music and movies he liked and how these things made a difference in his Life.

He talked about why he did volunteer work at the food bank. How good it made him feel to help others. Gradually he shared with us that he did it only because he was lonely and hoped to find a boy friend there. He openly made it known that he was available for a long term relationship while working at the food bank, picked a few guys up and it never went anywhere except for sex. Some of the guys stopped coming to his line at the food bank or switched their food pick up days. Once he realized that he was sending out mixed signals he stopped getting dates from the food bank and started working on doing his personal inventory. Working on himself with new found support from others in our group.

I saw him a few years ago in Austin while I was attending a political rally. He was with his partner, I was introduced and we went of Seattle's Best for coffee after the rally. He and his partner were celebrating the beginning of their third year together. While having our coffee he shared with me that he use to think of me as being an asshole at 'group' because I was too honest. He did not like hearing what I said to him in group but later realized there was some truth in what I had said to him. The real kicker came when he told me he had met his partner at the food bank. They started dating while he was still in therapy. They waited several weeks before jumping into bed together and after they did, they decided that they would limit their sexual play to once a month, focusing more on getting to know each other. They are still together. Had he continued to send mixed signals and not kick away old habits this guy might still be alone today.

As a community moderator and actively participating in several online networks, I read many blogs and forum posts. I see the mixed signals some people put out, het and gay, male and female. A few will go on and on about sex and sexual fantasies and desires. Sometimes I see some really good thoughts that are in these same posts. The good stuff reveals more about the person making the posts but unfortunately the mixed signals causes misunderstandings about the person making the posts.

People who are looking for long term relationships then stop reading that person's posts when they see repetitive sexual content frequently mixed with unrelated non sexual content. They get ignored and many assumptions are made about the person. Those who begin to ignore people miss out on some good wit and wisdom. A no win no win situation.

More often than not people will follow others regardless, reading their blogs forums and looking at their photos because they want to see what others are doing and what other enjoy in Life. A few do it because they learn something from others experiences or it helps them in other ways.

Within this community and other networks THERE ARE MANY GUYS WHO SOAR, fly way above the clouds. The proof is in their blogs, homepages, forum posts and photo albums. They share what they are doing and the things they do that make them feel good. They share how they feel. Many are lonely but have not given up and keep flying high above, looking and waiting, enjoying their solitude or being content knowing they are loved by others just the same. Some are actively looking for a long term relationship and they know that by sharing others will take notice.

It's worked for me over the years and worked for others as well. But I had to make some changes within myself first and then look at the things I was posting on my personal website and in dating networks.

Sending mixed signals is something many of us have done BUT people's perceptions of what they read and hear are different too. The women I use to date and live with often told me that most men tend to concurrently think and act with their dicks. Some shared with me that they always got the mixed signals from what they had read from men’s personals, or how they came across after meeting, including my own mixed signals. If you look closely at het personals and internet posts men are more likely to express sexuality in some of the things they write about. These days most men have gotten better at expressing themselves but men will be men, gay BI or het, sex factors into our nature of being.

I recall when I ran my ads back in the late 90s on the internet. I was trying to attract men who wanted to share a balance of power in a relationship and looking for someone to be a bit more versatile in intimacy. Much of what I wrote is archived on my personal website from that period of time. Lots of expressions about my sexuality and so forth. I allowed myself to become vunerable to all.

Many of the responses I got came from both ends of the spectrum. There were those who saw my dominating nature and needed that in their lives. On the other end there were those who misread what I wrote and got the impression that I wanted to solely be dominated, to be submissive in all aspects of a relationship.

Sometimes we go down the same bumpy roads thinking we will go around the pot holes only to discover the pot holes have gotten bigger and wider. I realized it was time to find another road to travel down.

Mixed signals and even when I re wrote my personal ads I realized that not everyone would perceive what I was trying to convey about myself, who I was and my desires. That’s just the way it is at times but over the years after much introspection and some help from my friends I was able to get better in expressing myself.

So I focused more on the things I liked about Life and more about my personal experiences, how they affected my Life and how I was able to learn and grow from all that. In doing so I started attracting the men I really wanted to be with and around in Life.

My personal sexual desires and fantasies I wrote about separately, placing them on other parts of my personal website.

Travelling and exploring new roads and paths (thoughts and actions) helped bring my goals and dreams to fruitation. It wasn't easy at first since I had already established a “reputation” based upon my mixed signals. Those who originally thought I was about sex and had ignored me “rediscovered” me, got to know me, we dated and now are friends, still in touch with each other. I was able to connect two guys I met during that period with each other as well. Just when the riding became smoother something else happened, it's called mid life crises, a phase all of us go through at some point in our lives. Another barrier and another blog!

I still enjoy connecting people together. A couple of other people here do it as well. It’s rare these days to see others doing that. Some are caught up in the “selfish me” trip while others don’t give it any thought at all. I do a lot of it in my social networks. I see people in this community who are beautiful and have some really neat things in their blogs and on their profiles. Others and I draw attention to them frequently throughout the site using various methods. Through videos, homepage comments and within my posts. Some of us even send private messages and profile comments welcoming them into our community. A few new connections have been achieved as a result of our efforts and energies.

I constantly upload HAPPY BIRTHDAY profile comments every time I see the birthdays on this site, using the themed accounts for that purpose. I do it primarily to draw attention to members who are looking to connect with others. I always follow up with a private message from my personal account wishing them a Happy Birthday. They see the comment and they read the private message. Very few bother to take a couple of minutes to reply back to the personal message. While I have no expectations for them to do so, it certainly reveals something about their character to me and of course I cannot help but wonder how many others they have ignored who have taken the time to do the same thing. There’s no excuse for bad manners but when I see some of these same people shouting out how unfriendly others are OR touting their own “good virtues” it sends mixed signals. To me and others who have done the same. But that doesn’t stop us from spreading our good vibrations. I sidetracked a bit off my original thoughts, as I usually do, but we're writing about mixed signals so I included this.

People are unlikely to spend money to travel for a potential LTR if they think all someone is interested in is just sex because of what they have perceived. Or if they feel there is a “shopping list.” Too many mixed signals sends up red flags to others looking.

