SIGNED Sealed Delivered, New York, New York!

Congrats to New York State for passing the Gay Marriage Bill and becoming the sixth and largest state to do so. Big hat tip to Governor Andrew Cuomo who wasted no time SIGNING the Bill and to the senators (including some republicans) who came on board for equal rights. There are amendments to the bill to insure that no religious organization can be forced to perform a marriage ceremony that goes against their beliefs. Well of course, as it should be.

Soft spoken, GOP conservative, Senator Roy McDonald, got huge support and became an Internet hero when he decided he just couldn't hold the party line against giving equal rights to New Yorkers who have been denied forever.

"You get to the point where you evolve in your life where everything isn't black and white, good and bad, and you try to do the right thing."

"You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, fuck it, I don't care what you think. I'm trying to do the right thing."

"I'm tired of Republican-Democrat politics. They can take the job and shove it. I come from a blue-collar background. I'm trying to do the right thing, and that's where I'm going with this."

Senator McDonald a grandfather, followed his heart, changed his vote to yes, helped make history and set an example of courage.
It's been a long journey from historic Stonewall to this Pride weekend celebrations with civil unions in Chicago and Marriage in New York State. Federally recognized rights are now at least on the horizon.

Happy Father's Day!

To all the dads, granddads, great-grands, pops, papas, uncles, nephews, brothers, sons, cousins, and friends who are fathers and father figures, we honor and salute you! You are vitally important in the lives of children and society. Have a great day!

Flash Mobs Attack

This really makes me mad! Flash Mobs are creative and fun experiences for the participants and the surprised onlookers. Now a bunch of thugs in Chicago and other cities are using twitter and text technology to flash meet to rob a store or beat up and rob individuals.

10-15 or even 20 thugs beating up one person? This is most distubing because the purpose of these attacks on one or two people is lost on me. They get one cell phone or two ipods, maybe a wallet. What good is that for 15 people? Many attacks are just malicious, throwing people in the water at the beach, knocking them off their bikes or just kicking and beating them and then running away.

I realize these are hard financial times. I know there are a lot of unemployed, under-educated, disenfranchised, angry young men in our society. But, whether they are expressing their collective anger or angst or whatever by attacking people en masse, or just thugs who like to hurt people, I put them in the same category as those who drive by shoot or prey on the young and the elderly. They are cowards.


These young men were attacked by Flash Thugs in Chicago on Tuesday.