February 8, 2010
To remember that no one has the right to judge me unless I grant them that right
To recognize that some people simply don't recognize and/or respect boundaries
To accept that today represents an opportunity to do things better than I did yesterday
To mourn what has been lost while celebrating what's been gained in the process
To be open to possibilities, whatever they may be and from wherever they may emerge
To allow myself to dream
To be honest with myself about what I deserve
To not settle for less than what I deserve
To remember that no one can "make" me feel bad unless I allow it to happen
To hold myself to a higher standard
To treat today as if it's my last one on Earth (hopefully it won't be)
To understand that everyone brings their baggage with them...myself included
To admit to myself that what has come before may have shaped me...but it doesn't have to define me
To understand and accept that I deserve to have good things happen to me
To recognize that I have it within me to create those good things
To know that those who refuse to accept me for who I am are within their rights
To recognize that the opinion others hold of me is of importance only if I choose to allow it to be important
To understand that I'm a work in process while recognizing that I'm pretty good just as I am
To be happy for New Orleans even though by all rights Minnesota should be celebrating a Super Bowl victory ;-)
February 8, 2010
A funny thing happened after Adm. Mike Mullen called for gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military: A curious silence befell much of the right. If this were a Sherlock Holmes story, it would be the case of the attack dogs that did not bark.... The occasional outliers notwithstanding, why did such a hush greet Mullen on Capitol Hill? The answer begins with the simple fact that a large majority of voters -- between 61 percent and 75 percent depending on the poll -- now share his point of view. Most Americans recognize that being gay is not a "lifestyle" but an immutable identity, and that outlawing discrimination against gay people who want to serve their country is, as the admiral said, "the right thing to do."
Every now and then, for reasons known largely only to themselves, leaders do what they're expected to do- they lead. They recognize that the reality so long accepted as immutable truth is in fact nothing of the sort. They then work to advance the idea that change is not only appropriate but necessary. In this case, Adm. Mike Mullen has taken a stance that few in the military have dared voice, though no doubt many have likely shared it over the years.
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was a policy designed by and for those without the moral courage or the balls to stand up and do the right thing. Since 9.11, it's become amply clear that the wholesale cashiering of Gays and Lesbians from our military has done little but compromise national security. All you have to do is look at what DADT has done to the military's supply of Arabic speakers to understand that officially-sanctioned hatred and discrimination has made us less safe...though it has mollified the haters.
The time has come to recognize that we simply cannot continue to condone and pursue a policy that adversely impacts our military's ability to protect and preserve our security. Gays and Lesbians who want to serve should be applauded in the same way that heterosexuals are. Sexual orientation has no bearing on one's ability to fight, bleed, and die for one's country. Anyone willing to do so, assuming they're intellectually and physically qualified, should be welcomed and celebrated. It takes a special kind of person to be willing to fight and, if necessary, die to protect their homeland. That someone happens to love someone of their own gender seems a rather arbitrary consideration when it comes to determining fitness to serve.
Time was when African-American and women faced arguments similar to those used to drum homosexuals out of the military. The problem is that no matter what, there will always be bigots who feel that their prejudices should be primary. Our challenge should be to prove that we're bigger than that, that Americans accept and celebrate individual differences- particularly when it comes to protecting and preserving our collective security.
It's time to do the right thing. We've recognized that allowing women and African-Americans to serve doesn't adversely impact our national security. It's long past time to recognize and admit that Gays and Lesbians are no more of a threat, and in fact represent a net asset. Hatred and discrimination only demonstrate our collective ignorance and intolerance.
WE DESERVE BETTER. And so does ANY American, whatever their sexual orientation, who's willing to serve and defend their country.
February 8, 2010
PALIN: I agree with Rush Limbaugh. He was using satire to politically correct --
WALLACE: He used the "r" word.
PALIN: He used satire. Name-calling by anyone, I teach this to my children and you teach it to your children and grandchildren, too. Name calling by anyone is just unnecessary. It just wastes time. Let's speak to the issues and -- [...]
PALIN: I didn't hear Rush Limbaugh calling a group of people whom he did not agree with 'f-ing retards' and we did know that Rahm Emanuel has been reported, did say that. there is a big difference there. Again, name-calling, using language that is insensitive, by anyone, male, female, Republican, Democrat, is unnecessary. It's inappropriate. Let's all just grow up.
For a brief moment...OK, a nanosecond...I'd been hoping that maybe, just maybe, Sarah Palin wouldn't once again reveal herself to be a hypocrite of the first order. Sadly, as has happened many times before, I was destined to be disappointed. Outrage, it seems, can be manufactured when it serves one's purpose...particularly when that purpose is scoring political points and denigrating those who sit on the other side of the political fence.
I'm not going to sit here and condone Rahm Emanuel's use of the word "retard". Whether you happen to find the word offensive or not, someone who's been in public service as long as Emanuel has should know better. Frankly, he deserves to be pilloried...for being an insensitive moron...as does Rush Limbaugh, whose use of the word was far more frequent and egregious than was Emanuel's. Of course, Emanuel's a Democrat...so of course he's amply worthy of unfettered scorn and condemnation. Limbaugh is as close to untouchable as a Republican can be. Then there's also Reagan's Law: "Thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican." That Limbaugh is the very face and definition of "insensitive moron" seems not to matter. He's a Republican; ergo, he gets a free pass.
