H.R.1024 - Uniting American Families Act of 2009

H.R. 1024 - Uniting American Families Act of 2009 - is languishing in the House.  The poor bill is just sitting there in the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.


We need to work together, fellow citizens, to get it out.


Here's the deal: There are literally thousands of American citizens who are separated from their life partners because they can't sponsor them to become American citizens or even to receive their green cards.  Does that even make sense?  A company can obtain a green card for someone to have a "highly skilled" job that takes the job away from a U.S. citizen, but life long partners cannot keep their families together.  It is a disgrace that we allow this to happen.


So, here's what I want you to do.  I want you to send a letter to Congressperson and ask them to address this situation.  There's an organization who is working on grassroot efforts called Change.  They have a letter posted on the site that you can use if you don't know what to write.  


Let's all join together and make a difference!

Base8

Do you ever wonder just who is behind an anti-gay measure?  Who provides the money for the ads?  Who is at the top of the anti-gay food chain?  The website Base8 provides this information. 

According to the FAQ, Base8 "is an ever-growing, ever-evolving, human-edited, searchable database of donors to political campaigns and related causes, both for and against equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people."
I wanted to pass this great resource site on to my readers.
Have a great day!

Domesticated Bliss

Yesterday, at around 1:30 PM, Cheryl and I, along with my parents and our good friend, Jerri and Preston, walked into the Racine County Courthouse and registered for domestic partnership. There's a five day waiting period, so next week, we have to go back and file the paperwork with the County Clerk's office. Some of our friends and family members read about this yesterday on our facebook pages. Some of our friends have asked what all this entails and I thought I should post a brief outline of our rights.

• Inheritance and Survivor Protections
• Family and Medical Leave
• Medical, Hospital and Visitation Rights
• Prevention of one Partner from testifying against another Partner
• Transfer of real estate and car and boat titles are exempt from fees.

There are 43 state rights / protections granted to domestic partnerships, as opposed to the 200 protections offered by marriage.

Just thought I'd fill you in.

God Bless

Well, people, this is it. Tomorrow is the BIG DAY!!! After 13 1/2 years of being together that includes 8 years of being a married couple in the eyes of God, family and friends, Cheryl and I will be getting domesticated! I'm not sure what to call it. Anyway, domestic partnership here we come. At 1:30 tomorrow afternoon, we will be at the Courthouse with my parents and two of our friends - Jerri and Preston - and we'll be signing the papers.

Yep, after all this time together, Cheryl is finally going to domesticate me. I guess this means that I'll be housebroken! LOL!

Seriously, it reinforces our love and commitment to each other, it gives us some legal protections and it helps us to stand up and be counted in the number of domesticated gay relationships.

Now, I called the courthouse on Friday and it turns out that there is a five day waiting period, so we'll have to go back to register the paperwork. Five day waiting period? She's had 13 years to change her mind and she's still here, whats another five days?

God Bless

I was going to post a picture from our wedding day, but I can't find it and my scanner is no longer functioning, so here's a picture of us from a few years ago.

Isn't Cheryl the prettiest gal around?

Random Thoughts

This weekend, I had quite a few ideas for articles, but the time went so fast, I never had a chance to formulate them into coherent thoughts. Now, I'm a little sleepy and I have to get ready for work, so I was thinking of just a listing of random thoughts. Maybe, a little something to get the conversation started.

• Teddy is the cutest and smartest kitten I have ever owned. He is an amazing creature and totally worth all of the allergy driven issues I'm having since we became his parents.
• My car is really pretty and I know this because a lady at the bookmobile told me.
• Paul Ryan's office must be getting more cards, letters, emails and phone calls than normal. I have called him once and sent an email on two different subjects and have not received a response on either. One issue -- Alternative Minimum Tax -- I've been waiting over a month for a response. It isn't like his office, so I'm making a guess that they must be really busy.
• If I'm right and Paul Ryan's office is busy, that can only be a good thing. It means, I hope, that my fellow Americans are becoming more involved. Well, really, it means just my fellow southeastern Wisconsinites are becoming more involved.
• Today is the day that gay Wisconsinites can register for domestic partnership. THANK YOU GOD and Governor Doyle! This whole gay marriage issue has really gotten a lot of people's tits in a wringer, as my mother would say, and for what? What has anyone who is against gay marriage gained by denying marriage to someone they don't even know? Oh, I know what they think they'll get, they think they'll get a slice of the that pie called Heaven. And, won't they be surprised when they don't. However; gays can and should take solace in the following..."Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Matthew 5:11-12
• There is nothing cuter than three cats watching a rainstorm.

