Yes Virginia, maybe there really is a Santa Clause, at least for the LGBT service members who have until now served in silence or left the services. The Senate voted Saturday to repeal the 17 year old law.
It's about time and 17 years too late for some brave Americans, but still the victory is sweet. The bill passed with some Republican support as well. Good news all around!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
TSA Lets Loaded Gun Fly!
With all the technology our government has been hoodwinked into buying to keep us safe when we fly, an Iranian-American buisnessman from Houston, with a loaded Glock pistol packed in his computer bag went through security and flew to his destination even though TSA scanned the bag and him.
Once again it shows that our "screening" methods are more theater than security.
AmericaBlog has the story.
Once again it shows that our "screening" methods are more theater than security.
AmericaBlog has the story.
Republicans May Blackmail Senate To Block DADT
Republican Senator Corker of Tennessee made an outright threat to walk away from the New START treaty if Speaker Reid brings DADT repeal to a vote.
So the Republicans value hating LGBT Americans more than world peace! AMAZING!
So the Republicans value hating LGBT Americans more than world peace! AMAZING!
Jon Stewart Blasts GOP Filibuster of First Responder Health Bill
This is what the mainstream media should be doing but are far too chickens#*t to consider. Again, kudos to the Daily Show and same on the GOP!
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Worst Responders | ||||
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Thursday, December 16, 2010
War on Christmas!
OK I know some of you found this post because of the headline about the "War on Christmas" and expect me to rail about people using "Happy Holidays" instead of Merry Christmas. Well let's get all historical here.
When this country was founded, the celebration of Christmas had been banned in England. It was considered by the British Parliament "a popish festival with no biblical justification". Take that Santa Clause! Meanwhile in Boston, the celebration was actually banned from 1659 to 1681.
The Christmas celebration we know today is a relatively recent phenomenon. In 1843 When Charles Dickens wrote the now famous "A Christmas Carol" many thought the whole idea of Christmas was dying out. Because of Dickens. the expression "Merry Christmas" gained popularity and in a few decades became the mantra of the season.
Oh there was a feast dating back to the mid 300's, but previous to that the nativity was observed in late May. The December 25 day was apparently settled on because of a legend that Mary conceived at the Spring Equinox, which would put the birth 9 months later on....Christmas Day.
So much for history, my point of the post is this. If there is a war on Christmas it is being waged by the merchants and mainstream churches who capitalize on the holiday. Christmas is big business, especially for churches. Often the only time parishioners darken the church door is during Christmas. (and maybe Easter).
Churches like the First Baptist Church of Dallas have used the "holy day" as an excuse for cheap publicity stunts like the "naughty and nice" website started to track all those "bad" folk who are saying "happy holidays" instead of "merry Christmas". So I have to wonder if a cheap stunt like that is really appropriate to celebrate the birth of Christ? And the whole Santa Clause thing? Well it just equates greed with the birth of Christ, who I believe said, "blessed are the poor..."
I love Christmas, and I love all the traditions and decorations and parties and carols, but I know the difference between the secular celebration we call Christmas and the real religious significance of the liturgical season. Christmas should be a personal experience. It is a sacred day in the church calendar and no matter what the talking heads on Fox News say, it is neither endangered or cheapened by someone saying Happy Holidays.
I suspect if Jesus were to chime in on the discussion He might wonder what all the fuss is about. I feel pretty sure his greeting would be neither "happy Holidays" nor "Merry Christmas" but simple "Peace be with you."
And also with you.
When this country was founded, the celebration of Christmas had been banned in England. It was considered by the British Parliament "a popish festival with no biblical justification". Take that Santa Clause! Meanwhile in Boston, the celebration was actually banned from 1659 to 1681.
The Christmas celebration we know today is a relatively recent phenomenon. In 1843 When Charles Dickens wrote the now famous "A Christmas Carol" many thought the whole idea of Christmas was dying out. Because of Dickens. the expression "Merry Christmas" gained popularity and in a few decades became the mantra of the season.
Oh there was a feast dating back to the mid 300's, but previous to that the nativity was observed in late May. The December 25 day was apparently settled on because of a legend that Mary conceived at the Spring Equinox, which would put the birth 9 months later on....Christmas Day.
So much for history, my point of the post is this. If there is a war on Christmas it is being waged by the merchants and mainstream churches who capitalize on the holiday. Christmas is big business, especially for churches. Often the only time parishioners darken the church door is during Christmas. (and maybe Easter).
Churches like the First Baptist Church of Dallas have used the "holy day" as an excuse for cheap publicity stunts like the "naughty and nice" website started to track all those "bad" folk who are saying "happy holidays" instead of "merry Christmas". So I have to wonder if a cheap stunt like that is really appropriate to celebrate the birth of Christ? And the whole Santa Clause thing? Well it just equates greed with the birth of Christ, who I believe said, "blessed are the poor..."
I love Christmas, and I love all the traditions and decorations and parties and carols, but I know the difference between the secular celebration we call Christmas and the real religious significance of the liturgical season. Christmas should be a personal experience. It is a sacred day in the church calendar and no matter what the talking heads on Fox News say, it is neither endangered or cheapened by someone saying Happy Holidays.
I suspect if Jesus were to chime in on the discussion He might wonder what all the fuss is about. I feel pretty sure his greeting would be neither "happy Holidays" nor "Merry Christmas" but simple "Peace be with you."
And also with you.
And Another Question for the Log Cabin Republicans...
Anyone who has ever read my blog knows I am a liberal and a Democrat. They will also know I have questioned over and over the whole raison d'être for the Log Cabin Republicans. In this clip from Rachael Maddow she bolsters the reasons for my confusion as to "what the heck they are all about"?
