Thursday, November 18, 2010
Sarah Palin Tells Barbara Walters She's Considering Presidential Run and Believes She Can Beat Obama
Sarah Palin tells Barbara Walters in a Nightline interview (airing December 9 — they're already teasing it) that she's considering a Presidential run.
Says Palin: ""I'm looking at the lay of the land now, and ... trying to figure that out, if it's a good thing for the country, for the discourse, for my family, if it's a good thing."
Asked if she could beat Obama: "I believe so."
Joel Osteen on Homosexuality - The View
Rev. Joel Osteen is one of those "smiling bigots" who gets to defend his homophobia with the Bible. Returning to The View after last year's argument that gays are not "God's best" creation, the Houston-based pastor at Lakewood Church repeats he doesn't "know" whether gay clergy (like Pastor Jim Swilley) and the Catholic Church are compatible. Then he goes on to compare gays to the drug and alcohol addicted, and it's like.
LA County Passes Biggest Plastic Bag Ban in US
Man Arrested for Shooting TV Over Bristol Palin Dance Routine
Only in America:
Dane County prosecutors have charged Steven N. Cowan with second-degree reckless endangerment in the incident that made his wife worry that he would shoot her, according to a criminal complaint.
Cowan, 67, and his wife were in the living room Monday night, watching the dance competition program that has featured the daughter of former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin this season as one of the competitors.
As Bristol Palin danced on the screen, Cowan raged.
"The (expletive) politics," he yelled, according to the complaint. Cowan was upset that a political figure's daughter was on the show when he didn't consider her a good dancer, his wife told authorities.
Cowan went to his bedroom and came back about 20 minutes later, demanding that his wife find his pistols. Cowan's daughter had taken two handguns away for safety reasons, according to the complaint.
Cowan had tracked down a single-shot shotgun in the house, he "slapped" bullets down onto a TV tray, loaded a round and took out the TV, the complaint says.
New Hospital Visitation Rule Issued
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the new hospital visitation rule Wednesday that allows patients to designate their own visitors during a hospital visit, including their same-sex partners.
The new rule, which will apply to any hospital that participates in Medicare or Medicaid, will go into effect approximately 60 days from tomorrow, when the rule is likely to be posted in the Federal Register.
“Basic human rights—such as your ability to choose your own support system in a time of need—must not be checked at the door of America’s hospitals,” said the Department of Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Today’s rules help give ‘full and equal’ rights to all of us to choose whom we want by our bedside when we are sick, and override any objection by a hospital or staffer who may disagree with us for any non-clinical reason.”
The rule change is the result of a directive that President Barack Obama gave to the Health Department in April after hearing stories of same-sex partners who were denied access to their loved ones during the critical and, in some cases, final hours of their lives.
The new rule, which will apply to any hospital that participates in Medicare or Medicaid, will go into effect approximately 60 days from tomorrow, when the rule is likely to be posted in the Federal Register.
“Basic human rights—such as your ability to choose your own support system in a time of need—must not be checked at the door of America’s hospitals,” said the Department of Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Today’s rules help give ‘full and equal’ rights to all of us to choose whom we want by our bedside when we are sick, and override any objection by a hospital or staffer who may disagree with us for any non-clinical reason.”
The rule change is the result of a directive that President Barack Obama gave to the Health Department in April after hearing stories of same-sex partners who were denied access to their loved ones during the critical and, in some cases, final hours of their lives.
Willow Palin (Daughter of Sarah Palin) Exclaims FAGGOT!
16-year-old Willow Palin unleashed on Facebook after a boy in their town criticized the family's reality show, saying "Sarah Palin's Alaska, is failing so hard right now," TMZ reports:
The comment sparked an intense response from Willow -- who replied on the boy's wall, "Haha your so gay. I have no idea who you are, But what I've seen pictures of, your disgusting ... My sister had a kid and is still hot."
Willow followed up that comment with another that read, "Tre stfu. Your such a f**got."
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Gay Teen Graeme Taylor Speaks Out For Suspended Mich. Teacher
In honor of Anti-Bullying Day, Howell High School teacher Jay McDowell donned a purple shirt to show his solidarity with struggling gay teens after a spade of recent suicides nationwide.According to a WJBK report, an inquisitive student asked McDowell why he had asked a fellow student to remove their Confederate flag belt buckle. The question prompted a discussion -- over the difference between Confederate symbols and gay rights symbols -- which ended in McDowell suspending two students who said they refused to accept their homosexual peers.
Fourteen-year-old Graeme Taylor, an openly gay student, came to McDowell's defense at a recent school board meeting.
