It’s once again time for me to get political! If you haven’t heard the news, well now you have, and you’ll keep hearing about it on tonight’s news as well as tomorrow’s I’m sure. The state of California’s Supreme Court (the majority of whom were republican appointed) struck down the ban on gay marriage in the state, which voters approved in 2000.

Of course while I’m happy about the news, it also has me worried. In New Jersey our courts and legislature are pretty much set to rule that their “civil union” compromise to marriage here has pretty much been a failure all around. However the governor refuses do this during an election year. Why? Obviously because the republicans would use it against him and any other democrats.

That of course is what has me worried, this has come in an election year. I have NO doubt, NONE at all that the republicans and McCain will use this as a wedge issue. There are many conservatives out there that do not like McCain at all because of some of his policies and stances, so I have no doubt this is something he can use to reach out to them. Frankly it worked before and I’m sure it will work again. I just feel this doesn’t bode well for the democrats, who in my opinion have already shot themselves in the foot as is with the whole superdelegate thing and Obama versus Hillary debate.

Back to California, it’s still not a done deal. There will be challenges, there is already talk of going to the Supreme Court (who always seems to reject hearing these cases saying it’s up the the states to decide). There is also a move to have a gay marriage ban put on the ballot there in November, one that this time would put it in the state’s constitution. If that happens I hope a large portion of gays and lesbians in California would consider leaving the state. Could you imagine what would happen to Hollywood if all the make-up artists, hairdressers, clothing designers and not to mention closeted actors just left the state? Movies and TV shows would end up shutting down! It would be like the writer’s strike, but possibly forever for some.

I am also hoping for the day when someone in either a state or the US senate will have the guts to introduce their own “marriage protection” bills. These ones however would serve to protect marriage from further being destroyed by those who can marry. I mean if people are so gung-ho on “protecting marriage” then where are the bills to ban divorce? How about making spousal abuse, verbal, mental AND physical punishable by prison time? Let’s also send adulterers to prison. You have to wait 7 days to buy a hand-gun, how about a marriage waiting period as well? Of course nobody would have the guts to introduce these bills, because they infringe on the rights of the majority, who would no doubt go apeshiz over them.

So first up, I’m back from Vegas. I should be in bed, but not only am I still on Vegas time, I’m stoned. No not that kind of stoned. Yesterday I felt the twinges of it coming on, last night I was woken by it and now it’s here, a kidney stone! Fortunately it’s not one sending me into fits of vomitious excruciating pain, but it’s enough to annoy me and make me uncomfortable.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand, which I’m sure will get picked up by search engines and get me all sorts of nasty comments! Bring it on Anne Coulter fans. I rarely get political on here, but this is something I kept seeing in Vegas that annoyed me, especially since the show COPS is filmed there. That is the topic of guns.

On several taxis going through the city was the advertisement for “The Gun Shop” which featured the photo of a fully automatic weapon and the tag line “Come try out a full-auto!” Every time it went by I thought to myself . . . . unless you are fighting in a war, exactly why do you need to own a full, hell even a semi-automatic weapon?

Gun control . . . . one of those political hot-bed issues. It was recently brought up in the Democratic debate because of new laws being passed in D.C., and they wanted the candidates view on it. It’s an issue that many, especially conservative republicans, get very heated over because it’s the second fricken amendment in the constitution.

Yes the constitution of the United States gives us the right to bear arms and defend ourselves. However there are also clauses in there to amend the constitution if needed, because the original framers were smart and knew times changed. This is something conservatives like to point out when . . . . oh . . . . I don’t know . . . . homosexuals want to get married? But you better not mess with the right to bear arms!

So again I’m back to the original question. Why does anyone not serving in the military need to own any kind of automatic weapon? The topic often reminds me of a few comedic skits. One I saw years ago and can’t remember the original comedian who did it. His point was when the constitution was written the framers had muskets in mind, which he followed with the rather lengthy mimic of pouring gun powder into a gun and loading the ball and firing . . . followed by saying NOT “eh eh eh eh eh” which was his imitation of an Uzi. The second skit came from an old sit-com, I think possibly “Designing Women” in which it was pointed out the irony in the use of an automatic weapon to engage in the “sport” of hunting.

I don’t know, I’m sleep deprived, and that stupid advertisement just bothered me a lot. Label me a gun-hating right stealing liberal if you want, I still am not sure anyone can give me a solid argument as to why they need to own an automatic weapon Please note if you’re going to try and give me an answer, don’t make it “crime filled neighborhoods.” Cause frankly if you can afford one of these suckers, you can afford to move out of your bad neighborhood!

