Boehner Shows His Ohio Education

Guest Post: The Bobster

Over ten years ago, the funding for Ohio’s public educational system was deemed unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court.

It seems to me that a source of funding would be a one half of one percent sales tax statewide on any product that exchanges hands. This would include homes, cars, boats, dishes, jeans, and diapers. This seems a fair way so that the tax would not be seen as regressive, in that all income levels would pay by what they buy.

I came upon this idea after seeing Rep. John Boehner speaking, on the capitol steps in Washington D.C., at yesterdays republican “Press Conference”/Rally.

Rep. Boehner is the highest ranking Republican in the House of Representatives and is from Ohio.

While holding a copy of the Constitution in his hand, and touting that he was reading from the Constitution, he quoted the preamble to that document. Unfortunately for him, he quoted about “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” which is in the Declaration of Independence.

What does this have to do with education? Rep. Boehner went to a private school.

While growing up, I always thought that a private school education meant that one ended up smarter and with a better chance to get ahead in life. Well……… So it is now obvious that something must be done for the public schools so the students do not end up looking like a dunderhead on television.

Ten years and no progress.

What a lesson our state government must be ashamed of sending to the citizens of Ohio.

Hate Crime Bill Is Violation Of Free Speech…Huh?

In todays Letters To The Editor, Warren Tribune Chronicle, a reader, Jim Koehler, stated he believes that the new “Hate Crimes” legislation (Matthew Shepherd Bill) was a violation of “free speech” and thereby un-Constitutional.

This same argument was expressed by 17th Congressional Democrat Candidate Dan Moadus in an email to Dare To Dream readers which was published in a September 10, 2009 DTD posting.

I do believe that all violent crimes are “hate crimes” and there seems there shouldn’t have to be a need to distinguish between crimes, but there is, and that’s where my agreement with Moadus and Koeler breaks down.

The Matthew Shepard Act is a measured and a very necessary action to address the problem of violence against people based upon actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability.

Many criminal statues, including the murder statue, are what are referred to as “specific intent laws.” The courts are in the business of determining one’s “intent”; that is, what’s in one’s mind. It is a fundamental part of criminal prosecution. Worst of any part of the answer is that Mr. Moadus and Mr. Koehler feel it’s alright to hate, it’s perfectly acceptable and they have a Constitutional “right” to act upon that hate, which they feel is protected.

How sad and very frightening.

It Was More Than A Heart In The Name: Queen Of Hearts, Warren Ohio

October has always been an exciting month in the Fott-Hand household.

First it is our anniversary month and secondly we opened the Queen of Hearts Tavern on October 23rd, 1997. It would have been 12 years ago this weekend.

The little bar on Pine Avenue, Warren Ohio, was not the most palatial of “pubs” but it was homey and intimate.

We were very fortunate to surround ourselves with many a talented person who gave much in the  building and construction, plus others with the growth and success of that “little” business. DJ Ron with the music and advertising, Tom Brooks as singer/host, lead bartender John and of course Bobbie with the back bar expertise to name a few. So many other talented people, to numerous to mention here, gave so much of their time and energy, in the successful 9 years the “Queen” was on Pine.

At first, The “Queen”, was to have an Alice and Wonderland decor but as with most “spiritual” adventures, the “Q” developed it’s own personality and life. It seemed right from the removal of the buzzer off the door, The “Queen” was different.

In the beginning we used to state in our ads that “Everyone was a Royal Guest” but that quickly gave way to “More than a Heart in the Name”, as over the years the “Q” became actively involved with many local charities and food banks.

Other slogans followed, “Where Everyone has a Title: Friend”, “Put Your Q On”, “An Alternative from the Ordinary,” but it always came back to “More than a Heart in the Name.”

Over the 9 years that “little” bar operated, it’s patrons, friends and supporters gave nearly 40thousand dollars to local charities along with almost 3thousand pounds of food to local food banks. It raised more money for the Trumbull County Senior Mobile Meals program than any other business in Trumbull County and that was done two years in a row.

From Fairhaven School to the Trumbull County Area Aids Task Force, from the Red Cross to the YWCA, not a local charity was excluded from the “Q’s” community involvement.

The Queen of Hearts believed, as did the ghost of Jacob Marley in the Christmas Carol, “Humankind should have been my business…”

One of the best ad campaigns developed by DJ Ron was for Halloween but at the “Q” it quickly became “HalloQueen.” This was one of the busiest weekends of the year for the bar and always proved to be a “Bootiful” event, tho I can’t say that for many of the costumes.

So this weekend we pause and remember the “Queen.” Not just a “gay bar” but a business that strove to be more than a group of people, bigger than its small size,  “Inclusive not  Exclusive” and all who work there, drank there, played there and in general made so many memories for Bob and myself.

20 Years Together And We Don’t Count In The Declaration Of Independance’s “All” And The 2010 Census

As I was growing up, there was a plaque that always hung by the front door for all those who visited our house to see. It had a simple message, “A family is a circle of caring: strong and eternal, perfect unto itself.”

Today, my life partner and myself celebrate our 20th Anniversary together and that same plaque hangs by our front door.

Bob and I have always felt that we are a family. Maybe not in society’s “traditional” definition but as a “circle of caring” and I might add full of love.

We have a house, jobs and pets. Of course our pets to us are family members, but we do believe that every family feels the same connection with their “pets”, making us no different than our neighbors.

Our struggles, during these bad economic times, are the same as everyone else.

Taxes, food prices, gas prices, utilities and mortgage affects us like all our neighbors, but the difference is that we do not have the “rights” that those other “families” have.

During the 2004 17th Ohio Congressional Democrat Caucus, that elected me as an Alternate-Delegate to the Convention, I asked a simple question, “I stand before you as an openly gay male who served four years in the military during Viet Nam defending this nation and it’s citizens rights, who is defending mine?”

I have been very blessed that Bob has, for 20 years, been my “rock.” Stood by me in good times but most of all he has stood by me, even closer, in the bad ones.

I jokingly have told political friends that “Bob may not always see my dream, or vision, but he supports me through the fog.” His wise consul through all our struggles has been invaluable, and the perfect “mate” for this “Irish Rough” and “Child of the Sixties.”

As I was preparing to write this post I suggested to Bob a title, he paused, and then gave me “Twenty Years Together and We Still Don’t Count.” This of course in reference to the upcoming 2010 census which will not count same-sex couples living together. Just another example of how LGBT couples, and the community in general, are relegated to second class citizens.

