Monday, September 14, 2009

Image by Denis Collette...!!! via Flickr

Last evening I attended Dignity services in Chicago. For those that don't know, Dignity is a Catholic GLBT group. Unfortunately the Catholic church doesn't recognize the organization, but the mass is still conducted by a priest. It was incredibly beautiful and open. I left feeling completely renewed and at peace. It had been a long time since I've had that feeling.

Today was another beautiful day in a string of near picture perfect days. I noticed some of the trees are already turning colors, mainly yellow. For the first time I could smell autumn in the air. I felt like home!!!

I saw online today, Kanye acted like a horses butt last night on the VMAs. Sad that a guy with his abilities should stoop so low. While I respect him for his thoughts, I must say being rude to someone and acting inappropriate is not going to win him any points. Walking around with a half empty bottle of Hennesey doesn't support his cause either. Maybe he should take a lesson in self-respect. Oh, and buy your girlfriend a real outfit. Last night she looked worse than a hooker in Times Square. Please, no offense meant to all hookers in Times Square.

Sunday, September 13, 2009 Church going

Today I decided to finally go to church. I went to Holy Covenant MCC which was not far from the apartment. In spite of getting lost on the way there and held up by a train, I actually arrived somewhat on time.

I took my place at the back of the service so I could pretend I was a wall flower. Yeah right, within a couple minutes of arriving I had half the congregation welcoming me. While it was nice, I must have turned 10 shades of red. Since there was only about 30 people attending this service, I must have stood out like a sore thumb.

Tonight I'm going to attend Dignity in Chicago. Yes, I'm serious about this quest to find a home church. I've decided, although being spiritual is an important step when trying to connect to God, one must also have companionship on the journey. So off I go to seek spiritual renewal along a different avenue.

This is going to be my first foray into a gay Catholic organization. Somehow I've never been able to reconcile being Catholic and being gay. Hopefully I will find some answers here. Maybe not on the first visit, but I am determined to forge ahead.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Image by Joseph Hoetzl via Flickr

Today the news was filled with 9/11 remembrances. It is definitely a somber occasion that is pretty much etched permanently in every one's mind. Although I know we should never forget, somehow bringing it up year after year seems to be akin to picking at a scab. Keep doing it and it will never heal.

What struck me in the news was how many of our fellow Americans, who are Muslim, dread today. The overall sense I got was that they felt safe staying home and keeping their families close. Many stated the fear that if another terrorist attack happens they would be rounded up and put in internment camps like the Americans of Japanese decent during World War II. How sad is that?

Have you noticed the news regarding Guantanamo has lessened over the past few weeks? Although they are not Americans, I still see Guantanamo as a mark of shame on our country. How could we allow our government to seize people from their country and inter them without due process? How could we allow our government to withhold trials, counsel, and the knowledge of what crimes they committed?

This is not the America I grew up in. The America I grew up in held the rights of the citizen above all else. Everyone had the right to know why they were being held. Our laws require that we are either charged or released within 48 hours of an arrest. Since when did we suspend Habeus Corpus or Miranda? If the government can do this now, what can they do in the future to our rights?

Freedom comes at a cost. We all know that. Sometimes the cost is in the sacrifice of military lives. Sometimes, it is in the cost of the lives of the innocent. These are horrible prices to pay, but what would America be if we simply eliminated the rights we take for granted. Benjamin Franklin wrote that those who wanted to give up their freedom for the sake of security should and would have neither. What does taking and withholding basic rights from those held at Guantanamo say about America? Are we truly any safer?

The sacrificing of our basic rights and liberties at the sake of security is not a fair trade. Although I do not agree with conservative Christians regarding their faith, or with gun holders, I can respect their right to worship or own guns. Although I'm not Muslim, I do believe they have the right to worship and live in peace in this country. To take away the basic rights of any group, as given under our constitution, is an invitation to an Orwellian society where big brother knows best.

So, today, as we remember the horrifying events and the tragedy of the lives that were lost, let us not forget. This is the day that Americans lost something even more precious. We lost our innocent ideological surety that our government would never suspend or do anything contrary what is written and guaranteed in our constitution.

Thursday, September 10, 2009 Civility

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I watched President Obama's speech last and must admit I was very impressed. What impressed me most was that he held complete composure even when a congressman called him a liar. I'm not sure if I would have been so calm in the face of that affront.

This brings me to the question; whatever happened to common civility? As Americans we've always been able to debate, discuss (sometimes heatedly), congress, etc. with the idea of treating others as you would like to be treated, most often referred to as respect. But lately I have been amazed at the amount of incivility our society now tollerates.

