Tuesday Thought #1

i Didn't Say It ....

Armie Hammer, my Husband-In-My-Head, on not considering himself a millennial: 

“I am a millennial. You’re right. I totally should. And I can’t say I am not a millennial, but I’m not a millennial. I don’t get it. It doesn’t resonate with me. I don’t know why millennials will go to a wedding and take a picture of themselves on the dance floor and then post it on social media and be like, ‘Congratulations to Sarah and Jeff, so happy for you guys!’ Just what the hell is that? That just doesn’t make any sense to me.”

Nor me; the people that photograph their food or drinks and then post it? WTF is that about?

I can’t and I am so happy my Husband-In-My-Head feels the same way … and that I get to post his picture … again.

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Howard Schultz, the billionaire former Starbucks CEO who’s running for president but doesn’t wish to be called a billionaire:

“The moniker ‘billionaire’ now has become the catchphrase. I would rephrase that and I would say ‘people of means’ have been able to leverage their wealth and their interest in ways that are unfair. And I think that speaks to the inequality, but it also directly speaks to the special interests that are paid for by people of wealth and corporations who are looking for influence, and they have such unbelievable influence on the politicians who are steeped in the ideology of both parties…If I should run for president, I am not in bed with any party. I am not in bed with any special interest. All I’m trying to do is one thing: walk in the shoes of the American people.”

Walk in my shoes? Then you’d have to lose almost all of your billions, and all of your homes and clothes and possessions.

Look, Schultz, I don’t begrudge you being a billionaire. But the last thing I want is another unqualified “person of means” in the White House, So, again, I’ll say to you, if you wanna be president start locally, start small, prove you can do the job. I don’t imagine you started at the top of Starbucks so why do you think you should you start at the top of America? Is it because you’re a billionaire?

Siddown.

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Phil Murphy, governor of New Jersey, on signing  legislation that requires state Boards of Education to “include instruction, and adopt instructional materials, that accurately portray political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and LGBTQ individuals:

“This law would require that LGBTQ Americans, as well as Americans with disabilities, are included and recognized for their significant historic contributions to the economic, political, and social development of New Jersey and the United States. Specifically, this legislation would add LGBTQ people and individuals with disabilities to the existing list of underrepresented cultural and ethnic groups, which are covered by current law related to inclusion in textbooks and other instructional materials in schools.”

Great news, though New Jersey is just the second state to mandate LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum in its schools. California passed the requirement in 2012.

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Pete Buttigieg, on running for president and if America is ready for a gay president:

“Look, I get the audacity of somebody like me talking about running for this office, but frankly it’s a leap for anybody … And yet all of the people who had that job have been mortals who just bring their experience to the table. My experience is that of guiding a city through a transformation, and I think a mayor at any level has the kind of executive, front line, government experience—and by the way, problem-solving experience—that we need more in Washington right now. [And] when I came out, it was in the middle of a reelection campaign. I just reached that point in my life where I was ready. And we didn’t know what would happen. I’m from a socially conservative community. Mike Pence was the governor of Indiana at the time. And I just did it because it was time. That same year, I wound up getting re-elected with the 80 percent of the vote. [People] are prepared to get to know you and judge you based on the quality of your ideas and your experience and your work. And I trust that America could do that too. There is only one way to find out for sure.”

I don’t think he has a shot … this timer …but he is definitely worth watching.

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Jussie Smollett, Empire actor and singer, on his attack in Chicago last week:

“I am working with authorities and have been 100% factual and consistent on every level. Despite my frustrations and deep concern with certain inaccuracies and misrepresentations that have been spread, I still believe that justice will be served. As my family stated, these types of cowardly attacks are happening to my sisters, brothers and non-gender conforming siblings daily. I am not and should not be looked upon as an isolated incident … Most importantly, during times of trauma, grief and pain, there is still a responsibility to lead with love. It’s all I know. And that can’t be kicked out of me. My body is strong but my soul is stronger.”

I am waiting, and hoping, for the thugs to be caught and paraded in front of cameras so we can see the face of hate.

The MAGA hat is the new White Hood.

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Ellen Page, acress, on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, ripping _____ and Pence for the hatred of LGBTQ Americans:

“We have a media that’s saying it’s a debate whether or not what just happened to Jussie Smollett is a hate crime. It’s absurd. This shit isn’t a debate. Sorry, I’m like really fired up tonight. It feels impossible not to feel this way right now with the President and the Vice President Mike Pence who wishes I couldn’t be married. Let’s just be clear, the Vice President of America wishes I didn’t have the love with my wife. He wanted to ban that in Indiana. He believes in conversion therapy. He has hurt LGBTQ people so badly as the governor of Indiana and I think the thing we need to know, and I hope my show Gaycation did this, in terms of connecting the dots, in terms of what happened the other day to Jussie—I don’t know him personally [but] I send all of my love—connect the dots. This is what happens. If you are in a position of power and you hate people, and you want to cause suffering to them, you go through the trouble, you spend your career, trying to cause suffering, what do you think is going to happen? Kids are gonna be abused, and they’re going to kill themselves, and people are going to be beaten on the street. I have traveled the world and I have met the most marginalized people you could be. I am lucky to have the time and this privilege to say this. This needs to fucking stop.”

I get tears when I hear this, every single time. She’s right … it needs to fucking stop. Every single anti-LGBTQ politician has hate crimes blood on their hands; every single so-called pastor who preaches an anti0LGBTQ sermon, has a hand in a gay bashing, in a child’s suicide, in child abuse.

Bravo, to Ellen Page. And to Stephen Colbert for just letting her talk.

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Tuesday Thought # 3

Random Musings

Two days, six more for equality:

Claire McCaskill, the Democratic senator from Missouri:

"I have come to the conclusion that our government should not limit the right to marry based on who you love. While churches should never be required to conduct marriages outside of their religious beliefs, neither should the government tell people who they have a right to marry. My views on this subject have changed over time, but as many of my gay and lesbian friends, colleagues and staff embrace long term committed relationships, I find myself unable to look them in the eye without honestly confronting this uncomfortable inequality. Supporting marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples is simply the right thing to do for our country, a country founded on the principals of liberty and equality. Good people disagree with me. On the other hand, my children have a hard time understanding why this is even controversial. I think history will agree with my children."

Mark Warner, the Democratic senator from Virginia:

“I support marriage equality because it is the fair and right thing to do. Like many Virginians and Americans, my views on gay marriage have evolved, and this is the inevitable extension of my efforts to promote equality and opportunity for everyone. I was proud to be the first Virginia governor to extend anti-discrimination protections to LGBT state workers. In 2010, I supported an end to the military’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy, and earlier this month I signed an amicus brief urging the repeal of DOMA. I believe we should continue working to expand equal rights and opportunities for all Americans."

Mark Begich, the Democratic senator from Alaska:

"Gay and lesbian couples should not be denied the ability to pledge their love and commitment through the civil institution of marriage. I believe that two committed adults of the same sex should be able to receive a government-issued marriage license, while religious institutions retain their right to determine which marriages they will perform."

Jay Rockefeller, the Democratic senator from West Virginia:

 “Like so many of my generation, my views on allowing gay couples to marry have been challenged in recent years by a new, more open generation. Churches and ministers should never have to perform marriages that violate their religious beliefs, but the government shouldn’t discriminate against people who want to marry just because of their gender. Younger people in West Virginia and even my own children have grown up in a much more equal society and they rightly push us to question old assumptions – to think deeply about what it means for all Americans to be created equal. This has been a process for me, but at this point I think it’s clear that DOMA is discriminatory. I’m against discrimination in all its forms, and I think we can move forward in our progress toward true equality by repealing DOMA.”

Jon Tester, the Democratic senator from Montana:

“Montanans believe in the right to make a good life for their families. How they define a family should be their business and their business alone. I’m proud to support marriage equality because no one should be able to tell a Montanan or any American who they can love and who they can marry.”

Kay Hagan, the Democratic senator from North Carolina:

 “I know there are strong feelings on both sides, and I have a great deal of respect for their opinions, but after much thought and prayer on my part this is where I am today. I know all our families do not look alike. We all want the same thing for our families. We want happiness, we want health, prosperity, a bright future for our children and grandchildren. After conversations I’ve had with family members, with people I go to church with and with North Carolinians from all walks of life, I’ve come to my own personal conclusion that we should not tell people who they can love, or who they can marry. It’s time to move forward with this issue.”

It’s going to happen people.

David Beckham.

We all know the man looks mighty, um, well-packaged in a pair of briefs, but who knew he could rock the ass in a pair of trousers.

Seriously, gimme a quarter to bounce off that thing.

Just sayin’.

It seems like at least one person in Kentucky has the good sense that god—or whoever—gave a goat.

And that would be Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, who vetoed House Bill 279 , by which a "religious individual could claim an exemption from any law or policy that prohibits discrimination" meaning people could discriminate against The Gays, The Women, or The Minorities, and get away with it because they believe it’s God’s will to be a Hater.

Here’s the deal, Kentucky, no one is saying you can’t hate The Gays, The Women, or The Minorities, because, well, like Speech, Hate is actually free. But, really, using god—or whomever—to justify hate?

How effing Christ-like. But then …..

The asshats won when both chambers of the Kentucky legislature voted overwhelmingly to override Beshear's veto.

So, Hate is back on in Kentucky, I mean, all you gotta do is say Gold told you so.

Just because… Chris Pine. I could get totally lost in those baby blues.

I could use a coffee, so I think I’ll get in my car and drive to the nearest Starbucks …. twenty miles away. But, it’ll be worth the drive because, just this week, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz shot down a shareholder who grilled him about the company's support for marriage equality at the annual shareholders meeting.

It seems that shareholder Tom Strobhar suggested that the boycott by anti-equality bigots had cost him money: “In the first full quarter after this boycott was announced, our sales and our earrings — shall we say politely — were a bit disappointing.”

Howard Schultz reiterated to Strobhar that the decision to back marriage equality was not about the bottom line, but about respecting diversity. He added that Starbucks had delivered a healthy return last year, boycott or no, and then said:

“If you feel, respectfully, that you can get a higher return than the 38 percent you got last year, it’s a free country. You can sell your shares of Starbucks and buy shares in another company. Thank you very much.”

Suh-nap.

Thank you, Mr. Schultz. Can I get biscotti with my Latte?

Well, well, well ....

The Today Show's weekend anchor Jenna Wolfe came out of the closet this week when she announced that she and her partner, NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk, are having a baby:

“This is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to us. But I don’t want to bring my daughter into a world where I’m not comfortable telling everyone who I am and who her mother is.”

Wolfe and Gosk have been a couple for three years; they are planning to marry, but are really most excited about the baby.

Congrats to you both.

Welcome out.

Naturally, Homo HQ will be sending you a copy of The Gay Agenda, and, in lieu of the Coming Out Toaster Oven, perhaps we'll send a Coming Out Diaper Bag.

Welcome out.

So, it seems that New Pope Frankie has decided not to sit upon the Golden throne like Old Pope Benny did, which begs the question, or questions....

Is the Golden Throne now in Pope Benny's Official castle so his manservant can bring him coffee there each morning?

... and ...

Is the Catholic Church going to sell the Golden Throne and give the money to the poor, or sell the throne and use the money to defend itself in the endless and ongoing pedophile scandal?

I think we all know the answer to that one ....

Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin filmed a new television pilot at CNN. The details are sketchy, but it’s supposedly a funny show filmed before a live audience.

New boss at CNN, Jeff Zucker, was on the show, and it may be part of Zucker’s attempts to broaden the CNN audience by adding more mainstream entertainment fare.

At any rate, my BFF and my Husband-In-My-Head together on regular basis? I’m in.

And THE TWEET OF THE WEEK:

Good News Friday: A Starbucks Boycott Backfires

I don't drink a lot of coffee. Carlos and I usually have one cafe con leche with breakfast and then we're good for the day. But I do enjoy stopping in at Starbucks every so often for a little cappuchino and a nosh.

And, well, now I love it even more--even if the closest Starbucks is 27 miles away. It might well be worth the drive.

And, apparently, I'm not the only one feeling the love.

After confronting Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz at last week's annual Starbucks shareholders' meeting, a furious Maggie Gallgaher from the National Organization for Marriage [NOM] announced an international boycott against the  company because, as Maggie slobberred, "purchasing a cup of Starbucks equals support for gay marriage."

Uh-oh. Sounds bad. Except.

"We're not seeing any impact," says Starbucks spokesman Zack Hutson. 

In fact, it appears that NOM's attack has endeared Starbucks to the public. The company has risen significantly since the "boycott" and sales are way up. Plus, by as margin of almost 10-to1, more people have thrown their support, via an internet Thank You to sStarbucks than have pledged to join a NOM boycott.

And that sends a message to other Fortune 500 companies that defending LGBT rights, and marriage equality, is safe political ground, and good for business.

Now, suddenly, NOM isn't talking. But that may have to do with certain documents revealing the underhanded way that organoizatyoion works having been released. So, they're on the defensive now. They could use a coffee break. Too bad they have no place to go.

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I Didn't Say It........

Steven Andrew, "pastor", on how God controls the US economy: "Christians are called to unite the GOP with Rick Santorum. This is because the Bible says that Mitt Romney opposes Jesus Christ and Christians. Romney is against everything the USA was founded upon. God promises to fix the economy if we vote for mature Christians. God says that the economy declined for taking God out of government, 53-plus million abortions and homosexual sins. Christians understand God controls the economy because He says so in 2Chronicles 7:13-14. Do you believe God? He sends prosperity for obedience and famine for sins"

Now, I'm not a Bible scholar, not by a long shot, but I don't think either Mitt Romney or Rick Santorum, appear by name in that book.
And I don't remember the part where God says she'll fix the US economy if we vote for "mature" Christians.
I do, however, believe there is a hidden, Eleventh Commandment, Thou Shall Not Be A Delusional Asshat Using The Name Of God To Promote Your Idiocy, and I believe Steven Andrew has broken that one.


Walter Mondale, former U.S. Vice President, on Minnesota's proposed Constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage:
"Our constitution is a hard-earned gift from those who preceded us, and an enduring promise to those who will follow us. It should be used to protect individual liberty, not to take it away."


You cannot call all men equal and then deny them rights.
Doesn't work that way, even in Minnesota.


Mitch McConnell, Republican Senator from Kentucky, says he's filibustering 17 judicial nominees because Harry Reid is making Republicans look bad:
"This is just a very transparent attempt to try to slam dunk the minority and make them look like they are obstructing things they aren’t obstructing. We object to that. We don’t think that meets the standard of civility that should be expected in the Senate. And, so, any effort to make the minority look bad or attempt to slam dunk them that is sort of manufactured as this is is gonna, of course, be greeted with resistance."


Hey Mitch?
Put on your big boy pants and do the job for which you were elected: represent the people of this country.
Failing that, unzip, whip it out, measure it, and declare a winner, because this is all just typical GOPIsm, posturing and posing and accomplishing nothing.

Bishop Thomas Tobin, on same-sex marriage:
"God created two different genders for a reason--so that males and females could come together, complement one another, procreate, and continue the species. And be very clear about this--same-sex marriage isn’t about procuring civil rights for beleaguered homosexual persons. The recently adopted civil-unions legislation, as ill-advised as it was, it provided the legal protections activists have been lobbying for, but the opportunity has been widely ignored. Same-sex marriage legislation is about distorting a venerable institution – not about civil rights. Please be assured, dear readers, that if the debate over same-sex marriage finds its way to the State House once again, the Diocese of Providence, joined by its allies in our community, will be fully engaged in the battle. We will work hard and pray hard for the defeat of this immoral, misguided proposal that erodes the foundation of our society and offends the moral values we cherish."


Playing the ruination of civilization will come because Adam and Steve can get married card?
Not gonna fly, "Bishop". It's hate, it's bigotry, it's intolerance, it's Catholic.
It's wrong.


Bill Keller, "evangelist", on who's really responsible for Tyler Clementi's death:
"Anderson Cooper, Rachel Maddow, Ellen DeGeneres, the media, and gutless pastors are guilty for the death of Rutgers student Tyler Clementi, not Dharun Ravi! It is those in the media who glamorize and promote this choice as normal and acceptable, along with gutless pastors too afraid to speak out against this sin, and faux churches that glorify this deviant, unnatural, and unhealthy choice of sexual activity, who are the real guilty parties in Clementi's death. While those in the media want to blame people like myself who take a Biblical stand on this issue, the fact is, they are the ones most responsible!"


Hmmm, I didn't see Elene videotaping a private encounter between two consenting adults and then sharing it with the world.
Didn't see Anderson or Rachel do it either.
Sounds to me like Bill Keller wishes he'd gotten his hands on that video so he could watch it over and over again in the privacy of his in-home confessional, with a box of tissues and some hand cream.


Tammy Baldwin, on her Wisconsin Senate run and whether her sexuality might be a factor:
"This November, people in Wisconsin will be so focused on getting by. They’ve made serious adjustments to deal with this economy — whether it’s the recession or the decline of the middle class before then. I feel so strongly that that’s what’s going to be on people’s minds."


Smart people don't really care if someone is gay or not, especially when it comes to running for office.
They want someone who will work for them, to, oh I dunno, lower taxes, fix the economy, make life easier.
Or maybe that's just me.


Jimmy Carter, in his new book, about homosexuality, the Bible, and marriage equality:
"Homosexuality was well known in the ancient world, well before Christ was born and Jesus never said a word about homosexuality. In all of his teachings about multiple things -– he never said that gay people should be condemned. I personally think it is very fine for gay people to be married in civil ceremonies. I draw the line, maybe arbitrarily, in requiring by law that churches must marry people. I’m a Baptist, and I believe that each congregation is autonomous and can govern its own affairs. So if a local Baptist church wants to accept gay members on an equal basis, which my church does by the way, then that is fine. If a church decides not to, then government laws shouldn’t require them to."


Amen, Jimmy, Amen.


Rick Santorum, on what he'd say to Dan Savage if they ever met:
"I would tell him that I'm praying for him. He obviously has some serious issues. You look at someone like that who can say and do the things that he's doing and you just pray for him and hopefully he can find peace."


Oh, he's found peace, Frothy.
He's simply trying to save it from people like you who would seek to shove him back in a closet somewhere.


Dan Savage, on Santorum's plan to pray for him:
"Rick Santorum thinks that women who have been raped should be compelled—by force of law—to carry the babies of their rapists to term, he thinks birth control should be illegal, he wants to prosecute pornographers, etc., etc., basically the guy wants to be president so that he can micromanage the sex lives of all Americans...and I'm the one with issues? Because I made a dirty joke at his expense eight or nine years ago and it stuck? I'm the one with issues? Okaaaaaaaaaaaaaay. Rick can pray for me. I'll gay for him. And we can call it even."

Rick doesn't have "issues" he has whole "subscriptions."
But, let's all Gay For Santorum.
I think he could use it.


Howard Schultz, Starbucks CEO, responding to NOM's complaint about his company's support for marriage equality:
"Any decision of this type or magnitude has be made with great thoughtfulness and I would assure you that a senior team at Starbucks discussed this. To be very candid with you, this was not something that was a difficult decision for us and we did share this with the board as well. [snip] We made that decision, in our view, through the lens of humanity and being the kind of company that embraces diversity."

Smack.Down.
Now, go to Starbucks and order one of those crazy sounding drinks with the weird sizes.

Tammy Baldwin, again, on Obama's "evolution" on marriage equality:
"Look, he is moving in the right direction on this issue. He’s been crucial in equality efforts like the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and signing the Matthew Shepard hate crimes prevention act. I have no idea what goes on in another person’s mind. As a legislator, I need to be good at persuading people, counting votes and getting to 50 percent plus one. I don’t go back and say, 'Why did this person get to the right position?' It’s only 'Are you yes or are you no?'"


The more this woman speaks the more I feel we need to get her elected.
Common sense makes a comeback!