The network was going to send a car. But the guest declined. It was only a few minutes and a few miles from the hotel to the MSNBC studios in LA. And Charmaine thought it'd be a bit easier to have her own rental as she worked out the logistics. With The Diva and Dude in tow, she drives out on the LA hyway.

A Same Sex Couple
Exchanging Rings
Screen Shot Credit: Peter Shinn But LA has even worse traffic and traffic patterns than in Your Nation's Capital, and Charmaine did not quite make it to the studio on time. She phoned it in.

Alert Reader Andrew at Mere Orthodoxy had graciously requested a link to the interview.

Charmaine, as you will see hear, proved Woody Allen wrong: sometimes you can be successful with only your voice to beat the other side's presence in a debate.

Watch the segment here and well, listen to Charmaine.

Thank you (foot)notes: WARNING: Lots of men kissing men. Lots of women kissing women. It is not pretty or suitable for children.

Management Training Tip: When your big show biz break comes and the booker offers a car, take it.

Posted at 2:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Hugh Hewitt and Charmaine Yoest
May, 2006 GodBlogCon finished up this weekend with bloggers from coast to coast gathering for a good time and, perhaps, some learning.

Andrew McKnight from Mere Orthodoxy has this observation,

Somehow politics don’t depress Mr. Hewitt. He walks in a murky world, but to watch him you’d think he lives perpetually on a sunny hill. His advice to young would-be culture changers (like me!) was two-fold:

1) Take Montaigne’s advice, “Constant cheerfulness is a mark of a truly wise person” and

2) “Find the good, and praise it.”

Hugh Hewitt's
Painting the Map Red We just finished Hewitt's Painting the Map Red: The Fight to Create a Permanent Republican Majority

A cheerful book.

A must read.

A happy read.

And be sure to catch the Young Politics Carnival at eFIPO.com good reads for any age.

Posted at 7:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My sweet baby hung in there all day. But by the time we left the GodBlogCon at the end of the day, it was 12:30 at home!

Posted at 2:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Liveblogging from the blackberry 'cause the Dude is taking notes so avidly on the laptop -- he'll have a full report later.

John Mark Reynolds says Romney is the best candidate for the future because we need someone who can actively defend our positions rather than just "get through" them. What a great point.

Talked with Hugh at dinner -- he's writing a book about Romney and the Mormon issue -- and he says Romney is the smartest politician he's ever met. That's a big statement.

Hugh says to read "Making the Corps." John Mark replies that you should read "The Fall of the Roman Empire." (Need the Cliff Notes, says Hugh -- "Don't hire out your defense to Germans, particularly if you are Poles," says JM.) Later, Hugh also recommends "The Looming Tower" which, apparently, argues that it is a "mathematical certainty" that we will not be done with the War on Terror for a long, long time.

John Schroeder of Blogotional stands and asks for a show of hands of how many people in the audience would NOT vote for Mitt Romney because he is a Mormon. Only six people raise their hands. In an audience of a little over 100. Pretty good odds.

Posted at 11:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Credit: The Dude Charmaine is in LA at the GodBlogCon. So it is fitting that she will be debating the New Jersey ruling on homosexual unions that no man can cast asunder.

She will be debating Lambda Legal.

And not the Human Rights Campaign. Seems this homosexual activist axxociation outed Mark Foley.

Gary Bauer emails today,

"Outing" Hypocrisy

Human Rights Campaign:
Not Your Stand-up Kind of Guys

Internet "bloggers” this week uncovered the source responsible for exposing former Rep. Mark Foley’s behavior, and it may surprise you. The source was an employee of the Human Rights Campaign, America’s largest homosexual rights group, who once worked on Capitol Hill for a Senate Democrat. How many of you have heard this story?

This is extremely embarrassing for the Left, because it highlights the underhanded tactic some in the homosexual rights movement have been employing for almost two decades: Using homosexuality for political purposes. The hypocrisy is blatant. The entire homosexual agenda is founded on the effort to normalize homosexuality and to push for more liberal laws, including lowering the age of consent.

But why would they “out” one of their own? The question can be answered with one letter: R. They felt justified in exposing Foley’s behavior because he was a member of the Republican House majority that opposed most of their issues. They knew that the vast majority of Americans would consider Foley’s behavior immoral and highly inappropriate, and that he would be forced to resign. Of course, pro-family advocates know that Foley was never a conservative, and often voted for the “gay rights” agenda.

Charmaine, The Diva, The Dude
on air with Hugh Hewitt (not shown) But with Foley gone, there would be one fewer Republican in Congress, thus getting the radical homosexual movement one step closer to having the Speaker from San Francisco implementing their extreme agenda.

The Human Rights Campaign will lay low for a while; media savvy as they are.

Hit time (no, no, not gay bashing -- please) tomorrow Saturday at 1:45 Eastern on MSNBC.

Thank you (foot)notes:

Brutal Hugger has Lambda letter to New York Times.

See Gay News Blog for citation.

More from the Washington Post.

Full Disclosure: Charmaine and Your Business Blogger have done work for Gary Bauer.

Posted at 10:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The Dude took extensive notes during the panel I was on and he has them up at his site.

Posted at 8:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've created a monster! I can't get my computer back from my boy! I'm reduced to Blackberry blogging.

Great picture of the Dude in the Blogging Scrum will follow if I can ever get my laptop back...

Read more on The Dude's blog entries about the Blogger's Convention here.

Posted at 8:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Have arrived at GodBlogCon at Biola University. . . (note to self: do not try to land in LA at 4 PM in the afternoon, as we did last night!) First plenary panel -- Bridging the Christian Divide, with FRC's own Joe Carter, also of Evangelical Outpost.

In the midst of a conversation about why we blog, how we communicate online and who "belongs" in the Christian community, Joe made this trenchant observation:

If we want to be graceful bloggers, we need to be more graceful Christians. We come to conferences like this looking for technological solutions, when what we need is a spiritual solution. . . it's hard to hide who you really are online. It's your words.

Posted at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Yesterday we flew over the Esperanza fires. The pilot came on the intercom to warn us -- he said some people were frightened by the smell of burning when they didn't know it was coming from the fires! Sure enough shortly we saw enormous, billowing, reddish clouds and an acrid smell.

Amazing.

The Dude has the pictures.

Posted at 10:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

No Solicitors Allowed
acquired by Your Business Blogger
ca 1971 Your Business Blogger has always been a peddler. A very lazy peddler, which meant two things:

1) I had to learn shortcuts, and,
2) I was destined for management.

