JAMAICAN TRAIL

MONDAY NIGHT MUSINGS

If the shoe thrown at 'Dubya' didn't hit him, is he still a moron?

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Some of the shine of Obama's forthcoming presidency is beginning to lose it's luster - especially amongst the GLBT community. They are beginning to have post-traumatic flashback to the beginning of another energetic president with supposed fresh ideas - Bill Clinton - who threw the GLBT community under the bus to appease the right and get his agenda passed. Word of caution Barack: don't mess with a bunch of pissed-off queens.......they may not know karate, but they DO know crazy......

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Estimated attendance for the Obama Inauguration now set at 4 million and counting..

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Brace ourselves Illinois - the chill you are feeling is NOT a result of the weird weather, but the cold chances of Chicago hosting the 2016 Olympics. 'Blago' ain't going anywhere soon and I'm sure this is NOT siting well with the IOC....

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Carolyn Kennedy vying for the soon-to-be vacant senate seat being left by Hillary Clinton. Her qualifications? Just the Kennedy name.

Yeah, the last time we fell for that was eight years ago....and look where that got us........

HOT MEN FRIDAY!!!

GET A GRIP!

Just a reminder: MEN ALSO should perform monthly self-examination for testicular cancer - we shouldn't wait on a publicized month to do this:

• Stand in front of a mirror. Check for any swelling on the scrotal skin.

• Examine each testicle with both hands. Place the index and middle fingers under the testicle with the thumbs placed on top. Roll the testicle gently between the thumbs and fingers -- you shouldn't feel any pain when doing the exam. Don't be alarmed if one testicle seems slightly larger than the other, that's normal.

• Find the epididymis, the soft, tubelike structure behind the testicle that collects and carries sperm. If you are familiar with this structure, you won't mistake it for a suspicious lump. Cancerous lumps usually are found on the sides of the testicle but can also show up on the front. Lumps on the epididymis are not cancerous.

• If you find a lump on your testicle, see a doctor, preferably a urologist, right away. The abnormality may not be cancer, it may just be an infection. But if it is testicular cancer, it will spread if it is not stopped by treatment. Waiting and hoping will not fix anything. Please note that free floating lumps in the scrotum that are not attached in any way to a testicle are not testicular cancer. When in doubt, get it checked out - if only for peace of mind!

Here's an informative video to help those blokes out there who could use a helping hand:

WHY THE MATTHEW SHEPARD ACT IS NEEDED

Too many times in the past I have heard from ig'nant Rethuglicans and others who think that the Matthew Shepard Act is an unnecessary bill - part of the so-called 'gay agenda'.

The Matthew Shepard Act (officially, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 or LLEHCPA), H.R. 1592 was a proposed federal bill that would expand the 1969 United States federal hate-crime law to include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

An ugly incident two weeks ago in New York only under-scored the need for such an act.

Two brothers from Ecuador who reside in New York City were walking home arm-in-arm on the evening of December 7 when they were attacked by four black men shouting anti-gay and racial slurs. One of the brothers - Jose Sucuzhanay - suffered severe head trauma and subsequently died as a result of his injuries. The other brother also suffered major injuries but survived the attack. (For full report on story go to CNN.com here.)

These men - heterosexual men ONLY SHOWING BROTHERLY LOVE TO EACH OTHER - were attacked because a bunch of ignorant bigots (yes, black people can be bigots too) - who thought they were FAGGOTS because they were walking arm-in-arm.

I've said it again and again, you do not have to be gay to be discriminated against, and this incident is a sad example.

Can we spell this out any clearer for you?

The Matthew Shepard Act was blocked from passing last year by 'Dubya' and conservative groups.

Thankfully, the passing of the Matthew Shepard Act is a top priority for the incoming Obama Administration.

My sympathies to the family of Jose Sucuzhanay; you are in my thoughts and prayers.

HOT AND SMART BLACK POLITICIANS ON THE RISE

Is it my imagination, or has there been a rise in the public awareness of young, good-looking, intelligent black politicians in the media since Barack Obama won the election in November?

