For those who missed the circus, Glenn Beck went to a great theatrical lengths to portray Hungarian-born billionaire George Soros as the “Puppet Master” of the Obama administration and the Democratic Party. It costs serious money to get that many marionettes built to hang from the rafter and drive home a point. Forget the simple fact that Soros has had very little to do with politics since the 2004 campaign. According to Beck, Soros is an evil manipulator marching our nation to communism, a funder of revolutions. Okay, you also need to ignore the fact that the revolutions that Soros helped were against communist regimes in Eastern Europe and that he spent billions of his own fortune to help those countries transition to capitalism. Facts have never gotten in the way Glenn Beck.

For a real Puppet Master, you have to look on the right, not the left. There is no one on the left who exerts as much power over the decisions and policies of our politicians as Grover Norquist.

The Associated Press’s Charles Babington, in a July 4 article about Norquist, wrote “Democrats, meanwhile, use Norquist to paint the GOP as an unreasonable party that kowtows to billionaires at the expense of middle-class Americans.” I think Babington just hit the bent nail on its side – they are using Norquist’s infamous No-Tax Pledge in the wrong way. Instead of pointing at the billionaires, maybe the Democrats should be – I can’t believe I’m saying this – borrowing a page from Glenn Beck.

Face it – Beck’s good at what he does. All those puppets hanging in his studio, all those blackboards with their convoluted illogic – it all worked. There are a couple of million people in this country who watched those television shows for almost two years and who believed every warped, spun, misdirected, disingenuous word of them.

We have a lot of political cartoonists in this country. We also have a few organizations running ads for the Democratic view of what our budget negotiations should be producing. Why not portray the Republicans – the thousands of them who have given into the Norquist’s blackmail and signed the Pledge – as marionettes on strings being pulled by Norquist? Why hold back on calling a spade a shovel? Norquist is in control of our federal budget. He is telling the Republicans what they can and cannot do.

If Glenn Beck can paint a man whose greatest crime against this nation was hating George W. Bush’s guts and founding MoveOn.org as an enemy of freedom, why can’t the Democrats with absolute honesty show that the real enemy of our country’s economic future is the bearded, slightly rumpled evil genius named Grover Norquist?

Over the weekend, newspaper columnist David Brooks wrote, “,,,the Republican Party may no longer be a normal party. Over the past few years, it has been infected by a faction that is more of a psychological protest than a practical, governing alternative. The members of this movement do not accept the logic of compromise, no matter how sweet the terms. If you ask them to raise taxes by an inch in order to cut government by a foot, they will say no. If you ask them to raise taxes by an inch to cut government by a yard, they will still say no. The members of this movement do not accept the legitimacy of scholars and intellectual authorities. A thousand impartial experts may tell them that a default on the debt would have calamitous effects, far worse than raising revenues a bit. But the members of this movement refuse to believe it.”

The members of that movement are Norquist’s puppets.

Related articles

• GlennPocalypse: Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert’s Best Glenn Beck Moments. (colbertnewshub.com)
• The Consequences Of Not Thinking Things Through (lezgetreal.com)
• George Soros EXPOSED! (murraymsilveresq.wordpress.com)

UPDATED: Today, hearings were held at the Ugandan Parliament regarding the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. They are also scheduled for Monday with a vote possible next week. The bill is being fast tracked after months of sitting in committee. Despite opposition from the Museveni administration, the Parliament seems intent to bring the bill to the floor before they close the 8^th parliament on the 18^th. It is definitely crunch time for this bill. Although Bahati has noted that he has seat in parliament until 2016.

The blogger GayUganda reports that the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill authored and being pushed heavily now by MP David Bahati, is under discussion in the Ugandan Parliament today precisely because “the government needs a heady diversion for the country.”

Recently Uganda has seen unrest and has come down hard on all opposition to the Museveni Regime – including arrests and torture of political opponents who ran for local office in opposition to the government.  Whereas the Museveni led government on the one hand may seem to talk the talk of  holding the Kill-the gays Bill in abeyance, it serves their current situation to allow Bahati to push and provide traction to it, as a way of re-focusing the Ugandans away from the real issues at hand in the Country.

A true scapegoat!  We know where that will lead…. the violence has and will escalate against the already tenuous LGBT community in Uganda.

Even though this is the tail end of a Parliament ending next week, GayUganda says that the bill will be passed in the next one.

I spoke to David Bahati who informed me that he will ensure that the Bill will pass, especially that he will be in parliament until 2016. Mr. Bahati’s reverberation can be hear in my Radio interview with him and Michelle Meow of  radio interview on Swirl Radio, tomorrow at 1:00pm Green 960, Bay Area, (San Francisco) California.  It will also air in Boston and Seattle and then will be located as a podcast on www.Swirlradio.com and www.Lezgetreal.com

Reporting this news GayUganda says it will appall the international community. But – as he thanks us for our help – he has a clear message: (Via Paul Canning, LGBT Asylum News)

GAY UGANDA:- Hey, so, what should you do?

People, I am a gay man, who is Ugandan. I can be killed because of being gay in Uganda. But, I can also be killed because of the general abuse of human rights in the country.

I REQUEST, AND BEG OF YOU, OUR ALLIES, NOT TO BE FOOLED.

That is very important.

If you want to condemn the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, please CONDEMN in the strongest terms possible, the general state of Human rights in Uganda.

UPDATED: 9.32 AM 5/6/2010 – With Thanks to Warren Throckmorten:

Today, public hearings on Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill took place before the Parliamentary and Legal Affairs Committee, according to the bill author, David Bahati. In an interview, Bahati said that the Uganda Law Reform Commission and several religious leaders were on the list of those slated to provide testimony. He added, “I know that the process of legislation is moving forward.”

Bahati declined to say that the bill would be voted on next week, saying that the actual end of Parliament is not until May 18 when the 9th Parliament also begins. According to Charles Tuhaise, a researcher for parliament’s research office, most of the business will be concluded by the end of next week. He told me that the hearings for the Marriage and Divorce Bill have concluded and those for the Anti-Homosexuality Bill began today. In addition to the Law Reform Commission, those providing testimony today included the Attorney General’s Office, Martin Ssempa and Stephen Langa’s Family Life Network.  Tuhaise said the antigay bill hearings will probably conclude on Monday with the NGO Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law being one group on the agenda.

The fate of the antigay measure has been uncertain since it was introduced on October 14, 2009. From the beginning, the bill had support from the public as well as from religious and political leaders. However, legislative progress on the bill was slowed by massive international opposition. Contrary to false reports that the bill had been shelved, it has remained before a Ugandan parliamentary committee. In December, 2010, committee chair Stephen Tashobya told me that he hoped to move the Anti-Homosexuality Bill through his committee in time for a vote before the end of Parliament. Tashobya also said that the hearings would precede a vote.

Bahati also told me that a resolution he offered to call for common ground between the government and opposition leaders was adopted by Parliament during today’s session. The bipartisan resolution was offered in the wake of protests over inflation and the violent response from the government.

Tune in for part one, Saturday May 7, and thereafter on podcast at www.swirlradio.com or connect via www.lezgetreal.com‘

Broadcast Swirl Radio on the air:
San Francisco (Green 960am) Saturday – 1pm
Seattle (1090am) Saturday – 5pm
Boston (1510am) Saturday – 5pm.

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie
twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

Melanie Nathan Speech in South Africa about Uganda and Homophobia, Photo by Hetty Zantman, Cape Town.

Without the death penalty – may be the  urgent David Bahati concession – to ensure a vote by May 12, 2011 on the Anti- homosexuality Bill, which became known as Uganda’s Kill the Gays Bill.  But from my direct dealings with Mr. Bahati I am not sure if this is at all clear – via the recent April 20 Interview between Bahati and Associated Press and my own conversations with the author of the deathly bill.   It remains unclear whether that includes “repeat offenders” and what is clear is that it will still provide for “life in prison” sentences.

Approximately two weeks ago on LGR I reported that David Bahati, author of the  Ugandan Anti-homosexuality Bill,  has been reluctant to let go of his Party’s desire to ignore the Bill in the final weeks of this Parliamentarian session.   I spoke directly to Mr. Bahati and he informed me that the Bill would be coming up for hearing and it will be voted upon during this Parliamentary  session.  Clearly the heat was on.

According AP Reports (Via SF GATE) David Bahati said if the parliament committee the bill currently sits before recommends that the death penalty provision be removed, “I would concede.”  “The death penalty is something we have moved away from,” Bahati told The Associated Press in an interview.

Tuesday, the Associated Press reports that Bahati re-issued his “consession” that he would be dropping the death penalty from the bill if it would help to move the bill forward. But it is NOT clear at this time if the so called reissue of concession includes so called “repeat offenders” or not.

In my recent series of discussions with Mr. Bahati,  we sought common ground; me trying to explain what being a LESBIAN is and means and him trying to convince me that the “homos” are recruiting children in the schools in Uganda, and that all he is doing with his legislation is protecting the children of Uganda.

Mr. Bahati told me that he really enjoyed our  weekly conversations. He asked me many questions and I gave him my truth. I like to think that our dialogue may have some influence.  Bahati wanted us to reach ‘common ground,’ as he put it:

Bahati: “My Sister, Nathan, please do you think it is okay to recruit children in the schools?”

Me: “  Mr. Bahati, Sir, we have indeed reached common ground because I agree with you – it is not okay to recruit children into homosexuality; however where we disagree is that I do not believe it is possible to recruit anyone into homosexuality – a person is a homosexual or not.”

I explained being a lesbian is not a choice – that I had not been subjected to anyone ‘s advances, suggestions or influence – in other words not recruited – so all homosexuality could not be explained in terms of protection of children and recruitment.  being gay, I explained is the way I am just as being straight is the way he is. “Mr. Bahati – who recruited you to be straight? did it happen at school?”   I further explained that anyone who does anything to harm a child sexually in the schools – whether gay or straight, ought to be subject to regular rape, defilement, pedophile laws, just as is the case in most countries around the world.  I also mentioned that helping teens, who find out they are attracted to members of the same sex – with guidance and counseling is hardly recruitment and absolutely helpful in preventing suicide for those who are feeling isolated or confused.

I also explained that Mr. Bahati should not consider homosexuality or lesbian relationships as a sexual act.  In the same way as I do not view his life as a sexual act.  For me, it is about having a loving relationship and how I express that in the bedroom with my partner is of no importance to anyone who is not there!

At the end of each conversation it becomes clear to me that Mr. Bahati will do anything he can to get that Bill presented into this session, but that the critical hearing must come first.   For Mr. Bahati the Bill is an imperative and I believe he is concerned he may be perceived as having failed if he does not manage to get a vote in this sitting.

Regarding the so called concession regarding the death penalty, Box Turtle explains:-

That’s not much of a concession; the more “lenient” punishment is lifetime imprisonment in a Ugandan prison. That’s hardly an improvement, and it’s barely scratching the surface. The bill would lower the bar for conviction, making mere “touching” for the perceived purpose of homosexual relations a criminal offense. It threatens teachers, doctors, friends, and family members with three years imprisonment if they didn’t report anyone they suspected of being gay to police within twenty-four hours. It also would broadly criminalize all advocacy of homosexuality including, conceivably, lawyers defending accused gay people in court or parliamentarians proposing changes to the law. It even threatens landlords under a “brothel” provision if they knowingly rent to gay people.”

Next week a Ugandan Parliamentary Committee will be debating murder – legal killing by their government – the law will give power to Uganda to commit genocide of a minority via legislation.  Despite rumors that the opposition Parties in Uganda had succeeded in preventing a vote on the controversial Anti Homosexuality bill (AHB) – better known as the “Kill the Gays” Bill, it is now reported that it will indeed be one of a few bills that Members of Parliament on the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs committee are set to debate when the House resumes business next week, during what could be termed a ‘lame duck session.’

Tabled in Parliament in 2009, by its author David Bahati, known for his homophobia and overt hate for homosexuals and lesbians, the latter masked by the right wing evangelical version of Christianity, the AHB  seeks to entrench the criminalization of  homosexuality, with death penalties for “repeat offenders/ aggravated homosexuality” and prison terms for gays and lesbians including those who fail t report them, beyond the current broader law “acts committed against the order of nature.”

