Category Archives: Everything Else

The State of The Gay

Posted on May 7, 2013 by gar

Two big time apologies concerning gay issues came out this past week, almost back to back.  Both were in response to stupid, homophobic or at least homophobic-tinged statements made by the speaker.  And in both cases, they were genuine apologies, … Continue reading →

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Jason Collins and the Joy and Importance of Coming Out

Posted on April 30, 2013 by gar

25 years ago, either this week or next, I wrote a letter to my family entitled “What James Baldwin, Bayard Rustin, and Gregory A. Russell Have In Common.” Sadly I don’t think I have a copy of it anymore, though … Continue reading →

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Morally Straight?

Posted on April 24, 2013 by gar

I have a jingle going through my head that may or may not be from an old Boy Scouts ad. It went something like, “Join the Boy Scouts of America Today, and together we can form a better USA!” A … Continue reading →

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Mordor Laughs

Posted on April 19, 2013 by gar

We are all friends here. Or should be; for the laughter of Mordor will be our only reward, if we quarrel. -Gandalf, from “The Two Towers” by JRR Tolkien Chortles undoubtedly rose high in Fairfax, Virginia, along with slapping hands … Continue reading →

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Pressure Cooker Hate

Posted on April 16, 2013 by gar

A pressure cooker loaded with nails and ball bearings.  That’s what the FBI now says constituted one of the two bombs that went off at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.  A pressure cooker.  Seems sadly appropriate. Our world … Continue reading →

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Roger Ebert, Passion Writer

Posted on April 8, 2013 by gar

My first encounter with Roger Ebert, as with many outside of Chicago, came from his TV programs with the late Gene Siskel.  To be sure, none of us really went to the movies that much.  But we loved watching the … Continue reading →

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May We All ‘Choose Love’

Posted on March 24, 2013 by gar

At work a long time ago a former office mate of mine, let’s call him Buster, expressed in hushed tones his disapproval of same-sex couples raising kids.  I say hushed tones because another colleague of ours had recently become a … Continue reading →

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Revised Chapter 6 – Sin Against the Race (Part I)

Posted on March 23, 2013 by gar

5:30ish, Grand Ballroom, Student Union Bill milled around the display tables scattered in the large ballroom for the African Students Association Freshman Orientation event.  The expanse overwhelmed him.  He hadn’t realized how many black folks went to this school.  The … Continue reading →

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Revised Chapter 5 – Sin Against the Race

Posted on March 7, 2013 by gar

Chapter 5 Wednesday, Second Week, State College “I want to remind you that the first paper for this class is due next week.  That gives you a few days and the weekend.  It can be on anything that the class … Continue reading →

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C. Everett Koop, A Man of Science

Posted on March 3, 2013 by gar

In 1981, shortly after taking office, President Ronald Reagan nominated Dr. C. Everett Koop for the position of surgeon general.  Though largely unknown to the general public, Dr. Koop had gained a reputation within medical circles for his innovations in … Continue reading →

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