tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52632390663106999032012-02-12T10:52:19.685-06:00leonelnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1341100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-59558390462835444872011-07-16T12:47:00.004-05:002011-07-16T13:06:04.129-05:00

A friend over at Facebook posted the following, after listening to Dave Ramsey on Thursday, July 14.If our government was a household that makes 56,000 dollars per year, it's spends 92,000 dollars per year and owes just over 300,000 dollars in credit cards. Now I don't care what side of the aisle you are on, that is one f'd up household! The worst part is instead of reducing our spending we want

leonelnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-31772508662239236112011-05-05T00:36:00.005-05:002011-05-05T01:02:02.041-05:00

I just had to repost this comment from a gentleman named Mark regarding Sarah Palin's (not so) brilliant tweet demanding to show Bin Laden's photo.Mark says:I am so impressed by Sarah Palin. Failed as a VP candidate. Never completed her term as Governor. Never been in the House or the Senate. Her international resume includes the ability to see Russia from her front porch. And she can't remember

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-90313825178121055342011-03-10T23:41:00.008-06:002011-03-11T00:37:41.822-06:00

Regrettable to see all the mudslinging, name calling, Recall Mania, hyperbole, you name it happening in the Wisconsin Assembly and beyond. Below you will see an overview of the legislation passed by the Assembly, opinion-free and minus name calling. What follows is virtually a complete reprint from the Crooks and Liars web site. Day Care ProvidersEliminates all authority for collective

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-39928625942542432522011-01-12T22:57:00.004-06:002011-01-12T23:54:46.798-06:00

Hmm. So, Sarah Palin has addressed the nation regarding the rhetoric spewed since the tragedy in Tucson, AZ. I watched a video of this address online and listened to it in awe and wonder. Given the never-ending political rhetoric -- which is something you can count on much like death and taxes -- I just had to exercise my rights under our freedom of expression to express my individual

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-24225187548296722492010-12-18T14:43:00.006-06:002010-12-18T14:54:00.352-06:00

The Marine Corps commandant believes that "changing this policy this way would cause distraction among the Marine Corps to the point that he is worried about increased casualties." Which policy? Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT).Yes, I can see it now: "LOOK! A missile is heading RIGHT FOR US! We're under ATTACK! More importantly, is Adam trying to get into Steve's pants?!? Into MINE?"Get real,

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-49913295066943774332010-10-01T22:51:00.005-05:002010-10-01T23:24:47.652-05:00

Ellen is so right to say that the bullying must stop.But that is not all:Committing acts of violence against people who are different must stop. Converting people in the name of love and religion must stop.Discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity must stop.Demonizing politically unpopular groups must stop.Eradicating rights from loving same-sex couples must

leonelnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-5544330035386796572010-09-12T13:06:00.009-05:002010-09-12T14:01:28.532-05:00

So let me get this straight:A preacher from an obscure Christian church in the United States decides to practice his freedom of religious expression.He announces plans for an old fashioned book burning on September 11.The book? None other than the Muslim Quran.News spreads worldwide like wildfire. The world reacts.Muslims around the world protest. Chants include "Death to America" and "Death to

leonelnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-77530792640550026412010-09-10T01:04:00.008-05:002010-09-10T01:17:32.895-05:00

It is hard to believe that the president of a charitable organization about families knows more about what impacts military readiness than the service chiefs who are all on record saying the law on homosexuality in the military should not be changed. I would call Judge Phillips a fair minded judge who believes differently that the likes of Tony Perkins, president of the notoriously anti-gay and

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-10672539882109866842010-09-05T10:49:00.008-05:002010-09-05T22:51:12.255-05:00

So, I'm doing my Facebook thing and enjoying this three-day weekend when a friend posts a link to an article with the following headline:7 Tips From Frugal BillionairesReally?It reminded me of the story of Doctor Shirley which was recently featured on one of those "Lottery Changed My Life" shows. She continues to work (which is admirable), has a strong desire to help people (which is pretty cool

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-74384431026891096082010-08-01T20:29:00.004-05:002010-08-01T20:35:21.107-05:00

Michael Moore said the following minutes ago on Larry King Live:"I just think that historians when they write about us, they're going to say that we allowed these corporations to become the government. We the people thought we had a say, but we really don't."In the wake of the recent situation that Target finds itself in, I couldn't agree more.

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-62771764484117994782010-03-29T00:42:00.002-05:002010-03-29T01:19:14.586-05:00

H.R.4872 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010(THOMAS Library of Congress)Info Pagehttp://hdl.loc.gov/loc.uscongress/legislation.111hr4872Bill Summary http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:HR04872:@@@D&summ2=m&Full Texthttp://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:h4872.rh:Cost Estimates Search Results (Congressional Budget Office)http://www.cbo.gov/search/ce_sitesearch.cfm?

