Finding a LGBT friendly doctor in Salem

So far finding a LGBT friendly doctor in Salem is much tougher than I expected. Turns out there is only one listed on the GLMA website for Salem, and she isn’t accepting new patients. A friend recommended a gay doc they know, but he’s not accepting new patients either.

I’ve gone so far as contacting the GLMA via twitter and email. Not a peep from them. Funny how the organization that is supposed to help LGBT people find a doctor can’t return an email.

This has been a very trying week…and it’s not looking like it’s going to get any easier.

2017: The year of Hell

Been a while dear readers. I’ve been busy with overtime, getting used to living in a new state, a terrible bout with kidney stones that required surgery, and many of the everyday things that we all deal with.

Trump and company just keep up with the evil super villain plans. I honestly never thought that they would so blatantly and gleefully do things to hurt the American people like they have. It’s been one thing after another, every day some new turd laid on the carpet that is our country.

Here’s hoping that 2018 brings more convictions from Mueller, a wave victory for Democrats in both houses, and a resignation from the orange moron residing in the Oval Office.

My take on Taking a Knee

As someone who served my country (USAF), I have absolutely no problem whatsoever with anyone peacefully protesting. The argument that “it’s disrespectful to the men and women who fought to defend that flag” is so much bullshit. The men and women who fought and died for this country were not fighting for a flag, or an anthem…they were fighting for freedom.

Flags and anthems are just symbols, they are pale shadows of the freedom we enjoy. Real patriotism is standing for what is right even when it’s not popular.

If if offends you when people peacefully protest, you really need to examine your value system.

Tolerance vs. Respect

So recently I was chatting with a coworker who gave me a lot to ponder. I involves (as you might guess from my title) tolerance vs. respect. His point was that he dislikes the term tolerance. He said, “Anyone can tolerate another person for a short while in a social setting, being tolerant of someone is as good as lying to them. Instead of tolerating a person’s race, religion, sexual orientation, etc., you should respect them. Respect their differences even if you may not agree with them.”

In this day and age where it seems that the “US vs THEM” message is stuffed down our throats by our politicians, religious institutions, and media, respect is a rare thing. There are a lot of groups that I don’t like or agree with, but I respect the right of most of them to exist (I draw the line at racists, hate groups, and those who want to hurt others). Just because you’re different than me or have different beliefs doesn’t mean we can’t sit down and have an intelligent and thoughtful conversation. 

I will not tolerate you, I’ll respect you and I hope that you can do the same.

I’m No Security Expert, But…

When will it sink into Trump’s thick skull that he can’t continue to use an unsecured smartphone? When will he quit discussing state matters in full view of the public? When will his staff quit using unsecured email servers run by the RNC?

And this is the guy that made such a big deal about HRC having her own private email server.

Stop Telling Celebrities to Shut Up

Recently, I’ve seen a lot of tweets and facebook posts from folks on the Republican side telling celebrities to “Shut up, nobody wants to hear your political opinions. You’re just an actor, do your job and keep your political opinions to yourself!”. First of all, you need to realize that actors, celebrities, recording artists, and authors are full fledged human beings…they have every right to their political opinions, just like you have the right to yours. If you don’t want to hear their opinions then don’t listen.

The audacity to think that because someone is a celebrity, that they somehow matter less or that they are somehow less of a person because of their job is ludicrous.

We all must be afforded the opportunity to speak our minds. It doesn’t matter if you are rich, poor, Republican, Democrat, Independent, immigrant, gay, straight, black, white, Hispanic, Asian…whatever, we all deserve to have our voices heard. That’s one of the great things about America, you have the freedom to speak.

 

Because I Can’t Even…

Today is Inauguration Day. I’m filled with such anger, worry, and sadness that I refuse to even think about Twittler today and so instead today I’m only posting positive things. Rest assured that tomorrow I’ll resume my posting about his many downfalls, but today I can’t even.

So here’s some things that make me smile:

The Overwatch community continues to surprise and delight me. This tribute to a fallen player is both moving and a terrific way to pay tribute to their lost friend.

Overwatch Players Honor Fallen Friend With 12-Gun Salute

Via-Kotaku by Nathan Grayson

Our first close up of Saturn’s little moon Daphnis

Cassini Just Gave us A Rare Look at Saturn’s ‘Wavemaker’ Moon

Via-Gizmodo by Rae Paoletta