Chris James

Parents are the answer...this is what it takes, a very angry parent: http://now.msn.com/n...tistic-boy.aspx

I'm sure we all realize there are many different viewpoints about punishing a child. The general view on spanking from professionals in pediatrics is that the effort is counterproductive. Almost all of this data is gathered from parent-child situations, and that brings up an interesting point. Parents are the source of nurture for their children. Many feel that the occasional spanking is of something necessary to punctuate a child's misbehavior. The rationale is that the hugs need to outnumber the spankings so that the child understands the punishment is the furthest extreme. But does this apply to teachers who spank? Every parent knows, or should know, that you do not spank a child when you are angry. The point of the spanking is to assert something drastic and draw attention to the misbehavior. Corporal punishment with a small plank of wood strikes me as nothing more than child abuse. The idea that angry teachers can strike a child at any time they see fit is outrageous behavior, especially when they are consumed with anger. I would suggest they are the least likely applicant of punishment if there is a rational lesson to be learned. My mother used to give me that old "wait until your father comes home" speech. It was his duty to punish, a most unfair chore after a long day of work. But I was given the time to contemplate my transgression before the stroke of the lash, and those hours were often worse than my tired father's belt. I would suggest teachers should not be allowed to spank without recourse to intelligent adjudication of the action before the school principal. Detention and suspension, spanking and expulsion, should all be the at the hands of the administration, period. Those who would have parents apply a "time out" in lieu of spanking should see the benefit of a student sitting on the bench outside a principal's office and contemplating their punishment. Teachers should be grateful that the chore is taken out of their hands so that they don't have to return to the classroom in anger and take it out on the other children.

with emphasis on the word "board." A documentary style film about school brutality in many states that is sanctioned by laws. The people who espouse this behavior as necessary for school discipline are the real bullies in our society. And don't be surprised when they wave the Bible and say it is God's will. Disgusting! Warning: the film contains disturbing images.

And what a wonderful column it is! There would be little point in DesDownUnder going silent since he has always been a master at expressing thoughts I find most relevent in any discussion. I do agree with the premise students take in their Day of Silence since it s hard to punish someone for not saying anything. It does call attention to the gag many school and state authorities place on student free speech. Silence reveals the contempt many feel when they see the bullying either from students or teachers. It is the safe way to express those feelings. I was a radical in my teenage years, but I attended a private school where free expression was not limited to "safe speech." Gay students were accepted for their academic and artistic accomplishments, there was no bullying allowed. Peer pressure maintained those rules and this is where I think it needs to remain. Authorities can be fooled, but the judgement of peers can be damning. Adults are the problem in this issue and it seems we agree on that point.

For the past 17 years, students in schools across the land have stopped to ponder the mistreatment of LBGT kids on this day, a Day of Silence. As the name implies, there are many who do nothing to prevent the bullying and hatred towards LBGT kids. Schools are expected to educate, and yet it takes a group of students to point the way where the adults have failed. This is not to say that all schools ignore the needs of their students, but even one is too many. From state legislators who ban the discussion of anything gay in Tennessee, to those ignorant school districts that allow anti-gay religious organizations to pass out literature in their schools, the gay students need a voice in their defense, and yet they don't have one. The First Ammendment of the Constitution allows students across America to either voice their opinions, or in this case, withhold them in silence. Bullies need to be taken down, eradicated and removed from schools. I wish only the best to all those who stand up in silence this day, they deserve our quiet attention. http://www.justout.com/news/national-news/its-day-of-silence-2012/

A wonderful idea, Des. A court ordered "Shame Tour" where bullies are bused from town to town and told to appear at school assemblies to appologize for their behavior. Once the majority of students see these miscreants humbled it will definitely reduce the ranks of those who would become a bully in their school. I think this could be coupled with a showing of the film Bully.

School systems beware: if you don't deal with the bully then the lawyers will deal you a terrible blow. http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/nj-district-to-pay-42m-to-settle-lawsuit-over-bullys-punch-that-paralyzed-middle-schooler/2012/04/18/gIQAtDmrQT_story.html I have little sympathy for the taxpayers in this school district, they deserve to pay the bill for the incompetence of the people they chose to run their schools. Yes, I am sure some poor insurance company will have to foot the bill for the damages, but the rates for the county will go up. How sad that there is now a young man paralyzed in an incident that could have been prevented. This should serve as a wake up call for school systems on a national level. Deal with the bully, prevent his actions and rid the schools of such crass individuals. I am all for juvenile work camps for such unruly students. They need an education in common sense and emotional control. They do not deserve to be in school with normal children where they can spread their pattern of cruel hate. I would also suggest that school administrators who do not deal with the issues of discipline in their jobs be tossed out and made to stand in the unemployment line. There are lots of PhD's out there seeking work, and a lot of them have more than a little common sense which is what we need in our schools. How many lawsuits like this can an education system endure? With this one being so successful I would imagine we shall soon find out.

http://now.msn.com/living/0418-orangutans-build-nest.aspx Humans don't give enough credit to the greater apes, although we do acknowledge Des' great writing ability. I don't think he'd enjoy sleeping on a nest of leaves...but I could be wrong.

