Thousands of Nashi celebrate the Russian equivalent of Christmas. Nashi, also known as the Pro-Kremlin Youth Group were dressed not as Santa but as Grandfather Frost and the Snow Maiden. Hmmmm, I can't help but think of another fringe group mentioned here that is gaining support in Russia. Every April 20th on the eve of Hitler's Birthday sees an increase in interest in Neo Nazism. It would seem that Fascism is alive and well in Russia. With Putin's Presidential term set to expire in 2008, assuming that he does step down who knows what direction the next President of Russia will steer the country.
Marjorie Hill's New Job
Psychologist Marjorie Hill of Gay Men's Health Crisis has a long history of dealing with AIDS. Back in 1983 when AIDS was just beginning to be recognized and discussed by mainstream America Marjorie watched a close friend die from the epidemic. Later when she was the director of Mayor David Dinkins Office for the Lesbian and Gay Community she stopped going to the funerals of those who had died of AIDS. The reason was that at one point she was attending about one a week and had to out of concern for her "own mental health." While she has her work cut out for her she is also well qualified for the job having done outreach with the community in the past and having experience with the epidemic going back over two decades.
For more click here.
Mitt Romney: Flip Flopper?
Patrick Sammon of the Log Cabin Republicans is asking Governor Romney to explain his apparent about face on gay rights if he is planning on seeking the Republican Presidential Nomination. When Mitt Romney was elected Governor of Massachusetts back in 1994 he made the promise to "make gay and lesbian rights a mainstream concern" in a letter he wrote to the Log Cabin Republicans. Back than he was running against Sen. Kennedy which may explain in part why he wrote the letter.
At the same time he claims he supports gay rights he is also against gay marriage for the reason that he wants to preserve marriage as a union between man and woman. If Mr. Romney is really serious about this he could better preserve marriage by doing away with divorce all together instead of spending his time opposing gay marriage. What Mitt's real views are remain unknown and it will be left up to Republican voters to decide if his political platform is right for them in the next Presidential race.
Houston Rapist Still At Large
Police are still searching for a suspected serial rapist in the Houston area who last struck November 30th. On Monday the department said that there may be even more victims but none have been willing to come forward up to this point. The rapist is described as being a clean shaven black man, about 5-6 to 6 feet tall, in his late twenties.
Police have so far been unable to establish any link between the victims and it is believed that the rapist is striking at random when he sees someone he likes. If anyone has any information or if they live in the Dallas area and see the guy below they are urged to contact Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS as soon as possible. Hopefully the rapist is picked up before he has a chance to strike again but that seems unlikely as the police still have little evidence to go on. For more information check here.
Gay Marriage in Europe
A recent poll indicates that Europeans are sharply divided over gay marriage. For more info check here. Good to know that the issue is being debated over there. Gay marriage will never be legal anywhere without education to counter religious arguments and ignorance. This must be done at the grass roots level as that is the only way to make any long term/permanent changes in any society. Here's hoping it happens.
Bad Principal
A decision will be made soon involving the lawsuit filed by Charlene Nguon against her former Principle Ben Wolf who outed her to her mother after he suspended her for showing affection to her girlfriend on school grounds. Mrs. Nguon is seeking between 300,000 and 1.3 million dollars in damages for her treatment. I guess Mr. Wolf decided not to leave his personal views at home when he came to work. Hopefully Mr. Wolf decides to act in a more professional and tolerant manner in the future whatever the outcome of the lawsuit.
The Last Word
The New Gay Epidemic?
According to the most recent study up to 42% or homeless and runaway youth are from the glbt community. Sooner or later (if the government doesn't act now) America will have to pay a price for neglecting the needs of homeless youth from the glbt community. If later the financial cost will become greater and this will force the government to increase taxes in order to pay for programs to combat this. If this doesn't happen than the epidemic will continue to worsen and could lead to a greater human tragedy that would haunt many people for a long, long time to come. Hopefully this situation corrects itself and does not become a classic lesson in the evils of hate and intolerance. For more you can go here.
Possible setback in search for site of Bush Library
The faculty, staff, and administrators at Perkins School of Theology all are opposed to interest in the fact that the school is one of the forerunners for the future home of the George W. Bush Library. Among the objections that were cited in a letter to the President of the university the school colleagues had this to say.
"We count ourselves among those who would regret to see SMU enshrine attitudes and actions widely deemed as ethically egregious: degradation of habeas corpus, outright denial of global warming, flagrant disregard for international treaties, alienation of long-term U.S. allies, environmental predation, shameful disrespect for gay persons and their rights, a pre-emptive war based on false and misleading premises, and a host of other erosions of respect for the global human community and for this good Earth on which our flourishing depends....[T]hese violations are antithetical to the teaching, scholarship, and ethical thinking that best represents Southern Methodist University."
Whatever happens it will be interesting. Given Bush's continual and slow fall from grace it is questionable if he would be able to force the library on anyone if they chose not to house it. As for W. himself, if he was capable of change and growth he what not be in the mess he is now.
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