Proposition 8 Ruling…

Proposition 8

This image sums it up pretty clearly!

Here is an online article with excerpts from the ruling:

Excerpts from ruling on Calif’s gay marriage ban

The judges rulings were straight to the point and put it in terms everyone could understand!

“…all parties agree that Proposition 8 had one effect only. It stripped same-sex couples of the ability they previously possessed to obtain from the state, or any other authorized party, an important right – the right to obtain and use the designation of ‘marriage’ to describe their relationships. Nothing more, nothing less.”

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Every Monday and Wednesday…

Tree Trimming

Every Monday and Wednesday I bring Logan to speech therapy at 10:30am. It is only one block away from his daycare, so when the weather is nice we walk. We really have a good time. There are so many different things to see along the way every time.

Today the local utility company was trimming trees that were interfering with the telephone and power lines. Logan was fascinated by the man hanging by ropes in the tree with a big chainsaw. It was a little difficult to explain what they were doing but eventually he said “I understand Daddy.”, turned around and continued walking down the sidewalk towards speech class. I think it is fascinating to see Logan developing more and more each day. Not long ago all conversations were ones-sided.

I am so looking forward to when Logan truly has free and fluid conversation abilities. I want to take him  fishing, ice skating and other father-son activities. I want to tell him jokes and have him laugh at his old man’s sense of humor (or more likely hate it).

Hate Speech…

Sunday Croissants

So this morning started out to be a great relaxing Sunday morning; Logan waking me up with “Daddy? Are you sleeping?”, fresh homemade croissants and coffee.

Then I was checking the news headlines online and came across yet another instance of “hate speech” that really burns me up!

“Rick Santorum: Same Sex Relationships Don’t ‘Benefit Society’“

Santorum on Friday doubled down on attacks against the gay community, telling a gay man that he doesn’t deserve the ‘privilege’ of marriage because same sex relationships don’t “benefit society.”
“[Marriage] is an intrinsic good … we extend certain privileges to people who do that because we want to encourage that behavior,” he said after a gay audience member asked why homosexuals don’t deserve equal rights when it comes to marriage.

What is so offensive by Rick Santorum’s comments is not so much what he is saying (which is terrible), it is the fact he is being allowed to say it to so many people and no one calls him out as a “hate speech” speaker. Just because he is running for president and he is “speaking” for the Repbulican Party and all the other religious right wingers he can get away with it. There is a limit to our right to freedom of speech.

He is telling me that my relationship with my partner does not benefit society. He is telling my son that we do not befefit society.

WE DO BENEFIT SOCIETY! — It’s just that simple!

Pasta a la Papa…

My boys slept late today, 9am,  after 6+  hours of video gaming yesterday — they were worn out.

After a leisurely breakfast and 3 mugs of dark, rich, sweet, piping hot coffee I decided to take Logan to the park so Jose Fidel could have a little “quiet time”. He caught Logan’s cold\flu from last week and has been miserable all this week while Logan has recovered. I, knock on wood, have not succumbed to the cold d’ jour  — yet!

It has been a beautiful Northern California winter afternoon, 63F – sunny – blue skies. Franklin Park was packed and the shrieks of children’s laughter filled the air only interrupted by that gut wrenching cry coming from a child who just had their toy taken by another or a shoe in the face coming down the slide too many at a time. Parents love (ignore) it all and the childless singles and couples at the park all look around as if they really care. It’s more like they just want to see which is the “bad” parent at the moment. Not long ago we were this type of couple.

Walking A Fine Line…

Susan G. Komen

As a gay man, and adoptive father, sometimes you have to make decisions which may do more harm than good.

Recently I came across a blog posting talking about the VP of the Susan G. Komen foundation VP Karen Handel. She is quoted as being anti-gay and anti-gay adoption both topics which directly affect me and my family.

Now here is “the rub”, my sister and mother are both survivors of breast cancer and both participate in this fund raising activity very year. As a brother and son; I donate to the cause every year. — But no longer (unless…)

By “unless” I mean they must remove this bigot from their ranks. They must denounce such hatred from speaking for them. Yes, such a high ranking employee “does” speak for the company.

So some of you will say I am doing more harm than good by withholding my yearly donation and support. I say you have to make a stand and not give to foundations who support and hire employees who spread hate.

PS3 Mania…

Disney Universe

Logan has just discovered the imaginary world of video games with his father. Jose Fidel spent the entire day playing “Disney Universe“. with him. Now, as a parent , I am expected to be upset that my 4 yr. old son has spent all day inside on a beautiful day playing video ages, but I am not.

The reason I am not concerned?

1. He is only 4 yrs old.
2. He gained a lot of experience learning about team work, understanding what is needed to complete a mission. Jose Fidel and he really bonded during this time.
3. During “school nights” he has conditions\rules that must be met before he can play this new found love. He has to have some interaction with the family, he has to have dinner and he has to have his bath.

I think parents underestimate the power of “bonding time” with their children while playing video games. I think that usually parents do not play these games with their children and their children distance themselves as time goes by. I personally do not like playing video games but I do watch and interact with Logan and Jose Fidel as they play. I think it is great that Jose Fidel enjoys this activity.

Working on it…

We are working on getting this blog up and running.

 

Thank you for your patience.