Earlier this week I posted about my uncle, Can You Be Angry and Still Dream (CYBAASD), and his son and I wanted to give everyone an update.

http://www.dailykos.com/...

While the situation is still very serious, my cousin is showing some signs of improvement. The best news is now that the weather has improved in the midwest, CYBAASD has arrived in Illinois safe and sound as have his other son, his daughter and brother.  I know my uncle is comforted to be with his family right now.  Thanks again for all your kind thoughts and well wishes.

All my best,
DemDiva

Friends.  I’m Can You Be Angry and Still Dream’s niece and I’m afraid I have some very bad news.  Last Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, CYBAASD’s oldest son (my cousin), went in to the hospital with a serious illness.  He was home the next day and seemed to be doing relatively well when I saw him Saturday night, but today things took a turn for the worse and he is back in the hospital in critical condition.  He is hooked up to a ventilator and is fighting for his life.  

CYBAASD is in Signapore for work and is making his way back as soon as possible.  I know he must feel very alone right now being so far away. Because he feels such a connection to you all, I just wanted you to know so that you can keep him in your thoughts and prayers.  

I’ll be sure to post updates as I know more.

All my best,

DemDiva

Yesterday, both Congressman Moran and Senator Obama spoke at a rally for Jim Webb, the democratic challenger to George "Macaca" Allen, incumbent senator of Virginia. While Senator Obama's appearance gained more media attention, both representatives riled up the crowd.

Congressman Moran said we needed a senator from Virginia who actually is a tough guy, not a guy from Los Angeles who wears cowboy boots. Senator Obama said he "needs help in the Senate" ... he's already figured out the four seats the democrats are winning for sure, but we need two more. Jim Webb said he was surprised to find out that George Allen was going around telling everyone that Jim Webb writes books, because he thought that was a good thing.

More from the MSM below on the rally and the race.

Tomorrow, Congressman John Murtha, the first Vietnam veteran elected to Congress, will be honored with the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.  

Lets thank, and protect, all our elected war heroes by signing a petition that insists the RNC stop their baseless attacks on honorable veterans who run for office.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/...

Demand that Senator Frist Keep His Promise
by John Hlinko (StemPAC) May 10, 2006 5:48 PM

Back in the spring of 2005, we started StemPAC to help fight back for stem cell research. Our main goal was to fight for the passage of HR 810 -- a bill that would rescind President Bush's draconian restrictions on this research, restrictions that have needlessly delayed the medical breakthroughs which such research might bring.

Ads link homosexuality, child abuse
on Virginia TV
Commercials featuring 'ex-gays' funded by church

By KATHERINE VOLIN
Friday, December 02, 2005

http://www.washblade.com/....

Critics of a new series of television commercials sponsored by a local church claim the ads imply a link between homosexuality and sexual abuse, a contention disputed by the pastor at the church.

Lynn Carter, associate pastor at Arlington Assembly of God, in Arlington, Va., said the ads were intended only to extend a welcome to people who might have felt demonized by Christianity.

The commercials spotlight at least two "ex-gays." One commercial features a man, the other features a woman, and each says they were sexually abused as a child and later lived a "gay lifestyle." Both commercials end with the person claiming they are now heterosexual and Christian.

Gay activist Wayne Besen, author of "Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals & Lies behind the Ex-gay Myth," said that linking sexual abuse with homosexuality is a familiar message from ex-gay groups.

Last night I was at a birthday party and I got into a discussion with another guest at the party, let's call him Larry. Larry is a republican lawyer in DC (although in between jobs right now) and in his late twenties. Larry and I are both friends of the birthday boy, but have never met before.

As often happens at DC birthday parties, the subject of the 2008 election came up. And I thought a couple things Larry said were interesting, especially for a DC republican. This is my assessment of what he said about some republican and democratic presidential contenders:

Listen, I'm not a conspiracy theorist, and I don't think VP Cheney shot his friend on purpose or anything. But the Bush administration has been a little too slick in the timing of press releases in this young week to believe it was just a coincidence. It may be good-old-fashioned media maneuvering, but I think they're hoping we won't notice a couple important pieces of un-flattering news.

During the 2004 presidential race, the Bush administration used their Swift-Vet flunkies to try to ruin the reputation of Senator John Kerry.  Then last year, the republicans turned their attack dogs on John Murtha, a decorated Korean War veteran who represents Pennsylvania's 12th District.

Lets thank, and protect, all our elected war heros by signing a petition that insists the RNC stop their baseless attacks on honorable veterans who run for office.  

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/...

During the 2004 presidential race, the Bush administration used their Swift-Vet flunkies to try to ruin the reputation of Senator John Kerry.  Then last year, the republicans turned their attack dogs on John Murtha, a decorated Korean War veteran who represents Pennsylvania's 12th District.

Lets thank, and protect, all our elected war heros by signing a petition that insists the RNC stop their baseless attacks on honorable veterans who run for office.  

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/...

During the 2004 presidential race, the Bush administration used their Swift-Vet flunkies to try to ruin the reputation of Senator John Kerry, the democrat's number one war hero.

This week, Senator Kerry stood up for us by insisting that our voice was heard on the Senate floor.  Lets thank Senator Kerry by signing a petition that insists the RNC stop their baseless attacks on honorable veterans who run for office.  We need more elected officials like Senator Kerry in the Democratic Party!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/...