Friday, November 09, 2007

GLBT DIGEST November 9, 2007

**IF YOU CAN'T ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT US AT rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.


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The Miami Herald

http://www.miamiherald.com/692/story/299590.html

Posted on Wed, Nov. 07, 2007

How They Voted: Gay Rights

The 235-184 roll call Wednesday by which the House passed the EmploymentNon-Discrimination Act.

A "yes" vote is a vote to pass the bill.

Voting yes were 200 Democrats and 35 Republicans.
Voting no were 25 Democrats and 159 Republicans.
X denotes those not voting.

There are 2 vacancies in the 435-member House.

ALABAMA
Democrats - Cramer, N; Davis, N.
Republicans - Aderholt, N; Bachus, N; Bonner, N; Everett, N; Rogers, N.
ALASKA
Republicans - Young, N.
ARIZONA
Democrats - Giffords, X; Grijalva, Y; Mitchell, Y; Pastor, Y.
Republicans - Flake, Y; Franks, N; Renzi, N; Shadegg, N.
ARKANSAS
Democrats - Berry, N; Ross, N; Snyder, Y.
Republicans - Boozman, N.
CALIFORNIA
Democrats - Baca, Y; Becerra, Y; Berman, Y; Capps, Y; Cardoza, Y; Costa, Y;
Davis, Y; Eshoo, Y; Farr, Y; Filner, Y; Harman, Y; Honda, Y; Lantos, Y; Lee,
Y; Lofgren, Zoe, Y; Matsui, Y; McNerney, Y; Miller, George, Y; Napolitano,
Y; Pelosi, Y; Richardson, Y; Roybal-Allard, Y; Sanchez, Linda T., Y;
Sanchez, Loretta, Y; Schiff, Y; Sherman, Y; Solis, Y; Stark, Y; Tauscher, Y;
Thompson, Y; Waters, Y; Watson, Y; Waxman, Y; Woolsey, Y.
Republicans - Bilbray, N; Bono, Y; Calvert, N; Campbell, Y; Doolittle, N;Dreier, Y; Gallegly, N; Herger, N; Hunter, N; Issa, N; Lewis, N; Lungren,Daniel E., N; McCarthy, N; McKeon, N; Miller, Gary, N; Nunes, N; Radanovich,N; Rohrabacher, N; Royce, N.
COLORADO
Democrats - DeGette, Y; Perlmutter, Y; Salazar, Y; Udall, Y.
Republicans - Lamborn, N; Musgrave, N; Tancredo, N.
CONNECTICUT
Democrats - Courtney, Y; DeLauro, Y; Larson, Y; Murphy, Y.
Republicans - Shays, Y.
DELAWARE
Republicans - Castle, Y.

FLORIDA
Democrats - Boyd, X; Brown, Corrine, Y; Castor, Y; Hastings, Y; Klein, Y;
Mahoney, Y; Meek, Y; Wasserman Schultz, Y; Wexler, Y.

Republicans - Bilirakis, N; Brown-Waite, Ginny, N; Buchanan, N; Crenshaw, N;
Diaz-Balart, L., Y; Diaz-Balart, M., Y; Feeney, N; Keller, N; Mack, N; Mica,N; Miller, N; Putnam, N; Ros-Lehtinen, Y; Stearns, N; Weldon, N; Young, N.

