Another Bush Clown makes an exit!

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Bush administration's so-called "AIDS Czar," Deputy Secretary of State Randall L. Tobias was criticized by some for emphasizing faithfulness and abstinence over condom use to prevent the spread of AIDS.

In a 2004 interview, Tobias explained his approach as "A and B and C. . . Abstinence works. 'Be faithful' works. Condoms work. They all have a role. But it's not a multiple choice, where there is only one answer."

As a top official overseeing global AIDS funding to other countries, Tobias was responsible for enforcing a U.S. policy, enacted during the Bush administration, that requires recipients to swear they oppose prostitution and sex trafficking. USAID adopted a similar policy in 2004.

Tobias submitted his resignation Friday, one day after confirming to ABC News that he had been a customer of a Washington, D.C. escort service whose owner has been charged by federal prosecutors with running a prostitution operation.

Tobias, 65, director of U.S. Foreign Assistance and administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), had previously served as the ambassador for the President's Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief.

A State Department press release late Friday afternoon said only he was leaving for "personal reasons."

On Thursday, Tobias told ABC News he had several times called the "Pamela Martin and Associates" escort service "to have gals come over to the condo to give me a massage."

Sunday Morning Wake Up Call!

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Since going international.... dondon009 will of course continue to post about "American Politics As Usual", the goings on within the gay community and ramblings about my personal life. Sunday will be devoted to non-pornographic (009 doesn't do porn) EYE CANDY!

QEK (my good friend in South Korea), THIS ONE'S FOR YOU!

One Signature Away.....

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Senate approved the supplemental funding bill that sets a target date to remove U.S. combat troops from Iraq:

"We are one signature away from ending the Iraq War. President Bush must listen to the will of the American people and sign this bill so that our troops can come home."

"I opposed this war from the start. I said then that it would distract us from pursuing those who attacked us and would entangle us in an occupation of undetermined length, cost and consequences. This war has no military solution, and the Iraqi people need to take responsibility for their own future."

"That's why I believe that my plan for a phased withdrawal with the goal of removing all combat brigades from Iraq by March 31st, 2008 is still the best way to pressure the warring factions to reach a political settlement necessary to end this war. This similar plan responsibly redeploys our troops from Iraq while protecting our interests in the wider Middle East. It ensures that we are as careful getting out of Iraq as we were careless getting in."

"All of us have been touched by the heroic sacrifices troops have made in service to our country. With the stroke of a pen, President Bush can bring them home to the families who love them and to a country ready to honor them for their service."

Hate stops here!

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(Washington) Legislation that would add crimes based on sexuality to the federal hate crime law passed out of the House Judiciary Committee late Wednesday night and now heads to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote.

Called the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, it would allow the Department of Justice to assist local authorities in investigating and prosecuting cases in which violence occurs.

"Law enforcement is now one step closer to getting the extra tools they need to combat hate violence,"said Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese in a statement.

"Hate crimes continue to spread fear and violence among entire communities of Americans and currently, law enforcement can use these additional tools and resources to prevent and prosecute them."

The bill was introduced in the House in March. A companion bill was filed in the Senate earlier this month.

The measure passed the House in the last Congress but was dropped in the then Republican-controlled Senate last year.

Although the bill has bi-artisan support, with Democrats now in control of both houses in Congress it is seen as having a better chance of passage.

FBI statistics show that one in six hate crimes is motivated by the victim' sexual orientation.

The legislation has been endorsed by more than 210 law enforcement, civil rights, civic and religious organizations, including: the National Sheriffs' Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.

The legislation also is strongly supported by the majority of Americans, according to a new poll.

The survey, conducted by Peter Hart Research Associates, found three in four voters favor strengthening hate crimes laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

My Visual DNA

I know some of my readers (Pobble, Ruben, etc.) love these toys.... Here's a new one for you to enjoy! Just click on the link below and create your own Visual DNA and see how we match up!

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Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Earth Day 2007

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"Never have the nations of the world had so much to lose or so much to gain. Together we shall save our planet, or together we shall perish in its flames. Save it we can -- and save it we must -- and then shall we earn the eternal thanks of mankind"

President John F. Kennedy's speech at the United Nations, September 25, 1961

Rest and Play Time

When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping!
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It seems that all I've been able to post about during the past two weeks is murder, mayhem, homophobia and hate and since I alone can't save the planet, it's time to spread the love; which means I have a date tonite.

