Rod McCollum writes a column on MSNBC's The Grio on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and its affects on black folks

LGBT/SGL blogger, Rod McCollum recently penned an article on The Grio on the MSNBC network about the affects of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) on how it would be a "teachable moment" for the "black community".  He touched on Obama's first State of the Union speech and its inclusion of the repeal of DADT.  Also get gave some interesting figures on how many service men and women have been discharged from the military because of the nearly 20-year-old policy. 

More than 13,000 members of the military have been fired since the law was adopted and more than "644 people have been discharged under the law since Mr. Obama took office," the New York Times notes in a January 28 editorial calling for its repeal. The law has cost the US up to $1.3 billion. Additionally, the public face of the dismissed gay soldier is often white and male, but they're statistically more likely to be a black lesbian or black gay man.

Interesting, considering how most blacks do come from economically crazier background especially in these times where unemployment is 3x the rate of whites.  So the military is the only real secure employment option for many blacks in this economy.  It's a damn shame that so many LGBT/SGLs of color have to turn to military to make as well, but they are always the ones facing the highest threshold of foolishness for being person of color and same-gender-loving (SGL).  

LGBT legal organization tells outed Atlanta Falcon fullback Mughelli STFU

The well-known for the U.S. Supreme Court case overturning sodomy laws in most Southern states which equated to making anal sex illegal in 2003, Lambda Legal, told Atlanta Falcon fullback Ovie Mughelli to quit it with the legal attempts to silence bloggers over the whole outing by an alleged jilted ex-lover.  The fact that Mughelli tried to use his legal team to threaten everybody with a cease-and-desist shows that ole boy doesn't have a legal leg to stand on since he has denied it and being called "gay" isn't considered defamation of character anymore.  He's stuck like chuck and will just have to face the fact that his pressed ass has been outed and called out by the ex.  I'm not feeling sorry for him at all, so he needs to pick up his sippy cup of STFU.   

High Speed Rail in the South?

The Southern High Speed Rail Corridor has been a point of discussion through out the 1990s and 2000s, but nothing came of it considering Alabama nor Georgia openly funds public transit since both states have bans on using gax tax revenue towards such things.  However, North Carolina and Florida, ironically the only 2 "swing states" in the South, have both struck it big on the Obama administration's stimulus funds for high-speed rail in the South.  North Carolina will get some $545 million in federal funds to improve intrastate rail service among 30 other projects that involves commuter and regional rail between the Charlotte metropolitan area and the Triangle (Raleigh/Durham).  Also the funds will allow quicker service from Charlotte to Washington, D.C., with the Amtrak Piedmont rail line.   Florida will get $1.25 billion in funds to mainly fund a commuter rail between the Tampa Bay area and Daytona Beach, including Greater Orlando.  Also a number of these funds can be used for the SunRail commuter rail system proposed for the Greater Orlando area.  

Georgia fumbled big time with it majority conservative and Republican General Assembly by only getting $750,000 in federal funds to study it for the state.  Whereas, Alabama is still trying to figure out how to put together the economic development and transportation puzzle with the Alabama Department of Economic Development (ADECA) and Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), both needs to merged into one agency like Louisiana where the transportation and development departments are one (LDOTD).  Alabama did get a few funds to do more studying of high-speed rail like Georgia.   Unfortunately, Birmingham and Atlanta will continue to suffer from sprawl and one-tract mindsets of their state leadership since both cities are limited in alternative forms of transportation aside from private automobile (although Metro Atlanta has MARTA, but it is limited to only Fulton and DeKalb counties with limited connections to bus systems in Cobb, Gwinnett, and Clayton counties). 

The current rail service in the South, mainly the Deep South, is the Amtrak Crescent Line, that goes through Richmond, Greensboro/Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Greenville/Spartanburg, Atlanta, Birmingham, and terminates in New Orleans.  The funds on the table that Alabama and Georgia would upgrade their service allowing a high-speed rail line from Birmingham to Atlanta within 45 minutes. 

This something leaders in these 2 states need to think about and stop being so damn shortsighted about since this portion of the country is increasingly becoming an urbanized belt.

WOW, WOW, WOW!

The troll that tried to setup ACORN got arrested this afternoon, and now he's going to be facing federal charges...

Oh well!

A picture speaks a thousand words

But in my book it only says one, NARCISSIST.  This power hungry jackal is now mayor of Birmingham, UGH!  Just another reason why I'm tired of the niggerdom of Birmingham...

WTH is going on at WVEE and WPGC?

