“Texas is open. And I want Hillary to stay in this, Laura. This is too good a soap opera. We need Barack Obama bloodied up politically, and it's obvious that the Republicans are not going to do it and don't have the stomach for it.” — Rush Limbaugh
Note to myself: Lay off the broccoli & dip for Sunday morning breakfast.
There’s a reason I made the above mental note. I was doing my Sunday morning sabbatical of watching the political shows – in this case “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” roundtable discussion with the pundits. I was munching my breakfast while listening to Donna Brazile making the case for the Obama campaign, while admitting that Clinton won big states: “she won Texas, and she won Ohio ….”
After hearing Texas, I damn near asphyxiated myself with my own breakfast (maybe this is why George Bush Sr. never liked broccoli!) After finally dislodging the broccoli, I got pissed off all over again.
Yesterday the entire state of Texas’ elected delegates to our second level – the State Senate Districts – spent our entire Saturday electing delegates to the Texas State Democratic convention. I am here now to dispel once and for all that Hillary Clinton DID NOT WIN THE MAJORITY OF DELEGATES IN TEXAS.
Word to Donna Brazile, the Clinton Campaign, the media at large: stop perpetuating this false report, please!
“I see that [the Clinton campaign are] threatening to sue in Texas over the selection process down there, delegate-wise, because you can vote twice with the caucuses and with the primaries.” — Rush Limbaugh
Yes, Texas does things differently. We have a vote and we have the media’s so-called “two-step caucuses” (what we call precinct conventions to elect our proportional-strength delegates). It seems confusing, except the wisdom of it is only coming out now. What this does is divvy the party’s national delegates on a proportionate value (via the “caucuses”) based upon traditional party vote in governor’s races. Senate districts all get at least two delegates for each party, but if they are strong GOP or strong Democrat districts, they can have as many as eight (and thus heavier precinct portions). My district’s close to equal Dem to GOP (slightly GOP), and we have five that will go to the national convention.
The reason it’s now become smarter than the “dumb” process people labeled it is the Rush Limbaugh effect. As Republican neo-con stalwarts are disappointed and bored with their race, the only thing they can find to do with themselves is start trouble elsewhere. If they can’t have what they want, they’ll simply trash the whole shebang and flip the bird to America. That’s what good patriotic conservatives like the ever-so-hypocritical Oxycontin-Head Rush Limbaugh are supposed to do.
“We have laws against selling drugs, pushing drugs, using drugs, importing drugs …. if people are violating the law by doing drugs, they ought to be accused and they ought to be convicted and they ought to be sent up …. too many whites are getting away with drug use.” — Rush Limbaugh
It turns out that party-switchers have had their effect. Recently there’s been a notable rise in party filing for the Democratic party in Pennsylvania. It could be candidates’ drawing power, though we’ll see how they vote down the ballot and whether it’s (as some have reported) GOP folks registering with the opposition party purely for creating chaos with the hated liberals.
This crossing the aisle, reaching across the aisle is fine and dandy, except it doesn't work. We always end up compromising our core principles to get anything done this way.
In Texas, we’ve already noted a lot of party switching. Large numbers of sudden Democratic voters arrived at sleepy rural county Dem primaries. It could be candidate interest. But it was also noted how frequently these same voters were voting for the president and no other candidate. It was also reported that some of our Texas primary voters were calling in to the conservative talk shows bragging of their renegade disruptions and even commenting they went home afterwards to pray for forgiveness.
Sure enough, as Rush had requested the votes for the conservative-despised Hillary of Clinton-land, Clinton pulled off victories in both Ohio and Texas on the popular votes. Besides Hillary’s expected support in latino strongholds (not surprising), she also carried virtually all rural counties where latinos are quite the minority. It gave her 100,000 votes more than Obama on election night, and that’s all the media reported – 65 delegates for Hillary, 61 for Obama. Hillary also has 11 superdelegates out of our 31, Obama 10. End of story?
“I want the Democrats to lose. They're in the midst of tearing themselves apart right now. It is fascinating to watch, and it's all going to stop if Hillary loses.” — Rush Limbaugh
Time to insert the Dikembe Mutombo finger (a Houston Rocket basketball shot-blocker extraordinaire) and add an emphatic “No, No, No! Not so fast!”
We “dumb Texans” don’t just apportion our delegate strength to all districts equally based upon the vote. Two-thirds of the available vote went based on popular vote when went 51-48 Clinton to Obama. That meant 65 delegates Clinton, 61 Obama. Superdelegates 31 votes will also balance to the overall vote, with two-thirds of them committing now: 11-10 with Clinton holding the slight lead.
But the last third is weighted to favor Dem strongholds – folks who traditionally vote (and would be presumed more knowledgeable) on our party candidates. This is where the major cities and strong Dem districts came out for Obama.
An unusual conglomeration developed that became Obama strengths beyond the African-American vote. The intellectual white crowd, the outsourced-and-offshored crowd, progressive college students, Arab-Americans, the aging hippie/biker set and transgender and trans-supportive gay and lesbian backers made a big and visible difference in this race for Obama. Clinton won over most of the white vote outside of intellectual and outsourced (esp. the establishment Dem set), most all non-black women, most latinos, virtually all Asian-American non-Arab, most all recent white Republican converts (esp. women) and most gay and lesbian voters that were not of the trans-supportive defections (read: the HRC set). Non-Arab Indian were pretty evenly divided.
The only surprises I noted were the Asian-Pacific bloc on Hillary’s side (even my next-door neighbor’s adamant support) and the white Republicans on Hillary’s side. I was led to believe they were more in support of Obama (and indeed I worked with one lady to convince her convert husband to switch from Hillary to Obama with her). As it played out in my precinct and others I noted, they all went Hillary – with one latino GOP couple in my precinct going for Obama. I don’t know what happened there.
“The problem I do have with it is that it appears that it's an appeal to the media and it's an appeal to the Democrats. It's a desire to please them. I would love for Senator McCain to start treating liberal Democrats the way he is treating conservative Republicans. I'd like to see him throw some of them under his bus.” — Rush Limbaugh
In my senate district, the reported apportioning based on delegates to our precinct conventions (caucuses) was 81 for Obama, 46 for Clinton. Even our precincts voted heavily Obama, 73 elected delegate from precincts to 20 for Clinton (the differences made up in at-large senate selections.). The reports have it that Obama ended up with 60% of the delegates statewide in the last third.
Using those calculations, with the 71 remaining delegates in our “caucuses”, Obama gets 43, Clinton gets 28 (60-40%). Add 43 to 61 (popular vote) and 10 superdelegates and you have 114 Obama delegates. Clinton gets 28 plus 65 (popular vote) and 11 superdelegates or 104.
That gives Barack Obama a ten vote advantage right now, with only ten more superdelegates undecided. Even if Hillary Clinton managed to rope in all 10 of those votes, that only ties her with Obama at best. Even if Obama picks up one more of those superdelegates, he wins the Texas primary.
As a post-script, all my blockwalking, campaigning and organizing paid off again. My precinct, though for the time chaired by a Clinton supporter, went for my candidate (21 Obama to 9 Clinton), and elected our two Obama delegates (those with votes) and left the alternates to Clinton. For the third straight presidential campaign, my precinct is sending a transgender – yours truly – to the Texas State convention, and hopefully to Denver. And my co-delegate, an African-American male attorney, and I have already worked very well as a team and I’m coaching him to take his first delegate trip all the way up there with me!
Note to Harold Ickes of the Hillary Rodham Clinton campaign, and the Human Rights Campaign: in close elections, when you dismiss or take for granted a segment even as small as the transgender community, it can come back to bite you. We’re more than willing to repay like in kind …!
“If Senator McCain attempts to identify Obama as a liberal on a few things, we don't have time to list them here. Obama could retort, "Well, Senator, you supported our party. You supported us on that issue” ….” — Rush Limbaugh
“There’s no way in hell I could ever pull the lever for John McCain” — talkshow hostess, Laura Ingraham
“[McCain’s presidency is] going to destroy the Republican Party. It's going to change it forever, be the end of it. A lot of people aren't going to vote. You watch”. — Rush Limbaugh
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Super Shell!: Gender Identity Now Covered In Oil Giant’s Employment Policy
“I get up at seven AM, I go to work at nine.
I got no time for living, yeah, I’m working all the time ….” — Working Man, Rush
Sometimes it’s just a matter of being in the right place at the right time and nothing more than some well-placed comments.
Today I got a surprise Email from a fellow NTAC-er and local friend Sara Rook forwarded a note from Shell’s GLBT group rep, Elaine DeCanio notifying that Shell Oil has finally completed the circle and included gender identity in its equal employment opportunity policy!
A few weeks back, fresh from getting a trans-inclusive policy passed at Key Bank, I’d asked Sara about the policy at Shell. Her report back to me wasn’t positive: she’d been working on it for close to twelve years, nothing had happened and no one in HR seemed to care.
At the time I asked her who I could go to, but was instructed that we contract folks couldn’t approach them on this. Shell could not care less about "getting a 100% score on HRC's report card." Closed case, no shot, oh well ….
While here I haven’t been overt about being trans, but still dropped a comment to the person whose duties I’d assumed and office I’d inherited. She’s a very supportive straight friend, had known one of my former GLBT Shell employee friends. Fern’s been a big backer of mine, and apparently I made a good impression in a short month with her and at least a couple of the account executives here as well (one of whom I believe is GLBT).
Fern’s old office (now mine) is in a corner flanked by two employees’ offices with the rainbow flags on their nameplates – Bill who I’d met in other local GLBT organization functions, and the other being … Elaine DeCanio. Both Bill and Elaine have been friendly, increasingly so as my tenure has continued.
When coming on, I noted around the coffee machine that this didn’t seem an optimal employment opportunity with all things considered – noting some of the “policy shortfalls.” Apparently my comment and those about my unnamed trans friend (Sara’s) disappointment in the policy made the rounds. As it turns out, I didn’t even have to do a thing afterwards.
Elaine spent the afternoon in the U.S. corporate offices downtown, so I haven’t had the chance to see her yet. But I did drop into Bill’s office and asked about Elaine. He flashed a broad smile and noted she was down there all afternoon working on retirement and “other” issues and had been a proponent on the policy expansions for some time.
All of this gets me to thinking – why the hell do we need a Human Rights Campaign, or any of those other Washington DC folks who are there to soak up money, put their faces on TV and names in print and provide little to nothing in return? If we can get it done without them, who needs them? Seriously!
The way I look at it, I may be the “negative tranny” and Public Enemy #1 to those folks.
Great. Enjoy that! I’m quite proud and happy to be Public Enemy #1 and welcome every bit of bile and character impugning you wish to throw my way if it means getting stuff done in concrete fashion. In fact, I look forward to the next NTAC-bashing.
I’ll take that any day of the week over our “heroes” and the scant difference they make in our lives. And I can guarantee they won’t do anywhere near this many actual policies changed or ordinances expanded for zero dollars! Match that HRC, et. al.
As we just heard got word of this around 4PM, I’m not sure if this is just Shell U.S. or if its global policy … I’ll update that later. Hopefully this (like Key) will be global.
After such a difficult week at work, it’s nice to get a bit of good news over the Email for a change. Message to Sara … if you read this, drop me an Email and let me know if you can make a trip out here to wild, wild West (Houston). And bring a little bit of money.
It seems we owe Elaine a lunch – and some high fives all around!
“We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community.... Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.” — Cesar Chavez, founder of National Farm Workers Assn.
I got no time for living, yeah, I’m working all the time ….” — Working Man, Rush
Sometimes it’s just a matter of being in the right place at the right time and nothing more than some well-placed comments.
Today I got a surprise Email from a fellow NTAC-er and local friend Sara Rook forwarded a note from Shell’s GLBT group rep, Elaine DeCanio notifying that Shell Oil has finally completed the circle and included gender identity in its equal employment opportunity policy!
A few weeks back, fresh from getting a trans-inclusive policy passed at Key Bank, I’d asked Sara about the policy at Shell. Her report back to me wasn’t positive: she’d been working on it for close to twelve years, nothing had happened and no one in HR seemed to care.
At the time I asked her who I could go to, but was instructed that we contract folks couldn’t approach them on this. Shell could not care less about "getting a 100% score on HRC's report card." Closed case, no shot, oh well ….
While here I haven’t been overt about being trans, but still dropped a comment to the person whose duties I’d assumed and office I’d inherited. She’s a very supportive straight friend, had known one of my former GLBT Shell employee friends. Fern’s been a big backer of mine, and apparently I made a good impression in a short month with her and at least a couple of the account executives here as well (one of whom I believe is GLBT).
