Ramblings of a Chronic Paradox

Political thoughts

2008-02-20T17:27:00.002-06:00

I honestly think that Barack Obama could be the worst possible choice for president the Democrats could make in 2008. That is not to say he wouldn't make a good president in the future, but I see absolute disaster for the party in 2010 if he wins.

1. There are unreasonable expectations with his election. Talking to people he brings "change" to the government but they have no idea WHAT change that is. A person who becomes everything to everybody ultimately becomes nothing to all.

2. His attacks on Hillary Clinton in campaign material weaken the prospect for Universal Health Care. I completely agree with Paul Krugman's assessment on this. Obama is making the case that his plan covers everyone and it doesn't. He attacks mandates, which are necessary to bring down health care costs. Universal health care is a major priority for the long term well being of the nation. His campaign tactics have weakened that incredibly.

3. The Republican Party isn't going away. McCain is just a beloved by Independents as Obama appears to be. Actual registered Democrats like Clinton and true conservatives like no one. Reports are that Republican 527's have almost a half BILLION dollars ready to attack the democratic nominee this fall.

4. Florida and Michigan are in limbo. A Democrat can't win without Michigan and Florida. Obama's stand on guns might push Pennsylvania to the Republicans. WHERE to the remaining Electoral votes come from? Caucus wins in the Plains and Mountain states prove NOTHING.

5. Obama's support has been from crossover voters and Republicans. Actual Democrats support Clinton. There are some major divisions going on in the primary season. Can these be healed when part of it is class based?

Looking at polls right now and the "excitement" about Obama all I can see is 1988 and a Republican rout. If he wins then 2010 is a nightmare in a redistricting year. Conciliation is a great idea, but Republicans are never going to allow universal health care without a fight. And given Obama's campaign tactics on that issue it will never happen. I fear the worst this fall and don't see much of a silver lining anywhere.

Times are getting scary

2007-10-22T17:58:00.001-05:00

The Future is drying up

California is Burning

Southeast in the middle of worst drought on record

Inch by inch the Great Lakes shrink

At the Poles, Melting occurs at Alarming rate

That is a glimpse of the headlines for the past weekend. Al Gore and the IPCC won the Nobel Peace Prize for their work on Global Warming because of the threat that climate change means for stability. 250,000 evacuations in Southern California. Five million Americans with a drinking water supplies numbering the in the months. Water supplies dwindling in the West and the Great Lakes are getting lower as well. The Arctic may have open water soon rather than later.

Takes these events separately and they mean trouble, take them together and the United States must deal with comprehensive water shortages and water problems. Where is the leadership on these issues? Who is going to make the case for change and in the next few years?

Someone needs to step up and take action. Who is going to save us before we condemn future generations to Hell on Earth?

OH PLEASE be a sign!!!

2007-10-15T18:54:00.000-05:00

RUN AL RUN!!!

On Politics, Al Gore, and 2008

2007-10-10T14:53:00.000-05:00

There is a truly nasty episode playing out in Maryland right now as Michele Malkin, a nasty excuse for a human being, launched a personal jihad against Graeme Frost and his family. She posted the addresses of anti-war protesters in 2006 because they dared to say Iraq was not worth it. She spews bile and hatred at every turn she can. She's Ann Coulter only scarier. The SCHIP program is a program that WORKS and it allows states to tailor the program as they wish. This is not a program that would be "an unfunded mandate," but had a source of funding attached. It appears as though the New York Times and the Baltimore Sun have picked up on the right-wing attacks on the Frost family. Good, no American family should be exposed to this kind of scorched earth attack because they dare to disagree with a president who has lied, cheated, and stolen the past 6 years. The fact that Bush is drawing the fiscal line on Children's Health Care instead of his farm bill, highways, or IRAQ is maddening.

**

I am hoping beyond all hope that Al Gore wins the Nobel Peace Prize this Friday. I hope that on Monday he then decides to get into the presidential race. I do not trust Hilary Clinton at all. She is boxed in on Iraq and will keep the war going. John Edwards and Barak Obama just don't strike me as presidential.

Gore has all the credentials he needs and it isn't as if he's been out of the public eye recently. The electoral map looks favorable, but difficult for the Democrats right now. The Republicans are in a world of hurt, but Clinton gets their goat. Gore has a true vision and has found his voice. I don't think there will be any pandering - just talk about what people need to hear, not what they want to hear! (Did you know Atlanta is under such a severe drought that they may have to make radical changes to have any drinking water soon?)

