Saturday, February 09, 2008

GLBT DIGEST February 9, 2008

**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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365Gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/
Go to the link, above, for the following articles:
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Lesbian Mom Convicted In Murder Of Infant Son
(New York City) A New York City woman has been found guilty of killing her23-month-old son. Her partner is already serving a sentence for her part inthe murder.
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Transsexual Prisoner Guilty Of Death Threats
(Butler, Pennsylvania) A transsexual woman in prison for the castrationdeath of her husband has pleaded guilty to threatening the life of theprosecutor who put her there.
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Church Leader Accused Of Sexually Harassing Male Worker
(Anchorage, Alaska) A former Russian Orthodox missionary has filed a sexualharassment complaint against the faith's second-highest-ranking official inAlaska, an attorney said.
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Lawsuit Accuses Anti-Gay College Of $Billion Secret Bank Account
(Tulsa, Oklahoma) A former senior accountant at Oral Roberts Universityalleges that more than $1 billion annually was inappropriately funneledthrough the school.
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Gay Marriage Foes Attempt To Force Amendment Vote
(Annapolis, Maryland) Opponents of three measures that would give varyingrights to same-sex couples in Maryland say they will attempt to force aproposed amendment to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions directly ontothe floor of the House and bypass committees.
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House GOP Opposes AIDS Program Changes
(Washington) House Republican leader John Boehner and other Republicans warnthat a successful program to combat AIDS in Africa would be in jeopardy ifDemocrats move ahead with plans to make changes.
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Gay Foe Dobson Endorses Huckabee
(Washington) James Dobson, one of the nation's most prominent evangelicalChristian leaders, backed Mike Huckabee's presidential bid Thursday night,giving the former Arkansas governor a long-sought endorsement as theRepublican field narrowed to a two-man race.
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Clinton Obama Battle Becoming Intensely Personal
(New Orleans, Louisiana) Democrat Barack Obama is suggesting that HillaryRodham Clinton follow his lead and release her and her husband's income taxreturns so the public can see where the $5 million she loaned herpresidential campaign came from.


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Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Say 'no' to pollsters?
Now, the esteemed Huffington Post is asking readers to sign a petitionsaying "no" to pollsters. Ariana Huffington writes, "Today's politicallandscape is littered with politicians and reporters addicted to treatingpolling results as if Moses just brought them down from the mountaintop....... After the limited gay results were released, some news outlets wereusing the results to say that all gays love Hillary, which is simply nottrue, especially with such a flawed exit poll.
http://visiblevote08.logoonline.com/2008/02/07/margaret-cho-im-bi-candidate/
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Why Barack's mojo with the gays can't match Hillary's
Why did twice as many gay Democratic voters prefer Hillary Clinton to BarackObama on Super-Duper Tuesday? Despite Obama's soaring rhetoric of inclusion,according to exit polls, Hillary won the gay vote 63 percent to 29 percentin California and 59 percent to 36 percent in New York. In tony coastalMassachusetts, Obama carried Martha's Vineyard (the Clintons' on-again,off-again summer home), but Hillary tellingly swept Provincetown.
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2008/02/examining_why_baracks_mojo_wit.html
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Pennsylvania: State Sen. Michael Brubaker is poised to introducelegislation that would write a ban on gay marriage into the stateConstitution, the Intelligencer Journal has learned. According to varioussources, the Warwick Township Republican is shopping for co-sponsors toattach their names to the legislation, which would have to go through alengthy process and likely a bitter political fight in order to become law.
http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/216348
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Update on the New Mexico domestic partnership bill...
Things are heating up in the efforts to pass the New Mexico domesticpartnership bill: The Domestic Partnership bill is facing a final showdown.We are currently struggling to get our bill out of the Senate JudiciaryCommittee and the GLBT and allied community is throwing their weight behinda final effort to demonstrate to the NM Legislature that this bill isnecessary and must pass!
http://www.hrcbackstory.org/2008/02/update-on-the-n.html
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MRSA Update: UCSF Creates Task Force To Study Overhyped Scare
If you remember from last month, we saw the mainstream media and anti-gayextremists hype a study by scientists from the University of California, SanFrancisco by reporting that a "flesh-eating superbug" was sweeping the gaycommunity and threatening to spread into the"general population." Thisdrug-resistant staph infection, known as methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus (MRSA), has actually been spreading among straightsfor decades (especially among professional athletes and military personnel).
http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/02/07/1412
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Why exit polls identifying LGB voters are important
After telling all of you about the existence of exit polling data on lesbian, gay and bisexual voters in Tuesday's Democratic Primaries in New York and California, I had several people question why I said exit pollsshould always be asking the LGB question. Folks, did you know we're practically invisible as a community? Yes I know we're "everywhere" and that there are plenty of anecdotes about how many of us there are (mainly wrong), but I feel obligated to let you know about something.
http://prideagenda.blogspot.com/2008/02/why-exit-polls-identifying-lgb-voters.html
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Margaret Cho: "I'm Bi-Candidate!"
"I am in the closet. Not sexually of course, because anyone who knows meknows I am up for anything with anybody. "I am in the Democratic Primarycloset. I know a lot of people in this closet. We can't talk about it. Weare 'undecided' in the polls. We are the ones everyone is fighting over. ButI don't want to be in this closet, not anymore. I am outing myself. "I ambi-candidate. I like Hillary and Obama. I like Obama and Hillary."
http://visiblevote08.logoonline.com/2008/02/07/margaret-cho-im-bi-candidate/


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Anything but Straight
http://www.waynebesen.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Ted Haggard's Inability To Go From Gay To Straight Was Predictable
TruthWinsOut.org said Ted Haggard's inability to go from gay to straight wasno surprise and indicative of these failed programs. Haggard entered anintensive "restoration" process after he was fired from New Life Church andresigned as head of the National Association of Evangelicals in 2006 amidallegations that he had an affair with a male prostitute.
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Where Is The Gay Jesse Jackson?
As the nail biter of a presidential race becomes more uncertain, the onlything guaranteed is a good cry on Inauguration Day. Electing our first womanor black president will bring sobs of joy, just as the election of aRepublican will usher in wallowing wails of woe. However, there is one moreissue that is worthy of tears, and that is how few Americans could imagine agay President of the United States.


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Planet Out
http://www.planetout.com/
Go to this link for the following article:
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Lutherans to unveil new teaching on gays
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will soon release a draft of itssocial statement on human sexuality, including proposed teaching on gayrelationships. The document "Free in Christ to Serve the Neighbor: LutheransTalk about Human Sexuality" is scheduled to be made public March 13 by theTask Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality.


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Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Archbishop denies he called for Sharia law
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has denied that he calledfor the introduction ofSharia Law. In a statement he said that he "certainly did not call for itsintroduction as some kind of parallel jurisdiction to the civil law". Hesaid that he was "exploring ways in which reasonable accommodation might bemade within existing arrangements for religious conscience".
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Pizza Hut runs out of pizza if you're gay or transexual, group claims
A group of gay men out with their transsexual friends were told that PizzaHut had run out of Pizza, in order to avoid serving them it has beenclaimed. The group, some of them wearing high heels asked for a table in abranch of the chain in Church Street, Blackpool. Michael Kemp, 48, who waswearing a miniskirt claimed: "When we arrived at the Pizza Hut, we noticedpeople were staring at us and laughing.
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Radio 4 presenter cleared of rape
BBC Radio 4 presenter Nigel Wrench was today cleared by a court of raping aman that he met at a New Years Eve party. He was accused of drugging andsexually assaulting the 26-year-old after inviting him back to his flat innorth London after meeting him at a New Years party. The presenter of Radio4's PM programme admitted snorting cocaine with the man at a Kennigton partybefore taking him home to view his art collection.
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'Gay' executions imminent in Iran, claims Amnesty
Human rights pressure group Amnesty International has warned that two menmay soon be executed by being thrown off a cliff, an Islamic punishment forhomosexual sex. Six men were sentenced by a court in May 2007 of havingabducted two young men in the city of Arsanjan, to the east of Shiraz,stealing their property and raping them. Tayyeb Karimi and Yazdan (surnameunknown) were sentenced to death by the judge, who stipulated they be thrownfrom a height.
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Turks reject gays or atheists as neighbours
A survey of Turkish attitudes has found that the vast majority would notwant to live next to a gay person. 1,579 persons in 41 cities were polled byBahcesehir University's Economic and Social Research Centre. The resultsshow that Turks are generally happy, think their country will join the EU ifit meets all the criteria, but do not want to live next door to people withdifferent identities.


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HeartStrong
http://www.heartstrong.org
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article
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The year is moving on. We are hard at work with out outreach/educationalwork as well as scheduling educational forums for the coming year. ThisSunday we are doing a forum in New Smyrna Beach FL which was preceded by aforum held in Orlando last weekend. We will be doing a brief outreach tripin OR in March. We have not visited OR for forums in two years. Our forumhosts are Safe Schools Oregon, PFLAG Eugene/Springfield, and The UnitarianUniversalist Church of Eugene. The UU church in Ashland OR will be hostinga community event as well.


