OneAngryCultist: The Spirit of Occupy - Witness Under Fire

Tuesday was a day in which I witnessed first-hand the Occupy community of Seattle undergo a rebirth, a baptism of sorts, as well as possibly one of the most atrocious acts of brutality against demonstrators during which many non-violent demonstrators were indiscriminately pepper-sprayed including a blind woman, a priest, a non-denominational chaplain, a pregnant woman as well as friends and acquaintances caught in the cross-fires.

Although I was blocked off from being able one of those caught in the fray due to an ill-timed restroom break, when I was able to catch up to the group the first thing I saw was people corralled between Battery and Wall Street on Third Avenue and the first person I met coming out of that was Reverend Rich Lang of University Methodist Temple in the University District; the same man I had been walking alongside earlier as an individual clergy person representing my own gnostic, religious tradition of Thelema. His face was red and tears were coming from his eyes and he was still determined. It was later that I would find out exactly what happened, but seeing his dedication and witness made a very clear impact on me.

The next morning, I woke up and read the following missive that he had written in response to the events that transpired that day, A Pastoral Lament For My Country:

“I praise the courage and compassion, the discipline and the decency of the Occupy Movement. Out of the rag-tag mob came help, grabbing my hands, leading me (I was blind by then) to the wall and administering care and concern for my well being. The protesters were assembled around all the wounded, and maintained the discipline of nonviolence (granted the nonviolence was in behavior but not language). And they were not afraid. The spraying had been a baptism sealing them into the security of knowing that their prophecy of repentance was indeed the Spirit-Word through them --- it is as if they did not prophecy their very bones would melt within them. Against the wall in increasing pain and burning I realized I was in the midst of church.”

Reverend Rich is but one of the chaplains and religious who were pepper-sprayed that day, the other being Tsukina Blessing, amidst many others of varying religious and non-religious stripes gathered as a community to demonstrate against this country’s grave social and economic inequalities. In the course of that baptism by pepper-spray, Occupy ceased being a group of rag-tag demonstrators and transformed into an ekklesía - a community of believers – indeed, a church.

Although some may object to my overt use of religious language in describing Occupy, the fact is that we are all here in faith that we can restore some level of sanity to this country that has for too long strayed away from its true course and which we are all determined to bear witness to and restore to the brightness and wholeness that is capable of being – in Christian terms, “a city on the hill” for all to see and share in its blessings. In Occupy I have seen proof that in this movement there are many mansions to be found in every tent and every committee meeting and there is room at every table. This is what America can look like and what we are all fighting for.

Rev. Rich and Tsukina are true spiritual warriors, among the many participating in Occupy across the country. They are inspirations of endeavor and I admire them and all clergy, chaplains and participants in Occupy. Their demonstration of peace under fire is something, I think, all occupiers can learn from and put into practice and something that will make the movement succeed and prosper even more.

Occupy Wall Street: Vile Police Tactics And How You Can Help

Things are intensifying in the continuing occupation of Wall Street, where protests are entering their tenth day tomorrow.  This footage was captured on the scene this weekend, depicting penned-in protesters who were pepper-sprayed without provocation in what appears to be a purely retributive assault on people making use of their First Amendment right to free speech.  The video might disturb some of you, as the female protester's agonized screaming touched a horrified chord for me:




This is heinous.  Not only were these women doing nothing more dangerous than shouting slogans, they were clearly penned in and controlled in a manner that rendered them essentially harmless.  They were clearly no danger to any of the police officers present.

The culprit, one Deputy Inspector Bologna, has been identified, thanks to a photographer on the scene.  However, the NYPD is defending Bologna's actions, as reported by The Atlantic:

According to the NYT, the chief police spokesman, Paul Browne, said that the policeman used pepper spray "appropriately." Great. On the video we can't hear what either side is saying. But at face value, the casualness of the officer who saunters over, sprays right in the women's eyes, and then slinks away without a backward glance, as if he'd just put down an animal, does not match my sense of "appropriate" behavior by officers of the law in a free society.

This is insane.  These women are victims of violent crime at the hands of the New York City Police Department, it's quite clear.  However, the Department's spokesperson has now accused activists of editing the video in order to paint the act as criminal behavior.  Camera people on-site have submitted multiple videos to make it quite clear that no editing has taken place, but still no action has been taken against Deputy Investigator Bologna.

In other Wall Street protest news, Noam Chomsky, a renowned philosopher and scholar in political fields, issued a statement of support for the protests, as found on the Occupy Wall Street website:

Anyone with eyes open knows that the gangsterism of Wall Street -- financial institutions generally -- has caused severe damage to the people of the United States (and the world). And should also know that it has been doing so increasingly for over 30 years, as their power in the economy has radically increased, and with it their political power. That has set in motion a vicious cycle that has concentrated immense wealth, and with it political power, in a tiny sector of the population, a fraction of 1%, while the rest increasingly become what is sometimes called "a precariat" -- seeking to survive in a precarious existence. They also carry out these ugly activities with almost complete impunity -- not only too big to fail, but also "too big to jail." 

