Pam Spaulding's Blog, page 103

Latest farce: the Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs starts 12-step program for gays

You don't know whether to laugh or cry at news like this given the  current reputation of the Catholic Church:

The Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs is borrowing a page from Alcoholics Anonymous by launching a 12-step program that offers pastoral care and support for homosexuals.

"It's not about therapy and not about activism," said the Rev. Larry Brennan, diocese director of priest formation. "It's about support."

..."The exercise of sexuality is reserved for marriage, and that can only happen between a man and a woman," Brennan said.

Jim Fitzgerald, executive director of Call to Action, a national progressive Catholic group headquartered in Chicago, is skeptical of Twelve Steps of Courage because he contends homosexuality isn't sinful.

"It restricts people's freedom to be the kind of person they were created to be," Fitzgerald said of Courage.

Scott Lively tries to defend himself

I can't really say how sad I am that this guy has moved to my neck of the woods, but there you go.  In any case, I wanted to write this brief diary simply to highlight his letter to the editor in today's paper:

I’ve recently been attacked by the Boston Globe (front page), then The Republican and local television news. In these reports and online reader comments, I’m labeled variously a “hate group,” Holocaust denier, anti-Semite, author of a “Kill the Gays” law in Uganda, a racist, murderer, and defender of pedophilia.

Google my name to find 20 years of similar rhetoric by my enemies. It has long passed beyond slander into absurdity. Why the attacks? Because I am a knowledgeable and persuasive critic of the “gay” movement. I don’t run or self-censor under pressure so they keep escalating their rhetoric to discredit me to the public. 

There's more of the same in the rest of the letter. 

So far, his tenure here has been notable for contributing to high schoolers' truancy and hiring a staffer who is a registered sex offender.  Can't wait to see what's next. 

Idaho pharmacist denies anti-bleeding med because woman MIGHT have had an abortion

And so now the fundie pharmacists get to guess why someone might be asking for a legitimate prescription and decide on their own, without specific information, whether it MIGHT conflict with their bible-beating beliefs. When will the madness stop? This is none of their damn business -- fill the f'ing prescription.

A pharmacist at a Nampa, Idaho, Walgreens refused to dispense medication that stops uterine bleeding because she suspected the woman may have had an abortion. The pharmacist invoked the state's new so-called conscience clause that allows pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions for emergency contraceptives and abortifacient drugs, among other things, if they have a personal problem with it.

Last November, a woman took her prescription for Methergine, a drug that stops uterine bleeding regardless of cause, to Walgreens. The pharmacist, suspicious that the woman's uncontrolled bleeding may have been the result of an abortion, called the nurse practitioner who wrote the prescription to inquire why the patient needed it. When the nurse refused to answer because to do so would violate the patient's confidentiality, the pharmacist hung up on her and refused to fill the prescription.

Essentially, the pharmacist was saying that, while her conscience was just dandy with letting a woman bleed out, it would have a problem saving her life if it was even a possibility that the blood loss was connected to an abortion.

NCLR's Kate Kendell in Raleigh talks Prop 8 and its impact on NC; I have an 'OMG' fan encounter

It was an interesting night at The Borough Restaurant in downtown Raleigh, NC on Saturday night as folks gathered to hear the National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Kate Kendell hold a discussion on how Proposition 8 -- the 2008 ballot measure that stripped the freedom to marry from same-sex couples in California -- impacts everyone, particularly those states that face amendment threats or rollbacks of marriage equality.

North Carolina State University's GLBT Center Director Justine Hollingshead organized the gathering, along with other members of the Center. The event drew several dozen people from around the Triangle to hear Kate's call to strategize and take charge of what will be a challenging time in NC as our General Assembly, for the first time since Reconstruction, is completely under the control of the Republicans. Dem control has been the only thing that has protected us from a marriage amendment getting on the ballot.

Sorry for the dark video; it was shot with my cell phone and The Borough was quite crowded and dimly-lit for video sans lights. UPDATE: Here's the transcript...Kate spoke for about 7 min  and this was the meat of the message. There was no public Q&A; Kate went around to speak with attendees individually and in small groups since the restaurant was a bit noisy.

Kate Kendell: You do not want the distraction of anti-gay measures in the legislature. Do your job -- on behalf of all North Carolinians. So what I want -- can we have at least half of the hands raised -- that you will spend some time two weeks from now at lobby day [Equality NC's Day of Action]. Who will do it - take an hour out of your day. (Hands go up).

