IF...

Thanks BuddahDesmond's Rapture and ProfessorGQ for these questions borrowed from their blog posts. Here goes:

If you were to be the opposite sex for one day, what would you do?
Have wild sex with Justin Slayer!

If you had to name the most difficult thing about being a teenager today, what would you say?
Absent fathers, absent parents, parents trying too hard to be friends instead of parents, and teenagers (especially boys) trying to hard to be HARD are the most difficult things about being a teenager today.

If you had to name the most embarrassing moment of your life, when was it?
Well, in the middle of Lester Square, London 1991 - realizing that I had to immediately go to the bathroom, I made a run for it. Nothing worked in my favor including arriving at a coin operated turnstile with no coins so I jumped over. It was that extra stretch of effort that told my body to release, and release I did. Let's just say that was one embarrassing cab ride home.

If you had to name the most overrated actor in Hollywood, who would it be?
Jim Carey - with the exception of a great movie that he co-starred in - "Doing Time on Maple Drive," - his movies are sleeping pills.

If you had to name the one personality trait that you have tried the hardest to change in yourself, what would you say?
Finding it hard to say "NO," especially to friends.

If you could go back for one minute to the Garden of Eden and give Adam advice, what would you say?
You are about to be the first stupid man in a long list of stupid men to think with the head between your legs for the power of the "P." Don't do it!!!!

If you were to name the best "I told you so" you ever got to deliver, what was it?
I never say I told you so.

If you were Madonna, what would you do for your next publicity stunt?
She no longer needs publicity stunts. She's Madonna.

If you could have a lifetime 50% discount in any single store at your local mall, which store would it be in?
Such an easy question, The Apple Store! A store that never has sales. Half off iPods and my next computer! EASY QUESTION!

If you could have one more pet, what kind would you get, and what would you name it?
My dog Tomboy is my heart and as long as Tomboy exist, there will be no other pet - unless its a man. Oh yeah, and he would be a houseboy named Justin Slayer. LOL.

If you could have God perform one miracle today, what would you want it to be?
Everyone in the world gets a miracle for themselves.

If you could spend next New Year's Eve doing anything, what would you do, and with whom.
At a party celebrating with my family and closest friends ONLY.

If you were to set your country's immigration policy, what would it be?
It would begin with a reminder that this country only "belongs" to us because we stole it from others. How in the hell do you discover a land that people are already living on? So who does this country really belong to? Next, I would pass the responsibility of setting the country's immigration policy to someone Native American and watch Republicans squirm.

If you were given the power to settle the issue of gays in the military, what policy would you set?
Naturally, a Do Tell, Do Tell policy with also a policy of treason for anyone participating in acts of homophobia, especially in the military.

If you could have one person you have lost touch with call you up tonight and invite you to dinner, who would you want it to be?
Drew from high school.

If you could change one thing about your love life, what would it be?
It would be socially acceptable with heterosexuals and homosexuals to have numerous lovers, and a space of acceptance for a model of more than two to a committed relationship.

If you could have prevented one book from ever having been written, which book would it be?
Not one. I think every book should have been written and if you don't like someone's thought then create yourself more of the books you would like to see exist.

If you have to name the best music album ever recorded, which would you select?
Aretha Franklin's "Sparkle!"

If you could have one thing made out of pure gold, what would you choose?
I already do - my heart! Okay, I've gotten really soupy now. LOL

If God were to whisper one thing in your ear, what would you like Him to say?
Being gay has always been okay and I love you as you are.

Iraq War Set to be More Deadly to Americans than 9/11 Attacks

Written: Saturday, October 28, 2006

I'm confused! Outside my vote, it's not often that I weigh in on governmental politics (social politics – YES) but again, I'm confused so I have to say something. I'm just learning today that the War in Iraq has killed 2,810 Americans with October 2006 being one of the top months for deaths of American troops since the war began March 19th, 2003. Now I begin with the comparison to 9/11 attacks because the President and his administration in selling Americans this war, cleverly made a case for war by tying the mission of the war to avenging the deaths of 9/11 (the War on Terror and Operation Iraqi Freedom being used interchangeably) and made a case for the invasion of Iraq by the infamous "concern" for WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) in Iraq.

HELLO AMERICANS! NEWS BULLETIN! There were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Lastly, Saddam Hussein had absolutely NOTHING to do with 9/11.

