I was recently interviewed by the Amsterdam News and here is the result. I was very nervous about the actual article and was plesantly surprised at the outcome. Ms. Tanangachi Mfuni was very likable and most of what I said was printed correctly. However, there was one mistake in the piece and I hope they print a correction next week. In the article I'm quoted as saying that John Faso came out, no pun intended, in favor of civil unions and homosexual rights. It wasn't Faso but New York State Nick Spano who came out in favor of gay marriage and homosexual rights. Other than that I think the article was pretty good.

SHUT UPPPPPPPP!

Obama Mania Part I

I have a healthy respect for Barak Obama but I'm a little tired of the over the top race to make him the next savior of the Democratic party and the black community. Thomas Sowell has it right in his article.

This writer makes a valid argument and while I would normally agree with her that we should take care of our own I beleive that we need to take care of "all" children. Plus, I would bet a dollar that little David has a better chance of survival with Madonna than remaining in his village.

A Week To Go

We are one week away from the midterm elections and I for one wish it were over. The following list is that of the candidates in the Hudson Valley region. The race to watch is in the 35th Senate district and one that will probablybe decided after election night. Some of the other races are a forgone conclusion while others will go to the wire. The following list are candidates that I think deserve election based on their expereince.

AG: Jeanine Pirro
Jeanine went after pedophiles with an Internet sting operation. I don't know about you but pedophiles are lower than scum and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Jeanine has 30 years of experience with a 98% conviction rate in felony cases. She was also the DA that made a difference in the life of battered women and defenseless kids. Her opponent has no experience in these areas and has not been a practicing attorney. Experience counts people.

State Senator: Nick Spano
Nick Spano is the first state Senator to come out in favor of civil marriage. Nick has been a friend to the community and has done good work for our community in particular and the larger community in general.

State Assembly: Mike Spano
Mike Spano, like his brother, is a friend to the community. Mike has stood for gay Americans and our right to equality. He has stood for all Americans in Westchester County and should be re-elected.

Frist Diagnosing Terry Schiavo on Senate Floor

With the election 9 days away, this issue should be on the minds of voters. They should ask themselves the following: What made Terry Schiavo special? Why did Congress take up this case if not to score points with the religious right? As a Republican I'm disappointed in the party and as a human being I feel shame.

Heather MacDonald makes another very important point about religion and politics. As someone with Conservative opinions I couldn't agree with her more.

There are fifteen days untill the midterm elections and the Democrats are already celebrating. Nancy Pelosi is chomping at the bit and they are already talking about "President Barak Obama." The reasons for a Democratic win are enormous and they didn't start with the Mark Foley scandal. More on those issues later but for now here are some poll numbers that should be scaring the bejeezus out of Republicans.

Salute to My Favorite Blogger

One of my favorite bloggers is Andrew Sullivan. Andrew's erudite writings can be found at andrewsullivan.com and is a must read for those of us who welcome truth, intelligence and pure spunk. In addtion to his daily blog, Andrew has written his fourth book and is encouraging his faithful readers to not only read it but email him with comments. I just started the book last evening and look forward to learning more from Andrew on what it means to be a true Conservative.

With four weeks to the midterm elections it seems that Republicans are taking a hit in the polls. Much of it has to do with the Mark Foley scandal and the fall out has gay Republican staffers running for cover. The Republican party, in the mean time, is trying to figure out how to appease their social conservative base and still maintain control of Congress. Some are doing so by painting the pedophile picture but anyone in their right mind know better. What the Republican party will have to counter is what this writer suggests, "They know that homosexuals aren't devils."

Here We Go Again

I can see it now, the next time we see Rep. Mark Foley in public he will be behind a podium with his family with a prepared text before him that was editted by the Human Rights Campaign. And I'm sure that if Jim McGreevey is not standing there with Foley he will have contributed to his "coming out as a gay American." When will this stop? When will people like Mark Foley understand that his behavior is reprehensible and that he abused the power of his office as did Jim Mcgreevey? When will these gay people stop offending "all" Americans - both gay and straight? Why don't they just go away? The Washington Blade's Kevin Niff eloquently stated here what many of us think about this dispicable act.

As is typical in our society today, Mark Foley blames his transgressions on alcohol and abuse while countering that these are not excuses for his conduct. Well which is it Mr. Foley? You can't have your cake and eat it too. You are either an alcoholic who goes after young men or your own abuse made you an abuser. Please tell us which one it is. And as his role model before him - Jim McGreevey, Rep. Foley voted on anti-gay legislation when he cast his vote for DOMA and is said to brag about it to conservatives. I guess this can be blamed on alcohol as well.

As a gay person I fully understand the restrictions that the closet places on all of us. But at the end of the day you have to think about the people that you hurt while in the closet when you continue to heap lies on everyone around you. Mark Foley lied to himself, his family and to his voters. His excuse is not an excuse but more lies and for that we would be well off if we never hear from Rep. Foley again.

