An opinion I found interesting: --------------------------------------------------------
Bob Cesca Sat Sep 24, 9:05 PM ET
This week, 14-year-old Shay Clark was expelled from a Christian private school in California because her parents happen to be lesbians. And deservingly so, because we all know how much of a threat lesbian parents are; what with the fully loaded lesbian firearms they pack in their children's lunch boxes and how, by sending their child to a Christian school, they're clearly devil-worshipping heathens -- sub-humans bent on the destruction of all things American and Christian.
But that's not all. In a long overlooked section of the Bible called "Jesus H. Christ's Rad Blog", the Son of Man's online journal which he kept for a short time then abandoned when he lost interest, we find this passage dated March 10, 32 A.D.:
"Gays and lesbians shall be pwn3d for the rest of eternity. For they are really goddamn disgusting."
I know what you're saying. Jesus didn't invent the word "pwn3d". True that. It's probably an error in the translation. He did, however, invent the phrase "true that". What Mel Gibson didn't tell us is that when Jesus was asked whether he was the King of the Jews, Jesus responded, "True that! Um. I mean, it is you who say that I am."
Would it strike you as odd that Jesus never condemned homosexuality? In fact, as my friend John Christian Plummer pointed out this week, he never mentioned a single word about it. Probably because he was too busy saying things like, "Blessed are the peacemakers," and "Blessed are the poor." Here's an actual Jesus quote which is interesting:
"Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man."
Within this sentence, Jesus condemns bigotry and persecution in his name, which today happens to define the policies and actions of the modern right-wing who ironically embrace Christianity -- the teaching of Christ -- as part of their strategy. Throughout his documented life story, Jesus’ most incendiary comments and actions were aimed at, 1) Satan, and 2) the men who mixed business and religion. Does that second item sound familiar? Nary a single word which denounced same-sex marriage -- well, except in the Bible used by the right-wing and Christian Fundamentalists known as the "Fake Bible Which We Made Up To Suit Our Bigotry: Large Print Edition".
The Bible contains a lot of hogwash which, in a modern context, has little or no validity. The Bible tells us that anyone who comes into contact with a woman who is menstruating must do penance. The Book of Leviticus, the section of the Bible which is the cornerstone of the frightening Christian Reconstructionist movement, condemns homosexuality under pain of death. It also condemns the touching of pig flesh on Sundays... under pain of death. That would certainly make football interesting. Whoever touches the ball dies.
One of the most dominant arguments against same-sex marriage has been the dictionary definition of marriage: "The legal union of a man and woman as husband and wife." That's a pretty weak argument, no? The dictionary? At one point in time, a definition taught us that a sperm cell contained a fully formed little man called a "homunculus". Just because George W. Bush cites the dictionary definition of marriage as "between a man and a woman" doesn't make it right and justified. This from the same man who thought "misunderestimated" was a word.
The Republican movement against same-sex-marriage is purely a political tactic which feeds off the unjustified fears of easily influenced Americans -- as we witnessed during last year's presidential campaign. Gay marriage does nothing to threaten you or your marriage, but the anti-gay right-wing wants to make you feel that way in order to consolidate their power. The Republicans have told you that there's a Toe Monster under your bed and if you don't vote for them, the Toe Monster will get your toes! Ooga booga! You allow yourself to buy into that? Seriously?
Plainly put, I can't figure out how our government, founded on freedom, can continue to make attempts at legislating bigotry. Ironic that the same officials who have sent our soldiers do die for the freedom of the Iraqi people (in-so-far as a theocracy will allow freedom) have also engaged in an effort to forbid the freedoms of an entire group of Americans. Ironic, but not surprising. Our elected officials have been the catalyst behind some of the most horrible events ever recorded, and most of those have been in the name of morality, fear, and ignorance. You know the list. It includes genocide and slavery, to name a couple. So in that respect, this latest effort is no surprise, however difficult it is to grasp.
But Christians? I'm ashamed of you. I'm ashamed to have spent the first 18 years of my life in your service. I'm ashamed of the dollars I put in your collection baskets every Sunday. Shay Clark's parents wanted her to be raised amongst your teachings and you've inexplicably found a loophole to exclude her. But maybe, like our president, you're only a Christian as a convenience to somehow justify your hatred and nearsighted worldview. If you actually read that book on which you base your life, you'll find that Shay Clark's lesbian parents should be the absolute very least of your worries. What you'll find in the teachings of Jesus is that, if anyone, you are your own worst enemy. God's speed.
