Morning Rants

Episcopal Church opens doors to gay clergy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:49:00 +0000

Last night the General Convention of the Episcopal Church voted to pass measure D025 allowing gay clergy to serve in the church. According to numbers posted by the Associated Press the vote was overwhelmingly in favor.

Lay people voted 78-21 and clergy voted 77-19 to approve the measure. The House of Bishops had earlier voted 99-45 to adopt the statement.

Maybe one day the United Methodist Church will one abide by its tagline too: Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

Bill Clinton Comes Out

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:34:00 +0000

Finally! Although its 16 years too late, Bill Clinton says he supports same-sex marriage. The Nation points out that Clinton joins a line-up of other big-wig Dems who recently switched their view of same-sex marriage including Howard Dean, Charles E. Schumer, Jon Corzine and Christopher Dodd.

Would someone call Obama and tell him to come out too? Lets just end this now so we can move on to the next topic.

Ralph Reed: The Comeback Kid

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:50:00 +0000

Yep, the iconic leader of the "Christian" Coalition and former associate of the disgraced Jack Abramoff, Ralph Reed thinks he's the hippest, coolest dude since Steve Jobs. He's claiming to make a comeback to the arena of saving souls in politics by founding the second coming of the Christian Coalition, "Faith and Freedom Coalition". According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Reed believes,

“It has to be younger, hipper, less strident, more inclusive and it has to harness the 21st century that will enable us to win in the future.”

Now, I don't know about you but look at this picture. Does this man really look hip and cool?

I'll answer that question. No. Come on, with that hiked to Jesus hair-don't and the dorky smile on his face. Do you think anyone will really take him for being "the political analog to the iPod and the iPhone."? This guy really thinks highly of himself.

We'll keep a Reed Watch going to see what fun and games happen.

Gay couple arrested for gayness

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:15:00 +0000

Do we need further proof that the Mormons are a cult? Oh, here's some. LDS Inc. just gives us further evidence.

Georgia Looks Stupid Again

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:06:00 +0000

Media matters has this video. Rep Paul Broun says, "The savior of allowing people to have quality health care at an affordable price is gonna kill people." Really Mr Broun? Can you explain that one? This just sounds stupid.

Trouble in the ranks of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:03:00 +0000

This article appeared in the New York Times yesterday.

“But it was clear to me,” he added, “that any time you deny one group of people the same right that other groups have, that is a clear violation of civil rights and I have to speak up on that.”

Sally Kern is an idiot

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:10:00 +0000

Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern is an idiot. She recently splashed into the spotlight with her hyperbolic statement comparing gays to being WORSE than terrorists and Muslims. That's right Sally go ahead and throw in all the groups of people you hate. Oh, and while you're at it, claim that God told you to say it.

Here is the video that was leaked by someone in the meeting of 50 Republicans.

Sally's words are offensive to me. She makes me fume with disbelief and anger. There is almost no where to start when talking with a person like this because their beliefs seem so irrational to me.

Oklahoma City news station, News9, interviewed Sally after the video received national attention on YouTube.

In defense of her ill-thought beliefs, she tries to use "facts". Of course, we have no clue the source of her "facts". Let me venture a guess.....Westboro Baptist Church. The looney bin of Kansas. When she was asked to apologize for her irrational diatribe, Sally claimed
"There are indisputable facts that show its a deadly lifestyle... What is wrong with me, as an American, exercising my free speech rights?". Sally, dear, no one is stopping you from speaking your opinions. If you didn't have free speech then the police would have arrested you by now. But guess what.....they didn't. AT the same time though, don't think that "free speech" shields you from ridicule from the country. Get a clue!

Easter Brunch

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:58:00 +0000

Is it wrong of me to want grilled rabbit for Easter Brunch?

No Enemy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 10 Sep 2005 02:29:00 +0000

One thing Bush had going for him after 9/11 was the fact that there was a foreign "enemy" to go shoot and blame for the tragedy. This time there isn't anyone to go fight or blame. Well, maybe he could blame God. But then that would surely turn off his base -- the religious extremists. Can't do that.

