January 2007
1/3/2007
Looking back at 2006:
"I feel duped." - Oprah Winfrey to author James Frey, who fabricated chunks of his best-selling memoir, "A Million Little Pieces"
"I want to apologize specifically to everyone in the Jewish community for the vitriolic and harmful words. Please know from my heart that I am not an anti-Semite. I am not a bigot." - Mel Gibson, on comments he made to police who arrested him on drunken driving charges
"I don't think I want to see any more Mel Gibson movies." - Barbara Walters
"I understand why people think we're gay. There isn't a definition in our culture for this kind of bond between women. So I get why people have to label it - 'How can you be this close without it being sexual?' " - Oprah Winfrey, on her friendship with Gayle King
"I'm not ashamed - that's the one thing I want to say. I don't think it's wrong, I'm not devastated going through this. I'm more liberated and happy than I've been my whole life." - Lance Bass, announcing that he is gay
A 12-year Republican lock on Congress came to an abrupt end in 2006, as voters punished US President George W. Bush for the quagmire in Iraq.
HIV/AIDS activists flip out when Stephen Harper doesn't deliver at the International AIDS Conference held in Toronto. Harper refuses to increase funding for the disease and is a no-show at the world's most important gathering on the world's most deadly disease. And finally Canadian citizens get it: He doesn't care about the world's sick, poor, homosexual, women and orphans.
She says she was joking, but who's to believe her? Country star Faith Hill freaks out on camera when the award for Female Vocalist of the Year goes to ingénue Carrie Underwood at the Country Music Awards. WHAT?!
Arrested for drunk driving on July 28, police report that Mel Gibson drunkenly quipped to one deputy, "You motherfucker. I'm going to fuck you." Then Gibson said, "Fucking Jews... The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world... Are you a Jew?" Gibson also yelled at a female officer, "What do you think you're looking at, sugar tits?" Don't expect Gibson to be nominated for any more Oscars.
Here's an overlooked story of 2006: Museum-goers were finally exposed to the widespread evidence that homosexuality is a naturally-occurring phenomenon throughout the animal world. Scientists have long known that many animals exhibit homosexual behavior, but a popular museum exhibit finally gave the general public the chance to learn all about it for themselves. . . Oh, wait. That museum exhibit was in Norway. You aren't too likely to see something like that in this country any time soon. . . If you're a fundamentalist Christian, Muslim, or Jew, you now have to face the fact that homosexuality, since it occurs throughout nature, is also therefore God-given. Unless, that is, you decide to convert to a more Manichean theology, one that says that the created universe is the product of the devil and perpetually at war with God. But if you do that, you're going the way of the Cathars and others who were slaughtered by the Church for their heresy. . . Stay with current schools of thought, Christians. Those schools say that Creation is a reflection of God's goodness and beauty. And Muslims, remember what the Q'uran has taught you:
Verily in the heavens and the earth, are Signs for those who believe ... and in the creation of yourselves and the fact that animals are scattered (through the earth), are Signs for those of assured Faith ... And He has subjected to you, as from Him, all that is in the heavens and on earth: Behold, in that are Signs indeed for those who reflect.
As I say, the fundamentalists are much too powerful to let this information get much publicity in the US. So don't search your TV Guide for "Mutual of Omaha's 'Wild Queendom'" quite yet. But, as they say, the Truth Is Out There.
Nov. 5: Translation of judge pronouncing that Saddam Hussein has been convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death for the killings of 148 people in Dujail in 1982.
Former President Ford died at 93, and Americans paused to pay tribute in their hearts to the man who brought decency and dignity to the presidency after the battering of the Watergate scandal.
Lou Rawls, 72. Velvet-voiced singer of such hits as ''Love Is a Hurtin' Thing.'' Died Jan. 6.
Shelley Winters, 85. Outspoken, Oscar-winning star (''The Diary of Anne Frank.'') died Jan. 14
Coretta Scott King, 78. Civil rights leader; carried on work started by her martyred husband. Died Jan. 30.
