Global Warming ... all over my yard

As my son so sadly said ... "Mom, Spring is never gonna come."

Doesn't seem so.

But, according to Al Gore, us skeptics are akin to flat-earthers. Via Hot Air.

Flat-earth not-with-standing, I present to you my NEW GOURMET BIRD STATION:

(click for larger)

Note the lack of birds. It wasn't simply that I was out on the porch taking a picture. A single bird hasn't yet visited my NEW GOURMET BIRD STATION. Stupid birds prefer to forage here:



So my NEW GOURMET BIRD STATION has been out there a week, and still no bird. We could make this a guessing game as to when the first bird visits.

Which do you think comes first, Spring or a bird?

As Sharpton is an Ass

But, you knew that, right?

And, yes, yet another post today (and watch out, I still have an IA comment to make ...)

Rachel Lucas pointed me to this. Now, I don't know if I'm allowed to pass this story along because I'm not black**, but reading the story I didn't initially know, or ultimately care, the color of the victims.

On June 18, 2007, a black woman was gang raped by 10 youths and forced at gunpoint to have sex with her own 12 year old son in a housing complex called Dunbar Village in West Palm Beach, Florida. The young men not only viciously punched, kicked and sliced this sister and her son with glass objects, but they also blinded her boy by pouring nail polish remover into his eyes.
The young men forced this sister and son to lay naked in a bathtub together, and attempted to set them on fire (they could not find matches). The youths boldly took cell phone pictures so that they could enjoy their violent, immoral and sadistic acts at a later time. The violence continued for more than three hours, and although this sister’s neighbors heard her screams, no one called the police or came to her aid.
This sister and her son had to walk a mile to the hospital, because the assailants stole her car, and threatened to kill her and her family if she told the authorities.
Only four of the young men have been apprehended, while the remaining six are on the loose, doing Lord knows what in our communities. There is no manhunt for the remaining suspects.
As devastating as this story is, what the NAACP and Al Sharpton have done about it will simply take your breath away:Not only did the NAACP ignore hundreds of requests to assist this woman because it was ‘outside the scope of their mission’, but they joined forces with Al Sharpton, and sent their lawyers to speak out IN SUPPORT OF THE RAPISTS.
You heard me right.

Al Sharpton's got his panties in a wad because these animals were denied bail while some white rapists (accused of date rape) were not. See, it's racism to give bail to whites and not to blacks, because their crimes were exactly the same. Right? I mean, feminists are always telling us rape is rape.

Tangled web we weave.

Anyway, there is an address (at the link, in comments) where you can send money to help this poor woman, and her son, out. So many philanthropic opportunities at my blog! Humn ...to which would you rather give to ... and keep in mind it's gonna take millions to keep Kwame at the helm of Detroit.


** The blogger, and commenters, seem a tad Afrocentric. Imploring that "feminist bloggers of color" pass this story along. That kinda stuff drives me nuts.

The "Help a brother out" fund

It's not up and running at the moment, but hopefully the site will be up again soon so *ya'll can donate (as I'm sure your burning to do) to Kwame's defense fund.

Check and see if you can find teh irony:

"The Detroit Justice Fund is being formed to assure that the mayor receives the fair hearing in court to which all Americans are entitled."
*********
Garrett wouldn't speculate on the cost of a defense, but Webb's law firm, Winston & Strawn, reportedly spent $10 million to $20 million volunteering its services for former Illinois Gov. George Ryan in a recent federal corruption case, according to the Chicago Tribune. He is in prison.
Webb charges about $750 an hour, said his mentor, Judge William J. Bauer of the 7th U.S. District Court of Appeals in Chicago. Webb is considered one of the nation's top white-collar defense attorneys and has defended corporations such as General Electric, Microsoft and Philip Morris USA.
"He may bill more. (Kilpatrick) is hiring the best," Bauer said.

You know, I've got a great idea Detroiters. When a person SEEMS to lack the moral character to be in an elected position of power, and you have the OPPORTUNITY to get rid of him by simply voting for the other guy ... why fall for his BS? Before the last election, there were already issues involving Kwame, but he looked into the camera, and apologized and said all that nice foregivey stuff. And you believed him. You all put "He's out boy" signs on your front lawn, and voting him back in office, and now Detroit is the laughing stock of the country.