Word on the street is that radio legend, media personality, and DC morning drive man for over 30 years, Donnie Simpson will be out by weeks end at WPGC.  Then there is the mysterious disappearance of Joyce Littel from WVEE "V-103" in Atlanta on the mic, but the word is that she said that last week on Twitter that she was "released to be free".  Whatever that means, another loss to my listening line-up of the 2 of the 3 main stations I listen to on a regular (the other is KMEL in San Francisco).  UGH! 

Miss Thang from SC is talking and about to be shattered

The infamous closet-case and social conservative South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer has literally put his foot in his country ass and whore mouth.  Bauer decided to open his dirty whore mouth and say something so extraordianarily stupid to levels I thought no one would about those who are impoverish, and the fact that yeah there is some truth to it, his simple ass should have known better.  He said these comments on Saturday in Greenville suburb of Fountain Inn at a town hall meeting:

"My grandmother was not a highly educated woman, but she told me as a small child to quit feeding stray animals. You know why? Because they breed. You're facilitating the problem if you give an animal or a person ample food supply. They will reproduce, especially ones that don't think too much further than that. And so what you've got to do is you've got to curtail that type of behavior. They don't know any better."

Meanwhile, 58% of the South Carolina students in public schools participate in reduced or free lunch programs.  Bauer isn't far from contraversy since he was outed last year by Mike Rogers, the gay blogger extraordinare and political outer.  Bauer is vying for the Republican ticket in the South Carolina gubernatorial race this year, so we see how that goes Mr. Closet Case and Word Vomit.  Just wait until the allegations about his sexuality and how much of hypocrite comes to the surface and it's going to hit the fan...

The jackal has been coronated...

Today at 2:00 P.M. in downtown Birmingham in Linn Park and in front of Birmingham City Hall, the jackal known as William Bell was inaugurated as mayor of Birmingham.  Of course, the chain of fools such as former mayor personally dubbed by me as "Big Chief No-Do", Bernard Kincaid, was in attendance along there was Frank Matthews, the new golddigger (I mean 2nd wife) of Civil Rights activist Fred Shuttlesworth, Shelia Shuttlesworth, and the other fools who think that Bell will mean well for Birmingham.  What's even more embarassing is the fact that former federal justice and attorney U.W. Clemmons, sworn Bell in and will be apart of his staff.  This is displaying that Birmingham is a three-ring circus for only the niggas and the fools that buy into their demagoguery.  I'm not surprised, but another sign from many directions and above that Birmingham is not my home anymore and I'm well on my way of hatching a plan to be leaving this place soon and there is no change of mind (because when I make it up then it is final).  SMH.

More talk, but little action

I've just about had it with my fellow LGBT/SGL bloggers on their criticism of President Obama and claiming that he is a "do-nothing" president when in reality there are bigger problems at hand than their selfish mindset.  The saying "can't see the forest for the trees" comes to mind instantly after listening and reading for the past few months.  It's annoying and so obnoxious how they have spent their time whining, bitching, and moaning over nothing yet they seem to believe that these issues are precedent over the economy, healthcare, and jobs.  Fellow LGBT/SGL and blogger of color, David Kaufman, summed up with similar thought along with C.G. Shield of the Daily Athenaeum university newspaper of West Virginia University. 

The bitterness and vitriol filling LGBT attacks on the Dems must come to an end, replaced by a respectful and actionable solutions-based agenda. Most crucially, major LGBT institutions must learn from their previous mistakes and work to rectify them, rather than settling for sloppy repeats.....

This includes reckless LGBT leaders concerned more for their own bloated public images than the greater public good. Leaders like Mixner and AMERICAblog who would seem to truly want this White House to fail -- yet fail themselves to offer any sort of realistic back-up plan. Or even explain why.

He really digs into Pam Spaulding of Pam's House Blend who along with Queerty, Towerload, Ameriblog Gay, and Rod 2.0 has spent the better portion of 2009 always degrading the Obama administration while the economy has the front and center of public interest.  The often destructive sense of few will affect many, but hence why I don't have allegience to any group other than to myself because their nature of self-centeredness will prove more lethal to the cause than conductive. 

Well, well, well, decisions, decisions...

