Saturday, December 27, 2008

Memphis and the Great Gay Migration


Gay blogger, and former Memphian, Chris Crain has an inciteful analysis of the Great Gay Migration and the impact on cities like Memphis. There is growing concern here in Memphis about the migration of wealth and tax revenue out of the city and the mounting financial crises and social problems left behind. Crain points out that cities that have benefited from the migration of upper income people have at least one thing in common--a large and influential gay community. This may explain part of the reason that cities like Nashville are more culturally and economically advanced than Memphis, which continues to suffer from poor race relations and the combination of homophobia and a small politically weak gay community.

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Saturday, November 15, 2008

Memphis Protest Against Prop. 8



Here in Memphis about 100 protesters gathered at City Hall to protest the passage of the anti-gay marriage Prop. 8 in CA and support equality and LGBT civil rights. (It was windy, wet and COLD!)
Contrats to Amy Livingston with the Women's Action Coalition in Memphis for organizing the local demonstration!

Demonstrations were held nationwide, in about 90 cities, as part of Join the Impact

Gay Rights Rallies Nationwide

LOTS more pics a Towleroad

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Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Obama Wins!


Barack Obama is the President-Elect of the United States!
"Change Has Come to America"


Now the HARD work begins! The political pressure is already growing to push Obama to the RIGHT, to govern from the "center" and not carry out his progressive agenda. It will take a large social movement to really create CHANGE.

My joy and excitement over Obama's victory is tempered by the passage of Prop. 8 in CA. It is sad that the voters of California have voted 53%-47% (with only 26% votes reporting) and sided with the religious right to rescind marriage equality for gays and lesbians.

Florida and Arizona have also passed anti-gay marriage amendments, and Arkansas has passed a ballot measure to BAN gays and lesbians from adopting!

American voters may be ready for a Black president, but they are not ready to support equal rights for gays and lesbians.

(It is time for DEMOCRATS, especially Liberal/progressive Democrats, to STOP saying they support "civil unions" but NOT marriage equality for gays and lesbians. Progressive Democrats must stop reinforcing the public fear of same-sex marriage!)

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Friday, October 31, 2008

Don't Get Burned Again: Vote Nov. 4!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

David Duke's 2008 "European American" Conference Nov. 8-9


David Duke's "European American" Conference is Coming to the Mid-South

White Power Summit Being Held in Mississippi Nov. 8-9

From the DeSoto Times:
OLIVE BRANCH — A White Power summit billed as the International Euro Conference featuring former Neo-Nazi and Klansman David Duke and other white supremacists will apparently go on as planned at Whispering Woods Hotel and Conference Center in Olive Branch Nov. 8-9.

The conference will go on despite the fact the hotel may have been duped into believing the conference involved environmental concerns.

Jacob Flowers, director of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center in Memphis, said it’s his understanding the conference organizers may have misled the conference center’s management about the conference’s goals and objectives by representing the group as an environmental organization.

“Our concerns are many,” Flowers said. “Especially from a group that espouses such hateful beliefs. We recently had white power terrorists in our area.”

Flowers was referring to three young men from the Mid-South who planned to murder and behead 14 African-Americans at random and then attempt the life of Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama. The three men reportedly communicated via Internet sites such as the Stormfront Web site.

Whispering Woods issued a statement that they "were not initially informed that the ultimate user of the facility would be the Euro Group."

Hotel representatives said they do not endorse the purposes of the Euro Group.

Law enforcement agencies will be out en force to monitor the activities of the group.

UPDATE: Whispering Woods Conference Center Manager Quits

UPDATE: Duke Planning New Site for White Power European Conference

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This after the ATF Stopped a Plot to Assassinate Barack Obama by members of the "Supreme White Alliance"

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Friday, September 19, 2008

David Duke's 2008 "European American" Conference Coming to Memphis



The Grand Wizard David Duke's 2008 "European Conference" is Coming to Memphis!
(Nov. 7-9)

Memphis is the home of James Edwards and the anti-Semitic, White Racist "Political Cesspool" Radio Program.

The Mid-South Peace & Justice Center is organizing to oppose the White Supremacists

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Thursday, August 14, 2008

Unfit for Publication: Obama Campaign Hits Back!



Unlike John Kerry, the Obama campaign is hitting back at the right-wing attack machine!

Read the Obama Campaigns response to Jerome Corsi’s THE OBAMA NATION
“UNFIT FOR PUBLICATION”

For more see:
Media Matters Report: Unfit for Publication: Obama Nation Filled with Falsehoods

Huffington Post: Obama Campaign Punches Back Hard Against Corsi Smears

UPDATE:
Jerome Corsi, Obama Nation Author to Appear on White Supremacist Radio Show!

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Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Arkansas Democratic Party Chairman Killed by Gunman

Arkansas Democratic Party Chairman Bill Gwatney Killed in Shooting

Is it another right-wing, liberal hating terrorist acting out the wishes of right-wing talk radio, or just another bitter unemployed white man who blames Democrats for Republican economic policies that are destroying the working class??

Two's a Trend

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Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Nikki Tinker Runs Racist Ad Against Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN 09)



TPM says this brutal new attack ad by Nikki Tinker against liberal TN Rep. Steve Cohen "might be the nastiest, more race-baiting ad of the entire election cycle"

Nasty Attack Ad Hits Jewish Dem Congressman for Visiting "Our Churches"

This brutal new attack ad from House candidate Nikki Tinker, who is challenging liberal Tennessee Rep. Steven Cohen in tomorrow's Democratic primary, just might be the nastiest, most race-baiting (and Jew-baiting) ad of the entire cycle:

"While he's in our churches, clapping his hands and tapping his feet ... he's the only senator who thought our kids shouldn't be allowed to pray in school," the announcer says, referring to an old vote against school prayer from when Cohen was a state senator. And remember, this is coming from a Democrat.

Nikki Tinker race baits Steve Cohen. @ Yahoo! Video

This follows another ad that tried to link Rep. Steve Cohen to the Ku Klux Klan:



This ad got the following reply from the Memphis Commercial Appeal:
Tinker Ad Lowers Bar in the 9th

See Also on Bilerco: Why is EMILY'S LIST Endorsing Anti-Semitism, Racism and Homophobia?

Re-Elect Rep. Steve Cohen August 7 in the TN 9th District primary!

UPDATE: Niki Tinker just made Keith Olbermann's "Worst Person in the World" on MSNBC's "Countdown" !

UPDATE: Emily's List Condemns Tinker's Ads

UPDATE:
Democratic Presidential Nominee Senator Barack Obama has just issued the following statement regarding the negative campaign ads issued by Nikki Tinker in her 9th District Congressional campaign against Congressman Steve Cohen:
“These incendiary and personal attacks have no place in our politics, and will do nothing to help the good people of Tennessee. It’s time to turn the page on a politics driven by negativity and division so that we can come together to lift up our communities and our country,” said Barack Obama.

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Monday, July 28, 2008

God, Gays and Guns: Obama was Right!




Knoxville Church Shooter Was Angry Over Liberals, Gays & Work

Obama was right! Some people are turning to "gods & guns" because they are "bitter" about the economic distress they suffer as a result of right-wing (Reaganomics) policies, but they blame liberals, blacks, immigrants and gays!

Out & About: Shooter Targeted Church Because of its Support of Gays

Guess where Jim Adkisson, the 58 year old gun man, learned to blame the gays and liberals for his problems?
O'Reilly, Savage Hannity on Accused Church Shooter's Reading List

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Saturday, July 26, 2008

Obama Vs. Mccain's Media

The MSM (mainstream media) is doing its best to "balance" Obama's trip and speeches in the Middle East and Europe by trying to cover up John McCain's gaffe's and blunders, and make it appear that McCain is catching up to Obama in the polls.

First, the media has followed the lead of John McCain and the Republican Party and make the "surge" the issue instead of the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq. The Democrats were duped by the Bush administration into supporting the "surge," and instead of cutting off funds for the Iraq occupation they went along and increased funds and troops in Iraq! Now the McCain campaign, and the media, is trying to make Obama's opposition to the surge THE issue on Iraq rather than the invasion and occupation!

And Obama has failed to respond to these attacks directly. He has failed to call the surge a FAILED policy which diverted attention and resources away from the larger "war on terrorism" and the fundamental problems with the Iraq occupation. He has allowed McCain and the media to convince the public that the surge was a success!

McCain got away with his erroneous claims that the surge was responsible for recent decreases in U.S. deaths and violence in Iraq, which were the result of a cease fire by Iraqi "insurgents" and sunni groups taking on Al Qaeda BEFORE the surge!

While Obama has been giving inspiring, intelligent speeches and meeting with foreign leaders, McCain has been aggressively attacking Obama for not supporting "the surge," and calling his Iraq position the "audacity of hopelessness".
Obama must be more aggressive! He must take on the Bush/McCain LIES about Iraq and "the surge"! Obama cannot play nice, he must FIGHT for the general election!

The media has also been pushing some recent polls (taken BEFORE Obama's trip to Europe and the Middle East) suggesting that McCain is catching up to Obama in a "tight" race. Most of these polls show a 4-6 point lead for Obama (still) while a few swing states which were leaning toward Obama are still swinging. Even these polls show that Obama is still beating John McCain and is WAY ahead in electoral votes still.

Some of the anti-Obama Clintonistas, who have been echoing the right-wing attacks on Obama verbatim, are claiming/hoping that Obama will loose to McCain so Hillary Clinton will run again in 2012. Many of them (PUMA anti-Obama women) are even supporting John McCain (who has a horrible record on women's rights!) They are pathetic!

While it is amazing that Barack Obama (a first term senator) is BEATING a more "experienced" politician like John McCain, it is also amazing because he has been in a political battle not only with McCain and the GOP, but with the Clinton campaign and bitter Clinton supporters who are now supporting McCain. Most of the racist anti-Obama attacks started with the Clinton campaign and her supporters. They continue to fan the anti-Obama racist flames and are behind many of the smears against Obama.

Politics sure makes strange bedfellows!

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Wednesday, July 23, 2008

McCain Makes Another "Gaffe": He's Unqualified to be President!

Once again John McCain makes a "gaffe" on Iraq and the mainstream media covers up for him!

McCain Makes False Claim on Iraq Timeline

In an interview with CBS News' Katie Couric tonight, John McCain made the false assertion that the Surge brought about the so-called Anbar Awakening. Except, as MSNBC"s Keith Olbermann points out, the Surge was announced after the Awakening. Olbermann also explains that CBS News edited the gaffe out of the final interviewed that aired Tuesday night.

As Ilan Goldenberg points out on Huffington Post, this is not just another gaffe, like referring to a non-existent Iraq/Pakistan border, it is a major misunderstanding of Iraq:

"This is not controversial history. It is history that anyone trying out for Commander in Chief must understand when there are 150,000 American troops stationed in Iraq. It is an absolutely essential element to the story of the past two years. YOU CANNOT GET THIS WRONG. Moreover, what is most disturbing is that according to McCain's inaccurate version of history, military force came first and solved all of our problems. If that is the lesson he takes from the Anbar Awakening, I am afraid it is the lesson he will apply to every other crisis he faces including, for example, Iran.

This is just incredibly disturbing. I have no choice but to conclude that John McCain has simply no idea what is actually happened and happening in Iraq."

JOHN MCCAIN IS NOT QUALIFIED TO BE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF!

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Sunday, July 20, 2008

Majority of Californians Back Marriage Rights

Good News from CA! According to a new Field Poll survey, a Majority of Californians Back Marriage Rights for Gay Couples.

The Field Poll survey firm found 51 percent of voters oppose the measure, which proposes an amendment to the state's constitution recognizing marriage as only between a man and woman, while 42 percent were in favor.

Californians will vote on the initiative, which requires a simple majority to become law, while casting ballots in November's presidential and congressional elections.

The survey results follow a decision Wednesday by the state's high court to permit the measure, Proposition 8, to appear on the ballot.

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Friday, July 18, 2008

Harold Ford Jr. Heckled at Netroots Nation Conference



Harold Ford Jr. Heckled at Netroots Nation

HFJ, the leader of the DLC (the Republican wing of the Democratic Party) was heckled at the Netroots Nation conference in Austin during a discussion of FISA, Obama and the Democratic Party. The loudest response came when HFJ praised his former colleagues at the right-wing Fox News network, where he served as a pundit.

He also explained to the conference that sometimes "Democrats" have to take positions that a lot of Democrats don't like to win elections in conservative elections. Ford lost a race for the U.S. Senate in Tennessee in which he ran a campaign that embraced many conservative positions, especially against gay marriage.

Apparently, Harold Ford thinks homophobia is politically expedient!

See my Stop Harold Ford Jr. Webpage for more on HFJ's conservative record.

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Sunday, June 15, 2008

"Spreading Progressive Ideas on the Web"

Shameless promotion...

The Commercial Appeal has a feature story in this Sundays paper on Mid-South bloggers:
Memphians Use Technology to Express their Opinions-and Break News-on a New Medium

Featured is Left-Wing Cracker
Defending His Position

and My own Queer Notes
Spreading Progressive Ideas on the Web

Of course, they left out a lot of good ones....

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Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Rep. Steve Cohen On Bilerico: "A Fight I Didn't Pick"



Rep. Steve Cohen (TN 9th Dist.) On Bilerico:
A Fight I Didn't Pick

Steve Cohen is one of the few progressive/liberal LGBT supportive elected representatives in Tennessee. I'm proud he is representing my district in Memphis. He needs our support!

Contribute, volunteer at: Cohen for Congress

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Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Sen. Edward Kennedy Has Brain Tumor



Shocking news today: Sen. Edward Kennedy Has Malignant Brian Tumor

Like other great liberal/progressive icons, Ted Kennedy has been one of the most demonized political figures in American politics, hated by conservatives, but loved by liberals for his courageous and passionate career defending the poor, women, labor, gays, etc. John McCain calls Kennedy the last "Great Lion" in the Senate.

The Nation: Kennedy-The Senate's Fighting Liberal

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Thursday, May 01, 2008

"Mission Accomplished": Bush Most Unpopular President in Modern History!


According to CNN/Opinion Research Corp Poll, George Bush is the Most Unpopular President in Modern History!

A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Thursday indicates that 71 percent of the American public disapprove of how Bush his handling his job as president.

"No president has ever had a higher disapproval rating in any CNN or Gallup poll; in fact, this is the first time that any president's disapproval rating has cracked the 70 percent mark," said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.

"Bush's approval rating, which stands at 28 percent in our new poll, remains better than the all-time lows set by Harry Truman and Richard Nixon (22 percent and 24 percent, respectively) but even those two presidents never got a disapproval rating in the 70s," Holland added. "The previous all-time record in CNN or Gallup polling was set by Truman, 66 percent disapproval in January 1952."

CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider adds, "He is more unpopular than Richard Nixon was just before he resigned from the presidency in August 1974." President Nixon's disapproval rating in August 1974 stood at 67 percent.
Here's why:

5 Years Since “Mission Accomplished”

Today is the fifth anniversary of President Bush’s speech declaring a US victory in Iraq. On May 1, 2003, Bush stood on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln under a banner that read “Mission Accomplished.”
President Bush, speaking May 1, 2003: “Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed.”

