Prop 8 margin narrows

No on Prop 8 still leads the yes posse in the polls, but it's gonna be tight. Get out the vote, donate (I have - twice), call your friends, e-mail Gov. Schwarzenegger who has stated he opposes Prop 8 but has yet to publicly join our cause. The LDS church is trying to change California and every person can make a difference.

Even Karl Rove says Obama can win

Remember this plump asshole? According to Karl Rove's website, Obama's lead is so far ahead of McCain (311 EV to 157 EV), that the old fart will need to pull every swing state and a few blue states in order to be president. Now isn't this the same puppetmaster behind the GOP machine? Interesting.

Yee Haw!

The Bible is a bad novel and Jesus isn't coming

There seems to be an increase these days on people chiming in on the opinion that the days of Christianbabble and the fools that run into burning buildings spewing such are losing the momentum they have enjoyed over the past 8 years. My boy Sam gave his opinion and I feel the need to express mine.

My name is Greg and I am a recovering Baptist. I have been clean and sober from the poison that black tarred my soul into believing myths made the world go 'round and that a simple tearful confession could guarantee one happiness in heaven for about 21 years. Yes, I was one of them. I was raised in a church fearin' family, went to Sunday school every Sunday and learned all about Adam and the sinful Eve, Noah and his ark of meat, King David doing something with someone, Jesus and crew and Mary (slut..!) and the disciples, the Apostle Paul (who was a whack job) always cumulating with the Revelation, the craziest acid trip ever.

I've read the bible many many times, from cover to cover in just about every interpretation made - from King James, New American Standard, the Living Bible- all of 'em. Interestingly, the word "bible" itself comes from the Greek byblos which means, quite simply, "book." So if the ancient Greeks saw it as a simple book and it was written during their time, how did it become so fantastical? Seriously, if this published today, it would be dismissed as cheap fiction. Remember James Frey and "A Million Little Pieces" and that controversy? He tried to pass that off as fact and come to find out, he made most of it up. Hell, he even bragged on Oprah. Now if only the Apostle John would have brought the Revelation to Oprah - well, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

So now we are more than two thousand years past the time all of that was written. Incredibly I think Christian mythology has probably outlasted Greek mythology. I ask, what's the difference? It's the same in principle. People who are advanced in science and democracy on the one hand subscribing to fantasy and ridiculous ceremony (uh, circumcision? baptism? communion? killing people?) on the other hand. Are we really so different?

I think we are at a crossroad and at some point, this country needs to decide - the Bible or the Constitution. Clearly our forefathers intended the fledgling country to govern independent of radical bible-ism. The Jesusfolk holding an apple pie and a child's hand always like point out, "In God We Trust" blazed our history and we should always be a God fearing nation. Too bad for them the more relevant document, the Constitution, was also drafted and written by men -just like the bible, only with more schooling and experience- who were trying to bring order to chaos - just like the bible, which was, in fact, a cut and paste job by a fledgling Rome who need to bring order to their chaotic empire.

So as someone who used to bring people to Jesus I struggled with so many things. The gay part was just one of the pieces. I always was suspicious in the preachings and bizarre stories, but like most born-agains, didn't question it. Until I decided I wanted to find truth. Several hits of acid, a whole lot of meth, flirtings with kabbalah and Wicca later, I discovered, at least for myself, that the notion of Christianity wasn't valid. That if there was a God (or Goddess), then I could accept that and take faith in the not-knowing. That was when I became a born again agnostic.

So this is my rant. In 2008 America, there is no room for mythology any more since fact and the present are much more relevant. There is indeed the intent of the law for separation of church and state. I don't mind who or what they worship as long as they don't impose it on me. I want my choice and freedoms as guaranteed by my Constitution, the bible if you may of 21st century America, which is much more practical and applicable than ever. Especially as we assert our separation from church.

So I guess that makes me both pro-choice and pro-life. I want the choices for my life free from ancient myth.

Still more Fey as Palin

From tonight's SNL Special on the election. With Will Ferrell revising his role as W.

Republicans for Obama

Porn that is work-safe (sort of)...

http://view.break.com/577249 - Watch more free videos


I got this from Lil Sexy. It's quite funny.

This one is for you, Joyce...

