The Weekender: 'May I Have Some Rhythm Please!?'

I've been listening to a lot of old school R&B this past week. Some of the tunes I've been jammin' to are included in this week's playlist. Click here and enjoy.

Ladies Night - Kool and the Gang
Take That to the Bank - Shalamar
It's All the Way Live - Lakeside
Clap Your Hands to the Music - The Sylvers
Serpentine Fire - Earth, Wind, and Fire
Backstabbers - The O'Jays
Disco Night - GQ
More Than A Woman - Tavares
State of Independence - Donna Summer
Hollywood - Rufus featuring Chaka Khan
Biggest Part of Me - Ambrosia
Jack and Jill - Raydio
A Song For You - Elliott Yamin

End-of-the-Week Levity

Courtesy of my friend, Ben:

Al Gore and Bill & Hillary Clinton go to heaven, and God addresses Al first. "Al, what do you believe in?"

Al replies: "Well, I believe that I won that election, but that it was your will that I did not serve. And I've come to understand that now."

God thinks for a second and says: "Very good. Come and sit at my left."

God then addresses Bill. "Bill, what do you believe in?"

Bill replies: "I believe in forgiveness. I've sinned, but I've never held a grudge against my fellow man, and I hope no grudges are held against me."

God thinks for a second and says: "You are forgiven, my son. Come and sit at my right."

Then God addresses Hillary. "Hillary, what do you believe in?"

She replies: "I believe you're in my chair."

Livin' on the Edge

Ms. Beth DuVall...


...announces the newest addition to the DuVall family...


...a healthy, handsome 2008 Ford Edge. "Biggest sunroof you ever did see," the proud Mama told family and friends.

From Orwell to Bradbury

Having spent the last seven years turning the literature of George Orwell into a true living nightmare, the Bush administration's Homeland Security Department has now turned to Ray Bradbury's classic "Fahrenheit 451" in a continuing effort to ram George's fascist form of government down America's throat.

From CBS News:

The Department of Homeland Security has asked firefighters to act as lookouts for terrorism when responding to emergencies. Unlike the police, firefighters and paramedics do not need warrants to get into private homes and buildings - that is why there's a new push to make them an important part of the war on terror and crime.

I'm sorry...first and foremost, the focus of firefighters should be to put out fires. Imagine burning alive inside your flaming home while the fire department detours into the house next door to rummage through your neighbor's underwear drawer!

Beyond that you have to wonder if there is any point at which the American people will get so fed up with the over-the-top abuses of office by the Bush/Cheney crew that they will demand nothing short of immediate impeachment, removal from office, and criminal convictions on the charges of treason.

Come on people...wake. the. fuck. up.

Why Do Republicans Love Terrorists?

Rudy Giuliani, the current leader in the Republican presidential field, seems to be buddy-buddy with Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifah al-Thani, the emir of Qatar, a country with ties to al Qaeda and a man by the name of Khalid Sheikh Muhammad, who was one of the masterminds behind the attacks of 9/11. The former New York Mayor has toured the city with al-Thani and has taken wads of cash from the Sheikh.

This from a man who is running on a "9/11 platform." (Side note: Being mayor of NYC on that day does not make you qualified to run for president.)

Should Giuliani win his party's nomination for the presidency, the Democrats will need to grow some major cajones and play the Karl Rove card. It's rather easy, you see...

A TV commercial showing a Giuliani figure sitting at a table taking wads of cash from a sheikh-like figure who is dressed from head to toe in your typical Middle Eastern robes and head dressings, with a voice over commenting on Giuliani's ties to a known terrorist supporter. The commercial ends with the two hugging and giving the typical kiss on each cheek.

An attack ad? You better believe it! A bit insensitive to Qatar? Probably. But the Republicans would do it in a nano-second, and if the Democrats don't want to spend another four years on the sidelines, then they need to match the Fascist-Republicans at their own Rovian games.

Blake and BT

Blake Lewis and uber-producer BT, at work on Blake's first CD entitled "Audio Day Dream." The set will be released on Tuesday.

No Prescription Required

(Photo: Electronic Replicant)

Joe Is Right

Despite the Obama postings of last week, Sen. Joe Biden (Democrat-DE) is still at the top of my list among his party's presidential candidates.

And Barack, Chris, John, and Hillary all seem to agree...

