In a previous life I spent a lot of time on the road for work. It was my habit to go to the hotel pool at the end of the day and swim about an hour’s worth of laps before dinner. During one of my trips to Houston the hotel had a complimentary cook out once a week. It was a BYOB affair. Somehow I missed this announcement. When I went down for my swim I found the pool area full of good ole boys drinking beer and eating BBQ. I really needed those laps so I just dove in. As I was getting out of the pool and heading back to my room a group of the guys invited me to join them for dinner around the pool. They had more than enough beer and bourbon.
During the evening they pointed out how skinny I was, they noticed my really expensive/interesting hair cut, they asked why I read Vanity Fair (I brought it to the pool to read while I dried off), they commented on my board shorts and the fact that I ate my BBQ with a knife and fork. But, they thought I was really funny even though I spoke too fast, was too much of Democrat and a few of them were surprised I was not Jewish.
About three hours later I am sitting in the hot tub, smoking a cigar and talking about life on the road with some of these good old boys. One of them asked me how my little woman was able to put up with this time apart and how or if I was able to keep faithful.
I said that she is just great and understands that this is what I have to do and that the faithful part is not difficult because when I get home it is all worth it.
Yes, I said she.
Why did I do that?
Friday, October 8, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Why Marriage Matters
Let me tell you a little story
There is this guy living in Allentown, his name is Chris, I have known Chris his whole life. Chris works hard; pay’s his taxes, votes, loves his family and has a lot of great friends. Chris was building a life with a great guy named Mike. Mike died suddenly a year ago.
Chris was in bed and he heard a sound and a thud in the bathroom, he rushed in to find Mike on the floor dyeing. Chris called the 911 and as Mike was being taken to the hospital, Chris was put in a police car and taken to the police station so an investigation could take place to ensure there was no foul play. Mike died alone in the hospital his life partner Chris was alone at the police station. An officer came in to the room to tell Chris that Mike had died and that he was cleared so he could go home. I don’t recall now if the police brought him home or if Chris’s parents came to pick him up. Imagine what the neighbors thought when they saw these two men being taken out of the apartment.
Mike was just coming out of the shadows of the closet, despite that fact that he and Chris were building a life together Mike was not quite strong enough or comfortable enough to list Chris as a beneficiary on any of his insurance or retirement paper work and there was no will. The only proof that these two men had a life together was the matching rings they wore.
The county could not release Mike’s body to Chris. The county had to place an article in the newspaper looking for a next of kin and after 72 hours of waiting Chris was given access to Mike’s remains. A next of kin was found; a miserable old woman who Mike had not been in contact with since the mid 90’s, she was Mike’s Aunt. She released Mike’s body to Chris and his family under one condition; she would not be asked to contribute to the cost of the funeral otherwise “The County could dispose of him as they would any pauper”. Chris’s sister dealt with the county on his behalf and said Chris wanted nothing from her he just wanted Mike’s body so he could complete Mike’s wishes.
Mike worked with Chris’s brother and the people at work went into overdrive and took care of all the details for the reception after the memorial service, employees from other locations came to cover the workplace so anyone who wanted to attend the memorial service could. Close to 150 people attended the very casual service. Mike was not very religious but the service was held in the social hall of Chris’s family’s church.
The funeral home understood the situation and really went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the Mike’s urn could be present for the service and they also understood that Chris would have to engage an attorney in order to gain access to Mike’s estate to cover the costs of the funeral and other debts they incurred together.
Under Pennsylvania laws Chris was not entitled to Mike’s estate because there was no will nor was he listed on the beneficiary paperwork. The only person entitled to that money is the Aunt that Mike despised because she was the next of kin. Chris was appointed executor and was able to pay expenses from the estate and he was allowed to collect a small fee for holding that post but that process took so long that Chris had front the money for the bill for the funeral home.
Yes, a lot of this mess could have been avoided had Mike had the courage to add Chris to his paperwork. It should not take courage to do that but in this country it takes courage to live an open and honest life. It was another step out of the closet and unless you have had to take those steps you will never know the courage it takes. If Chris and Mike had been allowed to get married, instead of having to settle for matching bands, the Aunt would not be listed as next of kin, Chris would have.