The courageous and honorable protests underway in Wall Street should serve to bring this calamity to public attention, and to lead to dedicated efforts to overcome it and set the society on a more healthy course.

If you, like me, support the Wall Street protesters, I'm going to ask you to click here and donate to the cause.  You can choose which fund to give to from a variety of options, to include their media fund and their food fund.  You can even order pizzas for them online, as local pizzeria Liberatos has created an "occu-pie" for the occasion (please order vegan or vegetarian pizzas only).

Remember, they may be in New York City, but they're standing up for all of our rights across America.

I was going to ask for original footage if any of my readers are in New York, and it would honestly be great if I could run some original stuff on OAQ, but if you live in NYC and do decide to attend the protests, please be very very careful to not run awry of the local authorities.  Things are getting dangerous.

I really.  Really.  Wish I was in New York.

Trial Watch: Students Testify About Shooting

Today was an emotional day in the courtroom of the Brandon McInerney murder/hate crime trial, with the prosecution calling witnesses to the stand to describe the actual shooting of Lawrence King.

While no motive was given for the shooting during testimony, one female student wept and clung to her mother's hand while describing the scene.

Today's actions were fairly cut-and-dry, with a small twist that might damage the prosecution's case that McInerney was a white supremacist.  The cross-examination for the defense revealed an interesting fact: even though materials on Nazi philosophy were found amongst McInerney's belongings, student witnesses mentioned that the defendant mostly hung out with black student athletes.

Will this actually damage the proposition that he had white supremacist leanings?  I don't know.  I think it's plausible, however, for a young man of his confused background to justify espousing such philosophy while maintaining relationships with minorities.  After all, isn't it a favored meme with religious conservatives to spout, "Some of my best friends are gay!  However, they're still sick, diseased, evil, sinning human beings who should have their rights taken away."

Trial Watch: Opening Statements

The McInerney trial's opening statements were delivered today, with some very differing opinions offered by the defense and prosecution.

The defense was quick to paint Larry King as a sexual predator and oppressor, with McInerney turning to the only possible solution to ending a tragic school-time victimization: shooting his tormentor. 

 

"McInerney’s lawyer, Scott Wippert, argued that King -- and not his client -- was the aggressor. He said King targeted McInerney for sexual harassment, making flirtatious remarks, and had humiliated him.

"King was encouraged in his effeminate behavior and dress by school administrators who said he was within his rights to dress that way, Wippert said.

For his part, McInerney was 'a confused, emotionally torn 14-year-old from a violent home who saw no other way out than to shoot Larry,' Wippert said. 'It was a heat-of-the-moment decision.'"

This story casting King in the role of the bully has serious problems, with the defense outlining upcoming testimony from fellow students indicating that the defendant was overheard giving threats to shoot King the day before.

"King was bullied by McInerney and other boys at the school, Deputy Dist. Atty. Maeve Fox said in her opening statement in the trial, which is being conducted at a courthouse in Chatsworth. But shortly before his death, King had begun wearing high heels, makeup and earrings to school and had become more confident in himself, she said.

"'Larry King for the first time in his life wasn’t taking it anymore,” Fox said. 'And he started to give people what I prefer to call the proverbial chin. Only it was more profane. The proverbial "f ... you."'

"The day before King was shot, the two boys had been bickering in a eighth-grade science class, she said. When King got up to get a drink of water, 'Brandon said "I am going to shoot him." And this is what a student will testify to.'"

McInerney's older brother has been banned from the proceedings, as before the trial he waited outside the courtroom and told jury members "My brother's life is in your hands." The judge declared it inappropriate and insisted the man, James Bing, stay out of the courtroom unless called to witness.

Unfortunately, this trial seems doomed to become a circus, with antics from the defense and McInerney's family aimed at smearing a dead 14-year-old's name.  More updates as the trial continues this week.

OneAngryCultist: This Week in Religion

In a far cry from the apparent unity exhibited above by Muslims and Christians during the protests against Mubarak this past January, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom recommended Egypt be included in their list of countries of particular concern (CPCs)for violations against religious freedom along with Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

“CPCs are nations whose conduct marks them as the world’s worst religious freedom violators and human rights abusers," said USCIRF Chair Leonard Leo. “In the case of Egypt, instances of severe religious freedom violations engaged in or tolerated by the government have increased dramatically since the release of last year’s report, with violence, including murder, escalating against Coptic Christians and other religious minorities. Since President Mubarak’s resignation from office in February, such violence continues unabated without the government’s bringing the perpetrators to justice. Consequently, USCIRF recommends CPC designation for Egypt.”