After the display of belligerent ignorance by 54% of the 40% of the eligible voters in the city of Birmingham chose to vote for more of the same bullshit that has brought Birmingham to the abysmal point that it exists at presently.  In addition, I've been having my second thoughts about remaining in Central Alabama for a while now because this place is one of those places where niggas want to rule the place whereas those of us who are black and possess common sense have just left.  It's a number of people feel like do, but I've been the first to admit personally for awhile (not in print on this blog though) that I've been shopping around for new places to lay my head outside of this acrimonious region.  The funny thing is that I don't feel that bad about making these key decisions because it comes to to personal happiness and sanity/peace-of-mind when one looks at where they want to reside.  I'll have a psuedo-affinity for Birmingham, but in the long run I would rather place myself in a city that has a more sane stance on issues and can have more go forward without entertaining ignorance.  Now, that doesn't mean I won't continue to cover Birmingham, in some form, but the place is stagnant and will be broadening my discussion and probably focusing on the South as a whole.  Interesting things lay ahead, but no regrets at all.  The only regrets should exist is those who want to more of the same in Birmingham, and they know who they are and I've nothing to say to them.

This is enough to make me want to sucker punch Frank Matthews

This degenerate ignorant ass nigga needs his ass beaten severely.  That jackass has penned a letter and spread it around the community via e-mail sequesting the "concerned citizens" of Birmingham to be distrubed by the "facts about Patrick Cooper".

Here is the contents of the letter:

Dear Concerned Citizen,



My name is Frank Matthews. As most of you are aware, I am radio talk-show host and former co-director of the Mayor’s Office of Citizen’s Assistance. First, I want to thank you for your prayers and support during the past few weeks, then I want to thank you for taking the time to read this letter. Many in the media criticize my methods, but I have a great love for our city. With that being said, I felt compelled to write this personal letter to you giving you the facts about Patrick Cooper. While this letter is in no way intended to attack his character, as many people accuse me of doing, it is intended to expose how his values will affect our city’s moral fabric.


As a minister, I am compelled to reveal to you Mr. Cooper’s public position concerning a vital moral issue that impacts the foundation of our families, our churches, our schools, and all of society: the issue of homosexuality. It is true “all of us have sinned and fallen short of bringing God glory” as stated in Romans 3:23. It is also true that we must repent for known sins. The Word of God clearly states homosexuality is a sin according to Romans 1:24-32. God loves us as sinners, but He hates our sin. Traditional marriage between a man and a woman has been the foundation of every civilized culture since the beginning of time. The citizens of Alabama understand this and showed their agreement by voting overwhelmingly in 2006 by an 81% to 19% margin in favor of the Sanctity of Marriage Amendment Act defining marriage as between one man and one woman. In October 2007, Birmingham elected the first openly gay man to public office in Alabama as Howard Bayless won a seat on the Birmingham City School Board governing the affairs of almost 30,000 young hearts and minds in our city. He did this with the support of the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender political action committee in the nation along with the very public endorsement of Patrick Cooper standing proudly at Mr. Bayless’ side. It is not my intention to disrespect either of these men, but it is my duty to remind God’s people that this is an abomination and unpleasing in the eyes of our Heavenly Father.


All across the nation, school boards for children at the elementary and kindergarten levels are approving curriculum that promotes the homosexual lifestyle. This is morally wrong, brings confusion about gender identity to our children, condones sexual perversion, and can ultimately have detrimental influence socially. Not only would Patrick Cooper seek to advance this radical agenda upon our matriculating school children, but he wants to eliminate the “Laptops for Kids” program altogether, and replace it with Pre-K programs. These programs would indoctrinate the acceptance of this lifestyle, by our children, at an even earlier age. Within the last two years, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that Jefferson


County had the highest rate of syphilis per 100,000 residents of any county in the nation and warned our citizens about the “epidemic rate” of the growing number of cases. Of course, syphilis is spread through heterosexual as well as homosexual relationships, but we need a leader who will stand for purity and traditional family values.


In conclusion, Patrick Cooper’s anti-traditional family values can only be a detriment to the children of our city. This is not the kind of leadership, vision, and action we want and need in Birmingham. Please get out and vote January 19th for what’s best morally, for Birmingham now and for future generations. Vote William Bell to be the next mayor of our great city!


Brought to you, and paid for, by:


Frank Matthews

That retard is exactly what is so wrong with some black folks, they are just ignorant and prejudice as racist whites, but they want to whine racism when they are doing the same thing as those whites against those who threaten their grasp of power.  It is bizarre yet tell-taling about how psychologically unstable some individuals are and will go to no ends to try to spread baseless lies about somebody just to win and election.  Matthews so badly wants his $72,000 annual salary job as co-director of the Office of Community Assistance that is pathetic.  I've said it once and I'll say it again, black folks like Bell, Langford, and Matthews are the reason why the so-called "black community" is so fucked up and has so many problems.  They want to toss bigot at LGBT/SGLs, yet they fail to realize that there are black LGBT/SGLs as well. 

