NY Senate Coup

Dear Jack,

Today is the first day after the GOP coup in Albany with the Senate. There is so much going on with this that I don't even know where to begin.

So I gather, the minority party of Republicans made a motion to change leadership of the Senate, claiming a new majority caucus which included two democrats, Espada and Monserratte. In the middle of the coup, members of the Democratic majority called for the session to close, and it was hammered out. Most democratic senators left the chamber, after turning the lights out on the remaining senators. The republicans remained, claiming that one could not use the gavel to end the session in the middle of a vote. As a result, the republicans have claimed a coalition majority with Espada (D) as the President of the Senate and Skelos (R) as the Majority Leader. Gov. Patterson has said that he will recognize Smith as the Leader until the Senate can resolve the issue and confirm who the new Majority Leader is.

As a result, it looks like dealing with this power change will dominate the remaining part of the session. Now Espada has said that he will push to have the so-called "Gay Marriage" bill brought to a vote under this new coalition. It is unclear at this time of Skelos will do this or not. If Smith retains leadership, obviously there will need to be some time spent addressing this situation. Regardless, the sufferers are not the Senators, but the constitutnets and those who would be effected by the important bills still left to be resolved including DASA and GENDA, as well as Education and Landlord/Tenant rights.

It would also be unclear that if Smith retains power if he would bring the Gay Marriage bill to a vote. Many claim that Smith made a deal with Espada, Diaz, and Kruger to not bring it to a vote when they agreed to his leadership back in January. It is also unclear if Diaz, Kruger or other democrats will join the Republican-led coalition caucus. The NY Times reports that many have already been contacted about retaining their positions on committees and the stipends associated with them if they were to accept the new leadership.

There are several things that disgust me here:

• Billionaire Tom Golisano, formerly of Rocherster, now a Florida resident, claims to be a financial backer of this coup, and on NY1 said he would allocate as much of his personal funds as he deemned necessary to ensure the new coalition government takes charge. This type of wholesale purchase of a state government should be ILLEGAL. It is lobbying at its worst. It makes Golisano the leader of NY and the only constituent of the senators who are bought by him. Any senator who took funds from Mr. Golisano should be removed.
• It is very telling that the only two democrats who signed on with the Republicans were two facing criminal investigations. Espada already has been fined thousands of dollars for tax fraud related to his campaign financing, and for not disclosing his contributions. Additionally, he is under investigation for possible funds being funneled through a non-profit to his campaign. This is not to mention that he is being investigated for not living in his district! Monserratte of Jackson Heights is currently under investigation for a domestic violence case almost a year old. His girlfriend had charged him with slashing her in the face with glass. A few weeks later she recanted and said it was all an accident, and that she had fallen on the broken glass in his hand.
• It is not surprising that Espada and Monserratte would be shady enough to change their voting affiliation like this for political favors. It is more embarassing that the Republicans would utilize them to do so! What is worse, is that if this government is approved, Espada would act as govenor whenever Gov. Patterson left the state, or if he become incapacitated. If we wanted a criminal for a governor we could have just kept Spitzer and his prostitute.
  
• I also think of the many interns and office aids that may face unemployment as their jobs are changed because of this.

One wonders who exactly the Senators and Golisano were trying to help. Right now it feels like "themselves" is the answer. They should all be ashamed of themselves at least, voted out of office at best, and in a just world, charged legally for wasting the citizens of NY's tax dollars in this escapade.

Queens Pride 2009

Dear Jack,

Today was Queens Pride 2009. It was the 17th pride in Queens. I marched with Western Queens for Marriage Equality and OUT Astoria. Our groups were combined with a faction called "Bridesmaids for Marriage Equality" as well as Lavish Lounge and several politicians from western Queens. Altogether we had about 40-50 people in our joint contingency.

We were led by a friend on bagpipes Paul R. Afterward I helped out at the hospitality tent. It was a long day, and it ended with a group of us meeting at Lavish for the Latin night/Pride event.

