A Watershed Moment

Last week, the House of Representatives voted on and passed HR 3685. The final vote was 235 to 184. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act or ENDA was introduced by Barney Frank in September of this year and excluded gender identity. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act is a bill that would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The bill was originally introduced in 1974 under a different name - the Gay Rights Bill, HR 14752. Currently, there are 13 states that prohibit discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity.


Frank's argument for excluding gender identity was that the bill would not garner the votes necessary for passage which has created a firestorm in the gay, lesbian and transgender communities. The crux of the argument is that we should not exclude transgender folks from the bill simply to win legislation because they will be forever forgotten. On the other side are those, including myself, that believe that after all these years, we'll take the bill without gender expression. Some see this as unfair to the transgender community but others, whom I agree with, see it as an incredible win for gays and lesbians. One such group is United ENDA which includes gay, lesbian and transgender groups. One of my favorite writers says it best here.

I have always argued that the T is not a part of the gay and lesbian community and I'm very happy to see that I'm not alone. Of course once you make such a statement you are automatically labeled a transphobe but as a black lesbian Republican I've heard worse. This is what the Washington Post had to say about the vote. The key lines there are: "Transgender people must channel the activism this action sparked into a long-term effort to educate the public and lawmakers about the discrimination they face." After all, gays and lesbians have been doing just that for years.

More Oppression

I attended a forum last evening on cancer and I'm not sure if I'm annoyed or simply disappointed. The forum was sponsored by the Lesbian Cancer Initiative which provides information and referral; short-term counseling; support groups for survivors and caregivers/partners; and community educational and social event. I had not heard about the group before but agreed to attend when my partner asked me to. I went with the thought in mind that it was more for her than for me because she really needs support. While cancer has left me on empty it has left my partner less joyful. And to make matters worse her mom was recently diagnosed with cancer so I knew that this was important. This would be one selfless act that I could perform for someone else than myself.

The title of the keynote speech was, "Whose Life Is It Anyway?: Navigating the Cancer Journey On Our Own Terms." From this title I made the assumption that we would be given information on "navigating" our way around the health care system, securing treatment that was me centered, etc. Well, I'm not sure if the keynote speaker read the title but my expectations were shot to hell. I knew that it was not going to be a good presentation when her introductory slide stated something like this, Overcoming Oppression based on sexual orientation, gender and race. This is not the exact title but you get the drift. From the first to last slide Dr. Gelo launched into a dissertation on how sexual orientation, gender, race etc., influences the kind of treatment you receive and how important it is to talk up. She also included discussion on the Tuskegee experiment to bolster her argument that race was as prevalent a roadblock as any other factor.

As I was squirming in my seat I tried to remember why I was there, my partner needed to be there to connect with a support group. This helped me to keep sitting through this nonsense and to be quiet at the end when Dr. Gelo asked for questions. I sat through this anthropological thesis and wondered if it would ever end. I sat through it when she kept beating up on Western culture and medicine. I kept listening when she reminded us that we were subjects of the white patriarchy. I kept listening even when I realized that assumed that her audience would be in lock step with her presentation. I couldn't be more disappointed. The really sad thing about this was that it reinforced the oppression theory of gays and lesbians. This is truly unfortunate because some if not many in the audience bought into this theory especially coming from a "professional." Dr. Florence Gelo has her D.Min which is a doctor of ministry. She is not a health care provider but a behavioral science coordinator for the Family Medicine residency program at Drexel University. She is also a pastoral psychotherapist in private practice specializing in grief and loss and chronic illness. Based on her background, Dr. Gelo was probably well suited for her talk last evening but not for the assumed goal of the program. On a positive note, my partner made the connections she needed for a support group.

My apologies to my faithful readers but I have been sick for the past three weeks. My cancer is still putting up a fight and wont let go so I must do the same. However, there are days when I feel as though I'm down for the count. I'll keep blogging as my health permits so don't go anywhere. I intend to be at the finish line.

The Bachelor Episode 4

I promise I won't cry as I write this, I promise. Here is another great example of what's wrong with our culture. I hate to tell these women this but they are behaving like high priced whores. The number one reason for these women going on this show is that the guy is a millionare but I guess for some people that spells LOVE.

It Starts at Home

Here is a very interesting article on parents setting limits on television watching. I could not agree with it more. The fact that more parents are taking their responsibility of raising kids seriously sends a strong and positive message to me and hopefully to others.

Word of the Day

Curmudgeon
a cantankerous person

I LOVE NEW YORK - the manstack

In the next several postings I'm hoping to show evidence as to what's wrong with our society today. This is just one example of many as to what's wrong with television in 2007 and probably for awhile to come. There are very few decent shows on the air these days and more and more "reality shows." Call me a curmudgeon and a prude but something has got to give. Of course you can say to me, turn the channel, but that's not a legitimate response. These shows are telling us something about our society and I don't know about you but it's an awful commentary.

Do You Speak English?

Illegal is defined as contrary to existing statues, regulations, etc., unauthorized, unlawful, illegitimate, illicit, unlicensed. I'm gonna bet a dollar that many people would know the meaning of this word even if they didn't posses a dictionary. But in 2007 it seems that many, especially so-called leaders, have forgotten its meaning. In this article, Lawrence Downes is somehow suggesting that if we just take the word out then we can have a sensible debate. Well Mr. Downes I don't agree with you. This is one of the many obtuse comments he makes, "Used as an irreducible modifier for a large and largely decent group of people, it is badly damaging. And as a code word for racial and ethnic hatred it is detestable.' Give me a break. There are several things wrong with this comment. First, by calling someone illegal because that's what they are, is not necessarily denying that they maybe "decent." Decent people do stupid things all the time. Second, to lower this discussion to race baiting is exactly what he is arguing against - stopping the conversation.

He goes on to state, "But at least 'undocumented' - and an even better word, 'unauthorized' - contain the possibility of reparation and atonement, and allow for a sensible reaction proportional to the offense." Ok, so lets just change the name and everything will be alright. Lets simply refer to folks who broke into our country as decent people and call it a day. And while we are at it lets just give them the keys to the front door so they don't tear down our back doors. If we are not going to use the word then we are not going to do what's necessary to fix this problem. And calling people who simply want servers, computer techs and anyone else answering the phone to speak English xenophobes is ridiculous name calling and that too doesn't help the discussion.

What's Really Behind the Polls

I have to admit that I have not been keeping up with politics or anything else for that matter because I have been sick but this article caught my eye. Rich makes a very interesting case for Giuliani's high poll numbers. Several of his comments are reflective of what many believe is the defining moment in the Republican Party. It would almost seem as if he is saying, "Wake up or die." The Republican Party, to say the least, has had a very hard road to hoe and it probably started with the Terry Schiavo story. If you think about it, if Republicans, yes I am one, really believe in smaller government they would have kept their damn mouths shut when Terry Schiavo's story hit the airwaves. But from then on they have been stepping into the proverbial pile of you know what.

It is obvious from reading the article that Rich is saying that regardless of the huffing and puffing by the so-called morality squad, i.e. James Dobson, Gary Bauer etc., Giuliani's "moderate" views must be connecting with someone. If what Rich says is right and the polls are accurate then ridding ourselves of the Dobson types, at least for the influence they wield, will be a victory for sensible people.

