White House Stonewall shindig is in the media closet

Actually I think this little Hollywood shuffle is about us

I believe that the "Whitehorse" wants to continue to ply gay leaders with status wine and canapes. WHoring out the people's house in hopes that the very status of being in the Whitehouse will shut us down. But they are now afraid of this little gathering coming under the scrutiny of those of us who have now put the DNC on time out and in a proverbial financial corner. Could be embarrassing if all of these people got invited publicly and the Whitehouse got turned down. So they invite them quietly and if they show they get entertained and little else and if they don't show no one is the wiser. They act like our community didn't invent this little political move for Hollywood celebrities and gay wedding parties. sigh Amateurs!  

Always thinking about it...

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by: kudo451 @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 21:00:44 PM CDT

don't go empty handed, bring a raspberry crumb cake

"race, taste. and History finally overcome....and you ain't there"
by Tony Kushner

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by: peteyPornpig @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 21:05:48 PM CDT

Bring a toy U-haul truck

to honour the man who bravely gave L/G fed employess rental truck parity

I tell you Chica that no greater abomination exists than women denying their spirit of sisterhood and instead becoming the oppressor. -Rebeca, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

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by: MauraHennessey @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 21:08:34 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

East Rooom is now a closet?

This event was long planned as a way to applaud these individuals during Pride month."

But will the guests have to sneak in through the tunnel to the Treasury Building so as not to be seen?
(yes, there is a tunnel between Treasury and the White House..I've had the pleasure a few times)

I tell you Chica that no greater abomination exists than women denying their spirit of sisterhood and instead becoming the oppressor. -Rebeca, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

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by: MauraHennessey @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 21:06:00 PM CDT

honestly I don't care if these folks attend

I'm not going to call for a boycott of the Stonewall event because in the end, it's not going to affect policy much.

The fundraiser(s) -- that another ball of wax. That's the ONLY way to pressure for change at this point. We know the players "working on behalf of us" aren't going anywhere, and they will be invited time and again to the WH. But they cannot control the purse strings of the community and that's where we, the grassroots can have an effect to reckon with.

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by: Pam Spaulding @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 21:12:03 PM CDT

Well, that would be a difference of opinion

with Aravois.

He's dedicating his evening to attacking Jennifer Chrisler for attending.

Despite the fact that successful pressure consists of the one-two punch (closing the gAyTM and explaining in very small words why it's been emptied), there will always be those who want to make every interaction into a conflict.

Unfortunate.

But wait, there's more!

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by: PhoenixRising @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 23:19:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

The United States is in serious decline...

Think how many countries have surpassed us in freedom.  In Canada or The Republic of South Africa, or any of the Scandinavian countries and nearly all of Europe, we'd have nearly complete equality -- already.

The United States WAS ONCE, a shining beacon of freedom, an example to the world.  Much of the world followed that example and have now moved light years beyond us.  We, on the other hand, are regressing.  All of our institutions are failing, not just the governmental ones, but our industry, our medical care, personal institutions like marriage have about a 50% chance of success.  Violence and hate is becoming endemic. It's as if we are cursed and there is no end in sight.  Perhaps it is karma for what we did to the indigenous peoples or the way we built this country on the backs of slaves.  It's obvious that this ongoing road to ruin must have a root cause or causes.  I think it's more than just a national adolescence, there is something far more ominous and sinister than that happening, I can feel it my bones and I'm willing to be you can too.

It's sad really.  By the time we achieve simple equality, how much will really be left of this once great nation?

We are presently on the road to ruin and steaming ahead on that road, still, at breakneck speed and rather than applying the brakes, it would seem the accelerator is being floored and the Nitrous Oxide has been jammed on.

I think the next 3 years will be very telling, I don't know what they hold, but things will either be on the mend or getting much worse -- it's a watershed moment and I'd be watching very, very closely.  

It is very possible that our only real option may be escape.