Yesterday I went to the grocery store doing my weekly shopping. While I was standing in line I watched a young woman literally push an older woman out of the way so she could get in line first. I stood there absolutely dumbfounded. Although I didn't say anything to the pusher, I offered the other lady a place in front of me.

There was a day when people cared about their fellow man. People would smile and say hello on the street. Older people were given the deferance they deserved. People talked to each other with respect even if the idea wasn't shared or agreed upon.

This is the ideal we should be getting back to.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009 The Voice of the People

Image by inkeola via Flickr

I read a fascinating article today written by Ali Davis for www.365gay.com. In her blog she wrote, "...once you start legislating private matters for other people, your own privacy is pretty much fair game." This article and another article regarding the ethics violation investigation of the National Organization for Marriage got me to thinking about the true voice of the people.

When same-sex marriage became a viable issue marriage rights foes argued that the Massachusetts Circuit Court violated its constitutional limitations by legislating from the bench. Their argument was that laws regarding marriage and other civil rights are the domain of the State legislative body. They filed an appeal which went to the Massachusetts's State Supreme Court and we all know the outcome, the lower court's decision was upheld.

In California, the same thing pretty much happened via the court system. So what did the marriage foes do, they garnered enough signatures to warrant the Proposition 8 Amendment to the state's constitution. This in essence tied the hands of the state's court system. When the legality of Prop.8 went before the courts, the courts sided with the people's right to amend the constitution. What really flabbergasted me was the fact that the court, in essence, conceded that people have the right to enact an amendment to a constitution that is in direct violation of rights secured under the same constitution.

Filed on 05/18/08, the California Supreme Court wrote in their decision, "As past cases establish, the substantive right of two adults who share a loving relationship to join together to establish an officially recognized family of their own — and, if the couple chooses, to raise children within that family — constitutes a vitally important attribute of the fundamental interest in liberty and personal autonomy that the California Constitution secures to all persons for the benefit of both the individual and society." So how can the court reverse this decision by siding with the proponents of Proposition 8.

In Maine, the legislature passed a law that recognizes same-sex marriage. Immediately the National Organization for Marriage started a petition to have the constitution amended and abolishing the validity of the recent law. Enough signatures have been garnered and it now goes before the people.

In Iowa, the Iowa Supreme Court followed the 2008 California Supreme Court's decision and ruled that discrimination in marriage is unconstitutional. Again, the National Organization for Marriage is trying to garner enough signatures to change that state's constitution.

This now brings me to my initial question, what is the voice of the people. The Supreme Courts, whether state or national, were formed to keep the legislative and executive branch from making laws that violate the constitution. Through legal maneuvering, political action committees have been able to do an end run around the legal system. When legislatures, the body of government that is held accountable for creating laws, passed laws espousing equality, the same political action committees have claimed that said laws are not the voice of the people.

If our legislative branch is elected by the people to represent the people, then is it reasonable to say that they are the voice of the people? On the same token, if the constitutions of each state and the country are ratified and agreed upon by the people, then does not the Supreme Courts of each state and country speak for the people when they rule according to constitutional legality?

When the voice of the people speak out in favor of bigotry, who then has the power to override the people? According to the conservative Christian political action committees, no one. So is it safe to assume that the voice of the people can rule that unless a marriage produces an offspring it can not be counted as a marriage? Or how about, person's of different religions can not get married? (By the way, that is biblical according to Levitical law.)

This country has a history of showing that the voice of the majority is seldom in touch with the civil and economic rights of the minorities. It has taken court orders and legislative actions to bring people to treat each other in a more humane and equitable manner. Have we forgotten the civil rights struggles during the 60's? How about women's struggle to be treated as equals and not chattel? Women's right to vote and own property? Slavery? Everyone of these issues were fought against the will of the majority, and in most cases, against the will of the church.

Who speaks for you? Your conscience or your church. Let's hope this time around people will see what is morally right and what is pure bigoted propaganda parading under a religious banner.

Monday, September 7, 2009

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Happy Labor Day. Labor Day is a day set aside to honor the workers of America. For those who are working it's another day to celebrate the fact that you are working. For those, like me, it's another day to scour the online job sources looking for a new career. Thinking back over the years and the amount of times I have looked for a new job, not many thankfully, I can't help but be amazed at how the process has changed.

1. Whatever happened to getting the local paper and seeing pages upon pages of new job postings? Now I scour Monster Jobs, Hcareers, Careerbuilder, Jobs.com to find the perfect job. Hell, it may not even be the perfect job, any job that can support me will do.