As of right now the Senate has all the makings of a disaster for the GOP in 2008. Virginia, New Mexico, Colorado, and Nebraska all have GOP retirements and the Dems are favored to pick up those seats. New Hampshire is almost as good as gone for the GOP and Maine may pull a Rhode Island next year and vote out a popular Senator because she was too close to Bush. The next big danger spots are Oregon and Minnesota for the GOP, to say nothing of brewing scandals in Alaska. The Dems are at risk in Louisiana and South Dakota, but not terribly at the moment.

Back to SCHIP; the more the far right attacks SCHIP and the current crop of GOP presidential wannabes support Bush, the worse it makes it for them in 2008. The GOP has already endangered their Hispanic vote and now they play on economic fears in the lower and middle classes.

The Democrats need someone to actually weave a coherent narrative for 2008. The GOP is imploding and the Democrats have the chance to do a 1980 to the Republicans. They need to get the top of the ticket right though. I honestly feel this is Al Gore's time to come and restore American leadership and right the ship of state.

Jumbled thoughts

2007-09-19T17:43:00.001-05:00

So the White House is almost out of the original sycophants. Thank goodness, not that it has translated into sane policy decisions. The budget deficit is the biggest threat to the nation in the short term, but healthcare is a long term nightmare. A full drawdown from Iraq might just remove huge fiscal burdens and end another nightmare.

I still hope Al Gore joins the race soon because he alone seems adult enough to face the problems the nation has without pandering.

NO Republican should be elected for a generation given their horrible record of governance.

I am sick of this

2007-07-24T19:31:00.000-05:00

It is time for the US House of Representatives to direct the House Judiciary Committee to begin investigating Alberto Gonzales and if necessary, draft Articles of Impeachment against the Attorney General. Several key Republicans have already called for Gonzales' resignation, including the No 3 Republican in the House, Adam Putman.

It is time for the House to Impeach and then let the full Senate decide his fate.

Remember the past

2007-05-08T13:41:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite sayings is, Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

Listening and reading Barbara Jordan's remarks makes me wonder if W. Bush isn't a worse version of Nixon.
Barbara Jordan during Nixon Impeachment hearings

The growing scandal at the Justice Department, the selling of the Iraq War, and a multitude of other things, all sound familiar in Rep. Jordan's remarks. Scary that 33 years have past and those words still have such meaning.

Of the Good and Bad

2007-04-22T08:57:00.000-05:00

We will start with that sorry excuse of an Attorney General, Alfredo Gonzales. That was a painful grilling he received from the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday. Jeff Sessions, Lindsey Graham, and Tom Coburn all took turns beating him over the head. This Administration can't seem to get anything right. All they had to say from the beginning was they wanted to replace those US Attorneys to get other people in those districts. They could have asked the Eight dismissed attorneys for a resignation and that was it. But, in there zeal for power and stealth they bungled it. And it is the coverup that gets you, not the crime. All kinds of other issues have arisen because of this case, maily the missing White House emails. THAT could be a huge issue since deleting email is illegal.

Now on to the good:

Gore shadow staff assembling

WOO HOO!!! Al Gore is the man I want to run the most. My dream ticket is Gore/Richardson. This is not to say Gore is running, but it does give me some hope he might. I'm sure we won't know until July, but it could scramble the field over the summer and turn the Democratic nomination into a great campaign.

Shut up, Sen. Obama!

2007-04-01T13:45:00.000-05:00

Obama surrenders to Bush.

Congress has until JUNE to fully fund the next 12 months of ongoing military operations and Obama just caved to Bush. An overwhelming majority of Americans oppose continuing the war in Iraq and WANT timelines for withdrawal. Its only the Republicans who DON'T. GET. IT!

If Bush hadn't been so gung ho to get into this quagmire then we would not be in this mess, but the man is a absolute moron and has ruined the country for teh next few years, if not decades!

Can I please find a Democrat to support who stands for something? ARGH!!!

Iran

2007-03-30T17:36:00.000-05:00

*sigh* What are they thinking? Another hostage standoff and one wonders who is in charge in Tehran. I know that Tehran went ballistic over the movie 300. However, what is the strategic goal of taking British marines? Iran is already on several shit lists over their nuclear program, but this provocation is almost surreal.

