Whatever. If the 4 year old wants to preach, he wants to preach. However, next time someone tells me it's unnatural for a child to learn that their teacher, family friend, or relative is gay, then I'm going to point right at this video.
In the spirit of sensitivity to others' faiths, I'll say that it is okay to teach your child your religion. However, unless his parents have broken from the commonalities of Southern Pentecostal churches, it is sad that he has a long road ahead of him battling the misogyny, homophobia, and uneducated brainwashing so rife within those communities.
Showing posts with label BABIES. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BABIES. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Boy Scouts Remove Troop Leader Cuz She's A Big Lesbian
The Boy Scouts of America have come under a lot of fire over the years for their anti-gay policies, but this is one of the more sad instances of discrimination I've seen from the organization.
One Potomac Falls mother, Denise Steele, wanted to give her son all the benefits of a happy and healthy childhood, and decided that she could best bond with him by participating in his life with the Boy Scouts. She, her partner, and their two children had lived in the Loudun County area for a decade, yet when her son became involved with BSA, they did not find out she had a partner of nearly 20 years until recently, when her female spouse picked her up after a campout. This was observed by an administrator of the troop, and actions were taken. Steele was removed from her post as assistant troop leader:
I was in the Cub Scouts as a young boy, and I recall very clearly an instance where one of my fellow Scouts approached me and said "My dad says you're a fag." When we moved to a different area of town I just didn't have the same enthusiasm for the organization and we never joined another troop.
One Potomac Falls mother, Denise Steele, wanted to give her son all the benefits of a happy and healthy childhood, and decided that she could best bond with him by participating in his life with the Boy Scouts. She, her partner, and their two children had lived in the Loudun County area for a decade, yet when her son became involved with BSA, they did not find out she had a partner of nearly 20 years until recently, when her female spouse picked her up after a campout. This was observed by an administrator of the troop, and actions were taken. Steele was removed from her post as assistant troop leader:
The issue of Steele being a lesbian didn’t arise until one weekend in June during a camping trip to Assateague Island. The camping trip was from a Saturday to a Monday, and Steele needed to work Monday so she asked Funk to pick her up from the campsite.
After both departed, one of the other assistant scout masters, Skip Inabinett, started questioning who the woman was who had picked up Steele.
After discovering that Steele’s partner had picked her up, Inabinett felt that she should be removed as an assistant scout master. In an email that Inabinett sent to a close personal friend of Steele’s and whose son was also in the troop, he stated, “If what you said about Denise Steele being an active [homo]sexual is true, do you feel comfortable talking with her about stepping down/resigning as an ASM … as her friend, this may be an opportunity for you to share with her about Christ’s love and the need to believe that as sinners we cannot get to heaven on our own and that we need a savior.”This is pretty sad. Steele reports that she wanted to be involved in BSA so she could bond with her son. Now she is no longer allowed to go on Scout camping trips and the like.
I was in the Cub Scouts as a young boy, and I recall very clearly an instance where one of my fellow Scouts approached me and said "My dad says you're a fag." When we moved to a different area of town I just didn't have the same enthusiasm for the organization and we never joined another troop.
Friday, August 19, 2011
OneAngryClotheshorse: Wesley Darling is mad at Zara - you should be too.
Hello lovers! Since Ian Awesome is in transition (and no, he's not becoming a woman) I thought I'd bring some serious fashion news to your attention. Spanish fast-fashion* chain Zara, makers of some of the most consistently cute (and relatively inexpensive) clothing known to bargain-hunters anywhere, have broken my heart a little bit.
According to Brazilian newspaper Reoporter Brasil, Zara has recently come under investigation for using a third-party supplier who contracts slave-like child labor to make their garments. Among their findings were reports of children as young as 14 and 15 working in unsanitary conditions for periods of 16 hours at a time, and being paid as little as 274-460 Brazilian Real a year (Between 175 and 285 USD).
According to Brazilian newspaper Reoporter Brasil, Zara has recently come under investigation for using a third-party supplier who contracts slave-like child labor to make their garments. Among their findings were reports of children as young as 14 and 15 working in unsanitary conditions for periods of 16 hours at a time, and being paid as little as 274-460 Brazilian Real a year (Between 175 and 285 USD).
This hearkens back to the dark days of the '90s, when everyone from Kathie Lee Gifford to The Gap was under investigation for using child labor. It was THE hot-button topic for some time, and while the media has not focused on this subject recently, clearly it is still a major problem. The rhetoric from retailers has always been "We had no idea our garments were produced this way," but isn't it the brand's responsibility to find out where their clothes are coming from?
The presence of suppliers like the one found in Brazil also bring up a serious question for the consumer - is that $12 top really too good to be true? Maybe doing a bit more research about where your super el-cheapo fashion finds were constructed would be helpful in discouraging further human rights violations. As yours truly puts it, "Perhaps my jeans WERE exorbitantly expensive, but they weren't made in a sweaty windowless box by children."
The presence of suppliers like the one found in Brazil also bring up a serious question for the consumer - is that $12 top really too good to be true? Maybe doing a bit more research about where your super el-cheapo fashion finds were constructed would be helpful in discouraging further human rights violations. As yours truly puts it, "Perhaps my jeans WERE exorbitantly expensive, but they weren't made in a sweaty windowless box by children."
