Comments for Triptotheouthouse

Comment on Lessons on Buying a House: The Inspections and the Appraisal by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:14:47 +0000

I have no idea what web applications you might be referring to, but if you want to make a link to an article or my blog that would be OK.

Comment on Lessons on Buying a House: The Inspections and the Appraisal by christine

christine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:27:49 +0000

please notify me on your response
thanks a lot..

-christine

Comment on Lessons on Buying a House: The Inspections and the Appraisal by christine

christine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:26:46 +0000

i love your work..
i’m asking permission from you to allow me to use your work for web application purposes.
Will you allow me to do that?
What is your terms?

hoping for a positive response..
thanks a lot..

-christine

Comment on “Chiki Chiki” or “Chiki Bollo”? Make Your Choice Whatever It Is, But Come On, Y’all–Let’s Lighten Up For Awhile by badabolloworld

badabolloworld — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:47:26 +0000

There is another “chikibollo” from another lesbian website, even more famous: ours!!

In this link you have the video and all about it:

http://badabolloworld.blogspot.com/2008/05/el-chiki-bollo.html

See you!

Comment on A Couple of My Quilts by arlijohn

arlijohn — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:22:42 +0000

Really enjoyed reading your blog about quilting and such. I like your magnolia quilt, don’t you just love color? My macho nephew is a quilter also. Does beautiful work. My daughter and my sister’s daughter don’t sew at all, so I’ve told the nephew he inherits my fabric stash when I’m gone.

Comment on 6916th Security Squadron at Athenai Air Base by billy shaw

billy shaw — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:15:18 +0000

I was in the USAF and was at Athenai AB from 1/57 thru 6/59. We had no barracks or mess halls then. Everyone drew per deim and lived off base. My wife and I lived in the Carlton Hotel for 6 mos then we rented a house from a Greek Brig General in Glyfada right up the street from Astir beach for $60.00 per month. The Americans then could do know wrong. We were loved. I first work office was in the Greek Air Terminal. They moved across the field right before I left in 57 I think. We never moved I was in the 1240th AACS. I remember well the outdoor movies in the summer as they shut down all the indoor movies. We spendt many a day on the beautiful beaches. Always wanted to go back but never did.

Comment on Lessons in Buying a House: An Update on What’s Happening, Sort of . . . by Asako

Asako — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 13:56:39 +0000

The mushroom is so cute!!
It looks like a parasol and someone is under it.^^

Comment on Bill Konigsberg’s Gay Teen Read “Out of the Pocket” Scores a 3-Point Field Goal, Not a Touchdown by Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:48:24 +0000

This is a very thoughtful review. Thanks for posting it.

Comment on Newly Updated–Houston Area Churches and Individuals Contributed More Than $200,000 To Thwart Civil Rights in California’s November 4th Election Over Proposition 8; Updated Information About Locals and How Much Money They Flooded Into California in Anti-Gay Effort; (That’s A Lot of Money That Could Have Gone To Help Victims of Hurricane Ike or Others Who Need Help Right Here in Southeast Texas–It Just Goes To Show: Some “Love To Hate” More Than They “Love To Love”) by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 04:28:55 +0000

First, it is condescending to think that I want to be prayed for. If prayer is what gets it for you, more power to you. But your prayer for other people in and of itself is condescending, especially because you say: “I love people for who they are – faults, shortcomings, weaknesses, and all, because that is what I pray they can love me for as well.” No matter how many times you say that you are not hypocritical, your own words belie that fact.

But personally, I do not want anyone praying for me because they think I need it in order to be changed. I find this almost as revolting as the Mormon church absconding with genealogy and death records of other people and baptizing them in order to try to make them into Mormons after they have died.

Speaking of condescending and lack of equality, what does it say about religions where women are treated so differently than men? In so many, women are a second class and follow so many rules that don’t apply to men in terms of clothing and following the rules of the men. But I think most telling is that women are treated as “less” because they can never attain the same levels in the hierarchy of the religion: they cannot be mullahs in the case of Islam, priests or popes in the case of Catholics, or prophets in the case of Mormons. One way or another most religions have to have some group that is “less”. Not so long ago, it was the slaves. It seems like it has always been women. Now it’s gay people. Who’s next?

Back to the point of the original post: you feel so bad about your dear friend, But what business did your dear friend and many other Texans have in giving money to try to change laws in California. Does your friend give money to change gambling laws in Nevada? Does your friend give money to change drinking laws in Illinois? Does your friend give money to bring back the Sunday Blue laws to Texas and other states? Does your dear friend give money to put laws in place to criminalize adultery in other states?

Think of the good that money could have had if it had been given to the Houston Food Bank or the Houston Women’s Shelter.

Why did people from other states give all that money? But we know that answer, don’t we? Because the leaders of the Mormon church asked them to do that.

And now we see that the same church is once again campaigning to get its members to fight against equality laws in England. They just want everybody to follow their rules. Not so different than the Taliban or Islamic extremists, is it?

What rights that you have now would be taken away by same-sex marriage? I have never seen anyone be able to answer that one. Were white people’s rights limited when slavery was abolished? Were men’s rights taken away when women got to vote? Were other married couples’ rights eliminated when inter-racial marriages became legal? Even today, some people may disagree with some of these, but what rights were taken away from anyone?

When I was growing up in my little town, the Methodists and the Baptists thought that dancing was a sin, and the Catholics loved to dance and had some of the best wedding dances ever. The Methodists and Baptists didn’t bother the Catholics about their dancing, and the Catholics didn’t try to get the Methodists and Baptists to dance (but if they wanted to come to the wedding dances, they were sure welcome). And certainly, not the town, the county, or any other governments tried to make any laws to stop the Catholics from dancing. And now, everybody dances and it’s no big deal, and considering the age of some of those Methodists and Baptists these days, they are damn glad that they are even able to dance.

Which if you understand the analogy justifies the now cliché point: if you don’t like same-sex marriages, don’t have one.

Comment on Newly Updated–Houston Area Churches and Individuals Contributed More Than $200,000 To Thwart Civil Rights in California’s November 4th Election Over Proposition 8; Updated Information About Locals and How Much Money They Flooded Into California in Anti-Gay Effort; (That’s A Lot of Money That Could Have Gone To Help Victims of Hurricane Ike or Others Who Need Help Right Here in Southeast Texas–It Just Goes To Show: Some “Love To Hate” More Than They “Love To Love”) by Stephanie Mier

Stephanie Mier — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:07:06 +0000

I just read some more of your blog, more on who you are, “about the writer” stuff. I don’t know why I didn’t read it before, I was just in such shock about some of the things on THIS post that I had to respond first. This may piss you off even more, hopefully not, but I am sorry for the things you have had to go through, having beer bottles thrown at you, being bashed, etc. That is despicable! Those people are certainly opposing God and choosing to harm and torture one of His children, which is never okay, not for any reason.

But there is a big difference between those people and myself, and some (if not all) of the people on your list. I was sent your blog by a gay friend as part of a mass email. But when I looked at it, I saw a dear friend’s name on it. I just wanted you to know that myself and this person do go out of our way, EVERY DAY, to show kindness and support to any of God’s children that we can. We believe that living a homosexual lifestyle is wrong according to God and we believe keeping the laws of the land as close to the law of God is what He wants and what is best for our and others’ salvation. We don’t hate gay people and we don’t hate anyone else that break God’s word, because that would have to include us. None of us are perfect.

And on another note, I had no idea gay people could not give blood. I will have to do some more research on that. I am a commit for life member of the GCRBC and it is very important to me. I think that is just absurd!

I will keep you in my prayers, and continue to pray that there is less pain in the world and more understanding. It sounds like that is something you hope for too. I’m just better at praying than blogging. I mean that sincerely, and I hope you know that I am not trying to condescend to you.