Middle East calculus is always hard to see from an outside vantage point. The West may be an audience, but I have a feeling that the Islamic world is the true target audience to show how weak the West is. The fact that American's closest allies are backing away from the Bush Administration is not a good sign. Weakness breeds weakness.

Something is rotten in ~~Denmark~~Iran.

Things are not looking good at all....

2007-03-29T06:08:00.000-05:00

The White House is throwing a fit about the war funding bill that sets timetables for withdrawal. The president seems to have failed to understand that elections have consequences. Speaker Pelosi was right, and justified, in telling the president to calm down. The White House continues to operate as though Congress has to do what they tell it to do. Not anymore buddy!

Look at the new geopolitical situation: Saudi Arabia and Jordan are distancing themselves from America. The Saudi King cancelled a state visit scheduled for next month. This reminds me of how the geopolitical situation as Nixon's Administration fell closer to the abyss. As teh White House weakened teh more events abroad went against the U.S. Power is both tangible and fungible. The White House is mired in growing scandals and political showdowns. The House and Senate still have not had time to investigate the failures of Katrina and Iraq. However there is the GSA scandal, the FBI inquiry, and the US Attorneys to look at first.

This president acts as though he can get his way and he's wrong. The Republican Party is in for a world of hurt in 2008 if they follow this path any longer. Not that I care for that group of Social Darwinists masquarading as moralists. Hypocrits the lot of them.

It is time to admit that Bush is a total failure as a president and to end his war of choice. He needs to realize that hius actions have created an opposition Congress and they are listening to the American People, not him.

News of the Day

2007-03-26T19:46:00.000-05:00

It is slowly hitting the major news networks just how bad the subprime mortgages are for many Americans. American Nightmare. Many mortgage brokers have closed shop because of bad deals. It was if bankers forgot that there is risk involved in lending. And they failed to fully disclose that risk in many instances. *sigh*

Now onto my new favorite topic: Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. I am proclaiming him a "dead man walking." Easter will come and he will be gone. Three GOP senators doubt his ability to lead the DoJ. That doesn't incluse endangered Senators Gordon Smith and John Sununu who are running away from Gonzales as fast as possible. Key aide to plee the 5Th. Oh yeah, the wheels are coming off.

Week in Review

2007-03-25T10:22:00.000-05:00

There as a news dump from the Justice Department late Friday which showed that Alberto Gonzales was in at least one meeting where U.S. Attorneys were discussed. This is in direct contravention of his March 13 press conference.

For Gonzales, More Records, and Questions

I am giving it until Easter that Alberto will be gone.

This week the House voted for a supplemental bill for Iraq with a number of provisions that sent the President into a hissy fit. He called the bill grandstanding, but it shows that elections have consequences. He used to ride roughshod over Congress and now he can't do that because the oppositon is in control.

We will see what the impact of the House bill is soon because the Senate is taking up its own version this week. I don't expect to see deadlines in the final product, but it would be nice.

Not so fast Mr. Bush

2007-03-20T20:29:00.000-05:00

Bush's Latest Stab at Damage Control

This White House has tried to make sure that it alone has the ability to play politics since it came to power. They used Iraq as a way to label Democrats as traitors if they oppsed Bush or enablers of Al Queda. Now that this White House is forced to deal with an opposition Congress, and many members of its own party looking for cover, they try to paint this scandal as a Democratic witch hunt.

Need we remind the White House that it was they that created this issue with the rankin of 'loyalty' to the president over competence. Then again this White House has never place a premium on competence but on ideology.

The chickens are coming home to roost Mr. President and your approval ratings stand at 30% I'd be careful just what kind of fight you pick.

Singers and dancers and bears, OH MY!!!

2006-08-29T11:13:00.000-05:00

(A tale of two trips)

We shall begin at the beginning and stop at the end. :)

Of dancers and snark or how the adventure began

Flight to Vegas was good. No screaming kids and I was carded at the airport bar. She couldn’t believe I’m 34. WOO! Somehow the TV was on Family Feud and I was reminded how dumb people are. One of the questions was about John Lennon. This lady answered that he was still alive. WHA!!!! I think I barked out in laughter. While at the airport I bought new sunglasses. I really like them. Work called 3 times while I was at the airport in Houston. I’ve never been so happy to turn my phone off in my life.