People cannot just pick up and relocate based upon initial online meetings nor should they be expected to spend money to travel to every potential LTR candidate who says he cannot relocate. Those who constantly talk about NOT being able to relocate have an expectation that others should always be the ones who "go visit first." The expectation often is that “you are on fixed income (SSDI), don’t own property (rent) and are “nomadic enough to travel.” They rarely are willing to travel more than 50 miles away to visit or even meet halfway for those who are willing to put themselves out there and relocate. Some do have valid reasons for not wanting to visit but others won’t.

I know this from personal experience since I often travelled on my motorcycle to meet potentials who could not relocate. I put myself out there in their homes because I wanted to see how they lived and their environments. I also wanted to show them my sincerity in wanting a relationship.

Most were cool guys and very good people at heart. What I usually discovered was most were not ready to have a relationship, had too many expectations, or shopping lists. A few really wanted nothing more than sex. Which is why they weren’t willing to travel themselves because they already knew or had set themselves up for the dismal outcome. That’s just my opinion but one that others have shared with me as well. Shared by a few who have travelled to meet others who cannot relocate.

Once I picked up on those who just wanted sex, I ALWAYS quickly left, my abrupt “I gotta move on and go” always burst their ego. Didn’t matter to me how attractive and hot they were on the surface. What mattered was that they were playing the games. They’re called players. They will always exist, het and gay alike. After unexpectedly leaving these types I always checked into a local roach motel or secured a camping spot in a nearby park. Got sex too but I got it from someone else in the area, visiting the local cruise spot or gay bar. I knew that whoever I got sex with would talk about the biker they met, knowing that talk would go down the grapevine quickly. As I always use to say to everyone, I’ll go looking and see if I can find the man but I will always enjoy the ride and other people I meet along the way.

Going down the same bumpy roads just puts more wear and tear on the body soul and spirit, just as it does on any vehicle, causing more damage and greater expenses. There are other roads available in Life and even existing ones can be fixed.

Failing to make changes within ones’ self or taking control of what one can take control of will always lead to a dead end street, or the road to nowhere.

Everyone has choices and anyone can make their choices. That is one of the many gifts our Creator has given us. How we use that gift is up to us.

As I have always said, the only barriers to our personal freedom and happiness are the ones we create for ourselves. Even if it means opening our eyes and listening to others, whether we want to hear it or not.

Living and Loving Life without Fear, always!

dingo

Rage on the Right

PozVille — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:34:23 +0000

A scary new report from the Southern Poverty Law Center finds the number of right-wing extremist groups at record levels - almost 1,000 - and so-called Patriot groups up 244% in the last year, from 149 to 512. Immigrants, blacks, gays, Obama commies, anyone who wants health reform - you name 'em, they hate 'em.

The Year in Hate and Extremism
By Mark Potok
Intelligence Report, Spring 2010, Issue Number: 137

http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2010/spring/rage-on-the-right

The radical right caught fire last year, as broad-based populist anger at political, demographic and economic changes in America ignited an explosion of new extremist groups and activism across the nation.

Hate groups stayed at record levels — almost 1,000 — despite the total collapse of the second largest neo-Nazi group in America. Furious anti-immigrant vigilante groups soared by nearly 80%, adding some 136 new groups during 2009. And, most remarkably of all, so-called "Patriot" groups — militias and other organizations that see the federal government as part of a plot to impose “one-world government” on liberty-loving Americans — came roaring back after years out of the limelight.

The anger seething across the American political landscape — over racial changes in the population, soaring public debt and the terrible economy, the bailouts of bankers and other elites, and an array of initiatives by the relatively liberal Obama Administration that are seen as "socialist" or even "fascist" — goes beyond the radical right. The "tea parties" and similar groups that have sprung up in recent months cannot fairly be considered extremist groups, but they are shot through with rich veins of radical ideas, conspiracy theories and racism.

“We are in the midst of one of the most significant right-wing populist rebellions in United States history,” Chip Berlet, a veteran analyst of the American radical right, wrote earlier this year. "We see around us a series of overlapping social and political movements populated by people [who are] angry, resentful, and full of anxiety. They are raging against the machinery of the federal bureaucracy and liberal government programs and policies including health care, reform of immigration and labor laws, abortion, and gay marriage."

Sixty-one percent of Americans believe the country is in decline, according to a recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. Just a quarter think the government can be trusted. And the anti-tax tea party movement is viewed in much more positive terms than either the Democratic or Republican parties, the poll found.

The signs of growing radicalization are everywhere. Armed men have come to Obama speeches bearing signs suggesting that the "tree of liberty" needs to be "watered" with "the blood of tyrants."

The Conservative Political Action Conference held this February was co-sponsored by groups like the John Birch Society, which believes President Eisenhower was a Communist agent, and Oath Keepers, a Patriot outfit formed last year that suggests, in thinly veiled language, that the government has secret plans to declare martial law and intern patriotic Americans in concentration camps. Politicians pandering to the antigovernment right in 37 states have introduced "Tenth Amendment Resolutions," based on the constitutional provision keeping all powers not explicitly given to the federal government with the states.

And, at the "A Well Regulated Militia" website, a recent discussion of how to build "clandestine safe houses" to stay clear of the federal government included a conversation about how mass murderers like Timothy McVeigh and Olympics bomber Eric Rudolph were supposedly betrayed at such houses.

Doing the Numbers
The number of hate groups in America has been going up for years, rising 54% between 2000 and 2008 and driven largely by an angry backlash against non-white immigration and, starting in the last year of that period, the economic meltdown and the climb to power of an African American president.

According to the latest annual count by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), these groups rose again slightly in 2009 — from 926 in 2008 to 932 last year — despite the demise of a key neo-Nazi group. The American National Socialist Workers Party, which had 35 chapters in 28 states, imploded shortly after the October 2008 arrest of founder Bill White for making threats against his enemies.

At the same time, the number of what the SPLC designates as "nativist extremist" groups — organizations that go beyond mere advocacy of restrictive immigration policy to actually confront or harass suspected immigrants — jumped from 173 groups in 2008 to 309 last year. Virtually all of these vigilante groups have appeared since the spring of 2005.

But the most dramatic story by far has been with the antigovernment Patriots.
The militias and the larger Patriot movement first came to Americans’ attention in the mid-1990s, when they appeared as an angry reaction to what was seen as a tyrannical government bent on crushing all dissent. Sparked most dramatically by the death of 76 Branch Davidians during a 1993 law enforcement siege in Waco, Texas, those who joined the militias also railed against the Democratic Clinton Administration and initiatives like gun control and environmental regulation. Although the Patriot movement included people formerly associated with racially based hate groups, it was above all animated by a view of the federal government as the primary enemy, along with a fondness for antigovernment conspiracy theories. By early this decade, the groups had largely disappeared from public view.

