Friday, December 31, 2004
Genre Magazine Makes My New Years Eve!
Thank you to the editors over at Genre Magazine. They named me as one of this year's MEN WE LOVE in the January 2005 issue. The picture shoot, atop my building was a real blast with a very talented photographer, Ara Koopelian. The photo, one of those fun mirror shots, is really great in the print issue.
I've long admired Michelangelo Signorile's work and was honored when I grabbed the magazine today to see that he had been enlisted to write about my work with blogACTIVE. THANK YOU MICHELANGELO for your kind words. I've put up a copy of the piece over at RawPrint.com.
Thanks Genre for making my holiday!
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Hmmm....The lady doth protest too much, perhaps?
Apparently the earth was not the only thing to be knocked off it's axis as a result of the tsunamis in Asia on Sunday. If you ever needed more proof that the leaders of the Westboro Baptist Church were a bunch of nut jobs, we have it. Click here or above to see the complete flyer at Raw Print, the document vault of RawStory.
And, don't be surprised if this so called "church" seems familiar, this is the same bunch of wackos that picketed Matthew Shepard's funeral.
And, don't be surprised if this so called "church" seems familiar, this is the same bunch of wackos that picketed Matthew Shepard's funeral.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
TAKE ACTION Falwell slams gays, yet unclear of what is wrong with bestiality!
We knew what was on the way...
TIME Magazine, 1985
TIME Magazine, 1985
He's at it again...just as some Baptists have promised to be less homophobic, right wing ringleader Jerry Falwell is not backing down.
On Wolf Blitzer's Late Edition:...
[I]f, in fact, we legalize same-sex marriage, then why not polygamy? why just two, why not a dozen? Why not...what's wrong with bestiality?...Well, if this man is unclear about how bestiality differs from same-sex marriage, should he really be calling the shots over at the Republican National Committee?
Take a moment to call the Republican National Committee Chairman's office at 202-863-8700 or write to Ken Mehlman at Chairman@gop.com to ask that Ken denounce Rev. Falwell's hateful words against lesbians and gay men. (A copy of your e-mail will be sent to blogACTIVE's letter copy file.)
The blogACTIVE.com FAQ and end of year special action.....
Thanks to Ata-Boy for permission to show this magnet.
This and other magnets available at FridgeDoor.com
This and other magnets available at FridgeDoor.com
D.C. is quiet. The next big thing in town is the Republican National Committee Winter meeting....two days before the "inauguration" the leadership of the RNC is scheduled to meet right here in the Nation's capital.
I'm using this down time today to put the finishing touches on the long promised blogACTIVE.com faq....It's coming later today....I'll also have two special year-end take action items.
Also, a special thanks to H, J & A for the magnet, above. It's rare that a refrigerator magnet can be so right on the mark.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Enough of the silly plausible denial...
click above to read my letter to
Congressman Ed Schrock (R-VA).
Retiring Congressman Ed Schrock (R-VA) has received a warm welcome to his new post on the staff of Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA). BlogACTIVE.com readers have sent a ton of congratulations emails to Schrock's new co-workers about their openmindedness.
Others however, are not convinced. I've actually received notes trying to convince me that the audio files posted at blogACTIVE.com (you can listen to them here) of Schrock were not real. Click here or on the picture above to see my letter to Congressman Schrock. It should end, once and for all, any lingering doubt. You may read an article on the Virginia News Source website about my request for Schrock's voice analysis. You may remember Virginia News Source as one of the key players in promoting the original posting of the Schrock story.
Congressman, your move.
Friday, December 17, 2004
TAKE ACTION: Please congratulate openness of House Committee
Rep. Schrock poses with statue of
Saddam Hussein. Quite butch, eh?
I've always said that those who claim people will lose their jobs or kill themselves over this website were exaggerating. In every case, I invite such preachers of despair to show me one such case in the modern era. I'm still waiting for their replies. Here's another example of how even the GOP is ignoring the right wing homophobes.
Look at the case of Congressman Ed Schrock. Exposed by blogACTIVE in August for being both anti-gay and leading a secret gay lifestyle. Schrock will, according to the Richmond Times Dispatch:
...return to work for Congress as a staff member - in a reversal of a much more common pattern.I am happy to see that the House's leadership has becoming so accepting. Now that Schrock has been hired by the Committee on Government Reform, it will be interesting to see if the same leadership allows gay Rep. David Drier to hold the chairmanship of the Rules Committee. With a newly charged radical right wing pushing hard for an amendment to the Constitution banning gay marriage, I wonder if they will accept a gay man like Dreier to head the very committee that manages amendments to the Constitution....and you thought the last session of Congress was interesting?