This is not just "any date", it's a date with the infamous "just stopped by from Gainsville before I head for who knows where", Tony.... the gypsy boy with the long shlong! (sorry ladies, I had to say it). This weekend is the Smooth Jazz Festival, which is where we're going, and then.......

And then of course, there's the shopping which actually began Thursday evening.

The last time I was in New Orleans, I seemed to be the only one wearing shorts at the knee. The style was/is below the knee or longer. This year, I opted for Khaki, just below the knee because the youngsters seem to be wearing them much longer and I hate the look.

Today was the trial run. I wore them to work and within a half hour, there were 4 quarter size blotches of grease on them. Note to self: don't eat a greasy sausage, cheese and egg biscuit while typing on the computer, talking on the telephone, leaning back in a chair while eating. I'm not certain if they're ruined yet.... I'm gonna try to "shout" the stains out this weekend.

This week was Daisy's 12th birthday which is like 84 in human years. Arthritis is slowing her down and costing me lots of money but as I told the vet this week (after spending $470.00), there are no other options but to keep her comfortable and pain free. There are times when she is quite amusing, still acts like a puppy and rules this household.

It's also time for a trip to the beach, since it's only five minutes from my home and I haven't been there in five years. Now that the tourists are going, going, gone and the weather a beautiful 86 degrees, I am outta here.

Tennessee Hate Crime

Three teens - two of them 15 and one 16 - have been charged with hate crimes, vandalism and delinquency following a series of incidents involving an Irving College gay man. Police say that in one incident the historic home belonging to Neal Anthony hadr "Fags deserve to die", and "gays go to hell" painted on it. A rock was thrown through the window of the house, which has been in Anthony's family for three generations.

Security locks were smashed and his mailbox was destroyed.

Several weeks ago a group of people all terrain vehicles drove by the house, yelling gay slurs and shooting about 80 paintballs at the house.

Police say that under questioning the teens confessed, and they said they targeted Anthony's home because he is gay.

The juveniles, who cannot be named because of their ages, will appear in court on Thursday for arraignment.

The home was built by Anthony's family in the mid 1800s.

He says that the fact he is gay has never been a secret around town. He lives with his partner, Michael Duncan, and the two are well known in the community.

But he says some people in town are trying to drive him out of the community - something he vows is not going to be achieved.

Tennessee law covers hate crimes based on sexual orientation but not gender identity, according to the Human Rights Campaign.

But federal hate laws do not cover gays.

On Tuesday the Matthew Shepard hate crime bill received its first committee hearing in Congress. (story)

The bill, also known as the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, was named for the gay college student who was killed in a homophobic attack in Wyoming in 1998. It was introduced in the Senate last week. (story) A similar bill was reintroduced in the House last month. (story)

The bill would allow the Department of Justice to assist local authorities in investigating and prosecuting cases in which violence occurs and add gays and lesbians to the categories protected under the legislation.

Colorado Gay Teen Assaulted

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PUEBLO, Colo. -- An openly gay high school student in Pueblo was assaulted by six of his fellow students last week because of his sexual orientation, his family said Tuesday.

The attack happened last Thursday while the 15-year-old boy was walking home from Centennial High School, his mother, Theresa Ornelas, said.

Anthony Hergesheimer was alone when a vehicle with six teenagers inside passed him four times along Denver Boulevard.

The vehicle finally stopped and someone threw objects at him and shouted derogatory insults at him, Ornelas said.

"One of the boys got out and he hit me on my eye, right on my face with a full can of Lysol," Hergesheimer said. "My nose just started gushing everywhere."

Hergesheimer said he ran to a nearby house for help.

He suffered a black eye, severe damage to his face and a broken nose. He must undergo surgery on his nose and forehead Wednesday, Ornelas said.

Hergesheimer said he was attacked because he is openly gay.

"I'm very upset. Yeah, my son is gay. But that shouldn't matter. He should be proud of who he is," Ornelas said.

"It's frustrating. We can get mad, (but) at the end, they will get what they deserve," said Hergesheimer's stepfather Michael Ornelas.

