| christian grantham | |||
| Christian Grantham was a student activist in the late 90s and later was a consultant to domestic policy forums for the Clinton Administration as well as events for HRC and GLAAD. | |||
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latest posts
February 28, 2005
Here is yet another example of why the United States Constitution ought to be made a mandatory civics class in all American public high schools. As Doug Ireland suggests below, the latest example of censorship is Democratic pandering at its very worst.
This latest concept of "hate speech codes" is the dying gasp of those who have lost faith in the ability of the free marketplace of ideas to properly value "hate speech." Instead of choosing to engage our treasured right to lend voice to America's prevailing common sense, some elected officials who have lost their connection to our country's founding principles choose to engage in state-sponsored censorship.
Freedom of speech is a treasured American liberty that must be protected from radical threats. Our elected officials pledge to uphold those values. If liberals like San Francisco Democrat Tem Yee are more eager to censor opposition than they are to stand up and engage the democratic process, then they deserve to be voted out of office.
In California, the Speaker pro tempore of the State Assembly, San Francisco Democrat Tem Yee, has just introduced legislation that, if passed, would "prohibit the use of any negative appeal based on prejudice against LBGT people by candidates or campaign committees who sign the voluntary pledge provided for in the Code of Fair Campaign Practices," according to a report posted last night by 365gay.com.This is a clear attempt at censorship of political speech. As such, this proposal starkly contravenes the First Amendment guarantees of our liberties. Instead of supporting such legislation, gay people should militantly oppose it. Mr. Yee's bill is nothing more than pandering to gay people's natural outrage at the recent wave of gay-baiting in electoral campaigns, but ultimately his proposal will wind up hurting gay people. We've been the victims of censorship for far too long not to know that embarking on this course is to put oneself on a very slippery slope indeed. The minute we start to argue for censorship of speech we don't like, the opponents of full human and civil rights for same-sexers will turn the tables on us and turn up the volume on their demands that we be censored.
[BANNING ANTI-GAY HATE SPEECH IS NOT THE ANSWER - Direland - 02-28-05]
Yet more censorship in Alabama. This time the University of Alabama faculty senate leads the charge in an egregious afront to the constitutional protection and garantee of free speech. (thanks DCRob)
Last semester, the faculty senate at the University of Alabama (UA) passed an Orwellian speech code designed to restrict "any behavior that demeans or reduces an individual based on group affiliation or personal traits, or which promotes hate or discrimination."Anyone armed with an 11th grade education can see that such a speech code is unconstitutional. Indeed, many of the UA “diversity initiatives” such as the Vagina Monologues would be banned under such a code, if the university had any intention of applying the code equally. Come to think of it, booing an Auburn football player would be banned under the code, too.
[Rolling back the tide of tyranny - Mike Adams - 02-28-05]
filed under: Free Speech
February 27, 2005
Chuck Pennacchio's campaign for Senator Rick Sanorum's U.S. Senate seat is a great example of how campaigns are addressing bloggers as media outlets. (links to audio are available on Pennacchio's website)
The night of our national BlogAd buy (Thursday), Chuck held a conference call with about 10 Pennsylvania bloggers about the race, how we win it, and his vision for the future. It was an open-forum Q&A. Below are some of the exchanges between the candidate and bloggers in .mp3 format.1.) Candidate Introduction - LINK (1.34 Mb - 2:56)
2.) Professional Experience - LINK (1.64 Mb - 3:46)
3.) First Bill Chuck Would Introduce in the Senate - LINK (421Kb - :53)
4.) Netroots - Grassroots - Organization - LINK (1.37 Mb - 3:00)
5.) Choice - LINK (1 Mb - 2:11)
6.) Middle East & Bush Arrogance - LINK (653 Kb - 1:53)Here are a few reactions from bloggers who participated on the conference call: Check em out.
a.) Young Philly Politics
b.) Urban Democracy
c.) Festers PlaceThe calls are something that will happen with regularity throughout the campaign. That is another reason it is important for you to sign up with us on the We are organizing now, both online and offline. Please join us in that effort. We cannot rest while Rick Santorum criss-crosses in the opening salvo of his re-election campaign.
[Bloggers Conference Call - Chuck Pennacchio For United States Senate 2006 - 02-27-05]
filed under: Media
February 27, 2005
I haven't been paying too much attention because it's about sex, or I'm writing a book, or something.
ON GANNON-GUCKERT: I haven't written about it because I agree completely with Glenn. The substantive case against Gannon is trivial; the irrelevant case against him (the one that's fueled this story) is that he's gay, has allegedly been (or still may be) a prostitute, and may not agree with everything the gay left believes (although I agree with David Corn that the evidence that Gannon has written anything even remotely "anti-gay" is laughable). The real scandal is the blatant use of homophobic rhetoric by the self-appointed Savonarolas of homo-left-wingery. It's an Animal Farm moment: the difference between a fanatic on the gay left and a fanatic on the religious right is harder and harder to discern. Just ask yourself: if a Catholic conservative blogger had found out that a liberal-leaning pseudo-pundit/reporter was a gay sex worker, had outed the guy as gay and a "hooker," published pictures of the guy naked, and demanded a response from a Democratic administration, do you think gay rights groups would be silent? They'd rightly be outraged. But the left can get away with anything, can't they? Especially homophobia.
[On Gannon-Guckert - Andrew Sullivan - 02-25-05]
Glenn Reynold's disdain for reporting about people's private sex life is not only selective, it's misguided. Isn't it ironic how some conservatives prefer digging in people's private sex lives (John Kerry / Bill Clinton) while most liberals limit their talk to what other people make widely available to the general public?
