Nooooooo!

This is the most frightening headline I have seen in a while from the SF Chron:

Senator Schwarzenegger?

Sunday night lights

Could there have been more lesbians on the Oscars tonight? Well, I hope so but it was certainly a lesbo filled night tonight. And weren't our girls all glittery?

I have been formulating some thoughts about the blogosphere lately but the ideas aren't ready for full publication yet.

I had a conversation with Ms Marinucci yesterday about the state of politics in the country and am still trying to wrap my head around the debate last week in Nevada that was only B List. Presidential contenders ran second to the blow p over David Geffen. Did I miss something? Is Geffen's name on the ballot now? Is this the gay mafia speaking? Cus I don;t know any other homo who will be listening for his opinion on the next candidate.

I am looking at another long week in front of me, including hockey and women's Pac-10 basketball. Ah it's a hard job but someone has to do it.

A little history

I am reading a history of the Daughters of Bilitis (bi-LEE-tis) which was the first lesbian organization in the country.

I see how far we have come but have remained in the same place. The arguments in the 50's and 60's were amazingly similar and yet we have made significant progress.

For instance, there was a lot of agreement that lesbians in the group needed to wear dresses in public- at their conventions, at gatherings, etc. Oh not just dresses but the matching shoes, also.

The main form of communication was a newsletter called The Ladder which was typed, stenciled and mailed in sealed manila envelopes to the 150-200 subscriptions around the country. Snail mailed, mind you.

There was considerable controversy whether to picket in front of businesses, the White House or political venues. many people did not think that was a good idea and that we should wait for our political leaders to come around to equality.

My point? I know we can continue to discuss the upcoming election. I know many will not be happy with whoever our candidate is but we all must make decisions at some point on who will vote for. Some will have to hold their nose and vote, some will be happy with the outcome. Either way, some of us are not wearing skirts or pumps unless we want to. And Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin will always be my sheroes for seeing into the future and doing something to change it.

SQUID

Wowee, this is cool. From the SF Chronicle an article about a 990 lb giant squid. Yes, I would say that was giant.

Gavin, Gavin

I had been saying all along that Gavin was not going to get the support he needed to deal with his foibles by going to Delancey Street for rehab. In today's Chron there is an article where Gavin says he doesn't know if he is an alcoholic. Let's see, he's going to groups with junkies and he doesn't think he is like that, he's never stolen a TV for dope. And when he gets done, is he going to go to those same people for support?

Well here's a tip, if you are drinking so much that you have a question about how much you are drinking, that's the answer. Regular people without the alcoholic gene don't have that question.

Sad

A passing of an early leader in the lesbian movement. Barbara Gittings died this weekend after a long battle with breast cancer.

I am just reading "Different Daughters" about the founding of the Daughters of Bilitis (bi-LEE-tis) and barbara Gittings figures prominently in the our early attempts at equality.

Thank you, sister, for all your work. You made a difference in all our lives.

Spartacus

As usual I am running on Mexican time.

I am Spartacus.

Check out Driftglass for the origin.

No one should have to put up with this kind of shit for having an opinion. Read this over at Pam's place by Educated Eclectic. The lowlight:

Both of these women gave their 100%+, but when a far-right extremist twisted comments and made a small stink, all of the sudden Edwards was "offended" by their remarks. His remarks stating that he was "giving a second chance" to Melissa and Amanda were effete, in my opinion, because by not chastising also the radical that is Donohue, he implicitly added his support to the message that everything Donohue says/said is correct, whilst his OWN EMPLOYEES were "offensive" to him.

However, what happened then is unimaginable. Amanda and Melissa became deluged - not with bible verses or other scripture - but with death threats, rape threats, and other forms of torture or bodily harm. Minutes before a telephone conversation I had with Melissa, someone had driven up to her own home and pounded threateningly on her door, leaving after many, many fear-filled minutes. This young lady lives in a home with a loving husband, and beloved pets. Her home has been violated, her well-being has been threatened, and ...where the F were Edwards or his campaign manager(s)? [That sound you hear is the group of crickets, chirping in the otherwise-silence of the room].

These two intelligent women resigned because of threats to their lives, their families, and their homes.

Forget Edwards, he has no sense. You always stand up for your friends.

End the war

I was listening to NPR tonight ont he way home. They were interviewing 2 freshman members of Congress. Obviously one was a Dem and one an R.

