The Absolute Word

my random thoughts on social justice issues, politics, and life.

[theabsoluteword]

For it is in giving that we receive

“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” ― Mother Teresa

A BIG BIG BIG THANK YOU to the 103 donors (see below) who gave an average of $80.63 for a grand total of $8,305 for this year’s San Francisco AIDS Walk! Your support will continue to help SF’s ambitious “Getting to Zero” initiative that focuses on three core areas: 

No new HIV/AIDS infections

No new HIV/AIDS related deaths 

No stigma for those living with HIV/AIDS 

As a board member for AIDS Legal Referral Panel (ALRP), my fundraising efforts have been directed at the third prong in this three-pronged effort - ensuring EVERYONE in our community has the chance to live with the dignity each of us deserve! 

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” ― Winston S. Churchill

Help me celebrate the generous spirit of those wonderful people below who gave selflessly to support people they may never meet: 

Ken Alexander

Pamela Anderson

Eddie Amar & Sam Stravos 

Erica Amos

Milan  Balinton

Matt Bancroft

Brian Bartnikiewicz 

Brian Bates

Joan Beach

Joe Belano

Sheila Bienenfeld

Colleen Brown

Nancy Bussani 

Jerry Cain

Royce Cablayan

Joe Camero

Julie Carmona

Jim Cellini

Ray  Chalom

Tami Chapek

Jim Chesnutt

Patrick  Clayton 

Shannon & Darren Coelho

Casey Cornwell

Amber Daulbaugh & Shannon Beckman

AMY Dave 

Jay Doe

Cherie & David Donahue

Dan England

June Faison

Diane Fitzpatrick

Peter Frank

Amy Franjesevic

Jack Gerding

Gloria & Mitch Gibbs

Clifton Gold & Sean Tully

Russell Goldstein

Rene  Gonzalez

Rachel Greathouse

Stan & Tom Harshman

Jared Hemming & Peter Laska

Patricia Hilkert

Ian Ho

Sidd Hublikar

Jeff Jacobi

Jason Jervis

Jovy

Mary Kimbrell

Gayle Kludt

Ellie Levine

Patrick Love

Jesse Moyer

Amaya Matias

Ryan McArdle-Jaimes

Lawrence McCrorey

Cynthia Mesa

James Moore

Robert Mullas

Steven Myers

Fred Najjar

Sandre Nelson

Ronan O’Mahony & Blake 

Kenneth Pearce

Allen Phillips

Jackie Phillips

Patrick Phonsakkhwa

Christine Price

Vladimir  Raguindin

Maggie Redmon

Matthew Rees

Dane Richardson

Judy Rickard

Sarah Roberson

Jan Romes

Jim Salgado

Dave Schreiber

Stephanie Sciacero

Michelle & Ron Slate

Lorrin Simmons & Henry Wang

Mark Smith

Roger Spinti

Joe Stanila

Nancy Stewart

Martin Strickland

Christopher Thompson

Do Quyen Tran-Taylor

Shaun Trathen

Christina Vanoverbeke

Jason Vitaletti & Arman Afagh

Matthew  Voges

Arnita Yoder

Howard Wan

Steve Weihrauch

Andy Wibbels & Ron Zamora

Jim Whitaker 

Gail White

Grace Wong

Cherlene & Alex Wright

Husam Zarzar

“One of the most important things you can do on this earth is to let people know they are not alone.” ― Shannon L. Alder

Thank you for walking with me on this journey and see you again next year!!!!! Much love, Paul (aka - Pabs)

(Pic below of couple Paul Richardson and Sean Heckethorn at the “Star Walker” pre-walk tent at the 2016 AIDS Walk San Francisco. Paul and Sean raised a combined $10,000 for this year’s walk). 

[theabsoluteword]

Remember, remember... The voices of Exmembers...

In the wake of the LGBT/Latino Pulse night club tragedy, let us not forget WHICH senators voted against sensible expanded background checks following the San Bernardino shootings. 

These people have blood on their hands today... and most have had blood on their hands from previous votes. 

WHEN do we say enough is a enough? 

WHEN do we remind these elected officials that THEY work for US?

WHEN do we take action at the ballot box and elect individuals who believe in collaboration, common sense, and justice? 

The answer is.... NOW!  Yesterday is too late... Tomorrow is not assured... TODAY is the day we all need to work toward creating a better tomorrow for our kids and the next generation of global citizens. 

