Blogcabin California

Before launching into today’s jarring events in Gaydom, I did want to draw attention to a little article in October’s edition of Maxim page 64: The 20 Most Annoying Things in Sports. Number 3 is Male Cheerleaders and has a picture of male cheerleaders from a leading Southern California University. I mention this because of the sturm und drang this particular topic has caused on other blogs.

The first item to rock Gaydom this day was the abrupt and immediate resignation from the House of Representatives of Congressman Mark Foley of Florida, over the publication of five of his emails to a 16 year old male who was formerly a Congressional page. While none of the published quotes substantiates any sexual misconduct, they do reach a certain “ick” factor that would certainly warrant a resignation. Foley was a 7 term veteran of the House and was favored to win an easy re-election, despite being a single man of 50+ years of whom’s sexual orientation was widely discussed. It would seem that the last feather of that particular fan dance has fallen.

We were advised by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force over afternoon tea that the Massachusetts Superior Court has issued a groundbreaking decision allowing same-sex couples from Rhode Island the right to marry in Massachusetts. I came very close to dropping my Bavarian Rose tea cup following the shockwave that swept the country following that decision. I’m sure all 12 same-sex couple still living in Rhode Island are even now converging on Fall River to get legally hitched.

Over apple martinis we were apprised by our Man in Sacramento that the Governor had taken up Charlton Heston’s mantle and taken on the role of Solomon in deciding the rate of LGBT legislation. He has signed four, vetoed three, and left three for breakfast.

The four he signed into law are:

SB1441-Nondiscrimination in State Programs and Activities

This bill prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in state and locally operated or funded services, activities and programs. This bill was extensively opposed by Randi Thomasson and his horde of baying swamp donkeys, so having the Governor sign it, is something to rejoice.

AB1160-Panic Excuse Prevention Act
This bill will limit the use of the so-called ‘gay panic’ defense in criminal trials. What took them so long?

AB1207-Code of Fair Campaign Practices
This bill will add sexual orientation and gender identity to the pledges that candidates and campaign committees may sign stating that they will not use or permit the use of any appeal to negative prejudice. Yeah but it’s only voluntary so no effect in the real world. Ray Haynes is still free to allege that his opponents tiptoe through the tulips.

AB2800-Omnibus Housing Nondiscrimination Act.
This bill will amend the Business and Professions Code to put it in conformance with other nondiscrimination language in the law to prevent discrimination in housing based on listed categories including sexual orientation. Big whoop, we already had non-discrimination in housing from the first Wilson administration. You get no credit for crossing an errant T.
The three bills the Governor vetoed:

The Governor also vetoed the Bias Free Curriculum Act (SB1437), the Safe Place to Learn Act (AB606), and Public School Curricula: Tolerance and Intergroup Relations Act (AB1056). These bills would have helped ensure that LGBT students would be
free from harassment and discrimination in school. These bills underscore the futility of the Nanny State in legislating every aspect of our lives. It’s the Kumbaya mentality of Westside elites that if we just legislate all these problems will vanish. I’m glad the Governor vetoed these bills. School is where you learn what real life is all about.

The following bills are still on the Governor’s desk awaiting
his signature.

AB 2920-Older Californians Equality and Protection Act.
Requires the California Department of Aging to ensure that all programs administered by the state account for the needs of gay and lesbian seniors. Just what gay and lesbian seniors need: another government bureaucracy to invade their privacy and tell them how to live. Isn’t a bullet in the forehead more merciful? Even the Eskimo set their elderly adrift. VETO!

AB 2051-Equality in Prevention and Services for Domestic Abuse
Act
Establishes an ongoing fund to support education and services addressing domestic violence among same sex domestic partners. Ah, another publicly funded boondoogle to keep government staffers fully employed. Whatever happened to a little individual responsibility, like if your partner likes to punch you, maybe it’s time to leave? VETO!

SB1827-State Income Tax Equity Act
This bill allows registered Domestic Partners to jointly file state income tax. Ok, this one you better sign or I’ll have a million screaming emails from Josh Whelpley.

cya!
 

