Quoted - Republican Senator Mark Kirk on Having an Open Mind and Greater Respect For Others

“When I climbed the Capitol steps in January, I promised myself that I would return to the Senate with an open mind and greater respect for others. Same-sex couples should have the right to civil marriage. Our time on this earth is limited, I know that better than most. Life comes down to who you love and who loves you back — government has no place in the middle.”

– Republican Senator Mark Kirk, whose stroke in 2012 allowed him to see things in a different perspective.  The senator endorsed gay marriage on Tuesday, April 2nd. (BuzzFeed)

Hillary Clinton: The Most Powerful Woman in American Politics

"...she has been one of the most remarkable Americans of our time. In the 20 years she’s been on the stage, the country has gone from wondering whether women could handle the toughest jobs to knowing they can. That is a huge cultural change—barriers that were a given for most people a generation ago are just completely socially unacceptable now, and thousands more women know they can aim for the top. No one is more responsible for that change than Hillary Clinton." 

     - Michael Tomasky, Special correspondent for Newsweek/The Daily Beast and editor of Democracy: A Journal of Ideas.

I pulled this quote from an article I read this morning, and it is absolutely wonderful.  Read it here - The Daily Beast

Pap Smears at Walgreens? Oh Republicans, You're Too Funny!

Sometimes we just want to know the truth, and Stephen Colbert does a damn good job of doing just that.  Last year, Republican Senator John Kyl of Arizona stood before congress and stated that "90 percent" of Planned Parenthood's services were abortions, which is simply not the case.  I already knew that, because of the following chart that was released the morning after Susan G. Komen cut funding to Planned Parenthood.

When Senator Kyl was confronted about the huge lie he said it "was not intended to be a factual statement."  Yeah, that's usually the case with all Republicans. Jesus.  Oh, and btw why not get your pap smears done at your local Walgreens?

Watch as Colbert quickly pounces on him - it's absolutely hilarious. 

Pray For Our President's Death

People often ask me why I'm not harsher towards Republicans in my blog.  And I tell them, because I want to believe that most Republicans are not this way.  At least the Republican people I know or friends I have, are not this way.  As a whole, I think the Republican party is heading in the wrong direction.  And a lot of it has to do with the hate and animosity towards our fellow Americans.  Most of the Repub friends I have, believe in the conservative principles of the party, yet have liberal views as well.

But I'll be honest, It's getting harder and harder to listen to the amount of anger and hate most Republicans have towards our President.  And quite frankly I wouldn't want to belong to a party that would deny another American the right to marry, or deny an American the right to pursue happiness.  I wouldn't want to belong to a party that constantly spews hateful rhetoric or tries to throw religion down our throats.  I wouldn't want to belong to a party that wants to strip my grandparents out of their health insurance that's been working so well for them.  And I wouldn't want to belong to party that boos a gay soldier who would've sacrificed his life for them.  The list goes on.

I wrote this blog today, because of something I read this morning.  It was an article on Kansas House Speaker Mike O'Neal.  Last Friday, he asked his fellow Republican House members via email to pray for our President's death.  That's right, not only is he using God to wish death upon a president, he's advising them to take a knee and recite Psalms 109.

"Let his days be few; and let another take his office. Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow."

Seriously? Why does it have to be this way?  And this is the same man who sent out a previous email saying "Michelle 'Yo Mama'".

I look at Senator John McCain's wife and daughter, Cindy and Meghan McCain, and wonder if Republicans will ever be like them.  Can they ever be like them?  And the answer, quite frankly, is NO.

Must Watch: Mr. Rogers Amazing Speech to the Senate

Most of you know who Mr. Rogers is.  He is the famous television host of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood that aired on PBS for 33 years. He wrote all the scripts, did all the puppets, and wrote all the music for his show.  

I remember my mother plotting me down in front of the television to watch this show, along with Sesame Street.  And you know what? I'm glad she did!  I hardly spoke any English at the age of 6 and 7, and I attribute these shows to helping me become a Spelling Bee contestant and winner as I went from grade to grade.  I had 12th grade spelling by the time I was in 5th or 6th.

Rogers, educated as a minister, was displeased with the way television was addressing children, and he made every effort to change this over his career, and he did.  During the Nixon Administration, the president wanted to cut funding to the Public Broadcasting Service, and Mr. Rogers was having none of it.

He went directly to the Senate offices in 1969 and spoke for 6 minutes of what was supposed to be a 20 minute speech, and got $20 million dollars for it.  One of the senators, Sen. John Pastore, a Democrat from Rhode Island (the same man who had led a crusade against the impropriety of commercial broadcast network TV content - wasn't exactly inclined to approve the funding.) went so far as to say,  "I'm supposed to a pretty tough guy, and this is the first time I've had goosebumps for the last 2 days."

The story only gets so much better, but you have to see the video to see, hear and feel what I'm talking about.  It's pretty darn emotional -- pretty darn amazing.  I love you, Mr. Rogers.  You have made a difference in my life, and I thank God for you.