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-28376021082461295702010-03-26T23:37:00.003-05:002010-03-26T23:44:22.935-05:00

I've read with interest the diverse opinions people have about the inevitable repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. I find it intriguing how so much focus is placed on who and what this is about. For example, some might say:During a combat situation, "the last thing that one would want then and there is a romantic attachment between any of those men, even if it is unexpressed in overt sexual conduct

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-9035965345666243152010-03-13T14:28:00.007-06:002010-03-16T00:14:19.077-05:00

I recently returned from a week-long trip to the Bay Area in California. I arrived there with a pure sense of excitement: my only other trip to California was many years ago as a young kid, and I only have vague memories of that because of pictures.As I went about the week, I began to realize just what is great about California. Sometimes, people say things like, "only in California" and the

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-25387338877049224582010-01-28T00:55:00.011-06:002010-01-28T02:26:07.685-06:00

Of course, I just had to listen to President Obama's State of The Union address. I found it to be a great speech. Yes, it had its share of rhetoric. That is to be expected: this is, after all, politics. We are each entitled to our own individual vision and his speech and vision are always subject to individual interpretation.His speech included indisputable facts, such as the budget surplus from

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-82648696972520016582010-01-27T23:08:00.004-06:002010-01-27T23:31:09.518-06:00

I'm getting tired of reading and hearing commentary that "(fill in the blank) is happening under Obama's watch". You know, crap that has been happening since BEFORE Obama took Office.I've stated this before, and I'll state it again. When Clinton left office we had a budget surplus. When Bush took office, our country's finances took a nosedive and he lead our country into a huge budget

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-63242711843972823122009-10-22T07:54:00.011-05:002009-10-23T00:39:06.365-05:00

So, a couple of accidents have shut down the Marquette Interchange on this Thursday morning's rush hour. One, not exactly sure where. The other, an overturned semi on National.Should there be any surprise, I mean really? They say that the design decisions have been made with aesthetics and safety in mind. Just look at the mood lighting and odd lane configuration in place with future expansion in

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-83829112622842030432009-10-17T19:11:00.002-05:002009-10-17T23:16:51.002-05:00

You know, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out. Clinton leaves office with a widely known budget surplus. Bush takes office and on his watch the country dives into a deficit. Obama inherits a fucked up financial situation.But one thing is certain: allowing some of Bush's policies to continue certainly isn't helping..http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/10/business/economy/

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-37016018316903691132009-10-14T22:45:00.007-05:002009-10-14T23:16:49.139-05:00

Unreal. There are a couple of Republicans out there who would like to setup a tax break for pet owners. As some of my friends on Facebook have commented, whatever happened to giving tax breaks for domestic partners?Looks like to at least two individuals, man and his best friend are more entitled to this benefit compared to two men in a long-term committed relationship. Hasn't it been the rule

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-27745741259606078022009-10-10T09:53:00.012-05:002009-10-10T11:00:34.900-05:00

Stories like this are utterly disgusting. Imagine that you've made a discovery that literally changes the direction of a world war. Imagine the pride that you must feel in making such a huge difference to countless millions in war weary populations. Then imagine your country focusing on one aspect of your personality, and treating you like a monster to the point that your only way out is to

leonelnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-24222755474106540512009-08-28T22:42:00.018-05:002009-08-29T10:40:36.769-05:00

So there has been quite the chatter about Attorney General Van Hollen's decision to not defend the domestic partner registry legislation. Now, we're being informed that he has written a letter to Governor Doyle to explain his decision. Apparently he will not defend the legislation because he believes it is flawed and that a domestic partnership may be substantially similar to that of

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-36597319987325157252009-08-13T22:28:00.003-05:002009-08-13T22:32:01.042-05:00

A great man has left us today. Les Paul, Waukesha native and one of the most influential people in music history. Click below to see a great story about this great man.http://www.jsonline.com/news/waukesha/53141582.html

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-77827385506915622552009-08-03T22:34:00.003-05:002009-08-03T22:38:01.275-05:00

Fascinating:“While we disagree with the constitutionality of the registry, we understand it’s a legal option for these folks,” said (Wisconsin Family Action President) Julaine Appling. The group chose not to have its members protest outside courthouses, she said.http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/460646

leonelnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-6498747798028158632009-07-27T20:52:00.018-05:002009-08-01T07:52:21.104-05:00

From the program for Dancemakers, July 24-25:Location: UWM Mainstage Theatre, 2400 E. Kenwood Blvd.Performances: Each night will feature a different program.Friday, July 24 at 7:30 pm (an informal reception follows this performance)Saturday, July 25 at 7:30 pmDancemakers showcases work by the professional dancers and choreographers who travel to Milwaukee each summer to participate in the

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-72097593213035042902009-07-25T08:41:00.004-05:002009-08-29T00:15:33.389-05:00

I'm proud to be among them! The law-abiding, decent ones that is. After all, I have a good paying job, a great family, the best friends anyone could ever have, a nice home, and a partner of 11 years.Yes, I cannot help but draw attention to Yankee transplant Julaine Appling. During her quest to eliminate and eradicate equal access to particular rights for people of different sexual orientations,

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-55672183288661274732009-07-01T22:18:00.004-05:002009-08-29T00:15:33.390-05:00

It is done. Wisconsin has redeemed itself and its progressive history. It is the first state in these United States which bans marriage for same-sex couples and also grants them basic legal protection. Opponents of basic rights for all couples are going to have a field day and have been working to eradicate basic rights for same-sex couples ever since the conception of Wisconsin's domestic