This chats never cease to amaze me. Even at this point, six weeks into the 110th Congress, this freshman R could lie with the best of them. To continually assert that the Dems are going to not protect the troops through this non-binding resolution is a lie, plan and simple. Add to that equation that the liar-in-chief is sending his "surge" into battle without enough battle armor and without the full complement of equipment possible makes me wonder what they are all smoking. And what the price will be in human lives for the arrogance of this man.

To top it off, a team of auditors disclosed in a Congressional hearings today that billions of dollars have been wasted in Iraq.

The three top auditors overseeing contract work in Iraq told a House committee that Defense and State department officials condoned or otherwise allowed poor accounting, repeated work delays, bloated expenses and payments for work shoddily or never done by U.S. contractors.

This is a government that holds everyone accountable but themselves. I can't even come up with the right analogy for how disgusting this behavior is. Nauseating? Too tame. Vile, maybe. Vomitrocious. That's it.

When will this nightmare end? 1/20/09.

Nuggets and Tidbits

I am sure I am going to hell for this but....
here is a picture of Anna Nicole Smith's fridge, complete with SlimFast and methadone. The only thing missing is steroids.

I am reading the Newsweek article on her and the article makes me sad all over again. Apparently she didn't have any friends throughout her life. That is just one of the saddest thoughts in the world to me.

IN Sunday's SJ Mercury there was an article about the woman who dallied with Gavin Newsom, Ruby Rippey Tourk. In discussions with other members of 12 step groups I had been of the opinion that the 9th step Ms Ruby had done with her husband was really off base. From the Merc:

But some say she missed the fine print. Make amends, the ninth step says, ``except when to do so would injure them or others.''

So I wonder who gave her this kind of advice to do this when she was about two minutes sober? This whole situation was so damaging for so many people, it will take a long time for folks to build up trust in all corners of the City, starting at City Hall and the Tourk household. Good luck to everyone.

Got to give props where they are due, too. Yesterday was the third anniversary of Gavin giving marriage licenses in San Francisco City Hall. In the Chronicle today, there was coverage of the events at City Hall with hundreds of the couples who were married during the winter of love in San Francisco.

The picture I posted yesterday of me with Phyllis and Del was taken at their house last month. They were the first couple married at City Hall. They were not married by Gavin, contrary to popular rumor. But married they were and I dare George Bush to tell them they aren't married!

A big ol' shout out to Melissa McEwan at Shakes Sis for her courage and dignity while been attacked by an out of control Catholic for her personal opinions on her blog. Stop by and give some luvins to her and Amanda Marcotte at Pandagon for their courage under fire while working for John Edwards. Hard to believe this is the 21st century if you look at the mail Amanda received. I am waiting for the pitchforks and torches next.

Oh wait, I did get a letter from a Dean supporter threatening me with pitchforks and torches if the DNC didn't elect Dean as chair. I was white with fear.

Happy Wedding Anniversary

Happy Wedding Anniversary, Phyllis and Del.

Check out Richardson

I lived in New Mexico for 10 years. During that time there was a Republican governor and then Bill Richardson, a Democrat. The difference was night and day for lgbt people.

When Bill was getting to run for Governor he invited various constituency groups to meet with him and tell him what our priorities were. For lgbt people, we said we had two primary priorities: hate crimes and non-discrimination legislation, transgender inclusive, that he would sign. He said he had no problem with those priorities. During the discussions, we asked for him to appoint lgbt people to state commissions and boards, including the university boards. In a second meeting we asked for domestic partnership benefits for state employees.

Well Bill ran over the opposition in his first election for Governor. During the first legislative session both of our bills were passed with some help from the Governor's office. These were brawls and involved lots of name calling and stall tactics, not to mention attempts by the stupid security people on the planet trying to kick some of us out of the building. That's another story for another day.

Anyway, there were signing ceremonies for both bills on the same day. So it was a day of jubilance in the Land of Enchantment, at least for a large swath of the state. At the evening ceremony, not only did the Governor sign the non-discrimination bill but he announced and signed an Executive Order giving domestic partnerships to state employees.

This was the culmination of many years of hard work by many people in New Mexico. Not all of them lived to see this day but all of it remains as a legacy.

