Rush to Injustice

Rush Limbaugh is worse than simply a conservative windbag, he is IMO a terrible American and a terrible human being. Yesterday, on his radio show he said Barack Obama and his wife have chips on their shoulders against this country and want to bring the USA down a peg. To have political differences and ideological differences is one thing, but to outright say that this president's purpose is to intentionally harm this nation to workout some "chip" he and his wife are carrying around is something else. He however, didn't explain this chip or what it consists of. Uh huh.
The sad thing is that Limbaugh probably no more believes this than the man in the moon, but he knows that planting that seed and cultivating this doubt and fear will be believed by the people he is trying so desperately to hold on to. And yes, I consider his statement as playing the race card. Sad, sad man Rush.

Then it was on to Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Rush called her a reverse racist because she made a statement that she may have insight as a woman, and as a Latino woman, that white men don't have. Duh!
Well, he checked into her record and found that she has a good one and a moderate one at that, and that her decisions are not that of a racist at all. So what does he draw from this? That she being ambitious, has cultivated this moderate record on purpose hoping to get onto the Supreme Court and turn into a super liberal activist justice. She'll turn on us, he warns.
This is a desperate grasping at straws by a man trying to hold on. His logic and arguments are getting more far fetched by the day.
Well, he still has Elisabeth Hasselbeck.

This is Kris Allen, American Idol

Kris Allen won an upset victory tonight and became the new American Idol. Kris beat hard rocker and judge favorite, Adam Lambert. Both men are tremendous talents and proved they can sing in any genre. Adam whose voice reminds me a bit of Freddy Mercury and who can wail high and strong like my guy Steven Tyler, can also croon the ballads. Adam was favored to take it all but Kris whose style is more like John Mayer or John Legend, plays the guitar and piano and won the public's vote with his brilliance on an unexpected song choice of Kanye West's Heartless. Did I say brilliant! OMG! Kris also masterfully reworked Donna Summers' She Works Hard For the Money and Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine.

My money and hopes were on Adam but I'm totally fine with Kris. They will both be huge stars. And they won't be alone from this years AI. Allison Iraheta is 17 years old, the youngest ever. She has a big raunchy voice and is the only woman I have ever heard in my life who may come close to equaling Janis Joplin. I know when that bio pic is made Allison could get the part of Janis.

I'm thinking there may be lots of people who felt Adam to be too flamboyant with his black fingernail polish and mascara. I wonder if the young folks get the hard rock wail and antics of classic groups like Kiss, Queen and Aerosmith. Ya think? Of course it's been out there that Adam is gay. True or not, did it effect the vote? If Clay Aiken had been out at the time of his final, would he have gotten as many votes? Will Adam suffer by coming in runner up?
I don't think so!

Rocker Adam Lambert


Crooner Adam.


The two hour AI finale was a star studded celebration of music of all types. Having these young people sing with legends was a splendid idea.
Cindy Lauper, Carlos Santana, Lionel Ritchie, Queen Latifah, Jason Mraz, Will I Am and the fabulous Black Eyed Peas, Kiss, Keith Urban, Rod Stewart, Queen, and even a song sung by the AI final 13 accompanied by comic Steve Martin on banjo. He can play.
I gotta hand it to AI for whatever they do to nurture their contestants along the way, there does not seem to be any backbiting or selfishness among the top ten. They seem to genuinely pull for each other and hurt for each other. AI also encourages the constantants to embrace and explore music from all eras and styles. The show should be commended for that.

These folks are gonna make it big too.
This is Lil Rounds. Don't you just love that name?


Anoop Desai, AKA Anoop Dog. He's so soulful.

Bibles and Axe Handles

Alex posted a real story about a man denied the right to say goodbye to his life partner of 26 years. He sat in the parking lot of the hospital with only a photo of his husband.

Some people will never care if it's called civil unions or marriage or how many Supreme Courts or governors or propositions say that I have the right to love. They will never see me as a human being. They will ignore the reality of their own children's lives. They will wave their bibles and self righteousness and will not stop at withholding acceptance, but will stand in the doorway like Lester Maddox with his axe handle.