Republican's Wife & Daugther Pose for NOH8 Campaign

Oh I love it.  Cindy McCain, the wife of former Presidential Candidate and Republican Senator from Arizona John McCain has teamed up with their daughter Meghan McCain in support of equal rights once again.

Two years ago they appeared in separate photo shoots for photographer and activist, Adam Bouska, but this year they have moved it up a notch and had themselves photographed together.  You gotta love'm both, thank you Cindy and Meghan!

You can see more pics from their photo shoot at the NOH8 Campaign website.

Watch Republicans Literally Walk Out on Democrats Yesterday - Lovely

Astounding, simply astounding.  And this is how Republicans address your $1,000 dollars being taken out of your paycheck next year.  

So let's see if you got a $1,000 raise this year, you're not going to see it in 2012. You're not!  And if you received a $1,000 Christmas bonus this year, save it. You'll need it next year.  

In other words, if you receive a bi-weekly check, your check will be $40-60 less than what you originally were receiving.  Trust me, you'll feel it.  Actually 160 million Americans will feel it.  Watch as the GOP speaker pro-tem, walks out as Democrats are pushing for a vote on the Payroll Tax-cut before it expires this month.

Yesterday morning, Speaker Pro Tempore Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA), under orders from Speaker Boehner, refused to allow Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer to speak on the floor and ask for unanimous consent to bring up the Senate bipartisan compromise to extend the payroll tax cut. Whip Hoyer and Congressman Chris Van Hollen are continuing to try to offer the Senate compromise even though Republicans walked off the floor. Once again, Republicans are risking a tax increase on 160 million Americans and the loss unemployment benefits for those who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

Quoted: Elizabeth Warren on Fair Taxation

Honestly, why can't all the Republican senators think like this brilliant woman?  If she keeps speaking like this, Republican Senator Scott Brown has his hands full come November, 2012.

Another Republican Outed... And This Time on Grndr!

No, this is not Arango, you horny bastards!

I'm sure you've heard the story, or read about it online... 

Another Republican who supported and campaigned for President George W. Bush, and was an opponent of gay rights was caught with his pants down.  

And it wasn't something to brag about either, "You know I've been losing weight. As I shed that weight, I've been taking pictures." Roberto Arango explains.
  
Mr. Senator was caught showing himself on the popular gay iPhone app Grndr, bending over, with his ass cheeks spread apart.

You remember the iPhone application that I mentioned in a post back on July 2nd?  Well, Mr. Arango likes to either a) hook-up with dudes or b) show his butthole to dudes; either way you look at it, he's been outed!

All he has to do now is make like Republican Senator Larry Craig, and say, "let me be clear, I-am-not-gay, I never have been gay... I am not gay."

You gotta love hypocrites, they only prove what we've said all along...  YOU WERE BORN THAT WAY!!!

God Save the Queen!

Oops... I Meant Marco Save the Qween!

You know it's bad, when the "crown prince" of the Tea Party, Marco Rubio makes headlines for saving the Republican Qween, Nancy Reagan.

Yes, the junior Republican senator from Florida was escorting Nancy Reagan down the aisle of the Reagan Presidential Library when she slipped and fell.  But within a few seconds, Super Marco dived in and prevented the Qween from hitting the floor within a few inches.

He was there to save the day and give an arousing speech, way to go Marco!  Seriously, I don't know who I would vote for if it was between Ricky Perry and this idiot!  What's sad is that if he were to run for office, President Obama would be screwed, because he would take all the Latin vote just for being from Cuba.

Policy Changes Under Two Presidents

I'm posting this because the blaming is still going on.  Really?  Do we still have to play this stupid game?  Really?

As in the article from The New Republic states, 

Critics of President Obama never tire of blaming him for today's high deficits.  But if blame belongs with one President, it belongs with Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush.

Just take a look at the chart below; this was created based on the figures from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. 

What more do you people want?  Obama is trying to fix it, give him the chance to do it. 

Geezus, you've heard time and time again, Senator Mitch McConnell say, "I want this President to fail," and he has also stated that he will do whatever it takes to get that done, even if it takes destroying this country to do so.

Happy Earth Day 2011

Over the years, Ryan and I have done our part by planting trees that will last for years to come, bought energy-efficient light bulbs for our entire home, and recycled as part of our community's efforts to preserve our beautiful land, but I learned a few things about Earth Day that I previously didn't know, like...

Earth Day was founded by Democratic Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin in 1970, after making a trip to Santa Barbara, California in 1969; He was so outraged by the devastation that he proposed a national teach-in on the environment to be observed by every university and campus in the U.S..  He felt the need for this teach-in was really important for the new generation approaching them.

In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 International Mother Earth Day 

Over 20 million people participated on Earth Day held on April 22, 1970, and is now observed by more than 500 million people worldwide, and several national governments in 175 countries.