A hundred years ago, I started out selling vacuum cleaners cold-calling door to door.

Cold. Calling. O Joy.

Sales shoe leather Yes, that law of large numbers worked -- wearing out shoe leather knocking on hundreds of doors -- but it really wasn't much fun for me. And not much fun for the home owner either. Around 1986 or so, I sought out the smartest sales guy on the planet who had the same latitude for lazy as me.

I decided to meet with David Sandler, the founder of the Sandler Sales Institute.

After listening to him for a few minutes, I was intrigued by his system and his style, but I wanted to know more. I ventured a timid question.

He looked at me. Then he told me to get out of the room. He wasn't smiling.

Charmaine at the highest level of sales --
selling an idea; an intangible He was selling.

He got my attention: I come, willing to sit through his sales pitch and he tells me, me! to get lost. The program was expensive and lightweight nobodies couldn't afford his sales program.

Those weren't his exact words. But close.

And, of course, I couldn't afford it.

And, of course, I had to have it.

Among The Sandler Rules,

When faced with stalls, objections, or put-offs, you must eliminate them or it's over.

Inspect what you expect.

You can't lose what you don't have.

If you wait until the presentation to close the sale, you put too much pressure on the prospect and yourself.

It was the best 850 bucks I ever spent.

I learned to ask stupid questions (which comes quite naturally to me) like,

What does that mean?

Why am I here?

It doesn't look like you're interested?

And when all else fails,

Is it over?

That last one is my favorite. When at the end of the sales process and it doesn't look like the sale is coming and you are about to get thrown out, ask,

Is it over?

In decades a-peddling I've only had two prospects say yes, it's over, now get lost.

(Hint: Guys, don't be asking this question when you're dating. You will get many, many yes's. Not that I'd know.)

Sandler's Sales System is not for everyone -- but it works even for those who don't like it.

But I try to steer clients to Sandler because my small business owners work too hard. This is an unfortunate trend. The Boss should never work too hard.

The core concept of this sales program is of hyper-sales-qualification. Do not attempt without adult supervision. There is no better skill set to sell tangibles or intangibles. Selling things or ideas, Sandler is best.

I haven't made a cold-call since.

My prospective clients call me.

Thank you (foot)notes:

This is an unpaid endorsement for continuing education and the Sandler sales process.

David Sandler died in 1995. And left the world a better place.

Posted at 8:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I'm headed to the Left Coast to talk about blogging with some of my favorite people, the godbloggers.

The Diva and the Dude are coming along because they have both become bloggers and I want them to catch the vision for blogging with a purpose.

Stay tuned -- I'm looking forward to meeting some great people and learning a lot. I'll be reporting back -- right here.

Posted at 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Your Business Blogger, Center
C-SPAN Your Business Blogger was honored to be the Master of Ceremonies at a recent fundraising event for the Center for Military Readiness. Donors were called, Honorary Sponsors highlighted, invitations mailed, the room readied. There was one thing left to do.

Invite C-SPAN.

As I talked with the producer in making the request, I was reminded of a recent article featuring the book Setting the Table reviewed by Jack Covert in 800-CEO-READ Blog.

The only thing worse than being turned down by a big media outlet...might actually be getting the big gig. Be careful what you pray for: Your marketing dream come true could be a nightmare.

Jack Covert tells the story of restaurateur Danny Meyer's appearance on NBC's Today Show. Here Jack quotes Danny,

I am not naturally inclined to send out a lot of emails whenever I’m going to be on television. (To her chagrin, I usually don’t even remember to tell my mother.) [B]ut by not forewarning anyone that day, I ... failed to give my team adequate warning ...The seven-minute segment on Today caused the day’s lunch business at Shake Shack to soar, and our staff had no idea what had hit them,...or how to prepare for it. ... turning what should have been a public relations triumph into a fiasco.

Your radio or TV appearance will produce thousands or millions of ad impressions. Here are five quick action items to capitalize and monetize Your Big ShowBiz Break.

1) Mention to your clients. Your sales force is forever pestering you, the boss for something new; an excuse to visit or call on customers. This is it.

2) Tell your friends. And they will tell their friends. And etc. and etc. And that tell-a-friend network will get done what those budget-busting dreamers in your marketing department should have been doing all along.

3) Alert your staff. If the stars align -- and that would be you among them -- the team is in for a Peak Experience.

4) Warn your suppliers. Ask them if last minute emergency deliveries could be done at below-monopoly, non-extortion pricing -- after all, you are a Celebrity. And the supplier might get a Celebrity Endorsement. Or Product Placement. No promises...but you never know...

And remember your website.

Charlie Jarvis, CEO of USANext, a non-profit here in DC was on a cable talk-show. He gave a barn-burning presentation that produced 100,000 hits in a few minutes on his modest-traffic site.

Which, as Alert Readers would guess, melted down his servers.

A high quality problem to be sure, but it could have been avoided by anticipating demand.

5) Call your mother. And the rest of the relatives. Your warm-body network should be a part of your marketing team and cheerleading squad. She'd appreciate the call anyway.

With the warning and reminder from 800-CEO-READ Blog, my non-profit was able to profit quite well.

And your business will profit too.

Continue Reading »

Posted at 8:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Charmaine Yoest, Ph.D. right,
debating on MSNBC
on the fear of the "gay bashing" label Charmaine debated David Smith from HRC recently. She evidently put those boys in a breathless tizzy.

Following is a message from Joe Solmonese, President of the "gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender" activitist group,

Dear Friend, With all that's going on in Washington, this week, I felt it was important to update all of you on the role that HRC has played in this unfolding story concerning Mark Foley. Congressmen Mark Foley's sexually-charged communications with young congressional pages was reprehensible and we have strongly condemned it. We have also been equally quick to condemn some in the GOP for their attempts to blame this scandal on the GLBT community. At the beginning of the week, I issued the following statement to the press: "Gay or straight, Democrat or Republican, it is completely inexcusable for an adult to have this kind of communication with a minor. Congressman Foley brought shame on himself and this Congress by his horrible behavior and complete lack of judgment. We strongly condemn his behavior." On Tuesday, we issued a press release condemning the Republican leadership for avoiding responsibility and for trying to blame our community.

Human Rights Campaign logo On Wednesday, HRC Vice President, David Smith, appeared on MSNBC to combat Charmaine Yoest [Ph.D.] of the Family Research Council. Her group has been saying that the House Republican leaders were afraid to investigate the Foley matter because they were afraid of being labeled "homophobic." That's right! - the same members of Congress who have been trying to write our community out of the Constitution were supposedly unwilling to stop Foley because they were worried about their image as gay bashers. This is some of the most convoluted nonsense out there. David did an excellent job of going after FRC's illogical and inflammatory statements....