Here is a list of ALL Senators who voted against expanded background checks after the San Bernardino shootings. I have also included their contact information. PLEASE, reach out to those in your district (and even those outside of your district) and let them know that if they do not start action toward sensible gun control that you WILL work actively against them during their reelection campaign and make them EXMEMBERS of Congress! 

All NRA financial support data comes from the Washington Post.

Democrats Who Voted “Against”

Max Baucus (D-Mont.) *no longer in the senate, currently serving as U.S. Ambassador to China

Mark Begich (D-Alaska)  *defeated in the last election and now serves as a policy advisor on Native American affairs in the Washington, D.C.-based law firm of Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Endreson & Perry LLP   

Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.)   110 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact    Class I - Term Expires 2019 $0 from the NRA 

Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) *lost reelection to Tom Cotton (R)     

Republicans Who Voted “Against”

Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) 455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class II - Term Expires 2021 $14,850 from the NRA 

Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) 144 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class III - Term Expires 2017 $4,950 from the NRA 

John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) 307 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class I - Term Expires 2019  $0 from the NRA

Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) 260 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class III - Term Expires 2017 $60,550 from the NRA 

John Boozman (R-Ark.) 141 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class III - Term Expires 2017  $16,900 from the NRA 

Richard Burr (R-N.C.) 217 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class III - Term Expires 2017  $35,700 from the NRA 

Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) *did not run for reelection 

Dan Coats (R-Ind.) 493 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class III - Term Expires 2017  $0 from the NRA 

Tom Coburn (R-Okla.)  *retired before the end of 2nd term 

Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) 113 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class II - Term Expires 2021 $18,900 from the NRA 

Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) 425 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class I - Term Expires 2019  $9,900 from the NRA 

John Cornyn (R-Texas) 517 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class II - Term Expires 2021 $27,750 from the NRA 

Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) 239 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class III - Term Expires 2017  $0 from the NRA 

Ted Cruz (R-Texas) 404 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class I - Term Expires 2019  $9,900 from the NRA 

Michael Enzi (R-Wyo.) 379A Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact  Class II - Term Expires 2021 $0 from the NRA 

Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) 454 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class I - Term Expires 2019  $4,950 from the NRA 

Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) 413 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class I - Term Expires 2019  $18,400 from the NRA 

Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) 290 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class II - Term Expires 2021 $29,250 from the NRA 

Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) 135 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class III - Term Expires 2017  $22,800 from the NRA 

Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) 104 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class I - Term Expires 2019  $0 from the NRA 

Dean Heller (R-Nev.) 324 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class I - Term Expires 2019  $21,350 from the NRA 

John Hoeven (R-N.D.) 338 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class III - Term Expires 2017  $13,400 from the NRA 

Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) 205 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class II - Term Expires 2021 $0 from the NRA 

Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) 131 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class III - Term Expires 2017  $10,000 from the NRA 

Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) *did not run for reelection 

Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) 328 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact  Class III - Term Expires 2017  $8,450 from the NRA 

Mike Lee (R-Utah) 361A Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class III - Term Expires 2017  $2,500 from the NRA 

Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) 317 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class II - Term Expires 2021 $26,300 from the NRA 

Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) 521 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class III - Term Expires 2017  $23,850 from the NRA 

Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)  709 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class III - Term Expires 2017  $16,400 from the NRA 

Rand Paul (R-Ky.) 167 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class III - Term Expires 2017  $2,500 from the NRA 

Rob Portman (R-Ohio) 448 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact   Class III - Term Expires 2017  $14,850 from the NRA 

James Risch (R-Idaho) 483 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class II - Term Expires 2021 $0 from the NRA 

Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) 109 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class II - Term Expires 2021 $23,800 from the NRA 

Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) 284 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class III - Term Expires 2017  $4,950 from the NRA 

Timothy Scott (R-S.C.) 520 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class III - Term Expires 2017  $16,450 from the NRA 

Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) 326 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class II - Term Expires 2021 $0 from the NRA 

Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) 304 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class III - Term Expires 2017  $21,350 from the NRA 

John Thune (R-S.D.) 511 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class III - Term Expires 2017  $44,155 from the NRA 

David Vitter (R-La.) 516 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class III - Term Expires 2017  $35,250 from the NRA 

Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) 555 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 [phone] - Contact Class I - Term Expires 2019  $25,350 from the NRA 

[theabsoluteword]

WE DID IT!

