Really? You're still around?

America. Land of free speech. Land of instant celebrity. Guess who's been making these comments:

"I've had some friends that are actually homosexual. And, I mean, they know where I stand, and they know that I wouldn't have them anywhere near my children."

"You know, I'm not the most civilized person," "Those kind of people, I usually took behind the woodshed and just beat the livin' tar out of 'em."

"The Constitution is a living, breathing document that is black and white" he said. "It does not need to be changed if we get back to the basics (of it) "George Washington said we 'would fall from within,'" he said.

"Right now, current spending bankrupts Social Security by 2040 ... I believe in individual responsibility. I will save my money and take care of my family. As far as government-run Social Security I believe people should be given an option."

And the answer is:
Oh, sorry wrong "character." The resemblance is uncanny.


The first quote is from The Huffington Post.
The 2nd quote some from Alternet.
The 3rd is from The Colorado Independent , which is part of an interview with Christianity Today
The 4th quote is from fdlreporter.

According to WhoRunsGov.com on Greg Sargent's blog the Plum Line, Joe has been enlisted since March to speak against the Employee Free Choice Act. The article quotes Mary Ellen Burke who is some sort of spokesperson, possibly for Joe, but the article doesn't say.“The public loves Joe the Plumber,” the spokesperson, Mary Ellen Burke, claimed to me. “They see him as a role model.”

This is the 2nd most scariest quote I came across.

This IS the scarriest quote:

When asked in the Christianity Today interview, whether he would ever run for office, Joe said," Not right now. God hasn't said, 'Joe, I want you to run.'"

And if God does I pray I can run like Usain Bol,t far far away:







More on Joe the Plumber:

http://wearyrails.blogspot.com/search/label/plumbing

Taxes and Fees part 1

The governor of Massachusetts and the president of Umass must have each other listed as their emergency contacts. Why else would their plans to generate revenue be so similar. Governor Patrick wants to raise taxes and Umass President Jack Wilson wants to raise fees.

Governor Patrick wants to raise gas tax by 19 cents while getting rid of tolls on the Massachusetts turnpike. I can't fathom why you would get rid of 1 source of revenue and make another one so extravagant. Lately the turnpike has been making less money, which means less revenue.

from the Boston Globe:

Nancy Singer, an FHWA [Federal Highway Administration] spokeswoman, said federal officials don’t really know why driving has been dropping.

Initially, some were blaming the high price of gas for the decline in driving. But Singer said, “In recent months the price of gas has actually gone downward … This has not been reflected in miles driven.”

This is an excerpt from the February 19 article. Umm. Nancy? Do you guys think less people are driving because jobs are in decline and those people who have jobs are trying to conserve money? Quite possibly drivers are taking back roads instead.

Not to mention getting rid of tolls means more people losing their jobs. Why not put tolls on busy areas such as Route 128. Since it's a major if not the biggest road for commuting to Boston, why not collect some revenue from people using it. And let Boston alone keep the money they get. Maybe then Boston can pay for its own fiscal deliquentcey and the excess can eventually help the people inside the city that have needed help for decades.

Back to the gas tax, which was originally proposed at 27 cents in a possible "vision of grandiose" moment by the governor. Why are you taxing our gas in Western Massachusetts? We don't have adequate public transportation.

A response:

He [Governor Patrick]also said it would make the transportation system more environmentally responsible through steps such as increased investment in public transportation outside Boston and adopting various standard to build and buy in environmentally friendly ways.

-Doubtful. Who is going to be able to invest in public transportation, the already wealthy Boston firms? I can't wait to be just another piece of revenue.
You will only cripple those who are barely scrapping by now. I say you because the governor needs to take responsibility for his actions.

Also this proposed idea of putting a chip in my car so that the state can tax me mile by mile is atrocious. Again Western Massachusetts has no viable public transportation. The serfdom of Western, MA is being brutalized again by the lords in Boston.

Nukes

The US under President Bush seems to have made a correct decision of sorts by not giving Israel Bunker Bombs capable of taking out Iranian suspected nuclear facilities, Although, David Sanger of the New York Times reports Bush did allow for disruption by covert-ops.




