I’m sorry I haven’t had much time to blog, reporting on my journey, but have been very busy. The eldest PatriotNieceWest did an absolutely amazing job at her Bat Mitzvah and I had a great time visiting with family in New York and friends in Washington.
I even met with Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon while in DC. In the twelve years that I have been involved in the organization, this is the first time its leader has met with me to hear my concerns. Perhaps that has something to do with this Patrick and his manner of leadership. Or perhaps it has something to do with the power of the blogosophere. More likely a combination of the two.
But, I will say this. With blogs, Log Cabin now has to deal with gay conservatives who now have a media platform. The group can no longer even presume to claim to speak for all right-of-center gays.
It was interesting how today in New York when I had the choice between walking and taking the subway, I preferred to walk, me the Angeleno who has driven to the corner hardware store when in LA. And boy did I enjoy wandering about the Big Apple, seeing some pretty amazing glass skyscrapers going up and discovering new ones that I may not have noticed before or which had been built since last I was in town.
And I had time to visit with my Dad and dine with my sisters while discovering a nifty device which allows me to charge my cell phone with a AA battery. I was impressed by the friendliness today of most New Yorkers, something I had not previously experienced in the city.
Wish I had more time to blog and share the details of my journey, including some political aspects and a meeting with one of the most famous readers of the blog while in DC. Hopefully, I’ll get to that stuff in short order. Tomorrow, it’s off to western Massachusetts to visit my alma mater which U.S. News has rightly ranked (yet again) America’s finest liberal arts college.
Welcome to the Big Apple!
Always walk if you have time and the weather is decent. In most parts of the city there are interesting things to see and discover.
And yes we are friendly. Except when during rush hour or when you are moving to slow in midtown. Just don’t act like a tourist and you’ll be fine.
Enjoy the city. If you get up to Westchester drop us a line!
Wish I had known, ousslander, I was staying in Westchester–at the Renaissance in White Plains and the Bat Mitzvah was in New Rochelle.
Dan, I’m probably not alone in this, but it’d be interesting to read more about your meeting with Patrick. I’m still smiling over the pass that Bruce gave Patrick in Paddie’s self-description as “conservative” in the radio interview.
Within the GOP, I don’t think anyone has ever thought of the LCRs as “conservative”. Maybe conservative as compared to conventional gay advocacy groups in the political arena… but they’ve always been labeled as progressive or moderate by most GOPers… like MainStreet or (my favorite) Ripon Society.
How’d you find Patrick? Or was that a private conversation not for attribution?
Thanks for bringing the lovely weather. No, you were right to walk. The streets of this town are not to be missed.
M-M; will be posting more on my meeting with Patrick when I get some time to do some serious blogging. In Massachusetts now at “turning point” in trip; heading west later today.