GEORGIA
Democrats - Barrow, N; Bishop, Y; Johnson, Y; Lewis, Y; Marshall, N; Scott,Y.
Republicans - Broun, N; Deal, N; Gingrey, N; Kingston, N; Linder, N; Price,N; Westmoreland, X.
HAWAII
Democrats - Abercrombie, Y; Hirono, Y.
IDAHO
Republicans - Sali, N; Simpson, N.
ILLINOIS
Democrats - Bean, Y; Costello, Y; Davis, Y; Emanuel, Y; Gutierrez, Y; Hare,Y; Jackson, Y; Lipinski, N; Rush, Y; Schakowsky, Y.
Republicans - Biggert, Y; Hastert, N; Johnson, N; Kirk, Y; LaHood, X;
Manzullo, N; Roskam, N; Shimkus, N; Weller, N.
INDIANA
Democrats - Carson, X; Donnelly, Y; Ellsworth, Y; Hill, Y; Visclosky, Y.
Republicans - Burton, N; Buyer, X; Pence, N; Souder, N.
IOWA
Democrats - Boswell, Y; Braley, X; Loebsack, Y.
Republicans - King, N; Latham, N.
KANSAS
Democrats - Boyda, Y; Moore, Y.
Republicans - Moran, N; Tiahrt, N.
KENTUCKY
Democrats - Chandler, Y; Yarmuth, Y.
Republicans - Davis, N; Lewis, N; Rogers, N; Whitfield, N.
LOUISIANA
Democrats - Jefferson, X; Melancon, N.
Republicans - Alexander, N; Baker, N; Boustany, N; Jindal, X; McCrery, Y.
MAINE
Democrats - Allen, Y; Michaud, N.
MARYLAND
Democrats - Cummings, Y; Hoyer, Y; Ruppersberger, Y; Sarbanes, Y; VanHollen, Y; Wynn, Y.
Republicans - Bartlett, N; Gilchrest, Y.
MASSACHUSETTS
Democrats - Capuano, Y; Delahunt, Y; Frank, Y; Lynch, Y; Markey, Y;
McGovern, Y; Neal, Y; Olver, X; Tierney, Y; Tsongas, Y.
MICHIGAN
Democrats - Conyers, Y; Dingell, Y; Kildee, Y; Kilpatrick, Y; Levin, Y;Stupak, Y.
Republicans - Camp, N; Ehlers, N; Hoekstra, N; Knollenberg, Y; McCotter, Y;Miller, Y; Rogers, N; Upton, N; Walberg, N.
MINNESOTA
Democrats - Ellison, Y; McCollum, Y; Oberstar, X; Peterson, Y; Walz, Y.Republicans - Bachmann, N; Kline, N; Ramstad, Y.
MISSISSIPPI
Democrats - Taylor, N; Thompson, Y.
Republicans - Pickering, N; Wicker, N.
MISSOURI
Democrats - Carnahan, Y; Clay, Y; Cleaver, Y; Skelton, N.
Republicans - Akin, N; Blunt, N; Emerson, N; Graves, N; Hulshof, N.
MONTANA
Republicans - Rehberg, N.
NEBRASKA
Republicans - Fortenberry, N; Smith, N; Terry, N.
NEVADA
Democrats - Berkley, Y.
Republicans - Heller, N; Porter, Y.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Democrats - Hodes, Y; Shea-Porter, Y.
NEW JERSEY
Democrats - Andrews, Y; Holt, N; Pallone, Y; Pascrell, Y; Payne, Y; Rothman,Y; Sires, Y.
Republicans - Ferguson, N; Frelinghuysen, Y; Garrett, N; LoBiondo, Y;
Saxton, Y; Smith, N.
NEW MEXICO
Democrats - Udall, Y.
Republicans - Pearce, N; Wilson, N.
NEW YORK
Democrats - Ackerman, Y; Arcuri, Y; Bishop, Y; Clarke, N; Crowley, Y; Engel,Y; Gillibrand, Y; Hall, Y; Higgins, Y; Hinchey, Y; Israel, Y; Lowey, Y;
Maloney, Y; McCarthy, Y; McNulty, Y; Meeks, Y; Nadler, N; Rangel, Y;
Serrano, Y; Slaughter, Y; Towns, N; Velazquez, N; Weiner, N.
Republicans - Fossella, Y; King, N; Kuhl, Y; McHugh, Y; Reynolds, N; Walsh,N.
NORTH CAROLINA
Democrats - Butterfield, Y; Etheridge, Y; McIntyre, N; Miller, Y; Price, Y;
Shuler, N; Watt, Y.
Republicans - Coble, N; Foxx, N; Hayes, N; Jones, N; McHenry, N; Myrick, N.
NORTH DAKOTA
Democrats - Pomeroy, Y.
OHIO
Democrats - Jones, Y; Kaptur, Y; Kucinich, Y; Ryan, Y; Space, Y; Sutton, Y;
Wilson, Y.
Republicans - Boehner, N; Chabot, N; Hobson, Y; Jordan, N; LaTourette, N;
Pryce, Y; Regula, N; Schmidt, N; Tiberi, Y; Turner, N.
OKLAHOMA
Democrats - Boren, X.
Republicans - Cole, N; Fallin, N; Lucas, N; Sullivan, N.
OREGON
Democrats - Blumenauer, Y; DeFazio, Y; Hooley, Y; Wu, Y.
Republicans - Walden, Y.
PENNSYLVANIA
Democrats - Altmire, Y; Brady, Y; Carney, Y; Doyle, Y; Fattah, Y; Holden, Y;
Kanjorski, Y; Murphy, Patrick, Y; Murtha, Y; Schwartz, Y; Sestak, Y.
Republicans - Dent, Y; English, Y; Gerlach, Y; Murphy, Tim, N; Peterson, N;
Pitts, N; Platts, Y; Shuster, N.
RHODE ISLAND
Democrats - Kennedy, Y; Langevin, Y.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Democrats - Clyburn, Y; Spratt, Y.
Republicans - Barrett, N; Brown, N; Inglis, N; Wilson, N.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Democrats - Herseth Sandlin, Y.
TENNESSEE
Democrats - Cohen, Y; Cooper, Y; Davis, Lincoln, N; Gordon, N; Tanner, N.
Republicans - Blackburn, N; Davis, David, N; Duncan, N; Wamp, N.
TEXAS
Democrats - Cuellar, Y; Doggett, Y; Edwards, N; Gonzalez, Y; Green, Al, Y;
Green, Gene, Y; Hinojosa, Y; Jackson-Lee, Y; Johnson, E. B., Y; Lampson, N;
Ortiz, Y; Reyes, Y; Rodriguez, Y.
Republicans - Barton, N; Brady, N; Burgess, N; Carter, N; Conaway, N;
Culberson, N; Gohmert, N; Granger, N; Hall, N; Hensarling, N; Johnson, Sam,
N; Marchant, N; McCaul, N; Neugebauer, N; Paul, X; Poe, N; Sessions, N;
Smith, N; Thornberry, N.
UTAH
Democrats - Matheson, Y.
Republicans - Bishop, N; Cannon, N.
VERMONT
Democrats - Welch, Y.
VIRGINIA
Democrats - Boucher, Y; Moran, Y; Scott, Y.
Republicans - Cantor, N; Davis, Tom, Y; Drake, N; Forbes, N; Goode, N;
Goodlatte, N; Wolf, N.
WASHINGTON
Democrats - Baird, Y; Dicks, Y; Inslee, Y; Larsen, Y; McDermott, Y; Smith,Y.
Republicans - Hastings, N; McMorris Rodgers, N; Reichert, Y.
WEST VIRGINIA
Democrats - Mollohan, Y; Rahall, N.
Republicans - Capito, N.
WISCONSIN
Democrats - Baldwin, Y; Kagen, Y; Kind, Y; Moore, Y; Obey, Y.
Republicans - Petri, N; Ryan, Y; Sensenbrenner, N.
WYOMING
Republicans - Cubin, X.


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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org

Note that 7 Democrats voted NO because the legislation was not inclusive.
They are:

Yvette Clark (D-NY)
Rush Holt (D-NJ)
Michael Michaud (D-ME)
Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)
Ed Towns (D-NY)
Nydia Velazquez (D-NY)
Anthony Weiner (D-NY)



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Forwarded from EuroQueer

Moscow City Court Confirms Gay Pride Pickets Ban Lawful
Organiser plan to go to the European Court of Human Rights

An appeal by the organisers of this year's Moscow Gay Pride was dismissedtoday.

The Moscow City Court threw out the appeal, ruling that the decision of thelower Taganski district court that the ban by Moscow authorities on picketsas part of May's Moscow Pride was lawful.

Two pickets in support for tolerance and respect of the rights and freedomsof homosexual people in Russia were offered by the organisers of the gaypride as an alternative to the march on the same day which was banned byMoscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov.