But last year, as noted in the SPLC’s August report, "The Second Wave: Return of the Militias," a dramatic resurgence in the Patriot movement and its paramilitary wing, the militias, began. Now, the latest SPLC count finds that an astonishing 363 new Patriot groups appeared in 2009, with the totals going from 149 groups (including 42 militias) to 512 (127 of them militias) — a 244% jump.

That is cause for grave concern. Individuals associated with the Patriot movement during its 1990s heyday produced an enormous amount of violence, most dramatically the Oklahoma City bombing that left 168 people dead.

Already there are signs of similar violence emanating from the radical right. Since the installation of Barack Obama, right-wing extremists have murdered six law enforcement officers. Racist skinheads and others have been arrested in alleged plots to assassinate the nation’s first black president. One man from Brockton, Mass. — who told police he had learned on white supremacist websites that a genocide was under way against whites — is charged with murdering two black people and planning to kill as many Jews as possible on the day after Obama’s inauguration. Most recently, a rash of individuals with antigovernment, survivalist or racist views have been arrested in a series of bomb cases.

As the movement has exploded, so has the reach of its ideas, aided and abetted by commentators and politicians in the ostensible mainstream. While in the 1990s, the movement got good reviews from a few lawmakers and talk-radio hosts, some of its central ideas today are being plugged by people with far larger audiences like FOX News’ Glenn Beck and U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn). Beck, for instance, re-popularized a key Patriot conspiracy theory — the charge that FEMA is secretly running concentration camps — before finally “debunking” it.

Last year also experienced levels of cross-pollination between different sectors of the radical right not seen in years. Nativist activists increasingly adopted the ideas of the Patriots; racist rants against Obama and others coursed through the Patriot movement; and conspiracy theories involving the government appeared in all kinds of right-wing venues. A good example is the upcoming Second Amendment March in Washington, D.C. The website promoting the march is topped by a picture of a colonial militiaman, and key supporters include Larry Pratt, a long-time militia enthusiast with connections to white supremacists, and Richard Mack, a conspiracy-mongering former sheriff associated with the Patriot group Oath Keepers.

What may be most noteworthy about the march, however, is its date — April 19. That is the date of the first shots fired at Lexington in the Revolutionary War. And it is also the anniversary of the fiery end of the government siege in Waco and the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

Thanks Denn (BlkDawg) for fetching this!
-------------------------

Positive Threads (Blast from the Past)

Dingo — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:37:38 +0000

The above video is a tribute to my "Little Buddies" in Austin, one of whom was very instrumental in my survival when I succumbed to full blown AIDS in the 90's, and the other Three, including their grandfather, grandmother and their entire family, as well as my other buddies and friends, who got me through some of the worst years of my Life - including my last hospitalization in 2006 when my kidneys completely failed while I was still living in Austin. My "adopted family" also was very supportive of Positive Threads during the early and mid 90s, providing me with early funding and strong encouragement to get it launched.

Back in the early 90s, prior to the advent of POZ Magazine, when the Internet was limited to boards, small newsgroups, basic chat BBS, early America Online and during the days of single therapy drugs which were new and toxic because they were being prescribed in high doages, I became one of the first clients of the David Powell HIV Clinic in their old location when they were located on Toyath Street in west Austin.

One of my best friends, Paul, a het biker, contracted AIDS from dirty needles shooting up meth. He landed in Breckenridge Hospital and that's when he discovered he had AIDS. After his discharge from the hospital, he too became a client of the clinic.Because of the stigma and shame attached with HIV AIDS, he "dropped out" of the biker scene, stopped going down to Beverly's - none of us had any idea what happened to him because he and his wife moved out of their South Austin neighborhood, moving up into Round Rock.

I found Paul and his wife, Carol, sitting in the waiting room at the clinic on one of my lab days, one of the most awkward moments of my Life, and theirs. The "mystery" of him dropping off the face of the earth was revealed that morning, and in that moment of time, Paul and his Carol realized they were "not alone."

After having my blood drawn I waited down on the street outside of the clinic for them to come out.We went out for a late breakfast that morning. As we sat there eating Carol was looking at some glossy pamphlets and a Xerox copy of GMHC Treatment Issues she had picked up in the clinic. To paraphrase her words, "this shit doesn't fucking help us...."

Treatment Issues, out of NYC, at the time focused on trials and data - it was very difficult for the average person to comprehend with all it's technical terms and formatting. The glossies were about nutrition, generic crap, in short, they were "Welcome to the World of AZT." Looked pretty and all that but really didn't have much substance.

After breakfast we parted and I went back to the clinic to visit my social worker, John (Paul??) Cantu. I had seen something on his desk that looked good on a prior visit. John gave me a copy of PWAC Newsline (out of NYC) and a copy of a newsletter called Being Alive (out of LA). I took them home and read them from cover to cover. I subscribed to both of them and later another newsletter out of Denver called "Resolute!" Within a few months I subscribed to every HIV newsletter I could find out there, including a very good one out of Canada that dealt with Alternative and Holistic Wellness.

Back in those days, most people living with HIV in Texas picked up any information they could find in the clinics. Most did not want to subscribe to anything out of fear that it might wind up in their neighbor's mailbox. I started making Xerox copies of some of the more interesting articles in 1993 and gave these copies to close friends, including my Paul and Carol wife. The information made a small difference in their lives. One day Carol made a coment that it would be nice if we had a newsletter in Austin that people could pick up in the clinic.

I launched Positive Threads in 1994. The first issue was four pages, the cover article was a reprint from a Resolute article called "Dealing With the Shame of AIDS." There were reprints from other newsletters crammed in those four pages, using a 9 point Arial font. The articles covered holistic, spirituality, poetry, essays, nutrition, fitness, local resources, general wellness, substance abuse, and topics on dealing with relationships, sex and activism (local and national levels). The banner by lines and mottos were "Dedicated to Empowering People with Information on Surviving HIV AIDS, Information = Understanding = Hope = Survival, and Together We Can Make a Difference."