Jer (Lugonn) picked me up at the airport and had to go back to work while I got checked in. Took my time with a shower and everything. He came over and we chatted for a bit and I gave him his birthday presents. He’s so cute when his face lights up at getting “Loot.”

Went to PF Chang’s and it was wonderful as usual. We talked a bit more and he left around 8:30 because an issue arose with his car. I hung around a bit and watched ultra slashy Supernatural. I was dead tired and fully intent on going to bed since my body clock is still attuned to Texas time. But I said fuck it and walked down to Free Zone, a rather interesting gay bar.

I honestly don’t know how I do it, but I ended up having an amazing time. I was cruised some and some more. Flirted with a cutie from Denver named Patrick. (Honestly was far too tired to put any effort into a one night stand so I flirted only.) There was a ‘Male Revue’ going on this night MCed by a drag queen named Sean or some S name. The highlight was when this guy named Frank walked up next to me and ordered his drink. (I swear I’ve never seen so much Jagermiester ordered in my life) He pointed across the bar to three people and said they were heckling the dancers.

Patrick was sitting close so I went over and said that someone told me they were heckling the dancers. They laughed and said, “YES!” I sat down and started talking to Annie, Tommy, and Andy. It is a RIOT to sit with slightly drunk people when their evil streak is out. (The dancers weren’t that good, but one was SUPER hot. Every one of those male dancers thought they were pole dancers – not a pretty picture.) Mind you I had four double Kettle One sours in Houston, slept on the plane, and was now on my fourth Kettle One sour at Free Zone. (I’d also had a Red Bull sans vodka in my hotel room before coming over.) They had me buy some water for an AIDS charity and I’ve been invited to an AIDS benefit Saturday night at the Palms. (I called and left Jer a rambling message about this to discuss Friday because it sounds like fun.) Found out that Aug 24 was the one evening for Bar AIDS and I really lucked out on this trip when it came to timing and meeting people.

Tommy caught my eye the minute I walked in. Slightly long shaggy hair, some great glasses, and a bearded face. Not a combo I normally go for, but it was hitting my intellectual buttons all over the place. It was great getting to talk to him. Annie was a fucking riot. She kept pulling me into the conversation. One girl, Cindy, kept asking me to do a shot with her. I was all FUCK NO. She said why and I told her I can only drink premium alcohol now because that call shit kills me. She was floored when I said I was 34. I love this trip!

I left as the ‘Revue’ was winding down. One guy made it a point to tell me good night. Got back to the hotel and left that message to Jerry because the benefit sounds great. I ordered an omelet and watched a movie. I crashed around 2:30 local time which is like the time my ass is normally waking up in Houston.

Shopping all around and a truly GAY movie

Got out of bed Friday morning at 8 and worked out. I did a few laps in the pool before heading to shop at Caesar’s Forum. WOOT!

The shopping at Caesar’s Forum was okay. I don’t understand how Vegas can have multiple high end stores from the same chain up and down the strip. I’d never seen the inside front entrance of the Forum off the Strip before where the winding escalators are. The opulence is staggering. I noticed the Carolina Herrera store and started laughing my ass off. (My brother works for Sephora and has the BEST Carolina Herrera story.)

Got sick of shopping (didn’t buy anything) and headed back to the hotel. Called Jer, but he was WAY busy so I went to my hotel room. Unfortunately, house cleaning was there so I couldn’t nap. I took a walk to the very sex oriented gay book store and picked a few small items. While there, this decent looking blond guy was cruising me. It was not even noon and I wasn’t in the mood. Went back the hotel and got my nap.

Finally Jerry was hungry so off we went to one of his favorite restaurants and it was wonderful. I didn’t clean my plate and he threatened me with no dessert the entire trip. Ha!

He went back to work, but he gave me my Christmas presents and some stuff I’d let him borrow so I had cool stuff to look at and watch on DVD. He called around 4:30 and we headed out to the edge of the universe and saw “Another Gay Movie.” OMG! I haven’t laughed that hard in years! It was too funny. And it isn’t rated, but there is lots of full frontal in it. Numerous references to gay movies, sex movies, and teen movies in general - the whole thing is a romp through summer after high school. Highly rec it!