More negativity...

It must be all out war between Team Cooper and Team Bell because the mudslinging has gotten to a point of hilarity on my end.  Interim mayor Roderick Royal has called for both camps to tone it down, but why because Team Bell started and Team Cooper apparently wants to finish it.

Team Cooper, which apparently includes radio spot announcer and prospective Jefferson County Commission District 1 candidate, Chris Tally, has gotten out there.  He exposed Bell for his past allegations about a domestic spat between him and his wife, Sharon, back in 1979.  The report was profiled in the Birmingham News, Birmingham 911 records, and by UAB Hospital, but Bell and his wife denies it even occurred.  Meanwhile, Bell and his band of retards and degenerates have stirred up about Patrick Cooper's divorce from his wife which is sealed, but even tryied to tie him to his former firm, Maynard, Cooper & Gale with the Jefferson County bond swaps by former Jeffco Commissioner and Birmingham mayor Larry Langford.  Langford tried to do that portion of the dirty work saying that Cooper and his former firm contacted him for the work involving the bond swap.  Either way, Cooper still doesn't have the wrap sheet or plethora of negative history as long as William Bell, so Team Bell can jump off a bridge because nobody really cares about Cooper's past since he hasn't been involved in Birmingham politics since the 1970s as Bell.

It kind of reminds me of why I can't stand stupid simplistic black people because they are just as bad as ignorant whites, but they try their best to play dumb when you call them out and swear they don't racebait.  Idiots, is the best word to describe those who support Team Bell, and the idiocy and complacency is why Birmingham has been stuck on neutral since the late 1980s in a number of categories because we have been represented by ignorant black leadership or inept ones that doesn't do anything.  I would rather have a black leader like Patrick Cooper because at least he has the common sense to realize to make progress you have to leave the past in the past when it comes to some aspects of racial issues, but remember that those who are still being affected by such has to be helped while other things such as economic development, urban revitalization, and crime must be tackled as well.

Trey Songz outed as bisexual?

WELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL, it's not like I didn't say he wasn't already.  I knew something was "off" about Mr. Neverson and my suspicions weren't that far fetched as some others assumed. 

According the urban gossip rag of a site, Bossip, Tremaine Aldernon Neverson, aka Trey Songz had a relationship with underground R&B singer Brandon Hines (who I have some of his music and is really good actually).  Of course, the Queen B, Sandra Rose swooped down on this info like a buzzard on a dead carcass and delivered it like she always does, bitch style.  She has an axe to grind to against Mr. Neverson, so I knew the Queen B would laugh it up like somebody getting a government check.  Oh well, I still wouldn't touch him with a 36 1/2 pole because he admitted himself he's had crabs on Sirius XM radio last year, so have at trollops and whores because he is your man, just get tested afterwards....

Of course there is a follow-up where, Trey's latest jump-off some random chick that people suppose to know from one of  VH-1's reality shows (Like I even care) named Ophilia, who used the obnoxious site Twitter to over "cover" for Mr. Neverson. 

Meanwhile, Sandra Rose being a bitch had to expose that and then some, LOL.  Sandra, you need a life seriously because you are killing me with this crap!   I CAN'T, I JUST CAN'T BECAUSE THIS SHIT IS TOO FUNNY!

Is the Good Bishop still up to no good in DC?

Well, the Good Bishop, Harry Jackson of Prince Georges County, Maryland is STILL trying to repeal the DC same-sex unionship ordinance and the recognition of same-sex unions, civil unions, and domestic partnerships from elsewhere.  He tried earlier this week to get the District Circuit Court to overturn the decision of the District Council and District Board of Election and Ethics decision to permit the recognition and ordinance for same-sex unions without a referendum, but got DENIED.  Geez Good Bishop, why don't you let it go?  You don't even live nor can vote within the District of Columbia, but you are so overly concerned about their affairs when it comes to such trivialized these such as this when PG County's crime rate and other urban issues there are more precedent and tangible to you.  Oh well, he has nothing to do but whine, bitch, and moan about the spiraling of DC.

