This month, we elected the first non-Caucasian president in the history of the United States. On the same night, four different states passed laws against GLBT individuals. In Arizona and Florida, those states defined marriage as being between one man and one woman thus banning GLBT individuals from being able to exercise the right to marry.

In Arkansas, all unmarried couples (especially GLBT couples) were henceforth banned from adopting children or becoming foster parents. With over 3% of the millions of foster children in the United States living in same sex households, you have to imagine some kids just lost what they believed might become their forever homes.

In the saddest, and most depressing loss of the night, California passed Proposition 8. This is the first time in history, a group of people have had a right given to them by the courts only to have it taken away. If anything is truly unconstitutional, it’s this, because this is the first time people have truly lost a right they once retained. First, we all need to agree that marriage truly is a right. I’ll get into why I believe it is a right a little later in this post.

Many people think that the courts have no right determining what is unconstitutional and what isn’t, but that is exactly why the courts are there. The judicial branch of the government was established because certain minority groups would be denied certain rights by the majority. The minority had to have some protection. In years past, we’ve seen many minority groups be served up similar “unconstitutional” bans on freedom, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The only protection these groups had was through the judicial system who overturned such unconstitutional laws and made it so these groups were given the same rights.

(more…)

Midway through election night, I had the distinct honor of joining a great group of people; new friends and Obama supporters. Keith Burtis, an artist on my Twitter, invited those on his list to a live blog, chatting event at the Yes but No but Yes web blog. Since I was spending a quiet evening with my family, between the computer (checking election results) and CNN, I thought it’d be a great way to meet new people.

The group of people at the live blog event were amazing folks. I’m truly glad I had the chance to meet them. We celebrated Obama’s victory, listened to McCain speak, and heard Obama’s message of hope and change, together. I had never thought I could feel so speechless concerning a presidential victory, but the election of Obama was surreal. I was not initially for Obama (Clinton supporter here), but I came to respect him and feel like I’ve been a part of something big. I’ve been a part of a historic event that my children’s children can only imagine as they read about this momentous victory in the history books.

This is what I shared with this group, and afterward, I was posed with a question by Keith. It was more of a challenge, and I’m taking it head on.

Keith asked some of us who were at the live blogging event to, ‘write on why we should look at life as one, rather than life as fragments scattered across the universe.‘

That’s what Obama spoke of when he mentioned people of all colors, all abilities, differing sexual orientations and his speech truly was all inclusive. As a transgendered man in a wheelchair, I’ve never felt so included in a political speech. I’ve never felt like a politician was truly talking to me, truly reaching out to me to ask for my assistance in building a new and better world.

So, to Keith and everyone out there, I would like to say that unity is the key to true equality and freedom. Unity is the key to building a better world. In our lives, we have so many labels. They label us by gender and biological sex. They label us by color. They label us by who we fall in love with, our religion, our political affiliation, our economic status, our ethnicity, our age, our experience, and everything else you can think of. We all have to fit in “neat little classification boxes” that describe who we are and what our assumed purpose is in life.

(more…)

I’m going to start podcasting here at DominickEvans.com. It’s about time I actually expressed my thoughts and opinions in a more productive way. I believe podcasting will be an excellent outlet. I am very excited about this new endeavor and I hope you all will join me for the ride.

I plan to podcast on both politics and religion. I had considered podcasting on sports, but I feel that I’m more passionate about the topics of politics and religion in a broader sense. Besides…I might make a few people mad if all I do is podcast about how much I love the U of M Wolverines!

When it comes to politics, I plan to express my thoughts as an educated individual with a plethora of political science knowledge under my belt. I minored in Political Science my first go around at college, prior to having to drop out my senior year, due to a tibial fracture. I have the knowledge and debates led by Profs. December Green, Liam Anderson, and Laura Luehrmann to thank for all of my political knowledge.

Prof. Green taught me a lot about international politics, especially those in relation to human rights throughout Africa and the world. I highly recommend taking a class with her if you ever go to school in Dayton. Prof. Anderson also taught about International Politics and he taught me about the horrors of genocide and what role politics play in policing the world. Then there is Professor Luehrmann, who was an incredibly hard, but fair teacher. Her Modern Political Ideologies class taught me about socialism, Marxist thought, fascism and many other concepts I often discuss with others.

(more…)

I got a political call today and the woman asked to talk to Dominick. I told her, that was me and she said, “uhm this is Dominick?”

So, I said, “Yeah, this is Dominick.”

Her reply was, “Ok, Dominique not Dominick.”

And I said, “No, this is Dominick.”

She paused for a moment and was like, “Well, uhm. Okay.”

