OUT OF CURIOSITY I VISITED A FEW REPUBLICAN BLOGSITES....I NOW FEEL SO UNCLEAN AND TAINTED..

After the surprise announcement yesterday of Alaska governor Sarah Palin being selected as John McCain's running mate in the gubernational election (to be addressed in another posting), I decided to spend time on the internet reading the reaction of both sides to the announcement.

I visited my usual fare - Towleroad - and read the comments made by readers on the announcement. (Click here to indulge - they're actually funny as well as insightful.) The opinionated queens were out in full force spewing catty remarks by the ton. My overall impression (when you got past the name-calling; these queens crack me up) was that although they think it was a bold move by McCain, it will eventually backfire on him. The other most expressed emotion was....fear, fear that if McSame does win this election (God/Allah/Yahweh/Buddah/Krishna forbid!) it will set back the GLBT movement by 100 years - a feeling I also echo.

After an overdose of far-left Democratic views and commentary I decided to take a "fair and balanced" approach...and visit the far right-side of the political world. Taking a very, very, VERY deep breath I typed in the url www.foxnews.com and hit ENTER.

The first few minutes of browsing the website of the 'unofficial" mouthpiece of the Republican party was not as nauseating as I thought it would be; they even seem to have more stories about the DNC convention than on the selection of Palin as VP for the GOP ticket. (I still, however, have a fear that my short visit was noted and that somewhere on my lap top's hard-drive lurks spyware that was covertly added.)

"Hmmm," I thought to myself, "I wonder what the chatter is about in the blogs of Republicans..."

And with that thought I Googled 'republican blogs' and went a little sight-seeing.

Ten minutes later I was reeling from the hate and venom from a particular website that extolled the view of "Why I Won't Vote for a N**er", on top of the previous blog site that began with Bible-thumping reasons why Palin was a great choice.

I quickly closed my browser hoping to erase what I just experienced, and decided my brief foray in to Republicanland was the most time I'll ever want to spend in that depraved environment.

I felt as if I had taken a roll in the mud of prejudice and ignorance.

Then it hit me - if America could be duped into voting Bush in for a second term, what is stopping them from making a second terrible mistake and voting in an rich, hot-headed aging senator and a greenhorn former beauty queen/anti-feminist/anti- GLBT?

My nausea just returned...

HERE'S ONE FOR MY BOSTON AND OHIO COUSINS...

It's Olympic Gold Medalist Bryan Clay and yes, ladies - or gents, he's already taken.

MY MENTOR JEAN LOWRIE-CHIN REPORTS FROM BEIJING

For those of youse who do not know as yet I credit my writing skills to the training of my mentor Jean Lowrie-Chin.

Jean was in Beijing covering the 2008 Summer Olympics and filed reports on her blog " Lowrie -Chin Post".

Please visit her website for updates on events and her insightful reporting in Beijing including celebratory parties and the such to commemorate Jamaica's success in this Olympiad.

IN HER REPORT JEAN REPORTED ON A SPECIAL SURPRISE AWAITING USAIN ON HIS RETURN TO JAMAICA - BUT YOU HAVE TO VISIT HER WEBSITE TO FIND OUT WHAT IT IS!!!!!

After the Olympics Jean will be filing her insights on events that affect daily Jamaican life.

Please feel free to pass on her blog site info to those on your email list. Below are a few pictures from her blog:

Jean (looking "three-snaps-fantastic!" poses with American decathlon gold medalist Brian Clay.

Jean (center in white with black/gold/green headband) poses with members of the Jamaican contingent on hand to support the Jamaican athletes in Beijing.

Jean or her hubbie Hubie got a picture of Usain celebrating at the Puma party held at CJW Club in Beijing on 8/23/08.

HOT NEW VIDEO - #4 ON THE 'CLICK LIST' ON LOGO

My latest obsession: "When We Get Together' by The Ones. When I hear this song I want to throw down a flask of rum and DANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you can identify more than two persons in this video please submit your application to the elite club of the Fraternal Order of Lesbians and Gays Ever Recruiting (FOLGER) no later than the end of this week:

WHY THE DNC MAY NOT WIN THIS ELECTION

On Saturday August 23 DNC presumptive presidential candidate Barack Obama formally announced the name of his selected running-mate: Senator Joe Biden. His selection was based on compatibility, experience, amongst other things the public will not be privy to.

Late Saturday morning I was checking my favorite blog "Towleroad" and saw that the author - Andy Towle - posted an entry about the announcement. I clicked on the link to view comments made by other readers on the selection of Biden as running mate and was horrified by what I read!

