Graveyard of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" spotted on 21st Street, NW

So I was heading to my doctor for my annual sinus infection in Dupont Circle yesterday and I came across the best Halloween decorations I have seen in a long time. It made me smile .. but a sad sardonic smile. American? Please vote for change.

Queer Republicans

Ok. So this morning I read this article with great interest in the Washington Post.


Hill Republicans Air Out the Closet

By Jose Antonio Vargas
In October 1993, after the ban on gays in the military was replaced with a "don't ask, don't tell" policy, three Oklahoma congressmen said they wouldn't hire an openly gay person onto their staffs. Then-Rep. Jim Inhofe (R) told the Tulsa World: "I would not appoint a gay person in that type of...


So the mean old Republican Senators and Congresspersons aren't REALLY that homophobic in real life. Hey they have gay friends! Here's the simply explanation given to us by our gay brother David Duncan for this dangerous dichotomy:

"The reality is, these members are not homophobic. For the most part, they're using this marketing to play to our base and stay in power. They have to turn out the votes," said David Duncan, once a board member of the Lesbian and Gay Congressional Staff Association and a former top aide to Rep. Robert Ney (R-Ohio)."

Politics is not about leadership it seems among the old red Republicans. They would sooner serve us up on a skewer to get some votes and tell us privately it isn't us really. You're ok, but hey you know how it is. $#@% that %$#@!

This is why I am at least more fond of the Democrats. They try to stand for something of value and integrity about human beings - they don't use groups to blame and scapegoat. But no the republicans have gotten the Roger Ailes war book. Swiftboat veterans, gay marriage, those damn cut and run doves. The whole thing sucks. We are all Americans and they play about half the electorate like a violin to blame others who are ruingint this country so hey vote for ME! It's time some Republicans who are so gay tolerant got a freaking spine and told their constituents where to stick the prejudice and hatred. Perhaps a few votes are more important than a clear conscience.

Ciao.

Tired old queens

Somedays I ask myself... can a tired old queen keep doing 3 jobs to pay the man? Why is our super power industrial society which promised us all great freedom and leisure costing more and more money so the average person doesn't have time to read a book? I still want to read "The Overworked American" someday cover to cover but I think the whole premise is depressing. I work more than the farmers in the dark ages. Whoa. I need a change of something and I know from experience that it is just this. A change of mind. I/We have decided to make important that which is not. I/We have accepted that I can't earn a living without sacrifice and sweat and even then - god forbid we be too successful. I think the mind has so much power, everything we say, everything we think is coming together collectively to form what we accept as reality. Who made it? I/we did. Don't like it you tired old queen? Change it baby, change, it.

Getting It

So my very dear friend Alex Sanchez is in town this week and we went out for a late dinner at Clydes in Chevy Chase. He is touring for his newest book Getting It which I now have for my late night read. It looks to be a fantastic addition to his catalogue so look for my review here later. Alex and I have been friends and "art buddies" for 12-13 years now and I always look forward to catching up with him when he comes back through DC. He took the plunge 3 years ago to leave DC and live a full time writing life, living mostly in Thailand. I am always amazed that he has actualized his vision - to tell affirming stories about gay and lesbian people. His writings are subversive in their innocence and normalilty - giving gay teens a voice to identify with. I was a suicidal gay teen myself. It is not easy when who you are is regularly demonized around and in front of you so I applaud Alex for daring to state the truth about growing up gay so that others might not feel so alone.

Well - happy rainy Tuesday from DC pumpkins.

Ellie Belly

The lyrics to my latest ditty go something like this:

P-p-p-p-papa
Baby Baby Ellie
P-p-p-p-papa
Baby Baby Ellie
Ellie Ellie Belly

Yes I am a dad again and it is amazing. She smiles whenever I sing that one and all the stress of the year seems worth it.

I am still without my home studio in my new home but I have a lot of work left on the CD to complete with Marco so I am not feeling too blocked. Light in August should be out in a few days. CDBaby.com is going to carry it but I mainly want to get it digital. I made a really nice booklet on my Mac for it - and published it through iPhoto and am attaching the cd in the back. It is a bit like art - which is great fun for me. I am so tired of the music business and actually thank god I am approaching 40 and just want to make music for the %$#@ of it.

I heard 655,000 Iraqis have died in the war yesterday. People may think I am a pinko commie but I am so sure that there must be a better way.

Peace,
Brent