Amazon Becomes a Drama Mama

The blogosphere is buzzing with the with the Amazon drama, so I'm not going to write a lengthy post on the topic. I think anyone who spends two minutes knows my opinion on the drama-- lame. If you are asking, What drama, well, you need to visit at least one of the links below.

Queerty: Gay Lit Too "Adult" for Amazon.com

Mark R. Probst: Amazon Follies

Pam's House Blend: Amazon: LGBT books too "adult" to be ranked

Deep Dish: Sign Petition Protesting Amazon's LGBT Discrimination

Democratic Underground: Amazon on an anti-gay crusade? Removing sales rankings from LGBT titles.

Ingrid Díaz: Amazon.fail

Publishers Weekly: Amazon Says Glitch to Blame for "New" Adult Policy

Sharing Something That Has Been on My Mind-- Random Fact Time

Despite the lofty claim that "all men are created equal," equality has never been an American birthright. In 1882 Congress suspended Chinese immigration on the assumption that the Chinese were an inferior people. Calvin Coolidge in 1923 asked Congress for a permanent ban on Chinese immigration, saying that people "who do not want to be partakers of the American spirit ought not to settle in America." Not until 1965 was discrimination against the Chinese and other Asians effectively eliminated from U.S. immigration laws.
~ taken from The American Democracy, 6th Edition

"Crazy" OK for Navy!

I'm confused. Former astronaut Lisa Nowak-- former because she drove nine hundred miles in an adult diaper to kidnap fellow astronaut Colleen Shipman because she was allegedly riding the comet also known as Navy Cmdr. William Oefelein. I can't forget the wig, trench coat, plastic gloves, pepper spray, and BB gun that was found in found in Nowak's vehicle, but she insists she wasn't going to kidnap Shipman----- oh, sure...... the only other option would have to be INTENSE bondage-S&M play. Anyway, I know everyone probably already knows all of this, so let me get to my point.

Nowak, who is in the Navy, will remain in the Navy. She will develop curriculum and training programs. All this happens in April when she joins the staff of the Chief of Naval Air Training Command in Corpus Chrisiti. I can only image what her training programs will be like; I guess she could honestly say, 'Sometimes you have to shit yourself to try to get what you want.'

But seriously, WTF! Why is Novak still allowed in the Navy? If the whole attempted kidnapping detail isn't enough, doesn't the 900 miles in an adult diaper make anyone want to question her sanity?

What really pisses me off is the fact that Nowak is in the Navy after all of this; however, if she were an OUT lipstick lesbian or OUT big ole bull dyke wearing flannel and a tool belt to the base, there wouldn't much debate on keeping her in the Navy. Basically, our armed forces are telling me it is acceptable act irrationally and go 'crazy' because you can't get what you want-- that can be forgiven, but don't you dare be honest about your identity if you're GLBT.

Sometimes I'm annoyed with the American government for its policies and the majority of the American people for staying silent.

Pancakes Please, Hold the Discrimination

Paul called me at work yesterday and said, "You won't believe it. Two lesbians were kicked out of IHOP for kissing." Surprisingly, I was shocked; however, the shock lasted only for a moment. At times I find myself becoming too comfortable as a gay man, and I know it's because I live in Atlanta where gays are everywhere with rainbows shooting out of their asses, and they and their rainbows can hold hands in Piedmont Park without worrying about seeming out place, without anyone telling them to leave the park. I think sometimes I forget there is still much progress to be made. The issue with IHOP is a reminder of how there is still work to be done.

Read the article in the Kansas City Star regarding this issue.

How would you feel if this happened to you? If it happened to someone you loved? Wouldn't you want others to speak out against the discrimination? I urge you not to be silent regarding the IHOP issue. Tell everyone you know and ask them to spread the word.

THEN tell IHOP you're outraged at this act of discrimination by clicking here to send IHOP an email, or write them a letter:
IHOP Corp. Restaurant Support Center
450 N. Brand Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91203