TotallyOz

The first thread was by biboy and he changed it. The second one was from me in which I talked about Brad Pitt giving money to support gay rights in California. I think the discussion is a relevant one and even though the first post was a mistake, the discussion itself is not a mistake. I applaud Brad and Steven Spielberg who also donated money to stop the ballot in California. I am happy that BiBoy brought up the topic and I think it is relevant to the gay community. If the initial post was all that was in this thread stood alone, it would have been deleted. However, the band played on and the conversation moved forward.

I loved Clay on Idol and hope that the reports that he is coming out is true. He would be a good role model for many. LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - After years of dodging questions, former "American Idol" singer Clay Aiken will acknowledge he is a gay man in an interview with People magazine set to run on its Web site Wednesday, according to media reports. Celebrity site Perezhilton.com on Tuesday published a photo of the cover of People magazine's upcoming issue on which Aiken cradles his new son, Parker Foster Aiken, in his arms. The caption reads "Yes, I'm Gay," and underneath is a quote from Aiken on his decision to come out of the closet that says: "I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things." In August this year, Aiken's friend, music producer Jaymes Foster, gave birth to the baby fathered by Aiken. A spokeswoman for People would neither confirm nor deny that Aiken told the magazine he is gay. But the magazine issued a statement saying, "We can confirm that Clay Aiken and his son appear on the next cover of People. For the complete story, visit people.com at 7 a.m. (EDT Wednesday) (1100 GMT) morning." Aiken, 29, gained fame as a contestant on the No. 1-rated U.S. TV talent show "American Idol" in 2003. He was the runner-up that season but went on to build a solid singing career on his own. He currently appears on Broadway in "Monty Python's SPAMALOT." For years, Aiken has dodged questions about whether he is homosexual despite persistent rumors on the subject. He has said, generally, that his sexuality was nobody's business but his own. In 2006, ABC television's Diane Sawyer asked Aiken and he shot back that it was a "really rude" question. He also dodged it in a previous interview with People magazine saying that readers "are going to believe what they want." http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainme...E48N04S20080924

Yes, I remember the end of the Cold War and I hope that history does not repeat itself. For all our sakes!

It looks like several automakers are going for the Green market. It is about time! http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10048704...ag=2547-1_3-0-5