Fern’s old office (now mine) is in a corner flanked by two employees’ offices with the rainbow flags on their nameplates – Bill who I’d met in other local GLBT organization functions, and the other being … Elaine DeCanio. Both Bill and Elaine have been friendly, increasingly so as my tenure has continued.
When coming on, I noted around the coffee machine that this didn’t seem an optimal employment opportunity with all things considered – noting some of the “policy shortfalls.” Apparently my comment and those about my unnamed trans friend (Sara’s) disappointment in the policy made the rounds. As it turns out, I didn’t even have to do a thing afterwards.
Elaine spent the afternoon in the U.S. corporate offices downtown, so I haven’t had the chance to see her yet. But I did drop into Bill’s office and asked about Elaine. He flashed a broad smile and noted she was down there all afternoon working on retirement and “other” issues and had been a proponent on the policy expansions for some time.
All of this gets me to thinking – why the hell do we need a Human Rights Campaign, or any of those other Washington DC folks who are there to soak up money, put their faces on TV and names in print and provide little to nothing in return? If we can get it done without them, who needs them? Seriously!
The way I look at it, I may be the “negative tranny” and Public Enemy #1 to those folks.
Great. Enjoy that! I’m quite proud and happy to be Public Enemy #1 and welcome every bit of bile and character impugning you wish to throw my way if it means getting stuff done in concrete fashion. In fact, I look forward to the next NTAC-bashing.
I’ll take that any day of the week over our “heroes” and the scant difference they make in our lives. And I can guarantee they won’t do anywhere near this many actual policies changed or ordinances expanded for zero dollars! Match that HRC, et. al.
As we just heard got word of this around 4PM, I’m not sure if this is just Shell U.S. or if its global policy … I’ll update that later. Hopefully this (like Key) will be global.
After such a difficult week at work, it’s nice to get a bit of good news over the Email for a change. Message to Sara … if you read this, drop me an Email and let me know if you can make a trip out here to wild, wild West (Houston). And bring a little bit of money.
It seems we owe Elaine a lunch – and some high fives all around!
“We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community.... Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.” — Cesar Chavez, founder of National Farm Workers Assn.
Man Fashion: Men's Casual Sandals
As summer is just at the corner, if you don't have a nice casual sandals by now, you should start to look for one now. As with the trend for women, sandals for men are once again in the spotlight. The biggest trend in sandals for men is the extension of casual styles that cater to the generally active lifestyle of men. Whether it is sports, outdoor activities, or informal gatherings, there are sandals that are appropriate for the occasion. Adidas sandals for golf, for example, are designed to withstand extended walking while providing maximum comfort to the foot.
The beach and sandals are traditional companions. The designs of sandals for the beach must feature water-friendly materials that absorb moisture and keep the feet cool and dry. The trend in casual beach sandals is color and style. Beach sandals are designed with vibrant and bold colors, such as Helly Hansen's electric blue sandals. Of course, flip flops continue to be favorites with beach goers. However, the trend has ascended the basic thick rubber-soled sandals of the past. Many sandals for the beach are now made of leather and are perfect for non-water activities at the beach.
Technology may have increased the amount of convenience at our fingertips, but there's a good chance that your lifestyle hasn't made the adjustment. When you're on the go and need to slip on a pair of shoes, sandals with easy access are a must, but you undoubtedly want to remain stylish. The trend is a style of sandals in which the feet easily slide in the shoe. DKNY sandals called Boardwalks are a great example of this style of shoe. These black slide sandals are functional yet stylish.
Sandals are comfort shoes. The styles of sandals for men have also gone beyond the material used to make the shoe. Another trend in men's sandals is style that seeks pleasure in itself. There are many examples of sandals that prove that comfort and style can work together to produce a great pair of sandals. Dockers sandals feature some of the most recent developments in comfort, but offer the style conscious a shoe that is suitable for work.
Tags: Man Fashion, Casual Sandals, Men Casual Sandals, Beach Wear
Click photo to find out more
Click photo to find out more
The beach and sandals are traditional companions. The designs of sandals for the beach must feature water-friendly materials that absorb moisture and keep the feet cool and dry. The trend in casual beach sandals is color and style. Beach sandals are designed with vibrant and bold colors, such as Helly Hansen's electric blue sandals. Of course, flip flops continue to be favorites with beach goers. However, the trend has ascended the basic thick rubber-soled sandals of the past. Many sandals for the beach are now made of leather and are perfect for non-water activities at the beach.
Click photo to find out more
Style IndulgentTechnology may have increased the amount of convenience at our fingertips, but there's a good chance that your lifestyle hasn't made the adjustment. When you're on the go and need to slip on a pair of shoes, sandals with easy access are a must, but you undoubtedly want to remain stylish. The trend is a style of sandals in which the feet easily slide in the shoe. DKNY sandals called Boardwalks are a great example of this style of shoe. These black slide sandals are functional yet stylish.
Sandals are comfort shoes. The styles of sandals for men have also gone beyond the material used to make the shoe. Another trend in men's sandals is style that seeks pleasure in itself. There are many examples of sandals that prove that comfort and style can work together to produce a great pair of sandals. Dockers sandals feature some of the most recent developments in comfort, but offer the style conscious a shoe that is suitable for work.
Tags: Man Fashion, Casual Sandals, Men Casual Sandals, Beach Wear
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Michael Bastian Spring 2008 Collection
I think if you are Michael Bastian's fan, you should not missed his recent released of Spring 2008 collection. Michael Bastian's 300-piece collection was so densely laden with personal references that you felt a twinge of regret. Bastian claimed that his new gig as menswear designer for Bill Blass has liberated him to get more personal with his own line. So do you agree with his views?
Grey color is one of his main theme, which matched perfectly with red and white.
Just two casual wear of his 300 pieces collection, focus on red, gray and black color
Some of Michael Bastian's Bermuda collection
Two of his smart casual wear, one of striking stripe (black and white) and simple light gray suits.
Two formal business Spring wear from Michael BastianLast but not least, if you like to know what are his top 10 essential, that he shared with Men.style.com back in last year then, She Know Best has a very interesting write up.
Tags: Man Fashion, Man Fashion Show, Men Designer Fashion, Michael Bastian Fashion, Smart Casual, Casual Wear, Formal Business Wear
Monday, March 24, 2008
Taking Pot Shots At Trans Rights
“I was sitting in my basement.
I just rolled myself a taste
Of something green and gold and glorious
To get me through the day.” — I Got Stoned And I Missed It, Shel Silverstein
“"I have always loved marijuana. It has been a source of joy and comfort to me for many years. And I still think of it as a basic staple of life ….” — author, Hunter S. Thompson
Another day, another … reason to go get stoned.
It’s too damn bad I stopped buying that stuff back in the mid 80’s. It’s not been an especially good weekend. We just reached a new and ignominious milestone in the War in Iraq. 4000 deaths.
A new friend of mine I met during our precinct convention (or Texas Two-Step caucus as the media likes to tag it) Emailed me today to say she couldn’t make it to next weekend’s senate district convention as a delegate. It turns out that she was notified that her grandson was one of those reported killed in Iraq this weekend. After the initial shock of Billy’s news, my thoughts then immediately went out to my own nephew who’s over there right now. Another fresh, innocuous Army face doing the honorable thing on the front lines … I can’t imagine what he’s thinking.
On top of that, two friends – one a former co-worker, and another one of the delegates from my precinct, are losing jobs at the end of the month.
Maybe there’s hope on the horizon. It seems there’s a decriminalization bill for small amounts of marijuana that is making it’s way through the processes in the U. S. House of Representatives. We can all just catch a buzz and fuggeddaboudit!
And guess who spoke out in favor of this bill …? Rep. Barney Frank, the top congressional GLBT (and I add the T though I fully realize we have no representation up on the Hill) member on the Hill. Yep, the same Barney Frank who knew we didn’t have enough support for a fully inclusive Employment Non Discrimination Act because, well, you know … we can’t have transgender people working in jobs around children and stuff. Especially not with the almost-daily reports of transgenders molesting kids and stuff … wherever the hell that raft of case histories came from.
Or maybe they weren’t there after all. Probably just all the pot smoke ….
“But you've got to understand. I want to be president. I want to lead. I want to set– Do you want your little kid to say, "Hey, Daddy. President Bush tried marijuana. I think I will?" — the Texas Gov. George W. Bush in taped interview with confidant Doug Wead
“Am I high? Just look in my eyes.
If you could see them from the other side,
You’d still be wonderin’ “Am I High?”” — Am I High?, Asleep At The Wheel
Oh yeah, back to Barney … he explained it this way: "Many elected officials are hesitant to support any proposals that might be viewed as weakening our drug laws, but I believe this is a common sense idea that will give some people who are suffering a measure of relief."
In fact, Barney even gave high-fives to GOPpers supporting the bill as well. GOP maverick Ron Paul of Texas, and conservative Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) are supporting the measure. That’s pretty impressive. Indeed, it does have some common sense to it, even if it is a pretty controversial topic.
"Do you really think people should be prosecuted for smoking marijuana? I don’t think most people agree with that.” Actually, I’d agree with him on that. Pot is not a dangerous, addictive drug in the vein of opiate, amphetamine or cocaine based drugs. The question is, has the party chair done a “whip count” to poll and see how many of the other Reps are supportive of this? Did they listen to the worried freshmen whom may be frightened about supporting such a political hot potato?
Who’d have thunk it, hmm? We’re living in a day – even in the same congressional session – where we could see gay rights and marijuana legalization with realistic chances of passage!
And as for transgenders? Sorry! Not a snowball’s chance in hell, babies!
“It's Public Enemy, Number One!
Women Cry For It - Men Die For It!
The Sweet "Pill" That Makes Life BITTER!
Adults Only!
Drug Crazed Abandon!
Sin - degradation - vice - insanity!” — Movie Trailer soundbites from “Reefer Madness” (1936)
“Even if one takes every reefer madness allegation of the prohibitionists at face value, marijuana prohibition has done far more harm to far more people than marijuana ever could.” — conservative pundit, William F. Buckley Jr.
What this clearly communicates is even if you’re a fully law-abiding transgender, you’re still lower than a pot-smoker who may be breaking the law. Ain’t that ducky?
It’s Barney’s way of saying “If you break a law because of pot, you can get a job – hell, we’ll make it legal, so you can be legit! But you transsexuals? We ain’t hiring! Back out to the shadowy streetcorners with ya, with the other hookers and lowlifes where ya belong!”
It’s kinda sad. I had a dream that some day we’d be at least as good, maybe even considered a little better than -potheads. Oh well, it was a nice pipe-dream, I suppose. We still haven’t even risen to the level of child molesters yet! They often keep their jobs – even in religious organizations and churches.
But don’t let them catch you transitioning from one gender to the other! Horrors! You’ll be tossed out with little hesitation!
Very few studies have been allowed to be compiled on support from the public for equal employment opportunities for transgenders. However, they have shown a consistent result: the majority of respondents support trans inclusion in employment legislation. In the North Carolina study that HRC contracted (and buried shortly thereafter), a slightly higher percentage supported trans inclusion in the workplace over sexual orientation!
And yet … there’s not the support for us transgenders on the Hill. Barney Frank says so. We’ve not done any education or lobbying on Capitol Hill for trans rights, said Barn. Done a piss poor job, according to his opinion. So it must be fact, right? The dude’s bitchin’, he wouldn’t shaft us.
He’s been the transgender community’s hero for years! No one has worked harder! That’s what we’ve all heard from … from somewhere. I don’t remember where. Or maybe it didn’t happen at all … I don’t know. Hey, what do you expect? Stoners are more lucid and employable than us trannies.
On the pot legalization bill, Barney noted that, “it’s one area where the public is ahead of the elected officials.”
Actually there have been a few studies on equal employment opportunities for transgenders. The consistent result has shown a majority of the public support trans inclusion in employment legislation. Oh, I said that already? I forgot. Hey-y-y! Barney was right! The public IS ahead of the elected officials! Oh, wow ….
“A drunkard wants another drink of wine, a politician wants a vote.
I don't want much of nothin' at all, but I will take another toke.” — Long-Haired Country Boy, Charlie Daniels
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone ... but they've always worked for me." — author, Hunter S. Thompson
I just rolled myself a taste
Of something green and gold and glorious
To get me through the day.” — I Got Stoned And I Missed It, Shel Silverstein
“"I have always loved marijuana. It has been a source of joy and comfort to me for many years. And I still think of it as a basic staple of life ….” — author, Hunter S. Thompson
Another day, another … reason to go get stoned.
