Pam's House Blend - Front Page

Tackling Dummy - "Christians are the new Negro"

davidhart — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:41:43 GMT

Cross-posted from: http://www.tips-q.com/1620540-tackling-dummy-christians-are-new-negro

The rabidly anti-gay Ken Hutcherson, a former Seattle Seahawks linebacker, is pastor of Antioch Bible Church in Redmond, Washington. I have speculated that "Hutch," as he likes to be called, took too many hits while wearing an ill-fitting helmet. Hutch has now turned to the stimulating pages of WorldNetDaily in order to proclaim; Church: Stop being 'evangelly-fish.' The main theme of Hutch's polemic is that gays are hijacking the struggles of African-Americans:

It has been said loudly and proudly that gay marriage is a civil-rights issue. If that's the case, then gays would be the new African-Americans. I'm here to tell you now, and hopefully for the last time, that the gay community is not the new "African-American" community. In fact, I think Christians are the new Negro – but that's an issue for a follow-up column.
In 2005, the Rev. Jesse Jackson stated that the fight of gays and lesbians wanting to marry should not be compared to the fight African-Americans faced for civil rights. The comparison of the plight of the gay community to slavery is a stretch; remember, gays were never called "three-fifths" human, according to the Constitution, and they did not require the Voting Rights Act to gain the same democratic rights as whites.

Actually, I think that Hutch is referring to Jesse Jackson's comments in February of 2004. That aside, Hutch is incapable of separating the social from the legal issues. Hutch is correct; the struggle of African-Americans for equality is not comparable to the struggle of GLBT citizens (including blacks) for equality. They are very different experiences. However, the only people who seem to be making that comparison are a few homophobic black ministers claiming that the comparison should not be made. If Hutch really wants this to be the "last time" that he claims that gay is not the new black, he simply needs to stop making that feigned comparison as an irrelevant argument to oppose marriage equality and the many other gay rights that he objects to.

Civil rights are, at least in part, protections and privileges that are sought in pursuit of equal protection under the law. For that reason, many black leaders, including Julian Bond — Chairman of the NAACP, have stated that gay rights are civil rights. Gays, at least those of white ancestry, are not the descendants of slaves. That is indisputable fact. It also seems indisputable that gays are denied certain civil rights including the rights to serve openly in the armed forces and the right to marry the person of their choice.

There is a perfectly valid legal comparison between the effort to have same-sex marriage recognized and the historical struggle for interracial marriage equality that resulted in the Supreme Court's decision in Loving v. Virginia. While it provides a compelling precedent, Loving does not serve as a comparison to slavery or any of the other countless injustices that African-Americans suffered.

Loving also provides a thematic comparison — one that should make Hutcherson deeply ashamed. In the original 1959 criminal case, the Lovings were prosecuted for miscegenation and pleaded guilty. The trial judge made a remarkable statement from the bench:

Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, malay and red, and he placed them on separate continents. And but for the interference with his arrangement there would be no cause for such marriages. The fact that he separated the races shows that he did not intend for the races to mix.

Mr. Hutcherson needs to come to terms with the fact that his homophobic religious-based bigotry is strikingly similar to the legal intolerance that was used to oppress black people. When he is not voicing his manufactured angst about gays co-opting the black struggle, Hutcherson can be found opposing such things as diversity education. Hutcherson has been quite liberal in falsely spreading "recruitment" and "indoctrination" fears. He has no problem putting air to the dog whistle that he knows people hear as "child molestation." Much to our collective shame, there was a time in this country when that canine caller had a slightly different pitch. It promoted the fear that the black agenda was to rape helpless white women. The implications were disgraceful then and they are disgraceful now. When will Reverend Ken Hutcherson find his lost humanity?

Video break #2 - Hoards of Palin fans Go Rogue on her when she doesn't sign enough books

Pam Spaulding — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:41:36 GMT

Wow -- the teabaggers, birthers and know-nothings waited for hours for Bible Spice to sign copies of Going Rogue, and they weren't happy when her highness basically took the money and ran... (Rumproast):

Teabaggers just aren't happy about anything these days. I guess the Noblesville, Indiana Going Rogue book signing didn't go very well yesterday because 300* or so of the 1000 people with wristbands were asked not to tread on Sarah Palin and then she tried to make a getaway with Baby Trig and several duffel bags full of cash but wingnuts have learned to protest about everything these days, so they were having none of it. This is the best thing you will see about horrible, horrible Sarah Palin on the internets all day and until the end of time.

