“The land flourished because it was fed from so many sources--because it was nourished by so many cultures and traditions and peoples.” 

 

 

 

PROUD TO BE AMERICANS 

%IMAG… Read full post »

My grandmother’s two story “farmhouse style” Victorian on Collett Street, where I grew up, sat just two blocks east of major north/south railway lines that carried the Illinois Central trains of “The City Of New Orleans” fame. One and a half blocks… Read full post »

 

I'm sure there will be many dissertations on the Wisconsin Recall effort today. I can sum up my feelings in one sentence though. 

"American media is just one big river of toxic sludge slowly making its way toward Fox News."

There is absolutely no… Read full post »

I have the privilege of knowing true love 

 

In that first moment of recognition

He smiled, spoke softly, but with force

“It’s you,” he whispered

 

With that simple declaration… Read full post »

 

This deserves to be posted again, considering how dramatically things have changed since the first post two years ago. 

I was twelve years old when I had the courage to admit to myself that I loved  men “in that way!” In 1961, even that secret internal acknowledgme…

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For myself

You stand majestically at the center of the universe

 

For many  

You stand on the edge of eternity

 

Without judgment

You toss… Read full post »

 There's no sense to try to improve this or write something new. This came through me. So I have no choice but to repost it once a year! 

MOTHER Read full post »

 

 I am motivated to write the following blog because of several recent events. First is the 25th anniversary of the Names Project (The AIDS Quilt). The second event was the presentation of a “Champions of Change” award at the White House, to my friend Cleve Jones. T/… Read full post »

 

I refuse to jump on a bandwagon in this divisive, totally dysfunctional, deliberately manipulated political debate about the healthcare mandate!

 I do not understand anyone who defends a mandate that requires individual citizens to throw their hard earned money away in a system th… Read full post »

  

In 2011 the US government gave $2 billion in subsidies to the five largest oil companies! In 2011 Democrats in Congress tried to end those subsidies. Republicans in Congress blocked the efforts to end the subsidies. Those same five oil companies made $137 billion in profits in 201… Read full post »

Clear Channel's Premiere Radio Networks Inc

"The contraception debate is one that sparks strong emotion and opinions on both sides of the issue. We respect the right of Mr. Limbaugh, as well as the rights of those who disagree with him, to express those opinions."

The Framing of this response says… Read full post »

 I need to tell this story so the world can truly understand my feelings of rage for those who call themselves Republican candidates for president. But I also have a need to educate the public about how what we now call bullying was institutionalized in the second part of the 20th… Read full post »

 

When my partner Rob and I first arrived on the south coast of the island of Crete, it was a Swiss tourist who first realized that we were a gay couple. Barbara was the kind of person who would just blurt out what was on her mind. After we confirmed… Read full post »

I love movies. I love how art imitates life and life imitates art. As I watch many of the movies of the 30s and 40s, I am struck by how many have so clearly warned us of the political and cultural dangers we now face in the 21st century. Last night… Read full post »

I realized I am Gay at about the age of 12. I’m 63. So that means for the last 51 years I have awakened everyday to a world and a country that has blatantly discriminated against me because it believes… Read full post »

 

Twenty years ago this coming April I experienced an epiphany. Over the past two decades the memory of those days on the south coast of the Greek island of Crete have informed everything I have done and believe. I came to that important crossroads through a decade of incredible loss… Read full post »

I’ve never experienced anything more terrifying than waking up at 3:00 AM, unable to breathe. I wondered if I should have left instructions for someone to know where my important things are kept, just in case I didn’t make it… Read full post »

 On the second anniversary of this post

IT'S NICE TO SEE THAT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE HAVE JOINED ME! 

Today I Quit Bank of America

This need not be a long or complicated essay. It is my moral duty to not participate in institutions or endeavors I consider evil. Therefore, beginning today I… Read full post »

  

 Me With The Katona Twins

In the next few months another rich and rewarding episode of my life will come to an end. I don’t really like the sound of the word “retirement” because it implies so many things I feel would never be applicable to my life regardles… Read full post »

 

When I remember my childhood, I prefer to leave behind all I have learned in the many decades since my innocence has been destroyed. That feeling of innocence becomes sanctuary from the heavy weight that was laid upon my shoulders when I became conscious of the adult world that existed… Read full post »

 

It happens time and time again. I post a comment on FaceBook or another website, expressing my disappointment in President Obama. Each time I express my feeling that I have been “thrown under the bus” as a member of the Democratic base, I am inundated with White House talki… Read full post »