Originally I was going to share my thoughts on Ryan Sager’s interview with former majority leader Richard K. Armey but as he is a principle in my firm’s DC office, I considered that sort of exercise to be rather bad form and a threat to my continued employment. So I will leave you with this link and you can make what you will of it: http://newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/9/27/131928.shtml?s=ic

Yesterday the President authorized the release of the April National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) that had been selectively leaked to the New York Times over the weekend. Time was this sort of activity during wartime led to a firing squad. It becomes more and more difficult to tell where the Democrats end and the terrorists start. All over stupid election gains. History is resplendent with examples of self destructive behavior by certain elites in undermining the nation to which they were citizens. I fear for the near future of this country. Anyway, yes the war in Iraq is harsh and more Muslims are becoming radicalized by our continued presence there but leaving won’t solve the problem. No, that plan of action would just leave a bigger, tougher problem in place.

Today Governor Arnold had one of his King Canute moments as he signed State Senator Don Perata’s Global Warming legislation, which will accomplish nothing towards reducing global warming but will hit all of us in the wallet. With a stroke of his pen, global warming has ceased its invidious advance across the globe. Can he do anything about hurricanes or scheduling rainfall around my commute to Century City? And the ever locquacious Phil Angelides, speaking today in Buttonwillow, issued a statement that he supported the legislation and would bring the troops back from Iraq.

Recently, I was at a weekend seminar in some chi-chi hotel on the Strip of a certain vintage, and I was listening to a group of gay men tell their stories. There were several common threads interwoven through some of these stories but there was one thread that caught my attention, which I called the Jonah thread.  The Jonah thread is, for me,  a loose allegory for individuals trying to escape/evade their natural feelings by allowing themselves to be swallowed up by larger institutions like religion or addictive behaviors, and then coming to a crisis and being spat back out in society and living the life they were destined to live.  I don’t mention this observation as a way to criticize these individuals’ choices - for how could I? - but just to remark how this commonality is interwoven into our tribal existence as gay men and lesbians. Nor should it be construed as an attack on anyone’s religions beliefs or lack of, as I myself am on my own spiritual journey as an openly gay man. Maybe we will meet one another along Life’s crossroads? I’ve a chilled thermos of martinis with me for just such occassions.

Well, every two bit hack in the California State University has srcibbled a piece about the Clinton-Wallace confrontation that took place on Fox News over the weekend, and being not one to lightly pass up a dead horse beating trend, I thought I’d share with the world my thoughts, to wit:

First, anybody who thought the Great Prevaricator was ambushed should just return to Antartica. You don’t come off a full press court to try and get ABC to cancel a mini-series about an aspect of your “presidency” without having the opposition press ask a few hardball questions about that episode in your life. Clinton’s eruption was as false as his assertion that he never had sex with Monica Lewinsky. He knew he was going to be asked about his administration mis-attempts to get OBL, and he came prepared with a forceful counter-measure that he hoped many Democrats would begin emulating in their campaigns. Because the issue most Americans care about primarily is security - an issue that the Democrats have been famously weak on. It doesn’t matter that his argument is factually false - what matters is the forceful refutation of the Right’s assertion that Democrats are weak on security. Will it work ?- wait and see.

Secondly, why doesn’t he get a real job. Reagan cleared a ranch, George Bush senior sits on the Trilateral Commission with Henry Kissinger and runs the world - even Mr. Peanut has taken up carpentry and makes a good house for poor folks. Bill just seems to wallow from seminar to banquet to interview, and he’s getting a bit tiring. Couldn’t he take up a hobby like shark kissing or stingray collecting?

Speaking of congressional campaigns, much has been made of the very real prospect that the Democrats may capture one or both houses of Congress. And yet, they may because, the Democrats keep pointing out how unpopular President Bush is. That’s true but it is also true that he’s not on the ballot. Anywhere. So voters have to decide whether their local Congress critter or Senator is worth sending back - and that’s a great argument to have. Whether to send back our big spending GOP Congress or elect a new big spending Democratic Congress?  We know that 90% of incumbents will be re-elected - it’s whether the remaining 10% falls predominantly to one side or another. The Democrats lose if they lose as many seats as they pick up, or not enough to take control of either house, and Minority Leaders Pelosi and Reid might as well quit if the GOP picks up more seats this cycle. As of today, I say the GOP holds on to both houses narrowly.

