Get on Your Knees (and pray) Pastor Ted… January 28, 2009

Do we really care about Pastor Ted Haggard and his sexual exploits? Well, I guess when confronted hypocrisy, we have the opportunity to a have a laugh (in some cases) or simply scratch our heads in disbelief.

Pastor Ted has been busy leading a double life. This is nothing new when it comes to married men (with children) who like a man on the side. In Ted’s case, he was not only busy – getting bizy with other men – he was also covering up his tracks with a settlement agreement and payoffs for silence. I don’t have a problem with married men having an identity crisis, however, I do have a problem with married men who claim a devotion to God and go down on their knees for reasons other than simply praying.

What’s the little woman think about all of this? Who knows. She’s probably not surprised that her husband was into men and more than likely had a gut feeling that Ted was cuddling up with boys on the side.

Can we feel sorry for the men who have come forward and have claimed that Pastor Ted led them down the road to drugs, alcohol and depression? I think not. It does not appear that Ted was flirting with young boys and was smart enough to find consenting adults in which have his bit of fun. Those who have come forward, in an attempt to nail Ted to the cross, may have had some problems with their own sexuality and it certainly does not sound like Ted was tying people up and/or drugging them into submission. No, it sounds like Ted found willing men who saved up their stories for a rainy day.

No doubt, many may find it comical that Pastor Ted had the ear of George Bush and this is where the duality gets a bit interesting. The old administration had problems with gay marriage and even Bill Frist chimed in on defining (and supporting his buddy George) in keeping marriage defined as between a man and a woman. However, George was rubbing elbows (as was Frist) with Gay Republicans who thought they had found a sympathetic ear – they were wrong. The double cross on the gay marriage issue was brewing just before George’s second term was to be set in stone.

Ted’s three year affair with a male escort seems harmless enough. In fact, the male escort looks like he was worth every penny, however, if it had been a woman would there be such a big deal being made out of Ted’s past transgressions? 

When Jimmy Swaggart had his affair, he whined, moaned and cried on television - seeking redemption. However, if Jimmy had been buggering another man, the backlash from his flock would have had dire consequences for the future of his ministry. Another example of “when things can go very wrong” is Jim Bakker. Many may remember Jim bilking followers out of millions. While that was the BIG story, the back story was Jim’s hi-jinks in the steam room with other men (at least one we know of). Jim was having his own fun on the side and served his time. However, are we beginning to see a trend with these people of God? Seems to me that hypocrisy reigns supreme, when it comes to what the good book says you can and can not do and, what these men of God are doing behind closed steam room doors.

Pastor Ted claims he’s getting help. What type of help he could possibly be getting to help him overcome his sexual proclivities - is a mystery to me. Sorry, but you’re either gay, straight or bi-sexual. I think Ted falls into the BI category (if anything) as it’s his safest bet in keeping what dignity he has left – with both his flock and his family. On the other hand, he could be a gay closeted fellow (who’s no longer closeted) and was outed for he is.

Unfortunately, the gay world can be cruel and even crueler to those who do men on the side, lead a double life and are then outed by other gay men who hate hypocrisy and/or the double-standard.

The double-standard between gay men (and closeted gay men) comes to the surface when ”out” gay men, prey upon closeted gay men and screw them in more ways than just one. Add a touch of celebrity (to a closeted gay men) and you have a recipe for disaster. I don’t applaud the gay men who have come forward to tell their sorted tales about Pastor Ted. In fact, they’re deplorable (especially the one who took money for sex). As for the male escort, he was paid for his services and should have kept his mouth shut, as he was paid. The notion of gay men coming forward and offering to take lie detector tests, to prove they had sex with Pastor Ted, is about as bad as it gets in the gay world.

Pastor Ted probably asked for the taste of hell he’s currently living. He spoke out against gay marriage, picked uncaring bed fellows, paid for sex (and silence), betrayed his wife, family and his followers. Now, I ask anyone, if that’s not hell, I don’t know what is.

How to Revive Detroit… January 13, 2009

The Three Stooges?

