The Wrap-Up: November 30, 2011

Today is the last day of Hurricane Season.

While the vast majority of us respect our military men and women, it looks like some banks have no problem taking their homes right from under them...and illegally so.

Herman Cain's (alleged) scandal are costing him in the polls and elsewhere.

A Maryland legislator is blaming her indictment on...wait for it...THE GAYS!!!

There is at least some good jobs news...at least for the auto-industry.

Andrew Sullivan

There may also be some wider good news on the jobs front.

 Conservative commentator/blogger Andrew Sullivan has some choice words for Republicans and conservatives.

A lawsuit against New York's marriage equality bill may proceed in court.

Despite his new place at/near the top of the polls, there are still some who have it in for Newt Gingrich.

Speaking of Newt, in news that surprises no one, he supports majority tyranny.

Governor Mark Dayton (D-MN)

Did the Occupy Movement get the GOP to buckle on extending the payroll tax cut?

The Pennsylvania legislator who tried to rig his state's electoral vote may try a run for U.S. Senate.

Minnesota's Governor has stepped his state into the fight against the bullying epidemic.

And lastly, Brian Williams shows his classic grace in strange circumstances.

Occupy Movement: Massive Income Inequity

For anyone wondering why people are "occupying" various cities here in the States (and some across the world), it is because of the massive income/taxation inequities laid out in this video:

 

Yet again (though not addressed directly in this video), this is why corporate personhood needs to be abolished post-haste. It is the ability of corporations to buy our politicians, at all levels of government and from both major parties, to do their biding at the expense of the middle-class that is turning this nation into an unrecognizable shell of its former self.

The Wrap-Up: November 29, 2011

The Supreme Court

Kansas state law has apparently been ignoring the Supreme Court of the United States.

The LGBT community's engagement in the political process, especially now, is extremely important, and here is the Supreme reason why.

The Supreme Court also handed my home state's Attorney General some bad news on health care (which makes me quite happy).

A United Airlines agent made the skies not-so-friendly for this gay couple. 

While much of the African continent is embroiled in extreme homophobia, there are some people there still willing to put their lives on the line to fight the good fight.

Meghan & John McCain

Meghan's new gig may be causing a little tension in the McCain family.

I'm pretty sure this is the death-knell for whatever chances Herman Cain had for winning the GOP nomination (and they were already quite small).

According to this billionaire, asking the super-rich to pay their fair share is akin to Hitler invading Poland. How have people not learned to leave Hitler out of political discussions?

Contrary to what most of the GOP presidential candidates are saying, Barney Frank did not create the housing bubble (which was a more global phenomenon).

Speaking of Barney Frank, in the announcement of his retirement, he took a few shots at Newt Gingrich.

Scott Olsen

Scott Olsen, the Iraq veteran who was injured in Occupy Oakland has done his first interview since his injury.

A New Jersey legislator has done quite a 180 on the state's effort to recognize marriage equality.

And lastly, Jon Stewart takes down Herman Cain and Rick Perry as only Jon Stewart can.

Herman Cain: Targeted Identification?

The part of this video that I wanted to address starts at about 4:10

I think I can sum this up rather simply: "targeted identification" is to "profiling" as "enhanced interrogation tactics" is to "torture." Just because you call it something else to maintain the illusion of political correctness does not mean it actually is something else. A rose by any other name is just as morally wrong and un-American.

Also, I love how frustrated he sounded when Candy asked him what the difference between the two is (as if there is one).

The Wrap-Up: November 28, 2011

Marine Commandant James Amos

Contrary to what we are led to believe, America does not have the best health care system in the world.

In further evidence that the bullying epidemic must be quashed...

Even the most vocal military critic of repealing DADT has said that things have been going smoothly since the policy change.

It seems as though Tim Tebow is cheating on his wife...with Jesus.

Smartphones may not be so great soon for people who value their privacy.

A GOP attempt to block Texas' redistricting plan has been thwarted.

Rep. Barney Frank

This is an important (and totally true) quote from an Elizabeth Warren video that surfaced some weeks ago.

Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) announced today that he will not be running for reelection in 2012.

Even the most religious of people can have their minds and hearts changed.

Marriage equality will be a particularly hot topic in Australia this coming weekend.

