Wednesday, November 01, 2006
NATIONAL & WORLD DIGEST NOVEMBER 1, 2006
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FLORIDA DIGEST NOVEMBER 1, 2006
**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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/31/State/Defying_convention_is.shtml
Defying convention is candidate Linn's style
The Reform Party gubernatorial candidate revels in startling stunts andbrash remarks.
By JENNIFER LIBERTO, Times Staff Writer
Published October 31, 2006
Max Linn's appearance in the second televised gubernatorial debates Mondaywas a surprise, thanks to a last-minute federal court order, and theself-made millionaire and financial planner made the most of it.
Viewers got a taste of an unusual and outspoken - some would say brash -Reform Party candidate whose platform defies convention.
Linn, 47, is a millionaire financial planner from Treasure Island with apenchant for outrageous political stunts.
At a popular North Florida political event, the Wausau Annual PossumFestival, he tossed a possum into the air as a diversion so he could snatcha microphone and make a political speech. It worked until the organizersshut his power off.
=
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/11/01/news_pf/State/Schiavo_issue_haunts_.shtml
Schiavo issue haunts Crist
Did Charlie Crist take a stand on the Schiavo case, or has he been tryingto please both sides, as critics say?
By ADAM C. SMITH, Times Political Editor
Published November 1, 2006
Republican gubernatorial front-runner Charlie Crist says he was perfectlyclear in opposing governmental intervention in the Terri Schiavo case.
He spoke out loudly.
And he was silent.
Loudly silent.
The day after limping through a tough nationally televised debate, theRepublican attorney general wanted to talk about his plans to slash taxes.Instead reporters questioned him about his debate assertion that, "Yes, Idid'' speak out against Congress trying to force the reinsertion of theseverely brain-damaged woman's feeding tube in 2005.
Crist did not publicly express his opposition to the Schiavo interventionuntil April 2006, more than a year after the Pinellas woman's death. But hemaintained on Tuesday that he forcefully expressed his opposition from thestart.
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/editorial/sfl-editdlarzanov01,0,492567.story?track=rss
Legislature
South Florida Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board
November 1, 2006
ISSUE: Arza's antics become a problem.
State Rep. Rafael "Ralph" Arza, R-Hialeah, faces a difficult decision. Hecan go out gracefully, or be shown the door by his colleagues in the FloridaLegislature. Either way, Arza's got to go -- and soon.
His colleagues in Tallahassee have had their say. Incoming House SpeakerMarco Rubio stripped Arza from leadership after failing to persuade him tostep down. Gov. Jeb Bush said Arza should resign before the Florida House ofRepresentatives removes him.
The three-term Republican could face criminal charges for leavingthreatening messages, laced with a racial epithet and the repeated use ofthe "B" word, on the cell phone of state Rep. Gus Barreiro, R-Miami Beach.Barreiro filed a complaint with the House, alleging Arza used the "N-word"to describe Miami Dade County School Superintendent Rudy Crew.
=
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2006/nov/01/voters_will_decide_six_constitutional_amendment_tu/?print=1
naplesnews.com
Voters will decide six constitutional amendments Tuesday
By Michael Peltier
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
TALLAHASSEE - Voters heading to the polls Tuesday will be asked whether theywant to make it harder for local officials to condemn property and moredifficult for them to change the state constitution.
The two are among six proposed amendments to face voters Nov. 7, a list thatalso includes a proposal to raise the homestead exemption for low-incomeseniors and combat disabled veterans.
Arguably the most controversial proposal would require future citizeninitiatives to receive at least 60 percent of the vote before being added tothe state constitution.
Dubbed Amendment 3, the proposal was put forth by lawmakers last year aftera series of amendments, including reducing school class size and protectingpregnant pigs.
=
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-soffender01nov01,0,3457716.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines
Weston residents post security guard outside home of sex offender forHalloween
By Nicole T. Lesson and Joe Kollin
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
November 1, 2006
WESTON · A Weston homeowners association took the unusual move ofdispatching a security guard to monitor the home of a registered sexoffender on Halloween night.
The association posted one of its uniformed guards outside the home of ScottCagan, 1634 Sandpiper Circle, in the Savanna subdivision on Tuesday at 6p.m. Earlier in the day, guards at the neighborhood's gates distributedfliers to warn parents.
The measures were taken to assure the safety of the community's children,said the group's president, Matthew Zifrony.
"We want to put residents on notice of what he looks like and the fact thathe lives in Savanna," he said. "I have never heard of any association doingthis, but we have the resources to do things others may not get to do. Wecontrol our own security and have resources to make fliers to hand out atthe gates."
=
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/letters/sfl-pbmail753xnov01,0,7624425.story?coll=sfla-news-letters
Crist endorsement
Frieda Martey
Delray beach
November 1, 2006
Your endorsement of Charlie Crist is perplexing, and the superficiality ofyour reasons for your decision is troubling. Crist has no family and nohome, no property taxes and home insurance to pay, no children to educate.In order to compensate for these areas of concern, Crist selected as runningmate Jeff Kottkamp, an ultra-conservative who was in the forefront ofgovernment intrusion in the Schiavo case.
=
The Miami Herald
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/15897687.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
U.S. SENATE DEBATE
Tonight may be Harris' last shot
Though it appears unlikely to change voters' minds, Sen. Bill Nelson andRepublican Rep. Katherine Harris go before the cameras in a debate tonight.
By LESLEY CLARK
lclark@MiamiHerald.com
Lagging 20 points behind in the most charitable polls, Rep. Katherine Harrishas one more chance tonight to make up ground in her flailing bid to unseatU.S. Sen. Bill Nelson as the two meet for a second and final debate.
But the 7 p.m. debate in Orlando, to be aired on NBC stations, may not givethe Sarasota Republican the unstructured platform she would like to attackNelson as a ``do-nothing liberal senator.''
The debate will be moderated by NBC's Meet the Press host Tim Russert, whotripped up Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill McBride in 2002 in thefinal governor's debate.
=
The Miami Herald
November 1, 2006
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15901097.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
Posted on Wed, Nov. 01, 2006
Broward School Board moves toward naming interim chief
By NIRVI SHAH
nshah@MiamiHerald.com
Broward School Board members today will outline their requirements for theperson who will be their temporary superintendent.
After their vote this afternoon, they'll begin accepting applications forthe job. Whoever is selected can't apply to permanently oversee thecountry's sixth-largest school district.
The interim superintendent will be paid at least $166,672, must work for thedistrict now and have at least 10 years experience in an administrative job.
The meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. at the school district headquarters, 600 SEThird Ave. in Fort Lauderdale.
=
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103001311_pf.html
Campaign Gone South
Florida's Katherine Harris Continues Her Senate Race, Shedding Staff Alongthe Way
By Libby Copeland
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 31, 2006; C01
BARTOW, Fla.
Katherine Harris, who is trying to become a U.S. senator, says she iswriting a tell-all about the many people who have wronged her. Thisincludes, but is not necessarily limited to: the Republican leaders whodidn't want her to run, the press that has covered her troubled campaign,and the many staffers who have quit her employ, whom she accuses ofcolluding with her opponent.
She is vague about what, precisely, makes her a victim, but she says she hasit all documented.
=
The Miami Herald
October 31, 2006
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15889493.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
Public subsidy of jock excesses is a losing game
BY FRED GRIMM
fgrimm@MiamiHerald.com
Florida's underfunded public universities don't rate much academic glory. InAugust, the annual U.S. News and World Report rankings placed Floridaschools down among the mediocre.
The reaction was muted. Perhaps it's the state's scant pride in highereducation that makes its lavish pursuit of athletic achievements so damnjarring.
When The New York Times needed examples of college sports programs thatabuse their federal tax exemption with Hollywood salaries, luxuriousexpenditures and twisted priorities, the call was answered nicely by theUniversity of Florida and Florida State University.
UF, among other jock excesses, has joined Ohio State, the University ofTexas and Southern Cal in that heady club of colleges that each pay out acombined $4 million in salaries to football and basketball head coaches.
#####
rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/31/State/Defying_convention_is.shtml
Defying convention is candidate Linn's style
The Reform Party gubernatorial candidate revels in startling stunts andbrash remarks.
By JENNIFER LIBERTO, Times Staff Writer
Published October 31, 2006
Max Linn's appearance in the second televised gubernatorial debates Mondaywas a surprise, thanks to a last-minute federal court order, and theself-made millionaire and financial planner made the most of it.
Viewers got a taste of an unusual and outspoken - some would say brash -Reform Party candidate whose platform defies convention.
Linn, 47, is a millionaire financial planner from Treasure Island with apenchant for outrageous political stunts.
At a popular North Florida political event, the Wausau Annual PossumFestival, he tossed a possum into the air as a diversion so he could snatcha microphone and make a political speech. It worked until the organizersshut his power off.
=
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/11/01/news_pf/State/Schiavo_issue_haunts_.shtml
Schiavo issue haunts Crist
Did Charlie Crist take a stand on the Schiavo case, or has he been tryingto please both sides, as critics say?
By ADAM C. SMITH, Times Political Editor
Published November 1, 2006
Republican gubernatorial front-runner Charlie Crist says he was perfectlyclear in opposing governmental intervention in the Terri Schiavo case.
He spoke out loudly.
And he was silent.
Loudly silent.
The day after limping through a tough nationally televised debate, theRepublican attorney general wanted to talk about his plans to slash taxes.Instead reporters questioned him about his debate assertion that, "Yes, Idid'' speak out against Congress trying to force the reinsertion of theseverely brain-damaged woman's feeding tube in 2005.
Crist did not publicly express his opposition to the Schiavo interventionuntil April 2006, more than a year after the Pinellas woman's death. But hemaintained on Tuesday that he forcefully expressed his opposition from thestart.
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/editorial/sfl-editdlarzanov01,0,492567.story?track=rss
Legislature
South Florida Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board
November 1, 2006
ISSUE: Arza's antics become a problem.
State Rep. Rafael "Ralph" Arza, R-Hialeah, faces a difficult decision. Hecan go out gracefully, or be shown the door by his colleagues in the FloridaLegislature. Either way, Arza's got to go -- and soon.
His colleagues in Tallahassee have had their say. Incoming House SpeakerMarco Rubio stripped Arza from leadership after failing to persuade him tostep down. Gov. Jeb Bush said Arza should resign before the Florida House ofRepresentatives removes him.
The three-term Republican could face criminal charges for leavingthreatening messages, laced with a racial epithet and the repeated use ofthe "B" word, on the cell phone of state Rep. Gus Barreiro, R-Miami Beach.Barreiro filed a complaint with the House, alleging Arza used the "N-word"to describe Miami Dade County School Superintendent Rudy Crew.
=
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2006/nov/01/voters_will_decide_six_constitutional_amendment_tu/?print=1
naplesnews.com
Voters will decide six constitutional amendments Tuesday
By Michael Peltier
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
TALLAHASSEE - Voters heading to the polls Tuesday will be asked whether theywant to make it harder for local officials to condemn property and moredifficult for them to change the state constitution.
The two are among six proposed amendments to face voters Nov. 7, a list thatalso includes a proposal to raise the homestead exemption for low-incomeseniors and combat disabled veterans.
Arguably the most controversial proposal would require future citizeninitiatives to receive at least 60 percent of the vote before being added tothe state constitution.
Dubbed Amendment 3, the proposal was put forth by lawmakers last year aftera series of amendments, including reducing school class size and protectingpregnant pigs.
=
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-soffender01nov01,0,3457716.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines
Weston residents post security guard outside home of sex offender forHalloween
By Nicole T. Lesson and Joe Kollin
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
November 1, 2006
WESTON · A Weston homeowners association took the unusual move ofdispatching a security guard to monitor the home of a registered sexoffender on Halloween night.
The association posted one of its uniformed guards outside the home of ScottCagan, 1634 Sandpiper Circle, in the Savanna subdivision on Tuesday at 6p.m. Earlier in the day, guards at the neighborhood's gates distributedfliers to warn parents.
The measures were taken to assure the safety of the community's children,said the group's president, Matthew Zifrony.
"We want to put residents on notice of what he looks like and the fact thathe lives in Savanna," he said. "I have never heard of any association doingthis, but we have the resources to do things others may not get to do. Wecontrol our own security and have resources to make fliers to hand out atthe gates."
=
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/letters/sfl-pbmail753xnov01,0,7624425.story?coll=sfla-news-letters
Crist endorsement
Frieda Martey
Delray beach
November 1, 2006
Your endorsement of Charlie Crist is perplexing, and the superficiality ofyour reasons for your decision is troubling. Crist has no family and nohome, no property taxes and home insurance to pay, no children to educate.In order to compensate for these areas of concern, Crist selected as runningmate Jeff Kottkamp, an ultra-conservative who was in the forefront ofgovernment intrusion in the Schiavo case.
=
The Miami Herald
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/15897687.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
U.S. SENATE DEBATE
Tonight may be Harris' last shot
Though it appears unlikely to change voters' minds, Sen. Bill Nelson andRepublican Rep. Katherine Harris go before the cameras in a debate tonight.
By LESLEY CLARK
lclark@MiamiHerald.com
Lagging 20 points behind in the most charitable polls, Rep. Katherine Harrishas one more chance tonight to make up ground in her flailing bid to unseatU.S. Sen. Bill Nelson as the two meet for a second and final debate.
But the 7 p.m. debate in Orlando, to be aired on NBC stations, may not givethe Sarasota Republican the unstructured platform she would like to attackNelson as a ``do-nothing liberal senator.''
The debate will be moderated by NBC's Meet the Press host Tim Russert, whotripped up Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill McBride in 2002 in thefinal governor's debate.
=
The Miami Herald
November 1, 2006
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15901097.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
Posted on Wed, Nov. 01, 2006
Broward School Board moves toward naming interim chief
By NIRVI SHAH
nshah@MiamiHerald.com
Broward School Board members today will outline their requirements for theperson who will be their temporary superintendent.
After their vote this afternoon, they'll begin accepting applications forthe job. Whoever is selected can't apply to permanently oversee thecountry's sixth-largest school district.