Despite being one of the foremost secular nations in the Arab world, followers of the world's two largest religions continue to have issues playing nicely in the sand-box.



In another "come to Jesus moment", there's been a some very vocal outcries taking place regarding the slated May 1st beatification of late Pope John Paul II by (now Pope) Benedict XVI in particular surrounding the former pope's blindness and inactivity regarding clerical child abuse cases that have scandalized the church. The Nation Reports:

"Moreover, on the greatest internal crisis facing the church, [John Paul II] failed, time and again, to take decisive action in response to clear evidence of a criminal underground in the priesthood, a subculture that sexually traumatized tens of thousands of youngsters. Despite a 1984 warning memo from the Rev. Thomas Doyle, then a canon lawyer in the Vatican Embassy in Washington, and a ninety-three-page report on the problem co-written by Doyle in 1985, which was sent to every American bishop, John Paul ordered no outreach to victims, no binding policy to rid the priesthood of deviants. In 1989 the US conference of bishops sent experts in canon law to Rome, seeking a streamlined process for defrocking child molesters rather than waiting for the byzantine Vatican bureaucracy and final word from the pope. John Paul refused. Litigation and prosecutions spread, but the pope remained passive."

Interestingly, and much to the contention of the more anti-Ratzingers reading this blog, during his curate as prefect for the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, then Cardinal Ratzinger did much to try and handle the emerging child-abuse problems and make sure that offending priests were brought to justice... unfortunately he didn't get far and was met with some hostility by other cardinals and the late pope for his actions. Maybe he's not such a bad guy after all.



Stepping away from monotheist drama, did you know that May 2nd is Pagan Coming Out Day? Neither did I - at least until I read the update from my favorite Pagan blog The Wild Hunt, which conveniently links to the official site for International Pagan Coming Out Day:

Coming out to someone is a decision only you can make and it’s a decision best made when you are ready to do so. IPCOD encourages Pagans who are ready to come on out!

There are benefits, personally and for our religious community as a whole, as more Pagans come out. Some of these benefits include the reduction of anxiety caused by living a double life and creating a climate of greater acceptance for all Pagans.

While I personally have some issue with the appropriation of the term "coming out" on this particular and other issues, there are a lot of benefits to coming out pagan, particularly if you're queer such as:

1.) No angry, lightning-flinging sky fairies (unless you're into that sort of thing).

2.) You can quit having to find excuses or lie in order to to avoid church or awkward holidays with the family if there's an overt religious cover.

3.) Pagan festivals can be pretty fun...

4.) ...and there's a lot of hot pagan guys and gals...

5.) ...and sometimes nudity...

6.) ...and, generally speaking, sex and sexuality are celebrated.

7.) You can say, "No" to guilt, shame and Hell.

8.) NUDITY!!!

9.) You can have a big party every six weeks in honor of the god/s/esses of your choice.

10.) MOAR NUDITY!!!

Happy Birthday Ronald Reagan

It is now February 6th, 2011, and it's the 100th birthday of Ronald Reagan.

1911-2004

Frequently touted as the "President who won the Cold War" and "The Great Communicator," the Republican party has gone rabid in recent weeks in an orgiastic display of hero worship, capitalizing on his birthday in order to sell Reagan memorabilia.  The Republican party, you see, is deeply in debt by millions, a legacy left behind by Michael Steele, the former party chair. 

Legacies. 

As I see this adulation of "The Great Communicator," I find myself pondering the legacy of the 40th president, and I wonder what there is to inspire this level of worship.  Gay folk have very little to thank him for, and if you were an adult during the time of his presidency, you would have a lot of reason to hate him.

Here's the thing:  AIDS started appearing during the Reagan years.  Suddenly, gay people were dropping like flies.  We needed an organized plan to fight this disease, and we needed strong leadership to help those sickened and dying. 

We needed the "Great Communicator" to communicate about more than space aliens (that's right, he was concerned about attacks from space).  We needed our president to address something that was killing us off by the thousands.  20-30,000 of us died in those dark years before he even said the word AIDS.

Instead of advocating practices to halt the spread of HIV, his administration attacked the surgeon general for promoting the use of condoms.  Instead of pouring money into fighting against this deadly virus, the CDC was underfunded.

Instead of protecting thousands of Americans, he avoided even talking about their deaths as if they hadn't existed.  Because we were gay.  Because we were "icky."

We did exist.  People watched as their partners, loved ones, friends wasted away and died in agony.  They didn't have to, but we have the Reagan administration to thank for that.

I have HIV. 

