Obama Knows I'm Gay

Okay, so I signed up on Obama's Web site early in the game...also filled out supporter cards in Nevada and Pennsylvania and Ohio at Obama events.

No where, whether on line or standing in line at an Obama rally did I check off "I'm an Obama supporter and I like other guys."

Yet today I get an email from the campaign entitled "Photos: LGBT Pride Events" that begins:

Thanks to supporters like you, we made a big impact during Pride month.

Okay, you all know how I feel about Pride and I was in the mountains playing Brokeback with the LTR during DC's Pride event. And yet the email exhorts me to host my own "Obama Pride" event.

So how does Obama know I'm gay?

As far as I know from my site meter, no one from the campaign has ever been here (nor would I expect them too, wee blogger that I am).

The only thing I can figure is that somewhere along the way I clicked on something gay related on his Web site or in an email his campaign sent. And so I've been segmented. Or Micro-Targeted, to use Mr. Penn's phrase.

Pretty slick.

So, yes, Mr. Obama, I'm gay, as you suspected. I'll think about hosting an Obama Pride event...but you need to think a bit more about this marriage between a man and a woman thing. You're moving in the right direction, and I think you're more sincere than your former opponent on this issue, but recent events have made me a bit wary.

You understand, right? Since others in the recent past have wanted to turn our gay pride into campaign donations and votes? Only to drop us at the first sign of political trouble?

We can overcome this obsolete view of marriage only between a man and a woman, can't we? We can win over enough votes in California and elsewhere to protect marriage equality if we just work together?

Yes, we can.

There Goes the Pre-School Vote

My 3.5 year old tells me today he marched with Barack Obama in the 4th of July Parade in Hawaii (not the candidate himself, but other supporters).

Then he says: "Nobody in the whole wide world likes John McCain. Only monsters."

Although 3 of his 4 parents are Obama-supporters, we swear we didn't put him up to that.

Why Do House Guests Do This?

Our guest bedroom features a four-poster bed. We ofer guests their own full bath complete with a towel rack and hooks on the back of the door for, one would think, towels. Yet the towels always end up where the one is in the picture, on the corner of the bed, in clear view of the main hallway. Every house guest, without exception, does this.

Did I miss the part where four poster beds were for hanging your wet towel?

Death of DC Metblogs?

What happens when all your bloggers quit en masse to start a competing blog?

A bitter, snarky post by the publisher (can't say as I blame him).

"Our Country" -- It's an Idea, Not a Place

NOTE: This is a post from May 2007. It came to mind this morning on this Independence Day. Happy July 4th.


While in Indy I was tasked with managing a business luncheon. arriving early at the luncheon room at the hotel, I met our wait staff person, a middle-aged Chinese woman who has worked at the Hyatt for 30 some years. While waiting for lunch to begin, she told me with obvious pride of her eldest son who serves in the Army Corps of Engineers and who has been stationed around the world, including Afghanistan, and who is now stationed here in DC. She told me how while driving to work she sometimes worries about him, asking God to keep him safe and how three times w/in 15 minutes her cell phone would ring and it would be him calling to let her know he was okay.

When the luncheon was over I was saying my thank yous and said to her, "please convey my thanks to your son for his service to our country."

"Our country." I thought about those words later. Me, this Midwestern white gay boy and this woman from another land and culture, whose family is in harms way for this idea called "America."

Our country really is an idea, not a place, a dream worth emigrating to and defending.

No terrorist can destroy that dream. We can only do that ourselves.

When People Say

"It's me, not you" what they really mean is: it's you.

Tyson Homosexual

You may have heard about the American Family Association's little issue with automatically replacing the word "gay" with "homosexual" on their news Web site. Normally this filter is used to prevent using the word gay to refer to those of us who "practice the homosexual lifestyle."

But when it gets used on a story about runner Tyson Gay (whose last name is, indeed, Gay) it results in copy like this:

Tyson Homosexual was a blur in blue, sprinting 100 meters faster than anyone ever has.

His time of 9.68 seconds at the U.S. Olympic trials Sunday doesn't count as a world record, because it was run with the help of a too-strong tailwind. Here's what does matter: Homosexual qualified for his first Summer Games team and served notice he's certainly someone to watch in Beijing.

"It means a lot to me," the 25-year-old Homosexual said. "I'm glad my body could do it, because now I know I have it in me."

Ahem.

You may have seen this already, but this afternoon via the WaPo I read another AFA "gay" gaffe about NBA player Rudy Gay that made me laugh out loud:

Memphis Grizzlies backers hit the hay hoping that Kevin Love would open things up for Rudy Homosexual in the frontcourt.

Gee. And tonight when I'm practicing my homosexual lifestyle I'll be going to the cleaners, walking the dog, cleaning the guest bedroom and getting ready for work tomorrow, before sitting down to maybe watch more of the John Adams HBO mini-series. Nothing about getting opened up in the frontcourt.

This homosexual lifestyle is boring!

Obama Worked Out at My Gym

On Friday.

Hell, he's a member.

But the staff didn't recognize him: "What's your first name, Mr. Obama?"

He's only been on the cover of every weekly magazine in the US three times. Reminds me of an Obama rally I was at in Henderson, Nevada. A woman driving by asks pulls over and asks me, "who's here?"

"Barack Obama," I reply.

"Who's that?" she says. She didn't look like she'd been living under a rock for the past four years. "Just some schmuck running for president," I said.

And he works out at my gym. I think I just got the incentive to work out more often that I needed.

That Mid-Life Crisis Thang

UPDATE: Thanks for the suggestions to get rid of the beard, which I actually did not long after the photo here was taken. And the Monday morning surprise is: my boss likes it. I will, however, go back to being salt n peppa. But I will try to have more fun as a blonde in the meantime.

A new look...well, it's not like I left the LTR for a 20 year old and traded in the Jeep Liberty for a convertible. Still I'm not sure. And the LTR hates it.

Non-US Citizens and Constitutional Rights

Those opposed to the Supreme Court's ruling that the alleged terrorists held at Guantanamo are protected by the Constitution howl that we shouldn't be giving aliens constitutional rights. But this is nothing new:

In Chew v. Colding (1953), the Court ruled that those who have successfully entered the country are protected by First Amendment rights to free speech, Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, and Fourteenth Amendment guarantees of equal protection of the law. Outside of the United States, however, these protections do not apply.

The question in the recent was whether Camp X-Ray at Gitmo was part of the US. The Court said it was.

Family Values -- The Federal Marriage Amendment II: Attack of the Clowns

The FMA has been reintroduced. Two of its sponsors are those paragons of family values and marriage sanctity: David Vitter and Larry Craig (Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, call your offices). From the Carpetbagger:

Yes, two of the principal sponsors of a constitutional amendment to “protect” marriage include one far-right Republican who hired prostitutes and another far-right Republican who was arrested for soliciting gay sex an airport men’s room.

So is this the difference between Republicans and Democrats: When Democrats get caught in a hypocritical sex scandal, they resign (see Eliot Spitzer). When Republicans get caught with their pants down, they attack the rights of gays (see above).

Stupid Human Tricks

Friday Laugh

Guess what the dude in the screen is doing...


catchphrase blooper - Watch more free videos

My Pre-September 11 Mindset

Over at Malcontent there is a debate raging over the Supreme Court decision asserting that the "terrorists" held at Guantanamo Bay cannot be denied Habeas Corpus. To Matt, that's lefty thinking, favoring a pre-September 11 mindset.

Problem is, George Bush was trying to wield more power than King George III had over Americans back in the day. And they called him a tyrant, as I recall. So, yes, I do have a pre-September 11 mindset. It's a 1776 mindset. It's a mindset that says in a free society the King, er, President, doesn't have the ability to point his finger at anyone he pleases and lock them up, torture them and throw away the key.