Senator Nelson chose the date in order to maximize participation on college campuses for what he conceived as an "environmental teach-in". He determined the week of April 19–25 was the best bet as it did not fall during exams or spring breaks.  Moreover, it did not conflict with religious holidays such as Easter or Passover, and was late enough in spring to have decent weather. More students were likely to be in class, and there would be less competition with other mid-week events—so he chose Wednesday, April 22.

You can read more about this amazing holiday at the Earth Day Network and Wikipedia, which provided the wonderful information above; They do a really good job of covering it's history.  So check it out, it doesn't hurt to read more about the countless efforts millions of people around the world have made to help save Mother Earth.

First Woman Vice-Presidential Nominee Passed Away Saturday

I've been so busy the last couple of days with Spring having started last Sunday and visiting my sister over the weekend, that I forgot to offer my condolences to the Ferarro Family.  I vividly remember when Geraldine Ferarro became the first woman on a major party ticket.  My parents were pissed, because they felt women had no place in roles of authority.  Christians - what do you do with them?

She was hated and despised by the Republican party, which goes to show the kind of people they really are.  Why would someone choose to hate a teacher and a lawyer who was once the head of the Special Victims Bureau that dealt with sex crimes, child abuse and domestic violence?  On the contrary, she was more liked, than hated.  She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame and received countless of awards.

My sister, Ryan and I were having lunch at a Chinese restaurant on Saturday, when we saw the headlines on television.  Ferarro had Blood Cancer Multiple Myeloma, which she survived for 12 years, an amazing feat in itself as treatment options are limited, and many Myeloma patients succumb to the disease within a few years.  Working at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, I certainly understand the need for clinical trials in cancer and Ms. Ferarro did her fair share of becoming a part of them.

Government Shutdown Looming

“Closing our government would mean our men and women in uniform wouldn’t receive their paychecks and veterans would lose critical benefits. Seniors wouldn’t receive their Social Security checks and essential functions from food safety inspection to airport security could come to a halt.”  - Nancy Pelosi

Pardon my views, but the GOP has now gone on record showing just how RUTHLESS they are. They do NOT care about the American people and whats good for America. They only care about big business and keeping their wealthy friends happy. It's a sad day for us all....

These Republican­s spent four days and worked until four in the morning trying to figure out ways to make America poorer and how to take away benefits for children, the poor and the middle class. Not one idea about how to lower unemployme­nt. 

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said the bill would put people out of work and claimed the Republicans reaction to that was "so be it."

"Democrats have a different message: 'Show us the jobs,'" she said. "Congressional Republicans have spent the last six weeks ignoring jobs and refusing to offer a plan to grow our economy."

"Today, they have made matters worse — passing a spending bill that destroys jobs, weakens the middle class, hurts schools and young adults, eliminates assistance to homeless veterans, and diminishes critical investments in our future," she said.

Now when 2012 arrives the Republican­s will start off with the same old story about how President Obama and the Democratic controlled Senate have kept unemployme­nt high and the economy is still stagnant. So take this story and print it off and put it on the refrigerat­or so you won't forget what the Republican­s are all about. They want the country to go nowhere for the next year and a half and they are counting on the Democrats to stay home from the polls. Remember Wisconsin and Ohio where the working people have been steamrolle­red and how the oil companies have been allowed their Government welfare. Remember it and vote this stench out of Washington and the United States of America.

Last November, for those of you on the right who love to chant, "We won, we won, read the election results," the American voters did NOT put the deficit or national debt on the leading concerns of the day. Nor did they care a whit at the time about abortion, states' rights, health care reform or other causes the GOP/TP has wasted its time chasing over the past seven weeks.

Recent polls, released this week, re-confirm election day exit polls:

• 83% of voters named jobs and the economy their number one worry
• 73% were motivated by deep disaffection with the way Congress performs - and are certainly not being reassured by the incontinent behavior of the House Republican majority now
• While 22% said they were influenced by a Tea Party issue, 56% said they ignored the Tea Pary, and another 18% were actively opposed to TP issues and actions

So now the Tea Party is driving the GOP bus down avenues that only 22% of the voters endorse. That is a highway to hell for the Republican Party.

Craigslist Republicans, Gay Republicans; What's Next?

 "I have to work this out with my wife." —Craigslist Congressman Christopher Lee, to Fox News.

Why is it that so many Republican congressmen or senators are outed more often than not, IE. Mark Foley, Larry Craig and countless others?  There's even the possibility that Lindsey Graham will be outed soon, as well But it isn't so much that they are outed, but moreso the fact, they push for legislation banning gays from having rights, they promulgate their agenda of hatred and fool their constituents into believing they are God-fearing men.

photos by gawker

YOU'RE GAY! GET OVER IT!

They are so deep-rooted in their religious beliefs that they think they can fool everyone.  Well they fool the religious-right and conservatives alike.

I know that I've gone off subject, but I find it completely laughable that these men would rather humiliate themselves while in office, than be open about who they are from the beginning. And 99 percent of the time, these men are married with children.

Congressman Lee wasn't gay, but finding himself plastered all over the Craigslist Personals site half-naked wasn't a smart move either.


Read more about it at Gawker.com