An interesting scientific fight over the environment, bioengineering, and corn.

The current world of Anita Bryant.

A wonderfully harsh and detailed analysis, albeit rather scattered, of Bush's environmental policies from an Aspen newspaper: The fight to drill the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) began, I believe, as a diversion and cover for the horrific rape of our own Rocky Mountain region. Interesting.

For anyone who wants to understand the background of what's going on in the Middle East, there's a special series (with additional pieces linked on the side) in the SF Chronicle today. I haven't read it yet but plan to. It should be interesting and helpful.

"Happy Cows" aren't happy? I think we'd all like to hear from Double Cow on this one. Oh, and maybe also Byron since it's a vegan thing. (In my earlier post, I neglected to pull out my favorite quote from this article. It's from one of the dairy producers and, while maybe not politically correct, it made me laugh: "We could either reduce production to the point of scarcity, or switch to soy cheese, which would constitute cruelty to humans.")

I love San Francisco. What other community in the world wishes their demonstrations were as glamorous and media-covered as the local Gay Pride Parade?

In Washington, it's incredibly one-sided.

Props to me, people! Props to me! I still can't believe what I'm about to say: In the last month I have lost 4 pounds! Woohoo! I knew I was feeling a bit lighter this week. But I guess the regular and consistent exercise and the eating-less/better scenario has paid off. Now my goal would be to lose 10 more, but I'm just taking the route slowly and happy to report this wonderful news today. Yay for me!

Poor Jessie. He so hated all the mail he was getting prior to the last election, as we all were. It was a terrible amount. (Ok, ok, I must admit I kinda enjoy getting the crap because I like to read them and see what they're saying. But then I'm weird like that. I know.) And now it looks like, with campaign finance reform, that direct mail-- instead of television/radio advertisements-- will be the newest tactic of choice in political campaigns. Don't ya just love it? (P.S. Send Jessie a message of love and happiness to modify his raging anger.)

Hilarious article on Botox: Almost no drooling reported!

Inasmuch as you might have seen headlines or stories referring to a "homosexual pedophile," how many times have you seen the phrase "heterosexual pedophile?"

crazy people

Manzanar: 60 years on. It was ONLY 60 years ago. (People, 60 years is not that long ago! And it's happening again! Oh, but whatever, you have the line for "Fear Factor" to stand in.) This year's pilgrimage understandably has the theme: 60th Anniversary of E.O. 9066: Solidarity With Muslims and Arab Americans, Honoring Heart Mountain and Rohwer Internees.
Never forget.

More disgusting reads for David: His pants -- which were caked with feces and urine -- were pulled down mid- thigh. His seven layers of shirts were soaked through. His legs were covered with feces.

I cannot believe the stupidity of people. I was at the Metreon yesterday and witnessed the huge lines of people a-wishing and a-hoping to get on "Fear Factor." Young males acting stupid in line waiting to act stupid in front of a camera. I like this quote the best from one who was waiting for her family members: You want to see real fear? Check out my birthing pictures.

L.A. riots: 10 years on. I remember, at the time, sitting up late watching all of it on Nightline, especially the huge fires. I wasn't surprised by any of it really, but saddened.

Starting Saturday, the government is free....A ridiculous statement? Sure, but it's no more ridiculous than the reverse...

"I look up there and I think Tobey Maguire has grown quite a bit since I first met him in 'The Ice Storm.' " I saw the giant Spider-Man hanging on the side of the Metreon building today. It's quite surreal.

a 100 percent preventable problem

What a LIFE!!!!

Had an interesting venture to suburbia today. You remember suburbia, don't you? That quaint piece of Americana where everyone has space, cars, and you can't simply walk to anything? Yeah, that place. 'Minds me of home, except that the suburbs just south of SF are very Filipino, along with other backgrounds.

I had to go to suburbia today because I'm going to a wedding in a month in which I'm a groomsman. The groom is part-Filipino and so we're wearing a traditional Filipino shirt called a barong. So, since Daly City is one-third Filipino it obviously would have the store I needed to go to in order to pick up my outfit for the wedding. And off I went.

It's a little bit of a trek getting there, but very do-able and I should probably try to do that more often when the mood strikes. After picking up my outfit I shopped for a couple of hours around the mid-sized mall. There were your basic stores there attached to the major stores: Macy's, Mervyn's, and Target. Ah, if only the latter two were closer to me physically-- great places to go for every-day products. I kept my purchases from them to a minimum cuz I knew I'd have to drag them home physically-- without a car.

