December 19, 2010 · 11:21 am

Christmas Quote of the Day

My partner Steve posted this Stephen Colbert quote on FaceBook.

I hope all the Republicans- especially the Religious Right ones- read this and take time to think about it.

But that’s probably a hopeless dream.  If they thought about things, they wouldn’t be Republicans.

From Stephen Colbert via Steve Willis:

Thoughtful quote of the day–and particularly good for this time of year:

“If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn’t help the poor, either we’ve got to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are or we’ve got to acknowledge that he commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition.

And then admit that we just don’t want to do it.”       Stephen Colbert

I hope this quote goes viral on FaceBook….

Leave a comment

Filed under Education, Health Care, Holidays, Politics, Religion, Social Commentary

December 19, 2010 · 11:06 am

Gay troops cautiously optimistic following ‘don’t ask’ repeal

Great article from the Washington Post on the real impact of DADT repeal to actively serving Gay troops.

People need to remember that John Wayne is dead and it’s a totally different world now compared to 25 or 30 years ago.  Thank god….

KABUL – The gay Army lieutenant’s heart had been racing all night.

Shuffling between meetings at his outpost in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday night, the 27-year-old officer kept popping his head into the main office to catch a glimpse of Fox News’s coverage of the Senate debate that led to a vote lifting the ban on gay men and lesbians serving in the military openly.

“Don’t cry,” a 21-year-old specialist, one of the lieutenant’s confidants, told his boss jokingly when news broke that 65 senators had voted to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

“I’m completely numb,” was all the lieutenant could mutter.

Across the world, other gay troops whose lives, careers and relationships have been indelibly, if sometimes quietly, shaped by the ban reacted to the news with a mixture of rapture and disbelief.

Many had seethed for weeks as the political debate over the repeal became laden with sexual innuendo and suggestions that openly gay soldiers on the front lines might become life-threatening distractions.

“I was flipping out,” the lieutenant said Saturday night, speaking by phone. “This turned into a [expletive] political fight. We were caught in the middle of it. But the people who it affects the most couldn’t do anything about it. We felt used.”

The stakes were also high for the specialist. His brother is gay and had vowed to join the Air Force if the policy were repealed this year. Their father is also gay, which made attending military events somewhat awkward for the family.

MORE:   Gay troops cautiously optimistic following ‘don’t ask’ repeal.

Leave a comment

Filed under Gay, Politics, Social Commentary

December 18, 2010 · 3:19 pm

Daily Kos: Kay Hagan betrays key constituency

I was afraid of this….

I supported Kay Hagan and contributed to her campaign.  It doesn’t look like I’ll be doing so again next time.  I will probably vote for her, but that’s it.

These Democrats need to learn they are not Republican-Lites and that is not why we vote for them…

Republicans excel in driving excitement in their Base. Democrats seem to live to disappoint and beat down their Base in order to look more Republican.

Fools….

From DailyKos:

Sen. Kay Hagan is already running for reelection in North Carolina for what she clearly sees as a tough hold in 2016. She will be a freshman senator running for reelection for the first time — the most vulnerable point for any elected official. If the economy and political climate haven’t improved by then — and there’s no guarantee that they will — Hagan’s road to reelection will be a tough slog. And she won’t have Obama’s coattails among African Americans to pad her numbers.

Without that black vote, she’s got a much more difficult path to reelection. She lost the white male vote 67-32, and didn’t fare much better with white women, 62-38. Given that the white vote was 72 percent of the total, and that she lost it 64-35 (with a significant chunk of that 35 percent being young voters), it doesn’t take a math whiz to figure out who delivered the knockout blow. It was brown voters.

Per the exit polls, African Americans were 23 percent of the vote, and Hagan won them 95-5. The four percent who were Latino and Asian were too small for statistically valid data, so their results are not included, but their pro-hagan margins were similar.

Four percent of the 4.1 million votes cast in the race is 165,000 votes. Hagan’s margin of victory in 2008 was about 360,000. So sure, Hagan could’ve won without that vote, but there are more Latinos in North Carolina now than four years ago — growth that will be a big factor in North Carolina gaining a House seat during reapportionment. And Hagan won’t have the benefit of running against absentee celebrity senator Elizabeth Dole again, in the best pro-Democratic climate since forever.

When your winning coalition includes ethnic and racial minorities and young voters, and you face the voters in a non-presidential year that would bring out those low-performing groups, you have two approaches you can take — you can try to win more of that white vote, even though no Democrat has managed to pull it off in a southern state, or you can tap into the growth demographics and make sure they stay highly motivated and engaged.

North Carolina’s rapidly growing Latino population will be a big factor in the state’s expected gain of an extra House seat during reapportionment. They, along with a growing Asian community, could potentially be a key component of her reelection coalition.

via Daily Kos: Kay Hagan betrays key constituency.

