I'm totally TEAM JUAN MARTINEZ in the TRAVIS ALEXANDER murder case

I cannot listen one more second to the alleged defense expert, Alyce LaViolette.  I would hope that a true "expert" (as in a PhD or MD, please) with more than a master's degree would analyze the psychological behavior and brutal murder of this man.  The "big picture" as Ms. LaViolette keeps referring to that she professionally focuses on and has captured......only one perspective.  The Jodie Arias perception.  Her professional analysis has been based simply upon this defense witness's visits in jail for 44 hours.  She also read the voluminous amount of written and other material between Mr. Alexander and Ms. Arias.  She didn't, because of her own rules, interview anyone to investigate that Mr. Alexander wrote.  She has based her narrow professional decision on two things:   the verbal story according to the murderer, Jodie Arias, and the written/audio evidence in the case.  She is not even aware of some of the things that we have all watched in testimony by other witnesses.  I am angry that she was paid for this charade.

Juan Martinez (see photo above), the prosecuting attorney in Arizona, is a shining example of someone who takes their job seriously and devotedly, but not necessarily personally (unlike the supposed defense experts).   And given his job, in this case, someone with balls to try this crazy admitted-murdering monster, deserves an hourly rate far beyond this defense expert witnesses.  I think all of the hours that both of the last "expert defense witnesses" should be retrieved from them and given to Mr. Martinez and the defense attorney's.  

If you are unfamiliar with this case which has gone on now for 45 days and been televised 24/7 by HLN (with commentary and followup) it is the most bizarre thing I've ever seen. If you don't know about this case, then you can start at the links below.  I'd then suggest that you go to youtube and watch all of the live footage of the trial from the last forty-five days.   Here are some suggested links:

wikinpedia's listing about this case
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Travis_Alexander

Travis Alexander's obituary
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pe/obituary.aspx?n=Travis-Alexander&pid=111722519#fbLoggedOut

Most current release of crime scene photos (warning:  very graphic)Jodi Arias Signed Manifesto 'In Case She Became Famous', Prosecutor Says
http://radaronline.com/photos/new-photos-travis-alexander-crimes-scene-warning-graphic-images/photo/514092/

Jodi Arias Signed Manifesto 'In Case She Became Famous', Prosecutor Says
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/08/jodi-arias-manifesto-day-42_n_3041141.html

I am not a proponent for capital punishment.

Since the defendant in this case admitted (after several years of lying) that she killed Mr. Alexander, the victim who Mr. Martinez is valiantly representing, this isn't really much of a who-done-it trial.   I just hope that this jury doesn't have some sympathy toward this woman who stabbed her boyfriend, Mr. Alexander, 29 times, almost cut off his head and then shot him in the head.  That is a savageness and rage that indicates that the defendant has extreme psychological problems.  The fact that she has told so many lies is yet again another indication of her very savage, psychotic nature.   And now, she has allowed her defense to paint Mr. Alexander as the monster.  It seems to add insult to inure, pardon the very bad pun (albeit relevant).

I have been riveted with this entire trial, I am embarrassed to say.  I think, as fierce as he's been, the case prosecute Juan Martinez, has shown what excellence and commitment to performing one's job the best you can, is really admirable and I am inspired.

If the defense's "experts" had equal amount of conviction and
gravitas, then maybe you could buy into their expertise (which they are earning at $200-$300 an hour).

But back to capital punishment....in my opinion, if anyone deserved a death sentence, it is this person who killed Travis Alexander.  Unfortunately, I can't logically find a comfortable place where a society/civilization says ending another person's life against their wishes is the worst criminal act and therefore punishable in a other death.   We must evolve as a species to a more sophisticated, educated place.  If we can't, we'll still be having wars in the middle east and Muslims, Jews, Christians, etc fighting each other 2000 years from now.  It's pathetic now.  But how much more pathetic would it be then?

As much as I think that Travis Alexander's confessed-killer, the self-defendant in this case, should have her head chopped off.  And yet, I hope that doesn't happen.

Give her a life sentence.   IF that jury lets her off with anything less than that punishment, considering the brutality of Mr. Alexander's murder and what we now know about how deranged the defendant is, then it will truly be a travesty of justice.   But more than that, it will be one more example of how we simply can't move beyond our barbarian ancestry.

I feel horrible for Travis Alexander's family who have bravely been at this trail daily, watching him portrayed as a monster by the monster who hacked him up.