This video was on the front page of YouTube last night, and probably still is today. I’m not sure what to think of it honestly. Are these girls serious, or is this a joke? First I’ll give them props for the video. While it’s crude, it is something I couldn’t do without setting a whole lot of time aside to do. The singing? Well they had the guts to do it and put it on the net.

What makes me ask if this is a joke is simple. I know women love this song, but guess what? So does every gay man in America. This one of the top, if not the top, gayest song ever. So to use it to make a campaign video supporting McCain, a republican who has flip-flopped on gay issues to suit whatever way his political wind is blowing (to be politically fair though, they all do), is somewhat hilarious.

Sorry, didn’t mean to get so political, but this video and everything about it I find hilarious. Oh they have another video too, “Here Comes McCain Again” to the tune of gender-bending Annie Lenox/The Eurythmic’s song “Here Comes The Rain Again.” Please tell me this is a joke? Please?

Post-Post Note: It seems “Here Come’s McCain Again” has been removed. I wonder if Annie Lenox threatened to sue? It was working and up last night and their new video, now it’s gone.

PPP Note: This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by The MCPS - PRS Alliance Ltd.

So it looks like everything is falling into place for this weekend, everything but the weather, which might be nasty. Emily is coming over on Friday, unless she changes her mind Friday night Matt Ashford (Ex Jack on Days) premiers his movie at the Horror Fest in town. I believe it’s called “Chronicles of an Exorcism.” I’m hoping it’s better than that horror of a movie that was “The Exorcism of Emily Rose.” I’m really going just to hopefully get a photo with Jack

On Saturday is when the fun begins. I want to go to the women of horror session featuring Heather Langenkamp from “Nightmare on Elmstreet” and JoBeth Williams from “Poltergeist.” Emily wants to see Jason Mewes from “Clerks.” How is that a horror film? He’s here cause it’s Jersey. That night is when the fun that is “Rocky Horror” happens. Fun fun!

I should have some photos of all the events to share this weekend. I’m also sitting on the fence about a political post. I hate getting political (okay I don’t, but I try to avoid it on this blog), but I’m so frustrated by the way things are going that . . . . *gasp* . . . . I don’t even know if I want to vote in the coming presidential election! Yes I know how horrible that is. Right now, with the way things are going, I’d rather vote for Mickey Mouse!

So Super Tuesday is coming to a close. On the Democratic front, Hillary and Obama are still running about dead even. This is going to be a long year! Meanwhile McCain came out the Republican front runner. This makes me chuckle, a lot. Remember back to the last election, the Republicans attacked Kerry over and over for flip-floping on everything and everything? Republicans, meet your new flip-flop king, I mean candidate. Clearly we won’t be seeing any flip-flop accusations coming from the Republicans this time around! They wouldn’t dare! I normally don’t go into politics on here much, cause it makes me angry, but given what is at stake this year, expect to see some rants from time to time.

Right now I’m preparing for Super Thursday, Shannan and Nica’s arrival. The house is pretty much clean, props to the BF who actually helped a lot. One final vacuum tomorrow and I think I’m done. Then it’s just wait for the planes to get in and let the partying begin

The Superbowl is on . . . . like I care! Even the halftime show, which I bothered to turn on, sucked. Tom Petty? Yuck, no thank you. We spent most of the day picking up the house for are house guests this week. I’ll do a super clean on Tuesday and Wednesday most like, vacuuming, the bathroom, the floors.

I’m trying to plan what to do with Shannan and Nica. They get in Thursday, and should they not be pooped from the plane ride I was thinking we’d go to Philly that night for some drinks and then hit the drag show there. Haven’t done it in years, so I hope it is still as fun as it used to be.

Friday we hit New York, which I’ve been looking forward to, but has been a source of stress. What to do with my dogs for almost 24 hours! Shannan and Nica wanted to meet them, so I couldn’t take them to my mom’s. I was looking into boarding them, but I hate that idea because I’m afraid it will traumatize them (cause they are spoiled). Plus they’ve never done the whole overnight with a stranger thing, let alone I don’t want them in cages somewhere for an extended period of time. I was about to be at the mercy of Petsmart’s Pets hotel, but we found someone to come walk them that evening. That should keep the mess they might make down to a minimum, hopefully.