Really the fear of an Iranian nuclear attack, ever is unsubstantiated. An attack by Iran is a act of suicide by the Iranian nation. I believe the US would strike fervently probably Russia would retaliate, however, Russia would not want this to happen either. A nuclear weapon by Iran and any other country is a deterrent to invasion mostly by the US.

Gas: Nobody Rides for Free

Here is the lead by Joan Lowy of the Associated Press with the byline

Motorists' Habits Spur Call For Tax Increases:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Motorists are driving less and buying less gasoline, which means fuel taxes aren't raising enough money to keep pace with the cost of road, bridge and transit programs.

The government wants to raise gas taxes because obviously it needs money to fix federal run roads, etc. The proposal is a $0.10 raise on the federal tax, which is in addition to whatever state taxes exist. If the government needs additional tax money to generate the funds to fix their roads etc. and the government doesn’t have the money to give to the states, then isn’t it logical that the states will have to do the same with their gas tax?

Raising the gas tax by both the state and the federal government will only keep driving habits low if not lower them unless the consumer gets to a level of driving necessity that cannot be altered. Perhaps many of us will give the real American salute (you know, the one you gave to the hockey mom driving the Ford Explorer with Alaska plates that just cut you off).
And we’ll all get vespa’s with 60 miles per gallon. Sure it will take a little longer to get to work, but think of the money we’ll save and don't worry we’ll make it look cool.


In response, the government would more than likely raise the tax, end the subsidies on fuel efficient vehicles, and propaganda motor scooter users as crazed gangs of non-tax paying outlaws.

a New Year Approaches

Today the trees are bending under 25 mph wind gusts. The road sand is tapping like hail against the window and I’m certain the car will be jostled from side to side. It's reminiscent of Gaza with its rocket attacks and the retaliatory bombing.

The Israelis and Palestinians are fighting (again or still, I suggest reading a history on the area) over the same thing they always fight over, sovereignty, over a hatred which neither side remembers how it started and neither side wishes to end. Now people, Israeli and Palestinian, are dying.

This isn't war:Neither is this:


War isn't tanks and artillery. This is war:




It is sad that this will probably be the last post for 2008. This year is ending in the midst of a downward spiral with wars, the economy, genocide in Africa, and Dancing With the Stars still on the air. Obama has preached hope, I wonder how long hope can holdout before the middle and working classes are pressed into despair.

The Longest Congessional Election Ever

©New York Times

According to liscence plate manufacturers, the state of Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 lakes . The states official motto is L'Etoile du Nord” or “The Star of North.” A few famous people who grew up in the state include Bob Dylan, Prince, F.Scott Fitzgerald, and of course this former Minnesotan governor:

(Jesse "The Body" Ventura)

However, more importantly the state has yet to figure out if Republican Senator Norm Coleman will retain his seat or if Democratic challenger and former comedian Al Franken will become a congressional freshman.

The problem as it stands is disputed ballots. Each side has of course hired a team of lawyers the size of which the rest of us will only see at a law school graduation or in line at a cocaine house.

As it stands Dirk Johnson of The New York Times reports Mr. Franken in the lead by a narrow margin, which means it can still go eather way. If it comes down to a few votes, I wonder which side will be laughing at the votes that were made for God, Al Frankenstein, Mickey Mouse, and several for Chuck Norris.

In the meantime, here's some of both candidates best work.

Chrysler

On Friday, Dec. 19, workers at 30 North American automobile plants will punch out for an extended period of time.

The New York Times, Nick Bunkley reports Chrysler is shutting down all its plants for at least a month due to the dwindling money in its reserves and no sign of a government bailout.

Is this a political move by Chrysler to force the government to concede a bailout package in order to save union jobs and wages? These jobs are made up pf men and women from the working class, the so-called blue-collar workers who have often been said to be the backbone of this country, yet they constantly get used for political or monetary gain and usually end up with their heads flushed in the toilet.
These workers are the ones that will suffer first and severely, long before the Caucasian CEO's. Unless, the CEO's had their money tied up with Bernard L. Madoff who is now under house arrest with an ankle bracelet in his $7 million home (now that's American justice).I think in this picture Mr. Madoff, a former chair of the NASDAQ is gesturing how much he cares about screwing his investors who have pretty much lost their money to his ponzi (pyramid) scheme.

It is always rare for a corporation to admit and/or correct its failures.

NPR adds:

In a statement Wednesday, Chrysler said tighter credit markets are keeping would-be buyers away from its showrooms. The company said its dealers are unable to close sales for buyers due to a lack of financing, and estimate that 20 to 25 percent of their volume has been lost due to the credit situation. Sales in November slid 47.1 percent.

What Chrysler won’t say is their crisis (along with GM and Ford) also has to do with the choices they made in car design and efficiency. They messed up and now like scared spoiled children they have come back like prodigal sons and rainy day relatives looking for a handout.

Governor Rod

"Corruption is not a party liability—if you can ignore your accusers long enough, or play martyr.” -Frank Richardson Kent, political pundit of the Baltimore Sun.



Christopher Wills of the AP reports, the Attorney General of Illinois, Lisa Madigan, has asked the state Supreme Court to declare Governor Rod Blagojevich unfit. The governor has been accused of trying to sell President-elect Obama’s senate seat for cash or political favors. although no audio of the FBI’s wire has been released, you can read the criminal complaint at the Smoking Gun website with full expletives for you kids out there that like your politics to use the F-word as every part of speech.


The governor who is more worried about his moonlighting gig as Plastic Man,
has been praying to God with a bunch of ministers and you know those people aren't corrupt, just ask Martin Luther or read his 95 Theses.

But, eh, I guess we can just blame corruption on these people:

Governor Blagojevich has said he is innocent of the charges and will be soon vindicated. Illinois and Chicago especially, have had a long history with corruption. For example, William Hale Thompson in 1927, was reelected mayor because of Al Capone's support. According to Wikipedia (I know, but the quote is good), after Thompson's defeat in 1931 by Democrat Anton Cermak, the Chicago Tribune wrote (The Tribune may not be writing much of anything soon):

For Chicago Thompson has meant filth, corruption, obscenity, idiocy and bankruptcy.... He has given the city an international reputation for moronic buffoonery, barbaric crime, triumphant hoodlumism [sic], unchecked graft, and a dejected citizenship. He nearly ruined the property and completely destroyed the pride of the city. He made Chicago a byword for the collapse of American civilization. In his attempt to continue this he excelled himself as a liar and defamer of character.

In an AP article by Deanna Bellandi and Christopher Wills in The Star Tribune of Minneapolis states Governor Blagojevich's approval rating at 8%. 8%?
President Bush's approval rating is 25%. Vice-President Cheney has an 18% approval rating, and even this guy has an approval rating of 10% (this is not comedy!):




Yet, this is politics. Blogojevich just happened to get caught like a scalper at a REO Speedwagon reunion concert.

Lead singer Kevin Cronin's hair reminds me of a friends in High School.

You'd think that since Illinois is known for the Cubs always blowing it and political corruption that the politicians there would be honest and not wear blue caps with a red letter "C" embroidered on it.

The Local Rally

Northampton, MA - The area LGBTQ community and their Allies rallied on the steps of City Hall yesterday to show their solidarity the country and world with the gay marriage movement in the 50 states.

A group of over 500 people, which overflowed onto Main street held signs and banners while listening to a number of speakers at the three hour event.

Lorelei, a powerful and passionate speaker, asked the crowd to support our brothers and sisters. “Let them get married,” she said.

The rally was part of the Join the Impact campaign designed to show solidarity and promote conversation between all members of society on equal rights.

Join the Impact calls themselves a grassweb campaign. The campaign along with Obama’s success showcases the power of the Internet to quickly gather people for a cause.

The results of California’s proposition eight and the success of four other states to ban gay marriage were a few of the many topics covered in the rally.

Reverend Emily Heath from the utilitarian church commenting on the threat that gay marriage poses to some people said, ”The threat is hate projected on two people that love one another.” “Threat is not two people who love each other,” she said.

The Raging Grannies made an appearance and led the crowd in singing, “Marriage is our right today, gay or straight, straight or gay.”

The actions central theme was about love that we as all humans share. Reverend Heath concluded her commentary by saying, “ Love Wins.”

The next action by Join the Impact is planned for December 10, International Human Rights Day and is called Day Without a Gay.

