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.