Dance Dirt (Dance Gossip) at PleaseDanceWithMe.com's Nobody asked for my opinion...BUT...(www.DanceDirt.com, www.DanceGossip.com)

Jared Nelson and Elizabeth Gaither in the World Premiere
of Septeem Webre's 'The Great Gatsby' at The Kennedy Center.
Welcome to 'Nobody asked for my opinion...BUT...'
at www.DanceDirt.com (DanceSportDirt.com, DanceSportGossip.com, NobodyAskedForMyOpinionBut.com, ButThatsJustMyOpinion.com), the web site of DanceSPORT gossip... and more.
As one who has always had an opinion on most topics and likewise has never felt comfortable keeping them to myself, I have decided to include one of my favorite (and most opinionated) sections of the 'DC DanceSPORT News' as a separate page on the PleaseDanceWithMe.com web site entitled "Nobody asked for my opinion...BUT..." and so express my sometimes twisted thoughts and opinions to the world. I can do that in America...it's the 'Land of the Free'. The first few articles are out and I'd LLOOOVVVE to also know YOUR OPINIONS...I might even post them on the following section of this web page that I call "....Nobody asked for their opinions either...BUT...".

The topics listed below often include excerpts from some of my favorite photo and video galleries....(like the one immediately following of Christian the Lion [4.47 minutes]). (shorter version of Christian the Lion Reunion as seen on CNN [2.28 minutes])

Hug your dance partner.....today!

I promise that your DANCING (with lions & tigers & bears....& even other people!...)
will NEVER be THE SAME!...

**************************************
When we deprive the equal rights of one, we threaten
the equal rights of everyone. An injustice anywhere should
be an injustice everywhere - Dr Martin Luther King, Jr
**************************************

This site is inappropriately and unprofessionally maintained by:
www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com
(www.InternationalDanceSPORT.com, www.DancingWithTheDCStars.com)
the home of
Terry Chasteen's
International DanceSPORT & Entertainment
We offer the most professional and authentic dance entertainment available throughout Metropolitan Washington DC.
Plus we provide easy, flexible and fun instruction for the entire family in every style of social dance from around the globe
that literally ANYONE can afford (and your 1st class is FREE! with a 2-for-the-price-of-1Pass online for 1st-timers).
TerryChasteen@PleaseDanceWithMe.com
TerryChasteen@InternationalDanceSPORT.com
TerryChasteen@yahoo.com
202-462-0870

Visit all of my highly-opinionated awareness projects at:
www.NobodyAskedForMyOpinionBut.com
www.EqualityJusticeForAll.org
www.StopAllCellPhoneDriving.org
www.StopDisabledAbuse.org
.... and let's not get started on the environmental abuse that almost
each and every one of us continues to bombard this life-giving

NEW TUES LATIN WORKSHOPS FOR COMPETITION DANCERS TAUGHT BY
NIKOLAI PILIPENCHUK

New Tues evening International Latin technique workshops
for all levels of competitive dancers at the
Chevy Chase Ballroom & DanceSport Center
taught by the top International Latin and 10-dance Champion,

Nikolai Pilipenchuk

. 2009 Hotlanta Professional Latin Champion
. 2009 St Louis Star Ball Professional Latin Champion
. 2009 Eastern U.S. Professional Latin Champion
. 2009 Eastern U.S. Professional 10 Dance Champion
. 2008 Ohio Star Ball Professional International Rising Star Latin Champion

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to train with one of the top competitors in all of the International Ballroom and Latin dances. Spice up your International style Latin and American style Rhythm routines now, before the upcoming local comps at the Md, Va State and Capitol DanceSport Championships. Don't hesitate if you're not already competing. Additional assistance will be available during class so less-experienced dancers can keep up.
Private coaching is also available with Nikolai on Tuesdays.

Time: 7pm-8pm
Dates: Tues, March 16 - Tues, April 27
Location: The Chevy Chase Ballroom, 5207 Wisc Ave, NW, WDC 20015
Admission: $12 drop-in (or use of Terrty's $95 10-class dance card at PleaseDanceWithMe.com), $10 students with F/T ID, $85 student 10-class dance card (must present a full-time student ID for the session of use).
Additional information about parking, directions and map:
www.InternationalDanceSPORT.com
www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com
TerryChasteen@InternationalDanceSPORT.com,
TerryChasteen@PleaseDanceWithMe.com,
Ph: 202-462-0870

Nikolai Pilipenchuk and Natalia Skorikova
Professional International Latin and 10-Dance Champions

Remember there's only one way to make it through this winter and still maintain your sanity...
.... by DANCING!

Social dancing on Sundays will continue each week as scheduled in both
Salsa & Latin (7-9pm in studio A) and Argentine Tango (8-11pm in studio B).
Both dance parties are preceded by beginner intermediate and advanced classes in
all styles from 1:00pm tp 8:00pm.

Contact: TerryChasteen@InternationalDanceSPORT.com,
TerryChasteen@yahoo.com, 202-462-0870 or 202-596-4860 (cell)
www.TangoDanceSPORT.com

Friday evening Dance-and-Learn Parties on specified weekends in March and April on March 5 & 12 and April 2, 9, 16 & 30 at the Chevy Chase Ballroom.
8:30pm - 11:30pm with Beginner Intermed AND Advanced classes taught by the Chevy Chase Ballroom teaching staff. Includes mini-dance classes in two dances with 3 levels at once plus snacks, refreshments, teacher-assisted practice and PLENTY of general dancing. Everyone is welcome at all levels including singles, couples, same-gender couples and the seeing and hearing impaired (limited ASL available...a GREAT way for me to practice my ASL!)
NO DANCE PARTNER REQUIRED AS PARTNERS WILL ROTATE THROUGHOUT THE CLASS
$12/ drop-in, $10 students with F/T ID, $95/10-class dance card good toward any classes listed at www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com. 5207 Wisconsin Avenue NW, WDC. Details www.InternationalDanceSPORT.com, 202-462-0870, TerryChasteen@InternationalDanceSPORT.com,

All PleaseDanceWithMe.com classes are available by clicking on this link. Email TerryChasteen@InternationalDanceSPORT.com or call 202-462-0870 with any questions.
Thanks,
~ Terry

PARKING UPDATE AT THE CHEVY CHASE BALLROOM:
(1) 14 spaces are available at the East end of the Bank Of America parking lot during non-banking hours
(2) 10 spaces directly under the ballroom after 9pm when Paul's Liquor closes
(3) 12 spaces across the street at the BB&T Bank also during non-banking hours (two of which are for handicapped parking).
(4) Friendship Heights red line Metro is three minutes away at the Jennifer St exit
(5) the 30 line Metro bus stops directly across the street into the wee hours to Georgetown and all the way through downtown to Capitol Hill.
(6) Plenty of residential parking (2 hours during daytimes) also available along Harrison St and on the next block East along 42nd St at Harrison St NW behind Fox 5 News.

Also, before we go any farther....nobody asked for my opinion...BUT...

HOW MANY MORE INNOCENT AMERICANS MUST
DIE OR BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BEFORE WE
STOP ALL CELL PHONE DRIVING
IN THE US?
Not one of the 60,000+ deaths or 250,000+ injuries in America in 2008 resulting from texting and talking on the phone is worth any one of those phone calls or text messages; not to mention the hundreds of thousands that have taken place since. This is not just a teenager problem or a commercial truck or bus driver problem, this is a serious problem and an ongoing danger to innocent people that involves EVERY SINGLE DRIVER in this country. So why are we still pondering over the use of cell phones while driving in the US? DC and several states have already wisely and responsibly outlawed the use of all cell phones while driving and now it needs to be a national restriction. Are we going to continue allowing the lobbyists of the wealthy phone companies to continue to rule congress in America, or are we each going to stand up to the plate and do something about it?

Please commit to making any automobile
that you're riding in an official

Visit www.StopAllCellPhoneDriving.org to learn how you can help
to eliminate this deadly obsession from America's highways. Keep in mind
that the next life that is lost (and there will be MANY before we stop this
irresponsible practice) may well be your life or the life of someone you love.

