Those Pesky "Christianists"

From Andrew Sullivan's "The Atlantic":

"We have two competing world views here and there is no way that we can reach across the aisle -- one is going to have to win. We are either going to go down the socialist road and become like western Europe and create, I guess really a godless society, an atheist society. Or we're going to continue down the other pathway where we believe in freedom of speech, individual liberties and that we remain a Christian nation. So we're going to have to win that battle, we're going to have to solve that argument before we can once again reach across and work together on things," - Congressman John Fleming (R-LA).

You hear that? It's a mythic battle, folks. For the record, people in Western Europe have the freedom of speech, individual liberties and many believe in the TRUE teachings of Christ - you know, like, tolerance, love, treat people the way you want to be treated, don't judge - you know all those great Christ-y things that the "Christians" in the USA seem to ignore.

This new wave of Republican, right-wing extremism is terrifying in that it represents a totalitarian theocracy - where people have LESS freedom of speech, LESS individual liberties and a nation where some, made up, perverse idea of Christ become national law.

That which they crave is not America. Indeed - this is a battle that the true Americans must (and will) win.

CA Judge Overturns Proposition 8

Judge Vaughn Walker today overturned Proposition 8. There's lot's of reactions to this and mostly they are positive, as they should be. This ruling is a victory for everyone - not only for the tens of thousands of couples that it directly affects, but for every person in the state of California, no matter what side they are on. For this ruling ensures us that justice, fairness and equality still matter in California, that our state's constitution is alive and well and is doing it's job, protecting ALL citizens of this state. So, it's a great day for EVERYONE in California.
Now go out and celebrate... :)

Prop 8 Ruling FINAL

Cucumber Mint Margarita

Looking for a new twist on an old favorite? Well, check THIS out !

First - the CLASSIC Margarita. This is easy, delicious AND refereshing...although, an ass-kicker. In a big pitcher, equal parts of Tequilla and Triple Sec, then a big splash of FRESH SQUEEZED LIME JUICE - just enough to change the color to pale yellow/green. Seriously - not too much. Ok - "juice" a couple English, hot-house cucumbers (the kind that are wrapped in plastic). Peel them first, cut lengthwise and remove the seeds. If you have a juicer, GREAT. If not, put them in a food processor, then strain the liquid/pulp through a sieve or cheesecloth until you have a dark green, pure juice - no pulp.

Pour the cucumber juice into the pitcher (the amount of cucumber juice should AT LEAST equal the amount of Tequilla and Triple Sec together. Feel free to adjust to your personal taste)

In a cocktail shaker, muddle about 12 fresh mint leaves. Add a few cubes of ice. Pour Margarita/cucumber mixture. Shake for AT LEAST 30 SECONDS. Pour into chilled martini glasses or enjoy in Highball glasses filled with ice. Garnish with fresh mint. Enjoy. :)

MA Judge: DOMA Unconstitutional

I know.. this story is EVERYWHERE ! Massachusetts judge rules that DOMA (Defense Of Marriage Act) violates or "offends" the US Constitution, particularly the 5th and 10th Amendments.

Celebrate today for this is the beginning... and tomorrow there will be an appeal. :(

By the way, here is an excerpt from a speech given by Seaborn Roddenberry, a US Representative from the State of Georgia, in congress on December 11, 1912 on creating a Federal Anti-Miscegenation Law, banning interracial marriage across the country, after the African American, heavyweight champion, Jack Johnson married a white woman:

"No brutality, no infamy, no degradation in all the years of southern slavery, possessed such villainious character and such atrocious qualities as the provision of the laws of Illinois, Massachusetts, and other states which allow the marriage of the negro, Jack Johnson, to a woman of Caucasian strain. [applause]. Gentleman, I offer this resolution ... that the States of the Union may have an opportunity to ratifty it. ... Intermarriage between whites and blacks is repulsive and averse to every sentiment of pure American spirit. It is abhorrent and repugnant to the very principles of Saxon government. It is subversive of social peace. It is destructive of moral supremacy, and ultimately this slavery of white women to black beasts will bring this nation a conflict as fatal as ever reddened the soil of Virginia or crimsoned the mountain paths of Pennsylvania. ... Let us uproot and exterminate now this debasing, ultra-demoralizing, un-American and inhuman leprosy"

Here's another gem...

On January 6th, 1959 a Virginia judge, Leon Bazile, after ruling AGAINST Richard and Mildred Loving (in the famous, interracial marriage case Loving vs. Virgina), declared the following:

"Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, malay and red, and he placed them on separate continents. And but for the interference with his arrangement there would be no cause for such marriages. The fact that he separated the races shows that he did not intend for the races to mix."

These attitudes are almost identical to the same rhetoric, language, fear & ignorance based nonsense that NOM, AFA, FOTF, & the GOP spout everyday in regards to same sex marriage today. Bigots really do suffer from both short term and long term memory loss.

The 2nd Worst President - Ever !

Since 1982, the Siena Research Institute has polled presidential scholars on whom they view to be best and worst presidents in American history, based on a variety of issues from “integrity” to economic stewardship. This year’s poll of 238 scholars found that President Franklin Roosevelt was once again ranked on top, joined by Presidents Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington, and Teddy Roosevelt to complete the top five. However, President George W. Bush did not fare well since the last poll was conducted in 2002. He dropped 16 places to 39th, making him the worst president since Warren Harding died in office in 1923, and one of the bottom five of all time, according to the experts:

Today, just one year after leaving office, the former president has
found himself in the bottom five at 39th rated especially poorly in handling the economy, communication, ability to compromise, foreign policy accomplishments and intelligence. Rounding out the bottom five are four presidents that have held that dubious distinction each time the survey has been conducted: Andrew Johnson, James Buchanan, Warren G. Harding, and Franklin Pierce.