Life with a Mediport

I was suppose to have a Pet Scan and a CT Scan this week but my insurance company hasn't approved the procedures as of yet. Waiting is always a pain in the arse but wait I must. In the meantime I thought I would share with you what my mediport looks like. For those of you who don't know what a mediport is here is a quick and dirty. A port is comprised of two components, a self-sealing injection port and a catheter that enters the vein. The port and catherter are placed entirely under the skin using a small incision. There will be a bump on the chest wall where the injection port is located. This is the site where the access needle is placed.

The needle is used to access my port each and every time I go for chemotherapy and is also used to draw blood. I have had three of these bad boys and the third so far is a charm. When I got the first one I was afraid of moving much less take a shower. I feared that "anything" I did wold rip it from my chest. But that hasn't happened yet and I doubt it will. Other than the small scar where the port is located and the bump you wouldn't be able to tell I had something in my chest. And the first time it broke I had severe pain in my left arm. That's how we knew something was wrong. But it has become like another part of my body.

I hope to get this bad boy out as soon as I get the "all clear" sign from my oncologist, which I'm hoping is soon. Although they recommend keeping it in for a year or so after you have been told you are in remission. So these tests are damn important and I hope my insurance company ponies up in the next day or so. So, wish me luck.

Mot du jur or Word of the Day

Censorious
tending to reprimand or censure; very critical

The Clock is Ticking

For some weeks now there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the impending passage of the Employment Non-discrimination Act or ENDA. The controversy, and reason for a second bill, is over the inclusion of gender identity. The inclusion of gender identity would protect members of the transgender community. The main bill, H.R. 2015 was introduced in April of this year and is very close to a vote in the House. The bill in its current form was first introduced in 1996 and under another name in 1974. The bill, if passed, would protect gays and lesbians from being fired from their jobs simply because they are gay and lesbian. Currently, there are 31 states in which gays can be terminated based on their sexual orientation. The bill's main sponsors are Representatives Barney Frank, Chris Shays and Tammy Baldwin.

The controversy started when Representative Frank declared that the bill has a better chance of passage if it did not include gender identity. This faux pau, the opinion of many LGBT organizations, is one that they will not tolerate and according to many the LGBT community is in an uproar. Two weeks ago there were 113 groups who signed a pledge opposing the bill if it did not include gender identity. One of the most vocal has been the executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Matt Foreman and of course members of the transgender community. The Human Rights Campaign, forever playing it safe so that they can keep the donations coming said they would not oppose the bill but they wouldn't support it either. What else could they say when Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was the recipient of HRC's National Equality Award.

So here is the problem as I see it. Many have said and will say that if we move ahead with H.R. 2015 without gender identity we are essentially kicking transgendered folks off the bus. Now, that would be true if: 1) trans folks were on the bus to begin with and 2) gender identity were analogous to sexual orientation. Neither of these two things are true. Gender identity is as different from sexual orientation as night is from day. Gays and lesbians still consider themselves men and women who love the same sex. And for the last 30 years gays and lesbians have been doing to work to get ENDA passed. So, from a pragmatic point of view why not support the bill in its current form and do the education to include and pass another bill in the future? Of course the 113 groups and others feel that we are abandoning our trans family. Well I got news for those people, they don't consider themselves one of us. In reading the literature, a very high percentage of transgendered folks consider themselves straight. And the number that consider themselves gay and lesbian are very, very small. Am I transphobic? I guess to a lot of people I am but life goes on.

We cannot and should not stop passage of this important bill because a few people are upset. Dale Carpenter says it best when he says in this article, "Passage of ENDA is possible only because gay people have organized politically to educate Americans about homosexuality and to elect sympathetic representatives." This is the true issue surrounding this controversy. The work has been done and to simply throw it away because some feel we are dissing the transgender community is at best, stupid.

Masculinity versus Fatherhood

I have always thought that it was a good thing when fathers paid attention to their children and that getting involved with their kids made them better fathers. What I didn't know was that it made them less manly. Oh my goodness, what are we to do? According to sociologists, "Fathers who stop being men of the old mold have better-adjusted children, better marriages and better work lives. Basically, masculinity is bad for you." So, in other words, men who decide to accept their fatherly responsibilities are less manly than their counterparts who do not have such responsibilities. Ok, so my question is, which is more important, sharing responsibilities with your partner in raising your kids or keeping your manly persona in tact? It seems that we are not quite sure and why sociologists are busy studying this new phenomena. In this article several sociologists tell us about the problem.

But, of course, I'm not sure why this is a phenomena and why it should be studied. Do we not want men to carry out their responsibilities? Why do we have to make a big to do of men taking care of their children? And most of all, why is it considered less than manly to take care of your kids? When was the last time a woman was praised for raising her kids? Buck up guys, women do it everyday.

Word of the Day

Imprimatur
official approval or license to print or publish

Word of the Day

Precocious
characterized by unusually early development or maturity, esp. in mental aptitude. blossoming before the leaves sprout.

Word of the Day

Miasma
a dangerous, foreboding, or deathlikeinfluence.

My Grandfather's Son - An American Story

My very first comment about this book is that I will not discuss the confirmation hearings. Justice Thomas does talk about it in his book but I am not going to comment nor will I opine as to who was right and who was wrong. I'll leave it to others to opine on that part of the book.

I picked up this book last Wednesday night and could not put it down until I was done. It is very well written and gives us the inside track to Clarence Thomas. I don't often use the word excellent but I will here - the book was excellent. Over the years we have heard many things about Justice Thomas some of which have not been favorable. Probably the most annoying is that he is mediocre and stands in the shadow of Antonin Scalia. Well in reading this book, and I plan to read some of his decisions, I'm convinced that he is more than mediocre. The first thing you find out in this book is that Thomas grew from abject poverty to become a United States Supreme Court justice. If that is not an American dream I don't know what is.

We first meet Thomas as he describes meeting his biological father who promises he and his brother watches that they waited for but never received. We learn,"The house in which I was born was a shanty with no bathroom and no electricity except for a single light in the living room." We also learn that in the wintertime they had to plug up the holes with newspapers. Considering this, it is amazing that Thomas made it through adulthood. But the reason he did was because he was his Grandfather's Son. After moving with his mother and brother from the shanty they eventually go to live with his grandfather and grandmother. It is during these years that Justice Thomas adopts the kind of values that has taken him to the Supreme Court.

From Pinpoint to a more sedate area of Savannah Georgia, Thomas and his brother Myers moved into their grandparents' home. Thomas writes:

"Even then I understood that he had rescued me from difficult

circumstances, but it was not until long afterword that I grasped

how profoundly Daddy, Aunt Tina, and the nuns of St. Benedict's

had changed my life. Sometimes their strict rules chafed, but they

also gave me a feeling of security, and above all they opened doors

of opportunity leading to a path that took me far from the cramped

world into which I had been born. In Pinpoint I was a little Negro

boy growing up among hardworking but uneducated people. From

there I moved to the confusion and squalor of a run-down tenement

in Savannah, where I led a life of being cold and not knowing when I

would feel warmth again, of constant, gnawing hunger and not knowing

when I would eat again, a life in which knowledge trickled in by the

thimbleful when I yearned for floods of truth. To stay there would have

doomed me to a dismal life of ignorance, perhaps even crime-a life lost

before it started."