Many of these people are determined to have the last word. We are forced to live in fear of these people. So we protect ourselves as best we can with living wills and legal documents and civil unions. But, an accident or medical emergency can land us at their mercy. We can instantly come up against the axe handle of doctor or nurse Maddox or aunt or cousin Maddox.

Another scary thing is, we are often blind sided by the family that seems accepting by including a same sex partner in family gatherings and trips and getting along just fine. Then all of a sudden you are not allowed in the hospital room. Not allowed to make decisions. Not a blood relative. You have no kinship rights whatsoever. The same people with their arms around you at the family barbeque are suddenly strangers and worse than that. It's a scary fear to live with. Fear of the known and the unknown Maddox's.
It happens all too often and will continue to happen until we can marry and have universally recognized legal kinship. But even when it's the law of the land, and it will be, there will still be a battle against those like Maddox who closed his business rather than put down the axe handle.

Wanda Sykes Tells it Straight

This woman is funny. Did she go over the line. Not in my book she didn't. I guess ole Rush Limbaugh can dish it out, but he can't take it. (Oh, what a surprise.)
This is truly very funny. Wanda covers everything from Michelle's bare arms to Joe Biden's inability to stop talking.
So, if you haven't heard it, take a few minutes to laugh.

Monica and I both lost our moms in 2007 but of course our memories are strong and alive. Mother's Day is certainly different for us now. It's funny because we used to say "Mother's Day, oh noooo". That was our inside joke poking fun at the expected obligations on that day from our moms. We miss the joking and all that came with it.

I spent Friday working on craft projects with NJ, my five year old nephew, for his mom and grandmas. His remembrance of my mom (his great grandma) was touching. He remembered the graveside service and said "it was a sad day." He also remembered that "she gave me mints". Those starlite mints were his favorites and one of my mom's final orders was to always have mints at her house for NJ. I'm glad he remembers her. They had a special funny relationship. For some reason it makes me feel good that he remembers.

Mother's Day is in honor of all women, so happy day to you all!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

When the never defeated, big and powerful French army attacked the small and poorly equipped forces of Pueblo, Mexico on May 5, 1862, the French were in for a surprise. Pueblo WON the battle. Talk about Davy and Goliath!
Cinco de Mayo became a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.
Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Michelle Obama celebrates Cinco de Mayo.

Happy Earth Day!

The first earth day was in 1970. 1970, and we failed to get anything right. Sometimes it's a good idea to see the effects of non-action to spur action.

Life After People is a 10 part series on the History Channel that examines what the Earth will be without us. It is fascinating. It's always been said that the earth will shake anything, including nuclear war, off like a bad cold. That's for sure. Our beautiful planet would come back greener and more lush than ever, without us.

LIFE AFTER PEOPLE: The Series begins in the moments after people disappear. As each day, month, and year passes, the fate of a particular environment, city or theme is disclosed. Special effects, combined with interviews from top experts in the fields of engineering, botany, biology, geology, and archeology provide an unforgettable visual journey through the ultimately hypothetical.

I believe God put us here to be stewards of the earth. We have done a pretty bad job of it. Unfortunately we didn't listen to those cultures who lived in harmony with nature. Hopefully we've learned we can't strip, ravage and rape this planet and still expect it to sustain us. With our vast knowledge and a tight control on greed, perhaps our green efforts will pay off.

Why Gay Marriage?

The Illinois Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, or HB 2234, which would grant same-sex couples the right to have civil unions, passed a House subcommittee. It now will go to the Illinois House floor for a vote.

Our new Governor, Pat Quinn believes it will pass. Well, now that we are rid of Blago who was not that gay friendly even though his sister-in-law is a gay activist, is gone, perhaps we can make some progress in Illinois. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and County Clerk David Orr are 100% for gay marriage. Blago was the main big obstacle here. Well he's now seeking to go off to some survivor like reality show. Bon Voyage, Blago.