After that he kidnapped me because I didn’t have a clue where we were going. I asked more than once and he just gave me a look and I gave up asking. Finally, we arrived in Yuppie hell. Stopped in Whole Foods for some stuff and then crossed the street to The District. Jer had never seen a Pottery Barn and was not happy to find out that it wasn’t what he expected. (You will have to ask him what he expected.) We wandered around and figured that we were the only two gay people in the entire area over the age of 18.

Went to the Cheesecake Factory for dessert (and real food as well). It was ok. I ordered dessert to go and didn’t eat it. We came back upstairs and talked for an hour. PBF came up and Jer asked a question that I’ve been avoiding concerning D. As of this writing I can say I have an answer and I’m not happy about it. I don’t really have to worry to about it yet, but it is a big issue and from my therapy sessions I have to understand how my decision here effects lots of things down the road. (There is a huge post coming about the changes in my life of late. I feel like I’ve been excavating my foundations and shoring them up. All of that is needed in order to build the life I want.) I can that even with that question I’m going to continue to move forward on the D front. Though I realized that some things in my life are not negotiable any longer.

Saturday afternoon: Lions, tigers, and Dolphins

Went to Mirage with Snafu07 and her cute husband on Saturday. (On the way there though Stalker Boy called me. I was not happy and told him I was in Vegas and would have to get in touch with him. I don’t think he liked that I asked who it was who was calling.) Saw white tigers that weren’t white and then had lunch on Jer at the Buffet there. It was great. I had multiple bottomless mimosas as did Snaffy. Conversation at lunch/brunch was great and Jerry continued to tempt me into shattering my diet. He did succeed when he brought over a piping hot chocolate chip cookie. So Good!

We went to Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden. Took AMAZING pictures of the dolphins as well as the lions and tigers. The dolphins fucking ROCK! All the big cats were being lazy. One was cleaning himself and that was exciting – not. Lots of pretty boys were there and I caught two on camera. After that we went to New York New York for the roller coaster. LOVE THAT COASTER! So did they. I have a picture of me and Jer in the car, but under threat of eternal damnation it will never see the light of day.

We took Snaffy and her husband back to their hotel. Menopause the musical is playing there and that hotel is also home of Star Trek: The Experience. The comedic fodder from that is simply unending. The afternoon was simply wonderful except that Jer injured his knee at the buffet, I heard it pop. I told him was my orthopedist told me to do, but he’s stubborn. He dropped me off I called my wonderful B’Lane to fill her in on my trip. That was around 6:30 and I had time to get ready to head to the Palms.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Black & White Party or the unknown adventure

Went to the Palms Hotel for the AFAN 20th Anniversary AIDS benefit- The Black & White Party. I cannot begin to explain how much fun I had for the rest of the evening. I went in and bought a drink and struck up a conversation with Jay. Jay’s lover’s name is Danny and they’ve been in Vegas for 2 years. HOWEVER, they were majorly connected and they took me all over the Palms Pool area and introduced me all around. They told me I could hang out with them until I found something better or if something better came along. I have to say I hit the 'jackpot' with one random conversation near a bar! In three hours I met a ton of people and drank a ton of crappy drinks. (Sorry but for $9 a drink it better fucking get the job done.)

It was amazing and I met this guy named Jared who I was in massive lust with. He’s hot and funny, and cute as HELL! Unfortunately his lover is an ass from Hell. I know because he grabbed my dick twice and ran his fingers over my lips while I was talking to someone. It was funny because we kept threatening bodily harm to the Drag Queen MC who could not SHUT UP! It was diarrhea of the mouth and it wasn’t pretty. When I actually saw her up close it was Night of the Living Dead. Honey, it was scary.

Still the AFAN Black & White Party was a blast. We went down to the area stage area and started dancing with the rest of the crowd. So much fun dancing out in the open like that. Ran into Andy and Annie who were responsible for me knowing about the B&W Party in the first place; their outfits were great! The Sin City Sisters looked like the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood with too much testosterone. There were plenty of drag queens and dick dancers at this party. One dancer had a huge package and no rhythm. Jay, and Danny decided that it was time to relocate. The night was just beginning as the Party was ending at 11:00.