The joy of our 20th Anniversary is dampened with the loss of our dear Sofia over a year ago. She weather’d the storms with Bob and myself through 16 years. She is sorely missed, but with year old Shadow, plus cats Snowball, Moses and Teatro, the family is completed, “A family is a circle of caring: strong and eternal, perfect unto itself.”

On a personal note from myself to Bob:

No matter if the sun don't shine
Or if the skies are blue
No matter what the end is
My life began with you

*[This post was written (then stored as a draft until today) before the untimely death of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately. Our condolences are sent to Stephen's life partner, Andrew Cowles, and to the other members of Boyzone.]

Some Facts You Should Know:

*There are an estimated 3.1 million people living together in a same-sex relationships in the United States.

*Fifteen percent of these same-sex couples live in rural settings.

*One out of three lesbian couples is raising children. One out of five gay male couples is raising children.

*Between 1 million and 9 million children are being raised by gay, lesbian and bi-sexual parents in the United States.

*At least one same-sex couple is raising children in 96 percent of all counties nationwide.

*Same-sex couples live in 99.3 percent of all counties nationwide.

*The highest percentage of same-sex couples raising children live in the South.

*Nearly one in four same-sex couples include a partner 55 years old or older, and nearly one in five same-sex couples is composed of two people 55 or older.

*More than one in 10 same-sex couples include a partner 65 years old or older and nearly one in 10 same-sex couples is composed of two people 65 or older.

*The states with the highest numbers of same-sex senior couples are also the most popular for heterosexual senior couples: California, New York and Florida.

Currently in the United States, same-sex couples in long-term, committed relationships pay higher taxes and are denied basic protection and rights granted to married heterosexual couples. Among them:

*Hospital visitation. Married couples have the automatic right to visit each other in the hospital and make medical decisions. Same-sex couples can be denied the right to visit a sick or injured loved one in the hospital.

*Social Security benefits. Married people receive Social Security payments upon the death of a spouse. Despite paying payroll taxes, gay and lesbian partners receive no Social Security survivor benefits resulting in an average annual income loss of $5,528 upon the death of a partner.

*Immigration. Americans in bi-national relationship are not permitted to petition for their same-sex partners to immigrate. As a result, they are often forced to separate or move to another country.

*Health Insurance. Many public and private employers provide medical coverage to the spouses of their employees, but most employers do not provide coverage to the life partners of gay and lesbian employees. Gay employees who do receive health coverage for their partners must pay federal income taxes on the value of the insurance.

*Estate taxes. A married person automatically inherits all the property of his or her deceased spouse without paying estate taxes. A gay or lesbian taxpayer is forced to pay estate taxes on property inherited from a deceased partner.

*Retirement savings. While a married person can roll a deceased spouse’s 401 (k) funds into an IRA without paying taxes, a gay or lesbian American who inherits a 401 (k) can end up paying up to 70 percent of it in taxes and penalties.

*Family leave. Married workers are legally entitled to unpaid leave from their job to care for an ill spouse. Gay and lesbian workers are not entitled to family leave to care for their partners.

*Nursing homes. Married couple have a legal right to live together in nursing homes. Because they are not legal souses, elderly gay or lesbian couples do not have the right to spend their last days living together in nursing homes.

*Home protection. Laws protect married seniors from being forced to sell their homes to pay high nursing home bills; gay and lesbian seniors have no such protection.

*Pensions. After the death of a worker, most pension plans pay survivor benefits only to a legal spouse of the participant. Gay and lesbian partners are excluded from such pension benefits.

Rush: Gives “Aid And Comfort” To Our Enemies

During the 2004 Presidential campaign, we heard a lot from the conservative movement about, “If you’re against the war, you’re against the troops,” thereby meaning that you also supported “the terrorist” and were un-American.

Boy how a short few years have changed their (conservatives) views.

I must admit to being somewhat shocked at yesterday’s news that President Obama had won the Nobel Peace Prize, but I also felt pride and honor as an American. The world has not thought well of our Country these last 8 years and it’s gratifying to see a shift toward us as a Nation and as a World Leader.

This shift was also evident at last months meeting of the UN and the leaders of other nations comments directed towards America. With President Obama’s Administration there has been an obvious, for the better, world shift in opinion of the United States.

With a shift in world opinion has come a shift on the home front and the conservatives attacking all things connected with President Obama and national pride.

The right wing media gleefully sang a song of triumph when Chicago, and America, lost the bid for the 2016 Olympics and then again with the Nobel Peace Prize announcement.

Joe Scarborough started the “anti-America” routine at 6 am with “That’s ridiculous” and it rolled through the conservative Fox News “Goebbels” propaganda machine all day until finally Rush Limbaugh added the “coup de gras.”

I think that everybody is laughing. Our president is a worldwide joke. Folks, do you realize something has happened here that we all agree with the Taliban and Iran about and that is he doesn’t deserve the award. Now that’s hilarious, that I’m on the same side of something with the Taliban, and that we all are on the same side as the Taliban.

So with the final media hammer, Limbaugh, we have the conservative movement supporting the Taliban, Iran and our terrorist enemies.

Where is Rush’s voice “If you don’t support the troops you’re against America?” His comment can not be interpreted any way other than he doesn’t support our forces in “harms way.”

Has the far right media given “aid and comfort” to the Taliban, Iran and terrorist around the world?

AID AND COMFORT – The U.S. Constitution, Article VIII, Section III, declares, that adhering to the enemies of the United States, giving them aid and comfort, shall be treason.

These words, as they are to be understood in the constitution, have not received a full judicial construction. They import, however, help, support, assistance, countenance, encouragement.

I think Rush’s own statement of “…and that we are on the same side as the Taliban” answers the question of his support for the terrorist and against our fighting forces.

To Rush and the other “Goebbelites” from the conservative movement, “Love it or leave it!”

Scarborough: Giggles Then States, “That’s Ridiculous” With Announcement Of President Obama Winning Nobel Peace Prize

I flipped on the TV this morning to watch the news when I landed on MSNBC and Morning Joe with Joe Scarborough.

They were just announcing the winning of the Nobel Peace Prize by President Obama. As Mika made the announcement Scarborough went into a fit of giggles and then blurts out, “That ridiculous.” He then proceeds to run down the President’s qualifications for winning the “Prize”, demeaned the “Prize” and the significance of the award by invoking that “Arafat had won it” and the only reason “Carter and Gore won the Peace Prizes was because they bad mouthed George Bush.”

I’d like to join the voice of Mika who said that Joe should be “Happy for America” with the President’s win.

So in the spirit of this weeks earlier post I say, “Hey Joe, Love it or Leave It!”

