Judge Strikes Down Indefinite Detention (NDAA)

NDAA Faces the Courts

VICTORY!!! Thank God for this judge.

The Wrap-Up: April 19, 2012

While I may not have precognitive powers, I definitely saw this one coming from miles away. There is a coalition of organizations suing against the National Defense Authorization Act because of the HUGE potential to destroy civil liberties that comes with it.

In yet another massive fit of hypocrisy, Eric Cantor and House Republicans (who are always talking about simplifying the tax code) are pushing legislation that creates more paperwork for small businesses.

There are now six Seattle churches against joining the archbishop's petition drive in an effort to overturn the recently passed marriage equality bill. This shows a growing disconnect between the Catholic hierarchy and rank-and-fill parishioners.

After having to be as far to the right as possible to get the GOP nomination, it's time for Mitt Romney to do the 2-Step back to the center.

One of the main groups being targeted by both Republicans and Democrats is the Latino population.

It is no surprise whatsoever that Republicans will use faith in their political arguments until clergy members speak against said Republicans. This is called ideological inconsistency...or just using religion as a pawn for political gain.

Personally, I don't care how many years of tax returns a candidate releases. However, the least Mitt Romney could do is give an excuse for a low number of years without including a lie.

NOM's Dump Starbucks campaign is not just a domestic flop, but an international one as well. Some people just don't realize when they are fighting the long defeat.

And lastly, a straight male student is running for Prom Queen. I feel like he will be out of his depth...at least with finding the right dress.

The Wrap-Up: March 1, 2012

Finally, the Virginia state legislature gets something right.

This is probably not the best thing to be happening to House Republicans going into a national election, but they brought upon themselves...again. Yet another reason Eric Cantor can't be trusted.

The fight against Super PAC's in the wake of Citizens United is being taken to the SEC.

Baptists are rallying against North Carolina's amendment to ban marriage equality.

It looks like all of those anti-woman statements may have cost Rick Santorum in Michigan. Time for a course correction.

Some very good news out of California on marriage. Sure it's about three years too late, but better late than never (I guess).

A funny thing happened to the place where NASCAR was founded...

And lastly, a message from the creator of the Gay Marines Facebook page where the kiss seen 'round the world was posted:

The Wrap-Up: February 20, 2012

Garden State Equality had an interesting response to Gov. Chris Christie's veto of marriage equality.

North Carolina's anti-equality amendment doesn't just affect marriage, it's effects are far more reaching and dangerous.

In other far-reaching legislation, several states are pushing back against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which allows for indefinite detention of Americans without trial AND allows for the U.S. military to operate within the United States.

To whom it may concern, THIS is how one makes up for saying something homophobic, instead of a half-assed "I'm sorry IF I offended anyone." Are you reading this athletes (not all, but they know who they are)?

New Mexico's version of DoMA (the so-called Defense of Marriage Act) is dead. My condolences (well...not really).

President John Adams

The Obama administration takes another pro-gay step  that we KNOW would not happen under a Republican president (and may be undone under one).

Speaking of Obama, he really can't catch a break with the GOP. Something bad happens and it's all his fault. Something good happens and it's a conspiracy. So much for giving props where props are due I suppose.

There is some interesting information on socialized medicine and health care mandates...from the 1700's...and passed/signed by the founders.

And lastly, got up early to get grilled on marriage equality. She's seriously spinning faster a windmill in a tornado.

The Tragedy of the NDAA

The Wrap-Up: December 16, 2011

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins

Apparently, U.S. postal offices have a ban on Christmas caroling. Cue the outrage from Tony Perkins.

A Virginia board has officially given adoption agencies license to discriminate based on, among many other things, sexual orientation.

It was reported earlier this week that most of NOM's money comes from a handful of large donors (making it NOT a grassroots organization). That, combined with other financial issues, has apparently pressed NOM to plead for more donations.

Those controversial provisions of the NDAA may have been insisted on by President Obama.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin

Tax holidays, which politicians propose in order to help with job creation, don't create jobs. Ad this to the list of things Republicans don't know about economics, as if the list wasn't already a mile long.

The European Union is  not looking to kindly on some anti-LGBT moves made by Russia. 

Herman Cain thinks he would be a great Secretary of Defense. I get that he ran Godfather's Pizza, but seriously...

