Perspective.

I love this message.

One Liberal's View of Guns

I'm a liberal. I support liberal candidates and ideals. I think this nation (and this world) are far better off because of the influence of liberals.

That does not mean, however, that I blindly support all liberal causes. Because I don't. Specifically, I do not support the excessive restrictions on private gun ownership. Yes, I agree that there is a need for appropriate checks and balances. For example, I don't think a felon convicted of weapons-related charges should ever be able to own a gun again. And I believe that people considered mentally unstable should not be able to own firearms, either.

But those people are exceptions. When it comes to Mister and Missus America, I believe that we all have the right to own weapons. And we should have the right to carry those weapons on our persons in a safe manner.

The big arguments right now are about people bringing weapons into national parks and onto college campuses. Arguments are being made that allowing these weapons will put everyone present in danger. Respectfully, I say bullshit. The only people who obey these gun bans are law-abiding citizens, the very people who should be allowed to carry a weapon. The people that disregard the laws banning weapons are the same criminals already carrying illegal weapons.

If I'm camping in a remote area of Yosemite, and someone who means to do me harm approaches my campsite with a gun, it isn't going to be enough for me to say "stop, you aren't allowed to have that gun in here." And there isn't going to be a ranger or other law enforcement agent close enough to help me. It's going to be me against the bad guy. And quite candidly, I would prefer to be armed in that situation. Likewise for a campus scenario. A crazy person determined to kill fellow students will not care one bit about the law that forbids concealed carry on campus. They will bring their gun, anyway, and they will use it to murder as many people as they can. Personally, if I am on campus and a bad guy begins shooting, I would rather have my own handgun to take him out.

Look, it's not some street vigilante scenario run amok. It's just that no matter what the law says about weapons, the bad guys are going to continue to buy, sell and trade them. They are also going to continue to use them in the commission of crimes against the rest of us. As a law-abiding citizen, I feel I should be able to have a chance to defend myself against such attacks. And, let us not forget, the Second Amendment specifically gives me that right.

Yes, I'm a liberal. But I'm also a gun owner. And I should not have my right to own and carry a weapon infringed upon because others cannot distinguish between criminal and legal weapon related activity.

Cruisin' with Eric and The Adams

I've long been a fan of Eric Himan, both as a solo artist and now as a member of the trio, Eric and The Adams. And next January, I'll be sailing along the Mexican Riviera on a cruise with the band and a hundred or more of my closest friends. Check out the event page on Facebook for more information.

And if you need a little encouragement, I give you a few clips to enjoy.

Eric Himan - Little Boy Blue


Eric Himan - There's Gotta Be Something


Eric and The Adams - Every Move


Eric and The Adams - Have Me (live)


and finally, a crazy mash-up of Use Somebody and Poker Face. What's not to love?

How Cool Is This?

I know it's a bit graphic, and seeing it in person might temporarily shock someone, but really, how cool is this?

[caption id="attachment_1333" width="500" caption="Have a serious scar that you can\'t hide? Get the right tattoo and make the best of it."][/caption]

(Borrowed from Ugliest Tattoos, an entire website devoted to permanent mistakes.)

PostSecret and Me

My Sunday mornings always start with a visit to the PostSecret site. And from time to time, I read a submission that could have come from me. This is one of those times.

[caption id="attachment_1327" width="531" caption="The one thing that saved my life is keeping me from the one thing I want to do with it."][/caption]

I honestly believe that the Marine Corps saved my life. Before I joined, I was just going through the motions, checking days off of a mental calendar. A part of me knew that I was not long for this world and that, inevitably, I would take myself out of it. Then along came SSgt Rick Blevins and a chance to join the Corps. And finally, I found an opportunity to shine. And I did. But it was also the Marine Corps that prevented me from doing the one thing that I really wanted to do with my life, which was to find the man that I was meant to be with. I desperately wanted to find a partner and live my life as it was meant to be lived, with love and passion. But the Marine Corps was not the place for a gay man to love another man openly and honestly.

As we all know, ultimately, I did find what I was looking for. But it came nearly a decade after leaving the Corps. I wouldn't change my past, because I love who I am and the life I have. But my buttons are still pushed when I see a Post Secret like this one.

The "Happy" File

A discussion on Facebook today has inspired this blog post. (And in true circle-of-life fashion, when it posts, a copy will be automatically sent back to Facebook and further discussion will likely take place.)

My long-time friend, in response to an ongoing thread, posted this:

I concur about John--I've always thought he was much more thoughtful than almost anyone our age--even when we were all way younger. Not afraid to stand for himself and others when most other people would not have done so. Not afraid to care about others. Way more caring than most people our age. John is a person people remember no matter how much time has passed. He will definitely leave this world a better place than he found it. And we're all better for having known him.