And even more unfortunate for him is the people to blame for the poor response time are his own appointees. The sign of a good leader is in the strength of the people he hires. Will the president EVER take responsibility? Will the buck EVER stop at his desk? Doubtful.

Add Another Fumble to FEMA's List

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 12:42:00 +0000

It seems FEMA can't get much right these days. Add United States Geography classes to their ever growing list of training. Yesterday, they sent a plane full of NOLA evacuees to Charleston, except they got the wrong state.

A South Carolina health official said his colleagues scrambled Tuesday when FEMA gave only a half-hour notice to prepare for the arrival of a plane carrying as many as 180 evacuees to Charleston.

But the plane, instead, landed in Charleston, West Virginia, 400 miles away.

CNN has the full story here.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't one sign of GOOD leadership the ability to hire/appoint qualified and effective individuals?

Way to Go CA

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 02:57:00 +0000

Now for some good news. The California Assembly passed the Same-sex marriage bill. Gov. S., please do what's right.

Read about it at SFGate.com

Mommy and Daddy Bush: Go Home!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 02:46:00 +0000

Mommy Bush has a way with words. She takes the knife, twists and pushes it in further while adding a little salt to the mix. Appearing with her perfectly set hair, clean name-brand clothes, she spoke with the ignorance of the priviledged.

E&P reported her words of ignorance. Just look at this: "And so many of the people in the arena here, you
know, were underprivileged anyway, so this--this (she
chuckles slightly) is working very well for them."

and

"What I'm hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas." hmmmm....why is this so scary? Maybe she's just a racist. She finds it scary that the population of Texas might frow by 250,000 BLACK people. Oh, terror.

Nice, Barb. Shrub, send your Mommy and Daddy home. They're ruining you even more.

Shame on the Talking Heads

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 05 Sep 2005 03:39:00 +0000

I knew I shouldn’t have looked at Boob O-Reilly while eating a delicious Mexican dinner. I quickly lost my appetite. He claimed that “all” the people stranded in NOLA were there because they made a “bad decision”.

Shame on this asshole. Shame on all the talking Airbags that use this line. I’m tired of hearing these bozos claim that all the people stranded made a bad decision. Of course they’re saying this from the comfort of there dry, comfortable high rise somewhere. And then, just to make themselves sound somewhat human and empathetic they make a pitch for American Red Cross or some other aid organization. Bah! There cold hearted bastards.

People stayed behind for all kind of reasons. Some were too old to leave. Some were too sick. Some were too poor. Some were children. Some just couldn’t get out in time. Take 105 year-old Nita LaGarde in this AP Photo, for example, bound to a wheelchair. How could she get out on her own? Does she even have close family that can help her? Or this sick and elderly lady. She’s dependent on the mercy of others too.

The stories of these peoples lives are probably tragic and heart wrenching. Their lives may be filled with overwhelming loneliness and despair but now look where they are….nothing. There entire lives' possessions are gone. And all the talking heads have to say is blame them for staying behind. What cold hearted airbags! Perhaps we should send the Bill O-reilys of the world to live in what is left of the Big Easy.

New Orleans? What New Orleans?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 04 Sep 2005 04:37:00 +0000

Rehnquist Dies. New Orleans no longer exists. Forget the tragedy in NOLA. Who cares now, right? The media has just turned off their generators in NOLA, packed their SAT trucks and turned around headed for D.C.

The Vacationer-In-Chief was just handed another "Get Out of Jail Free" card.

Let's Get this "Straight"

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 07 Jul 2005 02:55:00 +0000

I get a kick out of the anti-gay conservatives who use quotes around the word marriage when qualifying it with the word homosexual. It's their way of demeaning the loving, committed relationships between two people of the same gender. So I guess I should just refer to them as "compassionate" "christian" "conservatives" (with their heads up their asses). Take a look at this article from the "conservative", "christian" online "news" source, "agape" "press".