The video of Taylor's speech went viral this week, posted on popular blogs and spread through social media websites. The "It Gets Better Project," an effort to offer support to bullied gay teens, also posted the footage of Taylor's defense on their website.
Mormon church issues new handbook, but policies on homosexuality as bigoted as ever
The Mormon church handed out their new 2010 version of the handbook used by leaders in their church over the weekend. Some are saying their positions on homosexuality have lightened, but have they really?
While it’s true that the Mormons have eliminated some of the more offensive terms, the policies remain unchanged and as bigoted as ever.
By the Mormon church claiming that they have “progressed” in their thinking by making changes, we’re seeing a replay of their support of Salt Lake City’s non-discrimination policies — it costs them nothing to make these small changes but they want the world to praise them for doing it. Sorry, but preaching hate in a nicer way doesn’t change what it is.
On the subject of missions: If someone has participated in homosexual activity during the last 3 teenage years, they can only go on a mission if there is strong evidence of “genuine reformation.” There is a 1 to 3 year waiting period if the person was the “aggressor,” and a person must get a professional evaluation and an HIV test from LDS Family Services (page 29).
Children are still forced to come out to their parents before they may be ready to (page 57).
Homosexuality is still compared to: Attempted Murder, Forcible Rape and Spouse Abuse (page 57).
Homosexual behavior is permanently noted in your church records, meaning no matter where you go the church classifies you as a homo who has committed “sexual sin.” However, heterosexual people who commit “sexual sin” outside of marriage receive no such permanent annotations (page 71).
While it’s true that the Mormons have eliminated some of the more offensive terms, the policies remain unchanged and as bigoted as ever.
By the Mormon church claiming that they have “progressed” in their thinking by making changes, we’re seeing a replay of their support of Salt Lake City’s non-discrimination policies — it costs them nothing to make these small changes but they want the world to praise them for doing it. Sorry, but preaching hate in a nicer way doesn’t change what it is.
On the subject of missions: If someone has participated in homosexual activity during the last 3 teenage years, they can only go on a mission if there is strong evidence of “genuine reformation.” There is a 1 to 3 year waiting period if the person was the “aggressor,” and a person must get a professional evaluation and an HIV test from LDS Family Services (page 29).
Children are still forced to come out to their parents before they may be ready to (page 57).
Homosexuality is still compared to: Attempted Murder, Forcible Rape and Spouse Abuse (page 57).
Homosexual behavior is permanently noted in your church records, meaning no matter where you go the church classifies you as a homo who has committed “sexual sin.” However, heterosexual people who commit “sexual sin” outside of marriage receive no such permanent annotations (page 71).
John McCain PSA: 'It Gets Worse' For You
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| It Gets Worse PSA | ||||
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GOP Congressman :: Where's my health care?
A conservative Maryland physician elected to Congress on an anti-Obamacare platform surprised fellow freshmen at a Monday orientation session by demanding to know why his government-subsidized health care plan takes a month to kick in.
Court Sets Schedule for Prop. 8 Oral Arguments
The U.S. court of appeals for the ninth circuit announced Monday that oral arguments set for December 6 in the Proposition 8 lawsuit will begin with the question of whether supporters of the antigay California ballot measure have standing to appeal the case.
The court will divide oral arguments into two hour-long sessions.
The first hour will center on the issue of standing: Antigay groups who defended Prop. 8 in court will be asked to argue why they have the right to appeal, as will representatives from Imperial County, which has attempted to intervene in the suit.
The second hour will be devoted to arguments on the constitutionality of Prop. 8, which was passed by voters in 2008 and struck down by U.S. district judge Vaughn Walker in August.
The court will divide oral arguments into two hour-long sessions.
The first hour will center on the issue of standing: Antigay groups who defended Prop. 8 in court will be asked to argue why they have the right to appeal, as will representatives from Imperial County, which has attempted to intervene in the suit.
The second hour will be devoted to arguments on the constitutionality of Prop. 8, which was passed by voters in 2008 and struck down by U.S. district judge Vaughn Walker in August.
Anti-gay group boasts $13 million budget
The National Organization for Marriage has risen to become one of the country's most active and well-funded anti-gay organizations, according to this profile of its co-founder, Brian Brown. NOM's budget has increased from $500,000 in 2007 to more than $13 million three years later, enabling it to spend heavily to reverse marriage equality or keep bans in place that prevent same-sex couples from marrying. The group has refused to disclose its donors.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Tina Fey's Sarah Palin Joke Cut From Mark Twain Prize Speech
Watch the full episode. See more Mark Twain Prize.