The interim superintendent will be paid at least $166,672, must work for thedistrict now and have at least 10 years experience in an administrative job.
The meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. at the school district headquarters, 600 SEThird Ave. in Fort Lauderdale.
=
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103001311_pf.html
Campaign Gone South
Florida's Katherine Harris Continues Her Senate Race, Shedding Staff Alongthe Way
By Libby Copeland
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 31, 2006; C01
BARTOW, Fla.
Katherine Harris, who is trying to become a U.S. senator, says she iswriting a tell-all about the many people who have wronged her. Thisincludes, but is not necessarily limited to: the Republican leaders whodidn't want her to run, the press that has covered her troubled campaign,and the many staffers who have quit her employ, whom she accuses ofcolluding with her opponent.
She is vague about what, precisely, makes her a victim, but she says she hasit all documented.
=
The Miami Herald
October 31, 2006
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15889493.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
Public subsidy of jock excesses is a losing game
BY FRED GRIMM
fgrimm@MiamiHerald.com
Florida's underfunded public universities don't rate much academic glory. InAugust, the annual U.S. News and World Report rankings placed Floridaschools down among the mediocre.
The reaction was muted. Perhaps it's the state's scant pride in highereducation that makes its lavish pursuit of athletic achievements so damnjarring.
When The New York Times needed examples of college sports programs thatabuse their federal tax exemption with Hollywood salaries, luxuriousexpenditures and twisted priorities, the call was answered nicely by theUniversity of Florida and Florida State University.
UF, among other jock excesses, has joined Ohio State, the University ofTexas and Southern Cal in that heady club of colleges that each pay out acombined $4 million in salaries to football and basketball head coaches.
#####
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
GLBT DIGEST - October 31, 2006
**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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Washingtonpost.com
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/31/AR2006103100403_pf.html
Abortion, gay marriage among ballot issues
By Jim Christie
Reuters
Tuesday, October 31, 2006; 8:19 AM
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apart from deciding whether Republicans keepcontrol of the U.S. Congress, Americans will vote next week on more than 200state measures many politicians consider too hot to handle.
They will cast ballots on explosive cultural issues like abortion, gaymarriage and illegal immigration. In some states, voters will decide whetherto raise the minimum wage, something the lawmakers in Washington have beenloath to do.
"The issues tend to have two things in common: a frustrated electorate andpoliticians who are afraid to touch the issue for fear of lasting politicaldamage," said Bill Whalen, a fellow at the Hoover Institution in California.
There will be more measures on the November ballot than in any year except1996 and 1914, according to the Rothenberg Political Report.
"You see action on the state level because of gridlock on the federallevel," said Jack Pitney, a political scientist at Claremont McKennaCollege.
=
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-judy-shepard,0,3033601.story
Matthew Shepard's Mom Rallies Youth Vote
By MARTHA IRVINE
Associated Press Writer
October 31, 2006, 3:52 AM EST
CHICAGO -- Short in stature, Judy Shepard walks in and stands at the podium,only to be dwarfed by an unwieldy microphone.
"I'm not a professional speaker," she tells her audience. They number in thehundreds, mostly teens and young adults.
She is, she tells them, "a mom with a story." She's a social studiesteacher, a country girl from Wyoming who reluctantly became a politicalactivist after her 21-year-old son Matthew Shepard was beaten, tied to afence and left for dead on the prairie outside Laramie, Wyo.
Because Matthew was gay, his high-profile death eight years ago became arallying point for proponents of tougher hate crimes legislation.
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/local/sns-ap-bush,0,4203620.story
Bush Hits Hard at Gay Marriage
By JENNIFER LOVEN
Associated Press Writer
October 31, 2006, 5:12 AM EST
STATESBORO, Ga. -- President Bush has for months cast the midterm electionsas a choice about just two issues: taxes and terrorism. Now, with pollspredicting bleak results for Republicans, he is trying to fire up his partyby decrying gay marriage.
"For decades, activist judges have tried to redefine America by courtorder," Bush said Monday. "Just this last week in New Jersey, anotheractivist court issued a ruling that raises doubt about the institution ofmarriage. We believe marriage is a union between a man and a woman, andshould be defended."
The line earned Bush by far his most sustained applause at a rally of 5,000people aimed at boosting former GOP Rep. Max Burns' effort to unseat aDemocratic incumbent.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Berkshire Eagle, MA, October 30, 2006
http://www.berkshireeagle.com/headlines/ci_4573075
Date nearing for same-sex marriage vote
Constitutional convention set for Nov. 9
By Rebecca Fater, Eagle Boston Bureau
BOSTON - Thursday, Nov. 9, seemed like a faraway day back in July, whenlegislators agreed to postpone a controversial vote on whether to putsame-sex marriage on the ballot.
But now, with the flip of the calendar page less than a week away, all 200legislators are scheduled to assemble as a body in the House ofRepresentatives' chamber to call the joint constitutional convention toorder.
The question is whether legislators will decide to take a definitive stanceone way or the other.
Since the Supreme Judicial Court legalized same-sex marriage inMassachusetts in 2003, the state has seen many gay and lesbian couples tiethe knot while supporters and protesters looked on. Some opponents calledfor a ballot vote on whether an amendment should be added to theconstitution banning same-sex marriage.
But before a proposed constitutional amendment can be included on a ballot,one-quarter of the Legislature must approve it in two consecutiveconstitutional conventions.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Leonard Link (blog), October 30, 2006
http://newyorklawschool.typepad.com/leonardlink/2006/10/samesex_marriag.html
Same-Sex Marriage and the Importance of Strategy
Arthur S. Leonard
The ruling by the NJ Supreme Court last week illustrates the importance ofcareful strategy in test-case litigation. I'll give the punchline first:During the current post-Hawaii wave of same-sex marriage litigation, we have"won" three cases: Vermont, Massachusetts, New Jersey. By no coincidence,these three are the carefully planned test cases that were filed before thefrenzied winter of 2004, when Gavin Newsome's San Francisco stunt ignited abrushfire of copycat marriage litigation that has so far eventuated inspectacular losses in New York and Washington State, as well as the cruelCalifornia Court of Appeal decision of a few weeks ago.
A bit of history... In the early 1970s, before we had national LGBT publicinterest law firms, same-sex couples in Washington State, Minnesota andKentucky filed their own same-sex marriage lawsuits and all failedspectacularly.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Australia: Gay couple refuses to lodge tax return
Australian Associated Press, October 30, 2006
http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Gay-couple-refuses-to-lodge-tax-return/2006/10/30/1162056902975.html
Gay couple refuses to lodge tax return
A gay couple is refusing to lodge a tax return until their same-sex marriageis recognised.
The two Sydney men say they were married overseas earlier this year, howeverthe Australian Tax Office (ATO) will not recognise the union.
Australian Marriage Equality (AME) said the situation was unfair and thegroup backed the couple in their fight against the ATO.
"Same-sex couples should receive the same treatment as opposite-sexcouples", said AME national convener, Sharon Dane.
"This couple are simply standing up for their rights as Australian citizens
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
OR: Editorial--Pushing -- and pulling -- to middle ground; The latesthigh-court ruling on same-sex marriage finds no goodreason for unequaltreatment
The Oregonian, OR, October 30, 2006
http://www.oregonlive.com/editorials/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1162000526212020.xml&coll=7
Pushing -- and pulling -- to middle ground The latest high-court ruling onsame-sex marriage finds no good reason for unequal treatment
You can quibble all you want over the words, but doing equations isfundamentally about getting the numbers right. That's one way to sum up theNew Jersey Supreme Court's masterfully middle-of-the-road ruling last weekon same-sex marriage.
Masterful, we say, because the ruling didn't satisfy extremists on eitherside of the same-sex marriage debate. And although it pushed for equaltreatment of gays and lesbians, it didn't push much beyond the place wheremost Americans have already arrived. Most do not favor same-sex marriage,but the overwhelming majority do want to see their gay and lesbiancolleagues, neighbors and family members treated equally.
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http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/10/31/bishops_push_for_a_vote_on_marriage?mode=PF
The Boston Globe
Bishops push for a vote on marriage
Want action on ban of same-sex weddings
By Michael Paulson, Globe Staff | October 31, 2006
Saying they are concerned that a walkout by legislators could scuttle a voteon a bill to ban same-sex marriage, the four Roman Catholic bishops ofMassachusetts are exhorting the state's 3 million Catholics to demandaction.
The bishops, including Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston, are also urgingCatholics to go to the State House Nov. 9, the date the vote is scheduled,to voice their support for restricting marriage to heterosexual couples. Theletter asks Catholics to "pray for success on this critical vote."
But religious supporters of same-sex marriage are fighting back. They haveprinted thousands of copies of a brochure titled, "Why We Don't Vote onCivil Rights," for distribution in churches and synagogues. They are alsopreparing to publish newspaper ads signed by a group of lay Catholicsdeclaring that O'Malley doesn't speak for them on the issue of marriage.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Berkshire Eagle, MA, October 30, 2006
http://www.berkshireeagle.com/headlines/ci_4573075
Date nearing for same-sex marriage vote
Constitutional convention set for Nov. 9
By Rebecca Fater, Eagle Boston Bureau
BOSTON - Thursday, Nov. 9, seemed like a faraway day back in July, whenlegislators agreed to postpone a controversial vote on whether to putsame-sex marriage on the ballot.
But now, with the flip of the calendar page less than a week away, all 200legislators are scheduled to assemble as a body in the House ofRepresentatives' chamber to call the joint constitutional convention toorder.
The question is whether legislators will decide to take a definitive stanceone way or the other.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
NJ: New gay rights leave Catholics with questions; Church struggles foranswers
Newark Star Ledger, NJ, October 30, 2006
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-5/116219058696340.xml&coll=1
Monday, October 30, 2006 BY CLAIRE HEININGER, Star-Ledger Staff
As a seminarian, the Rev. Frank Agresti played devil's advocate with thequestion of what the Catholic Church would say to a faithful same-sex couplewho had won recognition from the government but craved the same from thechurch.
Now the Parsippany priest who once posed that problem to his teacher needsto be the one with the answers. And he doesn't pretend to have them.
"It's a tough one. It's a really tough one," he said yesterday aftercelebrating Mass at St. Peter the Apostle Church. "Their love for each otheris a valid love. ... How does that fit in with God's plan? I don't know."
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
VA: Marriage amendment - a lose-lose-lose situation?
Augusta Free Press, VA, October 30, 2006
http://www.augustafreepress.com/stories/storyReader$40825
Chris Graham, chris@augustafreepress.com
It's politics to some people - the debate over a proposed amendment to theVirginia Constitution that would prohibit gays and lesbians from being ableto enter into a state-recognized marriage or civil union.
For those whose lives would be impacted directly by the much-talked-aboutchange to the oldest Bill of Rights in the world, though, it's about morethan vote totals on Election Day - a lot more.
"These bans are not just gay-marriage bans - they're bans on gay marriageand civil unions. And that's a very big problem for gay couples. We don'thave gay marriage now - except in Massachusetts. And I really don't think wehave much of a prospect of gay marriage anywhere except Massachusetts andmaybe New Jersey. But a majority of the public - 60 percent of the public -supports either gay marriage or civil unions.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
CO: Editorial--Ref. I offers Colorado a path to civil unions
Denver Post, CO, October 30, 2006
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_4571365
Ref. I offers Colorado a path to civil unions The state can avoid NewJersey's court-ordered approach to protect the rights of same-sex couples byapproving a sensible ballot measure Nov. 7.
Last week's unanimous ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court that the GardenState cannot legally discriminate against same-sex couples is the strongestreason yet to vote for Referendum I on Colorado's ballot.
Referendum I doesn't allow "gay marriage," but it does stop thediscriminatory treatment that same-sex couples now receive from their ownstate government. Ending such discrimination is the best way to forestalllitigation that might lead to a court order requiring same-sex marriage inColorado or any other state.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
National Post via Vancouver Sun, Canada, October 30, 2006
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=2abac6d0-374f-4209-b603-8cd00f664113&k=88095
Don't force clergy to marry gays: majority Same-sex marriage poll
Chris Wattie, cwattie@nationalpost.com
A majority of Canadians believe marriage commissioners should be allowed torefuse to perform a same-sex marriage if it is against their religiousbeliefs, according to a new public opinion poll.
A COMPAS poll conducted last week found 57% of those surveyed said officialswho conduct generally secular wedding ceremonies should be allowed to "notofficiate at gay marriages," provided there are enough marriagecommissioners available for same-sex unions.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
NY: Domestic partnerships mostly straight couples
Newsday, NY, October 30, 2006
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/am-gay1030,0,120654.story?coll=ny-nycnews-headlines
Domestic partnerships mostly straight couples By Chuck Bennett, amNewYorkStaff Writer
The data tells it straight -- three quarters of domestic partnerships in NewYork City are heterosexual couples.
"So far this year, 27% of overall domestic partnership registrations aresame- sex couples. We are on par percentage-wise with last year,"saidMichael McSweeney, first deputy at the Office of the City Clerk.
For the first 10 months of this year, there were 2,863 domestic partnershipregistrations, of which only 767 were homosexual couples. In 2005, therewere 815 same-sex domestic partnerships out of 3,066.
=
Faroe Islands petitionIn connection with this appeal, members of the listmay be interested to know that the UK Gay and Lesbian Huimanist Association(GALHA) has learnt that Sidmennt, the Islandic Ethical Humanist Association,which fully supports Iceland's LGBT rights group Samtokin 78, has written aletter in both Icelandic and Faroese to every member of parliament in theFaroe Islands, as well as their Prime Minister, an open letter in theirlargest newspaper, and a letter to the Icelandic minister in NordicCooperation, urging the Faroese parliament to pass the anti-discriminationlaw.
According to Sidmennt, the Faroese people are very religious, which(surprise! surprise!) is a large part of the problem. They have receivedsome responses from MPs there thanking them for their support of humanrights in the Faroes.