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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Go to the links for the following articles:
Or contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article
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Germany: Gender Warrior Wins Case Against Surgeon
A 48-year-old woman who was forced to live much of her life as a man won adamages lawsuit in a 30-year-old medical case that promised to set aprecedent for intergender activists. Christiane Völling, who works as anurse in Düsseldorf, sued the doctor whoremoved her fully-intact femaleinternal organs 30 years ago, when she was 18 years old.
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3111505,00.html
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This week in Washington Blade...
http://www.washblade.com/
A new edition is out.
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National Black HIV / AIDS Awareness Day
In commemoration of National Black HIV / AIDS Awareness Day, Senator BarackObama sent a letter to the Black AIDS Institute in Los Angeles, which willbe read at their ceremony this evening honoring numerous "Heroes in theStruggle" against this ongoing epidemic. Here are excerpts from the letter,which may also be found at http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hqblog.
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New York Post Headline Dehumanizes Transgender People
Just one week after GLAAD issued an alert encouraging our community torespond to a sensational New York Post headline, the tabloid today ran yetanother egregious headline, "Axis of She-Vil." The article, about theIranian government's plans to subsidize sex reassignment surgeries, alsoincluded the defamatory sub-headline, "Death to Gays But Free Ops For IraniTrannies."
http://glaad.org/
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The 21st season of MTV's hit reality show "The Real World," is now casting,and would like to invite members of GLAAD in the 18-24 age range to apply!
From MTV: Please attend one of our upcoming casting calls -
February 9th in Salt Lake City, Chicago, and College Station, TX
February 12th in Amherst, MA
February 16th in New Haven, CT
For details on the above casting calls, or to UPLOAD A CASTING VIDEO, pleasevisit www.bunim-murray.com
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(New York, February 7, 2008) â?" Romanian legislators should reject a changeto the Family Code that would narrow the definition of marriage to oneexclusively between a man and woman, Human Rights Watch said in a lettersent today to government officials
(http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/02/07/romani18004.htm). The measure woulddeprive many Romanian families of basic civil rights and introduceinequality into law.
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The National Black Justice Coalition proudly presents The Power of UsTMNational Convention (April 24-25-26, 2008).
This annual gathering convenes the nation's preeminent thinkers to highlightBlack LGBT couples, families, high profile activists, religious andspiritual leaders, organizers, artists, designers and more. ContinentalAirlines has teamed up with NBJC to provide discounts on airfare to and fromBaltimore!!
http://www.nbjcoalition.org/news/power-of-us-national.html


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Forwarded from Euro-Queer
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article:
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Anti-gay police complaints 'rise'
The number of complaints about homophobia within the police has risen byalmost a quarter, according to the Gay Police Association. Theassociation said it received 350 calls to its helpline last year, comparedwith 260 the year before. It estimated that there were about 7,000homophobic incidents among police last year, but intimidated officers werereluctant to report them. The police said "any form of homophobia has noplace in the police".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/7236233.stm
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UK - Bishop whose U-turn on homosexuality has shaken up the Anglican church Traditionally Lent is a time of sacrifice and suffering, and taking thesethemes to heart is the Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Rev James Jones.Earlier this week he urged people to give up carbon for Lent instead of themore traditional fare of chocolate and alcohol. While the scheme has wonplaudits for its practical simplicity, what has garnered rather moreheadlines is Jones's volte-face regarding homosexuality and the church. Inan essay, Making Space for Truth and Grace, he argues that the Bible maysupport same-sex relationships and uses the bonds between Jesus and John theApostle and Jonathan and David as examples.


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Gay & Lesbian Leadership SmartBrier
http://www.smartbrief.com/index.jsp
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Marriage to have its day in California's high court
Arguments for lifting -- and keeping -- California's marriage ban will beheld by the state Supreme Court on March 4 in San Francisco. Many of thegroups in favor of the ban are seeking to return the issue to voters in theform of a ballot initiative. San Francisco Chronicle (2/7)
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Will lawmakers block Utah capital's partner registry, benefits?
The Salt Lake City Council has granted its unanimous approval to createUtah's first domestic-partner registry. However, the registry reportedlycould be derailed before the first couple signs up, under a bill introducedin the state Legislature that would stop the registry and prohibit the cityfrom offering domestic-partner benefits to its workers. The Salt LakeTribune (Utah) (2/6)
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Senegal police release men linked to wedding photos
Several men in Senegal who were detained by police in connection with thepublication in a magazine of photos allegedly showing a same-sex weddingceremony have been released. BBC (2/7)
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Judge lets stand Maryland county's gay-inclusive school curriculum
Washington Blade (2/6)
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Attend Harvard this summer!
Are you an openly LGBT elected or appointed official or senior-levelcommunity leader? Consider building your leadership skills as a Gay &Lesbian Leadership Institute Harvard Fellow. Since 2001, GLLI has grantedscholarships to select LGBT leaders to attend the Senior Executives in Stateand Local Government program at Harvard University's Kennedy School ofGovernment. The 2008 program will take place June 8-27 and July 6-25. Thedeadline to apply for the GLLI Fellowship is March 28, 2008. Click here tolearn more or apply.
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Column: Out president isn't an impossible dream
For the LGBT community to realize the possibility of electing an outpresident by mid-century, openly gay and lesbian leaders need to beginrunning for the nation's top job in the next election cycle, according tocolumnist Wayne Besen. Falls Church (Va.) News-Press (2/7)
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LGBT topics should be in campaign script, not just that of "The L Word"
If Showtime's lesbian drama "The L Word" can find time for its characters,between dalliances, to address the important issue of the military's gayban, then there must be a place in the presidential contest for a seriousdiscussion of LGBT issues, according to writer Bruce Kluger. "The SuperTuesday turnout reaffirms that the USA is once again ready for a ationalconversation," he writes. "Let's just hope that the discussion includes ngaycitizens, too." Yahoo!/USA TODAY (2/6)
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Blogger: Fla. marriage supporters can know where neighbors stand
In Florida, the names and addresses of signatories to petitions for ballotissues are a matter of public record. This is raising controversies amongsupporters and opponents of a proposed ballot issue to restrict marriagerights in that state. Read more at the blog ABCActionNews.com.


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Marriage Equality News
http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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In a development hailed by gay activists as an important breakthrough,couples registered as domestic partners in the District of Columbia,including same-sex couples, are now eligible to file joint returns for their2007 individual income tax filings with the city.
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Two by two, seven couples filed into the marriage license office todayinside Lehigh County Courthouse. They brought their $35 nonrefundableapplication fee and proof of identity, but they knew they'd be turned down.The couples were gay or lesbian, and Pennsylvania is one of 46 states thatrecognize neither same-sex civil unions nor marriages.
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Three Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor are offering similarpolicy visions for North Carolina. ..... The candidates said they support adeath penalty moratorium and agree that same-sex couples should be permittedto enter civil unions.


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Castro Merchants Are Sour Over Harvey Milk Movie - Business Owners Say TheyAre Losing Money
SAN FRANCISCO -- We were glad to see them come and we'll be glad to see themgo. That's how some San Francisco merchants feel about the third week ofproduction for the movie being filmed in the city's Castro Street districtabout Harvey Milk.
http://www.nbc11.com/politics/15255137/detail.html


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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
Go to the links for the following articles:
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GA: Democrats Reject Transgender Candidate's Complaint
The state Democratic Party has thrown out a complaint that the ClaytonCounty party sexually discriminated against a transgender Riverdale residentand former city council member. Michelle Bruce, who lost her bid for asecond term on the Riverdale council in a December runoff, said members ofthe Clayton County Democratic Party criticized her on a Web site, endorsedother candidates and filed a frivolous lawsuit. An investigation by theDemocratic Party of Georgia found the complaint was not valid.
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/clayton/stories/2008/02/07/claydems0208.html
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CA: New Tax Requirements for Domestic Partners Met with Mixed Response
A new California law taking affect this year, which changes the way morethan 40,000 registered domestic partners in California will file their 2007tax returns, is a symbolic victory for same-sex couples. It sounds simple,according to local tax attorneys Larry Conway and Gregg St. Cyr, but thefinancial impact won't always be positive, and most will face new tax-filingand planning headaches when filing their taxes this year. Conway and St. Cyrled an informational session on Jan. 28, for registered domestic partners todiscuss tax developments surrounding the new law requiring registereddomestic partners to file joint state taxes the same as heterosexual marriedcouples do.
http://www.gaylesbiantimes.com/?id=11479
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Bill to repeal death penalty will go to full Legislature
It's another session, and another chance to debate a bill that would repealthe death penalty in Nebraska. And this time, the issues seem to be focusedon details regarding how first-degree murderers would be punished - eitherwith a sentence of life in prison, or life without the possibility ofparole. The Legislature's Judiciary Committee on Thursday afternoon votedto send Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers' last death penalty repeal bill to thefull Legislature. Chambers will leave after this year because of termlimits.
http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2008/02/08/news/politics/doc47abbf56c1d25148271055.txt
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OPINION: A Reluctant Patriot in the Identity Wars
In the American left, it's a deeply held notion that for minorities the onlyroad to equality is identity politics, all that organizing around skin-deepsimilarities and differences, and the superficial qualities of gender orrace waved like flags because there's no denying they have an often viciousimpact. Still, I'm a reluctant patriot. Sometimes the connections seem likeanchors, or an umbilical cord connecting me, for instance, to other women,other dykes. Other times there's nothing between us, and I feel like anasshole for insisting we share more than a species.
http://gaycitynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19272357&BRD=2729&PAG=461&dept_id=569342&rfi=6
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Bishop calls for gay Christians to come out of the spiritual closet
The most visible and powerful voice for LGBT equality in the Christiancommunity will address thousands of activists on Feb. 9 during the NationalCreating Change Conference in Detroit. In 2003 Rev. Gene Robinson'sconsecration as the U.S. piscopal Church's first openly gay bishop sentshockwaves across the globe that hreatened to divide the Anglican Church.Despite death threats, relentless media attention and political fallout,Robinson has become a beacon of hope and reason for those focused on workingfor change within faith based communities. "Because religion has treatedLGBT people so horribly it is the last place we will look for support," saidRobinson during an interview with BTLlast week. "There is no civil rightsissue so closely tied to religious issues as homosexuality."
http://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=29144
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Gayava Hosts Conference on Judaism, LGBT Life
This weekend, 130 students from across North America will converge on theJewish Theological Seminary to discuss topics ranging from "Gender NeutralOrganizing on Campus" to "Leviticus 18:22-Who is Laying with Whom?" A yearafter JTS's groundbreaking decision to accept openly gay rabbinicalstudents-a first in the conservative movement of Judaism-made the school anicon in the LGBT world, JTS will co-host with Barnard the National Union ofJewish LGBTQQI Students conference. Spearheaded by Gayava, an organizationof LGBT Jews at Columbia, the conference will run from Friday to Sunday. Theparticipants, who are students from across North America, will be housed byColumbia student volunteers.
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/node/29110
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Beyond Ex-Gay, Mid-South Regional Gathering, Memphis, TN
After the outpouring of interest and support since the historic 2007 Ex-GaySurvivor Conference in Irvine, CA, Beyond Ex-Gay (bXg) will host the BeyondEx-Gay Mid-South Regional Gathering for ex-gay survivors and our allies. Organizers, presenters and attenders from the first Ex-Gay SurvivorConference will be present including Christine Bakke, Peterson Toscano, JimBurroway, Daniel Gonzales, and Jacob Wilson. bXg will offer a series ofinteractive workshops for ex-gay survivors and their allies.
http://www.beyondexgay.com/Events


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GLAAD is proud to announce the launch of our new Volunteer InformationCenter, a way for community members and volunteers to interface directlywith GLAAD's volunteer database and become a GLAAD volunteer! Registering asa volunteer is the first step in volunteering for the GLAAD Media Awards inSouth Florida. Registration is easy! Directions for signing up to our newsystem are below. Go to this link and fill out the volunteer application:
https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?AP=1650282281