All this - it's not really Kwame's fault - because he is what he is. He acted, while in office, as was his nature. Before he was the mayor, he didn't have the power to totally fuck-up the city. This mess - this humiliation - is the fault of all you nimrods who voted him BACK into office. It is YOUR fault.


*By "Ya'll" I mean everyone who voted for him the second time. I didn't vote for him EITHER time.

RIP Annie

That's a good doggie.

AI wrap-up

Ok, was I the ONLY one who felt REALLY old listening to songs from the year the contestant was born?

Ramiele Malubay - this might be your night, my dear, if you knowwhatImeanandIthinkthatyoudo. 1987? First year of college. Sigh.

Jason Castro - shite, not even a Police song, but a tune from Sting's solo years. Crap, I'm old. Jason needs to step it up a bit.

Syesha Mercado - Am I the only one who doesn't like her? I thought the song was a bit beyond her ability.

Chikezie - 1985 - well, at least I was still in High School, so he gets bonus points for that. I thought the last note was wonderful - I really like his low register. But, overall - middle-of-the group.

Brook White - Ok, I actually liked her this week.

Michael Johns - Yea, now we're getting w/in ten years of me, so I'm really liking this guy. 1978 - I was still in grade school, so he gets two thumbs WAY UP from me. Oh, his singing was good too.

Carly Smithson - oy, I didn't care for this song when it came out. Carly has a tendency to ... remind me of the multitudes of boring power singers. She did it again tonight.

David Archuleta - born the year I graduated from college. And sang a song I've never heard before. He sang it ok, but it sounded rushed. Of course, who knows for sure, since I"ve never heard it before, right?

Kristy Lee Cook - If she stays this week, it will be 100% the result of song choice.

David Cook - Oh, he was just amazing. Very entertaining take on the song, and his vocal were amazing. I watched it twice.

Who's going? I'm guessing Ramen Noodle. But, I was wrong last week, so what do I know?

Kwame news

Ut oh ... he's in trouble now:

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced today that Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick will face perjury charges for his actions in a whistle-blower case involving fired Detroit employees.

Charges against Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and former Chief of Staff Christine Beatty include conspiracy to obstruct justice, a five year felony.

Worthy said Kilpatrick is also charged with a count of misconduct in office and perjury in a court proceeding, a 15 year felony. Beatty will face separate perjury charges, Worthy said.

"Our investigation has clearly shown that public dollars were used, people's lives were ruined, the justice system was severely mocked and the public trust was trampled on," Worthy said.

HA!

Something with which to wash your brain after the last post.

Say it with me now, America. Change. The subject.

h/t: MIchelle Malkin

They may be asshats, but ...

...don't forget, they honor our soldiers.

And, one way of expressing this honor, is by exploiting the images of those who have died in order to push an agenda.

If I had loved one in that mosaic, my anger would probably be off the charts.

I Frakking hate Microsoft

Being a member of the Cult of Mac, I thought I could have lived a Microsoft-free life. But, then along came the X-Box.

First it was the Rings of Death. Microsoft fixed that for free. But, now we have a new failure -Error code 74. It's a hardware problem. BUT, for $99 Microsoft will fix it. OY BOY. About a week and a half ago, I gave them my Amex number, and they promised that UPS would arrive at my door with a pre-paid box.

A week past, and no box. FORTY-FIVE minutes of my life were wasted on 1800-4MY-Xbox, for them to tell me that they gave UPS the box, but UPS never registered it. The tracking numbers never become valid. They said "have patience" and give it a few more days. Well, I gave it three more days, and the tracking number are still invalid.

Not wanting to waste another 45 minutes of my life on the phone, I tried to get into the email support system. Well, of course, you can't just EMAIL microsoft. They are too important or some such nonsense to take email from just any old XBox owner. No, first you had to register for an XBox live account. Then you had to register AGAIN for something else. AND THEN, I needed to register, because the XBox life account is for a minor ... when they asked for my credit card number - SO I COULD FUCKING EMAIL THEM A QUESTION ABOUT A SERVICE I ALREADY FUCKING PAID FOR- ... well, let's just say I lost it.

Regardless, I'm taking a few deep breaths ... perhaps I'll do my yoga, and then I'm calling Amex. I'm gonna sick them on Bill Gates.

AI

Boy, I was wrong, wasn't I? Egads, though, another week of Kristy.