Pat Robertson needs to sit is decripped ass THEN there is Rush Limbaugh AKA Lard Ass

All I can say is WOW!  This old clown is needs to stop and just go the fuck home!  What's even worse is that my former favorite local and former NBC O&O station, WVTM, which is now owned by god-awful Media General, airs this crap known as the 700 Club locally at noon every weekday.  I want to just sucker punch this ignorant idiot, but the Haitian Ambassador to the US did it for me with words on the Rachael Maddow Show.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Lard ass, Rush Limbaugh said yesterday that people shouldn't give money to any of the charities or the federal government to aid the Haitian citizens after the catastrophic earthquake that occurred on Monday.

"I do believe that everything is political to this president," Limbaugh said on his radio show yesterday. "Everything this president sees is a political opportunity, including Haiti, and he will use it to burnish his credentials with minorities in this country and around the world, and to accuse Republicans of having no compassion."  

SMH  This piece of shit should have learned from his heart murmur over the holidays to be a little more mindful of what he says about anybody.  How is being compassionate towards your fellow man suppose to be "political"?  Honestly, Lard Ass needs just put up his sippy cup of STFU and drink from it...

LET'S ALSO TALK ABOUT THAT SPLABOO HEIFER ON THERE WITH PAT ROBERTSON....


That corn-fed heifer who was nodding her pretty little head alongside with Robertson's incoherent rantings about Haiti is none other than Kristi Watts.  She is a Chicago native and divorcee, and here is her testimony about how she got over her divorce. 



***sigh*** As much I can empathize with your personal hardships of life, you had an opportunity to stand up as a sane black woman and said 'NO' when Robertson was spouting that ignorance for the world to see and hear.  Instead you just nodded your head, and that ma'am shows to me you have no principles at all for people who are down and out, and you would rather swallow your dignity and pride for a paycheck.  You are a very pathetic person, Ms. Watts.  You needs to find yourself and who you really are because apparently even after this series of events you've yet to find yourself or your own voice.  SMH

Things that make me wonder if Birmingham is worth saving anymore...

First Monday, I get word that the Fraternal Order of Police and the Firefighters union have endorsed William Bell.  Now, this afternoon I get word that the Steelworkers Union endorses that idiot.  I'm so sick of the foolishness being peddled by these clowns in this town to the point, I'm seriously considering relocating to another city after I finish my graduate studies.  Atlanta, Orlando, Raleigh, etc. is looking very enticing at this point especially if Patrick Cooper doesn't win next Tuesday.  The sad part is Cooper is doing his best to contend against the overwhelming level of acrimony coming from the predominately black folks in Birmingham who have as much sense as a bunch of baboons in a cage.  Bell has proven his track record is joke and as effective as rusted out screwdriver, but of course the fools who want to claim "experience counts" will buy anything this idiot is selling.  It makes me want to scream and throw my hands up because you would think they would learn by now that voting for the same people proves to be ineffective and pointless.

Birmingham, on the verge of success or failure, part I

The first of the 3 televised or broadcast debates were last night on ABC 33/40 from the UAB Alys Stephens Center for the Performing Arts moderated by their news anchor Pam Huff, and the production was amateur at best thanks to Birmingham's piecemeal ABC affiliate.  They had only 3 cameras and the operation was cheap looking compared to what they did in Atlanta with their news stations.  Also ABC 33/40 focused too much on the face rather the person themselves.  Anyways.

William Bell and Patrick Cooper faced off and boy was it a show to say the least.  Cooper tried his best to focus on his platform for the city whereas Bell tried his best to make a many side swipes at Cooper as possible and when he wasn't doing that he was talking about how much "experience" he has a politician.  It didn't amount to much because the debate was so fruitless in my opinion because only a dumbass with prejudicial bias against somebody who isn't "considered one of them" would vote for Bell.  Bell's platform is a vague as it comes and here I am watching this shit and wondering how in the hell did Bell say "I-65 & 41st Street is Eastlake". HUH?  That is North Birmingham, you moron.  You don't even know the city, yet you want to run the place.  He is so full of hot air that it is embarrassing.

I'm not even wasting my time listening to the debate that god-awful WBHK "98.7 Kiss FM" will be broadcasting because I'm not going to give them the listening cume or the advertisement dollars because as I've said in the past, they are garbage.  I'll just give the details of the last debate which will be aired on WBRC, "FOX 6" during their 9PM newscast Thursday live.

Harry Reid and the unspoken things that some people think...

