The Choice Is Ours Now

by Melissa Etheridge

This is a message for my brothers and sisters who have fought so long and so hard for gay rights and liberty. We have spent a long time climbing up this mountain, looking at the impossible, changing a thousand year-old paradigm. We have asked for the right to love the human of our choice, and to be protected equally under the laws of this great country. The road at times has been so bloody, and so horrible, and so disheartening. From being blamed for 9/11 and Katrina, to hateful crimes committed against us, we are battle weary. We watched as our nation took a step in the right direction, against all odds and elected Barack Obama as our next leader. Then we were jerked back into the last century as we watched our rights taken away by prop 8 in California. Still sore and angry we felt another slap in the face as the man we helped get elected seemingly invited a gay-hater to address the world at his inauguration.

I hadn't heard of Pastor Rick Warren before all of this. When I heard the news, in its neat little sound bite form that we are so accustomed to, it painted the picture for me. This Pastor Rick must surely be one hate spouting, money grabbing, bad hair televangelist like all the others. He probably has his own gay little secret bathroom stall somewhere, you know. One more hater working up his congregation to hate the gays, comparing us to pedophiles and those who commit incest, blah blah blah. Same 'ole thing. Would I be boycotting the inauguration? Would we be marching again?

Well, I have to tell you my friends, the universe has a sense of humor and indeed works in mysterious ways. As I was winding down the promotion for my Christmas album I had one more stop last night. I'd agreed to play a song I'd written with my friend Salman Ahmed, a Sufi Muslim from Pakistan. The song is called "Ring The Bells," and it's a call for peace and unity in our world. We were going to perform our song for the Muslim Public Affairs Council, a group of Muslim Americans that tries to raise awareness in this country, and the world, about the majority of good, loving, Muslims. I was honored, considering some in the Muslim religion consider singing to be against God, while other Muslim countries have harsh penalties, even death for homosexuals. I felt it was a very brave gesture for them to make. I received a call the day before to inform me of the keynote speaker that night... Pastor Rick Warren. I was stunned. My fight or flight instinct took over, should I cancel? Then a calm voice inside me said, "Are you really about peace or not?"

I told my manager to reach out to Pastor Warren and say "In the spirit of unity I would like to talk to him." They gave him my phone number. On the day of the conference I received a call from Pastor Rick, and before I could say anything, he told me what a fan he was. He had most of my albums from the very first one. What? This didn't sound like a gay hater, much less a preacher. He explained in very thoughtful words that as a Christian he believed in equal rights for everyone. He believed every loving relationship should have equal protection. He struggled with proposition 8 because he didn't want to see marriage redefined as anything other than between a man and a woman. He said he regretted his choice of words in his video message to his congregation about proposition 8 when he mentioned pedophiles and those who commit incest. He said that in no way, is that how he thought about gays. He invited me to his church, I invited him to my home to meet my wife and kids. He told me of his wife's struggle with breast cancer just a year before mine.

When we met later that night, he entered the room with open arms and an open heart. We agreed to build bridges to the future.

Brothers and sisters the choice is ours now. We have the world's attention. We have the capability to create change, awesome change in this world, but before we change minds we must change hearts. Sure, there are plenty of hateful people who will always hold on to their bigotry like a child to a blanket. But there are also good people out there, Christian and otherwise that are beginning to listen. They don't hate us, they fear change. Maybe in our anger, as we consider marches and boycotts, perhaps we can consider stretching out our hands. Maybe instead of marching on his church, we can show up en mass and volunteer for one of the many organizations affiliated with his church that work for HIV/AIDS causes all around the world.

Maybe if they get to know us, they wont fear us.

I know, call me a dreamer, but I feel a new era is upon us.

I will be attending the inauguration with my family, and with hope in my heart. I know we are headed in the direction of marriage equality and equal protection for all families.

Happy Holidays my friends and a Happy New Year to you.

Peace on earth, goodwill toward all men and women... and everyone in-between.

While creating this post, I did a search for photos of Pastor Rick Warren, and came across this very interesting website. Wow-there are some real psychotic people out there.

Unexpected deep pleasure possible during joblessness

By JENNIFER A. SLATER
Tuesday, December 09, 2008

I was laid off from my job a few months ago and, although money has been tight, this time off has given me unexpected gifts. Carefully doling out my meager savings, rising to “power seller” status on eBay, and learning the definition of “deferred payments” have all contributed to my survival while I continue to send out mass e-mails of my résumé. But it dawned on me as I was raking leaves the other day that I have enjoyed some of the most mundane activities since I found myself on the outside of the rat race.

If you’re currently unemployed, don’t despair — set aside a certain amount of time for scouring the want ads, making phone calls and doing your share of worrying — but then take a break from it. You are defined by more than your role as provider or by your occupation for that matter — there’s so much more. Don’t waste this opportunity.

What are some things you’ve always wanted to do but never had time for? Think of things you could accomplish that would make your life easier when you do go back to work. Here are some ideas:

1. I cleaned my house! And I’m not talking just hitting the big spots — I mean really cleaned! It’s amazing what can accumulate over the years when you’re squeezing household chores between work, laundry, dinner and sleep. I’m not saying my house looks like a model home now — I still need a heads up if you’re stopping by — but with three kids and two big dogs, I’d say the place looks pretty darn nice!