Nick Novak (K - San Diego Chargers)

A Nebraska teen is attempting to put marriage equality on the state's ballot for 2012.

In neighboring Kansas, the teen who tweeted something not so nice (yet rightly deserved) about that state's governor is standing her ground...

Which seems to have worked as now, it is the Governor who has issued an apology.

And lastly, there was this unfortunate incident at yesterday's Chargers vs. Broncos game (besides the Broncos winning that is). Hilarious, but I feel really bad for the guy all the same.

Marriage News Watch: November 28, 2011

Congressman On The Verge

Best. Commercial. EVER!!!

The Wrap-Up: November 25, 2011

Governor Sam Brownback (R-KS)

One would think that bad mouthing a politician (especially one that deserves it...which is most of them) would be protected by the 1st amendment. Maybe not.

Stupid things like THIS are why I boycott Black Friday: everyone just goes crazy/stupid.

When it comes to foreign policy, what the GOP candidates said in this week's debate should give us all pause.

Herman Cain thinks he can bring black people back to the GOP. Those with an actual grain of sense think otherwise.

Elizabeth Warren

Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren schools us all on the health care system. First, I love how she lays down the facts. Second, I'm really scared now.

There is some good redistricting news. The surprise: it's from Texas.

There is some not so good LGBT news. What's not a surprise: it's from Texas.

With Newt Gingrich reaching towards the top of national GOP polls, the attacks have begun in earnest.

Mitt Romney has a solid(ish) lead in New Hampshire (their primary, the first, is set for January 10th).

Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal

With the New Hampshire primaries comes talk about candidates' positions on marriage equality, which will be up for a vote later in the month.

Who would have thought that a Senate seat in North Dakota would turn out to be competitive?

While Senate Republicans in Iowa are pushing hard to debate marriage equality in the chamber (despite being the minority party), the Senate majority leader (Michael Gronstal) makes a strong argument to counter them.

Released in Australia, this is probably the best pro-marriage equality ad that has been made to date.

The First Romney Ad (Lies, Lies, Lies)

Gabrielle Giffords: True Strength

Tweet of the Day: November 24, 2011

Holiday Buying Guide

Before doing your holiday shopping, you should know which companies, stores, and brands are gay-friendly...and which are not.

Human Rights Campaign Buyer's Guide

The Religious Wrong: Beware the Muslim Turkeys!!!

The Wrap-Up: November 23, 2011

In last night's GOP debate on national security, Rick Santorum flexed his intellectual muscle.

Speaking of last night's debate, CNN did a little fact-checking into some of the statements made.

It looks like Newt's campaign staff pulled a bit of an oopsie.

So much for Swiss neutrality, at least when it comes to this one and same-sex couples adopting.

Contrast his statements with those of actual professionals in the United Kingdom.

A plan by Pennsylvania's governor to rig the state in next year's presidential election may be dead...maybe.

Social conservatives have started meeting in Iowa to stop Mitt Romney's campaign dead in its tracks.

In Maine, where a pro-marriage equality measure may be on the ballot next year, television ads will start airing around Thanksgiving featuring, among other people, religious leaders.

'Tis the season to give, but be careful to whom you give.

Remember that story I mentioned where NOM may have advocated spitting on a lesbian couple? It appears the story has an update.

In another update, while reporting on the win by Spain's "Popular Party" (which is also an anti-gay party), this happened. Now that's how you protest. (h/t Joe My God)

David Wright of the New York Mets.

An Occupy Wall Street protester had a message for President Obama...and hand-delivered it right to him.

A new Major League Baseball labor agreement will include protections based on sexual orientation. Since I mentioned baseball, I guess that means I can add a completely gratuitous picture of:

It seems like more conservative lawmakers in North Carolina are uncomfortable with the state's proposed anti-marriage equality amendment.

Tomorrow being Thanksgiving and all, I'll be in too much of a food coma to do a Wrap-Up, and I'd expect you all would be in too much of a food coma to read it anyway. Happy Turkey to all!!!

Humour Files: The Other Side of Immigration

 

 From Political Loudmouth

The Bachmann Saga: She Says the Darnedest Things

Super Committee Failure: A Blessing in Disguise?

The Wrap-Up: November 22, 2011

William Cohen

Today marks 48 years since the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Former Defense Secretary and Republican Senator William Cohen pinned an op/ed saying his party's stance on taxes endangers national security.

