Shadow Void

Mr. President - Pink

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Your Comments

It must be nice having the house to yourself, to be able to make independent choices. Perhaps you should start looking into getting your own place. Move beyond the limitations that you feel you have and at least imagine it.

As much as I like having them gone, there are times when It's nice to have them back. This last trip for them left me a little unprepared. I didn't have a chance to really plan my menu or to even buy groceries and I can't forget this part of me that hates asking for help. I know, I need to get over myself.

This situation is so ridiculous. I've been hoping that the recent financial crisis, caused primarily by the stupidity of the banks, might at least lead to regulations that would make the banks behave like legitimate businesses, but we'll see.

I hope you're not dealing with American Express. They are crooks. Sounds like the credit union might be a ray of hope. Most of us have experienced the kind of BS you are going through and can appreciate how tedious and insulting it is.

Best of luck with this, Charles. Never let the A H's get you down!

It was totally ridiculous but hopefully it's all over. It's been cleared up and I happy beyond belief.

I know the feeling. I decided to start coming out about six months ago (at the age of 26). Every now and then I get the urge to shout to the world that I'm gay! I haven't, so far. ;-) I'm fairly certain this is due to some sort of Pavlovian positive reinforcement; every time I've come out to a new set of friends, I've received congratulatory or positive responses.

It's been difficult, though, trying to balance the two "sides" to my life. I'm hoping that at some point there won't really be a need to do that, when I can fully-integrate the "gay" thing into just "being me."

~G.

I too go through times when I really want to shout out to the world "See Me, I'm gay!". I haven't and I don't believe that I will as long as I am here at the house. However, I have gone from being out to no one to being out to a few people. It can be extremely difficult to balance the sides of life. Sometimes all you can do is allow one to outweigh the other and then find times when you can be at peace with both sides.

Good for you! Cheers, to being yourself. It's the healthiest thing you can do.

I prefer being myself when I can. :)

It's nice that you get encouragement from your church. Your conflict is one that many church going individuals such as yourself struggle with. Do you ever try to reach out to other gay Mormons for support? There must be website that you could research.

I love the being a part of something. I know there are plenty of others who struggle as I do. I have reached out to other gay mormons. It's a great feeling too. I just wish that I could attend Affirmation. Part of that problem is transportation. It's a great organization.

Cool video!! Appreciate snakes getting a little attention to help work against their long-standing negative reputations. As for the gender, I'm not sure any of us will be troubled if you got it wrong. Still, it sounds like you know better than me.

I like to think that I know a little bit more about the world around us than the average person. I'm not trying to be prideful or bragging. I also know there are other people out there who know why more than I do. As far as snakes go, I love them. You're right appreciation is the key to enjoying nature and finding peace within it.

The whole swine flu situation is certainly a bit concerning. I'm hoping it will turn out to be a relatively short-lived phenomenon and not the real world version of Captain Trips or anything like that.

Staying calm and following good common sense (<i>and not reading any Stephen King</i>)safety precautions seems like a reasonable course of action for now.

It is kind of freaky. They announced last night the regular flu is lasting out past it's regular season.

I don't think it matters how many friends one has, or how long one's been out and accepting of oneself, there are always those days when it just all seems like a bit much.

Write me anytime you need to, my blogging friend. Although the miles are many between us, there's no reason not help one another through those difficult days.

Peace.

Thanks Greg! I think it's important that as a community that we stick together. I appreciate your friendship. I will write you and who knows maybe I can get some gardening advice. :)

Well, why not ask those this is meant for? Let them tell you why you, Charles, shouldn't marry the gender you want to.

I tried posting the article to gather.com and for whatever reason, it just won't let me post it some kind of error.

The irony is that many of the same people who want to restrict adoption also oppose government spending on social programs. They'd rather have taxpayers foot the bill for raising a child than to allow that child to be adopted into a loving home.

Steve, you're right is it pretty ironic. I would love to see children in good homes rather than waiting to be adopted. What our kids go through is horrific.

 

 

 

 

 

Support Outdoor Education For Children

Dear Friend, I thought you might be interested in taking action with me to make sure that Congress supports children's outdoor education programs that will foster a lifelong appreciation for our natural world. To take action on this issue, click on the link below: https://online.nwf.org/site/Advocacy?s_oo=ESCpT-MzMUNm3On0vp20yA..&id=788 If the text above does not appear as a link or it wraps across multiple lines, then copy and paste it into the address area of your browser.

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Energy and Climate Change Legislation

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding global warming, including your support for climate change legislation. I appreciate hearing from you. You should know that as the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, I increased funding for a number of programs dedicated to addressing climate change and promoting alternative energies in H.R. 1105, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act. On February 25, 2009, I supported and the House approved H.R. 1105 by a vote of 245 to 178, and following approval by the Senate, President Obama signed the measure into law as P.L. 111-8. For example, the law provides $273 million for the Vehicle Technologies program. This program researches technology breakthroughs for automobiles and trucks of all sizes, which will increase their miles per gallon and decrease our dependence on foreign oil. Specifically, the program researches the development of lightweight materials, high power batteries, and hybrid electric drive motors. Additionally, the law includes $175 million for the Solar Energy program, which develops solar energy technologies, such as photovoltaics and concentrating solar power, which are reliable, affordable, and environmentally sound. The law also includes $55 million for the Wind Energy program, which focuses on the development of wind turbines that can operate economically in areas with low wind speeds, small wind turbines that can serve a range of distributed power applications, and system technology in support of offshore wind systems further from shore, beyond the viewshed of coastal communities. The law also provides the Department of Energy's Office of Science $4.8 billion for FY 2009. This is $755 million more than the FY 2008 funding level and $140 million more than the President's budget request. The Office of Science supports climate change science, basic energy research, and innovation initiatives. I am committed to investing in a matrix of alternative fuels - including those derived from biomass, solar, wind, geothermal, and nuclear sources - considering the environmental impact of each fuel source and those that offer the greatest energy output per dollar spent with the least amount of energy input. Specific to your concerns, on March 31, 2009, Rep. Waxman and Rep. Markey introduced a draft version of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, which would reduce carbon emissions and promote renewable sources of energy in order to address global climate change. Specifically, the measure would establish a market-based trading program for carbon emissions and would freeze carbon emissions in 2010 at three percent below the 2005 level, and gradually reduce emissions each year through 2050. The measure also would aim to increase energy efficiency through the weatherizing of public buildings, hospitals, and industries, and establishing efficiency standards for home appliances and utility delivery companies. It is expected that the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means will hold additional hearings on climate change legislation within the coming months. Be assured that I will continue to monitor these hearings and the resulting legislation with your views in mind. Thank you again for contacting me. Do not hesitate to let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. Sincerely, Peter J. Visclosky