George
GALHA
www.galha.org
From: Kurt Krickler
To: Euro-queer
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 7:55 AM
Subject: [euro-queer] Faroe Islands petition
Please, sign this petition (see letter from Iceland to the European PrideOrganisers Association below)!
Kurt Krickler
EPOA Human Rights Co-ordinator
Generalsekretär, Homosexuelle Initiative (HOSI) Wien - 1. Lesben- undSchwulenverband Österreichs
Novaragasse 40, 1020 Wien
www.hosiwien.at
Phone private: (01) 545 13 10; 0664 57 67 466
Friends in EPOA
As you may know, the Faroe Islands (Føroyar/Færøerne) are the only areain the Nordic community which lacks a law on registered partnership and alaw against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.
Last December a proposal was presented to the Faroese parliament to putthe Danish law prohibiting discrimination on grounds of sexual orientationin force in the Faroes, but the proposal was defeated with 20 votesagainst 12. Now the same proposal has been presented again, because ofrecent events.
On the 23rd of September, a 26-year-old rock guitarist and the host of apopular radio show, Rasmus Rasmussen, was insulted and beaten in aTórshavn bar, because of him being openly gay. He appeared in thenewspaper, and after that he and his family were threatened by anonymoustelephone calls. Soon after this there were other incidents of homophobicviolence in Tórshavn.
All this has sparked a debate in the Faroes. The prime minister has spokenout against homophobia and the newspapers are full of articles and lettersto the editor deploring the homophobic climate in the Faroes. It remainsto be seen if the initiative to introduce the anti-discrimination law willsucceed. One of the opponents to the law declares that he is against itbecause this is only one step towards the registered partnership.Due to this recent gay-violence and the vehement homophobia in the FaroeIslands, our allies in Denmark have started a signature campaign that willbe sent to the Faroese government before the voting for antidiscriminationlaw regarding homosexuality on 7th of November. The address is:
http://www.act-against-homophobia.underskrifter.dk/
Please forward this to as many people as possible. When contactingparlamentary representatives in your respective countries, ask them to addMP after their last name
With kind regards
Guðjón R. Jónasson
Iceland
=
The Palm Beach Post
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2006/10/31/a10a_gaymarriage_edit_1031.html
Marriage not in danger, but basic civil rights are
Palm Beach Post Editorial
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
As the New Jersey Supreme Court last week ruled for equality, giving gaycouples the same civil rights as married couples, President Bush led GOPcandidates in further hypocrisy.
At a rally in Indiana, the president predictably called Wednesday's rulingthe result of "activist" judges, and insisted that he "will continue toappoint judges who strictly interpret the law."
In fact, New Jersey's justices did follow the state's law, which is howAssociate Justice Barry T. Albin concluded for the majority that the"unequal distribution of rights and benefits to committed same-sex partnerscan no longer be tolerated under our state constitution." The Legislaturenow must decide whether to call homosexual partnerships marriage or useanother term such as civil union.
=
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/10/103006massAmend.htm
Gay Marriage Ban Vote Looms In Mass.
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
October 31, 2006 - 12:01 am ET
(Boston, Massachusetts) Two days after voters go to the polls members of theMassachusetts legislature will meet in a joint session to consider a measurethat would end same-sex marriage in the only state where they are legal.
Called a Constitutional Convention it will convene on November 9.
The legislature last year rejected an amendment put forward by lawmakersthat would have banned gay marriage but permitted civil unions.
Following that a conservative group began a so-called citizens initiative,collecting 120-thousand signatures almost double the number of voters neededto force the issue back to the legislature.
A citizen based referendum the amendment needs the support of only 50lawmakers - 25 percent of the House and Senate - in two constitutionalconventions for it to be put to voters in 2008.
=
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/10/103006jerusalem.htm
Jerusalem Police Mull Canceling Gay Pride Permit
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
October 30, 2006 - 5:00 pm ET
(Jerusalem) Jerusalem's police department said Monday it is reconsideringits approval of a parade permit for next month's gay pride celebration.
The parade has been under increasing condemnation by religious extremistsand conservative members of Israel's Parliament. Orthodox rabbis, Muslimsand conservative Christians have reignited the firestorm of criticism theymounted over World Pride events held over the summer in Jerusalem. Theiropposition resulted in the refusal to grant a parade permit.
The city's gay pride parade also was met with a parade permit refusal whenJerusalem Open House sought to hold it on September 21, the day before Jewsaround the world begin celebrating the High Holidays.
=
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103001228_pf.html
Va. Marriage Debate A Hotbed of Irony
By Marc Fisher
Tuesday, October 31, 2006; B01
Somehow, whether there's a war on or Americans are trying to figure out howto pay for gas or health care, election campaigns manage to be about sex.
Oh, and religion, too.
In Virginia, where Sen. George Allen apparently believes voters' mainconcern is the explicit nature of the sex scenes in challenger Jim Webb'snovels, next week's ballot includes a proposal to amend the stateconstitution to make triple-sure that marriage is defined as one man livingwith one woman. The state already has two laws that say this, but BobMarshall, the state delegate from Prince William County who proposed theamendment, says laws are not enough.
Here's the curious thing about Virginia's marriage debate: The folks frommore strictly religious backgrounds -- people who believe most fervently inthe need to protect marriage in its traditional form -- are the onesclamoring for a strong government role in marriage. The more secularfolks -- those who are more open to allowing other adult livingarrangements--are the ones saying that religious faiths should be left todefine marriage for themselves.
=
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/10/103006Military.htm
Gays In Military Warned Pentagon Snooping On Internet Usage
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
October 30, 2006 - 1:00 pm ET
(Washington) LGBT military personnel are being cautioned about divulgingpersonal information on the Internet following reports the Pentagon ismonitoring what enlisted people do online.
The Army Web Risk Assessment Cell is monitoring official and unofficialblogs and other websites for anything that may compromise security. The teamscans for official documents, personal contact information and pictures ofweapons or entrances to camps.
But, warns the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, the informationobtained could also be used under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" the ban on gaysserving openly in the military.
=
Switzerland
Large rise in HIV rates among gay men
October 30, 2006 - 8:35 PM
swissinfo with agencies
URL of this story:
http://194.6.181.127/eng/swissinfo.html?siteSect=105&sid=7209688
The number of new HIV infections among gay and bisexual men in Switzerlandhas almost doubled over the past three years.
In a report published on Monday, the Federal Health Office said it wasconcerned by this trend and intended to focus greater efforts on itsHIV/Aids prevention programmes.
In Switzerland three out of every 1,000 people are living with HIV/Aids.Over the years better prevention has reduced infection rates among drugusers and immigrants, but since 2000 new HIV infection rates among gay andbisexual men have continued to rise.
In 2005, 49.3 per cent of all men diagnosed as HIV-positive were gay orbisexual, whereas they represented 36.5 per cent in 2004. And by the end of2006, the Federal Health Office expects 300 new cases, most of who areSwiss.
more....
=
A note from Ray about about Yahoo blocking e-mails. (see below)
If you use Yahoo for your e-mails, please note!
Yahoo and AOL feels free to block messages without notice to theirsubscribers. The policies of these internet providers need challenging bytheir subscribers if the internet is to remain a reliable source ofinformation.
Ray
Ray's List
-
Dennis Brumm wrote:
> Is there any update on Yahoo? I'm still hearing that people are> receiving nothing, even after 12-24 hours, etc.
Yahoo has not replied to repeated attempts to contact them and find outwhy they are suddenly blocking us. There are over 150,000 deliverieswaiting in our queues to Yahoo subscribers.
I would suggest those Yahoo subscribers complain to their serviceprovider and demand to know why mail from our service is being blockedand why they won't respond to our inquiries.
#####
rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Washingtonpost.com
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/31/AR2006103100403_pf.html
Abortion, gay marriage among ballot issues
By Jim Christie
Reuters
Tuesday, October 31, 2006; 8:19 AM
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apart from deciding whether Republicans keepcontrol of the U.S. Congress, Americans will vote next week on more than 200state measures many politicians consider too hot to handle.
They will cast ballots on explosive cultural issues like abortion, gaymarriage and illegal immigration. In some states, voters will decide whetherto raise the minimum wage, something the lawmakers in Washington have beenloath to do.
"The issues tend to have two things in common: a frustrated electorate andpoliticians who are afraid to touch the issue for fear of lasting politicaldamage," said Bill Whalen, a fellow at the Hoover Institution in California.
There will be more measures on the November ballot than in any year except1996 and 1914, according to the Rothenberg Political Report.
"You see action on the state level because of gridlock on the federallevel," said Jack Pitney, a political scientist at Claremont McKennaCollege.
=
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-judy-shepard,0,3033601.story
Matthew Shepard's Mom Rallies Youth Vote
By MARTHA IRVINE
Associated Press Writer
October 31, 2006, 3:52 AM EST
CHICAGO -- Short in stature, Judy Shepard walks in and stands at the podium,only to be dwarfed by an unwieldy microphone.
"I'm not a professional speaker," she tells her audience. They number in thehundreds, mostly teens and young adults.
She is, she tells them, "a mom with a story." She's a social studiesteacher, a country girl from Wyoming who reluctantly became a politicalactivist after her 21-year-old son Matthew Shepard was beaten, tied to afence and left for dead on the prairie outside Laramie, Wyo.
Because Matthew was gay, his high-profile death eight years ago became arallying point for proponents of tougher hate crimes legislation.
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/local/sns-ap-bush,0,4203620.story
Bush Hits Hard at Gay Marriage
By JENNIFER LOVEN
Associated Press Writer
October 31, 2006, 5:12 AM EST
STATESBORO, Ga. -- President Bush has for months cast the midterm electionsas a choice about just two issues: taxes and terrorism. Now, with pollspredicting bleak results for Republicans, he is trying to fire up his partyby decrying gay marriage.
"For decades, activist judges have tried to redefine America by courtorder," Bush said Monday. "Just this last week in New Jersey, anotheractivist court issued a ruling that raises doubt about the institution ofmarriage. We believe marriage is a union between a man and a woman, andshould be defended."
The line earned Bush by far his most sustained applause at a rally of 5,000people aimed at boosting former GOP Rep. Max Burns' effort to unseat aDemocratic incumbent.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Berkshire Eagle, MA, October 30, 2006
http://www.berkshireeagle.com/headlines/ci_4573075
Date nearing for same-sex marriage vote
Constitutional convention set for Nov. 9
By Rebecca Fater, Eagle Boston Bureau
BOSTON - Thursday, Nov. 9, seemed like a faraway day back in July, whenlegislators agreed to postpone a controversial vote on whether to putsame-sex marriage on the ballot.
But now, with the flip of the calendar page less than a week away, all 200legislators are scheduled to assemble as a body in the House ofRepresentatives' chamber to call the joint constitutional convention toorder.
The question is whether legislators will decide to take a definitive stanceone way or the other.
Since the Supreme Judicial Court legalized same-sex marriage inMassachusetts in 2003, the state has seen many gay and lesbian couples tiethe knot while supporters and protesters looked on. Some opponents calledfor a ballot vote on whether an amendment should be added to theconstitution banning same-sex marriage.
But before a proposed constitutional amendment can be included on a ballot,one-quarter of the Legislature must approve it in two consecutiveconstitutional conventions.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Leonard Link (blog), October 30, 2006
http://newyorklawschool.typepad.com/leonardlink/2006/10/samesex_marriag.html
Same-Sex Marriage and the Importance of Strategy
Arthur S. Leonard
The ruling by the NJ Supreme Court last week illustrates the importance ofcareful strategy in test-case litigation. I'll give the punchline first:During the current post-Hawaii wave of same-sex marriage litigation, we have"won" three cases: Vermont, Massachusetts, New Jersey. By no coincidence,these three are the carefully planned test cases that were filed before thefrenzied winter of 2004, when Gavin Newsome's San Francisco stunt ignited abrushfire of copycat marriage litigation that has so far eventuated inspectacular losses in New York and Washington State, as well as the cruelCalifornia Court of Appeal decision of a few weeks ago.
A bit of history... In the early 1970s, before we had national LGBT publicinterest law firms, same-sex couples in Washington State, Minnesota andKentucky filed their own same-sex marriage lawsuits and all failedspectacularly.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Australia: Gay couple refuses to lodge tax return
Australian Associated Press, October 30, 2006
http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Gay-couple-refuses-to-lodge-tax-return/2006/10/30/1162056902975.html
Gay couple refuses to lodge tax return
A gay couple is refusing to lodge a tax return until their same-sex marriageis recognised.
The two Sydney men say they were married overseas earlier this year, howeverthe Australian Tax Office (ATO) will not recognise the union.
Australian Marriage Equality (AME) said the situation was unfair and thegroup backed the couple in their fight against the ATO.
"Same-sex couples should receive the same treatment as opposite-sexcouples", said AME national convener, Sharon Dane.
"This couple are simply standing up for their rights as Australian citizens
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
OR: Editorial--Pushing -- and pulling -- to middle ground; The latesthigh-court ruling on same-sex marriage finds no goodreason for unequaltreatment
The Oregonian, OR, October 30, 2006
http://www.oregonlive.com/editorials/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1162000526212020.xml&coll=7
Pushing -- and pulling -- to middle ground The latest high-court ruling onsame-sex marriage finds no good reason for unequal treatment
You can quibble all you want over the words, but doing equations isfundamentally about getting the numbers right. That's one way to sum up theNew Jersey Supreme Court's masterfully middle-of-the-road ruling last weekon same-sex marriage.
Masterful, we say, because the ruling didn't satisfy extremists on eitherside of the same-sex marriage debate. And although it pushed for equaltreatment of gays and lesbians, it didn't push much beyond the place wheremost Americans have already arrived. Most do not favor same-sex marriage,but the overwhelming majority do want to see their gay and lesbiancolleagues, neighbors and family members treated equally.
=
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/10/31/bishops_push_for_a_vote_on_marriage?mode=PF
The Boston Globe
Bishops push for a vote on marriage
Want action on ban of same-sex weddings
By Michael Paulson, Globe Staff | October 31, 2006
Saying they are concerned that a walkout by legislators could scuttle a voteon a bill to ban same-sex marriage, the four Roman Catholic bishops ofMassachusetts are exhorting the state's 3 million Catholics to demandaction.