Justice Thomas leads us through a life filled with dread, like when he was made fun of for being darkskinned; a life filled with hate by those who told him he would never amount to anything because he was black; a life filled with opportunities like when he got into Harvard, University of Pennsylvania and Yale Law Schools. And his journey from radical liberal to Republican. From his disappointment in learning that he was accepted into Yale under affirmative action to his first job with John Danforth who became a lifelong friend. But most of all we learn about Thomas' deep and unbridled love for this country and his questioning of the world around him and his role in it with values that seemed different. His search for self was heart warming. His humanity shone through this book.

There are several reasons why I enjoyed this book: 1) This is a true American story; 2) This was an educational experience for me; 3) Our early political awakenings were somewhat similar; 4) I have found a new respect for Justice Thomas; and 5) He is a man of conviction. This shouted out to me: "I'd already noticed that it was the liberals, not conservatives, who were more likely to condescend to blacks." The book has been blasted by some and praised by others. Some of the vitriol, not surprising, have been coming from other blacks. I've read some of it and had commented on another blog where hating Justice Thomas is an everyday thing. From claiming that Thomas hates himself and other blacks to him claiming victimhood these other blacks are just that, other. The book is a very good read and everyone regardless of political or social ideology should read it. After all, that's how we learn right?

Word of the Day

Mendacity
a lie; falsehood.
(one of my favorite words)

A Yawner

YAWWWNNNNN!

I think I'll skip the remaing debates and just keep track of the candidates via the news, web sites etc.

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

When I was a college student I use to hang out with a group of guys who were very political and I learned a lot from them. These guys added to my political science studies by their heart felt and passionate stand on various political ideologies. Years later, I find that a lot of college students are quite apathetic. I have not seen much evidence of their concern for issues local or national. Their concern runs as deep as their need for another drink at the local pub. I remember a student telling me that he checked off "Independent" on the voter registration card so he wouldn't have to vote. To say I was alarmed is an understatement. Some students, however, are very involved and actually know what's going on in the world around them. I appreciate their comments albeit charged with liberal bias. But I recently read this article and it gave me hope, imagine that, as to what college students are really thinking and doing. In the article, the author, Nicholas Handler gave me food for thought, a chuckle and a need to follow college students around to listen in on their conversations.

"We live our lives in masks and speak our minds in a dead language - the language of a society that expects us to agitate because that's what young people do. But how do we rebel against a generation that is expecting, anticipating, nostalgic for revolution? How do we rebel against parents who sometimes seem to want revolution more than we do? We don't." He goes on to say that their rebelling is done on the Internet on such sites as MoveOn.org. I say this article gives me hope because it sets me straight as to whether or not kids care about what's going on around them. I was happy to find out that they are "agitating" and are "putting it in their own words." So, at the end of the day it doesn't have to be my revolution it just has to be a revolution.

Word of the Day

Pernicious
causing great harm, destructive, evil.

Apology Time

"I have let them down, I have let my country down, and I have let myself down." These words are from Marion Jones, the former five time Olympic medalist, as she pleaded guilty to steroid use in federal court yesterday. I hope she has the words to explain it to her son one day.

What Can We Learn?

Yesterday's $11.6 million verdict for Ms. Anucha Browne Sanders reminds us of the little progress we have made in reconciling the treatment of black women by black men. While we are busy pulling out the race card for every perceived instance of racism, we ignore the abusive nature of black men. Now, if you are a race baiter you will probably believe that Isiah Thomas' come-uppance was the work of "the man" hiding behind the angry black woman "hatin on a brotha." But if you have some kind of brain matter and actually know how to use it you will agree that it's something more insidious.



In 1968, in Memphis, picketers at a sanitation strike held signs that read, "I Am A Man." The signs came to signify the struggle of blacks working in horrible conditions but it also came to signify black masculinity as part of the civil rights movement. The I Am A Man idea help to blend race, gender and sexuality into the civil rights movement. Many years later the Million Man March in Washington DC struck a similar cord when thousands of black men descended on DC to forge a bond of brotherhood and to denounce evil whites. The March was also an opportunity to speak directly to black men and have them pledge to get their house in order by cleaning up their lives and rebuilding their neighborhoods. It was a day of unity, atonement and brotherhood. There were no women present. Twelve years later the latest figures show that 70 percent of black babies are born to single mothers.



What does any of this have to do with yesterday's verdict? Plenty, the verdict proves not only that Thomas was guilty of harassment but guilty of relegating black women to subservient roll. When Thomas did the double standard boogie claiming that its ok for black men to call black women bitch and ho he was guilty. When he was told not to hug Ms. Browne Sanders and stated, "Ok, cool," he was guilty. The moment he walked from the court to waiting reporters with that smirk on his face you knew the jury made the right decision. The moment he said, "I want to say as loud as I possibly can, I'm innocent, I'm very innocent," you knew he was guilty.



We did not hear from Louis Farrakhan today nor did we hear from other "black leaders" regarding the verdict because they are complicit in the treatment of black women. It is easier to blame the white man for the "lost lives of black men" but its about looking the other way when black women are left holding the bag. The ability to say in direct and honest words that black men need to start taking responsibility for their behavior is somehow lost because there is no march to attend. Yesterday's verdict should have sent a strong message to every black man who considers the hard working respectable woman in the next room who you have deemed a bitch and ho will make you wish you had indeed listened to your mother.

Whoopi wants to

Ewwwwww!

Word of the Day

Hypocrisy
the practice or act of professing virtues and beliefs that one does not possess.
Hypocrite
a person given to hypocrisy.

The Dick Van Dyke Show Opening (1961)

Forty-six years ago today the Dick Van Dyke Show premiered. The Petries lived in New Rochelle, NY which is still home to some famous people. They don't make them like this anymore.

Word of the Day

Pomposity
the quality of being pompous, pompous parading of dignity or importance.
Pompous
characterized by an ostentatious display of dignity or importance.

Who's The Bitch Now Isiah?

Isiah Thomas, coach of the Knicks, is a little less pompous this evening as a jury of his peers found that he sexually harassed Ms. Anucha Browne Sanders. Mr. Thomas yelled his innocence to a crowd outside the court and vowed to appeal the decision. This ladies and gentlemen is what's called divine justice. Mr. Thomas got what he got because his peers believed the evidence before them. And it didn't help Thomas any when he cavalierly stated that he had no problem with black men calling black women 'bitches' and 'hos' but would have a problem if the same words came from the lips of a white man. It's too bad the jury couldn't come to an agreement on the ninth count of the charge wherein Thomas would have to pay damages to Ms. Browne Sanders. That's too bad - less Crystal and more humble pie is definitely in order here.

Way to go Mets

I'm not a fan of baseball and think that the big name players should hit a home run every time they go up to bat. I do, however, like to watch the excitement of the fans when one of our teams make it to the playoffs. Which leads me to the point of this post, what happened to the Mets? Mets chief operating officer, Jeff Wilpon called it a, "bitterly disappointing failure." That pretty much sums it up. What I'm concerned about is how can Citigroup and the Mets plan, "the new world-class home of the Mets?" The "new home" is scheduled to open on Opening Day 2009. But until that time the Mets are going home with egg on their faces. Maybe by 2009 they'll get their act together or Citi Filed will have become a joke.