Ah, yes, you know you've lived within cities too long when the first question you have for everyone in the suburbs is: "Is it close enough to walk?" Anyone from the suburbs automatically looks at you like you're insane, even if things are just down the street. I remember that mentality from my days back home in Kansas City. Even when I lived in the city itself I never walked anywhere. It just wasn't done. But since I've lived in larger cities I know that walking gets you where you wanna go easier than burdensome, parking-troubled cars. I mention this because upon arriving to the area, before boarding the next bus, I asked the train operator if it was close enough to walk to the mall and his wild look told me the answer to that one. It was best that I rode the next bus since it was pretty far-- not far on the bus, but far for walking. Ah, yes, I must remember that everything outside of cities is far, far away. That's what the space is for, to keep things away from each other.

So anyway, I shopped and shopped and purchased more than I should and then sat down to do that all-American sport of eating at the food-court. Yes, the food-court. Invented to keep people in the malls longer I suppose, they always have such terrible versions of real food, yet close enough to real food that you think it's ok. But, lo and behold! This food-court, being in Daly City and all, had a Filipino fast food restaurant! How cool and fun. Treat myself to some traditional, fast food style, Filipino food. Now, before I go further, I should point out that two of my closest friends from my Washington, DC years were Filipino-- as I mentioned the groom, above, is Filipino. So I know Filipino food somewhat. In fact, I love to shock Filipinos with my knowledge. Let me explain. So I went up to the counter and pointed to what I wanted-- dinaguan. Now, usually, when I do this-- being a white guy-- most Filipinos are in shock that I know what it is, let alone that I want it. You see, dinaguan is this wonderful stew-like substance that's in actuality some type of concoction made out of pig's blood-- it's kind of a Filipino insider delicacy thing that even a lot of Filipino's dislike. But I love it! And so when I ordered it at the food-court, well, you should have seen the lady's face. Priceless. Anyway, I sat down and ate it with some really wonderful b-b-q chicken. Great, great meal-- even for a food-court. Yummy.

So that was my day in suburbia. I finally got home very tired and carrying too many bags. I coulda bought more. One of the stores there was this store devoted to those infomercial products on television. Priceless crap throughout. I got so close to buying Jessie a number of items because for some reason there seemed to be so much that related to him-- ha! But nevertheless, I decided not to purchase more since I was already overburdened with bags. Next time. Maybe, next time, Jessie will go with. That would be priceless fun, wouldn't it?

Look, Jessie, this article talks about the new Ethiopian restaurant on Polk Street. Jessie and I went there once after their opening. It was pretty good, but kinda creepy inside; they still need to figure out a welcoming atmosphere.

Freedom's Answer is a pretty cool new site/organization devoted to making this year's Sept. 11th a catalyst for registering new voters and encouraging everyone to utilize their freedom to vote as a signal to the world that "freedom is alive and well." Check it out.

The new language of television. I still can't get over p***ed off being acceptable on mainstream shows; I still am shocked every time I hear it.

I haven't seen the movie and probably should do it, but I absolutely loved this write-up about it. Check out these excerpts:

All the same, if anyone wants to watch naked men in the shower, naked men doing erotic dancing, naked men in bed and almost-naked men pumping iron, this is the film to see.
There are moments in "Circuit" that are so bizarre and revealing that they have to be based on an insider's perspective. At one point, Johnny, the most reasonable of fellows, is about to go to bed with a man he really likes. But he can't bring himself to do it. Having just given up steroids, he knows he has some flab on his body, and he can't enjoy sex knowing he has flab. If straight guys worried about that stuff, the human race would die out in a century.

Had a good discussion last night with David about the upcoming California state ballot initiative, the so-called "Racial Privacy Initiative." This initiative would be horrible! It looks like it has just received enough signatures so that it will be on the ballot this November. I have no doubt; the pockets of the right-wing to fund the petition-gathering are deep. We must work throughout the rest of this year to defeat this initiative.

