The results of this election are certainly full of mixed emotions and my personal nightmare came true. Barack Obama motivated the African American Community to the polls and in the meantime the African American Pastors motivated their flock to vote Yes on 2 in Florida and Yes on Prop 8 in California. For sure, and by the numbers, they were not the only ones, but they are the ones who can most identify with discrimination in this country. They voted overwhelmingly for Yes on 2 and Prop 8. For the GLBT Community it was a Win/Lose election. Most of us wanted Obama, but some of us knew that “Gay Marriage” as it was identified in Amendment 2, was not going to go over well in the African American Community. I don’t quite get it especially knowing that over the decades that I have been living, many in the GLBT Community have worked so hard to promote equality of the races and have worked hard to ensure African American Civil Rights. It concerns me that we are moving into a new model of hatred, a model, once again promoted by religious fanaticism.
The passage of Amendment 2 in Florida is an example of a majority terrorizing a minority, discrimination, pure and simple, what happened in California with the passage of Propositin 8 is simply inhuman.
I know the President Elect may think that he has a lot more on his mind than the Civil Rights of the GLBT Community. However, nothing is more important in this country than the Civil Rights of all citizens, without that we are just another “Banana Republic”. So, I would urge President Elect Obama to continue thinking forward and stand by his word to secure equality for all Americans.
We need to put our heads together and think about how we can make change. We have to reach out to those who do not understand us, we have to change minds.
Bart
Nill illigitimi carborundum
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Catholic Bishops - Misinformed or Just Plain Liars
I would like to respond to Frank J. Dewane’s , the Roman Catholic Bishop of Venice and his staff on their recent comments in a number of publications throughout Florida. The title of an article in Ft. Myers was “It isn’t discrimination, its tradition”. To be honest “tradition” should never trump reality. It was tradition to think that the world was flat and for centuries by Bishop Dewane’s Church. They, the Roman Bishops forced that theory on all humankind at the time. It is also certain that Bishop Dewane’s community of Bishops took it upon themselves to hide illegal abuse of children. I know they, the Bishops, want to forget their collusion and slide it under the rug but it is not going to happen as long as he and his Community of Bishops insist on perpetrating discrimination and crimes against innocent taxpaying US Citizens. The Roman Bishop pronounces that no one will lose any benefits by the passage of Amendment 2. The Bishop is either naive or a liar. The truth is that those promoting this initiative, when and if passed, will immediately pursue the elimination of domestic partner benefits. They did that in Michigan and Kentucky and when they can free up enough money from their Crusade in California they will do the same in every other State where these amendments have been passed. Bishop Dewane apparently has no real dog in this fight, as a bishop of the Catholic Church his Health Care insurance is fully covered, he will have a nice cushy place to rest his head every night in a Catholic Palace. I know that priests who want to speak out against discrimination are stuck in the reality of their circumstances and are fearful of being homeless should they speak truth to power. In the meantime people are struggling in this country, retirees are losing their nest eggs, people are losing their jobs, more and more people are becoming homeless and the only thing the Bishop of Venice seems to be worried about is diminishing the lives of same gender couples. I think the Bishop needs to stop taking his orders from a fax from the Vatican and start being a Pastor.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Venice Florida - Roman Catholic Bishop is a Liar
Venice Florida - Catholic Bishop is a Liar
I was born and raised in Philadelphia, the Cradle of Liberty. When I was twelve years old my Club and I, the Eagles, would hop a trolley car and carry our flag to downtown Philadelphia and have a Club meeting in either Independence Hall or Carpenter’s Hall. Back in those days Philadelphia did not recognize the importance of the “Tourist Trade” so the keepers of those National Treasures let us kids have our meetings in those hallowed halls.
Even then, we kids understood the importance and the meaning of Democratic Republic theory. Sadly, most Americans and some Religious Communities who take their orders from other nations don’t understand the meaning of Democratic Republic. Our forefathers were very thoughtful in allowing most religions free to practice without harm or prejudice.
All Americans should be grateful that the men who met in Philadelphia in 1776 were so forethoughtful that they established our Nation’s government in a way that the majority would not be in a position to subjugate any minority. They created a Constitution that would allow all minorities to protest their subjugation to majority rule. They also protected religious communities from government control by ensuring that the State would not establish a religion. In other words, practice your religion as you see fit, but keep it to yourself. Impose your religious beliefs on your flock, those who choose to live under your rules, don’t break any of our laws, leave the kids alone, and let other American’s live as they believe. That is the American Way.
