John McCain Back Stabs Gay Republicans (Again)

John McCain tells the New York Times that he opposes adoption by gays:

Mr. McCain, who with his wife, Cindy, has an adopted daughter, said flatly that he opposed allowing gay couples to adopt. “I think that we’ve proven that both parents are important in the success of a family so, no, I don’t believe in gay adoption,” he said.

Not to fear, according to the Log Cabin Republicans, John McCain and the Republican Party support the right of gays to have private retirements accounts if the Democrats would only join the GOP in destroying the Social Security system and turning it over to Wall Street.

Apparently, the Log Cabin Republicans agree with John McCain, that Social Security is a "Disgrace"!

The LCR ignores the fact that Barack Obama and the Democratic Party support giving gay and lesbian couples the same federal benefits, including Social Security, as married couples. It's part of their deceptive "education" of the LGBT community on John McCain:

"While we respect those who believe that only traditional "scorecard" LGBT issues such as hate crimes and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) should matter to gay people, we disagree. The vast majority of LGBT Americans are not one-issue voters. Like all Americans, gays and lesbians have wide-ranging concerns—from foreign policy to the environment to soaring gas prices to the size of the federal government and more.

McCain's positions on these and many issues will attract independents, including gays and lesbians. Sen. McCain supports taking an aggressive posture against totalitarian regimes—regimes that threaten, imprison, and kill gay and lesbian people. By contrast, Sen. Obama has received harsh criticism (and even some skepticism from his fellow Democrats) for indicating he would meet with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad without conditions.

Additionally, Sen. McCain's philosophy on other issues will attract gay and lesbian voters. He supports measures that will benefit gay and lesbian business people. His views on the proper role and scope of the federal government, as well as taxes and spending, energy and the environment may also have wide appeal. He also supports social security reform that may provide for private retirement accounts, which will directly benefit non-married LGBT Americans."

Will the LCR still endorse John McCain now that he has endorsed the anti-gay Proposition 8 in California, opposes gay adoption,, opposes allowing gays to serve in the U.S. military, and opposes non-discrimination legislation covering gays and lesbians? Or are these just minor "single-issues" that gay Republicans don't care about?

See HRC Report on the REAL John McCain: A Record Opposing the Interests of GLBT Americans

SEE ALSO:
McCain Blasted for Opposing Gay Adoption

Can Progressives Unite Behind Obama?

Like many other progressives on the left, I have been concerned about Barack Obama moving to the "center" for the general election. I don't think he has "flip-flopped" as some suggest, except in the case of his vote for the new FISA (the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act) Bill. I think progressives are making a mistake if they drop their support for Obama based on that one vote. Obama is trying to avoid the political pitfalls that seem to always entrap Democratic candidates. He opposed the Supreme Court decision that the death penalty is too severe for child rapists and he supported the decision that overturned the D.C. ban on handguns and declared the right of U.S. citizens to own handguns. In the past, liberal Democrats have fumbled badly on these questions (i.e., Dukakis' cold answer to a question about the death penalty if his wife was murered was turned into being weak on crime). There is no way a Democrat could win a general election and oppose the death penalty for child rapists. Imagine the GOP attack ads on that, or if Obama voted against revising FISA and there is a terrorist attack?

Obama's support of "faith-based" programs is not a "move to the right"! Obama was an activist and organizer in "faith-based" programs in Chicago. That is where he acquired his liberal perspective on helping the poor. His program is not like Bush's. Obama recognizes the separation of church & state and prohibits discrimination based on religion or against gays and lesbians. And it is not limited to churches. His program will include secular organizations as well as gay-supportive organizations and churches.

Progressives and anti-Obama feminist Hillary Clinton supporters have to look at the bigger picture--Barack Obama is far more progressive than John McCain! Our choice is between those two candidates, only one of the THEM will win the general election. Progressives should have learned from 2000 that wasting their vote on a left-wing third party candidate does MORE harm to the progressive movement.

Theda Skocpol has a message to all of you anti-Obama progressives and Obama-hating Clintonites:
CAN PROGRESSIVES UNITE?
See Also Norman Solomon: Obama and the Progressive Base

Are Republicans Really this Stupid?

Are People (Republicans) Really This Stupid??

Today at work I got into a political discussion (which we aren’t supposed to have) with a woman (a WOMAN) who couldn’t understand why the American people did not support the war because the soldiers support it and we should too. I tried to explain that MILITARY polls and surveys shows that military soldiers overwhelmingly opposed the war now, like the general public, and disapprove of George Bush. Furthermore, over 1,000 of our soldiers in Iraq have committed SUICIDE. She responded that maybe they enlisted “to get a free ride” !!!
I could not believe people could be so blindly supportive of Bush that they would even dismiss the opposition of the troops they claim to support.

She laughed when I said the Iraq War was illegal and Bush LIED (misled) congress and the country into it. (He didn’t Know.. She said)
He KNEW! He knew Iraq didn’t pose a “clear and present” danger to the U.S.! He KNEW Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11!
Bush KNEW that Iraq had NO TIES to Al Qeda!
Bush has committed IMPEACHABLE CRIMES! (Iraq, illegal torture, wiretapping, etc..)
How can people still not KNOW these facts!

This same person is racist. She wants to move from her house because of the “neighborhood” (i.e. Blacks).
She thinks all poor people are lazy and are popping out babies to get welfare checks.
Rich people deserve to be rich, poor people are just too lazy, etc.
She thinks labor unions are evil, and Wal-Mart is a great company to work for..
She thinks Bush is a better president than Bill Clinton, who she hates...

Is this the “typical” Republican today?
And why is it that most of the SUV’s I see with “W” and Bush/Cheney stickers driven by WOMEN?

Sorry I had to vent... I just don’t understand how people could be this stupid.

The Week that Should have Ended John McCain's Campaign

This should have been THE WEEK THAT SHOULD HAVE ENDED MCCAIN'S PRESIDENTIAL HOPES!

John McCain: 61 Flip Flops and Counting

Here's a partial list of John McCains 61 Flip-Flops

While the media focus on every claim of Obama flip-flops, they are ignoring the McCain Flip-Flop Express!

McCain/GOP Have Double Democratic Cash!

Here's why Barack Obama should NOT be wasting his time helping Hillary Clinton pay off her $20 million debt!

Republicans Have Double Democratic Cash

McCain is sitting on $97 milllion!