This article gives a good summation of some of the arguments against the initiative, but I would also like to add my own two cents: This initiative is part of a larger goal by the right-wing to end civil rights. It would end the ability to collect data on race thereby disallowing the understanding of disparities among races/ethnicities in regards to housing, income, health care, you name it. Once you end the access to the data on the differences among races then you end the understanding of the what/where/how/why of the possible discrimination therein. Once that happens then you no longer have to deal and respond to the discrimination; thereby effectively saying that discrimination doesn't exist even though it does. Once you say that discrimination doesn't exist, then it allows the option of saying that civil rights laws are not necessary. That's the overall agenda of this agenda. And that is why it must be stopped!

The art of toilet seats.

Tomorrow is the 10th Annual "Take Our Daughters To Work Day." Think about that. It seems like it's been around so much longer than that. But then it's still only recently that the concept of women working as doctors, lawyers, judges, congresspeople wasn't completely insane to consider.
And it’s amazing how, almost from its inception, the opponents were all over it, complaining that it sent a bad message about female victimhood...The same people who weren’t the least bit bothered when boys got the only decent school sports programs—or, for that matter, the entire Supreme Court—were flipping out about a bunch of 13-year-old girls eating in the corporate cafeteria for one afternoon....Boys have issues and problems, too, but they’re not the same as the ones girls have. We just don’t start from the same place; otherwise it wouldn’t be called “helping” when a man performs tasks in his own home, or “baby-sitting” when he looks after his own children....Women still agonize over balancing work and family; lots of guys still assume they’ll balance work and family by getting married....That’s not victimhood, it’s history.
So here's to the 10th Anniversary and to more girls, including my 8-year-old niece Mariah, considering a full range of options for their lives and careers!

Now, I understand the advantages of DVD's versus VCR's to some degree-- although I have little use for DVD's until they actually can record too. But I know that I am not the only person to ever wonder why it is that every time you begin to actually have a complete collection of things, they invent a new technology that far surpasses what you want it on thereby making you purchase everything you already purchased once again. We did this when we moved to CD's from tapes from records. And I must say it's very frustrating, let alone expensive and time consuming.

The star of "Deep Throat," the biggest and most well-known porn movie ever made, has died.

This raises two important questions: Do porn stars also die in threes? If so, who would be next?!

Today's word: torpor. Use it with someone you love.

Sorry, I've been kinda out of it lately. First was my major work conference last week. From that I got a cold (which I think has had a short shelf life and I'm much better now thank you) and that put me out much of the weekend. Then my extended weekend had gorgeous weather so I didn't want to stay inside much. So, the long and short of it, I've neglected my duties here and I apologize. I'll start writing more today. Please forgive me.

What's the meaning of life?

I've been having a philosophical type day, sorta. I'm just kinda pondering a lot of existential, altruistic, and sociological questions today. I overwhelmed Jessie with a lot of 'em tonight at dinner and his response..... "yeah, but what ya gonna do. pass the sugar."

Jessie had a fabuloso idea in motivating me to sit on the roof with him today. Not only did I get some good sun on a gorgeous day in SF, but I also got caught up in my newspaper readings after several days of being behind. Of course much of that was due to the art of skimming, but still at least it got done. Now to continue to bask in the my extended weekend triumvirate.

Had another ex-dream last night-- what's that about?

Sorry I've been away. I hope all was well here. My work conference went great and I am very relieved it is over. Now I just have to deal with this cold I'm accumulated this week. In the meantime, it looks as if my Peace Corps friend Leslie, that great Woman of the World, is back in the Bay Area due to political unrest in the Middle East in just under a year of what is normally a two-year stint in the Corps; I'll let her explain in this email message she's sent:

I am witting to tell you all that I am in the Bay Area now. I had to leave Jordan due to the political situation and all the harassment I was experiencing. Since some areas of the country are ok they are not evacuating the program but instead have interrupted service for those that are in high harassment areas. Thus I had to come home. I can hardly believe I am home. It is strange to be back. I am not quite sure what I am going to do. I can say though that I have a sense of relief being back and I am actually sleeping through the night now and feel a little more comfortable walking around. I can put in for another assignment some place but am not sure if I want to start all over. I have a lot of things to reflect on and to think about before I decide my next path in life. I just wanted to let you all know that now I am home, it is so green here! I am amazed. Oh and the airport thing was a little crazy, people should be required to where flip flops on the planes to cut down on time at the security cheek points. Hope you all are well,
Take Care,
Leslie
I look forward to seeing her in person soon.

