Hypocrite or Christian?

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Ever hear of Rev. Donald Wildmon? Well, every gay man and woman should learn about him. He is rich, powerful, dangerous, and a Christian. For several years, this Christian man has waged a war against homosexuality and a whole lot more.

Rev. Donald Wildmon, of the extremist Christian group American Family Association, has said he won't rest until homosexuality is criminalized in every state of the Country. In 2000, Wildmon called for the arrest of openly gay Republican Congressman Jim Kolbe for violation of the Arizona sodomy laws. His argument was that since Kolbe admits to being gay, he obviously has broken the law and should be jailed for doing so.

And now Wildmon wants to boycott Pepsi for openly supporting the gay community within their own organization and out in the public. He wants them punished with hopes to running them out of business. To his horror, Pepsi has been giving tolerance training to its management and employees.

Pepsi also openly supports Gay Pride events in various cities. For this, Wildmon has convinced thousands of his followers to boycott Pepsi until they agree to stop supporting the gay community.

He has also called for a 2 month boycott of The Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy (all owned by the same organization). He claims they have refused to use the word "Christmas" in their holiday ads, and believes they should be punished for recognizing other religious holidays that occur around the same time as Christmas; such as Hanuka and Kwanzaa.

Again, he has manipulated thousands of people to punish the company, the employees and their families by boycotting these stores through the holiday season. How very Christian of him.

What I find truly amazing about the whole thing is that the founder of The GAP, Donald Fisher, is Jewish! Rev. Donald Wildmon wants to FORCE a Jewish businessman to exclusively advertise to the Christian community! How ridiculous is that?

The GAP has often used the words "Christmas" in their advertising and marketing, but they more often advertise a Season filled with a number of Holidays. The GAP even sells shirts that read, "Christmas 2009" printed across the chest. But that isn't enough for this small-minded, self-centered, power-thirsty, religious fanatical hypocrite. He wants them to advertise exclusively to the Christian community. Anything less, and he considers it an insult to God and Christ.

I guess he has forgotten that Christ, according to the bible, is King of the JEWS...not King of the Christians!

And obviously this man would rather concentrate on creating a frenzy within his followers than educating them on the origins of Christmas. He knows there isn't a profit to be made unless he can tap into his followers basic fears. Heaven forbid should his followers know the origins of the holiest of their holy holidays!

No one (least of all Wildmon) knows on what day Christ was born. From the biblical description, most historians believe that his birth occurred in September, approximately six months after Passover. One thing they agree on is that it is very unlikely that Jesus was born in December, since the bible mentions shepherds tending their sheep in the fields on that night. This is quite unlikely to have happened during a cold Judean winter. So why do we celebrate Christ’s birthday on December the 25th?

The answer lies in the pagan origins of Christmas. In ancient Babylon, the feast of the Son of Isis was celebrated on December 25. Partying, gluttonous eating and drinking, and gift-giving were traditions of this feast.

It is in ancient Rome that the tradition of caroling was born. The Mummers were groups of costumed singers and dancers who traveled from house to house entertaining their neighbors. From this, the Christmas tradition of caroling was born.

In northern Europe, many other traditions that we now consider part of Christian worship were begun long before the participants had ever heard of Christ. The pagans of northern Europe celebrated their own winter solstice, known as Yule. Yule was symbolic of the pagan Sun God being born, and was observed on the shortest day of the year. As the Sun God grew and matured, the days became longer and warmer. It was customary to light a candle to encourage the sun to reappear next year. Yule logs were burned in honor of the sun.

Mistletoe was considered a sacred plant, and the custom of kissing under the mistletoe began as a fertility ritual. Hollyberries were thought to be a food of the gods.

The tree is the one symbol that unites almost all the northern European winter solstices. Live evergreen trees were often brought into homes during the harsh winters as a reminder to inhabitants that soon their crops would grow again. Evergreen boughs were sometimes carried as totems of good luck and were often present at weddings, representing fertility. The Druids used the tree as a religious symbol.

In 350AD, Pope Julius I, declared that Christ’s birth would be celebrated on December 25th. It is common knowledge that he was trying to make it as painless as possible for pagan Romans to convert to Christianity. The new religion was easier to accept knowing that their feasts would not be taken away from them.

Wildmon considers his organization a "Christian organization promoting the biblical ethnic of decency in America society..." Which I find interesting, since America society has always been, and always will be, made up of a variety of religious beliefs.