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know US Senator and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said something that a number of us black folks realize about Barack Obama and other educated black folks.  Also he touched upon the imagery of what some people think about lighter toned, educated, and/or well-spoken blacks.  It's ashame that we still live in a world where some whites and blacks think that if you are lighter means better, but if you are light-toned, educated, and well-spoken then you are "acceptable".  I'm dumbfounded yet not really surprised at all this.  Now, Al Sharpton and Congressional Black Caucus supporting him

In related news, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele needs to STFU.  He is claiming that if it was somebody white and Republican then the DNC would be calling for their head.  There are even claims that these remarks are as bad as the remarks former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott said about how good of a guy that Strom Thurmond was.  That is true, but you are the token negro of the RNC/GOP and they are plotting your demise at this very moment.  Let's not forget about "Y'all come.  I got the fried chicken and potato salad" comments in the interview with the young male asking about inclusion of non-whites into the GOP.  You are the same fool who wrote a book and touring for it, but had to start canceling appearances and interviews because they are back in the shed grinding and sharpening the axe for your ass.  Simpleton.

Democrats and Republicans are both parties with racist, racially bias, and racially aversive individuals with more hang ups than phone operator, but let's be real.  The Republicans have a way more racially aversive platform overall than the more inclusive platform of the Democrats.  As an Independent, I will vote for a candidate of either party as long as they have a proper and productive and progressive platform, but the Republican party is a joke these days regulated to the South and exurban areas.  

Ignorance all around the way...

So Harold Ford Jr. has been a proponent all along for something...

I don't see this as a "flip-flop" persay more than I see as just an adjustment of platform with the district he would represent in Congress.  Hey, I'm a lot more pragmatic and realistic when it comes to politics than most of my fellow black bloggers that cover LGBT/SGL issues like Rod 2.0, Pam Spaulding, etc.  He said that he has always supported civil unions, which means that he wasn't against LGBT/SGL rights rather the definition of calling it "marriage" (where I personally stand as well because "marriage" is a religious institution).  Instead Ford said that he was for civil unions, which can be called "same-sex unions" as well.  So in my book, he is just equipping himself for the Democratic primary against Kirsten Gillibrand, who wasn't as progressive as she is now when she was still a U.S. House Representative.  Somethings have to be taken with a grain of salt and that is talking points from politicos when it comes to issues because words aren't what counts rather actions.  If Ford said he has always supported civil unions then that is fine in my book when in reality it seems to some would give Gillibrand a pass just because she did the exact same thing, but in more subtle way.  When it comes down to that, that's when I call foul and bias because some in the blogosphere will give a white woman a pass but comes down hard on a black man because he is a black man.  If you are going to criticize then criticize them both, which I am doing, don't play favorites and then try to whine when in reality my stance sounded more rationale and realistic...

UPDATE: What is so interesting and prejudice is how Empire State Pride chairman Alan Van Capelle said to Ben Smith of Politico: 

I know Harold Ford Jr. just arrived to New York, but as a native and lifelong resident, I know what New York values are, and I know a snake oil salesman when I see one. You simply can’t claim to be pro-equality if you’ve twice voted to enshrine discrimination into the U.S. Constitution.

While it may be tempting for Mr. Ford to compare himself to people like Sen. Chuck Schumer, the fact remains that Sen. Schumer — who did evolve on his position on marriage equality — has been a longtime supporter of several pieces of legislation that are very important to LGBT people and never supported the awful Federal Marriage Amendment. Harold Ford Jr. is no Chuck Schumer, and he is no Kirsten Gillibrand.

WOW, WOW, WOW!  So Mr. Capelle, you just single out how Ford doesn't compare to Senator Schumer, but you conveniently ignored how former President Clinton was for the DOMA and signed it, but didn't repent and reform until recently.  Ford like other Southern black politicos may have ambiguous or flat out change stance on LGBT/SGL issues but if somebody like Schumer, Clinton are given a pass.  Interesting, indeed. 

I'm also shaking my head at how Pam Spaulding along with Rod McCullom are going into fall out assault mode on Ford, yet he said made his platform clear.  It's like I said some will give others a pass, but antagonize others that are usually black to the end of all time even if they change their stances.  Why can't you just take him for whom he is now because if Gillibrand might be just a "wolf in sheep's clothing" as anybody else.  SMDH

The Atlanta Falcon fullback's business gets put out there...

