Screaming Tom

Another busy week.

Still looking for a job so I went to AEN (Atlanta Executive Network) and made a few contacts.

I ran into Don Weston who I haven't seen in years and he said he was looking for employees for his Internet fulfillment company. I called Friday and left a message but haven't heard from him.

There was another contact made to contract Internet development. That looks promising.

My brother told me he got a contract on his house in Pensacola. We are supposed to move to Fort Lauderdale if this happens.

I added an new section to Gay-Guides.info/Atlanta - a restaurant survey similar to Zagat Guides. It was well received and quite a few people have used it. I'm impressed with the design. It took me over 10 hours to complete and works very well.

I gave notice to my roommate Mark. I told him if I didn't have a job I would have to leave January 1. He said give it a few weeks and decide.

Made a new contact with Jason Levine and Pride Realty. He wants to represent all the real estate functions on Gay-Guides.info/Atlanta. We are giving it a 3 month trial.

Made Southern Voice again this week. There was a letter to the editor:

Boycott for nothing misses the point


To the Editor:

I am writing in response to "Atlanta radio a 'hotbed of anti-gay defamation'?" (news, Nov. 1).

The story describes an effort by local gay activist Tom Dempsey, in concert with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, to boycott advertisers of radio stations they believe defame gays.

In this instance, rock station Z-93 was taken to task for playing the Dire Straits' song "Money For Nothing" becauseÊ it contains a line about "the little faggot in the earring and the makeup."

The article calls the song "a parody of rock musicians"; it is not. Dire Straits leader Mark Knopfler wrote the tune after a visit to an appliance store. The entire song is a running commentary of the workers' remarks, designed to ridicule their bigotry. In short, he is on our side.

Sadly, Z-93 has agreed to pull the song. I wonder if Dempsey and GLAAD would be as eager to attack Indigo Girl Amy Ray for the line "faggot- bashing poet" in her song "Lucystoners"?

A boycott, like a gun, is a potent weapon that, when employed wantonly, can harm innocents. In this case, Dempsey and GLAAD shot the wrong guy.

I believe they owe Z-93 and Mr. Knopfler an apology.

STEPHEN KILBRIDE, Atlanta

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

I responded with:

[I respectfully disagree with the letter writer. I find the unedited version offensive and offering no redeeming social value. The radio version as well as the video saw fit to remove the offensive verse. - Tom Dempsey]

posted by Tom Dempsey @ 11/24/2002