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-57543520940469661172009-06-22T19:57:00.007-05:002009-06-22T23:03:41.056-05:00

So I've been biding my time on expressing an opinion about the smoking bans which seem to be fashionable these days. Believe it or not, I have mixed feelings about them. On the one hand, I can see the health benefit for non-smokers. On the other hand, I do NOT like to see government using law to eradicate personal choices.Government is finally doing what should've been done years ago: regulate

leonelnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-41575310833555526392009-06-20T06:13:00.002-05:002009-06-20T06:43:52.734-05:00

So, now Republicans and the media have found a new sensational issue to focus on regarding Supreme Court nominee Sotomayor. It seems that her participation in an all women club, The Belizean Grove, is considered to be a violation of judicial ethics. Not knowing all the facts, I disagree.And here is why, even though I do not know the mission of this organization. My disagreement is because of a

leonelnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-63727413022986857652009-06-09T22:30:00.000-05:002009-06-10T01:22:45.000-05:00

So.. after a month or so, I have found that posting status updates and microblogs here might not have been the best decision. I didn't quite like how they appeared alongside the main entries. My blog archive was just looking way too messy in the end.I've moved them off to a separate blog. This is mainly for family and friends who would like to see what I'm up to, yet not have to go setup

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-81252408560595463662009-06-02T21:35:00.006-05:002009-08-05T02:18:10.966-05:00

This is nothing new. Nevertheless, it is good to be reminded of the need to separate church and state with regards to marriage. Religious institutions should not be used as a clearinghouse for legal rights, privileges, and protections for any given couple and their family.And, I learned something new today. France and other countries already make the clear distinction between church and state:

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-54451830672505534802009-05-29T19:04:00.004-05:002009-05-29T19:20:50.174-05:00

I haven't been quite sure how to put my thoughts on California's Proposition 8 mess into words. Until now. Actor David Hyde Pierce pretty much summed it up as best as anyone really could.Angered by the ruling, Hyde Pierce said Thursday: "It's like, `Oh great, we made the cut.'"He called it a "very odd thing" that strangers have a vote on his private decision to marry.The power that complete

leonelnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-83140264843754887102009-05-26T22:49:00.003-05:002009-05-26T22:55:32.064-05:00

In a big "huh?" moment, supposedly a spokesperson for the Focus On The Family organization says its ok for a justice to be gay. He says it has no impact on the ability to judge (duh!). But - what would happen if we ever did get a gay justice nominated to the Supreme Court? If you think this group would speak out against the nomination, please raise your right hand..http://scienceblogs.com/

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-47489848481422213982009-05-15T19:10:00.005-05:002009-08-29T00:15:33.391-05:00

Someone help me out here, did Julaine Appling just suggest that the 2006 amendment contained two questions?Supporters of the ban feel it's about only one topic. The first part was about the definition of marriage."The second part of it was whether or not we're going to protect the institution of marriage," said Julaine Appling of Wisconsin Family Council. "Really, if we didn't have the second

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-40651649084790371322009-05-09T14:31:00.003-05:002009-05-16T09:38:16.830-05:00

As a queer mexican trekkie, it is my duty to post a review on the latest Star Trek movie. And yes, I've posted comments on various websites. Wouldn't have things any other way.. no? :-)So, my review is a compilation of what I've posted online with additional content and editing. Be warned, I'm not a movie critic so don't expect an opinion on plot. Do expect comments which bring out my inner

leonelnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-89990987669674844102009-05-09T10:27:00.002-05:002009-05-09T10:34:01.414-05:00

So, recently I was muckin' around with ping.fm. It is a neat little service which allows you to update your status on many social network websites such as MySpace, Facebook, Hi5, Bebo, Yahoo360, and many others. It can also update your status on IM clients such as AIM, GoogleTalk, YahooIM, etc.It also has a feature for doing microblogs. Mini versions of full-blown ramblings will now appear on

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-77041057064320130292009-04-18T09:53:00.007-05:002009-04-18T10:18:29.703-05:00

Sometimes parents let their kids get away with anything. They don't face the consequences of their actions. (hmm.. who should "they" refer to..) Sometimes kids will have an underage drinking party which leads to violently breaking in to a neighbor's house, and then threaten to firebomb the home of the police officer responding to the incident.Take this week's family. Their kid sure likes to

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-35270314691587614522009-04-10T11:50:00.008-05:002009-04-18T10:06:15.314-05:00

There is talk about a case currently in the Wisconsin courts. It seeks to strike down the two-sentence marriage amendment. Apparently Wisconsin process is that when a referendum is brought to a vote, it should only pose one question. There are those who argue that the one referendum in fact contained two. In other words, shall we define marriage (first sentence)? Shall we prohibit "

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-12539568899679257352009-04-04T22:19:00.004-05:002009-04-04T23:00:27.615-05:00

So here is an example of my twisted sense of humor.To celebrate Iowa's forward thinking stance on civil marriage, I've decided to start a weekly feature. In honor of the crusade to protect the religious institution of marriage, I'm going to play with the rhetoric used to argue against legal recognition of same-sex couples. You know, that children are best raised by both a mother and a father, and

