The First Gay President

By: Tom Butts

Okay, let’s start off with a true statement.  When I heard President Obama had said he favors Same-Sex Marriage or as I prefer to say “Marriage Equality”, I was touched…okay, I got teary-eyed.  It’s powerful to hear your President validate something so personal.  I’ve been with my husband for over 10 years and it’s nice to see it recognized.

Now…to my point…

“Our First Gay President”?  (First off, I thought that was Buchanan.)

Let me do some quick fact checking by tombuttsisnotreallycheckinganything.com

Obama, he’s straight.

He didn’t endorse gay marriage and set dates or proposals to show how he plans to end the inequities of marriage and lack there of.

South Carolina banned interracial marriage until the Federal Government stepped in and told them they couldn’t.

He said he’d leave it up to the states to decide.  Really?  We didn’t leave slavery up to the states or there’d probably be a few that still have it.

Yes, it’s an amazing gesture and I’m sure that I’ll get email telling me that it “takes time…” baby steps…” it will happen…”

I don’t think these words resonated with Rosa Parks and they certainly don’t resonate with me.  I realize that I most certainly should not or expect to be compared to a woman who was so powerful in the civil rights movement, but I also shouldn’t be ignored or counted out.

Marriage equality is just that, treating us all equally, giving us the same federal benefits that married couples get and protecting us.  Really marriage is a conservative concept and some of “us” want to opt in.

I’m not sure that people continually voting on our rights or our equality is healthy for us or them, well, again, I just checked tombuttsisnotreallycheckinganything.com and it’s not healthy…there, I said it.

Remaining: 961

By: Tom Butts

That number could be looked at a few ways; it could be seen as how many more remaining delegates there are in the Republican Primary.  It could also be seen as a countdown clock as to how much more time we have until we see the “ugliest” Presidential Election in years.

It seems clear to me, as a Democrat, that we need to stick with the facts and tell the story about the day a new President was handed a load of crap from an overzealous war-monger who had no idea what he was doing with money, war, or diplomacy.

Sure, it’s fun for us to tease Mitt Romney (Mittens, as I like to call him).  Sure, not too many of us have had a renovation that includes “car elevators” or a price tag of $12M.  We enjoy seeing Anne Romney talk about how she did work, when in reality it wasn’t whether being a mother is a hard job (we can all say “yes” to that), it was about Mittens talking about her like she was one of his economic advisors.

When I get involved in political conversations (usually heated if the mix includes the GOP) I do a lot of listening at first.  People say, “look at gas prices, the President made these prices go up…”.  I simply reply, “you’re probably right; he’s also taken the DOW from 7000 to 13000”.  Of course, after that is mentioned, I get told that one person does NOT have influence on the DOW/NASDAQ.  So let’s be clear…we need to decide, is he the ALL POWERFUL OZ or not?  I’m guessing he’s not.  There are many factors in our world economies that are influencers in what’s happening -mainly China, Brazil, and India.

What I can say is that unemployment has dropped since January ’09.  The DOW has gone up since January ’09.  As a recruiter (that’s what I do for my day job) I’m finding it much harder to find great candidates.

To make it through the summer, two things are mandatory:

1. Owning a TiVo or DVR (to skip through the billions of dollars in advertising spent by both sides).

2. Listening to facts, taking a snapshot of pre and post Obama and where we are.  As a gay man, I have more rights, my       401(k) is looking good again and, as you can guess, I’m a supporter.

Catholic Church and Gay Marriage

By: Tom Butts

I’m going to have to agree to disagree on this editorial:

Catholic Church right to give voters a say in defining marriage. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2018002480_guest18bray.html

There are so many things wrong with that sentence.  Let’s start with the whole separation of church and state.  Much like England and a good chunk of Europe, Protestants protested the Catholic Church and it forcing its beliefs on everyday citizens.  The Catholic Church does not have the right to give voters a say.  Let’s start with some statistics, Catholics make up 16% of Washington state’s population.  That said, it would be like homosexuals giving the voters a say in defining women’s rights (rumor has it that gays make up 7 to 10% of the population).