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New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Family Bids Farewell to Heath Ledger In Home Town
PERTH (Reuters) - Heath Ledger was remembered at a private memorial servicein his Australian home town on Saturday, with fellow actor Cate Blanchettgiving a eulogy and Ledger's father thanking his son's fans for theirsupport. Ledger, 28, best known for his role as a conflicted gay cowboy inthe 2005 movie "Brokeback Mountain," died of an accidental overdose ofprescription drugs in his New York apartment on. Jan 22. His death shockedfilm fans and actors around the world and prompted warnings about mixingprescription drugs, particularly pain killers, tranquillizers and sleepingpills.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/arts/entertainment-ledger.html?_r=1&scp=6sq=gay&st=nyt&oref=slogin
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[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####

NATIONAL & WORLD DIGEST February 9, 2008

**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.

=

Sun-Sentinel.com
http://www.sun-sentinel.com
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Doctors using Wii games for therapy after strokes, surgery, war wounds
Some call it ``Wiihabilitation.'' Nintendo's Wii video game system, whosepopularity already extends beyond the teen gaming set, is fast becoming acraze in rehab therapy for patients recovering from strokes, broken bones,surgery and even combat injuries. The usual stretching and lifting exercisesthat help the sick or injured regain strength can be painful, repetitive anddownright boring. In fact, many patients say PT _ physical therapy'snickname _ really stands for ``pain and torture,'' said James Osborn, whooversees rehabilitation services at Herrin Hospital in southern Illinois.Using the game console's unique, motion-sensitive controller,
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/health/sfl-28wiitherapy,0,1903372,print.story


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Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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This might be a call for 'super delegates'
The Democratic nomination appears poised to come down to the 796 partyinsiders, who are free to vote for whomever they choose. The delegates'importance depends on Florida and Michigan. In a year that has seenDemocratic voters flock to the polls but produce two evenly matchedcandidates, some party leaders are becoming alarmed that the process fordeciding an eventual winner is in disarray, and that the decision may comedown not to ordinary voters but to the group of 796 insiders known as "superdelegates."
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-superdel9feb09,0,4207348.story
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Democrats in a tangled web of delegates
Complicated nominating process adds to uncertainty of close contest. Turnon MSNBC, and you will learn that Sen. Barack Obama has more delegates (861)than Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (855) in the Democratic presidentialcontest. Visit Politico.com, the politics Web site, and you are toldClinton is ahead, with 1,000 delegates to Obama's 902. The New York Times,meanwhile, reports that Clinton has 912 and Obama 741. And the campaignsoffer up still more versions of the tally.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/5527198.html
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Why isn't Huckabee throwing in the towel?
Some say he's trying to build clout to become No. 2 on the Republicanticket. But doesn't sit well with some conservatives.
A day after John McCain appeared to have nailed down the Republicanpresidential nomination, Mike Huckabee clung Friday to the faint hope thathe could snatch it away. He gamely pleaded for support at "Huckabee forPresident" rallies in Wichita, Topeka and Kansas City, Kan. But for manywho have watched Huckabee rise to the top tier of candidates only to seeMcCain emerge as the presumptive nominee, the question has become: Why keepgoing?
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-huckabee9feb09,1,2761896.story?ctrack=3&cset=true
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Va. Race a Litmus Test for McCain
To Win in Nov., GOP Front-Runner Must Woo Conservatives He Has AlienatedWhen U.S. Sen. John McCain came to Virginia eight years ago for theRepublican presidential primary, he called two of Virginia's most prominentreligious leaders, Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, "agents of intolerance."Now, McCain is back. But unhealed wounds remain among conservative voters inVirginia and across the nation, challenging the Arizona Republican to makepeace with a voting bloc he will need if he is to win the general electionin November.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/08/AR2008020803900.html?hpid=topnews
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Not hard to tell the parties apart in this election year
One thing we're learning from this election: These really are differentparties. First, look at the Democrats. Listen to the discussion about theirstrategies. Hillary needs to win more blacks and men. Obama must capturemore Hispanics and peel away more white women. Both need to fight for "theyouth." Now look at the Republicans and how we talk about them. Can JohnMcCain win over conservatives? Should he apologize for his support ofamnesty or his opposition to tax cuts? Will Mike Huckabee ever make inroadswith economic conservatives? Could Mitt Romney have convinced pro-lifers?Were Rudy Giuliani's positions on gays, guns and abortion too liberal?
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/5526749.html
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MSNBC's Chelsea comment angers Clinton
SEATTLE -- A distasteful comment about Chelsea Clinton by an MSNBC anchorcould imperil Hillary Rodham Clinton's participation in future presidentialdebates on the network, a Clinton spokesman said. In a conference call withreporters, Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson on Fridayexcoriated MSNBC's David Shuster for suggesting the Clinton campaign had"pimped out" 27-year old Chelsea by having her place phone calls tocelebrities and Democratic Party "superdelegates" on her mother's behalf.Wolfson called Shuster's comment "beneath contempt" and disgusting.
http://www.miamiherald.com/692/story/411987.html


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New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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6 Guantánamo Detainees Are Said to Face Trial Over 9/11
A sweeping case against suspects in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, wouldbring new scrutiny to the system of military commissions.
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The Revenge of Seamus
Mitt Romney always seemed surprised, and a little hurt, by the very clearcontempt the other Republican candidates had for him.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/09/opinion/09collins.html?ref=opinion
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Toward Drug Case Justice
Attorney General Michael Mukasey's alarm at a plan that attempts to addressthe gross disparity in penalties for possession of crack is unwarranted.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/09/opinion/09sat3.html?ref=opinion
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Wary U.S. Olympians Will Bring Food to China
The U.S. Olympic Committee has tried to figure out how to avoid the dangerof tainted food at the Summer Games.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/09/sports/othersports/09olympics.html?hp
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Conservative Rabbis to Vote on Resolution Criticizing Pope's Revision ofPrayer
The revision of a contentious Good Friday prayer approved this week by PopeBenedict XVI could set back Jewish-Catholic relations, Conservative Judaism'sinternational assembly of rabbis says in a resolution to be voted on nextweek. The prayer calls for God to enlighten the hearts of Jews "so thatthey may acknowledge Jesus Christ, the savior of all men." The draftresolution states the prayer would "cast a harsh shadow over the spirit ofmutual respect and collaboration that has marked these past four decades,making it more difficult for Jews to engage constructively in dialogue withCatholics."
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/09/us/09prayer.html
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6 Guantánamo Detainees Are Said to Face Trial Over 9/11
A sweeping case against suspects in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, wouldbring new scrutiny to the system of military commissions.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/09/us/09gitmo.html?hp
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Friends Say Drugs Played Only Bit Part for Obama
Barack Obama has admitted to using illegal drugs as a teenager, but othersremember him as a model of moderation.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/09/us/politics/09obama.html?hp
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Growing Pains of Universal Coverage
Until Washington takes on the responsibility of bringing coverage tomillions of uninsured Americans, the states are right to press ahead withtheir own programs.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/09/opinion/09sat1.html?ref=opinion
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Where's the Big Idea?
What's missing in this presidential campaign is a bold vision of where theU.S. should be heading in these important early years of the 21st century.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/09/opinion/09herbert.html?ref=opinion


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Washington Post
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
--
Sanctioned States Put Democrats in Quandary
The clever people in Michigan who decided to get into a game of chicken withNew Hampshire last fall over the timing of their Democratic primary shouldbe having second thoughts this weekend. Had Michigan Democrats not engagedin gamesmanship over the shape of the nomination calendar, they would beholding the premier contest on today's slate, by far the biggest and mostinfluential of the events between Super Tuesday and next week's Potomacprimaries, rather than the nonbinding event that was held Jan. 15.Michigan Democrats long argued that the party needed a major industrialstate playing an early and influential role in the nominating process.Instead, Michigan Democrats -- and those in Florida -- have left their partywith a monumental problem: what to do about their delegations to thenational convention in Denver in August.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/08/AR2008020803801.html?hpid=topnews
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The Running-Mate Roundup
We still have a ways to go before the Democratic and Republican presidentialnominations are officially decided. But it's not too soon to start thinkingabout the selection of running mates. 'Tis fair to say the vice presidencyhasn't gained many fans in its more than 200 years of existence. Dan Coen,in his delightful and informative book "Second String: Trivia, Facts andLists about the Vice Presidency and Its Vice Presidents" spelled out thereasons succinctly: "It has been held by men whose greatness was diminishedby the restrictions of office, by those who were able to rise to greatnessdespite the office, and by men who the office has turned into curiosities ofhistory."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/08/AR2008020802980.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
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A Plan of Words, but Not Actions Bush proposes troop-benefit program inState of Union address, but leaves it out of budget request.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/08/AR2008020804136.html?hpid=topnews
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Cheney Opposes D.C. Gun Ban Unlike rest of White House, he joins lawmakersin urging high court to hold law unconstitutional.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/08/AR2008020803802.html?hpid=topnews
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31 Shiites Detained South of Baghdad
BAGHDAD -- Iraqi police arrested 31 Shiite activists Saturday in earlymorning raids south of Baghdad, and five American soldiers were killed intwo roadside bombings, officials said. The U.S. troops were killed Friday_ four in Baghdad and one in the northern Tamim province, the military said.At least 3,958 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning ofthe Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/09/AR2008020900719.html?hpid=moreheadlines
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Turkish Lawmakers Vote on Head Scarves
ANKARA, Turkey -- Parliament voted Saturday to amend the constitution tolift a decades-old ban on Islamic head scarves at Turkey's universities,despite fierce opposition from the secular establishment. Tens of thousandsof Turks demonstrated in the capital, Ankara, against the amendments andcalled for the government's resignation. "Turkey is secular and will remainsecular," they chanted, many waving flags. Head scarves have long beenprohibited at universities in predominantly Muslim but fiercely secularTurkey, a country seeking to join the European Union.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/09/AR2008020900832.html?hpid=moreheadlines
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Putin, in Speech, Accuses U.S. of Setting Off 'New Arms Race'
MOSCOW, Feb. 8 -- President Vladimir Putin said Friday that "a new arms racehas been unleashed in the world" as the United States moves forward with amissile defense system in Eastern Europe. Russia will field new weapons inresponse, he said, dismissing American assurances that the missile system isnot directed against Russia as merely "diplomatic cover."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/08/AR2008020801245.html?hpid=sec-world
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Justice Dept. 'Cannot' Probe Waterboarding, Mukasey Says
The attorney general yesterday rejected growing congressional calls for acriminal investigation of the CIA's use of simulated drownings to extractinformation from its detainees, as Vice President Cheney called it a "goodthing" that the CIA was able to learn what it did from those subjected tothe practice. The remarks reflected a renewed effort by the Bushadministration to defend its past approval of the interrogation tactic knownas waterboarding, which some lawmakers, human rights experts andinternational lawyers have described as illegal torture.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/07/AR2008020701542.html?hpid=sec-politics
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Study: Acupuncture May Boost Pregnancy
It sounds far-fetched _ sticking needles in women to help them becomepregnant _ but a scientific review suggests that acupuncture might improvethe odds of conceiving if done right before or after embryos are placed inthe womb. The surprising finding is far from proven, and there are onlytheories for how and why acupuncture might work. However, some fertilityspecialists say they are hopeful that this relatively inexpensive and simpletreatment might ultimately prove to be a useful add-on to traditionalmethods. "It is being taken more seriously across our specialty," and moredoctors are training in it, said Dr. William Gibbons, who runs a fertilityclinic in Baton Rouge, La., and is past president of the Society forAssisted Reproductive Technology. "I have not seen proof ... but we wouldn'tmind at all" if it turned out to work, he said.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/08/AR2008020803249.html?hpid=sec-health
--