One of the pickets was planned on Tverskaya Square in front of City Hallwhile the other was planned in Novopushkinsky Skver in downtown Moscow.

Organisers planned that between 50 to 100 participants will take part.Prefecture of the Central Administrative Area of Moscow denied thepermission for both events giving reference to Article 11 of the EuropeanConvention on Human Rights which allows to ban a public event for securityreasons.

more....


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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/11/110807parole.htm

Gay Man's Killer Denied Parole

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: November 8, 2007 - 3:00 pm ET

(Houston, Texas) A man serving a 45-year sentence for the 1991 brutalstabbing of a gay man outside a Houston gay club has been denied parole.

Jon Buice, 33, was one of ten men convicted of killing Paul Broussard, a 27year old bank employee. The others received shorter sentences have sincebeen released.

Buice was identified as the man wielding the knife and got the longestsentence.

On July 4, 1991 the gang of ten teenaged men set out looking for gays toattack.

They spotted three gay men leaving a gay club in the Montrose area and beganbeating them. Two of the victims escaped with only minor injuries, butBroussard was not so lucky.

more . . . . .



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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/11/110807korea.htm

Gays Dropped From South Korea Rights Law

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: November 8, 2007 - 5:00 pm ET

(Seoul) Bowing to pressure from conservative Christian groups the SouthKorean government has dropped plans to enshrine LGBT civil rights in newanti-discrimination legislation.

Last month the government announced plans to bring in a new "all inclusive"bill, listing 20 categories which would be protected, including gays,lesbians and the transgendered.

The inclusion of Korea's LGBT community mobilized the country's conservativechurches. Evangelicals have steadily been growing in numbers in thetraditionally Buddhist country and now represent a sizable vocal andpolitical force.

The churches claimed the proposed bill would legitimize immorality, lead toincreased numbers of people with HIV/AIDS, and force Christian businesses tohire people against their religious convictions.

This week the Justice Ministry said that it had rewritten the bill, removingsexuality along with several other categories including nationality andspoken language.

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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/11/110807bride.htm

Church Bars Trans Politician From Relative's Wedding

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: November 8, 2007 - 5:00 pm ET

(Rome) An Italian couple has been told the bride's cousin cannot attend thewedding because she is transsexual, supports gay rights and is a critic ofthe Catholic Church.

Vladimir Luxuria was to have been a bridesmaid at the wedding, to take placethis weekend at an ancient chapel in Foggia, in southern Italy.

Italian media report that the chapel's priest told the couple that it has achoice to make: either they disinvite Luxuria or they do not marry.

The priest, identified as a Fr Francesco, said Luxuria does not represent"family values".

Luxuria is a member of Italy's Communist Party and a member of PrimeMinister Prodi's ruling coalition.

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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/11/110807marriage.htm

Poll: Majority Support Gay Civil Unions

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: November 8, 2007 - 5:00 pm ET

(New York City) Most Americans continue to balk at the idea of same-sexmarriage but a new poll shows a record number support civil unions.

The ABC News/Washington Post, released Thursday, shows that 55 percent ofAmericans believe gay and lesbian couples should be allowed to form civilunions and have the same rights as married opposite-sex couples in the areasof health insurance, inheritance and pensions.

It is the first time a clear majority has shown such support. The previoushigh in an ABC/Post poll was 51 percent in 2004 and fell within the marginof error.

Last year the poll found only 45 percent supported civil unions.

The new poll shows the greatest opposition comes from evangelicals andconservative Republicans. More than 2 - 1 said same-sex couples should notbe accorded any of the rights associated with marriage.

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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/11/110907ag.htm

Mukasey Confirmed, Vows To Be Independent

by The Associated Press
Posted: November 9, 2007 - 8:00 am ET

(Washington) Neither of Washington nor President Bush's Texas power circle,Michael Mukasey won his new job as attorney general in large part bypromising to be an advocate of law enforcement independent of White Houseand any other politics.

But Bush, his Capitol Hill allies and congressional Democrats have plenty ofexpectations.

The president wants him to carry out the administration's terrorism-fightingagenda.

"Judge Mukasey will lead the Justice Department as it works to protect theAmerican people whether from drug traffickers and other criminals on ourstreets or from terrorists who seek to attack our homeland," the presidentsaid late Thursday, after the Senate confirmed Mukasey 53-40.

Bush added another instruction:

"Now that Judge Mukasey has been confirmed, I look forward to working withthe Senate to fill the other senior leadership positions at the JusticeDepartment so that America has the strongest, most capable national securityteam during this time of war."

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Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=15160

Lawsuit to proceed on gay-rights flag burning

Application process for burning permit to face legal scrutiny
COLUMBUS (AP) | Nov 8, 2:41 PM

Three men who sought permits to burn ceremonial items in public, includingthe rainbow-colored flag of the gay rights movement, can continue with alawsuit against the city of Columbus, a federal appeals court ruled.

The plaintiffs include Charles Spingola and Thomas Meyer, who were convictedin Franklin County Environmental Court and fined $100 each for themisdemeanor charge of open burning without a permit. They were arrested in2001 in violation of their First Amendment right to free speech because cityofficials are hostile to people who may offend the gay community, theplaintiffs argued.

On Tuesday, a three-member panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals inCincinnati agreed that the plaintiffs had ground to sue over Columbus'permit application process, which Spingola and Meyer complained wasconfusing and burdensome. But the court rejected the plaintiffs' claim ofselective enforcement and denied efforts by Spingola and Meyer to seekdamages.

Spingola and Meyer were joined in the lawsuit by David Daubenmire, founderof a Christian group called Pass the Salt Ministries who was denied a citypermit to burn the rainbow-colored flag outside a federal courthouse in 2004along with a copy of the Quran and copies of U.S. Supreme Court decisions"viewed by Christians as undermining Biblical morality," court documentssaid.

The plaintiffs' attorney, Thomas Condit of Cincinnati, said yesterday thatthe appeals court ruling is a First Amendment victory that will ultimatelyrequire the city of Columbus to adopt a clear policy that lets demonstratorsget burning permits "without being mercilessly jerked around."

