Filibuster News not in the MSM

You won’t hear this in the NY Times or on CNN.

During the broadcast of “Justice Sunday” that was televised to churchgoers across the country to try to convince them to pressure Senators to vote to destroy the filibuster, several people spoke, including TN Senator Bill Frist. While Frist, keeping his eyes on a presidential ’08 bid, decided to play more middle of the road, others went directly for the throat of their adversaries.

Sunday's telecast was organized by the Family Research Council and featured, along with Frist, a number of groups at the forefront of the battle to get a Federal Marriage Amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

"It is telling that Senator Frist regularly appears at Family Research Council functions, but refuses to meet with gay families regarding his extreme Senate agenda," said Eric Stern, National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director.

One of the speakers, Catholic League President Bill Donahue, took the stage during the telecast, and proceeded to laughingly mock gay families. Specifically, Donahue claimed that support of marriage equality "is a notion that belongs in an asylum."
The comment drew wide laughter and applause from the audience at Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky where the broadcast originated.

During the broadcast, organizers devoted much of their time urging the confirmation of Janice Rogers Brown to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Although her nomination was rejected by the Senate in 2003, President Bush renominated her earlier this year.

In 2003, Brown was the only justice on the California Supreme Court to rule against recognizing the right of gay Californians to legally adopt their children. Brown argued that allowing a gay parent to legally adopt the biological child of their partner "trivializes family bonds."

http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/04/042505dems.htm

I don’t recall mockery and ridicule being mentioned in the red writing in Mark, Matthew, John, or Luke.

The Emphasis is on FINK

What’s with minorities who work against their own best interests? Or even worse, take advantage of other minorities hard work?

Last week, I got passed up by a black guy in a van with a “W” sticker on it. He had the nerve to give me the evil eye. WTF!? Who the hell does he think worked for the right for him to even get a damn driver’s license? It wasn’t the liberals who like to have a “group of the week” to hate or who used religion to keep blacks enslaved. Study history and you’ll find the Southern Dems that didn’t like the civil rights laws being passed switched to the Republican Party when the Civil Rights Act became law. These politicians make up our modern day Republican Party and they’ve been working on their take over since then.

Why, why then would any self-respecting minority consider Republicans a viable alternative? Either it’s blindness, selfishness, ignorance, or some ridiculous combination thereof.

Take self-loathing P.O.S. #2 (that’s Piece of Shit, for future reference): Arthur Finkelstein. Never heard of him? I’m not surprised. He quite likes it that way. See, Arthur Finkelstein is an ultra right-wing political strategist who has had homophobic clients of the likes of Jesse Helms and is currently working on the “Stop Her Now” campaign to knock out Hillary Clinton from presidential consideration before she even gets started. However, Finkelstein has NO problem with taking advantage of those he’s worked so hard to defeat. This P.O.S. several months ago married his gay lover in a private ceremony that was only open to close family and friends.

Funny, Bill Clinton comes to his wife’s defense and calls a spade a spade (i.e. this bastard is a self-loathing SOB) and suddenly Finkelstein’s life is private.

http://www.365gay.com/opinion/Gist/Gist.htm

Why does Finkelstein get the benefit of a private life but I get to have society judge the validity of my relationship with amendment after amendment? Oh, I know, because he’s a sell-out, likes it up the ass (in more ways than one), Republican.

Finkelstein was quoted in the NY Times as saying, “I believe that visitation rights, health care benefits and other human relationship contracts that are taken for granted by all married people should be available to partners.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/09/politics/09finkelstein.html?

The thing is, Republicans, especially the ones he help get elected don’t give a damn about what he believes, about his rights, or about his relationship. All he is, is a vote.

They hate us except for how much we will do their dirty work and believe their lies.

Liars vs. God-haters: Name of the Week

Let’s see, I’ve lost track of the names that liberals have been called (not to mention that the very word “liberal” has been demonized by the NeoKKKcons) like un-American, fag lovers, tree huggers, freedom haters, socialists, communists, blah, blah, blah. The latest is to say we hate Christians and God because we don’t want our courts filled with right-wing extremist judges.

But…Howard Dean, in his usually edgy manner, tells the truth about the Republican extremist right-wing and RNC spokesperson Tracey Schmitt says, “Americans want to hear an agenda, rather than name calling.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/04/24/AR2005042401160.html

Hehehehe, there’s an old saying, “If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.” Well, DAMN it’s getting hot up in here!