*Fast-fashion is a generic term for the inexpensively produced, trendy garments that are inspired by the most current runway looks. Usually shopping in these stores requires lots of screaming, grabbing, and occasionally fist-fighting with other savvy fashionistas, in order to secure the perfect outfit.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
O'Reilly Thinks Breast-Feeding Is At Fault For High Unemployment
OAQ's own Sarah N., our OneAngryAlly, reported yesterday on the Obama administration's decision to mandate that insurance companies provide copay-less coverage for birth control and other measures necessary to a woman's reproductive health. The backlash from conservatives has been predictable, with naysayers complaining that we might as well start covering mani-pedis and doomsayers crying that free birth control will lead to the destruction of the American civilization.
Of course, right-wing nutjob Bill O'Reilly has chimed in, playing his usual alarmist bullshit cards by claiming that mandating providing birth control is going worsen the unemployment rate. Just last week he said that women are normally too intoxicated to use birth control, of course, and now he thinks that this new regulation will make it impossible for employers to hire women:
Of course, right-wing nutjob Bill O'Reilly has chimed in, playing his usual alarmist bullshit cards by claiming that mandating providing birth control is going worsen the unemployment rate. Just last week he said that women are normally too intoxicated to use birth control, of course, and now he thinks that this new regulation will make it impossible for employers to hire women:
O’REILLY: Now the federal government is ordering the health insurance companies to pay for all breast feeding stuff, all female birth control stuff, all preventative measures for doctors for ladies that go in. What do you think that’s gonna do? That’s going to inhibit hiring even more!
KUCINICH: Frankly, we ought to be very concerned about women’s health care.
O’REILLY: I am concerned, but they’re not going to expand and hire if they have to pay higher health care premiums for workers! Businesses aren’t going to do it…You can’t have both. You can’t have a welfare state and a robust capitalist system.He effortlessly ignores, of course, that preventative care among women will actually drive overall health care costs down, but then, that wouldn't get him any viewers, now would it?
Today In Censorshit
A school board in Republic, Missouri has capitulated to Christian demands in their community by banning two books, one being the Kurt Vonnegut classic Slaughterhouse-Five, because it contains ideas contrary to Biblical teachings. The complaint was leveled against three works, including Sarah Ockler's Twenty Boy Summer (now banned) and Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak, which was kept on library shelves.
"Wesley Scroggins, a Republic resident, challenged the use of the books and lesson plans in Republic schools, arguing they teach principles contrary to the Bible.
"'I congratulate them for doing what's right and removing the two books,' said Scroggins, who didn't attend the board meeting. 'It's unfortunate they chose to keep the other book.'
"Superintendent Vern Minor said the vote brings a conclusion to the complaint filed a year ago. Scroggins told the News-Leader he has yet to give any thought to pursuing this further."
"Wesley Scroggins, a Republic resident, challenged the use of the books and lesson plans in Republic schools, arguing they teach principles contrary to the Bible.
"'I congratulate them for doing what's right and removing the two books,' said Scroggins, who didn't attend the board meeting. 'It's unfortunate they chose to keep the other book.'
"Superintendent Vern Minor said the vote brings a conclusion to the complaint filed a year ago. Scroggins told the News-Leader he has yet to give any thought to pursuing this further."
I've never read Slaughterhouse-Five, but the Vonnegut novel has been hailed for decades as a classic challenging the ideas of fate and free will. I can see Scroggins' objection... clearly the book suggests that God isn't necessarily the one in charge of our ultimate fates.
Of course, if we were to throw out all material in public schools that contradicted Biblical thought, we would have to get rid of most of the science curriculum, but whatevs.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Illinois Refuses To Fund Discriminatory Orgs, Catholics Clutch Pearls In Shock
50 years ago, Catholic Charities formed a relationship with the state of Illinois, garnering them millions over the years and placing thousands of the children in their adoption services with families in the Prairie State. This week, that relationship has ended, with Illinois declining to renew contracts with the faith-based organization. Why? Because Catholic Charities is refusing to abide by Illinois state law and continues to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.
The newly passed Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, which was designed in order to provide more homes with loving parents, is the cited reason for the breach. In essence, if Catholic Charities had provided adoption services to couples who have civil unions in Illinois, they could have avoided losing state money. All they had to do was obey the law, put aside their discriminatory policies, and give children loving homes with gay couples seeking children.
Now, of course, they're quick to point fingers at the state and blame them for oncoming detriment to the children in their "care."
"Though four Catholic Charities agencies had already stopped licensing new foster parents, three of them will seek an injunction from a Sangamon County judge on Tuesday to continue serving families and abiding by Catholic principles that prohibit placing children with unmarried cohabiting couples.
"'We’re not sure what the state is intending to do or how it’s intending to do it,' said Peter Breen, an attorney with the Thomas More Society representing Catholic Charities. 'It’s a surprise. But it’s also very disturbing. The impact on the [nearly 2,000] children in Catholic Charities care will be catastrophic.'"
