Gender: Male
Status: Single
Age: 51
Sign: Pisces
City: Orlando
State: Florida
Country: US
Signup Date:
04/30/06
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Saturday, October 11, 2008
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Parade Day (Sunday) Schedule of Events
Category: Friends
The following is the schedule of events for Come Out With Pride Orlando:
10:30 AM: HRC Pride 'Beach Blanket Brunch' BEACON
12 NOON: Festival Area opens at Lake Eola Park Exhibitor Showcase, the KidZone, The Central Florida GLBT History Exhibit, DJs, and the Cocktail/ Courtyard
1:00 PM: Opening Ceremonies at Amphitheater with Mayor Buddy Dyer, the Orlando Gay Chorus, Orlando City Commissioner Daisy Lynum and others.
3:00 PM: PRIDE PARADE - Our own WANZIE & DOUG will be riding in a convertible close to the beginning of the parade so they can jump out of the car and onto the reviewing stage to Emcee the Parade and announce the many colorful floats and parade units to as they pass by all who are assembled on the grassy knoll on the Rosalind side of Lake Eola near the main entrance to the park.
Parade Route:
Step off at 3 PM at Summerlin & Washington in Thornton Park.
South on Summerlin to Central.
West on Central alongside Lake Eola Park to Rosalind.
North on Roseland passing in front of the Amphitheater and grassy knoll.
5:00 PM: Entertainment begins on the Amphitheatre Stage, including:
80's sensation and 1 Billboard Pop Artist
Lisa Lisa
Finale presented by
Universal Orlando Resort and Bright House Networks:
Billboard's All-time 1 Dance Diva
Kristine W
Don't miss the AFTER PRIDE PARTY At The Parliament House on Sunday, October 12th. After the rally, the parade, and the show at Lake Eola Park, it's party time at PH:
NO COVER
THOUSANDS OF PARADE REVELERS
FREE BBQ 8 - 9:30 PM
SPECIAL FOOTLIGHT PLAYERS PRIDE SHOW AT 10 PM
And don't miss the fabulous Ru Paul Concert the tonight:
7:29 PM
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Sunday, October 05, 2008
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Pride Kick Off
Category: Parties and Nightlife
 Those who have been around the downtown Orlando club scene for a good long while will no doubt recall the BIG BANG era. The funky little club with the postage-size dance floor, amazingly eclectic clientèle, Dr. Seuss-like and retro décor and a bright and colorful theme-changing back room was THE place to be and be seen in Orlando during it's short lived stint on Orlando Avenue. It was also home to theatrical troupe The Perform Ants which presented plays in the Disco. Join MISS SAMMY and loads of Big Bangers as The Metropolitan Business Association and Orlando Weekly presents RETURN TO BIG BANG:
10:24 PM
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Thursday, October 02, 2008
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Send a message to Sarah Palin
Category: News and Politics
Many may have thought we wanted a woman on a national political ticket, but the joke has really been on us, hasn't it? Are you now sick in your stomach at the thought of Sarah Palin as Vice President of the United States?
Happily, since Palin gave her speech accepting the Republican nomination for the Vice Presidency, the horrified population has flooded Barack Obama's campaign with donations of over $10 million dollars. Some of you may already be supporting the Obama campaign financially; others of you may still be a little honked off over the primaries. None of you, however, can be happy with Palin's selection, especially on her positions on women's issues. So, if you feel you can't support the Obama campaign financially, here's a nice alternative:
Make a donation to Planned Parenthood. In Sarah Palin's name. Already a good cause, the best part is that when you make a donation to PP in her name, they'll send her a card telling her that the donation has been made in her honor. Here's the link to the Planned Parenthood website:
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/ http://www.plannedparenthood.org/
CLICK ON 'DONATE IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF" SOMEONE. IT'S ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE PAGE.
You'll need to fill in the address to let PP know where to send the "in Sarah Palin's honor" card. I suggest you use the address for the McCain campaign headquarters, which is:
McCain for President
1235 S. Clark Street
1st Floor
Arlington , VA 22202
Feel free to send this along to all your friends and urge them to do the same.
