Lucky

So we are now defined by pink? I thought pink was for breast cancer. Here's another view. I am not saying that it is mine: Forget the Hype - Brazil Is No Gay Paradise Brazzil, Commentary, Luke McLeod-Roberts, Posted: Jun 25, 2005 Review it on NewsTrust Cramped in a tiny office above Rio de Janeiro's central train station, I am having trouble hearing Yone Lindgren amidst the ringing telephones, conversations between the staff, and the construction workers hammering away at the flimsy partition walls that enclose CERCONVIDH- Brazil's first ever referral center for victims of homophobic violence and discrimination. Lindgren is coordinator of this team of 10 dedicated people who give their time, energy and financial resources to make sure that Rio's gay men, women and transgender people are able to pursue their rights as citizens as fully as possible. "We do the work the government doesn't," she says. The program runs a helpline for victims of homophobic abuse, refers victims to psychological and medical specialists and follows through with the legal aspects of their cases. The volunteers also hold fundraising events to ensure that they can continue to provide this service. The service could not be more urgent. National and international human rights organizations such as the Gay Group of Bahia, Global Justice, Amnesty International and the International Lesbian and Gay Human Rights' Commission consistently identify Brazil as a gross offender of homosexual rights, where hatred leads to torture and over 100 murders are reported in the national press each year. These figures may just be the tip of the iceberg of homophobic violence in Brazil. Many cases never come to light because families do not wish their dead relative's sexuality to be exposed; and the everyday violence LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people suffer is wider and more nuanced than those sensationalist accounts reported by the Brazilian press. According to a study released this week, based on a survey at last year's Rio gay pride march by a coalition of LGBT activists from the Arco Iris NGO, and academics at the Cândido Mendes (UCAM) and Rio State University (UERJ), 64 percent of LGBT people in Rio de Janeiro have suffered some form of discrimination because of their sexual identity. This includes acts as diverse as bullying at school or in the workplace, threats and name-calling from strangers and, as often occurs with trans (transgendered) people, denial of access to public or semi-public spaces such as shops and bars. Similar statistics are expected when the findings of a survey carried out in São Paulo are made public. Rio, and its larger neighbor, are home to some of Latin America's most vibrant LGBT cultures. Last month's gay pride parade in São Paulo brought together two million people, who chanted and danced for over 12 hours on the Avenida Paulista, the city's main thoroughfare, making it the largest gay pride event in the history of humanity. Today the march along the beachfront in Copacabana, Rio, expects some 600,000 participants. These cities, and other state capitals, such as Salvador and Curitiba, are the base of extremely well-organized movements. Anti-discrimination laws and equal work-related benefits for homosexual and heterosexual partners embedded in municipal and state codes, are the result of their campaigning. The proposal for same-sex civil union in the federal chamber in Brasília, the Brazilian capital, would not have reached that stage without the relentless activism of such groups. "There has been an explosion of acceptance here in Brazil recently," says Silvia Ramos of UCAM, pointing to mainstream media indicators such as the landslide victory of an openly gay man in the Brazilian version of Big Brother and gay characters in prime-time soap operas, such as Globo TV's America. "But we don't know whether the guy that beats up a gay is the same one that claims to "have gay friends," or if we are dealing with a society that is split between tolerance and intolerance." That intolerance jars with the popular image that Brazilians hold of themselves and export to other countries – a vibrant and happy country where anything goes, the land of what Brazilian anthropologist Roberto da Matta has referred to as "o homem cordial" (the cordial man). For Sandra Carvalho of the Rio office of Global Justice, this cordiality is a myth. "Brazil is a violent country in terms of interpersonal relations," she says. And the violence is often highly ambiguous: "The police that kill the poor and the black living in the favela (shanty-town) often come from poor, black families in the favela themselves." Any policy that seeks to deal with the crisis of homophobic violence in Brazil then, must not only confront multiple types of verbal and physical violence that scourge the lives of LGBT people, but also, as Ramos argues, take this contradiction or ambiguity around acceptance as its point of departure. But for some members of the LGBT communities, there may not be any ambiguity over societal tolerance in the first place. "We're a joke for the Brazilian society," says Hanah Suzart, President of ASTRA-Rio, the association of transgendered people, which concentrates on STD prevention and building self-esteem in the trans community. To highlight the point, she talks of the "elbow effect": the daily humiliation trans suffer in the shop, the bank or the doctor's surgery, when onlookers nudge each other and comment indiscreetly. The image of Rio as paradise, with the travesti as its ultimate symbol of carnavalesque transgression is a "utopia," according to Suzart. Instead it is "conservative, homophobic, prejudiced and elitist," with a (state) government that "will take us back to the era of the inquisition." Activists see the state government as representing "evangelicals" who don't prioritize LGBT concerns. They have a closer relationship with the federal and municipal governments, the latter of which is supporting the city's pride march. The federal government, for its part, has formed an alliance with LGBT NGOs nationwide by supporting the program Brasil sem Homofobia (BsH) (Brazil without Homophobia). Launched last year, the program aims to train LGBT activists, incorporate material on homosexuals into school curricula and support referral centers in order to overcome homophobia. But some people doubt whether the program, which may look good on paper, will ever become a reality. "The funds were supposed to have been coming for the last five years. The problem is that the federal government made a recommendation and said "faz quem quiser" (whoever wants to do it, go ahead). But local governments don't want to." Luke McLeod-Roberts is a journalist who is in Rio de Janeiro carrying out research for his MA dissertation on strategies to combat homophobic violence in Rio.

