9.12.05 Tidbits

Ophelia Is Coming Home: When I heard that a new Tropical Storm has been named for Ophelia, I was amused. I think it is fitting that this storm will visit the Carolinas in few days. Why? Because more than a year ago in August, I wrote an entry about Ophelia, my grandmother's deaf black maid in Raleigh, North Carolina.

As for this storm, Ophelia is fluctuating just right off the East Coast, deciding whether to go for its status quo -- being Tropical Storm or category 1 Hurricane? Only Ophelia can decide for herself.

But since I noticed that there is lack of humidity around here, the chances of Ophelia hitting the category 1 is very remote. Its winds probably will remain less than 74 MPH when it gets to Cape Hatteras.

FEMA Chief Michael Brown Is Gone! What does it reflects on GW Bush? It was only a week ago that GW Bush said that FEMA Chief Michael Brown did a heck of a job -- now with Newsweek reporting that he padded his resume to make himself look good -- he was quickly recalled to Washington. And he ultimately resigned.

Good riddance, Michael Brown.

Ack! This Is One Dumb Sign!: This woman's attempt to sign "hurricane" managed to make it look so corny. It even made me wince my eyes when she signed that word repeatedly. Hat tip to Surdus.

Poor Guy! Guy Ritchie seemeed never to get a break from the critics? Madonna's hubby seemed unable to please any critics when he attempts to show his film several times in the past. What gives? I personally hadn't seen his films. Anyone care to comment about Guy Ritchie's films?

As Virginian, I Would Choose ...: According to the information sheet I have on me -- Sen. Russ Potts is Republican, Jerry Kilgore is Democrat and last, Tim Kaine is Republican. They are competing for the Governor of Virginia. The City of Staunton's local newspaper had a questionnaire for them about VSDB, which is mirred in a struggle with the State Board of Education whether to close the school and build a new campus, or preserve two schools, or to consolidate two schools into one at Staunton. Many Deaf people wanted the schools to be consolidated to Staunton and renovate and improve the quality of Deaf Education at VSDB.

The truth is that these gubernational candidates cannot do a thing about it -- the State Board of Education has the final say in this -- regardless if the Governor likes it or not. It has been like that way in Virginia -- one of the nation's most staunch retarded-conservative states.

However, here is what they said about VSDB which the Staunton's News-Leader popped a question, What should the state do with the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind and its two campuses?

TIM KAINE
While the legislature made the decision to combine the two campuses based on enrollment rates, what we must focus on now is how to provide an excellent educational opportunity for the school's students going forward. I support building a new, state-of-the-art facility at a location that best meets the needs of our students. We must also ensure that students have the facilities and teachers they need to succeed and that our teachers have the training and equipment they need. Additionally, we must make a greater effort to draw on the expertise of the deaf and blind community to ensure that we are meeting our goals.

RUSS POTTS
I support keeping the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Staunton. It is an historic landmark and a vital part of the Staunton community.

JERRY KILGORE
I support the efforts of the General Assembly to consolidate the two campuses. It simply did not make sense financially or operationally to keep two facilities up and running. I hope that the campus in Staunton will be renovated to accommodate the consolidated campus.

Well, I like Jerry and Russ -- Russ is Eisenhower Republican -- he claimed that the current group of Republicans are not real Republicans, the party had been hijacked by conservative, religious and special interests groups. Tim Kaine, I gotta rule him out. He is obviously an idiot to start with.

One Last Thing About 9/11 Thing: I asked my sister, Hedy, to scan four pages which she liked from DC Comics' tribute to WTC few years ago -- I also liked it very much. It is about the Flight of 93 which crashed in some rural area in Pennsylvania. All I knew is that it was done by folks at DC Comics -- if Hedy managed to give me the names so that I can give the credit to, I will do it.

These four pages are so good that when I first read it, I actually felt goosebumps. Basically, the story is that nobody knew the exact thing that happened inside the Flight 93. So they illustrated based on the theory of what had transpired inside the Flight 93.

For each page, you can click on the image to read it up close. Enjoy!





Too bad, it also neglected to mention that Mark Bingham was gay who loved to play rugby. I should mention that Mark was into men who are hairy -- it was said that he was a cub who loved and chased after big, hairy men.

Cheers,

R-

9.11.05 Tidbits

Maybe Ed Hottle Is The Real Deal: For the first time in a long time, Gallaudet football, under the direction of Head Coach Ed Hottle whom I thought is very HOT, is now 2-0 after posting hard-fought wins versus Shenandoah University 21-13 and Apprentice 13-12. I should mention that both games took place on the road. Even with two wins, this is great progress for the team and Coach Ed Hottle. But let's wait for the next three games at home -- if the team is 5-0, then Ed Hottle means well. If the team wins more than 5 games, I'll be impressed.

Katrina's Heroes? After Katrina whipped New Orleans, people ptiched in to help out with the relief efforts. People also claimed that the cops, National Guards and many others are doing something to help them out. They even told the media that they are going to take "care of people" that sits on the highway. What did they mean by taking care of them? The truth hurts. People out there thinks it did not happen but yes, it did! Check the link for the shocking revelations about the victims of Katrina.

And this.

And to think this happened in our country -- we are good people, I guess. Good enough to let things like this slide by and act like we are noble. Except that we are not.

The Hanging Garden: I got to watch a film today called "The Hanging Garden". I enjoyed it very much. It focuses on a dysfunctional family with some dysfunctional neighbors as well. There is this big boy who happens to be gay, he liked to fuck Fletcher, his sister's boyfriend. Later, you get to meet a young girl who loves to cuss "Fuck you!" to any adult -- it turns out that this particular fat boy who is gay is the father of this illegitimate daughter -- which his mother paid someone trying to turn her son straight -- the fat gay boy at 16, impregnated this woman. You get the picture. Later, I get to see this former fat boy turning into a hot, thin gay man. Even with his sister's "I don't care" attitude, her husband still wanted him. It was weird fucked-up film but I enjoyed it. The ending was not so All-American type which is nice to start with.

Did You Wonder ...: Whether if the ABC's Home Extreme Makeover will do few houses in New Orleans? I just read an article where a poor couple refused to leave their property because they just planted the crops in their backyard -- even right after the floods which swamped the area. One reporter asked the family if they are worried about their food crops being contaminated. One woman laughed, "Guatemala is worse than this, it is OK with me." Fine with me, darling.

Religious Extremists Are Dangerous: When a disaster struck any place, people always turned to God for answers. Islamic Extremists said that Hurricane Katrina was the answer on their call to destroy the United States. Xian Extremists said that it was the answer to cleanse gays, pro-choice and shit. GW Bush mentioned about the National Day of Prayer. Bleargh. Like it would help us at all. I personally think it is their right to believe in God and have a relationswhip with a hocus pocus, but trying to conjure ideas to say that God did this, that and there in the name of "justice" is full of shit. Get a life, really!

This Is Lower Manhattan! HELLO! I stumbled upon one comment by somoene who thought that the site of World Trade Center should be memorialized. I disagreed. Lower Manhattan is the Financial District, the best in the world. Business talks. People come and go. Businesses are here to stay. I'm sick of people who attempted to capitalize the victims to turn the place into hallowed ground! The dialogue is over, build the corporations, leave the memorial in some corner for all I care. In 200 years, nobody gives a shit about who's who jumped off the building and splat. If you expect us to memorialize this, then memorialize every victims that were blown apart in Israel, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Bali, Indonesia, Iraq, Turkey, Great Britain and Spain! The Financial District is not fit for any cemetary and/or memorial services. You can have a museum or the memorial site but do not turn the whole area into the hallowed ground -- no sane New Yorker wanted that!

Guess Who Won Venice's Golden Lion? In Venice, Italy -- Brokeback Mountain won the top prize at Venice's Film Festival. It was reported that many viewers emerged from the film theaters in awe of love story between two gay men. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, both are straight, seemed to hit a chord with the audience. Can't wait for this!

Henh Henh Henh: Last night, someone told me that I got a "cute" sound of laughter. I was perplexed. He nodded, I tried to tell him to stop it as I could not stop laugh. He then wrote, "HENH HENH HENH HA HA HA HA!" as in trying to write down what I just said. Well, my friend is cute and sweet. What can I say about him? It was fun spending a night with him. Ahh!

Anyway, when he talked about my laughter, he was not the first time who said it -- apparently, hearing people do love to hear Deaf people laugh, of course, not in a loud, raucous guffaws. But a simple laugh, really. I'm sure, many of you Deaf readers got comments from hearing people who told you that they liked your laughter and asked you to do it one more time. Icky but very amusing, I guess.

This afternoon, I was cleaning up the scrapbook and I came across this great picture of Hillary Clinton who laughed so hard with Tipper Gore in 1996 Democratic National Convention, I believe. This is one of many reasons why I liked Hillary. First of all, she is not afraid to laugh hard, actually to open her mouth to bellow loudly. It reflects her human side. The real side of humanity. I feel that the persons who runs the governments tend to be pretentious with their fake laughters and fake smiles -- these has to go. A simple, honest laughter is the best.