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by: Storm @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 21:13:37 PM CDT

That was always a myth

The US Goverment was the largest slave holding empire in history

It was one of the last nations to outllaw slavery

It went to court (The Insular Cases) to prevent the rights guaranteed in the Constituion from being awarded to inhabitants of its colonial possessions.

It granted social security benefits about 60 years after Bismark's Germany.

I tell you Chica that no greater abomination exists than women denying their spirit of sisterhood and instead becoming the oppressor. -Rebeca, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

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by: MauraHennessey @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 21:28:07 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm pretty sure the largest was

Brazil. Not that it really matters whether US was #1 or #2.

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by: avocado @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 22:30:37 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Paris was once the refuge for Black artists, and inter racial couples

The US eventually evolved, but we were behind curve compared to Europe.
It doesn't mean the country is in the final decline, just LAGGING.

"race, taste. and History finally overcome....and you ain't there"
by Tony Kushner

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by: peteyPornpig @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 23:54:08 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

The decline is real and much deeper

In his epic analysis The Sorrows of Empire, Chalmers Johnson predicted the decline of the U.S., which is no longer a Republic, but a militarized state with "colonies" around the world (700+ bases whose dark reality most Americans don't comprehend). Well before it happened, he predicted an economic collapse because we were financially over-extended due to excessive military spending and he also predicted disastrous military adventures--which happen to all empires (think the USSR and Afghanistan most recently). For those of us hoping against hope that Obama would reverse this course, Johnson also predicted it was too late.  That our country had gone too far down the path of valorizing military service above anything else (is that the only way to love one's country?  The best way?). He predicted that presidents with expanded powers would never surrender them--and aren't we seeing that with this White House and spying? It's a sobering, dazzling analysis, and very dark.  

"In order to maintain an untenable position, you have to be actively ignorant."  The Colbert Report

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by: Lev Raphael @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 04:42:33 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thanks for the book note, Lev

I will definitely pick it up.

God save ornery old queens! - kevinchi

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by: Keori @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 13:09:07 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

a well-worthwhile trilogy

Chalmers Johnson actually generated three books in the "Blowback" series: Blowback, the Sorrows of Empire, and Nemesis. General metaphor is that America, like Rome, is coming to the end of the Republic period and the start of an empire.

All worthwhile books. And even if Obama turns out to be an Augustus who will clear up the chaos, it's still worth remembering that (1) with Augustus, it was no longer a republic, (2) his successors were Tiberius and Caligula, with no restraints on executive power, and (3) the Senate became a husk of what it had been.

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by: coram nobis @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 15:14:29 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

When were the invitations SENT OUT?

Out of curiousity, does anyone know when the invitations were sent out for this event?  That would give us a better idea of when they first started planning for the event.

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by: Bricar1632 @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 21:15:09 PM CDT

advance notice

not necessarily - the Administration often gives very little notice when inviting people to the White House.  I got invited to an event a few weeks ago and got two days notice.  But I am sure they were working on it far in advance.

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by: writestuff @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 21:27:45 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

"big news"

was this the "big news" for june?
or was it the "pride porclamation"?
or was the relocation benefit for federal employees the "big news"?
sureley it wasnt the DOMA brief!
is the "big news" still to come?

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by: grover nerdkissed @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 21:20:10 PM CDT

Of course people should go

Declining an invitation to the White House is very bad manners.

If you've been invited, go.

And tell the President, or his people (whom you are much more likely to have a chance to chat with) exactly why we are pissed off.  Tell them you are pleased to be invited to commemorate Stonewall but demand answers on our issues.  

And remind them we have LOTS of issues needing their attention.

Enjoy the Champagne -- but keep the queer changepurse closed.

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by: TeddySanFran @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 21:27:38 PM CDT

Planned at same time as invitation to Gene Robinson?

Seriously, this whole excuse from the White House every time they piss us off and then offer some compensatory gesture--that they'd already planned said compensatory gesture well in advance of our being pissed off--is beginning to be this Administration's "The dog ate my homework."

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by: Nancy in NYC @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 21:28:55 PM CDT

good news bad news

good news all the invited guests are coming
bad news their dates are all DADT service people you TOSSED.

