politicsavvy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:37:00 +0000

Mass. stalled antibullying guide under Romney

In July 2006, former governor Mitt Romney vetoed a $158,000 budget line item that was earmarked for counseling violence victims in the "LGBT community.''

Boston Globe / June 12, 2012 / By Murray Waas and Christopher Rowland

Former governor Mitt Romney's administration in 2006 blocked publication of a state antibullying guide for Massachusetts public schools because officials objected to use of the terms "bisexual'' and "transgender'' in passages about protecting certain students from harassment, according to state records and interviews with current and former state officials.

Romney aides said publicly at the time that publication of the guide had been delayed because it was a lengthy document that required further review. But an e-mail authored in May of that year by a high-ranking Department of Public Health official - and obtained last week by the Globe through a public records request - reflected a different reason.

"Because this is using the terms `bisexual' and `transgendered,' DPH's name may not be used in this publication,'' wrote the official, Alda Rego-Weathers, then the deputy commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Because the Department of Public Health was the primary sponsor and funding source of the guide, the move effectively blocked its publication. Rego-Weathers said in the e-mail that she had been consulting with Romney's office on the issue.

Stifling the guide's publication was among steps that Romney and his aides took during his last year in office to distance the Republican governor from state programs designed to specifically support gays, lesbians, and bisexual and transgender people. His critics said it was part of an effort to court social conservatives as he prepared for his first campaign for president in 2008.

"Romney put his own political interests ahead of the safety of vulnerable youth,'' said Don Gorton, a gay-rights advocate and author of the 120-page antibullying report, which was not printed and distributed until after Romney left office.

Rego-Weathers, who is now a Rhode Island state official, declined to comment. Kerry Healey, former lieutenant governor, who was among officials who had supported publication, also declined to comment. Healey, a special adviser to Romney's 2012 campaign for president, referred questions to the campaign. Asked to respond, the campaign did not offer any new comment, referring instead to old Romney administration statements from 2006.

About 10,000 copies of the 120-page "Guide to Bullying Prevention'' were ultimately published in 2008, during Democrat Deval Patrick's first term in office. It contains advice for school administrators and teachers on how to curb bullying, cyberbullying, and hazing. A two-page section describes how gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth are frequent targets of bullying, and it offers contact information to find help.

The 2006 e-mail objecting to the "bisexual'' and "transgender'' language offers some of the clearest evidence of how some of Romney's actions in office aligned with the goals of socially conservative activists, a key constituency in Republican presidential primary elections.

Many of the nation's largest conservative, evangelical, and profamily organizations-such as the Family Research Council, Focus on the Family, and Concerned Women for America - have opposed suicide prevention and antibullying programs intended to protect gay teens because they say such programs promote homosexual activity.

"These programs were pushing a radical agenda. They were trying to indoctrinate people on the issue of sexual preference. Romney did the right thing by finally pushing back,'' Kris Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family institute, said in an interview.

In a highly publicized incident in May 2006, Romney threatened to shut down the Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth because it issued a press release with his name on it promoting a parade to celebrate gay, bisexual, and transgender teens. He quickly backed off the threat. In July 2006, Romney vetoed a $158,000 budget line item that was earmarked for counseling violence victims in the "LGBT community.'' The appropriation was intended to prevent sexual violence and rape, and also for suicide prevention.

The move to block the bullying report immediately followed Romney's threat to shut down the Gay and Lesbian Youth Commission. On May 20, 2006, the commission chairwoman, Kathleen Henry, e-mailed Rego-Weathers to say that "she had heard from the lead'' on the antibullying guide project that "the plan is to go to print next week on the authority of the lieutenant governor.''

Rego-Weathers e-mailed a subordinate the same day raising the objections to "bisexual'' and "transgender'' references. "I have raised this issue with the governor's office and am awaiting final clearance,'' she wrote. "If the printing must go on, I may have to ask that our name be taken off.''

Days after that exchange, Gorton said in an interview last week with the Globe, he was told that the draft would have to undergo a more extensive review process than previously planned. He said the administration's real reason was not disclosed.

"They said that the review was going to be a few weeks, but it stretched out over a period of seven months,'' Gorton said.

In October 2006, Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom, speaking with Bay Windows, a newspaper that covers New England's gay community, denied that the delay had anything to do with politics.