And I hope you were able to see my first 'World Premiere" at the Kennedy Center (OK, so maybe it wasn't actually MY World Premiere...except for the Tango choreography, including a "searing Tango" between Tom Buchanan and Gatsby as depicted by The Washington Post... "[Artistic Director Septime] Webre does a tremandous job at keeping the ballet in motion. A searing Tango spells out the danger between Gatsby and Tom")
Wed, Feb 24 - Sun, Feb 28 Tango in 'The Great Gatsby' at the Eisenhower Theatre of the Kennedy Center
(Wednesday's performance is completely sold out and tickets for all evening performances are limited).
A Tango scene was added late in the makings of the World Premiere of 'The Great Gatsby' performed by the Washington Ballet at the Kennedy Center, to include both Argentine and International style choreographed by Rene' Davila and Terry Chasteen. One more opportunity to get our beloved Tango into the mainstream theatre through what promises to be a groundbreaking new musical. Times and ticket Information available at www.TangoDanceSPORT.com , www.DanceDirt.com and www.WashingtonBallet.org to include group discount information. The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20566. Contact: TerryChasteen@TangoDanceSPORT.com , 202-462-0870.

Luis Torres and Elizabeth Gaither as Tom and Daisy Buchanan in the Washington Ballet's 'The Great Gatsby'.
'The Great Gatsby', a World Premiere about to hit the stage of the Eisenhower Theatre at the Kennedy Center from Feb 24-28 is a Secret of DC about to be unleashed. This incredibly fun-filled musical of the Roaring 20's era performed by the 'Washington Ballet' under the guidance of artistic director Septeem Webre is LOADED with some of the most incredible song and dance numbers of nearly every style, including tap, Charleston, jazz, Swing and more PLUS an Argentine, International AND American style Tango scene co-choreographed by Rene' Davila and YOURS TRULY! Our first World Premiere!
"The Washington Ballet returns to the splendor of the Jazz Age and the frivolity of the Roaring Twenties through Artistic Director Septeem Webre's re-imagining of F. Scott Fitzgerald's passionate, thought-provoking, and complex work". Visit www.DanceDirt.com for details, including ticket purchases and group discounts (and you should hurry! They're selling fast!).

Jared Nelson and Elizabeth Gaither as Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan in the
World Premiere of Septeem Webre's 'The Great Gatsby' at The Kennedy Center.

~ TERRY CHASTEEN

Contact info:
Email: TerryChasteen@InternationalDanceSPORT.com, TerryChasteen@yahoo.com,
Ph: 202-462-0870 voice mail, 202-596-4860 cell
Visit www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com for details.

"The Evil Empire", including President Obama, Nancy Pelosy and Harry Reid includes a document of F-E-A-R tactics found to help the Republicans take back control of Congress discussed by Chris Mathews.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/vp/35706805#35715196
(Click on the Obama drawing appearing as 'The Joker' and labeled "GOP plays the fear game" of MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' web site)

F-E-A-R tactics found in a secret document to help the Republicans take back control of Congress as indicated by a power point program of the RNC finance director. The document was left by mistake after a closed meeting indicating "basicly this is how we do it, we Stroke the egos of the rich guys and we scare the small... donors."

Chris Mathews:
"The Evil Empire" a document of F-E-A-R tactics found to help the Republicans take back control of Congress as indicated by a power point program of the RNC finance director. The document was left by mistake after a closed meeting indicating "basicly this is how we do it, we Stroke the egos of the rich guys and we scare the small donors."

How can Republicans take control of the congress again? Well 4 letters; F-E-A-R. That's right, 'fear'. That's according to an RNC fundraising document obtained by the Politico Newsletter. It means more cries of 'socialism' and more pictures of President Obama painted as 'The Joker' in the Batman comics. ...

Ben Smith who broke this story from Politico, they're already tied into this; you say they were using this as sort of a lecture class, an instruction class, tell me about how it was used.

Ben Smith: "The finance director got up at this meeting of top donors and fundraisers in Boca Grande, Florida on Feb 18th and gave this as a power point presentation to them; basicly this is how we do it, we Stroke the egos of the rich guys and we scare the small donors."

Chris Mathews: What do you make of that, Republican strategist John feehery, your partiy is using this to raise money using fear, painting the President up like 'The Joker' with white face, using things like "extreme feelings toward existing administration, reactionary", even using the word 'reactionary', your party doesn't seem to mind that word reactionary too much, what are your thoughts, John?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Countdown: The Keith Oberman show "Howard Dean on the RNC's fear tactics"
Click on the Howard Dean photo labeled "Howard Dean on fear tactics" of MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' web site).

------------------------------

'Don't Ask Don't Tell' support letter has fake signatures by Eachel Maddow
(Click on McCain’s photo stating “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Support letter has fake signatures" of MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' web site)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/vp/35706805#35715196

Rachel Madow:
The 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' letter of support of over 1,000 retired military offic...ers to retain DADT is being promoted by John McCain 0ver and over again now that his main support for the legislation, Colon Powell has changed his mind. It turns out that a number of the people who have signed the letter are 'dead', which is awkward...the people who coordinated the letter have explained that some of thse signers signed the letter before they died, but there is an exception. In one case a General who is now dead had his name signed to the letter before he was dead but not by him; by his wife. She signed the General's name to the letter saying 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' should be kept.

The General himself whose name had been signed on the letter against DADT before his death had not been able to communicate for six years or so due to Alzheimers. Another General told Service Members United that he "never agreed to having his name on the letter but it ended up there anyway" another said that he never remembered even being asked ... See Moreabout the issue let alone whether his name could be used; another retired flag officer whose name is on the letter is demanding that the group who put his name on it take it off.
In total, the average age of the signatories to the 'Don't repeal Don't ask Don't Tell Letter' is 74. The oldest signer is 98 years old. Service Members United notes that only a small fraction of these officers have even served in the 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' period, much less in the 21st century military. Which does make it awkward for them to be taken as the authority on what the 19-year-olds of today's military think about gays in the military.

THANK YOU!
TO TANGO REO AND ALL OF THE DANCERS
FOR A TRULY INCREDIBLE VALENTINE'S DAY MILONGA!
Feb. 14, Sun. Valentine’s Day MILONGA 8-11pm Chevy Chase Ballroom.
7-8pm Beginner and Int/Advanced classes with Terry and René (2 separate classes at same time). DJ David Liu, live music with Tango Reo 9:15-10:05pm. $15 class (includes milonga), $10 milonga only, $95/10-class dance card. 5207 Wisconsin Avenue NW, WDC. Details www.TangoDanceSPORT.com, 202-462-0870, TerryChasteen@TangoDanceSPORT.com, cantogargiulo@hotmail.com

All PleaseDanceWithMe.com classes are available by clicking on this link. Email TerryChasteen@InternationalDanceSPORT.com or call 202-462-0870 with any questions.
Thanks,
~ Terry

Before we go any farther....nobody asked for my opinion...BUT...

Also visit our other highly-opinionated awareness projects at:
www.NobodyAskedForMyOpinionBut.com
www.EqualityJusticeForAll.org
www.StopAllCellPhoneDriving.org
www.StopDisabledAbuse.org
.... and let's not get started on the environmental abuse that almost
each and every one of us continues to bombard this life-giving
planet with every single day....and too many are too lazy to stop it.

URGENT: Prison or death for LGBT Ugandans!
(Click here to find out how you can help them)

Help us capitalize on the President's pledge by asking your
representative and senators to move quickly to repeal DADT.
(Click here to find out how you can help us)

Sen. John McCain can't keep his story straight on the military's
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
(Click here to find out how you can encourage Sen. McCain to do the right thing)
Even Sen McCain's wife, Cindy and daughter, Meghan are openly and aggressively opposing his view on this and other anti-gay legislation such as Proposition 8 in California.

Whether it's from watching
"America's Ballroom Challenge"

on PBS,

"So you Think You Can Dance"
on FOX,

or
"Dancing with the Stars"
on ABC,

Metropolitan Washington DC is definitely becoming a city of
BALLROOM, LATIN, TANGO, HIP HOP & SWING DANCING...

...now is the time for YOU to
"BECOME ONE OF THOSE STARS"...
"Out on The Dance Floor"!....

(Isn't it time to STOP WATCHING all the fun....and START HAVING IT?!!)

