There are times when I want to knock people's heads together.  I saw a post on Facebook this morning from a friend of mine who is politically active and involved with both GLBT rights and the Democratic party.  She had posted a video of a "rant" aired on MSNBC, in which the ranter's message to GLBT people was "What don't you understand?  The GOP just isn't that into you!"  Her comment on the video was, "A 'straight' man tells it like it is...Can anyone make it clearer?  Why do so many just 'fail' to get it?"


The following was my comment on her post:

Perhaps because some appreciate the Log Cabin Republicans for bringing - and winning, in the first round - a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of DADT?

Perhaps because some are wondering why the Democrats, when in power, seem to be unable to achieve their policy goals and/or unwilling to fight the tough battles -- and, if that's not the truth, why the Democrats haven't been able to change public perception?

Perhaps because some prefer to work for change from within the GOP?  Perhaps because some are tired of hearing GLBT leaders tar all Republicans with the same brush?

Perhaps because some know people like the 64% of Republicans surveyed who favor DADT repeal, or the Republican Secretary of Defense (held over from the prior administration) who favors DADT repeal, or the 60% of Marines surveyed or 70% of all military personnel surveyed (including Republicans) who say DADT repeal will not cause damage to the military?

Perhaps because some dislike being solicited for money and time, only to see their concerns and needs relegated to the back of the legislative priority bus, even when the Democrats controlled both houses of Congress and the White House?  And find that the leaders of many GLBT organizations are abject failures when it comes to getting pro-equality legislation passed?

Perhaps because not everyone, and certainly not every GLBT person, agrees with the Democratic party's policies outside of GLBT civil rights?

Can anyone make *that* clearer?  Why do so many just "fail" to get *that*?

November 2, 2010.  I know I shouldn't need to say this. But if I don't
say it, who will?

Today is Election Day.

The entire House of Representatives is up for grabs. So are 1/3 of the Senate seats.

Pollsters (those highly-accurate people who can predict election results weeks and months in advance) are saying that control of the House will likely return to the Republican party. They're also saying there's a chance that the Senate
might do the same.

My point?

If you want to prove them right, vote.  If you want to prove them wrong, vote.  But vote, dammit.

Get your butt out the door. Go to the polling place. Make a choice -- informed or otherwise -- but *do it*. It's the simplest yet most powerful bit of political activism you could do.

Really want to get active? Call your friends. Call your family members. Tell them to vote, too. Actually, bug the hell out of them until they vote just to get you to shut up.

All the rallies, all the ads, all the talking and campaigning -- it all comes down to today, and millions of people saying, "This one. Not that one."  Including you.

This is it. Showtime. Center stage, spotlight.

You're on.