Wildmon hides behind his freedom of speech...but he uses his freedom of speech to intrude upon another man's Freedom of Religion.

And to further demonstrate this man's hypocrisy, I invite you view his website: http://www.afa.net/

In the upper left corner of the page, you'll notice a rotating marquee with different topics. Look for the "Naughty and Nice" retailers article. Click on the "Visit Our Store" button at the bottom of that advertisement. While reading the article, you'll notice they are scrutinizing businesses for encouraging materialism. The AFA wants its members to take action in reminding the world that Christmas is about more than materialistic possessions. How do they want you to do that? They want you to BUY their buttons by the hundreds to hand out to all your friends, family, neighbors, church members and anyone else you meet. Depending on how many you buy, you'll be paying .55 to .90 per button. That certainly isn't selling them at cost, which means the AFA is collecting a profit for these buttons.

Now here is the manipulating part: These buttons don't cost you anything. It is a "suggested donation" for these buttons. Although, there is no ability to opt out of the suggested donation. You can donate more, but you can't donate less than their "suggested" amount.

Just another manipulative, greedy religious leader sucking hard earned money from people who desperately want to belong and believe.

I intend to openly and purposefully buy Pepsi products. And, even though I have never shopped at The Gap, Old Navy or Banana Republic, I will be a customer throughout the Holiday Season.

Happy Holidays everyone.


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Let's Be Honest

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Let's be honest...you don't love me. Not really. Not if you're protesting or voting to keep me from having equal rights.

I could care less about the word "marriage." I have always believed it is a mistake for the Gay Community to fight so hard and spend so much money for equality in marriage. The real equality comes from receiving the same protections as any heterosexual couple. Other than that, I don't give a damn what word describes it.

I've recently read that I'm "sexually confused" "immoral" "perverted" that I "participate in degrading and perverted behavior" and that there is no "compromise with...perverts." All of these comments came from members of the mormon church; which, I find ironic, since their original founding leaders were sexual predators and pedophiles...what else do you call it when you marry dozens of girls (some of which are still married to other men) and have sexual intercourse with 14 years old? And you convince them that their Eternal Salvation relies on their accepting the marriage. And if these marriages were truly the will of God, why did Joseph Smith hide these marriages from his original wife, Emma?

Those are ugly words. And I'd like to set the record straight. I have nothing against members of the mormon faith as a whole. But I do have issues with their leadership and those bigots that hide behind their religion. But that goes for every religion...not just the mormons. I despise watching good people being manipulated and used to preserve the lavish lifestyle of a few greedy men.

The mormon leaders should be severely admonished by their followers for releasing a statement in support of the anti-discrimination laws recently passed in Salt Lake County. The mormon church has no more right to approve of anti-discrimination laws than they have the right to try and influence passage of laws that will discriminate. It is actually disgusting to me that the mormon leaders want to pick and choose which discrimination laws should be in place.


While speaking to my niece, I realized some of these people don't even understand the reasons that gay people are fighting for rights. And let's face it, some simply won't care and will refuse to admit that gays deserve any rights, since, in their minds, we are perverse, immoral, sinners, and "the greatest threat to America."


Never-the-less, I'd like to list some of the reasons we are fighting. This is directed to young and impressionable minds who are on the verge of thinking for themselves; so that they might have a chance of understanding what the fuss is all about:


Before I begin, I'd also like to point out that Michael and I have "been together" for 12 years. Longer than most marriages in the U.S., since the average length of a marriage in this Country is 7.4 years. So what does that say about our commitment verses opposite-sex marriages?

Here's the list:

1. Hospital Visitation.

- I do not have the right to visit Michael if he is hurt, or becomes sick, and is admitted into
into the hospital. A married spouse has the ultimate right of visitation and can even prevent parents and siblings from visiting.


2. Death Decisions.

-I do not have the right to have any say about his final wishes in regards to life support and
burial. A married spouse, under normal circumstances, has the only say in this matter.


3. Inheritance.

- If Michael were to die, his estate does not automatically transfer to me as it would with
a married couple. I would have to inherit it, and his estate would be subject to Estate Tax.
The IRS would calculate his entire estate as a whole figure and collect the tax before I
had any claim to it. This includes his half of any property, such as our home, we own
together.

- The estate of a married couple automatically transfers to the spouse without being subjected to any Estate Tax.

4. Funeral Leave.
- Recently, we had a death in the family. Michael could not attend because he is not legally related and has no right to funeral leave. I was asked by several if he could just take vacation...my response is why should he have to?

