Tag Archives: Politics

Its true that there is a liberal bias that exists in Massachusetts and through much of the northeast but it seems to me with very few exceptions there is conservative media bias that runs through most of the rest of the United States. Can you imagine this same exact advertisement running in the southwest, midwest, bible-belt or south?

Massachusetts is about to celebrate the 7 year anniversary of legalizing same-sex marriage. In a large part Massachusetts was the first to step into the 21st century because of the progressive attitudes which the local media here represent. So the next time there is a cry about the “liberal media” look around and ask yourself if all of the media is so terribly liberal or is the media just representing and articulating the views that are of interest and important to their constituents. Nobody seems to raise a ruckus when the Manchester, NH, Tulsa, OK or the Birmingham, AL paper skewers President Obama so if the NYT or the Boston Globe ticks you off then read whatever it is that Sarah Palin reads… Of course don’t be vulgar enough to spring that surprise question on her because she just may accuse you of being a part of the “Liberal Media”… (a la Katie Couric).

I can assure you I don’t stay in Massachusetts because of its gorgeous weather. The liberal values, which are embraced here and seem to be such an anathema to the majority of the country, is a distinction that is not lost on me and something I cherish.

Will the United States lead, follow or remain silent? I realize there are consequences no matter what we do, but reading the paper each day, watching the news each night and listening to interviews with Libyans calling into news programs sharing what is happening first hand is heartbreaking. Governments in Europe have recognized the uprising which started in Benghazi and now has a coalition governing body. Why haven’t we?

There is a fine line between intervention and instigation, but the fate of many Libyans has been cast, and I want to see the US more engaged. I have no desire to bring our military into another war, but I believe there are alternatives we can pursue. I do have faith that Obama is surrounded by an intelligent team, but I crave action that will help support these people.

I think this cartoon from Sean @JustaJeepGuy blog sums up my concerns perfectly.

Like many, when rioting started in Tunisia in January, with Tunisians demanding political reform, I thought little of it. When the government was toppled I still paid little attention. However, when that wave of political frustration crashed into Hosni Mubarek’s government in Egypt and ignited a political tidal wave of unrest and protest in a half dozen other Middle East and North African nations it was hard not to give pause.

These recent events have given me reason to conjecture and wonder aloud, “What would have happened if the US never entered into our “2003 war of choice” a.k.a. invading Iraq and overthrowing Saddam Hussein?” Would this current tsunami of political unrest topple Hussein? Its impossible to say for sure, but I would have preferred that scenario over what actually happened. Hussein was a terrible guy, but so are most of the leaders from this part of the world.

The former leaders of Tunisia and Egypt were American allies so we paid little attention to their attrocities because it was politically expedient. It’s hard to imagine how amazing it would have been to support and encourage the people of Iraq to rise up against their former dictator and overthrow him. If it had happened, I’d like to believe it would bridge and embolden the political unrest in its neighboring state, Iran. Of course this is all conjecture and a lot of hypotheticals are assumed, but considering how the unimaginable has become reality in North Africa and the Middle East lately, it seems a lot less unlikely than it would have just a few months ago.

In recent years, there have been few US Senators who have disappointed me more than Sen. Lieberman so his announcement not seek re-election in 2012 should make me happy, right? Its not quite that easy…

My feelings towards Lieberman are a bit more complicated. You see, my frustration with Joe stems from my belief that ideologically, the two of us agree on a significant majority of issues. For example, his leadership and championing of DADT was crucial to its passage (for the record, its that kind of leadership I feel is lacking in my US Senator, Scott Brown). On the other hand, Lieberman’s steadfast support of John McCain even as he chose Sarah “I’m not a whack job” Palin still makes me froth at the mouth. There are other differences as well, but there is no point in creating a list of grievances from past votes. I suppose I should be pleased that who ever replaces him will most likely have a (D) next to their name since CT – much like the rest of the Northeast continues to isolate itself as it continues to elect mostly progressive delegations despite the rest of the the US trend to elect more conservative candidates.

So its with mixed emotion that I say goodbye to this conservative Democrat who has served in the US Senate since 1989. What are your thoughts about Lieberman’s announcement today?

Since I’m on a political bent – I’d also like to acknowledge the passing of a pretty amazing man – R. Sargent Shriver (husband to Eunice Kennedy Shriver). Among his many contributions was the Peace Corps which he founded and managing President Johnson’s “War on Poverty”.

Can you think of a more admireable legacy than the values and achievements the Peace Corps or committing yourself to trying to erase poverty in the US? If we had more men like Shriver in this world can you imagine what a wonderful place this would be?

Unfamiliar with this amazing man? Read up about R. Sargent Shriver

Bucking a national trend in Tuesday’s, midterm elections, which saw many moderates lose their seats to extreme candidates who closely associated themselves with the “Tea Party”, Massachusetts residents reaffirmed their desire to vote for progressive candidates.

In ALL major elections, the MA electorate voted for the Democratic candidate. As the Boston Globe says, “The GOP Revolution Fades in MA”.

Thank you

Originally posted October 4th – I wanted to repost this in light of tomorrow’s midterm elections. I do hope no matter who you support, you will vote. This country asks very little from its citizens and this is the least all of us can do to honor people who have fought to preserve this right for all of us.

Sometimes friends and family are surprised by my support for the Democratic Party and more specifically the Liberal base of that party, but my political views were shaped in the 80s and 90s when I was coming to grips with both my sexuality and the politics of that time.

In the mid- to late-80s I could not understand why President Ronald Reagan sat idly by while tens of thousands of quilts were being sewn in memory of those who died from AIDS. In the 90s the Christian Coalition reached the heights of its influence in the Republican Party and with leaders like Speaker Gingrich they drove through discriminatory legislation like Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell all while funding local initiatives to limit and deny gay men and women basic rights such as adoption, hospital visitation rights, etc…

No longer a kid and no longer apologizing for my sexual orientation, my disdain for the Republican Party started to turn to rage when in the 2000 Presidential election Bush returned campaign donations to The Log Cabin Republicans (a GLBT Republican group) and several high profile gay donors, because they were gay and then was applauded by the entire leadership of the Republican Party.

Obama’s win knocked the wind out of the Republican Party. But now the party is back and will likely take control of one or both of the houses in the U.S. Congress. Unfortunately, this isn’t the result of the Party moving to the center or becoming more inclusive. This comes from what I describe as an unholy alliance with the newly, rebranded Christian Conservative now called The Tea Party.

So discussions about taxes, economics, foreign or domestic policy aside – until the Republican Party defends GLBT rights and calls out the homophobic slurs their supporters seem content to regularly hurl at me and people like me, I will not consider any other alternative when I enter a voting booth. To the rest of the US who seem to be readily accepted and have representation in both parties – I say lucky you, but think of me when you’re voting because who you elect impacts me too.