A Sad and Infuriating Bronx Tale

When I read the New York Times story about a group of men and boys who tortured and sodomized three men in the Bronx simply because they were gay, I was both horrified and pissed off.  If those reports prove to be correct, then those men were all chosen because they are gay.  They were tortured because they are gay.  At least one was sodomized with the handle of a plunger, and another with a baseball bat, because they were gay. 

Read the entire story, and pay attention to the lurid details of what happened to these men, simply because they were gay.

I am sure that for some, they will be groaning, because "Big Gay" will take on this issue and make demands, as they have, allegedly, with the recent suicides of young gay men.  Those groaning will have to suffer discussions about anti-gay bigotry and the like.  I am tired of this notion that simply telling what has happened has become tantamount to whining and claiming "victimhood."  Or perhaps this is what we should expect from straight soldiers should Don't Ask, Don't Tell gets repealed.  Perhaps they would be so bothered by the mere presence of the now able to be open gays in their midst, that the only logical thing to do would be to harass them, or worse.

Those three men were the victims of people who decided that because those men were gay they deserved to be beaten, tortured and sexually assaulted.  I wonder how many of them were raised being told how bad or evil gays are.  I wonder how many of them felt that gays were just too out there right now, and it made them uncomfortable just knowing that.  I hope those issues are raised as the community tries to "heal." 

When the Government and the Private Sector Both Do Bad Things

When I read that 18 million dollars in government stimulus related funds had been issued to dead people and some folks who were in jail, my first thought was that this would be solid evidence for those of us who want more efficient government.  I also thought that this would bolster the position of those who argue against government altogether (the "government is bad," unless it's doing something I need (Medicare/Social Security) types).  But in light of the mounting scandal with the private sector mortgage lending industry, I am glad that I waited to write anything.

I think that both of these stories are good examples of how both sides, those who advocate for greater government involvement and those who advocate for greater free market involvement, need to see and acknowledge the problems that can be inherent in their favored positions. 

It makes no sense that this money should have gone out from the government without a reasonable check on the status of the individual due to receive funds.  Now, I think that for those people who'd been incarcerated or who'd died fairly recently, there should be some leeway granted.  I mean if I sent a letter to someone, and they passed away before receiving it, I wouldn't find out about that until after the fact.  But, there certainly should be constant updates for things like this, and the government needs to be much better with regard to information sharing and developing better and more integrative systems, if only to prevent things like this from happening (and kudos to the people who have been returning the funds).

But for all of the people who would gleefully point out this bit of government ineffectiveness, I am bothered by the cavalier attitude that was taken by those in the private mortgage lending industry who were not bothering with their own protocols and kicking people out of their homes as a result.  Personally, I think that is more cold blooded than mistakenly sending out $250 checks to the wrong people.  The only saving grace on this side is that those who didn't do their jobs properly can be fired easily.  On the government side, not so much, and that should change.

I think that we can agree that most people want our government, even as it is right now, to be as efficient and effective as possible.  And I think we can agree that most people want the private sector to deal with consumers honestly, making sure that they are doing what they are supposed to do, and reassuring its customers.  It all just reminds me that we cannot have it all one way or another.  Our society requires both an efficient/effective government, as well as an honest private sector, because abuse from either side should not be tolerated by anyone.

Hip Hop Remembrances: The Good Girls

Sometimes I think that straight folks think that gays and lesbians are incapable of recognizing the beauty of the opposite sex that attracts them.  It simply isn't true, and my example is The Good Girls.  Not only was this Motown girl group pumping out hot new jack swing beats, they were also some of the most beautiful women (Shireen, Joyce and DeMonica) on the scene at that time.  If you want to know what some of the hot dances were as the 80s became the 90s, watch the video clips below.  I have to admit that I never understood why The Good Girls weren't bigger than they were.  Granted, they were not En Vogue in terms of vocal abilities, but they were a fun group, and definitely good music for a party.  I think that too many slept on these ladies.  Enjoy.

I Now Want to See the New Doc "Inside Job"

I read through the New York Times online almost daily (and getting a copy of the actual Sunday Times and reading it is just one of the simple pleasures in life for me), and I just finished reading A.O. Scott's review of a new documentary called "Inside Job."  According to the review, the film is a thorough examination of the multiple reasons that led to the economic collapse of 2008.  Sadly, I think Scott's comment at the end of his review will prove to be quite true:  "Its fate is likely to be that of other documentaries: praised in some quarters, nitpicked in others and shrugged off by those who need its message most. Which is a shame."

A Small Victory for Homeowners in Foreclosure Trouble

I was very glad to see that President Obama decided not to sign the Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act that would have made the foreclosure process for banks easier.  I think that something like this would have been rather innocuous under normal circumstances, but in light of the recent revelations that there have been all sorts of problems related to foreclosure processing, coupled with the continued problems with the administration's foreclosure relief program, the decision not to sign was the right one.

Is This a Bridge Too Far? II

If you recall, I did a post about the case surrounding the situation with Anwar al-Awlaki.  In that post, I relied heavily on postings written by Salon's Glenn Greenwald, and I agreed with many of the points he raised on the subject.  Now, Andrew Sullivan has offered a lengthy answer (following an earlier posting) to questions that Greenwald raised, and it makes for a fascinating read.  Sullivan also makes some really good and potentially, for me, persuasive points.  I strongly encourage the folks who read this blog to check both writers' positions on this fascinating subject.

I've decided not to focus on my position on this issue now, because I am currently re-reading the exchange.  But I did want to point out that this is what a discussion on politics and policy should look like between a liberal and a conservative.  In reading these posts, I am reminded of precisely what is missing in our political discourse:  substance.  And we are suffering from that loss.  Imagine our political leaders (though I think President Obama tries) having a substantive and actually informative discussion on issues.  What we get now is an assortment of empty rhetoric, pedantic talking points and meaningless sound bites.   

We need a real return to a discussion of issues in a substantive manner.  We need to force Americans legitimately interested in solving our many problems to step up to the intellectual (and civil) plate and play ball on a higher plane.  The Greenwald/Sullivan discussion can serve as a template.  What have we to lose by trying?

To All GLBT Youth, People in the Closet, and Those Serving in Silence, It Does Indeed Get Better

There have been five young men (Asher Brown-13, Raymond Chase-19, Tyler Clementi-18, Billy Lucas-15, and Seth Walsh-13) who were either gay or perceived to be gay who have committed suicide within the last month.  I could bring myself only to talk about Tyler Clementi's suicide on this blog, but I feel for the others as well, naturally.

In light of this tragic news, I am glad to see the effort that writer Dan Savage has started, the It Gets Better Project.  When I was a teenager suffering in silence, I wish there had been something like this around.  But that is neither here nor there.  I did what I had to do to live my life, and I was able to see for myself that it got better, that my life improved dramatically with regard to my sexual orientation as time passed.  This is a message that desperately needs as much publicity as possible.

I wish that the aforementioned young men had been able to have people in their lives who could have told them, and convinced them that it gets better.  Yes, it is difficult at times, but just keep living and learning and growing.  And this project, though directed at GLBT youth will also help those in the closet generally, and/or those serving in silence in the military. 

This project will save lives. and please remember that it gets better.