A SHOUT OUT TO DEBRA: SHE WHO SEEKS

It has to be tough for Daffyd when he is the only gay in the village.

Lesbian doesn't count.






the Ol'Buzzard

LGBTransgender

LGBT

but we need one more category

LGBTDQ

Drag Queens

I'm just saying

the Ol'Buzzard

SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOL

I am a staunch proponent of teaching Sex Ed in school (Sunday Schools.)  

I offer this clip for education and enlightenment. 

 

Wanda Sykes could be arrested in fourteen states.

and I could also.

the Ol'Buzzard

GAY MARRIAGE - THE SOLUTION

THE RIGHT OF GAYS TO MARRY AND THEIR INTRENCHED OPPONENTS

The U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco, in a 2-1 decision, overturned Proposition-8: a California Constitutional Amendment declaring ‘marriage’ as a union only between one man and one woman; which effectively nullified California’s law allowing gay and lesbian couples to ‘marry’. 

This ‘marriage’ impasse has at its core the goal of Christian churches attempting to impose their moral doctrines on the population at large.   

The Mormon Church heavily funded, in a covert religious movement, California’s Proposition-8.   The Catholic Church has also been a prime mover in de facto-bigotry against the gay and lesbian community.   In Maine, the Catholic Church of Portland was a primary opponent (along with fundamentalist fanatics) in defeating the Equal ‘Marriage’ Amendment proposed by the Maine Legislature. 

I would like to propose my own amendment:

The Ol’Buzzard’s Get Rid of ‘Marriage’ Amendment.

1. The Federal Government should only recognize Domestic Partnership Licenses.

2.  Only Domestic Partnership Licenses can be issued by states, and these licenses have all the rights and legal protection now provided by a ‘Marriage’ License.

3.  After receiving a Domestic Partnership License couples are free to affirm a religious covenant in the faith of their choice where they may receive a Marriage Certificate of affirmation.   However, these religious certificates will have no legal or binding authority outside of the religious institution of their issue.

the Ol’Buzzdar

Legacy of the Supreme Court

BE AFRAID, BE VERY AFRAID

Now that I have got your attention...

We often hear about a president’s legacy.   In reality, a president’s legacy may only last to the end of his or her term.   The next president, along with a supporting legislature has the ability to overturn and undo much of his predecessor’s accomplishments.   The only real and lasting legacy a president can leave (or in some cases inflict) is his or her choice of an appointment to the Supreme Court.

The basic purpose of the Supreme Court as designed by the founding fathers was to guard our basic human rights and to act as an arbiter against rash legislation.

However, the idea of impartial judges interpreting the law flies in the face of real politics.   At present, and not for the first time, our Court is divided by strict political party agendas.   Thanks to the appointments of George W. our court is leaning decisively conservative, and conservative courts tend to champion conservative legislation.

Franklin D. Roosevelt constantly fought a conservative court in the 1930’s.   That Court , under Chief Justice Charles Hughes, moved to invalidate much of Roosevelt’s National Recovery Act.   Their opposition included the right to form unions, the right of collective bargaining, minimum wage, child labor laws and social security.   One of the early court’s claims was that the National Recovery Act was an attempt to redistribute the wealth from one class to another. Does that sound familiar?

Soon our conservative leaning Court is scheduled to hear arguments against Obama’s Comprehensive Health Care Reform.   Conservative Republicans are claiming the Individual Mandate, requiring the purchase health insurance or payment of a fine, is unconstitutional.   Now one of the most important legislations in history will stand or fall by a decision from this divided assembly.

The question before the Court is whether Congress exceeded its authority, or whether the Mandate is legal, through the right of Congress to control interstate commerce.   The Obama administration justifies its Mandate on the findings in Wickard v. Filburn (1942.)   In this case the court upheld a penalty on a farmer that was paid, by the government, to limit his wheat crop production, but grew extra wheat for his on personal use.   The court found that if all farmers receiving subsidy grew extra crops for their own use it would affect the economy of interstate commerce.