Where Has “Love It Or Leave It” Gone?

In the turmoil of the sixties, “love it or leave it” was shouted out from the right against anyone who stood up against the war in Viet Nam and even later directed at those standing against President Bush going to war in Iraqi

Now we have the conservative movement in conflict with their very own patriotism.

No-one held signs “love it or leave it” protesting the organized “Town Hallers” yelling at members of congress.

No-one has told so called “Birthers” to “love it or leave it.” Glenn Beck spews forth his nightly tripe and no-where is heard, “Hey Glenn, love it or leave it.”

Where was the “love it or leave it” protest when Rush Limbaugh uttered that he wanted the “President to fail” and thereby wishing America to fail?

When Congressman Joe Wilson shouted out on the Congressional floor to the President, “You lied”, no one shouted back, “love it or leave it.”

Now we have the gleeful celebration of the far-right in the failure of Chicago, no America, to obtain its bid for the 2016 Olympic Games.

Where is the cry, “love it or leave it?

October: National Coming Out Month And Twenty Years As A LGBT Family

Since 1994, October has been designated National Coming Out Month for the LGBT Community.

For Bob and myself National Coming Out Day, which since 1988, is usually observed October 11th, is a day we call special in our relationship and it gets tied in with October 15th and our Anniversary.

October 11th, 1989, Bob finally “came out” and started to work in a local Akron Ohio bar called Tear-Ez Too.

Four days later on a Sunday afternoon over a glass of wine we met and this October 15th it will have lasted 20 years.

The second most notable, plus the most moving, Coming Out Day was one we observed in Washington DC in October 1996, when the entire AIDS Quilt was displayed on the “Mall”.

Oh we realize that in the listing of “Holidays” these two don’t even rank in the Hallmark Card section for special events but they are “mile stone markers” for us as we daily go about our lives as a “family.”

To all our LGBT “Brothers and Sisters”, Bob and I wish you a day, month and years of Pride, Peace and Love, in fact we wish it for ALL the family of humankind.

Glenn “McCarthy” Beck And Glenn “Elmer Gantry” Beck Are Inter-Changeable

Over the last several months, Glenn “McCarthy” Beck has been seeing “communist” and “socialist” behind every door in President Obama’s White House and Administration.

He’s been sowing the seeds of fear as tho he was an itinerant “hell fire and damnation” pastor at a Sunday night tent revival.

Last night, Glenn “Elmer Gantry” Beck, made the switch as he lashed out with religious fervor. His “anti-Christ” and “end times” Revelation’s rhetoric, trying to tie President Obama, Iran’s Ahmadimejad and the Islam’s “twelvers” together, was well orchestrated and had the feeling of an “old time” gospel hour crusade.

He teary eyed quoted Christian scripture, used many references to God and Christ and pointed out the banning of prayer, and even Christmas carols, in schools and then showed children singing Obama songs and Representative Charlie Rangel praising the President in a working class rally.

His voiced choked as he asked, “When was the last time you sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic” and quoted one line that he touted as “my favorite.”

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,

With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:

As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,

While God is marching on.

Now comes my problem with the charade and I always hesitate to bring someones faith, and their churches beliefs into a debate, but I think it is very important to at this juncture.

Beck has always stated that as a young man it was Mormonism that “saved my life” and turned it “around.”

So what do the Mormons think about Christ as the “Son of God?” According to the Institute for Religious Research:

The Mormon Church teaches that Jesus Christ is our elder brother who progressed to godhood, having first been procreated as a spirit child by Heavenly Father and a heavenly mother; He was later conceived physically through intercourse between Heavenly Father and the virgin Mary.

Mormons also believe that Joseph Smith, The Book of Mormon and the Angel Moroni are ahead of Christ and the Holy Bible. Mormon’s believe that the Holy Bible has been altered to fit what the Roman Catholic Church wanted to use as their “indoctrination” message.

“Elmer Gantry” Beck uses The Book of Revelations to support his end times, President Obama is the “anti-Christ” theory but one can also point to Revelations and say maybe the Mormons are closest to being the “anti-Christ” Church than the President being the “anti-Christ”?

Does the Book of Mormon Violate Revelations 22:18-19 by adding to the Bible?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is often accused of adding more scripture to the Bible, in conflict with Revelation 22:18-19:

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.

“And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

With Glenn Beck morphing from personality to personality, from fear of this to fear of that, we can only guess where he will finally settle, maybe at the right hand of Bill O’Reilly for another “tweedle dee and tweedle dum” session.

Far Right Feels “Big Stick” Arrogance Is Mighter Than “Humble” Diplomacy

This is the second time that I’ve decided to repost a previous post, in fact this is a repost of a repost, that’s how important I feel this issue is for us to discuss.

The first posting was after the President spoke in South America and the repost after his Egypt speech. Now, after his UN address, I feel the need to discuss the “far-right” and its assertion that we have become soft and that we are weak because other nations respect our President instead of fear him.

Of course President Obama’s speech to the UN was fodder for Glenn “McCarthy” Beck and the “gang” at Fox News. Rush “Limburger” Limbaugh even got in the act with telling the President he should “shut up” and be quiet as tho he believed the President was a child “who should be seen but not heard.”

One final note. Today, in the Letter To The Editor column of the Warren Tribune-Chronicle, is a letter that advocates a return to the “Cold-War” mentality of “bigger, better and mightier” is the only way to achieve supremacy over the world and others. The fear mongering is endless.

The following is the repost:

Even before President Obama spoke at Cario University this morning, many on the far-right were criticizing and belittling the speech. Mitt Romney even went on TV last night to take his shots at the speech.

Many far right blogs today have the same tone they did when the President went to the South American Conference in April, expounding on the fact we shouldn’t be “humble” and we shouldn’t “apologize”, calling the President the “Apologizer in Chief.”

So with that intro, Dare To Dream will post our Op-Ed from this past April since I find that it holds true today.

Repost: Pat Buchanan was livid, as he spoke on Hardball last night, about the President sitting and listening to South American leaders berate America at last weeks conference.

Hannity; Limbaugh; O’Reilly and Beck went on and on about how degrading it was to see the most powerful man and the most powerful nation in the world made to look so bad.

Since the “far right” enjoys quoting scripture for their stand against such things as “gay marriages,” let me take a page out of their play book and quote scripture as seen in foreign policy, plus dealing with the world.

Proverbs 16:18, Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.

Proverbs 11:2, When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom.

