I've received a lot of comments in the last few days and I've read them all, even though I've only posted two of them -- the one about Tyrone Yates wearing tights in high school, and the one telling me that the name of the politician who got caught in a gay bathroom sex sting was Larry Craig. I haven't decided whether I'll post any of the comments I've received or not, nor have I decided whether I'll respond to any of them.
I am considering publishing and responding to a comment I received last night around 8pm though because I think the writer was sincere and raised a few good points. Whoever sent the comment had no way of knowing that over the last few months Amanda Mayes has spent hundreds of hours trying to tear me down; she has called me, the father of her children, every name in the book (much of this was done behind my back); disrespected me at every opportunity, including in front of my children; hauled me into a Michigan court to respond to false, ugly, evil and downright malicious charges; refused to allow me to spend time with my children simply because I didn't want to also spend time with her; attempted to have me set up, arrested and jailed; tried to get me fired from my job and ruin me financially; and, with the help of one of her white Legal Aid attorneys, Elizabeth Abdnour, stole my daughter's confidential juvenile court records and submitted them to the Michigan court thus making them a public record.
I've been dealing with this mess since last November. Privately. I've suffered in silence. To be honest, I probably would've remained silent, but they had to fuck with my daughter. When you fuck with me and fight dirty, that's one thing. But when you fuck with my children, that's something else. Try to bring my children into a fight, or otherwise fuck with them, and I'm going to fight back. I'm going to fight back with everything I have. In retrospect, my silence has, in some way, allowed Amanda to do much of the dirty shit she's done. Lack of public exposure and public scrutiny has allowed the courts in Michigan and right here in Hamilton County to do what they have done. No more.
I see that Bill Sloat and our old enemies over at The Cincinnati Beacon latched on to my blog entry "Amanda". [Link to Bellwether, Beacon] I also see that these two new media entities have the same problem as the old media: they miss the central point of a story.
There is no way anyone can read what I've written the last few days and come away thinking that the main point is: Tyrone Yates is Gay. If that was the point, I'd be the first one to say Big fucking deal! (I know some of you would think its a big deal, that's why you keep asking me to discuss another public figure's sex life and don't understand why I won't. Go write that shit on your own blog! Or go have CityBeat's Kevin Osborne write about his sex life again.)
So what is the central point as it relates to Tyrone Yates? And if the central point is not to out the fact that Tyrone Yates is Gay (or, its probably more accurate to say, bi-sexual), what is the point? Well, its never the crime (no, I'm not saying being gay is a crime), its the cover up.
Just like many other dirty politicians (even those we like or used to like), Tyrone Yates should have never used his office and influence to get Legal Aid to give Amanda Mayes THREE lawyers. Why? Because Yates has voted to give Legal Aid millions of tax dollars. The first rule of public service is you don't take government money and give it, directly or indirectly, to your family members or girlfriends.
The fact that Tyrone Yates is gay is only relevant in that it helps explain why he would risk his political career to help Amanda Mayes. You see, this isn't just about a romantic relationship between two people, this is about a promise Tyrone Yates and Amanda Mayes made to each other: that they'd never reveal that they both have had sex with people of the same sex. Tyrone Yates has had sex with another man; and Amanda Mayes has had sex with numerous women. Had Tyrone Yates not stepped in and helped Amanda Mayes get help from Legal Aid, he risked her going public and telling his secret.
Tyrone Yates isn't just any old State Representative. He is president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus and chairman of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation. He is a prominent supporter of presidential candidate Barack Obama, a man who promises to be a government reformer and corruption buster. He is close to Governor Ted Strickland and Attorney General Marc Dann. And lets face it, anyone and everyone who knows Tyrone Yates knows that he is getting older but he is still ambitious. If what I'm saying is true, and it is, how long can Obama, Strickland, and Dann stand with Yates?
Yes, Amanda Mayes was married to Allen Ralph and Tyrone Yates was married to Veronica Chapman. And, yes, Amanda has had sex with many men and birthed several children. So what! Apparently, lots of gay people, especially public figures, get married to make the general public think they aren't gay. (Remember the former governor of New Jersey, James McGreevey? And what's the guy's name out in Colorado who got caught in the sex sting in the bathroom?)
The non-traditional media ought to do a better job of presenting stories to their readers.
I see that Bill Sloat and our old enemies over at The Cincinnati Beacon latched on to my blog entry "Amanda". [Link to Bellwether, Beacon] I also see that these two new media entities have the same problem as the old media: they miss the central point of a story.