...The head of the Family Research Council says Americans must keep a close eye on the impact that Canada's decision to legalize homosexual "marriage" could have in the United States. Perkins believes homosexual activists seeking to eradicate the institution of marriage realized they could accomplish more in Canada than they could in the U.S. He says, "In some cases it appears that homosexual interest groups in this country have taken this agenda to the North of us because they felt the ground was more sympathetic, and are pushing for these measures through both the courts and Parliament only to come back to this country to make reference to them in trying to shape public policy in this country." The pro-family leader says these efforts are about "this elusive desire from homosexuals to get a seal of approval on something that I don't think they could ever be satisfied with; but in the process they will destroy the institution of marriage." Perkins is warning pro-family Americans they can expect the pro-homosexual movement to try using Canada's approval of same-sex marriage to influence the marriage debate in the U.S. [Bill Fancher]

Oh and...why do the "conservative" "christians" think that the act of two people getting married will "eradicate the institution of marriage". Take a trip to a Southern Baptist Summer Youth camp where you're likely to see hordes of pregnant teenagers. No, mayber they're just fat and gluttonous. Anway, both abominable acts.

The History of Marriage

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Jul 2005 19:43:00 +0000

Stephanie Coontz’s editorial in the New York Times today is timely given the recent vote at the United Church of Christ General Synod.

The conservative religious right (more appropriately named the religious wrong) would have us believe that the current structure of heterosexual marriage has been in place for thousands of years. As Coontz points out they couldn’t be further from the truth. Marriage has evolved over time. (Ooops! Maybe I shouldn’t use the word “evolved”. James Dobson and Co. may deny the existence of the word.) Marriage has evolved to change with the times. A roll back to bygone years would simply be unfeasible. Do women really want to don their aprons again to be the bread baker and not the breadwinner? Should it again be permissible for a man to divorce his wife if she turns out to be barren? Should women submit to their husband’s every sexual advance (from the twin bed beside her)? Come on! Is this the type of society we want to live in again? Of course not.

Dobson, Falwell et al would have us believe that the image of the 1950s is the way marriage always was and should be. They are spreading lies that hurt and not heal.

An Incredible Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Jul 2005 03:16:00 +0000

God is Still Speaking!

Today was a day for tears of joy and tears of sadness. Some are renewed in their spirit. Some are confused and discouraged by their church.

But above all today is a day of great change in the United Church of Christ and quite possibly the stepping stone for change in our country. Among many other resolutions the one on same-sex marriage passed overwhelmingly.

Are We Listening?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 01 Jul 2005 20:09:00 +0000

If the pending UCC vote wasn’t exciting enough news, the following story came off of www.365gay.com. It seems the United Kingdom Methodist Church has voted to allow their churches to PERFORM ceremonies for gay couples. Keep your eyes and ears open because good things are happening!

UK Methodists To Perform Gay Union Blessings
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: June 30, 2005 8:00 pm ET

(Washington) The Methodist Church has become the first major denomination in the UK to endorse same-sex unions. Leaders of the church in an historic vote agreed to allow ministers to perform blessing ceremonies for gay couples.

Britain's civil unions registry begins in December.

Speakers at the Church's annual meeting almost unanimously voiced their approval of the plan. Only one speaker cited Biblical passages condemning homosexuality.

The delegates to the meeting voted to authorize the Faith and Order Committee to develop a liturgy and advise ministers on how to conduct the ceremony.

The chair of the Committee, Rev Jonathan Kerry, said that the service would be available in the fall - in plenty of time for the first civil unions.

But, Kerry said that the service will not approximate a wedding ceremony, even though he conceded that many people would see it that way.

There are 300,000 Methodists in Britain, making it the country's third largest denomination.

The decision to bless gay unions is in stark contrast to the Anglican Church which is deeply divided over the role of gays.

The largest Methodist denomination in the United States - the United Methodist Church - opposes same-sex unions and forbids non celibate gay clergy.

Meanwhile, the United Church of Christ will vote on a same-sex unions motion this weekend.
Earlier this week the denomination's leader announced his support for gay unions.
The 1.3 million-member United Church of Christ has a history of supporting gays in its denomination, dating to 1972, when it ordained the first openly gay minister and established a gay caucus.

©365Gay.com 2005

The Time is Now

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 01 Jul 2005 19:06:00 +0000

The United Church of Christ is now positioned to make a worldwide statement. They have everyone’s attention right here in Atlanta. They have the potential to set ripples through our society, to set our country on the path to full acceptance of same-gendered relationships. There are many signs that the time is now to accept this resolution.