Hergesheimer said taunting began at school earlier in the day.

"They said things to me like, 'You, fag, this and you, fag, that,' and then they walked off," he said.

Ornelas said her son had also received a threatening e-mail prior to the attack.

"We are looking into it. It's an assault that we are calling a hate crime," said deputy chief John Ereul of the Pueblo Police Department.

Three of the six suspects have been interviewed and all three admitted to the crime, police said. Police said because of the seriousness of the case, felony charges could be filed.

The school district was alerted to the incident and conducted its own investigation. The Pueblo City Schools then suspended the six students in question.

"Students are considered in the jurisdiction or care of the district en route to or form school until they cross their front door," said district spokesman Greg Sinn. "Given the level of violence involved and apparently being a bias-motivated crime, Pueblo City Schools is taking this matter very seriously. The findings of our investigation may be result in a recommendation of expulsion for all six suspects."

The school district has 25 days to make a recommendation to the superintendent and conduct hearings in cases of expulsion. It is likely that the six suspects will be placed on extended suspension pending the outcome of the investigation.

Hergesheimer said he will return to school next week, and he said he feels confident that the majority of his classmates will accept him.

"You shouldn't be afraid to be who you are. Of course there will be people who won't agree with you," he said. "But you shouldn't be scared to be who you are."

"You can't sit and cry about it. It's not going to change what happened to him," Theresa Ornelas said. "He has no choice but to move forward. And if his story can help someone else, then so be it. That's all I want from this."

The Matthew Shepared Act

(AP) Clergy from across the country gathered on Capitol Hill Tuesday to call for passage of the Matthew Shepard Act and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, as hearings began for the Shepard hate crime bill.
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"We are people of faith, and we also have a commitment to truth," said the Rev. William Sinkford, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

"Much of the rhetoric in opposition to these bills is blatantly and inexcusably false. So let me be clear: These laws would not create quotas or force churches to hire people who do not share their religious values. These laws will not criminalize free speech or impede religious expression in any way. These laws do not undermine a single constitutional right. In fact, the contrary is true."

The Matthew Shepard Act, also known as the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, was named for the gay college student who was killed in a homophobic attack in Wyoming in 1998. It was introduced in the Senate last week. A similar bill was reintroduced in the House last month.

The bill would allow the Department of Justice to assist local authorities in investigating and prosecuting cases in which violence occurs and add gays and lesbians to the categories protected under the legislation.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act would address discrimination in the workplace by making it illegal to fire, refuse to hire or refuse to promote an employee simply based on the person's sexual orientation or gender identity. It would reinforce the principle that employment decisions should be based on a person's qualifications and job performance.

EMPEROR BUSH

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President George Bush has "quietly claimed the authority" to disobey more than 750 laws enacted since he took office throught the use of presidential signing statements.

Charlie Savage, a reporter for The Boston Globe's Washington, D.C., bureau, was awarded a 2007 Pulitzer Prize for his work on presidential signing statements.

Savage writes:

Among the laws Bush said he can ignore are military rules and regulations, affirmative-action provisions, requirements that Congress be told about immigration services problems, ''whistle-blower" protections for nuclear regulatory officials, and safeguards against political interference in federally funded research.
Legal scholars say the scope and aggression of Bush's assertions that he can bypass laws represent a concerted effort to expand his power at the expense of Congress, upsetting the balance between the branches of government.

The Constitution is clear in assigning to Congress the power to write the laws and to the president a duty ''to take care that the laws be faithfully executed." Bush, however, has repeatedly declared that he does not need to ''execute" a law he believes is unconstitutional.

Senseless death

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- - - Thirty-three people, including the gunman, were killed at a Virginia university Monday in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

Federal law enforcement officials said the gunman killed himself after he shot dozens of people at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, in southwest Virginia.

In addition to the 33 dead, hospitals reported that 15 people were injured, some of whom had jumped from the fourth floor of the classroom building where the second wave of shootings took place.

Five were in stable condition; the conditions of the others were not immediately reported.

500

I have now posted 500 times and all I can think to write is

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Thank You!

Homophobia and Racism... the never ending saga

Television actor Jason Wahler hurled racial and homophobic invectives at a police officer when he was arrested over the weekend after punching a hotel security guard and passing out drunk in a hallway, a Seattle Police Department report said.

