Month: November 2006

listen up!

voting and good news for HIV prevention (at least in S. Africa)!

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So, we all know that tomorrow is V-day. We all have to get out there and make our voices heard by voting for candidates that are going to hopefully make a difference, and represent our opinions for us up on the Hill (as I always say, if you don’t vote, you don’t have the right to complain). And, we must also challenge ourselves to see which candidates we should focus our vote on, and not get caught up in following suggestions that because one candidate may appear to be against one issue, that the issue may be such a hot button that said candidate simply avoids the issue, and may actually be the better candidate (and at a minimum, be the lesser of two evils). I say this, because organizations like Georgia Equality may make it possible for Perdue to win again, and while this isn’t really about gay issues (because Perdue has done a lot of other really awful things), it focuses on singling out gay issues as the main reason NOT to vote for anyone, when we all know who I think is a better (i.e., lesser of two evils) candidate to vote for. Keeping your voice silent by not voting for anyone allows the bad guy to always win. Not voting for someone because he doesn’t have a stance on gay marriage in a red, southern, conservative state is stupid, because he definitely seems to have his head together in a lot of other areas, and I would hate to see him not win because we ignore those areas; especially when organizations like the aforementioned should realize and understand that coming out as for gay marriage in Georgia would be political suicide; which is most likely the reason he avioded it (remember Kerry wasn’t for it either folks! But he would have made a MUCH better president!).

With that being said, I hope that everyone focuses on trying to find the best candidates out of those available, and hopefully, we can start moving in a better direction with our political actions; both locally, and nationally. No one is going to be a perfect fit, but there is definitely a better and worse candidate, and that may be more important than proving a point. Here’s hoping we can make some changes up on the Hill, while making changes in the ways things are done here at home, as well.

Also, I was reading BBC NEWS, and stumbled across this; a new easy to put on condom. All I have to say, other than holy fucking shit how awesome!, is why the hell hasn’t something like this been available before now? I mean, seriously, we are more than 20 years into the AIDS epidemic, and just now we are finding real solutions to getting people to wear condoms? We have been so focused on convincing people to use the regular ones, but I wonder why hasn’t anyone thought to change the condoms to suit the behavior? Interesting, isn’t it? While they are only available presently in S. Africa, I am extremely impressed and elated that such a product is now available. My only hope is that these, and more ideas like these, find their way around the world, and can be major players in helping prevent the transmission of HIV, and hopefully preventing it all together someday. If you are interested, there is a video of how easy it is to put on the condom, which you can see by clicking here (somewhat work safe, no genitals involved).

funnies

the christian thing to do is… (thoughts of Ted Haggard)

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Here’s what I predict to be a sample of Ted Haggard’s thoughts over the past few days, and especially now. He is probably telling himself that he is doing the right thing, and there is nothing to see here folks. He is reminding himself that he is a good Christian, and there is nothing to worry about.

Here’s a probably example of some of those thoughts:

— “Alright, Ted, don’t lie, but don’t offer up information about what I have done. See, if I don’t say that I have done it, it technically isn’t a lie. If they do start to spin something that I have said as a lie, make sure and cover that up by quickly back pedaling, and showing everyone that I actually didn’t do what they are suggesting, and I maintained my christian ways. I did the right thing, and what they are suggesting is wrong. Seriously. I told the truth, and if there are any more questions, I will answer them. Or not. I may need to change that, or some of those answers. But I didn’t technically lie. Did I?”

— “There is nothing wrong with buying drugs, technically; I was curious about buying them. So, I bought the meth, and just looked at it. It reminded me of the snow that fell on Jesus’ birthday. But I didn’t do the meth, because that’s wrong. Thinking about doing it is also a sin, so I am pretty sure I threw it away before I began to think those thoughts. Seriously. Buy the meth, look at the meth, and then throw it away, and you are safe. And I am pretty sure that’s how it happened. Pretty sure.”

— “There is absolutely nothing unChristian about a massage. They have been doing those for a long time. Since the formation of the earth over 2000 years ago. So, I can get a massage from a gay escort. There is no harm in that. He just comes over, massages me, and goes. Seriously, I am almost fully clothed. I don’t even recall wanting him to use oil. I remember that I told myself that I won’t even think about the guy. In fact, I hoped he was ugly, that way, I can focus on the deep tissue massage. The massage is just for soothing my muscles. After he does the massage, he will leave. See, problem solved. So what that he is a gay sex worker, he also dabbles in massage. He is entrepeunerial. That is a good thing. Foster growth in your business. There is nothing wrong with that. And there is nothing wrong with a man caressing my tight muscles. Nothing at all.”

