TotallyOz

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, declaring that “near-equality is no equality” for gay couples, delivered an uncharacteristically forceful and sweeping speech on Thursday in which he called on New York to “lead the American journey forward” by legalizing same-sex marriage this year. Directly addressing an issue that is roiling the State Legislature in the final weeks of its annual session, Mr. Bloomberg said that the state’s inaction on same-sex marriage was incompatible with its long history of promoting freedom and tolerance. He invoked the riot at the Stonewall Inn in the West Village almost 42 years ago, widely viewed as the birthplace of the modern gay rights movement, as an example of the role that New Yorkers can play in shaping history. “We are the freest city in the freest country in the world — but freedom is not frozen in time,” he told a crowd of about 200 at the Cooper Union in downtown Manhattan. Mr. Bloomberg has no direct control over state legislation, but he wields influence as a generous campaign donor, especially to Republicans, and his decision to repeatedly weigh in on the marriage debate this year suggests that the issue has become a priority for him. Even as same-sex marriage has become a popular cause for elected officials and celebrities in New York, Mr. Bloomberg has emerged as a particularly important advocate given his visibility, wealth and longtime support for conservative politicians. Last week he went to Albany to lobby Republican senators, and on Wednesday he hosted a star-studded fund-raiser for gay rights advocates at the Upper East Side headquarters of his foundation. For the full story: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/27/nyregion/mayor-bloomberg-states-case-for-same-sex-marriage.html?_r=1&hpw

May 25, 2011 Letter to Arne Duncan A letter from David Reber, who teaches high school biology in Lawrence KS Mr. Duncan, I read your Teacher Appreciation Week letter to teachers, and had at first decided not to respond. Upon further thought, I realized I do have a few things to say. I'll begin with a small sample of relevant adjectives just to get them out of the way: condescending, arrogant, insulting, misleading, patronizing, egotistic, supercilious, haughty, insolent, peremptory, cavalier, imperious, conceited, contemptuous, pompous, audacious, brazen, insincere, superficial, contrived, garish, hollow, pedantic, shallow, swindling, boorish, predictable, duplicitous, pitchy, obtuse, banal, scheming, hackneyed, and quotidian. Again, it's just a small sample; but since your attention to teacher input is minimal, I wanted to put a lot into the first paragraph. Your lead sentence, "I have worked in education for much of my life", immediately establishes your tone of condescension; for your 20-year "education" career lacks even one day as a classroom teacher. You, Mr. Duncan, are the poster-child for the prevailing attitude in corporate-style education reform: that the number one prerequisite for educational expertise is never having been a teacher. Your stated goal is that teachers be "...treated with the dignity we award to other professionals n society." Really? How many other professionals are the last ones consulted about their own profession; and are then summarily ignored when policy decisions are made? How many other professionals are so distrusted that sweeping federal legislation is passed to "force" them to do their jobs? And what dignities did you award teachers when you publicly praised the mass firing of teachers in Rhode Island? You acknowledge teacher's concerns about No Child Left Behind, yet you continue touting the same old rhetoric: "In today’s economy, there is no acceptable dropout rate, and we rightly expect all children -- English-language learners, students with disabilities, and children of poverty -- to learn and succeed." What other professions are held to impossible standards of perfection? Do we demand that police officers eliminate all crime, or that doctors cure all patients? Of course we don't. There are no parallel claims of "in today's society, there is no acceptable crime rate", or "we rightly expect all patients -- those with end-stage cancers, heart failure, and multiple gunshot wounds -- to thrive into old age." When it comes to other professions, respect and common sense prevail. Your condescension continues with "developing better assessments so will have useful information to guide instruction..." Excuse me, but I am a skilled, experienced, and licensed professional. I don't need an outsourced standardized test -- marketed by people who haven't set foot in my school -- to tell me how my students are doing. I know how my students are doing because I work directly with them. I learn their strengths and weaknesses through first-hand experience, and I know how to tailor instruction to meet each student's needs. To suggest otherwise insults both me and my profession. You want to "...restore the status of the teaching profession..." Mr. Duncan, you built your career defiling the teaching profession. Your signature effort, Race to the Top, is the largest de-professionalizing, demoralizing, sweeter-carrot-and-sharper-stick public education policy in U.S. history. You literally bribed cash-starved states to enshrine in statute the very reforms teachers have spoken against. You imply that teachers are the bottom-feeders among academics. You want more of "America's top college students" to enter the profession. If by "top college students" you mean those with high GPA's from prestigious, pricey schools then the answer is simple: a five-fold increase in teaching salaries. You see, Mr. Duncan, those "top" college students come largely from our nation's wealthiest families. They simply will not spend a fortune on an elite college education to pursue a 500% drop in socioeconomic status relative to their parents. You assume that "top" college students automatically make better teachers. How, exactly, will a 21-year-old, silver-spoon-fed ivy-league graduate establish rapport with inner-city kids? You think they’d be better at it than an experienced teacher from a working-class family, with their own rough edges or checkered past, who can actually relate to those kids? Your ignorance of human nature is astounding. As to your concluding sentence, "I hear you, I value you, and I respect you"; no, you don't, and you don't, and you don't. In fact, I don't believe you even wrote this letter for teachers. I think you sense a shift in public opinion. Parents are starting to see through the façade; and recognize the privatization and for-profit education reform movement for what it is. And they've begun to organize --Parents Across America, is one example. . . . No doubt some will dismiss what I've said as paranoid delusion. What they call paranoia I call paying attention. Mr. Duncan, teachers hear what you say. We also watch what you do, and we are paying attention. Working with kids every day, our baloney-detectors are in fine form. We've heard the double-speak before; and we don't believe the dog ate your homework. Coming from children, double-speak is expected and it provides important teachable moments. Coming from adults, it's just sad. Despite our best efforts, some folks never outgrow their disingenuous, manipulative, self- serving approach to life. Of that, Mr. Duncan, you are a shining example. http://prorevnews.blogspot.com/2011/05/letter-to-arne-d...