Well, gotta get ready for work.

God Bless

Thank you, Governor Doyle

Let's face it when the Republicans ran the Wisconsin State Legistlature, nothing good came of it -- and, yes, Cathy Stepp, I'm talking to you. Best thing to happen to Wisconsin politics was when she decided NOT to run for State Senator again to spend more time with her family.
Worst thing to happen to Wisconsin was that stupid anti-gay amendment. Yes, friends, that's what we can thank our state Republicans for -- an amendment to our state consitution to outlaw gay marriages and civil unions. But, did it attract one job to our state?
No, it didn't. And, all it did was place us in the same boat as those other states that voted for their stupid amendments -- we look like backward morons.
But, thanks to Governor Doyle, we can once again take pride in our great state. He is calling for a Domestic partnership registry -- he wants to make sure that no gay person is ever bared from a loved one's hospital room. He wants to make sure that no gay person has to chose between losing their job and being by their soulmate's side when the end is near. Thank God for Governor Doyle!
Last year, my mother-in-law passed away and I was heartbroken, but thanks to my very understanding employer, they allowed me to work from the hotel where we were staying to be by herside. They allowed me to work off hours, so I could spend the day supporting Cheryl and Mom in their time of need. But, a lot of employers wouldn't allow that. But, they would for a straight couple. And, that, friends, is one of the reasons we need equality in marriage for all, not just those that fit some mold.
God Bless

Tell the AFA to suck it.

Two posts, right in a row -- imagine that!

The American Family Association which is neither American (trampling on someone else's rights is unAmerican) nor Family oriented (encouraging people to be against other people's families is just sick) wants all of us to boycott Pepsi.

This is from their website:

Pepsi TV ad pushing gay lifestyle
Watch the TV ad
January 26, 2009
Pepsi is now using its TV spots to promote the gay lifestyle. AFA asked Pepsi to remain neutral in the culture war. Pepsi refused. The company said it will continue major financial support of homosexual organizations seeking to legalize homosexual marriage.
Pepsi gave $500,000 to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest and most powerful gay lobbying group in America. The company also gave $500,000 to Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). The total gift of $1,000,000 to the two homosexual activist groups was to help promote the gay lifestyle in the workplace.
After Pepsi gave their money to HRC, HRC gave $2.3 million to oppose California’s Prop 8, an initiative which defined marriage as being between one man and one woman.
Pepsi also forces its employees to attend sexual orientation and gender identity diversity training, where they are taught to accept homosexuality.

Here's what I think we should do. Lets call Pepsi and tell them we support them. From now on, let's drop all this anti-gay nonsense and start supporting diversified companies. Let's spend our money on Pepsi products. Lets tell Pepsi that morons in these groups are few and far between and that they don't need to bend to the will of hatefilled people any longer. Below is the information -- also taken from the AFA website. How nice of them to put it there for me to use. Promoting equality for all isn't encouraging a gay lifestyle -- it's encouraging an American one.

After signing the pledge, please call Pepsi (914-253-2000 or 1-800-433-2652) and tell the company you will boycott its products until its stops promoting the gay agenda. Please be polite.• Pepsi’s products include Pepsi soft drinks, Frito-Lay chips (800-352-4477), Tropicana (800-237-7799), and Gatorade (800-367-6287).

God Bless

Least of these My brethren...

"When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holyangels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'

"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'

"Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'
"Then they also will answer Him,saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

For those of you who voted in AR, CA and Florida to deny gay people the right to marry and adopt, you are the ones on the left. For you had the opportunity to give to your fellow human being the rights, freedoms, acceptance and equality that you enjoy and you chose to turn your back and under some misguided idea chose not to give. I feel sorry for you; for you have not been paying attention to Jesus's words and message. You're lost and wandering in a desert of hatred and fear. I can only pray for two things: 1) you see the error of your ways and ask God for forgiveness and 2) if you do not do the first, that God has mercy on your souls.