We kids, way back then, having our meetings at Independence Hall in Philadelphia understood, as our forefathers understood, that there would be times when the minority would be overwhelmed by a wealthy majority. But we also understood that people of good conscience would prevail.
The Catholic Diocese of Venice is playing fair in promoting its religious beliefs by supporting Amendment 2 in its Parish Bulletins this past Sunday. While I won’t dispute their right to promote bigotry and hatred I do dispute their premise that Amendment 2 is about “Gay marriage”. First of all “Gay Marriage” is illegal in Florida. Beyond that I am sure that the Catholic Church has absolutely no reason to fear that any gay person will be knocking on their doors asking them to perform a “gay marriage”. It just ain’t going to happen, so relax and don’t soil your cassocks.
Amendment two is truly about hate and ignorance, something the Catholic Church has promoted for centuries and probably one of the better reason it should just go away and just be part of mankinds terrible history.
While amendment 2 is indeed an attack on GLBT Marriage it’s affects on the non gay community are overwhelming. It will take away domestic partnerships rights that are currently available in Broward, Dade Counties, Tampa City, Sarasota City, Orland City in Florida and a few others.
We know this to be true, we have seen this happen in Michigan and we know they are working to make this happen in Florida.
When the Catholic Bishop of Venice says that this amendment will have no impact on people's health care, hospital rights, legal and financial rights, Social Security rights, pension rights, he is either totally misinformed probably by choice or just a plain liar. But then again we know that Catholic Bishops are below the truth.
I was born and raised in Philadelphia, the Cradle of Liberty. When I was twelve years old my Club and I, the Eagles, would hop a trolley car and carry our flag to downtown Philadelphia and have a Club meeting in either Independence Hall or Carpenter’s Hall. Back in those days Philadelphia did not recognize the importance of the “Tourist Trade” so the keepers of those National Treasures let us kids have our meetings in those hallowed halls.
Even then, we kids understood the importance and the meaning of Democratic Republic theory. Sadly, most Americans and some Religious Communities who take their orders from other nations don’t understand the meaning of Democratic Republic. Our forefathers were very thoughtful in allowing most religions free to practice without harm or prejudice.
All Americans should be grateful that the men who met in Philadelphia in 1776 were so forethoughtful that they established our Nation’s government in a way that the majority would not be in a position to subjugate any minority. They created a Constitution that would allow all minorities to protest their subjugation to majority rule. They also protected religious communities from government control by ensuring that the State would not establish a religion. In other words, practice your religion as you see fit, but keep it to yourself. Impose your religious beliefs on your flock, those who choose to live under your rules, don’t break any of our laws, leave the kids alone, and let other American’s live as they believe. That is the American Way.
We kids, way back then, having our meetings at Independence Hall in Philadelphia understood, as our forefathers understood, that there would be times when the minority would be overwhelmed by a wealthy majority. But we also understood that people of good conscience would prevail.
The Catholic Diocese of Venice is playing fair in promoting its religious beliefs by supporting Amendment 2 in its Parish Bulletins this past Sunday. While I won’t dispute their right to promote bigotry and hatred I do dispute their premise that Amendment 2 is about “Gay marriage”. First of all “Gay Marriage” is illegal in Florida. Beyond that I am sure that the Catholic Church has absolutely no reason to fear that any gay person will be knocking on their doors asking them to perform a “gay marriage”. It just ain’t going to happen, so relax and don’t soil your cassocks.
Amendment two is truly about hate and ignorance, something the Catholic Church has promoted for centuries and probably one of the better reason it should just go away and just be part of mankinds terrible history.
While amendment 2 is indeed an attack on GLBT Marriage it’s affects on the non gay community are overwhelming. It will take away domestic partnerships rights that are currently available in Broward, Dade Counties, Tampa City, Sarasota City, Orland City in Florida and a few others.
We know this to be true, we have seen this happen in Michigan and we know they are working to make this happen in Florida.
When the Catholic Bishop of Venice says that this amendment will have no impact on people's health care, hospital rights, legal and financial rights, Social Security rights, pension rights, he is either totally misinformed probably by choice or just a plain liar. But then again we know that Catholic Bishops are below the truth.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Numbers Don't Lie, McCain Does
I recently had a conversation with a person who had an opposing view point regarding Congressional “earmarks”. I guess I was opposed to earmarks before I was in favor of them. Education and research is a wonderful thing and taking the time to understand the numbers is a good thing.