USA - 0, Columbia - 0, President Ahmadinejad - 1

Much has been said and written about last week's controversial visit from Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Columbia University and I'm sure much more will be said and written. In 2007 many universities go out of their way to prove that they are bastions of free speech until you say something that's not popular with the faculty or president. But that's another story for another time. In this case, there was controversy before Ahmadinejad even took to the stage as many thought that Bollinger should have disinvited the president. Bollinger of course sited free speech and stated, "the scope of free speech in academic freedom should itself always be open to further debate." Well he didn't listen to the debate or better yet he didn't heed the majority of those debating whether or not Ahmadinejad should speak. And when he realized that he should have heeded the majority in this case he subjected Ahmadinejad to ridicule and upbraiding on the very stage where he claimed, "we need to understand the world we live in." It is obvious that Bollinger himself doesn't understand the world he lives in.

It was obvious to anyone listening that Bollinger had to get himself out of the drumming that he probably received from his benefactors and as such upbraided Ahmadinejad. In this transcript of the speech Bollinger states, "You are either brazenly provocative or astonishingly uneducated." He goes on to state, "I doubt that you will have the intellectual courage to answer these questions." Ok, lets call this guy an idiot right there on the stage.

It seems to me that something is wrong here. How do you invite this guy, who we already know is a scoundrel, to speak at your university and then slap him in the face? It's like inviting someone to your house and as they sit down on your expensive couch you proceed to tell them that they are a bunch of rat bastards and you don't know why they are there. This is not what America is about? This is not about free speech. This is a farce that was perpetuated on us by the "intellectuals on high" known as Columbia University. This was a tragic misstep by an other wise supposed intellectual. What Bollinger failed to realize was that he didn't win a point for free speech he lost a point for America. Bollinger's upbraiding of Ahmadinejad under the pretense of academic freedom flies in the face of civility. As this Jonathan Glater tells us in this article, "And lofty defenses of free speech can sound cowardly to critics who believe the university's choice of speakers is ideologically biased or that a particular speaker is uniquely evil and should be denied a public platform."

Out of Control

Some onlookers thought Rudy Giuliani's speech in front of the NRA where he took a call from his wife as not a big deal but it is. And it seems, according to this article, that he has done it many times before. I've written here that I think that cell phone use is out of control and it seems that it has now hit the campaign trail. Rudy claims that when he and Ms. Giuliani gets on a plane, "most of the time we talk to each other and just reaffirm the fact that we love each other." Well isn't that sweet. Giuliani's behavior is typical of those who preach, do as I say but not as I do. Maybe someone will break the phone before he appears before another big donor crowd.

That chemo thing...

Chemotherapy has been getting the best of me so forgive me for not posting in a couple of days.

Word of the Day

Obstreperous
resisting control in a noisy and difficult manner; unruly; boisterous.

The President has morning breath

Rudy Giuliani's recent speech to the NRA was interrupted by a phone call from his wife. The debate as to whether or not the phone call was real or planned is justified in the world of politics. But the more important issue is the use of cell phones in public places and perhaps candidates sharing more than we need them to share. I guess with the advent of facebook, myspace and Youtube its hard for political candidates to hide from sharing too much about themselves. However, as I'm wont to do, I really wonder if I need to know about Giuliani's wife getting on a plane in England or the fact that Edwards loves his wife so much he broke her rib kissing her. This need to know the personal side of the candidate is a bit much or better yet - too much information (TMI). I don't need to know that Barak Obama has morning breath and I sure as hell don't need to know that he smells. Most guys smell but I don't need to harp on it. Try doing a two mile run at 4:30am with guys who either didn't take a bath the night before or did or did not do something that resembles good hygiene the night before. I also don't need to hear that Ms. Obama's daughters talk to her about their periods. None of this has anythign to do with being president of the US nor should it. Ms. Obama says here that Barak leaves his socks on the floor. Why do we need to know this?

Two months ago Hillary was accused of showing cleavage. Where do we stop? Why is this information even necessary? I want to know what Barak has in mind for our military; I want to know what Hillary has in mind for the citizens of New York State; I want to know what Rudy has in mind for keeping terrorists at bay. I don't need to know what they wear to bed, who they are talking to on a cell phone that should have been silenced, I don't need to know about Barak's morning breath but rather about how he plans on turning hope into reality. None of these things are going to make me vote one way or another for a candidate but rather where they stand on the important issues of the day.

The last lecture of Randy Pausch 1

Here is the video of Prof. Pausch's last lecture. It's long but worth it.

Making Peace with Death

I was lying in bed on Friday morning while my gf was getting ready for work and I was listening to Good Morning America. Diane Sawyer was talking to a guy who was talking about allowing people to prove their goodness. In my most cynical way I said to myself, yeah that will happen. As I listened further I found that I wanted to hear more from this guy and what was the main point of his speech. I promised to go to the GMA website and check it out later. I completely forgot about it but now I want to present it to everyone because its important and to some extent precious. I don't do a lot of "precious" things but sometimes we have to pay attention.

Randy Pausch is dying of pancreatic cancer and made his last lecture to his students this week as he prepares to die. I'm really not sure why I've decided to post this other than saying that every now and then something touches you and you just go with it. Here is Pausch on GMA. I don't think there needs to be a major summary here because Pausch says it all.

The Jena 6

I have to admit that I have not been following the Jena Six story until recently and only found out about it via another blog site. I guess that's what's so great about having so many blogs out there. The case of the Jena 6 is an interesting one and there are a number of stories some of which I have presented here. There are two things that make this case interesting to me and they are: 1) Why was there a "white tree" in the first place? and 2) Why did the district attorney make the statement, "I can end your lives with a stroke of a pen?" Lets take these one at a time.

The fact that there was a "white tree" suggests to me that there was and is something intrinsically wrong with the school's administration. Why would they allow something like this to take place? At least it should have been condemned by the administration and at worse the tree should have been cut down before all of this happened. There is no white area or black area in a school? Yes, the argument could be made that kids create their own areas but they don't claim them as white or colored areas.

The DA, Reed Walters, seems to have a problem with power and probably other issues. How do you make comments like this one to young people? As John McWhorter states in his article here, "And trying to leave five teenagers behind bars for thirty years for beating a guy up." It seems a bit extreme to me and obviously to many especially since the victim was up and out that night attending an awards ceremony. Please, don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating violence in any form but something smells fishy here. Is the DA up for re-election? Is this the case that is going to place his name in nomination for a judgeship? What is it?

The case has caught fire and protesters took to the streets, namely those in Jena, yesterday to protest the treatment of these young people. From all accounts the march was peaceful but for the black panthers advocating otherwise as reported here which brought out the police in droves. That may have worked in the 60's but they were ignored as folks packed to leave. It sounds to me like the march was more of a get together than a throw back to the 60's civil rights movement. Although Jesse Jackson wanted it to be and as much and stole Dr. King's words as seen here. Whatever happens I hope this does not become another reason to hate whitey. This cannot be so especially when it involves young people. Maybe if the DA was replaced or was ordered to respond to specific questions it would help the healing process in the town and in the hearts of the young people involved. I know this sounds polly annish but sometimes it works.

Making a Difference

For now it seems that Clinton Young is the winner of Tuesday's Democratic primary. The official word will come Monday after the Board of Elections re-canvass ballots on Monday. Ernest Davis is pondering his next move and will be sitting down with advisers before making a decision. Unfortunately one of his options is to run on the Conservative and Independent lines. I say unfortunate because this should be a closed chapter in the Ernie Davis book. His comment in this article is probably the only time I'll agree with him and that is, "People did not take this seriously. They thought that I would roll over (my opponent) and not need their help." Well thanks to those who did not turn out to vote for Davis but more importantly to those who turned out to vote for Young. Of course, I think Young has a lot of work to do and he's not perfect but we have to start somewhere and with someone other than Ernest Davis. I would ask Young as his first act is to looking into getting rid of the influx of dollar stores crowding out more reputable retailers.