The Court's decision doesn't free these so-called "enemy combatants." It just means the government has to charge them with something and show legal proof why they should be detained. If these men are so bad and so dangerous as the Administration claims why would this then be an insurmountable task?

And the people howling that this amounts to giving Osama Bin Laden "Constitutional Rights" -- well, you gotta catch him first. And the Administration's torturing, renditioning, lock em up and throw away the key let's invade Iraq approach hasn't managed that, has it?

Matt also sniffs at doubts that all these "enemy combatants" may not in fact be terrorists. After all, if George Bush says it, it has to be true, right? I mean, Bush has been so correct these last seven years on intelligence matters -- thank God we listened to him and destroyed all those WMDs we found in Iraq. He surely has a slam dunk case against these evil doers. You know, just like his classification of North Korea as part of the Axis of Evil.

Here's what Major General Jay Hood, former commander at Guantanamo told the Wall Street Journal about that:

"[S]ometimes we just didn't get the right folks," but innocents remain at the base because "[n]obody want to be the one to sign the release papers...there's no muscle in the system."

No muscle other than the President, that is. And he is, after all, the Glorious Decider.

Giving George W. Bush Sh*t

That's what San Francisco may do, as voters may decide to rename their sewage treatment plant after the 43rd President.

At least then the president's name would be associated with something that takes foul material and makes it good, as opposed to the opposite, which is what he did to America.

He IS a Jedi Knight

At least he knows how to do the Jedi Mind Trick

He'll Use the Force on the Terrorists

George Lucas says Obama is a Jedi Knight.

But wait. I thought: power and ambition -- a Jedi craves not these things.

Well, no one ever said the Star Wars Universe was internally consistent.

Gratuitous Power

No, I'm not talking about the office of the Vice President.

I just returned from Las Vegas. For someone who would never by choice visit Vegas, this is the third time I've been there this year.

It was 112 degrees.

I'm struck by one thought each time I visit: all the energy required, not just to light and cool the city, but just to get water there. And this city exists for one purpose: recreation.

Somehow, the whole idea of Las Vegas seems anachronistic.

I Want My Gay Ketchup

Unfortunately, Sullivan reports that angry Christians have forced Heinz to pull this ad:

MIA

In case anyone's looking for me I'm being held a corporate captive in Norwalk, CT. Please notify Amnesty International.

Tales of the Introvert at Work -- Continued

And so it was that I found myself attending a REALLY BIG MEETING at a highly visible and well-known lobbying firm in town yesterday afternoon.

How big was the meeting? I had to put on a SUIT with a tie and everything. And not one of those clip on dealies.

Attending the meeting were several lobbyists including one of the principles of the firm.

After the meeting was over, during which I did manage to speak a few sentences, I went to the men's room. Big mistake. While I'm standing there, in walks the head guy who had been in our meeting, Mr. Big Shot Lobbyist. Standing next to me, he says, "I'm glad Tiger won, but I feel kinda sorry for Rocco."

Me: Silence. My desire to flee squelched by the force of nature compelling me to stand at the urinal holding my dick as one of DC's power players attempts to engage me in small talk.

"Yeah, I know what you mean," I manage to croak out. Yes, I know the tiger he is talking about is Tiger Woods and I know he's a golfer. The only other thing I know about him is he's beefed up his physique and I saw an attractive picture of him in shorts and a tee shirt in Men's Health, but that didn't seem to be an appropriate comment to make in that particular moment.

I now know that Woods beat Rocco Mediate. Had Rocco won, he would have been the oldest player to win the US Open Championship. Why didn't I know that? Why can't there be some service for sports-challenged introverted queers that sends out little key facts and talking points to our blackberries? Even if I took the time to peruse the sports page I wouldn't know what's really important to look for (I stopped perusing the sports pages when the NBA went to those long baggy drapey shorts. Ugh). I can't be the only one caught, um, with my pants down trying to make small talk with Mr. Big Shot at the urinal.

And by the way, why do men feel a need to make small talk while pissing? Mr. Big Shot didn't need to say anything, and if he didn't want to be rude he could have just said, "Hey, thanks for coming," or "Nice to see you" as he or I left the bathroom. Even the LTR and I don't talk to each other if we're peeing together in a public place. Is this a straight thing?

Many years ago I got a promotion. My boss said we'd discuss the details about the raise later. Well, later turned out to be when he caught me at the urinal in the men's room. Standing next to me he said, "I know this isn't the most appropriate place, but how about X percent for your raise?" Today I would have said, "you're right, this is not an appropriate place." Back then I was still pretty green and felt trapped. I agreed to the figure as I shook the last drops out. How many businessmen have been hoodwinked into bad deals because they were too focused on not leaving a stain on the front of their pants?

Still, I need a strategy going forward. I will cultivate friends who have interests in the major sports. If the World Series is on, I'll call my basketball buddy to see what the talking points are. And go to the men's room without fear.

Bears

We didn't need to go to Capital Pride to see bears. We saw two this weekend -- bear cubs, actually -- near the spring by the cabin. I tried to get a closeup of one in the tree.

The Mountain Laurel was in bloom and abundant.

We took a 10 mile hike Saturday which included a dip in a natural pool that was beautiful. The storm that was in DC in time for the Pride Parade caught us about 3 pm as we were hiking on the ridge. We got soaked but fortunately did not got hit by lightening that kept licking the mountains. Our cabin was good and dry and we had a great supper. Our cabin porch had a good view of the mountains to the West.




How was your weekend?

In the End it's About the Drag Queens

At least it's always the drag queens (or leather daddies) that get featured in pics or videos of Pride.

Here's today's photo gallery about Pride...and it's all about, yup, Drag Queens.

Is it 2008 or 1988?

Listen: I don't have a problem with either drag queens OR leather daddies. But our community is So Much More than that. Why are drag queens garnering additional attention...what about the ordinary gay heroes who are changing culture by bravely living their lives openly, as Sean Bugg writes about? Or the under 30 somethings the Blade focuses on?

Drag is not new. It's not at the forefront of what is exciting and new in our culture or community. Drag as a topic is tired and it's definitely not news.

One could fault the Post for resorting to cliche in covering Pride this way. But the Pride organizers did select a drag queen to emcee the main stage.

Mountains, here I come.

Breaking...Tim Russert Dies of a Heart Attack

according to a source at the Post.

Log Cabin Shows its Pride

This was one of two pictures in an email sent out by DC Log Cabin inviting people to drop by to say hello or march with them in the Pride Parade.

I'm waiting to see what the Gertrude Stein Club sends out to see who's got the better looking bare chested party bois Pride Enthusiasts. Who knows, maybe I'll cancel my mountain plans.

The other picture in the email, btw, was Carol Schwartz. That will make MattyDale happy.

If I Weren't a Gay Man

Will O'Bryan wonders aloud in this week's Metro Weekly if he could have chosen to be straight, would he have? This thought-provoking piece made me think about my life if I weren't gay.

The biggest change I wonder is if I would have had such a profound sense of otherness. I've always felt "different" -- how much of that is due to my sexuality can only be guessed at. Growing up, my lack of interest in sports always made it difficult for me to fit in, with peers or adults.

As an adult, I still find it difficult to naturally relate to groups of straight men. I simply don't have much to contribute in social gatherings where the banter is related to sports, cleavage and quips from Caddyshack and Animal House. I'm still an outsider to that fraternity.

I also wonder, if I were straight, if I would be as introspective as I am. From an early age, what I was taught about who and what I should be was in deep conflict with what I felt I was. Beyond contributing to my sense of otherness, this made me very thoughtful (in the sense of thinking, not in the sense of giving, as I am very selfish and inward-focused).