The newly passed Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, which was designed in order to provide more homes with loving parents, is the cited reason for the breach. In essence, if Catholic Charities had provided adoption services to couples who have civil unions in Illinois, they could have avoided losing state money. All they had to do was obey the law, put aside their discriminatory policies, and give children loving homes with gay couples seeking children.
Now, of course, they're quick to point fingers at the state and blame them for oncoming detriment to the children in their "care."
From the Chicago Tribune:
"Though four Catholic Charities agencies had already stopped licensing new foster parents, three of them will seek an injunction from a Sangamon County judge on Tuesday to continue serving families and abiding by Catholic principles that prohibit placing children with unmarried cohabiting couples.
"'We’re not sure what the state is intending to do or how it’s intending to do it,' said Peter Breen, an attorney with the Thomas More Society representing Catholic Charities. 'It’s a surprise. But it’s also very disturbing. The impact on the [nearly 2,000] children in Catholic Charities care will be catastrophic.'"
Right. And that impact could have been avoided if Catholic Charities had simply stopped being assholes about gay folk. Instead, they continue to flout common sense and scientific studies on the issue of gay parenthood, and now their government check won't come in.
I hope this is a lesson to faith-based organizations hoping to continue to deprive children of every loving home possible: you can't do your job if you flout law, conventional wisdom, and common decency. If these people really cared about these children, they would set aside their idiocy and choose the no-brainer: Accept gay couples as valid parents.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Trial Watch: King, McInerney's Teacher Testifies
The trial of Lawrence King's murderer, Brandon McInerney, continued today with testimony offered from the teacher that witnessed the shooting. In fact, Dawn Boldrin appears to be shaping up to be a key witness.
She further illustrated the differing personalities of the two students, giving insight into who they were at the time of the shooting (and in Larry's case, at the end of his life). She professed to have warm feelings for both the students, and even smiled at McInerney when she entered the courtroom.
She was quick to assert that McInerney was a good student who didn't cause trouble, stating that although he had once made a white-power statement in the classroom, he wasn't necessarily racist and spent most of his time with minority students. This echoes testimony given by students last week.
However, she didn't appear to take sides in the conflict between the two students, as she also told the courtroom that she and her daughter gave Larry a dress to wear for homecoming in addition to nail polish and a leopard print gift bag. While she cautioned King (just minutes before the fatal shooting) to be careful about being "pushy" about his orientation, she supported his right to be who he wanted to be.
From the Advocate:
"'I also told him he needed to respect others as much as he wanted their respect for being gay,' Boldrin said of making public his growing gay identity. 'Your classmates are young and this is hard on them and you maybe need to not be so pushy with it.'
"As far as encouraging King’s growing interest in female attire by providing him with dresses and makeup, she said on Monday that she didn’t feel she was crossing a line, since he had started wearing make-up and high heels before the gifts were given.
"'It seemed like the foster care he was in was not condoning it per se but at least allowing him to finally do what he wanted to do instead of fighting him on it,' Boldrin said, obliquely referring to strife between King and his adopted family. At the time of his death, King was living at a center for abused, neglected, and severely emotionally disturbed children."
She further illustrated the differing personalities of the two students, giving insight into who they were at the time of the shooting (and in Larry's case, at the end of his life). She professed to have warm feelings for both the students, and even smiled at McInerney when she entered the courtroom.
She was quick to assert that McInerney was a good student who didn't cause trouble, stating that although he had once made a white-power statement in the classroom, he wasn't necessarily racist and spent most of his time with minority students. This echoes testimony given by students last week.
However, she didn't appear to take sides in the conflict between the two students, as she also told the courtroom that she and her daughter gave Larry a dress to wear for homecoming in addition to nail polish and a leopard print gift bag. While she cautioned King (just minutes before the fatal shooting) to be careful about being "pushy" about his orientation, she supported his right to be who he wanted to be.
From the Advocate:
"'I also told him he needed to respect others as much as he wanted their respect for being gay,' Boldrin said of making public his growing gay identity. 'Your classmates are young and this is hard on them and you maybe need to not be so pushy with it.'
"As far as encouraging King’s growing interest in female attire by providing him with dresses and makeup, she said on Monday that she didn’t feel she was crossing a line, since he had started wearing make-up and high heels before the gifts were given.
"'It seemed like the foster care he was in was not condoning it per se but at least allowing him to finally do what he wanted to do instead of fighting him on it,' Boldrin said, obliquely referring to strife between King and his adopted family. At the time of his death, King was living at a center for abused, neglected, and severely emotionally disturbed children."
She had some harsh words for the the officials at E.O. Brown, the Oxnard County school where the shooting took place, stating that they've done nothing to prevent further violence in the classroom. She no longer works there, and said "I wouldn't want to go back to the school where they treat students and me like that."
I will be having continued daily updates on the trial. View previous posts:
[Opening Statements]
[Prosecution Details King's Injuries]
I will be having continued daily updates on the trial. View previous posts:
[Opening Statements]
[Prosecution Details King's Injuries]
Kids Are Totally Smarter Than Most
I first saw this video months ago, but it's making its rounds on Facebook again and thought it was worth posting on the blog.
