Why I have suspended this blog...and, my new site

This post has been a long time coming.

I was very proud to be a progressive blogger, especially in the run-up to the 2008 election, where I did my part here...and through the blogosphere, helping to elect someone that I thought would be a great president.

While I cannot imagine a world where Sarah Palin would be a heartbeat away from the presidency, I was clearly wrong in assuming that Barack Obama was the man who he said he was.

On almost every issue, Obama has governed like a moderate Republican.

I have perceived him to be horrendous on everything from his choice of finance leaders, torture, wiretapping, glbt issues (he threw the community under the bus), health care reform (mia) and now, Afghanistan.

This is not the man I voted for and I am equally appalled at the disgrace that passes for the Democratic party these days. The GOP is as loathsome as ever, but the Dems have been so awful in throwing away their majority status, and pandering to lobbyists and corporatists, that they are going to be handing the majority right back to them.

I no longer blanketly support the Democratic party, but, rather, individual progressive candidates...wherever they can be found.

As for Obama, I can no longer even listen to the sound of his voice without cringing.

Back to my roots

From 1993 to 2003, well before folks were regularly blogging, I sent out a well-read and well-respected glbt newsfeed, via e-mail, on the net. It was begun years before the days of the web. Because glbt issues have been ignored by both parties, I am going back to my roots.

For the past couple of months, I have vigorously been posting on glbt issues as my earlier online presence, leliorisen. That is where I am putting my blogging energy into.

If need be, I will focus on generic issues, but my main coverage area will be glbt issues. In America, gays are second-class citizens. I will do all in my power to see that change.

I am sorry for those that may be disappointed by the move, but I have to blog where my passion lies, and I have no will to defend anything that Obama does these days.

I do want to make things better for my gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered brothers and sisters.

I am suspending activity on this blog officially, though I will keep it up here for those who would like to read some of my older posts, and, in case I have a reason to resurrect this site in the future.

Please visit my new blog at http://leliorisen.blogspot.com or by clicking here.

What Makes Sarah Tick?

On Sunday, the New York Times published a rare Maureen Dowd column. What made it so rare? It was both clever and insightful. I had forgotten the last time Ms. Dowd had written anything substantive, or worth commenting upon. One Sunday she actually took up space with a column expressing awe over the size of Michelle Obama's biceps.

But, this week, Dowd chose a target that could make any Times writer look astute, Sarah Palin.

I responded with a letter published on the Times website. My comments are reprinted below:

Is there an easier target than the Thrilla from Wazilla?

When Palin announced her resignation, my first thought had been Vanity Fair slays the barracuda. But, I have a feeling the Governor has a media opportunity forthcoming. Just a hunch.

One thing I will say, the fact that somebody this unqualified to lead...a politician with so little intellectual curiosity she makes George W. Bush seem like Plato by comparison...is considered a leader by so many in the GOP, says some scary things about America.

Make no mistake, America is way behind the rest of the world on most social issues. For example, there are only 2 nations in NATO that do not allow gays to serve openly in the military...Turkey...and the U.S. While the global model moves forward, the Christian right-wing keeps pulling us backwards.

In an America like that, Sarah Palin can be as dumb as a box of dirt, but it does not matter. She can spout abstinence and parade her pregnant unwed daughter. She can say outlandish things about those she campaigns against. It doesn't matter.

Because, at the end of the day, if she spouts Jesus-speak enough and continually states that she is pro-life (until the baby leaves the womb, that is), and pro-gun, she can get away with anything. She has morphed into the Great Gospel Beauty Queen...Miss California on steroids.

Who needs to know about foreign capitals when you can speak in tongues?

It's Not A Sex Act, Stupid

I posted the following on AmericaBlog today. I thought it worth repeating here:

More than anything, if President Obama does not investigate the abuses of the Bush administration, which should be done by an independent special prosecutor, then whoever is president will be able to do whatever they want on the grounds that it is okay, because the president says it's okay.

Obama does not understand this???

The GOP harassed President Clinton to no end on everything from his infidelity, to baseless allegations that Clinton staffers trashed the White House when they left. EVERYTHING was investigated.

And Obama does not have the cojones to investigate the process that led us into war, costing thousands of lives and destroying our economy?

Torture, wiretapping, Katrina, billions unaccounted for in Iraq, war profiteering and the Justice Department scandal are many of the other areas that need addressing. What...we will learn anything from our mistakes if we avoid examining what transpired?

So, President Obama, you don't want this politicized? Agreed. Hire an independent special prosecutor and take the politics out of it.

But get the answers.

This is far more worthy of investigation than a blow job and a stained blue dress.

Queen Of Abstinence: Bristol Palin?

I don't get shocked by anything anymore, but this goes beyond the pale.

Bristol Palin, who had a baby out of wedlock, and remains unmarried, is now a spokesperson for abstinence. And she is doing it for a commercial firm, Candie's, known for their provocative ads.

So, Palin, who you will see hardly seems to be passionate about her subject in a Good Morning America interview, is whoring out her family (including her infant son) for money.

Nauseating.

Bill Maher's Love Letter To The GOP

Just found this on YouTube, it is pretty funny. Unless, of course, you are Karl Rove...or Michelle Bachmann.

Susan Collins Has Much To Answer For

One of the closest people that the GOP has to a moderate Senator is Maine's Susan Collins. In order to get her to side with the Senate Democrats on the stimulus bill, Collins had certain demands. One of those demands was to eliminate $780 million in funding for pandemic preparation. As in 'swine flu' pandemic preparation.

Media Matters put out the above video to make sure that everybody knows what she did.

Thanks to this brave Republican, we are less prepared, and therefor, less safe, than we should have been. She needs to be confronted about this.

You may contact Sen. Collins directly here.

At the site, you will be able to easily contact Senator Collins, to express your displeasure.

Brilliant Stephen Colbert Parody of Anti-Gay Ad

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I almost did not post this, because Stephen Colbert does not have embedding capability on the net. However, Friday night's Countdown, guest-hosted by David Schuster, had exactly what I was looking for.

Since it is part of a longer segment, if you would like to go straight to the original ad, and the parody of it, start the above video at 1:20 and you will see the original absurd ad from the National Organization for Marriage on 'the gathering storm.' What follows from Thursday night's Colbert report is one of the most hilarious and spot-on parodies I have ever seen.

As Schuster astutely points out, the Human Rights Campaign (which is incorrectly called Human Rights Watch) has already said that this ad does not speak out against gay marriage, but complains about previous rulings that have outlawed anti-gay bigotry. So, as Schuster says, this ad is really about the right of these people to practice discrimination.

As a follow-up, Frank Rich's column today is an excellent piece devoted to the impotence and campiness of the original ad, and the parodies and ridicule it has generated. Mr. Rich does make important points, and even tells you about the people behind it. One Princeton professor probably will not like it, because the link on Rich's piece points to contact information for him.

You can find the Rich essay here.