Little Miss Chloe

...waiting for her very own turkey and mashed-potato dinner on Thanksgiving Day.

The Tree We Killed For Jesus

Lott Scandal?

The blogosphere is sizzling with a potentially huge story regarding the sudden resignation of Sen. Trent Lott (Republican-MS). According to many websites, Lott is the subject of an investigation by Larry Flynt and Hustler Magazine alleging that the veteran Mississippi senator has been using the services of a well known DC male escort.

This story has yet to be solidly confirmed; it's a bit murky for my tastes. But if the allegations are true it will be the death knell for Republican conservatism. Lott has been one of the country's top three Republicans since the 1990s and a leading fascist on gay issues. If he has been romping around naked with a male escort then 2008 is going to make 2006 look like a cakewalk for the Republican Party.

Post-Turkey Day Levity

NOT safe for work or family members...

'Atta Boy!

Quote of the Day:

How would Jesus feel about somebody not being able to visit somebody they love when they're sick? Certainly, as a public official, it's important for me to make sure that basic equality is available.

-Sen. Barack Obama, to the "700 Club" on the Christian Broadcasting Network.

See the exchange below:

Lott Resigning

Sen. Trent Lott (Republican-MS) will resign his Senate seat before the end of the year. No word on whether Gov. Haley Barbour (Republican-MS) will appoint another white supremacist to the seat.

Recession?

Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers and NY Times columnist Peter Goodman think so.

Both think it will be global, both think it will be in full swing in 2008, and both think it will last until at least 2010.

Another example of the incompetency of George W. Bush.

Dear Mr. President

I was hoping she'd release this track as a single. Word is, she will shortly.

Enjoy a recent live version of "Dear Mr. President" by Pink.

The Weekender: Thanksgiving Edition

This week's playlist includes the brand new single from Blake Lewis; a track from Fergie that was released prior to "The Dutchess"; classic grooves from Stevie Wonder, Texas, and Federico Aubele; a schmalzy 80's hit from the one and only Donny Osmond; and some timeless tracks from Neil Diamond, James Blunt, and Van Morrison.

Click here and enjoy.

Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
1973 - James Blunt
Natalia - Van Morrison
Bailamos - Fergie
Inner Smile - Texas
Dreams - Deep Dish w/ Stevie Nicks
Break Anotha - Blake Lewis
Soldier of Love - Donny Osmond
Boogie On Reggae Woman - Stevie Wonder
En el Desierto - Federico Aubele
Beautiful - Meshell Ndegeocello
Whispering Wind - Moby

The Holi-daze Begin

We're off to that lovely Republican hell hole known as Placer County (beautiful area, fascist people) for the Thanksgiving holiday.

To family, friends, and readers...enjoy your time with each other, be safe, and Happy Thanksgiving.

Around the World

A big hearty shout out to new regular readers in:

Ashdod, Israel

Melbourne, Australia

and, Chavannes, Switzerland

Thank you for taking the time to read this little ol' blog!

White House Press Secretary: I Lied For Bush

An excerpt from "What Happened," the forthcoming book by Scott McClellan, the former White House Press Secretary:

The most powerful leader in the world had called upon me to speak on his behalf and help restore credibility he lost amid the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. So I stood at the White house briefing room podium in front of the glare of the klieg lights for the better part of two weeks and publicly exonerated two of the senior-most aides in the White House: Karl Rove and Scooter Libby.

There was one problem. It was not true.

I had unknowingly passed along false information. And five of the highest ranking officials in the administration were involved in my doing so: Rove, Libby, the Vice-President, the President's chief of staff, and the President himself.

Why people still give these guys the benefit of the doubt is beyond me. They lost all credibility on September 12, 2001 when they asked Richard Clarke, their then terrorism chief, to connect the events of the previous day to Iraq, even though there was no connection to make.

The direct involvement of Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney in the outing of a CIA operative rises to the level impeachment. And, as far as I'm concerned, this revelation by the former White House Press Secretary is sufficient enough evidence to put impeachment on the floor of the US House of Representatives.

The members of that chamber should return to Washington DC immediately, bypass committee hearings, and vote to impeach. The Senate should return following that vote and remove both Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney from office. From there, federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald should charge both men with treason (among other things), and then the war crimes tribunal should charge both men with war crimes.