A New Day for Mt. Vernon

This is very good news. The citizens of Mt. Vernon can now look forward to a new day and less negativity. Time to send Mr. Davis on his way. Lets hope the numbers keep going in Clinton's favor.

You Go Girl!

Oprah Winfrey has proven her moxie by holding a fundraiser for Barak Obama at her mansion in California. However, she did not allow anyone to enter the mansion and confiscated recording devices and cameras. But Obama made $3million via those who paid $2,300 a piece. It seems Oprah likes the candidate and has a horse in the race. If Barak wins there will be nothing we can do with Oprah.

This is a good one for a laugh. On Monday its good to laugh.

How Do You Define Stupid?

I'm told that when raising a child it is best to give them examples of right and wrong in order for them to learn to do the right thing. It seems that some adults have missed the boat and have forgotten the rules of right and wrong. The example in this instance is O.J. Simpson. It seems that O.J. hasn't learned the many valid lessons many have tried to teach him or maybe he's just plain stupid. Ok, it has been alleged that he broke into a room to retrieve items that he claims to be his. But the question is, why not let the police do it or hire an investigator to do the job? Why do it yourself unless you are a damn imbecile. Now the question is, will O.J. play the race card once again? Only time will tell.

This is a good overview of what we have to look forward to.

Wake Me Up When It's Over

I'm having a hard time getting excited about the 2008 elections or maybe I'm just not excited about the candidates. I do like a couple on the Republican side but I'm not sure if they are really who I want for president. Here is a Rasmussen Report on the candidates and the numbers are quite interesting. My bottom line problem is that I never like primaries. I just think there is a lot of hot air out there right now and the real campaign starts when a candidate is selected. But until such time I'll make my comments on the Republicans as I have on the Democrats.

Stand Tall

I did not have the opportunity to say a few words on 9/11 and so let me do so now. On September 11, 2001 I awoke as usual and got ready to go to work. As I was driving to work I thought out loud how beautiful a day it was and said a word of thanks. I arrived at work ready to work and the first thing I noticed was that I didn't have Internet connection. I immediately assumed it was due to the incompetence of our technology department and moved on to another computer hoping the problem was with my computer. Unfortunately it was a problem for everyone in the office. Then someone said that there was something going on in the city and that this was possibly the cause for the failure of our computers. Since we did not have a TV or radio in the office I went out to my car and turned on my car radio. What I heard in the next few minutes would change my life forever - "The second tower has just imploded." What the hell was going on?

I ran back to my office and informed the staff as to what I had heard and we all looked at each other in silence. In a couple of hours we got the call that the university was closing for fear that there maybe further carnage. As I drove home I listened to the radio and could not believe what I was hearing. It was at that time that I started to get really angry and didn't know what to do with myself. It was about 12noon when I got home, with a six pack of Heineken beer, and I immediately turned on the television. I tried hopelessly to get on the Internet as I watched the television in amazement. I could not believe what had happened and I was mad as hell and I felt helpless. For the rest of the afternoon and evening I drank and tried to abate my anger. I wanted to get in my car and drive to the city but every news account said not to. It was very easy to drink a lot that evening.

Six years later I'm still angry. I'm angry at the people who think that we are scum. I'm mad at the people who hate our way of life. I'm mad at the people who think that those 3,000 people are worth nothing. I'm mad that some people think that it's our fault. I'm mad that the Muslim community in the US won't stand with us and condemn this kind of hate. I'm mad but I know that America will carry on and we will win in the end.

What Not To Do

This is a great article and one that should be posted in each residence hall and common areas in the schools in Manhattan. Of course I would like to add a few more things to the list. Here goes.
* Don't scream at the top of your lungs at 3am while walking home from the local bar.
There are people who actually live in the neighborhood and are probably asleep so as to get up in the morning to go to work. Also, the resident cannot always distinguish between a horsing around scream and a scream for help.

Don't use your cell phone while crossing the street.
When you use your cell phone you miss the green light of the oncoming car.

Don't talk about using feminine wipes on a crowded elevator.
You really don't want the whole building to know you shacked up with the guy you met in the bar last night.

If you scored a perfect score on the SAT don't use the word "like."
Using the word like makes you sound stupid.

Don't take your high heels off and walk around Manhattan.
You cannot even begin to imagine the amount of germs you can pick up within the first 10 minutes of walking.

Uniforms for All

I like this, I like this, I like this. I am a firm advocate of school uniforms. I think that students wearing uniforms cuts down on crime, cuts down on fashion statements and takes away from the distractions that kids feel when they are sporting the latest style. As one teacher said in the article, "It is a direct investment in children." I do believe that kids wearing uniforms tend to pay more attention in class than those who are fussing with skimpy tops and tight jeans. I think it should be in every school until kids get to college.

Home Again...

School has started and the fun begins. From freshmen to seniors, everyone is getting back into going to classes, doing homework and partying. I recently walked by NYU's campus in NYC and tried to listen in to some of the many conversations going on near the Stern business school. I didn't hear anything exciting but everyone seemed animated and excited about being on campus. Unfortunately my gf and I have already experienced the loud screams that NYU students tend to emit at 3am. And this was only a week after their move in day. I have a feeling its going to be a long semester.

But this story you couldn't make up if you tried. Two freshmen at Northeastern University were sent home for possession of marijuana in their room along with bottles of booze. It seemed that one of the two yelled out his dorm window that he had "weed" if anyone was looking for it. Now that may not have been so bad but there were plainclothes police in earshot. The rest as they say is history. At $45,000 a pop these two have learned a costly lesson. Classes hadn't even begun. As I said, you can't make this stuff up. I must say it is truly laughable.

Wait and See

I have been waiting for Fred Thompson to enter the race before I make my predictions on the Republicans. So, expect my comments early next week. Unfortunately I did not watch the debate tonight so I have no comments. But of course I have comments albeit I missed the debate. See you then.

Finally!

It's not yet Thursday but the New York Times is already reporting that Fred Thompson has made his announcement as a presidential candidate. Here is the article. Thompson has a lot to do to convince voters that he's their man. Lets see what happens in the next couple of days.

Trust But Verify

Over dinner tonight my gf asked if I have ever thought about leaving the Republican Party. After looking stunned at such a question I admitted that yes I have thought about it but that you don't run for the hills when things go bump in the night. After all, I'm battling cancer here, which is worse - staying in the Republican Party or keeping up with chemo? Ok, some may opt for staying with chemo, I get it. But this is what I said to her after my comment above, "My Republican values trumps most everything and while I'm a lesbian and care a hell of a lot about gay issues I still care about other issues such as immigration. Besides, you don't quit as soon as the tough gets going. If that were the case I would have given up on fighting cancer.

In any event, she does have a point and it is something I have considered. I have also considered quitting chemo sessions because I'm sick of them but that's another story for another time. Lets face it the Republican Party is, at a minimum, in a slow spiral and at a maximum bleeding from several orifices. I probably shouldn't use the word orifice hence I get called out as gay. Hey, wait a minute, I am gay. Ok, I digress. The bottom line here is that the Republican Party is probably in need of some Lexapro which is an antidepressant drug. They cannot be feeling great about themselves right now and they cannot have a lot of comeback when they are told that there is hypocrisy in the party.