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Rochester, MN - Post-Bulletin

http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?a=314726&z=2

Lesbian couple say they'll appeal ruling in athletic club lawsuit

By Janice Gregorson
11/8/2007 9:17:04 AM
Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

It was no surprise Tuesday for defendants in a local discrimination suitwhen a district judge ruled in their favor.

Greg Griffiths of Rochester, the attorney representing the RochesterAthletic Club and its owner, John Remick, said the ruling by Judge KevinLund supports their position that state law does not require businesses toadopt policies advocated by Amy and Sarah Monson.

The Rochester women brought the civil lawsuit against the athletic club inMarch alleging sexual orientation discrimination. The woman are identifiedas lesbian women in a committed relationship raising a child. They tried topurchase a family membership at the athletic club in 2006 and were turneddown because they are not legally married.

Griffiths moved for summary judgment, saying that the athletic club did notviolate the state human rights act and that the club's policy requirespeople to be married to qualify for family membership. He said the Monsonswere not denied membership, just that they couldn't get the familymembership rate.

Attorneys for the Monsons said Tuesday they will appeal the ruling to theMinnesota Court of Appeals.

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BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/north_yorkshire/7085676.stm

Army sex refusal 'led to misery'

A sergeant made a lesbian soldier's life "an absolute misery" after sherefused to have sex with him, an employment tribunal has heard.

Lance Bombardier Kerry Fletcher, 31, from Birmingham, claims she was pickedon because of her sexual orientation.

She said she was humiliated at the army stables in North Yorkshire where sheworked after she ignored explicit text messages from the sergeant.

She said friends in the regiment were warned to keep their distance fromher.

'Felt victimised'

The Ministry of Defence has accused Miss Fletcher of turning up to worklate, not following correct administerial procedures and having "anattitude".

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Western Star

http://www.western-star.com/opinion/content/shared/news/stories/2007/07/GAY_LUTHERAN_0706_COX.html

Lutherans officially remove gay pastor

By CHRISTOPHER QUINN
Cox News Service
Friday, July 06, 2007

ATLANTA - The Rev. Bradley Schmeling lost another skirmish with the nation'slargest Lutheran denomination over the fact that he is in a gayrelationship.

But he and his flock at Atlanta's St. John's Lutheran Church intend to takethe battle national.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America announced Thursday it has removedSchmeling from its list of approved ministers because of his long-termrelationship with a man.

Schmeling and members of St. John's say they will travel to a nationalchurch conference in August to try to change the minds of delegates on gayissues.

They will host a forum, hoping that hearing Schmeling share his story willconvince delegates to change ELCA policies.

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Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=15150

Parole denied for convict in gay-bashing death

Buice has served less than half his sentence
HOUSTON (AP) | Nov 8, 12:40 PM

A man convicted in the 1991 slaying of a gay banker has been denied parole.

The parole board said Wednesday that it rejected 33-year-old Jon Buice's bidfor release. He has served about one-third of a 45-year sentence he wasgiven after pleading guilty to murder.

Buice was one of 10 teens from The Woodlands convicted in a gay-bashingattack on Paul Broussard, 27. Broussard was beaten and stabbed to deathoutside of a Montrose nightclub.

"We're thankful the parole board saw fit to deny parole to someone who hasnot served half of his sentence," said Andy Kahan, director of the Mayor'sCrime Victims Office. "We'll be back in 2009 to continue the battle."

Kahan said Broussard's mother, Nancy Rodriguez, would consider Buice'srelease after he has served at least one year for each of the 27 years inBroussard's life.

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Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/blog/index.cfm?type=blog&start=11/7/07&end=11/10/07#15141

The House makes history

Posted by Kevin Naff, Washington Blade Editor
knaff@washblade.com
Nov. 7 at 5:40 PM

The U.S. House finally passed ENDA, after the bill languished in variousforms for 33 years.

What a refreshing change to hear lawmakers step up to defend the right ofgays and lesbians to be free from legal workplace discrimination. It seemslike an eternity ago that we were made to endure President Bush's cynicaland demoralizing anti-gay attacks during his State of the Union address.

Unfortunately, ENDA's supporters are divided too sharply along partisanlines and today's House debate included the usual scare tactics aboutinfringing on the right of Christian workers to post anti-gay scripture atthe office.

Even the Blade made it into today's debate. One Pennsylvania Republicanarguing against ENDA referenced a column by Monica Helms that was printed ina "gay activist" publication. In her piece published by the Blade on Aug.24, Helms wrote, "Hate crimes is the easiest bill to pass, so it's ourfoundation. Passing ENDA, repealing DADT, amending the Real ID Act and PPIAare the walls. Ending discrimination against transgender veterans in the VAis the plumbing and wiring. Civil unions is the roof structure and marriageis the shingles. You don't build a house upside down. Even butch lesbianscan tell you that. Why is it so difficult for our 'managers' to understandthis?"

That passage was quoted in today's debate to propagate another predictablescare tactic: ENDA will lead to gay marriage and is part of the nefarious"gay agenda." Of course, that's more than a stretch, and this particularplea sounded more like the groans of a dinosaur than informed congressionaldebate.

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Wonkette

http://wonkette.com/politics/bob-allen-trial/bob-allen-jury-to-visit-infamous-potty-320569.php

Bob Allen to Visit Infamous Potty

Florida Today's brilliant liveblogging of the Bob Allen penis trialcontinues with day three of hilarious "he said/he said" (h/t Larry Craig)misunderstandings. The trial is expected to go all afternoon. -

Oh wait! The trial won't resume until tomorrow morning, because they'retaking a field trip to the hot dog factory itself.

It's so exciting that we can't just quote it. A screen grab from FloridaToday is necessary:

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Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/2007/11-8/news/localnews/4172.cfm

Foreman: Florida is key state in '08
Task Force chief says winning here will show 'we can win everywhere'

By JUAN CARLOS RODRIGUEZ
Thursday, November 08, 2007

As the executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, MattForeman is one of the most influential people in Washington, D.C. when itcomes to shaping legislation that protects the rights of gay people inAmerica. Lately, he's been on the frontlines advocating for an inclusiveversion of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which is pending inCongress. He was instrumental in forging a coalition of more than 300 GLBTorganizations that persuaded Congressional leaders to postpone a vote andreconsider a version of ENDA without protections for transgendered people.

