I'll add my condolences to those already mentioned. Losing a friend is a rotten feeling. I wish you the best in dealing with the loss
We do apparently have different definitions of zero sum game. I meant to say that all things are not equal where the two parties are concerned. While neither is where it should be on gay rights, Democrats are moving in the right direction and Republicans are moving in the wrong one. I really don't know what to tell you about losing the use of the word gay and I don't have the first idea what that has with the conversation. In fact, that's probably the weirdest complaint on the subject that I've ever heard. But in thinking briefly on it, it occurs to me that no one had that issue with the word black when it replaced Negro or colored and it occurs to me that if you're uncomfortable using it in its old definition that probably has something to do with the unfair stigma still attached to homosexuality -- one which the party toward which you lean demonstrated very clearly (once again) in the Vitter/Craig dichotomy. You say that both parties are hypocritical but you don't say how. Say how. I agree that peeking in stalls for lewd purposes doesn't necessarily have to do with sexual preference, but there is no arguing that that was at the heart of the difference in how Craig and Vitter were treated by the Republican party. That had everything to do with sexual preference. Those involved in gay sex scandals are rushed out the door while those involved in straight ones are applauded. It's not at all surprising given the general nature of homophobia in this country still and it's certainly not surprising from a party that has made homophobia its bread and butter.
Thanks, FB. And to the rest of you as well. It was very sad but it wasn't surprising. He died from a long bout with alcoholism and cirrhosis. I and others had been watching him suffer badly for years. And having spent a lot of time at the hospital over the last several months, while I know it's cliche to say so, it really is for the best that he's finally at peace.
He was a Houston actor with the initials A.N. For Andy Nelson. And he was as fine an actor as I've ever known. I say that because he was, not because he died. I can't think of who T.A. might be.
I'm sorry for your friend. TA was/is an actor I've lost touch with but I knew his health was declining for the same reasons. And knowing how small the theater community is in Houston, I just thought there might be a chance. again, condolences
First, let me apologize because I was referring to issues in an email decussion (to which you obviously were not privy and to which I had not alluded) where I was accused of homophobia because I refused to use the term "gay" to signify homosexuality. However, the use of the term "black" should be equally offensive and yet I use it that way. It is strange to me that the general populace does not consider the term "Caucasian" offensive but the word "Negro" (as in United Negro College Fund) generally is. However, I guess that is a topic for a future discussion. Now, I suggest we use this definition of Zero Sum Game: A game is an interaction or exchange between two (or more) actors, where each actor attempts to optimize a certain variable by choosing his actions (or "moves") towards the other actor in such a way that he could expect a maximum gain, depending on the other's response. One traditionally distinguishes two types of games. Zero-sum games are games where the amount of "winnable goods" (or resources in our terminology) is fixed. Whatever is gained by one actor, is therefore lost by the other actor: the sum of gained (positive) and lost (negative) is zero. This corresponds to a situation of pure competition. Chess, for example, is a zero-sum game: it is impossible for both players to win (or to lose). Whereas an individual election is a win or lose "game" on an individual basis, it is not necessarily so for the entire election. Winners include conservative and liberal Democrats, conservative and liberal Republicans, and some Independents, all of whom eventually govern in an ever changing swirl of power and alliances. I believe the parties are more pragmatic than idealogical -- and therefore more hypocritical. The Republicans see votes wither with a Craig-onian act but their base is more blase about sins such as whoring, gambling or divorce. To me, that's hypocritical. The Democrats on the other hand play more to their base because the liberals play the "open-minded" rhetoric until they have a chance to grab a new slice of the pie (like Howard Dean's recent courting of the Christian Coalition citing the Democratic Party's belief in God and family values). There's votes in them thar hills, so the same sex set is gently skirted for the moment. Also, I was doing minor work in Bill Richardson's campaign in some highly Hispanic neighborhoods (remember, I am Hispanic) that have deep concerns about family values, particularly about same sex marriages. I guarantee they won't be turned away by the Democratic Party. To me, that's hypocritical.
One quick thought on the "gay" and "black" word usages, Batman. I can no longer use the word "gay" to mean anything else. It flies back to the corrupted meaning like a homing pigeon. However, I can use the word "black" in several ways without corruption, i.e., a black pen or a black mood.
Riddle me this: what do Larry Craig, Chief Joseph, and Pappy Boyington have in common? LMFAO. Larry Craig chosen for Idaho Hall of Fame BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Sen. Larry Craig has been chosen for induction into the Idaho Hall of Fame, despite his well-publicized arrest and guilty plea in an airport sex sting, officials said. The nonprofit Idaho Hall of Fame Association picked Craig in March, months before he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after a Minneapolis airport police officer accused him of soliciting sex in the men's restroom, the organization's board chairman said. "Larry Craig has made a great contribution to Idaho over the period of 20-some years. At the time it was considered, this other matter had not come up," Harry Magnuson told The Spokesman-Review newspaper Saturday. But some Republicans said the honor is inappropriate now. Kootenai County Republican precinct committeeman Phil Thompson said Idaho Hall of Fame officials should consider at least postponing the induction. "Maybe in 10 or 15 years we can think of this hall of fame stuff. Now is not the time," he said. "It's a sad day to be a Republican." Craig vowed Thursday to serve out the last 15 months of his term, despite a court ruling that left intact his guilty plea in the sex sting operation. Several people are scheduled to be inducted during the October 13 ceremony alongside Craig, including Gov. Butch Otter, Lt. Gov. Jim Risch, Boise State University football coach Chris Petersen and John Grossenbacher, director of the Idaho National Laboratory nuclear and energy research center. About 100 people have been inducted into the hall since 1995, including the late Nez Perce Tribe leader Chief Joseph, Coeur d'Alene writer and historian Louise Shadduck, World War II fighter ace Gregory "Pappy" Boyington and newspaper and hospitality magnate Duane Hagadone. http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/10/07/craig.hof.ap/index.html
You'll have to know the "code" to find it, but my guess it that it'll be hung right above the glory hole.