Angels Of Long Ago; A different poem

On the banks of the river all facing west, they said goodbye to their city and homes. Across the land they marched and they drove knowing that Zion was somewhere beyond the setting sun's rays.

They might have been frightened at times I'm sure with Indians stealing and disease and death coming to call but they went forward over the miles while writing their journey in journals to share.

Did they marvel as I do at the scenery around them or was it just one more hazard that had to be conquered? I know they walked through prairie grasses and rocks that tore at their feet.

Was there time to enjoy and marvel at the life around them or was Zion's call their only vision? If I was there, I would have seen the life that shared the miles with me.

I can't even fathom the digging of graves while snow and ice gripped hard on the soil, but then it would have been hard to just say goodbye and move knowing my loved one would never see Zion with me.

Amidst all the trials and all of the pains, I now some lives started on this trail to Zion. Being born on the trail couldn't have been easy and I also know that true love was found.

I know my family traveled that road to Zion and I find it amazing that they made it. Faith, a powerful force, I know it helped to cushion the blows that came to these angels.

It would be wrong to end this piece here without giving thanks to the Lord because I know he led the way. Without his hand, this trail might have had a different ending.

Angels of Long Ago

Let me know what you think! Angels of Long Ago If this part of me has always dwelled here on this sphere, then how did they in ages past deal with burning that comes with knowing that we are not quite like our brethren. I wonder if they had to hide out of fear to avoid the wrath of family and mobs. Did they just accept the hetero way or find another path just to blend in and hide. I think of those who might have been found and lost their lives to the hate of the times. I wonder if some cried out for their lives and if they were spared. Still my pen shakes for those who died. Wonder how many took the other route and made their lives legal under the law? Wonder how many went on to be soldiers and raised their kids knowing that inside of them lived a gay man. I'm not quite sure how they managed to find a way to be whole and live out their lives. Were these men special somehow, were they famous then and even now, my mind hopes that some found their way. Finally I wonder how often the names in our family share more with me than just simple genes. I wonder if they got married and passed on the bit of code that makes me whole.

Hearts

Sometimes, we need to just sit back and reflect on the help we've received from others. I've had lots of help in my life. I like to think it was rendered by caring individuals. Some of it came in the form of help via the special ed. coop when I was in elementary school through high school. Without their help I have found myself floundering around in school. Help can come in many forms. It's come for me in the form of friends, phone calls, writings, songs, and books.

 

Friends have often played a part in providing help or service sometimes without even knowing it. Quite often the help they've provided is just shaking away loneliness. A few of them have slapped some sense into me (not really but you know what I mean). A smaller number of friends have come to my rescue. Nothing life threatening but they helped overcome a rough spot or two. I guess that is one of the benefits of having friends, true friends. Just a note, I think that is a sign of a true friend.

 

You know there is a different why people help you. It comes by just knowing them and being inspired by them. They help you gain some small level of insight into yourself or the world. I'm not sure that I'm even explaining this in a way that makes sense. Somehow in interacting with them, you come away being a better person because of them. (Now does that make sense?) Quite often it's the kids in the classroom(s) that I work in or have worked in that inspire me.

 

So, here is a challenge think back into your life and come up with someone who has touched your life and inspired you?

Kids, In The Homes Of Gay People

This post is in reponse to another blogger's post, http://athornyway.blogspot.com/2009/04/and-jesus-said-let-little-children-come.html , that should help you reach the post if you want too. I think it's stupid that some states don't allow the adoption of kid by gay couples. I think this law or laws are stupid. They keep kids out of the homes of possibly decent folks. Seems to me it would make sense for good people to be able to adopt. Isn't that why we have background checks and whatever else is used to protect the kids?

The blogger asks a question "Can you imagine how terrible it would be for a child to not be allowed to be adopted by an aunt, uncle, sibling or other family member simply because that person is cohabitating or gay?". Looking at it from a child's point of view, it would be horrid. I can't imagine hearing that I couldn't live Uncle John just because he is gay or living with someone else only to be passed on to a complete stranger. I've seen enough to know that not every foster home is safe. Children need safe places. They also need family. A law that keeps a child out of the hands of a family member is a law that shouldn't be on the books.

We get so tied up with our religious views that sometimes, I think we forget that we are told to love one another. We forget that Jesus love children. I think it's sad that when so many kids need good homes and yet we keep those families out of reach of adoption. Why should the homes of straight couples be the only homes blessed with kids? Yes, I know there are kids being raised by gay couples. I think we need more homes doing the same thing. Yes, I know that not every gay couple wants kids. I know there is a mix of fee lings on this subject. That is fine with me!

the link to the url given in post