Huh?

I have a personal philosophy that everything we do SHOULD promote our life aspirations. These include our careers and relationships, but also simple things like having fun and feeling fulfilled.

So in that light, I just can't understand what Blagojevich is doing. It made no sense before, but it even makes no sense to me now. Now that he's been impeached, and banned from ever holding public office in Illinois again (didn't even know they could do that one), what is he trying to achieve with his media blitz? Perhaps the answer is simple, and just a matter of ego. But whether he's guilty or not, he's not helping himself any. Maybe there's something I'm not seeing here, but I can't help but question someone's mental state when the consistently do things that clearly causes no good to anyone and pain to themselves.

When Will They Learn

Update: Chip Saltsman has officially pulled out of the race for the RNCC Chair.

The Republicans are currently picking their next party chairperson. It came out sometime around Christmas that one of their party chair candidates distributed a CD mocking minorities with songs such as "Barak the magic negro" and "the star spanglish banner." Here is an article rehashing some of the old debate.

Now, I'm sure these were intended as just jokes, but it reflects the inherent callousness and disregard that the leadership has for minorities. We've become pawns in a political game in which we are clearly deemed as on the other side. Because of this, considerations for us as humans with dignity and respect are put aside for political gain... or even just a laugh.

No, contrary to what many tell me, they are not evil. In fact, they are no more corrupt or evil than are Democrats. Unfortunately, partisanship causes all groups to often ardently back positions if for no other reason than to distinguish themselves from the "others". But we need them and we need them healthy. We need them because unchecked power ALWAYS get abused. We need them to make the Democrats better.

Blatherings

Well it's about this time of year when I start to forget what warm weather ever felt like. Gone are the days of frolicking naked in a nearby pool or sunning by the beach. I'm so looking forward to warmer times and upcoming trip to Gran Canaria.

Having only been doing the nude thing for a year now, I may not be an expert, but it seems as if DC has taken a turn for the worst. There just seems to be less festive activities and most of the groups seem to be faltering in one way or another. I think that's a shame, but maybe it's just the winter blues for the groups too.

I did go to a party hosted by the men of color, area nudist group with the BF. We also took a new 23 y/o friend that we recently met along with us who seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. About 45 very good-looking guys showed up and we had a really good time. The party started with some light food and a lot of good social mingling. Later in the night it turned decidedly friskier, but not quite like an all-out sex party.

I've put on a couple of pounds since I decided to take some time off from playing tennis 4 times per week. Some of this is good since I've been trying to gain some muscle in the gym, but I am pining for some warmer weather where I start playing again.

24 Sucks

I am trying watch tonight's episode of 24 and frankly, after being a fan for so long, I can hardly even watch it. How did they go so wrong so fast. It's soooo bad!

So what's wrong with it? Let me count the ways:

1. The whole United States is held hostage by, not even an African dictator, but an African dictator wannabe.
2. This wannabe is in the US. He comes and leaves at will.
3. All of the Americans are helping the wannabe, saying "yes sir", "nor sir", "right way we'll help you kill 10,000 Americans sir."
4. I have no idea how they can get 2 planes to collide in mid-air so easily, but boy these terrorists are good!
5. Oh yeah, for some reason the device in all commercial airliners that warn them of an impending mid-air collision doesn't seem to be working. Oh well.
6. Did you know that there's a website to cause a thermal nuclear reactor to melt down? That's the only way I can see that this CIP device can remotely gain access to all of these internal networks.
7. Er... unplug the firewall dumb-assess!

Honestly, I'm just getting started. There's so much other complete and utter bullshit, but what's the point? I can't believe that with a set full of adults someone doesn't say, "er... excuse me... director guy... this craps makes absolutely no sense."

My First Obama Criticism

So I've been very pleased with his quick actions that have immediately set a new tone in Washington. However, I have to point out that providing an exemption to his own, newly enhanced lobbyist ethics rules seems like a really bad idea.

Republicans First Steps Toward Recovery

This article about the Republican's selecting the next chair for the RNCC shows that the republicans at least realize that something is wrong. The evidence is that all the candidates are touting how they'll do the best job of attracting minorities. There are even two black candidates in the running.

Of course the problem is that it is just a knee-jerk reaction, at least for now. Thus, it becomes a shallow proxy for true inclusiveness. Nonetheless, recovery always starts with admitting that you have a problem. The coming years (or perhaps decade) will make it clearer that they must become more attractive to minorities and accepting of gays, not out of moral revelation, but rather through changing demographic realities.

Still, it's good to see a baby take its first steps.

Lull

It's been a while since I've last posted, but my brain still runs rampant. I've noticed something recently that has somehow escaped me until now. During the past few weeks I've been completely taken aback by the number of people that have spoken to me about being sad or depressed. Some were friends, others acquaintances while others complete strangers.

I wondered how I had missed such feelings in others for so long when it finally hit me. It was no accident that it all happened around the holiday season. I always feel so helpless and hurt when I see someone else hurting. It pains me when I know that I cannot fix everything and bring the smiles back. All I can do is listen because that is something that we all need now and then.

Blagojevich and Burris

Everyone's making such a stink about Blagojevich's appointment of Burris to represent Illinois in the senate, however I think that perhaps my perspective is slightly different.

1. First, I believe that Blagojevich is a disgrace. I qualify this only slightly because I (nor many others for that matter) have really seen the supposed evidence against him. Often things aren't what they seem which is why our country deems us innocent until proven guilty. That said, it sure doesn't look good at all.

2. Even if he is innocent he should have resigned. The nation as well as Illinois is in a financial meltdown. States are operating in crisis mode to balance their budgets since they are unable to raise and/or print new money like the federal government. These times call for an effective leader. Even if we give Blagojevich the benefit of the doubt, there is still no doubt that he has become completely ineffective as governor.

However...

Until he resigns or is legally removed, he does remain the democratically, elected governor of Illinois with all of the responsibilities and authorities that that implies. Illinois law (and perhaps it's constitution) states that he can make this appointment. Illinois' elected representatives wrote the law that granted the governor the ability to make this appointment and the citizens of Illinois elected its governor. So although I'm totally with the current impeachment proceedings and genuinely hope they work and work fast, it seems somehow perverse for the senate Democrats to decide not to seat someone legally selected to represent the people of their state.

I mean think of it... whatever precedent that they might set for refusing to seat Burris could also be used for not seating someone else deemed to "radical" or "unfit" in some other way. Of course the problem with these words is that they are so subjective. Too radical or unfit according to who? One could always come up with such a justification to bar the people's representatives because we don't like their politics.

I actually hope they find a true way (not a technicality) to not seat Burris, however, I hope that they don't trample on the rule of law and the concepts of Democratic representation in the process.

Postscript: References by Burris and others to race has been absolutely not just distasteful but despicable. If it's a bad idea for Blago to seat someone does it become ok if that person is Black? Hell no!