Happy New Year To You All

 

 

May you all only know peace, love, success, kindness, health and pure joy in 2013.  I love each and everyone of you and am so damn excited about 2013.  It will be a good year for us!

Top Five "Persons Of The Year"

1. Malala Yousafzai

This young Pakistani girl was tragically wounded by a Taliban attacker because she was fighting for the right of young women to have an education. In many ways, she has come to represent all the children in the world from the poor to even the young victims of the Newtown shootings. All over the planet children are fighting for their future, to free themselves from slavery, seeking education and teaching us adults bravery and courage.

2. President Barack Obama:

This was the President's finest year from taking a tough stand on marriage equality, to fighting for economic justice. Refusing to bend to the political winds he stuck to his guns and managed an impressive election victory.

3. Senator Elect Tammy Baldwin:

By being the first open LGBT American elected to the United States Senate she symbolizes the huge year of victories for the LGBT community. With four major wins on ballot measures, four new openly LGBT persons elected to Congress and marriage equality going mainstream, Baldwin's historic victory makes her the logical choice for number three.

4. Climate Change:

In a year where the United States was devastated by Hurricane Sandy, an extreme drought, wildfires in the West and floods, the reality of climate change is finally beginning to be taken seriously not only by the American people but by those in government.

5. Queen Elizabeth:

While the world moves forward in seeking answers to complex questions, there was something very special about reminding ourselves of our past and traditions that have survived over the years. Queen Elizabeth with her Jubilee and the Olympics has been a steady and powerful presence in our lives over her years of rule. Here is to tradition and her grace.

Mixner's "Best of 2012": The News Media

 

 

Between now and the end of the year, I will share with you my personal choices for "Mixner's Best of 2012". There will be choices you love, those that you hate and categories you think should be included or ones you feel shouldn't exist! However I went with the first thoughts that came to my mind in this installment dealing with the news media. Clearly these winner's left an impression on me.

Feel free to add you own choices.

-The Best Morning Show: ABC Weekend Good Morning America

-Best Network News Show: NBC News

-Best Sunday Morning Talk Show: This Week with George Stephanopoulos

-Best Cable News Network: MSNBC

-Best Anchor On Any News Show: Thomas Roberts (MSNBC)

-Best Commentary: Frank Rich (New York Magazine)

-Best Magazine of the Year: New York Magazine

-Best Newspaper of the Year: Denver Post

-Best Coverage of Breaking Story: Denver Post (Colorado Wildfires/ Shooter in Theater)

-Best Coverage of Foreign Policy: The Economist

-Best 'Scoop' Of The Year: Mother Jones and 47% Story

-Best Election Commentary: Robert Shrum (The Daily Beast)

-Best Journalist (Domestic): Anderson Cooper (CNN)

-Best Journalist(Foreign): Richard Engel (NBC)

-Best Political Coverage On Internet: Taegan Goddard's 'Political Wire'

-Best LGBT Blog: Towleroad.com

-Best Column: Ed Kennedy of AfterElton.com for 'Morning MeMe"

-Best Weather Site: WeatherUnderground.com

-Best Major Internet Site: The Daily Beast

-Most Promising New Internet Site: BuzzFeed.com

-Best Photojournalism Site: Boston.com's Big Picture

-Best Entertainment News: Deadline Hollywood

-Best Coverage of Broadway: Broadway.com

-Best Business Site: 24/7 Wall Street

-Best Polling Site: Public Policy Polling

-Best Environment Site: National Geographic

-Best Architecture Site: Architizer.com

Hell's Kitchen Journal: Rest for the Weary

 

 

In reality, never knew how terrified I was about the results of this election until our President won on Tuesday night. Then instantly I became extremely tired, stress left my body and the days since I have been coasting along. Day in and day out it is now clear that all of us were living in fear that Mitt might win the election. Even though in the last days there were encouraging signs none of us would allow ourselves to believe it.