American Idol, Beatles wrap-up

The Beatles? WTF? Who was the genius that came up with this theme after last week's? Honestly.

The weirdness of the choice is only overdone by the fact that it appeared that the majority of these kids were totally unfamiliar with the songs they were singing. I understand we're talking music from 40 years ago ... but still. Doesn't seem right.

Ok, quick recap, and my predictions:

Amanda Overmyer- "Back in the USSR" - I liked it. She's entertaining to watch, and appears to be more comfortable as the weeks pass.

Brooke White- "Here Comes the Sun" - oye. Couldn't end quick enough.

Syesha Mercado - "Yesterday" ... I dunno, no one can sing it like Paul.

David Cook- "Daytripper" - he's good, but his songs are beginning to all sound the same.

Carly Smithson - "Blackbird"- nice. That's all I have to say about that.

Chikezie- "I've just Seen a Face" - One of the best of the night, no matter what Simon said.

Kristy Cook - "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" - honestly, did they even let her LISTEN to the song before she sang it? Bye bye Kristy.

Ramiele Malubay- "I Should have Known Better"- She may be the best singer who can't perform on the show. I don't know if she always picks the worst songs, or if she just has an instrument (her voice) with no idea how to use it. But, honestly, why would anyone pick that song?

Michael Johns - "A Day in the Life" - oye. I like him, and he did OK, but this song should never, ever, ever be compressed into a minute and forty seconds. Just don't do it.

Jason Castro- "Michelle" - not his best.

David Archuleta - "The Long and Winding Road" - You know, he's a sweet kid, but I really liked this review from the Village Voice:

And can I just call bullshit once again on anointed one David Archuleta? The only thing worse than seeing this little freak sleepwalk his way through another yawning adult-contempo ballad is seeing the judges all lose their shit for it. All will not be right with the world until he self-destructs.

He's good, he's got a great voice, but it's as if one were being present during the creation of a Celine Dion. You know, if you could have only done something to stop it ...

Bottom three? Kristy, Ramiele and ... I don't know. I think Kristy will be gone.

Obama's Preacher II/Updated

So, Obama denounced his preacher last friday claiming he had NO IDEA that Wright said such appalling things.

Yea, right.

Anyway, Obama's didn't delve further into exactly what Wright said that he disagrees with because he CAN'T. Why can't he? Because, my friends, I'm afraid there may be a substantial population that supports and believes what Wright said:

Absolutely, what Obammas Pastor said is the truth, and its getting too much airtime, its the Pastors thoughts, and the fact of the matter is that wat the Pastor said is absolutely true, just that ppl wont admit it, I also feel Obamma made a mistake to Allienate the PAstor like that.

How many similar comments can be found across the internet? More:

“If you’re black, it’s hard to say what you truly think and not upset white people,” the New York Times quoted James Cone as saying. Cone is a professor at Union Theological Seminary and the father of what is known as black liberation theology.

But Juan Williams, a Fox News commentator and author of “Enough: The Phony Leaders, Dead-End Movements, and Culture of Failure That Are Undermining Black America,” tells Newsmax that Wright’s sermons reflect “the victim mindset that is so self-defeating in the black community and one that is played on by weak black leadership that chooses to have black people identified as victims rather than inspiring them as people who have overcome. In posing as victims, they say the most prejudiced and vicious things, not only about whites but about America. They call it theology. In fact, it’s nothing but bigotry.”

In failing to condemn Wright himself and claiming that he was unaware of the preacher’s hate-filled speech, Obama is continuing a longstanding pattern.

So, can Obama man-up and address, specifically, the BS Wright preached? Go ahead, Obama, call BS on the lie that white Americans invented AIDS to kill blacks. Call BS that it's a government plot to lock up black men in prison instead of sending them to college.

Taranto writes in a similar vein:

At this point, though, "distancing" himself plainly is not enough. Obama needs to renounce Wright and his noxious beliefs forcefully and specifically, even if he personally is blasé about them.

But this brings us to the second possible reason he hasn't done so: that it may entail a political cost as well. After all, it's not as if the malevolent minister is preaching to empty pews. There is a segment of the black community that embraces Wright-style bigotry, shown anecdotally in this quote from the ABC News story:

"I wouldn't call it radical. I call it being black in America," said one congregation member outside the church last Sunday.
We would like to think this point of view is not terribly common. But Wright's congregation has 8,000 members, the biggest in its denomination, according to the Religion News Service. Possibly Obama has reason to fear losing crucial black support if he expressly repudiates Wright and what he stands for.