I also think, had I not been gay, I would have likely never questioned what I was taught about religion. I would likely still be dogmatically Christian (I used to teach Sunday School) and would probably be -- given my conservative tilt anyway -- a right-wing Christian fanatic. I know I'd be much more close-minded and may not have even ventured outside the rural area I grew up in.


Growing up, I used to think I'd be a veterinarian. So maybe if I weren't gay (and allergic to some animals) I'd be a small town vet, with wife and kids, a lay leader in my church and likely a GOP precinct Captain. Hell, I probably would have run for public office, been elected and enjoy some success as a Republican lawmaker, only to go down in some sex scandal when I hit middle age, get divorced and lose re-election and have to change churches.

So, come to think about it -- thank God I'm Gay.

UPDATE: Although, if I weren't Gay, there never would have been that unfortunate karaoke incident in Tampa with MattyDale. Just sayin.'

Ipod Random Ten

Haven't done this in a while so here goes:

1. Dance on your Grave, from Naked Man, performed by the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus
2. Ghost Riders in the Sky, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson
3. I Got You Babe, Sonny and Cher
4. No Frontiers, the Corrs
5. Finale B, Rent soundtrack
6. Ashoken Farewell
7. There is no Lonliness, Naked Man
8. I Wish I Could Go Back to College, Avenue Q Soundtrack (thanks Drew!)
9. One for My Baby, Bette Midler
10. Walk Like an Egyptian, the Bangles
    

PETA's Interns

Making copies, getting coffee and answering the phone doesn't look so bad now.

More on Pride

Mattydale gives a full-throated* defense of the fun of hanging with friends at Pride. As if hanging with friends needs defending, my friend.

I find it necessary to point out I'm not against the fun, partying and hanging with friends that happens at Pride. And in many ways, that's a part of pride rooted in history, as it was the police raid of the Stonewall Inn where gays were gathered to do exactly that that started it all.

But does that justify all the resources, money and importance we place on Pride?

Paul Varnell writing in Independent Gay Forum has some common-sense suggestions for making Pride serve the community in practical ways. They are:

The service organizations that depend on volunteers should strongly encourage their volunteers to march in the parade. For instance, the local community center claims "hundreds" of volunteers. If so, show us. And show the general public our level of community spirit. That might encourage others to volunteer as well.

A generation ago, it was difficult to get any politicians except the most liberal from the safest districts to participate in the parade. Not any longer. The number has now grown quite large as every office holder and political aspirant wants the publicity of being in the parade. So now, in order to qualify for admission to the parade, politicians should have to sign a statement saying they support domestic partner benefits in their office and civil unions or gay marriage. If they don't, what are they doing in OUR parade?

The large corporations that enter floats should have to disclose whether they have a non-discrimination clause, whether they offer domestic partner benefits for gay and lesbian employees, whether they have and support a gay employees organization. And they should be encouraged to indicate any corporate support they have given to gay organizations. That information could be noted in the program booklet for the parade.

So, have fun, everyone attending Pride this weekend. I'll raise my glass to you from the mountains...and to the queers who kicked open the closet doors for all of us 39 years ago at Stonewall.

*"full-throated" It's the other cliche emerging out of the 2008 election cycle.

The Supremes Rescue Habeas

Money Quote from today's 5-4 ruling:

"The laws and Constitution are designed to survive, and remain in force, in extraordinary times."

And this:

Security subsists, too, in fidelity to freedom's first principles. Chief among these are freedom from arbitrary and unlawful restraint and the personal liberty that is secured by adherence to the separation of powers

Any police-state action can be justified as necessary for "our safety." What I take the Supremes to be saying is security, yes, but not at the cost of illegal suspension of civil liberties.

The DNC Goes to Chicago

Obama is moving the political operation of the DNC to Chicago. That's a slick move. I happened to be working at the RNC in the transition from Reagan to George H.W. Bush. There was always tension between the Committee and the Campaign and it seemed difficult to always be on the same page. Indeed it appears that problem is plaguing the RNC and McCain Campaign.

This will help solve that problem for Obama -- and it reinforces the "change" theme.

Brilliant.

Or as a commenter on the TPM story notes, "good to see that the campaign and the DNC will be in the loop."

Where I'll Be This Weekend

While y'all are watching stoned circuit party boys on floats and bidding for bachelor number one to celebrate Pride this weekend, I'll be here.



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What Happens When Politics and Relationships Don't Mix?

(hat tip: DCist).

Spock. An Introvert?

I was on my "it sucks to be an introvert in an extrovert world" kick with a friend and she said Spock was an introvert. Is he? I'm not so sure.

What's Lacking in Pride is a Movement

I shouldn't be so hard on Capital Pride.


Sidebar: Although they somewhat set themselves up for the ridicule. My main reason for being disdainful is that Pride is a lack of purpose pretending to have a purpose. From the Cap Pride's Web Site:

June 6th will kick-off the 33rd annual Capital Pride celebration! This years theme of "History. Vision. Legacy." will allow attendees from near and far to be part of a celebration of what it means to be Proud in our Nation's capital.

The weeklong celebration of educational, civic and social events, will culminate with the landmark parade on Saturday, June 14th and the street festival Sunday, June 15th. (emphasis added).

But if you review the schedule of weeklong events, you find one forum, one interfaith service, and then happy hour, a bachelor auction, a bachelorette auction, a Miss Capitol Pride Pageant, a men's party, a woman's party, a parade and a street festival. Dancing shirtless, bidding on on beefcake and competing drag queens -- this is "what it means to be proud in our nation's capital?" Drop the pretense. It's a party with no purpose other than partying. It's a Mardi Gras.

End Sidebar.

Problem is, there is a vacuum in our community, one that Pride could help begin to fill by being a rallying point. What's missing in Pride is a national gay civil rights movement.

In California a volcano just erupted. Part of the fallout of that event is going to be a backlash at the ballot box this November. Winning there has ramifications for the entire community. It's the beginning of the collapse of legal and political discrimination against gays. If we win.

You couldn't tell that D-Day will be happening this November based on Capital Pride (and the gays in California acted like they've already one, according to this observer).

But, as I said, I'm expecting too much of Pride organizers. Their task is to throw a party, not galvanize a community into a national movement. Problem is, no one is doing this. One might think HRC would be such a vehicle, but HRC is fundamentally a fundraising organization not a civil rights grassroots organization. And it's too in bed with the Democratic Party to take the risks needed for a civil rights movement. Partisans don't like to rock the boat in favor of their incumbents and civil rights movements make waves.

Pride has its pleasures (as this fellow noted). It's just too bad that nearly 40 years after Stonewall our community hasn't been able to form a cohesive national civil rights movement.

Happy Pride.

Police Check Points

You're driving through town. You reach a certain neighborhood and come upon a police checkpoint. You're questioned. Why are you coming into this neighborhood? Do you have appropriate ID? If you don't have your ID, or fail to give a reason for being there that the police officer deems "legitimate" you are turned away.

Where is this? Baghdad? Moscow under the Commie Overlords? Try Washington, D.C. Capital of the free world.

The checkpoints were put in place around a DC neighborhood called Trinidad in Northeast where there was a violent outbreak of crime. DC Police Czar Chief Cathy Lanier justifies the measure as necessary to protect the citizens and, after all, she says, people have to go through checkpoints to get on a plane or go to an event.

The crime warrants an increased police presence in the neighborhood but not the police-state-like harassment of law abiding citizen who should be able to move freely around their home city. In Baltimore, they have reduced crime without resorting to Commie tactics (according to the WaPo):

Police in Baltimore, where there has been a 36 percent decrease in homicides and shootings this year, said they attribute that to targeting violent criminals and improving relationships with members of the community.

