On a bailout for the automakers

You know who should bail them out, is the oil companies... the reason for their companies' decline is their allegiance to the oil companies.

– Ashton Kutcher on "Real Time with Bill Maher," aired November 14th, 2008 on HBO

Las Vegas for Equal Rights

The people in the LGBT community want the same rights like any other people. This means equal rights, not special rights. This Saturday marks the National Day Of Protest Against Marriage Discrimination. Las Vegas will join other cities across the nation to fight for our basic rights. Please come and make our voices heard. Help achieve equality for every single person. This is not just about the right to marry alone. There is so much more at stake here.

http://www.thecenterlv.com/events.htm

Change only for the Straight?

We received an anonymous and interesting comment in response to my last entry and regarding Proposition 8 in California.

Los Angeles Times

We think it’s a bit unfair to say that gay activists let us down. There were more than enough LGBT organizations out there to inform us about what was going on regarding Proposition 8 ever since it succeeded to be put on the voting ballot. We’ve been following the print and television news for months and also read countless articles, opinions, blogs, comments and strategic plans how to combat this unfair proposition.

Additionally, there were numerous organizations and groups where people could join or donate either money or personal time as a volunteer to help spread the news how to defeat this measure.
Of course, this also meant that people had to be making a personal effort to actually do some research and seek out this types of groups and activities. Either on the internet or by calling or visiting their offices in person. In doing so, an interested reader and potential voter would have gathered enough information about the issues, the pros and cons presented by supporters and their opponents, and the opportunities to get involved or to visit meetings and rallies.

And here lies the problem. It takes effort to do these things. YOU have to make this happen. You cannot solely rely on the news or those organizations to come to you. They can only do so much and only succeed if you let them. America has become a society of convenience. If something requires the slightest effort on someone’s part, then no one will even attempt to make an effort. And if the subject matter is not interesting enough or presented all neatly and flashy, people tend to loose attention very quickly. Even if the issue at stake would greatly improve their own rights or benefits.

So, to say that gay activists let us down is not quite true. There were...and still are...more than enough outlets to inform and get informed on what happened. Besides mainstream media, there were many web sites and blogs. Some web sites were just recently created for the purpose to get the latest news out to the people and call for their involvement. If people are truly interested to get the latest news or facts about issues, then they’ll get them. They’ll make an effort to find the information. Eventually, the information will find them somehow. We live in Nevada, but we knew that it didn’t look too good for our side in California. Or Arizona. Or Florida. We even knew that the Swedish government is split on the gay marriage issue in that country.

We saw the news that Proposition 8 had a good chance of passing. So did many others, on both sides. Many people stepped up their efforts even more to do whatever they deemed necessary to either help or defeat this measure. The gay activists did everything they could to help us all achieve equal rights. And for that we thank them from the bottom of our hearts. Unfortunately, our opponents had more money, manpower and help from the outside to misconstrue perceptions and spread false information about the LGBT community.

However, we do agree on one thing. The apathy of many people when it comes to the right to vote, or politics in general. This is not a particular gay or straight quality. But gay people seem to be particularly indifferent when it comes to their own civil rights. If something is not exciting enough they couldn’t be bothered with it. We hate to admit this, but the majority of the gay community is indeed superficial and doesn’t take gay rights and issues very serious. When important issues are discussed then most gays will scream: “Boring.” While this certainly does not apply to everyone, that wide-spread gay stereotype however is for the most part very much true.

That’s why George and I aren’t part of the so-called gay scene. Whatever that means. We don’t fit their criteria and quite frankly...we don’t want to. If we do happen to attend a gay social gathering or go to a gay bar, others wouldn’t give us the time of day. Even if we just try to start a friendly, harmless small-talk with some people, hoping to break some ice. Most are too consumed with certain looks, appearances or some hierarchical ranking. It is next to impossible to be integrated into that clique if one doesn’t fit the expected label.

They can have that all nonsense. We already gave up on the notion to make even one decent friend and have come to the conclusion that there really is no gay community. Not in the sense of camaraderie or helping to make a difference for the good of the many. Gay...or straight, for that matter. At least not in Las Vegas. Our society has become very pretentious, suspicious and angry, but oblivious to everything else at the same time.