Click here
for the menu of topics of this web site
or scroll down to take the scenic route

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Visit www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com/YuletideBallDiscountCertificate.doc for a
First-time 2010/2011 Discount
for new Yuletide Ball attendees at any of next year's six competition sessions.
(Click here for details of the complete 2010 weekend)

For details visit
www.YuletideDanceSPORTchampionships.com

Changes proposed in the Marriage laws for same-gender couples in the District of Columbia.
(1) Oct 6, 2009 Bill # 18-482 "The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009" was introduced into the DC City Council.
(2) Oct 26, 2010 the first set of testimonials were heard in the DC City Council for bill # 18-482
(3) Nov 2, 2009 The 2nd set of testimonials were heard in the DC City Council for bill # 18-482
(4) Tues, Dec 1st, 2009 The first vote for bill # 18-482 passed the DC City Council at 10-3 in favor.
(5) The required 2nd vote took place on Tuesday, Dec 15th with 11 voting for and 2 voting
against.
(6) Fri, Dec 18, 2009 Mayor Fenty then signed the bill into law on Fri, Dec 18th with 30 days
review by congress after it reaches them before the bill could become law.
(Click here for details)

-----------------------------------------------------------

D.C. judge rules against marriage referendum in the District of Columbia
D.C. judge rules against bid to force referendum on same-sex marriage : Election board decision is upheld in key victory for gay rights activists.
By Tim Craig - Washington Post Staff Writer, Friday, January 15, 2010
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/14/AR2010011402616.html

A D.C. Superior Court judge ruled Thursday that same-sex marriage opponents do not have a right to call for a referendum to determine whether such unions should be legal in the District. (more at the Washington Post)
More on this topic at www.EqualityJusticeForAll.org
----------------------------------------

DC court rejects bid for a gay marriage referendum
The Associated Press, Thursday, January 14, 2010
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/14/AR2010011402546.html

WASHINGTON -- A judge in Washington, D.C., has thrown out a lawsuit by opponents of gay marriage against the city's elections board.

Plaintiffs led by a Maryland pastor, Bishop Harry Jackson, sued after the Board of Elections and Ethics refused to put their initiative on the ballot. The measure would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman. The board ruled it violated the city's Human Rights Act. (more at The Washington Post)
More on this topic at www.EqualityJusticeForAll.org

A New Threat to the Sanctity of Marriage
by Angry Mouse, Sun Jan 17, 2010
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/1/17/824810/-A-New-Threat-to-the-Sanctity-of-Marriage

Social conservatives love to bemoan the disintegration of traditional values. Women in the workplace, babies born out of wedlock, etc. And then, of course, there is the greatest threat of all, the threat that could destroy the sacred institution of opposite marriage forever: gays and lesbians exchanging rings, registering at Macy's, and committing to love each other forever. Horror of horrors!

In 2004, "values voters" flocked to the polls to ban gay marriage in 11 states, heeding the call by President Bush to protect the "most enduring human institution, honored and encouraged in all cultures and by every religious faith."

Never mind that, as Nate Silver recently noted, divorce rates are actually higher in states that have banned gay marriage. Meanwhile, Massachusetts has the lowest divorce rate in the country, a divorce rate that has declined 21 percent since legalizing gay marriage in 2004.

And never mind that Alaska, the first state to ban gay marriage, has seen the highest increase in the divorce rate. As we all know, facts have a liberal bias.
More on this topic at www.EqualityJusticeForAll.org

A kingbird rides bareback and harasses a red tail hawk at Bonny Lake State Park.
(PAT GAINES | Special to the Denver Post)

"Awesome" photo a hit for Westminster birder (and no this is not photoshop)

********************************
"When the music's playing, I hope you're dancing; I hope you crank up the
volume, kick off your shoes, and have the time of your life!" -- Oprah Winfrey
********************************

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bt9xBuGWgw

********************************
We're not here for a LONG time, we're here for a GOOD time!
So let's get started...and DANCE!!! -- TLChasteen
********************************

---------------------------------------

IMPORTANT!
PBS has an online poll posted asking if Sarah Palin is qualified.

The poll will be reported on PBS and picked up by mainstream media, and it might influence undecided voters in swing states (and if you doubt that America is that gullible, remember the firestorm they made through Carl Rove's panic over Gay Marriage and the homosexuals taking over the country in the 2004 elections? How many educated Americans swallowed that pitch; hook, line and sinker, only to result in a President who chose an unnecessary and incredibly costly war; costly not only in money, but in American lives, not to mention the economic mess that we'll be in for decades-to-come and which now they blame Obama and the demacrats for? For those of us who have heard her incredibly anti-LGBT, anti-Marriage Equality speaches to the far right, the last thing we need in America is someone who will continue to put their own agenda over Equality/Justice for All.

Please do two things (takes 20 seconds).

1) Open the link and vote yourself.(Here's the link: http://www.pbs.org/now/polls/poll-435.html)

2) Then send this to every single Obama-Biden voter you know, and urge them to vote and pass it on.

The last thing we need is PBS saying their viewers think Sarah Palin is qualified

http://www.pbs.org/now/polls/poll-435.html

(Here's a very funny interactive White Rabbit Cult graphic on the Palin white house sent to me by our Sunday Argentine Tango DJ, David Liu. Go to the link and run your curser across the animated graphic at http://president-palin.whiterabbitcult.com/ to see what happens in the Palin White House).

More on equal rights for EVERYONE,
both in America and around the globe at:
www.EqualityJusticeForAll.org

THE ANT-GAY PROPOSITION 8 IN CALIFORNIA IS ON TRIAL
Tuesday, Jan, 12, 2010 - A historic trial over California's Proposition 8 began in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, promising to feature clashing witness testimony over equal rights, the meaning of bigotry and discrimination and the purpose of marriage.

And regardless of which side wins this case it will ultimately end up in the Supreme Court to determine once and for all across this nation, the constitutionality of state-wide bans against marriage equality (I cannot wait. I will be up at 5:30am if necessary every morning to be able to sit in the front row of the audience each and every day that this case is on trial in the Supreme Court of the United States, just as in the council chambers during the original DC Council introduction, two DC Council votes, nearly 200 testimonials and final signing by the Mayor of DC Bill 18-482 "The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009").
------------------------------------------

Prop. 8 challengers highlight religion's role in campaign
Foes of the gay marriage ban produce documents showing close ties between Catholic and Mormon church leaders and the pro-Prop. 8 campaign. By Maura Dolan, L. A. Times, January 21, 2010
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-prop8-trial21-2010jan21,0,1121020.story

Reporting from San Francisco - Challengers of California's ban on same-sex marriage tried to show Wednesday that religion has promoted discrimination against gays. Documents unveiled later revealed the Catholic and Mormon churches played a major role in passing Proposition 8.

An e-mail from the executive director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to the bishops and a cardinal said Catholics were crucial in providing money and volunteers to qualify Proposition 8 for the ballot.

The e-mail also praised the Mormon Church, saying it had provided "financial, organizational and management contributions" for the measure.

A memo by a Mormon Church public affairs officer said the Proposition 8 campaign was "entirely under priesthood direction," and the minutes of a Mormon Church meeting said members should not take the lead in promoting Proposition 8 but should work through protectmarriage.com.

The church document said a teleconference had been held in Salt Lake City with 159 of 161 Mormon leaders in California. The leaders were told to encourage members to contribute $30 each for Proposition 8, toward a projected goal of $5 million, in addition to general fundraising.

Andy Pugno, a lawyer for the Proposition 8 campaign, said in an interview that it was "astonishing" that the court allowed into evidence internal communications of churches.

"Today has been a major expression of religious bigotry," Pugno said of Wednesday's testimony. "The gloves have clearly come off, and religious voters are in the cross-hairs."

maura.dolan@latimes.com

-----------------------------------------------------

PHOTO: Cindy McCain Joins Project Protesting Prop 8
First Posted: 01-20-10
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/20/cindy-mccain-noh8-photo-m_n_430004.html

On Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 the NOH8 campaign protesting California's Proposition 8 announced a new high-profile Republican supporter: John McCain's wife, Cindy McCain. NOH8 is a photo project in which subjects are photographed wearing white, against a white background, with their mouths taped shut and "NOH8" painted on their faces. Cindy McCain -- wife of 2008 GOP presidential candidate John McCain --has taken a high profile position contrary to her husband's on the issue of same sex marriage, by starring in a new ad to support the fight against California's Prop. 8.

Meghan McCain said Wednesday in a Twitter message linked to her blog: "I couldn't be more proud of my mother for posing for the NOH8 campaign. I think more Republicans need to start taking a stand for equality."
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/nov05election/detail?entry_id=55696#ixzz2i2xnLB5R

------------------------------------------------

McCain's daughter Meghan McCain -- a vocal proponent of marriage equality -- posed for NOH8 last summer. (Her Daily Beast piece explaining why she posed can be found here.)
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-06-19/why-i-posed-against-prop-8/?cid=hp:beastoriginalsR2

The Daily Beast's Meghan McCain on being the newest poster girl for a celebrity photo campaign to overturn California's ban on gay marriage—and why more Republicans should follow her lead.

I was so honored to be asked to pose for the NOH8 campaign. I am a proud member of the Republican Party and a proud supporter of marriage equality. I especially love the incorporation of the little elephant with his tusks duct-taped in the photograph. Marriage equality is not just a Democrat or Republican issue, it is a human one.
-------------------------------------------

Prop. 8 trial: San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders says lesbian daughter should have the right to wed
By Howard Mintz, hmintz@mercurynews.com, Posted: 01/19/2010
http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_14224490

"My daughter deserves the same opportunity to have a wedding in front of family, friends and co-workers," Sanders testified, choking up repeatedly on the stand.