A spokesman for Rep. Thomas M. Davis III, R-11th [VA] , said Schrock will become a subcommittee staff director on Davis' House Government Reform Committee, beginning in the Congress that starts in January.
TAKE ACTION:
Readers, please take action and click here to thank the senior staffers of the House Committee on Government Reform for being so welcoming of Ed Schrock to his new job. I know I will be sure to write and tell them how excited I am that they are so open to hiring a gay man like Ed. Be sure to copy this text and links to the stories about Ed here:
Schrock Ignores Past Sexual Liaisons With Men, Casts Vote for Federal Marriage AmendmentYour email allows you to take DIRECT ACTION from your computer. Let the people that use homophobia to maintain power that you think it's great that the party is not backing down to the anti gay messages of Lou Sheldon, Pat Robertson and other leaders of the radical right.
http://www.blogactive.com/2004_09_01_blogactive_archive.html
You can hear all seven recordings of Rep. Schrock on the gay dating line
Schrock faces accusations: CANCELS CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN
http://www.blogactive.com/2004_08_01_blogactive_archive.html
You can hear the first posted audio file of Rep. Schrock on the gay dating line
Your email will be sent to key committee staffers of the House Committee on Government Reform and key leaders of the radical right. As always, using the links above will also send a copy to lettercopy@blogactive.com. (If you prefer that blogACTIVE not receive a copy of your note, please delete our lettercopy@blogactive.com address from the bcc field.)
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Hey all...
Well, no news to report...but a quick post to let you know I am working on some interesting stories and that things at blogACTIVE.com are chugging along. Look for an update this week along with the long promised, and finally almost done, FAQ about the site.
Thanks to those of you who responded to the note about the trips. I am planning two short trips for research...the details of which I will share with you in a few weeks. I will be posting some new stuff shortly.
Mike
Thanks to those of you who responded to the note about the trips. I am planning two short trips for research...the details of which I will share with you in a few weeks. I will be posting some new stuff shortly.
Mike
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
TAKE ACTION: The "Gayest Office on Capitol Hill"
Well, as you can see from the post below, the radical right forces are not happy with the huge numbers of sodomites in their midst. The Agape Press service, part of the Donald Wildmon's American Family Association ran this item yesterday:
Ask if it’s consistent with their “Family Values” agenda to have a gay man, Jay Banning, in the position of Chief Financial Officer and Administrative Director.
Ask why Ken Mehlman, the man chosen to lead them, refuses to answer whether or not he is straight.
Ask how much chance the Federal Marriage Amendment has of passing with a gay man, David Dreier, as head of the House Rules Committee.
And that's a summary of this item over on the news section of the Virginia area of the Family Policy Network
TAKE ACTION
blogACTIVE readers are probably as concerned as I am about known homosexuals participating in the right wing political groups in the nation. Let's stand up and make sure that people are aware of this outrage. This is a two step action:
1. Click here to open an email to leaders of the radical right. Your e-mail will be addressed to leaders of the American Family Association, Traditional Values Coalition, Family Policy Network, Concerned Women for America and the Christian Coalition. Let these leaders know about what you've read about David Dreier, Dan Gurley, Jay Banning and Ken Mehlman.
Suggest that these leaders make sure that their values are represented in the leadership of the Party.
2. Write to local GOP leaders in your state and other states and let them know about the huge numbers of gay men in places like the Office of George Allen (The "gayest office on Capitol Hill") and about David Dreier. Also, be sure to tell them about what you've learned about Dan Gurley, Jay Banning and Ken Mehlman over at the RNC.
After reading the article on AgapePress, it's become clear that we need to help educate folks in the party where the press will not.
Here's a convenient link to each GOP state office and email. Tell them how you feel about having gay men, Dan Gurley, head up the field operation. (Gurley, while running RNC Field operations, was on line pursuing some activities not exactly supported by the platform of the Republican Party.)
blogACTIVE readers are probably as concerned as I am about known homosexuals participating in the right wing political groups in the nation. Let's stand up and make sure that people are aware of this outrage. This is a two step action:
1. Click here to open an email to leaders of the radical right. Your e-mail will be addressed to leaders of the American Family Association, Traditional Values Coalition, Family Policy Network, Concerned Women for America and the Christian Coalition. Let these leaders know about what you've read about David Dreier, Dan Gurley, Jay Banning and Ken Mehlman.