"race, taste. and History finally overcome....and you ain't there"
by Tony Kushner

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by: peteyPornpig @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 21:41:29 PM CDT

Matching t-shirts for everyone!

FRONT: Stonewall was a riot

BACK: We're thinking we might try it

But wait, there's more!

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by: PhoenixRising @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 22:32:50 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

omg!

I love that! Mind if I use it for my next t-shirt?

watashi no yomeiri wa doko desu ka

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by: belfrieboi @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 22:46:45 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

a t-shirt I imagined

Front = I backed Obama

Back = Obama backed me

(knife sticking in back)

"race, taste. and History finally overcome....and you ain't there"
by Tony Kushner

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by: peteyPornpig @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 22:55:21 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

another t-shirt

the picture of a tiny thimble

caption = MORE PLEASE

"race, taste. and History finally overcome....and you ain't there"
by Tony Kushner

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by: peteyPornpig @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 23:38:14 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I've got a new protest wardrobe

Currently my shirts include
Quote from Wanda Sykes

I <3 my husband.

Want Equality? (picutre of wedding bands) I do.

How would you feel if you had to ask 300 million people permission to marry the person you love.

Support Our Troops. Repeal DADT

and several with quotes from allies

watashi no yomeiri wa doko desu ka

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by: belfrieboi @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 13:15:49 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Why not recognize the accomplishments of GLBT servicemembers?

Why not recognize the accomplishments of GLBT people and allies who have fought -- and WON -- the right to be legally married?

Methinks I smell the pungent aroma of high quality bull shit.

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même merde.

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by: TechBear @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 21:44:17 PM CDT

medium grade bullshit...is my guess

"race, taste. and History finally overcome....and you ain't there"
by Tony Kushner

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by: peteyPornpig @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 21:51:35 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Oh no, it's gonna be Weapons Grade Bullshit

As to the decor and theming:

Rainbow fruit parfaits as the hors d'ouerve
Taylor Dayne...need I say more?
No actual drag queens with rocks, the Secret Service doesn't permit that sort of thing.

But wait, there's more!

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by: PhoenixRising @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 22:31:34 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Yes ... many, many discharged gay vets should attend

I believe that gay groups like HRC, NGLTF, and SLDN should organize a huge group of vets who were discharged under DADT to attend the White House event. Obama needs to see first hand that ending someone's career is not a joke!

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by: Ralph4159 @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 22:43:48 PM CDT

Have everyone invited bring as their "and guest"

one of the servicemembers discharged since Obama took the reins.

# Duty, duty -- honor is, is --
Honor, Creideiki -- alertly
# Shared, is -- Honor #

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by: MileHighDawg @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 22:55:10 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

theme = vichy gay Pairee

I was thinking we should make a playlist for the event

what have you done for me lately
tainted love
my boyfriends back
diamond dogs

"race, taste. and History finally overcome....and you ain't there"
by Tony Kushner

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by: peteyPornpig @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 22:49:15 PM CDT

silly me I forgot

F*CK YOU very very much.....lisa allen

"race, taste. and History finally overcome....and you ain't there"
by Tony Kushner

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by: peteyPornpig @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 22:50:34 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Add "I Will Survive"

And "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps"

"In order to maintain an untenable position, you have to be actively ignorant."  The Colbert Report

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by: Lev Raphael @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 04:34:46 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Will there be a pinata?

I heard there is going to be punch and that meddling matchmaker Obama is going to have a few swinging singles in the room for those unattached house homos that he invited.

I bet they all stay up real late and talk about boys and play truth or dare.  It sounds like so much FUN!  

Luckyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

I want a fucking marriage license. I want my friends to have federally recognized families. I want my friends to be able to return to the US with their spouses. I want people to stop getting fired from their jobs.  I want people to be able to GET jobs.  I'd like to know what if it helps when the federal govt intervenes in the investigations into hate crimes.  