The organizers are encouraging the LGBTQ community to call in "gay" and not sick. Join the Impact would like the community to take the day to volunteer for nonprofits in the their area. The donation of their time is to show the world how the LGBTQ community loves the country and its fellow citizens.

Let it Rain Equality

In New England, in my liberal state of Massachusetts, it is raining heavily. The drops are knocking hard against the windows and the cars heading north and south are sounding those little wave like crashes from the water of puddles being displaced and uprooted from their dormancy by the rubber tires earnestly gripping then shoving the road behind causing the water to hit undercarriages and splash back down to the road.

In New York City, I am told it is also raining. There is a planned protest at City hall; 260 Broadway against the passing of California’s prop 8. The protest is simultaneously happening in over 300 cities including cities in 10 countries besides the US with an estimated turnout of over 1 million protesters. There are 4 locations in Massachusetts. The protest in Northampton is City Hall located at 210 Main Street. The event is organized by Join the Impact, a group founded the day after the election who write, “We've reacted to Prop 8 with anger, with resolve, and with courage. NOW, it's time to show America and the world how we love. “

On election day, the democrats in the New York state senate won a narrow margin of control. Eyewitness news 7 an ABC affiliate out of New York reports on November 8 that there are 4 democrats who may shift to the republican side.

The Rev. Duane Motley, founder of New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms, which opposes gay marriage, said they knew that with Republicans in control of the Senate that legislation to legalize it "was not going to come up." With Democrats in control, he said party members will be pushing for it, but he questioned whether they have the votes.

"I think there's at least four or five Democrats who wouldn't support it," said Motley, who said his group represents more than 2,000 evangelical churches and 500 other Christian organizations statewide. He believes the Republican senators will remain opposed.”

How something like marriage can become engulfed in political maneuvering is sickening. Government should not be able to deny rights to individuals. The Reverands NYCF in their "Petition to save Marriage in New York State," writes, "The institution of marriage provides the basic family unit within which children are born and nurtured. It is the essential building block of our society, not an archaic, outmoded tradition to ever be redefined or cast aside."

How is it being redefined using the definition the NYCF themselves and other like groups have
written in the petition. The institution of marriage is all the things they say it is in their petition statement. Family is an interpreted substance. The family unit is evolving. How many kids are being raised by grandparents aunts, uncles, foster care, brothers sisters , etc.

In a letter to current Senate Majority leader, Senator Dean G. Skelos, Rev. Motley writes:

“New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms has always appreciated the fact that you do not surrender your core values for purposes of political expediency. I urge you and the Republican Majority Conference to continue to stand firm for the traditional definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman only.”

It’s always about tradition. It was tradition once to import African slaves and use them for labor. It was tradition for women to be owned by their husbands. It was tradition for Egyptians to continue to enslave the Jews and it is tradition for the majority in this country to oppress minorities.

Perhaps, the solidarity that the protest today will give to the LGBTQ and Ally community will propel the New York government to open their eyes to the reality that this is not only a civil rights issue, but an issue that weighs on our humanity. This rain is not a hinder on the protesters, but on those who refuse to give the same rights to all human beings. It is their ominous warning of our mobilization, of our coming together, of the true sense of morality: the equality, kindness and compassion that every human being on this planet has if they so choose. Choose well.

Dear Sarah, The Prime MInister is Stephan Harper

This is Stephen Harper, Canada's Prime Minister or at least his wax figure from Madame Tussauds in London. Nonetheless Governor Palin should have known his name when she was pranked by 2 Montreal Disc Jockey's (what a strange word) who go by the moniker The Masked Avengers. Why 2 guys on the radio need to be masked is between the 2 of them and the laws of Quebec. The Avengers worked their way through Palin's staff by posing as a member of French President Nicolas Sarkozy's staff trying to set up a phone call between the French president and Palin. Somehow it worked.




Palin fails as most of us would to realize that the people the fake Sarkozy is mentioning are well known french figures. She really should have known the name of Canada's Prime Minster since she is more likely to see Canada from her yard than Russia and as she said deals with Canada a lot, probably due to the fact that traveling to the lower 48 from Seward's Folly is possible by going through Canada or the Pacific ocean.

When the fake Sarkozy says his wife French singer and formal model Carla Bruni wrote a song the translation isn't joe the plumber, "Rouge à sur un cochon" means "lipstick on a pig."