Glenn Reynolds, February 13, 2005: "I also agree with Kurtz that it was the stuff about Gannon's personal life that led to his resignation, and that there's something rather sleazy about that. Backstage or not, targeting parts of people's lives that don't have to do with the story -- like, say, Eason Jordan's love life -- seems inappropriate to me, and likely to lend support to the bloggers-as-lynch-mob caricature."Glenn Reynolds, February 16, 2004:
"THE KERRY INFIDELITY STORY seemed to die down over the weekend, but this report says that it may come back: "A woman who claims she had an affair with presidential hopeful John Kerry has taped a kiss-and-tell interview with a U.S. TV network, it was revealed last night. " (Via Timothy Perry)."
I'm not sure what part of James Dale Guckert's resume he'd prefer the White House Secret Service and American press not care about, but it seems to me a great deal of liberal media prefer the White House have slighty higher standards. Leave it to Reynolds and other conservatives to urge us to reconsider.
That said, it's hard to discount Andrew Sullivan's personal point of reference on Animal Farm moments at the hands of the "self-appointed Savonarolas of homo-left-wingery."
According to GAYBC Radio, Sullivan, who is HIV+, placed profiles at Bareback City and AOL expressing his interest in meeting partners for bareback sex. GAYBC verified that the profiles were Sullivan's by having two people meet him through those profiles.GAYBC attempted to contact Sullivan during a recent broadcast to respond, and while they were discussing the matter on air, the profiles suddenly disappeared. Fortunately, a number of people saved them while they were still up, and they are mirrored on this site.
[Andrew Sullivan's Barebacking Sites - MilkyLoads]
At the advice of his attorney, Jeff Gannon has launched a blog for his adoring conservative fans and other rubber-neckers.
I'm baaaaaaaack. If you thought I was going to slink away - then you don't know much about me. Someone still has to battle the Left and now that I've emerged from the crucible, I'm stronger than before.
[Bruised but not broken - Jeff Gannon]
filed under: Media
February 27, 2005
Crisis in public education
The nation's governors offered an alarming account of the American high school Saturday, saying only drastic change will keep millions of students from falling short."We can't keep explaining to our nation's parents or business leaders or college faculties why these kids can't do the work," said Virginia Democratic Gov. Mark Warner, as the state leaders convened for the first National Education Summit aimed at rallying governors around high school reform.
[Governors Work to Improve H.S. Education - AP - 02-27-05]
Virginia Is For Lovers
A proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in Virginia easily won final approval Saturday by both chambers of the General Assembly.The measure would have to be approved again by the Legislature next year and ratified by voters in the 2006 general election before it would become part of the Virginia Constitution.
[Va. Lawmakers OK Proposed Gay Marriage Ban - AP -02-27-05]
Afront to Catholic Bigotry
Assigned by the Brazilian government to a backwater factory town, 27-year-old prosecutor Joao Gilberto Goncalves has turned the obscure post into anything but, using it to mount the country's first serious effort to legalize gay marriage.
[Young Prosecutor Roils Brazil with Gay Marriage Case - Reuters - 02-27-05]
STD crisis among irresponsible gay men
A Nassau County man has been diagnosed with a rare sexually transmitted disease, the first case in the county and one of seven around the country.The Nassau County Department of Health has confirmed that the man has Lymphogranuloma Venereum, a form of chlamydia. The disease's symptoms can be serious -- rectal pain and bleeding, and sores. The disease can also increase the risk of HIV transmission.
[New York Suburb Has First Case of Rare STD - AP - 02-26-05]
The prevalence of HIV infection in blacks doubled in the last decade while remaining stable among whites, according to the federal government's most detailed, ongoing survey of the U.S. population's health.The findings, presented to a gathering of AIDS researchers here Friday, is further evidence the nation's AIDS epidemic is becoming a scourge disproportionately suffered by African-Americans.
[Study: AIDS hitting blacks the hardest - Star Tribune - 02-27-05]
filed under: Sunday Read
February 26, 2005
Today, Bruce, Beth and I spent the afternoon in Washington D.C. for the Democracy For America (DFA) Regional Caucus (DC, MD, VA) at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. DFA Chairman, and brother of DNC Chair Howard Dean, opened the conference to a crowd eager to shape the future of government for the region.
Democracy For Virginia's Maura Keaney introduced Bruce from the crowd as Virginia's hope for such change in the 13th district House of Delegates race. The audience was very enthusiastic to learn Bruce was not only there listening and learning, but committed to defeating one of Virginia's most radical Republican House Delegates. Learn more
Disclosure: I am assisting the Elect Roemmelt campaign.
filed under: Elect Roemmelt
February 25, 2005
Politicians who manufacture such legal chaos with vague and discriminatory legislation deny rights to families that ultimately hurt children. Do they care? Not as much as they care about a political agenda that appeals to people's fear and prejudice.
Denise Fairchild says she thought she was doing the right thing for her son when she signed a shared parenting agreement with her partner, Therese."The contract was actually designed to, if she needed, to give my son medical attention so when I was absent she could do that," Fairchild says.
Under Ohio law, only the parent can authorize medical treatment for a child. So Denise and her partner agreed to sign a shared parent agreement.
It gave Fairchild’s partner some of the same legal rights as Fairchild herself -- the child’s biological mother.
At the time of signing the contract in 2001, Fairchild says the contract was not enforceable in the state of Ohio. But her attorney got a judge to sign the order without a hearing.
A year later, the law changed making the orders enforceable.
