Big Surprise

Yep - just sharing more news from the world today... what a shock (note the sarcasm)


From Advocate.com

Focus on the Family accused of manipulating research


The right-wing group Focus on the Family is being accused of manipulating research on gays and lesbians in an effort to advance its homophobic agenda. It all began when the Colorado Springs, Colo.–based group released a statement on its Web site refuting the results of a study on lesbian teens conducted by Elizabeth Saewyc of the University of British Columbia. Saewyc’s study found that lesbian teens were more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers, but Focus on the Family took an opportunity to use the findings to come up with a different conclusion than what Saewyc found. “Regrettably, [lesbian teens] think they have to embrace homosexuality because pro-gay advocates told them that they were born gay,” claimed Focus on the Family spokeswoman Melissa Fryrear on the group’s site. On Monday, Saewyc responded to Focus on the Family’s claims by telling the Canadian Press, “The research has been hijacked for somebody’s political purposes or ideological purposes, and that’s worrisome.” The conservative group defended itself in the Canadian Press article by bringing up a 2001 study on sexual orientation conducted by Columbia University professor Robert Spitzer. Spitzer said Focus on the Family was once again distorting the facts. “Although a third of the subjects in my study reported having had serious thoughts of suicide related to their homosexuality, not one of them blamed the gay rights movement’s advocating a ‘born gay’ theory of homosexuality as the cause of their suicidal thinking,” Spitzer said. “Focus on the Family should shut down its fib factory and start focusing on the needs of real families,” said Wayne Besen, executive director of Truth Wins Out, a pro-gay advocacy group. “This group mocks science and can’t tell a centrifuge from a centerfold or a test tube from a boob tube. All they understand is the science of spin, which got them into a lot of trouble.” (The Advocate)

Smart TV in the Summer

Okay granted it's summer and one should be enjoying the nice weather and such but if you just want to crash out in front of the television then these two shows are worth the watch.

Deadwood is a gritty western where you have to pay attention to catch the almost Shakespearing langauge and subtext. It has a fabulous cast and is wonderful storytelling. One week you love a character and very likely the next you might hate them. One second a character is ranting and the next they say something that makes you laugh. Set against the backdrop of the real Deadwood it mixes historical fact (Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, Hurst, etc) with enough dramatic fiction to make one wish every show on tv was this well produced. Certainly not for the faint of heart, as the violence is as brutal as one might imagine it was back then. Season One and Two are out on DVD for those folks looking to catch up.

Doctor Who is on the opposite end of the spectrum but just as wonderful. The first season just finished on Sci-Fi channel but they are still airing repeats and anyone who likes well written stories should check this series out. It's not only for sci-fi fans so don't let the almost 30 year history of the show or the memories of past incarnations scare you. Re-imagined by Russell T. Davies of Queer as Folk BBC fame the new Doctor Who is as hip as they come. The dialogue is fast and fabulous (paying attention comes in handy here as well though if you don't have an ear for the British Accents) and the storytelling is great not only for younger viewers (the series is promoted as a family show in England) but also smart for the adults in the room. And any tv show that introduces a bi-sexual recurring character who is about to get his own spin off on the BBC is worth my time. Season one is due out on DVD next month... Season Two is airing on the BBC.

So if you are looking for something good on TV to pass the time while waiting for your favorite show to start back up try what's keeping me interested on hot summer nights.

And if you are more of a DVD/TV person than you must look into (in no particular order):

Battlestar Gallactica: The finest show on TV right now
Buffy/Firefly/Angel: You can NEVER go wrong with Whedon
Farscape: For those willing to take the sci-fi leap with a series that is as grown-up as Henson Entertainment has ever gotten. Smart, Funny and Entertaining
Golden Girls: Many season are on DVD and it is probably the finest sitcom ever written - those episodes are timeless
The L Word or Queer As Folk: Like I was going to miss putting these on the list. All the Queer seasons are now on DVD. Only the first two L Words are out so far.

Here's one for Matty...

ENJOY!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVPGKmIAWL0

Why the Daily Show is better 'news' then Fox...

Two people calmly talking on two sides of an issue

http://hammeroftruth.com/2006/06/08/jon-stewart-schools-bill-bennett-on-gay-marriage/

Unlike Fox News...

Choose any O'Reilly Factor for just the opposite.

As for the Daily Show discussion. I appreciate that despite it being a satire show normally that Jon and Bill got to the heart of why it is instead of hiding behind the bull. Bill pointed out his issues with gay 'lifestyles' and Jon, rightfully, pointed out the biological factor.

Worth a watch

What a surprise..

The ploy to distract didn't pass although it stirred up the 'family values' folks. Just like they planned

http://pageoneq.com/news/2006/fma_060706.html

Most homosexuals have straight parents. So what was this guys point?

http://www.senatemajority.com/inhofe_family_not_gay.html

National Security agency may or may not... really? REALLY?!

http://pageoneq.com/news/2006/nsa_060606.html

A friend recently said "Who cares about the phone tapping? They are looking for criminals."

To which I replied - "Until they want to be looking after other people."

Land of the free and the home of the brave - I guess we can't get it all right - right? WRONG!!!!!

When will things start turning around?

Oh Brother...
Chele