-The nations of Dubai and the neighboring U.A.E have some of the most exciting architecture in the world. Over the next ten to twenty years, the two Gulf countries will become an architect's dream. One has to wonder how these nations are able to create building after spectacular building and we are unable to have any architectural gems rising at Ground Zero in Manhattan. What a missed opportunity for the city of New York.

-Just in case you think the days of the horrors of mental institutions are over, trust me, they are still very much alive. CNN reports that a North Carolina hospital patient died after being tied to a chair for over 22 hours. He choked on his medication as hospital staffers played cards and watched television. The professional staff had not fed him or taken him to the bathroom. The treatment of the mentally disabled in this country is still a national disgrace and in many areas patients are treated by doctors who have lost their medical license in other states.

-The American Fertility Association reports in a press release today that Honda Automotive of Alabama made a request to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama to exclude same-sex partners from any ART benefits including diagnostics. "ART includes costly, but effective procedures like in vitro fertilization, intra-uterine insemination and other methods used with women who are having difficulty getting pregnant." The Honda policy specifically states, “Effective January 1, 2008, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama requests that Blue Cross and Blue Shield exclude domestic partners (same sex partners) from ART benefits including diagnostic services related to fertility/infertility that have a fertility or infertility diagnosis”. Time to let Honda know that makes it very hard for people of conscience to buy their cars.

-In the latest Rasmussen Poll in Louisiana, Senator Mary Landrieu has built a 16 point margin in her race against Republican John N. Kennedy. The DSCC reports that Kennedy used to be a Democrat. Maybe he wished he had stayed in the Party!

-Tagen Goddard reports that the new Susquehanna Poll in Pennsylvania shows Obama with 46% of the vote to McCain's 41% of the vote.

-John Edwards is finally showing some judgment and is not going to the Democratic Convention in Denver. Think he has enough on his hands right now as reports of new cover-ups emerge in the press.

-Congratulations to brilliant, charismatic, and very photogenic MSNBC commentator Rachel Maddow who is taking over the Dan Abrams slot for her own show after Labor Day. The open Lesbian is one of the hot new media stars to emerge in this election period. Could be a good role model for you over at CNN, Mr. Cooper.

-The Catholic Knights of Columbus (at left) have just made a 1 million dollar contribution for the passage of California's Proposition 8. If the voters approve Proposition 8, it will eliminate marriage equality in California. Seems to me that there are at least 500,000 of us who can contribute $20 to the NO on 8 campaign to give ten times more than them. Please help offset this contribution by clicking here and donating now.

-Pentagon is sending 12,000 more troops to Afghanistan where the situation grows worse by the day. Ten French troops were killed in combat and a coordinated attack took place against an American base. The Taliban in both Pakistan and Afghanistan is showing amazing strength. The battle has only grown more critical as we have been bogged down in Iraq.

-The BBC reports that a leading Nigerian government official spent near $7 million in government funds to consult with a 'juju" (sorcerer). He burned $2.3 million of it to rub ash all over his body. His defense is that the 'devil made me do it'!

-Am a huge Country-Western fan when it comes to music. So my heart was thrilled to hear that blue  collar, rough and tuff Toby Keith (at right) is a Democrat and praising Obama. Keith is one of those singers you can hear being played from the pickup truck of every male in America. Hot damn!

-Been a tough month for Obama and the race is tightening. Personally, I was very upset with two answers he gave at the Christian gathering at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church: The first was that, as President, one of the three persons he would consult with, beside his wife and maternal grandmother, would be former Georgia senator and homophobe Sam Nunn! Even worse was his response about marriage equality - a stand that is doubly disappointing because he is spectacular on every other LGBT issue and McCain is terrible. Unfortunately, all the major candidates in both parties are bad on marriage equality. At least we have Obama coming out against Proposition 8 in California and Amendment 2 in Florida. Click on this incredible site LGBT for Obama to find out how to plug into the community's efforts.