Anything less than impeachment, removal from office, and charges of treason and war crimes would be insufficient. These men have damaged the presidency, the Constitution, and the United States of America beyond recognition. We can't afford to wait the 14 months left in their term and then let them go free.

Don't think for a minute that Republicans would back away from such a confrontation if these crimes had been committed by "President Gore" or "President Kerry." Had a Democratic president done the things Bush and Cheney have done, that president would now be a former president and he or she would be sitting in a jail cell in the Hague, Netherlands.

Give me break Speaker Pelosi. Do your fucking job!

Say it with me folks:
Impeachment.
Now!

Why Obama Matters, Part 3

The final excerpt from Andrew Sullivan's superb cover story in the December edition of the Atlantic. Early in the essay, he discusses how an already deep divide in America became a hell hole under George W. Bush:

The trauma of 9/11 has tended to obscure the memory of [the 2000] election, and its nail- biting aftermath, which verged on a constitutional crisis. But its legacy is very much still with us, made far worse by President Bush’s approach to dealing with it. Despite losing the popular vote, Bush governed as if he had won Reagan’s 49 state [landslide]. Instead of cementing a coalition of the center-right, Bush and Rove set out to ensure that the new evangelical base of the Republicans would turn out more reliably in 2004. Instead of seeing the post-’60s divide as a wound to be healed, they poured acid on it.

With 9/11, Bush had a reset moment—a chance to reunite the country in a way that would marginalize the extreme haters on both sides and forge a national consensus. He chose not to do so.

Yeah...instead, he chose to side with the extreme fascists on his side of the political spectrum.

Sullivan goes on to discuss how a Clinton vs. Giuliani contest in 2008 would only intensify the bitterness of the Baby Boomer generation, as it has played out in every election from 1968 to 2004:

In normal times, such division is not fatal, and can even be healthy...[But] we are not talking about normal times. We are talking about a world in which Islamist terror, combined with increasingly available destructive technology, has already murdered thousands of Americans, and tens of thousands of Muslims, and could pose an existential danger to the West. The terrible failures of the Iraq occupation, the resurgence of al-Qaeda in Pakistan, the progress of Iran toward nuclear capability, and the collapse of America’s prestige and moral reputation, especially among those millions of Muslims too young to have known any American president but Bush, heighten the stakes dramatically.

That, in turn, leads to a key point in Sullivan's pro-Obama stance (as posted in the first excerpt on Monday):

It’s November 2008. A young Pakistani Muslim is watching television and sees that this man—Barack Hussein Obama—is the new face of America. In one simple image, America’s soft power has been ratcheted up not a notch, but a logarithm. A brown-skinned man whose father was an African, who grew up in Indonesia and Hawaii, who attended a majority-Muslim school as a boy, is now the alleged enemy. If you wanted the crudest but most effective weapon against the demonization of America that fuels Islamist ideology, Obama’s face gets close. It proves them wrong about what America is in ways no words can.

When it comes right down to it, I am still undecided in the Democratic primary. I believe Sen. Joe Biden could be the Democrats' Ronald Reagan in this election cycle and that he has the better chance at rectifying all that has gone wrong in the foreign policy realm under George W. Bush. The argument for an Obama presidency is also strong and could just as well be the perfect medicine for the United States and the globe in the post-Bush years.

I'll eventually make a decision. But the perfect team against any of the Republicans would be a Biden/Obama ticket!

Don't ya think?!

Why Obama Matters, Part 2

Excerpt #2:

The other obvious advantage that Obama has in facing the world and our enemies is his record on the Iraq War. He is the only major candidate to have clearly opposed it from the start. Whoever is in office in January 2009 will be tasked with redeploying forces in and out of Iraq, negotiating with neighboring states, engaging America’s estranged allies, tamping down regional violence. Obama’s interlocutors in Iraq and the Middle East would know that he never had suspicious motives toward Iraq, has no interest in occupying it indefinitely, and foresaw more clearly than most Americans the baleful consequences of long-term occupation.

This latter point is the most salient. The act of picking the next president will be in some ways a statement of America’s view of Iraq. Clinton is running as a centrist Democrat—voting for war, accepting the need for an occupation at least through her first term, while attempting to do triage as practically as possible. Obama is running as the clearer antiwar candidate. At the same time, Obama’s candidacy cannot fairly be cast as a McGovernite revival in tone or substance. He is not opposed to war as such. He is not opposed to the use of unilateral force...He does not oppose the idea of democratization in the Muslim world as a general principle or the concept of nation building as such. He is not an isolationist, as his support for the campaign in Afghanistan proves.

