A gay man is not nothing but a sandwich

I’ve got a problem with the LGBT classification, a special interest concoction with no real meaning. Hell, lesbians and gay men can barely find common ground. But transgendered folks? I favor equality across the board, but we’re not the same, and our struggle shouldn’t be treated as such. 

(From the Malcontent archives:)

No one ever asked me, or anyone else, it seems, whether lesbians, gays and bisexuals belong under the same minority umbrella as transsexusals. But the activist class has already decided that Alexis Arquette and I share a common struggle, and it’s best not to challenge the queer politburo.

Yet I can’t resist. So let’s dissect: Arquette decided a year ago that he wanted to become a woman. I decided, about 12 years ago, that I never wanted to sleep with a woman again. Just because we both may be despised or misunderstood (and frankly, I don’t understand the inclination to chop off one’s penis, but it’s not my place to say he can’t, or shouldn’t), does that make us brothers? Or brother and sister? Or … see, it’s confusing.

Stephen H. Miller agrees:

How many times can you find the complete phrase "lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender" in this short mission statement? Even worthy activism is made to sound like merely a politically correct exercise by this sort of ritualism.

Worse, the LGBT mantra assumes that important issues of identity and strategy have been resolved in favor of some mythic "LGBT community." This side steps a number of still highly debatable matters, such as whether bisexuals face discrimination only when they are perceived as gay-acting. And while transgendered individuals certainly endure prejudice and oppression, the issues confronted by those who range from heterosexual cross-dressers to post-op folks now legally the opposite gender of their birth (and thus who, for instance, can gender-appropriately marry) may be so different from the issues that confront gay people that assuming LGBT singleness becomes stunningly inappropriate.

But if you listen to mainstream LGBT organizational voices, those questions are settled and the matter closed.

Hugo’s stooge

To be fair, Danny Glover must be desperate. His recent movies include "The Shaggy Dog," "The Cookout" and "Saw." So why not film a little propaganda on behalf of his BFF, Hugo Chavez?

Venezuela is to give the American actor Danny Glover almost $18m (£9m) to make a film about a slave uprising in Haiti, with President Hugo Chávez hoping the historical epic will sprinkle Hollywood stardust on his effort to mobilise world public opinion against imperialism and western oppression. …

Along with the singer Harry Belafonte, Glover is the best known celebrity supporter of Mr Chávez, whom he considers "remarkable". He is a regular visitor to Venezuela.

I wonder what Glover has to say about Chavez’s deplorable human rights record? Then again, who gives a fuck what the star of "Operation Dumbo Drop" thinks?

Return to form

Good news from Cannes — sounds like the Coen Brothers have rebounded with their latest flick, "No Country for Old Men," based on a Cormac McCarthy novel.

“No Country for Old Men” premiered here on Friday night to standing ovations and much cheering. The Miramax/Paramount Vantage release quickly became a hot topic everywhere.

Starring Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem, “No Country” is a meditation on violence that harkens back to the Coens’ best work in “Fargo” and “Blood Simple.”

I’m relieved; their last two movies, "Intolerable Cruelty" and "The Ladykillers," were duds. Still, their resume is virtually without peer among active filmmakers.

Yet another Romney flip-flop

The only thing consistent about “The Anchorman” is his hairstyle. Now Romney is attacking the same McCain-Kennedy immigration bill he supported less than two years ago:

McCain-Kennedy isn’t the answer,” Romney said in a well-received speech to conservatives in Washington this month, describing it as an amnesty plan that would reward people for breaking the law and cost taxpayers millions to provide them benefits.

But that is markedly different from how Romney once characterized McCain’s bill, elements of which are receiving new attention in Congress and from President Bush. Indeed, Romney’s past comments on illegal immigration suggest his views have hardened as he has ramped up his campaign for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.

In a November 2005 interview with the Globe, Romney described immigration proposals by McCain and others as “quite different” from amnesty, because they required illegal immigrants to register with the government, work for years, pay taxes, not take public benefits, and pay a fine before applying for citizenship.

Inconsistency does have its rewards, however, at least in the polls. And that’s got John McCain understandably pissed:

“Maybe I should wait a couple weeks and see if it changes,” Mr. McCain said of Mr. Romney’s position on immigration this week.

Fighting al Qaeda

Riveting footage of a street battle between Lebanese forces and suspected terrorists in Tripoli.

Thoughts on 2008

The realist in me predicts a Hillary vs. Romney showdown. They’ve got the most money, and each will undoubtedly run a safe, predictable campaign. Given that choice, I’d vote for Lenora Fulani.

But I’ve yet to meet anyone who supports Hillary, and most of my friends veer left. Some would vote for her in the general election, but not enthusiastically. How anyone could enthusiastically support Evita remains a mystery.

So I go back and forth on whether she’ll actually be the nominee. I made a fairly convincing case last month on how I thought Obama could win, and my limited anecdotal evidence suggests he may indeed be the leading Democratic contender. Then I remind myself: the Clintons are the luckiest people on Earth. Besides, the parties always nominate the worst of their candidates.

That’s good news for Romney, who leads in New Hampshire and Iowa. McCain is toast; his role in the immigration compromise gives the base yet another reason to dislike him. And Morality Czar James Dobson has said he can’t support Giuliani, who’s probably too much of a wild card for red staters.

But Romney’s no shoo-in. The evangelical base is still grappling with his Mormonism, and his flip-flops will haunt him through the campaign. The GOP is clamoring for another candidate, as evidenced by a straw poll conducted at this past weekend’s Georgia GOP convention:

Fred Thompson – 44%

Newt Gingrich – 18%

Rudy Giuliani – 15%

Mitt Romney – 9%

Mike Huckabee – 4%

John McCain – 2%

Hard to draw any conclusions, except one: there is no frontrunner, on either side. And that’s virtually unprecedented in presidential elections, at least in my lifetime.

It’s the incompetency, stupid

Some of the honors bestowed upon AG Alberto Gonzalez, as listed in his official White House bio:

He was chosen as one of the Five Outstanding Young Texans by the Texas Jaycees in 1994, and as the Outstanding Young Lawyer of Texas by the Texas Young Lawyers Association in 1992. Gonzales was honored by the United Way in 1993 with a Commitment to Leadership Award, and received the Hispanic Salute Award in 1989 from the Houston Metro Ford Dealers for his work in the field of education.

Sounds like the resume of a small town attorney, or a male, Latin version of Harriet Miers.

Gays in the military

The British military dropped its ban on homosexuals seven years ago. Today, it’s essentially a nonissue.

As it would be in the states. I’ve been repeatedly surprised — and encouraged — by the attitudes of people 10, 20 years younger than me; for them, homosexuality is no big deal. A fair share of bigots remain, but their ranks are dwindling.

Yet they’re emboldened by a government dictate — instituted by Bill Clinton, who also signed the “Defense of Marriage Act” — that requires gays and lesbians to lie if they want to serve. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” disrespects the troops; the implication being they’re not mature enough to handle a gay man in the barracks.

Time to ask: why do immature bigots receive federal protection?

Yet another Romney flip-flop

The only thing consistent about “The Anchorman” is his hairstyle. Now Romney is attacking the same McCain-Kennedy immigration bill he supported less than two years ago:

McCain-Kennedy isn’t the answer,” Romney said in a well-received speech to conservatives in Washington this month, describing it as an amnesty plan that would reward people for breaking the law and cost taxpayers millions to provide them benefits.

But that is markedly different from how Romney once characterized McCain’s bill, elements of which are receiving new attention in Congress and from President Bush. Indeed, Romney’s past comments on illegal immigration suggest his views have hardened as he has ramped up his campaign for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.

In a November 2005 interview with the Globe, Romney described immigration proposals by McCain and others as “quite different” from amnesty, because they required illegal immigrants to register with the government, work for years, pay taxes, not take public benefits, and pay a fine before applying for citizenship.

Inconsistency does have its rewards, however, at least in the polls. And that’s got John McCain understandably pissed:

“Maybe I should wait a couple weeks and see if it changes,” Mr. McCain said of Mr. Romney’s position on immigration this week.