The McCain campaign and Republican Party have nearly $95 million cash on hand combined for use in the presidential race, campaign manager Rick Davis said Thursday. He said the McCain camp had more than $27 million, and the Republican National Committee has more than $67 million.
And, they're planning on $400 million -- including the $85 million from the public finance system:
Davis said he hopes the campaign and party will be able to raise an additional $95 million by the end of the summer. Including the matching funds, he estimated the campaign would have a total $400 million budget through Election Day.

As pointed out on AmericaBlog, McCain and the GOP are a huge financial advantage over Obama and the Democratic party.

Thanks to Hillary Clinton, the RNC and McCain got a head start on raising money for the general election, and now she wants Obama to help pay her debts instead of raising money to beat John McCain????

Arkansas Cage Fight Turns Gay

Arkansas Cage Fight Turns Gay, Crowd Goes Crazy

Crowds in Arkansas came for the lure of cage fighting and $1 beer, but police say what they got instead was men ripping each others' clothes off and kissing _ a stunt suspected of being orchestrated by Sacha Baron Cohen of "Borat" fame.

"We had a contract for cage fighting. We were deceived," said Dwight Duncan, president and CEO of Four States Fair Grounds in Texarkana, where the first of two Arkansas fights raised suspicions last month.

Matt Labov, a Los Angeles-based publicist for Baron Cohen, said he had no comment Monday about the faked fights. One of Baron Cohen's movies is due out next year.

The day after the June 5 Texarkana bout, Fort Smith's convention center hosted "Blue Collar Brawlin.'" Fort Smith police Sgt. Adam Holland said organizers told him a character named "Straight Dave" would goad a planted audience member into the ring for a fight.

The two men would then wrestle, rip away some of their clothes and share a brief kiss reminiscent of one between Baron Cohen and Will Ferrell in the film "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby."

Producers said "there would be a romantic embrace," Holland said. "They said it was kind of to essentially make fun, poke fun at wrestling _ two guys rolling around on the floor, all sweaty."

An elaborate array of mounted and handheld video cameras caught the crowd of 1,600's reaction as the two men "went right up to the line" of the city's morality laws, Holland said. The two men stripped down to their underwear, kissed and rubbed on each other, the sergeant said.

The audience, as well as local fighters drawn to take part in the show, became enraged. "It set the crowd off lobbing beers," Holland said. "They had beers in plastic cups. Those things can get some distance on them actually."

Holland said it took officers about 45 minutes to clear the convention center, as the two actors sprinted away through a specially set-aside tunnel.

Those in attendance were told by several signs on display that they'd be filmed, Holland said, and signed waivers before the event. Convention center sales director Karin Hobbs declined to name the event's sponsor Monday.

Baron Cohen became a national celebrity after his 2006 hit movie "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan," in which he played a bumbling reporter from the Central Asia nation.

News of the faked cage fights comes as Baron Cohen is in production of a movie titled "Bruno," named after the gay Austrian fashion reporter he developed for "Da Ali G Show." Baron Cohen, in the guise of Bruno, often interviewed hapless subjects in the South.

If the cage match visits came from Baron Cohen, it wouldn't be the first time Arkansas fell for a practical joke. In 2000, then-Gov. Mike Huckabee fell for a prank and congratulated Canada for preserving its icebound Parliament, calling it a "national igloo."
------

So, these people LOVE watching men fight but get violently angry if two men kiss? That would be the real meaning of the term "homophobia" I guess, an "irrational fear and hatred of homosexuality"!
BRUNO should be a funny movie, like Borat, exposing the stupidity of the American people.

McCain Advisor: It's only a "Mental Recession"

McCain Advisor, Phil Graham, says stop whinnig, its Only a "Mental Recession"

Former Sen. Phil Gramm, a key economic adviser to McCain, told the Washington Times that worries about the sluggish US economy sinking into a recession were just in everybody's head.

"You've heard of mental depression; this is a mental recession," he said, noting that growth has held up at about 1 percent despite all the publicity over losing jobs to India, China, illegal immigration, housing and credit problems and record oil prices. "We may have a recession; we haven't had one yet."

See Also:
"Foreclosure Phil Gramm": How John McCain's Economic Advisor Helped Engineer the Mortgage Crisis

Obama Tells Army Times He Supports Allowing Gays to Serve

In an in depth interview with Army Times, Barack Obama Reiterates his Support for Gays to Serve in the Military:

Obama also spoke of rocking the boat. In what seems certain to be one of his more controversial proposals for the military, Obama said he wants to allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military.

Equity and fairness are part of the reason for lifting the ban on acknowledged homosexuals serving in the military, Obama said, but there are practical reasons, too — like getting “all hands on deck” when the nation needs people in uniform. “If we can’t field enough Arab linguists, we shouldn’t be preventing an Arab linguist from serving his or her country because of what they do in private,” he said, referring to the 2006 discharge of about 60 linguists for violating the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on service by homosexuals.

“I want to make sure that we are doing it in a thoughtful and principled way. But I do believe that at a time when we are short-handed, that everybody who is willing to lay down their lives on behalf of the United States and can do so effectively, can perform critical functions, should have the opportunity to do so.”

Asked how he would deal with opposition from within the Pentagon, Obama smiled and said: “Well, I’m a pretty persuasive guy.” But he acknowledged that pushing such a legal change through Congress would be more challenging. “We have to distinguish whether there are functional barriers to doing this and are people prepared for the political heat.”

Fox Attacks Michelle Obama/Hires Clinton Advisors

The Faux News Channel continues its right-wing attacks on Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, often borrowing the same attacks used by the Clinton campaign against them. Maybe that is why Fox News is hiring so many former Clinton advisors, who praise Fox as "fair and balanced"!

Fox Smears Michelle Obama

Study: Gays in Military Don't Threaten Morale

Study: Gays in Military Don't Threaten Morale

As Gomer Pile would say, "Surprise, Surprise Surprise!"
Congress should repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy because the presence of gays in the military is unlikely to undermine the ability to fight and win, according to a new study released by a California-based research center.
The study was conducted by four retired military officers, including the three-star Air Force lieutenant general who in early 1993 was tasked with implementing President Clinton's policy that the military stop questioning recruits on their sexual orientation.

"Evidence shows that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly is unlikely to pose any significant risk to morale, good order, discipline or cohesion," the officers states.

To support its contention, the panel points to the British and Israeli militaries, where it says gay people serve openly without hurting the effectiveness of combat operations.

Undermining unit cohesion was a determining factor when Congress passed the 1993 law, intended to keep the military from asking recruits their sexual orientation. In turn, service members can't say they are gay or bisexual, engage in homosexual activity or marry a member of the same sex.