Roy was one of Jay and Danny’s friends that hung around with us all night. Very nice guy and he drove me to the first stop of the evening, Charlie’s. Now Charlie’s is a Country Western bar and my face must have dropped when I was asked if I liked CW. Jay and Danny laughed at my expression. Charlie’s was not crowded and fun. I saw a cutie that Danny kept pushing me to go talk to. Well he started kissing on some other guy and I was all, Whatever. The pickings were slim. Roy left and I told him thank you because he showed me all the features on his Acura. Excellent car and it has made my final list. Well, Danny and Jay were ready for a new locale and I was told that I needed to see a ‘dive’ bar Vegas style.

Danny was driving a convertible mini-Coop and driving down the highway at 80MPH was awesome. We went to this place called the Badlands and it was both trashy and tragic. I think I said Ewww the moment we walked in. However, we ran into people from the B&W Party and chatted for a bit. I was very much in agreement that the place was a dive and Danny and I left. Jay was staying and going to go home shortly.

The two of us headed to Free Zone which is where this whole thing started on Thursday night. Found out that the bouncer that I thought was Amazon woman is really a man. It is frightening either way. (He is a nice guy though.) Went in and it was crowded. We got a drink and Danny was trying to hook me up with one of the bartenders. This guy was massive – bodybuilder – I was all FUCK NO! Look I like linebacker boys and all because I can play tackle dummy, but this guy could break me into tiny pieces. Plus more than one person said he was straight. Danny still wanted me to try. No. (He also mentioned more than once over the next two plus hours that I should go to the Bear/Leather bar since that is were the linebackers might be. Funny guy.)

We got tired of the scene at Free Zone so we walked across Paradise and went to 8 1/2 and Piranha. Piranha was where the official after party was being hosted. (They handed out many flyers at the Palms saying we needed them because cover was going to be outrageous. Whatever! No one checked anything at the door.) We went in and I know what a sardine feels like now. Yikes! Got more drinks and they were decent. I also downed two bottles of water quickly. We danced for awhile and ran into asshole and he tried to feel me up again. Ugh. Their other friend, Bryan, was there and he’s a major hottie as well. He was kinda of quiet though.

Danny decided that I HAD to see Gypsy since it was across the parking lot. We walked in and a fucking drag show was going on. Sigh. Danny and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes. We’d had it up to our eyeballs with drag queens that night. I must say that the one on stage had a flawless costume and was doing a medley of Annie Lennox ‘Diva’ songs. I was not in the mood though. It was really dark in there and we headed back to the After Party. Well one circuit through there and saying bye to Jared we went back to Free Zone. Ran into more people and Danny asked again if I didn’t want to go to the Bear bar. He really wanted me to get laid. I called it an evening and he dropped me off at my hotel.

I swear that was one of the best evenings I’ve ever had. It was so unexpected and amazing. The hospitality shown to me by complete strangers was overwhelming and the fun I had with them can’t be quantified. I even kept the fake tattoo of the AFAN Black & White Party an extra day because it was such a great night. If I hadn’t been front and center for the whole evening I wouldn’t believe that it happened. I have to say that it was practically perfect. (Perfect would have been if Jared had kissed me senseless. Did I say that out loud?)

I went to sleep around 4:30 am and was up at 7:30 debating on shooting myself, heaving my guts out, or getting more sleep. Sleep won, but barely. My head didn’t hurt, but my stomach was in full riot mode because of all the sour I drank. (I did the premium thing, but those drinks were weak and all that sour fucked with my system.) I got back up at 10:30 and showered. I reeked of smoke because Vegas is a chimney factory. It took three shampooings to get my hair to smell clean again. After I called B’Lane to tell her about the Party I sort of dozed until Jer called and we headed for lunch.

Sunday: books and singers...

We had decided before I came that Sunday would be Dim Son. We went to the place he took me on my last visit and it was crowded. People can’t drive and that parking lot is an accident waiting to happen. We ate and then headed for a bakery. Picked up some goodies and headed for the Wynn Hotel. That place is an exercise in egotism. Everything has Wynn on it and the hotel, while opulent, is boring. Did nothing for me and I can’t see a reason to stay there.

Jerry swung by the library to pick up the local Gay rags for me and I was able to check my email. Danny emailed me during the B&W Party from his blackberry. I will definitely keep in contact with him and Jay. We came back to the hotel and talked some more and relaxed. I was worn out from the prior night and he relaxed as well because his back was bothering him. He’s one of my closest friends and our conversations can run from the ultra serious to the deeply frivolous. I love visiting with him. He asked if there was anything I wanted to do and we headed for Borders. I am no longer surprised by anything that happened on this trip.