5. Retirement Funds.

- If I were to die, Michael has no claim to my retirement. He receives no survival benefits. His income will be reduced significantly.

6. Medical Insurance.

- I can not add Michael onto my medical insurance. Even if I worked for a company that
provides "partner benefits" and could add him, the law states the premiums we pay
towards his insurance is considered Income and is supposed to be declared by him as such,
which means he then has to pay income taxes on the Medical Insurance premiums.


So, you see. As a committed couple, who has survived longer than most married couples in this Country, we are not treated as equals. So how can you possibly expect me to believe that you love me or you support me...when you are trying to keep me from achieving equality in the security of my relationship.

Let the heterosexual couples keep the word "marriage" for themselves. So what!? I just want assurances that Michael is safe and secure if I'm not able to be here to help.


...

Poem: I Am An Abomination

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I Am An Abomination


I refuse to believe that

I can be accepted in this world

I realize this may be a shock, but

"All men are created equal"

Is a lie, and truthfully

There are reasons to fear and hate homosexuals

Gay chldren should be taught in the school system

That they are not important; understanding

Popular religious opinions

Will denounce

Children

With the love and support of two dads

But not now. I'll tell you this

Once upon a time

"Family" referred to blood relations

The reality is

This was conceived in the main stream

Experts agree

Gays are responsible for the worst disease known to mankind

I do not accept that

I will live in a Country filled with compassion

Tommorrow

Murdering homos will be justified and tolerated

No one can convince me that

Gays should be living free from prejudice and harm

Soon, the legal community will establish that homosexuals are a threat to our moral foundation

It is foolish to presume that


There Is Reason To Hope


.now read it from bottom to top...

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Poem - Perfectly Dirty Fingers

Pointing perfectly dirty fingers

The message was simple and clear

I'll get you you'll be mine, still lingers


Beautiful and flawless unlike other mingers

Its rotted smells and stinging smiles

Pointing perfectly dirty fingers


Unmovable weight and nasty zingers

Penetrating breath in my ear

I'll get you you'll be mine, still lingers


Perched on my dresser like a sexual swinger

Laughing at the teenaged prize

Pointing a perfectly dirty finger



Unexpecting Angelic gunslingers

Its dark revelation confluent and pure

I'll get you you'll be mine, still lingers



Forty years later I'm a dead ringer

The message is simple and clear

Pointing perfectly dirty fingers

I got you you're now mine, still lingers


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Poems: FAG & LESBIAN

Face down in the snow dying
At peace knowing
God wants him, at least


Looking for tolerance
Expecting bigotry
Spritual isolation
Banished by a quorum walking
Inside a holy square
And yet she remains
Needing only God's approval

H.R. 2647 Hate Crime Bill?

"My client admits he beat that young man almost to death; but he did it because he was gay, not because he was a Mormon. Therefore, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you can't vote to punish him as you would if he beat him because he was Mormon."

In a perfect world, we wouldn't need The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr Act to enforce stiffer penalties for Hate Crimes. But, unfortunately, we don't live in a perfect world. We live in a world with a lot of people who are full of hate, anger, and ignorance. And every day babies are born to parents who will teach them to grow up hating anyone different than themselves and being angry because no one else will do anything about it.

I'm hearing a lot of angry people talking about the "Hate Crime Bill" that Congress passed yesterday and that the President will certainly sign. Two points have been brought up: Why do we need to create more protected classes? and, Why did they "hide" it in another bill?

There are two important issues. The first is we need protected classes because we don't live in a world where everyone abides by the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. If people were tolerant of each other, we wouldn't need any protected classes at all.

Now, let's examine the "hiding" of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr Act in the National Defense Authorization Act.

The National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2647) authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 2010 military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities for the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, to provide special pay and allowances to certain members of the Armed Forces, expand current receipt of military retirement and VA disability benefits to disabled military retirees, and for other purposes.

Here is how the Utah politicians voted:

Senator Bennett voted no,
Senator Hatch did not vote,
Congressman Chaffetz voted no,
Congressman Matheson voted yes,
Congressman Bishop voted no.


Before the vote, I wrote to both the Senator's and asked why they opposed H.R. 2647. They both responded in writing:

Senator Bennett stated he opposed the Bill because of the Matthew Shepard Act was included. He wrote that the current laws were working well, so why create new ones.