For my gay brothers and sisters, we have lost a few battles, but we have not lost the war. Growing up, I was told that there wouldn't be a black President and just look at where we are today. There is hope for if we lose hope, we've lost it all. We will prevail in our quest to be treated equally to our fellow Americans. For Jesus said: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

We may not have our equality here on Earth, but in the eyes of Jesus we are loved and in Heaven our reward will be great.

God Bless

To Straight California From Gay Wisconsin

I received in my mailbox an email from the Human Rights Campaign. According to the email, the anti-gay marriage ban is now winning by a 47 to 42 margin. Apparently, the Nazi groups such as Focus on the Family are blasting ads that convinced voters equal rights for all is somehow a bad thing.

Well, my fellow Americans, don't believe the crap. Gays haven't ruined traditional marriage -- how could we when we can't legally get married.

Further if these groups were the Christians they proclaim to be, they would be out helping their fellow man and not demeaning him.

It has never been easy to be a gay Christian, but groups like this disgust me in ways you can't even imagine. To be close to God is one of the most magical parts of life possible. I feel His hand in my life when I hear my grandsons' laughter, watch the sunrise or snuggle with my wife as we fall asleep. To vote Yes on Proposition 8 is to let the anti-Christ win.

Please, please, please don't let that happen. We blew it here in Wisconsin, please don't blow it in your own state.

God Bless and protect me from your "followers"

Sorry, Cheryl, I love Brad Pitt...

That headline certainly got your attention, didn't it? So, let me explain...

Brad Pitt just gave $100,000 to Californians Against Eliminating Basic Rights -- a group who is fighting the anti-gay Proposition 8 in California. According to the People.com article , the man of dreams said, "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."

Be still my heart.

Of course some anti-human being group made a statement that Brad Pitt isn't an example of a good marriage, but those people are just haters. He seems like a pretty darn good family man to me. He supports Angelina, he's a good father and he puts his money where his heart and mouth are. Sounds like an upstanding young man to me. (The fact that he's hunky is just a bonus.)

If you live in California, please vote against Proposition 8. Our country was built on freedom not discrimination -- actually, that isn't true. Our country was built that white male landowners were free, but times have changed.

God Bless

PS. Dear Angelina, you don't have to worry. I'm sure Brad and I will probably never meet and I'll never have the chance to sweep him off his feet. :-) Although, I'm sure this old, overweight lesbian probably could. :-D

Godspeed, Del Martin

I just saw on the CNN Wire that Del Martin passed away at the age of 87. She and her wife, Phyllis Lyon, co-founded the Daughters of Bilitis, as well as the Alice B. Toklas Democratic Club. Because of Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Lyon, I have rights in Wisconsin I wouldn't have had without those who came before me. We still have a long way to go, but we're moving in the right direction.

Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Lyon exchanged vows of matromony on June 16th of this year, becoming legally married. However; apparently the copy writer didn't refer to Mrs. Lyon as Mrs. Martin's wife, the article refers to her as partner -- like it was some sort of business relationship.

I've posted the article below.

So, Godspeed Mrs. Martin and thanks for all you did for me. Bless you, Mrs. Lyon. I can't imagine what it must be like to lose your wife of 55 years.

And, to the small minded people who can't seem to type wife and type partner instead, kiss my lesbian ass.

And, if you're waiting for the normal God Bless, I don't feel like sending blesses to straight people today.

So, God Bless the Lesbians and Gays who came before me.

SAN FRANCISCO, California (CNN) - Lesbian activist Del Martin, at the forefront of the battle for same-sex marriage in California, died Wednesday in San Francisco. She was 87.

Martin's partner of 55 years, Phyllis Lyon, was by her side at the UCSF hospice, the National Center for Lesbian Rights said. Martin and Lyon, 84, tied the knot on June 16 in a ceremony officiated by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Long before Massachusetts and then California legalized same-sex marriage, Lyon and Martin were integral parts of the early movement for lesbian and gay rights.

In 1955, they founded the nation's first lesbian organization, the Daughters of Bilitis, and launched the first lesbian publication, The Ladder. Martin co-founded the Council on Religion and the Homosexual, and was also a founding member of several other organizations, including the Lesbian Mother's Union, the San Francisco Women's Centers and the Bay Area Women's Coalition. She and Lyon were co-founders of the first gay political group in the United States, the Alice B. Toklas Democratic Club, named for author Gertrude Stein's long-time partner.