Borders was interesting and I was there to pick up Hunters of Dune because Danny said it was good and he’s a Dune fan. So, Jer bought that for me and I bought him Ultimate X-Men Vol. 1. (It’s the first two series and really good.) I picked up a few magazines and one was the Advocate. The clerk looked at it and told me in a hushed voice that she needs to renew her subscription. She saw Lance Bass’ face on the cover and laughed. “Who was he kidding?” she said. Well apparently she works for Krave, the alternative bar in the Aladdin. She said that Lance was in often with Reichen and that it was obvious that they’re a couple. The whole trip had been a series of random conversations and this was just one more. I finally truly broke my diet and had In and Out Burger. It was so good. Came back to the hotel and have been reading.

The road home Monday

Jer picked me up after I checked out. I have to say he’s not much of a morning person, but he’s still an ultra cool person for taking me to the Zoo aka McCarron Airport. Told him I consider him family. (Hey, gay people build extended families that have nothing to do with blood. I have a few I’ve done that for and he’s one of them.) Having an E-Ticket is a saving grace. This place is nuts! However there are multiple screening lines and thus easy to get through. I have to remember that my belt gets through every airport except this one. The flight was slightly delayed and now I'm home. I had the CUTEST eyecandy I've ever had the pleasure to sit next to in all my flights. The fact that he's 21 makes me feel weird, but he's pretty. He looked at the book I was reading a few times. OH and my luggage was searched WOO!!!

I have to say that this has been a tale of two trips. The wonderful one of old and new friendships and the unknown adventures that exist beyond any door that I tried to open. Words can’t express the level of fun I had and the joy of life this vacation reaffirmed. I came to see Jerry because I like to visit my close friends if they can’t come see me. I had a blast meeting Snaffy and her hubby. It was the unknown and unknowable that makes this trip priceless. Random conversation on Thursday leads to a whirlwind Saturday. I can call this trip ‘A Series of Fortunate Events,’ for the fact that I seized the day and had fun. I choose to believe that events build on themselves. Most importantly I realized that the life I want to lead and am building require total honesty with myself. I can honestly say I AM HAPPY!!!

Changing governments

2006-08-12T10:50:00.000-05:00

The headline should be Bush drops on nearly every issue.

That statement because of the results of the AP-Ipsos Poll out this week. Bush is at 33% again. We are three months from the mid-terms. Keith Olberman on "Countdown" documented how in 2004 terror alerts were used to blunt Democratic news during the campaign. What happened Thursday appears to have been real, but timing is everything. This Administration has no credibility on any subject now.

Here is a sample of what the punditocracy is saying in the last few days. I ignored Charles Krauthammer because he's recycling the old 'Dems are weak' line when he's a completely discredited neocon peddling bullshit on Iraq.

Clift: "Fear Factor"

Dionne: "Who's guilty of Petty Partisanship?"

Carlson: "UK terror bust already spins US Politics"

Broder: "Voter anger that cuts both ways"

The Note

Dems assail GOP 'terror' fund raising

The Republican Party took power in 2001 and since then has run the nation into the ground. Wages are stagnant, the national debt will double under Bush's watch, we were misled into war, and fear has been their driving force to maintain power. The uber wealthy have made great gains, but the middle and working classes haven't. Consumer debt is at an all time high. Our economic house is a disaster waiting for the last straw.

Fear is the mind killer and that is why I use this icon in relation to the Bush Administration all the time. Fear of what the 'other' will do to you. Gays will ruin your marriage and warp your children, science robs you of morality, muslims want to conquer you...most of all THE TERRORISTS are coming. The message has been only they, the Republicans, can keep us safe. But are we really safe? Living in fear robs us of essential joy. Our Constitution is under siege by this Administration in the name of 'protecting' us. Congress has failed to keep Bush/Cheney in line and thus have failed in their duties under Article 1.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Congress MUST change hands!

Football

2006-08-11T18:20:00.000-05:00

Is finally here!

Fantasy football makes the whole thing even better. Next Saturday is our draft and I can't wait. Last season sucked, but this year it's all about the Corps!

Terrorism & Democracy

2006-08-10T16:09:00.000-05:00

Terrorist plot foiled

This is not unexpected given the rivalries in the Islamic world. Time Magazine and Newsweek explored the divisions between Sunni and Shi'a and how Hezbollah's play had raised their profile on the "Arab Street."

