Existential Punk

Bipartisanshit!

OK, so i am just one voter in this great country and my opinions and thoughts are my own, though i know that some out there share those with me. i do applaud President Obama working to bridge gaps, build coalitions and work towards bipartisanship. YET, when the GOP, now known as the Party of NO, works consistently against you and your agenda, not meeting you halfway, thus bringing gridlock in which nothing gets done, it is time to get a spine. The majority of the nation elected Obama and the democrats because they want a progressive agenda - Everyone gets healthcare coverage, healthcare is reformed, Wall Street needs to be MAJORLY reigned in and Mainstreet gets the help they need, and an effective energy plan where we work to getting off our addiction to oil, which will aid our environmental issues and security. AND don't even get me started on Obama's campaign promises of getting rid of the antiquated DADT and DOMA. If the Civil Rights Movement waited until they had a consensus we may still not see African Americans having many rights today and Obama may not have even been able to run for president. So, come on, get off this BIPARTISANSHIT, President Obama and Democrats. If YOU don't find a spine and quit backing down and giving in to special interest groups and the Party of NO, then in 2010 at the midterm elections, people will vote YOU out. i am glad i am an Independent because BOTH parties drive me crazy. If i don't start seeing some REAL CHANGE, i am voting third party next time. DO WHAT THE PEOPLE WHO ELECTED YOU WANT YOU TO DO! YOU HAVE A FUCKING MANDATE, SO BE LIKE NIKE AND JUST DO IT! BE WARNED, DEMOCRATS, GET SOME BALLS AND A SPINE!

UN Gay Rights Declaration To Be Signed By Us, FINALLY!

FINALLY, President Obama is doing something tangible to help the LGBTQ community at large world-wide by formally endorsing 'a U.N. statement calling for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality, a measure that former President George W. Bush had refused to sign.' Not that i have much hope in the UN enforcing this as they are not very successful in keeping the slaughter of innocents in Africa and elsewhere from happening, but it is a step in the right direction. At least it is way more than Bush EVER did for our community!

Read the entire article at Huffington Post.

Moby, Obama & The Inauguration, Or Dance You Can Believe In

Ok, so i am REALLY bummed because Moby is going to be having an ALL NIGHT DJ set on Sunday, January 18th, at the 9.30 Club in D.C., which is Katryna's birthday, in order to celebrate Obama's inauguration. We will be out of town and the information JUST came today into my inbox. For those of you who don't know me well yet, MOBY is MY FAVORITE musician/DJ/artist. i have met him a couple of times and find his music to be so deeply spiritual and moving.

Another thing i am bummed about, or more pissed off about, is how ALL the hotels in D.C are unscrupulously price gouging for the inauguration! Most are REQUIRING a 4 NIGHT MINIMUM STAY starting at $300.00 per night! They think in this economy people can afford this? It was expected that nearly 4 million people would be in D.C. for this historic event but it looks to be a lot less coming. MAYBE these fucking prices have something to do with it! WE ARE IN A RECESSION PEOPLE! Corporate greed REALLY pisses me off to no end!

Here's the Moby info:

Dance You Can Believe In
What better way to kick off your inauguration festivities than by dancing until morning to one of Moby’s world-class DJ sets? Those who attended last year’s Virgin Mobile Festival know that when this New Yorker gets behind the turntables, mind-blowing hours upon hours of pulsing beats and lights are imminent. Start the party early and let Moby kick-off your inaugural week the right way.

Change? Let's Start with Dancing...
Inaugural Kick-Off Party
MOBY (dj set)
All Night
January 18
12 Midnight Doors
In association with Blisspop

There is a 4 ticket limit.

click here to purchase tickets

White Knot For Marriage Equality

Join The Impact writes about 'Visibility in the Face of Rick Warren' where they are emphasizing a peaceful way of being in solidarity for the inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th President of the United States of America on January 20, 2009.

