Category: Politics

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Politics shooting

President Obama – “Shame On Us If We’ve Forgotten” [Newtown]

Amid signs that he may have to accept a scaled-down version of gun legislation, Obama sounded a note of frustration in calling upon Americans to demand action from the U.S. Congress in the weeks ahead.

He said the legislation’s opponents, the powerful U.S. gun lobby led by the National Rifle Association, are “doing everything they can” to derail the effort barely 100 days after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, in which a gunman killed 20 children, six staff members and then himself.

“The entire country pledged we would do something about it and that this time would be different. Shame on us if we’ve forgotten. I haven’t forgotten those kids. Shame on us if we’ve forgotten,” said Obama, appearing at the White House with mothers of children who had been shot to death.

The gunman in Newtown, Adam Lanza, fired 154 rounds in less than 5 minutes, selecting high capacity magazines from a home arsenal stocked with swords, knives and a cache of guns, officials said Thursday.

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Politics Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin’s Political Ambition Shooting For 2014

The two-minute ad, titled “Loaded for Bear,” focuses heavily on Palin’s CPAC appearance, lauding her as the fearless anti-establishment superstar.

The video also features freshman Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) praising Palin for her work in 2012 and giving her credit for his win, as well as that of others. It also features text reminding viewers that there are 35 Senate races and 36 gubernatorial races next year. The video ends with the silhouette of a bear growling, and the words “We haven’t yet begun to fight!”

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Politics twitter

Ashley Judd Has Made Her Decision – Says No To Senate Run

If you were hoping and praying that Ashley Judd would run for Senate, well I’m sorry to disappoint you. After much fanfare about a possible Senate run to dethrone Republican Mitch McConnell, Judd took to Twitter and informed the world that she would not run. Instead, the popular Democratic actress said that she would use this time to concentrate on her family.

thanks @TonyLBlackwell

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Politics

Analysis: Supreme Court Will Not Budge On Same Sex Marriage

If the country is rushing headlong toward full-throated endorsement of same-sex marriage, the Supreme Court apparently didn’t get the memo.

Over two days of oral arguments on what has been described as the civil rights issue of the 21st century, the justices spent more time addressing mundane matters of states’ rights and judicial standing than threshold issues of equality and morality.

The result still may be at least incremental progress for the gay rights movement, but it’s likely to come more with a whimper than a bang — and with substantial regrets about the way the two cases were presented, argued and decided.

The best guess at this point is that the court, controlled by Justice Anthony Kennedy, its swing vote, will leave California’s gay marriage ban in the hands of that state’s courts, which already have struck it down. That would legalize gay marriage in the nation’s largest state — no small matter — but would not implicate similar bans in 37 other states.

And even on the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which offered a fatter target for the court because it denies financial and other benefits to legally married same-sex couples, the court fretted more over the government’s jurisdiction than matters of morality.

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Politics

Florida Professor Asked Students To Stomp On Jesus

This post will be filed under WTF because I am at a total loss as to the point this professor wanted to make.

A university is under fire after a class assignment instructed its students to write the word ‘Jesus’ on a piece of paper, throw it on the floor, and then stomp on it.

Florida Gov Rick Scott has now demanded an investigation into the ‘offensive’ assignment after a Florida Atlantic University professor allegedly threw a student out of his class for refusing to participate.

Ryan Rotela, a junior at FAU’s Davie campus who describes himself as a de

vout Mormon, says it was his refusal to participate that led to his suspension.

‘Anytime you stomp on something it shows that you believe that something has no value. So if you were to stomp on the word Jesus, it says that the word has no value,’ Mr Rotela told CBS12.

The assignment instructed in Dr. Deandre Poole’s intercultural communication class was meant to demonstrate the power of words and symbols, according to the exercise.

This exercise is actually included in the school’s instructor’s manual where the students are to express why they would hesitate before stomping on the name JESUS.

The problem with this exercise is once any student does go through with the exercise, you have now crossed a boundary where the rights and respect for all religions is certainly being violated.

I can totally understand not believing in someone’s religion. That freedom to have your own belief is what this country was built on. This freedom is even written into the constitution.

So what exactly gave this professor the authority to ask his students to deface the religion of millions is not only stupid and insensitive; it also slaps the constitution dead in the face.

An investigation is definitely in order. And his teaching credentials should be revoked for life.

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Politics trayvon martin twitter

George Zimmerman’s Brother Compares Trayvon Martin To A Baby Killer

The older brother of George Zimmerman, the man accused of killing Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, posted an image on Twitter comparing the deceased teen to an alleged Ga. baby-killer.

