The Obama Adminstration - Year One.

As 2009 comes to it's plodding, economically gloomy end, it is a good time look back at year one of the Obama Administration. As the more mainstream media was transfixed with the heath care debate, there was indeed much more on the "President's Plate".


I have made no secret that I am very disappointed with President Obama's first year in office. Candidate Obama  promised sweeping change, his speeches overflowed with plans to remake our nation through the 'audacity of hope.'   President Obama.... not so much.

His first year in office, has left many of the President's supporters scratching their heads wondering where the guy they voted for went. Now this has created an interesting debate between the political left and left of center. With the Left thinking they have been conned, convinced they were voting for a Liberal, but instead got a centrist. The more center left of the political spectrum calling such criticism unfair. Saying the President came into office with so many problems to address, the Left is being unrealistic and too impatient.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Mark Morford recently took the Administration's liberal critics to task. Linking to a recent post on the liberal DailyKos blog he lays out the90 Accomplishments of President Obama Which The Media Fails to Report. The line of thought being, President Obama really is the same agent of sweeping change he claimed be during the campaign.

I read the list, and yeah...ok, there are some pretty good things on there. And yes, at the end of the day Barack Obama's greatest year one achievement may well be the fact that he isn't George W. Bush.

But I live in San Francisco, and back during the campaign,  there was great interest in where the various candidates stood on the issue of equal rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Americans. There was a fairly big split in late 2007 and early 2008 between folks who were supporting then Senator Obama, and then Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The turning point for many came in August 2007, when all the democratic candidates participated in a forum sponsored by the Human Right Campaign. It was there that Barack Obama began what would be a series of very clear targeted statements to the LGBT community. Statements where he spoke about how he would champion equal rights for LGBT Americans.

Now, one year into his Presidency, Barack Obama has hardly been the "fierce advocate" he promised to be. Earlier this fall, Seattle columnist Dan Savage looked back...

There is a clear disconnect between the Democratic Party organizationally, the Obama Adminstration and the actual issues on the ground. President Barack Obama waged a truly inspiring campaign. I was a blogger for, and supporter of Senator John Edwards, it was Barack Obama's words in the HRC Forum that pulled me as well as many of my friends, who were supporting Senator Clinton, over to his campaign.

The sad reality a year after his election is, "Hope and Change" were very easy to talk about in a campaign, but there is little courage to act on those words now when governing.

It seems like 1993 all over again. Nobody can pulll defeat out of the jaws of victory better than the Democrats. We are feisty and full of energy when we lose and are in the Minority. But when we win, and actaully get to govern we become frozen with fear of losing the NEXT election. Consequently all the GOP has to do, is run a very simple; "See, the Democrats couldn't deliver!" campaign and they win.

I fear that is what we are in for in 2010 AND 2012 unless President Obama shows he can lead on an issue that matters to a constituency he made very strong and very public promises to.

Right now Barack Obama is NOT a leader on civil rights, he is a speaker. He says wonderful things but so far has very little to show for it in terms of actual accomplishments.

His one major stated achievement, the Matthew Shepherd Hate Crimes Prevention Act, was far more the result of years of work by members of Congress, like the late Senator Ted Kennedy. President Obama's big effort in passing it was to sign it after all was said and done. An important role, to be sure, but to give his administration credit for the law, is stretching credibility a bit..

As a result his Administration, being leaderless on a major civil rights issue, stumbles around like a headless chicken. Bumping into things, tripping over its own feet, and (when it can get its hands on the firepower) shooting itself in the foot. As they did with the Justice Dept, brief defending DOMA. Where White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs tried valiantly to claim the Administration HAD to vigorously defend a law they really hated... really.

The sad reality is the homophobia on the LEFT does as much if not more damage than the homophobia on the Right. For the Democratic Party, the LGBT community is seen mostly as a source of campaign money that outside of election years, they wish would sit quietly and not cause any trouble. Even more unfortunate is how large national Gay Rights groups like the HRC have enabled that treatment.

The fact is, unless the Obama Adminstration is able to; 1) Overturn the military policy of expelling Lesbian and Gay personnel under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", or 2) Repeal the federal "Defense of Marriage Act", is this term, they will lose the support of the LGBT community and those who support their fight for equality. Millions of LGBT Americans and their progressive allies will close their wallets and stay home in 2010 and possibly even 2012.

Many people who are frustrated with the LGBT Community’s impatience with President Obama keep saying the Administration has so much “on their plate” that it is unfair and impractical to expect progress on these issues his first year, or even in a first term. Given that fact they ask, what will make “the gays” quit expecting the President to actually keep promises that were made during the campaign.

If the President can’t keep his word, then at least show some leadership on the issues. I remember a wonderful scene from the first season of NBC’s “The West Wing”. President Bartlett is speaking to a gathering of Talk Radio hosts, Including one who is well known for her views on LGBT rights.

Most Americans, gay or straight understand that the President came into office inheriting a complete disaster left behind by the worst President of the twentieth Century. But we still expect the President of the United States, to lead.