"Many have come to us with ideas on what to do for inauguration day in response to Rick Warren. Many want to turn their backs, boo when he speaks, or have a large march. In my opinion, though these are ideas that I would get behind in other situations, I do not think that this is the best way to respond at such an historical inauguration. If we as a community take attention away from such a historical event in a negative way, we risk alienating a great deal of those in the middle of this struggle who are just starting to understand what we are fighting for and why we deserve these rights. We DO need to stand up for our community in the face of Rick Warren, but I believe that there is a very positive way that we can do this that will send a message, spark the conversation of equality, and show Obama just how many people support our rights and DO NOT support this horrible choice. So on January 20th, we encourage all attending the inauguration, all going to inauguration viewing parties, and all who plan on watching in the privacy of their own home, to wear the White Knot for Marriage Equality. We hope to have 35% of the crowd at the inauguration sporting the White Knot OR a rainbow armband/rainbow flag, etc. Show your solidarity and visibility while allowing everyone the chance to take in this amazing event and begin to embrace change. It is this historical event, that we as a nation can share together… a common ground that everyone can find regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or class."

So, let's join in SOLIDARITY!

1st Openly Gay Cabinet Member?

Huffington Post reports that community organizer, single mom, and open lesbian, Mary Beth Maxwell is being vetted for Labor Secretary by President-elect Obama. If she is  asked to serve, she would become the very first openly gay cabinet member. This is very exciting news for the LGBTQ community! Even if she ends up not being asked, the fact that Obama is vetting her is more encouraging news from a LGBTQ-friendly President-elect!

"For the rainbow cabinet of the nation's first African American president, Mary Beth Maxwell is the perfect labor secretary you've probably never heard of: a gay woman, community organizer and labor leader with an adopted African American son. And this founding executive director of American Rights at Work is about to get the full-court press.

Maxwell already had the strong backing of former Rep. David Bonior, who despite repeated attempts to get his name removed from consideration continues to be on the short list of potential labor secretaries. Bonior, 63 years old, says it is time for his generation to turn over power to a new generation, and Maxwell, whose labor-backed organization pushes for expanded collective bargaining rights, is his pick"

Great Thanksgiving Dinner Conversations

This should be fun if you are so lucky! :) Happy Turkey Day! From 23/6:

Ten things to know if you're having Thanksgiving with Republicans

"Congratulations, liberal/progressive/terrorist! This is the first Thanksgiving in eight years where you represent the political majority. Because you know who voted with you? Oh, just fifty-three percent of the United States of America. HELL YEAH! Who's a member of the fringe lunatic this holiday season? Not you!

But what happens if your right-wing relatives still want to debate the outcome of the election? Defang your conservative loved ones with these ten helpful facts!:

   
President-elect Obama won by 8 million votes.


President Bush is probably drinking again.



Many media conservatives are furious with President Bush.



Experts say that Al Qaeda's recent video shows that the terrorists are afraid of President-elect Obama.



President-elect Obama is cocky enough to think he can pull this "economic miracle" shit off.



The "socialist" takeover of America's banks happened on Bush's watch.



The "Democratic" Senate has been working with a one vote majority, and that vote is Joe Lieberman. If they get to the "Magic 60," that sixtieth vote is still Joe Lieberman.



The majority of rich Americans voted to have their wealth spread.



President Obama will probably only get to replace liberal judges on the Supreme Court.



Cheer up, the GOP still owns the "racist belt!"

 

Obama & The Meaning Of Thanksgiving

i hope this Thanksgiving all of you have a blessed time together with your family and friends or friends who are your family. In spite of all the uncertainty in the world and my own personal life, i am very grateful this Thanksgiving. i think Obama succinctly nails the meaning of Thanksgiving in our current context. Be blessed!

JOIN THE IMPACT RICHMOND

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! CALLING ALL QUEERS AND QUEER ALLIES! i just received this email from JOIN THE IMPACT RICHMOND news from Brandon advocating more ways to keep the momentum going:

Hey gang,

Just wanted to remind/notify you all about upcoming activism opportunities, as posted to Join the Impact >> The Next 3 Months

Project Postcard .  Keep sending out your postcards!  This is now more important than ever as Barack Obama's people just announced that he plans on delaying the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell.  Let's remind President Elect Barack Obama of the promises that he made to our community and remind him that we are citizens of the United States of America too!