7:19 PM
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Sunday, September 28, 2008
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Worlds Collide in Winter Garden Dive!
Category: Parties and Nightlife
This Special Report just in from world-roving field reporter, WANZIE–himself:
After attending the Industry Nite performance of Beth Marshall Presents L'Ange Avec Les Fleurs (which I highly recommend seeing) a group of friends and I decided to enjoy a post show libation at one of the local downtown Winter Garden watering holes. After conferring with the cast, we discovered all the restaurants and lounges deemed suitable for our eclectic crowd were closed Monday nights in Winter Garden.
Not ones to be easily deterred from drinking, official WANZeGRAM photographers Margo and Jack Dixon and I forged our way past dozens of darkened antique & curio shops and shuttered cafes to the darkened end of Plant St., heading toward the only neon liquor-related window signs still aglow, and stumbled into a little dive called Tony's Bar. (For those of you Connecticut subscribers; Tony's reminded me a great deal of Sylvester's or Esther's Hacienda).
We sent word back to everyone still loitering around The Garden Theater to meet us at Tony's. And eventually they all arrived; Gay, Gayer, Lesbian, and Straights-with-hints-of-stage make-up still showing, alike.
If you wish to hear a full report of the riotous time we had encountering the colorful locals therein, and their reaction to us, you'll have to either buy me a drink when you've time to spare or listen to the Philips Phile this coming Monday at 5:15 PM (104.1 FM) when everyone at Tony's will be listening in as well.
In the meantime, here are some snaps of the eventful outing for your enjoyment:
All photos courtesy Jack and Margo Dixon
Official photographers of the WANZeGRAM
   All photos courtesy Jack and Margo Dixon
Official photographers of the WANZeGRAM
      All photos courtesy Jack and Margo Dixon
Official photographers of the WANZeGRAM
Truth be told we all had a wonderful time and everyone (except for Angry Barbara) was very nice to all of us, as well as the many not-pictured-here cast members who were playing billiards in the back room.
L'Ange Avec Les Fleurs is truly wonderful on its own, but when combined with a visit to Historical Downtown Winter Garden, it's a "two-for" worth the drive.
Technically, I'm not supposed to review theater in the Gram, but I am making a rare exception because the fine folks in this show are all just so damned amazing that they deserve larger houses and I, who went with low expectations because nothing about the subject matter really spoke to me, came away utterly amazed at how enjoyable a show it was, how incredibly slick it was, how funny it was, and, to Elizabeth Murff - "how profound" it was. Go early while cafes are still open and enjoy the shops as well. See details in the show listing in the IN THE BRIEF section below.
After the show, stroll up the street to Tony's bar and tell Peggy and Mike that WANZIE sent you!
Beth Marshall Presents
L'Ange Avec Les Fleurs
2:58 PM
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Thursday, September 25, 2008
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An Open Letter Concerning GLBCC/OYA
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes
An open letter to THE CENTER board of directors, CENTER Director, and the community at large,
RE: The refusal on behalf of THE CENTER to sign the user agreement with Orlando Youth Alliance, favoring 12-Step programs above GLBT Youth.
Sorry to be blunt – but what the F!
It is really this simple and factual – THAT building was chosen SPECIFICALLY because of two reasons. The mortgage payment being covered by rent collected on the adjoining buildings AND quite purposefully so that THAT the upstairs loft in question could and would be used as a dedicated YOUTH lounge and meeting space. As far as I am concerned NOTHING ELSE SHOULD TAKE PRECEDENT over this promise that was never made good to the youth.
I understand the lack of meeting space there, but for 12-stop adult recovery groups to take precedent over gay youth is downright absurd no matter how you rationalize it. I fully understand the benefits of gay 12-step programs, but gays are not EXCLUDED from the many other 12-steps programs that take place in this city numerous times during every 24 hour period. Those alternate choices, imperfect thought they may be, are not alternatives that are available to our GLBT Youth.