In the 2008 US Budget 6.6 billion was earmarked for defense issues by members of Congress, 3.3 billion was earmarked for clean water, the water we drink, 895 million was earmarked for the Health and welfare of our people, how sad is that, and 1.7 billion was earmarked for transportation. The balance of the 16 billion in “earmarks” in the 2008 US Budget were for sundry things that are probably important but may be offensive to people who do not understand that real research has to happen.
Earmarks comprise about .005% of the 2008, 3 Trillion Dollar United States Budget. In many cases they help to fulfill the obligation of the people we elect to represent us, our United States Representative. We send these people to Washington to bring back Tax dollars to our community.
If we need a “Bridge to Somewhere” Federal Aid, earmark budget items, our taxes, can be a boost to making that happen and enhancing the quality of like in our communities. Perhaps the people of Arizona do not need Federal assistance to improve the quality of life in their desert, but when I vote for a Congress person or Senator to represent my community in Washington I want them to do all they can do to bring my Federal Tax dollars back to my community. Indeed, I would prefer that my tax dollars be spent building and securing our infrastructure versus the infrastructure of Iraq.
So the next time you hear Senator McCain make a big deal out of a relatively itsy bitsy tiny issue give him the facts. The numbers never lie.
In the 2008 US Budget 6.6 billion was earmarked for defense issues by members of Congress, 3.3 billion was earmarked for clean water, the water we drink, 895 million was earmarked for the Health and welfare of our people, how sad is that, and 1.7 billion was earmarked for transportation. The balance of the 16 billion in “earmarks” in the 2008 US Budget were for sundry things that are probably important but may be offensive to people who do not understand that real research has to happen.
Earmarks comprise about .005% of the 2008, 3 Trillion Dollar United States Budget. In many cases they help to fulfill the obligation of the people we elect to represent us, our United States Representative. We send these people to Washington to bring back Tax dollars to our community.
If we need a “Bridge to Somewhere” Federal Aid, earmark budget items, our taxes, can be a boost to making that happen and enhancing the quality of like in our communities. Perhaps the people of Arizona do not need Federal assistance to improve the quality of life in their desert, but when I vote for a Congress person or Senator to represent my community in Washington I want them to do all they can do to bring my Federal Tax dollars back to my community. Indeed, I would prefer that my tax dollars be spent building and securing our infrastructure versus the infrastructure of Iraq.
So the next time you hear Senator McCain make a big deal out of a relatively itsy bitsy tiny issue give him the facts. The numbers never lie.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
What Happened To The "Republicans" ?
I guess I must have been distracted when Verne Buchannan gave up being a “Republican” and decided to run as an Independent. Indeed, I don’t hear the word “Republican” in most political advertising either from those running for Congress or the top of the ticket. I also missed the Republican Party’s favorite sons at their recent convention. Oh yea, that’s right, GW did get to speak via satellite for a few moments, then gone and forgotten. The Dark Lord of the Republican Party, Dick Cheney, was nowhere to be seen.
What that pretty much tells me is that the Republican Party wants to forget its sordid past seven years, they want America to forget the disaster they inflicted on this Country, which will last for generations to come, and want the American voters to just act like everything is okey, dokey.
Well it isn’t and despite John McCain’s attempt to steal the vision of his opposition, John McCain is indeed the same old Republican baloney. The gall of Republicans to suggest that Democrats, who have barely controlled Congress for the past two years are somehow responsible for the tragic direction of this Nation is unmitigated.
Republicans have controlled Congress for twelve out of the past fourteen years and the Presidency for the past seven plus. During that time Republicans have diminished oversight and regulation, regulation that, as we are learning the hard way, could have lessened the impact of this historical economic crash.
I doubt very much that most Republicans, despite the nonsense rhetoric from the McCain campaign, really care about Middle Class America. Republicans will survive and weather this storm. In the meantime they have accomplished their main goal, to bankrupt the country and destroy important education assistance, health care and so many other programs that Middle America so badly depends.
What that pretty much tells me is that the Republican Party wants to forget its sordid past seven years, they want America to forget the disaster they inflicted on this Country, which will last for generations to come, and want the American voters to just act like everything is okey, dokey.