Chris, his family and friends miss Mike dearly everyday and are still scarred and somewhat embittered by what Chris has had to endure. Chris’s brother is particularly angry and frustrated by what he witnessed and his brother’s pain because he knows unless he crosses every “T” and dots every “I” he will go through the same thing. Chris’s brother has been in a stable and monogamous and affirming relationship with the same man for almost 27 years but his government does not recognize it as legitimate. As a result Chris’s brother and his partner have very clear wills and have listed each other as primary beneficiaries on all financial paper work.
I am Chris’s brother.
This is why marriage is important and this is why I will become a single issue voter if I have too. Living life in the shadows is not an option for me; living life without the full rights and privileges of the majority is not an option for me.
There is this guy living in Allentown, his name is Chris, I have known Chris his whole life. Chris works hard; pay’s his taxes, votes, loves his family and has a lot of great friends. Chris was building a life with a great guy named Mike. Mike died suddenly a year ago.
Chris was in bed and he heard a sound and a thud in the bathroom, he rushed in to find Mike on the floor dyeing. Chris called the 911 and as Mike was being taken to the hospital, Chris was put in a police car and taken to the police station so an investigation could take place to ensure there was no foul play. Mike died alone in the hospital his life partner Chris was alone at the police station. An officer came in to the room to tell Chris that Mike had died and that he was cleared so he could go home. I don’t recall now if the police brought him home or if Chris’s parents came to pick him up. Imagine what the neighbors thought when they saw these two men being taken out of the apartment.
Mike was just coming out of the shadows of the closet, despite that fact that he and Chris were building a life together Mike was not quite strong enough or comfortable enough to list Chris as a beneficiary on any of his insurance or retirement paper work and there was no will. The only proof that these two men had a life together was the matching rings they wore.
The county could not release Mike’s body to Chris. The county had to place an article in the newspaper looking for a next of kin and after 72 hours of waiting Chris was given access to Mike’s remains. A next of kin was found; a miserable old woman who Mike had not been in contact with since the mid 90’s, she was Mike’s Aunt. She released Mike’s body to Chris and his family under one condition; she would not be asked to contribute to the cost of the funeral otherwise “The County could dispose of him as they would any pauper”. Chris’s sister dealt with the county on his behalf and said Chris wanted nothing from her he just wanted Mike’s body so he could complete Mike’s wishes.
Mike worked with Chris’s brother and the people at work went into overdrive and took care of all the details for the reception after the memorial service, employees from other locations came to cover the workplace so anyone who wanted to attend the memorial service could. Close to 150 people attended the very casual service. Mike was not very religious but the service was held in the social hall of Chris’s family’s church.
The funeral home understood the situation and really went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the Mike’s urn could be present for the service and they also understood that Chris would have to engage an attorney in order to gain access to Mike’s estate to cover the costs of the funeral and other debts they incurred together.
Under Pennsylvania laws Chris was not entitled to Mike’s estate because there was no will nor was he listed on the beneficiary paperwork. The only person entitled to that money is the Aunt that Mike despised because she was the next of kin. Chris was appointed executor and was able to pay expenses from the estate and he was allowed to collect a small fee for holding that post but that process took so long that Chris had front the money for the bill for the funeral home.
Yes, a lot of this mess could have been avoided had Mike had the courage to add Chris to his paperwork. It should not take courage to do that but in this country it takes courage to live an open and honest life. It was another step out of the closet and unless you have had to take those steps you will never know the courage it takes. If Chris and Mike had been allowed to get married, instead of having to settle for matching bands, the Aunt would not be listed as next of kin, Chris would have.
Chris, his family and friends miss Mike dearly everyday and are still scarred and somewhat embittered by what Chris has had to endure. Chris’s brother is particularly angry and frustrated by what he witnessed and his brother’s pain because he knows unless he crosses every “T” and dots every “I” he will go through the same thing. Chris’s brother has been in a stable and monogamous and affirming relationship with the same man for almost 27 years but his government does not recognize it as legitimate. As a result Chris’s brother and his partner have very clear wills and have listed each other as primary beneficiaries on all financial paper work.
I am Chris’s brother.