"You lock up the baddest of the bad in part by working with people in the neighborhood," Baltimore police spokesman Sterling Clifford said. "You look to people in the neighborhood to tell you who they are and where they are."

Which leads me to ask -- can you tell the difference between DC Police Chief Cathy Lanier and the Communist?

The Fall Campaign Shapes Up

And in some ways it seems like the primary campaign all over again, with McCain standing in for Hillary.

McCain, "maverick"image notwithstanding, is the "experience" candidate who is now trying to twist Obama's "change" message into his own slogan (change you can believe in). Remember Clinton's "fairy tale" meme? Her attempts to portray herself as having 35 years of experience making change? It didn't work for her, and I doubt it will work for McCain.

Like in the primary, where Obama was the underdog in delegate-rich states, Obama is the underdog in states with a lot of Electoral College votes. He will seek to make it up in other states to replicate what he did in the primary -- offset losses in big states with multiple victories in smaller ones. In fact, he has announced a "50-state" strategy. It will be interesting to see if he can push McCain to pour money into states that should be a "wash" for him, as he did to Hillary in Pennsylvania.

Finally, we'll let George Will have the last word. He says current polls are meaningless because Obama has shattered their turnout models.

Reason Number Nine Why I'm Not Going to Capital Pride

I actually tried to visit the Capital Pride Web site because there was actually something POSITIVE I wanted to say about Pride this year and I needed to get the info...but their Web site was down.

Anyway, I'll give another reason for not going to Pride instead:

Last Year.

Last year sucked. From the parade marshals who screamed and pushed us the entire length of the Pride Parade to the announcers at the reviewing stand whose sole purpose was to denigrate the participants OF the parade, I simply had a lousy time.

Cliche of the 2008 Campaign

The 2006 campaign gave us "at the end of the day." It was the most commonly used phrase by newscasters, politicians and pundits when making a point.

In 08, the word is "pivot." Notice how often this word is creeping into public discourse about the campaign. As in, "the long primary campaign now over, Obama will pivot to focus on the fall campaign against John McCain."

Or, "after remarking on the historic nature of her own candidacy, Clinton pivoted to tout her support for the historic campaign of Barack Obama."

It's even made it as a Wall Street Journal headline:

After Mixed Primary Performance, Pollsters Pivot Toward November

Clearly, for 2008, this word is, well, pivotal.

Way Out There in the Blue

Riding on a smile and a shoeshine*.

Sales call today...and I look absolutely spiff in a brown suit, lavender shirt and tasteful purple tie. And, my new brown dress shoes I bought yesterday for the occasion.

Other than that, I have nothing to say for once.

*know the source for this quote? Anyone?

Reason Number Seven Why I'm Not Going To Capital Pride This Year

The Pride Parade's Grand Marshall: Bruce Villanch.

Now, I mean no disrespect to Mr. Villanch. But with all that's happened historically for our movement in the past year, he is the best person to lead off the Pride Parade in the Nation's Capital? Really?

By the way, the theme of this year's Pride (did you know Pride had a "theme?"):

History, Vision, Legacy.

Yes, Villanch represents that theme very well, doesn't he.

Her Speech

One thing that stuck out, to me, was that she clearly didn't want to be president. She wanted to be the First Woman President. That someone else is getting the nomination when she was supposed to have been inevitable AND that person will claim the mantle of being the First Black President, thus beating Hillary in two ways, had to deeply rankle.

Yet, it was a stunning speech. Brava.

What's in a Speech

That sure was an exciting speech John McSame McCain gave Tuesday night, no? You know, the endless repetition of "that's not change we can believe in" followed by the creepy smile that looks like he just said something sexually inappropriate to an underage female relative.

Question to McCain staff: Why would you put your candidate -- not the best orator -- up against a victorious candidate who is a gifted one?

Drudge today carried a link to an article with the headline, "McCain says substance matters more than style." Funny -- that's what Democrats used to say about Ronald Reagan.

Anyway, all of this got me thinking -- is speechifying that important for a President?

I would argue, yes. If you look at most of our greatest presidents they were all great orators.

Lincoln gave good speech
Kennedy gave good speech
Reagan gave good speech (I know not all of you will agree with me that he was a "great" president)


And Obama gives good speech.

With a vast majority of Americans saying our country is on the wrong track, we need a president who can not only unify us but inspire us to a new direction.

That president will not be John McCain

Stuck

The Hidden Ceiling: Introverts at Work

Once again, I am an introvert.

I've no doubt this has hurt my career. A former boss used to get really mad at me after meetings. "Speak up!" she would say. "You're too deferential!" Actually, I was processing what all the idiot extros were saying.

My hunch is that if i were competing against someone else with the same age and background, but who is more extroverted, I would lose.

The Psychology 101 Web site says:

Since North American culture promotes teamwork and communication, introverts at work may struggle professionally. Extroverts at work enjoy attention, network well, and are good at marketing themselves. These qualities make them appear to be better at their jobs than introverts at work, but appearances are often deceiving.

Recently, as I've shared, my current boss said, "you're not the most outgoing person." It was not a compliment. Another co-worker recently semi-jokingly referred to me as "aloof."

So I've decided to launch a Scott Outreach campaign. Each day I'm sticking my head in a co-worker's office to banter. The campaign is having some immediate results -- co-workers are now poking their heads into my office with greater frequency.

It's interrupted my work and slowed my productivity down...but hey, at least I'm "coming out of my shell."

Bob Burnham

Bob Burnham is a 17 year old comedian. I liked this clip for its wordplay. He has other funny bits on You Tube...check out Rehab for Fictional Characters.

Where No Man Has Gone Before

Mr. Sulu is getting hitched.

The Torch Has Been Passed

Reuters Says Not So Fast...

At this point, what possible interest does she serve by denying Obama his victory lap?

Is it Over?

AP says so.

And how Clintonesque. It's not a concession but an acknowledgment that he has the delegates to get the nomination.

Why Republicans Are Good at Winning

From the Illinois state finance committee's letter urging Clinton supporters to stay firm:

We also know she is the Democratic candidate best able to beat John McCain in the fall. One thing we are certain of is that the Republicans are good at winning elections. We, as Democrats, allowed them to win the last two contests, and we cannot afford to let that happen again.

(via Politico).

Well, yes. It's much easier for Republicans to win elections when the Democrats are so good at tearing each other apart. Claims that voters in two states were wrongly "disenfranchised" and constant attacks on Obama's electability, claims that she is denied the nomination somehow because she is a woman, all that will leave Democrats embittered and fractured. As a Republican president understood so well, houses divided don't stand.

And that's why Republicans are "good at winning elections."

Oh -- this just in: Hillary is ahead in the popular vote in states ending in vowels that were founded in an odd-numbered year.

Spanish Lessons

Since "retiring" from conducting the band I've been mulling over what to tackle next.

One thought is to take Spanish lessons. I've always wanted to learn and I can get by to some degree on what little I remember from my high school Spanish classes.

I'm looking into getting a tutor. I'd rather someone come to my home than have to rush somewhere for a class.

But then it occurs to me: I'm an introvert. I really don't like to talk that much.

So now I'm not going to talk to people in two languages?

Speed Limit on the Capitol Crescent Trail

Park officials have decided to impose a 15 mph speed limit on cyclists on the Capitol Crescent Trail, one of the most popular trails in the DC region. It was an arbitrary decision made without an opportunity for hearing or public comment.

And one that will have little impact on public safety -- if any.

Yes, there are unsafe cyclists. But as someone who is one these trails every day, it's the pedestrians who pose the greatest safety hazards to cyclists and to themselves.

