Doing My Part For The Left

History Being Made and People Helping People

refinish69 — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:12:11 GMT

This past week has seen some increcible things happen. Barrack Obama announced he will not accept public funding for his campaign but will rely on the millions of donors in America who want to make change really happen. Gay couples in California started getting legally married as of the 17th of June and brought tears to my eyes as they said their vows. This is a great thing for California and America!!! I am not one to ask for help and it never comes easy for me but the time for being coy is over. I am in desperate financial straights and need the kindness of strangers to help get me past this. I have been unemployed since March with no unemployment benefits. I have scraped by and survived by now the mess has hit the fan. I am behind in my rent and unless I can pay them $875 by Monday I will most likely be evicted. I have a court case for eviction on Monday afternoon. You can help by making a donation through the paypal link on the right. PS: If you have a job you can offer me, that would be great also. I am willing to do anything legal. LOL

Herding Cats at the Texas Democratic Convention

refinish69 — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:59:06 GMT

This past week was the Texas Democratic State Convention and I was there as an Obama Delegate. It was so thrilling and exhausting to be with over 15,000 Democrats for 3 days. The weekend started off Thursday night with all the parties. I was at the Bloggers Caucus and had a blast!!! It is one of the best attended parties at every Texas Convention. We had lots of bloggers, candidates, elected officials and excited Democrats. Who wouldn't have a great time drinking and talking politics with some the best of the Texas Blogosphere. The event was host by the Texas Progressive Alliance and I am happy to report I am a member. Here are just a few of the great elected officials or candidates who stopped by;(be sure and visit their websites to help out with their campaigns) Diana Maldonado TX-HD52 Robert Miklos TX-HD 101 Larry Joe Doherty TX-US 10 and his wife Joanne Glen Melancon TX-US Con 4 The list goes on and on. Help Send me to Netroots Nation!!! Netroots Nation is coming to Austin next month and the only way I will be able to attend is if I win one of the scholarships being offered by Democracy for America. I am asking all my readers and blogging friends to help me make a dream come true. They have announced at Democracy for America that one scholarship will be awarded solely on the number of grass roots supporters. I have 40 supporters as of airtime but I know my listeners would love to hear me podcast live from Netroots Nation. I got started blogging after attending Demfest 2005 in Austin and meeting some of the top bloggers from around the world. They inspired me to add blogging and podcasting to my political and civil rights activities. The blogging community has made a huge difference in American politics and I believe I have helped inform people about issues near and dear to my heart. Attending Netroots Nation will give me a chance to meet some of the great bloggers who inspire me with their activism and writing while also challenging me to do more and more to continue the battle to make this a better world for all people. Please visit my Netroots scholarship application and show me some of that famous grassroots support.

California Gay Marriage & Hillary Loses Her Mind

refinish69 — Sat, 24 May 2008 20:50:34 GMT

California Supreme Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban This is a historic day in GLBT History. Today the California Supreme Court ruled that the laws and statues banning gay marriage in California was unconstitutional. This has been a long awaited day and decision. The courts concurring and dissenting opinions are available here. Tomorrow This week the California Supreme Court ruled that the laws banning Gay Marriage in California were unconstitutional per the California State Constitution. This was a historic day in the history the GLBT struggle for Equal Rights and in the struggle for Equal Rights for All People. The Republicans are already trying to use this to rally their ultra conservative base to help elect John McCain and reelect some of the worst Republican Senators and Congressmen. This was to be expected. What was not expected was the cry from many progressives on so many blogs. To help fight the Marriage Ban in California donate at Equality for All
Marriage Equality Hillary Clinton invokes the assignation of Robert Kennedy as her reason to stay in the race. What type of sick mind wants to contemplate the assignation of the Party nominee as her way on to the ballot. Keith Olbermann has a Special Comment for Hillary

Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.

refinish69 — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:36:41 GMT

April 4th was the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. I still remember hearing the news and being shocked that this great man had been killed. Growing up in a small town in North Carolina, I had heard him called many things besides great but disagreed with those who wanted to teach racism and continue the history of injustice in America. I was just a small scared white boy but I knew things were not right. I remember going to school the next day. Schools had not been desegregated yet but there were a few black children who attended Bridges Elementary School. Jetta Knight was in my class and a sometimes friend. Her eyes were red and you could tell she had been crying. I tried talking with her but the words sounded so fake and unreal even to my young ears. I could not understand the loss the black community was feeling but I could feel the deep sadness. Our housekeeper, Annie, had the same sense of sadness and resignation about her that morning when she arrived at the house. Annie was my second mom and I ran to her and cried in her arms as she patted me on the back and said “ Hush, child. Things will be okay. We will survive this.” I really didn’t understand what she meant but as the years have gone by I realize she meant that Black Americans would survive the killing of their great Leader as they had survived many hardships before and would survive the ones ahead.