Foreman was in South Florida last week speaking at several engagements,including the Task Force's Recognition Dinner at the Intercontinental MiamiHotel on Nov. 3, and the Goodwin Symposium lecture series at NovaSoutheastern University in Davie on Nov. 6. He also appeared at severalprivate fund-raising engagements.

Foreman communicated the urgent need to defeat an amendment to ban same-sexmarriage that will likely be on the 2008 Florida ballot.

"The eyes of the national GLBT movement will be looking at Florida in 2008,"Foreman said.

In an interview with the Express, Foreman discussed ENDA, why Floridamatters and why he has little time for people like Jim Naugle.

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Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/2007/11-8/news/localnews/4174.cfm

A bad day for gay candidates in Miami Beach
Kruszewski loses, Gongora trails as commission race heads for recount

By JUAN CARLOS RODRIGUEZ
Thursday, November 08, 2007

South Florida's gay community watched the election returns in the MiamiBeach City Commission race on Nov. 6 with anticipation, as two openly gaycandidates, incumbent Michael Gongora and newcomer Frank Kruszewski, viedfor seats. But at press time, both candidates appeared to have lost theirbids.

With all the precincts reporting, Gongora, the first openly gay electedofficial in Miami Beach, trailed challenger Ed Tobin by only 31 votes or .34percent.

Kruszewski lost decisively to candidates Elsa Urquiza and Dee Dee Weithorn,getting just over 16 percent of the vote. The race will be decided in arun-off election Nov. 20.

According to state statute, election officials must conduct a recountbecause the margin that separates Gongora and Tobin is less than half apercentage point, said Christina White, assistant supervisor of elections.

The count was not completed by press time, and Gongora had not conceded.

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Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/2007/11-8/arts/cover/4182.cfm

Gay columnist stirring up Latino mainstream
Author of Nuevo Herald columns featured at Miami Book Fair

By JW ARNOLD
Thursday, November 08, 2007

Gay Miami journalist Daniel Shoer Roth, author of a newly publishedcollection of columns, will be one of the influential authors featured atthe Miami Book Fair International this weekend at Miami Dade College.

Roth has collected a series of his most thought-provoking columns fromMiami'sel Nuevo Herald in a bilingual volume titled "Stories of Truth and Hope,"which was published in collaboration with the Dade Human Services Coalition.In the spirit of Roth's column "En Foco," which takes a raw look at thesocial and economic issues facing his community, the book hopes to inspire asense of hope and fuel civic activism.

The author is the first to admit his own unique background colors hisperspective. "I'm a gay Latino Jew," he says, "Throughout the book, you seea special sensitivity to minorities. I grew up Jewish in a very Catholicsociety and gay in a very machista country. This book is definitely theresult of feeling discriminated against, but it takes a positive route and,hopefully, will foster tolerance for any issue, including gay issues."

A native of Venezuela, Roth came to the U.S. in 1997 to study journalism andLatin American and Caribbean studies at New York University's graduateschool. An internship with el Nuevo Herald landed him a full-time positionas a reporter in 1999. Eight years later, he is a full-time columnistexploring the contentious issues in Miami's conservative Hispanic culture.

One of the difficult topics Roth tackled early was the struggle of young gaychildren.

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Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/2007/11-8/view/editorial/4181.cfm

National obsession with sex offenders is unhealthy
Cruel, counterproductive laws motivated by right-wing hatreds

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Genarlow Wilson, a symbol of the absurd and destructive excesses of thenational obsession with sex offenders, was released from a Georgia prisonOct. 26. Wilson was 17 years old when he was sentenced to 10 years in prisonfor the "heinous crime" of having consensual sex with a 15-year-old girl. Hereceived oral sex from the girl at a New Year's Eve party.

Before his conviction, Wilson was an honor student who had had no brusheswith the law. African-American leaders raised questions about whether Wilsonwas treated differently because he is black. While those questions certainlyhave merit, the Wilson case is also part of a deeply disturbing trend inthis country in which all sex offenders - regardless of their offense andwhether or not they pose any threat to society - are lumped together andgiven harsh punishments that often amount to life sentences, or at leastlifetimes of public humiliation.

A few days after Wilson was released, Lee Chang, 25, a registered sexoffender who has been living in his car under a bridge, asked a BrowardCounty judge to allow him to live with his mother in her rented house.Chang, who was sentenced to 30 months in prison and 12 years of sex offenderprobation for having consensual sex with a teenage girl, has been homelessbecause of a Miramar ordinance that prohibits any convicted sex offenderfrom living within 2,500 feet of a school, playground, park, day care centeror school bus stop. Sex offender residency laws also prohibit sex offendersfrom living in apartment complexes with swimming pools.

These residency laws continue to be passed all over the country - WiltonManors and Oakland Park recently enacted laws - despite some high-profilechild safety advocates speaking out against them. In an article in theExpress in April, Don Ryce, the father of an 11-year-old Florida boy who wasmurdered by a sexual predator in 1995, criticized the laws as ineffective.

"[Sex offenders] do have cars," Ryce said. "They can drive to these places."

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Forwarded by David Bockoff

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/n/a/2007/11/08/state/n203836S93.DTL

R. Scott Hitt, prominent AIDS and gay rights activist, dies at 49

By DAISY NGUYEN, Associated Press Writer
Thursday, November 8, 2007 (AP)
(11-08) 20:38 PST Los Angeles (AP) --

Dr. R. Scott Hitt, an AIDS specialist and the first openly gay person tohead a presidential advisory board, has died. He was 49.

Hitt died Thursday of colon cancer at his home in West Hollywood,according to John Duran, the city's mayor and a longtime friend.

Hitt was chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV and AIDSduring President Clinton's administration in the 1990s.

"I think Scott's legacy was drawing AIDS to the attention of thepresident. He was uncompromising," Duran said. "He was not afraid ofchallenging the president about what would make good public policy."

When Clinton released a set of goals in December 1996 that called for acure, a vaccine and a guarantee of quality care for AIDS patients, Hittpressed for more measures to stem the rapid spread of the disease amongintravenous drug users.