Two new books out that I’m not going to read. The first is by former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey, who resigned last year under a cloud of corruption and malfeasance, that he only made worst by announcing that he’s gay in his resignation speech and that’s why he was resigning. Excuse me, Jim but it wasn’t because you’re allegedly gay that you were pressured to quit - it’s because you’re a first class sleaze who made no bones abought having the New Jersey State Police drive him to out of the way truck stops so he could serviced the rush hour traffic. Or tried to put his alleged lover on the state payroll.

The second book is by British actor Rupert Everett (who?) who shares with us his rich experiences with gay icons and discloses the shocking truth that rampant homophobia abound in Hollywood! Who knew? But the greatest disclosure, at least for me, is that Mr. Everett regularly takes Botox injections in his face to keep him looking youthful. Hmmmm….I think I can just pass on the memoirs of a former London rent boy just this once.

So here we are, in the final week in which Arnold has to sign or veto all the legislation send to him at the end of the legislative session last month. There are 9 gay and lesbian bills on his desk and everyone is guessing which ones he will sign and which ones will be vetoed. Live microphones are standing by at both the Equality California and the Campaign for California Families headquarters to announce to a waiting world their anguish over which way the Governor’s bill alights. Stay tuned….

I’ve been asked several times over the past year to start contributing posts to Blogcabin California, and I finally cornered Scott to give me the access codes (Scott, those pictures of you at CCBC were burned - honest!). So here goes, lie back, think of England, and be sure to take a brickback to me if I arouse any ….feelings… by what I write.

Can we talk about the Governor’s race? Arnold’s ahead by a gazillion points and it’s only three weeks past Labor Day. What’s poor Phil Angelides going to do? He’s not exactly fired up his base by his promises to tax anything that moves in the State. Sure, he can take comfort in having Tony V’s endorsement - finally - but that’s a cold comfort when almost every morning he open’s the LA Times and see Arnold, Tony, and Fabian slapping each other on the ass like a bunch of drunk fratbrats every time Arnold signs a bill the Democrats have been asking for. So, Phil plays to his strengths - he plays dirty. He gets one of his staffers to illegally hack the Governor’s computer files and pull out a juicy little audiotape of the Governor and his staff discussing GOP personalities in the State Assembly. This audiotape is then cravenly leaked to the LA Times, which just manages to have just enough room on its front page to publish the story. But not all goes to plan! (WOE!) The Governor apologizes and one of the personalities discussed says she’s not offended by his remarks. Phil has to go before the press and confess that one of his staffers did it. Dumb, dumb, dumb. So now Phil is trying to tie Arnold to George Bush and Iraq by stating that if Phil were Governor, he’d ask Bush to bring home the California National Guard currently serving in Iraq. To which I say, Phil, stop wasting our time, that’s never going to happen and it isn’t a priotity for many Californians. More on this as developments develope.

Then perusing my fishwrap of choice, the NY Times, I read that conservative evangelicals are quite worried that they have lost their base. (WOE!) It seems that their campaign to demonize gays and lesbians on the issue of marriage has been so successful that the Great Unwash have become complacent and may not show up to vote, thereby undermining the great myth of the Vast Conservative Bowel Movement. So, some Deep Thinker has come up with a Master Plan, viz: Gay Marriage would rescind the First and Second Amendments to the United States Constitution. Yes, you heard that right. Allowing Bruce and Shane to be legally joined at the….would chill any church or clergy from preaching their bigotry that same sex marriage is a SIN before the Almighty and would sunder the seperation of Church from State. And I say that if any of their congregation swallow this message without spewing their lunch, then they deserve to be carcitured as gap toothed genetic freaks from Deliverance. Lord, do I need a drink.

News from Grag Gandrud, Carpenteria city councilmember: He’s running for re-election. He says he’s in trouble this time because the congregation of Our Lady of Perpetual Responsibility saw him in “The Elephant in the Room” and deemed him an unacceptable role model for their offspring. Apparently, a clean cut fiscally conservative public servant and successful businessman offends their sense of propriety. If they’d only seen him in a Speedo, they’d have a greater appreciation for him - as we all do.