— “Don’t be judgemental, because that is in the bible. Jesus doesn’t allow us to judge, and so I don’t, right? In fact, none of us Christians do. YEAH! That’s right. Also, I should remember to be sure and stand true to all of the morals that I preach about, and stay far away from immoral activities like lying, gay sex, and doing methamphetamine. Because those are bad. Okay, so I will work on this one. I technically didn’t do any of them, really, but that is besides the point. I just want to be better. God will forgive me, even though I didn’t do anything wrong, and all will be good. You’ll see. Also, remember that this doesn’t really make me a hypocrite either. See Ted, remember that things are still on track. You’ve still got your wife, and things will be fine. God is watching over you buddy. No need to fret.”

Yeah. No need to fret.

(article)

Aside: I personally don’t care what he (or anyone for that matter) does in their bed room, sexually or whatever; so long as it is among consenting adults. I don’t think meth use is good, because it is the most addictive drug out there, and it is basically driving the HIV epidemic. So, I don’t really care if this guy did have gay sex, and I don’t really care if he used meth (I just hope no one does, but I can’t make that decision for anyone); I just think it is interesting that these high and mighty “all moral” “all right and good” ever-judgemental and bigoted against gays Christians finds himself being accused of doing the very things he supposedly preaches against. Yes, it makes him a hypocrite, but it is honestly kind of sad that he had to hide behind the ministry, and it had to end up this way, when he could have just accepted his (potential) homosexuality, and actually lived a happy life. But, remember, there is a cure, you know. Only problem, is that it is called denial.

all about me

you never know what you will get

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I talked to my grandma today. That’s nothing special though, I talk to her at least once a week. She is probably the closest to me in my family.

A while back, my parents moved into a new house. She went to see it. While she was there, my mom was talking about how she was going to have to fix up a room for Jackson (the nephew). Then she told my grandma that “she finally understood and appreciated what she did for duane and shannon” all those years ago. This made my grandma happy. It made her happy to finally hear that her taking care of me wasn’t seen as a bad thing, but was beginning to be a good thing.

Finally.

My grandmother also said she commented to my mom about not keeping children again, because she was afraid of them getting hurt. This relates specifically to an incident when I was a toddler, and while being kept by my grandmother, I bit into a power cord, and almost fried my bottom lip off. Somehow it miraculously healed, but my grandmother was always blamed for the incident, nonetheless.

When my grandmother said the comment about keeping children and accidents, my mother told her “we don’t blame you for what happened”, referring to the incident with my lip. Finally, they forgave her for something she didn’t do, and couldn’t control.

It seems that grandmotherhood is turning my mother into a more compassionate person. I hope that she will see what she could have seen in me, in Jackson. I hope that she can realize that, and share it with me before it is too late.

I am at least grateful that my grandmother was treated well for the good things she has done for me my whole life, even if it was only 2 sentences mentioned while touring a house. I also told her today that she need not worry about what people will think of her, and to do what she wants with this life, because it doesn’t matter how much you worry about what people think about you when you are a Moody, it isn’t going to stop them from thinking it. I think she’s starting to agree.

music musings

Tower Records is closing

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But it makes me wonder… this was inevitable right? I mean, $25 for a CD is hardly something most people would pay when they can get it for $15 cheaper at Target. Well, I went today to check out the closing sale (30-50% off!!!!), and was hugely disappointed. All of the imports were still over $20!!! WTF? Maybe they will get cheaper when it gets closer to the actual closing.

The experience did inspire me to write Tower a little letter, though, and I shall post that here (and on my LJ):

Dear Tower Records,

I went to your Atlanta store today to check out some of the hot deals you claimed to be offering, since all of your stores everywhere are closing due to the subsequent end of your business. But, much to my chagrin, all I managed to see (minus a few choice used CDs I was able to locate and purchase, thankfully) was the stuff that you sell at jacked up prices offered at a mere 30-40% off; which, in many cases, doesn’t decrease the price to within an acceptable proximity to prices on the same things online or even at our friendly neighborhood Target store. I was confused, because I mistakenly came into your store seeking deals on items that were most often labeled with higher prices than any other establishment. While I understand that you want to get the most you can on this closing, I challenge you to look at this situation as a learning opportunity; it is my bet that, at least in some partial capacity, the reason you have gone out of business is because said prices were way to high to attract and maintain a loyal customer base. For instance, when I want to purchase an album by an artist that is from the UK, an import CD, if you will, while I know it is available in your fine store, I, being the able-minded boy that I am, also know that I can purchase the exact same thing from a fine online retailer such as amazon.co.uk, or even the collector’s paradise known as ebay. Again, I understand your need for profit, but when I can have the same CD you are selling for $25 delivered in pristine condition to my home in just 5 short days for only $6, well, then, my decision has been made for me, and I must admit that I have then become part of the momentum that has caused your business’s demise. While I do hate to see your fine retail establishment concede defeat, I will not miss the prices which caused me to seek out other means of fulfilling my UK pop/import CD needs. I do want to wish you good luck in all future endeavours, but urge you to please use this information in an attempt to potentially save yourself future financial downfalls.

Yours Truly,
Duane

Now mark down those imports before I come back, please!!!!