"This is a lengthy document which bears the name of the governor's office,'' Fehrnstrom said, "and it is undergoing the normal review that a document of that length would go through.''

Ejeris Dixon, deputy director of the Anti-Violence Project, a nonprofit advocacy organization in New York, said of the actions by Romney: "Transgendered people face extreme poverty, discrimination, and violence. When public officials refuse to enact legal protections or policies to assure their safety, they are further facilitating these things - intentionally or unintentionally.''

The question of Romney's sensitivity to antigay bullying was raised anew recently after the Washington Post published an account of Romney's days in prep school in 1965 when Romney allegedly held a fellow student down against his will and, along with classmates and to the cheers of others, forcibly cut off his long, bleached-blond hair. The student was gay, although not openly, and it was unclear to some whether Romney knew the boy's sexual orientation at the time. Romney said he could not recall the incident but apologized nonetheless.

Gorton, a longtime gay rights advocate, began work on the antibullying project while he was cochairman of the Governor's Task Force on Hate Crimes. For Gorton, the guide was a personal mission. As a gay teen from Mississippi, he attempted suicide because of his isolation and social ostracism. "You don't have any allies,'' he said. "Nobody to take your side. Nobody to understand.''

When Romney cut funding for the hate crimes task force early in his term, Gorton sought sponsorship and support for the unfinished guide from the governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth. Henry, who was then the commission's chairwoman, said in an interview last week that the administration's objection to use of the terms bisexual and transgender smacked of "censorship, and stigmatization, and prejudice.''

Romney's moves against the commission and the bullying report appeared to be part of a transformation for the one-term governor. When he ran for Senate in 1994 against the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Romney boasted that he would be a more effective and outspoken proponent of gay rights than Kennedy: "When Ted Kennedy speaks on gay rights, he's seen as an extremist. When Mitt Romney speaks on gay rights, he's seen as a centrist and a moderate,'' Romney said at the time.

Seven and Two Thirds

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 05:48:00 +0000

Let's Make a Movie! Please download Seven and Two Thirds.

Please Keep This Creep Out of Office

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 22:21:00 +0000

He's counting on Jews being stupid and will believe his diatribe of the Palestinians so they will vote for him. Please don't believe a word he says. Just know that if the Palestinians had the vote in this country and the Jews did not, his racist slurs would have been aimed at the Jews. He hates both sides, but will suck up to the people who can get him elected until they are useless to him and then he will insult the Jews too.

What a Tragedy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:09:00 +0000

He Didn't Spite His Neighbors. He Spited These Animals.

Everybody Loves Lucy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 21:20:00 +0000

Bette Davis would have been 100 in 2008. Did they announce that on the news when it happened? No. Do they make announcements when presidents' centennials pass? No. Does Google allow its logo to be altered every time an entertainer's 100th birthday passes? No. This important anniversary goes by without notice for most, but Lucy was not most. She was loved by the masses. It was the masses who mourned her death when it happened and it is those same children who grew up with her who salute her now. Everybody Loved Lucy then and we obviously still do. <3 <3 <3 Happy Birthday! <3 <3 <3

Perry is Praying for the White House

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 21:22:00 +0000

Just what we need, another christian idiot in the White House like Bush. I don't trust someone who believes in fairy tales to make important decisions about anything, let alone the country.

Stuns Guns & Cell Phones

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:32:00 +0000

What could this kid have done to deserve half of what they did to him? These officers represent a very scary group of the profession and deserve what is going to happen to them in prison.

Before

After

See Video & Pass It On

No Tears Shed For This Death

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:14:00 +0000

Mississippi Ku Klux Klansman James Ford Seale killed two black men, Henry Hezekiah Dee and Charles Eddie Moore in 1964, but did not go to prison despite his 1964 arrest with his accomplice, Charles Marcus Edwards, until 2007. The 1964 charges were dropped because local law enforcement officers were in collusion with the Klan, but the case was reopened in 2005. Charles Marcus Edwards, being just as much of a coward as his murdering, racist partner gave up Seale and was granted immunity for the kidnapping and murder of these two teenagers.
While Edwards did not deserve immunity, in a perfect world, the racism that brought about the murder of these two young men would not exist. Obviously, it is not a perfect world.
Seale was 76 when he died yesterday. His victims died when they were both 19. I am never happy to hear about anyone's death, even someone so full of hate, but I am happy that Seale died in prison, serving his late, but well-earned three life sentence term after being convicted in 2007. I am not sorry he is dead, but I am sorry he ever lived.