Since those words, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been killed and injured, while 3,900 US troops have been killed and tens of thousands more wounded. Earlier today, nine Iraqi civilians were killed and another twenty-six injured in a car bombing targeting a US patrol in Baghdad.

US Death Toll Highest in 7 Months

Meanwhile, US casualties have also reached their highest point in seven months. At least six US troops were killed in the past two days, bringing the April toll to forty-eight, the highest one-month toll since September.

See Also: Bush's Class War

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Friday, April 18, 2008

Time's Up for Hillary Clinton: Obama Winning Nomination



Time Is Running Out for Hillary Clinton: Time and Delegate Math Not in Her Favor!

Using the Republican Dirty Tricks PlayBook against Barack Obama seems to be backfiring against Hillary Clinton.
Newsweek Poll: Hillary Drops, Obama Pulling Away
Obama 54%, Clinton 35% !
Only 41% view Clinton as Honest and Trustworthy! (61 Percent for Obama and McCain)

ABC NEWS Poll: Obama Surges on Electability; Hillary Not Trustworthy
By 2 to 1, 62-31 Percernt, See Obama as More Electable in November than Hillary Clinton.
58 Percent say Hillary is NOT trustworthy or honest!
--

Another former member of the Clinton cabinet has endorsed Barack Obama: Robert Reich, Sec. of Labor in the Clinton Administration.

Obama was also endorsed today by Sen. Sam Nunn and Sen. David Boren.

DNC Chair Howard Dean calls upon superdelegates to decide NOW!
----
Meanwhile Hillary blames Democratic activists for her losing: Hillary Slams Moveon.org/Democratic Activists!

Here's another enthusiastic endorsement from the Philly Daily News:

VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA

THE CHOICE in Tuesday's Democratic presidential primary is not only the one between a white woman and a black man. It's a choice between the past and the future.
More specifically, the nation must decide how to face the future racing toward us in the form of slumping home sales, unstable financial markets and increased joblessness - and staring at us from the Green Zone in Iraq and the beds at veterans hospitals.

Should Democrats choose someone who will employ hard-won - even bitter - experiences gained in a past Democratic administration, or reach beyond political truisms toward a new (and untried) model of governing?

Neither choice is obvious. Perhaps that's why the race has gone on for so long.

But the long slog through 44 primaries and caucuses has confirmed for us that Sen. Barack Obama's vision of change - and the way he plans to pursue it - is what we need right now. Badly.

This is a campaign that really began six years ago, on Sept. 11, 2001. Not only was the U.S. attacked and seriously wounded, it did not bounce back the way "the land of the free and home of the brave" should have. In fact, it still suffers from post-traumatic stress.

That day and its aftermath cried out for a revolution of values: a clear-eyed shared vision, a cooperative effort, a unified purpose. It cried out for a recognition that conventional warfare and conventional responses to domestic challenges in an era of globalization were not enough.

That cry was not answered.

Instead, the Bush administration embarked on an unconscionable plan to exploit the fear we all felt that day for political gain. It lied us into a disastrous war in Iraq, a staggering, record deficit at home, a weakening of the constitutional structure on which the country rests, and poisonous lines of division among Americans. It led us to a place where 81 percent of Americans say we're on the wrong track.

Contrary to Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign slogan, we believe Barack Obama is more likely to be "ready on Day One" to lead us in a new direction. Because of his experience.

Sure, Clinton has more "experience" of a sort. For one thing, she has 14 more years on earth. How much of this experience is directly applicable to the job of president is, at best, debatable.

We are frankly troubled by her assumption that her husband's administration and accomplishments were her own. And if her equation holds, that the first spouse is an equal partner in the administration, then the reappearance of Bill Clinton in the White House is a prospect we have a hard time reconciling with the work that needs to be done.

THERE IS a way to match Clinton's and Obama's performances on a relatively equal playing field: their campaigns.

A candidate's campaign may be the best indicator of how she or he will govern. If so, an Obama administration would be well-managed, inclusive and astonishingly broad-based. It would make good use of technology and communicate a message of unity and, yes, hope.

It would not be content with eking out slim victories by playing to the narrow interests of the swing voters of the moment while leaving the rest of the country as deeply divided as ever. Instead, an Obama administration would seek to expand the number of Americans who believe that they have a personal stake in our collective future - and that they have the power to change things.

It would motivate them to hold their representatives accountable for making it happen. That is, after all, the only way to get us out of Iraq, to address global warming, to make us energy-independent. It's the only way to resist the forces arrayed against providing universal health care, rebuilding our infrastructure and returning our schools to world-class status. It's the only way to give our children the means to compete with children in other parts of the world who are healthier, better-educated and have more opportunities than many of our own.

An Obama administration would be freer of the the corrupting influence of big-money donors and corporate interests. Obama has raised $240 million overall, with half coming in contributions of less than $200. People who contribute to political campaigns can feel they "own" a candidate and so Obama would owe allegiance to the wide swath of America that has financed his campaign.

Based on his experience in running a quarter-billion-dollar enterprise with thousands upon thousands of volunteers, we could expect an Obama administration to be well-managed and cost-effective, with the president choosing forward-thinking advisers committed to his program, demanding that they work as a team and pay attention to details.

He would be steady and calm, given neither to irrational exuberance or outbursts of anger. He would make mistakes, that's for sure, but he could be expected to recognize them, adjust, and move forward.

He would adjust his views to reality rather than trying to adjust reality to his views.

Obama's unprecedented appeal to younger voters is significant not only because it expands the electorate, which is vital. It's also a validation of his promise as a president to be free of the baby-boomer/Vietnam/segregation-era hangups.

Younger people are more egalitarian, more accepting of diversity, and more comfortable with rapid change. They also are less confined by old resentments or regrets.

AND AN OBAMA administration would lower the tone of the rhetoric that separates us.

As New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has said, Obama is a once-in-a-lifetime candidate who has the skill and eloquence to help us raise our eyes and our aspirations beyond individual, personal concerns, beyond religion or region or race or gender, beyond our well-founded fears to a shared destiny.

Most candidates claim that they will change the way business is done in Washington. Barack Obama has made us believe that, yes, he can. *"

UPDATE: Obama Greeted by 35,000 People in Independence Park, Philadelphia (Largest Crowd of his campaign!)

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Thursday, April 03, 2008

MLK's Last Speech



MLK's last speech, delivered in Memphis forty years ago tonight.

What if King were still alive? He'd be called an anti-American, racist, communist, just like when he was alive.

Ironic how even (most) conservative Republicans praise King now, but when he was alive they despised him. He was feared because he spoke truth to power. He was more than just a "civil rights" leader. He saw that "social justice" would require much more than civil rights legislation. He condemned U.S. imperialism and accused the U.S. of war crimes and terrorism. He opposed the Vietnam War. He was starting to spread his wings to take on poverty and capitalism, before he was taken from us. But his dream is our dream, and he lives through us.

Speaking Truth To Poverty, Martin Luther King III

MLK's Legacy is Alive and Well, Jesse Jackson

Another Angry Black Preacher, E.J. Dionne

When Liberalism's Moment Ended, E. J. Dionne

King's Promised Land is Still Far Off Amy Goodman

What If MLK Had Lived? CNN

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Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Bush's War: Five Years Later




Today marks the 5th Anniversary of Bush's Illegal Invasion of Iraq and the continuing illegal occupation:
$3 trillion, $12 billion a month, 4,000 U.S. casualties, 100,000 + Iraqi deaths.

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Wednesday, March 12, 2008

The $3 Trillion Dollar War

In their new book The Trillion Dollar War, Joseph Stiglitz, winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize in economics, and Linda Bilmes estimate the full cost of the Iraq "War" (invasion and occupation) to be $3 trillion (and the cost to the rest of the world to be another $3 trillion). (The Bush administration said the war would only cost $50 billion, the amount being spent every three months!)

For one-sixth of the cost of the war, the U.S. could put Social Security on a sound footing for more than half a century, without cutting benefits or raising taxes!

The U.S. national debt (which was $5.7 billion when bush became president) will be $2 trillion higher because of the war alone (in addition to the $800 billion increase under Bush before the war)!

The Bush administration LIED about everything to justify the illegal invasion of Iraq, including the cost!

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Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Why do (some) Feminists Hate Barack Obama (Black Men)?



Ferraro: "They're Attacking Me Because I'm white"

There was more fallout today from Geraldine Ferraro's Racist Attack on Barack Obama

Ferraro told the Daily Breeze of Torrance, Calif.: "If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman (of any color) he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept."

This from a woman who was chosen to be Walter Mondale's V.P. partner ONLY because she was a woman! And she was so dull she made Mondale look charismatic!

Hillary Clinton tried to distance herself from Ferraro's comment, sort of:

Clinton said, "I do not agree with that," and later added, "It's regrettable that any of our supporters _ on both sides, because we both have this experience _ say things that kind of veer off into the personal." (Ferraro is STILL part of the Clinton campaign.)

Obama called Ferraro's comments "patently absurd."

"I don't think Geraldine Ferraro's comments have any place in our politics or in the Democratic Party. They are divisive. I think anybody who understands the history of this country knows they are patently absurd," he told the Allentown Morning Call. "And I would expect that the same way those comments don't have a place in my campaign they shouldn't have a place in Senator Clinton's either."

Ferraro is pushing back: Ferraro is pushing back and standing by her statement:

"Any time anybody does anything that in any way pulls this campaign down and says, 'Let's address reality and the problems we're facing in this world,' you're accused of being racist, so you have to shut up," she told the Daily Breeze of Torrance, California. "Racism works in two different directions. I really think they're attacking me because I'm white. How's that?"

Why do Ferraro and some Pro-Hillary Feminists HATE Barack Obama? They are so envious that a black man is beating their candidate that they make outrageous sexist and racist attacks on Obama and his supporters!

UPDATE: Politico's Ben Smith dug this past comment by Geraldine Ferraro on Jesse Jackson in 1988:

A Ferraro Flashback:

"If Jesse Jackson were not black, he wouldn't be in the race," she said.

Really. The cite is an April 15, 1988 Washington Post story (byline: Howard Kurtz), available only on Nexis.

Here's the full context:

Placid of demeanor but pointed in his rhetoric, Jackson struck out repeatedly today against those who suggest his race has been an asset in the campaign. President Reagan suggested Tuesday that people don't ask Jackson tough questions because of his race. And former representative Geraldine A. Ferraro (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday that because of his "radical" views, "if Jesse Jackson were not black, he wouldn't be in the race."

Asked about this at a campaign stop in Buffalo, Jackson at first seemed ready to pounce fiercely on his critics. But then he stopped, took a breath, and said quietly, "Millions of Americans have a point of view different from" Ferraro's.

Discussing the same point in Washington, Jackson said, "We campaigned across the South . . . without a single catcall or boo. It was not until we got North to New York that we began to hear this from Koch, President Reagan and then Mrs. Ferraro . . . . Some people are making hysteria while I'm making history."

Why Does Geraldine Ferraro hate black men??

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Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Is this the Beginning of the End of the Democratic Party?

With the help of Rush Limbaugh and many conservative voters and very negative campaign ads, Hillary Clinton won Ohio by 10% and Texas by about 3% Tuesday, and can legitimately claim to have a chance, though slim, of catching up to Obama's delegate count. The math does not seem to be there for her to win the nomination, but if everything goes her way from now to the end, and the "superdelegates" side with her, she could possibly be the Democratic nominee, which isn't good for a number of reasons.

Many voters, including myself, are beginning to have "buyer's remorse" for Barack Obama. While Clinton has ran an effective NEGATIVE and DIRTY campaign against Obama, he has not fought back as aggressively as he should have, which makes one wonder if he would really be a strong candidate against John McCain. But Hillary's negative, and unfair, attacks on Obama were effective. Although the negative ads were unfair and inaccurate, they showed that negative campaigns are more effective than "nice" campaigns (ask John Kerry, Mike Dukakis and Walter Mondale).

As much as I despise Hillary Clinton, I am also disappointed in Barack Obama. There is not much difference between the two Democratic candidates on issues like NAFTA, "free trade," military spending, or even health care. Both are peddling inadequate band-aid approaches to health insurance rather than taking on the insurance companies and proposing the only real "universal" health insurance program--a public single payer system. Neither will take on military waste and cut military spending. Neither will defend FULL equal rights for gays and lesbians (i.e., marriage equality), etc...

All this underscores a fundamental problem with the Democratic Party. What does the Democratic Party stand for? Why are Democrats running from its liberal traditions and embracing Republicanism and "smaller government"? Why are Democrats caving in to the most unpopular President in modern history to continue to fund the illegal occupation of Iraq and trying to find a way to give immunity to the telecom companies that participated in illegal acts against American citizens? Why haven't Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid stood up to the Republican MINORITY in the House and Senate? (Pelosi and Reid are two of the most pathetic weak excuses for political "leaders" I have ever seen!)

To say the least I am growing more and more disenchanted with the Democratic Party that not even an Obama nomination will do much to change, but a Hillary Clinton nomination will definitely fuel even more. It is looking like neither Obama or Clinton will defeat John McCain in the general election. If the Democratic Party loses THIS election, given the failures and unpopularity of Bush and the GOP, what purpose does the Democratic Party serve in the U.S. political system? Are liberals and progressives being duped once again into supporting the Democratic Party in hopes the party will "change"??

I will be honest, I am having a political crisis at this moment. I have been trying to work "within" the Democratic Party for 20 years, with little to show for it. Why should people like myself (progressives, democratic socialists, etc.) keep sacrificing our political values and principles by supporting the Democratic Party? And what are our options? The Green Party? The Socialist Party? The Communist Party (yes it still exists and has also been supporting Democrats!) Anarchism? What are our choices?

Like many other left/progressives, I am asking these questions this election year and may not be able to put my faith in the Democratic party nominee again.

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Tuesday, February 19, 2008

De-Constructing the "Ex-Gay" Myth Memphis Conference




Beyond Ex-Gay is having an "ex-gay" survivors conference in Memphis this week (Feb. 22-24) featuring a number of events and workshops to counter Focus on the Family's anti-gay "Love Won Out" Conference. For more information and resources visit Deconstructing the Ex-Gay Myth: A Weekend of Action and Art It's good to see somebody organizing events to expose the truth about the "ex-gay" movement.

Personally, I don't have any problems with religious fanatics who want to repress their own homo-desire, but when they align themselves with political groups who oppose the civil rights of LGBT people, I have a problem. I believe many people are "bisexual" and should have the right to choose their own sexual preference and identity, and that includes those who want to choose a "straight" life. We should not, however, allow the anti-gay religious right to make the issue of choice the basis of our civil rights. People should have the right to choose their sexuality, just like they have the right to choose their religion. No one should be forced to "change" to suit other people's religious beliefs. And we should respect the rights of those who Choose to Be Gay!

One of the organizers of the conference, and one of the founders of Beyond Ex-gay, Peterson Tuscano has posted some videos about his experiences with Love in Action in Memphis.

