FilteringCraig

Scattergories is a game of categories and answers. You roll a letter and then there are lists that you have to fill out with answers that correspond to the letter that was rolled. At the end you compare answers giving a point for each original response that each person has given. So if you and I put down the same answer then neither one of us gets the point, etc. Anyway, that wasn’t the argument that went down on Christmas Eve.

Before I start, I will point out that nobody likes to play this game with me. I am the Scattergories Nazi. I will point out that there is a difference between a product name and a brand name. Anyway, I am not very lenient on the answers that are acceptable, but ultimately it has a democratic, majority rules system to determine whether someone gets the point or not. That would be great in most scenarios, accept when you are right and everyone else in the room is wrong. On Christmas Eve I was told I was wrong in a blind groupthink scenario where the entire family ganged up on me. The problem? They were wrong.

We rolled the letter J. The first category was “1. Things that are sticky.” Now I will give you a couple seconds to think of things that are sticky that start with the letter J. (Keep it clean.) Anyway, I said Jello. The room went nuts saying that “Jello isn’t sticky.” “You can eat finger jello without a problem.” Etc. Etc. I didn’t want to let it go, but eventually I had to. Now tell me, am I right or wrong? Jello is sticky isn’t it? My sister, brother, mother, father, brother-in-law and brother of my brother-in-law are all wrong, aren’t they?

Are you having trouble? Ok, here. Jello is sugar, flavoring and GELATIN. Right? Ok, so here is one of the entries for Gelatin in Dictionary.com.

\Gel”a*tin\, Gelatine \Gel”a*tine\, n. [F. g[’e]latine, fr. L. gelare to congeal. See Geal.] (Chem.) Animal jelly; glutinous material obtained from animal tissues by prolonged boiling. Specifically (Physiol. Chem.), a nitrogeneous colloid, not existing as such in the animal body, but formed by the hydrating action of boiling water on the collagen of various kinds of connective tissue (as tendons, bones, ligaments, etc.). Its distinguishing character is that of dissolving in hot water, and forming a jelly on cooling. It is an important ingredient of calf’s-foot jelly, isinglass, glue, etc. It is used as food, but its nutritious qualities are of a low order.

And for those who are still in doubt, the definition of the word GLUTINOUS.

glu�ti�nous - Of the nature of or resembling glue; sticky.

There we have it folks. Craig 1, entire family ZERO. Moral of the story is do not play Scattergories with me.

Ok, I am now set for the holidays. I have all presents but one. I have wrapping paper. I have plans for Christmas Eve, Christmas day and the Saturday following Christmas. I have a cheesy tree in my living room that changes colors. I am cooking something for Christmas eve. I think I have all that covered.

I am mentally prepared to see everyone and I am looking forward to it. Seeing everyone over too much food and some “spiritual” beverages will be fun. We even have unexpected guests this year which should add to the fun factor of the whole thing. Everything looks good.

With all that being said, is it too much to ask to not have to hear the bastardized “Jingle Bells” by Barbra Streisand at any point this year? Knowing my family, it is too much to ask.

added on December 23rd

I just had to add more to this post after seeing what was written on Amazon regarding this album. And I quote:

You haven’t heard “Jingle Bells” until you’ve heard Barbra Streisand’s version. Sounding more like a bebop Santa on A Christmas Album’s rousing opening track, Streisand keenly races through the stanzas, toying with the words, pushing the song’s tempos, and generally having a lot of fun. After that, she gets down to the more serious side of holiday offerings, with tracks that include “My Favorite Things,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Silent Night,” “The Christmas Song,” and others. At times this world-class singer can bowl you over with her range, sensuality, and emotion, and when she visits “Ave Maria” or closes with “The Lord’s Prayer,” it’s easy to see why this is one singular Streisand record that has traveled so well for so many years. A classy classic. –Martin Keller

End quote.

Martin Keller, I don’t have grounds for an actual restraining order, but I am hearby serving you notice. I will be forced to give you the largest, most excruciating wedgie ever known to mankind if you come within 100 yards of me.

Streisand wasn’t having fun, she was tediously butchering a kids’ Christmas tune. Kind of like the camp bully who would pin you down and poke you in the chest because he could, all under the guise of fun. I don’t think so. Damnit, I am going to become seriously disgruntled and leave my parents house if this song is played. It has been said. Heed my words or prepare for my departure. Sally, you wouldn’t want to make Mom cry would you?

WOULD YOU?