If the Court overturns the Health Care Mandate it will bring into question literally hundreds of New Deal cases based on the authority to regulate commerce.   It would seem the common sense finding would be to uphold the Mandate; however, in a court with strong ideological leanings the Justices may very well vote their personal political prejudices.

This brings me to the conclusion of this post: The next elected president will most likely appoint one or perhaps two new Supreme Court Judges.   If a Republican is elected President it is likely that our Supreme Court will be skewed to the far right as represented by the current Republican Party.   We stand to see our country move backwards sixty years, to a time of corporate power and limited personal freedom. Ultimately we will see the undoing of Roe v. Wade and Gay rights; a supression of freedom of speech, a move to control the internet, a laxing of integration reforms, a crackdown on immigration; and a move toward a religious theocracy.

So be afraid, be very afraid: and get out and vote.

the Ol’Buzzard

IN GOD WE TRUST

IN GOD WE TRUST: Give me a break.

With all the financial, social and political problems facing the United States, Congress finally decided to act: this week they passed a resolution, with only seven dissenters, confirming that the country’s motto is still IN GOD WE TRUST. 

What ever happened to, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…”  This, by the way, is part of the first amendment of our Bill of Rights.

We worry about terrorism, global warming and the financial melt down; but the real threat to this country is creeping Jesus.   Systematically and covertly Christian fundamentalist are moving our country toward a Christian theocracy. 

In Mississippi there is a law proposed to define human life as existing from the time of conception.  This law has been proposed and championed due to the fundamentalist influence that permeates Mississippi and the rest of the south.  Besides outlawing abortion under any circumstances the law would also make the use of some popular birth control methods a crime; and could result in a woman using identified birth control methods being charged with murder. 

At this time oral and anal sex between consenting adults is a crime in thirteen states.   The religious right regularly edit our school books and in many states have passed laws insisting their religious metaphoric creationism be taught in place of, or as an alternative to, the hard science of evolution.   Touting pious morality the amoral Christians have been successful in limiting aides and stem cell research.   They regularly attempt to ban books and movies and they would like to censor the viewing of sexual material on the World Wide Web.

A Christian theocracy would move our country back into a new dark ages; a time of repression, ignorance and inquisition.   Christian fundamentalist must have identified enemies to unite and motivate their flocks.  Moslems, atheist, dead soldiers and homosexuals are their present bitter enemies.   In Maine the Catholic church of Portland was the prime organizer and fund raiser that defeated the Maine Legislature’s Equal Rights Amendment.  Fanatical fundamentalist populated the balcony at the State House and screamed obscenities and scripture verses at the people appearing before the legislature who testified in favor of the amendment.

To paraphrase George Carlin: The Christians are coming and they are not very nice people. 

   

DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL

A CULTURAL LANDMARK

As of midnight last night the law preventing gay men and women in the military from serving openly was repealed. Like the repeal of segregation this social change will take some time before all prejudice and resentment can be eradicated – and among southern, redneck, Christian fundamentalist and the Catholics Church in general the resentment and violence toward someone with a different lifestyle will never relinquish.

However, in the military it will soon be a non-starter. The military is a unique organization and conforming to regulations and orders is an accepted way of life.

Many don’t know that during the Viet Nam war there was high racial tension and there was often violence between black and white service men. It got to the point that mission readiness was affected. After the war racial tension still existed in many commands. In the Navy, the Chief of Naval Operations decreed that the any racial conflicts would be dealt with swiftly and firmly by commands and he established a training mission to bring about a better understanding between races. All active duty Navy personnel were required to attend a series of rights and responsibilities lectures and activities. There were those among the white sailors that tagged the training “Watermelon U.” I was a facilitator (instructor) for this training, which, along with the zero tolerance decreed by commanding officers of all Naval commands, brought about an end to both covert and overt displays of intolerance.

In a short time gay service in the military will be a non-issue for service personnel; however, outside the military the contention will continue – especially among military retirees continuing to live in their self-constructed past glories and among the far right Christian activist; and again, the Catholic Church.

The world moves on and many refuse to move with it.

the Ol’Buzzard

USN Ret.