The study was sponsored by the Michael D. Palm Center at the University of California at Santa Barbara, which said it picked the panel members to portray a bipartisan representation of the different service branches. According to its website, the Palm Center "is committed to keeping researchers, journalists and the general public informed of the latest developments in the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy debate."

Two of the officers have endorsed Democratic candidates since leaving the military — Army Lt. Gen. Robert Gard, who supports Barack Obama, and Marine Corps Gen. Hugh Aitken, who backed Clinton in 1996.

Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Minter Alexander, a Republican, was assigned in 1993 to a high-level panel established by the Defense Department to examine the issue of gays in the military. At one point, he signed an order that prohibited the military from asking a recruit's sexual orientation.

Alexander said at the time he was simply trying to carry out the president's orders and not take a position. But he now believes the law should be repealed because it assumes the existence of gays in the military is disruptive to units even though cultural attitudes are changing.

Further, the Defense Department and not Congress should be in charge of regulating sexual misconduct within the military, he said.

"Who else can better judge whether it's a threat to good order and discipline?" Alexander asked.

Navy Vice Adm. Jack Shanahan said he had no opinion on the issue when he joined the panel, having never confronted it in his 35-year military career. A self-described Republican who opposes the Bush administration's handling of the Iraq war, Shanahan said he was struck by the loss of personal integrity required by individuals to carry out "don't ask, don't tell."

"Everyone was living a big lie — the homosexuals were trying to hide their sexual orientation and the commanders were looking the other way because they didn't want to disrupt operations by trying to enforce the law," he said.
------
While some Republican strategists are urging John McCain to use gays in the military as a "wedge" issue in the 2008 election, they seem to be ignoring the polls which show that the public now overwhelmingly supports the right of gays and lesbians to serve in the U.S. military.

Even 73% of the U.S. military is OK with gays serving in the military!

Anti-Gay AFA Boycotts McDonalds

The anti-gay American Family Association has launched a Boycott McDonalds campaign to protest McDonald's support of the "homosexual agenda."


In other AFA stupidity news, the AFA's Christian news site One News Now had to reverse the AFA's policy of using "homosexual" instead of "gay", even in AP news stories, had to change the policy in the case of Olympic track and field star Tyson Gay.


American Family Association reverses course on 'Gays'

by PageOneQ

Is the American Family Association anti-gay... and anti-'Gay'?

OneNewsNow, the "Christian news service" covertly owned by the AFA, receives syndicated content from providers like the Associated Press and edits instances of the word "gay" to read "homosexual." Although the site is registered to the conservative, anti-gay organization, the fact is not disclosed anywhere on the site.

An article posted Sunday night about Olympic track and field star Tyson Gay was no exception.

"Tyson Homosexual easily won his semifinal for the 100 meters at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials," the article read, "and seemed to save something for the final later Sunday." The headline read "Homosexual eases into 100 final at Olympic events."

"On Saturday," it went on, "Homosexual misjudged the finish in his opening heat and had to scramble to finish fourth, then in his quarterfinal a couple of hours later, ran 9.77 to break the American record that had stood since 1999."

"Asked how he felt, Homosexual said: 'A little fatigued.'"

This morning, OneNewsNow changed its stance on 'Gays' (but not 'gays') and changed the article back to the way the AP had first written it. As late as 9:45am ET today, the online version below referenced the runner as "Tyson Homosexual"; by 10:06am ET the headline and story text had been edited to reunite Gay with his original name.

AP spokesman Jack Spokes said he could not comment without first reviewing the information first brought to him by PageOneQ. Cindy Roberts of the American Family Association said she would "take a look" at the news post. A follow-up message seeking comment on why the ownership of OneNewsNow is not disclosed on the site has not been returned.

To view the original posting, corrected version or the domain registration, click here.

Bush Stimulates Porn Sales

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Happy Independence Day: Jesse Helms is Dead!

Happy Independence Day! Jesse Helms is Dead Finally

Bigot Jesse Helms is Dead!

The right-wing, racist, homophobic, BIGOT, who celebrated the oppression of gay people and opposed AIDS funding in the U.S., is finally dead!
Even though I am an atheist, I hope there is a hell for Hitler, Jerry Falwell and Jesse Helms. I hope he is feeling the heat.
R.I.H Jesse Helms!

For More in Helms see Americablog:
Racist,, Homophobe Jesse Helms is Dead

Joe My God has some nice quotes to remember Dead Jesse:

- On threatening the life of a sitting president: "Mr. Clinton better watch out if he comes down here. He'd better have a bodyguard."

- On gays and AIDS: “It's their deliberate, disgusting, revolting conduct that is responsible for the disease”

- On equality: "I've been portrayed as a caveman by some. That's not true. I'm a conservative progressive, and that means I think all men are equal, be they slants, beaners, or niggers."

- On education: "Your tax dollars are being used to pay for grade-school classes that teach our children that cannibalism, wife-swapping and murder of infants and the elderly are acceptable behavior."

- On civil rights: "The Negro cannot count forever on the kind of restraint that's thus far left him free to clog the streets, disrupt traffic, and interfere with other men's rights."

- On journalists: "The New York Times and Washington Post are both infested with homosexuals themselves. Just about every person down there is a homosexual or lesbian."

- On the Duke University students upset by Martin Luther King's assassination: "They should ask their parents if it would be all right for their son or daughter to marry a Negro."

-----
See Signorile: The Truth Behind Jesse Helms and the Homo-con who Made Him an Icon

Unfortunately, Jesse Helms helped his pal Ronnie Reagan remake the Republican Party into a neo-fascist party for racist, homophobic bigots, and to some degree moved the U.S. further to the brink of fascism. Helms may be dead, but his racist, homophobic, Christo-fascism is alive and well.

Too Bad that Jesse won't live to see the First Black President

And to help celebrate the death of another Fascist on this 4th of July, here's Woody Guthrie singing the TRUE national anthem, THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND (he wrote on his guitar, "this machine kills fascists!")

(Some) Gay Republicans Waking Up to Reality

At least some Gay Republicans are waking up to Reality: The GOP is NOT the party for gays and lesbians!

Former Gay Bush Supporters Unhappy With John McCain/GOP Some Are Supporting Obama!

Members of the “Austin 12,” the group of prominent gay Republicans who famously met with George W. Bush in 2000, are not exactly rallying around John McCain.

