KYTOP

Great news, hope they can make a go of it. Seems alot of print media are having troubles. I expect we'll soon have to start paying for the online editions of the print media?

Ahhh, Nope!

CNN picked up the story today and even had an interview with the Escort, cute guy. He says they never had "sex" but had to give him a massage everyday. I would think that admitting to paid sex could have caused him a few problems. Wonder what this does to the rentboy site also, good or bad? I am a strong believer in protection of privacy when it comes to hiring but I can understand the want to uncover the hyprocisy of this situation. Similar to Spitzer's problems in NYC I guess. One of my favorite escorts was in Nashville. He always told me his busiest times was when the religious conventions and Gospel music people were in town. Here is the CNN link: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2010/05/07/ac.kaye.george.rekers.cnn?hpt=C2

Was really sad to hear about this. 11 inches of rain in a 24 hour period wow. Looks like even a week after the rains there are still major problems. The BBC reported today that the Christ Statue has even been closed due to the mudslides: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8619624.stm

I had the great pleasure to meet Dixie Carter a few times during her annual visit to the Kentucky Derby with her husband and mother. She and Hal Holbrooke made a great couple that complimented each other. She was always a treasure to meet in real life with true Southern charm. Always smiling and always gracious. A true loss. May she rest in peace.

Thanks for the links on both the stories, very sad but interesting. I think the thing that upsets me so much about situations like this is not so much that a culture thinks or teaches this way but that people can be so filled with hate against other people. Regardless if they can't understand homosexuality because of their culture or teaching, the total hate and meanness just chills me to the bone. Like the public death sentence for the 2 gay teenage boys in Iran a few years ago. Remember in this country, not really all that long ago, sodomy laws made sexual contact between 2 men illegal in many states. The courts struck them down and so soon now so many here can't even imagine such a thing in this country. We still have so far to go in this country but thank God we have come this far in my lifetime. It was even interesting to see Dick Cheney on ABC's This Week Sunday program when asked about the repeal of don't ask don't tell. He basicly said times have changed, even since DADT was started, and he agreed with some of the Military Generals and now was the time to repeal it. I realize he has a gay daughter but still my jaw hit the floor. Again thanks for the links and hopefully one day other countries can at least get to where we are today and hopefully maybe where we will be tomorrow.

Looks pretty good to me tooo. You'll hear no complaints from me if you want to try a few more.

Sorry but the hot nipple distracted me from your tattoo.

I must admit, Conway I am in agreement with you on this one.

I have been watching the election results in Massachuetts and I am dumbfounded. The most Democratic leaning state in the Union elects a Republican to fill Edward Kennedy's old Senate seat. Looks like the GOP isn't dead after all. Someone in Washington really needs to wake up and realize how upset people in this country are. Me thinks this will be a very interesting year for Politics.

Looks like China has decided they are not ready to be gay friendly and shut the Mr Gay China pageant down. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/34876045/ns/today-today_fashion_and_beauty/?GT1=43001

There was much Brou-ha-ha about Sarah Palin's book a few weeks ago but it seems to me that the new book out today, "Game Change", might be the one to buy. It takes a behind the scene look at the 2008 campaign, including the primaries, and was written by a couple of political reporters. It has already caused Harry Reid to issue an apology to President Obama but that is just a small tip of the political iceberg. I understand there is stuff about the Edward's, Clinton's, Obama comments about Biden, concerns about McCain's wife, and of course more on Palin. Since it has already caused Senator Reid to issue an apology, I think that just adds more credence to the book. Has anyone got the book yet? This just might be one I will buy.

I really agree with you about the "Blind Side" and Sandra Bullock. Also think you are probably sadly correct about the Golden Globes and Academy Awards. But maybe we'll both be surprised, Haven't got to see "Invictus" yet but plan on it after what you and others have said about it. I wasn't impressed with the Avatar trailer at the theatre and from what I have heard from a few others I think I might skip it.

I was glad to see Sandra Bullock nominated for her role in " The Blind Side". It was a fantastic movie, very uplifting to watch. Also, Meryl Streep definitely seems to be at the top of her game the past few years. A great and deserving actress.

