Out Left

Income Inequality 'The Defining Issue Of Our Time'-SOTU 2012 Address Video, Transcript, Links

2012-01-25T08:55:00.001-05:00

http://www.whitehouse.gov/state-of-the-union-2011

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/24/obama-state-of-the-union_n_1229720.html

State Of The Union Address 2012: Obama Calls Income Inequality 'The Defining Issue Of Our Time'

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/24/state-of-the-union-address-2012_n_1229510.html

Obama To Announce Mortgage Crisis Unit
Chaired By New York Attorney General Schneiderman

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/24/obama-housing-crisis-unit_n_1229617.html

Obama State Of The Union Speech Calls For Job Training, Unemployment Insurance Reform

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/24/obama-state-of-the-union-speech_n_1229769.html

Obama's State Of The Union Address: Everybody Must Play By The Same Rules

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/24/obama-state-of-the-union_n_1229720.html

State Of The Union Speech Text

Obama Greets Gabrielle Giffords At 2012 State Of The Union

GSA Day-January 25th

2012-01-25T08:45:00.000-05:00

http://gsaday.org/

Celebrate National GSA Day: January 25th, 2012

Gay-Straight Alliances have been forming in schools and colleges across America, bringing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight allied people together to stop bullying, homophobia, transphobia and hate. Now, its time to celebrate their work!

Get Ready For The SOTU Speech Tonight-9PM ET

2012-01-24T14:09:00.000-05:00

Watch State-of-the-Union 2012

President Barack Obama will deliver his State of the Union address at 9:00 p.m. ET. During that speech, he’ll lay out his vision for an America where hard work and responsibility are rewarded, where everyone does their fair share, and where everyone is held accountable for what they do. There is a range of ways to get involved with this year’s State of the Union address.

There will be an online-only enhanced version of the speech, featuring data and graphics, live while the President is speaking. Watch the enhanced version at www.whitehouse.gov/sotu.
Immediately after the speech, Senior White House advisors will answer your questions about the President’s address submitted via twitter (use #WHChat & #SOTU), Facebook and an in-person audience of tweetup participants.
Top Administration officials will continue to answer "Office Hours through Twitter" through the rest of the week. Check out the full schedule of experts, dates and times at www.whitehouse.gov/sotu.
On January 30, President Obama will join a special Google+ Hangout from the West Wing to answer your questions about the speech. Just visit the White House YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/whitehouse to submit your questions and vote for your favorites between now and January 28. A few participants will be chosen to join the President in the Google+ Hangout to ask their questions of the President live!

Speech Talking Points: An America Built to Last

-- In his State of the Union Address, the President will lay out a blueprint for an economy that's built to last -- an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.

-- The President believes this is a make or break moment for the middle class and those trying to reach it. What's at stake is the very survival of the basic American promise that if you work hard, you can do well enough to raise a family, own a home, and put a little away for retirement.

-- The defining issue of our time is how to keep that promise alive. No challenge is more urgent; no debate is more important. We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while more Americans barely get by. Or we can build a nation where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules.

-- The fact is, the economic security of the middle class has eroded for decades. Long before the recession, good jobs and manufacturing began leaving our shores. Hard work stopped paying off for too many Americans. Those at the top saw their incomes rise like never before, but the vast majority of Americans struggled with costs that were growing and paychecks that weren't.

-- In 2008, the house of cards collapsed. Mortgages were sold to people who couldn't afford or understand them. Banks made huge bets and bonuses made with other people's money. It was a crisis that cost us more than eight million jobs and plunged our economy and the world into a crisis from which we are still fighting to recover.

-- The President has been clear that we need to do more to create jobs and help economic growth. But under his leadership and thanks to action taken by this President, the economy is growing again. The economy has added a total of 3.2 million private sector jobs over the last 22 months.

-- American manufacturing is creating jobs for the first time since the late 1990s. The American auto industry is coming back. Today, American oil production is the highest that it's been in eight years. Together, we've agreed to cut the deficit by more than 2 trillion. And the President signed into law new rules to hold Wall Street accountable. He stands on a solid record and tonight will lay out a blueprint that will ensure an economy built to last over the long term.

-- For the first time in nine years, there are no Americans fighting in Iraq. We've decimated al Qaeda's leadership, delivered justice to Osama bin Laden, and put that terrorist network on the path to defeat. We've made important progress in Afghanistan, and begun a transition so Afghans can assume more responsibility. We joined with allies and partners to protect the Libyan people as they ended the regime of Muammar Qaddafi.

-- We cannot go back to an economy based on outsourcing, bad debt, and phony financial profits. The President intends to keep moving forward and rebuild an economy where hard work pays off and responsibility is rewarded -- an economy built to last.(source)

Ten Steps For Radical Revolution USA

2012-01-24T11:31:00.000-05:00

"I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 1967

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-quigley/ten-steps-for-radical-rev_b_1223404.html?ref=impact

Star Trek's Tricorder Medical Scanner May Become Reality, Thanks To Nanotechnology Breakthrough

2012-01-24T11:26:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/21/tricorder_n_1220737.html

Sea Trees: Architects Present Innovative Ways To Create New Ecosystems

2012-01-21T15:30:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/20/sea-trees-green-architecture-photos_n_1218997.html?ref=green&ir=Green

Christopher Rice And Eric Shaw Quinn Discuss Gay Literature

2012-01-21T15:28:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/17/christopher-rice-and-eric-shaw-quinn-gay-literature_n_1210449.html?ref=books&ir=Books

Sign The Petition-Sweden's Transgender Sterilization Law Slammed By International Activists, Politicians

2012-01-21T15:27:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/20/sweden-transgender-sterilization-law-activists_n_1219878.html?ref=gay-voices

Over 61,000 people have signed the petition so far. Click here to view and sign the petition.

'Death Penalty' Anti-Gay Leaflet Suspects Convicted In U.K.

2012-01-21T15:20:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/20/death-penalty-anti-gay-leaflet-suspects-convicted-_n_1219640.html?ref=gay-voices

Destinations Gay and Lesbian Travelers Should Avoid

2012-01-21T15:17:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/katherine-dean/gay-honeymoon-destinations_b_1214362.html#s618056&title=Montenegro

Edmund White And Felice Picano Discuss Gay Literature

2012-01-21T15:15:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/03/felice-picano-and-edmund-white-lgbt-literature_n_1181640.html

'Second Class Citizens,' Planned Gay Rights Movement Documentary, Clip Goes Viral

2012-01-18T14:01:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/17/second-class-citizens-planned-gay-rights-documentary_n_1210779.html?ref=gay-voices

Help Kickstart The Project

His Legacy Continues-Reflecting On Martin Luther King

2012-01-16T10:36:00.000-05:00

A Gift From A Stranger

Today we honor a person who helped to shape the best parts of who I am. We celebrate the way of life he left behind, which was based on principles of inclusion, justice, equality, and peace. By the time I was born Martin Luther King, Jr. had been gone for nearly three years, but the essence of his work and his love of humanity still lived and thrived in the hearts and minds of a generation. His passion and love were filtering into many areas of our society by the time I actually knew who he was, or how and why he had been killed.

