October 2004 Archives

   As it gets dark earlier, don't forget to set your clock back this evening. (and sleep in an hour longer tomorrow)

There is so much good in the worst of us,
And so much bad in the best of us,
That it hardly behooves any of us
To talk about the rest of us.

Edward Wallis Hoch (1849 - 1925)

   How am I supposed to know what to buy these days? Am I actually missing the product commercials? What's happening to me? Why can't I see in color?? The political advertisements are getting so bad that sometimes an entire commercial break is filled from one end to the other with politicians. And of course at this point they're all slinging poop at each other. Thank goodness for TiVo - most of the time we can fast forward through them. Otherwise I would like to thank the inventor of the mute button.
   Interestingly without the sound the commercials take on new life Like the one anti-Kerry ad that looks like it's old film. The words on the screen go something like this: "John Kerry ---next screen---> murders Americans" Perhaps I missed something on the commercial. And then there's the ones where the local candidates use photos of their rivals. Except they use the worst photos they can find that usually look like a "before" picture. It makes me wonder before what exactly.
   And one more reason for not liking the political season. When people put advertisements on the windshield of my car, they should consider that if it is raining it will stick to the window which does not make me happy. And if I had only half a brain I might not vote for those people for that singular reason. Luckily I only have a quarter of a brain left at this point.

   You gotta love someone like Alan Keyes. In case you've never met him, he's running against Barack Obama for U.S. Senate in Illinois. The stuff that comes out of his mouth must be like gold for comics. This week instead of the chicken and the egg argument, he came up with the cow pen and the keg. It makes no sense. He says if children have gay parents, they will end up in incestious relationships.
   "If you can't know who your sisters and brothers are, there is no way you could avoid having sexual relations with them," the Republican former United Nations ambassador said. "I know that Senator Obama sometimes has a hard time getting from A to B."
   OK, so gay parents cause incest? I have to wonder where the logic is, especially considering that Keyes criticized Obama's logic. Wouldn't that mean that many kids who are adopted by heterosexual parents are at risk also? Wouldn't that mean that couples who are infertile and had children through other means were also causing this wave of incest? One must wonder if this problem of relations with brothers/sisters is a problem in Keyes mind only because it just doesn't connect with the real issue. Or maybe it's just political rhetoric. The real issue here would seem to be dishonest parents. Being brought up without the truth would be a problem for any child - gay or straight.
   Either way, it's so stupid that it's funny. It's like saying that if you don't know how to use a washing machine that you'll go to work naked. Or if you don't know where a bathroom is that you'll pee yourself. So please, be sure to wash your clothes and always know where the toilet is. It's for your own good!

(source: Keyes Slashes Obama On Gay Marriage)

   I am a big geek when it comes to TV viewing. I often find myself watching The Discovery Channel, The Science Channel, and even the National Geographic Channel. I've noticed that many of the recently produced shows are extremely repetitive. They seem to feel the need to recap every 3 minutes. I know I don't have the best memory, but I really can remember information for a hour long program.
   The worst are the home improvement shows that show before and after. I think there's a whopping 10 minutes of programming and the rest is recap. Then there's a few on Nat'l Geo. like this one I watched about supervolcanoes. An intriguing topic, but they must have showed this computer created video of what a supervolcano eruption would look like around 100 times. Perhaps the budget for the documentary was low and they sunk their money into one clip. Imagine if blogs were like that....
   To recap, I watch geeky TV shows, I have decent memory, and I have permanently ingrained in my mind what a supervolcano would look like if I were watching one.

   Anyone's blog is not for everyone. You might think my blog is terrible or that my opinions are ridiculous. I may find someone's blog topics boring. Surfing on BlogExplosion is an eyeopening lesson in diversity.
   If you are here from BlogExplosion and you are surfing for more than the credits, I commend you. I'd give you a mystery prize if I could. Sometimes 30 seconds can seem like an eternity if you are staring at someone's blog that isn't remotely interesting to you. But surfing through the blogs is like opening yourself up to finding jewels in a laundry bag. Every so often something glimmers at you that makes you look longer than the half minute speed read round.

   Last night was slower than a usual Sunday night at the store until about 6:30. Suddenly people were everywhere, and they were trashing the place. It's terrible when you've just made a nice looking display and then someone comes over and tears it up. This one woman was with her child and was looking for a pair of pajamas. She kept picking things up from one display, and then she'd just throw it down. Finally the child slapped her mother's hand and said, "Mommy, that's not where that goes!"