I am so stunned when I read these stories that I can't help sharing them with you: http://www.lgbtqnati...-threats-video/ In the video of the news cast, Kenneth's mother wonders about holding kids responsible for her son's death and then says she doesn't want to ruin the lives of other families (not an exact quote). I believe the school held some kind of inquiry about the bullying and the death threats, but it seems no action was taken. I see a lot of missed opportunities in all these events that might have prevented a suicide, but nothing was done. I wonder when some state will stand up and say enough. Schools need to be held accountable, bullies need to be expelled and parents need to be given an alternative rather than having to send their child back into the nest of vipers for their education. Perhaps those at NOM and the Family organizations of the religious right don't feel the death of one gay boy to mean much. But since many of these young men were Christian and gay it means they don't object to eating their own. I find myself sharing this grief with others far too many times, and yet it seems necessary that we all stay aware of the tragedy in our gay world.

The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) sponsored Day of Silence event is this Friday, April 20th in schools across the country. I could only wish there was an event like this back in the day when I was in high school. I was fortunate to be in a school that would have supported this event if it had existed. But back then we didn't feel the need for anything like this because the gay and lesbian students on our campus were not persecuted for being themselves. The president of my class was gay and everyone knew it, but that had nothing to do with the important things in the lives of the student body. We had the Vietnam War to protest, college entrance exams to take and an ongoing student effort to work for the homeless and less fortunate...in of all places, Washington, D.C. It would be some years later when gay issues stepped forward and I became involved in the ACTUP DC organization. My generation went from an unjust war to a gay plague which to my mind was the beginning of the anti-gay movement. I believe we can thank HIV for so much of the misunderstanding of gay people in this country, but then maybe that was just the excuse used by the religious right. I find it inexcusable that LBGT kids are mentally and physically bullied by their peers. The need to hold a Day of Silence as a reminder of the injustice targeted towards LBGT kids is one of the most unfortunate and upsetting reminders that our society needs to change. How many days will we have to be silent before we see any change?

A shame that it has been withdrawn by this user...but there are other copies on YouTube:

I was most unfortunate in getting caught up in a discussion with two middle aged women some years ago who asserted that size was all that mattered to them, the bigger the better. I asked if either of them had anything to say about the technique a man might use in the application of his penis in the sexual act..and they laughed. I was assured that men knew very little about pleasing a woman and that they often found a vibrator more stimilating. Wow, I sure am glad to be gay!

...and in many cases what they have to say is more open and honest than the adults around them. This video is causing an uproar in Mexico, and I don't even speak Spanish. But you don't have to know the language to get the message about corruption and destruction in that country. The video was organized by adults, but the image of kids brings a whole new focus on that country's issues. http://youtu.be/rcIDQNRBqaI

It was only a matter of time before Dan Savage's "It Gets Better" campaign was done over as a parody...this is priceless, and I don't even think Dan would disagree:

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/canada-issues-glow-dark-dinosaur-quarter-173052860.html Something about this story reminds me of our own GW...as if he might have a hand in bringing such a delicious concept to light. It seems to be whimsical, silly, and downright...well, awesome. I can't imagine the United States ever doing something this cute. These might be just the thing for kids this Christmas. So Canada does away with the penny, and I wonder how many pennies it will take to make these things? Can't be cheap, but then I doubt if they are anything more than collector items. I guess they won't fit in a candy machine and that ain't sweet.

What an awesome kid! Thanks for sharing that with us. Now I know who we should put in charge of the Small Business Administration...well, maybe in a few years. You would think that an event like this in a child's life would serve to inspire greater things, and I hope it does. Doesn't hurt that he has a great start on a college fund. Go Boy!

