February 20, 2005

• Well, tonight was the big episode of the Simpsons in which Aunt Patty
  comes out of the closet. I was outraged because before the episode
  aired, there was a disclaimer stating: “This episode contains
  discussions of same-sex marriage. Parental discretion is advised.” This
  was also on their website. Its appalling. It was just like the
  disclaimers they put when a movie or show has violence, sex, or
  something along those lines. And shit, they wouldn’t even say the word
  gay in the disclaimer. I know this all goes back to the Janet Jackson
  thing……….lord knows, we can’t be too careful in this society. We
  would want the Christian right to be up in arms because of some gay
  themes on a show without people being made aware of this before the
  show aired. Its disturbing, what we have come to. Hell, the news has
  discussions of gay marriage……….wait, I’m sorry, I believe the
  proper (and straight happy term…….we musn’t mention the “g” word)
  term is same sex marriage. And what about on talk show after talk show
  after talk show. There are no disclaimers there. The right wing
  Christians run this country and we are worse off for it.

  The episode itself was absolutely classic. I have been critical of the
  Simpsons in recent years of it not being as funny as it once was, but
  that was not the case tonight. It was hilarious. It will go down as a
  significant episode, not only for show, but also in TV. And that is just
  because of the gay character on it. The jokes on the show were
  priceless. I have always felt the Simpsons are at their best when
  parodying social issues, and this was not any different. And it was
  made even better because of the awkwardness of watching this with John.
  The whole show mirrored what I’m sure both of us were thinking. Marge
  finds out about Patty and offers her support, although she still has a
  hard time accepting it. During the show I was considering coming out to
  John right then (not like he doesn’t know……….like Patty said, you
  could see it from space……..not that I’m flamboyant or anything like
  that) and it would have been pretty damn appropriate to do it during my
  favorite show. It would have been classic, but I just couldn’t do it.
  Maybe they will have a gay episode of 24 that I can come out during.

  I also watched a special on HBO today about Rosa Parks. The thing I
  never knew, was that she was in the black section of the bus at the
  time. A white man was standing and the driver demanded that FOUR blacks
  give up their seats so that ONE white man could sit. And, none of these
  blacks were in the white section of the bus. Once 3 of them moved, Rosa
  Parks refused to move, even though the white guy already had his seat.
  The rest, as they say, is history.

  Still, the show was pretty hard to watch. I always have a tough time
  watching things like this, seeing people being treated as less than
  human, and this was only 50 years ago. Sure, we have come a long way,
  but still have a long way to go. I just want equality for everybody,
  and for everybody to work together to achieve change and make the world
  a better place. I really wish there was something I can do, but I don’t
  know what to do. I want to bring people together. Blacks. Whites. Old.
  Young. Gay. Straight. Jew. Muslim. Christian. It doesn’t matter. We are
  all human. But, here is my idea. I think I can bring people together. I
  want to try to unite people, and I think I know of something that needs
  to be done before things get much much worse. The world would be a
  better place if we could find a way to pass a law banning Vin Diesel
  from ever acting again. The man is just so bad, and his movies are the
  only things that are worse then his acting. The Pacifier? I mean,
  honestly! How the hell did that pile of shit even get green lighted, led
  alone made.

  As I write this, there is something on the TV right now that I never
  thought I would ever see. I’m watching the NBA all star game, and part
  of the half-time entertainment is (and I don’t know who the artists are,
  sorry) country music singers, and rappers on the same stage, singing
  the same song! I hate country music and have never been much of a rap
  fan, but this is a great thing to see, two polar opposites coming
  together. Country music has also been associated with racism and being
  anti black, and the fact that these two can come together is amazing. I
  know its only entertainment, but it means something.

  • 10:11 pm
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