Now, I realize that I'm breaking a golden rule by publicly criticizing the party - my party. Ronald Reagan was the first to suggest that we shouldn't criticize each other in public. But we really need to talk about this problem and it is a problem that will affect the party in 2008. So we need to talk about it now rather than hide and only discuss it behind closed doors. So besides me, Robert Novak is discussing it here in his article. Ok, I'm no Bob Novak but great minds think alike. I'm not sure he offers the silver bullet but he does make good points such as: 1) How many examples of scandalous behavior are known but hidden?; 2) Warner's announcement of retirement potentially gives the Democrats a real majority; 3) No Republican candidate for president has inspired the party faithful; and 4) You could always count on the other party when it came to corruption but the potential Republican leader has a more complicated problem.

So, what do we do? First, we stop using gays as a wedge issue. Second, we ease people out of office who have broken the rules before it's too late. Third, we recognize that gay and lesbian Americans are part and parcel of the Republican Party and are probably more committed to Republican values than some at the base. Fourth, the important issues, i.e. immigration, the war, the economy, a limited government, a strong national defense and personal responsibility, impact the lives of real people all across the nation. It's time to get back to work on what matters to the citizens of the United States of America.

Don McLean - American Pie

Remembrances of times past. This happens to be one of my favorite songs and put to a video it is powerful. It's a bit long but worth it.

Read A Book

I heard about this PSA today and just had to look for myself - hmmm. I don't know what to say. I understand and fully support the concept but why do it in such a crude fashion? Couldn't we have a rapper sing the same words minus the foul language and the booty shaking to get across the message? Are we saying this is the only way young black people will understand? Isn't this similar to encouraging ebonics in the schools because it is either a foreign language or a cultural experience? If the answer to any of these questions is yes then we have more problems than I thought.

Sex in Public Restrooms=Gay Victims

Several days ago I wrote a piece about the "bigger picture" in the Larry Craig scandal. Since then I have spoken about it and have not changed my opinion. In the last couple of days I have read many articles on Craig and a few blogs. I now read Jim McGreevey's epistle on Senator Craig. The article is, in my opinion, McGreevey's first student paper at the General Theological Seminary of the Episcapal Church in New York. McGreevey should have kept this piece as a student paper as it like him bothers me. The number one problem with most of what I have read is that many believe that there is no "outlet" for gay men's sexual expression but public bathrooms. That is more than offensive. To suggest to me that a gay man whether out or not cannot find a private place to have sex but parks and bathrooms is not only perverse but playing the victim card. Is this the kind of legacy we want to leave younger gays? I hope not.

Sagging Jeans gets a Ticket

Many years ago, while recruiting in the Bronx, I remember taking a young man aside and counseling him on his approach to recruiters. He had saddled up to my table and said, "Yo, what's up?" I took him aside and counseled him as to the correct approach to recruiter's tables. I told him it was a good idea that he go up to the table, gave the greeting of the day, and ask, tell me what specializations your law school is most famous for. There are a myriad of questions that prospective students can ask recruiters and I went over many with him. I also told him that while it wasn't my job to take him aside that I thought it important for him to know this information in anticipation of future recruiting events. While this young man was initially taken aback by my correcting him, he called me the next day to thank me. I sometimes wonder if we all did this to for our young people if it wouldn't make a difference in their behavior.

I think a similar stance should be taken with sagging pants. In this article by the New York Times, we read about sagging jeans becoming a criminal offense in many municipalities. In Louisiana, lawmakers have decided that, "pants worn low enough to expose underwear poses a threat to the public." And thus they have passed indecency ordinances to prohibit the wearing of sagging pants. While I absolutely hate this style, if you want to call it a style, I don't agree that it should be criminalized. I don't think we need to legislate everything that people even when some of those things are stupid. You cannot legislate stupidity. Plus if you criminalize this behavior what's next? In any event, I don't think this is an issue for law enforcement but one for parents and the community. If we all said something maybe the trend would end.

In the article, we read that the "style" is that of hip hop artists but more disturbing is that it began in prison. And if we took it one step forward, we are told that the majority of people who wear this style are black and thus the legislation is picking on black men. Of course I don't buy that part of the article and would rather stick with some of the more constructive statement like that of Councilwoman Annette Lartigue and Ben Chavis - "The focus should be on cleaning up the social conditions that the sagging pants comes out of." Here, here and maybe instituting school uniforms would help as well.

See You in September

As the new school year rolls forward Mt. Vernon school district opens a new school catering to ninth and tenth graders. A third high school will be opening in Mt. Vernon along side Mt. Vernon High School and the Nelson Mandela High School. The Nelson Mandela High School is an alternative school. The new school, Thornton High School is named after Nellie A. Thornton who served as its principal for 22 years. For now the school will enroll ninth and tenth graders and expand its enrollment in the coming years.

This is a new beginning as is every new academic year so I wish the administrators but mostly the 9th and 10th graders the best. Administrators promise that the school will be academically rigorous and I hope it follows through with its promise. I hope that the Thornton High School's grade report will reflect that rigor.

It's a Done Deal

I'm watching CNN as Senator Larry Craig has just come forward to the podium to make his announcement. "It is my intent to resign my position as senator effective September 30th." Those are the words from the senator as he stood with his wife, daughter and one of his sons. He thanked many standing behind him along with his family and the people of Idaho for having served them all these years.

Madam Secretary

"A Day for Departures" is how The New York Times titled the many announcements of departures made by members of the Bush administration. Right below that caption is this one, "As Her Star Wanes, Rice Tries to Reshape Legacy." Now maybe its just my cynicism taking over here but one could make the leap and assume that The New York Times maybe making a prediction or subliminally planting a seed in our heads. Whichever it is I think the positioning of the articles are quite interesting.

And who hasn't thought of whether or not Secretary of State Rice is the next to leave the White House please raise their hand. I sure have given it some thought especially after Carl Roves resignation and, as of yesterday, departure. Since Roves resignation there has been the resignation of Bush's spokesman Tony Snow and his Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez. We now have Senator John Warner stating that he would retire at the end of his term and we will probably soon hear Senator Larry Craig resign after he was arrested for soliciting sex in a public bathroom. So the Times positioning of Dr. Rice's article may seem prescient.

The article talks not of Rice's resignation but her contemplation of her legacy as national security adviser and secretary of state. The article is typical Rice in that she is taciturn in her comments on what she sees as her legacy. The number one item that will follow her when she returns to Stanford, however, is the Iraqi war. Secretary of Rice is seen as one of the many "archetects" of the war and one that many people are unwilling to give absolution. It is also a decision, according to the article, Rice said that she would "accept peoples assessment" of. Maybe before her tenure is up she will have brokered a peace deal between the Isarelis and the Palestinians. Now there would be a real legacy.

It Takes an Organization

As parents and children prepare to go back to school this week, organizations like this one are urging black men to own up to their responsibilities as fathers and not "baby daddies." The Million Father March whose first plea to black men took place in the 2005 - 2006 academic year and is once again urging its participants to take their kids to school and introduce themselves to teachers. The organization has participants from over 100 cities including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

The National Center for Education tells us that parental involvement in a child's academic career increases literacy. To go one step further parental involvement in the lives of their children makes a positive difference whether the Center tells us that or not. Encouraging black men to take their children to school, while a nice idea, should not require public officials to hold a press conference doing just that. But then again we are talking here about Mayor Ernest Davis and his ability to turn common sense issues into issues that will bring out more black votes. I'm somewhat surprised that there is an organization that has formed around this issue. Why do black men need an organization to tell them to do the right thing? Why do black men have to march to do the right thing? Someone explain this to me like I'm a six year old.