Unless the Democratic Party and the Obama Administration find the courage of their STATED convictions, I see this Administration going down in History as a "One Term Gutless Wonder.

Last Night's 'Special Comment' on Afghanistan

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Help PROTECT Traditional Marriage!!

Think of the Children....

Brilliant...

We take a break from politics to bring you awesome FAMILY GUY news!

Happy Thankgiving Everyone!

Back in Wisconsin (yes it's cold!) for the holiday weekend to spend
Thanksgiving with my Folks. I hope where ever you are you have reasons to be thankful.

Dave

Wow.... I mean seriously...Wow.

Dear Republican Party...

Meet your "base". THIS is who you have left.

Good luck with that...

Texas may have outlawed all marriages...

via thinkprogress.org:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Texas gay marriage ban may have outlawed all marriages in Texas.

In 2005, the state of Texas adopted an amendment to its Constitution that said marriage in the state could only be between one man and one woman. The amendment also declared: “This state or a political subdivision of this state may not create or recognize any legal status identical or similar to marriage.” Now, Barbara Ann Radnofsky, a Houston lawyer and Democratic candidate for attorney general, is saying that the second section effectively “eliminates marriage in Texas”:

She calls it a “massive mistake” and blames the current attorney general, Republican Greg Abbott, for allowing the language to become part of the Texas Constitution. Radnofsky called on Abbott to acknowledge the wording as an error and consider an apology. She also said that another constitutional amendment may be necessary to reverse the problem.

“You do not have to have a fancy law degree to read this and understand what it plainly says,” said Radnofsky, who will be at Texas Christian University today as part of a five-city tour to kick off her campaign.

Abbott’s spokesman Jerry Strickland replied to Radnofsky’s charge by saying, “The Texas Constitution and the marriage statute are entirely constitutional.” This isn’t the first time the reach of the second section has been questioned. Before the amendment passed, a group called Save Texas Marriage warned that a judge could potentially void all marriages in the state if the language became part of the Texas Constitution.
---------------------------------------------
The always brilliant Young Turks couldn't resist :)

Steven Colbert - The Word

Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" takes on the Wingnutty-ness of the Catholic Church and the Governor of Rhode Island....

Brilliant.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
The Word - Skeletons in the Closet
www.colbertnation.com
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The Human Face of the Health Care Debate

Just Watch....

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Dear DNC: The gAyTM is closed...

From John A. over at americablog:
------------------------------------
Don't Ask, Don't Give
by John Aravosis Via AMERICABLOG.COM

http://www.americablog.com

Americablog.com is launching today a donor boycott of the DNC. The boycott is cosponsored by Daily Kos, Dan Savage, Michelangelo Signorile, Paul Sousa (Founder of Equal Rep in Boston), Pam Spaulding, Robin Tyler (ED of the Equality Campaign, Inc.), Bil Browning for the Bilerico Project and soon others.

It's really more of a "pause," than a boycott. Boycotts sounds so final, and angry. Whereas this campaign is temporary, and is only meant to help some friends - President Obama and the Democratic party - who have lost their way. We are hopeful that via this campaign, our friends will keep their promises.

You can find our Frequently Asked Questions, below, that explain the entire campaign.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is this?
We are asking voters to pledge to withhold contributions to the Democratic National Committee, Organizing for America, and the Obama campaign until the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is passed, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) is repealed, and the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is repealed -– all of which President Obama repeatedly promised to do if elected.

Why are you asking people to take this pledge?
Candidate Obama promised during the campaign to be the gay community’s “fierce advocate.” He and the Democratic party have not kept their promise.

Can you give examples of how the President and Democrats have not been fierce advocates for the civil rights of gay and lesbian Americans?
1. Asking a religious right activist who claims to have been “cured” of his homosexuality to headline campaign events in South Carolina. Then letting the anti-gay bigot spend half an hour, on stage, haranguing gays at the Obama event.
2. Refusing for months to interview with LGBT newspapers during the campaign,
3. Flubbing question on whether gays are immoral.
4. Inviting anti-gay activist Rick Warren, to give the invocation at the inaugural.
5. Inviting a gay bishop to the inaugural festivities, then not beginning the TV broadcast until the gay bishop has finished and left.
6. Refusing to appoint an openly gay Cabinet member.
7. Abolishing the LGBT outreach position at the DNC.
8. Refusing to re-establish the White House Office of LGBT Outreach.
9. Continuing to discharge two gay servicemembers a day, when he could stop it .
10. Asking for a study on “whether” repealing DADT would hurt national security.
11. Deleting his gay civil rights promise from the White House Web site.
12. Changing his commitment to “repeal” Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, to “changing DADT".
13. Repeatedly defending DOMA in court, when he didn’t have to.
14. Making jokes about marriage equality
15. Claiming he doesn't support, even though he once did.
16. Comparing gay relationships to incest and pedophilia in a DOJ brief.
17. Joking about gay protesters upset about the DOMA brief.
18. Refusing to provide health care benefits to the partners of gay employees
19. Claims that health benefits for partners of fed. employees were new. Not true.
20. Suggesting he won’t get to DADT, or ENDA until his second term, if ever.
21. Won't suspend implementation of anti-gay laws, while suspending others.
22. Working against amendment to defund Don't Ask, Don't Tell investigations 23. Saying won’t repeal DADT until wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have finished.
24. Senator Harry Reid had to beg President Obama to help on DADT repeal.
25. Calling LGBT marchers on Washington, “the Internet left fringe”
26. Saying he won’t touch DOMA in his first term.
27. Refusing to release list of gay attendees at hate crimes reception.
28. Refusing to mention Maine or Washington state, or anything of substance, in his speech to the Human Rights Campaign dinner.
29. Saying gays are “naïve” for wanting the president to keep his promise.
30. Refusing to issue a statement specifically opposing anti-gay ballot measures in Maine and Washington state.
31. Attorney General Eric Holders flubs question on Maine, twice -- once while in Maine.
32. DNC/OFA emailed supporters in Maine and Washington state, but didn't ask them to vote against anti-gay ballot measures, then lied about it.
33. Senator Durbin (D-IL), a very close ally of Obama, says Senate probably won’t repeal DADT in 2010, as promised.
34. Senior DNC official accuses gays and lesbians of “helping Republicans” by simply asking Democrats to keep their gay civil rights promise.
35. Refusing to publicly endorse marriage equality for gays.
36. Refusing to this day to interview with the gay press.
37. Refusing to apologize for any of these slights.