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-3879281882888704182009-04-04T18:59:00.007-05:002009-08-29T00:17:02.834-05:00

Will you look at that..! Iowa has become the third state in the union to legalize same-sex marriage. It is awesome to see a state away from the coasts take this bold, forward, progressive step.From the unanimous Iowa Supreme Court decision:"We are firmly convinced the exclusion of gay and lesbian people from the institution of civil marriage does not substantially further any important

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-10538100122918073582009-04-01T07:23:00.005-05:002009-08-29T00:15:33.393-05:00

Are you kidding me? Appling has made an ice shanty comment which sounds like the start of a bad joke. A fairly recent Madison Times article just showed up in my Goggle Alerts. The article states the following:As for Doyle's plan itself, Appling says it's broad and vague."One of our concerns is that this kind of partner registry could be available to two guys sitting in an ice shanty somewhere.

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-81893243996319416182009-03-19T00:59:00.013-05:002009-08-29T00:25:22.789-05:00

So, what the heck does the proposed statewide domestic partner registry do, anyway? Here's my take based on skimming through the general provisions for the budget proposal. Basically, it grants a limited set of 43 legal protections to same-sex couples who choose to register as domestic partners.As has been widely discussed, the statewide registry if passed as proposed in the budget grants

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-36288082423215844352009-03-18T19:14:00.005-05:002009-08-29T00:15:33.393-05:00

I wasn't quite sure how to remark on an old, unmarried, closed-minded, religious heterosexual woman leading a crusade to protect the religious institution of marriage.Julaine Appling was interviewed for this week's Eye To Eye on CBS 58. During that interview, she made something perfectly clear. She is ready and willing to legally challenge the proposed statewide domestic partner registry which

leonelnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-57109642826720416062009-03-17T23:09:00.004-05:002009-03-17T23:40:28.799-05:00

Say it wasn't so. The Bush administration was opposed to a gay rights declaration over at the United Nations? Really?Gee, no surprises here.Isn't it nice to see Bush share common ground with some Islamic nations? Can't forget the Vatican. They opposed the declaration as well. Regrettable that this common ground is regarding gay rights.

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-15964634896210630802009-03-13T20:42:00.006-05:002009-03-13T20:52:10.632-05:00

Someone help me out here. We're in the middle of a war right? So, it makes perfect sense to me that we need qualified:intelligence collectorsmilitary police officersinfantry personnelhealth-care expertsRight?Apparently not if you're gay.

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-42994918550588693692009-02-17T23:39:00.008-06:002009-08-29T00:14:44.247-05:00

Governor Doyle has included in this year's budget a provision for setting up a statewide domestic partner registry. This is great news for the thousands of same-sex couples living in Wisconsin. According to Fair Wisconsin, the statewide domestic partnership registry will grant access to 43 rights, protections, and privileges to same-sex couples who choose to register.In his address, Governor

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-68933777301291655602009-02-11T23:59:00.000-06:002009-02-12T01:07:52.030-06:00

I've been looking forward to reading Crawford's Take regarding the inauguration of President Barack Hussein Obama. Be sure to stop by Renee Crawford's blog to read about her adventures in Washington D.C. Read about the tangible joy that was felt by two million people converging into one town to celebrate the departure of President Bush and the welcoming of President Obama. Two million people.

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-83077428871739324872009-02-04T23:20:00.002-06:002009-02-04T23:29:49.794-06:00

Trekkies on the rampage. What is the world coming to? What's next, Star Wars fans robbing banks using lightsaber replicas? And I'm not talking those toy plastic ones!Seriously folks I'm not sure where to go with this one. Anyone up for a poll on what is more sad?1. A Trekkie committing an armed robbery with a.. "sword"..2. The robbery victims recognizing that it was a Klingon Bat'leth3. Me,

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-32196987552849971342009-01-20T19:54:00.005-06:002009-01-20T20:08:23.423-06:00

Hundreds of thousands of people at President Obama's inauguration. Surely a few people will take pictures, no? Check out this massive collection of photographs taken during today's history-making festivities.For a real treat, be sure to do the following:1. Click on any one of the push-pins2. Click on the lower right icon to view the "photosynth" full screen3. Press the Play button, which will

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-57055962370870204372009-01-19T23:02:00.003-06:002009-01-20T20:05:06.352-06:00

Crowds cheering on the inevitable departure of one George W. Bush, just outside his doorstep on Election Night.Crowds singing, "Nah Nah Nah Nah!" outside that same doorstep during the inauguration celebrations.History marking the end of Bush's tenure as President: priceless!

