TotallyOz

Keith Oberman speaks out. Finally tonight as promised, a Special Comment on the passage, last week, of Proposition Eight in California, which rescinded the right of same-sex couples to marry, and tilted the balance on this issue, from coast to coast. Some parameters, as preface. This isn't about yelling, and this isn't about politics, and this isn't really just about Prop-8. And I don't have a personal investment in this: I'm not gay, I had to strain to think of one member of even my very extended family who is, I have no personal stories of close friends or colleagues fighting the prejudice that still pervades their lives. And yet to me this vote is horrible. Horrible. Because this isn't about yelling, and this isn't about politics. This is about the... human heart, and if that sounds corny, so be it. If you voted for this Proposition or support those who did or the sentiment they expressed, I have some questions, because, truly, I do not... understand. Why does this matter to you? What is it to you? In a time of impermanence and fly-by-night relationships, these people over here want the same chance at permanence and happiness that is your option. They don't want to deny you yours. They don't want to take anything away from you. They want what you want -- a chance to be a little less alone in the world. Only now you are saying to them -- no. You can't have it on these terms. Maybe something similar. If they behave. If they don't cause too much trouble. You'll even give them all the same legal rights -- even as you're taking away the legal right, which they already had. A world around them, still anchored in love and marriage, and you are saying, no, you can't marry. What if somebody passed a law that said you couldn't marry? I keep hearing this term "re-defining" marriage. If this country hadn't re-defined marriage, black people still couldn't marry white people. Sixteen states had laws on the books which made that illegal... in 1967. 1967. The parents of the President-Elect of the United States couldn't have married in nearly one third of the states of the country their son grew up to lead. But it's worse than that. If this country had not "re-defined" marriage, some black people still couldn't marry...black people. It is one of the most overlooked and cruelest parts of our sad story of slavery. Marriages were not legally recognized, if the people were slaves. Since slaves were property, they could not legally be husband and wife, or mother and child. Their marriage vows were different: not "Until Death, Do You Part," but "Until Death or Distance, Do You Part." Marriages among slaves were not legally recognized. You know, just like marriages today in California are not legally recognized, if the people are... gay. And uncountable in our history are the number of men and women, forced by society into marrying the opposite sex, in sham marriages, or marriages of convenience, or just marriages of not knowing -- centuries of men and women who have lived their lives in shame and unhappiness, and who have, through a lie to themselves or others, broken countless other lives, of spouses and children... All because we said a man couldn't marry another man, or a woman couldn't marry another woman. The sanctity of marriage. How many marriages like that have there been and how on earth do they increase the "sanctity" of marriage rather than render the term, meaningless? What is this, to you? Nobody is asking you to embrace their expression of love. But don't you, as human beings, have to embrace... that love? The world is barren enough. It is stacked against love, and against hope, and against those very few and precious emotions that enable us to go forward. Your marriage only stands a 50-50 chance of lasting, no matter how much you feel and how hard you work. And here are people overjoyed at the prospect of just that chance, and that work, just for the hope of having that feeling. With so much hate in the world, with so much meaningless division, and people pitted against people for no good reason, this is what your religion tells you to do? With your experience of life and this world and all its sadnesses, this is what your conscience tells you to do? With your knowledge that life, with endless vigor, seems to tilt the playing field on which we all live, in favor of unhappiness and hate... this is what your heart tells you to do? You want to sanctify marriage? You want to honor your God and the universal love you believe he represents? Then Spread happiness -- this tiny, symbolic, semantical grain of happiness -- share it with all those who seek it. Quote me anything from your religious leader or book of choice telling you to stand against this. And then tell me how you can believe both that statement and another statement, another one which reads only "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." --- You are asked now, by your country, and perhaps by your creator, to stand on one side or another. You are asked now to stand, not on a question of politics, not on a question of religion, not on a question of gay or straight. You are asked now to stand, on a question of...love. All you need do is stand, and let the tiny ember of love meet its own fate. You don't have to help it, you don't have it applaud it, you don't have to fight for it. Just don't put it out. Just don't extinguish it. Because while it may at first look like that love is between two people you don't know and you don't understand and maybe you don't even want to know...It is, in fact, the ember of your love, for your fellow **person... Just because this is the only world we have. And the other guy counts, too. This is the second time in ten days I find myself concluding by turning to, of all things, the closing plea for mercy by Clarence Darrow in a murder trial. But what he said, fits what is really at the heart of this: "I was reading last night of the aspiration of the old Persian poet, Omar-Khayyam," he told the judge. "It appealed to me as the highest that I can vision. I wish it was in my heart, and I wish it was in the hearts of all: "So I be written in the Book of Love; "I do not care about that Book above. "Erase my name, or write it as you will, "So I be written in the Book of Love." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVUecPhQPqY

BANGKOK — Myanmar’s military leadership continued its crackdown on dissent Tuesday, handing down prison sentences of 65 years each to 14 pro-democracy advocates, according to regional news accounts and reports on a Web site for exiles. The convictions came a day after a blogger was sentenced to 20 years for “creating public alarm,” among other offenses, The Associated Press reported. Tuesday’s sentences were delivered by judges operating within the compound of Insein prison, which holds many of the country’s estimated 2,000 political prisoners. Family members spoke to news agency reporters in Yangon, the country’s largest city, and said that they and defense lawyers were not allowed into the courtroom. The Irrawaddy Web site, which is based in neighboring Thailand, listed the names of 14 advocates it said were sentenced to the 65-year terms. Some of the advocates were reported to be veterans of 1988 pro-democracy uprising that nearly succeeded in toppling the country’s military leaders. The advocates were arrested in August 2007 in the early stages of protests that swelled later in the year into mass demonstrations led by monks that were violently put down. Relatives of the advocates said they were convicted under a wide range of laws like the Foreign Exchange Act, which bans Burmese from holding foreign currency without permission. Other laws reportedly used were the Video Act and Electronics Act, which require Burmese to hold permits for various types of ordinary electronic equipment. One of the best-known examples of the use of these laws was the sentencing in 1996 of James Nichols, an honorary consul for Norway, to three years for possession of a fax machine without a permit in his Yangon home. He died in detention, several months after his conviction in April 1996. Analysts say the real reason for the conviction appeared to be his friendship with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the pro-democracy leader who is under house arrest. Punishments for dissidents have become much harsher in recent years, according to Win Min, an expert on Burmese politics at Chiang Mai University in northern Thailand. A decade ago a sentence of 20 years was considered very unusual, Mr. Win Min said. The 65-year sentences handed down Tuesday are in effect life terms, Mr. Win Min said. “They rule the country by fear and this was a way to give the young generation fear,” Mr. Win Min said of the junta. “By giving out long sentences the new generation will be discouraged from protesting.” http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/12/world/as...amp;oref=slogin

The program that allows you to run Windows on a Mac at the same time as you run your Mac OS has just came out with a new version. I have had it for one day as I upgraded for about 40 USD today. I have been playing with it. It appears much faster and seems easier to use. So far, I have really enjoyed it. http://www.parallels.com/

This show has to be one of the funniest shows ever on television. It just gets better with age. The satellite feeds in Thailand are a season behind but you can get the current season in Itunes and it is simply amazing to watch.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President-elect Barack Obama could reverse some of President Bush's most controversial executive orders, including restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, shortly after taking office in January. Two other executive orders from Bush -- one dealing with a so-called "gag" order on international aid organizations regarding abortion, the other with oil and gas drilling on federal lands -- also are receiving increased scrutiny. Obama's transition team is reviewing hundreds of Bush's executive orders, according to John Podesta, Obama's transition co-chair. New presidents often use executive orders to put their stamp on Washington quickly. Unlike laws, which require months to complete and the consent of Congress, presidents can use their executive authority to order federal agencies to implement current policies. "Much of what a president does, he really has to do with the Congress -- for example, budgeting, legislation on policy -- but executive actions are ones where the president can act alone," said Martha Kumar of the White House Transition Project, a nonpartisan group established to help new presidential administrations. Read full article: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/11...ders/index.html

I read this on a slickdeals thread and thought some might be interested. The first link is to the thread and some forum comments. The second is a direct link to the thread. http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.ph...0&t=1008261 http://www.airasia.com/site/my/en/page.jsp?reference=1mfs

Daily I drive this route and it takes forever with all the road work being done. They seem to not be able to get cars moving beyond the pace of a turtle. I sat in a car yesterday to go one mile and it was over 45 minutes. This is more like Bangkok than Pattaya. I do wonder why they don't do the work at night instead of in the day?