But won’t your pledge hurt Democrats?
It never hurts Democrats to keep their promises to the voters. The American people respect strong leaders who have the courage to stick to their beliefs. And it will only help Democrats in the next election to stand by their commitments to a core constituency. If Democratic voters aren't motivated, they won't vote. We are concerned that the President's failure to fulfill his promises may suppress voter participation not only from gay Democrats, but from our families, friends and allies. In a very real way, this is an effort to ensure that we get-out-the-vote in 2010, 2012 and beyond.

But if you don’t give money to the DNC, won’t that help elect Republicans who are even worse on gay issues, and other issues Democrats care about?
We are not calling for a boycott of donations to the DNC. We are simply calling for a pause until the party follows through on its campaign promise to repeal DADT and DOMA, and pass ENDA. The party will get the same donations it would have gotten, when the promises are kept. The Democrats could choose to make good on their promise today. And by doing so, they will only further motivate the Democratic base to again turn out for the next election, a decidedly good thing.

You have to admit, gay rights is controversial – wouldn’t it be political suicide for Democrats to push gay rights?
Democrats should not have promised to support gay civil rights rights in exchange for our votes if they never intended to keep the promise. If we're not controversial during the campaign, when politicians are happy to accept our votes and our money, we cannot accept being labeled controversial after our candidates win. We kept our part of the bargain, we voted for Barack Obama and a Democratic Congress. It’s entirely reasonable for us to ask our elected officials to keep their part of the bargain too.

What's more, gay rights are not controversial. Americans favor allowing openly gay men and lesbian women to serve in the military by a margin of 69% - 26%. By a margin of 57% - 37%, "A clear majority of Americans (57%) favors allowing gay and lesbian couples to enter into legal agreements with each other that would give them many of the same rights as married couples." That can't happen if DOMA is the law. And in fact, if these civil rights promises were controversial, they would have hurt candidate Obama at the polls. But, he proudly and loudly proclaimed his support for LGBT equality, and he won.

No matter how disappointed you are, aren’t Democrats still better than Republicans?
The Republican party is terrible on gay issues. That doesn’t excuse the Democratic party breaking specific promises to the gay community made in exchange for our votes. We didn’t break our promise at the ballot box, the Democrats shouldn’t break theirs after we helped put them into office.

President Obama has only been in office less than a year, why the rush?
In less than a year, serious damage has already been done to the President’s commitments to the gay community. The problem isn’t only that he hasn’t been quick enough to fulfill his promises, it’s that he has actually backtracked on his promises and hurt the cause of civil rights and our community, as detailed above.

But aren’t there bigger priorities than gay rights for the Democrats to deal with, like health care and the economy?
Would President Obama, the DNC and the Congress tell other minorities that their civil rights aren't important? The suggestion is that Democrats have more important things on the table. When won't Democrats have more important priorities than the civil rights of gays and lesbians? Will there ever be a day, a year, an administration, when the President and the Congress won't have serious crises to deal with? Suggesting that gay Americans and their friends and families wait until the President and Congress have nothing else to do is not only insulting, it's a recipe for never. And regardless, we trust that this President, unlike the previous, can walk and chew gum at the same time.

Who is behind this effort?
John Aravosis and Joe Sudbay, two longtime political operatives in Washington, DC, and the editors of AMERICAblog.com. Cosponsors of the campaign include DailyKos, Dan Savage, Michelangelo Signorile, Paul Sousa, and man others. You can contact us at: dncboycott@gmail.com

How can I help?
Sign the pledge, tell your friends about this campaign, read the blog, and stay tuned for updates and action alerts on how you help make sure that the President, the Congress and the Democratic party keep their promises to the LGBT community, our families, our friends and our allies.