Even better, the "fans left behind" left behind not-so-kind messages on the former VP nom's Facebook page.

Lu Paletta Part I: No Sarah Palin wristband yesterday. Got a bookplate w/fake signature; was told it was as good as a band. Part of overflows that was next in line; group had real camaraderie in cold/rain for >15 hours. Folks from all over with 1 goal, see someone who speaks for us. The bus arrived, a crowd of 500 outside, 1000s inside. A roaring welcome, Gov Palin & Trig, a few remarks, few pictures and on to Barnes&Nobles;.

Lu Paletta Part II: 30 mins after being let in, told leave or be escorted out. Showed bookplates; told they had no value. B&N blamed cutoff on Palins who had to go to Ft Wayne. It is 3 hours away, a next day signing; she couldn't stay for fans who waited in rain/cold all day? B&N ticked me off; returned all books. Governor: You have the people's ear; you are scaring Washington. But, please acknowledge people that wait for hours to see you. We are reaching out to you and need you to reach back.

Gary Conner Sarah,

You angered and disappointed over 300 families in Noblesville tonight. I attended Mike Huckabee's book signing yesterday. He had pre-signed book in case he would be unable to sign all the books for people who qualified. His books would be exchange one for one with any one whose book he could not sign

First, you should work to make this right. Second, you need to make sure that it never happens again!

Jordan Harris I just spent 9 hours of my day, $40 of my hard earned money on two of your books, and took the whole day off work to watch you jump on a bus and throw a half-heated wave to the crowd you were avoiding.

I have never felt so disrespected. How can you claim that you are different? You aren't. You are just as selfish as everyone else in Washington. It breaks my heart. I thought you might be the answer to the turmoil this country is under but you aren't. You just slapped hundreds of Hoosiers in the face. The hard working type of people that you claim to represent.

You say in your book that you chose to sleep well over eating well. At the end of the day I know that you don't care that you wasted the whole day of some 20 year old college student who lives on their own. I understand that all that matters is that I spent my money on two of your books. I'm sure your eating well. You certainly have no reason to be sleeping well.

And there are many more comments collected over at Rumproast., including one man who said "We gave up our entire workday, stayed in the cold. My kids were crying," said one man. "They went home with my wife. She was out here in the freezing cold all day. I feel like I don't want to support Sarah."

Video break - TEA PARTY: The Documentary Film

Pam Spaulding — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:06:51 GMT

Via Wonkette: The 'Tea Party: The Documentary Film' Trailer! ('Liberty's March Has A New Generation Of Patriots'). It makes you want to shed a tear like Glenn Beck (with the aid of Vicks under the eyes, of course).

The Tea Party movement of 2009 shocked the political establishment, the nation at large and left a big media machine dizzy in its wake. How did it happen? Where did it come from? Now, witness the story of the movement that's driving our national dialogue against big government spending and a Constitution under assault. Follow the inspiring stories of grassroots Americans rising from the ranks to take on a government gone too far. From the earliest days as nothing more than a social networking movement to the lightning fast year that follows, culminating in Washington, DC on the National Mall with the largest protest in our nation's history, TEA PARTY: The Documentary Film is history in the making. It's an American Story like none other with an inspiring message for our times! A greater cause united them. A greater outcome awaits them.

EEA Press Release With Updated Vigils

Louise — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:30:00 GMT

Just into the mailbag:

Equality Across America (EAA) extends our deepest condolences to the families of Jorge Steven L?pez Mercado and Jason "Jaysen" Mattison, Jr.
Jorge was an openly gay Puerto Rican man who was brutally slain last week in what appears to have been a hate crime against him for his gender expression.
In Baltimore, Jason "Jaysen" Mattison, Jr., a Black high school sophomore, was raped and beaten to death on November 10. It is in sadness and solidarity that we gather across the nation in memory of Jorge Steven L?pez Mercado and Jason "Jaysen" Mattison, Jr.
The vigils listed below will be publicized as tangible evidence of our support for the Puerto Rican and Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) communities as well as all other victims of hate crimes and their families.
EAA member Sherry Wolf explains,

"So long as the federal government maintains discriminatory laws against LGBTQI people, unimaginable acts of brutality like these are more likely to occur."
Equality Across America fully denounces inequality of any kind based on class, race, religion, age or community including but not limited to individuals that identify as LGBTQI. It is our mission to secure equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. We will accept no less and will work until it is achieved.
In conjunction with our commitment to equality, we call on officials to ensure that all applicable hate crime provisions be applied to these cases. At present, there is evidence that Jorge may have been targeted based on his gender expression and Jason for his sexual orientation. We are outraged by the televised public statement by a Puerto Rican police investigator who stated "people who lead this type of lifestyle need to be aware that this will happen."