It was a good day for Marriage Equality, as Parade Founder, District Leader and Councilmember Candidate Danny Dromm was interviewed by NY1 stating that this parade and other parades like it can drastically influence the opinion of citizens to call their senators and vote for Marriage Equality.

Rally in Queens

Dear Jack,

Today we had a rather successful rally here in Queens. We had an estimated 2500 people at the rally. Michael and I spoke representing OUT Astoria. There were a few sound problems, but other than that I think the rally was a massive success.

I'm hopeful that we made an impact.  With so many people there, one really felt like the community was coming together.  It was empowering to say the least.  Thanks to Marriage Equality NY for helping fund the event!

Prop 8 Upheld

Dear Jack,

Today, it was announced that Prop 8 would be upheld. The only benefit is that the 18,000 marriages that were performed before Prop8 would also be upheld. I am following on several blogs the reactions of people in CA, specifically in San Francisco. It is exciting and scary at the same time. Today, in NYC we will be having our own rally at 6 with a march from Sheridan Sq to Union Sq. Michael will be in attendance, and I'll be at work. My hopes and prayers will be with them all.

Now is the time to stand up, and to make a difference. How long can we continue to go sidelined? We are liked if we are campy and funny, or turning straight people into metrosexuals. We are demonized if we ask for equal rights. Now is the time of Rosa Parks, where we sit down and refuse to move, despite the fear we possess, or the consequences of our civil disobedience. We must act now.

Favorite Quotations (Updating Post)

Dear Jack,

Below are some of my favorite quotations. Some are notable, and some are mundane. As time goes on, I will be updating my quotations and re-posting this post to show the additions:

Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage. Render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the week; help the afflicted; honor all men; love and serve the Lord rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost be upon you and remain with you forever. Amen.

BCP

We do not live for ourselves, and all our energy, all our gifts are directed to abundant life for the other.

Right Reverend Duleep de Chickera, the Bishop of Colombo, 20 Jul 2008

No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

John Donne, Devotions upon Emergent Occasions XVII, 1623

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Where there is charity and love, God is there

Early Christian Hymn

Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation... It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is thus shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.

Robert F. Kennedy

Also, as truly as God is our Father, so as truly God is our Mother. And that he shows in all and namely in these sweet words, where he says, 'I it am'. That is to say, 'I it am, the might and goodness of Fatherhead; I it am, the wisdom and the kindness of Motherhood; I it am, the light and the grace, that is all blessed love; I it am, the Trinity; I it am, the Unity; I it am, the high sovereign goodness of all manner of things; I it am, that makes you to love; I it am, that makes you to long, the endless fullness of all true desires'"Also, as truly as God is our Father, so as truly God is our Mother. And that he shows in all and namely in these sweet words, where he says, 'I it am'. That is to say, 'I it am, the might and goodness of Fatherhead; I it am, the wisdom and the kindness of Motherhood; I it am, the light and the grace, that is all blessed love; I it am, the Trinity; I it am, the Unity; I it am, the high sovereign goodness of all manner of things; I it am, that makes you to love; I it am, that makes you to long, the endless fullness of all true desires'

Julian of Norwich

There are those who insist the Holocaust never happened - who perpetrate every form of intolerance — racism, antisemitism, homophobia, xenophobia, sexism, and more — hatred that degrades its victim and diminishes us all. Today, and every day we have an opportunity, as well as an obligation to confront these scourges.

President Barak Obama, 23 Apr 2009

Jury Duty

Dear Jack,

So this past week I had Jury Duty. It was not as bad as I thought it would be. A day of waiting, and then in the end, it all got settled out of court. Still, I am free from jury duty for 6 years now. I was also lucky that I had to go to the Queens County Courthouse in Long Island City rather than the one out on Sutpin Blvd.