I like how this kid gets to the heart of everything right away and understands why the fight for marriage equality is important to so many gay Americans: "You love each other."
Then he gets bored with the whole thing and invites them to play ping-pong. Who cares if you two are husbands? Here's what's really important: Do you like ping-pong?
I like how this kid gets to the heart of everything right away and understands why the fight for marriage equality is important to so many gay Americans: "You love each other."
Then he gets bored with the whole thing and invites them to play ping-pong. Who cares if you two are husbands? Here's what's really important: Do you like ping-pong?
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Louisiana Governor Compares Women Seeking Abortion To Criminals
Yesterday, Bobby Jindal signed into a law requiring medical offices that provide abortion to post notices informing women of alternatives to abortion, presumably including adoption. While I feel this law is unnecessary (who doesn't freaking know the alternatives to abortion?), it's a far cry from the draconian and restrictive policies recently signed into law in Ohio state, as covered by OneAngryAlly, Sarah N.
What's truly offensive about this whole situation is the speech given by Jindal during the signing ceremony. In his remarks, he compared women seeking abortion to criminals being read their Miranda rights.
"'When officers arrest criminals today, they are read their rights,' he said. 'Now if we're giving criminals their basic rights and they have to be informed of those rights, it seems to me only common sense we would have to do the same thing for women before they make the choice about whether to get an abortion.'"
"Jindal stressed the importance of creating a 'consistent culture of life' and how laws like this one can promote that idea.
"'Creating a culture of life is more than just words. It means we've got to fight to defend the lives of the most innocent and most vulnerable among us, especially unborn children,' he said. 'A civilized society is judged and will be judged by how it treats the weakest members of that society.'"
What's truly offensive about this whole situation is the speech given by Jindal during the signing ceremony. In his remarks, he compared women seeking abortion to criminals being read their Miranda rights.
"'When officers arrest criminals today, they are read their rights,' he said. 'Now if we're giving criminals their basic rights and they have to be informed of those rights, it seems to me only common sense we would have to do the same thing for women before they make the choice about whether to get an abortion.'"
"Jindal stressed the importance of creating a 'consistent culture of life' and how laws like this one can promote that idea.
"'Creating a culture of life is more than just words. It means we've got to fight to defend the lives of the most innocent and most vulnerable among us, especially unborn children,' he said. 'A civilized society is judged and will be judged by how it treats the weakest members of that society.'"
The Raw Story adds that in the past twenty years, the number of women who die from complications during pregnancy have doubled, with those number disproportionately impacting communities of color.
Hey, asshat, sometimes the only alternative to abortion is death. Are you going to include that on the placards?
LA Archbishop Condemns LGBT Education Bill
A bill recently passed the California Assembly mandating that school curricula be amended to include the contributions of LGBT civil rights heroes and is currently sitting on the desk of Governor Jerry Brown, awaiting his signature. While many hail this bill as an educational measure that will help to stem the tide of bullying-related deaths among gay youth, some are not so happy, claiming that it is yet another attack on the family unit.
Notably, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez has denounced the law as an intrusion on parental rights, stating:
"'The family is God's first beautiful gift to us,' Gomez writes. 'Because each one of us came into this world as the fruit of a mother and a father's love.'
"'America needs strong families to nurture the values and virtues we need to live as a free and just people.'
"The measure, Gomez said, is a 'dangerous government intrusion into parents' rights.'
"'This amounts to the government rewriting history books based on pressure-group politics. It is also another example of the government interfering with parents' rights to be their children's primary educators.'"
Not only is this a misleading statement, I would like to point out that it is functionally untrue. This is not "rewriting history books," it's "including shit that actually happened." Plus, if Californian parents truly felt that they were their children's primary educators, they would all homeschool their children. Here's the difference between the conservative and progressive movements: one relies on obfuscation, misleading statements, and censorship, while the other chooses to promote truth, facts, and clarity of policy. I don't think I need to point out which is which.
Notably, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez has denounced the law as an intrusion on parental rights, stating:
"'The family is God's first beautiful gift to us,' Gomez writes. 'Because each one of us came into this world as the fruit of a mother and a father's love.'
"'America needs strong families to nurture the values and virtues we need to live as a free and just people.'
"The measure, Gomez said, is a 'dangerous government intrusion into parents' rights.'
"'This amounts to the government rewriting history books based on pressure-group politics. It is also another example of the government interfering with parents' rights to be their children's primary educators.'"
Not only is this a misleading statement, I would like to point out that it is functionally untrue. This is not "rewriting history books," it's "including shit that actually happened." Plus, if Californian parents truly felt that they were their children's primary educators, they would all homeschool their children. Here's the difference between the conservative and progressive movements: one relies on obfuscation, misleading statements, and censorship, while the other chooses to promote truth, facts, and clarity of policy. I don't think I need to point out which is which.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Jared Polis Expecting Baby
Rep. Jared Polis, one of the few out and open legislators in American politics, is now expecting a baby with his partner, Marlon Reis.