Comment on Newly Updated–Houston Area Churches and Individuals Contributed More Than $200,000 To Thwart Civil Rights in California’s November 4th Election Over Proposition 8; Updated Information About Locals and How Much Money They Flooded Into California in Anti-Gay Effort; (That’s A Lot of Money That Could Have Gone To Help Victims of Hurricane Ike or Others Who Need Help Right Here in Southeast Texas–It Just Goes To Show: Some “Love To Hate” More Than They “Love To Love”) by Stephanie Mier

Stephanie Mier — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:42:15 +0000

I have to thank you for taking the time to read my response and for offering such an enthusiastic response of your own. I hope that we can just agree to disagree, because for me it does come down to what I believe about God and his instructions for us on how we are to live this life. I think (I THINK) that what it comes down to you for you is not having your rights trampled by someone who believes something different. Why should my group of people have the upper hand over yours? What if it were the other way around, you would feel like I wasn’t affected by your rights and I would be arguing your point that it does.

But let me please say this, I am an honest person, and what I’ve said is 100% the truth. I am closer to my gay friends than you could imagine, and they are as close to me. There have been times when I am the only person they have in their lives to depend on and they know I am always there for them. To defend them to their families, to take care of them when they’re sick and in the hospital, to help them through the pain of a broken heart, everything I would do for anyone in need. Most of my gay friends agree that it is not a choice, but some of them admit they don’t even really know how they feel about it. My argument is not whether or not they were born gay, but whether or not they are willing to put those feelings aside if God tells them to.

I appreciate some of the points you have made. Don’t think any of your comments are in vain, I can see somewhat what you are saying. Again, we just disagree. I am sorry that my beliefs infringe on your life, I won’t stop what I believe but I wish this wasn’t the case. You may find that extremely hard to believe but it is the way I feel. You are a fighter, and someone who stands up for what they believe and I appreciate that so much, I am the same way and have even argued some of those same points with my church. We could go on arguing this forever, but it probably won’t change anything.

I just ordered the book you recommended from Amazon and will read it and get back with you. Will you please read this book if you haven’t already: Born That Way? by Erin Eldridge. Just like the book you recommended to me, I’m sure it won’t change your mind, but it couldn’t hurt and you will likely get something from reading it, no matter how small. I will read your book with an open mind and I know I will get something from reading it.

Comment on Newly Updated–Houston Area Churches and Individuals Contributed More Than $200,000 To Thwart Civil Rights in California’s November 4th Election Over Proposition 8; Updated Information About Locals and How Much Money They Flooded Into California in Anti-Gay Effort; (That’s A Lot of Money That Could Have Gone To Help Victims of Hurricane Ike or Others Who Need Help Right Here in Southeast Texas–It Just Goes To Show: Some “Love To Hate” More Than They “Love To Love”) by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 06:59:36 +0000

I always get tickled when religious people want to come back and say, “You’re angry.” Obviously, you haven’t read much else here on the blog.

You say you’ve made sacrifices. Most people in their lives have made sacrifices, but there is a difference between rights as a citizen of this country and whatever personal sacrifices people make to have the life they want. Just because some people have certain personal religious beliefs should not mean that others in this country should be prevented from having the same rights. You as a married person person have a whole slew of rights granted to you by the government besides the most obvious–marriage itself, but also the many spousal benefits that go along with it, not to mention being able to be open about who you are in the military, or even more simply to give blood.

When you start to add god into the picture, I say, “Whose god?” There are many denominations that have no problem accepting gay marriage and full equality across the board. We don’t have a theocratic government system in the U.S. Countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran have governmental laws based on theocracy, and whatever side of the political fence you sit on in this country, I have heard few people advocating they would like a government like that in this country.

You say: “I don’t think gay people are less than others, I never said that, so I don’t know where you got that. I think that gay people choose to believe that God is okay with their choice and I believe that they are mistaken.” I “get that” because you chose to comment to the above post and indicate that you are against gay marriage. What is inherent in what you say is that your beliefs are the correct beliefs and based on those beliefs, gay people shouldn’t be allowed to get married in this country. You say “they are mistaken” and that indicates that they cannot have what you have–marriage–which indicates you do think gay people are less.

This is really no different than the theocratic laws in some countries where women are treated as “less”. Based on those laws, the wife has to walk behind the husband, cover her head and most of her body, and not be able to drive a car. Oh, but sure, he doesn’t think she’s “less” than he is.

One thing that always gets me and every other gay person I know is that when people tell them being gay is a choice. I just don’t buy that you have any gay people whom you are really close to; otherwise, you just would not say or even think that.

Did you make a choice NOT to be gay? Chew on that a moment, and you have to realize that gay people don’t make a choice NOT to be straight. Are you left-handed or right-handed? Did you make a choice about that? Back in the good ol’ days, especially in parochial schools, left-handed kids got their hands whacked with a ruler or even had their left hands tied behind their backs because it was thought to be immoral by some people. I guess in your way of thinking being left-handed wasn’t in god’s plan.

There’s no fork in the road of life where people choose to be left-handed or right-handed. Likewise, there’s no fork in the road where people choose to be gay, straight, or even something in the middle. Like being left-handed or right-handed, it just how we are wired.

The problem is that some religions and people want to attach some kind of moral significance to that wiring.

Where there is a choice, however, is in what people choose to believe. As part of their beliefs, the Aztecs sacrificed other human beings, the people of Salem believed that some of the local women were witches and burned them to death, some people from Latin countries believe that if a pregnant woman looks at a full moon the baby will have a mark on its face, some Hindus believe that cows are sacred, the Pope of the medieval church believed that the earth was flat, and, thus, Galileo was a heretic and driven out of the church.

Through the ages, beliefs have changed. People learn, people grow, people use logic and knowledge.

But just what is it with christians and homosexuality anyway? The bible really doesn’t say that much about it, and the lines there are come from way back in the part where there are all sorts of weird old Jewish rules like not letting dwarfs or invalids anywhere near the altar and not touching the skin of a pig. There’s a bunch of stuff like that back in Leviticus, but nobody, even those people who say they take every word of the bible literally adhere to any of that, but somehow they pull out homosexuality as being just about the worst thing anybody could be.

Never mind that it’s not on the top ten list of biblical no-no’s. I mean shouldn’t adultery be written into U.S. law? I’m pretty sure it’s there on that big ol’ tablet that Moses came down the mountain with. But I didn’t see any christians advocating for any laws against adultery when Governor Sanford was/is having his fling with his Argentine “soul mate” or after Senator Vitter got caught cheating on his wife with prostitutes. Why aren’t all the christians up in arms about that? Remember that ol’ song “Things That Make You Go Hmmm”?

Why did the Aztecs believe they should sacrifice other humans? Why did the people Salem believe some of the local women were witches and burn them to death? Why did people believe the world was flat?

And I think this should be a question for you. WHY do you believe what you believe.

In the end, you can believe whatever you believe. If you want to believe a rock is a hairbrush, you can believe that.

But in the same way that some parents’ religious beliefs should not prevent their child with cancer from being treated, your own and others’ religious beliefs should not prevent gay people from marrying the person whom they love.

Finally, you need to read this book: Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality by John Boswell.

Comment on Newly Updated–Houston Area Churches and Individuals Contributed More Than $200,000 To Thwart Civil Rights in California’s November 4th Election Over Proposition 8; Updated Information About Locals and How Much Money They Flooded Into California in Anti-Gay Effort; (That’s A Lot of Money That Could Have Gone To Help Victims of Hurricane Ike or Others Who Need Help Right Here in Southeast Texas–It Just Goes To Show: Some “Love To Hate” More Than They “Love To Love”) by Stephanie Mier

Stephanie Mier — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:54:44 +0000

We didn’t make the rules, God did. We just have to follow them as best we can, and it is hard for anyone to do that.

It seems by your response that you feel attacked and you obviously take gay rights very seriously. This doesn’t mean you have to attack me. I am not like Judas and I guess it is your anger and sensitivity to this issue that has prompted you to compare me to him. Maybe you could try reading more about Judas, because it seems that you do not understand or recall who he was correctly. Judas turned on Jesus, he betrayed God. I am essentially the opposite of Judas, because I refuse to betray God. Rather, I follow His rules and His plan, as hard as it may be.

“I just don’t buy all those sweet words, when in the end you admit that you think gay people are less than others based on your own belief system.”
I don’t think gay people are less than others, I never said that, so I don’t know where you got that. I think that gay people choose to believe that God is okay with their choice and I believe that they are mistaken. Some people are more obedient to God’s plan than others. Some people have more to overcome in this life than others.

“Personally, people who wouldn’t want me to have the same possibilities in life as they have is no friend of mine.”
We all have the same possibilities in life and the same choice to either live righteously or not. There are sacrifices I’ve had to make in life in order to have a family and live righteously and I chose to make them. Gay people are making a choice to live a lifestyle opposed to God. That is my belief and I understand that other people have other beliefs. While I am not perfect, I actively work on my obedience toward him every day of my life. I can only imagine how hard it would be to turn away from feelings of homosexuality in obedience to God. It is likely near impossible to do and I wish it wasn’t this way. I wish everyone could just be who they are and I certainly do not wish anyone to miss out on becoming a parent or having a family. But again, God made the rules, not us. It is our choice to follow His rules or to not follow.

All of my friends know what my beliefs are as well as how much I care about them – gay, straight, Christian, Jew, whoever they are. I don’t pretend to be anything that I’m not to them. I understand to a point where my gay friends are coming from, and they understand to a point where I am coming from, and we choose to disagree. We don’t hate each other or feel the need to provoke one another. I don’t hate gay people, I don’t think they’re less than me. I love people for who they are – faults, shortcomings, weaknesses, and all, because that is what I pray they can love me for as well.

Not from a straight to a gay or a white to a black, but from one person sharing this planet to another – I am sorry if you have had to struggle in life for things you feel should be your right, and I’m sorry if you have been the object of hate or prejudice. I have been there myself in many other ways and I am sad for you and others that have to feel that pain. The point that I am trying to make is that I don’t have this point of view just to hurt you, I have it because it is what I believe God is telling me to uphold. You certainly do not have to agree with my beliefs, but I hope you can for one minute just see why I and others do things to support what WE believe in. I wish that didn’t offend or stifle you and other gay people. But it does, and unfortunately, that is not a good enough reason for me to tell God that His rules must be wrong. I struggle with His rules in my life, but He cannot change the whole plan just to make it easier for me. And that is actually a blessing if you just look at it the right way.

Sorry for the extra long post, this is just such a difficult point for me to make, but it is very important to me. Whether you believe me or not, I am SORRY for any pain or struggle you have to endure, I would do ANYTHING to help alleviate that pain, with one exception: I cannot go against what is right according to my beliefs.

Comment on New Gallup Poll Just Out Shows a Preference for Blue Over Red When It Comes to Political Party Choices by fnord

fnord — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 02:51:57 +0000

Trip, there’s just no sanity left in the Republican Party. It’s difficult to reason with the unreasonable. The birthers, the town-hall meeting disrupters, added to the ‘tax cuts for the wealthy will fix everything’ nuts make them an almost non-existent regional party. I know it sounds like I’m tickled pink, but I think we need at least two viable political philosophies to keep the powerful from taking advantage of us.

Comment on Yet Even More Christian Preachers and Leaders Arrested for Sex Crimes by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:32:34 +0000

I find nothing hypocritical about posting information that comes directly from a Denver Post article to which I’ve linked. There is nothing hypocritical about saying someone was arrested or is accused of doing something, when in fact, this information comes from legitimate sources. However, you say the “allegations have been shown to be groundless”, but you supply no reference for this, so we have no way of knowing the veracity of your statement.

The most recent information that I have found comes from an ongoing investigation being done by the CBS affiliate in Denver, Channel 4, which on July 22, 2009 indicated that the Jefferson County District Attorney is still investigating the case. Earlier articles reported that a preliminary hearing was to be held on July 17th, but nothing I can find indicates if that hearing was held or any outcome if it was held.

Channel 4 appears to be investigating Silver State Christian School’s handling of the situation based on parents’ complaints and its lack of acknowledging that another employee had been convicted of sexually assaulting a student in 2002.

Read the article: http://cbs4denver.com/local/silver.christian.assault.2.1097171.html

Comment on Yet Even More Christian Preachers and Leaders Arrested for Sex Crimes by Nathan

Nathan — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:00:05 +0000

It is amazing that you would post this information as though it were proven fact! In the case of Daniel Brock, these allegations have been shown to be groundless. Maybe the real hypocrite is the person who publishes this blog.

Comment on Newly Updated–Houston Area Churches and Individuals Contributed More Than $200,000 To Thwart Civil Rights in California’s November 4th Election Over Proposition 8; Updated Information About Locals and How Much Money They Flooded Into California in Anti-Gay Effort; (That’s A Lot of Money That Could Have Gone To Help Victims of Hurricane Ike or Others Who Need Help Right Here in Southeast Texas–It Just Goes To Show: Some “Love To Hate” More Than They “Love To Love”) by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 03:56:10 +0000

Two things: why should Texans spend money on what is another state’s issue? There’s no love exhibited by people who made a concerted effort to send hundreds and thousands of dollars out of state for the purpose of hurting other people, which is what they have done. Think of how much good all that money could have done. Second, if you truly love these people that you say are your friends, you would accept them as they are and want for them the same possibilities and rights that everyone else has. I just don’t buy all those sweet words, when in the end you admit that you think gay people are less than others based on your own belief system.

Personally, people who wouldn’t want me to have the same possibilities in life as they have are no friends of mine. If you are saying that you think it’s OK for your straight friends to get married to the person they love, but it’s not OK for your gay “friends” to get married to the person they love, I’m curious if you have told that to your gay “friends”, whom you say you sincerely care about. Most people don’t react well to those who are prejudiced against them.

There was a guy kinda like that in one of those old religious books. If I remember the story right, his name was Judas.

Comment on A Glimpse of Galveston 10 Months After Hurricane Ike by fnord

fnord — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:43:45 +0000

I’ve only been to Galveston Island once and that was twenty-five years ago. Your post brought back many happy memories of that trip. Is the area full of shops, bars, restaurants near the water called The Strand? I was a real tourist and took the trolley around to the stately homes, the driver pointed out the marks from cannonballs fired during the Civil War… Good trip! I’m glad they’ve rebuilt.

Comment on Newly Updated–Houston Area Churches and Individuals Contributed More Than $200,000 To Thwart Civil Rights in California’s November 4th Election Over Proposition 8; Updated Information About Locals and How Much Money They Flooded Into California in Anti-Gay Effort; (That’s A Lot of Money That Could Have Gone To Help Victims of Hurricane Ike or Others Who Need Help Right Here in Southeast Texas–It Just Goes To Show: Some “Love To Hate” More Than They “Love To Love”) by Stephanie Mier

Stephanie Mier — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:39:43 +0000

Do you even know the reason why each of these people oppose a homosexual lifestyle? True, there are a lot of hateful, homophobic people out there. But there are also a lot of people who, despite how hard it is for them, oppose homosexuality because they believe it is wrong and opposes God. It’s hard for them to support anti-gay movements because they love people, ALL people, and it is against their nature to judge or be unsupportive of anyone. But they know it is wrong. It is hard to do the right thing, and some people wish we could just all live in harmony, but we have to obey God and His rules for us. Don’t just assume it’s about HATE. If you want them to take a minute to understand how you feel and where you come from, just give them the same courtesy. I have so many gay friends that I love dearly, sincerely love, but I love my God respect His plan more.

