Edited and some parts removed from Civil_Marriage_Disobedience, “Gay Marriage is a Battlefield”
June 3, 2008
My wish list; Brew. No mas caliente. No more fighting. Ban your own mind, but let mine be free – take your prejudice and shove it.
Member Note (that’s me:): Please care about people that may not be just like you – today.
EXCERPT:
If you’ve followed me this far, you at least see the tremendous variety of ways
the detonation of the California marriage bomb will scatter shrapnel throughout
the union. For that reason, preserving the victory there ought to be priority
No. 1 for all gay rights donors and political organizations.Gay marriage is a battlefield
Posted by: ChrisThe battle over same-sex marriage is about to go nuclear. Not because it may
impact this year’s presidential race, as some have worried. But because the
skirmishes will now multiply into a multi-front struggle that will determine
whether access to civil marriage for the rest of us comes sooner or much, much
later.Much of the early aftermath to the California marriage ruling has focused on its
possible impact on the general election contest between John McCain and Barack
Obama. Democrats remember all too well how George Bush and Karl Rove in 2004
used the Massachusettes marriage ruling as a “wedge issue” to galvanize
conservatives in swing states like Ohio.
The possibility for a repeat exists, of course, since a gay marriage ban is
already slated for the November ballot in Florida, a hugely important swing
state, and conservatives hope a similar measure in California might put that
reliably Democratic state in play. That’s unlikely, however, since Republican
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has thrown his weight against the ban, and Obama’s
candidacy is likely to draw to the polls younger voters, who a recent Field Poll
confirms back gay marriage by an almost two-to-one margin.Those who really care about the future of marriage for same-sex couples in the
U.S. need to stop being distracted by the pretty, shiny bauble that is the
Obama-McCain contest and focus on the battle in California itself, as well as
the brush fires it’s sure to spark throughout the country.The impact from California will dwarf that of Massachusetts because marriage
laws in the two states differ in one important aspect: A 1913 law in the Bay
State allows non-residents to marry there only if their marriage would be
accepted in their home state. Gay activists failed to convince the Massachusetts
Supreme Judicial Court — the same one that struck down hetero-only marriage in
2003 — that the 1913 law was also unconstitutional. As a result, the landmark
2003 ruling extended marriage only to residing in Massachusetts and a few
other states — Rhode Island and New Mexico among them — that certified they
met the 1913 law’s restriction.Not so in California. Non-resident gay couples may marry without restriction,
and then go home and ask that their marriages be recognized in any number of
contexts. New York Gov. David Paterson has already ordered state agencies there
to recognize marriage licenses issued to gay couples in California,
Massachusetts, Canada or the four other countries where it’s legal. Gay-friendly
governors elsewhere may quickly follow suit, especially after the November
election cushions the possible blowback and (hopefully) cements marriage
equality in California.It’s long past time, for example, that D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty to fulfill his
campaign promise to make public the legal opinion of a former attorney general,
gay himself, about whether the District should recognize gay marriages
from elsewhere. In fact, it’s long past time for the D.C. Council to adopt
marriage equality outright — a majority already supports it and the Democratic
leadership in Congress has pledged to allow marriage to be decided at the state
level.In the other 48 states, gay newlyweds returning from California will over time
be raising recognition issues that will challenge not just the state
constitutionality of marriage bans but their federal constitutionality as well,
along with the holy grail: the constitutionality of the federal Defense of
Marriage Act. That infamous 1996 law, renounced by its own author Bob Barr now
that he’s the Libertarian Party’s nominee for president, purports to allow each
state the right to refuse recognition of gay marriages from other states.The U.S. Constitution has something to say on that matter, however, since the
“Full Faith; Credit Clause” generally requires that states recognize the
legal papers and judicial rulings of other states — including marriages. There
are all sorts of exceptions to the rule, as it has been litigated over 200-plus
years, but that won’t save DOMA. By saying each state may unilaterally reject
gay marriages from other states under every conceivable context, DOMA is clearly
unconstitutional, since the FFC will require otherwise in at least some
situations. And if DOMA falls by judicial fiat, as it should, expect calls for a
federal constitutional amendment to ensue.So much will depend on the unpredictable circumstances of each challenge that
the outcomes will be all over the map. Couples who travel to California from
states with marriage bans written into their constitutions will likely find
their new licenses worthless, since the FFC clause has long allowed states
to prevent citizens from escaping local marriage limits by simply crossing state
lines and wedding elsewhere.