As Barry Miller has pointed out in a recent letter on the subject:
"When GLBCC bought the building the upstairs was designated as the Youth Lounge. In fact the kids initially painted the room and put their handprints in paint on the wall to commemorate the event."
It is crazy to think that OYA and those who have given money to this cause would fork over $40 thousand dollars for a renovation that did not result in bringing about the original stated purpose of a dedicated youth lounge.
Given the sensitive issue of youth mentoring, the involvement of county oversight and the criteria that must be met to insure that school counselors may be free refer troubled gay youth to a safe-haven meeting space there simply can not be even the "perception" of the impropriety of adult recovery programs occurring in the same supposedly dedicated space. Those in the recovery programs have alternatives available to them. The youth do not. And those in the recovery programs are not offering to make a $40,000 improvement to THE CENTER property.
The YOUTH should come first and foremost – and that space should finally – after all these years – become precisely what it was intended to be. The fact that you and your board will not sign the agreement allowing this to happen is appalling. It is weak-minded. It lacks vision. And it demonstrates that The Center's priorities are once again in the wrong place.
I sincerely fear, that refusing to sign that agreement spells the end for THE CENTER.
I stopped doing any fundraising or appearances on behalf of The Center over this issue during Mr., King's reign. The largest Gay and Lesbian oriented business in town – THE PARLIAMENT HOUSE – stated in print that the PH would no longer sponsor, make facilities available to, allow Center related fundraising to occur on their property, and would not donate funds to THE CENTER until this issue was put to rest and Center followed through on it's original plan to have a dedicated space available for our kids. I personally know of MANY people of means who do not support The Center for precisely this same reasons and this reasons alone.
At the urging of Susan Unger - Barry Miller, myself, and Michael Slaymaker met with Michael Vance and other representatives of THE CENTER and it was agreed we would raise funds to finance the necessary renovations required for a sanctioned safe-haven space, such as separate entry, and no -access to adults other than certified and background-checked mentors. There were window and bathroom and ceiling repairs required. A door to create, and an outside staircase to install. To date approximately $25 thousand dollars has been raised toward that end.
The original GLBCC was an organization that I myself helped to bring about through hosting and mediating meetings in my own home whereby GCS and THE CENTER became a single entity to serve the entire community. I was the Center Director for two and a half years, and helped organize and produce the GayEscape Cruises which each raised in excess of $20,000 (EACH) in a single night. During my time as director I had even worked out a deal with Bill Miller and Michael Hodge to provide transitional living space for at-risk youth in the Carolina Moon Cottages, while we worked to get social services involved with the discarded or run-away kids. Obviously the Center and OYA are both very important organizations to me personally, and I will feel a real sense of loss over the demise of the Center. But this terribly wrong decision on the part of the Present Center Director and Board Members..This abhorable inaction to provide for our youth and make them a priority...This continuation of more poor management of a once thriving and vital asset to our community will, and quite frankly should bring about the demise of THE CENTER.
As a founding member of GLBCC and a past Center Director it saddens me to say, I have officially reached the end of my rope where THE CENTER is concerned.
I do NOT wish the organization good luck. I think the property should be sold and any profit should be given to OYA for the purchase of a Safe Haven meeting facility and a Transitional Home. That is what would best serve our community at this point in time. Adult discussion groups can meet in private homes or many available community rooms at the library or even at most malls, Free HIV testing is available through numerous other organizations and clinics, HIV support groups meet elsewhere every night. those in recovery have many groups they can attend elsewhere, Church groups that used to use The Center as a place of worship now have their own facilities and have arrived at a point in our history where most of the books in the Center Library are now available at the Public Library or Borders and the like. The Metropolitan Business Association provides fabulous networking opportunities for businesses people, and their Come Out With Pride committee has transformed our parade and rally into one of the finest in the Nation. PhishPhest and other such groups sponsor events specifically for Lesbians, our gay history is even now brilliantly and painstakingly preserved through of efforts of those involved with www.gayorlandohistory.org. Gay bars and nightclubs abound. And a suicide or gay-help hot line does not need a physical plant from which to operate. It seems to me that anyone and everyone (and those numbers are miniscule given the size and scope of Central Florida's gay population) who may care to utilize the Center has another place they can go if need be; another source from which to access information; many alternate opportunities for networking and to socializing; EVERYONE that is, EXCEPT our GLBT YOUTH!