There is no way anyone can read what I've written the last few days and come away thinking that the main point is: Tyrone Yates is Gay. If that was the point, I'd be the first one to say Big fucking deal! (I know some of you would think its a big deal, that's why you keep asking me to discuss another public figure's sex life and don't understand why I won't. Go write that shit on your own blog! Or go have CityBeat's Kevin Osborne write about his sex life again.)
So what is the central point as it relates to Tyrone Yates? And if the central point is not to out the fact that Tyrone Yates is Gay (or, its probably more accurate to say, bi-sexual), what is the point? Well, its never the crime (no, I'm not saying being gay is a crime), its the cover up.
Just like many other dirty politicians (even those we like or used to like), Tyrone Yates should have never used his office and influence to get Legal Aid to give Amanda Mayes THREE lawyers. Why? Because Yates has voted to give Legal Aid millions of tax dollars. The first rule of public service is you don't take government money and give it, directly or indirectly, to your family members or girlfriends.
The fact that Tyrone Yates is gay is only relevant in that it helps explain why he would risk his political career to help Amanda Mayes. You see, this isn't just about a romantic relationship between two people, this is about a promise Tyrone Yates and Amanda Mayes made to each other: that they'd never reveal that they both have had sex with people of the same sex. Tyrone Yates has had sex with another man; and Amanda Mayes has had sex with numerous women. Had Tyrone Yates not stepped in and helped Amanda Mayes get help from Legal Aid, he risked her going public and telling his secret.
Tyrone Yates isn't just any old State Representative. He is president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus and chairman of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation. He is a prominent supporter of presidential candidate Barack Obama, a man who promises to be a government reformer and corruption buster. He is close to Governor Ted Strickland and Attorney General Marc Dann. And lets face it, anyone and everyone who knows Tyrone Yates knows that he is getting older but he is still ambitious. If what I'm saying is true, and it is, how long can Obama, Strickland, and Dann stand with Yates?
Yes, Amanda Mayes was married to Allen Ralph and Tyrone Yates was married to Veronica Chapman. And, yes, Amanda has had sex with many men and birthed several children. So what! Apparently, lots of gay people, especially public figures, get married to make the general public think they aren't gay. (Remember the former governor of New Jersey, James McGreevey? And what's the guy's name out in Colorado who got caught in the sex sting in the bathroom?)
The non-traditional media ought to do a better job of presenting stories to their readers.
Let's start with this email from me to Amanda Mayes.
Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008
From: Nathaniel Livingston
Subject: Notice of Filing and Request for Temporary Injunction
To: Amanda E. Mayes
Amanda,
This email serves as proof of my attempt to notify you of the following.
Today, I am filing for custody of Mandi and Soleil. I am asking the Juvenile Court to grant me an emergency temporary injunction against you. Since I don't have a way to contact you and you have failed to respond to my earlier messages and I don't know your current residential address (and that of the girls), I am required to do my best to notify you of my request for the temporary injuction. That has been accomplished with this email.
The Court may grant my request without you being there, or it may set a hearing date. If the Court sets a hearing date, I will again attempt to contact you by email. And I am sure the Court will attempt to notify you by mail.
Take care.
NATE
Then there was this email from Amanda Mayes to Monica Williams. (Hey, I think we need a nickname for Monica on this blog. I was thinking "BBB" as in The Big Black Bitch or something that defines her role as the person who wanted to take the place of Amanda's longtime lesbian lover, Janice, and always resented the fact that I wouldn't allow her to brainwash my children into believing they had or needed "2 mommies," even if she tried to call herself a "God"mother.) Any suggestions?
From: Amanda E. MayesThe response from Monica Williams to Amanda Mayes.
To: Monica R. Williams
Subject: FW: Notice of Filing and Request for Temporary Injunction
Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008
Got this [the email posted above] from Nate today. I also filed for a Personal Protection Order against him. Mine was also filed ex-parte. I'll let you know how things go. Hope you're feeling better. Mandi says Hi. Be sure to let Nischelle know Mandi is thinking about her.
Peace,
Amanda
RE: Notice of Filing and Request for Temporary Injunction
From: Monica Williams
Sent: Wed 1/09/08
To: Amanda Mayes
I checked on the clerks site and did not see the filing but they may not list juvenile court stuff you need to contact Tyrone [Yates] and print email and give to legal people.
Monica
The response from Amanda Mayes to Monica Williams.