The tone of the readers was negative, and there was a lot of sniping between readers on why others were idiots to back Hilary or Biden or others that were on the short list for the VP candidacy. There were other digs or statements that declared that because of the choice they would NOT vote at all or in protest they would vote for Ralph Nader.

I don't understand. We (Democrats) loathe George Bush and the Republican party, but are bickering and fighting amongst ourselves rather than unite together to ensure our candidate - who went through the right channels to obtain the candidacy - has the full support of the party behind him.

Below is MY response I posted (that was ignored):

I must say I am disappointed by the negative attitude of some readers of this blog towards Obama's choice of Biden as VP. Rather than unite together behind the only candidate that will give America - and the GLBT community - a much needed boost in morale, perspective and approach to international and domestic issues, some people are looking to at the first chance to rip-apart that candidate for their own self-gratification and self-righteousness.

Lately there seems to be a growing trend of members of the GLBT community to live up to the stereotype of the 'bitter/bitchy queen'. Rather than showing our united strengths as a highly intelligent, creative and supportive community, there's a lot of needless in-fighting on GLBT and domestic issues.

I am a naturalized immigrant who has experienced how the USA is (negatively) perceived by the rest of the world. One of the things that amazes me and other nationals are American voters obsession to to elect 'the perfect human' to the seat of president. We're all human and have flaws, and we need to remember that. We all make mistakes; the important thing is that we learn from them.

Let's focus on the strong points of the DNC presumptive candidates and move on.

Bitching amongst ourselves about Obama's decision of his VP is NOT helping; it is only fueling McCain's chance to win the presidency.

As a Hillary supporter I am doing what's best for the party, the country, AND the GLBT community, by throwing my support behind the presumptive candidate and his VP choice.

THEORIES WHY JAMAICAN SPRINTERS ARE SO FAST

Reading reports on the Internet buzzing with excitement surrounding the prominence of Jamaican athletes in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, the one question that keeps popping up is, "What's the secret to their speed and agility? How do they do it?"

I thought about this and have my own theories:

1. Could it be the cuisine? Jamaicans LOVE their spicy meats from various parts of various animals, boiled or fried in generous quantities of oil and smothered with copious amounts of savory greasy gravy. And cooking isn't cooking without a some dosage of Scotch Bonnet pepper! Most Jamaicans are also addicted to eating "food", otherwise known as ground provisions. These starchy items range from yams (white and yellow), Irish potatoes, dasheen, cocoa, green bananas, plantain, etc. Jamaicans also have a love affair with boiled flour in the form of boiled dumplings or 'spinners'. Our food is so well known that some spices in supermarkets worldwide are identified by the adjective "Jamaican" e.g Jamaican curry - specially mixed and categorized from other kinds of curry powder, Jamaican Jerk Seasoning, etc.

2. Or is it the weather? Professional athletes and trainers know that muscles perform better when warmed up - and God knows that it pretty warm in Jamaica. Could that be it? Muscles grown in such balmy weather work better? Is that the secret?

3. What about the music? It's stimulating, inspirational, it's the spirit and the soul of the Jamaican people. It's in our blood from birth, stirring up our passion and zest for life. And we're not only talking about reggae music - there's pocco music, goatskin drums, the bass, soca and calypso, gospel......

4. Maybe it's the physical territory of Jamaica? The famous Blue Mountains, the white sand beaches, the grassy plains? The land is rich with resources: Jamaica has one of the world's largest deposit of the aluminum ore bauxite, and is a major contributor to the sugar industry. They're coffee is ranked the best in the world, and the rum is excellence par none. Maybe the land also has a direct effect on the people living on it.

5. Or is it the ethnic mix of the people? Jamaicans comprise a hardy crew, derived from a combination of races and nations: English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish, African, Indian, Chinese, German, Lebanese, Spanish, Dutch. But first and foremost - they're Jamaican: cut them and they bleed black/green/gold.

Personally I think it's all of this...and none of these, that makes us special.

It's just good, reliable, authentic, indigenous "Jamaican magic" that from birth we feel, sense, know and embrace.

And that magic has the world under our spell.

OLYMPIC SHOT

Can anyone identify which team these guys bat for? And the prize for the right answer...me being civil and not bitchy to the winner for one month.....

MIXED RACE

NBC's BOB COSTAS DEMONSTRATES POOR SPORTSMANSHIP

Tonight, while plodding along on the treadmill at my gym and watching the lead into tonight's NBC coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics I was insulted at comments (alleged) sportscaster Bob Costas made regarding Usain Bolts win of the 100m race.