Hillary Clinton for 2008!

Cheers,

R-

In Midst Of Everything, New York Is Still There!

4 years ago on a Tuesday morning, we got the jolt of our lifetime with this bang. Actually four times.

I still remembered where I was at that time. I was next to Larry Gray in HMB Atrium at Gallaudet when I first saw the North Tower burning. No need to repeat the whole scene. But the point is that everyone remembered where they were. I do remember the moment when I was notified that Gallaudet student was murdered. Same thing with Princess Di's death.

I remembered GW Bush sitting leisurely and waiting at some elementary school during the nation's darkest moment.

Then I remembered GW Bush saying that we'll go after Osama Bin Laden. So far, still nothing. In fact, he's still chasing the phantoms -- he even joked at some fundraising dinner that he's looking under some table few years ago -- utterly tasteless. Osama Bin Laden is 6'5, for god's sake! That is pretty rare for Arab to be that tall. And yet, we cannot find him in Tora Bora. Today, we are simply playing tic-tac toes with Al-Qaeda, simply put. We may have clipped some tentacles of Al-Qaeda, but they are improvising.

To top it all, he and Dick Cheney claimed that there is a connection between 9/11 attacks and Iraq! Even with Colin Powell's interview with Barbara Walters (?), he considered his report to the United Nations to be a blot of his career. With the daily suicidal bombings in Iraq that seemed to desensitize everyone else, especially with the Xians, in the process -- their attitude was: "Better over there than here!" It is as if their lives are insignificant than ours.

As for New York whose had to dealt with less than 3,000 perished victims -- not only the victims, the city also had to deal with countless of families that lost their loved ones. It was quite a period of self-examination for New York which, I can frankly say, they passed it with flying colors. Instead of waiting for the federal government to pour money in, they licked their wounds, comforted each other, cleaned up the mess, took care of the dead, calmed the jitteries of Wall Street, stabilize the economy -- all with a heavy price on many New Yorkers' souls, while the nation talked the talk for months.

But guess what? New York still rises without anyone's help. It has been doing just fine for years. I think the picture below is a testament of what New York is all about -- even with the smoke billowing from the Ground Zero, you can see the beauty of New York still standing proud.

New York, New York!
This is New York. Sophisticated. The Best. The Greatest city in the world. This is the city I adopted when I first moved to New York. Even with the fact that I'm in Philadelphia, I still heart New York.

R-

Phila's Deaf Professional Happy Hour

Went to my very first Deaf Professional Happy Hour in the city of Brotherly Love at Champps Bar & Grill. Not bad. Saw Staci Rensch! Saw Robert Traina! And unfortunately, I saw Dorian Yanke.

It is true. Dorian is now living in this town next to me. Go figure. Nothing happened -- one gal said, "Here is your best friend! He's sitting over there." I immediately smiled and said, "Dorian?"

She smiled with an evil grin. I groaned and said in a teasing manner, "That boy cannot live without my ASS! Serious case!" But on a serious note, I wish him the best in his endeavours -- *people behind me probably snickered when I said that line*.

Today, I heard from a friend of mine in Washington, DC -- he went to the DPHH, it was packed with more than 300 people. Here in Philadelphia, less than 100 showed up. Many faces, I do not know who they were. That is OK with me. I'm not concerned about that. I once mentioned to a friend that I'm not making new friends. Instead, I am more selective with making friends -- I guess, getting older, you do not want to deal with the hassles of friendships going through some growing pains. I do not know why but in early 90s, I enjoyed meeting new faces. Today, I do not. Is it normal? I do not know. I routinely went to the fairgrounds, events, homecoming events -- I get annoyed each minute. Maybe I liked the intimate conversations rather than "HI ... ME NOW SSI $885 MONTHLY, YOU? WHAT KIND JOB? HAS WIFE?" I cringed when people says things like that.

It was nice to see Staci once again. Been some years since I saw her! Never forgot the moments that I had with Staci in the board room where she blasted Mindy Moore to smithereens during the Deaf Moonlite Show's brainstorming sessions. It was hysterical to see Mindy Moore falling apart. I remembered her writing a note to tell me to inform me that the student next to us was eating his dinner from his nose. This woman has the eyes has her own rule: Observe But Do Not Interfere. Sure enough, we were sitting at the bar recently ... Staci and I smirked each time we cruised each individual that comes in our path -- she would explain a little about his/her background right below the bar counter, to prevent from anyone seeing our conversations. Why did she do that? To prepare me to be aware of peoope around me.

For example, I asked her, "This guy is cute, any chance for me to nab him?" She smirked and fingerspelled under the counter, "He's not available. He just is in the process of divorce, his wife is now with this guy. He's straight breeder but very wacko." I rolled my eyes at stuff like that. But that is how the Deaf World operated -- you talk clandestinely at public events about people, even if you deny it. I do that, you do that, Rayni does that. Everyone does that to an extent.

I probably did not dwell on negatives too much, just that I do not know who everyone else is -- so there were people out there who could supplant me with the necessary information about people wherever I go. Some people wondered at the fact that I seemed to have tons of information about people's lives -- the truth is that, y'all told me about it by yourself.

Not that it's bad. It was interesting evening.

Jason has a graphic novel of "Kyle's Bed and Breakfast Inn" -- I am so going to read it. I love Greg Fox's works on Kyle's Bed and Breakfast Inn.

What About Pets? Merritt paged me and insisted that I say something about the pets being stranded in New Orleans. It is true. The Humane Society of United States is struggling to rescue animals abandoned by the humans during the floods which buried New Orleans by Katrina. They are hungry, they are scared, it was said that you can hear the dogs barking for miles. If you want to donate something, you may check the Humane Society of United States's website. Merritt said dogs will arf, birds will chirp and cats will meow when you do that. So do it.

Cheers,

R-

Few Things To Remind About Katrina

National Day of Prayer? Why? GW Bush has called the nation for a day of prayer for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. For what? Think the national day of prayer will send a miracle to restore the city of New Orleans in a day. Get back to work already.

I Do Not Contribute To ARC: Some people wondered why I do not donate a cent to American Red Cross or The Salvation Army. Get this through your thick skull -- to donate something to an organization that discriminated against who I am is unfathomable thing to do. These organizations reserved the right to discriminate against the gays and lesbians. Therefore, it is my moral right not to donate -- I do not care if it is only for the victims. I can find another source, but not this organization. Call me evil, bastard or whatever you wanted -- at least I am being honest with my beliefs. Unlike you.

Barbara Bush Is Old Geezer Bitch: She is overprivileged who needs to be trashed or two. Last week at the Astrodome, she told the National Public Radio with this line, "And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this (she chuckles slightly)--this is working very well for them." Honest to God, what did this bitch do for herself? Actually, nothing.

How Bad Is Superdome? Many people cannot fathom the idea why many assaults and rapes occurred inside the Superdome in front of thousands' eyes. Actually, they may have happened in front of thousands' eyes but the electricity was out. So essentially, the Superdome was virtually dark. Call it the dark bowels of Hell where the National Guards forced the evacuees to stay inside despite the heat, stench and darkness fouling the place. It was said that the Superdome will be destroyed. Good.

New Orleans Will Not Be Back: You know, people will return to New Orleans but the polls has indicated that 66% of the evacuees do not want to return to the city at all. You can say that the city will dissipate in a short time despite the efforts to bring the city back. New Orleans is the modernized version of Atlantis, like it or not.

Boo-hoo, Dick Cheney Was Insulted: Someone shouted at Dick Cheney in Mississippi on CNN, "Go fuck yourself, Mr. Cheney. Go fuck yourself!" The camera was focused on Dick as there was a scuffle behind the camera, according to RawStory.com, and Dick Cheney commented, "First time I've heard it., Must be a friend of John..., er, ah - never mind." AS you can see, not many people liked Dick or GW, they will not be seen in the general public -- only in the areas that they will be liked. That is why they had the secret service to screen everyone from entering their parties, ceremonies, events and all that shit. Perhaps the most coward President in this country has to be GW Bush and his cronies. They are afraid to stand up and face the challenge in the faces of people who disagreed with them. They always used the press to say that they support the freedom of speech but behind the scene, they went at work to assault and shield people from getting the opportunity to reach out. Who does it sounds like? Richard Nixon -- once a crook, always a crook.

That particular someone is the physician whose home was destroyed in Mississippi -- he was offended when there were no cars for many people to get around and Dick Cheney has massive line of cars going down the street. Dick did not tour, he flew in to make a press conference to show that he "did" tour then ran off to DC. Typical crap of Bush Administration.

What A Fucking Douchebag: House Majority Leader Tom Delay (R-Texas) approached 3 young boys who are evacuees in the Astrodome and asked them, "Now tell me the truth boys, is this kind of fun?" The younger boys were confused and perplexed before nodding. Tom, is it fun that you got yourself indicted?!