It’s too damn bad I stopped buying that stuff back in the mid 80’s. It’s not been an especially good weekend. We just reached a new and ignominious milestone in the War in Iraq. 4000 deaths.
A new friend of mine I met during our precinct convention (or Texas Two-Step caucus as the media likes to tag it) Emailed me today to say she couldn’t make it to next weekend’s senate district convention as a delegate. It turns out that she was notified that her grandson was one of those reported killed in Iraq this weekend. After the initial shock of Billy’s news, my thoughts then immediately went out to my own nephew who’s over there right now. Another fresh, innocuous Army face doing the honorable thing on the front lines … I can’t imagine what he’s thinking.
On top of that, two friends – one a former co-worker, and another one of the delegates from my precinct, are losing jobs at the end of the month.
Maybe there’s hope on the horizon. It seems there’s a decriminalization bill for small amounts of marijuana that is making it’s way through the processes in the U. S. House of Representatives. We can all just catch a buzz and fuggeddaboudit!
And guess who spoke out in favor of this bill …? Rep. Barney Frank, the top congressional GLBT (and I add the T though I fully realize we have no representation up on the Hill) member on the Hill. Yep, the same Barney Frank who knew we didn’t have enough support for a fully inclusive Employment Non Discrimination Act because, well, you know … we can’t have transgender people working in jobs around children and stuff. Especially not with the almost-daily reports of transgenders molesting kids and stuff … wherever the hell that raft of case histories came from.
Or maybe they weren’t there after all. Probably just all the pot smoke ….
“But you've got to understand. I want to be president. I want to lead. I want to set– Do you want your little kid to say, "Hey, Daddy. President Bush tried marijuana. I think I will?" — the Texas Gov. George W. Bush in taped interview with confidant Doug Wead
“Am I high? Just look in my eyes.
If you could see them from the other side,
You’d still be wonderin’ “Am I High?”” — Am I High?, Asleep At The Wheel
Oh yeah, back to Barney … he explained it this way: "Many elected officials are hesitant to support any proposals that might be viewed as weakening our drug laws, but I believe this is a common sense idea that will give some people who are suffering a measure of relief."
In fact, Barney even gave high-fives to GOPpers supporting the bill as well. GOP maverick Ron Paul of Texas, and conservative Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) are supporting the measure. That’s pretty impressive. Indeed, it does have some common sense to it, even if it is a pretty controversial topic.
"Do you really think people should be prosecuted for smoking marijuana? I don’t think most people agree with that.” Actually, I’d agree with him on that. Pot is not a dangerous, addictive drug in the vein of opiate, amphetamine or cocaine based drugs. The question is, has the party chair done a “whip count” to poll and see how many of the other Reps are supportive of this? Did they listen to the worried freshmen whom may be frightened about supporting such a political hot potato?
Who’d have thunk it, hmm? We’re living in a day – even in the same congressional session – where we could see gay rights and marijuana legalization with realistic chances of passage!
And as for transgenders? Sorry! Not a snowball’s chance in hell, babies!
“It's Public Enemy, Number One!
Women Cry For It - Men Die For It!
The Sweet "Pill" That Makes Life BITTER!
Adults Only!
Drug Crazed Abandon!
Sin - degradation - vice - insanity!” — Movie Trailer soundbites from “Reefer Madness” (1936)
“Even if one takes every reefer madness allegation of the prohibitionists at face value, marijuana prohibition has done far more harm to far more people than marijuana ever could.” — conservative pundit, William F. Buckley Jr.
What this clearly communicates is even if you’re a fully law-abiding transgender, you’re still lower than a pot-smoker who may be breaking the law. Ain’t that ducky?
It’s Barney’s way of saying “If you break a law because of pot, you can get a job – hell, we’ll make it legal, so you can be legit! But you transsexuals? We ain’t hiring! Back out to the shadowy streetcorners with ya, with the other hookers and lowlifes where ya belong!”
It’s kinda sad. I had a dream that some day we’d be at least as good, maybe even considered a little better than -potheads. Oh well, it was a nice pipe-dream, I suppose. We still haven’t even risen to the level of child molesters yet! They often keep their jobs – even in religious organizations and churches.
But don’t let them catch you transitioning from one gender to the other! Horrors! You’ll be tossed out with little hesitation!
Very few studies have been allowed to be compiled on support from the public for equal employment opportunities for transgenders. However, they have shown a consistent result: the majority of respondents support trans inclusion in employment legislation. In the North Carolina study that HRC contracted (and buried shortly thereafter), a slightly higher percentage supported trans inclusion in the workplace over sexual orientation!
And yet … there’s not the support for us transgenders on the Hill. Barney Frank says so. We’ve not done any education or lobbying on Capitol Hill for trans rights, said Barn. Done a piss poor job, according to his opinion. So it must be fact, right? The dude’s bitchin’, he wouldn’t shaft us.
He’s been the transgender community’s hero for years! No one has worked harder! That’s what we’ve all heard from … from somewhere. I don’t remember where. Or maybe it didn’t happen at all … I don’t know. Hey, what do you expect? Stoners are more lucid and employable than us trannies.
On the pot legalization bill, Barney noted that, “it’s one area where the public is ahead of the elected officials.”
Actually there have been a few studies on equal employment opportunities for transgenders. The consistent result has shown a majority of the public support trans inclusion in employment legislation. Oh, I said that already? I forgot. Hey-y-y! Barney was right! The public IS ahead of the elected officials! Oh, wow ….
“A drunkard wants another drink of wine, a politician wants a vote.
I don't want much of nothin' at all, but I will take another toke.” — Long-Haired Country Boy, Charlie Daniels
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone ... but they've always worked for me." — author, Hunter S. Thompson
Celebrity Fashion: Keanu Reeves
Are you even reading this article? Or are you hooked up to a giant computer simulation known as The Matrix that is making you think you are, all the while using your body as the equivalent of a human Duracell? Heady, complicated stuff from the Wachowski brothers, packed with ace CGI-enhanced action. That's right, Keanu Reeves stars as Neo, a hacker who learns the machines have enslaved humanity in The Matrix.
today, we are not talking about The Matrix here, but rather Keanu Reeves's fashion style in real world.
Tags: Man Fashion, Celebrity Fashion, Keanu Reeves, The Matrix
today, we are not talking about The Matrix here, but rather Keanu Reeves's fashion style in real world.
Tags: Man Fashion, Celebrity Fashion, Keanu Reeves, The Matrix
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Welcome To The Bush-Leagues
“And the great owners, who must lose their land in an upheaval, the great owners with access to history, with eyes to read history and to know the great fact: when property accumulates in too few hands it is taken away. And that companion fact: when a majority of the people are hungry and cold they will take by force what they need. And the little screaming fact that sounds through all history: repression works only to strengthen and knit the repressed. The great owners ignored the three cries of history. The land fell into fewer hands, the number of dispossessed increased, and every effort of the great owners was directed at repression.” — John Steinbeck from the novel “The Grapes Of Wrath”
A friend I just made at our recent precinct convention whose helping coordinate our delegation for Obama just found out her position writing contracts has dried up and she’s going temp now. With the foreclosures starting to pop up again here, and my friends losing jobs, it’s almost like Reaganomics again. So far, we haven’t seen the folks mailing in their house keys and walking from their homes as they do up north, but how far away can this be if our jobs start evaporating again? I still recall the 17–18% unemployment days of the 80’s ….
With all of the news on the economy lately, the pain at the pump and the grocery store, the skyrocketing insurance, medical care and housing costs along with the flatlined wages (if indeed we still have a job!) for the overwhelming majority of this country, the President spoke from New York financial district just over a week ago on how the economy is resilient, strong and how we’re not in a recession! What the hell is this guy snorting?!?
The only person in the country that truly buys that garbage is Dickless Cheney! What kind of reaction is he expecting, and how clueless is he making the Republican Party look?
Sayeth the W: “Our economy obviously is going through a tough time. The challenge is not to do anything foolish.” Yeah, like borrowing money from China to give every American a $600 rebate check to … go out and spend on more stuff (not save and pay off bills) and drive up the National Debt and drive our dollar down on those same Chinese (and other nation’s) imports with our ever-devaluing dollar, thanks to our inability to pay off debt and drive away foreign investors in dollars. Sadly, this is something both parties think is a great idea – instant economic boom! I’m not close to being an economist, but that’s so stupid it insults even my intelligence – limited as it may be!
On the subject of foolish … Bush also had the audacity to repeat that the economy is still “fundamentally strong” (WHAT?!?) and was not going to admit we’re in a recession even though the experts, the regular joes in America and even the failing banks (like Bear-Stearns) are all screaming that we’re already in the recession. At the very least we’re in stagflation that’s making the Nixon-Ford era of this look like child’s play! At one point, our illustrious prez thought the subject was so funny, he cracked himself up on the podium. Seriously.
But Bush-baby wasn’t done! “It’s important not to overcorrect, because when you overcorrect you end up in the ditch.” Too bad the economy and the country have been stuck in the money-draining ditch known as Iraq for longer than the Vietnam War now! We never even tried to finish Afghanistan or the hunt for Bin Laden … does anyone remember Bin Laden? 9/11?
“So welcome back baby, to the poor side of town.” — Poor Side Of Town, Johnny Rivers
So here we are in probably the most difficult economy since the Great Depression and we can’t get much more than a bit of press from the Dems – but they seem too intent on tearing down each other. Economy doesn’t get much press. Meanwhile, friends from my former job are losing their jobs at the end of this coming month and prospects are drying up out there. My sister, a single mom of two in the title insurance biz who gets zero help from her deadbeat ex is feeling the pinch at her job.
At least my temp positions have kept me going the past few years – nothing to be able to catch up, but it pays the bills in demand. My current job ends July 1 when we complete the transition phase of moving our American home office finance department processes (two miles from my home) to India.
Oh, did I tell you this is one of the major oil producers/refiners in the world? Yes, times are purportedly tough in big Oil, and they need to be mindful of maximizing their bottom line.
If oil companies with their record-shattering quarterly and annual profits are finding it necessary to outsource and offshore their functions, can there be any company that can really afford to keep employees in America? Even with stagnant wages, we’re still too expensive to hire. Making it more attractive, these corporations can actually avoid taxes by producing overseas. Making more money and paying few taxes, what a deal!
Maybe if our dollar falls far enough, we can start attracting back jobs like those burgeoning third-world countries. We can be a cheaper version of China’s workforce, though we’ll have to get rid of all our benefits, shitcan the OSHA safety standards, and always remember we need to work with no expectation of raises, bettering our collective lot or retiring. You see, we workforce folk are a dime a dozen … really more like a penny a dozen with stagflation.
The root of our current problem is that nobody learned from history. We’ve been through this economy before a century ago with Pres. William McKinley and the robber-baron era. How we got out of it was what once made Detroit great and was championed most famously by Henry Ford. It was a simple concept really. Produce a product that is affordable to the masses (though an ultimate essential), and pay the workforce that produces it a generously competitive wage.
You don’t make as much profit per unit and don’t do as well early on, but then all your workers are eligible to buy your product – increasing your market and pushing overall revenue and profits up. America today is all about maximizing their profit margin and looking at nothing beyond the next quarter. Jack up prices, keep your employees desperate and hold the wages low.
Then a funny thing happened … suddenly only the rich had money to spend. And the vast remainder of the country didn’t … and didn’t spend any more. And the less we spend, the more stores close and factories lay off … which means even few people spend, and profits wane and on and on the cycle goes.
If the government really wants to fix the issue, they’ll give tax breaks only domestically and only to those companies whose top-level officers and owners make no more than 25 times their lowest-level employees wage. Those who want their profit and paychecks much heftier can just pay a comparatively heftier share of taxes on it. Author Thomas Friedman said the “world is flat” for the American workforce … I say it’s time to flatten out the CEO paychecks in similar fashion.
And we don’t want to hear the righteous indignation and outrage of the privileged “good old boy club” complaining about having to shell out for taxes! Tell it to the employee who just got pink-slipped or the former homeowner who was just foreclosed on.
“The fields are all bare and the cotton won’t grow,
Me and my family got to pack up and go,
But I’ll make a living – just how I don’t know
’cause I’m busted.” — Busted, Nazareth
“They're workin' away our spirits, tryin' to make us cringe and crawl, takin' away our decency.” — Henry Fonda as Tom Joad from the movie, “The Grapes Of Wrath”
A friend I just made at our recent precinct convention whose helping coordinate our delegation for Obama just found out her position writing contracts has dried up and she’s going temp now. With the foreclosures starting to pop up again here, and my friends losing jobs, it’s almost like Reaganomics again. So far, we haven’t seen the folks mailing in their house keys and walking from their homes as they do up north, but how far away can this be if our jobs start evaporating again? I still recall the 17–18% unemployment days of the 80’s ….