WE DID IT! Once again this year, I am simply humbled and moved by the level of support of so many in our community to support the long, hard fight against discrimination for those living with HIV/AIDS. 

As part of this year’s SF AIDS Walk, I set a goal of raising $5,000 for AIDS Legal Referral Panel (ALRP) and to-date, YOU have helped me raise over $5,650 toward protecting the human dignity of those who need our help the most. 

WHY ALRP?  ALRP is a lean, mean, protecting machine! A nonprofit focused on protecting the rights of those living with HIV/AIDS. They stand up for some of the most medically fragile in our community - often with multiple health issues converging at once to save their housing, to help with disability/insurance, to fight discrimination, and to even help with immigration! 

DIDI YOU KNOW? ALRP handled nearly 2,500 cases last year (that’s roughly 7 per day!). 

STILL TIME!  Reading this and wishing you could have donated? Guess what, you still can! The walk isn’t until July 19th! Just visit my donation page to help increase the our collective impact on the lives of many!  DONATE NOW 

A BIG THANK YOU:  I can’t thank the people listed below enough for their generous support of ALRP and our AIDS Walk efforts this year!  Amazing kindness of spirt and support mean the world to me and those needing our help! 

Arman Afagh  Ken Alexander Stephanie Altman  Erica Amos Grant Anderson Pam Anderson  Bryan Anthony Robert Bernardo Sheila Bienenfeild  Nancy Bussani  Tami Chapek  Jim Chesnutt Dana Constance  Marc DeZordo Travis Dixon Jay Doe  Lee Duren  Eric Ernst  John Falcon  June Faison  Kecia Feathers Brian Fletcher  Diane Fitzpatrick  Jeff Flora  Clif Gold  Russell Goldstein  Kenny Heller  Tim Holt  Siddarth Hublikar Gayle Karafil Kelly Lindeman Matthew Long Neilson Lee Jason Menayan William Meredith  Glen McClintock  Robert Mojica Clint Moore James Moore Michael Mould  Jim Nawrocki Fred Najjar Sandre Nelson Joanne Niswander  Vlad Raguindin  Jan Romes  Chris Saul  David Seaman Tina Shawhan Christiana Smith  Jeff Snyder Roger Spinti Joe Stanila  Nancy Stewart  Buck Torres  Lon Troyer Sean Tully  Jason Vitaletti  Matt Voges  Kim Vu Howie Wan  Gail White  Devin Wikke Grace Wong Jason Wong Alex Wright Charlene Wright   Arnita Yoder Hassim Yunos 

[theabsoluteword]

A Life Well Lived - But Gone Too Soon.

Today, I learned that a former colleague passed away over the weekend. I can say his name - RON SAKAI - but what will that really mean to YOU? If you didn't know Ron, you probably won't share the same sense of loss or miss the amazing person he was on a daily basis! 

Instead, I want to share a few life lessons learned from quietly watching Ron over the years:  

Stay eternally positive - Regardless of what might be happening in Ron's life, he lived with a small twinkle in his eye - showing a life well lived! He never let himself get involved in the petty things that weigh most of us down on a daily basis. 

Live humbly and strive for modesty - Ron never wanted the spotlight - even in death (as did not want a service). He worked hard, produced amazing results - without expectation of reward or praise - and ALWAYS with a smile. 

Help willingly and often - Ron was always the first person to step forward to help! At work, I'd go to him with a question and he'd do whatever he could to help. Personally, Ron was always one of the first to step forward with a check when I needed support for some "cause" i was supporting in the larger Silicon Valley community. His support was unconditional and from a place of love. 

Travel and never stop learning - Ron often planned vacations to fun locations. We'd chat about his current vacation plans, something he learned along the way, and what he wanted to do next. His desire to see/learn was inspiriting! 

In closing, Ron never set out to make an impact on anyone. He just wanted to be authentically "RON". and... he succeeded!  Bringing his authentic self to work everyday made each of us better in some small way. Ron, my former coworker, my friend, you will be missed! 

____________________________________________

YOU NEVER KNOW 

"You never know when someone may catch a dream from you. You never know when a little word or something you may do may open up the windows of a mind that seeks the light.  The way you live may not matter at all, but you never know - it might! 