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#####

FLORIDA DIGEST February 9, 2008

**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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Sun-Sentinel.com
http://www.Sun-Sentinel.com
Go to the links for the following articles:
--
Clergy aim to mend science-religion rift. Pastors, rabbis plan sermons thisweekend. Can religion and evolution co-exist without anger, yelling andthreats of going to hell? More than 800 congregations will say "yes" thisweekend, when pastors and rabbis in nine countries are expected to offersermons and discussion groups on the potential for peace between the warringcamps. The Rev. Roger Richardson, of Church of the Palms in Delray Beach,will explore the compatibility of science and Christianity as part of hissermon on Sunday. Adult education classes at the church have been gettingready for the weekend by discussing Charles Darwin and his religiousbeliefs.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-flpevolution0209pnfeb09,0,7853176,print.story


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Broward County Board of County Commissioners to vote on expandingprotections under HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE 16 ½
Equality Florida is a proud partner in a coalition of local communityactivists and organizations who have been working hard to include "genderidentity & expression" and "pregnancy" in the list of protected classesunder Broward's Human Rights Ordinance 16 ½. By expanding the HRO, BrowardCounty Commissioners will provide necessary protections for our transgendercitizens, a growing and vibrant part of the community that is also among themost vulnerable. The amendment will provide a level of protection foremployment, housing and public accommodation that currently does not exist.Show your support and join us in the audience at the public hearing. -Tuesday, February 12 at 2:00 PM - Broward Government Center


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Steve Rothaus
http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/steve_rothaus/
Go to this link for the following articles:
--
Transgender play's strictly personal
Performance artist Scott Turner Schofield came out twice, first at 16 as alesbian when he was named Katie. ''I thought I was a girl and I liked girls,so I must be a lesbian,'' Schofield recalled.
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Tourism chief shares keys to Fort Lauderdale's success
Broward tourism chief Nicki E. Grossman recalled the unusual day not longago when both the Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 were docked at PortEverglades.


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Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
--
How Florida Governor Charlie Crist propelled John McCain to the top of theGOP field.
As John McCain consolidates his Super Tuesday wins to nail down thenomination, he can thank his big-name endorsers over the past week: RudyGiuliani. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Texas Governor Rick Perry. Steve Forbes.And then he can give Florida Governor Charlie Crist a lifetime, unlimitedmileage pass on the Straight Talk Express, or maybe even a copy of thatprized donor list that he had to use as collateral last year to keep hiscampaign afloat.
http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=7d469394-9358-4921-9a00-f6c6f448942d
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Florida lawmakers rethinking backup insurance coverage
Lawmakers, worried about the cost of a monster storm, are rethinking ackupcoverage.TALLAHASSEE - One year after passing radical property insurancechanges to lower homeowners' premiums, legislators are increasingly worriedthe overhaul could cost the state -- and homeowners -- billions of dollarsif a major hurricane hits. Instead of pledging more rate relief, lawmakersare drafting proposals to cut back a key provision in last year's bill thatoffers $12 billion in publicly financed backup insurance coverage to privateinsurers.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-propinsure0908feb09,0,191178.story
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Assisted living facilities evict easily; legislator says reasons needed
Residents should get reason at least, state senator says
Jay Sparaga, who has diabetes and uses a wheelchair, moved last year intothe Munne Center assisted living facility, south of Miami, where he can getmeals and care. But the management has informed the 60-year-old Sparaga hemust leave Sunday. They don't even have to tell him why. State regulationsallow assisted living facilities - whose residents may be very sick orfrail, or have no family to look after them - to discharge their residentswith a simple 45-day notice, without giving a reason. Residents have noright to appeal.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flhlpassisted0209pnfeb09,0,7348434.story?track=rss
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Democrat Peterman tapped to lead DJJ
Gov. Charlie Crist reached across the partisan aisle Friday and named aDemocratic lawmaker from his hometown as a top member of his administration.With the Carter G. Woodson African American History Museum as a backdrop,Crist announced that Rep. Frank Peterman of St. Petersburg, a veteran memberof the black caucus, will be the new secretary of the Department of JuvenileJustice. "Rep. Peterman's dedication to improving the lives of young peopleis evident from his 23-year track record of juvenile services work," Cristsaid in a written release. "His six years on the House Juvenile JusticeCommittee give him a unique perspective on how to continue the improvementswe are making in Florida's juvenile-justice system."
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/CD/20080209/CAPITOLNEWS/802090327/-1/capitolnews


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Friday, February 08, 2008

GLBT DIGEST February 8, 2008

**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.

=

New York Times
Go to the link for the following articles:

Main Reasons Conservatives Oppose McCain
While Republican John McCain is urging his conservative critics to rally around his presidential campaign, there is a lot of water under that bridge.
Here are the top 10 reasons some conservatives dislike the Arizona senator:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-McCain-Top-10.html?scp=7&sq=gay&st=nyt


=

Express Gay News
Go to the links for the following articles:

Judge: McGreevey boyfriend must turn over bank records
A judge has ordered the boyfriend of former Gov. Jim McGreevey to turn overrecords from three joint bank accounts the gay couple share as part of theongoing divorce proceedings between McGreevey and his estranged wife.
http://expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=16444

Obama, Clinton in close race, but she wins gay vote by wide margin in N.Y.,
Calif.
While expressing disappointment that gay issues took a backseat in thepublic debate surrounding the Super Tuesday presidential primaries thisweek, gay rights advocates and political experts said the outcome of themega-primary and caucus day appears to be a harbinger of good things to comefor gays in the November election.
http://expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=16442

Municipalities barred from joining lawsuit over gay rights
Have failed to show that interests are directly related to suit. TheWisconsin Supreme Court sidestepped the underlying issue of whether thestate should provide benefits to same-sex partners in a split-decision onanother issue related to the case.
http://expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=16440

Erotic Art Museum features Josephine Baker
The World Erotic Art Museum in Miami Beach is observing Black History Monthwith a major exhibit dedicated to controversial jazz age icon JosephineBaker. The show, organized by museum owner-collector Naomi Wilzig, includesrare paintings, posters, photos, memorabilia and sound recordings, many ofwhich celebrate the performer's career in Paris.
http://expressgaynews.com/2008/2-7/locallife/pulse/4393.cfm

Bloody attack on gay Jamaicans prompts day of action
The leader of the Metropolitan Community Churches, a worldwide assembly ofgay and lesbian congregants, is calling for an International Day of ActionFeb. 14 in response to a bloody attack against three gay men in Jamaica.
http://expressgaynews.com/2008/2-7/news/localnews/4402.cfm

Howard Dean speaks at gay bar in Miami Beach
The day before voters in 22 states went to the polls on Super Tuesday,Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean stood in a Miami Beachgay bar and answered questions about whether or not the votes of 1.5 millionFlorida Democrats will count at the party's national convention.
http://expressgaynews.com/2008/2-7/news/national/4392.cfm



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National Gay News
http://nationalgaynews.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1
Go to the link, above, for the following articles:

Church Says Haggard's Restoration "Incomplete"
More than a year after former pastor Ted Haggard resigned from his positionat the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Haggard has severed his officialrelationship with the New Life Church Restoration Team.

Condom Paperweights - Perfect Gift as Valentine's Day
Not sure what to get your sweetheart when Valentine's Day coincides withNational Condom Week? Now you can clear the clutter from your desk whileunleashing your inner Cupid with the new Condom PaperweightT fromCondomPaperweights.com. Available now for Valentine's Day and NationalCondom Week (February 10-16), the Condom Paperweight is a crystal, designerpaperweight for home or office that contains a removable condom package.

Gay Couple Victims of Intimidation Campaign
In scenes reminiscent of Northern Ireland's sectarian past, a gay couple inthe city of Londonderry have spoken out after a gang threatened to burn themout of their home. The couple, one of whom is disabled, have been thevictims of an intimidation campaign by locals in the Creggan area of thecity.

Gay Asians 'Marrying to Conform'
Gay activists said these marriages were happening because some members oftheir community felt homosexuals brought shame on their people. They saidin some cases gay and lesbian people had been beaten and abused.

Guess Which Hot Boy Has Stripped Off For a Gay Magazine?
It's been at least two minutes since we last drooled over some nakedman-flesh, so we thought it was about time for an afternoon treat. Hot boxerAnthony was the real winner of Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack, just for beingso damned buff, and now he's taken all his clothes off for a saucy shoot forgay magazine, Attitude.

UK - Bishop Must Pay £47,000 Compensation to Gay Man
An employment tribunal has ruled that the Bishop of Hereford must pay£47,345 in compensation to John Reaney, the gay man who brought a claim ofdiscrimination claim against him. The case was supported and funded byStonewall.

Judge Orders McGreevey Boyfriend to Turn Over Bank Records
A judge has ordered the boyfriend of former Gov. Jim McGreevey to turn overrecords from three joint bank accounts the gay couple share as part of theongoing divorce proceedings between McGreevey and his estranged wife.However, Australian-born investment manager Mark O'Donnell won't be forcedto reveal his salary, stock portfolio or any financial dealings with NewJersey politicians, Union County Superior Court Judge Karen Cassidy ruledThursday.

Pre-Chewed Food Can Pass HIV to Babies
HIV-positive parents can pass the disease to babies by pre-chewing food,researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the UShave found. The New York Times is reporting that the study shows anotherway in which babies, in areas where dental care is substandard, can bepassed to babies.