Well it isn’t and despite John McCain’s attempt to steal the vision of his opposition, John McCain is indeed the same old Republican baloney. The gall of Republicans to suggest that Democrats, who have barely controlled Congress for the past two years are somehow responsible for the tragic direction of this Nation is unmitigated.
Republicans have controlled Congress for twelve out of the past fourteen years and the Presidency for the past seven plus. During that time Republicans have diminished oversight and regulation, regulation that, as we are learning the hard way, could have lessened the impact of this historical economic crash.
I doubt very much that most Republicans, despite the nonsense rhetoric from the McCain campaign, really care about Middle Class America. Republicans will survive and weather this storm. In the meantime they have accomplished their main goal, to bankrupt the country and destroy important education assistance, health care and so many other programs that Middle America so badly depends.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Florida's Amendment 2 - Ignorance and Hate Prevails in the South
When you are as old as I am you can grasp the near history that went before you, especially when one of your own hometown people is part of that history. Back in 1939, the Daughters of the American Revolution refused permission for my hometown girl, Marion Anderson, to sing to an integrated audience in Constitution Hall in Washington, DC. As a result of the ensuing furor, thousands of DAR members, including First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, resigned. Later that year, with some pressure from Eleanor Roosevelt, Marion Anderson appeared before an audience of 75,000 people in front of the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday. She sang “My Country 'Tis of Thee”, a song that speaks about liberty, freedom and the dignity of all Americans. This November Voters in Florida will be asked to vote on an issue that if passed, will diminish the lives of hundreds of thousands of Florida residents. It is falsely called the “Marriage Amendment” or “Amendment 2”. The Amendment is cleverly worded to suggest that “Marriage” should only be between a man and a women, but it goes on to say “no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized."
This statement in “Amendment 2” takes away the rights of those who cannot legally marry and others who choose “domestic partnership” over “marriage” to care for each other. It denies the right of unmarried but loving couples from visiting each other in hospitals when one in the relationship is stricken, it denies these couples from sharing health insurance and it places many taxpaying Florida citizens into a second class citizen status. I can assure you that those who are promoting this initiative are the same folks who would deny Marion Anderson the dignity to sing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” in a public forum.
This statement in “Amendment 2” takes away the rights of those who cannot legally marry and others who choose “domestic partnership” over “marriage” to care for each other. It denies the right of unmarried but loving couples from visiting each other in hospitals when one in the relationship is stricken, it denies these couples from sharing health insurance and it places many taxpaying Florida citizens into a second class citizen status. I can assure you that those who are promoting this initiative are the same folks who would deny Marion Anderson the dignity to sing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” in a public forum.
John McCain: A Man of Mature Leadership and Experience
We have been told that there is only one candidate that has the experience and proven skills necessary for the Presidency. That candidate is, of course, John McCain. Everyone knows Barak Obama is a gifted orator, and can inspire the masses with his prepared speeches. But the true test of political skill and insight comes not from prepared speeches, but from statements made "off the cuff", when you must fall back on your accumulated years of experience to speak truth and wisdom.
To this end, I thought it might be helpful to collect some of John McCain's own words to illustrate how more than a quarter century in public office has made him such a respected public servant and presidential nominee. Some of these quotes are well known, some are not. They all have one thing in common, though: They speak to McCain's readiness to be the next President of the United States.
John McCain on Economics
"The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should. I've got Greenspan's book."
Fortunately, putting together economic policy is a relatively minor responsibility of a president, as evidenced in the following quote.
John McCain on the Duties of the President
"I'm running for president because I want to help with family values." Referring to one of the primary responsibilities of the president.
As soon as I find the part of the Presidential Oath of Office dealing with Family Values, I'll update this post. Please be patient, it might take a while.
John McCain on Working with Congress
"Fuck you! This is chickenshit stuff." Spoken to Republican Senator John Cornyn during discussions on McCain's amnesty bill.
"No, I'm calling you a fucking jerk!" Spoken to Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, after Grassley asked if McCain was calling him stupid.
"Can I get the translation? That's an excellent question." Responding to a supporter's question on what McCain would do in an election to "beat the bitch" (meaning Senator Hillary Clinton).
The main theme here is that McCain is highly skilled at working with others in a calm, mature, respectful way.
John McCain on Foreign Affairs
"We have reached a crisis, the first probably serious crisis internationally since the end of the Cold War." Referring to the Russian attack on Georgia. If this is the first serious international crisis since the end of the Cold War, some might ask why we attacked Iraq, sacrificing the lives of over 4000 Americans and possibly hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. For something not serious? But that's just liberal talk.
