A troubling sign

President Barack Obama has, on the large scheme of things, been a decent President. There has been, however, a glaring exception to the rule. This will not go away easily. When Timothy McVeigh was arrested for his many, many crimes in Oklahoma City, he nevertheless was read his rights under the Constitution. He was tried, convicted, incarcerated, and ultimately executed - all the time knowing his rights. I personally oppose the death penalty, but if McVeigh could know his rights yet still wind up in the death chamber, I have to admit the US had a helluva good case.

Now what is the difference between Timothy McVeigh and other people arrested in other countries? I can think of three reasons:

1) They are of the "wrong" color.
2) They were born in the "wrong" country.
3) They belong to the "wrong" religion.

Please, President Obama, let these men and women be afforded their basic human rights. Our country is better when we do this.

To Homeschooled Students

Hello, students. I hope your year is going well. First of all, I'd like to say that your parents have only the best for you. I'd like to say that, but I wonder if it is indeed the truth. You see, the world is indeed a puzzling, sometimes scary place. For a very long time - thousands upon thousands of years, in fact - parents have tried to shield their children from what is going on in the world. So far, it hasn't worked.

For me and others like me of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, it's a difficult road.