The AJC published an interview with the Rev. Robert Chase, executive director of communications for the United Church of Christ. When asked about the TV ad campaign he had this to say:

The campaign has been tremendously successful for our church. Worship attendance is up, and giving is up. And it's been effective in the pride of membership. Since December, people have been saying "You're the church with the commercial" or "You're the church of extravagant welcome." People are aware of us now, and profile with society at large has been significantly increased.

How incredible is that? The UCC “goes out on a limb”, They opened their hearts, their minds and their doors (hmmmm….sounds like the ad campaign from UMC). Instead of people turning away, people have flocked to the church. The UCC is growing not by telling people they aren’t welcome but by showing them that they can be a whole person in God. Wow! What a concept! A church that actually accepts all of God’s creation.

I remember the controversy surrounding the commercial when it first aired. Probably the only reason I remember it was because some TV stations refused to air it. Their refusal was the best advertisement for the church. My partner, Jeffrey and I watched the ad on the web. I felt chill bumps. I couldn’t believe that a church was actually making such a bold and radical statement. (hmmmm….weren’t Jesus’ teachings radical for his time?)

I hope they vote for to accept resolution. People have responded to the ad campaign. The energy and excitement is present. The United Church of Christ must pass this resolution. The time is now.

United Church of Christ and Same-Sex Unions

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 29 Jun 2005 19:39:00 +0000

{NOTE: July 4, 2005, After reading this enty, please move to the beginning of my blog to read more.}

Very soon we could have the first mainstream Christian denomination church, the United Church of Christ, to endorse the recognition of same-sex marriages.

This from news in Atlanta:

The Rev. John H. Thomas said Tuesday that the church’s General Synod "should affirm the rights of gay, lesbian and transgender persons to have their covenanted relationships recognized by the state as marriages equal in name, privileges and responsibilities to married heterosexual couples."

Perhaps it will become increasingly difficult to pass a Constitutional Amendment on marriage if a mainstream church is supporting it. What’s really exciting about this is that the head of the denomination is making a public statement of support.

Oh Canada!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 29 Jun 2005 15:53:00 +0000

It looks like our neighbors to the north took a giant step into the history books. Canada passed same-sex marriage legislation with a 158 – 133 vote. Congratulations! Makes me wish I was a Canadian.

Pride Encounter

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 28 Jun 2005 01:04:00 +0000

I'm a sucker for chachies at Pride. I don't know why but I feel I have to accept everyone's bag of useless plastic toys and ads, most of which I throw away when I get home. Perhaps its just my inner pack rat coming out. I see an opportunity to horde more stuff so I seize the moment.

In my exuberance to collect as much as possible I approached a woman passing out fliers. I asked her what she had. She handed me a pamplet and said it is a free conference. I took it, stepped away, glanced at the front of the flier, read
Exodus International, turned to her, handed it back. "No thanks," I replied the best look of disgust I could make.

Damn, I was too polite. Why was I polite to her? What I wanted to do was shout at her. I wanted to show my anger. I wanted her to feel uncomfortable. I wanted everyone's eyes to turn to this woman and know exactly what kind of fink she was. Sheneeded to know the pain she and her cohorts cause.

Standing beside her was another "Exodus-flier-passer-outer". It was a man that was neatly dressed with a coordinated outfit, stylish glasses, and a well manicured coif. It was apparent he had spent more than a fleeting straight-man moment on
his hair, taking a moment to admire himself in the bathroom mirror this morning. But his overall appearance was stuck in limbo between the gay man that he really was and the "straight" man that Exodus taught him to be. He wanted to go all out with attention to detail. At the same time, though, he wanted to leave some edges rough and unkempt. It showed. He needed liberation.