Carol worked at Ginny's copy and printing, and she ran off 500 copies from a copy machine, using 11 x 17 copy paper. The following month I did an 8 page issue which Carol once again ran off at Ginny's. We paid for those copies and all other issues after that. Paul's health was quickly failing and he passed away by the time I printed my fourth issue of Positive Threads. After his death Carol left her job at Ginny's and moved back to New Mexico. The store manager at Ginny's continued giving us reduced rates though for the next three years.

During the next few months other 8 page monthly issues followed and they quickly were being snatched up. Jana Zumbrum, who was the Executive Director of Aids Services of Austin, gave Positive Threads a real boost when she included it in their client's monthly mailings, which ulitimately resulted in people wanting to receive it from me directly. The newsletter had its own little legs and quickly developed requests from PWAs in Dallas, Houstin, San Antonio and Corpus Christi.

The Austin American Statesmen did a big write up on what I was doing. All my het biker buddies and riding associates saw my photo in the paper, read the article, and BAM - the dingo's secret was out. A few shunned me of course but most were pissed off at me because I chose to hide my secret from them, telling me that they were still my friends and also expressing their hurt of my mindset of thinking they would no longer be my friends if they knew. They didn't buy into my lame excuses for NOT telling them! Friendship and extended family took on a whole new meaning in my Life.

Shortly after the article appeared, I got a good verbal ass kicking from them one night at Beverly's, and if that wasn't enough to teach me a lesson, they zapped me at Joe's Generic Bar the following night when Angel and her husband's lounge lizard band played out on the back patio. The band normally plays blues and hard rock. Halfway through the first set, Angel started singing "Friends Will Be Friends." Kinda strange I thought until she waltzed off the stage and sat in my lap, putting her arms around me as she continued singing. Then I found myself being escorted from my table and up onto the stage. Some of my riding buddies started doing the "sing along" with her. I felt like the Sta Puff Marshmellow Man and when she finished her song I got baptized by a pitcher of draft beer on the stage.

Anyway, I incorporated Positive Threads as a non profit in the State of Texas and by the end of 1994 obtained a 501(c)(3) status for the newsletter and organization. The costs were initially supported by two viatical companies and a few friends and my adopted family. I quickly learned how to write my own Ryan White Title I funding and received two grants, one in 1996, the other in 1997. The newletter continued to grow and evolve, the printed circulation shot up to 5000 printed units a month, increased to 8 to 12 pages in size, and included two special 40 page "Primer and Planner" special editions with original content and expanded articles on resources, nutrition, wellness, fitness and a glossary of terms including descriptions of then meaning of lab tests.

During it's second and third years of publication my friends and I folded stuffed and mailed almost 2200 copies every month, in my home at first then at the Friday Poz dinners held by Max over at St Ignatius Church. The remaining copies were left in several Austin clinics, a few churches, two gay bars, and some coffee houses throughout Austin. To break barriers to the newsletter was always placed next to the Austin Chronicle, gay new rags and other literature on counters and racks so that people could slide a copy into the other peridocals and walk away with it unnocticed.

Jennifer Jensen was already writing Nutrition Power for Being Alive and her articles always appeared in its pages every month. Jennifer customized her articles for Positive Threads. I spent a lot of time with her on the telephone and we developed a close friendship, which resulted in me bringing Jennifer to Austin two years in a row to do two special seminars. She was a remarkable woman and it was during her visits to Austin when Jennifer shared with me more of her personal Life, her near death experience when she was involved in a near fatal accident prior to her nutrition dietician carrer, which resulted in her having to endure much physical pain and a complete reconstruction of her body. Jennifer did what she did for us out of Love and a necessity to keep keep herself alive as well. I have several fond memories of those visits. On the first visit Jennifer and I went out to Bill Miller's BBQ after her arrival in Austin. She picked at her food slowly, listening to me while I gobbled down my food and talked. I finally realized the funny look on her face as she stared at me and asked her if I had something on my beard. She said no and proceeded to tell me that she was counting my chews and advised me not to woof my food down with doing 15 slow chews "per scoop." It would digest better and reduce my chances of choking if I were going talk and shovel it all in at the same time. I loved Jennifer, her wit and her ways - she was truly a wonderful woman to have known. In 1998, while recovering and healing from my first full blown bout of AIDS related illnesses, my adopted family got a telephone call from her husband Kenny, while I was doing an MRI scan. Jennifer had passed way in a dental chair from shock. Jennifer's spirit and a few of here articles are in our forum area, ALL her articles can be found on the Internet site maintained by her husband and other nutritionists today. ( http://www.geocities.com/~jenniferjensen/ )

Positive Threads served a very useful purpose during its 3 year course, publishing 36 issues. Within that time frame, POZ magazine was launched out of New York. Many of the other major newsletters around the country were no longer needed since we all NOW had an excellent printed and online resource to keep us up to date, giving us informative easy to read articles and a lot more! The Internet grew, technology changed and information AND support from other resources came to us, easily and privately accessible from our homes. Early in 1998 I dissolved Positive Threads.

I always encouraged others living with HIV within Austin to write and share their own personal experiences and poetry for the pages of Positive Threads. Several men and women did. When I saw TJ's blog poem "Our Moment in Time" the other day, I had forgotten about publishing it in Positive Threads until he sent me a private message reminding me! I now wish to dub him as Our Cowboy Poet. I've knew TJ before I was doing Positive Threads, lost touch with him at one point, until a few years ago when we ran into each other at the Chaindrive and wound up taking a walk down on Town Lake late one night, playing on the swings, looking at the reflection of lights on the water from Landrys on the Lake and then over at my old home on Taylor Street. Terry recently joined our community and I was happy once again to rekindle our memories.

Thank You Terry! You have made a positive difference!

May You Be Blessed with Much

dingo

--------------------------------------
RELATED BLOG POSTED PQ SNAPP June 29, 2008

BLESSING & REFLECTIONS

Inner strength is powered by friends, extended family, others we have met and will meet, the beauty of Life around us.

For my buddies who are about to embark on their summer run. A reflection of the years riding those asphalt roads and sitting around burning fires doing what we always have done best – loving each other.