The failure of the Super Committee may not have been a completely bad thing.

A pregnant woman was beaten at Occupy Seattle and subsequently miscarried.

Elizabeth Warren (despite not running in a national campaign) has risen into the national spotlight and here are some reasons why.

Brandon McInerney

It looks like Brandon McInerney will be getting off relatively lightly for what was undoubtedly a cold-blooded, hate-filled, murderous act.

Is the so-called Christian organization NOM advocating people spitting on lesbian couples? Obviously it's what Jesus would do....

The one way Mitt Romney is consistently conservative? The way he misrepresents facts.

Despite what Republicans say, trickle-down economics doesn't work...unless...

Speaking of Senate races, former Wisconsin governor Tommy Thompson will be jumping into that state's race on the GOP side (amongst others) where the main Democratic competitor will be Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin. It looks like Wisconsin will be a political nerd's dream in 2012.

Jake Plummer

Where a school district is doing nothing to stop bullying, the students are taking action.

Former Broncos QB Jake Plummer had some words about current Broncos QB Tim Tebow...and they weren't exactly about his playing ability. For the record, I agree with Plummer.

And finally, this is most likely the best story you will read for a long, long time.

TV ALERT!!! Tonight will be the first GOP debate with Newt "more child labor" Gingrich as a front-runner, so we'll see how his fellow candidates will handle this shift.

Newt Gingrich Supports Child Labor

Tweet of the Day: November 21, 2011

Insider Trading, Washington Style

The Religious Wrong: Santorum's Sharia

Problem #1: He is drawing a direct parallel between Islamic (Sharia) law and having a Christian version thereof. In other words, he is saying we should do what they are doing while at the same time, many conservatives are railing against Sharia's (non-existent) threat to the U.S. Unfortunately, the GOP is too addicted to hypocrisy to see this.

Problem #2: This would mean that, by law, you would have to love thy neighbor as thyself, which is something Santorum has never been too keen on. Just look at his record and how he has treated/represented his gay constituents in Pennsylvania. He plans on extrapolating that to the rest of America at such time as he becomes President (which is quite likely never).

Problem #3: Him believing that abortion is categorically wrong, even for health reasons, doesn't jive with the fact that his wife had an abortion. Granted that her life was at stake and most people (myself included) would not be against her having the procedure, most people in this case excludes her own husband. According to his own statements (at least if he had the courage of his so-called convictions) would have her tried for "Murder for Hire." Here again, the political right is addicted to hypocrisy.

Problem #4: This won't help his poll numbers, so it will only matter but so much.

The Wrap-Up: November 21, 2011

If you are against "Too-Big-Too-Fail" institutions, consider joining a credit union.

It appears that the Super Committee is heading for failure. Guess which gets the honor of taking more blame?

Mitt Romney can't help but talk out of both sides of his mouth, especially on equality for gay people.

Spain's "Popular Party" won in yesterday's elections. This is not good for the nation's current status of supporting marriage equality as the PP is anti-gay (although this election was more about the economy).

Christmas is winning in its war on Thanksgiving.

Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL)

Because this has really been on my mind lately, here is a little more on "Christmas Creep." I'm glad we finally have a name for this, but sad that it's necessary.

An anti-corporate personhood amendment has been introduced into Congress by Rep. Ted Deutch.

As the recall effort against Governor Scott Walker ramps up, threats have been reported against recall supporters.

Rick Perry has become the latest GOP candidate to sign the "Family Leader's" pledge which begs the question: what took him so long when we all knew it would happen anyway?

In an effort to show how classy a group they are, NASCAR fans booed Michelle Obama and Jill Biden who were bringing awareness to the need for employment for the nation's veterans (they weren't even talking about gay vets either).

Remember how Marcus Bachmann threatened the man from "Truth Wins Out" over $150 owed for counseling sessions (which never took place)? TWO says "Bring it."

Giving further evidence that being a person of faith does not inherently entail being a homophobe, a North Carolina congregation made a surprising move.

***UPDATE***

After I finished writing this, it became official that the Super Committee failed to cut $1.2 trillion from the budget.

Marriage News Watch: November 21, 2011

Tweet of the Day: November 20, 2011

Herman Cain Celebrates Incompetence

Anti-intellectualism has reached a new low.