Read the rest at: I Have A Dream- Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.

This election year is one of the most exciting ones I have ever seen in my 41 years of being involved in politics and civil rights. There is all the buzz about the presidential campaigns, Texas being in play for the first time in decades and exciting races such as Rick Noriega for Senate and all the Texas Legislative races. Well, there are another set of elections that will take place in June at the Texas Democratic Party Convention and I have decided to throw my hat into the ring. Every two years the delegates at the State convention elect the Senate District Committeeman and Committeewoman to represent our Senate Districts on the Executive Committee of the State Party. Rich Bailey, who is the current Committeeman for Travis Senate District 14 is stepping down after 2 terms as is the tradition in Travis County. I am announcing my candidacy for this seat. I believe it is time for the SDEC to have a grassroots activist and blogger as a member who is willing to try and move the party in a new direction. The extreme numbers of new voters and activist across the state need a voice and I believe I can be that voice.

Read the rest of the story TX-Elections 2008- Yet Another One
Hope
Obamacan
Obamacrat
Barack

Politics At Its Worst & Best

refinish69 — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 04:03:37 GMT

Anyone who has been a regular listener knows I was a John Edwards supporter. After John Dropped out of the race, I did a lot of research and soul searching to decide who I would support in the 2008 election. Barack Obama has my full support and endorsement. I believe his message of Hope is something that America and the World are ready for. It is a message we must all get behind and work to achieve it fulfillment. It means lots of hard work ahead for not only our elected officials but for all Americans. I hope you will join me in supporting Barack Obama for President in 2008. In the show I share a letter I wrote to Hillary and a story a fellow Obama supporter sent out to show how Obama's speech on race & politics has affected people. Letter to Hillary Dear Sen., You say you want to be President to be a leader for the American People. Your campaign and rhetoric is showing anything but true leadership. Your negativity and whining to win at any cost are ripping the Democratic Party apart and you seem not to care at all. This is not about another line to add to your resume but about the future of America. In the last month, you have suddenly become the champion of the Florida and Michigan voters when you earlier agreed to abide by party rules when both delegations where denied. You only changed your mind when you realized you were behind in the popular vote and delegate count. Your campaign (which speaks for you) is now threatening to sue the Texas Democratic Party because you lost the caucus part of the Democratic Primary. Sounds like sour grapes or just plain whining to me. Texas is proud to have had the largest voter turn out in decades and more people active in the precinct conventions than ever before. You now want to negate all the hard work and effort people made to attend and do their best to be part of the democratic process because you didn’t win. Is this a sign of leadership or just a spoiled brat acting out? Your callous statement that McCain is a more experienced leader in international affairs and would better handling a crisis than Barack Obama showed that you no longer care about America or the American People but just your fight to stay alive in a political campaign you are losing. The negativity of your “3 AM” ad was a tactic taken straight from Karl Rove’s play book on how to defeat Democrats and should have been beneath you but wasn’t. Your hesitation and vague answer when asked did you believe Barack Obama was a Muslim just added fire to a rumor the Republicans have been spreading for months. Instead of asking for Geraldine Ferraro to step down and apologize for her racist comments about Obama’s candidacy, you let it keep playing out in the media. If someone had stated that you were only in your position because you were female, you would have been the first one screaming at the top of your lungs. At one time, I respected the work you had done and was proud of your candidacy and what you were bringing to the picture in American politics and history. I can only say now that I am ashamed of you and your pettiness. The Democratic Party and the Nation would be better served if you dropped out of the race and saved us all from your fight to stay alive in a race you have lost. You seem to have forgotten the big picture. This is about America- not Hillary. Respectfully yours, refinish69 Worried Democrat A Trip to the Gas Station: No it is not a Curious George Story "Yesterday, as Barack was giving his speech I took a break at work so I could watch. I knew then that it was historic... I knew then that he was so much more than a politician... I knew then he was a visionary. My day went on as usual, finishing work... I came home, changed clothes and went to workout. I wore, as I often do one of my five Obama t-shirts. So I finish working out and it was a tough workout. I was exhausted, sweaty, nasty and just wanted to go home, shower and relax. But I had to get gas and I am so glad I did. I pull in and it was windy as could be and start pumping my gas. Then this huge blue truck with a guy in his forties, beard, rough looking actually gets out. I notice he's staring at me and I'm thinking "ok this is it, I'm gonna get my ass beat right here for being a white, gay, Obama supporter from Kentucky." With a deep southern drawl, he say's: "I like him." "Who? I think" "The man's got it... He's smart... He's real... (insert cursing, anti-Hillary remarks here) and he's got my vote." "That great" I say, not only cause he's supporting Barack but because it looks like my life has just been spared!!! Then I asked him if he saw the speech. "Yup, that's why I'm voting for him... if he can change my mind and let me see the error of my ways... he can sure as hell change this country." "Wow" I'm thinking. Then I remember I had an extra Obama, "yes we can" bracelet in my pocket. I reach in, pull it out and toss it to him, telling him what it is and pointing to the one on my wrist. You would have thought I had just given him a million bucks. Then he does something I will never forget as long as I live. He goes to the back of his truck and slowly peels off a confederate flag bumper sticker, "the south will rise again" right next to a "sportsmen for Bush" bumper sticker and tosses it in the garbage. The ironic thing about all of this is that both the worst experience in my life and one of the best experiences of my life happened at a gas station. As you may recall in 2006 I was stabbed in a restroom at a gas station because I was gay... Barack Obama is our next great President, just ask the gun waving, redneck, that turned out to be one of the kindest people I've ever met, kinda guy who he's voting for. Pass this along as you wish and thanks for reading!!! We can change the world ~ted" Having been the victim of hate crimes not once but 3 or more times before we had a term for them, I understand this young man's story and the hope that Obama's speech gives to many as we see how everyday Americans respond to it. People can call it rhetoric and hype and get tired of hearing Obama and his supporters talk about hope but after the results of the past 12 or more years of divisive politics and politically and religiously endorsed bigotry, maybe hope is what this country needs.
TEAM OBAMA .