"We are all Georgians now." This shows McCain's well-reasoned, measured resolve to come to the aid of a vital American ally.
"I was concerned about a couple of steps that the Russian government took in the last several days. One was reducing the energy supplies to Czechoslovakia." Referring to a country that has not existed for 15 years, but that's a minor detail.
"We have a lot of work to do. It's a very hard struggle, particularly given the situation on the Iraq-Pakistan border." Spoken during an ABC News interview, referring to an international border that does not exist, but that's also a minor detail.
"Well, it's common knowledge and has been reported in the media that al Qaeda is going back into Iran and receiving training, and are coming back into Iraq from Iran." This a claim proudly repeated at least 4 times, that Shiite Iran is training Sunni al Qaeda.
As McCain himself has told us, he is a much more respected and knowledgeable expert on foreign policy than Barak Obama.
John McCain on International Diplomacy
"You know, the French remind me a little bit of an aging actress of the 1940's who is still trying to dine out on her looks but doesn't have the face for it." Commenting on French opposition to the Iraq War.
"Maybe that's a way of killing them." Referring to reports that cigarettes are being exported to Iran despite restrictions on trade with that country.
"Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran." Sung to the Beach Boys tune, "Barbara Ann".
Finally, we can have a president with the maturity and wisdom needed to heal diplomatic ties with allies, and reduce needless tension with potential adversaries.
To this end, I thought it might be helpful to collect some of John McCain's own words to illustrate how more than a quarter century in public office has made him such a respected public servant and presidential nominee. Some of these quotes are well known, some are not. They all have one thing in common, though: They speak to McCain's readiness to be the next President of the United States.
John McCain on Economics
"The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should. I've got Greenspan's book."
Fortunately, putting together economic policy is a relatively minor responsibility of a president, as evidenced in the following quote.
John McCain on the Duties of the President
"I'm running for president because I want to help with family values." Referring to one of the primary responsibilities of the president.
As soon as I find the part of the Presidential Oath of Office dealing with Family Values, I'll update this post. Please be patient, it might take a while.
John McCain on Working with Congress
"Fuck you! This is chickenshit stuff." Spoken to Republican Senator John Cornyn during discussions on McCain's amnesty bill.
"No, I'm calling you a fucking jerk!" Spoken to Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, after Grassley asked if McCain was calling him stupid.
"Can I get the translation? That's an excellent question." Responding to a supporter's question on what McCain would do in an election to "beat the bitch" (meaning Senator Hillary Clinton).
The main theme here is that McCain is highly skilled at working with others in a calm, mature, respectful way.
John McCain on Foreign Affairs
"We have reached a crisis, the first probably serious crisis internationally since the end of the Cold War." Referring to the Russian attack on Georgia. If this is the first serious international crisis since the end of the Cold War, some might ask why we attacked Iraq, sacrificing the lives of over 4000 Americans and possibly hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. For something not serious? But that's just liberal talk.
"We are all Georgians now." This shows McCain's well-reasoned, measured resolve to come to the aid of a vital American ally.
"I was concerned about a couple of steps that the Russian government took in the last several days. One was reducing the energy supplies to Czechoslovakia." Referring to a country that has not existed for 15 years, but that's a minor detail.
"We have a lot of work to do. It's a very hard struggle, particularly given the situation on the Iraq-Pakistan border." Spoken during an ABC News interview, referring to an international border that does not exist, but that's also a minor detail.
"Well, it's common knowledge and has been reported in the media that al Qaeda is going back into Iran and receiving training, and are coming back into Iraq from Iran." This a claim proudly repeated at least 4 times, that Shiite Iran is training Sunni al Qaeda.
As McCain himself has told us, he is a much more respected and knowledgeable expert on foreign policy than Barak Obama.
John McCain on International Diplomacy
"You know, the French remind me a little bit of an aging actress of the 1940's who is still trying to dine out on her looks but doesn't have the face for it." Commenting on French opposition to the Iraq War.
"Maybe that's a way of killing them." Referring to reports that cigarettes are being exported to Iran despite restrictions on trade with that country.
"Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran." Sung to the Beach Boys tune, "Barbara Ann".
Finally, we can have a president with the maturity and wisdom needed to heal diplomatic ties with allies, and reduce needless tension with potential adversaries.
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