The plaintiffs consider Sanders' testimony important to exposing the depths of discrimination against California's gays and lesbians.

------------------------------

Keith Olbermann's Prop 8 Special Comment: It's "About The Human Heart" (VIDEO)
Huffington Post, First Posted: 11-10-08
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/10/keith-olbermanns-prop-8-s_n_142862.html

Keith Olbermann delivered a 'ROUSING' and emotional, 6-minute special comment on Prop 8 on Nov 10, 2008 shortly after it's passing. Olbermann, who is not gay and has never married, vehemently disagrees with its passage and that the ban on gay marriage as an insult to the real preaching of the Bible, which is love. Watch the video.

---------------------------------------------------

More on the topic of Marriage Equality in the US can be found at
www.EqualityJusticeForAll.org

---------------------------------------------------
The Sacramento Bee, Composite of a great collection of Prop 8 articles
http://www.sacbee.com/prop8/
--------------------------------------------------
Top 9th Circuit Judge, Judicial Conference Tangle Over Video at Proposition 8 Trial
Tony Mauro, The National Law Journal, January 13, 2010
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202437893107
----------------------------------------------------------
Expert Battle Comes Early in Proposition 8 Case,
Dan Levine, The Recorder, Wednesday January 13, 2010
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Expert-Battle-Comes-Early-in-law-2594780532.html?x=0&.v=1
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Harvard History Prof. Testifies in Proposition 8 Case
JAMES K. MCAULEY, CRIMSON STAFF WRITER ,
Published: Thursday, January 14, 2010
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2010/1/14/marriage-rights-restrictions-argument/

------------------------------------------------------
Proposition 8 trial turns to historians on second day
By Howard Mintz, hmintz@mercurynews.com, 01/12/2010
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_14174369?source=most_emailed

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Prop. 8 backers ask U.S. Supreme Court to keep trial footage off YouTube
The federal trial beginning Monday on the constitutionality of the measure has 'the potential to become a media circus,' an attorney says in an emergency appeal to Justice Kennedy.
Foes of Proposition 8 criticized the appeal to the Supreme Court as a desperate attempt "to shut cameras out."
"Those who want to ban gay marriage spent millions of dollars to reach the public with misleading ads, rallies and news conferences during the campaign to pass Prop. 8. We are curious why they now fear the publicity they once craved," said Chad Griffin, president of the board of the American Foundation for Equal Rights.
"Apparently, transparency is their enemy, but the people deserve to know exactly what it is they have to hide."
david.savage@latimes.com
--------------------------------------------------------
Prop H8 Must Be Overturned!!
God stands for LOVE & EQUALITY! Prop 8 stands for HATRED & OPPRESSION.
http://www.rizigospel.com/
Hi there,
Let me start by saying that it is tragic that prop H8 passed in California. As a gay christian (learn more on how I was able to reconcile my faith with my sexuality by watching me on the "Video of Rizi's story" link above), I know that God loves us Just as He Created Us and wants EQUALITY FOR ALL!! I know that Our Opponents and those who supported and passed prop H8 did so based on biblical misinterpretation, ignorance to what the bible actually says about us and/or pure bigotry, and in so doing, they failed to reflect the love of Jesus for All.
When they voted our FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS away, our NEIGHBORS sadly failed to observe the 2nd greatest commandment from Jesus which is to love your neighbor as yourself ( Matthew 22:37-40 and Leviticus 19:18). We are their neighbors and true Christianity demands that they love us enough to treat us as equals. We as a nation do not believe in second-class citizenship and all those who voted yes on h8 should remember that "Separate, but Equal" is NOT EQUAL. Let us all recall that Virginia's "Racial Integrity Act of 1924" was upheld with the opinion, "Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, malay and red, and He placed them on separate continents. And but for the interference with His arrangement, there would be no cause for such marriages. The fact that He separated the races shows that he did not intend for the races to mix." This is such a clear example of religion-based bigotry being used to justify discrimination under law, and it took the landmark Supreme Court decision in that case -- Loving vs. Virginia (1967) -- to strike down anti-miscegenation laws in this country. It wasn't right when we treated women as less than men. It wasn't right when we treated black people as less than whites and it is not right to treat gay and lesbian people as less than straight people. This is the message of my new cd "COME OUT" and I hope you will get a copy for yourself or someone you know who needs to be encouraged.
God bless you.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Proposition 8 on Trial
By Brian Doherty, January 13, 2010 7:46 AM
http://kcet.org/local/blogs/city_of_angles/2010/01/anti-gay-marriage-prop-8-on-trial.html
----------------------------------------------------------------
Stacking the Deck Against Proposition 8
A claim by a conservative reporter and Chairman of The Heritage Foundation's Center for Legal and Judicial Studies that there is an unfair environment against Proposition 8 (the unfair environment is what same-gender–loving couples have had to endure throughout the history of this country. …But that is JUST MY OPINION…)
http://www.heritage.org/Press/Commentary/ed011110c.cfm
---------------------------------------------------
The New Yorker
A Risky Proposal
Is it too soon to petition the Supreme Court on gay marriage?by Margaret Talbot
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/01/18/100118fa_fact_talbot (First page)
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/01/18/100118fa_fact_talbot?currentPage=all (11 pages)
--------------------------------------------------------
Plaintiff says Prop. 8 'means I'm unequal',
Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer, Tuesday, January 12, 2010,
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2010/01/12/MN1E1BGLU9.DTL
Read more:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2010/01/12/MN1E1BGLU9.DTL#ixzz0cccpYkc5
-----------------------------------------------------------
Marriage historian testifies in Prop. 8 trial in San Francisco
Los Angeles Times
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/01/marriage-historian-testifies-in-prop-8-trial-in-san-francisco.html
-------------------------------------------------------
Gay Couples Testify as Marriage Case Starts
Dan Levine, The Recorder, January 12, 2010, Law.com
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202437864815

---------------------------------------------------------------
The revolution must be televised
Why California's courtroom battle for gay marriage should be broadcast on YouTube , BY LINDA HIRSHMAN,
Salon.com, http://www.salon.com/news/gay_marriage/index.html?story=/mwt/feature/2010/01/12/televise_the_gay_trial
------------------------------------------------------

MercuryNews.com

Experts again headline Proposition 8 trial
By Howard Mintz, hmintz@mercurynews.com, Posted: 01/14/2010
http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_14194961?source=rss&nclick_check=1

Huffington Post – series of articles:

JUDICIARY 2.0 -- Prop. 8, YouTube and the Supreme Court
Jose Antonio VargasTechnology and Innovations editor, Huffington Post, Posted: January 12, 2010
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jose-antonio-vargas/judiciary-20----youtube-a_b_420578.html

Proposition 8: Historian Testifies Marriage About More Than Procreation
LISA LEFF, 01/12/10
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/12/proposition-8-historian-t_n_420367.html

Couples Testify In California Gay Marriage Trial
LISA LEFF, 01/12/10
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/11/proposition-8-court-block_n_418502.html

Proposition 8: Groundbreaking Gay Marriage Trial Starts In California
LISA LEFF, 01/11/10
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/11/proposition-8-groundbreak_n_418475.html

Proposition 8: Gay Marriage Trial Defendant Wants Out Of Case
PAUL ELIAS, 01/ 8/10
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/08/proposition-8-gay-marriag_n_416979.html

Gay Marriage And The US Supreme Court: Is It Too Soon To Petition?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/11/gay-marriage-and-the-us-s_n_418205.html

'Don't Ask Don't Tell' (DADT) Repeal: Dems Move Forward With Plans
01-12-10,
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/12/dems-move-forward-with-pl_n_420180.html

New York Times:

Same-Sex Marriage Case, Day 2: History Lessons
By GERRY SHIH, January 12, 2010
http://bayarea.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/same-sex-marriage-case-day-2-history-lessons/?hp

Christian Science Monitor:

Gay marriage trial begins with tough questions for both sides.
Opening arguments began Monday in what could be a landmark trial for gay marriage. The case, which challenges California's ban on same-sex marriage, Proposition 8, could go to the US Supreme Court. Michael B. Farrell Staff writer, January 11, 2010
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2010/0111/Gay-marriage-trial-begins-with-tough-questions-for-both-sides

The Daily Kos
An ongoing daily condensation of many national events, including Proposition 8, DADT and more.
http://dailykos.com/

The L A Times:
The ruling written by Chief Justice Ronald M. George, drew deeply -- in spirit, at least -- on the philosopher Michael Walzer's insight that the American conception of moral progress consists not in the creation of novel rights but in the extension of those recognized as fundamental to those people to whom they've been denied. As such, the earlier decision stood in a distinguished line that includes Griswold vs. Connecticut and Brown vs. Board of Education -- in which courageous judges undertook to synchronize the law with the social conscience of their age.