Speaking to the media at Parliament today, the committee chairman, Stephen Tashobya said though the bill has created both local and international concern, it is up to Parliament to pass the bill.

“Tashobya says the committee will hold public hearings where stakeholders’ views will be heard and a report made to the House for debate and possible passing before Parliament closes the 8th Parliament.

Ndorwa West MP and mover of the bill, David Bahati welcomed the development and said he would continue to lobby Ugandans to support the bill, whose intention is to protect the Ugandan traditional family and children.”

The American State Department source told LezGetReal some months back, that they had been keeping a keen eye on the progress of a Bill that they find intolerable and unacceptable, and that the US State department had come out very strongly against it enactment.

A few days ago,  Congressman Barney Frank of the USA,  introduced legislation into the United States Congress for law preventing further US AID to Uganda.   Introduced by way of an amendment in the House Financial Services Committee,  Frank said in a statement on Tuesday the amendment received unanimous backing from the legislators” although most votes in the committee have broken along party lines.”

Although some opposition leaders have expressed they are against the Bill it would seem that it has widespread support in Uganda as well as that of President Museveni who has not come out to condemn, bearing in mind that he and Bahati share the same political party.

It is incumbent on the International community to make its voice heard at this time, especially as it will be debated in committee now.  I believe that The US Department of State should speak louder of its concerns at this time. I believe Secretary Clinton should bring her voice to President Museveni to warn of the consequences of such bill being passed.

I also believe that President Jacob Zuma of South Africa  has an imperative duty to recall SA Ambassador John Qwelane and if he were to take a true leadership role in Africa and around the world, he should speak out immediately for the principles so deeply entrenched in the South African Constitution; for Equality and human rights.

Pulling Qwelane, a known Homophobe, out of Uganda will signal that South Africa takes the matter of putting homosexuals, gays and lesbians to death, simply for their  sexual orientation, seriously.  Clearly, killing off a scapegoated group, institutionalized and mandated via legislation, is barely different from the genocide of Nazi regime law a matter of genocide.

Side Note: I am in Africa at the moment and have met personally with several Ugandan Refugees who have sought refuge here,  Their stories are shameful for the Ugandan government who are already infringing the Declaration of Human Rights for their persecution of LGBTI people.  Uganda must be taken to task and NOW is the critical moment – because soon a lot of people will die if we remain silent. Our leaders must come forward to shake things up while the Ugandans are debating this in Committee.  Evidence must be provided to prove Bahati wrong in his assertions ….

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie
twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

sources:

http://www.ugpulse.com/articles/daily/news.asp?about=MPs+to+discuss+anti+homosexuality+bill+&ID=18546

Ugandan MPs ramp up their state-sponsored anti-gay terror campaign … Next week the parliament begins debate on the extreme Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which seeks the death penalty or life imprisonment for  “aggravated homosexuality,” reports UG Pulse.

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1128350/-/c3vhijz/-/

Melanie Nathan- February 26, 2011-

Muhsin Hendricks drew a striking conclusion from his studies: nowhere does the Qur’an state that homosexuality is forbidden. Not even in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Mushin refutes the interpretation that God destroyed the cities because men had sex with one another. He argues that the cities’ residents were punished for rape, not for consensual sex between men.

South African Muhsin Hendricks is an Islamic cleric and a gay man.

He runs a foundation called The Inner Circle, which helps Muslims, who are struggling to accept their sexuality. He has come to the Netherlands to spread a simple message: “It’s okay to be Muslim and gay!”

Mushin Hendricks talks about his faith and his sexuality:

“Being Muslim and being gay are both strong identities. And I think that they are both innate identities for me. So somewhere along the line I had to reconcile the two.”

This was far from easy for Muhsin Hendricks. He was born into an orthodox Muslim family in South Africa. His grandfather was a cleric in one of Cape Town’s most prominent mosques. Mushin discovered at an early age that he was different. He played with dolls rather than cars. He was seen as being feminine and was teased as a result. All this was long before he even knew there was such a thing as homosexuality.

Mushin Hendricks took comfort in his faith, in spite of the fact that many Muslims believe it offers no place to homosexual feelings. Sexual love between two men or two women is prohibited. It is seen as one of the worst possible sins, punishable in some Islamic countries by death.

Sodom and Gomorrah

But Muhsin Hendricks decided to discover for himself what the Qur’an has to say about homosexuality. He pursued his Islamic studies in Pakistan. “It didn’t seem fair for a very merciful and compassionate God to condemn me for something that I didn’t choose.”

Muhsin Hendricks drew a striking conclusion from his studies: nowhere does the Qur’an state that homosexuality is forbidden. Not even in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Mushin refutes the interpretation that God destroyed the cities because men had sex with one another. He argues that the cities’ residents were punished for rape, not for consensual sex between men.

Full article on Radio Netherlands Worldwide.

http://www.fridae.com/newsfeatures/2011/02/21/10651.gay-islamic-cleric-spreads-message-homosexuality-is-not-sinful

Related articles

• Islamic same-sex marriage? A contradiction in terms or an emerging reality? (lezgetreal.com)

The Advocate today to Senator Udall : “What do you think the biggest hurdle is to repealing the policy this year?

I think about all the hurdles we’ve already cleared and the support that we have – the Secretary of Defense, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and the president himself and then the Senate Armed Services Committee voted in the spring to include the repeal. So I think the biggest hurdle now is a small group of senators who don’t want to do what the country wants us to do, don’t want to do what the House [of Representatives] made clear that they want us to do and don’t want to do what the Senate Armed Services Committee made clear that they want us to do on a majority vote with a couple votes to spare.

So it is really concerning to me that we have almost this unprecedented level of gridlock when legislation that would support our troops, our national security and our leadership in the world, is prevented from even coming to debate – the blockage of even beginning debate on the annual Defense authorization bill, which has all these provisions I alluded to and a repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” on a basis that fits the prescription and the Defense sector’s requests, is astonishing to me. Stunning.”

To my fellow activists when you call Senators office Please tell them the following in addition to appeal to repeal DADT during the lame Duck Session – you expect Congress not to close for the holidays until such time as the Defense Authorization & Funding Bill passes to fund our troops and that YOU expect them to maintain the repeal of DADT in the Bill.

Senator Udall Said: “The talk of adjourning by the 10th of December, that’s three weeks [that we will be in session]. I think we should stay in session and do the work that the people sent us to Washington to do. If that means a few extra days to pass a critically important Defense bill, which includes this repeal provision, then we should stay. If we didn’t pass this National Defense Authorization Act, it would be the first time in 49 years.”

Key Senators to call to repeal DADT

Key Senators to Call to Repeal DADT

NV  Harry Reid 1-202-224-3542 – Senate Leader

MO  Carl Levin 1-202-224-6221 – Arms Service Committee Chair

AK  Mark Begich 1-202-224-3004

AK  Lisa Murkowski 1-202-224-6665

AZ  John McCain 1-202-224-2235

AZ  John Kyl 1-202-224-4521

AR  Blanche Lincoln 1-202-224-4843

AR  Mark Pryor 1-202-224-2353

CO  Mark Udall 1-2…02-224-5941

CT  Joe Lieberman 1-202-224-4041

DE  Thomas Carper 1-202- 224-2441

FL  Bill Nelson 1-202-224-5274

GA  Saxby Chambliss 1-202-224-3521

GA  Johnny Isakson 1-202-224-3643

HI  Daniel Inouye 1-202-224-3934

HI  Daniel Akaka 1-202-224-6361

ID  Mike Crapo 1-202-224-6142

ID  James Risch 1-202-224-2752

IL  Mark Kirk 1-202-225-4835

IN  Evan Bayh 1-202-224-5623

IN  Richard Lugar 1-202-224-4814

KS  Sam Brownback 1-202-224-6521

KS  Pat Roberts 1-202-224-4774

KY  Jim Bunning 1-202-224.4343

KY  Mitch McConnell 1-202-224-2541

LA  Mary Landrieu 1-202-224-5824

ME  Susan Collins 1-202-224-2523

ME  Olympia Snowe 1-202-224-5344

MA  Scott Brown 1-202-224-4543

MS  Thad Cochran 1-202-224-5054

MO  Christopher Bond 1-202-224-5721

MT  Max Baucus 1-202-224-2651

MT  John Tester 1-202-224-2644

NB  Ben Nelson 1-202-224-6551

NH Judd Gregg 1-202-224-3324

NH  Jeanne Shaheen 1-202-224-3324

NM  Jeff Bingaman 1-202-224-5521

NV  John Ensign 1-202-224-6244

NC  Richard Burr 1-202-224-3154

NC  Kay Hagan 1-202-224-6342

ND  Kent Conrad 1-202-224-2043

ND  Byron Dorgan 1-202-224-2551

OH  George Voinivich 1-202-224-3353

OK Tom Coburn 1-202-224-5754

OK James Inhofe 1-202-224-4721

RI   Jack Reed 1-202-224-4642

UT   Lindsey Graham 1-202-224-5972

SD   Tim Johnson 1-202-224-5842

SD   John Thune 1-202-224-2321

TN   Bob Corker 1-202-224-3344

TN   Lamar Alexander 1-202-224-4944

TX   John Cornyn 1-202-224-2934

TX   Kay Bailey Hutchinson 1-202-224-5922

UT   Bob Bennett 1-202-224-5444

VA   Mike Warner 1-202-224-2023

VA   Jim Webb 1-202-224-4024

WV   Carte Goodwin 1-202-224-3954

WI   Herb Kohl 1-202-224-5653

WY   John Barrasso 1-202-224-6441

WY  Mike Enzi 1-202-224-3424

See Full Advocate Interview here http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/11/16/Senator_Udall_Urges_DADT_Passage/

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

@oblogdeeoblogda

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the Democratic Senator from New York, who replaced Hilary Clinton’s in the Senate, has already proved her worth as an accomplished and popular senator and the polls have shown it!   After her first debate with Republican Joe DioGuardi,  the  knock-out blow has rendered the challenger still ‘out for the count,’  with a  New Survey USA Poll showing Gillibrand crushing her opponent by  an 18 Point  Lead – 54 to 36 with likely voters.

Glen Caplin, a Gillibrand spokesperson noted the defeat stating  that DioGuardi ” loves to tell us he’s an accountant, but he hates to be held accountable. In today’s debate, Senator Gillibrand held Joe accountable. In fact, she knew his record better than he did.  Joe played aggressive defense as
he desperately tried to explain why the SEC has called him a crony in a 1.7 billion ponzi scheme.”

During the debate,  Daily Kos Reports, that while Gillibrand sharply defended her record, DioGuardi generally “sounded the teabagger talking points.”

One of the most important issues for the same-sex partner community is that of immigration equality and   Senator  Gillibrand, who currently supports comprehensive immigration reform, has always been a champion for the Uniting American Families Act, a critical piece of LGBT equality legislation which is included in the  comprehensive Immigration Bill recently introduced by Senator Menendez. The senator further supports a path to citizenship, and the DREAM Act.

In contrast DioGuardi said that the government fails to protect borders, that the borders are porous, nothing should be done until looking at the entire picture on immigration, and that immigration visas should be increased to all, including to “Western Europeans who built this country.”  (Yikes unbelievable!)

To my way if thinking getting into the issues and rendering any further comparison is a plain insult to the incumbent Senator – there is simply no comparison on every level, accounting for the 26% support of Republicans currently in Gillibrand’s corner.

Senator Gillibrand remains a best friend to the LGBT community and was named one of LGR’s Heroes  in my past post “Heroes and Zeroes” for 2009.   The Senator supports all LGBT equality legislation currently in the house and Senate and considers the repeal of DADT  “a moral imperative.”