Times have changed

I'm going to admit something I'm not too sure many people know. My parents were NOT happy campers when I came out to them almost 20 years ago. My mother used to make comments like "straighten up" when we'd get off the phone and my father didn't have too much to say to me for a long time. Now, I don't want anyone thinking I'm complaining because they never sent me away to be "cured" or stop letting me talk to my brothers. I know gay people who haven't spoken to their parents since they came out. But still, it wasn't easy.

My parents love Cheryl -- sometimes I think more than they love me -- and they love her kids and, of course, they're thrilled with da boys.

But, something happened this weekend I just never thought would happen in a million years. Two friends of ours, Barb and Karen, were married last month. We missed the wedding because our cousin, Jeff, was married to his bride, Jen, on the sameday. And, I couldn't miss Jeff's wedding and wouldn't have considered missing it. Anyway, we met up with Barb and Karen at Ren Faire this weekend and caught up on news. I introduced them to Dad and told him that they had just gotten married. Dad offered his congradulations. I mean, it was so cool. Twenty years ago, I don't think that would've happened.

He's come along way. He's still voting Republican this November, but he's still come a long, long way.

God Bless

Marriage Rights

So, I'm on the phone with my mother and I mention that Cheryl needs to pick up one of her prescriptions that costs $50.00. My mom says why does it cost so much and I explain that Cheryl's insurance doesn't cover this particular drug at which point my mother says, "Why isn't she on your insurance?" This I find humorous because my mother wrongly assumes since I make more money and work for a larger company that I have better insurance, which is not the case.

So, I explain to my mom that my company doesn't offer domestic partner benefits -- and she asks me why not -- and even if it did, we wouldn't use them. Which leads me to the reason for this column.

My mom goes back and forth on gay marriage. On one hand, she doesn't understand why gay people would want to get married. Afterall, if straight people can't get marriage right (i.e., the 50% divorce rate), what makes gay people think they can? Then, she thinks that there isn't any benefit to gay marriage. In her mind, if Cheryl and I separate, everything's much easier because one of us can just move out. But, it isn't easier and thanks to that stupid amendment, a court wouldn't hear our case against one another.

It is with my mother in mind that I write this column.

• Domestic Partner Benefits: These are a wonderful idea. It is a way for one gay person to cover their spouse. And, actually, this covers unmarried straight people, as well, which I don't agree it should. If you want these rights, get married and get them. But, gay or straight, the same problem remains: The Federal Government taxes the benefit as income. So, if your employer pays $100 a month for your partner's healthcare, that's added into your salary for the government to tax. When you think about it, this is really crazy because if you cover your uninsured partner this way, it means the government isn't doing it.
• Social Security: My social security benefits will be higher than Cheryl's and she will never be able to claim them. Ever. On the marriage side of this, if a man marries four women, stays married to each one of them for 11 years, all four women are entitled to one half of his social security. And this NEVER reduces his payout. Does that seem fair and just?
• Health Issues: If Cheryl goes into the hospital and is unable to make decisions for herself, I do not have an automatic legal right to make decisions for her. I do have a Power of Attorney of Health, which is only valid in Wisconsin. If we're on vacation in another state, there's no guarantee that a hospital in another state would honor it. This doesn’t happen to a married couple.

These are just three main reasons why gay people want the right to marry. There are hundreds more and I'm sure I'll write about them from time to time.

God Bless

Lisa Pond and Anti-Gay Florida...

This morning I really wasn't sure what I should write. Then, I remembered a post I saw on Rosie.com. I don't often read Rosie's website, but Elisabeth Hasselbeck was on Access Hollywood, which I was only watching because the TV was on and one thing led to another and...

Well, that doesn't matter. Anyway, there's this post about Lisa Pond. Lisa died of a brain aneurysm on Feb. 18th, but that's not all. Below is a quote from another blog:

"From The Olympian: ``Langbehn, a social worker, said officials at . . . [JMH] did not recognize her or their jointly adopted children as part of Pond's family. They were not allowed to be with her . . . and Langbehn's authority to make decisions for Pond was not recognized . . .

