We Really Need Omega-3

MSNBC has a really good article on a supplement we all need but don't get enough of.  It seems that before we started factory raising our beef and poultry, omega-3's were abundant in more of our food supply.  The grass consumed by beef and free range chickens causes their proteins to be rich in omega-3.  And the salmon we all eat to get that wonderful oil?  Seems the farm raised variety is being fed grain rather than some form of their natural food sources, causing them to be less rich in omega-3.  The really interesting part is that omega-3 is good not only for the heart and cardiovascular system, but for the brain as well.  And they seem to be pointing to the omega-3 oil as a way to stave off depression, fatigue, and whole range of illnesses.  Read the article for yourself.  But I think I'm about to start looking for grain fed beef, free range poultry, and more fish. The article is titled, Want to live longer?

for my wife . . .

Friends and family often ask why it matters whether we can marry. In their eyes, todays' gays and lesbians lead fairly normal lives with little interference. Why can't we just leave things alone and be happy with what we've achieved. I don't know if my feeble attempts to explain to them the importance of that piece of paper ever really gets through, although I do try.

For them, this is why we want to marry. This is what it's all about. Although all the rights and privileges afforded married couples would be great, at the heart of the matter is our dignity. When the person we have shared years of our lives with lays dying in a hospital bed, we want to be able to hold their hands and be with them. When decisions need to be made concerning medical care, we want the person closest to us to be consulted rather than someone we may see only once or twice a year. We need to have our relationships acknowledged at the most critical times in our lives.

The trailer below is for the documentary, for my wife. It is Charlene Strong's tribute to her partner of nine years, Kate Fleming. Kate drowned after a torrential rainstorm flooded the couple's basement. Charlene was only allowed into the hospital room where Kate lay dying after Kate's sister called the hospital. After Kate died, the funeral director would not recognize Charlene in making the funeral arrangements, instead directing all questions to Kate's mother. Watch the trailer, read the story in the Advocate, and see the film. Then, hopefully, you can stand with us in seeking to gain the rights and dignity all people deserve.

Silencing the Christians

The American Family Association is at it again.  They have produced an hour long info-mercial.  An NBC affiliate in Michigan was to have aired the production prior to Obama's press conference.  However, after being approached by the HRC and receiving numerous letters revealing the controversy surrounding this fim, the station decided not to air it.

It's hard to watch, but I did.  I felt that I need to know what those with an opposing view are saying.  While I respect the rights of people to believe that homosexuality is wrong, I don't respect their attempts to force those beliefs on all of society.  But more importantly, it is necessary to make sure that any untruths and/or distortions be met head on and corrected.  The only way we can do that is to know what is being said.  The video can be seen at the Silencing Christians website.

This Bill Isn't Perfect . . .

Our new President has a sense of humor.  Even the people of Elkhart Indiana appreciated his comments, and they didn't vote for him.  What did he say today?  President Obama said, "This bill isn't perfect. It's coming out of Washington; it's going through Congress."

Train Whistle

As a kid, I remember hearing the sound of the train in the distance.  The train would blow it's horn and I could hear the clickity clack of the wheels as they ran over the tracks.  I wanted to know who was riding in the passenger cars and where were they going.  Sometimes, if we were close to the tracks when a train would come by, the engineer would wave as they passed us.  Back then, there were conductors on the trains as well, so I'd get a second wave as the caboose passed as well.

I heard the trains in the distance tonight and for some reason, those old memories came back.  I know that almost all of the trains these days are carrying goods for delivery in some distant place.  But every now and then I know one of the trains is a passenger train.  I still wonder where the people are going and who they are.  And it makes me almost wish the slower days of the past could come back.  I think we all could learn from sitting on a passenger train for a few hours, away from the hustle and bustle of the cities, to contemplate the scenery and to just be.

Republican National Party Seeks to Overturn McCain-Feingold

The McCain-Feingold Act, enacted in 2002, limits soft money donations by restricting individuals donations to the parties to $28,500 per year and prohibits the parties from accepting donations from corporations and labor unions.  When it was first passed, it was believed that the Democrats had the most to lose.  However, it seems that the RNC is having a hard time keeping up with the Democrats these days and is sueing to have the legislation overturned.

President Obama and the Democrats have found a way to raise substantial sums of money through numerous donations made by average everyday people across the nation.  With their efforts, there is a perception that the Democratic party is once again the party of the people.  If the Republicans win this lawsuit, they could very well become the party of the wealthy and of corporations that they are often perceived to be.  Ironic how the tables have turned in such a short time.

With Focus on California, Northeast States May Pass Marriage Laws

Over the past few months, while the nation has focused on Prop 8 in California, three states have inched forward in a move toward equality.  Both Vermont and Maine have introduced legislation to legalize gay marriage and New Hampshire is holding public hearings on the possibility.  Each of these small steps forward will eventually lead to our equality throughout the entire nation.  Progress takes time.  But we are getting there.

Presidential Hypocrisy

I'm a fan of Obama.  I remember the speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.  I listened in awe, knowing that I was listening to the man who would be our nation's first black president.  I never dreamed it would happen so soon, but I knew it would  He's intelligent, well read, and a quick learner.  But I think he missed one of the lessons some corporate executive learned over the last few months.  You see, the impression you leave is everything.  If you come to Washington asking for money, don't waste your travel money on a private corporate jet.  Yet it seems our President has just done what some auto executives did before him.  He fueled up Air Force One and took a long, 37 minute flight, from DC to Williamsburg, Virginia to ask some of the House Democrats to come through for him on the stimulus bill.  Not very different from what those auto execs did.

I realize our president doesn't have the luxury of choosing between his private jet and flying coach on US Airways.  But I think a little more discretion could have been used in making the decision to go on this flight.  Couldn't he have made the same appeal from Washington?  Was it really necessary to travel for this?  After all, it isn't inexpensive to fuel up one of those big jets, even for a short trip.  I believe President Obama is going to live up to expectations.  But in this case, he could have thought ahead just a little bit.

Please Don't Divorce Us

Ken Starr, who led the campaign to impeach President Bill Clinton, filed a legal brief last month -- on behalf of the "Yes on 8" campaign -- that would forcibly divorce 18,000 same-sex couples that were married in California last year before the passage of Prop 8.

Watch "Fidelity" and sign the letter to the state Supreme Court. Tell the Supreme Court to invalidate Prop 8, reject Ken Starr's case, and let loving, committed couples marry. DEADLINE: Valentine's Day.

Courage Campaign

Missouri Rep Snubbed from Families and Children Committee

When committee assignments came out in the 2009 session of the Missouri House, one name was missing from the assigments for the committee on Children and Families.  Rep. Jeanette Mott Oxford - a Democrat from St. Louis and a life long advocate for the poor, for children, for workers, rights - was no longer a member of the committee after having served on it for the last four years.  According to House Speaker Ron Richard, he gave the seat to a Democrat from St. Louis county because "he asked for it."  However, there seems to be some question as to the real reason.  According to Democrat staffers present for the announcement, Chief of Staff Jeff Brooks said Oxford was removed because members of the Republican caucus found her “highly offensive.” Brooks reportedly did not elaborate on what that meant.  For more on the story:

Advocate.com

GayPolitics.com

Kansas City Star