-The civil rights movement aspect of the LGBT community struggle for freedom continues to slowly grow. We saw the brave students at John Carroll University and now expect arrests this week at the New York Marriage Bureau. Queer Rising has called for the 'significant action' to take place this Friday at the Manhatten Marriage Bureau at 8AM at 141 Worth Street in New York City. As we used to say in the old days, "Right on!"

-Rule Number One: when another area is having a snowstorm and you missed it - don't make fun of them because it is bad karma. In last weekend's historical blizzard on the East Coast, New York City missed the storm by about fifty miles. Maybe a few flakes dropped on us but that was the sum total. I couldn't resist calling my DC friends and mocking them in their horrible circumstances. Today in New York City we are having a blizzard. That will teach me better manners!

-Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is not content to wait another year for the Defense Department to 'study the LGBT community' to see if we are fit for service. She is demanding that all funds be cut off for the prosecution of gay and lesbians in the military. With no money to dismiss us, they would have to move on to real issues like war and peace.

-The New York Senator has been a very busy woman on behalf of LGBT freedom. She joined with Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin in a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. They are urging that the United States government do everything in its power to protect the rights of the LGBT community in hostile countries. Gillibrand wrote:

"It is time for us in Congress to take a strong stand against all hate crimes and persecution - wherever they occur. People in this world should not have to suffer or fear for their lives because of who they are or what they believe in. It is wrong and it must end. If Iraq, Iran and other countries are not providing the legal protections that members of their LGBT communities are entitled to, it is our duty to join with our partners in the international community, enforce the human rights laws that protect us all, and free LGBT individuals from persecution. While the ultimate goal is safe conditions in these countries, until that happens, the U.S., UN and the international community must ensure that LGBT refugees can reach safety in countries where they won't face persecution."

-There is an amazing map showing the growth of unemployment over the last months, Once you watch it you can almost tell where Democrats will have trouble in the Fall. You really should see this one by clicking on here.

-Writer Frank Ross on BigJouirnalism.com wrote that my friend Leo Hindery is the 'libertal canary in the Obama mineshaft' You can read it all byclicking here. I think it is the perfect description of my dear friend.

-David Bohnett Foundation has just given $500,000 to refresh all the computers and software in over two dozen David Bohnett Cybercenters (photograph) across the United States. I love a man who not only gives and gives to others but makes sure everything is current. Bravo, David.

-Things are looking up for Democrats in the Governor's race in Colorado. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper (D) has pulled ahead of Republican Scott McInnis by 4% according to the Rasmussen Reports Poll. However in the United States Senate Race Republican Lt. Governor Jane Norton leads incumbent (appointed) Democrat Michael Bennet by 14% points!

-Former U.S. Senator Dan Coats has indicated he might run again for his old seat against incumbent Democratic Senator Evan Bayh. Wonder how Coats will explaining having Yemen for a client and what he did on behalf of that nation?

-The recent Quinnipiac University Poll says that New Yorkers are high on medical Marijuana. By a whopping 71% to 25%, the voters of the Empire State wants to legalize medical Marijuana.

-The largest union in the AFL-CIO which represents over 1.6 million members took a major stand last Friday. The American Federation of State, County and Muncipal Employees (AFSCME) took an ad out on Politico.com to demand an end to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". Just click here to see it.

-Speaking of Politico.com, they have a story about an Alabama poll showing Mike Huckabee the leading Republican to win that state in a Presidential primary. He garnered 33% while tea-party favorite Sarah Palin was a surprising low 23%. Guess there are more coffee drinkers in Alabama.

-When I went to West Virginia a few years back to write about poverty, I made many dear friends in War, West Virginia. Despite their struggles, they made me always laugh. They did it again today. I wrote with concern about how they were holding up with the blizzards and they sent me this photograph back explaining how bad it had gotten.