Suggest that these leaders make sure that their values are represented in the leadership of the Party.
2. Write to local GOP leaders in your state and other states and let them know about the huge numbers of gay men in places like the Office of George Allen (The "gayest office on Capitol Hill") and about David Dreier. Also, be sure to tell them about what you've learned about Dan Gurley, Jay Banning and Ken Mehlman over at the RNC.
After reading the article on AgapePress, it's become clear that we need to help educate folks in the party where the press will not.
Here's a convenient link to each GOP state office and email. Tell them how you feel about having gay men, Dan Gurley, head up the field operation. (Gurley, while running RNC Field operations, was on line pursuing some activities not exactly supported by the platform of the Republican Party.)
Ask if it’s consistent with their “Family Values” agenda to have a gay man, Jay Banning, in the position of Chief Financial Officer and Administrative Director.
Ask why Ken Mehlman, the man chosen to lead them, refuses to answer whether or not he is straight.
Ask how much chance the Federal Marriage Amendment has of passing with a gay man, David Dreier, as head of the House Rules Committee.
Alabama: 205-978-2500, e-mail, web
Alaska: 907-276-4467, e-mail, web
Arizona: 602-957-7770, e-mail, web
Arkansas: 501-372-7301, e-mail, web
California: 818-841-5210, e-mail, web
Colorado: 303-758-3333, e-mail, web
Connecticut: 860-547-0589, e-mail, web
DC: 202-289-8005, e-mail, web
Delaware: 302-651-0260, e-mail, web
Florida: 850-222-7920, e-mail, web
Georgia: 404-257-5559, e-mail, web
Hawaii: 808-593-8180, e-mail, web
Idaho: 208-343-6405, e-mail, web
Illinois: 312-201-9000, e-mail, web
Indiana: 317-635-7561, e-mail, web
Iowa: 515-282-8105, e-mail, web
Kansas: 785-234-3456, e-mail, web
Kentucky: 502-875-5130, e-mail, web
Louisiana: 225-928-2998, e-mail, web
Maine: 207-622-6247, e-mail, web
Maryland: 410-269-0113, e-mail, web
Massachusetts: 617-523-5005, e-mail, web
Michigan: 517-487-5413, e-mail, web
Minnesota: 651-222-0022, e-mail, web
Mississippi: 601/-948-5191, e-mail, web
Missouri: 573-636-3146, e-mail, web
Montana: 406-442-6469, e-mail, web
Nebraska: 402-475-2122, e-mail, web
Nevada: 702-258-9182, e-mail, web
NewHampshire: 603-225-9341, e-mail, web
NewJersey: 609-989-7300, e-mail, web
NewMexico: 505-298-3662, e-mail, web
NewYork: 518-462-2601, e-mail, web
NorthCarolina: 919-828-6423, e-mail, web
NorthDakota: 701-255-0030, e-mail, web
Ohio: 614-228-2481, e-mail, web
Oklahoma: 405-528-3501, e-mail, web
Oregon: 503-587-9233, e-mail, web
Pennsylvania: 717-234-4901, e-mail, web
RhodeIsland: 401-732-8282, e-mail, web
SouthCarolina: 803-988-8444, e-mail, web
SouthDakota: 605-224-7347, e-mail, web
Tennessee: 615-329-9595, e-mail, web
Texas: 512-477-9821, e-mail, web
Utah: 801-533-9777, e-mail, web
Vermont: 802-223-3411, e-mail, web
Virginia: 804-780-0111, e-mail, web
Washington: 206-575-2900, e-mail, web
WestVirginia: 304-768-0493, e-mail, web
Wisconsin: 608-257-4765, e-mail, web
Wyoming: 307-234-9166, e-mail, web
blogACTIVE Regular readers: If you'd like a list email addresses of Republican Party Volunteers in your state drop a note to: alicek@blogactive.com and include a short note with a little about yourself and what you'd like to tell your state's representatives to the party and we'll send back your custom state action list. (list size varies by state)
A quick note to blogACTIVE readers
Thank you.
To the many of you who have supported the work of blogACTIVE.com, thank you very, very much. Aside from two hours per week, blogACTIVE.com is a one person operation. Everything you read or see has been done by me. I am setting up systems to better respond to your support and I am working on getting out the last of the books.