Jeremiah 49:16, As for the terror of you, The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, O you who live in the clefts of the rock, Who occupy the height of the hill. Though you make your nest as high as an eagle’s, I will bring you down from there.

Over the last eight years America has been good at being arrogant and not listening or talking with those who have a contrary opinion and philosophy.

Where has it got us?

Watching a President act like a statesman was refreshing and comforting.

James 4:6, But he gives all the more grace. And so he says, God opposes the arrogant but gives grace to the humble.

Matthew 23:12, Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

In the past, arrogance, pride and our “love it or leave it attitude” has gotten us into wars plus being hated throughout the world and even at home it has divided us as a people.

Matthew 5:9, How blessed are those who make peace, because it is they who will be called God’s children.

Luke 6:35, But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

To the “far right,” practice what you preach for your hypocrisy and arrogance is showing.

Saturday Morning Reflection

As I posted yesterday, Autumn (Fall) brings out the poetic side of my, no pun intended, nature. My Mom use to say that she saw me being happy as a “13th century monk, donkey in hand and making his rounds through the English countryside, communing with nature and trying to bring about a little goodness.” The older I get, the more I think she had been right. So in the “spirit” of that, might have been monk, here’s another poem for a Fall morning.

Autumn’s Reflection

Winter’s cold touch
lies hidden in the months to come,
yet in the gusts of Autumn
one senses the icy presence
lurking near.

Soon scattered leaves become a quilt
of many hue’s in a mosaic splendor.
Acorns fall upon the ground
as squirrels reap the harvest
and prepare for times ahead.
Chipmunks hurry to and fro,
their cheeks puffed full
and everywhere the eye beholds
color to adorn the majesty
of earth.

Soon the gilded trees
will stand bare to the breath
of Winter.

Soon the rushing winds
will turn to howls and drifts of snow,
but for now,
it’s Autumn,
that season which gives us pause
to reflect upon the months past
and the few to come.

*You can find my complete manuscript of poetry at All Alone In A Crowd

Fall, The Poetic Time Of Year

Fall is a magical time of year and it seems to bring out the poet in me. Maybe it’s the crispness in the air, the multi colored leaves or the smell of wood fires wisping through the evening breeze.

Nature’s Ballet

There was no fanfare,
No blast of trumpet sounds,
No mighty orator to announce the falling.
Just the simplicity of Autumn’s last leaf
Descending to the hardened earth below.

Falling,

Falling,

Falling,

Till with a quickness of movement,
The bronzed leaf was carried upon the back
Of a guiding breeze across the meadow.
The leaf floated,
As did the magic carpet
In Arabian tales of old.
Every twist, turn and swirl,
A part of nature’s ballet.

*You can read my complete manuscript of poetry at All Alone In A Crowd.

In The Name Of The “Founders” Beck Hijacks Yom Kippur

It appears that Glenn “Joe McCarthy” Beck has hijacked the Jewish Holiday Yom Kippur and is trying to make it a “National day of Fast and Prayer for the Republic.”

Beck in a “tweet” on September 19th stated: “Sept 28. Lets make it a day of Fast and Prayer for the Republic. Spread the word. Let us walk in the founders steps.”

Aaron Keyak, Press Secretary for the National Jewish Democratic Council, has given three reasons why he thinks Beck made this move. You can read Mr. Keyak’s reasoning in a post titled Glenn Beck: The Grinch That Stole Yom Kippur.

I was intrigued with Beck’s admonition “Let us walk in the founders steps” especially when there is already an established “National Day of Prayer.”

Dare To Dream readers will remember a post I did on Stephen Waldman’s book Founding Fathers, Founding Faith, which dealt with the pains that the founders took to make sure that there was a distinct separation of church and state. Waldman even points out that Jefferson and Madison resisted the idea of a National Day of Prayer.

There have been several national days of prayer in America even before it was made official in 1952 by President Harry Truman.

The Continental Congress issued a day of prayer in 1775 and President John Adams declared May 9th, 1798 as a day of “solemn humiliation, fasting and prayer.”

It has been mistakenly reported that prayers were conducted at the Constitutional Convention, which adopted the U.S. Constitution but it seems that Benjamin Franklin may have suggested prayer but his own notes recorded that the convention “except for three or four persons, thought prayers unnecessary.” His suggestion to pray was met politely but with some obvious embarrassment and scholars note that the delegates quickly adjourned. So much for following the steps of the “founders.”

Later, Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation for a day of “National prayer and humiliation” to be held the “30th day of April, 1863.”

On April 17, 1952, President Harry Truman signed a bill that proclaimed a National Day of Prayer but in 1988, President Ronald Reagan amended the law decreeing that the National Day of Prayer should be held on the first Thursday of May.

So why is Beck hijacking Yom Kippur when the Nation already has a day of observance for “prayer and fasting”?

Could one of the reason Beck has rejected the traditional day of prayer is because in 2004, Mormons, which Beck is a member, were barred from conducting services during National Day of Prayer ceremonies by the group’s task force chairwoman, Shirley Dobson?

It is equally interesting that Beck invokes the “founders” and their faith when his church believes that the Holy Bible, which the founders would have taken assurance in, has been corrupted by the Catholic Church and is in error. The Book of Mormon is the true book and since the founding fathers were around way before Joseph Smith, and Mormonism, Beck’s call to piety in their name, leaves a lot to question.

So in the name of the “founders” Beck hijacks Yom Kippur, even tho America already has a National Day of Prayer. It will be interesting to see what Beck does with Christmas?

Fox Global News Is Fox “Goebbel” News

Each time I watch the Fox Network I get myself into a frustrated state of wanting to yell at the TV as tho I was a Republican attending a Democrat Congressman’s Town Hall Meeting.

Those who say that they get their “balanced” news from Fox must be using a scale that has been tampered with and the butcher is using a heavy thumb on the right side.

Global News with Fox is surely “Goebbel” News as they push their minions into an obvious class warfare mentality.

As I have often stated on these pages, Glenn “McCarthy” Beck, “Vanity” Hannity and “O’Really” O’Reilly are the modern “Lord Haw Haws” of the far-right.

Of course you have to throw in Rush “Limburger” Limbaugh into that category too as he stinks up the air waves with his “storm trooper” approach.

If these four had their way we would be learning to sing “Amerikaland Uber Allas” while burning books, rounding up gays and purifying the Nation from all undesirables.

Fox, in its effort to leave no “fear” un-mongered, has covered all their bases by reviving the 50’s “Red” scare with an occult Mormon, Glenn “McCarthy” Beck, as its visionary leader.