We Are Too Smug For Our Own Good

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:38:00 +0000

Perhaps we should be investigating our own news agencies. If Murdoch's people are acting this way with so many victims, it is foolish to assume it has not been done anywhere else, starting here, with us.

Check it out

Fair and Balanced. Sure, I Believe It.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:17:00 +0000

Rupert Murdoch didn't mean to trample peoples' right to privacy, elitist snob that he is. I hope he loses every property that he owns that engaged in any illegal activity, and please, please let FOX be right in the middle of it.

Read About It Here

His nasty rag tabloid, already found out for allegedly hacking thousands of people's phones, especially and most notoriously hacking into the voicemail of murdered teenager Milly Dowler. I hope her family sues and beats him bloody in court. They have public sympathy in their favor and he is so hateable, after all.

What's that FOX News' tag line that boasts their credibility? Hmmm? Fair and balanced. Yeah, that's it. Sure, I believe it.

Good Bye, Betty. Thank You For Everything!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 23:40:00 +0000

Betty was a brave individual who graced the White House and the nation. Read more about this fearless woman HERE.

Congratulations, Terrorists! You Won!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 02:44:00 +0000

A 95-year-old woman was patted down and forced to remove her adult diaper while going through security.

Recently, the TSA was in the news for the pat down of a 6-year-old child.

The Rape Capital of the World

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 01:20:00 +0000

More Than 170 Rape Victims

The females of the Congo should be armed. Something was invented recently called Rape-Axe to grab the offending organ in a rape scenario without letting go until the release mechanism is activated. It was, of course, invented by a woman. These clever devices, on one hand, should be standard issue to girls in the Congo. On the other hand, the cowards rape in packs and should a rape victim be wearing a Rape-Axe, while her one rapist is clutching his dick in despair, his rape victim would be killed by his cowardly cohorts. Where are the rest of the men in this country? Better question, why are women in Africa allowing themselves and daughters to be victims? They have to fight back and be supported to do so.

Rihanna ManDown Video

The New York Vote on Marriage Equality

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 07:55:00 +0000

Have all the New York residents in favor of marriage equality called State Senator Farley who has come out against gay rights to tell him your vote for Senator depends on his vote for marriage equality? If not, and even if you called once, please call Farley again @ 202-684-2471.

Barney Frank: The Bravest Man in Washington

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:22:00 +0000

Yes!!! I love this guy. He's the only gay Congressman brave enough to admit he's gay and wants to legalize pot too. He is the bravest man in Washington.

Oh, Barney

Check either link above to see what Barney's been doing for the American people now.

God Doesn't Belong in Government.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:47:00 +0000

God doesn't belong in government. The Right Wingers ran America into the ground for eight years and we let them. If we've learned nothing else from having a bible-thumping idiot in the White House, we've learned not to let it happen again. Please do not encourage the disrespect of my Constitutional separation of church and state by attending this event.

Please Sign the Petition

By signing the petition, you are telling your governor: Don't attend discriminatory "Day of Prayer" event.

The U.N. Finally Joins Us in the 21st Century

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 05:55:00 +0000

See the following link to learn more.

U.N. Backs Gays

New York too is trying with much difficulty to legalize same-sex marriage, but it is only a matter of time before we're looking back on all the unnecessary fuss being made over including everyone in their basic rights. That which should have welcomed everyone long ago, but because some people misinterpreted what was written in their favorite book, they have been allowed to make others live by their rules.

It's good to see the brave women of Saudi Arabia have been inspired to stand up for themselves. I wish them much success on that long, hard road.

House Republicans Reward The Super Rich At The Expense Of The Poor

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 May 2011 19:39:00 +0000

Recently, House Republicans passed a budget for 2012 that offers even more tax cuts for America's super rich and new kickbacks for some of the most profitable corporations in the world. To pay for the tremendous cost of this legislation, the Republican budget cuts funding for basic services like education, police and firefighters, and health care, actually raising taxes on middle class and low-income families.

Maria and Arnold

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 22 May 2011 04:06:00 +0000

I remember going to my old video store right after Maria and Arnold got married and the woman behind the counter was reading the paper and started going on about them, saying "Look how happy she looks! She just looks so happy!" Me and my big mouth in a line full of people, I said "Of course she looks happy. She's getting shtooped by Conan."