Happy New Years 2008!!!

refinish69 — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 14:59:30 GMT

Happy New Years From Doing My Part For The Left!!! While everyone is thinking about New Years resolutions, I am thinking about the changes we need in 2008. Yes, I will be making some personal changes but I will also be helping to make changes in Texas and the United States. I will be doing this by being even more active in getting Great Candidates elected. We need new leadership that actually care about People in office and the way to do that is VOTE!!! Here in Texas we have several interesting races heating up even during the primary season. One of those races if the race for US Senate from Texas. We have Rick Noriega who is the grass roots candidate. Rick was drafted by the people and decided to run. The bloggers and progressives in the state have been doing everything possible to make this a successful campaign and pave the way to getting rid of John Cornyn in Washington. You can join Team Noriega and make a donation to help elect this great man to the US Senate.
Noriega Express Some other candidates have filed in Texas but are sadly lacking in what it takes to be a Senator much less a leader. We have Gene Kelly- not the dead dance, but the perennial candidate who pays his filing fee just to see his name on a ballot and screw the Texas Democratic Party. I don't know who pissed him off in the past but it is time for this old buzzard to quit screwing Texas. His antics cost the Barbara Radnofsky campaign an additional 8,000 dollars in the last election cycle when he caused a run off. This does not include the money the Democratic Party had to pay out to run an additional election. We also have Ray McMurrey who tries to claim that he is a grass roots candidate. Nothing could be further from the truth. He planned to run as an independent and then changed his mind. He welcomed the dead dancer to the primary. Seems like if you are going to be a Democratic candidate for US Senate you would do a little home work about the history of the last few races. McMurrey is a teacher who needs to do his homework. Maybe Kelly and McMurrey can open a dance studio since it seems they have no clue about politics and what Texas needs. You might have heard about the Craddick Dems who support Tom Craddick and his dictatorial rule of the Texas Legislature. Well, Miss Dawwna Dukes has drawn a primary opponent who is anything but a Craddick Dem. is a true Progressive who cares about the people in his East Austin district, Texas and will be a welcome addition to the Texas Legislature!!! Make a donation to help this impressive young man become the second openly gay member ever of the Texas Legislature!!! Listen to the rest of the show to hear about some of the other great candidates and remember to show them some love!!!! John Edwards (President) $ Rick Noriega (TX-Sen) $ Dan Grant (TX-10) $ Lloyd Doggett (TX-25) $ Senfronia Thompson (TX-HD-141) $ Valinda Bolton (TX-HD-47) $ Mark Strama (TX-HD-50) $ Donna Howard (TX-HD-48) $ TexBlog PAC $ Brian T. Thompson (TX-HD-46) $ Sherrie Matula (TX-HD-129) $ Virginia McDavid (TX-HD-138) $ Jim Neal (NC-Sen) $

WORLD AIDS DAY December 1st 2007

refinish69 — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 14:13:44 GMT

(This is a repeat of the show I did last year for World AIDS Day. I have nothing to add but more tears.) December 1st is the day to honor the memory of all the people we have lost to AIDS and say a prayer in our hearts for those living HIV & AIDS. The world has lost so many men, women, and children to this horrific disease. This is the 19th World AIDS Day. I remember attending a meeting to organize a remembrance 19 years ago in an apartment in Raleigh, North Carolina. If anyone had told me I would still be attending or helping with World AIDS Day events 19 years later, I would have called them a liar but here I am. I refuse to rant or rave about the stupidity that has caused this disease to continue and worsen for so many years. Today is not the day for that. However, I will share some stories from my life.

