Oh, and really, if you haven’t listened to what Keith Olbermann had to say regarding this issue you should go check it out.

I’m going everywhere!!  It’s time to pick myself up, rake up those leaves, turn over the soil, plant new seeds and seedlings… I’m going to live!!

I have so, so much to be excited for.  The job is getting better because I am doing everything in my power to make it better.  I’ve won an award in the last 30 days for being a leader.  My group is proud and I am proud of them for really stepping it up and making it work.  My home life is fantastic.  I am so very much in love and my darling is graduating with a Masters Degree next month.  I am so very proud!  It’s almost summer and we love the summer – going to the beach, riding the waverunner, catching some fish, kayaking and hopefully some traveling.

Bottom line… even though life keeps trying to throw you a curve ball, keep your eye on the ball and knock it out of the ballpark.  Go out there and make it happen for you and your love one.  Don’t sit back and expect it to come to you!  Peace and a great 2010 to all!

Go Yankees!!

We watched Chad Gaudin pitch yet another incredible game.  Then we watched Ramiro Pena hit his 1st major league home run.  As he rounded the bases, the regulars got ready to jump all over him.  What happened next was so incredible…  Alex Rodriguez quickly rounded up the guys and made them all sit down.  There would be no congratulating.  In fact, they were going to just ignore that kid that just jumped into the dugout with the million dollar smile on his face…  They were going to give the newby the silent treatment!!  It lasted for about a second or two before they all jumped up to congratulate Ramiro.  It was an incredible moment.

Then there was yet another incredible moment… Robinson Cano comes up with the bases loaded and guess what… he hits a grand slam!  The energy in that clubhouse just keeps growing and growing.  Let’s keep the momentum going… Let’s go Yankees!!  Goal for 2009 – Canyon of Heroes!!

And… how can we be totally defeated against the Angels in their house!!!  What the heck??!!  Come on Yanks, let’s take the next 2……….   and I’m not afraid to get on my knees and beg.  While I’m at it, let’s get CC Sabathia his 20 wins and Cy Young trophy!!

On a happier note, the New York Yankees are coming back!!  I began reminiscing about 1998 about 3 weeks ago and although they may come up a little short of the win-loss record of that era, they’re going to come pretty darn close.  Who can deny the positive effect that the kids have brought to the team.  I’m talking about Melky (The Melk-man) Cabrerra and Robbie  (Don’t you) Cano, as well as Ramiro Pena and Wednesday’s walk off hero Francisco Cervelli.  The enthusiasm has awakened the old timers!!  I look forward to the rest of the season and hopefully a very fruitful post-season.

Summer came to Long Island today and I just could not bring my self indoors long enough to write a post. In any case, I do have words of inspiration for the happenstance reader. I figured I would let Ellen say it best, and in a way that only Ellen can.

Enjoy!

Turns out marriage equality is quite lucrative. Since Massachusetts opened the doors to equality for same-sex couples, the state has realized an influx of money…about $111 million to be exact!

…And there is Proposition 8. Scary thing this proposition. It has been reported that an alarming number of minorities, specifically Blacks and Latinos carried the vote. I naively believe that these groups would be the last to ever deny another minority group their basic rights. How wrong I was. A very interesting study, conducted by Alison Walsh, Justin Lehmiller and Michael Schmitt published in the journal Group Process Intergroup Relations, posits heterosexual identity threat as the driving force behind opposition to same-sex marriage. Heterosexuals believe they hold a preferred status in society (heterosexual privilege…) and any threat to their perceived status, such as offering marriage to everyone, is met with fierce social competition by heterosexuals. The interesting thing is, once one explains all the benefits (and responsibilities) that marriage provides, the opposition concedes the importance of those same benefits and privileges. BUT, they want to call it civil union! It’s not what the marriage provides, but the word MARRIAGE itself that confers the status!

Now, why would Blacks and Latinos go to the polls in record numbers to vote YES on Proposition 8? This really bothered me considering that these two groups have been met with stiff social competition from the White privileged group throughout history. Sadly, the answer is real simple…human nature? Everyone wants to be better than someone else. Despite the civil rights movement, despite electing a Black president, these two groups still are at an extreme disadvantage. The only way in which they can derive a preferred place in society is through their heterosexuality, and hence have erected obstacles blocking the path to marriage for homosexuals. The barrier of choice appears to be religion.

The opposition has so conflated the argument of marriage equality with religion and fear, that the end result has been public policy based on religious arguments. THIS is constitutionally impermissible. I saw a fantastic poster board from the rally Sunday evening in NYC – When Church = State then State= Taliban. Hmmm?

At the end of the day, this fine young man has said it best, he believes he is doing the right thing. His friend’s moms don’t have the legal protections afforded opposite sex couples, and consequently Ethan’s friend is not protected. What a friend young Ethan is; what courage! And, in Colorado no less. I grew up there, and believe me, it is not gay friendly. After all, it is home to Focus on the Family. Ethan cares about his friend’s family. One thing everyone should agree on is protecting children.

Five years later, Massachusetts still stands, life goes on. My wife and I live a quiet life. We mow our lawn, take walks in the evening and nod to all the people we pass who go about their lives in a similar manner. I never thought marriage could make me so happy. I have one question for all of you out there who don’t believe that marriage should be available to everyone. Five years ago, my partner and I said “I do”. Since that time, has your marriage diminished in any way? Are you any less married than you were five years ago because of our marriage?

HOW ABOUT BASIC, HUMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS YOU JERKS!!!!

Do not compare us to animals or even vegetables, we are human beings.

Do not make it about religion, we do not need to come to your church.  If a bill does not compel a religious institution, any religious institution, to recognize gay marriage, then do not drag your church or religious beliefs into this.

President Obama, you disappoint us!!  It is your duty to explain to this country, just like the Governor of Maine John Baldacci explained about his state’s constitution.  What does it say, you ask?  The Constitution of Maine DEMANDS all people are treated EQUALLY under the law.

President Obama – The United States of America MUST demand that ALL PEOPLE ARE TREATED EQUALLY UNDER THE LAW!!!

We, as supporters of Gay Marriage, see it as a human rights issue, one that follows the path paved by the civil rights movement.  One that you should be familiar with, Mr. President.

We will continue to fight for our civil rights !!  You all know by now, we do not believe in “IF” we will succeed, we believe in “WHEN” we will succeed.

Congratulations Iowa, Vermont and Maine!  Thanks for joining Massachusetts and Connecticut!!

California, please keep fighting the fight – Proposition 8 should be outlawed!!  Step up Obama and open your mouth!!

In a personal note to my wife… I love you my darling!  May all your dreams and aspirations continue to come true!  Always remember who your biggest supporter and number one fan is… ME!!  You make me very proud!!!