Watch the video here. Please let us know what you think.

More at the jump.

Continue Reading »

Posted at 9:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (1)

Woody Allen once said that 80 per cent of success is showing up.

Radio Row at the
FRC Briefing
And to succeed in business as well as show business: you must show up.

Your Business Blogger was observing (and trying to stay out of the way of) a radio and blogger row a few weeks ago at the Family Research Council Briefing. We were lucky -- guests and hosts seem to link up with minimal scheduling challenges.

But this is becoming somewhat more unusual.

Your Business Blogger is seeing a most disturbing trend: Guests who don't show.

In sales training 101, the first step is always to establish rapport. But it starts before that, of course: First, You must get the appointment and Second, you must Show Up.

Smart business leaders know that part of the good marketing equation is pushing the broadest reach. Radio and TV are still effective.

But it seems that some business leaders are not bothering to do this basic marketing and not showing up for a scheduled appearance. Something will come up -- something always does -- and the small business owner does not show up for the radio or TV interview.

The broadcast interview has two purposes. For the host, it is only ratings and revenue. For the guest, it is a display of your expertise: a pitch for the small business; an infomercial.

Your pubic relations consultant is well compensated to get you in the starting -- gate groomed and ready to go. But after your PR pro's get you an invitation to the track you must take the bit and give your sound bite.

If you cannot take the hassle of the harness, stay in the barn. Radio and TV are for the race horses, the big dogs.

It is not for the weak of heart.

And the no-show guest always has good reasons. It is the tyranny of the urgent pushing out the important. And dealing with some routine business emergency is easier to handle than the fear of facing a microphone.

Public speaking always causes anxiety; if you are not nervous, you are too complacent. Adrenaline is a good chemical.

And it can make for good business. The small business owner better be the company's most passionate pitchman -- and better be able, available and willing to step onto the race track; into the arena and sell.

If you are invited to be a guest on radio or TV, understand that it is a very rare privilege and should be accepted and better be honored.

Don't let the host say, Our schedule guest, President of Wonderful Widgets had a quarterly report to finish and thought that a spreadsheet was more important than Mega Media and cancelled....The Jerk.

You, the small business owner must always show up for the radio or TV interview.

This does not go both ways. Even though you RSVP'ed and showed up and kept your appointment with destiny, Mega Media outlet is not bound by the same rules.

Charmaine on C-SPAN

This is not fair.

You must show up. If you are not sure you want to play in the big league, then fire your PR guru and rein in your marketing department. Do not commit to an interview, then have a change of heart and change your mind.

Your Business Blogger has been on both sides of the interviewing/reporting equation and has had to deal with reluctant business owners.

So. Here's the secret. The unwritten rules of journalism in radio and TV. Knowing them will make it easier to decline the interview. Yep, walk away. And save everyone a lot of time.

1) You will probably be cancelled or bumped.

Thank you (foot)notes:

This is a modified cross post from Small Business Trends Radio.

Continue Reading »

Posted at 4:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Your Business Blogger is noticing a most disturbing trend with business clients. The younger employees do not, it appears, render proper subservience and groveling to their elder-better bosses. This disturbs my sense of order and entitlement.

Is good old fashioned boot-licking dead?

Cubicle Farm As I traverse cubicle farms across the fruited plain, I see entry-level drones toiling away. Plowing as straight a furrow as any dependable farm hand. Yet these hayseeds have yet to learn manners.

In the US of A the worker bees would continue typing and clicking away when the Boss and Your Observant Consultant would wander by and stand at the cube threshold. The employee's eyes would remain on the monitor -- ears open to the boss -- listening, we were told, to the manager's every instruction. The young employee would call this "multi-tasking."

I call it rude.

On site in India I compare this 'dis' trend to the contrast of the warm glow Your Business Blogger would routinely feel when consulting in India. Whenever the business owner enters a room. All work would cease. All would stand.

Then the boss would magnanimously, graciously invite the employees to be seated and resume their work.

Of course, no one moved. Until the owner left the room.

(There's a lot to be said for the kiss up, kick down management style of the sub-continent.)

In India the employees would stand up. In North America the employees don't even look up.

The US Army, as usual, gets it right when dealing with rank:

The senior never thinks of it.

The junior never forgets it.

Whenever soldiers would cross paths, the junior would acknowledge the senior. If one is an officer the junior will salute the senior. And the senior will return the courtesy.

The private businesses who never had employees who were privates in the Army, think and behave as if everyone is equal.

Wrong.

There is far too much of this egalitarian nonsense in our culture. Much of it comes from the academy, where most nonsense originates.

At the University of Virginia where Charmaine earned her doctorate, the instructors are addressed as Mister. Not Doctor. Mr. Jefferson was a fan of fraternite and Voltaire and all things French.

Egalite run amuck.

But the manager and the ambitious young man, understanding the spirit of the times, knows that nothing changes in the human spirit. We all want to be appreciated. Even the boss.

So the young future leader desiring to be a stand out, will stand up when the boss enters.

The young man will stand up when a lady enters the room.

The employee with integrity will take a stand.

Be a stand up guy.

And everyone will accuse you of apple-polishing.

But you will soon fill those boots everyone thought you were a-licking.

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Thank you (foot)notes:

Susan Ward has Test Your Knowledge With the Business Etiquette Quiz.

Posted at 1:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Tucker Carlson Charmaine will be debating Tucker Carlson on his MSNBC show Tucker. They will discuss the question,

Will the Conservative voter stay home on election day?

Secretary of State Condi Rice recently endorsed homosexual marriage. Is this what conservatives voted for?

Judicial nominee Janet Neff recently "married" two lesbians. Is this what conservatives voted for?

Or are these frustrated voter-citizens cut and run Republicans as Rush Limbaugh says?

Today Friday. Hit time is 4pm Eastern.

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Thank you (foot)notes:

From the MSNBC website,

A longtime newspaper and magazine writer, he is regular contributor to Esquire. His writings have also appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, New York magazine, Reader's Digest, Forbes and GQ. He was a finalist for a 2004 National Magazine Award for an Esquire article chronicling his trip to Africa with the Rev. Al Sharpton. His latest book is titled Politicians, Partisans and Parasites: My Adventures in Cable News.