Here's a preview of one of the films being shown at the conference, "This Is What Love in Action Looks Like"

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Sunday, February 17, 2008

Racist, Homophobic Black Preachers Attack Cohen Again



Once again, racist/anti-gay black preachers are attacking Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-09). An anti-Semitic flyer proclaiming Steve Cohen and the Jews Hate Jesus is being circulated in the African America churches, apparently by Rev. George Brooks of Murfreesboro, TN. Cohen's challenger in the Aug. 5 Democratic primary, Nikki Tinker, denies any knowledge or part in the flyer. The Anti-Defamation League condemned the flier for attempting to incite racial tensions between African-Americans and Jews.

Last August Cohen was attacked by the Black Baptist Ministerial Association for supporting the Hate Crimes bill because it would include sexual orientation and cover gays and lesbians. One minister, Robert Poindexter of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church proclaimed, "He's not black and he can't represent me."

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Friday, February 15, 2008

Another School Shooting: Why?



The Northern Illinois University Shooting should put gun control back into the U.S. political discussion, but both parties ignore the problem of guns and pander to the gun nuts, the NRA, and the gun lobby.

Steve Kazmierczak, the shooter who killed at least 6 people at North Illinois University, used the same website as the Virginia Tech shooter, Seung-Hui who purchased a gun to kill 32 people at that school.

Gun violence and mass kills are almost daily news:

Virginia Tech, the Omaha mall shooting, Colorado church shooting, the Missouri City Hall shooting, as well as the three other school shootings — in the last week — in Louisiana, Tennessee, and California

Also, this week: In an apparent hate crime, a Gay Teen Shot in the Head, Declared Brain Dead
Why is it so easy for people, even people with mental problems, to buy handguns and assault weapons in the U.S.? Why won't our political leaders, especially the so-called "progressive" ones, stand up to the NRA and gun lobby?

Let's STOP THE NRA!

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Friday, February 08, 2008

Obama Has Clear Lead Over McCain (Clinton Ties)

Two polls this month show that Barack Obama has a Clear Lead over John McCain

According to a CNN Poll, Obama leads McCain by 8 points (52% to 44%). Hillary Clinton only leads by 3 points (50% to 47%) but that's within the margin or error, so they are statistically tied.

In the TIME Poll, Obama leads McCain by 7 points (48% to 41%), while Hillary Clinton and McCain are tied with 46% each.

Clinton has the highest negatives, 44% say they don't like her compared to 36% who don't like McCain and 31% who don't like Obama.

The big difference is among men. Men give McCain an 18 point lead over Clinton (57% to 39%). Against Obama, however, McCain's lead among men shrinks to 3 points (49% 5o 46%). Clinton does not draw well among men, Obama does.

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Right-Wing Groups Ready for Hillary




The right-wing attack machine is gearing up to take on Hillary Clinton.
David Bossie, who was one of the relentless investigators of Clinton in the 1990s, and his right-wing PAC Citizens United are selling Hillary: The Movie which has been screened by conservative groups around the country and is being distributed on DVD. Citizens United is also working on TV attack ads. If Hillary is the Democratic nominee, it's not going to be pretty.
This will make the anti-Kerry "Swift Boat" Ads look tame.

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Monday, February 04, 2008

More Obama Endorsements

Rep. Steve Cohen Endorses Barack Obama
I went into the Obama HQ here in Memphis to try to get some Obama buttons (they are out!) and walked in on Steve Cohen's press conference announcing his endorsement of Barack Obama.

Joan Baez Endorses Obama The first time the folk singer/legend has endorsed a political candidate!

Obama Offers Presidential Leadership Among the Ruins, Gary Hart

How Obama Could Create a Long-Term Democratic Majority, Paul Roget Loeb

Can the Democrats Blow it Again?

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Monday, January 21, 2008

MLK: The Great Liberal



Conservative Republicans love to identify themselves with Ronald Reagan. Why don't more Democrats quote Martin Luther King to defend LIBERALISM??

While most conservatives even give lip service to MLK (though some still hate him and opposed a holiday in his name!), it is important to remember that King led and participated in a progressive movement much broader than civil rights for one race of people. He spoke out against the Vietnam War, he marched with striking workers, he supported the labor movement, he called for CUTTING military spending and drastic increases in social spending, i.e., he exemplified the greatness of LIBERALISM!

If he were alive today, conservatives would label him a weak, anti-American, liberal, commie and probably try to link him to Islamic terrorism!

Dr. Martin Luther King: Why I am Opposed to the Vietnam War

Reclaiming King: Beyong "I Have A Dream"

Brave New Films has a great new Fight the War On Greed video which continues MLK's Liberal Dream

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Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Ron Paul Exposed: Racist, Homophobic Bigot??



The Ron Paul cult has quite a following, including many well-meaning anti-war young folks and anti-government "libertarians" who think he is a modern George Washington who will free us all from the tyranny of Big Brother. The truth is that Ron Paul has a history of racism and association with white supremacists.

In an article published in The New Republic, Angry White Man, James Kirchick dug up Ron Paul's "Freedom Report" going back before 1999. According to him, "What they reveal are decades worth of obsession with conspiracies, sympathy for the right-wing militia movement, and deeply held bigotry against blacks, Jews, and gays, In short, they suggest that Ron Paul is not the plain-speaking antiwar activist his supporters believe they are backing--but rather a member in good standing of some of the oldest and ugliest traditions in American politics>'' The newsletters contain racist attacks against Martin Luther King and other civil rights leaders, defense of the Confederate, and anti-government paranoia and sympathy for right-wing militias.

Orac's Science blog has another expose: Ron Paul-Quackery Enabler which documents more of Ron Paul's looney ideas (anti-evolution, opposes FDA regulating drugs, etc..)

And check out:
Earl Ofari Hutchinson: Ron Paul Is Scarier, but those who Cheer Him are Scarier!
"Paul's views are a corn ball blend of libertarianism, know-nothing Americanism, and ultra conservative laissez faire limited government. This marks him as a type A American political quirk...what really makes him scary--There are apparently millions that don't see a darn thing wrong with any of this and pillory anyone who does. They are even scarier than him."
(Reading the comments of Paul's followers is scary! )

Many (most?) of Ron Paul's followers seem to have no understanding of his extremist "libertarian" beliefs about abolishing Social Security and just about every government program since the New Deal.

(Not sure Ron Paul is really a "libertarian" given his opposition to abortion and gay rights, etc.)

And for a detailed critique of Libertarianism and Objectivism, see Mike Huben's Critiques of Libertarianism

UPDATE: CNN Has now picked up this story: Ron Paul '90s Newsletters Rant Against Blacks and Gays

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Friday, January 04, 2008

The opening round goes to Obama and the Huckster

Crossposted from LWC...

My, my, my. Obama's people had predicted over 200,ooo Iowans would caucus on the Democratic side, when I couldn't remember there ever being more than 125,000. I thought either they were blowing smoke up our collective arses, or they had a great organization in the Hawkeye State.


Pick the latter, folks. There were over 218,000 who caucused Democratically on Thursday night, and the junior Senator from neighboring Illinois pulled 37.58% of them, topping John Edwards and Hillary Clinton, in that order. Mighty well done, sir, mighty well done.

I was at Drinking Liberally at Dish on the hippest corner in town, Cooper and Young, where our pal Vibinc rocked the house with his live-blogging of the current state of affairs in each party.

As for the Goopers, Mike Huckabee, after only being in the state three months and having been out-spent by Mitt Romney, who I believe had been in Iowa over a year, thoroughly tromped on the former Massachusetts Governor, 34% to 25%. Fred Thompson, rumored to be dropping out, limped in just ahead of the man he is rumored to be endorsing after said departure, John McCain.

Oh, by the way, our Blog-Ruler Kos noted the following tonight:

There were approximately 356,000 Iowans turning out from BOTH parties. Here's how the top four candidates fared when grouped together:

Obama 24.5%
Edwards 20.5%
Clinton 19.8%
Huckabee 11.4%

So much for Iowa being a Republican state!

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Obama/Huckabee Win Iowa


Obama and Huckabee are the winners of the Iowa Caucuses
On the Democratic side, Obama was first with 38%, Edwards came in second with 30% and Hillary Clinton was third with about 29%.
On the Republican side, Huckabee was first (34%), followed by Romney (25%) and Thompson (13%)

Dodd, Biden and Gravel have dropped out of the Democratic race.

The good news is that Hillary Clinton was last. I hope Edwards can keep going and force Hillary out. I can live with Obama and/or Edwards, but the Democrats cannot nominate Hillary Clinton! If they do, they risk losing in 2008.
I prefer Edwards because, next to my first choice Dennis Kucinich, he is the most progressive
See Norman Solomon's Edwards Reconsidered
Also:
Edwards First Candidate to Call for Withdrawing ALL Troops from Iraq
Only One Democrat (Edwards) Will End Iraq Occupation

Kucinich alienated many progressive supporters by telling his supporters in the caucuses to make Obama their second choice. Why? There is no reason for progressives to pick Obama over Edwards! Edwards is more progressive on a number of issues. His populist campaign presents the Democratic Party with a real alternative to DLC centrists like Obama & Clinton. Obama is a great speaker, but he is too moderate and he is another "corporatist" like Hillary Clinton.

Those who think Obama is a "progressive" should read this article by Paul Street in Z Magazine:
The Obama Illusion

Both Edwards and Obama gave great speeches, but Edwards did not concede is is going on to New Hampshire. I hope Democrats wake up and support his campaign to fight corporate greed and the growing inequality in American society.

Even though he is a Christo-fascist nutcase, Huckabee should not be underestimated. He talks like a "populist" and is a smooth politician. He won over 40 percent of the black vote in Arkansas. He is downplaying his past comments about gays and winning American "back for Christ" He can appeal to black voters and many low income Christians as well as independents. He would be a greater threat to the Democrats than the other GOP candidates, except possibly John McCain, who I think will make a come back and win the GOP nomination.

Edwards could win a general election against Huckabee by 25%--Compared to Clinton (10%) and Obama (15%)
See Edwards Vs. Huckabee: The Contest Democrats Would Love to See

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America: Huck Yeah!

Who wants to bet the Huckster doesn't take NH?

Nevertheless, I may have to rethink my predictions. Not so much because of the numbers in Iowa, but because of how stupidly Romney is campaigning.

The Homos Are Coming!

From Pam's Houseblend: AFA Action Alert on "Homo Invasion" of Arkansas Town!

Anti-gay homophobic bigot Don Wildmon's "American Family Association" (Tupelo MS) is promoting a new DVD, "They're Coming To Your Town" which "shows how a small group of homosexual activists took over the city council in
Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and began imposing their homosexual agenda on that community..."They're Coming To Your Town" shows how, using deceitfulness and lies, homosexuals maneuvered themselves into positions of power and then used those positions to promote their agenda. According to Don Wildmon, the DVD, "is an eye-opener to those who are not familiar with how homosexuals use the system to attain their goals."

Hmm..haven't the Christian Right been using "deceitfulness and lies" to maneuver themselves into positions of power to promote their agenda? Haven't the Christian fundamentalists been trying to take over towns like Eureka Springs? If it wouldn't support the AFA, I would order this DVD to see how we can take over Memphis!

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Wednesday, December 05, 2007

When NOT to Vote Black in Memphis



Great article over on the Black Agenda Report on When Not to Vote Black (In Memphis) contrasting the white (Jewish) progressive Rep. Steve Cohen with his conservative black predecessor, Harold Ford Jr. and his chosen heir, Nikki Tinker.

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Saturday, September 15, 2007

"Bush Dog Democrat" John Tanner Helps GOP



Tanner Sparring with Fellow Democrats Over Iraq

"Bush Dog Democrat" John Tanner is an embarrassment to the Democratic Party. He and other DINOS (Democrats in Name Only) are the reason this illegal occcupation is not over yet and our troops are stuck in the middle of a civil war. Anti-War activists should target DINOS like Tanner for protests, etc. We need to get him out of office and replace him with a REAL (progressive) Democrat!

Tanner and fellow ">Bush Dog Democrats are working on a "compromise" to help the Republicans get their way on Iraq, and keep our troops in the middle of that country's growing civil war.

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Monday, September 03, 2007

Ministers Apologize/Welcome Rep. Steve Cohen



Good News. Maybe something good will come out of this...

Bethlehem M.B. soothes Cohen's wounds after roughing up at ministers meeting

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Sunday, September 02, 2007

R.I.P. Progressive Talk 680



What happened to Progressive Talk 680 AM? The Air America affiliate has been on autopilot for a while now, with lots of repetitive filler about "Fun Food Facts" and Memphis history lessons, but no local news, commentaries, etc. except for repetitive and often imbecile "Blue Hotline" comments. Obviously the program director has been unable, for some reason, to get advertisers. Given the fact that Shelby County is a majority Democratic county, and that progressive media like Memphis Flyer don't seem to have a problem getting advertisers, it is hard to see why this station could not get enough advertising. Instead, the station has been airing Cardinal baseball games and other sports programs, and may even become an all sports station.

I have been thinking of many ways to improve the station: have local commentaries from our many local activists and bloggers, have local progressive news, replace the Fun Food Facts fillers with informative short programs like Jim Hightowers Commen Sense Commetaries, better promotion and advertising, and maybe even try another local talk show with a real progressive personality with some connection to the Memphis progressive/liberal communities.

It will be a big loss if we loose Air America and Progressive Talk 680.
It's a shame since we will lose the only Air America radio station in the mdsouth and no longer have Thom Hartmann, The Young Turks, Randi Rhodes, Rachel Maddow and other great progressive talk radio shows to share our airwaves with Rush Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Reilly and company.

UPDATE: Progressive Talk 680 is DEAD, it is now Fox Sports Radio! You can stream Air America online or download the PodCasts for some of the shows on iTunes.
There is also Democracy Now! and Go Left TV
It looks like the progressive/left will have to find ways around the corporate media to make our voices heard, Democracy Now is a good start.

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Saturday, September 01, 2007

Homophobic Preachers Attack Rep. Steve Cohen


His Behindness, Homophobic bigot "Apostle" Alton R. Williams (World Overcomers)

Rep. Steve Cohen Meets with Black Ministers Over Hate Crime Bill and was viciously attacked by a group of anti-gay, RACIST, bigots. The Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association, a group of 100 black ministers, have been using Cohen's support for the Hate Crime Bill which includes sexual orientation to argue that he cannot represent blacks. "He's not black and he can't represent me," said Rev. Robert Poindexter of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. "Apostle" Alton R. Williams (World Overcomers) said, "The real motivation...is about getting laws passed that will federally protect gays and lesbians." That is the real issue is not "freedom of speech" or "freedom of religion," it is that these racist bigots do not want a white person representing them and they do not want gays and lesbians to have the same civl rights they have. LaSimba Gray, past of New Sardis Baptist Church, said they were offended by suggestions that the black and gay communities are somehow connected. Well, we are connected, we are human beings and we have suffered as a group from prejudice, bigotry and discrimination. In MLK's words, injustice against any of us is an injustice against all of us. I guess these "ministers" did not understand the MLK's message.

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Thursday, August 30, 2007

Anti-Gay Bigots Boycott the Commercial Appeal



His Great Behindness "Apostle" Alton Williams (see below) and the Memphis City Churches is waging a boycott of the Commercial Appeal because Wendi Thomas has not agreed with their anti-gay, theocratic stupidity.