How do you turn around a business model and make it profitable? This seems to be the question for Detroit automakers. They have lost their know-how and are stuck in neutral. When they should been looking toward the future, to alternative energy cars, they shied away. When they should have been downsizing their operations (and models) they just got bigger and then…got out of control. They kept their losses a secret – to a degree - and then, when faced with a final countdown to shutdown – they finally put the car in drive and headed to Congress with hat in hand.

Is this any way to run a company? How can learned men be so blind, as to NOT see the end of the road?

Personally, I think that the CEO’s (of near-defunct automakers) are no better than Madoff. What’s the difference if you steal money through a Ponzi scheme or, if a corporate giant runs amok in debt and keeps vital financial information quiet - until the near end? Just who is Chrysler to be running to Congress for a bail out? They’re a private company and chose to be private. No doubt, they kept their financial debacle private until they needed public funds. However, in order to receive these funds, they essentially put a gun to the heads of those in Congress and pulled one card out of their back pocket, which was as good as a credit card.

The cunning use of the threat in closing down plants, cutting production and laying off 1000’s of employees could not become a reality in our present economic condition. This said, the CEO’s of these mismanaged companies headed to Washington in private corporate jets. Yes, they learned quickly that it would have been better to drive one of their own vehicles to D.C. but, they truly believed that they had nothing to worry about, as they had that “credit card” in their back pocket. Congress gives them a slap on the wrist and they return in hybrids – what a show.

Speaking of shows…

The Detroit boys unveiled their new collection of cars today at the Auto Show and of course, the hybrids were front and center. What’s wrong with this picture? The automakers will have these models available in about two years – 19 months after their bailout funds run out. This leaves Congress (and Obama) with a dilemma. If the big three are going to roll-out fuel efficient cars in two years, what happens when their current funds run out?

In fact, here’s a better question. In what world are these CEO’s living in that they’re presenting hybrids at a car show, which will be available in two years? This tells everyone (including Congress) that the CEO’s had NOTHING on the road-map to profitability - when they first landed in D.C. in their private jets.

Where to look for ideas?

What works in selling a car to Joe consumer? First, Joe wants a car that’s put together well, gets decent gas mileage and is of aerodynamic design. In addition, Joe would like a car that has a “look”. Put it all together (at an affordable price) and Joe might be willing to buy a new car. Offer Joe the same old – same old and Joe has no intention of parting with a dime.

The best place to buy a fuel efficient car, with looks and at a decent price is in Europe. Funny, Ford can build all these cool (small) efficient cars for the European markets, however, when it comes to building a “like” car (Americans will fall in love with), Detroit wags its fickle finger of fate and says “no”. Detroit says no, as the cars built for the European markets are for well…Europeans! Yes, that’s right, Europeans expect a well made car that’s fuel efficient and which looks like a rocket! Yes, Europeans have higher standards than Americans when it comes to buying a car. However, this is where Detroit went wrong. Americans (during the past five years) have wised up and will no longer put up with shoddy craftsmanship, cars that get 9 miles to the gallon and an interior in which the seams do not line up on the dashboard.

Could THIS be the Answer to Saving Detroit?

In others words, the CEO’s in Detroit, should get into their private jets and head over to Europe and see what Americans want to buy. A Ford Mondeo would be a good start. The Mondeo is a comfortable car and is actually fun to drive. It’s good looking and gets great gas mileage. I have another suggestion, watch the BBC show Top Gear and get yourself an education. In fact, I think the three blokes at Top Gear could all turn the big-three around by trading their BBC jobs in for the big-three CEO slots, which just might open up in the next few months.

Gay Marriage – No Vote = No Rights = Shame on You… November 10, 2008

Let’s see, you’ll put an African American in the White House but, won’t vote on legalizing gay marriage? For all the African Americans in this country, Obama has proved that you can do anything you want, as long as you work for it. Gay people in this country have been “working for it” since Stonewall – and to this very day -the religious right (and those in this country who think that homosexuality is a sin) keep putting up a stone wall to prevent gay people from having the same basic rights afforded to a man and woman. If it’s two guys (or two gals), it’s simply NOT good enough to be called “love”.

California is supposed to be the “crazy state” and ahead of the times. The entire entertainment industry exists by way of “gay” related talent. Arnold, those people pay taxes and your Republican neo-”you know what” attitude is rather curious, considering your own background. You can’t even balance a budget, let alone, be man enough to support those -who have supported you - in your career. However, you’ll raise taxes and expect the entire gay establishment in your state to support those changes.

