Amanda, you sounded like my parents today--they're bigtime Republicans.

Go, Fausto, with your enlightened viewpoints!

Said by: John M. at July 20, 2005 06:15 AM

The photos are HILARIOUS and totally fine, ladies.

¡Besos!

Said by: M-Slo at July 20, 2005 07:41 AM

No child left behind? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!

Why is it the responsibility of the electorate to give money to rednecks in order to teach them to be parents who don't kill their kids?

Said by: mike hipp at July 20, 2005 08:13 AM

Hi Amanda, there certainly are female listeners to this show. How do I know this? Because I is one, yes indeedy. So, be still thy troubled heart!

For the record, I don't believe in capital punishment; doesn't deter crime, is an easy exit for the criminal, and doesn't allow for remedy if there is a genuine miscarriage of justice (and, sadly, they *do* happen). Hard labour (and I mean *hard* labour, for the benefit of the community) for life, with *no* parole, always struck me as a better punishment. Nevertheless, as a former would-be-suicider, I'm 100% in agreement with Amanda that, if you're going to kill yourself, do it without hurting other people; if someone acts like that no-brainer who killed three innocent people by driving into their car and didn't even kill themself, expect to be put away, permanently, because you're just as much of a time-bomb threat to innocent people as a psychopathic murderer. In my opinion.

Good show, chaps!

Said by: Koan Bremner at July 20, 2005 12:35 PM

I think that if we taught the public not to rely on religion as a ruler for everyday life, most of insensitivity in our country would go away. Also there needs to be some sort of educational process for not having so many fucking kids! The greater our population grows; it affects every part of our society. Food, fuel, crime, housing shortage, traffic, teacher shortages on and on....

Said by: knottyboy at July 20, 2005 05:35 PM

Hi Fausto! I guess I'm offering to clean your house! HA! Do you really want an essay? I just took the GRE yesterday, so let me see if I can recall how to write an essay...

I should be chosen to clean Fausto's apartment for several reasons. First off, I live in Chicago, so I'm close. Second, I'd think it would be funny if Amanda would plotz as she said she would if anyone actually volunteered to clean for you. You also mentioned that you'd buy the winner a pizza. And plus, I think it would be really cool if I could meet a local celebrity such as Fausto! I always wanted to have a blue-haired friend.

LOL if I wrote like this on the GRE I probably wouldn't stand a chance of passing. All the best!

Matt a.k.a. PharmBoi

Said by: Matt at July 20, 2005 07:43 PM

Fausto, when I first saw the pictures of V-Mar, the nurse in me was very upset by them. I felt it was such a breach of V-Mar's confidentiality. Honestly, I was quite taken aback that you posted them. But as I looked at all the pictures, I started to laugh and smile, I saw a person who is bravely facing her illness through humor, with the love and support of great friends around her. The smile on V-Mar's face and the twinkle in her eye became apparent as I looked through the pictures. She reminded me of all the many special patients I have taken care of in the past. I know you had some reservations about posting the pics, but now I am glad you did. People need to see HIV/AIDS for what it really is. All to often, all of us tend to gloss and superficialize the seriousness of living with HIV. I think you deserve many words of thanks and gratitude for getting this whole donation drive together. You really have gone over and beyond in your efforts. Your compassion and love have shined through in your own very crazy and zany way. Thank you Fausto.

Said by: Tigger at July 20, 2005 09:08 PM

Tigger,
I read you're comments to Vmar today on the phone. She got teary.She was very touched.

Said by: Marc Felion at July 20, 2005 11:59 PM

Thank you Marc! You deserve the same gratitude and thanks. I did not mean to leave you out.

Said by: Tigger at July 21, 2005 12:30 AM

I love my listeners so very much! Your strong kind words Tigger and Koan put a lump in my throat and in my pants. A good lump.

Seriously, I'm so lucky to have the ears of such wonderful folks like you guys, who every day get their kicks from my hijinks. (or is it hi-jinks?)

Okay Matt, have we met somewhere before? You look familiar. Send me your contact info via email.

Said by: Fausto at July 21, 2005 11:57 AM

Speaking personally, I love you guys too! Effectively, what you do is let us experience a part of your lives, five days a week; and the lives of your circle of friends, too. Sure, everyone can put an act on for radio / TV / podcasting; but, over time, real personalities shine through. Like yours.

A while back, I took you to task for not consistently using Victoria's name correctly (and you rightly put me in my place!) Even if you hadn't, and echoing Tigger's sentiment, looking at these photos tells the truth about how you guys all connect.

Straight people could learn a great deal from you guys. In my opinion.

Said by: Koan Bremner at July 21, 2005 02:39 PM

Fausto, your show is important. Keep it up.

Said by: Flato at July 21, 2005 03:38 PM

Thanks Flato! I thought you had dissapeared into the big bad cyberspace. Good to hear from you.

Thanks for the loving words Koan! Listen and ye shall learn about our feasty foolishness.

It's a BIG love feast today isnt it?

Said by: Fausto at July 21, 2005 04:11 PM

A little Haiku for cleaning your condo. In tribute to Amanda Steinstein:

Fausto, I will clean
If you will pay my airfare
I will clean your home.

Ant!

Said by: Anthony at July 22, 2005 12:59 AM

Depends on where you live Anthony–
Taiwain? Or Skokie?

The offers are very tempting!

Said by: Fausto at July 22, 2005 11:14 AM

California, Baby!

Love ya guys

Said by: Anthony at July 22, 2005 04:50 PM

Wow! Girls, Girls, Girls!

So glad to know you women-born-women are listening, but of course I love all you women by choice, women by change, women by clothes, womyn, wimmin, madwimmin, and all you other female varietals out there.

As for calling me that nasty R-word, John M (now that I know that is your real name) I ain't one. Not even close. I come from a long line of artistic liberal Jewish types.

I'm socially liberal...gay rights, abortion rights, rights on red after a stop...all kinds of rights but the Religious Right.

However, I'm fiscally conservative. I don't spend my money on stupid stuff like cable TV or new clothes every season. This is because I believe in personal responsibility. I'm responsible for my shit, and if more people were responsible for their own shit, then their shit wouldn't spill over into my world in the form of crime and rampant stupidity. If you have a 79 inch plasma TV and you're driving around with no car insurance, you should be killed on principle, especially if you plow into my car.

Republicans supposedly believe in smaller government, whereas Democrats are supposedly more in favor of helping as many people as the government can.

I believe that most people should help themselves, and if they can't, then the government should help TO AN EXTENT. But a lot people are beyond help.

Public school? Great idea. The government should have a hand in educating the future of America.

Tax deductions for parents with kids? Bad idea. They're putting MORE of a burden on the system and they should pay more.

Mike Hipp...you get it. But it's easy to see where anyone could be conflicted.

Three strikes and your out? Good idea. You fuck up, you go to jail.

Jail as a deterrent? Bad idea. Obviously it doesn't work, or by now people might have gotten the clue that crime leads to jail and backed off a bit.

Hey wait a sec...when did *I* get embroiled in issues? I'm about fun, people. Fausto just likes to push my buttons.

TTFN my loves,
-AS

Said by: Amanda Steinstein at July 23, 2005 09:19 PM