Several members of the group told the Blade this week that they are considering voting for Barack Obama in November, while others announced tepid support for the presumptive GOP presidential nominee.

In all, three said they either would vote for Obama or are seriously considering it; three are undecided between McCain and Obama; three are backing McCain and three others declined to comment.

The “Austin 12” gained notoriety after meeting with Bush in Austin in April 2000, when Bush was still governor of Texas and a candidate for president.

During the meeting, the “Austin 12” urged Bush to appoint open gays to federal offices, include an openly gay speaker at the 2000 Republican National Convention and maintain President Clinton’s executive order banning discrimination against gays in the federal workforce. Bush complied with each of those requests during his presidency.

But Bush’s record, most notably his endorsement of the Federal Marriage Amendment, has soured some members of the “Austin 12” so much that they refuse to support the Republican Party’s presidential choice, even though McCain voted against the FMA in the U.S. Senate.

David Greer, who was appointed to Bush’s AIDS advisory board in 2003, left the Republican Party that same year and has been a registered Democrat since then. He said gay Republicans would never be a strong enough voice to influence the GOP and that the party is more interested in exploiting gay Republicans for political gain.

“As long as there’s a far right in the party, gay Republicans are way too small in numbers … to have any effect on the party,” he said. “We actually end up doing greater and lasting harm to the whole GLBT community.”
----

That's right! It's time for the Log Cabin Republicans to STOP misleading gays and lesbians into supporting the GOP and their presidential candidates. Like George Bush, John McCain may talk to some of you, he may be nice to your faces, but he does not need your votes or your support. He needs to win over the anti-gay base of the Republican Party. That's what he is trying to do. He is meeting with anti-gay religious leaders and groups. He is promising them to appoint anti-gay judges. He is supporting anti-gay marriage amendments in Arizona and California. He opposes anti-gay discrimination legislation. He opposes allowing gays to serve in the military. John McCain is the ANTI-GAY candidate!

The LCR have been trying to "educate" the gay community about John McCain. They have LIED. They are so desperate to endorse the Republican presidential candidate, they will LIE. They have claimed that McCain is supportive of LGBT people because he voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment. Never mind that he not only supported but made TV ads for the Arizona anti-gay marriage amendment. John McCain not only opposes marriage equality, he opposed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, Hate Crimes Legislation, and supports the military's anti-gay policies.

The LCR tried to mislead gay voters by claiming that McCain won the GOP primary by OPPOSING the religious right. Wrong. He pandered to them. He called anti-gay pastors (John Hagee and Rod Parsely) his "spirital advisors" and praised them. He embraced their anti-gay extremist views. He is going out of his way now to get their support.

So it is time for the Log Cabin Republicans to face the reality that the Republican Party is NOT a party that embraces gays and lesbians. It is not a party for progressives. It is not a party that embraces diversity. It is still and will be for the distant future, an extremist, neo-fascist party that is the base of anti-gay, racist and sexist bigots.

And I'm sick of hearing gay Republicans say they are not "single-issue" voters. As if equality and social justice are just "single-issue" politics. What about racism, sexism, peace, social justice and peace. Those are not "single issues".

The only reason for any gay person to support the Republican Party is because they support militarism, anti-labor, anti-environmental, sexist and racist policies.

Why would gay Republicans want to support the candidate of THESE PEOPLE ??

Christian Conservatives Uniting Behind McCain

Make no mistake, the Republican Party IS going to use gay marriage as a wedge issue to win the 2008 election!

Transgender Murder in Memphis

Memphis Police Investigate Transgender Homicide
(Memphis 7/1/08) Memphis homicide detectives are trying to unravel the city's latest murder mystery.

A body was found steps away from a daycare, an abandoned apartment complex and a strip club in Memphis. The victim is transgendered.

The victim's body was found early Tuesday morning in the 32-hundred block of Whitebrook Plaza in southeast Memphis.

Advocates say transgendered people tend to be targets of crime.

Jonathan Cole with the Tennessee Equality Project says, "Transgendered individual are often the victims of crime mainly because we know that people are homophobic or transphobic."

This follows a recent incident in which a Memphis Police Officer Attacked a Transgendered Person.

Obama v. McCain: CA Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment

In case the Log Cabin (Uncle Tom) Republicans are still considering endorsing John McCain...
While John McCain has endorsed Prop. 8, the CA Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment, Barack Obama is firmly opposing it!

Obama Opposes Prop. 8

Barack Obama Opposes Prop 8, the anti-marriage amendment

by: Brian Leubitz

Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 19:05:08 PM PDT

In a letter to the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club, Sen. Barack Obama stated his opposition to the California constitutional amendment:

Dear Friends,

Thank you for the opportunity to welcome everyone to the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club's Pridc Breakfast and to congratulate you on continuing a legacy of success, stretching back thirty-six years. As one of the oldest and most influential LGBT organizations in the country, you have continually rallied to support Democratic candidates and causes, and have fought tirelessly to secure equal rights and opportunities for LGBT Americans in California and throughout the country.

As the Democratic nominee for President, I am proud to join with and support the LGBT community in an effort to set our nation on a course that recognizes LGBT Americans with full equality under the law. That is why I support extending fully equal rights and benefits to same sex couples under both state and federal law. That is why I support repealing the Defense of Marriage Act and the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, and the passage of laws to protect LGBT Americans from hate crimes and employment discrimination. And that is why I oppose the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution, and similar efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution or those of other states.

For too long. issues of LGBT rights have been exploited by those seeking to divide us. It's time to move beyond polarization and live up to our founding promise of equality by treating all our citizens with dignity and respect. This is no less than a core issue about who we are as Democrats and as Americans.

Finally, I want to congratulate all of you who have shown your love for each other by getting married these last few weeks. My thanks again to the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club for allowing me to be a part of today's celebration. I look forward to working with you in the coming months and years, and I wish you all continued success.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

Anti-Obama Right-Wing Smear Campaign

There are several viral emails circulating slandering Barack Obama. One claims he is a Muslim and has a series of pictures linking him to radical Muslims. Another has a list of mis “quotes” from his books, taken out of context or totally fabricated.
If you get these emails from friends, etc., you could respond to them with THE FACTS and help stop this right-wing smear campaign.

Here’s a link to the Obama Stop the Smears website


and the section that shows the quotes are taken out of context or fabricated


Here’s a link to information debunking the claims that Obama is a radical Muslim

It seems like a lot of the right-wing smear campaign against Obama is coming from the TN Republican party!
What's In the Water in Anti-Obama Tennessee?