The masked duo even manage to slip in a reference to a spoof porn video in the making, I'm sure some poor staffer had to tell her about. Hustler guru, Larry Flynt is producing the porn flick called "Nailin' Paylin" A typical pun the porn industry and my 13 year old friends and I would make up in line at the middle school cafeteria trying to off set the vomit inducing smell of sloppy joes and the sight of water disguised as iceberg lettuce. I have to hand it to Larry Flint, he takes free speech to new levels.

The most famous being Hustler magazine v. Falwell.

Can you really blame Flynt for giving this guy a bunch of shit? Mr. Falwell has passed on and now his hate and apocalyptic views are vomited to the masses by his 2 sons.

Candidates 3

Desmond Ravenstone is an erotic author who's books include; Taken: A Story of Ravishment, the Atraxa Trilogy I, II, III, and The Principled Libertine: The Ethical Case for Sexual & Erotic Freedom which can all be purchased at Lulu.com.

The campaign slogan is - "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Orgasms!"

The candidate stands unequivocally for a woman's right to choose whether and when to bear and beget a child, including the right to abortion as well as sexual freedom and equality. These are the things mainstream candidates refuse to talk about.

After an exhausting effort to set up a meeting with the candidate at Mistress Samantha Anderson's place of business
all that was there was the picture on the right. (ok, that's not true)


On The Ravenstone/ Darklady myspace page the mood is always horny. The amount of libido may be due to the friends the site has, which is made up of 3/4 of all the pornstars in the greater United States who if they along with their fans and pornography users voted would make up a number around "40 million: The number of U.S. adults who regularly visit porn websites" according to the Internet Filter Review. This number is roughly 13% of the US population and 18% of the voting population. In the 2004 presidential election roughly 56% of eligible voters voted. If all the smut lovers voted they would have garnered 33% of the votes leaving only 81 million for Bush and Kerry to fight over. I say go for it Mr. Ravenstone! Make this country sexy for once.

Candidates Part 2

If you can tell me about the Federalist Papers in particular the essays written by James Madison our 4th president, I will be surprised. The war of 1812 happened under Madison's administration including the British setting the White House on fire and the 1st presidential mullet.

Thaddaus Hill of The Madison-Federalist party is continueing Madison's vice that the Constitution needs to be microscopically adhered to in his run for the presidency.

"It means what it says, and it says what it means."

-- TH

Besides having an enviously over the top presidential name, TH as he's known on the corner of Pecan and Front Streets in his hometown of New Ulm, Texas where the population has grown from 500 people in 1930 to the current record of 650.

For the most part TH and the Madison-Federalist party are against big government and here in Massachusetts they would probably vote to get rid of the state income tax. TH would also repeal getting money from federal taxes to run FEMA and the Department of Education.


TH makes some good points and despises the right leaners and there marketing of stately travel mugs.

The one thing that bothers me is the shadowy use of initials for TH's advisors or maybe gang members: JGH, DH, WLB and JRT.






Possible images of the gang:

From left to right: JGH, DH,WLB (no known picture) and JRT.

Political Violence

A few days ago Ashley Todd, a McCain volunteer in Pittsburgh told police she was robbed at an ATM and the assailant, a man of color, upon finding out she was a McCain supporter, beat her and carved a "B" on her cheek that stood for Barack Obama. Both candidates publicly deplored the act.

A few days later, Miss Todd confessed to the police that the "B" was self- inflicted as well as other parts to her story.

This story though rooted in politics and even used for a bit by the McCain campaign it is really about mental illness. As bad and as easy as it was to blame a man of color shows the racism this culture still possesses. However, I haven't read anywhere if the robbing was true or false and I'm not sure why no news source to the best of my knowledge has asked that question .

Some republican bloggers have said that even though the story was fabricated by Miss Todd, there has been a lot of Obama supporters using violence.

Obama Supporter Assaults Female McCain Volunteer in New York

Democrats Getting More Violent, Shoot Up House In Florida

There are plenty more.