With all of the news on the economy lately, the pain at the pump and the grocery store, the skyrocketing insurance, medical care and housing costs along with the flatlined wages (if indeed we still have a job!) for the overwhelming majority of this country, the President spoke from New York financial district just over a week ago on how the economy is resilient, strong and how we’re not in a recession! What the hell is this guy snorting?!?
The only person in the country that truly buys that garbage is Dickless Cheney! What kind of reaction is he expecting, and how clueless is he making the Republican Party look?
Sayeth the W: “Our economy obviously is going through a tough time. The challenge is not to do anything foolish.” Yeah, like borrowing money from China to give every American a $600 rebate check to … go out and spend on more stuff (not save and pay off bills) and drive up the National Debt and drive our dollar down on those same Chinese (and other nation’s) imports with our ever-devaluing dollar, thanks to our inability to pay off debt and drive away foreign investors in dollars. Sadly, this is something both parties think is a great idea – instant economic boom! I’m not close to being an economist, but that’s so stupid it insults even my intelligence – limited as it may be!
On the subject of foolish … Bush also had the audacity to repeat that the economy is still “fundamentally strong” (WHAT?!?) and was not going to admit we’re in a recession even though the experts, the regular joes in America and even the failing banks (like Bear-Stearns) are all screaming that we’re already in the recession. At the very least we’re in stagflation that’s making the Nixon-Ford era of this look like child’s play! At one point, our illustrious prez thought the subject was so funny, he cracked himself up on the podium. Seriously.
But Bush-baby wasn’t done! “It’s important not to overcorrect, because when you overcorrect you end up in the ditch.” Too bad the economy and the country have been stuck in the money-draining ditch known as Iraq for longer than the Vietnam War now! We never even tried to finish Afghanistan or the hunt for Bin Laden … does anyone remember Bin Laden? 9/11?
“So welcome back baby, to the poor side of town.” — Poor Side Of Town, Johnny Rivers
So here we are in probably the most difficult economy since the Great Depression and we can’t get much more than a bit of press from the Dems – but they seem too intent on tearing down each other. Economy doesn’t get much press. Meanwhile, friends from my former job are losing their jobs at the end of this coming month and prospects are drying up out there. My sister, a single mom of two in the title insurance biz who gets zero help from her deadbeat ex is feeling the pinch at her job.
At least my temp positions have kept me going the past few years – nothing to be able to catch up, but it pays the bills in demand. My current job ends July 1 when we complete the transition phase of moving our American home office finance department processes (two miles from my home) to India.
Oh, did I tell you this is one of the major oil producers/refiners in the world? Yes, times are purportedly tough in big Oil, and they need to be mindful of maximizing their bottom line.
If oil companies with their record-shattering quarterly and annual profits are finding it necessary to outsource and offshore their functions, can there be any company that can really afford to keep employees in America? Even with stagnant wages, we’re still too expensive to hire. Making it more attractive, these corporations can actually avoid taxes by producing overseas. Making more money and paying few taxes, what a deal!
Maybe if our dollar falls far enough, we can start attracting back jobs like those burgeoning third-world countries. We can be a cheaper version of China’s workforce, though we’ll have to get rid of all our benefits, shitcan the OSHA safety standards, and always remember we need to work with no expectation of raises, bettering our collective lot or retiring. You see, we workforce folk are a dime a dozen … really more like a penny a dozen with stagflation.
The root of our current problem is that nobody learned from history. We’ve been through this economy before a century ago with Pres. William McKinley and the robber-baron era. How we got out of it was what once made Detroit great and was championed most famously by Henry Ford. It was a simple concept really. Produce a product that is affordable to the masses (though an ultimate essential), and pay the workforce that produces it a generously competitive wage.
You don’t make as much profit per unit and don’t do as well early on, but then all your workers are eligible to buy your product – increasing your market and pushing overall revenue and profits up. America today is all about maximizing their profit margin and looking at nothing beyond the next quarter. Jack up prices, keep your employees desperate and hold the wages low.
Then a funny thing happened … suddenly only the rich had money to spend. And the vast remainder of the country didn’t … and didn’t spend any more. And the less we spend, the more stores close and factories lay off … which means even few people spend, and profits wane and on and on the cycle goes.
If the government really wants to fix the issue, they’ll give tax breaks only domestically and only to those companies whose top-level officers and owners make no more than 25 times their lowest-level employees wage. Those who want their profit and paychecks much heftier can just pay a comparatively heftier share of taxes on it. Author Thomas Friedman said the “world is flat” for the American workforce … I say it’s time to flatten out the CEO paychecks in similar fashion.
And we don’t want to hear the righteous indignation and outrage of the privileged “good old boy club” complaining about having to shell out for taxes! Tell it to the employee who just got pink-slipped or the former homeowner who was just foreclosed on.
“The fields are all bare and the cotton won’t grow,
Me and my family got to pack up and go,
But I’ll make a living – just how I don’t know
’cause I’m busted.” — Busted, Nazareth
“They're workin' away our spirits, tryin' to make us cringe and crawl, takin' away our decency.” — Henry Fonda as Tom Joad from the movie, “The Grapes Of Wrath”
Friday, March 21, 2008
Man Fashion Tips: Silver Wedding Bands
Whether you are not at the age of marriage, or you are in the midst of preparation of your marriage, you ought to know about wedding rings. I personally like silver and against gold (maybe because of the recent shape increase in price.. ha ha).
Silver wedding bands come in several designs and patterns and are reasonably priced. High quality silver wedding bands are usually made of sterling silver, which can range from 80% to 92.5% of pure silver combined with remaining of copper.
Silver wedding bands also cater to refined tastes and assure a comfortable fit. Different types of silver wedding bands include classic, round inside bands and brushed silver bands. Round wedding bands have rounded inner edges making the band more comfortable. Brushed silver bands are unique in the sense that they are handcrafted and have a brushed finish giving a soft, satiny appearance to the band. Many vendors provide customers with the option of getting their personalized messages engraved on wedding bands.
Some of them are made exclusively for males or females, while either men or women can wear other designs of wedding bands. Some other designs and styles such as curb, cable and Figaro, rope, snake and herringbone is also available in silver rings.
Tags: Man Fashion, Man Fashion Tips, Silver Wedding Bands, Silver Bands
Silver wedding bands come in several designs and patterns and are reasonably priced. High quality silver wedding bands are usually made of sterling silver, which can range from 80% to 92.5% of pure silver combined with remaining of copper.
Silver wedding bands also cater to refined tastes and assure a comfortable fit. Different types of silver wedding bands include classic, round inside bands and brushed silver bands. Round wedding bands have rounded inner edges making the band more comfortable. Brushed silver bands are unique in the sense that they are handcrafted and have a brushed finish giving a soft, satiny appearance to the band. Many vendors provide customers with the option of getting their personalized messages engraved on wedding bands.
Some of them are made exclusively for males or females, while either men or women can wear other designs of wedding bands. Some other designs and styles such as curb, cable and Figaro, rope, snake and herringbone is also available in silver rings.
Tags: Man Fashion, Man Fashion Tips, Silver Wedding Bands, Silver Bands
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Shock And Awe, Five Years Hence
“It is better, to fight against inflation (war only brings destruction)
And to build … build a better nation (war only brings destruction)
Everybody must have a place (war only brings destruction)
All this hate must become a memory (war only brings destruction)” — War In The East, D.O.A.
Shock! It went by so fast, and snuck up with no warning. Suddenly, it hit.
It’s been five years since the Iraq War began.
Five and a half years ago, I was arguing strenuously with those agreeing with going into Iraq – even my own dad (a blue-dog Dem, no less) who thought it was a good idea. Former CIA estimates, Sec. of State Colin Powell’s statements at the beginning of Bush-baby’s presidency, and first-hand accounts of former Gen. Scott Ritter – one of America’s own who was a weapons inspector in Iraq for years – none of it made one good damn bit of difference. There was just enough of a majority for Bush/Cheney to self-justify war, and off we lemmings went.
The months and weeks leading up to the war were like the twilight zone: surreal. I couldn’t believe that so many people, and virtually the entire media empire were bought into this “threat” from Saddam Hussein as vengeance for 9/11. Ironically, the only news that was showing the deceit and duplicity in all its glory, the only news reporting the real story was the Daily Show with Jon Stewart … from Comedy Central! It floored me that no one but the comedians could see truth – similar to medieval days when only the court jesters dared speak truth to the king. And, of course, it was always laughed off by all – it’s from a joker, what could they know?
Indeed.
The week before the War, we held a war protest here in Houston – one of the largest in the country with well over 10,000 joining. Yet, even with this, and the few American cities that actually drew more than us here in Bush’s back yard, nowhere did our numbers come close to European cities which drew totals in the hundreds of thousands – and it wasn’t even their president leading them off a cliff!
“Had a dream, it was war,
And they couldn’t tell me what it was for.
But it was something they could lie about,
Something we could die about ….” — Had A Dream, Roger Hodgson
With all of the delays in the war, I was hopeful that somehow we would just bluff our way around and never follow it into Iraq. Right before the date given for the beginning of the Iraq War, I’d scheduled a trip to Philadelphia for the IFGE conference, with two side trips to Washington DC – one for the National LGBT Health Coalition Lobby Days (NTAC, the group I chaired, was one of its original members) and after a two-day return to Philly, a second trip for the National Policy Roundtable at NGLTF headquarters. Between all the aforementioned, plus an NTAC Board meeting at IFGE on its final day before I flew back home from Philly, I really didn’t have much time to watch the war unfold.
On the night it was supposed to take place, I stayed with a dear friend, Kathy Padilla, and we talked about the war and the general direction this country was headed. Waking up Monday morning, I was hopeful – war hadn’t begun that previous night as was advertised. It seemed I was overanxious over what was going to be nothing after all.
After checking in and parking my rental car at Mara Keisling’s apartment in DC, I grabbed a Metro train and headed directly to the Health Coalition’s pre-lobby day conference at the Press Club in downtown DC. Sitting at the “tranny table” with friends Jessica Xavier, Lorraine Sade Baskerville and Ben Singer, as the day went on I began putting thoughts of this new war further out of mind. It wasn’t happening – we were safe after all!
At 4:15, one of the speakers came up to the podium for a brief interruption: America had just begun the bombing in Iraq. An uneasy numbness set in as the last hour of the meeting wound down. I think it’s safe to say I wasn’t the only person who’s interest level in subjects at hand dropped a few notches.
After the conference ended, I had an hour to waste before walking the two blocks south to our reception. Just downstairs from the conference banquet room, I stood transfixed before the bank of large-screen TVs. Each was turned to a different network, all were showing the same live shots of bombs blasting Baghdad. I could not believe our country was actually doing this! For all the Republicans specious claims about Clinton imitating the movie Wag The Dog (premise of which was an administration creating conditions for a war for political gain and avoiding scandal), here we were watching Wag The Dog unfold before our very eyes by these very same Republicans!
And in Orwellian fashion, the press bought it hook, line and sinker and helped sell it to the masses! I stood there alone watching the images, knowing what was true, and what apparently very few in the nation saw. I watched America bomb a country that had nothing to do with the reason we were engaging in this same war. And I was watching it in the Press Club – national symbol of the very institution who did a marvelous job helping to sell it to America’s Barnum Babies! No checks or balances, no keeping government honest this time … just peddling the canned message and giving it the hard-sell.
For the next hour or so, watching the bombs on TV then later walking to the Thomas Building for the reception and even the beginning of the reception, I felt very detached.
“Newspaper lies and government cries
Of war in the east and war in the west –
Fighting one another, killing for big brother,
The Mideast and Africa too ….” War In The East — D.O.A.
Arriving at the Thomas Building, I was vaguely aware of where it was located – just a block east of the White House. One block east was the very man who had his finger figuratively on “the button”, and who was “stable” enough to push for this elective war. Who knew what he was capable of doing?
After an hour, the gathering at the reception had loosened up a little with the snacks and wine. We half-joked about not being able to catch flights back home and shared our disbelief at what had just happened. One of our hosts grabbed our attention and asked if we were enjoying ourselves at the reception – polite applause afterwards. It was a nice distraction, all considered. Then he replied, “good, I hope you really enjoy it because you can’t leave.” Polite laughter.
