Crazy in Alabama

Being a native Alabamian I've often times been baffled by the mindset and the way of thinking by most in the state. Take for instance the Lottery issue.

A former Alabama Governor who is in the news a lot lately, Don Seigelman, proposed a state lottery to help fund education for state.Alabama's education system is pretty poor quality and cash strapped, like many others across the country, there's a constant struggle to fund the system the way it should be. The voters voted down his proposal because they objected to legalizing gambling, however a prominent political contributor owns at least 2 dog tracks where you can not only bet on dog racing, you can bet on simulcast horse racing and play slot and poker machines. His establishments are the only ones in the state where this is permitted. hmmmmmm... looks like gambling, sounds like gambling, quacks like gambling.

The current presidential race is no exception. In a recent poll, 49 percent of Alabamians say we should have never went to war in Iraq and 46 percent say we should withdraw our troops. The same poll also shows that 67.0% are dis-satisfied with the way things are going in the country. Like myself, you probably realize that these numbers are most likely very similar across the country. What is odd about this is that Alabamians favor McCain for president over either Democratic candidate.

What?

Regardless of public belief, there is electric service, fax machines, running indoor plumbing, cable and satellite service available in the state of Alabama, not that everyone subscribes to such things, as is obvious by the results of this poll.

McCain has said repeatedly that he will continue the war in Iraq, and lately is has even supported Bush's flawed economic plan, which I propose got us in this economic situation to begin with.

While I find neither Democratic Candidate perfect, I don't think this country needs to continue down the path that Bush has taken us, which is exactly what McCain will continue to do.

Way to go Alabama, you continue to make me proud.

What's your state's score?

TP pointed me towards a recent, very interesting article that breaks out the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered americans and gives each state a numerical score. While there are probably a few "errors" in the analysis, it at least provides some baseline information.

You can see you your state scored here: http://www.equalitygiving.org/States-of-Equality-and-Gay-Rights-Scorecard

Time for a repeal...

Don't ask, don't tell is clearly a failed policy that should have never been put into place. I'm not going into the multitude of reasons why this policy is flawed, but instead just refer to an article published by CNN and stastistics released by the military.

In 2007 in seems that the military has allowed more convicted FELONS to serve than ever before. These are people with various crimes, including a couple convicted of terrorist activities.

WAKE UP! You can honestly tell me these people are fit to serve and someone like me isn't?? I'm sorry, even at 40 I could pass any physical fitness / mental test the military could throw my way (just ignore all the surgery scars). If you are ever in a fight, I'm the guy you want backing you up and you can tell me that I can't serve and convicted felons can??

When graduating high school I came verry close to joining the Marines. Both the army and marine recruiters made several trips to my house, but because I knew what I would face being gay, I changed my mind. When I greaduated from undergrad, I once again considered joining, if even the reserves, but again the military's policies deterred me.

Come on America...

Green Green Green

and I'm not talking about money...

Someone has said that when a society has ample food, they become obese. This is obvious by looking around at the average member of our society. Obesity is rampant, not only in adults, but unfortunately our children.

We could imply that same principle to natural resources. For centuries we have used the earth's resources like there is an endless supply and now thanks to Al Gore and others who are basically giving us a slap in the face, we are beginning to see the effects of this "Environmental Gluttony." Not only is there horrible effects on the environment, but the supply is certainly not endless. A recent expert predicted that if the current rate of consumption growth of oil, the supply will be gone in my lifetime.

TP and I have changed some of our habits in a way to do our part in reducing our consumption.

- Replaced our windows with energy efficient windows
- Replaced all our appliances with more efficient models
- Replaced our AC unit with a more efficient model
- We recycle everything we can
- We use our own grocery bags when we shop (http://baggubag.com/)

Some of things I'm planning...
- buying an alternative fuel vehicle the next time I purchase
- walking more to the gym
- installing electronic thermostats in the house
- replacing our light bulbs with energy efficient ones

On the financial side, for those stock market investors, investing in Green Technology is a way to go. With the big push for these technologies, it is hard to see how this would not pay off.

Let's strive to leave the world a little bit better than how we found it.

Special rights

One of the arguements that has risen up during this time of trying to get ENDA passed is that of "special rights". Conservatives have been using this arguement saying that granting employment discrimination rights for the gay, lesbian and transgender citizens would in essense be considered granting special rights to a "special group".

I find this ironic when looking at the marriage issue. Could we are gay and lesbians not use this arguement for our case in support of gay marriage? I propose that the rights given to ONLY heterosexuals (or those choosing to marry someone of the opposite sex) should be equate to "special rights for a special group".

According to most legal references, there are approximately 1400 rights granted to "married" couples that no one else is entitled.

For example here are a few of them:

Joint parental rights of children
Joint adoption
Status as "next-of-kin" for hospital visits and medical decisions
Right to make a decision about the disposal of loved ones remains
Immigration and residency for partners from other countries
Crime victims recovery benefits
Domestic violence protection orders
Judicial protections and immunity
Automatic inheritance in the absence of a will
Public safety officers death benefits
Spousal veterans benefits
Social Security
Medicare
Joint filing of tax returns
Wrongful death benefits for surviving partner and children
Bereavement or sick leave to care for partner or children
Child support
Joint Insurance Plans
Tax credits including: Child tax credit, Hope and lifetime learning credits
Deferred Compensation for pension and IRAs
Estate and gift tax benefits
Welfare and public assistance
Joint housing for elderly
Credit protection
Medical care for survivors and dependents of certain veterans
Family medical leave to care for a sick spouse (not legally married, not legally spouse)

Perhaps instead of letting this arguement be used to our detriment, we use it for our good.

I want to be a part of it......

Out of all the places I've been, I've never had the opportunity to visit NYC, until last week. TP, knowing I had never been, and knowing that NYC is one place I had always wanted to visit planned a trip for us. We actually got to enjoy the city with several of our Houston friends and see friends from Philly.

Everything I had imagined about NYC is certainly true. When first arriving and trying to take everything in it is a bit overwhelming, but once you settle into the pace of city, the overwhelming nature settles down and the city comes alive.

We did the normal tourist stuff... visited Central Park, Grand Central Station, Rockefellar plaza, shopping on 5th avenue, rushed through Time Square, etc, etc. We also enjoyed a couple of broadway shows. Thursday we had front row seats to "Xanadu" http://xanaduonbroadway.com/. Very entertaining and full of laughs. Saturday we saw the fantastic new musical "Spring Awakening" http://www.springawakening.com/. If you get the opportunity I highly recommend this show. The music is great, the lighting amazing and the story itself is one we can all relate to in one way or another.

We also indulged into the night life attending Black Party on Saturday night and Allegria on Sunday. Black Party wasn't as "over the top" as I expected, but I suppose it could have been had I chosen it to be so. Allegria was way crowded in it's new home of Webster Hall, but a cool old space on it's own.

I found the people of New York very friendly and outgoing, and the men very good looking with great bodies, but I wouldn't trade 10 of them from the one I have!

All in all a wonderful trip and place I certainly will visit again.