My Friend Has Been Murdered in New Orleans....

I guess it was bound to happen. A close friend of mine has been killed in New Orleans. Murdered. By a close acquaintance or by a random act of violence? I won’t know until Tuesday morning perhaps.

I can’t believe it. I really can’t believe it. It still hasn’t hit me yet. Yet, I am sadder than I have felt in years. And I am angry. I hate New Orleans—the police and the administration which can’t make the city a safe place to live and rebuild. And I am shook to my core….

And I HATE how I have to turn you into a “blog-comment,” my friend Robin. I should be talking to you in person in August when I come back home. I should be chatting with you in the barber’s chair when I get my hair cut. We should be reminiscing about all the things we have shared since we first met in 1999. When Bobby used to cut my hair. When Bobby died. When you were the “King” of Decadence (the poster is still up at the Golden Lantern—and if you don’t know where that is, then you just don’t know “gay” New Orleans).

I love you Robin—you were always a great friend. And as much as you lamented at times being in New Orleans because of the crime, you relished the wonderful lifestyle and quality of life here in the city.

It is interesting how I mourn you in the “technological” age. I will write an incredible tribute to you here. So all can see. But, given all there is in the world, I would rather noone know about you here so that I can see you again in August—to see that you are safe, alive, and well.

Goodbye, my friend. I will see you very soon. You will be in my thoughts daily. And, as the spirits surround you, I will wish you were here instead….

Kingdom Coming—Bush Plans to Remain in Power

I first learned of Bush’s recent “Homeland Security Directive” from Mark Morford at the San Francisco Chronicle. Morford’s headline of “Bush Declares Self 'Mega Decider'” caught my eye. It appears that on May 9, Bush signed an Executive Order that would place all governmental power into his hands should America (and/or American Interests) experience some sort of catastrophic event, natural or otherwise. Though Morford’s article is all “tongue in cheek,” I thought there was some merit to worry about what I have speculated since the 2006 elections that Bush WOULD NOT give up his power as President even when his term expires.

The analysis has now begun on this Executive Order. Marjorie Cohn at Alternet.org states that:

“Bush has issued a directive that would place all governmental powers in his hands in the case of a catastrophic emergency. If a terrorist attack happens before the 2008 election, could Bush and Cheney use this to avoid relinquishing power to a successor administration?”

Cohn further writes:

“One wonders what Bush & Co. are setting up with the new Presidential Directive. What if, heaven forbid, some sort of catastrophic event were to occur just before the 2008 election? Bush could use this directive to suspend the election. This administration has gone to great lengths to remain in Iraq. It has built huge permanent military bases and pushed to privatize Iraq's oil. Bush and Cheney may be unwilling to relinquish power to a successor administration.”

One wonders indeed....