Sell the F'n Center and dissolve the organization!
When I left my post at THE CENTER it was financially solvent, had a paid staff, an ongoing PLEDGE program wherein monthly pledges paid the rent, fabulous monthly fundraising entertainment events that brought in the funds for utilities and insurance, an on site food bank, a living room, and 5 meeting rooms and there was not a single night that every meeting room was not in use, often to overflowing – and at that time I don't believe we had a single 12-step program which met at our facility. Of course this was all accomplished with the help of dedicated individuals such as the ever-concerned and ever-supportive Scott Alles and Larry Nicastro, and the likes of Doug Swallow, David Bain, John Rose, Linda Cartwright, Ginger Walsh and many others including those who came before us such as Shannon Addison, Bill Green, and Charlie Hogan to name but a few.
The Center was teaming with activity every night and every day of the week and it provided functions and camaraderie and support that was quite simply unavailable any where else at that point in time. Every city of our size deserves to have Gay Community Center. But since the Orlando Center will not adjust to accommodate the Youth as needed, I don't believe this particular CENTER deserves to exist anymore nor is it as vital to the community as it once was, nor does it or can it command the respect or trust necessary to ever be properly funded.
Barry Miller, at my behest, became the Center Board President some years ago. He located the Center's present location and spearheaded the fundraising drive which enabled the group to make the down payment of it's present wholly-owned Mills Avenue location. Mr. Miller left the Center with two income-producing properties – one a pharmacy and the other a restaurant – whose monthly rent checks fully cover the mortgage payment on the property – and still the place can't command or raise the funds to pay a permanent, qualified, paid Center Director. This is partially due to the Youth related issue at hand. Also, the yearly major fundraising events – such as the Cruises used to be – that were supposed to be held in order to put monies in reserve for an upcoming balloon payment have never been held. The days of the Center are numbered.
Close the doors I say!
Perhaps sell the present building to OYA!.
But close the doors and let the community concentrate it's energy and funds on the Youth, and in time, these very kids will become our new GLBT leaders and perhaps THEY can and will establish and operate a new GLBT CENTER that will serve the entire community without having to drag behind the present organizations baggage, such as mismanagement, multiple (proven and sizable) embezzlements, allegations of improper sexual activities on the premises, misplaced priorities, and ever-fleeing board members.
I personally will never again set foot in the present CENTER.
Regrettably,
MICHAEL WANZIE
10:12 PM
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Wednesday, September 24, 2008
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Reviews are in!
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities
THE REVIEWS ARE IN! SO ARE THE PHOTOS!
TWO MEN TRAPPED IN WOMEN'S BODIES
"Wanzie has a knack for using laughter to distract the audience from forthcoming plot twists that hit you like a ton of bricks." -John Sullivan, Hamburger Monger
"Comedy worth standing for" - Rai Liauw, Some Foreigner
"ABSOLUTELY FABUOUS on steroids" - Rich Charron, Football Fetishist
"Wanzie and Doug were on fire opening night… Make sure you see this 10th anniversary production while Wanzie and Doug can still move about without the aid of walkers". - Frank McClain, Recovering Catholic
"Glamorous…such style and grace…" - Cindy Burnette, 52 Year-Old Woman Living in Sin
Two Men Trapped in Women's Bodies will make you laugh, reflect, laugh some more and want to carry minis on your next trip to your favorite diner. – Jeff Kern, Theme Park Junkie
"Very funny… I would highly recommend seeing it". – Dr. Channing Bolick , Will Crack for Cash
"Wanzie's respite from politics and still great, and Doug on clarinet – priceless!" - Jeff Horn, Aging Beauty Queen
"Someone has been to dance class!" – Keith Goudreau, About to Marry into a Cult
"Having seen the original show I was pleasantly surprised by the new touches Director Kenny Howard put into the show…" – David Dorman, Mrs. Scott Penyak
"REAL GOOD!" – Drew Sizemore, Gives Good Full Frontal Desk
"Hysterically funny...an occasional "laughter through tears" moment…Award Winner!" –
Doug Fish, National Poster Child for the Psycho Painters Addicstrophy Telethon
"Impeccable…ground breaking...moving...touching… fabulous… truly terrific… Go see this show…"– David Lee, Former Universal Studios' EARTHQUAKE Attraction Host
Check out your next WANZeGRAM for the opportunity to read the above reviews in full.
To see fabulous photos of the opening night performance of TWO MEN TRAPPED IN WOMEN'S BODIES RIGHT NOW - Simply click on this link:
http://WANZIE.com/boxoffice/two_men/opening_nite
THEN MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS TO SEE IT LIVE ON STAGE Only Two Shows Remain: Saturdays September 27 & October 4TH
Tickets
ONLY $12
On Sale Now:
..
http://WANZIE.com/boxoffice
7:23 PM
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Saturday, September 20, 2008
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Candlelight Narrators Announced!
Category: Religion and Philosophy
It's already time to start planning for the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. Here's the list of celebrity narrators as of this printing:
2008 CANDLELIGHT CELEBRITY NARRATORS
- November 28-30: John O'Hurley
- December 1-3: TBA
- December 4-6: Brian Stokes Mitchell
- December 7-9: Virginia Madsen
- December 10-12: Monique Coleman
- December 13-15: TBA
- December 16-18: Chita Rivera
- December 19-21: *Abigail Breslin
- December 22-24: Steven Curtis Chapman
- December 25-27: Edward James Olmos
- December 28-30: Marlee Matlin
*Abigail Breslin is that great little actress who was the little girl in LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE! What a hoot!
All Performances:
The American Gardens (outdoor) Theater
3 Times Nightly:
5 PM 6:45 PM 8 PM
The above scheduling information has been supplied by our friends at
Here's the official spin on Candlelight: "A heartfelt holiday tradition led by a mass choir and 50-piece live orchestra showcases the reason for the season. Candlelight Processional features a celebrity narrator who retells the joyous Christmas story. The narration is interspersed with memorable music. Performances are included with Epcot admission. Special dining packages that include preferred seating for this beloved event also are offered by calling (407) WDW-DINE."
While WANZIE's abhorrence of organized religion is no secret, and though he left the Catholic church at age 16  and was later dis-fellowshipped from a brief stint with the Mormon's and is now a card carrying agnostic queer, and though this very Gram has included multiple rants by WANZIE as to what he considers to be the downright silliness of the entire concept of the holy trinity and the virgin birth, it is also no secret that he and his creative partner (and avowed agnostic) Rich Charron absolutely love every minute of this annual Epcot event, which they never miss.
WANZIE and CHARRON both love the drama and pathos of the story. They embrace the positive message of "Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Man", and they are both moved by the spirit of the occasion, the glorious compositions of the traditional carols and hymns, the ingenious Disney musical arrangements, the goose-bump-inducing fullness of the voices, the beautiful lighting, and the too-seldom-heard sounds of a full orchestra comprised of top flight musicians.
The entire staff at WANZIE.com World Headquarters, in spiritually enlightened Melbourne, Florida, proclaims this particular entertainment  program to be Disney's Florida Parks Division's finest; a visual and auditory feast for the senses which can be thoroughly enjoyed regardless of your religious affiliation or lack thereof. We urge you to choose a date and to make dining reservations as soon as possible if you are interested in the Priority Seating for Epcot's Candlelight Processional. The designated seating area with the very best acoustics and close proximity to the stage is only available in conjunction with a dining package.
Complimentary general admission seating for Candlelight Processional is available, to all those who have acquired theme park admission, on a first come, first served basis. Obtaining these seats usually requires queuing up at least an hour before your desired show time in order to avoid being seated in the rear of the amphitheater, and for most performances, not everyone in line can be accommodated. Purchasing a dining package, however, relieves you of the need to queue up so far in advance and does indeed GUARANTEE you admission to a specified performance.