RE: Notice of Filing and Request for Temporary Injunction
From: Amanda Mayes
Sent: Thu 1/10/08
To: Monica Williams
I'll do so. Thanks. Nate sent me another email. It's too long and too stupid to forward. Try to keep an eye on what he's up to as much as you can, OK?
Amanda
The first email from Amanda Mayes to Tyrone Yates.
Subject: I need to speak to you
From: Amanda Mayes
Sent: Thu 1/10/08
To: Tyrone Yates; Tyrone Yates
Please call me as soon as you can. I left a voicemail on your phone. I'm hoping you just didn't get the message. I'm in Michigan. I can be reached on my sister's cell phone. (734) 217-xxxx. Call before 4pm or after 11pm.
Amanda E. Mayes
A copy of the first email posted above was also forwarded from Amanda Mayes to Tyrone Yates.
The next email is from Amanda Mayes to Monica Williams.
Nate is here!
From: Amanda Mayes
Sent: Fri 1/11/08
To: Monica Williams
Girl, I just left the Ann Arbor Court House. I needed to go there to speak to a woman helping me with my PPO, and as Bebe, Stella, and I were leaving we saw Nate walking in. He saw us. We saw him. Bebe was all excited. I was in shock. He looked bad. His cheeks were sunk in like he'd lost a lot of weight.
I just snatched Bebe and left. Bebe was crying. She wanted to see Nate. She didn't understand what was going on....
....
I'll keep you posted. You keep your eyes and ears open and let me know if you hear anything.
Still haven't heard from Tyrone. But I guess I may not need him anyway if Nate is going to file here. I guess that's another good thing. I haven't yet spilled my guts to Tyrone unnecessarily.
Amanda
At a later date, we will come back to this email with Amanda admitting that she "snatched" our daughter, causing her to cry. We will also discuss other instances of abuse that have, for the most part, been ignored by the Hamilton County Juvenile Court.
This email is from me to Amanda Mayes.
Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008
From: "Nathaniel Livingston"
Subject: visitation
To: "Amanda E. Mayes"
Hello Amanda,
I guess you know the court gave me overnight visitation with Mandi beginning this Friday, January 18, 2008, at 6 pm. The order says she must be returned to you on Sunday at 6 pm. I would like our exchanges to be peaceful and orderly. I am suggesting you to drop Bebe off at the Milan Police Station on Friday and I'll drop her off there on Sunday. I am, of course, open to your suggestions.
As always, you can reach me by phone at 513 353 xxxx or by replying to the email address above.
Take care,
Nate
Amanda Mayes to Monica Williams.
From: Amanda Mayes
To: Monica Williams
Subject: FW: 2nd visitation email
Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008
I hope you're doing well. I didn't call last night as I figured you needed a break. This is the latest from Nate. I also found out yesterday that it seems the Hamilton County Court did award him an ex-parte order for weekend visitation. However, I was also awarded my PPO from the Washtenaw County Court. So, he has supervised visitation here with Catholic Social Services. I still need to get him served, and he needs to get me served. I talked to Ron about using his Ford attorney. It turns out, the lawyer can't be used for this kind of stuff. Too bad. Back to the drawing board. I also heard from Tyrone [Yates]. He's in the Middle East and hadn't gotten my messages for that reason. (Phew!) I have an interview today with a local Lamaze organization. Keep your fingers crossed for me. You see Nate is using my situation as a rationale for why he should have the girls. I'll keep you posted on my progress. You make sure to send me your text messages via email. Thanks!
Amanda E. Mayes
From Amanda Mayes to Monica Williams. PAT ATTENTION to the line about Legal Aid.
RE: 2nd visitation email
From: Amanda Mayes
Sent: Thu 1/17/08
To: Monica Williams
Good to hear from you! My PPO has an addendum stating that the supervision will be supervised by Catholic Social Services here in Ypsi. We both have to call CSS to get everything set up, and if he fails to do so he gives up any visitation at all.
I still need to get him served, though. He left Vicky a voice message last night for me. He just wanted to remind me that he was coming Friday and will be keeping track of the costs he incures so that he can sue me for the money later. Jerk! Vicky went to court today and I guess everything went OK. I still haven't talked to her. She wants to be the one to serve him when he stops by her place, which is fine with me. So, we'll be staying someplace else this weekend. Otherwise I'll have to get with the Hamilton County Sheriffs to see about having him served at xxxxx.