What an amazing thing to read about myself. It isn't often that we get such direct and heartfelt praise from others. And even when we do, we either dismiss it or (too quickly) forget all about it. I suppose it is our nature to hang on to insults and criticism, their caustic words clinging to us like barnacles on a ship. But the good stuff? It's too soon gone. But it doesn't have to be that way. Because of that thread, I posted this:

John Hulsey is inspired by my friends Cj McKercher Fillmore and Jeremy Ward, so I'm passing this idea along. Whatever the format, create a "when I feel down" file and fill it with the compliments and kind words of others. In dark moments, it will remind you of your own worth and value.

Obviously, CJ's words are going in my file. And there are many others, like this message sent to me last month by another friend.

Today I am thankful for you. I think you are wonderful. And I am lucky to have you as a friend. Not just in the FB world or even just online. I really value you, John, and I hope we will have the chance to actually meet - and hug like crazy - in real life one day. I know this is a random message, but it is from the heart. Just saw you online tonight and wanted to send you some love. You deserve it!

I've edited out only the identifying information, since it was a message sent privately. But it was such an unexpected kindness that it made me feel good for days. And yet, a month later, I had almost forgotten about it. Now, as a second entry in my "When I'm Down" file, I won't ever forget it again. And when I'm feeling like the world is kicking me in the teeth, and my all-too-human nature is seeing only the bad, I'll have my ready-made mood enhancer set to go.

And one last thing. As I'm writing this, I wonder if it will come across as boastful or even arrogant. I mean, I am posting the words of two people praising me. But then I realize, so what if it sounds like I'm bragging? I am. And I have every reason to. Two friends believe that I am worthy of their compliments and kind words, and who am I to disagree with them?

It is no coincidence that good people are surrounded by good people. It's how we all survive a world that is, too often, not good at all.

(Edited to add: And thanks to a bit of feedback from my friend Charish, I'm amending the name of this entry and the file. Instead of a "when I'm down" file, it will be my "happy" file. A slight change, perhaps, but words have meaning and power. So why start by presuming a negative?)

My Saturday Afternoon

Wind and rain outside, Ric and Bioshock 2, and Ruth and Idgie napping close by.

[gallery]

Newflash, Speaker Pelosi: Responsibility Matters

Interesting reading...

Speaker Nancy Pelosi – Rep. Charlie Rangel’s most prominent defender – backed the troubled Democrat again on Friday morning, the day after news broke that the House ethics committee was planning to admonish Rangel.

“I think that every member is entitled to have his day before the ethics committee," she said. "They have said he did not knowingly violate the rules. And, again, if this were the end of it, that would be one thing. But there’s obviously more to come and we’ll see what happens with that. But every member has that right.”

Pelosi said, "All I saw was the press release where it said he didn't violate the rules of the House." She noted that the report said Rangel didn't know he was violating rules that applied to a lobbyist-funded trip to the Caribbean.

Pelosi also pointed out that the ethics committee found that Rangel's staffers knew corporate money was paying for trips — even though Rangel didn't.

“I think it’s quite a statement to hold members accountable for what their staffs knew,” she said. “I’ll be interested to see how that reverberates.”

Pelosi didn't say one way or another whether Rangel should stay on as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.

"Obviously they have other issues to deal with," she said. "We'll just see what happens next and what comes out of the ethics committee."

There are details on the Rangel story here at Politifact, and none of it looks good. And if Rangel had an ounce of shame or decency, he would resign and slither away. But my focus here is on Pelosi's stupidity. She sounds incredulous that a member of Congress can be held accountable for something that his staff members know. She acts as if Rangel has no responsibility here at all.

Bullshit. Rangel took vacations and now pretends he didn't know that corporations paid for them. First, his staff members sent him two emails and one letter telling him that taking the vacations would be a violation of House ethics. So they did what they needed to do and he failed to respond. Second, even if they didn't advise him of such, Rangel had a responsibility of his own to learn where the money was coming from. Did he do anything at all to identify the source of the funding? No, he didn't. So it's his own fault that his actions violated House rules.

Finally, and my big issue, is that Pelosi seems shocked that Rangel can be held accountable. Well, no kidding. Welcome to the real world, where CEO's and company officers are held directly responsible for the actions of their staff members. If my bookkeeper knows that we have not made a required tax payment but fails to share that information with me as the Corporate Controller, our company is still liable for fees and penalties for non-payment. And if my salesman misrepresents our services, my company can be held liable for damages.

Yes, Madame Speaker, it's called accountability and responsibility. If you are in charge of a team, you are the one called on the carpet when any team member fails to perform as required. It's what being a leader means. And Pelosi's inability to understand that explains much about her own failures.

Gifts from Mom

Thanks, Mom, for the cool rock pieces. Mine will be on my office desk tomorrow, and Ric's is already on the mantle. We love 'em.