The Irony of Frist

While Senator Bill Frist works unrelentingly to destroy the filibuster and says voting nominees in should be as simple as an up or down vote, it’s interesting to note that in 2000 Frist, himself, refused to use a simple up or down vote on a Clinton nominee.

In 2000, Sen. Bill Frist participated in a filibuster to try to prevent a vote on Judge Richard Paez, nominated by President Clinton to a spot on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, according to CBS News. The effort failed, and Paez was confirmed.

http://www.tennessean.com/nation-world/archives/05/03/68651433.shtml?Element_ID=68651433

Pot, kettle …Kettle, pot

"Justice Sunday"

So today’s “Justice Sunday”! TN Sen. Bill Frist along with several religious leaders are trying to force the hands of senators and the religious minded into believing that only the “good Christians” support destroying the filibuster.

Funny, I didn’t think destroying open discussion and honest dialogue, protecting minorities from the tyranny of the majority, in our nation’s capitol was a Christian value. Gee, there are a lot of beliefs and concepts I didn’t realize were Christian values. Now if we don’t go along with what Frist and Co. value then we aren’t only bad Christians but we’re actually god haters and against people of faith. Let’s never mind the fact that many people against destroying the filibuster are Christians. Then again, I guess as long as these extremist religious right vigilantes falsely believe they are THE persecuted minority we’ll fight these battles back over and over again.

However, let’s consider this logically. It’s estimated at least 80+% of the population believes in some kind of higher power. If the U.S. population was fairly split in the elections 50/50 and we can reasonably transfer that split to this filibuster debate, then we would have to assume that upwards of 50% of the U.S. population hates God or people of faith. Umm, this is utter bullshit! Hopefully, people will have a little fucking common sense to know better than to fall for this.

Oh, Canada; No, Canada

It looks like marriage for gay couples won’t pass in Canada. As best I can figure out, a scandal has rocked the current government and the way it works in Canada an election can be called mid-year in such circumstances. If this happens, the liberal government will likely fall and be replaced by the conservatives. The conservative leader, Stephen Harper, has vowed if voted in that not only will he stop the passage of the nationwide marriage law, but undo the marriage laws that have passed in the 7 out of 10 provinces so far. What does this mean for the couples married in Canada until now? Who knows? I mean that just fucking sucks! One day you’re married and the next you have no legal relationship whatsoever. What kind of world is this that those who want to have some kind of security and safety for themselves don’t know if they will have it from one day to the next? This is moral and right to do to other human beings? Do these sorry ass conservatives even care, who pass off their moral judgments on others, what they do to someone else’s life?

What does this mean to my partner and me? Well, we certainly won’t become expatriates in Canada. That’s for damn sure. It means no matter how damn bad it gets in the U.S. that we won’t have a hiding place. Bring on the camps and the gas chambers if that’s what’s meant to be. I’ll guarantee you one damn thing though. I won’t go down without a fight. This is my country too, and I won’t stop fighting until my cold body is in the ground.

They say civil rights struggles take about 40-50 years. If you measure the gay civil right struggle from this moment that means I’ll be 70 or 80 years old by the time we get our rights. Well, hell, maybe by then the fucking government and society will at least give us the dignity of having burial plots next to each other or claiming each other’s dead body.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

From time to time, I blog on other sites. Since Ratzinger became pope, it’s been a fairly regular topic of conversation. For days on end, we put up with the saintly descriptions and mourning of John Paul II. Then for days on end, we’ve contemplated the meaning of this new pope. It seems our new pope, calling himself Benedict XVI, has a little past with the Nazis. Some say we should forget this because he was young and couldn’t exactly avoid serving under the Nazis as a kid. However, does that mean he let go of those Nazi principles or that it had a long-term effect on him? Some people on the blogs felt like discussing his past and its potential effect on his future was somehow an attack on them as Catholics.

Let’s be clear about one thing. I know a lot of good religious people of all faiths, but some of their leaders sure do suck! I don’t give a rat’s ass about respecting a religious leader like the pope or Falwell or Robertson. I haven’t gotten any respect from them so I don’t intend to give any respect back.

Supposedly, we should wait to see what Benedict would do before we past judgment. Well, he’s already lost his chances with me. He’s come down, only a week after being pope, on the Spanish government for passing the first hurdle in approving gay marriages. Long before he became pope, he was the mastermind behind the “homosexuality is an intrinsic evil” concept emanating from the Catholic Church. No, it’s not required I give time or respect to the pope.