Wahler, 20, a star of MTV's "The Hills" and "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County," was arrested early Sunday for investigation of assault and criminal trespass. He posted bail and was released from the King County Jail nine hours later.

It was Wahler's third arrest since September, when he punched a city worker and tow-truck driver in Los Angeles.

Last month, the judge in that case sentenced him to 60 days in jail -- a sentence he was scheduled to serve beginning in May -- and ordered him to attend Alcoholics Anonymous classes and a one-day program at the Museum of Tolerance for using racial slurs.

The police report said that shortly after midnight Sunday, officers responded to the Waterfront Marriott hotel. A security guard told them there had been an altercation in the lobby, and that someone wrestled with Wahler to restrain him.

When the guard asked the pair to settle down or leave, Wahler shoved him in the chest and then punched him in the mouth, the police report said. Another person restrained Wahler and removed him from the building, but he came back a short time later.

Two police officers found him passed out on the third floor, reeking of alcohol, and woke him up.

Wahler then "repeatedly" called Officer C. DePina, who is not black, a "n-----" and a "f-----," DePina wrote in the report. "Wahler stated he was rich and would have my ass. Wahler made vague threats to assault officers."
It was not immediately known if Wahler, of Laguna Beach, Calif., had obtained a lawyer or if he had a publicist. The city attorney's office has 20 days to file charges, said spokeswoman Ruth Bowman.

Wahler was also arrested in March in Greenville, N.C., for investigation of underage drinking and resisting a public officer. (AP)

In the news again...

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The Army recruiter who sent anti-gay and racist e-mail rants to a Jersey City, N.J., job seeker has been suspended from recruiting and is under investigation by the military, reports the Chicago Tribune.

On Feb. 27, Sgt. Marcia Ramode contacted freelance copywriter Corey Andrew Powell, who had posted his résumé on CareerBuilder.com, inviting him to apply to the armed forces. Powell responded that he was openly gay and asked if that would disqualify him. The two exchanged e-mails for the next three days in which Ramode became increasingly insulting and racist.

According to news reports, she wrote, "You head off to gay land of people who have no morals, and get rid of yourself. Personally I think being gay is disgusting and immoral. You are definitely unqualified, now take you gay self someplace else we do not tolerate gay people like you in any part of the military."
Douglas Smith, a spokesman for the U.S. Army Recruitment Command at Fort Knox, Ky., confirmed to the Tribune that Ramode has been suspended from recruiting duties until the investigation is complete.

Citing the investigation, he did not comment on the sergeant's actions but indicated that there is a procedure in place for handling openly gay applicants and that all recruiters are expected to behave professionally.

"If an applicant makes a statement that he or she is homosexual, the recruiter must inform the applicant in a professional manner that they are not eligible for enlistment," Smith said in a statement. (The Advocate)

Life's a beach.....?

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As the exodus north begins, the beautiful beaches are becoming less crowded and once again belong to the locals who seldom go.

Living in a resort area and vacationing in one are two very separate entities. The locals have jobs.

Working five or more days per week leaves little time to enjoy the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Homes need to be maintained, appointments kept, shopping done, meals prepared, social engagements fulfilled.

I live a five minute drive from one of the most beautifully pristine beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. I have not been to the beach in five years. Recent photographs show me as being a “lighter shade of pale.”

This year, I am going to the beach.

Somehow, I’m going to put the cleaning and shopping aside and enjoy a leisure day basking in the Florida sunshine.

I may even publish some photos!

The art of Glen Hanson

Casual Encounters

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He confirmed that it had been three years since we've last seen each other when we met again Sunday.

During that period, he'd lived in Jacksonville, Gainsville, Sarasota, Orlando and several other smaller Florida towns that I've never heard of.

He's a gypsy of sorts, working construction wherever work is available, staying in boarding houses, owning nothing of any significance, owing no one. A free spirit........

We met nine years ago at a local gay club. Tall, dark and ruggedly handsome, he entertained me with amusing stories of his adventures and misadventures. He followed me home, spent the night and left. He said he would stop by again, and indeed he did; six months later.