Mine reads, "Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life."

Ric's reads, "Happy people don't necessarily have everything. They just make the most of everything they have."

[gallery]

The Greatest Photos That Never Were

I stumbled across an artist named Alison Jackson. She is a photographer that creates iconic images that may or may not have been. Sounds odd, right? Check out the photos for yourself. Very inspired and creative.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="266" caption="William tries on crown"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="328" caption="Halle Berry paints her Oscar black"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="264" caption="Bill Gates with his iPod"][/caption]

Oh, Tom. Why?

I realize that times are tough. And I understand that even celebrities fall on tough times. But how desperate has Tom Selleck become that he would agree to take part in an Anthony Robbins' infomercial? I was at the bank today (shout-out to Torrey Pines!) and they were airing some awful extended commercial for The Ultimate Edge. And there on screen, looking handsome as ever, was Tom Selleck. Granted, he also looked a bit stoic, as if he didn't trust himself to show a single true emotion lest he break down in shame right there in front of Robbins.

Here is a better (bitter?) review from infomercial-hell.com:

Probably no personality dominated TV infomercials in the 1990’s more than Anthony Robbins. But his once-ubiquitous infomercials abruptly disappeared from the air, probably because of market saturation.

Now Tony Robbins has returned to the airwaves with an infomercial for his Ultimate Edge program. This latest Tony Robbins infomercial sells a “coaching” package of his usual rah-rah motivational bullcrap. And as in his infomercials of olde, lots of Hollywood celebrities and sports stars appear to declare that Anthony Robbins caused all their success and their own talent and hard work had nothing to do with it.

Tom Selleck of Magnum P.I. fame interviews Tony Robbins here—yet another former mega-star reduced to hosting an infomercial. Selleck appears so sedate that one wonders whether Tony Robbins’ hypnotic spell has turned him catatonic

This infomercial declares that Robbins “has become famous for his big smile and larger than life energy”—which is a nice way of saying he has the physique of Lurch and the hyperactivity of Matthew Lesko.

With his Ceaser haircut and wispy goatee, Robbins looks like a haggard middle-aged man desperately trying to appear hip and youthful.

Oh, Tom. Why would you do this? What's next, the Tom Selleck Make Your Own Aloha Shirt Machine? The Magnum PI Mustache Manager? This just makes my 80's heart hurt.

Dream Casting - Mark Valley and Thomas Jane

Mark Valley and Thomas Jane.

Yep. Mark Valley.



And Thomas Jane.



Mark Valley.



Thomas Jane.



Mark Valley.



Thomas Jane.

Hung.

HBO’s show HUNG has now made its New Zealand debut on TVNZ’s Channel One.

Auckland-based ad agency Colenso BBDO was retained to promote the show and to generate some buzz. They have definitely created a buzz with their risqué billboard, recently erected on Victoria Street in central Auckland. Whether you like the billboard or not, and whether it draws you to watch the show or not, you must admit that the old, tried-and-true subjects – well-endowed female and male bodies – never seem to fail to draw attention.

Established in 1969, Colenso BBDO is consistently one of New Zealand’s highest-ranked ad agencies. Campaign Brief has also named Colenso BBDO Agency of the Decade. - Bill Tikos

Admit it. It's clever.

Disabled Children Are God's Punishment?

(Courtesy of Think Progress.)

On Thursday, Virginia State Delegate Bob Marshall (R) spoke at a press conference against state funding for Planned Parenthood. He blasted the organization for supporting a women’s right to choose, saying that God punishes women who have had abortions by giving them disabled children:

“The number of children who are born subsequent to a first abortion with handicaps has increased dramatically.Why? Because when you abort the first born of any, nature takes its vengeance on the subsequent children,” said Marshall, a Republican.

“In the Old Testament, the first born of every being, animal and man, was dedicated to the Lord. There’s a special punishment Christians would suggest.”

I'm curious, Mr. Marshall. Were you born an asshole or have you worked hard at it all your life?

Hello, News. I've Missed You.

Eight uninterrupted minutes of news reporting on the Marines in Marjah. That's what I heard this morning on the way to the office. Obviously, I wasn't listening to any of the local news shows. And I wasn't listening to CNN or Fox. I was listening to National Public Radio's Morning Edition. And I heard detailed reporting about the situation faced by our Marines. I learned that they are extremely concerned about their impact on the civilians in the town, to the point of allowing Taliban fighters to flee to the surrounding hills rather than risk killing civilians. I learned that they are struggling with extremely restrictive fire orders. I heard that our Marines from India Company discovered more than twenty IEDs in the first moments of the battle, some hidden just on the other side of a wall next to where our Marines had bunked down for the night.

I learned all of this and more, because NPR still produces news. Real news. And they give it to me in large enough segments that I can understand not only the top stories but also the smaller, less reported information that provides the context.

