We are still waiting for pridefest financials

Okay pridefest has been long over since the beginning of June. A little ways down you'll notice that I asked about what is happening with pridefest. We were assured that once the dust settled with someone would let us know how they did. Other than a short paragraph from the Press. Pridefest assured us that although they had bad weather and on unexpected protest (which by the way I let them know about well in advance) along with a fairly large contingent of police, that pridefest made out okay. I don't know about you, but I think it's about time that we found out what was going on. Really going on. Inquiring minds want to know.

I've included the e-mail that I was sent today where your inspection. I think I ruffled a few feathers.

Gary,
I recieved a call from the people at Milwaukee World Festivals (Summerfest
people) about your inquiry. They stated that you had questions concerning
PrideFest. If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to
inquiry directly to me here at PrideFest. I will attempt to answer any
and all questions you have or get the answers from those at PrideFest that
might be able to assist you.
Forward In Pride, Peace & Hope (Obama),
Scott D. Gunkel,
President

No Mr. President, I think the responsibility is not just to me but to the rest of the LGBT community. I think you need to address the community at large and not just me. I hope you understand.

I'm sorry but I have no intention of contacting you personally because I think the responsible thing to do is to come forth honestly with a report to the community. The community wants to know if pridefest is viable and just how viable you are. I think it's about time someone comes forward with the financials. Not the same old happy rhetoric. I'm sure you know you are already in my crosshairs and I am sure that I would rather have you come forward first with the information without forcing me to dig out. Sooner or later the skeleton will come out of the closet. I just don't want to be the one that has to drag it out.

I like to think I am the eternal optimist and I hope that what you say will be good news, not bad. I do think it's about time that someone takes responsibility and comes forward and let us know (that is the LGBT community) so that we can keep this wonderful festival for many years to come. And hopefully soon, not sometime next year. We're waiting with bated breath.

For a change of pace The Dancing Queen

For something a little different. The dancing Queen

I found this on the Internet and I thought you would enjoy it for a change of pace.

How are we doing pridefest?

Don't you think it's about time we hear something from pridefest? It's been several months since pridefest and not one word other than the very short article in the Quest and QLife magazines (see my post below) assuring us that although there were some problems and pridefest will go on. We all know from inclement weather and protesters at the front gates that revenue was down, but how far down, that is the question? I think most people in the community would like to know how things are going. Or is this like years past another one of those gigantic mess ups that almost put them into bankruptcy? Strangely history seems to repeat itself. Is this what has happened or once again? Is this why they are staying strangely quiet? Inquiring minds would like to know.

Pridefest unfortunately because of the dates that they have chosen for the festival makes them self highly dependent upon the weather. If we get really good weather and it's warm out, which is very uncertain at the beginning of June, is likely that pridefest will be quite a success. On the other hand should we get bad weather attendance will be down and so won't revenues.

In past years we have dealt with the usual protesters who have caused very little if any problems. This year however, which I tried to point out to them and was unfortunately blown off, that they were in for a major protest. I contacted the president of pridefest and indicated that the Neo-Nazis and Bash Back Milwaukee were going to protest on Saturday in front of the festival grounds. Almost all of the various media in the city of Milwaukee were notified and each covered the protests. Why pridefest organizers did not take these warnings to heart, I do not know. I just wonder if their is insurance covered all the extra police protection that was needed? Or has this also added to the problems that currently exist? Inquiring minds would like to know.

I just wonder about the advertising that pridefest is doing sponsoring various entertainment in order to boost its revenues? After all they can't repeat what happened in the past to ask for Angels to bail them out. I don't know if anyone would do that again. I really don't like to sound like doom and gloom, but I really do suspect that they are in trouble. I do sincerely hope that they can bounce back and to raise the revenue they so desperately need so that we can continue celebrating pridefest in years to come.

If I might make a suggestion, I think it would be advantageous for pridefest to move the date of the festival to a time when we have warmer weather. Now I know that some will say that June is the month when pride is celebrated. That may be all well and good, but we do not live in a climate conducive to good weather. Unfortunately we are at the mercy of mother nature and it is either boom or bust. We either make it or we don't. On the other hand if pridefest were moved to to a time when there is warmer weather, there is a much higher likelihood of success. Not only that, and I don't know about you, but I like to see a little skin. Wouldn't you?

I would really like to find out what people think about this and I encourage your comments and or criticisms. Like me or hate me, this is the reality of the situation. I really do think we need some dialogue. It is for this reason that many times I act as a devil's advocate to force people to think and to force them into dialogue, whether they like it or not. Remember, I do this for our own good. So let's get some dialogue going, shall we?

Dictation for new dictation for my blog

Hi everyone

Guess what, I just got a new voice recognition software called Dragon Naturally Speaking. I can dictate this whole thing. It is going to be quite fun to do. This morning I watched TV the complete replay of 9/11 and MSNBC. It was quite traumatic to see the whole thing all over again on the TV. They played it as though it was happening at this time. Almost like War of The Worlds when people did not know what was going on. Fortunately I think that most people are smarter now and did not get caught with their pants down. I do think that it is very important that we continue to remember what has happened, also considering the election between John McCain and Mr. Obama I really think that this will be a boon to the Republicans. Mr. John McCain, as you know it is a veteran where Mr. Obama is not. At least not to my knowledge. How this will play out in the election I do not know. Sources tell me that this will not have a very long impact. I really don't know who I want to vote for each one has their own strong points and weaknesses. I guess only time will tell. Inc.

I guess this software is working quite well. So I guess I will be using it quite often. I guess that's it for now. And have a nice day.