Recently, readers may have noticed the addition of small ads on the site. These ads help to cover the costs of bandwidth, research, publishing, advertising, mailing list management and other expenses related to the work.
As the work becomes more important - and moves to higher levels, I will be taking two short trips out of town to meet with two sources on two new, high-level, cases I am working on. These trips will be made possible (provided I am not on any no fly lists) because of your support. If you believe in the work of blogACTIVE, I do hope you'll consider supporting the site through a secure donation at PayPal. Thanks. You can contribute by clicking here.
P.S. If the need arises, I am a fan of train travel...so, I'll get there no matter what!
Hustler On the Stands in DC
I am most definitely one guy who buys Hustler for the articles. ESPECIALLY THIS ISSUE.
blogACTIVE readers please note: Using your company
directory (above) or something similar will help keep the
magazine appropriate for the office environment.
If you live in DC and work in politics, you'll want to head over to the B&K Newsstand in Adams Morgan (on 18th Street between Belmont and Columbia) to pick up the latest issue. With the expose on the outrageous GOP party scene (did someone say "moral values?") and the exposure of gay Representative David Dreier, it's sure to fly off the shelves.
And, to show I actually read it...notice the mention of Rep. Ed Schrock..he was a runner up in one of Hustler's monthly features.
blogACTIVE readers please note: Using your company
directory (above) or something similar will help keep the
magazine appropriate for the office environment.
If you live in DC and work in politics, you'll want to head over to the B&K Newsstand in Adams Morgan (on 18th Street between Belmont and Columbia) to pick up the latest issue. With the expose on the outrageous GOP party scene (did someone say "moral values?") and the exposure of gay Representative David Dreier, it's sure to fly off the shelves.
And, to show I actually read it...notice the mention of Rep. Ed Schrock..he was a runner up in one of Hustler's monthly features.
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Frank Rich calls it again!
Back in October I wrote:
If I had a newspaper, I'd clone Frank Rich a few times.After reading his column in Today's NY Times, I see why the country needs more cultural critics like him. In his piece in today's Arts Section Mr. Rich points to the reality of network news and how it's most important consideration today is profits, made solely on audience size. It wasn't that long ago when the story mattered more than the profits... The networks used to pride themselves based on the accuracy of their reporting, not the purchase rate of a 30 second commercial.
Frank appropriately skewered Elizabeth Vargas at ABC's 20/20 for her disservice to the reality around Matthew Shepard's murder and he gets it perfect when he acknowledges that no matter how you slice it, these guys are homophobic:
A creepier example of the shift toward red news could also be found last weekend when ABC's prime-time magazine show "20/20" aired an hourlong "investigation" into the brutal 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard in the red state of Wyoming. "20/20" added little except hyperventilation to previous revisionist accounts of the story, most notably JoAnn Wypijewski's 1999 Harper's article filling in the role crystal meth might have played in driving the crime. But ABC had obtained the first TV interviews with the killers and seemed determined to rehabilitate their images along the way. The reporter, Elizabeth Vargas, told us that while the pair had been "variously portrayed in press reports as 'rednecks' and 'trailer trash,' " they were actually just all-American everymen with "steady jobs, steady girlfriends and classically troubled backgrounds." Aaron McKinney, the killer who beat Shepard into an unrecognizable pulp, wasn't even challenged on camera when he said he had "gay friends" (none of whom were produced or persuavely vouched for by ABC) and that he had only invoked a homophobic "gay panic" defense in his trial because that's what the lawyers told him to do. What's not to like about the guy?That horrible night, of course, was brought about by many bad decisions by bad people. Thanks to Mr. Rich for bringing truth to this important story.
Also...
A special thanks to Mr. Rich for referring to the work of blogACTIVE.com in the piece:
Bloggers can...publish multimedia outings of the seemingly endless supply of closeted gay Republican officials. (Emphasis added)
Friday, December 03, 2004
Meanwhile, over at RawStory.com...
Republican fat cats awash. . . .These guys are doing what they can to make sex dirty and sickening again. If God was really a-watchin’, they’d all choke on their communion breakfasts.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Hustler Publishes Scathing Articles about Dreier and the GOP Convention
Larry Flynt's Hustler (l.) and Gay House Member David Dreier (right)
Family Values? Pro-Marriage? Spare me the doublespeak.