Please view the debate below :-

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
@oblogdeeoblogda

Related articles

• Gillibrand Ad Slams Radical GOP (joemygod.blogspot.com)
• LGBT Advocate Senator Gillibrand Releases First Ad In General Election (lezgetreal.com)

This week  The Jewish Standard withdrew a wedding announcement and issued a statement with a general  refusal to publish wedding or engagement announcements from same-gender couples in the future, after receiving complaints from a few orthodox Rabbis.

The editor, Rebecca Kaplan Boroson (photo to left) said:-

“We set off a firestorm last week by publishing a same-gender couple’s announcement of their intent to marry. Given the tenor of the times, we did not expect the volume of comments we have received, many of them against our decision to run the announcement, but many supportive as well.

A group of rabbis has reached out to us and conveyed the deep sensitivities within the traditional/Orthodox community to this issue. Our subsequent discussions with representatives from that community have made us aware that publication of the announcement caused pain and consternation, and we apologize for any pain we may have caused. The Jewish Standard has always striven to draw the community together, rather than drive its many segments apart. We have decided, therefore, since this is such a divisive issue, not to run such announcements in the future.”

Well little did the Jewish Standard in New Jersey know that the real firestorm would envelop their community and far beyond…

Just about every LGBT BLOG ran the story and it went  viral.  But clearly nothing could have prepared The Jewish Standard for the many harsh comments they received on their own site with members of the community expressing outrage at their decision, asserting the insensitivity of the statement, the ‘Unjewishness’ of the values expressed, the hypocrisy and the lack of solicitude given the amount of gay teen suicides that have been highly publicized in the past month.

Teens commit  suicide because they are bullied and the behavior of the Rabbis in dictating to the Editor of JS is tantamount to bullying. The reprehensible act however is not that of the complaints per se- because we can expect that of them- but rather the thoughtless  acquiescence of the Jewish Standard and their feeble and homophobic response.

Now the Jewish Standard in response to the outrage issued this statement today:-

Today, the NJ Jewish Standard published a note on Facebook, saying:

“We ran the wedding announcement because we felt, as a community newspaper, that it was our job to serve the entire community — something we have been doing for 80 years.We did not expect the heated response we got, and — in truth — we believe now that we may have acted too quickly in issuing the follow-up statement, responding only to one segment of the community. We are now having meetings with local rabbis and community leaders. We will also be printing, in the paper and online, many of the letters that have been pouring in since our statement was published. The issue clearly demands debate and serious consideration, which we will do our best to encourage.”

To my way of thinking this is like adding salt to the wound. Again they have put their foot in it – who the heck cares about a debate. There is no debate to be had.  It is simply not okay to discriminate in this Country and their own readers have spoken out- on their own pages.   What is there to debate?   The Jewish standard is saying this is an issue. Well Jewish Standard you can fix it and make it a non issue. Simply treat everyone the same.  Either provide announcements for or refuse announcements to all. 

What are they going to debate – what is the topic? Is it : “Is it okay to be a Jew and gay?” IS IT:  “Are Jews supposed to tolerate gays?”  is it – “Are Jews supposed to accept gays?”

Of course there are different perspectives. But how does that impact a notice of mazeltov in a newspaper. How does a same-sex couple call- out impact anyone else or any other marriage?  The is NO debate to be had.

Let me remind you of the recent statement by a collection of Orthodox rabbis and educators who assert that as Jews we must accept gays and lesbians fully into our communities.  This is a poignant statement.  Then there are the reform communities who happily marry gays and lesbians and welcome equality in prayer.   Israel – lest me forget is one of the foremost countries in the world when it comes to gay and lesbian rights, including the right to enter into civil marriages.

Bottom line, the Jewish standard must retract their designation regardless of debate.  They have the chutzpah to call leaders for opinions, when the comments of their own community are screaming at them. What? Are they going to take a vote?  For as long as they keep their new policy in tact and for as long as they have yet to apologize to their community – they are complicit in discrimination and the homophobia of the few who complained.

This question is not about the legality of marriage or the Jewish teaching. Its is purely about a couple whom  ever they may be making a n announcement about what presents as a joyful occasion to them and their family and friends.  Judgment is not in the hands of any single earthly being; whether Rabbi or not.  Let Hashem decide.

In the meantime Jewish Standard has taken the side of making its own Judgment by its failure to provide parity to its community.

Readers of the Jewish Standard for as long as they call for debate – they are ignoring your fervent and passionate comments – so many of you who justly and with deep commitment came out for gay and lesbian America and equality – for the right to love and experience joy equally, the JS is ignoring you.

Salt in the wound JS – the outrage continues until you retract unconditionally and provide parity for all Jews in your community with equal access to the publication.

Since when did Jews turn their backs on the oppressed- their own oppressed- because the LGBT community in America are indeed second class citizens?  JS as long as you DEBATE the issue of the announcement you have decided to enter a realm that exceeds one of your religious calling in a state where the LGBT community is trying desperately to fight a right wing branch that would indeed factor religion into civil rights, the civil rights in respect of which gays and  lesabians have been excluded, wither by lack of protective laws or by overt discriminatory laws.

UPDATED 10=10-10

So indeed the JS held a meeting with LEADERS including Rabbis from  different arenas and spectrums of the community.  Again the salt in the wound – transforms to ACID…  How dare they think as journalists and publication that they have role in determining id its Okay to gay or lesbian. Because that truly forms the bottom line of the argument. Jewish Standard has a duty to fully serve its entire community – the very community it has purported to serve for its boaster 70 plus years – in Parity.   If they come back with anything short of an apology to the entire LGBT community, the young men they shamed and discriminated against, using them to further the agenda of a few anti gay Rabbis, then I submit that effectively they are announcing that they ARE an ORTHODOX publication – and BUYER BEWARE on all those advertisements you Provide..

Wh

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
@oblogdeeoblogda

Photos: Melanie’s Wedding – All rights reserved 2008-2010, Melanie Nathan©
Thanks to Rabbi Stacy Friedman from Rodef Sholom, Marin, California.
Photos: Permission to use Photos granted – one time use to fellow Bloggers!

In Support of Acceptance – Statement by Orthodox Rabbis in July 2010   read more…-  http://lezgetreal.com/2010/07/u-s-orthodox-rabbis-urge-community-to-accept-gays-lesbians-bt/

Articles by lezgetreal with similar Content: read more.… http://lezgetreal.com/?s=orthodox+

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A report by    Lauren Boyer on http://www.centredaily.com/2010/07/13/2089897/council-debates-immigration-act.html reports:-

“At Monday night’s meeting, Councilman Tom Daubert questioned the resolution, authored by Councilman Peter Morris, which asserts that the borough “celebrates and respects all immigrant groups and all families.”

“I do not celebrate and respect illegal immigrants,” Daubert said.

Councilwoman Theresa Lafer told Daubert the wording implies respect for all cultures and nationalities.

“I don’t think there’s any particular group you would like to send home,” Lafer told Daubert. “I think there’s hairsplitting there that’s beyond what it meant.”

In other business, the conversation drifted from crossing national borders to cutting through borough alleys.

Council unanimously approved the vacation of Birch Alley between B and C alleys, which abuts the Towers condominium building, developed by former Penn State trustee Mimi Barash Coppersmith.

Coppersmith asked solicitor Terry Williams if the vacation gives the condominium association the right to barricade the alley so commuters don’t use it as a detour from downtown traffic.

“If you go and see it, you’ll see the tire marks and the concrete that’s been impacted,” she said. “We have quietly filled holes in that alley with stones so people who come through don’t create more problems.”

Williams told Coppersmith to consult her attorney.

“Those streets are always bones of contention,” he added. “There are innumerable cases in court about how to deal with them. Small things change the status of rights. That’s why it’s so difficult to answer citizen questions.”

Recognized streets maintained by the borough are “ordained,” said Borough Manager Tom Fountaine.

Birch Alley hasn’t been ordained for 21 years, he added.

After a request was made last year to pave the alley, staff recommended the vacation, which surrenders all responsibility for upkeep including snow removal.

In a 5-2 vote, council rejected another vacation request for North Buckhout Street, which borders the former O.W. Houts property owned by Penn State.

Council members cited need to hold off on vacation, pending the university’s plans for that land.

Daubert worried Penn State might connect North Buckhout Street to West Campus Drive. A borough ordinance already prohibits West Campus Drive’s connection to Sparks and Patterson streets, he said.

“I don’t see why the university is in a big hurry for this,” Daubert said. “If we give the university that land, they can open it up if they so desire and make that a thoroughfare on Buckhout Street.” “

6-23-10 Melanie Nathan

According to John Fisher, co-director of ARC International, an NGO which advocates the protection of gay rights said Tuesday that South Africa reached a new low at the UN Human Rights Council meeting held in Geneva this week.

The UN Human Rights council was discussing a special report on racism. Githu Muigai, of Kenya, which said that “the identity of each individual is made up of a multitude of components, such as gender, age, nationality, profession, sexual orientation, political opinion, religious affiliation and social origin.”

Jerry Matjila, South Africa’s representative at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, said that to protect gays, “demeans the legitimate plight of the victims of racism” and thus blatantly refused to support the United Nations efforts to protect the gay community against discrimination.

Matjila said the World Conference against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in Durban in 2001 had shown that the only victims for inclusion ought only be those  listed in the Durban Declaration and Program of Action (DDPA,)  which after much negotiation at the 2001 summit, had been clearly identified and victims of discrimination on the basis of  sexual orientation were not included. He said: “South Africa disagrees with the inclusion of victims implicitly or explicitly, other than those listed in the DDPA.”

LGR has written many a report this year reflecting the hypocrisy of the Country that boasts a constitution that is all inclusive in its equality and human rights protection, to include sexual orientation.

Despite its constitution LGBT community in South Africa is amongst the worse in the world in terms of lack of tolerance, non acceptance and blatant snubs in the justice system.

South African president Zuma has made ambassadorial appointments and Cabinet selections of outspoken homophobes.  Now as for this disgusting statement to add to the hypocritical list no one has spoken to whether or not there is an  actual obligation to follow the DDPA definition of “victims.”

South Africa Shame on you – you are doing very little Justice to the relinquishment of apartheid, a vow Taken by Madibe Mandela after his release and election in 1990.

Information about the Conference taken from reports in THE STAR and The CAPE NEWS.

Excerpt From South African Bill of Rights:
7.

1. This Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa. It enshrines the rights of all people in our country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom.
2. The state must respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights in the Bill of Rights.
3. The rights in the Bill of Rights are subject to the limitations contained or referred to in section 36, or elsewhere in the Bill.

8. Application

1. The Bill of Rights applies to all law, and binds the legislature, the executive, the judiciary and all organs of state.
2. A provision of the Bill of Rights binds a natural or a juristic person if, and to the extent that, it is applicable, taking into account the nature of the right and the nature of any duty imposed by the right.
3. When applying a provision of the Bill of Rights to a natural or juristic person in terms of subsection (2), a court ­
   1. in order to give effect to a right in the Bill, must apply, or if necessary develop, the common law to the extent that legislation does not give effect to that right; and
   2. may develop rules of the common law to limit the right, provided that the limitation is in accordance with section 36(1).
4. A juristic person is entitled to the rights in the Bill of Rights to the extent required by the nature of the rights and the nature of that juristic person.

9. Equality

1. Everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law.
2. Equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms. To promote the achievement of equality, legislative and other measures designed to protect or advance persons, or categories of persons, disadvantaged by unfair discrimination may be taken.
3. The state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth.
4. ^*1 No person may unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds in terms of subsection (3). National legislation must be enacted to prevent or prohibit unfair discrimination.
5. Discrimination on one or more of the grounds listed in subsection (3) is unfair unless it is established that the discrimination is fair.

10. Human dignity

Everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected.

Melanie Nathan
Nathan@privatecourts.com

• State Department And Secretary Hilary Clinton Celebrate A Year’s Worth Of Helping The LGBT Community Throughout The World (lezgetreal.com)

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion;” What if Congress makes Laws  reflecting the influence of testimony of one particular religion, to the exclusion of all others? Is this tantamount to ” establishing a religion” in an implied or tacit form?