Thank you, NPR, for reminding me what news can be.

Bourne. Jason Bourne.

I just caught up on all three of these movies on Blu-Ray, and I'm still impressed. The action is non-stop, the chase scenes are breathtaking, and the storyline holds together through all three films. If you haven't seen them, you should. If you have, you should see them again. The trilogy is worth a second (or third) look.

Reign of Fire

Reign of Fire? Reign of Hotties is more like it. What's not to love about a movie with Christian Bale, Matthew McConaughey, and Gerard Butler? It's all action, all testosterone, and all shirt-torn-fighting-sweating-rolling-about goodness. Yeah, it's the perfect combination of guy movie (all action, no one dies of natural causes) and gay movie (hot, sweaty beefcake). And yes, it looks even better in Blu-Ray.



Oh, yeah. There's also something about dragons and fighting and end-of-mankind stuff. But really, does the plot matter?

Olympics = Guy Candy

Yes, sure, I realize that the Olympics are the last pure sporting event on the planet. I respect that these sports stars train all their lives for their moment on the world stage. And I agree that the competition is amazing to watch.

But honestly, how can I watch the Olympics and not think "Guy Candy"? Come on, these athletes are unbelievably sexy. So, here's a shout-out to the hotties of the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. Bonne chance, gentilshommes.

First up, super cutie Vaughn Chipeur.



Adam Pengilly is a cutie, too.



Aksel Lund Svindal



And of course, our drunken mess turned Olympic hero, Bode Miller.



And yes, there are so many more. I may just have to post multiple versions of this entry. Right after I stop staring at the TV and the  non-stop Olympic action, of course.

Sanctified Slide, or How I Learned the Lord is Da Bomb

"Are you ready crew?"

Oh. my. gosh. It's like a trainwreck. I can't stop watching it.

Shut Up. Just Shut Your Fucking Mouth.

Clearly, there are things that piss me off. One, stupidity. Two, security breaches. Three, anonymous sources. Combine all three and I'm absolutely livid. Case in point:

US Marines airdropped into Taliban-held territory

MARJAH, Afghanistan – Elite Marine recon teams were dropped behind Taliban lines by helicopter Friday as the U.S.-led force escalated operations to break resistance in the besieged insurgent stronghold of Marjah.

As the major NATO offensive entered its seventh day, about two dozen Marines were inserted before dawn into an area where skilled Taliban marksmen are known to operate, an officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of security concerns.

Other squads of Marines and Afghans, marching south in a bid to link up with Marine outposts there and expand their territory, came under sniper fire and rocket attacks by midday. The rattle of machine-gun fire and the thud of mortars echoed nearby.

The Marjah offensive is the biggest since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan and a test of President Barack Obama's strategy for reversing the rise of the Taliban while protecting civilians.

A NATO statement said troops were still meeting "some resistance" from insurgents who engage them in firefights, but homemade bombs remain the key threat to allied and Afghan forces.

At a London briefing, Maj. Gen. Gordon Messenger said the militant holdouts don't threaten the overall offensive but will take time to clear out.
"The levels of resistance in these areas has increased but not beyond expectation. We expected after the enemy had time to catch its breath, they would up the level of resistance, and that's happened," he said.

Marine spokesman Lt. Josh Diddams reported that overall resistance was lighter Friday, but a few companies still engaged in firefights that lasted a few hours.

NATO said one service member died Friday in a small-arms fire attack. Six coalition troops were killed Thursday, NATO said, making it the deadliest day since the offensive began. The death toll so far is 12 NATO troops and one Afghan soldier. Britain's Defense Ministry said two British soldiers were among those killed Thursday.

No precise figures on Taliban deaths have been released, but senior Marine officers say intelligence reports suggest more than 120 have died. The officers spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.

So let's take a closer look. First, this piece:

As the major NATO offensive entered its seventh day, about two dozen Marines were inserted before dawn into an area where skilled Taliban marksmen are known to operate, an officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of security concerns.

Security concerns? Bullshit. It doesn't matter at all if this officer is Joe Smith or Jack Brown. Revealing his identity does not jeopardize security. What jeopardizes security is releasing this information at all. So if this officer was truly concerned with security, he would shut his mouth and not release information unless specifically authorized and instructed to do so.

No precise figures on Taliban deaths have been released, but senior Marine officers say intelligence reports suggest more than 120 have died. The officers spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.

Not authorized to release the information? Then shut up. I expect senior Marine officers to know better than to discuss intelligence reports with the media just because they feel like it. They acknowledge they are not authorized to release that information, yet do it anyway. What the hell is their problem?

So again, I share my opinion that these folks need to shut their fucking mouths and stop chattering like magpies. Is it too much to ask that those entrusted with national security demonstrate a simple respect for it?