Below is a partial list of solidarity vigils taking place in cities across the United States that EAA member groups have either initiated or are participating in:

? New York City: Sunday, Nov. 22, 7pm, Christopher St. piers
? LA: Sunday, Nov. 22, 8pm, Santa Monica and San Vicente, West Hollywood
? Chicago: Sunday, Nov. 22, 4pm, Division and California, Humboldt Park (contact: Nik Maciejewski, nmaciejewski@gmail.com, 630-205-5025)
? Gainesville, FL: Friday, Nov. 20, 7:30pm, Plaza of the Americas, U of F (contact: Rev. Donna Lee, 352-484-7135, activistlee@aol.com)
? Washington, D.C.: Sunday, Nov. 22, 5pm, Dupont Circle (contact: laura.lising@gmail.com)
? San Francisco: Sunday, Nov. 22, 7pm, Castro and Market St. (contact: Kelly Rivera Hart, 415.260.5704)
? Philadelphia: Sunday, Nov. 22, 7pm, Love Park, 15th and Arch
? Boston: Sunday, Nov. 22, 7pm, Copley Plaza
? Terre Haute, IN: Friday, Nov. 20, 6:30pm, DeDe Plaza, Indiana State Univ. (contact: Colin Hammar, chammar@gmail.com, 219-628-2318)

Scheduled Candlelight Vigils for Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado and Jason Mattison Jr

Louise — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:15:00 GMT

(Note from Louise: My laptop situation is currently iffy and 'up-in-the-air', so my apologies for any errors or incomplete listings.

Please add any other vigils you know of in "comments"- thanks!)

From Facebook

Please, PLEASE invite all of your friends to a vigil honoring Mercado as well as anyone else who has been murdered, beaten, and otherwise terrorized for their sexuality or gender identity, either real or perceived.
The LGBT population in Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican LGBT community here in the United States need to know we support them.
WE MUST FUNNEL OUR SADNESS INTO AN OUTPOURING OF RIGHTEOUS OUTRAGE.
We must show the government, the media, and the oppressors that to systemically target one group for its appearance or mannerisms--and then subject them to violence explicitly for those criteria--is INTOLERABLE.
We also must demand that the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, recently signed into law by President Obama, is used effectively to bring Jorge's killer to justice.

========================================

PHILADELPHIA
When: Friday, November 20th
Time: 6:30 - 7 p.m.
Where: Church of St. Luke & The Epiphany
330 South 13th St., Philadelphia

Speakers: Cynthia Vasquez, Youth Activist, GALAEI
Gloria Casarez, LGBT Liaison to the Mayor
Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director, Equality Forum

Music: Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus

For more information: Call Chip Alfred, Communications Director, Equality Forum, 215-732-3378 x 116, or email chip@equalityforum.com.

=========================================

IN MEMORIAM - Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado & Jason Mattison Jr. (LA)

LOS ANGELES
Date: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Time: 8:00pm - 9:30pm
Location: Corner of Santa Monica and San Vicente in West Hollywood

============================================

BOSTON
Date: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: In front of Trinity Church, Copley Plaza, Boston

======================================

NEW YORK CITY
Date: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Time: 5:00pm - 8:30pm
Location: CHRISTOPHER ST PIERS 45
Street: Christopher Street & West Side Highway
New York, NY

LOCATION: HUDSON ST PIER 45 AT CHRISTOPHER ST - 5PM WITH OPTIONAL MOMENT OF SILENCE AND MASS AFTERWARD

BRING: CANDLES FOR YOU AND OTHERS

***IF YOU DO NOT LIVE IN NYC AND WANT TO DO YOUR PART, SEE END OF MESSAGE***

DIRECT NON-FACEBOOK USERS TO MERCADO-VIGIL.TUMBLR.COM

==================================

CHICAGO

Chicago, IL - A candlelight vigil is being planned in Humboldt Park this Sunday, Nov. 22, from 4-6 p.m. in memory of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado, a gay teenager who was murdered, decapitated and burned in Cayey, Puerto Rico.