A group of independent unfunded activists, supporting the ideal of a Universal LGBT Civil Rights Movement, with one simple Goal, to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1968, to include sexual orientation and gender identity, has drawn a new line in the sand.

The Gay and Lesbian (LGBTQI) minority is under attack –we are not sitting back any longer. We are going to fight back and with a vengeance.  We are going to defend our civil rights and demand equality by silencing those who seek our destruction.

Those who are attacked have a right to defend themselves. Our weapon for now shall be our pens and our legs and our mouths and our signs and our money and our signatures and our VOTE.

Mission 1:-

Amendment I to the Constitution of the US states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Previously, we’ve argued that the church has no right to be involved in government – using the “separation of church and state” concept.  However, more succinctly, the First Amendment protects all Americans from the US Government “establishing” a religion.

This new line rests its case on the predication that certain religious groups and Congress are teetering on breaching this strict boundary – the one that asserts no establishment of religion by government while respecting religious freedoms.

The NEW LINE is that UNDER THE CONSTITUTION, religious groups SHOULD NOT be permitted to advocate against basic human rights and dignity (s), in any Congressional setting. Religious groups should not have the opportunity to insert their interpretation of morals into legislative process, because if such were permitted it would be tantamount to ‘establishing’ a religion which the First Amendment guarantees cannot occur.

That does not mean that religious groups are not allowed to participate in the public and social debate.   Asserting this boundary cannot extend to teachings from the pulpit, because that right in the same Aedment1, is equally guaranteed, along with the right of free speech and freedom of assembly.

This in no way derogates from public debate. Nor does it derogate from the pulpit; but the pulpit does not belong in a congressional hearing and nor in the halls of Congress.

It’s a matter of mutual civic responsibility that the religious groups desist from interference and a matter of oath of office that Congress cease invitations to select religious groups to testify in committee, especially where such testimony consists of presentations of religious dogma.

If someone wielded a sword in the face of the Catholic Bishop and said “stop your prayer, you cannot preach, you cannot believe” – we would defend their right to religious freedom as vigorously as I am begging for reciprocity and respect.  We ask the Catholic Bishops to resist brandishing their pulpits in the face of Congress -undermining our constitutional rights and protections.

We submit that any invitation to any religious group to testify before Congress in any committee or format, has the impetus of Congress ‘establishing’ a religion, especially if such testimony asserts a religious doctrine that can be interpreted to discriminate against a minority population, and/or that infringes on the human rights and dignity of any one or group of persons in our Country, thereby in effect causing harm.

If the Catholic Bishops have NO locus standi in Congress – then let us ask how we explain this:

On October 8 of 2009, the Senate Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees, and Border Security held a hearing on Comprehensive Immigration Reform:  and testimony was delivered  by Cardinal Theodore McCarrick Archbishop Emeritus of Washington, D.C. entitled “Comprehensive immigration reform: Faith-Based Perspectives October 8, 2009.” After outlining in great detail the hardship and suggestions for Immigration reform, the Cardinal proceeded to testify with this overt exclusion in direct opposition to S. 424, the Uniting American Families Act.

“Mr. Chairman, we are opposed to the inclusion of S. 424, the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), in comprehensive immigration reform legislation.  The legislation would permit same-sex partners to enjoy the same immigration benefits as married couples in our immigration system.  While our tradition and teaching values all persons as children of God, we believe that the enactment of UAFA would erode the institution of marriage and family by according marriage-like immigration benefits to same sex relationships, a position that is contrary to the very nature of marriage, which pre-dates the Church and the state.  We also believe its inclusion into comprehensive immigration reform would add another controversial issue to an already polarized and divisive debate.”

The testimony was fraught with biblical references and Catholic religious Dogma.

This week we launched a petition in our quest to stop the harmful lobbying by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops and National Association of Evangelicals. The petition is in the form of a letter to the USCCB and NAE, a cease and desist request from lobbying against our community.

http://www.change.org/petitions/view/halt_the_harm_-_stop_advocacy_by_usccb_and_nae_causing_harm_to_lgbt_community

The message is clear – leave our civil rights alone.  So the more who sign the petition the more letters the groups will receive, they will hear our voices.

Already over 200 letters have been sent, but we need 5,000 to complete mission 1.

We have targeted the USCCB (US Conference of  Catholic Bishops)  and NAE(National Association of Evangelicals,   because they are launching a newspaper AD blitz this week; they assert their support for Immigration Reform – however as we have noted above – the support is tainted by their direct threat that they will  not support reform, if the Gay Community is included in the legislation.

How despicable; these men of clothe are prepared to hurt their own devotees, 12 million undocumented immigrants who may qualify for amnesty, for the sake of their anti-gay DOGMA;  interfering in a civil rights matter, while defiling the boundaries established by our Constitution.

To add insult to injury, they are flagrantly horse whipping our minority community, based on canon that now seems to condone the carnage of our most purest beings, 100 deaf children and counting…

While their own stable is in shocking disarray; molesters running rampant hurting children en masse (no pun,) how dare they think they have any moral authority at all? Unfettered felons abound their conclaves and they speak of abomination as if it applies to our G-d-given love.

If necessary this will become our battle cry and we will smear the faces in their mess.

So we ask you to sign this Mission 1 Petition.

Soon we will speak more about the audacity of our Congressional legislators, who single out and invite certain religious groups into our Congressional committees, to the exclusion of all others.  Does this permissive practice of accepting testimony from religious groups, denote “establishing” a religion, in defiance of the First Amendment?

There is abundant proof thus far, in the immigration equality debate, that our representatives have allowed the Catholic and Evangelical churches to impact Gay and Lesbian exclusion from recently introduced Bills in Congress. (Rep. Gutierrez’s Immigration reform Bill in the House.)

Our redress must be explored.  We cannot stand back and watch this any longer.

If Congress wants to expedite reform and reduce this merging conflict in the immigration debate– if indeed the Bishops are powerful enough to influence our rights in this insidious fashion, then we call on Congress NOW to do something different.

To introduce an omnibus by merging the Dream Act, and UAFA or attaching these Bills to less controversial legislation– and to immediately seek passage of  legislation that has at its core equality and fairness , rather than on a reform basis.  That will divide the issues engendered by the conflict into manageable components – and will keep the non-equality issues of Amnesty and Biometrics to their own fate, and yes Border control may well form the basis for cooperation from the right in the latter instance.

While all this is going on, the overriding WAR will be waged on those who continue attempts to influence Congress to establish a religion for the USA.  The more hate that amalgamates in this scurrilous back door endeavor, the more our enemies will fall into our hands – as they will exacerbate the necessity for our Amendment to the Civil Rights Act.

Every single person who cares about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgenders, gender identity rights  and equality should sign on to this Petition.

All you need to do is sign the Petition and keep in touch with us on Facebook, via Melanie Nathan – will deliver more missions as we go along.

All Actions taken in Mission – in the name of the merging “LGBTGI Civil Rights Movement”

Start a Petition »

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Melanie Nathan, 3-4-10 Posts: – The need for immigration reform is at a critical level  in the USA; fueled by complicated, outdated, hardhearted laws; not to mention the heavy hand  of enforcement.   I speak English in an almost English accent with a South African twist;  I am white and immigrated to the US, legally; it was one of the worst experiences of my life. The treatment was bad-rude-ill fitting for a nation that purports to value people and family.

I have also been witness to the insidious way Hispanic people and other immigrants are treated by Immigration bureaucrats and it is not pretty. Now albeit cliche′d, this system is indeed broken.  Families are separated, children without mothers and fathers, people get sent back to places they have never lived in and cannot survive,  and of course the list goes on.

This is all known and I am not saying anything new; in fact I have over simplified a problem of tsunami proportion.  My purpose to place the following letter into minimalist context.

In March  3, 2010 a Republican politician wrote this  Letter to the editor in the Washington Post. After reading the letter which I have copied here – close your eyes and guess who wrote it.  Then we can chuckle together. Please tell me its me who is the moron.  I know there is a left brain and right brain, my question is : IS there a third brain that I know nothing about?

The Feb. 21 news story “Republican Party looks to rebuild support among Hispanics” portrayed the courtship of the Hispanic vote as an uphill battle.

But despite the rhetoric of groups that favor amnesty for illegal immigrants, the Hispanic vote cannot be successfully wooed by a “one-hit wonder” version of immigration reform. The Hispanic vote can be won by returning to the values that have drawn more than 38 million immigrants to our shores. Job security, affordable health care and national security are issues that affect every American, regardless of race or ethnicity.

President Bush received 40 percent of the Hispanic vote by focusing not on immigration but on the need to support small businesses, create jobs and preserve familial values. Republicans can secure the Hispanic vote by emphasizing those issues that unite us as a country, issues that extend far beyond immigration.

BY Lamar Smith, Washington, The writer, a Republican, represents Texas’s 21st District in the House of Representatives.
Washington D.C. Office
2409 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
ph: 202-225-4236 fax: 202-225-8628

Now it is my turn Lamar DeVille…..   You say “wooed by a “one-hit wonder” version of immigration reform.” Are you kidding me? Have you ever experienced what it feels like to be separated from a spouse, from your child?  Have you ever had to choose between children?  Those who have will give anything for a one-hit wonder” version of immigration reform.  Republicans  and all who think like this clearly devoid of any and all humanness.

These are your evil people – they will grind their mothers into chopped meatballs for a friggin vote. In this case the irony s that this bloke has successfully argued himself out of any Hispanic votes, lest he forget their loyalty, the fact that many  voted for Bush because he spoke Spanish and now they realize they were fooled – not only did Bush do nothing for the Hispanic community but  he ordered raids that forced people from their homes and out of the arms of their children, into detention centers and onto Buses back to wherever the first cross border stop was.

Lamar you songololo schmendrik – I give the Hispanic community credit for intelligence – never to be swayed by your crotchety old rhetoric and your BS attempt at persuasion.

Then he says - “The Hispanic vote can be won by returning to the values that have drawn more than 38 million immigrants to our shores.” Yes and like me Mr Moron they had to fight like hell to remain in this country.  What the heck are you talking about. You want the existing 12 million out of here and then you want to create jobs so you can draw others back?

Giving Amnesty will entrench family values – Giving amnesty will encourage entrepreneurship amongst the minority immigrant communities, where money will be spent and economy can grow.  I know there are studies to prove this- however it does not take a genius to figure it out.

“President Bush received 40 percent of the Hispanic vote by focusing not on immigration but on the need to support small businesses, create jobs and preserve familial values.”

Yes he did – seemed like a nice guy – he spoke Spanish and he smiled nicely. Little did they know that racist and war criminal Cheney would run the show instead.  Do you think they would be foolish to come to the polls for more of that?

Let me ask one more question – of Lamar – why is focusing on immigration and the need to support small business etc mutually exclusive; one does not preclude the other?

In light of the recent Power point presentation uncovering the dubious tactics of Republican strategists – I can truly see the underlying working papers that serve to create such ploys, but in your surreptitious charade you truly fail to see who the Hispanic people are.  They are family values, the do work hard, they have hearts that pump blood, they are mothers, dads and kids, teachers, they boost the economy,  they buy homes, they are our workforce, the pray in church, they get scholarships to good schools, they are judges and doctors.   They deserve better laws than we have – they deserve America’s appreciation for who they are and for what they do.  Yes they do…. we should do all we can to keep good people here.

If the laws were effective, we would not have undocumented people in this country. The law is counter productive to the need.  Supply and demand Lamar. The demand is indeed there for Hispanic immigrants and for all immigrants, so stop using your sleazy tactics – BS – ALL you are saying is – “DO NOT VOTE FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM” fellow Republicans… we can do other things instead?   Lets do what Bush did- keep them all illegal but nurture small business instead – then the actual Hispanic citizens will vote for us, especially while they watch you arrest and deport their neighbors, whom you could have kept here.

We will get the votes – after all its all about the votes – it is merely about the votes… lets do this and we will get their votes…  !