Here is the article: SAN FRANCISCO — Could Senator Barack Obama’s popularity among black voters hurt gay couples in California who want to marry? Mr. Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, is against the measure. But opponents of the proposed ban worry that many black voters, enthused by Mr. Obama’s candidacy but traditionally conservative on issues involving homosexuality, could pour into voting stations in record numbers to punch the Obama ticket — and then cast a vote for Proposition 8. “It’s a Catch-22,” said Andrea Shorter, the campaign director of And Marriage for All, a coalition of gay and civil rights groups that recently started what it calls an education campaign around the state, focusing on blacks and framing the issue of same-sex marriage as one of civil rights. The Obama/Proposition 8 situation appeals to those opposed to same-sex marriage, who are banking on a high turnout by blacks and conservative Latinos. “There’s no question African-American and Latino voters are among our strongest supporters,” said Frank Schubert, the co-campaign manager for Yes on 8, the leading group behind the measure. “And to the extent that they are motivated to get to the polls, whether by this issue or by Barack Obama, it helps us.” To blunt that possibility, gay leaders and Proposition 8 opponents have been sponsoring casual events at restaurants in traditionally black neighborhoods in Los Angeles, meeting with black clergy members and recruiting gay black couples to serve as spokespeople on panels and at house parties and church events. “This is black people talking to black people,” said Ron Buckmire, the board president of the Barbara Jordan/Bayard Rustin Coalition, a gay rights group in Los Angeles. “We’re saying, ‘Gay people are black and black people are gay. And if you are voting conservative on an antigay ballot measure, you are hurting the black community.’ ” Black voters account for 6 percent of likely voters in most statewide elections, according to the Public Policy Institute of California, while Hispanic voters make up about 15 percent. But taken together, those two groups could easily decide the election, people on both sides of the issue said. “If the white Christian evangelic movement believes they can do it alone, I’ve got news for you,” said the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, the president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference in Sacramento, which supports the measure. “They don’t have the sheer numbers to do it without the minority effort.” The Obama factor is just one potential element in the battle over Proposition 8. Both sides said they expected to spend $20 million or more to help blanket airwaves. One advertisement by opponents shows a heterosexual bride on her way to the altar thwarted by various obstacles — a broken door, a clingy child — before the tagline: “What if you couldn’t marry the person you loved?” Polls have shown Proposition 8 is trailing. A Field Poll of likely voters conducted last week found the measure was favored by 38 percent of voters and opposed by 55 percent. Mr. Obama, who has said he does not favor same-sex marriage, has stated his opposition to Proposition 8, calling the measure “divisive and discriminatory” in a letter to a gay Democratic club in San Francisco. But opponents are not declaring victory. “We think there’s 15 to 20 percent that are still undecided on this issue,” said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, which supports gay rights. “We do believe that if we can get our message out at least equal to the other side, we will win, but that’s a fund-raising issue.” Mr. Kors said opponents of Proposition 8 had raised about $12 million so far. Supporters of the proposition, which qualified for the ballot shortly after the Supreme Court decision, said they had raised about $15 million. Those donations include money from religious and conservative groups, including $1 million from the Knights of Columbus and $500,000 from the American Family Association, run by the Rev. Donald E. Wildmon. That group’s Web site includes a fund-raising video for Proposition 8 featuring a clip of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. while a speaker comments on the duty of black pastors to speak out in favor of Proposition 8. Some supporters of the measure also say they sense a newfound enthusiasm in their ranks since Gov. Sarah Palin became the running mate of the Republican presidential nominee, Senator John McCain. “I think Governor Palin has obviously energized social conservatives and religious conservatives and all types of conservatives,” said Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst with Focus on the Family Action, the lobbying arm of Focus on the Family, a conservative group that has spent nearly $450,000 on supporting Proposition 8. “And if that motivates more of them to get out to the ballot box than would have for John McCain by himself that has to benefit socially conservative issues like Prop. 8.” The black community has long had a conflicted relationship with gay men and lesbians, Mr. Buckmire said, equal parts homophobia and denial. “For too long, black people seemed to think there were no gay people around, especially black ministers,” Mr. Buckmire said. “They’d say the most insanely anti-gay things, and then the choir would come up and the choir is 50 percent gay.” Still, the tendency of black voters to oppose gay marriage extends beyond religion. Patrick J. Egan, an assistant professor of politics at New York University who has studied black voting patterns on same-sex marriage, said black voters consistently polled much lower than white voters on approval for same-sex marriage, about 16 percentage points, even when religion was not a factor. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/us/polit...amp;oref=slogin

Funny Boys continues to have one of the best selections in town. They have something for every taste and desire. The seating is very comfortable and the atmosphere is excellent. The mamasan is one of the best around and knows her boys. Funny Boys is Fantastic.

Black society in general has always been more homophobic. Part of this is the machismo in the culture. I have always loved and adored black men and many of my relationships in NYC was with them. They were totally gay to me and all the friends but were very closeted with their family as they said their family would not understand. Also, having run an escort service for a bit, I know of many gay black guys who were kicked out of their home when their families found out. I know the same happens in white and Latin and Asian homes as well but it did seem to me to happen more in the black boys. This is just my opinion based on many years of observations. I read the article you quoted and the fear is that with so many blacks going to vote they worry that this may affect the gay marriage ban. I hope that is NOT the case.

With the USA's attention for many years on war instead of peace, we have forsaken Russian and the developing democracy there. We made a choice to put the money from the US Government toward that of war in the Middle East. We should have put as much or more into developing closer ties and a closer relationship with Russia. The decisions made in the past make come back to haunt us. http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas...a.ap/index.html It seems the Russian Navy is sending some ships with joint maneuvers to Venezuela. This is in response to the USA sending ships to Georgia for aid. Whose nuke is the biggest is not the real questions but who is willing to use it is the scary one.

LOL No problem. I just can't see Brad or Angelina doing something not politically correct. They seem to be the most loved couple on earth right behind Anthony & Cleopatra. Loved the Rome episode when she went out in style.

Well, you are right. Bizarre is perhaps a good word to describe it. Great storyline and writing. Just finished the first episode with my jaws dropped a few times. Looking forward to seeing more over the week.

On the verge of my first marathon, I find myself excited, scared, exhilarated and depressed all at the same time. First, I am not really sure what someone my age is doing running his first marathon. It seemed like such an impossible task when I first thought about the idea. To run 26 miles on one day just seemed like something only a lunatic could do. The more I thought about it, the closer I started looking at races and which one would suit me the best. I picked a race and a city and started getting ready for it. Instead of loosing weight, I have gained weight on this journey. I am not sure if I am eating more or I am just not concentrating on the workouts the way I did a month ago. In any case, the day of reckoning is less than a few weeks away and I find myself working hard each day to put in the needed miles that was suggested so that I won’t hurt or kill myself. This week was a 15-mile run. It took slightly over 3 hours for me to do. I have to say that that is not a great pace but will put me in around my goal to finish the race. What I didn’t expect was the needed pee breaks, the protein bars after each hour and a really sore neck and back the day after. Next week, I’ll do a 20 mile run to see if that is something I can do and if so, it looks like I am headed to the 26 mile shin dig soon. The journey to get to the race has been a great adventure. I have found myself so tired at times that sex is not even anywhere on my mind. I find my sleeping has become better than ever. Last night, I was so hard sleeping that I fell off my bed. I have not done that is over 20 years. The boyfriend freaked out and thought I was dying. I hit the floor pretty hard and it scarred him. He said I just cursed a lot and went back to bed but he didn’t sleep well as I kept trying to edge to the end of the bed. LOL Life continues to thrill me and while I am still a fat dirty old pervert, the extra training I have been doing to get ready for this task has been a real journey. It has had its ups and downs but I have really enjoyed the ride. I don’t know if I will make it to race day the first weeks of October or if I will have to drop out and do another one. I am hoping for no injuries, surprises or drama. But, as the 15-mile run was a breeze, I look forward to my last weeks of training for this. Please keep your fingers crossed for me and send good thoughts my way. I need them. Oz

OK. OK. I know this is goofy but I was a big fan of the original series and this one is amazing. I love the new car and all the new features. While the lead actor is hot, is not the same object of my desire that the original one was. I do love his tats and think that the clothes off scene in the first episode was hot. All in all though, a fun show to see!

The 50 Greatest Gay Male Movies voted on by After Elton fans. 1 Brokeback Mountain 2 Beautiful Thing 3 Shelter 4 Latter Days 5 Maurice 6 Trick 7 Get Real 8 Big Eden 9 The Broken Hearts Club 10 Priscilla, Queen of the Desert 11 Longtime Companion 12 Torch Song Trilogy 13 My Beautiful Laundrette 14 Parting Glances 15 Just a Question of Love 16 Mysterious Skin 17 Summer Storm 18 Rocky Horror Picture Show 19 The Birdcage 20 Sordid Lives 21 Hedwig and the Angry Inch 22 Short Bus 23 All Over The Guy 24 Another Gay Movie 25 The Boys in theBand 26 Philadelphia 27 To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar. 28 Boy Culture 29 The Wedding Banquet 30 C.R.A.Z.Y. 31 My Own Private Idaho 32 Jeffrey 33 The Trip 34 Edge of Seventeen 35 Priest 36 In & Out 37 Eating Out 38 Velvet Goldmine 39 Angels in America 40 Love! Valour! Compassion! 41 The Sum of Us 42 Burnt Money 43 Transamerica 44 Victor Victoria 45 Bent 46 Yossi & Jagger 47 Bad Education 48 Gods and Monsters 49 Making Love 50 Rent http://www.afterelton.com/movies/2008/9/50...vies?page=0%2C0

Brad Pitt announced Wednesday that he's donating $100,000 to fight California's Proposition 8, a November ballot initiative that would eliminate same-sex couples' right to marry. "Because no one has the right to deny another their life, even though they disagree with it, because everyone has the right to live the life they so desire if it doesn't harm another and because discrimination has no place in America, my vote will be for equality and against Proposition 8," the actor said in a statement. Pitt's donation marks the largest thus far to the anti-Prop. 8 campaign by an A-list celebrity. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et...1,3909224.story

If anyone can pull this off Townie, you can! Keep in his ear.

I don't remember a time without my cellphone. How was it possible? It has really changed the way we all work, live and communicate. Here is an interesting article on cell phone usage: Children and teenagers are five times more likely to get brain cancer if they use mobile phones, startling new research indicates. The study, experts say, raises fears that today's young people may suffer an "epidemic" of the disease in later life. At least nine out of 10 British 16-year-olds have their own handset, as do more than 40 per cent of primary schoolchildren. Yet investigating dangers to the young has been omitted from a massive £3.1m British investigation of the risks of cancer from using mobile phones, launched this year, even though the official Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research (MTHR) Programme – which is conducting it – admits that the issue is of the "highest priority". Despite recommendations of an official report that the use of mobiles by children should be "minimised", the Government has done almost nothing to discourage it. Last week the European Parliament voted by 522 to 16 to urge ministers across Europe to bring in stricter limits for exposure to radiation from mobile and cordless phones, Wi-fi and other devices, partly because children are especially vulnerable to them. They are more at risk because their brains and nervous systems are still developing and because – since their heads are smaller and their skulls are thinner – the radiation penetrates deeper into their brains. The Swedish research was reported this month at the first international conference on mobile phones and health. It sprung from a further analysis of data from one of the biggest studies carried out into the risk that the radiation causes cancer, headed by Professor Lennart Hardell of the University Hospital in Orebro, Sweden. Professor Hardell told the conference – held at the Royal Society by the Radiation Research Trust – that "people who started mobile phone use before the age of 20" had more than five-fold increase in glioma", a cancer of the glial cells that support the central nervous system. The extra risk to young people of contracting the disease from using the cordless phone found in many homes was almost as great, at more than four times higher. Those who started using mobiles young, he added, were also five times more likely to get acoustic neuromas, benign but often disabling tumours of the auditory nerve, which usually cause deafness. By contrast, people who were in their twenties before using handsets were only 50 per cent more likely to contract gliomas and just twice as likely to get acoustic neuromas. Professor Hardell told the IoS: "This is a warning sign. It is very worrying. We should be taking precautions." He believes that children under 12 should not use mobiles except in emergencies and that teenagers should use hands-free devices or headsets and concentrate on texting. At 20 the danger diminishes because then the brain is fully developed. Indeed, he admits, the hazard to children and teenagers may be greater even than his results suggest, because the results of his study do not show the effects of their using the phones for many years. Most cancers take decades to develop, longer than mobile phones have been on the market. The research has shown that adults who have used the handsets for more than 10 years are much more likely to get gliomas and acoustic neuromas, but he said that there was not enough data to show how such relatively long-term use would increase the risk for those who had started young. He wants more research to be done, but the risks to children will not be studied in the MTHR study, which will follow 90,000 people in Britain. Professor David Coggon, the chairman of the programmes management committee, said they had not been included because other research was being done on young people by a study at Sweden's Kariolinska Institute. He said: "It looks frightening to see a five-fold increase in cancer among people who started use in childhood," but he said he "would be extremely surprised" if the risk was shown to be so high once all the evidence was in. But David Carpenter, dean of the School of Public Health at the State University of NewYork – who also attended the conference – said: "Children are spending significant time on mobile phones. We may be facing a public health crisis in an epidemic of brain cancers as a result of mobile phone use." In 2000 and 2005, two official inquiries under Sir William Stewart, a former government chief scientist, recommended the use of mobile phones by children should be "discouraged" and "minimised". But almost nothing has been done, and their use by the young has more than doubled since the turn of the millennium. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/...old-937005.html