   Hanging out with intoxicated people while you are sober can be a highly entertaining experience. I met some people after work last night, and by the time I got there many of them were quite inebriated. One of them humped my leg several times and licked my ear. Another apparently didn't know I was gay, found out, and then had some kind of panic thing and went around asking everyone if they knew I was gay. (Of course everyone looked at him and said "duh!")
   The most facinating point of the evening was a conversation I had with a friend (who was also well oiled) about politics. We started by talking about Bush vs. Kerry. Then we moved into the topic of gay marriage. He wanted to sort through the confusion on the issues. (which is easier said than done when one party is zonked) It's interesting to note that when people are plastered, it's not easy to use big words. He said at one point that before he met me, he had been homosexual. Yeah, I'm pretty sure he meant homophobic. He also wanted to know if he had ever offended me by asking, "Have I ever disarmed you?" No, I'm still packing...

   Another of Ohio's shameless idiots who should think before he speaks. Can anyone tell me how we can get Blackwell out of office? His latest moment of genius came when he compared gay couples to barnyard animals.

"I don't know how many of you have a farming background but I can tell you right now that notion even defies barnyard logic... the barnyard knows better,"

   I wonder how he would react if I said that he and his family are like a bunch of apes that sling poo. I mean that's kinda what he's doing. His press secretary made a statement afterwards that the purpose of marriage was to procreate. Apparently they forgot about couples who don't or can't have children. Whoops! Really, I don't think barnyard animals worry about whether they can visit their partner in the hospital. I don't think they worry about having to pay taxes on partner benefits.
   If I wasn't so angry about this comment I'd be laughing. I'd make some witty comments to denigrate Mr. Blackwell with his own stupid statement. But this continued attack on my family isn't a laughing matter right now. Mr. Blackwell is so misguided, hateful and immature that I don't think rational thought is within his reach. To think he speaks about Ohioans in such disregard makes me sick.
   Perhaps I'll call Governor Taft for all the good it will do. If you'd like to call him, his number is 614-644-HELP. Or you can email him. I'll also call Mr. Blackwell for the direct scoop (maybe this is all taken out of context - I don't know how...) at 1-877-767-6446. And most important - vote NO on Issue One!
(sources: Ohio's anti-gay Issue 1 campaign gets ugly; Blackwell Compares Gay Couples, Farm Animals)

   Good lines from The West Wing the other night.
"Are you suggesting that we use the attack on our congressional delegation as a pretext to attack another country we don't know to be responsible?" Listen Here

"Killing Palestinians isn't going to make us feel safer. They'll kill more of us, then we'll have to kill more of them. It's Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun... Why would they do it? Why would Palestinians murder American government officials? They never have before. They're deliberately provoking us Leo. They know we'll have to retaliate... Tell me how this ends Leo. You want me to start something that may have serious repercussions on American foreign policy for decades." Listen Here

"I'm trying to find a way to make peace. And when I do you can go on TV an explain why you're against it." Listen Here

   Sometimes when George W. Bush makes an error during a speech, you have to wonder if it's a Freudian slip. Is it really what's on his mind so that's what comes out. or is it just a mistake? Like when he said they never stop thinking of ways to hurt Americans...
All volunteer army? - This clip makes him sound like a "flip-flopper."
No Fear - Then there's the same tired strategy of saying one thing and meaning another.

   Ellie lost her first tooth (that we know about) today. Now Jon and I are arguing over who will wear the dress and wings to be the tooth fairy for her.

   I just slept for 15 hours - guess I needed to catch up on some sleep after the weekend (at work). In a little while I'll be heading off to a training session for poll workers. Unfortunately I didn't get my card in the mail, but I called the Board of Elections and they said to go anyway. We'll see how this goes...

   Jon Stewart is my hero! I just heard a clip of him on CNN's Crossfire that was played on Randi Rhodes. Apparently they thought he was just going to be funny but he made a point that shows like Crossfire were bad shows because they are a theater for politicians. I couldn't agree more. When a reporter asks a question and then lets the politician completely sidestep it without calling them on for their non-response it makes me want to pull my toenails out.

STEWART: But the thing is that this -- you're doing theater, when you should be doing debate, which would be great.
STEWART: It's not honest. What you do is not honest. What you do is partisan hackery. And I will tell you why I know it.
CARLSON: You had John Kerry on your show and you sniff his throne and you're accusing us of partisan hackery?
STEWART: Absolutely.
CARLSON: You've got to be kidding me. He comes on and you...
STEWART: You're on CNN. The show that leads into me is puppets making crank phone calls.