(more…)

You know, I am an avid supporter of voting. People need to get out and vote. Regardless of what party you vote for, voting is one of those rights you don’t want to abuse. While I believe the political system in this country needs to be reformed, and the electoral vote needs to have less say in the election (let the people say who they want to vote for, not the electoral college), I also believe that by not voting, when a dimwitted dunderhead (like Bush) gets elected, you have absolutely no room to complain if you didn’t vote.

The problem is, many people see no point in voting. They have this entire idea that their vote doesn’t count or matter. Typically (as it should be), the electoral college votes for who they believe those in their state will vote for, and that is why most of the time, the popular vote and the electoral vote are the same. Only on rare occasions, or cheating elections, has the electoral college voted otherwise. For example, Al Gore was denied his right to the presidency, despite winning the popular vote. That usually doesn’t happen in elections.

I understand the voting process isn’t perfect. I feel it when people believe their vote is so small that it doesn’t count, but save for the presidency, all other offices are decided by the people. The presidency is decided through the electoral college based off the popular vote, so all of those people that decide not to vote have little say in what the electoral college does.

(more…)

Back in the day, candidates didn’t use the same type of smear tactics we see today in campaign ads. They used fun, memorable, repetitious cartoons, jingles and other entertaining methods to get people to vote for them.

I can just imagine what the campaign teams could come up with for McCain and Obama.

How about (depending on what side of the fence you’re on):

McCain, McCain, as bad for you as cocaine…
or
McCain, McCain, unlike Obama he’s never done cocaine…

Obama, Obama, he’s better than your Mama
or
Obama, Obama, he definitely ain’t yo Mama

Barack, Barack, used to do the crack rock
or
Barack, Barack he’ll knock you off your socks

McCain, McCain, we know he is a pain!
or
McCain, McCain he’ll win your heart Again!

Palin, Palin believes in promiscuous datin’
or
Palin, Palin she’ll be the one who’s bailin (us out of trouble)

Oh, you get the picture!

That being said, I’d like you to look at some of the interesting campaigns from yesteryear. So, sit back, relax and check out these videos of a time where campaign advertisements were much more simple and fun!

(more…)

Though many of the top U.S. bloggers, including internet ‘Rockstar’ Jeremy “Shoemoney” Schoemaker have made it clear that they support Republicans (he’s said he’s a big Bush fan), a slim few, including the self-proclaimed Internet Geek Girl, Stephanie Agresta seem to be thinking about the long term fiscal affects of having a Republican in the White House for another 4-8 years.

I should mention that as a major consensus, these pro-bloggers don’t typically discuss politics all that much (politics is a red herring), but on occasion their comments (or sometimes tweets) give away their true political intentions. I can certainly see why some bloggers might support Republicans. In the past 40 or so years (perhaps even longer), Republicans have largely given tax breaks to those making over $250,000. Most of these bloggers make well over that amount per year. What they don’t seem to be looking at is the long term effects of a Republican president in office.

We can all admit the economy sucks. Maybe not for these bloggers. It’s no slight against them. I’m impressed, enamored and inspired by how much money these bloggers make. They really are remarkable individuals. However, this economy could be better for everyone, regardless of how much they make.

Let’s look at a few facts.

From 1992-2001, gas prices rose from $1.06 to $1.46 (a 40 cent raise) - I can’t even imagine paying less than $2 for gas these days!

From 2001-June 2008 gas prices rose from $1.46 to $4.06 (a $2.60 raise) - This seems about accurate.

We currently have a $9,635,998,970,881.38 national debt as of today.

(more…)

I used to go to a lot of different forums. Some of them I was welcome at and some of them, only some of the people on the forums seemed friendly and nice. On one of these forums, there were many political debates. A favorite topic amongst the locals was that of GLBT rights. It’s no secret I’m transgendered. It’s no secret I believe in the scientific research that is pointing towards differential brain structures in those who are transgendered and those who aren’t. I believe in the fetal hormone washing theories. I know it is not a choice. It’s just who I am. I also know that not everyone feels that way.

Some people seem to think (illogically) that a person could want to go through a lifetime of hormone treatments, multiple surgeries, and spend more money than any person should have to, to become the person their brain says they are; the person their brain reflects. These people also believe being gay is a choice. I’m not sure why they believe millions of Americans would “choose” to be persecuted willingly. It’s not like we’re trying to hack a limb off or anything .We just want to love, marry, and be who we are. No harm, no foul.

One day, when I went to a certain forum, I saw what true hatred was. A man wrote his true feelings about those who are GLBT or otherwise non-conformist when it comes to gender and/or sexual orientation. The only thing that’s valiant is that at least he’s honest. It’s harder to see those who keep silent, then go out and shoot up a club with gay people in it. That’s the worst kind of hatred. Still, I’d always found this man’s rants and ravings to be bothersome. I wanted to know how he came to such illogical conclusions about people he admits he didn’t even know.

