Trump This

Oh kids, I'm not a big fan of The Donald.  I think he's a pretty smart, straightforward business guy and all...but our politics do not coincide.  And that's fine but don't expect me to vote for you.

Mr. Trump is, indeed, against "Medical and Civil Benefits" being extended to same-sex couples in addition to being against gay marriage.  He hasn't yet decided whether I should be able to visit LoverBoy in the hospital.  He said it as one of his clear answers to a clear question.  And if you'd been the one who has been discriminated against in your life, or ignored, or demeaned, or told that you can't marry, or told that you're a disappointment to your parents because of your lifestyle choices, or don't have equal benefits or rights, or had been taxed to the tune of $3,700 per year on your partner's medical insurance, then perhaps you would feel differently.  Until you've been called a queer while riding on a city bus with your partner, there's so little room to pass judgment.  Shut your pie hole, comes to mind. 

Beyond that, he's got horrible hair.  But I think he loves that.  And I think it's kind of sexy.  It's given him a whole new level of attraction and provides the media something to chat about.  I tend to like his black and whiteness.  He shoots like me.  Only I'm open minded and he's not.  He's rich and I'm not.  He likes multiple numbers of pretty women and I don't (except for staring relentlessly at their tanned, deep cleavage).  You know, I'm more than willing, sort of, to put up with listening to your ideas and thoughts and what you believe.  But the moment you dive into territory that you've never been a part of -- the moment you start casting judgment against me and my people -- you're in trouble.  So, yeah, go and be big and rich and famous and let the wind blow through your colored hair while you sit in your Madison Avenue suite.  The Donald's disconnect with the real world is clear.  He's up there and I'm down here. 

"Liberty and Justice for All -- Offer Not Available In Some Areas -- Prices Subject to Change"

The Lord's Day

Since it's the Lord's Day, I think it is only appropriate to include you in a letter I'm writing to Doctor Steve Crane.  He is the Senior Minister of Eagle Christian Church in Eagle, Idaho.  My old stomping grounds.  And I still have connections in the area which is how I come to know of this giant evangelical church.  I've been there, several times.  Each time is quite the experience.  But my big deal with the church is the actual, live people that I know who attend it.  That's where my issue comes in.  It's how they talk and live their lives.  The words I hear coming out of their mouths.  The attitudes they have toward other human beings.  And then they go to Eagle Christian Church on Sundays and sit under Doctor Steve Crane's preaching.  

Dear Doctor Crane:

What a pretty building you have.  Larger than it used to be, isn't it.  To accommodate the masses.  The Eagle area has grown so much since I was a child in the area.  I remember the old ECC on State Street in a little, old white building....with steps leading up to the front door, I believe.  I've moved away now.  But I've had the opportunity to visit your church a couple of times in recent years.  The services are nearly exactly as I assumed they would be -- staged, perfect, music here and there, scripture reading at the appropriate times, and the sermon placed just-so in the grand scheme of things.  And communion at just the right time when indicated so by the overhead visual TV monitors that say something like "Communion is Now Being Served."  To me it feels eerily staged, sterile....less than authentic, even.  Oh, I know, every person's perception is their own reality.   Apparently, my perception is off.  I have met you.  And I've met the ever-famous Doctor Beckman.  Seems all I ever hear when I'm back visiting is "Doctor Beckman this or Doctor Beckman that..."  He is obviously well thought of.  I come back for a visit and hear frequent references to the church, you, Sunday School, how many people come to church, and a variety of other things going on around your parts of the world.  They love you.....those folks I know who sit in your sanctuary on Sundays.  And Pastor Mark.  They love him too.  But I have questions.  Because I hear bantering about how great the church is, the pastors are, and all of that.  But I see and hear things out of your congregants mouths that cause me pause.  Cause me to wonder.  Even cause me anger, dare I admit that. 