Off the Cain-Train

When Fox and the Tea Party are against you as a Republican, YOU. ARE. DONE!!!

Humour Files: Just a Phase

Newt Gingrich's Housing Hypocrisy

As if Newt's hypocrisy on family values (the bread and butter of the right politically) was not enough, it turns out that his railing against politicians when it comes to the housing bubble is equally two-faced.

By his own logic, he should be arrested. Someone call the police on this sheister.

How to Buy a Politician

The Wrap-Up: November 16, 2011

Clearly he's thinking of his loving wife, Michele.

Congress seems to be okay with America's kids being fat and unhealthy. HURRAY DIABETES!!!

Marcus Bachmann wants his money, OR ELSE.

Wisconsin's disdain for Governor Scott Walker was just brought home...or at least into his neighborhood.

Rick Perry doesn't want foreigners at his Town Hall meeting. I guess they'll be stopped at the wall by border control.

This story makes zero sense, unless you take into account that it is in Texas.

Restoring some of my faith in Texans (you guys have a lot to make for with Perry AND Bush) is this story of parents rallying around a teacher/coach fired allegedly for being lesbian.

It looks like Mitt Romney didn't just flip-flop on homosexuality/marriage equality once, he did it twice. How is this guy not dizzy from flipping so much?

In the run-up to the Senate Judiciary's hearings about repealing DoMA, state and local lawmakers wrote the body outlining 5 primary reasons to dump the law.

Today is being called a "critical" day in the Super Committee's journey to find $1.2 trillion in budget cuts with only one week before time runs out.

Advocate.com has come out with a list of the 21 most notable coming-out stories of the year. My only issue is that there is another month and a half left.

Herman Cain doesn't think he, as a presidential candidate, is supposed to know anything foreign affairs. This really is the Clown-of-the-Earth.

While many of the GOP candidates are ecstatic about water-boarding (because it works so well), the CIA seems more reluctant.

Rick Santorum seems to know more about this lesbian than she does. His hubris truly knows no bounds.

Yesterday, a security guard at Zucotti Park, where OWS-NYC is head-quartered, called a 6-year military veteran (when was Veterans Day again?) a "faggot." Today, that security guard is jobless.

The Wrap-Up: November 15, 2011

Aaron Copland

Yesterday was the birthday of the late Aaron Copland, one of the best known American composers who was also openly gay.

Catholic Charities ended its lawsuit against Illinois, which had decided to not renew contracts with CC because they would not place children with same-sex couples. In other words, they ended the suit because they were going to lose big-time. How can you sue someone for not renewing a contract any way?

Rick Santorum blames Mitt Romney for marriage equality. Who does he blame for his terrible poll numbers though?

Herman Cain really stepped in it with an interview on Libya.

In other "stepping in it" news, a radio host apologized for "allegedly" equating homosexuality and pedophilia in a conversation about parenting in the wake of the Penn State scandal. This was actually the second apology, as the first was your classic "...if we offended anyone..." apology.

Rep. Gabby Giffords (R-AZ)

Speaking of said scandal, Jerry Sandusky had his first interview (with Bob Costas) since the story broke. I didn't even get to the 3-minute mark (it's about 9.5 minutes long) before I had to stop. It's fairly graphic so consider yourself warned.

In another first interview since a terrible incident, Congresswoman Gabbie Giffords (D-AZ) had hers with Diane Sawyer.

Tennessee's anti-gay "Special Access to Discriminate" bill is getting taken to court. Its passage was a particularly slimy process.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg

Despite the protesting of Mayor Bloomberg, a New York judge has said that the REAL protestors can return to Zucotti Park after a night time raid. At least he was right on marriage equality (silver lining).

With seven weeks left until the Iowa Caucuses, it looks like a 4-way (Perry-less) race is shaping up.

The Michigan legislator who proposed the "moral" exception to the state's anti-bullying law has agreed to drop that language. Maybe someone told him there is nothing moral about bullying, whatever the reason behind it may be.