The Memphis Flyer reports:

Baptist Ministers Propose Boycott of Commercial Appeal

Blogger Thaddeus Mathews is reporting that an alliance of Baptist ministers, led by A.R. Williams of the World Overcomers church (the man who brought us the Statue of Liberty holding a cross) has begun a movement called "Operation Wake-Up Call."
The purpose of the movement is to boycott The Commercial Appeal because it "opposes Christianity."

The group has published a five-page document which it apparently plans to distribute to churches thoughout Memphis. The flier cites in particular CA columnist Wendi Thomas for her "Godless" writing. It seems Wendi has had the temerity to criticize certain preachers and has even quoted Buddha -- which obviously makes her a spawn of Satan. Or something.

In the document posted on Mathews' site, the ministers say they plan to boycott all Scripps-Howard newspapers and their advertisers.

To which we can only say, Jesus H. Christ, Praise Allah, Oy Vey, and Tickle Me, Elmo, these people are a national embarrassment and we're going to renew our subscription to the CA today.

08/30/2007
The Memphis Flyer

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Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Congress Approval Lowest Ever

The Democratic congress has failed the American people. Gallup: Approval Rating for Congress Matches Lowest Ever Recorded Only 18% of the American people approve of the job of this Congress, matching the lowest ever in 1992. It is even lower than George Bush's 32% approval rating. We can thank the Bush Dog Democrats who capituated on the Iraq War and unconstitutional wiretapping. Tennesseans are responsible for FOUR Bush Democrats: Cooper (TN-05), Lincoln Davis (TN-04), Gordon (TN-06), Tanner (TN-08).

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Sunday, August 12, 2007

Kos Smacks Down Harold Ford Jr.

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Pathetic Harold Ford jr. Attacks Democratic Base!





The PATHETIC Harold Ford Jr., the new leadere of the "Democratic Leadership Council" (sic), appears on FOX NEWS to bash the Daily Kos Yearly Kos convention, and writes a pathetic column attacking the BASE of the Democratic Party, Our Chance to Capture the Center. The DLC, and yes BILL CLINTON, has almost destroyed the Democratic Party! Here is the record HFJ and the DLC are so proud of: NAFTA (destroying U.S. jobs), "welfare reform" (cutting AFDC for poor women and children), telecommunications act (media consolidation), "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA), enshrining discrimination against LGBT Americans into federal law, "Don't Ask Don't Tell" (throwing thousands of military people out of the military for being gay), cave in on Health Care (leaving 50 million people without insurance still..), etc. etc. On issue after issue Clinton and the DLC have abandoned the PRINCIPLES of the Democratic Party, their legacy has been to join the Republican Party and the radical right to DESTROY the legacy of FDR and LBJ! And all of HFJ's pandering to the homophobic bigots in TN couldn't get him elected! Wake up Jr.! The BASE of the Democratic Party was at the Daily Kos convention, NOT the DLC convention! The Democratic Presidential candidates didn't even come to your little meeting in NAshville! And your pathetic DLC Democrats have caved in to BUSH over and over, funding the illegal war that the MAJORITY of Americans oppose, and making Bush's illegal wire-tapping of Americans legal! We can only hope the DLC continues to wither and die so we can save the Democratic Party and our democracy!

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Monday, August 06, 2007

Cohen Co-Sponsors Bill to Impeach Cheney!



The Commercial Appeal reports that Rep. Steve Cohen is Co-sponsoring a Bill to Impeach Cheney! "Before returning to Memphis on Sunday after a marathon weekend House session, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., signed on as a co-sponsor of bills to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney and to censure both Cheney and President Bush." ANother reason to support Tennessee's ONLY progressive U.S. Congressman! We have our own Bernie Sanders here in TN! Folks this is very important, and we MUST do everything to support Steve Cohen and show that we want Bush and Cheney to be IMPEACHED! We must (a) contact Steve Cohen and tell him we support the impeachment of Bush/Cheney (b) organize! We need to get on the street (Poplar/Highland) every Sat./Sunday with signs to Impeach Bush/Cheney! (c) We need to get a petition going in Memphis and present it to Cohen to show the support here in Shelby County to Impeach! Go to Impeach Bush and AfterDowning Street and World Can't Wait and get your t-shirts, signs and bumper stickers, and lets hit the streets in Memphis! There will be a march in Washington on Sat. Sept. 15 to Impeach Bush & Cheney, let's organize a street protest on that day at Poplar & Highland 11 AM to 2 pm! Get your signs and T-Shirts now!

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Sunday, August 05, 2007

Lesbian Attacked in Jackson




A Dyer Co. Lesbian Was Attacked in Jackson Club
Miranda Greer told Jackson police that a man approached her when he saw her dancing with a male friend. The man thought she was a gay man because she looks masculine, and started calling her names and telling her to leave. When she told him she was a lesbian, he responded by punching her in the face, and then used a beer bottle to jab her in the eye four times before smashing the bottle over her head. I wonder if he thought he was also doing God’s will?

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Congress Kisses Bush's Ass Again

The Democratic-led Congress has once again kissed Bush's ass. The same "Democratic" Congress that continues to cave in on funding the illegal occupation of Iraq, has now also caved in on illegal wiretapping of U.S. citizens. Congress has just approved Bush's Request to Expand Wireless Wiretapping. The vote was 227-183, with 180 Democrats voting against it, but enough Democrats voted for it to pass. The bill will expand FISA to allow wiretapping of calls with foreigners. Congress has also passed a Record $460 billlion "Defense" Bill which includes such wasteful spending as $8 billion for "missle defense." This Congress is pathetic! The Green Party or Socialist Party is looking better everyday, but I know, the Democrats are our only hope to hold off total fascist control of our country, gods help us!

From Queer Notes

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Friday, August 03, 2007

Pharisees

Around the time Margo and I started dating, her mother found out she had cancer. She had surgery and radiation treatment over the next several years. She still has to go to the doctor to deal with some of the lingering side effects of the radiation and whatnot, but she’s been cancer free for seven or eight years now. She was lucky. They had health insurance. She was a stay at home mom, and her husband worked in a G.E. factory for 35 years. It’s a running semi-joke in the house that she’s not allowed to get sick again because there’s a lifetime maximum on how much the insurance will pay out. It’s not entirely a joke, however, the factory started shipping out more and more jobs to China. He figured his job would be gone any day, so he took the early retirement offer and the cut in pension that led to so he could be sure and keep his health insurance. They were lucky.

He started work at the factory soon after high school and kept that job his whole life. Those sorts of jobs aren’t really around much anymore. That’s why his sister works at Walmart. That’s why her children work at Wal-mart and Rent-to-Own. These sorts of jobs pay half as much, they don’t include benefits, and they won’t let you work full time. They’re also just about the only jobs left in Selmer. What if he had been born a bit later, and ended up working at Wal-mart out of high school instead of G.E.? Without insurance would she have gone in to the doctor early enough to catch the cancer before it was too late? What would have happened to them when the costs for the surgeries and radiation and checkups mounted? What would have happened to them when she fell down and broke her leg in three places last night because the radiation weakened her bones?

They were lucky. They have health insurance. I know others who aren’t. I know people who let their Diabetes go mostly untreated because they can’t afford care. I know people who’ve gone bankrupt because they got cancer. There is something wrong with someone working a 40 hour week for years and years and losing it all because of a disease they can’t control. There’s something wrong with a country whose biggest “moral issue” is who people have sex with in their own homes when people are sick and uncared for, when people are homeless and unsheltered, when people are hungry and not fed. I wonder which issues Jesus spent his time talking about? Certain pastors who are up in arms about a bill to increase funding for “hate crimes” should stop and think about their congregations. They should stop to think about their city. Are more people suffering in this city because of lack of healthcare or because someone wants to prevent hate crimes? Are more people suffering because of poverty or because we happen to have a white guy in Congress? Far be it for me to tell pastors a damn thing about religion, but it seems to me someone might have their priorities a little mixed up. The God I pray to is a God of love and caring for those less fortunate, not a God of politics and condemnation and self-righteousness. But what does this sinner know?

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Black Pastors Attack Rep.Steve Cohen/Endorse Herman Morris



A group of predominantly African-American pastors calling themselves Memphis City Churches is waging a campaign against gay and lesbian civil rights, especially marriage equality, but now are focused on stopping the Hate Crimes bill (H.R. 1592), and are attacking Rep. Steve Cohen for supporting it. Their web site is filled with fallacious attacks on gays and attempts to use homophobia and anti-gay prejudice to scare people into opposing the hate crimes bill by erroneously claiming that the bill would prohibit preachers from preaching against homosexuality and make anti-gay religious views a crime. H.R. 1592 says NOTHING about prohibiting anti-gay speech and was amended to specifically states that the bill will have no effect on free-speech rights. So who is behind this anti-gay campaign? Their web page is linked to anti-gay religious right groups, including the Family Research Council and the American Family Assocication. I suspect these groups are orchestrating a nation-wide campaign to mislead African-American religious groups and pastors to oppose hate crimes legislation and any other legislation that recognizes the civil rights of gays and lesbians.

Rep. Steve Cohen spoke out in support of H.R. 1592 in the House of Representatives.

This group of black minister, including Dr. Bill Adkins of Greater Imani Church and Rev. LaSimba Gray of New Sardis Baptist Church, who tried to get A.C. Wharton to run against Herenton in the Memphis mayoral election have now endorsed Herman Morris for Mayor. Hmm. I wonder if they knew that Herman Morris spoke at the Mid-South Pride Rally in June in support of gay and lesbian rights? And I wonder if Herman Morris knows this group is anti-gay? I know these "black leaders" don't represent all of the black community, but will the progressive African-American leaders (Herman Morris?) stand up to them and denounce their bigotry??

UPDATE: As I suspected, the Memphis City Churches, the group behind the attacks on Rep. Steve Cohen and the Hate Crimes Bill, are getting their talking points from the anti-gay Family Research Council which attacks Steve Cohen on their webpage.

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Friday, July 20, 2007

Conservative Warns of Police State: Calls for Impeachment

Following up on my last post, here is a RAW STORY summary of Thom Hartmann's interview with conservative Paul Craig Roberts, who is warning that the Bush/Cheney regieme is counting on another "terrorist" attack to follow through on their implementation of a police state. You can read Roberts Column on Counterpunch.

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Thursday, July 19, 2007

Impeach!

Even some conservatives who still have some principles to stand on are calling for the impeachment of Bush/Cheney! Bruce Fein, the conservative constitutional lawyer who authored articles of impeachment against Bill Clinton and servied in the Reagan Deptl of Justice, has appeared on Bill Moyer's Journal program on PBS and on Air America's Thom Hartmann program to argue Bush and Cheney should be impeached, and that the case for impeaching Bush is more serious than the article of impeachment he authored against Bill Clinton. Another conservative, Paul Craig Roberts was on Thom Hartmann program today (july 19) saying that unless congress Impeaches Bush & Cheney immediately, we may be in a dictatorial police state. They join Bob Barr and a growing number of CONSERVATIVES, who agree with 45 percent of the American people that Congress should begin impeachment hearings against George Bush, and 54 percent who support impeachment hearings on Dick Cheney. When will the Democrats in Congress stand up to defend the Constitution of the United States? It is time for US, the American people, to take action NOW to save our country from the Bush/Çheney regime! Go to Impeach Bush.org and After Downing Street and get involved with the movement to IMPEACH BUSH/CHENEY! Order some bumper stickers, signs and T-Shirts! Let's get some demonstrations going in Memphis! ImpeachBush.org has a petition we need to circulate and deliver to Rep. Steve Cohen to encourage him to help get the impeachment hearings going in Congress.

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Thursday, May 03, 2007

Bush/GOP Pander to Christo-Fascists

The U.S. House passed the "Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act" Today, and the White House wasted no time dismissing the law and threatening a Presidential Veto, Bush's 3rd Veto in his two terms. The Republicans are pandering to the anti-gay Christo-fascists (Pat Robertson, James Dobson, Focus on the Family, etc.) who do not want ANY government recognition of the civil rights of gays and lesbians which would legitimate our citizenship in the United States. Amazingly, many religious fundamentalists, including a group of African-American pastors, are actively opposing including gays and lesbians in the hate crime law arguing that the law would impose upon their freedom to preach against homosexuality! James Dobson's Focus on the Family and other anti-gay extremist groups have been spreading a BIG LIE that the hate crimes law would outlaw their religious beliefs and freedom to speak against homosexuality. (The law explicitly defends freedom of speech, and only applies to cases in which CRIMES are committed against individuals based on the gender identity or sexual orientation!)

(BTW, the Memphis CBS station, WREG CH. 3, ran a story last night in which they repeated much of the anti-gay religious opposition to the bill without giving any FACTS about the bill. Most of the story was an interview with a black preacher who opposed equating homosexuality with civil rights, and said the law would prohibit him from preaching against homosexuality. That was a LIE. WREG gave NO factual information about what the bill actually said, and gave only a few short minutes to local gay activist Herb Zeman who was not able to counter all the misinformation in the story.) I think we need to contact their station to point out how biased the story was and how they failed to inform the public of the FACTS about the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act!)

If you could not stomach watching the first Republican debate tonight on MSNBC, here's an excerpt in which Tommy Thompson says it is OK for employers to FIRE someone just for being gay!
Republican Debate: Thompson Says Employers Should Allowed to Fire Gays
And as expected, the leading GOP candidates pandered to the religious extremist base of the Republican Party by opposing abortion and gay rights, and each supported the illegal Bush invasion and occupation of Iraq. While they supported the impeachment of Bill Clinton, none were asked about whether they would support the impeachment of Bush and Cheney for their crimes. To learn more about the REAL Republican candidates, check out the DNC Report on the Republican Candidates

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Saturday, April 28, 2007

Impeach Bush/Cheney Demonstrations April 28


I was there with my Impeach Bush sign. Response in Memphis was overwhelming, lots of honks in support of impeaching Bush and Cheney. Many people wanted to sign a petition or get more info and bumper stickers. Why is the Democratic Party ignoring the growing movement to Impeach Bush/Cheney? Why aren't more Democrats in Congress supporting Dennis Kucinicjavascript:void(0)h's proposal to Impeach Cheney? The Democratic "leadership" in Congress is turning its back on its base once again. While the GOP responded to their base an impeached Bill Clinton for far lesser crimes, the Democrats are more worried about offending "swing voters" and independents. Have they not looked at the polls showing growing support for impeachment of Bush and Cheney? Do they not care if Bush/Cheney are held to account for their crimes? If the Democratic Party does not take its base seriously, they may loose more of us to the Green Party, which does take the impeachment of Bush/Cheney seriously.
If you want to get involved, take action and put some pressure on our Democratic representatives to move on impeaching bush/cheney get invovled in one or more of the groups organizing aroune impeachment:
Impeach Bush.org
Impeach07
After Downing Street
World Can't Wait
The Green Party

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Thursday, April 26, 2007

Soft Balls

Bill Richardson's getting easy questions from Tucker and sounding a little nutty. Is he high on cold medicine?

I missed the damn debate. What happened?