I hear words and phrases that don't seem to add up to the positive, beautiful, Christian world that I know you promote inside your building.  I sense feelings of hatred, intolerance, and a less-than-stellar view of those who don't share the same opinions or viewpoints.  Now, there's nothing wrong with someone having a differing opinion -- but my concern is when that opinion continues right on down the road to downright nasty and filthy words like "spic" or "schvartze" (because using "schvartze" sounds so much better than nigger).  And the Jews.  They don't like them at all.  Yes sir, right out of the mouths of those who think the world of you and sit in your pews each week.  Sort of makes me squirm a little, you know?  I've heard things like "That school is a top-notch school full of smart kids because there aren't any little spics attending it..."  And I hear how they refer to our current President and the First Lady.  It is so far from a simple differing of a political opinion.  It is deep, dark, and horrible.  It is hate, clearly hate.  It is vile, venomous.  It comes from a place somewhere deep below the surface of their mouths.  Even below the heart level from a place of buried mixed-up, unresolved emotions and feelings.  And it springs forth from the mouth like a black, putrid stream of words that Jesus would never use.  And it goes without saying that they don't like Mormons.  Not just the Mormon religion.  Or the way that Mormon people believe.  They hate Mormons.  The people.  Not a visit goes by that I don't hear about what horrible people the Mormons are.  In fact, looking back to my own childhood, I think that my very earliest memories of how to not like someone else were bred in Idaho.  With regard to Mormons.  And I find that sad.  Thankfully, I'm a quite different man today.  I've been able to shed many of those feelings and have a markedly different vision of today's world than I used to.  My Christianity has migrated to a healthy place not stained any longer by predisposition, name calling, and teachings which are nothing remotely related to those of the Bible.  Balance.  Care.  Concern.  For all.

I remember leaving your church one Sunday morning after a nice little one-hour service.  We all got into the car and headed east on the highway back in toward Boise.  "Let's go to Taco Bell for lunch," I heard from the back seat.  Within minutes, it began.  Bad mouthing others, name calling, a lack of understanding or acceptance.  And I actually said out loud, "If you don't stop, I'm going to turn this car around and drive you right back to the church -- and you can go inside and tell Doctor Crane right to his face what you are saying....I can't imagine he would be happy."  Oh boy, that didn't go over well at all.  Talk about uncomfortable. 

And there's the murder.  Late one Saturday night out in Meridian a few years back.  The first thing I hear out of one of your congregants is "that it's probably a Mexican who did it."  Guess what?  It was a white female.  Caucasian.  Female. 

And then I wonder if they talk about me like that.  Behind my back.  You know, when I'm not around or actually in front of them where I can hear.  You see, I'm gay.  Homosexual.  A real life, honest to goodness fag.  And I have trouble believing that they can possibly love me, think highly of me, when I hear such degrading terms coming out of their hearts when I'm around.  They say they do.  But I must wonder.  Oh, I grew up in the church, Doctor Crane.  I know all of the terms, the phrases, the scriptures.  How to act in church, what to say, all of it.  I know your beliefs, your visions of heaven and hell.  Again, all of it.  I'm no stranger to the church or the Bible.  I've been a youth group leader, a church musician, a teacher, a leader.  I've played all of the church parts well.  Quite well.  But today, I wonder and think.  And it all makes me feel sort of sad for the work you do.  With all of your dedication, education, and devotion to changing the direction the world is headed, I'm not so sure that that honest hearts and souls of today's mainstream, right-wing evangelical Christians are being changed.  Perhaps some phrases, words and outward appearances when it is convenient and acceptable.  But it's the insides that are still quite dark and murky. 

I have this funny feeling that there are a whole slew of so-called Christians in today's world that are going to be in for a very rude awakening one day.  You know, on that day -- that day when the world comes to an end, that day when the sheep get separated from the goats.  I just have this feeling that things are not going to play out in quite the way that many are assuming.  So, I'll be back.  To the area.  Certainly not to the church.  I just can't stomach it any longer.  I've tried.  But if what I see in the lives of those who attend your church is a manifestation of what you're teaching, training and believing at Eagle Christian Church, I just can't be a part of it.

Blue Boy Needs to Leave the Red State

So we've returned from a lovely night of warm dessert at my cousin's home.  All was good until the Miller beer started flowing over the lips of my step father and my cousin's husband.  Oh boy.  I had to move myself across the room way down by my uncle.  And I did my best to keep him out of their conversation and keep him centered on words with me instead.  I succeeded.  But I glanced over at my LoverBoy when I kept on hearing about our "Muslim President" and his horrible wife....THE worst First Lady ever....how dare she demand that our children can't eat certain foods.  If they want to eat it, they should be able to eat it.  Oh dear. 