They didn't comment further than that, and refused to divulge whether the baby was coming to them via a surrogate mother or through adoption. All they have been willing to tell is that it will be in September.
Congratulations to Polis and his longtime Boulder-based partner. I have to ask, though: will having a baby light a fire underneath the politician, causing him to taking a harder stance on the President's do-nothing attitude towards marriage equality? Or will he continue to be an apologist for our "fierce advocate?" Only time will tell, but I suggest that having an LGBT-led family would be a good reason for Polis to "evolve" beyond the party line.
They didn't comment further than that, and refused to divulge whether the baby was coming to them via a surrogate mother or through adoption. All they have been willing to tell is that it will be in September.
Congratulations to Polis and his longtime Boulder-based partner. I have to ask, though: will having a baby light a fire underneath the politician, causing him to taking a harder stance on the President's do-nothing attitude towards marriage equality? Or will he continue to be an apologist for our "fierce advocate?" Only time will tell, but I suggest that having an LGBT-led family would be a good reason for Polis to "evolve" beyond the party line.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Kansas Rep. Pete DeGraaf: Pregnancy From Rape? Totally Analogous To A Flat Tire
Kansas recently banned insurance companies from offering coverage for abortions unless the pregnancy risks the life of the mother. This includes restricting women from getting abortions resulting from rape, unless they have already purchased a separate abortion-only insurance policy.
Rep. Pete DeGraaf, one of the proponents of the new law, responded to critics of the policy by saying that women should bear the burden of preparedness in the eventuality of rape. Rape, of course, being just like getting a flat tire.
"Rep. Pete DeGraaf, a Mulvane Republican who supports the bill, told her: 'We do need to plan ahead, don't we, in life?'
"Bollier asked him, 'And so women need to plan ahead for issues that they have no control over with pregnancy?' [OAQ Note: Read "rape."]
"DeGraaf drew groans of protest from some House members when he responded, 'I have a spare tire on my car.'
"'I also have life insurance,' he added. 'I have a lot of things that I plan ahead for.'"
This is disgusting. The conservative right's war on a woman's right to choose has entered a new and dangerous phase: never mind whether or not it is a woman's fault she got raped (which it never is, dear readers), but now we are going to force women to be prepared to pony up the cash for the consequences of that rape. I can't describe how deeply offensive and nauseating this is.
[The McPherson Sentinel]
UPDATE: Super-Reader Sarah, with a few quick clicks, has tracked down Rep. DeGraaf's contact information. You know. In case you want to tell ol' Petey what a disgusting misogynist he is.
Contact
Capitol Office
Room: 459-W
Seat: 39
Phone: 785-296-7693
Email:pete.degraaf@house.ks.gov
Home Information
1545 East 119th
Mulvane, Kansas 67110
Phone: 316-777-0715
Email:petedegraaf@att.net
"Ugh, icky rapey stuff! Only women should have to handle that crap."
Rep. Pete DeGraaf, one of the proponents of the new law, responded to critics of the policy by saying that women should bear the burden of preparedness in the eventuality of rape. Rape, of course, being just like getting a flat tire.
"Rep. Pete DeGraaf, a Mulvane Republican who supports the bill, told her: 'We do need to plan ahead, don't we, in life?'
"Bollier asked him, 'And so women need to plan ahead for issues that they have no control over with pregnancy?' [OAQ Note: Read "rape."]
"DeGraaf drew groans of protest from some House members when he responded, 'I have a spare tire on my car.'
"'I also have life insurance,' he added. 'I have a lot of things that I plan ahead for.'"
This is disgusting. The conservative right's war on a woman's right to choose has entered a new and dangerous phase: never mind whether or not it is a woman's fault she got raped (which it never is, dear readers), but now we are going to force women to be prepared to pony up the cash for the consequences of that rape. I can't describe how deeply offensive and nauseating this is.
[The McPherson Sentinel]
UPDATE: Super-Reader Sarah, with a few quick clicks, has tracked down Rep. DeGraaf's contact information. You know. In case you want to tell ol' Petey what a disgusting misogynist he is.
Contact
Capitol Office
Room: 459-W
Seat: 39
Phone: 785-296-7693
Email:pete.degraaf@house.ks.gov
Home Information
1545 East 119th
Mulvane, Kansas 67110
Phone: 316-777-0715
Email:petedegraaf@att.net
Friday, April 29, 2011
Indiana House Votes to Defund Planned Parenthood
The Legislature of the great state of Indiana has voted to strip Planned Parenthood of its federal funding, with the bill doing so passing the House late Wednesday. It is now awaiting the signature or veto of governor Mitch Daniels, a presidential contender who has called for a "truce" on social issues.
"It's uncertain whether he will sign or veto, but if he does nothing it will come into law a week after hitting his desk.
[Politico]
"It's uncertain whether he will sign or veto, but if he does nothing it will come into law a week after hitting his desk.
[Politico]
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Bullying Claims Two More Victims
In one of the saddest stories I've read in a long time, two Minnesota girls, Haley Fentress and Paige Moravetz, hanged themselves in an apparent suicide pact due to the bullying they received in school.
They were only 14.
