May
11
2012
I wrote this yesterday on Facebook, in regards to President Obamas “evolution” on his position concerning gay marriage:
I’ve wrongly been called a denier and anti-science by some of my Global Alarmist friends. Well, in this specific case, I’m going fully on record as saying I don’t believe in “evolution”.
This is what he always believed, but as usual was too chicken to declare it.
Hardcore liberals are elated that he has finally come out in support of gay marriage. Those of us – “us” being gay Conservatives or Libertarians – who have been critical of this latest pivot (flip-flop, whatever you want to call it) have come under sharp fire for not throwing glitter parties and thanking the President for making this the best early Christmas present EVER! What we’re generally saying is that this “evolution” to accepting same-sex marriage is not so much about some incredible epiphany, but is, as usual, all about politics. And, on cue, the turn of events in the last 24 hour gives our criticism some weight. For example. The American Thinker notes:
If his fundraising had been lagging behind the pace of his 2008 campaign, it appears that Obama’s flip flop on gay marriage may have changed that.
President Barack Obama’s endorsement of gay marriage carries a political cost, but it also means floods of cash from wealthy gay donors and disillusioned young people eager to be inspired by him again.
The “Obama the brave” narrative will continue for weeks despite the fact that the “political cost” of affirming what everyone knew in the first place is minimal to non-existent. People who oppose gay marriage weren’t supporting him anyway, and those in favor of gay marriage may have been discouraged but weren’t going to vote for Mitt Romney. The downside to his flip flop is small, but is being touted as evidence of political courage despite all evidence to the contrary.
Considering stories had been floating around for weeks, if not months, that Democratic donors were being stingy with their cash, is this move to mollify a very wealthy and prominent section of the base all that surprising?
So, yes, there are reasons for his critics to be a bit snarky.
But, I recognize that some of their criticism toward us is also justified.
When Obama was running in the primaries in 2007and was asked about gay marriage, I was hoping he would give the same answer that he gave in 1996while running for the Illinois state Senate, that he supported gay marriage. He didn’t, opting instead to go with the “marriage is between a man and a woman” answer, even though that was not his former position. It ticked me off because he was running as the “change” candidate, and I thought that would have been the perfect way to signal change. I recognized at the time that if he would have been honest with the voting public on this issue, seeing that the majority of the public was very much against the idea of same sex marriage, he very well may have failed to win the ultimate political victory if he wasn’t political with this issue.
It is ironic that the same political pressures that made Obama disavow his first position on same sex marriage have brought him right back to his original position. But this has been a political mine field for Democrats for so long. Raise you hands if you thought that either Bill Clinton, Al Gore, or Hillary Clinton were being true to their actual heart-felt position on gay marriage when they disavowed it, also saying marriage was between a man and a woman.
Thought not. Hell, Bill Clinton got hammered for trying to liberate gays in the millitary. And he was never the same politically powerful figure afterward. The gay issue effectively neutered him…. Politically at least! 
Face it, the issue of same sex marriage has been a very tough issue for Democrats to deal with. It’s been a political tightrope. Obama has changed that. In some ways this is comparable to political opposition to prohibition in the 1920′s. For the first part of that decade, unless you were running in a very safe district, a politician, even those who were known to be drinkers, could not publicly voice their desire to end prohibition at all. That was the political kiss of death. 1928 Democratic Presidential candidate Al Smith was the first Presidential candidate from either party to buck conventional wisdom, challenge the ruling dry lobby of the day, and vocally support the repeal of prohibition. Smith may have lost that election to wet / dry Herbert Hoover, due more to vile prejudice against his professed Catholic faith than his views on the drink, but his full throttled opposition to prohibition opened the gate for other politicians to “come out of the closet” as it were and not be afraid to state that previously unsafe position on the issue.
Back to President Obama. Yes, he almost certainly made this move in desperation to try and gain some support back from his ever withering base. He probably did not make this final switch for altruistic and honorable reasons. But then, history is rife with groundbreaking political decisions made for less than pure reasons (LBJ was not exactly known to be a civil rights champion before he signed the CRA in 65). In my opinion, the most important aspect of this change in position is this: It is more likely than not, in the long term, even if President Obama loses in the upcoming contest, that his cemented public support for same sex marriage will smash the wall that has kept many a Democrat, and a few Republicans for that matter, from voicing their true views and support of same sex marriage.
In the short term? Hard to say.
It does look as though this may heel some wounds Obama has created by trying to be a Conservative Democrat… Which no one really bought anyway. Also, he now has something for which there will be very clear and distinct separation from his competitor to point to during the campaign season. When the Republicans want to dominate the debate on economic terms, something which they believe is an issue that favors them, the Obama camp can now convincingly shift gears and lay claim to the once abandoned mantle of social issues. Social issues may not ultimately win the day for the Democrats, but this election season sure did suddenly get a lot more interesting!
So, Upon further reflection, I guess I can say my thoughts on this topic have… er…. “evolved”! .
Thank you, Mr. President, for opening this door.
PS. Now can you finish evolving your position on medical marijuana, and go back to the more liberal hands off policy you abandoned to try and win a few Conservative votes.
May
8
2012
Yep, still can’t get motivated to write anything…. Although I did start something on the turmoil in Europe yesterday. I may finish that today given the time.
Politics???? Meh! Kind of boring right now. I’m sure something wi,ll happen soon enough that peaks my interest. But, right now, it’s boring me to tears.
There are some things I could write about. For instance, I finally got a road bike, a used Trek 420, and am in the process of cleaning / fixing it up. Hope to have it road worthy for a little ride this week-end.
Also, I am leaving the 80′s band OutaTime. I know I haven’t been in it very long, but, things are happening to make it impossible to stay. Two people in the band have side projects, me and the guitarist Rik. My other two are starting to get more work. Between Rik and I, there will be very limited time for OutaTime band to get any gigs at all. And since we recently got a new lead vocalist and he’s still learning the songs, I figured this is the perfect time for a new bass player to come in and also learn the songs. We do have a gig lined up for June 3rd. I’m sticking around for at least that gig. They should have a replacement lined up by then.
On acoustic Highway – After the loss of Steve and Nancy Kuykendhall, I thought Acoustic highway was kind of going to die on the vine. Anyone who has been in bands knows the signs. But, a funny thing happened on the way to our demise. After flirting with adding another guitarist, we decided to stick around as a four-piece. This means I will have to learn a few more songs, and write a few specifically for this band too. Chris Flores, our drummer, will get the chance to move out from behind the kit and play some guitar. That’s way cool, because he is actually a better guitarist than drummer, and he’s a very good drummer! We now have several gigs booked for the summer, including playing for radio station KJWL at Art hop next month. That’s a cool gig! And getting more. For the first time in a while, I’m really exited about the direction Acoustic Highway is going in. Taylor Martin, my duo project, with our connection to Roger Perry, is also unexpectedly seeing more work.
So that’s what’s going on.
May
1
2012
I think there was a serious misunderstanding when they told Ang Lee they wanted him to direct the remake of the “Pissidon Adventure”!
After a particularly vigorous work-out this morning, Wang was feeling pretty stiff.
Mie always was good at keeping a stiff upper lip.
Asian Super-Hero’s have the strangest super powers!!!!
Destination – San Francisco!
Kim Kardashian to her sister: “Meh… Kind of small, don’cha think?”.
Dammit Kim… I said come to the party dressed as a cauliflower…. A Cauliflower!!! That’s not even close!!!!
Apr
30
2012
I’ve been want ing to write something.. Anything!
But I can’t seem to find any motivation to write about anything.
Politics…. Meh. It’s all the same.
Dan Savage…. Meh…. He’s gonna do what he’s gonna do.
The fact that my battery charger I bought last year has already died…. OK. But who cares.
The only thing that bums me out right now, it the news that iconic Fresno bowling alley Cedar Lanes is not only shutting its doors, but is apparently being torn down.
What a drag. Will have to go bowling there one last time before the take the ‘dozer to it, and implement my now famous between-the-legs shot!
Televised bowling was pretty big in the 70′s. Here is some old video of the Fresno Open, a bowling tournament. Who knew Fresno was in Southern California!
I have some recent video of my new band playing at Cedar lanes a month ago. I’ll post it when I get the chance.
Apr
24
2012
Brought to you by…. Newt!
“Marriage between a man and a woman is at the heart of our civilization.”
Um… Nope. Definition of Civilization is
“An advanced state of intellectual, cultural, and material development in human society, marked by progress in the arts and sciences, the extensive use of record-keeping, including writing, and the appearance of complex political and social institutions.”
- Did marriage increase mans intellectual state?
Nope.
- Did marriage cause an increase in either art or science?
Nope… Though sometimes art has been inspired by ones mistresses or forbidden loves!
- Did marriage spur the need for extensive use of record-keeping?
Nope…. Or at least not until prenups and divorce became more common.
- Did marriage induce the appearance of complex political and social institutions?
You know the answer.
Civilization does not suddenly go away if marriage suddenly did not exist. Civilization grew as a result of homo-sapiens ability to do things, such as refine agricultural techniques for instance, which diminished nomadic societies and allowed a greater number of people to be fed, which allowed a larger and larger number of people to live in one tribe, which freed more people to specialize in tribal responsibilities and created the conditions and the impulse to “civilize”.
Apr
23
2012
… And I don’t mind.
Gonna go work.
Then come home and get my bass on! Playing a couple of bass songs at open mic tonight.
Apr
19
2012
Someone on the Overkill video wrote this concerning the death of Men At Work’s Greg Ham.
I cried for strangers today and I don’t know why. Perhaps memories of my youth. Perhaps there is some majik when we are moved by another. The impossible knowing that they are on your side. May the creator find you willing and free.?
I know this. I get teary eyes when I listen to sad or touching songs that never used to affect me in this fashion. Part of it is thinking of the inevitable, when I’m going to have to mourn for the passing of a favorite artist – Paul McCartney, Simon or Garnunkel, Judith Durham, either of the Finn Brothers – when one of these great music influences go, I’m going to be devastated!. It all just brings our mortality a little too uncomfortably close.My mind often thinks that I’m younger, but the various little aches and pains in the body says otherwise. Granted… I’m not “OLD”. But I’m not young either. I hate the thought of our mortality, and more selfishly, my mortality.
Dying sucks!
But, even when I was a kid, I understood it as a natural part of life. It’s what we do.
Strange thoughts. I just realized, as kids, we understand the life cycle’s end long before we realize how we were brought into this world, i.e. sex. Only later after the single digit years do we come to grasp intellectually and physically the tremendous drive that creates us, dominates our life and kind of screws us up for so many years thereafter! We understand our end before our beginnings. Seems that should be the other way around.
What a strange and wonderful way things work out!
PS. Who is Judith Durham you ask? Only one of the finest voices ever to have existed on the planet, thank you!!!!
I cut my musical teeth? on this stuff. My brothers, sisters, and I used to sit around the kitchen table and sing together to this, Simon and Garfunkel, Kingston / Chad Mitchell Trios and anything else with harmonies in it. Though, as a musician, I’ve play so many different styles of music, these are my roots. To the Seekers and all the other influences – Thank you for teaching me how to think music, and be music.
PPS. And here’s a live performance.
See kids, this is how the grown-up do it! No auto-tune in existence. We had to learn to do it right when it counted! Love the newspaper hats too! Won’t that at concerts much anymore!
Apr
16
2012
Haven’t done a “Fresno In The News” item in quite a while…. So here we go!
And it’s about “porn“!
This is even getting reported in New Zealand! We’re world famous!!!! Doesn’t get much better than that! Probably might as well retire this entire tag, as I doubt I’ll ever have anything to report on that can top porn!
PS. When you get into the details, there isn’t any porn per see. It’s just another Santorumite wanting to dictate morality and control our lives.
Apr
16
2012
I just got this in my email. It’s complete with Verizon Wireless graphics:
Your current bill for your account is now available online in My Verizon
Total Balance Due: $1706.74
Keep in mind that payments and/or adjustments made to your account after your bill was generated will not be reflected in the amount shown above.
> View and Pay Your Bill
Want to simplify payments?> Enroll in Auto Pay
Thank you for choosing Verizon Wireless.
One little problem…. I don’t have Verizon Wireless.
I’m sure this has been out there for a while, but it’s the first time I’ve seen it. The links provided on the page are not letting me access the page. If i were using a Windows machine, that might be different. I am on my Linux computer, so I’m safe from any virus that might be attached to the e-mail or links. Regardless… Be warned. I’m sure there are a few people who might have gotten scammed in this fashion.
Apr
12
2012
I’m sure you’ve all encountered some of the blow-back from the careless comments made by former RIAA lawyer Hillary Rosen about Ann Romney. If you haven’t hear the comments, here’s the video:
In a conversation on Facebook, someone wrote this about the core of Rosen’s premise:
“A stay at home mom, married to a billionaire, really shouldn’t be speaking on working women’s issues.”
As my Mom says…. “If you don’t “should” on me, I won’t “should” on you!”
(God I love my Mom sometimes)
From my POV, there is no reason why she shouldn’t be able to talk about it. Example – I’m not married, and I can not get married here in California, at least not to the person I wish to marry. Does this mean that I shouldn’t be able to say anything or talk about the topic? Now, you can say she doesn’t have the same perspective as an out-of-the-house working mom just as I don’t on actually being married, but, even then, sometimes looking at things from the outside gives you a perspective that an insider might miss.
Next:
“It is now being taken way out of context”
Oh, those of you who know me know that is a very BIG bugaboo of mine – taking things out of context. But, having just relistened to Rosens entire comment, even in its entirety, hers is a dumb comment and not out of context. Sometimes you get reporters who lead a guest to a spot where they are lured into a stupid comment. That’s not the case here. Cooper did not lead Rosen to the attack on Mrs Romney. Rosen initiated it. And it’s worse, because Mitt, with his statement, was obviously pandering, and using his wife to do so. Had Rosen stuck to the main focus of the question, Mitt’s pandering, there would not be the backlash.
It’s not as if Ann Romney has never stepped out of the house and never talked to business people and working women when she was either First Lady of Mass and doing charity work, or that she doesn’t have friends and or relatives who speak to her about such things.
I’m a trained teacher. I hear a lot of people level criticisms at the teaching profession. Some of those people not only have never been teachers themselves, but they don’t have kids as well. Some of the criticisms annoy me, because, having experienced the teaching environment personally, I know that some of their criticism is off base, sometimes ridiculous. But, even though there is no connection to the profession, some of it is still none-the-less valid.
I have no problem criticizing any politician when he or she is pandering, which Mitt was doing with his original comment. And it was clumsy, as usual. But what Rosen did, in order to score some political points, was akin to throwing fellow woman Ann Romney under the bus. And here it’s worse, because Mrs Romney wasn’t even in the road, but was a pedestrian on the sidewalk, and Rosen had to swerve to nail her!