I promised the boys a ladyboy night tonight and am planning to take them to either King 3 or Nana Plaza. They both like real pretty ladyboys. Any suggestions other than these 2 areas to take them?

I was hungry today and the boys and I wanted to get a bite to eat. We went to Aldo's Mediterranean Restaurant. The food was excellent. They have a lunch special for 350 for 2 courses or 450 for 3 courses. I had the Mediterranean Salad and Rice Pilaf and the BF and his friend both had Chicken Puff's and one had Duck and the other had Fish. The food was excellent. The taste was great and it looked like a great deal of tender love went into everything we ate. I really enjoyed the food. We all had drinks and the cost for 3 was around 1600 baht. Aldo's really caters to the residents of their condo building but if you live or stay in the Sathorn area, I am finding out the best food is often in hidden places. http://www.aldosbistro.com/ 187 South Sathorn Road, Yannawa, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120, Thailand Tel : (66-2)676-6982 Fax : (66-2) 676-6970

http://www.thai-blogs.com/2011/05/27/american-arrested-in-thailand-for-linking-to-a-website-from-his-blog/ Interesting story I read this AM from a friend on facebook. I haven't see a lot of comments about this but it is not clear if the one arrested is American or a Thai that lived in America for many years.

Could it be one of my favorite movies of all time?

This is KhorTose's living room. Can you imagine his bedroom?

How about his one: I'll have what she's having!

Yes. It was!

My son's a homosexual, and I love him. I love my dead gay son.

The BF and I go to see many movies. I love them. I enjoyed Pirates but not as much as the first 2. It was visually enjoyable to watch. We took a friend with us who can't watch 3D so I didn't see that version. Today, we went to see The Hangover 2 which is based in Thailand. It was a barrel of laughs as well. Very enjoyable to watch and nice to see so many things that are familiar about Thailand including ladyboys.

As for the winner, I didn't really care which of these two won. I was hoping Haley would make it to the final but when she left, I lost my desire to watch. I thought she had a fantastic voice and I do think she will go far in the industry. I also think James will go far. I'd like to help Stefano go somewhere. Maybe Thailand? IMHO, this year had the best group of performers than any other season. They didn't have the best personality but they were fabulous singers.

Many people have been very critical of Steven Tyler but I loved him. I think he is funny and witty and had good observations. He is a true Character with a capital C and I would have loved to have had him in my life as he would have spiced up every day!

I would certainly hope that one would not leave this board because some of us think that a contestant on American Idol is a bigot. I don't know him personally but I know enough to know that he was raised in a conservative area and he is not comfortable yet with dealing with people different than he is. That being said, I do think I have the right to judge performers based on their actions if they are showing that to the entire world 2 times a week in order to make millions or hundreds of millions of dollars down the road. I never liked James. I didn't want him to win. But, in a contest where you are asked to judge and vote, you bring all your past experiences to play in order to vote. I don't think that is bitter. It is making observations. IMHO

Now, now Kjun. Bi is one of the funniest posters I know. You have to read some of his quirky responses to love him.

I enjoy this show very much and hope they keep things as close as possible to past seasons. I have been surprised at how many first season shows are cut. They don't even give them a chance anymore. It reminds me of Broadway and the speed at which new shows fail. If not an instant success, then failure. There were many shows with great potential and with more work, they would have succeeded.

I think he is a bigot as well. But, only time will tell. He is young and from the South. He needs to see the world. Lord only knows what I believed when I was 17. I still remember my first encounter with a gay guy in college. He would sit at my table and I would rush to eat and leave afraid I would be "found out." It is embarrassing to say the least so I'll give the little prick a chance as he is still young. As for sources, I have them all. They tell me Stefano will return and be crowed as the winner. He'll be wearing some tight Kelvin Klein briefs. I am excited.