Today through Friday I'm managing a very large statewide conference for work and will be unable to update my blog. I'll see you guys again this weekend. Keep up the good work. Peace out!

Apparently Phyllis Diller is retiring. How sad. I love her. She always used to crack me up as a kid. And even when she wasn't funny, she always made me smile. This article is an interesting look into her life; I love the fact that she names all of her rooms!

I think I'll start doing that, based upon fellow bloggers of course. So here goes:

Jessie John-son Toilet-- Bathroom, for obvious reasons beyond just his name-- if you know him in person, you know exactly why that is.
David's Abstract Love Suite-- Bedroom, for even more obvious reasons.
Byron Sartain Kitchenaire-- Kitchen, because he loves his veggies.
Gerard Reyes Shattered Closet-- Closet, for being so openly bisexual-- I'm just so proud of him!
Chris Streeter Play Area-- Computer Area, because he's so into computers and because his name is too reminiscent of SF gay life.
Ernie Hsiung Entertainment System-- Television/Radio/etc Area, because, well, is there anyone else who is more pop culture than Ernie?

I'm not big on international politics or foreign policy. I learned long ago when I began my life in the movement for social change that you simply have to choose your battles. If you don't, you end up drained and tired and never satisfied. You end up that way anyway, but it lessens the load. Anyway, as you've probably noticed from my webpage, I rarely get into issues related to the Middle East or other foreign issues. I know they're important and I worry about an impending war, but I still try to maintain my focus and energy on more domestic matters.

With that said, I am greatly appalled at the U.S.'s (i.e. Bush Administration) approval, let alone possible support and assistance, in the removal of the democratically elected leader of Venezuela. How can the U.S. say that it supports democracy around the world when it approves a coup d'etat just because it feels the guy is too leftist? The people voted for this guy; they did not vote for the military to take over the country. If what we are fighting for worldwide is democracy within nations then we need to stick to that everywhere, not just where we like the outcome. Very disturbing indeed.

Dreams can be overwhelming sometimes. You know, when you wake up and still feel every emotion in the dream and it somehow makes you think that real life has changed. Life hasn't changed. You've just expressed submerged emotions or desires and you wish for another release. And you wish to continue that connection further. And you want and desire and wish and hope. Further wasted emotions.

Last night, I had an ex-dream. And I know why I had it too. I was just thinking last night, before bed, about how proud of myself I was about surviving that break-up. I DID IT! And then, the ex-dream brought out a variety of those submerged emotions to remind me that they plan to stay with me beyond survival whether I like it or not.

I suppose that's to be expected-- we never really lose our emotions. Past hurts and pains can be useful in helping us to forge better lives. And life is a process of utilizing our full humanity and our full past to make a better present and future. But it sure can overwhelm a morning.

deus ex machina

As my Mother and Grandmother are within weeks of visiting San Francisco, it's good to see there are new and exciting tourist adventures to add to the list.

"See How They Run" ought to play nationwide, so everyone can see a world where an African American liberal is the conservative and a gay radical is the man of the people. Having lived this episode of political theater upon arriving to San Francisco, I would so love to see this movie.

I couldn't sleep last night. On any given day my windows rattle. But last night, with the incredibly strong winds, they were more than rattling; I thought they were gonna blow in. They were so loud that they kept waking me throughout the night. I tried to bolster them with a book, but last-minute-middle-of-the-night-half-asleep gestures can only do so much.

One of my favorite sources for daily political news is orvetti.com which gives simple, clear political news every morning. I check it and feel up to date on the major political news of the day. I've been doing that now for a couple of years since a friend directed me to the site. It was most helpful and informative during the 2000 election. If you're a political junkie, you'll love it. If you're not, it won't mean a thing to you. Now it looks as if there's an actual write-up about the site and its history. Very interesting.

Ah, the continual wit of David: ...I inevitably succumb to the call of cheese under a heat lamp.

I had the luck to speak with him again by phone last night and I must report that a possible trip by David to the Bay Area may occur sometime this year, satiating the desire of many a San Francisco blogger. David, San Francisco welcomes you with an open heart and more than just open arms.