Governor Bill Richardson gave his word and he kept his word. Please remember this when you look at the people running for President.

Here is a link to his speech at the DNC meeting.

Politskovskaya update

Well this is interesting. Moscow News is reporting two men, Chechen, have been arrested for the murder of journalist Anna Politskovskaya. Apparently satellite coverage was used to track down the two. I hope there is real justice for Anna, not a sham.

Sleepless in San Jose

It is well past midnight and I am one cranky bitch. Had a long week, I'm convinced Cheney's goons are outside to get me and I can't sleep. And no I am not doing drugs. I have been wandering around ebay looking for fix. I last left at weed trimmers. WTF? Sleep, that's all I want, is that so much to ask for in a 24 hour cycle? Apparently I am doomed now to read all these blogs and continue to absorb the shitty news of the world.

But I did see a large herd of deer up close today, proving there is a goddess. Now if only the goddess would shine her light on my cousin Steve so he can get a good job, close to home that he likes, I'm just askin.

For those of you cruising around looking for Evan Low sightings, I talked to the man tonight. He is going to go work at Senator Alquist's office. I will continue to be his groupie.

A.N. Smith

Tonight at the grocery store, a couple in line in front of me started making fun of the death of Anna Nicole Smith. I think it is sad. The woman was only 39 and had packed a whole lot of living into those years. I don't want to mock her, I just feel sad that she never really got a chance to straighten her life out. Everyone deserves that chance, at least once, to change life's trajectory. I got that chance and used it. From where I sit, she never got the chance. Just sad.

DNC crap

A letter to be published tomorrow in the Washington Blade.

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Some gays still not happy with the DNC
by John in DC - 2/08/2007 09:23:00 PM

I don't pretend to understand what the DNC does or how it does it. But I've known Donald, the author of the letter below, for years, and I known his partner Paul Yandura for just as long. I trust both of them, personally and politically, so if they have a gripe, I think it's worth airing. And if the DNC has a response, I'm happy to publish that as well.

This is a letter to be published in Friday's Washington Blade (one of the two local gay publications in DC):

Washington Blade

DNC Not Ready to Make Nice

Dear Editor,

After attending the recent Democratic National Committee LGBT Caucus meeting, it reaffirmed for me my reasons for standing up to Gov. Dean’s reluctance to treating our community with dignity and respect, an action for which I was fired. I claim that firing as a badge of honor.

Gov. Dean barely addressed the LGBT caucus with only 5 minutes worth of comments, and no questions from the floor. And unfortunately, his talking points had shifted from the comprehensive plan to address the anti-LGBT state ballot measures offered last year to throwing only “a little bit of money” into the states at the end of the fight. So much for the strategy to combat them that he touted in the LGBT press prior to the elections. A recent survey shows that the DNC gave states less than $20,000 in-total, despite having raised almost $2 million from the LGBT community in 2006. But we will never know the exact amount given to state groups since the DNC is embarrassed to officially release the numbers.

The most shocking revelation during the meeting was that Gov. Dean misspoke by claiming that there were no 2006 LGBT exit-polling numbers, stating that “people won’t admit that they are gay” to pollsters while walking out of the voting booth. However, as many of us know, there are indeed exit polls reporting that approximately 80% of LGBT voters voted Democratic. Obviously, either his staff still does not have access to brief him on our issues, or he is not listening. I wonder if he would address any other constituency group, not knowing this basic information.

At the meeting, LGBT finance staff and key fundraisers did sit at the Caucus table, as before, but what is different is that lately we seem to be treated solely as an ATM for the party, with our civil rights seeming an afterthought or burden. After Gov. Dean became Chair of the DNC, two LGBT political positions were abolished, and two finance positions were added, for a total now of four positions in Finance and zero in Political. Given the meeting, it’s obvious that we continue to be invited to the table, pay for the meal, but we are not allowed to eat.

I have great faith in the community to continue to ask questions, and hold our party accountable. That is the only way real progress can be made.

Sincerely,

Donald Hitchcock
Washington, DC

Editors Note: Donald Hitchcock is the former Director of the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council of the Democratic National Committee

Amen, brother. Time for a Democratic feast.

AAARRRGGGHHHH

This country is run by petty little men who want to make little stupid things into bigger stupid things. That is the only explanation I can come up with for the asinine responses to Nancy Pelosi flying on a military plane back to San Francisco. Could these boobs like the Christian Coalition have anything better to do than issue press releases concerning her flying in a military plane?