And it continued on and on about the Jews, Israel, Saudi Arabia, debt, deficit and the horrible nation that he's allowed to happen.  My ears were on fire.  Redder than ever.  Absolute hate.  Disgust.  They hate, hate, hate our president.  And not just strong dislike.  I mean hate to the core.  It was some of the worst conversation, phrases and words I've heard in person.  It all sounded so mainstream.  So simple, cheap, easy words.  Common phrases and sentences filled with zero depth, no thought.  No educational background, church-driven, fear based.  All fear based. 

I still think it would be much easier if people would simply admit that they are bigots and hate black people.  That would cut right through all of the false rhetoric and straight to what they are actually meaning to say.  Boy Boy Needs to Go Home Now. 

In Their Boots -- Silent Partners

UPDATE: Apparently some of you are not able to view the embedded video. Here is the link to the site where I hope you can see it properly.

In Their Boots is a documentary series about the impact the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are having on people here at home. Every episode features a documentary about how America’s servicemen and women, their families, and our communities have been profoundly changed by our nation's campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. Shot on location throughout the country, these stories stress the courage of our participants, and the valor of the people and organizations that help our heroes on their journey.



The episode above is titled “Silent Partners” and is a look at the hidden effects of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell law through the eyes of 3 partners of deployed service members. The video is just over 30 minutes long -- and it's more than worth your attention and devotion to spending 30 minutes looking at the Silent Partners of those in our military. Those who cannot speak, or even have their names known, because of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. You'll need a Kleenex, I assure you. Don't breeze on past this one, folks....it's easy to do in the blogosphere. So, skip your sit-com this time around, grab your partner, friend or family, and check this out. Even if it's not today, bookmark it and set it aside for sometime in the near future.



What an honorable and fitting way for us to honor our service men and women on this 4th of July holiday.

Bring Your Gun to Church

Guns for God. Pistol Packin' Preacher. Guns for Jesus. Whatever. Dear god in heaven. Just when you think you've heard it all, something like this pops up. In spite of the fact that it scares the hell out of me to think that this is where a portion of our globe is headed, I laughed and laughed at parts of this article. I think it reminded me too much of good ole' Idaho....my home state. I remember also going to a Christmas parade in Eagle, Idaho, when we heard Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA blaring from speakers in the middle of December, in the cold, at Christmas time. We still poke fun at it. I laughed at the raffle prizes (membership in the NRA, a Lee Greenwood video, and a gun itself). I laughed again at setting a fake fire to the Bill of Rights; I laughed at just picturing them all singing My Country Tis of Thee and God Bless America. It's a piece right out of picture-perfect Americana-land. Complete with the red, white and blue! And, to think, that July 4...Independence Day...is in just a few days from now. What a poor little subsection of our nation. Scared. Weird. Strange. Old. Dark-ages induced. Feeling the need to strap a weapon to their hips and head over to the nearest church for the Sunday service. Something's missing here, folks. In spite of it all, the little people of this world do provide me with a good laugh from time to time.

Me -- A Financial Liability

Just when you thought that gray hairs growing around your nipples and in your ears was the biggest issue of the day, the head of the GOP Michael Steele, has swung the pendulum the other direction. Suddenly, errant hairs on the body aren't such a big deal compared to, say, an African American man reducing gay marriage to a financial liability for the citizens and small businesses of United States -- the home of the (mostly) free and the brave......where (many) men are created equal. In case you missed his precious quote, here's what he said at a gathering of Republicans in the conservative state of Georgia:

“Now all of a sudden I’ve got someone who wasn’t a spouse before, that I had no responsibility for, who is now getting claimed as a spouse that I now have financial responsibility for,” Steele told Republicans at the state convention in traditionally conservative Georgia. “So how do I pay for that? Who pays for that? You just cost me money."

Oh my effin god...In a state where the likes of Mr. Steele used to be considered a piece of property to be sold, bartered, used and abused, he makes the Mother of All Comments. Apparently, he's forgotten that the heads of his ancestors used to have a price tag attached to them -- for, say, $17 or so. Shameful. Hateful. Painful.

Mr. Steele thinks that gay marriage will hurt small business -- that small business cannot afford to add spouses or domestic partners to their payrolls. Excuse me? I've been paying for the god-damned husbands and wives of everyone around me for many years and now I can't have the same thing afforded me? I've been paying for those who hate me -- those who vote against me and don't like me -- over and over for years. I've been paying taxes for years to send children to public school when I don't have a child myself in school? I don't have a choice. And they don't want to pay for me? Bullshit.