Again he reiterated, “No, you really can’t leave – they’ve locked down all traffic in and out of downtown Washington. It seems we have a bomb threat in the reflecting pool just south of us and they’ve requested everyone to remain in place.”
Over the uneasy murmurs, I swear you could’ve heard my heart splattering on the floor at that moment. Here I was, right as the Iraq War starts, a block from the White House! Miles from my rental car, over a hundred miles from where I fly back home from, and over a thousand miles from home … what great fortune. I could get blown to bits with the same jerkweeds who decided to start a war “just because,” and I couldn’t even get away from these bozos to save my own life!
What little humor there was died at that moment. Lorraine Sade Baskerville and I just stood there staring at each other with the same stunned look on our faces. We put on our brave faces, but I could see the fear there … and would imagine my own was showing as well. It’s hard to describe that moment in time. Surreality isn’t even close to an apt descriptor. To those of us at that reception, we immediately knew this war would have stark consequences – even if indirectly so.
As it later turned out, that the bomb threat just happened to be a crazy coincidence which had nothing to do with the war – it was a disgruntled farmer pissed off about his tobacco farm subsidies being cut, and decided at that moment in time to drive his tractor into the reflecting pond in front of the White House and make empty threats of having a bomb. The next day, those stunned lobbyists did as I did: we worked our congressional offices in machine-like fashion, professional but emotionless. In every congressional office, the TV’s were on and tuned to the war. We’d watch along with the staff for a few minutes, shake our heads collectively, then break and head for the next appointed rounds – the strangest lobbying foray I’ve ever worked.
“I don’t care what the future brings,
Give a damn about anything,
I’d be fine if they’d only leave me alone.
But it’s time, gotta take a chance
‘Cause I won’t get a second chance.
And I know now I’ll have to make it alone.” — Had A Dream, Roger Hodgson
So now we find ourselves five years hence. Iraq is better than it has been the previous year, but it’s much worse off than it was shortly after the war began – or even before it. The war has created a geopolitical vacuum that’s created new threats unforeseen and largely not possible before it.
America’s additionally exacerbated our armed forces with over 100,000 on disability due to injuries and nearly 4,000 dead. Our fighter planes, artillery, vehicles and other materiel are wearing out much faster than expected, and certainly much quicker than for what budgets prepared. And oil, though stabilized and secured in Iraq, didn’t remain stable but has instead skyrocketed.
This has created much quicker need for fuel additives to stretch oil further, such as corn for ethanol. What wasn’t planned was the escalating cost to corn, causing a corn-growing boom that began supplanting previous wheat growth as corn became the new cash crop. With wheat farming reduced at the same time drought and global demand rose, wheat became both scarce and prices also began their climb.
In the midst of all of this, we had our own economic woes domestically. War in this iteration was outsourced as much as possible to maximize profit. Meanwhile, interest rates rose as did costs on virtually everything else while domestic wages went flat. As more people lost their homes and went bankrupt, the vast consumer base began fearing the future and holding onto their paychecks. And we now see the beginnings of the layoffs as Americans stop spending on anything but essentials.
While the Bush Administration struggles to search for a way out of this corner they’ve painted us into, there’s one fact that can’t be avoided. We can’t afford to bail ourselves out any more. Our money goes to Iraq for the war. Any stopgap loans like those to pay for the $600 economic stimulus tax rebates get borrowed from our dear friends, China. And all the borrowing America does only helps devalue the dollar further, making those same outsourced-job-produced imports even more expensive.
Five years. I’m in awe. I’m awestruck at how comprehensively this war has changed us all. I don’t look at our country the same way, I damn sure don’t look at our leaders the same way, and I’ve even learned not to simply dismiss conspiracies the way I did after hearing the conjectural rants in the previous decade. Maybe conspiracies aren’t there, but one thing that is for certain is the level and the stunning depth of manipulation has increased dramatically in the new millennium, and how deftly it’s played and how well it succeeds.
One might consider it … shocking. Shock and Awe indeed.
“There is at the outset a very obvious and almost facile connection between the war in Vietnam and the struggle I, and others, have been waging in America. A few years ago there was a shining moment in that struggle. It seemed as if there was a real promise of hope for the poor -- both black and white -- through the poverty program. There were experiments, hopes, new beginnings. Then came the buildup in Vietnam and I watched the program broken and eviscerated as if it were some idle political plaything of a society gone mad on war, and I knew that America would never invest the necessary funds or energies in rehabilitation of its poor so long as adventures like Vietnam continued to draw men and skills and money like some demonic destructive suction tube. So I was increasingly compelled to see the war as an enemy of the poor and to attack it as such.” — Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at a speech given exactly one year before his assassination
And to build … build a better nation (war only brings destruction)
Everybody must have a place (war only brings destruction)
All this hate must become a memory (war only brings destruction)” — War In The East, D.O.A.
Shock! It went by so fast, and snuck up with no warning. Suddenly, it hit.
It’s been five years since the Iraq War began.
Five and a half years ago, I was arguing strenuously with those agreeing with going into Iraq – even my own dad (a blue-dog Dem, no less) who thought it was a good idea. Former CIA estimates, Sec. of State Colin Powell’s statements at the beginning of Bush-baby’s presidency, and first-hand accounts of former Gen. Scott Ritter – one of America’s own who was a weapons inspector in Iraq for years – none of it made one good damn bit of difference. There was just enough of a majority for Bush/Cheney to self-justify war, and off we lemmings went.
The months and weeks leading up to the war were like the twilight zone: surreal. I couldn’t believe that so many people, and virtually the entire media empire were bought into this “threat” from Saddam Hussein as vengeance for 9/11. Ironically, the only news that was showing the deceit and duplicity in all its glory, the only news reporting the real story was the Daily Show with Jon Stewart … from Comedy Central! It floored me that no one but the comedians could see truth – similar to medieval days when only the court jesters dared speak truth to the king. And, of course, it was always laughed off by all – it’s from a joker, what could they know?
Indeed.
The week before the War, we held a war protest here in Houston – one of the largest in the country with well over 10,000 joining. Yet, even with this, and the few American cities that actually drew more than us here in Bush’s back yard, nowhere did our numbers come close to European cities which drew totals in the hundreds of thousands – and it wasn’t even their president leading them off a cliff!
“Had a dream, it was war,
And they couldn’t tell me what it was for.
But it was something they could lie about,
Something we could die about ….” — Had A Dream, Roger Hodgson
With all of the delays in the war, I was hopeful that somehow we would just bluff our way around and never follow it into Iraq. Right before the date given for the beginning of the Iraq War, I’d scheduled a trip to Philadelphia for the IFGE conference, with two side trips to Washington DC – one for the National LGBT Health Coalition Lobby Days (NTAC, the group I chaired, was one of its original members) and after a two-day return to Philly, a second trip for the National Policy Roundtable at NGLTF headquarters. Between all the aforementioned, plus an NTAC Board meeting at IFGE on its final day before I flew back home from Philly, I really didn’t have much time to watch the war unfold.
On the night it was supposed to take place, I stayed with a dear friend, Kathy Padilla, and we talked about the war and the general direction this country was headed. Waking up Monday morning, I was hopeful – war hadn’t begun that previous night as was advertised. It seemed I was overanxious over what was going to be nothing after all.
After checking in and parking my rental car at Mara Keisling’s apartment in DC, I grabbed a Metro train and headed directly to the Health Coalition’s pre-lobby day conference at the Press Club in downtown DC. Sitting at the “tranny table” with friends Jessica Xavier, Lorraine Sade Baskerville and Ben Singer, as the day went on I began putting thoughts of this new war further out of mind. It wasn’t happening – we were safe after all!
At 4:15, one of the speakers came up to the podium for a brief interruption: America had just begun the bombing in Iraq. An uneasy numbness set in as the last hour of the meeting wound down. I think it’s safe to say I wasn’t the only person who’s interest level in subjects at hand dropped a few notches.
After the conference ended, I had an hour to waste before walking the two blocks south to our reception. Just downstairs from the conference banquet room, I stood transfixed before the bank of large-screen TVs. Each was turned to a different network, all were showing the same live shots of bombs blasting Baghdad. I could not believe our country was actually doing this! For all the Republicans specious claims about Clinton imitating the movie Wag The Dog (premise of which was an administration creating conditions for a war for political gain and avoiding scandal), here we were watching Wag The Dog unfold before our very eyes by these very same Republicans!
And in Orwellian fashion, the press bought it hook, line and sinker and helped sell it to the masses! I stood there alone watching the images, knowing what was true, and what apparently very few in the nation saw. I watched America bomb a country that had nothing to do with the reason we were engaging in this same war. And I was watching it in the Press Club – national symbol of the very institution who did a marvelous job helping to sell it to America’s Barnum Babies! No checks or balances, no keeping government honest this time … just peddling the canned message and giving it the hard-sell.
For the next hour or so, watching the bombs on TV then later walking to the Thomas Building for the reception and even the beginning of the reception, I felt very detached.
“Newspaper lies and government cries
Of war in the east and war in the west –
Fighting one another, killing for big brother,
The Mideast and Africa too ….” War In The East — D.O.A.
Arriving at the Thomas Building, I was vaguely aware of where it was located – just a block east of the White House. One block east was the very man who had his finger figuratively on “the button”, and who was “stable” enough to push for this elective war. Who knew what he was capable of doing?
After an hour, the gathering at the reception had loosened up a little with the snacks and wine. We half-joked about not being able to catch flights back home and shared our disbelief at what had just happened. One of our hosts grabbed our attention and asked if we were enjoying ourselves at the reception – polite applause afterwards. It was a nice distraction, all considered. Then he replied, “good, I hope you really enjoy it because you can’t leave.” Polite laughter.
Again he reiterated, “No, you really can’t leave – they’ve locked down all traffic in and out of downtown Washington. It seems we have a bomb threat in the reflecting pool just south of us and they’ve requested everyone to remain in place.”
Over the uneasy murmurs, I swear you could’ve heard my heart splattering on the floor at that moment. Here I was, right as the Iraq War starts, a block from the White House! Miles from my rental car, over a hundred miles from where I fly back home from, and over a thousand miles from home … what great fortune. I could get blown to bits with the same jerkweeds who decided to start a war “just because,” and I couldn’t even get away from these bozos to save my own life!
What little humor there was died at that moment. Lorraine Sade Baskerville and I just stood there staring at each other with the same stunned look on our faces. We put on our brave faces, but I could see the fear there … and would imagine my own was showing as well. It’s hard to describe that moment in time. Surreality isn’t even close to an apt descriptor. To those of us at that reception, we immediately knew this war would have stark consequences – even if indirectly so.
As it later turned out, that the bomb threat just happened to be a crazy coincidence which had nothing to do with the war – it was a disgruntled farmer pissed off about his tobacco farm subsidies being cut, and decided at that moment in time to drive his tractor into the reflecting pond in front of the White House and make empty threats of having a bomb. The next day, those stunned lobbyists did as I did: we worked our congressional offices in machine-like fashion, professional but emotionless. In every congressional office, the TV’s were on and tuned to the war. We’d watch along with the staff for a few minutes, shake our heads collectively, then break and head for the next appointed rounds – the strangest lobbying foray I’ve ever worked.
“I don’t care what the future brings,
Give a damn about anything,
I’d be fine if they’d only leave me alone.
But it’s time, gotta take a chance
‘Cause I won’t get a second chance.
And I know now I’ll have to make it alone.” — Had A Dream, Roger Hodgson
So now we find ourselves five years hence. Iraq is better than it has been the previous year, but it’s much worse off than it was shortly after the war began – or even before it. The war has created a geopolitical vacuum that’s created new threats unforeseen and largely not possible before it.
America’s additionally exacerbated our armed forces with over 100,000 on disability due to injuries and nearly 4,000 dead. Our fighter planes, artillery, vehicles and other materiel are wearing out much faster than expected, and certainly much quicker than for what budgets prepared. And oil, though stabilized and secured in Iraq, didn’t remain stable but has instead skyrocketed.
This has created much quicker need for fuel additives to stretch oil further, such as corn for ethanol. What wasn’t planned was the escalating cost to corn, causing a corn-growing boom that began supplanting previous wheat growth as corn became the new cash crop. With wheat farming reduced at the same time drought and global demand rose, wheat became both scarce and prices also began their climb.
In the midst of all of this, we had our own economic woes domestically. War in this iteration was outsourced as much as possible to maximize profit. Meanwhile, interest rates rose as did costs on virtually everything else while domestic wages went flat. As more people lost their homes and went bankrupt, the vast consumer base began fearing the future and holding onto their paychecks. And we now see the beginnings of the layoffs as Americans stop spending on anything but essentials.