``Even after a friend in Olympia faxed the legal documents that showed that Pond had authorized Langbehn to make medical decisions for her, Langbehn said she wasn't invited to be with her partner or told anything about her condition. She said she wasn't allowed to see Pond again until a priest arrived to give . . . Last Rites.''"

Situations like this are the very reason gays and lesbians should not be denied marriage. Family values my ass. The mean spirited people who do things like this do not know the meaning of the words family values.

This woman died without her kids and partner, because of hate and bigotry. A social worker, Garnett Frederick, told Langbehn that Florida is 'an anti-gay state.' Well, well, well. Langbehn had a legal right to make decisions for Pond and the hospital denied it to her. I hope she sues, I hope she wins and I hope that hospital has to close its doors for good. (I should note that Mr. Frederick has denied this allegation.)

Cheryl's been talking for years about going to Florida to see the sites and, even though I've never been a fan of Florida, I probably would've given in, but not now. I told her last night that I will never step foot into that hate filled state. I won't take a vacation there, I'll never travel there on business until this kind of foolish stops.

So, here's my final and very UnChristian thought, let's just stop visiting Florida. The whole state only has two things: Oranges and tourists. Let's stop drinking their juice, eating their oranges and visiting their way too hot and humid state. Let's just leave them be.

I think Rosie should sell her house and arrange for her cruise line to pick up passengers somewhere else. No gay person should do business in Florida and no straight person who knows a gay person or is related to a gay person should go there either.

I do want to offer up a prayer for Lisa Pond and her family. May God hold them close to His heart until they can all be together again.

God Bless

Dick Cheney & Wolf Blitzer

I'm probably a day late and a dollar short on this post, but I think Wolf was out of line.

If you don't know, Dick Cheney's lesbian daughter, Mary, is expecting a child. James Dobson's Focus on ourselves and look what good "Christians" we think we are made the following statement:

"Mary Cheney's pregnancy raises the question of what's best for children. Just because it's possible to conceive a child outside of the relationship of a married mother and father doesn't mean it's the best for the child."

First, I'd like to say it's none of their freaking business and that whole group should just fall back into the hole from which they came.

Second, while I believe the group has a right to say whatever they want to say, I don't believe we should all have to listen to it.

Finally, the statement was made in December, which brings me to Cheney and Blitzer. Blitzer reads the quote and then expects Cheney to comment on it. I feel that it was unfair and I believe that Cheney was right was telling Blitzer that he was out of line. I think Dobson's hate group is out of line for commenting on the Vice President's daughter. If you want to make a statement against gays, fine, make it, but leave Mary Cheney and her pregnancy out of it.

God Bless

John McCain

While I understand the need to reach out to conservative religious leaders, I will not be supporting John McCain in his bid to become President in 2008. I like John McCain, but when will the Republican Party stop bowing to the extreme right wing that listens to people like James Dobson?

We do not need a Constitutional Amendment banning gay marriage in this country. Gay marriage won't hurt anybody's marriage. And, we don't need these extreme so-called religious people having such a large say in our political campaigns. Now, I'm not sure, but isn't Dobson's so-called family group considered non-profit? (I could be wrong here) If it is, shouldn't they lose their status once it becomes clear that they are butting in on the political sphere? I think so.

I have to say, that I like John McCain, but I'm very disappointed in him. He should try reaching out to the disenfranchised conservatives who want smaller government, less taxes and more fiscal responsibility than reach out to the extreme who preach hate.

God Bless

Family Video

Okay, is it just me or is it wrong for a place to call itself FAMILY Video when it will be opened from noon to midnight on CHRISTMAS?!? Don't they care whether or not their staff gets to have any family time? Who needs to be out there renting videos on Christmas Day? It's bad enough that there will be football being played when families need to spend time together.

We wonder what has happened to family values in this country and this is what has happened to family values. We have placed renting videos higher than spending time with our families. The right wing can blame gay people all they want for the deterioration of family values, but in reality capitalism is killing our family values.

God Bless!

And M e r r y C h r i s t m a s !

Senator Brownback is a self-servicing jerk

Judge Neff apparently attended a lesbian marriage ceremony in 2002. Senator Brownback, who wants the Republicans to vote for him in 2008, is making an issue of this. Now, I don't know who's wedding she attended, but it is none of the bad Senator's business. Nor, is it ours. He wants her to promise to not rule on any same sex marriage cases that might come before her. What kind of crapola is that?