The FMA is Back

On the National Day of Silence (today), the Senate Committee on the Constitution is debating the right to keep a group of Americans from two core tenants of the Constitution "that all men are created equal" and that all Americans have the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

The Federal Marriage Amendment is coming back again and DeLay had been quoted as saying it will come back again and again until it passes.

How can we as Americans, read our Constitution with a clear conscience, and then say it's okay to deny couples and couples with children the ability to fully protect and care for each other?

This amendment will not only deny marriage rights, but will also deny civil unions and domestic partnerships nationwide. Many people on the other side of the debate say that we can gain ways to protect ourselves through powers of attorney or wills.

Let us NOT forget Terri Schaivo. She was a heterosexual, married woman, and the government tried to take away the rights of her husband because there was no will. How can we say the government will respect these pieces of paper if a nationwide amendment is passed allowing disrespect of an entire group of people?

We've been down this road before. I didn't work.

State-by-state couples and families are already being damaged by state amendments outlawing their relationships. They are being denied health benefits where they once had them by their employers, such as in Michigan, and domestic violence abusers are allowed to continue abusing their partners in Ohio because their relationships aren't recognized as legal marriages.

This is heartless and cruel, and certainly not Christian. What would Jesus do? Read the red print in your Bible. Would Jesus advocate attacking your fellow man or denying him the ability to live as full a life as possible? Did Jesus say make laws that keep your fellow man down and subservient to you because you are a Christian? No, Jesus said, "love your neighbor as yourself," "of the least of these, you have done to me," and "turn the other cheek."

Ask yourself two things, is it moral to treat another human this way and does this fit with our constitutional caveats of equality, liberty, and the right to pursue happiness?

The answers are obvious.

http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/04/041205fedAmend.htm

No White Wedding in Jersey?

Marilyn Maneely may never know what it's like to marry the person she loves. She's been stricken with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a severe neurodegenerative condition also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

"Maneely was once one of the most vibrant people on the face of the earth, bursting with off-the-charts verve that changed the complexion of a room from the moment she'd enter it."

Marilyn may never know the joy of vows and promises of forever in front of family and friends. She may never know what it's like to share that connection of the universe as a married woman, to have a bachlorette party, to get and open wedding presents, to cut a wedding cake, dance at a reception, or go on a fancyful honeymoon.

Why?

Marilyn and her partner, Diane Marini, is one of the seven couples in New Jersey fighting for marriage rights. Currently the case is being considered by the state appellate court, but a decision may come to late, if it's positive at all, since her condition has degenerated in just a matter of months.

For Marilyn's sake, let's hope we're wrong.

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail.asp?id=15479

Where our Country is Heading

This should scare any sane person. A lengthy article in Rolling Stone outlines connections between extremist evangelicals, termed Biblical Dominionists in the article, and our current presidential administration. Among other things, these Dominionists are working to have this pledge recited by every school child

In the conference's opening ceremony, the Dominionists recite an oath they dream of hearing in every classroom: "I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag, and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands. One Savior, crucified, risen and coming again, with life and liberty for all who believe."

What will happen to those who don't pledge allegiance and who don't believe?

Here's the full article:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/_/id/7235393?rnd=1113014059420&has-player=true&version=6.0.11.847

The Baptists are Coming!

Hide the children! Take a vacation! Put up "No Trespassing" signs! Do something!

Nashville will be invaded mid-June by the Southern Baptist Convention. Normally, this isn't a big deal and they tend to have their yahoo time by themselves shut up in a hotel. However, this year when they come back home to headquarters, they're blanketing the city, hitting the streets, and going door-to-door to save souls.

Yes, you heard me, correctly! Baptists will be coming to a home near you this summer!

Here's the full story from our local paper, The Tennessean:
http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/05/03/68028536.shtml?Element_ID=68028536

"On June 18, a Crossover Rally will begin at the Gaylord Entertainment Center. About 10,000 believers will blanket the city, going door-to-door to preach the gospel. " The actual conference runs from June 21-22.

Now, I've already thought about how to handle this. Should I create that "no trespassing" sign and promptly call the police when needed? Should I have fun with it, invite them in, let 'em pray with me, then tell them they've touched a queer and now it will pass down like osmosis to their kids and their grandkids? Should I just carry a sign with me that says "I thought only us queers had to recruit. What are you doing taking away our business?"

Honestly, that is something I don't get. We supposedly recruit, right? Then why do Christians go out and prostelytize? Ummmm, maybe because it's a true CHOICE! We don't choose to be gay so we don't actually recruit. Christians seek out more to bring to the flock. If it's a choice to be a Christian, why do they get civil rights protections and we don't?