[Gay Mom Fights Child Visitation For Ex - WBNS - 02-25-05]
filed under: Equal Marriage Rights
February 25, 2005
In response to concerns over a crystal-meth crisis among gay men and the resulting un-safe sex practices, often associated with circuit parties, NGLTF responds with a forceful statement leading into March's Winter Party in Florida.
The Task Force categorically condemns those who manufacture and distribute crystal meth. We implore users of the substance to seek help and treatment. We will support and fully cooperate in the prosecution of anyone found dealing crystal meth or any other illegal substance at the Winter Party Festival. We have a firm Drugs=Expulsion policy and we have met with local law enforcement personnel in the planning of these events and will cooperate with them in every way possible.In the wake of recent news stories and headlines, it is also important to bear in mind that substance abuse and unsafe sex are not limited to any one demographic group or to a particular subgroup within a community. We strongly disagree with those who assert that events like the Winter Party should be ended – or that community organizations should not be involved with them – on the false assumption that all guests are abusing drugs and engaging in unsafe sex and that ending them will reduce substance abuse and unsafe sex. This idea feeds into already-prevalent and harmful anti-gay stereotypes and myths.
[Have a Great Time. Play Safe. - Winter Party]
filed under:
February 25, 2005
Education:
In her new role as Vice President of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, Winnie Stachelberg makes the case for spending on education.
The most recent issue of one of the most popular gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender magazines had six pages of glossy full-color ads for HIV drugs. There were zero pages of HIV prevention advertising. It’s time for smart, targeted messages to reach people with the unvarnished truth — everyone is at risk of infection and everyone needs to protect themselves.
[PREVENTION STILL THE KEY - HRC - 02-23-05]
GayPatriot echoes the concern of HIV drug companies seemingly glorifying life with HIV, a stark contrast to the faces of death in the 1980s that shocked American gay youth into protecting themselves.
Her words made me wonder whether or not these images of handsome and healthy men frolicking about in ads for HIV drugs cause gay men to discount the consequences of infection. (Which could help explain why, even when knowing the risks, some gay men still have unsafe sex.)
[I agree with HRC?!?! - GayPatriot - 02-23-05]
Drug Use:
One problem is that HIV/AIDS prevention programs are infected with bad seeds that are a part of the problem. This is an extreme case, but most cases involve program executives who would rather appease the liberal sensitivities of their clients than taking tough stands on prevention.
A senior director of development with Howard Brown Health Center ( HBHC ) was arrested Feb. 16 at his place of employment on a charge of crystal methamphetamine possession with intent to distribute.According to police spokesman Pat Camden, Michael Anderson was taken in after officers uncovered 109 grams of crystal meth—with a street value of $36,600—at Anderson’s residence at 747 W. Cornelia.
Officers also found a quantity of the date rape drug GHB on the kitchen table as well as two digital scales in the closet. Camden also said that when Anderson was arrested, police discovered two vials of what appeared to be crystal meth and GHB in his pants pocket. Officers found out where Anderson worked when they located a business card at his home.
[Crystal Mess: Drug Takes Hold - Windy City Times - 02-23-05]
Leadership's race to the bottom:
Another problem are local and national leaders who refuse to publicly address the rampant drug use and unprotected sex that often takes place in association with circuit parties across the country. Their silence comes compliments of cold hard cash paid to them by circuit party organizers.
Recently, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force bought the rights to the "Winter Party," an annual circuit party in Florida attracting 1000s of men. According to beneficiaries, the Winter Party will go on as usual March 2-7, 2005.
"This is going to be seamless for the community," said Derrell Burks, former chair of the GLFSF’s board. "The WinterParty will go on. It will be just like the other Winter Parties but better."
[Task Force to take over Winter Party - Washington Blade - 09-03-04]
Just like the other Winter Parties? The Miami Herald shyly reports the following annual facts from the Winter Party just last year.
Some drug use was visibly in the open, but attendees said it was less rampant than in years past. Miami Beach police said there were no arrests.''You can tell everybody's loaded, but people are taking care of each other,'' Rodriguez said.
[Gay pride, freedom cover the sand - Miami Hearld - 03-15-04]
And we all know how well gay men "take care of each other" high on crystal-meth. Ever since purchasing the rights to the event last year, NGLTF Executive Director Matt Foreman has had a hard time calling the dance portion of the event a "circuit party." Money tends to do that to some people's common sense.
Foreman said he sees no problem with the Task Force becoming associated with a circuit party."We’re very proud to have acquired the Winter Party,” Foreman said. "Having a dance event where people come together and have a good time is a good thing."
[Task Force to take over Winter Party - Washington Blade - 09-03-04]
The obvious word-smithing is a blatant attempt to avoid the responsibility leaders have to publicly address the serious issues of drug use and unprotected sex that is killing our community. In exchange for NGLTF receiving over a quarter of a million dollars for hosting the event, NGLTF has little to say about the subject.
What is NGLTF doing to address drug use and un-protected sex at the "Winter Party?" On the surface, they are doing absolutely nothing. There is no stark mention that drug use, drug deals or public nudity will be matters turned over to local authorities and will be prosecuted. The environment, as Derrell Burks, former chair of the GLFSF’s board, said, is a business-as-usual attitude lubed by cold hard cash.
filed under:
February 24, 2005
An announcement, to be made tomorrow, by Virginia Sen. H. Russell Potts Jr. (R-Winchester) could electrify an already closely watched Virginia Governor's race. Citing the Republican Party of Virginia's tilt to the right, Sen. Potts may announce a run for Virginia Governor as an Independent.