Comment on Matthew Mitcham–Now There’s a Picture I Would Hang in My Locker by Mike Anderson

Mike Anderson — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:11:09 +0000

Perhaps, sometime down the track, someone will do a comprehensive analysis of the DIFFERENCE between endorsement/advertising/sponsorship offers to Australian gold medallists after the Beijing Olympic Games: Mathew Mitcham was significant ignored by commercial supporters.

Is this because he is ugly? NO!
Is this because he didn’t deserve his medal? NO!
Is this because he is not a sporting hero? NO!

It’s because he had the guts to come out, and the conservative interests who govern allocation of sponsorship dollars in Australia figure there’s no mileage in supporting a public faggot.

I’m sorry, Michael, that I live in such a sad and pathetic country: I’m really proud of your accomplishments – in diving, and in progressing social awareness – and I wish that you could share in the regard and reward that has been accorded your fellow gold-medal-winners, as people performing at a global peak of their craft.

Cheers – Mike

Comment on Britain’s Hope for the 2012 Olympics Outshines Mitcham at World Diving Championships in Rome by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:56:39 +0000

There was another instance of a “fluke” about 240 years ago when a highly-financed and well-trained army “underperformed” and got its royal butt kicked and a treaty had to be signed, which created a new nation. I’d say in any competition if any competitor gives it his all and beats the others, however highly they might be thought of, that person is the winner, and that win can’t be taken away from them, nor should it be called a fluke. Be proud of your guy, but why be so negative about somebody else’s?

Comment on Britain’s Hope for the 2012 Olympics Outshines Mitcham at World Diving Championships in Rome by Osomec

Osomec — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:32:35 +0000

Matthew Mitcham’s Olympic win was a fluke: he won with a PB score that would not normally get a gold at world level, ahead of several divers with superior PBs who underperformed that day. MM has improved his PB slightly since the Olympics, but Tom Daley now has a superior PB to him and he hasn’t even learned the hardest dives yet. He had beaten MM earlier this year, as had several other divers, and he is second in the 2009 best score chart after one of the Chinese divers, well ahead of MM. I expect future platform titles to be contested by TD and whoever the Chinese select.

Comment on Yet Even More Christian Preachers and Leaders Arrested for Sex Crimes by thenonconformer

thenonconformer — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:10:40 +0000

my personal expereince was that 70 percent of the christian leaders, persons are still ungoldy persons cause they really still are not born from above..

Comment on Lessons In Buying a House: The $116 Lesson–Yours for Free by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:01:58 +0000

That is another lesson that I’ve learned and was going to write about: not using someone for your agent based on the advice of friend when the agent and your friend are also friends. It’s kind of like buying a used car from a friend and then you have problems with the car. Fortunately, I signed nothing to continue working through this agent, so now I will find someone who will be on my side.

Comment on Lessons In Buying a House: The $116 Lesson–Yours for Free by fnord

fnord — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:00:35 +0000

Sucks that we usually learn lessons the hard way!

Are you sure you have the right (best) real estate agent? Seems even tho you’re a novice, the agent should know all the pitfalls inside and out!

Comment on Yet Even More Christian Preachers and Leaders Arrested for Sex Crimes by fnord

fnord — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:25:54 +0000

Bet they all believe love has a gender, and that nonsense about marriage being between one man and one woman (at a time). A friend of mine would quote the Bible’s shortest verse, “Jesus wept.” I just grow more cynical.

Comment on Houston Gay Pride Parade Follow-up: The Police and “Hello Kitty” by Traveler

Traveler — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:53:52 +0000

Thanks for the wonderful coverage Outhouse! The Kitties loved the adoring crowd last Saturday and we had a blast, as usual. We even gave all the kitty heads away to a throng of kids at the end of the parade route! Sadly, the Pride judges were not impressed and we came up goose eggs at the awards ceremony on Wednesday (after winning the last 3 years in a row — remember the Chinese Takeout Boxes in 2007?). Oh well, there’s always next year!

Comment on And What Will the Conservative Republicans Say Now about Sancti-MOAN-ious Sanford’s Revelations and the Sanctity of Marriage? Come’on Now, We’re All Waiting with Bated Breath by M Mears

M Mears — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:22:07 +0000

Mark Sanford should not resign.-that is too easy his term is up in 18 months anyway.

He should be required to release relevant travel and expense information to the public, relating to who paid and when he traveled for the trips and what other gaps in serving as chief executive there were if any.

Comment on About the Blog and the Writer by John

John — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:26:08 +0000

What a terrific blog! I currently live in Florida but I am planning to move back to Houston this fall. I certainly plan to keep up with your interesting entries.

Comment on Gay Pride Houston 2009 by fnord

fnord — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:07:33 +0000

Last year I watched the Gay Pride parade in Boston. It was quite a spectacle. Boston is a tolerant city and there was much in the parade that needed tolerance.

Comment on Sad Note on Houston’s Gay Pride Parade When Woman Hurt by Police Horse by fnord

fnord — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 03:44:05 +0000

I’m sad and sorry that someone was hurt, and I’m happy that we’ve come a long ways. I wish humans didn’t have to earn their way by bits and pieces. I don’t even understand why a color, a sex, a sexual persuasion should need to be considered. Aren’t all humans equally human??

Comment on Why Don’t These “Moral” Republicans Ever Seem To Have To Face the Consequences of their Actions? by fnord

fnord — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:24:47 +0000

Don’t they take those male gonads completely out in a neuter procedure? Mike Licht has suggested a worthy remedy!

Comment on Why Don’t These “Moral” Republicans Ever Seem To Have To Face the Consequences of their Actions? by fnord

fnord — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:23:12 +0000

As long as they think they are better than most, they won’t see the need for accountability. And as long as they think they’re superior, they shouldn’t receive the votes of us average fallible humans.

Comment on Why Don’t These “Moral” Republicans Ever Seem To Have To Face the Consequences of their Actions? by Mike Licht

Mike Licht — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 23:30:19 +0000

Senator Ensign is a veterinarian by training. How can his extra-marital fence-jumping habit be broken?

“Neuter and Spay, it’s the Only Way.”

See:

http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2009/06/17/john-ensign-promise-keeper/

Comment on We Should Be Fearing the Terrorists Among Us, They Are Just as Bad as the Ones Who Don’t Speak our Language by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:39:29 +0000

That’s why we are a country of laws, and we have ways to change those laws that we disagree with. When we begin to turn to violence and kill those who stand on the other side from us, what kind of country do we have? Please explain anything in the Constitution or the laws of this country that would give any credence to show that these killers’ own personal moral beliefs give them the right to take another’s life.

I’m also sure you’re OK with polygamists who rape girls and the 9/ll hijackers who took the lives of so many in NYC because “who are you to impose your morality on others?”

But aren’t you really imposing your morality with what you say about Dr. Tiller?

Comment on We Should Be Fearing the Terrorists Among Us, They Are Just as Bad as the Ones Who Don’t Speak our Language by Brian Vree

Brian Vree — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:17:23 +0000

Scott Roeder did an evil act. He killed a man. Killer killed thousands. I am personally against killing abortionists, but who am I to impose my morality on others?

Comment on Unite the Fight: This May Finally Be the Organization That Connects Gays and Lesbians and their Supporters in the Fight for Equality by Unite the Fight

Unite the Fight — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:20:09 +0000

Thanks for spreading the word!