First Democratic "Debate"

The Democratic candidates had their first "debate" on MSNBC tonight. (Isn't it kind of early to be having debates for a an election that is a year away??) Anyway, I was not too impressed with any of the leading candidates. The only two candidates that seemed real and honest were Kucinich and Gravel. I never heard of Gravel until tonight, I like him. He was angry (justifiable since he was ignored) and he showed something most Americans feel right now--he was mad as hell! He was mad a Bush/Cheney and their lies and crimes. He was mad the the Democrats for being talking out of both sides of their faces on the war. And in the most embrassing moment for progressive Demcrats, when candidates were asked who supported Kucinich's proposal to impeach Cheney, no one raised their hands (didn Gravel? I don't remember). Gravel made Kucinish seem more "mainstream," but I have to say that Kucinich is the only real "progressive" Democratic presidential candidate and he gets my vote in the primary. While I will support the eventual nominee (probably HIillary, god help us) and think any of them would be better than Bush or the Republican candidate, Kucinich is the best choice based on the issues and his positions on the War, Impeachment, and gay rights. He is the only one that supports marriage equality and doesn't hide behind "civil unions," though that issue was not discussed much. He may look funny, but he is the most attractive Democratic candidate on the ISSUES.

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Monday, April 16, 2007

Not Again: VA Tech Massacre (Stop the NRA!)


It's happened again, each time the death toll gets higher. Over 30 people killed in the VA Tech Massacre. How many more will die needlessly before our political "leaders" (Democrats and Republicans) stand up to the NRA and the gun lobby that funds them and profits from the culture of guns and violence? When will our media (movies, music,video games, etc.) quit glorifying guns and violence? The NRA is little more than the lobbying arm of the gun industry. It pays politicians, mostly Republican, millions of dollars a year to stop or weaken meaningful gun laws. The groups opposing the NRA have dwindled down to ONE: Handgun Control which is now under the umbrella of the Brady Campaign to Stop Gun Violence Go there for more information on gun violence, the gun lobby, the myth of the Second Amendment, and to join and get involved with the campaign to STOP THE NRA! If you haven't seen it yet, or even if you have, now would be a good time to buy or rent Michael Moore's excellent film on gun violence in the U.S. : Bowling for Columbine No, the problem is not JUST guns and gun control. We have to deal with cultural and mental health issues, but the lack of sensible gun control is part of the problem.

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Saturday, April 14, 2007

Abstinence Sex Ed Does Not Work

Here's more evidence that abstinence only sex education programs DO NOT WORK. Abstinence Programs Questioned
Every major study has shown the same thing: students who take abstinence sex education classes engage in just as much, if not more, pre-marital sex and some have shown they are more likely to do so and not use contraceptives or condoms. It is time politicians quit listening to the religious fanatics and listen to the experts. Students need COMPREHENSIVE sex educaton that includes all their options and how to reduce pregnancy and diseases for those (most) who will engage in sexual activity.

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Saturday, March 17, 2007

Can Straight People Change?

After Rev. Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary recently wrote on his blog that science “points to some level of biological causation” for homosexuality, the media is once again focusing public discourse on the question of whether there is a biological cause, and possible cure, for homosexuality. If anyone still thought the old biological “its not a choice” argument would solve the issue of gays rights, think again. It was a failed political strategy from the start, and is becoming more and more useless. It’s time for a change in political strategy. Why don’t gay people, and the media, pay more attention to SOCIOLOGY, and not just biology. The argument for an immutable biological “sexual orientation” is so full of holes (scientific, ethical, philosphical, and political) I can’t believe it is still being taken seriously by the gay movement, its opponents, and the media.

I’ve brushed off an old essay I wrote, based on research I was doing for my doctoral dissertation (“Beyond Essentialism and Constructionism: The Making of Gay Identity”), and have updated it for current events. It's too long to post here, but you can read it on my blog Queer Notes or over on my website:

Can Straight People Change? The Politics of Gay Identity

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Friday, March 09, 2007

Now Perjury is NOT a crime? What About Lying to Congress?

Ironic that the Republicans who supported impeaching Bill Clinton for lying about a private consensual sexual affair, oppose impeaching Bush for lying about Iraq and misleading Congress, deliberately using forged intelligence, and now argue that purgery is not a serious crime and Scooter Libby should be pardoned. ANd what crime was Scooter Libby covering Up? Read this and find out what Cheney and company were trying to keep out of the media:

Libbygate: Let’s Get to the Real Story

And go here to read the ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT against Bush/Cheney

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Thursday, March 08, 2007

Shameless Crossposting

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Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Ann Coulter's "Faggot" Fan: Matt Sanchez





You can't make this up! See that hot hunk posing with neo-fascist bitch Ann Coulter? His name is Matt Sanchez. He is a conservative Marine and Columbia University student who has been making the rounds on conservative talk shows to complain about how he has been mistreated by radical "socialist" anti-military students on campus. He even made an appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference with Ann Coulter (where she "jokingly" called Dem. presidential candidate John Edwards a "faggot"). He may look familiar to you gay porn sluts, he is also known as ROD MAJORS, and has appeared in many gay porn films, including "Patriot Ass" and "Jawbreaker".

You can read and see all the dirt(and pics) on Tom Bacchus and Joe My God.

See also, Conservatives Laude Gay Porn Star Marine

WARNING: these links will show nude pictures of Rod Majors and his "11 inch uncut monster".

Remember "Jeff Gannon", Karl Rove's gay hustler who was treated as a journalist in the White House Press room? Here's another Uncle Tom Republican queer conservative who kisses (among other things) the asses of his oppressors.

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Libby Convicted: Now Impeach Bush/Cheney!

Now that Libby has been convicted for lying and obstructing "justice", maybe the media and the DEMOCRATIC Congress will start looking at the REAL, underlying crimes of Bush and Cheney. As the jurors admitted after the verdict today, the real question is why was Scooter Libby on trial and NOT Cheney and Karl Rove? There are many more crimes to be investigated, crimes which led to an illegal war and occupation of Iraq. Now, this isn't "Libbygate" it is IRAQGATE! It is time the Democrats in Congress got some backbone and gonads and start the investigations that WILL lead to the impeachment of George Bush and Dick Cheney.

And think about this, we have now had 3 REPUBLICAN presidents and administrations who have engaged in criminal acts that undermined the U.S. Constitution they swore to protect and uphold: Watergate, Iran-Contra, and Iraqgate. Reagan and Bush Sr. got away with illegally waging a terrorist war against Nicaragua and arming terrorists in Iran! (The World Court found Reagan guilty of TERRORISM in Central America!) Will Bush Jr. get away with illegally invading Iraq and lying to Congress, the American people and the world??

For a good summary of the underlying facts and crimes of Iraq/Libbygate, see this excellent article over on Common Dreams:
Libbygate: Now Let's Get to the Real Story by Dave Lindorf. If Libby is guilty, then so are Karl Rove, Dick Cheney and George W. Bush!

For more on the case for Impeachment see:
WORSE THAN WATERGATE, by John Dean
THE CASE FOR IMPEACHMENT by Dave Lindorff and Barbara Olshansky

Impeach Bush.org
Impeach07
Impeach Cheney

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Sunday, March 04, 2007

Right-Wing Nut Ann Coulter Calls John Edwards a "Faggot"



Potty Mouth Right-Wing Nut Case Ann Coulter Called Democratic Presidential Candidate John Edwards a “Faggot” at the Conservative Political Action Conference

"I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word 'faggot,' so I - so kind of an impasse, can't really talk about Edwards," Ann Coulter told GOP activists attending the annual Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday.

Democrats were quick to condemn her remark.

Howard Dean, the Democratic National Committee chairman, called on Republican presidential contenders to denounce the "hate-filled" comment.

Edwards' campaign sent an e-mail to supporters calling the comment a "shameless display of bigotry."

It asked supporters to help raise $100,000 in "Coulter Cash" so that the former North Carolina senator could show "every would-be Republican mouthpiece that their bigoted attacks will not intimidate" him.

The Republicans who attended the conference laughed and applauded Ann Coulter’s anti-gay bigotry. She also recently called Al Gore a “Fag,” and mocked the widows of 9-11 victims. She seems to now represent what the Republican Party has become, a party of bigotry and hate. Will the Republican Party and the Republican candidates who shared the stage at Conservative Political Action Conference (Mitt Romney & Rudy Giuliani) denounce Coulter’s anti-gay bigotry, or do they support her hatred of the the people of United States of America?

Will the media hold Coulter and her conservative audience under the same microscope they hold every word of Democratic leaders and candidates?

(I agree with Richard Kim at The Nation Faggot Feud, Ann Coulter has a serious gaydar problem if she really things Al Gore and John Edwards are "fags." More likely, she know they are not, and is using "fag" and "faggot" to refer to "effiminate" liberal men who care about people, the environment, the poor, etc. She equates "liberal" and "faggot".)

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Thursday, March 01, 2007

"Lesbian Gang" Out to Sodomize Your Daughters

ABC 24/CW30 “Eyewitness News” ran a sensationalized story last night about “violent lesbian gangs”. What caught my attention was lead-in headlines about “gay gangs.” While the reporter gave a disclaimer at the end that they were not trying to stereotype the gay and lesbian community, the Sheriff Deputy (Beverly Cobb) came across as a homophobe, scaring parents with the claim that these violent lesbians are “sodomizing” and raping girls in public restrooms, and “recruiting” them. It was just like the story Fox 13 did a few years ago about “gay men” having public sex in Overton Park in front of children (with a rainbow flag in their video footage!). It would be nice if the local media would do some stories about REAL gays and lesbians for a change!

The printed story online is tame compared to the video they broadcasted, so check out the video link to see what they aired. While the online story deletes terms like ‘gay gang” and violent “lesbian gangs”, the broadcast on TV emphasized the “gay/lesbian” angle, despite their disclaimer.
I believe I:F has contacted them and may be following up on it.

Girl Gangs Getting Violent

UPDATE:
GLAAD has issues an Action Alert on WLMT/ABC24's
"Lesbian Gangs" Story


The story has been removed from the eyewitnessnews website, but here it is:
http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=3decdd0a-e491-4b53-9e90-c8fcf3d00280

Girl Gangs Getting Violent
Last Update: Feb 28, 2007 10:37 PM
Posted By: Rebecca Medina


Gang Specialists tell Eyewitness News Everywhere G-T-O’s are raping and sodomizing young girls and they're doing some of this at school.
A Shelby County Gang Unit specialist says girl gang members are raping other young girls at local schools. Deputy Beverly Cobb has been with the Gang Unit for more than four years, she is POST certified by the state of Tennessee to train deputies on how to identify and handle gang members. Prior to coming to work with the Gang Unit she worked with the Memphis & Shelby County Criminal Court system.

She says the attacks are happening inside school bathrooms and stairwells. This isn’t news to two G-T-O members currently serving time for identity theft and robbery. Anissa and Karen strongly deny their organization is a gang. They say their organization came together more than a decade ago. It was to take in and support young women being shunned by their families for coming out of the closet. They say G-T-O used to be about love.

Cobb says those days are over and today's younger generation of G-T-O's are about anything but love. She says male gangs focus on making money. She says female gangs focus on power. And to G-T-O’s there is nothing more powerful than forcing young girls to have sex. Anissa and Karen don't deny that the new generation of G-T-O's is a violent one. They say it's causing big problems for a group of women who wanted nothing more than to go unnoticed. Cobb says this gang is bold and unlike any gang she's ever studied. She says its members want everyone to know they're here, and your daughters will have to deal with them whether you like it or not.

Members of the gay community notified us to tell us they had concerns about our story. Our investigation did not turn up widespread violence in schools due to this. However, gang specialists say the victims they have dealt with claim they've been sexually assaulted or harassed at the following schools.

1.Craigmont Middle School 2.Craigmont High School 3.Trezevant Vocational Technical School 4.South Side High School 5.Frayser High School 6.Hamilton High School 7.Kirby High School 8.Ridgeway High School 9.Germantown High School 10.Bolton High School

Gang specialists say they don't have hard statistics because those calling the gang unit are too embarrassed or afraid to report G-T-O members.

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Monday, February 19, 2007

Thom Hartmann Coming to (Rescue?) Air America



Hopefully now that Air America has been bought and is coming out of bankruptcy, things will start improving at the progressive/liberal radio network. Conservative critics argue that there is no "market" for liberal radio, but they are wrong, and Thom Hartmann has proved that with the right marketing and station backing, progressive and liberal talk radio can compete against the right-wing big mouths, and even beat them! Thom Hartmann is the best radio talk show in the nation. He has published over a dozen books and is the most knowledgeable person I've heard on the radio. He even invites conservatives, usually libertarians, to discuss issues and he is polite even to them. He is not the scream and yell type, he is a thoughtful, considerate host, and he takes calls for most of his program. He is a great replacement for Al Franken on Air America, and I would argue he is a great improvement that will help Air America build a larger audience. Even thoughtful and intelligent conservatives (there are a few I guess) will like him. He does very well in Seattle and many markets, sometimes beating Rush Limbaugh! (I would love to see those two "debate", but Rush would be no match for Hartmann.) You can hear Thom Hartman on the internet, satellite radio and now Air America (Memphis Progressive Talk 680 AM), weekdays from 11-3 PM I think).

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Wednesday, January 31, 2007

RIP Molly Ivins



Sad News. Progressive columnist/writer/activist/rabble-rouser Molly Ivins Has Died. Molly nicked named George Bush "The Shrub", an example of her wit and how she could use simple, down-home words and phrases to make powerful statements. While right-wing nuts like Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly pretend to represent ordinary working class people, Molly Ivins was the real thing, and she could put powerful people in their places, often with humor and a smile. I will miss her greatly, and she will leave a big hole in newspaper columns across the country. We will miss you Molly, but we will fight on!

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Thursday, January 25, 2007

The Democratic electorate has spoken.

LOUDLY.

With all 58 precincts reporting and Early Vote and Absentees listed, here are your final, unofficial numbers in the Senate 30 Democratic Primary:

Beverly Marrero 2810 73.4%

Robert Spence, Jr. 925 24.2%

Kevin Gallagher 88 2.3%

Enough said.

Harold Ford's Gay Marriage Problem




As expected, Anti-Gay Harold Ford Jr. to Chair DLC
The National Stonewall Democrats press release expressing "concerns" with Harold Ford Jr. has made a lot of national news, as one of the few negative takes on the DLC's new chair. because of his support for the Republican anti-gay Federal Marriage Amendment and the similar TN state amendment. Now, I can understand Democrats in conservative southern states not being able to support "gay marriage," but it was not necessary for HFJ to support the FMA. He could have take the same position as John McCain who opposes same-sex marriage, but opposes amending the U.S. Constitution, preferring to leave it up to the states. HFJ took the additional and politically unnecessary step of crossing party lines to support the GOP amendment, condemned by Howard Dean, the DNC, and even the DLC! In July 2004, the DLC called politicans (like HFJ!) who supported the FMA "CYNICAL AND DESPERATE."

HFJ'S office told many of us who contacted him before the 2004 vote that he would oppose it because of the Defense of Marriage Act, but they sent out a different email message to supporters of the amendment, which some of us got by mistake, which said: "While I question whether an amendment to our sacred Constitution is needed at this time, I will carry out the wishes of citizens like yourself who favor a constitutional amendment."