"We're going to hold the administration's feet to the fire to make surethe steps they take accomplish the goals they set," he told The AssociatedPress in an interview at the time.

He criticized the Clinton administration for its reluctance to fundneedle exchange programs, which he said were proven to prevent the spread ofHIV.

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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org

GAY JAMAICAN RECIEVES ASYLUM WITH ASSISTANCE OF COLUMBIA LAW STUDENTS

Sexuality and Gender Law Clinic Secures Asylum for Gay Jamaican Man

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Elizabeth Schmalz
212-854-2156
eschma@law.columbia.edu

NEW YORK (November 8, 2007) - Today, Columbia Law School's Sexuality andGender Law Clinic secured asylum for Ven Messam, a gay man who fearedpersecution if forced to return to Jamaica because of his sexualorientation. The grant of asylum, issued by the U.S. Department ofHomeland Security, comes at a time when conditions for gay, lesbian,bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) people in Jamaica are getting moredangerous by the day.

Within just the last month, gay Jamaicans have been murdered and thegovernment has not intervened. Rampant rumors that hostile groups areplotting the social cleansing of hundreds of gay people by year's end haveforced countless GLBT people into hiding. Far from a tropical paradise,this Caribbean nation continues to imprison and kill its gay citizens withrelative impunity.

"I am grateful to the United States government for saving my life," saidMr. Messam. "My life in Jamaica was constantly in danger, with angry mobscarrying machetes, stones, knives, and guns, threatening to kill mebecause I am gay. When I tried to contact the police for help, the policeinstead threatened to arrest me and told me to leave the country if Iwanted to stay safe."

"This asylum grant highlights the particularly severe dangers facing gayJamaicans. From election campaigns that use songs which promote burningand killing gay people to police support for violent, anti-gay mobs, theJamaican government is actively menacing and endangering its gaycitizens," said Professor Suzanne B. Goldberg, director of the Sexualityand Gender Law Clinic.

"Mr. Messam's personal story, and the stories of countless other Jamaicansdemonstrate the terrifying situation facing GLBT individuals in Jamaica"said Simrin Parmar, one of the Columbia law students who worked on thiscase. "We are thankful that Mr. Messam will be able to live openly as agay man--safe from government-sponsored persecution," remarked JenniferStark, another Columbia law student who worked on this case, "but it isalarming to think about the fate of other GLBT people in Jamaica who arenot as fortunate."

Mr. Messam was referred to Columbia's Sexuality and Gender Law Clinic byImmigration Equality, a national organization focused on immigrationrights for GLBT individuals, which provided important assistance in thecase.

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KENNEDY ON ENDA
(As Prepared for Delivery)

November 8, 2007

Last night the House passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act with a strong bipartisan vote. The House billprohibits employers from discriminating against workers on the jobbecause of their sexual orientation. It protects Americans from beingfired, denied a job or promotion, or otherwise intentionallydiscriminated against because of their sexual orientation. Althoughthe bill is narrower than many of us had hoped, the House action isstill a main step in the long journey toward full civil rights forevery American.

In the Senate, I will work to move the Employment Non-DiscriminationAct this Congress. The bill that the House passed is being held at thedesk and I'm working with leadership to move this bill forward asquickly as possible.

This nation was founded on the principle of equal justice for all.That noble goal represents the best in America - that everyone shouldbe treated fairly and should have the chance to benefit from the manyopportunities of this country. The House action brings us closer tothat goal.

Forty-three years ago, President Lyndon Johnson signedinto law the Civil Rights Act of 1964. At that time, some in ourcountry were violently opposed to outlawing racial discrimination, andit was very difficult for Congress to reach a consensus. But the bestin America, and the best in the Senate, prevailed. My first majorspeech in this body as a freshman Senator was on the Civil Rights Act.I said then that I "firmly believe a sense of fairness and goodwillalso exists in the minds and hearts" of Americans, and that lawscreating the conditions for equality will help that spirit of fairnesswin out over prejudice. I still believe that today.

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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org

[euro-queer] "The Guardian" (London):

Briton charged over gay sex in Ghana

Alexandra Topping
Wednesday November 7, 2007

The Guardian

A Briton has been remanded in custody in Ghana for having sex withanother man, the Foreign Office confirmed yesterday. John Ross Macleodappeared at Accra circuit court on Monday charged with "unnatural carnalknowledge" and possession of obscene pictures. Gay sex is outlawed in thewest African country but prosecution is not common.

The photographer was arrested at an airport when police searching himfor drugs found a CD with images of him having sexual intercourse with a19-year-old Ghanaian.

Mr Macleod, 63, has pleaded guilty to "unnatural carnal knowledge". Hehas been given the option of a six-month jail term or a fine of about £320,according to a Foreign Office spokesman. He was remanded in custody after hewas unable to pay a £2,500 bail surety for the charge of possessing obsceneimages, which he denies.

It is thought Mr Macleod first met his partner, Emmanuel Adda, on theInternet.

A police spokesman said: "During his [Mr Macleod's] stay in Ghana, Addatravelled round the country with Macleod, who took the opportunity tosodomise him and took pictures as well," he said.

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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org

What Does Victory Mean? Gay City News on the ENDA Vote

http://gaycitynews.com:80/site/news.cfm?newsid=19002049&BRD=2729&PAG=461&dept_id=568864&rfi=6

What Does Victory Mean?
By: PAUL SCHINDLER
Gay City News, 11/07/2007

The United States House of Representatives, in a 235 -184 vote in the earlyevening of November 7, passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA),which provides federal protection barring workplace bias against gays andlesbians.

The vote marked the first time that either house of Congress has approved agay rights measure, and came 32 years after the first gay civil rightsmeasure, more comprehensive than ENDA, was introduced by the late BellaAbzug, then a congresswoman from Manhattan's West Side.

Despite the historic nature of Wednesday's vote, the victory is likely notto calm the deep divisions that emerged within the LGBT community in thepreceding six weeks. Many will judge the win Pyrrhic, at best, perhaps evena setback in the longer term.