Below is a copy of an email sent to NBC headquarters:

TO: THE NATIONAL BROADCASTING CORPORATION (NBC)

Sirs,

I am appalled at the comments Mr. Costas made during the opening segment of tonight's coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics (7 pm CDT 8/18/08). His remarks regarding Usain Bolt's actions upon winning the 100m race were un-called for, and demonstrates his ignorance and poor sportsmanship. His consistent use of the word 'freak' to describe Mr. Bolt's performance WAS in fact (contrary to his attempt to dismiss) seen as derogatory, and a poorly disguised jab at a Jamaican sportsman during his best performance.

Mr. Bolt was celebrating in his cultural way his joy on winning a gold medal for his country. His actions are akin to those seen on a daily basis by his compatriots in Jamaica who gesticulate in similar fashion on personal achievements. More importantly what Mr. Bolt did in no way impeded the results of the other runners, and was not a distraction nor obstacle to the other athletes participating. Neither was it outside of known sports decorum.

Mr. Costas is demonstrating his disappointment and poor sportsmanship that an "all-important-American" did NOT win the coveted spot of athletics.

Just to clarify: Jamaica is number one in the world per capita with regards to sprinting; please advise Mr. Costas to familiarize himself with the above fact and move on.

Any further disparaging remarks by Mr. Costas will be seen as an attack on the character and sportsmanship of the Jamaican people. Also, he seems to be attempting the start of a campaign to smear a victory treasured by Jamaicans - and can be interpreted as borderline bigotry.

I trust you shall govern yourselves accordingly.

I am,

(name and address)

P.S. Pardon my lack of use of the phrases 'Yah, mon!" and "No problem mon!!"; contrary to popular ignorance - Jamaicans do not stereotypically speak in this manner.

!!!GO JAMAICA, GO!!!!

Lesbian avoids deportation to Jamaica

In an article from 'The Miami Herald' a Jamaican immigrant tells her side of the story on the difficulties she has faced being Jamaican and gay. Her deportation to Jamaica for drug-related offenses has been temporarily halted due to the fact that the homophobic climate that currently pervades in Jamaica is seen as detrimental to the defendant.

''The general atmosphere in Jamaica is a feeling of no tolerance towards homosexuals in general, and as such, . . . the respondent's life is definitely at risk,'' Immigration Judge Irma Lopez-Defillo said, according to court documents.

The person in question, however, may still be be deported to another country,

To read the full article in 'The Miami Herald' click here.

TIME TO BEG...AGAIN......THE HRC NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN (HRC) NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!!!

Okay, okay, do NOT navigate away from this page just because I am asking for contributions, c'mon. The HRC is a vital part of the GLBT community and has done a lot of work to advance our rights.

Please contribute to the HRC by clicking here. Thank you!

LYRICS TO PRACTICE SINGING THE JAMAICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM FOR THE GOLD MEDALS WE'LL RECEIVE FOR TRACK AND FIELD IN THE OLYMPICS

For those of youse who need a refresher course in the words of the Jamaican national anthem, please practice for the Olympic medal ceremony for our wins in track-and-field:

"Eternal Father bless our land
Guard us with Thy Mighty Hand
Keep us free from evil powers
Be our Light through countless hours
To our leaders, Great Defender,
Grant true wisdom from Above
Justice, truth be ours forever
Jamaica land we love
Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica Land We Love!"

IN MEMORIUM: Bernard Jeffrey McCullough

Chicago woke up on Saturday to the sad news that one of it's own - Bernard Jeffrey McCullough - or Bernie Mac as he was fondly called, had passed away earlier that morning from complications due to pneumonia.

He was only 50 years old.

Bernie Mac was a son of Chicago, born in the South Side of the city. Although he rose to fame and fortune through stand-up comedy acts, film, and his acclaimed 'Bernie Mac Show', he never turned his back on the city, making Chicago - especially the South Side - his permanent residence. He had suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body's organs, but had said the condition went into remission in 2005. He recently was hospitalized and treated for pneumonia, which his publicist said was not related to the disease.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojavich on Saturday called Mac "a favorite son."

"He never forgot that he was a kid who grew up on Chicago's South Side," Blagojevich said in a statement. "Because of his Chicago roots, we picked Bernie Mac to be the face of the state lottery -- his passion, enthusiasm and humor helped make that one of our most successful, and funniest, campaigns."

Fans and friends of the Chicago comedian are invited to a public memorial celebrating Mac's life.