On March 24, Robert Zimmerman, Jr., tweeted an image of Martin alongside one of De’Marquise Kareem Elkins, the 17-year-old accused of fatally shooting one-year-old Antonio Santiago in his stroller on March 21.

Zimmerman’s brother George shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Feb. 2012.

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Politics

All For One, One For All


Yet another US Senator has stepped forward in favor of legalizing same-sex marriages. Mark Begich, Democratic Senator, from Alaska, issued this statement in support of marriage equality,
“I believe that same-sex couples should be able to marry and should have the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as any other married couple,” Begich stated. “Government should keep out of individuals’ personal lives — if someone wants to marry someone they love, they should be able to. Alaskans are fed up with government intrusion into our private lives, our daily business, and in the way we manage our resources and economy.”
Frankly, I’m appalled that we still have to legislate over whether the rights of one should or should not be the right of ALL.
But on the eve of the fight between the Respect for Marriage Act vs the Defense of Marriage Act in the U.S. Supreme Court, battle lines are still being drawn:

I suppose, sooner or later those senators who oppose marriage equality will get what the rest of us get, that marriage between two people of the same-sex who love and respect each other will have absolutely no bearing on the strength or weakness of their own marriages or intimate relationships. A record high of 58 percent of Americans believe gay marriage should be legal, an almost complete reversal in opinion of a 2003 poll, where 55 percent of Americans said same-sex marriage should be illegal, according to a Washington Post/ABC News poll released yesterday.
In fact, having to bear witness to people who had to struggle and fight to be together in love,  may just be the boost their lackluster relationships need.
Life’s funny that way.

 


Categories
Abortions illegal north dakota Politics

Abortions Are Now Illegal in North Dakota

It’s now legal. Abortions are illegal in North Dakota.

Gov. Jack Dalrymple signed legislation Tuesday that that would make North Dakota the nation’s most restrictive state on abortion rights, banning the procedure if a fetal heartbeat can be detected — something that can happen as early as six weeks into a pregnancy.

The Republican governor also signed into law another measure that would makes North Dakota the first to ban abortions based on genetic defects such as Down syndrome.

The measures are fueled in part by an attempt to close the state’s sole abortion clinic in Fargo. Supporters of the so-called fetal heartbeat measure said it is a direct challenge the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion up until a fetus is considered viable, usually at 22 to 24 weeks.

Abortion-rights advocates have promised a legal fight that they say will be long, costly and unwinnable for the state

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gun Politics

Republicans Promising To Block Any New Gun Laws

Twenty young kids were gunned down in Newtown Connecticut last December. That’s in addition to the thousands who are killed each year from gun violence. But is all that enough to appeal to the cold hearted nature of the Republicans?
Not even close. Congressional Republicans are promising to block any attempt by Democrats to implement sensible gun laws.

Sens. Rand Paul, Ted Cruz and Mike Lee are threatening to filibuster gun-control legislation, according to a letter they plan to hand-deliver to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s office on Tuesday.

“We will oppose the motion to proceed to any legislation that will serve as a vehicle for any additional gun restrictions,” the three conservatives wrote in a copy of the signed letter obtained by POLITICO.

Reid plans to bring up a gun-control measure that focuses on broadening background checks and cracking down on interstate gun-trafficking after the current Senate recess.

Conservatives are concerned that once that bill reaches the floor, amendments could stiffen restrictions on gun control.

These people are sole subsidiary of the NRA.

Categories
marriage equality Politics

Senator Claire McCaskill Supports Marriage Equality

On her Tumble page, the Democratic Senator wrote;

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13

“The question of marriage equality is a great American debate. Many people, some with strong religious faith, believe that marriage can only exist between a man and a woman. Other people, many of whom also have strong religious faith, believe that our country should not limit the commitment of marriage to some, but rather all Americans, gay and straight should be allowed to fully participate in the most basic of family values.

“I have come to the conclusion that our government should not limit the right to marry based on who you love. While churches should never be required to conduct marriages outside of their religious beliefs, neither should the government tell people who they have a right to marry.

“My views on this subject have changed over time, but as many of my gay and lesbian friends, colleagues and staff embrace long term committed relationships, I find myself unable to look them in the eye without honestly confronting this uncomfortable inequality. Supporting marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples is simply the right thing to do for our country, a country founded on the principals of liberty and equality.

“Good people disagree with me. On the other hand, my children have a hard time understanding why this is even controversial. I think history will agree with my children.”

Categories
Politics Republican

Republican Lawmaker Found Dead From Gunshot Wound To Head

Mississippi Bureau of Investigation officials are looking into the death of state Rep. Jessica Upshaw, who was found at a residence in Simpson County on Sunday.