The man who opposed the war for the right reasons is for that reason the potential president with the most flexibility in dealing with it.

As I mentioned yesterday, the entire Atlantic essay is well worth the time. I'll post one more excerpt tomorrow, but don't let that stop you from reading Andrew Sullivan's masterful take on why America needs "President Obama."

To read excerpt #1, click here.

Fernando, Greg, and the Light at the End of the Tunnel

Reader e-mail:

I have been reading your blogs in their various incarnations since October of 2004, when I clicked over from your wonderfully written endorsement of John Kerry for president on DailyKos.

I am a college student in California's central valley; I'm gay, and in the closet. My social life is pretty limited as a result...but after seeing Fernando and Greg's YouTube clip on San Francisco Journal I began listening to them on-line.

To see them honored by Out Magazine as two of the most influential gay people made my heart swell. You see, for family and financial reasons I must remain in the closet until I graduate college (that will be in May of 2009). But Fernando, Greg, and their listeners keep hope alive for me. Listening to them in the morning helps keep that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel in sight. I thank them for that, and congratulate them on the Out Magazine honor.

Know hope, my friend. And keep strong.

Who Knew...

...that actor Josh Duhmal was such a freekin' hottie?!

Why Obama Matters

This Atlantic essay was posted on line about two weeks ago, and the print edition arrived in the mailbox last week. It's rather lengthy, but well worth the time. Each day this week I'll post some excerpts, but don't let that stop you from reading Andrew Sullivan's entire masterful take on why America needs "President Obama."

Excerpt #1:

Perhaps the underlying risk is best illustrated by our asking what the popular response would be to another 9/11–style attack. It is hard to imagine a reprise of the sudden unity and solidarity in the days after 9/11, or an outpouring of support from allies and neighbors. It is far easier to imagine an even more bitter fight over who was responsible (apart from the perpetrators) and a profound suspicion of a government forced to impose more restrictions on travel, communications, and civil liberties. The current president would be unable to command the trust, let alone the support, of half the country in such a time. He could even be blamed for provoking any attack that came.

...Obama’s reach outside his own ranks remains striking. Why? It’s a good question: How has a black, urban liberal gained far stronger support among Republicans than the made-over moderate Clinton or the southern charmer Edwards? Perhaps because the Republicans and independents who are open to an Obama candidacy see his primary advantage in prosecuting the war on Islamist terrorism.

...What does he offer? First and foremost: his face. Think of it as the most effective potential re-branding of the United States since Reagan. Such a re-branding is not trivial—it’s central to an effective war strategy.

...Consider this hypothetical. It’s November 2008. A young Pakistani Muslim is watching television and sees that this man—Barack Hussein Obama—is the new face of America. In one simple image, America’s soft power has been ratcheted up not a notch, but a logarithm.

Repairing the Damage

Quote of the Day:

Obama's talent for sharp analysis and his ability to effectively communicate it really do make a compelling case for him being the better-qualified candidate to rally American opinion for the much-needed repair work ahead.

-Judah over at Headline Junky, on the appeal of Sen. Obama in the presidential race.

And I have to agree...the combination of Obama's take on foreign policy and his natural ability to make the case for that policy make him a tremendously attractive candidate.

Picture of the Week

Fernando Ventura and Greg Sherrell of KNGY-FM (Energy 92.7) here in San Francisco. This photo is from OUT Magazine's annual list of the year’s most interesting, influential, and newsworthy LGBT people...a well deserved honor for the morning duo. Click on the picture to read the OUT article.

Congrats, Boys! Your audience is proud of ya!

(Big thanks to Fernando for sending me this higher res picture; and another thanks to B-man for fiddling with it in PhotoShop to make it "Blogger compatible.")

Happy Friday

I need to get into the office, so not much blogging today. But, here to get your weekend started on a happy note is the humpy, hot, sexy...Justin Timberlake...

Gavin and Al

We forgot the camera on Wednesday night and were only able to take pictures with my cell phone at the Full Circle Fund event. But, for what it's worth, here are Gavin and Al...

Not Selected

Jury selection was completed this afternoon and, I'm happy to say, I wasn't selected for the final group.

I'd like to thank the San Francisco Civil Court, the judge, and the bailiff for wasting two whole days of my time.