Effects of Florida's Marriage Amendment
Inasmuch as marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman ashusband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or thesubstantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized. - FloridaMarriage Protection Amendment Are you a heterosexual Floridian who is, assome might describe it, "living in sin"?

New Gene Therapy Treatment Shows Promise for Managing HIV
A new approach to combating HIV shows promise, reports the company thatdevised the new method. The private biotech company VIRxSYS announced todaythat its method of gene therapy, which relies on lentiviral viral delivery,has shown promising results in a Phase II trial.



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365gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/
Go to the link, above, for the following articles:

Gay Foe Dobson Endorses Huckabee
(Washington) James Dobson, one of the nation's most prominent evangelicalChristian leaders, backed Mike Huckabee's presidential bid Thursday night,giving the former Arkansas governor a long-sought endorsement as theRepublican field narrowed to a two-man race.

Clinton Obama Battle Becoming Intensely Personal
(New Orleans, Louisiana) Democrat Barack Obama is suggesting that HillaryRodham Clinton follow his lead and release her and her husband's income taxreturns so the public can see where the $5 million she loaned herpresidential campaign came from.

Senegal Releases 5 Men Arrested In Gay Sweep
(Dakar) Senegal police on Thursday released five of the men arrested thisweek on charges of homosexuality that stemmed from the publication ofpictures purportedly of a gay wedding.

Oz Civil Unions Hit Snag Over Ceremonies
(Canberra) Legislation that would allow same-sex couples in the AustralianCapital Territory to enter into civil unions has drawn the ire of thefederal government over plans to allow the couples to hold public ceremoniesmarking the events.

Spain Accuses Vatican Of Meddling In Election
(Madrid) The Spanish government is protesting a veiled statement from RomanCatholic bishops that voters should shun the ruling Socialists in electionsnext month, the Spanish foreign minister says.

Final Tie To Haggard New Life Ends
(Denver, Colorado) Rev. Ted Haggard who was outed by a former male
prostitute and subsequently fired from the Colorado Springs mega-church hefounded has terminated the "recovery program" that was part of his departurefrom New Life Church even though the church says it is premature for him toleave.

Lutherans Prepare Sexuality Statement
(Chicago) The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will soon release adraft of its social statement on human sexuality, including proposedteaching on gay relationships.

Russia Backs Down, Allows HIV-Prisoner To Get Treatment
(Moscow) A gravely ill former executive of the dismantled oil giant Yukoswill be transferred from jail to a civilian clinic for treatment forAIDS-related cancer and tuberculosis, Russian prison officials saidThursday.



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PinkNews.co.uk
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
Go to the link, above, for the following articles:

Bishop must pay £47,000 compensation to gay man
An employment tribunal has ruled that the Bishop of Hereford must pay£47,345 in compensation to John Reaney, the gay man who brought a claim ofdiscrimination claim against him.

Stonewall ready for Commons battle over gay parents
Gay equality organisation Stonewall has said that new legislation beforeParliament that will grant new rights to gay and lesbian parents will facefurther attempts to wreck it in the Commons. The Human Fertilisation andEmbryology Bill proposes new recognition of same-sex couples as legalparents of children conceived through the use of donated sperm, eggs orembryos.

Christian magistrate loses gay adoption appeal
A former magistrate who claimed unfair dismissal after he was told he couldnot pick and choose which adoption cases to rule on has had a second appealrejected. He announced yesterday that following the decision of the Courtof Appeal the issue "will not be debated further."

London Mayor candidate rejects Sharia law proposal
The Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of London, Brian Paddick, hascriticised the head of the Anglican communion for arguing that aspects ofSharia law should be recognised in Britain.

Tatchell criticises ban on Islamic scholar
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has said that the Britishgovernment's decision to ban Muslim cleric Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi fromentering Britain to receive medical treatment is "illiberal, unwarranted andunmerciful." The spiritual leader of Islamicist organisation the MuslimBrotherhood, Dr Qaradawi is known to have supported suicide bombings inIsrael, the oppression of women's rights and has argued in the past thathomosexuals should be put to death.

Politicians dismiss Archbishop's Islamic law comments
The Prime Minister's spokesman has distanced him from comments by theArchbishop of Canterbury concerning the introduction of aspects of Sharialaw in the UK. Dr Rowan Williams said earlier today that a "constructiveaccommodation" must be found over issues such as divorce and added thatpeople should not imagine "we know exactly what we mean by Sharia and justassociate it with Saudi Arabia."

Homophobic Islamic cleric to be extradited to US
Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri is be extradited to the United States toface terrorist charges, the Home Secretary has announced. In 2006 he wasconvicted and jailed for seven years by a British court on charges ofinciting murder and race hate. His numerous lectures and sermons targetedhomosexual vicars, the tourist industry, the Royal Family and women inbikinis.

Police will target drugs at Sydney Mardi Gras
New South Wales police have warned gay revellers at Australia's biggestparty that they have a zero tolerance approach to drugs.


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Advocate.com
http://www.advocate.com
Go to the link, above, for the following articles:

Massachusetts Administrator Charged With Sexual Assault
A top official in Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick's administration isaccused of sexually assaulting a boy in the steam room of a Florida resortand has been placed on unpaid leave.

Lutherans to Release Draft of Sexuality Statement in March
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will soon release a draft of itssocial statement on human sexuality, including proposed teaching on gayrelationships.

Egypt Arrests and Puts on Trial HIV-Positive Men
Recent arrests and trials in Egypt of HIV-positive men endanger humanrights, an international watchdog group said Wednesday, calling onauthorities in the nation to release those in custody and stop criminalizingAIDS.


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#####

NATIONAL & WORLD DIGEST February 8, 2008

**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.

=


New York Times
Go to the links for the following articles:

Top Anglican Seeks a Role for Islamic Law in Britain
LONDON - The archbishop of Canterbury called Thursday for Britain to adopt aspects of Islamic Shariah law alongside the existing legal system. His speech set off a storm of opposition among politicians, lawyers and others, including some Muslims.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/08/world/europe/08canterbury.html?scp=4&sq=gay&st=nyt

Romney's Campaign Mirrored Father's
WASHINGTON (AP) -- George Romney and his youngest child reached the political heights in becoming leaders of a state. On Thursday, Mitt joined his dad in experiencing a political low -- denied in his quest to lead a nation.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Farewell-to-Romney.html?scp=5&sq=gay&st=nyt

Main Reasons Conservatives Oppose McCain
WASHINGTON (AP) -- While Republican John McCain is urging his conservative critics to rally around his presidential campaign, there is a lot of water under that bridge.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-McCain-Top-10.html?scp=6&sq=gay&st=nyt


Evangelical Leader Endorses Huckabee
James Dobson, one of the nation's most prominent evangelical Christian leaders, backed Mike Huckabee's presidential bid Thursday night, giving the former Arkansas governor a long-sought endorsement as the Republican field narrowed to a two-man race.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Dobson-Huckabee.html?sq=gay&st=nyt&scp=7&pagewanted=print

Archbishop's Sharia Comments: "Recipe For Disaster"
LONDON (Reuters) - A British government minister accused Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams of concocting "a recipe for disaster" for suggesting the introduction in Britain of some aspects of sharia was unavoidable.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/international-religion-sharia.html?sq=gay&st=nyt&scp=8&pagewanted=print



=

Sun-Sentinel.com

Cubans start to question government restrictions
Taking up Raul Castro's invitation to speak their minds without fear of reprisal, more Cubans have begun challenging government policies such as limits on Internet access and travel restrictions.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/cuba/sfl-flacuba0208sbfeb08,0,3539242,print.story


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MiamiHerald.com

Bowing out gracelessly
The following editorial appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Friday, Feb. 8: It would have been better for the nation if Mitt Romney had said he just wanted to spend more time with his family.
http://www.miamiherald.com/692/v-print/story/411551.html


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WashingtonPost.com

Go to the links for the following articles:

Romney's Campaign Mirrored Father's
WASHINGTON -- George Romney and his youngest child reached the political heights in becoming leaders of a state. On Thursday, Mitt joined his dad in experiencing a political low _ denied in his quest to lead a nation.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/07/AR2008020703377_pf.html



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#####

FLORIDA DIGEST February 8, 2008

**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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ArtsUnited - Ft. Lauderdale
ArtExplosion 2008 opens tomorrow, Friday, Feb 8, with the classic film "The Wizard of OZ" on an outdoor screen in Hagen Park, with a sing-a-long led by in HARMONY. Bring a blanket and watch a film favorite under the stars. Gates open at 6pm. Pre-ilm performances by the In HARMONY, followed by the film at 7pm. Admission is FREE.



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From Michael Rajner
merajner@gmail.com

Broward County Board of County Commissioners Vote on February 12 to expandprotection under HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE 16 ½

For the past several years, local community activists and organizations havebeen working hard to include "gender identity & expression" and "pregnancy"to the list of protected classes under Broward's Human Rights Ordinance 16½.

Adding these protection classes provides an incredible protective factor forthe growing transgender community who is among the most vulnerable ofindividuals in our county. The amendment to the HRO will provide a level ofprotections for employment, housing and public accommodation that currentlydo not exist.