Kansas preachers elated over keeping gay couples from having equal rights!


This past week, I experienced severe cognitive dissonance.

Last week, my partner and I were sitting quietly in a Chik-fil-A eating lunch when I realized Christian music was being piped in over the speakers. Now, if you're a Red Stater like me, you've probably assumed that all Chik-fil-A's closed on Sunday's for employees to go to church and spend time with family. Signs in the restaurants actually refer to this philosophy. Go up North though and these same Chik-fil-A's are open, 'kay, so it's just a marketing ploy to get the church folk to spend money there. Anyway, I started feeling kind of sick and dirty just being there so we hurrying up and left. Not to mention, the sorority rich chick with kid in tow and a "W: The President" cap sitting behind us didn't make me feel any less nauseous.

So this week, I make an ordinary call to Border's about a book. I get put on hold while the clerk checks to see if it's in the store. Guess what I endure while on hold, yep, more Christian music! It's Border's for crying out loud! I wasn't calling the Southern Baptist Convention bookstore! Though irritated, I let it go. Later that day, I went to pick up said book (since they had it) and as I was leaving the parking garage, I noticed the little guy in the toll booth watching Benny Hinn (the slap you on the head, knock you down, "be healed" televangelist).

That's when I got REALLY freaked out and it hit me how much our country is getting overrun by the evangelicals. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against religion, but when someone feels obligated to take over government, society, interfere in personal family decisions (i.e. poor Terri Schaivo), and gay-bashing, pedophile-protecting pontiffs are mourned for days on end and could be made into saints.

Two articles I read today summed it ALL up, so I have to share:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/_/id/7235393?rnd=1113014059420&has-player=true&version=6.0.11.847

http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail.asp?id=15382

Someone explain to me how it is that Christians can be SO happy about others despair. How can the two Kansas preachers at the top be joyous over keeping gay couples, some with children, from having basic protections? How is it Christian (you know, Christ-like) to go to extraordinary lengths to make another person's life a living hell?

As a side note to the Kansas story, Sprint and SBC Communications said they would continue to offer domestic partner benefits to their employees; however, conservative Kansas Christians led by Rev. Terry Fox are fighting to take the companies to court and are encouraged to move on to other fights such as evolution and abortion clinics. In fact, Fox suggest that the Democratic governor would oppose them at her "own peril."

http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/04/040705ksFolo.htm

Where does this madness stop?

Book Deal Predicted

I predict a book deal for the Schindler's!

How many memorial services can one family have for a daughter? How much media attention can one family possibly draw to themselves without needing more?

Once the services die down and the cameras fade away, I bet these parents won't be able to tolerate the silence the emptiness their lives have created and will need to fill it with talk shows, radio shows, and Oprah specials. A book deal will only draw the phone calls from these shows and fatten their pocketbook.

Mark my words!

The Legacy of the Pope

My mother always told me, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."
(not that she stuck to her own teachings but that's another post all together ;)

I've been trying hard to hold my tongue for the last few days since I know many people looked up to the Pope and respected him; however, he should've taken some lessons as well from my mother.

The idea that the Pope "fought for justice, peace and equality for all people" is a stretch. It happened where he saw fit and politically expedient. The response of political leaders and the flags flown at half-staff are nothing more than political responses to show how religious we are.
In my local paper, a Catholic was quoted as saying Catholism grew "because Pope John Paul II reached out to everyone." I beg to differ. Another person was quoted as saying, "He was loving, and he had so much regard for human dignity and unity that now we're spoiled." I don't see it and I haven't personally experienced it from this Pope. These same people expressed wanting the next Pope to have the same "love for people" as Pope John Paul II had.

http://www.tennessean.com/special/popejohn/archives/05/03/67794813.shtml?Element_ID=67794813

His first major statement on homosexuality on October 31, 1986 described the homosexual inclination (not just the activity) as an "intrinsic moral evil" and an "objective disorder." In 1992, he suggested in another speech that basic gay civil rights legislation "may in fact have a negative impact on the family and society." And to top it off, most recently, "In his 2005 book Memory and Identity, John Paul labeled homosexuality an 'ideology of evil,' saying when discussing gay marriage that, 'It is legitimate and necessary to ask oneself if this is not perhaps part of a new ideology of evil, perhaps more insidious and hidden, which attempts to pit human rights against the family and against man.' "

http://atheism.about.com/od/popejohnpaulii/a/ho...…

Well, God help us if that's the best we can get from our moral and religious leaders who have a "love for people"!