Richard Bray talks about the church having the right to advocate for the “historical definition of marriage:  one man and one woman…”  I suppose that’s okay, but only within their church, which again is 16% of the population.

He talks about the church and how he is proud of its leading efforts to feed and clothe the poor, give shelter and services to the homeless. (He fails to talk about the controversy of child abuse and their stance on birth control, but I’ll let that slide, no pun intended.)  I will agree, there are a lot of things that the Catholic Church does that is good.  There’s a lot that I personally don’t agree with.  That said, how is it that, as a minority in the state itself, it should think it should be able to “give voters a say”?

It is truly easy to pick on gay marriage.  It’s not something that a lot of people are familiar with; it’s not something that personally affects a lot of people, even within the GLBT community.  That said, it’s a very personal thing and to say that it is the Catholic Church’s responsibility is reckless.  The world has evolved (again not a pun).  Marriages are now mixed race; women have the right to vote.  I would imagine a large number of Catholics have had a divorce, like approximately 50% of American marriages.  Why doesn’t the Catholic Church do something more proactive, support a ban on divorce in Washington state?  That way we’re not taking rights away, we are just truly protecting marriage.  My point here is I do not understand the idea of standing behind the “definition of marriage” – hasn’t that changed over time?

Bray continues on:  “I’m proud that the church consistently fosters the dignity of the human person.  Regardless of your beliefs, or if you have none…”

Homosexuals are human, simple statement.  Let’s foster dignity and recognize the option for two people to provide for each other, love each other, and be treated equally to their heterosexual counterparts.

Most people will agree that gay marriage should probably take a back seat to the 500 years’ of child abuse in the church, right?

Tom Butts is a proud GLBT citizen from the state of Washington in Seattle.

Embrace Your Inner Obamacare

By: Tom Butts

When I get an opportunity to write I find myself “blocked” -mostly because there are so many things going through my head at any given time.

Today is no different.

One issue getting attention as it goes to the Supreme Court is Obamacare (as it’s labeled by most conservatives).  Personally, I think they could have been a bit more clever in coming up with a better name, but it’s the GOP and creativity and evolution are two things they aren’t very good at.

Okay, so back to my thought.  Obamacare…right when you read it, I like the idea that my President does care.  When I read the list of things that are now protected as far as healthcare, prior to this legislation being signed into law I don’t understand why people would be against this.  More people are covered with insurance already, more people have the ability to keep coverage even when there is an existing condition. What’s not to like, right?

It’s funny to me that Romneycare (now I’m being a bit lazy in coming up with a clever name) has been law in MA for years now and it’s a state with almost all residents covered by insurance AND the residents are also very happy with their healthcare. Yet, Romney runs from it. Odd, it sounds more like an accomplishment to me.

As Democrats we need to focus on this and embrace it.  I think Obamacare is a great thing, andI’d even keep his name attached, I see it as a positive connotation.  Let’s let the GOP run at the mouth and “dog” it.  Let them fight women’s reproductive rights – after all it’s 1970, oh, wait, it’s not, it’s 2012.

I get fired up about a lot of things, this is something we should let be.  Say, “I like Obamacare.”  There’s really nothing someone can say about the negative effects of it, I still haven’t seen any of the scare tactics they’ve tried to use…no years of waiting for that doctor’s appointment, grandmothers being “put down” because it’s just cheaper.

I for one like Obamacare – I for one like the idea ofcoverage for all – I for one am done talking about this topic…for now.

The Next Sounds: Electric Guest

By Sierra Drucker

In the musical era of a major soul re-emergence, Electric Guest come across with a fresh new spin on the genre. Blending it ever so slightly with indie rock and a tinge of hip pop flavor, this Los Angeles duo burst onto the scene with a killer debut.

It’s kind of impossible not to fall in love with their single “This Head I Hold.”  It’s catchy, effortlessly stylized, modern and yet tinged with an indiscriminate feeling of nostalgia for the musical decades of yore.  From the layered and flowing instrumentation, to those super smooth falsetto vocals, this tune offers a little slice of cultivated perfection.