Here are two that have been doing the interview circuit recently:

Mayor of Newark, New Jersey Cory Booker - (D)
Alma mater: Stanford, Yale, Oxford Universities

Mayor of Washington. D.C. Adrian Fenty - (D)
Alma mater:Howard University and Oberlin College

Of course, there is the ultimate role-model:

President Elect Barack Hussein Obama
Alma Mater: Occidental College, Columbia University, Harvard Law School

Can there finally be a light at the end of the tunnel regarding negative cultural stereotypes for Black Americans?

IRAQI JOURNALIST THROW SHOES AT LAME-DUCK PRESIDENT BUSH

During a surprise visit to Iraq today President Bush addressed members of the Iraqi and foreign press in a farewell speech, during which an Iraqi journalist representing an Iraqi media house took off his shoes and threw them as a severe sign of disapproval at the lame-duck president.

My only beef with this?

The journalist MISSED the fucker.......damn......

SUNDAY MUSINGS

This is going to be one HELL of a winter if the past weather pattern is any indication; we're now bracing for an ice storm here in Chi-Town. To all of those of us who live in the norther-American region: good luck and may Yahweh/Allah/Buddha/Krishna has mercy on us.......

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Methinks the Rethuglicans in the senate chose the wrong time to kill the auto industry bailout bill for strictly ideological and political reasons (isn't it oddly coincidental that Sen. Shelby, Sen. McConnell and Sen. Corker represent states where foreign auto plants are located and headquartered?). What do Rethugs have against labor unions? This is going to bite them in the ass down the road.

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Word in the media that estranged Illinois Gov Rod Blagojavich may either step aside or resign this week in wake of last week's corruption scandal. My take? Don't hold your breath......

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Will the Obama administration go ahead and seek to prosecute members of the Bush administration for wrong-doings with regards to the Iraqi War and torture allegations? Depends on how bad the economy is next year. However, I STRONGLY FEEL that they should, someone besides the American people should be made to pay a price for devaluation the American brand to the rest of the world.

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Keep a close eye on (of all states) Iowa: a landmark case for same-sex marriage is being presented to the state's supreme court for a ruling in favor of gay marriages.

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THOSE DAMN DISNEY MOVIES....

Watched again on telly last night last year's hit Disney movie 'Enchanted' about a fairy-tale princess named Giselle (played by the multi-talented Amy Adams) who is transported to modern-day New York City and while trying to find her way back home to the enchanted forest discovers true love not as planned with her Prince Charming (played by cutie-patootie James Marsden), but with once-divorced single dad Robert (played by Patrick Dempsey). This is my favorite part of the movie when they dance to the song 'So Close' sung by Indiana hottie Jon McLaughlin.

I get soooo mushy when I hear this song...

And of course, a clip from my ALL TIME FAVORITE MOVIE 'The Little Mermaid' that always, ALWAYS makes me cry at the end (damn malfunctioning estrogen gene), sung so beautifully by Disney songstress Jodi Benson......

WHAT IF ALL THE WORLD WERE GAY AND HETERO WAS THE EXCEPTION?

FAN LETTER TO RACHEL MADDOW OF 'THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW

Rachel, my darling,

Although I'm a gay man I am madly in love with you and your show: MARRY ME.

You present the days news in an entertaining but informative way that is intellectually pleasing. When your program is turned on in my apartment the IQ level raises significantly. Although the temptation is there to go extreme left or liberal you methodically disperse the day's events using a pragmatic and logical approach (are you part Vulcan?).

You also feature under-reported news in an extremely creative way that forces the viewer to watch to the end - comparable to a cliffhanger for a soap opera!

Your 'Lame Duck Watch' of the (pathetically inefficient) President Bush is funny - unfortunately for the wrong reasons.

MORE 'QUACK-A-TUDE'!!!

And finally (I couldn't resist, it's that damn extra-special gene I have): Girl, who ever does your makeup for the show is doing a bang-up job!! (three words) "You go girl!"