Coming up this week is the big super Tuesday! Honestly we haven’t even found out who the two candidates are going to be and I’m sick of the debates, the commercials and the news reports on them all. I can’t take place in the primary this Tuesday, as I’m not registered to vote in Jersey yet. Don’t worry, I printed out my Rock The Vote application to send in this week I’ll be good to go come election day. Oh and I’ve ordered some “Hillary for President” signs for the front yard, I just hope they get here in time. I mostly ordered them to piss off Shannan and Nica, who hate her Sorry girls, you have to sleep in a house with Hillary signs out front. Hehehehe

I have a meeting with my adviser next week to discuss the dissertation. Not really looking forward to making the trek into school to be honest, but I gotta do it. The dissertation has to be done and fully drafted by the end of September. I got a long road ahead of me and only 7 months to get’r'done. Time to go lock myself in that cabin in the woods . . . .

Spring can’t get here soon enough, because I have some serious spring cleaning that needs done! My “storage/guest room” where I keep a lot of my stuff is once again a mess. Every time I get it cleaned up it only seems to last about a month before it becomes a disaster. Unfortunately I’ve let this disaster build for a few months.

Somehow I cut the bottom of my tongue, which has lead to basically a canker sore under there. Words cannot express how much fun this is! Seriously, big fun . . . with the wretched.

The Oscars are coming up this weekend. Are you going to watch? I had commented earlier it would be fun to do an Oscar party. Well the BF found a party going on in Philly that has everyone getting together to watch the show while local gay celebs Chumley and Carlotta comment (ie make fun). We did this a few years ago and it was a lot more fun than watching the Oscars at home. We are thinking of doing this come Sunday . . . though I feel I should REALLY be home working! We will see when the day comes and how much I did this weekend.

I’ve been asked if we’ve applied for our civil union application . . . Yeah no. Unless you have been living under a rock, New Jersey begin granting them to gays and lesbian this week. I recognize it is important, a big step and valuable to people who really have a need to protect themselves and their partners. I just can’t get over my beef that if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, call it a duck. They claim it grants all (well 95%) of all right that marriage would, but they don’t call it marriage. They never gave a reason, one can only surmise religious reasons. I thought we didn’t make laws based on religion?

I believe they are set to review the whole thing in six months, basically to find out what problems have arisen from it. Even before the law went into affect there were stories of problems creeping up as people began making inquiries with insurance companies and the like. It will be interesting to see what happens during the review.

One ray of hope, the state has agreed that if gay couples are married elsewhere (even before the law took effect) then they will automatically be regarded as “civil union partners” in Jersey. I would prefer to go to Massachusetts and Canada and do it there, that way I could say I was married and actually knew in my heart it was true. Plus when the day comes when Jersey (and other states) finally grant the right, I wouldn’t feel the need to do it all over again. Yes to me the word is as important, if not more so, than the rights. I have no desire to say “I’m unionized.”

In more up beat news, only about an hour until the big “Grey’s Anatomy” finale to the three part February Sweeps show. I cannot wait, and they better not rain on my parade and kill of Meredith. I so can’t see them doing this, but my BF is not so sure. Oh and did you hear, they are giving Dr. Kate a spin off apparently. Not sure how I feel about that one yet.

Dustin

Only recently did we finally get the Oxygen Network, why it took so long I don’t know. Now not only can I watch Xena again, but “Talk Sex With Sue.” This show comes on Sunday nights at 11pm. I first saw this when the BF and I were in Florida on our first vacation together. We watched this little old lady hosting a call in sex show and getting very frank and graphic with her callers. It was hilarious! Now I get to watch Sue again. If you haven’t seen the show I highly recommend it. It may not be for everyone, especially those conservative when it comes to sex talk. Honestly though, everyone needs to watch this show. The callers often call in with some outrageous questions and Sue gives them no holds barred answers. Last night I was aghast at one of the questions. An adult woman, you could tell she was an adult by her voice which almost sounded like she was thirties or older, called in and asked “Is it true that if you abstain from sex for a year that you get your virginity back.” Sue of course told her no way, but I was just in shock that this woman asked this question. Where do people get these ideas? It goes to show how uneducated so many people in this country are when it comes to sex. It’s no wonder so many people are against the abstinence only programs being pushed in schools today. My state recently rejected millions of federal dollars because it required the teaching of ONLY abstinence and nothing else in schools.

Dustin

Former Senator Santorum and Former Mr. Britney Spears

Because losing has never been such good news

Dustin

Tomorrow is voting day and do you know what the best thing about that is? No more fricken political commercials! It seems with each election these commercials become nastier and nastier. I wish I could just block them with the v-chip installed in my TV.

Dustin