POSTSCRIPT: Christian Fundamentalists and their ilk should probably rethink the effort to blur the line between Church and State. If history has taught us anything, it's shown that policy is cyclical. If you want your Republican government to legislate your dogma, be aware that when the next regime takes over -- the group which has typically explored tax hikes as a means of reducing the federal deficit -- your tax-exempt status might be in jeopardy. If you want the separation of Church and State to be permanently blurred, prepare to be taxed. In case you didn't notice, our government loves to pursue anyone who might help pay the bills. And without a clear separation, that means you.
So, for those of you who are familiar with the concept, I feel kinda like a teenage kid just back from church camp. I spent last Wednesday through Saturday at a conference for LGBT workplace diversity. 1000+ queers from Fortune 500 companies all over the country gathered together in lovely Denver, Colorado to learn about HR policies, employee network groups, and legal mumbo-jumbo. And it was great. I particularly enjoyed plenary discussion led by the adorable B.D. Wong and the gala awards banquet MC'd by the fabulously hilarious Kate Clinton.
Denver looked great from my 19th floor hotel window, and the weather allowed us to walk just about everywhere. I hit the majority of the local gay bar scene with a few select friends, and even stopped by Coyote Ugly, so our token lesbian could dance on the bar with a hot black chick in torn-up jeans.
Saturday afternoon, I flew back into Memphis just in time to take a shower and get snazzy for my first gay wedding ceremony (click here for my brief recap). It was as beautiful as anything. And yeah, there were tears...
Anyway, after four days in a big, gay, fabulous bubble, I'm back at work this morning. And its not quite as free and exciting, but it is life. I'm glad to be home with my boy, my dog, and my friends. But the Out & Equal Conference was truly memorable, and a great place to be.
Kickass Records You Don't Know About But Should volume 2
DISCLAIMER: My musical taste is dramatically eclectic, so don't be shocked if it's metal, pop, dance, indy, country, ska, instrumental, celtic, tribal, old, or just plain wierd as shit.
Institute "Distort Yourself"
For any of you who loved Bush (the rock band, not the fucktard), Institute will make you cream your jeans. Lusciously overdriven guitars, hypnotic melodies, and Gavin Rossdale's grittily sexy vocals...mm-mm good...
Yes, Mr. Gwen Stefani has returned, and with a vengeance. The orneriest of Bushdom only gets you to the foothills of the rock volcano that is Institute.
If you're into this genre, do yourself a favor and check them out at www.institutemusic.com
I have to say, I feel fortunate to work for a company that for whatever reason, beit political, pressured, or genuine, pushes the whole workplace diversity thing to the limits. With an HRC Corporate Equality Index of 86% (the only thing they got dinged on was not having transgenderism and gender identity in the EEO policy, which they're working on), Hewitt Associates is definitely doing what they can to make the mo's feel at home.
And next week they're sending me and 14 other associates from across the country to the Out and Equal Conference, to learn about how our firm can be even more proactive in improving the work experience of its GLBT employees. We'll attend workshops driven by leaders of Fortune 500 companies and philanthropic organizations. We'll network with business leaders from around the world and be enlightened on the newest best practices in dealing with GLBT issues from an HR standpoint.
Plus, there's a drag show on Thursday and an awards gala on Friday... I mean, seriously, like a convention center full of queers would forget the drag shows and galas...
Kickass Records You Don't Know About But Should volume 1
I've recently realized that through various different channels, I have a history of getting into cool bands and artists that none of my friends have heard of. And so, I feel it my duty to share with you, my dear faithful readers (all two or three of you), records that I think kick ass and deserve attention.
DISCLAIMER: My musical taste is dramatically eclectic, so don't be shocked if it's metal, pop, dance, indy, country, ska, instrumental, celtic, tribal, old, or just plain wierd as shit.
Carpark North "All Things For All People"
These guys are from Denmark, and while most indy European rock bands can be described as mediocre musicians who think they're British gentlemen from the '60's, this stuff is as polished and huge as anything in the world market.
I got turned on to a few of CPN's tracks from a buddy whose buddy mixed the record. Exactly 3 seconds into their first single "Human", I had an audiological erection. For anyone who's a fan of vintage high-gain tube amps cranked to "11", there's no way you can avoid loving the sound these guys make.
The perfect melding of real rock drums and electronic movement has kept this disc in my regular playlist at home, in the car, and at the office for five months now. An amazing combination of time signatures that most rock bands wouldn't dare messing with, traditional instrumentation, and the occasional latin boys choir, "All Things For All People" is full of surprises.
The unfortunate thing: Its just cool enough that America will never know it exists. Fortunately for them, they went straight to #1 all over Europe the day they released the single.