According to evidence presented as proof by blogger Miss Jia, Media Fake Out, I mean Media Take Out, and Gyrant Unplugged, Ovie Mughelli's personal life of being an closeted homosexual male gets exposed to the world via an alleged ex-boyfriend.  The long narrative details their romance dating back to 2001 where Mughelli was still a Junior in college and just the run-of-the-mill college football player, but there also details about their on-again-off-again situation over the period of 5 years.  This unknown ex with the initials F.S. has given Miss Jia the evidence of U.S. Postal Service overnight package of tickets and reservations of hotel rooms for him to stay in when Mughelli wanted him near him.  Now of course, the self-deprecating ones of the world got behind a computer than called the ex, "bitter bitch" etc.  Honestly, if Mughelli did do what he did to him, sometimes love does make one blind and foolish and can one really blame them fully?  I mean things involving the matters of the heart is a tricky and intricate where sometimes things may occur that in normal situation where people would avoid, but doesn't because of the fear of losing somebody they care about deeply.  Anyways, this is another case of WOW, WOW, WOW, in my book.

Former TN Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. is trying to run for US Senate from NY?

Now, this is a case of trying to get a spot so bad that one will do things that are just pointless in my book.  In this case with former Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. moving from his Memphis-based seat to a failed, yet close run for U.S. Senate in Tennessee where he got so many racial innuendos thrown his way via the Tennessee GOP to potentially running for U.S. Senate again but for New York.  This is just crazy in my opinion because he thinks he do a "Hillary Clinton" and just shift from a Southern state to New York state then get elected then he is sadly mistaken.  One thing is Clinton had recognition across the board since she was the former First Lady, and another thing Clinton is way more progressive than Ford on key issues such as same-sex union, women's rights, and the works.  He took a job at Merrill Lynch just about 4 years ago and now he want to take a helm of acclaim after such a short time in NYC.  Clinton got the side-eye from me, but Ford is getting the bigger side-eye because he already ran in his home state, but wants to try again in a state where he is practically a nobody.

What's even more interesting is Senate. Charles Schumer and Majority Leader Harry Reid called NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg to ask him not to back Ford in the primary challenge against NY Governor David Patterson's appointed Kirsten Gillibrand for the US Senate seat.  Gillibrand is more progressive as a Senator than she was a Congressman where she was for anti-gun control and immigration.  Bloomberg is being vindictive because Patterson appointed Gillibrand over his close personal friend Caroline Kennedy for the US Senate seat, so his support of Ford although he is the opposite of most things New Yorkers like in a senator.

Oh, what a web we weave!

Oh brother!

Now since the University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa won the Bowl Series Championship, I will continue to hear idiots go on and on and on about how good Alabama is.  BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!  If you didn't attend the UAT then shut the fuck up about "we won" crap.  Geez!  College football isn't as applicable as NFL because the franchises in the NFL represents a city, state, or region, whereas college football team just represents their school in particular and its alumni.  SMH, at negroes who spend their time getting all rared up over this mess unless your relative plays, KEEP IT MOVIN', you look like a wannabe that wants to fit in with the crazy whites around here who obsess over this mess.

I'm still shaking my head also at the idiots in the Greater Birmingham area who threatened ABC 33/40 chief meteorologist James Spann because of the potential of snowfall or icy conditions and its potential to interfere with the coverage of that stupid game last night.  I'm not really a fan of Spann since he spends so much of his time trying prove that climate change and global warming is false, but don't some people have some dignity and not believe everything they hear from some radio bozo like that twat Paul Finebaum.  I mean Finebaum has been fired from so many jobs because of his mouth than anybody else in the Birmingham media market, yet some simple as hell (white) people want to buy his every word as though it is gospel.  Hence another reason why I don't care for college football or hearsay.

Mudslinging Galore! Racial inneudoes and Homophobia

First Monday, Gene Adelman, the so-called "Bean Counter" on Birmingham decided to buy some ad space in the Birmingham Times and titled it "White people deserve a second chance. Vote Patrick Cooper".   Suprisely, the Birmingham chapter of the SCLC and some area ministers and pastors have called for the Bell and Cooper campaigns to denounce these racial inneudoes and tactics.  This is the kicker, publisher of the Times, James Lewis, said in the past that they have turned down ads that are "clearly vindictive, and false", but this ad was "borderline" and Adelman is well-known in the community.   However, they decided to run this because...  Sounds like to me somebody is playing sides in this and the Times doesn't like Cooper because he isn't embedded in the same cesspool of fools that have kept Birmingham stuck on neutral since the late 1980's.  Nobody is giving him a pass because Cooper has his shortfalls, but the Times' publisher isn't as objective as he claims.