Who Is Profiting From This? Many people are whining that the Democrats and Liberals are politicizing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, but if you look at the other side -- Conservatives and Republicans are also politicizing this as well. Going to the press conferences, trying to tell their side of the story that they did a good job. First impressions are extremely important. They failed when they overtook Baghdad and the lootings escalated. Same thing goes for New Orleans. Goes on to say how much they handle this in a crisis. They need to go to Crisis Intervention or something.

Great Pictures! This is classic! Observe carefully.

Daddy, want to dine this tonight?!
Self-explanatory
Cheers,

R-

Next Month's Agenda?

Next month is October. That means what? The autumn is coming slowly. Halloween is going to sprout up in places like RiteAid, CVS and Duane Reade across the nation, trying to sell these damned candies. It also meant what?

It is time to go back to the movie theater and participate in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

I'm Just A Sweet Transvestite from Transexual, Transylvania!
Flashback to the Fall of 1994 at Ely Auditorium, now known as Andrew Foster Auditorium, on Gallaudet campus where Carl Denney first set up the movie theater where everyone pays $1 or so to watch the movies. Remember the film where "SPEED" made its first appearance on the tape, the audience was so full that some people had to be turned away. Someone was so pissed off that they triggered the fire alarm (some said They Abbey burnt the food which sets the fire alarm but I never knew the truth!), everyone refused to leave the auditorium? Priceless. Carl and his cronies had to mark numbers on everyone before they leave their seats to prevent them from stealing the spots.

One day, Carl announced that there would be a feature film on Rocky Horror Picture Show at midnight in Ely Auditorium. I heard so much about it but never get to see it. So I went. Only 10 people showed up, including the late Rebecca Luftig's father who stood in the back of the audience. I kept on watching him doing the imitations and doing the dances when Dr. Frank-n-Furter made its first appearance. It was an eye-opening performance to see a man in his fifties to shout and dance. Then he later ran to the stage and take over ... in front of less than 10 people who hollered him to go on.

Later, I learned that it is typical part of Rocky Horror Picture Show. In Los Angeles -- I went to the midnight feature on a Friday night on Santa Monica Boulevard just off the 405 freeway where people converged to the theater, all dressed up as someone else in that film. Sure enough, I had a blast time. People were throwing things in the movie theater. People were dancing, people were shrieking, people were spraying water guns on each other, people threw the toilet papers at each other. It was such an amazing experience.

If you watch the film on VCR, the chances is that you will never understand why it is very popular. It does not work in a home where you can just sit alone. It works fabulous when you're in a big group, especially in an auditorium.

Many actors cherished their roles on this film -- except for one, Rocky, of course! That guy who now lives in Phoenix claimed that he was duped into believing that he was not featured to be a "hot guy", that he would act more than just a male model for the world to drool at.

The scene where Dr. Frank-N-Furter said this line, "It's a rather tender subject ... another slice, anyone?" Everyone else looked at their meats on their plates. Priceless. Or a line where everyone said:

DR SCOTT: Janet!
JANET: Dr Scott!
BRAD: Janet!
FRANK: Rocky!
ROCKY grunted and grabbed Janet's arm.
FRANK: Listen! I made you, and I can break you just as easily!

I intend to show up with Liz and friends in October here in Philadelphia if there is one. I shall find out.

Makes me -- Ooh!

Dr. Frank-N-Furter: But a deltoid and a bicep
A hot groin and a tricep
Makes me - Ooh! - shake
Makes me wanna take Charles Atlas by the hand

Chorus: In just seven days

Dr. Frank-N-Furter: Oh, baby

Chorus: I can make you a man

Dr. Frank-N-Furter: I don't want no dissension
Just dynamic tension --

Janet Weiss, interrupting Dr. Frank-N-Furter: I'm a muscle fan

Then Dr. Frank-N-Furter turned to give Janet a hard stare which subdued Janet into silence

Chorus: In just seven days
I can make you a man

Dr. Frank-N-Furter: Dig it if you can

Chorus: In just seven days
I can make you a man

Yes, you can make me a man ... !

Cheers,

R-

UGH! Sometimes You Want To Strangle 'Em!

Last night, went to Center City with Jason just for the heck of it. In fact, I mentioned that I saw an advertisement that there will be an event called Bulge at The Bike Stop which enforced the un-dress code. Turns out that you had to wear white underwears, no colors allowed. Only white ones. No jockstraps allowed, no boxers allowed. The event is a carbon copy of Manhattan's TigerBeat Underwear parties hosted by Daniel Nardicio first at The Slide, now at Boysroom. I'm not sure if it is still running or not.

Since I wore the black boxerbriefs and Jason wearing a white boxer -- that was no-no! But we got to mingle a little before we stumbled upon two Deaf gay fellas, Yossi and Rob. Good thing, I was buzzed -- did not have to deal with them directly. Both were abrasive, rude and embarrassing. In fact, the bartender wrote a note to me, saying that "this guy (Yossi) do not buy anything when he comes here at all."

I attempted to ask Yossi why he does that. He kept on saying, "DEAF CULTURE! DEAF CULTURE!" I was ready to bash him, serious case. His name is Yossi, which is Jewish -- but he said, "I am Jewish Christian!" -- whatever suits him the best. He said that he will fuck guys until he's done with it, then marry a woman. Yossi remarked, "Because it is the right thing to do. Mom said so."

One word: Whatever! Yossi, you are one, big stupid fuck. Get lost already!

Then later, Jason and I went to Woody's which is popular in Center City. It is OK to me, I miss Nowhere, The Cock, Urge, The Slide, The Hole, Boysroom -- now that is MY type! However, Yossi followed along and came straight to the computer area -- yes, they have three monitors for any drunk fools to check emails in the bar -- and Yossi stayed there until the closing time -- not even to buy a drink or anything at all. Oh, god.

Then there was this deaf guy named Rob -- he talked too much. In fact, he was signing excessively to a point where he repeatedly shoved people around him. I can see that Jason wanted to cruise a little around the room and mingle a little. When I saw a cute guy walking by, I attempted to tell Jason to look at how hot he is -- suddenly, Rob went ballistic and said, "I'm not DONE talking with him!"

Ahh, he was talking non-stop for about 30 minutes! Take it easy, Rob. Anyway, I saw one cute guy who waved at me, then he walked to me and hugged me. Very hot. Name is Justin. But thanks to Rob's constant interferences, Justin gave me a look that can read like, "Sorry, but he is too much, bye!"

So he vanished. But at least, he bribed me his email address on a small note without Rob's sight.

Thanks a lot, Rob and Yossi. You're the classic example why sometimes I am embarrassed to be Deaf Gay man and that is why I restrict my time with 'em. Grow up a little, for my sake!

Otherwise, my evening with Jason was fun and interesting.

Another Note: I got an email from Teri, a volunteer interpreter at the Astrodome, trying to refute the hoax email. At first, I was bit suspicious with her cold, callous email blasting me about my comments. I attempted to ask her what she meant by that, she quickly clammed up and said that I do not have to be "semantics". The tone of her e-mail which she volunteered and "helped" Deaf people at the Astrodome -- I can paraphrase what she wrote, "too bad the community that PROFESS to support them". To me, that was more of plantation mentality -- "See? I have to help them because they cannot do anything on their own! That's why I'm volunteering myself over there!"

I shot back to tell her that her tone of plantation mentality is not appreciated and needed in our community. She went ballistic on her last email and told me that she will block me. And in turn, she runs off to McWeenie for some kind of moral support. McWeenie claimed that I sought after Teri for information which I never did. In fact, she emailed me first to notify that the "17 Deaf Dead" email was, indeed, a hoax.

Guess what? Do I give a fuck? No, not at all. These stuff will happen ALL the time, no need to work up on this subject but to act like you HAVE to help them because their community does not provide the support they claimed to is offensive, simply put.

And fuck you, Teri and McWeenie.

One More Thing, McWeenie: McWeenie, you wrote an entry before you quickly deleted it -- the one that you decried me for snickering at the CNN video of Deaf man being melodramatic -- grow a spine, McWeenie.

I had Gus to watch the CNN video and I stood behind him to see his reaction to the facial expressions of this deaf man's melodramatic expressions. When the scene of Deaf man's expressions appeared, Gus quickly smiled and coughed a laugh. See? I rest my case. That was a simple response to the facial expression. Get a fucking life already. If you want to do something for Katrina victims, more power to thee. But I reserve the right to comment my own toughts whether if you like it or not.

I see that Patti Raswant gave her few words to McWeenie on her DeafSurvivors' blogsite, I had been trying to locate Patti for some numbers of years -- I attempted to ask that from McWeenie, he went on the series of tirades on the emails on me. What do you expect from a conservative, Republican prick?

R-

HEY! YOU FREEZE! GET DOWN ON THE FLOOR!

Thanks to the tip of a certain friend in Philadelphia who alerted me of this picture.

It is absurd to think that if they are Deaf, it means they all can lipread. I highly doubt they can lipread. They probably improvise the best way they can. Knowing cops, I do not trust their antics.

If I was the guy on the floor, I'd say in ASL so fast that they cannot decipher -- I'd say, "Get that fucking gun out of my face or else, you pig!!" -- at the same time, putting a smile on my face.