Senator Hatch stated he opposes any law that creates protected classes. He wrote that by creating protected classes, we are only creating more hate. So I asked him if he would then support legislation to remove other protected classes such as race and religion. He refused to answer. I don't disagree with his not wanting to create protected classes...hell, I'd love to live in a world where we didn't need them! But now, at a time when Hatch is under a lot of scrutiny, he doesn't vote on this issue even though he is in Washington and could have voted.

So both Utah Senators and two of the Utah Congressmen did not vote on the National Defense budget because of their feelings towards gays?

One can not "blame" the Democratic party for hiding this Act in H.R. 2647. This Act has been voted on 5 times, and each time it has been included in a military bill. In 2007, it was included in the Defense Authorization Bill, which was passed by the Senate, which was not controlled by the Democrats at the time. The Act was dropped after President Bush stated he would veto the bill.

In fact, H. R. 2647 has a number of Acts included with it, to include: The Part-Time Reemployment of Annuitants Act of 2009, sponsored by Republican Susan Collins and The Victims of Iranian Censorship Act, co-sponsored by Republican John McCain and Lindsey Graham and others. Neither of these Acts have anything to do with the military budget, but I don't hear Congressmen Chaffetz and Bishop citing these Acts as reasons for voting "no" to the bill. But, both Congressmen cited the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr Act as the reason they opposed the Bill.

I have to wonder... if it weren't for the gays, what would the religious conservatives be spending their energy and money on?

Are President & First Lady Obama victims of Racism?

Is President & First Lady Obama a victim of racism?

One could certainly make an argument for it.

First off, let me say that I personally think every person on Earth is a racist. BUT, I believe there is a complete spectrum of racism. To the far left of the spectrum are the people who understand that racism exists but they have such an evolved self-awareness that they are innately incapable of allowing any personal and/or professional decisions be influenced by any bias. To the far right are the people who are acutely aware of every difference in every individual and purposefully make all personal and/or professional decision based on their selective prejudice. And in between the two extremes are all the rest of the people who consciencelessly, or subconsciencelessly, allow some decisions to become effected by some bias.

I saw a headline in the last day or two which read , "From Slavery to the White House: The first lady's complex roots." I shook my head in dismay. The article was nothing interesting or dynamic. There was a 6 year old slave girl torn from her family. Raped as a young teenager and produced a child; thus began the road to the White House. I found the article distasteful and unnecessary.

Every other President and First Lady have been presented with their genealogy. Michelle Obama was presented with her "slave roots". Why haven't we read any articles about any modern day President's ancestry involved in the slave trade? Could it be that they were white and the slave trade is viewed from a totally different perspective because of that?

With 2 President Bush's, we didn't see articles about their "Nazi roots". It is a documented fact that the Bush fortune was made by doing business with the Nazis. Their money was even frozen by the government for profiting from selling wares to the Nazi Army. But I never heard Rush Limbaugh mention that little fact. No, but Rush has spent plenty of air time discussing how President Obama won the Nobel Prize for "emasculating America".


Our President has won the Nobel Peace Prize. Why can't we be proud as a nation for it? Instead, scores of Americans are trashing him and the Nobel Prize Committee. I saw an on-line poll that showed 62% (212,675 votes) thought "No, he has no significant accomplishments." People seem to be freaked out that he was nominated just 2 weeks after he took over the Oval Office. Well, they way I see it is that long before he took the Oath of Office, Obama's influence reached the world. At a time when people in this Country, and the world, needed it, Obama provided a calm, rationale, attitude towards some very terrifying circumstances. Obama has done more to improve the U.S. standing in the world in 8 months than in 8 years under President Bush. The United States hasn't been "emasculated" by any standards; we have begun regaining our leadership role in the world.

There are plenty of people in this Country that believe China, Iran, North Korea and a cast of other countries should be pressured into playing nice with the rest of the world. But when it comes to the United States, they believe we should thumb our noses at anyone who insinuates we should fall in line with everyone else...they think everyone else should be falling in line with us. That is a very arrogant and hypocritical attitude. If we expect other Countries to cooperate within the world, then we'd better be leading by example.

Why are people all of the sudden afraid of this man? Fear...that's what it boils down to. The sale of guns and ammo have skyrocketed since his election. What are they afraid of? and why?

Of all of the things Michelle Obama has accomplished in her life, I think journalists can find something more interesting to write about; or should every Black American that ever accomplishes something great expect to read about their "slave roots" on the front page?