Even the conservative Washington Redskins official blog support the homosexual agenda. There are tongue-in-cheek comments in this thread that support murder, and even abortion, as a way to reduce the number of family members that companies are responsible for providing insurance for. Murder and abortion -- I love that! I can think of a few more ... beginning with the castration of Mr. Steele's black balls so that no more children have to be added to the insurance rolls.

So, Mr. Steele.....don't forget where you came from. And don't forget that this a basic issue of civil, human rights. You can continue to take this low-ball, silly approach to your Republican party, clearly struggling from a lack of vision and future. Or you can take the high road and earn your wings. Your choice, buster. You've committed a major error in judgment. Your party ought to send you back where you came from. You are the liability that this struggling nation does not need at this point in its history.

Open Mouth, Insert Foot -- Discrimination 101

In case you haven't figured it out by this time, I can be a bit feisty at times. Well, mouthy, really. Actually, both feisty and mouthy now that I'm thinking about it. In my defense, I have learned to let many things go in my old age -- or else just ignore them while I point fingers at the offender and laugh at them under my breath. But there are occasionally situations that grab hold of me like a whore roping her trick down to the bed. And this morning was one of those times. Unfortunately, it was early ..... about 6:30am. And, even more unfortunately, it was a bit of a row with an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector. Isn't that nice?

An official of the federal government arrived to do a check ride of our pilots which is quite routine and not unusual at all. Typically they aren't even really "working" but, many times, just need a ride back home or their vacation destination so they use the opportunity as an excuse to get in a check ride for the pilots. That's our government at its finest. So, I'm the First Class flight attendant, standing at the forward door, saying HI and all of that. And I'm just overhearing the conversation between the pilots and the FAA dude. "Do you live in L.A.?," the pilot asks. "No, anybody who wants to be anyone doesn't live in L.A.....I live in Orange County," the FAA guy says. I think I spit up a little. Orange County is rumored to be the most Republican county in the U.S. And then Mr. FAA goes on about having been "Up here in Oregon where all of the tree huggers are....." Oh boy. What a giant intelligence base we have going here, I'm thinking. But, unknown to me, the crowning glory of them all is about to happen ----

Our "C" flight attendant (works in the galley at the back of the aircraft) comes all of the way forward to introduce herself to the pilots. She's been at the job a little longer than I have an is a beautiful Vietnamese woman. She goes into the flight deck and I can overhear them doing their required preflight checklist. And it is routine that we do not interrupt this checklist...if they are in the middle of it, we wait for them to finish. Instead of wait, however, she just turned around and headed toward the back of the aircraft again. And then I hear the pilot say, "I wonder why she didn't wait for us to finish....." And, then, it happened.....The FAA dude opens his mouth and inserts his foot about as far as he could....He responds to the pilots by saying:

"I Think It's An Oriental Thing"

Pardon me? Excuse me? An Oriental thing?? What did I just hear from this arrogant man? And I lost all self control. I looked at him and asked what he had just said. I let him have it with both guns. I told him that I really had no control over what he did on his own time and at his own workplace....but how dare he come into our workplace and make inappropriate ethnic slurs about one of my coworkers. And I asked him if he knew that it was the year 2009....and that maybe he'd like to bring himself into the 21st century. I asked him if he'd make the same comment if she had been standing right there in front of him. He said he would! Ugh. This guy was a total dweeb. A world-class asshole. I told him I wanted his supervisor's name and phone number....which I now have. And then, it was time to go. I shut him up there with the pilots. I was so mad I could have spit.

The flight progressed in spite of the fact that he now didn't want the nice hot breakfast I was prepared to serve him. "No, thank you," he tells me all of a sudden.

It may be that I overreacted. My mouth gets going sometimes and I just can't quit it. But I just have no tolerance for discrimination or those who choose to take advantage of anyone because of which country they are from, the color of their skin, the church they go to, who they have chosen to sleep with, or a full list of other things. You can say a lot of things to me and I'll just think you're silly. But start in with the off-the-cuff grade school crap and you'll hear from me. I will always try to stand up for those who need to be stood up for.

By the way, I called my supervisor this afternoon and confessed my severe case of diarrhea mouth. She understands completely, believe me.