But this is very common amongst Deaf people when a crisis appeared, we have to deal with this crap.

Dale Fatterson Is An Idiot: Dale Fatterson (Update:I removed the link because Dale Fatterson removed his picture, how pitiful is that? Let me describe what he looked like -- he is enormously obese who forced his pregnant wife to work while he stays home, surfing the 'net to attack people as he wished!) mentioned that on his dying forum that "ASL nearly killed this guy," when a Deaf person could not understand the written direction. This fat boy thought ASL was solely responsible for his inability to read very well. Actually, Dale Fatterson, you got it all wrong. His lack of educational background may be the reason why he was not able to understand BOTH languages. He is likely to attend schools where his teachers are HEARING ONES who do not care nor take the time to educate him properly. ASL has nothing to do with it, you dumbfuck!

UPDATE! I received an email from a volunteer at the Astrodome in Houston, she is able to confirm that the email that was circulated to Deaf people across the country back and forth of 17 Deaf people dead or missing is, indeed, a hoax. But is it cruel or heartless? No, not really. In fact, if I found out that I was presumed dead, I'd be amused by that. Don't cry a river about it, please.

Cheers,

R-

Dr. Jordan & Katrina

His Announcement Is Insensitive! When Hurricane Katrina steamrolled the Gulf Coast communities, Dr. Irving King Jordan announced the retirement. Is it only me that I thought it was insensitive of him to do that? He could have waited until Friday or a week after that. When I heard about it, I thought someone was joking. But no, no one was joking.

After talking with 4 persons online, each thought it was insensitive -- one said that there are about 20 students that hailed from Gulf Coast communities -- how can he do that in front of them?

Silly Thing To Say?: Dr. Irving King Jordan did a lot of things for the University. And he did a lot of things that did not pan out the right way that many people wanted it to be. The truth is that he was a decent President but he was never a popular figure -- not after he forced Dr. Roslyn "Roz" Rosen to resign from her position. You see, Dr. Rosen is considered to be popular figure among faculty and students. Dr. Jordan chose the hapless puppet, Dr. Fernandes to replace Dr. Rosen.

I do recall remembering the fiasco with the Communication Statement which pissed many people from the alumni to the student body. Yes, Dr. Jordan managed to get money from Congress and donors over the years, that is good. But it is no secret that he alienated many people when he took Dr. Rosen out.

I do not think Dr. Irving King Jordan deserved the headline that Donald Tropp and his team at the Buff and Blue gave to Dr. I. King Jordan! Of course, I gotta give two jeers to Donald Tropp for having this ridiculous headline. That was tasteless and barf thing to do.

In fact, my friend from DC alerted me when she saw the headline -- she was appalled with the headline. How can anyone do that to brownnose this person who turned his back on Dr. Rosen?

I'm Sorry But I Had To Snicker: I know the tragedy in Gulf Coast communities are difficult and crazy but Deaf people sometimes are so melodramatic. I'll leave you to your own imagination. Hat tip to Michelley for the link.

For Hearing People's Curiosity: Want to understand what it is like to use the videophone? Or even the video relay service? Check this link.

Cheers,

R-

All Bruce Wanted Is To Express Himself In His Own Way

In Manhattan on 58 Street between Lexington Avenue and Second Avenue at a bar called Townhouse Bar, I occasionally came in to meet and greet a bartender who can sign very well, Greg in the last 5 years. 5 years? I met him before I moved to New York, that's why. This bar is not my type, mainly because it is for rich, older gay men in late 50s to 70s who are being chased by younger boys in their 20s to 30s. But I enjoyed chatting with Greg, himself a lawyer, on almost everything else when nobody is ordering the drinks.

One time, I met a deaf fellow named Geo Garcia at the bar, we had a conversation about a lot of things. He remarked, "It is too bad that you never met Bruce Hlibok, you guys had something in common -- if he was bit younger and with your age, I won't be surprised that you guys would be an item -- you guys would talk about things that not many Deaf people would wanted to touch upon it!"

At that time, I vividly heard about the name itself, that he was the eldest brother of the Hlibok clan and that he was tumultuous artist that alienated many people. And that he died of AIDS. That's it. That's all I knew of him.

Then I got a DVD from a dear friend of mine about the documentary film on Bruce Hlibok produced by Ann Marie "Jade" Bryan called, "On and Off The Screen: The Bruce Hlibok Story"

Normally, the documentary tends to be an hour-long or two -- but this is 183 minutes long which means more than 2 hours and half of viewing. I thought the tape could be edited up to 2 hours, maximum. But more power to Jade.

What do I think of the film? It is safe to say that I would not know more about Bruce if not for this film. It was startling to see many resemblances between me and Bruce. His love for complicated stories, and so do I. People often regarded him as angry person repeatedly throughout the film. In the end, Bruce said, "Anger? When I push the truth in their faces, they misconstrued it as anger." I cannot paraphrase the exact comments but you get the idea. It resonated with me because I often thrusted the truth in people's face -- they misconstrued me to be the angry person whereas I was merely telling the stories that they do not want to hear.

All in all, he was the most misunderstood and controversial artist, and so do I. He also has a fag hag in Ellen Roth, so do I with the legions of fag hags scattered throughout the country. He was gay, so do I. His parents were Deaf, so do I. He has siblings that he antagonized at times, so do I. He loves to read anything that comes his way, so do I -- ask my parents, siblings -- I would prefer to read than to go to the park to play. He wanted to write, produce and direct the plays, so do I. (But I like to think I can direct and produce. I have a box filled with unfinished scripts that I want to do. But I digress!) I can tell that his parents felt he "strayed" by being gay rather than being straight, just like my parents felt. Except that I was blunt and clear with my parents that they cannot do such a thing to correct it at all. Their comments goes in my left ear and out the other. Bruce valued his parents' approval, I do not. But was it his fault? No, it was that he lived in a wrong period of time where Deaf Gay people were pretty much ostracized by their peers due to the fears and misinformation.

Bruce was kind to mention that he does not like National Theatre of the Deaf because it is traditional show geared for hearing people to enjoy, not for Deaf peple to enjoy. The NTD generally do not touch the social issues of humanity, it just do the scenes that makes people bellow in laughter. The last time I saw the play associated with NTD was in 1992 when they came to Gallaudet. I left before the intermission -- I cannot stand its exaggerated signs or body language -- it is as if someone tells Deaf actors/actresses to blow up their signs to entertain the audience to laugh. To me, that is very degrading and offensive thing to do. I never saw a play produced by NTD that touched on the serious issues of society. Never did, never do and probably never will. That is something that Bruce and I always wanted -- to see a play that has real conflicts, not some ragtag bullshit that you can see in cheap porns, really.

Bruce's father, Al, remarked that he blamed "Runaways" for messing up Bruce's stability in the process. Perhaps he is right, perhaps he is wrong. Their parents' lack of acceptance of their son's sexuality is what led him to rely on someone's affection. I was disturbed when I saw Laurie Robinson (She signs badly and she is interpreter?! God preserve us!) mentioning that David Schechter, an actor who was 24 working on stage with Bruce who was only a teenager at 17, told Bruce that in "France, it is OK for adult to fuck children."

In other words, it is evident that Bruce loved David, David took advantage of Bruce's vulnerability and youth (I consider David to be a molester, though!) -- then suddenly, the broadway show got cancelled, David just flinched Bruce off his shoulder just like that. Leaving Bruce to lick his wounds on his own because nobody accepted the truth that he is gay.

I think I know where he turned to seek for his affection -- considering the fact at that time (late '70s and early '80s), HIV/AIDS Epidemic began to swamp the gay clubs, bars, and bathhouses across the nation -- Bruce probably got himself infected not on purpose when he was at the low point of his life when he seeked for affection by his peers. Talk about the double whammy feelings, where else can he go for some compassion or support, really?

He reminded me of my first love and things that fucked itself up in the process. I could not turn to my parents for moral support -- then suddenly, drama ensued to a point where my ex's parents wrote a letter to my parents about my "relationship with Todd" while my parents were on vacation!

Of course, I had to read the letter -- holy smokes! They wanted to talk with my parents about "homosexual relationship" of me with Todd. Panicked, I had my sister to call Todd to notify them that I was killed in an automobile accident to prevent their parents from getting in touch with my parents at a later date! Suffice to say, my parents were puzzled to get a sympathy card a week later!

Unlike Bruce, I did not run to gay bars, clubs and/or bathhouses for affection -- Richmond, Virginia does not have a gay bathhouse nor the internet back then -- so I was pretty alone, so I turned to what makes me feel better -- the food in the refrigerator. You get the picture. Like Bruce, I did not have any help from the professionals nor loved ones. I was on my own. Let's say, I gained noticeably and has been like that ever since. Ain't life grand? Not.

One thing about Bruce is that despite the setbacks in his life, he did not let it stop him as he went on to produce few memorable plays that rattled Deaf and hearing audiences. He attempted to touch on social issues which many Deaf people did not appreciate that. Bruce was relentless but he was clearly hurt by what others said, I kinda wished I could be there to tell him to fuck 'em off. That's what I do with my readers when they do not agree with me.