Tina Fey was awarded the coveted Mark Twain Prize for Humor last week. PBS actually cut a controversial bit Fey did about Palin and the success of conservative women when the award ceremony was broadcast.
The joke in question entertains the idea that Palin's success would be a good thing for womankind, but then interjects jabs at conservative views on sexuality, health care, and creationism:
"And, you know, politics aside, the success of Sarah Palin and women like her is good for all women - except, of course --those who will end up, you know, like, paying for their own rape 'kit 'n' stuff, But for everybody else, it's a win-win. Unless you're a gay woman who wants to marry your partner of 20 years - whatever. But for most women, the success of conservative women is good for all of us. Unless you believe in evolution. You know - actually, I take it back. The whole thing's a disaster."
Watch Fey receive her award below, and hear her remarks about Palin around the 12:30 mark.
Focus on the Family Targets Day of Silence
The Colorado Springs, Colo., organization launched DayofDialogue.com Thursday to "offer students the facts [about homosexuality] to engage a dialogue in schools" in preparation for the Day of Dialogue, to be held in April, Focus on the Family spokesman Gary Schneeberger told The Gazetteof Colorado Springs.
Focus education analyst Candi Cushman (pictured) said her organization took on the program because "more than one side needs to be heard on the issue of homosexuality, and we’re helping to ensure that Christian students have the chance to express their viewpoint."
The Day of Dialogue, formerly known as the Day of Truth, is a day for antigay students to counter the Day of Silence, during which gay students and their allies remain silent for a day to recognize that bullying silences gay teens. The launch of the site comes after a two-month period in which instances of antigay bullying in schools and teen suicides have made headlines across the country. In the wake of the reports, "ex-gay" organization Exodus International announced it would no longer sponsor the Day of Truth, leading Focus to take over the observance.
Cindy McCain: DADT Enables Bullies
Cindy and Meghan have expressed their strong support for gay rights in the past, putting them at odds with their husband and father. However, Cindy’s appearance in the new ad marks the widest rift yet in her public stance versus the senator, who has vowed to stop any effort to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in the lameduck session.
“Our political and religious leaders tell LGBT youth that they have no future,” says McCain in the celebrity-studded ad. “They can’t serve our country openly.”
She even links the toxic messages sent by lawmakers to bullies who then mistreat LGBT youths.
“Our government treats the LGBT community like second-class citizens,” she says. Why shouldn’t they?”
Monday, November 15, 2010
Episcopal bishop observes new LGBT openness in the church
Utah’s presiding bishop Rev. Scott Hayashi said that the number of Episcopalians leaving the church because of its open policy on same-sex unions and gay clergy is decreasing, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori agreed, telling the Tribune she also noticed fewer departures since last year. She believes the change has occurred for the same reason she thinks the church will continue to grow: because the church is working on social justice and diversity issues and is focused on attracting people who are in transitional stages of their lives.
Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori agreed, telling the Tribune she also noticed fewer departures since last year. She believes the change has occurred for the same reason she thinks the church will continue to grow: because the church is working on social justice and diversity issues and is focused on attracting people who are in transitional stages of their lives.
Chicago Students Wear "Straight Pride" T-Shirts
"In response to a gay-straight alliance week designed to fight bullying, some high school students in Chicago wore t-shirts for "straight pride" that included a Bibical passage advocating death for gay people. The Chicago Tribune reports on the controversy at St. Charles North High School, which this week held an Ally Week to combat bullying. Three students wore the straight pride t-shirts on Monday, and some other students complained.
According to the Tribune, “Deans met with the students, and after establishing that there was no threat of physical harm to others, asked the students to cross out a portion of the Biblical passage with permanent marker."
Study finds repealing gay ban won't hurt war effort
Saturday, November 13, 2010
The Decider Returns
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| The Decider Returns | ||||
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Friday, November 12, 2010
Ohio school asks judge to dismiss bullying lawsuit
An Ohio school district being sued by two families who claim their children’s deaths were caused by bullying has asked a federal judge to dismiss one of the lawsuits.
The Mentor Public School District said in a court filing last week that 16-year-old Sladjana Vidovic was not a student at Mentor High School when she committed suicide in October 2008. Vidovic’s parents sued the school district, superintendent and principal in August, claiming their daughter was severely bullied.
The Mentor Public School District said in a court filing last week that 16-year-old Sladjana Vidovic was not a student at Mentor High School when she committed suicide in October 2008. Vidovic’s parents sued the school district, superintendent and principal in August, claiming their daughter was severely bullied.
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