Clean up time already?

It's very quiet today. Ben is home sick, lying like the dead on the couch with a high fever. Yesterday it was Zachary.

Jake asked me this morning if he was next.

I said WASH YOUR HANDS.

I must admit, I'm a tad obsessive about washing my hands in the winter. I spent two years sick as a dog when Ben first hit daycare and I learned my lesson. Of course, when they are little, it's hard to keep them from poking you in the face with their germ filled fingers.

Now, I'm just cleaning up buckets of... um... well, you know. I don't think Ben is ever going to learn to hit the bathroom until he has to clean it up himself.

I wonder if the Obama administration is going to go through the same growing pains. It seems to be the case so far. Some good choices like Clinton, some bad choices like Richardson and some weird choices like Gupta.

Some infuriating choices like Rick Warren.

The press has been pretty eager, along with many political groups, to make nice about the direction the president to be is taking.

How long will they be cleaning up, though? When will the tough questions be asked? I can promise you that as a member of the LGBT community, I'm not jumping up and down about John Berry, an openly gay man, being nominated to be the director of Office Personnel management.

It's the highest appointment ever for a gay person. Kinda sad, huh? I mean, can you name the last one? or the one before that?

Honestly, I didn't even know there was such an office.

Obama is also asking Bush to get the rest of the bailout money. That makes me very nervous. It reeks of passing the buck, not of expediency. Is he already covering his tracks?

The cleaning up of messes will only last so long. The good will of the LGBT community was severely strained with Rick Warren's invitation. While some still are clamoring to be supportive, any are not. Personally, I'm not buying John Berry as a valid token of affection.

All eyes are on this administration, waiting for great things.

I keep thinking, that like my son Ben, he's not going to figure it out until he has to clean it up himself.

Clinton and LGBT Friendly and Non-Friendly Audiences

I lied. I can't help myself. Obama sat down to a second interview with the Advocate and his LGBT supporters and preening about how he has responded to our community's cry for face time with the candidate.

Here is a list of Clinton's appearances and discussion of LGBT issues in front of non-LGBT friendly audiences, as Obama so often is praised for doing.


· In March 2007, Hillary was the only presidential candidate to accept the invitation and to address the Human Rights Campaign's Board Meeting and Equality Convention. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSPxGmePSiA

· In the June 3rd CNN debate of the Democratic candidates for president; Hillary Clinton spoke out forcefully against the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy.

· In late June 2007, Hillary announced the formation of “LGBT Americans for Hillary”, her national LGBT Steering Committee.

· In August 2007, Hillary participated in the LOGO/HRC Presidential Forum http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SQSXv8i4Mw&feature=related and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxdzvE05ceE&feature=related.

· In a first for a presidential candidate, Hillary utilized her web site to organize LGBT Watch Parties and, in fact, attended the largest watch party in West Hollywood.

· In October 2007, Hillary gave an in-depth interview to The Advocate.

· In November 2007, Hillary released a comprehensive plan to battle HIV/AIDS.

· Also in November2007, Hillary spoke to evangelical leaders at Saddleback about the AIDS epidemic, including the rise of HIV infection rates among gay men, and challenged the churches to address the spiritual side of the crisis including “the gay teenager seeking safety and guidance”.

· In January, Hillary was the only Presidential candidate to come out squarely against the Florida marriage amendment.

· In January 2008, Hillary addressed gay teen suicide in a web video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp_mn1_z9UY (Beginning at 3:21).

· On February 4th, Hillary gave an interview to Logo TV.

· In February 2008, Hillary authored a blog posting on “Equality for LGBT Americans.”

· As part of her nationally-broadcast “Voices Across America, National Town Hall” on February 4th, Hillary affirmed that she would fight for the equality of benefits for LGBT Americans, for passage of a Hate Crimes law, ENDA and for an end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. http://townhall.hillaryclinton.com/ (See 2nd question asked)

· On February 11th, Hillary gave an interview to the Washington Blade.

· In late February, Hillary gave interviews to the LGBT press in Ohio and Texas.

· In March in Wyoming, Senator Clinton spoke about Matthew Shepard and the need for a Federal Hate Crimes law.

A second interview is a wonderful start. But only a start.