The only monster is the defendant.  Not only did she hideously, barbarically murder their loved one but she continues to do so metaphorically in the courtroom.   All so that she doesn't receive the death sentence?  That seems like further evidence of her psychopathy/sociapathy.   It is admirable that Mr. Alexander's family continue to be in the court daily despite this salacious and slanderous trail.  His family really have now been twice assaulted by this insane woman.

Rest in peace, Travis Alexander.    And I hope his family will in ten years not have to suffer this nightmare that is going on day by day.

And to the admitted killer who is on trial.  I don't know what happened to you in your life that brought you to this psychopathy and consequence.   Do you?

  

CURIOUS and revolutionary new DESIGN for ORIGAMI CONDOMS

This is quite beautiful to look at.   At first glance one thinks its a device to pleasure oneself sexually, i.e. vibrator/dildo.   It is neither:  it's a revolutionary new design for a male condom.  And, it's designed to enhance pleasure and to facilitate user ease.

I'm intrigued by its design and use/performance/mechanics possibilities.  Maybe it will improve the experience for user and receiver?     It's very accordion.   I mean, Freudian.  No, I mean accordion.......That just sparks all sorts of thoughts.

It really is a beautiful product design.  In both its approach to form and function.  And it is a complete reinvention of one of the most commonplace of human tools.  Apparently, it is Origami-inspired.   Read more at Huntington-Post article, click here.   I very much enjoyed hearing the experiences of Danny Resnic, creator and co-owner of Origami Condoms.

Hallelujah!  Mankind takes another small step forward in the midst of a thousands of evolutionary steps backward.  But this website is here to focus on the "half-full" perception of life.   Well, I guess this wasn't the best example if you're a Catholic (and I'm not) for half full of life.  But one could equally argue that it is the most inspirational and interesting of current product designs, condoms or not.    And if you aren't in support of birth control or abortion, then I suggest, politely, this isn't the right blogsite for you.  Not disprespectin' your beliefs, in any way.

I'LL EAT YOU LAST: New Play on Broadway with DIVINE MISS M

Photo by Ellen von Unwerth from http://www.illeatyoulast.com

http://www.bettemidler.com

Bette Midler begins previews Broadway tonight on for new Broadway play, I'll Eat You Last:  A Chat With Sue Mengers, the iconic Hollywood agent from the seventies and eighties.

The play is written by Tony winner John Logan and directed by Tony winner Joe Mantello with an official opening expected for April 24.

This interesting play and casting of one of the world's most prima diva splaying the character of one of Hollywood's ultimate divas and biggest power brokers.   Ms. Menger's was the first female agent in Hollywood.  Not only that, was she a Hollywood pioneer would wielded a great deal of power for a great deal of time (almost a miracle in that industry).

Somehow I think Miss M, who has always been one of my favorite performers (with her first album shown to the left), also has the empath as well as SYMPATH, to perhaps make the character more than one-dimensional.  They certainly burned with their own luminosity in their own distinct ways.  Do you think this is what drew Miss M to the role?

If anyone sees this, please let me know what you think.

photo via www.articles.com

Here's a photograph of Sue Mengers  in her hey-day.

Since many of you may not be aware of both these talented ladies, here's more information to learn from.  Ms. Midler.  Ms. Mengers has passed to the better side in 2011.  Read the Vanity Fair article by Graydon Carter in October 2011, Remembering Sue Mengers:  Everyone Came to Sue's

Visit Bette Midler's website at http://www.bettemidler.com.

But better than than all of that, go see the fucking play and tell us about it.  For more information:

I'll Eat You Last: A New Play by Hollywood's most outrageous superagent, Sue Mengers.

Despite the success or lack thereof of this endeavor, a learned person should be aware of these two goddesses.

A Magnificent species: the ELEPHANT

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2299872/Elephant-Savuti-Game-Reserve-Botswana-charges-photographer-Ben-Cranke.html

Skyscrapers of the FUTURE in an annual competition from eVolo

Architecture magazine eVolo conducts an annual competition for submissions from architects, designers and artists for the most cutting edge designs for the future.  The winner (which is not shown here, BTW) was unusual, as were the other submissions.  I didn't like the winner so much so I'm not highlighting it.

My favorites, though, are included below.

One of the most interesting and provocative submissions is a picture of mobile buildings on the planet, Mars, which really captivated my imagination.