So I can imagine what it is like to be in Bruce's shoes -- unfortunately, he was ahead of his own time in his own terms, but again, so do I in my own terms. Only few friends of mine can understand what kind of person I am. Why do you think Chlms endured dealing with me for the last 14 years? Because she probably understood me more than many people can. But like Bruce said, people will love art more when someone is dead.

I enjoyed the documentary film -- it was shame that Bruce and I never had the opportunity to meet and share our feelings about this, that and there. We'd have a good time -- hell, I'd date him. Perhaps, in another life, we shall meet.

For futher information on Jade's documentaries, you can check her website at www.jadefilm.com.

R-

Only 39 Days To Go!

Only 39 days to go before the NCAA Women's Basketball starts the practices -- on October 15, 2005. It is the national holiday for collegiate basketball fans, really. You know, I did not realize that it was 15 years ago that Virginia Cavaliers battled Tennessee Lady Volunteers in the National Championship Game and lost in an overtime in New Orleans, Louisiana. 15 fucking years ago!

And before Title IX, the NCAA did not sponsor the women's basketball tournaments. So I did not realize that last spring was 25th Anniversary of NCAA Tournament's sponsorship -- but that does not matter ot me. Title IX did a lot of good things. I do not care if someone said that it deprived some male participants from participating in wrestling or fencing!

However, I stumbled upon the old pictorial book called "At The Rim: A Celebration of Women's Collegiate Basketball" in a box today -- I thought I'd show four favorite pictures from the pictorial book. Enjoy!

Just Starting A Fastbreak! Georgia's Lady Hardmon dribbled ahead of Iowa's Tia Jackson while Georgia's Stacey Ford showed her facial expression.

In that game, it was the Big Ten/SEC Challenge, a copycat of Men's Big Ten/ACC Challenge which Georgia routed Iowa at ease.

Great picture.

Peggy Sells of Clemson: In this picture, Clemson Tigers travelled to UC-Berkeley and killed the Bears. The girl in Tigers' uniform is none other than Peggy Sells.

However, this picture always bothered me for years because each time I see the picture, I quickly thought of Dyan Newman, Todd's wife! I once teased Dyan that she played in that game.

The reality is that Dyan Newman can play basketball -- she shoots very well back. I was impressed with her.

This Is The One! Remember Sue Gunter's protege Dana Chatman which I wrote a while ago about how Sue managing to make Dana believe in her system to a point where Dana went out and won the SEC Championship after beating three ranked teams in three days.

AS you can see Dana Chatman being guarded by Georgia's Camille Lowe on the left side, Dana's face indicated that she was determined to win it all whether if the defender is on her all night long.

This is why Sue Gunter did not hesitate to entrust the LSU Women's Basketball program to Dana Chatman.

AS Long As No One Sees Me, I'll Shove You! This is a certain favorite picture of mine. Stanford's Val Whiting shoved Tennessee's Daedra Charles as she attempts to control the rebound while her teammate got her hand stucked inside Daedra's arm. You can see Val's eyes darting on Daedra -- you see there is a reason behind this.

Both teams are rivals. They were playing in the Final Four where they had to battle hard in order to get to the National Championship Game. There is no love lost between these two teams, even today.

I can relate to Val Whiting's response -- I do this particular tactic on anyone else who dares to doublecross me in any aspect of life. That is my character, I guess.

Ahh, hope this is fun lesson for y'all to peek in my favorite pictures out of this great book, published in 1990.

One More Thing: The review of JadeFilm's Bruce Hlibok Story is coming up next -- let's say, I resonated with it. And of course, it pissed me off.

Later,

R-

Few Tidbits About Katrina

Where Is The Freedom of Speech? To make a freedom of speech is not a privilege, it is a right of every citizen. But I noticed something interesting. More and more corporations that owned the televisions, films, books and newspapers has the rules that tells the citizens what to say and not to. One argued that these corporations are owned by private businesses that does not subject to the Bill of Rights -- if that is the case, then they cannot use the Bill of Rights to defend themselves when someone sued them. You get what I mean?

When Kanye West mentioned this on NBC Show recently:

I hate the way they portray us in the media. You see a black family, it says, "They're looting." You see a white family, it says, "They're looking for food." And, you know, it's been five days [waiting for federal help] because most of the people are black. And even for me to complain about it, I would be a hypocrite because I've tried to turn away from the TV because it's too hard to watch. I've even been shopping before even giving a donation, so now I'm calling my business manager right now to see what is the biggest amount I can give, and just to imagine if I was down there, and those are my people down there. So anybody out there that wants to do anything that we can help -- with the way America is set up to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off, as slow as possible. I mean, the Red Cross is doing everything they can. We already realize a lot of people that could help are at war right now, fighting another way -- and they've given them permission to go down and shoot us! George Bush doesn't care about black people!

The GW Bush Administration and pro-GW Bush cronies cried a huge river about it -- but many people in this country agreed with Kanye West. It is evident that being poor and/or black, help will come to you ... in two months. And no, Kanye West is not a racist as much as Michael Demmons would like it to be.

See The Pattern? When someone stood up and rejected GW Bush's proposals, know what GW Bush do? He rejected them -- he does not include the people on the list to work together. In fact, it was reported that Governor Blanco of Louisiana was not informed that GW Bush was in the area for a press conference. As you can see, GW Bush and his cronies wantonly rejected or alienated people who disagreed or rejected his proposals, ideas and/or demands. Hello! This is America! The land of opportunity -- the freedom that GW Bush loved to clamor around but reserve the right to alienate others when they used that freedom of choice to reject his demands!

About Shelley Koczoi ...: I knew Shelley Koczoi. But when someone mentioned that she lived in New Orleans, I was bit baffled. In fact, I knew she is from California. Anyone willing to find out if she's okay by any means? Here is the picture of Shelley Koczoi.

As For Mayor Ray Nagins ...: Mayor Ray Nagins' patience was tested to the worst. Some people like FagPatriot tried to compare him with Mayor Rudy Gulianni -- please do not do that. Rudy only had to deal with few blocks of disaster area while Ray has to contend with the whole city. It is comparing an apple with an orange, 'nuff said. But again, some people are so stupid for making an effort to compare these two.

However, Ray Nagins is so cute. I'd do him in a heartbeat.

Oh, By The Way...: This Katrina Disaster was predicted by Joel K. Bourne, Jr last year in National Geographic and guess what? It is very accurate of what had transpired in New Orleans. Too bad, people do not read The National Geographic these days, especially Conservatives and Republicans pigs.

17 Deaf People Dead? I got this email which I cannot authenticate if it is real or fake -- it mentioned the names of deceased ones. I forwarded this to my friend in Louisiana to see if she knew any of them -- I think it is fake. But you never know.

Cheers,

R-

NBA Live

Today, I went to swim at Gus' sister's swimming pool -- Val had a stepson who was playing a video game as I walked in the house. He motioned me to look at his game, NBA LIVE '99 was on.

It brought many memories of me playing with Todd Newman in his dorm room and at his apartments where we waged a vicious battle against each other. Naturally, our tempers sometimes took over as we ended up arguing about this, that and there. Todd's wife, Dyan once rolled her eyes and said, "You guys have to be brothers or something!" She had a point -- when I argued with a person, I tend to disparage the person and never talk to him/her for weeks but with Todd, I could not. I can argue and if he said, "Let's play again," -- I would go at it. Just like that.

So when I saw Val's stepson playing that -- I asked if I could play one. He smiled and reset the game. It took me a little while to remember the moves as the kid led 41-38 in the second quarter before I took over on a 18-0 run to the 56-41 halftime. Then shortly, I managed to pass the ball to different players without dribbling for 12 straight points to start the second half.

The kid turned to me and yelled at me which I did not understand -- Val came in and said that the kid wanted to know if I had some practices before with the video game in the past. I told Val that the last time I played this particular game was more than 4 years ago with Todd in the District. Needless to say, the final score has me winning big, 146-98 -- no, I did not steal nor apply any defensive pressures on his players at all -- just that I knew the moves to hit the shots, which is why I managed to nail 74% of field goals. I'm that good, Todd. Beware.

Oh, did I mention that the kid was only 11 years old?

To be a kid again ... !

Cheers,

R-

Labor Day Tidbits

Remember Brokeback Mountain? Two weeks ago, I mentioned about this film will release sometimes in September. And thanks to DowntownLad's tidbit, the film received a rave reviews at Venice Film Festival -- in fact, it was reported that many critics were shellshocked when the film ended. You can see the advertisement of Brokeback Mountain -- I'd love to see this with captions but knowing the non-profit organizations that promoted the films with subtitles rarely went after the films that has been rated as "R", let alone a gay film. So we'll have to wait for months in order to enjoy this film. Such is a life like that, eh? That is why I hated the non-profit organizations, they get to choose the films for us.