Then another act came from somewhere, fliers titled "Cooper, Wrong Values, Wrong Choice" and "Cooper Won't Commit to Keeping Chief Roper", and they claim to be "Paid for by Faith in Birmingham".  The fliers peddles homophobia because Patrick Cooper supported the candidacy for Howard Bayless, Alabama's first openly gay male elected to public office, for his failed run for Birmingham City Council District 3 seat against incumbent Valerie Abbott.  The latter flier is alleging that Cooper will not keep Birmingham Police Department Chief A.C. Roper if he wins the mayoral race.  IMO, how cares in either case because anybody with half a brain will keep Roper since overall crime has been going down in the city and on Bayless there are some tacky asses that just have issues with LGBT/SGLs yet they want to scream "woo is me" all the time about this place.  Hell, LGBT/SGLs are the reason why Birmingham is gain new residents because they are the ones buying homes in the city and fixing them up.

Cruella Deville will not run for a fifith term on the Jeffco Commission

Congrats Cruella, I mean, Bettye Fine Collins for having the common sense to realize that you have a better chance of going to hell than being reelected to the Jefferson County Commission.  It's not a surprise considering under her tenure as Commission President, i.e. pretty much the head fool who runs the county government, that there have been more meltdowns at Jefferson County than the 3-Mile Island in Pennsyvlania.  Now if we could tell Shelia Smoot to realize that about running for Alabama's 7th Congressional district race and William Bell about running for Birmingham mayor then we will be on to something.  IT'S OVER, FOLKS!  TIME FOR YOU ALL TO GO HOME AND GET REGULAR JOBS THAT DOESN'T INVOLVE MAJOR DECISIONMAKING THAT AFFECTS ANYBODY BUT YOURSELF AND YOUR HOUSEHOLD!

A Case of WTF and SMH: The murder of well-renowned black gay lecturer and writer Don Belton

I've been laying low for the last few days with enjoying the holiday and getting out and about, but I did notice the LGBT blogosphere's coverage of Indiana University lecturer and writer Don Belton's murder at the hands of an ex-marine and clearly closeted white male, Michael J. Griffin, Jr. in Monroe County, Indiana.  It's a bizarre case where Griffin swears he was sexually assaulted twice by Belton and came to his residence to demand an apology, but ended up stabbing him multiple times with a butcher knife and killing him.  HUH? 

OK, most rational people would have reported this assault to the proper authorities and then not go back to the private residence of the alleged offender.  That's as about as logical as a rape victim going to the home of their rapist asking for an apology, IT JUST DOESN'T ADD UP.  That's why I've come to the conclusion of this, Belton and Griffin had a sexual encounter twice where Griffin may have been intoxinated, but it was consensual.  However, Griffin realized that he has a girlfriend (who actually ratted him out to the authorities about the murder) and an image to uphold in the community as the quintessential veteran of war and hero in his predominately conservative and white community, but his encounters with Belton would have placed this into serious jeopardy so eliminate that threat ~ aka "gay panic" defense. 

Another perspective on this is the racial dynamic.  I realize that this case took place in Indiana, one of the most racially contentious states in the Union, so the jury is going to be majority white and likely socially conservative.  This doesn't bode well although overwhelmingly the evidence of this case shows that Belton was the victim whereas Griffin as the deranged, sexually frustrated offender.  Another thing is the fact that Belton was a highly-regarded black intellectual, but he chose to deal with an empty headed and in all practically thoughts a homely looking white guy with self-worth issues.  I'm wondering why didn't Mr. Belton try to interact with guys with higher standards and more mentally-balanced?  There are way more males of all ethnicities that were out (like he was) and had more going for themselves, but he basically put his life in risk for that!  I mean WOW, it distrubs me how so many black males with so much going for them that would just put themselves in such bad situations for wack ass "trade" or whatever you want to dub them instead of just getting out and dealing with people who are more comfortable with themselves.  The interracial dynamic is negligible IMHO, but if you are going to go interracial HAVE SOME STANDARDS. 

I'm not giving a pass to so of my fellow posters on Rod 2.0 and Pam's House Blend who have basically admonished and chastised their fellow posters for having a divergent opinion than themselves about this situation (or any story).  It's called an opinion, and everybody has one so get over it!  My opinion is that Mr. Belton could have reached higher in standards because a number of things could have been prevented if he had just done that.  Honestly, this case is practically no different than the situation where somebody has met somebody from an online hook-up site like Adam4Adam, Craigslist, Men4Now and it went horrible wrong.  It's sad, but it true and I will point that out.

This is just disturbing how this went down, but I'm not going to sit on the sidelines and not say what's on my mind about his.  You gotta have standards about any guy, black men, but if you are going to deal with a person of another ethnic background, you should sustain those standards and not lower them just because "oooo, it's... and he has a tight body".  SMDH