While the Bush Administration struggles to search for a way out of this corner they’ve painted us into, there’s one fact that can’t be avoided. We can’t afford to bail ourselves out any more. Our money goes to Iraq for the war. Any stopgap loans like those to pay for the $600 economic stimulus tax rebates get borrowed from our dear friends, China. And all the borrowing America does only helps devalue the dollar further, making those same outsourced-job-produced imports even more expensive.
Five years. I’m in awe. I’m awestruck at how comprehensively this war has changed us all. I don’t look at our country the same way, I damn sure don’t look at our leaders the same way, and I’ve even learned not to simply dismiss conspiracies the way I did after hearing the conjectural rants in the previous decade. Maybe conspiracies aren’t there, but one thing that is for certain is the level and the stunning depth of manipulation has increased dramatically in the new millennium, and how deftly it’s played and how well it succeeds.
One might consider it … shocking. Shock and Awe indeed.
“There is at the outset a very obvious and almost facile connection between the war in Vietnam and the struggle I, and others, have been waging in America. A few years ago there was a shining moment in that struggle. It seemed as if there was a real promise of hope for the poor -- both black and white -- through the poverty program. There were experiments, hopes, new beginnings. Then came the buildup in Vietnam and I watched the program broken and eviscerated as if it were some idle political plaything of a society gone mad on war, and I knew that America would never invest the necessary funds or energies in rehabilitation of its poor so long as adventures like Vietnam continued to draw men and skills and money like some demonic destructive suction tube. So I was increasingly compelled to see the war as an enemy of the poor and to attack it as such.” — Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at a speech given exactly one year before his assassination
Man Fashion Tips: 5 Ways to Spot Fake Men Designer Clothing
In this modern world, anything once get famous, sure will attract imitation, the most common one that we faced is the men designer clothes. So I have gather 5 most common ways to spot the fake mens designer clothing for your reference.
1. All fake men designer clothing have low prices in comparison to genuine men designer clothing. So before buying, browse around and see the normal prices for men designer clothing. Nevertheless, there are some great bargin over the years, for mens men designer clothing, so the best is to check their site before buying, either be on store or online. For example, the sites show the base price of Prada, Calvin Klein, Guess, DKNY jeans, Armani Jeans and many other products.
2. If you happen to buy men designer clothing from a website, check the contact details and the terms & conditions. It is now a legal requirement for all websites to have full contact details (Address, Telephone, Email etc…). If there are no contact details just a form to fill in be cautious as they may be hard to trace if you are unsatisfied with your goods.
3. Once of the biggest giveaways of fake men designer clothing is the material of the product. Nearly all fake men designer clothing is cheaply made using low cost and inferior materials in comparison to genuine men designer clothing. If possible examine the garment and if buying on line look in detail at large photographs of the product. Fake men designer clothing the stitching is normally of poor quality and details such as the brand name on labels will be missing. Look closely at the fine details.
4. The majority of fake men designer clothing is imported from cheap mass production countries such as China, Thailand, Vietnam (mostly Asia). Try and buy directly from countries like US and European countries. Likewise if you buy online, try to avoid those sellers from these countries.
5. Check with the seller if you have the chance. Some of the website do provide contact details. E-mail directly to the store owner, they will be able to advise you sometimes.
Be a smart consumer today, it is never be too late to return your products if you find is your up to your expectation. (Most website or stores do provide return policy, check before you buy).
Tags: Man Fashion Tips, Fake Designer Clothing, DKNY, Online Store
1. All fake men designer clothing have low prices in comparison to genuine men designer clothing. So before buying, browse around and see the normal prices for men designer clothing. Nevertheless, there are some great bargin over the years, for mens men designer clothing, so the best is to check their site before buying, either be on store or online. For example, the sites show the base price of Prada, Calvin Klein, Guess, DKNY jeans, Armani Jeans and many other products.
2. If you happen to buy men designer clothing from a website, check the contact details and the terms & conditions. It is now a legal requirement for all websites to have full contact details (Address, Telephone, Email etc…). If there are no contact details just a form to fill in be cautious as they may be hard to trace if you are unsatisfied with your goods.
3. Once of the biggest giveaways of fake men designer clothing is the material of the product. Nearly all fake men designer clothing is cheaply made using low cost and inferior materials in comparison to genuine men designer clothing. If possible examine the garment and if buying on line look in detail at large photographs of the product. Fake men designer clothing the stitching is normally of poor quality and details such as the brand name on labels will be missing. Look closely at the fine details.
4. The majority of fake men designer clothing is imported from cheap mass production countries such as China, Thailand, Vietnam (mostly Asia). Try and buy directly from countries like US and European countries. Likewise if you buy online, try to avoid those sellers from these countries.
5. Check with the seller if you have the chance. Some of the website do provide contact details. E-mail directly to the store owner, they will be able to advise you sometimes.
Be a smart consumer today, it is never be too late to return your products if you find is your up to your expectation. (Most website or stores do provide return policy, check before you buy).
Tags: Man Fashion Tips, Fake Designer Clothing, DKNY, Online Store
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Man Fashion: Ralph Lauren's 40th Anniversary Special
If you are not aware that Ralph Lauren's 40th anniversary theme, don't worry. GQ and Ralph Lauren have worked together to produce this special video.
This is an excellent piece of work, very beautiful background, cinematography, couple with perfect lighting and cool choice of music. This is really true Classic Ralph Lauren.
Beside, together with this memorable day, Ralph Lauren also released a special 40th Anniversary Book(cost about US$135.00), which is an essential addition to the library of those with a keen appreciation for the world of Ralph Lauren, this eponymous book marks the 40th anniversary of Lauren's commitment and dedication to the fashion world. This breathtaking volume, which is divided into four sections, shares an intimate view of Lauren's professional evolution, design philosophy and process and personal passions with more than 700 illustrations and photographs.
Tags: Man Fashion, Ralph Lauren, Men Classic Fashion, RL Classic Special, Men Fashion Show
This is an excellent piece of work, very beautiful background, cinematography, couple with perfect lighting and cool choice of music. This is really true Classic Ralph Lauren.
Beside, together with this memorable day, Ralph Lauren also released a special 40th Anniversary Book(cost about US$135.00), which is an essential addition to the library of those with a keen appreciation for the world of Ralph Lauren, this eponymous book marks the 40th anniversary of Lauren's commitment and dedication to the fashion world. This breathtaking volume, which is divided into four sections, shares an intimate view of Lauren's professional evolution, design philosophy and process and personal passions with more than 700 illustrations and photographs.
Tags: Man Fashion, Ralph Lauren, Men Classic Fashion, RL Classic Special, Men Fashion Show
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Man Fashion Tips: Fashion for Short Man
If you are looking for a list of "Fashion Tips" for the shorter man. You are at the right place today. We live in a physical world and we judge each other, to some degree, by the way we look. Our appearance is obviously very much affected by the clothes that we are wearing. So far I shared some fashion tips for bulky and skinny men. Today, I thought of sharing some of fashion tips for shorter man.
So remember, there are always some ways out even if you are short. As long as you got the right fashion match, you are still able to dress with styles.
Lastly, all these tips not only applies to men, it also applicable to lady.
Tags: Man Fashion, Man Fashion Tips, Short Men Fashion, Fashion Tips
- A Proper Fit is the Key
- Wear just One Color
- Opt for Dark Shades and Light Fabrics
- Vertical Stripes
- Opt for Square-toed Dress Shoes
- Wear Heels on your Dress Shoes
- Avoid Big Prints
So remember, there are always some ways out even if you are short. As long as you got the right fashion match, you are still able to dress with styles.
Lastly, all these tips not only applies to men, it also applicable to lady.
Tags: Man Fashion, Man Fashion Tips, Short Men Fashion, Fashion Tips
Monday, March 10, 2008
Celebrity Fashion: David Beckham's Fashion and Hairstyle
While Soccer Star David Beckham and her English pop singer Victoria are planning on leaving the US and heading off to London where their future stands a better chance.
The couple had moved to the States in a bid to conquer the Hollywood celebrity scene and allow David to play for LA Galaxy, however he has had to struggle to make an impression ever since he was introduced at the club last year. Things took a turn for the worse when his season was cursed with a string of injuries.
Here are some of David Beckham's fashion from past till now, and what I particularly focus here is his hairstyles.
Tags: Man Fashion, David Beckham, Celebrity Fashion, Celebrity Hairstyle
The couple had moved to the States in a bid to conquer the Hollywood celebrity scene and allow David to play for LA Galaxy, however he has had to struggle to make an impression ever since he was introduced at the club last year. Things took a turn for the worse when his season was cursed with a string of injuries.
Here are some of David Beckham's fashion from past till now, and what I particularly focus here is his hairstyles.
Tags: Man Fashion, David Beckham, Celebrity Fashion, Celebrity Hairstyle
Man Fashion: How often Man Shop?
How often you do your shopping? Once a week, once a fortnight, once a month or once in every quarter? Why I asked this question is because according to some research, most men don’t like to go shopping.
Rather, we go buying. Men analyze the situation, determine the objective, plot a strategy, implement the tactics and score. In short, men handle “shopping” the way a military Black Ops team handles a situation. Get in, Obtain Objective, Gone (GOOG).
So is this apply to you? and what kind of items that you prefer shop and what kind of items that you will buy. In fact, this do apply to me sometimes, especially with pressure with time! Nevertheless, I do enjoy shopping, and make it a habit to shop at least once a month. :)
Tags: Man Fashion, Man Shopping, Man Buying
Rather, we go buying. Men analyze the situation, determine the objective, plot a strategy, implement the tactics and score. In short, men handle “shopping” the way a military Black Ops team handles a situation. Get in, Obtain Objective, Gone (GOOG).
So is this apply to you? and what kind of items that you prefer shop and what kind of items that you will buy. In fact, this do apply to me sometimes, especially with pressure with time! Nevertheless, I do enjoy shopping, and make it a habit to shop at least once a month. :)
Tags: Man Fashion, Man Shopping, Man Buying
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Man Fashion: Sexy and Fun Underwear
It is hard for some to imagine a necessity like underwear as a source of fun. In fact, for some, it is the only barrier to fun and often more of a nuisance than anything else is. However, the world has imaginative people who make underwear more than just an item in the closet and take them beyond the mundane to make them fun.
Fun underwear is essentially meant for erotic purposes. They are the kind of things that will make people laugh out loud and then get into bed, preferably with the person wearing the underwear. They are designed to be arousingly minimalistic yet tastefully humorous like a smiley covering the crotch with a g-string to hold it in place. Most people will spend a fortune on fun underwear to assure that their desires are fulfilled. However, that is not all what fun underwear is meant for. The theory beyond them goes a lot deeper.
Undergarments have come to represent our moral values and people who do not wear them are often seen as liberationists. At some level or the other, underwear is a form of sexual repression, allowing people to hide away their genitals and all the feeling associated with them behind a piece of cloth. It is a way to control sexuality. Thus, with the concept of fun underwear, the aim is to make the private parts of the human body less private and more approachable in the psychological and physical sense. When they are covered in leopard print or with Elvis' face, the penis and vagina are no longer intimidating, they are just like any other part of the body and sexual partners and people themselves begin to feel comfortable at their sight.
In this view, fun underwear is sort of an ego-booster, which tells allows the wearer to be funny with sexual contact. It removes a lot of the pressure surrounding performance and works as a fetish as well. Fun underwear was created to allow people to return to their instinctive sexual state without having to worry about taboo or restriction.
So who says guys can’t have sexy and fun underwear? There is more to choose from than plain briefs or boxers and wearing something sexy and fun is a great way to express yourself discretely.
Tags: Man Fashion, Man Underwear, Fun Underwear, Sexy Underwear, Man Brief
Fun underwear is essentially meant for erotic purposes. They are the kind of things that will make people laugh out loud and then get into bed, preferably with the person wearing the underwear. They are designed to be arousingly minimalistic yet tastefully humorous like a smiley covering the crotch with a g-string to hold it in place. Most people will spend a fortune on fun underwear to assure that their desires are fulfilled. However, that is not all what fun underwear is meant for. The theory beyond them goes a lot deeper.
Undergarments have come to represent our moral values and people who do not wear them are often seen as liberationists. At some level or the other, underwear is a form of sexual repression, allowing people to hide away their genitals and all the feeling associated with them behind a piece of cloth. It is a way to control sexuality. Thus, with the concept of fun underwear, the aim is to make the private parts of the human body less private and more approachable in the psychological and physical sense. When they are covered in leopard print or with Elvis' face, the penis and vagina are no longer intimidating, they are just like any other part of the body and sexual partners and people themselves begin to feel comfortable at their sight.