And just in case it could be that another's life through you, might possibly change for the better with a broader and brighter view, it seems it might be worth a try at pointing the way to the right - of course, it may not matter at all, but then again, it might!" - Helen L. Marshall 

____________________________________________

[theabsoluteword]

A week ago, a little over 15 family members came out to walk with "Team S.i.F." ("Strength in Family") to honor my dad's fight against cancer.  We also recognized other members in the family that were survivors and those we've lost in the Delphos, Ohio Relay for Life (benefiting the American Cancer Society). 

Team S.i.F raised over $12,000 for cancer support for a rural NW Ohio community.  The overall event raised roughly $90,000.  All of the money raised stays locally to help research and fund patient advocates. 

We were also blessed/humbled to learn that dad was selected as the honorary male chair for the event!  The amount of support from family, friends, and the community has helped lift dad's spirits over the last few difficult months -- THANK YOU to everyone that helped honor/support our team!!!

QUICK FACT: Did you know that the American Cancer Society has provided seed money to over 46 researchers that have gone on to win Nobel Prizes for Cancer related research? 

The song used for the video ("More Time" by Needtobreathe) is from the movie "P.S. I Love You" - where a man is taken too soon from his wife.  It talks about wanting more time to say/do what they want before the end.   Relay for Life helps provide that extra time for families like ours.  

[theabsoluteword]

Don't forget to wear #pink tomorrow for #lgbt equality!

[theabsoluteword]

[theabsoluteword]

My Gratitude Knows No Bounds...

Out of all the years I have professionally and personally been in philanthropy/fundraising – this year – this cause – is by far the one that has meant the most to me.

WHY?  As most of you know, my dad is fighting an intense battle with Stage III pancreatic cancer that has a survival rate of less than 5%.  He has been a trooper through it all, and consistent with the values he taught me as a kid, he has done so with grace, humility, and laughter.  This fight has not been easy and will continue to test us as we approach a critical deadline in his treatment.   In the next two weeks (if all goes okay), he will complete his chemo and then visit The James Cancer Center (at Ohio State) to see if surgery is an option for removing a medium-aggressive, large tumor.  If surgery is NOT an option, it could mean this is my last year with pops.  The ironic timing of this news comes as Father’s Day looms in the immediate future – thus leading to my somber/reflective mood as of late.  

The people listed below have earned my respect, adoration, and commitment to do whatever I can for them in the future.  They have realized how deeply personal this effort has been for me and made a consorted effort to do something (regardless of how big or small) to show they cared.  Words can barely express how grateful I am for what they have done to honor my dad in this year’s upcoming Relay for Life.

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."  by Albert Schweitzer

__________________________________________________

Thank you to those who have helped keep my flame lit:

Arman Afagh

Jorge Ancona

Jeff Anderson

Yann Antonioli

Matthew Bancroft

Arnaldo Barone

Eileen Barsi

Brian Bates

George Beach

Carol Beattie

Shannon Beckman

Thomas Becktold

Michele Bersani

Nancy Bussani

Francisco Castillo

Ray Chalom

Tami Chapek

Greg Chase

Bruce Coffman

Beth Colbert

Amber Daulbaugh

Darwin Dayan

Jay DeGuia

Leon Directo

San Do

Lee Duren

Dan England

Eric Ernst

John Falcon

June Faison

Kecia Feathers

Christina Fernandez

Jeff Flora

Tyson FitGerald

Nora Fought

Gary Gansle

Ronnie Genotti

Chris Garcia

Chris Gonzales

Rene Gonzalez

Tommy Grace

Erik Greeny

Marge Grey

Constance Haehn

Pamela Hearn

Kenny Heller

Matthew Hernandez

Patti Hilkert

Tim Holt

Brandon Hong

Todd Horton

Dax Houston

Christopher Hull

Brenda Jamrus

Gayle Karafil

Mary Kincaid

Renee Kopczewski

Chris Kusaba

Mandy Lambert

Tim Law

Patrick Love

Fred Najjar

Cathy Ng

Deo Martin

Koni Matkin

Bruce McGuire

Phillip Meade

Mary Meyer

James Moore

Laurie Morgan

Chris Munro

Eric Munro

Deanna Peck

Devin Phatak

Jackie Phillips

Christine Price

Denis Radovanovic

Ruben Ramirez

Karen Richardson

Mike Richardson

Paul Richardson

Matt Rigdon

Allison Roberts

Aleks Robles

Christopher Rowley

Michael Saenz

Ron Sakai

Lisa Scoffield

Lance Scott

Charlee Seaton

Alfredo Seoane

Eric Shaw

Mark Smith

Matthew Smith

Roger Spinti

Jaime Stewart

Nancy Stewart

Rico Stevenson

Klash Su

Buck Torres

Miguel Torres

Shaun Trathen

Lon Troyer

Robert Trujillo

Jared Tubertly

Mark Tuck

Keith Tyndall

Gregoire Venier

Jason Vitaletti

Matt Voges

Antony Walker

Howard Wan

Lisa Wegley

Gail White

Vince Wilson

Kevin Yang

Anita Yoder

Hassim Yunos

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

[theabsoluteword]

Roger Ebert Would Give Two Thumbs Up for Cancer Support!

April 4, 2013

Today, we lost a iconic name in the movie industry to a long, drawn-out battle with cancer.  Roger Ebert loved many things, just three that have made an impact on me include: 

quality movies,

persistence,

and LIFE  

As you might already know, this year I am doing Relay for Life - in support of Cancer Research to honor of my father - a man that also loves movies (if you could see his movie collection you would be ASTOUNDED!!!!!!!!!) 

ALL of our lives have been touched by Cancer in some way - whether it was through the loss of someone we loved, or through our personal battle as a survivor, or watching/supporting someone fighting for their life today.  I hope you might consider making a tax-deductible gift to support my efforts this year and help make a positive statement to my dad that there are people fighting for HIM and others going through their fight!   Your donation is 100% tax-deductible and can be made in honor of whomever you would like that has had cancer.  

I am typing a small paragraph about each of the people that make a donation to my Relay for Life effort and sharing those with my mom & dad.  He's been uplifted by the level of support by those that he has never met!  

Please help me make a difference in the lives of many by supporting my Relay for Life effort this year.  Roger Ebert would give two thumbs up for helping those in need of support.  

___________________________________________________

EVERY dollar counts!  To help, visit: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/pablito  __________________________________________________________ 

More on Roger Ebert's Life __________________________________________________________ 

[theabsoluteword]

Marriage Equality Rally from Castro to SF City Hall last night in support of SCOTUS oral arguments on Prop 8 and DOMA today/tomorrow!  Here's to praying for marriage equality in June for the FULL nation, not just CA or 9 of our 50 UNITED States. 

[theabsoluteword]

A "Coming Out" of sorts...

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Friends,

Today marks the day where I have made a decision to publicly talk about something that has affected my family since roughly the start of the new year --- CANCER.

Early in 2013, my father, the man that is responsible for making me the man I am today --- The man that taught me to love unconditionally, judge sparingly, help often, work hard, strive for perfection in what you do, laugh, and learn something new EVERY day --- was diagnosed with Stage III Pancreatic Cancer. 

You might be surprised to learn that with as MUCH as I post on social media, certain things are usually off limits - relationships and family are two of those that fall into the "off limits" category!  I do not like sharing personal details as I believe certain things should be kept private - so that the bond of a relationship has value. 

BUT... in an attempt to focus on positives and not potential outcomes, my brother/sister-in-law, and nephews decided to go public with the news of my father's cancer diagnosis.  WHY? ...to focus on supporting dad and others fighting cancer. 

With the news, we decided to create Team SiF - "Strength in Family" --- for the Delphos, Ohio Relay for Life - coming up in June of 2013!  Our goal as a team? ... raise $30,000 for local cancer support for a rural, socioeconomically depressed area.  $30,000 in Delphos, Ohio would go SO far in helping the lives of many! 

Can YOU help?  Can you donate $100 or more (or less if you're not able to do $100)?  Every dollar will help us reach toward our goal!  You can honor someone in YOUR life that has fought cancer - whether they won and are in remission, or still fighting, or you have lost but are forever in your memory. 

EVERY dollar is a 100% tax deductible contribution!  Donations can be accepted on my personal fundraising page or via cash/check.  Receipts are automatically issued for those donations made on-line. 

I hope you might help us make a statement to my dad that there are others out there who understand and have been through the fight against cancer - and who love life and those that make this world a better place.