This is why marriage is important and this is why I will become a single issue voter if I have too. Living life in the shadows is not an option for me; living life without the full rights and privileges of the majority is not an option for me.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Yes, I Am Voting For John Callahan Because It Is About Me
In his comments to my last post Bernie O’Hare warned me against basing my decision to vote for John Callahan based solely on one issue. I have never been a single issue voter but the issues I addressed in my last post are about to become make or break issues for me.
Throughout my long political involvement I always allowed LBGT issues to get pushed aside, I was always willing to compromise and then support candidates who support for my civil rights and my right to be a full citizen in this country is at best tepid.
I supported the greater good for the rest of society while I accepted my rights to considered an afterthought or something that would be gotten around too when the timing is right. I have concluded that the timing will never be right.
I want the leaders that I vote for, the men and women I give my money, my time and my efforts to lead on my behalf.
I support a woman’s right to choose, I support strong public schools, I support the right of unions to organize. I support affirmative action; I believe the government needs to do more for the poor, the young and the elderly. I believe in climate change and support candidates who want to do something about it. I support investing in our cities and preserving our farmlands and green spaces. I believe in comprehensive immigration reform.
I support your right to burn the flag and I support your right to own and use a gun. I support your right to hate me because of who I love. I support your right to worship who, what, where and when you want. I support human rights, I support the peace movement and I support our troops. I give to the boy scouts; I give to food banks and animal shelters. I have tried to imagine what it like to have walked in the shoes of everyone out there, to understand where you are coming from so I can support your right to exist and your right to your opinion.
And yet, every election I am asked to support people who are not truly willing to support me. I want to get married; I want to not have to read about 13 year old boys killing themselves because some asshole called them gay. I want the word gay to no longer be a bad word, I want gay to no longer be a joke or punch line anymore.
I am tired of coming out of the closet over and over it again. You straight folks have no idea how demeaning it is to have to explain and or justify yourself to people who are not really worthy of it. How do you think I feel every time someone asks me about my wife because I wear a band on my ring finger? Really people; a tall, thin, well spoken, well read, well dressed 51 year old man is not married for a reason.
So, my friend Bernie when I find a candidate who has embraced me and this issue the way John Callahan has I am going to support him. Yes, Bernie for the first time in my very long involvement in politics this election is going to be about me and I am voting for John Callahan.
Do you really think by carrying the water for John Boehner, Charlie Dent really has your interest at heart?
You can visit Bernie's blog by clicking on the link for Lehigh Valley Ramblings
Throughout my long political involvement I always allowed LBGT issues to get pushed aside, I was always willing to compromise and then support candidates who support for my civil rights and my right to be a full citizen in this country is at best tepid.
I supported the greater good for the rest of society while I accepted my rights to considered an afterthought or something that would be gotten around too when the timing is right. I have concluded that the timing will never be right.
I want the leaders that I vote for, the men and women I give my money, my time and my efforts to lead on my behalf.
I support a woman’s right to choose, I support strong public schools, I support the right of unions to organize. I support affirmative action; I believe the government needs to do more for the poor, the young and the elderly. I believe in climate change and support candidates who want to do something about it. I support investing in our cities and preserving our farmlands and green spaces. I believe in comprehensive immigration reform.
I support your right to burn the flag and I support your right to own and use a gun. I support your right to hate me because of who I love. I support your right to worship who, what, where and when you want. I support human rights, I support the peace movement and I support our troops. I give to the boy scouts; I give to food banks and animal shelters. I have tried to imagine what it like to have walked in the shoes of everyone out there, to understand where you are coming from so I can support your right to exist and your right to your opinion.
And yet, every election I am asked to support people who are not truly willing to support me. I want to get married; I want to not have to read about 13 year old boys killing themselves because some asshole called them gay. I want the word gay to no longer be a bad word, I want gay to no longer be a joke or punch line anymore.
I am tired of coming out of the closet over and over it again. You straight folks have no idea how demeaning it is to have to explain and or justify yourself to people who are not really worthy of it. How do you think I feel every time someone asks me about my wife because I wear a band on my ring finger? Really people; a tall, thin, well spoken, well read, well dressed 51 year old man is not married for a reason.