They were so close that their families described them as "one," and in fact had hyphenated each other's names on Facebook to reflect their bond. While there was speculation as to the nature of their relationship, it is not confirmed whether or not they had a romance. Regardless, the family of one girl had strong words about the reasons of their daughter's death.
The Fentress family released a statement saying, "We need to stop pretending this isn’t happening or that is just a cry for attention because obviously it is not. It shouldn’t take more tragedies to realize this."
And how many tragedies will it take? How many deaths? With conservatives blocking ant-bullying efforts nationwide and removing the support in the classroom that gay kids need to survive-- how many people are going to die?
This isn't the first time that religious right has disregarded the death of gay people for their political ends. I just hoped they had learned from the Reagan years. But now...
Haley and Paige should be alive, and they should be loved, and they should not have felt that the only escape was death. If I could say one thing to every conservative who is "protecting families" or "safeguarding children" it would be this: your efforts are killing 14 year old girls who just want to be accepted. You are hounding them to an early death by their own hands.
But it's not their hands that will end up bloody. You, ladies and gentlemen of the right wing, with your moral high ground and faith-based initiatives, your war on women and your campaign against gay youth, you killed these girls.
How many of us have to die?
[TheNewCivilRightsMovement]
They were only 14.
They were so close that their families described them as "one," and in fact had hyphenated each other's names on Facebook to reflect their bond. While there was speculation as to the nature of their relationship, it is not confirmed whether or not they had a romance. Regardless, the family of one girl had strong words about the reasons of their daughter's death.
The Fentress family released a statement saying, "We need to stop pretending this isn’t happening or that is just a cry for attention because obviously it is not. It shouldn’t take more tragedies to realize this."
And how many tragedies will it take? How many deaths? With conservatives blocking ant-bullying efforts nationwide and removing the support in the classroom that gay kids need to survive-- how many people are going to die?
This isn't the first time that religious right has disregarded the death of gay people for their political ends. I just hoped they had learned from the Reagan years. But now...
Haley and Paige should be alive, and they should be loved, and they should not have felt that the only escape was death. If I could say one thing to every conservative who is "protecting families" or "safeguarding children" it would be this: your efforts are killing 14 year old girls who just want to be accepted. You are hounding them to an early death by their own hands.
But it's not their hands that will end up bloody. You, ladies and gentlemen of the right wing, with your moral high ground and faith-based initiatives, your war on women and your campaign against gay youth, you killed these girls.
How many of us have to die?
[TheNewCivilRightsMovement]
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Dumbass Claims Planned Parenthood Defends Rapists
Um, haven't they learned yet that they're not going to win with this Planned Parenthood crusade?
Today in the House a bill was being debated that would defund Planned Parenthood, and the rhetoric got insane. This, ladies and gentlemen, is someone grasping at straws.
Meet Rep. Alan Nunnelee. He is an idiot. Via ThinkProgress:
Yes, Alan, your plan would take away funding for cancer testing to include pap smears and mammograms. Plus it would take away testing and treatment for STIs, infections which can harm and sterilize men and women. And no, Alan, Planned Parenthood has NEVER EVER defended one single rapist.
This is coming from someone who supported a bill narrowing the definition of rape, taking away a woman's ability to defend herself in a court of law from sex offenders.
MAJOR D-BAG.
[ThinkProgress]
Today in the House a bill was being debated that would defund Planned Parenthood, and the rhetoric got insane. This, ladies and gentlemen, is someone grasping at straws.
Meet Rep. Alan Nunnelee. He is an idiot. Via ThinkProgress:
Yes, Alan, your plan would take away funding for cancer testing to include pap smears and mammograms. Plus it would take away testing and treatment for STIs, infections which can harm and sterilize men and women. And no, Alan, Planned Parenthood has NEVER EVER defended one single rapist.
This is coming from someone who supported a bill narrowing the definition of rape, taking away a woman's ability to defend herself in a court of law from sex offenders.
MAJOR D-BAG.
[ThinkProgress]
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Asshattery Fails in Illinois
Today, the Illinois Senate put the smack down on the anti-gay adoption amendment reported yesterday by yours truly. Good job, everyone who called in. :)
"Opponents said it's a direct assault on Illinois' new civil union law, which takes effect June 1. And some fear children will lose opportunities to be placed in loving homes because of discrimination.
"'Who will be our next target?' said Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, one of two openly gay lawmakers in the General Assembly."
Who indeed.
[ChicagoTribune]
"Opponents said it's a direct assault on Illinois' new civil union law, which takes effect June 1. And some fear children will lose opportunities to be placed in loving homes because of discrimination.
"'Who will be our next target?' said Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, one of two openly gay lawmakers in the General Assembly."
Who indeed.
[ChicagoTribune]
Jon Kyl Has a Hard Time With Factual Statements
GOP Sen. Jon Kyl rather ridiculously made the statement that 90% of Planned Parenthood's services are abortions. Of course, with only 3% of their services being abortion related, some people had an issue with that statement.
Well, leave it to Stephen Colbert to fuck this guy up. After pointing out that Jon Kyl IS A BIG FUCKING LIAR, Stephen was delighted to hear Kyl's office explain the gaffe as "not intended to be a factual statement."
