UPDATE: This Gay Men's Chorus Classic seems to invaded many a high school chorus.... Alert the AFA!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
A moment of the Triumph of Conscience
When I think of the defeat of Marriage Equality in the Senate of the State of New York on December 2, 2009, this will be the video that will bring tears to my eyes and hope to my heart:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1criD7cMfs&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1criD7cMfs&feature=player_embedded
A moment of Conscience Overcome
A moment of Conscience Overcome:
The Albany Times Union Capitol Confidential Blog credits the tremor that started the wave of defeat to the the alphabet. Senator Addabbo, a Democrat committed to voting yes, but a freshman Senator, lost his nerve and voted no. A yes vote was then cast by Adams and the next person to vote was Alesi. He is my senator and the first Republican to vote. He was considered a strong possibility to vote with us. With head in hands, he was obviously influenced by Addabbo cave in and saw his political cover disappear. He thought, was called on a second time and voted, "No."
I would like to say that I feel badly for him, but in times of stress a person of strong ethics and conscience will do the right thing not the politically safe thing. We have talked with Senator Alesi enough to know that he did not vote his conscience, he voted out of political expediency and fear.
The irony here is that his seat is incedibly secure. He has not had a credible challenge in my memory. He is a Roman Catholic, but comes from a very progressive diocese. He is well educated and his district is well educated with several very progressive colleges.
If we don't have our integrity, what do we have?
The Albany Times Union Capitol Confidential Blog credits the tremor that started the wave of defeat to the the alphabet. Senator Addabbo, a Democrat committed to voting yes, but a freshman Senator, lost his nerve and voted no. A yes vote was then cast by Adams and the next person to vote was Alesi. He is my senator and the first Republican to vote. He was considered a strong possibility to vote with us. With head in hands, he was obviously influenced by Addabbo cave in and saw his political cover disappear. He thought, was called on a second time and voted, "No."
I would like to say that I feel badly for him, but in times of stress a person of strong ethics and conscience will do the right thing not the politically safe thing. We have talked with Senator Alesi enough to know that he did not vote his conscience, he voted out of political expediency and fear.
The irony here is that his seat is incedibly secure. He has not had a credible challenge in my memory. He is a Roman Catholic, but comes from a very progressive diocese. He is well educated and his district is well educated with several very progressive colleges.
If we don't have our integrity, what do we have?
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Misery needs company
After a gut wrenching gay of watching my senate in action, I feel like crawling back in bed. I will however join others in town to mourn the defeat of marraige equality. Misery doesn't just love company, it needs it. We cannot bear this alone.
Later:
We went to a sizable demo in Rochester, given about 5 hours notice that there would even be a vote.
The more we learn the less we respect the local Senators who all voted against civil rights...
More to come.
Later:
We went to a sizable demo in Rochester, given about 5 hours notice that there would even be a vote.
The more we learn the less we respect the local Senators who all voted against civil rights...
More to come.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
A President Speaks
I am not convinced that investing anything more in Afghanistan, shedding one more drop of blood or losing one more life is worth whatever we might achieve.
But I am quite sure that for the first time since I have been alive, I heard a commander-in-chief speak with clarity and maturity to the troops and the nation.
This was no jingoistic, rah-rah presenatation. This was a position clearly presented, and whether or not I believe in the mission, I believe the man. I know that this is an intelligent human being who has listened to all sides, reviewed facts carefully, questioned advisors and made a decision. It is so moving after the last 8 years especially I see some one who is "the decider," not because he says he is but because he acts the part.
He may be wrong. He may not get reelected because he has distanced himself from the left and could do nothing to change the minds of right. He may not get re-elected because he is willing to take a stand that may not be popular but that he believes is right.
I feel somehow more hopeful about the future of this country when this man speaks even when I disagree with what he has to say.
But I am quite sure that for the first time since I have been alive, I heard a commander-in-chief speak with clarity and maturity to the troops and the nation.
This was no jingoistic, rah-rah presenatation. This was a position clearly presented, and whether or not I believe in the mission, I believe the man. I know that this is an intelligent human being who has listened to all sides, reviewed facts carefully, questioned advisors and made a decision. It is so moving after the last 8 years especially I see some one who is "the decider," not because he says he is but because he acts the part.
He may be wrong. He may not get reelected because he has distanced himself from the left and could do nothing to change the minds of right. He may not get re-elected because he is willing to take a stand that may not be popular but that he believes is right.
I feel somehow more hopeful about the future of this country when this man speaks even when I disagree with what he has to say.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
8 ball says, "Looks Promising"
From the Gay City News comes this analysis.
After a very long day of chaos, passion, and frustration in the New York State Senate, a couldn’t-be-higher stakes meeting that included the governor, senior Democratic lawmakers, and top LGBT advocates was capped by a dramatic announcement offering the best sign yet that marriage equality may become a reality by New Year’s Day.
With the Legislature unprepared to cooperate with Governor David A. Paterson in his push to adopt a budget reduction plan during the extraordinary session he called on November 10, the Senate Democratic leadership spent much of the day in on-and-off caucusing and huddling to answer the question that seemed uppermost on the minds of Albany-watchers Tuesday — whether to bring the marriage equality bill, passed for the second time by the Assembly in May, to the floor for debate and a vote.
Paterson had placed the measure on his calendar for the session, and many dozens of same-sex couples kept vigil all day long in the Capitol hallways outside the Majority Conference offices, chanting, “We deserve a vote, we deserve a vote.”
A vote was not to be — that day, at least. But shortly after 8 p.m., Paterson, four senior Senate Democrats — Jeffrey Klein of the Bronx and Westchester, the deputy majority leader; Eric Adams of Brooklyn; and Manhattanites Eric Schneiderman and Thomas K. Duane, the measure’s lead sponsor — and Alan Van Capelle, the executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda (ESPA), the state’s LGBT lobby, appeared before the press to announce that the Senate leadership has made a specific commitment to hold a debate and vote on marriage equality before the end of 2009.
The implications cannot be underestimated. Since April, Paterson has consistently called for a vote, which ESPA on several occasions demanded and Duane said repeatedly he has the bipartisan support to pass.
READ THE REST
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