But in all fairness he kept showing the comments of about 10 people out of hundreds there. Do you think everyone there was so clueless? He obviously showed the people that would project what he wanted to project. It is very common to find people off the street to be clueless on many issues, current events, and even who their members of Congress or other leaders are or what they believe regardless of the side of the issue or the person they support. I've seen the same type of interview with people that support liberal politicians. I've always scratched my head about people that just vote for someone that is a Republican or a Democrat and never really know were a person stands. Many people have never voted for a Democrat and others have never voted for a Republican. Personally I am glad we have a democracy and a two party system. I also hear many people talk about all right wingers and tea baggers as Republicans. I live in a conservative state that has about 2 Democrats for each Republican. We've only had 2 Republican Governors here in my lifetime and each only served one term. The Tea party express visit here had more Democrats than Republicans participate. Sadly, several people I know, Democrats, attended. Wonder how many people would have told their party affiliation if he had asked? And NO I would not vote for Palin for President. But you would be surprised to find how many people seem to relate to her as a normal everyday "Hockey mom" (we call them soccer moms around here) with kids and the everyday things they also deal with each day. They seem to relate to that more than some lawyer politician that they don't trust. I can see where they may be coming from but I don't want to go to the local Friday night High School football game and just pull one of the player's mom out of the stands and elect her President. Palin seems to bring out the extremes in people, left and right, including alot of hatred from liberals and I still haven't figured that out. To me she is just someone that ran for vice-president and lost. She wrote a book, like alot of failed politicians, and I won't buy it just like I never bought alot of the others.

I never was a fan of piercing but I must admit some of the best oral I ever got was from a guy with a tongue piercing. I use to not like tattoos, but now find some attractive on guys when they accent some parts of their body like a bicep. I also have become fond of SOME shoulder blade tats that seem to define the guy's upper back muscles. There was a dancer at Stock that had a tattoo, not over done, down one leg that really set off this leg muscle form. I still do not like total body part or complete arm tats and wonder what they will look like when they are my age

I would also like to wish all a Happy Thanksgiving. This day always makes me reflect on the many things I should be thankful for and to wish for better times for those less fortunate than me. I am glad Lincoln set aside a day for us in this country to stop and give thanks. Just as in his time, we should be thankful that things are as well with us as they are. Again Happy Thanksgiving to all.

From CNN, an arrest has been made in this terrible crime: Suspect charged with murder in slaying of gay teen in Puerto RicoNovember 18, 2009 9:11 p.m. EST Police say the body of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado, 19, had been decapitated, dismembered and partially burned.STORY HIGHLIGHTS NEW: Juan A. Martinez Matos was charged Monday in connection with the slaying Steven Lopez Mercado had been decapitated, dismembered, partially burned Prosecutors are weighing whether to employ hate crimes provision San Juan, Puerto Rico (CNN) -- The suspect in the brutal slaying of a gay teenager in Puerto Rico was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder and four other counts, the prosecutor in the case told CNN. Juan A. Martinez Matos was arrested late Monday in connection with the slaying of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado, whose decapitated, dismembered and partially burned body was found Friday afternoon on a road in central Puerto Rico. In addition to murder, Martinez Matos was charged with three weapons violations and one count of hiding evidence, prosecutor Yaritza Carrasquillo said. Prosecutors are weighing whether to recommend that Martinez Matos be charged under federal hate crimes law, Carrasquillo said. That decision was not expected to come Wednesday. The U.S. gay community is asking authorities to investigate whether the slaying was a hate crime, said Pedro Julio Serrano of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "The brutality of the slaying and the fact that he was openly gay leads us to believe it was very possibly a hate crime," Serrano said Tuesday. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, which means federal agencies have jurisdiction. The U.S. Attorney's Office, in consultation with local officials and other agencies, would determine whether the slaying will be prosecuted as a hate crime. "It's at a very preliminary stage," Lymarie Llovet, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office in San Juan, Puerto Rico's capital, said Tuesday. "There's the potential for a federal investigation." Martinez Matos, 26, was arrested late Monday at his home in the Mogote de Cayey neighborhood, said Wilson Porrata Mariani, another spokesman for the Guayama police district. Police impounded two cars and also are investigating a home in another neighborhood, Huertas del Barrio Beatriz de Cidra. Lopez Mercado's body was found on Puerto Rico Road 184 in another part of town, Barrio Guavate de Cayey, police said. Authorities are investigating whether the killing involved sex, Hector Agosto Rodriguez, police commander in the town of Guayama, told CNN affiliate WLII TV. In footage aired on Telemundo-Puerto Rico, Matos was asked by a reporter if he was gay, to which he replied no, and added, "(Lopez Mercado) tried to kill me." According to Telemundo and other local reports, Matos confessed to authorities that he picked Lopez Mercado up from the street, thinking that he was a woman. When he realized that Lopez Mercado was a man, Matos said he regressed to an incident when he was sexually assaulted during a prison term, Telemundo and local reports said. That's when a conflict started between the two, authorities said, leading to the teen's death. The slaying has reverberated through the gay and lesbian community in the United States, where supporters started a Facebook page called "Justice for Jorge Steven Lopez -- End Hate Crimes." The group demands an investigation by Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuno and prosecution of the case under the federal hate crime law. The Federal Hate Crimes Law was enacted in 1969 to guard the rights of any U.S. citizen who is targeted because of race, color, religion or national origin, or because of an attempt to engage in one of six protected activities, such as voting, going to school or attending a public venue. President Obama signed into law last month the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which extends federal protection to illegal acts motivated by a person's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. If Martinez Matos is charged under the hate crimes provision, it is believed it would be the first such case under the latest addition to the law. http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/18/puerto.rico.gay.teen.slain/index.html

What a huge, huge loss for the gay community. I have been reading the Washington Blade for years online and got so much news there you couldn't get anywhere else.