As I stood off to the side looking back at them, I played out several scenarios of response in my mind. I wanted to go up to her and give her a thoughtful, articulate explanation of why she was wrong. I wanted to tell her that she should feel ashamed and to leave. I wanted to tell her the man standing next to her pretending to be straight was the next John Paulk. I wanted to ask her about the investigation of abuse by the state of Tennessee at Love In Action. But I couldn't. I was so angry that I couldn't formulate a coherent argument in my mind. After all this was my day – our day - to celebrate our lives. Why couldn't she just leave us alone for once? Give us one weekend of fun to be ourselves, to be left alone by the deafening noise of contempt from the outside world. She had come to my party covertly, uninvited, unwanted.

As my friends and I walked away I looked back over my shoulder and locked eyes with her in a cold, long, uncomfortable stare. That was the only response I could
formulate without going into a blind range. Afterall a response like that accomplishes nothing. Somehow, I felt that I conveyed my message. Something in her stare back showed that she registered the rage I felt.

Mission accomplished.

Oh I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Wiener.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 24 Jun 2005 03:39:00 +0000

That is what I'd truly like to be.
'Cause if I were an Oscar Mayer Wiener,
Ev'ryone would be in love with me.

It looks as those my efforts to eat healthy, fresh foods is going to be tanked for
the next few months. Instead I'll be buying boxes of Kraft Mac 'n' Cheese, Oscar
Mayer wieners, countless boxes of Post cereal and downing Maxwell House coffee.

For my transgressions, I blame Donald E. Wilmon, Chairman of the American
Family Association, and Jerry Falwell (we all know this gluttonous ballooning man).
It seems they aren't pleased with Kraft Foods' support of the Gay Games. (Something
about being anti-family or something.) The AFA is encouraging they're drones
to send emails (from their website) and call Kraft foods asking them to oppose the
Gay Games.

So I decided to launch my own mini boycott. I used the AFA's own tools to send an
email of support to Kraft. I encourage you to do the same. Go to the American
Family Association 's
Take Action Page. They have a standard letter that you can sign your
name to and send. These Right Wing Wackos are so stupid they let me edit the email
to say whatever I wanted. Well, I mischieviously changed the email from their
wording:

I am greatly disappointed to learn of Kraft's sponsorship of the Gay Games.
I ask that Kraft withdraw its sponsorship. If Kraft does not withdraw its
sponsorship of the Gay Games, and if American Family Association calls for
a boycott of Kraft, I will participate.

TO MY wording:

I am very pleased to learn of Kraft's sponsorship of the Gay Games.
I ask that Kraft continue its sponsorship. If Kraft does not withdraw its
sponsorship of the Gay Games, and if American Family Association calls for
a boycott of Kraft, I WILL BUY MORE KRAFT PRODUCTS.

I hit send. Hehehehehe....I turned the AFA's gun around and pointed it back
at them. You should give it a try to. Write whatever you want.

My bologna has a first name, it's O-S-C-A-R.
My bologna has a second name, it's M-A-Y-E-R.
Oh, I love to eat it everyday, and if you ask me why, I'll say,
"'Cause Oscar Mayer has a way with B-O-L-O-G-N-A."

Tenn. investigates ex-gay camp Teen's blog leads to outcry, charges of abuse at unlicensed facility

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 24 Jun 2005 03:01:00 +0000

Ah, yes, at last the state of Tennessee takes notice. The Washington Blade reports that the protests in front of the Love In Action torture facility in Memphis, TN caught the attention of the Tennessee Departments of Health, Mental Health, Human Services, Child Services and Education.

Perhaps the real atrocities will be revealed. Now, I can go to bed happy.

Those "Loving" Southern Baptists

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 01:04:00 +0000

It seems the Bush needs to scare up some poll numbers for himself. Apparently, there isn't much action from the "terrists" out there. When the "terrists" fail you do the next best thing....bring up the unConstitutional Marriage Amendment chatter again.

This was publish on WVLT Volunteer TV:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. President Bush today praised Southern Baptists for their strong family values and again proclaimed his support for a constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage.

Bush told the 11-thousand Southern Baptists convening in Nashville that they are practicing compassion by defending the family and the sacred institution of marriage.

It's the fourth time the president has addressed the convention, which boasts about 16-point-3 (m) million members and more than 43-thousand churches.

The conservative Southern Baptists heavily supported the president in last year's election.

The group adheres strictly to conservative theological positions.

Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

hmmmmm.....