PLEASE NOTE: Prices of dining packages do not include required theme park admission.
Candlelight Dining Package/Fees
TIER 1 RESTAURANTS
The Garden Grill Restaurant – Land Pavilion
Biergarten – German Pavilion
Lunch $27.99 plus tax & gratuity / (3-9) $12.99
Dinner $32.99 plus tax & gratuity / (3-9) $14.99
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TIER 2 RESTAURANTS
San Angel Inn – Mexico
Marrakesh – Morocco
Nine Dragons – China
Rose & Crown – United Kingdom
Lunch $36.99 plus tax & gratuity / (3-9) $12.99
Dinner $42.99 plus tax & gratuity / (3-9) $14.99
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TIER 3 RESTAURANTS
Chefs de France – France
Tutto Italia – Italy
Le Cellier Steakhouse – Canada
Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki Dining Room – Japan
Coral Reef – The Seas
Lunch $41.99 plus tax & gratuity / (3-9) $12.99
Dinner $47.99 plus tax & gratuity / (3-9) $14.99
Pick the Narrator you most want to see, then have two or three restaurant choices ready, along with your credit card (for guarantee only/you may pay anyway you choose, including splitting the bill, once you are in your dining location. The meal always precedes your Candlelight show, and you will be issued your seating badges for the Processional once you have dined and paid up).
Call (407) WDW-DINE.
SCANDALOUS BREAKING CANDLELIGHT NEWS! This just in!
 Rumor has it (and mind you these are only rumors) that John O'Hurley may be narrating the story of the Nativity along with one of the winning canines, from his annual televised dog show, who will bark out the melody of Jingle Bells at the appropriate time. It has also been rumored that Chita Rivera will be the first-ever Candlelight celeb to narrate from an on-stage Craftmatic Adjustable Bed. Edward James Olmos is considering dancing a samba while beating a conga drum in place of the usual Little Drummer Boy segment, and in a complete break from tradition, it is purported that Steven Curtis Chapman will not refer to any printed text at all during his narration. Chapman is instead relying on God to speak through him, and as a result, Pentecostals everywhere are readying their snakes in anticipation of Chapman speaking in tongues (although it is unclear yet how the holy rollers intend to get their rattlers and copperheads through the bag search area at the park entrance.) We did phone Marlee Matlin for comment but she had nothing to say.
7:56 PM
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Friday, September 19, 2008
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A note from Wanzie9/19/08
Category: Life
Looks what's being reported about John McCain's self-approved, deceptive, sleazy, Karl-Rovian advertising against Obama:
"Dishonest Smears" – The New Republic
"The truth be damned" – Chicago Tribune
"One of the sleaziest ads ever seen" – TIME
"Exposed as a lie" - CBS News
"Too far" – Karl Rove! [EDITOR'S NOTE: This is not a typo!]
 Now really ...
When Karl Rove thinks a politician has gone "too far" can there really be anything anyone else can say that could qualify as a more serious condemnation of just how sleazy and dishonest this nominee and his ads have become? After all, isn't Karl Rove saying McCain has gone "too far" a little like me pointing out someone else using a box car of words to express a spoonful of thought? Or like Britney Spears citing another mother of small children as being irresponsible and out of control? It's like Jeffry Dahmer being disgusted by the brutality of someone else's murder spree. But I digress. How about I simply allow you to read the following quotes assessing the McCain campaign and TV ads as published in The Washington Post:
"Truly Vile"
"Deception"
"A disgraceful dishonest campaign"
Hey – Does anyone remember this remember little gem? -
"I will not take the low road to the highest office in the land." – John McCain
The Obama folks have produced a wonderful ad pointing out all of the above. Please Make a donation to the Obama Campaign so the ad can run as often as possible in as many markets as possible. Even $5 helps and will be appreciated:
Then, forget about diabolical Republican tendencies and the vile lies of the McCain campaign. Put aside your concerns that we remain in a war in which we should never have become involved in the first place; the price tag for which is literally costing this country its once envied economical and moral standing in the world. Forget about the real estate crisis, the millions of families loosing their homes to foreclosures, the failing financial institutions, the unstable stock market, the high gas prices in conjunction with the unprecedented profits of the oil industry, the inconceivable possibility of four more years of the same and try not to think about how absurd and downright SCARY it would be if Sara Palin  were actually a heartbeat away from the presidency. Push all that to the back of your mind and come out and see DOUG and me tomorrow (Saturday, September 2Oth) in TWO MEN TRAPPED IN WOMEN'S BODIES.