One of the Obama campaign's chief selling points has been the promise of "unity" and of rising above racial division. But how can you you unify the nation while countenancing hatred of it? And how can racial division be overcome when those who preach hatred are able to find such a large audience?

H/t: Dan over at PW

My Buddy Craig

Wants me to remind everyone that today is one of those lesser-known holidays. * .

Obama's Preacher

Everyone needs to see this.

Do you believe a man who had Reverend Wright as his spiritual leader should be president? That lacks should sing be singing God Damn America instead of God Bless? That 9/11 was the chickens coming home to roost?

I know I sure as hell don't.

Obama demanded that Clinton denounce Ferraro, yet has said little beyond I sometimes disagree with him regarding Wright.

The Thug Speaks

At last night's state of the city address. To an "invitation-only" audience. Says USA today:

Near the end of his speech, Kilpatrick brought the invitation-only crowd of appointees, city employees and allies to a fervor when he chastised City Council President Ken Cockrel Jr. by name for declining to sit on the stage, where council members usually sit. And then he decried the criticism against him.

This morning, on Paul W Smith's show, Sam Riddle said "They were clapping for their jobs" .Heh.

And finally tonight, and this may be the most talked about part of this speech after laying out all of that, but I feel that I cannot leave this auditorium with my wife and my son sitting there without addressing this issue.

In the past 30 days I've been called a nigger more than any time in my entire life.

In the past three days I've received more death threats than I have in my entire administration.

I've heard these words, but I've never heard people say them about my wife and children.

I have to say this, because it's very personal to me.

I don't believe that a Nielsen rating is worth the life of my children or your children. This unethical, illegal lynch mob mentality has to stop.

And it's seriously time.

We've never been here before -- and I don't care if they cut the TV off -- we've never been in a situation like this before, where you can say anything, do anything, have no facts, no research, no nothing, and you can launch a hate-driven bigoted assault on a family.

I humbly ask members of council, I humbly ask the business community, I humbly ask the religious community, I humbly ask the brothers and sisters of the City of Detroit, I humbly ask that we say no more together.

I humbly ask that we say no more together.

I highlighted the most outrageous parts. He wants us to stop talking about "it" because there is no proof. Uhm ... except for all that proof they have, Mr. Mayor. You know, the text messages?

You've used this city as your personal bank account, your fiefdom. You've used OUR money and your power to hid your adulterous behavior. WE didn't bring your wife and children into this mess, YOU DID. YOUR behavior. Take some responsibility.

Follow Spitzer's example.

AI wrap-up

Quick recap, because I'm busy, and this time change has really messed up my internal clock, and I feel like the White Rabbit (I'm late, I'm late) so little editing, but I think I've captured my feelings. I didn't list them, in the groupings, in any particular order.

Excellent:

Chikezie: Awesome. What he did with "She's a Woman" was interesting and entertaining, and his vocals were on spot as well. I think he was the best of the night.

Carly Smithson: Outstanding as well with "Come Together", but she loses points because she, as she said, performed this song every week where she used to work. Also, I wonder if she has any other moods in her voice besides "Full-tilt" belt it out?

Amanda Overmyer: I thought Simon was wrong - this week was better, and more authentic, than last week's, which I found a tad forced. "You Can't Do That" fit her voice perfectly.

Michael Johns: I did NOT find his version of Across the Universe boring, as some of the judges did. It is a simple song that require thoughtful, honest vocals, which I thought he brought.

David Cook: Another GREAT performance. Eleanor Rigby as modern rock. Loved it.

OK:

Jason Castro: Sang If I Fell, and was alright. Not as good as last week. It would be nice to see a bit more energy.

Brooke White: Let it Be- it was good and all, but personally I'm not that excited by her. I guess my problem is she just seems to be such a conglomeration of past female singer/songwriters types (and she's using THEIR material) that I don't really see what she brings to the table.

Ramiele Malubay: I love her voice, and really want her to perform something interesting. But she didn't . Boring version of In My Life.