I'm lucky.  I'm very lucky.  I contracted the virus during a time when America pays attention.  My medicine is so powerful that I have stayed undetectable for the past year, and I believe that I will live a rich and full life well into old age.  Reagan lived to be 93, and I believe I will get there someday.

There were too many that didn't.  People who died in their 20s, 30s, 40s-- young Ryan White, who taught America that people with AIDS had faces, didn't even live to see his high school graduation.

Legacies.  These people are the legacy of Ronald Reagan.  As the reverence and idolatry of this man reaches its climax today, all I can think about are the people he wouldn't admit existed.  They did.  Their flames burnt bright and died out, and we will always remember them. 

Happy Birthday, Ronald Reagan. 

Egypt: Day of Departure

Violence has reached a fever pitch in Egypt, with 500,000 (in a city of 4 million) flooding the streets in Alexandria and over 2 million choking downtown Cairo.

Journalists have started fleeing the country.  Brian Williams and Katie Couric have already flown out, while the normally intrepid Anderson Cooper is broadcasting from his laptop from an undisclosed location.  "I'm a little bit scared," he admits, and boy howdy I don't blame him.  It seems that international journalists are being ousted from covering the unrest in Egypt, and he would do well to hide from the violence.

Today is a huge day for anti-Mubarak protesters.  It has been dubbed "The Day of Departure," the day when the nation comes together to demand that Hosni Mubarak relinquish his grip on power.  With Joe Biden calling the Vice President Suleiman and Mubarak being contacted by Barack Obama, it appears that international support for the autocrat has dissipated-- now even his ally, the United States, is urging him to step down.  How can he last the day with his office intact?  It doesn't seem likely, and we may be on the verge of seeing a 30-year dictator toppled from his seat.

Far from the victory we thought had mollified the masses in Egypt days ago, Mubarak's promise to not seek re-election was not enough.  Now, the world watches breathless, and damn, this is fucking exciting.

Sultan Al-Qassemi, who has live-tweeted an emotional story telling of a country shrugging off it's oppressors, says that the protests have crossed cultures and religions, with both Muslims and Christians joining in shouting "Down, down, with Mubarak."

I'm watching the live coverage on Al-Jazeera English, and I can say that the crowds shouting in unison is one of the most amazing, powerful things I have ever seen in my life-- and I've witnessed the fall of a government. I've seen an Arab country reinvent itself.  This... this is amazing.  This is the most populous nation of the Arab world discovering that democracy equals the voice of the people-- wow.

If you're awake right now, watch here:

[AlJazeera] 

Zach Wahls and the Rest of America Under 40: WTF is Your Problem?

In a speech many are calling "electrifying," Zach Wahls got up in front of the Iowa legislature and told those mamma jammas that he was raised by two moms-- and he turned out amazingly.  You only have to listen to his words to agree.  The Force is strong with this one.



I saw this much earlier in the day and didn't really know what to say-- after all, Zach says it all eloquently himself.  However, this is what comes to mind when I feel despair over the conservative bumps in the road on the path to true American equality:  This kid, and kids like him, are our future.  The religious right tries so hard to retard progress in the United States.  Well, folks, you can't.  Not only are there people-- regular Americans, each and every one of us-- who fight against injustice with words and action, but the children... the children whose future you claim to protect stand with us.

Barbara Bush (the younger) just released a video stating her support for gay marriage, joining Meghan McCain in the ranks of young Republicans who have a fucking clue.  Why don't you?  Does what Zach say mean nothing?  Are you so intent on earning the vote of middle-aged bigots that you want to hinder and impede his little sister's future?

 Thanks, Barb!  Now, uh, put down the bottle.  Really.

If you really cared about the children, you would listen to his plea, and you would listen to your children.  They are the future, and they will judge your efforts today.

Two Million People Flood Streets, Rejoice as Mubarak Announces the End of His Rule

Hosni Mubarak announced today that he would not be seeking re-election.  While this was not the resignation that many Egyptians were calling for, the 2 million people crowding the streets of Cairo broke into joyful celebration at the conclusion of Mubarak's address.

"Mubarak, 82, would be the second Arab leader pushed from office by a popular uprising in the history of the modern Middle East, following the ouster last month of Tunisia's president.

"The movement to drive Mubarak out has been built on the work of on-line activists and fueled by deep frustration with an autocratic regime blamed for ignoring the needs of the poor and allowing corruption and official abuse to run rampant. After years of tight state control, protesters emboldened by the Tunisia unrest took to the streets on Jan. 25 and mounted a once-unimaginable series of protests across this nation of 80 million people - the region's most populous country."

It boggles the mind.  Ian:  Officially boggled.  Congrats to Egypt on their victory achieved through protest and civil disobedience. 