A contrarian Republican legislator angry over the rightward shift of his party appears poised to bolt the GOP to run for governor as an independent.Sen. H. Russell Potts Jr. of Winchester, a sports promoter known for prickly populism, is expected to disclose his intentions at a news conference tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the Old Senate Chamber of the state Capitol.
[Potts on verge of independent bid for governor? - Times Dispatch - 02-24-05]
Virginia Progressive makes a great point about the potential for an Independent candidate for Virginia's November 2005 Gubernatorial race.
Republican operatives are red in the face over Potts and his potential candidacy, but this is really just basic political science. If your party moves to the extreme right (or left for that matter) you will face an intra-party challenge. Ultra-conservative Republicans should recognize this as inevitable, but of course they won't.They'll call Potts a traitor and a turn-coat, all the time impervious to the fact that they've brought this on themselves by reveling in their own extremity. The responsible Republicans of Virginia should blame radical groups like the Virginia Club for Growth for Potts' candidacy. But of course they won't.
[Potts To Announce Intentions - The Virginia Progressive - 02-24-05]
As a conservative grip threatens to strangle the Republican Party, moderate voices are standing up to take back Virginia.
Sen. H. Russell Potts Jr., a Republican from Winchester, plans to announce Friday morning that he is mounting an independent bid for governor but will not formally leave the party he says is gripped by conservative social issues and anti-tax rhetoric.
[Potts to Run for Va. Governor - Washington Post - 02-25-05]
filed under: Virginia Is For Lovers
February 24, 2005
Here is an opportunity for the Republican controlled Congress and the President of the United States to demonstrate that America's national security is more important than discriminatory political agendas.
Congressional lawmakers today announced legislation to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the military's ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual personnel. The Military Readiness Enhancement Act is scheduled to be introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Marty Meehan (D-Mass.) on March 2nd. The proposal is already supported by a bi-partisan coalition of Congressional representatives, including Reps. John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) among others.Announcement of the bill follows release of a new Government Accounting Office (GAO) report analyzing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The GAO report conservatively estimates the gay ban has cost at least $191 million since its inception in 1993. The report's financial estimate, however, includes only costs associated with recruiting and training enlistees to replace those discharged under the ban. The GAO analysis does not include costs associated with discharging officers or the nearly 800 specialists with critical skills who have been fired because of their sexual orientation. Administrative costs associated with discharges are also not included in the GAO analysis.
[Congress Announces Legislation to Repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' - SLDN - 02-24-05]
filed under: Don't Ask, Don't Tell
February 24, 2005
Yesterday, Bruce Roemmelt and I went to EchoDitto for a podcast interview. EchoDitto is an awesome company formed by Howard Dean's core 2004 Presidential campaign team to provide technological tools for progressive campaigns. Nicco Mele has been messing around with podcasts for a while. Terrance Heath, EchoDitto's blogmaster, hosted the interview with Bruce in a 30 minute segment that is an excellent introduction to this strong Democratic candidate for Virginia's House of Delegates representing the 13th district.
One of several awesome democratizing technologies available to campaigns are podcasts. This is where MP3 technology flirts with the emergence and popularity of MP3 delivery devices, like iPod. Basically, an MP3 is recorded and made available online for on-demand listening. Now you can synch your favorite talk shows with your preferred MP3 device and take them with you on the go. Today, I took the interview with me to the gym. It was my first podcast!
Visit EchoRadio and listen to "Episode Twelve: Educator, Firefighter, Veteran" to become familiar with the man aiming to defeat Republican House Delegate Bob Marshall. After you listen, drop your feedback here and consider contributing to Elect Roemmelt!
disclosure: I am assisting the "Elect Roemmelt" campaign.
filed under: Elect Roemmelt
February 24, 2005
Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) must be very proud. According to Santorum, and a few right-wing Republicans, the "ultimate homeland security" is defending our nation from gays and lesbians, not terrorists. The policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell seems to be keeping that priority alive and well in America.
More than 300 foreign language specialists considered critical in the war on terrorism have been forced out of the military in the past decade because of their sexual orientation, according to the first government study to assess both the warfighting and financial impact of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that prohibits openly gay servicemen.These soldiers had "some skills in an important foreign language such as Arabic, Farsi, and Korean," according to a report by the Government Accountability Office to be published next month. At least 54 of the 322 language specialists spoke Arabic -- more than twice as many as previous estimates. At the same time, more than 400 additional soldiers discharged under the policy had what the Pentagon considers "critical occupations," including Navy code-breakers, Army intelligence specialists and interrogators, Air Force air traffic controllers, and Marine Corps counterintelligence specialists.
[Gays' ouster seen leaving gap in military - Boston Globe - 02-24-05]
Chuck Pennacchio has an idea on how to help change the Republican Party: stand up for better principles and the priorities of Pennsylvania voters.
filed under: Don't Ask, Don't Tell
February 24, 2005
If James Dale Guckert truly has a lawyer, what lawyer in their right mind would allow their client to continue to make a fool of himself day after day in the media? When can we hear the voice of the attorney advising Guckert to sue for "political assassination," of is James Dale Guckert officially "divorced from reality?"
Media Whore
James Guckert (aka Jeff Gannon) is angling for an invite to the gala White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in April, saying his recent notoriety qualifies him as a great guest. "There is still time," he told Editor & Publisher this week. "There is always someone there trying to make news. Maybe this year it is going to be me." He also revealed that he's trying to line up paid speaking gigs, telling the trade mag: "There are people who are definitely interested in some of my behind-the-scenes work in the press room."Low Standards
Yes, this is the same guy who, after being linked to gay escort sites a couple of weeks ago, posted on JeffGannon.com: "In consideration of the welfare of me and my family I have decided to return to private life."