Comment on California Court’s Decision on Proposition 8 May Be Disappointing, But 18,000 Legally Married Same-Sex Couples “Ain’t Nothin’ To Sneeze At” by fnord

fnord — Wed, 27 May 2009 01:35:19 +0000

Crazy! Gay marriage isn’t legal, but 18,000 gay marriages are legal. Makes me dizzy and so sad. It’s sad that it’s taking so long, that it is even an issue at all, but it’s only a matter of time. Younger people don’t harbor the inexplicable hate of the older generation and those old coots can’t last forever.

Comment on Come Take a Walk to the Park with Annie by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Sun, 24 May 2009 03:19:51 +0000

It gives you a chance to notice so many things that you’d otherwise miss.

I needed to change the preposition in the title because several of the pictures were taken on the way to the park–just one long block if you walk on one side of the street and three short blocks if you walk on the other side.

Comment on Come Take a Walk to the Park with Annie by fnord

fnord — Sun, 24 May 2009 02:10:33 +0000

I agree your park looks like one of the nicest. Annie looks wonderful too! I have a canine friend named Ginger, and we walk together — one of life’s pleasures.

Comment on The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act Would Not Stop Anyone’s Religious Free Speech; Read the Bill, Then Shut Up! by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Sat, 16 May 2009 02:41:47 +0000

That was just getting to be too much. I definitely am not used to having to moderate much on my blog, but every time I responded, it just seemed to just elicit a less coherent and more berating response. I clicked on that person’s blog, and after looking at it, I decided that wasn’t really someone I wanted responding on my blog. It’s one thing to take the other side and state your point, but I never got what point was trying to be made, except to be angry.

Comment on The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act Would Not Stop Anyone’s Religious Free Speech; Read the Bill, Then Shut Up! by fnord

fnord — Sat, 16 May 2009 02:09:29 +0000

OK! I responded as I read. And here I am to the end. It’s your microphone. S/he had a long row to hoe, but needs to change that for themselves.

Comment on The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act Would Not Stop Anyone’s Religious Free Speech; Read the Bill, Then Shut Up! by fnord

fnord — Sat, 16 May 2009 02:08:17 +0000

I didn’t read anything hateful. Are you reading something into words that aren’t there? Why so negative? I haven’t walked a mile in your shoes and admit I don’t understand as well as you, but do you know how much better or worse we can make our world just by changing our attitude?

Comment on The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act Would Not Stop Anyone’s Religious Free Speech; Read the Bill, Then Shut Up! by fnord

fnord — Sat, 16 May 2009 02:05:50 +0000

I sure don’t hate Jews. I know a bunch of people who don’t!

I’m sorry you feel hated. That’s sad. Maybe you’re looking at the negative and ignoring the positive? You really don’t want government out of your life — you want the fire department to respond if your house is on fire, you want parks, streets in good enough repair your car doesn’t have to spend all its time in the repair shop, foods and drugs that are safe. I don’t need to go on, as you understand. We all want a government that keeps their nose out of where it doesn’t belong. But we need government and in America we’re very blessed!

Comment on Out Performer Wanda Sykes Featured at White House Correspondents Dinner; Who Says Obama Is Not on Our Side? by fnord

fnord — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:36:53 +0000

I laughed and laughed! Watched her performance twice so I wouldn’t miss anything (due to laughing so hard!).

President Obama has done more in his just over 100 days than many presidents accomplish in a term. I’m proud to be an American (again!). Those years under bush the lesser were long and arduous.

Comment on The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act Would Not Stop Anyone’s Religious Free Speech; Read the Bill, Then Shut Up! by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Tue, 12 May 2009 02:37:43 +0000

Comments by the previous poster will now go to spam. I welcome comments on my blog, but this is still my blog and no one gets to enter and blather on incoherently.

Comment on The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act Would Not Stop Anyone’s Religious Free Speech; Read the Bill, Then Shut Up! by themadjewess

themadjewess — Mon, 11 May 2009 21:01:23 +0000

You are also so judgemental! Wow!! Mean and nasty! Rush Limbaugh does NOT represent MY beliefs, and stance on the affairs of man, NO way Chump. You really need to be more LIBERAL and SWEET, you come across SO Militant!!

Comment on The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act Would Not Stop Anyone’s Religious Free Speech; Read the Bill, Then Shut Up! by themadjewess

themadjewess — Mon, 11 May 2009 20:59:54 +0000

wow- you are such a HATER. Wow, so mean and HATEFUL!
Those are in our congressional record, they are now our life, you are paranoid for all the WRONG reasons.

Comment on The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act Would Not Stop Anyone’s Religious Free Speech; Read the Bill, Then Shut Up! by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Mon, 11 May 2009 19:52:08 +0000

I looked at it, and it sounds like the same load of caca put out by McCarthyites of the 50s and the John Birch Society of the 60s.

It’s no better to follow that extreme stuff without really putting in any of your own thinking, whether it’s on the Left or on the Right.

I don’t care whether non-thinkers want to follow Rush Limbaugh or Leon Trotsky over the cliff, I’m not going with them.

I will say this: if you just want to be a parrot, why don’t you sprout colorful feathers, go live in a tree on a tropical island, and lay eggs.

Comment on The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act Would Not Stop Anyone’s Religious Free Speech; Read the Bill, Then Shut Up! by themadjewess

themadjewess — Mon, 11 May 2009 18:09:01 +0000

You should read that link, I can tell you haven’t. How sad.

Comment on The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act Would Not Stop Anyone’s Religious Free Speech; Read the Bill, Then Shut Up! by themadjewess

themadjewess — Mon, 11 May 2009 18:08:23 +0000

“chaos” Where we are headed now.

Comment on The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act Would Not Stop Anyone’s Religious Free Speech; Read the Bill, Then Shut Up! by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Mon, 11 May 2009 16:13:21 +0000

As fervent as you seem to be about wanting government out of your life, I think you’ll have to try to find an isolated island where you can live alone, for even if there are just two people, a division of duties and responsibilities is required, and, thus, government begins. Like it or not, society without some type of government becomes chaos. As for me, I prefer the type of government in which I can express my opinion openly and, at least at some level, be an active member.

Comment on The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act Would Not Stop Anyone’s Religious Free Speech; Read the Bill, Then Shut Up! by themadjewess

themadjewess — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:14:43 +0000

I want the GOVT OUT of my life, that is how I think.
Now tell me…HOW can YOU or the govt. control peoples thoughts OR hate.
Human nature. Maybe NOT you, but I have enough hate on my blog from nazis, more than you can shake a stick at.

I believe that without ANY form of Godliness, hate will be out of control regardless of any bills being passed, good, bad or indifferent.
Sorry, I am a Jew, we get accused for ALL of the worlds woes- whether I am a right winger, a left winger, a good Jew or a bad Jew, people hate Jews, and I dont care. I dont like these type people much either.
I have read all of the bills. Every new bill they make is an affront to the Constitution since Jan 10, 1963:
http://neprimer.com/1963ComGoals.htm
This was entered into OUR Congressional record. Governing powers have succeeded.

Comment on The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act Would Not Stop Anyone’s Religious Free Speech; Read the Bill, Then Shut Up! by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Mon, 11 May 2009 02:01:57 +0000

Mad–I think you didn’t take time to read the bill, and I’m not really sure how you think it would get involved in your life. I’m curious; aside from paying taxes and maybe having to go to jury duty what have you wanted to do lately that the government has gotten involved in?

Likewise, I’m not sure all hate is human nature; a lot of seems to be learned and passed down from generation to generation.

And the bill wouldn’t and doesn’t say it would try to impede anybody’s hatred.