The 53-year-old Republican lawmaker from Diamondhead in Hancock County died of a gunshot wound to the head, Simpson County Sheriff told WLBT-TV.

“It appeared to be self-inflicted,” he said.

Lewis told The Clarion-Ledger that Upshaw was found at the home of former state Rep. Clint Rotenberry in Mendenhall. Rotenberry was first elected to the House in 1992. He lost a Republican primary runoff to Andy Gipson in House District 77, covering parts of Rankin, Simpson and Smith counties, in 2007..

Simpson County Coroner Terry Tutor would not release any details on Upshaw’s death.

“She’s passed; that’s all I know at this point,” he said. “I’ve given it to MBI. They’re doing their investigation on it.”

h/t Clarion Ledger

Categories
Domestic Policies marriage News Politics Religion

Redefining Equality

The Supreme Court will finally hear arguments in the Marriage Equality cases this week, and it’s about time. If justice delayed is justice denied, than we’ve had denial of justice for a good part of our population for far too long.

The opponents of marriage equality do not want to talk about civil rights. They don’t want to talk about equality. They don’t want to talk about gays sharing in society and being fully accepted in American culture. What they want to talk about is redefining marriage, which they say is what these cases are all about. They also want to point to the Bible for their definition, and cite its prohibitions against any homosexual activity. You’ll excuse me, but I am tired of having to worry about what a book that also mandates stoning, banishment and ritual murder has to say about people who live in a manner that is really not your business. If religious opponents of marriage equality can pick and choose which parts of the Bible they want to apply here, then I will feel free to ignore the Bible altogether as a remnant of tales, stories and oral histories that provide a fascinating narrative, but are not relevant to the modern world.

But in the end, they are simply redefining equality. And that’s wrong.

The main argument against marriage equality is that it would redefine the institution that opponents believe to be the bedrock of any civilization. Once you allow anybody who loves another person to marry them, then you’re opening the door to polygamy, incest and child marriage. Here’s Brian S. Brown, one of the most active opponents of marriage equality:

“When you knock over a core pillar of society like marriage, and then try to redefine biblical views of marriage as bigotry, there will be consequences,” Mr. Brown warned last August in a fund-raising letter. “Will one of the consequences be a serious push to normalize pedophilia?”

Then there’s this audio from the NPR program The Takeaway, where Joseph Backholm, executive director of Family Policy Institute, an anti-marriage equality group, says that not only should gays not be allowed to marry, they shouldn’t be able to adopt and raise children, since that right is traditionally reserved for those who can create children.  I guess childless heterosexual couples need not apply either.

This is what the right wing does best: They scare and twist facts so that there’s no other choice but to oppose the same things they oppose. But Mr. Brown did more than that. He enlisted African-American clergymen and women to oppose marriage equality because, he said, it was less a civil rights issue than one of religious doctrine. Wasn’t this the same argument that segregationists used to fight integration?

 Yes it was.

Denying people rights is the same no matter what their station is. Laws that forbid intermarriage were overturned. Laws that forbid certain sexual practices were overturned. Public places were integrated. The long history of our country generally moves in one direction; towards more freedom and more access for all groups. I can’t imagine the Supreme Court saying that marriage equality is against the Constitution. It’s just a matter of how far they’ll go.

The problem, though, is that even if the Court overturns the Defense of Marriage Act, it doesn’t mean that gay couples will have an unfettered right to marry or enjoy the same rights and privileges as heterosexual couples. Unless the Court mandates marriage equality throughout the nation, states that don’t recognize it can continue to not do so. That will continue to complicate the lives of those couples who are legally married in the eight states that do recognize marriages if they even visit states that do not. That’s not equality. More delays. More denials.

Here is a graphic that explains how the court might rule.

I expect that the Court will open the gates to marriage equality in some way, but won’t make a sweeping judgement that covers the whole country. I also believe that this will be another John Roberts decision and that he will provide the fifth vote in favor. If Anthony Kennedy comes along, then the tally will be 6-3. I just can’t see Scalia, Alito or Thomas signing on to this.

Opponents of marriage equality say that an expansion of marriage rights is not a done deal. I disagree. Many people already have these marriage rights in the states that recognize gay marriage. I cannot imagine that the court would take those rights away. And once they are affirmed, they will become part of the American way of life. Gay couples will be more visible and will ultimately become more accepted. It will take some time and there will be bumps along the way, but it will happen.

Because this is a civil rights issue. Plain and simple.

For more, go to www.facebook.com/WhereDemocracyLives and on Twitter @rigrundfest

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