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From: "Ken Sherrill"
To: "'Ken Sherrill'" ,
kenneth.sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu

Subject: My research

One of the reasons why you haven't heard much from me lately is that I havea major study of the political attitudes of LGB people going into the fieldearly next week. (We can't sample T people because of certain limitationsbeyond our control.)

I need to find 6-10 people to take a pretest of the questionnaire. It shouldbe up on a website on Friday night and we will need almost immediateturnaround.) we expect that the questionnaire will take 25-27 minutes. Ineed to know how long it took the pretesters.

Also, I would like to find as diverse a group of pretesters as possible: menand women of all ages and of a wide range of racial, ethnic, educationalbackgrounds. I'm particularly interested in finding a number of people whoare *not* interested in politics.

If you think you can volunteer or, better, that you can round up a fewvolunteers, this would be wonderful.

I cannot compensate you for this, but I can thank you in advance. With anyluck, I will have so many vounteers that I will have to tell some that weappreciate their offer but that we can't use their help.

Best,
Ken



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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/09/opinion/09fri1.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin

An Overdue Step for Equal Justice

November 9, 2007
Editorial

With its vote on Wednesday in favor of a bill to outlaw discrimination inemployment based on sexual orientation, the House scored a significant, iflong overdue, breakthrough for equality and fairness. The Senate should nowpass its own bill, and President Bush should sign this guarantee into law.

The House bill's passage owes much to the diligent efforts of Barney Frankof Massachusetts, the measure's chief sponsor, and fellow Democrats StenyHoyer, Tammy Baldwin and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Truly, though, the victorywas more than 30 years in the making. The Employment Nondiscrimination Actis the latest version of a bill that two former Democratic representativesfrom New York, Edward Koch and Bella Abzug, first introduced in 1974.

Protecting the employment rights of gay people no longer seems as bold as itdid then. Americans have come a long way in accepting gay rights, and some20 states already have adopted similar laws. Despite this progress, afederal law is still very much needed, since there remain 30 states thathave not acted to prevent gay men, lesbians and bisexuals from being deniedjobs or promotions simply because of who they are.

Winning a majority in the House required a painful decision by the bill'ssponsors to jettison language extending the prohibition against employmentdiscrimination to transgender individuals. As a result, some gay rightsgroups opposed the final bill.

We sympathize with the groups' sense of injustice, but disagree heartily asto strategy. Transgender people should be protected from discrimination, andwe hope they soon will be. It would have been regrettable, however, had thesponsors refused to compromise, and as a result, lost the chance to extendbasic civil rights to the millions of Americans who would be covered by thecurrent bill.

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The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/08/AR2007110801808.html

The Huckabee Difference

By Michael Gerson
Friday, November 9, 2007; A21

When I asked former pastor and current presidential candidate Mike Huckabeehis response to Pat Robertson's endorsement of Rudy Giuliani, he paused fora moment. "Surprised" was his understated reply. But his frustration wasquickly evident. "Our Web site went nuts with people saying they will nevergive money to Robertson again."

"There is a disconnect," he went on, "between past generational leaders inChristian conservatism and their own followers." Note the word "past."

Robertson's endorsement of a pro-choice presidential candidate is atransparent attempt to remain on the Republican train, even as it chugs awayfrom the priorities of the religious right. It also symbolizes a fragmentedpolitical movement, which has recently seen Paul Weyrich's endorsement ofMitt Romney and Sen. Sam Brownback's support for John McCain.

Which must leave Mike Huckabee wondering: Where do I fit in?

Huckabee is a fine debater and a compelling speaker who punches far abovehis fundraising weight. He has strong conservative credentials. He issolidly pro-life -- in our conversation he was highly critical of FredThompson's view that abortion policy should be left to the states. Huckabeesupports the troop surge in Iraq. He boasts of being America's firstgovernor to possess a concealed-weapons permit.

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To Form a More Perfect Union: Marriage Equality News

Information, news, and discussion about the legal recognition of same-sexcouples and their families, including marriages, domestic partnerships,civil unions, adoptions, foster children and similar issues.

http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/

Go to the website, above, for the following articles:

Montclair State University has established an undergraduate minor in Gay,Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Studies.The school joins a smallbut growing number of colleges and universities - informally pegged at about35 nationwide -- that have developed formal academic concentrations aroundthe subject.

--
GLBT Radio Network, LLC. announced today the official launch ofMyLesbianRadio.com, a full service lesbian web portal and Internet radiostation. My Lesbian Radio features a completely customizable experience withfull control over the music, the web content and even the color scheme.

--
Deb Price: Sad, disappointed and more than a little hurt. That's how manyAmericans who are both black and gay sound these days when they talk aboutBarack Obama.What's upsetting them is that the Democrat, despite stellargay-rights positions, sat back and allowed a gospel concert for hispresidential campaign to essentially spiral into an anti-gay revival.How? Aspart of wooing black evangelicals in high-stakes South Carolina, hiscampaign gave star billing at an event to Grammy-winning gospel singer andpreacher Donnie McClurkin, a self-identified "ex-gay" claiming to have beensaved from "perversion."When announcement of McClurkin's inclusion sparkedan understandable uproar in the gay and progressive faith communities, Obamaissued a big-tent statement that condemned "homophobia" and stressed he"strongly" disagrees with McClurkin's views.But sadly, Obama stood by thechoice.Making matters worse, the Obama campaign then tossed in a white gayminister at the opening of the event rather than add one of the black gay orgay-friendly pastors who offered their voices.Not surprisingly, at the Oct.28 gospel show, a fired-up McClurkin told a cheering audience: "I don'tspeak against the homosexual. I tell you that God delivered me fromhomosexuality."

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The decision by the MassEquality Board of Directors to expand its mission topartner with Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) to help bringequal marriage rights to other New England states and to work with localLGBT organizations to pass legislation here at home has been warmly receivedby advocates who spoke to Bay Windows this week. Not everyone, however, ishappy about the board's vote to disband MassEquality's coalition governance,a structure that some say was the very reason for its success in defeatingthe anti-gay marriage amendments that popped up after the Supreme JudicialCourt's 2003 Goodridge ruling. Meanwhile, in a joint interview, CampaignDirector Marc Solomon and Board Chair David Wilson said they've yet todetermine the specifics of MassEquality's structure, agenda and funding.

