The other side of the Democratic Convention

While all the nicely scripted speeches were going on at the convention center, things were looking a bit different in another part of Denver where an anti-war protest was going on. Isn't it nice that we were all protected from seeing this to bring us down from the enlightening and most often boring speeches.

I pray for my friends in the South

We have many friends in Florida, southern Louisiana, Alabama and Texas and my heart goes out to them with Gustov approaching. I pray for everyones safety and hope they have all left the area as the mayor of New Orleans has said this could be the mother of all storms and the West bank which was spared during Katrina is also at risk this time The expected storm surge which could hit with waves as high as 20' or higher may overtake the 10'+ levies which protect the West Bank. Winds may exceed the 130mph of Katrina and the mayor said there isn't a building in town built to withstand winds above 150mph.

I think one of the saddest things is that people have worked so hard to return to their homes and rebuild from Katrina may once again be devastated and may loose everything once again. If Gustov does hit as they predict, I worry that New Orleans will never recover from this one. Many will just be too scared to ever go back and will start anew elsewhere.

Move aside Paris Hilton, theres a new veep in town

Here's what James Dobson says about McCains VP running mate"
"Sen. McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is an outstanding choice that should be extremely reassuring to the conservative base of his party. She is a strong executive who hates corruption and puts principle above politics. After floating the names of Tom Ridge and Sen. Joe Lieberman in recent weeks - selections that would have created consternation among pro-family Republicans - Sen. McCain has chosen a solid conservative who has a reputation for espousing common sense.

Rush Limbaugh said "Brilliant choice...just Brilliant!"

Here's what Sarah Palin had to say in an ealier interview about the Veep position:
"But as for that VP talk all the time, I'll tell ya, I still can't answer that question until somebody answers for me, what is it exactly that the VP does every day?"
- former Miss Alaska runnerup Sarah Palin, 8/1/08, on CNBC, "Kudlow and Company"


Well, first of all...doesnt hurt to have these qualifications. Former beauty queen, Hockey mom, Fundy Christian, against a womans right to choose, anti-gay marriage and a gun toten member of the NRA. AND...she's a fisherman!
What more could we ask for?


Fabulous choice John! Just turning 73, and with your health history, better fill her in on what the president does at the same time. We might get that first woman president yet. I will sleep better anyway knowing if they win in November, while John is sleeping soundly with the sleeping pills he needs to sleep thru the night, he has someone there to answer the 3AM call.

California prisons prepare for gay weddings

The Advocate Friday, August 29, 2008

Now that same-sex couples can get married in California, state prison officials are trying to figure out what that means for gay inmates.
No prisoners so far have sought to arrange weddings with same-sex partners since the state Supreme Court granted same-sex couples the right to wed as of mid-June, according to Michele Kane, spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Nonetheless, department lawyers are drafting guidelines to bring the state's 33 adult prisons into compliance with the court's ruling that same-sex couples must be treated the same as opposite-sex couples under the California Constitution, Kane said.
What they have determined so far is that would mean allowing gay inmates to marry someone on the outside, but not a fellow prisoner -- the same rules that apply to straight inmates, according to Kane.
"They will have the same marriage rights as other inmates -- they will be able to marry non-inmates, but barred from marrying other inmates in prison," she said.
Prison officials were concerned that allowing two men or two women in the same prison to get married would pose novel safety and security concerns, according to Kane.

In Memorium: Del Martin, Lesbian Pioneer Dies

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Lesbian activist Del Martin died on Wednesday, just two months after marrying her partner of 55 years in one of the first legally recognized California same-sex weddings.

Martin, 87, who wed Phyllis Lyon, 83, in San Francisco's City Hall in June, died of natural causes at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center on Wednesday morning, the National Center for Lesbian Rights said.

The same-sex couple also had been the first in California to marry in San Francisco's 2004 "Winter of Love," when Mayor Gavin Newsom opened the door to gay marriage. Those unions were annulled, but an ensuing legal battle ended this summer with court backing of same-sex marriages. A stampede of marriages followed.

Trend-setting California is one of only a few countries and U.S. states to allow same-sex marriage, although state voters in November will decide whether to abolish the right.

"I am devastated, but I take some solace in knowing we were able to enjoy the ultimate rite of love and commitment before she passed," Lyon said in a statement after her wife's death.

(Reporting by Peter Henderson; Editing by Eric Beech)

Phew...Games almost over folks...next stop Denver

Steve had already guessed that Matthew was a sister by his reaction after he completed his dive and headed to the shower. We find out today on Andrew Sullivans blog that he was SOOO right. We did find out this additional information which was cool.

Matthew Mitcham of Australia celebrates his gold medal in the Men's 10m Platform Final diving event held at the National Aquatics Center on Day 15 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 23, 2008 in Beijing, China. Mitcham is the only openly gay male athlete at the games, and prevented a Chinese sweep of the diving medals with a perfect final dive. By Jamie Squire/Getty.

Holy Cow!!!

Happy News

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia DeRossie became lawfully wedded wives this weekend. They said their vows in front of 30 family members and close friends at Ellens $29 million abode around 6:30 pm, Sat. evening. Congratulations!!!

Focus on the Rain

Well, I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but this is just all wet!!!! This was an ad Focus on the Family was running, but eventually pulled...it was even pulled from U-tube...but for now you might still be able to see it thru this news website.
http://www.gazette.com/articles/focus_39213___article.html/video_action.html

A wonderful new drug

See more Adam "Ghost Panther" McKay videos at Funny or Die

Just be careful of the side effects!

Paris fights back

See more Paris Hilton videos at Funny or Die

The vid says it all, GO PARIS!!!

The Next Cheney

The DNC has a new website out there to give folks a little background into a few of McCains shortlist of VP selections.
http://www.democrats.org/page/content/thenextcheney/

Storms Threaten Opening Ceremonies

Anxious Olympic organisers are bracing for the worst for their plans which have been three years in the making and threatens not just the opening ceremony in Beijing but sailing and equestrian events on the coast and Hong Kong respectively.
In a rare Olympic cost-cutting decision, the Chinese dropped plans for a retractable roof on the US$500million National Olympic stadium, dubbed the "Bird's Nest, which means that the 91,000 capacity crowd, athletes and the opening gala's 10,000 performers will be exposed to the elements. The spectacular fireworks could also be affected by bad weather.
Despite deliberately scheduling the Games to open on the eighth day of the eighth month of 2008 due to eight being considered a lucky number in China, Mother Nature seems at odds with the hosts.
As well as a stormy night in Beijing, typhoons are also forecast for Hong Kong where the Olympic equestrian events will be held. The unsettled conditions were also predicted to extend to the Qingdao coastline where the sailing events are scheduled for.

Ok, maybe I am a bit naieve, but if they are spending 11 million or something like that for this opening ceremony, and spent 500 million for the stadium, and being a country subject to heavy rain and typhoons, it would almost be a no-brainer to add a retractable roof to this facility.....but, oh, I forgot, the government said THERE WILL BE NO RAIN! I see, I guess it is just banned for the duration of the event, just like so many other things in China. Oh yes, and then there is the smog problem...they are trying to do their best to hide it, but it keeps popping back up again. Oh yes, and terrorists have vowed to disrupt things as well, but the government said they are prepared with 100,000 police to handle that little problem, SO...let the games begin and let the best man, woman, or rain cloud win!!!

Sydney Swimming Qualifier for the Olympics

glumbert - Swimmer Qualifies For Olympics All By Himself

With the Olympics starting this Friday in China, I thought this might be an enlightening video of what we might expect to see in upcoming events. Very impressive!!!