Bottom of the barrel:

Syesha Mercado: She hasn't wowed me yet. If it weren't for her short-shorts and pretty face, I don't think she'd be here at this point. Her version of Got to Get You Into My Life was uninspired and boring. I fast-forwarded.

David Hernandez: No no no! I Saw Her Standing There in gay-camp style. Oye.

David Archuleta: Forgot the lyrics? To We Can Work it Out? Oh lord.

Kristy Lee Cook: I thought it was just me, at first, because I don't like Country. But, nope, I was right, her country-version of Eight Days a Week was really, really irritating. And, honey, don't protest that "you really liked it", because you're just revealing to everyone that perhaps you have no ear for good music.

Why do we care what Spitzer did?

Gleen Greenwald certainly doesn't. He even headlines his piece with Who cares if Eliot Spitzer hires prostitues?

Regarding all of the breathless moralizing from all sides over the "reprehensible," outrageous crimes of Eliot Spitzer: are there actually many people left who care if an adult who isn't their spouse hires prostitutes? Are there really people left who think that doing so should be a crime, that adults who hire other consenting adults for sex should be convicted and go to prison?

Comments such as these litter the internet today. When the offender is a Democrat, the liberals scold us that it is just about sex and we should just grow up. What a man (or woman!) does in her bedroom is really none of our business. The Europeans certainly don't get their panties in a wad over sexual exploits, and since they are our moral superiors, shouldn't we follow suit? Go read Huffpo and you can find all these excuses.

But, the reason why sex scandals do matter is because they are not just about sex. Sexual misbehavior is also about lies, cover-ups, bribary, and all those other evil things that come along when people behave badly.

Take Detroit (please) for example.

The mayor did (or didn't) have a wild party in the tax-payer owned mansion, in which a stripper did (or didn't) perform a lap-dance, at which point the mayor's wife saw (or didn't see) such lap-dance and attacked (or didn't) the stripper with a large piece of wood. Within six months of the "alleged" party, the stripper was gunned down while sitting in a car with her boyfriend. Investigators have said it appears to have been a hit.

In addition, the mayor had an affair with his chief of staff and the two conspired to fire two police officers who were investigating the party and other allegation of wrongdoing involving the mayor's "Inner circle."

Was there a party? Did the mayor have the stripper killed? Those two questions may never be answered for certain. But, because of the Mayor's moral wrongdoing the city is out $9 million dollars. It wasn't the sex and the moral lapses that are the primary issue. It is the abuse of power that was used to cover it up. And, the temptation to abuse power is often too great when one's moral lapses are discovered. THAT is why sex matters where public officials are concerned. If my husband, or yours, cheats he doesn't have the power of the police force and investigators and wealthy heavy-weights to help him cover it up. He can't fire anyone who gets too close to the truth. The mayor does. And so did Spitzer.

And, do did former presidents. Cough cough.

That is why it is wrong.

15 Paragraphs

That's how many 'graphs you gotta read before you find out that Gov. Eliot Spitzer is a Democrat. In case you're not an aficionado of the NYT's style, if it's a Republican scandal, the politicos affiliation is mentioned within the first THREE paragraphs.

If it's a Democrat involved, it's buried near the bottom as the above linked story illustrates.

Well .... duh

Seth Grahame-Smith comes to an awful realization:

She's proven that she cares more about "Hillary" than "unity." More about defeating Obama than defeating the Republicans. She's become a political suicide-bomber, happy to blow herself to bits -- as long as she takes everyone else with her.

On Friday, one of Barack Obama's foreign policy advisors, Samantha Power, resigned after calling Senator Clinton "a monster" during an off-the-record exchange. It was an unfortunate slip, but one that echoed the sentiments of many Clinton apologists like me -- who've watched Hillary's descent into pettiness and fear-mongering with the heartbreak of a child who grows up to realize that his beloved mother has been a terrible person all along.

Are the conservatives right about the Clintons? Will they do and say anything to get elected?

I don't know.

All I know is...I'm through apologizing.

You know, I hate to say I told you so.* Honestly, it would be amusing if the Rethuglians hadn't picked the Maverick for themselves.


H/t: Dan from PW

*but I did

Must. Kill. Son

On the sidebar - you will see the latest tunes purchased from iTunes. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE, I REPEAT I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE, FOR THE PURCHASE OF WHAM.

Lord. What has become of that boy?