[C'mon, Just a Few More Minutes of Fame? - Washington Post - 02-24-05]
Gannon: "I asked to come. They allowed me to come. And apparently there isn't a very high threshold as far as somebody's personal life to gain access."National Security
[‘I asked to come. They allowed me to come’ - MSNBC - 02-24-05]
As Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., pointed out during a meeting with The Chronicle editorial board Wednesday, the Guckert case, at a minimum, suggests "sheer, friggin' incompetence,'' in terms of White House security. Biden said Congress should investigate this potential breach of security, but he acknowledged such a probe would never occur with Republicans in control of the House and Senate.Congressional HeatIt's hard to say which is worse: That the White House had no idea who it was allowing to be within shouting distance of the president -- or that it knew exactly who Jeff Gannon was and why he was there.
[Who Is Jeff Gannon? - San Francisco Chronicle - 02-24-05]
Two leaders of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee want the federal prosecutor investigating the Valeria Plame case to subpoena a personal journal of controversial White House reporter James Guckert, following Editor & Publisher's disclosure yesterday that Guckert claims he kept the journal for the past two years."It is clear that a primary obstacle to the ... investigation is uncovering a precise chronology of when, and to whom, classified information was leaked," Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), one of those seeking the subpoena, told E&P. "The revelation by Editor & Publisher that Mr. Guckert kept contemporaneous records of his 'reporting' activities could well be a major step forward in developing such a chronology."
In addition, E&P has confirmed an report on The Raw Story that Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) is circulating a letter among his colleagues that asks President Bush to launch an investigation into how Guckert, who writes under the byline “Jeff Gannon,” gained access to White House press briefings over two years despite having no journalism background and using a false name.
[Both Houses of Congress Get Involved in 'Gannon' Case - Editor & Publisher - 02-23-05]
filed under: Media
, Political Subterfuge
February 23, 2005
When Virginia Delegate Bob Marshall, representing the 13th district, proposed and then passed HB 751 last year, it gained national attention. The discriminatory bill was called one of the most anti-gay bills in the country, preventing contracts between people of the same sex purporting to confer any rights associated with marriage.
A civil union, partnership contract or other arrangement between persons of the same sex purporting to bestow the privileges or obligations of marriage is prohibited. Any such civil union, partnership contract or other arrangement entered into by persons of the same sex in another state or jurisdiction shall be void in all respects in Virginia and any contractual rights created thereby shall be void and unenforceable.
[HB 751 - Affirmation of Marriage Act for the Commonwealth of Virginia]
One website, VirginiaIsForHaters.org, proposed a nationwide boycott of the state's businesses and encouraged gay and lesbian residents to flee the state.
Barbara and Tibby have sold their house. In April, they plan to move to Maryland, where they are certain the legal steps they've taken will protect both of them.
[Couple feels forced to leave - Freelance Star - 01-09-05]
A handful of couples did just that, but most of us who could stayed behind to stand up for principles of freedom and fairness. Our story, and the story of progressive Democrats across the state, begins in a very small way in this moment.
VOTE FOR CHANGE
On November 8, 2005, Virginians will go to the polls for a statewide vote on all of our House Delegates. In Virginia's 13th District, a candidate is emerging to challenge one of the state's most radical Republican incumbents, Bob Marshall. His name is Bruce Roemmelt. He's a retired firefighter with 30 years of service, an educator and a Vietnam veteran. Bruce traveled via bus for seven days across the state of Virginia for John Kerry in the 2004 Presidential elections. Over the past couple of months, Bruce has been traveling the district listening to the concerns of Prince William and Loudoun County residents, and what he hears isn't being taken care of in Richmond by Delegate Bob Marshall.
Over the 12 years Bob Marshall has "represented" the 13th district, there isn't much of a record that shows Marshall stands for his constituents. Marshall has refused to set up an office in his district to listen to his constituents, and has refused to even meet with some of his own constituents in his district because he simply doesn't like them.
The two sides don't see eye to eye and still haven't met. Marusak said 46 people are still waiting to meet with Marshall. Marusak sent Marshall a certified letter on Aug. 2, again asking for a meeting with him and other Prince William County area delegation members.
[Gay rights activists fail to open dialogue with Marshall - Manassass Journal Messenger - 10-12-04]
Session after session, Marshall's influence has waned, pushing him further and further to the second from the last row of delegate seats. The Virginia Family Values PAC calls Bob Marshall one of the most anti-family delegates in the state (More about this PAC later). Marshall's most recent legislative priorities clearly demonstrate a level of desperation, and it is time to take back the 13th district!
THE CHALLENGE:
Despite all this, Marshall has nearly $50,000 on hand ready to unload an even more desperate campaign to retain his seat. Marshall hasn't had to spend very much in past elections, and hasn't had to rely on very many people to help him out. His actions in Richmond reflect that, but that will now change.
We need your help! Those of us who call Virginia home need the financial support of everyone reading this to fund our message and our vision for a better Virginia, one that we can all be proud to call home. In order to show the county and state Democratic party that we are a viable campaign, we need to raise $30,000 by April 1, 2005.
HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
Our March campaign toward viability starts with you! Forward this message everywhere. Post it on your blog. Help us fill each rung of Roemmelt's ladder with $10, $20, $50 or $100 contributions.
Place "Roemmelt's ladder" on your website by copying and pasting the following code onto your website or blog:
Talk to your friends and neighbors and ask them to give whatever they can, and most importantly, follow Bruce Roemmelt's campaign website launched today at www.electroemmelt.org. This site will grow to include lots of dynamic content thanks to the hard work of Jennifer Bishop, Christian Dawson, Brian pace and others.