A 700 Billion dollar bailout. What the fuck have we allowed to happen? Anyway to get the USA back on the right footing? 21st Century Socialism? See this great Interview! http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/09192008/watch.html http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/09192008/watch2.html

It is getting close. Only 45 days left. The fate of the USA for generations to come may be decided on this day. My prediction stands: I think Obama will win the popular vote but McCain will win the Electoral vote.

Welcome back! Nice to see you again! I do hope they do not discontinue the event in Vegas. It was a great deal of fun and it is a perfect weekend as the adult webmaster conventions are there. Without that event, it will be an even poorer showing for the gay market.

I have subscribed to the new season on Itunes (my only way to get them as I don't live in USA). The new season is going to be five years in advance. I am so excited about this show and it is my favorite show in the world now that Sex and the City is gone.

I am downloading Season 1 on Itunes to see the interest.

Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket all have great hotels. Chiang Mai is a bit lacking. But, the hotel PJ's Place, http://pjs-place.com/ is not 5 star but it is the best service I get in the area. The owners are gay and friendly and the place is convenient close to several of the better gogo bars and the saunas and massage parlors. The Internet is there but NOT high high speed but doable. the owners are helpful, friendly and give great advice. I have become friend with them with over 40 nights staying there this year alone. In Bangkok, I like the Intercontinental and the JW Marriott. But, so many other places now with more reasonable prices and with the lack of tourist dollars, I am sure great deals are to be had. My recent stay at Marriott got me an upgraded suite or free. Hooboy loved the Four Seasons there and I had dinner with him many times and the hotel and the rooms are amazing. I use to get the Shangri-La Bangkok on Priceline cheap. Have not use it in years. In Phuket, I love the Baan Yan Dee. http://www.baanyindee.com/ In Pattaya, the Marriott is best location in town. Cabbages and Condoms hotel is simply stunning!

I have never seen this show but on your recommendations, I'll give it a shot.

Somchai Wongsawat is the 26th Thai prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, brother in law of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, became the 26th Thai prime minister after winning voting in the parliament on Wednesday. Somchai, deputy leader of People Power Party, won 298 to 163 over Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. Five abstained. House Speaker Chai Chidchob announced Somchai's victory after about an hour of voting. PPP MPs voted for Somchai on Wednesday after difference over the nomination inside the party can be settled on Tuesday. A faction in the PPP on Monday vowed not to vote for Somchai. Somchai was married to Yaowapa, the younger sister of former prime minister Thaksin. Yaowapa was a member of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party and lost her voting right when the party was dissolved. His daughter Chinnicha is the youngest female MP in the current House of Representatives. Political observers said Somchai's strength lies in his soft and gentle character, which is why he would be the perfect person to negotiate an end to political tensions with the anti-government group, People's Alliance for Democracy. Somchai was justice permanent secretary from 1999 to 2006, and then became permanent secretary for the Labour Ministry. In 2003, when Somchai was permanent secretary of justice, he made headlines for conflicting with then-justice minister Purachai Piumsombun over the ministry's budget. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/17...es_30083657.php

The costs for Thailand are MUCH less than in Rio. Hotels, food, entertainment, etc. It is all cheaper in Thailand. Thai air is offering a Premium Economy only for this month out of LA and I think it will then be discontinued. However, the flights here are very low as it is low season and few are coming with the crisis in Bangkok. The country is in dire need of tourists. The Marriott I love has been at 65 percent occupancy this season. But, that is one of the more expensive places. I see tons of place for less than 20 USD a day and that includes breakfast. Why are fares to Rio that much? Is it the lack of competition? I have never really quite understood it.