So, my friend Bernie when I find a candidate who has embraced me and this issue the way John Callahan has I am going to support him. Yes, Bernie for the first time in my very long involvement in politics this election is going to be about me and I am voting for John Callahan.
Do you really think by carrying the water for John Boehner, Charlie Dent really has your interest at heart?
You can visit Bernie's blog by clicking on the link for Lehigh Valley Ramblings
Saturday, October 2, 2010
This Election Is About Me (and I am voting for John Callahan)
I have made no secret of my support for my Mayor in his quest to become our next Congressman. This begins a series of postings explaining why.
John Callahan cares about me.
· John Callahan will co-sponsor the reintroduction of ENDA (Employment Non Discrimination Act) and he has vowed to actively support it.
· John Callahan will co-sponsor the legislation that died this week in the Senate to overturn Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.
· John Callahan has pledged to ensure the Matthew Sheppard Hate Crimes Legislation is enforced and will support its reauthorization.
· John Callahan will support legislation that grants same sex couples the same legal rights that heterosexual couples receive.
· John Callahan will work for equal treatment for the LGBT community with immigration issues.
Are these just promises? I think not.
This is what John Callahan has accomplished as Mayor of Bethlehem.
· Bethlehem under the leadership of John Callahan offers health care benefits to all city employees and their families. Not just the straight ones.
· Bethlehem allows the same-sex partners of city employees’ to be eligible as pension beneficiaries.
· John Callahan has introduced and anti-discrimination ordinance that will establish a Human Relations Commission which will protect my LGBT community. The Pennsylvania law will not protect me but my Mayor has decided that his city will.
Let’s take a moment to look at Charlie Dent’s record while not representing me in Washington.
· Charlie Dent voted against the Matthew Sheppard legislation
· Charlie Dent voted against ENDA. Because of Charlie Dent I can get fired because of who I love.
· Charlie Dent voted to amend the Constitution of the United States to define marriage. The constitution of this country grants rights Charlie Dent voted to amend the constitution to deny rights.
Let me say this very clearly:
CHARLIE DENT VOTED FOR DISCRIMANATION. CHARLIE DENT VOTED TO TREAT ME AS A SECOND CLASS CITIZEN. CHARLIE DENT SUPPORTS TWO TYPES OF CITIZENSHIP ONE FOR HIM AND ONE FOR ME.
This election is about me and I am supporting John Callahan for Congress and I ask you to do the same.
John Callahan cares about me.
· John Callahan will co-sponsor the reintroduction of ENDA (Employment Non Discrimination Act) and he has vowed to actively support it.
· John Callahan will co-sponsor the legislation that died this week in the Senate to overturn Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.
· John Callahan has pledged to ensure the Matthew Sheppard Hate Crimes Legislation is enforced and will support its reauthorization.
· John Callahan will support legislation that grants same sex couples the same legal rights that heterosexual couples receive.
· John Callahan will work for equal treatment for the LGBT community with immigration issues.
Are these just promises? I think not.
This is what John Callahan has accomplished as Mayor of Bethlehem.
· Bethlehem under the leadership of John Callahan offers health care benefits to all city employees and their families. Not just the straight ones.
· Bethlehem allows the same-sex partners of city employees’ to be eligible as pension beneficiaries.
· John Callahan has introduced and anti-discrimination ordinance that will establish a Human Relations Commission which will protect my LGBT community. The Pennsylvania law will not protect me but my Mayor has decided that his city will.
Let’s take a moment to look at Charlie Dent’s record while not representing me in Washington.
· Charlie Dent voted against the Matthew Sheppard legislation
· Charlie Dent voted against ENDA. Because of Charlie Dent I can get fired because of who I love.
· Charlie Dent voted to amend the Constitution of the United States to define marriage. The constitution of this country grants rights Charlie Dent voted to amend the constitution to deny rights.
Let me say this very clearly:
CHARLIE DENT VOTED FOR DISCRIMANATION. CHARLIE DENT VOTED TO TREAT ME AS A SECOND CLASS CITIZEN. CHARLIE DENT SUPPORTS TWO TYPES OF CITIZENSHIP ONE FOR HIM AND ONE FOR ME.
This election is about me and I am supporting John Callahan for Congress and I ask you to do the same.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Take A Moment
Take a moment to think about Tyler Clementi.