Services are scheduled for noon Saturday in the 10,000-seat House of Hope, 752 E. 114th St., Chicago, said Danica Smith, Mac's publicist. Donations in Mac's honor may be sent to the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis, 40 E. 9th St., Suite 601, Chicago, IL 60605, Smith said.

POLITICAL VACATION

Not much has been happening on the political front here - the world's attention is now focused on the Summer Olympics in Beijing, China (just in case you've been in a cave for the past few days....or years, come to think of it).

The only thing of note is the launch of the ads by both camps, each touting why the other is not the best choice for president.

PLEASE.

Even the sitting lame-duck president 'Dubya' is running from the constant political coverage and staying in China to watch Olympic events...although he SHOULD be running from his dismal performance as president.

Just remember, the Olympics finish on Sunday Aug 24th, and the Democratic National Convention begins THE NEXT BLEEDIN' DAY on Monday Aug 25th........

Enjoy this respite while you can!

AND THE WORLD BOWS TO CHINA

Today's Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics took Olympic Opening Ceremonies to new heights.

Watching the pre-recorded broadcast on NBC tonight I was in absolute AWE at the organization, the visual impacts, the message...this has been declared THE BEST OPENING CEREMONY....EVER.

Period.

No, not the best Olympic Opening Ceremony, just the best Opening Ceremony EVER.

To quote (either NBC Bob Costas or Matt Lauer) ""Some PLEASE retire the trophy for Olympic Opening Ceremonies!"

China-1; the world applauds.

As the newscasters here in Chicago (which is bidding to host the 2016 Summer Olympics) said on the news broadcast after the opening ceremony, "Thank God London is following this Opening Ceremony and not Chicago...!"

Yeah, good luck London topping this amazing spectacle......

Bottom line - I think the Opening Ceremony gave the world pause on the significant message China unintentionally sent - they're a force to be reckoned with. Kudos to China!!!!!

P.S. Go Jamaica, Jamaica, GO!!!!! I can't wait for the athletic section of the Olympics when Jamaica goes head-to-head against...well...the rest of the world, and shows them why Jamaica is ranked number 1 per capita in the world in athletics. Watch out for Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt to name a few of Jamaica's top-rated sprinters.

On the USA swimmers side - go Michael Phelps and Dara Torres!!!!!! The girl is an INSPIRATION to those of us over 40!!!!!!

A PEACE OFFERING FOR ANY REPUBLICANS I MAY HAVE PISSED OFF IN EARLIER POSTS

THIS WAS JUST TOO GOOD NOT TO SHARE!!

Thanx to Towleroad: A Site with Homosexual Tendencies for this ditty!

JOHN McCAIN HAS PENIS ENVY

"WHAT?!" you cry in shock, "are you talking about, Adrian?!!"

No, no, no - I'm not referring to the appendage between most men's legs, I'm referring to all men's propensity to base or equate their performance on...well...the SIZE of the appendage between their legs.

(This is not going well....sigh...)

Let's try another approach - all men are driven by competition. (There - that's it!) And some competition is based on the SIZE of the outcome of said contest(s).

I think John McCain is envious of the LARGE crowds Barack Obama has been pulling in and is beginning to resent being THE SMALLER in the public eye (the gym locker room).

Maybe that's why he used Brittney Spears and Paris Hilton in those 'celebrity' spots - he could be trying to emasculate Obama by comparing him to blonde females.

And that spot called THE ONE - doesn't that conjure an image of a large singular object. No? (Okay, maybe it's just me.)

But can I not refer to this as POLITICAL PENIS ENVY?

WHY I HATE GEORGE W BUSH

Time and time again I see the need to clarify my stance on my hatred for the current incumbent/incompetent president versus my tolerance of the Republican party.

I do NOT hate the Republican party - I disagree with some (okay, a lot) of items of their dogma - especially the 'faith and values' clause. I also disagree with the extent of their 'conservatism' in dealing with day-to-day issues facing today's society.

And tolerance is not their strong point.

However, most Republicans are loyal, patriotic, law abiding Americans who faithfully believe in the best interests of the country through free market principles with minimum government interference. So, to re-iterate: I do NOT hate the Republican party, I HATE GEORGE W. BUSH.

(And select members of his cabinet, but, that's for another posting.)

Why, Adrian, you may ask, do you so vehemently loathe the man?

Because I hold him accountable for a lot that has gone wrong with the current administration and the current chaos of the country, and because he cast suspicion on THE ONE THING I thought could never be compromised, bought, sold, and stood for principle and trust: the presidency of the United States of America.