While one side of Fox screams fascist at President Obama and the left, Beck tearfully cries that there’s a “commie behind every door.”

Beck’s mentor seems to be another Mormon conservative radical that even the far-right distanced themselves from, W. Cleon Skousen.

In a recent post of Salon.com, Alexander Zaitchik wrote of the 9-12 movement, tea baggers and Beck:

In reality, however, the so-called 912ers were summoned to D.C. by the man who changed Beck’s life, and that helps explain why the movement is not the nonpartisan lovefest that Beck first sold on air with his trademark tears. Beck has created a massive meet-up for the disaffected, paranoid Palin-ite “death panel” wing of the GOP, those ideologues most susceptible to conspiracy theories and prone to latch on to eccentric distortions of fact in the name of opposing “socialism.” In that, they are true disciples of the late W. Cleon Skousen, Beck’s favorite writer and the author of the bible of the 9/12 movement, “The 5,000 Year Leap.” A once-famous anti-communist “historian,” Skousen was too extreme even for the conservative activists of the Goldwater era, but Glenn Beck has now rescued him from the remainder pile of history, and introduced him to a receptive new audience.

I fear that this “receptive new audience” will bring about the class warfare I mentioned at the start of this post.

A class warfare so vile and so divisive that we will be forever changed as a Nation.

Sinclair Lewis in his 1935 novel, It Can’t Happen Here, wrote that when “Fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.” I would add, and watching Fox News.

Mary Travers: May Your Voice Still Be Heard, Blowin’ In The Wind

I start off this post lovingly with a joke about Peter, Paul and Mary that I remember from my youth.

One of the stand up comics, during the time of my teenage years, use to refer to the fact that when he heard the name Peter, Paul and Mary, he thought it was” two Franciscans and a Nun.”

For me as one of those idealistic “children of the sixties”, PP&M and their music were an integral part of the idealism of the 60’s and Mary Travers’s voice in solo, or joined with Peter and Paul, bring flashes of that time gone, that time we were to change the world for the better, a time of peace and goodwill.

I first saw PP&M in the Fall of 1964. They were performing a concert in support of LBJ at the University of Kentucky. At the time I was a freshman at a nearby small college and sort of tagged along, not interested in the politics but the music.

I still hear Mary’s voice ringing crystal clear across the audience and remember the chills it brought to my body, soul and mind.

Over the years I collected the album’s, watched the many PBS appearances, especially during the fund drives, taped their Christmas music specials and drifted off into memories that brought joy to my aging spirit.

The next time I got to hear and see Peter, Paul and Mary will always be another high point in my life.

30 years later, I came home from work and my life partner Bob, told me to clean up, get dressed and we were heading to Cleveland for dinner.

I didn’t think much about it, and as I drove the short miles to Cleveland he started to give me directions to our destination.

We soon found ourselves around “Playhouse Square” and found a parking spot. He wist me off out of the car and away we went but not to a restaurant. As we approached the theater he had me close my eyes so I wouldn’t see any promotions, pictures or billboards.

We went in side, and up the stairs to the balcony I stumbled with Bob leading the way.

Soon I was told to open my eyes. Our seats were in the center of the balcony and in the very first row. Wow was my exclamation.

I noticed that many of the audience members were my age and several had brought along what looked like grandchildren.

There on the stage was a three pronged mic stand, two acoustic guitars and a big bass off to the left of center. I turned to question Bob as to who and what, when in came the trio of my youth.

For the next several hours I, along with the majority of audience members, were in tears of joy, laughter and memories. Whether they sat singing along, humming along or just dreaming along, the room was filled with a special warmth.

Speed forward about three years. Again Bob and I got to experience the folk style of PP&M with a Summer concert at Blossom Music Center, in the Valley, outside Akron Ohio. It was another night of joy and memories but under the stars.

My last memories of Peter, Paul and Mary will still be musical but it does come full circle for me and was with politics.

At the LBJ concert I was there because of the music but 40 years later, as an elected Delegate-Alternate to the 2004 Democrat National Convention, I was there because of the politics and the music of PP&M, who performed and supported John Kerry, made that even more than special.

The photo’s in this post were taken by myself as the trio practiced early in the evening before the opening gavel.

As I sat listening to them “warm up” I was transported to my youth and all those years in between. For the majority of my life Peter, Paul and Mary have been there in song, action and spirit.

With yesterday’s passing of Mary Travers another voice has been added to God’s celestial choir and maybe if we listen closely we’ll hear it “Blowin’ in the Wind.”

FAG: Fully Armed Gay

Bob and I have been debating whether we go against our basic dislike for guns and apply for a permit to have and to carry a weapon.

Our discussion has been born out of the fact that we, as a 20 year gay relationship, have no rights and no protection under the law but we do have the right “to bear arms.”

As I researched the material for this post, I found a June 9th 2009 article, in The Washington Independent, which started out with this statement:

One month after successfully tucking an amendment into the credit card reform bill that expanded gun rights, a small number of Senate Republicans are looking at the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act as another chance to score a victory for the Second Amendment. The possible plan — to add an amendment that would allow gun owners to carry their weapons from one state to another in accordance with concealed carry laws. The possible rationale — to defend gay rights.

“It makes sense for a group of people who would be protected by hate crime legislation to support something that would let them defend themselves before or after the crime,” said one Republican Senate aid familiar with the discussions. “It’s relevant, and we want to work together with gay groups to get the message out.”

You can believe that I was amazed when reading that this was being proposed and supported by Republicans.

When I had mentioned to several friends that I was going to write about this subject, I jokingly said that “hell has no fury as an armed gay”, but to my surprise this has been an issue that has been discussed and has a logical base.

When I asked Bob why he felt we should have a permit and weapon he pointed to the fact that his life has been threatened by neighbors, our windows have been shot at, he was almost run over by a neighbor while walking our dog and the many phone threats and mail threats that I have received over the years as a gay candidate and activist.

So without being recognized and protected by law as a family unit, we could defend ourselves (and what we see as family) from those who would do us bodily harm and injury or damage our property.

Dale Carpenter states in his article Gun Rights Are Gay Rights for the Bay Area Reporter, February 14, 2008:

Owning a gun could be one important part of a comprehensive plan for protecting life and property.

Gun ownership might at the very least give peace of mind. And widespread knowledge that many gays are “packing” might give would be attackers second thoughts. Gun rights could be a gay rights issue.

A gay gun rights organization, Pink Pistols, believes that armed gays don’t get bashed. “Self defense with a firearm is a valid and viable method of self defense and protection,” said Gwen Patton, a spokesperson for the group.