Søren, Morten, and Lau, you guys kick ass in my book.
7 things I plan to do before I die: 1) Finish a solo record 2) Produce a motion picture, television show, or stage production 3) Visit every country in Europe. 4) Visit every continent (except perhaps Antarctica) 5) Fly a plane 6) Start a business 7) Publish James' short story/novel/script ;-)
7 things I can do: 1) Play a guitar 2) Cry during sappy movies 3) Deliver a monologue 4) Belch the alphabet backwards 5) Justify anything 6) Love kids 7) Get distracted
7 things I cannot do: 1) Eat a mushroom or tomato 2) Be someone that I'm not 3) Manage my finances (I have a hubby for that) 4) Watch E.T. 5) Listen to Aaron Neville 6) Figure out what I want to do with my life (see next point) 7) Stay focused
7 things that attract me to the same sex: 1) Caring eyes 2) Good hair 3) 5 o'clock shadow 4) Strong personality 5) Humor 6) Compassion 7) Huge talent (for you nasties out there)
7 things that I say most often: 1) Just so you know... 2) Fuck. 3) Back in Washington... 4) I have a new brainchild... 5) I love you. 6) Dammit. 7) I'm so freakin' hungry.
7 celebrity crushes: 1) Matthew McConaughey in this picture
2) Colin Farrell (Outside my norm, but grrr...) 3) Brendan Fraser (in one of those hot dumb-boy ways) 4) Sean William Scott 5) Randy Harrison (Justin from QAF) 6) George Michael (again, furrier than my norm, but oy veh) 7) Nick Lachey (A dumb dork, but whatever, he's hot)
7 people I want to do this: 1) Hotass 2) Char 3) Buffy 4) The Artist 5) Pistol Pete 6) Kimdog 7) Cubist
There are going to be two points to this post. The first, is my viewpoint of the above title. Second are my thoughts on Char's recent posting regarding a specific group of ignorant people. Here we go.
First...Rev. Sharpton, Rev. Jackson, Kanye Fucking West... Grow the hell up. If you're ignorant enough to think that the Federal government's response to Katrina was anything other than plain-jane, run-of-the-mill, self-centered incompetence, you're fools. Dubya doesn't hate niggers ANY MORE than he hates fags, kikes, retards, muslims, communists, or DEMOCRATS.
Get off your damned ebony high-horse and realize that the president doesn't own any slaves, doesn't have a colored-only sign above Condoleeza's water fountain, and didn't respond late to the hurricane because the people in NOLA are "so poor, and so black".
The government didn't respond quickly because their top priority was finishing out vacations and bridges in Alaska. They didn't respond quickly because of retarded beaurocracy and cluster-fuck communications. They didn't respond quickly because of pure blatent incompetance.
But race didn't have anything to do with their response.
The reason that most victims of the storm are poor black people is because NOLA is a poor black city. It was a poor black city full of poor black victims prior to Katrina, and its a poor black city, full of poor black dead victims now. That's not because GWB hated black people so much that he didn't act quickly enough. The same thing would have happened if the city was heavily populated by poor Jews, poor chinks, or even poor white-as-salt cracker-ass Dixie-whistlin' good ole boys.
In the four years that I've called Memphis, TN my home, I've made an observation. While there are alot of extraordinarily intelligent and responsible African Americans in this city, there is also a sizable contingent who thinks that I personally shot Martin Luther King, Jr. and would haul their barefoot and whipped black asses back to the cotton fields if I had the chance.
These left-overs from the civil rights era truly believe that the white man is keeping the brother down. Nevermind the fact that the ignorant fools who tend to think this way are also often times the same ignorant fools who don't do their damned jobs, educate themselves, or otherwise seek to improve their situation any way other than by filing EEOC complaints against their white supervisors for reprimanding them when they've been late for the 11th consecutive work day because "they baby-mamma-drama is outta control".
Interestingly, I had never heard of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) until I moved here. Black people in Washington either do their jobs or don't. But generally speaking, they don't file federal complaints when they get fired for fucking up on the job. In Memphis, if a manager looks at an African American employee wrong. One white person gets a job that they were the most qualified candidate for, and a complaint forces HR to go on a McCarthyistic witch hunt to find all the nigger-haters in the company. Retarded.
This isn't to say that there are no racist white managers in the world who are discriminating against minorities. I'm queer. I've very aware that people are treated unfairly or judged prematurely on a regular basis. But I can't blame every reprocussion for improper actions I've taken on something as foolish and elementary as "the Man". That gives others far too much power.