Unlike 2008 when I was overcome with emotion by the historic moment of a the first African-American President, this year it was an overwhelming sense of relief. That the most those right wing forces were soundly beaten at the polls by the sane and sensible American people. Not only did we elect our President, an open Senator, four new LGBT Congress people but the really evil candidates lost at the ballot box.

The two 'rape ain't bad' candidates in Missouri and Indiana were decidedly defeated. Congressman Walsh in Illinois (who is a right wing conspirator) was defeated by the very honorable Tammy Duckworth. In Florida, crazy man Congressman Alan West apparently was defeated by attractive and progressive Patrick Murphy. Senator Jon Tester in Montana defeated the guy who sued the firemen who came on his land to put out a fire! Even Michelle Bachman was given the race of her life. In Connecticut that wrestlin lady who spent over $100 million in her attempt to buy a Senate seat was thrown to the mat and lost.

What is scary is that a man like "legitimate rape' Todd Akin can achieve over 39% of the voters. Seriously, do that many people agree with him and weren't simply appalled by his absurd sexist and angry declaration? Michelle Bachman did win but we will get her next time.

America is changing but there is a hard core group of Americans who yearn for an America that no longer exist. They yearn for a time they will never see again. Maybe they can go live with the Amish in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and fulfill their dreams of a time that has disappeared. America in an inclusive country now made up of dreamers from every walk of life and background.

Get use to it.

An Urgent Personal Message From David Mixner

 

 

 

Let's not kid ourselves the debate was not good for our President. But before we start wringing our hands and wishing things were different it is important to remember one thing.

How tragic it would be for us to win in four states with our marriage equality measures in November and then face a Constitutional Amendment banning it?

Don't fool yourselves into thinking 'that will never happen'.

Every single Republican Senator who will become Chair of a committee in the United States Senate if the Republicans take control has endorsed such an amendment. Mitt Romney has endorsed it. Paul Ryan has voted for it.

And if you don't think there are enough states who will ratify it, I suggest you take a good look at the map and count the states that would ratify the amendment almost over night. I count 29 that would do it in a heartbeat.

You can kiss any Supreme Court decisions in the future good-bye.

Never have we as a community been so close to full equality and never have we been so close to losing it all in this election.

No matter how we would want the world to be this morning, it makes no difference. Our lives, our future and our freedom are at stake in this election. Don't play with it. Don't be high and mighty about it. Don't blame someone else about it. As a dear friend always reminds me, "It is what it is".

Just do what the courageous and noble LGBT community have always done in the times of adversity. Fight back. Fight hard. Ignore the odds. Show others how it is done. Most importantly take this nation to a new place in its politics, hearts and values.

Let's get the job done.

Hell's Kitchen Journal: Family Road Trips

 

Back Home In Seven Mountains

The other day watching television there was this ad for some American built new van. Watching the cameras travel inside, it was like looking at a family living room. There were not one but four screens that dropped down for kids to watch their favorite movie. The back could be converted into a table where games could be played. Seems like the maker had thought of everything to make the perfect family trip.

Except one little tiny item.

Creating an atmosphere where the children would be interested in the world outside the car. No one any longer takes note of the world as it travels by them. More and more through texting, videos, iphones and music we are becoming an introverted society. People are pushing ourselves into a technology black hole while ignoring experiences that can be had just outside our window.

Growing up in Southern New Jersey before turnpikes and eight lane expressways, a road trip was the ultimate joy. The best was visiting the relatives up in the Seven Mountains who hadn't headed to the farms of the Garden State. The drive was all by two lane highway and we were taught to observe the wonderment outside our car windows.. Mom would pack a picnic lunch (to save money) and we had our favorite spots to munch down on the sandwiches.

Games were played in the our 1947 DeSoto but they all involved in sighting people or places along the road. One of my favorites was who could sight the old wooden station wagons. The first one to shout out 'beaver' got a point. If it was a tie we would shout out "tie Beaver' to get the point. As we went closer and closer to the Seven Mountains stories would pour out about family history, famous floods, notorious car wrecks and train derailments (especially at 'Horseshoe Curve').