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-85091116135966421662009-01-14T21:46:00.004-06:002009-01-14T22:10:44.607-06:00

Its another sad day in the world of Trek. And beyond. Ricardo Montalban has passed away at the age of 88.Shock cannot begin to describe my feelings these days. Shame is another feeling. Why? I confess I'm embarrased to admit that I only know of Mr. Montalban's roles in Fantasy Island, Star Trek, and The Naked Gun. There is so much more to this Mexican born actor.Less than one month ago,

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-42443593794312323112008-12-25T08:09:00.006-06:002008-12-25T08:33:58.974-06:00

It feels like it has been forever, but a grownup Christmas wish has finally come true this year.You see, for some people Christmas means it is time to find the perfect gift for that special someone. For others, it means going to mall after mall, store after store, etc. etc. to give it your all (and in some cases give UP your all only to be reminded later) to buy stuff for loved ones. Then there

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-35995789058241440702008-12-18T23:59:00.000-06:002008-12-19T00:23:22.152-06:00

The Internet is buzzing with news about the passing of Majel Barrett-Roddenberry. I met this wonderful woman years ago at a Comic Con, I believe. She and John De Lancie signed one of my now most treasured items of all time: Star Trek novel Q-In-Law.With a reboot of her husband's beloved Star Trek just around the corner, her passing marks the end of an era. The news hit me surprisingly hard and

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-18055317667207785942008-12-15T23:18:00.001-06:002008-12-16T00:23:20.348-06:00

We are approaching the final days of the lame duck bush administration. Judging from the celebrations at the White House on election night, surely people out there are counting down the final days to January 20, 2009. Maybe they're counting down to the final minutes.Anyway: some of the bush legacy will undoubtedly involve Iraq. Did you know that 60 Minutes had a segment on the interrogation of

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-29640369839461098282008-12-04T20:21:00.005-06:002008-12-04T20:43:53.241-06:00

What a most unfortunate turn of events. The Roloff family just might be a bit on the hypocritical side. They've painted for themselves a rather interesting picture.Allegedly, Jeremy Roloff has a tendency to use derogatory language about Gays, Mexicans, and who knows who else on his MySpace page. Coincidentally his MySpace profile is reportedly now set to private. The Learning Channel and the

leonelnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-29522928987393352922008-12-01T22:23:00.010-06:002008-12-01T22:52:05.116-06:00

Fascinating, this Black Friday phenomenon. I finally experienced it for myself. All in all, not a bad experience. No sign of an economy in recession, I think.. Would've been a little better had I gotten more rest the night before.American TV should be commended for running a very organized ship for their big sale. Prior to the doors opening at 5am, salespeople outside issued maps of the store and

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-33116220014096972932008-11-19T22:50:00.005-06:002008-11-21T13:16:42.082-06:00

Yes, I know that is pretty old. But picking on Gore for claiming to invent the Internet is still funny. Anyway, today I learned something new myself about the massive network we all know and love.Internet doesn't exactly come from interconnected network, as I could've sworn I was taught. You know, from one of those Computer Science degrees which require a class in Data Structures. Pointers,

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-5382991561558411272008-11-15T12:30:00.002-06:002008-11-16T18:41:29.068-06:00

Unfortunately I was unable to attend Milwaukee's protest of Proposition 8. In part because I've been domesticated, which isn't the worst thing.. ;) Seriously: Steve and I had family obligations for a good part of the day.For those of you living in a cave or crawling out from under a rock, Proposition 8 is an amendment to the California Constitution which eradicated the right for same-sex

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-31660771795997637492008-11-04T23:03:00.007-06:002008-11-05T01:04:26.619-06:00

What an unbelievable time. This is a time to be proud to be an American. US Citizen. Whatever. :) We're about to place a person of color in the center seat of our country.And to think that this nation was struggling with civil rights just forty years ago. To those that have said, "there will not be a black president in our lifetime" I have one thing to say: look what we've done

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-27089117246849446652008-10-28T23:18:00.002-05:002008-10-28T23:23:45.746-05:00

Hey, all you sports fans out there! Check out this analogy of the current state of the 2008 presidential campaign.

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-84917913155308810112008-10-21T22:42:00.006-05:002008-10-22T08:37:19.172-05:00

What an amazing country we live in. We have freedom of expression, freedom of religion, etc. We have inalienable rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Some rights are granted by law. Among them is the right to vote and elect our own president.Yet there are those that work to eliminate or deny access to certain rights for specific groups. Sometimes people are afraid of

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-61232881831630140172008-10-16T23:00:00.003-05:002008-10-16T23:11:29.039-05:00

Check it out. A lighter moment between the two presidential candidates. This is the final face-to-face meeting that Obama and McCain will have before the election. In this video, the two get to roast each other and they get some nice jabs in. It seems all in good fun, and quite human dare I say..

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-64637793653733784212008-10-15T23:42:00.002-05:002008-10-16T01:05:32.345-05:00

During the debate, McCain appeared to equate Obama's criticism of specific points about his plan with the negative tone spewed from his own campaign. He blames the tone of the campaign on Obama turning down invitations to hold town hall meetings together. Then, McCain hinted at things he did not like happening at the Obama rallies and either had no time to talk specifics, or chose not to speak

leonelnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-51906775573522886312008-10-15T23:38:00.004-05:002008-10-15T23:47:11.500-05:00

I found out about a great little table, which paints a great picture of how much we'll pay in taxes under the candidates' plans. Obama vows the middle class will benefit from his tax cuts. McCain promises the same - mainly for the rich.See for yourself here.

