Are We Really One?

“President Barack Obama.” I spoke those three words aloud for the first time today, repeating them after a news commentator and it was like lilting music to my ears. It drove home that the end of an eight-year-long national nightmare had finally come to an end. Also, this morning I received an e-mail from a right-wing nut who is the director of cultural affairs for something called the Liberty Alliance Action and Liberty Counsel. I’ve pleaded several times to be removed from this list, but I read this latest missive with great pleasure. Within hours of taking the oath of office, President Obama has already drawn the ire of this group for what they deem as supporting an “extremist homosexual agenda.” With plans to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and DOMA as part of this fearsome agenda, I’m giving our new leader a pass over the Rick Warren debacle because it seems like he’s intent on being the president that I voted for last November.

In the homecoming speech he delivered after touching down in Midland, Tex.—which to my amusement only garnered a live broadcast on FOX News—former president George W. Bush (five more words that I love to say aloud) stated, "Sometimes what I did wasn't popular. But that's OK. I always did what I thought was right.” Will history books, as he’s often predicted, really vindicate this most unpopular of presidents? We asked veteran journalist Lisa Keen to reflect on the legacy of the 43rd president. I was surprised to learn that by signing the Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act and PEPFAR, W. did more for gays than any other president, however unwittingly. Read her objective take on his accomplishments on page 37.

For our cover, we photographed Michael Arden, a rising—and incredibly talented—young musical theater performer with solid credits on and off Broadway (as well as a concert tour of Europe supporting no less than Barbra Streisand). Michael co-stars in the title role in the Deaf West Theatre’s reimagining of the often-underappreciated musical Pippin, which will be performed at the Mark Taper Forum through March 15.

I’m certain you will find this issue to be informative. As always, I welcome your feedback. Write in to letters@frontierspublishing.com to let us know what you think.

Yours,

Jeremy Kinser
Editor in Chief