Shit.

Morning Levity

Jury selection continues today, and it's a rather tedious affair. Last night I attended a very nice event held by the Full Circle Fund, which featured Mayor Gavin Newsom and a keynote address by former Vice-President Al Gore. Brent's company did the audio/visual for the event and his supervisor was kind enough to snatch me a VIP ticket (thank you, Tim!). A couple of pictures tomorrow.

In the mean time, a few laughs for your Thursday...

Duty Calls

Off to jury service at the San Francisco Civil Courthouse. FEEL the excitement!

The Welcome Wagon

Big Gay Christmas

It seems the holi-daze start earlier and earlier every year, but I can't NOT post this new Christmas music video...

BearForce 1, the all male gay group out of the Netherlands, wishes you a Mary Christmas!

Vile

This new ad from the third-teir Republican presidential candidate Tom Tancredo is absolutely vile (and is a prime example of why the Fascist-Republicans should never ever lead America).

And you can bet yer bippy that should Giuliani be his party's nominee, you'll see ads just like this in the summer and autumn of 2008.

More on Biden

The Washington Note thinks he has the foreign policy know-how that the next president will so desperately need.

Regretting My Vote?

Should I be regretting my vote for Gavin? Stories like this make me think..."yes."

Blowout

With 100% of the ballots now counted, the final results in the San Francisco Mayoral Election are as follows:

Gavin Newsom: 73.66%
Quinton Mecke: 6.33%
Harold Hoogasian: 5.86%

With the remaining votes going to the eight other candidates. And, as referenced in the post above, this voter is wondering if he will regret his vote to re-elect the Mayor.

Dianne's Pissed

Quote of the Day:

Now that the “full weight” includes Mukasey, Feinstein also noted she’d waterboard the shit out of anyone, anytime to get to the bottom of it.

-John Cole, on a statement Sunday by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Democrat-CA) - who was one of two key Democratic votes in favor of confirming Michael Mukasey as Attorney General - in which she promised the full weight of the Federal government into finding out what went wrong last week when a Korean freight ship ran into the Bay Bridge, spilling 58,000 gallons of oil into the San Francisco Bay.

Back on Sunday

First things first...we're heading to Sacramento for a couple of days. I'll return to the blogosphere on Sunday evening.

Secondly...no Weekender this week. I just haven't had the time to put together a playlist.

In the mean time, enjoy a couple of videos...

The first is dedicated to Brent and Gil and all of the other 'mos out there who like to think of themselves as the second coming of Carrie Bradshaw...



The second is a funk classic from 1981...

San Francisco Bay Is Devastated

The Cosco Busan, an 810-foot freight ship, crashed into a tower of the Bay Bridge's western span at about 8:30am Wednesday morning, ripping a hole in her hull and spilling 58,000 gallons of nasty, thick oil into the San Francisco Bay.

Winds and the regular tide pushed the spill into the Pacific Ocean. Beaches are closed between San Mateo County and Sonoma County. Parks around the Bay are closed. Boat traffic is limited. Birds and other sea life have perished, and those that survived are in grave danger.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said today the city will take legal action against the company or agency deemed responsible for the accident.

As far as I'm concerned, criminal charges should be brought against not only the company, but against whoever was on that bridge Wednesday morning. For most of yesterday the company insisted that only 140 gallons of oil had spilled into the Bay. How the FUCK do you get 140 out of 58,000 !?!?!!

And how the FUCK does a professional captain hit one of only two towers on that side of the bridge!?!?!! They are trying to blame the accident on the fog. Well, sorry guys. That's bullshit. Fog is an almost year-round event in the San Francisco Bay area, and ships have been able navigate through the waters and around the Bay and Golden Gate Bridges - in the fog - without such a devastating accident.

Environmentalists and oil-spill experts say the fuel that spilled from the ship is a "nasty" oil that breaks down slowly, is hard to clean up, and could affect marine life for years.

I could smell the oil driving across the bridge today. I wanted to cry but I was so angry the tears wouldn't roll. Even now I'm so livid I can't write properly.

Bottom line: Heads must roll for this. The Bay is absolutely devastated.

Doh!

The Dumb Crook of the Week Award goes to...the Dunkin' Donuts robber in Fairfield, Connecticut...He walked into the shop claiming to be armed with a gun and a bomb. He then gave the clerk a note threatening to use both, grabbed what he thought was the cash register and ran into a waiting car.