So the Imam can still say in the mosque, “I hate Jews, and you should hate Jews too,” and he would still not be prosecuted under the law. If one of his people who attends the mosque then goes on a rampage and kills Jews, the member could certainly be prosecuted under the law.

However, yes, if the Imam says, “I hate Jews and we should kill Jews, and a member goes out and kills Jews, then they both could be prosecuted, but as I understand it that kind of speech has never been protected under the law. It’s basically the same as crying “Fire” in a crowded theater when there is no fire and people are injured or killed trying to escape. That kind of speech is not protected and whoever commits such an act could be prosecuted.

Finally, it’s pretty clear that brutal murder of Johanna Justin-Jinich, the Weslayan University student was a hate crime. After all, the guy that shot her wrote this: “Kill Johanna. She must Die” and, “I think it’s ok to kill Jews and go on a killing spree.”

Comment on The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act Would Not Stop Anyone’s Religious Free Speech; Read the Bill, Then Shut Up! by themadjewess

themadjewess — Mon, 11 May 2009 00:20:24 +0000

Next will be the thought police, nevermind the hate patrol.
They cant stop people from hating other people, its HUMAN nature.
How about: GOVT: STAY OUT OF MY LIFE?
I am ALL for that.

Comment on The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act Would Not Stop Anyone’s Religious Free Speech; Read the Bill, Then Shut Up! by fnord

fnord — Sun, 10 May 2009 03:33:16 +0000

You’ve discovered all the reasons this bill does make sense and is needed. It has less to do with singling out any group of people as it does to protecting them. If it’s a federal crime there is more money, more personnel, more chance of finding the ‘perp.’ It’s necessary!

Comment on The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act Would Not Stop Anyone’s Religious Free Speech; Read the Bill, Then Shut Up! by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Sat, 09 May 2009 21:40:38 +0000

I agree with what you have said. Actually, I didn’t understand what the hate crimes bill entailed until we started discussing it, and about the same time, I saw all over the net, these religious and/or conservative people ranting that it would take away their freedom of speech, especially in terms of their religious beliefs.

So I wanted to see what it said and finally hunted it down. Now, I am not a lawyer, so I am interpreting it just as a layman, with vested interest.

In the post, I outlined the bill as I understand it; granted, I may have a somewhat biased point of view, but the two elements that seem to me the most important are: 1) that (and this is basically what you have said) when a hate crime is committed against a member of one of the protected groups, not only the direct victim is affected, but others in that group are affected.

I see this somewhat like the day of 9/11. After watching or hearing about the terrorist planes crashing into the buildings back east, most everyone around the country was terrified that more planes might be coming and could have been coming to where each of us were. And, of course, this was exactly what these terrorists wanted to do: put us all in fear.

The other main element that I get out of the bill is that it will help support local and state agencies when they don’t have enough money or manpower to investigate and prosecute cases like these, or if because of bias, they do not put out full effort to investigate and prosecute.

My hesitation with the first point is that criminals can terrorize people and it wouldn’t fit as a hate crime; I’m referring to cases of serial killers and gangs that do home invasions in specific neighborhoods or towns.

With the second point, I sit even more on the fence. When it comes to support, agencies that lack the money or manpower to fully investigate and prosecute any crime should be able to get that support, whether from the state or federal government. Say that a murderer came in to one of those counties out in western Kansas that have only 2 o 3 thousand people. If the killer wasn’t local or fled out of state or out of the country that would be very difficult for the county to pay for, let alone have the personnel to do the job. It’s not a hate crime but they should be able to get the support (like the grant mentioned in the bill) they need.

Where I think there is definite justification for the law to do something in terms of specific groups (but even as I sit here thinking I see that maybe it also applies more generally) is when local law officials and prosecutors don’t do an effective job investigation or trying cases because of their own personal biases. We know that this happened in the South, and no doubt other places, in the case where Blacks were attacked or murdered, but local officials turned their heads, and there is no doubt that this kind of bias is still happening towards various groups of people.

Comment on The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act Would Not Stop Anyone’s Religious Free Speech; Read the Bill, Then Shut Up! by fnord

fnord — Sat, 09 May 2009 18:57:00 +0000

So, if you aren’t whole heartedly in favor, is that because there shouldn’t be a need to make any group of citizens different than another group? I agree on that point. It would be nice if everyone could be treated as human as the next human and all be deserving of the same dignity.

I think it takes mental instability to hurt another person, but I see a distinction and a need of the hate crimes bill. When a person loses control of themselves and causes bodily harm or death to a single individual that doesn’t mean they will go looking for another to hurt. When a person is motivated to inflict bodily harm or death to all persons who are of a certain race, gender, sexual persuasion, etc., they are a danger to a large number of people and deserve the distinction and stiffer penalties of ‘hate crimes.’

Comment on About the Blog and the Writer by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Sat, 02 May 2009 12:56:47 +0000

I live right around the corner actually. There are lots of people out in the evenings, especially walking and jogging around the neighborhood. There is also a group of us who come to the little triangle-shaped park around 6 PM with our dogs. It’s a good way to meet people even if you don’t have a dog!

Comment on Hate Crimes Legislation vs. Marriage Equality by iggydonnelly

iggydonnelly — Fri, 01 May 2009 04:05:24 +0000

Thanks, I am from the same blog as fnord. I appreciate the idea of equality that you state here.

My concerns about the whole issue is that many conservatives are against hate-crime legislation because they fear that such is geared toward giving what they consider “special rights” to GLBT people. The premise goes, “if I preach against homosexuality in my church service I am potentially guilty of a hate crime.” In other words, the message is “please don’t put my prejudice in jepordy – I want to retain it.” I suspect that no hate crime legislation will change people’s hate.

My position is that people who act on their hate, which is more likely organized via groups of haters, should be treated differently and punished more severely. We have RICO laws for a reason; stopping organized crime is in all of our interests.

Thanks for your blog and all you do.

Comment on Hate Crimes Legislation vs. Marriage Equality by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Fri, 01 May 2009 02:16:30 +0000

Actually that’s quite all right, and now . . . since just a couple of minutes ago, in fact, I have a little different perspective on it myself. I just finished watching a segment of the “The Rachel Maddow Show” on MSNBC (one of my favorite on all of TV) with Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard, who was killed in Wyoming a number of years ago and whom the hate crimes bill, and I suppose law if it it is enacted, is named for.

As she explained it, what the federal hate crimes law will do is provide federal support in investigating and trying cases where local or state officials do not act or won’t act because of their own personal biases or their isn’t necessary funding to deal with the case.

This does not mean , again as I understand it, that the defendant will be charged with a hate crime; however, from what I have seen in some cases is that if there is a state hate crimes law that also applies in a case, the defendant can be additionally charged for the hate crime along with whatever other act (attempted murder, murder, etc.) he has been charged with. What has happened, though, in a number of cases that I have read about is that prosecution chooses not to add the hate crime charge because it is more difficult to prove, and that the prosecution would rather win what they can win rather than taking the chance of losing the whole ballgame. The problem is that because of this, although the crime might have been very severe, the criminal gets off with doing few years in prison.

After listening to Judy Shepard, I like what the federal law would do, and if state laws also do something similar–say for example, that the sheriff or county attorney is biased and won’t investigate or prosecute to get a conviction, then the state attorney general steps in–that would work. (We do know that in some states, the state officials can be just as biased as the local ones.)

What I still don’t agree with is charging someone with both the actual crime and an additional hate crime. To me, this is where there is inequality. Everyone should be tried and punished according to the crime that was committed. And they should have to serve the time the jury or judge sentenced them with.

Comment on Hate Crimes Legislation vs. Marriage Equality by fnord

fnord — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:16:50 +0000

I didn’t ask permission and probably should have — I’m new to all this and don’t have the etiquette down — but, many at Prairie P&Ps would be interested in your perspective so I linked to your post.