--
Today the House of Representatives voted 235 to 184 in favor of HR 3685 -- aversion of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that does notinclude protections based on "gender identity." ENDA was originallyintroduced in April by Barney Frank (D-MA), Deborah Pryce (R-OH), TammyBaldwin (D-WI), and Christopher Shays (R-CT) with legislative language thatincluded protections based on both "sexual orientation" and "genderidentity" (HR2015). Along with over 360 other member organizations in theUnited ENDA coalition, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays(PFLAG) opposed HR 3585 for its failure to effectively protect ourcommunity. PFLAG will continue to work aggressively in coalition with UnitedENDA and other allies to develop strategies towards passage of an inclusiveversion of the bill in 2009.



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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org

And the Winner is...Lambda Legal

by Kevin Cathcart
Lambda Legal
Executive Director

October 25, 2007, marked the one-year anniversary of the landmark decisionin Lambda Legal's lawsuit Lewis v. Harris, where the New Jersey SupremeCourt unanimously declared that same-sex couples must be treated equallyunder the law. Unfortunately, a few months later, the New Jersey legislaturethrew up a barricade when it opted for a civil union law instead of marriageequality. In the year since the court ruling one thing is more clear thanever: civil unions are not equal and they're not working.

By creating a separate status for same-sex couples, the government invitesdiscrimination, and sadly, in New Jersey and other states with civil unions,this discrimination is occurring. At best, people do not understand whatcivil union laws mean. They see that gay people are denied marriage, andthey take away a discriminatory message from that.

There is a way to treat people fairly: Allow same-sex couples to marry.

Courts in Iowa, California and Connecticut (where Lambda Legal and othergroups have marriage cases) still have the opportunity to rule in favor ofequality in those states. In New Jersey, however, this is now in the handsof the legislature.

As someone who was born and raised in New Jersey, I have stood proudly whenmy home state has set an example, as it has in the past, for fairness. Onthe first anniversary of the Lewis v. Harris decision, I call upon NewJersey and all of the states with marriage cases or legislation pending tolead the way: Fulfill the promise of equality and allow same-sex couples tomarry.

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Forwarded from Susan Frishkorn

Published on Thursday, November 8, 2007 by CommonDreams.org
Bush's Dangerous 14 Months-And Ours

by Marcus Raskin and Robert Spero

After the 2006 congressional elections, pundits declared that President Bushwas a lame duck. Each day his power and capacity to pursue hisneoconservative agenda was supposed to drain away until he went back toCrawford Texas, a beaten man.

But like so much in politics, those who tie themselves to conventionalwisdom are often very wrong. George W. Bush is as strong now as he was whenhe gained office for his second term. He is determined-ferociously, like abulldog with a bone-to pursue his agenda even if it becomes a millstonearound the country¹s neck for years and decades.

Why is Mr. Bush, in the remaining 14 months of his presidency, defying thewishes of the people, when 75 percent believe the country is heading downthe wrong track? For all the obsessive secrecy of the Bush administration,the president has been remarkably open about his guide in matters of stateand as a personal cleanser to his previous alcohol addiction: Jesus.

Remember he told us, "Christ.changed my heart," in the 2000 televisiondebates and he seems to believe that Jesus is his man. Bush's rigid judgmentand personal certitude in decision-making fits the classic profile of arecovering alcoholic. In this context, he was saved by his ambition which hemelded to Jesus and the simplistic symbols of good versus evil. Whether ornot Bush envisions himself as an instrument of God to advance his agenda oruses his faith as a political weapon against his opposition, he has put downunmistakable markers for the next 14 months. These markers have consequencesthat cannot be wished away:

* Bush has made clear the Iraq War is his legacy. He intends to make surethe United States stays his course over the next 14 months. Nearly 4,000U.S. soldiers have been killed. Nearly 28,000 have been seriously woundedand maimed. Some 660,000 Iraqis have died since the war began, according toa Johns Hopkins University report. How many more people will we lose tosustain this murderous folly?

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WashingtonPost.com

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/community/groups/index.html?plckForumPage=Forum&plckForumId=Cat%3aa70e3396-6663-4a8d-ba19-e44939d3c44fForum%3a7cceb09e-a8ae-44b4-b7af-92605cbce240

The Secularist's Corner
by Susan Jacoby

I learned something important from one of the responses to my post on theBaltimore jury verdict against the Westboro Baptist Church, which makes apractice of picketing military funerals with signs proclaiming that thedeaths of soldiers in Iraq represent God's punishment of the U.S. for itstolerance of gays. On 11/02/07, SkyCat made an important point: thisso-called "church" has long been doing the same thing at funerals of gay menwho died of AIDS, but these homophobes were never called to account untilthey started disrupting funerals of straight servicement. I didn't know athing about this until last week's decision, and that strikes me as agenuine failure on the part of the press. Read and Discuss...

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GAYS PROTEST LACK OF EQUALITY OUTSIDE IRISH PARLIAMENT

9 November 2007

Over 200 people turned up at a candlit vigil last night outside the IrishDáil to protest at the lack of equality for same sex couples in thiscountry. The event was organised by the LGBT section of the Labour Party,who re-introduced a Civil Unions Bill in the Dáil last week.

The Labour Bill, which sought to introduce a form of civil partnership forsame sex couples that provided equal rights and responsibilities to marriedcouples, was voted down by 66 votes to 59 followiing an argument that it wasunconstitutional.

Instead the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Brian Lenehan seta deadline of March 31st for the heads of the Government's own Bill to beintroduced.

Green Party justice spokesman Ciarán Cuffe said the Government proposalwould give cohabiting gay and lesbian couples, who register theirrelationship with a new agency, the same rights under the law asheterosexual couples. "This is a major step forward in Irish equalitylegislation," he said.

It was the Labour Civil Unions Bill's second time to be voted down in theDáil. Last February it was deferred by the Government and later fell withthe dissolution of the 29th Dáil.

Speaking at the vigil, the leader of the Labour Party, Eamon Gilmore calledthe voting down of the Labour Bill a "u-turn" in the government's commitmentto equality.


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