One of my dearest friends lost her mother unexpectedly last week. Joyce Hodges Fielder died last Wednesday after experiencing a stroke. At that moment, a vacuum sucked some of the joy out of the world as clearly one of the largest personalities I have ever met was gone.

Joyce was one of those people who didn't just step, or even waltz, into your life. No. She came tearing in, with cigarette in hand, like a hyperactive dog who tears around you when you come home after a long vacation. The pic above is from my 40th birthday party where Miss Joyce made her way from lap to lap of all the gay men and even flirted with lesbianism before the night was over. Every one she touched somehow found themselves laughing with her about everything. I'm gonna miss you Joyce.

So as I thought about Joyce over the past few days, my thoughts turned to the finale of one of the finest television shows ever written - Six Feet Under. For those of you who were fans of the show, you remember the incredible last 6 minutes of the series. It was the perfect ending to the perfect story - and somehow, in my mind, this is what Joyce's passing is reminding me of: we all die but it's what we do while we are here is what matters.

Here it is for you all:





Goodbye, Joyce.

War is hell

Here is an vid in support to reelect Tom Udall, senator in NM, who secured funds to help our wounded soldiers returning from that clusterfuck in Iraq. It's an emotional commercial. I support our brave troops and wish all of our dedicated armed forces in harm's way, whether in the desert or sea, the best of luck. Let's bring them home.

Taken from Bill in Exile. His site is not always work safe.

Meet the Parents

This past week and weekend, Sam and I ventured East to his hometown of Woodstown, NJ to surprise his Mom for her birthday. It's a quaint, colonial town with beautiful homes built in the 1800's settled within rolling hills and the trees were all bursting in the autumnal colors. Every other home was either decorated with harvesty/G-rated Halloweenesque scarecrows or McCain-Palin signs (just about as many Obama signs as McCain ones are in SF).



I saw his high school, the main street, the bedroom he grew up in (if those walls could talk), watched his dogs go Michael Vick on each other, but the best part was watching his Mom's face when Sam walked thru the door. She had no idea we were coming and she was so happy to see him for her birthday. It was a moment. Sam's parents are just as charming and witty as their son. Did anyone have a doubt? His Dad, by the way, makes a mean Shepherd's Pie.

Woodstown is part of the woodsy outskirts of Philadelphia. I have never been to the city of Philly so it was a treat for me to take in the history. Being from Los Angeles, I have no real concept of American history that dates back beyond the 1940's. We did a few touristy things, did some shopping, mingled with the natives before squeezing into our Useless Airways flight back home. Another great trip, fun time.



Pictures are here.

The red and the blue

For those of you who like to follow the polls, here is a great website: Real Clear Politics. As of this morning, they have put Obama with 313 electoral votes, clearly more than enough to win. it's an interesting site to dig through. Notice what color Florida is.

Viral ad: No on Prop 8

Clever. Send to everyone and donate. Now is the time for all Californians to stand up for equality.

Dog Show

Dog Show!


This old SNL skit cracks me up. Real stupid, but funny nonetheless. I hope you enjoy!

We have Canada, but where would the GOP go?

Slate has a humorous take on the often threatened move to Canada that us left-leaners promise when presidential elections spiral to the right.

But public opinion is shifting blue - Obama has broken 50 in the national polls. So Slate muses Where can republicans go...?. Suggestions include Israel, Poland and the Cayman Islands. But as they say, "it ain't over till it's over."

So what will the fat lady sing? Will it be Hatikva for the GOP expats, or Oh Canada for those who simply cannot stomach another term of the right wingnuts?

Welcome Home

Swiped from Bill in Exile. A solider returns home after 14 months in Iraq.



This is how I want to be greeted every time I come home. Hee hee

Milestone

The love of my life reached a milestone today: one year of sobriety (well, technically, one standard year and a day - 366 days. Leap year). I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of him.

One year is not just 366 days of not using chemicals - but also a symbolic achievement. As for me, it's been a great almost-nine month journey with Sam. I have seen him grow, evolve, and embrace his sober identity. I'm so fortunate to be part and bear witness to his ongoing growth. Hand in hand, I look forward to the milestones ahead.

So raise a glass of ginger ale and join me in celebrating Sam's one-year emancipation from sweet lady H and her posse.