While I'm still angry at HFJ for campaigning against marriage equality for gays and lesbians, I'm not sure it is accurate to call him "anti-gay". In response to my write-in campaign against him in 2004, HFJ issued this statement to the press, quoted in the Memphis Flyer:

MEMPHIS FLYER 10/8/2004
STATEMENT BY CONGRESSMAN HAROLD FORD ON H.J. RES. 56, THE FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT
"My position on same sex marriage has been clear from the beginning. I am opposed to it. The Defense of Marriage Act--which I suppot--is likely not to withstand a court challenge. To ensure that the institution of marriage remains one reserved for the union of a man and a woman, yesterday I supported the effort to enact a constitutional amendment. However, my support for rights for gay Americans remains strong and intact. I am able to distinguish between marrriage and work place, labor benefits and civil rights protections for gay and lesbian Americans. I am unapologetic in my support of anti-discrimination efforts against gays and lesbians and will remain so. But when it comes to marriage, I differ with friends and allies in the gay and lesbian community."

It may be that HFJ would like to be supportive of gay and lesbian civil rights, short of marriage, and therefore is about as progressive on LGBT issues as most Democratic candidates, and more than most in the south. It is only on the issue of marriage equality that he betrayed us, and used as a political tool to counter GOP accusations that he was too liberal and supported "gay marriage" which they planned to do, and did anyway! I think gays and progressives should push HFJ and the DLC to stand by HFJ's statement of support for gay civil rights, and the DLC's past opposition to the Federal Marriage Amendment. Maybe something good can come out of this, though I personally still have some "anger issues" and find it difficult to rationalize HFJ's political actions against gays in TN the past couple of years.

Still it seems that Harold Ford Has a Gay Marriage Problem

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Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Richard Fields Flyer Ad

To: Citizens of State Senate District 30

From: Richard B. Fields

Re: Robert L. J. Spence, Attorney and Candidate in the Democratic
Primary for District 30

Date: January 12, 2007

My name is Richard B. Fields and I am a civil rights attorney who has practiced in Memphis since 1976. I have worked on cases involving school desegregation, racial employment discrimination involving the Memphis Fire Department, MLGW, and the Sheriff’s Department. I have also served as chairman of the legal redress committee of the local branch of the NAACP for over 20 years. Most recently, I helped stop the installation of a nuclear waste incinerator on President’s Island that would have spewed nuclear waste over South Memphis and downtown. I love this city and the people who live here.

The purpose of this letter is to warn the voters of District 30 of the danger of electing Robert L. J. Spence, Jr., to the state senate seat. Although I have championed black candidates for all political offices and have been a life-long Democrat, I felt compelled to write this letter because I have followed Robert’s career over the years and I am alarmed at the legal decisions he made and the resulting millions of dollars lost by the City of Memphis because of his faulty advice and his personal pursuit of wealth to the detriment of the citizens of Memphis. Ironically, I supported Robert when he was appointed City Attorney and signed a petition for him in his race for school board of the behest of some of my close friends. I now apologize to the citizens of Memphis and this letter is part of my repentance for not recognizing earlier Robert’s inability to work for the public good.

Some of the outrageous examples of Robert’s legal advice include:

1. Robert advised the City of Memphis not to settle with Bellsouth concerning a franchise tax that was declared invalid by the Tennessee Court of Appeals and review was denied by the Tennessee Supreme Court. The estimated liability to the City of Memphis could be as high as $25 million.

2. Robert approved a contract with the architectural firm hired for overseeing the Cannon Center construction who ultimately caused a cost over-run of $16 million – with the contract only providing for $1 million in malpractice coverage on a $25 million project.

3. Robert tried to get Mayor Herenton to sign an open-ended contract when he set up a law firm pending his retirement for a fee of $300 per hour for all outside work for the City of Memphis. The Mayor commissioned Lucian Pera, the coordinating attorney of the new Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct, to review the contract and the arrangement Robert proposed. Mr. Pera found that Robert’s actions were a conflict of interest. The law firm was never formed, but Robert was able to retire with an immediate lifetime pension of over $30,000 per year.

4. An associate of Robert’s wrote in the Memphis Bar Association Journal about Robert’s involvement as chief negotiator for the City in the FedEx Forum contract negotiations where he allegedly worked for 4 weeks at 18 hour days to finalize the contract. We later learned that he approved that the City use $6 million of state transportation money for the bus terminal that was not built. As recently as December 13, 2006, he denied that he advised the Mayor to sign a contract that was in direct conflict with another contract promising the Grizzlies use of the $6 million for parking places. His signatures were on both contracts. The City has now had to defer building roads and streets in the amount of $6 million and the FBI is investigating the contracts.

5. Finally, after Robert retired from the City Attorney position in 2004, he began to represent RACE, a company who proposed to build a nuclear incinerator on President’s Island, blocks away from neighborhoods in South Memphis and a few miles away from downtown Memphis. At the same time, Robert was general counsel to the Riverfront Development Corporation whose purpose is to preserve and develop the Downtown riverfront. His wife Dorcelle, who also serves as an executive for the Riverfront Development Corporation at a salary of $100,000 per year, sent an email supporting the nuclear incinerator.

Fortunately, a coalition of black and white citizens from Downtown and South Memphis organized and stopped construction of the incinerator.

This letter is my own opinion. Since there is only one other candidate in the state senate democratic primary, Beverly Marrero, I urge all citizens to vote for her. This special primary election is on January 25, 2007. Early voting is taking place now.

I have always subscribed to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s powerful words that some day people will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Robert L. J. Spence, Jr.’s character is flawed as he puts his own interests over those of the black, white, Hispanic, Asian, and other citizens of Memphis. I have taught my children (who are biracial and black) that when you go out in the world no one knows your father is a white attorney. You must treat all people fairly as you want to be treated regardless of skin color. With that in mind, if Robert’s children had attended the daycare that was within blocks of the proposed nuclear incinerator, would he have so passionately defended the company that proposed to put it there?

Please distribute this letter to your friends and neighbors so they can make an informed choice in the State Senate District 30 Democratic Primary.

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Monday, January 15, 2007

MLK, Liberalism and Gay Rights




It's hard to believe that there is STILL opposition (mainly in the South) to observing the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. I travel to Hernando MS as part of my job, and I noticed the the sign on the courthouse door said that the courthouse would be closed Jan. 15 to observe "ROBERT E LEE & MARTIN LUTHER KING" holiday. Robert E. Lee?? (They also have a Conferderate Veterans Day down in Mississippi!) Yikes!

Anyway, it is also funny that even conservative Republicans (& Dixiecrats who have not yet moved over to the GOP) now give lip service to Dr. MLK, when back when he was alive they villified him as anti-American and communist. Most of the media and political leaders today only honor MLK's work for the civil rights for African-Americans. Even many in the black community have forgotten or did not understand that MLK's "dream" went beyone racial justice, he was part of a broader struggle for economic and social justice. And he was outspoken in his opposition to the Vietnam War! MLK preached against militarism. He was a proud LIBERAL who advocated economic justice, peace, and cutting military spending to increase spending on social programs. Why won't today's "liberals" speak the truth to power as MLK did?

To those who try to demonize liberals and liberalism, we should just quote Martin Luther King. Will they call this hero anti-American? Let's put a face on liberalism--MLK. Ghandi, even "jesus christ" were all "liberals" in that they stood for social justice, peace, economic equality and against war and militarism.

And for those who don't see the connections between all forms of social injustice, and exclude gays and lesbians from "civil rights" and family values, hear Dr. Kings widow explain it:

Coretta Scott King, Civil Rights Leader
"I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the civil rights of lesbian and gay people and I should stick to the issue of racial justice. But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.' I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream to make room at the table of brother-and sisterhod for lesbian and gay people." (Reuters, 3/3/98)

Or check out this essay Martin Luther King Jr. and Gay Rights by Rev. Gilbert Caldwell, an associate of MLK's who participated in several of his marches for civil rights.


MLK inspired many oppressed groups to organize and demand equality--we are all human beings and deserve to be treated equally regardless of race, sex, gender, social class, religion or sexual orientation.

Let's honor and remember MLK by continuing to fight for his dream: peace and social & economic justice for all.
What would MLK say today? STOP THE WAR, FEED THE POOR, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

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Sunday, January 14, 2007

Whew! The Bears SURVIVE..

Photo courtesy Reuters

Wow. After playing a great first half, the Bears eke out an overtime win over the Seahawks in OT, 27-24. Their reward? Hosting America's Team, the New Orleans Saints, next Sunday at 2 PM on Fox13.

As for the other game, only Tom F. Brady could win a playoff game by throwing an interception. Patriots-Colts. AGAIN.

Will this insanity never end?

No one ever is to blame


Joe Lieberman doesn't want Hurricaine investigations to turn into a "witch hunt."

From the Peskipedia:

Witch Hunt (n): Once used to describe a state of moral panic and hysteria "Witch Hunt" is now most commonly used to describe any attempt by an official body to determine accountability among elected officials.


Saturday, January 13, 2007

STOP Harold Ford Jr. from leading the DLC!




Just saw this article in the Commercial Appeal:
Stonewall Democrats Leery of Ford--Gay, lesbian group at odds with possible DLC chair"
Accroding to the article by Bartholomew Sullivan, who didn't contact the Memphis Stonewall Democrats for a reation, the Stonewall Democrats, a group of "homosexual" Democrats expressed "deep concern" at the propsect of former Memphis congressman Harold Ford Jr. chairing the Centrist Democratic Leadership Council.

I've been hearing/reading about the DLC courting HFJ or probably more the reverse, and it seems likely that HFJ will probably be the next leader of the "centrist" Democratic group that is trying to move the Democratic Party to the "center" (i/e. RIGHT). The conservative policies advocated by the DLC fit nicely into HFJ's political strategy to become a U.S. Senator by appealing to the Christian Right, especially the anti-gay ones, by opposing the civil rights of gays and lesbians for political power. It may work in Tennessee.

But I'm glad the National Stonewall Democrats have spoken out in opposition to Harold Ford Jr. leading the DLC. Even the DLC has been somewhat more supporting of LGBT rights than HFJ. As Stonewall Democrat Communications Dir. John Marable points out, even the DLC opposed the anti-gay marriage amendment.

As many of you know, I ran two write-in campaign against HFJ because after he continually crossed party lines to support the GOP and Bush on issue after issue, he broke my camel's back when he LIED to Memphis gay activists by telling us he would oppose the GOP anti-gay Federal Marriage Amendment, and then turned around and voted FOR it, being the political coward he is. His campaign for the U.S. Senate was more evidence that HFJ will do or say anything to get elected, he has no principles, and he does not support equality for gays and lesbians, and more important, he does NOT support the separation of church and state! So I have set up a STOP HAROLD FORD JR! Harold Ford Jr. should not be leading ANY Democratic Party organization, perhaps he could go join Joe Lieberman's Party or start a TN for Harold Ford Jr. Party and quit pretending to be a "Democrat".

UPDATE: here's the Press Release by the National Stonewall Democrats:
Stonewall Concerns over Harold Ford Jr.

Monday, December 04, 2006

Free Emergency Contraception at Planned Parenthood

Memphis Regional Planned Parenthood is offering FREE emergency contraception this Wednesday!

Emergency contraception--also known as Plan B or the morning-after pill--can safely and effectively prevent pregnancy if taken within five days of unprotected sex.

Pick some up to keep at home in case a condom breaks, you miss a few birth control pills or you have unprotected sex for any other reason.

The health center will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday. No appointment necessary!

Memphis Regional Planned Parenthood is located at 1407 Union Ave., Suite 300, in the Mid-Memphis Tower, across from The Cupboard restaurant.

Thanks to Christie for the heads-up.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Thanks to Chris Lugo/Green Party

I almost forgot to thank CHRIS LUGO, the Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate, and the rest of the Green Party candidates for giving TN voters a PROGRESSIVE alternative to the conservative Democratic and Republican candidates. I am a Democratic Socialist, not a Green Party member, but I appreciate the work the Green Party candidates did, especially Chris Lugo, in championing the issues that a REAL progressive Democratic candidate should be fighting for in Tennessee. Chris only got about 2500 votes, but every one of those votes, including mine, was vote for progressive values and NOT a vote for conservative Democrat Harold Ford Jr., who sold out much of the Democratic party's base to appeal to the conservative theocratic base of the Republcian Party--and he still lost! And for those Democrats who will try to blame those of us who voted for Chris Lugo for Jr.'s defeat, do your math! Ford lost by over 50,000 votes, Chris got 2500! So you can stop blaming the Green Party for the failures of the Democratic Party!

Here's part of Chris Lugo's message to his supporters on his website which I would like for you to read:

"My main objective in running for office this year was to give peace a voice at the ballot box. About 2500 people felt so strongly about peace that this is what they voted for on November 7th and I think that is very exciting. I hadn't planned on stepping into such a big race nor such a tight race this year, and in many ways it was just a good year to run. The Senate seat was an open seat, the representative stepping down was the Senate majority leader, the major party candidates were both conservative and the race was tight so it was getting a lot of national media attention.
I made a lot of Democrats nervous this campaign season and Harold Ford Jr. spent a lot of energy on telling the Democrats not to vote Green. His campaign called me the "Tennessee Ralph Nader" and told Democrats not to give in to the temptations of the Green party again like they did in 2000. The pressure and bullying that the Democratic party took this year with Greens and progressives was huge and it worked, but it still didn't bring them victory in Tennessee. I think was an important lesson, which goes to show that even if you decide to sell out your vote, you still might lose.
Perhaps it is a calculated gamble that some progressives are willing to make, I would estimate that several percentage points of Democrats made that choice this year in Tennessee, and decided to vote for someone who has voted for war, voted for torture, voted against civil rights for the glbt community, voted for limiting first amendment rights and sat in a church with a cross behind him while he informed voters that he voted for the patriot act, against immigrants and proudly boasted of voting for five trillion dollars in defense expenditures in the last ten years."

Thanks Chris! Hopefully the "Democratic Party" and voters in Tennessee will wake up and demand that the TN Democratic Party offer voters a real alternative to the Republican Party.

I will continue to support PROGRESSIVE Democratic candidates and work to save the Democratic Party in TN, but I will not lift ONE FINGER to help conservative Democrats!

Class War in the Democratic Party?

The battle for the Democratic Party, and the American working class, is taking shape as the newly elected Democratic Congress decides which side of the class struggle they will line up behind and support. It looks like Nancy Pelosi and the "moderate" Democrats are lining up behind big business and Wall Street, like they did under Bill Clinton.
It looks like the great hope of the Democratic Left and the working class will be the newly elected Democratic Socialist Senator from Vermont, Bernie Sanders

Monday, November 20, 2006

Feeling Drafty?

New York Congressman Charles Rangel has revived discussion of a military draft.

"There's no question in my mind that this president and this administration would never have invaded Iraq, especially on the flimsy evidence that was presented to the Congress, if indeed we had a draft and members of Congress and the administration thought that their kids from their communities would be placed in harm's way," he said.