These acts are deplorable, but no more than a recent plot to assassinate Obama. All of these perpetraters are mentally ill in some way and need care. When I first looked at the picture of one of the alleged conspirators, I was horrified. The image disgusted me, but now I see that it is the collective fault of every American that this man and the other assailants mentioned have come to this. There is no dialogue about race, gender, class and homosexuality in most of this country and without it these situations will continue to occur.

Plumbers

Ok if I’m wearing a certain pair of pants and I bend over you’ll see my happy valley forest- I admit it. But, I’m no plumber.

However, there are a lot of Joe Plumbers out there, a few:

http://www.joelaratheplumber.com/
http://joetheplumber.com/

But McCain's Joe doesn't quite exist. His real name is Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, an unlicensed plumber from Ohio.

So why did Samuel use his middle name instead of his first name? It may be due to his unlicensed vocation or perhaps to his back taxes or perhaps to protect his celebrity uncle.


seen here side by side as a now disheveled old man and his classic 2 dimensional self.

For the story behind Mr. Plumber, The Huffington Report does a nice job.

McCain keeps telling us that Joe the Plumber is an average working American. he is going to be making around $300,000. If 95% of Americans make less than $250,000 than how is Mr. Plumber an average middle class person?

Joe and McCain don't want to share. But, that's alright as sharing is not part of the "American Dream" just ask the Native Americans. They were told we could share. Lord Jeffrey Amherst (it has not been proved other than the letter writing that Amherst had anything else to do with the blankets) had an opinion on sharing with Native Americans, which was shared by many.

Since I have been talking about the Joe’s I know with the addition of Mr. Plumber I’d just like to introduce a Joe I have forgotten about to Senator McCain for consideration as the next Joe to occupy the Joe mascot position. Senator, I’d like you to meet Joe Mama.

This is real. It was included in a republican womens group newsletter. The woman who came up with it is Diane Fedele who doesn't believe it is racist to put a black man on a food stamp surrounded by what are considered to be stereotypical food item for people of color to eat. Fedele says that she only sees the fried chicken, ribs, kool-ade and watermelon as food. To Fedele, "it doesn't mean anything else." For a women from southern California it strikes me as odd to have included these particular foods with a man of color and on a food stamp. Are these really the only images of food she could find? Is the food part of a word association she did when she thought of Obama? Is she a moron as Keith Olbermann pointed out?




The above video is from the primaries. The video and the Fedele story show the different poles of racism, from affluent southern California woman to poor rural West Virginians. The women in yellow in the video is chicken shit to say she won't vote for Obama because he is a man of color. Really? your not going to vote for someone who is the presidential candidate for your party on the sole issue that he is a man of color?

There is too much invested in voting for morals than with what will help you economically and help yourself and others through social programs. Really this breaks my heart.

Women In the World

The recent rise of women in politics from Hilary Clinton's campaign to be the democratic nominee for president to Nancy Pelosi as the speaker of the house to Sarah Palin as vice presidential candidate for the republicans is a gauge in how far women in this country have come. Still there is a long road ahead for true equality with gender and race, but for the most part women in america are treated astronomically better than in most other non european countries.

An example of how women in other countries are treated is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Women and girls are being brutally raped and used as fodder for a war that has been going on for 10 years. What has the US done for them? It is being asked if it has to do with the women being of color. Africa has long been considered a conglomerate of 3rd world nations whose conflicts generally have no effect on the rest of the world. Africa had been a continent for colonial powers to strip away natural resources until nations won their independence. The problem with these nations is they were made by europeans who drew boundaries that had different tribes and groups together. Now these differences have launched the 10 year war in Congo and women are paying for it.

The Candidates Part I

Jonathan "The Impaler" Sharkey who heads The United Vampyre World Organization, a nonprofit organized by himself is a self-proclaimed satanist running for president. In the photo he has a bit of that wall street slickness meets professional wrestling look, but make no mistakes he's a bloodsucker. The UVWO not to be confused with the United Vampyres of the World Organization (a conservative group) also has its own record label, Sang Vamp where he has recorded The album “A Vampyre Sings Elvis Love Songs” (not so secretly I really really need to get this album). If you do nothing else go on his myspace page and listen to "Teddy Bear."

