Gay NASCAR?

You get 43 men together, and at least one, more likely 3 or 4, will be gay. 43 guys were circling the track at Talledega yesterday. During the multiple caution flags during the final laps I got to wondering, so I visited Gaytona.com , the source for all things gay related to NASCAR to get the scoop. So which of these guys is gay?

Jeff Gordon: Wanted to be in second place coming into the finnish at 'Dega, and he was..., but fell back to 19th place ($134,000) when Jamie McMurray started knocking guys out. There have been rumors about Jeff Gordon ever since he started driving the rainbow car (with the colors out of order). If Jeff was gay, NASCAR fans would have one more reason to dis him.


Some people say the tiffs between Jeff and Tony Stewart are little lover's spats. I don't think so.

Carl Edwards: Raked in $125,000 yesterday, by not finishing the race (he lost a tire and hit the wall). Looks like he lost his shirt, too for this ESPN magazine cover (February 2006). This sparked rumors a couple of years ago, but I think it was just wishful thinking among gay NASCAR wannabes.


Kasey Kahne (finished 23 yesterday, $117,000). Jay Mohr might think so, but I don't:

Evan Darling: Never heard of him. Well, he isn't a NASCAR driver, but wants to be. Evan lives in Oakland Park Florida, and wants to race in NASCAR. Here is what he says about being an out race car driver:

"I came out when I was 18 and had to leave home. It was very difficult through the years but I eventually saved enough money working as a mechanic to start racing myself (on a very poor budget!). Most of the people in racing now had alot of family support...something I never had. I am still racing today but it is getting more and more difficult financially as I move up the ranks. There has to be a person or group of people out there that wants to see a gay person doing well on tv in Pro races! I am out and not afraid to tell anyone! Most people don't think I am gay but when they find out I usually keep the people as friends and change their outlook on what a "gay" person is."

Here is his web site and he also has a blog that he doesn't update too often). If you are a gay NASCAR fan give this guy your support.

And visit Gaytona.com. Good information there about inclusive NASCAR.

Bringing Bigotry Back Into Fashion

Larry Langford is becoming more bigoted as time goes by. On Friday he will host his "sackcloth-and-ashes prayer service to save the city's soul," according to John Archibald in his column today.

Less than a year after Birmingham passed a gay inclusive resolution embracing diversity, Langford is having Bishop Eddie Long from Atlanta as a guest. Southern Poverty Law Center describes Long as "one of the most virulently homophobic black leaders in the relgiously based anti-gay movement."

Long's church, New Birth Missionary Baptist near Atlanta, tries to convert gays away from their natural orientation and damns them to hell if they don't (he's the judge, you know).

From one of his sermons, regarding women using marital aids..."God says you deserve death!"

I have read the Bible, and I can't recall that passage anywhere.

But I am very confused about this. Yesterday we recieved a piece of mail about The American Family Outing sponsored by Soulforce, The National Black Justice Coalition, COLAGE and Universal Fellowship of Metrocpolitan Community Chuuches, all gay friendly or gay advocacy organizations. They are hosting "meaningful dialogue" at 6 mega churches across the country. One of the hosts is Bishop Eddie Long and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.

The brochure says "We believe these churches have the potential to be a positive force in ending the physical and spiritual violence perpetuated by some religious voices against LGBT people and their families."

The group will be in Atlanta May 30-June 1, 2008. Read about it here at Soulforce.

Other pastors hosting events are Joel Osteen, T. D. Jakes, Rick Warren, Harry Jackson and Bill Hybels.

OK I get it now. Soulforce is sponsoring dialogue with influential pastors who are either homophobic or homosilent because of their huge influence over spiritual people.

They will seek to change the beliefs and values of people at those churches, I guess. A worthy endevour. Too bad they are not coming to Birmingham.

Might be interesting.

Trendy Gays

It's no secret gays are trendsetters*, and are often the first to embrace new technology. Take Leonardo da Vinci, who drew up plans for flying machines, or Michelangelo, who started that whole "laying on your back for years painting ceilings" thing.

So when it comes to blogging, it's no surprise that 51% of gays who use the internet read blogs regularly, compared to only 36% of heteros, according to a Harris Interactive poll. 27% of gays and 13% of straights have posted comments, and here is one I really like, 21% of gays have written their own blog in the last month, while only 7% of straight people have. Story is here.

*I do not consider myself a trendsetter. I don't have blu-ray, bluetooth, single serving coffee maker, or even an iphone. No Dyson DC-24 vacuum cleaner here. I just don't have time to be trendy...other than finding "relevant and timely information" and posting such here. And there is barely time for that.

Three Topics (Smoking, Vivian Figures and $10,000)

I am working on two group presentations this week, and don't have much time to think. But I want to share three things with you.

Bessemer passed a Smoking Ordinance which should be enforced at this time. However, as a reader let me know, at The Stadium Grill on 4th Avenue smoking is still allowed.