2. Tackle projects. Like anyone else I have a Honey-Do list. The only problem is, I’m the only Honey in the house, so between acting as breadwinner, cook, chauffeur and chief bug killer, things didn’t always get checked off that list. Until now! So far I have stripped wallpaper, organized drawers, cabinets and closets, built an awesome doghouse, and refinished all my kitchen cabinets to go with the new paint job. I even cleaned out and painted my garage and hung pegboard so I have a place for all my tools other than the floor. No wonder my house stays so clean now!

3. Spend time with your kids. This one is right at the top of my list. I actually went on a field trip with one of my children without worrying about using up a precious vacation day. When my daughter had a weeklong art project in addition to having to read a novel, I read “Dracula” out loud to her every night while she worked on her art. We play video games, lie around and read, take walks, watch movies — why didn’t I do this before? Oh yeah, I was always working.

4. I’ve become incredibly frugal. I actually take time now to read the ads for sales and cut out coupons and then plan every week’s meals accordingly. What a concept! I honestly cannot believe the amount of money I’ve saved. I’ve even traded coffeecakes, lasagna and other home-baked goodies for trunkloads of firewood with a guy at church who cuts down trees for a living — really made a difference on my heating bill. Be creative! And barter, barter, barter!

5. I learned how to cook again. Shortly after I was laid off from my job, my son came home to this mouth-watering aroma wafting through the house and asked, “Wow, what’s for dinner?” When I told him pot roast, he looked around the kitchen and asked where I hid the crock pot. It dawned on me that my kids had never had pot roast with brown crusty potatoes baked in an oven all afternoon. They loved it! It became my mission to pore through my cookbooks and spoil my children with home-cooked meals that I had never had the time or energy to prepare. Do you like to cook or wish you were a better cook? Now’s the time to take it to the next level.

6. I have become a master at Sudoku! Pathetic, you say? I think not. Who will be laughing when the government offers me a job as a secret-code-breaker. Never thought of that, did you?

7. I finished my book. Have you ever wanted to write a book? This has been one of the most personally rewarding gifts I have received during this drought. After years of trying to complete a book I was writing to help encourage, organize and motivate other single parents, I finally finished it and have even launched my own Web site. Now this could be something that defines you! It feels amazing — you need to try it!

How sad that some of our best dreams are rarely at the top of our priority list as we fly through the self-inflicted routine of our lives. And as one of my favorite authors says, “Everyone is an expert at something.” What are you an expert at? What would you do if you had all the time you needed (which, uh, you do right now) and you knew you couldn’t fail? Go for it!

Write a book or a manual, start your own business, work as a dishwasher in exchange for free food at restaurants across the country as you experience places you’ve never had the opportunity to see while you were stuck in a nine-to-five job (unless you have a family at home, then absolutely do not do that last one). All I’m saying is, while you’re unemployed, sitting home being discouraged is not the only option.

During this time among the unemployed, I have truly come to appreciate so many things in my life and been able to take advantage of opportunities I’ve not had the time or energy to enjoy. We all have so many gifts, open your eyes and start seeing them! And get started while you’ve got the time!

• Jennifer Slater, a resident of Acworth, is founder of theSingleParent.org, an organization devoted to enriching the lives and self-esteem of women and single parents.

Rosie O'Donnell's Blog Entry on Election Day

election day with ruby dee
11.04.08 at 8:36 pm in life

i am in detroit r shooting america
a film about foster care
which we r making in a former boys home
closed a few months ago

in the extras waiting room
a bright blonde beautiful boy
a young eminem
looked about twelve

fifteen he told me
and i asked him to stand
which he did - smiling
a neck full of hickeys

later in the driveway
with his older pal in tow
we chatted about life - his parents
his parole officer - his medication

he lived in the foster home
we were filming in
for over a year
he is back with his parents now

he doesnt sleep home often
he crashes with friends
on couches or floors
his nails were dirty

did i sleep on my money - he asked
a million dollars in the mattress?
he has no plans for his future
no dreams of what he will be

in ten years i ask
what do u imagine for ur life
i hope with a house
and maybe a car - he said

i looked at his tiny body
not even in puberty
his baggy pants sagging
he held my eyes

mama lucas is inside - he told me
from american gangster
shes in the wheelchair
right in there

ruby dee
civil right activist - leader inspiration
what a privilege to spend this election day
in her presence

we spoke of martin and malcolm
their words and spirits felt this november day
as the nation once again rides together toward the truth
amen amen

she walked onto the set
opened her heart
like watching picasso paint
baryshnikov fly

the crew applauded after each take
amazed - captivated
as she wiped the tears
from her ethereal brown face

such grace
such beauty
such a gift
for us all

peace be with u

Glamour Women of The Year Awards

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice accepted her award by saying "When you find your passion, you'll realize that you didn't find it, it found you."

It Truly Is A Magical Place

And, now has even more meaning to me than before. I want to go to DC to work for Obama/Biden.





But now we have the delicious irony that a white president from a patrician family, whose administration was so negligent about America’s poor and black citizens, was so incompetent that he helped elect the first black president.
-Maureen Dowd

We Need A Generation of Leaders, Un-afraid, Unashamed, and Not in Denial

Generation WE: The Movement Begins... from Generation We on Vimeo
Millennials are the largest generation in American history. Born between 1978 and 2000, WE are 95 million strong, compared to the 78 million Baby Boomers.

WE are politically, socially, and philosophically independent, and are spearheading a period of sweeping change in America and around the world.