Show your support and join us in the audience at the public hearing.
When: Tuesday, February 12 at 2:00 PM
Where: Broward Government Center
115 South Andrews Avenue - Room 422

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Express Gay News

Gay Men’s Chorus to feature Copland classics, contemporary tunes
The greatest works of classical and contemporary American choral music will be featured when the Ft. Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus takes the stage at the Broward Center this Saturday for the Sixth Annual South Florida Choral Festival.
http://expressgaynews.com/2008/2-7/arts/music/4404.cfm


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Thursday, February 07, 2008

GLBT DIGEST February 7, 2008

**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.

=

Miami Herald
Rejecting feminism makes no sense By LEONARD PITTS JR. Brace yourself. I'm going to use a word that offends folks. I'm talking the ''F'' word. Feminist. This woman sent me an e-mail Monday, and it got me thinking. See, in describing herself, she assured me she was not ''a `women's libber'' -- the late 1960s equivalent of feminist. She also said she was retired from the U.S. Navy. There was, it seemed to me, a disconnect there: She doesn't believe in women's liberation, yet she is retired from a position that liberation made possible... http://www.miamiherald.com/851/story/408165.html


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New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

Ted Kennedy and the Gap Really, it’s been a surprise a minute. In Massachusetts, every Democratic alpha male in the state, including the governor and two U.S. senators, endorsed Barack Obama. Democratic women then stampeded to the polls in a great show of enthusiasm for ignoring their advice. Ted Kennedy was the particular sore point. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/opinion/07collins.html?scp=2&sq=gay&st=nyt

Cubans Speak Out on Castro's Invitation Taking up Raul Castro's invitation to speak their minds without fear of reprisal, more Cubans have begun publicly complaining and challenging government policies on everything from limits on Internet access to travel restrictions.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Complaining-in-Cuba.html?scp=5&sq=gay&st=nyt

Uniting America: Easier Said Than Done Each of Super Tuesday's main survivors pledges, if elected, to reach across party lines and bring the nation together. It's a familiar but often futile promise, leaving Americans to wonder if divisiveness will again prevail or if -- just maybe -- a window is open for a more civil, constructive era.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Campaign-Divided-Nation.html?scp=6&sq=gay&st=nyt


Accidental Drug Overdose Killed Ledger: NY Coroner Actor Heath Ledger died of an accidental overdose of six prescription drugs, with a mix of painkillers, tranquilizers and sleeping aids found in his system, officials said on Wednesday. A law-enforcement source with knowledge of the case said a formal request for the city medical examiner's records had been filed on Wednesday, seeking to discover who provided the 28-year-old Australian with the lethal combination.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/arts/entertainment-ledger.html?scp=6&sq=gay&st=nyt
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Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

Hearing set on legality of gay marriage California's high court on Wednesday set a March date to hear arguments over the legality of gay marriage in the state. The Supreme Court will hear three hours of arguments on the issue March 4 in San Francisco. Justices then have 90 days to rule. http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=16432

Va. officials drop charges against A&F store manager The city attorney for Virginia Beach and local police have dropped charges of indecency against the manager of a local Abercrombie and Fitch store for displaying posters of scantily clad models, according to Virginia Beach police. http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=16428

Md. judge ends legal fight over sex ed curriculum A judge has ended the legal battle over Montgomery County’s new, gay-inclusive sex education lessons. Maryland Circuit Court Judge William Rowan III ruled last week that he had no reason to overturn earlier decisions that allowed the curriculum, which describes sexual orientation as innate, to be taught. http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=16426

Human Rights Watch: arrests, trials of HIV-positive men in Egypt reflect ignorance, injustice Recent arrests and trials in Egypt of HIV-positive men endanger human rights, an international watchdog said Wednesday and called on authorities here to release those in custody and stop criminalizing AIDS. The New York-based Human Rights Watch also urged Egypt to overturn the convictions of four men sentenced for "habitual practice of debauchery" — a term used in the Egyptian legal system for consensual homosexual acts — and to free four others held pending charges. http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=16413

Gays only count in Calif., N.Y.? CNN.com has posted exit poll results that include questions tailored to fit certain states -- for instance, in Connecticut, the poll asks voters for their opinion of Sen. Joseph Lieberman. But mostly the questions read the same for each state. New York and California are the only two states with a question about sexual orientation -- "Are you gay, lesbian or bisexual?" http://www.expressgaynews.com/blog/index.cfm?type=blog&start=2/1/08&end=2/8/08#16422

Huckabee and the 'culture of death' Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee told CNN yesterday that there are two issues that need to be amended in the Constitution - abortion and gay marriage. He wants to "clear up any confusion" about the definition of traditional marriage. http://www.expressgaynews.com/blog/index.cfm?type=blog&start=2/5/08&end=2/8/08#16388

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365Gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/
Go to the website, above, for the following articles:

Calif. Supreme Court To Hear Gay Marriage Case Next Month (San Francisco, California) The California Supreme Court announced Wednesday that it will hear arguments next month challenging the state's ban on same-sex marriage.

Salt Lake Passes Partner Registry (Salt Lake City, Utah) Salt Lake City Council has unanimously approved a proposal for a citywide partner registry. It will be available to same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples who cannot or chose not to marry.
Man Sentenced To Jail Over Anti-Semitic, Racist, Homophobic Web Site (Prince George, British Columbia) A man the Canadian Jewish Congress came to know as Exterminance on the Internet has been given a hefty sentence after being convicted of willful promotion of hatred against identifiable groups, a CJC spokesman said.

Italian Pres. Calls Election After Gay-Moderate Government Collapse (Rome) Italy's president dissolved parliament on Wednesday, clearing the way for a general election in mid April.

DOJ Ends Gay Group Ban (Washington) The Department of Justice has ended a five year old policy of denying an LGBT employee group the same privileges it offers other minority groups.

Obama: GOP Will Have Dirt On Clinton (Chicago, Illinois) Sen. Barack Obama predicted Wednesday that Republicans will have a dump truck full of dirt to unload on Hillary Rodham Clinton if the former first lady wins the Democratic presidential nomination, and said he offers the party its best hope of winning the White House this fall.

Egypt Accused Of Criminalizing HIV (New York City) A series of arrests in Cairo sparked by one man’s admission to police that he was HIV-positive endangers public health as well as human rights an international human rights organization charges.

Russia Jails HIV Attorney In Yukos Case (Moscow) A Russian court suspended the trial of an ailing former executive of the dismantled oil giant Yukos but refused Wednesday to release him from jail to be treated for AIDS-related cancer and tuberculosis.

Town Bid To Arrest Bush, Cheney Gathers Steam
(Brattleboro, Vermont) The tone has changed in e-mails this Vermont town has been receiving on its proposal to issue warrants for the arrests of President Bush and Vice President Cheney. Now, more people are supporting the resolution.

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Forwarded from Transgender Equality

Iran Sex Changes Get Mullahs' Money as Regime Persecutes Gays
By Ladane Nasseri

Feb. 6 (Bloomberg) -- Nasser didn't think much of Iran's Islamic
regime -- until it paid for him to become a woman.

Growing up in the city of Mashhad, Nasser knew he was different from
the other boys, sneaking around in his aunt's skirts and
experimenting with makeup. At age 14, he told his parents he wanted
to have a sex change.

``I realized that I had a problem and that I needed to solve it
through an operation,'' Nasser, now 18, says at a downtown Tehran
clinic two days after he became a she called Hasti. ``Even if lots
of negative things are said about the regime, they also do things
that are good.''

In Iran, where men and women are segregated, and homosexuality is
punishable by death, the government plans to spend 6 billion rials
($647,000) this year to help pay for sex- change operations.

Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article.

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Forwarded from Doug Ireland
direland@nyc.rr.com

http://scenews.blog.com/2644595/

Iran: Child Prisoner Faces Execution in 48 Hours

Ayatollah Shahrudi , the head of Iran's judiciary approved the execution of Behnam Zare. In a letter, Behnam's attorney Mohammad Mostafei informed Stop Child Executions that the execution order of Behnam Zare was sent by Ayatollah Shahrudi to Adelabad prison in central city of Shiraz Iran and the execution can be performed at anytime. According to Iran's law, 48 hours before the execution the attorneys and the families must be informed, however in many circumstances the law has been violated. Mohammad Mostafaei has not yet received such notice. ..... 3 years after the incident, now that Behnam has reached the age of 18, he can be hanged at any time.

Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article.

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

Contact rays.list@comcast.net if you are unable to access the full article.

DNC boost for sex biz - Denver can expect prostitution spike during convention
Political tricks may not be the only ones turned during the Democratic National Convention in Denver this August. The sex and adult entertainment industries are expecting a boom in business when an estimated 35,000 visitors descend on the Mile High City for the presidential nominating bash. http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/feb/04/dnc-boost-for-sex-biz/?printer=1/

--
Laguna Beach City Council Votes 5-0 to Reaffirm Opposition to Anti-Marriage
Measure

Important Signal of Support Given by Laguna City Council and Republican
Majority in Heart of GOP Orange County

Laguna Beach - Working with the City Council, California Log Cabin
Republicans helped secure a resolution at the city council meeting this
evening reiterating it's opposition to anti-marriage equality ballot
measures. The vote was 5-0 in favor of the resolution and the position was
to be conveyed to the California Supreme Court which is considering a
lawsuit on marriage equality.

James Vaughn, Director of California Log Cabin Republicans praised the
Council, and the Republican majority in particular for their stance. "This
is just one example of how working with Republicans, rather than demonizing
them, can lead to education and progress for gays and lesbians. This vote,
in the heart of Republican Orange County, affirms our belief that inclusion
wins - especially when it means including Republicans in our efforts. "

--
Please respond to Mitsunori Misawa

My name is Mitsunori (Mitsu) Misawa. I am a Doctoral Candidate in the Adult
Education Program of the Department of Lifelong Education, Administration,
and Policy at the University of Georgia. I have defended and completed my
prospectus defense of my doctoral dissertation in November. Now, it is time
for me to start a new phase of my dissertation, data collection.

I am currently conducting my doctoral dissertation research on the
experiences of gay male faculty of color in higher education in terms of the
intersection of racism and homophobic bullying. There is a lack of empirical
understanding on adult bullying in higher education. Furthermore, there is a
scarcity of knowledge on the experiences of gay professors of color, how
they deal with the issues of race and sexual orientation in their academic
careers, and how they combat adult bullying and survive as victims of adult
bullying.

--
From Jon Kislak
Campaign Chairman

Florida Red and Blue
www.FloridaRedandBlue.com.

You may know the "Marriage Protection" fight has officially made its way to
Florida, with a vague and disingenuous amendment that will be on the
presidential ballot in November.

Before we even talk about how dangerous and divisive this amendment is, let
me introduce myself and then the Campaign I am leading to defeat this
amendment.

I'm Jon Kislak and at first glace anyone would think I may appear a most
unusual choice to lead a campaign like Florida Red and Blue. People on the
campaign like to say I'm the "red" part of Florida Red and Blue. I'm a
Republican. More than that, I'm an active Republican - I was Finance
Chairman for the (now) Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum and President
George H.W. Bush appointed me to serve as Under Secretary of the US
Department of Agriculture.

When people learn about my strong Republican credentials, they may assume
I'm in this fight because I'm gay. That's not why I'm in this fight and, for
the record, I am not gay. Which is not the same as saying I don't have a
deeply personal reason to be engaged in this fight.

So why is a straight Republican leading a campaign to keep a "gay marriage"
ban out of our State Constitution?