The Impaler is also under investigation by the Secret Service for wanting to impale George W. and if King Sharkey is elected president that's just what he plans to do. There is also a documentary about the Impaler when he ran for Minnesota governor in 2006 called, "Impaler." It's now at the top of my Netflix queue. Sharkey does stand for equal rights for all, though especially Vampires, lycan, and witches. But from what I've seen they all seem harmless to me.





Vampires have filthy mouths.

where are you now Stiles and Boof?

This is a long clip, but worth it to find out if you should be sad that this show was actually on the air or that the Violent Femmes act and perform on it. I'm in a quandary about it myself.

Independent Candidates

Most of us think of the presidential election as only between two candidates, Obama and McCain. However there are over 60 candidates running for president. This includes 11 3rd party candidates, at least 7 independent candidates and enough write in candidates to invade Idaho. Of course this list excludes the witty name you've been thinking of writing in.

Still anyone can win. Never count out the long shot! America loves an underdog! If you keep your chin up and your nose clean you can accomplish so much! Four candidates who may pull off the impossible are Jonathan "The Impalor" Sharkey, King of the Vampyre, representing the Vampire-Witches and Pagan party of New Jersey, Thaddaus Hill of the oft forgotten Madisonian-Federalist party, Desmond Ravenstone a Massachusetts Independant and James Mote who has a great smile.

What follows is a look at these 4 individuals.

Marriage

With a 4-3 decision the Connecticut supreme court ruled this past week in favor of gay-marriage. Connecticut is the 3rd state to allow same sex couples to marry with New York recognizing marriages from other states.

However, there are many dissenters, among them Peter Wolfgang, executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut who quoted in the New York Times says, “This is about our right to govern ourselves,' he said. 'It is bigger than gay marriage.”

Wolfgang is right. We should have the right to govern ourselves and the ruling proves it. It's called equality. The majority does not have the right to govern the morality of a minority. It's Civil liberties. One of them is sexual freedom.

Why do all these sanctity of marriage freaks use names like the Family Institute of Connecticut? If MIT is the Massachusetts institute of Technology than the family institute must be teaching about Connecticut.


In Massachusetts there’s a group called pro-family. The only people that aren’t pro-family are dead beat dad’s, The TV show “Cheaters” and corporations. Pro-family has a website titled Mass Resistance. These people who have difficulty among others with the “Proposed Legal Definition of “Gender Identity or Expression” They say on their website, “Under H1722, who (or what) “identifies” a person’s “gender”? Not an objective outside observer, such as an M.D. or a psychiatric professional or biological fact, but the individual in question.”

That’s a ridiculous thing to say. We’re not talking about a referee (objective observer) in a boxing match between Kirk Cameron and a guy fully dressed in his Barney On Ice costume beating the hell out of each other on Pay Per-View to see who will get to be the center square on Hollywood Squares. We are talking about people who know themselves. If some asshole knows that they are against transgender identity than isn’t it logical someone who is transgender to be able to know their own identity. Gender is a social construct and who better than myself to say who I am.

My boss gave me a handout he received in church after the priest talked about marriage. The pamphlet concerned signing a petition to not allow the “gay marriage” issue into other states like it’s a disease. I would like to paper mache their cars with same-sex information.

The Family institutes website, is of course a .org. That's right they are a non-profit. It seems that anyone can start a non-profit. Even fake non-profits for political causes (I wonder if I could make myself a non-profit and be tax exempt perhaps I need to talk to a lawyer).

The family Institute motto is “At the Family Institute, our mission is to encourage and strengthen the family as the foundation of society and to promote sound, ethical and moral values in our culture and government.” If you’re going to strengthen the family as a foundation then why not allow more families? Moral values in our government? There have been more sex scandals and backroom deals in the government than on “Days of Our Lives” and most TV shows (excluding Jeopardy, that Alex Trebek loves a winner!).

The whole marriage inclusion debate comes down to definitions. The “sanctity” people say they just want to keep the definition of marriage to a woman and a man, but it’s so much more than that. It’s about equal rights. Rights that are not fully given in civil unions. Only marriage offers federal benefits and protections (over 1,100 rights and protections).

Really what’s the big deal? I was always told that marriage is about loving another person. That’s why I got married. Love is ultimately about the person not their body. Besides we as humans don’t always age well, but if I had a dangly double chin or had to lift my gut up to pee, I’m certain my wife would still love me.