Though his actions with the Saudis he has implied that we're at their beck-and call. Why was it that immediately after the attack on the World Trade Center when all air traffic in the U.S. were grounded, was the Saudi family of Bin-Laden allowed to fly out of the U.S.? Why does he make frequent visits to that country as if to file reports with his boss?

Through his actions regarding the Iraqi War he has implied that he was finishing a fight lost by his father, placing the lives of American soldiers for sale and barter. Why was Halleburton and other such companies granted un-contested lucrative government contracts for services to the armed forces stationed in Iraq? Why did he keep the arrogant Donald Rumsfeld in charge for so long to grossly mismanage the war effort?

Through his actions regarding Hurricane Katrina, the housing market and (pretend) ignorance to rising fuel costs he has shown his indifference to domestic economic issues.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: his attack on the LGBT community during the 2004 general election. He equated the LGBT community to terrorists and behaved no better than the recently chastised Rev Jerimiah Wright. Bush spouted nonsical rhetoric, using irrationality to stir up ignorance amongst the American people.

I'll never forgive him for that.

He knows better: through slip-ups when mikes were 'live' or from leaks in White House administration it has been shown that the man is NOT as stupid as he let's on, it's just an act to appeal to the common man, to show that he is one of them. HE CHOSE his path, the laziest path that left the burden of responsibility on his cabinet and not him.

AND HE PUT A PRICE ON THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY AND TAINTED IT WITH CORRUPTION.

May he rot in the annals of history as the worst president - EVER.

WAIT A MINUTE?! REGGAE ARTISTS ADVERTISING ON BATTY-MAN TV?!

While watching a show pre-recorded from the LOGO channel on my DVR (Real Momentum: Bear Run) I came across an ad for 'Tropical Thunder' CD featuring many of today's hot reggae artists such as Sean-Paul, Beenie-Man, Elephant-Man, Shaggy, etc.. "What?!", I thought, "do they really know that their music is being promoted to the target of their songs?! Have they really come around?" I think not! Just goes to show - you don't know WHO you're going to bed with when you sign a music contract...!!!!!!

ANGELS IN AMERICA (2003) - A MUST SEE MINI-SERIES

Tonight, LOGO aired both parts of the 2003 HBO award winning mini-series "Angels in America" based on the award-winning play Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes by playwright Tony Kushner. I watched this event a few years back after seeing and hearing how many awards it won, and I was blown away by the intensity of the performances of Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, Al Pacino, James Cromwell, Justin Kirk, Patrick Wilson, Mary Louise Parker and Jeffrey Wright (he's awesome in this) - to name a few.

In 2004 Meryl Streep and Al Pacino won Best Actress and Best Actor Emmys respectively for their performances, and the show won an Emmy for the category of Outstanding Miniseries.

From IMDB.com "God has abandoned Heaven. It's 1985: the Reagans are in the White House and Death swings the scythe of AIDS. In Manhattan, Prior Walter tells Lou, his lover of four years, he's ill; Lou bolts. As disease and loneliness ravage Prior, guilt invades Lou. Joe Pitt, an attorney who is Mormon and Republican, is pushed by right-wing fixer Roy Cohn toward a job at the Justice Department. Both Pitt and Cohn are in the closet: Pitt out of shame and religious turmoil, Cohn to preserve his power and access. Pitt's wife Harper is strung out on Valium, aching to escape a sexless marriage. As Prior struggles to reconcile with his religion and sexuality an angel invites Prior to be a prophet in death. Pitt's mother and Belize, a close friend, help Prior choose.

This is not something for the timid and closed minded - the message you get from this is strictly your own interpretation. I do remember, however, feeling numb and emotional at the end from the powerful performances and the message.

Of course, Republicans and Christian fanatics instantly HATED this series, calling it an "abomination" and part of the "homosexual agenda".

Whatever, bitches...

Highly recommended - spare the 5 hours and 48 minutes split into 6 parts; it's worth it!

For more information click here.

WOULDN'T YOU WATCH A NATURE DOCUMENTARY IF THE HOST LOOKED LIKE THIS?!

Meet Dave Solmoni of Animal Planet's 'Rogue Nature'. He caught my attention one night as I was flipping through channels looking for something to keep me company until I fell asleep. Needless to say, one look at this bloke and I was WIDE AWAKE! He could pin me down in an African reserve any day!

For information and times of 'Rogue Nature' click here.

FRIDAY EYE CANDI

SORRY FOR THE LATE POSTING BUT I HAVE BEEN CRAMMING......ENJOY!