Gay Pride Celebrated Around the World

Gay pride is celebrated by LGBT people around the world this weekend.

California Gays & Lesbians Celebrated their Freedom to Marry in Large Celebrations in S.F.

Quiet Gay Pride Parade in Jerusalem

Not everyone was celebrating:

Bulgarian Skinheads Attack Gay Pride Parade with Molotov Cocktails, 60+Injured

Anti-Gay Activists Attack Czech Gay Parade

Bitter Bill Clinton: Obama can "Kiss My Ass"

Boy, if you think the bitter Hillary Clintonistas who threaten to vote for John McCain are pathetic, take a look at Bill!
Bill Clinton Says Barack Obama must "Kiss My Ass" for His Support

According to the UK Telegragh, Bill Clinton is so bitter about Barack Obama's victory over his wife Hillary that he has told friends the Democratic nominee will have to beg for his wholehearted support. And, Bill is telling people he doesn't think Obama will or can win in November.

No doubt Bill and Hillary are hoping Obama loses so she can run again in 2012. Bill needs Hillary to help repair the damage he did to the Democratic party, gays, the poor and the working class, all of which he sold out to the corporate rich for his own political power.

The Clintonistas are now protesting that "Obama is No Liberal", and point out his recent moves to the political "center", yet they support Billary who have been part of the DLC Corporate Centrists all along! Do they really think Hillary would have criticized the Supreme Court decision on guns in D.C.? Would she have agreed with the Supreme Court that capital punishment, which she supports, would be "cruel and unusual" punishment for CHILD RAPISTS? Are the Clintonistas really that stupid and naive??

The Clintonites claim that Hillary Clinton is a "progressive" candidate even though she supported, VOTED FOR, the resolution to authorize Bush to invade Iraq? The think Obama is NOT liberal since he supports the death penalty and "gun rights", but Hillary IS liberal even though she takes the indentical politically expedient positions?

Obama is NOT a radical, democratic socialist like me, nor is he nearly as progressive as I wish he were. But he is at least, if not MORE, liberal than Hillary Clinton on most issues. I and other progressives are supporting Obama not because he is a perfect candidate, but because he offers the best "hope" for changing the direction of this country. He is no messiah. We, progressives, will have to work hard to show him the way.

But enough of the HYPOCRISY of the Clintonistas, some of which are threatening to vote for JOHN MCCAIN, now is he "liberal" or "progressive" or are you womyn just blowing smoke up our asses??

Sens. Larry Craig and David Vitter Co-Sponsor "Marriage Protection Amendment"

Sens. Larry Craig and David Vitter Co-Sponsor "Marriage Protection Amendment" !!

Can you believe it! "Traditional Family Values" advocates Sen. Larry Craig and David Vitter are re-introducing the anti-gay "Marriage Protection Amendment" to the U.S. Constitution to protect the American people from gay and lesbian couples who want the right and responsibilities of civil marriage. What about the closeted homo-cons who jerk off in public restrooms or the self-righteous conservative politicians who commit adultery?? Who will sponsor that amendment?

Michelle Obama Speaks to DNC Gay & Lesbian Leadership Council

Michelle Obama Speaks to the Democratic National Committee's Gay & Lesbian Leadership Council

"Barack believes that we must fight for a world as it should be. A world where together we work to reverse discriminatory laws like D.O.M.A. (Defense of Marriage Act) and Don't Ask Don't Tell," Mrs. Obama said, addressing an audience of 250 people at a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee's Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council.

Michelle Obama also drew a connection between the struggles for gay rights and civil rights.

''We are all only here because of those who marched and bled and died, from Selma to Stonewall, in the pursuit of a more perfect union,'' she said at the event, held days before the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots between gays and New York police, and the city's annual gay pride parade.

"Activist" Supreme Court Judges Overturn D.C. Gun Ban

The NRA and Gun Nuts across the U.S. are celebrating the horrible Supreme Court Decision on Guns today.

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court overturned the Washington D.C. ban on handguns, ruling that the Second Amendment (which clearly refers to a "well regulated militia"!), guarantees individuals the right to own firearms for "security." Remember, conservatives usually argue that the Constitution should be interpreted LITERALLY according to the "original intent" of the authors, but NOT in the case of guns and the second amendment. The authors clearly were addressing the right of the states to have MILITIAS (since they opposed a standing national military in peace time). Only "activist" judges could re-interpret the Second Amendment to affirm a right for individuals to own semi-automatic weapons or handguns!

As expected, most politicians, Democrat and Republican, praised the decision so as not to offend the gun nuts.

There is only one national organization trying to fight the NRA's takeover of the United States, The Brady Campaign, along with most law enforcement groups and many mayors across the country.

Here's the statement of the Brady Campaign on the Supreme Court Ruling

UPDATE:
More Than Half Firearm Deaths are Suicides:
* Suicides accounted for 55 petcent of 31,000 firearm deaths in 2005 in the U.S.
* More gun-related suicides than homocides and accidents in 20 of last 25 years.
* Research shows if gun in homes, higher likelihood of suicide or homocide in the home

NRA Gathering Ammo Against Obama
No matter how much Obama or any Democratic presidential candidate says they support the "right to bear arms", the NRA will convince millions of gun nuts that he/she is out to take away their guns.

Gun Control: Let the Debate Begin

John McCain's Message to Gays

Here's a look at John McCain's Anti-Gay Record, from the National Stonewall Democrats :


The Uncle Tom Log Cabin Republicans are trying to "educate" the gay community on why they should trust John McCain over Barack Obama, and the LCR's President, Patrick Sammon, confirms to The Gay Patriot that he has been meeting with John McCain and the McCain campaign.. will the Uncle Tom Republicans betray the gay community AGAIN?

Meanwhile, John McCain is Kissing Up to the anti-gay Religious Right!

Pam has more on the LCR/McCain meeting and the reactions from the wing-nuts
McCain Meets (In Private) with Log Cabin Republicans

UPDATE:
John McCain Endorses the CA Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment

In an email received by the ProtectMarriage.com campaign, Senator McCain issued the following statement:
"I support the efforts of the people of California to recognize marriage as a unique institution between a man and a woman, just as we did in my home state of Arizona. I do not believe judges should be making these decisions."

RIP George Carlin

George Carlin (71) Leaves the Stage

George Carlin was my favorite comedian. He pulled no punches in taking on the power elite in the United States. He questioned god, religion and politicians with disarming humor.