It says a lot about Martin Luther King, Jr., that he was able to profoundly influence me in ways that few people ever have. My memories of his physicality are shaped from nothing more than archive footage and photos, but his words and the ideas he held dear were what made him feel like a man who had mentored me as a child. I've never really felt like he was larger than life, a distant iconic figure; I've always felt like he was a trusted elder who constantly gave me sage advice and solace, in a world where it is was hard to find either. I felt like he showed me a path I needed to follow, a destination I needed to get to, and gave me everything I needed to be successful on the journey.

He believed that we could be so much more than we are. He saw all the potential that humanity holds and he let that fuel his efforts. He saw that our potential outweighs our current tortured, selfish nature, our twisted, often cruel inhumanity. I think he knew that in order for humanity to move forward, it would have to learn to deal with itself, and alter and heal all of its' many fractured, conflicted parts. I am certain of one thing. He wanted us to try. He was willing to risk his life to try. I feel like I can't disappoint him.

He changed me and we never had the chance to meet. I think I always feel he is with me because he is the one that made me really think about being better than myself and helping others be better than themselves. That is a pearl of wisdom that fuses to a person's core and helps them change who they are for all of their life. Better yet it changes them at such a fundamental level that they then feel the call to help others be free. That is his true legacy, his true gift to humanity in my mind and it one of the greatest gifts I've ever received.( Re-posted from my 1/2011 post.)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/15/martin-luther-king-day-20_0_n_1207426.html

Full Text- I Have A Dream Speech

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial: D.C.'s Newest Landmark

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/14/mlk-memorial-photos_n_1206477.html?ref=black-voices&ir=Black%20Voices

The King Center

http://www.thekingcenter.org/

The National Civil Rights Museum

http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/home.htm

The Birth Home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

http://www.nps.gov/malu/index.htm

Cal-Cruz Hatcheries Abused, Tossed, Drowned Chickens, Says Lawsuit

2012-01-14T12:15:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/12/chicken-abuse-lawsuit-cal-cruz-hatcheries_n_1199714.html

Trans 101: A Primer For The Ignorant And The Intolerant

2012-01-14T11:49:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/valerie-keefe/trans-101_b_1198674.html?ref=gay-voices

'Assault' Involving Police Outside Parliament Causes Labour MP's Researcher To Complain To Police Watchdog

2012-01-14T11:41:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/01/12/police-assault-parliament-complaint-alex-bryce_n_1201616.html?ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay%20Voices

Right On-I Feel, You Feel, We All Feel...Nothing?

2012-01-08T15:48:00.001-05:00

Stan just wrote a commentary on one of my favorite RSA videos. Both the video(below) and his commentary cover empathy and how how it shapes us. Go check it out. Give him some love.

Our Community's Lack Of Internal Cohesion May Contribute To LGBTQ Suicides

2012-01-08T15:40:00.001-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/phillip-m-miner/gay-suicide_b_1186183.html?ref=gay-voices

V had this one up at his place first. Give him some love.

I Heart Kristen Wolfe-And The Brothers She Talks About

2012-01-08T15:27:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristen-wolfe/dear-customer-who-stuck-u_b_1190690.html?ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay%20Voices

Rescued Wolf Dogs Cared For By War Veterans

2012-01-06T16:21:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/06/rescued-wolf-dogs-cared-f_n_1187140.html?ref=impact

Climate Change Must Be Addressed Now

2012-01-06T16:10:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sen-ted-kaufman/climate-change-must-be-ad_b_1179804.html

Supreme Court Rejects Abu Ghraib Lawsuit Over Detainees' Abuse Claims

2012-01-06T16:07:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/27/supreme-court-abu-ghraib_n_885092.html?ref=yahoo&ir=Yahoo

Child Labor By Country: Maplecroft 2012 Index Ranks Risk Of Violations

2012-01-06T16:05:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/04/child-labor-countries_n_1183600.html?ref=world

Edmund Padilla, Gay Filipino Teen, Scalded With Boiling Water By Father

2012-01-06T16:02:00.002-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/05/edmund-padilla-gay-filipino-teen-scalded_n_1187046.html?ref=gay-voices

Balbir Krishan, Gay Indian Artist, Attacked During Exhibition Of Erotic Works

2012-01-06T15:56:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/06/balbir-krishan-gay-indian_n_1189480.html?ref=gay-voices

Gay Men's Body Image: Near 50 Percent Would Sacrifice 1 Year Of Their Lives For The Perfect Body, Survey Finds

2012-01-06T15:51:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/06/gay-mens-body-image-near-_n_1189380.html?ref=gay-voices

aNoteToMyKid.com: Heartwarming Messages of Love from Parents, Family and Friends of GLBTQ People

2012-01-06T15:49:00.001-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/patrick-wallace/anotetomykidcom_b_1184819.html?ref=gay-voices#s586338&title=A_Note_To

http://anotetomykid.com/

Love Makes A Family-Happy Holidays!

2011-12-25T10:22:00.000-05:00

Zach Wahls, Iowa Student Who Defended Gay Marriage To Legislators,

Creates 'Love Makes A Family'

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/22/zach-wahls-iowa-student-love-makes-a-family_n_1165678.html?ref=gay-voices

Ricky Gervais Fights Christian Fundamentalist Twitter Users Over Atheism, Homosexuality & More

2011-12-24T11:26:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/22/ricky-gervais-fights-radi_n_1165057.html?ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay%20Voices

Growing Older-Our Spinster Aunts And Uncles

2011-12-24T11:23:00.000-05:00

Everything ages, everything decays, and no one has the ability to stop it; it is the natural order.Think on that with regard to this story.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kelly-cogswell/lgbt-seniors_b_1162915.html?ref=gay-voices

Rossville Christian Academy, Private Tennessee School, Bans Homosexuality Among Students, Staff

2011-12-24T11:20:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/23/rossville-christian-academy-homosexuality-ban-_n_1168113.html?ref=gay-voices

Words-We Really Need Integrity, Intelligence, Inspiration, And Intent In This Discussion

2011-12-24T11:17:00.000-05:00

It's weird the stories I feel compelled to say something about. This is more of a rambling rant than anything else.

This news story definitely hit a nerve, and I'm not sorry to say that the media hacking of individuals whose intentions are nothing but honorable, for the sake of sales and sensationalism, really gets me pissed. The link below is an article by Lance Bass and his use of the word tranny. He said it. He apologized because some were offended. He wrote the piece at the link to create dialogue. That should have been the end of this. It wasn't, because of the vicious media pimps of our world. Lance Bass was hardly the only person attacked in this manner recently and I'm sure he won't be close to the the last.