Any form of fudge packing should be safe, according to former Prez candidate Mitt Romney.

Who would dare put Lucky in his place?

Some chick is trying to get her 15 minutes of fame by saying she had sex with The Situation. Rather than a one-night stand, she calls it a few minute stand since he didn't last long. And when she talks about his size, well, pinky is the word that comes to her mind. Now it's true that for all his tight clothing one never sees a bulge, but so what? It's not like we will be invited over anyway. My guess is that this girl just got pissed because he didn't call her back! Yes, I read that here: http://poponthepop.com/2010/09/mike-sorrentino-the-situation-has-a-small-penis/

Maybe we could get a good NAMBLA fight going...

Due to the increased number of people viewing the politics forum, management has decided to sell tickets,giving you an appointed time when you can view the posts without having to wait until someone else has vacated the forum. This service will at first be free, but, if demand continues to increase, then a small fee may be added- except for Ralph Woods who always has line priority.

The Republicans gutted the US Treasury while Bush ran the country, they devastated the economy, and now they stand to be voted back into office in November. After 2 years of voting no to very good idea proposed by the Democrats, people want them to be rewarded for all that by returning them to power. I used to care about politics, but how can anyone support the corrupt machinations we see today. And, to top it off, one of the most crooked Republicans is expected to be the Speaker of the house. I take the liberty of copying this column in full since Mr. Herbert would like it read: Op-Ed Columnist That’s Where the Money Is By BOB HERBERT Published: October 5, 2010 NY Times It’s beyond astonishing to me that John Boehner has a real chance to be speaker of the House of Representatives. I’ve always thought of Mr. Boehner as one of the especially sleazy figures in a capital seething with sleaze. I remember writing about that day back in the mid-’90s when this slick, chain-smoking, quintessential influence-peddler decided to play Santa Claus by handing out checks from tobacco lobbyists to fellow Congressional sleazes right on the floor of the House. It was incredible, even to some Republicans. The House was in session, and here was a congressman actually distributing money on the floor. Other, more serious, representatives were engaged in debates that day on such matters as financing for foreign operations and a proposed amendment to the Constitution to outlaw desecration of the flag. Mr. Boehner was busy desecrating the House itself by doing the bidding of big tobacco. Embarrassed members of the G.O.P. tried to hush up the matter, but I got a tip and called Mr. Boehner’s office. His chief of staff, Barry Jackson, was hardly contrite. “They were contributions from tobacco P.A.C.’s,” he said. When I asked why the congressman would hand the money out on the floor of the House, Mr. Jackson’s answer seemed an echo of Willie Sutton’s observation about banks. “The floor,” he said, “is where the members meet with each other.” Mr. Boehner is the minority leader in the House and would most likely become speaker if the Republicans win control in next month’s elections. He has stopped funneling corporate money to his colleagues on the House floor. (It is now illegal.) But nothing else has changed, except that his already outsized influence-peddling has grown. The amount of democracy-destroying money that manages to make its way into the sleazy environs of what is now known as Boehner Land has increased to a staggering degree. The Times’s Eric Lipton, in an article last month, noted that Mr. Boehner “maintains especially tight ties with a circle of lobbyists and former aides representing some of the nation’s biggest businesses, including Goldman Sachs, Google, Citigroup, R.J. Reynolds, MillerCoors and UPS. “They have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to his campaigns, provided him with rides on their corporate jets, socialized with him at luxury golf resorts and waterfront bashes and are now leading fund-raising efforts for his Boehner for Speaker campaign, which is soliciting checks of up to $37,800 each, the maximum allowed.” The hack who once handed out checks on the House floor is now a coddled, gilded flunky of the nation’s big-time corporate elite. When House Democrats were preparing for the first