Bristol Palin’s upcoming appearance and speech on abstinence at Washington University has been cancelled due to protests from students. At least two petitions were launched to express student’s concerns that university money was being spent to bring Bristol Palin to the University to speak during its Sexual Responsibility Week activities. One Facebook Group stated “It’s not about conservative or liberal, it’s about not wasting our money on people who don’t matter… especially people who are only famous for being the teenage pregnant daughter of a politician. That is not a credential – it’s a gimmick.” There were reports Bristol Palin was to have been paid between $15-30,000 for her speaking engagement. In related news, I will not be speaking at a Napa Valley winery about how to replace Chardonnay with tap water in your daily diet.
This Valentine’s Day, recording artist Matt Zarley is releasing his new cover version of the 80s iconic recording “We Belong” – all proceeds to benefit The Trevor Project.
The Trevor Project is determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources including nationwide, 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone. For more information about The Trevor Project, click here.
Take a listen to this preview, then go download it on Valentine’s Day. The track is slated to be available everywhere you can download songs – iTunes, Amazon, etc…
Matt is the real deal, and so is The Trevor Project.
Tens of thousands of people demanding an end to the nearly 30-year rule of President Hosni Mubarak filled the streets of several Egyptian cities on Tuesday, in an unusually large and sometimes violent burst of civil unrest that appeared to threaten the stability of one of the United States’ closest Arab allies.
The protests, at least partly inspired by the toppling of the authoritarian government in Tunisia, began small but grew all day, with protesters occupying one of Cairo’s central squares. Security forces, which normally prevent major public displays of dissent, initially struggled to suppress the demonstrations, allowing them to swell.
But early Wednesday morning, firing rubber bullets, tear gas and concussion grenades, the police finally drove groups of demonstrators from the square, as the sit-in was transformed into a spreading battle involving thousands of people and little restraint.
Stay tuned to see how this affects not only Egypt but relations with that country both here in the U.S. and abroad. U.S. stocks ended lower Friday as investors grew nervous about the political situation in Egypt.
Randy Slovacek – writer/editor of The Randy ReportThe Randy Report is my new avenue to get my point of view out to the world about politics, music, theater and anything that tickles me. I’m inviting everyone to tune in, shout out and don’t be afraid to have an opinion. Growing up in Texas, I was a pretty afraid of a lot of the world. Afraid to express myself, afraid I wouldn’t be liked, afraid I wouldn’t get where I wanted to go. I went to Syracuse University for college – blinding change of temperature, tone and scenery. Opened up my world a bit as a got through four freezing cold years, spent over $40K and walked away with a piece of paper saying that I had done something. I moved to NYC with my best friend Carlye to pursue dreams of being on Broadway, and eventually got there after serving time in many National touring companies of those Broadway shows I dreamed of being a part of. In those years I came to deal with the fact that I was gay, fell out of the closet, fell in love with my husband Michael, moved out west, got married and began a new chapter. You’ll be hearing much more about Carlye and Michael in future posts on The Randy Report. Somewhere along the way I realized life had taught me a lot about fear and it’s uselessness. I once heard the phrase “I’m not afraid of anything” and I really liked how that sounded. I really try to honor that. Even if a little fear creeps into a life moment, I chalk it up to reminding me I’m alive. But most of the time, I try to keep heading forward. I’m not so worried about what people think of me anymore, or what people will think of how I express my thoughts. I think it’s the American Way to live and let live, to honor our differences and realize that all our flavors create the best country in the world. I have no time for people who have issues with anyone they see as “other.” Different is good. And if you believe that, you have to take it to the bank. Live it. So skin color, hair color, religion or lack thereof, sexual orientation, age, blah blah blah…. it all makes life interesting. At least to me. Short story: My father loved to travel and loved adventure. Before he died at the age of 91, he had traveled everywhere in the world several times over. Sometimes by himself, meeting new friends along the way. My mother had passed away when I was five, so my father was THE grown up figure in my life. He was very confident, and throughout childhood I always knew I wanted his approval. I wanted him to be proud of me. To not only love me, but see me attempt something and hear him say “good job.” When I was very young my father took my brother and me to Mexico for a vacation. For me as a 7 year old, Mexico was a very different world. Other than a swimming pool at a hotel, I was scared of a lot. At one point we were on a beach and my father signed my 9 year old brother Gary up to go para-sailing. They strapped Gary into the harness, and up and away he went. It didn’t seem like adventure to me so much as just plain frightening. When the time came for the ride to end, my brother was so small and light in weight and the wind was so strong, it was difficult to get him down to the ground. It took ten minutes for the “technicians” to get him down. My father turned to me and said “you’re next” and I went running away, crying. Scared to death. That was Mexico to me for a long, long time. Fast forward to two years ago. I was on vacation with friends of mine and we all decided to go zip lining through the jungle near Puerto Vallarta. I couldn’t wait. Loved it. Taking a zip line hundreds of feet above the jungle floor was beyond exhilarating. The guides asked my name at the start of the day and I gave myself a nickname “Bruno” just to be funny and make my friends laugh. All day long the guides cheered “Bruno” on. It was a great day. No fear in sight and it didn’t even occur to me fear should even be in the equation. The next morning, while still in Mexico, I got the call my 91 year old father had passed away in his sleep of natural causes. I flew from PV to Texas to handle the funeral and burial details. In getting ready to speak at my father’s funeral – a daunting and important “one shot moment” at expressing something that needed to be profound – I searched to find the best and most “right” thing to say about this world & life traveler who never showed fear. And suddenly it came to me the memory of that 7 year old boy who was so afraid of everything in life, and now – having just been in Mexico for the first time since the frightening age of 7, and without thinking twice – I was the one zooming through the canopy of the jungle thrilled at the adventure of it all. I suddenly sensed an amazing closing of a circle and passing of a torch. I think one of our parent’s greatest responsibilities is to prepare us, consciously and subconsciously, to face life. To not be afraid. Standing next to my father’s casket, I took a second, turned and said to my father and his memory – “good job.” That story probably says something about me and my life. Tons of friends got me here along the way. I hope people find The Randy Report, and read and react. Feel free. No fear.
Bristol Palin’s upcoming appearance and speech on abstinence at Washington University has been cancelled due to protests from students. At least two petitions were launched to express student’s concerns that university money was being spent to bring Bristol Palin to the University to speak during its Sexual Responsibility Week activities. One Facebook Group stated “It’s not about conservative or liberal, it’s about not wasting our money on people who don’t matter… especially people who are only famous for being the teenage pregnant daughter of a politician. That is not a credential – it’s a gimmick.” There were reports Bristol Palin was to have been paid between $15-30,000 for her speaking engagement. In related news, I will not be speaking at a Napa Valley winery about how to replace Chardonnay with tap water in your daily diet.
The state senate of Hawaii just 