DONATION LINK: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/pablito

Love, Pabs

[theabsoluteword]

Clearly, the "Trickle Down" economic policies of the 1980's and continued support for tax loopholes for the uber affluent have done nothing but shrink the middle class and push more people into poverty.  Clearly, those that think tax breaks for the rich will spur future economic growth are WRONG.  Even today, the New York Times had an article on corporate profits soaring but stagnant job growth. 

[theabsoluteword]

From 1987 on, my life was changed by the face of HIV/AIDS, by little Renee and her fight to survive brain cancer only to be struck down by AIDS through a blood transfusion.  This memory was my first encounter with HIV and everything that goes with it (family dealing with loss, discrimination and ignorance from a small rural community, etc.).  Renee's memory is the fire that lit my passion for HIV/AIDS volunteer work.  One of the many ways I remember Renee is through an annual video that includes the most updated statistics from W.H.O. (World Health Organization) on HIV.

Please consider sharing on Saturday, December 1, 2012 in celebration/reflection/memory of World AIDS Day - #WAD2012

[theabsoluteword]

Urge SF Board of Supervisors to Reinvest MUNI Surplus into Performance

This is a quick sample letter, but a copy of what I sent to each supervisor this morning.  The vote is expected today, I'm not sure what time. If interested, feel free to use or change any part of the sample I provided below (if I had more time I probably could have written a MUCH better letter but hey, time is ticking)..

____________________________

SAMPLE LETTER:

Supervisor (INSERT NAME)

As a long-time social justice advocate, I understand the need to care for those that cannot care for themselves.  Providing a social net to help boost people so that they are productive members of our society is an important job as a civil servant and human being.  Providing these opportunities in a way that allows everyone to retain their dignity is vital.

In the news, there have been conversations on whether to utilize $3M+ for free youth passes for low-income kids or to reinvest that money to increase the on-time performance of MUNI. I believe the support for free passes at the expense of improving the on-time performance of MUNI is a serious disservice to EVERYONE living in San Francisco.  Let me explain my reasoning.

The city has an increased focus on being green and getting more cars off the road as we continue to grow.  This will not happen if the on-time performance hovers around 60% (or heaven forbid dips below that), as those relying on MUNI to get to/from work will be forced to start driving.  Working professionals need a transit system that can get them to/from their destination in a timely/reliable manner --- if this is compromised, people will have no choice but to find an alternative solution to ensure that they are able to make their work commitments -- in this case, purchasing a car.

Additionally, the youth that you are wishing to help (low income youth via free passes) are at a disservice as well, because the inherent message the city is sending is that time/quality is not important. The city reinforces the message that the very kids they are trying to help are NOT important.  The proper respect for affected communities would be providing transit options that HELP improve situations (reliable transit so that people CAN get to work on time and provide for their families, make a connecting BART or CalTrain, etc.) .

If the vote has yet to happen this morning, I hope you will make the right decision and vote to reinvest the surplus from MUNI back INTO the system so that it can gain respect as a viable transit option within our city.

Sincerely, YOUR NAME

____________________________

SF BOARD OF SUPERVISOR WEBSITE: (with easily accessible email forms for each supervisor)

http://www.sfbos.org/index.aspx?page=1

____________________________

[tastefullyoffensive]

[cloudforhire-deactivated2014073]

The trueness of this post is truly truthful. 

[stanilazy]

truthishly!

[theabsoluteword]

An animator from the Simpsons took a speech from Obama and made it pop for those visual learners out there!

[theabsoluteword]

A Message to My Moderate Republican Friends

(Image originally appeared in Mother Jones)

"I wish my moderate Republican friends would simply be honest. They all say they're voting for Romney because of his economic policies (tenuous and ill-formed as they are), and that they disagree with him on gay rights. Fine. Then look me in the eye, speak with a level clear voice, and say,' My taxes and take-home pay mean more than your fundamental civil rights, the sanctity of your marriage, your right to visit an ailing spouse in the hospital, your dignity as a citizen of this country, your healthcare, your right to inherit, the mental welfare and emotional well-being of your youth, and your very personhood.' It's like voting for George Wallace during the Civil Rights movements, and apologizing for his racism. You're still complicit. You're still perpetuating anti-gay legislation and cultural homophobia. You don’t get to walk away clean, because you say you 'disagree' with your candidate on these issues." -- Doug Wright