Posted at 2:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Visit Nehring the Edge
for movie reviews Nehring the Edge is hosting a terrific new carnival of cinema.

See Westminster Wisdom for a must movie review read on Memento. Charmaine and I saw the movie and determined that we would have to see it twice or thrice to completely understand and appreciate and enjoy. Gracchii explains why.

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Thank you (foot)notes:

Memento is not to be confused with Mentoes ...and Coke. Children, do not attempt without adult supervision.

Posted at 8:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Our US Army is getting more recruits with tattoos. And so are you.

A third of the population 18 to 29 has a tattoo. Your Business Blogger is a bit outside this age range and our five-kid penta-posse has not yet demanded needles with ink. But this is an exploding fad that will affect business hiring.

Body Piercing
Tools of the Trade
courtesy: Gotham Here I will review only the deliberate body modifications. Not the accidental. (Scars are tattoos with better stories.)

We just hired a number of employees. Not one of the attractive young women had any body art. That I noticed. Not that I was looking.

My concern is less with my outdated preferences than that potential candidates knew my preferences. If I control cutting the check, I'll control the body cutting. I'd like some input in what peeps I be hangin' wit'.

I prefer non-smokers with no (visible) body art. Conjugated verbs are a plus.

Job seekers must remember that symmetry and chemistry between interview-er and interview-ee is what gets hired. It is not fair. But remember, I'm writing the check.

So tattoos and other self-mutilations are not for me. And it's not likely that I would hire such decorations. But one of my managers with hiring authority might. One of my clients might. But not me.

(And please don't ask me about trans-gender: If you take a meat cleaver to your manhood, there would probably not be a fit between us. Because you would be crazy.)

And I'm not the only fuddy-duddie. The Vault reports,

Companies with dress and grooming codes are on the strongest legal grounds when they defend their policies based on legitimate business reasons.

At Starbucks, "baristas" who serve the $5 lattes can't display any tattoos or wear any piercing jewelry besides small, matched pair earrings. Each ear can't have more than two piercings. Serving upscale coffee demands upscale workers, according to Starbucks, and tattoos don't fit that scheme.

So what's right? What is wrong with tattoos?

Sometime ago I questioned my Rabbi, Daniel Lapin, on the issue of tattoos. Yes, I'm Presbyterian who sits at the feet of the JollyBogger. But everyone also needs a Rabbi; a teacher. Your coach doesn't have to be faith-based. But the "donations" can be tax deductible...

My Rabbi said that ancient Jewish tradition held that a person's body does not belong to him; it belongs to the Creator and we borrow this earthly vessel for a while. Which is why the tattooing of identification numbers during the Holocaust was so humiliating to the Jews.

So if I interview you, or some other old codger interviews you, don't tell us about your tattoos. It is not part of the job description.

You will be hired for your wisdom and your judgment.

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Posted at 10:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

L to R: Bush, Karen Hughes,
husband Jerry Hughes, Condi Rice

Punctuality is the politeness of kings.

Business owners have smaller margins for error than our larger big-company counterparts. One way a person, a company, can stand out and sell more is to respect people's time. By being on time.

Your Business Blogger was reminded of this truth last year while working with small business advertisers in a trade show in Vegas. Some 10,000 of us sat of the feet of the keynote speaker Karen Hughes, presidential advisor. She was flogging her book Ten Minutes from Normal about working on the political campaign trail to get George Bush elected.

She recounted the story of President Bush's particular concern about being on time. She once asked the President why they were leaving so early for a meeting. He said:

"Three words: Late is rude."

President Bush (who has an MBA) likes to get down to business on time. This is is best done in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. It can best start by checking your watch. Promptness is the soul of business said Lord Chesterfield 1694 - 1773. Timeliness is impressive.

Today, Emily Post has much to say on the courtesy of timeliness. In Business Etiquette -- Tips on Making a Good First Impression Post reminds us -- when traveling to an appointment you should "know how to get there and how long it will take. (BEING ON TIME IS CRITICAL)." Emphasis in original.

But sometimes being on time is not good enough. One of football's most successful coaches would tell his players to show up 10 minutes early or be considered late. This discipline is known as "Vince Lombardi time."

Coach Lombardi won games, in part, with the discipline of punctuality. This also teaches the value of time: Man has no nobler or more valuable possession.... as Beethoven said.

Being punctual is the politeness of kings. And courtesy to your clients. It would please even the French, like Louise XVIII, who said, Punctuality is the politeness of kings.

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Thank you (foot)notes:

In the official White House photo above, Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State, does the swearing in of Karen Hughes on September 9, 2005. Jerry Hughes, Karen’s husband holds the Bible. I believe that he would be eligible to enjoy the honor of being recognized by The Denis Thatcher Society.

Posted at 10:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (3)

Paula Zahn on CNN

Charmaine will be appearing on Paula Zahn's show tonight on CNN to discuss the homosexual couple, male and female who are conceiving a child -- together, artificially.

A trophy child.

Hit time is 8:20 Eastern.

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Thank you (foot)notes:

Show teaser,

A gay man, a lesbian woman and their baby. Is this the new American family? Inside the eye-opening debate. Tune in at 8 p.m. ET.

This may be popular in California, but not Virginia.

Posted at 4:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

The late Les Aspin
Father of
Don't Ask; Don't Tell Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue, often shortened to Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) is one of the most confusing and contentious regulations defining the ban on homosexuals in the military.

Today's underlying basis for the ban on homosexuals was outlined in 1982. Later, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Les Aspin in 1993, during the Clinton administration, confirmed and repeated earlier findings that,

homosexuality is incompatible with military service.

The Department of Defense Directive, 1332.14, 28 January 1982, said,

The presence of such [homosexual] members adversely affects the ability of the Military Services to maintain discipline, good order, and morale; to foster mutual trust and confidence among service members; to ensure the integrity of the system of rank and command; to facilitate assignment and worldwide deployment of service members who frequently must live and work under close conditions affording minimal privacy; to recruit and retain members of the Military Services; to maintain the public acceptability of military service; and to prevent breaches of security.

The difference between the homosexual ban cited in 1982 and in 1993 is that the current policy restricts asking recruits or active duty service members about their sexual preferences.

The DADT regulations are enforceable, but they are not Federal law.

Clinton’s DADT policy is a set of campaign-promised regulations that confuse the meaning of the exclusion law. And it causes more problems that it attempts to solve.

Hilary Rodham Clinton, then-President Al Gore and President Clinton have admitted that DADT was a failure.

The DADT regulations should be repealed.