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-25610410574502182702008-10-14T20:51:00.002-05:002008-10-14T21:09:36.002-05:00

Wouldn't you know.. McCain isn't doing what he set out to do. My, what a surprise. Today he was caught saying, "I don't need lessons on telling the truth to the American people, and were I ever to need any improvement in that regard, I probably wouldn't seek it from a Chicago politician."So much for carrying out a respectful campaign.For some reason this reminded me of Palin comparing herself

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-80418453129216261212008-10-13T23:01:00.006-05:002008-10-14T00:46:51.710-05:00

David Frum is a former speechwriter to President Bush and appeared on today's Rachel Maddow show. Below is a segment from today's show. To summarize, the interview went in a direction that Rachel Maddow had not planned to take.That is putting the conversation mildly.A large portion of it was taken up by discussing the verbal attacks shouted against Obama that people have been making at McCain

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-33513357121361382262008-10-11T00:54:00.006-05:002008-10-11T01:01:47.855-05:00

It is just getting more and more amazing. McCain is starting to defend Obama. He's doing this after his campaign has "taken off the gloves" and begun making brutal personal attacks. Meanwhile, Palin has been found to be unethical during the Troopergate investigation.A McCain's spokesperson had the gall to blame Obama himself for the personal attacks.

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-44896126196331064662008-10-09T22:36:00.006-05:002008-10-09T22:50:40.565-05:00

Speaking of disrepect.. allegedly the NSA is spying on Americans living abroad. The Bush Administration is quick to remind us that "there is a constant check to make sure our civil liberties were treated with respect." Meanwhile, the NSA seems to be getting off on sharing intimate calls between Americans living abroad and their loved ones. Americans such as those soldiers giving their lives (

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-40289193044506320342008-10-08T23:44:00.003-05:002008-10-09T02:22:31.082-05:00

I think these videos speak for themselves, given that the candidates' attacks are getting more and more personal. Who cares if we're in the midst of a financial crisis now turned global? Someday we'll all look back at the day our government handed us and our children a shitload of debt to pay, and lament the budget surplus and world respect we lost.. No matter: the candidates and their

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-24308236063847751802008-10-03T22:47:00.018-05:002008-10-06T23:29:59.294-05:00

I'd actually like to try to recap a rather interesting couple weeks in politics:The economy nosedives.The president and one of his appointments request unregulated control over $700,000,000,000 to bail out the economy via a three page draft bill.The finger pointing begins, while the people and the government debate that horrible bill.McCain decides to suspend his campaign, stands up David

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-70627617662971788372008-10-03T07:47:00.002-05:002008-10-04T00:58:07.563-05:00

Soon after I woke up, I started replaying parts of the debate in my mind. I remembered Sarah Palin's statement, "together we represent a perfect ideal." Then I pulled a Bill O'Reilly and unfortunately became fixated on that. It doesn't sit well in the context of the conservative tendency to work towards eliminating rights from gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans. Here's the full

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-7892795185415400472008-10-02T23:40:00.009-05:002008-10-04T00:59:58.658-05:00

Together, we represent a perfect ideal. And that is democracy and tolerance and freedom and equal rights. Those things that we stand for that can be put to good use as a force for good in this world. John McCain and I share that.--Governor Sarah Palin, 2008 Vice Presidential DebateHere are my quick thoughts on tonight's debate. It exceeded expectations. I appreciated hearing that both Biden and

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-5452896185484799412008-10-02T19:30:00.005-05:002008-10-04T00:59:00.017-05:00

Oh, the power of context. And selectively excluding someone's quote:Take the following, spoken by Barney Frank in July of 2008, and shown on The O'Reilly Factor this October 2, 2008 about 22 minutes into the show...they are not the best investment these days, from a long term standpoint going back. I think they're in good shape going forward.Then take Bill O'Reilly, quoting Barney Frank and

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-76324026343400672422008-09-28T10:06:00.009-05:002008-09-30T01:36:39.125-05:00

Questions that seem to come often include:Is there any way to learn where Obama and McCain really stand, other than by relying on biased, muckraking political ads and web sites?How have these two senators voted in Congress?I asked a close friend about this. She pointed me to web sites for the Washington Post and the Library Of Congress. So, I decided to dig around and I found several easy to

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-68578318140580346982008-09-27T10:34:00.005-05:002008-09-27T10:52:12.767-05:00

Breaking news! A high ranking McCain staffer is gay! Now, people will stop talking about Clay Aiken!Yeah.. right..Let's get real, folks. In my opinion, no surprises here as to why the mainstream media didn't run with this one.1: Clay Aiken is a househould name.2: Umm.. who is Mark Buse?3: How is McCain's popularity changing these days?Something tells me the mainstream is usually more likely to

leonelnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-88525505967223878272008-09-26T10:33:00.003-05:002008-09-27T00:50:02.072-05:00

Once upon a time, Greenspan reflected on why we went to war in Iraq. Then came the 2008 presidential election. Finally, Americans all across the country watched the first presidential debate.Is it me, or does McCain sound obsessive regarding Iraq? Meanwhile there are reports that the power-hungry Bush administration wants to delay pulling our troops "due to political circumstances related to

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-40495968636636695042008-09-22T21:24:00.009-05:002008-09-27T00:47:24.117-05:00

Fun stuff. So begins the finger pointing. Got to admire the people that are doing what they can to find reasonable solutions to this mess.I'm no expert: something needs to be done, but giving non-elected individuals unregulated control of $700,000,000,000 at any one time certainly doesn't sound like a good solution to me. That is $700 billion in taxpayer dollars. Make the corporate idiots