Look, if we're going to bring this issue to the forefront, than I want anyone who is personally against gay marriage to not be allowed to rule on it. Fair is fair. If a judge has made a public statement against gay marriage he or she should not be allowed to make a ruling...

Except, I believe that our judges in this country are better than that. I believe that a judge can make an impartial and constitutional ruling on anything based solely on the facts of the case. I'm going to ignore that Senator Brownnose isn't smart enough to realize that our constitution actually supports gay marriage and concentrate on judges.

Some judges have to throw out evidence that places a murderer or a rapist back on the streets. I'm sure that judge doesn't not personally believe a murderer or rapist belongs on the streets because of a technicality. What a judge does (and if they don't, they should) do is weigh whether or not the case has merit, the cops did their jobs and nothing more.

I believe -- and maybe I'm naive -- that judges can interrupt the law not in their best interests, but in the best interest for the greater good.

This is the United States of America and while I believe we're the greatest (although not perfect) country on this planet, I also believe that we have the greatest judges.

It's too bad that our self-serving Senators don't believe that.

God Bless

Operation Save America

Operation Save America will be boycotting and protesting at Wal-Mart stores because Wal-Mart refuses to discriminate against gays and lesbians.

Why? Why do they think they have some God-given right to "save" America? And, from whom are they saving America?

From the men and women who pay the higher taxes because they can't get married and file married tax returns?

From the hardworking people who put food on the table for their families?

From the millions of churchgoing gay and lesbian Christians who pray to God everyday for the souls of those who have been misled by hatred and fear?

From the ones to whom Jesus himself referred when He said, "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake." (Luke 6:22)?

Yeah, those are the ones that Operation Save America wants to "save America" from.

But, what about the big businesses that pollute our soil?

Or, the factories that do not pay a living wage?

Or, better yet, why aren't they boycotting Wal-Mart because of the financial drain it places on our state's (and in turn, country's) economy because its employees do not have healthcare?

Where were the self-righteous groups such as Operation Save America and the American Family Association when the rest of us were boycotting Wal-Mart?

And, one last question, the average Wal-Mart shopper isn't college graduated. Go on any day and you won't see the part of society that is driving a Lexus to work. Wal-Mart's prices are so low that many of the families who shop there really can't afford to go somewhere else. The flip side to this is that these are the same families who are counted among Operation Save America and the American Family Association's members. They really should've kept that in mind before they called for a boycott of a store at which the majority of their members shop. They won't get far with this boycott.

People only care about "morals" when it doesn't affect their wallet.

God Bless

Don't Blame Me for Your Failed Marriage...

Right now, one out of every two marriages end in divorce. At this very minute, someone in this country is filing for divorce and the only happy people are the divorce lawyers.

Right now on the ballot is a vote for an amendment to forever ban gay marriages (and civil unions) in Wisconsin. The main argument is that gay marriage will destroy straight marriages.

Really? I think you straight people are perfectly capable of destroying marriage all by yourselves. Now, what I'm about to say may upset some people, but I want you to know right up front that I'm not referring in anyway to marriages that end because of abuse. Those marriages should end.

No, what I want to discuss is how everybody wants a wedding and no one thinks about the marriage that comes with it.

Sure, guys, it's easy to get down on one knee, look into the eyes of the girl you love and say, "Will You Marry Me?" But, it's much harder to hold it all together when you haven't had any sleep and she says, "Honey, take out the garbage."

And, ladies, it is really easy to fall into Prince Charming's arms and answer, "Yes, I'll marry you". But, take a good look at his father, because that's who that guy is going to be in a few years. If his dad always takes out the garbage, so will Prince Charming.

It gets even harder when the kids come and the money's tight and he snores or she snores and you wake up one day and go, "Who the Hell is this person in my bed?" It takes work. Some days are good and some days are bad. Some days, you'll hate him and some days, you can't stand the nag she's become, but man, on those days, try to remember why you got married in the first place. Look into her eyes and remember how the fact she hates football used to be so cute.

And, on Tuesday, when you're casting your ballot, ask yourself this question: "If I vote no and gays are eventually allowed to marry, will this ruin my marriage?"

Then, vote no on the amendment.

God Bless