I have lost over 1,000 people I call friend to this disease. I will not list all the names but they are burned into my heart and soul. I will tell you about a few special people who touched my life, my heart and my soul.

The first person I lost to AIDS was David Pendergras. He was one of the most beautiful men I have ever met. I had a huge crush on David that finally became one of the best friendships I ever had. David was the brother my brother could never be to me. We would spend hours talking about everything from our latest boyfriends, clothes, music, movies, books, plays, and even family. It was nothing for us to sit up all night talking, laughing and watching old movies. I still miss his smile and wacked out sense of humor. One time when we were out shopping with my Mom, David screams from across the store "Would you come on Miss Thing. We are ready to go." I was mortified. We were in Raleigh, North Carolina and I had only come out to my mom the previous year. To my surprise, my mom laughed and hugged David. I think he actually helped her understand me and what it meant to be a gay male. Neither David nor I were nelly in anyway but did love to cut up once in awhile. I still talk to David and tell him my dreams, fears, and aspirations and he is still listening and cracking jokes. David, I love you and I miss you.

In July of 1999, I lost two incredible people in 10 days time. Keith Mcelhenny had been a friend for 8 years. I had met him and his lover Carl when I was dating a mutual friend and bartending part time at a country western bar in San Francisco. Keith was one of the gentlest souls I have ever known. He was an artist, a writer, a furniture builder and designer. Keith and I would get lost in the bookstores while our respective lovers would fuss and complain. I loved attending plays, movies and concerts with Keith & Carl and talking about them afterwards. For many years, any holiday was spent either at their home or with them at my home. Dinner parties were a common occurrence and I always knew the food would be wonderful and would help with my own contributions. The last two times I ever attended church were for Keith. He was inducted as a deacon to the MCC church he and Carl belonged to and he asked me to attend. Unknown to me, I was asked to participate in the lying on of hands part of the ceremony. I tried to refuse as I am not a practicing church member of any kind and he and the minister said I had a Christian heart and the service would not be complete without me. The next time I attended was for his memorial service. I had promised Keith in the hospital that I would cater his memorial to make sure it was nice and not just thrown together. Keith's memorial was delayed for several days since his Minister and the majority of the congregation of the church was at an MCC World Conference. I was honored to do this for him and still miss him terribly. He will always hold a special place in my heart and mind.

The other person I lost that awful July was my Lover Don. What can I say about Don? He was light of my world. Here was the one man that was special enough for me to date, live with and love more than 6 months. He was someone I wanted to grow old with and laugh about our past blunders, but that was not to be. When I met Don, he had been HIV positive for 15 years. That did not mean a thing to me. I was in love from the first night we spoke. I am not saying everything was perfect. No relationship is. We were total opposites in almost everything. He loved bloody action movies and gambling. I am a comedy or chick flick guy. In his entire life, he had never seen a play, a classical concert or even a jazz concert. He laughingly said that the only things we had in common were that we were both gay, loved dogs, and loved each other. He had this sleepy little smile that could melt my heart and make me forget any little dispute. He would plan special occasions for me that would simply blow my mind. He was probably one of the most romantic men I have ever met. It was nothing for him to plan a special night on the town or an incredible dinner at home with flowers and candles all over the house. He made me feel special and unique. Don died on the Thursday before Keith's memorial. He died at our home with our two dogs, his cat and me. One week after Keith's memorial, I threw a party for Don. I cooked all of his favorite treats and invited his friends and mine. There was a poker table set up in one room, music and conversation in the living room. I decorated the house with every type of flower I knew he loved.

Don will always be a part of me. He touched my heart & soul as no other human being ever has. I think of him always and still talk to him and listen for his answers. He occupies my dreams when I am troubled and has even helped me find solutions. I wish anyone in love 10 years for every 6 months that Don and I had together. It was the best 5.5 years of my life.

Take some time today to remember the loved ones you have lost and to say a kind word to those you know who are living with HIV and AIDS. Wear a Red Ribbon and explain the significance to all that ask.

National Coming OUT Day

refinish69 — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 11:39:30 GMT

Coming Out is never an easy thing to do but is vital. Speaking out is even more important to everyone. Speak out for Equal Rights for Everyone and fight to get elected officials who recognize all Americans and their rights elected. I was lucky enough to attend the Seven Straight Nights For Equality Vigil hosted by Atticus Circle and Soulforce in Austin Texas. Anne Wynne, the founder of Atticus Circle spoke about the need for Equality for all families. Anne is a straight mother of 3 who understands that all families are important. She has opened her heart and mind and supports Equality for All. Check back for an interview with Anne in the upcoming weeks.
Rainbow Bear
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