While growing up I was called just about anything a young gay guy is called. Fag, fairy, queer, were among the many terms used and back then they were nothing but ways to oppress and demean me. I hated the way they sounded and I hated the way they made me feel. They gave my attackers and detractors power, or to put more bluntly I gave them the power. I just wanted the name calling to stop and I didn't want anyone to get hurt. Those three words hurt me beyond imagination, but I now know the people who directed hate at me when I was younger are much worse off than I could ever dream of being. If you ever said that I would use those terms to define myself I would have told you that you were bat-shit crazy. Eventually, that very thing did happen.

I'm not exactly sure how it happened but I'll try to put it into words. I have my own place now, my own journey that I understand, and people that I truly love and trust. That wasn't always true, but after the rules of our society failed me(as I have seen them fail so many people) I re-wrote the rule book, took my power back, and started to write my own story. This isn't just a gay thing, this is a Kyle thing. More importantly it is a people thing. Being a fag, a queer, and a fairy are a part of me. Good and bad they are me and I'm happy with that. Those words don't mean what they used to to me; they do hold a great deal of tone and power that help fuel who I am.

In my heart of hearts, they let me feel safe, honest, and magical. They help me celebrate differences, challenges, and wonder. They are anchors in a world I have helped build and occasionally am proud of, and that often rejects me. They help me to connect with others who were wounded as I was, and turn a horrid experience into something profound. I can't tell other people what will work for them or what will make them better people. As Lance says in his piece words are confusing. Intention though is normally obvious. For me those three words have become part of my identity. They are me and I love them because I love all parts of myself. I won't give them up. I won't let people take them from me.

Yet if the wrong person uttered those words I would be incensed. My eyes would grow wide, my back would arch, and my claws would really come out. Bullies still use those words. People who hate still use those words. They still use so many incendiary, inhumane terms, that sometimes I think the evil of those banished words will consume all of humanity. This is were it gets confusing. Do you use those words or not? I can't answer that question with a yes or no. Like so much of life, clear black and white terms are not enough. The color gray seems to haunt our species. Should Lance have used the word tranny? I don't know. I don't know him, his circle of friends, or the depth of his journey. Did he mean to hurt people? No, and that makes all the difference.

We need integrity, intelligence, inspiration, and intent to be part of the global discussion of how we refer and relate to one another. Those four things should be part of all of our global communications.Without them we'll never find each other, because we won't be able to find ourselves.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lance-bass/why-we-shouldnt-use-the-word-tranny_b_1168078.html?ref=gay-voices

Personal Update-Nothing Will Keep Me Down

2011-12-23T12:05:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone.

I know I said I'd be back in ten days at the beginning of December and that didn't happen. Unfortunately, I injured my right knee on the 25th of November and had hoped when I wrote my last post that the injury would be short lived and uneventful. It has not. After seeing three doctors, my knee is still giving me trouble and I'm still having to rely on crutches for some movement. On top of that, my insurance carrier declined my doctors' requests for an MRI(they think my meniscus tore) so we could look at my knee and the tissue therein, and instead issued an edict that I must pursue conservative home therapy until after the start of the new year.

This has left me severely immobilized until this week. Once simple tasks, become arduous and time consuming and most of my frequent daily duties forbidden. Stan has had to pick up the slack to keep everything going. Having a house with eight sets of stairs was never a problem before this, but quickly became a challenge. Even sitting for long periods isn't something that is easy. My daily walks and community activities have slowed to a trickle to reduce stress on the knee and to try to give the knee time to heal, if it can(only one third of the meniscus has blood flow and can heal).

Fortunately, this week I have some easy mobility back and that has made doing many things in the house easier. I'm doing strengthening exercises for the knee and leg and I can sit for longer periods without it becoming a problem. It is a fine line between trying to let the leg heal and pushing yourself to make sure it has healed and setting yourself up to use your leg fully. After five weeks my muscles are not where they once were and I can't do any lower body workout. Not pretty when a forty year old man has to stop lower body workout.

After the beginning of the year if the leg seems healed and I can do most activities, I'll be set and will slowly bring back weight and muscle tension into my daily routines. That normally takes four weeks or so. If we get the the turn of the year and I have pinching, stiffness of knee, or other knee liabilities, they doctor will force the insurance company's hand and get an MRI done. That will likely reveal a quick, easy surgery is in order and then four to six weeks of physical therapy to teach my leg to do its' job again.

A future blog post on our medical system, managed care panels, unhelpful protocols, and lack of care for our people, will be forthcoming. More importantly my knee injury has left me with a greater appreciation for what I normally take for granted, what I can do, and who I have around me.

In other news, we finally found a good person for the second apt in Dover. It has been vacant for a few months now, not something you ever want to happen for many reasons. They are a brother and sister and seem thoughtful, responsible, and pretty damn cool. They were looking for a space where they could lease until the end of May, which works well for the apt being available during prime rental time when they leave.

Our Holiday Party was a smash and we both had such a great time. I'm lucky that everything was already decorated, because Stan had to make most of the food this time and do most of the cleaning. Our guests circulated/took care of themselves and seemed rather happy and the end of the night. We had a great surprise at the party; a former national representative(hopefully she will be back in office soon) came by that night. Stan was elated and I was so happy to see her. I feel she is a true advocate for our people and that is rare to find and something our nation, our world desperately needs.

I'm going to sign off for now. I'll be at Out Left, my Twitter account, Google+, and Facebook on and off until my knee is truly back to normal.

Have a wonderful new year everyone!

Homeless for the Holidays: Portraits Of New York City's Homeless LGBT Youth

2011-12-23T10:55:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carl-siciliano/homeless-gay-youth_b_1158040.html?ref=gay-voices

'Baby, It's Cold Outside' Gets Gay Makeover By Mister Chase And Chris Salvatore

2011-12-23T10:49:00.000-05:00

Bradley Manning Hearing: Both Sides Making Their Closing Arguments

2011-12-23T10:44:00.000-05:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/22/bradley-manning-wikileaks-assange-lamo_n_1165021.html?ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay%20Voices

OWS Takes A Road Trip For Bradley Manning, Brings Baggage

http://codepink.org/blog/2011/12/ows-roadtrip-for-bradley-manning-dont-forget-your-baggage/

Pushing Boundaries Every Day

2011-12-23T10:40:00.000-05:00

'We Are Part Of The Team,' East European Sports Ad, Features Gay Kiss

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/22/east-europe-sports-ad-gay-kiss_n_1165306.html?ref=gay-voices

Personal Update-Back From The Tech Abyss

2011-12-01T10:23:00.001-05:00

Hi everybody.