Love your show; love you, the marriage offer still stands.....if you're ever in Chicago let's do lunch or dinner.

I am,

A new and infatuated fan

THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW: WEEKDAYS AT 9 PM ON MSNBC

FREAKY-DEAKIE FRIDAY!!!!

I think I need to take a very VERY cold shower after selecting these.......

!!!GO BEARS GO!!!

!!!GO BEARS GO!!! !!!GO BEARS GO!!!

!!!GO BEARS GO!!!

Robbie Gould and the Chicago Bears handed Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints another devastating loss at Soldier Field.

Gould kicked the tying field goal at the end of regulation and booted a 35-yarder in overtime to lift the Chicago Bears to a 27-24 victory on Thursday night, giving their playoff hopes a boost.

With their second straight win and third in four games, the Bears finally appear to be hitting their stride after a convincing 23-10 win over Jacksonville on Sunday. They'll try to make it three in a row — something they haven't done since the 2006 Super Bowl season — at Green Bay a week from Monday.

Bears kicker Robbie Gould (left), my future baby-daddy (love him!) ; pic of me wearing my Bears-gear cheering on the team, much to the demise of certain persons who reside in one of those square states beside Oklahoma.....

DAY WITHOUT A GAY

As part of the grassroots effort to bring attention to the fight for gay marriage, and in support of the protest against the passing of Prop 8 in California, Wednesday December 10 is declared "Day Without Gay Day". On that day gay persons are asked to call in sick from work in protest of not only the passing of Prop 8, but also in support of other issues facing the GLBT community in Florida, Arizona and Arkansas. The GLBT community is also asked NOT to spend money either on this day to maximize the impact of their absence.

Coincidentally, this event is being held on the day declared by the United Nations as Human Rights Day. Gays are encouraged that on their 'day of protest' they donate their time towards causes listed by the UN.

For more information on 'Day Without A Gay" click here.

*sigh* Love it our hate it - Illinois is one HELL of an interesting state to live in!!!!

How much has Illinois been in the news recently? Let me count the ways:

JUNIOR ILLINOIS SENATOR BARACK OBAMA ELECTED AS NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

(I don't think I need to go into details on this one.)

TRIBUNE COMPANY FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY

NEW YORK (AP) — Tribune Co. — owner of the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Baltimore Sun and other dailies — filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Monday, the first major newspaper publisher to take such a step since the Internet plunged the industry into a desperate struggle for survival.

(http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gNDAWajvnGvxJuuFKhrXzcCGU30QD94URM5G0)

ILLINOIS GOVERNOR IN CORRUPTION SCANDAL

CHICAGO — Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich of Illinois was arrested by federal authorities on Tuesday morning on corruption charges, including an allegation that he conspired to effectively sell President-elect Barack Obama’s seat in the United States Senate to the highest bidder.

(http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/09/us/politics/10Illinois.html?bl&ex=1228971600&en=02a20d67d05bac74&ei=5087%0A)

The last one has me (and most of Illinois) reeling from shock. Here is a summary: because Barack Obama is now president-elect, his IL senate seat is vacant. As per state constitution the governor of Illinois is the only one who has the power to name a successor to fill that seat. Recently, much speculation has been made on who he would name to replace Obama as the sitting senator. However, according to early reports from today's arrest Blagojevich was using his power to name a senate successor as leverage to earn money for himself, essentially holding out the senate seat to the highest bidder. He also made disparaging remarks against Obama saying tot he effect that [sic] "the only thing he is getting from Obama at this time is nothing but appreciation - and it is not good enough".

Just.....effing....unbelievable.......

Does this affect Obama? Not really, but it is an embarrassing situation for the Illinois political circle which already has a piss-poor reputation with regards to honesty, transparency and a corrupt system of political patronism. Obama is taking with him to Washington members of the Chicago Democrat circle - many of whom has had some interaction one way or another with the governors office. This means that their credibility is now under close scrutiny.