What a great and unusual annual competition.  Check out the magazine's website at http://www.evolo.us.

I discovered this topic at Daily Mail Online at:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2295583/Skyscrapers-future-The-weird-wonderful-architectural-designs-unusual-buildings-really-stand-up.html

The most BEAUTIFUL ACTOR ever: GARY COOPER (click on photos to enlarge)

He's just the right height, just the right body proportion, hairy in all the right places:  legs, arms, chest, who knows what else.  I'll bet those feet are gigantic, amongst other appendages!  (This might also be Steve McQueen...the face looks like it, but the legs are definitely uniquely long like Cooper's.)

The HOTTEST actor who ever lived
GARY COOPER

My mother and I have an ongoing discussion that there are so many remarkably beautiful, funny and interesting men today.   Seems as though the species is evolving to a more beautiful form.  I'm interested in men, so I wouldn't be able to make a subjective decision also about women.

Men seem  these days to be even more exceptionally beautiful, handsome and appealing than in the past (except when they shave their body hair).

Ellen DeGeneres, ironically, has at least one or two beautiful, sexy men on every day of her show.   Television shows have the most exquisite specimens of men as cast members.  Maybe that the definition of male beauty has grown more diverse than in the past.  It just seems that wherever I go there are so many remarkably hot men.  Maybe it's simply that I've become middle aged (50) and anything that is younger is more appealing.

So what a great time to live, huh!  When men are utterly beautiful, charming and hopefully evolving from Cro-Magnin.   Except of course, Republicans and religious extremists in any form.

This is beauty.......handsome beauty.  Look at the eyebrows, the long eyelashes, the perfect nose, the lips, the high cheek bones, the chin.   There is nothing else to change.  It is perfect in every way.

With a perfect hairy chest this man has lovely arms and body

He defines the male description of "GQ" decades before the magazine was borne.  I wonder how much Gary Cooper and Fred Astaire had an influence on style from each other.

Hairy chest with a lovely treasure trail.  Manly.   Not shaved and unnaturally feminine as is the ideal today for men today. 

Young and utterly the most handsome face to ever grace this stupid planet

Hairy chest with a lovely treasure trail.  Manly.   Not shaved and unnaturally feminin,e as is the ideal today for men today. 

VOGUE:  "Gary Cooper gave could face." (or the way the song SHOULD have been written)

Young with his gorgeous profile and gorgeous hairy chest

Long lovely legs, made to wrap around a face

So stunning in his early days in film

Stunning and handsome throughout his life

Absolutely mesmerizing

There was one man who for me has always embodied and been the very essence and representative of male beauty at it's very best.  That's Gary Cooper.  The photos I've included (I could have posted hundreds, actually) represents the various things that made him so beautiful.  He represents, for me, the ultimate representation of male beauty:  Tall, lean, fit, hairy, stunning face, well-groomed, amongst many other things.  He was also a very talented artist/actor.

I can't imagine that anyone on the planet wouldn't know who this man is.   But if you don't and would be interested to learn more, then click here.

I LOVE Elephants

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2289506/Mother-knows-best-Touching-snaps-host-patient-parents-bonding-boisterous-babies-animal-kingdom.html

This photos is from a Dailymail article about motherly love.  To see the article:  click here (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2289506/Mother-knows-best-Touching-snaps-host-patient-parents-bonding-boisterous-babies-animal-kingdom.html).

A John Lautner MID-CENTURY masterpiece in my own backyard

Photo from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2288168/Its-world-Bob-Hopes-space-age-Palm-Springs-home-goes-market-50m.html

I live in Palm Desert which is one of the assortment of Coachella Valley cities that comprise the Palm Springs tourist area.

Photo from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2288168/Its-world-Bob-Hopes-space-age-Palm-Springs-home-goes-market-50m.html

The Coachella Valley is truly a living museum of mid-century archi-tecture and design.  Perhaps one of the most famous houses here, by one of the most famous and revered mid-century designers, John Lautner is Bob Hope's former Palm Springs house.

John Lautner photograph from www.johnlautner.org 

This home has just gone up for sale $50million, which may be a price record for our area if it sells.  I'll be fascinated if they get that although it is an important Lautner commission and maybe it will command a good price.  Interesting to read on Daily Mail Online that Lautner distanced himself from the home and the Hope's in later years, because of the furnishings as well as Bob and Dolores Hope's interference in the design.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2288168/Its-world-Bob-Hopes-space-age-Palm-Springs-home-goes-market-50m.html

I've lived here in the Palm Springs region (with a brief excursion to San Diego) since the early 90's.  That was before the world rediscovered mid-century modern.  And Palm Springs had a renaissance.