USA Today features dueling views on immigration solutions - June 29, 2009 – Posted by Katherine Vargas  – The current economic recession not as a roadblock to reform but as an opportunity to fix our current immigration system:

” …the recession has been teaching some useful lessons about how to ease the [immigration] crisis. Even before rising unemployment began to affect Americans, Mexicans were reacting to the changing jobs climate. Data just out from the Mexican government show 226,000 fewer people emigrated from Mexico in the year ended August 2008 than during the prior year. That’s a 25% drop.

…the recession is delivering another message: Enforcement alone won’t resolve the problem. If fewer illegal immigrants are coming, there’s no evidence yet that those already here are leaving. In 2008, there were still about 12 million illegal residents in the USA, only slightly down from 2007, according to the Pew Hispanic Center, a Washington think tank.

Presumably, they sense that tough times here mean tougher times where they came from, and Pew notes that many have families here, including children who are citizens. Which means the nation should provide a way for the most qualified to become legal, productive, taxpaying citizens.

—Recession freezes immigration debate but points to answers, June 29, 2009

This piece mirrors what we have often said: On immigration, it’s the economy, stupid. Undocumented immigration responds more to economic pull factors —like the ability to find a job to feed your family — than the politics of immigration enforcement tactics. If we want to move forward on immigration, we need less politicking and more problem-solving.

Unfortunately, not everyone got the memo. Although quietly acknowledging that mass deportation of 12 million undocumented immigrants is derisible —not to mention a logistical and resource nightmare— there are some who argue that “attrition through enforcement” could be a viable alternative to broad reform of our immigration system.

Enter Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX). In his opinion piece, he makes numerous false claims on reform, including how legalization would bankrupt the Social Security system, despite economic reports that document the increasingly important role that immigrants can play in overcoming the demographic crisis and shoring up not only Social Security and Medicare, but the U.S. tax base and the U.S. workforce as well. He also writes:

Granting amnesty would increase illegal immigration…   To achieve immigration reform, the choices are not just amnesty or mass deportation. A strategy of “attrition through enforcement” would dramatically reduce the number of illegal immigrants over time. If the federal government enforced our immigration laws, especially those that target the employment of illegal workers, many illegal immigrants would simply return home because they can’t get jobs. Others would never come to the USA in the first place because they would not be hired

—Opposing view: Amnesty makes no sense, June 29, 2009

Wrong. The enforcement only approach toward solving our nation’s immigration problems is unrealistic and ineffective. Despite of the last administration’s beefed up enforcement tactics, there was only a small decrease in the undocumented population. Unless restriction-ists think that “attrition through economic recession” is the next big proposal, we need to come up with real practical solutions.

Immigration reform would help curtail illegal immigration. It would transform a disorderly immigration system that fosters illegality into a controlled and functioning legal immigration system that accurately responds to the economic and labor needs of our country. It would secure our borders by targeting enforcement resources to fighting crime, drugs and violence; it would restore fairness to our labor markets and it will uphold workers rights and values and traditions that unite all Americans.”

Melanie Nathan

By Melanie Nathan.
nathan@privatecourts.com
www.oblogdeeoblogda.com
www.privatecourts.com

Congressman Lamar Smith’s Biography (nice guy?)

A senior Member of the Texas Congressional Delegation, Congressman Lamar Smith has left his imprint on public policy through a variety of leadership positions and by advancing dozens of pieces of legislation.
Congressman Smith has been named one of the 100 most influential people in Washington by the National Journal and one of the nation’s top “influencers *and innovators” by Fast Company Magazine, which serves the technology industry.
In the last Congress, Congressman Smith was selected by his House colleagues as the Ranking Republican Member of the Judiciary Committee. As the top Republican, he helps shape committee policy on crime, immigration, intellectual property, and constitutional issues. Congressman Smith also serves on both the Homeland Security Committee, which considers legislation involving the war on terror, and the Science and Technology Committee, which has jurisdiction over renewable energy policies, environmental research, and America’s space program.  Representative Smith is a member of the House Republican Steering Committee, which appoints members and chairmen of committees.  He is a former Chairman of the Ethics Committee and a former member of the Budget Committee.
A fifth-generation Texan, Congressman Smith graduated from Yale University and Southern Methodist University School of Law. He and his wife, Beth, have an adult daughter and son.  The 21st Congressional District includes portions of Bexar and Travis Counties and all of Comal, Real, Kerr, Bandera, Kendall and Blanco Counties. More than 650,000 people live in the District.   Congressman Smith received the third highest number of votes in any contested congressional race in the last election. * not a real word.   Quoting from Lamar’s website.

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Mike Bickle, Preacher, Hater, Cult Leader, Scammer

 By Melanie Nathan, San Francisco, February 6, 2010 – The video below is from the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, MO. It shows a young man named Jacob sharing his story of being set free from addictions to cocaine and heroine, as well as same-sex attractions.

When my dear friend Evan Hurst of  TWO (Truth Wins Out) uncovered this perplexing tribute to “Hate Who G-d Made You” he suggested we post it on our site too and I am grateful to Ev for the exposure.  I encourage our readers to go to TWO site to read the comments. Hopefully you will comment here too. This people must be exposed for the harm. 

Evan Hurst of TWO: “ Behold the power of  Fundamentalist Christian  delusion: – Jacob, I don’t know who you are, but these people are predators. Your sexuality is part of you, and it has nothing to do with your drug addictions. And you don’t beat addiction to drugs by exchanging it for a dependency on profit-based faux-spiritual experiences proffered by people who use your life as a way to get rich.

I could not have said better myself. Once you read and comment here and on Ev’s site, please join the WAR and visit the criminal abuserers directly at:-http://voiceofrevolution.askdrbrown.org/2010/02/06/responding-to-the-critics-ihop-testimony-on-deliverance-from-same-sex-attraction/  We are not victims of these sick and depraved bigot who clothe themselves in hate and greed.

The gay website Ex-Gay Watch declared the following in their post on the video:

“As a former charismatic, the type of religious experience shown in this video is very familiar to me. In this kind of heady, charged atmosphere, it is very easy to suppress one’s “sin” issues and live on a “victorious” spiritual plane – that is until the trappings of revivalist, Pentecostal worship aren’t there or just don’t work any more, and the subject is brought down to earth with a bump.

In this video from IHOP (International House of Prayer, not to be confused with the restaurant chain International House of Pancakes), a young man claims to have been delivered from homosexual attractions he has experienced since childhood. The odd behaviour and spasmodic movements (as well as the wailing, sobbing, shouting and laughter from the congregation) have been especially common in Pentecostal and charismatic churches since the mid-1990s, and are usually attributed directly to the Holy Spirit.”

 As The Kingdom of God on February 6th, 2010  Marcus French  tries to defend the crazy guy with these remarks….

“ Does this sound like someone getting rich of this young man? The idea is laughable! And I have personal knowledge that Mr. Bickle lives the same kind of lifestyle today, even with the ministry growing exponentially since 2001 (I wonder if Wayne Besen, head of Truth Wins Out, draws this kind of salary?). This same example could be multiplied throughout the IHOP leadership team, and well into most of the charismatic movement today (again, with a few exceptions). Rather than IHOP using this young man, they’ve simply set up an environment where people like him can come and experience the power of the living God through the gospel of Jesus Christ 24 hours a day (they have facilities open to the public around the clock with people praying continuously for America and the world). I pray that this young man builds on this experience in prayer and devotion to Jesus, yielding a life that is full of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”               

 WE UNCOVER  ……  the truth…………. is simply not so Mr. French your words mean nought  -   report on the indiscretions of Mike Bickle of IHOP.  See Part 1 here. Joanne Panettieri Editor, Kingdom Iconoclast …………. amongst many more such exposures…..   Mr. Bickle you are a Phony and we know it – stop abusing our kids NOW.  You are causing pain to those who would rather be left to live who they are. Further yet it is because of people like you and your inability to accept that G-d has chosen us to be who we are, that cause 100% of the suffering that youn gays and lesbians ought not to be going through.    

Bickle and IHOP – A CULT and look what they are doing to our kids….

 By Melanie Nathan, San Francisco, February 6, 2010
nathan@privatecourts.com
www.privatecourts.com
www.divorcemediators.us
www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com

As a community, are we our own worst enemies?   Have we fallen prey to the slightness that has befallen our existence? I believe so; we have bought into our invalidity.  While our politicians assume back doors to our equality expedient and our advocacy organizations tread their furtive tightrope, we exacerbate our self administered nullity.

If the color of my skin were GAY, would I be asking to sit on a bench with “color straight” or would I be asking for full inclusion in “WE THE PEOPLE;” – friends WE ARE THE PEOPLE. Now is the time to let go of the shades and stand up for the Pride. Until such time as we stand up and say who we are and that we want it all NOW – we have nothing. Nothing! Nothing!

With that thought I present this example and in this instance it is based entirely on my own opinion, with an element of source information gnawing at my senses. 

Just this week I broke the news that Senator Schumer plans to exclude UAFA and hence same-sex spouses from inclusion in his about to be introduced Comprehensive immigration Reform Bill. (CIR)  It is obvious, given the Senators support of UAFA that he in fact does believe that same-sex spouses ought to have equal rights under the immigration laws. So why is he doing this?

Well there are only two logical reasons and perhaps a combination of both:  1. If I did not believe that Senator Schumer had LGBT interest at heart (and actually I do believe that does have our interest at heart) then I would say he is simply pandering to the Catholic Church’s threat to pull all support for the CIR Bill if the Senator includes gays and lesbians, especially given his record low ratings at this time; or 2. The good Senator has a plan and that is to introduce the Bill in a manner that pleases the masses of faith based ,  Latina immigrant communities and conservatives in the Senate to a point where he gets a sixty plus support,  and then ‘voooop’  under the radar,  plugs us in  at the committee stage of the Bill. 

This is indeed the perfect example of what we are allowing to happen. We are marginalized and ‘may’ be slipped in somewhere.   What will we do about it?  All the while we have binationals suffering dire hardship. Some are in exile, some are in hiding, some are away from their beloved spouses and/or families and others are being detained.  The airports are turning gays and lesbians away – those with visitor and other visas are being profiled at the airport and sent home, notwithstanding the validity of their visas.   New equal rights legislation, such as SB 54, in California is finding its hiccups in the gigantic anomaly created by the conflict between State and Federal law.

Now we must take responsibility for our part in this debacle of an existence; where we cannot marry here, but we can marry there; where we are married, but it means nothing where we live; where we cannot mention the name of our spouse when suffering an enemy bullet; where we must exile from our country to be with our foreign born partners, and where an employer can fire us for merely existing.   

It is now time to rise from the comfort of beneath radar strategies– and bring this all down to one simple cohesive position.   We can only be saved by extreme visibility and demanding the maximum, an Omnibus Bill – that imparts America grants full equality to and the LGBT community realizes its position as a minority with equal protection to sexual orientation under the Civil Rights Laws of the USA. Otherwise we will be rattling around at the discretion of a bunch of old buzzards until my four year old daughter, is President of the United States.

Instead of hiding behind piecemeal ‘tidily -bits’ and pats on the back – “yeah one more sponsor for UAFA!” or “ Whoopee  DADT got a hearing”  or “Don’t worry about Schumer’s exclusion -UAFA will be included in Committee..” or  Rep. Barney Frank’s “We must get DADT and ENDA, before I agree to Jerold Nadler’s repeal of DOMA legislation.”  This is crazy – it is all crazy. 

So are we not tired already of being THE political pawn; THE one who has to suffer someone else’s perspective wrapped in expedience? Any way you look at it – it is an impossible battle in the Washington D.C. of today.  We ARE THE PEOPLE- with an obstructionist Congress – a Democratic President –who cares about us- has breakfast with a bunch or crazies and zealots inciting gay hate in the most vulnerable places of this Earth and all the while we are expected to remain in our seats with our safety belts harnessed.

This is the vortex now is the time for a dramatic change – the change must be a fight for nothing short of full equality.  We, THE PEOPLE, must rise now and demand that our color be noticed; and included.  We are a minority and are no longer willing to fly to nowhere on the wings of nothing under the radar of prejudice. 