[HuffPo]

The Fifth That Can't Learn: Egyptian Unrest and the China That Should Hear About It

Once again, the Chinese government has failed the Chinese people.

I have a feeling Hosni is fucked.

Egypt has, for the past few days, been embroiled in riots and unrest as the Egyptian people take to the streets protesting Hosni Mubarak's 30 year-old reign in the North African country.  While violence rocks Cairo, the Internet cuts off, and Mubarak refuses to step down, the world waits with bated breath to see the outcome of this story... Will change come to Egypt, or will the 82-year old president hold onto his office?  Whatever the outcome, we can definitely say that Egypt has changed in a profound way-- either politically or in the hearts of its people.  Everyone is enthralled.

Well, almost everyone.

"China has blocked the word 'Egypt' from the country's wildly popular Twitter-like service, while coverage of the political turmoil has been tightly restricted in state media.

"China's ruling Communist Party is sensitive to any potential source of social unrest.

"A search for 'Egypt' on the Sina microblogging service brings up a message saying, 'According to relevant laws, regulations and policies, the search results are not shown.'"

I would to state unequivocally that nothing makes me as angry as censorship.  I read this article (link below) and I get furious.  I might have a few things to say.

First of all:  The Chinese government blows.  The only reason we talk to them is because they have goods, and we want those goods.  Period.  Otherwise, we would have classed the human rights violations the government routinely commits against its people as sanction worthy and would have nothing to do with these despots. 

Plus, how stupid do you have to be?  Egypt blocked Twitter when the protesting started-- and it only served to enrage people and attract attention to the issue worldwide.  Does the Communist Party and its puppet agencies like Xinhua think that they can get away with this level of arrogance?

 He calls himself a President.  I call him the oppressor of over a billion people.

Worse, I object to using the phraseology "China blocked the word 'Egypt.'"  China didn't do this.  The Chinese government did this.  Why do I care about this?  It's pretty important, and it's also why the ruling party does not want the Chinese people-- does not want China-- to learn about the unrest taking place in Egypt even as I write this post.

Here's the thing.  20% of the world's population lives in China.  That means that as long as the media is restricted regarding the protests in Egypt one fifth of the human race is kept from learning about something happening in a powerful Arab nation.  That is what boggles my mind and surely terrifies the Hu Jintao regime-- the greatest people on Earth are being kept from being told that a nation's populace can topple an unjust ruler.  

Who is China?  Is it the few assholes who made this stupid policy decision and restricted information that is on every street corner in Washington DC, Paris, London, and Sydney?  Or is it the 20% of humanity that suffers under the depredations of said assholes?  China is not the the single-party "Republic" that does the ordering, but instead the people in the cities, in the country, in Beijing and along the Yellow River.  It is a sleeping giant waiting to be awakened, and it will be truly terrifying if it wakes up angry.

The Communist Party of China would do well to remember that, and act accordingly... because someday China will remember, and then the few who oppress the many will pay.  I can't say they won't deserve it.

I look forward to seeing the events in Egypt unfold.  I hope justice prevails, and I hope that the violence and bloodshed taking place in Egypt, while terrible, buys freedom from an unjust rule and true democracy for a beleaguered nation.  

And I hope China gets to hear about it.

[News.com.au]

Click here to learn about the political unrest in Egypt. 

More Lies From the Same Douchebags

Via Towleroad:

"An aide from Sarah Palin is now attempting to back-pedal by making the ridiculous claim that the cross-hairs on her target map, are not what they appear to be: 'We never ever, ever intended it to be gun sights. It was simply cross-hairs like you'd see on maps,' said Rebecca Mansour on the Tammy Bruce radio show. Moreover, there was 'nothing irresponsible' about the image, and to draw a line connecting Palin and Saturday's shooting is 'obscene' and 'appalling.'"

What's obscene is your dedication to lying to the American people.  What shitbags.  Do they really think that we-- and the gun nuts they pander to-- believe this line of crap?

Those aren't cross-hairs!  They are happy bunny pictures.  Thank GAWD Americans are dumb!

This bitch-- she can't be serious.  The disrespect she is schlocking at us is staggering.  If this weren't such a deadly-- as shown yesterday-- gaffe, I'd name her OAQ's Comedian of the Week.  Maybe a new award is in order?  Most Dangerous Politician?  Irresponsible Crackpot of the Month?

Daniel Hernandez: Big Gay Hero

Gabby Gifford, who was attacked yesterday in Tucson, may very well owe her life to this college intern:

 Big Gay Hero Daniel, on the far right.

