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When I think of Reagan

Reagan

When I think of President Reagan, the list of accomplishments in my head is not quite the same list running in most conservatives.

More than anything, when I think of President Ronald Reagan, I think of how his lack of leadership on the epidemic of AIDS caused the deaths of thousands and thousands of Americans.

AIDS research was chronically under-funded during the Reagan years. When doctors at the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health asked for more funding for their work on AIDS, they were routinely denied it.

Between June 1981 and May 1982 the CDC spent less than $1 million on AIDS and $9 million on Legionnaire’s Disease. At that point more than 1,000 of the 2,000 reported AIDS cases resulted in death; there were fewer than 50 deaths from Legionnaire’s Disease. This incredible lack of funding would continue through the Reagan years.

It wasn’t until May 31, 1987 that President Reagan would even voluntarily address the issue of AIDS in public. It was at an outdoor speech in Washington organized by AMFAR, the American Foundation for AIDS Research. Elizabeth Taylor, a lifelong friend of Ron and Nancy Reagan, persuaded the President to be there. On the exact night that he gave that speech, saying the word “AIDS” for the first time voluntarily in public, 21,000 Americans had already died from the disease.

There were calls throughout his administration to test the blood supply to help stave off the infections through blood transfusions. Calls to emphasize condom use. All of this was barely heeded. The explanations most often given were “we don’t want to scare people.” If ever there was a time or reason to be scared, kids, this was it.

By the end of 1989 and the Reagan years, 115,786 women and men had been diagnosed with AIDS in the United States, and more than 70,000 of them had died.

At a time of crisis, we need leaders to LEAD. No – Reagan was not solely responsible for all those deaths. He didn’t create AIDS. But he did practically nothing to stop the spread of this disease. I honestly believe if there were tens of thousands of white, straight, wealthy men dying at that time MUCH more attention would have been paid and the CDC would have been ordered to work overtime to find solutions.

Reagan is credited with the fall of communism. I personally think that while he was a factor, it is a bit like giving the rooster credit for the sunrise. In some ways, he happened to be the man on duty, if you will.

Deficits also ballooned under Reagan. Reagan increased payroll taxes in 1983. History records that, alarmed by spiraling deficits, he signed tax increases during six of his eight years in office. Even so, his administration tripled the national debt, to almost $3 trillion. No one likes to mention that either.

But today, when I think of Reagan, I think of the loss of life, the spread of this terrible disease and his lack of leadership.

Happy birthday Mr. President.

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“Disneyland” – Michelle Nicasto

One of the warmest and most talented performers I ever knew, Michelle Nicastro sadly lost her ten year battle with breast cancer last November 4, 2010.

Michelle started her screen career with “When Harry Met Sally” in the year 1983. She also had roles in 90210, Beverly Hills, Knight Rider and Full House. Michelle was also the voice behind the character of Princess Odette in all the sequels of The Swan Princess.

She created the role of “Eponine” in the Los Angeles debut of “Les Miserables” to outstanding acclaim and made her Broadway debut in “Merlin” fresh out of college.

As a singer, Michelle recorded four albums for the record label my husband worked for as VP of Publicity and Marketing, and she and Michael became very close. She was one of the very first people to welcome me to Los Angeles when I moved to LA to be with Michael. Warm and genuine don’t begin to describe Michelle.

Often, while Michael was at the office, she and I would meet for lunch or coffee and spend the afternoon laughing. I miss her smile, her laugh and her amazing talent. As I lived through my own cancer journey, I often thought of the courage that Michelle showed over her long battle. With her fantastic spirit in my mind, I worked to never complain, knowing I could only pray to emulate her grace.

This performance was at the “Unsung Musicals” Concert in New York City in the 1990s. Michelle was already scheduled to sing another song the night of the concert, while another singer was scheduled to sing “Disneyland.” But at the last moment, the scheduled singer unable to attend.

Michelle stepped at the last minute, learned the song and brought the house down with her heartfelt, full-voiced rendition of “Disneyland” from the short lived musical “Smile.”

When I watch this and think of Michelle, the words “gone too soon” simply aren’t enough.