Watch it and ask that question yourself.
Watch it and ask that question yourself.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
House Passes DADT Repeal Motion
I have been listening to the debate on the floor of the House for the stand-alone DADT repeal bill. A lot of bluster from the GOP specifically quoting Commandant Amos of the Marines, while the Democrats quote the Joint Chiefs.
Really is annoying to hear the politicians implying that our military can't serve professionally beside LGBT people. They already do that, and right now they have the distraction of not knowing if they are gay or not. Why would knowing it be more distracting? It's a red herring and in reality it's something that should have happened years ago.
The final vote was 250 for repeal and 175 against. DADT motion to reconsider is on the table!
Really is annoying to hear the politicians implying that our military can't serve professionally beside LGBT people. They already do that, and right now they have the distraction of not knowing if they are gay or not. Why would knowing it be more distracting? It's a red herring and in reality it's something that should have happened years ago.
The final vote was 250 for repeal and 175 against. DADT motion to reconsider is on the table!
Handgun + School Board + Angry Man = Deadly Consequences
Watching the video of Clay Duke shooting at the members of the Panama City Florida School Board I have to wonder again just why him having a handgun is a good thing? If the 2nd Amendment is interpreted as written than he was certainly not part of a "well regulated militia". Instead I suspect he was a very disturbed man who felt wronged by the powers that be. His Facebook page has a rant about government and media and rich people. Though I can sympathize with his feelings, there is indeed a growing disparity between the ruling class and the rest of us folks, pulling a can of spray paint and a gun on the school board is certainly no way to change things.
The easy availability of handguns only encourages permanent solutions to temporary problems. Mr. Duke felt like he wanted to die, and though I cannot read his mind, his allusions to a fictional movie and his theatrics lead me to believe he wanted help. The reason he didn't get it was that little piece of metal he was holding. The handgun turned what could have been a manageable situation into a deadly one. Handguns do kill people when they are in the hands of irrational people. Not much of a bumper sticker, but the truth.
The easy availability of handguns only encourages permanent solutions to temporary problems. Mr. Duke felt like he wanted to die, and though I cannot read his mind, his allusions to a fictional movie and his theatrics lead me to believe he wanted help. The reason he didn't get it was that little piece of metal he was holding. The handgun turned what could have been a manageable situation into a deadly one. Handguns do kill people when they are in the hands of irrational people. Not much of a bumper sticker, but the truth.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Marine Commandant Thinks DADT Repeal Will "Distract" Marines
OK, first of all let me say that in my experience in the kink community, and in the gay community, former Marines are usually the most enthusiastic play partners. That said, I find Marine Commandant Gen. James Amos' comment just plain silly. He thinks Marines will be distracted by a repeal of DADT and will become suddenly unable to do their job, thus endangering their lives.
"When your life hangs on a line, on the intuitive behavior of the young man… who sits to your right and your left, you don’t want anything distracting you,”If knowing that another Marine is gay or lesbian distracts you that much how distracted are they not knowing if the Marine next to you is gay or lesbian? This is a ridiculous argument and smacks of just plain old fear, something no Marine I have ever know has very much of. If the people in the Marines can be distracted so easily, then perhaps they are not trained well enough? That ought to get some choice comments!
House Dems Introduce DADT Repeal Stand-Alone Bill
As the clock is running out the House Democrats will introduce an almost identical bill to the Lieberman/Collins bill in the Senate. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) confirmed this to the Washington Post.
"Today Rep. Patrick Murphy is introducing a new standalone bill to to allow for repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' and I am proud to join him as the lead co-sponsor. As Secretary Gates and others have stressed, it is critical that Congress pass this legislation, empowering the Defense Department to implement repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' itself, rather than have repeal imposed by the Courts,"
Monday, December 13, 2010
Harvard Library LGBT Books Destroyed
It seems that hate filled people just can't get enough of vandalizing and destroying books. Whether by burning them like some fundamentalist Christian hate groups, or by a simple act of vandalism it is knowledge that stirs their anger. That anger apparently extends even to the halls of acedemia at Harvard.
Back in November, a shelf of LGBT books was soaked with urine and had to be destroyed. A bottle was found nearby and the incident is being treated as a "hate crime" and wasn't reported until now because the library staff had to assess the value of the defaced books.
The Harvard Crimson reports that Harvard College Dean Evelynn Hammonds said: “Harvard College will not tolerate acts of vandalism, especially those that appear to be motivated by hate or bias. As a community, we will continue to affirm our shared values of dignity and respect for everyone in our community.”
Back in November, a shelf of LGBT books was soaked with urine and had to be destroyed. A bottle was found nearby and the incident is being treated as a "hate crime" and wasn't reported until now because the library staff had to assess the value of the defaced books.
The Harvard Crimson reports that Harvard College Dean Evelynn Hammonds said: “Harvard College will not tolerate acts of vandalism, especially those that appear to be motivated by hate or bias. As a community, we will continue to affirm our shared values of dignity and respect for everyone in our community.”
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Real-Life Tron Light Cycle - This is Not A Toy
And for those who absolutely must have the latest cool thing for their own, the Parker Brothers custom bike builders made a functional Tron Light Cycle. Here is a leaked video of a test drive. Amazing. Looks a little clumsy but still really a cool thing.
Robogeisha - Amazing Japanese Ansser to Transformers? Watch the Trailer!
While doing some last minute Christmas shopping at Fry's, I saw the Blu-Ray of this lovely film. I will own it some day soon, but until then enjoy the trailer. As one critic put it. it's 90 minutes of pure WTF. If the trailer is any indication, it goes way beyond "what the f**k" and deep into OMG territory. Enjoy and hold onto your seat, here comes, ROBOGEISHA!
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