Last year you guys chose not to ride – I was and still am deeply honored by that choice you made. I won’t slap you for your sensitivity in not bringing up this year’s ride since you felt it might bother me. It doesn’t bother me at all because Life still goes on. I might have had that same attitude if the boots were on my feet, but you know me well enough. The most recent comment I posted to should be a reminder to you boys of my spirit. So don't put yourself on those headtrips cause you know that I know you're gonna have a good time and that I am still there with you in thought and spirit. While you boys are riding I will be riding too, somewhat with you in spirit. I have new paths and places to explore right here within the reaches of my arms. Fueled by new passions, love and lust.

Vroooooooooooooooooooooooooom!

Dingo June/July 2008

REFLECTIONS FROM THE PAST

.....I believe that when people come to the edge of the cliff and look to the other side, too often they tend to look down and rather than jump to the other side, stay where they are out of fear of falling or not making it over to that other side. I cannot do that - when I come to the edge I look over and take that leap, based on my personal faith and belief system, knowing that there is always something better on the other side of the cliff. If my instinct tells me to turn around and look for another path, I do so without hesitation and no 2nd thought - I have discovered too many times that if I take the time to think about it all and start having doubts, then I start creating new barriers not just for myself but others as well..........By not taking those leaps of faith blindly I would never really know where a particular path might lead and could be losing out on something very special waiting for me. It's taken me years to get to this point, but I'm there! And it gets easier!.....

..... I finally realized that I owed it to myself to take the risks and just do what needed to be done. I severed some deep rooted ties with certain members of my extended family, gave away much of what I owned and prepared myself both emotionally and physically for my new journey............I've also thinned my personal belongings now down to the point where I can pack up a few clothes/leathers, a photo album, a sleeping bag, my laptop and cell phone. The only major piece of furniture I have is the shrine I have kept for my dog and that is with someone whom I know will truly appreciate what it is. Many of the materialistic things that were barriers to my moving around are now gone......

..... Although I will always have a few close friends and some extended family I could return to in Austin, I have chosen not to go back there...... Another barrier I have removed from my path to complete freedom to explore and search for my soulmate - pulling myself away from a comfortable security blanket...........Some may think that's a crazy thing to do but my only answer to them is that I am much happier knowing that I now have that freedom to find what I am looking for, with no barriers in front of me aside from those which I cannot control......

.....my friends know how sometimes I tend to become really reclusive. I have become somewhat reclusive these past couple of months but no where near what I use to be - there was a time I actually shut everyone out for about 2 years.....a lone rider man.....

.....I have a very healthy spiritual life, a mixed bag of various beliefs rolled into something that has always worked for me - it's one of the reasons I've survived for so long.....ya gotta have some faith and belief in something.....I just recently removed a statement out of my profile about the str8 thing.......to the effect that "if ya have to take a test to prove your masculinity then ya got a real problem!" --- moved it out as I needed to put some other things in the profile but it does crack me up with all these guys who have to find ways of building their self-esteem, then seeking some sort of endorsement, validation or approval from others!.....

.....you NEVER have to explain your actions to me at all - for years I had to explain my actions to people, moreso my former two [three] partners. It seems they could never understand why I would get up in the middle of the night to write, or go out for a ride. In my book, the only actions that have to be explained and accountable to are those that cause harm to ones' self and/or others. It's that simple with me.....

.....I believe you should be able to share freely whatever it is you are feeling and wish to share - don't feel that way.....no need to apologize - you should not be apologizing for everything you feel or say as you are causing no harm.....and you're entitled to freely do that.....that's a self esteem problem and if any man told me to shut up I would tell him to get out of my face.....

<<<[the true measure of a man is not by his career or wealth but by the relationships (platonic and romantic) that he keeps....POSTED TO ME in an email]>>>......For me, a man who has integrity, stands behind and on top of what he believes in, a man who does it not by his words but his actions - actions always speak louder than words – and he does it quietly without bragging about it......those who like to toot their own horns about their charitable contributions should just shut up and keep doing it because it’s the right thing to do, don’t do it to impress yourself or others, give to help and speak only to solicit the cause…..

...... << with a vision of a long term future and life together...POSTED TO ME in an email I received>>>.....I have always lived for the future, unlike most who have this thing called HIV. Too early on I saw many people (and still do) sitting around waiting to die or get sick - I can honestly say I have not been there.........I had a near death experience back in the early 70's, then again in the 21st century and learned some very valuable lessons from that (and I continue to learn), the most important being that we should enjoy our life and those we love/care about while we are here, plan on being around for some time to come yet I also realized that we are all here on borrowed time and we're here for a reason. At any given moment we or something we care about can be snatched right out from under us BUT we should not occupy our time worrying about death. Part of living is planning for the future and realizing dreams and goals to reality.

<>>.....You do not have to break the emotional ties, just the physical ones. Your friends and family will always be there for you....don’t let them guilt trip you either nor should you fall into those guilt trips they put on themselves.....One thing I learned was that when we grow older we do have to break some ties so that we can move forward in our life. It's difficult but people do it everyday..........My extended family and friends provided me with a security blanket while I was there - it was too easy to have them there for some emotional support when I needed it and I realized that I had to carry my own weight emotionally for once and as a result of my severing the "close to home" ties I am on my way to many new things that lay ahead...........They're still there for me - just there's a healthy distance now......

Some might say that I have made some bad choices - my response back to them is that I make choicesand I see my choices as all being good! I rarely use the words, “mistake” and “I can’t” – those words are defeating in nature.

The greatest part of any journey is the discovery of what lies ahead, no matter how difficult any situation may have become I have discovered that I have the Power to take charge and make Life more rewarding by confronting the challenges, conquering obstacles and fears and most important. Meeting others out there who not only can understand what the meaning of Life is about but also know how to embrace it nd take advantage of what (G)god gave us - the ability to go beyond our instinct and use not just our intellect but the primal being within us – that’s the one Gift given to us - many people out there I have met understand what this is truly about.......To get there one must go deep within themselves and unleash the conditioning that started when we were born. Easier said than done but once you have mastered thatyou’ve opened up the cosmos within and around yourself.

Remember the old saying "where there's a will there's a way!”

I still vote and continue to challenge authority when I feel my basic rights and liberties are violated. I have not given up on the human spirit. I refuse to do so. Next time you see someone out there I ask that you consider doing one simple thing Look that person in the eyes and nod acknowledge that they exist, maybe say hello. One simple gesture of saying "you are a person" can make a difference to that person's spirit.

I am Pro-Choice - you make your choices and you live with them!