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Maryland: Marriage Equality headed to Senate this week

marylandstate

The issue of marriage equality heads to the Maryland State Senate this week, as the Judicial Hearings Committee takes up a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland.

Last week the movement picked up steam as the leading Republican Senator Allan Kittleman said he would support the bill. He had originally meant to submit his own bill for Civil Unions but found no support there. In supporting marriage equality, he stepped down from the position of Minority Leader in the state senate.

At present count, there are 20 state senators who have indicated they will vote to support marriage equality. 6 Democratic senators have not indicated where they stand just yet.

Among the undecideds, Sen. Joan Carter Conway said she is willing to be the 24th vote for the bill but does not want to vote for it if it is going to fail. Sen. Ulysses Currie put his chances of voting for the bill at 40 percent. And Sen. James Rosapepe said he will announce his intentions before the bill reaches the floor.

Anyone who lives in the following districts should call their state senator and let them you know you want to see equality in the state of Maryland.

Senators who said in interviews that they are undecided (6):
Sen. John C. Astle (D-Anne Arundel)
Sen. Joan Carter Conway (D-Baltimore)
Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-Prince George’s)
Sen. Edward J. Kasemeyer (D-Baltimore County)
Sen. Katherine A. Klausmeier (D-Baltimore County)
Sen. James C. Rosapepe (D-Prince George’s)

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Unemployment drops to lowest rate in nearly 2 years

Unemployment

Unemployment in the U.S dropped to 9% last month – the lowest rate since April 2009.

The last two months have seen a steep decline in the unemployment rate, dropping from 9.8 to 9.0 in just two months – the steepest two-month fall since 1953.

Economists had expected a better number in light of recent upticks in retail sales, consumers spending more and factories churning out more goods. However, bad weather across the country was blamed in part as the weather conditions in much of the country made for difficult working conditions. The construction industry shed 32,000 jobs, the most since May. Transportation and warehousing firms also reported large cuts. All three sectors were affected by the snowstorms much of the country experienced last month.

Many economists expect the unemployment rate to fluctuate throughout 2011, but eventually end below 9%.

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QVegas “Sexiest of Gay Vegas” Awards

qvegaslogo

Last night I had a great time at the QVegas “Sexiest of Gay Vegas” Awards held at Charlie’s here in Las Vegas, and sponsored by QVEGAS Magazine.

Las Vegas has had strong support of it’s LGBT community for over 30 years by QVegas Magazine. Not only is the print version of the magazine an essential guide to LGBT life in Las Vegas, but the magazine and it’s staff coordinate major LGBT events throughout the year to support and encourage pride and involvement of our community.

This year’s winners of the “Sexiest of Gay Vegas” included Ryan Lyons (from Le Reve at The Wynn) for “Sexiest Abs”, Chris Saldana (news anchor for KLAS-TV) for “Sexiest TV Personality” and Josh Strickland (from Holly’s World” on TV and “Peepshow” here in Las Vegas) for “Sexiest Showboy” among 25 categories.

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Hawaii State House to consider Civil Unions bill

The Capitol building in Hawaii

From the AP: Hawaii’s House Judiciary Committee will consider a civil unions bill during a Tuesday public hearing, the Associated Press reports. The bill being considered is almost identical to the one passed last year in Hawaii but died on the desk of then Governor Linda Lingle. The new Governor – Neil Abercrombie – has indicated that he would sign civil unions legislation. Legislation is limited, to some degree at this time, as in 1998 an amendment to the state Constitution was passed limiting marriage to heterosexual couples. The bill currently being considered would give many but not all of the same rights of marriage to same sex couples. A similar bill was passed by the State Senate of Hawaii last month.

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Maryland Lt. Gov. Supports Marriage Equality

Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown told the Washington Blade Wednesday that he supports marriage equality for lesbians and gays and favors the approval of a same-sex marriage bill pending in the Maryland Legislature.

“I have always believed that all Marylanders should have an equality of rights and responsibilities and that includes marriage equality,” he said to the Washington Blade.

“So regardless of gender, we should be able to choose who it is that we are going to marry and hopefully spend the rest of our lives with. And so I’m supportive of that,” he said.

Brown said he has friends and acquaintances who are in same-sex relationships and he has seen first-hand how they are “successfully raising children,” a development that has helped shape his views on the marriage issue.