I promise you'll be glad you did!
I promise you a show free from political rants or partisan statements of any kind.
I promise you'll laugh your ass off.
I promise stiff drinks and friendly service. [EDITOR'S NOTE: We're pretty sure WANZIE is not offering free cocktails for all!]
I can't exactly promise Doug and I will be as pretty as we were back in 1998, but ...
I promise we'll help you forget about the problems of today's world (for at least an hour or so, anyway).
I'm MICHAEL WANZIE and I approve this ad!
10:48 PM
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Tuesday, September 16, 2008
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Oh, I get it now!
Category: News and Politics
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HOCKEY MAHM AND A PIT BULL?
THE PIT BULL GETS VETTED!
* If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're 'exotic and different BUT if you
grow up in Alaska eating moose burgers, you're a quintessential American story.
* If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim, BUT if you name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, you're a maverick.
* Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable, BUT Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.
* If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.
BUT - If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.
* If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian. BUT, If you cheated on your first wife (WHILE SHE WAY LAYING IN A HOSPTAL BED IN CRITICAL CONDITION( with a rich heiress, and divorced your now disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.
* If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society, BUT, If , while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant , you're very responsible.
* If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America's, BUT If you're husband is nicknamed 'First Dude', with at least one DWI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and was once a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.
OK, much clearer now.
(For the record, I did not write the above. I'm not sure where it originated, but the ridiculous TRUTH'S it illuminates, along with the hypocrisy of the McCain and Palan and their absurd mud slinging at the opposition should be enough to cause anyone (even my Republican friends and relatives) to take pause and consider the realities of the above. THINK people!
MICHAEL WANZIE
Writer / Producer
9:04 PM
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Saturday, September 13, 2008
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September 11 Note from Wanzie
Category: News and Politics
I would really appreciate it if every subscriber would click on the link I have provided below and watch a recent commentary by MSNBC's Keith Olbermann. I am writing this Note from WANZIE on 9-11.
As it happens, I saw Mr. Olbermann's compelling commentary as I flipped on the TV last night after returning home from Beach Blanket Bingo.
As it also happens, (and you'll understand the relevance once you watch the news clip) several years ago, for inclusion in a Charron/Wanzie musical revue entitled LIVING ON THE EDGE: A Fair and Balanced Rant With Songs, I wrote the following lyrics:
HERE WE HAVE OUR PRESIDENT, GEORGE DUBYA
WHAT MORE DO I NEED SAY
AND HE ROUNDS UP WEEKEND-WARRIORS
AND SENDS THEM ON TO THE FRAY
AND WHEN THEY DIE
THEIR COFFINS
CAN'T BE SEEN ON THE NEWS
BUT HE'LL USE NINE ELEVEN'S DEAD
TO BOLSTER HIS REVIEWS
I wrote those lyrics because in 2004 I was so disgusted that, by presidential decry, legitimate news agencies were not allowed to photograph the caskets of the American dead returning from Iraq under cover of darkness, a decision the president made "Out of respect for our deceased war heroes and their grieving families." Yet the president felt it perfectly acceptable to re-run the horrifying images of the 9-11 attacks on America, and to continually reference the victims as a mainstay of his re-election campaign.
Republican presidential nominee John McCain wants to insist he is NOT a member of the Bush camp, and that his election will not mean four more years of the same.
Really?
