Send Me an Angel: My Last Shamanic Workshop

Things have been hectic since returning from the beach. Thought I'd have time to post something on protests in Iran or Chastity Bono becoming a man, but alas, 'twas not to be! I just hope things stay peaceful in Iran, and as far as Chastity goes, I wish her luck and peace. I met her once many years ago and thought she was a very friendly and genuine person. I just hope mama Cher is understanding!

Tonight begins the last of 7 shamanic workshops--and I'll also be ordained this weekend as an interfaith minister. The workshop itself will focus on the crown chakra, and what little I do know is that we'll focus on those "higher" energies, which some believe includes angels.

As long as they look like this angel above, sign me up!

So have a happy Summer Solstice, everyone. Get out and enjoy the sun and see you in a few days!

Send Me an Angel: My Last Shamanic Workshop

Things have been hectic since returning from the beach. Thought I'd have time to post something on protests in Iran or Chastity Bono becoming a man, but alas, 'twas not to be! I just hope things stay peaceful in Iran, and as far as Chastity goes, I wish her luck and peace. I met her once many years ago and thought she was a very friendly and genuine person. I just hope mama Cher is understanding!

Tonight begins the last of 7 shamanic workshops--and I'll also be ordained this weekend as an interfaith minister. The workshop itself will focus on the crown chakra, and what little I do know is that we'll focus on those "higher" energies, which some believe includes angels.

As long as they look like this angel above, sign me up!

So have a happy Summer Solstice, everyone. Get out and enjoy the sun and see you in a few days!

Cuba and Russia Have Homosexuals!

Arrests in Moscow

I found it so interesting that in 1 week, both Cuba and Russia had gay pride events, with very different results. While here in the U.S., gay pride parades have become cliche and downright boring, marching in your finest drag can still get you arrested in some places.

Take Russia. Moscow banned a recently planned gay pride parade, and when people began gathering anyway, riot police moved in, broke it up and arrested people. No surprise, I suppose, given the former Communist country's record on human rights. Guess they'll find a way to spin this.

Contrast that with what happened in still-Communist Cuba, where the country held it's first-ever gay rights event. Granted, the government approves everything there or it doesn't happen--but that's a huge step from 2008, when a gay rights rally was banned. It wasn't a full-on parade with leather boys and all, but hey--baby steps! And the event was led by Raul Castro's daughter Mariela, so I guess that's a good thing. She's already known for being a gay rights advocate.

Interesting contrasts and comparisons. And it shows the world that we're not going to be silent, no matter where we live.

Support from Mariela Castro in Havana

Cuba and Russia Have Homosexuals!

Arrests in Moscow

I found it so interesting that in 1 week, both Cuba and Russia had gay pride events, with very different results. While here in the U.S., gay pride parades have become cliche and downright boring, marching in your finest drag can still get you arrested in some places.

Take Russia. Moscow banned a recently planned gay pride parade, and when people began gathering anyway, riot police moved in, broke it up and arrested people. No surprise, I suppose, given the former Communist country's record on human rights. Guess they'll find a way to spin this.

Contrast that with what happened in still-Communist Cuba, where the country held it's first-ever gay rights event. Granted, the government approves everything there or it doesn't happen--but that's a huge step from 2008, when a gay rights rally was banned. It wasn't a full-on parade with leather boys and all, but hey--baby steps! And the event was led by Raul Castro's daughter Mariela, so I guess that's a good thing. She's already known for being a gay rights advocate.

Interesting contrasts and comparisons. And it shows the world that we're not going to be silent, no matter where we live.

Support from Mariela Castro in Havana

Send Some Good Energy My Way on Saturday! I'm Protesting Prop 8!

Blessed be the wonders of Facebook and twentysomethings! Not only have the nationwide protests spread in roughly one week as a result on one young woman's web site, but a protest is scheduled for Saturday even here in my little corner of the world! It helps to have a university nearby with passionate college students. The person who is organizing the local protest is a recent college grad who has never even done anything like this before. That's great, because it shows this movement is really coming from the grassroots, and the gay rights cause needs an injection of fresh blood right now.

There may even be an event near you tomorrow or in the following week. Check here to find your state.

So whether you pray, meditate, chant or dance naked under the moon, send your positive thoughts and energy out to this nation, to all the protesters--even to those who disagree with us--so that this movement will lead us forward for the good of all.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Send Some Good Energy My Way on Saturday! I'm Protesting Prop 8!

Blessed be the wonders of Facebook and twentysomethings! Not only have the nationwide protests spread in roughly one week as a result on one young woman's web site, but a protest is scheduled for Saturday even here in my little corner of the world! It helps to have a university nearby with passionate college students. The person who is organizing the local protest is a recent college grad who has never even done anything like this before. That's great, because it shows this movement is really coming from the grassroots, and the gay rights cause needs an injection of fresh blood right now.

There may even be an event near you tomorrow or in the following week. Check here to find your state.

So whether you pray, meditate, chant or dance naked under the moon, send your positive thoughts and energy out to this nation, to all the protesters--even to those who disagree with us--so that this movement will lead us forward for the good of all.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Rumble in South America: What Is the U.S. Up to Now?

I'm tired of our presidential popularity contest. I'm much more interested in the craziness going on down in South America. We're talking expelled diplomats, violent protests, accusations of U.S. interference, martial law, strikes and arrests of government officials. And from this distance, it appears most of Bolivia's neighbors support president Evo Morales, much to the chagrin of the U.S.

Seems it's always about oil or gas, which is the case in Bolivia, the poorest country in South America. Morales is, to some, a crazy left-wing commie who pals around with equally crazy Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. The opposition claims Morales wants to turn Bolivia into---another Cuba! Maybe that's an insult, but when you're already the poorest country in the neighborhood, I'm sure everybody's grass is greener.

