Infiltrate, I mean Infilgayt
In the fight for civil rights, the Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Trans (GLBT) movement often compares our struggle with that of African-Americans a few decades ago and it is a worthy comparison. As one example, the hatred that the KKK and others had toward African-Americans is reminisent of the hatred spewed out of the 'Religious Right' groups. Some in the GLBT movement say that if our oppressors could just see us as ordinary Americans, trying to make a living and a good life for ourselves, they would accept us and lose some of their venom. I think this is wishful thinking. There is a lot of religious venom out there, from the pope on down.
One thing that separates us from African-Americans is that most cannot tell we are gay by simply looking at us. That's why there are and have always been closeted gays working for every hateful group out there. Hell, there were closeted gays working on the Bush campaign and I'm sure there are a few closeted gays working in the Vatican. And don't forget, before Mel White came to his senses, he was a speechwriter for Falwell. But I was thinking, instead of aiding and abetting these groups, why don't we use the fact that we cannot be identified as gay to our advantage - to sabotage all these hate-filled groups? What if we started infiltrating these groups to undermine their organizations? I mean African-Americans probably couldn't have infiltrated the KKK, but what is our excuse? There's got to be stealthy things we could do from the inside to help destroy these groups faster than they can destroy themselves? These groups want us to be invisible, let's help them out with that. We are an invivible army, let's invade...Focus on the Family, here I come!
Stumbled on to...
I am not going to write anything new here today, instead, I am going to post this essay I found on the internet. Unfortunately, I do not know who wrote it, but it is very inspiring. Hope you enjoy. Best, BBS.
Yesterday, I hated America. For the first time, I woke feeling ashamed to be an American. However, today, after much more thought, I realized I do not hate America. I realized that the best parts of America made the right decision. In fact, the part of America that represents so much of what this county is about selected Kerry. Kerry got 92 percent of the vote in Washington DC. Kerry got 82 percent in Manhattan. Kerry got 72 percent Chicago and its suburbs. He got 67 percent in Cleveland. Kerry got 88 percent in San Fransico. More than 66 percent in Los Angeles and its suburbs. 65 percent in Seattle. In the South, too, the city voters were smart. Kerry got 73 percent in Atlanta. 81 percent in St.Louis. 77 percent in New Orleans. He even got 57 percent of the vote in Dallas. In fact, the biggest city I can find that Bush won is Topeka, Kansas.
So I live in the part of America where all kinds of people live together. The part of America where your friends are all immigrants, some not even citizens, but you abide by one common theme: You have to work together and get along to survive. I live in the part of America where all the money is made. I live in the part of America where all the important decisions are made. I live in the part of America were all the good jobs are located. I live in the part of America where more people are educated and can have insightful conversations. I live in the part of America where your neighbors don't care who you lie down with at night. I live in the part of America where it's not cool to make jokes about black people or Jewish people or gays or asians or latinos or muslims. I live in the part of America where the bible is considered a guiding principle, not a dominate force. I live in the part of America with nightlife, mass transit, good restaurants are a routine part of life. And, the best part, I LIVE IN THE PART OF AMERICA THAT LARGELY CONTROLS THE LIVES OF THE REST OF AMERICA. WE PAY THEM. WE FEED THEM. WE CONTROL THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS. WE KEEP TRACK OF THEIR TAX BILLS. WE INVEST THEIR MONEY. WE GIVE THEIR CHILDREN A CHANCE TO ESCAPE THEIR MISERABLE, UNPROFITABLE, LIVES BACK IN SMALL TOWN USA. BUT, REGARDLESS OF WHO IS PRESIDENT, WE WILL NEVER LET THE VALUES OF SMALL TOWN USA CONTROL US. WE HAVE THE POWER.
Dem Balls
Please, please, please, Democrats in Congress, return to the Hill with a renewed vigor and a giant set of balls. You have nothing to lose and we need some nasty pricks, like Delay, on our side. If there was ever a time to stand up for the other 48% of us, it is now. I only wish you would have started on November 3, by pushing for a ballsy, deep blue-stater, like Chris Dodd, as your Senate Minority Leader. I'm tired of having solid red-staters in that position, people who have to pussy-foot around because they have to answer to the folks back home if they get too aggressive with their hero, Prez Boo-sh.
But, OK, I promise to forgive you on this one if you get out there and fight back. There are 45 of you in the Senate - not 39, not 40 - that's not a shabby number. And I cross my fingers every day for Chaffe's conversion. And why shouldn't he? So many of those once Democratic, Southern Senators flipped to Republicanism like it was a badge of honor when it suited their needs.
And maybe set Senator Kerry loose. He should be good and peeved from the abuse he endured during the long campaign. He should be rarin for another round. Just let them mention drilling in Alaska in front of him...
So I beg you Congressional Dems, just do this Blue-Stater proud and grow dem big. I'll be watching.
Bumper Sticker
I guess it's time to replace my John Kerry bumper sticker. I will really miss it. I love parking in the Whole Foods or Giant parking lots in close-in Northern Virginia and seeing all the Kerry stickers outnumber those "other" bumper stickers by about 3 to 1. All my fellow simpatico neighbors proudly displaying their open-mindedness. But another reason that I must replace my bumper sticker is for the sake of my father's sanity. He's an incessant worrier and worries that the Boo-sh administration and their minions will strike at me for still displaying the Kerry sticker. I explain to him that we do not live in Hitler's Germany, and I can display my sticker w/o repurcussions, as I momentarily think, with this bunch in office, you never know. These are some of the people who constantly spread lies about Bill Clinton from the moment he assumed office.