If this does go the amendment route, supporters of concealed carry are confident that it would be passed as a part of the “hate crimes bill,” what would happen when the Family Research Council realized that their people were voting for a “gay bill?” A lot of people would be put in an awkward position and it would be fun to watch.

I also don’t think the NRA is ready for rainbow colored Glock gun decals to be placed in the rear window of gay owned cars.

One final point. The next time someone yells “fag,” they might mean Fully Armed Gay.

Dare To Dream Contributor To Launch GLBT Radio Station

Michael Barefield, who often contributes articles to Dare To Dream, has been tasked by GLBTLive with starting and operating an internet radio station which will broadcast nationally. GLBTLive is a recently founded activist group located in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Hampton Roads is Virginia’s largest metropolitan area, consisting of the cities of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News and Chesapeake.

Mike told Dare To Dream, “The station will offer music as diverse as the GLBT community -everything from Bach to Rock, from Blues to Bluegrass and, of course, Top 40 and hot dance tunes. We will also, eventually host some talk shows relevant to the GLBT community and disseminate relevant information as we become aware of it.”

Michael is envisioning the station’s format as being very much like a commercial FM radio station. He says that he is working hard on the production elements necessary to create a professional station.

GLBTLive’s website and GLBTRadio are set to go live at midnight on September 26. They are on the web at http://www.glbtlive.com

For those of you who enjoy Mike’s writing, he has indicated that he will continue to contribute to Dare To Dream as much as possible.

Dare To Dream wishes GLBTLive and Michael our very best in this new and very important endeavor.

Dare To Dream Responds To Candidate Moadus’s Answers On LGBT Issues

Having several days to look at a response to an email I sent out to 14th Ohio District Congressional Candidate Dan Moadus, I would like to respond to his statements.

First let me restate the question: “Sir, Where do you stand on, 1) Hate Crimes Legislation? 2) LGBT Discrimination for Jobs and Housing? 3) DOMA? and 4) Don’t ask, Don’t Tell?”

1. I have been opposed to so called “hate crimes legislation” since its inception in 1990, and certainly its new iteration with the Matthew Shepard bill that extends the protected class to include sexual deviants.
I am opposed to it for more than one reason. First I don’t think any one person’s life is more valuable than any other’s. If someone is murdered, I don’t think the courts should be involved in trying to determine what was in the perpetrators mind. Additionally I think it is a curb on free speech. As cruel as this may sound, I remember when hating someone wasn’t illegal in America, as long as it wasn’t translated into violence or some other illegal action. It was viewed as a logical extension of free speech.

This is the closest in any of the answers that I will come to almost agreeing with the candidate, but only in the statement that I believe all violent crimes are “hate crimes” and there shouldn’t have to be a need to distinguish between crimes, but there is, and that’s where the similarities break down.

The first glaring item that jumps out in this response is the term “sexual deviants” to define homosexuals. This statement alone borders on bigotry as we will see in another response that Mr. Moadus believes “homosexuals” don’t choose their lifestyle but are born gay.

The Matthew Shepard Act is a measured and a very necessary action to address the problem of violence against people based upon actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability.

Many criminal statues, including the murder statue, are what are referred to as “specific intent laws.” The courts are in the business of determining one’s “intent”; that is, what’s in one’s mind. It is a fundamental part of criminal prosecution. Worst of any part of the answer is that Mr. Moadus feels it’s okay to hate, it’s perfectly acceptable.

2. I have always believed that in a free country, people should be free to hire or rent to any one they so choose, and government shouldn’t impose it’s will on these relationships. I have faith enough in Americans to trust that most of them will treat people fairly without being forced to. It really comes down to a freedom issue. And I’ll always opt for freedom.

What about the freedom of an African-American family, or Hispanic family, to have a decent place to live, not just the “right” of the LGBT Community? To think that people will do the right thing without a law to make them, is phenomenally naive and leans towards bigotry since Mr. Moadus is saying that people should be free to discriminate.

When has it ever been the case that regulation isn’t necessary?

People don’t do what’s right or good. This is why we have laws. Let’s do away with murder laws too, shall we? Because most people are not going to kill anyone and for those who wish to, the government should not impose its will upon them.

Even God saw fit to give people “laws”, ten specifically, and what we Christians call the Old Testament and the Hebrews call the Torah, generally.

I want to take a side road at this point. Alan Greenspan, when fed Chairman, trusted the banks to do the right thing, he trusted the markets to regulate themselves and we found out that Government had to step in to protect.

3. I believe that no marriage should be recognized other than a marriage between one woman and one man. I don’t have any ill feelings for gays and lesbians, because I do not believe that they chose their sexual orientation. They certainly can protect their relationships by many other legal means, but it should not include marriage.

On this statement I have to just shout out, “WHAT IS HE TALKING ABOUT!”

What about interracial marriages? They weren’t protected until the late 1960’s. What other legal means could they have used and what other legal means can the LGBT Community use?

As one of our Dare To Dream writers stated after viewing this answer interpreted it to mean, “So even tho you have not chosen to be what you are, you are not entitled to the same rights as I. You are less than me. You were born that way. All men are not created equal. I will always be superior than you.”

4. I think the military should be able to decide what works best for them. If they want to prohibit gays from serving, that’s fine with me. The defense of our Country is far to important to sacrifice for the sake of social engineering.

I feel that Mr. Moadus’s answer on DOMA is basically a “cop out.” As long as there is prejudices, there will be problems with blacks, women and gays in the military. But we have learned that blacks and whites can serve well together, and there is still is racial prejudice, but the integration of the military has not jeopardized national security.

Mr. Moadus may have done a fine job as a Girard City Councilman, especially on several of their financial problems, but as a Congressman we are not impressed and feel his use of the name Democrat is a ruse to garner votes in a “Valley” of people who traditionally have a strong D leaning. There is nothing about his answers to any of our questions which agree with any part of the Democrat Platform.

Ohio Democrat Congressional Candidate: Hate Crimes Bill Protects Sexual Deviants

Recently, I sent out two emails concerning LGBT “rights”. One of the emails was sent to Congressman Tim Ryan and the other to his opponent in the Ohio 17th Congressional District Democrat Primary, Dan Moadus.

The email simply asked:

Sir, Where do you stand on:

1) Hate Crimes Legislation?

2) LGBT Discrimination for Jobs and Housing?

3) DOMA?

4) “Don’t ask, Don’t tell”?

Respectfully,
Tristan Hand.

After sending the emails, I thought it would take a week or two (if I heard at all) for a return answer, I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised when in no time at all I received a reply from candidate Dan Moadus and for that we Thank him.