Personally, I hope that the FBI and other federal agencies would also take a look at the offices of the Cook County president Todd Stroger, who is the most incompetent, unqualified, arrogant leader in that position and presides over one of the most inefficient, bloated and corrupt governing bodies in the country.

Also, although I personally LOVE 'Elmer Fudd' wannabe Chicago Mayor Richard Daley - his administration needs a little shaking up as well.

All this goes to show - there's a lot going on in the "Land of Lincoln" right now; boring we ain't!

HOW I LIKE TO SEE MY ATHLETES IN ACTION....

I have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what team this is or what sport they play....
...BUT WHO THE F***K CARES?!

SUNDAY LAUGH

All cartoons are courtesy of Creators.com.

SUNDAY EVENING MUSINGS

I swear, ABC is getting almost as gay as the GLBT themed LOGO Channel. Between the marriage of Kevin and Scotty on 'Brothers & Sisters', Bree's son Andrew's antics on 'Desperate Housewives', and Callie's dalliances with lesbianism on 'Grey's Anatomy' - I think ABC should be the network with the multi-colored logo instead of that damn boring peacock!

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Overhead on 'The Chris Matthews Show': According to John Heilemann, columnist with the New York Magazine VP-elect Joe Biden was first offered the choice of either Secretary of State or VP BEFORE he was announced as Obama's VP pick, and if he had chosen Secretary of State then Hillary Clinton would have been the VP-nominee instead.

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Saw the movie 'MILK' on Friday. EXCELLENT MOVIE!!! Very emotional and home-hitting for me. Prediction: Sean Penn wins Oscar for Best Actor for his performance as Harvey Milk, and Health Ledger wins Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in 'The Dark Knight'.

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The movie 'MILK' will be akin to throwing kerosene on a campfire in dry brush in California during the dry Santa Ana period. As one queen put it" "no more 'Mr. Nice Gay' anymore..."

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ASSHOLE OF THE YEAR....,NO WAIT, THE DECADE..., NO WAIT, THE ENTIRE U.S.HISTORY!!!!

"Forgive me Lord/Allah/Yahweh/Krishna/Buddha for I have sinned":

I am sorry to confess that in the past few weeks I began to feel a little sympathy towards the current incumbent president, believing that maybe he really meant well and just went about it in the wrong way.

WRONG!!!

Reality bitch-slapped me in the face this week to remind me that 'Dubya' is one evil self-righteous asshole who tried to force his (not-well-thought-out) agenda that based on religious doctrine and blind ignorant patriotism.

What did he do? In his final days as president (and I use that term loosely) he is going around and using interviews and speeches to try to re-write a positive spin on exactly what happened with regards to the invasion of Iraq and subsequent occupation, and is trying to pin the current economic mess on Bill Clinton, the Republican Party, ANYONE BUT HIMSELF.

I would swear on the Bible (if I believed in at least 70% of it) it was the position of being prone in the church pew that instigated the idea for 'Dubya' to fuck-over the American people with his un-informed religious and self righteous rhetoric, thereby ruining all that was good that the American people stood for.

So I nominate, and declare as the winner, George W. Bush as 'Asshole Emeritus' for all of the recorded history of the United States of America.

(January 20th can NOT come soon enough. )

PROP 8 - THE MUSICAL

Ya know the gays wouldn't take the passing of Prop 8 in California sitting down, hence "Prop - 8: The Musical:

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

This video is courtesy of the hilarious people at "Funny of Die" The star-studded participants include Jack Black, Neil Patrick Harris, Margaret Cho, John C. Reilly, Maya Rudolph and many more familiar faces.

FRIDAY-FRIDAY-FRIDAY!!!!

Tackle these...

Short story: MARTINDALE

"I just don't know!" shrieked Linda as she threw herself on the bed in anguish while wildly kicking her feet in frustration. A loose brown sandal slipped off and in flight narrowly missed the head of Ann who stood watching the antics from the doorway. A neighbors dog startled by the noise began barking in protest. Ann picked up the offending sandal and threw it to a corner in the room.