Heath Care Reform Passes in the House

One small step for Congress... One giant leap for the American People

House Vote on Health Care Will Happen Tonight

Alan Grayson Reads Names Of Dead In Republican Districts (VIDEO)

(From the Huffington Post)

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) took to the floor Wednesday night to read the names of those who had died from lack of health insurance in Republican districts.

Grayson also read stories from his website Namesofthedead.com, which collects health care tragedies from around the country.

"Is it really asking too much of us that we keep people alive?" he asked. Later he added,
"We can save these people, or we can let them die."

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/05/alan-grayson-reads-names_n_346745.html&cp

">

Post Election Musings....

I knew watching the television coverage of last night's election was a mistake...

Not so much for the results of the specific races. For the most part last night was not a bad night for the President or for the Democrats. For the GOP winning the Governors races in New Jersey and Virginia will undoubtedly be spun as a "referendum on the Obama Administration".

Yet back here in reality land, Governor's races are about State and Local issues. People don't vote for Governor thinking about what the President of the United States might do or not do. They think about roads, schools, State taxes, and even the environment. Funny how the Republicans don't want to talk about the races that actually had a direct impact on the "Obama Agenda".

For if, as Sean Inanity, Glen Teabagger Beck and Rush Oxycontin Limbaugh have been spewing all day today; last night was a vote on if the country agrees with the direction Barack Obama is taking it, then there is only one real question to ask post-election:

Is the Republican Party's minority in Congress bigger or smaller today as a result of last nights voting? Is the Democratic Party's majority in Congress bigger or smaller as a result of last nights voting?

In the both of the two Congressional seats up for grabs in NY and CA, the Republicans lost. In the case of the Seat in upstate New York they didn't just lose, their nut job teabagger candidate was sent packing embarrassingly early in the evening. So if last night was a referendum on the "Obama Agenda" (as Fox 'News' likes to call it), then Obama won. Fairly decisively.



GOP Minority = Smaller. Democratic Majority = Bigger. Poor Michael Steele, reality is a real bummer, huh? Also, it is worth mentioning again, the ONE candidate who was trying to run against President Obama, New York State Congressional candidate Doug Hoffman was, as I pointed out, sent scurrying with his teabag between his legs early in the evening.

Up in Washington State, voters approved "Marriage-lite" for it's Lesbian and Gay citizens with the passage of a Domestic Partnership Law,
and in New York City, Michael Bloomberg was able to buy a third term as Mayor. It only took one hundred million dollars of his own money, so his re-election victory comes in at the bargain price of $72.00 per vote cast.



Then we have the voting last night up in the State of Maine...



The good citizens of Maine had previously approved marriage for Same Sex couples. Apparently that was too much equality and justice for some, so a ballot initiative just like, (and brought to you by many of the same people behind) California's "Prop 8' was born. Just like Prop 8 in CA , Prop 1 in Maine was to take away an existing civil right from one minority group. When the dust settled early this Morning, the result was also very familiar to those of us here in CA who remember the Prop 8 battle of one year ago...
So apparently the equal protection clause of the United States Constitution only applies to SOME Americans.

So just to be clear; It is in the United States, in 2009 completely acceptable to put the civil rights of a minority group up to popular vote. It is perfectly OK in the USA in the 21rst Century to codify one set of religious sensibilities into civil law and force it on everyone else. On the one year anniversary of the election of the first African-American President, it is perfectly fine to regulate one group of Americans to second class citizenship. If last night's vote in Maine has shown LGBT Americans anything, it is that they are living in an Apartheid state.

The United States of America has become an idiot theocracy where Gays and Lesbians are the one group it is OK to still hate, discriminate against, and who's basic rights to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness can be subjected to public vote.

To the Mormon Bigots and Catholic Child Molesters who led the fight to take away civil rights, to you I say; when you do finally meet your Lord on Judgement day, I will be praying for you. Because I am not sure that God will know who you are.

To colossal monument to stupidity and hate that is today's Republican Party, to you I say; your hatred of this nation's Constitution,values and its people is sickening. You are completely un-American and are a disgrace to our history, our founding principles and your actions mar the memory of all who have fought and died for our rights and freedoms.

To anyone and everyone who thinks that somehow giving two people of the same gender the same rights as you , not more rights, not "special rights" ONLY the exact SAME rights as you , somehow harms, 'attacks" or even has any impact at all on your life, marriage or family... To you I say, YOU have opened this Pandora's Box of the tyranny of the majority.

Be certain of this, there will come a day when the precedent you have set will turn on you. When it is YOUR rights that are at stake, I hope those you have harmed, are able to do unto you exactly what you have done.

In the meantime, you can take your distortion of Christianity, your disrespect for your fellow citizens, your hate, your bile and your sheer stupidity... and go to hell.

">

Thoughts on a warm California Night...

.


I went up on the roof a little bit ago and saw the brilliant full moon hanging over San Francisco, and I was reminded once again of just how far away London is. I posted that thought as a "status update" on Facebook. A few moments later a wonderful co-worker of mine posted a comment saying she knew the feeling writing about her husband; "Yeah. Afghanistan is pretty far too... I feel your pain, Dude."