Sorry I haven't been around on Out Left, my Twitter account, Google+, or Facebook for the past few weeks. My PC had a breakdown three weeks ago and that is quite a blow for someone who uses his tech often. I received my new PC last week and have spent the last week getting my programs, files, and workspace back in place. Not being a digital native has liabilities and for me, using an iPod Touch I can only accomplish so much. As a digital immigrant I'm not as portable or as willing to use alternate sources for my tech experiences. I grow roots and I'm not nearly as adaptable as a digital native. I'm almost back to full speed and should be back in form after the weekend of the tenth of December.

That weekend we are hosting our annual Holiday Party. We doubled the guest list this year and will have friends staying over that weekend as well. Five of the trees are up and decorated; just two more to go. All the wreathes, garland, and decoration are up, I just need to "fluff" most of them. I'm going to make mini-quiches, stuffed mushrooms, homemade soup, and of course we will have all the standard appetizers we have each year. Not sure about desserts yet, but I do have a homemade apple pear crisp in the freezer, so that is sure to be a choice.

Stan is now doing two jobs at work. Someone left and they will not replace her, so he is left holding her responsibilities. He is constantly busy now. A raise you ask? Don't be ridiculous. He is at a science and tech conference this week and presented Tuesday and Wednesday. He has time to take off, so he has been trying to take those days here and there, so he does not loose them. I did a show a few weeks ago and it went well. Not many sales, but we did cover the cost of the space. The best part was the mix of people. Lots of people who might special order later. Getting the garden ready for winter, taking care of the house and all my community work and local events we've attended have filled my time.

Our Thanksgiving was wonderful. We actually had two parties to go to this year. The first was a smaller family lunch at Steph and John's and the second was the Amanda and Aaron's Thanksgiving party that we go to each year. We paced ourselves, so we didn't get overstuffed. We took plenty of leftovers and took home some of the things we brought to each place that didn't get eaten. Most of that food is eaten now, which is good since I need the fridge space for the grocery shopping for our party.

I hope you are all doing reasonably well. I'll get back to regular blogging in about ten days. Happy Holidays Everyone!

Remember-Learn-Live: World Aids Day 2011

2011-12-01T10:03:00.001-05:00

Remember-Learn-Live

World AIDS Day Around The Globe

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/30/world-aids-day-photos_n_1121751.html?ref=impact

Obama, Bush, Clinton, Activists To Participate In World AIDS Day Talk

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/29/obama-bush-clinton-activi_n_1117698.html?ref=impact

Obama To Announce New Steps To Combat AIDS

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/01/obama-to-announce-new-steps-to-combat-aids_n_1122796.html?ref=black-voices

Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Urges Donors To Help Millions Of Patients In Need

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/30/health-fund-urges-donors-_n_1120295.html?ref=impact

World AIDS Day: Which States Have The Most Diagnoses?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/01/world-aids-day-which-aids_n_1121929.html

World Aids Day 2011: 'Inside Story: The Science of HIV/AIDS' Debuts In Johannesburg

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/01/world-aids-day-2011-film_n_1122775.html

Getting to Zero: The Next Chapter of HIV

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/robert-fieldhouse/world-aids-day-getting-to-zero_b_1120364.html

Every Day Is World AIDS Day

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michelangelo-signorile/every-day-is-world-aids-d_b_1122829.html

Saving Lives, One HIV/AIDS Campaign at a Time

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/neil-g-giuliano/san-francisco-aids-foundation_b_1108132.html?ref=gay-voices

World AIDS Day

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_AIDS_Day

amfAR

http://www.amfar.org/

I Am The Population Problem

2011-11-01T11:55:00.001-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-hymas/i-am-the-population-problem_b_1065280.html

Stop The Bullies-Violent Attack On Gay Student By Bully At Union-Scioto High School, Caught On Video

2011-10-27T16:31:00.000-04:00

Go read Bob's piece about this video at I Should Be Laughing.

Attack On Gay Student By Bully At Union-Scioto High School In Chillicothe, Ohio, Caught On Video

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/attack-of-gay-student-caught-on-video_n_1035436.html

Visit V, over at Maybe It's Just me. He just posted this quote from Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks.

Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition:

Bullying and violence have no place in our schools. When our children are the targets as a result of their orientation, perceived orientation, gender identity or gender expression, it is critical that there are adults they can turn to. It is imperative that their allies be visible so that they won't have to be invisible. This is our responsibility to not only our black LGBT youth but every child.

It is going to take a village to change the culture of bullying. As adults, we have an obligation to help young people "own their power." If they are bullied or witness their friends being harassed, they should feel empowered to speak up and speak out. That's where we come in.

We must engage our children in open and honest dialogue around anti-gay violence and rhetoric and bring LGBT-inclusive books, movies, and conversations into the home. Start a Gay-Straight Alliance with your son or daughter if they don't already have one. And if there is one, you can volunteer, whether your child is gay or not. Being a silent spectator is not an option. It is about building community and letting our children know that we care.

'Hot Man' App And Video From Rethink Breast Cancer-Help Save The Women In Your Life

2011-10-27T09:03:00.000-04:00

As many of you already know who follow my blog my mom was killed years ago by breast cancer that spread through her lymph system and metastasized as a bone cancer. Her struggle with breast cancer was not very different from most women(and the few men)who have to travel this road. One thing that might have changed the outcome of my mom's bought with breast cancer was finding the cancer much earlier and treating it earlier. Early detection and treatment makes all the difference.

She did find a tiny, tiny lump early on. Her gut told her to see her doctor and after consulting him, she went against her gut and decided that it was nothing to worry about. Fast forward some months and it was not something you could ignore. It is hard to say if that waiting period would have saved her life, but if nothing else it would have given her more time to fight and be aggressive with treatment. It would have given her the edge, instead the cancer caught her by surprise.

For all the women who read my blog, please trust your gut. The concept of female intuition is legendary for for a good reason. More often than not there is something behind that sense you have that something is wrong. Get exams regularly, check your breasts at home, and if you even think you feel a lump take it very seriously. Life is too rare and precious to leave its' fate to chance.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I hope my mom's story encourages all of you to be proactive in dealing with breast cancer and gives you reason to help protect the women you love by supporting awareness for breast cancer. If me objectifying men will help that cause, I'm okay with that too. Enjoy the video and the app!

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2011/10/21/hot-man-breast-cancer-app_n_1023679.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2011/10/05/rethink-breast-cancer_n_996153.html

http://rethinkbreastcancer.com/

http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/

Queer News Roundup-Pulling It All Together For Our Youth

2011-10-21T16:19:00.001-04:00

There was more GLBTQ news over the past month or so than I could ever hope to cover, so once again this is just a selection of what happened to us (and our allies) over the past weeks. I guess it is a good thing that we are getting so much media coverage, but the stories the media covers aren't all spelling out good things for our future. That's what I'd like to talk about today, our future. You may notice that I didn't include all the stories about those who were literally bullied to death or felt they needed to end their lives because they couldn't get the support they needed. That's what I want everyone to think about: support.