Yasmine grimaced in disgust at the barking dog and haughtily commented, "With that ruckus you'd think we were in one of the garrison neighborhoods of Trench Town rather than Cherry Gardens...."

"Yasmine, you're such a pretentious snob!" Ann quickly retorted. "Just because you went to Immaculate doesn't absolves the fact that you attended a primary school on the fringes of the Downtown Kingston community...not that there's anything wrong with that...."

Leslie, who until now sat quietly sat in a corner of the room, slowly rose and moved towards Linda who was now motionless facedown on the bed. A tall, light-skinned twenty year-old girl with dark green eyes and naturally auburn hair, it was Leslie who held the quartet together with her calm demeanor. Although young men were always fascinated in trying to guess the size of her breasts under her school uniform and subsequent shapeless blouses, she was unaware of her figure and hid her face behind large glasses that seemed to always be on the verge of slipping off the tip of her nose.

Leslie placed a hand on the back of Linda's shoulders. "You know, I find that sometimes if we took the drama out of a situation and really listed the pro's and cons, we can probably find a solution to the....."

Yasmine rudely interrupted with, "You know Leslie, if you allowed a little drama in your life you'd find that there is more passion awaiting outside of those books you always have your nose buried in."

She sat down with flourish in an over-stuffed chair by the window, flicking strands of her stiffly over-processed hair from the tiny beads of sweat on her forehead. A short and slightly overweight girl of nineteen, she compensated what she thought of as her "short-comings" with aggressive panache. It was Yasmine who always dared the boys in the primary schoolyard into various acts of boyhood bragging that sometimes resulted in childhood scars those boys would look on in later years with slight remorse and memories of the moment it all went wrong trying to prove themselves to that over-bearing girl. She smoothed her hot-pink capris and crossed her legs at the ankle in an effort to minimize the effect of her pale fleshy calves.

Ann moved towards the bed, her track shoes making squeaking noises on the polished floor tiles of Linda's bedroom. She was wearing a loose t-shirt with oversized shoulder pads, the fading picture of Michael Jackson on the front. Her neon blue tights stopped loosely below her skinny calves, an issue she had with her legs since her hormones kicked into overdrive in her early teens. Being the oldest of the four just shy of twenty-one she always tried to shock her friends with alleged expertise on men, sex, and other adult issues, but in reality she herself was just as naive as the rest of them.

"You know Linda," Ann said in a loudly pronounced way trying to be assertive, " this may not be such a bad thing. My experience tells me that it is better that this happened now while you're young rather than later when you are in..."

Yasmine smirked as she cut Ann's preaching with a sarcastic, "What the hell do you know about being an adult? I know you're older than I am but it is only by a few months, and in MY opinion you're just as clueless as the rest of us."

Ann whirled around and towered in front of Yasmine, her hands on her hips, her eyes blazing with anger. "Why must you always play the role of 'bitch'? Is there something you have against the world, or is it only latent anger at your parents for being poorer than your friends?"

As Yasmine angrily rose to tackle a common argument amongst the two, Linda lifted her head from the sheets and glanced sideways at Leslie who seemed oblivious to the familiar quarrel between her friends. Linda turned to her side and using her forearm as a prop rested her head on her palm while she looked thoughtfully outside to the poinciana tree that was brightly peppered with red flowers. "It's not what I'm going through that bothers me," she said softly, "it's that I have two really different solutions and I'm not sure which is right for me.....or David as a matter of fact...."

Leslie stiffened slightly at the mention of David's name. She loved her cousin dearly ever since they were toddlers playing in the sands of Hellshire while their parents haggled with the lone fisherman's wife who fried fish to the brave few who ventured out to the remote area, and wondered if she violated that childhood trust with her secret crush on David, the football star of their high-school years. David, the tall golden skinned young man with brown hair kissed with blonde highlights, stood as a minor celebrity amongst the university crowd for his achievements on the football team at Georges. It didn't hurt that his family also owned one of the most successful businesses in the corporate area, and were frequently photographed doing the rounds of the Jamaican cocktail circuit.