We went to The Stadium Grill on Friday night and had great hamburgers (one of us had an open faced sandwich) and milk shakes. Close to the end of our meal, a customer sitting at the bar and carrying on with employees lit up a tobacco product.

None of the employees, nor the person in charge (who might have been the owner, I don't know) said anything to this man. While he was smoking, four Bessemer policemen came in and sat at a table next to him, where the smoke could not have been missed. They did not say say a thing. Aren't the police supposed to enforce the law?

After a few minutes another customer asked the man to go outside and finish, which the smoker did.

Are the police not aware of the law? These were guys in black police t-shirts and camo pants, with lots of guns and all, not your typical anti-smoking cops, but still, they drove Bessemer Police cars.

Next:

State Senator Vivian Figures has announced that she is running for Senate to replace Jeff Sessions. This may not be an easy task, but it is certainly a worthwhile endeavor. I wish her much success. Here is an email I recieved from her.


As a lifelong committed Democrat and an Alabama State Senator for the past 11 years, I have announced my candidacy for the United States Senate. I Believe that it is time to give this seat back to the people by putting our children, our seniors and our veterans first, providing affordable health care to all Americans and working for a stable economy.

I have been very active over the past few months speaking to many audiences across this great state spreading my message of inspiration and unity. To win the Democratic nomination on June 3, it is imperative that I have the support of people like you who Believe that Alabama deserves better.

Our polling data shows that my campaign will be successful if we are able to raise the necessary funds to get my message out to the voters via literature, yard signs, advertising and other media. Our goal is to raise $500,000 by May 31, 2008. If you can contribute $25, $50, $100 or whatever you can afford, we would be most appreciative.

I ask you to Believe with me that together we can make a difference and give Alabama what it deserves, bold, visionary leadership. Please go to actblue.com/page/figures08 and you will be able to donate to my campaign today.

If you, like me, believe Sessions has used his alloted time, please support this effort.

Third:

Do you want $10,000? Equality Alabama is giving it away. But you must buy a ticket, and only 400 are being sold. Tickets are $100 (which also will get you 2 seats at dinner). The deadline for buying tickets is tomorrow, and the event is on the 25th. Here is the info: Equality Drawdown Hoedown. You do not have to be present to win.

Corporate America

Last night I decided that today's post would be about corporate America. That is sort of a dirty word, because it brings up images of Exxon, (earlier) Healthsouth, Enron, you know, big ugly corporations, that do big, ugly things that get lots of news.

But what about the friendly corporations that just hurt one person at a time (or hundreds, as in the case of United Airlines. See I am still a little steamy about United, because they promised us vouchers when we suffered through a cancelled flight, a bump from a flight, and a denial of boarding (till they saw the steam coming out of my ears). But the vouchers have yet to arrive. They will be expired before I ever get them.

Then there is Bright House. You know, the cable TV company. I'm sure we can all complain about cable tv, like the paying for HBO In Demand and then having to watch John Adams Part 4 all pixelated and skipping. How nice. Or the Music Choice channels that skip....and skip....and sometimes just quit playing. But try this on.

Go to channel 100 to pay your bill. Go through all the steps, using their (hopefully) secure credit card system, and get a message on the screen that they were unable to accept my payment at this time, try again later. OK. So try again later, go through the same steps. Same message. OK, I will just pay the old fashoined way tomorrow. Well "tomorrow" was yesterday, so I thought, well I will just try the TV service again. So when I "log on" and get to the page that shows my balance, its negative because they actually accepted the two payments I made. What kind of system is that, in this age of technology and this company that wants me to use their phone service and internet cervice and cell service and garbage service and sewer service...well actually the last two I just threw in there, but really they might do better on the sewer than what we got now.

But the corporation that brought all this on is Best Buy. Why do I never learn. They are the same Geeks (Squad) that erased all my documents and pictures from a laptop I took in for repair a few years ago, so why I thought I should buy a new one from them I don't know. Well I do, I guess. Blue is a much better color than red (the Circuit City color). That could be an Auburn thing, I guess, but anyway, I went to them to get a new laptop.

OK, making a long chapter of a story short, it was not ready when promised. That irked me a bit, since I made a special trip over there to pick it up, but a gift card from the manager helped. But today...when I return to get it after waiting 30 minutes...no one can find it!!!

Seriously, it is gone. So am I still without a computer, without a big chunk of cash, and steaming.

But they tell me I will have a (new and different...same model I mean) laptop tonight. And they better hand me another gift card too.


What is your favorite corporate America story?

Starting tomorrow I begin (really I started last month) in earnest a "new phase." I will be doing an internship at the Department of Agriculture in Montgomery in Ag Security. To learn more about what that means, read my column next week in the Western tribune, or stay tuned on here.

Bessemer Police Business and David Cook!

So here is what we learned at the Bessemer Neighborhood Association meeting Monday night.

