Wait, Wait, Don't tell me, there's more...

The headline speaks volumes. And yes, I have more of what's really going on from top to bottom and everywhere else that's making our news cut. In this present format we've upped the ante with daily postings that often merge or bundle items that are related or assist in further underscoring issues. I encourage you readers that the brevity that we offer here is not always the end of the story, therefore searching the net or using provided links will help you gather more depth about the subjects or individuals profiled. I've stated our mission numerous times and it's still the same, " to inform, educate and empower." Your imput and interacitveness is imperative to our success and we encourage you to share your views with us.


Circling The Waggons continues: Just when I thought this matter couldn't reach new heights or lows, obviously I was decidedly wrong. Let's try to recap where we are in this ongoing saga, involving the internal goings on of the coalition organization that will be dealing with the proposed Adoption measure. The said group comprised of ACLU's Rita Skilar, Stonewall Demorcrat's, Jay Barth, Legislator Kathy Webb, board members from CAR and others whom met earlier this year to hammer out an offensive plan. However, varying differences, opinions and some ego's were broadsided among the particpants. Resulting in a flurry of E-mails and pointed conversations rife with sorted inuendos and accusations. Consequently, some interactions even became tinted with racial overtones. Oh My! Can't we all just get along! As it stands now, close sources state that two members of the panel have been asked out. Yes, your heard me, that means dismissed, Ta-Ta, adios, adieu and see ya! Allegedly, their viewpoints on internal operations and overall methodology were unconducive to those in lockstep with other waggoneers, whom felt that they know what works best. No community dissenters allowed. Stay tuned, I'm sure that there's more to come from this one....



I'm Coming Out: Come out, Come out from where ever you are is what I'm saying! The NationalComing Out Day Celebration hosted by Unitarian Universalist Church of Little Rock [1818 Reservoir Rd, Little Rock], Oct. 11-12. Thursday, Oct 11: Service and Celebration of National Coming Out Day for the LGBT community and their straight allies, 7PM, UUCLR. Friday, Oct 12: Potluck and Movie Night, 6PM, showing the movie "Family Fundamentals, " a compelling look at fundamentalist parents who have given birth to gay children. Movie starts at 7; discussion will follow. This event is sponsored by Interweave, the LGBT ministry of UUCLR. All Arkansas LGBT organizations and allies are invited.To participate in the celebration please contact the Interweave Co-Chairs at Barbara Freeman http://us.f578.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=sparksalso%40gmail.com or Rebecca Milam http://us.f578.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=rebeccamilam%40gmail.com.



Easy Street Theft: Theives in the temple was the order of the day at wine bar Easy Street. If you want to know details, we've got it at our Myspace page. It's apart of the Hit or Miss entry at www.myspace.com/corneliusonpoint Wanna be a friend? then just say so,...!!

Senate Passes Matthew Shepard Bill

Senate Bill 1105 ( s1105) better known as the Matthew Shepard Bill has been passed through the U.S. Senate and has received applause from it's namesakes parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard of the Matthew Shepard Foundation. I was glad to know that Senator Blanche Lincoln ( D) was a co-sponsor of this measure to assist policing agencies deal with this growing dilemma thorughout the nation. There has been much discussion among lawmakers concerning whether a "seperate" law was needed juxtaposed to what's already on the books. However, supporters rallied sufficient evidence that such a distinction was necessary.

The legislation is formally entitled, the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 1105). It was offered as a bipartisan amendment by Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) to the Department of Defense authorization bill currently before the U.S. Senate. The virtually identical House version of the bill passed overwhelmingly on May 3rd, 2007 with a bipartisan vote of 237 to 180 as an appropriate and measured response to the unrelenting and under-addressed problem of hates crimes against individuals based on sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability. I encourage you to either call or E-mail Mrs. Lincoln a hearty "thanks" for her leadership on this groundbreaking tool dealing with overt violence in GLBTQI enclaves and communities nationally. She needs to hear from us! Do it today..here's how: http://lincoln.senate.gov/



Speaking to Power: In the above post I've asked you to reach out and touch a lawmaker. In case you didnt' know, some of them don't beleive that we actually exist and they are not from Iran. Point in case, Rep. John Boozeman (R) whom allegedly seems to think that the GLBT community in NWA is irrelevant in his policy votes. If you live in the area, get out your best weapon of mass destruction, it's call a pen. Send his office a notice that your interest are not be dismissed or wrote off. These people need to hear from us, I know this for a fact from a past trip to D.C. where I had access to their aides who were intrigued that someone from the home state
had any interest in what's happening on the Hill. Take the time and speak to the power! For JB here's his info:Representative John Boozman (R-AR 3rd)
His Main District Office:213 W. Monroe, Ste. K
Lowell, AR 72745Phone: (479) 725-0400Fax: (479) 725-0408



If you don't think that they respond, they do. I weighed in on the immigration maddness to my Senators and got letters from both. Below is an excerpt from Sen. Lincoln:


September 27, 2007

Dear Cornelius:

Thank you for contacting me about immigration reform and border security.
Our immigration system is broken and our first priority must be to secure our borders. This is a homeland security issue first and foremost and I believe we should act now to address this problem. Unfortunately, steady increases in the number of border patrol agents over the last several years has thus far not produced adequate results in securing our nation’s borders. While traffic from areas where we have placed more enforcement has decreased, illegal border crossings remain a serious and on-going problem.
To help address this issue, Congress passed and the President signed the Secure Fence Act last fall with my support which directed the Department of Homeland Security to construct 850 miles of additional border fencing. The legislation will increase the mileage of existing fencing and improve vehicle barriers installed along the southwest border of the United States. Furthermore, this legislation will provide enhanced border surveillance through more effective use of personnel and technology, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, ground-based sensors, satellites, radar coverage, and cameras. I believe this bill represents an important step in the right direction but more work needs to be done.......


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