(I then responded "Ok you win!")

But the one great inconvenient truth we both face remains the same. When the person you most would like to sitting next to you enjoying this brilliant warm breezy California night is thousands of miles away, well.. it sucks.

Big time...

They say "distance makes the heart grow fonder" and yes, there is some truth to that. But the people who tend to say that are not the ones in long distance relationships. Causing those of us who are to have to fight the urge to deck them for hauling out what cant help but sound like tired platitudes.

Distance doesn't just make the heart grow fonder, it makes the heart hurt.

So hello long distance lovers where ever you are. May your hearts grow not just fonder but stronger. So Hester, Let's both raise a glass and toast that someday when distance becomes an arms reach away.

The GOP's fight to protect Gang Rapists

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Rape-Nuts
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

The HRC's strategy of "Hurry Up and Wait"...

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) recently emailed me asking for money. They do that a lot. Now they are "celebrating their success" with the passage of Federal Hate Crimes law that includes sexual orientation. Now I am thrilled the Matthew Shepherd Act passed. But in the grand scheme of advancing civil rights for LGBT Americans, it really isn't that big of a victory.

Far more LGBT Americans are affected by the two laws the HRC seems completely unable, and even unwilling to pressure the Obama Administration to address. The Federal Defense of Marriage Act, and the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy of discharging Gay and Lesbian Americans from the U.S. Military. Both of which the HRC says are important but it's too soon and they will have to "work up" to it.

How many times will the HRC allow LGBT Americans to be Charlie Brown running at the Football that Barack "Lucy Van Pelt" Obama is holding. Oh THIS time Little Joey Solmonese is SURE the ball won't be pulled away... if you just pony up pink dollars for the midterm elections, THEN by golly we are gonna get to kick that football clear into next week!

I hate to say it but when it comes to the HRC it's time to "Speak truth to Stupid". The Democratic Party is NOT interested in LGBT rights. They may not be working against equality, but they sure as hell are NOT working for it either.

Am I saying Gays and Lesbians should vote Republican? Well to be honest I don't really know. The sad truth is, it seems like the DNC and the DCCC were far more committed to the LGBT Community when the Democrats were in the minority. Maybe putting them BACK there for two years might get it through their heads you can't keep yanking the ball away and smiling sweetly as you say "Now just isn't the time for your issues."

Part of me thinks it might be better to deal with honest enemies who you know are going to try to stab you in heart, than have dishonest friends who you have to constantly worry about them stabbing you in the back.

Sigh.. I really wish we had a viable third party.. (Sorry Libertarians and Greens keep dreaming . I said a "Viable" third party and neither of you are there yet.)

Now the most recent excuse for not being "able" to keep major campaign promises on LGBT rights comes to us from the White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. John Aravosis over at AMERICABLOG reports that at the recent White House ceremony for the Matthew Shepherd Hate Crimes Prevention Act, Emanuel was confronted by a woman from Massachusetts about the Administration less than stellar record so far..

"I went over to Rahm Emmanuel, who was standing by himself. I shook his hand and said, So when are you going to stop with this one man one woman stuff? What do you mean? he said. I raised my eyebrows and said, You know what I mean, and it makes your candidate look like he's stuck in the 1990's. It' 2009. C'mon. Let's get healthcare first, he said. I said, I don't know if I can wait that long. And off he scurried...".

And now it is becoming clear we won't even "get Health Care". We will get a watered down opt-outable giveaway to Private Insurance companies that will put the problem down the road another decade where it will bankrupt us... nice.

President Obama is an excellent public speaker but to date has shown he is woefully ineffective as an actual leader. He speaks from the left but is terrified to govern from anywhere but the center and just right of center. When it comes to LGBT equality, they can't keep their promises because....

1. There is too much on the President's plate. Then it will be because...
2. Its too hot of an issue to touch during a Midterm Election year. Then it will be...
3. Sorry we lost too many seats in the Midterms we don't have the votes. THEN it will be...
4. Re-elect us THEN we will do everything we said we were going to do during the first term.

The Obama administration is paralyzed with fear of losing an election that is 3 years away. As a result they will lose what majority they have in Congress in 2010, and American People being relatively stupid and all too eager to vote against their own best interests, will boot him out of the White House in 2012 .

Video Clips from the Malaysia Trip

From this past March and April... Enjoy

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Fox News "Fair and Balanced" In their own words...

I totally agree! Let's REALLY protect Marriage!

A True American Hero Speaks Up....

(Via Huffingtonpost.com)

Philip Spooner is a lifetime Republican, World War II veteran and, to everyone's surprise, a gay marriage supporter. The 86-year-old gave a heartfelt speech in support of gay marriage to Maine's Judiciary Committee back in April, and the video has just now become an internet hit.



I am here today because of a conversation I had last June when I was voting. A woman at my polling place asked me, "Do you believe in equal, equality for gay and lesbian people?" I was pretty surprised to be asked a question like that. It made no sense to me. Finally I asked her, "What do you think our boys fought for at Omaha Beach?" I haven't seen much, so much blood and guts, so much suffering, much sacrifice. For what? For freedom and equality. These are the values that give America a great nation, one worth dying for.