With your help, we can take back Virginia from the radical forces that have taken principles of freedom and fairness for granted!
Disclosure: I am assisting the "Elect Roemmelt" campaign.
filed under: Elect Roemmelt
February 23, 2005
The same outfit that cynically attacked John Kerry in the 2004 Presidential elections is now attacking the nation's largest organized group of senior citizens.
I guess this is how Republicans say "thank you" to people who supported their lies on Medicare reform.
The USA Next bash-the-AARP campaign is getting off to a truly reprehensible start: An Internet ad titled "The REAL AARP Agenda." It was posted Monday to various right-wing Web sites.The ad makes the preposterous claim that the AARP hates the troops and loves gays.
The ad features two photos: One picture, of a U.S. solder in combat gear, has a big red X drawn through it. The second photo shows two men in wedding tuxedos, kissing - and a big red checkmark.
By yesterday, a roar of outrage had risen from Democrats on Capitol Hill, and the ad seemed to have been pulled, at least temporarily.
[Bash-the-AARP effort off to a smarmy start - Newsday - 02-23-05]
filed under: Political Subterfuge
February 22, 2005
When Republicans begin tossing gays and lesbians into the whole "Axis of Evil" threat to America's homeland, don't blame them. They were just regurgitating what passes in today's Catholic Church as "morality."
In one section about the role of lawmakers, the Pope takes another swipe at gay marriages when he refers to "pressures" on the European Parliament to allow them."It is legitimate and necessary to ask oneself if this is not perhaps part of a new ideology of evil, perhaps more insidious and hidden, which attempts to pit human rights against the family and against man," he writes.
[Pope Calls Gay Marriage Part of 'Ideology of Evil' - AP - 02-22-05]
filed under: Moral Majority
February 22, 2005
If you still have lingering doubts about whether or not I am the anonymous gay Republican blogger, GayPatriot, maybe tomorrow's interview on Sirius OutQ will resolve that.
Also, tomorrow I'll be in Arlington at a very cool company formed by Howard Dean's core 2004 Presidential Campaign, EchoDitto. I'll be there with Democratic candidate for VA's 13th district, Bruce Roemmelt, as he's interviewed by an old friend of mine, Terrance Heath, on EchoRadio. More about Bruce tomorrow!
filed under: Media
February 22, 2005
Single issue Republicans and the party's evangelical base will be very happy with Mitt Romney. In his 2008 bid for President, Romney can find no better a running mate than Alan Keyes, whose anti-gay bigotry isn't just limited to hollow threats.
How will the widening schizm between more popular Republican moderates and the party's radical conservative base bode for Romney and his rabid allies? The 2008 fault lines are forming over equal marriage rights.
On gay marriage, Romney vilified the Supreme Judicial Court for striking "a blow against the family.""Today, same-sex couples are marrying under the law in Massachusetts,'' Romney said, stressing the word "marrying." "Some are actually having children born to them."
To thunderous applause from the Spartanburg Republican audience, he said, "It's not right on paper. It's not right in fact. Every child has the right to have a mother and a father."
Romney then cast himself as a defender of traditional marriage.
"From day one, I've opposed the move for same-sex marriage and its equivalent, civil unions," Romney said.
"We lost on marriage in the court and we lost on civil unions in the Legislature. But I'm convinced that when finally we hear the voice of the people in my state, we will win at the ballot box."
[Mitt’s gay-wed stance hits Carolina chord - Boston Globe - 02-22-05]
filed under: 2008 Presidential Elections
, Equal Marriage Rights
February 22, 2005
The first rule of successful persuasive communication: target your own people, first.
RUSSIA
Russia's Defense Ministry has launched experimental broadcasts of a new TV channel intended to boost military prestige and counter negative reports of hazing, desertions and corruption in the armed forces, its creators said Monday.AMERICAThe new channel -- Zvezda or "Star" -- is aimed at developing "the feeling of national pride among its citizens ... a feeling of responsibility for Russia's fate and pride for the nation's great historic past and belief in its future," producers said in a news release.
[Russia Launches 'Patriotic' TV Channel - AP - 02-22-05]
EchoStar's Dish Network satellite TV service announced it is now offering the Pentagon Channel to its more than 11 million viewers. Programming will be distributed 24 hours a day, seven days a week as part of Dish Network's public interest channels. This means the programming will be provided at no cost to customers."We appreciate Dish Network's decision to carry the new Pentagon Channel on their satellite TV system," said Defense Department spokesman Larry Di Rita. "Their support helps us fulfill our mission of providing timely military news and information to the U.S. armed forces."
[Dish Network Brings Pentagon Channel to Millions of Subscribers - Defense Link - 02-10-05]
filed under: Media
February 22, 2005
It doesn't really matter what the consumer thinks. It's what the advertisers think.
- Increasingly, advertisers see online advertising delivering measurable results that maximize the power of their ad buys.
- Calls to action in online advertising are precisely targeted and acted upon in a manner print cannot deliver.
- Online views and visitor action is precisely measured, not a game of divination from print circulation.
- Technology is increasingly allowing us to synch our news or wirelessly receive it.
- Bloggers are slowly rendering the influence of weekly newspapers obsolete.
NEW YORK In a lengthy article titled "Hard News: Daily Papers Face Unprecedented Competition," Frank Ahrens of the Washington Post on Sunday sketched an exceedingly unpleasant future for the print newspaper as we know it.Or as he said in his lead: "The venerable newspaper is in trouble."