Republicans Don't Want to Do Anything About This

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 02:42:00 +0000

Why is that?

BP Spill Cam

Happy Birthday, You Little Tramp!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 05:57:00 +0000

Charlie Chaplin, 16 April 1889 – 25 December 1977

The Presidential Election Campaign Fund

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 01:15:00 +0000

From Paul Tonko Member of Congress

I am writing because I know you share an interest in issues related to campaign finance reform. Instead of focusing on economic growth and job creation as they promised, the Republican leadership of the House recently introduced and passed legislation that will put control of our elections more squarely in the hands of secret corporate donors.

The Presidential Election Campaign Fund (PECF) was established by Congress in 1976 in the shadow of the Watergate Scandal. PECF allows taxpayers the choice of donating $3 to a program designed to promote transparency and equality in presidential elections. Republicans claim that terminating this program will bring in hundreds of millions in savings to our federal budget. The fact is, eliminating a choice on your tax return doesn't save $500 million, it just takes away your option to donate and turns taxpayer money back over to the Treasury that was paid with the promise that it be spent to support campaign finance reform. Ending the PECF also means that candidates for president will become even more reliant on special interests, big corporations, and the wealthiest Americans to fund their campaigns. The PECF strengthens the voice of hard-working Americans that cannot contribute huge sums of cash to campaigns, and it must be maintained.

Last year the Citizens United ruling overturned a century of law, letting corporate interests spend record sums in elections across America without having to disclose where the funding was coming from. I worked hard with my colleagues to shape and pass the DISCLOSE Act - legislation that would restore a degree of fairness and transparency to our election laws - but our efforts were ultimately blocked. Now is not the time to further empower special interests or to obstruct what limited progress we have made on campaign finance reform.

As we face difficult times and difficult choices to restore fiscal sustainability to government spending, we must maximize transparency and accountability in our elections. That is why I voted against H.R. 359 to dissolve PECF. This legislation now awaits consideration in the Senate, and I would encourage you to contact your senators with your thoughts.

I hope you will stand with me in this fight. If you have any opinions or further comments on this issue, please do not hesitate to contact me. My door is always open.

For up-to-date news and information about our district, please visit my website at http://tonko.house.gov and sign up for my E-Newsletter.

Sincerely,

Paul D. Tonko
MEMBER OF CONGRESS

More Than a Beatle

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 00:18:00 +0000

Yesterday marked the thirtieth year since we lost John Lennon and because I resisted too long, it is now the ninth. I haven't blogged in so long, I didn't feel I deserved the right to write anymore and still expect anyone to want to read what I had to say, so I avoided the temptation to write all day...at least as long as I could. How could I resist that temptation to pay homage to one of my heroes when so many are thinking about him on this sad anniversary? John Lennon could piss off the masses more than the other three Beatles put together, but he could inspire the masses just as easily without Paul, George, Ringo or anyone else. He struck fear in the hearts of Nixon and Hoover who felt the need to eliminate him as people repeated his words when he told them to give peace a chance. He angered the religious right for comparing his group's popularity to that of their fictitious leader, much like the teacher in England named a teddy bear Mohammed and evoked the ire of the Muslims, whose behavior irked those very same condescending christians. He endured the judgmental public's unsolicited opinions by marrying a woman who disappointed his fans while ultimately becoming his devoted widow longer than she was his devoted wife. Yes, The Beatles were a phenomenon, but John Lennon was a force of nature who, by definition, is one of the four fundamental forces that occur in nature and affect the structure of the universe. That he did and still does, thirty years after his murder.

Good bye, Mr. C.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 23:22:00 +0000

Thank you.

How Are These Rapists of Men Straight?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 14:23:00 +0000

I think the easiest way to prevent attacks against gay society is to expose those most critical of them for who they are. Didn't anybody see or pay attention to American Beauty? The theme being Doth Thou Protest Too Much.

Are rapists of women not sick individuals who want to have sex with women? Well then, what makes rapists of men straight? They obviously want to have sex with men, but are too cowardly to admit it, much like the homophobes who renounce gays adamantly and publicly so people won't suspect they too are gay. Society is full of finger pointers who would rather criticize their own behavior as though it belonged to someone else to take the spotlight off themselves.