This is a call to all the people who insist on writing Christmas chronicles about what the family has been up to in the last year. Nobody cares. If you include a check, then people might feel like they should read what you have to say. If not, please refrain from sending them.

I can not divulge how I got a copy of this family Christmas letter, but it was requested that I read it and I couldn’t help but add my own comments. So read this and enjoy, but beware. If you send me something like this, I won’t be so lenient if I know you. My comments are in parentheses (bolded and italicized). Names have been changed to protect the not-so innocent.

–letter begins–
Although I�d love to call personally to get your updates and share ours, I realize that schedules to not always match so here is my best effort to bring you up to speed!! (I would rather field 2000 calls from telemarketers than talk to you on the phone so thank goodness for computers and printers.) I�m feeling officially old as I find myself asking �where has this year gone??!!� Echoes of my grandparents are ringing! Here is what 2003 brought us:

Jocelyn turned 8 May 20 and is loving 3 rd grade. She�s still a cheerleader and softball player, planning to take dance in Jan. Jocelyn would try any sport she could and most likely excel. She is truly a natural student and sportswoman. (Are you fucking kidding me?) She loves accelerated reading/math and science and is getting into cursive and multiplication. (Start filling out the application to Harvard you over-reacting bitch.) Truly enjoys any forming of writing stories, reports and the like. (At 8 years old I am sure they are worth mentioning in this pile of bullshit.) Jocelyn has been writing skits to perform with her sisters so we have endless drama in the house. Horseback riding is a big favorite� she�d most likely be happy living in a barn! (WOW she must like horses a lot! Blech!) I am just thrilled to see what a kind young lady she is becoming and I enjoy so much having real conversations with her. She is a wonderful person. (You wouldn’t know a real conversation if it crawled out of your ass and slapped you in the face. I think I just thought of a Christmas gift for you.)

Donna turned 6 Nov 8 and is in 1st. She started cheerleading and little league this year and enjoyed both. Also took swim lessons and is a natural fish like her big sister � she made great use of our pool during the summer. (”Did I mention that we are rich? Do you have a pool?”) Dons loves anything to do with arts and crafts. She is forever making me loving gifts, cards, etc and is such an affectionate little lady. (I can’t wait until she is 13 and turns on you.) Dons now enjoys riding horses more and has no fear. She has a heart as big as Texas and gold as the sun. (You should work for fucking Hallmark.)

Christine will be 4 Christmas Eve. She is such a big help with my garden, cooking and baking. I have never heard a kid say �I love you mommy� as often as this sweetie. (Complimenting yourself through your children is depsicable.) Grandpa Dawson had a 27-year-old champion mare given to him so Chris has been learning to ride on a wonderfully trained gentle horse. She adores �Lady� (which was my horses name!!) and all 3 girls want to show eventually. (”Did I mention we are rich?”) She attends preschool twice a week and is a favorite of kids and teachers at the girls� school when we visit. Sort of like a mascot, I imagine! (”My kids are even special in insignificant roles!”)

She and her sisters will begin dance after the first of the year. They love doing plays, puppet shows and dancing for us!! Lots of drama, drama, drama with all these women in the house! (I am sure the man of the house has tasted the cold steel of the tip of his gun.) (Family game night is also a favorite with all three girls.) The biggest compliment I get from school, neighbors, friends is being told the girls are �kind�, �considerate�, �have good manners�, and the like. That is all I can hope for! (I can hope for an auto wreck on the way to Christmas this year.)

Jeff remains with XYZ Trucking as head diesel mechanic. His big project 2003 was getting the basement remodeled into a suitable play area/rec room/MAN CAVE. (Hehehe she said Man Cave.) The girls use it to entertain their friends, make forts and have dance parties. He did a beautiful job. (The girls play in the man cave? hehehe) Continues working on his golf game in West Virginia when visiting my family � hitting the ball on ground that is not level is harder than it looks!!! (So he sucks.) He is looking forward to trucking around the country some this month which is always the busy time for XYZ, since they contract to haul for a lot of companies. (It also gets him the fuck out of the house where you live for a while.) Crops and the beef cattle at his folks farm still keep him busy.

Gloria I am even more active in the PTA and headed the warm kids project again this year, distributing winter wear to kids. I work in the girls� classrooms at least twice weekly and was asked to do a school-wide �Say No to Drugs� assembly. (The girls will never live this one down.) It was very powerful as I had many kids approach me afterward to share their life experiences. God has put me in the right place by giving me the freedom to be able to work with so many kids. I have since been asked to do the same in-service for other schools in our system. (Aren’t you just a special little helper. I am sure the other parents hate you. Your kids will pay the price eventually. Congrats.) I am also serving on a building improvement committee, parental involvement committee, along with being a �head check� specialist for monthly lice checks. No glory there! (If there is no glory then keep it to yourself.)