Leave a comment

Filed under Greensboro, History, North Carolina, Politics

December 18, 2010 · 1:23 pm

“The SantaLand Diaries” at Triad Stage and Christmas Entertainment in Greensboro

There really is so much to do here in Greensboro over Christmas, we really aren’t missing the fact that we aren’t going to New York for Christmas for the first time in years…

There are three real highlights of the season still playing…

There is “A Victorian Christmas” playing on South Elm Street that we thoroughly loved when we saw it last year.  There are “The Eight Reindeer Monologues” playing at the Broach that I previously mentioned in the blog.

And there is “The SantaLand Diaries” at the Upstage Cabaret at Triad Stage.

First of all, I love the room where SantaLand was presented.  I have had a good time at everything I’ve been in this space.  Greensboro has needed an intimate space like this for some time.  Especially one where you can sit at tables and drink during the performances!

I saw “SantaLand Diaries” on the main stage at Triad Stage a few years ago.  I really enjoyed that production, but I enjoyed this one even more in this space.

Adapted by Joe Mantello from the David Sedaris story, this “behind the scenes” look at the department store SantaLand at Macy’s New York Flagship store should be a perennial offering.

James Tunstall is great as Crumpet, the reluctant Macy’s elf.  He is an earthier Crumpet who really  works the room and the audience.  He was both at home in the room and fully in control of the room at the same time.  I love his characterization and his take on the character.  The Direction by Jeff Stanley really utilized the full room and Mr Tunstall’s talents.

I would say rush to see this at either the early or,  preferably,  the late show, but I hear they are sold out for the run.  But rumor has it, they may be adding shows, so keep your ears open and don’t miss the chance to see this fun holiday production.

Triad Stage is also presenting “A Christmas Carol” on their main stage.  I won’t be seeing or reviewing that.  I just can’t sit through yet another production of “A Christmas Carol”.  I wouldn’t be going to see that anywhere, no matter who did it,  even if they did it in the nude with tap dancers….But I hear that production is selling out also.

There are lots of other things going on in town.  Amy Grant and Vince Gill’s Christmas show is at the Coliseum tonight.  I’m sure there are even more things I haven’t looked into…

There is nothing boring about Greensboro as long as you know where to look…

Happy Holidays!

1 Comment

Filed under Entertainment, Gay, Greensboro, Holidays, Theatre

December 18, 2010 · 12:41 pm

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Passes Senate Procedural Vote

Looks like it might finally happen!

 

WASHINGTON — In a landmark vote for gay rights, the Senate on Saturday voted to advance legislation that would overturn the military ban on openly gay troops known as “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

The 63-33 test vote all but guarantees the legislation will pass the Senate, possibly by day’s end, and reach the president’s desk before the new year.

The House had passed an identical version of the bill, 250-174, earlier this week.

Repeal would mean that, for the first time in American history, gays would be openly accepted by the military and could acknowledge their sexual orientation without fear of being kicked out.

More than 13,500 service members have been dismissed under the 1993 law.

Rounding up a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate was a historic victory for President Barack Obama, who made repeal of the 17-year-old policy a campaign promise in 2008. It also was a political triumph for congressional Democrats who struggled in the final hours of the postelection session to overcome GOP objections on several legislative priorities before Republicans regain control of the House in January.

“As Barry Goldwater said, ‘You don’t have to be straight to shoot straight,'” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., referring to the late GOP senator from Arizona.

Even after the measure were to become law, the policy change wouldn’t go into effect right away. Obama and his military advisers would have certify that the change wouldn’t hurt the ability of troops to fight, and there would also be a 60-day waiting period.

Some have predicted the process could take as long as a year before Bill Clinton-era policy is repealed.

via Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Passes Senate Procedural Vote.

Leave a comment

Filed under Gay, Politics

December 18, 2010 · 11:10 am

Here’s Why Eliot Spitzer Would Make a Good President

Good article from David Fagan at AOL News….

We really need to stop worrying about our politicians sex lives and worry about their effectiveness.  Eliot Spitzer was effective.  That’s why he was targeted…

Who cares if he’s also an arrogant hypocrite?  When you get right down to it, aren’t all politicians?

At least he had guts…I welcome him back to the fight.

Whatever you say about Eliot Spitzer, one thing is for certain: The man has chutzpah.

As New York’s attorney general, he went after the centuries-old boys’ club that said the banks and insurance companies were above the law. The club that said the little guy was always the loser and the big guy was good for early retirement at 35. The club that, just months after the governor’s scandal, collapsed for exactly the same reasons Spitzer was investigating them for. He went after the banks, corrupt insurance companies, mutual fund managers, record companies practicing payola and many others looking to cheat the system.