On Friday, we went to the Powhatan and Pocahontas Democratic Club Annual Dinner. We sat with Dirk and his mother, and he received an award. There was tons of food, and it was all pretty good.

Saturday I helped at church with a Memorial service. I was exhausted and tired afterward. My back apparently is still not completely 100%, as holding the torch for the short time I did, caused it to flare up.

Sunday was the AIDS walk and the Broadway Impact Marriage Event. That was fairly well attended. It was cold, and I wasn't feeling the best at that point. We had dinner with Daniel and Paul at Michael's Restaurant.

Not much else going on here.

Leaving Chase

Dear Jack,

I am fed up with Chase. I signed in my online account and saw that I was going to be overdrawn when some items posted. I immediately transferred funds from my other account (at Chase too). Imagine my shock when the pending items posted, but my in-house transfer didn't for another day. This caused overdraft fees. Before the fees I had 189 bucks in the account. With the fees I ended up over drafting again JUST on the fees. The fees add to the fees that the fees caused despite the transfer.

I called the bank to see what I can do, and I was told, nothing. They can put in a request to waive 1 fee, but that's not guaranteed. I told them that it makes no sense that an in-house transfer gets posted a day later, and that I'd like some resolution.

They told me that I can close my account if I am upset with the customer service. "People close their accounts every day", I was told.

Well, if that's the case, then I will make mine be a statistic. Any suggestions on a new bank? TD? Capital One?

My Back

Dear Jack,

Friday at work I pulled a muscle in my mid-back. I had to get a shot in the back to relieve the pain, and have been taking it easy since. Also on Friday our friend Neil came in from IntegrityUSA so that he could speak at a special Anaheim Appeal at St. Bart's on Sunday. Friday night we did dinner with my friend Paul and Jason. Surprisingly, this was the first time they were in the apartment.

Saturday, we attended a Western Queens for Marriage Equality event. I had a hard time participating with my back. We ate dinner at Mojave.

Sunday we were at St. Bart's for IntegrityNYC's co-sponsored event for Anaheim Appeal.

I went to the doc today again, and have been relaxing. My back hopefully will get better soon.

Eunuchs

Dear Jack,

I have mildly become obsessed with the nature of Eunuchs in the Bible. Jesus mentions in Matthew, that there are Eunuchs from Birth and differentiates them from Eunuchs that are created, and those who choose celibacy to glorify God. Some would say that Eunuchs from Birth may be hermaphrodites, but that is inconclusive. What is interesting is that various writers from the time refer to Eunuchs who are able to marry and pro-create (thus not created Eunuchs). These same Eunuchs are allegedly repulsed by the thought of sex with women, and some sources also show that they are inclined for sex with men. I found an in depth research paper by a gay Muslim on it. I found it interesting, and have come to the conclusion that Eunuchs from birth may just be the term for gay men used at that time of history. I recommend reading the paper above.

On a different note, I'm feeling sort of down in the dumps. So many things are going on in my immediate family that I am slightly overstressed by it. Not that there is anything I can do about the financial crisis and how it is effecting my parents. I hope this hurries up and is remedied soon. It scares me a little inside.

Onorato

Dear Jack,

So my senator, George Onorato, is failing to respond to his constituents regarding their desire to have him vote in support of Marriage Equality. If you call his office, they tell you now that he will not be speaking with anyone about that issue, because he has made up his mind to vote against Marriage Equality.

He is not representing his district, and should be removed. It is my understanding that some democrat will need to request a primary s that he can be challenged as the Democratic nominee. I am ready to throw my full support behind those who would be willing to do that. We need someone who will be responsive to his district, not practice avoidance and bigotry.

Slow Day

Dear Jack,

Today is a slow day. The phones are dead, there are no emails, and only two classes going on as I sit here bored out of my mind. I've reviewed our online profiles for the school. I've eaten dinner. I have now even begun blogging. I've updated our Agents list again, and created I-20s for future students. Yawn.