It's been an absolutely gorgeous weekend here in SF. I've actually been wearing shorts, and justifiably so as it was quite hot yesterday. Not as hot today, but still lovely. Anyway, recently I've realized that I need more summer shirts that fit my new and fabulous girth and so I decided to go shopping today. And boy did I-- coming away with nine (9) hip and sexy shirts to impose upon the public in the near future. Be ready!

It's not often you end up lobbying without trying. I'm heading to work this morning on BART and, by complete coincidence, end up sitting right next to Tom Radulovich-- one of the Board of Directors of BART. I've known Tom for a while now and we exchange pleasantries and chat about life. However, this is also the same morning that there's the headline story about how BART may be increasing fees in the future. And so we talk about the article and then I told him about how much it's costing me everyday to get back and forth from work. And it is too much. I'm usually very understanding when it comes to fees and paying for public services, but I really do think BART is too expensive for a mass-transit system which should be encouraging people to get out of their cars. Anyway, so I told him about how I hate paying the fees already in existence and how higher fees would be a terrible, terrible idea. And then we went back to chit-chatting about life. Funny how life happens sometimes.

"The first question you ask when you meet a new friend isn't `Do your parents know?' .... it's `Are you married?'"

How safe is your voice mail? I'm like most people and don't too much about it, but it is something to definitely think about.

Jerry Falwell is trying to shut down jerryfalwell.com since he doesn't appreciate the parody.

Just got home from a wonderful night on the town. Went to see Varla Jean Merman tonight with Nathan. I actually saw it with him, Victor, and Jessie last time she was in town and had a blast so I wanted to see her again. If you haven't ever seen her before you definitely should, and I would strongly encourage Bill to check her out (if he hasn't already) as she claims to be Ethel Merman's illegitimate daughter. He would probably get a special kick out of it.

Afterwards I found Jessie working his usual corner on Polk Street and we sat down to a full-coarse meal at the historic Grubstake. We then went to watch the latest installment of the always riveting Six Feet Under after which we chatted the night away, at least until he could no longer hold his former meal inside any further. Ah, what a night.

Rio is now going to sue the Simpsons over the recent episode detailing a raucous trip there. How stupid. (Scroll down to read the story)

Ashcroft is going after our American legal system's defense program to dismantle it brick by brick. Terrible.

I've been trying to keep a smile on my face even though, in retrospect, this has been a terrible week.

"Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day of Silence, a national youth movement protesting the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by harassment, prejudice, and discrimination. I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward fighting these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today. What are you going to do to end the silence?"

I am so glad they installed the count-down clocks. They really do give you a sense of how much time is left before the light changes. It makes it so much safer and easier. Good public policy at work.

Random and scattered thoughts on sexism, beauracracy, and busy work days:

Why do people always look for men when things need to be moved in offices? I know the answer to that, but it's still a good question anyway. So, I'm preparing for a major conference which is occuring next week and we have about 30 or so big boxes we are moving in a van. Previously, whenever moving or lifting items the office would ask these young male students on the floor below to help whomever. Now there's word that the young males are getting upset about always being asked to move things-- as if they don't have their own work to do. Very reasonable. I myself am quite tired of being asked to help move things simply because I am male too. But, maybe fearing a "sissy" label or something because I am openly gay, I always want to help out to prove some kind of manliness.

Anyway, now comes the beaucracy part of this post. Since the young males are refusing and it would be greatly difficult for my staff and I to move the boxes ourselves, we asked the maintenance department. Oh God, what a mistake. They apparently don't have that in their job description. Apparently, no one does. And no one will help. We've been told to hire people. Hire people to move boxes for the 10 minutes it will take to do it? That seems a bit excessive. It's just a simple move. It seems to me as if offices should have someone who's duty it is to move or lift things. For those whose job does not include this type of stuff-- what about worries of job injuries and the like. You think businesses would worry about that. No, we're out of luck for getting help. So now I, myself only, will be moving the 30 boxes. It's fine, but rather unreasonable that we can't seem to get/find some assistance. But I certainly do understand the concerns from the young males on the floor below.

Finally, the busy work days part involves this upcoming conference next week which there is so much work to do I am losing my mind. I am still trying to get out of the office by 5 everyday, but it's very busy. Next week I will be in San Jose for about 3 days with work days that will be into the night hours-- major conference as I said before. I can't wait until April 20 when life will be back to normal at work.

RATS ARE EATING THE DEAD in L.A.!