The homosexual exclusion law should remain.

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Thank you (foot)notes:

Your Business Blogger is a former Army Captain in combat arms and is proud to serve as the Vice President for the Center for Military Readiness.

Stanford has links.

Continue Reading »

Posted at 7:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

With the best in politics from the past week. Be sure to catch WenchyPoo's take on Social Security.

Vist eFIPO.com for the carnival.

Posted at 1:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How does one know when one has arrived?

When you are the subject of a cartoon.

We were honored to have Karin Agness, President of NeW, as one of our panelists for the Center for Military Readiness Celebration last week.

Karin Agness at the Center for Military Readiness Briefing

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Thank you (foot)notes:

Karin L. Agness is the Founder and President of the Network of enlightened Women (NeW), which helps female college students to confront radical feminists and liberals on fifteen college campuses. Ms. Agness is a Phi Beta Kappa member and student of law, University of Virginia. She has collaborated with the wife of Your Business Blogger, Charmaine Yoest, Ph.D..

Read Rebecca Hagelin's take at TownHall.

Posted at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Bullet Hole at
Focus on the FamilyThe bullet hole is still in the wall. A reminder that radio and TV interviewing can be lethal.

Alert Reader Steve Rucinski at Small Business CEO read Mastering the Mic for Sound Management from a column in Small Business Trends Radio. And he suggested we review tricks suggestions for the other side; the interviewer side of the mic. Following are nine tips for interviewers.

Which might avoid bloodshed.

A few weeks ago a Fox reporter was beaten bloody doing an interview. A few years ago a Denver DJ was murdered. The list of murdered radio personalities is quite long.

Larry King is not on the list.

Anyway, Your Business Blogger decided to research radio interview techniques and dispatched the Wife and The Dude to Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs to get background on what it takes to entertain twenty million listeners a week at their radio program.

The Dude at the dials. Be sure to catch his blog post.

The smart interviewer is always aware that all that counts is ratings and revenue. The interview is a vehicle to get numbers. Here's how.

1) Why are we here? I once had a press secretary who was a pro. She had the skills to deftly make connections between content, current events and the needs of a particular audience. She constructed "The Hook" and sold it. The rarest of skills which are in high demand. I can no longer afford her.

2) Script out the intro. Better yet, have the guest draft out the two-minute introduction.

3) Calm the guest. Remind her that she's a source; a resource, for your vast listening audience. Not a target.

4) Flash Report. Have the guest write sample questions. Our goal is to help people. Delectare et docere, to please and to instruct. Leave the 'gotcha game' to the mainstream media. And stick with scripted pre-questions as much as possible.

5) Short and Sweet. Begin questions with Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. Keep these six honest serving-men, and you will be well served. As Rudyard Kipling was. They taught me all I knew.

My favorite question to a guest is, What does that mean? Professional interviewers usually know the answer. But use this question to have the guest explain something to the audience. I ask because I usually don't know. Another question is, "Tell me about..." A non-directive interview technique designed to prompt the guest to tell a story. Do the questions you want early in the interview, in case you run out of time.

6) High energy is overrated. You, the professional interviewer, will be more nervous than the interviewee. This can be countered by relaxing. Get your mantra motor. Calm and slow and boring is not bad for a questioner. Problematic in a guest. But the audience really wants to listen to the energized experts on your show. Not you the interviewer. They want Larry King to shut up.

(I ran into King at the CNN studios a time or two. No, he doesn't have any bullet holes in his office.)

7) Surround Sound. Be careful of the on-the-road interview, when you are away from your comfy digs. Background noise can be distracting (restaurants) and unpredictable (ambulance sirens).

8) Ask only one, single question at a time. Multiples get confusing.

Remember, your guest is appearing on your show for one reason: to communicate her message. You have the guest on for one reason: money (that ratings thing again).

9) Finally, never get angry. You might get a bullet... in your wall.

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Thank you (foot)notes:

This is a modified cross post from Small Business Trends Wire.

Posted at 10:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (1)

Gerry Studds

The AP, reporting today on the death of former Congressman, Gerry Studds quotes "his husband," Dean Hara:

He gave people of his generation, of my generation, of future generations, the courage to do whatever they wanted to do.

Whatever they wanted to do?

In the context of eulogizing a man who had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old boy while serving as a United States Congressman, this is a very troubling thing to celebrate.

Posted at 4:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Come on people.

How 'bout while we are worrying about our children's safety, we worry about their education too?

Posted at 4:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Doug Giles has Raising Girls that Pimps and Thugs Will Hate: Part Two published in TownHall.com on Saturday, October 7, 2006

1. Teach Them How to Fight.

2. Teach Them How to Shoot Guns.

3. Teach Them How to Sense BS.

4. Teach Them How to Rebel.

5. Teach Them How to Be Classy (That’s mostly my wife’s job.)

6. Teach Them to Despise Anti-Intellectualism.

7. Teach Them to Be Visionaries.

8. Teach Them How to Party.

9. Teach Them the Value of Hard Work.

10. Teach Them the Importance of Traditional Convictions.

Read his entire article. And tape the list to the refrigerator.

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Thank you (foot)notes:

Also see Dating my Daughters.

Posted at 9:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Myth of Authenticity

"...There has never been a consensus in defining authenticity in art..." Heavy. Groovy.

From the October 13, 2006 issue. The Playboy for professors is at it again. The Chronicle is never lacking for justification for drawing interest to their "End Paper." Much as Newsweek has George Will on the back page -- The Chronicle has nudie art.

Search Chronicle for past reviews of "art." Like Painted Ladies Gone Wild

Posted at 8:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

UPDATE: Mitt Romney will be speaking at Liberty Sunday. Ann Romney was scheduled to introduce her husband who was to speak by tape. But today Mitt Romney changed his plans to speak in person at the Boston event. Tune in.

Tony Perkins Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council has sent out the following invitation to the FRC Simulcast Liberty Sunday: Defending Our First Freedom, this Sunday, October 15, 2006

Dear Friend,

Please join me and the Family Research Council (FRC) along with fellow believers from across our land as we host our 7th simulcast LIBERTY Sunday: Defending Our First Freedom.

FRC will air live this historic service nationwide from Tremont Temple Baptist Church in Boston on October 15, 2006.

As the...elections draw nearer, it is imperative that Christians increase their awareness of radical threats to religious liberty. We now face on the front-line the legalization of same-sex policies -- an issue that slowly is creeping into the very fabric of our schools, our government, and our homes. Therefore, we ...warn devout Christians everywhere of impending dangers that will affect their states if they do pray and act now!