On the other end of the spectrum, judicial rulings from California that
recognize a gay marriage in circumstances like child custody or the right to sue
for a spouse’s injury or death will most likely be accepted — perhaps even in
the most hostile anti-gay states. That’s because the federal Constitution’s
(?) clause will trump DOMA and a state’s marriage ban under the right
circumstances.If you’ve followed me this far, you at least see the tremendous variety of ways
the detonation of the California marriage bomb will scatter shrapnel throughout
the union. For that reason, preserving the victory there ought to be priority
No. 1 for all gay rights donors and political organizations.James Nimmo, treasurer/moderator
Bravery need not require threats to life and limb;
it requires the moral engagement of the mind.www.okstonewall.org
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
A few thoughts during my brew (See references below):
I’m reviewing (loosely) my personal observations of experiencing online concert of another independent supporter of Amensty International – Second Life Music Performer and Philanthropist, davecorbett Darwin. First thought: Hello, Avatar!
Second, Third and Fourth impressions (I try to make all the shows I can inworld):
Listening, experiencing and participating in a virtual world live performance is difficult to explain, if you haven’t been there. Neither is the message that is freely shared in song, verse, discussion and awareness presentation of basic human needs left unintended that ’shines’ as pure, true, and earnest. “At This Point of Time” (see lyrics below). Not the best songwriting effort from the Artist/Activist/Avatar – no. The best of all, in my opinion, “Wot A Lot Of Fussin” – that noted; experiencing “At This Point of Time” is a celebration of human spirit, love, and unity. Extraordinary, if you learn to listen. It took me at several looks to experience the fullness, and I hope I never tire of the message.
The downloads are free – what the hell. Love life, learn, and celebrate today with Dave Corbett and friends!
Stay informed:
http://www.amnestyusa.org/activist-toolkit/online-library/page.do?id=1101335&n1=4&n2=63&n3=130
Oodles of information, and you may be involved, on many levels…”Action for Human Rights. Hope for Humanity.” Reference Source: http://www.amnestyusa.org
Other referenced sites:
http://www.4shared.com/dir/1032775/6da7e7a1/sharinhttp://davecorbettdarwin.com/default.aspx
http://davecorbettdarwin.com/sitemap.aspx
Personal Review of http://davecorbettdarwin.com/atthispointintime.aspx (All rights reserved):
AT THIS POINT IN TIMEALL I HAVE TO DO IS WAKE TO LOVE YOU
ALL I HAVE TO DO IS RISE AND SHINE
ALL I HAVE TO DO IS STOP THINKING
ABOUT THE POWERS THAT BE
ARE DOING TO MANKINDchorus
AT THIS POINT IN TIME THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON
AT THIS POINT IN TIME REFLECT ON THE PAST
AT THIS POINT IN TIME AS THE CHANGING OF THE SEASONS
WE COULD BUILD A LOVE TO EVERLASTSEE THAT GUY WAITING AT THE STATIONDOESN`T REALLY KNOW WHICH WAY TO GO
SO HE CHECKS IT WITH THE MAN BEHIND THE DESK AT THE
INFORMATION
JUST LOOKED AT HIM AND SAID
I DON`T KNOW
Amensty International – A 20-minute video “Universal Declaration of Human Rights animation”
May 24, 2008
Special thanks to Jacob George, for posting on the below-referenced link. Personally, I think it is great that we have a visual / audio version of the UDHR – I also recommend that you read it, of course, and decide for yourself – live, love, learn…and, perhaps you will find this a way to find a voice – it really is up to you.
Referenced Blogger: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly ‘cos life is a mix of all three
http://jg69.blogspot.com/2008/05/universal-declaration-of-human-rights.html
To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights in 1988, award-winning director Stephen Johnson brought together 41 of the most talented international animators, musicians and producers to produce this unique work. The 20-minute video brings to life the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in brilliant colour. Even after 20 years, the UDHR animated video continues to be a highly effective basic tool for the defence and advocacy of the UDHR and for general work on the indivisibility and universality of human rights and human rights education ==> Amnesty International 60 Years of UDHR…
First the referenced site:
http://www.hhptf.org/
And, quoted from above referenced site 05.19.08 EST:
One view of the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) program and its changing fortunes:
There has been far more outrage online over the news that the OLPC may switch to Windows from its version of the free Linux operating system than over the discovery that hardly any of the laptops, originally to be deployed in no quantities smaller than 1m a country, will ever reach the poorest children.