Bush was rated second from the bottom on “intelligence,” “foreign policy
accomplishments,” and “handling of U.S. economy.” This despite promises from Bush supporters that “history will be very kind” to the former president, as his Attorney General John Ashcroft put it. Bush’s father’s legacy “held constant” in this year’s poll, with George H.W. Bush coming in at 22nd. President Reagan “dropped two places from 16th overall in 2002 to 18th today.” President Obama was ranked 15th. (HT: Taegan Goddard)

From the "Better Late Than Never" Department....

Are Your Children Playing With Lucifer’s Testicles? is a Christian Bible based tome that “teaches parents how to easily explain to their children that Easter (as it is celebrated by the Unsaved) has absolutely nothing to do with Jesus Christ but is actually a holiday celebrating lewd and sexually explicit pagan rituals of fertility.”

"Easter Eggs are one of the wiliest tools of the Devil," Daniel Cameroon, the writer of the book declares. "Pagan kids didn't have anything to do on Easter Sunday because their mommies and daddies were stuck in a false temple all day, naked and writhing around with their neighbors in Satanic orgies of the flesh. You see, parents had to come up with a way to occupy their children while they were away from home, praying and fornicating under the altar of Satan. And since they didn't have babysitters back then, they gave their kids eggs to play with and sometimes paint.” He continues to state, "But the reason they chose eggs had nothing to do with any sort of fertility or fertilizers (as some misguided Christian historians would have you believe). Nope, it was because of Lucifer's testicles! Glory to God!”
Oh the fun! Can't wait to color, dye and crack open some of my own Lucifer's Testicles. Do you think Easter Eggs are the tools of Satan?

A Letter To Rep. Ike Skelton From A Soldier In Iraq

From the site: "Towleroad"

You may recall that earlier this week Rep. Ike Skelton expressed his opposition to repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" because, he said, it would harm families who would then be forced to discuss homosexuality with their children.

Asked Skelton: "What do mommies and daddies say to their 7-year-old child?"

I reported this morning that Skelton was to be the target of a protest today for those remarks. He was, and I should have a report on that later. As part of that protest, by GetEQUAL and Missouri LGBT activist groups, a letter was read to Rep. Skelton from a gay, Missouri soldier who is currently on active duty In Baghdad and facing discharge under the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law. The letter calls for the Armed Services Chairman to stop his efforts trying to thwart any attempt at progress toward the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

Here's the letter:

Representative Ike Skelton
US House of Representatives
2206 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-2504

Dear Representative Skelton,

It was in Ray County, Missouri that I first decided that I would join the Army. I was sitting on the pond dock at my fathers’ home, and came to the realization that my life was not heading anywhere that I wanted it to. I had no way to pay for college, and it seemed I would be stuck in that town not amounting to much. I went and spoke with a recruiter in Liberty, Missouri and eleven days later I was sitting at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Nearly four years later, I do not regret that decision. I am now sitting in Baghdad preparing to redeploy back to the United States for a second, and final time. I can honestly say I am proud of the work we have done here. I look at the Iraqis that I personally helped train as a member of the Military Transition Team and can rest assured that we are leaving the area in capable hands. Through serving the country in the United States Army I have become more patriotic than I knew possible.

However, my pride in the Army and what we stand for has been yanked away. One of the first lessons that I learned after joining the Army was the importance of Integrity. I have served our great country honorably in two deployments. I have earned eight awards and have a clean record. I was one of the first responders to Muqdadiyah in 2007 when then President Bush ordered the surge, where my unit spent fifteen months in various provinces. I returned again nine months ago to finish what we started and am proud to be a member of the last combat brigade operating in theatre.

Although my record is untarnished, there is one thing separating myself and the rest of ‘America’s hero’s.’ Though I have less than a year left before my contract has been served, I was informed that the Army is considering discharging me under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law, and this hurts extensively. My command realizes and respects the efforts and contributions to my unit and the fact that we are low-manned. It seems that they are holding out as long as they can on my discharge process, waiting for “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to be repealed.

I can understand if your views are against gay and lesbians in general, but sir you must realize your unique role in the United States. Were it not for uncomfortable truths there would be no need for you at all. As a representative of the State of Missouri and a leader in Congress’ role pertaining to the Military, it is imperative that you not succumb to weak leadership. However, I find it disturbingly necessary to remind you today of your job and that is to open national discussions on issues to find the best resolution. That is your job, and were it not, there would be no need for Congress.

Congressman Skelton, I demand that you apologize for your remarks. You need to recognize the disrespect that you issued to the gay and lesbian soldiers, like myself, who are currently serving regardless if we are recognized or not. I demand that you look at this from my perspective. I have spent the majority of my adult life fighting for a war in which you sent me to. I am fighting for your safety and freedom, and for every “mommy and daddies” seven year olds’ freedom and safety. I come in from a long day out in the streets of Baghdad and see on television my representative, my voice, condemning the act of acknowledging my existence.

Congressman regardless of your personal views on the issue, we are serving now. To be disrespectful to us is not only intolerant but ignorant. We deserve at the bare minimum an honest assessment and a fair judgment on the matter. In order for this to happen you, as the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, must allow these discussions to take place. I will continue fighting for your freedom congressman, will you cease blocking mine?

United States Army (Specialist E4)
Baghdad, Iraq