Each day I see:

Peds wearing Ipods oblivious to traffic around them.
Ditto peds talking on cell phones
Dog walkers with their dogs unleashed
Dog walkers with their dogs on long leashes with the dog darting back and forth across the trail
Peds walking two or three abreast blocking the trail in both directions and who fail to heed to passing warnings
And, in my book, the worst: walking the wrong way on the path.

Cyclists have the Washington Area Bicyclists Association which promotes trail sharing and safety.

If there is a pedestrian equivalent I've not heard of it.

And why 15 mph? How did they arrive at that magic number. While the average cycling speed varies greatly, some have pegged it around 12.5 mph. So will 15 mph encourage the average cyclists to speed up and improve their speed?

A safe cyclist will slow down on a crowded trail and be as predictable as possible in his or her movements, warning those they pass. Most cyclists are aware of the rules of the road and adhere to them. It seems to me many pedestrians are not aware and act as if the trails belong to them. Recently I gave a warning -- as required -- as I passed a pedestrian on the GW trail. She raised her hands at me in indignation as if to say I was being rude to her and that she wasn't doing anything wrong.

At night I am shocked by the number of peds on the trails with dark clothing, no reflective material and no light. Do they have a death wish?

The move to enact the speed limit is being portrayed as "educational." Fine. But focusing just on the cyclists on the trails misses the bulk of the problem.

On this Day in 1964

The Beatles single "Love Me Do" hits number 1.
Julie Andrews is best actress in "Mary Poppins."
Gilligan's Island, the Dick Van Dyke show and the Beverly Hillbillies are hits on TV.
The Easy Bake oven is a top new toy.
"Why We Can't Wait" by Martin Luther King is a top selling book (fierce urgency of now, anyone?).
Jackie Kennedy lays flowers on her martyred husband's grave.

And, oh yeah. I was born.

Introverts of the World Unite!

Problem is, get us all in a room and no one would say anything.

Look -- I'm an introvert. My boss recently reminded me of this when talking about a problem inter-personal relationship between me and another in my office, and she remarked, "you're not the most outgoing person in the world."

Who knew she had a gift for understatement?

I'm tired of feeling bad that I'm an Introvert. It's time to claim a little Introvert Pride (Instead of protests we'll have "think-ins." The silence will speak volumes).

First, a definition: an introvert gets his energy from within, an extrovert from without. It's not that we Intros are shy, per se, look, I spent the weekend at a nude beach. But, as an introvert, I need some alone time to recharge after being with a lot of people; an extrovert gets his energy from a lot of people. As a psychology web site says:

Introverts tend to get their energy from within, so being with people is draining. After a day filled with people or activities, introverts tend to feel exhausted and empty. To recharge their batteries introverts need to be alone reading, daydreaming, painting, or gardening – any solo activity fills them up again.

One of the things introverts hate is small talk. I find it boring and repetitive and not worth the energy it takes me to participate. How many times in our lives do we have to say the same things over and over about the weather being too hot or too cold or the fact that weathermen suck? Small talk about the weather just means we are emitting more personal carbon dioxide and making global warming worse. If we all stopped making small talk about it being "hot enough for ya?" how many polar bears could we save?

Being stereotypically gay in one aspect -- I don't follow ANY team sport -- adds to the problem of being a small-talk-hating introvert. Let's face it, sports is a conversation ice breaker. And my attempts at participating have been met with disaster. Years ago, waiting for a business meeting to begin, someone mentioned how exciting the "tournament" had been the night before. Now, I had watched the men's figure skating championships the previous evening. Here was small talk I could participate in that I found interesting! I quickly chimed in, "yes, Brian Boitano was fabulous!" Everyone looked at me. Of course they were talking about the NBA tournament. I think that has something to do with basketball. Small talk is better left to the extroverts.

Jonathan Rauch, an admitted practicing introvert has written that we Intros are persecuted:

The worst of it is that extroverts have no idea of the torment they put us through. Sometimes, as we gasp for air amid the fog of their 98-percent-content-free talk, we wonder if extroverts even bother to listen to themselves. Still, we endure stoically, because the etiquette books—written, no doubt, by extroverts—regard declining to banter as rude and gaps in conversation as awkward. We can only dream that someday, when our condition is more widely understood, when perhaps an Introverts' Rights movement has blossomed and borne fruit, it will not be impolite to say "I'm an introvert. You are a wonderful person and I like you. But now please shush."

Despite the oppression we Intros face we are successful. George Washington was an Introvert. Ronald Reagan was probably one too. Most actors and artists are. Even successful business men. Warren Buffet? Yup. Albert Einstein? Of course. Queen Elizabeth? A practicing Intro!

So yes, I am an introvert and proud of it. We're here. We're quiet. Get used to it.

Larry Craig, Tapping Back to the Bathroom

Tapping, on his keyboard, that is.

Yes, Larry Craig is writing a book. And yes, he's taking us there:

"There will be a bit of what's happened in the last year, and the way it evolved,” Craig said. “I think that's important for Idaho and those outside Idaho who are interested to know."

Really?

Let's hope he doesn't give us diagrams -- or, God forbid, pictures -- of his supposed "wide stance."

Could someone please get this man some help?

En Route to Louisville

From the beach to the Bluegrass state. Hopefully. Currently delayed in foggy gloomy Cleveland.

In the security line at National this morning there was a young soldier in desert fatigues. He started to remove his boots when the TSA agent told him he didn't have to, after showing his military ID. Good, I thought -- the young men and women who put their lives on the line for our security shouldn't have to endure the same indignities we do.

When I got through security, quickly reclaimed my stuff, I saw him again, this time in the search area, and he was taking off his boots. He'd been tagged for some reason, and was busy removing every bit of medal from his body and uniform before being frisked.

I know the TSA agent was just doing his job. It just seemed wrong.

Tales from the Naturist/Naked/Nekkid (whatever) Beach

Day two at the nude beach was sunny, clear and warm and the beach was more crowded and more diverse. Every age, shape and size. And by size you know what I mean and I think you do.

I said to the LTR: Wow, that guy's got a huge rod.

The LTR looks at the fisherman walking down the beach carrying his gear. The LTR punched me.

Yes, they fish naked here.

And play volleyball naked.

At our guesthouse we met a lesbian couple who planned to have a holy union the next day at the beach. They met four months ago, at a Home Depot. It wasn't long before they moved in together and, now, this. Well, at least they weren't conforming to stereotype.

Also met a 40s something DC guy at the beach who was staying in Asbury Park, 15 miles further south, because there's a gay bar there. "There's no nightlife here" he said, meaning Highlands where we were staying. From the looks of him he should skip the nightlife and take a nap. For about two years.

We're going back later this summer.

Meanwhile, at the Naturist Beach

You ever have one of those dreams where you're standing in front of everyone naked?

Well, the LTR and I spent the day at Gunnison Beach, where exposing all your parts to the sun is not only legal but expected. This is our second trip here.

It was very relaxing and the LTR fell asleep after lunch. I was restless, and took a walk. While I was gone, he woke up. He said he didn't know where he was, he was alone, and he was naked! After a few seconds the panic was gone and he put it together. Until he realized that the magazine he had been reading fell on his lap while he slept. And while he sweat. So he had a big ink stain across his, well, interior. At least it was a painless way to get a tattoo there.

Two observations about the naturist beach (even people who take off all the clothes have politically correct terminology, you musn't say "nude").

1) The clientele here skews fat. Not just out of shape but moridly obese. Now, this doesn't bother me as I'm no model either. And I'm not here to look at naked people who turn me 0n (I have the Internet for that). I'm here to experience being natural outdoors. But there is enough common obesity to make me wonder if it is a constant in the naturist community? And if so, why? Is it a way of saying "fuck you" to our Abercrombie and Fitch obsessed culture?