Girl's Night

Asiah'h Epperson - Honestly, what is with that name? Can someone 'splain? Asia'h (that just hurts to type) did a good job, but I think I -personally-have heard enough Whitney on American Idol. Can we just ban it?

Kady Malloy - It took me a few minutes to recognize this Queen tune: "Who wants to live Forever." As a general rule, no one, but Freddy Mercury, can sing Queen. Learn it. Live it. Freddy's voice, like Whitney's, gave the seminal performance of whatever song he/she was singing. Anything that comes after is just gonna pale in comparison.

Kristy Lee Cook - My son thinks she's HOT, but that ain't gonna work with me, Missy. She tried to fill Steve Perry's shoes but with a country twang. It was ok.

Brooke White - Brook's Pat Benetar was ok. Was it just me or did she seem to have trouble with the timing, or the speed or something. Seemed a tad off.

Carly Smithson- Can't get away from the fact that I HATE CELINE DION. With a burning passion. She sang the song well, I guess.

Danny Noreiga - Looked really pretty tonight. Two snaps for that. Can't remember what he sang.

Amanda Overmyer - Ok, I liked this chick in the beginning. But, ever since the season started, she seems ... I dunno ... embarrassed to be on the stage. With her inability to reply to the comments by the judges, for example. And, when she sings, she seems to be uncomfortable in her own skin. Too jaded? Too cool? LOOK MISSY, you tried out for the show. I'm sorry if it's too ... white bread or something for someone as cool as yourself, but didn't you know the deal before you went in?

Ramiele Maluby - I think she has the best voice of the gals. I hope she can pull herself together and find a proper footing before she gets booted.

Syesha Mercado - don't like her. Don't need a reason, do I? I thought her song last night was horrible. The judges didn't have much to say, did they?

I have no idea who is gonna get the boot. But, since I'm a betting gal, I'll guess Kady and Amanda. Perhaps Danny.

AI wrap-up

Years ago, Michelle at "A Small Victory" used to do American Idol commentary. Apparently she's outgrown such things, but I haven't.

So, here goes.

Luke Menard: "Wake Me Up" - oh lord. The only time I enjoyed that song was during "Zoolander" and last night's performance by Luke continued that trend, who matched the sucky song with weak vocals.

David Archuleta: Good, as always. I like his voice, but the problem I have with him, as I've had with past winners, is that they will probably never, ever, sing anything I'm terribly interested in buying. Kinda that adult-contemporary stuff. Yawn.

David Cook: AWESOME. I've thought he was weak the past few weeks, but what he did to "Hello" was masterful. He's the opposite of David ARchuleta. Not as good a voice, but the possibility that he's become a performer I find interesting is much greater.

Jason Castro: Took on Jeff Buckley (that's the version everyone knows) and did a great job. He's on my shortlist.

Danny Noriega: Oh my lord, I just can't take this queen. Why is it that a gay guy can act like a bitchy female and everyone finds it so entertaining? If some bleach-blond were acting like Danny, everyone would be drawing a target on her back. Anyway, if I could get beyond his female appearance, and campy performance (which I honestly can't) I'd have to say that vocally he's not as good as a majority of the other singers.

David Hernandez: Up until now I've found him kinda boring, but he did a really good job last night. Great vocals.

Chikezie: Ok singer. I think last night's song was a bit too much for him. When he hit the notes, he was good, but too often the song appeared to be too much for him.

I'm guessing, Chikezie and Luke will be gone. Or Danny. Danny will get the gay vote, and Chikeze may get the black vote. So if one goes, and the other stays, I guess one will always be able to claim the most oppressed status.

Update:
I'm not the only one bothered by Danny.

What the ...?

Some things just make me scratch my head:

My oldest daughter stopped me today while I was reading a commentary on Gary Hubbell's little column on the plight of the poor angry white dude. It was for the best.

She told me that she's at least bi, she thinks.

As a mother, this is one of the best things I could hear and one of the worst. I told her I was so very proud of her, that I was happy and that I would love and support her no matter what, that she was welcome to bring friends and dates and that my home is a safe place to stay. I had to resist the urge to tear up; I've known for months after listening to her talk about boys and her female friends, after watching the way she touches and watches her best friend and after watching the obvious discomfort she feels when people talk about boy-girl relationships.