   Thank you Jon Stewart for pointing the finger to the media with the question why. Why don't they hold politicians to questions that they can't answer? Tucker Carlson had no response except to point fingers at The Daily Show (a comedy show) for the same thing. You can view clips of the show here.

   And a great quote from Jon Stewart: "you know, it was interesting. President Bush was saying, John Kerry's rhetoric doesn't match his record. But I've heard President Bush describe his record. His record doesn't match his record."

(Thanks to Rando Rhodes for playing the clip on her show, thanks to CNN for the transcript, and thanks to Liberal Times for the link to the clip)

   I find it ironic that as the political bullshit continues to build to an orgasmic crecendo, we had to have our septic tank pumped out today.

   The latest political spin from the Bush campaign is the ire over Kerry's mention of Cheney's daughter during the debate. The fact is that they're reacting as if Mary Cheney was in the closet prior to the debate. They act as if Kerry said something horrible about their daughter. Quite frankly, their reaction is the bad part of the whole thing. It's as if they are embarrassed by their daughter. Of course when Alan Keyes said that Mary was "a selfish hedonist" there was little to no reaction from the Cheneys. What is that saying about them? This is simply the Cheneys playing politics because they have nothing else to say. And from the quotes I see from Lynne Cheney, I wish a PFLAG mom would just go slap her.
   Now why do they have to do this? Because the truth is worse than their spin. Bush said he truly didn't know if being gay was a choice. Speaking of being out of touch - this only demonstrates how he is the one who is out "of the mainstream." He also said that it needed to be respected. So logic would suggest that if Bush has been respecting gay people, he will continue to do so by attempting to push our equality under the law away from us. He has openly declared his stance against the gay community by his desire to write discrimination against our relationships into the Constitution. Their silence has indicated that they would not speak out against hate speech or acts against gay people. And if that is respect my friends, then I'd be truly frightened by what they represent.
   And of course they wouldn't want the fact that Bush forgot his statements about bin Laden across the front page of the newspapers. Instead we have to look at their false outrage. How pathetic!

Good lines from the debate:
Bush: Gosh, I just don't think I ever said I'm not worried about Osama bin Laden. It's kind of one of those exaggerations.
Kerry: Being lectured by the president on fiscal responsibility is a little bit like Tony Soprano talking to me about law and order in this country.
Bush: In all due respect, I'm not so sure it's credible to quote leading news organizations about -- oh, nevermind.
Kerry: You don't measure it by a percentage increase. Mr. President, you measure it by whether you're getting the job done.

Lines from Web Commenters:
If the president's administration has had a net job loss, I think you have to attribute some of it to 9/11 and the dot.com bubble bursting (which was a residual of the Clinton administration). - the dot com burst was because of Clinton?
Kerry has been a senator for 20 years. Can you name one thing he has done? hmmmmm. - can most people name anything any senator has done? Could you name anything Bush had done before becoming president?
President Bush is clearly presenting his plan with optimism and confidence. - Good that he's optimistic, but I'm optimistic about saving enough money for a BMW next year. Saying it doesn't make it so, as we'lve seen over the past few years.

Best example of dodging a direct question:
SCHIEFFER: Mr. President, I want to go back to something Senator Kerry said earlier tonight and ask a follow-up of my own. He said -- and this will be a new question to you -- he said that you had never said whether you would like to overturn Roe v. Wade. So I'd ask you directly, would you like to?
BUSH: What he's asking me is, will I have a litmus test for my judges? And the answer is, no, I will not have a litmus test. I will pick judges who will interpret the Constitution, but I'll have no litmus test.

And on GLBT equality:
Bush: (Responding to whether he thinks homosexuality is a choice) "You know, Bob, I don't know. I just don't know.".
Kerry: "I think if you talk to anybody, it's not choice." and later "You can't disallow someone the right to visit their partner in a hospital. You have to allow people to transfer property, which is why I'm for partnership rights and so forth."