Standing Up For What Is Right

I've always had my eye on this sign that hangs in Touchstone Coffee House, one of our favorite little coffee shops here in Portland. And in light of this month's uprising with regard to Proposition 8 in California and other states as well, I thought it only appropriate. One of my favorite signs so far has been "No More Mr. Nice Gay." I mean, if we can't start standing on our own two feet and speaking up for what is the right thing, then when will we ever stand up?

What Are We Supposed to Do With Bigots ??

What is the proper protocol for dealing with bigots? Bigots in the family with whom one needs to work on some semblance of a pleasant level. Last night it was: "I hope they lose the game after they went on the field at the end of the game and said they were for Obama....I just hope they lose." So, I pleasantly (well, not really so pleasantly) asked: "What's wrong with expressing who someone supports for President?" Oh, boy...that didn't fly at all. Kind of an uncomfortable, gutteral laugh and then.... "Well, you can just read this.....". I am thrust with a three-page copy of some email called "Your History Lesson for Today." It began way back in the dark ages, 1976, when Jimmy Carter was President. And it led straight up to next Tuesday, November 4, Election Day. And how it was Jimmy Carter's fault that "Barack Hussein Mohammed Obama" may very well be our next President. It mentioned every Democrat between then and now and how rotten they were/are. It mentioned none of the last eight years nor any Republican at all. I went to bed steamin' mad. I was ready to pack the car and leave this morning (my husband doesn't even know that part...don't tell him). Except for mom needs my help. Then I hear that Mr. Bigot has been mean to my mother, nothing physical or like that, but in a rude sort of way that made her cry. And, boys and girls, that shit ain't gonna fly with this boy. Not for a minute.

So, please, have your opinions. Enjoy them. But if it ever migrates to the N-Word, hatred, being rude or mean because of someone's race, sex, sexual orientation or any of the other things that make us who we are, you're going to hit a brick wall with this boy. I'll tell you off but proper. And happily. I will always stand up for right, for who people are.

So, now, what am I going to do with this N-Word-Hating Bigot? I'm just about to institute National Grab a Bigot By the Balls Day. And I'll be glad to start it. Thankfully, we're leaving tomorrow for this journey at 06:00 Pacific Time:
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What Are We Supposed to Do With Bigots?

What is the proper protocol for dealing with bigots? Bigots in the family with whom one needs to work on some semblance of a pleasant level. Last night it was: "I hope they lose the game after they went on the field at the end of the game and said they were for Obama....I just hope they lose." So, I pleasantly (well, not really so pleasantly) asked: "What's wrong with expressing who someone supports for President?" Oh, boy...that didn't fly at all. Kind of an uncomfortable, gutteral laugh and then.... "Well, you can just read this.....". I am thrust with a three-page copy of some email called "Your History Lesson for Today." It began way back in the dark ages, 1976, when Jimmy Carter was President. And it led straight up to next Tuesday, November 4, Election Day. And how it was Jimmy Carter's fault that "Barack Hussein Mohammed Obama" may very well be our next President. It mentioned every Democrat between then and now and how rotten they were/are. It mentioned none of the last eight years nor any Republican at all. I went to bed steamin' mad. I was ready to pack the car and leave this morning (my husband doesn't even know that part...don't tell him). Except for mom needs my help. Then I hear that Mr. Bigot has been mean to my mother, nothing physical or like that, but in a rude sort of way that made her cry. And, boys and girls, that shit ain't gonna fly with this boy. Not for a minute.

So, please, have your opinions. Enjoy them. But if it ever migrates to the N-Word, hatred, being rude or mean because of someone's race, sex, sexual orientation or any of the other things that make us who we are, you're going to hit a brick wall with this boy. I'll tell you off but proper. And happily. I will always stand up for right, for who people are.

So, now, what am I going to do with this N-Word-Hating Bigot? I'm just about to institute National Grab a Bigot By the Balls Day. And I'll be glad to start it. Thankfully, we're leaving tomorrow for this journey at 06:00 Pacific Time:

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I Can't Decide

Maybe you can help me. I simply can't decide which of these books I want to read first. They are all in my parent's bookshelf -- situated alarmingly close to my right elbow this week as I blog from their den. I hope they don't rub off on me.

Lee Takes Command

The Signature of God

No Wonder They Call Him The Savior

The South Was Right

Who's Looking Out For You?

Let Freedom Ring -- Winning the War Over Liberalism

Anybody want to join me for a book review club this week? Come on over!

Discrimination ON HOLD in Oregon !!