Many people are homeless because they have lost their jobs and no longer eligible for the job market or because they are over aged or over qualified, some are homeless because of devastating illness and disease and natural disasters - many different events lead up to people winding up on the street or living out of their cars. Don’t think for one minute this cannot happen to you. Don’t look down upon make judgments or assumptions about those who are less fortunate.

Democracy and freedom as we knew it is changing with our country, our rights and liberties are being taken away from us and we continue to pay taxes and feed into all of it thanks to the media and the fear mongers.

During the last couple of months of 2006 my personal health took a life threatening turn for the worse and I wound up in the hospital yet one more time. End Stage Kidney Disease coupled with uremic poisoning and an extremely high amount of potassium in my body also put me on the verge of a near death cardiac arrest. Being hospitalized for 10 days I underwent two surgeries, dialysis every day, and not being able to get out of that hospital bed for 8 of those days – gave me another opportunity to think and then rethink.

I have shared just a part of my life within these pages and while doing so others have come into my life and shared themselves. I feel that I have been very blessed and I appreciate the people I know and continue to meet in Life. It is that love and sharing that fuels and renews my spirit.

For the Horses
About to Ride
In passing
On the road
In the park
In the party
In the lake
In the wood
In the desert
In the mountains
I in Spirit & with Love
Am Encircled Round and Within You All
May You All Be Blessed
Encircled Embraced Entwined
By Our Creator
The Elements
Your Higher Power

LOVE IS THE FUEL - NEW PATHS

SONG DEDICATED TO THOSE OF YOU
WHO HAVE FOUND
OR
ARE SEEKING “GRACE”

Lyrics by Bob Weir

It's so easy to slip
It's so easy to fall
And let your memory drift
And do nothing at all
All the love that you missed
All the people that you can't recall
Do they really exist
At all?

The whole world seems so cold today
And all the magic's gone away
And our time together melts away
Like the sad melody I play

Well I don't want to live forever
In this shadow of your leaving me
So I'll light a mellow cigarette
And try to remember to forget

It's so easy to slip
It's so easy to fall

The other night my soul hit the pavement
I couldn't look up, didn't have eyes
To see the love, joy, and the tenderness
The reasons why a man's alive

Sometimes the darkness falls upon the spirit
It gets dark like there's never been light
And when it happens not much you can do for it
Except to wait till another day arrives

Going on faith and all that kind of stuff
And even grace if you're lucky enough

Every love has a hole in the middle of it
Where the wickedness always survives

Doesn't matter how much you show her
Doesn't matter what she shows you
You can feel it, love seems to scatter
Patience a long, long goodbye

So we're going on faith and all that kind of stuff
And even grace if we're lucky enough

Your deepest journeys pass through the wilderness
Where the emptiness resides
There's nothing next to the emptiness
From a cup that's always dry

Doesn't matter how much you show her
Doesn't matter how much she shows you
You can feel it, love starts to scatter
Patience a long long goodbye

So we're going on faith and all that kind of stuff
And even grace if you're lucky enough

PQ SNAPP COMMENTS

wolfman posted Jul 09, 2008:
Dingo Thongs? You boys naming both the peckers and their attire? Don't need a collective ass chewing for the next 8 years. Not from you both. LOL Left a word for both at Scoot's place. Heading out soon.

rexhex posted Jul 08, 2008:
Night riders sacked out right now. They got in early this morning. REX

pozqueer posted Jun 30, 2008:
I got your Man Thing and Dingo Thing and I got several new Dingo Thongs for you too BABE! It's been rough for Keith and I do relate since you guys know how much I was impacted by Dingo's death. I was a real ass after that but Keith is not near as bad as what I was when I lost my four legged buddy. That last fart was for all of you and I rarely use the word NEVER - I do remember that day very well HARD. Sometimes we don't like being served up road kill (words we say that come back to haunt us). Trike is not in my vocabulary.

keysman posted Jun 30, 2008:
I know I am not a part of the group or extended family, but I felt I had to comment on this blog. One thing none of us needs to do is underestimate this man called Dingo. For all of what might appear at times as insensitivity, Jim has a part of him that "senses" what another may be going through and always manages to say or do something to lighten the air. This is a Man Thing and a Dingo Thing. I have not been the most pleasant person to be around since the death of my dog, and I got this same type of response from Jim - you don't have to explain or apologize for how you feel. Dingo was at odds with why some of you guys hadn't mentioned the trip you are going on, so he is telling you to go have fun, which you will, but share it with him. He can still live those times with/through you. No dancing on egg shells is allowed. Have a great trip guys! And please, I do not want to have to listen to anymore of the Dingo rant about a trike! When, if ever, he is ready, he will let you know. He said something about 62. Don't make me chew on your collective asses for 8 more years! Happy trails.

hardrider posted Jun 29, 2008:
thats a pissed off dingo in the above photo. taken at my old home. photo captures one of your rare moments. i believe you were pissed at me for reminding you to never say the word never again. you know me. not soft either. we will trike it for you bro. just say the word. cutting out early as usual dingo. wolf is ready too. love you man.

rexhex posted Jun 29, 2008:
I bet that last foul fart was for all of us. You could trike that old wing if you were'nt so damn bullheaded. Not a damned thing wrong with riding three wheels bro. Yeah we understand and know the real scoop. You got another rod to throttle and he's probably got great thunder. We are always here for you and with you Dingo. We have to deal with your ways just as you deal with ours. We found each other because we were rebel outcasts refusing to conform to others ideals and ways. This is what binds us together. As Scooter said FTWx2 Randy & Rex

scootertramp posted Jun 29, 2008:
Dingo you still true blue two. AND FTWx2 man. Ain't good enough to ride with ya anymore!

Drag Queens - The Real Heros

MachoMan — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:13:26 +0000

“The Diva League: The drag queen crew promised something "dark and creepy." The dark lighting didn't help, and Piers buzzed them shortly into the routine. Piers said, "a bunch of lipsticky old drag queens who can't dance is not what America needs right now." Sharon said she loved them and told them to "go for it -- fabulous." The Hoff agreed with Sharon and called it "very entertaining, and I think you guys could sustain a show in Las Vegas."
DINGO SAYS: Those lip sticky lip syncy old drag queens raise more positive awareness, money and have more balls than the average person, have fun doing it and we all love them for who they are and what they do, Piers! And they were the ones who started the riots against the cops at the Stonewall bar in 1969

Did you know that January is National Drag History Month? Of course you didn't, because it's just some bullshit Logo made up to try to trick gay people into watching their programming and used as a promo for a Logo special called RuPaul's Drag Race. Fact vs Fiction!