Shades of Rome's Pantheon, no?  Perhaps Lautner's homage? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2288168/Its-world-Bob-Hopes-space-age-Palm-Springs-home-goes-market-50m.html

So very sculptural, before Gehry and Hadid.  The interesting architecture form seems to inform these contemporary architects?  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2288168/Its-world-Bob-Hopes-space-age-Palm-Springs-home-goes-market-50m.html

The Hope house was always been a bit of a mystery since I've lived in the area.  I could see it from afar, but never up close.  I've always heard that the Hopes actually had another home in the desert where they actually stayed.  They also resided in Toluca Lake (an LA suburb).   Supposedly, they used the house in the earlier years for entertainment purposes.   In their later years, although they remained involved occasionally in society, they really probably weren't doing much private entertaining.

This house has always been an enigma.  You could always see it on the hill when you entered Palm Desert from the east.  It sat majestically about all other houses Palm Springs and it was quite large.  But I never saw how beautiful this Lautner work was.  I don't think we truly understand the scale of the house.  From a distance, it looks like a big UFO.  But I would imagine that when you're there the scale is quite impressive.

This house symbolizes so much grandeur of the desert.  It started back in the 20's and 30's (Garbo had a house near here) and the Hope's really symbolized the end of that era (Lucille Ball, Ginger Rogers, Truman Capote, Jane Wyman, Frank Sinatra, Kirk Douglas, Gene Autry, Bing Crosby and a literal giant cast of Hollywood's greatest who resided here, full-or-part-time, from the 1920's-2000's).

These days, Bill Gates has a home here, as does a host of others.  I think following the mid-century modern renaissance here at the beginning of this century (2000-ish) that many stars, billionaires, and famous people have "rediscovered" a vacation home here, or have family members who lived here (Cher's mother lives here, Lily Tomlin either lives here or has a family member that does.....I date myself, I think with this whole blog.   Don't know about Kanye West or the Kardashians, or Beiber, or whoever young person is hot now!?)  I don't think the Desert ever went out of fashion.  It did go through some very stark generational changes.

Personally, I've kind of overstayed my welcome and overdone the desert.....I'm very ready to move on to a new place.  But the Coachella Valley is a beautiful place to live, especially the architecture (and oddly the "purple, turd-like mountains" para-phrasing Truman Capote).  You should all come here to visit. For the architecture.  For the weather (except in summer).  For the food and resorts, among so many other things.

Check out this article on Daily Mail (all photos are from the Daily Mail Online website:  click here)

The night sky from the Hope home in Palm Springs.  This is why "the Desert" has been the destination for presidents, movie stars, wealthy and influential since the 20's.  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2288168/Its-world-Bob-Hopes-space-age-Palm-Springs-home-goes-market-50m.html

BEST NEW architecture in the LAST century??

Zaha Hadid.....where have you been my entire life?  You are an artist. You are a visionary.  And you have evolved into a design essence which I can identify with.  The way that I've evolved over the last forty years as an architectural hobbiest.

Gehry is wonderful, yes!  He was my hero for a period.  At one point, Gehry, made feel emotional.

Similar but not exactly like I feel discovering your monumental visions/structure. You are exploring non-traditional forms and you and Gehry are making this new architecture elegant and ethereal, but in different ways.  You are creating new art and sculptural forms in architecture. Based upon the world we live in today and using the technology, design and material advancements in the last fifty years. (like the picture at right which three seeming "bouncing" buildings are sitting together).

Dame Hadid..........I only learned your name in my History of Architecture class last night (2/25/13).  I've seen several of her buildings/designs but didn't know her name.  This architect, Hadid, is arguably one of the most enlightened artists in our world today and in the last two hundred years.

Pei was interesting, too.  Phillip Johnson made a mark.  And then there was Frank Lloyd Wright.  But creating new forms, defying engineering rules known before and incorporating technology, means that you both are truly leading this industry into the new world.  When I was a kid I dreamed to understand the beauty of Frank Lloyd Wright.  Being the old man that I am, I give thanks for the architecture created by Zaha Hadid.