The 30 worst pop songs ever (the finale)

And one final cop out. Yes, there’s a tie for the 30th spot, thanks in part to Stanley Roper’s suggestion (“American Woman,” the Lenny Kravitz remake). And then I was reminded of Creed after reading about their lead singer’s arrest for domestic violence. So I had to include “Higher.” I had already designated “Conga” by Miami Sound Machine as the 30th worst pop song ever, but as you can see I had to adjust.

Presenting the 32 worst pop songs ever:

*”Summer Girls” — LFO

*”Waiting for a Star to Fall” — Boy Meets Girl

*”Tonight, Tonight, Tonight” — Genesis

*”All That She Wants” — Ace of Base

*”The Greatest Love of All” — Whitney Houston

*”The Glory of Love” — Peter Cetera

*”I Believe I Can Fly” — R. Kelly

*”Dancing on the Ceiling” — Lionel Richie

*”Opposites Attract” — Paula Abdul

*”Blame It on the Rain” — Milli Vanilli

*”I’ll Be There for You” — The Rembrandts

*”All for Love” — Rod Stewart, Bryan Adams and Sting

*”Leader of the Band” — Dan Fogelberg

*”Your Body Is a Wonderland” — John Mayer

*”Together Forever” — Rick Astley

*”Childhood” — Michael Jackson

*”She’s Like the Wind” — Patrick Swayze

*”How Can We Be Lovers” — Michael Bolton

*”Right Here Waiting” — Richard Marx

*”Heartbeat” — Don Johnson

*”Velcro Fly” — ZZ Top

*”Only Wanna Be With You” — Hootie and the Blowfish

*”Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” — Spin Doctors

*”Liquid Dreams” — O-Town

*”Will 2K” — Will Smith

*”Peaches” — Presidents of the United States

*”From a Distance” — Bette Midler

*”Feeling Alright” — Joe Cocker

*”I Don’t Want to Wait” — Paula Cole

*”American Woman” — Lenny Kravitz

*”Higher” — Creed

*”Conga” — Miami Sound Machine

So what did I leave out?

Thoughts on 2008

The realist in me predicts a Hillary vs. Romney showdown. They’ve got the most money, and each will undoubtedly run a safe, predictable campaign. Given that choice, I’d vote for Lenora Fulani.

But I’ve yet to meet anyone who supports Hillary, and most of my friends veer left. Some would vote for her in the general election, but not enthusiastically. How anyone could enthusiastically support Evita remains a mystery.

So I go back and forth on whether she’ll actually be the nominee. I made a fairly convincing case last month on how I thought Obama could win, and my limited anecdotal evidence suggests he may indeed be the leading Democratic contender. Then I remind myself: the Clintons are the luckiest people on Earth. Besides, the parties always nominate the worst of their candidates.

That’s good news for Romney, who leads in New Hampshire and Iowa. McCain is toast; his role in the immigration compromise gives the base yet another reason to dislike him. And Morality Czar James Dobson has said he can’t support Giuliani, who’s probably too much of a wild card for red staters.

But Romney’s no shoo-in. The evangelical base is still grappling with his Mormonism, and his flip-flops will haunt him through the campaign. The GOP is clamoring for another candidate, as evidenced by a straw poll conducted at this past weekend’s Georgia GOP convention:

Fred Thompson – 44%

Newt Gingrich – 18%

Rudy Giuliani – 15%

Mitt Romney – 9%

Mike Huckabee – 4%

John McCain – 2%

Hard to draw any conclusions, except one: there is no frontrunner, on either side. And that’s virtually unprecedented in presidential elections, at least in my lifetime.

Gays in the military

The British military dropped its ban on homosexuals seven years ago. Today, it’s essentially a nonissue.

As it would be in the states. I’ve been repeatedly surprised — and encouraged — by the attitudes of people 10, 20 years younger than me; for them, homosexuality is no big deal. A fair share of bigots remain, but their ranks are dwindling.

Yet they’re emboldened by a government dictate — instituted by Bill Clinton, who also signed the “Defense of Marriage Act” — that requires gays and lesbians to lie if they want to serve. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” disrespects the troops; the implication being they’re not mature enough to handle a gay man in the barracks.

Time to ask: why do immature bigots receive federal protection?