Dennis Weaver, 81. Chester on ''Gunsmoke'' and the cowboy cop hero in ''McCloud.'' Died Feb. 24
Don Knotts, 81. Won five Emmys for playing the bumbling Barney Fife on ''The Andy Griffith Show.'' Died Feb. 24
Maureen Stapleton, 80. Oscar-winning actress; excelled on stage, screen, television. Died March 13
Buck Owens, 76. The flashy rhinestone cowboy who shaped country music with hits like ''Act Naturally.'' Died March 25
Rudolf Vrba, 81. Described death camp horrors after escaping Auschwitz, saving thousands. Died March 27
Michael Novosel, 83. Won Medal of Honor for heroism as medevac pilot in Vietnam. Died April 2
June Pointer, 52. Youngest of the hitmaking Pointer Sisters (''I'm So Excited.'') died April 11 of Cancer
Aaron Spelling, 83. TV impresario whose stylish shows (''Beverly Hills 90210'') were wildly popular. Died June 23
June Allyson, 88. Hollywood movies' ''perfect wife.'' Died July 8
Red Buttons, 87. Actor-comedian; won Oscar for a dramatic turn in ''Sayonara.'' Died July 13
Mickey Spillane, 88. Macho mystery writer who wowed millions of readers. Died July 17
Mike Douglas, 81. Affable TV talk show host and singer. Died Aug. 11
Ray Noorda, 82. Founded software maker Novell Inc., was known as the father of network computing. Died Oct. 9
Dr. Mason Andrews, 87. Delivered nation's first test-tube baby in 1981. died Oct. 13
Jane Wyatt, 96. Lovely actress who for six years on ''Father Knows Best'' was one of TV's favorite moms. Died Oct. 20
Benjamin Meed, 88. Escaped the Warsaw Ghetto; later helped establish a national Holocaust registry. Died Oct. 24
Ed Bradley, 65. TV journalist who created a distinctive, powerful body of work on ''60 Minutes.'' Died Nov. 9
Peter Boyle, 71. The curmudgeonly father on ''Everybody Loves Raymond.'' Died Dec. 12
Gerald Ford, 93. The nation's 38th president, a former Michigan congressman who did much to restore national confidence after Richard Nixon resigned in disgrace in 1974. died Dec. 26
WVU goes to the Gator Bowl
West Virginia is making slight yet discernible progress in reducing deaths from heart disease, but it remains one of the states hit hardest by the nation's No. 1 killer .. . . West Virginia fared slightly better in fatality rates from stroke, ranking ahead of 12 others. The report found that 373 people per 100,000 die from cardiovascular disease in West Virginia, down one from the previous year . . . While that may seem like modest progress, the state's death rate has dropped since 1993, when the death rate was 390 out of every 100,000 West Virginians
These are just SOME of WHAT HAPPENED in 2006. We move on with life; we continue on with our own lives. We must continue to live our lives as honestly and respectably as we can.
I wish for all of you a very Healthy, Prosperous and Happy 2007.
1/10/2007
POLICE AND CRIME
Recently, two teenagers were out at 4:00 in the morning after drinking and breaking to cars. The local police showed up and one of the boys ran. The police pursued him. They did apprehend the youth; during the course of this "chase," the boy ended up with a broken jaw. The father of the boy filed an "excessive force complaint." The police chief said, "a juvenile was arrested about 4 a.m. Friday. . .on charges of breaking and entering to autos, fleeing, obstruction and underage consumption of alcohol. He said the juvenile resisted arrest and officers used force in taking him into custody." An investigation into the officers is underway.
It’s odd, isn’t it? We want police protection when we are the victims; yet when we are the offenders, we scream "foul!"
The fact of the matter is breaking the law is breaking the law. It doesn’t matter if it is driving 50 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour section; driving while drunk; stealing from the store; disrespecting other people by vandalizing property or running amuck in the middle of the night.
Other than someone who knows they are doing wrong and breaking the law, who runs from the police?
Do we want police protection or not? Certainly if the police did not pursue and take into custody someone breaking the law, we’d be outraged.
How can we be so indignant when one is chased and apprehended? If one were truly not guilty and innocent, would one have run away?
Let’s also consider what our police force faces each day: crime, violence, death and risk; they do this for us, the public.
Something that has really been lost in our society is accepting consequences for one’s actions. There ARE consequences to actions, whether one is a teenager or a grown adult.
What makes a boy into a man or a girl into a woman is mostly determined by his or her parents, the lessons they taught, the lessons of honesty and integrity and respect.
Will kids "run amuck?" Sure, they are kids. They will challenge authority and do what kids do. When caught, though, if they had the upbringing of honesty, integrity and respect, they will shrink down with fear and shame.
Today isn’t quite like that. It seems that people think, "My lawyer will get me out of this," or "my parents will bail me out of this."
If we really want to understand crime, all we have to do is look at ourselves. We are so ready to excuse others because of a limitless list of problems, problems that probably most of us have had and never broke the law. We demand that a criminal have his or her rights, regardless of the fact that they took someone’s rights away from them. Even though in jail or prison, many criminal inmates live better than so honest, upstanding citizens; they get three square meals a day, exercise, reading, cable TV even; while the rest of us struggle as honest "non-criminal" people.
Heaven forbid that a criminal serving time should be uncomfortable. HELLO!
1/17/2007
A MALE MOMENT AND DESIRE
I'm having one of those days. One that I'll bet most men has had.
One of those days when my penis is erect most of the time and I enjoy it. LOL One of those days where no matter what I do, I walk around the house with a perpetual hard-on.