Hernandez calmly describes rushing towards the gunfire and performing triage on the Congresswoman in the CNN interview below.  His story, and his humility when asked about his heroism, is amazing:




[FoxNewsLatino]

The fallout continues today, with liberals and even one Republican Senator (who spoke on condition of anonymity) condemning this attack as a product of hateful political vitriol on behalf of right-wing candidates such as Sarah Palin.  Below is Keith Olbermann's impassioned plea to return sanity to political discourse:



Partial transcript here:

"This morning in Arizona, this time of the ever-escalating, borderline-ecstatic invocation of violence in fact or in fantasy in our political discourse, closed. It is essential tonight not to demand revenge, but to demand justice; to insist not upon payback against those politicians and commentators who have so irresponsibly brought us to this time of domestic terrorism, but to work to change the minds of them and their supporters - or if those minds tonight are too closed, or if those minds tonight are too unmoved, or if those minds tonight are too triumphant, to make sure by peaceful means that those politicians and commentators and supporters have no further place in our system of government.

"If Sarah Palin, whose website put and today scrubbed bullseye targets on 20 Representatives including Gabby Giffords, does not repudiate her own part in amplifying violence and violent imagery in politics, she must be dismissed from politics - she must be repudiated by the members of her own party, and if they fail to do so, each one of them must be judged to have silently defended this tactic that today proved so awfully foretelling, and they must in turn be dismissed by the responsible members of their own party.

"If Jesse Kelly, whose campaign against Congresswoman Giffords included an event in which he encouraged his supporters to join him firing machine guns, does not repudiate this, and does not admit that even if it was solely indirectly, or solely coincidentally, it contributed to the black cloud of violence that has envellopped our politics, he must be repudiated by Arizona's Republican Party.

"If Congressman Allen West, who during his successful campaign told his supporters that they should make his opponent afraid to come out of his home, does not repudiate those remarks and all other suggestions of violence and forced fear, he should be repudiated by his constituents and the Republican Congressional Caucus.

"If Sharron Angle, who spoke of 'Second Amendment solutions,' does not repudiate that remark and urge her supporters to think anew of the terrible reality of what her words implied, she must be repudiated by her supporters in Nevada.

"If the Tea Party leaders who took out of context a Jefferson quote about blood and tyranny and the tree of liberty do not understand - do not understand tonight, now what that really means, and these leaders do not tell their followers to abhor violence and all threat of violence, then those Tea Party leaders must be repudiated by the Republican Party.

"If Glenn Beck, who obsesses nearly as strangely as Mr. Loughner did about gold and debt and who wistfully joked about killing Michael Moore, and Bill O'Reilly, who blithely repeated 'Tiller the Killer' until the phrase was burned into the minds of his viewers, do not begin their next broadcasts with solemn apologies for ever turning to the death-fantasies and the dreams of bloodlust, for ever having provided just the oxygen to those deep in madness to whom violence is an acceptable solution, then those commentators and the others must be repudiated by their viewers, and by all politicians, and by sponsors, and by the networks that employ them.

"And if those of us considered to be 'on the left' do not re-dedicate ourselves to our vigilance to eliminate all our own suggestions of violence - how ever inadvertent they might have been then we too deserve the repudiation of the more sober and peaceful of our politicians and our viewers and our networks."

The death toll is currently six, to include a federal judge and 9-year-old Christina Greene, who was just elected to her student council at her elementary school.

This picture should haunt those politicians and pundits who encourage an atmosphere of fear and violence amongst our voters.  People ask me sometimes why I'm angry-- this is why.

I'm thankful for heroes like Daniel Hernandez who are able to bring a ray of light to dark times like these.  I weep that it was too late for Christina Greene.

Sarah Palin Pulls Graphic, Releases Generic Insert-Name-Here Statement

Ms. Palin's strategy for becoming President.

Almost immediately after pulling the crosshairs graphic urging Teabaggers to remove pro-health care candidates from office, Sarah Palin released the following statement:

"My sincere condolences are offered to the family of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the other victims of today's tragic shooting in Arizona.

"On behalf of Todd and my family, we all pray for the victims and their families, and for peace and justice."

LAME, Sarah.  Maybe you should respond to allegations that you helped contribute to an atmosphere of violent retribution.  Do you wish for "peace" and "justice" by instructing your rabid fans "Don't Retreat!  Reload"?

Would you like Mr. Loughner to reload?

What a lame piece of crap this woman is.

[HuffPo]

AZ Congresswoman Attacked By Lunatic, Hospitalized. Is There a Palin Connection?

Tragedy struck in AZ today.

Gabrielle Giffords, Democratic Congresswoman and health care reform was shot at a supermarket meet-and-greet she was holding in order to talk about local issues with her constituents.  She was attacked by 22-year old who shot and injured 12 others.