The bishops, including Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston, are also urgingCatholics to go to the State House Nov. 9, the date the vote is scheduled,to voice their support for restricting marriage to heterosexual couples. Theletter asks Catholics to "pray for success on this critical vote."
But religious supporters of same-sex marriage are fighting back. They haveprinted thousands of copies of a brochure titled, "Why We Don't Vote onCivil Rights," for distribution in churches and synagogues. They are alsopreparing to publish newspaper ads signed by a group of lay Catholicsdeclaring that O'Malley doesn't speak for them on the issue of marriage.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Berkshire Eagle, MA, October 30, 2006
http://www.berkshireeagle.com/headlines/ci_4573075
Date nearing for same-sex marriage vote
Constitutional convention set for Nov. 9
By Rebecca Fater, Eagle Boston Bureau
BOSTON - Thursday, Nov. 9, seemed like a faraway day back in July, whenlegislators agreed to postpone a controversial vote on whether to putsame-sex marriage on the ballot.
But now, with the flip of the calendar page less than a week away, all 200legislators are scheduled to assemble as a body in the House ofRepresentatives' chamber to call the joint constitutional convention toorder.
The question is whether legislators will decide to take a definitive stanceone way or the other.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
NJ: New gay rights leave Catholics with questions; Church struggles foranswers
Newark Star Ledger, NJ, October 30, 2006
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-5/116219058696340.xml&coll=1
Monday, October 30, 2006 BY CLAIRE HEININGER, Star-Ledger Staff
As a seminarian, the Rev. Frank Agresti played devil's advocate with thequestion of what the Catholic Church would say to a faithful same-sex couplewho had won recognition from the government but craved the same from thechurch.
Now the Parsippany priest who once posed that problem to his teacher needsto be the one with the answers. And he doesn't pretend to have them.
"It's a tough one. It's a really tough one," he said yesterday aftercelebrating Mass at St. Peter the Apostle Church. "Their love for each otheris a valid love. ... How does that fit in with God's plan? I don't know."
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
VA: Marriage amendment - a lose-lose-lose situation?
Augusta Free Press, VA, October 30, 2006
http://www.augustafreepress.com/stories/storyReader$40825
Chris Graham, chris@augustafreepress.com
It's politics to some people - the debate over a proposed amendment to theVirginia Constitution that would prohibit gays and lesbians from being ableto enter into a state-recognized marriage or civil union.
For those whose lives would be impacted directly by the much-talked-aboutchange to the oldest Bill of Rights in the world, though, it's about morethan vote totals on Election Day - a lot more.
"These bans are not just gay-marriage bans - they're bans on gay marriageand civil unions. And that's a very big problem for gay couples. We don'thave gay marriage now - except in Massachusetts. And I really don't think wehave much of a prospect of gay marriage anywhere except Massachusetts andmaybe New Jersey. But a majority of the public - 60 percent of the public -supports either gay marriage or civil unions.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
CO: Editorial--Ref. I offers Colorado a path to civil unions
Denver Post, CO, October 30, 2006
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_4571365
Ref. I offers Colorado a path to civil unions The state can avoid NewJersey's court-ordered approach to protect the rights of same-sex couples byapproving a sensible ballot measure Nov. 7.
Last week's unanimous ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court that the GardenState cannot legally discriminate against same-sex couples is the strongestreason yet to vote for Referendum I on Colorado's ballot.
Referendum I doesn't allow "gay marriage," but it does stop thediscriminatory treatment that same-sex couples now receive from their ownstate government. Ending such discrimination is the best way to forestalllitigation that might lead to a court order requiring same-sex marriage inColorado or any other state.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
National Post via Vancouver Sun, Canada, October 30, 2006
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=2abac6d0-374f-4209-b603-8cd00f664113&k=88095
Don't force clergy to marry gays: majority Same-sex marriage poll
Chris Wattie, cwattie@nationalpost.com
A majority of Canadians believe marriage commissioners should be allowed torefuse to perform a same-sex marriage if it is against their religiousbeliefs, according to a new public opinion poll.
A COMPAS poll conducted last week found 57% of those surveyed said officialswho conduct generally secular wedding ceremonies should be allowed to "notofficiate at gay marriages," provided there are enough marriagecommissioners available for same-sex unions.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
NY: Domestic partnerships mostly straight couples
Newsday, NY, October 30, 2006
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/am-gay1030,0,120654.story?coll=ny-nycnews-headlines
Domestic partnerships mostly straight couples By Chuck Bennett, amNewYorkStaff Writer
The data tells it straight -- three quarters of domestic partnerships in NewYork City are heterosexual couples.
"So far this year, 27% of overall domestic partnership registrations aresame- sex couples. We are on par percentage-wise with last year,"saidMichael McSweeney, first deputy at the Office of the City Clerk.
For the first 10 months of this year, there were 2,863 domestic partnershipregistrations, of which only 767 were homosexual couples. In 2005, therewere 815 same-sex domestic partnerships out of 3,066.
=
Faroe Islands petitionIn connection with this appeal, members of the listmay be interested to know that the UK Gay and Lesbian Huimanist Association(GALHA) has learnt that Sidmennt, the Islandic Ethical Humanist Association,which fully supports Iceland's LGBT rights group Samtokin 78, has written aletter in both Icelandic and Faroese to every member of parliament in theFaroe Islands, as well as their Prime Minister, an open letter in theirlargest newspaper, and a letter to the Icelandic minister in NordicCooperation, urging the Faroese parliament to pass the anti-discriminationlaw.
According to Sidmennt, the Faroese people are very religious, which(surprise! surprise!) is a large part of the problem. They have receivedsome responses from MPs there thanking them for their support of humanrights in the Faroes.
George
GALHA
www.galha.org
From: Kurt Krickler
To: Euro-queer
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 7:55 AM
Subject: [euro-queer] Faroe Islands petition
Please, sign this petition (see letter from Iceland to the European PrideOrganisers Association below)!
Kurt Krickler
EPOA Human Rights Co-ordinator
Generalsekretär, Homosexuelle Initiative (HOSI) Wien - 1. Lesben- undSchwulenverband Österreichs
Novaragasse 40, 1020 Wien
www.hosiwien.at
Phone private: (01) 545 13 10; 0664 57 67 466
Friends in EPOA
As you may know, the Faroe Islands (Føroyar/Færøerne) are the only areain the Nordic community which lacks a law on registered partnership and alaw against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.
Last December a proposal was presented to the Faroese parliament to putthe Danish law prohibiting discrimination on grounds of sexual orientationin force in the Faroes, but the proposal was defeated with 20 votesagainst 12. Now the same proposal has been presented again, because ofrecent events.
On the 23rd of September, a 26-year-old rock guitarist and the host of apopular radio show, Rasmus Rasmussen, was insulted and beaten in aTórshavn bar, because of him being openly gay. He appeared in thenewspaper, and after that he and his family were threatened by anonymoustelephone calls. Soon after this there were other incidents of homophobicviolence in Tórshavn.
All this has sparked a debate in the Faroes. The prime minister has spokenout against homophobia and the newspapers are full of articles and lettersto the editor deploring the homophobic climate in the Faroes. It remainsto be seen if the initiative to introduce the anti-discrimination law willsucceed. One of the opponents to the law declares that he is against itbecause this is only one step towards the registered partnership.Due to this recent gay-violence and the vehement homophobia in the FaroeIslands, our allies in Denmark have started a signature campaign that willbe sent to the Faroese government before the voting for antidiscriminationlaw regarding homosexuality on 7th of November. The address is:
http://www.act-against-homophobia.underskrifter.dk/
Please forward this to as many people as possible. When contactingparlamentary representatives in your respective countries, ask them to addMP after their last name
With kind regards
Guðjón R. Jónasson
Iceland
=
The Palm Beach Post
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2006/10/31/a10a_gaymarriage_edit_1031.html
Marriage not in danger, but basic civil rights are
Palm Beach Post Editorial
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
As the New Jersey Supreme Court last week ruled for equality, giving gaycouples the same civil rights as married couples, President Bush led GOPcandidates in further hypocrisy.
At a rally in Indiana, the president predictably called Wednesday's rulingthe result of "activist" judges, and insisted that he "will continue toappoint judges who strictly interpret the law."
In fact, New Jersey's justices did follow the state's law, which is howAssociate Justice Barry T. Albin concluded for the majority that the"unequal distribution of rights and benefits to committed same-sex partnerscan no longer be tolerated under our state constitution." The Legislaturenow must decide whether to call homosexual partnerships marriage or useanother term such as civil union.
=
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/10/103006massAmend.htm
Gay Marriage Ban Vote Looms In Mass.
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
October 31, 2006 - 12:01 am ET
(Boston, Massachusetts) Two days after voters go to the polls members of theMassachusetts legislature will meet in a joint session to consider a measurethat would end same-sex marriage in the only state where they are legal.
Called a Constitutional Convention it will convene on November 9.
The legislature last year rejected an amendment put forward by lawmakersthat would have banned gay marriage but permitted civil unions.
Following that a conservative group began a so-called citizens initiative,collecting 120-thousand signatures almost double the number of voters neededto force the issue back to the legislature.
A citizen based referendum the amendment needs the support of only 50lawmakers - 25 percent of the House and Senate - in two constitutionalconventions for it to be put to voters in 2008.
=
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/10/103006jerusalem.htm
Jerusalem Police Mull Canceling Gay Pride Permit
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
October 30, 2006 - 5:00 pm ET
(Jerusalem) Jerusalem's police department said Monday it is reconsideringits approval of a parade permit for next month's gay pride celebration.
The parade has been under increasing condemnation by religious extremistsand conservative members of Israel's Parliament. Orthodox rabbis, Muslimsand conservative Christians have reignited the firestorm of criticism theymounted over World Pride events held over the summer in Jerusalem. Theiropposition resulted in the refusal to grant a parade permit.
The city's gay pride parade also was met with a parade permit refusal whenJerusalem Open House sought to hold it on September 21, the day before Jewsaround the world begin celebrating the High Holidays.
=
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103001228_pf.html
Va. Marriage Debate A Hotbed of Irony
By Marc Fisher
Tuesday, October 31, 2006; B01
Somehow, whether there's a war on or Americans are trying to figure out howto pay for gas or health care, election campaigns manage to be about sex.
Oh, and religion, too.
In Virginia, where Sen. George Allen apparently believes voters' mainconcern is the explicit nature of the sex scenes in challenger Jim Webb'snovels, next week's ballot includes a proposal to amend the stateconstitution to make triple-sure that marriage is defined as one man livingwith one woman. The state already has two laws that say this, but BobMarshall, the state delegate from Prince William County who proposed theamendment, says laws are not enough.
Here's the curious thing about Virginia's marriage debate: The folks frommore strictly religious backgrounds -- people who believe most fervently inthe need to protect marriage in its traditional form -- are the onesclamoring for a strong government role in marriage. The more secularfolks -- those who are more open to allowing other adult livingarrangements--are the ones saying that religious faiths should be left todefine marriage for themselves.
=
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/10/103006Military.htm
Gays In Military Warned Pentagon Snooping On Internet Usage
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
October 30, 2006 - 1:00 pm ET
(Washington) LGBT military personnel are being cautioned about divulgingpersonal information on the Internet following reports the Pentagon ismonitoring what enlisted people do online.
The Army Web Risk Assessment Cell is monitoring official and unofficialblogs and other websites for anything that may compromise security. The teamscans for official documents, personal contact information and pictures ofweapons or entrances to camps.
But, warns the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, the informationobtained could also be used under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" the ban on gaysserving openly in the military.
=
Switzerland
Large rise in HIV rates among gay men
October 30, 2006 - 8:35 PM
swissinfo with agencies
URL of this story:
http://194.6.181.127/eng/swissinfo.html?siteSect=105&sid=7209688
The number of new HIV infections among gay and bisexual men in Switzerlandhas almost doubled over the past three years.
In a report published on Monday, the Federal Health Office said it wasconcerned by this trend and intended to focus greater efforts on itsHIV/Aids prevention programmes.
In Switzerland three out of every 1,000 people are living with HIV/Aids.Over the years better prevention has reduced infection rates among drugusers and immigrants, but since 2000 new HIV infection rates among gay andbisexual men have continued to rise.
In 2005, 49.3 per cent of all men diagnosed as HIV-positive were gay orbisexual, whereas they represented 36.5 per cent in 2004. And by the end of2006, the Federal Health Office expects 300 new cases, most of who areSwiss.
more....
=
A note from Ray about about Yahoo blocking e-mails. (see below)
If you use Yahoo for your e-mails, please note!
Yahoo and AOL feels free to block messages without notice to theirsubscribers. The policies of these internet providers need challenging bytheir subscribers if the internet is to remain a reliable source ofinformation.
Ray
Ray's List
-
Dennis Brumm wrote:
> Is there any update on Yahoo? I'm still hearing that people are> receiving nothing, even after 12-24 hours, etc.
Yahoo has not replied to repeated attempts to contact them and find outwhy they are suddenly blocking us. There are over 150,000 deliverieswaiting in our queues to Yahoo subscribers.
I would suggest those Yahoo subscribers complain to their serviceprovider and demand to know why mail from our service is being blockedand why they won't respond to our inquiries.
#####
NATIONAL & WORLD DIGEST October 31, 2006
**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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear MoveOn member,
Forget the laundry. Let the dirty dishes pile up in the sink. Break out theTV dinners and tell the kids to do their own homework. This week, we've gotsome calls to make.
We've got seven days-that's 168 hours-to make our mark on this election.And for everything we care about-our kids, our Constitution, our world-we'vegot to make it huge.
We're off to a strong start. Yesterday we smashed our goal and topped 83,555calls to Democratic-leaning folks who might not vote. It's importantwork-work that could change the outcome of some races. And that means we'vegotta all roll up our sleeves and dive in.
Can you chip in an hour-or half an hour-or even twenty minutes to make somecalls? It's time to jump in. Just sign up here:
http://pol.moveon.org/phone/volunteer/?id=9340-2990062-od1DimxMKgmgD6Svdjr4bQ&t=2
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/business/31royalties.html?_r=1&th=&oref=slogin&emc=th&pagewanted=print
October 31, 2006
U.S. Drops Bid Over Royalties From Chevron
By EDMUND L. ANDREWS
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 - The Interior Department has dropped claims that theChevron Corporation systematically underpaid the government for natural gasproduced in the Gulf of Mexico, a decision that could allow energy companiesto avoid paying hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties.
The agency had ordered Chevron to pay $6 million in additional royalties butcould have sought tens of millions more had it prevailed. The decision alsosets a precedent that could make it easier for oil and gas companies tolower the value of what they pump each year from federal property and thustheir payments to the government.
Interior officials said on Friday that they had no choice but to drop theirorder to Chevron because a department appeals board had ruled againstauditors in a separate case.
=
Arrest Khatami, don't honour him
Sir Ian Blair & Lord Goldsmith refuse to enforce anti-torture lawagainst Khatami
Iranian ex-President should be put on trial, not feted by St Andrew'sUniversity
London - 31 October 2006
The former President of the Islamist dictatorship of Iran, MohammadKhatami, will today be awarded an honorary doctorate of law by StAndrews University in Scotland.
"During his eight-year tenure as President of Iran, from 1997 to 2004,thousands of Iranians were detained without trial and subjected tosavage torture by Iran's secret police. Over 200 people wereexecuted," said human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
"Giving Khatami an honorary doctorate is the moral equivalent ofhonouring Chilean ex-dictator Augusto Pinochet.
"Well known victims of state-sanctioned murder during Khatami's ruleinclude the Iranian-Canadian photographer, Zahra Kazemi, who wastortured and battered to death by Iranian security agents in 2003, andfour copper mine workers who were shot dead in Shahr Babak, Kermanprovince, in 2004, when they staged a peaceful protest againstredundancies.
"Khatami never spoke out against these abuses, let alone acted to haltthem.
"Yesterday, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, andthe Attorney-General, Lord Goldsmith, turned down requests forKhatami's arrest on torture charges.
Please contact us if you would like the full article.
=
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/us/politics/31church.html?ei=5040&en=2da95ac16e097fc5&ex=1162962000&partner=MOREOVERNEWS&pagewanted=print
October 31, 2006
In Ohio, Democrats Show a Religious Side to Voters
By DAVID KIRKPATRICK
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 30 - Representative Ted Strickland, an Ohio Democratand former Methodist minister, opened his campaign for governor with acommercial on Christian radio vowing that "biblical principles" would guidehim in office.
In his first major campaign speech, Mr. Strickland said "the example ofJesus" had led him into public service. He has made words from the prophetMicah a touchstone of his campaign.
Ohio, where a groundswell of conservative Christian support helped pushPresident Bush to re-election two years ago, has become the leading edge ofnational Democratic efforts to win over religious voters, includingevangelicals.
=
http://insidehighered.com/layout/set/print/news/2006/10/31/ncaa
Inside Higher Education
October 31, 2006
Urging Presidents to Step Up
For much of the past decade, and especially in the five years since MylesBrand became the first college president to lead the National CollegiateAthletic Association, the sports group has focused its efforts on passingrules aimed at ensuring that athletes in big-time sports programs get ameaningful education.
How successful those efforts have been is a matter of some debate: NCAAofficials believe they've made serious progress, citing the association'snew system of punishing academically underperforming teams and the steadilyrising graduation rates for athletes in Division I. Some faculty leadersaren't so sure, arguing that on too many campuses, a wide gulf existsbetween the academic credentials and classroom experiences of athletes andother students.
But if NCAA officials and their critics disagree about how effective theacademic reforms have been, they concur on one point: Getting a grip onacademic issues may have been the easy part, compared to the much moredifficult challenge of trying to wrestle the financial situation in big-timesports to the ground.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Tupperware parties with a twist: Sex toys are for sale at these ladies-only
gatherings
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14061667/
MSNBC.com
By Brian Alexander
MSNBC contributor
Updated: 5:48 p.m. ET Oct 15, 2006
GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. - On the evening I visit Julie Bunton's new house in thissmall farming town that seems to grow more tract homes than crops, family isgathered inside the living room - mothers, daughters, cousins, in-laws -along with a few friends. There is diced fruit, vegetable crudités and atray with marshmallows ready for dipping into a chocolate fountain.
Brooke Reinertsen, a saleswoman for one of those multi-level marketinghome-party outfits, is giving a sales presentation. But it sounds nothinglike a Tupperware or Mary Kay event.
"OK ladies, now rub, lick, blow. Rub, lick, blow. Feel that? You can justabout breathe your partner to orgasm with this!"
Reinertsen, a no-nonsense 30-year-old suburban mom from Shawnee, Kan., goeson to demonstrate "Gigi," a male masturbation sleeve, by squeezing agenerous amount of lubricant into it, then sliding and twisting it up anddown the penis-shaped lube bottle.
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/us/31michigan.html?ei=5094&en=23ced25a8bfab914&hp=&ex=1162357200&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print
October 31, 2006
Campaign to End Race Preferences Splits Michigan
By TAMAR LEWIN
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 25 - Three years after the Supreme Court heardJennifer Gratz's challenge to the University of Michigan's affirmativeaction policy, she is still fighting racial preferences, this time in aMichigan ballot initiative.
"We have a horrible history when it comes to race in this country," said Ms.Gratz, 29, a white applicant who was wait-listed 11 years ago at the state'sflagship campus here. "But that doesn't make it right to give preference tothe son of a black doctor at the expense of a poor student whose parentsdidn't go to college."
The ballot initiative, Proposition 2, which would amend Michigan'sConstitution to bar public institutions from considering race or sex inpublic education, employment or contracting, has drawn wide opposition fromthe state's civic establishment, including business and labor, theDemocratic governor and her Republican challenger. But polls show voters aresplit, with significant numbers undecided or refusing to say where theystand.
=
The New York Times
http://select.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/opinion/31tierney.html?pagewanted=print
October 31, 2006
Op-Ed Columnist
The Immoral Majority
By JOHN TIERNEY
As usual, Republicans are hoping that righteous voters will come through forthem on Election Day. But this year looks like the revenge of the sinners.
The sinners aren't easy to count, since they don't spend a lot of time doinggrass-roots politicking. There is no Washington lobby for the Coalition ofthe Damned. They don't like to confess their urges to pollsters. But thereare enough of them, particularly in places where Republicans are struggling,to cast doubt on the party's long-standing strategy.
Why did Republicans assume there was a Moral Majority? Where in the Bibledoes it say that the virtuous outnumber the wicked? When you definewickedness the way Republicans do, the numbers are daunting.
One of the G.O.P. Congress's few achievements this year was a law to crackdown on Internet gambling, an industry that counted eight million Americancustomers last year - about four times the membership of the ChristianCoalition. The new law hasn't stopped the online gamblers from betting, butit will give them second thoughts about voting Republican.
=
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103000988_pf.html
Breaking Down The Ivory Tower
Study Finds Ed Schools in Poor Shape
By Jay Mathews
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 31, 2006; A08
This should be a shining moment for education schools. Never has the nationpaid so much attention to improving the quality of teaching. Yet theinstitutions that produce teachers have never faced so much criticism.
"Teacher education is the Dodge City of the education world," said ArthurLevine, former president of Columbia University's Teachers College. "Likethe fabled Wild West town, it is unruly and chaotic."
Stanford University educational historian David F. Labaree wrote in a recentbook: "Institutionally, the ed school is the Rodney Dangerfield of highereducation; it don't get no respect. The ed school is the butt of jokes inthe university, where professors portray it as an intellectual wasteland."
=
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103000206_pf.html
In Britain, All Parties Want to Color the Flag Green
Response to Global Warming Report Reveals Consensus for Urgent Action Across
Political Spectrum
By Kevin Sullivan
Washington Post Foreign Service
Tuesday, October 31, 2006; A18
LONDON, Oct. 30 -- Prime Minister Tony Blair warned Monday that the world isheading toward "disastrous" and "irreversible" climate changes. Meanwhile,David Cameron, the popular leader of the opposition Conservative Party,vowed to install a wind-power generator and solar panels at the primeminister's residence if he wins the office.
Blair and Cameron are rivals, but their shared outspoken devotion tofighting global warming -- the subject of a stark British government reportreleased Monday -- illustrates the unity among leaders across the politicalspectrum here on the dangers of climate change and, in the absence of U.S.leadership, their apparent determination to make Britain a world leader onthe issue.
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/us/politics/31penn.html?ei=5094&en=7d727bb52e5eee3c&hp=&ex=1162357200&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print
October 31, 2006
A G.O.P. Leader and Star Struggles for Traction
By ROBIN TONER
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 27 - There is no better snapshot of the brutal politicalclimate facing many Republicans in these final days than this: Senator RickSantorum, the third-ranking Republican in the Senate, stubbornly behind inthe polls, warning with anger and growing frustration that voters shouldnot - must not, for their own good - reject him for his Democratic opponent,Bob Casey, the state treasurer.
Assailing Mr. Casey's national security credentials, the Santorum campaignhas run a television commercial that shows a mushroom cloud, missilesstreaking through the air and the faces of North Korean, Iranian andterrorist leaders. It concludes, "We just can't take a chance on Bob Casey."
Mr. Santorum began the final stretch of his campaign with a series ofspeeches on "The Gathering Storm," offering a dark, Churchillian vision ofthe threats facing the United States - like the threats, he said, that facedEngland in the years leading up to World War II.
=
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103000830_pf.html
Don't Worry. Just Back Off.
The GOP Theory of Governing
By Eugene Robinson
Tuesday, October 31, 2006; A21
Go ahead, people, you have your orders from Napoleon Bonaparte, I meanDonald Rumsfeld. "Back off" and "relax." Book a cruise to Chillsville. Don'tworry your pretty little heads about the debacle in Iraq, because "it'scomplicated, it's difficult." Are mere mortals going to be able to get theirminds around a problem that even Albert Einstein, I mean Donald Rumsfeld,finds complicated? Let's be realistic here.
We should all thank our lucky stars that "honorable people" are willing todo all this super-advanced thinking for us. Aristotle, I mean DonaldRumsfeld, was kind enough to phrase it that way rather than spell out whathe really meant, which was "people who are smarter than you."
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/opinion/31tue2.html?pagewanted=print
October 31, 2006
Editorial
Assessing the Damages
The Supreme Court has been struggling to address the thorny question ofwhen, if ever, punitive damages become so large that they violate theConstitution. The court made a good start when it laid down guidelines onwhen punitive damages are excessive. But eventually, it went too far. Today,it hears arguments in a case that offers a perfect opportunity to pull backto a more reasonable position.
The case involves Philip Morris's challenge to damages awarded to the widowof a smoker who died of lung cancer. An Oregon jury awarded Jesse Williams'swidow, Mayola Williams, more than $821,000 in actual damages, and $79.5million in punitive damages. Mrs. Williams said Philip Morris had engaged in40 years of publicity to undercut concerns about cigarettes, even though itknew for most or all of that time that smoking was deadly.
=
The New York Times
http://select.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/opinion/31kristof.html?pagewanted=print
October 31, 2006
Op-Ed Columnist
Scandal Below the Surface
By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF
The crucial issue this year is Iraq, and the most important issue thisdecade may be the risk that nuclear proliferation results in theincineration of Wall Street by terrorists. Both topics are spurring usefuldebate this campaign season.
But one of the more important issues this century is generating no seriousdiscussion on the campaign trail. And, in place of a drumroll, let's look atthe chemistry experiment in which we're all taking part.
If you think of the earth's surface as a great beaker, then it's filledmostly with ocean water. It is slightly alkaline, and that's what creates ahospitable home for fish, coral reefs and plankton - and indirectly, higherup the food chain, for us.
=
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103001062_pf.html
E-Mail Voting Comes With Risks
Pentagon Warned on Security Issues for Overseas Ballots
By Ellen Nakashima
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 31, 2006; A19
Time was when soldiers, if they wanted to vote, had to request ballots bysnail mail, fill them out and return them the same way.
The process typically took weeks.
This year, thousands of soldiers around the world have the opportunity tovote in the Nov. 7 elections by e-mail. It's part of a Pentagon effort tomake it easier for overseas military personnel to cast ballots in federaland state elections, and it reflects how the Internet has changed life inthe combat zone.
But computer security experts inside and outside the government warned thatthe Pentagon's Federal Voting Assistance Program ignores the risksassociated with unencrypted e-mail: interception, hacking and identitytheft.
#####
rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear MoveOn member,
Forget the laundry. Let the dirty dishes pile up in the sink. Break out theTV dinners and tell the kids to do their own homework. This week, we've gotsome calls to make.
We've got seven days-that's 168 hours-to make our mark on this election.And for everything we care about-our kids, our Constitution, our world-we'vegot to make it huge.
We're off to a strong start. Yesterday we smashed our goal and topped 83,555calls to Democratic-leaning folks who might not vote. It's importantwork-work that could change the outcome of some races. And that means we'vegotta all roll up our sleeves and dive in.
Can you chip in an hour-or half an hour-or even twenty minutes to make somecalls? It's time to jump in. Just sign up here:
http://pol.moveon.org/phone/volunteer/?id=9340-2990062-od1DimxMKgmgD6Svdjr4bQ&t=2
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/business/31royalties.html?_r=1&th=&oref=slogin&emc=th&pagewanted=print
October 31, 2006
U.S. Drops Bid Over Royalties From Chevron
By EDMUND L. ANDREWS
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 - The Interior Department has dropped claims that theChevron Corporation systematically underpaid the government for natural gasproduced in the Gulf of Mexico, a decision that could allow energy companiesto avoid paying hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties.
The agency had ordered Chevron to pay $6 million in additional royalties butcould have sought tens of millions more had it prevailed. The decision alsosets a precedent that could make it easier for oil and gas companies tolower the value of what they pump each year from federal property and thustheir payments to the government.