It's like my penis is taking an exercise class: it's up, it's down, it's up, and it’s down. LOL
Of course I fuel the fire. Apparently my body feels "horny." I view pictures of men, which I find so beautiful, the male body is incredibly beautiful to me, and my dick responds. Maybe these are my moments of "weakness," but I do love to see the male body. Not pictures of kids; MEN, adult men.
Even more than my penis, my entire body is desirous. You know, one of those days when I desire physical contact; to touch another, to be touched; to physically be with a man; enjoy him, his body and hopefully experience the same from him. My desire is emotional as well. To connect with another man, talk with each other and enjoy each other's company.
As a single gay man, I've got only two choices: ignore it or masturbate. We'll see what I choose. LOL
Sure, I could go for a "hook-up" and have sex with a stranger; that may solve the physical part, the emotional part of me will suffer.
Without emotion and feelings, sex is just that: a biological function. I understand not every man thinks this way, but I do. My penis does not rule or command me.
Maybe I'm not a "real man," or maybe I'm a different kind of man. I don't know. I want and need more than ejaculation from a relationship.
So, as for today and tonight, I have tissues. Though, when these moments hit me, I prefer to use a condom because it makes clean up easier. LOL
If my "sex life" is masturbation, that's okay. I'd rather that than betraying everything I believe, think and feel. I'll not regret waking up tomorrow.
Punishment for crimes should BE that. PUNISHMENT, not a better life than they had before.
I thank, respect and honor our Police. I am grateful for what they do every day.
1/24/2007
Thing’s I’ve Learned and Am Still Learning
No one will be on your side 100% of the time all the time.
Sadness and grief are not weaknesses or something to be ignored. Give those feelings their due then move on. We can't appreciate the good without experiencing the bad.
There isn't a person on earth who won't annoy me at one time or another; but that doesn't mean either one of us is bad.
Acceptance is the key to relating to people.
Just because I have one opinion and you have another doesn't mean either one of us is wrong or right.
Don't ask the question if you don't want to hear the answer.
If someone offers an unsolicited opinion about another, they'd better be prepared for the response.
Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine.
Getting along with others has more to do with me than them.
If someone has a problem with me, that is their problem...not mine.
Let people think what they want; they will anyway.
Rumors and gossip are different: Gossip is when one does something in public and others talk about it; rumors are lies.
Big feet on a man mean only one thing: big shoes.
Anger and resentment can seem to be life sustaining; but forgiveness is life.
Lovers will come and go; children will leave you; the only ones who know you cradle to grave are your siblings.
Change what you can; accept what you cannot; and know the difference.
Greeting someone with courtesy and a smile won’t kill me; it could even positively impact the day of another.
None of us live in a vacuum; we’re all in this together.
Never grocery shop when you are hungry.
Friendship and love can NEVER be a one-way street.
Confidence and arrogance are NOT the same.
At work, we don’t all have to like each other; but unless I leave, we DO have to work together – so get along.
I’ve got to pick my battles. Let the little things go; I’ll be taken more seriously and respected when I do stand up.
1/31/2007
Words are just words. It's the sentiment BEHIND the word that has the power.
Personally, I've never said the "N" word; I think it's ugly and mean. I've also never called a black person an "African-American." Not a single black person I've ever known was born in Africa nor has ever been there. Neither do I call myself a "German-American," the largest part of my heritage. As far as I'm concerned, if you are a United States citizen, you are American. Certainly, our heritage should be important to us; however, it's NOT more important than being a United States citizen.
Words can have power but what is behind the word is what matters most.
Everyone in our society is so "sensitive." I often say, "the girls I work with...." Some people would absolutely want to hang me for that phrase; "women, not girls." I don't intend any disrespect, there are boys and there are girls.
Then again, some of the same "women" who would be offended by my comment would also be offended if I (the boy) didn't carry the heavy box for her/them. So much for "being equal."
I do think women are equal to men. I grew up in the 70s and learned and was taught, "a girl can do anything a boy can do." Okay. I agree with that. However, I have found that many women want it both ways.
I'm no better or important by virtue of my penis than any woman; a woman can do my job just as well as I can; a woman deserves the same pay as any man doing the same job.
However, a woman will expect a man to lift the heavy box for her and carry things for her. So much for being "equal."
So, if someone calls me "queer" or a "fag/faggot," my reaction would be determined by the feelings behind those words. I'm a homosexual; I am "a queer" (as society has changed the meaning of the word;) I'm gay (again, society has changed the meaning;) I'm a fag/faggot (yes, again, the meaning has changed.)
Yet, when those words are said in ignorance and hatred, offense is taken. But isn't that what ignorant and hateful people do? Say words to offend, demean, disrespect and insult another?
Words are just words. Words cannot hurt me if I don't let them. "Sticks and stones can break my bones; but words can never hurt me."
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