What do we get? A bunch of well connected house homos get to have a scallop wrapped in bacon and a highball while I am told to go suck it and write another check to the DNC.

I'd rather not, thanks.  
 

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by: Patrick @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 23:11:34 PM CDT

Yes. Tammy Baldwin and Jennifer Chrisler are flipping a coin

for who gets to BE the piñata, though.

Gawd knows Barney and Joe are far too connected to let anyone get near them with the papier-mache.

What does this party have to do with your decision to stop letting the Dems siphon your wallet?

But wait, there's more!

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by: PhoenixRising @ Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 23:24:01 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

it galls me, that's what

Who would want to celebrate with the administration that filed the DOMA brief and says as little as possible about their citizenship after jumping up and down for a year boasting about advocacy?

I'm sure they are all swell people - the administration and the LGBT party goers.  

I don't understand what there is to celebrate yet.  Would these people have attended a similar party if one were held in the past 8 years?

If there was a victory to celebrate, I'd probably not pay a lick of attention to it.  But the fact that we haven't had any advancements courtesy of this administration nor has the administration acknowledged publicly the accomplishments that have occurred and only now are kissing up after the disgusting brief...

I think it makes absolute sense to think this party sounds like a big asshole gathering...unless a fight breaks out...and there will be too much fawning for that to happen.

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by: Patrick @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 00:48:49 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

White House Wankers

Just unsubscribed from White House emails and wrote something in the same vein as you to the White House, basically saying I won't support their initiatives until I have full equal rights.

"In order to maintain an untenable position, you have to be actively ignorant."  The Colbert Report

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by: Lev Raphael @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 04:33:37 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

if there's a Goddess, Gibbs will be the pinata

he gives me gas......LOL

"race, taste. and History finally overcome....and you ain't there"
by Tony Kushner

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by: peteyPornpig @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 10:59:44 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

a fair question

UPDATE 2: Here's a Q of the day for you -- so if the gathering is like Cinco de Mayo or St. Patrick's day, what should the decorative theme be at the White House for Stonewall if it's supposed to be festive from their POV -- floats and circuit boys dancing on them?

How about a mob of angry drag queens? Partying like it was 1969 outside the Stonewall bar?

It'll bring a whole new meaning to "stonewalling".

Do you hear the people sing?
Say do you hear the distant drums?
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!

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by: coram nobis @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 00:39:12 AM CDT

I hope someone pees in the plants

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by: Patrick @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 00:49:38 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

paging Mr. Bruno. paging Mr. Bruno

I still think Sacha Baron Cohen, in his latest persona, would certainly liven things up.

It's hard to take this seriously. What on earth is the WH going to do to live up to this stereotype? Have the Marine Corps band playing the Judy Garland songbook?

The man that won you
Has gone off and undone you.
That great beginning
Has seen the final inning.
Don't know what happened. It's all a crazy game!

No more that all-time thrill,
For you've been through the mill -
And never a new love will
Be the same.
-- The Man That Got Away

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by: coram nobis @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 01:05:02 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Recognize the accomplishments!?

Could it get any more condescending?  "There, there, little glbts, you've done so much with so little help from us, and we're just so very proud of you." Maybe there'll be a talent show or a fashion parade?

I don't want recognition from the White House or my accomplishments. I want recognition for the fact that I live in a state of gay apartheid. For the fact that all my straight neighbors have more civil and legal rights than I do. For the fact that my 25-year-long marriage means something in Canada, half a dozen U.S. states, and even South Africa (!), but is meaningless to my own government.  That's what I want.

"In order to maintain an untenable position, you have to be actively ignorant."  The Colbert Report

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by: Lev Raphael @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 04:31:53 AM CDT

HuffPo trolls are getting on my LAST nerve

I had to stop reading and answering them, it is TOO TOXIC
   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...

"race, taste. and History finally overcome....and you ain't there"
by Tony Kushner

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by: peteyPornpig @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 13:05:01 PM CDT

Yeah I was there petey

Both of us was calling the straight posters on their hetero privilege. The level of denial that there is such a thing as "hetero privilege" is astounding and straights get really defensive when you bring it up, I notice.