Still looking for a lawyer. Legal aid was no aid at all. I think I'm going to have to pay for help. We'll see. I'll keep you posted.
Hope everything is going well with you. Bebe still talks about you and Nischelle all of the time. She wants to see you guys soooo bad.
PS - is Nate still blowing you up?
Peace,
Amanda
Legal Aid was no help at all, huh?
Thanks to the Freedom of Information Act and the public records laws of the State of Michigan and Ohio, the rest of the story can now be told. I'm confident that most of you, my faithful readers, will be shocked and angered when you hear what happened next....
Amanda Mayes is a dirty bitch. She is determined to take our ongoing dispute over custody of our children public and she wants to drag my oldest biological daughter into it. To defend myself and my rights and the rights of my children, I'm going to have to file a few things in the First District Court of Appeals shortly. (I'm also apparently going to have to join my daughter in suing the Legal Aid Society.) Once I make my filing in the Court of Appeals, it will become part of the public record. Better to begin the public discussion here on this blog than to have the story told elsewhere.
When I met Amanda she was separated from her husband, Allan Ralph, and living on Martin Luther King Drive with her lesbian lover, a woman named Janice. (I'm not going to publish Janice's last name today.)(Amanda has a huge tattoo on her back with Janice's name on it.)(Amanda dissolved her marriage in 2003. See case number DR0302285.)
Not long after I met Amanda, we became friends. (The truth is I thought we were friends but I now see that we never were friends.) Thinking we were friends, we began sharing things with each other. Amanda showed me pictures she took with Allan and Janice. (I think I just might still have some of those pictures with her and Janice laying around this old house somewhere.) She told me about her past relationships. She told me about how she left Allan for Janice. She told me about her relationships with her father, Ron Mayes (a white man who Amanda now claims is on drugs) and her sisters. One of Amanda's sisters, Victoria Mayes, has a lengthy criminal record in Washtenaw County, Michigan. Until last December, Amanda described her family as "rotten" and said she hated Vicki. Now that she needs them, she has changed her tune quite a bit.
Right around the time I began dating Amanda, she began also dating Tyrone Yates. She would spend the night at his house, go out to dinner with him, talk on the phone with him for hours, etc. Tyrone would send her flowers, cards, notes and emails saying he loved her and wanted to marry her. (I might have some of those emails laying around here too.) The relationship between Amanda and Tyrone was certainly an intimate and romantic one. She told me everything. She told me when they began messing around -- everything from kissing to him fondling and sucking her breast to them seeing each other naked and on to other things. Tyrone trusted Amanda (something I've learned is a big mistake). He began sharing his secrets with her and she'd tell them all to me. One of Tyrone's not-so-well-kept secrets (at least in the Black political community) is that he is gay -- he has had sex with other men. He is in a long-term relationship with a man who lives in Dayton. (Just like I won't publish Janice's last name today, I also won't publish the name or address of Tyrone's male lover. Maybe later, but not today.) Yes, Tyrone was married to Veronica Chapman for a short time, but that was a sham marriage. It was dissolved in 1999. (See, case number DR9902549.)
Amanda would tell me that Tyrone was way too old for her but she still liked him. He mostly treated her nicely. At times he lectured her like a father might do to his daughter, but she seemed to like his sermons. Then, one day, Amanda claimed that things between her and Tyrone had changed because he acted violently and aggressively toward her. She claimed to be afraid of him. At the time, I believed her. Little did I know that she would accuse many people, including me, of doing things that freightened her.
Although they stopped messing around, Tyrone and Amanda never stopped talking to one another. They pledged never to tell each other's secrets, especially the ones concerning their homosexual encounters.
Amanda began dating Tyrone before he first ran for and was elected to a seat in the Ohio General Assembly. After Tyrone got elected he voted to give the Legal Aid society millions of dollars. When I filed for custody of my children, Amanda asked Tyrone for help. I've known dozens of women and men who've asked the Legal Aid Society to help them with a custody matter and they've all been told that Legal Aid doesn't have the resources to do custody cases. These people are Ohio residents. Amanda lives in Michigan. Taxpayers might want to know that the Legal Aid Society has assigned THREE lawyers to represent Amanda in the custody case.
If you read this blog, you know that some people, including Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, have called on Marc Dann to resign from his position as Ohio Attorney General. They say he has acted unethically. Well, would it be ethical for a member of the state legislature to vote to give money to an organization, then call that organization and tell them to spend money on his lover?