He was the young man who jumped off the George Washington Bridge the other day.
Tyler jumped off the bridge because his college roommate decided to live web stream him having sex with another guy.
Take a moment to think about what Tyler’s life was like those last few days before he decided that it just was not worth living.
Tyler was 18 and in his first year in college. He was living his life and he was living his sexuality. His disgusting roommate and a sick friend decided it would be a hoot to show the world Tyler’s sexual activity.
By many news accounts Tyler was brilliant young man and an accomplished musician.
When Tyler found out what these two foul pigs had done to him, he decided his only coping option was not too cope at all. He decided that his life was not worth living if he had to endure this kind of humiliation.
I came out to my family in 1982 – I was 23 (I knew about 15 years earlier) and it all went very well but for many of my peers it was no walk in the park. A lot has changed over the last 30 years and we have been led to believe that this younger generation does not have the hang ups that my friends and their families had. The MSM has led us to believe that being gay is no big deal to the younger generation. Tyler’s foul roommate and his pig friend clearly did not get the message of hope and change.
Take a moment to think about what would have caused these two bottom dwellers to do this.
But, don’t think about them for too long; don’t waste your Karma on such disgusting life forms. Instead think about Tyler’s family. Think about the other young men on these webcasts. Think about how painful those last few hours of Tyler’s life were like.
I will think about Tyler Clementi a lot for the rest of my life.
It is up to G-D to forgive Dharun Ravi and Molly Wei. I will never be a good enough person to forgive them. I hope every day they live will be as painful for them as the last few days Tyler’s were for him.
Take a moment to think about Tyler.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Update On A Friend
Back on June 16th I posted a character reference letter I wrote on behalf a young friend.
Joe begins to repay his debt to society today. He will be spending about 3 months in the county prison, if he behaves himself there and I am certain he will, he will be transferred to a rehab center for another 3 months. He will be spending the weekend going through tests and orientation and then enter the facility full time as of Monday. Joe will not be placed with the general population but rather with the work release group during his time as a guest of the county.
A few weeks ago Joe told me that he did not think that he had a drinking problem, I just stood there glaring at him as I started to wave him off and just walk away he tried to explain. He said he knows he has a problem but he just does not think that the drinking is the core issue and he is hoping to spend his time away getting to what the real problem is He has some serious anger issues and the reckless behavior he has exhibited is a result. He is looking forward to working on his demons and knows he is going to come out of this a changed man. He is determined to close the book on this chapter of his life and begin anew.
I have warned his friends that the Joe they are saying goodbye to this week will not be the Joe they greet this spring when he is released. He will be sober and if my past experience is any indication it is all he is going to want to talk about. He is not going to want to do the same things he did before and some of them may feel some rejection as he puts some distance between himself and those who empowered his previous behavior. They may not like him very much and he may not like them in return. If they truly love their friend Joe they are going to have to accept the new guy and support him as he faces his future or they are going to get pushed aside. I hope they really are his friend.
Here is the e-mail he sent me at 2:30 this morning:
I will write you about getting me a book. I do not know too much about the details yet and probably won't for sure until I am in population Sunday or Monday. I am partially dreading the morning and partially relieved to finally be getting this out of the way so I can get on with my life. I am most concerned not with myself but my loved ones who will be stressing over me the entire time I am away. I somehow feel like this ordeal will be harder on them than it is on me. So I will write until my hand falls off and keep myself busy with letters and visits and phone calls as much as I can. I am even toying with the idea of writing about my experience throughout this. Might make for interesting reading years from now. At any rate, my long year of waiting, speculation and hoping for the best while dreading the worst is finally over. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your support Donald; you are a very good friend.
One of the things Joe and I have in common is our love for what used to be called Social Studies and as you may imagine I have a ton of books that fit into that category. I am going to be spending the next few weeks hitting the bargain bins to find some other books that I hope will teach, inspire and entertain my young friend. I cannot send him any books that involve pornography, violence, drugs, racism or any other antisocial behavior. If you have any suggestions please share them with me.