And finally the results: (very preliminary 11:21pm from MSNBC)

   Since the debates are (for the most part) a grandiose press conference instead of meaningful or thought provoking discourse, perhaps one should try to have more fun while watching them. I heard today on Unfiltered (on Air America) that there's a drinking game one can play. Even if you don't play, it's easy to see how one could get very drunk. Take such rules as "take one drink each time someone says: "terrorism," "Halliburton," "flip flop," "Saddam Hussein," or
"September 11." There's more on the Presidential Debate Drinking Game

   This whole business with Sinclair Broadcasting Group and their airing of an anti-Kerry program just before the election has me confused somewhat. I'm all for first amendment rights; I believe that anyone should be allowed to express their opinions no matter how unpopular they may be. If you feel that the KKK is what you believe in, then you should have every right to say so. Just like I'm allowed to say that I think the Bush administration is misguided and wrong, anyone can and will disagree. I can say that without fear of the government (I think) and on one may deny me the right to say what I think. So when it comes to the expression of an anti-Kerry sentiment I think it should be allowed.
   But when it's a corporation expressing it's opinions, I'm not quite sure where I stand. A corporation is bigger than an individual, and I'm not so sure that the expressions of a big company isn't an overwhelming one. Perhaps one that overshadows the opinions of individuals. I guess where I stand now is that a corporation is a singular entity that should be allowed to say whatever it wants. Simply because some people won't think critically about it isn't the company's problem. And if it were an anti-Bush statement, I wonder how many democrats would be up in arms over it.
   I still don't agree with their sentiment, and I don't agree with their timing. And although I feel that they should be allowed to say what they are going to say, I don't think that anyone's right to disagree should be abridged. And when disagreeing with a corporation, the only way to make your disagreement known is through their pocketbook. Calling or emailing them makes some difference, but I think everyone knows a company is all about their bottom line. I may watch the special if only to see who advertises so that I can not buy their products, and perhaps let them know that I disagree with their sentiment. That's the risk they take for entering into politics anyway...
   For more info visit Majority Report Radio

   Awhile back I wondered aloud about having a branch of government that would have the job of making sure that politicians don't mislead Americans with distortions and lies. Ultimately it was decided that this was a bad idea. But thanks to VP Cheney I found FactCheck.org. (not FactCheck.com) It's a non-partisan website that exposes the exaggerations and distortions that candidates and their campaigns level at each other. For a brief moment of reality, visit FactCheck.org.

   Today is National Coming Out Day. I'm not sure if I have anyone else to come out to these days. Yesterday I was talking with a friend at work about coming out, and I remembered when I first came out to my friends in college. One of my best friends in college was Frank. He lived next door to me in the dorms and we hung out a lot. We were both in honors classes, had similar interests and generally got along very well. There was one thing that he didn't know about me the first few months that we were friends though.
   I remember telling him and he didn't believe me. I was always one to say strange stuff just to joke around, and for a while I just couldn't convince him that I was gay. It was rather funny looking back. Once he believed me he took it rather well. I remember that he was upset that he had made some comments over the previous few months that were not very gay-friendly. But everything was cool, and he was still one of my best friends. Our friendship continued even though after I moved away from campus we didn't see each other as much. I really should try to give him a call.
   After coming out to my closest friends in college, I burned down the closet door. The next year I was the president of the university gay and lesbian student group. I helped lead demonstrations on campus, stood up to malicious paint wielding frat boys, and doubled the membership and funding for our student group. And even now, every once in awhile I get out the rainbow fatigues and go nuts! But now I don't have anyone that I need to come out to. It's an interesting change from where I was years ago. I'm sure if I look hard enough I'll find someone...

For your Coming Out Day fun... Coming Out Cartoons

   There was much broken glass tonight at work. First someone broke a scanner for a photo machine. The customer leaned on it putting their body weight on it and the glass cracked. This is the second time someone has done this - despite the sign instructing people to not put anything on top of the scanner. I guess they think that doesn't include themselves.
   Then someone got upset at the service desk. It was over something really stupid and completely his fault. On his way out he kicked one of our glass doors so hard it cracked. Now it has that big spider-web pattern all across the bottom. I noticed it looks rather pretty in the light of the parking lot lights. Beauty is everywhere... :)
   I was also told about an older woman who stood in a department wailing "help me!" The story-teller couldn't make out what was being said and thought it was a special child. Someone else heard the words and thought there was an emergency. Yeah, she needed a battery real quick. At least she didn't break any glass.

