Press release from the American Family Association regarding an upcoming episode of their series "Speechless:  Silencing the Christians."  Apparently, this is the week to take on the homos. 

> Local network television stations will soon begin airing a new television
> special produced by the American Family Association.
>
> Most Americas get their information about the homosexual movement from the
> secular news media and Hollywood, which not only support but promote the
gay
> agenda.  What people know is tainted by pro-homosexual propaganda.
>
> AFA now presents this one-hour special to reveal the truth about the
radical
> homosexual agenda and its impact on the family, the nation, and religious
> freedom.
>
> "Speechless" ? the title of the television special ? will air in the
> Pittsburg area Wednesday, February 11.  You can watch it locally at 9 p.m.
> on WPCB, channel 40.
>
> The TV Special will reveal the truth about:
> The claim that homosexuals are born that way and cannot change.
> The negative impact on children resulting from schools promoting the gay
> lifestyle,
> Protected minority status for homosexuals.
> Same-sex marriage, and
> Legislative initiatives like Hate Crime and the Employment
> Non-Discrimination Act.
>
> And, it will:
>
> Attack the major lies of militant gay activists head-on.
> Alert viewers about what's at stake for the family if they get what they
> want.
> Present helpful information to stop the radical homosexual political
agenda.
>
>  Visit our website to learn more about the entire series of "Speechless:
> Silencing the Christians."
>
> Thank you for caring enough to get involved. If you feel our efforts are
> worthy of support, would you consider making a small tax-deductible
> contribution to help us continue?
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
> Tim Wildmon, President
> American Family Association

It will air on Channel 40, WPCB also known as Cornerstone Television.  I checked their schedule and here it is.  The whole "Christians are being silenced" perspective is utterly ridiculous and part of this false pitting of gay rights against freedom of religion.  Ridiculous.  Christians are not being silenced to any further degree than any other American citizen. 

I say the best response is for all you Christian identifying homosexuals out there to follow the call of Reverend Janet Edwards and reclaim your churches. 

I wonder if I count as a militant gay activist?  Cause that would make my day.

Yesterday, we placed Buttercup at the Humane Society which is vigilant in finding suitable homes for Pit Bulls so we rested easy knowing Buttercup is in the best possible place for her.  I also spoke with a woman on the phone who told me she is a foster home for Pit Bulls with the Humane Society and might end up fostering her if no owner turns up. 

So, today, I ask you to help out the Western PA Humane Society by clicking on the link below to vote for Elsie, their ambassadorial pit bull.  If Elsie wins the most votes, the WPHS will win $5,000 toward their pit bull rescue work.  That's a very simple two minute request.  Voting is open until February 28.

If the Michael Vicks story outrages you, please vote.  If local stories of dog fighting outrage you, please vote. If you took the time to read my post yesterday about Buttercup and this one, too, please vote. If you love dogs, please vote.  If you don't love dogs, but believe that all animals deserve to be treated with decency and compassion, please vote.

Sadly, Dr. William I. Cohen has passed away.  He was not an acquaintance of mine, but I do note his many accomplishments:

Dr. William I. Cohen spent 19 years heading the Down Syndrome Center of Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, creating a loving, family-centered environment where parents with developmentally disabled children found unexpected reassurance.

He had titles as a developmental-behavioral pediatrician and professor of pediatrics and psychiatry, but his personal touch meant far more. Most of the 2,000 families who have visited the center since its creation in 1989 spent hours with Dr. Cohen.

Dr. Cohen was also an openly gay man, serving on the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC.  I bring this to your attention to acknowledge how tastefully the Post-Gazette incorporated this aspect of his life while focusing on the many, many medical and personal accomplishments of a man who appears to have been devoted to his patients and their families. 

While I do question some of the PG's recent "let's be relevant" decisions, including recruiting pep to quasi-blog for free while laying off unionized employees who also seem to be able to write and the atrocious article about the County Ordinance hearing, I must continue to recognize that they do a pretty good job on a day to day basis "covering" gay news.  Dr. Cohen's death is a tragedy for his family, which was acknowledged to include his long time partner, but certainly for his patients and their families as well. 

Including the whole of his identity among his accomplishments is a perfect illustration of two things. First, there are plenty of accomplished persons who are LGBT and not necessarily headline grabbers because of that fact (he was a physician who happened to be gay).  Second and perhaps more nuanced ... being out in your workplace can be one of the most brave and powerful ways toward true equality.  Certainly. Dr. Cohen was buffered by his class, gender and his professional accomplishments, but that doesn't mean it was necessarily easy to be an openly gay individual within the worlds of UPMC and Pitt.  We cannot begin to know the lives he touched and educated about gay issues simply by being authentic. 

There are hundreds of Dr. Cohen's around Pittsburgh and, for that, we should all be grateful. 

Rest in peace, Dr. Cohen. And thank you.