Greetings:

Now the BU$H JUNTA has finally gotten out of control . . .

I grew up in a household with a father who was a wife and child beater and extremely two-faced --- nice enough of a guy in public --- but behind closed doors --- well let's just say that I spent a great deal of my childhood and teen years in my bedroom with the door locked.

By the time I hit my sixteenth birthday --- ol' Dennis was on marriage number five.

My mother had a nervous breakdown because of what he did --- I got so sad and despondant over her condition that after having a long talk with Paula --- I had to stop socializing with Mom. I just wanted that sick and helpless feeling in the car on the way home --- to go away.

After each marriage was over --- I was demanded to stop all relationships with favorite aunts and uncles, cousins, and grandparents-in-law. Also --- each time Dennis moved into his new life --- I lost all my friends. In one case, we suddenly upped and left, with him telling me not to say goodbye to my girlfriend of the time. When I contacted Bonnie two years ago (with Paula's blessing) as an adult --- she told me that she spent quite a number of years trying to locate me.

I actually grew up on a working dairy and beef farm --- this is where the vast majority of my fond memories drift back to --- whenever I want to think about my past. Yes, it was a hell of a lot of work, but it was the kind of work that made you feel good about yourself.

On this farm we had beef and dairy cattle, chickens, pigs, goats, horses, cats, and of course dogs. I have been a dog trainer for the past thirty years, as well.

When my mom and dad and brother Mike and I split up --- this farm was also lost. For thirteen years, the official family "story" of what happened was put forth mostly by my father. Of course, none of the beatings were his "fault" --- then FATE intervened.

My brother and I ran into one another at a local Radio Shack, by that time my brother was 23 years old. I hadn't seen him since he had been 10 years old. It was during the time he was planning his wedding --- which Paula and I got to attend. I was happy to also see both of my grandparents before they died.

Also, I spoke to my grandmother Ann about the "stories" I had been hearing for 13 years. Hearing a different perspective gave me the confirmation that my own father was lying all these years. Hearing the truth made much more sense of some of the events in my childhood.

Now, if I had the choice between the above, or two gay parents that really loved me and each other, I would take the parents who were based in LOVE and NOT in fear, rage, and jealousy.

The truly sad part about the Constitutional Amendment for marriage looks to me like it is going to go through.

The basis of any relationship should be mutual love and respect, and not based upon some attempted morality legislation.

Here is a question to ponder:

Those of you who do not agree with me or do not like me --- would you think kindly of the idea that YOU now must do everything I tell you? What you do, what you can say in public, where you can live, and if there is some enjoyment of yours that I do not like or approve of --- that I can arbitrarily throw you in prison for as long as I wish?

Would YOU like that?!?!?!?

Having attemps at the legislation of morality, the situation is tolerable as long as you are on the side of those who agree that the particular action is acceptable. But for those who disagree, what about them?

Also what about the matter of imminent domain?

What about the world stops at my front door, and whatever happens inside, so long as it does not harm or infringe upon the rights of another, is mine and no one else's business?

My HIV doctor of the past 15 years is himself gay, and during that time I supported him in every way possible. That includes attending every fundraiser, event, and happening --- even including his gay activist activities. This man helped to save my life --- I wanted to return the favor by at least lending my unmitigated support.

I learned quite a bit from Ross --- including a lot of his inner feelings about his feeling that he did not belong when he was younger. Boy, could I relate to THAT!

LOVE does not relate to gender, nor is it blind to it.

Instead of the BU$H people trying to rid gay marriage, why don't they fight divorce? That is a much bigger impact on society, in sheer numbers alone.

As long as two people love each other --- it should not matter that there isn't "one of each gender" to complete the transaction.

KDB = Buffalo, NY USA