His comedic sensibility revolved around a central theme: humanity is a cursed, doomed species.

"I don't have any beliefs or allegiances. I don't believe in this country, I don't believe in religion, or a god, and I don't believe in all these man-made institutional ideas," he told Reuters in a 2001 interview.

Carlin was scheduled to receive the John F. Kennedy Center's prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in November

George Carlin, American Radical

Here's George Carlin on THE AMERICAN DREAM



Here's one of my favorite Carlin clips: RELIGION IS BULLSHIT!

Democrats Legalize Bush's Crimes!

Democrats Legalize Bush's Crimes

Unbelievable! Once again, the Democrats in Congress caved in to the most unpopular U.S. President (24%!) It's no wonder Congress has an even lower approval rating than Bush!

The Democrats caved in on funding the Iraq "War", which they promised the American people they would stop, and they have caved in on FISA, and have granted the telecom company's immunity for past crimes they committed for the Bush administration.

And Barack Obama supported the FISA "compromise"!!

This is not the "change" we want!

NOTE TO OBAMA AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY:

Do NOT take our votes for granted! As much as progressives despise John McCain, we do not have to vote for Democratic candidates who pander to the corporate rich, the religious right, or the military-industrial complex. This is YOUR election to lose, and you will lose AGAIN if you ignore the progressive base of the Democratic Party! I WILL vote for a real progressive candidate, whether the are a Democrat or not!

There are OTHER political parties which DEFEND progressive values:
Socialist Party
Green Party

General: Bush Committed "War Crimes"!

General Who Probed Abu Ghraib Says Bush Officials Committed War Crimes

Why isn't this HEADLINE NEWS!!!!
----
Published on Thursday, June 19, 2008 by McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON - The Army general who led the investigation into prisoner abuse at Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison accused the Bush administration Wednesday of committing “war crimes” and called for those responsible to be held to account.

The remarks by Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba, who’s now retired, came in a new report that found that U.S. personnel tortured and abused detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, using beatings, electrical shocks, sexual humiliation and other cruel practices.

“After years of disclosures by government investigations, media accounts and reports from human rights organizations, there is no longer any doubt as to whether the current administration has committed war crimes,” Taguba wrote. “The only question that remains to be answered is whether those who ordered the use of torture will be held to account.”

Taguba, whose 2004 investigation documented chilling abuses at Abu Ghraib, is thought to be the most senior official to have accused the administration of war crimes. “The commander in chief and those under him authorized a systematic regime of torture,” he wrote.

A White House spokeswoman, Kate Starr, had no comment.

Taguba didn’t respond to a request for further comment relayed via a spokesman.

The group Physicians for Human Rights, which compiled the new report, described it as the most in-depth medical and psychological examination of former detainees to date.

Doctors and mental health experts examined 11 detainees held for long periods in the prison system that President Bush established after the 9-11 terrorist attacks. All of them eventually were released without charges.

The doctors and experts determined that the men had been subject to cruelties that ranged from isolation, sleep deprivation and hooding to electric shocks, beating and, in one case, being forced to drink urine.

Bush has said repeatedly that the United States doesn’t condone torture.

“All credible allegations of abuse are thoroughly investigated and, if substantiated, those responsible are held accountable,” said Navy Cmdr. J.D. Gordon, a Pentagon spokesman. The Defense Department responds to concerns raised by the International Committee for the Red Cross, he said, which has access to detainees under military control.

“It adds little to the public discourse to draw sweeping conclusions based upon dubious allegations regarding remote medical assessments of former detainees, now far removed from detention,” Gordon said.

The physicians’ group said that its experts, who had experience studying torture’s effects, spent two days with each former captive and conducted intensive exams and interviews. They administered tests to detect exaggeration. In two of the 11 cases, the group was able to review medical records.

The report, “Broken Laws, Broken Lives,” concurs with a five-part McClatchy investigation of Guantanamo published this week. Among its findings were that abuses occurred - primarily at prisons in Afghanistan where detainees were held en route to Guantanamo - and that many of the prisoners were wrongly detained.

Also this week, a probe by the Senate Armed Services Committee revealed how senior Pentagon officials pushed for harsher interrogation methods over the objections of top military lawyers. Those methods later surfaced in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld didn’t specifically approve of the worst abuses, but neither he nor the White House enforced strict limits on how detainees would be treated.

There was no “bright line of abuse which could not be transgressed,” former Navy general counsel Alberto Mora told the Senate committee.

Leonard Rubenstein, the president of Physicians for Human Rights, said there was a direct connection between the Pentagon decisions and the abuses his group uncovered. “The result was a horrific stew of pain, degradation and … suffering,” he said.

Detainee abuse has been documented previously, in photos from Abu Ghraib, accounts by former detainees and their lawyers and a confidential report by the International Committee for the Red Cross that was leaked to the U.S. news media.

Of the 11 men evaluated in the Physicians for Human Rights report, four were detained in Afghanistan between late 2001 and early 2003, and later sent to Guantanamo. The remaining seven were detained in Iraq in 2003.

One of the Iraqis, identified by the pseudonym Laith, was arrested with his family at his Baghdad home in the early morning of Oct. 19, 2003. He was taken to a location where he was beaten, stripped to his underwear and threatened with execution, the report says.

“Laith” told the examiners he was then taken to a second site, where he was photographed in humiliating positions and given electric shocks to his genitals.

Finally, he was taken to Abu Ghraib, where he spent the first 35 to 40 days in isolation in a small cage, enduring being suspended in the cage and other “stress positions.”

He was released on June 24, 2004, without charge.

On The Web:
The Physicians for Human Rights report.

© 2008 McClatchy Newspapers

Log Cabin Republicans Practically Endorse John McCain

Despite a blistering Human Rights Campaign Report blasting John McCain's anti-gay record and positions, the gay "Uncle Tom" Log Cabin Republicans are working to "educate" the LGBT community about how McCain is actually supportive of gay rights.

They don't quite endorse McCain, but are trying, once again, to explain away their candidate's anti-gay record and views and argue that gay Republicans are not "single-issue" voters. (Like equality, social justice, civil rights, women's rights, peace, and LGBT rights are a "single issue" !!)

They claim that John McCain did NOT pander to the religious right to win the GOP nomination. WRONG, he did in fact pander to anti-gay religious extremists, like Rev. John Hagee and Rod Parsely, and even welcomed the support of the extremist ant-gay Lou Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition! John McCain's campaign even attacked Mitt Romney (in robo calls!) for his past statements support LGBT civil rights!