Imagine his surprise when he went to open the cash drawer only to find out...

...he stole an adding machine.

Little Miss Chloe

...with her Daddy, on a gorgeous afternoon at Fort Funston this past Sunday. This wonderful park and beach are just 10 minutes away from our place and allow off-leash dog walking. The hike down to the beach from the bluffs is absolutely amazing!

A special thank you to Chloe's other Daddy for driving us over there, and for taking this great picture!

ENDA Passes

By a vote of 235 to 184, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act yesterday - with 35 Republicans voting "yes" (a special shout out to them!). The bill would make it illegal for employers to fire someone simply for being gay or lesbian.

Rep. Tammy Baldwin (Democrat-WI) withdrew her amendment adding transgender protections to the bill, which put the measure over the top.

Yes, transgender Americans should have protections. But in situations like this baby steps are the order of the day. In due time, my friends. In due time. If the issue was forced the entire bill would have gone down to defeat, and who knows when it would have come back for another vote.

Of course, all of this is for naught. President Bush is likely to veto the bill. But a big "hooray" to the U.S. House for having the cajones to bring the bill to the floor.

Now, if they'd be brave enough to vote on that pesky impeachment thing...

Election Results

Because the voting machines in San Francisco County have not been certified by the California Secretary of State's office, the ballot counting in the mayoral race will take about a week. As of tonight, with about 40% of the ballots counted, Mayor Newsom leads with an astounding 72% of the vote.

Final results when they become available.

Impeachment Now

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (Democrat-OH) has introduced articles of impeachment against Vice-President Cheney, and in an effort to force the Democrats hand a number of Republicans voted to debate the issue. But the Democratic leadership tabled the issue by sending it to committee. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reiterated that impeachment is "off the table."

WHY!?!?

First and foremost these guys are war criminals. Additionally, by claiming they have the right to circumvent the rule of law they have taken the Executive Branch down a fascist path. And let's not forget that their incompetence make Jimmy Carter's presidency look attractive.

If EVER there were a perfect case for impeachment, George W. Bush and Dick Cheney fit the bill.

And Speaker Pelosi and her colleagues need to grow some cajones. The future of nation is at stake here. We can't afford NOT to have impeachment on the table.

For San Francisco Mayor

I had planned to post my endorsement in the San Francisco mayoral election on Sunday, but when I sat down to write it I realized I needed another day or so to weigh my options, such is my disenchantment with the contest. But, tomorrow is Election Day, I've thought some things through, and here it goes...

The Disappointment

To be sure, Mayor Gavin Newsom stepped up to the plate right out of the box in February of 2004. When he issued marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples he essentially gave George W. Bush a big ol' "fuck you." The fascist president had started a fight to add an amendment to the Constitution that would strip 10% of Americans of their right to the "equal protection" clause.

Gay couples from around the country made their way to this wonderful city to exchange vows and make lifetime commitments to their longtime partners. Yes, the California State Supreme Court nullified those marriage licenses, but I have friends who took part in those City Hall ceremonies who still have those licenses framed and hanging proudly in their homes. And they have the Mayor of San Francisco to thank for that.

But after such a promising, progressive start, Newsom fell flat on his face. The crime rate has increased significantly; the murder rate is on its way to breaking records; MUNI (the city transit system) has seen better days (and those better days weren't all that good to begin with); the housing crisis makes our heads spin, yet Mr. Newsom has allowed developers to build hugely expensive high-rises while subsidized housing disintegrates under his leadership. I'm all for economic expansion, but not at the expense of issues in need of immediate attention.

So, What To Do?

I've been on the fence all year as to who I will support. Unfortunately, rather than bring a real debate to the Mayor's doorstep, his major challengers sat out this contest. None of the eleven candidates running against Newsom tomorrow has a prayer of beating him. He'll coast to reelection easier than any candidate since Dianne Feinstein in 1983.

But should I still vote for him just because he's the certain winner? Well...it's not that black and white.

The crime rate has been my key concern in this election. However, I told myself last summer that if the Castro District got through Halloween without violence I'd be more inclined to lean in Newsom's direction. And that holiday came and went without incident. So, with a weariness I have never really felt with any other candidate in any other race, I will cast a very unenthusiastic vote for Gavin Newsom on Tuesday.

In San Francisco's 3-choice voting system, my second choice vote tomorrow will go to Quintin Mecke. He has run a very capable campaign and holds the progressive values San Francisco voters hold near and dear. Unfortunately he's not ready for the Mayor's office. Not yet, anyway. I look forward to hearing more from him and will be looking for his name on the ballot in 2011.

The Beginning of the End?

The Clinton dam is leaking...

Spineless

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Democrat-CA) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (Democrat-NY) will vote to move Michael Mukasey's nomination to be Attorney General from committee to the full Senate floor, where he will more than likely receive enough moderate and conservative Democratic votes to win the job.

Feinstein is my U.S. Senator, the former mayor of this fine city of mine, and this vote truly disappoints me. I understand voting your gut and I understand that because the President is a conservative Republican we won't get a progressive Democrat as Attorney General.

But when Mukasey suggested that the President of the United States was not subject to the rule of law, his nomination should have been immediately derailed. The affirmative votes by Feinstein and Schumer go against everything American voters demanded in the last election: a return to the equal powers of government demanded in the Constitution; checks and balances; reigning in an out-of-control Executive Branch that wants no check on its power; and the imperialistic rule that comes with such spinelessness.

Take a good look around my friends. By the time this administration leaves office, you will no longer recognize America.

Police State In Pakistan

Things just got very scary in Pakistan:

Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency in Pakistan on Saturday, suspending the constitution, replacing the chief justice of the Supreme Court before a crucial ruling on his future as president, and cutting communications in the capital. Paramilitary troops and police swarmed the capital.

With the next U.S. presidential election only one year and four days away, George and Dick better not be getting any ideas. YaKnowWhatImSayin?

Lingerie, Rope, & Stethoscopes

Oh MY!

Another conservative Republican "goes down!"

The Weekender

Click here to enjoy.

This week's playlist:

This Is Not America - Pat Metheny / David Bowie
Dear Mr. President - Pink, featuring the Indigo Girls
Waiting On the World to Change - John Mayer
Deacon Blues - Steely Dan
Southern Cross - Crosby, Stills, & Nash
Dark Road - Annie Lennox
Back Home - Eric Clapton
Ain't Even Done With the Night - John Mellencamp
Standing Right Next to Me - Karla Bonoff
Lido Shuffle - Boz Scaggs
Dance Tonight - Paul McCartney

Barack's Bill Moment

Remember when Bill Clinton wowed the crowd in June, 1992 by appearing on the Aresnio Hall Show and rockin' out with his saxophone? It was considered a key moment in his winning campaign.

But the wife? Well...ummm...something tells me you won't see HILLARY Clinton doing this anytime soon...

"John Edwards for President"

No, not an endorsement. I'll let my friend Larry explain. His email from earlier today:

Umm...I didn't realize you disliked Edwards THAT much. Not even considering him a candidate on your blog.

I don't dislike Edwards and of course he's a candidate (but he's still not my preferred candidate). It seems there was an "operator error" of some sort when I added the "08 Candidates" blogroll to your right. I really did have him listed there. There was obviously some sort of copy and paste mishap.

It's fixed and the "John Edwards for President" link is now listed.

Thanks, Mr. L!

Ghost Town

The effort to keep the Castro closed for Halloween this year worked in spades...



For reference, here is a picture of last year's party...



Nine people were shot at last year's party, and a few stabbed a couple of years before that. As a result the City of San Francisco decided to cancel this years shin-dig. A huge P.R. push emphasized the fact that the Castro District's annual Halloween party was cancelled this year and urged outsiders to stay home. Some (myself included) were skeptical as to whether it would work.

Thankfully, it did.

"Nameless, Unreasoning, Unjustified Terror"

Halloween may be over, but the scary season really begins today.

Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves, because it's time for...

[Swoooosh!] TV's November sweeps! [Gong!]

Killer smoke detectors, killer food allergies, and killer child seats!

Child pornographers lurking in your bushes, food filled with rat shit, and toys dipped in Chinese lead!

UFO sightings, Brittney & Lindsay, and lesbian nuns who were molested by their mothers!

My friends...we'll get this crap for a month.

Iraq who? Iran what? Turkey huh?

President Bat Shit, Vice-President Vader, Hillary Nixon?

Don't worry about all that. That stuff doesn't bring in ratings! Mmm k?