The beach is fun in Pattaya and I have my tickets but was told the food would be served at 8. For some reason I always thought it was at dark. Dark has been coming around 6 or before. What time do the fireworks start? Anyone have good information on this? Thanks in advance.

This is a must see photo journey in LOS. The photos are wonderful and the story is filled with great tidbits of advice. http://www.gaytingtong.com/topic3516.html?...e5fbb88968a3a5b

I have used this place for a while but mostly ordered from them via Door2Door. I love the food. Last night, the BF and I decided to take a few friends out to dinner and we ended up here. The place in on Theppasit Road not too far from the main road to the beach. The restaurant is right on the major road and has a large sign and not easy to miss. The place is clean and well run. You can sit outside or inside. They have license plates from many US states inside on the walls. We ordered the feast which has ribs, pulled pork, chicken, cold slaw, beans, fries and more. It was 1100 baht. We all ordered drinks as well and they have a pitcher of Heineken for 160 baht. The food is excellent and the ribs melted off the bone, just the way they are supposed to. If you like ribs, this place is a must! The menu is on the website. A map is attached in the photo below. http://www.greatrib.com/web/index.html

A friend just got the Hutch wifi system. As he had an Apple, he had to take it in to be adapted to their system. I tested it today at breakfast and was impressed at the speed. It was getting over 900 kps. The upload was very slow but the download was sufficient for anyone just needing to surf and e-mail. The cost is 9,999 bath for the year. You need a passport to get this. If you do a monthly plan, you also need a Thai to sign for you. All in all, something that was very good for my testing.

In California, they are protesting the passage of Proposition 8 and many have taken to the streets. At the LA Mormon Church cries for: Tax this church and Just one Wife were shouted. LOL Totally agree with the first one and think it should be taxed. 20 million the church spent on this campaign and they need to be fully taxed. Also, finally Madonna spoke out. My diva should have said something before but was mum on the topic. Finally in LA she voiced her opinion. A bit late dear!

http://www.newsweek.com/id/167582

Great movie and I really enjoyed it and so did the boys. It was missing several main characters which I am use to seeing in every Bond flick but it had a lot of action and some great scenes. Sadly, not too many gadgets. I once loved the gadgets. But, all in all a very nice movie and worth seeing.

Had breakfast at the Jomtien Thani hotel today. It was 230 baht for all you can eat. It had bacon, eggs, toast, fruits, some Thai dishes, unlimited coffee. It was clean and tasted pretty good. Not a bad bet if you want to try something different from time to time. It is open from 6AM till 10AM daily.

Source: AP RALEIGH, N.C. – An airline crew used duct tape to keep a passenger in her seat because they say she became unruly, fighting flight attendants and grabbing other passengers, forcing the flight to land in North Carolina. Maria Esther Castillo of Oswego, N.Y., is due in court Thursday, charged with resisting arrest and interfering with the operations of a flight crew aboard United Airlines Flight 645, from Puerto Rico to Chicago. Castillo, 45, struck a flight attendant on the buttocks with the back of her hand during Saturday's flight, FBI Special Agent Peter Carricato said in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Charlotte. She also stood and fell onto the head of a blind passenger and later started pulling the person's hair, the complaint stated. Ankle cuffs kept slipping off Castillo, so the flight crew and two passengers were forced to use duct tape to keep her in her seat, the complaint states. She calmed as the pilot diverted the flight to Charlotte-Douglass International Airport, but became disruptive again when authorities boarded the plane to remove her, authorities said. Carricato states that a passenger saw Castillo having drinks in an airport bar before boarding. She bought another drink on the plane. Flight attendants stopped serving her alcohol because of her behavior, the complaint states. United spokesman Jeff Kovick said Wednesday that safety is the company's top priority and that it's cooperating with authorities. FBI spokeswoman Amy Thoreson on Wednesday declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. A message left seeking comment wasn't immediately returned by Castillo's attorney, Julia Mimms. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081106/ap_on_...enger_duct_tape

Anyone else experiencing issues with TTT Internet service? It has been on and off for me for 2 weeks now.