Nov. 28th - Dec. 20th: The National LGBTQ Food Drive  - Through this event, we will work to reach out not only to those who have worked alongside us, but to organizations and individuals that fear us and oppose our cause.  Our efforts to alleviate the hunger America is facing in this difficult time will be indiscriminate with regards to creed or political philosophy.  These are gaps we can and must bridge if we are going to achieve equality in this country. Read more . . .

December 5th: MILK Movement: Let's honor the memory of Harvey Milk and get everyone out to the theater for the national release of the national release of this film by Gus Van Sant.  Gaining equality requires visibility.  This world needs to know that we exist and that our numbers are huge.  So many people don't understand just how many US Citizens are denied equal rights.  Let's make MILK one of the top 3 grossing movies for the weekend of December 5th.  And let's do it by going to the theaters that support our community.  Please keep checking back for a list of pro-LGBTQ theaters to support the weekend of December 5th.  This movie is something that will help keep this important conversation going so let's fill those seats! (More info to come soon).

December 10th: Day Without a Gay - Day Without a Gay is about an economic boycott.  Our community contributes $700 billion a year to this economy (the same amount as the bailout), yet we are not given equal protections under the law that every citizen deserves.  As such, it is time we make a stand.  During the largest shopping season of the year, we ask that you do one very important thing: Don't Buy Anything!  What would happen to this world if the LGBTQ community didn't exist?  Why is it that we continue to contribute to an economy and government that does not contribute to us?  Let's answer these questions on December 10th.   Read More...


December 20th: Light up the Night for Equal Rights - On November 15th, we took to the streets and shouted for our rights and against the acts revoking rights on November 4th.  We mobilized in ways this country has never seen and did so on the steps of City Halls and US Embassies throughout the world!  On December 20th, we ask that you join us again for a demonstration that will make an impact on the private sector.  Thanks to the great suggestion of one of our readers mixed with the brilliant ideas of the Civil Rights Front, we ask that you join us to Light Up the Night for Equal Rights.  Read More…

January 10th: National Protest Against DOMA - Please join us to make history AGAIN.  Let's march on our state capitols and remind President Elect Barack Obama that he promised to Repeal DOMA!
February 12th: Freedom to Marry Day Sit In - February 12 is Freedom to Marry Day and we are teaming up with MarriageEquality.org to bring visibility of immense proportions to this issue.  Let's exercise our freedom as citizens of this country!  We ask that you join us at the steps of your City Hall and ask for a marriage license.  If you are denied a license, don't leave.  Sit with your community, your allies, and friends.  Let's show this country just how many US Citizens are DENIED EQUAL PROTECTIONS UNDER THE LAW.

Thanks!
-Brandon

Religious Fanaticism Gone Wild!

i think Rick Sanchez at CNN   did an excellent job interviewing this religious fanatic. Rick was balanced and kind. This guy is very narrow-minded, imho. At least he admited to wording the sign differently if he had to do it over again. You can watch it here:

Project Postcard

TAKE ACTION, GET INVOLVED and WRITE PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA! From Join The Impact:

Our friends at LGBTQ Civil Rights Front have come up with a brilliant way for us to ensure that LGBTQ issues aren't forgotten as President-elect Obama makes his transition into the White House.

Their idea: buy a postcard from your home town, include a handwritten message, and mail it to Obama's Presidential Transition Office.

HOW IT WORKS

1. BUY A POSTCARD	It would be great if it had the name of your city or state on it, but feel free to get creative.
2. WRITE THIS MESSAGE:	Dear President-elect Obama, Please ask Congress to repeal DOMA! All Americans should have the right to marry. Thank you in advance for advocating for the civil rights of your LGBT citizens. Sincerely, <Your Name> <Your City and State>
3. POST A PIC OF YOURSELF	Take a photo of yourself with your postcard and add it to This Album!
4. MAIL IT TO OBAMA:	President-elect Barack Obama Presidential Transition Office Kluczynski Federal Building 230 S. Dearborn St., 38th Floor Chicago, IL 60604
5. TELL YOUR FRIENDS	Email this URL to your friends! http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/page/Project+Postcard