Well, I can't believe it! It's a fantastic day here in Oregon. The gays, with their agendas, can rest a bit more easily tonight. Looks like there may not be an initiative to repeal our Domestic Partnerships here in Oregon this fall. But, they've vowed to come back in 2010 with a vengeance. Maybe by then, their leader JC will have taught them a few things about peace, justice, and equality. And it's a perfect introduction to Portland Pride 2008 this weekend.

Did You Know That You're a Predator?

Did you know that many of you are predators to prey upon our wives and daughters in public places. It's for real! Just ask the folks over at this site. I'd say they need some serious comments on their post, wouldn't you? 1-2-3....go for it! Comment away....here and on their site. What a pile of crap complete with a major amount of continued Fear Factor. Like a bunch of children running around with these voices in their heads. I must have missed that day in The Gay Agenda 101 that taught me how to prey on wives and daughters. This post came from my friend over at Burning or Building Bridges in the Community. Oh, and when you're over at the conservative site, don't forget to note the "Stop Hate Crimes Now" section in their right-hand side bar. (Que: Nausea.)

Discrimination -- Is It Okay? I Mean, We All Do It.

Where is the line drawn when it comes to discrimination? I mean, is it a hard and fast line or is it more fluid and ethereal? Is it okay to possibly be discriminatory in one area of our lives while we are vehemently opposed to it in another? Now, don’t get me wrong. I believe that many of us are good, solid folks who are able to identify someone who is being discriminated against. And most of us claim to not like it when we see it happening …especially to us. But I’ve also been more aware lately that many of those among us are probably discriminatory in the back, dark, hidden closets of our minds -- yours truly included. You know exactly what I mean … the recesses that no one knows about, things we just could never verbalize. We justify it in our heads. And we dare not let it leak over into our hearts or we may be called upon to reconcile the head versus heart debate. Blatant, outright crimes against one group of people are not generally tolerated in the city where I live. We call for justice frequently here. But I’m painfully aware that not everyone sides with fairness on a regular basis. And I know that some would shout out “You don’t know what it’s like where I live -- in my family, in my part of the world” as a quick rebuttal in an attempt to justify less-than-pretty words, feelings or actions.

I grew up in a family where we were not allowed to “hate” anything. We couldn’t use that word. We could hold “strong dislike,” but not hate. As much as I’d like to think that my family circle was welcoming and accepting -- and I do, in general -- I know that my father would never have bought a Japanese-made car … “the war,” you know. And my step father frequently makes fun of other races with jokes at their expense. Or he’s happy that “the school is such a great one because it doesn’t have any spics in it.” It’s not pretty. And I do call him on it. Regularly. One day, I even threatened to turn the car around and drive him right back to the church service we had just piously sat through. And at the same time, he loves and accepts my partner and I to death. He really enjoys his time with us and would defend us to the end. And then, there are the passing comments from my ex brother-in-law that “No child of mine is going to speak any language except English.” Or even my close gay friends who I overheard say “Man, would you look at the size of that girl” and “I suppose it was an African-American who did that?” with added emphasis and inflection on the African-American part. Or what about yelling “Go Home!” to a woman from Rwanda when she struggles at a cash register to find her money because we harbor a growing intolerance and unfamiliarity with Rwandan customs and culture. And these prior words from a woman who is a good Democrat, liberal, has two gay sons, and a huge animal rights advocate. Another friend made mention of “Those Puerto Ricans” that he works with. Or the Jews. Or the fact that “there are always homeless people there.” And what about getting out of your car to go and tell a prostitute that she “should get a job like the rest of us and stop asking for money.” And even “White Trash” is tossed about with liberality. And dare I even bring up the less-than-amiable feelings among gays, myself included, toward “those right-wing nuts who hate us." (Now, that outta hit home.) I don’t know….maybe coming from, or being in, a group that continues to be discriminated against gives us the right to do it to others. Maybe we’re just trying to repay what’s been tossed in our own faces. Or possibly if we just joke about it, it suddenly makes it acceptable or at least takes the sting out of it.

Again, don’t misconstrue my intention here. I’ve long been a believer in accepting people for who they ARE, not necessarily for what they DO. I do not condone someone’s poor behavior or believe that it should ever be an excuse. Many times, I’m afraid that we let certain behaviors continue simply because “he’s just that way” or “it’s just how they were raised.”