   Debate entertainment... I've seen a lot of news about the debate, but I haven't' seen much about Bush's leap from his stool as he interrupted the moderator. Instead of waiting for Gibson to decide or announce a "discussion extension," Bush lept from his seat and spoke over the moderator before another word could be spoken. If Bush can't play by the rules in something as simple as a debate, how can we expect him to do anything else as president?
   Did you see the little white line on the stage that apparently neither candidate could cross? How funny! They need a line to see where they can't walk? My cats know better than to walk on the kitchen counter but I don't have to draw lines for them. Really, if we're going to start drawing barriers around the debate stage, why not just go all out and put them in a wrestling ring? You know with the ropes around the sides, perhaps some Nerf padding for them if things get out of hand.
   And of course there was rhetoric and platitudes from the candidates. I heard the same things I heard in the last debate. That's just not right. If Jay Leno didn't come up with anything new for different nights people would turn him off. (and he'd lose his job) And of course I noticed Bush not answering the questions that were asked on more than one occasion. I loved the question about what mistakes he'd made. I was pleasantly surprised that he didn't lament that he wasn't prepped for that question like he did the last time someone asked him that. But he didn't answer the question - not that anyone expected him to. Isn't that part of the problem?
   They need to decide if they really want to hold the candidates accountable for what they say and do. Otherwise, just put the ropes around and let them go at it.

 
   I watched the movie Latter Days the other day. It's about two young men who are very opposite, yet have much to teach one another. Christian is very comfortable with his sexuality while Aaron (who is a Mormon) has yet to act upon his feelings. The main story is about how they fall in love and change each other. It's a roller coaster ride as things go well, then not, then good again, then bad to worse, then … well, you get the point.
   In the beginning I wasn't sure I would like it. I thought it was going to be another one of those movies that depicts a shallow gay man (Christian) whose only care is when he'll get laid next. But as the movie progressed the story developed the character into someone deeper who became self-realized. I think it's a process that perhaps some young gay men go through as they shed self-inflicted stereotypes and become who they really are. I don't feel that I went through that process - once I came out I was so tired of being someone else that I stayed pretty true to myself. But I could certainly relate to the psychological ordeal of figuring out what your life is really about. Heck, I'm still in that process.
   The Mormon missionary (Aaron) went through quite a transformation as well. His coming out was not pleasant at all (except for finding Christian perhaps). (Spoilers follow!) After coming out to his family and community he had a very difficult time dealing with their reactions, his religious beliefs, and his possible future. He attempted suicide. The line that his mother says that seemed to seal his fate was something to the effect of "God can forgive us for our misdeeds, but for who we are? No one can forgive that."
   I think there are many people who can relate to this struggle in one way or another. Latter Days is a touching film that will reach the hearts of those who watch it. Many people will be able to personally connect to Aaron's struggle in one way or another. I still clearly remember the suicidal thoughts that crossed through my mind when things got really bad for me. I was lucky. Too many gay kids aren't. And the changes that both main characters go through are ones that go with coming of age and experience. The twists and turns of the story keep you on your toes, and the end is satisfying. And perhaps the next time you look at the comics you'll see them - and life - a little differently.

   I got a mailing from Mary Taylor today. The tagline on the front says "Fighting for Our Families and Communities." I find this ironic and offensive. Mary Taylor was a co-sponsor of House Bill 272 which was Ohio's DOMA. So whose family is she fighting for? Not mine.
   Ms. Taylor found it necessary and important to enact another law that seeks to discriminate against committed gay and lesbian couples by making gay marriage against the "strong public policy" of the state. Ohio already had laws restricting marriage to one man and one woman, but Ms. Taylor saw that perhaps someone could get married elsewhere and bring their wily ways to Ohio. I really don't see how that effects Mary Taylor or her husband or children. But it affects me, and she could care less.
   I see also in her brochure that "...She's on Our Side." I wonder if the capitalization implies a certain group whose side she's on, because it's certainly not mine. As a resident of Ohio I would think it would include me, but it doesn't. When asked why she supported the bill, she gave technical law responses. The first response I received clarified some of the technicalities of the bill. I wrote back that "I'm not sure I understand the rationale for not recognizing the rights of individuals who have chosen to live in a committed, exclusive relationship because they are not opposite sex partners." She replied with information about how the current laws didn't preclude same-sex couples from other states from being recognized as married. That wasn't my question. I know she's a politician and often that precludes straight answers, but when an issue affects you directly you want a clear answer. And if it's the person who "represents" you, understanding their thinking on the issue might help you decide if they will continue to represent you in the future. Ms. Taylor provided no real answers to my questions, and she voted to enact this law.
   I wonder if she supports the constitutional amendment in Ohio. (otherwise known as State Issue 1 - how embarrassing!) If she does not, then I wonder what switch flipped in her head. Certainly if asked she wouldn't give a response that means anything to me. If she does, then I certainly hope she gets booted from office with a resounding thud.
   No matter what side of the issues you are on, I imagine that you want a representative who will provide real answers when the issues matter to you. If you want to know why your representative feels a certain way about an issue, then perhaps Mary Taylor isn't the representative you want to vote for on Nov. 2. And if you think she's on your side now, will that change depending on what she's voting on? And if you think she's fighting for your family, just keep in mind that it depends on what kind of family you belong to. And I think that's divisive, discriminatory, and two-faced. I won't support that on November 2.

   Here is my uninformed opinion on the Vice Presidential debate. It is so uninformed because I didn't watch most of it. I just couldn't take it. From the bit that I heard/watched, it seemed that Cheney was whomping on Edwards. Perhaps he really was. Edwards' responses just didn't seem to resonate the way Cheney's remarks did. Add to that I have no idea who was telling the truth. Maybe they were both telling the truth. Maybe they were both lying. The point is who really can tell, and it becomes a waste of time. I heard Cheney deny the connection between Saddam and 9/11. Then there was also the part about the $200 billion being spent there and the percentages of casualties. The facts just get too distorted for my tired brain to follow sometimes. Yes, I think campaign season fatigue is beginning to set in.
   The most sane comment was Tom Brokaw's following the analysis from the "spin room" after the debate. Both sides had effectively declared victory. He issued the following "consumer advisory:"
A consumer advisory in the spin room. If one of the candidates goes face down and is totally incoherent, his or her spinners will say it was a wonderful night for us. We won this debate.
Tom Brokaw's Comment on Spin

   Two stories appeared in the Akron Beacon Journal today that were of interest to me.
   Celebrities take on activist roles - is about the celebrities that came to an America Coming Together rally yesterday that Jon and I attended. The funny thing is that I never saw the celebrities as the morons in the front of the room couldn't be persuaded to form a U-shape so that everyone would be able to see.
   Marriage rights a festival focus - The Out in Akron Festival, which is organized by The Pride Center (for which I am a board member), is hosting the Marriage Caravan during the festivities next weekend. I'm glad the festival got some media coverage. Of course the article also mentions that the marriage ban is very likely to pass.

   I went out last night around 9pm armed with petitions and voter registration forms to various local gay friendly establishments. Strangely for a Friday night it wasn't all that busy. But I did get quite a few people to sign the petition for equal marriage rights in Ohio, and even got a few people to register to vote. Met a few cool people, and had conversations with some interesting ones. I spoke with a couple who just had a holy union about a year ago, although they had been together for about 15 years. It scared them that Ohio is trying to write this discrimination into the state constitution. I don't blame them - I feel the same way. I also spoke with a rather intoxicated man who was more interested in whether or not I was married than the petition, but he did eventually sign.
    I really feel like I need to be doing something besides writing about things here on my blog. So that's why I got involved, and I feel more empowered for having done it. Of course the campaign is just getting into high gear, so I'm sure I'll be doing more. If you haven't registered to vote in Ohio, you only have until 4pm on Monday (Oct 4) to get those forms to your board of elections.

   I don't want to send a mixed message here, because you know it's hard work blogging about issues. But I'm making progress, and people know where I stand on things. I send a clear message about what I mean to say. One of those messages is that the world is a better place with blogs, and they will not grow weary and leave. The internet is more secure with blogs, and they set a clear example. And you can't say that they're the wrong media, wrong timestamp, and wrong URL and still think that folks will read your stuff. You've got to be steadfast and resolved and to follow through with your links. Blogs aren't just a grand diversion for people. And I know how these people think. I deal with them all the time. Even if you write well, you can't get to the point too quickly or you'll lose them and they'll hate you for your freedom. That's why it's important to write about how the world is a more peaceful place due to blogs. And to be a good blogger you can't keep changing your layout and colors. What kind of message does that send to the search engines? To other bloggers? To weblogs.com?
   One time someone asked me about how to write a good blog. I said that sometimes I say a prayer, I cry, laugh, and then I try to love someone as best I can because it's all worth it. But you can't critcize the other brave bloggers because that won't change the dynamics in the blogosphere. Just remember that by speaking clearly and pronouncing words correctly like nuclear and peninsula, you'll pass the global test.
   And I don't hold it against anyone when they say "gave Tagamet."