Interior officials said on Friday that they had no choice but to drop theirorder to Chevron because a department appeals board had ruled againstauditors in a separate case.
=
Arrest Khatami, don't honour him
Sir Ian Blair & Lord Goldsmith refuse to enforce anti-torture lawagainst Khatami
Iranian ex-President should be put on trial, not feted by St Andrew'sUniversity
London - 31 October 2006
The former President of the Islamist dictatorship of Iran, MohammadKhatami, will today be awarded an honorary doctorate of law by StAndrews University in Scotland.
"During his eight-year tenure as President of Iran, from 1997 to 2004,thousands of Iranians were detained without trial and subjected tosavage torture by Iran's secret police. Over 200 people wereexecuted," said human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
"Giving Khatami an honorary doctorate is the moral equivalent ofhonouring Chilean ex-dictator Augusto Pinochet.
"Well known victims of state-sanctioned murder during Khatami's ruleinclude the Iranian-Canadian photographer, Zahra Kazemi, who wastortured and battered to death by Iranian security agents in 2003, andfour copper mine workers who were shot dead in Shahr Babak, Kermanprovince, in 2004, when they staged a peaceful protest againstredundancies.
"Khatami never spoke out against these abuses, let alone acted to haltthem.
"Yesterday, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, andthe Attorney-General, Lord Goldsmith, turned down requests forKhatami's arrest on torture charges.
Please contact us if you would like the full article.
=
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/us/politics/31church.html?ei=5040&en=2da95ac16e097fc5&ex=1162962000&partner=MOREOVERNEWS&pagewanted=print
October 31, 2006
In Ohio, Democrats Show a Religious Side to Voters
By DAVID KIRKPATRICK
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 30 - Representative Ted Strickland, an Ohio Democratand former Methodist minister, opened his campaign for governor with acommercial on Christian radio vowing that "biblical principles" would guidehim in office.
In his first major campaign speech, Mr. Strickland said "the example ofJesus" had led him into public service. He has made words from the prophetMicah a touchstone of his campaign.
Ohio, where a groundswell of conservative Christian support helped pushPresident Bush to re-election two years ago, has become the leading edge ofnational Democratic efforts to win over religious voters, includingevangelicals.
=
http://insidehighered.com/layout/set/print/news/2006/10/31/ncaa
Inside Higher Education
October 31, 2006
Urging Presidents to Step Up
For much of the past decade, and especially in the five years since MylesBrand became the first college president to lead the National CollegiateAthletic Association, the sports group has focused its efforts on passingrules aimed at ensuring that athletes in big-time sports programs get ameaningful education.
How successful those efforts have been is a matter of some debate: NCAAofficials believe they've made serious progress, citing the association'snew system of punishing academically underperforming teams and the steadilyrising graduation rates for athletes in Division I. Some faculty leadersaren't so sure, arguing that on too many campuses, a wide gulf existsbetween the academic credentials and classroom experiences of athletes andother students.
But if NCAA officials and their critics disagree about how effective theacademic reforms have been, they concur on one point: Getting a grip onacademic issues may have been the easy part, compared to the much moredifficult challenge of trying to wrestle the financial situation in big-timesports to the ground.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Tupperware parties with a twist: Sex toys are for sale at these ladies-only
gatherings
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14061667/
MSNBC.com
By Brian Alexander
MSNBC contributor
Updated: 5:48 p.m. ET Oct 15, 2006
GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. - On the evening I visit Julie Bunton's new house in thissmall farming town that seems to grow more tract homes than crops, family isgathered inside the living room - mothers, daughters, cousins, in-laws -along with a few friends. There is diced fruit, vegetable crudités and atray with marshmallows ready for dipping into a chocolate fountain.
Brooke Reinertsen, a saleswoman for one of those multi-level marketinghome-party outfits, is giving a sales presentation. But it sounds nothinglike a Tupperware or Mary Kay event.
"OK ladies, now rub, lick, blow. Rub, lick, blow. Feel that? You can justabout breathe your partner to orgasm with this!"
Reinertsen, a no-nonsense 30-year-old suburban mom from Shawnee, Kan., goeson to demonstrate "Gigi," a male masturbation sleeve, by squeezing agenerous amount of lubricant into it, then sliding and twisting it up anddown the penis-shaped lube bottle.
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/us/31michigan.html?ei=5094&en=23ced25a8bfab914&hp=&ex=1162357200&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print
October 31, 2006
Campaign to End Race Preferences Splits Michigan
By TAMAR LEWIN
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 25 - Three years after the Supreme Court heardJennifer Gratz's challenge to the University of Michigan's affirmativeaction policy, she is still fighting racial preferences, this time in aMichigan ballot initiative.
"We have a horrible history when it comes to race in this country," said Ms.Gratz, 29, a white applicant who was wait-listed 11 years ago at the state'sflagship campus here. "But that doesn't make it right to give preference tothe son of a black doctor at the expense of a poor student whose parentsdidn't go to college."
The ballot initiative, Proposition 2, which would amend Michigan'sConstitution to bar public institutions from considering race or sex inpublic education, employment or contracting, has drawn wide opposition fromthe state's civic establishment, including business and labor, theDemocratic governor and her Republican challenger. But polls show voters aresplit, with significant numbers undecided or refusing to say where theystand.
=
The New York Times
http://select.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/opinion/31tierney.html?pagewanted=print
October 31, 2006
Op-Ed Columnist
The Immoral Majority
By JOHN TIERNEY
As usual, Republicans are hoping that righteous voters will come through forthem on Election Day. But this year looks like the revenge of the sinners.
The sinners aren't easy to count, since they don't spend a lot of time doinggrass-roots politicking. There is no Washington lobby for the Coalition ofthe Damned. They don't like to confess their urges to pollsters. But thereare enough of them, particularly in places where Republicans are struggling,to cast doubt on the party's long-standing strategy.
Why did Republicans assume there was a Moral Majority? Where in the Bibledoes it say that the virtuous outnumber the wicked? When you definewickedness the way Republicans do, the numbers are daunting.
One of the G.O.P. Congress's few achievements this year was a law to crackdown on Internet gambling, an industry that counted eight million Americancustomers last year - about four times the membership of the ChristianCoalition. The new law hasn't stopped the online gamblers from betting, butit will give them second thoughts about voting Republican.
=
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103000988_pf.html
Breaking Down The Ivory Tower
Study Finds Ed Schools in Poor Shape
By Jay Mathews
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 31, 2006; A08
This should be a shining moment for education schools. Never has the nationpaid so much attention to improving the quality of teaching. Yet theinstitutions that produce teachers have never faced so much criticism.
"Teacher education is the Dodge City of the education world," said ArthurLevine, former president of Columbia University's Teachers College. "Likethe fabled Wild West town, it is unruly and chaotic."
Stanford University educational historian David F. Labaree wrote in a recentbook: "Institutionally, the ed school is the Rodney Dangerfield of highereducation; it don't get no respect. The ed school is the butt of jokes inthe university, where professors portray it as an intellectual wasteland."
=
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103000206_pf.html
In Britain, All Parties Want to Color the Flag Green
Response to Global Warming Report Reveals Consensus for Urgent Action Across
Political Spectrum
By Kevin Sullivan
Washington Post Foreign Service
Tuesday, October 31, 2006; A18
LONDON, Oct. 30 -- Prime Minister Tony Blair warned Monday that the world isheading toward "disastrous" and "irreversible" climate changes. Meanwhile,David Cameron, the popular leader of the opposition Conservative Party,vowed to install a wind-power generator and solar panels at the primeminister's residence if he wins the office.
Blair and Cameron are rivals, but their shared outspoken devotion tofighting global warming -- the subject of a stark British government reportreleased Monday -- illustrates the unity among leaders across the politicalspectrum here on the dangers of climate change and, in the absence of U.S.leadership, their apparent determination to make Britain a world leader onthe issue.
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/us/politics/31penn.html?ei=5094&en=7d727bb52e5eee3c&hp=&ex=1162357200&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print
October 31, 2006
A G.O.P. Leader and Star Struggles for Traction
By ROBIN TONER
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 27 - There is no better snapshot of the brutal politicalclimate facing many Republicans in these final days than this: Senator RickSantorum, the third-ranking Republican in the Senate, stubbornly behind inthe polls, warning with anger and growing frustration that voters shouldnot - must not, for their own good - reject him for his Democratic opponent,Bob Casey, the state treasurer.
Assailing Mr. Casey's national security credentials, the Santorum campaignhas run a television commercial that shows a mushroom cloud, missilesstreaking through the air and the faces of North Korean, Iranian andterrorist leaders. It concludes, "We just can't take a chance on Bob Casey."
Mr. Santorum began the final stretch of his campaign with a series ofspeeches on "The Gathering Storm," offering a dark, Churchillian vision ofthe threats facing the United States - like the threats, he said, that facedEngland in the years leading up to World War II.
=
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103000830_pf.html
Don't Worry. Just Back Off.
The GOP Theory of Governing
By Eugene Robinson
Tuesday, October 31, 2006; A21
Go ahead, people, you have your orders from Napoleon Bonaparte, I meanDonald Rumsfeld. "Back off" and "relax." Book a cruise to Chillsville. Don'tworry your pretty little heads about the debacle in Iraq, because "it'scomplicated, it's difficult." Are mere mortals going to be able to get theirminds around a problem that even Albert Einstein, I mean Donald Rumsfeld,finds complicated? Let's be realistic here.
We should all thank our lucky stars that "honorable people" are willing todo all this super-advanced thinking for us. Aristotle, I mean DonaldRumsfeld, was kind enough to phrase it that way rather than spell out whathe really meant, which was "people who are smarter than you."
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/opinion/31tue2.html?pagewanted=print
October 31, 2006
Editorial
Assessing the Damages
The Supreme Court has been struggling to address the thorny question ofwhen, if ever, punitive damages become so large that they violate theConstitution. The court made a good start when it laid down guidelines onwhen punitive damages are excessive. But eventually, it went too far. Today,it hears arguments in a case that offers a perfect opportunity to pull backto a more reasonable position.
The case involves Philip Morris's challenge to damages awarded to the widowof a smoker who died of lung cancer. An Oregon jury awarded Jesse Williams'swidow, Mayola Williams, more than $821,000 in actual damages, and $79.5million in punitive damages. Mrs. Williams said Philip Morris had engaged in40 years of publicity to undercut concerns about cigarettes, even though itknew for most or all of that time that smoking was deadly.
=
The New York Times
http://select.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/opinion/31kristof.html?pagewanted=print
October 31, 2006
Op-Ed Columnist
Scandal Below the Surface
By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF
The crucial issue this year is Iraq, and the most important issue thisdecade may be the risk that nuclear proliferation results in theincineration of Wall Street by terrorists. Both topics are spurring usefuldebate this campaign season.
But one of the more important issues this century is generating no seriousdiscussion on the campaign trail. And, in place of a drumroll, let's look atthe chemistry experiment in which we're all taking part.
If you think of the earth's surface as a great beaker, then it's filledmostly with ocean water. It is slightly alkaline, and that's what creates ahospitable home for fish, coral reefs and plankton - and indirectly, higherup the food chain, for us.
=
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103001062_pf.html
E-Mail Voting Comes With Risks
Pentagon Warned on Security Issues for Overseas Ballots
By Ellen Nakashima
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 31, 2006; A19
Time was when soldiers, if they wanted to vote, had to request ballots bysnail mail, fill them out and return them the same way.
The process typically took weeks.
This year, thousands of soldiers around the world have the opportunity tovote in the Nov. 7 elections by e-mail. It's part of a Pentagon effort tomake it easier for overseas military personnel to cast ballots in federaland state elections, and it reflects how the Internet has changed life inthe combat zone.
But computer security experts inside and outside the government warned thatthe Pentagon's Federal Voting Assistance Program ignores the risksassociated with unencrypted e-mail: interception, hacking and identitytheft.
#####
FLORIDA DIGEST OCTOBER 31, 2006
**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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/state/content/state/epaper/2006/10/31/m1a_GOVDEBATE_1031.html
Addition shakes up governor debate
By S.V Date And Brian E. Crowley
Palm Beach Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
TAMPA - The Florida governor's race felt the impact of a human monkey wrenchMonday when Max Linn's last-minute entry into the final debate as athird-party candidate shook up the night and, possibly, the race itself.
In a rapid-paced hour, Republican front-runner Charlie Crist frequentlyfound himself ganged up on by Reform Party candidate Linn and DemocraticU.S. Rep. Jim Davis. And, thanks to Washington-based moderator ChrisMatthews, Crist for the first time in the debates was put in the position ofdefending an unpopular president and the war in Iraq.
Linn and Davis both gave President Bush a grade of F for his performance inoffice, mirroring poor approval ratings nationally and in Florida. Crist,the state attorney general, gave him a B.
=
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/31/news_pf/Opinion/Voters_were_losers_in.shtml
Voters were losers in debate
A TIMES EDITORIAL
Published October 31, 2006
The last debate between Florida's candidates for governor Monday night wassupposed to give voters one final opportunity to size up Charlie Crist andJim Davis on the key issues facing this state. Instead it was hijacked by acable television windbag and a third-party candidate who had no businessbeing on the same stage.
Moderator Chris Matthews of MSNBC's Hardball apparently forgot it was adebate between candidates for governor, not Congress. He wasted most of thehour by asking questions about the war in Iraq, a New Jersey Supreme Courtdecision on gay marriage and the Mark Foley sex scandal. He rehashed the2000 election. He burned up time demanding that Crist label himself as afiscal conservative or a social values conservative (fiscal) and trying toget Davis to declare himself a liberal (he's not). Matthews got bogged downin a lengthy discussion over a paper trail for electronic voting machines,and he apparently didn't realize there is a property insurance crisis inthis state until he was being driven in from the airport. This is whathappens when a Washington television personality brings a national agenda toFlorida's race for governor.
=
http://www.tbo.com/news/nationworld/MGBQXLAUXTE.html
Third Party Changes Focus Of Final Debate
By WILLIAM MARCH and MICHAEL FECHTER The Tampa Tribune
Published: Oct 31, 2006
TAMPA - Sparked by the last-minute addition of the Reform Party candidateand the moderator's tough questioning, the two leading candidates forgovernor traded body blows before a national audience Monday night.
U.S. District Judge James Whittemore ruled just half an hour before the 7p.m. live telecast that third-party candidate Max Linn had the right toparticipate in what had been planned for nearly a year as a two-candidatedebate.
Linn hustled to the WFLA studio as station employees scrambled to add athird lectern, microphone and enough metal folding chairs for the Linnsupporters along with those of Democrat Jim Davis and Republican CharlieCrist.
=
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2006/10/31/a10a_PHS_edit_1031.html
Prisoner of privatization
Palm Beach Post Editorial
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Floridians who thought Gov. Bush was on to something when he toutedprivatization as the cure-all for government's ills know better now afterseven years of disappointing results. When it comes to disappointment, noprivate contractor has been worse than Prison Health Services.
The Department of Corrections awarded the company a contract toprovide health care in 13 South Florida facilities late last year. Then-DOCSecretary James Crosby ignored warnings about the contractor's track record.PHS faces dozens of lawsuits across the nation over allegations of shoddycare. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office dropped PHS in 2004 after aseries of suits and complaints from inmates; the county health departmentalso blamed the company for allowing staph infections to spread through thejail.
Crosby discounted the complaints and insisted that PHS was the rightchoice. "As a result of this contract," he said, "it is estimated thatFlorida's taxpayers will save nearly $3 million between now and June 2007."
=
http://floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061031/OPINION/610310313/1004/opinion&template=printart
October 31, 2006
Our view: We recommend on amendments
Five proposed changes to the Florida Constitution should be rejected,one passed
Six proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution come before votersNov. 7.
Yesterday, we weighed in on Amendment 3, which would require voters topass any future amendments by a higher margin of 60 percent.
That makes it easier for lawmakers to muzzle the power of ordinarycitizens who want to bring about change in state government, which is whyvoters should vote "no" and reject it.
Of the five other proposals on ballots, only Amendment 4 is acitizens' initiative. The others are sponsored by state lawmakers.
more....
=
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/31/news_pf/State/Analysis__Cross_fire_.shtml
Analysis: Cross fire shakes Crist from sound bites
By ADAM C. SMITH, Times Political Editor
Published October 31, 2006
TAMPA - Looks like Charlie Crist was right to want to avoid lots ofgubernatorial debates.
The second and final televised debate Monday night was a rough one for theRepublican front-runner. Moderator Chris Matthews pressed hard forspecifics, rattling the normally unflappable attorney general who also faceda tag-team of jabs from Democrat Jim Davis and Reform Party nominee MaxLinn, a surprise last-minute addition to the show.
Leading in the polls and outspending Davis more than 4-1 on TV ads, Cristmust have left the Tampa studio grateful that he has to hang onto his leadjust one week longer.
Talk about great political theater. Barely five minutes before air-time,stunned campaign strategists for Crist and Davis saw a third lectern wheeledin for Linn, who had just won a court order allowing his participation.Lifelong Republican Linn played the protest candidate role to the hilt,bashing both major candidates but taking most shots at Crist.
"Answer the question, Charlie, for a change," Linn said at one point. Hecalled Crist an "empty suit" and "a rubber stamp for the Republican Party."
=
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/31/news_pf/State/Exactly_who_is_runnin.shtml
Exactly who is running the new voting machines?
Florida's counties are not required to ask.
ALISA ULFERTS
Published October 31, 2006
Florida knows more about the clerk who sells lottery tickets at the cornerstore than it does about the technician who troubleshoots voting machines atthe corner precinct.
That's because lottery ticket retailers must undergo criminal backgroundchecks, but there are no such state requirements for the employees of thecompanies that manufacture and maintain voting equipment for Florida's 67counties.
A Florida felon can't vote, but he or she can own, sell, program and fix themachines that nonfelons use to vote - unless counties prohibit that in theirindividual contracts.
=
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/pbcsouth/content/local_news/epaper/2006/10/31/s1b_vote_1031.html
Early voting popularity stays strong
By George Bennett
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Early voting remains popular in Palm Beach County, particularly insouth-county Democratic strongholds, first-week figures released Mondayshow.
During the week that ended Sunday, 22,077 people got a head start on theNov. 7 general election by casting ballots at the county's 15 early votingsites. Only Broward County (27,798) and Miami-Dade (22,619) had more earlyvoters than Palm Beach County during the first week.
There were 7,045 early voters in Martin County and 4,666 in St. Lucie Countythrough Sunday.
=
http://floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/CD/20061031/CAPITOLNEWS/610310319/-1/capitolnews&template=printart
October 31, 2006
Copeland: Will be voice of consumers
By Stephen D. Price
FLORIDA CAPITAL BUREAU
Democrat Eric Copeland recently drove up Florida's west coast, tellingvoters on campaign stops that if elected to the Cabinet position ofagriculture and consumer services commissioner, he won't be as light onprotecting consumer interests as his Republican opponent and incumbentCharles Bronson.
''At the end of the day, being agriculture commissioner will be aboutforging government policies that will help farming stay a viable businessentity,'' said Copeland, in an interview. ''It's not about milking a cow.''
Copeland, a Miami attorney, is in his first run for statewide office.
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-cvoting31oct31,0,344117.story?track=rss
Hate crowds? Head to polls before Nov. 7 for early voting
By Melissa Hoyos
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
October 31, 2006
They wanted to avoid long lines, parking-lot traffic jams or merely cross"voting" off their to-do list.
Whatever the reason, thousands ofBroward County residents won't have tovisit the polls on Election Day, because they chose to vote early.
As of Sunday, 27,798 of the county's 923,949 voters visited an early pollingsite, said Mary Cooney, public service director of the Broward Supervisor ofElections Office.
Residents say early voting lets them decide when and where they cast theirvote, while candidates say they use early polling places for quality time toshake hands and beg for support.
=
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-felxagoct31,0,4271655.story?coll=sfla-news-florida
Agriculture commissioner race pits old Florida against the new
By David Fleshler
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
October 31, 2006
The race to be the state's commissioner of agriculture and consumer servicesis a contest between old Florida and new.
Charles Bronson, the Republican incumbent, is a fifth-generation Floridianwho grew up on a cattle ranch near Kissimmee, just south of Orlando. Hespeaks with the Southern accent that once prevailed in Florida and thinkshis primary role is to protect the state's rural economy of vegetable farms,nurseries, citrus groves and cattle ranches.
His Democratic challenger, Coral Gables lawyer Eric Copeland, followed thepath of most of today's Floridians by moving in from out of state. He leftsuburban Chicago 22 years ago to attend college and law school at theUniversity of Miami, remaining in South Florida to open a law practice andengage in local politics.
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IT'S TIME TO MAKE THE FINAL PUSH
There is only 1 week left until Election Day and we are on the verge ofmaking some historic changes.But it may not happen unless each one of us is willing to commit at leastone hour in the final week to helping get Democrats elected throughoutBroward County.
The Democratic Vote Center is in need of volunteers in this final week forphone banking and canvassing. If every person who receives this email wereto volunteer at least 1 hour in the coming week, we could significanlyimpact voter turnout in Broward County.
And make no doubt - we need to get the word out. Republican campaigns up anddown the ballot are sparing no expense with their sleezy half-truth ads andmailings. Ron Klein, Ken Keechl and Martin Kiar in particular are beingtargeted with some of the most vile attacks ever seen.
So... Call JD Camp at the Vote Center at 954-802-2202 and sign up to help.
You can really make a difference - in Broward County, in Tallahassee and inWashington DC.
The GLBT GOTV center is located at 1700 N. Andrews Ave. in Fort Lauderdale,right across the street from the South Florida Gay & Lesbian CommunityCenter.
more....
=
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/state/content/gen/ap/FL_Governor_Debate.html
The Palm Beach Post
Crist, Davis _ and Linn _ meet in final debate in governor's race
By BRENDAN FARRINGTON
AP Political Writer
TAMPA, Fla. - Charlie Crist and Jim Davis argued over the best way to lowerproperty taxes, voting issues, gay adoption and other topics during a debateMonday that Reform Party candidate Max Linn fought his way into at the lastmoment.
Davis, a Democrat, said he will lower property taxes by forcing theLegislature to rescind some of the tax breaks passed during Gov. Jeb Bush'sadministration - a plan Crist criticized.
"There have been $20 billion of special interest tax giveaways over the lasteight years," Davis said. "I'll go back and repeal some of those."
Crist said he will not raise taxes, if elected.
"Let me tell you exactly what my opponent just said: He wants to raise yourtaxes," Crist said. "He wants to raise a billion in new taxes on seniors andsavers."
=
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/30/news_pf/State/Questions__candidates.shtmlThe
St. Petersburg Times
Questions, candidates offer up 3-ring circus
A blunt moderator and extra hopeful add to the sharp talk.
By ALEX LEARY, Times Staff Writer
Published October 30, 2006
TAMPA - With the surprise, last-minute inclusion of a third candidate inMonday's gubernatorial debate, Republican frontrunner Charlie Crist took abeating from two sides as the tightening contest enters its final week.
Reform Party candidate Max Linn, who won a court ruling 20 minutes beforethe 7 p.m. debate, criticized Democrat Jim Davis but reserved his venom forCrist, the state's attorney general.
Linn called Crist a "rubber stamp for the Republican Party," questioned histies to the insurance industry and mocked the lavish fundraisers that havegiven Crist an enormous money advantage.
=
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-felxdebate31oct31,0,1682489.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines
Crist, Davis and Linn zigzag from one heated issue to another in debate
By Mark Hollis
Tallahassee Bureau
October 31, 2006
TAMPA -- The Florida governor's race turned lively Monday night when athird-party candidate and a tough moderator took on the major partycontenders for a freewheeling televised debate that zigzagged frompocketbook issues and crime to gay marriage and the war in Iraq.
After months of attempting to rally voters with scripted messages on how topare back insurance costs and property taxes, Republican Charlie Crist andDemocrat Jim Davis were forced off their playbooks during their second andfinal televised debate.
The hourlong exchange was chaotic and at times seemed almost hostile, inpart because of a federal judge's last-minute ruling that allowed ReformParty candidate Max Linn to participate. Chris Matthews, a feisty politicaltalk show host on MSNBC, challenged the candidates' rehearsed rhetoric,often cutting them off mid-sentence and pressing for specifics.
=
The Independent Gay News
http://www.indynews.4t.com/
Laffing Matterz: Independent
Theatre Club Offer
By Paul Harris
PHarris@ourindy.com
This is an offer you would be a fool to miss, and that's no joke! LaffingMatterz, the comedy club restaurant, at 219 South Andrews Avenue is offeringa terrific deal to readers of The Independent as they launch their newWednesday night show this Fall. The Independent Theatre Club evening is onWednesday, November 1 at 7pm. Instead of paying the normal $45 for salad,entrée, beverage and show they are offering readers of The Independent ahalf price deal - $22.50 plus tax and gratuity. If you wish to orderappetizers or desserts from the menu in addition you can. There is also afully stocked bar and extensive wine list. You are not going to find abetter deal in town. Trust me.
Earlier this year this newspaper celebrated our second anniversary at therestaurant when we also announced our "People Of The Year Awards." Everyonewho went that night had a great time.. If you don't believe me, simply askanyone who helped make up the sell-out audience that night.
The menu is terrific and is the work of chef John Eustace. The list ofentrees includes tenderloin of beef, Chicken Tomaso, Pork Porterhouse,Teriyaki Salmon, Crabmeat Stuffed Shrimp, and my favorite, Chilean Sea Bass,along with a couple of vegetarian alternatives. There is also a chef'sspecial every night.
For $22.50 the evening on Wednesday, November 1 is a 'steal.' Many theaterrestaurants are infamous for the low quality of the food that they serve.The food at Laffing Matterz is excellent and the 75 minute show that isperformed after dinner by the resident team of performers is sharp andfunny.
Tickets can be purchased by calling 954.763.5236. REMEMBER TO MENTION THEINDEPENDENT WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR TICKETS!!!! There is lots of parking nearby.
We'll see you there!
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-1031gators,0,4574106.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines
State may downgrade gators to 'game' and allow killing by homeowners
Associated Press
October 31, 2006, 6:48 AM EST
WEST PALM BEACH -- State wildlife officials have recommended that alligatorsbe downgraded from species of special concern to game within five years.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also ruled Monday thathomeowners be allowed to kill nuisance alligators on their property or hirea trapper to do so. How to dispose of the animal once captured is still inquestion, said program coordinator Harry Dutton.
``It's likely that selling the alligator wouldn't be allowed, but ahomeowner could eat it at home,'' Dutton said.
The recommendations come after the first comprehensive review of the state'salligator management program in its 20-year history. The commission willconsider the recommendations at its December meeting.
#####
rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/state/content/state/epaper/2006/10/31/m1a_GOVDEBATE_1031.html
Addition shakes up governor debate
By S.V Date And Brian E. Crowley
Palm Beach Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
TAMPA - The Florida governor's race felt the impact of a human monkey wrenchMonday when Max Linn's last-minute entry into the final debate as athird-party candidate shook up the night and, possibly, the race itself.
In a rapid-paced hour, Republican front-runner Charlie Crist frequentlyfound himself ganged up on by Reform Party candidate Linn and DemocraticU.S. Rep. Jim Davis. And, thanks to Washington-based moderator ChrisMatthews, Crist for the first time in the debates was put in the position ofdefending an unpopular president and the war in Iraq.
Linn and Davis both gave President Bush a grade of F for his performance inoffice, mirroring poor approval ratings nationally and in Florida. Crist,the state attorney general, gave him a B.