It seems that it's time for Senator Craig to make a decision and move on. With the audio of the arrest all over the Internet and in newspapers it is obvious that there is no place for the Senator to hide. When we make decisions such as this one, soliciting sex in a public bathroom, we can't expect it to go away by simpling saying "I'm not gay and have never been gay." For every action there is a reaction and in this case it's resigning.

The World of Technology

We are driving back from Provincetown after a wonderful week and I'm blogging from the car. This is totally incredible. I feel like a kid in a candy store. I just purchased a PC card from Verizon and it works like a cell phone and I couldn't be happier. To ride in the backseat of a car and be able to blog and browse the Internet is fantastic. Forgive me if I seem like a country bumpkin but this is wayyy cool.

Dionne Warwick Theme from Valley of the Dolls 1967

Remembrances of times past. This was a great film and the music is wonderful.

The Bigger Picture

There is almost a sense of vindication on the part of gays by whats happening to Senator Larry Craig. After years of having his sexual orientation questioned his guilty plea may just prove everyone right. However, the bigger picture, as I see it, is not that Craig plead guilty nor that he now regrets it, it is that having sex in a public bathroom has become synonymous with gay men.

For many, many years gay men have seen fit to indulge in public sex because, as history tells us, they didn't have anywhere to go or that they were hiding in the open. In the 1950's and very likely before then, gay men have been arrested in Central Park and other places where they sought the company of other men. A furtive look, a stroll in the same direction was all it took for these men to acknowledge their "sameness" and then engage in anonymous sex. Engaging in such activity afforded them the opportunity to stay in the closet, return to work the next day without having their image splattered on the front page of the local newspaper and it didn't require a long term commitment. One would think that with the passing years this type of behavior would have abated especially with the advent of no tell motels. But here we are in 2007 and we are debating the sexual orientation of a Senator that should have known better.

So, the question here shouldn't necessarily be, is he gay but rather, why is he or anyone else for that matter seeking sex in a public restroom? I would guess that this question has many different answers but the one I'm looking for. The bottom line here is that no one should be having sex in public bathrooms. Ok, maybe that's a bit naive and why we have undercover cops patrolling public bathrooms but there is something to be said about this statement. My simple point is this, if gay people are going to cast off the horrible impressions that some have about us we have to start saying, I don't care if Senator Craig is gay or straight what he has done is inappropriate and he should suffer the consequences. Unfortunately, that is not going to happen because to do that we would then have to hold gay men, or men in general, accountable for their behavior and of course we can't do that. So in a sense we have a double standard - we condemn the hypocritical Senator for soliciting sex in a public bathroom but ignore the larger issue of men having sex in a public bathroom. Sorry, but I have a hard time buying into this hypocrisy.

What Does It All Mean?

After reading the arrest report that has gotten Senator Craig into hot water I'm beginning to wonder what all the hullabaloo is all about. In reading the arrest report this is what is clear: 1) Craig placed his roller bag at the front of the stall; 2) Craig tapped his right foot; 3) Craig tapped his toes several times and moved his foot closer to the officer; 4) Craig ran his hand up and down the underside of the stall. Apparently several of these acts indicate that the individual wants to engage in behavior that would be considered lewd. I'm not a cop so this is foreign territory to me. But other than Craig actually verbally soliciting sex how does one determine that he's indeed looking for sex. Don't get me wrong, if that was his intention then arrest him like any other cretin engaging in such an act but you have to make sure that the intent was there and therein lies the problem.

The other problem I see with this case and is one that many may not want to talk about and that is - we need to be careful when we immediately label a person in this situation, gay. When we do this we play into the hands of those that dislike us because of our "behavior." We say on many occasions that behavior doesn't necessarily define us as gay so to say that this automatically makes Craig gay is to say that behavior is all that defines us. Words and how we use them are extremely important. Lets see what Craig has to say next. If he is indeed gay I doubt very much he will "come out" and will do his best to blame his actions on gays and their "influence" in our society.

Stay Tuned

I have guests so stay tuned for my comments on Gonzaez.

Guilty or not Guilty

I realize that being on vacation you are going to miss a few things so I apologize for commenting on what is now considered old news. I thought it important to comment on this particular news item because I find it so amazing. I realize that one is innocent until proven guilty but Senator Craig of Idaho has already declared his guilt. The amazing thing about it, like the case in Florida, he now claims that he should not have been so quick to do so. I'm not sure about you but I don't really think that I would confess to a crime or misdemeanor if I didn't do it regardless of how quickly I wanted to get out of the police station.

Senator Craig states here that, "I should have the advice of counsel in resolving this matter. In hindsight, I should not have plead guilty. I was trying to handle this matter myself quickly and expeditiously." Ok, lets look at this. Isn't there a process where you ask for counsel if you are unsure of what you have been charged with? The Miranda waring states you have the right to be silent until you talk to your counsel. So what happened here? Did Senator Craig forget his basic rights? Or was he hiding something? I'm not so much concerned with whether or not Senator Craig is gay but more with telling the truth. Which is it? Did he plead guilty too soon or was he an accident waiting to happen? Like everything in life - time will tell.

On Vacation

Labor day is right around the corner and I'm taking my last days of vacation. I'm sitting in a condo right now in Provincetown, MA or Cape Cod. It is one of the most beautiful days here - cloudless skies and temperature that is actually bearable. I went to the beach with my gf and a friend today and while the water was cold it was very nice. Lying on the beach and watching the boats and applying sunscreen was and is a great way to spend my remaining vacation days. I'm kind of hoping that I run into Andrew Sullivan to wish him congratulations on his recent marriage. Speaking of marriage, my gf and I went to have our rings engraved yesterday and they did a great job and gave us a free cleaning to go along with it.

If you have never been to Provincetown I would highly recommend it. Provincetown sits at the very end of the Cape and is home to mostly gay men and lesbians. But its a nice mix of gay and straight people with the occasional dispirited straight person who seem to somehow have loss their way when they start staring at gays. The food is wonderful and there is always a whale watching tour in the plans. We have started a kind of ritual in that we stop at a regular joint - Clem and Ursies on the way into town. C&U is a seafood place that welcomes many a visitor. The restaurant is run by a sister and brother team and features some of the best seafood in town. Ans it's always great to wash it down with a Red Stripe beer or a Margarita.

For the rest of time you are in PTown there is a lot to do like sunning on the beach, whale watching, dunes tour, bike riding, tea dances, comedy, and of course drag shows. Or you can just sit on your deck and read a good book.

Beware of

After 23 years of working in higher education there is one thing I know is true - with each new administrator comes a new way of doing things. I have always been amazed at how quickly new hires plow in and start changing policy. As an example, a new VP comes in and based on very little knowledge, if any, on topic A and learning the culture of the institution he suggests that the school should mandate that students take a placement test in math regardless of their SAT scores. Now, if you follow the logic that SAT scores predict success in college this plan would run counter to the previous policy where only a few students would be tested. In this example, there would be a mini war from several factions. And why would a war erupt? There are three reasons why an uproar would take place.