Frankly, ANY use of the word "retard" is offensive...because the word is intended to be dismissive, derogatory, and disrespectful. That Palin's condemnation of the use of the word depends on the ideological affiliation of the person using it is beyond offensive. It does go a long ways toward revealing just how nakedly ambitious and overtly political she is, though. (And how many Right-wing males are drooling at the prospect of being able to use "naked" and "Sarah Palin" in the same sentence?)
Consistency and fairness, it would seem, are for losers and Liberals.
February 8, 2010
February 8, 2010
Obama Calls Out Conservative Dems For Their Timidity. Conservadem (n.): Latin, meaning Democrats born without balls. Only these fools could turn a 59-41 MAJORITY in the Senate into a functional minority.
Sarah Palin Defends Her Role As A Tea Party Profiteer, Announces Her Involvement In Another Scam. Because ethics are for losers and Liberals.
Joy Behar Asks Former Edwards Aide About Rielle Hunter's Vagina. T.M.I. WAY too much information....
Senate Republicans Mulling A Filibuster Of Jobs Bill. Proving once again that the "Party of NO!!" has nothing to offer but negativity, obfuscation, and obstruction. Remind me again why these fools deserve to be the majority party?
McConnell: Larry King Is Better Interrogator Than FBI. And Larry the Cable Guy would be a better senator than Mitch McConnell. Apparently, McConnell lacks a functional sense of shame and reason. Never mind the fact that he couldn't lead a pack of hungry Cub Scouts to a Dairy Queen.
Chris Wallace on whether Palin will sit on his lap during their interview: 'One can only hope.'. Don't you just LOVE he whooshing sound objective journalism make as if flies by in a mad rush to be "Foxified"?
Reid To GOP: If You Filibuster Obama's Nominees, We'll Bypass The Senate. Show us you have some balls, willya? Stop talking about it. Just shut up and do it, already....
How House GOP's Shadow Budget Eliminates Deficit ... In About 50 Years. Now THIS is the sort of principled leadership that this country needs...assuming you plan on being around 50 years from now.
February 7, 2010
Sen. Richard Shelby's (R-Ala.) decision to place a "blanket hold" on all presidential nominations until a pair of billion-dollar earmarks for his home state are fast-tracked has reignited the debate over the parliamentary tactics being deployed by the Republican Party.... On Thursday evening, news broke that the Alabama Republican has taken the extraordinary measure of holding up at least 70 "nominations on the Senate calendar" -- essentially threatening to filibuster the confirmation processes if they came to a vote. The move has spurred a series of recriminations from Democratic officials who see it as yet another instance of over-the-top obstructionism of the president's agenda.
For those of you who think that the problems in Washington can and by all rights should be laid at the feet of one Barack Hussein Obama, let me offer you an opposing view. Even better, I'll offer up someone even more representative of corruption in Washington than anything President Obama could provide. For your edification, I offer Richard Shelby, Republican from Alabama...and a Dick. When one corrupt, self-absorbed politician can impinge the day to day functioning of the federal government, you have to know that the system is broken.
Most Senators and Congressman prefer to at least maintain the pretense that corporate donations don't influence them. No one wants to openly admit that corruption is rife on Capitol Hill. Then there's Shelby, who's very open and up front about the reality that his influence is for sale...and he doesn't particularly care who knows it. Until and unless Shelby gets what he wants for his home state, he's willing to hold up the nominations of 70 qualified people who should be helping set government policy...something that just might even benefit Alabama.
Of course, Shelby isn't into subtlety. He believes in the Golden Rule. He's willing to shill for those corporate interests who have filled his campaign coffers with gold. And if he doesn't get what he wants...well, the federal government can just go straight to Hell.
The best democracy money can buy? THIS is the leadership and morality that Republicans want to "restore" to government?
WE DESERVE BETTER.
February 7, 2010
Visitors to Mildred's Temple Kitchen, a restaurant in Toronto, Canada, are invited to spice up their love life this Valentine's Day with a trip to the bathroom.... "Have you given any thought to moving beyond the bedroom?" patrons were asked in a not-too-subtle promotional e-mail. The individual bathrooms will be open for sexual escapades from the 12-15th February.... "We've always had little trysts in our bathrooms," co-owner Donna Dooher told The Toronto Star. "We're taking it to the next level on Valentine's weekend."
Would that I'd known about this sooner, I suppose. Portland may be a fairly Progressive little burg, but I don't think any restaurant in town would be able to get away with inviting patrons to engage in any sort of extracurricular nookie in their bathrooms. Not that there are folks out there who wouldn't happily avail themselves of such an opportunity. Hey, it's not the Mile High Club, but at least you don't have to leave the ground to get busy- plus, you're going to have more room to maneuver than in an airplane bathroom.
Then again, if any of y'all find yourself looking for something out of the ordinary to impress your "special someone" with...well, how 'bout a trip to Toronto? 'Course, you're going to have to bring your own condoms.
Somehow, I don't think this idea would fly in Wichita.....
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