But he noted that the industry was not standing still, but rather "struggling to remake itself." Some of the efforts: creating news sections, beefing up Web sites, conducting surveys to find out what readers want, spinning off free papers.
[Is Print Dead? 'The Washington Post' Ponders It - Editor & Publisher - 02-22-05]
filed under: Media
February 21, 2005
If that's so, what's radical right-winger Joseph Farrah, editor and CEO of WorldNetDaily.com, doing trying "to reach McClellan, Mehlman and Gurley for comment " on whether or not they are gay?
White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan
In a report based on an unnamed source, Raw Story reported McClellan visited a homosexual bar March 19, 1995. Another anonymous source was quoted as saying McClellan regularly frequented Austin, Texas, "gay clubs." McClellan is an Austin native. His mother, Carolyn Keeton Strayhorn, former mayor of Austin is controller of the state of Texas and considered a contender for the governorship.RNC Chair Ken Mehlman
[Homosexual press hot to 'out' Bush figures - Worldnetdaily - 02-21-05]
Rogers also revealed that Ken Mehlman, chair of the Republican National Committee, is gay."GOP National Field Director Dan Gurley
[Homosexual press hot to 'out' Bush figures - Worldnetdaily - 02-21-05]
According to Raw Story's Byrne, Gurley acknowledged in a phone interview last September that he is "gay." In response to a later story by Byrne last November, that Gurley "solicited unprotected sex and multiple sex partners in an online profile at Gay.com," Gurley reportedly conceded that he had a profile in his America Online screenname – that same screenname as appeared in the Gay.com profile.
[Homosexual press hot to 'out' Bush figures - Worldnetdaily - 02-21-05]
filed under: Media
February 21, 2005
Reports of this nasty STD came last year in several news items. The facts are facts. Just like a recent resurgence of syphilis, the rare and aggressive lymphogranuloma venereum has seen a recent comeback due primarily to irresponsible gay men.
In the past year, European public health officials have noted dozens of cases among gay and bisexual men. U.S. officials have been keeping a watchful eye. One case reported in Houston in October 2004 was linked to travel to Paris. The more recently discovered cases -- including at least two in New York, three in San Francisco and one in Atlanta -- had no association with European travel. Many U.S. experts now believe it has found footing here.more..."This could reach epidemic proportions," said Tri Do, MD, MPH, president of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Assn. "And it's possible that it could become endemic."
[CDC sounds doctor alert about rare STD - AMNews - 02-21-05]
Twenty-four cases of the sexually transmitted infection lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) have been diagnosed in England since October 2004, according to data published in the January 28th edition of Eurosurveillance Weekly.Enhanced surveillance of LGV was started in England in October 2004 after clusters of the infection were diagnosed amongst gay men, many of whom were HIV-positive, across Europe.
[LGV in England mainly affecting HIV-positive gay men, says preliminary data - AIDSMap - 01-31-05]
Does this post constitute my personal "fear and shame" campaign on irresponsible sex practices of gay men? You bet. Will it reinforce or make you think twice about unprotected sex? You tell me.
Unprotected anal intercourse is the key risk factor for the spread of LGV. Symptoms include painful rectal infections, but the first symptom may be a painless pimple or lesion on the genitals, tells the Seattle Post.
The cases are among the first reported in the United States and match a strain of the disease that only began to surface in Europe in recent years.The disease, lymphogranuloma venereum, known as LGV, is a rare form of chlamydia that can cause acute illness, lifelong disability and disfigurement as well as fuel the spread of H.I.V./AIDS through open sores. A majority of those infected, both in Europe and the United States, have been gay men who engage in anal intercourse.
[Two cases of rare disease - Pravda - 02-03-05]
also read: Center Square, Chris Geidner, Andrew Sullivan
filed under:
February 20, 2005
Following Sturtle's 'Obviously, I Have Too Much Time On My Hands' post comes more blogger speculation. Not to sound like Jeff Gannon, or whatever his name is, but "I registered those domain names for a client."
Rest assured, my pretty ponies, GayPatriot is a real, fire-breathing, gay Republican "representing the million gay and lesbian Americans supporting President Bush". Most of my friends are Republicans, something I'm sad to see lots of Democratic colleagues find simply appalling. Politics today is less about America as much as it is the Party, but somewhere in the boisterous rumble of the free marketplace of ideas, that will change.
So, I have a question: Why would Christian, a gay man who is often critical of the Bush Administration, facilitate the publication of a Web log that, for the most part, acts as an apologist for nearly every anti-gay policy of the that administration? Again, it makes as about as much sense as Charles Johnson publishing DailyKos.I only see three options really:
1) Christian Grantham is just helping out a blogger whose opinions he does not agree with on most issues - a blog that practically excuses all the anti-gay behavior of the Bush Administration that Christian routinely harshly criticizes
2) Christian Grantham and GayPatriot are one in the same
3) Christian facilitates GayPatriot’s blog because he actually secretly agrees with GP’s opinionsI simply don’t believe option number one. As a rule, people don’t help people who work against them - especially if they’re passionate about their causes. They don’t.
So, I’m left with option 2 or 3. I don’t like conspiracy theories any more than the next guy, but I’ve been going over this in my head because it really bugs me. I think Christian owes people an explanation. But even if option one is how he explains it, we’ll only have his word, as “GayPatriot,” conveniently, blogs anonymously.
If option 2 or 3 is the explanation, then I wonder if I will be able to trust Christian Grantham’s reporting in the future. Is he writing stuff he really doesn’t believe just so he can keep a job at a GLBT news service?