Sgt. Carmicheal from the Community Service Division of the Bessemer Police Department spoke and addressed concerns of those present.

For speeding and recklessness. Sgt. Brooks is over the traffic division, and he said to call him on his cell phone when you see speeding. 205-229-2793. Tell him the location, the make of the car and the tag number if you can get it without endangering yourself. In addition, if they get enough complaints about an area they will do traffic stops or DUI checks which often drive motorists to take different routes.

As for the noise ordinance, which covers not only stereos but screaming motorcycles as well, the ordinance is in force. Decible meters are being acquired (yawn...I've heard this for months, years). To report these, call dispatch at 205-425-2411. (Don't call 911 for noise). Be specific in your report, whether the noise is coming from a house, or a car, describe the car and get the tag, without the person knowing it if possible.

If you don't feel that your call is getting a response (like if you don't see a cop within a few minutes) call again, and ask for the officer over that shift. During the day, Sgt. J. J. Pierson, during the evening, from 2:45 to 10:45, Sgt. Fred Littlepage, and during the night shift, from 10:45 to 6:45 AM, Sgt. Ray Hubbart. Sorry officers if I misspelled you name.

Everyone realizes that a speeding car or a rocking car will be long gone before an officer gets there. But the police might "hunt them down", or keep a watch out for the car that is described. And again, enough compaints from an area will lead to roadblocks...an inconvenience, no doubt, but worth it to slow down traffic. Just be sure you have your insurance card and license with you.

We should also realize that the cops can't be everywhere and see everything. So they depend on us to call these things in.

But they should realize that we depend on them as well, like to arrest people who have stolen cars being dis-assembled in their backyards. If they won't arrest that individual, do we really thnk they are going to give a hoot about Nas (otherwise known as Nasir Jones) blaring Ether out of a car:

"Ay, yo, pass me the weed,
Pour my ashes out on these niggas man,
(No doubt)
Ay, y'all faggots, y'all kneel,
And kiss the f***king ring"

It gets worse. But that gives you an idea.

That is the kind of noise we hear as the windows are rattling. It is offensive to people of color, to gay people, to decent people who do not appreciate profanity and slurs being thrust into our dens such that we can not even hear the sweet sounds of American Idle, I mean Idol. And if I really watched and cared and voted, David Cook would get my vote. Randy, Paula and Simon seemed to like him as well.



The Bessemer Police Department holds public safety meetings the first Monday of every month at a different location. These meetings are open to the public and the public is encouraged to attend. Heads of divisions are there to answer questions. Crime statistics are given out, with comparisons to previous months. Notification of these meetings has been a problem, sometimes they use flyers, sometimes they are announced in the local papers. The BPD is trying to determine the best way to let people know about the locations. I will try to become aware of these and post them as well.

Stolen Car Recovered...and Flowers

My neighbor found his car. Nothing is easy, nothing makes sense.

The car was here .

3300 block of Arlington Avenue, where it dead ends. With 10 - 15 other cars around in the backyard. Cars had been stripped of engines and transmissions and the like. He called the police, they came, arrested no one. The homeowner, his wife and son were there, claimed they had no idea how the car got there, in their backyard, with all those other stripped cars.

Word is that this guy used to work at Gary's Tires in Bessemer, was fired for stealing $30,000 worth of tires.

Friend told the cops he didn't want the car towed, he would go home and get a key and drive it home. By the time he got back (it's just a mile away) they had towed the car, against the wishes of the owner, and charged him $140.

My friend wrote this:

The homeowner claims he works on cars at his house for extra money. The officer on scene scolded him for that and also scolded some guys who were burning trash in a barrel behind the house! MY STOLEN CAR WAS ON THIS GUYS PREOPERTY AND THEY DID NOTHING! MY AIR CLEANER HOUSING WAS LYING ON THE GROUND NEXT TO THE CAR, BUT HE HAD NOT TOUCHED IT!!!

It's funny, his son has a car just like mine with the big wheels and such on it!

I feel they should have been arrested for recieving stolen property or something!

The city needs to check the Vin numbers on every car at that house..............I'll bet they are all stolen

Sounds like a good idea to me? The rest of you who have told me their car was stolen might want to go down there, in daylight, with company, and check things out.



At the Bessemer neighborhood Association Meeting last night Sergeant Carmichael of the Bessemer PD spoke about public safety, crime, all the issues of Dartmouth Avenue and more. I will write about that meeting tomorrow, if time allows.



For today, I am just glad Drew got his car back (even damaged) and I hope that the perps get tagged.



And I am glad the temperature didn't freeze the peaches or flowers or tomato plants.





This is another Columbine in the backyard, these just come up and I try to move them around and get a bunch of them growing together.



This antique rose is Zephirine Drouhin, with a wonderful fragrance and no thorns.




Fiery blooms of this native azalea look hot, out of place on this cold morning.