I’m not sure, my friends. It seems to be nearly everywhere, in nearly every subset of our society, on some twisted sort of dark level. It has dug its way into the very fabric from which we are woven, individually and globally. It bridges divides of religion, nation, races, homes, portions of nations. And, no, I don’t believe it will ever truly end in its entirety. But I’m not so sure we should stop working toward it.

I’m not quite sure how to bring any sort of adequate conclusion to my thoughts. They are deep and varied. But, of course, if I actually had a proper conclusion, I could probably market it and end the world’s hatred…right? I’ve had the stone thrown at me and, sadly, I’ve also been the one throwing the first stone. I guess it’s a work in progress. Progress being the key word there. Bit by bit. One less comment and bad thought at a time. I only know that I don’t want to end up at the same place at the end of my life that I started.

Discrimination? Not Here!

Today we woke to this headline in The Oregonian. I knew it was coming. It has been since the 1970s. 34 years to get anti-discrimination legislation passed in what has been a relatively blue state. Me and McDonald's were joined at the hip early this morning after a CT scan on my sinuses. McGriddle with bacon and cheese, hash browns, OJ, a cinnamon melt (if you haven't had one, you need to...just one) and a coffee....cream and sugar, please. And there it was....the headline poking its way into my early morning. Before I could stoop down and take a look through the paper vending machine, my eyes were wet. Totally wasn't expecting that (the moist eyes or the legislation). My favorite quotes out of the article were these: "To complete a struggle that has gone on for so long was a feeling of relief and of satisfaction that Oregon is a better place today than it was yesterday." "There are a lot of Oregonians who feel a lot better about living in the state today." Oregon is the 18th state to pass such legislation. Not that we ever have experienced it, but we'll soon be able to go into restaurants or theaters here and not fear being kicked out because we're of the same sex. Yes, it still is legal to throw someone out of a movie theater, restaurant, or other public setting in more than half of the states. It does have a religious exemption, however. Businesses that are church-run can still boot us out on the street....that's why we don't frequent placed like Elmer's. Too many church overtones in spite of good food and they contribute plenty of money to anti-gay causes in our state. There is still a motel near our home that is run by Eastside Foursquare Church. They will be able to continue turning away same-sex couples. (I think they're supposed to feel good about being able to do promote hate.) Please, don't frequent this motel or it's associated coffee shop. So, I hope you'll join us in celebrating today. Take a look at the article and enjoy. It happens so seldom in this nation anymore. Let's bask in the glory for a while. Okay?

Here's another article from today's Oregonian. Judy Shepard, the woman well-known as Matthew Shepard's mother, came to visit Jesuit High School students this week. They are preparing to present The Laramie Project next week. It's really monumental considering the conservative nature of the school. They have launched a program called "Crusade for Respect." I would throw my arms around them if I could. Mrs. Shepard says that "Hate is a learned behavior. I blame society for teaching people it's OK to hate." Today, I applaud them. They are doing their best to put an end to hate right where they live. Are you?

Watch Out For Falling Prices (and T-Shirts!)

As if anybody needs another reason not to support any business that doesn't pay its hard-working employees enough to keep their children off welfare rolls, here is yet another compelling argument to drive on by your local Wal-Mart before you get hit with more than falling prices. Last week, blog site Bent Corner broke a story that WM was selling a particular t-shirt bearing a striking (exact?) resemblance to a Nazi SS symbol. The "Death's Head" (German Totenkopf) symbol was worn by the 3rd SS Division Totenkopf. The t-shirt is nearly an exact replica. There are cool t-shirts by the thousands on the market right now with millions clamoring to pick up the tightest, trendiest ones....you know, the ones that will make our pecs poke out and our six-pack ripple (I'm on my way to a whole case). But this is not one of them. Plenty has happened in the nearly a week since WM was made aware of this particular design. You can read about it's details in Bent Corner as well as a little "Murder She Wrote" type of investigation by another blogger Scott-O-Rama. Just last November, I had the life-altering opportunity to visit my second and third Nazi concentration/death camps. In February 2004, I had been to Sachsenhausen near Berlin and then November 2005 visited Auschwitz and Birkenau in Poland. Let's save the sobering details of those visits for another time. Suffice it to say that there is no excuse for the propagation of Nazi symbols or any other type of hate. Even in a country where many of us support and appreciate free speech and opinion, there are things that shouldn't be done simply because they can be done...especially when it comes at someone else's expense.