We still don't know why Jared Loughner attacked her, but theories and suspicions abound-- such as the fact that Sarah Palin listed her as a "targeted" politician.  SarahPAC, her political action committee, released a disturbing graphic with gun sights over the states of the targeted congresspeople-- identifying the individuals to be unseated and, some say, inadvertently inciting violence against them.

"It's impossible to know this early what the motivations for the attack were. Was the alleged shooter — who, according to the AP, has been identified as man in his 20s named Jared Loughner — angry about immigration? Or perhaps another hot-button issue? Last March, at the height of the health care reform battle, Giffords' office was vandalized. She mentioned in an MSNBC interview that a Sarah Palin mailer had depicted her district in the crosshair of a gun sight. 'They've got to realize there are consequences to that,' she said. 'The rhetoric is incredibly heated.' The corner next to her office had also become, she said, a popular spot for Tea Party protests."

Her objections are almost eerie considering what happened today.

I hope that Mr. Loughner didn't attack her based on some sick idea derived from irresponsible politics.  When are these Tea Bagger rifle-toting loons going to realize that they are using terrorist imagery and rhetoric-- that people like Sarah Palin aren't using the brains God gave them, instead relying on disgusting, vicious graphics like the one below?

In these times, when we have politicians threatening "second-amendment solutions," can we really afford to be this irresponsible?

I've changed my mind.  I wanted Sarah Palin to run for President-- easy win for the left, isn't it?  However, if she is going to use her spotlight to endanger her opponents like this, we really can't afford her to run.  Unfortunately, we might not have a choice-- she has decided to cancel her own reality show in order to organize for a 2012 run for the highest office in the land.

I miss it when she was just the governor of Alaska.

[Time.com]

UPDATE:  Rep. Gifford's surgeon is optimistic about her recovery, and President Obama responds to the attack. 





UPDATE:  The following image is the attacker.

He also has a YouTube channel-- and boy howdy, is it CRAZY.  His videos are haunting and display a twisted pathology.  My psych geek friend had this to say:

"Language analysis suggests disorganized thought disorder, but at the same time he's created some kind of incoherent cypher that indicates that there's something at work in his brain."

I agreed.  He clearly can reason-- there is a logical progression in his statements-- but they are just such fucking CRAZY statements.  Click to get spooked:




UPDATE:  Palin has taken down her "crosshairs" graphic.  Either a) she realizes she did something awful or b) she's trying to hide it.  I can't wait to see what she has to say about today's attack.  Brace yourself for some bullshit, friends.

2011: The Year of Acceptance

This mom might be my new personal hero.

5-year old Dyson has decided that he just LOVES to wear dresses.  When he asked to be a princess for Halloween, his mother initially resisted, until her older son said "Why won't you just let him be happy?"




Wow.  At a time when kids are killing themselves because people bully them for being different, parents like these are a ray of hope.  This mom and dad realized that the problem wasn't that their son was different-- it was that they needed to accept his differences.

"'I like to dress up in different kinda clothes, and jewelry,' says Dyson. His favorite outfit of all is that of a princess. Cheryl Kilodavis and her husband, Dean, came to accept and embrace their son and his budding, authentic self. When Dyson decided that he was going to wear a princess costume to his school's Halloween day, Cheryl called the school and told them what was going on. Dyson's teacher, Judith Hart, called together the entire staff for support and she got it-even three of the school's most 'macho' male employees dressed as ballerinas for the day to show support for the 'Princess Boy'!"

What an amazing story.

Conservatives: We're Losing the Culture Wars! America is Lost! OAQ: You're Right! You Should Move to Mexico.

Of course, as evidenced by my recent posts on the Mexican state of affairs, I really shouldn't wish these jabronis on them.

Retired.  For a reason.

Pam Spaulding's Facebook page clued me in to this great column on CitizenLink, an affiliate of Focus on the Family.  Please note that FoF just barely escaped being listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.  The author, retired Colonel and tired bigot Bill Spencer, had this to say:

"But for today, I fear that our military members in the field are left with these thoughts: 'Does my country not think of me that much? Does the country think it should hobble its forces in the field with these distractions during time of war?  Does the country require us to deal with this, as well? Am I indeed a patriot without a country? What moral madness awaits us next? When bullets are flying at me, and everyone back home is apparently just thinking about themselves and their own private behaviors, it’s too much to ask of me to sacrifice my life.'

"I ask you, fellow citizen, after Saturday’s vote, would you give your life for our Senate? Would you give your life for our president? Or, would you go home to your family? Sadly, you know the answers already. If you never made a phone call or never entered the debate on this issue, it’s too late to care now."

I sometimes feel the need to reiterate to chumps like this fogey:  America wasn't founded on the principle that the majority can discriminate against the minority, asshole.  Any soldier who believed that his place in the Armed Services, the finest group of men and women I have ever met, was to reinforce the backwards ideals and homophobic notions of fringe bigots-- it isn't his place to be in the military.  He needs to get out, and he needs to become an out-of-work plumber. Somewhere else.