Brasilia - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday described Democratic candidate Barack Obama's victory as an "extraordinary event" and asked the US president-elect to lift the decades-old embargo on communist Cuba. Lula said Obama's historic rise underlined the democratic aspects of US society. "It could only happen in a democratic regime in which society expresses itself." The Brazilian president also expressed a desire for the next US president to end the US-imposed embargo on Cuba. "We await the end of the blockade on Cuba, because there is no explanation for that blockade." Lula, however, also cautioned that there is "a very big difference between winning an election and governing a country like the United States ... Let us wait until he is inaugurated to see what happens." He urged Obama to have "a stronger and bolder relationship with Latin America and Africa," and said that Obama could seal "a peace agreement with the Middle East, where a deal has been sought for decades and decades and has not been achieved." http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/24...ba-embargo.html

SAN FRANCISCO—The San Francisco City Attorney's office says he plans to challenge the validity of a ballot measure that would change the state constitution to ban gay marriage. Spokesman Matt Dorsey says City Attorney Dennis Herrera will file the legal challenge in the California Supreme Court if the measure passes. With 95 percent of precincts reporting, Proposition 8 is leading with 52 percent of the vote. But there are still as many as 3 million ballots left to be counted. The first lesbian couple to be married in Los Angeles County after the Supreme Court threw out the gay marriage ban also plans to announce a lawsuit against Proposition 8. Attorney Gloria Allred says that lawsuit will argue that the measure is unconstitutional. http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci...?nclick_check=1

I didn't get to see the ads. I did give to the cause but I guess that didn't help too much. I really didn't think a ton of new democrats showing up and voting would hurt the cause. I was honestly a great deal shocked. I am not in USA and have relied on the news overseas. But, I thought that California would certainly do better. I guess there still is a great deal to overcome.

Not only was it a very eloquent speech, it was also done very fast when they called the election. He did not wait and hemm and haw. He stepped out fast and graciously. He is a very good American and a true here IMHO.

A new day is dawning and I wish his people the best in preparing for the coming years to come. It was a hard fight and I am many sacrificed a great deal. This historic election has captured the hearts of the world. I hope it really is the new beginning we have been promised.

Hard to believe. But, with 90 percent of the votes counted, it looks like this may pass. WTF

I was having breakfast with a guy this morning and he is here on holiday. He has a few regular boys he sees and enjoys his time here. He has one boy that is trying to hook him for a long term deal. The Farang told him that he was here to be a butterfly and not to fall in love. He said he would be good to the boy but not looking for a LTR. I can see the benefits of this and I often say that I would love to be this way but I seem to be more a LTR kind of a guy. I still like to play but am always open to the long term thing. I wonder how many people that spend the majority of time here are looking for a steady as opposed to the flight of the butterfly? I was at a party last night and there were many older distinguished gentlemen there. Many of them seemed to be in LTR and not looking for play. For some of them, the word Sunee or Boyztown would be hard to swallow. Me, I love the bars and the activity of the night and all that goes with it. I do have a boyfriend for a long term but I also love the other end of the spectrum.

I was out with friends and had a boy with me that was a family friend of the BF and a farang I had met was talking to us and all a sudden touched the boys dick to see how big he was. The boy was absolutely flabbergasted and shocked. I didn't know what to say. The boy handled it well but it made him not only uncomfortable but very embarrassed. He is with me quite a bit and knows I am gay and like guys but I have never touched him other than a hello hug. I hope this doesn't make him leery to go out with me again but only time with tell. I do wonder if some think that every single person in Pattaya is a hooker? I know that some Farangs treat the boys and girls like that. While I will gaze at every beautiful boy I see, I know there are limits and boundaries. Some don't and in a city like Pattaya, I wonder if the longer one stays here the more those limits seem to fade?