No one else in the history of New York state politics had the guts to go after these “masters of the universe” in such a direct and “in yer face” kind of way. And, as we’ve seen from Barack Obama’s ineffectiveness trying to play “BFF’s” with them, that’s the only way you can get their attention.

In the two and half years since the sex scandal that cost him the governor’s mansion, Spitzer has reappeared with a vengeance. He started small, with guest appearances on shows such as “Real Time With Bill Maher” and landing a gig on his own political talk show on CNN.

Some may never forgive Spitzer for what he did, but as far as I’m concerned, he paid a hefty price for his actions, both in public and in private, and, like all of us, he deserves a second chance. Especially if you consider the good he did to the bad that drove him from office.

He didn’t steal from the cookie jar. He didn’t molest little boys. He wasn’t on “the take.” In fact, just the opposite. He was so insistent on righteousness and virtue — strange concepts for a politician — that people took special umbrage when he violated them.

Was Spitzer a hypocrite? Of course. But, as we all know, “hypocrite” is just another word for “politician.” Show me a politician who isn’t two-faced and I’ll show you a private investigator who’ll change your mind with 8×10 glossies in a matter of days.

via Opinion: Here’s Why Eliot Spitzer Would Make a Good President.

Leave a comment

Filed under Politics, Social Commentary, Television

December 17, 2010 · 6:26 pm

My Favorite Things: Mystery Novels

While I read a lot of history and biographies, as well as literary fiction, most of my reading is mystery novels.

I don’t apologize for this…They are a great escape.

But you have to be careful.  I detest some of the plot driven mystery novels that turn out to be Best Sellers.  I usually have those figured out in about 10 minutes and don’t really care about the characters.  I quit reading most of them years ago.

I need a good plot, but it’s also important to me that the books be character driven-and that the characters be well defined individuals.

Over the past year or so, I’ve discovered three authors I particularly enjoy.

If there is a mystery fan on your Christmas list, or if you just like to read mysteries yourself, I would strongly recommend these three:

  1. Louise Penny– She is my favorite.  My only issue is that she doesn’t write fast enough!  I have to wait a year for each new book.  She is a Canadian writer and her books are mainly set in a little town called “Three Pines” outside of Montreal.  Three Pines is kind of an artist colony populated with fascinating characters who recur throughout her books.  Inspector Gamache is the police inspector on each case and his interactions with the residents of Three Pines is the though line in these books.  The characters are well defined and the books are wonderfully plotted.  I recommend reading them in order starting with “Still Life.”
  2. G M Malliet- Start with “Death of a Cozy Writer”.  Her three books are all set in England or Scotland and I greatly enjoyed them all.
  3. Julia Spencer-Fleming– I’m currently flying through her series of novels set in upstate New York.  Her books also really should be read in order, starting with “In the Bleak Midwinter”.  There is an interesting relationship between the married chief of police in the small town of Millers Kill and the new Episcopal Minister and military vet Clare Ferguson.  I would probably best describe it as kind of a modern Spencer Tracy-Katharine Hepburn type of thing.  Frankly, some of her books are stronger than others, but I wouldn’t miss any of them.  Again, well defined characters and strong plot lines.

I would also recommend Rita Mae Brown’s Sister Jane/Foxhunting series set in Virginia.  It’s probably because I’m from Virginia and know the area where these are set very well and recognize the character types, but these are a real guilty pleasure.

I also read a fair amount of gay mysteries-when I can find a good one.  This is a very dangerous area as there is a lot of really bad writing in this genre.  However, there are four writers who consistently deliver well written books I really enjoy.  They are Josh Lanyon, Anthony Bidulka, Greg Herren and Dorien Grey.  I would also recommend these guys to people-gay or straight- who enjoy a good mystery.  In this genre, I also enjoy Charlie Cochrane’s series about a couple of Gay college professors in England prior to World War 1.  These are not as strong as the others, but I’m a sucker for English mysteries-Gay or Straight- set in this era.

Just some ideas.

Happy Reading!

1 Comment

Filed under Books, Entertainment, Holidays

December 17, 2010 · 6:11 pm

Remembering Blake Edwards’s Last Bow

Nice article  by Walter Mirisch on Blake Edwards from “Vanity Fair”:

On the evening of September 30, 2010, I participated in a program at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences called “An Evening with Blake Edwards.” Blake and I were seated side by side on the stage of the Samuel Goldwyn Theater before an enthusiastic audience of approximately 1,000, to discuss his life and career.