Another Gay Film: Today I watched the British film made in early 1980s called My Beautiful Laundrette -- I was impressed with it. I was expecting some kind of suicide, a blow to their relationship and all that between the gay Pakistan and tough Briton but in the end, they still stick with each other. Nice. Too bad, the next film that turned me off is Green Plaid Shirts. Know why? It is not captioned. Of course, I stopped watching it and pulled it off. Of course, my review for that film is automatic F.

A Film Review Coming Up: I got a gift from a dear friend of mine that was produced by Jade of JadeFilm.com -- it is about the life story of Bruce Hlibok. The story that the Hliboks do not want you to know. In fact, it was reported that someone phoned Jade and left her a threat not to proceed with the film about Bruce and his volatile relationship with the Hliboks. As many of you knew, Bruce's younger brother is none other than Greg Hlibok, one of Deaf President Now Movement's leaders. So expect a review of the film in few days.

Wow, Mike Brown Is So Qualified! Wow, Mike Brown is so qualified to run the FEMA! Absolutely stunning to read but that is how it works when you campaigned for GW Bush, you get the positions within the departments regardless of your inexperience or mismanagement. Of course, the Homeland Security and GW Bush Administration defended Mike Brown as usual.

Disaster Breeds Loons: These folks needed the lifetime therapists.

Chief Justice William H. Rehniquist Croaked: AS many of you already knew, the Chief Justice William H. Renhiquist lost his life to Thyroid Cancer and that means what? Our worst fears are to come true -- the hapless fool fella that runs the White House will appoint two neocons on the bench. Perhaps, someone will imitate Pat Robertson's recent antics on some folks ...

Vacation, vacation and vacation! Where was GW Bush for the last 4 weeks? On a vacation in Crawford, Texas. What about Dick Cheney? On a vacation in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. What about the Secretary of State, Condeleeza Rice? On a vacation as well. It was rumored that Dick is too sick to function which is why he was "sent" home. But that is just the rumor.

Can You Guess This? I'm trying to lighten up the mood so here it goes. This picture was snapped by talented woman in Judith Hummer -- this woman can hear very well but cannot use her voice because of a freak accident that damaged her vocal chords. Judith went to Gallaudet and chose me to be her guinea pig with photography -- she said that I am one of few Gallaudet smooth ASL users. Whatever works for her. So she asked me to babble about anything else. I was signing to the wall and it was pretty difficult because I never felt so stupid talking to the wall. If she could put a mirror, I might say few words -- mainly because I can get a reaction from myself -- but the wall? Nothing at all. But the picture ended up looking very good. So can you guess what I was trying to say?

Winner gets to write an entry on my blog!

Cheers,

R-

Labor Day Weekend Thoughts

My weekend is going very well as can be. Last Friday, I went to the CrabFest which was hosted by Gus' mother which has been going on for nearly 20 years, Gus said. I'm telling you, Gus' mother could have feed the victims of Katrina effectively than the FEMA can do. Oyster clams, chicken fingers, hot dogs, green beans with vinegar oil, chicken pasta, devilled eggs, mixed vegetables, countless of desserts as well as keg of beer, wine coolers and other assortments of drinks. The CrabFest is for friends and relatives of the family.

You could see lots of people using the wooden hammer to bang on the crabs then munch and gurgle the beers repeatedly throughout the night. You could feel the bangs on the tables around the swimming pool. When you needed a break, you just take a dip in the pool. It was a great way to relax ourselves. Had a chat with a hearing woman who is conservative, I asked her about the mess in New Orleans. Her face showed it all, she said that she is so angry at how slow the response was from the FEMA after 4 days. She signed vehemently to say that she blamed the GW Bush Administration for choosing the incompetent Michael Brown to run the FEMA. She is a conservative but she does have a point. You see, Michael Brown claimed that people were fed with food and water everyday on the national television. That was a simple lie, especially after 3 days.

Hosting a press conference after press conference after press conference is getting nowhere. It was reported that the National Guardsmen played cards while people in the Superdome was assaulted, raped and dying. Why? Because the National Guardsmen said that they were not responsible for that, they will do the job when the FEMA tells them to do it. Where is common sense in all of this?

However, back to the CrabFest, I walked over to Gus' mother and told her that by herself, she can virtually feed the victims of Katrina in an effective manner than the FEMA can. She shrugged me off and said with a smile, "Shut up, Ricky!"

It is not about Republicans, Conservatives, Liberals or Democrats. It is about the bipartisan inaction that led to this disaster in Louisiana. IN fact, the first day when Katrina came, it was natural disaster. But the days after that, it was man-made disaster. We allowed it to happen. In fact, the Army Corps of Engineer mentioned that the levees are the likeliest disasters to happen for this country many times in the past. The scientists warned that the levees needed to be upgraded and strengthened countless of times in the last 40 years. What did we do? We simply bickered amongst each other for years. Since the Army Corps of Engineers are funded by the federal government, the budget was slashed by GW Bush when the ACE asked for the budget to upgrade the levees.

The result is that you get $100 billion damage in New Orleans.

Some people said that the Mayor of New Orleans and the Governor of Louisiana (both Democrats) are responsible to an extent. Yes, that is true. The mayor said that there were no money to allocate the buses for evacuees to leave the city -- which is why they had to ask the officials at Superdome to let them use it as a short-term shelter. They did the best they can do -- after all, New Orleans is the town that has high unemployment rate, which means lots of poor people that could not afford to sleep in Ramada Inn in Nacogdoches, Texas if given an opportunity!

It is travesty that the FEMA used the press conferences to refute the bullshit tales of how it is hard to get in the city while there are many press, Harry Connick, Jr and few trucks of Wal-Mart with food, water and medicine that rolled in the town ... with no problem.

In fact, GW Bush sent the memorandum to Governor of Louisiana asking her to turn the city to the federal's control where the administration said that the governor will control the national guards and police officers. Of course, the Governor of Louisiana rejected it because there is fishy about it. Know why? To assign the blame on the state and local government when something fucked up along the route.

Whatever had happened prior to Katrina's arrival, the city of New Orleans could have done better than that. Whatever happened to the budget for the ACE, the federal government, thanks to GW Bush Administration, could have done it better! Right now, New Orleans is just a cesspool. I am not certain if many evacuees, after being traumatized with the shitty treatments on FEMA's part for five days, wanted to go back.

Doing some fundraising is noble thing. But to rebuild the city is meaningless -- are we that too proud to accept that some cities shall dissipate in our age? Actually, I had a gut feeling that New Orleans would fall to Katrina by the levees' breach but I never anticipated the incompetence on FEMA's part that continued not for a day but for four days. It is time to stop b.s. and get things done. If the third world country like Thailand can speed up with the devastating effects of Indian Ocean Tsunami, why can't we?

A certain fellow said that in Baton Rouge, he saw the sign that says, "...When we return to the States." This guy was referring that the United States abandoned New Orleans on its own. It will take decades for the city to return to the States.

I cannot blame Mayor Ray Nagin for bombarding the people like GW Bush, Michael Brown and all that shit -- what do you expect from a guy who lost control of the city after the breach of levees that were supposed to be taken care of by the Army Corps of Engineers in the first place? It is not about political tactics, it is to get their asses off the seats and do something that they were paid to do.

Don't try to use political bullshit to defend GW Bush'a Administration for its complaceny to the America's greatest challenge in its history. The fact remains the same: They failed the people of New Orleans and Gulf Coast communities.

Also, to stupid religious extremists including Muslims & Xians, telling us that God destroyed New Orleans is hilarious -- especially with the fact that French Quarters were largely pardoned from the total destruction of floods and Katrina! It is getting old when people realized that they cannot understand the mother nature, it is so convenient to say that it was God who did it. Or Satan. Or Santa Claus. Or even me. Get a life.

R-

Katrina Exposed Our Incompetence

Michael Brown Is Delusional: FEMA Director Michael Brown said that "people are getting the help they need." Last night, one FEMA spokesman said that things will be organized in the next 3 days. 3 days?! Where have they been in the last 5 days when NOLA disintegrated?

An Idiotic Deaf Wannabe-Blogger: One Pro-Bush Deaf Blogger listed the hyperlinks to the websites for the victims to obtain the information on how to get help and all that shit -- is he stupid or what? One cannot pop up the internet connection at some coffeehouse in New Orleans and obtain the forms and walk over to the FEMA's booth and say, "Here it is!"

GW Bush Shaking People's Hands While People Are Dying: What the fuck? I'm watching the LIVE report in Mobile where GW Bush was listening to the lying fools then spent his time shaking people's hands. Saying that little poor Trent Lott's home was emptied by Katrina, and that they will build a fantastic home for Trent. Will he says the same thing for some black who is 79 years old in New Orleans? Fat chance -- Bush will never meet them at all.

FEMA Are Stupid! It was reported in Houston that FEMA tried to get the victims to register and provide the social security so that they can figure out the logistics and do the direct deposit to their banks so that they can have food, medicine and housing assistance. Many victims do not have the banks for the FEMA to do the direct deposit. Remember, the majority of victims are poor.

