suricattus

( More politics behind the cut )

EtA: I should not try to improve my mood by having a piece of fudge mid-afternoon. Sugar rush comes after protein, Gilman, not before.... *feels ill, crashes*

Damn it damn it damn it. NY Marriage Equality Act failed, 24-38.

What the %^&* is wrong with those of you senators who voted no?

The amendment was very simple: Any legal adult of sound mind could marry any other legal adult of sound mind, and no clergyperson could be pressured or forced into presiding over the ceremony.

So the sanctity of the religious organizations who don't want to include gays within their sacraments is preserved, and those who see only good in two people joining together to love, cherish and care for each other in the eyes of the State are free to officiate, and local businesses get a cash infusion from the wedding trade to aid the economy. It's all good, and fair, and the only reasons I can think for someone to vote no would be

a) if they believe that their religious views and morals trumps someone else's, and to hell with separation of Church and State
or
b) they're bigots who can't bear to let someone they consider inferior have equal rights.
or
c) both a+b


To the 24 senators who voted yes -- you are mensches, and proof that we are not forever stuck in the mire of hatred and fear that seems too often to consume us. I thank you.


EtA: and as per my earlier entry, although I got two Tiger Woods updates from CNN this morning -- not a word about today's vote or the results. CNN, you FAIL. And you're gone from my e-newsfeed.

A quick guide for New Yorkers wondering where their senator stands on Marriage Equality:

http://tools.advomatic.com/24/nyequality/totals?

If your senator is "opposed" or unknown," call and let them know where you stand. If they're supporting, call and thank them, encourage them to keep up the fight.

I've already thanked Senator Espada, saying "to deny marriage equality is to embrace bigotry and fear -- two things New Yorkers should stand up and reject."

"I acknowledge that the gains we have made with the health care plan are a strong and valid first step towards reclaiming our place as a First World nation. However, as a woman who believes nobody has the right to take away my freedom of choice, the Stupak amendment is not acceptable.

And I say to those who tell me to wait, that it will be overturned, that I do NOT trust in the same organizations that said this was acceptable to reverse it later. Blind faith in anyone can get you killed -- be it by a bullet, or a wire hanger."

The New York Assembly passed marriage equality legislation earlier this year, and Governor Paterson has pledged to sign it, so the only step left is the New York Senate.

The Senate is scheduled to reconvene tomorrow, Tuesday, November 10, and marriage equality is on the agenda.

You might want to let your senator know how you want him/her to vote. Give the person who answers the phone your name and address, and then tell them that you want the senator to vote for marriage equality.


(if you tell him/her to vote nay, that's your right, but please don't tell me about it. I'd like to think better of you)

Well, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops seems to have had their way: a woman's right to choose apparently being more of an evil than anything else the Church might ever encounter -- oh, except Teh Gays, of course.

Why, I ask again, does the Catholic Church retain tax exempt status in the United States, when they blatantly act as a PAC? And why, I wonder to myself, would anyone not a straight white male think that the Church has their best interests at heart?

(This is not a religious question, but purely a socio-political one; I know that faith makes people do the illogical. But it is a serious question.)

EtA: lots of discussion about side matters, but still no response to my question: why do non-straight-non-white non-males believe that the Church has their best interest at heart? I'm not asking the heathens and infidels among us, but those who consider themselves part of the Church. Anyone? Bueller? Go out and grab your friends and ask them, because I'm seriously interested.

I keep getting e-mails and pings to call my 'critter to ask if s/he's going to support health care reform this week, when it comes down to the vote.

My rep is Eliot Engel (D-NY-17). From his website:

Since it is unacceptable that a country that spends $1.9 trillion has sixteen million uninsured citizens, Rep. Engel is co-sponsoring H.R. 1200, the American Health Security Act of 2007. This bill sets up a single payer system providing health care coverage to all Americans regardless of ability to pay, requiring each state to prohibit the sale of health insurance that duplicates the benefits under the program and establishing an American Health Security Standards Board and a Quality Council to administer and guide this egalitarian endeavor.