In this view, fun underwear is sort of an ego-booster, which tells allows the wearer to be funny with sexual contact. It removes a lot of the pressure surrounding performance and works as a fetish as well. Fun underwear was created to allow people to return to their instinctive sexual state without having to worry about taboo or restriction.
So who says guys can’t have sexy and fun underwear? There is more to choose from than plain briefs or boxers and wearing something sexy and fun is a great way to express yourself discretely.
Tags: Man Fashion, Man Underwear, Fun Underwear, Sexy Underwear, Man Brief
What Fresh Hell Is This?
“So immoral, working on the thing can drive you mad. That's what happened to this friend of mine. So he had a lobotomy. Now he's well again.” — Fox Harris as J. Frank Parnell, from the movie Repo Man
There was an interesting article from New York’s Gay City News that made the rounds recently. They reported on Mara Keisling’s American Tour date in the Big Apple (following on the heels of the recent HRC banquet protest – opportune timing), beginning with a bit of what impressed them as “a Las Vegas comedy act from the '60s.”
The article then noted, “Keisling gave HRC and the House Democratic leadership their due.” From that it sounds as if they were treated to more of the same press she’s given the past few months.
They then reported that Keisling, “commended HRC and Congressman Barney Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat and ENDA champion, for advancing transgender issues. Last fall, Frank was widely criticized for "throwing trans people under the bus."
"Congressman Frank really, really wants to protect transgendered people," Keisling said per the Gay City News article.
I had to re-read that again to make sure I was reading it correctly.
It was just a couple weeks ago that the tit-for-tat press battle from just a couple weeks ago was reported in this same Gay City News. Now they’re being commended? What exactly changed recently? Regarding HRC, there’s been no change between them and the trans community specifically, unless there was something behind-the-scenes. Either way, this is a stark departure between the words of NCTE’s board members, specifically Steve Glassman and Donna Cartwright’s open letter and board chair Meredith Bacon’s stunning takedown of HRC.
Lest we forget, it was Barney Frank who bolted from the original inclusive bill and began pushing separate bills (obviously one bill much more eagerly than the other – you can imagine which one). Not only was Barney Frank pushing for separation and by extension abandonment of employment rights on the House ENDA bill, but also was its prime cheerleader in the gay press.
It makes all the more astonishing the comment from Keisling that Rep. Barney Frank “really, really wants to protect transgendered people.” Eternal skeptic that I am, there’s been far too much history to be so quick to forgive and easy to forget. When it comes to the rank-and-file ground-level trans folks who’ve kept a wary distance, there’s been no such forgiveness or amnesia from any of the above parties: HRC, Barney Frank or NCTE.
“First she’s up, then she’s down. Can’t decide … Merry-go-round.
First she’s in, then she’s out. Can’t decide ….” — Merry-Go-Round, the Producers
So why this sudden about face from Barney Frank?
Perhaps there’s been a bit of scrambling around for damage control on Ol’ Barn’s behalf: I’ll call it the Shame Factor. While Barney’s been giving a mighty push equality (for gays and lesbians only), but he hails from Massachusetts, one of the most liberal states in the union which has any amount of rights for gays and lesbians – even marriage! – and yet no protections whatsoever for transgenders.
To that end, the gay and lesbian orgs in the state of Mass. is trying to wipe egg off of face and play catch up, and Barney just recently deigned the state effort with his ever-important (at least in Mass. and GLBT circles) endorsement. That’s a huge departure for Barney. However, does this seem like something of Barney’s own volition, or more akin to Gov. George Wallace going back and apologizing for his all-too-obvious-and-glaringly-antipathic history? Having dealt with his pomposity once before and watching it unfold in recent months in the media against all our supporters in the gay and lesbian community outside of HRC, my money’s on the latter.
The recent scuttlebutt says that Barney’s coordinating a hearing before Congress on transgender employment issues with HRC leading the effort, and Mara Keisling serving as the transgender coordinator lining up the participants. So where does this leave us on the current marketing message that Barney’s suddenly our friend and hero again?
“The most intense of burning hells,
Blasting expectations into smithereens.” — 59 Times The Pain, Husker Du
On face value, it sounds positive. But something sounds too cosmetic, too quickly arranged, too contrived. It feels too much like buying a suspiciously clean looking vehicle from a dirt-lot used car dealer in poor-town offering E-Z Term financing (spelled with two letters to pander to those simple dupes they hope to draw in and capitalize upon). And like all the other working stiffs standing around looking at the gleaming paint job, kicking the tires and scratching my head, my gut is screaming “caveat emptor!”
We’ve been down the road with all three parties – Frank, Solmonese (et. al.) and Keisling (previously Wilchins) – and we in Trans America still remember the previous deals we bought. There were great expectations, a really attractive product pushed and a great sales pitch proffered with a wide smile. But the only thing that ever came from it was disappointment and the distinct feeling of being burned. When all came to light, Frank and Solmonese began pointing fingers at each other, and Keisling jumped out and pointing fingers at both with loud claims that she was burned and we shouldn’t trust them. In the article Mara even managed to insert: “"Some are still afraid of the gay thing" – a nice little Barney-esque dig. Maybe repayment for the “people with transgender” comments? Touché.
"We have to show Barney Frank 220 votes. If we show him 220 votes, nobody is going to work harder on this. The same with HRC... It's going to happen again next year." — Mara Keisling, Exec. Dir. of NCTE in Gay City News.com, 3/6/08
So here we find ourselves walking down the same road, and lo, here’s Keisling with the advertised message above on the NCTE billboard. Nobody is going to work harder than Barney Frank … apparently including folks like Rush Holt or Jerry Nadler, et. al. if this is to be believed. And the same goes for HRC, and it’ll happen again next year.
From my skeptic’s mind, I look at the wording and immediately wonder what “it” is that’s going to “happen again next year.” It comes from standing here on the outside looking at the “product” that’s packaged and sold to the masses from “inside.” Never knowing what’s being constructed in there means you’re always scrutinous if you’re experientially wise.
And if not, well … for every sheep there’s always a willing market for a fleece. Enjoy your shearing!
“There’s no fool like an old fool” — saying first published in John Heywood’s proverb collection, 1546
There was an interesting article from New York’s Gay City News that made the rounds recently. They reported on Mara Keisling’s American Tour date in the Big Apple (following on the heels of the recent HRC banquet protest – opportune timing), beginning with a bit of what impressed them as “a Las Vegas comedy act from the '60s.”
The article then noted, “Keisling gave HRC and the House Democratic leadership their due.” From that it sounds as if they were treated to more of the same press she’s given the past few months.
They then reported that Keisling, “commended HRC and Congressman Barney Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat and ENDA champion, for advancing transgender issues. Last fall, Frank was widely criticized for "throwing trans people under the bus."
"Congressman Frank really, really wants to protect transgendered people," Keisling said per the Gay City News article.
I had to re-read that again to make sure I was reading it correctly.
It was just a couple weeks ago that the tit-for-tat press battle from just a couple weeks ago was reported in this same Gay City News. Now they’re being commended? What exactly changed recently? Regarding HRC, there’s been no change between them and the trans community specifically, unless there was something behind-the-scenes. Either way, this is a stark departure between the words of NCTE’s board members, specifically Steve Glassman and Donna Cartwright’s open letter and board chair Meredith Bacon’s stunning takedown of HRC.
Lest we forget, it was Barney Frank who bolted from the original inclusive bill and began pushing separate bills (obviously one bill much more eagerly than the other – you can imagine which one). Not only was Barney Frank pushing for separation and by extension abandonment of employment rights on the House ENDA bill, but also was its prime cheerleader in the gay press.
It makes all the more astonishing the comment from Keisling that Rep. Barney Frank “really, really wants to protect transgendered people.” Eternal skeptic that I am, there’s been far too much history to be so quick to forgive and easy to forget. When it comes to the rank-and-file ground-level trans folks who’ve kept a wary distance, there’s been no such forgiveness or amnesia from any of the above parties: HRC, Barney Frank or NCTE.
“First she’s up, then she’s down. Can’t decide … Merry-go-round.
First she’s in, then she’s out. Can’t decide ….” — Merry-Go-Round, the Producers
So why this sudden about face from Barney Frank?
Perhaps there’s been a bit of scrambling around for damage control on Ol’ Barn’s behalf: I’ll call it the Shame Factor. While Barney’s been giving a mighty push equality (for gays and lesbians only), but he hails from Massachusetts, one of the most liberal states in the union which has any amount of rights for gays and lesbians – even marriage! – and yet no protections whatsoever for transgenders.
To that end, the gay and lesbian orgs in the state of Mass. is trying to wipe egg off of face and play catch up, and Barney just recently deigned the state effort with his ever-important (at least in Mass. and GLBT circles) endorsement. That’s a huge departure for Barney. However, does this seem like something of Barney’s own volition, or more akin to Gov. George Wallace going back and apologizing for his all-too-obvious-and-glaringly-antipathic history? Having dealt with his pomposity once before and watching it unfold in recent months in the media against all our supporters in the gay and lesbian community outside of HRC, my money’s on the latter.
The recent scuttlebutt says that Barney’s coordinating a hearing before Congress on transgender employment issues with HRC leading the effort, and Mara Keisling serving as the transgender coordinator lining up the participants. So where does this leave us on the current marketing message that Barney’s suddenly our friend and hero again?
“The most intense of burning hells,
Blasting expectations into smithereens.” — 59 Times The Pain, Husker Du
On face value, it sounds positive. But something sounds too cosmetic, too quickly arranged, too contrived. It feels too much like buying a suspiciously clean looking vehicle from a dirt-lot used car dealer in poor-town offering E-Z Term financing (spelled with two letters to pander to those simple dupes they hope to draw in and capitalize upon). And like all the other working stiffs standing around looking at the gleaming paint job, kicking the tires and scratching my head, my gut is screaming “caveat emptor!”
We’ve been down the road with all three parties – Frank, Solmonese (et. al.) and Keisling (previously Wilchins) – and we in Trans America still remember the previous deals we bought. There were great expectations, a really attractive product pushed and a great sales pitch proffered with a wide smile. But the only thing that ever came from it was disappointment and the distinct feeling of being burned. When all came to light, Frank and Solmonese began pointing fingers at each other, and Keisling jumped out and pointing fingers at both with loud claims that she was burned and we shouldn’t trust them. In the article Mara even managed to insert: “"Some are still afraid of the gay thing" – a nice little Barney-esque dig. Maybe repayment for the “people with transgender” comments? Touché.
"We have to show Barney Frank 220 votes. If we show him 220 votes, nobody is going to work harder on this. The same with HRC... It's going to happen again next year." — Mara Keisling, Exec. Dir. of NCTE in Gay City News.com, 3/6/08
So here we find ourselves walking down the same road, and lo, here’s Keisling with the advertised message above on the NCTE billboard. Nobody is going to work harder than Barney Frank … apparently including folks like Rush Holt or Jerry Nadler, et. al. if this is to be believed. And the same goes for HRC, and it’ll happen again next year.
From my skeptic’s mind, I look at the wording and immediately wonder what “it” is that’s going to “happen again next year.” It comes from standing here on the outside looking at the “product” that’s packaged and sold to the masses from “inside.” Never knowing what’s being constructed in there means you’re always scrutinous if you’re experientially wise.
And if not, well … for every sheep there’s always a willing market for a fleece. Enjoy your shearing!
“There’s no fool like an old fool” — saying first published in John Heywood’s proverb collection, 1546
Friday, March 7, 2008
Man Fashion: Eco-Friendly Shoes
Shoes made from leather, fur, and other animal skins are believed to be trendy in the eyes of many today. But the growing conscious of eco friendliness has made people to turn towards a new way of Vegan life. Vegans do not use any product made from animals in their food. This virtue is reflected in the footwear field as well. Now, Nike, the popular American manufacturing company for athletic shoes and other equipments, has come up with a new product, a basket ball shoe with the name Nike Trash Talk. The best part of this shoe is that it is claimed to be the first basket ball shoe that is made from manufacturing waste. The Nike Trash Talk is manufactured from waste leather, waste synthetic materials, and other substances available on the factory floor. The upper part is made from waste leather and synthetic materials which are fixed together with zigzag stitches. The middle sole of the shoe uses scrap-ground foam from factory production. The outer sole of the shoe uses eco friendly rubber materials, and other manufacturing waste from Nike Grind.Nike Grind is a recycling program, in which Nike collects worn out athletic shoes of any brand, and recycles them into reusable material. The shoe laces and sock liners are made from eco friendly materials. To make the mission perfect in all the ways, the shoe will also be packed in a cardboard shoe packing box which will be made only out of recycled materials. This shoe is believed to have met with the desired design standards of Nike. Promotion of this shoe was done by evergreen basket ball star Steve Nash. He first wore this shoe during a basketball game on the Valentines Day. Nash is himself known to be an eco-friendly person and thus was a right choice to promote a Vegan product. This shoe made from 100 percent trash is priced around $100 USD. It is claimed by Nike to exhibit a good on court presentation as performance footwear.