I'm angry that a reported 2,973 fatalities occurred on 9/11 and yes, there should be a true War on Terror – much of the terror is right here at home. But shouldn't Americans be just as angry that 2,810 Americans (almost as many fatalities as 9/11) have been killed to date in an illegal and faulty war that has no exit plan in site for our American troops. With no end in site, the Iraq War is sure to kill more Americans than 9/11 and this pisses me off. Isn't the truth of the Iraq War just as much terrorism on America as 9/11? Or is it okay for an attack on Americans, for this many Americans to die when it is sanctioned by the President and his administration. Again, I'm confused.

Does this make anyone else mad?

The Women of the White House and Yummy CNN Anchor T.J. Holmes

Written: Monday, October 30th, 2006

Speaking on politics, CNN asked a question this morning that I had to respond to. I don't know if it was such a quick, coy response that came to mind that moved me to action or the possibility of new CNN anchor T.J. Holmes speaking my name that made me send a response. If you have not seen anchor T.J. on CNN weekends, tune in. This man is delicious.



The question: The Women of the White House – How do they impact your vote?
My response that was aired on CNN at 8:26 a.m. this morning and yes, "He" said my name: "If the women of the White House were divorced and in leadership, they would then impact my vote. I bet they would do a better job than their husbands."

My Audacity of Hope - Oprah Winfrey Testing for HIV on Camera

To support Oprah being tested for HIV on camera - visit www.Oprah.com and ask her to respond favorably to my request...

I Know My Status: An HIV Testing Campaign – My Audacity of Hope

Dear Oprah:

My letter is simple; and contains one of the most important viewer requests of your career. Will you, similar to Senator Barack Obama and his wife, be tested for HIV on camera? The show and snapshot of you being tested for HIV would have far reaching impact and encouragement for Americans to be tested for HIV. Imagine, in honor of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2007 (February 7, 2007) or even World AIDS Day 2006 (December 1, 2006) helping to launch a campaign that encourages Americans to "know their status" for HIV. You could also invite your celebrity friends to take the same snap shot. Envision a photo of Jada and Will Smith, John Travolta, Maya Angelou, T.D. Jakes, Bow Wow, Jennifer Aniston, Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri – all photographed being tested for HIV. A person's HIV results are personal and private, but the act of testing for sexually active people is just as important, if not more important than voting. This is my "Audacity of Hope" dream to impact the transmission of HIV in America.

I am an HIV/STD prevention counselor in Atlanta, Georgia and I know all too well the devastation of HIV here in America. On a weekly basis, I have to tell another young person that they are HIV positive or connect newly HIV diagnosed people to care. Close to one million Americans are living with HIV and nearly 250,000 of those living with HIV do not know their status. Too many Americans with HIV are diagnosed late in the course of their infection, when it becomes more difficult to fully benefit from life-prolonging treatments. With HIV testing being more accessible (State and local programs fund free testing sites within communities all over the country), and testing itself being less invasive than ever (a simple 20 minute mouth swab), these statistics are tragic. There's no reason that HIV testing isn't the action step of status for anyone at risk. For these reasons, and so many more, you being tested on camera can change these tragic statistics. The show I envision and the continuing promoted campaign would be powerful and can have a huge impact on the American pandemic of HIV.

Through the experience of HIV testing, the more people that experience risk-reduction counseling for HIV and other STD's reduces HIV transmissions. It's that simple! In other words, when Oprah encourages Americans to move, we move. I shopped (PRODUCT) RED this weekend because of your show and was met with sold out items and engaged in conversations with countless people who were shopping (PRODUCT) RED because Oprah encouraged them to. How powerful would it be to visit HIV clinics and testing sites overwhelmed with people who are testing and "knowing their status" because of your show. By you and other celebrities encouraging HIV testing as normal and routine, your show would help to reduce HIV transmissions in America. Again, this is my "Audacity of Hope" dream.

This vision of hope triggered by watching your show with Senator Barack Obama could become a movement. Why not use this show unfolding my "Audacity of Hope" to challenge your viewers to have their specific dream that can be featured for Oprah Winfrey shows for seasons to come. My audacity of hope and service to others for now seven years has been turning something as scary and life altering as testing for HIV into normal, routine behavior for anyone at risk. I've experienced this shift in thinking on a personal and local Atlanta area level. This new campaign I've envisioned can take my audacity of hope to a national level, defining a pivotal shift in HIV transmissions in America. Imagine what other viewers are having the audacity of hope to dream and achieve.

In closing, I borrow words from Barack's electrifying address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. For all the discord and struggle to be found in the affect of HIV/AIDS, I am guided by a dogged optimism in the future impact of you being tested on camera, on your show. Help me make this "Audacity of Hope" dream come true?

Passionately in the struggle!

Anthony Antoine