Calling to ask how he's going to vote... um, yeah. That I think we got covered. How's your 'critter looking, in this fight? Have you told him what you want him/her to do?

[uncut because I think everyone really should read it. Maybe it's heartfelt, maybe it's good spin, but it's gracious and dignified and impressive for that...]


Laura Anne --

This morning, Michelle and I awoke to some surprising and humbling news. At 6 a.m., we received word that I'd been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.

To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize -- men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.

But I also know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes.

That is why I've said that I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations and all peoples to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. These challenges won't all be met during my presidency, or even my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it's recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone.

This award -- and the call to action that comes with it -- does not belong simply to me or my administration; it belongs to all people around the world who have fought for justice and for peace. And most of all, it belongs to you, the men and women of America, who have dared to hope and have worked so hard to make our world a little better.

So today we humbly recommit to the important work that we've begun together. I'm grateful that you've stood with me thus far, and I'm honored to continue our vital work in the years to come.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Ok, that's something to wake up to: Barack Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize.

Huh. Okay. Although a lot of people are yowling, I see exactly why they choose him -- not only has he been a major inspiration to PoC worldwide and especially here and in Africa, but he is seen as a strong hope for undoing much of the damage that was done during the Bush administration. A perfect choice? No. But there are no perfect choices -- even Mother Theresa wasn't perfect. The attempt to use a position of power and make the world a better place, to overcome fear and malice, insensitivity and greed? Under those standards, he is certainly qualified.

And is anyone else imagining an awards bump-down between Obama and Gore?
"I have a Nobel AND two Grammys!"
"Yeah, but I have an Oscar and an Emmy, too."
"I'm President."
"You win."

Edward "Teddy" Kennedy, 1932 - 2009

Remove your hat and stand for his passing, ladies and gentlemen. Whatever you thought of the man, whatever you thought of his politics, a legend has left the Senate chambers. For nearly fifty years he represented his constituents with humanity and conviction, and gave us glimmers of the legacy that Might Have Been.

The lights are gone out in the castle on the hill. The lion is sleeping, now.


My only hope is that, in his memory, Washington will be able to pass health care reform that Teddy would have approved of...

I ♥ Barney Frank SO MUCH.

rachaelcaine opens the floor to a discussion of health care, which I strongly suggest you go over and take a look at. There's a lot of fear being raised by the new insurance proposals, and most of the OMG it will be TERRIBLE for US! seems to stem directly from ads paid for by... the insurance companies. Wow. Who'd a think it?


For me -- What She Said. I'm self-employed, healthy, with a surprisingly good plan (thanks to living in a state that recognizes freelancers are a viable voting bloc) and I'm still paying through the nose for very basic coverage. I've been told to "get a real job" if it's a problem, but beyond the WTF insult that was to those of us who consider what we do "a real job" to begin with, how many jobs are out there, and of them, how many are offering benefits? More and more consulting, which keeps insurance off the table.

The for-profit insurance model is broken. Waiting around another 60+ years to talk about fixing it is Not Acceptable. The new plan may not be the perfect solution, but not doing anything is far worse -- unless of course you already earn over 100,000 and/or are a Congresscritter with a Federal health care plan....

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/06/irans_disputed_election.html

(warning: scenes of graphic violence follow the click)

I remember the Revolution of 1979, but it was so far away, then. Now... it's much closer. That's a good thing, I believe... but a terrifying one, too.

If you're not paying attention to events in Iran, you should be.

Ignore the 'mainstream Media' who seems to have missed the call. It's being best-covered on-line. Facebook, Twitter... social media has become truly 'social.'

EtA: Twitter had been planning to have a 90 minute downtime tonight for maintenance. Given what’s going on over in Iran right now, that was a problem. And so Twitter has decided to reschedule the maintenance so the protests can go on. Right now, communication outlets are being blocked. People are passing around proxies so that the word can get out.

As a certain movie tells us: You can't stop the signal.