Twitter Watch: What Is A Bigot

I was looking through my Twitter pages (as per my morning routine) when I found this little gem in my activity feed:

Yeah, that really happened. So, just for good measure, I went to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary's website to see what they had as their definition and here is what it said:

In other words, a bigot is what I always thought a bigot was. It isn't a stretch at all to attribute this word to people who spend their lives away fighting against equal rights for the LGBT community and try to beat us down like we are sub-human. In fact, it is because of people like these that the word is even necessary. How is it not intolerance when you don't want openly gay people to serve in the military? How is it not prejudiced to deny legal protections to committed couples (even though "uncommitted" couples can get the same protections only to end the arrangement days later)? How is it not hatred to single out someone who is LGBT and call them "a fucking faggot" on a regular basis?

I already know what their rebuttal would be. In fact it already has been this: WE are the real bigots. This is, of course, categorically false. The LGBT community as a whole is not moving for anyone to be stripped of their rights the way some groups, primarily religious groups (though not all religious groups) try on a regular basis to keep us beneath social/legal parity with the rest of society. We seek equality, not dominance over or submission from anyone. We seek the same rights, privileges, opportunities and respect afforded to everyone else.

I would submit to the author of the above tweet that not only do gay people understand the meaning of the word bigot, we understand it better than most people on this Earth will ever have the displeasure of understanding it because of people like him/her.

Tweet of the Day: November 14, 2011

Who Elizabeth Warren Is

The Wrap-Up: November 14, 2011

John Aravosis

Those assaults against LGBT youth in Ohio weren't isolated incidents. The state's schools have a higher anti-gay bias than the national average.

John Aravosis asks whether the Catholic Church is really fighting about religious freedom or just power/money. We all know the answer, but it's still a good read.

St. Petersburg, Russia is considering a law so rabidly homophobic in so many ways, it's hard to fathom that it didn't come from Bryan Fischer.

Did you know that homosexuality is a gateway drug?

GQ interviewed Herman Cain. Disaster ensued...

Chelsea Clinton

With only days left for the Congressional Super Committee to come up with a plan, things aren't looking that great.

Brad Pitt put a death-clock on his acting career.

I guess Chelsea Clinton really has grown up.

President Obama's main legislative victory, the affordable care act, is going to be reviewed by the Supreme Court.

There is tons of work to do to fight Minnesota's anti-marriage equality amendment.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the news Republican "Flavor of the Week," NEWT GINGRICH!!!

There is a serious conflict of interest in the court case against scum-of the Earth-pedophile Jerry Sandusky.

Ruben Diaz

In last week's DoMA hearings, some GOP senators stated that giving benefits to same-sex couples is too expensive, ignoring the obvious fact that those same benefits are costing far more in going to the far more numerous opposite-sex couples.

Sometimes, you just have to revel in irony, especially when it's against New York state senator Ruben Diaz.

Marriage News Watch: November 14, 2011

Tweet of the Day: Novermber 13, 2011

Herman Cain Compares Himself to Moses

Dear Herman Cain,

You aren't Moses and, contrary to what they think, the Koch brothers aren't God.

Get a clue,
Rob from VA

Elizabeth Warren on "Occupy" Support

The Wrap-Up: November 11, 2011

DON'T FORGET THAT TODAY IS VETERANS DAY!!!

In a 95-0 vote, the U.S. Senate passed a jobs bill for veterans.

Most Americans believe that government SHOULD address the growing income gap.

The Michigan state House passed the anti-bullying bill, but without the controversial language passed in the Senate.

Rhode Island is learning that inequality has a price.

Ashton Kutcher has no idea why Joe Paterno was fired, and that got him in trouble.

Despite (or maybe because of) rampant sexual harassment accusations, Herman Cain raised a lot of money since the beginning of October.

It increasingly seems as though the GOP candidates are hellbent on cutting America's investment in the next generation.

Rick Perry may not be able to debate (AT ALL), but at least he can make fun of himself (even though there are plenty of people doing that for him).

Newt Gingrich's presidential campaign may not be as dead as many thought.

A bill was introduced into Congress providing for age appropriate comprehensive sex-ed because, as we all know, abstinence only education is crap.

The Tea Baggers Party in four minutes.

The eleven best & worst political quotes of 2011 (at least so far, there's another month and a half for Michele Bachmann to say something stupid). 

Speaking of Crazy Eyes Michele Bachmann, she is yet another politician to be occupied...but not by Marcus.

And lastly, I would like to personally thank all Americans who currently serve or have served in the armed forces. It is because of people like them that, among other things, we can all speak freely on blogs like this.