Civil unions would be a nice first step. So, why do we want full marriage rights? Other than the obvious civil rights reasons, there are the human rights and social reasons. It's not all about contracts and protections and laws. It's more than just that. It's a human thing we all want. And it was never put better than in a quote from the movie "Shall We Dance" not the Fred Astair original, but the new one with Jennifer Lopez, Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon.

Sarandon plays Gere's wife. She wonders if he is cheating on her because he is sneaking around doing something. She hires a detective to find out what. (He is taking ballroom dance lessons.)

The detective questions her about "why is it that you think people get married?"

Because we need a witness to our lives. There's a billion people on the planet. I mean what does any one life really mean? But in a marriage, you're promising to care about everything...the good things, the bad things, the mundane things...all of it, all the time, every day. You're saying... Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it. Your life will not go unwitnessed, because I will be your witness.

This is the definitive answer. I love it.

Happy Easter

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."

Eastertime

Easter was always a major holiday for our family. It meant a big ham dinner, Easter Bunny goodies, The Wizard of Oz on TV and springbreak. I also understood and appreciated the significance of Good Friday, and the Resurrection.

Eastertime also meant a new dress and pastel colored coat, shiny patent leather shoes, white gloves, frilly socks and a lacy petticoat, and a little purse to match the dress, coat or shoes. The purse always held nothing but the obligatory hanky, maybe some tissue and some coins to put in church. I remember the coins rattling around in the new purse. And of course there had to be a new hat to complete the ensemble and my hair in curls instead of braids.

But, growing up in Chicago was often traumatic around Easter. There you are with this new pale yellow spring coat that you couldn't wait to wear (and show off) in Sunday School and on Easter morning it's 30 degrees outside and snowing. We only lived a half block from Coppin A.M.E. Church on Michigan Ave.,but my mother insisted it was still too cold to wear the new coat. Talk about big fights and tears.

All dressed up with tear stained face and mouth stuck out and mad, I'd go clunking down to church in boots and winter coat and hat. It would be freezing and I knew my shiny patent shoes, frilly socks and feet would've been soaked. I knew she was right and that made me madder. I just knew I'd be the only one in this heavy gear on Easter Sunday and of course I was wrong. Some girls did get their way though and they got to church shivering and wet, patent shoes squeeking and dull and ruined.
I never told my mom how glad I was that she didn't let that happen to me.
Thanks mom.

Easter Symbols

Cutting out eggs and bunnies for Monica's kids made me wonder about origins of Easter symbols. Many symbols of this holiday were started in the Old World. They have been passed down from generation to generation and are still carried on today.



Of course, the cross and the crucifix are the two main symbols of the Easter holiday. The cross is a reminder to Christians of Jesus Christ's sacrifice and of his victory over death. His resurrection symbolizes the eternal life that is granted to all who believe in Him. Thank you Jesus.



However, Easter did not always symbolize Christ's resurrection from the dead and the meaning of Easter was quite different than what Christians celebrate today. The feast day of Easter was originally a pagan celebration of renewal and rebirth. Celebrated in the early spring, it honored the pagan Saxon goddess Eastre. When the early missionaries converted the Saxons to Christianity, the holiday, since it fell around the same time as the traditional memorial of Christ's resurrection from the dead, was merged with the pagan celebration, and became know as Easter. The meaning of Easter was also changed to reflect its new Christian orientation.




The white Bermuda Lily with it's ample blooms is the Eastertime flower. It represents purity and the pure life that comes to believers through the resurrection of Christ.





Rabbits and chicks stand for the rebirth of the earth. Rabbits are also associated with the fertility of spring because they can produce young at an astonishing rate. Undoubtedly the most popular rabbit, although he's fictitious, is "The Easter Bunny." The Easter Bunny supposedly brings Easter eggs and baskets filled with candy to all of the girls and boys. Are peeps supposed to be edible or just cute?



The Easter eggs came into being as a symbol of "new life." Usually, Easter eggs are hard-boiled chicken eggs. They were first colored by the pagans to resemble the return of the sunlight, as well as the Northern Lights in the sky.

Low prices and a nice wig

Monica noticed that in an American Cancer Society commercial, the lady who commends the AMC for "giving me a wig I'm not embarrassed to wear" is the same lady in an Aldi's ad being very happy about low prices. While it is entirely possible that this lady in the nice wig could also be happy in Aldi's, it does take away from the sincerity of the AMC spot. Well, she's an actor playing on our emotions because that's what actors do. But it's just something to keep in mind especially when watching public service announcements where people are presented as real citizens.

For her first video Friday feature today, Alex has a finished PSA presented by an anti-same sex marriage group. The text of the ad is the usual stuff but Alex calls into question the actors intentions and integrity. And, if you doubt these are actors, check out their audition tapes. If you were an actor and didn't believe in this ad, would you do it for the money?

Good Friday

Mighty Michelle

That's what the Londoners are calling our First Lady. And, her husband is pretty mighty too. What is it about this president and his wife that has touched Europeans so positively? What stirred Queen Elizabeth II to, in an extremely rare gesture in a formal setting, reach out and warmly touch Michelle? I think in part, it's that they exude the American spirit but without the condescending attitude of the last eight years. I believe people around the world are estactic to see America end that era.
I could not capture the Obamas' impact in Europe better than Steve Schalchlin does in his post.
I'm proud that these two Americans are representing us.

Michelle with Sarah Brown, wife of British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.


London school girls love Michelle.


The Obama's meet the Queen and Prince Phillip. Our guys are so tall.


The touch that caused such a stir.
No-one - including the ladies-in-waiting standing nearby - could believe their eyes. In 57 years, the Queen has never been seen to make that kind of gesture and it is certainly against all protocol to touch her.
But she didn't seem to mind a bit and was smiling and joking throughout.


Official Word: A Buckingham Palace spokesman said he could not remember the last time the queen had displayed such public affection with a first lady or dignitary.

"It was a mutual and spontaneous display of affection," he said. "We don't issue instructions on not touching the queen."


So chill everybody. Buckingham Palace says Michelle's response was "just fine."

Lipsynching American Idols

OMG! What's wrong with their mouths?? Awww they're lipsynching.

It's come to light that the group vocals on AI are pre-recorded because the crowd noise and dancing required make it hard to perform it live. OK, whatever. Actually I never noticed it until this season. Did You?
These guys are the worst lip-synchers ever!

A Black Princess for Disney

Disney's new animated movie The Princess and the Frog is set to come out in December and features Disney's first Black princess. How 'bout that!
Good, it's about time.
'The Princess and the Frog' is set in New Orleans in the 1920's. Princess Tiana is voiced by actress Anika Noni Rose and Oprah Winfrey is voicing Eudora, Tiana's mother. Good cast.
But, there is some flack going 'round because her knight in shining animated handsomeness is white. Well he's tan, but not black. Well, he could be Black since I don't know his fictional heritage, but I guess some folks are upset that he just doesn't look black.

Prince Naveen is from Maldonia. Maldonia is a made up place and I suppose it could be made up to be a part of the African diaspora. Naveen is voiced by a Brazilian actor so there may be an accent involved. I don't know.

Disney not brave enough to have a Black Prince along with the princess? Doesn't portraying an inter-racial couple in 1920's Louisiana take some bravery? Hmmmm.
Then there is the toothless antebellum slave talking firefly character in the film. Again, hmmmmm. Well, until I can see it or know more about how it's presented, it's hard to say what Disney is up to.

I do know that the Prince is turned into a frog in the story, so black is not the color he or Princess Tiana are primarily concerned about. You think?

RuPaul's Drag Race Winner

Congrats! to Bebe Zahara Benet for winning RuPaul's Drag Race. She is the new Drag Queen Superstar!
Bebe is from Cameroon and she represented her West African culture well during the contest. The man behind Bebe is talented, sweet,and caring. Bebe is beautiful, classy, sassy, poised, and strong, and has the dignity it takes to take the torch passed from RuPaul.

If you watched this contest you may have learned a lot about Drag Queens. Drag is a culture of it's own. These people are master entertainers. It requires having the skill of an artist, sculpture, fashion model, fashion designer, actor, make-up artist, dancer, and magician. I say magician because Drag is an illusion. An illusion of a woman. It takes great skill to pull this off. Being a woman is a lot more that T and A. RuPaul's contest allowed us an inside peek at the process of making the illusion we see on stage.

