Re: being a liberal or a moderate. I’m with Arianna Huffington of the Huffington Post. These categories of liberal/moderate/conservative really don’t suit today’s political reality, and perpetuate differences that hinder our progress politically. I don’t think liberal means extreme, any more than conservative means extreme. There are extremes on the far left and also on the far right, but it is very possible to be liberal and not extreme at all. No matter what you call yourself Carman, you are becoming more politically active and I’m so proud of you!

Re: Podcamp and podcasting. I’m not sure it is just the Pgh Podcamp which is experiencing an evolution towards social media in general. Podcamp Ohio was the same with topics ranging from everything Social Media. What I find disappointing about PCPGH, is the movement towards treating Social Media as the new PR and Marketing world and failing to recognize the activist use of these medias. I could care less is a business can determine how to use Twitter, but Twitter and other SM is an essential tool for real people to give voice to the stuff that is important to them. But I have no doubt that everyone who goes to PCPGH will find plenty for them there. I can’t wait!

Re: Wingnut donuts. I can’t believe you really gave this story air time, but glad you pointed out that UrbanSpoon is supposed to be reviews of the food, not the political or social views of the owner. I am of the belief that the most extreme right wingnut and the most flaming commie fag both have a right to make a living. That is why I worked so hard to get a non-discrimination ordinance passed in Allegheny County. Attempts to hurt someone’s business is just plain wrong and a form of hostile intimidation. Imagine f the roles were reversed and a gay-owned business was targeted by the wingnut extremists?
Sue Kerr offers a valuable resource toi Pittsburgh by highlighting that this business is owned and operated by a wingnut H8′er. That is a good thing. Too bad it goes too far like a bull in a china closet. If he has a blog where he spouts all this shit, the right place to post a protest of his personal views is at his blog! That is countering free speech with free speech.

BTW, I think the tag line is actually really good, but I interpret it to mean that even the most uptight conservative has an inner hippie dying to come out with a donut. But marketing hype is just that marketing hype- is it ever meant to reflect personal views or philosophies?

Like it or not, our world is made up of far right wingnuts and very left liberals and everything in between, and while both extremes may wish the other would roll over and die, the truth is we all have to make whatever progress we can in this all together. If GLBTQ’s are going to get anywhere, we have to quit focusing on the ultra crazy far right, and work to build coalitions with those in the middle. we are too small on our own, and ultimately we need change that will benefit the most number of people which means we have to all work together towards something as opposed to trying to tear something else apart.