The vigil is planned to begin at California & Division.

====================================

DALLAS

Date: November 22
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Corner of Cedar Springs and Throckmorton (heart of the Gayborhood).

=====================================

Scheduled Candlelight Vigils for Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado and Jason Mattison Jr

Louise — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:00:00 GMT

(My laptop situation is currently 'up-in-the-air'; my apologies for any errors or incomplete listings. Please add any other vigils you know of in "comments"- thanks! ~Louise~)

PLEASE NOTE- THE ONE IN PHILLY IS TONIGHT- all others at this time are on Sunday.

========================================

PHILADELPHIA
When: Friday, November 20th
Time: 6:30 - 7 p.m.
Where: Church of St. Luke & The Epiphany
330 South 13th St., Philadelphia

Speakers: Cynthia Vasquez, Youth Activist, GALAEI
Gloria Casarez, LGBT Liaison to the Mayor
Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director, Equality Forum

Music: Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus

For more information: Call Chip Alfred, Communications Director, Equality Forum, 215-732-3378 x 116, or email chip@equalityforum.com.

=========================================

IN MEMORIAM - Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado & Jason Mattison Jr. (LA)

LOS ANGELES
Date: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Time: 8:00pm - 9:30pm
Location: Corner of Santa Monica and San Vicente in West Hollywood

============================================

BOSTON
Date: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: In front of Trinity Church, Copley Plaza, Boston

======================================

NEW YORK CITY
Date: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Time: 5:00pm - 8:30pm
Location: CHRISTOPHER ST PIERS 45
Street: Christopher Street & West Side Highway
New York, NY

LOCATION: HUDSON ST PIER 45 AT CHRISTOPHER ST - 5PM WITH OPTIONAL MOMENT OF SILENCE AND MASS AFTERWARD

BRING: CANDLES FOR YOU AND OTHERS

***IF YOU DO NOT LIVE IN NYC AND WANT TO DO YOUR PART, SEE END OF MESSAGE***

DIRECT NON-FACEBOOK USERS TO MERCADO-VIGIL.TUMBLR.COM

==================================

CHICAGO

The vigil is planned to begin at California & Division.

====================================

DALLAS

Date: November 22
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Corner of Cedar Springs and Throckmorton (heart of the Gayborhood).

===============================================
From Facebook.

Please, PLEASE invite all of your friends to a vigil honoring Mercado as well as anyone else who has been murdered, beaten, and otherwise terrorized for their sexuality or gender identity, either real or perceived.
The LGBT population in Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican LGBT community here in the United States need to know we support them.
WE MUST FUNNEL OUR SADNESS INTO AN OUTPOURING OF RIGHTEOUS OUTRAGE.
We must show the government, the media, and the oppressors that to systemically target one group for its appearance or mannerisms--and then subject them to violence explicitly for those criteria--is INTOLERABLE.
We also must demand that the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, recently signed into law by President Obama, is used effectively to bring Jorge's killer to justice.

=====================================

I Heart Chaz Bono

Lurleen — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:01:00 GMT

Chaz was on Good Morning America describing his life's progression and how he came to be a public advocate for the LGB and now the T. A few days ago Blend reader Hector sent me a link to this wonderful New York Times article about the pianist Sara Davis Buechner. Both of these stories, not to mention the story of our own barista Autumn, remind me how much is at stake in terms of privacy and profession for people who transition as adults. I thank Chaz, Sara, Autumn and so many Blend readers for allowing me to walk a moment in their shoes.

Another Horrific Murder, Jason Mattison Jr, in Baltimore

Louise — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:00:00 GMT

The murder of a gay teenager in Baltimore has left a family grieving and a community questioning why he was killed. The suspect is a family friend and ex-con who had served only 10 years of an original 30-year sentence for an earlier crime.
Jason Mattison Jr., 15, was found raped, gagged and stabbed to death in a closet at his aunt's house last week.
Dante Parrish, 35, has been charged with first-degree murder, The Baltimore Sun reports. Parrish was sentenced to 30 years in connection with a 1999 killing but was released after the nonprofit legal group the Innocence Project "found that Parrish had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder based on a faulty statement of facts read into the court record," according to the Sun. A judge overturned Parrish's conviction.

Jason's funeral was Wednesday.