It as vitally important for churches...to be involved in this event. FRC's past simulcasts have drawn millions of viewers and this one will be aired to a potential viewing audience of 80 million people. Therefore, as a past participant in this pioneering event we are asking you to bring a strong delegation of vibrant Bible honoring believers to your church to host this historic service.

You are essential to the success of this endeavor to help preserve our religious liberties and ask for your support. We not only solicit your participation but your prayers also. Let us know you plan to participate by registering at the Liberty Sunday website.

The simulcast service will be aired beginning at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. For more information on how you can participate in this exciting event, go to the Liberty Sunday website.

Thank You & God Bess.

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Thank you (foot)notes:

Charmaine, the wife of Your Business Blogger, is the Vice President for Communications for the Family Research Council.

Posted at 3:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Getting on the plane right now, learning to blog with my blackberry!

Headed to Boston for Liberty Sunday. Stay tuned!

You can watch online Sunday night at 7. Details at libertysunday.com.

Posted at 2:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gun Deck
USS Constitution Last night at the Center for Military Readiness Celebration, Charmaine and I had the honor of having dinner with our dear friend Cynthia Grenier. Alert Readers will know her as a frequent contributor to The Weekly Standard. Many will remember her interviews with Faulkner, Moshe Dyan, Ingmar Bergman, Audrey Hepburn, Albert Finney and Hugh Hefner. And many of our Alert Readers will have actually read her many articles in Playboy... where she made her reputation as a gifted writer. As an ink-stained wench. Not the normal career path for women in that organization.

Yes, she interviewed Faulkner.

We remember her husband Richard who passed on and is still deeply missed, but his many works live on. His eulogy was given by Senator D. Patrick Moynihan. Richard is proof that good did once come from Harvard. He buried in Arlington National Cemetery, not far from my dad. One of Richard's books The Marrakesh One-Two is Cynthia's all-time favorite.

Anyway, Your Business Blogger was still processing the rich background of Cynthia Grenier (pronounced "Gren-yeah") when I found this email in my box this morning. It was about a recent ceremony to acknowledge Medal of Honor awardees; and Cynthia Grenier writes,

Am impressed and touched to read of the ceremony aboard the USS Constitution. The CONSTITUTION is the vessel my great-grand father Mad Jack Percival commanded on its first round-the-world voyage April 1845 to September 1846. He was quite a character, and one with whom I am deeply proud to share some DNA.

Cynthia Grenier is an American Beauty, an American Treasure.

Cynthia Grenier
WorldNetDaily.comHugh Hefner would agree.

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Thank you (foot)notes:

The Marrakesh One-Two is available from Amazon.com.

From WND, Cynthia Grenier, an international film and theater critic, is the former Life editor of the Washington Times and acted as senior editor at The World & I, a national monthly magazine, for six years.

Posted at 12:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Center for Military Readiness is having our Eleventh Annual Celebration, this afternoon, Thursday, October 12, 2006 in Washington, D.C.

C-SPAN has confirmed to cover the event.

The Celebration will be held at the National Guard Association of the U.S. Building -- Hall of the States, on
One Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington D.C. 2002, one block west of Union Station.

Elaine Donnelly, President, Center for Military Readiness, will preside. I will MC.

CMR Issues Briefing
4:00 PM -- 5:45 PM

The CMR Issues Briefing panel will discuss the question Respect for Women: Where is the Military Taking Us?

In addition to CMR President Elaine Donnelly, guest panelists will include:

Kate O’Beirne Washington Editor of National Review, author of Women Who Make the World Worse, and former member of the 1992 Presidential Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces

Charles W. Gittins Noted attorney, USNA alumnus and former Marine naval flight officer and lecturer who has successfully defended many men who have been caught up in high-profile legal and cultural controversies at the service academies and in the military

Karin L. Agness Founder and President of the Network of enlightened Women (NeW), which helps female college students to confront radical feminists and liberals on fifteen college campuses. Ms. Agness is a Phi Beta Kappa member and student of law, University of Virginia.

CMR Celebration Reception 6:00 PM -- 8:00 PM

2006 Honorees, 7:00 PM

"CMR Spotlight Award" Janet Parshall, Salem Radio Network

Ambassador Robert D. Stuart, Jr. of the Stuart Family Foundation

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Thank you (foot)notes:

Your Business Blogger is proud to serve as the Vice President of CMR. The Center for Military Readiness is an independent public policy organization that specializes in military personnel issues. Information about issues of concern to CMR can be seen on our website, www.cmrlink.org. More at the jump.

Continue Reading »

Posted at 10:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

National Review Online So Charmaine gets bumped and dumped from Bill O'Reilly on Fox. She was to debate the Foley fallout. But a plane crashing into a building in New York City might command better ratings and revenues.

But no matter. We skip over to NRO's open bar bash at Charlie Palmer's Steakhouse in Washington, DC. They are celebrating their 10th Anniversary.

"Hey," I say to Charmaine. "Look-it who's here!" I'm moving into the swarm of 500, leaning forward.

She says, "Yes, Romney's straight ahead."

"No," as I push Laura Ingraham aside. (She looks marvelous.) She topples over Rebecca Hagelin from Heritage, spilling a drink on Kathryn Lopez. I dodge Rich Lowery. I'm almost there.

Charmaine's got my coattail telling me to stop. My target's in range. Jonah Goldberg and Kate O'Beirne start backing away. But it's not them I'm after. Elaine Donnelly is off to the side wondering why she ever retained me...

I push the other groupies away -- and fall at his feet and grovel. Paul Mirengoff, from Powerline looks down benignly. (This supplication happens quite a bit.) "Yes, my son..."

"Paul," I beg, "Please link to me."

I could see a kind look in his eye before security rudely pulls me off. Liberal union thugs.

But it was a great evening, anyway.

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Thank you (foot)notes:

The National Review Institute wishes to thank the following organizations and individuals for participating in and sponsoring this special celebration at the jump.

Continue Reading »

Posted at 10:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

Bill O'Reilly Charmaine will be debating the Foley scandal tonight on Fox with Bill O'Reilly.

North Korea may be nuking Seoul soon, but we'll be well versed in homosexual pedophilia.

Hit time sometime tonight. It's being taped, so who knows what will happen.

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Thank you (foot)notes:

Please tune in and let us know what you think -- and how well the make-up artist did. Looking good seems to be all that counts in public debate sometimes.