=
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/31/news_pf/Opinion/Voters_were_losers_in.shtml
Voters were losers in debate
A TIMES EDITORIAL
Published October 31, 2006
The last debate between Florida's candidates for governor Monday night wassupposed to give voters one final opportunity to size up Charlie Crist andJim Davis on the key issues facing this state. Instead it was hijacked by acable television windbag and a third-party candidate who had no businessbeing on the same stage.
Moderator Chris Matthews of MSNBC's Hardball apparently forgot it was adebate between candidates for governor, not Congress. He wasted most of thehour by asking questions about the war in Iraq, a New Jersey Supreme Courtdecision on gay marriage and the Mark Foley sex scandal. He rehashed the2000 election. He burned up time demanding that Crist label himself as afiscal conservative or a social values conservative (fiscal) and trying toget Davis to declare himself a liberal (he's not). Matthews got bogged downin a lengthy discussion over a paper trail for electronic voting machines,and he apparently didn't realize there is a property insurance crisis inthis state until he was being driven in from the airport. This is whathappens when a Washington television personality brings a national agenda toFlorida's race for governor.
=
http://www.tbo.com/news/nationworld/MGBQXLAUXTE.html
Third Party Changes Focus Of Final Debate
By WILLIAM MARCH and MICHAEL FECHTER The Tampa Tribune
Published: Oct 31, 2006
TAMPA - Sparked by the last-minute addition of the Reform Party candidateand the moderator's tough questioning, the two leading candidates forgovernor traded body blows before a national audience Monday night.
U.S. District Judge James Whittemore ruled just half an hour before the 7p.m. live telecast that third-party candidate Max Linn had the right toparticipate in what had been planned for nearly a year as a two-candidatedebate.
Linn hustled to the WFLA studio as station employees scrambled to add athird lectern, microphone and enough metal folding chairs for the Linnsupporters along with those of Democrat Jim Davis and Republican CharlieCrist.
=
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2006/10/31/a10a_PHS_edit_1031.html
Prisoner of privatization
Palm Beach Post Editorial
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Floridians who thought Gov. Bush was on to something when he toutedprivatization as the cure-all for government's ills know better now afterseven years of disappointing results. When it comes to disappointment, noprivate contractor has been worse than Prison Health Services.
The Department of Corrections awarded the company a contract toprovide health care in 13 South Florida facilities late last year. Then-DOCSecretary James Crosby ignored warnings about the contractor's track record.PHS faces dozens of lawsuits across the nation over allegations of shoddycare. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office dropped PHS in 2004 after aseries of suits and complaints from inmates; the county health departmentalso blamed the company for allowing staph infections to spread through thejail.
Crosby discounted the complaints and insisted that PHS was the rightchoice. "As a result of this contract," he said, "it is estimated thatFlorida's taxpayers will save nearly $3 million between now and June 2007."
=
http://floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061031/OPINION/610310313/1004/opinion&template=printart
October 31, 2006
Our view: We recommend on amendments
Five proposed changes to the Florida Constitution should be rejected,one passed
Six proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution come before votersNov. 7.
Yesterday, we weighed in on Amendment 3, which would require voters topass any future amendments by a higher margin of 60 percent.
That makes it easier for lawmakers to muzzle the power of ordinarycitizens who want to bring about change in state government, which is whyvoters should vote "no" and reject it.
Of the five other proposals on ballots, only Amendment 4 is acitizens' initiative. The others are sponsored by state lawmakers.
more....
=
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/31/news_pf/State/Analysis__Cross_fire_.shtml
Analysis: Cross fire shakes Crist from sound bites
By ADAM C. SMITH, Times Political Editor
Published October 31, 2006
TAMPA - Looks like Charlie Crist was right to want to avoid lots ofgubernatorial debates.
The second and final televised debate Monday night was a rough one for theRepublican front-runner. Moderator Chris Matthews pressed hard forspecifics, rattling the normally unflappable attorney general who also faceda tag-team of jabs from Democrat Jim Davis and Reform Party nominee MaxLinn, a surprise last-minute addition to the show.
Leading in the polls and outspending Davis more than 4-1 on TV ads, Cristmust have left the Tampa studio grateful that he has to hang onto his leadjust one week longer.
Talk about great political theater. Barely five minutes before air-time,stunned campaign strategists for Crist and Davis saw a third lectern wheeledin for Linn, who had just won a court order allowing his participation.Lifelong Republican Linn played the protest candidate role to the hilt,bashing both major candidates but taking most shots at Crist.
"Answer the question, Charlie, for a change," Linn said at one point. Hecalled Crist an "empty suit" and "a rubber stamp for the Republican Party."
=
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/31/news_pf/State/Exactly_who_is_runnin.shtml
Exactly who is running the new voting machines?
Florida's counties are not required to ask.
ALISA ULFERTS
Published October 31, 2006
Florida knows more about the clerk who sells lottery tickets at the cornerstore than it does about the technician who troubleshoots voting machines atthe corner precinct.
That's because lottery ticket retailers must undergo criminal backgroundchecks, but there are no such state requirements for the employees of thecompanies that manufacture and maintain voting equipment for Florida's 67counties.
A Florida felon can't vote, but he or she can own, sell, program and fix themachines that nonfelons use to vote - unless counties prohibit that in theirindividual contracts.
=
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/pbcsouth/content/local_news/epaper/2006/10/31/s1b_vote_1031.html
Early voting popularity stays strong
By George Bennett
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Early voting remains popular in Palm Beach County, particularly insouth-county Democratic strongholds, first-week figures released Mondayshow.
During the week that ended Sunday, 22,077 people got a head start on theNov. 7 general election by casting ballots at the county's 15 early votingsites. Only Broward County (27,798) and Miami-Dade (22,619) had more earlyvoters than Palm Beach County during the first week.
There were 7,045 early voters in Martin County and 4,666 in St. Lucie Countythrough Sunday.
=
http://floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/CD/20061031/CAPITOLNEWS/610310319/-1/capitolnews&template=printart
October 31, 2006
Copeland: Will be voice of consumers
By Stephen D. Price
FLORIDA CAPITAL BUREAU
Democrat Eric Copeland recently drove up Florida's west coast, tellingvoters on campaign stops that if elected to the Cabinet position ofagriculture and consumer services commissioner, he won't be as light onprotecting consumer interests as his Republican opponent and incumbentCharles Bronson.
''At the end of the day, being agriculture commissioner will be aboutforging government policies that will help farming stay a viable businessentity,'' said Copeland, in an interview. ''It's not about milking a cow.''
Copeland, a Miami attorney, is in his first run for statewide office.
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-cvoting31oct31,0,344117.story?track=rss
Hate crowds? Head to polls before Nov. 7 for early voting
By Melissa Hoyos
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
October 31, 2006
They wanted to avoid long lines, parking-lot traffic jams or merely cross"voting" off their to-do list.
Whatever the reason, thousands ofBroward County residents won't have tovisit the polls on Election Day, because they chose to vote early.
As of Sunday, 27,798 of the county's 923,949 voters visited an early pollingsite, said Mary Cooney, public service director of the Broward Supervisor ofElections Office.
Residents say early voting lets them decide when and where they cast theirvote, while candidates say they use early polling places for quality time toshake hands and beg for support.
=
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-felxagoct31,0,4271655.story?coll=sfla-news-florida
Agriculture commissioner race pits old Florida against the new
By David Fleshler
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
October 31, 2006
The race to be the state's commissioner of agriculture and consumer servicesis a contest between old Florida and new.
Charles Bronson, the Republican incumbent, is a fifth-generation Floridianwho grew up on a cattle ranch near Kissimmee, just south of Orlando. Hespeaks with the Southern accent that once prevailed in Florida and thinkshis primary role is to protect the state's rural economy of vegetable farms,nurseries, citrus groves and cattle ranches.
His Democratic challenger, Coral Gables lawyer Eric Copeland, followed thepath of most of today's Floridians by moving in from out of state. He leftsuburban Chicago 22 years ago to attend college and law school at theUniversity of Miami, remaining in South Florida to open a law practice andengage in local politics.
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IT'S TIME TO MAKE THE FINAL PUSH
There is only 1 week left until Election Day and we are on the verge ofmaking some historic changes.But it may not happen unless each one of us is willing to commit at leastone hour in the final week to helping get Democrats elected throughoutBroward County.
The Democratic Vote Center is in need of volunteers in this final week forphone banking and canvassing. If every person who receives this email wereto volunteer at least 1 hour in the coming week, we could significanlyimpact voter turnout in Broward County.
And make no doubt - we need to get the word out. Republican campaigns up anddown the ballot are sparing no expense with their sleezy half-truth ads andmailings. Ron Klein, Ken Keechl and Martin Kiar in particular are beingtargeted with some of the most vile attacks ever seen.
So... Call JD Camp at the Vote Center at 954-802-2202 and sign up to help.
You can really make a difference - in Broward County, in Tallahassee and inWashington DC.
The GLBT GOTV center is located at 1700 N. Andrews Ave. in Fort Lauderdale,right across the street from the South Florida Gay & Lesbian CommunityCenter.
more....
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http://www.palmbeachpost.com/state/content/gen/ap/FL_Governor_Debate.html
The Palm Beach Post
Crist, Davis _ and Linn _ meet in final debate in governor's race
By BRENDAN FARRINGTON
AP Political Writer
TAMPA, Fla. - Charlie Crist and Jim Davis argued over the best way to lowerproperty taxes, voting issues, gay adoption and other topics during a debateMonday that Reform Party candidate Max Linn fought his way into at the lastmoment.
Davis, a Democrat, said he will lower property taxes by forcing theLegislature to rescind some of the tax breaks passed during Gov. Jeb Bush'sadministration - a plan Crist criticized.
"There have been $20 billion of special interest tax giveaways over the lasteight years," Davis said. "I'll go back and repeal some of those."
Crist said he will not raise taxes, if elected.
"Let me tell you exactly what my opponent just said: He wants to raise yourtaxes," Crist said. "He wants to raise a billion in new taxes on seniors andsavers."
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http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/30/news_pf/State/Questions__candidates.shtmlThe
St. Petersburg Times
Questions, candidates offer up 3-ring circus
A blunt moderator and extra hopeful add to the sharp talk.
By ALEX LEARY, Times Staff Writer
Published October 30, 2006
TAMPA - With the surprise, last-minute inclusion of a third candidate inMonday's gubernatorial debate, Republican frontrunner Charlie Crist took abeating from two sides as the tightening contest enters its final week.
Reform Party candidate Max Linn, who won a court ruling 20 minutes beforethe 7 p.m. debate, criticized Democrat Jim Davis but reserved his venom forCrist, the state's attorney general.
Linn called Crist a "rubber stamp for the Republican Party," questioned histies to the insurance industry and mocked the lavish fundraisers that havegiven Crist an enormous money advantage.
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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-felxdebate31oct31,0,1682489.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines
Crist, Davis and Linn zigzag from one heated issue to another in debate
By Mark Hollis
Tallahassee Bureau
October 31, 2006
TAMPA -- The Florida governor's race turned lively Monday night when athird-party candidate and a tough moderator took on the major partycontenders for a freewheeling televised debate that zigzagged frompocketbook issues and crime to gay marriage and the war in Iraq.
After months of attempting to rally voters with scripted messages on how topare back insurance costs and property taxes, Republican Charlie Crist andDemocrat Jim Davis were forced off their playbooks during their second andfinal televised debate.
The hourlong exchange was chaotic and at times seemed almost hostile, inpart because of a federal judge's last-minute ruling that allowed ReformParty candidate Max Linn to participate. Chris Matthews, a feisty politicaltalk show host on MSNBC, challenged the candidates' rehearsed rhetoric,often cutting them off mid-sentence and pressing for specifics.
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The Independent Gay News
http://www.indynews.4t.com/
Laffing Matterz: Independent
Theatre Club Offer
By Paul Harris
PHarris@ourindy.com
This is an offer you would be a fool to miss, and that's no joke! LaffingMatterz, the comedy club restaurant, at 219 South Andrews Avenue is offeringa terrific deal to readers of The Independent as they launch their newWednesday night show this Fall. The Independent Theatre Club evening is onWednesday, November 1 at 7pm. Instead of paying the normal $45 for salad,entrée, beverage and show they are offering readers of The Independent ahalf price deal - $22.50 plus tax and gratuity. If you wish to orderappetizers or desserts from the menu in addition you can. There is also afully stocked bar and extensive wine list. You are not going to find abetter deal in town. Trust me.
Earlier this year this newspaper celebrated our second anniversary at therestaurant when we also announced our "People Of The Year Awards." Everyonewho went that night had a great time.. If you don't believe me, simply askanyone who helped make up the sell-out audience that night.
The menu is terrific and is the work of chef John Eustace. The list ofentrees includes tenderloin of beef, Chicken Tomaso, Pork Porterhouse,Teriyaki Salmon, Crabmeat Stuffed Shrimp, and my favorite, Chilean Sea Bass,along with a couple of vegetarian alternatives. There is also a chef'sspecial every night.
For $22.50 the evening on Wednesday, November 1 is a 'steal.' Many theaterrestaurants are infamous for the low quality of the food that they serve.The food at Laffing Matterz is excellent and the 75 minute show that isperformed after dinner by the resident team of performers is sharp andfunny.
Tickets can be purchased by calling 954.763.5236. REMEMBER TO MENTION THEINDEPENDENT WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR TICKETS!!!! There is lots of parking nearby.
We'll see you there!
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The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-1031gators,0,4574106.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines
State may downgrade gators to 'game' and allow killing by homeowners
Associated Press
October 31, 2006, 6:48 AM EST
WEST PALM BEACH -- State wildlife officials have recommended that alligatorsbe downgraded from species of special concern to game within five years.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also ruled Monday thathomeowners be allowed to kill nuisance alligators on their property or hirea trapper to do so. How to dispose of the animal once captured is still inquestion, said program coordinator Harry Dutton.
``It's likely that selling the alligator wouldn't be allowed, but ahomeowner could eat it at home,'' Dutton said.
The recommendations come after the first comprehensive review of the state'salligator management program in its 20-year history. The commission willconsider the recommendations at its December meeting.
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