I will think about Joe every day and I hope that he comes out of this ordeal a better man. He is one of the brightest young men I have ever met and once he pulls it all together I don’t think anything will stop him from becoming a great success at whatever he chooses to do with his life. If you get a chance give a thought to my friend and wish him well. Note; Joe is not his real name so when speaking to G-D, Buddha, Krishna, Mother Earth, Karma, Bruce Springsteen or any other higher power you can refer to him as Donald Flad Jr’s friend.
Joe begins to repay his debt to society today. He will be spending about 3 months in the county prison, if he behaves himself there and I am certain he will, he will be transferred to a rehab center for another 3 months. He will be spending the weekend going through tests and orientation and then enter the facility full time as of Monday. Joe will not be placed with the general population but rather with the work release group during his time as a guest of the county.
A few weeks ago Joe told me that he did not think that he had a drinking problem, I just stood there glaring at him as I started to wave him off and just walk away he tried to explain. He said he knows he has a problem but he just does not think that the drinking is the core issue and he is hoping to spend his time away getting to what the real problem is He has some serious anger issues and the reckless behavior he has exhibited is a result. He is looking forward to working on his demons and knows he is going to come out of this a changed man. He is determined to close the book on this chapter of his life and begin anew.
I have warned his friends that the Joe they are saying goodbye to this week will not be the Joe they greet this spring when he is released. He will be sober and if my past experience is any indication it is all he is going to want to talk about. He is not going to want to do the same things he did before and some of them may feel some rejection as he puts some distance between himself and those who empowered his previous behavior. They may not like him very much and he may not like them in return. If they truly love their friend Joe they are going to have to accept the new guy and support him as he faces his future or they are going to get pushed aside. I hope they really are his friend.
Here is the e-mail he sent me at 2:30 this morning:
I will write you about getting me a book. I do not know too much about the details yet and probably won't for sure until I am in population Sunday or Monday. I am partially dreading the morning and partially relieved to finally be getting this out of the way so I can get on with my life. I am most concerned not with myself but my loved ones who will be stressing over me the entire time I am away. I somehow feel like this ordeal will be harder on them than it is on me. So I will write until my hand falls off and keep myself busy with letters and visits and phone calls as much as I can. I am even toying with the idea of writing about my experience throughout this. Might make for interesting reading years from now. At any rate, my long year of waiting, speculation and hoping for the best while dreading the worst is finally over. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your support Donald; you are a very good friend.
One of the things Joe and I have in common is our love for what used to be called Social Studies and as you may imagine I have a ton of books that fit into that category. I am going to be spending the next few weeks hitting the bargain bins to find some other books that I hope will teach, inspire and entertain my young friend. I cannot send him any books that involve pornography, violence, drugs, racism or any other antisocial behavior. If you have any suggestions please share them with me.
I will think about Joe every day and I hope that he comes out of this ordeal a better man. He is one of the brightest young men I have ever met and once he pulls it all together I don’t think anything will stop him from becoming a great success at whatever he chooses to do with his life. If you get a chance give a thought to my friend and wish him well. Note; Joe is not his real name so when speaking to G-D, Buddha, Krishna, Mother Earth, Karma, Bruce Springsteen or any other higher power you can refer to him as Donald Flad Jr’s friend.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Something Is Wrong
There is clearly something wrong with me. Something has changed. All pistons are not firing. I am a few ants short of a picnic. The lights are on but no one is home. Shit happens and I don’t react.
Am I jaded, bitter, cynical or just so over it that I stopped caring? If so, how or why did it happen?
Let me give you some examples:
The Catholic Church festival in Roseto allows a game vendor to take shots at a cartoon of the President of The United States. I was appalled by it on many levels and after reading the good Father’s badly written and ridiculous letter to the editor giving his take on the events of that weekend I was really quite upset. But, I did not rant or rave. I did not take to Twitter, Facebook or this blog to rail against it. No. Guy and I discussed it calmly and after awhile I thought the whole affair was so foolish that I did not think I could add anything. I was certain that Lehigh Valley With Love would have done a much better job at boiling this foolishness down.
My blog idol Lehigh Valley Ramblings tries to promote a lame story about Dino Cantelmi getting away with poor driving because he is related by marriage to Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan. One of the local newspapers did not even cover the non-story and the other disproved it. This is Bethlehem: the son’s of the high and mighty always get away with everything. Did I vent to you here or on Twitter did I write a piece on yet another cheap trick by Charlie Dent? No. I commented on Bernie’s blog but I did not return to read a response.