Hello Tristan,
I am happy to answer your questions.

1. I have been opposed to so called “hate crimes legislation” since its inception in 1990, and certainly its new iteration with the Matthew Shepard bill that extends the protected class to include sexual deviants.
I am opposed to it for more than one reason. First I don’t think any one person’s life is more valuable than any other’s. If someone is murdered, I don’t think the courts should be involved in trying to determine what was in the perpetrators mind. Additionally I think it is a curb on free speech. As cruel as this may sound, I remember when hating someone wasn’t illegal in America, as long as it wasn’t translated into violence or some other illegal action. It was viewed as a logical extension of free speech.

2. I have always believed that in a free country, people should be free to hire or rent to any one they so choose, and government shouldn’t impose it’s will on these relationships. I have faith enough in Americans to trust that most of them will treat people fairly without being forced to. It really comes down to a freedom issue. And I’ll always opt for freedom.

3. I believe that no marriage should be recognized other than a marriage between one woman and one man. I don’t have any ill feelings for gays and lesbians, because I do not believe that they chose their sexual orientation. They certainly can protect their relationships by many other legal means, but it should not include marriage.

4. I think the military should be able to decide what works best for them. If they want to prohibit gays from serving, that’s fine with me. The defense of our Country is far to important to sacrifice for the sake of social engineering.

If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to ask. You will find that I don’t “craft” my answers to solicit votes. I understand that there is a great diversity of views and beliefs, and I certainly can not appeal to everyone. So I always answer people honestly and hope that 51 percent of the folks agree with me. Thank you for taking the time to write to me……….Dan Moadus.

PS: I hope you have taken a peek at my web site http://www.danmoadus.org/

After reading his reply, I must say I wonder why he’s a Democrat?

Dare To Dream will be looking forward to hearing from Congressman Ryan and his answer to our inquiry.

Tomorrow DTD will take a look at Mr. Moadus’s statements and what we feel are inconsistency and issues for debate.

A Call To Action – Health Care Reform And The GLBT Community

By Michael Barefield

It isn’t surprising that with all the GLBT political activist has to be concerned about today, weighing in on the healthcare reform debate hasn’t been at the top of the priority list. Competent, highly qualified men and women are being discharged from our armed forces in droves, because someone asked or someone told or for some other silly reason or for no reason at all. Although we’ve made some real progress, marriage is in the distant future for many committed GLBT couples. Discrimination lurks around every corner. In most states, GLBT people can legally be fired from their jobs solely because of their sexual orientation/gender identification. Physical violence against persons who identify as GLBT remains a serious problem, again, in spite of having made some real progress. The federal government continues to defend (albeit most recently less ardently) the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). There is much about which to be seriously concerned.

That said, I am not an activist, but I feel compelled to speak out, because the debate raging throughout the country now regarding proposed legislation (H.R. 3200) to reform how health care is delivered in the United States is arguably every bit as important as any of the aforementioned issues. The GLBT community is disproportionately and deleteriously affected by the current health care system. My first web log contribution to Our Own, which I will cross post at my good friend, Tristan Hand’s, progressive Ohio Blog, Dare To Dream, is a call to action to the GLBT community to involve yourselves in this debate.

Statistics regarding anything GLBT related are hard to come by. Statisticians can’t even agree on what percentage of the population is gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgendered. There are, however, some interesting studies, dating as far back as 2000, which provide empirical evidence for my statement that the GLBT community is disproportionately negatively affected by the status quo with regard to health care. Search Google’s scholarly article database, for example, for articles by A.L. Diamont, 2000 and Stahl, 2000.

While the myth that the gay community is affluent with much more disposable income than their straight counterparts has served us well over the years, it is a myth. Just look around you. For every affluent member of the community, there are 20 in retail with no health insurance, struggling to make their rent. Those who have acquired HIV, may take advantage of some existing government assistance programs for treating the HIV, but heaven help them if they need knee surgery. Even those who qualify for Disability Social Security must wait two years after the determination to be eligible for Medicare and Medicare doesn’t pay for everything. One needs Part B insurance to cover that which Medicare Part A does not cover and Part D to cover prescription drugs. With a pre-existing condition such as HIV, the premiums for these additional policies will be unaffordable without additional assistance, which is available in some places, but not everywhere.

The GLBT community has every reason to want and, indeed, insist upon reform that will result in universal coverage. Let your voices be heard. Call your representatives in both houses of congress. Do not let a blog comment or Facebook comment from the far right go unchallenged. Share your personal story of how the current health care delivery system has affected you. I would love to see the comments section of this blog fill up with your stories and those of your families. One important reason that I sit now before the keyboard is that I watched my parents bankrupted by my father’s illness and THEY HAD INSURANCE! With 80/20 coverage and the many, many exclusions in the policy, if you become seriously ill, you can be wiped out in a few months or less as they were. Decent, responsible, hard-working people – done.

We must rally our community to help pass this bill (or a reasonably modified version of it) for the sake of our community, our families and for the sake of ALL Americans.

Go Bucks!

Today, for me, starts the Autumn Season, even if it officially  doesn’t start until September the 22nd, for a strange phenomenon happens in our household today, you see one will be able to feel the approaching Winter chill. Oh not because of the outside weather but because it’s college football season and you see, I’m an Ohio State University “Buckeye” fan and Bob’s an Ohio University “Bobcat” fan.

Oh well, the snow will be flying soon and the outside chill will compensate for the frost in doors, especially with a winning season. Go Bucks!

“Let Them Die And Decrease The Surplus Population”

What has happened to civility in the health reform debate? What has happened to our humanity and respect for each other when a woman who is disabled can be shouted down and booed for her concern about health care?

The Republican Party, plus the far right, can now be the Ebenezer Scrooge of Health Care Reform and state: “Are there not work houses and are there not prisons? Let them go there, and if they rather, then let them die and decrease the surplus population.”

Congressman LaTourette: No To A Superhighway And North American Union But Yes To A Lake Erie Ferry To Canada

It was announced on Thursday that a Regional Economic development grant was approved by the Ontario Canada government for the estimate $300,000 Lake Erie Ferry Border Crossing study.

14th Ohio District Congressman Steve LaTourette stated that “This is great news and it’s very important step in the process.”

The Congressman is hopeful that after the study is completed, Grand River, Mentor and Fairport Harbor will be able to come to an agreement with the Ontario government so that the ferry project could move forward.

The ferry project could reach a $550 million investment that would allow six modern high-speed ferry boats to transport semi-trailers, cars and passengers.