floor vote on financial regulatory reform, Mr. Boehner and other Republican leaders summoned more than 100 industry lobbyists and conservative activists to a private strategy session. One could be forgiven for thinking that behind those closed doors they may not have had the public’s best interests in mind. According to Mr. Lipton, Mr. Boehner told the gathering, “We need you to get out there and speak up against this.” Both major parties have, with great enthusiasm, turned more and more of the government over to corporate and banking interests. But the G.O.P., with Mr. Boehner currently the point person, is fanatical about it, has barely tried to hide its willingness to offer up the government wholesale, no questions asked. Just this past July, Mr. Boehner called for a moratorium on new federal regulations, saying it would be “a wonderful signal to the private sector that they’re going to have some breathing room.” Talk about an invitation to a nightmare. Try imagining how the public would be treated by banks, energy companies, food processors and myriad other powerful entities if the federal government were forced by law to ignore even more of their predations. That’s Mr. Boehner, for you — always willing to stick his neck out for the elite. When it comes to policies of particular concern to ordinary individuals and families, however, his generosity of spirit and passionate willingness to help vanishes. He believes, for example, that Americans who are at least 20 years away from retirement should be unable to receive Social Security before they are 70, and that Social Security benefits should be means-tested. Mr. Boehner and his pals also opposed the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection created by the Wall Street financial overhaul. Protect the public? You must be kidding. The U.S. is in terrible shape right now because far too much influence has been ceded to the financial and corporate elites who have used that influence to game the system and reap rewards that are almost unimaginable. Ordinary working Americans have been left far behind, gasping and on their knees. John Boehner has been one of the leaders of the army of enablers responsible for this abominable state of affairs. A version of this op-ed appeared in print on October 5, 2010, on page A31 of the New York edition.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/arts/dance/05trey.html?ref=arts

Not to be persnickety, but if the boy on the left in the first photo is hiking, he is in for some sore feet.

You know that you have become an elite poster when your posts need to be translated!

Now that his 15 minutes of fame are over, and, trust me, i enjoyed every one of them, some singer I never heard of has released her video wherein Levi plays her boyfriend. It's not that he looks awful- unshaven and unkempt, but it's that we don't care anymore! Sorry, Brittani- too late! http://www.eonline.com/videos/v72569_brittani-senser-after-love-music-video.html

Continuing on the theme of judges, here's a judge who only needed ONE defense attorney: 09-29) 18:08 PDT Harrisburg, Pa. (AP) -- Police said a district judge from Intercourse, Pa., hid condoms inside acorns and handed them out to women in the state Capitol complex last week. A summary charge of disorderly conduct was filed Tuesday against Isaac H. Stoltzfus, who presides over low-level cases as a district judge in Lancaster County. The citation from Capitol Police said the 58-year-old jurist gave the acorns to unsuspecting women, who were offended when they discovered the contents. Stoltzfus' office referred questions to defense attorney Heidi Eakin, who didn't immediately return a phone message Wednesday.

And, in related judicial news, a man turning himself in for a warrant tried to help out the cops who were going to strip search him, but they didn't think it was very nice of him: MONROE, Mich. -- A 43-year-old man bared more than the truth while trying to surrender on an outstanding warrant in Michigan. The Monroe Evening News reported that the man was arrested after taking off all his clothing Sunday afternoon in the lobby of the Monroe County sheriff's office, about 35 miles southwest of Detroit. Authorities said the man told a records clerk in the building about his warrant. He walked away as she looked up the paperwork, then returned naked. By the time Monroe city police arrived, the man had his clothing back on. He was taken to a local hospital for psychiatric evaluation.