I hate this shift, because all the excitement happens in the mornings.

Easter 2009

Dear Jack,

I had a grand Easter weekend. Thursday I was on Altar Guild and got to witness Maundy Thursday at St. Luke's. We had Bp. Griswold visiting the parish, and he led the services for Triduum. After a foot washing, we had communion. Then the communion was placed in a ciborium and processed by the bishop to our chapel where it was placed in the Altar of Repose. From there we processed in silence to the gymnasium where a candlelight Agape dinner was prepared for us. We ate lentil/orange flavored soup, and then heard the final address of Jesus in the Gospel of John, before returning to the Nave and ritually stripping the altar.

Friday, we took it easy. I was intending to attend the Good Friday service, but chickened out because i knew it would be more Catholic than I felt comfortable with. I've never been much of a fan of the veneration of the cross. I won't stop others, but am not inclined to attend, myself.

Saturday I got to St. Luke's around 11, and was trained in Acolyting for the Easter Vigil. I then helped the Altar Guild with getting everything ready. After the work, a few of us went to Liederhosen and had sausages. Then we returned for the Vigil.

The Vigil was spectacular. I was the acolyte that carried the nails for the Paschal candle. I was nervous I'd drop a nail and never see it in the dark. It seemed to go without a hitch. Mtr. Stacey sang the Exultet beautifully, and I found myself able to worship. After the Vigil, there was a reception in the gymnasium with roast lamb and ham, deviled eggs, and a raspberry pastry.

The next day we ushered. Everyone kept on telling us that it would be so awful to usher, but I didn't find it too bad, and neither did Mike. I was also delighted to see the Easter bunny outside... it reminded me of the Vicar of Dibley.

Delays

Dear Jack,

It is a Friday, and I am fighting a migraine headache. I am home and medicated, but my neck and forehead still are tensed and pained.

There are some things of little note that I want to share.

The first is that we have a new bed, and I have been getting better sleep than I have in a long time. I know this is true because I am constantly dreaming. Mind you I have none that really stand out...as in I cannot remember any of the dreams beyond my initial waking up. I am not sleeping all the way through the night though. I wake up 3 times or so, usually in the middle of a dream.

There is an important notification that I am expecting, and today I received an email saying that the notification would not be given for another 2 weeks. At least I was told it would be another 2 weeks.

Unknown Sender

Dear Jack,

Today has been one of those "days". I received an ominous message from my supervisor. I'm not sure what to make of it. It doesn't really bother me, but still, not the way one wants to start the day.

What is weird, is that my assistant and I were discussing the message (as he was copied on it), and strategizing on how to respond this afternoon. Apparently while sitting at my desk talking with him, my computer sent me 7 emails. All of the emails were from "Unknown Sender" with the Subject "No Subject" and the body of "QUIT".

I found it a little odd at first, not knowing their origins. I spoke with our IT person and he said they came from my computer, while I was sitting with Jon at it (neither of using it). We ran a scan on the computer, and no virus or malware has shown up.

Probably nothing, but weird.

Trouble Sleeping

Dear Jack,

I am having trouble sleeping. I had a migraine headache all day today. It was awful, but luckily the first and only major one this year (2009). If I only get one a quarter, then so be it.

There is not much going on, really. Well there is a possible career change coming up... and I hope it goes well. If it does, you'll know because I'll publish it on here. Not that my current job is awful, but the atmosphere and compensation are insulting. I have been there exactly 1 year. Not much has changed other than all the people I started with are now gone, and I have pretty much absorbed most of their work, and NONE - ZERO - ZILCH of the pay. I make what I started making. And trying to discuss the options with my boss is difficult. I prefer not to at this point. All I can say, is that the job that is interested in me, my boss cannot match in compensation.

I'll learn soon what the results are. I'm going to try to get some more rest now. The meds stop me from being able to sleep well, and if I don' take them, I don't sleep at all because of the pain.