2) If you're going to sunbathe at a nude beach, take your clothes off. Here at Sandyhook there are multiple beaches to choose from and only one naturist beach. So if you are on the naturist beach donning a bathing suit you're only there for one reason -- to gawk. To me it's the only perverse thing about the beach. You. In the wet clingly bathing suit. Take it off or get out. We fat naked people don't like you staring at us.

Life's a Beach

The LTR and I did something astounding. We actually made reservations at Sandy Hook Cottage, a bed and breakfast (where they celebrate diversity, wink-wink, nod-nod) on the Jersey shore for the holiday weekend.

Usually, about a week or less before a major holiday, one of us will say to the other, "Hey, it's a holiday weekend. Let's go somewhere." Hilarity ensues as we scramble to find a place -- anyplace -- with an availability. So far no one has laughed in our face two days before oh, New Year's Day weekend and we asked for a room. I think they save the derisive laughter for after they hang up. Then we usually resign ourselves to a weekend of yard work.

But, anyway, back in Feb. it dawned on me that they'd be holding Memorial Day weekend again this year and I booked us a room -- the Captain's Quarters if you want to check it out.

Looks like there are lots of things to do there, from shopping, hiking, museums and of course the nude beach at Sandy Hook.

Have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend. I feel sorry for you poor slobs who didn't plan ahead. Enjoy your yard work.

Race in the Race in Kentucky

Sully shows the uglier side of things.

Ellen and McCain, Part II

When I was growing up, I remember a news show where they interviewed a "practicing homosexual." The man was afraid -- ashamed was the implication -- to show his face and they kept him in shadows. Being gay was so bad you couldn't show your face. The love that dare not speak its name and all that.

Fast forward to yesterday, and on one of America's most popular daytime talk shows a lesbian host talks about her upcoming wedding with another woman with the Republican nominee for president, and with the audience cheering on it's the straight man in the room who looks awkward and uncomfortable.

Incredible.

Ellen v. McCain

She's been criticized for de-emphasizing her gayness in favor of celebrity. That can be said no more. Perhaps she was waiting for a moment when it would matter most. I'd say this is pitch perfect:

ELLEN DeGENERES: Yeah, I mean, I think that it's -- it is looked at -- and some people are saying the same -- that blacks and women did not have the right to vote. I mean, women just got the right to vote in 1920. Blacks didn't have the right to vote until 1870. And it just feels like there is this old way of thinking that we are not all the same. We are all the same people, all of us. You're no different than I am. Our love is the same. To me -- to me, what it feels like -- just, you know, I will speak for myself
-- it feels -- when someone says, "You can have a contract, and you'll still have insurance, and you'll get all that," it sounds to me like saying, "Well, you can sit there; you just can't sit there." That's what it sounds like to me. It feels like -- it doesn't feel inclusive...It feels -- it feels isolated. It feels like we are not -- you know, we aren't owed the same things and the same wording.

SENATOR JOHN McCAIN: Well, I've heard you articulate that position in a very eloquent fashion. We just have a disagreement. And I, along with many, many others, wish you every happiness.

ELLEN DeGENERES: Thank you. So you'll walk me down the aisle? Is that what you're saying?

SENATOR JOHN McCAIN: Touche.

ELLEN DeGENERES: Well, my hope is someday it won't be called a contract; it will be called marriage.

Something Foul at Meet the Press?

Forget the 2008 election. Forget Florida and Michigan and Veep choices. Iraq? Fuhgetabboutit. global warming? Phooey.

Here's the REALLY BIG ISSUE:

Did he or didn't he?

The Complete Guide to Proper Cornholing

Why not? There's a DIY guide for everything. And the author clearly sees a need:

“I’ve noticed in recent years most people don’t have a clue about proper cornholing technique. Improper approach, poor follow-through, and generally sloppy form will invariably lead you too far to the left and that’s NO good for anyone involved.”

Tip Number One:

First, you must get everything set up and ready. Proper cornholing requires a lot of space. You need plenty of room so that there are no unwelcome collisions with your sack.

Read the entire guide to proper cornholing, complete with helpful photos and illustrations.

He's Trying to Kill Me

The LTR (state record holder in VA for bench press in his age and weight class for two years running) put together a new workout for me. He sent it to me this morning. After reviewing it I emailed him back:

That's torture! I said.

No, he wrote. It's just "Enhanced Workout Techniques!"

Andrew Sullivan, call your office.

Homosexuality in the Wild

In a Fox News (Fox News!) article about scientists finding rampant evidence of animals in the wild exhibiting homosexual behavior and advocating San Francisco values, many speculate why evolution would favor such practices.

One reason may be simply because it feels good:

Not every sexual act has a reproductive function," said Janet Mann, a biologist at Georgetown University.

Clearly an activist scientist.

But she goes on:

"It could be a way that you strengthen bonds — that's one hypothesis," Mann told LiveScience. "Another is that it could be practice for heterosexual sex. Bottlenose dolphin calves mount each other a lot. That might benefit them later on."

Oh. So that's where the term "practicing homosexual" comes from.

But the one thing unique to humans with regards to homosexuality?

Homophobia.

Top Gay-Friendly Vacation Spots

Take Gambia off the list.

Euphonic Gumshoe

Never came home from a night at Drew's place.

At least he's not been heard from on his blog since May 7.

Should we send Clarice to look around?

No Place in American Politics

Of the picture of the voter with the Obama-Curious George tee shirt, a reader writes:

Scott, for what's it worth as a moderate GOPer, I think this kind of crap is out of place in America.

But then, I thought that same thing when I saw HRC and CodePink posters being carried in DC back in 2004 with pictures of W kissing KarlRove or pictures of Laura Bush with slogans like "You can't trust her! She killed her childhood friend!"

It has no place in American politics.

Well, first, the Curious George slur.

It saddened me. That someone would vote against Obama because of his race or his supposed religion is galling. That a voter would proudly tout a racist image was painful to see. But it is her right to express her political opinions as she see fit, even if it offends me -- and it does.

But as sad as it makes me, it's her right to say it (just as it's my right to ridicule and mock it).

Regarding the HRC pictures:

It's not how I would choose to express my grievances with the Bush Administration. But I'm not sure that I see it on the equal to the Obama smear. What is so offensive? A gay kiss? The disrespect? The cartoonish aspect?

Presidents have been disrespectfully mocked and pilloried in cartoons since the Republic began. I revere Abraham Lincoln -- yet in my office hang two prints of cartoons disrespectfully lampooning him. It goes with the territory.

Or maybe it's the idea of a gay kiss that offends you?

Look, any long-time reader of this blog knows I think the HRC is ineffective, and they blew it in 2004 with their George W you're fired campaign. But I'm curious Mich-Matt. Why are you so offended that you would seemingly ban those images from political discourse?

The Black Knight Scene

"What you gonna do, bleed on me?" It's about all Hillary, er, the Black Knight, has left.

Dana Milbank, Hillary and the Black Knight

Remember the Black Knight scene in Monty Python where King Arthur keeps hacking off the limbs of his foe the Black Knight, who insists his wounds are no more than a scratch? Until he's devoid of arms and legs?

Washington Post political columnist Dana Milbank (whom I find oddly sexy, in a political geek sort of way) likens Hillary to the Black Knight in his column today, a must read.

I loved this line:

We're here in a gym," Clinton correctly observes.

But, Milbank points out, that's about the only correct observation she has about her own chances of winning.

Obama's ahead by every measure relevant to the Democratic Party's nomination process. But, as Milbank observes:

"There is no way that this is gonna end anytime soon," vows Knight Clinton, standing her ground at the bridge.

Washington Post's Gay Distinctions

The WashPo editorializes today that the California Supreme Court "meddled" in the gay marriage debate in California.