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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com

Go to the links for the following articles:

IL: LGBT Demonstrators Call for Marriage Support Two dozen supporters of same-sex marriage rallied in front of the Cook County Building Marriage Bureau, 118 N. Clark, on Sat., Feb. 2, urging candidates in both parties to recognize and support equal marriage rights for same sex couples. The Gay Liberation Network ( GLN ) organized the demonstration to dramatize the issue to the voting public and to draw attention to their position that civil unions are unacceptable. http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=17431

Blacks Gays and Straights Unite in Historic 3 Day National Convention in Baltimore Nearly 1,000 African-American men, women and youth, both gay and straight-identified are expected to gather in Baltimore, MD April 24-26 for an historic three-day event geared towards healing and bridging the gap between the black gay and black straight communities. http://prweb.com/releases/2008/2/prweb680204.htm

State of the Gay Nation The battlefields are public opinion, the courts, Congress and state legislatures. And gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered activists point to strategic victories — plus the promise of more — despite well-publicized setbacks.Recent successes include the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that state laws banning sodomy are unconstitutional. On the political front, the three U.S. senators running for president — Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and Republican John McCain — voted against a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. According to opinion polls, younger people are more supportive of gay rights issues than older folks, suggesting a future shift in public policy. http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=12451

Matt Foreman’s Questionable Legacy Matt Foreman, who announced January 23 that he would be resigning as executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, was many things during his five years at the top of one of the country’s preeminent gay rights organizations. He was an outspoken opponent of the war in Iraq. He fought against privatizing Social Security. He stood foursquare against the erosion of abortion rights. http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid52010.asp

GA: Analysis: Democrats: Hope for Change in the Wind Georgia Democrats believe they captured lightning in a bottle Tuesday, but the work of turning that energy into victories in November must begin now, party leaders and activists said Wednesday. http://www.ajc.com/search/content/news/stories/2008/02/07/gadems0207.html

A Skeptical Look At Presidential Campaigns Have you been listening to the national media´s campaign coverage? It seems ultra-liberal Hilary Clinton is now a born-again religious centrist. She now regularly uses the G— word. Her live-in personal aid I a devout Muslim. Bill also frequently heard using the G—word while stumping for Hilary. In all fairness, Hilary has her Methodist roots, and Bill his Baptist background. http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/51395

Cuban Lawmakers Consider Gay Marriage Proposal
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/

Survey Finds High Rate of Teen Sex Assaults More than one-quarter of girls in Grade 11 were pressed into something sexual they didn't want to do, according to a new survey that also found 4 per cent of boys in the same grade forced someone to have sex with them. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080207.SURVEY07/TPStory/TPNational/?page=rss&id=GAM.20080207.SURVEY07

Pitch or Catch? As in Many Cultures, Mexicans are Guilty of a Double Standard when it Comes ot Homosexuality After working with Mexicans for years, I have noticed that Mexican men have a double standard when it comes to homosexuality. Why is it that the "giver" is not regarded as being just as equally gay as the "receiver"?
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2008-02-07/news/pitch-or-catch-like-in-many-cultures-mexicans-are-guilty-of-a-double-standard-when-it-comes-to-homosexuality/

Sexuality and the Law (Part I) Does the LGBT community commit different crimes than its straight counterparts? I’ve been asked on more than one occasion if sexual preference can make a person more inclined to engage in certain criminal activity. From my experience, the answer would be a resounding “no.” While it may appear there is a higher rate of drug and alcohol use among members of the LGBT community, I believe much of this has to do with the limited number of social outlets in which we have the freedom to be ourselves. We are less likely to meet a potential date at the neighborhood picnic (or pizza parlor, fast food joint, grocery store, etc.) as we are a gay bar.
http://gayblade.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=205&Itemid=39

FL: Gay Bashers Mask Their Bigotry as Faith, Conservatism and Politics Just when we thought the Florida Republican Party leadership had crawled back into its gay-bashing hole, they emerge as the primary financiers of the "we hate gays" initiative set for the ballot booth next November. This from the party of former Congressman Mark Foley and current Senator Larry Craig. What those two did is OK, but heaven help us if two women or two men want to spend their lives in a loving relationship legalized by marriage. http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080206/OPINION/802060330

TX: School Bans TV Spot in Which Girls Nearly Kiss Royse City High School’s television broadcasting program was temporarily suspended last week after school officials banned a student-produced public service announcement featuring two girls about to kiss, according to a spokeswoman for the town’s school district. http://www.dallasvoice.com/artman/publish/article_7939.php

Cervical Cancer Virus Linked to Oral Tumors in Men A new study suggests that the same virus that has been linked with cervical cancer can affect men, too--as oral cancer. http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=55871

Researchers: NIH Has “Lost Its Way” with AIDS Funding
Researchers at a Boston conference criticized the National Institutes of Health for its approach to AIDS.
http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=55872

O’Reilly: Federal Judges are ‘Pinheads’ in Gay Children’s Book Case http://rawstory.com/news/2008/OReilly_outraged_by_gay_fairy_tales_0205.html

He’s Laughing Off His ‘Ex-Gay’ Lifestyle FOR 17 years, Peterson Toscano was a "born-again, evangelical, conservative Republican Christian." And for 17 years, Peterson Toscano tried not to be gay. He memorized hundreds of Scriptural passages with the thought that "the 'Good Word' would replace all the evil, bad, homosexual feelings" he had.
http://www.philly.com/dailynews/opinion/20080206_Carol_Towarnicky__HES_LAUGHING_OFF_HIS_EX-GAY_LIFESTYLE.html

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To Form a More Perfect Union: Marriage Equality News
http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/

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

Massachusetts: Show me the money We noticed something else while poring over the 2007 year-end reports that went online last month: the folks who brought on the anti-gay marriage amendment have been raising and spending money to shore up their support in the legislature.

Australia: Public gay unions unacceptable says Attorney General CLAUSES in the ACT's civil partnerships bill that would allow gay couples to hold a public ceremony marking their union are unacceptable, Attorney-General Robert McClelland says. "We think a civil unions register along the lines of Tasmania is appropriate," Mr McClelland told The Australian newspaper.

California Supreme Court schedules hearing on the freedom to marry California's high court will hear arguments in March over the legality of gay marriage in the state.
Analysis: Marriage, Civil Union, or Domestic Partnership... What's the Difference? Joyce Kauffman highlights some of the varying relationship recognition arrangements in the U.S. -- civil unions, domestic partnerships, and full civil marriage. She explores the differences, the pitfalls and the strengths in the patchwork of arrangements currently in place.

Same ol' same-sex ban All that restrictive language should be enough to reassure even the most skittish Floridian that gays and lesbians won't be exchanging vows or trying to transfer a marriage. But no. Last week, the Department of Elections confirmed that a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Florida will go on the November ballot.

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National Gay News

Got to http://nationalgaynews.com/ for the following articles:

GLAAD Releases a New “Be an Ally & a Friend” PSA in Honor of Black History Month

To commemorate Black History Month, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) released today a public service announcement (PSA) from Access Hollywood co-anchor Shaun Robinson as part of its “Be an Ally & a Friend” campaign.

DJ Kevin Greening 'Died in Bondage Session'

Photos of the scene at an apartment in Battersea, South West London, shows a bedroom converted into a sadomasochistic dungeon, unnamed sources told The Sun newspaper.

Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s Feb. 20 Networker Benefits Winter Party Festival

The Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC) will hold its February Monthly Business Networker aboard the fabulous new addition to Miami’s waterways, the Aqua Luxury Yacht. The event will be Wednesday, February 20, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The yacht will remain docked next to the InterContinental Miami, at 100 Chopin Plaza in downtown Miami.

‘Undetectable’ Viral Load Not a Safe-Sex Strategy

While having an undetectable viral load may reduce the risk of transmitting HIV, it should not be used as an alternative to using condoms and lube, GLBT health agencies warn. The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO), responding to claims made by Swiss AIDS experts, said: “People need to be aware that relying on ‘undetectable’ viral load is not a ‘safe sex’ strategy – it’s one that reduces the risk of transmission and it isn’t foolproof. The best way to protect yourself and your partner from HIV is through regular and consistent condom use.”

Lisa Sherman Named Executive Vice President,General Manager, Logo

Logo (http://www.LOGOonline.com), a division of Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) MTV Networks, today announced that Lisa Sherman has been promoted to Executive Vice President, General Manager, Logo. The announcement was made by Brian Graden, President, MTV Networks Music Group Entertainment; and President, Logo.

State of the Gay Nation
The battlefields are public opinion, the courts, Congress and state legislatures. And gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered activists point to strategic victories — plus the promise of more — despite well-publicized setbacks.Recent successes include the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that state laws banning sodomy are unconstitutional. On the political front, the three U.S. senators running for president — Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and Republican John McCain — voted against a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. According to opinion polls, younger people are more supportive of gay rights issues than older folks, suggesting a future shift in public policy.

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Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
Go to the links for the following articles:

Gay couple make GQ's power list
Sir Elton John and partner David Furnish have been recognised as among the most powerful men in Britain by GQ. They are jointly listed at number 30 on the magazine's 100 most powerful men list, the only joint entry.The magazine says the couple, who entered into a civil partnership in 2006, are worth £225m. GQ chose Tory leader David Cameron as the most powerful man in Britain.

Clinton retains slight lead in delegate count
Every delegate counts, Presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are finding, as the fight for the Democratic nomination continues the morning after Super Tuesday. According to CNN.com, at current count, Clinton has the slight edge over the Senator from Illinois—823 total delegates to his 731.

Kids drama that introduced gay teachers is axed
A children's television programme that tackled gay themes is to cease production after 30 years on air. Grange Hill caused controversy by introducing a gay teacher in 1992. Mr Brisley remained part of the fictional staff until 1999. However, it was not the first controversy the show had stirred. In the late 1970s it was tackling the dangers of paedophiles and in the 1980s it found unparalleled popularity with its campaign against heroin.

Poll exposes high levels of Russian homophobia
New data released yesterday in Moscow has found that just 5% of Russians do not view homosexuality as morally unacceptable.
The Levada-Centre, a well-respected polling organisation, held a poll last year and found that negative attitudes to gay people are on the increase. Just last year 47% of people condemned LGB people. In December's poll 84% of respondents said they find homosexuality morally unacceptable reports Kommersant.com.

HIV infections up 20% in Sweden
500 people were newly diagnosed as HIV positive in Sweden in 2007 according to data published by the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control (SMI). That number represents a rise of 20% on 2006. There has been a 70% rise in the number of people infected within Sweden, though the majority of new HIV patients still come into contact with the virus abroad.

Obama and Clinton both win on Super Tuesday
With the results from yesterday's primaries and caucuses in nearly half of the United States counted, it appears that the Republicans have chosen their candidate for President while the Democrats are still unable to choose between a woman and a black man. Senator John McCain, the 71-year-old war hero and former Vietnam prisoner of war, took nine of the 21 states voting in the Republican contests. The big surprise of the night was former Governor of Arkansas Mike Hucakee.