No civil rights have ever been attained without a comprehensive core theme, without anger, without a revolution.  Do you think apartheid would have ended in South Africa or Segregation in the USA if the oppressed had asked for one bench at a time?  How long should we sit around waiting for the perfect D.C. or some bright spark in a group to make a mark!   A few making decisions for millions of us – based on a little bit first and then maybe more later – what did that ever accomplish?  “We have made in -roads?” – Yes we have and so let us seize those outlets now instead of spending another 10 years making more in-roads. 

Are you willing to settle for what is politically expedient in the estimation of members of Congress?  Why are we being led by Congress and not by our own community?  Who are our leaders, may I ask reader who do you perceive to be your leader?  This is not to slight any of the advocacy groups or their amazing work, and without them we would be nowhere at all,  but rather to draw attention to the fact that we have indeed dived way too deep into the one piece at a time modality, by leaving it up to the groups who each subscribe to particular separate issues.

To add insult to injury, our Congress issues a resolution condemning Uganda’s Kill Gay Bill– I challenge congress with a simple question– what gives you a mouth to other nations when you barely give credence to your own gay citizenry?  Today President Obama mentioned at the Prayer Breakfast that the way Gays are treated in Uganda is unacceptable, but Sir I ask humbly, “what do you expect?” We came out of the most hateful and unlawful regime in terms of government and unless we show up for LGBT community in an all encompassing way, we will never get out from under the cloud we share with Uganda.

To lead the world on matters pertaining to human rights and basic civil rights, you have no legitimate voice until you clean your own house…. That means full equality for your own homosexual, gay, lesbian, LGBTQI community – an Omnibus Bill – “wow why didn’t I think of that,” said the chicken to the hen, an amendment to the Civil Rights Act to include sexual orientation.  Just imagine – we would not need ENDA, UAFA, repeal of DADT and DOMA will float away by virtue of its vulnerability.

 Not only have we all failed miserably to affect full inclusion, but this Country has created a milieu where American bred hatred is inciting universal abhorrence, with a professed “license to kill,” homosexuals.

When the USA Congress and laws validate the rights of Gays in America with full equality, your resolutions and reprimands will carry weight in the World.   Until such time our Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike, are actively participating in the discrimination and prejudice of our minority here in the USA thereby endorsing the relegation of Gays worldwide to ‘persona non grata.’  

Secretary of State Hilary Clinton asked Uganda to pull the Hate Kill Gay Bill.  Unfortunately the Secretary lacks credibility when Uganda can point the finger right back at the USA, asserting American influence. Scott Lively had the impertinence, fuelled by endorsements and support of Liberty Council, the Family et al, and empowered by an atmosphere here in the USA, conducive to their indiscretions, to incite and directly influence one of the worst legislative actions in modern history.

This brings me back to Now and us and our reason for being in this position. It is all a clear indication that nothing but all is acceptable.  This Congress  and this President must end the folly and the political ploys and the only way that is going to happen from our end of the responsibility is to change our thinking, take responsibility and all get involved as a movement that only stonewall knew.  We want an Omnibus Bill and we want it now.  Unless we try we will never know that we could not do it!  Much of my advocacy success has been because I have never been afraid to fail and if I am told “no” then I find another way until I can and yes I believe we can accomplish full equality, but only through an all round Bill that gives us absolute equality.

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By Melanie Nathan, Private Courts, Inc.  Conflict resolution, Strategy Consultant,  Human Rights and Personal  Advocacy
www.privatecourts.com; www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com; Follow me on Twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

Posted by Melanie Nathan –  Birther Brigade vs. Progressive Protesters - 

The self-righteous Birther Brigade is determined to spew hate, citing freedom of speech, feigning victimhood and asking YOU America to joint their ’cause.’  It is astonishing –  a man places this billboard with cartoon effigiesand traitorous accusations, on his business car dealership lot,  and calls for help for a ‘cause’ that is referring to our President in most hateful terms.   Then he has the audacity to complain about ‘hate’ directed at him. Of course we hate you Wolf – you put the Billboard up dammit!  Take the friggin thing down and maybe we will stop thinking you ARE a White supremacist. Take it down and maybe we will stp calling you hatemonger. Its very simple. Take it down Mr. Wolf and stop asking for answers that have already been given.

 Did he forget that he erected (note below his choice of word) the board?  What is his real cause; acknowledgment for the erection?

Here is what The Wolf has posted on his website:- where he proudly displays his ( ahem if you please…hate-free) Billboard 

“We here at Wolf’s Interstate have been called racists, bigots, hate-mongers, hillbillies, rednecks, and white supremacists among other things in the last few weeks because of our BILLBOARD that we erected on our dealership’s property last month.  Nothing could be further from the truth but some people won’t let it go and insist that since they feel they’re right and we’re in the wrong our opinions and right to free speech shouldn’t count.

Our billboard still stands asking one simple question and until it’s answered I don’t think it’s going anywhere so if you’d like to support the cause and show these people that they’re not the only vocal citizens, come on down to Wolf this Saturday the 12th of December for some free coffee and good conversation with people who are concerned about what is happening to this great country.  The protesters have organized to be here from 10am to 1pm standing on the corner but we’ll be here from 9am until 7pm and you’re welcome to come down whenever works best for you and meet the staff here at Wolf and tell us what you think.  Bring a sign or don’t, but be sure to bring a smile and show these protesters that you can voice your opinion without using the profanity and the name calling that they’re shoving on us.  Us “hate-mongers”? Sounds like the pot calling the kettle …”   http://www.wolfinterstateleasingandsales.com/2009/12/10/protest-this/

Okay Progressive Ladies you keep going and keep us posted……  hopefully more will join you tomorrow as you keep our guard -  Oh and while Wolf is serving up that free coffee to the degenrates that walk his lot – be sure to keep those free and meaningful hugs plentiful!

Call Wolf and tell him its enough -on 720 898 9019.

Blogger:
Melanie Nathan -
nathan@privatecourts.com

Photos: Provided by Pat Dunn.

Posted by Melanie Nathan
LGBT  CIVIL RIGHTS AROUND the WORLD
US does not make the list….
Seems to me the Vatican Stands more chance of passing pro LGBT Legislation than the US

Belgium – 1/30/03: becomes the second nation in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. At least one of the spouses must has lived in the country for a minimum of three months.

Croatia – Civil partnerships for same-sex couples have been granted in Croatia since 2003. Same-sex partners must have shared a residence for at least three years. Civil unions in Croatia include some, but not all of the rights and benefits of marriage.  Croatia also prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Ireland – 6/26/09: Ireland expands rights for gay and lesbian couples by legalizing same-sex civil partnerships. The new law in the heavily Catholic country grants some, but not all, of the rights of civil marriage.

Luxembourg -Civil partnership legislation modeled after France’s PACS in 2004, with less right than full marriage. Same-sex couple adoption is still prohibited.

Netherlands – 4/1/01: The Netherlands becomes the first nation to legalize same-sex marriage. 1/1/98: Registered partnerships were introduced into law in the Netherlands. 1/1/09: Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Norway, making the country the sixth in the world to legalize gay marriage.

Norway 8/1/93: Civil unions are recognized in. Homosexuality was outlawed in Norway up until 1973./15/01: Civil union were extended to same-sex couples. Couples must have been living together for two years. No registration is required. 10/10/08: A same-sex marriage bill introduced into Parliament failed by a vote of 202 to 28.   

 Spain 7/3/05: legalizes same-sex marriage, becoming the third nation behind the Netherlands and Belgium to grant gay marriage.

Sweden 4/1/09: A parliamentary vote of 261 in favor and 22 opposed eliminated the legal distinction between gay/lesbian and straight couples by making marriage laws gender neutral. Sweden became the seventh country to legalize same-sex marriage. Registered partnerships were introduced into law in Sweden in 1995./5/05: Registered partnership laws grant same-sex couples the same rights of marriage shy of fertility treatments, adoption and surname rights.

 United Kingdom -12/5/05: Domestic partners were allowed to register under the Civil Partnership Act. The legislation took effect, giving registered same-sex couples all of the rights, privileges and responsibilities of married heterosexual couples. The Civil Partnership Act applies across all of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

New Zealand 12/9/04: Same-sex civil unions were introduced into law. Civil union rights include immigration, social welfare and property rights, among other benefits. However, unmarried couples cannot adopt children.

South Africa 11/30/06: became the fifth country, and the first in Africa, to legalize same-sex marriage.

Denmark   6/7/89: The world’s first country to grant same-sex civil partnerships. These civil unions carry ; most, but not all, of the same rights and benefits of marriage. 3/17/09: Legislation was introduced to legalize same-sex adoption.

Finland has offered registered partnership benefits since September 2001. Partners, however, cannot take on surnames or adopt. |

France 11/9/99: Pacte Civil de Solidarité” (PACS) or “Civil Solidarity Pacts” was enacted for both same-sex and heterosexual couples. PACS are registered contracts between couples. PACS individuals are still considered single for some governmental purposes, but are afforded some rights and benefits of marriage.

German same-sex couples are allowed to register as life partners under the Life Partnership Act. Registered couples do not receive the full benefits of marriage. 10/12/04: Rights to registered partners were expanded to include second parent adoption and simpler alimony and divorce rules. Tax benefits were not included in the expansion.

Hungary – 1996: Both same-sex and heterosexual couples in an economic and sexual relationship are granted medical, funeral, pension and immigration rights. Couples were not required to register with the state.  12/15/08: The Hungarian Constitutional Court rejects a registered partnership bill approved by Parliament on December 17, 2007 for reasons that it duplicated marriage laws for opposite sex couples. New legislation specifically for same-sex couples was ordered.  2/12/09: Parliament approves a new registered partnership bill, giving same-sex couples all of the rights of marriage with the exception of adoption and surname rights. The law took effect on July 1, 2009.

Iceland -  Gay and lesbian Icelanders have been protected under registered partnerships since 1996, granted the full rights of marriage. 6/27/06: Same-sex couples are granted adoption rights.  2/1/09: Iceland elects, Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir, the first openly LGBT head of government.

The Stupak Amendment is discriminatory, extreme, and just plain wrong. At Lez Get Real we have been reporting and commenting on the Stupak Amendment, and we are not letting up – why? Because it will take away health insurance coverage that women already have. This would be a huge step back for women’s health. Now this together with the suggestion by Government Task Force regarding Breast Cancer screening at age 50 as the new recommendation is simply unacceptable and worthy of a revolution for our health!!! The mere fact that they can think this up is disturbing to me….

We support Senator Barbara Boxer’s (D-CA) launch of a petition because women must not be denied access to safe and legal medical procedures. If you want to join : click here -Senator Boxer wrote her supporters and saying: “For decades, a very difficult and delicate compromise has held firm: Women can use their own private funds for legal reproductive health care procedures, but federal funds cannot be used for abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or to protect the life of the mother. But in a stunning turn of events, anti-choice House members passed the Stupak Amendment as part of the health care reform bill and shattered that compromise. The House amendment would tell women who participate in the new health insurance exchange that they can’t even use their own funds to buy a policy that includes abortion coverage. We need to be sure that all our voices are heard clearly on this issue.”
Boxer asks: “How can we tell women that they will lose coverage that they already have? How can we tell women that they can’t buy insurance coverage for a legal health care procedure, even if it’s paid for with their own money?”

 SIGN THE PETITION and then visit our site in the next few days for my personal story on how Breast Cancer Screening in my forties saved my life…   

Blogged by: Melanie Nathan, nathan@privatecourts.com : Picture – Credit to Artist Benny Ovid, Tel Aviv, Israel – Thanks to  Dorit Israel, from her Personal Art Collection.

There’s a controversial documentary about closeted politicians, slated to hit some big cities soon.

Outrage is a film that’s said to out closeted politicians who have anti-gay voting records. More about the film and some words from the director may be found at Advocate.com.

We have the right to freedom of speech. Which means we are entitled to say what we please.

But is it right? Is it right to disrupts someones whole way of living because they were hypocritical or becauase their methods are disagreeable? For those who have had to come out to family and friends, could you imagine someone outing you prematurely? Imagine the outing be backed up by video and photo evidence. Maybe its a question of ethics, though we havent been treating right, do we help the situation by turning someone’s life into something thats damn near preverse?