Governor Jerry Brown (D-CA)

Do you know anyone with homophobic parents? Do you have homophobic parents? Have them give this a read.

Republicans beware! Anti-incumbent sentiment is at an historic high. 

What does Governor Jerry Brown (D-CA) have to say about climate change deniers?

And lastly, Jon Stewart took aim at Lowes, TLC, the Florida Family Association, and Islamophobia on "The Daily Show."

The Wrap-Up: December 15, 2011

President Barack Obama

The White House has rescinded its threat to veto the National Defense Authorization Act, despite many terrible provisions that are patently un-Constitutional.

Canadians are being warned that their nation may be striped of its progressive accomplishments by the Tories (conservatives), including (but not limited to) marriage equality.

If Lowes removed its ads from TLC's "All-American Muslim" to avoid controversy, the scope of its failure seems to grow by the day.

The Florida "Family" Association, the organization claiming credit for getting Lowes to drop its ads in "All-American Muslim," has quite a long list of complaints.

Donald Trump

The video I posted yesterday about Virginia chapters of the Tea Party and Occupy Richmond meeting was based on an article from Salon.com which can be found here.

Not only are most of the GOP candidates not showing up to Donald Trump's debate, he isn't showing up either.

Rick Santorum says he is right where he wants to be in this GOP race. Someone should tell him that political campaigns don't work like golf scores.

 

A GOP led effort to pass a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution failed on Wednesday 47-53 (it needed 2/3 to pass). A similar measure had already failed in the House.

Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) made a few surprising admissions on liberals and the debt in a Wednesday appearance on C-SPAN.

Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC)

What constitutes blocking a president's nominee to be an ambassador? If You're Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), denouncing homophobia. This of course says more about DeMint than it says about the nominee.

West Virginia has included sexual orientation and gender identity/expression in the state's anti-bullying policy.

And lastly, Mitt Romney has just nabbed the wiccan-demographic.

The Wrap-Up: December 14, 2011

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)

Someone needs to make Lowes aware that an apology where you do NOT admit any wrong-doing doesn't count as an apology.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) took some time out of his busy schedule to tell us what millionaire job-creators and unicorns have in common. Though that probably sounds like a dig on Reid, what he said his pretty much on point.

Members of Occupy Wall Street will be meeting with the Congressional Progressive Caucus this week. Hopefully this is the beginning of this movement having a more concrete effect on policy-making.

The parents of Tyler Clementi made an appearance on NBC to talk about what happened with their son.

According to their own financial records, the so-called National Organization for Marriage is more astro-turf than grassroots.

Mahlon Mitchell

Political gay-bashing just doesn't have the pay-off it once had (not even for conservative Republicans), as Rick Perry is finding out.

A contender may be emerging in Wisconsin to fight against Governor Scott Walker who is being recalled, but the race is still shaping up.

If you're wondering why Congress gets nothing done, it's because we have Senators talking about bestiality. This waste of time is brought to you by James Inhofe (R-OK).

Liberty here in the United States is taking a lot of hits at the hands of Congress.

National Public Radio takes a look at Mitt Romney's talking out of both sides of his mouth gay rights problem.

Sgt. Garon (right) with Mitt Romney

The gay Vietnam veteran (Army Sgt. Robert Garon) who confronted Mitt Romney on marriage equality spoke to MSNBC's Thomas Roberts about the encounter.

A lesbian couple, with their two daughters, talked to the mayor of Troy, Michigan (who started a firestorm with homophobic comments made on FaceBook) in a city council meeting. Judging by the audience response, I'm pretty sure I know what they think of the mayor.

And lastly, AfterElton takes a look at the year's most memorable LGBT quotes, from bitter to the sweet, the funny to the down-right strange.

NDAA: Government Over Reach

I won't claim to be a legal scholar (most of what I know outside of grade school and university is from "Law & Order," for whatever that's worth), but I'm pretty sure this is extremely anti-American in a number of ways. It goes against the concept of federalism, the separation of different levels of government (i.e. local, state, and federal). It goes against the fifth amendment (due process) of the Constitution. It goes against the sixth amendment (speedy trial) of the Constitution. It goes against habeas corpus (roughly, you can't just throw someone in jail indefinitely and throw away the key) which is a legal principle that has existed for almost 800 years. Despite all of that, 93 Senators decided to take a precious right and cast it aside...and for what?

When you sacrifice liberty for security, you may end up with neither.