Our relationship had started a long time before that night. In 1960, Blake was one of the earliest targets of the newly formed Mirisch Company’s campaign to add the services of the industry’s most talented directors to our roster of Billy Wilder, John Sturges, William Wyler, and Robert Wise. I had met Blake in 1948, when we were both beginning our careers at the little Monogram Studios, but our careers—his as a writer-director, mine as a producer—had gone in different directions by the time we reconnected and made a four-picture writing, producing, and directing deal. He had already directed Operation Petticoat (1959) with Cary Grant, Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) with Audrey Hepburn, Experiment in Terror (1962) with Glenn Ford, and Days of Wine and Roses (1962) with Jack Lemmon, among others.

His place in the pantheon of such great writer-producer-directors as Preston Sturges and Billy Wilder was already assured. However, he ascended to the level of the immortals with the first film we worked on together, The Pink Panther. His collaboration with the actor Peter Sellers, which began on this film, would produce some of the most uproarious minutes ever captured on film. This movie and its successor, A Shot In The Dark, and the ensuing long list of Inspector Clouseau’s continuing adventures have entertained audiences for nearly half a century, and there is no reason to believe that succeeding generations of film audiences will not continue to roar with laughter at the combined comedic genius of Blake Edwards and Peter Sellers. Blake and I later collaborated on What Did You Do In The War, Daddy? and The Party, again with Peter Sellers.

On that evening at the Academy only seven short weeks ago, Blake and I talked for nearly two hours. He was obviously failing and physically straining, but he made an extraordinary effort to reveal as much of himself as he could to his hugely appreciative audience. When our conversation concluded, the entire assemblage of the theater rose to give a standing ovation to Blake. He was sitting in a wheel chair, and I watched him make a herculean effort to rise and acknowledge the applause of his audience one last time. He said to me quietly, “I must stand up for them.” Holding my arm for support, he waved his other arm in a fond farewell.

via Remembering Blake Edwards’s Last Bow | Little Gold Men | Vanity Fair.

Leave a comment

Filed under Entertainment, Movies, Style

December 16, 2010 · 7:59 pm

Blogger’s year of mystery meat: School lunch every day – TODAY Health – TODAYshow.com

This stuff makes airline food sound good…

And kids have to eat this mess every day?

Blame it on the bagel dog.

If not for that sad excuse for an entree, the blogger known as Mrs. Q might never have gotten so disgusted with school lunches that she decided to show the world how bad they are. She never would have eaten, photographed and blogged about 160 elementary-school lunches — one per school day for the past year. She never would have attracted the attention of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and food activist Marian Nestle.

And Mrs. Q (who hides her identity to protect her job) might have gone on thinking that school lunch is “just food.” Instead, she told TODAYshow.com, “I have learned that food is personal, food is life, food is health.”

She has eaten more Salisbury steak and chicken nuggets than any adult should have to endure — and chronicled the culinary highs and lows on her blog, Fed Up With School Lunch. Her experience has pushed her into the spotlight, made her an activist, and totally transformed the way her family eats.

The fatal bagel dog

But back to that bagel dog: Mrs. Q, who works at a Chicago-area public school, forgot her lunch one day, so she bought the bagel dog at the cafeteria. She figured: How bad can it be?

Turns out: Really bad.

“It was this massive amount of dough covering a hot dog, plus tater tots and a fruit cup. And I thought, ‘This is it?’ ” Mrs. Q recalled.

She looked at her students, most of whom rely on government-subsidized free lunches at school. The bagel dog that turned her stomach would be, for many, the best meal of their day.

More:   Blogger’s year of mystery meat: School lunch every day – TODAY Health – TODAYshow.com.

Leave a comment

Filed under Education, Food, Health Care, Social Commentary

December 16, 2010 · 5:36 pm

Biden Blasts Republicans Over Christmas Comments – NYTimes.com

Go, Joe!

I’m glad someone is calling the Republicans out…

The Washington flap over who is showing disrespect for Christmas continued as Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. blasted Republicans for using the holiday as an excuse to avoid voting.

“Don’t tell me about Christmas,” a clearly irritated vice president told NBC’s Andrea Mitchell on Wednesday. “I understand Christmas. I have been a senator for a long time. I have been there many years where we go right up to Christmas. There’s 10 days between now and Christmas. I hope I don’t get in the way of your Christmas shopping, but this is about the nation’s business. This is national security at stake. Act. Act.”

Mr. Biden’s comments came after Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the majority leader, warned his colleagues on Tuesday that the amount of work left this year will most likely require Congress to return the week after Christmas.

That led his Republican colleagues to accuse Mr. Reid of not respecting Christmas. One Republican senator, Jim DeMint of South Carolina, reminded Mr. Reid, “This is the most sacred holiday for Christians.”

In reply, Mr. Reid offered a blistering speech on the Senate floor, calling Mr. DeMint and other Republicans “sanctimonious.”

via Biden Blasts Republicans Over Christmas Comments – NYTimes.com.

1 Comment

Filed under Politics