Gay drag queens have been around for centuries AND they are very much a part of our gay history. Drag queens not only kickstarted and led the 1969 Stonewall Bar riots but they have unquestionably, and collectively as a minority within the gay community, raised millions of dollars for various gay and non gay charitable causes, prior to the advent of AIDS – and they continue doing what they do best. Raising and giving money for charitable causes, doing outreach to and for the needy and advocating not just for HIV causes but other worthy and political causes that affect everyone from all walks of Life. More often than not they do it without receiving any monetary compensation, donating time, energies and money out of their own pockets to make it all happen – solely to make a difference for others!

Drag queens still face much discrimination and prejudice within the gay community. It’s not as bad as it use to be years ago, at least in the larger cities, but they still get ridiculed and treated as outcasts from mainstream gays in public, including the Internet. Phrases that come to mind are “no drag queen drama, no nellies, no drag queen attitude, no men who act or dress like women…” to name a few. I have my own opinions about people who are that insensitive and calloused. I won’t go there for now.

What I will say is that I have always admired and respected drag queens for being who they are. I continue to support their efforts and thank them for what they have contributed to the world. Still doing it despite how they are treated.

Which brings us to………

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a registered 505 (c) (3) non-profit organization, are celebrating 30 years of giving services and doing fundraising for many excellent causes. Your donations are tax deductible AND this organization gets the BIGGEST BANG out of the bucks they raise. If you have a few extra dollars to give there is a link from their website where you can make donations through Guidestar! (their website is http://www.thesisters.org/

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an unconventional order of nuns, has been spreading the gospel of safe sex and tending to the HIV/AIDS community for three decades. The group began in 1979 when three free-spirited men wearing nun habits hit the streets of San Francisco to challenge conformity and homophobia. Today, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence has grown into an order of about 600 members, some whom are living with HIV, in nearly 20 orders worldwide.

Since their founding in 1979, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have raised and distributed over a million dollars to non-profit organizations that serve the queer and sex positive community. Each year, they raise thousands more. The next time you see a Sister with a collection bucket, drop a couple of bucks in. The money goes right back to the community.

Historically, The Sisters have given grants to under-funded, smaller organizations and projects providing direct services to our communities. The majority of these organizations and projects receive little, if any, government or main-stream funding and may be in the early stages of development. Their grants are typically $250 to $1,000.

They are especially attracted to progressive projects that promote wellness, identity, tolerance and diversity within our communities. They have a vision that encompasses diverse communities and groups that have a common interest in human rights, people of every gender, gender identity, race, class, age and sexual orientation.

With all that said here’s more about drag queens. They not only have their rightful place in OUR PRIDE but I consider them HEROES, not just of AIDS but Heroes of Hearts…… (dingo)

A drag queen is a person, usually a man, who dresses, and usually acts, like a woman often for the purpose of entertaining or performing. There are many kinds of drag artists and they vary greatly from professionals who have starred in movies to people who just try it once. Drag queens also vary by class and culture and can vary even within the same city. Although many drag queens are presumed to be gay men or transgender people, there are drag artists of all genders and sexualities who do drag for various reasons.

Generally, drag queens dress in a female gender role, often exaggerating certain characteristics for comic, dramatic or satirical effect. Other drag performers include drag kings, who are women who perform in male roles, faux queens, who are women who dress in an exaggerated style to emulate drag queens and faux kings, who are men who dress to impersonate drag kings.

The term drag queen usually refers to people who dress in drag for the purpose of performing, whether singing or lip-synching, dancing, participating in events such as gay pride parades, drag pageants, or at venues such as cabarets and discotheques. In the United Kingdom, alongside traditional drag work such as shows and performances, many drag queens engage in 'mix-and-mingle' or hosting work at night clubs or at private parties/events. Drag is a part of Western gay culture; it is often noted that the Stonewall riots on June 27, 1969 in New York City were inspired and led by drag queens, and, in part for this reason, drag queens remain a tradition at pride events. Prominent drag queens in the gay community of a city often serve as official or unofficial spokespersons, hosts or emcees, fund-raisers, chroniclers and community leaders.

The term drag queen originates in Polari, a subset of English slang that was popular in some gay communities in the early part of the 20th century. The verb is to "do drag." A folk etymology whose acronym basis reveals the late 20th-century bias, would make "drag" an abbreviation of "dressed as girl" in description of male transvestism. Queen refers to the trait of affected royalty found in many drag characters. It is also related to the archaic word "quean" which was used as a label both for promiscuous women and gay men (see Oxford English Dictionary definition number 3 for "quean").

Another term for a drag queen, female impersonator, is still used—though it is often regarded as inaccurate, as many contemporary drag performers are not attempting to pass as women. Female impersonation, under that name, used to be illegal in many places, which inspired the drag queen José Sarria to hand out labels to his friends reading "I am a boy," so they could not be accused of female impersonation. American drag queen RuPaul once said "I do not impersonate females! How many women do you know who wear seven-inch heels, four-foot wigs, and skintight dresses?" He also said, "I don't dress like a woman; I dress like a drag queen!". Celebrity drag couple "The Darling Bears" go so far as to sport full beards for their performances. Some performers draw the distinction that a female impersonator seeks to emulate a specific female celebrity, while a drag queen only seeks to create a distinctive female persona of his or her own.

There are also performers who prefer to be called "gender illusionists" who do blur the line between transgender and drag queen. Generally transgender performers do not consider themselves to be drag queens and drag queens don't consider themselves to be illusionists, but, as with everything, there are exceptions. Often these distinctions are more generational as laws and acceptance of individuality change and grow.

Many drag queens prefer to be referred to as "she" while in drag and desire to stay completely in character. Some performers object to being referred to as "he" or by their legal name while in character. Drag performer RuPaul is an exception, as he seems to be completely ambivalent to which pronoun is used to refer to him. In his words, "You can call me he. You can call me she. You can call me Regis and Kathie Lee; I don't care!"

Biological females performing as drag queens are referred to as faux queens or bio queens.