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by: kevinchi @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 13:11:59 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I've seen hateful conservative blogs say HuffPo is where to be, and be seen

Those putrid places of links from lauraingram.com

seriously sick knuckle draggers, and Malkin and breibartTV
TARDS.

Looks like any queer thread at HuffPo brings these thugs out in MASSES, it is too hurtful to stay there very long.

"race, taste. and History finally overcome....and you ain't there"
by Tony Kushner

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by: peteyPornpig @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 13:33:52 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

It is petey

It's really hurtful too me because i can "read between the lines" and make the distinction between an African American and a troll just stirring up trouble.

I've had to take several long breaks away from huff post

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by: kevinchi @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 13:39:59 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

frankly the 100 degrees here is enough of a wear and tear on me

I don't need a blasting of hate too. They ALWAYS get around to spewing the AIDS hate, and that just rips into my core.

"race, taste. and History finally overcome....and you ain't there"
by Tony Kushner

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by: peteyPornpig @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 14:00:52 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Hell, if I want to deal with that crap

I'll just go back to DU.

And, no, there's no way I'm going to that hatefilled land of idiocy (some friends that can stomach that nutland are tracking a thread questioning whether Pam is "black enough".

# Duty, duty -- honor is, is --
Honor, Creideiki -- alertly
# Shared, is -- Honor #

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by: MileHighDawg @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 14:08:56 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I never did DU, I did Kos some, and some old Kerry not progressive crap holes

"race, taste. and History finally overcome....and you ain't there"
by Tony Kushner

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by: peteyPornpig @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 14:12:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

btw some weekend, that might be an intersting question of the day

What forums and blogs we came through before and during our posting here?

"race, taste. and History finally overcome....and you ain't there"
by Tony Kushner

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by: peteyPornpig @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 14:15:39 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Don't EVEN get me started

on that "black enough" sh*t.

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by: kevinchi @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 14:29:47 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

not to pick off a scab but it struck me

Except for maybe some of the militant Native Americans in AIM questioning how RED someone was, I can't think of another minority which questions if individuals are ENOUGH, Black, Latino, Asian, Native American.
It seems a uniquely African American quirk.

"race, taste. and History finally overcome....and you ain't there"
by Tony Kushner

---

by: peteyPornpig @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 16:41:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

not to pick off a scab but it struck me

Except for maybe some of the militant Native Americans in AIM questioning how RED someone was, I can't think of another minority which questions if individuals are ENOUGH, Black, Latino, Asian, Native American.
It seems a uniquely African American quirk.

"race, taste. and History finally overcome....and you ain't there"
by Tony Kushner

---

by: peteyPornpig @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 16:41:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I've heard it on rare occasions

in the Puerto Rican community; rare because I haven't heard it all that often but I've heard it enough that I've noted it.

Of course, many in both communities feel a kinship between one another (Puerto Rican and African American) and, of course, there are many that are both.

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by: kevinchi @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 16:46:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

We had a pair of Carolina wrens teaching their fledglings to fly around our porch

The brief amount of time I was out, to have a cig and move the hose, it was kinda nice to see these little birds get better at flight. We hung a hollowed gourd from our pergola that the wrens nested in again this year.

"race, taste. and History finally overcome....and you ain't there"
by Tony Kushner

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by: peteyPornpig @ Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 19:10:25 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Question About this reception...

I've been reading about this event all morning, and it dawned on me that I've honestly never heard of the White House ever holding a Stonewall event before. Has this gone on in the past without notice, or is this the first time the White House has ever had an event honoring the significance of the Stonewall Riots? Can anybody shed some light here?

"So. What have we learned? We have learned the first lesson. They will always hate us... We must give the ordinary humans respect, compliance, and understanding. And we must never mistake that for trust." - Emma Frost, Astonishing X-Men, 1

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by: g_whiz @ Wed Jun 24, 2009 at 13:32:16 PM CDT