If we sound bitter, we’re not. It’s somewhat sad that it seems so difficult to make any friends. But that’s okay. It‘s their loss, not ours. George and I have each other. Besides, we have some friends, although they’re all living out-of-state. And if we get to see them every once in a blue moon, so be it.

Yet I’m still giving everyone the benefit of the doubt. Yes, even the gays. Despite the many dissapointments. Maybe one day they too will realize that fighting for people’s rights and the community’s well-being...or just giving someone the time of day...is far more rewarding than hearing the latest gossip of so-and-so or be up-to-date with the newest trends.

The people here in the United States just elected it’s first black president. Progress has been made. So there’s still hope yet. Maybe this is the kick in the butt that America, or Americans, needed to finally start shedding some of the prejudice and that fear of the unknown. Maybe the promised change will indeed come and help to open minds and hearts again down the road. Who knows? Time will tell.

Maybe we’ll see the first female president. The first gay president.

Like I concluded in my previous entry...baby steps.

Small little baby steps.

By the way...gay activists alert! November 15th, 2008 is National Day Of Protest Against Marriage Discrimination. So make your voice heard. Find more info on this web site:

www.jointheimpact.com We’re positive that there are many more web sites like this out there.

Make an effort, be involved, help change minds for the better.

Change is coming...finally

What an incredible day this election day turned out to be. I would have never thought that Barack Obama would actually win the presidential bid. Of course, George and I were hoping that he would become our next president.

Frankly, we thought that America was just not ready yet. After months and months of watching the opposing side throwing all the nastiness, accusations and threats at Barack and the Democrats, we just gave up on the common sense of the American people.

And then just before 9 p.m. yesterday we happened to check our e-mails and there was that headline starring at us from the computer screen. We couldn’t believe it. We turned on the TV just in time for Obama’s acceptance speech. The first African-American president-elect gave an amazing speech. Although it was uplifting, it was also a very soberly speech.

Come January 20th, 2009, the day Barack Obama will be inaugurated as the President of the United States, he has to start to deliver. He has to succeed in keeping his promises. He must produce results. But he can’t do it all by himself. Each and every one of us has to pitch in. Barack needs our help.

Yes, people, that means you and I have to change our way of thinking and living. It means giving up a little something and giving back for the good of the many. For a better and more humane society, a healthy environment and a more peaceful world.

We have to start sometime. Let’s finally do it. Now!

George and I are disappointed however. Greatly disappointed in California. The majority of voters there did vote for inequality and injustice. While not official as of yet, Proposition 8, a ban on same-sex marriage will likely pass. We thought that California was more progressive than that. What a surprise to find that most Californians are indeed very much backwards in their way of thinking. Not quite as liberal as the world makes them out to be.

But America... Americans learn slowly. Very slowly. How long did it take to free the slaves, give women the right to vote, allow inter-racial marriage? Now the United States has elected its first black president. We seem to be moving in the right direction again.

However small these steps may be and however long it may still take, the day of full equality for every single person, regardless of gender, race, religion...and yes, sexual orientation...will come eventually. It’ll take just a little longer. We should be grateful for what we have achieved yesterday. We are getting the country on the right track again. We are heading in the right direction.

Baby steps. Small little baby steps.

Barack Obama

George and I went to hear Barack Obama speak on Saturday afternoon. He stopped in Las Vegas to give a speech, after he appeared in Reno earlier that morning. The rally was held at Bonanza High School at Del Rey Avenue and more than 18,000 people came.



While Barack has not necessarily derived much from the other speeches he has given recently, he was still inspiring. He emphasized on the many problems this country is facing that other politicians would rather not talk about or just sweep under the rug. He said that we could solve many of the ills but that we can not rely on Washington alone. Among other things, he explained that it takes each and every one of us to help clean and save the environment, every parent to get involved in their children’s lives and their education. Furthermore, those big corporations have to finally stop just pocketing all these insane profits and start helping to re-invest into new technologies and their employees to make America competitive again.