Drag artists are often but not always gay, sexual orientation has nothing to do with it. Drag queens do not want to be women and do not live as women. I am certainly no authority on Drag rules, but my understanding is, Transgendered illusionist must be pre-op. Drag performers are invited to chime in, please.

I've always had a lot of respect for these performer's skills but never realized the time and expense it takes. It's very costly when you consider the makeup, wigs, shoes and wardrobe. Mucho $$$$$$$

In addition to the amazing transformations each week, Drag Race had some creative competitive Survivor like challenges for the contestants that really separated the boys from the queens.

It was also interesting getting to know these men and their backgrounds and how they came to be Drag Queens. Interesting too was how each viewed their drag persona.

From hundreds of applications RuPaul picked nine contestants.
There was a panel of two regulars and one guest celebrity and Rupaul who sat as judges each week. But, Ru made the final decision on who would "shantay you stay" or "sashay, away".

Monica and I loved Drag Race and so did my sister. Moni's favorite part each week, was when Ru tells the bottom two queens, "this is your last chance to impress me" and commands they "lip synch for your life".

In the end it was Bebe and Nina Flowers who had to "Lip Synch for Your Life" to RuPaul's new single "Covergirl (Put the Bass in Your Walk)," Both finalist are in Ru's video.

This show was not only entertaining but featured unique people compared to other generic reality type shows. The personalities were real with cattiness, flashes of jealousy, real bonding, drama, emotion, angst, compassion and lots of laughing and fun. I can't wait until next season when Ru says,
"Gentlemen start your engines, and may the best woman win!"

Nea Marshall Kudi aka Bebe Zahara Benet, the lady from Cameroon.
Bebe said she loves the creative outlet allowed in drag artistry.


Drag Race finalist Jorge before his transformation into Nina Flowers. He considers Nina a piece of art.


Jorge says his Nina Flowers is a wild crazy woman.


Third runner-up Javier aka Rebecca was the youngest contestant. A gorgeous man and gorgeous woman, Rebecca did NOT win Miss Congeniality.


A contestant, fan and judge favorite was the diminutive Ryan aka Ongina. She was witty and creative and had a fierce runway walk.

Forth runner-up Brian aka Shannel is serious and versitile entertainer that felt the judges did not understand her or give her the credit due. I liked Shannel.


Contestant Akashia, took a runway fall but played it off with style and a swirl.

Natasha Richardson

Actor Natasha Richardson has died from an injury she suffered during a ski lesson. It seemed to be just a tumble on the bunny slope and she reportedly seemed OK even laughing and joking right after the fall. But, as we now know, Natasha started to feel ill later and was taken to the hospital. Now this beautiful, talented artist, wife, mother, daughter, sister is gone at age 45. I cannot imagine how devastated her family must be.

I feel very sad about her death. I was hoping so hard that she would recover. Maybe because I didn't want such evidence that life could be so fleeting, so unfair. Maybe because she was so young. Of course, lives end suddenly everyday. There are car accidents, plane crashes, and heart attacks. Here in Chicago there have been 28 violent gun deaths of school children this year so far. Very sad and the reasons for these sudden, ridiculous, heartbreaking losses are complex and troubling.

For Tony award winner Natasha Richardson, granddaughter of British stage legend Sir Michael Redgrave, daughter of director Tony Richardson and Vanessa Redgrave, niece of Lynn Redgrave and wife of actor Liam Neeson, to die from a tumble on a bunny hill, makes no sense. Not a car crash or a plane crash or an illness, not that that would be any less sad for her family and friends and fans. But such a loss from a simple fun day learning to ski seems more difficult, more cruel.

My heart goes out to Natasha's family. R.I.P. beautiful talented lady.


Natasha and her mother Vanessa Redgrave. Both of Natasha's parents are Oscar winners.


Natasha and husband actor Liam Neeson. They have two sons ages 12 and 13.