As happens so often, a congressman has the right idea for the wrong reason. Congressmen will still find a way to "work the system" and keep their kids out of Iraq. The real reason to support a draft is a simple one.

MORE...

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Democrats off to Rough Start

The Democrats are off to a rough start as the majority party in Congress. Nancy Pelosi, soon to be the Speaker of the House, was rebuked by the Democratic Congressional Caucuas when they rejected her pick to be Majority Leader, sleaze-bag John Murtha, who Citizens for Ethics and Responsiblity in Washington-CREW calls one of the 20 most corrupt members of Congress, who recently told the conservative Blue Dog Democrats that the Democratic ethics bill is "full of crap." The person chosen to be Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer, ain't no prize. He's another DLC "centrist. Pelosi herself has emphasized that the Dems will be governing from the "center," which the Republicans and conservative media pundits have moved to the right of center, particulary by trying to paint Pelosi as a radical socialist revolutionary, which she ain't.
Check out Doug Irelands THE SKINNY ON NANCY PELOSI
It's going to be a rough two years...hopefully the Democrats will take some lessons from George Greider and get a political backbone to fight for a real progressive agenda.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

A Message from Liz Rincon

To All of Those Who Helped and Voted:

I would like to extend my greatest thanks to all of those in the 9th Congressional District that helped out and VOTED on E-Day. The Cohen Campaign was about a positive change for Memphis. That campaigns can be won on the grassroots level, though community involvement and volunteer recruitment.

Building “Leaders” in our campaign out of volunteers was one of my main priorities. I always believed that if you had a strong and positive message and made it about the voter and not about your “name” that people would want to be a part of your campaign, because they are motivated. The Cohen Campaign was the first of its kind in Memphis and I feel so lucky to have had a role in that.

People of the 9th District were ready for change. Things in our Country have been on the wrong path for so long, that the voters are ready for real leadership in their government. We saw this across the Country on November 7!!! Now is the time to govern and to govern well. I believe that it will take time, yet, if the voters keep their Elected Officials accountable, then this Democracy will be better for it.

So, once again, I say thank you to those who helped out on the campaign and to those who showed up at the polls. To those who were unable to vote, either because they were not of age, did not live in the district or were not yet a citizen, you turned out people to be your voice. Thank you. To those who came in the heat, the rain, and the cold to knock on doors, so that we could make it about the voter, I say thank you. To those who held people accountable when they were not speaking the truth about Congressman-Elect Cohen, I say thank you. And to every person who exercised his or her voice on Election Day, no matter who you voted for, I say THANK YOU!

Sincerely,

Liz Rincon
Field Director
Congressman-Elect Cohen (TN-9)

Hoyer Elected Majority Leader

It's not exactly the worst thing that could have happened. Although Hoyer is certainly of the corporatist wing of the party that I tend to distrust, he likely would have been my choice had I been given one.

I hate political corruption. I loathe it with every fiber of my being. Operation Tennessee Waltz was an enema hose that blasted a handful of corrupt lawmakers out of Nashville.

So as much as I like Jack Murtha's stance on the war in Iraq, I'm always troubled by his involvement in ABSCAM.

It's certainly true that he declined the bribe money he was offered. But it's also sadly true that he said "not at this time", and implied that the store might be open for business if they "do business for a while". He also violated House ethics rules by declining to report that he'd been offered a bribe.

Senator Larry Pressler walked into the same setup, turned down the money more decisively than Murtha did, and did the right thing by reporting the bribe offer to the FBI. Why could Murtha not do the same thing?

There was no single reason the American public voted to give us a majority in both houses of Congress. Iraq war fatigue, an unchecked president that could only charitably be described as a "boob", and gay baiting Republicans playing grabass with one another were certainly all factors.

But one of the biggest reasons is the overall culture of corruption that the Republicans carried with them. The overpowering aroma of filth that stained Congress when the likes of Tom DeLay, Duke Cunningham, Bob Ney, and paymaster Jack Abramoff walked its halls.

Jack Murtha, to a lesser degree, carries that aroma with him. Caesar's wife must be beyond reproach.

MORE...

Monday, November 13, 2006

HFJ Rules out DNC Chair (but what about RNC chair?)

Harold Ford Rules Out DNC Chair

But what about RNC chair??? With an HRC (Human Rights Campaign-gay rights group score of 25, he may actually consider the Republican National Committee where he fits in quit well..

In fact, I encourage HFJ to please switch parties now and spare us any more talk of your rising star in the Democratic Party.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Letter to a Christian Nation

I'm still stunned by the 80% vote in support of the anti-gay Amendment 1 in TN. We know why don't we.. CHRISTIAN FUNDAMENTALISM. I know we are supposed to be nice and sweet talk these people, but how can you reason with people who believe in mythical sky-gods and demons, and who believe Jesus is coming back soon to zap them away???

Folks, there is NO sky god! He ain't up there. Your Bible is full of crap, like "if a man lies with a man he should be put to death." Now do you really believe that? Or what about "slaves obey your masters," or "women be subject to men" and "remain silent." Do you reallly believe "god" (where the fuck did "he" come from??) made the world from scratch and made ONE man and then took one of his ribs and made a "woman" and then after a few millennia decided he made a mistake and killed every living thing on the planet excpet Noah and his family and a pair of every living animal (how did they fit on that ark??), and then do you belive this "god" chose ONE race of people to be his "chosen people," and commanded them to KILL their enemies who worshipped other gods (jealousy??), and then do you believe a virgin gave birth to a god child who walked on water, had to be killed as a sacrifice to save the world, but was resurrected, and now is coming back to rescue you and punish eveyone who does not believe all this crap? Do you really believe you will live forever on some cloud while I burn in some lake of fire somewhere because I chose reason over insanity?

You can believe what you want, but please keep it to yourself, and stop trying to force your superstitious delusions on the whole fucking world!

And read these books
LETTER TO A CHRISTIAN NATION by Sam Harris

THE END OF FAITH by Sam Harris

THE GOD DELUSION, by Richard Dawkins

The Empire Strikes Out

In 1996, the people of the Ninth District had every reason to be optimistic. A scandal-ridden but responsive congressman was leaving office. The choices in the primary to replace him both seemed like decent enough choices--- A State Senator named Steve Cohen and the congressman’s own son, Harold Ford Jr.

He looked like his father and spoke like him to a certain degree--- One could look at him and imagine him keeping his nose clean. There was nothing there to imply that he would be the lightning rod for controversy that his father had been.

Voters were given the choice between Ford and Cohen, and they chose Ford.

The seat Cohen and Ford were vying for was a real prize--- One of the safest seats in the nation for a Democratic politician. The winner of the Democratic primary in that seat is always safe to go ahead and pick out office furniture for DC--- They’re going.

That creates the kind of environment where a Democrat can really be a Democrat. A Democrat can be as liberal as Paul Wellstone, Nancy Pelosi, or Ted Kennedy and write his or her own ticket. Harold Ford Sr. had proven that.

We expected that out of his son as well. His first few terms were fairly unspectacular. He did little in the way of sponsoring legislation, and never exactly set the world on fire with his committee assignments. He wasn’t terribly effective, but he could be counted on with his floor votes. And that was enough.

But there was a change. In 2002, his ambition grew beyond the safe confines of the Ninth District. He was asked to stand down and run in 2006.

MORE...

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Election '06--- The End of an Error

You love this town
Even if that doesn't ring true
You've been all over
And it's been all over you

It's a beautiful day
Don't let it get away
It's a beautiful day


America awoke today to a drastically changed political landscape, with only a victory party hangover to prove that it wasn’t just some beautiful dream.

MORE...

Also, see:

Thanks

Ever Had the ATM Give You Too Many $20 Bills?

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Election Aftermath: How Dems Can Win Without the South!

The Democrats have "won" the House of Representatives, but (as of 11:30 PM Tuesday), it looks like they will come up three or four seats short of taking the Senate (Tennessee, Missouri, Virginia, Montana).

(Ford has LOST, despite all his attempts to pander to the christo-fascist bigots in Tennessee.)

The pattern is clear now, there is a long overdue geographical reallignment of the Dem and Rep Parties: the Democrats have won several senate seats in the Northeast and Midwest (Ohio, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania). The Republicans still dominate the South.

I have been thinking this, and now I found someone who wrote a book who agrees with me: The Democrats should forget the south! No, I don't mean totally give up, but focus on winning the moderate/rockefeller Republicans in the Northeast and midwest, not focus on winning the south. Just as the Republicans became a majority party by winning the South from the Democrats, the Democrats should take the Northeast and Midwest back from the Republicans.

So agrees Thomas Shaffer, author of WHISTLING PAST DIXIE: HOW THE DEMOCRATS CAN WIN WITHOUT THE SOUTH (Simon & Schuster).

You can read his article from In These Times "How Democrats Can Win Without the South"

In order to win the South, the Democrats will have to keep moving to the RIGHT and embrace the christo-fascist theocratic agenda. It's not worth it. The Democrats should be a populist/liberal party and not cave in to the right-wing southern bigots. We should keep working on the South, hopefully they will embrace reason and modernity in the next century, but in the meantime, the Democrats should look North and left.

I'm trying to find a way to move to Vermont so I can have health insurance, a civil union and a SOCIALIST Senator (Bernie Sanders!)

UPDATE: Well I may have blogged too soon, it now looks like Webb may have beat Allen in Virginia by a few thousand votes, but there will be a recount. The Democrat is ahead in Montana and Missouri, so the Democrats have a slim chance of winning the Senate! But we won't know until after the recount in Virginia..will it be 2000 all over again??

Election Predictions

For what it's worth, the election will be over in a few hours but I predict:
The Democrats will take the House, but not the Senate
Ford Jr. will Lose
Cohen will win
The Anti-gay Amendment 1 will pass overwhelmingly, thanks to the support of many prominent "Democrats" (Gov. Phil Bredesen, Harold Ford Jr, etal.) (early results show 80% yes!) Bigotry is very popular in TN!
(I had hoped we could keep the margin of defeat lower in Shelby County)

Unlike many "progressive" Democrats, I do not see a major Democratic sweep. I don't see a lot of enthusiasm for the Democratic Party, I see a lot of anger at Republicans (and a lot of it from Republicans unhappy with the GOP leaders in congress who have not been conservative enough!).

The unfortunately political reality is that the U.S. is a conservative country politically. Many of the Democrats who will win will be "moderate conservatives" which will fuel the right-ward drift of the Democratic Party, which is being pulled to the right both within and without.

I think the next two years will be very difficult for the Democratic House. Nancy Pelosi is the answer the the Republican's prayers, and they will demonize her and "San Francisco Liberals" until Hillary is nominated in 2008 and then the party will be over.. so the Dems only have TWO years in the House.
I hate to be a party pooper but,
I predict the GOP will probably win back the House in two years and the White House, because they willl blame the Democrats for all the problems that will come to a head in the next two years: the deficit, etc. Because of Bush's mismanagement the past 6 years, the tax cuts will NOT be renewed so peoples taxes will go UP. The Dems, if they control the House and/or the Senate will be blamed for it all.
The GOP will use Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton (the 2008 Presidential Nominee) to scare the SHIT out of the Christo-Fascist bigots in the South and Mid-West and McCain will win in 2008.
The Democratic Party will split between the conservative corporatists HAROLD FORD JR. wing, and the East/West Coast liberals (Dean/Pelosi) and we will probably have a civil war in the party, and unless there is a major change in the Democratic Party, the conservatives will probably come out in front.

So I am not very optimistic about this election or 2008.

Hopefully the American people will eventually wake up and revolt against this corrupt poltical system and we will have A revolution!
I'M WAITING FOR THE "GREAT LEAP FORWARD"!

Hey it could happen, Bernie Sanders is the FIRST SOCIALIST SENATOR!
Change the USA, Join Democratic Socialists of America!

You Won't Be Sorry

Happy Election Day.

Monday, November 06, 2006

Bredesen Panders to Anti-Gay Bigots

It is bad enough that the “Democratic” candidate for U.S. Senate ignores the Democratic Party platform opposing anti-gay marriage amendments, now our “Democratic” governor is running ads boasting of his support for the anti-gay Amendment 1. Both the Davidson County and Shelby County Democratic Parties have passed resolutions opposing Amendment 1 and reaffirming the Democratic Party platform which condemns these attempts by REPUBLICANS to write discrimination into our state and national constitutions.

Memphis Stonewall Democrats is disappointed that our Democratic governor Phil Bredesen, as well as the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, Harold Ford Jr., have chosen to oppose the Democratic Party platform and the will of the Davidson County and Shelby County Democratic Parties by supporting Amendment 1, and supporting writing discrimination against gays and lesbians into our state constitution.

Since “gay marriage” is already illegal in Tennessee, and since Gov. Bredesen already has a strong lead in the polls, his blatant attack on the civil rights of gays and lesbians in Tennessee was unnecessary, and was clearly pandering to anti-gay bigots. With Democrats like Bredesen and Ford, who needs Republicans?

(Can we get rid of both of them Tuesday???)

In My District There Is Problem... (Sorry, Borat)

In the Ninth District, we saw what was probably the single most absurd excuse for a primary that I've ever seen. Half of the candidates in that miserably weak field could have their entire platforms summed up by Borat's "Throw the Jew Down the Well".

But that was only the appetizer. Nothing could have prepared me for the Ford Crime Family.

We have a rare opportunity to vanquish them tomorrow. Shuffle them loose this political coil, if you will. And despite being a hardcore Democrat--- Or perhaps more accurately, because I'm a hardcore Democrat, I stand prepared to dance a two-step (Or maybe a Tennessee Waltz) on their political graves.

MORE...

Sunday, November 05, 2006

VT Poised to Elect First US Socialist Senator

If only this could happen in TN!

Vermont Poised to Elect First U.S. Socialist Senator
Published on Thursday, November 2, 2006 by the Guardian / UK

Vermont Poised to Elect America's First Socialist Senator

· Cantankerous campaigner strikes chord with voters
· New milestone nears after eight terms in Congress
by Julian Borger

Amid the furious debate over Iraq and the speculation that George Bush may be a lame duck after next Tuesday's mid-term elections, an extraordinary political milestone is approaching: a cantankerous 65-year-old called Bernie looks set to become the first socialist senator in US history.

Bernie Sanders is so far ahead in the contest for Vermont's vacant seat for the US Senate that it seems only sudden illness or accident could derail his rendezvous with destiny, after eight terms as the state's only congressman. His success flies in the face of all the conventional wisdom about American politics.

He is an unapologetic socialist and proud of it. Even his admirers admit that he lacks social skills, and he tends to speak in tirades. Yet that has not stopped him winning eight consecutive elections to the US House of Representatives.

"Twenty years ago when people here thought about socialism they were thinking about the Soviet Union, about Albania," Mr Sanders told the Guardian in a telephone interview from the campaign trail. "Now they think about Scandinavia. In Vermont people understand I'm talking about democratic socialism."

Democratic socialism, however, has hardly proved to be a vote-winning formula in a country where even the word "liberal" is generally treated as an insult. Until now the best showing in a Senate race by a socialist of any stripe was in 1930 by Emil Seidel, who won 6% of the vote.