The LCR's cannot even get their facts straight! The regurgitate right-wing attacks on Barack Obama, and seem to prefer an anti-gay candidate and political party to get more tax cuts and a longer "war" in Iraq and Iran.

Time and again, the Uncle Tom Republicans at LCR have sold out the gay community for their support of neo-conservative foreign policy, and domestic policies that favor the corporate rich over workers, the poor and the environment.

They have made the same arguments to support George W. Bush! Remember, Bush was also a "moderate" who would reject the religious right and embrace "traditional Republican principles", and include gays and lesbians in the GOP. He was even championed as the candidate to end the military's DADT policy.

Shame on the Log Cabin Republicans for supporting an ant-gay political party, the anti-gay candidate for president, and attacking Democrats who SUPPORT their civil rights.

Pam Spaulding has more:
The Log Cabin Republican' "Education" of the LGBT Community on McCain Begins

Brutal Trans-Bashing by Memphis Police Caught on Tape

Brutal Trans-Bashing by Memphis Police Caught on Tape


WMCTV-5 Has the Video and Story

Obama Ahead in Polls

Confirming what other polls have been showing, a new ABC News/Washington Post poll shows Barack Obama with a 6 point lead over Republican John McCain (48 to 42 %)

Even better, a Quinnipiac University Poll shows Obama leading McCain in three key swing states:
Florida (Obama 47, McCain 43%)
Ohio (Obama 48%, McCain 42%)
Pennsylvania (Obama 52%, McCain 40%)

The threat of Hillary women voting for John McCain seems to be unfounded: Obama leads among women likely voters by 10 to 23 percent.

Independent voters, a key factor in the general election, oppose Hillary Clinton as V.P. by wide margins.
So much for the Clintonista claims that Hillary would have a better chance than Obama in the general election, or that she would be the best pick for V.P.!

ALSO:
Another Poll Finds Obama Leading in VIRGINIA!

UPDATE: NEWSWEEK Poll shows Obama Bounce! 15% Over John McCain!

Al Gore Endorses Barack Obama

Al Gore Endorses Barack Obama In a great speech, Obama praised Obama and condemned the incompetence of the Bush/Cheney administration.
"After eight years of incompetence, neglect and failure, we need change," Gore said. "After eight years when our Constitution has been dishonored and disrespected, we need changes."

Barack Obama should pick Gore to be his V.P. !! Gore would make the perfect VP candidate:
Gore and Obama both opposed the Iraq invasion from the beginning
Gore would be a good "balance" to Obama's experience
Gore could use the V.P. position to lead the fight against global warming and change the energy policies of the U.S.

Hillary Clinton would be a mistake. Clinton is part of the old DLC wing of the Democratic Party. She went along with the invasion of Iraq. She has LOTS of baggage that would hurt Obama's chances (most voters say they will NOT vote for her!)

Sam Nunn would be an even bigger mistake. Nunn is too conservative! He is to the right of John McCain on many issues. Nunn would really be a problem for gays, since he was one of the major obstacles to lifting the ban on gays in the miliary, and helped draft the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

None of the other names being floated would do much to help Obama, and most of them are quite dull.
Al Gore is now a superstar not only in the Democratic Party here in the U.S., but is respected around the world.
Just what we need!

Al Gore won the election in 2000 and should have been President. He has already been V.P., but this would get him closer to becoming President in 2016 (?)

AL GORE FOR Vice President!

Lesbian Pioneers (finally) Getting Married

Lesbian Couple of 55 Years Ready to Say "I Do"

At the front of the line to get legally married in California today, are Lesbian pioneers Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, founders of the "Daughter's of Bilitis" in 1955. They have been a loving couple for 55 years!

Does that count as "family values"??

CA Gays Swap Vows as Same-Sex Marriages Begin

Polls show that over half (51%) of California voters now support same-sex marriage rights. Opposition to marriage equality is slowly fading. It is time for liberal Democrats to quit "opposing" gay marriage while claiming they support "equal rights" for gays! Civil Unions are NOT equal to civil marriage!

Eric Jaye, S.F. Mayor Gavin Newsom's political consultant, published this excellent piece calling on Democrats to stand up for their values (equality, social justice) and defend marriage equality:
A Democratic Strategy for Gay Marriage

America Holds Innocent Men at Guantanomo

According to analysis by McClatchy News, America's Prison for Terrorists Often Held Wrong Men

An eight-month McClatchy investigation of the detention system created after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks has found that the U.S. imprisoned innocent men, subjected them to abuse, stripped them of their legal rights and allowed Islamic militants to turn the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba into a school for jihad. Dozens, perhaps hundreds, wrongfully imprisoned!

John McCain and George Bush Say the Detaintees ("enemy combatants") Don't have any rights to appeal to U.S. Federal Courts!

The U.S. Supreme Court disagrees!

"Spreading Progressive Ideas on the Web"

Shameless promotion...
Here's an article in the Memphis Commercial Appeal About this blog!
Spreading Progressive Ideas on the Web
It is part of a larger piece in the Commercial Appeal on Mid-South bloggers:
Memphians Use Technology to Express their Opinions-and Break News-on a New Medium

Also featured is Left-Wing Cracker
Defending His Position

Democratic Party's Pride Proclamation

Democratic Party Issues 2008 Pride Proclamation
June 3, 2008
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today joined Massachusetts Democratic Representative Barney Frank and Wisconsin Democratic Representative Tammy Baldwin in issuing the following Proclamation marking PRIDE Month:

"Today, on behalf of Democrats across America, we join together in celebrating the contributions that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans and their families make to our society and reaffirm our Party's commitment to promoting full equality under the law for every American.

"As leaders of the Democratic Party, we stand proudly with the LGBT community and commit ourselves to working together to build an America that is truly inclusive. Every American has the right to live in dignity, with equal rights, responsibilities and protections under the law. These are our country's and our Party's core values. Across the country, at every level of government, Democrats have championed sweeping protections in the areas of employment, housing, domestic partnerships and civil unions, adoption, gender identity or expression, and hate crimes.

"Despite all we have accomplished, our work is not done. We need to fight efforts to write discrimination into our laws and constitutions. We need to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act, and repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' We need a comprehensive, science-based strategy for combating HIV/AIDS. We must address the socioeconomic problems, including poverty and limited access to health care, that increase vulnerability to this disease.