Maybe he just feels his private life is just that, private. I realize many think that anyone gay should come out of the closet and be proud. But the reality is that being gay is not the dominating thing in every gay persons life. Being out is a personal decision each person makes based on their own private life and situation. Of course gossip is turning into a big business, especially on the internet. Whatever his situation I wish him well and respect his decision of privacy.

Lucky, when I first saw your post I thought of the old joke "Made you look!" So many have ranted and raved about this becoming so public but yet they seem to visit any site they can, to get the lastest info on Scott's problems. Sadly Scott's problems appear to be no joke. I feel sad for him and his situation and wonder why he did not learn a lession the first time especially with it being so recent. If he is lucky enough to get another chance I hope he uses it wisely.

There is a difference between emotion and the reality of the problem. Being on the front lines sometimes makes that reality too real. Ignoring the reality of the drug problem will never help to solve it. Nor will the acceptance of drug use as ok solve it. I agree we do need a new approach but just don't think legalization will solve the reality of the problem or even the emotion involved with the lives it destroys.

My original response was fueled, or in your words "cranked up" by the comment that one that doesn't agree with drug legalization is a moron and immoral. I think that my comments, or mostly questions, do not defend the status quo but try to say we have a HUGE problem. A problem that I believe, and even your comments make clear to me, will not be solved by legalization. There have been many changes made over the past few years whether people believe it or not. Even in conservative areas it is unusual for a 1st time user, or small possession charge, to result in jail time. It usually results in probation and a completion of a rehab program of some type. Is this helping and could the expansion of required rehab or required in house rehab for later offenses help? Not sure. There is some debate on this at present but it is fueled more by prison over crowding than by the real problem itself. I strongly believe that a new national debate needs to take place to try to find solutions to ease the problem. I realize that this problem will never be completely solved. But it grieves me greatly that so many, especially in the gay community, just seem to accept drug use many times even glorifying it, and turn away from the reality of it. Maybe it is our "Live and let live mentality" because of the judgement many in the gay community face. Yes we are losing the war on drugs, but we must keep fighting, and with any losing fight you have to sometimes change strategy.

Is legalizing drugs going to stop the over doses and deaths from drugs? The assaults, robberies, burglaries that occur to feed one's habits? Taking half of nothing is nothing for those that have already lost everything they have and maybe even their families to feed their habit. Ever held someone in your arms as they convulsed, vomited, and foamed from the mouth when they are coming down off of their severe high? I have, and I guess that I am immoral to not think that is ok? Ever consoled a family after telling them what happened to their drug addicted child? Ever consoled a young teenager after being slipped GHB and raped repeatedly? You really think legalizing drugs will solve the problem? Has legalizing alcohol stopped alcoholism and caused AA to be disbanded? Mended the broken homes or retrieved the jobs lost because of one's abuse? Stopped drunk driving? Ever pulled a young mother's dead body from behind the wheel of her car that was T-boned by a drunk driver while her baby, that will never know her mother, cries from the car seat? I have. Since alcohol is legal the problem should be solved and shouldn't that young mother be alive today? Legalizing alcohol never solved the problems that alcohol creates, it just took the money from the mob and gave it to Budweiser so we could tax it. How will legalzing drugs solve the problems drugs create? And other than marijuana, I don't see where anyone could possibly compare the use of alcohol and drugs. The problems that drugs create in our country and its negative effects on people's lives, or lose of life, is multipled numerous times worse than alcohol. I have no idea what the solution to our drug problems are. I wish someone did, but I know glorifying the use of drugs will not solve it. Saying it is ok for people to destroy their lives, or the lives of others, and to just legalize it I do not believe will solve a damn thing either. If you think that me a moron and my opinion is immoral, so be it. I hope you get the chance to visit the morgue one day to witness your morality.

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 was signed into law by the President yesterday with the Matthew Shepard amendment intact. Even though I would have preferred that the Matthew Shepard Act stand on its own, I understand the politics of getting things done in Washington DC sometime. This has been a long time coming and I hope it has a positive effect against violence of all people. The Matthew Shepard act is something we should all be grateful that has finally passed, but I feel sad that in this age and time we still need such legislation.