First, its very possible that any prior conversations about this topic was never relayed to the newby or better yet, he may have been privy to the conversation via a colleague but chose to ignore it. Second, as a new person he needs to test his mettle and has decided to put his new loved theory into practice. Third, he may not have a lot of experience in this area but he was put in charge. The end result would be a new policy put in place on top of another policy that probably worked just fine but this one now has the signature of the new VP.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not simply trying to be melodramatic here but this is reality in higher education and other places as well. I think its unfortunate but like many other things, i.e. illegal immigration, the policy already in place should be looked at and tweaked if need be. Creating new policies aren't always the most cost effective, most reasonable or simply most appropriate.

Shirley Bassey - THIS IS MY LIFE

Remembrances of times past. Who could sing it better than Ms. Shirley Bassey. This is my life, who gives a damn with lost emotions...

Sound of Music: So Long, Farewell

Remembrances of times past. I love this movie for a lot of different reasons but mostly because it reminds me of family.

Remembrances of Times Past

I have been thinking of different things I want to do on my blog and have come up with what I think is a great idea. As we grow older we tend to remember our childhood, and boy do we, so I thought I would share things that remind me of the "good" things from my childhood with my reading audience. These "remembrances could take the form of videos, poetry, articles and maybe pictures. All in all it's an opportunity to share and to remember. Drop me a line if you like the idea.

You Have to be Cynical

The more I follow politics the more I become cynical and the more I find laughable episodes like this one. Am I to believe that allies of Governor Spitzer gained access to Mr. Stone's apartment and made this call? I know crazy things happen but these guys are out of control. Why would a sitting governor risk this kind of behavior? Didn't we learn anything from Richard Nixon?

Cases That Made a Difference: Plessy v. Ferguson

Before Brown v. Board of Education there was Plessy v. Ferguson. As a matter of fact, Brown was the case that did away with Plessy. The crux of Plessy was separate but equal, a standard that became commonplace up until Brown. After the American Civil War freed slaves were allowed the same accommodations as whites in Southern states. However, once Reconstruction ended and Jim Crow laws became paramount freed slaves were no longer allowed the same privileges as whites.

Facts: In 1890, the state of Louisiana passed Act 111 that called for separate accommodations for blacks and whites on railroad cars with the caveat that the accommodations must be kept equal. On June 2, 1892, Adolph Plessy boarded a railroad car that was designated for whites. It was said that although Plessy was one-eight black and seven-eights white he was still considered African American and thus required to sit in the colored section. Plessy refused and was arrested and jailed. Plessy argued that his Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendment rights were violated but Justice John Ferguson disagreed and stated that the state of Louisiana had the right to regulate railroad companies as determined by the state. Plessy was then found guilty of violating the segregation law. Plessy was not happy with the decision and appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court rejected Plessy's argument based on the Thirteenth Amendment declaring, "We consider the underlying fallacy of the of the plaintiffs argument to consist in the assumption that the enforced separation of the two races stamps the colored race with badge of inferiority. If this be so, it is not by reason of anything found in the act, but solely because the colored race chooses to put that construction upon it."

Plessy v. Ferguson continued for years and brought about many other statutes that enforced separate but equal policies. It was not until 1954 that this policy was challenged and summarily defeated in the landmark decision of Brown v. Board of Education. It took fifty-eight years before blacks could move about and "share" in the same accommodations as whites. Of course this was not easy nor was it met with enthusiasm but with "deliberate speed," blacks could take advantage of what many whites took for granted as their god given right. Here is the case in its entirety.

There is Hope

I am very happy to read here that what I posted on Fred Thompson yesterday was wrong. Thank goodness.

Back to School

It's that time of year again when parents shop for school bargains and young adults start readying themselves to start a new school, go to the next grade or simply meet new friends. Some states, especially in the South, have already rung the "start of school" bell and others are merely weeks away. As parents and children work towards the same goal they do it in two different ways. Parents are concentrating on lesson plans, academic vigor, college prep, AP scores, athletics etc. And kids are all about the new fashion, and maybe academics. Of course, the kids who are looking towards getting into ivy league schools are probably coming back from a foreign country or adding to their extracurricular transcript by working as camp counselors, volunteering at various organizations like Habitat for Humanity etc. By mid-October both will probably be on the same page once the first set of grades come home. High school graduates are packing for college and wondering if they made the right choice in school. They have their room assignments, college id, money on account for food, book voucher and all the electronic equipment they can fit into a two room dorm. For seniors in high school its all about visiting colleges, applying early action, early decision and getting those AP scores in.

Here is where it gets tricky. From June to September colleges and universities are busy seating their classes. Some may have already seated their freshman class by August and some may take until the start of classes in September to do just that. Whatever the case maybe the summer, although many think admissions offices are closed during this time, is a very busy time for admission officers. In other words, the seniors that I'm referring to here are college students for 2008. So the second part of this is that at the same time that colleges and universities are seating their freshman class they are also recruiting for the following fall semester. Sounds confusing? Its not really but to parents it can be extremely so. The key here is that there is always two classes being recruited at anyone time. The big difference is that for several months the immediate freshman class is the most important but there is a plan in place to attack the next year's class, i.e. open house.

So, all those of you out there who are worrying about getting you child into a good college next year need to start your work now. Its not about waiting until April its about visiting colleges now. Its about attending information sessions. Its about talking to admission officers and its especially important that prospective students meet with their guidance counselors and start getting their act together. Don't let the bus leave you at the station.

Way to go Fred

This is just great. Fred Thompson is not in the race yet but he's already willing to discriminate against gay Americans. These and other reasons are why the Republican Party may lose the White House in 2008. Voters are growing weary of gay Americans being thrown under the bus.

Brick by Brick

This story tells us many things some of which are:
1. Survival of the fittest trounces party ideology
2. Republcians are not running strong candidates
3. There is too much emphasis placed on the Conservative and Independent endorsements
4. Are moderate Republicans seen as part of the Republican ideology?
5. There hasn't been a real build up of the Republican Party in the last several years
6. Hillary Clinton will win big time in Westchester in 2008
7. A strong Republican Party must include moderates for the party to grow and win

Cases That Made a Difference: Gideon v. Wainwright

This case is the crux of the Sixth Amendment. The Sixth Amendment states: "In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right of a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed; which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witness against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense."1

Facts: In 1961, Clarence Gideon was accused of robbing a pool hall in Florida and was charged with various crimes in a state court. Gideon could not afford a lawyer and asked the judge for a lawyer based on his Sixth Amendment right. The judge refused Gideon's request based on Florida law at the time and Gideon, unable to defend himself was convicted and sentenced to five years in jail. While in jail Gideon wrote a letter to the Supreme Court to petition his conviction on the basis of his Sixth Amendment right to counsel and stating that poor defendants should be afforded the same right as do wealthy defendants. The US Supreme Court heard Gideon's case and ruled in his favor.

Conclusion: The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 9-0 decision, March 18, 1963 stated that, "The right to be heard would be, in many cases, of little avail if it did not comprehend the right to be heard by counsel." The U.S. Supreme Court invalidated Gideon's conviction and ordered a retrial with counsel. Gideon was eventually acquitted under retrial.

Lets think about this. What would have happened if Gideon did not write his petition to the U.S. Supreme Court but more importantly what if the Court did not hear his case? Well in all likely hood Gideon would have served his time and the states would still be in a quandary as how to handle this question. Thanks to Clarence Gideon we are now all entitled to counsel without regard to income status.

Notes:
1. The U.S. Constitution: And Fascinating Facts About It. 1993, Oak Hill Publishing