Oh well, since I usually design my own bumper stickers, it will be fun to come up with the anti-administration message. Here are some of the early contenders, which do you think is the best?
Wait, that's too rational, I need something with more OOMPH. Something like:
- Vote Your Moral Values - Then Go Help the Poor.
- Don't Blame Me - I Voted For Higher Moral Values.
- Don't Blame Me - I Had a Clue
- Vote Moral Values - The Environment will take care of Itself.
- Vote Moral Values - It's Better than Food on the Table.
- Moral Values - The Other White Meat.
As you can see, I have my work cut out for me, but there's plenty more where those came from.
Democratic Campaign '04: My Inspirational Moments
During the Summer of 2003, I made the decision that I would support Senator Kerry out of the field of Democratic contenders. In the Fall of '03, I started volunteering and had the opportunity to hear the Senator speak in DC. And I even got to shake his hand. Once the Senator captured the nomination, I attended fundraisers and helped out when I could. Here are my inspirational moments from campaign '04:
March, 2004; DC - Attended a fundraiser. Barney Frank was the principle speaker. A very witty man, who tells it like it is. I'm glad he's on our side.
May, DC - Fundraiser featuring Teddy Kennedy. Wow, to be in the same room as a legend!
June, DC - Fundraiser featuring Teresa Heinz Kerry. She is an honest and warm woman. Very gay supportive. Something most in the other party could never be.
June, New York City - Fundraiser at the Waldorf-Astoria. I met Howard Dean and Harvey Fierstein. Senator Kerry spoke. Of course, in the photo I had taken with Howard Dean, my eyes were closed. :(
July, Boston - The Democratic Convention. I had the opportunity to attend the final night. WooHoo! I hid out for a while in the DNC Volunteer skybox, until they kindly hinted that other guests must be rotated in. I got the message and proceeded to my seat in the nosebleeds. Loved the Willie Nelson performance. The Senator's acceptance speech was awesome, but damn those balloons.
August, Chicago - I spent a long weekend in Chicago. Kudos to the Windy City: Kerry signs everywhere I went. This is true Blue country!
September, Northeast Pennsylvania - Home for my dad's Birthday. My octagenerian dad displayed his Kerry signs in the front yard (the first set mysteriously disappeared). Some of the "Holy Catholic" neighbors whispered about how a good Catholic could display those signs. My dad proudly said to me that he just ignored the whispers, as he fretted about how all those young military men and women were dying in Iraq.
October, Cleveland - Vote for Change concert. Wow, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and REM on the same bill. I was in heaven! And duets to top that off. Bruce sang "Man inthe Moon" with REM and Michael Stipe sang "Because the Night" with the E Street Band. Kudos to Cleveland: Kerry signs everywhere I went in the city!
October, DC - Vote for Change concert finale. All my favorite bands from the last 30 years played: Bruce and the band, REM, Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, John Mellencamp. Not to mention Jackson Browne, James Taylor and the Dixie Chicks. What a show...words cannot describe. But how bout that Eddie Vedder/REM duet on "Begin the Begin."
October, Vancouver BC - While vacationing, I met a bunch of Canadians. When I told them I volunteered with the Kerry campaign, they each thanked me and said we are counting on you. Wow, gave me goosebumps.
October, Port Angeles, WA - While vacationing through Washington State, I traveled through a small town called Port Angeles. Figuring it was like most small towns - very conservative - I was surprised when I saw as many Kerry signs in people's yards as that other candidates.
October, Seattle - Kerry volunteers everywhere and Kerry signs throughout the yards and windows of the city. Kudos to Seattle! Another true Blue city.
October, Philadelphia - The town was charged up for Kerry. I met volunteers of every persuasion: Black, White, Asian, Latin, young, old, gay, straight. Kerry signs everywhere. People walking to work with Kerry buttons: Women for Kerry, Seniors for Kerry. Taxicabs with Kerry stickers. Restaurants and stores with Kerry signs in the window. Kudos to Philly! A true Blue city. Also attended rallies and heard inspirational speeches from Governor Rendell, Barney Frank, and David Catania.
I drove back from Philly on election night, so happy and hopeful...
My Post-Election Rant
Fuck the Red States of America and while I'm at it, Fuck the Marriage Amendment states! I refuse to spend my pink dollars in your narrow borders. Screw off Atlanta, Miami, and New Orleans; hello Boston, Chicago, and San Fran.
I know, I know, you think I can't totally curb my dollars from the red/amendment states; I assume that's where my orange juice comes from. But I can make a concerted effort to spend all of my travel dollars in the blue, non-Marriage Amendment states and outside of the U.S. And I travel a lot. I travel at least 1/3rd of the weekends of the year, plus a couple of week-long vacations. And I will steer clear of Vegas and Lauderdale and Phoenix and plan my excursions to New York and Seattle and "old" Europe. Yes, I know there are blue cities in red states and red counties in blue states. But you've got to pay the price for how the majority of your residents voted. You stuck it to me, so I will stick it to you. I will even move out of the liberal island in red Virginia which I call home.
Now that I got that off my chest, here are my post-election FUs and Kudos based on how places voted for the President of the Southern Married White Men of America (POTSMWMA):
FUs: Utah and Idaho - The reddest of the reds, need I say more.
Kudos: The Philadelphia suburbs - I'm proud that you didn't swing red! I knew that you wouldn't. I'll be visiting!