Our family was very busy with trips this year: Jeff and I enjoyed a trip to Chicago and had great fun. The subway was very cheap entertainment, except the part where I gave Mike�s leftover pizza away to a hungry-looking disheveled man! (The disheveled man probably hated you with your self-righteous “nobility.”) We have a trip to San Diego planned for Feb �04. Our family went to Hershey and Gettysbury; spent the 4th of july at Lake Michigan (the girls even rode the firetruck in the town parade!!) (I pray for a tragic accident with a clown car or a tuba player, but it never happens.) And then took our first family trip to FLA in November. It was the first flight for both Christine and Donna and they had a blast!! Other passengers even commented how well-behaved our kids were! (This is completely unnecessary. Aren’t they supposed to behave themselves?) Enjoyed their first ocean frolic too!! We were even able to see a dolphin and manatees in the wild which was a treat. (”Did I mention that we are worldly and in touch with nature?”) I severely sprained my foot 3 days before we left MI so I spent the trip in a walking cast � we sure got good parking spaces!! (Failed humor attempt) I�d rather be somewhat handicapped in warm Florida than fit-as-a-fiddle in Michigan! (Fit as a fiddle? Who talks like that?) The girls and I thought it was �way cool� to be able to SWIM in November! (I bet it was “way cool.” Or maybe groovy?)

I was also tickled to catch up with a friend with whom I grew up. He and I were neighbors for many years growing up and we hadn�t seen each other in nearly 20 years. I got in touch with him last year after I decided that rather than wonder what happened to folks with whom I�d lost touch, I�d actually do something about it! (”Somehow I fit it into my busy schedule checking kids heads for lice!”) I�ve been able to reconnect with several long-lost folks � it is truly as if time has stood still. If you have someone about whom you wonder, find them and just call!! It is a wonderful feeling!! (I wouldn’t take your advice if I was drowning in quicksand and you pointed to a rope.)

Again, we find ourselves blessed with good health, a beautiful family, a new church, precious friendships and I�m considering spending Christmas day serving food at the local mission. What better way to share the pure magic of this most blessed season??? (”What would Jesus do? That’s what I ask myself every single day.”) So many have so much less than we. I think of our troops, those struggling with illness, or simply those who are along and thank God for all we have. (Like Miss America you pull the “world peace” card? Stop it now.) If you are ever in our area, please let us know!! Please keep in touch. We are grateful for the blessing of your presence in our lives!! Being DEAR doesn�t have to mean being NEAR!! All the best to you in 2004!!

–and scene–

If this ending could be any more trite I would pay you money. I feel sorry for your family.

Straylight Run is going to be a very large band. You mean you haven’t heard of them? Ok, in all fairness to you, Straylight Run is comprised of John Nolan and Shaun Cooper, who recently left their big, famous, popular gig with Taking Back Sunday, where Cooper played bass and Nolan played guitar, sang and shared songwriting duties. There are many different rumors about why they left the band but their site will only say it was a combination of “personal and professional” reasons. Anyway, while this is a huge blow to Taking Back Sunday, it could be a gift to music fans everywhere. Add in Nolan’s sister Michelle and drummer Will Noon from the dissolved Breaking Pangea and that is the current lineup for Straylight Run.

As of right now the band does not have a record contract, but with Taking Back Sunday�s success they have been able to get on some tours and record six songs that are available to download for free at www.straylightrun.com. I recently saw them open up for Coheed and Cambria in Cleveland. Then I downloaded all their tracks to hear the sounds from the studio.

The results are a more melodic, emotional style from John Nolan�s past with Taking Back Sunday. It still has the raw intensity with the beautiful imperfections of Nolan�s voice adding character instead of detracting from the quality of the music. Michelle Nolan adds a new dimension with her harmonies and countermelodies. Overall these are some solid rock songs.

Taking Back Sunday fans might be a little disappointed at first, but if they stick around long enough to hear “Mistakes We Knew We Were Making” they will see that this new band has a lot to offer. By far the most impressive of the six songs is “The Tension and the Terror.” This is the highpoint of the emotion on the album and it is highlighted by John and Michelle harmonizing on a very powerful chorus.