Spent Saturday morning excavating Frank Ricchiazzi’s Log Cabin archives at stately Villa Ricchiazzi - all I can say is Howard Carter has nothing on me. A treasure trove of vintage LCR material not seen since they were originally published. Photos that have to be seen to believed.

In other Saturday news, I caught James Vaughn’s performance in AIDS Services Foundation’s “Fantasy Island” in Laguna Beach. His dancing is reminiscent of a youthful Cyd Charisse, and his acting compares favorably to Fred Gwinn’s. A show you don’t want to miss.

Next Saturday, Log Cabin Orange County is throwing their Indian Summer Party in exclusive Corona Del Mar featuring the Men from Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. I hope any other veterans reading this will join me in sponsoring this event, and all are welcomed to attend. See the OC website for details.

Lastly, don’t miss Western Executive Director Jeff Bissiri’s inciteful opinion piece in the next IN Magazine.

Remember that the best way we may have our voices heard is by all of us getting out there to cast our votes!

Log Cabin California Political Action Committee (PAC) and Log Cabin Republicans of California make the following recommendations for state ballot initiatives and Supreme Court. 

Legislative Constitutional Amendment
Proposition 1A ENDORSE
Transportation Funding Protection. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.
 
Legislative Bond Act
Proposition 1B ENDORSE
Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006
 
Legislative Bond Act
Proposition 1C OPPOSE
Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006.
 
Legislative Bond Act
Proposition 1D OPPOSE
Kindergarten - University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2006.
 
Legislative Bond Act
Proposition 1E ENDORSE
Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act of 2006.
 
Initiative Statute
Proposition 83 NEUTRAL
Sex Offenders. Sexually Violent Predators. Punishment, Residence Restrictions and Monitoring. Initiative Statute.
 
Initiative Statute
Proposition 84 OPPOSE
Water Quality, Safety and Supply. Flood Control. Natural Resource Protection. Park Improvements. Bonds. Initiative Statute.
 
Initiative Constitutional Amendment
Proposition 85   NEUTRAL
Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
 
Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute
Proposition 86   OPPOSE 
Tax on Cigarettes. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
 
Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute
Proposition 87    OPPOSE
Alternative Energy. Research, Production, Incentives. Tax on California Oil Producers. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
 
Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute
Proposition 88   OPPOSE
Education Funding. Real Property Parcel Tax. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
 
Initiative Statute
Proposition 89    OPPOSE 
Political Campaigns. Public Financing. Corporate Tax Increase. Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Limits. Initiative Statute.
 
Initiative Constitutional Amendment
Proposition 90   OPPOSE 
Government Acquisition, Regulation of Private Property. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
 
SUPREME COURT ASSOCIATE JUSTICE SEAT 1
JOYCE L. KENNARD – ENDORSE
 
SUPREME COURT ASSOCIATE JUSTICE SEAT 2
 CAROL A. CORRIGAN - ENDORSE
 
 

Commentary

Recently, a member of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides’s camp entered our Governor’s website; somehow accessed a private telephone conversation (isn’t that called hacking?), downloaded it and then made the contents of that private conversation public. Of course, in these childishly cynical times that we live in today, the contents of that private telephone conversation became open to speculation and misinterpretation by a public that does not know the context of the entire conversation. For example, have you ever walked into the middle of a conversation to think that what you are immediately hearing is the topic of the entire conversation, but which in reality is not? But that is not the point here.

 What astonishes me more than anything else is the fact that this action came from members of a political party who immediately jumped on the Federal Government for attempting to protect our United States Citizens by eavesdropping on the telephone conversations of known and suspected terrorists; not everyday U.S. citizens, mind you, but only those people who are suspected of having ties to the Middle East and who have made an inordinate amount of telephone calls to Middle Eastern countries and to groups within those countries who seek to do us harm. What’s good for the goose is supposed to be good for the gander, is it not? So why is it okay for the Democratic party to listen into private telephone conversations of U.S. citizens, but as far as they are concerned, it is not okay to tap into the telephone conversations of known and suspected terrorists who want to harm Americans? Not only does this action make Mr. Angelides appear to be unscrupulous in his quest for the Governor’s chair, but it also makes one become more astutely aware of a certain type of hypocrisy that is becoming rampant within the Democratic Party. What do you think?