I love you, Scampers.

Icebreaker

Not necessarily headlines, but something noteworthy nonetheless: the land of Bjork is collapsing. Iceland, once heralded as having the highest standard of living in all of Europe, is on the brink of financial ruin. Today the government seized control of the largest bank and still, the country faces national bankruptcy.

Sadly, none of Reykjavik's friends came to the rescue. Clearly they have their own financial messes to sort through. So it seems Iceland is turning to Russia for financial assistance. If the $5.5 billion loan goes through, the country can stabilize it's currency but will still be in the woods.

Russia? I'm not sure how I feel about that. They claim not to have any interest in the abandoned USAF base there, but...

So what happened? Well Iceland relied heavily on cheap foreign financing to boost up ambitious entrepreneurship and mortgages. As the world economy started to falter the debt piled up and the tiny Atlantic nation started it's, uh, meltdown.

Very sad. But this is just the beginning, in my opinion. The financial stability of the planet is shaking down - is it rightsizing or collapsing? Does anybody really know?

I wish our Icelandic friends good luck. Sam and I are thinking about going next year for this. Maybe it will be inching it's way back up, or the krona will be exchanging at bargain basement rate. Who knows.

Debate

When the pollsters finish counting their scores, I think it will be clear: Obama won tonight's debate. The man spoke as a leader, addressed the questions, had awesome stage presence and charisma. His opponent? Looked awkward, ornery at times, and dodged questions. His attempt at humor was embarrassing. He referred to Obama in one response as "THAT one." Shameful.

Andrew Sullivan of The Daily Dish summed it up nicely:
This was, I think, a mauling: a devastating and possibly electorally fatal debate for McCain. Even on Russia, he sounded a little out of it. I've watched a lot of debates and participated in many. I love debate and was trained as a boy in the British system to be a debater. I debated dozens of times at Oxofrd. All I can say is that, simply on terms of substance, clarity, empathy, style and authority, this has not just been an Obama victory. It has been a wipe-out.It has been about as big a wipe-out as I can remember in a presidential debate. It reminds me of the 1992 Clinton-Perot-Bush debate. I don't really see how the McCain campaign survives this.

See his blog of the debate here.

Creepy old advertisements

More here.

Smear Campaign

What is this bitch winking at us for? Flirting for votes? A nervous tic? I wish it were that easy.

Today this infected piece of tampon stated in Burlingame that the campaign against Obama-Biden is going to get tougher (read: slanderous and nasty). Would we expect anything less from this sleazy Jesus freak and her cantankerous running mate? I find it interesting that they are in essence stating, publicly, that their campaign has failed on it's merits and that they will resort to bashing and attempting to discredit the opposition. Yeah, I know - Politics 101 .

I am so done with her and her folksy winks and her glib, moronic syntax.

It's all about the love

Yesterday was the annual Lovefest. It was a packed scene of DJ's, electronic music, hippies, shirtless dudes, boobies, pixies, and fairies all mashed against each other thumping to the beats and feeling the groove on a sunny San Francisco afternoon. It was fun, but very crowded - and very young. I felt old - kind of like the same way I feel when I walk into an Abercrombie & Fitch. Regardless, Sam and I shook our butts to the beats.

Pics are here.

More Fey. More Palin.

Logic?

I received this in my e-mail inbox from a friend today:

I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight.....


* If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're "exotic, different."
* Grow up in Alaska eating moose burgers, a quintessential American story.


* If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.
* Name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, you're a maverick.


* Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable.
* Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.


* If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.
* I f your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.


* If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.
* If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.


* If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.

* If , while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant , you're very responsible.


* If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America's
* If you're husband is nicknamed "First Dude", with at least one DWI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.


OK, much clearer now.

A sobering video

Posted on The Daily Dish, an eye opening video about the rash of foreclosures in Socal.

More Palinbabble

A few chestnuts of wisdom from the GOP candidate-of-choice for the second most important job in the world. Is it just me, or does it give you the creeps to hear the phrase "when John McCain tapped me..."??

If you were on the fence about her now, here's hoping you jumped clearly to one side.

A republican ad to defeat prop 8

Sure they state the republicans need to get a woman in the White House, but they also clearly support marriage equality. Will the message fall on deaf ears?