With the Congressman vehemently opposing the “Stimulus Package”, that will create 7,600 jobs for the 14th Ohio District, we at DTD are dismayed by his support of this project and as one of our readers stated, when she made us aware of his support, “…there are much more important needs for our area than a $30 million ferry project, that at best would be utilized most likely, knowing that Lake Erie partially freezes 7 to 9 months of the year, how this project even a viable consideration is beyond me. Do we really need to get back in forth to Canada that bad?”

It would also appear that Congressman LaTourette has done a “flip flop” on his previous stand against NAFTA, for he cosponsored a House Resolution blocking a Superhighway and North American Union.

HCR40 was introduced on January 22, 2007, urging disengaging from the NAFTA Superhighway System and the North American Union because these proposals threatened U.S. sovereignty.

“Whereas future unrestricted foreign trucking can act as a conduit for illegal drugs, illegal human smuggling, and terrorist activities; and

Whereas a NAFTA Superhighway System would likely be controlled by foreign management, which threatens the sovereignty of the US:”

Okey now let’s sort this out.

A Superhighway can be used as a conduit for illegal drugs etc, but 6 high speed Lake Erie ferries carrying trucks, cars and passengers, can’t?

A Superhighway threatens the sovereignty of the US but 6 high speed Lake Erie ferries, sponsored by the Ontario Provisional Government of Canada, doesn’t?

Congressman LaTourette: According To Your Own Committee’s Report, You’re Hurting Your District By Saying No To Health Care.

Without much fanfare, Congressman Steve LaTourette, 14th Congressional District of Ohio, came home for the Congressional recess and did his thing, which was low key to say the least.

His Town Hall meetings were held in almost secret, no public listing could be found and most were held at Senior Centers, which seems odd since I will explain later in this post.

One of our Dare To Dream reader was able to get to the Town Hall held in Chardon and voiced her disappointment in that event. You can read her comment at our previous posting on the Congressman’s quote of “…that’s a bullshit question.”

According to a July 2009 report from the Committee on Energy and Commerce, which Congressman LaTourette is a member, “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act would provide significant benefits in the 14th Congressional District of Ohio.”

One wonders why the Congressman is so opposed to such a bill and can the answer be found in those two fliers that arrived in the mailbox in early Spring?

This Committee report is based on an analysis upon the following sources: The Gallup-Healthways Survey (data on the uninsured); the U.S. Census (data on small businesses); the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (data on the Part D donut hole, health care-related bankruptcies (based on analysis of PACER court records), and uncompensated care); and the House Committee on Ways and Means (data on the surtax).

The Committee’s report found the AAHC Act would provide significant benefits in the 14th Congressional District of Ohio: Up to 14,800 small businesses could receive tax credits to provide coverage to their employees; 9,800 seniors would avoid the donut hole in Medicare Part D (Didn’t hear the Congressman tell the Seniors at the Town Halls that one I bet); 1,400 families could escape bankruptcy each year due to unaffordabe health care costs; health care providers would receive payment for $27 million (dollars) in uncompensated care each year and 51,000 uninsured individuals would gain access to high-quality, affordable health insurance and according to the report, 11% of the District is uninsured.

You can find more extensive explanation of each one of those points at the following link.

One last comment on HR3200: The cost of health care reform under the legislation is fully paid for with half through making the Medicare and Medicaid program more efficient and half through a surtax on the income of the wealthiest individuals. The surtax would affect 4,470 households in the district, in other words, the surtax would not affect 98.6% of the taxpayers in the district.

Hmm, seems the Congressman is more concerned about the 1.4% of the district and of course those pharmaceutical companies who paid for those Spring fliers.

“Christians” Rejoice In Senator Ted’s Death

Yesterday morning I received an e-mail from my friend Katie stating that she woke early with her radio on WTAM, Cleveland, and the callers were vicious in their attacks and joy over Senator Ted Kennedy’s death. It disturbed her so much she emailed her feelings to the station.

I then checked out the Warren-Tribune on line and there were the same vicious sentiments being expressed. Many invoking some sort of religious, bible orientated comment with faith-based overtones.

I have a strong spiritual connection to the church, my personal walk and beliefs and I have always found there tends to be more people with “Christian love” outside the church than in it. Obviously “churchy” people are not necessarily religious people.

This morning I was surfing the other Ohio blogs and I came across this posting at blogger interrupted and wish to re-post it for DTD readers. We thank Tim for his permission to use on DTD.

LEST YE BE JUDGED by Tim Russo

Whenever you go to a wake, or a funeral, there’s always one or two dark souls in attendance who remember first, and only, the worst about the recently deceased. Usually, these soulless are left standing alone, people pass them briefly, engage them reluctantly, if at all, while the rest try to stay positive, if not for themselves, then for those who grieve. This past year, we got to watch these soulless prove the depth of their emptiness repeatedly, loudly, without mercy.

Vengeance is not theirs, but claim it they do, unto themselves alone. Often, in fact usually, as they crow they wave The Book whose central command they simply refuse to obey, waving it ever more demonstratively to justify not obeying it. Love, it says, and love they cannot. Forgive, it commands, and they will not. Do unto others, which they do not.

No, they say. Not this time. Not for this person. Or that one. Or those over there. Their list of unforgivables is as endless as the book of life, because all of us make mistakes, and not a single mistake do they ever miss documenting, even the ones someone may have committed before they themselves were born.

And they slavishly repeat the denial of their Sacred Book’s every command for every single person whose passing they await with anger. It is always in death we learn how soulless they are, for they know the most likely time their anger will be heard is when it stands out alone amidst a sea of humanity remembering the best of a life lost. To them, no life can be led well enough to justify anyone weighing it in favor of its triumphs over its faults. Grim reapers they are indeed, of every grievance, real or imagined, they can ever find in any human’s frailty.

In their Book, Mary Magdalene was the prostitute who Jesus allowed to see him risen first, and were these people to be alive at her passing, they would have remembered her sex life, only. In the Book which they wave with self righteous piety, Peter betrayed their Messiah three times before Jesus gave him the keys to his church, and at Peter’s passing, they would have only remembered how many times the cock crowed. In their Book, a thief hanging on a cross next to their Messiah was forgiven his sins, and if they had been there, they would have spat on their own Messiah’s bleeding feet at the sight.

And in their Book, Jesus asks what you’ve done for the least of these, because whatsoever you’ve done for them, you did for him.

Perhaps they should all read their Book a little more closely, because their Book commands also to judge not, lest one day ye be judged.