This continued for the next five years; casual encounters 1-2 times a year until three years ago, when the last evening we spent together became by far the most romantic and intense.

He was gone again. No expectations, no regrets....... until last Sunday.

Time has not changed him, he's actually more handsome than ever. I asked if he intended to stop by and he immediately replied yes, sometime this week.

Last night, the doorbell rang. The dogs began barking and ran from the bedroom to the front door. I was sleeping and woke up, unable to get out of bed. I had not slept well for the past few weeks, and took a sleep aid in hopes of getting one good night's sleep.

It worked.

The Catholic Obsession with Sexuality!

In calling church leaders "arrogant", Catholic Theologian Daniel Maguire informed the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that they are overly fixated on contraception, abortion and same sex marriage and neglecting justice issues including poverty, racism and environmental degradation.

Maguire, a graduate of Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome who teaches religious ethics at Marquette University, a Jesuit school has been challenging the church's views on sexuality for years.

Last year he distributed pamphlets to all U.S. bishops titled, "The Moderate Roman Catholic Position on Contraception and Abortion" and "A Catholic Defense of Same-Sex Marriage."

The response from the bishops' doctrine committee was that Maguire gave his views wide distribution "as if they were a valid alternative to the teaching of the Catholic Church." The prelates publicly denounced his arguments.

Meanwhile the National Review Board for the Protection of Children and Young People, established by the same US Conference of Catholic Bishops published the following statistics on abuse by catholic clergy.

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US clerics accused of abuse from 1950-2002: 4,392.
Individuals making accusations: 10,667.
Victims' ages: 5.8% under 7; 16% ages 8-10; 50.9% ages 11-14; 27.3% ages 15-17.
Victims' gender: 81% male, 19% female

Known cost to dioceses and religious orders: $572,507,094 (does not include the $85 million Boston settlement and other expenses after research was concluded).

These figures are widely suspected to be grossly underestimated. For example, the late Fr. Tom Economus, former President of the Linkup, a national survivors' advocacy group, said back in the mid-90s that he knew of "1,400 insurance claims on the books and that the Church has paid out over $1 billion in liability with an estimated $500 million pending."

He also said that over 800 priests had been removed from ministry and that there might be as many as 5,000 with allegations against them.

In Trouble again......

First of all, I'd like to preface this article by saying that I personally have no problem with Matt Sanchez being gay; which I assume he is after having appearing in no less than 16 gay porn flicks.

I have no problem with Matt Sanchez aka Rod Majors/Pierre LaBranche appearing in gay porn. He's is a consenting adult.

I have no problem with Col. Sanchez being in the military. That is a right all gay American men and lesbians should enjoy.

What I fail to understand is why Matt Sanchez chooses to endorse a political institution that so strongly opposes the equal rights of gay men and lesbians.

It seems now that Col. Sanchez is in trouble again as the Marine Corps investigates charges that Col. Sanchez — "solicited more than $12,000 from private organizations by asking them to fund a deployment to Iraq he never made."

According to e-mails from an investigating officer forwarded to Marine Corps Times, Reserve Col. Charles Jones, a staff judge advocate has informed Reserve Cpl. Matt Sanchez of the allegations against him in a March 22 e-mail that advised Sanchez of his rights.

Although participation in porn films is part of the investigation, two of the three allegations against him involved lying "to various people, including but not limited to, representatives of the New York City United War Veterans Council and U-Haul Corporation" about deploying to Iraq at the commandant’s request.

April Fool

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The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows
himself to be a fool.
Shakespeare - As You Like It (Act V, Scene I)

As happy as I was to see the month of March come to a close, the month of April holds heart warming significance and has always been spent with much celebration.

April is birthday month, with those I love being born during this period.

These include my mother, my late foster son, my best friend and of course man's best friend, owner of my wallet, the love of my life; the queen of my household, ruler of all things living, Empress of Pugville, Daisy.

The weather in Tampa Bay is delightful with low humidity and a cool breeze coming in off the Gulf of Mexico. Perfect weather for walking the dogs and sailing.

With Easter one week away, Spring Break will finally be over; the snowbirds will begin the exodus north. The roads, beaches, restaurants, and clubs will return to some semblance of normalcy!

Happy April Fool's Day one and all..... and remember:

"fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me!"