Jack Camp had his favorite sex partner- a stripper who took care of his pole just the way he liked it. And, to make sure, he brought her cocaine and other drugs. Once, when they went out to replenish their drug supply, she said she was a little worried for her safety, but he comforted her by telling her that he was packing a gun. Problem. No, not the hooker, the drugs, or even the gun. Jack Camp is a highly respected federal judge. Married, too, but we all make out own choices, right? All the local judges had to recuse themselves from the case, leading the taxpayers to have to fly in several staff to prosecute and judge the poor man. Well, maybe not so poor. He showed up in court with not one, not two, not three, but FOUR defense attorneys! I guess the moral of the story is that men need sex, no matter the age, the occupation, the marital status. And damned if I haven't met a few guys I'd gladly do even if they needed a little help from their friends. So, there, but for the grace of President Reagan, go I!!! http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/04/AR2010100405548.html?hpid=moreheadlines

Well, of course it is about the bars in Thailand! Doesn't Oz have the inside story of how to get to know all the guys behind the scenes?

O Oz, do THE CLUBS AND BARS HAVE PARTIES TO INVITE THE BOYS THEY WANT FOR THE SEASON? CAN ONE GET INVTTIED TO THESE?

I'll try it from another source: I'm not allowed to post it but I am allowed to attach it. Lawyers!

PHOTO CENSORED The Indian art of mallakhamb should get you fit in no time. I'd like the guy on the pole there to give me personal lessons.

Huh. I found this guy pretty unappealing.

Well damned if I am not going out to buy some of those clothes immediately!

I forgot my razor for my trip- too bad since I have so many of them. But I bought the new Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power razor, which comes with one cartridge for ten dollars. Extra blades are $4.00 a piece at Wal-mart. Okay, it does give a good shave, better than the various other improvements, but even still, does not leave my face baby smooth. Even if it did, time would fix that in a few hours. So why? Why do blades keep getting more expensive? The cheap plastic Bic type blades leave my face covered in blood. I don't know about this 11 cent one mentioned here. I have taken to shaving every other day. Here's more on the subject: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704699604575343210255777650.html?KEYWORDS=razor+blades

Thanks for the replies; I am back home, but mom is still there. She slept through most of our last hours together. I find nursing homes immensely depressing, yet the staff keeps good morale and a clean facility. Speaking with my mom's doc, I could not have asked for more. So we do the best we can, yet I sure hope somehow I am spared the indignity of living too long....however long that is! We mourn our friends who die too soon, so really, I do not know the answer any more than anyone else.

Yes, the time has come for me to go to the nursing home. Having become forgetful as time went on, I finally remembered that that is where my mom is. I am sitting here is a Priceline bought hotel in Michigan, where I am visiting my almost 93 year old mom in a nursing home. She was quite happy to see me, and proud for all the other ladies to take notice of her visitor. That's the easy part. The tough part is spending several hours a day with a person that doesn't have a real grasp of reality. On a previous visit with her, she slept a lot, but not now. Now she talks, endlessly, and about things I have no idea of. I don't what time frame of her life she is in in the particular moment, so answering the questions often provokes wonderment on her part as to how I could have possibly given that answer. Further, she has no idea where she is and wonders why there are other people in her room. But the officer is coming and he will straighten it out...of course, there is no officer. At times she does make sense. A lifetime devout Catholic, she now refers to some doubt, and acknowledges the doubt that her children developed. Her solution to that is the wonderment that it was her faith that brought her her family, which is now her greatest possession and comfort. Can't argue with that. So I feed her, entertain the other ladies, many of whom are sullen and quiet. The staff, thankfully, seems to have high morale and a world of patience. But mine finally wore out as I snuck out to see a movie. I had to get away! But today, back again, then to say goodbye and head back to my own home. I know that so many of you have already gone through this experience, so you know what it is like. A mix of pleasure and pain, for sure. (Yes, I adapted this from the Yankee thread that not many were reading!)

You can pop 'em and poop them, but the best choice is to dump them. That's what I should have done with that bag of cheap licorice I just finished.