The Governor of Maryland, Martin O’Malley has said in previous statements that he intends to sign marriage equality legislation should it reach his desk.

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Happy belated birthday Elaine Stritch… everybody rise!

Not sure where my original post went that I did yesterday to celebrate the incredible Elaine Stritch’s birthday… But here it is again.

I love unique, one of a kind performers. And Elaine is certainly in that class. Those people that are unlike anyone else in the world. That’s one reason why I’m never all that up to date on pop music today. All the big artists today start to sound the same to me. And it just isn’t my thing most of the time.

I have had such an long relationship with this song, and Elaine’s performance on the Original Broadway Cast recording. I think at the age of 8 or 9, I somehow was given an album of “great songs from Broadway” (imagine that? someone clearly saw tap shoes and a sense of fashion in my future).

Anyway, I remember listening to “Ladies Who Lunch” over and over and over again even at that age. Something, the imagery of ladies wearing hats, going to the theater, having cocktails in the middle of the afternoon – from the perspective of one woman’s sophisticated grit and drop-dead cynicism – was mesmerizing to me. The juxtaposition of the smooth, cool bossa nova accompaniment matched with Elaine’s edge and cutting sarcasm was clearly theatrical to me, even at that age.

Even at the age of 8 or 9, in Fort Worth Texas, I had a sense of this world – these ladies in airy, fake garden, faux-chic lunch spots. Women dressing up, being on committees, going to country clubs even though no one really played golf or tennis. “Rushing to their classes in optical art, wishing it would pass.” Going shopping in department stores that looked like what we saw on TV – with hats that no one ever bought displayed elegantly and mannequins displaying reserved, frozen, laissez faire “hands and wrists flipped up” poses.

I think my perspective and connection was heightened somehow by the fact that my own mother had died a few years before, so I was really watching and observing women that I “knew” but really didn’t know. It was like watching a show. It all seemed cool and glamorous in some way, but even at my young age I remember the sense of detachment. The world was spinning past them, and so many were trying to just keep up.

It sounds sad, but I love the feeling I get when I think of those days. It’s part of the movie in the mind of a then young man. And this song was the soundtrack to many scenes. Here’s to the ladies who lunch.

And to Elaine. Everybody rise.

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Chippendales Man of the Month – Juan DeAngelo!

I’m a big fan of The Chippendales. My husband works with them, and I always have a great time when I go to the theater with him here in Las Vegas. The show is so much more than what it used to be in the 80s – this ain’t your mama’s Chippendales kids. Live singers, live musicians, the whole show is a “production show” onstage. It’s not the “strip and tip” kind of thing it was back in the 80s. I love to watch the show from the back of the theatre (the show is at The Rio Resort & Casino here in Las Vegas, and The Chippendales have their own $10 million theater and lounge facility). Watching women have a great time and let their hair down is amazing. It’s good clean adult fun, and not all that raunchy. The one thing I hear people say over and over again when they come to the show is “this is NOT what I thought it would be.” Also, although the show is marketed to women, men are welcome in the audience. Every night there are married couples in the audience, or some gay men coming with their female BFFs. It’s really a fun time. If you haven’t been, make a point of seeing it when you come to Vegas. For more on The Chipps – here’s their Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/chippendales Now let’s hear it for Juan!

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Maryland GOP State Senator to support Marriage Equality

In an inspiring moment of clarity on behalf of Senate Minority Leader Allan H. Kittleman, he has announced his plans to support marriage equality in Maryland.

Kittleman had originally meant to present a bill to create civil unions in Maryland. But finding no support for that bill among his GOP colleagues, he found himself in a position of having to choose between his conscience or politics. His conscience won out. “Consequently, with the civil union legislation no longer being a viable option, I was put in the position of deciding whether to support same-sex marriage or voting to continue the prohibition against same-sex marriage. As a strong proponent of personal and economic liberty/freedom, I simply could not, in good conscience, vote against SB 116.” “First, let me state that I am a strong follower of Jesus Christ. I worked in youth ministries for many years. However, while my faith may teach that marriage is between a man and a woman, our government is not a theocracy. As the state senator from District 9, I represent everyone in my district, regardless of their faith.”