Download these and check them out because I am sure in a short period of time they will be gone and you will have to wait for the studio album when they sign with a label. Mark my words. They will have a few choices of labels to choose from.

Coheed and Cambria is an up-and-coming band from New Jersey that seems poised to break the door down into a more mainstream fan base. As indie/emo keeps rising in popularity there will be a select few bands that will be able to come in and appeal to the larger market of consumers and music listeners. I feel like if there is a band that is ready to do it, it might be Coheed and Cambria. They are aggressive enough for the heavy fans. They are melodic enough for those who want a lot of emotion. They are poppy enough for those who like to bounce their head. And best of all, I don’t think anyone has any idea what the hell they are talking about with their vague lyrics and seemingly sci-fi themes. After seeing their show last week at the Agora in Cleveland, I am more sure than ever that given the right circumstances, Coheed and Cambria can be the “next big thing” like their NY/NJ brethren, Thursday was last year.

Writing good songs is important for every band, but to write good songs that are good candidates for fans screaming along are few and far between. I would say that the fans at last week’s show proved that Coheed and Cambria have an anthemic quality to their songs as most of the crowd reached back and screamed most of the words to the songs. We are talking about a group of indie fans who are known more for their “scene” clothes and haircuts along with an attitude of self-seriousness that is unmatched in most crowds. These fans absolutely just let themselves go in their giddy excitement over seeing the band. This is not to be overlooked.

The band went through a reasonable set and a single encore. Most of the songs were from the new album, “In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3.” A couple songs from their debut “Delirium Trigger,” and “Everything Evil,” were definite highlights according to the crowd response. During a break in “Everything Evil,” Coheed broke into “The Trooper,” by Iron Maiden to the fans delight. (at least for the ones who knew what song it was.) Other than that, they played the title track from their new album, “Blood Red Summer,” and plenty more.

The energy onstage was apparent. The band was tight and the audience appreciated every second of it. Live shows like this combined with continued adventures in the studio can only mean good things for Coheed and Cambria. It will be good for the indie/emo genre too, which is always in need of depth, breadth, ability and creativity.

This weekend I was basically labeled Scrooge by some people (Sally, Jen and Heather) so I decided to prove that I really do like Christmas. I do have some holiday spirit. I love buying gifts for people and I like a lot of the other feelings and experiences associated with the holiday. In order to prove this, I guess I have to own a tree of some kind. Whatever. My new tree even changes colors, so there!

It isn’t my game, but I will play it happily. So to all my detractors, I give you Christmas in Lyndhurst. Now if I could just do something about my industrial-sized tub of faux butter that everyone seems to think is not only strange, but worthy of a practice I will dub “Craig-mockery.” You can’t win them all. At least I know you guys care enough to make fun!

Today’s capture of Saddam Hussein is a bipartisan day of joy for America. The powerful images of the Iraqi dictator should make every single American relieved if not happy. The reign of terror is officially over in Iraq and despite any differing opinions on the war this was a necessary step to accomplishing the common goals that all Americans should share at this point in the operation in Iraq, which is to finish building the country and get our troops home.

Today’s capture will undoubtedly ensure that Saddam Hussein will never again return to power in Iraq. He will never be allowed to run a cruel, terror-driven regime that relies on murder and intimidation to control a group of people. He will never be able to “cleanse” certain groups out of the population. He won’t be able to run torture chambers to keep intelligent Iraqis from challenging him.

This also increases the likelihood that an Iraqi government can be established sooner rather than later. Without having Saddam in custody, there was always going to be a tacit threat in the minds of some Iraqis that the previous practices could occur again in the future. Today, that is basically gone.

While these things are undoubtedly good for the Iraqi people, many selfish American goals are one step closer given today’s developments. Everyone in this country supports the troops on both sides of the partisan line. While it is possible and maybe even likely that violence will escalate in the coming months and weeks, an Iraq without Saddam strikes a blow in the hearts of many Saddam supporters. It may strengthen his supporters’ resolve in the short-term, but the overwhelming boost to all Iraqis who feared Saddam should be able to overcome that temporary lift.

What this should mean to our troops in Iraq is more willing sources of intelligence. Those who didn’t want to put themselves in harm’s way given the possibility for an eventual return to power should feel more freedom to give information. Hopefully this will further close the divide between American troops and Iraqi citizens. Iraqis who have been skeptical of American motives can feel strongly that the United States has done something to help a country that has been brutalized for far too long.

This, combined with a serious concentration on quick and successful rebuilding in Iraq will potentially create a country that is self-governing, self-sufficient and capable of being a great place to live. This is the goal of every American because I feel confident in saying that we all want troops to come home out of harm’s way. The best way to do that is to finish the job of establishing Iraq as a viable country. I know that there will still be a lot more time and commitment involved in the campaign in Iraq, but today is a clear step in the right direction to doing the job properly.

The United States has been divided since the war was announced. There is a clear anger and mistrust amongst groups of our citizens and the leadership of this country. These are some of the things that make our country great, but regardless of the different stances on whether the war in Iraq was moral and/or justifiable, it was a path chosen by the leadership. Given the fact that this decision was made, I am confident in saying that the events of today are a step toward accomplishing the goals that bind us all; a safe and quick return home for the United States military.

This isn’t a universal list of the best albums of the year overall. These are my favorites. If you don’t like them, tell me why. If I missed some, I will check them out. There will be lots of lists like this throughout the end of the year. I just wanted to make sure I got my two cents in.

1. Death Cab for Cutie � Transatlanticism

Ben Gibbard had a big year and you can�t doubt the quality of the Postal Service (which appears later on my list) but this album is by far the best album of the year. It is a complete album that takes you on a journey. It hits rock highs with �The New Year,� �Expo �86,� �Tiny Vessels,� and �We Looked Like Giants.� It hits pop heights with �The Sound of Settling,� �Title and Registration,� and �Death of an Interior Decorator.� The best part though is in the heartbreaking songs like �A Lack of Color,� and probably the best song of the year �Transatlanticism.� If you missed this album you should go buy it.

2. Iron and Wine � The Sea and the Rhythm (E.P.)

Sam Beam is a minimalist. He produces his own albums at his home in Florida and records each part including his fragile vocal harmonies all by himself. While this is only an E.P. I have to include it on my list this year because �Beneath the Balcony,� and �The Sea and the Rhythm� are two of the better songs I heard this year. This is what it would sound like if Elliott Smith (R.I.P.) moved to the bayous of Florida. Also, although it isn�t on this disc, there is a version of The Postal Service song �Such Great Heights� that Sam performs, which is almost better than The Postal Service version.

3. Coheed and Cambria � In Keeping Secrets…

This is one of the only progressive indie bands I have ever heard. The guitar riffs and the rhythms are complicated. The vocals are way up on the register like a Geddy Lee, and the song quality is totally excellent. Highlight songs are �In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3,� �The Crowing,� �Blood Red Summer,� and �The Light in the Glass.� From punk rocking, to heart bleeding emotion, to an uncharacteristic mysteriousness, Coheed wrote one of the best albums of the year.

4. Minus the Bear � Highly Refined Pirates

Although this album was released in November of 2002, I am including it on my list this year. Sue me. Despite the crazy song titles that I am not going to list again, this is a great album. They don�t have the best singer. They don�t have the best musicianship, but the things they do set them apart. The singer sings interesting vocal lines, they have one guitar player do nothing but tapping, their keyboard player adds the necessary atmospherics and this combines for one entertaining album.

5. Thursday � War All the Time

Although I still don�t think this album is as good as their major label debut, it is a solid effort from a band that pushes a lot of the limits of the genre. �Signals Over the Air,� �For the Workforce Drowning,� �Division Street,� and �War All the Time,� are all very good songs. Aggressive and emotional, personal and political, this is a very complex album that is well more than listenable.

6. A Perfect Circle � Thirteenth Step

Although this band is a �side project� for Tool�s lead singer, Maynard James Keenan, the quality of the songs are not Junior Varsity. Songs like the album opener �The Package,� the single �Weak and Powerless,� �The Noose,� �The Nurse Who Loved Me,� and �Gravity,� are more than enough to make this album one of the best of the year. Maynard�s voice is beautiful, Billy Howerdel�s riffs are great, and the rest of the lineup is solid with Jeordie White (formerly Twiggy from Manson�s band) and James Iha of Smashing Pumpkins fame. This band straddles the line of heavy and melodic as well as any around right now.

7. The Postal Service � Give Up

The Postal Service was a successful experiment. Ben Gibbard of Death Cab and Jimmy Tamborello of DNTEL traded tapes back and forth in writing these songs. Then they brought in Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley to do backup vocals. A successful album, a successful tour and a whole host of new fans make me think we will probably see another album from the Postal Service. Album highlights include �The District Sleeps Alone Tonight,� and �Such Great Heights.�

8. The Fire Theft � S/T

A prediction for this album was questionable at best. These are the majority of the members from Sunny Day Real Estate, who have gone down in history as the quintessential Indie/Emo band. Unfortunately they lost there way for a while. Now with this return, and given some time, they were able to create a great album. It is definitely influenced by classic rock. The song �Rubber Bands� makes the album. It is one of the most urgent love songs that I have heard in a long time.

