What is Wrong With John McCain?

LGBT
Willy Nelson: “Just when you think it’s all over it has only begun” (1)
And so the continuing fight for equality for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered brothers and sisters goes on. Make no mistake about this: you know and love and respect many of these folks. They are your children, relatives, friends, neighbors, bosses, coworkers, teachers, doctors, lawyers, entertainers, grocers, police, fire fighters, ER nurses and many many more. Maybe you know they are “out” and maybe you don’t. But do you really care if the first responder that saves your life has a same-sex partner? I think the answer is not just “no” but “HELL NO”.

And since the Revolution LGBTs (OK, no “T” until later) have been protecting you, sharing your foxholes and ships and planes. And your showers. That seems to be one of the real issues doesn’t it? “I don’t want them looking at me. They might “try” something”. What are they going to “try”? To be your friend? To save your life? Did you ever stop to think that they might be just as nervous that you might “try” something too? Like beating the shit out of them just for living? Try living with that fear and see how you feel.

It is time for all of you, my friends, to step up to the plate. You know the right thing to do, don’t you? The American Military is one of the last bastions of segregation for LGBTs. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is a disgrace and NOW is the time to end it. Now is the time to call your Senator (a few of these revered folks are queer, too) and tell him or her to vote to kill DADT once and for all. Use this link (http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=IL ) to find your Senators. What if you don’t ? Only you will know that by being silent you are keeping hatred and segregation alive. Only you will know you failed your brothers and sisters. Only you.
And while you are at it, call Senator John McCain and tell him for me that I once thought he was a Prince, and now I think he is an asshole. It’s OK to use that word with McCain. He’s ex military and knows what an asshole is.

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OXx4H9DuZY&feature=related
Image: editor-mom.blogspot.com/2006/03/another-strai...

Food Series: Meatloaf *

My good friend and college roommate got married to the girl of his dreams while we were still undergraduates. (I was at the wedding and got the garter, but that is another story for another time).Since we shared the same bedroom for a couple of years I can vouch that he dreamed about her often. (She popped up in mine a few times too, but don’t tell Charlie.) When the happy couple set up house, an early agenda item was having me over for dinner. I would never say “no” to dinner anywhere, but these guys were special, so dinner at their place was a social as well as gustatory treat. I arrived in time to smell something really good wafting from the kitchen. What’s cooking, Charlie, I asked? Marie’s famous meatloaf (the first one, too). All the trimmings to go with it and probably some beer, although I don’t remember for sure. I never went anywhere without beer, so probably either I had it or they had it. Maybe ice tea. Anyway, as it got closer to the meal, we got hungrier. Finally, the announcement: time to dig in. And there it was. A big beautiful meatloaf. Fragrant. A little catsup on the side and this puppy would be gone in no time. The carving went well, and we each got nice big slice. Mine was from near the middle. Rare. Very rare. I ate the rare middle and the medium outside and it was good and tasty. It was also to be one of those lifetime stories repeated when ever friends get together. That was probably nearly 50 years ago, and the memory is fresh; rare, really.
Thanks guys for a great meal, for a great memory and for an enduring friendship.

Image: mydeliciousfoods.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_arch...

*told with permission of the happy couple, just recently grandparents!

back to normal

Life goes on
The alarm went off at 6:15 as usual. Coffee pot gurgled. Shower ran. Hair dryer. Then a few minutes pre-briefing about the day, write some checks, make a list of things to do today. Finally walk down to the gate to let Sal out and keep the dogs in. A quick kiss and “See you tonight. Take care. Love you” and she is gone.
As I shut the gate I though “And so things get back to normal and life goes on”. The weekend is still reverberating and the memory of family and friends strong. Everybody got home safely and their lives are now going on, back to normal.
Life may be like a box of chocolates, but it is also a narrative, written in everyday events and punctuated by memorable moments, some lasting seconds or minutes and some days. The total is the story being written as it is lived. And because of the path taken (or not) the ending is a mystery. Like all good stories, one can hope the ending is both satisfying and a takes a while to get to. After all, how many times have you read a book or seen a film and said to yourself “I wish it had never ended”?
So for the near time, life goes back to normal, carrying with it the afterglow of a weekend well spent.
Image: www.gettyimages.com/detail/82129868/Photodisc

A Very Big Surprise

Last week or so I wrote an essay on lies. I had detected one from a family member and among other things wanted to say that “white lies” are OK in service of doing good. Little did I know how close to home that would get. As many of you know, my birthday (woody 7.0) was last week. I ferreted around a bit where I was told I shouldn’t go and found a suspicious sum of money spent. I figured it was for a surprise laptop. On Thursday Sally told me “The tracking # says it will be delivered on Friday”. (I of course denied any hint of knowing of what was arriving, but I was sure it was a laptop.) She comes home from work on Friday afternoon and what do I see? Two strange men getting out of the car. What the hell? (Sanitized version)
Remember Desert Storm II? Shock and Awe? I had both, and great joy. She had arranged to have my son and his husband (yes, legally married, so there) fly in for my birthday. From Iowa!!! Thoughts of prezzies of a lesser kind fled in the face of seeing their happy faces. What a gigantic surprise.("He Had Wrinkles from Smiling") What a bunch of white lies leading up to it. After a lot of hugging and all talking at once I asked if Hal and Cori (other son and wife, legally married) were coming. Yes was the answer, and a few other friends for a jam up birthday dinner Saturday.
I will tell the truth here: I was totally and utterly caught by surprise and thrilled in a way that no other present could bring. My present was my family, and some friends to help enjoy with.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
And thanks to the more that 30 Facebook friends that sent good vibes my way for the 70ith. You didn’t get to the party, but you were not far from my heart.

Image: unrepentantoldhippie.wordpress.com/.../