Let’s face it: outing someone is saying you believe what they do is wrong, and you think everyone should know how wrong the person is for doing it.

It has a lot to do with the intentions of the accuser. Are you outing someone for being gay, or being a hypocrite? Since gay is the newest way to insult someone, is that the intention? Being gay can ruin someone’s career especially that of a political nature.  So do you feel that outing someone makes it better for anyone involved?

I believe that we are all responsible for our own actions, however horrid or uplifting.

If some side-straddling politician likes to get his groove on in some seedy gay club on the weekends, that’s his business. If the same politician votes no on same sex marriage, isnt it up to him to look himself in the mirror at night? If you agree in outing someone, how does that help? The politician is going to be so busy spinning the story he may be doing his job even less than before. Or maybe the hopes are that the politician would put his foot in his mouth and change his vote around?

Answer this for me: Is there any good in outing the bad?

You can experience the SPAZ TALK RADIO Lesbian Podcast at spaztalkradio.podomatic.com or on MySpace at myspace.com/spaztalkradio.

Writer Jacob Appel has approached a topic on the Detroit Free Press addressing the issue of reparations for gay Americans.

This is a hot button issue with the first comments to his post sarcastically suggesting reparations for the writers lack of education, and standard issue name calling.

The article brought forth some very interesting points to ponder:

…is not so clear to me is whether homosexuals will be adequately compensated for their mistreatment. So while I recognize that other battles remain, I think the time has arrived to place economic reparations for gay and lesbian Americans on the political agenda.

Placing a price tag on this hardship will be no easy feat. That is no excuse for not attempting to do so.

The only danger in such a proposal is the possibility that a minority of unscrupulous straight people might claim homosexuality in an effort to defraud taxpayers.

Of course, even I recognize that these payments should not last forever. When there are no gays and lesbians remaining who have known the insult of second-class citizenship, that will be the appropriate time to stop the checks.

At first read, this is a very touchy subject and might elicit a strong reaction.

There were some very valid points made in this article for Gay Reparations, and here are some of the insights this writer shared that made me really think about the possibility of reparations for gay Americans:

I have no doubt that “don’t ask, don’t tell” and same-sex adoption bans will be as unspeakable and inexplicable to my grandchildren as counting a slave as three-fifths of a human being.

While the financial losses suffered by gay and lesbian Americans as a result of state-sanctioned discrimination may prove challenging to quantify, they are real.

For couples separated by deportation orders–because only marriage conveys citizenship and federal law does not permit gays to marry–all the funds in the national treasury could not make full amends.

Paying gays and lesbians a sum even far less than their economic losses might help atone for the dreams destroyed by criminal sodomy convictions and the suffering endured by those who lived in the shadows to stay clear of the penal code.

I personally don’t agree with seeking reparations for gay Americans.

Perhaps for those in South Africa, Iraq, Brazil, and other countries where LGBTs are being raped and killed as we speak. I think that change in government policy and cultural attitudes is the place to start.

What do you think about gay reparations?

One year after New Hampshire legislators granted Civil Unions to the state’s gay and lesbian population, lawmakers will meeting again in the State Capitol to debate dueling bills concerning Gay Rights.

There are a total of four bills impacting same-sex rights in New Hampshire up for debate this week…

One would upgrade New Hampshire’s civil union law to full marriage…

Two regard not recognizing same-sex marriages and civil unions performed outside the state and seek to define marriage as only between a man and a woman, one at present would not only define marriage as being between a man and woman, but strip the state of civil unions as well….

The final one would extend the non-discrimination laws to transpeople.

The author of one bill, Openly Gay Democrat Representative Jim Splaine, sees the issue as one of fairness and said…

There’s a strong commitment on the part of many who want to see us march toward full equality.”

However, an opposing bill introduced by Republican Representative who wants to define marriage as being only between a man and a woman, contains language that also would strip the state of civil unions as well.

However, Pepino says that his bill’s anti-civil unions language was accidentally placed in there by his staff and that he intends to ask the House Judiciary Committee to remove the language stripping the state of civil unions before it proceeds.

Currently, the law in New Hampshire recognizes same-sex marriages performed in other states and the bill sponsored by Republican Representative David Hess seeks to ban recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other states largely to prevent the spread of same-sex marriages to New Hampshire.

Kevin Smith, the incoming director of Cornerstone Policy Research in New Hampshire has said he intends to do everything he can in order to prevent New Hampshire from joining the small list of states that recognize same-sex marriage.

We really think this comes down to what’s in the best interest of a child’s welfare.”

Never minding that various studies have proven that preventing same-sex marriage or full equality have a detrimental effect on children of same-sex couples, Smith’s New Hampshire group has partnered with Focus on the Family and the American Family Association in order to fund ads on New Hampshire television and radio attacking same-sex marriage recognition, a problematic move given that many in the fiercely independent North East find those groups to be rather unsettling and have never liked having outside people poking their noses into state business. A representative of Smith’s group is planning on testifying at the hearing for HB 436-FN-L, the one that would extend marriage to all people any way.

Openly gay Episcopalian Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire has said will be attending the hearing for Spliane’s bill which will extend marriage rights to same-sex couples. The Human Rights Campaigns associate director of diversity, Allyson Robinson, is also expected to testify.

Splaine looking for support of his bill, posted on his site…

If you cannot attend, please consider sending E-Mails, calling, or mailing letters to members of the House Judiciary Committee, or your local New Hampshire State Representatives or Senators.

The list of House members and Judiciary Committee members appears on the ‘nh.gov’ WEBSITE. (On the right hand side of the WEBSITE, click on ‘Legislative,’ then click on ‘House.’ Then click on ‘House Committees,’ then ‘Standing Committees,’ then ‘Judiciary.’ You’ll find all the names of the Committee members, and contact information.)”

Many LGR readers cannot vote in New Hampshire and will have no influence on this; however, our New Hampshire readers may want to get involved in this debate.

The schedule for the debate on these specific bills is as follows:

Thursday February 5th, 10:00 AM – HB 147, prohibiting the recognition as civil unions of marriages between persons of the same sex contracted outside of New Hampshire. Sponsored by Reps. David Hess, Mike Kappler.

Thursday February 5th, 11:00 AM – HB 453, establishing that marriage between one man and one woman shall be the only legal domestic union that shall be valid or recognized in this state. Sponsored by Reps. Leo Pepino, Gary Daniels, John Flanders; Sens. Jack Barnes, Sheila Roberge.

Thursday February 5th, 1:00 PM – HB 436-FN-L, relative to civil marriage and civil unions. (Providing full marriage equality.) Sponsored by Reps. Barbara Richardson, Ed Butler, Paul McEachern, Jim Splaine.

Thursday February 5th, 2:00 PM – HB 415, adding certain terms regarding non-discrimination to the laws. (Adding “gender identity or expression” to our non-discrimination laws.) Sponsored by Reps. Ed Butler, Barbara Richardson; Sen. Martha Fuller Clark.

Sei is a trans-lesbian who lives in Vermont and has a strong passion for LGBTI rights. She has a BA in History and her hobbies include sci-fi, anime, fantasy, action movies, video games, and more. You can visit her Blogger profile here.

Since January 2008, New Hampshire has had more than six hundred and twenty civil unions.

WCAX Burlington has done a lot of work in recent years on behalf of the LGBTI community even doing a full three part series on transgenderism.

Essentially, the news clip states what has already been stated on this blog. Same-sex marriage faces an uphill battle. Governor Douglas is against the notion, and the current budget battles may sideline the issue for another year. However, it should be noted that the legislature will be reviewing its own investigation into the issue, and will be considering business other than the budget.

Sei is a trans-lesbian who lives in Vermont and has a strong passion for LGBTI rights. She has a BA in History and her hobbies include sci-fi, anime, fantasy, action movies, video games, and more. You can visit her Blogger profile here.

Here comes sister, Candace Gingrich.

She wrote an open letter to her brother on The Huffington Post:

Dear Newt,

I recently had the displeasure of watching you bash the protestors of the Prop 8 marriage ban to Bill O’Reilly on FOX News. I must say, after years of watching you build your career by stirring up the fears and prejudices of the far right, I feel compelled to use the words of your idol, Ronald Reagan, “There you go, again.”

However, I realize that you may have been a little preoccupied lately with planning your resurrection as the savior of your party, so I thought I would fill you in on a few important developments you might have overlooked.

The truth is that you’re living in a world that no longer exists. I, along with millions of Americans, clearly see the world the way it as — and we embrace what it can be. You, on the other hand, seem incapable of looking for new ideas or moving beyond what worked in the past.

Welcome to the 21st century, big bro. I can understand why you’re so afraid of the energy that has been unleashed after gay and lesbian couples had their rights stripped away from them by a hateful campaign. I can see why you’re sounding the alarm against the activists who use all the latest tech tools to build these rallies from the ground up in cities across the country.

This unstoppable progress has at its core a group we at HRC call Generation Equality. They are the most supportive of full LGBT equality than any American generation ever — and when it comes to the politics of division, well, they don’t roll that way. 18-24 year olds voted overwhelmingly against Prop 8 and overwhelmingly for Barack Obama. And the numbers of young progressive voters will only continue to grow. According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning, about 23 million 18-29 year olds voted on Nov. 4, 2008 — the most young voters ever to cast a ballot in a presidential election. That’s an increase of 3 million more voters compared to 2004.

These are the same people who helped elect Barack Obama and sent a decisive message to your party. These young people are the future and their energy will continue to drive our country forward. Even older Americans are turning their backs on the politics of fear and demagoguery that you and your cronies have perfected over the years.

This is a movement of the people that you most fear. It’s a movement of progress — and your words on FOX News only show how truly desperate you are to maintain control of a world that is changing before your very eyes.

Then again, we’ve seen these tactics before. We know how much the right likes to play political and cultural hardball, and then turn around and accuse us of lashing out first. You give a pass to a religious group — one that looks down upon minorities and women — when they use their money and membership roles to roll back the rights of others, and then you label us “fascists” when we fight back. You belittle the relationships of gay and lesbian couples, and yet somehow neglect to explain who anointed you the protector of “traditional” marriage. And, of course, you’ve also mastered taking the foolish actions of a few people and then indicting an entire population based on those mistakes. I fail to see how any of these patterns coincide with the values of “historic Christianity” you claim to champion.

Again, nothing new here. This is just more of the blatant hypocrisy we’re used to hearing.

What really worries me is that you are always willing to use LGBT Americans as political weapons to further your ambitions. That’s really so ’90s, Newt. In this day and age, it’s embarrassing to watch you talk like that. You should be more afraid of the new political climate in America, because, there is no place for you in it.

In other words, stop being a hater, big bro.

Way to go! It is great that she publicly put his ass in place.

p.Johanna is a single lesbian who lives in Southern California. You can find out more about her and view her photos by visiting her page on MySpace.

Dr. Phil round 2 from p.Johanna on Vimeo.
Dr. Phil asked Jeff Flint if the ads were misleading. Maggie Gallager keeps referring to our side as “they” and the tone that she uses makes me want to treat her differently. Listen to her response. And then BAM! GLORIA ALLRED PUTS THE SMACK DOWN! Miss Piggy, next time you are going to be on national t.v., do your homework!

Dr. Phil round 3 from p.Johanna on Vimeo.
Should the church stay out of state and political issues? Pastor Jim’s answer throws in how christians are being chased, when Mayor Gavin pointed out that the Christian side has done the persecuting on our side even previous to this months incident, he repeatedly stated he hasn’t done that. Pastor that is how most of us would respond to your constant banter about our side. Miss Piggy again speaks and didn’t do her homework before speaking. Miss Piggy, save the drama fo’ yo momma!

Dr. Phil round 4 from p.Johanna on Vimeo.
The “backlash” issue. Miss Piggy is called out by Dr. Phil. Jeff didn’t do a good job in back peddling. Miss Piggy doesn’t like the letter, but considers it different from our side, of course. They never answered if the letter during the campaign was threatning or not.

Dr. Phil round 5 from p.Johanna on Vimeo.
Dr. Phil asked a heterosexual couple how the two gay guys marriage affects them. The wife’s answer is concerned about the churches right and the schools. The gay couple made a good point, they have their beliefs and they had a jewish ceremony.

Dr. Phil round 6 from p.Johanna on Vimeo.
Dr. Phil asked if there was a way of coming to an agreement. Gloria Allred’s answer was that we have to focus on what the Constitution says. The pastor’s answer was that the name calling and acts of violence needs to stop. I hope he speaks for all the Christians out there that are always holding up signs with “fag” “God hates Gays” and so on. His answer was more concerned with what they call the “backlash” then coming to a determination of our rights.

Dr. Phil conclusion from p.Johanna on Vimeo.
When Dr. Phil walked to get his wife, she told him that she liked sitting on our side more. You probably couldn’t hear it on this video. In his introduction to the show he was explaining how the audience was sitting, his wife was sitting on our side. Thank you Dr. Phil’s wife.

Dr. Phil did a good job in remaining neutral and bringing up incidents that the media has mentioned about BOTH sides. The Yes on 8 side was focused more on brining up “backlash” incidents then moving forward and being progressive. Miss Piggy needs to get a better lover, find a lover or just plain love herself, cause that biatch is just unhappy in her life and feels like dumping on us!

I want to apologize to the real Miss Piggy, I don’t mean to disrespect you at all and I know you find it insulting that I called that biatch by your name.

p.Johanna is a single lesbian who lives in Southern California. You can find out more about her and view her photos by visiting her page on MySpace.

Tomorrow, Friday the 21st he will have discrimination attorney Gloria Allred, president of the Human Rights Campaign Joe Solmonese, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Pastor Jim Garlow, president of National Organization of Marriage Maggie Gallagher and co-campaign manager for the Yes on 8 Campaign Jeff Flint. Go to the Dr. Phil site to find your local listing, and watch it or Tivo it!

Pastor Jim Garlow is pastor of Skyline Church in San Diego which claims to have about 2,500 members. He is adamant that marriage is for “One man and one woman” and he led his sermons based on the following lie:

California say that kindergartners will never be forced to learn about homosexuality from public school. That is what they thought in Massachusetts – until same sex marriage became. legal

Maggie Gallagher is of the “Marriage is about biology” dogma. On November 1st she commented in the Los Angeles Times:

It’s simple: Government did not create marriage. Marriage is older than the U.S. Constitution, older even than the Bible or the Koran. Marriage’s deepest roots are in human nature and human experience. Marriage, as a judge on the Connecticut Supreme Court wrote in his compelling dissent to that court’s recent ruling allowing gays to wed, is rooted “in biology, not bigotry.”

Jeff Flint, partner of Schubert Flint Public Affairs blogged about President Elect Obama, “I’m for change….blah blah blah…I’s for bringing people together…blah blah blah…let me quote Obama some more….blah blah blah….” I just wanted to throw that in there, but he was quoted as stating,

I think the voters were thinking, well, if it makes them happy, why shouldn’t we let gay couples get married. And I think we made them realize that there are broader implications to society and particularly the children when you make that fundamental change that’s at the core of how society is organized, which is marriage

in the Los Angeles Times. Their company focused on the children angle.

Let’s tune in and keep a close eye on Dr. Phil to see how neutral he remains and how fair he will moderate this “debate”.

p.Johanna is a single lesbian who lives in Southern California. You can find out more about her and view her photos by visiting her page on MySpace.

Your first point:

Despite passing with 61% of the vote, Prop. 22 was repealed in early 2008 by the State Supreme Court for being unconstitutional and discriminatory, even though the California legislature passed the California Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act (AB 205) in 2003 which gives domestic partnerships all the legal rights of married couples.

Wrong. The California Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act DOES NOT GIVE THE SAME LEGAL RIGHTS OF MARRIED COUPLES. It is not recognized on a FEDERAL level. Besides that, courts are set-up to make sure there is no discrimination and to make sure the Constitution is being interpreted correctly. Why are you guys questioning their actions (the job they are hired to do)?

Your second point:

Even Gov. Schwarzenegger is on the bandwagon to overthrow the will of the people through the use of the courts. Democratic legislators are also filing suits to block Prop. 8. The people of California spoke and subverting the democratic will of the people by the use of the courts is absolutely intolerable. The people of California and constitutional supporters across the country and political spectrum need to stand up and not take the interference of the court system in our democratic process.

Again, the courts are set up by the people to ensure that the Constitution is upheld. The Constitution, in turn, states that people should be treated EQUALLY. The other point to your statement, and one that really is important, “the will of the people”. The tv ads and the information that were sent out by the Yes on 8 group were funded by people outside of this State. The problem with their ads was that it was full of lies and misinformation, causing our public within the State to get confused and vote against marriage equality. Perhaps if those funds were not received in our State, then people would have not been mislead, maybe then I would understand the statement “the people have voted”.

Your third statement:

Retribution against people who supported Prop. 8 is dangerous because it seeks to shut down voices of dissent which is critical to the survival of democracy.

Of course people that voted for this proposition to pass see this as a retribution. Let’s let it be known: IT ISN’T. We are exercising OUR DEMOCRATIC right:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Finally:

So, you see that democracy is under attack — not in Cuba or North Korea or China or Russia, but in California. Not only by our elected leaders, but by our own citizens. They are seeking to use the court system to overturn the democratic will expressed in the voting booth. They are seeking retribution against people who disagree with them. They are bullying and threatening people who disagree with them. These are tactics that Americans should not be engaging in. These are the tactics used by the Nazis, Stalin, Chairman Mao, and Kim Jong-il.
The ironic thing is these are people who say they are against intolerance and hate. The left is full of hypocrisy, but this is over the top.

What did you guys expect? For us to continue living as second class citizens and in silence? To continue funding those same businesses and people that turn around and use our money to stop a right that we were “asking” for?

I hate to inform you, but your side ATTACKED DEMOCRACY. We maintained neutrality during the campaign. To the point of invisibility, in hopes that “the people” would understand we were asking for a right that is deserved. I will even take the statement further, since you mentioned Nazis (I take that as a personal offense) the RELIGIOUS ZEALOTS ATTACKED DEMOCRACY. They are the ones that forget, we are not a Theocratic Government. They even mailed letters to those that funded the No on 8 side, stating that they wanted the same amount of donations, and they even made a statement of boycotting the company Apple. I will even take it further: What about the Hate Crimes that have occurred to homosexuals in the past and continue to occur?

I also want to state something: You’re side didn’t play fair before the campaign, during the campaign and now after the campaign. Quit your over dramatization of what happens. I also await your response, let me know when you do.

One last thing, HYPOCRISY? There is a saying, perhaps your familiar with it: “Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?”

p.Johanna is a single lesbian who lives in Southern California. You can find out more about her and view her photos by visiting her page on MySpace.

Well the girls were sitting around the table and got into a heated conversation about Prop. 8 right now. Whoopi has been an advocate for keeping this conversation alive on the show and I love it!! Of course Elizabeth always defends the Yes on 8 side, and Sherry has been defending it too. Joy has been defending the No on 8 side.

Today when Whoopi brought it up, she mentioned that people are saying “Gay is the new black.”

Sherry commented that blacks were killed for being black, and couldn’t even walk through the door. All I could think of was Matthew Shepard, Sizakele and Salome, and most recently Moses Canon. My mind also went to the time my wife and I were temporarily stopped from entering the church to my aunt’s funeral a few years back. Anyhow, Elizabeth weighed in and backed up Sherry by saying that gays are minimizing what African Americans went through, and that Prop 8 wasn’t fighting the right for gays to be together, but fighting for the word marriage not to be re-defined.

Whoopi mentioned that gays have been killed for being gay, and other good points and the girls all began to weigh in, talk over each other, and raise their voices.

Elizabeth said something about the fact that we voted for Obama and we voted for Prop. 8 so basically it should just be accepted and we should be happy with civil unions. They discussed Obama’s position on LGBT rights, and the discussion seemed to go on for a long time relatively speaking for TV time. Whoopi mentioned that this vote opens the door for other forms of discrimination such as for having dreads or being blonde. She said the bottom line, is that just because we don’t subscribe to another person’s beliefs doesn’t mean we should be forced to live our life the way they want because it makes them feel a certain way. She called for a separation of church and state, and at a certain point in the heated debate they had to go to commercial.

When they came back they talked about Dancing with The Stars.

I can’t wait for the video to hit YouTube!

Julie Phineas is a work at home mom of 2 who lives in Southern California. You can find out more about her online by visiting her website at www.juliephineas.com.

Who is Peter Gomes? He is a preacher and theologian at Harvard University’s Divinity School. On June 15, 2008 he was asked what would Jesus have to say about same sex marriage.

His response was that we do not know what Jesus view would be on the institution of marriage. He thinks that Jesus would say that an encouragement on fidelity, loyalty and the re-creating of the kingdom of God by two people would be great. He added that Jesus would also say, “And your heterosexual marriages aren’t all that great either. 50% of your marriages end up in divorce, your model isn’t all that great. Not many people are taking marriage so seriously and by the way I had a lot to say about divorce in the New Testament.”

VOTE NO ON 8, YOUR “TRADITIONAL” MARRIAGE ISN’T A GREAT MODEL TO FALL BACK ON!

p.Johanna is a single lesbian who lives in Southern California. You can find out more about her and view her photos by visiting her page on MySpace.

What is the difference between domestic partnership and marriage?

According to the General Accounting Office 1,049 federal differences. These are just a couple:

*the right to sponsor a partner for immigration purposes
*the right to family-related Social Security benefits
*the right to federal income and estate tax breaks, about 59 of them
*the right to purchase continued health coverage for a partner after the loss of a job

We all heard the stories of same sex couples going through horrific ordeals after the 9/11 attacks.

Some didn’t only lose the love of their life, they lost that supporting income and they did not qualify for federal help. Another example of a benefit can be found in the case of Rosie O’Donnell. On February 27, 2004, Rosie O’Donnell traveled to San Francisco to wed her partner, Kelli Carpenter. Appearing on Good Morning America, she explained that previously, during a court battle with the publisher of Rosie magazine, O’Donnell’s attorneys requested that communications between her and her partner be excluded from testimony. Although communications between a husband and wife routinely receive this “spousal privilege,” the court rejected her request. “As a result,” O’Donnell explained, “everything that I said to Kelli, every letter that I wrote her, every e-mail, every correspondence and conversation was entered into the record. After the trial, I am now and will forever be a total proponent of gay marriage.”

According to the ACLU website:

Under current federal law, the federal government does not recognize marriages of same-sex couples. This means that married same-sex couples currently do not have any of the rights, benefits, or protections that federal law gives to married heterosexual couples, such as the ability to file joint federal income taxes or receive federal spousal benefits through social security or other federal programs.

This is why it is important to VOTE NO on proposition 8.

It is the first step in fighting for the same rights, about 1,049, that are given to heterosexual married couples. People sit there and say that we are whining and that we are crying, well your damn right we are. If there wasn’t such a massive difference then we wouldn’t care, but there is and it isn’t right to not allow us the same rights. Either you make it so NO ONE gets those federal rights or you make it so that it is equal across the board no matter if it is same sex or not. We work, and we pay our taxes too, then by that same token we deserve the same benefits given to others. Who we love is our business and if you hate it because your God tells you to, then fine, let us be tax exempt like you. That is right. Churches are tax exempt and so should we. See, you are basing your life on a personal belief. We have a personal belief that we are this way and this is who we love. Make it EQUAL. Separate yourself from politics or be involved but get rid of your tax exempt status, or allow us to be tax exempt too.

To all others, this is about EQUALITY and nothing else.

Domestic Partnership is nice, but it is NOT the same thing as marriage. As Tom Campbell, a Republican and former five-term U.S. Congressman stated, “Government has no business making distinctions between people based on their personal lives.”

p.Johanna is a single lesbian who lives in Southern California. You can find out more about her and view her photos by visiting her page on MySpace.