9. Dashboard Confessional � A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar

Indie poster boy Chris Carraba had a great 2002 and this album was the key to see if that upward trend could continue. From what I can tell, it has. Carraba borrowed some of the rock from his experience in previous bands and put together a heavier record that keeps the melodies from the acoustic records that made him famous. �Hands Down,� �As Lovers Go,� �Bend and not Break� rule this album.

10. Zwan � Mary Star of the Sea

This is the first post-Pumpkins effort from Billy Corgan. It sounded surprisingly different than some of the past material. Thematically the music is different and new players Paz Lenchantin of A Perfect Circle, Dave Pajo of Slint/Tortoise, Matt Sweeney from Skunk, and longtime Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chaimberlin give it a bit of a different sound. This album is happier than a lot of Pumpkins stuff, but the riffs and power are still present. Billy Corgan was born to rock and he does.

Ohio House votes to ban gay marriage

12/11/03

Stephen Ohlemacher
Plain Dealer Bureau

Columbus- The Ohio House voted to ban same-sex marriages last night following an emotional debate over the definition of marriage and the rights of gay couples to have access to health insurance.

The bill, which passed 69-23, would prevent Ohio from recognizing same- sex unions, regardless of where they are performed. It also would prevent the state from extending the legal benefits of marriage to unmarried couples.

……………………………………………….

“This bill is not about the defense of marriage. I can tell you that a homosexual couple is in no way a threat to my marriage,” State Rep. Dale Miller, Democrat of Cleveland, said during the House debate.

“To pretend that these people don’t exist or should be treated as second-class citizens is just plain wrong.”

State Rep. Ron Young, Republican of Leroy Township, said, “We’re talking about one of the pillars of our society, and that’s traditional marriage. Consider the human condition: We’re made up of males and females. We’re designed for one another.”

……………………………………………….

The bill says same-sex marriages are “against the strong public policy of the state of Ohio.”

That phrase is important because state courts are constitutionally obligated to recognize contracts and acts of other states, unless they violate the strong public policy of the state.

Legal experts have predicted the issue of gay marriage will ultimately be settled by the U.S. Supreme Court, though a ruling could be years away.

“This threat is a real threat,” Seitz said.

“I’m not willing to leave it to our courts to divine what our strong public policy might be.”

The sooner the Supreme Court rules on this the better. I am confident that they will do the right thing and set these states straight (so to speak.) These people obviously have no idea what it means that all men are created equal. This is little more than some anti-gay rhetoric. It seems very hateful and ignorant to me.

Plus, what is it that they are trying to protect? Last time I checked marriage has traditionally been reserved for straight couples, yet aren’t the divorce rates proof enough that the “sanctity” of the institution has already been compromised? Plus as a good friend of mine pointed out, the separation of church and state should prevent lawmakers from protecting the “sanctity” of anything.

If you don’t want to accept gay marriage as a part of your life then express that on your own time in church where you have the freedom to express your relationship to a higher power in any way you like. You can also protect the sanctity of marriage there, but do not do it on my time when you are supposed to be representing me. The legal issues for banning gay marriage are groundless and they deserve the same financial benefits as the rest of the people in this country.

The Supreme Court needs to act quickly so these people won’t waste any more legislation time. This is obviously something they shouldn’t have any control over. They don’t understand it and they can’t handle it.

Over on Justin’s site Justin talks about the latest Democratic debates. The point is that he said Carol Mosely Braun is pretty cool. I am not going to argue that because honestly I have no idea. She might be the coolest person on earth. The thing is she has the deck stacked completely against her.

If being a woman wasn’t enough of a disadvantage due to people in this country who would never vote for a woman, she has three names. While many presidents from the past had three names, nowadays we associate 3 named people with serial killers, and other famous murderers, not to mention bad celebrities. Come to think of it, is there anyone cool left with three names?

John Wayne Gacy
L. Ron Hubbard
James Earl Ray
John Wilkes Booth
Lee Harvey Oswald
Mark David Chapman
Meredith Baxter Birney

I rest my case.
I can only think of a couple good guys.

Tommy Lee Jones
James Earl Jones, but he might count in the above category because he was in jail at one time.

What do you think?