I really think I was aware of my gay side back in 6th grade, but I don't recall any one film that allowed me to feel I was a part of society. Back then the gay image was so negative, gays died in films because they were unnatural, perverse creatures. Yeah, well I didn't accept that one bit. I do recall seeing Mando Cane when I was 14 (Okay, it was an art film, but I liked strange films back then) which only reenforced the idea that I didn't want to be straight. The scene I refer to is the girl in Lapland and the reindeer. If you have never seen the film then I won't go into details...you don't want to know. La Cage Au Folles made quite an impression in later years, as did Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. In those I saw the fun gay men could have and not just because of the drag. In my theater work I did technical work for one of the annual drag shows in Washington, D.C. Most of my contemporaries wouldn't have anything to do with it because of the homophobe factor, but I saw it as a job and enjoyed the hell out of doing it. James has mentioned Mysterious Skin, a disturbing film to say the least. (But I own a copy) I have followed the career of Joseph Gordon-Levitt since his childhood, and I have been pleased as his roles developed into an amazing career. His character in this film is believeable only because of his acting skills. That had to be a very tough role. But now movies like Brokeback Mountain have mainstreamed gay film. A tragic love story akin to Romeo & Juliet in my mind, a film I have to prepare myself to watch because of the strong emotions. And despite the other films I have mentioned here, it is probably one of the most profound I have ever seen.

Despite the family crisis, which I wouldn't wish on any parent, I think Rick Santorum has dropped out because he was too busy with his thoughts that he is God's other son. The Catholics have their trinity, but Rick was trying to give the Holy Ghost a run for his money. Who knows, a trio can always become a quartet. What a waste of a human being.

http://thenewcivilri...012/04/09/37746 I can see the Evangelical movement is concerned, they are losing traction on the big focus of their Christianity: being against gay marriage. And then there is Rick Warren. I've read some pretty strange quotes from this man, but in this latest interview with ABC News he really goes out there: WARREN: And so I believe what Jesus says about the Bible – and he says the Bible is the word of God. Oh really? Gee, Rick, where did Jesus get his copy, the Jeruselem Book of the Month Club? Jesus probably had nothing to say about the Bible in the Bible so I think Rick is taking those happy pills again. And just when I finished chuckling about that statement I came across this: http://content.usato...-heaven-jesus/1 Now I know this second attribution to Rick will make many of you pet owners happy, but think about this a minute. Just when you were pissed off about having to change Fluffy's litter box once again, or cleaning up the mess Fido left on your new kitchen floor, along comes Rick and says that there will be more of that crap awaiting you in heaven. Personally, I hope Rick spends eternity surrounded with crap, he's already got a good start right here on Earth.

http://www.dailymail...tudy-finds.html I have to consider the Daily Mail a poor source for such scientific news, but there we are. Does anyone think the homophobic pundits will embrace the results? I doubt that will occur. No one seemed to accept the news that "gay" is probably genetic..but wait, if they were homophobes would they believe anything is normal about gay people? According to the study, all the homophobe needs is a mirror. And yes, the reverse image would be most appropriate.

http://www.aacps.org...h/OldmillHs.pdf I just emailed the principal to tell him he needs to read this document (again?) and then get off his ass.

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2012/04/anti-lgbt-bullying-contributes-to-suicide-by-maryland-teen/ All I can say is I know that school, I lived in that county for several years. Maryland pretends to be such an enlightened state, but they are not. And on behalf of the MPAA I just want to say "FUCK!"

How many "fucks" does it take? In the original uncut version of Bully there were five instances of the word which allowed the MPAA to give it an R rating. In order to allow the film a PG-13 rating, the producers removed two of them, but that still leaves three times that the word "fuck" appears in the dialogue. It seems the MPAA is now pleased with itself. You know you can't fool all of the people all of the time...and so on. I seriously doubt if there are any kids who don't know the word, and there are many who use it every day. Who are we fooling here? I think this whole controversy is pathetic considering the importance of showing a film like this to every kid in this country. But let's stop a moment and consider the reasons why. I say let's blame the adults who are in it to make money. Violence in this country is acceptable, and even encouraged in film to sell tickets. We glorify things like the WWF, those bad acting wrestlers who act bad and act badly. Just look at the audience as grown, steroid enhanced men slam one another with chairs in what is a scripted egotistical soap opera of the wrestling world. Violence reigns supreme on the stage in their world and yet we see the camera pan the audience filled with impressionable youth. Yeah kid, its just fine to bash someone...take that home and think about it. Bullying is born and bred by those who would make entertainment of it, so why are we surprised that it appears in our schools? Isn't the classroom just an extension of the wrestling ring? Be rude, be cruel and everyone will think of you as a hero, and you too can end up on the WWF. All I have to say to that is "Fuck," what a sick bunch of fucks we have become.

Yes, I know...it's a music video. But this guy, Tanner Patrick, just released his first song on iTunes. After waiting so many months to hear the full song after seeing the teaser, I am thrilled to hear this music. Sorry to see that his fans managed to spread it before Tanner placed his own video version, but that is coming. Enjoy the visuals...he isn't hard to look at:

And now any of us can make Jesus toast...only $35.00 from Amazon and here's the video to prove it: