John Masters, Author at Deep Something

Brian and Bryan Fail to Understand Constitution

August 23, 2013September 29, 2018 B. John 1509 Views 0 Comments AFA, American Family Association, Nom, National Organization for Marriage, Bryan Fischer, Brian Brown, New Mexico, hate group, Elane Photography, Albuquerque

This entry is part 11 of 35 in the series Gay Marriage

Brian Brown of the anti-gay designated hate group National Organization for Marriage (NOM), and Bryan Fischer of the designated hate group American Family Association (AFA), both have their knickers in a twist over recent court ruling out of New Mexico. In this ruling, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled against a Albuquerque wedding photographer, Elane Photography who refused to work with a lesbian couple citing her deeply held religious beliefs.

General Environment Weather Places Tampa Science

A Rainy Sundy

August 18, 2013September 29, 2018 B. John 477 Views 0 Comments afternoon, rain, sunday, Thunder

It has been overcast all day, and rainy for a good portion of the afternoon, and now into the evening.

Gay Issues Right Wingnuts Methodism Featured Religion Society

When A Methodist Pastor Withdraws the Welcome to Gays and Lesbians

August 5, 2013September 29, 2018 B. John 3529 Views 4 Comments bishop, Marty Peate, PCUMC, Bruce Toms, Palma Ceia United Methodist, The Discipline, LGBT, The United Methodist Church, Administrative Council, non-discrimination statement, Bill Josey, Statement of Welcome, Ken Carter, District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Walter E. Monroe

For over 10 years I’ve been a member of Palma Ceia United Methodist Church here in Tampa. In 2011, at the urging of a large group of members, the Administrative Council of the Church adopted a statement of welcome to all, which was to be placed on our website. Unfortunately, we were recently appointed a new pastor who’s animus towards gay people has caused to him to withdraw that welcome and remove the statement from all public display. In fact, he’s gone so far as to have our listing removed from a website that does nothing more than provide a geographic directory of gay-welcoming churches. He did it without any consultation with the Council, and has acted in some questionable ways.

Culture Movies

Mud-A Movie Review

July 31, 2013August 3, 2013 B. John 534 Views 0 Comments Jeff Nichols, Drama, Reese Witherspoon, Ray McKinnon, Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sheridan, Sam Shepard, Sarah Paulson

Two boys, Ellis and his friend Neckbone, who find a man named Mud hiding out on an island in the Mississippi. Mud describes fantastic scenarios — he killed a man in Texas and vengeful bounty hunters are coming to get him. He says he is planning to meet and escape with the love of his life, Juniper, who is waiting for him in town. Skeptical but intrigued, Ellis and Neckbone agree to help him. It isn’t long until Mud’s visions come true and their small town is besieged by a beautiful girl with a line of bounty hunters in tow. It was a movie well worth watching, and I’m sorry it’s taken so long to getting around to reviewing it.

Culture Movies Entertainment

World War Z-A Movie Review

July 29, 2013August 3, 2013 B. John 546 Views 0 Comments Marc Forster, Matthew Michael Carnahan, Max Brooks, Mireille Enos, James Badge Dale, Anthony Mackie, Julia Levy-Boeken, Brad Pitt, Elyes Gabel, Sci-Fi, David Morse, Horror, Sterling Jerins

Life for former United Nations investigator Gerry Lane and his family seems content. Suddenly, the world is plagued by a mysterious infection turning whole human populations into rampaging mindless zombies. After barely escaping the chaos, Lane is persuaded to go on a mission to investigate this disease. What follows is a perilous trek around the world where Lane must brave horrific dangers and long odds to find answers before human civilization falls. This is likely the best movie of the summer.

Politics Legislature Society Crime Featured Media

The Zimmerman Trial

July 15, 2013July 29, 2013 B. John 578 Views 0 Comments justice, George Zimmerman, florida, Trayvon Martin, court, Sanford, Murder, Racism

I couldn’t let the George Zimmerman case go by without commenting. I think the main issues in the case are being overrun by our desire to make the main issue one of race. The case certainly has two points of race running through it, but the primary issues here are Florida’s draconian self-defense laws, and our concealed-carry law. Let’s get the racial issues out of the way first. I certainly believe race played a role in this case. Zimmerman clearly, based on the 911 call, profiled Trayvon Martin because he was a young black man, but that’s not the primary cause of this situation. Florida’s insane Republican Legislators have blood on their hands as well.

Travel Business Economy Environment Featured Fun Stuff Weather Science

United Airlines Epic Fail

June 2, 2013September 29, 2018 B. John 1150 Views 0 Comments Customer Service, United Airlines, UAL, Airport, Fail, Chicago, O"Hare

Last week I flew to Chicago to attend a professional conference. Due to delays caused by weather, it came out that, despite United being willing to give me $200 to take a flight the next morning if mine were overbooked, they wanted to charge me $75 to give up that same seat, but take an earlier flight that would have actually got me home on time.

Culture Movies Entertainment Fun Stuff Humor

The Hangover Part III-A Movie Review

June 1, 2013September 29, 2018 B. John 562 Views 0 Comments Mike Epps, Action, Comedy, Zach Galifianakis, John Goodman, Ken Jeong, Todd Phillips, Heather Graham, Ed Helms, Justin Bartha, Bradley Cooper

In the aftermath of the death of Alan’s father, the wolfpack decide to take Alan to get treated for his mental issues. But things start to go wrong on the way to the hospital as the wolfpack is assaulted and Doug is kidnapped. Now they must find Mr. Chow again in order to surrender him to the gangster who kidnapped Doug in order to save him. A worthy sequel, with lots of good laughs.

Culture Movies

Fast and Furious 6 – A Movie Review

June 1, 2013May 31, 2013 B. John 1067 Views 0 Comments Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Chris Morgan, Action, Justin Lin, Dwayne Johnson, Cars

Since Dom (Diesel) and Brian’s (Walker) Rio heist toppled a kingpin’s empire and left their crew with $100 million, our heroes have scattered across the globe. But their inability to return home and living forever on the lam have left their lives incomplete. Meanwhile, Hobbs (Johnson) has been tracking an organization of lethally skilled mercenary drivers across 12 countries, whose mastermind (Evans) is aided by a ruthless second-in-command revealed to be the love Dom thought was dead, Letty (Rodriguez). The only way to stop the criminal outfit is to outmatch them at street level, so Hobbs asks Dom to assemble his elite team in London. Payment? Full pardons for all of them so they can return home and make their families whole again.

Entertainment Featured Friends Fun Stuff

The Last Great Day

May 31, 2013November 2, 2022 B. John 3198 Views 4 Comments Great Days, carpe diem, high school, Remembering, NPR, college, memories, Friendship

A brief portion of an NPR interview a couple of weeks ago set me off on a week of reflection and memories. Greta Gerwig said, “You don’t know when the last time of something happening is. You don’t know what the last great day you’ll spend with your best friend is. You’ll just know when you’ve never had that day again.” What are some of your last great days with friends?

Featured Politics Right Wingnuts Legislature Religion Society Gay Issues

Family Group Hates Anti-Bullying Campaigns

May 1, 2013September 29, 2018 B. John 1051 Views 0 Comments Laurie Higgins, hate, IFI, Bullying, Anti-Gay, Bully, Illinois Family Institute, GLAADCAP

Bob Kellogg, a reported for the SPLC designated hate group, American Family Association, has published an article about Laurie Higgins campaign against GLSEN’s anti-bullying campaign. Every expert says that to have an impact, these initiatives have to name the kinds bullying one wants to stop, but God’s gentle person, Laurie, doesn’t want LGBT students mentioned as targets. I can only assume that means, since she has no training or expertise in the topic, that she wants to reserve the right to bully LGBT students.