Watch and listen to Olbermann's commentary; but please only do so when and where you can devote your undivided attention to it, and only when you can invest the full eight minutes it takes to watch. Olbermann's final points – unrelated to the 9-11 film footage in question, is the most important. Please watch and listen to the entire segment. Then, if you have the stomach for it, you can click on the second link I have provided to see the actual, despicable, so-called 9-11 "tribute" (tribute my ass!) as it was shown at the recent Republican National Convention.
Olbermann commentary on MSNBC, from September 10, 2008:
RNC Convention's so-called "tribute":
As my dear friend and Webmaster Rich Charron is fond of repeating, "If YOU'RE NOT PISSED OFF, YOU'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION"
BTW – The following song was the response of Rich Charron and myself to the events of 9-11. It was performed by Janine Klein and Frank McClain in LIVING ON THE EDGE.
 IF ONLY WE WERE KIND
WINDOWS ON THE WORLD* ONCE OFFERED
SKIES OF PROMISE-BLUE.
SHATTERED GLASS AND SHATTERED LIVES
HAVE CHANGED THAT POINT OF VIEW.
DAZED, WE STUMBLE FROM THE SMOKE.
CONFUSED, BUT POISED TO FIGHT.
"RESOLVED" AND YET THE QUESTION BEGS,
HOW CAN WE MAKE THIS RIGHT?
WE CAN BUILD THE TALLEST BUILDINGS
YET HOW EASILY THEY FALL.
WE CAN SCALE THE HIGHEST MOUNTAINS,
WE CAN ANSWER EVERY CALL.
WE CAN PLEDGE,
AND MARCH,
AND AIM,
AND BIND,
AND STILL I THINK WE'LL FIND -
THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE
IF ONLY WE WERE KIND
(Chorus)
AND IF KINDNESS SEEMS TOO SIMPLE
FOR MIGHTY MINDS TO GRASP,
IT'S TIME FOR SIMPLE CHANGES
AND LEARNING FORM OUR PAST.
IF TOLERANCE PRECEDED FORCE,
AND CAUTION OUTWEIGHED PRIDE,
WE COULD CHART A WISER COURSE,
IF ONLY WE WERE KIND.
FEELING IN THIS WORLD-GONE-MAD THERE'S
LITTLE WE CAN DO,
THEN WITH EASE WE REALIZE
IT'S LITTLE THINGS THAT SEE US THROUGH.
AMAZED, DESPITE OUR DIFFERENCES;
IN NEED, IS WHAT WE ARE.
WE GAZE AT CATACLYSMIC SKIES
AND WISH UPON A STAR!
WE CAN BRIDGE THE RAGING OCEANS,
WE CAN EVEN CONQUOR SPACE,
WE CAN FILL THE WORLD WITH MONUMENTS,
WE CAN CHANGE THE PLANET'S FACE,
WE CAN DRILL,
AND BLAST,
AND CUT,
AND MINE,
AND STILL I THINK WE'LL FIND -
THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE
IF ONLY WE WERE KIND….
…WITH A SMILE,
A GLANCE,
AN OPEN MIND -
IT WON'T BE HARD TO FIND
IT TAKES ONLY A BIT OF GRACE
TO LEAVE YOUR MARK BEHIND.
YES THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE
IF ONLY WE WERE KIND.
©2004 Charron/Wanzie Music
* "Windows On The World" (as referenced in the very first line of the above song) was the name of the fine dining restaurant located on the 107th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. It holds a very special memory for me. I dined at Windows on the World on New Years Eve 1986 with dear friend Elaine Ewen, Fudrucker Steve, my sister Judy and her husband Dave, and the one true love of my life, the late Ron Kimber. For several years after Ron's untimely passing it was impossible for me to approach the city and see the towers and not think of him. The fall of the towers caused me a sense of loss over nothing more than a memory. I can only imagine how their absence affects those who lost loved ones in the actual collapse.
But what I do know is that re-playing of the footage of this horrible tragedy does nothing to honor those who perished on 9-11, 2001.
I'm WANZIE and That's All I Wrote!
P.S. Happy Birthday Rich!
7:43 PM
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