Of course, refined good behavior was not always a trademark of the trips. Dad had zero tolerance for any misbehavior in the car. My brother and sister would set me up time and time again for the fall. A quick sneaky hit on the head by one or the other would have me hitting back. However I lacked the subtlety of their magically quick hands and would get caught by Dad. More than once he had to stop the car and you really want Dad to stop the car.

In the Korean War we used to encounter many military conveys on the two lane highways filled with troops. All three of us would crowd into a car window and wave and cheer them as they headed to war. Planes were a big deal back then. Seeing a blimp flying low or a formation of military craft (this was before jets) were a cause of great excitement.

The world opened up for us on those road trips. The love of travel was instilled in each of us. Never ever were we allowed to ignore the outside world and would be expected to share with Mom what we were witnessing as we traveled back home to the Seven Mountains.

Hell's Kitchen Journal: Living on Pins and Needles

 

 

Since President Kennedy ran his famous race with Richard Nixon, I have not emotionally handle elections very well. Literally at different times in a campaign the feeling is one of pins and needles are being stuck in me. For example, when President Obama gave his speech this week, my nerves were raw hoping that he would do well. My leg pounces up and down, my stomach grumbles and my ability to witness history is relegated to after the actual heralded event

The anxiety comes from knowing that a particular event such as a Convention speech, the first debate or a tragic slip of the tongue on the campaign trial could leave hopes and dreams in tatters.

This election in particular means so much to me since it decides if the 50 plus years I have been serving others and organizing will move forward or seriously be turned back. So with the upcoming debates my planning process is already in full gear. There are a number of options for me. Some I have discarded already because of concerns for those surrounding me.

Going to the movies doing the debate is out of the question. Shouting in the middle of a major IMAX 3-D hit movie, "Has anyone heard how the debate is going?" is simply putting my safety at risk.

Reading a good book would be a nice idea with quiet music playing. Such a grown up way of handling times of stress. However banging the book against the wall and yelling to my neighbors if they have they heard what is happening might lead to a very quick eviction.

Certainly sitting in a bar with a bartender is out because they will have the debates on their television sets. Who's idea was it to put modern media in a bar anyway? Is there no safe place in the world from technology?

Maybe a nice two hour walk around Manhattan. However you just know it will rain. Stopping people on the street like a desperate panhandler asking if they have heard how Obama is doing in the debate will have people pull away in horror. Although there might be the opportunity to make some much needed money as dollar bills and spare change are slipped to me with compassion.

Xxnax is a possibility however most likely I will become so relaxed that I will simply weep through the entire debate.

Right now I have no answer but already obsession about the first debate is starting to creep into my life. My friends, neighbors and citizens of Manhattan have been warned. No longer am I responsible for my behavior while the first debate is on television. You have been warned that I could be hazardous to your health.

Thank You!

 

 

Over the next week, this blog will return slowly but surely with at least some articles each day. What a week to be missing from action! Next Monday will share my thoughts about the President and hope you enjoy today's articles.

To my readers, thank you so much for your patience, good thoughts and kindness. All of them were greatly appreciated. Receiving it was such a joyful experience and no doubt hastened my recovery.

Please allow me to thank publicly Dr .Francesco Rubino, Dr Mark. Pecker and the amazing staff and team at New York Presbyterian Hospital/ Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York. There is no question that is one of the best medical facilities in the nation. Never have I received better care and more love from such a professional team.

To my primary caregivers (especially Steven Guy, James Garbus, Michael Silverman , Chris Reilly, Judith Light, Bob Shrum, Marylouise Oates and Gary Belis) and all others who gave me their love and support - thank you. The love and kindness received from my friends and from those online overwhelmed me and gave me strength. Thank you.

Important Notice About DavidMixner.com Blog

 

 

Friends, because of major surgery and a tune up this coming Friday and the preliminary procedures before hand, DavidMixner.com will be offline for about a week. Know you understand and I am grateful for your support. David Mixner