As for “change”. Obama decries it’s “time for change”. OK, what are you going to do to give gay people their basic human rights? If you allow each state to make the decision, it will never happen. Yes, it’s easy to toss it back to the state level and stand back and say “I’m not the bad guy, it’s the people in your state and government making those decisions”. Since when, should anything having to do with something as “basic” as being able to adopt a child or, get married to someone you love - be put to a vote?

If we’re going to put something to a vote, let’s vote on a quota, as to how many gay African Americans can be in the Obama Administration. Guess not, as such a thought (in this day and age) would cause utter outrage amongst gay African American males (and females) who have an MBA and “worked for it”. Time for a change? How about coming forward and doing the right thing? No gay man or woman should have to watch as their partner passes from this world (to the next), not having been recognized as a “family unit”.

What’s interesting is that gay people pay state and federal taxes to “fund” everything hetero. We’ll pay state taxes to pay for schooling for children with hetero parents, however, we can’t adopt hetero or gay kids, as we’re simply not fit parents and/or NOT perceived to be “fit” to raise a family. OK, let’s givea a tax credit for any man or woman (under the age of 50) who can’t adopt kids because their gay. I see, hetero’s have NO problem taking my tax dollars to educate their children but, if I want to adopt some kids (no one wants), I’m NOT allowed to do so.

As for sex. I know more hetero couples that engage in sexual practices that could make your hair stand on end. I know gay male (and female couples) that would cringe at the thought of what many hetero couples do behind closed doors. However, the thought of same-sex couples sleeping in the same bed (that’s mostly what we do) or, making love, is a put-off to the religious right? A penis is a penis and vagina is a vagina and whether and what you do with your sexual parts is no one business but, your own. I know, let’s vote on masturbation. Better yet? Let’s vote on orgasms. No, you can’t masturbate or have an orgasm anymore, as the bible teaches us to NOT touch ourselves “down there”. Also, no more smoking, drinking or talking about sex. Let’s just clean ourselves up into the model society we pretend to be.

Seems to me that those who use the bible, as some type of sexual do or don’t handbook, indeed have their heads up their asses. People masturbate, they play with themselves, can’t deny it. Hetero’s engage in unsafe sex and in fact, can swing more than a community of monkeys - with each other.  A lot of good the bible has done lately. Teens are having group sex and keeping scorecards, as to who can have the most sex with the most partners (and in how many positions). These are the same children of hetero parents who turn a blind eye to their own problems at home but, with eyes wide open, vote NO on gay marriage? There are simply way too many sick and twisted people in this country and, those who voted to ban gay marriage in California and Florida, are the cream of the crop.

The State of Florida has to come out of the dark ages. If all the minorities who voted for Obama (and who possibly understand the need of basic human rights) voted to afford gay people the right to marry and adopt children then maybe (just maybe) the State of Florida could redeem its sorted rebel past. If the American people (as a majority) don’t want gay people in this country, let us know and we’ll all move out of the country. We won’t be around to rebuild the ghettos and beautify downtrodden neighborhoods, we won’t entertain you on the stage, serve you up gourmet food, be your wedding planners, decorate your homes, educate your children, give you OUR vote when you need it (hint, hint Obama) or nurse you on your death bed. We simply don’t have to care what happens to any of you.

The time is coming when the gay community will shun their fellow Americans and become ex-pats. We’ll move to Europe, where the grass is much greener and we can live in peace and harmony amongst forward-thinking societies that don’t discriminate or denigrate its people. For those who voted for Obama, you voted for change. How about spreading some of that “love” around to those in this country - who may NOT be African American - only in love with someone of the same sex?

If you’re a bible thumper – save it, as I won’t post your comments. I won’t waste my time responding to idiotic statements from those who think that quoting scripture will save the world. I’m a Catholic, brought up in a Catholic household and completely ashamed of our church and its Pope. It should be noted that Catholic priests, who abused children, are the lowest from of life on this planet. This is why I can’t support the Catholic Church, its Pope or its agenda.

For those who think that the word “fag” can be used as freely as the “N” word, think again. The world IS changing.