Posted at 12:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So we decided to marry our fortunes together. And begot the New* Reasoned Audacity.

Just as in-real-life we didn't get hyphenated: We got married.

Our feminist friends will smugly note that the female in this union kept her name.

Jack and Charmaine Yoest by Elgin Tyrell

Your Business Blogger will continue to write on Business Sense, Military Precision and Timeless Truth. Charmaine will continue to write on Politics in Real Life. Where these two become one.

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*The Alert Reader will note: the 'New' as adjective for Reasoned Audacity in this post. We were considering a nifty trick Lee A. Iacocca performed as he was rescuing Chrysler in the early 1980's. He officially changed the automaker's name to 'The New Chrysler Corporation.' So that every time reporters mentioned the troubled company's name the copy would read, "The New Chrysler Corporation." The only thing new was Iacocca and the name (and a lot of managers)...

...The government bailout didn't hurt either. But it gave the public the perception that new and good and wonderful things were coming out of Chrysler.

Proving again that Seth Godin is right in All Marketers are Liars.

Charmaine and I are now planning to sell The New Reason Audacity to Daimler-Benz Chrysler.

Penta-Posse

Posted at 9:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Charmaine on CNBC
Kudlow, Yoest

Charmaine and the Family Research Council are not calling for the removal of Dennis Hastert. Watch the clip here. Others, however, are calling for the resignation of Denny Hastert as Speaker of the House.

Left, Kudlow; Top, David Bossie,
Charmaine Yoest; Lower, Rick Tyler

Thank you (foot)notes:

Screen shots and video capture credit Peter Shinn. Yes, that Peter Shinn. John Hawkins has excellent analysis.

Posted at 11:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Feminist and Women in Combat, Scott Maxim
www.geeksoncaffeine.com

Your Business Blogger is honored to report to Elaine Donnelly who heads The Center for Military Readiness. We have been asking questions of both candidates to clarify their positions on women in combat. Yesterday CMR released this information.

From Elaine Donnelly, President, Center for Military Readiness, 5 October 2006:

In the Virginia Senate race, the issue of women in combat has suddenly become a matter of great controversy. The Center for Military Readiness is non-partisan and neutral in that race. We do not endorse candidates at any level. As a public policy organization our primary mission is to provide accurate information and background on issues of concern to CMR.

On September 12 Senator Allen raised the issue of women in combat by sponsoring a high-profile news conference featuring female Naval Academy graduates. The former officers criticized Mr. Webb's 1979 Washingtonian article opposing women in combat, titled "Women Can't Fight." Video from the news conference is prominently displayed on Allen's campaign website and in a series of ads regarding respect for women. Webb apologized for some of the statements in the article, and one of the news conference speakers subsequently said that if she lived in Virginia, she would vote for Webb.

Others can debate the etymology of Allen's unfortunate slang word or Webb's seventies-era rhetoric. CMR is more concerned about the issues that matter today. One of these two men will be sworn in as Virginia's Senator in January 2007. Since both candidates have put the issue of women in combat front and center, we believe the voters are entitled to answers on their records and future plans on military personnel issues of concern to CMR

To determine the candidates' positions on current issues -- not just things that were said in the past -- CMR submitted four specific questions to Senator Allen and to Jim Webb. We had hoped that we would have written answers to report by now, but we have yet to receive answers from the Allen campaign. A spokeswoman for Mr. Webb provided verbal answers to three of the four questions. Our inquiries and the Webb campaign's partial answers are posted here.

On September 17, Tim Russert of NBC's Meet the Press put several valid questions to Allen and Webb about the Army's practice of placing female soldiers in certain support units that are collocated or embedded with direct ground combat troops. These units are required to be all male. For months CMR has been reporting on these illegal practices, which were the subject of a major debate in the House Armed Services Committee in May 2005. Neither candidate, however, seemed prepared to answer current questions on women in land combat or related issues. Erroneous statements were made by both.

In the interests of accuracy and context, we have also posted some points of information to correct or clarify issues of concern to CMR that came up during the Meet the Press debate. This information has been shared with both candidates.

If we receive answers to our inquiries from Senator Allen or James Webb, we will let you know right away.

The four questions are at the jump.

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A Reminder - Join Us on October 12!

In the meantime, we are finalizing plans for our Eleventh Annual CMR Issues Briefing on Thursday, October 12.

By coincidence, our scheduled panel discussion could not be more timely or relevant to issues being discussed today. I am looking forward to joining distinguished panelists Kate O'Beirne of National Review, attorney Charles Gittins, and Karin Agness of the Network of enlightened Women (NeW) in discussing: Respect for Women: Where is the Military Taking Us?

You will not want to miss the panel discussion, which will be followed by the CMR Celebration Reception -- our main fundraising event of the year. This reception gives us the opportunity to share good conversation and refreshments with friends from around the country.

Continue Reading »

Posted at 8:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Unknown Comic The blogosphere is a souce of great pleasure. And great pain.

The Real and The Counterfeit.

The popular Tbogg confuses parody with insult. And remains anonymous. For good reason. The unknown comic, like most liberals, is quick with fighting words. But would never fight a war. Goodness, can these lefties talk. And both of them listen to AirAmerica. Hate America, hate Bush, hate the military.

So nuanced, so French. Who surrender.

Unlike real Americans. Charmaine and I were pleasantly surprised today by an Alert Reader who linked us to Elgin Tyell. Who knows how to be funny and flattering. At the same time.

elgin tyrell.com

Which takes real talent.

Bookmark Elgin Tyell. The Real.

Not The Counterfeit.

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Thank you (foot)notes:

Tyrell was referencing a post on marketing -- that I borrowed from Tom McMahon. Who you should also bookmark.

Posted at 8:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Friends, be sure to attend

CMR's Eleventh Annual Celebration

Thursday, 12 October 2006 in Washington, D.C.

The Military Is Not a Conservative Institution

It Is On the Cutting Edge of Liberal Social Change

Where Is the Military Taking Us Now?

Please join the Center for Military Readiness for our Eleventh Annual CMR Issues Briefing on October 12. We will explore the following questions and more:

Charges of sexual harassment or violence against women are in the headlines constantly. Is the military encouraging respect for women, or just the opposite?

Do female recruits know that rules regarding women in land combat have changed and put them at greater risk, or are not being observed at all?

Is violence against women OK -- as long as it happens at the hands of the enemy?

Should the Defense Department give more money and power to professional "Victim Advocates" schooled in anti-male ideology?