I want to talk about all those young people who died needlessly and especially those who died or killed themselves that received no attention at all. All that they were is gone. All that potential, all that spirit and love and energy dissipated, and no one in the media bothered to say anything. None of their family and friends said anything. As I have said many times before, the GLBTQ community needs to seriously address the issue of bulling, abuse, and hate with much more time and money than we currently devote toward the problem. That's not a criticism, its' a fact. Our advocacy and outreach are making a difference in young peoples' lives, but we are still very much separated from GLBTQ youth (and their allies) and could do much more to make their lives better and make sure they survive to be in the next generation of citizens, activists, and parents.

Most of us spend so much of our life healing from the horrific mental and physical abuse of our youth, we want to forget what it was really like for us at their age. We get comfortable in our new spaces, in our new lives and build new families to sustain us. We forget what it was like to be their age and be confronted with a hostile world that casts off anything not conforming to its' own template. We forget the hormones and emotion, the fear, and the weight. That burden could kill almost anything without even trying. That is a huge liability and one reason why I think so many of our progeny suffer and finally take the most desperate solution. We are their elders; we are responsible for them. If nothing else it is our responsibility to make sure no one forgets them and that no one forgets what we as a community have lost.

We are an infinitely diverse people. It's one of the best things about being a queer man. I look at our extended community and see how it weaves together the lives of every race, every belief system, every ideology, all cultures, all genders, all sexuality, and exists everywhere on our planet. If ever there was a group of human beings that could teach other human beings how to live together, how to learn from each other, it certainly should come from our community and our allies. I want GLBTQ youth to know that we care about them, that we have not abandoned them, and that we need them to build our future. I want them to feel our strength and our commitment to them. I want them to be able to feel safe and to feel that they can be who they are. Above all else I want them to love who they are. I want them to understand how special each of them is.

All those young GLBTQ men and women who died this month deserve nothing less from us. We are their their elders, whether we like it or not. We may not be connected by blood, but they are our children. They are our future. If you don't think they are worth fighting for, then you don't think your future is worth fighting for. We weren't there for them last month, but we can change that choice this month. If we can't accomplish this we are finished. A family without children has no further evolutionary line. A community without connection and communication cannot function. A society without distinction and variation will stagnate. We must remember. We must feel each loss. We must push to protect every young GLBTQ person and those who would be their allies. We must stop this violence, this passive murder. We have to stand up, be seen, be counted, and sustain each other or nothing will change.

We are all old enough now to understand the consequences of inaction. Don't let next moth be like this month- be an activist, a mentor, a teacher, a neighbor, and a friend. One act of compassion doesn't change much, but it does make a change. Hundreds, even thousands of those acts will change the world. In essence it is the only thing that will.

Former British Colonies To Consider Axing Anti-Gay Laws

http://www.edgeboston.com/news/international/news//125849/former_british_colonies_to_consider_axing_anti-gay_laws

At Least 3 Die In UK After Churches Claim Prayer ’Heals’ AIDS

http://www.edgeboston.com/news/aids///125863/at_least_3_die_in_uk_after_churches_claim_prayer_’heals’_aids

’X’ Now A Gender Option In Australian Passports

http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=124800

LGBT Pride March Banned In Serbia

http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=125369

40 Detained During Moscow LGBT Rights Rally

http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=125368

South Africa Ignoring A Serial Killer Targeting Gay Men?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/07/south-africa-serial-killer_n_998442.html

Britain To Lift Ban On Gay Men Donating Blood

http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=124536

Dutch Propose To Change Transgender Rules

http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=124741

LGBTs Become Increasingly Visible in Occupy Protests

http://www.edgeboston.com/news/national/news//125845/lgbts_become_increasingly_visible_in_occupy_protests

SAGE LGBT Senior Center In New York City Will Be Nation's First

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/19/sage-lgbt-senior-center-new-york_n_1020852.html

FY 2012 Budget May Spell Ups And Downs For HIV/AIDS Funding

http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=125373

Gays In Military: 'Inclusion Without Equality Is Incomplete'

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/15/gays-in-military-equality-issues-post-dadt_n_1013140.html

OutServe Summit Ends With High Hopes And Many Challenges Ahead

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/16/outserve-summit-ends-with_n_1014265.html

Male High School Cheerleader Kicked Off Squad And Suspended For Kissing Another Boy

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/14/male-cheerleader-kiss_n_1011412.html

Census: Same-Sex Headed Households 80 Percent Higher Than 2000

http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=125107

Boehner's DOMA Defense: Gay People Are Powerful, Can Fight Marriage Ban Without Courts

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/20/doma-defense-lawsuit-house-representatives-gay-power_n_1021009.html

North Carolina Puts Gay Marriage Ban On May 2012 Ballot

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/13/north-carolina-gay-marriage-constitutional-amendment_n_960415.html

Vermont Marriage Equality Champion Nominated For State Supreme Court

http://www.edgeboston.com/news/national/news//125885/vt_marriage_equality_champion_nominated_for_state_supreme_court

Spirit Day-Show Your Support For GLBTQ Youth

www.glaad.org/spiritday

Conservatives Trying To Change Marriage Equality In NH

Panel Seeks Watered Down Civil Unions

http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=124795

String of Anti-Gay Attacks In Idaho Raises Concerns

http://www.edgeboston.com/news/crime/news//125860/string_of_anti-gay_attacks_in_idaho_raises_concerns

Gay Sex Study Conducted By George Mason University, Indiana University, And Online Buddies, Inc. Reveals Surprising Results

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/18/george-mason-gay-sex-study_n_1017958.html

California Transgender Bills Signed Into Law By Governor Jerry Brown

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/10/california-transgender-laws_n_1004109.html

Feds Revise Transgender Inmate Rules To Permit Previously Disallowed Prison Treatments

http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=125365

Rose Marie Belforti, Town Clerk, Has Conservatives Rallying Around Her Over Same-Sex Marriage

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/11/new-york-clerk-same-sex-marriage_n_1005312.html

Jared Polis Announces Birth Of Son, Becoming First Openly Gay Parent In Congress

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/30/jared-polis-openly-gay-parent_n_989422.html

Matthew Shepard Anniversary: A Look Back At The 1998 Laramie Case And Its Legacy

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/11/matthew-shepard-anniversary_n_1006248.html

Vandals Strike University’s Gay Center

http://www.edgeboston.com/news/national/news//125859/vandals_strike_university%E2%80%99s_gay_center

Quinto, Now Out, is ’Incredibly Grateful

http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=national&sc2=news&sc3=&id=125848

News Anchor Follows Quinto Out of the Closet

http://www.edgeboston.com/news/national/news//125861/news_anchor_follows_quinto_out_of_the_closet

The Occupation Grows

2011-10-20T10:26:00.002-04:00

Imago/ZUMAPRESS.com; Radko Keleman/ZUMAPRESS.com; Maxppp/ZUMAPRESS.com; Carolina Georgatou/Flickr

How Occupy Wall Street Really Got Started

http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/10/occupy-wall-street-international-origins

Occupy Wall Street Protesters Propose A National Convention, Release Potential Demands

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/18/occupy-wall-street-planning-convention_n_1018570.html

Occupy Wall Street: Latest Developments From The Global Occupy Movement

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/19/occupy-wall-street-latest-developments_n_1019822.html?

Occupy Wall Street Raises $300,000

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/16/occupy-wall-street-raises-300000_n_1014708.html

pweiskel08/Flickr

What The NYPD Really Thinks Of Occupy Wall Street

http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/10/nypd-occupy-wall-street

10 Ways To Support The Occupy Movement

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-van-gelder/10-ways-to-support-the-oc_b_1013302.html

Saber Contributes Giant Flag To Occupy LA

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/14/saber-contributes-giant-f_n_1011830.html

Bank Of America Branch In California Reportedly Refuses To Allow Protesters To Close Accounts

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/16/bank-of-america-protesters-close-accounts_n_1013490.html

Michael Moore Making A New Movie Because Of Occupy Wall Street Protests

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/18/michael-moore-occupy-wall-street-new-film_n_1018036.html

Occupy Your Own Backyard

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephen-gyllenhaal/occupy-your-own-backyard_b_1017320.html

Occupy Together

http://www.occupytogether.org/

Occupy Wall Street

http://occupywallst.org/

A Message From Anonymous

Influencer: Occupy Wall Street

"Miss Representation" Shows Ugly Side Of Representation Of Women In Media

2011-10-20T09:19:00.001-04:00

When the documentary Miss Representation premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, audiences were riveted and OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network acquired its broadcast rights.

The film explores how the media’s misrepresentation of women has led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence. It will premiere in the US on Oct. 20th at 9pm ET.

http://missrepresentation.org/

"Miss Representation" Shows Ugly Side of Women in Media

http://motherjones.com/media/2011/10/miss-representation-doc-shows-ugly-side-women-media

Miss Representation 8 min. Trailer 8/23/11 from Miss Representation on Vimeo.

Spirit Day-Wear Purple Today -Show Your Support For GLBTQ Youth

2011-10-20T09:16:00.001-04:00

Wear purple Thursday, October 20!
Go purple online October 20!

What is Spirit Day? Millions of Americans wear purple on Spirit Day as a sign of support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth and to speak out against bullying. Spirit Day was started in 2010 by teenager Brittany McMillan as a response to the young people who had taken their own lives. Observed annually on October 20, individuals, schools, organizations, corporations, media professionals and celebrities wear purple, which symbolizes spirit on the rainbow flag. Getting involved is easy -- participants are asked to simply "go purple" on October 20 as we work to create a world in which LGBT teens are celebrated and accepted for who they are. Learn more & go purple at www.glaad.org/spiritday.

America's Atheist Warriors

2011-10-20T08:54:00.000-04:00

http://m.motherjones.com/politics/2011/10/military-atheists-humanists-army-tillman

Packing Heat On Your Street

2011-10-20T08:49:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dennis-a-henigan/packing-heat-on-your-stre_b_1019793.html

Global Jobs Crisis Takes Biggest Toll On Struggling Youth

2011-10-20T08:47:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/19/youth-jobs-crisis-grows-w_n_1019734.html

Mexico City Architecture Firm Takes Skyscrapers Below Ground

2011-10-19T13:14:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/10/mexico-city-architecture-_n_1004058.html

Think-Tank Cautions Dems Against Seeking Support Of OWS

2011-10-19T13:09:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/18/dems-against-occupy-wall-street_n_1018145.html

Warehouse Workers At Walmart-Contracted Facility Allege Abusive Conditions, Wage Theft

2011-10-19T13:07:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/18/walmart-warehouse-workers-lawsuit_n_1018143.html

2011 Game Changer Kumi Naidoo Discusses The Importance Of Civil Disobedience

2011-10-19T13:05:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/18/kumi-naidoo-video_n_1016858.html

The Rise of the Regressive Right And The Reawakening Of America

2011-10-18T14:02:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-reich/gop-ideals_b_1014396.html

Corporate Citizenship: How Public Dissent In Paris Sparked Creation Of The Corporate Person

2011-10-18T13:57:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/12/corporate-citizenship-corporate-personhood-paris-commune_n_1005244.html

Dogs Donate Blood To Rescue Fellow Canines

2011-10-18T13:53:00.001-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/26/dogs-donate-bloodvideo_n_981289.html

Foodies, Get Thee to Occupy Wall Street

2011-10-14T17:04:00.000-04:00

Ryan Harvey/Flickr

http://motherjones.com/environment/2011/10/food-industry-monopoly-occupy-wall-street

Inside Occupy Wall Street's All-Nighter

2011-10-14T17:00:00.000-04:00

Photo: Josh Harkinson

http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/10/occupy-wall-street-eviction-averted

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/14/occupy-wall-street-zuccotti-park-not-cleared_n_1010768.html

More Coverage Of Occupy Together

2011-10-12T10:37:00.000-04:00

Who Are the 1 Percent?

http://m.motherjones.com/mojo/2011/10/one-percent-income-inequality-OWS

Green Occupation of Wall Street

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-petersen/occupy-wall-street-climate-_b_1004272.html

"Occupy Wall Street": Approved!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suze-orman/occupy-wall-street-approv_b_1005128.html

Arrests and Pepper Spray at Occupy Des Moines; Governor Faults Protesters

http://m.motherjones.com/mojo/2011/10/occupy-des-moines-iowa-arrests

Bolstered By Occupy Wall Street, The 'Millionaires March' Tours Manhattan

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/11/millionaires-march-occupy-wall-street_n_1006020.html

Don't Sleep Through the Revolution

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-jesse-jackson/dont-sleep-through-the-re_b_1005263.html

Next Occupy - Wall Street-Run Health Insurance Companies

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ethan-rome/next-occupy-wall-streetru_b_1005196.html

http://www.occupytogether.org/

http://occupywallst.org/

Jane Goodall Shares Her Words Of Wisdom

2011-10-11T10:58:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/05/jane-goodall-qa_n_995216.html

http://www.janegoodall.org/

http://www.rootsandshoots.org/

'It Gets Better Project' Finds Support In Male Librarian Pin-Up Calendar

2011-10-11T10:52:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/10/men-of-the-stacks-calenda_n_1003525.html

Occupy Together Updates

2011-10-11T10:22:00.001-04:00

Occupy Boston Participants Reach Out To Homeless

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/08/occupy-boston-participant_n_1000925.html

Hunkered Down Inside #OccupyWallStreet

http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/10/my-weekend-occupying-wall-street

"Who Gassed You Today, Dad?" One Man's Memory of Street Protests

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/raymond-heard/who-gassed-you-today-dad-_b_992946.html?ir=Impact&just_reloaded=1

Bill McKibben Speaks At Occupy Wall Street, Addresses Keystone XL Pipeline

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/10/bill-mckibben-occupy-wall-street_n_1004307.html

Peace, Love, Understanding

http://motherjones.com/slideshows/2011/10/occupy-wall-street-photos-nyc-update/hugging-police-officers-0

Slavoj Zizek Joins Occupy Wall Street

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/10/slavoj-zizek-occupy-wall-street_n_1003566.html

Occupy Des Moines: Dozens Arrested In Iowa, Including A 14-Year-Old

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/10/occupy-des-moines-dozens-arrested-14-year-old_n_1004213.html

http://www.occupytogether.org/

http://occupywallst.org/

Sign Language from socially_awkwrd on Vimeo.

October 11th-National Coming Out Day

2011-10-11T09:43:00.002-04:00

Be Proud-Be Happy-You Aren't Alone

http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/national-coming-out-day/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Coming_Out_Day

http://www.thetrevorproject.org/

http://www.itgetsbetter.org/

Five On The Fifth-Pleasure-October 2011

2011-10-05T09:42:00.001-04:00

If you don't know about Five On The Fifth, you take five photographs on the 5th of each month and post them on your blog for all to see. Each month has a theme, or if you don't feel inspired by the monthly theme, you can simply take five random photos. Five On The Fifth was started and is directed by Stephen Chapman at The State of the U.K. Nation . Follow the link to see all the other participants.

Sorry I haven't been around to participate lately. Not much time to spare. October's theme was pleasure. Last month I needed to pull together photos for a collage where you submitted photos of what Farmington was to you and every photo in the collage is, or symbolizes, something I take pleasure from. History-art-gardening-civic duty-our home-our library-Stan-Nick, Katie, and George-all the important stuff. I may be bending the rules a bit by using the collage as my submission, but I really don't care. Five on the Fifth is more about sharing, communication, and mutual appreciation, than anything else. Have a great day!

Occupy Wall Street Protests Inspire Demonstrations In Other Cities

2011-10-04T11:19:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/04/occupy-wall-street-protests_n_993728.html

http://m.motherjones.com/politics/2011/10/occupy-wall-street-protest-map

A roundup of interesting Occupy Wall Street coverage from Mother Jones:

Micah Sifry sees "a third wave of movement politics" forming (following netroots and the tea party).
Michael Scherer agrees "there is huge potential" for the movement to grow and impact national politics a la the tea party.
Nick Kristoff suggests some practical demands for the movement.
Matt Langer considers what Occupy Wall Street and the tea party have in common.
Sally Kohn rethinks her initial critique. (Mother Jones drew criticism for a similar piece.)
John Cassidy looks at Ray Kelly and the NYPD's reaction.
The New York Observer has 50 portraits of people who have been in on the action in New York City.
The Nation's Greg Mitchell is blogging "Occupy USA" developments daily.
The Guardian is also producing ongoing coverage.

Breast Cancer Deaths Down, But Decline Slower For Poor Women

2011-10-04T11:11:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/03/breast-cancer-rates-deaths-down_n_993011.html

7 Eco Advancements We Should All Be Thinking About

2011-10-04T11:09:00.001-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/26/7-game-changing-green-adv_n_942685.html?1317047169#s344913&title=Electric_vehicles

Occupy Wall Street: NYPD Arrests 700 Protesters On Brooklyn Bridge

2011-10-02T13:23:00.000-04:00

Arrests: An Eyewitness View

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/02/occupy-wall-street-arrests-eyewitness-view_n_990857.html

NYPD Arrests 700 Protesters On Brooklyn Bridge

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/30/occupy-wall-street-protests-new-york_n_989221.html

Anthony Bologna Using Pepper Spray In Second Video

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/28/anthony-bologna-using-pep_n_985432.html

Food Pantries Face Unprecedented Demand They Can't Fill

2011-10-02T13:19:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/27/food-pantries-face-an-unp_n_982313.html

Dennis And Claire Tyler Find Homes For 7,000 Greyhounds

2011-09-27T10:27:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/26/video_n_980529.html?ir=Green

Banned Books Week Reminds Us That Censorship Is Alive and Well In The Internet Age

2011-09-27T10:19:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/molly-raphael/banned-books-week-censorship_b_977058.html

Get Ready To Burn Through Some Books

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/danielle-crittenden/banned-books-week_b_978991.html?ir=Books

Top Ten Banned Or Challenged Books Of 2010

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/22/top-banned-books-2010_n_976846.html

http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/

Wangari Maathai Knew Nature Pays Huge Dividends -- If We Let It

2011-09-27T10:17:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/26/wangari-maathai-nature-conservancy_n_981936.html

Undocumented Immigrant Hotline Debuts In Chicago, Answers Deportation Questions

2011-09-27T10:10:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/19/illegal-immigrant-hotline_n_969994.html

'To Catch A Dollar' Documents Success Of Bank For Poor

2011-09-27T10:06:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/23/film-grameen-bank-for-the_n_978334.html

Personal Notes-Summer Breezes By

2011-09-22T10:23:00.000-04:00

Farmington NH Gardener's Roundtable Tour

It's been a long time since I did one of my personal updates. Much is the same and we are all doing well, but it is hard to fit everything into our schedule right now. We're really busy most weeks and a bit tired from all we have done in a few months.

Katie is finally completely healed from the dog attack and is her regular self. Thanks for all the well wishes and advice. She is hesitant to meet new dogs now and is pretty indifferent to them, even to dogs she already knows, but we expected as much. I'm hoping that will pass with time, but who knows? Nick is much more eager to keep everyone away from Katie and the two of us since the attack. Terriers are naturally defensive, but the attack has left him in a state of perpetual protection. This means I have to be very firm with him and give him a very short leash to maintain order. We are hoping that as more time goes by his hyper sensitive state will regress.

Both of us saw our dentist and our doctors. We are both are doing very well health wise. My good cholesterol is low, but that is really easy to fix. Stan's teeth and gums are holding up better than mine. Both of us had poor dental care when we were children, so we pay for it now, despite having good dental hygiene currently. My biggest problem is gum disease, which is tough to fight,once it is established. We both need some dental work, so we've scheduled visits in over the next few months to take care of all of that. Stan also just had his eye exam; mine is in a few weeks. I'm thinking I might get new frames. I've kept the same frames for about a decade, but that didn't matter much because I won't wear glasses if anyone is around. The new frames I'm looking at are something I'd at least consider wearing while other people are around.

To say the garden has been doing well is a massive understatement. All of the extra rain over the last few months and warm days with cooler nights have created an environment where everything in the garden is thriving. An added bonus this year was that most pests weren't very successful. One exception was grasshoppers, which most years I hardly see at all. They were relentless this year. I love zinnias and had many home seeded trays ready to go into the garden. The grasshoppers ate all but a few dozen. My morning glories were acting strange this year. They grew fine from seed and got quite bushy but they didn't flower until several weeks ago. I don't know why that happened.