My International Relations expertise isn't in the Islamic world and I've been keeping abreast of this by reading numerous books and articles. My emphasis was always on nonstate actors and the NGO impact on social strata. Hezbollah does began to fall into that realm, but I understand Middle East culture very little. Thomas Friedman has been making numerous points about how there needs to be a cultural change before peace can be achieved. I am inclined to agree, but again, my understanding is limited.

Anyway, Al-Qeada recent moves aren't unexpected as they try to keep their profile highest and make the overarching theme as "Islam vs the West." Hamas and Hezbollah are more locally focused, but the fact that Hezbollah hasn't been routed by Israel has raised their standing. Samuel Hunnington explored various parts of this in Clash of Civilizations. I think it was Hunnington, I have the book and read it, but I'm not at home to quote from it.

I will explore major sections of this in subsequent posts this fall.

**

As for Joe Lieberman and his defeat in the Democratic primary, I think it is always good to have shifts in power. We have a representative government and our representatives must be held accountable for their actions and votes. The war in Iraq is a huge deal and has been a nightmare of poor intelligence and planning. The fact that he seeks to run as an Independent claiming to not like how Washington is run smacks of hubris. The man has been in the Senate for 18 years. HE IS AN INSIDER! I could go on and on this subject, but won't.

Tom DeLay will not run in the TX-22 leaving Nick Lampson to run against a write in candidate.

There is a heavy anti-incumbent move building and Bush is NOT popular. Iraq weighs on everything. The terrorism plot in London exposes the lie that the world is safer for going into Iraq. I'll begin showing the political trends for possible switch of control of Congress after Labor Day.

Control rests on 15 House seats and 6 Senate seats. There are multiple issues in play this election cycle. I still have my books that diagram what happened in 1994. I am seeing those same trends right now.

Warped views

2006-07-26T18:39:00.000-05:00

Considering that Hezbollah is a non-state actor engaging in state level war fighting I find that Israel must do something.

That said, it is beyond me who is advising the Israeli Prime Minister about bombing Lebanon back into the 1970's or earlier. If Israel wants to combat Hezbollah then it must allow the Lebanonese government the ability to function.

I agree with ThomasFriedman that Syria is the key to the whole thing. Getting Syria to stop helping Hezbollah and breaking its current alliance with Iran won't be easy, but it must be done. This is about curtailing Iranian ambitions in the region and bringing Hezbollah to heel.

Israel should stop the bombing except on Hezbollah positions along the border. Getting central Lebanon up and running again should be the key priority. Otherwise this whole thing may well be repeated ad infinitum.

A messy week ahead

2006-07-24T05:47:00.000-05:00

I have so much to do on the work front and at the same time deal with lingering emotional issues. I'll survive, but it won't be easy.

Journeys

2006-07-22T12:33:00.000-05:00

I used to be a very self aware guy. Lived in my head, but somewhere along the way - a little over a decade ago - it changed. Reconnecting to those depths is painful, humiliating, enlightening, and ultimately - rewarding. That rediscovery has found me aware of things I was not conscious of and more than anything else made be recollect on the past a great deal.

I've done plenty of things I'm not proud of and I've done many that were good. Great moments - truly life changing moments are rare, but I've had a few.

It is the things that have been done to me that is driving my thought process now. Reexamination of events and seeing things that are causing some level of discomfort. More importantly, I'm seeing how I was complicit in much of what has happened.

I'm a go with the flow kind of guy in life normally. In my business life, I'm a take charge kind of guy. I'm a weird combination of skills, attributes, fears, and goals. I sometimes wonder if I took a personality test what the deviation would be from any given day.

Anyway, I'm walking a path that had long faded and wondering why I ever left it. It feels good to reconnect. And it is humbling to know how far the journey still lies.

Yuck

2006-07-22T06:48:00.000-05:00

Cramps are the best thing in the world at 3:00am - not.

Life has changed a great deal in a few days. It's a struggle to keep up right now. However, things could be much worse.

I have to work today. Boo!

Meetings...

2006-07-20T16:50:00.000-05:00

Work meetings are there own special form of Hell. It was hostile and I actually moved back from the table to avoid someone jumping over it and tackling me.

It was surreal.