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-56724314765958344012008-09-21T10:50:00.012-05:002008-09-21T11:45:44.355-05:00

Funny.. do the American people realize that if Paulson gets the swift action he asks for, without debate, that the following clause in that plan will take effect?Sec. 8. Review.Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.Many sites are showing the

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-14839092150935380062008-09-21T09:52:00.008-05:002008-09-21T11:38:33.118-05:00

Yesterday afternoon I see the scariest of headlines on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. It said, basically, Bush wants additional emergency powers during the nation's current financial crisis. Today I hear the most amazing thing on Face The Nation.Senator Richard Shelby (R-Alabama) and Representative Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts) are on the show. Mr. Shelby addresses a question about

leonelnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-3315926911882062372008-09-07T00:03:00.001-05:002008-10-04T00:56:14.758-05:00

So now we are entering a very interesting time, politically speaking. Inexperience seems to be a common theme these days. Add real life and conservative values and what do you get? Oh, where to begin. What if..On one hand, we have a young candidate with an elder running mate. On the other hand, we have an elder candidate and a younger running mate. At least with regards to age the politics

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-51842451341811833242008-08-21T00:41:00.016-05:002008-08-23T13:21:49.925-05:00

The time is finally here. The morning of Tuesday, August 19 marked the opening of all ramps that make up the new Marquette Interchange. Only final touches remain, but its time to test if the tax dollars poured into the new system pays off. Don't get me wrong. I love the work and the end result. The project team has done a phenomenal job in keeping the project WAY ahead of schedule and under

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-86641578470367758042008-08-21T00:27:00.005-05:002008-08-21T00:39:38.141-05:00

May this video never be removed from the Comedy Central web site.Here is a comical review of Elaine Donnelly's comments against repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Sure is something to watch someone like her try to keep a specific group of people from having the choice to serve in the military. Land of the free indeed.Enjoy!

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-37599226296641447672008-07-26T15:02:00.003-05:002008-07-26T15:20:05.284-05:00

A House of Representatives panel holds a hearing on the absurd policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. They bring in some twat named Elaine Donnelly who respects gay veterans AND is on a crusade to keep gays out of the military. Rep. Vic Snyder (D-Ark.) says it best, labeling her statement "just bonkers" and "dumb."

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-21390374096149842322008-06-27T07:43:00.002-05:002008-06-27T09:16:35.218-05:00

Let's take a quick look at Al Sharpton. On the one hand, he's mindful about playing into stereotypes and taking appropriate action. On the other hand, he makes a stupid remark about Anderson Cooper's place in the afterlife while defending Cooper's right to get there.So, can someone tell me just what the Reverend Al Sharpton is about? Didn't he just play into stereotypes? Don't know about you,

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-35193589605097527792008-06-08T07:28:00.008-05:002008-06-08T11:46:17.690-05:00

Multiple tornado warnings for Milwaukee in one weekend. Who would've thought. To say that strong storms hit southeastern Wisconsin would be an oversimplification.Tell that to water-logged New Berlin. Our basement was among the lucky ones because some of our neighbors had more water than we did. And we could barely keep up, sucking up water non-stop Saturday night from 5:30pm to 9:30pm once we

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-7523450573917982542008-05-18T08:31:00.002-05:002008-05-18T08:54:31.377-05:00

Over the past several years some rights and freedoms of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans have been taken away in most of the country. The government has greatly expanded its powers in the name of national security and terrorism. Yes, I know: the people of this country still have a lot of freedom. Who cares if rights are being taken away from a few people which don't fit the

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-42128796227921671502008-03-23T19:01:00.005-05:002008-03-23T20:53:28.226-05:00

So check it out. There's this harmless movie out there called Song Of The South. Uncle Remus has a great line in this movie that goes something like this: "If there's a problem with the stories, then why do they last so long?"Nearly twenty years after Disney decided to never release the movie, it continues to last and to stand the test of time. The demand doesn't cease. Just go check out

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-922343246388247632008-01-27T10:05:00.000-06:002008-01-27T10:13:54.705-06:00

Years ago, a good friend once told me that a true leader does the right thing even though popular vote encourages the opposite. When I read about Puerto Rico's marriage ban, the memory of that observation came to mind. I've observed that truth time and time again.

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-83645942154553572072008-01-20T11:42:00.001-06:002008-01-20T11:42:43.445-06:00

Originally submitted at BestPrices.comRosa Salvaje [3 Discs]Not the same classic!By overload74 from New Berlin, WI on 1/20/2008 3out of 5Pros: Engaging CharactersCons: Disappointing, Soundtrack Dubbed Over, Not What I ExpectedDescribe Yourself: Casual ViewerBeware if you purchase this item. The soundtrack has been dubbed over with new music. It is a hack job, it appears half the show is

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-46146346479109760112008-01-07T08:05:00.001-06:002008-01-07T23:55:37.986-06:00