"I'm sure that David would be flattered, as usual, with you putting his interests first, but what do you really want?'

Linda suddenly sat upright on the bed and adjusted her clothes. "Will you two be quiet!" she loudly snapped at Yasmine and Ann, who stopped mid-argument. "Someone's coming!"

No sooner has she uttered those words when the door flew open.

"Well, if it isn't the rass man himself," snickered Yasmine loudly towards David who stood in the doorway. "What the hell are you dong here?"

Mini-obsession: PHYLLIS HYMAN

Okay, okay, most (Jamaicans) know Phyllis Hyman for her hit rent-a-tile song 'Old Friend'. Some might even know her for her other hit 'Living All Alone'.

Recently, the niche-market channel TV One made her the subject of their on-going series "Unsung", an hour-long program about lesser known R&B singers. The show describes life for Phyllis Hymen, first growing up in Pittsburg and her early attempts as a R&B singer, then her time in the clubs of New York singing back-up vocals for known acts of the seventies. It was during one of these performances that she was spotted by record executives and her career began to take off.

A tall (over 5 ft 10 in) and beautiful woman who sometimes modeled part-time, Phyllis was the first choice to sing the title track to the Bond movie "Never Say Never Again", but her version was dropped in favor of Lani Hall of the Brazilian Sergio Mendes band fame. During her career Hyman was also nominated for a Tony for her role in the Broadway musical tribute to Duke Ellington - "Sophisticated Ladies".

Her recorded songs had success on the R&B charts, beginning with her rendition of the Stylistics "Betcha By Golly Wow", then followed with solo releases such as "Don't Wanna Change the World", "Old Friend" and "Living All Alone" to name a few.

She was once married to Larry Alexander, brother of famed Jamaican pianist Monty Alexander but that marriage did not work out and the couple eventually separated. During the eighties and up to her death Hyman battled bipolar and depression along with substance abuse, weight gain and financial problems. She attempted suicide once and failed, but was unfortunately successful in her last attempt in June of 1995.

Why her biography struck a chord with me were the details supplied by her family on her struggle with bipolar disorder and depression, the same illness I struggle with myself. Her album "I Refuse to Be Lonely" released months after her death was a collection of songs that seem to sum up the feelings that Phyllis was going through at the time dealing with her illness.

But it is the lyrics of the title song "I Refuse To Be Lonely" that - although sad - to me is a conviction that although we may be alone, we can chose NOT to be lonely:

"Yes, I am alone
Yes, I'm on my own
But for the first time in my life
I'm gonna carry on."

"Yes, I'm gonna ache
But I will not break
Some things I can choose
and baby I refuse
to be lonely"

Poignant, isn't it? We can either be lonely, or chose to be lonely. Never saw it that way before. Makes you look at life differently. Be lonely or chose to be.

So from all of us who face the daily challenges of life feeling deserted, alone, naked, venerable, we raise our glasses to you - MISS PHYLLIS HYMAN.

Thanks for the music.

CAN SARAH PALIN JUST GO AWAY ALREADY?!

PLEASE?!

She is the most vividly portrayed epitome of a back-stabbing opportunist I've ever come across. The Palins are really just a bunch of "Wasilla hillbillies raiding Nordstroms from coast-to-coast..." as quoted by a McCain campaign worker.

I'm sure McCain is kicking himself BIG TIME for bringing this red-neck hick into the national spotlight.

TODAY IS WORLD AIDS DAY

World AIDS Day, observed December 1 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. It is common to hold memorials to honor persons who have died from HIV/AIDS on this day. Government and health officials also observe the event, often with speeches or forums on the AIDS topics. Since 1995, the President of the United States has made an official proclamation on World AIDS Day. Governments of other nations have followed suit and issued similar announcements.

AIDS has killed more than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007,and an estimated 33 million people worldwide live with HIV as of 2007, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. Despite recent, improved access to antiretroviral treatment and care in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claimed an estimated 2 million lives in 2007, of which about 270,000 were children.