People standing all around us seem mesmerized by him. One father proudly held his little daughter up into the air and asked her if she could see him. “Do you see him? Can you see him? That’s our next president.”



Now, George and I are not that naive to think that Obama is just going to wave a magic wand and everything will be solved when he’s become president. After eight years of utter incompetent, ignorant and devastating reign of King Bush’s administration, this task is going to be next to impossible. Bush, his puppet-master Cheney and all their cronies have literally destroyed a country, which once truly was the best country in the world. I do not recognize this country anymore nor its people. This is not the United States of America that I once knew. I grew up next to an authoritarian police state...and believe me...there’s not too much of a difference anymore.



And just when one thinks it can’t get any worse and America couldn’t possibly stoop any lower, along comes John McCain and his barbie doll of a ditz. It’s like a really bad joke. Unfortunately, it’s not. There’s a real possibility that the Bush administration will continue on if McCain gets elected. This idea just makes me shudder.



Surprisingly, there were only a handful of Republicans demonstrating outside where the event was held. They were circled by a few cops and even some mounted police officers. For the most part the opposing demonstrators were quiet. Despite its reputation of being “Sin City” and an adult’s Disneyland, Las Vegas is very conservative. As soon as one steps away from the “Strip,” it is very apparent.





Enough already. Enough of the usual conservative ways of thinking and doing. Enough of the churches meddling in politics and other people’s lives. It’s been done for eight disastrous long years. We had a guy leading this country, who supposedly was “one of us,” “someone you could have a beer with,” “folksy.” Enough is enough. I don’t want folksy. I don’t want to have a drink with the leader of the most powerful nation.



I want the president to be intelligent, smart and educated. I want him to be knowledgeable in world affairs and in cultures of other countries. I want our leader to respect other nations and their wishes and be humble when it comes to ours. I want the next president to treat each and every American citizen as absolute equals, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or religion. No more cowboy diplomacy. And sure as hell no moose and ice hockey diplomacy. The United States needs a true world leader. Not a pal one meets at a bar down the street.



We had that nonsense for eight years.



Look where it got us.

Walt Disney World (part two of many)

Of the four theme parks inside Walt Disney World in Florida, we like Disney's Animal Kingdom the best. As the name might suggest it is basically a zoo. This being Disney, it's not like any ordinary zoo. They've done a remarkable job to recreate the natural habitats for most of the animals as close as possible to the real thing.

This theme park is gigantic. There's even an "African Savanna," where animals can roam around freely. This park is also extremely lush with vegetation and there are areas where one truly believes to be in the middle of a jungle. Disney's Animal Kingdom has an amazing array of the most diverse animals. It also houses a research center and a veterinarian hospital.

While there are some thrill rides, attractions and shows, they never take center stage. The true stars in this park are the animals and the environment in general.

We took too many photos to show them all here. Therefore, here are a few impression of this incredible park. We may add more pictures from Disney's Animal Kingdom down the road.

Hakuna Matata!

Music is everywhere. Whether is authentic African music or
your Disney favorite.

The park host animals from different continents such as Asia
and Africa. It also celebrates their culture and heritage.

The research center and animal hospital. Here people can learn
how to do their part to save the environment.

Of course, there are also thrill rides. It's still a Disney park after all.
"Expedition Everest," one of the best roller coasters around.

A little bit of India, in the Asian section. With tigers, flavorful indian
cuisine and a whole lot more.

George and I have a thing for bats. Obviously, so do the Disney folks.
One can find them everywhere...live ones, carved in stone or
wooden ones hanging from the ceiling inside a restaurant. Bats are
just fascinating and not at all creepy. We never understood why
they always get a bad reputation.

More impressions from "Asia,"...

...and "Africa."

A Disney visit without an obligatory photo-op with a Disney character?
Of course not. This is me and Rafiki from the "The Lion King."

Oh, this explains it then...

...on so many levels.

