Tweet of the Day: January 22, 2012

Humour Files: Family Values

From Political Loudmouth:

Tweet of the Day: January 21, 2012

Who's Threatening Marriage?

From Political Loudmouth:

Band of Hypocrites

Hypocrisy is definitely nothing new to politics on either side of the aisle. Hell, it is pretty much a daily occurrence. I have to say though that during last night's GOP debate on CNN, I was particularly disgusted. Time and time again, the four remaining candidates talked ad nauseum about individual liberty, freedom, and so on and so forth. The problem is that each one of those men, to varying degrees, have talked about restricting the rights of LGBT Americans. 

Each one of these candidates has talked about being against marriage equality. Three of them (excluding Ron Paul) have signed a pledge that states, in part, that they will support and fight for a constitutional amendment banning marriage equality. What is even more hypocritical about this particular issue is how it goes categorically counter to their constant speech about states' rights. There are several states that have enacted marriage equality, as well as several others which are currently in the process of following suit. Such an amendment as these Republicans would support is a "screw you" to the rights of those states to expand the liberty of their citizens, as well as any who would in the future aim to enact marriage equality.

Then there is Don't Ask Don't Tell, which three of the four GOP candidates (Ron Paul again being the exception, he voted for DADT's repeal in 2010) have said they would try to reenact. DADT is a rule that flies in the face of equal rights as well because it forces gay, lesbian, and bisexual soldiers to at best hide who they are, at worst, outright lie. This is a problem not faced by their heterosexual counterparts.

There are several other issues where these Republican candidates abdicate the principles of individual liberty and equal rights such as (but not limited to) adoption, parenting, employment-discrimination, etc. They have made it clear that regardless of their repetitive rhetoric on individual liberty, freedom, and equal rights, that they are against those fundamentally American principles.

One more thing: If Newt Gingrich ever utters the words "sanctity of marriage," someone needs to cram those words down his throat until he cokes on them.

Victories on SOPA & PIPA

From MSNBC:

Lawmakers on Friday indefinitely postponed anti-piracy legislation that pits Hollywood against Silicon Valley, two days after major Internet companies staged an online protest by blacking out parts of prominent websites. 

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid postponed a showdown vote in his chamber on the Protect Intellectual Property Act, or PIPA for short, that had been scheduled for January 24.

Lamar Smith, the Republican chairman of the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, followed suit, saying his panel would delay action on similar legislation called the Stop Online Piracy Act, or SOPA, until there is wider agreement on the legislation.

"I have heard from the critics and I take seriously their concerns regarding proposed legislation to address the problem of online piracy," Smith told Reuters in a telephone interview.

The article in its entirety can be read HERE.

Virginia Gov. McDonnell Picks a Candidate

Governor Bob McDonnell (R-VA)

From CNN:

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell announced he was backing GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney Friday, saying his support could help Romney win Saturday's hotly-contested South Carolina primary.

"I'm a Southern governor endorsing Mitt Romney in the first Southern state primary," McDonnell said on CNN's "Starting Point with Soledad O'Brien."

"The governor of South Carolina has endorsed him as well. I think hopefully that will help him some. He's the one that's been consistent. Other candidates have been up and down. He is the consistent, results-oriented conservative who has the best record and the best message on jobs and on cutting spending," McDonnell said.

Romney's campaign said McDonnell would campaign with Romney in South Carolina ahead of Saturday's first-in-the-South primary, including a stop Friday in Charleston.

McDonnell, considered a rising Republican star, has served as governor of Virginia since 2010, and also acts as the chairman of the Republican Governors Association. He is seen by many as a potential vice presidential pick for the eventual GOP nominee.

The article in its entirety can be read HERE.

Barack Obama on Citizens United

This video is from the State of the Union address which took place early in 2010.

The Wrap-Up: January 20, 2012

Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX)

Hours before last night's debate, Rick Perry dropped his bid for the GOP nomination. I'm sure you're all surprised.

Last night's GOP debate on CNN was sponsored by (prepare to be ill before reading)...

Advocate.com has pinned an op-ed about Karen Santorum's remarks regarding the gay community's dealings with her husband.

So, about opposite-sex couples being better parents than same-sex couples...

A study shows a relation between a state's tax rate and the well-being of the state's children that the GOP probably won't like.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)

Speaking of debunking myths, here is one for all my fellow males who think they're better drivers than women.

SOPA & PIPA over the last few days have lost a lot of legislative support (including some former co-sponsors).

According to Rush Limbaugh, a victim is someone who asks for an open marriage with the women he's married to/cheated on (i.e. Newt Gingrich). And people take Limbaugh seriously because...?

Anti-discrimination laws are under assault in Nebraska.

Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ)

The GOP has made their choice on who will respond to President Obama's "State of the Union" address next week. I'm not yet sure if there will be another Tea Party response by Michele Bachmann.

As of yesterday (before the debate), there was some good news for Newt Gingrich.

Is Governor Christie (R-NJ) still for vetoing marriage equality?

Small business owners have an overwhelmingly negative view of the Citizens United decision.

And lastly, marriage equality in Washington has gotten a few more boosts.

The Wrap-Up: January 19, 2012

Karen & Rick Santorum

Lots of internet sites went dark yesterday, including Wikipedia, in protest of SOPA and PIPA.

I get that Karen Santorum wants to defend her husband (against the big bad gays), but this probably will backfire (if it hasn't already).

Michigan Democrats have a plan to address higher education in the state.

Jerry Springer

I feel like I have heard this repeatedly over the last few months, but Congressional approval has hit an all-time low (again).

As New Jersey moves to enact marriage equality, Garden State Equality is looking for witnesses to testify before a legislative committee.

Yesterday morning, Jerry Springer called out "Fox & Friends" on-air on their partisanship.

Scott Walker has a second  Democratic challenger.

The state of Washington has officially introduced a marriage equality bill into the legislature.

Mayor Jerry Sanders of San Diego

The four New York Senate Republicans who voted in favor of marriage equality are seeing a promise kept. Republican legislators in Washington should take note of this.

The United Kingdom's Deputy Prime Minister has responded to a conservative uprising regarding the nation's move to enact marriage equality.

A delay in the effort to overturn marriage equality in New Hampshire may be a very good sign.

The mayors of many of America's largest cities are sounding the call for marriage equality.

And lastly, tonight will see another GOP debate, this one aired on CNN at 8 PM. I'm enough of a political nerd that I haven't really gotten tired of these yet.