OK, good! Because Equality NC cannot do it on their own, and what is clear to me in my experience with Prop 8...we lost Prop 8 for all sorts of reasons. "Yeah we should have had different ads for the campaign" and "I wish we had money sooner"... but the main reason we lost was complacency.

We thought we were going to win. "Oh it's California there's no way iProp 8 will pass." I heard that a million times when trying to raise money and advocate for defeating Prop 8. Do not let that happen in NC. You can stop your legislature from doing the worst, but only if they don't hear from you. So that's the first piece of good news.

The second piece of good news is that you are not alone. So you've got Equality NC and you also have the number of national organizations and advocates around the country including The National Center for Lesbian Rights who have your back.

We're not going to let North Carolina slide...we are not going to ignore what happens here. NCLR is the organization that pioneered second-parent adoptions. We made it up, we created it.

Note: there was a short second vid clip that picked up here. The transcript:

Last month that was taken away from you in North Carolina and we are sick about that. We are talking to Sharon Thompson in Durham, an attorney involved in that, we are talking to our colleagues at Lambda Legal. We are not walking away. We are going to do whatever needs to be done to ameliorate the worst of that ruling and to do whatever we can to support equal protections for parent here in North Carolina. We don't care what the Court of Appeals said. We're not done, we're not going away.

Where NC differs from CA is that there is an assumption out there that an amendment WILL PASS if put before the voters. That will make raising funds to fight an amendment tough. That's may be a fair assumption, if we cannot get the many, many private companies and universities that have non-discrimination policies and offer same-sex spousal equivalent benefits out there saying an amendment is bad for the state's economy, growth and attractiveness to firms looking to relocate here.

But we can, as Kate underscored, stave off an amendment by speaking directly to our legislators, a chance every LGBT has at the upcoming Day of Action, sponsored by Equality NC (Feb 15, 2011

from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM). They need to see that they have LGBT constituents, taxpayers who should not have their civil rights put before the people for a vote. As I've said before, North Carolina LGBTs can turn out in the thousands for NC Pride, but it's pitiful that we cannot muster more than 300 to show up and speak with the very lawmakers who profoundly affect their rights.

The great thing about the Day of Action is that ENC makes it easy - it starts out with a training on how to interact with officials, and even schedules appointments for attendees to meet with them. People just need to find the time to show up. After all, can we really allow an ignorant NC lawmaker like this to determine your fate?

"I'm not opposed to helping a child born with HIV or something, but I don't condone spending taxpayers' money to help people living in perverted lifestyles."

-- Rep. Larry Brown (R-Forsyth) who ran unopposed in the November election to win a fourth term.

Kate lauded Equality NC's Ian Palmquist for the org's hard work with legislators to keep an amendment at bay (and to get a trans-inclusive anti-bullying law on the books, and made it clear to all present that the NCLR will be on call to work with us as things heat up on the marriage front -- as well as the issue of second-parent adoption, which is also now legally up in the air.

***

Unplanned Blogmistress fan fest

The event took a turn for the unexpected after Kate's remarks when NCSU GLBT Center's Justine Hollingshead, who was next to me as I was shooting video of Kate, mentioned that I was present as in "Pam Spaulding the national blogger" (or somesuch).

It continues below the fold.
A young woman at a nearby table said "Pam - what's her blog?" Justine says "Pam's House Blend."

I sh*t you not, there was a ear-piercing shriek of "OH MY GOD!" from her when she heard that. It filled the entire restaurant. She lost it. Over yours truly. I love meeting readers who like the Blend, don't get me wrong, but I don't think I'm worthy of a rockstar scream.

(I'm supposed to do that when I get to meet Arnel Pineda and Journey.)

I try to tell people that I'm just a regular human being who fits this blog stuff in around my day job, but somehow that doesn't seem to cut it. I really need to figure out what this phenomenon is about.

Kate my spouse was highly amused, as was Kate Kendell, but NCLR Kate took the time to 1) first note the subsequent PHB fan-based hijack of the event (a line formed of Blenders who wanted to say hi or get a pic), and 2) that this phenomenon is about the writing connecting to voices that need to be heard and PHB speaks to them and at times for them -- and that I should get over fretting that it's undeserved attention, and realize that blogs/bloggers are tapping into something that moves people.

I hope whatever people find interesting about the blog/me by proxy helps readers move from reading PHB to thinking that they too can work for change online and offline and make a difference.

People who really are on the front lines, like Kate Kendell, deserve the rock star greeting.

Of course if I can make even a small difference on the equality front, I'll take a few more "OMG" moments, lol. But I don't think I'll ever get used to it; my fans are quite polite. I haven't had to fend off actual groupies. Something tells me there's not much of a reason to think that situation will develop.

Oh, a fan pic has already come in -- from Bull City Blender Jason Cottrell (also in the pic), who said he originally found the Blend via Mike Signorile's show.

Oh, and I promised the young "OMG" woman that I'd post the photo taken with her on the blog (and properly identify her and her friend), so when she does send it in I'll add it here. :)

Related:

* NC: Supreme Court voids same-sex couple's second parent adoption

* NC: GOP lawmaker - need marriage amendment; cut HIV $ for adults 'living in perverted lifestyles'

* My fan encounter, the funny hat and the 100-degree Yankees Old Timers' Game with Keith Olbermann

With Kate Kendell.

Rolling Back Civil Protections For Transgender People In Ohio

When you hear and see, as I do, the phrase "Bathroom Bill" used every time an antidiscrimination bill or ordinance comes up for a local, state, or federal piece of legislation that includes gender identity or expression, you may conclude -- as I do conclude -- that transgender people having become the most visible boogiemen of social conservatives.

So maybe I shouldn't be surprised to have read this from a January 14, 2011 article by the Gay People's Chronicle, entitled Kasich lets LGBT job bias rule expire:

Governor John Kasich, who took office on January 10, allowed his predecessor's executive order barring such discrimination to expire.

Neither Ohio nor federal law provides any protection from anyone being fired because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

But an order signed four years ago by former governor Ted Strickland prohibited such discrimination against all 60,000 state employees in hiring, layoff, termination, transfer, promotion, demotion, rate of compensation and eligibility for training programs.

Never fear though, Ohio Governor John Kasich did put out an antidiscrimination executive order of his own. From the Columbus Dispatch's Kasich alters order on work rights; 'Gender identity' not included in anti-discrimination policy (emphasis added):

Gov. John Kasich signed an executive order yesterday setting an anti-discrimination policy for state-government employment and announced the retirement of a cabinet appointee after two weeks on the job.

Kasich said in his campaign that he would continue a 2007 order from former Gov. Ted Strickland that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, but Kasich's order leaves out "gender identity."

The new governor's order protects state employees or candidates for state employment from discrimination based on "race, color, religion, gender, national origin (ancestry), military status (past, present or future), disability, age (40 years or older), genetic information, or sexual orientation."

...Kasich had said in response to a Dispatch questionnaire that he would continue Strickland's 2007 order, and the question specifically mentioned gender identity.

Asked why Kasich decided to omit it, spokesman Scott Milburn replied: "The governor is opposed to discrimination in state employment and has made that clear in this executive order in the way that he feels is most appropriate."

Perhaps it's just an education issue? Again, from the Columbus Dispatch's article:

Lynne Bowman, the former executive director of Equality Ohio, said gender identity is not covered in any definition of sexual orientation. She said she hopes Kasich still can be "fully educated" and add gender identity to a revised order.

Bowman Added:

"It is disappointing that the governor feels it is appropriate to discriminate on the basis of gender identity."

This appears to me to be something more than just about the Governor not being "fully educated" on transgender people, and the employment discrimination transgender people often face.

So apparently it's now "appropriate" to discriminate against those state employees in Ohio who were who were once protected by the gender identity provision of the previous governor's antidiscrimination order.

Maybe it's just me, but I can't help but feel that Republican Governor John Kasich threw a bone to social/religious right conservatives -- he singled out a very small minority population that were once protected by the state's antidiscrimination policy, and has now has left them vulnerable. The chances of a large and effective enough protest against the change of policy means he gives his socially conservative base something to be pleased about that won't be effectively countered by a broad coalition of people on the left.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

We have become so used to tolerating injustices within transgender community. Community about us don't seem to note that just as the rolling back marriage equality with Proposition 8 in my home state of California was a taking away of hard fought civil rights and protections, so is the rolling back of civil protections for transgender employees in the state of Ohio.

With regards to freedome, equality, and justice, when do we stop tolerating the intolerable?

Anti-gay activist - Lie told about Obama's Tucson speech is mere difference of opinion

crossposted on Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters

Robert Knight is a long-time anti-lgbt activist. During stints with the Family Research Council and Concerned Women for America, he was one of the main voices in denying the lgbt community our equality, even stooping to citing the discredited research of Paul Cameron on numerous occasions.

Knight also helped to write the awful DOMA law that we are trying hard to overturn.

Nowadays, he hangs his hat at Coral Ridge Ministries and the American Civil Rights Union, where he now excels in not only not lying about the lgbt community but also other things such as President Obama's address in Tucson after that terrible shooting.

Knight's column on Obama's address can only be described as a mindless hit piece more interested in causing damage than making sense. He criticized Obama on almost every aspect of the speech, including his comments about little Christina Green, the nine-year-old girl who lost her life in the tragedy.

A perfect example of Knight's "no lie is too ugly to use" tenor in his column is the following claim:

When, for instance, have you been to a memorial service where cheers and yells punctuated the eulogy and where political campaign T-shirts were draped over seats or given out to mourners at the door?

That statement is a lie. The t-shirts were not campaign paraphernalia. The t-shirts, which read "Together We Thrive: Tucson & America," were creation of the University of Arizona.

Now some have said the t-shirts were tacky. Others have claimed that they are important because they united the community. Regardless of your opinion of the t-shirts, to implicate the Obama Administration in any way, shape, or form in their creation is a huge lie.

But that didn't stop Knight. And he isn't backing down on his claim, even after made aware of the truth. The following is an email exchange between him and me:
Me - Dear Mr. Knight,

I see that you have moved from lying about gays to just plain lying.

Your piece about Obama's speech in Tucson was a sad example of just why so many people have a bad impression of Christianity. The liars - like yourself - talk so much that no one speaking truth has a chance to get a word in edgewise. Particularly this sentence was a lie:

When, for instance, have you been to a memorial service where cheers and yells punctuated the eulogy and where political campaign T-shirts were draped over seats or given out to mourners at the door?

There were no campaign political T-shirts draped over the seats. These t-shirts, created by the University of Arizona, did not endorse any candidate nor any political party. They read "Together We Thrive: Tucson & America" - which emphasized support and solidarity after that awful tragedy.

Mr. Knight, you are a sad individual. It's one thing for you to believe your lies, but when you trot them out in the public square, you make a mockery out of those who truly believe in Christ.
 Knight - Have you ever been to a memorial service where T shirts with slogans were handed out? And as far as the inappropriate behavior, it may not be Obama’s fault that people did shout outs, etc. But he could have put a stop to it immediately, reminding them of the solemnity of the occasion. He didn’t. 
Me - But the t-shirts were not political, which means you told a lie. And far be it from anyone to lecture people on how they cope with tragedy. It wasn't the president's place to do this and just because he didn't is no reason to imply that his administration had anything to do with the t-shirts - lie number two on your part. The Bible speaks against bearing false witness. 
Knight - You're stretching the false witness admonition to encompass a difference in opinion. That's a false witness in and of itself. The Unity message is quite political in that it implies that lack of unity caused the shootings, when in fact they were caused by whatever screw is loose inside Loughner's head.


Me - Mr. Knight, this is not a simple case of a difference of opinion. You implied that the t-shirts were campaign paraphernalia and that the Obama administration was behind it. And when the truth reveals just the opposite, you double down on the implication. That's not a difference of opinion on your part but bearing false witness and the spreading of lies. 
Knight - You inferred. I said only what happened, which is that “political campaign T-shirts” were handed out. I believe that to be the case. It wasn’t quite as blatant as having shirts with “Change” on them, but it’s close. ASU, like other liberal campuses, is undoubtedly firmly in Democratic hands. By the way, who suggested anywhere that disunity would be a good thing? The Unity call is a sly libel on outspoken critics of Obama, Congress and the whole drive toward big government. By implication, the Tea Parties are supposed to stay quiet or risk being accused of spoiling unity.  
Me - Mr. Knight, you have every right to believe what you want but as someone who wrote publicly about this event and also as one who calls himself a Christian, you have an obligation to be truthful. And it is sad that you chose to abandon both of those obligations. This is not about the tea party or politics of any stripe. This is about a simple issue of integrity and you have demonstrated your cluelessness about that word.  
Knight - Fine. I didn't think reason would work. Liberals are immune. Believe what you will.  
Hilarious conversation until you consider the fact that Knight (and so many others like him) have used that "I don't care what the truth says, if I hold fast to what I say then it will trump the truth" logic to the issue of lgbt equality.

Even when science shows time and time again that people do not choose to be gay, they continue to repeat the lie that the lgbt orientation is a "lifestyle."

Even when medical organizations time and time again prove that children suffer no harm while living in same-sex households, they will repeat the lie that lgbts somehow will harm children.

Even when several researchers complain about how their work has been distorted, Knight and company will ignore them or (as Knight did in the case of Robert Garofalo*) will attack their veracity while still distorting their work.

With Knight and company, we are dealing with people  and groups who seem to think that constant repetition trumps truth.

Well they are wrong. Repetition never trumps truth. And lies told in the name of God are still lies.

As long as we remember this and challenge folks like Knight at every turn, we will win.

* In 1998, pediatrician Robert Garofalo complained that religious right groups were distorting his work on lgbt youth. Knight called Garofalo a "thrall of political correctness." -  Boston doctor says ads distorted his work on gays, Anne E. Kornblutt, The Globe Staff, The Boston Globe, August 4, 1998

The (re)election of an openly gay Pgh City Councilman - why it matters

(Adapted from a post at Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents ... 

In 2011, Pittsburgh faces an exciting opportunity to support our first openly gay City Councilman in his bid for a second term.  Councilman Bruce Kraus was elected in 2007, unseating the incumbent in a race in which his identity as an openly gay man was not a significant issue.

Since then, Councilman Kraus has made his mark addressing quality of life issues in his district, including vandalism and other criminal conduct by patrons of the district’s very significant strip of bars and late night establishments.  District residents applaud Bruce’s commitment, noting that he himself is out picking up litter nearly every weekend.
From 2 Political Junkies, a Pittsburgh political blog, District 3 resident Maria Lupinacci writes

 Bruce Kraus is seeking a second term on Pittsburgh City Council for District 3. This is my district and I’m a longtime supporter of Kraus (poll watcher, heck, I’ve stuffed envelopes at his house) and I couldn’t be happier with my choice. He’s a solid member of the progressive alliance on Council. I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen him walking my district. I also greatly appreciate his efforts to get a handle on the vandalism and violence that have unfortunately become features of the South Side’s nightlife.

 

A few days ago, someone posted a comment   in another post at Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents, questioning my claim that Bruce Kraus, City Councilman for District 3,  is a "champion" for the LGBTQ community, simply asking "What has he done for us?"

Rather than respond in a buried comment, I thought this question was worth an entire post.  I also think it is worth contemplating across the nation – why is it important to elect (or reelect) openly LGBTQ candidates on the local level?

With regard to what he's done for Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ community, I would put forth the following:

·        Bruce spearheaded the passage of the Pgh Domestic Partner Registry which has created a mechanism for LGBTQ families to achieve some level of recognition on a City level.  While it has its restrictions, Bruce has shown a willingness to discuss these, at least with me, and brainstorm solutions to make it more useful to all families.   

·       His presence on council seems to make a difference in how his colleagues act, vote, and perceive LGBT issues. It has historically been considered a step toward equality to elect an openly LGBT individual.
(Think Council President Doug Shields' response to Sally Kern)

 ·        It is important for LGBT people to see someone like us in a leadership role, especially youth (think bullying)

 ·        It sends a signal around the nation for a gay man to have the courage to be out as a public servant (think Sally Kern) 

 ·        He holds his fellow Council members to walk the walk when it comes to equality and insists the gay community be included (think Ricky Burgess who wants to parse the myth of gay affluence to leave us out of his tirades about socioeconomic equality)

 ·        He brokered a meeting between PA State Senator Daylin Leech and community leaders to discuss Senator Leech's legislation to legalize same sex marriage in Pennsylvania.  We (I attended) would not have that access without Bruce's credibility as an elected official and status in the LGBT community.  Bruce made sure Southwestern PA was part of the dialogue around this issue. 

·        The fact that he’s more well known for quality of life issues on Pittsburgh’s Southside shows that an openly gay elected official doesn’t come with a gay agenda, but can be effective in addressing a range of issues just like any other elected official from a minority group (see below)

 ·       He is paving the way for electing an out lesbian or an out transgender man or women to achieve political office throughout the region (think we have to start somewhere)

·        Bruce serves the community as a board member of the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Pittsburgh and the Shepherd Wellness Center (think Pittsburgh community institutions)

·        Openly gay elected officials are considered indicators of how LGBT friendly a community can be (Advocate recent City rankings)

The crux of the matter is that Bruce is not the gay City Councilman, he's a Councilman who is gay.  I have enumerated some of his "gay" credentials, but it is important to note that Bruce is a qualified, engaged Councilman who sincerely works to improve the quality of life for his District, particularly the Southside.  Agree with him or not, you cannot deny he is active and that he strives to connect with the residents and the business owners.  His volunteer staffed satellite office in an economically struggling neighborhood is further proof of a creative solution to engage his District. He also is embracing social media to share information.  (Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare   and more)

On a national level, I think this is exactly the race people should be monitoring.  The Mayor of Pittsburgh has tepid at best support for the LGBTQ community and there are few openly LGBTQ individuals in his Administration.  Bruce does not vote the Mayor's way, unless he believes it is the right way, so there is a possibility that the Allegheny County Democratic machine will not support Kraus in the primary (which is where the action is in Pittsburgh's one party town).  This is not the kiss of death the Mayor like us to believe and most of it swirls around the issues of addressing quality of life issues regarding the bars, restaurants and residents of the Southside neighborhood, not the fact that Bruce is a gay man.

But I can't help but wonder if they will go there?  I think the best defense is to put the would be foes, some of whom are gay, that we are watching and we will not tolerate playing the "gay card" in this race.  Bruce is rightly proud of his accomplishments as the regiona's LGBTQ leader (my words, not his), but he's running this race for all Pittsburgh residents, not just the LGBTQ community.  We owe it to him to have his back and demand that the Mayor, the Allegheny County Democratic Committee and any potential opponents in the race denounce homophobic campaign tactics with vigor. 

As a City resident who does not live in District 3 (I'm in District 6 across two rivers), I appreciate the contributions Bruce has made to the City and to the LGBT community.  I might go as far as to say that it is imperative we all stand behind Bruce and do our part to support his bid for a second term.  You can donate $5, $25 or $100 here.  Every bit helps. 

I hope this answers the question of "what has he done for us?"  for my anonymous commenter. Another anonymous commenter (same person?) came back to challenge my facts which I was able to robustly defend.  The fact is that Bruce has given a lot to us in four years and now it is our turn to give back.

Nationally?  Eyes to need pay attention to the dynamics within the Democratic party as candidates who are openly gay seek endorsements and funding to attain and maintain their seats at the table. It matters to everyone reading this what the Mayor of Pittsburgh does with regard to Bruce's election.  He may oppose him, but we have every right to insist he does so based on issues, not his sexual orientation. 

Thinking long term, Bruce is one a few statewide who may eventually pursue a state level seat as an openly gay man.  This foundation of a second term could have far reaching consequences for the future of our Commonwealth on LGBTQ issues.  Do we expect much to happen with so much Republican control?  Maybe not, but there are issues where we need his leadership now and his access -- getting domestic partner benefits at the County level before any further City-County consolidation discussion occurs, continuing to bring a diverse array of Western PA voices to the table on statewide issues that do come up such as strategizing against the anti-marriage equality amendment, solidifying the progressive alliance across levels of government to keep our needs front and center. 

Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh's LGBTQ community are better off with Bruce serving us on our City Council. 

Message from the GOP: kill the arts, continue womb controlling

The carnage from the midterms leaves us with wingnuts high and low -- and drunk with power. Look at this shite:

Conservative Republicans Propose Eliminating Arts And Culture Funding.

A group of conservative Republicans, called the Republican Study Committee, revealed a new plan on Thursday to cut federal funding for arts down to zero. This means the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities would be left in the cold. Not to mention the potential hit at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Run by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the over 150-person group's plan, the Spending Reduction Act of 2011, would "save" $167.5 million pulled from the NEA and the Humanities endowment and $445 from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. They are forecasting that this erasure of cultural funding would reduce federal spending by $2.5 trillion over the next decade.

And at ths state level, the obsession over controlling the reproductive systems of women is reaching fever pitch in a number of states. (NYT):

Lawmakers in Many States Pushing for Abortion Curbs

The lawmakers are drafting, and some have already introduced, bills that would ban most abortions at 20 weeks after conception, push women considering abortions to view a live ultrasound of the fetus, or curb insurance coverage, among other proposals.

In Florida and Kansas, legislators plan to reintroduce measures that were vetoed by previous governors but have the support of the new chief executives, like ultrasound requirements and more stringent regulation of late-term abortions.

"I call on the Legislature to bring to my desk legislation that protects the unborn, establishing a culture of life in Kansas," Gov. Sam Brownback said last week in his first State of the State message.

"This is the best climate for passing pro-life laws in years," said Michael Gonidakis, executive director of Ohio Right to Life, expressing the mood in many states. "We've got a pro-life governor and a brand new pro-life speaker. Our government now is pro-life from top to bottom."

From political blogmistress to fangirl for a day - January 22: Happy Birthday to Steve Perry!

My coffeehouse friends -- if you're not a fan of Journey be kind and just bypass this post. I get enough flack from dissers and mockers for being an unabashed fan of Journey, past and present. I know there are a whole lot of closet fans of the band out there, because they contact me. ;)

Happy birthday to Stephen Ray Perry.

The former lead singer of Journey turns 62 Saturday. Man, we're all chalking up the years.

In my car I have on perpetual repeat a CD of "The Voice," from his years in Journey (1977-1998 with a break mid-way), and his solo efforts Street Talk (1984) through what is IMHO the superior For the Love of Strange Medicine (1994). That same CD, btw, is also loaded up with the current iteration of Journey with the gifted Arnel Pineda.

I refuse to participate in the quite sick arguments that litter the Internet about "No Perry, No Journey" that inevitably devolve into racial slurs against the Pineda, who hails from the Philippines. Nevermind that Perry's parents were both Portguese (and his dad changed the surname of Pereira). Americans are a still a sorry-ass lot when it comes to POC. But I digress...

The fact that the band isn't in the Hall of Fame (or Perry as a solo artist) is that they were never the critics' darling, lumped in with the whole "corporate rock" nonsense of the 70s.

I know, many of you lump Journey in with Toto or REO Speedwagon or Styx and the like. Now I will give one thing to the critics -- when you listen to "classic Journey" that is what the Perry era is now referred to -- the studio albums are deceptively tight, even staid when you compare them to the group's live albums, or better yet concert videos or, of course attending a concert. All of their songs come alive with much harder rock arrangements and axe work by Neal Schon (see Stone in Love clip at right). That's doubly true today with Pineda, who is more of a power-rock vocalist, and a hard core man on the skins, the talented Deen Castronovo, who ironically brings incredibly Perry-like vocals to the mix. I have no idea why they don't cut as loose in the studio.

In fact the critics' bias against the band is incredibly unfair to Schon and Perry, considering the immense talent to jam outside of the Journey box. Take this early clip from The Midnight Special in 1979, where Neal, with his badass 'fro, and Steve in full soul mode, jam with Herbie Hancock on Road Runner" (this is worth the peek for Hancock's homemade "portable" keyboard contraption!). Anyone who says these two Journeymen can't throw down with the best is a liar. Steve, whose call to sing was his love of R&B (and Sam Cooke in particular), kills it on the vocals.

Come on, you have to admit that was slammin'.

It's pretty remarkable how Perry, who ranked (only!) 76th on Rolling Stone's list of the greatest singers of all-time, could sing with such emotion, clarity, power and pitch in concert for years on end. But alas, some of the Perry fanatics are in deep denial; some await Steve's return to recorded music (more on that later) or to Journey (um, no chance there, save perhaps a R&R Hall of Fame reunion on stage one day - I'm not holding my breath), expecting "The [62-year-old] Voice" to belt out the high notes in Separate Ways or the glass-shattering falsetto at the end of Mother, Father. Come on, people, get off of the bong.

More below the fold.
Steve Perry may still possess the emotive vocal skills and phrasing we love, but realistically, he cannot hit those notes anymore, something quite evident if you listen to the solo For the Love of Strange Medicine (FTLOSM) and Trial by Fire (TBF), the last studio album with Journey. An aside -- Trial by Fire is actually one of the group's strongest and most creative in my opinion; but if you ask most fans, it's the hit-laden classic Escape that should infuse any concert set list.

His trademark rasp envelops much more of his range than it did on prior albums. Not that it is a detriment at all; the vocal quality is perfectly matched to the compositions. In what is quite brave for a vocalist whose meal ticket has been his range, he actually allows his voice to break in several tracks as part of the emotive quality of the songs. What makes Perry an artist of note is he made the most of the still substantial range he had to produce equally memorable music, in fact, it gave us an opportunity to hear him work with his impressive lower range.

The solo Steve Perry, while a comfortable familar voice, recorded content that sounded very little like Journey. The one nod to the Journey sound (perhaps an homage to Neal) was on FTLOSM. He tapped a talented 19-year old, 80s-big-haired Lincoln Brewster (now a major contemporary Christian singer) as lead guitarist on the album and the short successful tour. You can hear his Schon-like licks on many tracks. There are several YouTubes of his performances from that time that give you an idea of his performance vocal range (1994).

Also, there's a hilarious video of one bit in a show where SP (who had some serious lovely long locks at the time) makes fun of himself and the rumors of his "lost voice" by playing around with one of the famous tux/tails he wore on tour with Journey. The kicker is some dude jumps onstage and starts wrapping the tux jacket around him (starts about 1:45 in) Steve completely falls apart laughing, finally getting it together to say good naturedly:

"It's nice to know that I can get everyone a little hot now and then."

***

Around his birthday, Perry, who's an enigma to a degree -- he's remained out of the spotlight for years and is an extremely private person -- posts a message for fans at Fan Asylum. This year he did a Q&A and he's refreshingly unguarded -- and answered 67 questions. Here are a few that I found interesting.

Have you ever been asked to be a judge on American Idol, and would you? - Maria

Yes I have...Randy Jackson asked me to Guest judge on the show once...I simply told him that I don't feel good about sitting in judgment of anyone's honest passion to perform or their talent...and If someone has a passion to perform..they should do it no matter what anyone says."

In this era of the 'techno' sound, auto tune, etc do you think music (especially rock) will ever again revert to turning out music relying on talented song writing and vocals? Can it recover its credibility and break away from the boring sameness that permeates the airways? - Gene

WOW...A Very killer question...Technology is a tool but it has played a big part in lowering the bar of talent required to make music and as a result.... some music - not all - but some.... is all the same due to vocal auto tuners and recording techniques that end up making the music sound very similar. Individuality of music is subject to the individual uniqueness in our diversity...When everyone buys the same Plug-ins and uses the same computer music programs...Music doesn't have a chance to be unique...I think using technology as a TOOL to capture real human emotion is the best way to use technology...Not as a career building Life Raft...

One thing I have marveled at when watching you perform the same songs over and over is how you are able to do them with the kind of emotion that would seem hard to keep feeling each time. What is it that makes the singing so meaningful to you each time? - Juliana

I guess I think that once the lyric and melody is established that the demand to vocally deliver it with as much feeling as possible is what it's about. I came up in an era when the only way to do that was to go inside and get it...There were NO computer programs to fix or make things happen that you could not do...You had to go in- find it- and BRING IT !!...Heartfelt music is the result of this reaching process...technology is good as a recording tool but if it's used too much as a solution...Then the emotion in the music can severely suffer...That is what's happening now...A vocal performance- charged with honest emotion - Has a chance of becoming... Timeless...

Which tour was your favorite, and why? - James (video is from Live in Houston 1981 DVD)

I would have to say the 1981 Escape tour...I think Journey was at a point when all 8 cylinders were firing perfectly in sync and we were in a peek moment together as a band. The Live 1981 Houston DVD confirms that. At that time, being in it and so close to it I now can see It was certainly more Magical than I knew...

I read in your interview with AOR Magazine in the UK that you have 50 songs worth of material written. Can we expect a new CD any time soon? A new CD would make a lot of hearts sing. - Vicki

I do have many demo sketches and many ready for recording...It's just getting my butt into the studio that's the problem. I have a love/hate relationship with the recording process...I like some of the demos as they are and at the same time I know what they could be so...It's fish or cut bait time for me...I really would love to release some new music cause...Time is marching on...If ya know what I mean...

I'm only 15 and I listen to Journey and your solo work constantly, even before Glee came on air. Do you find it interesting that the "youngsters" are listening to you and Journey without a family or media influence? - Jessi

I honestly find it to be one of the most wonderful things that has happen in my life...To think that a whole new generation is getting into music I've been involved in is very gratifying for me...It makes me very happy...

I heard an interview with you where you stated that you had always wanted to be a deejay and I was wondering if you had ever been approached to host your own radio show. - Sherry

I love radio.........I think the idea of playing whatever music comes to your mind and talking about it is exciting to me. Perhaps I will be on one of the new satellite stations soon. Don Was just asked me to be on his show so your timing is very good.

As I said, he took on 67 Qs, so there's plenty to read if you surf over.

So as the fangirl signs off and returns to political blogland: Steve, I love the gift you've given us -- your voice, your talent and the fact that you've worn your heart on your sleeve in song. May you enjoy many years of peace and happiness. It would be great to hear what you've been noodling around with on ProTools someday. Promise?

The Voice in 1978, singing the first song he and Neal Schon wrote together, the beautiful Patiently.

Related:

* Blogmistress music overload: my Journey immersion weekend

Keith Olbermann announces Countdown is no more.

A resignation or firing? In either case, we need KO on the air.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

In my inbox, the official statement from MSNBC:

[image error]        1/21/2011 08:02 STATEMENT REGARDING KEITH OLBERMANN  MSNBC and Keith Olbermann have ended their contract. The last broadcast of "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" will be this evening. MSNBC thanks Keith for his integral role in MSNBC's success and we wish him well in his future endeavors.

As someone who has frequently dealt with personnel matters, that is the standard HR kiss-off language used for a firing.