Comment on Hate Crimes Legislation vs. Marriage Equality by fnord

fnord — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:26:06 +0000

I wish I had done my ’rounds’ and visited your blog earlier in the day! At my ‘home’ blog we’ve been discussing this issue and none of us did it justice, none of us got to the solution, at least not as well and as calmly as you did. It sure has been nice meeting you, and I look forward to getting to know you better.

Comment on About the Blog and the Writer by Greg

Greg — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:46:48 +0000

Hi….are you a camp logan resident? We just moved to the neighborhood and are looking to make new friends.

Comment on Heavy Rains Roll Through Houston Area Overnight, Some Missing in Flood Waters, White Oak and Buffalo Bayous Very High Downtown by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 03:27:58 +0000

Yes, thankfully, there was just one; a guy was still in his SUV that had somehow been washed into a huge culvert drain under the freeway: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6400061.html

Comment on Heavy Rains Roll Through Houston Area Overnight, Some Missing in Flood Waters, White Oak and Buffalo Bayous Very High Downtown by fnord

fnord — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:35:21 +0000

Have they found the drivers who were swept away? How tragic. The power of rushing water is amazing and very scary.

I feel for you! And doesn’ the forecast call for more? Someone needs to remind Mother Nature about moderation!

Comment on After the Rain and Flooding–A Long Drive Home by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:00:23 +0000

I took some pictures from the car on my way home; I should add them here. Do you know the Police Officer Memorial off of Memorial? It was completely surrounded by water. Also people were canoeing in that park next to Waugh, where the basketball courts are. This morning the water was much lower, still high in the bayou, but back into just the normal places, and I had no trouble coming to work.

Comment on After the Rain and Flooding–A Long Drive Home by Asako

Asako — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:41:01 +0000

I heard from a friend about the storm and saw the picture of the cross road between I10 and Belt 8. It was terrible.
When I visited there, I also suffered heavy storm.

Take care and avoid getting wet.

Comment on New Interpretations Bring Modern Fusions into the Classic Argentinian Tango by German

German — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:01:37 +0000

See more about Kurdha Tango Gay on:

http://www.kurdha.com.ar

http://www.grupoargentino.com.ar

do not forget to check out or Facebook & Pridebook profiles.
Thanks for the comments.

Comment on Dog Poop, Religion, Homosexuality and the “Ick” Factor by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 22:18:50 +0000

Yes, of course. I’m really happy to have found your blog too.

Comment on Dog Poop, Religion, Homosexuality and the “Ick” Factor by fnord

fnord — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 19:38:22 +0000

Funny how you tied those three words — poop, homosexuality and religion together! I wondered when I saw the thread title in your sidebar how that was going to be done.

I’ve added your blog to the blogroll over at Prairie Pops, hope that is OK?

Yes, it seems you share opinions and thoughts similar to the group over there. Kinda strange, huh? Considering that we’re from Kansas where the opinions and thoughts are seldom very progressive at all.

I like your blog, I’ll return!

Comment on Another–Yes, Another–Religious Disciple Arrested on Teenage Sex Charges; This Time It’s ‘Focus on the Family’s’ Own Narrator by sunnyskeptic

sunnyskeptic — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 15:09:04 +0000

AAAHHHHH!! I can’t believe it just keeps happening! How the heck? Aside from having no morality, are they also not able to learn from the mistakes of others?

Comment on Bluebonnets–Blankets of Color in the Texas Spring by Asako

Asako — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:55:58 +0000

Ah, I miss Houston because Bluebonnets are beautiful and Annie is cute.^^

Is it near Memorial Park? I saw the video and suppose it’s near McDonalds.

You got the new camera!!! I’ve had a Nikon camera before the Sonny one. I think Nikon is good because Nikon is a lens company and Sony or others are not exactly a camera company.

The title of the video was so funny.^^

Comment on Grandfield, Oklahoma, Small Town Teachers, and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” by name withheld

name withheld — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:26:33 +0000

Bravo! I am truly pleased to find someone who did research about the town and did not make rash judgments about the town or its people. It’s my hometown and it hurts when I see people talk bad about it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Comment on Even More Evangelist Preachers Arrested on Sex Charges; Ted Haggard Looking “Haggard”, Promoting HBO Documentary, and UPDATE: Tony Alamo Found Guilty of Transporting Minors Across State Lines for Sex by Tony Alamo News » Blog Archive » 1/19/09 - Even More Evangelist Preachers Arrested on Sex Charges; Tony Alamo Trial Set for May; Ted Haggard Looking “Haggard”, Promoting HBO Documentary

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:29:34 +0000

[...] Trip to the Outhouse January 19, 2009 Even More Evangelist Preachers Arrested on Sex Charges; Tony Alamo Trial Set for May; Ted Haggard L… [...]

Comment on You Gotta Hand It to Them–Kids Like These Are Going To Make a Difference; Judge Orders Florida School To Allow Gay-Straight Alliance To Meet by sunnyskeptic

sunnyskeptic — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 20:29:06 +0000

So nice they’re ‘letting’ them meet. lol. It’s great to see kids banding together and making a difference.

Comment on Sean Penn Wins Best Actor and Dustin Lance Black Wins for Best Screenwriting for MILK; Watch Their Moving Acceptance Speeches at the Oscars by sunnyskeptic

sunnyskeptic — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 02:32:06 +0000

I don’t know if I can see that film, I know how angry it will make me, no matter how ‘uplifting’ it is… It’s just so shocking to me. Nothing much makes me mad, either.

Comment on Typical Small-Minded Thinking and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Get Kansas National Guard Member Kicked Out of the Military by Trip to the Outhouse

Trip to the Outhouse — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:56 +0000

I come from a h.s. graduating class of 14, and we were and still are like family when we get back together, but after living out of the country for awhile and in the country’s 4th largest city for many years, and although I love these people to death when I get together when some of them for a few hours, I realize that I just don’t want to hear stuff like “. . .and you know who’s with who, and so-and-so got divorced because . . .” It’s not really malicious talk, but they don’t have much else to talk about, so that kind of stuff becomes the topic.

Comment on Typical Small-Minded Thinking and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Get Kansas National Guard Member Kicked Out of the Military by sunnyskeptic

sunnyskeptic — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:37:47 +0000

I don’t know, I live in a small town, and sometimes I think they’re right. We should just all line one another up and decide who they’re going to be having sex with from now on. It could solve all of the worlds’ problems.

Oh, also, the best one I’ve heard personally about people prying into personal relationships are the people we knew who said that my fiance and I spend too much time together and are too happy to be with one another, so there must be something wrong with us. lol.

Comment on Coffee Milk and Hopalong Cassidy by Del

Del — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:17:35 +0000

Sounds like we’ve had some very similar experiences growing up – I was raised on a farm in Iowa in the 1940’s and 50’s and also remember the trips to the outhouse and the sears catalogs When my mother passed in 2002, she left a box for me that was filled with childhood things ( baby book, first haircut, school records and pics, etc.) I was recently going through that box and surprise !! One of the memories is my old Hopalong Cassidy coffee mug – still in excellent shape – looks just like your picture except it has black lettering — anyway thanks for the memories !!!!

Comment on Papillon in a Pink Peacoat by Yuriko

Yuriko — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:26:12 +0000

I have a papillon — we just got him last month. And I love him to death! He’s the sweetest dog I’ve ever seen. He and our other dog, a mini pinscher, get along great, though she bosses him around alot.

I’m still trying to get our dogs to go like clockwork. Do you feed Annie only at specific times? We (my hubby and I) go to work all day and feel bad for them if they have nothing to eat all day… so we leave a small bowl of food and water for them. But their trips to the bathroom are a little unpredictable.