Clearly David Dreier has an agenda other than that of the anti-gay Republican Party platform...he really needs to come clean to his constituents. Here's a sample of what Larry Flynt's Hustler, due out any day on news stands will have to say:
CONGRESSMAN DAVID DREIERHustler is published by Larry Flynt. You can visit Larry's blog by clicking here.
GAY & ASHAMED
After a quarter century gliding through the raindrops, it’s time for the influential Republican lawmaker to come clean about his homosexuality and the lethal hypocrisy he’s employed in pursuit of power. MICHAEL COLLINS and MARK CROMER hold up the mirror to Dreier’s face.
* * *Speculation began to spread, the sort that even a steady stream of party-arranged, photo-op female arm candy couldn’t deflect. Dreier never grew a beard, but word was he often had a pretty one on his arm.* * *By 1998, Dreier’s homosexuality was at least tacitly acknowledged and accepted by high-level Republicans. Former California Senator John Seymour and an entourage of GOP golfers were enjoying the links during a fund-raiser at the Red Hill Country Club in Upland, California, when he was asked if Dreier would have to get married “in a hurry” if the congressman hoped to run against Senator Barbara Boxer that year. As his golfing buddies fell about the green laughing, Seymour broke into a big grin—but no one asked why.
“Well, no, I don’t think David would have to get married,” the venerable politico mused with a wink. “He might down in Mississippi, but this is California. We’re a little more open-minded out here.”* * *A longtime Democratic adviser with numerous campaigns under his belt, [Randy] Economy said Dreier’s gay life is valid for discussion, since public policy that affects millions of people is at stake. “I know the pain that people go through in this process here,” Economy said. “But [Dreier] has got to deal with this stuff because now he is [advocating] positions against the community and against himself, and it’s not right. His lover is benefiting from it; therefore he’s benefiting from it, and that’s just not fair and possibly not legal.”
For more information on this story, including other excerpts from the article, check out Raw Story.
Randi Rhodes on Ken Mehlman and the GOP Leadership
Randi Rhodes (left) and, appropriately, Ken Mehlman (right)
I've got the transcript (click here to listen to the audio) from the Randi Rhodes show the other day. It was exciting to hear Randi talk about the hypocrites over at the Republican National Committee. Randy had this to say about Ken Mehlman, chair designate of the committee.
Randi Rhodes: …fine, this is a huge country with a lotta different thoughts and a lotta different ways to worship and a lotta different ways to not worship that’s who we are it’s what – we’re a big tent and apparently it’s gonna be fabulously decorated ‘cause Ken Mehlman is head of the Republican National Committee (whisper) And he’s gay.Wow, what will Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson think of this leadership style in the party? Is this reflective of their moral values? Click here to write a note to Jerry and Pat about this important issue facing the Republican Party show your concern about gay men like Dan Gurley, Jay Banning and David Dreier calling the shots.
So, ya know … they send out these bigoted, horrifying pamphlets: “Democrats want to do away with the bible.” And then their own Supreme Court doesn’t want to hear the case. Then they send out more horrifying things. About gays… Anti… Homophobic… horrible gay bashing stuff -- turns out the guys that were sending them: Gay!
Music: It’s raining men, Hallelujah!
Randi Rhodes: Gay!
Contact Jerry Falwell
Click here and select Jerry from the drop down list
Contact Pat Robertson at the 700 Club
or call Pat's Prayer Line toll free and ask for prayers for Mehlman, Gurley and Banning
PAT'S TOLL FREE PRAYER LINE: (800) 759-0700
E-mail the Christian Coalition
E-mail Concerned Women for America, where Lee LaHaye, son of Beverly and Tim LaHaye is the GAY Chief Financial Officer.
BREAKING NEWS:
Hustler Magazine
expose on Dreier
to hit streets shortly...
check back for soon to
be released excerpts!
Developing...
expose on Dreier
to hit streets shortly...
check back for soon to
be released excerpts!
Developing...
Randi Rhodes exposes RNC hypocrisy on Air America: Audio developing...
Randi Rhodes at Air America Radio has done a great job of picking up the craziness over moral values. She spent the afternoon the other day talking to her many listeners about how the National Field Director of the Republican National Committee, Dan Gurley, stood silently by as his bosses and staff engaged the nation in homophobic campaigns. I called in and was on hold for the program when I was shocked to hear Randi make a comment, albeit in a stage whisper that RNC chairman designate Ken Mehlman was gay. I’ll have the audio file and the transcript of the show up later on today…
(