The collapse of the scheme illuminates the utter falsity of the hope that technology alone can lift people out of poverty. Knowledge may, but the technology that spreads knowledge best is literacy, not laptops.
Firstly, excellent online resource for librarians, and others interested in the materials presented. Secondly, the title of these postings – “Hunger, Homelessness & Porverty Task Force” from an ALA Round Table Discussion, gives me a moment to reflect on exactly what is being presented in this post. One distinction to keep in mind is that the OPLC is not a catalog system…it is a program called One Laptop Per Child.
Having noted that…a personal observation. Yesterday I found an excellent resource for teaching English that was straight-forward, to the point, and presented well. As an example of excellence, the TESOL program identified all of the key issues – for their program.
I thought to myself – wow, they have it going on. Sortof. But, it is “scoped”, organized, and a better practice than many on a “global” level. The groundfloor of my research has opened up and I think of these things, as I type. And, I’m left with one thought – we can’t eat laptops; conversely, it is unseemly to eat the TESOL worker…lol.
Now, I think I’ll make a pot of a strong brew and continue with my experiential project…It’s got the makings of a very inexpensive way to introduce a, well, you have to join the group to know that…God Bless America.
One more time, as I raise my hand in my mind – yes, Literacy before laptops makes sense, but we have ways in ProLiteracy methods that can maximize this potential – fuck the agenda, and get back to basics – we’ve got technology on all levels – that’s the issue. How do we share this…by sharing information with experts and coming to agreements that are not based on big money agendas, but appreciating all the money that does flow into the efforts.
Every volunteer will tell you – they love their job (most of the time…giggles)…and, the “tags” are teasers!
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA
A cyclone devastated the lives of over a million Myanmar residents. However, the government of Myanmar is slow to help pick up the pieces.
Urge the government of Myanmar to cooperate with the international community in the distribution of humanitarian aid.
http://www.amnestyusa.org/page.php?id=356Reference Source: http://www.amnestyusa.org/emails/myanmar.htm
Dear Supporter,We’ve been closely watching the devastation in Myanmar caused by Cyclone Nargis for nearly a week now. Despite the disaster, Myanmar’s government keeps the country on lockdown. Only a handful of flights offering assistance have been allowed in. Relatively few resources like food, water, medicine, blankets and tents have been given out. Call on the government of Myanmar to distribute humanitarian aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis.
Call on the government of Myanmar to distribute humanitarian aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis.
http://www.amnestyusa.org/page.php?id=356Our hearts go out to the victims of this terrible tragedy. The cyclone has killed thousands of people and more than a million have been displaced from their homes. Myanmar’s government must work with international relief efforts to help the victims of Cyclone Nargis by:
-granting access to humanitarian aid workers into Myanmar by easing visa restrictions and customs procedures
-allowing professional relief workers to offer assistance without restriction or interference
-establishing clear and transparent guidelines for delivering aid that are based on need; not race, gender, national or social origin, political opinion, or religion
The people of Myanmar must focus on putting their lives back together. Tell the government of Myanmar to help pick up the pieces — ensure that cyclone victims receive humanitarian aid.
http://www.amnestyusa.org/page.php?id=356
Sincerely,Larry Cox
Executive Director
Amnesty International USADO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE. Messages sent to this email address are not read. If you have a question or comment, please use our interactive online help system
http://www.mycusthelp.com/amnestyusa/Subscribe to our RSS feeds
http://www.amnestyusa.org/page.do?n=12
Referenced Source: http://photogafrica.blogspot.com/
Issues:
Blogging, Intellectual Freedom, Author’s Rights, Learning Examples,Tagging Labels,Captions,Tags,Metatags,Use of Posts
Just a few thoughts and an example from on of my Facebook and MySpace friends, Dave Donelson, author and ‘photoblogger’…
From a real-life traveler, Dave Donelson gives a brilliant personal glimpse into the lives of women and children through the lens of a camera…Although the pictures are copyrighted, of course, the use for the sharing is simple – to learn more about ourselves and our world around us – either through fictional, anecdotal, or real-life accounts in blogs, posts, and yes, books!