Remember Jesse Jones? A certain former but populat student at Gallaudet, Jesse Jones hailed from New Orleans. He is OK, his family are OK. But they lost everything else.

See Any Resemblance? When the United States beats Iraq, the first few days, Baghdad plunged into anarchy and chaos because our government did not have the plan to operate the nation as well. Now, Katrina came and went, New Orleans is in flames because nobody is prepared. What have the Bush Administration been up to in terms of strategy?

Vacation For Everyone! It was reported that GW Bush had his summer vacation in Crawford, Texas for 4 weeks. I learned that Dick Cheney was on vacation as well in Jackson, Wyoming. I also learned that Condi Rice has been on vacation for a week until many bloggers relentlessly bashed Condi's activities in New York. There is a rumor that Dick Cheney is ill which is why everyone keeps it under the wraps.

Tate: You're On My Shit List: Tate Tullier wrote that on his Xanga that he considered Katrina to be on his shit list -- very cute. Very cute, what about GW Bush and his administration's lackadaisal efforts to do something? What about YOUR own state that neglected to fix up the levees in the first place? Why did not the city of NOLA tells people to supply their food, medicine and water when Katrina was coming? Only to issue the evacuations or what?

All in all, NOLA is destroyed. GW Bush said that he is determined to bring it back to what it was in the first place -- I nearly farted. It will take decades to do so!

Governor Barbour Is Liar: He mentioned to the press that he was not aware that Katrina was category 5 until few hours before its arrival. What? Where did he has been? At some dirty adult bookstore? The National Hurricane Center issued about it 48 HOURS prior to its arrival! Even the media talked about it for days before it reached the Gulf Coast. What a liar. That's what you get for voting Republicans. I guess it is a blessing in disguise.

UPDATE: Two tidbits from friends of mine -- Lee Trevathan has a beachhouse in Biloxi, Mississippi is virtually gone. He and his ex cannot get to the property because they have to canvass the dead bodies first. Since his property was close to the beachfront, it is likely that it was demolished by the storm surge. Lucky for him, he has the insurance. It was also reported that Garrett Bose who is living in DC and hailed from New Orleans -- his mother's home was destroyed as well.

Cheers,

R-

On A Light Note

One Thing About NOLA: Before I dive in the somber note about things around us -- I want to remind the readers that NOLA does not mean Nola Schriver of Indiana! I already got one IM and 2 emails asking me if I meant Nola Schriver when I said, "Let's face the music, NOLA is fucked."

Actually, NOLA is the abbreviation of New Orleans, Louisiana!

A Prominent University: Yes, you heard it right here. I'm courting a school in Philadelphia to get in for graduate school. For the time being, I will not reveal the identity of school because I am supersitious about it. I do want to get in, so I will not say anything about it, thus increasing good karma on me.

William Penn's Curse?: However, I was chatting with this particular recruiter at that school about the skyline of Philadelphia. I mentioned that I heard that Philadelphia used to disallow any buildings to go taller than the statue of William Penn until in early 1980s. I wondered if it is true. This guy, who used to play soccer at Division III school, nodded and said, "Yes, in 1983. IN fact, for many years, Philadelphia won many championships in football, hockey, basketball and baseball until that year -- 1983. Since the city approved the buildings go above the statue of William Penn, no championship was produced in this town since 1983! Many claimed that William Penn cursed all sports in Philadelphia."

I was intrigued about that.

Which One Can You Find First? He also joked that people probably knew where to find the Art Museum of Philadelphia because of its famed image in Roy Weintraub's infatuation with ROCKY movies running up the 1,654,436,764,231 steps. He said that they probably can find that easier than finding Independence Hall. I grinned and agreed with this cool dude.

Spare Me The STI Jokes, OK? On Friday evening, my roommate's mother is hosting an annual thing called CrabFest which invited any friends and relatives to come and munch the crabs, drink beers and swim. Few Deafies will be there as well. Gus' mother is famous for stuff like that. Italian mother, what do you expect, really? If she wants to, she can feed the whole population of NOLA in an effective manner than the FEMA can.

Confidential to PJ: Many thanks for the help!

Confidential to Anonymous: Excuses, excuses and excuses. Basically, your points are interesting but it does not help many who struggled to meet their ends from paycheck to the next to "understand" their perspectives or try to rationalize their claims to justify their hefty paychecks. Your explanations focuses on how it works with the economy. But is it rational for normal people? No. Do you truly think a person of 28K a year would stand and say, "Yes, I completely understand. You are working hard for us and you deserved that 700K per year than I do. You can have it. I don't deserve it!"? Please find me a person like that and if you do, I'll eat turds for breakfast.

Cheers,

R-

Blacks Loot Food, Whites Find Food!

A friend of mine in Los Angeles immediately alerted me of two pictures which were broadcasted on Yahoo.com's News Photos. At first, there was this picture of black teenager but the other one was taken offline, along with the Yahoo! making a statement -- I was confused. Shortly, after looking around, I realized that something has happened.

Here is what exactly happened:

In one picture which depicted two white persons wading through the flood with food they looted at the local grocery store, the captions reads: "Two residents wade through chest-deep water after finding bread and soda from a local grocery store after Hurricane Katrina came through the area in New Orleans, Louisiana."

In another picture which depicted a black teenager who waded through the flood with soda and stuff, the captions read: "A young man walks through chest deep flood water after looting a grocery store in New Orleans on Tuesday, August 30, 2005. Flood waters continue to rise in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina did extreme damage when ..."


As you can see, if you are white, you did not loot -- you just find it. If you're black, you're looting! This created a huge uproar amongst the bloggers recently via Wonkette and Gothamist which prompted Yahoo! News to vacate the picture make a statement.

To whoever produced the captions, shame on you for attempting to make a racial bias like many people did in 1950s.

Related to New Orleans's Plight: I was told by a friend of mine that Shelley Koczoi is missing in New Orleans, Louisiana. Anyone care to confirm this rumor? Since the plight of New Orleans is on a large scale, it is obvious that many Deaf persons are in -- anyone willing to supply me the names and information -- I could post it for y'all. Just let me know.

Related to Katrina's Path: My brother, Gary, has been somewhat absent since Hurricane Katrina (category 1) skirmished Florida -- my brother lived in the southwestern part of Miami -- he said that the electricity were out for 2 days, and his cable connection were out for 5 days. He was not able to do much in the last 7 days. But he said riding out the storm was fun, of course, it was category 1. He said that his best memory with any hurricane is Gloria which we rode it out in mid-80s. I agreed.

R-

The Blighting of New Orleans

You Knew It Is Finished: When you heard that the rule of law is virtually nonexistant in New Orleans, it is time to hang it up and let the city die on its own. Let it go. Move the population to Biloxi or something. It was reported that the police officers are involved in looting as well.

Once The Wetlands Disappeared...: Each year, 25 square miles of Louisiana Wetlands disappeared into the ocean and threatened the existence of New Orleans, it is time to face the inevitable -- New Orleans is not simply the place to live. The wetlands for years, has protected the inland communities from the ravages of hurricanes. But once it disappeared into the Gulf of Mexico, the defensive mechanisms are gone -- New Orleans became the vulnerable place for hurricanes.

Rapes, Fires, Riots AT SuperDome: It was reported by DrudgeReport that the rapes, fires and beatings are happening at Superdome where they were largely imprisoned by the soldiers who said they will bring food, water and medicine for the last 3 days.

Twin Towers Are One Thing, This is The City! Let it go already -- the mother nature made it clear that they do not want to lease this property to the residents of New Orleans. Look at this map of New Orleans before and after Hurricane Katrina's punches. Let it go.

Even Republican House Speaker Thinks So! House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) told the local newspaper in Chicago that he does not think to rebuild the city of New Orleans is good idea.

Payback Is Bitch! It was reported that the animals which broke out of New Orleans' Zoo has roamed the city of New Orleans, hunting people. It was reported that someone saw a shark in Downtown New Orleans, swimming around. Someone reported that there were alligators sitting waiting for people to wade in the waters.

Anarchy In New Orleans: The Mayor of New Orleans mentioned that the national guardsmen are authorized to shoot and kill anyone else. And it was reported that the trapped people were afraid of very organized armed gangs roaming around the neighborhoods attacking, beating and raping people at will. In fact, New Orleanian is now seven times more likely to be murdered than a New Yorker -- this is prior to the Katrina's visit! In fact, many New Orleans cops turned in their badges because they lost everything and they did not feel right nor comfortable in the line of being fire for something that is meaningless to them.

Telethon? Charity? GW Bush asked his Papa Bush and Bill Clinton to lead the relief efforts to help the displaced victims in Gulf Coast. Among the idea was to set up the telethon? What the fuck? They wanted us to pay more money on soaring gas prices! We are fucking poor to donate anything to any telethons that they wanted to set up! From what I understand, telethons are expensive to start, and the fundraising efforts has been somewhat minimal. It was reported that the Carnival Cruise Lines were asked by the government to let them use the ships for the refugees, the company said they will *think* about it. Think? What the fuck?