Tuesday's ruling stands in the line of moral retreat and expedient retrenchment that includes Dred Scott vs. Sandford, Plessy vs. Ferguson and Korematsu vs. the United States.

Consider this passage from George's latest majority opinion, asserting -- against all reason -- that Proposition 8 did not entirely repeal or abrogate same-sex couples' right to privacy and due process or the "constitutional right of same-sex couples to 'choose one's life partner and enter with that person into a committed, officially recognized and protected family relationship.' " Instead, George wrote, "the measure carves out a narrow and limited exception to these state 'constitutional rights.' "

George went on to argue that Proposition 8 did not abrogate "all of the other extremely significant substantive aspects of a same-sex couple's state constitutional right to establish an officially recognized and protected family relationship and the guarantee of equal protection under the laws."

In other words, gay and lesbian Californians can board the marital bus but must take seats at the rear.

Moreover, denying an entire class of people the right to marry the partner of their choice is a "narrow exception" to the equal protection clause? And it's morally permissible to carve out exceptions to constitutional rights for specific groups, as long as it's done by majority vote?

So, if a majority of Californians voted to "carve out a narrow exception" to California's right to privacy and applied it only to Jews, would it be constitutionally acceptable? If Native Americans were accorded all the protections of the law by a ballot proposition, except the right to marry a non-Indian, would that be legal?

This is social and moral nonsense.

The court tried Tuesday to cover itself with a fig leaf of decency by allowing the 18,000 existing same-sex marriages to stand. It won't work. This is a logically and morally incoherent decision that simply will plunge the state into another round of bitterly divisive initiative politics, while adding fuel to the growing sense that all three branches of California's government have lost the ability to function in the public interest.

timothy.rutten@latimes.com
More on this topic at www.EqualityJusticeForAll.org

And let's not forget the needed complete ban on
driving while using cell phones!
Not just for teenagers; not just for trucks and busses;
for EVERYONE!
www.StopAllCellPhoneDriving.org
Already over 60,000 lives have been lost and over 250,000 injuries
have occured due to cell phone use while driving.
Not a single one of these was worth receiving or sending a text message or phone call

The Oprah Show:
This Show Could Save Your Life:
Visit http://www.oprah.com/showinfo/Americas-New-Deadly-Obsession#
America's New Deadly Obsession of cell phone use while driving. We all need to make our automobiles a

"NO PHONE ZONE"
.
Take the Pledge, Save a life—maybe even yours. Sign our pledge to
make your car and any car that you ride in a "No-phone zone" and pass it on.
http://www.oprah.com/questionaire/ipledge.html?id=4

Cell phone abuse while driving:

The National Safety Council's web site for DISTRACTED DRIVING.
A lot of information- – the section “Public Education” has several videos – including a You Tube at the bottom of page – Dr. Phil interviewing young woman texter. There’s also information from the Cell Phone industry, and state laws, etc.
http://www.nsc.org/safety_road/Distracted_Driving/Pages/distracted_driving.aspx

28 percent of accidents involve talking, texting on cellphones
Ashley Halsey III, Washington Post Staff Writer, Wednesday, January 13, 2010
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/12/AR2010011202218.html

New Organization Combats Distracted Driving
The Associated Press, WASHINGTON, January 12, 2010
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122479400

The next prohibitionists are cell phone prohibitionists
Point of Law.com (Information and opinion on the U.S. Litigation system),
Carter Wood, January 13, 2010
http://www.pointoflaw.com/archives/2010/01/the-next-prohib.php

------------------------------------

The US Department of Transportation’s new website created January 2010 to discourage ALL cell phone driving.
http://www.distraction.gov/

“At the U.S. Department of Transportation, we heard America’s call to end the dangerous practice of distracted driving on our nation’s roadways.

------------------------------------
Focus Driven: Advocates for cell-free driving. New website created January 2010

http://www.focusdriven.org/index.aspx

FocusDriven is an advocacy group for victims of motor vehicle crashes involving drivers using cell phones.

FocusDriven is Based on MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), it works to make roadways safer for all motorists and stop use of ALL cell phones while driving.

FocusDriven is a partnership between the US Department of Transportation and the National Safety Council

----------------------------------

National Safety Council’s (NSC) Website on Distracted Driving-
http://www.nsc.org/safety_road/Distracted_Driving/Pages/distracted_driving.aspx

Numerous public opinion surveys show most drivers believe that using cell phones while driving is dangerous. Talking on cell phones while driving is estimated to increase crash risk fourfold. NSC estimates that 28% of crashes -- 1.6 million crashes per year -- can be attributed to cell phone talking and texting while driving. Site includes a lot of information-- research, and resources.

More on the dangers of cell phone distractions
while driving and what needs to be done about it at
www.StopAllCellPhoneDriving.org

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Bill 18-482 "The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009"
The DC City Conncil has finalized a same-gender marriage bill, #18-482 "The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009" which will be voted upon by the DC City Council on Dec 1st, 2009. The objective of the Greenbelt, Md Bishop and his financial backer, the National Organization for Marriage is to derail Marriage Equality in DC by forcing a referendum allowing popular vote and promote division between city residents to determine the equal rights of the protected LGBT minority in the city. This would be in spite of the fact that such a referendum would be illegal due to the city's LGBT anti-discrimination law ('National Organization for Marriage' is the same organization which spent millions to derail California and Maine initiatives through incredibly expensive and untrue advertising about forced same-gender sex education in schools if the marriage laws passed, in spite of the fact that they knew in no uncertain terms that this was unfounded. Plus parents and guardians in both situations have always had the right to restrict sex education to their children in the schools if desired. The National Organization for Marriage is allegly funded by the financially powerful Morman Church from Utah which promotes itself to encourage love, consideration and respect for all mankind....?...[so much for due unto others...]). The agenda of this financially powerful conglomerate includes promoting black vs white religious vs 'non-religious' even though many LGBT individuals are religious plus MANY black churches in DC support Marriage Equality for same-gender couples (Visit DC Clergy United for Marriage Equality www.ClergyForMarriage.com).

In the meantime the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said that it will not continue the social service programs it runs for the District of Columbia if the city doesn't change it's proposed same-sex marriage law to allow the Catholic Archdiocese to discriminate against same-gender married couples as in offering the same benefits to same-gender couples that are available to mixed-gender couple employees, adoptions, etc (by the way, this law affects 'civil marriage', not 'religious marriage'. It has literally nothing to do with 'religious marriage' [remember there is supposedly a constitutional 'Separation of Church and State' that many some still choose to ignore] which the Catholic Archdiocese is perfectly aware of regardless of what is falsely claimed by it and it's fellow marriage equality opponents...no church can ever be required to marry anyone that they wish to exclude in spite of what is inaccurately claimed by the opponents of Marriage Equality). So much for "Love Thy Neighber As Thyself" and "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". All of these threats were made by the Archdiocese of Washington in spite of the fact that the services provided by Catholic Charities is performed through several hundred thousand dollars given to them this year alone by the city to perform these services, in addition to their tax-exempt status which results in many thousands more at the expense of the city.

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine criticized the Archdiocese of Washington for threatening to end contracts to feed Washington, DC's homeless if the city allows gay couples the freedom to marry.

"I'm Catholic and I think it's wrong,'' Kaine said. "If you look at the church through history, the church will stand in tough situations and continue to do good. I think the strategy of threatening to hold back, it just doesn't seem like the church I've come up in."

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley

Kaine was seconded by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, who also is Catholic.

"I don't understand how they can possibly do this," O'Malley said."I have a hard time believing that the nuns and priests who taught me about the Corporal Works of Mercy would agree that this is an appropriate response for the church."

More information at:
www.EqualityJusticeForAll.org

Visit all of my highly-opinionated awareness projects at:
www.NobodyAskedForMyOpinionBut.com
www.EqualityJusticeForAll.org
www.StopDisabledAbuse.org
www.StopAllCellPhoneDriving.org
.... and don't EVEN get me started on the environmental abuse that almost
each and every one of us continues to bombard this life-giving
planet with every single day....and too amny are too lazy to stop it.

Click here
for the menu of topics of this web site
or scroll down to take the scenic route

We regret the unfortunate loss of one more
incredibly talented icon of music and dance

Former 'Sexiest man Alive' and Star
of Broadway and the Silver Screen
Patrick Swayze
1952 - 2009
Visit the 'Dirty Dancing' Photo Gallery
and tribute to Patrick Swayze
Click here

We have lost far too many incredibly talented
and gifted American artists in the past year....

Oscar-winner Heath Ledger
1979 - 2008

Visit the Brokeback Mountain Photo Gallery
and tribute to Heath Ledger at
www.BrokebackMountain.us

Michael Jackson
The most talented artist ever...
1958 - 2009

Visit the Michael Jackson's Thriller photo gallery
and tribute to Michael Jackson at
www.MichaelJacksonsThriller.com

Michael Jackson remix
An unbelievable Michael Jackson a' cappella medley by Sam Tsu. As an obsessive/compulsive MJ fan I'm practically in tears by the end whenever I listen to this brilliant arrangement. We will absolutely be seeing a lot more of Sam Tsu in the future (by the way, if it looks like they're identical sextuplets they aren't. It's all the same guy...this is a BRILLIANT tribute to Michael!).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R12QVtuB0_Q

Tribute : Michael Jackson 'Beat It' Live In Japan 1987 (1958-2009) R.I.P
The next bite of MJ choreography that we'll be teaching as a warm-up is from the 'Tribute : Michael Jackson Beat It Live In Japan 1987 (1958-2009) R.I.P' video from 'Got Talent?' at
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/5485601/14433563 near the end of the video. The counter is at -150 and danced to the 'Beat It' chorus of the song.

In memory of Michael Jackson. If We Hold On Together- Diana Ross
Another brilliant tribute to Michael Jackson by Justice89 to the song 'If we hold on together' by Diana Ross. "The world will never forget MJ. He impacted/inspired/saved many lives. Thank you, Michael. RIP Michael Jackson 1958 - 2009. His music will live on forever".
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/5433880/14309103

Michael Jackson Dance Break (Dangerous). This is incredible and brilliant choreography.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mU8QoZMVOU

Mickael Jackson - Smooth criminal (Live)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUYD13W-oWs

Of course we can't leave out the infamous
DC "Thriller" routine
(taught to about 40 passers by in front of Union Stationby Terry Chasteen during the 2008 'Dance DC Festival')
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BovN4Mq3Ips

Visit the Michael Jackson's Thriller Photo Gallery and tribute to Michael Jackson at
www.MichaelJacksonsThriller.com
including many more photos and links to performances by this one-of-a-kind artist.

AND THANK YOU!
to so many of you who took the time to commemorate Michael's passing by coming
in to learn 'Michael Jackson's Thriller' over the June 26th weekend. I can't think of a
better way to honor him than to learn how to dance like him, though none of us will ever
even come close. This is not the end, however .... we'll be doing this most Sat mornings as
a class warm-up at 10:00AM and on Sundays between 8:30PM & 9:00PM as part of the weekly

Including classes
and the weekly Washington DC 'Michael Jackson's Thriller' Meetup Group
('Michael Jackson's Thriller' dance class at the Chevy Chase Ballroom on YouTube)
www.youtube.com/user/DCTanguera

'Michael Jackson's Thriller' workshops and class warm-ups will continue to learn more of this this one-of-a-kind dance routine.
Visit www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com or www.MichaelJacksonsThriller.com for any additions in days or times above and beyond the 10:00AM Saturday morning class warm-up before our beginner Salsa class (taught by Mein at 10:30AM) and the 'Dancing Kids' Network' Ballroom, Latin & Swing classes at 10:30AM (taught by Terry and additional associate teachers).

Below are three results in video from the June 26th weekend:

(1) VIDEO Michael Jackson "Thriller" Sat morning dance class at the Chevy Chase Ballroom on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/DCTanguera
Saturday, June 27th, 2009.

(2) VIDEO Featured WUSA channel 9 News Video with Terry & Nicole on Friday, June 25th. Now seen on WUSA9.com.
Michael Jackson’s Thriller on Channel 9, Friday June 25th, 2009 (1.15 minutes - type Michael Jackson's Thriller into the search request of the channel 9 videos)
http://www.wusa9.com/video/default.aspx?menuid=138

(3) VIDEO Latest Videos now posted on WUSA9.com, including Terry teaching and Terry & Nicole dancing on June 25th, 2009 (5.25 minutes). Now available at WUSA9.com.
http://www.wusa9.com/video/default.aspx?menuid=138
Learn the dance from “Thriller”.
"Digital correspondent Lindsey Mastis found a man who has spent many years teaching the 'Thriller' dance".

Location: The Chevy Chase Ballroom & DanceSport Center, 5207 Wisc Ave NW, Washington DC 20015
(1/2 block South of the Jennifer St exit of the Friendship Heights red line Metro above Paul's Liquor at Harrison & Wisconsin).
Contact: Terry Chasteen, TerryChasteen@PleaseDanceWithMe.com, TerryChasteen@yahoo.com, 202-462-0870.

Isn't it time to STOP WATCHING all the fun....and START HAVING IT?!!

**************************************
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent
about things that matter - Dr Martin Luther King, Jr
**************************************

"For all my years in public life, I have believed that America must sail toward the shores of liberty and justice for all. There is no end to that journey, only the next great voyage. We know the future will outlast all of us, but I believe that all of us will live on in the future we make."

Hate Crimes Speech
September 25, 2007 | Standing Against Hate
Senator Kennedy on the Matthew Shepard Act
Facing a veto threat from the President of the United States and an uncertain vote in the U.S. Senate, Senator Kennedy fought to pass the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Eventually signed into law in a later Congress, this legislation broadens existing law to prohibit hate crimes against women, gays, lesbians, and transgender persons; and gives prosecutors enhanced ability to charge and penalize those who commit hate crimes.

There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction. - John F. Kennedy

Visit 3 of my newest and, as always, highly-opinionated awareness projects at:
www.EqualityJusticeForAll.org
www.StopDisabledAbuse.org and
www.StopAllCellPhoneDriving.org
.... and don't EVEN get me started on the environmental abuse that almost
each and every one of us continues to bombard this life-giving
planet with every single day....

Here some of us made it into the Metro section of The Washington Post on October 27th, 2009
during testimonials for Marriage Equality in the DC City Council Chambers.

And here we are once again right in the middle of things on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 – this
time on national TV – ABC – and the Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/03/andy-hertzbergs-marriage_n_343752.html

More information available at:
www.EqualityJusticeForAll.org

ALL OF TERRY CHASTEEN'S CLASSES AT PleaseDanceWithMe.com WILL
TAKE PLACE AS SCHEDULED ON MOST HOLIDAY WEEKENDS. CHECK
THE WEB SITE HOME PAGE AND DANCE CLASS LINK TO CONFIRM.

Before my life as a full-time professional Ballroom and Latin dance coach began, I spent over 26 years breeding, raising, training, showing and selling some of the most successful show horses in the United States as part of the Appaloosa, American Paint Horse and American Quarter Horse breed associations (yes, just as in dancing I couldn't bring myself to specialize in just one...). Though dressage was not one of the styles of show horses that we produced, I've seen and arm-chair judged many top level performances in hunter/jumpers and dressage, but have never seen one as perfect as this:

Sensational Dancing Horse
www.flixxy.com/world-equestrian-games-freestyle-dressage.htm

Other 'MUST SEE' videos!

Proposition 8: The musical
www.hotair.com/archives/2008/12/03/video-prop-8-the-musical/
(you may need to copy and paste this link as I cannot get it to cooperate otherwise)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf608SSvO14

Prop 8 The Musical
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug3YkVhkemg

A star-studded cast turns out for Marc Shaiman's "Prop 8 - The Musical."
Cast (in order of appearance)
California Gays and The People That Love Them
Jordan Ballard, Margaret Cho, Barrett Foa, J.B. Ghuman, John Hill, Andy Richter, Maya Rudolph, Rashad Naylor, Nicole Parker, John C. Reilly, Allison Janney, Kathy Najimy, -Jenifer Lewis, Craig Robinson, Rashida Jones, Lake Bell, Sarah Chalke, Katharine "Kooks" Leonard, Seth Morris, Denise "Esi!" Piane, Lucian Piane, Richard Read, Seth Redford, Quinton Strack, Tate Taylor, Brunson Green, as Jesus Christ - Jack Black, A Very Smart Fellow - Neil Patrick Harris, Piano Player - Marc "Marc" Shaiman

This Melodious McDonalds Order from StupidVideos.com is definitely a fun one.
"Old!" you say? "We've seen it before!?" This is probably the most melodious of
all of the fast food song order videos...and it's inside! www.StupidVideos.com
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/5325156/14039179

And my favorite Flash Mob to date

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k

Here's another much shorter one of Michael Jackson's 'Beat It'. It could be great to come up with a Michael Jackson medley of some of his greatest hits (of course including 'Michael Jackson's Thriller' which I can teach down to the very last detail) and have 'I Am What I Am' as the grand finale' as a testimonial to the 'Equality And Justice For All' movement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVJVRywgmYM

Michael Jackson Tribute - Montreal July 27
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYVi_6KZyTs

This is Bucharest's official video. Around 200 people gathered to bring an homage to the unique Michael Jackson on his birthday, the 29th of August. A big thank you for everyone involved in this, and to the great friends and dancer colleagues that were next to me, teaching the choreography. Everyone did this with their hearts - this is actually the only thing that matters. Love for Michael..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5Nl09rh2HQ

The 'Dancing Kids Network' performing their Cha Cha Cha dance routine during the Dance DC Festival at Union Station in Washington DC. Performers include Hanan with his Mom, Michelle (I cannot understand why I can't get more parents to dance with their kids. What an opportunity you are all missing out on while it's available to you), Danny with Gilan & Hanan's twin brother Arizona with Tasneem. The music is 'Nina' by Miguel Bosse and Paulina Rubio (great song!...one of my favorite Cha Cha's by two of my favorite Latin artists!...)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5J6qTCIN5c

Gillan and Tasneem rehearse the complete choreography of the 'Dancing Kids Network' Cha Cha Cha dance routine, lead by Catlin & Terry and danced to 'Nina' by Miguel Bosse and Paulina Rubio (a great song!...one of my favorite Cha Cha's by two of my favorite Latn artists!...).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn1hQ3Akn4w

Don't just lie around the house and yard all day & night...

... DANCE!! (The Nickolas Brothers dancing to 'Chatanooga Choo Choo'...this is not Foto Shop...these guys were THE most talented ever)

EVERY SUNDAY:
Beginner and intermediate/advanced Sunday Tango classes taught at the same time by
Terry (beginners) and Rene' Davila (int/adv) from 7pm-8:00pm followed by dancing until 11pm.
All of this is preceded by classes in every style of social dance known to mankind starting at
1:00pm every Sunday. Visit www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com & click on the class schedule link.

(click here for details)

We definitely plan to include a blog soon, maybe Blog Spot (as soon as I can figure out how to do that....) so we can get ALL of your opinions as well. For now, please send me your dance ideas and articles and maybe we can post them.

For who: Our classes and social dance events are for everyone of all races, ages, religions affiliations, genders and orientations of affection. That includes singles, couples, same-gender couples, seniors, the disabled (wheelchair dancers), youth (including pre-school enrolled along with their parents through high school), and the seeing and hearing impaired (limited ASL available. I love practicing my ASL with new deaf students). All are welcome and encouraged to attend. No dance partner, previous dance experience or specific age specifications are required. We just have a firm belief that EVERYONE should dance together! So leave the labels outside the door and get everyone "Out on the Dance Floor!"

Isn't it time to STOP WATCHING all the fun....and START HAVING IT?!!

Hurry...and start planning today to attend our upcoming
Dance-&-Learn Parties as well as our weekly Sunday
Salsa & Rueda and weekly Sunday evening Argentine Tango milongas.

Click here
(Email: TerryChasteen@InternationalDanceSPORT.com,
TerryChasteen@PleaseDanceWithMe.com,
TerryChasteen@yahoo.com)

Click here for the menu to the varied topics of the
PleaseDanceWithMe.com web site

"You have but two options to choose from, Mister....

Either git to dancin'....

....or get out o' Dodge...."

BREAKING NEWS: Obama pledges to work with the military this year to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

http://www.HRC.org

In his State of the Union address, President Obama pledged to work with the Congress and military this year to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT).

With the President's leadership, now it is up to Congress to act. We're rolling out a new strategic campaign to do exactly that - put an end to the discriminatory law that's forced thousands of lesbian and gay members of the military to lie about who they are or face losing their jobs.

Help us capitalize on the President's pledge tonight by asking your representative and senators to move quickly to repeal DADT.

https://secure3.convio.net/hrc/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=670

We've spent months designing a plan to pass legislation which repeals DADT. The plan will include organizing veterans across the country, generating media coverage in key markets and building focused campaigns in targeted states that will be critical to securing the final votes in the House and Senate.

First step: pushing legislation through the House by building a well-spring of support from representatives, while laying the groundwork for a critical fight in the Senate.

Help us capitalize on the President's pledge tonight by asking your representative and senators to move quickly to repeal DADT.

when Congress returns to work, we want to make sure their inboxes are flooded with emails echoing the President's call to repeal DADT.

It's just the first step in a bold campaign to finally wipe DADT from the books this year.

The "Voices of Honor Campaign" will build on the successes of our 2009 Voices of Honor tour, where veterans toured the country speaking out against the law, garnering attention from Congress and the media, and helping us get to this moment.

Over the coming days, weeks and months, we will:

Put an on-the-ground campaign manager in key states to build diverse local coalitions, drive earned media and organize voices from within these target communities;
Organize a broad-based grassroots campaign to support our lobbying efforts;
Expand on existing efforts to organize veterans in these target states and Congressional districts to generate media attention in the local area and put additional pressure on lawmakers;
Bring veterans and other key voices to Washington, D.C. for a full day of lobbying on Capitol Hill;
And more!

It's an ambitious effort – working with our allies, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and Servicemembers United – and we'll need you to play a key role if we expect to win. Today, I'm counting on you to take the first step and send an email to your representative and senators right away.

Tell Congress to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

https://secure3.convio.net/hrc/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=670

Once you send your letter, be sure to share this news with your friends and ask them to help, too.

We'll keep you updated as this campaign progresses over the coming weeks. Thank you for helping us put an end to this law, once and for all.

Let's end this now.

Joe Solmonese
President HRC

www.EqualityJusticeForAll.org
----------------------------------------

Sen. John McCain can't keep his story straight on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

In 2006, Sen John McCain said: "The day that the leadership of the military comes to me and says, 'Senator, we ought to change the policy,' then I think we ought to consider seriously changing it." McCain has said time and again that it's not about what he thinks, it's about what military leaders think – but now he is just digging in his heels in opposition.

Top military leaders now oppose "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", including – the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Michael Mullen, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and even Gen. Colin Powell – who have all came out with statements in favor of repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." They have now made it clear that lesbians and gays should no longer have to endure this rediculous insult to their integrity (my words...not theirs...they're more politically correct than I am when it comes to this discriminatory 'divide-and-conquer' nonsense) and lie about who they are in order to serve their country.

But Sen. McCain is now blatantly ignoring them – and giving in to the pressure by the far right wingers to receive their political support by leading the charge to keep lesbians and gays from openly serving in the military.

The sad part is that opposing equality is a cold political calculation for Sen. McCain. Faced with a tough upcoming election, McCain has become poster boy for anti-equality groups – first he did all he could to stand in the way of hate crimes legislation, which passed in spite of him, and now he's emerged as the Senate's biggest cheerleader for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Watch a video of Sen. McCain's flip flop – then tell him to listen to our top military leaders and end this discriminatory law!

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/Advocacy?id=689&pagename=homepage

Sticking by this law now means second-guessing the military's top leaders. Yet that's exactly what Sen. McCain is doing. What does he know about military effectiveness that General Powell, Secretary Gates, Admiral Mullen and the Commander in Chief don't?

McCain is willing to go back on his word and ignore the 75% of Americans and even 58% of Republicans who now support a repeal of this law. That's a sign of how committed our opposition is and just how tough the fight in Congress will be.

Even McCain's wife, Cindy and daughter, Meghan are openly and aggressively opposing his view on this and other anti-gay legislation such as Proposition H8 in California.

PHOTO: Cindy McCain Joins Project Protesting Prop 8
First Posted: 01-20-10
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/20/cindy-mccain-noh8-photo-m_n_430004.html

McCain's daughter Meghan McCain -- a vocal proponent of marriage equality -- posed for NOH8 last summer. (Her Daily Beast piece explaining why she posed can be found here.)
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-06-19/why-i-posed-against-prop-8/?cid=hp:beastoriginalsR2

Will you join me in challenging Sen. McCain to live up to his own words? Just use this link and fill out a very brief request to give the respect and consideration to all military personnel.

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/Advocacy?id=689&pagename=homepage

Ask John McCain to please live up to his own words and Tell him that he can't have it both ways – if he stands by his principles, he must respect the wishes of our military leaders.

As Admiral Mullen said on Tuesday, "For me, it comes down to integrity." Right now, I couldn't agree more.

Let's put this insulting anti-gay law behind us and in the history books, where it belongs.

Thanks for your help.
~ Terry Chasteen

www.EqualityJusticeForAll.org

--------------------------------Please forward this message to your compassionate friends and family members---------------

Hello, everyone,

Below is an issue that I cannot overlook regarding the continued discrimination against gay and lesbian professionals in our military. If you haven't seen this video yet of Sen. John McCain completely contradicting himself on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," please check it out by means of the link below.

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/Advocacy?id=689&pagename=homepage

Our top military leaders -- the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Secretary of Defense and even Gen. Colin Powell -- have now made it clear that lesbians and gays should no longer have to lie and keep silent about their personal lives and about who they are in order to serve their country.

But McCain -- who has said time and again that it's not about what he thinks, it's about what military leaders think -- is just digging in his heels in opposition.

This is all just another discriminitory 'divide-and-conquer' tactic against a minority by certain politicians to stir up unnecessary fear and mistrust for the sake of their own agendas of advancing themselves. Look at how they used the fear of gay marriage to squeeze out the votes against Al Gore in the 2004 elections and then look at the economic mess that we're in because of it. A mess that we will all be paying for for decades to come. My hope is that America has finally awakened to these unscrupulous tactics for the sake of money and power and greed, but from the looks of things there are those in politics who think otherwise.

Even Senator McCain's own wife and daughter have become devoted advocates of eliminating the discrimination VS same-gender marriage and all other such practices in spite of the potential repercussions of John's position in the Republican party (visit http://www.EqualityJusticeForAll.org for information on this and many other discriminatory practices alive and well in America today).

Many other countries have been accepting gay and lesbian personnel in their military for years and it's time that America wake up to the damage that this has caused by unnecessarily dismissing valuable personnel, including thousands of highly trained individuals who are vitally important to our security after spending millions of tax payer dollars to train them.

Will you join me in challenging Sen. McCain to live up to his own words? Just use this link and fill out a very brief request to give the respect and consideration to all military personnel.

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/Advocacy?id=689&pagename=homepage

Thanks for your help.
~ Your name

www.EqualityJusticeForAll.org

----------------------------------

URGENT: Prison or death for LGBT Ugandans!

"Homosexuals can forget about human rights."

- James Nsaba Buturo, Uganda’s Minister of Ethics and Integrity

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Uganda urgently need your help.

In a country where homosexuality is already illegal, where violent attacks are common and rape is used to 'cure' people of their sexual orientation – a shocking new law has been proposed that would make homosexuality punishable by life imprisonment or even death.

You may have been following this story already. HRC and other groups have been working on the issue with US officials since October. But with Uganda's Parliament about to return to session, we need your help to launch a nationwide call to get Congress involved.

Write Congress immediately to demand that America leads a strong and immediate international response to stop this law. Save LGBT Ugandans from a mass death sentence!

https://secure3.convio.net/hrc/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=655

Here's what led to this urgent situation: last March, three American right-wing extremists, posing as "experts" on homosexuality, led a conference in Uganda where they claimed that gay men prey upon teenagers, that there is a gay agenda to destroy families, and that gay people can and should be changed to straight.

Then, in October, Uganda's legislature introduced a bill making homosexual acts punishable by death and failure to report them punishable by jail time.

Though the three extremists have tried to distance themselves from this homicidal bill, they can't. They spread lies, posing as "experts," then urged that LGBT people be treated differently based on those lies. That's fomenting hatred – pure and simple.

These Americans have put LGBT Ugandans – and those who care about them – in grave peril. We have a responsibility, as Americans, to protect them.

President Obama has already denounced the law in a written statement. But given the incredible danger that LGBT Ugandans are facing, we must urge him to do more.

We also must send a clear message to Uganda's President: if this bill becomes law, it will have a chilling effect on both human rights and the relationship between our countries.

The next step is a strong, unified effort by Congress to demand decisive action from both men.

Write Congress today and urge them to stop Uganda from passing a mass death sentence for its LGBT citizens.

Then be sure to spread the word. The more people we can get to write to Congress, the more powerful our message will be.

Thank you for standing up for our brothers and sisters in Uganda at this critical moment.

In solidarity,

Joe Solmonese
President HRC

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Nobody asked for my opinion...BUT...

As one who has always had an opinion on most topics and likewise has never felt comfortable keeping them to myself, I have decided to include one of my favorite ("and most opinionated") sections of the "DC DanceSport News" as a separate page on this web site entitled "Nobody asked for my opinion...BUT..." and so express my sometimes twisted opinions around the world. I can do that in America...the land of the free. The first few articles are out and I'd LLOOOVVVE to have YOUR OPINION...I might even post it on the following section that I call ....Nobody asked for their opinions either...BUT...

1. The world-wide war on drugs...as much as we in America hate to admit the real truth about the drug wars, the fault and the real problem of illegal drugs belongs to no one else but "US" (U.S.)....

2. To Teach Well or Not To Teach well...That is the Question...A three-part article by Terry "Shakespeare" Chasteen and published in the bi-monthly American Ballroom Dancers' Association Magazine in 2002 (now USA Dance).

3. The reasons why I look forward to and just LLOOOVVE teaching my beginner wedding couples..

4. "Out and About in Washington DC" - links to valuable information about our Nation's Capitol,
including sight-seeing, entertainment, museums, transportation, media, sports, schools, hotels, etc.

5. Regarding religion and government

6. A tribute to Steve Irwin:

7. Terry Chasteen's bio

8. Black History Month - February 2007 featuring the Nicholas Brothers and Frankie Manning.

9. The discriminatory remarks by the Chairman of the joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace are not only unquestionably inappropriate but also damaging to the morale and productivity of the thousands of gay and lesbian service members who are both presently in or are planning to join the armed forces....

10. A Sharp Drop in Gays Discharged From Military Tied to War Need
By Ann Scott Tyson, Washington Post Staff Writer
The number of homosexuals discharged from the U.S. military under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy dropped significantly in 2006, according to Pentagon figures released yesterday -- leading critics to charge that the military is retaining gay men and lesbians because it needs them in a time of war.

11. MY PICKS for the ®Oscars, 2007 ...

12. A Congressional Gold Medal salute to the Tuskegee Air Men...even though it just happens to be almost 6 decades too late....

13. July 4th, 2007...WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE...FOR ALL?...

14. Re: An email from Mein.

15. A complement from my brother (well one of my brothers...I have 3...and yes the 4 of us baby boomers were only 5 years apart...poor "Mom" in those days!)

16. The Reverend Ted Haggard...don't forgive him - accept him for what he is.....

17. Loyalty:
Those who have a real concern for you would never abandon you in the first place...

18 . Pit bull or pig? Public Forum Letter - (The Salt Lake Tribune, Thursday, Sept 11, 2008)

19. From the prepared remarks of President-elect Barack Obama for his election right victory speech at Chicago's Grant Park...

20. Grammy Award winner and breast cancer survivor Melissa Etheridge speaks out on California's Porposition 8 on marriage for same-gender couples..

21. Terry's brief movie debut in Chris Rock's "Head Of State"

22.
Terry's "even more brief" experience in the Oscar®-winning major motion picture "Syriana" with George Clooney, Geoffrey Wright, Amanda Peet and and Matt Damon

Question:

What do George Clooney
,

King Kong ,

Matt Damon

and Terry Chasteen have in common?...

23. Watch the videos and learn the "Michael Jackson's Thriller"dance routine......
(...but only for those who will even DARE to take the risk!...).

Visit two more of my highly-opinionated awareness projects at:

24. www.StopDisabledAbuse.org

25. www.StopAllCellPhoneDriving.org

26. The DC Council has recently introduced a same-gender mariage bill;
do those people honestly believe that they deserve the same rights and privelages as everyone else? (My opinion below)

27. The Yuletide Ball DanceSport Championships and New Year's Eve Gala, Dec 31 - Jan 3, 2010 (click here)

Also,...Nobody asked for their opinions either...BUT...

A. Quotes regarding discrimination by John F. Kennedy

B. A complement from DC...

C. A complement from the Miss Adams Morgan Pageant...

D. An observation by Christopher Reeve about some of us who are able-bodied shortly before his untimely death...

E. A MIRAMAX synopsis of "Shall We Dance?".

F. Homosexuals -- Are they REALLY destroying the institution of marriage?!

G. My favorite quotes from Oprah's Mission Calendar Inspiration.

H. Wedding testimonials

We want YOU!! ......

to DANCE!!