This is a sad day for America. First the USA Patriot Act. Then the wiretapping. Next the Military Commissions Act. Now this. Courtesy of the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/30/washington/30rules.html?hp&ex=1170133200&en=f7bdc9f4cbb28c31&ei=5094&partner=homepage

The New Radical Republicans

Now that the Democrats are in charge on Capitol Hill, they have backed the Repubicans into a corner, and lik any cornered animal, they will find a way to lash out. Which they did yesterday when they tried to pass a different minimum wage bill with tax breaks for small businesses. I am so sick of these scumbags who have so beholden to the big corporations. Some of those that voted against the House-sponsored bill include a few up for re-eection in 2008, such as Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Thad Cochran (R-MS), John Sununu (R-NH), and Mike Enzi (R-WY). Shameless bastards.

It's Dr. King's birthday, and I see my people not much better off now than they were almost 40 years ago. I see black men incarcerated at a rate higher than the rest of the country, black families ravaged by poverty, cities assaulted by lack of oppurtunity. What has our country become? Empty. That is what it is becoming.

Yesterday, presidential hopeful John Edwards (my #1 choice for US President) spoke at the famous Riverside Church in Manhattan. And from what I have heard ad read, gave a speech that was infused with the legacy of the Dr. King and what he stood for. And I see a Democratic party willing to work for the people, as Nancy Pelosi and the House Democrats are passing legislation to raise the minimum wage to $7.50/hr., push for stem-cell research, a security bill that incorporate the recommendation of the 9-11 commission, cutting the interest rates of student loans, and a new law that would allow the federal government and Medicare to negotiate for lower prices. Amazing. They did more in 100 hours than the 109th Congress had done all of last year.

So we have a brand new Congress, but Bush is still up to his old tricks. Now it comes out that one of his signing statements he is going after American mail. The source of this info....front page of the NY Daily News.

Yesterday, 2006. Today 2007. Happy New Year World. Let it be a year dedicated to justice, peace, democracy, and love. Let it be the year that liberals, leftists, and progressives continue the daunting task of speaking truth to power and making the world a little bit better each day.

Being a black man is not always easy. Being a black gay man, now that is hard. I was always the oddball growing up, and even now at 25, I still find it hard to relate to other men, black, gay, or both. I mean why is it that I have to express one part of my identity at the expense of another? And this conflict in my identity has force me to exile myself, romantically and sexually. Sometimes I feel lost and confused.

Well...Christmas Day is tomorrow and I have not even finished my shopping. I suppose I can find some nice things for my mom and step-dad, but the question is what? As I am writing this song, I was listening to the Celine Dion version of "O Holy Night" which is becoming one of my favorite Christmas carols. Everytime I hear it, I just love it.

But I did find something for my brother, but I want to get something else for him. I got for him after having gone to Splash in NYC. Nice club, IMHO. But what do I know? Oh I am reading this awesome book called The Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford. Definitely check it out.

All right, back to shopping. Have a safe and happy holiday ladies and gentlemen, and in case I don't see you, have a great new year.