I finally jumped on the bandwagon and purchased a smartphone. I must confess I did consider getting the Apple iPhone. I found out right away about its irreplaceable battery. This was a complete turnoff so I stayed clear. I later saw a commercial for the Windows Mobile based Touch. When I finally got my hands on one, well.. I couldn't resist.Then, I was curious: what complaints have people had

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-20986093866321647602007-11-17T09:28:00.000-06:002007-11-19T13:13:51.514-06:00

So, the time has come. The Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra is back at The Shops of Grand Avenue. I cannot believe that they've been a fixture, pun intended, at this mall for five years now.And no offense to those of you that enjoy them: its time to Boycott The Bears!The first year, they were pretty cool. I confess, I did enjoy them. Second time around, yes.. I would stop by every once in

leonelnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-69697725559511128942007-11-14T19:54:00.000-06:002007-11-18T21:46:16.267-06:00

(mustering up my best Arnold Horshack impersonation)OOOH! OOOH! OOOH!This is why there are rumors flying about wanting to attack Iran! Its their stance on civil rights - their leaders believe gays should be executed!Seriously, talk about wishful thinking. If it were not for all that oil in the region, I wonder what the USA would do and how less petty and greedy it would be perceived..Click

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-63041946547652595772007-11-04T09:26:00.000-06:002007-11-04T09:29:15.048-06:00

So the Phelps gets a taste of their own medicine. But were the fireworks-type devices really necessary? Read more here.

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-68773142059848659222007-10-28T09:11:00.000-05:002007-10-28T09:26:37.927-05:00

Years ago, I went shopping at an area Boston Store. I can no longer remember the item I was shopping for. That portion of the memory was overpowered by an encounter with a not-so-customer-friendly salesperson. The person happened to be a white female which uttered the following words: "well! they serve a.. different.. clientele."I had no clue what she was referring to. The context was: the

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-74471422414641023932007-10-28T08:45:00.001-05:002007-10-28T09:02:11.098-05:00

So tell me: what exactly does Harry Potter promote, anyway? I've heard its far easier to be negative and to destroy, than to be positive and to create. Certainly this bit of insight should bear no surprise when running a Google search on the matter.In the first two or three pages, the negative articles outnumber the positive ones. At first glance I only found one result with a good thing to

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-50633070985399691802007-10-28T08:15:00.000-05:002007-11-17T09:17:05.685-06:00

Here is a great article expressing an opinion on a mere extra detail about our beloved headmaster of Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft & Wizardry. J.K. Rowling has announced that Albus Dumbledore is gay. When I heard, I thought "oh. ok, cool!" and didn't think much of it.People will have their opinions, and some, like this one, make a statement about Dunbledore and the state of gays in this nation

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-48507826866572480382007-10-21T09:47:00.000-05:002007-11-17T09:18:01.523-06:00

You know -- the answer to this type of situation is pretty obvious. To me, at least. All this council has to do is leave the discriminatory Boy Scouts and join Scouting For All. That is, if the local council's leadership doesn't subscribe to the national organization's type of morality.

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-59930245193415526862007-10-09T08:28:00.000-05:002009-08-29T00:14:44.248-05:00

First, she leads a campaign which gets Wisconsin on the Ban Gay Marriage Bandwagon with a confusing, vaguely worded amendment. Now she's speaking out against domestic partner benefits to state employees. She believes it is the state's attempt to redefine marriage and that local government employees are essentially state employees.Umm.. right.Is her next step to declare domestic partner benefits

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-49563697769559767072007-10-07T19:23:00.000-05:002007-10-07T20:57:42.569-05:00

What timing. Steve and I are out for a Sunday drive. We come across an abortion protest. By the time I decide to take pictures, the crowd has fizzled out. The protest is orchestrated by a group called Life Chain.This band of people extends from Oklahoma Ave. and 108th St.....all the way up to Greenfield Ave.....and slightly beyond.Steve and I stop by a Starbucks on Hwy 100. We have a little

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-12765558574612540142007-10-03T23:32:00.000-05:002007-10-04T00:26:47.991-05:00

I've accidentally come across the PBS documentary series, "Expose: America's Investigative Reports". The current episode is about a small-town reporter who has exposed a cover-up in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Apparently the local Boy Scouts and Mormon groups has had a history of disregarding the safety of its children in a most disgusting manner -- they allowed a known pedophile to lead scouts for

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-91181283541252815152007-09-27T08:33:00.000-05:002007-10-04T00:30:05.768-05:00

Let's take a close look at what exactly the opposition is saying. These are my unprofessional opinions, however I did glance at HRC's web site to learn a little more before I finished typing this up.ENDA is aimed at providing heightened protections for a particular sexual behavior- homosexuality. It would grant special consideration on the basis of "sexual orientation" or "gender identity" that

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263239066310699903.post-14820677355978478002007-09-27T08:16:00.000-05:002007-09-27T08:27:20.021-05:00

Did you know that lawmakers are pushing an effort to make it illegal to discriminate against gays in the workplace? The Employee Non-Discrimination Act, aka ENDA (H.R. 2015) is moving its ways through Congress.PFLAG has prepared resources in support of this effort.Find your House Member on the PFLAG Take Action page.Check out the PFLAG page on ENDA.Would someone care to remind me why who we

leonelnoreply@blogger.com0