John McLaughry, the head of a free-market Vermont thinktank, the Ethan Allen Institute, said Mr Sanders is a throwback to that era. "Bernie Sanders is an unreconstructed 1930s socialist and proud of it. He's a skilful demagogue who casts every issue in that framework, a master practitioner of class warfare."

When Mr Sanders, a penniless but eloquent import from New York, got himself elected mayor of Burlington in 1981, at the height of the cold war, it rang some alarm bells. "I had to persuade the air force base across the lake that Bernie's rise didn't mean there was a communist takeover of Burlington," recalled Garrison Nelson, a politics professor at the University of Vermont who has known him since the 1970s.

"He used to sleep on the couch of a friend of mine, walking about town with no work," Prof Nelson said. "Bernie really is a subject for political anthropology. He has no political party. He has never been called charming. He has no money, and none of the resources we normally associate with success. However, he learned how to speak to a significant part of the disaffected population of Vermont."

Mr Sanders turned out to be a success as mayor, rejuvenating the city government and rehabilitating Burlington's depressed waterfront on Lake Champlain while ensuring that it was not gentrified beyond the reach of ordinary local people. "He stood this town on its ear," said Peter Freyne, a local journalist.

"I tried to make the government work for working people, and not just for corporations, and on that basis I was elected to Congress," Mr Sanders said. He has served 16 years in the House of Representatives, a lonely voice since the Republican takeover in 1994. He has however struck some interesting cross-party deals, siding with libertarian Republicans to oppose a clause in the Patriot Act which allowed the FBI to find out what books Americans borrowed from libraries.

He says his consistent electoral success reflects the widespread discontent with rising inequality, deepening poverty and dwindling access to affordable healthcare in the US. "People realise there is a lot to be learned from the democratic socialist models in northern Europe," Mr Sanders said. "The untold story here is the degree to which the middle class is shrinking and the gap between rich and poor is widening. It is a disgrace that the US has the highest rate of childhood poverty of any industrialised country on earth. Iraq is important, but it's not the only issue."

In a state of just over 600,000 people he also has a significant advantage over his Republican opponent, Rich Tarrant, a businessman who has spent about $7m on his campaign. "Sanders is popular because even if you disagree with him you know where he stands," said Eric Davis, a political scientist at Vermont's Middlebury College. "He pays attention to his political base. He's independent and iconoclastic and Vermonters like that."

Guardian Unlimited © Guardian News and Media Limited 2006

###

Now if you want to help move the Democratic Party back to the progressive/left, then join Democratic Socialists of America

I'm tryiing to start a Memphis DSA Chapter, so join us as we try to build the progressive democratic socialists movement within, but not limited to, the Democratic Party, which is dire need of direction and purpose!

HFJ Is Finished! (Hopefully)

What the *uck! Cohen's campaign plans a "Democratic Victory Party" weeks in advance, for Sat. Nov 4, 4 PM, and at the last minute Harold Ford Jr has a "rally/press conference" at the EXACT same time at Highland & Poplar!

Now does anyone need more proof of what a backstabbing jackass HFJ is???

The "good news" is he is loosing the Senate race, so hopefully he will find a job as a clerk somewhere, since he can't practice law.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Does Ford Church Rally Violate Constitution or Law?

Commercial Appeal Church Rally Draws Fire

Was the Ford/Clinton campaign rally at the Temple Deliverance Church of God in Christ was a violation of tax laws for churches? It was a close breach of the constitutional sepration of church and state. Why do the Democrats & Republicans ignore the U.S. Constitution when it comes to religion and politics??
What if the Bob Corker campaign had a rally at Bellevue Baptist Church?
Americans United for Sep. of Church & State are correct to criticize BOTH sides!
Shame on Harodl Ford Jr. (and the Democratic Party) for thier disregard of the Separation of Church and State!

Wonder if the Temple Deliverance COGIC will be able to keep their tax exemption??

I Speak For “The Left” When I Say… We Hate You Too.

Kleinheider over at Volunteer Voters linked to an op-ed written by Paul Burgess, former head of foreign policy speechwriting at the Bush White House called “Friends, neighbors, and countrymen of the left: I hate your lying guts. With a title like that, you can imagine how he became head speechwriter for a silver-tongued devil like George W. Bush.

In the original piece, he rails not only against obvious targets such as Harry Belafonte and Danny Glover (Because, you know, millions are prepared to mobilize when those guys speak), but Cindy Sheehan and Ted Turner, who he describes as being unable to “make up his mind which side of the terror war he is on”.

His position on Democratic politics: I now hate Howard Dean, the elected leader of the Democrats, who, by repeatedly stating his conviction that we won't win in Iraq, bets his party's future on our nation's defeat.

I hate the Democrats who, in support of this strategy, spout lie after lie: that the president knew in advance there were no WMD in Iraq; that he lied to Congress to gain its support for military action; that he pushed for the democratization of Iraq only after the failure to find WMD; that he was a unilateralist and that the coalition was a fraud; that he shunned diplomacy in favor of war.

These lies, contradicted by reports, commissions, speeches, and public records, are too preposterous to mock, but too pervasive to rebut, especially when ignored by abetting media.


Okay, I’ve let this silly bastard ramble long enough. Time for a response.

MORE...

Ford Losing Gay Votes in TN

As New polls show Ford LOSING to Corker by a larger and larger margin, it looks like HFJr is losing gay votes in TN.

I'm not the only one! Harold Ford Jr.'s gay-bashing campaign is backfiring, as more and more LGBT voters in Tennessee will NOT be voting for him and rewarding his ant-gay political strategy!

Check out the great post and dicsussion over on TN Guerilla Women and read this EXCELLENT Letter to Harold Ford Jr. from Joyce Arnold in the Church Street Freedom Press in Nashville:

A Letter to Harold Ford Jr. (D-TN)

Mr. Ford,

No one wants, more than me, a change from the Republican majority in both U.S. Senate and House. To that end, my plan had been to vote for you.

My plans changed in the last few days, as I listened to you, once again, use the minority population of lesbians and gays in Tennessee, and around the nation, as a political strategy. That is ethically and morally unacceptable. In truth, you are "for Tennessee" only selectively. Some of us are clearly expendable.

I, and the many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens of Tennessee who are the constituents of whoever sits in the Senate and House as representatives of this state, deserve respect. You, Mr. Ford, have gone out of your way to show the opposite. I had convinced myself that I could cast a vote for you, toward hopes of a Democratic majority in the Senate. But after listening to your gratuitous statements following the New Jersey Supreme Court ruling earlier this week, I knew I could not cast a vote for someone who so shamelessly uses me.

We who are LGBT citizens of Tennessee are not an "issue" for your, or any other politician's, use. We, in fact, are not an "issue" -- we are individuals, real people who, like everyone else, simply want equality. We, and those who support us, are maligned when we work for that equality, most often by those purporting to speak for God. Your actions are no different, including your use of God, along with us, toward your own ends.

When someone continues to slap you down, no matter how many times you give that person another chance, the time comes when out of self-respect, you walk away. Based on conversations I've had with a number of people in the last few days, LGBT and heterosexual, I'm not the only one who has had enough, and is walking.

In general, the Tennessee Senate race is, from Mr. Corker as well as you, an embarrassment. Neither of you deserve to win. One of you will. And the fact is, as far as the civil rights of the LGBT minority of Tennessee are concerned, it won't make a bit of difference which one of you it is.

You, of course, won't read this, and I doubt anyone in your campaign will either. If someone does, I'm quite sure it will not make any difference to you. But at least I know I've taken the tiny step I needed to take, on behalf of "Liberty and justice for all" rather than for "some."

Joyce L. Arnold, Ph.D.
Church Street Freedom Press

Sunday, October 29, 2006

GOP Get Contributions from Gay Porn Maker!

Well is there no end to political hypocrisy?? The GOP ran ads accusing Harold Ford Jr. of taking political contributions frm "porn movie producers," and cum (sic) to find out, the RNC has been the recieving end of regular contributions from Nicholas T. Boyias, owner and CEO of Marina Pacific Distributors, one of the largest producers and distributors of gay porn in the U.S. Some of their recent releases include "Fire in the Hole," "Flesh and Boners,' and their new hit "Velvet Mafia."

Now, I have nothing against porn, especially gay porn, since I am a mass consumer of it myself, but the hypocrisy of the GOP accusing Democrats of being too "gay" and taking contributions from porn when they seem to have a gay closet the size of a Wal-Mart Super Store and take not just PORN contributions, but GAY PORN contributions! Now if HFJ got contributions from a STRAIGHT porn maker, and the GOP is getting contributions form a GAY porn maker, now that would be an interesting ad for HFJ to run in TN!

And, why would a GAY PORN producer want to support the GOP???

I'm off to Inz & Outz to rent "Velvet Mafia"!

See Talking Points Memo For more on this story!

P.S.
I was kidding, I will NOT be renting Velvet Mafia and support the GOP! Now I'm worried, which gay porn studios are supporting the GOP so I will know which ones to not rent or buy. I want a list!

Saturday, October 28, 2006

Bush & Ford Attack Gays for Political Gain

Harold Ford Jr. and George W. Bush have so much in common: both are from political families and used their family names to get elected; both support the imperialist neo-conservative plan for U.S. global domination; both supported the illegal invasion of Iraq; both support the theocratic agenda of the religious right; neither respects the "separation of church and state"; both *use* relligion for political power; both pander to religious fundamentalists; and both claim to be defending the "traditional family" by opposing equal civil rights for gays and lesbians.

You would expect, then, that both would offer the same response to the New Jersey court decision that gays and lesbians are entitled to the same rights and obligatons given to married heterosexual couples.

Harold Ford Jr.'s response:
"I do not support the decision today reached by the New Jersey Supreme Court regarding gay marriage. I oppose gay marriage, and have voted twice in Congress to amend the United States Constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage. This November there's a referendum on the Tennessee ballot to ban same-sex marriage - I am voting for it."

On his website, HFJ contradicts himself by saying he is opposed to marriage equality for gays and lesbians, but not opposed to the civil rights of gays and lesbians:
"I will continue to be pro-family, including supporting a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman, without taking away the civil rights of gays and lesbians."
Harold Ford Jr., "My Faith as My Guide" (www.HaroldFordjr.com)

Similarly, George W. Bush has attacked the NJ court decision, trying to shore up support among the anti-gay religious right by attacking "activist judges" and campaigning for GOP candidates to "defend traditional marriage."

Both Bush and Ford share the untenable position that gay couples are entitled to equal civil rights, but not marriage. Both misrepresent what the NJ court decision actually says. It says exactly what George W. Bush and Dick Cheney said in 2004!

As pointed out by John Aravosis on AmericaBlog:

George Bush came out in support of gay civil unions before the 2004 election. He believes gay couples should get the benefits of marriage, but not marriage itself. The New Jersey Sup Ct just ruled the same. The rules specifically says NO to gay marriage, but YES to providing some kind of benefits to gay couples. That is George Bush's position as enunciated prior to the 2004 elections.

Here is the ruling.
Although we cannot find that a fundamental right to same-sex marriage exists in this State, the unequal dispensation of rights and benefits to committed same-sex partners can no longer be tolerated under our State Constitution....

To bring the State into compliance with Article I, Paragraph 1 so that plaintiffs can exercise their full constitutional rights, the Legislature must either amend the marriage statutes or enact an appropriate statutory structure within 180 days of the date of this decision....

We will not presume that a separate statutory scheme, which uses a title other than marriage, contravenes equal protection principles, so long as the rights and benefits of civil marriage are made equally available to same-sex couples. The name to be given to the statutory scheme that provides full rights and benefits to same-sex couples, whether marriage or some other term, is a matter left to the democratic process.


Here is George Bush endorsing gay civil unions in 2004:
Elisabeth Bumiller
The New York Times
Published: October 26, 2004

"President Bush said in an interview this past weekend that he disagreed with the Republican Party platform opposing civil unions of same-sex couples and that the matter should be left up to the states."

"Mr. Bush has previously said that states should be permitted to allow same-sex unions, even though White House officials have said he would not have endorsed such unions as governor of Texas. But Mr. Bush has never before made a point of so publicly disagreeing with his party's official position on the issue."

"In an interview on Sunday with Charles Gibson, an anchor of "Good Morning America" on ABC, Mr. Bush said, "I don't think we should deny people rights to a civil union, a legal arrangement, if that's what a state chooses to do so." ABC, which broadcast part of the interview on Monday, is to broadcast the part about civil unions on Tuesday."....

"I view the definition of marriage different from legal arrangements that enable people to have rights. And I strongly believe that marriage ought to be defined as between a union between a man and a woman. Now, having said that, states ought to be able to have the right to pass laws that enable people to be able to have rights like others."
-----

Now Bush is contradicting his OWN position by attacking the NJ court decision which says exactly what HE said in 2004! While Bush is on the record as supporting "civil unions" which would grant gay couples most of the same rights as marriage, HFJ has not even gone that far. Does he belive that gays and lesbians should have equal civil rights? If so, how can he oppose civil unions or marriage equality?

HFJ's clearly stated opposition to "gay marriage" has not stopped his Republican opponent from accusing him of supporting it. The GOP is so desperate they are trying to use "gay marriage" as a wedge issue again, hoping it will win them more support among African-American voters. Conservative Democrats lilke HFJ respond likewise by vehemently opposing marriage equality for gays and lesbians. Both parties are guilty of pretending to support the "civil rights" of gays and lesbians while OPPOSING their civil rights!

My question for both parties is: "Do you support equal rights for everyone? Do you support equal treatment for gays and lesbians? If so, how can you oppose equal civil marriage rights for them? Please justify denying us the same rights you enjoy!

I would also ask both Republicans and Democrats to quit denying basic human rights for gays and lesbians for their own political gain. Have some decency and respect the U.S. Constitution which gurantees equal rights for all and the separation of church and state!

A Progressive Mandate: Beyond Nov. 2006

Given the sorry shape of the Democratic Party, we will be lucky if they take back one or both ends of the Capitol Nov. 7, and it will only be because the Republican party is in even worse shape, for a change. Progressive Democrats will have their work cut out after Nov. 7, as we will have to fight to take control of our party back from the pro-war, corporatists who have been leading us to defeat for the past decade.

I couldn't say it better than Jeff Cohen on Commondreams.org

Two new videos...

"I Get Around" --- Someone made an ad of my confrontation with Isaac Ford, and they did a good job.

"Another Day, Another Meltdown" --- I'll repost the original description:

(Nashville) - Just days after Congressman Harold Ford Jr. (D-Memphis) was caught on camera during his Memphis Meltdown, Ford senior staffers were caught on tape using profanity and aggressively manhandling a young Republican staffer – all while Congressman Ford stood by watching idly.

Friday, October 27, 2006

People Are Talkin'

A freind in Philly just sent me a link to this editorial blog from the Philladelphia Daily News about the recent ad campaign against Harold Jr. and his response. Here's an excerpt:

If we lived in Tennessee, we would be offended beyond belief by what's going on down there. The national political parties think that you're all "trailer trash," that Volunteers are going to drive their beat-up Silverado to the polls on Nov 7 to decide, who am I more scared of, the black or the gay? The gay, or the black?


Be sure to check out the comments underneath the piece. It gets really interesting.