Walt Disney World (part one of many)

I’m finally getting around to write a bit about our amazing trip to Walt Disney World in Florida and to upload a few of the hundreds and hundreds of photos we’ve taken. And this will only be a very small snippet of the whole trip. If you’ve never been to Walt Disney World, then it’s hard to describe just the incredible size of the place alone and all the different activities it has to offer. It’ll require a few seperate entries in this blog over the next few weeks to even scratch the surface of all the things we’ve expereinced.


Let’s just hop right in, shall we?




A beautiful sunrise at Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport, where we had a layover before continuing to Orlando in Florida. And an inside view of the cabin of our Boeing 767-300, before take-off to Orlando.


We left on a Friday night, taking a Delta Airlines red-eye flight to Atlanta, GA and then on to Orlando, FL where we arrived the next morning. This was also the very first time we ever used a travel package, which included hotel room, park tickets, transfers and pretty much everything else. The Disney Travel Co. would take care of everything. And they did. We checked in our luggage with specially marked tags at Las Vegas McCarran Int.’l Airport and haven’t seen it until it was inside our room at Disney’s All-Star Movie Resort the next day. The Disney folks picked us up from the Orlando airport, transferred us to our destined hotel where we were able to check in right away. While checking in, they gave us each a card which is all we needed while staying at Walt Disney World.


Well, that and...more money to buy food, souvenirs and the like.




The porte cochère to Disney's All-Star Movies Resort and their hotel lobby.


This card was our hotel room key, our I.D. while staying at the Disney property and for using their immense transportation system, and our ticket to every themepark, waterpark, Pleasure Island and Disney Quest. There was actually more but there was simply not enough time to take everything in.




Mickey Mouse is ubiquitous. Towels in the shape of the mouse greeted us as we arrived at our nice hotel room.


Pleasure Island was part of Downtown Disney and an adults-only section of night clubs, discos and comedy venues but has closed since we’ve returned home. We checked it out on their last night, which was quiet crowded and happening.



But now back to us Mouseketeers again...



Since we’ve arrived somewhat early on Saturday morning and also had dinner reservation for the “Boma” restaurant at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, we decided there was just enough time to check out the “Blizzard Beach” waterpark.




George at the bus bays in front of Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, waiting for our bus to Blizzard Beach. And me at the entrance to Blizzard Beach waterpark.


Weatherwise, it was the most gorgeous day. The bluest, clearest sky one can imagine and the temperature were just perfect. Not humid at all. My biggest fear was that we’d have to suffer through a muggy mess and sweat our you-know-whats off. Still, we couldn’t wait to finally jump into the cool waters of the gigantic wave pool or whisk down all those crazy water slides. “Blizzard Beach” was definitely a fun way to start our amazing Disney World vacation.






By the time this waterpark closed, we both worked up a mighty appetite. So we hoped on the appropriate Disney Transportation bus which would take us to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. A visit to this grand and amazing hotel alone is worth the trip.


We were far too early for our dinner reservation at Boma restaurant. But the host did squeeze us in within the following ten minutes. This restaurant was busy and later there was a long waiting line. The South African food was served buffet-style and simply delicious. Every single dish was just scrumptious. We can highly recommend this place, if you’re looking for something different for your taste buds.



Inside the Boma restaurant at the lodge


After dinner we were highly content but also very stuffed and needed to walk some of this gained ballast off again. Not a problem, since the Animal Kingdom Lodge itself is a huge complex and there’s lots to see and do. In typical Disney fashion, they spared no expenses and left out no detail to re-create this African-themed resort.




The spacious lobby of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge


It is one of the deluxe hotels of the many Disney resorts and hotel guests have a fantastic view from their balconies over the open “African Savanna” where they can see the animals running around freely. Can you imaging looking out your window and there’s a giraffe peeking in. It’s all right there. We enjoyed a nice walk around the huge premise and watched many animals grazing in the setting sun. It was almost like a scene out of “The Lion King.”


Okay...get ready...cue in the song “Circle of Life”...now!


Yup, by now we definitely knew we were in Walt Disney World.



We returned late to our hotel. The All-Star Movies Resort comprises of several buildings, each one themed after Disney films. Our's was "The Love Bug." And Herbie would greet us every morning and every evening when we returned from our adventures in Disney World