LOL too funny! Dude, I have this feeling you REALLY like Game of Thrones! I will also miss Big Love. I will say that I thought the final episode was perfect. A great show on TV and it ended in a way that viewers were given closure.

Hasn't everyone jerked off on a plane before? It isn't like this is not normal right? That is what those blankets are for. And, the bathrooms do stay busy after a bumpy ride!

You had me at never seeing a midget get a blow job before! I did like when the lightbulb went off in his head this week that the blond bastard child is the son of the Queen and her brother. LOL

Could you image the stage setting for that trade? Virgins. White Dresses.

OK. The Killing I enjoyed a bit. But, Game of Thrones was one I watched only when I had nothing else to do. What am I missing that you love it so much? For me, I will miss Chicago Code. I thought it was well-written and I really liked the character development. I also will miss The Event as the lead actor was a hottie. However, the one show that I will shed a tear for being cancelled is Brother's and Sisters. It was fabulous! It only got better with the years. Truly, one of my all time favs. Bye Bye Sally Field. I hope you come back in another form.

For Thailand, the normal rate for a short time varies depending on the city. For example, in Bangkok if you take from GayRomeo it is usually 1,000 baht (or 32 USD). If you take from a bar that is in the Saphon area it is 1,000 bath. If you take from a bar on Soi Twilight it is 1200 - 1500 baht (32-50 USD). If you are in Pattaya, the rate is normally 1,000 baht for a short time but if you go to Sunee Plaza it is less. Gay Romeo is even less. There are always deals in Thailand and many boys are very excited to stay with you for 1500 baht a day for multiple days. That gives them a guarantee daily income. The massage places in Bangkok are mostly 1,000 baht minimum but those are the ones that Happy Ending is expected. The normal massage places where there are Thai's working are still most likely willing to do happy ending for less. Bottom line, treat the boy nice and he will take great care of you!

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Check the link to see all the men! I think they put Chord on the wrong number. http://www.afterelton.com/2011-hot-100-results?page=0%2C0 1. Darren Criss 2. Adam Lambert 3. Chris Colfer 4. Neil Patrick Harris 5. John Barrowman 6. Luke MacFarlane 7. Jonathan Groff 8. Jensen Ackles 9. Anderson Cooper 10. Ricky Martin 11. Jake Gyllenhaal 12. Cheyenne Jackson 13. Ryan Reynolds 14. Chris Evans 15. Matt Bomer 16. Jared Padalecki 17. James Franco 18. Chord Overstreet 19. Russell Tovey 20. Mark Salling 21. Alexander Skarsgård 22. Gale Harold 23. Cory Monteith 24. Ian Somerhalder 25. Matthew Mitcham 26. Trevor Donovan 27. Nathan Fillion 28. Eric Sheffer Stevens 29. Joe Manganiello 30. Jared Leto 31. Johnny Depp 32. Joseph Gordon-Levitt 33. Zachary Quinto 34. Adam Levine 35. Jo Weil 36. Ryan Kwanten 37. Scott Evans 38. Bradley Cooper 39. Matt Smith 40. Misha Collins 41. Kevin Alejandro 42. Ben Cohen 43. Hugh Jackman 44. Gareth Thomas 45. Chris Pine 46. Jesse Tyler Ferguson 47. Zac Efron 48. Matthew Morrison 49. Thore Schölermann 50. Alex O'Loughlin 51. Harry Shum Jr. 52. Matthew Rhys 53. Chris Hemsworth 54. Van Hansis 55. Nate Berkus 56. Daniel Radcliffe 57. Taylor Lautner 58. Derek Hough 59. Chad Allen 60. James Marsden 61. Channing Tatum 62. Ewan McGregor 63. Tom Welling 64. Max Adler 65. Jake Silbermann 66. Jake Shears 67. Prince Harry 68. Mark Ballas 69. Taye Diggs 70. Ryan Gosling 71. Tom Ford 72. Nick Adams 73. Andrew Garfield 74. Brad Pitt 75. Robert Pattinson 76. Tom Hardy 77. David Beckham 78. Scott Caan 79. Chace Crawford 80. James Duke Mason 81. Tim Kang 82. Kellan Lutz 83. Cassidy Haley 84. Karl Urban 85. Dan Savage 86. Lee Pace 87. Wilson Cruz 88. Gavin Creel 89. Thomas Roberts 90. Kevin McHale 91. Daniel Craig 92. Darryl Stephens 93. Kris Allen 94. Emmet J. Scanlan 95. Paul Wesley 96. Henry Cavill 97. Nick Youngquest 98. Jon Hamm 99. Alex Pettyfer 100. Christopher Gorham