She asked me what a transsexual was three weeks ago, and how to tell if someone was a dyke or not. I told her it's the sort of thing that is not always obvious, that she's best off getting to know people. And to always, always address people like the way they're dressed, because to do anything else is to try and deny them the thing that they are.

I'm so fucking happy I could cry. I reached out to touch her head and stroke her hair, and told her I like girls, too. That's it's okay.

Really, isn't that what every (liberal) parent dreams about? Having a gay child? Sure, the girl may only be "bi" but a mom can hope, right?

I've been waiting for this. I am so honored she told me, that she felt safe enough to tell me and ask for my support. I think I'm going to have to throw her a little party. My sweet baby, my long, tall, blonde smarty. My brave girl. God, she's so brave.

That's not the only reason I want to cry, though. As her mother, I cannot let her leave the conversation without telling her to be careful who she talks to about it. I cannot shield her utterly from the rejection she will get from her grandparents, the way that the family will draw back and treat her like a stranger, demand that she pretend to be something she cannot. I cannot shield her from the rejection of strangers, from the yelled, 'dyke' that I got in high school to the guys who will demand to watch her have sex, demand that she expose herself to them and try to connive or coerce her into exposure when she will not. The people that will try to force her to be more normal or threaten her because she is not. I'm trying desperately to come up with a warning that tells her to be careful but does not make her paranoid.

How can I tell her that the people around her, the straight people, the ones who tell her that they are her allies, will often as not refuse to defend her, will refuse her the right to be protected by the law, will turn their heads and walk away because they superstitiously believe, deep in their minds, that she could be un-harassed if she just were a little less flashy?

Oh my sweet baby girl, it is not a nice world out there. How can I make you safe? God, baby, anything out there listening, this is my baby, my beautiful girl. Make her safe. Please, god, please anything, make her able to trust the people around her. Make them safe to trust. I see a shadow on her face when she tells me, a tightening. She tells me, already, that she knows she cannot tell many people. She cannot tell family but me. Please let that shadow be nothing but my imagination. Let her not have already heard the litany: sick, evil, queer, bitches, need a good dicking. Hell, we're all going to hell.

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe the efforts of GLBT activists, the efforts of allies and of people who care will make it possible for her to never have someone threaten to beat the gay out of her. I'm hiding my tears, hiding my fears, hiding the words I type from her because I want her to be happy. I will be there when she gets harassed, be there when she is rejected and I will be ferocious. This is my baby, world, and I will not let her be ruined.

What, just what, if her little darling decides she's NOT bi. Or gay. What if (GOD FORBID) she's straight?!?

Well, I'm sure mommy will still love her. Even if she is a tad disappointed.

The problem with McCain

As spelled out by Time Magazine's letters to the editor:

Radio mouth Rush Limbaugh blasted Senator John McCain for "getting things done by sitting down with Democrats". Is it any wonder that our political environment is so divisive and partisan? I won't vote for McCain, but if there is one thing I like about him, it is that he can put partisanship aside and team up with Democrats to get something done ....

I'm glad this Democrat likes McCain, but does it really matter since he's not going to vote for him? Another reader:

Michael Kinsley suggested that the Republicans will nominate a presidential candidate admired more by the opposition than by our GOP. I am a Democrat and I greatly admire the courage and mettle that McCain exhibited as a soldier in captivity. But admiring a man for who he is and admiring a man for his policies are two different things.

So, I take it that's another no vote? But perhaps this next guy is gonna reward us for nominating a man the Democrats like?

KInsley is so right. After all the chicken hawks we've had in the current Administration, how dare those dastardly Republicans nominate a man who did not avoid fighting in his generation' war and wound up serving time in a POW camp? Knowing first-hand that war is indeed hell, McCain would probably not deploy troops until he has explored all other options. No wonder the right-wing nuts are incensed. Why, I might vote Republican myself for the first time in 32 years. Those Republicans are so devious.

I'm not gonna count on that last writer's vote.

I'm just tickled that the liberals claim to like our nominee, but fail to see why it matters. Do they care whether or not we like Obama or Clinton? Because, you know, we don't. Are they going to cross over and vote for McCain? No. The media drove much of McCains surge in the primary, because they liked him, or because they knew the conservatives didn't. He's a weak candidate, and the only option he has for winning is for the Democrats to screw-up their nomination.

Which, isn't exactly out of the realm of possibility.