Because of this simple reason:  This is America, goddammit.  I swore to protect the Constitution of the United States of America, and that document doesn't have room for your hatred.  I am flabbergasted at the notion of any soldier I have ever known-- patriots all-- thinking something this selfish and disgusting.  They would promptly be drummed out at best, or locked up for treason at worst.  To be frank, it doesn't exist. 

Thank God. 

[CitizenLink] OAQ note: Please only click this if you are prepared to view BS.

Ian Awesome: A Complete F--king Idiot.

Evidently I've gone crazy.

yeah, crazy like THIS bitch.  But less gross.

I've decided to walk cross-country and raise awareness and money for AIDS research.  Yeah, it's true.

Click the link below to the blog I will be using to document the project.  While there will be cross-posting, I didn't think it would be necessary to soil that project (it's for the children!!!!) with all the cussing and assholism I give into on here.

I need a hiking buddy.  Hey!  I know!  You like to walk, right?

[One Foot in Front of the Other]

Dan Choi is in the Hospital

 'Ala saHtak, 'azizi. 

So I wasn't going to post about this at all.  Dan is a friend of mine, and while I am concerned about him, I also respect his privacy and wasn't going to spread it all around.  He wanted to make it public, however, so here ya go:  He has decided to seek treatment for stress and is currently in a VA hospital.

Dan Choi (for those of you who don't know) has been, for the past few years, the face of the fight against Don't Ask, Don't Tell.  He has sacrificed his privacy as well as time for the work necessary to bring this huge issue before the American people.  I admired him long before he ever became my friend.  Even if you don't agree with him, you have to admit:  He's got balls.  Unfortunately, the stress of being center stage can be hugely crushing, and Dan is having a hard time right now.

He released to Pam Spaulding the following statement:

I did not initially want to publicize this but I now realize it is critical for our community to know several things: veterans gay or straight carry human burdens, Activists share similar burdens, no activist should be portrayed as super human, and the failures of government and national lobbying carry consequences far beyond the careers and reputations of corporate leaders, elected officials, High powered lobbyists, or political elites. They ruin lives. My breakdown was a result of a cumulative array of stressors but there is no doubt that the composite betrayals felt on Thursday, by elected leaders and gay organizations as well as many who have exploited my name for their marketing purposes have added to the result. I am certain my experience is not an isolated incident within the gay veteran community.  At the same time, those who have been closest to me know that I truly appreciate their gracious help and mentorship. I am indebted to their hospitality and leadership.

I am, understandably I think, upset about the news and wish Dan a speedy recovery.  If you have well-wishes for him, please leave them in the comments and I will ensure he gets them.  

The Cure for HIV?

This news got me really fucking excited, and a little bit hopeful.

"On the heels of World AIDS Day comes a stunning medical breakthrough: Doctors believe an HIV-positive man who underwent a stem cell transplant has been cured as a result of the procedure.
Timothy Ray Brown, also known as the 'Berlin Patient,' received the transplant in 2007 as part of a lengthy treatment course for leukemia. His doctors recently published a report in the journal Blood affirming that the results of extensive testing 'strongly suggest that cure of HIV infection has been achieved.'"

I'm trying to not get TERRIBLY excited-- the procedure Mr. Brown underwent is expensive, risky, and painful.  However, this opens up a whole new world of research possibilities.

So, conservatives that think stem cell research is immoral:  Suck it.  I have HIV.  I don't want it anymore.  I hope, and I pray, every day, that a cure will come in my lifetime.  If it comes in the form of stem cell transplants-- hell yeah.  Sock it to me.

[HuffPo]

Depressing Shit Just in Time for the Holidays

The Ali Forney Center in New York City is a program for homeless youth (about a quarter of which are LGBT) that assists them in finding shelter.  Their Executive Director Carl Siciliano wrote a post for Joe My God describing the conditions and heartbreaking disappointments brought about by slashed funding.

"Our case managers work valiantly to help find shelter for these kids, but the reality is there are so few safe options for LGBT youth that we are often forced to advise them on how to survive while sleeping in places like subway trains, parks, abandoned buildings and construction sites as they wait for one of our beds to open up. Yesterday one of our case managers described spending the afternoon trying to find shelter for a girl who had just come to us. When his efforts were exhausted and he had to tell her that she would be out on the street for the night, she sat in his office and cried."

These kids are rejected by their families, forced out on the streets, and exposed to violence, the elements, drug use, and prostitution.  The rest of the post is here.  Maybe I'm on my manses but it made me cry, first thing in the morning.

You can help house these poor kids here.