My dear friends over at Lehigh Valley Independent have written some brilliant stuff over the summer and the only thing I feel the need to comment on is whether John Callahan is hotter than Charlie Dent.
Bill Clinton comes to town and after a brief moment of interest I forgot completely about it until I read about it the next day.
John Boehner comes to town and my only interest is how the vampire pale Charlie Dent looks standing next to the tannest man in Congress.
Lisa Boscola tells local restaurants and bars to break the law and I gave it a big yawn.
Sarah Palin said so many outrageous things this summer and made no sense what so ever each time she spoke or tweeted but all I did was shrug my shoulders and mutter things like “If that’s what America wants then that’s what they deserve.” I did not storm around the house, I did not wave my arms, and tears did not come to my eyes in rage.
Dr. Laura showed her true colors (once again) and I did not join in the discussion. I did not take to my blog to defend the First Amendment from her distortion of it. I just let the moment pass.
The media driven uproar over the non-mosque not being built at the World Trade Center site and the moron preacher burning Korans did not provoke much of a reaction from me.
I ignored Glenn Beck.
So what happened to me?
Am I so disgusted by the way the nation has turned on this President that I have given up?
Have I lost the fire in my belly? I used to love being in the arena (as TR used to call it) and lately I could take it or leave it.
To answer my own question above; I am jaded, bitter and cynical but that never stopped me from caring in the past.
Something has stopped clicking and I need to find out what it is. Any thoughts ya’ll have will be most welcome.
Thanks
Am I jaded, bitter, cynical or just so over it that I stopped caring? If so, how or why did it happen?
Let me give you some examples:
The Catholic Church festival in Roseto allows a game vendor to take shots at a cartoon of the President of The United States. I was appalled by it on many levels and after reading the good Father’s badly written and ridiculous letter to the editor giving his take on the events of that weekend I was really quite upset. But, I did not rant or rave. I did not take to Twitter, Facebook or this blog to rail against it. No. Guy and I discussed it calmly and after awhile I thought the whole affair was so foolish that I did not think I could add anything. I was certain that Lehigh Valley With Love would have done a much better job at boiling this foolishness down.
My blog idol Lehigh Valley Ramblings tries to promote a lame story about Dino Cantelmi getting away with poor driving because he is related by marriage to Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan. One of the local newspapers did not even cover the non-story and the other disproved it. This is Bethlehem: the son’s of the high and mighty always get away with everything. Did I vent to you here or on Twitter did I write a piece on yet another cheap trick by Charlie Dent? No. I commented on Bernie’s blog but I did not return to read a response.
My dear friends over at Lehigh Valley Independent have written some brilliant stuff over the summer and the only thing I feel the need to comment on is whether John Callahan is hotter than Charlie Dent.
Bill Clinton comes to town and after a brief moment of interest I forgot completely about it until I read about it the next day.
John Boehner comes to town and my only interest is how the vampire pale Charlie Dent looks standing next to the tannest man in Congress.
Lisa Boscola tells local restaurants and bars to break the law and I gave it a big yawn.
Sarah Palin said so many outrageous things this summer and made no sense what so ever each time she spoke or tweeted but all I did was shrug my shoulders and mutter things like “If that’s what America wants then that’s what they deserve.” I did not storm around the house, I did not wave my arms, and tears did not come to my eyes in rage.
Dr. Laura showed her true colors (once again) and I did not join in the discussion. I did not take to my blog to defend the First Amendment from her distortion of it. I just let the moment pass.
The media driven uproar over the non-mosque not being built at the World Trade Center site and the moron preacher burning Korans did not provoke much of a reaction from me.
I ignored Glenn Beck.
So what happened to me?
Am I so disgusted by the way the nation has turned on this President that I have given up?
Have I lost the fire in my belly? I used to love being in the arena (as TR used to call it) and lately I could take it or leave it.
To answer my own question above; I am jaded, bitter and cynical but that never stopped me from caring in the past.
Something has stopped clicking and I need to find out what it is. Any thoughts ya’ll have will be most welcome.
Thanks
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