An overflow crowd spilled out of the sanctuary and into the vestibule of a West Baltimore church Wednesday morning for the funeral of Jason Mattison Jr., a 15-year-old killed last week in a brutal attack.
The principal at Jason's school announced a scholarship fund set up in his name. Friends and family recalled stories involving the rambunctious teenager, who had dreams of becoming a pediatrician. And the reverend of the church told hundreds of mourners that the boy's death should serve as a warning to the downtrodden neighborhood where it happened to closely watch all kids.
Several students from Jason's school, Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy, attended the 90-minute service held at Unity United Methodist Church on Edmondson Avenue, some of the teens becoming so overcome with emotion that they stepped outside.

International Transgender Day Of Remembrance

Autumn Sandeen — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:00:00 GMT

On the 20th of November each year, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice with the International Transgender Day Of Remembrance (TDOR).

The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 1998 kicked off the "Remembering Our Dead" web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester's murder - like most anti-transgender murder cases - has yet to be solved.
Although not every person represented during the Day of Remembrance self-identified as transgender - that is, as a transsexual, crossdresser, or otherwise gender-variant - each was a victim of violence based on bias against transgender people.
We live in times more sensitive than ever to hatred based violence, especially since the events of September 11th. Yet even now, the deaths of those based on anti-transgender hatred or prejudice are largely ignored. Over the last decade, more than one person per month has died due to transgender-based hate or prejudice, regardless of any other factors in their lives. This trend shows no sign of abating.
The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current media doesn't perform. Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of national indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance reminds non-transgender people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers. Day of Remembrance gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those of us who've died by anti-transgender violence.

As of yesterday morning, there are 119 documented deaths internationally that meet the criteria for inclusion for reading the list of the dead. That's just shy of an average of 10 known deaths a month.

For those who are interested in U.S. deaths, I count 13 U.S. deaths on the list. For another year, that still averages to about one death a month in the U.S. due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice.

For me, after covering the Angie Zapata Hate Crime Murder Trial last April, TDOR has been made all too personal. Angie was Latina; many lost lives on the list this year are from Latin America. And, I still see the image I saw in court of Angie lying on the floor in a pool of blood, hear the painful voices of her family members, and realize there are dozens of real people who died in anti-transgender hatred or prejudice this past year -- just like Angie.

Hate and violence are all too real and personal for me; I don't just see 119 disconnected names of victims of anti-transgender hatred or prejudice, but instead painfully see 119 human lives lost in anti-transgender hatred or prejudice.

Select here for a list of those who will be remembered.

Select here for memorial event locations, dates, and times.

Lou Dobbs is thinking about stepping his bigoted toe into politics

Pam Spaulding — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:00:00 GMT

I don't know whether to fall out laugh or cry at the prospect of another major election cycle with this blowhard on the campaign trail followed by his Teabaggers, Birthers, and Brown Menace^TM-fearing fans. (Reuters):

A week after abruptly quitting his longtime job as a CNN television news host and commentator, Lou Dobbs said on Thursday he is considering career options including possible runs for the White House or U.S. Senate.
"Right now I feel exhilaration at the wide range of choices before me as to what I do next," Dobbs, whose outspoken views on immigration and other topics often angered liberals, told Reuters in a telephone interview from New York on Thursday.
...A Texas native, Dobbs has drawn fire from Latino leaders and civil rights groups for frequent on-air remarks about U.S. border control and immigration that critics saw as demonizing illegal immigrants.
He was also seen as lending credence to the "birther" conspiracy theory, whose adherents believe President Barack Obama's Hawaiian birth certificate was faked to hide a Kenyan birthplace that would make the first black U.S. president ineligible for his office.

Dobbs goes on to say that he will "seek to represent and champion the middle class in this country and those who aspire to it."

Watch Dobbs's appearance on The Daily Show (via C&L):

Exclusive - Lou Dobbs Extended Interview Pt. 2

Exclusive - Lou Dobbs Extended Interview Pt. 3

Antonin Scalia Must Have Been Hangin' Out with David Vitter When They Discussed the Ninth Amendment

KatRose — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:11:43 GMT

From (what remains of) The Advocate:

On the concept of interpreting the Constitution, Scalia said he embraces the school of thought that the document should be interpreted as its authors intended.

Its authors? You mean the people who added the following as that Constitution's Ninth Amendment?

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Yes, The Scowl is the same 'originalist' who made up the following interpretation out of thin air:

[T]he Constitution's refusal to "deny or disparage" other rights is far removed from affirming any one of them...