Yes, how troublesome that the California Supremes made a ruling about the California state constitution. Interlopers.

Before I get to the substance of the Post Editorial, let me say this about the "activist judges" nonsense. I could see that term applying if the Court, bored one day said, hey, let's make gay marriage legal! The Gays will be dancing in the streets!

No, what happened here and in other cases, a minority pressed for a legal decision about whether their constitutional rights were being infringed. And the court made a decision in response to the minority. That's their job.

To the editorial -- the Post says that the California supremes:

correctly recognized that government bears the highest burden if it decides to treat differently the relationships between opposite-sex and same-sex couples.

And so the California court ruled that the government did not meet that burden. And the Post wants to second guess -- i.e., "meddle" -- that decision. The Post makes an odd distinction, saying the U.S. Supreme Court acted correctly in finding that separate was not equal when it comes to school segregation (Brown v. Brd of Education) but that rationale can't apply to gay folk wanting to get married:

This is a far cry from the California experience with the rights of same-sex couples. The state's elected representatives passed sweeping legislation in 1999 that gave same-sex couples near legal parity with their opposite-sex counterparts; that landmark legislation has been amended over the years to expand the rights of gay couples. Before the court ruling, same-sex couples in California had virtually the same -- not separate, but the same -- legal rights as heterosexual couples, insofar as state law can grant that.

Emphasis added. The key words here are "near" and "virtually" the same rights. We gay folk are supposed to be grateful we're granted nearly and virtually the same rights as straight people. How dare we question whether or not that's okay in a society supposedly based on the notion of equal protection under the laws.

The California Court looked at the California state constitution and agreed separate is not equal. All three branches of California's government are now on record supporting the rights of gay people not to be discriminated against by marriage.

It's too bad the Post thinks that "virtually" equal is just fine for gay Americans.

Menu Change

I've said before I have no practical skills and this is certainly true in the kitchen. The LTR was traveling this weekend and he asked me to set out the chicken to thaw Sunday for dinner Monday.

Actually, he said for me to set out the "pterodactyl" as he usually buys these really HUGE mammoth whole chickens that could easily be mistaken for the giant prehistoric birds (and unlike Giant's cuts of beef which are usually so gristly and tough that they probably ARE prehistoric, these birds are actually very good). And so we call chicken, "pterodactyl."

So Sunday I dutifully complied, awarding myself good husband points for completing a honey-do task without a reminder.

The LTR just returned home and I emailed him and asked him how things were there.

He replied, "Ok. I'm a little surprised that you set out a 14 pound turkey for dinner."

Oops.

Well, like I said, no practical skills...

The Real McCain

McCain gets the sniper fire in Bosnia treatment.

The Onion's Election Glossary

Pretty funny.

Example:

• MoveOn.org

  A company offering routine tests of your e-mail's spam filter.

And:

• hope

  An intangible object within every American that is destroyed every four years in November.

Are Politicians Failing Our Lobbyists?

Hat Tip: Adam S.

History Boys

Two things stood out after seeing The History Boys at D.C.'s Studio Theater last night.

One was the fact that (typically) of the two gay lead characters one ends up dead and the other ends up a loser and a loner. There can be no happy gays on the stage. Tangentially, it struck me as odd that the school boys would accept one of their own -- "Datkin," played by Jay Sullivan -- gleefully seeking an affair with a young male professor. The play is set in the 1980s and I don't recall that sort of openness about bisexuality. Oh wait, this is set in England, well, cheerio and pip pip. Perhaps Margaret Thatcher's Great Britain was more progressive than we thought it was.

The other thing that stood out was ensemble actor Adam Foss (pictured). He's a beautiful young man and he moved energetically and gracefully about the stage. He didn't have much else to do, but of the boys he seemed the most innocent, eager and mischievous. And he was just plain fun to watch. I hope to see him in a meatier role in the future.

Okay, I said, two things, but here's a bonus:

There's a scene where the audience is waiting for the student Datkin to make a move on his young professor (shortly after Datkin invites the prof. to "suck me off"). Man, could you feel the tension in the theater and everyone was rapt. It's one of those collective live theater experiences that make it worth going to the theater.

Queery -- 20 Gay Questions

The Blade feature with my answers to their 20 "gay" questions. Let me know what you think.

California Supreme Court Decision on Same Sex Marriage

The right is making predictable noises on the California Supreme Court decision on same sex marriage, about activist judges and the will of the legislature being overturned.

The CA legislature has twice voted in FAVOR of same sex marriage.

The elected governor of CA, Ah-nold, supports the CA Supremes' decision.

Now the right will strike back with a ballot initiative to make same sex marriage unconstitutional. Which is their right to try and do.

And we must stop them. And the polls are moving in our direction. Winning in CA on this issue should become the number one gay civil rights issue in the nation. More important than Hillary. Or Obama.

Do you get it, HRC?

Hillary: Waving to Imaginary Friends

Things must be getting to Hillary -- she's waving to imaginary friends. In a tick-tock piece Dana Milbank of the WashPo wrote about Hillary's day during the West Virginia primary:

2:57 p.m., Yeager Airport, Charleston, W.Va.: A steep descent brings Clinton's plane to Charleston's hilltop airport. After an appropriate wait, she steps from the plane and pretends to wave to a crowd of supporters; in fact, she is waving to 10 photographers underneath the airplane's wing. She pretends to spot an old friend in the crowd, points and gives another wave; in fact, she is waving at an aide she had been talking with on the plane minutes earlier.

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. There is no man behind the curtain. But of course, Hillary's not the only one who does it. A reader in a chat on the Post asked Milbank if others do it too. He says:

Bush does it all the time, waving to the photographers as if he's greeting a campaign rally. What was unique about the Clinton arrival in West Virginia was how she singled out one woman in the crowd with a special wave, indicating how surprised and delighted she was to see her. The woman was a press aide who had just been with Clinton on the flight from Washington. She waved back, dutifully.

Leave it to Clinton to take fakery to a whole new level. Hey, can't you news media guys turn the cameras and report what's really going on? Isn't that your job?

Curious George as Obama 08

So much for "post racial."

It's Appalachia

It's my native neck of the woods that's giving Obama his problems. Josh Marshall explains how Appalachia is the common denominator in Obama's losses to She-Who-Will-Not-Be-Denied. Quote of note:

There's been a lot of talk in this campaign about Barack Obama's problem with working class white voters or rural voters. But these claims are both inaccurate because they are incomplete. You can look at states like Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and other states and see the different numbers and they are all explained by one basic fact. Obama's problem isn't with white working class voters or rural voters. It's Appalachia. That explains why Obama had a difficult time in Ohio and Pennsylvania and why he's getting crushed in West Virginia and Kentucky.

If it were just a matter of rural voters or the white working class, the pattern would show up in other regions. But by and large it does not.

Read the whole insightful post here.

How Gay Am I Part II

So gay that I pumped iron this morning while listening to "Lonely Goatherd" from the Sound of Music on my Ipod. I practically skipped through the gym.

The very fact I have "Lonely Goatherd" on my Ipod I think qualifies me as pretty gay, let alone working out to it. And now I have stuck in my head. And now so do you.

Half Breed

This sentiment seems to have been present in West Virginia:

Karen Seifert, a volunteer from New York, was outside of the largest polling location in Lackawanna County, Pa., on primary day when she was pressed by a Clinton volunteer to explain her backing of Obama. "I trust him," Seifert replied. According to Seifert, the woman pointed to Obama's face on Seifert's T-shirt and said: "He's a half-breed and he's a Muslim. How can you trust that?"

No, not everyone in West Virginia who voted for Clinton voted because of these base sentiments. But it would seem a lot of them did.