Christian Coalition of America condemns the new Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, Democrat from San Francisco, for trying to get luxurious travel paid for by the American taxpayers. Is a first class seat on a commercial jet no longer good enough for Speaker Pelosi? Nancy Pelosi is demanding that the Air Force provide her with a large jet on demand - "Pelosi One" - so she can transport her political cronies, favorite Members of Congress, congressional staffers, friends and relatives back and forth to her district in San Francisco every week.

As usual the biblically correct are vociferous in their criticisms of Dems while giving a free pass to liars and Presidents who are responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands. this whole thing is about as interesting as watching paint dry. But to watch CNN, you would think we had gotten out of Iraq with all the breathlessly reporting about the plane. And all the reporting was wrong. Apparently no one at CNN knows how to pick up a phone and verify facts.

The Sergent at Arms who is responsible for the Speaker's safety had to do a press release to clarify what the petty people and reporters couldn't grasp.

For Immediate Release

February 8, 2007

As the Sergeant at Arms, I have the responsibility to ensure the security of the members of the House of Representatives, to include the Speaker of the House. The Speaker requires additional precautions due to her responsibilities as the leader of the House and her Constitutional position as second in the line of succession to the presidency.

In a post 9/11 threat environment, it is reasonable and prudent to provide military aircraft to the Speaker for official travel between Washington and her district. The practice began with Speaker Hastert and I have recommended that it continue with Speaker Pelosi. The fact that Speaker Pelosi lives in California compelled me to request an aircraft that is capable of making non-stop flights for security purposes, unless such an aircraft is unavailable. This will ensure communications capabilities and also enhance security. I made the recommendation to use military aircraft based upon the need to provide necessary levels of security for ranking national leaders, such as the Speaker. I regret that an issue that is exclusively considered and decided in a security context has evolved into a political issue.

Duh, stupid people, duh.

Priceless

This is priceless:

"For some reason, the military seems more afraid of gay people than they are against terrorists, but they're very brave with the terrorists. ... If the terrorists ever got a hold of this information, they'd get a platoon of lesbians to chase us out of Baghdad."
-- Congressman Gary Ackerman (D-NY), joking to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice about the ridiculous, counter-productive Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Yes and apparently Condi sat stone faced while others snickered. I can hardly wait to see what Jon Stewart does with this.

What next?

Oh no, now Gavin needs alcohol counseling! The excuse du jour, apparently, for politicians' bad behavior is apparently alcoholism. OK if I ran into a certain ex-Congressman at a 12 step meeting I would look from a different perspective. But I think now folks are using this as a convenient excuse and saying they will magically change through rehab. I am of the wait and see mentality.

Hope

A wonderful California afternoon awaits me outside. I have been gardening for a while after soccer and pre Stupor Bowl. I had to go give myself some hope after reading the blogs today about about the vile and evil Bush-Cheney machine. I wish Congress didn't move so slowly. Move those investigations along, call Cheney to the stand under oath, stop the massacre in the Justice Department appointments!!!!

Since I can;t do any of that, I must go dig in the earth with the firm belief that most of what I plant will grow. Can't be sure about the new peony but I have to try new things. That's a bigger lesson to learn too, trying new things and not being scared to try. That's too much to ponder today, the best I can manage is a new peony and blue poppy seeds.

In the meantime, hope awaits in an empty bed for beauty to blossom soon.

Some thoughts

Back from freezing my ass off in DC. So here is what I know today:

No homos are responsible for Gavin Newsom's marriage/relationship woes. He just couldn't keep his peepee in his tipi. Check Ms Marinucci's coverage.

I want to be brave like Molly Ivins was, like Ann Richards was, even in the face of death.

If Mary Cheney doesn't want her lesbianism, her life, or her baby to be an issue, she should give back the million dollars she took for writing her shitty, whiny book. Then she might actually look like she has some principals. Don't take money for writing about your life and then complain when people have opinions about your life.

The DNC meetings start today in DC and I couldn't be happier to across the continent from the big circle jerk. I am picking up dog poop in the back yard instead. It's a better use of my time, cleaning up shit instead of creating more.

Now I have to go back and watch the ongoing Gavin stories. Straight men, sigh...