Shut Your Face Award of the Week

The SYF award goes to...

Michelle Bachmann is up for party nomination. After hearing her speak earlier, I conclude that she is a good contender for nomination. Not only does she have the ability to inspire passion in others; but also, she has passion. 

    

While stating similarities between the passions of Tea Party members and Obama's "Change" platform, she claims that the vita nova is made up of former democrats and independents. I can't see this. While even I would hop my own political traditions if my conscience came under fire, I cannot believe that so many democrats are disenchanted with the party. In lieu of my personal knowledge of Tea Party members who have never had anything to do with the Democratic Party, I call her bluff. 

   

M. Bachmann, despite your passionate rhetoric, you live in a dream world. Although I cannot give you a Shut Your Face award at this time, I look forward to doing so in the future. After today, I know you have the ability to earn one. 

Shut your face, CP McAbee

Read more by Christopher at http://iliktadied.blogspot.com/

Protesting for Pride

We all know that this month is Pride Month. And with celebrating and embracing all that we are, in supporting our friends and our family, in fighting against ignorance and hatred, we must remember that we cannot simply show up for a Pride Parade once a year and then try to assimilate into the heterosexual culture. We have to be smart. Not only in who we vote for, but also in where we shop. Target, for example, we can all enjoy that place, can’t we? Decent clothes, music, D.V.D.s, books, magazines and even video games, all in one place. Better selection then K-Mart without the corporate evils of Walmart, right?
Well, almost. Actually, they contributed money, $150,000, to MN Forward (Minnesota Forward is a political action group that is funded by local corporations. Its mission statement says that, "MN Forward is an effort by Minnesota job providers to elect a governor and state legislators who understand the importance of creating private-sector jobs and economic opportunity in our state."). MN Forward then used the money to run television ads* for Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, who, along with being well known for his anti - gay beliefs, has also himself contributed $250 to a Christian rock band that has been known to speak harshly of gays (The band’s name is: Junkyard Prophet). He said on his campaign website, “As a legislator, I have consistently supported the constitutional marriage amendment that protects traditional marriage.”
Target is quoted as saying, “Our support of causes and candidates is based strictly on issues that affect our retail and business objectives.”
Still, Target is not alone. There’s also Best Buy, which seems like a good place for C.D.s, D.V.D.s and all your electronic or entertainment needs, right? Only if you like to entertain the idea that they spent $100,000 supporting Tom Emmer and MN Forward. So, what Target and Best Buy are telling you, the LGBTQIAP community is that, “We like you and all, but, uh, our profit margin is more important then you.”
Is that the place you want to spend your money? My high school Economics teacher (or maybe it was my Accounting teacher, I’m unsure) once said, 
“You vote with your money.”
Of course, you might be asking, “But Alexander, where do I go to get the stuff I normally buy at those stores (Target and Best Buy)?”
I am still up to my eyeballs in researching these companies and corporations, but if you are going to ‘vote with your money,’ I would say places like K-Mart, Radioshack, FYE and Hot Topic would be good places to go. Are they the easiest and the cheapest choices to make? Maybe not. Are they principled? Yes. Would shopping at these locations instead of Target or Best Buy show respect for yourself, your friends, your families and your peers? Absolutely! So! Do the entire LGBTQIAP community, and yourself, a favor, and if you are going to shop, shop responsibly this Pride month, and every day, month and year that follows.

And as kind of an after thought. Don’t shop in silence. Feel free to talk to your friends, family, neighbors and co - workers. If we are going to protests these people for the homophobic and close minded decisions they have made, we must do it on a grand scale.

* MN Forward actually donated 97% of its $1.9 million in contributions toward supporting Emmer.

With Great Hope,

- J. Alexander Fisher

Queer In Dixie

We have our month thanks to President Obama, yet I can't feel the warm rays of GLBT Pride month down here in Dixie. Outside the city lights gay pride is hard to come by, and it's even harder to express. I'll tell you what I see. I see a sidewalk where I would never hold my lover's hand in fear of being bashed. I see myself being denied equality through marriage and sharing my partners work benefits. I see a local court case involving a lesbian being forced into "homo rehab" by my local Sheriff Department. I also see myself paying taxes and remaining law abiding in a country that does not recognize me as an equal to heterosexuals.

Yes, President Obama is our champion thus far. His administration has done more for the GLBT community than any other administration. However, how much is enough? People are either free or they are not. It's very clear. Equality can not be splintered to suit the needs of politics. While I am thrilled and hopeful that this is one step closer to being a "full American" (despite the fact that I was born here and I have paid taxes since age 16), I am fearful that this is an appeasement tactic.
Regardless of my personal fears, I will stand behind President Obama because, like i said,  he has done more for the GLBT cause than any other President.


- Christopher McAbee


Find more by Chris at http://iliktadied.blogspot.com/

Shut Your Face Award of the Week Part 2

    Nothing is sadder than watching a beautiful blond woman peddle her book on national TV. You might say, "but people do it all the time." Yes, they do, but this one is different. This book peddler is controversial, syndicated, and hated by many. On the other hand, many people worship her and become entranced at the sight of her slim lined body.
    Ann Coulter, when I looked crazy up in my dictionary I saw a your pic. Down here we say, "Bless her heart." But I'm going to make an exception for you. I'll come right out and say... You're Crazy. Watching you on your latest CNN interview reminded me of a three legged race for the blind. The further you go on your diatribes the less you make sense, honey. Finally, I'm forced to pause and ask... what is she talking about? I suggest making a list prior to interviews and sticking with it.
    Although I believe Ann deserves a "SHUT THE F UP AWARD," I can't find it in myself to go that far. The "F" word is ugly. To my favorite American Neo Nazi, Ann Coulter, I gladly give the "Shut Your Face Award."

Shut your face....

- Christopher McAbee

Find more by Chris at http://iliktadied.blogspot.com/

June Meeting

Please join us for our next meeting on June 13 at 7 PM. We welcome all liberal and left leaning individuals!

In order to become a voting member one must meet the age requirement and pay dues. Dues are $5 per year. Young Democrats are between the ages of 14 and 40. Young at Heart Democrats (40+) are still welcome to attend, however they cannot be voting members.

Note- Meetings ARE NOT candidate forums. If you are a candidate for office please contact the Bartow County Young Democrats directly (bartowyds@gmail.com), they will notify you of any planned candidate forums.

More info about the BCYD's and meeting location can be found here - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_109985691371&ap=1