Really?

...and even farther removed from authorizing judges to identify what they might be

Really?

Yup - when you're lookng for a conservative judicial activist to make up interpretations of the Constitution that will prevent any non-conservative from rationally interpreting - or in any way interpretng - the Constitution, you can always turn to your favorite Reagan appointee who saw no ethical problem with deciding a case involving one of his huntin' buddies.

Out's Editor in Chief Aaron Hicklin goes on Air America to discuss the Adam Lambert dust up

Pam Spaulding — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Adam Lambert is on the cover of the OUT 100 magazine this year. Adam Lambert, who makes no bones about being gay, has PR reps who, I guess, feel it's not in their client's best interest to be "too gay" and told the editors at OUT just that.

What's additionally bizarre is this:

They also demanded that he appear on the cover with at least one heterosexual, and forbade the interviewer from asking Lambert about the gay rights march in Washington several weeks ago. Out's Editor in Chief Aaron Hicklin was moved by these events to write an open letter to Adam Lambert, in which he expressed the disappointment the LGBT community feels when a gay celebrity appears ashamed of his/her identity.

As this already odd drama went on, it just over to Twitter, with Lambert telling Hicklin to "chill." Hicklin decided to take to the airwaves on Air America to discuss the dust up with Jack Rice. Many thanks to Air America -- here's the audio of the interview.

SLDN not impressed with punt on DADT by Obama nominee Stanley

Pam Spaulding — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMT

The President nominated Marine General Clifford Stanley (Ret.), to serve as Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, a position that would be responsible for implementing a reversal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell in the Pentagon.

There were high hopes that Dr. Stanley's testimony would shed light on how he would handle the change in policy, but it's clear that the following was not what Servicemembers Legal Defense Network expecting.

From Stanley's testimony:

Homosexual Conduct Policy
The current Homosexual Conduct Policy, commonly referred to as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," went into effect in February 1994 after months of congressional hearings and debate resulting in the enactment of a Federal statute. Although there have been some changes in how this policy has been implemented, the basic policy has not changed. President Obama has made it clear that he intends to work with the military and with Congress to repeal the policy.
What is your view on repealing or changing this policy?
If confirmed, I would work closely with the service Secretaries and Chiefs to provide the Secretary of Defense the best advice possible on the way forward regarding this issue.
In your view, would changing this policy have an adverse impact on unit cohesion and good order and discipline in the military? If Congress revises the Homosexual Conduct Policy statute and if confirmed, I would work closely with the services to ensure the revising of this policy is done in a way that maintains our highest state of military readiness.
If confirmed, what role would you play in efforts to repeal or change this policy?
If Congress changes the law and if confirmed, I, as the Under Secretary for Personnel & Readiness, would be responsible for leading the implementation of the change in the policy within DoD.
If the policy is changed by Congress, would you recommend a phase-in period for implementation of the new policy?
If the statute is changed and if confirmed, I would consult with the service Secretaries and Chiefs to ensure the implementation of the new policy is done in a way that maintains our highest state of military readiness.
If confirmed, what role will you play in implementing a new policy?
If the statute is changed and if confirmed, I would lead the effort to implement a new policy while carefully considering the advice of and working closely with the service Secretaries, the service Chiefs, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I would ensure that this change is done in a way that maintains our highest state of military readiness.

SLDN's reaction:

Statement by SLDN Executive Director on Dr. Stanley Confirmation Hearing
SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis responded to the confirmation hearing for Marine General Clifford Stanley (Ret.), nominated by President Obama to be Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. This office historically handles "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" within the Pentagon.
SLDN is disappointed Dr. Clifford Stanley punted on several questions regarding "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" this morning. When given the opportunity by Senator Mark Udall (D-Colo.) to support his commander in chief's position to overturn the ban, Dr. Stanley did not do so. However, as is the case with most nominees, Dr. Stanley did not delve into any of the policy issues in his portfolio. We look forward to Dr. Stanley becoming fully aligned with President Obama on repeal. The President has said the right words but some of his chief lieutenants may not have heard those words. The fact remains that a 2010 repeal has never been more promising.
Sen. John McCain's (R-AZ) opening statement today on repeal was troubling. The Senator said he believes the law is "working successfully." The facts and record show DADT is not working. More than 13,500 service members have been discharged under DADT and thousands more leave the services every year because of the ban. Nearly a quarter of service members, according to a recent report by the RAND Corp., know a member of their unit is gay. Hopefully, we will have the opportunity to make the case to the Senator that the law is not working and that 58 percent of conservatives support allowing gays to serve openly.
You can also read Dr. Stanley's interesting written responses to DADT questions (pgs. 6-7) here: http://armed-services.senate.gov/statemnt/2009/November/Stanley%2011-19-09.pdf

Family Research Council gearing up to fight ENDA with distortions

Alvin McEwen — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:52:31 GMT

crossposted on Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters

don't know why the Family Research Council continues to keep me on its email list. I received one today about ENDA.