We've had great lettuce(three kinds), cucumbers, tomatoes(three kinds), green beans, and summer squash this year. I was able to harvest four butternut squash, which I'm super excited about. I was a little disappointed with the potato crop. We had potatoes in two containers and we did get a full bag and a half of potatoes, but many were small. This was our first year trying to grow potatoes, so I'll try a few things next year to see if I can boost yield. The only thing I lost were my zucchini plants, a very disheartening loss. All of the herbs are doing well and I grew a few new varieties from seed to give them a try. George likes his fresh catnip! Next year we put in the formal herb garden this was a good test to see how well I could get them to grow from seed.

We installed three rain barrels to help reduce water usage and aid with flower and shrubs watering. They all worked well and they stayed full most of this year because of our heavy downpours. We are thinking of getting more in subsequent years. Stan designed another arbor for the house side entrance and he built it with little trouble. We did have an interesting time installing the arbor and getting it stable. Next year I will plant a kiwi and a grape vines to climb up one side. I'll also move the two wisteria I have been nursing out back to climb up the other side. In a few years it will be lovely.

At the beginning of summer we went to a Move On meeting. It was a good experience and we enjoyed meeting some of the attendees, but overall we considered this particular meeting a waste of time and energy. Move On is good at formulating ideas and providing media, but not so good at fostering organization, collaboration, and creating action. I could say the same thing about the Democratic Party and citizens in general. We may attend future meetings if we think I will be worth it. We may just put our efforts into other orgs that deserve attention.

Farmington NHGardener's Roundtable Harvest dinner was a huge success as was the garden tour. Both had good participation levels and everyone was enthusiastic about both events. I'm a little green with envy. Most of the other gardeners have larger tracts of land and much larger growing spaces; some have entire fields. I like the thought of growing more food, but Stan and I are limited by the space we have and the amount of sunlight we get. I'm not willing to take down the trees we have and our buildings take up a large portion of the land footprint. It's a trade-off. We are trying to get a community garden going, so I may be able to put more energy into that space and be able to grow more food. There seems to be a good amount of interest and the town does have a couple of sites that are good candidates, with water access. That water access would be key to making any community garden project thrive.

The Farmington NH Dems Adopt-A Spot that we took over in June is really looking good. It is in the median strip at the juncture of Spring Street and Route 11. Route 11 is a major artery up to the lakes, so it gets seen often. The space is twenty five feet long, more than I was expecting to have to work with. Getting compost into the site and digging all the holes for the plants were the hardest parts, as the site had never before been fully planted, so there was nothing in the median but the six inches of mulch, tarps and sand. We went to Cameron's Home and Garden Center, in Farmington, to pick up the plants and flowers. Everything is doing well thanks to the abundant rain, warm days, and cool nights. I just put in some mums to add fall color and add five new perennials to the mix. Hopefully they will gets established before killing frosts take care most of the vegetation in two months. The plants should grow and fill in over the years, making the spot quite a sight during autumn.

Stan and I worked on the local special election for Dem candidate Bob Perry in August. You may remember me mentioning Marty Harty who we kicked out of his district office, because he said that all disabled people should be sent to the American equivalent of Siberia where they should be left to die.  Stan created and administered Bob's website and worked on visibility and we both worked at the polls on election day. His challenger was a tea party-free stater with a typical dry, vain, restricted vision attached. Not only did Bob win, but a huge number of people came out to vote! No small thing in our nation.

Hay Day wasn't as busy as it is most years, which made it more intimate, but less successful. The Goodwin Library friends did very well at the book sale. We'll put that money to good use for the library.The Dems booth had plenty people stop by, but I wouldn't dare say we were busy. Carol Shea Porter(our former and hopefully soon to be representative) and her staff stopped by. It's always nice to see her. The Poet and Writer open mic went well, especially the music sets performed by Pat O'Brien( a friend of ours), but not many people came to hear us. Their loss. The fireworks were incredible this year. It might be my imagination, but our Hay Day fireworks seem to get better each year. Of course we can see them without leaving the house, so how could I complain?

Hurricane Irene didn't really cause us any great harm at home or at the rental in Dover(which is vacant right now), but we were without power for four days. We were so glad we purchased the generator last year. It saved our food in the fridge and freezer and made getting through the four days without the power grid much easier. It could be my imagination, but I think we are loosing power more often and for longer periods. Essential infrastructure declines are a warning symptom of a failing governing structure. If you can't provide basic service for people you can't do much of anything. Not very comforting.

Stan's work is about the same, busy as ever, though his co-worker is leaving for a better position. He'll have to adjust to covering some of her work and filling in parts of her position, as they won't hire anyone. I've been focusing on the garden and house and have tried to balance that with library programs, community activities, art projects, and political work for the last few months. I've sent resumes for a couple of positions, to keep options open, but in this job climate a unrepentant, liberal, forty year old, gay man doesn't have a chance of impressing most people. We've also spent plenty of time with Amanda & Aaron and the kids, Dennis, our new friends Steph and John, and Val's family. Dinners, music, and the play At My Window, were features of our summer nightlife. The NH Dems caucus is this weekend. Stan is a delegate and seems very excited about going. Our county Dems picnic is this Sunday and we are both looking forward to it. The weather forecast doesn't look great, but I've seen much worse.

Life seems good right now. I'm enjoying it while it is good. The winds of change shift quickly and without warning. I've seen that happen thousands of times in my life. I'm hoping this update finds you all well and in good spirits. My posting will be difficult to predict until after autumn settles everything down here in New England. Probably limited. I'd rather spend time at your places anyhow.

Sea Level Rise Would Be Costly

2011-09-15T13:12:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/14/economists-say-sea-level-california_n_963320.html

How Banks Cause World Hunger

2011-09-15T13:10:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/14/how-banks-cause-world-hunger_n_960926.html

Is Poverty A Death Sentence?

2011-09-14T10:45:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-bernie-sanders/is-poverty-a-death-senten_b_960598.html

Dennis Kucinich Indicates He Will Likely Run For Re-Election In Ohio

2011-09-14T10:38:00.001-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/13/dennis-kucinich-reelection-ohio_n_961180.html

Elizabeth Warren: I'm Running!

2011-09-14T10:34:00.000-04:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elizabeth-warren/senate-announcement_b_961624.html

http://www.elizabethwarren.com/

September 11th-Remember-Learn-Love

2011-09-11T08:13:00.000-04:00

http://www.911memorial.org/

I don't have much time to be online today to write a proper post, so I suggest you read Stan's post for the day. It says everything I'd want to say anyhow. Great minds think alike.

I'd also recommended visiting the Farmington NH Democrats post for the day. I put together a selection of September 11th article links you all may be interesting in reading.