"To do all of these things we need to put a Democrat in the White House, expand our majorities in Congress, and elect more Democrats at the local and state level across the country. To do that, we need you. Get active, get involved, and join us so we can take our country back."

See Also:
Barack Obama's Statement On Pride 2008

Keith Olberman Blasts John McCain

On Thursday's Count Down on MSNBC, Keith Olberman's brilliant "Special Comment" blasted John McCain on his comments that "It's Not Importnat" when we bring troops home from Iraq.

Read or View the Special Comment Here

A Pledge for Gay (& Clintonista) McCain Supporters

For all the gay Republicans and Angry White Women who supported Hillary and say they will vote for John McCain, here's your Pledge For John McCain!

LGBT Humanists Unite!

Activists To Launch National LGBT Humanist Organization

Finally! We may have a U.S. LGBT Humanist organization to balance all the gay religious groups. While LGBT humanists are organized in European countries, there has not been a national LGBT humanist group in the U.S.
There was a group called GALAH (Gay and Lesbian Atheists and Humanists), but it does not appear to be active.

There is a UK Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association

It is time for non-religious, atheist and humanist gays and lesbians to organize and present a SECULAR HUMANIST perspective on gay liberation from religious myths.

For more information visit/join the American Humanist Association

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

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

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

Contribute, volunteer at: Cohen for Congress

Kucinich Introduces Articles of Impeachment Against Bush

Rep. Dennis Kucinich Introduces Articles of Impeachment Against George W. Bush

Former Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich presented 35 Articles of Impeachment against George Bush late Monday. It was aired on C-SPAN, probably the only media that will even mention it to the American people.

You can read the full Articles of Impeachment at Impeach Bush

Congress has failed to do its job and full its obligation to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution!

Senate Report Accuses Bush of Misusing Iraq Intel

Constitutional Scholar on Impeachment: "It's Time to Pony Up"
Why are DEMOCRATS protecting George Bush from Impeachment?

Gore Vidal's Article of Impeachment

Obama Endorsed by HRC/Proclaims Support for LGBT Equality

Obama Endorsed by HRC, Vows to Stand Behind LGBT Community
America's largest LGBT advocacy organization has put its support behind Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) in his run for the presidency as he pledges his support for LGBT citizens.

"The Human Rights Campaign has been at the forefront of the fight for GLBT equality and opportunity, and I am proud to have its endorsement," Senator Obama said. "Too often, the issue of GLBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. I look forward to working with HRC to end discrimination against GLBT Americans and to ensure that all of our citizens are treated with dignity and respect."

"HRC is proud to throw our full support behind Senator Obama's presidential campaign," said president Joe Solomonese today. "We have just witnessed a historic primary contest in which two champions of our community demonstrated that they hear our voices and share our dreams. For millions across this country, their candidacies--as the first woman and the first African American to be top contenders for the nomination of a major party--have already been life-changing, inspiring, and groundbreaking.

"They are, quite simply, heroes to anyone fighting for equality."

Senator Obama, while not a supporter of civil marriage for same-sex couples in name, has spoken in support of federal benefits and protections for same-sex couples. He also supports a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act and repealing the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Obama, as well, opposes the Federal Marriage Amendment.

"I've been consistently impressed by Senator Obama's willingness to speak about GLBT issues in front of diverse audiences," Solomonese added. "Matters of life and livelihood for GLBT Americans are on the line in this election and after eight years of an anti-gay stranglehold on the presidency, Sen. Obama's message of fairness and acceptance is a breath of fresh air."

Senator Obama also issued an open letter to the LGBT community today, pledging "real change for all LGBT Americans."

"It's wrong to have millions of Americans living as second-class citizens in this nation," he said. The Senator also touted his efforts during his time in the Illinois State Senate to protect LGBT citizens from discrimination, and to equalize federal tax and immigration law for same-sex spouses.

Senator Obama also supports repeal of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as exclusively heterosexual on a federal level. He prefers civil unions with equal benefits, but says he won't stand in the way of the states' choices on how to recognize same-sex spouses. "As your President," Obama said, "I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws."

Full text of the statement and other LGBT resourses, visit Obama's LGBT website

Holy Crap! Wipeout

Dow Plummets, Unemployment Rate/Gas Prices Skyrocket!

Dow Tumbles nearly 400 points, Oil Reaches $139 a barrel, Unemployment Rate jumps to 5.5%

Newsweek: Why the Economy is Worse than you Think

NYT: Job Losses and Oil Surge Spread Economic GLOOM

Bob Dylan Endorses Barack Obama!

Bob Dylan Endorses Barack Obama!

"Barack Obama is Redefining Politics"

Bob Dylan has claimed that Democratic US presidential nominee Barack Obama is "redefining politics".

The singer/songwriter said that he was hopeful that the political system in the US would change as a result of him winning the race to be the Democratic nominee for the election in November.

Dylan told The Times: "America is in a state of upheaval. Poverty is demoralising. You can't expect people to have the virtue of purity when they are poor.

"But we've got this guy out there now who is redefining the nature of politics from the ground up – Barack Obama. He's redefining what a politician is, so we'll have to see how things play out.

"Am I hopeful? Yes, I'm hopeful that things might change. Some things are going to have to."

Yes Bob, The Times They Are A Changin'

Sulu Is Getting Married!

The CA Supreme Court Upholds its Gay Marriage Ruling, denying a petition to stay the decision.

This clears the way for George Takei (Star Trek's Sulu) to marry his partner Brad Altman in Los Angeles in September. (Capt. Kirk, William Shatner, was not invited!)

Barack Obama First Black Presidential Nominee!

History is Made tonight!
Barack Obama Wins Democratic Nomination--First Black Presidential Nominee!

Obama's Victory Speech "America: this is our moment, this is our time!"

Not only did Hillary Clinton NOT endorse the Democratic nominee, Barack Obama, she continues to campaign against him!
What a BITCH! She will stay in the race until the convention, and if she cannot steal the nomination there, she will try to force Obama to pick her as his Vice President running mate. DON'T GIVE IN TO HER OBAMA!

Will Hillary's Obama-Hating Clintonistas unite behind Obama or help elect John McCain?

(Since Egalia (Tennesee Guerilla Women) is calling upon women and feminists to leave the Democratic Party, I'm removing her blog from my blog list!)

Looks like many bitter Clinton supporters are going to support the anti-gay, anti-feminist candidate John McCain!

Former Hillary Supporter Hilary Rosen: I am Not a Bargaining Chip, I am a Democrat!

UPDATE: Clinton to End Run, