Segregation Based on Sexuality? (Part 2)
Ok, enough already. We have heard a whole heck of a lot from a bunch of straight people. A friend of mine, who occasionally reads the site hadn’t heard of this issue until visiting my site. See? I am on the cutting edge of news reporting. Anyway, Bill Ennis lives in Philadelphia and is a member of the “gay community.” I asked him if he would like to write something for my site so that I could have a different perspective from my own narrow one, represented here on a daily basis. After reading Bill’s email, I give him a lot of credit for doing better research than I did. So, here is a different perspective.
“So, I definitely took an interest in this issue from the other day. One thing that I was truly surprised by, was the fact that this didn’t seem to be a hotter issue than what I felt it should be in the media. I went ahead and did some research last night and did some of my own thinking on the issue as well.
“The Harvey Milk School, a collaborative effort between The Hetrick-Martin Institute and the New York City Department of Education’s Career Education Center Alternative High School Program, is the nation’s first accredited public high school designed to meet the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth (LGBTQ).
The school offers LGBTQ youth an opportunity to obtain a secondary education in a safe and supportive environment. It is the goal of The Hetrick-Martin Institute and the New York City Board of Education that youth enrolled in the Harvey Milk School are challenged to achieve their full potential. The Harvey Milk School strives to develop life-long independent learners by creating a participative educational environment focused on academic excellence, with a special emphasis on arts and technology. Integrating an accredited curriculum with life experience, we seek to incorporate appropriate after school services and the evaluation of their impact. We believe that success requires the ability to respect and value the diverse human community.
The Harvey Milk School offers a High School Diploma Program (HSP), where upon completing the New York City Department of Education requirements for high school graduation, students receive a high school diploma issued through the Career Education Center Alternative High School Program.”
This school is part of a larger institution, The Hetrick-Martin Institute, that is geared to help LGBTQ youth ages 12-21. This organization is not unusual and there is something like this in every major city. HMI is basically a support group for inner-city teens that caters to the gay community, but you don’t have to be gay to go there. The Harvey Milk School is an accredited institution to help inner-city LGBTQ youth from New York City get an education. The kids that get to go to this school are not in anyway shape or form like you & me. These kids have been neglected by their parents & peers for numerous reasons, with the biggest one being because they are gay. These kids are runaways, drug addicts, children of drug addicts, homeless and scared. The Harvey Milk School was established to give these kids a chance in the real world.
These programs exist for all youths, regardless of sexual orientation, all across the country. So, this really isn’t a discriminatory situation. This school is also not some sort of Fancy-Shmancy Prep School, so I do not think the straight kids will be beating down the door to attend (and they probably won’t have a drama class). It is definitely not going to accept Johnny upper-middle class, got made fun of in his private school either. Public Funds are being used so this could be an issue, but I don’t feel that this is a bad use of these funds. It is ultimately up to New York residents as to how these funds are used. You also need to address the fact that the initial information you posted came from the NY Post – not the most reliable news source, in my opinion.
Everybody goes through a moment while growing up where we might feel like a “troubled youth.” Luckily for me I had a loving & nurturing environment in which to deal with those moments. Unfortunately not everyone has that luxury. These programs hopefully can give some comfort to these kids when there is no one else to turn to.”
-Bill Ennis
For the record, the original post was from Fox News, but I sent Bill a link from the NYPost. I wouldn’t consider Fox News to be much better than the NYPost, so the point is taken anyway.
What are your opinions now?
Segregation Based on Sexuality?
“NEW YORK — The city is opening a full-fledged high school for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students — the first of its kind in the nation, The Post has learned.
Operating for two decades as a small alternative program with just two classrooms, the new Harvey Milk High School officially opens as a stand-alone public school with 100 students in September.
The school is undergoing a $3.2 million in city-funded renovations approved by the old Board of Education in June of last year. It will eventually take in 170 students by September 2004, more than tripling last year’s enrollment.”
I don’t think this is a good idea. I don’t think segregation is the answer. We shouldn’t have separate school buildings for students with a different sexual preference. Is this going to increase tolerance or will this school just create a much bigger and easier target for the intolerant in our society? I will never have any idea how hard it is for some of these students, but I think this step will be a step back.
It also raises complications. What if this school is better than others? Hypothetically speaking, can a straight student go there because the education is a better quality? How do they treat Bi students? Do they get to go half the time?
This might have sounded like a good idea in the planning room, but I think it is ridiculous.
VMA Rundown by ME!
The nominees for the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA’s) have been released. In honor of that, I would like to go over who I think should win and why. That’s right, I am naming myself “the academy” for these awards. What are you going to do about it? I didn’t choose every category, because I don’t really care about cinematography, editing, etc.
Video Of The Year
50 Cent, “In Da Club”
Eminem, “Lose Yourself”
Johnny Cash, “Hurt”
Justin Timberlake, “Cry Me a River”
Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott, “Work It”
Craig’s Winner – Eminem – “Lose Yourself” – There is no way this video should lose. I am barely even a rap fan and I saw this video probably 30 times. And, how many times did you hear the song this year? Exactly! I wanted to vote for Johnny Cash because that video is cool, but it isn’t the video of the year unless he dies before the awards. Then out of respect we should give it to him.
Best Male Video
50 Cent, “In Da Club”
Eminem, “Lose Yourself”
John Mayer, “Your Body is a Wonderland”
Johnny Cash, “Hurt”
Justin Timberlake, “Cry Me a River”
Craig’s Winner – 50 Cent – “In Da Club” – I mean come on how many times did he get shot? The video was completely pervasive. I would like nothing more than to give the award to a rock band or something, but in this case, it can’t be done. John Mayer, please stop your Dave Matthews impressions. We only need one marbles in his mouth balladeer with happy feet.
Best Female Video
Avril Lavigne, “I’m With You”
Beyonce f/ Jay-Z, “Crazy in Love”
Christina Aguilera, “Dirrty”
Jennifer Lopez, “I’m Glad”
Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott, “Work It”
Craig’s Winner – Christina Aguilera – “Dirrty” – I will admit that this is just my man-ness speaking. Her transformation from a “Genie in a Bottle” to hooker in a boxing ring, won her this award. Her parents will be proud.
Best New Artist In A Video
50 Cent, “In Da Club”
All-American Rejects, “Swing, Swing”
Evanescence f/ Paul McCoy, “Bring Me to Life”
Kelly Clarkson, “Miss Independent”
Sean Paul, “Get Busy”
Simple Plan, “Addicted”
Craig’s Winner – Evanescence – “Bring Me to Life” – This one was a tough call between 50 Cent and Evanescence, but I had to (finally) award a rock band. The video is cool and the song is the best on this list along with “In Da Club”. I will go in favor of proper spelling for this category because last time I checked “Da” didn’t mean anything unless maybe you are speaking Russian.
Breakthrough Video
Coldplay, “The Scientist”
Floetry, “Floetic”
Kenna, “Freetime”
Queens of the Stone Age, “No One Knows”
Sum 41, “The Hell Song”
Craig’s Winner – Coldplay – “The Scientist” – When I heard that they almost didn’t make this album because they didn’t think any of the songs were good enough, I was astounded. This is one of the most complete albums I have heard in a decade, and this is one of the best songs on said album. Queens of the Stone Age are a close second. Floetry and Kenna? Who are you and what are you doing in a category?
Best Rap Video
2 Pac f/ Nas, “Thugz Mansion”
50 Cent, “In Da Club”
Eminem, “Lose Yourself”
Ludacris f/ Mystikal, “Move B***h”
Nas, “I Can”
Craig’s Winner – 50 Cent – In Da Club – It is a tossup between Eminem and 50, but I am going to go with the new guy this year. I must say it was enticing to pick the politically correct “Move Bitch.” Well, maybe Ludacris and the boys can win next year with some other song about abusing women. Hey wait a minute, I thought 2 Pac died going on a decade ago?
Best Hip-Hop Video
Busta Rhymes f/ Mariah Carey, “I Know What You Want”
Jay-Z f/ Beyonce, “‘03 Bonnie & Clyde”
Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott, “Work It”
Nelly, “Hot in Herre”
Snoop Dogg f/ Pharrell & Uncle Charlie Wilson, “Beautiful”
Craig’s Winner – Nelly – “Hot in Herre” – I am not sure what “herre” means or why this guy talks like that, but it is by far the catchiest song in this category, plus it had a callback to “the roof is on fire” joke in the video. How could you vote against that? By the way, I am not sure when Missy Elliott’s skinny evil twin took over her career, but she still has crappy songs, no matter how cool the video looks.
Best Dance Video
Christina Aguilera, “Dirrty”
Jennifer Lopez, “I’m Glad”
Justin Timberlake, “Rock Your Body”
Mya, “Your Love Is Like…Wo”
Sean Paul, “Get Busy”
Craig’s Winner – Sean Paul – “Get Busy” – I don’t really like this song at all, but you can tell from hearing it that it will soon be the soundtrack for the next few Girls Gone Wild videos. Any song that can entice spring break co-eds to strip naked and inexplicably turn into lesbians is ok by me. By the way JT, you need to stop emulating that alleged kid molester. Just because you are both white doesn’t make you brothers.
Best Rock Video
Evanescence f/ Paul McCoy, “Bring Me to Life”
Good Charlotte, “Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous”
Linkin Park, “Somewhere I Belong”
Metallica, “St. Anger”
The White Stripes, “Seven Nation Army”
Craig’s Winner – Evanescence (I guess) – “Bring Me to Life” – Couldn’t we get a better selection than this? The White Stripes are an acquired taste that looks more like a dying fad to me. Good Charlotte are not quite Green Day yet. Linkin Park is formulaic to the point of boring. Metallica’s new album flat out sounds bad even if you tell me “you made it sound like that on purpose.”
Best Pop Video
Avril Lavigne, “Sk8er Boi”
Christina Aguilera, “Dirrty”
Justin Timberlake, “Cry Me a River”
Kelly Clarkson, “Miss Independent”
No Doubt, “Underneath It All”
Craig’s Winner – Kelly Clarkson – “Miss Independent” – I award this to Kelly Clarkson in hopes that if she wins something she will finally go away. I can’t believe someone can be nominated for a video award after making the worst movie of all time. Avril is disqualified for being stupid with the title of her song and not knowing how to pronounce David Bowie’s name. I don’t care how young you are. Shame.
MTV2 Award
AFI, “Girl’s Not Grey”
Common f/ Mary J. Blige, “Come Close”
Interpol, “PDA”
Queens of the Stone Age, “No One Knows”
The Roots f/ Cody Chesnutt, “The Seed 2.0″
Craig’s Winner – Queens of the Stone Age – “No One Knows” – This video flat out rocks. I want to bang my head when I hear it. If you are so desperate that you need to have someone else carry your artistic load with a guest spot, I will not allow you to win. I mean really, have you ever seen Weird Al Yankovic “featuring” anyone? I think not!
Viewer’s Choice
50 Cent, “In Da Club”
Beyonce f/ Jay-Z, “Crazy in Love”
Eminem, “Lose Yourself”
Good Charlotte, “Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous”
Justin Timberlake, “Cry Me a River”
Kelly Clarkson, “Miss Independent”
Craig’s Winner – Write in Vote – The Real World: Las Vegas – I love the “reality” of a bunch of strangers hanging out in a penthouse room in the Palms in Vegas. I mean those Maloof’s know how to build a hotel and throw a party. What’s more realistic than that?
What do you mean I can’t vote for the Real World? It IS on MTV right? I have never seen any of these videos on MTV, but I always catch these reruns of the Real World, or Road rules, or God forbid, the Real World vs. Road Rules Challenge. My vote stands. I SAID IT STANDS!
Bill Simmons Does it Again
Bill Simmons goes through the mailbag
Simmons has to be one of the best sports writers in the country. He cracked me up for about 5 minutes, and then made me want to cry.
As I was reading toward the end of his article, one of the most beautiful songs popped up in my MP3 mix. With Sway by Bic Runga playing through my headphones I began to read Simmons’ commemoration of the death of Celtics star Reggie Lewis. Even as Simmons referenced Lewis’ torching of Craig Ehlo and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1992, I couldn’t stop my heart from sinking.
What a great writer.
Friday Five (7/25/2003)
1. If your life were a movie, what would the title be?
In the Third Person
2. What songs would be on the soundtrack?
Acid Bath – The Blue
Counting Crows – Raining in Baltimore
Deftones – Around the Fur
Neil Young – After the Goldrush
Coinmonster – 8 Little Knocks
The Promise Ring – Say Goodbye Good
Candiria – Without Water
Coldplay – A Rush of Blood to the Head
Commodores – Easy
The Used – On My Own
Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah
I would also put all my songs on there. What would the soundtrack of my life be if I didn’t have my own songs on there?
3. Would it be a live-action film or animated? Why?
It would be a live action film. It would definitely be about relationships and not so much about action or crazy stunts.
4. Casting: who would play you, members of your family, friends, etc?
I don’t think any of us are deserving of these actors, but what the hell.
Craig – Sean Astin (rudy)
Mark (my brother) – Paul Walker
Sally (my sister) – Heather Graham
Mom – Annette Bening
Dad – Warren Beatty
5. Describe the movie preview/trailer.
The preview would be with the music. A couple of punchlines as the music drops out and then back to music, fading out to views of resolution and happiness.
Next song! Next song!
Bill Clinton on Bush uranium line: ‘Everybody makes mistakes’
“You know, everybody makes mistakes when they are president. You can’t make as many calls as you have to make without messing up. The thing we ought to be focused on is what is the right thing to do now.”
“People can quarrel with whether we should have more troops in Afghanistan or internationalize Iraq or whatever, but it is incontestable that on the day I left office, there were unaccounted for stocks of biological and chemical weapons.”
-Bill Clinton from a Larry King interview
Now can we move along please? I am at the point now that I don’t care who is right or wrong or how wrong this person is, I just want to have constructive, productive conversations as to what we should do moving forward. And for the strict Democrats out there, please concentrate your efforts on finding someone to represent your party in the upcoming elections. I try to be as much in the center as I can, and I am dissatisfied with all the options I have seen for the Democratic representatives for president.
If you have something constructive to say, please comment, if you are a zealot of any kind, please go have a refreshing beverage.
Open Mic Night
Last night I went and played open mic night at the Barking Spider Tavern. I was on in the fifth slot. I was secretly hoping someone before me wouldn’t be any good. It turned out to be a bit of my worst nightmare. They were all amazing guitar players. I have been playing guitar for about a year, but really the only reason I play is so I can sing. Let’s just put it this way, my guitar playing will never be the highlight of my set.
Anyway, my turn came and I sat down and played “One Last Time Forever,” “On an Even Keel,” and “Disparate Lives.” I am really going to have to re-record these songs because they are a lot better now. Especially “Disparate Lives.” I have been using a capo across the second fret to bring it up and raise the intensity. It really makes the vocals a lot harder, especially at the end when I am basically screaming, “Turn Back Now.” I didn’t have any problems hitting notes last night, so I think I was able to overshadow my suspect guitar playing. I got some good crowd reaction and a lot of the performers came up to talk to me, which I will take as a good sign.
I don’t think last night was a typical crew of open mic performers either. Every person who went before me had a CD for sale. In my experience open mic nights don’t get that many established musicians. Anyway, it was good for me. They were all good, and I ended up getting two CD’s. The first guy goes by the name of Lanky and he is touring across the country playing acoustic shows and open mic nights like this. I think he is originally from New Jersey. I also met Mo Andrews who is a talented guy. His cd is pretty good, but his live performance was even better.
Regardless, I am going to try and play some more open mic nights with Mo because he is a cool dude to drink and bullshit with. When I get some more bravery, I will let you know when and where I am playing ahead of time so someone could actually come and see me. Until then… keep downloading!
Rock!
Betting with the Sports Guy
The Sports Guy Bill Simmons from ESPN Page 2
(On gambling)
“Sometimes, I do get a little carried away. At baseball games, I’m organizing home run pools before everyone has settled in their seats. At this year’s Legends & Celebrity Softball Game during All-Star weekend, Adam Carolla’s team won me 50 bucks. I’ve wagered on summer league basketball, the NBA draft (pick by pick), USFL rebroadcasts (a personal favorite), the WWE’s Royal Rumble, Sopranos deaths and video football, with the computer playing both sides (another favorite). During a Celtics halftime, I even won 20 bucks on the Special Olympics team in the dark unis. “
I am not nearly this sick, but I really love to gamble. In college we used to have the NBA package on satellite. When all rational TV went off the air late at night, we would put down a bet on the Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors basketball games so that we could stand to watch it with a vested interest. Thinking back, we were really sick.
Leftist Exaggeration = Desperation?
Article from NY Times found at Blogdex
You would think the NY Times would be trying their best not to be wrong after all their scandals this year, but that doesn’t stop Frank Rich from taking some serious liberties on what happened. I guess he was counting on the fact that nobody in their right mind caught Book TV on C-Span 2. Because of the internet, I did see it though and I am here to report the facts on what happened.
Rich writes:
“For them (liberals), it was a rare red-letter day when Al Franken, appearing on Book TV on C-Span 2, landed a rhetorical uppercut to the jaw of Liberal Nemesis No. 1, Bill O’Reilly, and left him even more senseless than usual…”
First of all, did Frank Rich even see this episode of Book TV? Was he watching the same thing I was? A “rhetorical uppercut?” Talk may be very right-sided, but I guess the print is clearly still dominated by the left.
Rich writes:
“…After Mr. Franken took the mike to delineate the lies at issue, Mr. O’Reilly started calling his adversary an “idiot” and shouting “Shut up!” Such grace under fire was not so much Reaganesque as Baxteresque, after Ted Baxter, the preening local anchor of the late, great “Mary Tyler Moore Show.”
“…But of course this liberal victory over a conservative blowhard was short-lived.”
Franken came out, talked a bit about his book and then started looking over his right shoulder to take shots at Bill O’Reilly, during which time he pretended like he was making a case that he was going to allow O’Reilly to answer. Then after listening for about 3 or 4 minutes, O’Reilly started responding, only to be interrupted continually by the guy who started it all in the first place. That is when he told him to “Shut up!” It was either that, or sit there and get steamrolled by the real blow-hard in the room that day, Franken.
You are willing to call this a “liberal victory?” I think that is a bit of a stretch. You must be getting desperate for victories. I will say that it is rather ironic that someone like Franken was steamrolling a man who is notorious for doing that to his guests on his TV show, but I think that is the point. O’Reilly doesn’t steamroll people in forums other than his own. It was a little outside the context of Book TV for Franken to be attacking a fellow panelist, especially without giving him equal time to respond.
After this point in the NY Times article, Rich goes on to make some solid points how there is no solid candidate to help pull the left into view in the talk-show circuit on radio and TV, but I feel like his opening was a little bit jaded. Sounding the trumpet as a victory that took place on Book TV on C-Span 2? Did everyone get that? C-Span 2. The Deuce. We aren’t even talking about first cut C-Span. This is Junior Varsity C-Span. J. PERIOD. V. PERIOD.
I just want to be promised one thing as the left tries to perforate the rightist talk show monopoly that appears to be in place today. Please just tell me nobody is lining up to give Al Gore a show because no matter which side you are on politically, you know that show will be unwatchable.
Your Momma
The Indians finished getting swept in a four game series this weekend. I caught this little piece from the Plain Dealer this morning.
(From Cleveland.com)
Welcome, Jody: The right field fans at Yankee Stadium have been giving Jody Gerut a going over in his first series in the Bronx.
“It’s like a college crowd,” said Gerut. “They have an ugly chant that ends with ‘Jody you’re ugly.’ I’ve heard a lot of mother jokes, too.”
Does anyone remember a couple of years ago when David Wells got his panties in a bunch over some comments that Cleveland fans made when he was warming up in the bullpen at Jacob’s Field in 1998? Well here you go then. I remember this being one of the most ironic incidents ever.
The headline should have been, “Wells with Roudiest Fans this side of Philly and Raider Nation Gets Feelings Hurt by Fans in Cleveland” A rookie just laughed off the Bronx Bleachers during the regular season, but Wells, a Veteran, was crying during the playoffs.
Wells said they were making fun of his dead mother, but you know what, I have been to enough games in Cleveland to know that we don’t do homework for our heckling. You can make fun of Cleveland intelligence all you want, it works in our favor in this case.