We Need a Barbara Jordan Right Now

Integrity (in teg ri te) 1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty. This is a true definition of the former congressman Barbara Jordan. Jordan, in my opinion, is the epitome of what was and is integrity. When Jordan was faced with a choice of right and wrong she always chose what was right. In her speech before the judiciary committee, during the Watergate Hearings, she said the following: "Earlier today we heard the beginning of the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States, "We the People." It is a very eloquent beginning. But when that document was completed on the 17th of September in 1787, I was not included in that "We the People." I felt somehow for many years that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton must have left me out by mistake. But through the process of amendment, interpretation, and court decision I have finally been included in "We the People." Today I am an inquisitor. I believe hyperbole would not be fictional and would not overstate the solemnness that I feel right now. My faith in the Constitution is whole, it is complete, it is total. I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction of the Constitution."

Barbara Jordan was an incredible woman and an oustanding politician. I would recommend this book to all who care about politics in our lifetime. Mary Beth Rogers did an excellent job in bringing this incredible woman to life. In 2006 we could use more Barbara Jordans.

Smear Campaign

I'm sure everyone has heard about Jeanine Pirro's FBI investigation by now but it merits one more comment. I'm outraged that this has happened to Ms. Pirro and sees it for what it is - a smear campaign. Jeanine Pirro, candidate for attorney general, shouldn't have to explain herself to anyone about staying with her husband Al Pirro nor should she have to defend her conversation with Bernard Kerik. This is a very unfortunate situation but I believe Ms. Pirro will rise above it and go on to win the race.

Smear Campaign

I'm sure everyone has heard about Jeanine Pirro's FBI investigation by now but it merits one more comment. I'm outraged that this has happened to Ms. Pirro and sees it for what it is - a smear campaign. Jeanine Pirro, candidate for attorney general, shouldn't have to explain herself to anyone about staying with her husband Al Pirro nor should she have to defend her conversation with Bernard Kerik. This is a very unfortunate situation but I believe Ms. Pirro will rise above it and go on to win the race.

When I'm asked why I became a Republican I sometimes tell listeners that is was because of this book and its influence on me. Who is John Galt?

It seems that Senator George Allen continues to get himself into trouble. What is really ironic about all of this are the people, some of whom I have a lot of respect for, who are saying that this is a witch hunt. The bottom line here is that his recent slur set tongues a wagging. There are just so many times that you can get away with insulting people. I wouldn't be sad if he lost re-election since he is as nasty towards gay people as is shaping up as his nastiness towards blacks.

Food for thought.

Hurricane Katrina Part I

Race is everything to many in our society and as such the devastation that was hurricane Katrina is yet another example of racism in this country. I'm not sure why this sentiment exists but there are a lot of people not only perpetuating it but making money off this horrible situation. The latest person making money from the devastation is our good friend Spike Lee. Lee's show aired on HBO a few weeks ago, I did not watch it, to the acclaim of conspiracy theorists and members of the get whitey brigade. Unfortunately for this crowd the reality is that Katrina wasn't about racism as eloquently written here by John McWhorter. If McWorther were white he would be targeted as a racist but since he's black he will only be targeted as an Uncle Tom. He is spot on in his assessment of the real problems in New Orleans and many other urban areas in America.

The Confession

On August 14, 2004, the governor of New Jersey, Jim McGreevey, stood next to his wife and before reporters and announced that he was a "gay American." McGreevey made this shocking statement because he was threatened with a sexual harrassment lawsuit by his former homeland security aide. At the time many in the gay community labeled McGreevey a hero and showered him with praise for "coming out." To insure his warm welcome by the community he consulted with and had his message crafted by the Human Rights Campaign. He was in like Flynn. This article speaks volumes.

At the time, unlike other gays and lesbians, I wrote a scathing renunciation of McGreevey and his behavior and suggested that his "coming out" was not in the best interest of the community nor was it anything to celebrate. He was not nor is he now my hero. Unethical behavior is unethical behavior. It seems now that McGreevey has become the gay icon of the day as he prepares to promote his memoir, The Confession on Oprah next Monday. He wanted to start with Oprah because of her "sense of faith and spirituality." What a bunch of hogwash. No, Mr. McGreevey you are not going on Oprah because of these wonderful qualities but rather because Oprah sells books. Going on Oprah to promote your book pretty much guarantees a number one slot on best seller lists. So don't give me the crap about faith and spirituality.

Unfortunately I will not watch the interview due to chemotherapy but I don't think my opinion of McGreevey would change much if I did watch the interview. I don't consider McGreevey a gay hero nor do I feel his pain. He lied to the people of New Jersey and to his wife. The people of New Jersey should be reimbursed for their payment of security for McGreevey as he went on his trysts. McGreevey's book shouldn't be called confession it should be called, "How I Lied To The People of New Jersey."

RECALL MAYOR RAY NAGIN!