2. Sending in the resume and expecting a response? In most cases, that just isn't going to happen. I remember a time that when a resume was sent to a company and said company would be gracious enough to respond with a letter thanking the applicant for their interest. Personally, I think it's good business to send a thank you letter. I may not be a future employee, but I do have a strong possibility of being a future or current customer. So, the way I see it, if you can't have the courtesy of sending a response, what does that tell me about your customer service skills.

3. This has become a near and dear to me fact; American companies do not appreciate the skills of mature workers. I have applied for numerous jobs that I know I was perfectly qualified for only to be rejected. The only reason I could comprehend is that the company hired someone much younger than me. And in most cases, that turned out to be the cold hard fact. What they never took the time to learn is that I am very flexible, very easy going, and very dedicated and loyal. I am not the type of guy to job hop, and I can say this with confidence, most people my generation have the same dedication and loyalty as I.

4. On the whole I have noticed American companies have become very shallow, money driven, and less interested in employee and customer satisfaction. Especially in today's job market companies have the upper hand when it comes to choosing from the labor pool. For most it's no longer about who is the most qualified, but who has the least expense tag.

5. What ever happened to the personalization of the job experience? Let's face facts, corporations have never been employee driven. They do a wonderful song and dance about how they are concerned, but we all know it's just that, a song and dance. How many times have you called a company to get stuck in the endless loop of a recorded answering device. Press 1, press 9, press 2, so on and so forth. What really cracks me up, is when I finally do reach a human voice, they don't speak English. That is because the job Americans could and should be doing is now being sent overseas.

So, Happy Labor Day. For all of you whom are working, kudos, for those who aren't, keep up the faith.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Style, for some of us, is a word that spreads fear throughout every part of our body. For others, it is something to be laughed at. Let's face it, most guys are either wearing the old fashioned suit and tie, or even better, jeans and t-shirt. My style is shorts and polo shirt during the summer or jeans and rugby shirts for the winter. Very simple, very suburban yuppie as my flat mate so eloquently puts it.

Last night I was planning to attend my first "bear" night at a bar in Chicago. I was going to wear my normal "going out" attire; jeans, golf shirt, and a pair of cross trainers. My flat mate laughed and was a bit concerned that I would actually wear that to a bear event. So, off came the cross trainers and on went the black work boots I normally would wear in the winter. Off came the golf shirt and on went a regular t-shirt, one with a bit of suggestive prose on it.

Style is dictated by whatever group you happen to with at the moment. Style is not so much the latest trend, but your destination. For example, I wouldn't wear a suit to a family barbecue nor would I wear shorts and t-shirt to go to the symphony. But, let's face reality, there are some things, as an individual, we would never wear. I, for example, would never wear a shirt with horizontal stripes. I'm already big enough without having something on that accentuates my girth. For me, style is more about comfort, color, and what looks good on me.

This brings me to what I just saw in the newspaper online today. Jean Paul Gautier has shown his spring line for men in Paris. I try to think of myself as having a fairly receptive outlook on what is the latest in fashion trends, but really, how many guys do you know who would wear something like this? Every time I imagine any one of my friends wearing this in public, the ball game, or even a bar I can't help but laugh. It makes me wonder why designers are creating clothing that makes men look less like a man and more like an androgynous manikin.

So much for me being up on style.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

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I've been watching in fascination the debackle surrounding the Health Care Reform. What amazes me is how many Americans are being swayed by the insurance companies into thinking this is a bad thing. Yes, it is a bad thing, for the insurance companies. A one payer system will put them out of business. No more raping the American public with health insurance costs that are astronomical. No more having substandard health care because normal Americans can't afford to pay the costs.

What really has me irked is that the insurance companies have embarked on a mission of disinformation and in many cases out right lies. And yet, Americans are believing this. What has the insurance companies done for you lately? Doesn't it matter that a good 1/3 or more of your paycheck per month is paying them? I don't get it. Come on people, look beyond the lies and base your opinions on fact.

It has been shown that if every American put in 1% of their income to the government healthcare plan every American will be covered. Majority of the European countries and Canada have a national healthcare plan that ensures every one of its citizens can rest assured that their health emergencies won't leave them broke.

In a modern society it is every man, woman, and child's right to have adequate healthcare coverage. No more should people be deciding whether or not to pay the rent, buy groceries, or heat their homes at the expense of purchasing prescriptions.

You may not agree, but sooner or later you too will face a medical emergency. When that happens, wouldn't it be nice to know you won't have to make those choices?