When I was a child I was for some bizarre reason obsessed with the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright.  I was a stupid idiot kid from Lubbock, loser, West Texas which is truly the armpit of the world.  But Lloyd was magical for a hick, dumb shit idiot like me.  I guess I found the structures appealing for all sorts of reasons.

I have literally not felt that childhoold level of passion for architecture since I discovered Zaha Hadid last night.  These structures are simply magnificent.  Gehry, is as well.  There is such yin and yang in both their work.

Magnifique ............behold photos below:

Credit, copyright for all of these photos belongs to zahab hadid

And the OSCAR(s) go to.......

A.M.P.S.

Well my favorite night of the year is tomorrow night.  The Oscars!

Just went to Django Unchained today.  I was shocked at how good I thought it was.  

So, after Django, I've seen all nominated best pictures this year except for Amour.  I didn't see The Master which includes Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Actress.

But I feel quite confident to make predictions. I'M HOPING THAT MY PERSONAL PREFERENCES WIN OVER MY PREDICTIONS (SEE BELOW). Here goes....my predictions for tomorrow night's Oscar winners:

PREDICTIONS

Best Picture

Argo

Best Director

Steven Spielberg (Lincoln)

Best Actor

Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln) 

Best Actress

Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook)

Best Supporting Actor

Christopher Waltz (Django Unchained)

Best Supporting Actress

Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables)

Cinematography
Janusz Kaminski (Lincoln)

Film Editing
William Goldenberg (Argo)

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Tony Kushner

Writing (Original Screenplay)
Zero Dark Thirty

Unfortunately, the Oscar winners do not always reflect the very best performances of the year.  So, in light of that, here's my opinion (caveat:  not having seen Amour or The Master), 

Who I Think Should Win (based upon performance)

Best Picture

Argo, Django Unchained, Zero Dark Thirty or Life of Pi

Best Director

David O. Russell (Silver) or Ang Lee (Life of Pi) 
[although it should be Ben Affleck or Kathleen Bigelow, IMHO]

Best Actor

Hugh Jackman (Les Miz) or Bradley Cooper (Silver)

Best Actress

Jennifer Lawrence (Silver) or Jessica Chastain (Zero) or Quvenzahane Wallis (Beasts)

Best Supporting Actor

Christopher Waltz (Django) or Robert de Niro (Silver)

Best Supporting Actress

Anne Hathaway (Les Miz) or Helen Hunt (The Sessions)

Cinematography
Claudio Miranda (Life of Pi) or Robert Richardson (Django)

Film Editing
Tim Squyres (Life of Pi) or William Goldenberg (Argo)

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Chris Terrio (Argo) or Lucy Alibar & Benh Zeitlin (Beasts)

This has truly been the most remarkable year of film-viewing in my lifetime.  The array and diversity, the sheer imagination, of most of these nominated films make all movies in the last 20 to 30 years sort of irrelevant.  The performances of the actors and ensembles is just so top notch.  (If these "kids" Hugh Jackman, Bradley Cooper, Ang Lee, Quentin Tarrantino, Jennifer Lawrence, Jessica Chastain, Anne Hathaway, Behn Zeitland, Ben Affleck, Quvenzhane Wallis continue to set such a higher notch of excellence at their relatively younger age, then holy shit......how much will film making evolve after I'm gone???!  It's wonderful to think of?   When I was a kid, no one could even conjure a Meryl Streep.  Who will be the Meryl Streep when these kids have had full career?)

I hope they keep making more of these kinds of movies and not the stupid testosterone films or the cartoons or series.  This year's Oscars is evidence of why they should (although I will say that Skyfall is the best James Bond film ever and one of the best films of the year).

MYSTERY dolphin SCHOOLING in San Diego

This is magnificent.  I once saw a similar school of dolphins off the northern San Diego coast as I was driving on Pacific Coast Highway.  But there weren't anywhere near this many. If you follow this blog you know that I love dolphins and elephants, among many other things.  But this is truly a breathtaking image.  

Massive group of mammals: A ship captain spotted a group of 100,000 dolphins swimming together off the coast of San Diego on Thursday and experts are unable to give a specific reasoning for why such a large group would be there

A group of over 100,000 dolphins spotted off the coast of San Diego caused a spectacle for nature watchers as they traveled together in an enormous pack.

'They were coming from all directions, you could see them from as far as the eye can see,' Joe Dutra said after seeing the spectacle first hand.

Mr Dutra, who captains Hornblower Cruises, was out on his daily tour with a boat full of nature watchers when he spotted the massive group of dolphins. 

'I’ve seen a lot of stuff out here… but this is the biggest I’ve ever seen, ever,' he told the local NBC affiliate.

Dolphins typically travel in groups of anywhere between 15 and 200 which are called pods.

What Mr Dutra spotted on Thursday however is best described as a super mega pod given the astonishing size of the group.

He estimated that the trail of dolphins was seven miles long and five miles wide, and he was able to steer the boat alongside them for over an hour.  

Experts are unable to pinpoint any specific reason as to why so many of the mammals were traveling together on this particular night. 'They’re definitely social animals, they stick together in small groups. But sometimes, the schools come together,' marine expert Sarah Wilkin told NBC.

While it does seem like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a very similar flock of thousands of dolphins were seen swimming together about this time last year.

At the end of February in 2012, an unspecified group of dolphins was spotted swimming about 65 miles north of San Diego, implying that there may be an unacknowledged migratory pattern.

This article is excerpted from dailymail.com.  To see a video or read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2280236/Mystery-group-100-000-dolphins-spotted-swimming-coast-San-Diego.html#ixzz2LIXF12uo

ME WANT: Gulfstream begins delivering outfitted G650 aircraft

Can't wait until mine arrives!  Ha!

This new beauty flies approximately 700 miles an hour and can travel a distance of 8,000 miles.  I want to be a stewardess on one of these.  Since I'll never have the $65 million to buy one.  This plane, according to the CNN article below, also has a separate crew galley, restroom and rest quarters.  Now that is civilized living for the help, no?  No Marie Antoinette's here.

I did a previous blog on this jet as well as other business/corporate jets.  Click Here: Previous blog entry on the G650 and other private jets.

Also check out an interesting (well sort-of....in someways it disgusts me) story at CNN.com about one of the new G650 owners at
http://us.cnn.com/2013/02/06/travel/private-jets/index.html?hpt=hp_c2.

At the beginning of the article are a series of photos not to be missed showing private jets of some of the richer celebrities/individuals own (I guess routine millionaires can't really afford to operate a plane like this....they have to charter!  Do they feel like they are flying coach like the rest of us???)  Beyonce bought Jay-Z one as a father's day gift.  Ha!

photo from aero-comlab.stanford.edu

photo from eflightlevel.blogspot.com

Interior--photo from privatejetscharter.net

photo from corporatetakeover.wordpress.com

Chick-fil-A...an INTERESTING commentary from lesbian chef at CNN.com

This was a very interesting column about the recent announcement by Chick-fil-A that they no longer are financially donating to the right wing-organization that is anti gays and lesbian.

First, she is from the South and grew up with this fast food chain. We had one in Lubbock-awful-Texas where I was cursed to be born. I ate at occasionally as a kid and it was good. But I never thought of it as not as good as Whataburger, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Villa or the quasi-fast places like Chinese Kitchen (is it still there?) or a couple of barbeque haunts. Certainly, in my mind, Chick-fil-A never came near to the premier fast food experience of my life: In-N-Out, once I moved to California in 1985.

Second, the writer, Virginia Willis, considers Chick-fil-A to be a cut above the typical fast food chain fare. Willis by the way has a distinguished pedigree having trained at L'Academie de Cuisine and Ecole de Cuisine LaVarenne. For fellow "foodies" who worship the fine art of eating, she poses a very interesting dilemma. The problem is that her passion for the food at the former (apparently) gay-hating Chick-fil-A makes her want to return as a customer. Reading her column also made me want to try it again after several decades. But I feel conflicted just as does this writer and slightly different, yet, for the same reasons.

Read here Ms. Willis' excellent essay at Eatocracy on CNN: Click-fil-a Controversy Leaves a Bitter Taste for Some Longtime Fans

If you are pro gay, what do you think about this column and the dilemma? Should Chick-fil-A be forgiven? Are they really sincere? If you're a supporter of gay rights and a lover of Chick-fil-A's food, should you be forgiven if you satiate your lust for the food at the food chain since they have offered a quasi mea culpa?

I am a devotee of the great show on tv "What Would You Do?".

What would you do?

ME WANT: Private Islands around the world for sale

A small handful are somewhat affordable. ME WANT!
Visit The Telegraph here to see the islands