Watch.
Well, leave it to Stephen Colbert to fuck this guy up. After pointing out that Jon Kyl IS A BIG FUCKING LIAR, Stephen was delighted to hear Kyl's office explain the gaffe as "not intended to be a factual statement."
Watch.
"And Tango Makes Three" The Most Challenged Book in America
Because heaven forbid we should have a true story about parental penguins in our libraries and schools.
And Tango Makes Three is a children's book that relates the story of two Chinstrap Penguins, Roy and Silo, who were a mated pair for six years and eventually hatched a raised a baby penguin, Tango. Roy and Silo have since broken up (some hussy named Scrappy came along and stole Silo away from poor Roy) but for years the Central Park Zoo touted the couple as their "gay penguin" couple.
Since the adaptation of the story into a children's book, unfortunately, Roy and Silo's story of acceptance has become the most attacked book in libraries and schools, and this year once again became the American Library Association's most challenged book in America.
"'And Tango Makes Three' is an award-winning children’s book about the true story of two male Emperor Penguins hatching and parenting a baby chick at New York’s Central Park Zoo. The book has appeared on the ALA’s Top Ten List of Frequently Challenged Books for the past five years and returns to the number one slot after a brief stay at the number two position in 2009. There have been dozens of attempts to remove And Tango Makes Three from school and public library shelves. Those seeking to remove the book have described it as 'unsuited for age group,' and cited 'religious viewpoint' and 'homosexuality' as reasons for challenging the book."
Here's hoping that most of these institutions of learning saw through the bullcrap and kept this inspiring story on the shelves.
[ALA]
And Tango Makes Three is a children's book that relates the story of two Chinstrap Penguins, Roy and Silo, who were a mated pair for six years and eventually hatched a raised a baby penguin, Tango. Roy and Silo have since broken up (some hussy named Scrappy came along and stole Silo away from poor Roy) but for years the Central Park Zoo touted the couple as their "gay penguin" couple.
Since the adaptation of the story into a children's book, unfortunately, Roy and Silo's story of acceptance has become the most attacked book in libraries and schools, and this year once again became the American Library Association's most challenged book in America.
"'And Tango Makes Three' is an award-winning children’s book about the true story of two male Emperor Penguins hatching and parenting a baby chick at New York’s Central Park Zoo. The book has appeared on the ALA’s Top Ten List of Frequently Challenged Books for the past five years and returns to the number one slot after a brief stay at the number two position in 2009. There have been dozens of attempts to remove And Tango Makes Three from school and public library shelves. Those seeking to remove the book have described it as 'unsuited for age group,' and cited 'religious viewpoint' and 'homosexuality' as reasons for challenging the book."
Here's hoping that most of these institutions of learning saw through the bullcrap and kept this inspiring story on the shelves.
[ALA]
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Applebee's Serves Baby A Freaking Margarita
Yeah, totes happened. A Detroit area family was horrified-- Taylor Dill-Reese noticed her 15 month old son Dominic was acting strangely after a few sips of his "apple juice." Upon inspection of the drink, it was found to be an alcoholic margarita mix!
The kid was taken to the hospital and tested for a BAC of .10. The lush!
Please! If he had been fussy and not ready for a nap she would have thanked them. At least, I'm pretty sure my parents would have when I was 6 months old.
[Foodista]
The kid was taken to the hospital and tested for a BAC of .10. The lush!
Please! If he had been fussy and not ready for a nap she would have thanked them. At least, I'm pretty sure my parents would have when I was 6 months old.
[Foodista]
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
The Big Picture
With Republicans bemoaning the "necessity" of a government shutdown (while secretly celebrating it behind closed doors), proposing caps on food assistance which would target impoverished children, and threatening to defund public broadcasting (which, by the way, receives less in subsidies than Liberty University, a private Christian college founded by apartheid lover Jerry Falwell), it's easy to get confused by the political and economic mire that has become our budget crisis.
Over the past two days, I've had to resolve a lot of people's questions and misunderstandings over the current crisis on Facebook. Why, some of them ask, are we in trouble when we can just cut welfare (those lazy-ass couch monkeys!)? And isn't government shutdown a necessary evil?
It's easy, for instance, to blame our budget crisis on people who collect federal and state assistance through social programs. "Government handouts" can seem to be a luxury when we are operating at a tremendous deficit. But are they?
Hardly. Eating is not really what I would call a luxury, and thousands of families who rely on food assistance would suffer were proposed caps to go into effect. And while I have no doubt that there are some who abuse the system, this is true of ANY social program, private or public. There will always be a minority of people who take advantage of charity and government help, but this doesn't mean that we should defund these programs simply because there is an outspoken political group insisting that everyone who collects assistance is lazy.
Wouldn't there be nice if there were another solution?
There is, and it's simple! Stop allowing certain groups of people avoid paying their taxes.
Gasp! Who would do such a thing? Corporate America, that's who. Last year Bank of America reported boom profits but, due to tax loopholes, didn't pay one single red cent in taxes. That's right. YOU paid more in taxes than one of the largest and successful financial institutions in our country. Time and time again our much needed social programs have had to step up to the chopping block while corporations like this have been able to get by without paying their fair share.