Technorati Tags: Eco-friendly shoes, Man Fashion, Nike, Steve Nash, Nike Trash Talk
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Man Fashion: Valentino 2008 Spring/Summer Collection
For S/S 08 Valentino gives us fine tailoring with a relaxed vibe.
Tailored outfits gave a variety of work and leisure looks.
Double-breasted suits were paired with waistcoats and summer weight sweaters. The tailored looks were complete with pocket ties and neck scarves. The formality was tempered by models walking the runway without socks baring the ease and relaxation in the collection.
A range of tailored looks will effortlessly take a man from the office to the yatch and from day to evening.
A summer palette of whites, blues and pinks gave a fresh, crisp feel. The relaxed vibe was further enhanced as the runway turned into a cocktail party at the end of presentation.
Video source: www.Elle.de
Tailored outfits gave a variety of work and leisure looks.
Double-breasted suits were paired with waistcoats and summer weight sweaters. The tailored looks were complete with pocket ties and neck scarves. The formality was tempered by models walking the runway without socks baring the ease and relaxation in the collection.
A range of tailored looks will effortlessly take a man from the office to the yatch and from day to evening.
A summer palette of whites, blues and pinks gave a fresh, crisp feel. The relaxed vibe was further enhanced as the runway turned into a cocktail party at the end of presentation.
Video source: www.Elle.de
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Man Fashion: Fat and Thin Women
I just picked this up in one of the comment from style.com, it read like this "Men couldn't care less: we just want them young and thin. We'd rather have sex with an unemployed brain-dead model than a brilliant, wealthy woman who happens to be fat". The reason I picked this up was because the comment really puzzle me for a while. I think most of the man do prefer young and thin women (correct me if I am wrong), but on the other hand, we do look into women's internal beauty as well. Otherwise, there would be so many people married with fat women! :D
So I just want you to share your thoughts whether you agreed on bellingman view?
So I just want you to share your thoughts whether you agreed on bellingman view?
Man Fashion: How to Dress in Denim
I know everyone here know how to select your favorite jean. But what you select sometime might not be look good in you, this probably due to the design or color. Therefore, it is always good to try it out before you buy.
If you are keep in touch with Man Fashion, you should not missed the Detail magazine June 2007 (Yes, this is slightly older copy) edition has outlined how your can look gorgeous with Jeans.
Technorati tags:
Fashion Tips, Man Fashion, Men Fashion Tips
If you are keep in touch with Man Fashion, you should not missed the Detail magazine June 2007 (Yes, this is slightly older copy) edition has outlined how your can look gorgeous with Jeans.
Technorati tags:
Fashion Tips, Man Fashion, Men Fashion Tips
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Texas Political Dogfighting … And How Did I End Up In The Middle Of This Again?
“I am a new day rising.
I'm a brand new sky
to hang the stars upon tonight.” — Times Like These, Foo Fighters
Sorta short blog post tonight, y’all – I’m wiped the hell out.
This whole primary season was a once-in-a-lifetime. I’ve never seen anything like it in either of two presidential primaries I’ve run. Far and away, there was more interest in this than both of the previous elections combined.
Three years ago, I decided not to run for reelection for precinct chair / election judge as there was another warm body to fill it. She was interested; I’d already done it for six years – why not?
“Why not” was explained in all its glory this election season. For the first time in two decades, Texas’ primary actually had two front running candidates in contention on the Dem side – both serious presidential material. Moreover, our precinct was flipped to blue five years back, and it’s large – four square miles with nearly 5000 voters and counting.
As fate would have it, my successor at precinct chair (lesbian) was devoted to Hillary Clinton. Being trans, and knowing Hillary’s history and her expressed sentiments on trans people in employment over the years (not to mention the ultra-closeness with HRC), I couldn’t sit aside and just watch. Barack Obama was on an eleven-state win streak, and Hillary needed wins in Ohio and Texas to put herself back in the game.
And the lead up to elections was a dogfight. There was the Clinton commercial heavily played in Texas with the red-phone, trying to play upon voters’ fears about Obama as president – shades of LBJ and the atom bomb commercial circa 1964. Then there was her LGBT statement to the community noting her trans support by pointing out her sponsorship of the senate ENDA bill – a transgender-excluded ENDA. Then immediately before, we had Rush Limbaugh instructing Republicans to cross lines and vote for Hillary in order to extend the campaign contention. Nothing like being a shit-stirrer – ‘dem good ol’ family values, eh Head-Rush?
For me locally, the precinct chair was providing me zero info – with good reason. Less the voters knew where to vote and caucus, the better for her and her candidate.
Less than a week out, I finally discovered our voting location – in a different precinct (while that precinct had to vote a couple miles further down the road!) Yep, let’s jerk the Dems around some more … rattle the cage. Did I mention our County Clerk (who oversees elections) is conservative?
Election day hit with a bang: my precinct chair wasn’t going to be friendly and allow me the “caucus packet” for our “caucus” (they’re still really precinct conventions to us). Later I spoke with my Obama campaign organizer, Anuj Gupta, who gave more wonderful news: the clerk’s office was not including enough sign-in sheets for the delegation. After a quick search, I found the form on the County Dem Party website (thank God!) and printed up 21 pages (with twelve lines per page). With 26 total pages to sign in, we easily filled them – 379 people signed in.
Between the long lines to sign in, my precinct chair’s histrionics when she thought she was being trumped by me (and taking her ball and going home) and a too-small room that was too warm mixed with impatient screamers, it was barely contained chaos. So … guess who had to take control and run the meeting? I thought I was over this three years ago, and I wanted my candidate to win … but I thought it was someone else’s turn in the hotseat. The convention (caucus) chair ended up being another girl who just thought it would be cool – no idea what chairing a meeting that emotional was about. So I had to play ventriloquist and feed her the lines she needed to say, explain the processes, and announce the delegates.
“I am a little divided.
Do I stay or run away
and leave it all behind?” Times Like These, Foo Fighters
The counting was contentious, the two camps were testier than cornered porcupines and the throng was yelling down our backs. Tempers flared, and I even had to cut one lady off at the knees at one point. She has no idea how close I was to snatching her bald. Even the Obama supporters wouldn’t trust me (I wasn’t her color), and I had to snatch the tally sheets out of one woman’s hand by force and remind her that she was an observer, I was secretary.
But ultimately we made our counts, openly for all to verify, we nominated and elected the correct allotments based on the rules (our precinct chair long gone) and made it a good clean convention, with 42 delegates for Obama and 18 for Clinton.
When I tossed my name in for delegate for Obama, I was shocked. It was a near unanimous acclimation. After it was all said and done, both sides– the very people who were screaming and throwing tantrums just minutes before -- came to me and complimented me on the job I did. It almost felt like I was a candidate for office the way they all came up, shook hands or hugged, and heaped the admiration. And thank God I had my old faithful poll workers from my days (both candidates’ supporters) and others who just stepped in when they saw the need and filled in. It was a phenomenal team and they all hung in admirably – even with all the garbage thrown at us!
Ultimately, it was a victory for teamwork – no matter how different we all were – and most of all a victory for what was right. When even the loudest Clinton supporter – a recently converted Republican no less – came up to me and shook my hand, thanking me for how we made this work with a huge smile – I gotta say it was worth it. Tough as it was, it was done right … and it was worth it.
“It's times like these you learn to live again.
It's times like these you give and give again.
It's times like these you learn to love again.” — Times Like These, Foo Fighters
I'm a brand new sky
to hang the stars upon tonight.” — Times Like These, Foo Fighters
Sorta short blog post tonight, y’all – I’m wiped the hell out.
This whole primary season was a once-in-a-lifetime. I’ve never seen anything like it in either of two presidential primaries I’ve run. Far and away, there was more interest in this than both of the previous elections combined.
Three years ago, I decided not to run for reelection for precinct chair / election judge as there was another warm body to fill it. She was interested; I’d already done it for six years – why not?
“Why not” was explained in all its glory this election season. For the first time in two decades, Texas’ primary actually had two front running candidates in contention on the Dem side – both serious presidential material. Moreover, our precinct was flipped to blue five years back, and it’s large – four square miles with nearly 5000 voters and counting.
As fate would have it, my successor at precinct chair (lesbian) was devoted to Hillary Clinton. Being trans, and knowing Hillary’s history and her expressed sentiments on trans people in employment over the years (not to mention the ultra-closeness with HRC), I couldn’t sit aside and just watch. Barack Obama was on an eleven-state win streak, and Hillary needed wins in Ohio and Texas to put herself back in the game.
And the lead up to elections was a dogfight. There was the Clinton commercial heavily played in Texas with the red-phone, trying to play upon voters’ fears about Obama as president – shades of LBJ and the atom bomb commercial circa 1964. Then there was her LGBT statement to the community noting her trans support by pointing out her sponsorship of the senate ENDA bill – a transgender-excluded ENDA. Then immediately before, we had Rush Limbaugh instructing Republicans to cross lines and vote for Hillary in order to extend the campaign contention. Nothing like being a shit-stirrer – ‘dem good ol’ family values, eh Head-Rush?
For me locally, the precinct chair was providing me zero info – with good reason. Less the voters knew where to vote and caucus, the better for her and her candidate.
Less than a week out, I finally discovered our voting location – in a different precinct (while that precinct had to vote a couple miles further down the road!) Yep, let’s jerk the Dems around some more … rattle the cage. Did I mention our County Clerk (who oversees elections) is conservative?
Election day hit with a bang: my precinct chair wasn’t going to be friendly and allow me the “caucus packet” for our “caucus” (they’re still really precinct conventions to us). Later I spoke with my Obama campaign organizer, Anuj Gupta, who gave more wonderful news: the clerk’s office was not including enough sign-in sheets for the delegation. After a quick search, I found the form on the County Dem Party website (thank God!) and printed up 21 pages (with twelve lines per page). With 26 total pages to sign in, we easily filled them – 379 people signed in.
Between the long lines to sign in, my precinct chair’s histrionics when she thought she was being trumped by me (and taking her ball and going home) and a too-small room that was too warm mixed with impatient screamers, it was barely contained chaos. So … guess who had to take control and run the meeting? I thought I was over this three years ago, and I wanted my candidate to win … but I thought it was someone else’s turn in the hotseat. The convention (caucus) chair ended up being another girl who just thought it would be cool – no idea what chairing a meeting that emotional was about. So I had to play ventriloquist and feed her the lines she needed to say, explain the processes, and announce the delegates.
“I am a little divided.
Do I stay or run away
and leave it all behind?” Times Like These, Foo Fighters
The counting was contentious, the two camps were testier than cornered porcupines and the throng was yelling down our backs. Tempers flared, and I even had to cut one lady off at the knees at one point. She has no idea how close I was to snatching her bald. Even the Obama supporters wouldn’t trust me (I wasn’t her color), and I had to snatch the tally sheets out of one woman’s hand by force and remind her that she was an observer, I was secretary.
But ultimately we made our counts, openly for all to verify, we nominated and elected the correct allotments based on the rules (our precinct chair long gone) and made it a good clean convention, with 42 delegates for Obama and 18 for Clinton.
When I tossed my name in for delegate for Obama, I was shocked. It was a near unanimous acclimation. After it was all said and done, both sides– the very people who were screaming and throwing tantrums just minutes before -- came to me and complimented me on the job I did. It almost felt like I was a candidate for office the way they all came up, shook hands or hugged, and heaped the admiration. And thank God I had my old faithful poll workers from my days (both candidates’ supporters) and others who just stepped in when they saw the need and filled in. It was a phenomenal team and they all hung in admirably – even with all the garbage thrown at us!
Ultimately, it was a victory for teamwork – no matter how different we all were – and most of all a victory for what was right. When even the loudest Clinton supporter – a recently converted Republican no less – came up to me and shook my hand, thanking me for how we made this work with a huge smile – I gotta say it was worth it. Tough as it was, it was done right … and it was worth it.
“It's times like these you learn to live again.
It's times like these you give and give again.
It's times like these you learn to love again.” — Times Like These, Foo Fighters
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