[Who Is GayPatriot? - GayOrbit - 02-20-05]
also read: Downtown Lad, Sturtle
filed under: Political Subterfuge
February 20, 2005
PnP
It's Saturday evening in Manhattan, and three dozen men are crammed into a one-bedroom suite in an upscale hotel across from Ground Zero. After shelling out $20 apiece to the man who organized tonight's event over the Internet, the guests place their clothes in Hefty bags for safekeeping and get down to business and pleasure. A muscular man in his mid-30s sits naked on the sofa and inhales a "bump" of crystal methamphetamine. Within minutes, he's lying on the floor having unprotected sex with the host of tonight's sex party, whose sunken cheeks, swollen neck glands and distended belly betray the HIV infection he's been battling for years. In the bedroom, a dozen men, several of them sweaty, dehydrated and wired on meth, are having sex on the king-size bed. There's not a condom in sight. "It's completely suicidal, the crystal and the 'barebacking' [unprotected anal sex]," says one of two attendees who described the scene. "But there's something liberating and hot about it, too."Gannongate
[Party, Play—And Pay - Newsweek - 02-28-05]
Breaking his silence on the events, which have been portrayed by Democrats as a Republican effort to manipulate news, Eberle said "it took me by surprise" in early 2003 when the freelancer he had taken on as Jeff Gannon said he was gaining White House accreditation under his given name, James D. Guckert.Eberle, 36, an aerospace engineer with a yen for conservative politics, said the disclosure raised no red flags about Guckert's journalistic credentials or professionalism.
[Web site operator knew of reporter's two IDs - Houston Chronicle - 02-20-05]
No one is laughing now, because Gannon was far from being a harmless distraction. He was writing under a false name and working for a Republican front organisation. Suddenly, his 'softball' questions to White House officials looked less like eccentricities and more like plotting by an administration which has frequently displayed a dark mastery of the arts of press control.In The Navy
[The mole, the US media and a White House coup - Guardian - 02-20-05]
Commodore Docherty said the navy had a code of conduct, including a “no touching” rule, that was no different for same sex and heterosexual relations. “We do rely heavily, just as we have done with having women at sea (since 1991), on common sense and good manners.” He admitted the navy was irritated by the fascination in popular culture with the camp behaviour of gay seafarers — reflected in songs such as the disco hit In the Navy by Village People.
[Navy signals for help to recruit gay sailors - Times (UK) - 02-20-05]
filed under: Sunday Read
February 19, 2005
In secretly recorded tapes, George Bush is revealed as a Christian whose values challenge the misguided divisiveness of his party's evangelical base on the issue of equal rights for gays. The revelation, recorded by a close friend in 1998, adds context to President Bush's struggle between pandering to the Republican party's radical evangelical base and the future of the Republican party.
Early on, though, Mr. Bush appeared most worried that Christian conservatives would object to his determination not to criticize gays. "I think he wants me to attack homosexuals," Mr. Bush said after meeting James Robison, a prominent evangelical minister in Texas.But Mr. Bush said he did not intend to change his position. He said he told Mr. Robison: "Look, James, I got to tell you two things right off the bat. One, I'm not going to kick gays, because I'm a sinner. How can I differentiate sin?"
Later, he read aloud an aide's report from a convention of the Christian Coalition, a conservative political group: "This crowd uses gays as the enemy. It's hard to distinguish between fear of the homosexual political agenda and fear of homosexuality, however."
"This is an issue I have been trying to downplay," Mr. Bush said. "I think it is bad for Republicans to be kicking gays."
Told that one conservative supporter was saying Mr. Bush had pledged not to hire gays, Mr. Bush said sharply: "No, what I said was, I wouldn't fire gays."
As early as 1998, however, Mr. Bush had already identified one gay-rights issue where he found common ground with conservative Christians: same-sex marriage. "Gay marriage, I am against that. Special rights, I am against that," Mr. Bush told Mr. Wead, five years before a Massachusetts court brought the issue to national attention.
[In Secretly Taped Conversations, Glimpses of the Future President - New York Times - 02-20-05]
filed under: Equal Marriage Rights
, Moral Majority
February 19, 2005
Dear Jesus, please forgive the filthy homosexual for our nation's disgraceful divorce rate, all the abortions they've been having and the flood of unwanted children they poor into the foster care system. Amen!
In her prayer, Peevey took note of legislation the House has embraced this year to ban same-sex marriage and make it difficult for gays to adopt children."Holy One, convict those who are using their power not to lead or to guide but to harm the gay and lesbian citizens, a small minority in this commonwealth," Peevey said.
That didn't sit well with conservatives in the House. The usual amen chorus at the end of the prayer was noticeably muted.
[Opening House session with a prayer for gays annoys some delegates - Times Dispatch - 02-19-05]
filed under: Equal Marriage Rights
, Moral Majority
February 19, 2005
Citing the advice of his attorney on February 15, James Dale Guckert told the press he will no longer be speaking to media. His "attorney" must have bailed on him, because Guckert did a slew of interviews yesterday saying the darndest things.
Gannon chastised his critics, breaking a silence that began last week when liberal bloggers disclosed his real name, James Dale Guckert, and a Web page, which he paid for, featuring X-rated photos of himself. "Why would they be looking into a person's sexual history? Is that what we're going to do to reporters now? Is there some kind of litmus test for reporters? Is it right to hold someone's sexuality against them?"
[Jeff Gannon Admits Past 'Mistakes,' Berates Critics - Washington Post - 02-19-05]
James, or the much easier to pronounce "Jeff," may not realize it, but his "sexual history" was made part of his professional resume and credibility as a journalist by no one but James Dale Guckert himself. Most people choose to keep their personal sex lives to themselves. James Dale Guckert, on the