Comment on Annie Says “So Long” But Not “Goodbye” to a Friend by Yuriko

Yuriko — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:19:30 +0000

Wow! I love the quilt and Annie is sooo cute! I’m sure you’ll see each other again! And keeping up with each other on your blog is a great way to do so.

Comment on Happy News from Asia: China Allows Gay Marriage by sunnyskeptic

sunnyskeptic — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:40:07 +0000

Is it weird that I think it’s adorable that the gay penguins were trying to nab eggs from the straight penguins? I just think that’s so dang cute! lol

Comment on A Little Advice for Would-be Dog Owners by Asako

Asako — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:30:57 +0000

The flash picture in the top of this post is so—cute. It’s exactly Annie.^^

I felt dogs in the U.S are happier than dogs in Japan. Yesterday, I visited my friend who has a English Cocker Spaniel. The dog is in her house, but she can’t enter the room. She can be only an entrance area in a tiny Japanese house, so she was barking when I got house and greeted to her and even after I got in a room because she is interested in me. I knew the dog before going to Houston, but I didn’t feel anything. However, now I feel sorry to the dog because I saw many joyful dogs in Houston.
I think Japanese are not supposed to have big dogs unless they live in a big house.

Comment on Annie Says “So Long” But Not “Goodbye” to a Friend by Asako

Asako — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:12:01 +0000

I appreciate you. Thank you so much.

Your gift is still in my suitcase.^^ I want to hang it as soon as I start living in new apartment.
I miss you, Annie and Memorial Park.

Comment on Papillon in a Pink Peacoat by triptotheouthouse

triptotheouthouse — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:58:34 +0000

I hadn’t had a dog since I was a kid on the farm when I finally decided I would get one. I did a lot of reading and some “matching” on the internet, and Papillon kept coming up for me even though I hadn’t really ever seen one.
The biggest thing for me was I was not going to have a dog with problems of “messing” in the house. I can tell you that papillons (at least Annie) learned quickly, and probably had few than 10 “accidents” even when she was a puppy. Now she is like clockwork–7 in the morning (later if it’s cold), 5 in the afternoon, and 10 at night before bedtime–all at her “spot” outside.
The fact that she is sweet and a bit of a watchdog are bonuses.

Comment on Papillon in a Pink Peacoat by sunnyskeptic

sunnyskeptic — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:30:29 +0000

That’s probably one of the cutest dogs ever! I’m thinking ahead to my doggie future and now maybe I’ll have to consider a papillon!

Comment on About the Blog and the Writer by Pat PLumhoff

Pat PLumhoff — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:31:45 +0000

Hi, Tam said to read the new entries…so I did. I am very proud to be the sister-in-law who took you to the bus, the one who cut your hair for the military, the one who may be the first family member to be told about your gay-ness and probably the one who started the hugging in your family. Although we no longer have the same last name, you will always be my brother. Love ya’ll! (I’m not from CA.)

Comment on About the Blog and the Writer by Daymon "The Basket" Balser

Daymon "The Basket" Balser — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:47:27 +0000

Great Blog Thanks so much! Being a victim of “Queer Bashing” myself, it’s so refreshing to hear my side of the story rather than the idological rhetoric of the right wingers. Thanks Again!

Comment on OK, So Let’s Try Something New . . . by Daymon "The Basket" Balser

Daymon "The Basket" Balser — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:42:28 +0000

Great Job on your new camcorder! Too cold for me!

Comment on Newly Updated–Houston Area Churches and Individuals Contributed More Than $200,000 To Thwart Civil Rights in California’s November 4th Election Over Proposition 8; Updated Information About Locals and How Much Money They Flooded Into California in Anti-Gay Effort; (That’s A Lot of Money That Could Have Gone To Help Victims of Hurricane Ike or Others Who Need Help Right Here in Southeast Texas–It Just Goes To Show: Some “Love To Hate” More Than They “Love To Love”) by Daymon "The Basket" Balser

Daymon "The Basket" Balser — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:37:56 +0000

It seems to me that the money contributed to this campaign from supporters of prop 8 could have been better spent. Like on Education, Hunger, Disease and Famine, our Ecology, just to name a few, rather than discriminating against an entire class of United States citizens.

Comment on Remembering Mom by sunnyskeptic

sunnyskeptic — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 02:17:53 +0000

Much sympathy to you for the loss of your mother.

The election was the same for so many of us, feelings of overwhelming joy and being amazingly pissed off. I can only hope that we can all get pissed off enough to realize that we need to stand up for our common humanity and each other at any and all cost.

Nice blog, as well. I am glad I found you.

Comment on Gay/Straight Alliances–A Short Film Well Worth the Watching by Andy Garcia

Andy Garcia — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:21:37 +0000

Thanks for sharing.

That’s really great – what’s been achieved!

Andy x

Comment on Early Voting in Houston, Texas by Asako

Asako — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 05:57:44 +0000

Hi, Sorry to hear that you waited for long time in the clinic. I also recently went to a hospital and waited for a hour. It made me sick more.^^

In my country, I can’t vote for the election of a prime minister directory, so I think many citizens have lost interest of politics.
I may call or visit you soon. Take care.(*^_^*)

Comment on If You Like the Cartoon “Blondie” . . . by Phare

Phare — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:10:11 +0000

Very interesting article , even and did not think what is a possible read off such pleasure , thank you author

Comment on After Hurricane Ike–Newly Updated Sunday, September 28th–What It’s Like From My Place In Houston–Lots Luckier Than the Majority; Also Electricity Outages and School Openings Links; Plus, Aerial Video of Devastated Areas on Galveston Island and Other Coastal Areas by Asako

Asako — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 20:21:53 +0000

Hi, I’m glad to hear that you are fine and got your normal life back. My apt. is still out of power even though it’s not far from your apartment. It’s so dark at night that my apartment is like a haunted mansion.^^

However, I’m fine. As you said, I can go to some restaurants to eat and I’ve not suffered heat weather. I just go back to the primitive life in night time.

I now realized that the horn of a train is so noisy at night even though I’ve been living there for 5 years because I didn’t open windows at night until I lost power.

You may be busy from Monday. Take care of yourself.
See you (*^_^*)

Comment on About the Blog and the Writer by Charlotte

Charlotte — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 16:23:23 +0000

Anybody wanting information about Bellaire can go to http://www.hcnonline.com and click on Bellaire Examiner. We are updating as often as news warrants. Should be posting more pics soon.

Comment on After Hurricane Ike–Electricity Situation in Houston As of Sept. 17th by triptotheouthouse

triptotheouthouse — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 01:46:23 +0000

Sorry, I don’t know. Bellaire is a town inside of Houston, and also a street. Chinatown is quite a way from here. Also the electricity is very spotty throughout the city, on on one street and off on the next. If you know the zip code, you might check here to have a little idea by checking:
http://centerpointenergy.com/staticfiles/ike/outages.html.

Comment on After Hurricane Ike–Electricity Situation in Houston As of Sept. 17th by S

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 01:36:00 +0000

Do you know if electricity in Chinatown (bellaire and beltway) have been restored? We’ve been trying to call but cannot get through.

Thank you for your help.

Comment on About the Bayous in the Houston Area and the Houston Ship Channel by Asako

Asako — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:43:49 +0000

Hi. Are you OK? I suppose you’ve been staying somewhere safe place with Annie. I called you Saturday morning, but the phone seemed to be out.
I’m in Dallas. My husband’ company made us evacuate here, so I’m fine. I’m not still sure whether my apt. is under power or not. I will be back tomorrow(Tuesday) anyway. Take care of yourself and see you soon.