So who are the masterminds behind it all?  Singer Asa Taccone, along with his uber-talented multi-instrumentalist bandmate Matthew Compton, has been busy behind the scenes producing hits for brother Jorma Taccone’s novelty project, The Lonely Island (as made famous by Andy Samberg and Saturday Night Live).  Asa’s brother just happened to be longtime friends with the one and only Brian Burton (aka Danger Mouse).  After hearing some of Asa’s songs, Burton knew he wanted to be a part of this passion project.

You can really hear that signature Danger Mouse sound on the track “American Daydream.”  Take a listen and watch Asa completely lose his s&*t in their first official video, directed by Jorma Taccone.

Nearly six years and one stress-induced episode of shingles later, Electric Guest has a Danger Mouse-produced full length, and a shiny new label deal with Downtown/Fontana Records.

You can look forward to hearing their full length debut, Mondo, when it is released April 24th. In the meantime, if you’re in the area, make sure to grab your tickets to see them live!

America and My Sadness–We Need to March!

By: Madge Woods

Breaking News: Prop 8

By: Brandy Black

Today it has been announced that California’s proposition 8 has been ruled unconstitutional.  There will be a small gathering in West Hollywood to celebrate this great day!

Congratulations California!

The Next Sounds: Heartless Bastards

By: Sierra Drucker

Heartless Bastards epitomize good old rock and roll for the new age.  This foursome hails from Ohio, home to fellow rock brethren The Black Keys who actually passed the Bastards’ demo along to Fat Possum who quickly recognized the talent and signed them in 2004.  Four albums later, and with a slightly new lineup, they are about to release their debut full length for Partisan Records, undoubtedly their best work yet.

Take a listen to “Parted Ways” from the forthcoming album, Arrow, and then download the single for free HERE.

Although they take inspiration from old school rock staples like The Breeders, Guided By Voices, Otis Redding and Led Zeppelin, they deliver 10 leathery blues rockin tracks with a consciously modern twist.  A newly refined production courtesy of Jim Eno from Spoon breathes life into their music, taking them from garage rock to, well, garage rock if you went to the container store and organized all of the tools.

Arrow finds the band using subtler instrumentation to accentuate the firey and weathered vocals of their fearless front-woman, Erika Wennerstrom.  Her sound is timeless, reminiscent of Janis Joplin or Victoria Legrand, not only because she possesses that extraordinary tone, but also because of her unflinching delivery that can only come from writing the songs herself.

Click the image below to indulge your ears with another gorgeous new song, “Only For You,” courtesy of KCRW’s Liza Richardson, and prepare to melt under Wennerstrom’s mercilessly swooning vocals.

Lucky for us, Heartless Bastards are preparing for a nationwide tour, with a stop at Los Angeles’ Echoplex on April 3rd.  Until then, be sure to pre-order your copy and anxiously await the release date (February 14th) when you can strap on your best sunglasses, roll the window down, and blast the Heartless Bastards while the wind whips your hair – like a badass.

“God Bless America”

By: Tom Butts

I was listening today as Rick Perry dropped his nomination for President of the United States. As I listened I kept noticing that it sounded much more like a sermon than a leader bowing out of a campaign. Normally I would have turned off the “noise” but kept listening. His words were a combination of secular sentences and Bible quotes.

Now I’m writing this as a person who truly believes in God. Yes, I get it from both sides, my Christian friends that say, “How can you embrace the gay lifestyle?” and my gay friends that say, “How can you believe in a made up person?” But this is a different article on a different day.

Last summer, I was again, watching television with my friend Shane visiting from Australia. President Obama was speaking and at the end did the obligatory “God bless you and God bless America.” I didn’t really notice until Shane looked at me and said, “Hey, can you go back a few seconds?” So I did. It played again, I’m sure I was on Twitter on my phone. He said, “Did you f*cking hear that? The President just talked about God.” This started to make me think. Had I been desensitized by the right wing? Why is my President saying that after each and every speech? So, I did some research.