The nugget is Morales expelled our ambassador, claiming the U.S. has been supporting the opposition. Of course, we are shocked--shocked!--at such allegations. Maybe we're innocent, but there have been plenty of times in the past when we have "supported" movements without actually lifting a finger. Morales certainly has reason to be paranoid since us Yankees don't like anyone who tries to centralize gas and oil industries and, oh, empower the majority indigenous population that has been disenfranchised for centuries.

As further insult to our delicate sensibilities, Chavez kicked our ambassador out of his own country. He's been claiming for months that the U.S. was encouraging the protests in Bolivia. Now, add Ecuador and Honduras to the list of Morales supporters! Naturally, Cuba's joined the party, too.

Call me crazy, but I kinda like Morales and Chavez. They're standing up to our self-righteousness and arrogance. Other South American countries have rallied to end the violence, and Morales has started negotiations with the opposition. For way too long, the U.S. has run the show throughout this hemisphere, and I think our "good intentions" have created many of the struggles faced by that entire region today. Maybe there's nothing to the rumors, but it's clear South America doesn't trust us.

Lots of complicated issues involved, of course, and I will be interested to see how this plays out.

Here are a few interesting links:

• Take your Yankee toys and go home!
• They started it!
• Supporting the local boy
• Emergency summit in Chile
• Negotiations begin
  

Rumble in South America: What Is the U.S. Up to Now?

I'm tired of our presidential popularity contest. I'm much more interested in the craziness going on down in South America. We're talking expelled diplomats, violent protests, accusations of U.S. interference, martial law, strikes and arrests of government officials. And from this distance, it appears most of Bolivia's neighbors support president Evo Morales, much to the chagrin of the U.S.

Seems it's always about oil or gas, which is the case in Bolivia, the poorest country in South America. Morales is, to some, a crazy left-wing commie who pals around with equally crazy Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. The opposition claims Morales wants to turn Bolivia into---another Cuba! Maybe that's an insult, but when you're already the poorest country in the neighborhood, I'm sure everybody's grass is greener.

The nugget is Morales expelled our ambassador, claiming the U.S. has been supporting the opposition. Of course, we are shocked--shocked!--at such allegations. Maybe we're innocent, but there have been plenty of times in the past when we have "supported" movements without actually lifting a finger. Morales certainly has reason to be paranoid since us Yankees don't like anyone who tries to centralize gas and oil industries and, oh, empower the majority indigenous population that has been disenfranchised for centuries.

As further insult to our delicate sensibilities, Chavez kicked our ambassador out of his own country. He's been claiming for months that the U.S. was encouraging the protests in Bolivia. Now, add Ecuador and Honduras to the list of Morales supporters! Naturally, Cuba's joined the party, too.

Call me crazy, but I kinda like Morales and Chavez. They're standing up to our self-righteousness and arrogance. Other South American countries have rallied to end the violence, and Morales has started negotiations with the opposition. For way too long, the U.S. has run the show throughout this hemisphere, and I think our "good intentions" have created many of the struggles faced by that entire region today. Maybe there's nothing to the rumors, but it's clear South America doesn't trust us.

Lots of complicated issues involved, of course, and I will be interested to see how this plays out.

Here are a few interesting links:

• Take your Yankee toys and go home!
• They started it!
• Supporting the local boy
• Emergency summit in Chile
• Negotiations begin
  

Protests? What Protests? Chinese Manage to Break Their Own Promises to Allow Freedom of Speech During Olympics

As the Beijing Olympics winds down, I thought this was a fitting story to post today. Remember way back before the Games began how the Chinese government assured us that it would allow protests to take place? Sure, it might be miles away from any other human being, but it was better than nothing.

Well, they've conveniently found a way to get around all that. Lots of people petitioned to protest, following the official procedures put in place--and all have been denied. And now it's too late because the government required 48 hours to approve requests. Since the Games end on Sunday, that would mean protests had to be approved by either yesterday or Wednesday.

And these protests weren't all about Tibet. Many petitioned to protest labor concerns within China, medical needs, evictions and other issues surrounding domestic welfare. Most were from actual Chinese citizens, not foreigners. This article contains some heart-breaking stories.

China, of course, has excuses for all of this. My favorite quote, which I think sums up everything about China's shortcomings and the controversies surrounding the Games, comes from Beijing organizing committee VP Wang Wei:

“This is not realistic,” Wang said. “We think that you do not really understand China’s reality. China has its own version and way of exercising our democracy.”

Sorry Wang, your is a reality I hope to never understand.

Protests? What Protests? Chinese Manage to Break Their Own Promises to Allow Freedom of Speech During Olympics

As the Beijing Olympics winds down, I thought this was a fitting story to post today. Remember way back before the Games began how the Chinese government assured us that it would allow protests to take place? Sure, it might be miles away from any other human being, but it was better than nothing.

Well, they've conveniently found a way to get around all that. Lots of people petitioned to protest, following the official procedures put in place--and all have been denied. And now it's too late because the government required 48 hours to approve requests. Since the Games end on Sunday, that would mean protests had to be approved by either yesterday or Wednesday.

And these protests weren't all about Tibet. Many petitioned to protest labor concerns within China, medical needs, evictions and other issues surrounding domestic welfare. Most were from actual Chinese citizens, not foreigners. This article contains some heart-breaking stories.

China, of course, has excuses for all of this. My favorite quote, which I think sums up everything about China's shortcomings and the controversies surrounding the Games, comes from Beijing organizing committee VP Wang Wei:

“This is not realistic,” Wang said. “We think that you do not really understand China’s reality. China has its own version and way of exercising our democracy.”

Sorry Wang, your is a reality I hope to never understand.