Keep up to date with Stonewall's work for gay equality
Stonewall, the UK's leading gay, lesbian and bisexual equality organisation is actively involved in a range of areas, from campaigning for legislation to working towards workplace equality, from media monitoring to tackling homophobia in schools. Now you can keep up to date with Stonewall's work by signing up to their monthly e-bulletin. Sent straight to your inbox, it provides a regular update of progress in the charity's vital work for justice and equality.

April elections likely in Italy after dissolution of parliament
The President of Italy today formally dissolved the country's parliament after the coalition government fell apart last month. Romano Prodi, who resigned as Prime Minister but remained in a caretaker role, is expected to hold a cabinet meeting later today to fix a date for new elections.

Questions over MrCain's eligibility for Presidency
With Arizona Senator John McCain finishing on Super Tuesday as the likely Republican presidential front runner, a strange new question about his eligibility for the office has bubbled up on the internet. As someone born in the Panama Canal Zone, is McCain a "natural born" US citizen, as required of the President by the country's Constitution?

Condoms still vital in fight against HIV says UNAIDS
A report that asserts that HIV positive people undergoing effective anti-retroviral treatments carry "no relevant risk of transmission" has been greeted with caution by UNAIDS. Last week the Swiss Federal Commission for HIV/AIDS announced that "an HIV-infected person on anti-retroviral therapy with completely suppressed viremia ("effective ART") is not sexually infectious, i.e. cannot propagate HIV through sexual contact."

Egypt accused of criminalising HIV positive gay men
Four men convicted last month by a court in Cairo of consensual homosexual sex are the victims of state prejudice against people with HIV, according to a leading human rights organisation.


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USA Today

States push for cyberbully controls The problem of cyberbullying gained national attention last November when the story surfaced of a 13-year-old Missouri girl who killed herself following an Internet hoax.The death of Megan Meier, who was allegedly tormented by a neighbor on the Web, echoed another case three years earlier in Vermont. There, a 13-year-old boy committed suicide after being bullied online by peers who spread rumors that he was gay. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-02-06-Cyberbullying_N.htm?csp=34

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[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]

NATIONAL & WORLD DIGEST February 7, 2008

**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.

=


New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles

Obama and Clinton Brace for Drawn-Out Campaign
The Democrats are preparing for a lengthy nomination fight, while John McCain is hoping to seal up the Republican nomination quickly. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/us/politics/07campaign.html?hp

Counting Delegates Detailed results and the delegate selection process. http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/delegates/index.html

Toll of Deadly Tornadoes in South Climbs Past 50 Authorities were searching for victims after a wide swath of storms packing tornadoes and hail swept the South. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/us/07tornado.html?hp

Shutting Down Zanan The order to close Iran’s premier women’s magazine is the latest sign of how much Mahmoud Ahmadinejad fears any debate. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/opinion/07thu1.html?ref=opinion
Who Is More Electable? Voters in many states have only just begun to be acquainted with Barack Obama, and more familiarity may breed more comfort. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/opinion/07kristof.html?ref=opinion

The Cult of Secrecy at the White House The ombudsman’s independence is at the heart of repairing the information law. Congress must strike down the president’s end-run. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/opinion/07thu2.html?ref=opinion

A Hopeful Year for Unions It is good news that the percentage of American workers who belong to a union rose for the first time in three decades. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/opinion/07thu3.html?ref=opinion

Deranged on McCain? Even now, some conservatives still can’t get their minds around the possibility of John McCain as the Republican presidential nominee. http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/06/deranged-on-mccain/index.html?ref=opinion

Obama: The Shock of the Red Barack Obama’s numbers in the West on Tuesday bode well for him. http://egan.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/06/obama-the-shock-of-the-red/index.html?ref=opinion

Group Refuses to Monitor Russia Vote Europe's main security and human rights watchdog said on Thursday it had cancelled plans to monitor Russia's presidential election next month, citing unacceptable restrictions imposed by Moscow. http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/international-russia-election.html?hp

Senate G.O.P. Blocks Additions to Stimulus Bill By a single vote, Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked an expansive fiscal stimulus package championed by Democrats, as partisan rancor engulfed the effort to inject a quick burst of spending into the slowing economy. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/washington/07fiscal.html?hp

In Seized Video, Boys Train to Fight in Iraq, U.S. Says The children in black — T-shirts, trousers and face masks — hoist AK-47s and pistols and rush toward an apparently unarmed man on a bicycle. In an instant they have surrounded him, shouting in the high voices of boys who are not yet men, “Put your hands behind your back.” http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/world/middleeast/07iraq.html

C.I.A. Destroyed Tapes as Judge Sought Interrogation Data At the time that the Central Intelligence Agency destroyed videotapes of the interrogations of operatives of Al Qaeda, a federal judge was still seeking information from Bush administration lawyers about the interrogation of one of those operatives, Abu Zubaydah, according to court documents made public on Wednesday. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/washington/07intel.html

Unusual Divides in California Benefit McCain and Clinton California, often maligned as out of step with the rest of the nation, proved Tuesday to be its mirror. Late with its verdict and with copious delegates, California found a starring role among nearly two dozen other states with nominating contests, defying predictions in ways that sometimes spotlighted political dynamics around the state. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/us/politics/07calif.html


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Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

Democratic Re-gifting Super Tuesday gave the Democrats a gift. Now watch them give it back. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/06/AR2008020603943.html

The GOP's Civil War Whatever divisions the Democrats face, it is the Republicans who confront an ideological civil war. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/06/AR2008020603942.html

The Formidable McCain The question is when, not if, John McCan will win the GOP nomination. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/06/AR2008020603723.html

Generational Politics| The leading candidates represent three generations, each with a distinct style and resonance. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/06/AR2008020603722.html

Clinton's California Dream Team From movie directors to community activists, deep connections gave Clinton the edge in state. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/06/AR2008020604317.html?hpid=topnews

Electronics Confiscated at Border Nabila Mango, a therapist and a U.S. citizen who has lived in the country since 1965, had just flown in from Jordan last December when, she said, she was detained at customs and her cellphone was taken from her purse. Her daughter, waiting outside San Francisco International Airport, tried repeatedly to call her during the hour and a half she was questioned. But after her phone was returned, Mango saw that records of her daughter's calls had been erased. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/06/AR2008020604763.html?hpid=topnews
Admiral Confirms Secret Camp at Guantanamo Somewhere amid the cactus-studded hills on this sprawling Navy base, separate from the cells where hundreds of men suspected of links to al-Qaida and the Taliban have been locked up for years, is a place even more closely guarded _ a jailhouse so protected that its very location is top secret. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/07/AR2008020700317.html?hpid=moreheadlines


White House Defends CIA's Use of Waterboarding The White House yesterday directly joined a debate over the use of simulated drownings to force disclosures by CIA detainees, saying the interrogation technique known as waterboarding was legal and that President Bush could authorize the tactic in the future. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/05/AR2008020502764.html?hpid=moreheadlines

Officials Decry Crack-Sentencing Reductions The Bush administration wants Congress to thwart a plan to give thousands of federal crack cocaine offenders a chance to marginally reduce prison sentences that are a hundred times more severe than those meted out for powder cocaine offenses. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/06/AR2008020603822.html?hpid=moreheadlines

In Pact, U.S. Won't Commit to Protecting Iraq A long-term "relationship" being negotiated between the United States and Iraq will include U.S. "security assurances and commitments . . . to deter foreign aggression against Iraq that violates its sovereignty and integrity of its territories, waters, or airspace," according to an agreement signed by President Bush and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki last November. Or maybe it won't. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/06/AR2008020604891.html?hpid=sec-world

Uniting America: Easier Said Than Done Each of Super Tuesday's main survivors pledges, if elected, to reach across party lines and bring the nation together. It's a familiar but often futile promise, leaving Americans to wonder if divisiveness will again prevail or if _ just maybe _ a window is open for a more civil, constructive era. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/06/AR2008020603164.html

GEORGIA | Low GOP Enthusiasm The fast-growing suburbs of Cobb County have long been home to political passions, mostly conservative. They were the base for former House speaker Newt Gingrich, and over the years, residents have quarreled loudly over a Ten Commandments display at the county courthouse, gay-rights issues, and whether science texts should include a disclaimer stating that evolution is a theory. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/05/AR2008020502976.html


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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
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'Superdelegates' may decide Democratic nomination Super Tuesday's contests in 22 states left the Democratic candidates deadlocked, increasing the potential influence of 796 `superdelegates.' http://www.miamiherald.com/457/story/409575.html

President's budget fails the reality test Rarely has the disconnect between the White House and reality seemed more evident than in the budget for Fiscal Year 2009 that President Bush unveiled this week. Mr. Bush proposes not only more and bigger deficits, but insists on protecting his controversial tax cuts even as he reduces funding for the poor and elderly. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/409600.html
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Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
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Immigration didn't turn out to be the wedge issue talk-show hosts hoped John McCain's Super Tuesday triumphs offer a cautionary tale about using hot-button issues to drive wedges in the electorate. In this case, the "non-issue" is immigration reform. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-editafimmigrationpnfeb07,0,1837782.story

More must be done for mental health of troops The U.S. Army can truthfully say they've tried to do something about suicide among soldiers. They made changes to mental health programs after it was found that the military was failing to adequately screen troops with psychological problems. There has been more training, more hiring of mental health professionals, closer monitoring of troops on psychiatric medications. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-editgssuicidepnfeb04,0,1698648.story

Democrats push to hold presidential caucuses in Florida The Democratic National Committee is pressuring Michigan and Florida to hold presidential caucuses so the delegates they lost for holding January primaries could be seated at the national convention, a top Michigan Democrat said Wednesday. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/sfl-fladelegates0208sbfeb07,0,4739598.story


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Detroit News
Michigan Democrats look for solutions for seating delegation An inconclusive Super Tuesday turned into Anxiety Wednesday for Democrats, as the close race between Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton raised the possibility that the debate over Michigan's national convention delegates will be caught up in the larger fight over the Democratic presidential nomination. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080207/POLITICS01/802070350&imw=Y

Houston Chronicle
Permanent do not call list clears Congress Politicians have finally found an issue they all can agree on: Telemarketers calling at dinnertime are a scourge that must be repulsed. Congress on Wednesday sent to President Bush two bills that would make permanent a program to protect consumers from unwanted calls from telemarketers. Its hallmark is the national "do not call" list. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/5520548.html


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