So for them, I dedicate this song:

The Blade Queery Update

Well, I completed my questions and I don't think I sound too much like a geezer. A little, maybe. I'll post a link here when the article is published.

The Blade photographer, Henry Linser, came buy last night to shoot me. I hate having my photo taken. It didn't help that I found Henry to be very attractive and his tee-shirt kept creeping up when he lifted the camera and my eye so wanted to wander to see if he had a happy trail.

Okay, so I'm old and resorting to troll-like behavior. It's inevitable, isn't it?

What Kind of Elitist Are You? (Mandatory Quiz for Obama Supporters)

Since I'm for Obama, and therefore by default and guilt by association, I'm an elitist.

I decided to find out just what kind of elitist I am, and took the elitist quiz. My result said:

Your CD collection is almost as big as your ego, and you can most likely play an instrument or three. You're a real hit at parties, but you're SO above karaoke.
What people love: You're instant entertainment. Unless you play the oboe.
What people hate: Your tendency to sing louder than the radio and compare everything to a freaking song.

Well, actually, my ego is much bigger than my ample CD collection. And I can play three instruments, one of the them well, one of them ok and the other, well, at least it's not the oboe.

And I don't compare everything to a freaking song. They're called symphonies, dahling. And hand me that bottle of Chablis.

Questions I'm Afraid to Answer

I got this note from an editor at the Washington Blade:

Yes, we'd really like to have you be the Queery feature for next week's paper. This is where we ask someone 20 questions and then print the answers alongside an introductory paragraph and a photo. People really seem to enjoy doing it, and I know it's a popular feature among readers. Given your long history with the Different Drummers, I think you'd be a great person for this.

The problem is, this isn't going to reveal my "long history" with DCDD, it's going to reveal my long history as a post 20 30 40s gay man (my 44th birthday is later this month. Mourners may send a charitable donation to DCDD in lieu of flowers).

Consider some of the questions:

7. What has been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?

Do I answer truthfully that I remember when Roots was first aired -- the first mega mini-series on network TV? The release of the first Star Wars movie in 1977? The death of Elvis? When Marcia got hit by the football when the Brady Bunch was not yet in syndication but still on the air? I can even remember when Sonny was married to Cher.

Or how about this one:

9. What item of clothing has been in your closet since high school?

I'd like to say I have nothing that I wore in high school 26 fucking years ago but today while cleaning the house I actually found a belt I wore back then with a (no kidding) tuba-shaped belt buckle. Hey, I was a band geek. But is that an answer I really want in print? Do I really need to let the world know how much of a nerd I was back then? (And looking back on it now and thinking about me wearing that belt it's no wonder I didn't go on many dates)

And then there's this one:

3. What is Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?

Well, let's see...past best nightspot: my bedroom. Okay, not really, but back in the day my club of choice was Rascals on Connecticut Ave. Three floors of gay fun, first floor dancing and drag shows, second floor bar and movies (non-porn), third floor strippers. Anyone but me remember Joey or Francois? And the LTR and I had our first Friday night date there...we ended up sucking face on the third floor ignoring (and annoying) the strippers. It's long gone now, having been swallowed by Riggs Bank (now PNC) which bought out the block back in the mid-90s.

Present nightspot? Once again, my bedroom, where the LTR and I are usually fast asleep by 10. Let me climb off my bedpan so I can take some more Geritol.

Here's one question I can answer:

2. Who’s your gay hero?

Batman.

I mean, that one's easy.

Postcards from April 08

Some snapshots of Eli's visit in April. Highlights included a trip to Akron for Grandpa Ray's 79th birthday party; attending Daddy's last concert, a trip to the Smithsonian to see Imax Dinosaurs in 3D; a trip to the Reston Petting Zoo and Great Falls. Double click to go to my pisca album for captions.

How to Spell in Hawaiian

A few simple rules to master is all it takes:

Use all five vowels in every word.
Separate them with an L a K or a P
Use random apostrophes

It's that easy!

She's Dead, Jim

She reminds me of the Bruce Willis character in Sixth Sense...dead but unaware..the political undead.

How Gay Am I?

So gay, I listened to "Part of that World" from The Little Mermaid (Broadway version) on my Ipod while watching the sunset off Oahu (yes, I'm in Hawaii).

Well, it's happier than Barber's Adagio for Strings which is also on my playlist!

But What's In Her Nightstand?

Hillary answered one of those Metro Weekly-like surveys that included questions like, what public figure, living or dead, would you go on a date with if Bill would give you a "pass" for one night?

Her answer: Abraham Lincoln.

Ugh. Now, I'd definitely include Lincoln in my "pick three people living or dead you'd invite to a dinner party" (I'd also invite Jesus -- think of the money I'd save by not having to buy wine). But would I date him? Nah.

I'd pick Alexander the Great. Why?

1) Hotter, beefier thighs than Lincoln.
2) A ride on an elephant.
3) Cairo as a post-date gift.
4) Three-way with Hephaestion

Sure, Lincoln would take you the theater but then all you get is blood-stained dress.

But I wonder...what IS in Hillary's nightstand? Any guesses?

Lonely Dog Night

Our big dog, Buster, came to bed with us last night.

In his younger days, Buster and his older "sister" always slept with us.

Then, arthritis made the stairs too difficult. Buster was the first to give in, and we got him a dog bed which we put by the back door of the house. Truthfully, I like having him there -- a better sentry we could not ask for. He's already stopped countless squirrels from breaking into the house.

Ranger, the younger dog, who has insisted to be next to me in bed since I rescued her, lasted longer. Then for some strange reason she wouldn't stay in bed but would lay on the floor. We'd pick her up and put her back but she'd jump right off again. Then, because of the brittleness of her bones (she's 15) we realized the wisdom of letting sleeping dogs lie. Now she's too weak to attempt the stairs and we don't carry her up any more for fear of her falling down them at night.

So it's always a bit of surprise when Buster decides to join us in bed these days. What makes him endure the risky flights of stairs? Was he having a bad dream? Where the squirrels chasing him? Or did he just wake up in a quiet house and miss companionship? Do dogs have the 3 a.m. heebie jeebies where every little thing you ever worried about rises like a specter to taunt you into restless half wakefulness? (and since dogs can't use phones, they can't call Hillary for help).

Whatever the reason, I awoke to a warm mound of fur curled up next to me. One bonus -- when Buster pants, being a big dog, the entire bed shakes, like one of those cheap vibrating beds at hotel pay-by-the-hour. Except with Buster, you don't even have to put a quarter in.

But the need for companionship wasn't limited to the canine side of the family. About 6 am I heard the pitter-patter of clawless feet, opened my eyes and saw two little hands on the side of the bed, and then a blond head came into view as Eli pulled himself up into bed and crawled under the covers between Pappa and me.

So there we were, an aging dog, two aging homosexuals and a three year old, addressing the human and cross-species need for warmth and companionship in the lonely hours of the morning by snuggling together.

If we all didn't have to pee, we'd be there still.

Hillary vs. the Coffee Machine

Counting Yawns

Eli, from his bedroom: Daddy, come Wake Me Up!

Me: Wakey, wakey! Good morning, honey.

Eli dashes down the hall.

Me: Aren't you going to give me a good morning hug?

Eli: I have to go potty first. Then I'll give you a good morning hug. And a good morning kiss.

A tinkle a hug and a kiss later, Eli sits on my lap in my study. He yawns.

Eli: I yawned twice.

Me: Yes you did.

Eli: How many times did you yawn?

Me: I'm not sure, I wasn't counting.

Eli: Count your yawns, Daddy!

And so we spent several minutes counting yawns. Not all of them real.

Okay, it's mundane. But it was a charming, cuddly way to way to start the day before facing a gauntlet of conference calls for work.