Bank of America isn't alone. There are billions of dollars in unpaid taxes waiting to be collected if leadership in Washington stopped eying the food on your dinner table and started eying the bonuses collected by Wall Street CEOs. Why would is our leadership protecting CEO salaries while looking to take away your food benefits?
I'm sure it has nothing to do with the huge campaign contributions made to political candidates from these companies. Of course not.
It's not just food assistance or NPR that is on the chopping block-- this government shutdown? A report from the Air Force Times indicates that non-essential military personnel will miss out on salaries necessary to pay their monthly bills-- believe me! I was a non-commissioned officer in the Army and was living paycheck to paycheck-- while members of Congress will still collect their paychecks as scheduled.
Why are our nation's heroes being asked to forgo their much needed pay when not a dime is being asked from the ultra-wealthy?
The projected savings of a government shutdown amounts to 0.02% of the budget. However, for the projected length of the shutdown, service personnel will be missing out on an entire week-- 50% of one paycheck-- in order to scrape together what amounts to spare change. A drop in the bucket for the budget, but a crippling blow to our military personnel.
In essence: Don't be fooled. The shutdown is not a necessary evil, nor is asking Americans to tighten their belts when we should be living in a time of plenty. We are seeing the effects of government corruption at the hands of the corporate dollar, and those corrupting individuals are only too happy to lie to you and tell you that the real problem is slutty black people who use welfare as an excuse to rut like rabbits (I wish I was making this up).
Some may have you think that the budget crisis is the blame of many different factors-- NPR is to blame! Welfare is to blame! Black slutty women are to blame!-- but they don't want you to see the big picture.
The problem is easy, and so is the solution: Some people aren't being asked to pay their fair share. Maybe it's time we did some asking?
US Government: Your taxpayer dollars should go to an institution that teaches students to hate gay people and to destroy a woman's right to choose. Not NPR, tho!
Over the past two days, I've had to resolve a lot of people's questions and misunderstandings over the current crisis on Facebook. Why, some of them ask, are we in trouble when we can just cut welfare (those lazy-ass couch monkeys!)? And isn't government shutdown a necessary evil?
It's easy, for instance, to blame our budget crisis on people who collect federal and state assistance through social programs. "Government handouts" can seem to be a luxury when we are operating at a tremendous deficit. But are they?
Hardly. Eating is not really what I would call a luxury, and thousands of families who rely on food assistance would suffer were proposed caps to go into effect. And while I have no doubt that there are some who abuse the system, this is true of ANY social program, private or public. There will always be a minority of people who take advantage of charity and government help, but this doesn't mean that we should defund these programs simply because there is an outspoken political group insisting that everyone who collects assistance is lazy.
Wouldn't there be nice if there were another solution?
There is, and it's simple! Stop allowing certain groups of people avoid paying their taxes.
Gasp! Who would do such a thing? Corporate America, that's who. Last year Bank of America reported boom profits but, due to tax loopholes, didn't pay one single red cent in taxes. That's right. YOU paid more in taxes than one of the largest and successful financial institutions in our country. Time and time again our much needed social programs have had to step up to the chopping block while corporations like this have been able to get by without paying their fair share.
Bank of America isn't alone. There are billions of dollars in unpaid taxes waiting to be collected if leadership in Washington stopped eying the food on your dinner table and started eying the bonuses collected by Wall Street CEOs. Why would is our leadership protecting CEO salaries while looking to take away your food benefits?
I'm sure it has nothing to do with the huge campaign contributions made to political candidates from these companies. Of course not.
It's not just food assistance or NPR that is on the chopping block-- this government shutdown? A report from the Air Force Times indicates that non-essential military personnel will miss out on salaries necessary to pay their monthly bills-- believe me! I was a non-commissioned officer in the Army and was living paycheck to paycheck-- while members of Congress will still collect their paychecks as scheduled.
This guy is clearly leeching off the government and we should cut one of his paychecks in half in order to cover the asses of the true heroes-- Wall Street CEOs!
Why are our nation's heroes being asked to forgo their much needed pay when not a dime is being asked from the ultra-wealthy?
The projected savings of a government shutdown amounts to 0.02% of the budget. However, for the projected length of the shutdown, service personnel will be missing out on an entire week-- 50% of one paycheck-- in order to scrape together what amounts to spare change. A drop in the bucket for the budget, but a crippling blow to our military personnel.
In essence: Don't be fooled. The shutdown is not a necessary evil, nor is asking Americans to tighten their belts when we should be living in a time of plenty. We are seeing the effects of government corruption at the hands of the corporate dollar, and those corrupting individuals are only too happy to lie to you and tell you that the real problem is slutty black people who use welfare as an excuse to rut like rabbits (I wish I was making this up).
Bryan Fischer's latest gem: Feeding impoverished families only teaches black women that they should spread their legs to everyone who walks by!!! Er, what?
Some may have you think that the budget crisis is the blame of many different factors-- NPR is to blame! Welfare is to blame! Black slutty women are to blame!-- but they don't want you to see the big picture.
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