Like so many things put out by the Family Research Council, the email is full of distortions and doublespeak. I want to highlight two of the most egregious:

President Obama wants to punish Christians by . . .
November 19, 2009 | Share with Friends

Dear Alvin,

A grave threat to your traditional values and religious freedom is resurfacing.

Deceptively, it's called the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Truthfully, it should be called the "Discrimination Against Christians in the Workplace Act."

I know that sounds far-fetched, but this is what ENDA will do . . .

ENDA will redefine your faith as illegal workplace bigotry . . . make the government a full partner in the homosexual rights movement . . . and force churches, small businesses run by Christians, and faith-based charities to hire nonbelievers or face federal investigation.

Apparently FRC hasn't learned anything from the unsuccessful attempt to make it seem that hate crimes legislation is an attack on Christianity. Now its making the same inaccurate case about ENDA.

First of all, as I understand it, ENDA does have an exemption for churches and faith-based charities. But as for small businesses run by Christians, I find that argument weak.

What's next - allowing a small business to discriminate in the case of race, gender, or religion?

I'm betting that FRC wouldn't appreciate that last point.

But here is where FRC trips up in its email:

This law would punish anyone in the workplace who dares oppose homosexual behavior, cross-dressing and other unhealthy behaviors. The liberals intentionally want to define "discrimination" very vaguely so that their allies in the courts and federal and state agencies will have broad latitude to silence traditional moral viewpoints about sexuality.

Just how would someone "oppose homosexual behavior in the workplace?" And should they be defended no matter how scurrilous the opposition?

We have just seen a case of a young man in Massachusetts fired for calling his fellow employee (a lesbian) a "deviant" simply because she was bragging about her upcoming wedding.

Should his type of "opposition to homosexuality in the workplace" be defended? I don't think so.

Seems to me that the threats resurfacing here has less to do with the lgbt community and more to do with a christian (small "c" intended) group pulling out fear tactics in order to scare people about a simple law that will allow lgbts to work and live freely.

You know, like normal people do because in terms of wanting to work, be free from discrimination, and provide for our loved ones, we are normal people.

Despite what FRC says.

Contact your Congressional leaders and tell them to support ENDA.

Related posts

Should the right to call a fellow employee 'a deviant' be protected under law?

Traditional Values Coalition distorts marketing statistics to attack ENDA

Family Research Council head misrepresents credible information to hurt ENDA

Bathrooms, Church Exemptions, and Lies: Five ways the religious right misrepresents ENDA

Exposing an anti-gay ENDA lie before it gains traction

Did Texas ban ALL marriages?

TechBear — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:54:44 GMT

In 2005, the state of Texas overwhelmingly approved an amendment to the state Constitution that was added as Article I, Section 32. That section now reads:

Sec. 32. MARRIAGE.

(a) Marriage in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one woman.

(b) This state or a political subdivision of this state may not create or recognize any legal status identical or similar to marriage.

Note subsection 2. The question has arisen: does this forbid recognition of all legal statuses "identical or similar to marriage," including actual marriage itself?

Article at the Miami Herald

NOTE FROM PAM: McClatchy also noted:

Barbara Ann Radnofsky, a Houston lawyer and Democratic candidate for attorney general, says that a 22-word clause in a 2005 constitutional amendment designed to ban gay marriages erroneously endangers the legal status of all marriages in the state.
...Radnofsky, who was a member of the powerhouse Vinson & Elkins law firm in Houston for 27 years until retiring in 2006, says the wording of Subsection B effectively "eliminates marriage in Texas," including common-law marriages.
She calls it a "massive mistake" and blames the current attorney general, Republican Greg Abbott, for allowing the language to become part of the Texas Constitution. Radnofsky called on Abbott to acknowledge the wording as an error and consider an apology. She also said that another constitutional amendment may be necessary to reverse the problem.