I found this:

On the evening of April 30, 1973, Richard Nixon addressed the nation live from the Oval Office in an attempt to manage the growing Watergate scandal. It was a difficult speech for Nixon; he announced the resignations of three Administration officials, including Attorney General Richard Kleindienst, but Nixon nonetheless tried to sound optimistic. As he approached the end of his speech, Nixon noted that he had “exactly 1,361 days remaining” in his term and wanted them “to be the best days in America’s history.” “Tonight,” he continued, “I ask for your prayers to help me in everything that I do throughout the days of my presidency.” Then came the magic words: “God bless America and God bless each and every one of you.”

Almost 39 years ago was when a sitting President first spoke those words. The context was hardly an auspicious beginning for the phrase in the presidency, and it didn’t immediately catch on. Gerald Ford eschewed it, as did Jimmy Carter. But not Ronald Reagan. Reagan made “God bless America” the omnipresent political slogan that it is today.

Again, I’m writing this as I honestly hadn’t known anything different. You see, I’m 46, so when I was 7 years old this started happening. It was like “pledging allegiance” (again, a different article on a different day), it was something we all did and really, for me at least, there was no significance.

In my opinion, really, there’s no place for this in a Presidency. I don’t care if my President is Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, or atheist; I just want them to be moral. Unfortunately I can’t imagine the backlash President Obama would receive if he decided to take it out of his speeches, some people still don’t think he’s American.

My point is, our secular nation is not being threatened by non-Christian values, it’s being threatened by Christianity itself. Let’s remember why we separated and fought to get away from England in the 1700s. We are a free nation, a secular nation, and this is something unique and wonderful. I’m hoping someone else takes the time to evaluate and has the nerve to talk about it with the Presidential Seal on the podium in front of him (or her).

Single-Issue Voter

By: Tom Butts (No “Ifs” “Ands” or “Butts”)

I was having a conversation with my father about politics; it’s never good or it’s so ambiguous that neither of us can make sense of it. I of course am Democrat, and my father is a “Texas Republican”. Ask me what that is…
Well, it’s quite easy to explain. My father votes Republican, plain and simple. He likes the image of the candidate; it has a lot of pull for him. In 1980/84 he voted for Ronald Reagan. He really had a bro-mance with that president. To this day, I’m sure there’s still a picture of him and “Aunt Nancy” in his house, framed in some black-patent frame from 1981. In 2000 he was very excited that GW Bush won the election, a mental landslide in my father’s head (although Gore captured the popular vote). What these men have in common is two things: Belt buckles and cowboy hats. Yes, it’s actually that simple. You can probably guess who my father supports this year (hint: another Texan, with poor debating skills).

So, back to my point, we were talking about the 2012 election and my father asked who I was going to support in the General Election. I quickly told him President Obama. He said to me, “you are a one-issue voter”. You know what? I think I am.

It bothers me when my gay friends say that they’re Republicans. I say “bother” because I do believe everyone should have the ability to vote for the person they think would best lead the nation. I hear a lot of my gay friends talk about how they are excited about Romney, or Paul. I still don’t understand.

I’m a white guy, my husband and I make a really good living (we’re DINKS – double income no kids). We own homes, we travel, if you were to look at us, we probably look like Republicans. But we’re Democrats. The main reason is that I don’t think you have anything without your freedom. Your freedom to marry, freedom to be respected, freedom to be loved, etc. I can’t think about money saved by voting for a conservative candidate when he or she is saying things like, “we can’t support big government unless it’s to overturn a state’s stance on marriage or abortion.” In addition to confusing me, it offends me to no end.

I tried to explain to my father that without the ability to be equal in the eyes of a secular government, I have nothing. He still didn’t get it. So, I said, “Dad, what if the Republican Party platform said people over the age of 75 should be banned from driving?” – - (Long pause) – - he then says, “that would never happen”, I challenged him again. He tells me that he couldn’t possibly vote for the party (he’s 81 years old). I said, “Wouldn’t that make you a one-issue voter”? – - (Another pause) – - “I get it”, he says.

I think what it boils down to is when you try to get people thinking about things that are important to them and that it could be taken away, they get the AH-HA! moment and it clicks.

So, when people ask me if I’m a one-issue voter, I proudly say yes. Until we get equal rights and the ability to focus on other topics that don’t take our rights away, I don’t mind if people think I’m being narrow minded…

I’m simply being me.

Next Page »