Spooner's voice wavers often as he weaves his own life story into the speech, using his experience as a soldier as his main defense for gay marriage. He lists his accomplishments in the war, among them serving in Patton's Third Army and carrying POWs back home, making it clear that he's a true American -- and according to Spooner, there's nothing more American than fighting for equality.

You gotta love YouTube ....

Just Watch this.. Please.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Once again... It's the "fake news show" that gets it right...

The Daily Show on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell

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Heading back to London today...

Going to be offline a for a few days and take some much needed "personal time". in London. See y'all when I get back next week.

:)

Canadian Catholic Bishop, who led campaign against same-sex marriage, arrested for child porn

.
(Hat tip to Joe Sudbay over at Americablog.com)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three years ago, on September 21, 2006, Raymond J. Lahey, the Catholic Bishop of Antigonish in Nova Scotia, Canada, sent a letter to his parishioners urging them to speak out against same-sex marriage:



I would encourage every adult Catholic to contact your Member of Parliament on this issue and express to him or her your views on the nature of marriage. You can do this by phone or in writing, and you can do it in your own informal and respectful words.

Today, we have so many problems with our social structures that the second chance to correct one of them by reaffirming the specific nature of marriage is a wonderful opportunity for us. We can express ourselves both as Canadians who are not uncaring for the range of persons who comprise our society, and as people who at the same time want to do the right thing.

Now that same Catholic Bishop, Raymond J. Lahey, is in custody on child porn charges.

A former Roman Catholic bishop in Nova Scotia turned himself in to Ottawa police Thursday afternoon and was in custody in the central station cell block. Raymond Lahey, 69, who stepped down abruptly on Saturday as the bishop of Antigonish in Nova Scotia, faces charges of possession and importation of child pornography.


Wearing a collared shirt and sweater under a tan jacket, a grim-faced Lahey said nothing as he entered headquarters with his lawyer, Michael Edelson, who also gave no comment.

An arrest warrant was issued on Wednesday for Lahey, who is well known in Nova Scotia for having orchestrated a high-profile apology and a $15-million, out-of-court settlement to victims who were sexually abused as children by a former priest in the Diocese of Antigonish.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sigh... I hate to keep pointing this out, but the people who tend to be the most aggressive opponents of other people having basic civil rights, tend to be the same people you wouldn't want anywhere near your kids.

Congratulations Rio.. AND to Chicago

Chicago did not win its bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, (Congratulations to Rio de Janerio) But the bid has given Chicago some great global exposure.

 

Behold! The intellectual giant that is... Glen Beck!

What a total nutjob..

The original "Tea Baggers" said they were grass roots too...

.


Let's clear up a few things shall we?

If you think President Obama

- was born in Kenya
- was born in Indonesia
- is a Muslim
- is a Marxist
- wants to reform health care so the government can kill old people,
- hates America
- is in any way similar to Adolf Hitler, or Joseph Stalin
- or was not legitimately elected (by a landslide) as President
- is a Socialist
- is Fascist
- is the Anti-Christ

If you believe ANY of these things, you are either a complete and utter moron, lacking the basic intelligence God gave geese, OR you are a frightened racist who simply cannot handle the fact that the President of the United States is not white.

Now I could take up lots of blogspace here showing point-by-point how all the unhinged wing nut claims about President Obama and his Administration are just that , bat sh*t crazy with no basis in reality or fact. But you know what? It isn't worth my time.

These people are barely worth even time it takes to expose them as the nutjobs they are... Thankfully The Daily Show did it for me!

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These people are not angry about policy, the vast majority don't even know (or much care) what the Administration's proposals actually are. Ask one of these idiots what a public option for health coverage actually is, and they have no idea. It isn't worth taking the time to say to the VERY angry older white man waving his "NO OBAMA CARE" sign that he gets his health care PAID FOR BY A PUBLIC OPTION! (Medicare)

This isn't about policy, It is about race. The Black Man in the White House is just a bit too scary for them. It is not based in any rational thought. Much like people on the far far left who truly hated George W. Bush and would stand out in Civic Center Plaza here in San Francisco shouting about "9-11 was in inside job!" It is a sad and pathetic congruence of ignorance and animosity.

One former leader of the Religious Right has correctly labeled these village idiots as the "Fifth Column of Insanity." I would say he was being kind..



So "Tea-party Patriots", since you clearly have no interest in facts or reality I have to ask; are you really that stupid, or just racist?

Which is it?

John Lewis' Amazing Speech in Alabama This Weekend

Shall I feign surprise...?

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Respect for Marriage Act Debuts and The 2M4M WingNuts are Freaking Out

(Hat tip to Kerry Eleveld - via Americablog)

Congressman Jerrold Nadler of New York, flanked by out representatives Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Jared Polis of Colorado as well as a wide swath of LGBT advocacy groups -- held a press conference Tuesday to announce the introduction of the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation that would fully repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act.