Some people debated that I make an effort to donate to Red Cross, my reaction was: Are you fucking kidding? This is the same organization that forbade gay people from donating their blood because they felt that gay people are "high risk" -- never mind the fact that they have the technology to screen it out. I will *not* donate a cent to an organization that actively discriminate against who I am. Not even the Salvation Army. Not even the Boy Scouts. So fuck off already.

Where Is FEMA When You Needed Them Most? One victim said, "This is not a FEMA operation. I haven't seen a single FEMA guy, we can send massive amounts of aid to tsunami victims, but we can't bail out the city of New Orleans." Well said.

Anti-Gun Into Pro-Gun? After seeing the anarchy upon New Orleans, I am thinking about going pro-gun, merely to protect myself. It is evident that our government cannot protect us in the hour of need. I think what happened to New Orleans is a prime example of what people needs to examine ... it is all about self-protection when it mattered the most. You see, I hate the guns. I freak out when I see one -- but I may as well as get one someday.

Cheers,

R-

I. King Jordan To Retire On 12.31.2006

AS you may already heard, the rumors spreaded like a wildfire (and I'm sure it raced across the globe twice or thrice already!) that Gallaudet University President Irving King Jordan will retire effectively December 31, 2006. His announcement today at Gallaudet's Elstad Auditorium prompted various reactions from all sides. Because of his announcement, Gallaudet classes were cancelled for the remainder of the day.

Jordan has been the President of Gallaudet since 1988 right after the Deaf President Now Protest. The protest, which effectively became the movement of some kind, has sent the ripple effects on Deaf Schools across the country and the world. What kind of ripple effect? By placing the Deaf person in a leadership position prompted many Deaf schools across the world to can the hearing superintendents and replace with well-qualified Deaf leaders.

With Jordan as the President, he underwent some major changes at Gallaudet building the Gallaudet Univeristy Kellogg Conference Center, the Student Union Building/Student Academic Center as well as promising to build replace the Mary Thornsberry Building with a brand-new building in James Lee Sorenson Language and Communication Center.

Naturally, he underwent some questionable motives such as removing Dr. Roslyn "Roz" Rosen from her position as the Vice-President of Academic Affairs and put his puppet in place, Dr. Jane K. Fernandes as the Provost of Gallaudet. Dr. Jane K. Fernandes is not well-liked by many peers, students, faculty and staff alike. Faculty members sneered at her in the first place because she never taught nor worked at a college. Students sneered at her because she kissed the floor where Dr. Jordan walked.

Who will be the next President of Gallaudet University? Dr. Glenn Anderson announced the national search to choose to be the successor of Dr. Jordan's position. Few people mentioned: Dr. Alan Hurwitz, Ron Stern, Dr. Roslyn "Roz" Rosen, James Tucker, Dr. Lauren Sims (formerly Gallimore), Dr. M.J. Bienvenu and yes, the hapless Dr. Jane K. Fernandes.

It was alarming to note that Dr. Jordan originally said during the speech, "President -- Provost Jane ..." in an abrupt, but quick correction to mention the mistake. For years, people at and around Gallaudet has feared this: It is possible that Dr. Jordan has prepared the office for Dr. Jane K. Fernandes all along in the first place.

I predict that Dr. Jane K. Fernandes will be the next President, whether we like it or not. Dr. I. King Jordan intends to have her at all costs. Even if it will jeopardize everything that we fought hard to believe in. Since Dr. I. King Jordan did appoint many persons to the Board of Trustees, they will do him a favor by giving her the keys to the school.

Only time will tell.

For further information on Dr. Irving K. Jordan's retirement, click this link.

But at this time, I want to extend congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Jordan's retirement starting after December 31, 2006 after his 18 years of service to the University as President.

Cheers,

R-

The Suspect Was Dan Hoyt

Remember last Saturday, I mentioned about the guy masturbating in New York subway on "R" train which an Asian woman snapped the picture on her cellphone. I wrote about that last Saturday. Some folks mentioned earlier online that they recognized this person was none other than Dan Hoyt, a 43 years old chef at a raw restaurant in East Village called "Quintessence".

I was hesistated to print his name because it was just a rumor amongst New Yorkers.

Well, NY POST and NY Daily News has confirmed that Dan Hoyt was arrested on the suspicion of public lewdness. It makes sense, actually. You see, the perosn who snapped the picture of this guy masturbating is an Asian. Dan's wife is an Asian. It makes sense that he was aroused by Asian women on the subway train.

I am posting this picture -- I do not know if it is him or not. You decide. I care less about it -- but his cock is not that bad.

Cheers,

R-

Few Tidbits 9.1.05

Irresponsible Pope: Pope Benedict XVI is irresponsible for telling people to multiply for "the good of society". What was he thinking? By doing that, he is pushing the society backwards in time. With famine, poverty, unclean water in addition to the overpopulation in third world countries, the future is not feasible for many. For Pope Benedict XVI to tell the others to multiply is irresponsible.

Roommate Complained: Last night, Gus told me that he went to the gas station to fill his gas tank for his convertible Mustang, he was stunned to see that the regular unleaded are out at two stations. And there are long lines at nearby gas station. He asked around -- someone told him that it was reported that in the next few days, 3o to 40 cents will rocket due to the "dire situation" in Louisiana.

Sometimes ASL Sign Comes to Fruiton: You know there is this infamous ASL sign for Louisiana? I guess this particular sign is, if not any, fitting as of now, considering the circumstances in Louisiana.

Few Questions: Was the evacuations for rich people or people who can afford gas or motels? When the city of New Orleans issued the mandatory evacuation to leave the city, was it reserved for people who can afford the means to get out of the city? The poor, mostly African Americans, can just go to Superdome to weather the storm out. I have a question -- why did not they provide the buses or means of transportations to haul thousands of people out of the city when it is certain that the destruction of the city is assured?

The Poor Retaliated The Rich: This was not a surprise at all. It is expected that for years in The South where hopelessness reigns supreme amongst the people in poverty who barely meets their needs week after week, there will be people who resents the people who can afford to leave the town during the category 5 hurricane evacuation. They should expect to come home to see their luxury homes ransacked. Survival of the fittest, basically. The point is that there was not anything that the government did to provide an adequate means to get out of the city in the first place.

Is New Orleans The Atlantis? Since the Army Corps of Engineers are having difficult time in plugging the levees, it is time to face the music. Few bloggers wondered if it is good idea to save the city of New Orleans. It will take billions of dollars to restore parts of New Orleans -- remember this is a huge, cosmopolitan city, not the Twin Towers buildings. Suppose if the La Palma Tsunami struck New York -- will people remain? Suppose if the New Madrid Fault jolt and shatter the city St. Louis, will people remain? Why should we keep the city? Never mind the nostalgia, they say. Some cities vanish, some cities prosper. This city is simply difficult to handle considering the environmental damages on all counts. Maybe it is time to accept the reality that the city of New Orleans is now part of Lake Pontchartrain?

Condi Rice's 2008 Aspirations: Condi Rice's 2008 Presidential aspirations by some Republicans may be shot after it was reported by DrudgeReport that:

Eyewitness: Sec of State Condi Rice laughs it up at 'Spamalot' while Gulf Coast lays in tatters. Theater goers on New York' City's Great White Way were shocked to see the President's former National Security Advisor at the Monty Python farce last night -- as the rest of the cabinet responds to Hurricane Katrina..."

Too bad for Rhymes With Right who are so keenly in love with this nut. Here is the link to what people are saying about this gap-toothed bitch.

Scott McClellan Is Just Silly: He addressed the media at White House that the White House is "assessing" the scope of natural disaster in New Orleans. What the fuck? Did not they hear enough in the last few days to realize that this is simply the disaster that the scientists has been talking for years that already materialized before our eyes on our TV sets. I never thought I'd say that I liked Ari Fleischer.

Let's face the music, NOLA is fucked.

R-

Root for Brian Ellner

I'm not political when it comes to the local stuff -- despite the fact that I am currently living in Philadelphia, I still heart Manhattan and Brooklyn. I may return to Manhattan when I am done with my dreams in Philadelphia.

Nevertheless, someone whined about this advertisement which Brian Ellner (Democrat) is campaigning to be the President of Manhattan Borough. He is gay. Since I could not hear what it was being said. I sought a cute hearing guy to write down. He did it. I was amused by the advertisement.

The script goes like this:

He says he promotes life but sends our soldiers to die. He says he'll leave no child behind but he won't fund out public schools. He claims he's a uniter but new yorkers know; the emperor has no clothes.

"Hi I'm Brian Ellner and I'm running for Manhattan Borough President to stand up for our progressive values and it starts here. I grew up in Stuyesvant Town and I know something about New Yorkers. We tell you how we feel, we don't apologize for what we believe, and we're not afraid of a fight. I'm Brian Ellner, and this is my partner, Simon.

Vote Brian Ellner, and make New York proud.

It does not hurt that Brian Ellner is cute as well. So is Simon. If I was in New York, I'd vote for Brian Ellner. Something different. Something new.

Cheers,

R-