Is it necessary to violate the due process rights of men in order to "protect" female "victims," even with little or no evidence that a crime has been committed?

Are gender differences irrelevant, except when feminists demand special treatment or "Double Standards Involving Women (DSIW)?"

Are the military service academies going overboard in "sensitivity training" classes that excuse or ignore DSIW(Double Standards Involving Women)?

Do college-age women support feminist ideology and extreme demands for "equality," even in direct ground combat?

Are feminist attitudes hurting social relationships between men and women?

Sixty-six servicewomen, an unprecedented number, have died in Afghanistan and Iraq. Is this a step forward for women, or a step backward for civilization?

Why is it so hard for some military officials to handle issues involving women?

For answers to these questions, and more, please join CMR on October 12

2006 CMR Celebration Events -- 12 October 2006

CMR Issues Briefing: 4:00 PM -- 5:45 PM

The CMR Issues Briefing panel will discuss the question "Respect for Women: Where is the Military Taking Us?" In addition to CMR President Elaine Donnelly, guest panelists include:

Kate O'Beirne Washington Editor of National Review, author of Women Who Make the World Worse, and former member of the 1992 Presidential Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces

Charles W. Gittins Noted attorney, USNA alumnus and former Marine naval flight officer and lecturer who has successfully defended many men who have been caught up in high-profile legal and cultural controversies at the service academies and in the military

Karin L. Agness Founder and President of the Network of enlightened Women (NeW), which helps female college students to confront radical feminists and liberals on seven college campuses. Ms. Agness is a Phi Beta Kappa member and student of law, University of Virginia.

CMR Celebration Reception: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Following the Issues Briefing, CMR friends will gather for hors'doerves, "adult beverages" and good conversation. During the reception CMR will present the CMR Spotlight Award to popular Salem Radio Network personality Janet Parshall of Janet Parshall's America, and recognize 2006 Honoree Robert D. Stuart Jr., of the Stuart Family Foundation.

We will also provide background on finalists for the Inaugural CMR Patsy Award, which will go to An Official Whom Feminists Have Used to Impose Their Policies on the Men and Women of the Military. There is a lot of competition, and you will want to be there to learn who the "winner" is.

Presented by: Elaine Donnelly, President

The Center for Military Readiness

What/Times: CMR Issues Briefing 4:00 PM -- 5:45 PM

CMR Celebration Reception ($50 per person) 6:00 PM -- 8:00 PM
Announcement: Inaugural Patsy Award 7:00 PM

Date: Thursday, October 12, 2006

Where: National Guard Association of the U.S. Building -- Hall of the States

One Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington D.C. 20002

Contact: Please RSVP to me

Contributions to CMR are tax-deductible.

There is no charge for the Issues Briefing, but the reception immediately following is $50 per person. Please RSVP by return e-mail to me, Jack Yoest, at jack@cmrlink.org, or make your tax-deductible contribution.

Even if you cannot attend, please consider becoming a member of the Host Committee by sending a generous tax-deductible contribution as follows: Benefactor, $2,500 or more; Patron, $1,000; Sponsor, $500; Friend, $250; Host, $150. All Host Committee names will be published in the event program and CMR Notes.

This is our main fundraising event for the year, and we hope to make it the best ever.

Thank you for your help -- We hope to see you on October 12!

Posted at 5:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Charmaine Yoest, Ph.D. right,
debating on MSNBC
on the fear of the "gay bashing" label Charmaine was recently debating a gentleman from the Human Rights Council on the impact of Congressman Foley's predator homosexual pedophile communication with a boy page.

View the video altercation here.

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Homosexuals are becoming violent. The following is from Focus on the Family,

Colorado Springs Family Exercises Free Speech Rights, Target of Homosexual Hate Crimes

The video tape evidence is clear. A man is clearly seen starting a fire on the front lawn of the Sewall family in response to a yard sign supporting traditional marriage and opposing a homosexual domestic partnership issue on the November ballot.

A note was left which said in part, "You are no better than a terrorist because you displayed that sign...the purpose of this document is to inform not you, but all who share your anti-gay or any other discriminatory beliefs, your world is about to change . . . so take warning! Your life, your government and the world as you know it is about to change. You are either with us or against us!"

Colorado Springs police are calling these outrageous acts a hate crime. When the story was posted, bloggers immediately questioned whether or not homosexuals could really be this intolerant.

Someone answered by citing the spitting, leaving of feces on the steps of churches, interrupting worship services, and the throwing of blood by Act Up as some of the examples of enraged homosexuals, not to mention the invective and job-termination techniques waged against Christians.

Posted at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Get the best information on the most controversial issues of our time.

Framing an issue
on C-SPAN

Watch these video clips.

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Thank you (foot)notes:

Cross Post from Jack Yoest at Video Clips.

Posted at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Get the best information on the most controversial issues of our time.

Yoest framing an issue
on C-SPAN

Watch this series of video clips.

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Thank you (foot)notes:

Charmaine blogs at Reason Audacity.

Posted at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

In sports, as in the military as in politics, units with unit cohesion win. The team -- sports, combat, political -- succeeds because the members trust each other. Blindly.

And color blindly.

The Dude with his team, 2005

Men, in the arena of battlefields of war, sports or politics, develop team work that wins. And the winning comes after the mutual respect of the individual players to one another. It is not an individual who wins, but the team.

Your Business Blogger has crossed paths a time or two with Senator George Allen over the last decade or so and has never heard, or to prove the negative: never not heard a racist remark. But my feeling (as valid as the feelings of UVA's Larry Sabato's) is that a football quarterback does not say or do anything to hurt the team. Any team he plays on.

When I was in the Army, certain racial slurs were in no one's vocabulary -- it was not tolerated at any level because it was wrong and would hurt the units' effectiveness.

In sports, racial animosity is unthinkable because winning transcends any individual characteristic except talent. And sometimes not even individual talent.

My boy, The Dude, plays a number of (very expensive) organized sports. And there is much yelling and gnashing of teeth and criticisms and corrections (and that's just from the parents). But all the instruction is directed toward how the players perform, not who they are. The criticism is on performance not pigmentation.

And George Allen likes to win. He would never say or do anything to hurt the team.

George Allen, Susan, Charmaine, Jack Yoest, circa 1993

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Thank you (foot)notes: Your Business Blogger, as a private citizen, has donated and campaigned for George Allen in a number of his political campaigns.

Stop the ACLU has more.

LaShawn has analysis.

Washington Post has follow-up.

Captain Ed has more on the mudslinging.

Posted at 7:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)