In other mortiferous news, here's a good writeup on the show "Six Feet Under."

It's the little things...

I get so excited over little things sometimes. I just had a walkthrough the new Berkeley Library.... and it's magnificent! What a wonderful place to go and learn and read and study and hang for children, teens, and adults. I suppose I'm weird for being excited about a library, but the reality is that communities thrive with places like these. They flourish when their citizenry have options and access and opportunities. Libraries are a staple in such communities. Ok, I know, I'm crazy, but it's very exciting.

Related to last post, the word for the day is: malapropism.

Ok, I hate to admit it, and I'm very, very sorry to all of you who think this is sadly, horribly wrong of me to say, but:

I miss Balki Bartokomous.

I just had my very first meeting inside the new queer Center in San Francisco. I must say it is quite the place. What I love about it, the idea of it, is that there is a place to go-- for groups, individuals, communities. It's such an improvement on the usual concept of people having to meet in bars, or community groups having to meet in restaurants, in order to have space for these needs. It's a "community center." Terrific!

Who is doublecow? Who is doublecow?

Ah, the hour games played on us all last night are getting to me tonight. I am not tired; it is late; I must get up early.

The tricks of the trade, I suppose.

I cannot believe I signed up to be in Ernie's weblog dating game. How insane could I have been this morning?! Below you can see my responses to his application questions:

1. Why do you want to be [in] this game?
Because of the irony.

2. Why SHOULD you be in this game? (As opposed to, say, your best friend who is also single.)
Because I pushed so hard for a gay version.

3. A lot of this game relies on the power of storytelling. Tell me a story about yourself. A TRUE story about yourself. (Note: This may or may not end up being weblogged, either in the game itself or in littleyellowdifferent.com .)
I was born poor, my mother used to make my shoes. I never ate anything we didn't steal. I still like the feel of ill-gotten morsels in my mouth-- just something to savour. I currently reside in Bedlam Hospital on 33rd, next to a man with fleas.
Ok, that's someone else's story.
I was born with an inkling to lead. I gravitated to the hills and found my calling healing people's pains. I ended up beaten and tied on a cross. Ok, wait, that's Jesus.
My story, my story. Who am I? I'm 31, gay, single, and living in SF. I came out at 19. Soon afterwards I was yelling at my mother about my right to have my boyfriend sleep with me in the basement. I was one of those militant homosexuals you may have heard about. Then I moved to San Francisco three years ago to become one of those nameless-faceless homosexuals you never hear about.
I currently work in the public health care field-- tuberculosis control for the state of California. *cough* Before that I was mostly doing political/legislative work here, in Washington DC, or back home in Kansas City. A lot of people assume I'm overly political, but really I don't talk about it all that much in real life. My webpage has become my outlet for those interests. I am interested in politics and making things better for society, but it's not my whole self.
My whole self is mostly a messy convergence of what it means to be a 31yo single gay man who's had a life that keeps on going without a clear understanding of time, wondering what happens next and whether I'll be interested in it when it gets here. I moved to the Bay Area because it's unbelievably gorgeous and because we can have a gay version of a weblog game. I plan to stay here for the same reasons.

4. How DID your last date go?
It went phenomenally well. We had a lengthy lunch getting to know each other while eating Korean BBQ. Then we strolled Golden Gate Park ending up at a bench in the Botanical Garden watching ducks in a pond and squirrels begging for food while holding each other against the cold and talking for hours. Lovely.

It's too bad the U.S. can't seem to get a dollar coin to work. They're the standard in most currencies around the world. It would make life so much easier in using bus fares, vending machines, and in general, but then it does create too much jingling in the pockets I suppose. Part of me has to wonder whether there's simple misogyny from the public against women on money-- now that's there's been two failures with women's likenesses on both.

Once again, the administration handed a win to big business at the expense of millions of average workers -- especially women -- who risk workplace injuries every single day.

Apparently my page is No.4 when someone is looking for Uncle Jessie Sex Pics. Uncle Jessie did you have something to do with this? And where are those Sex Pics I ordered?

Proof of the American Petroleum Institute dictating energy policy in the Bush Administration. Already knew that, but good to see the actual paperwork.

It's bad enough that Exxon Mobil controls White House energy and climate policies. Now they want to control the science too. More on Bush trying to get rid of scientists who say things he doesn't like.

This Wednesday, April 10th-- Day of Silence.

...a tremendously powerful way for young people to educate their peers and their communities about harassment and violence that silences LGBT students all too often in their schools.

Studies of these [campaign] contributors show that 80% are male, 81% have household incomes over $100,000 and more than 95% are white. This prosperous white and mostly male class determines which candidates can run credible campaigns. It also gives preferential access to politicians and to the leadership of political parties, greatly determining which issues will be at the forefront of the legislative agenda.

Democrats are hungering for someone to take the fight to Bush on a slew of domestic questions, from the environment and energy to health care and taxes. Definitely!

Wow! Just got a look at Nathan's new webpage-- I didn't even know he was doing one. Terrific! Very cool page with an AMAZING links section. Check it out.

Let's all marry our cousins! Let's all marry our cousins! Let's all marry our cousins! And have ourselves a treat. (C'mon, sing along.)

Why do more and more people seem to think it is OK to pee on the public streets? I'm walking home today and this guy is peeing in front of himself as he is walking down the street. How completely horrible is that? Goddammm! I see so much of that I can't believe it still surprises me, but I am glad I haven't become numb to it. It still infuriates me. Ugh!

The rising numbers of gay men "barebacking" is a new plague we are sadly inflicting upon ourselves. Stupid.

Hooray! Governor Davis signed an executive order yesterday extending the compensation benefits to domestic partners of California victims of September 11th. Would a Bill Simon do that? I think not.

More reasons why we have a long, arduous road ahead in defeating Bush in 2004.

The message from the Supreme Court is that if you are going to violate the National Labor Relations Act in penalizing an employee it is OK as long as the worker is an undocumented immigrant. This gives the unscrupulous employer a competitive advantage over other businesses, and places no responsibility on an employer who decides to exploit the situation.

As many of you know I worked on the San Francisco library bond campaign in 2000 and through that my respect for libraries grew immensely. Anyway, I'm very excited to see the new Berkeley library finally finished. I have been going to their make-shift location in downtown Berkeley every week to pick up the local weeklies and read, so I'm looking very much forward to the new one being up and ready. It's going to be such a tremendous community resource once it's open.

Add more people to the numbers who get ripped off every year. This is just simply bizarre.

It's not that we think that the attacks against America should go unpunished; we want to be sure that we are being told the truth about our behavior, our aims and our allies.

I've never heard of it but I guess I'll have to give it a try cuz it sounds so yummy and comes with such a heartfelt recommendation.

Remember the "bring out your dead" scene in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"? It's the one where the old man declares, "I'm not dead!" "Yes, he is," insists his younger companion, who persuades the undertaker to hit the old man over the head and cart him away. Now you understand the Bush administration's policy toward Social Security.

It seemed risible when pollsters were tripping over each other in the Clinton White House....But at least the Clintonites were upfront about their addiction to addition. The Bush method is all denial and secrecy, just like its energy plan. (With apologies to my fave, Dave, and also noting my favorite new word of the day: risible.

"Anybody can go to Wal-Mart and get a flag, and stick it on their car. It takes real courage to go out and actively work for the things you believe in, and to stand up for the things you believe in."-- Michael Moore.
He gives a great interview here. I should probably get his book soon.

And now, the latest update from that great Woman of the World Leslie as she continues her stint in Jordan via the Peace Corps. It's very insightful to be able to get a first-hand perpective of the craziness in the Middle East right now:

"I am not sure what to say...Things have heated up in this area. The televisions show images of War: death, tanks, blood, bodies, soldiers, rocks, etc. The children are no longer allowed to watch TV because they all have nightmares from the images being portrayed. Everyone here is sad and scared and can not believe what is going on. I can hardly believe what has unfolded next door. It is like a bad dream that I see no end to. The people here watch the TV and see the homes of their relatives being destroyed. Phone lines to the West Bank have been cut off, fueling their uncertainty. They see protests around the world, but are silenced in their own land. They are bubbling with anger causing a tension so thick that you feel like you are walking through mud when you walk down the street.

"Usually when I walk through the market I am harassed, generally it is sexual harassment or shop owners asking me into the store. These comments have become normal to me. The tension is so high that today walking in town I received no comments, no invitations, nothing but an old man mumbling something about America being bad. I guess I should be happy for the lack of sly comments but instead this was very unsettling, things are defiantly shifting in this are. People are appalled at what Bush is saying and that no one is aiding the Palestinians. I have to say I wonder too where the Bush rhetoric comes from and why the US seems to be closing its eyes to the Palestinians.

"The UN has stated that things have gone to far in the West Bank, Israelis are protesting against what is taking place and refusing to fight, the rest of the world seems to be looking at both sides. I do not understand why the US is not recognizing the atrocities that are taking place. The comments by Bush that Arafat can control the suicide bombings from a cell phone is absurd, I would like to see Bush try to control a American suicide bomber that is not Republican from a cell phone. People here are ready for all out war. They call on the Arab leaders to assert themselves and fight Israel. I can not see an end to the conflict today or in the near future. On one hand I can see things escalating to the point of all out global war. On the other, I can see the potential for a ceasefire to cool things down for a while. But I think even if they do calm down those that have been put into camps, seen their loved ones shot down in hospitals or witnessed bombs outside their neighborhood cafe will not forget the atrocities that have occurred. Both sides will harbor the hate that drives this conflict and will never be willing to compromise.

"I have been in my PC friends home for the last few days where I have been waiting to see what will happen next. We are not suppose to leave, we are all just waiting. Today the US Embassy in Israel paid for those that want to be evacuated to leave, Hizbolla and Israel are exchanging fire, Iraq in curtailing oil to the US and is threatening an attack on Israel. The list of demands from the Arab summit for Palestine is absurd. Israeli will never allow repatriation of Palestinian or East Jerusalem to be the Capital of the P.N.A. creating more tension and extending the conflict. Ramala, Bethlehem, Jericho, Jerusalem and much more of the West Bank are being miliary surrounded by the Israelly government and the Palestinians are ready with 50 young girls and boys armed with bombs to blow up any target they see relevant.

"I have my bags packed just in case, but I still holdout for peace if an only if the US begins to recognize both sides of the issue. I am worried for my friends here and for the future of this area. But again this has been going on for over 50 years maybe 1423?. Is it just another flair up in the never ending ME conflict? or is it the beginning of a ME based world war? I guess if you see me in the next month the answer will be the later.

"I hope I get to stay and that it does not come to all out war. Anyway, I just thought I would give you all a bit of info about what I am going through over here. I actually feel relatively safe with my Jordanian friends and know if things escalate in Jordan the PC will take us out."

Take care,
Leslie

So much for the openly gay Guerriero becoming Massachusett's Lieutenant Governor, but we knew his days were numbered once the conservative Romney got in the race.

Back in 1996 I was working in DC and my boss actually fell for the Taco Bell April Fools Day joke. I mean fell HARD. She fully believed that it was real, no matter how many times those of us in the office insisted it had to be a joke. She complained and complained about how the corporatization of our government had led to such a thing and so on. While I fully appreciated her concerns about the deep crossings between public and private, I knew it had to be a joke. After the hoax was revealed publicly, she created her own little Taco Bell boycott because she was still fuming. Did I ever mention that my ex-boss was crazy?

Let's make sure she's the exception to the rule.

"When you have people together who believe in something very strongly -- whether it's religion or politics or unions -- things happen."-- Cesar Chavez

The Bush Administration is pushing out the leader of an international group of scientists who are concerned about global warming. When they don't want to hear something, they simply replace the speaker with someone who says what they want-- reality or not.

Hooray! Cuss all you want!

Putting away people for the rest of their lives for stealing a few video tapes is simply obscene.

Why do I feel that AdSubtract will suddenly be very popular very soon?

A Dracula Theme Park.

Who cares about the old ad.... take 'em all down.

I happily had the day off today. California started celebrating an official day off in honor of Cesar Chavez last year. Yeah!

I just had a date. A real live, actual date. That went well. Who's life is this?

Had a very bizarre dream about Madeleine Stowe last night. I think I should go rent one of her creepy film noirs soon.

Cher on the 2000 election:

Q: How did you survive last year, with...George W. Bush becoming president and everything bad that happened?
A: That was so devastating. ...Bush becoming president. You know what? I think I must have felt like the Republicans when Clinton was president.
Q: But you made it through.
A: It just made me sad, that's all. But what can you do? You can watch the news every day and get angry, but where do you go with all of it?

I love Cher.