That's Better

It looks like Jesse Jackson, Jr. was participating in a previous investigation against Blagojevich. It would be interesting if it turned out that the assistance he was giving to the U.S. Attorney's office helped to nail the Illinois governor.

"Alright"

It's official. I've crossed the line between being in the know about relatively new artists and being a str8 up NPR listener. I was feeling down not too long ago (just contemplating all sorts of things, personal and global), and a friend suggested I check out the song "Alright" by Ledisi. So if I'm late, forgive me. I get it. Ole gurl is a real deal, and represents another reminder of my love for neo-soul singers.

Shut Up and Bail

I think that the American public deserves to know why it is that Wall Street can receive, without questions or requirements (merely suggestions), billions of taxpayer dollars, and the U.S. auto industry is having to go through hoops like a broke person trying to get credit. I also think that each of the GOP Senators who supported the Wall Street bailout need to explain their lack of support for the auto industry.

Most folks from the South know that "unions" are supposed to be seen as bad things, and many (primarily white) Southern politicians pride themselves on being against them. Sometimes I wonder if just the name "Union" conjures up memories of the "Lost Cause." But for a region that is allegedly more proud of being "American" than any other, I find it rather interesting that its representatives in Washington are arguing for the reduction of American wages, as well as stronger support for FOREIGN car companies (see here and here).

I have nothing against foreign car companies, and I do think that they have had better products to offer Americans in the recent past. However, that does not mean that we need to watch the destruction of an industry that is 100% ours. The car was the American product. The auto industry was essentially one of the reasons that people were able to earn a middle class living without having a college degree. Do we really want to let the GOP kill the industry on our watch, especially when it doesn't have to die. This is the time for the American auto industry to re-assert its authority and develop products that are environmentally friendly, aesthetically appealing, and reasonably affordable. The very creators of the industry, at the very least, deserve that chance. The southern wing of the GOP be damned.

UPDATE: Here is a really interesting article regarding the perspective of president of the United Auto Workers, Ron Gettelfinger from "The Raw Story."

Hmm, Buenos Aires?

I was just roaming around the web, and I came to a story about the potential of Buenos Aires becoming a real haven for the gays (Rio watch out). I have to admit that I've always wanted to visit Argentina, including Buenos Aires. I loved the images of the Argentinian countryside in "The Motorcycle Diaries." Yet, I really would love to see the area called Tierra del Fuego down at the southernmost tip of the Americas. I'll put Argentina in my list of considered places for a honeymoon, if I ever get married.

UPDATE: Speaking of "The Motorcycle Diaries," please take a listen to "Al otro lado del rio" by Jorge Drexler. It's stunningly beautiful.

Why Jesse Why?

Look, I understand that ambition can drive us to do some strange things, but there are limits. Clearly, in his desire to become the next U.S. Senator from Illinois, Jesse Jackson, Jr. just couldn't keep that desire in sufficient check. Now he is wrapped up in the madness that is soap opera of Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.

Infreakincredible! Ta-Nehisi Coates captured my thoughts on this here (and the link includes comments from his reader). If this all turns out to be true, then the brotha deserves what's coming to him. And it won't be a seat on the other side of the Capitol Building.

And naturally, Sean Hannity would do his best to look for links to BHO in this scandal. Yet, it does quite work. I'm sure the viewers of Fox News are gutted.

Past as Prologue

Though it is a tad early for New Year's related thoughts, I have to admit that I am more than ready for 2008 to come to an end. Yes, I am trying to rush it through. This has been one of the most stressful years that I can remember, primarily because of the various ups and downs I've experienced in the last twelve months.

I began the year feeling concerned about the changes that i felt (instinctively) were coming. I was excited to turn 40. I left a job that was brilliant on paper, but I needed to leave. I felt the light leaving my personality, and nothing is ever worth that. I decided that I wanted to put myself out into the dating world more aggressively, and it led to some interesting encounters (each of which has taught me more about myself). I've been able to connect with a number of old friends and cronies through Facebook, and it's been a blast. I was a witness, with the planet, to the election of Barack Obama.

Conversely, I lost my uncle Joe in March, and that was a huge blow to my family. I was dismayed by the passage of Proposition 8 (as well as the other anti-gay measures in AZ, AR and FL), and the concomitant ire that event raised between the African American and GLBT communities. I was (and remain) saddened by the collapse of the economy, which has adversely affected my own job prospects (particularly with the Smithsonian). And one would never know by the coverage that we are still in the midst of two wars.

I've learned so much about myself this year, some good lessons and others not so good. I've also been tested in terms of my work, my finances and relationships. Yet, I've never felt more free. I feel like I've taken the wheel again. It's a bit frightening, but it really feels good.

So, I am confident that 2009 will be a year of awakenings. I hope each of those awakenings moves me toward becoming the person I want to be. Lord just get me through these remaining weeks of 2008. I am in desperate need of a new beginning.

It's All About Milk

I am sorry that I do not have a memory about Harvey Milk. I was 10 at the time of his death, and I was probably more excited about becoming a big brother (my brother was born in October of 1978). I look forward to seeing the bio-pic of his life, because I recognize the important place he has in American history generally, and GLBT American history particularly.

I am glad that "Milk" is out now. It's a visual reminder of how far we have come as a nation with regard to gay rights. It should also serve as a reminder of how far we have to go. Too many people still believe that one makes a decision to become gay (yes I am pointing particularly at black and Latino communities). I just need some str8 person to let me know when he/she decided to be str8. At the same time, I wish more folks would follow Milk's lead by coming out of the closet and jumping into the fray (particularly in black and Latino communities). Milk once defended the closet. It took moving to San Francisco, and working to defeat the Briggs Initiative, to recognize the freedom that coming out could provide.

It's interesting that the 30th anniversary of his assisination falls on Thanksgiving. Like most people, I will give thanks for family, friends and my health this Thursday. But this year, I would like to add that I give thanks for being a beneficiary of the sacrifices that people like Harvey Milk made to help make my life easier. Harvey Milk was a genuine hero for me precisely because he was an ordinary man who did extraordinary things; he is a reminder of what each of us is capable of giving to our communities.