“Today, we celebrate the first step toward overturning the Defense of Marriage Act and sending that ugly law into the history books where it belongs," said Nadler, adding that the new RMA bill has 91 original cosponsors.

As Representative Baldwin put it at the press conference, "The legislation we're introducing today will legally extend to legally married same-sex couples the same federal rights and recognitions now offered to heterosexual couples -- nothing more, nothing less."
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Mean while over at Wing-Nut Central, the "2M4M" group (I swear I didn't make that name up), is panicking at the prospect. Their website screams that a "zealous network of Hollywood liberals and gay activists" is trying to indoctrinate children into their sinister gay agenda.

The irony here is attempting to repeal DOMA could actually turn out to be something that helps pass Health Care Reform.

The Respect for Marriage Act, has no chance of passing. The sad truth is the Democrats in Congress are spineless, gutless wonders, who are apparently terrified of doing anything that might anger Glen Beck. But on the upside this bill might get the "Teabaggers" (no comment...) so riled up that it could distract them from their hate-fueled quest to kill meaningful Health Care Reform.
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The Brain Fart Heard 'Round the World....

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The big story today was supposed to be the speech that President Obama gave last night to a rare joint session of congress, outlining his vision of Health Care reform. And in fact, there was a great deal in that speech worth talking about today.

Talk radio and television pundits should be going on about how from a political standpoint, the Obama Administration called their critics out onto the carpet and , how from a policy standpoint tried to simultaneously embrace and back away from a public insurance option.

Bloggers and policy wonks should be opining at length about the economic risks of not reforming health care, and fact checking the President's claims that this all can be paid for without significant tax increases or adding to the deficit.

That SHOULD be the story today... But is it? Of course not! Instead, we are all talking about THIS moment...



Republican Congressman Joe Wilson from South Carolina apparently found the President's refuting of that cherished GOP talking point, a bit too much to take. So he blurted out; "You lie!" Much to the shock and embarrassment of his colleagues from both sides of the aisle. Including from his own party's 2008 Presidential Nominee:



Before I get into what happened next, it is worth taking a moment to answer the basic question in the room; Who was telling the truth? President Obama or Congressman Wilson? Does the Administration's health care proposal offer coverage to illegal immigrants? The Republican Party seems to think so, The GOP sent out an email earlier this month claiming that on "Page 50" of the Democratic proposal (bill HR:3200) supposedly says "All non-US citizens, illegal or not, will be provided with free health care services."

As with most things the Republicans claim these days, the problem is that’s simply not what the bill says at all.

The page in question includes "SEC. 152. PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION IN HEALTH CARE," Which means you can't be denied care on the basis of your race, ethnicity, gender, age etc. So what page 50 does is prohibit discrimination it does NOT give health benefits to illegal immigrants any more than Voting Rights Act gives illegal immigrants the right to vote.

What the bill does explicitly say that illegal immigrants can’t get any government money to pay for health care. Page 143 states: "Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States." And it is also worth pointing out, current law prohibits illegal immigrants from participating in government health care programs.

But as we have seen at recent "town hall" meetings across the country, facts and reality are not things the Republican Party likes to deal with. When the truth is clearly NOT on your side, it's much easier to just yell. Which brings us back to Congressman Wilson's verbal flatulence from last night.

It is interesting to see how even in 2009 seasoned politicians like Joe Wilson still have not figured out the power of the Internet. Within minutes of his outburst, Video, audio and still photos of the moment had gone viral. Bloggers and pundits (who really don't like talking about health care anyway, because it's boring and complicated), seized the moment like a lifeline to a drowning man. Bloggers instantly found out that Iraq War Vet Rob Miller is Wilson's likely 2010 election opponent. In minutes several national blogs had put up links to contribute to Miller's campaign. In less than 3 hours Rob Miller for congress took in over $100,000 dollars in individual contributions.

But the fun didn't stop there. Within 2 hours of his outburst, Congressmen Wilson's own website had crashed due to the massive amounts of negative emails being sent through his contact page there. I imagine it was at this point somebody finally got to the Congressman and said he needed to fix this and fix it NOW. Which resulted in the following statement released by Wilson through his office:

"This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President's remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill," he said. "While I disagree with the President's statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility."

To his credit, Wilson also called the White House to apologize. An apology which, this morning the President said he appreciated and accepted. Which is all fine and dandy, except for one thing. Joe Wilson didn't apologize for what he said, but rather how he said it. Wilson still isn't admitting that his assertion that the President of the United States was lying about coverage for illegal immigrants was in fact wrong. A point that MSNBC took on earlier today:

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Almost two years ago, back in October of 2006 I posted an entry on this very blog explaining why I, once a very conservative and loyal member of the Republican Party, left the GOP and became a fairly strident liberal Democrat. Yes, that's right I admit it, I was once a Republican.

(I will now pause for the gasps of shock, horror and surprise that invariably follow that admission.... Feeling better? Ok, moving on...)