Most drag queens perform for personal fulfillment as a hobby, a profession, or an art form; as a way to be in the spotlight; or as a road to local or wider fame. Historically and currently, there have been and are a significant number of heterosexual men, generally actors, who perform in drag. There are also transgender or transsexual people, as well as straight women, who perform as drag queens.

Drag queens are sometimes called transvestites, although that term also has many other connotations than the term "drag queen". "Drag queen" usually connotes cross-dressing for the purposes of entertainment or performance without necessarily aiming to pass as female.

It is not generally used to describe those persons who cross-dress for the fulfillment of transvestic fetishes alone, or whose cross-dressing is primarily part of a private sexual activity or identity. As for those whose motivation is not primarily sexual, and who may socialize cross-dressed, they tendnot to adopt the typical over-the-top drag queen look.

There tend to be three types of drag names: The first are satirical names that play on words, such as Miss Understood, Holly Woodlawn, Peaches Christ, and Lypsinka.

The second type are names that trend toward glamour and extravagance, such as Dame Edna Everage, Chi Chi LaRue, Margo Howard-Howard, Betty "Legs" Diamond and The Lady Chablis. This is the type used by the character Albin in the movie and musical La Cage Aux Folles for his drag persona, "Miss ZaZa Napoli".

The third type is considered simpler but can have an in-depth backstory, cultural or geographical significance or simply be a feminine form of their "boy" name. Often a drag queen will pick a name or be given one by a friend or "drag mother" as a one-time occasion only to discover they like performing and go on to use a less-than ideal name for years. Drag queens do change names as well even using two or more concurrently for various reasons. Some examples of simpler names include Miss Coco Peru, Rikki Reeves and Divine.

A drag show is an entertainment consisting of a variety of songs, monologues or skits featuring either single performers or groups of performers in drag meant to entertain an audience. They range from amateur performances at small bars to elaborately staged theatrical presentations. Many drag shows feature performers singing or lip-synching to songs while performing a pre-planned pantomime, or dancing. The performers often don elaborate costumes and makeup, and sometimes dress to imitate various famous female singers or personalities. And some events are centered around drag, such as Southern Decadence where the majority of festivities are led by the Grand Marshals, who are traditionally drag queens.

Genres

High camp drag queens employ a drag aesthetic based on clown-like values like exaggeration, satire, and ribaldry. Divine, Miss Understood, Peaches Christ, Hedda Lettuce, Jolene Sugarbaker and Rye Seronie can be considered examples of camp queens.

Some drag queens exaggerate in the dimension of elegance and fashion, employing elaborate jewelry and gowns. The Lady Chablis, who can be seen in the movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, is an example of this type of performer.

Another example is drag pageant title holders such as Amaya Mann. Many of these drag queens impersonate specific actresses and pop divas such as Beyoncé, Cher, Madonna, Charo, Donna Summer, Céline Dion, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Patti LaBelle, Shirley Bassey and others, emulating their high-fashion costuming and jewelry. Drag artist John Epperson has used the persona Lypsinka as a caricature of Joan Crawford, including in his play The Passion of the Crawford.

Some drag queens primarily perform in pageants, hence the term pageant queen. Pageant queens gear their act toward winning titles and prizes in various contests and pageant systems. Some of these have grand prizes that rival those of pageants such as Miss America. These drag queens can be known nationally and many work professionally year-round producing and hosting shows that specialize in drag and celebrity illusionists.

There is a growing sentiment among many drag queens that real women, transvestites, or anyone with surgical augmentation below the neck should not be competing in such pageants labeled as "drag" pageant. Doing so would change the competition, in their outlook, into a transsexual pageant.

Post modernist drag queens; an example would be The Divine David, now appearing as David Hoyle, who regularly performed in London during the 1990s in clubs such as Duckie, in South London. He used an extreme form of presentation, with make-up that was applied roughly and then smeared across his face. His act was designed to make the audience feel extremely uncomfortable about any preconceived ideas of acceptable subject matter for a drag queen to tackle. One show included cutting up a pig's head and throwing the pieces into the audience. As such, the act bore close similarities to performance art of the 1970s.

Vaginal Davis, in Los Angeles, has performed as a drag queen for many years; her genderfuck performances, often mixing male and female signifiers (also called "sloppy drag"), and her many appearances in performance art venues since the 1980s attest to her status as a performance artist. Like RuPaul, Davis is indifferent to whether addressed as "he" or "she."

Societal reception

Within the larger lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender (LGBT) communities drag queens are sometimes criticized for their participation in pride parades and other public events, believing that this projects a limited and harmful image of gay people and impedes a broader social acceptance. In more recent years drag queens have been prominently featured at these same events.

A common criticism of drag queens is that they promotes harmful stereotypes of women, comparable to blackface portrayal of African-Americans by white performers that was popular in the early 20th century. Drag queens, however, have wildly varying styles and ideologies so applying this to all practitioners is impractical.

Drag queens are sometimes criticized by members of the transgender community—especially, but not exclusively, by many transwomen—because of fears that they themselves may be stereotyped as drag queens. Canadian transgender activist Star Maris wrote a song entitled "I'm Not A Fucking Drag Queen" which expresses this viewpoint.

The song was featured in the film Better Than Chocolate, performed by a male-to-female transsexual on stage at a gay club. The transsexual character, played by Peter Outerbridge, struggles throughout the movie to fit in with "real" women, and partially performs the song as an act of cathartic defiance and self-empowerment.

Other transwomen reject those fears in the broader context that drag queens, many of whom are gender-variant and sexuality minorities, are more of any ally than a threat.

WEBSOURCE ON DRAG QUEENS: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drag_queen

COMMENTS FROM PQ SNAPP
keysman posted Sep 02, 2009:
My first real experience with what the drag community does for all of us was in Key West. It was, IS, somewhat of a haven for some of the most talented and hard working for cause people I have ever met. They raised extreme amounts of money for the HIV community, especially during Fantasy Fest around Halloween. Together with the help of the bars in town, if an individual in the town was in need, they used their talents to raise funds. They are so accepted in the community at large that a drag queen always gets to ride in the 'red high heel' that is dropped from the Holiday Inn roof top at midnight every New Year's Eve!

scootertramp posted Aug 29, 2009:
Austin Babtist Women in Austin been raising dollars for years. Do a lot of fun shows for aids breast cancer and other causes. Have a theme song called Looking for a City. The hankies fly on that song.