If you want the whole story and love reading about an author and their work – read, read, read!
PhotogAfrica is a blog well worth the looksee…and, now for some coffee – lol.
On a side note, if I every write a book – it will be titled, a few thoughts before my brew – giggles.
My Thoughts on “Tibet Notes” and Blogging
April 17, 2008
What is it like to lose your job because of censorship? How is this right? When is it enough? Who’s ‘reality’ is protected? Where is the controller of the money or other political/social group that supports this action?
Censorship happens everyday, and it is a social disease that may effect anybody, at any given moment in time. That’s a fact. Below, is just an example. Hmmmm.
Why do I ask? Well, granted, this paragraph is taken out of context, and if you’ve been reading on current events in Tibet and the many issues facing China and Tibet – this is just yesterday’s news, by tomorrow.
“But others are less convinced, especially those censored for dissenting views. Woeser, a Tibetan blogger, lost her editing job at a literary magazine based in Lhasa after writing a 2003 book, “Tibet Notes,” that included a friendly reference to the Dalai Lama. “They wrote to the publisher and said, ‘One of your authors wrote a book with severe political mistakes,’ ” said Ms. Woeser, who, like some Tibetans, uses only one name. “Anything about the reality of Tibet is not allowed to be published.”
Referenced article from The New York Times – Asia Pacific Web Source,
By JIM YARDLEYPublished: April 17, 2008
Referenced Source:
http://www.amnestyusa.org/What-You-Can-Do/Activist-Toolkit/page.do?id=1031046&n1=4&n2=63
The Activist Toolkit has something for everyone! Information to help new groups get started, useful tips on running an existing group, lots of great ideas for planning events and activities, and a calendar of significant dates that you may want to plan events around. It also provides a crash course on how Amnesty operates, how to get in contact with staff and volunteer leaders, and a variety of other useful resources.
Here’s How the Toolkit Works:
- In the left hand navigation you’ll see a listing of the main section headings
- Each section has an introductory page – that’s where you will end up when you click on a main section heading.
- Once you have clicked on a main section heading, the contents of that section will appear in the right hand column.
Throughout the toolkit, some documents (order forms, flyers, etc.) are in Adobe PDF format. PDF files are read-only files that can be opened on any computer (Mac or PC) that is equipped with Adobe® Acrobat® software. Virtually all new computers come equipped with this software. However, if you don’t have it on your computer, the installer is free and can be downloaded from http://www.adobe.com.
Women for Peace Repost: URL for March 19 Code Pink Pictures from Protest in Washington, D.C.
April 10, 2008
http://www.codepinkalert.org/article.php?id=4069
Another related link of interest:
Check out our local March 19 PEACE ACTIONS recap and photos here:
http://www.5yearsof war.com
We just aren’t getting it, are we? The Women for Peace is a terrific organization that keeps on trying in the face of reports that our troops are in Iraq for many years to come. Meanwhile, our troops are still dying, still suffering from the stress of returning to war, and still lack proper medical attention in the field.
Praying for peace.
From a Yahoo story – “High Court sides with Guantanamo detention…”
June 12, 2008
Referenced Source Yahooo Bookmark: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080612/ap_on_go_su_co/scotus_guantanamo
And, a quote that makes so much sense to me today, than yesterday – my awareness level is fluctuating with the sense of justice – and, that’s okay.
A headline, an endorsement, a decision – the Supreme Court’s decision stands, until it won’t…
We read, we think, we listen – we try to balance our emotions with reason. Today, I am proud to be an American.
Within moments, I edit the post – but, my blog on this subject remains the same, at this moment in time. It is with sorrow that injustice occurs – it is with processes that we find a way to beat the system – for fairness – justice is not blind; I think it is the best we can do – and, keep on fighting for rights that we already have been promised by our constitution in the USA – remember, terrorism is real. So is the process.
Related Source – The Cell Tour vlog (I consider this (MA): http://celltour.amnesty.org/?tr=y&auid=3740912
Hope this makes you think. I know it did me – again. Still proud t be an American.