In that posting, I gave what was my primary reason for leaving the GOP, and what remains my main reason for staying away. For the Republican Party, truth, facts and reality are negotiable. If Republicans don't like the facts they simply ignore them. The party of emancipation, Eisenhower, Reagan and yes even George HW Bush, has been reduced to a mob of petulant children stomping their feet and shouting "Is Not!" to whatever fact doesn't suit their talking points.

Watching the Cirque du Stupid that is the Republican Party's response to our Health Care crisis, I am reminded of a scene from the movie "The American President". In the scene, the President calls out his critics for not wanting to solve any of the nation's problems, but rather just trying to make people afraid of change and tell them who they should blame for their problems. In 2009 life certainly is imitating art. For ten of the last twelve years, Joe Wilson's friends controlled the White House and both houses of Congress. During what was nearly a decade of Republican control of government the GOP did NOTHING about the Health Care crisis in the United States. Nada, Zip, Zilch.

Now having been sent packing to the electoral wilderness in 2008, the only thing Joe Wilson and his Party have to offer America are lessons in how to look reality in face and just yell at it.

I will give the last word on Congressman Joe Wilson (R-Stupid) to Keith Olbermann. His "Special Comment" tonight on MSNBC said it all...

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Thank You Bill Moyers.

The man Bill Maher calls "the conscience of American Journalism" cuts through the noise and nonsense of the Health Care debate and nails it...brilliantly

The News from the real "Lake Wobegon"

Humorist and author Garrison Keillor, hosts the popular radio show "A Prairie Home Companion". During which he tells stories of his fictional hometown Lake Wobegon Minnesota.

Keillor bases these monologues, (known as "the news from Lake Wobegon") on his memories of growing up in the very real town of Anoka, MN. A small town north of the Twin Cities. He traditionally ends the segment by saying; "that's the News from Lake Wobegon Minnesota. Where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking and all the children are above average."

Yet I give Garrison Keillor a lot of credit. He doesn't sugar coat "his town". The foibles and failings of the people, the fears, prejudices and often petty nature of life in Lake Wobegon is just as visible as the Norman Rockwell-esqe Americana of the place. So this past week I have found myself wondering what Keillor thinks of recent events at his hometown High School:

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(From The Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

The Anoka-Hennepin School District has agreed to pay a $25,000 settlement to the family of a high school junior after two teachers harassed the boy and subjected him to classroom jokes, comments and innuendos concerning his perceived sexual orientation

The boy's "fence swings both ways," teacher Diane Cleveland commented during a class in the 2007-2008 school year, according to an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.

When the boy wrote a report on Ben Franklin, Cleveland allegedly said before the entire class that the boy had a "thing for older men." Another teacher, Walter Filson, said in front of other students that the boy "enjoys wearing women's clothes." When the boy decided to report on Abraham Lincoln, Filson allegedly said, "Since you like your men older ..." the Human Rights report said.

The school district, which has denied it violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act, agreed last month to pay the boy's family $25,000.

The student, Alex Merritt, and his mother, Jodi, filed a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights in May 2008 on his behalf. He was a student at the district's Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP).

His "fence swings both ways," teacher Diane Cleveland said during a class, according to the investigation by the Human Rights department. Another teacher, Walter Filson, said that Merritt "enjoys wearing women's clothes."

Merritt said he had Cleveland's class before lunch, and Filson's class afterwards. If Cleveland made fun of him for something, he said, she told Filson about it at lunch. Merritt would be teased for the same thing in a new class after lunch.

"I told Ms. Cleveland that I wanted to do a report on Ben Franklin, and she said, 'Why? Do you have a thing for older men?' " he said. "Then I sat in Mr. Filson's class, and he called me 'Mr. Ben Franklin,' and said, 'What do you have for these older men that Ms. Cleveland told me about?' "

"I'd come home from school and clam up," he said. "I got death threats from random kids, saying things like 'Shut up, you queer, and, I'm going to kill you, you queer.'"

According to the investigation, Cleveland also covered the screen during a bathing suit scene in a movie the class was watching, and said "It's OK if [Alex] watches this because he isn't into that sort of thing anyway ... maybe if it was a guy."

The Anoka-Hennepin district disciplined Cleveland, 39, a social studies teacher, after Merritt complained. She was briefly reassigned, and placed on two-day unpaid suspension. Her reassignment included working on a "social studies curriculum development and reflecting on equality and diversity in the classroom," according to the investigation. But she completed only one day of the assignment and called in sick for the rest of the week.
The strange part about his experiences, Alex pointed out, is that he is straight.

He said he is speaking publicly now because "I'm not the first kid this has happened to. I feel bad for the kid who was homosexual in that class, seeing that I was belittled. ... If kids feel like this is what they're going through, at work, at school, at the house, you've got to tell somebody."
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Wow...

So unlike in most High Schools were it's other students who usually are the ones who harass a peer who is perceived as "different", in Anoka Minnesota it's the teachers who tag team making a student's life miserable.

That's the news from Anoka, Minnesota - the real Lake Wobegon, were the Women Social Studies Teachers are bitter insensitive cows, the Men Law Enforcement Teachers are emotionally retarded closet cases, and all the Children just want to graduate and get the hell out.
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