On this day, his post was all about his plans for the GLBT community. He wanted those of us who identify as GLBT (or otherwise) to know that he detested our presence. Not only that, but he felt that the United States Congress should pass a law. All people who were GLBT should have to be sent to an island. The island should be moderated to keep all the “deviants” from leaving the island. Then, the rest of the world could live in peace. Children wouldn’t be tainted by supposed “GLBT propaganda”. Eventually, GLBT folks would die off and the whole world would be straight.

My initial thought to this was, ‘Does this moron forget that straight parents have made gay and lesbian children? Both my parents were straight. I’m transgendered (and yes, I identify as straight). Most of my gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, questioning, etc. friends have straight parents. Removing GLBT people from society will not eliminate GLBT people. It’s just ignorant and somewhat nazi-ish in theory. In fact, his post even mentioned how total obliteration of all GLBT folks on the “island” could eventually become a possibility. This modern day, wannabe Hitler seems to truly believe the crap spewing from his fingertips and onto this forum.

(more…)

(Written together with Ashtyn Evans)

Amidst rumors that Bristol Palin could possibly be the mother of her little brother Trig, the Palins have stated that Sarah Palin is the mommy and have supported this claim by saying that:

A. Bristol Palin was out of school for the five months leading up to the birth of Trig due to mono not to give birth
B. Bristol is five months pregnant, meaning her child’s conception occurred before Trig was born

That brings up some interesting questions. First of all, if Bristol was sick with mono how could she have gotten pregnant? Mono is a highly infectious disease. Her parents kept her out of school, but let her go out long enough to get pregnant? Doesn’t that raise further questions about how effective the Palins are as parents? Additionally how was she able to get in a car accident and three traffic violations if she was sick at home with mono?

We’ve all seen the pictures of Bristol with young Trig in the hospital after he was born. This was a baby born prematurely. I wouldn’t let a sick person around any baby let alone one with special needs and possible complications from being born nearly a month prematurely. In these same pictures, Bristol does look tired and somewhat worn out. She also looks like she’s wearing an extra large sweatshirt to conceal her waist. Sarah Palin looks happy, thin, and incredibly perky for just having given birth. Of course, she didn’t seem to gain any weight to begin with, so maybe Trig hid in her kidney for those eight months?

(more…)

I can’t stand Obama. I think Joe Biden is a poor excuse for a politician. Plagiarists don’t sit well with writers, even if I’m only writing until I can get through film school. I don’t think Obama can change anything. I don’t think he has the skill to fix jack shit. He can’t fix what Bush has done and he’s the most inexperienced presidential candidate ever second only to Bush.

But….I hate Sarah Palin. I don’t mean I dislike her. I HATE that stupid bitch. I cannot stand her. She is the biggest hypocrite on the planet. John McCain made a huge mistake in picking her as his running mate. He wanted the “Hillary” supporters and the Evangelicals all in one vote, but seriously, he’s about to alienate both groups thanks to choosing this woman.

I agree that USUALLY a politician’s kids should be off limits, but:

-When a person is trying to force “beliefs” on a nation that do not even work in her own home she is a fuckin’ hypocrite

-Bristol Palin is 17, pregnant and not married - Sarah Palin believes ONLY in abstinence. She wants to remove the teaching about birth control from public schools. Birth control could have HELPED Bristol had she believed in it. Heck, what about condoms? What about AIDS? Shouldn’t kids know to protect themselves?

-Her daughter is also an underage drinker and there are pictures to prove it. How does that sit well with “Republican family values”?

Likewise, Palin wants to censor entertainment, especially books. She wants to ban certain books. How can you ban people from reading? That’s bullshit. Shouldn’t we be encouraging people, especially kids, to read? Maybe if Bristol was busy reading she wouldn’t be off getting knocked up. Just a thought.

She also wants to force creationism into science books and possibly remove evolution. Evolution has NEVER been proven to be wrong. It might not be 100% proven to be true. That’s why its called the “Evolution Theory”. It’s a highly supported theory. No proof has proved it wrong. EVER. All evidence found as of now, in the many years since Darwin lived points to the theory being correct. In fact, it is one of the most thoroughly supported scientific theories EVER.

Creationism has never been proven. Creationism isn’t even a theory. It’s a belief system put into place by a minority of Christians. The only support for it is “faith”. In faith, there is no scientific proof. It isn’t even an educated guess. It’s just believing in something that you can’t see because you want to believe it.

That has NO ROOM being taught in SCIENCE class. SCIENCE is based on facts or proving things that could be backed up factually. Now don’t get me wrong, but unless Jesus and his Heavenly Father sweeps down to speak to all on Earth as a collective whole (even the non-Christians) telling them “Yes, I created all of you”, which has never, ever happened, EVER according to history, there is no way of proving that creationism could be or is real.

(more…)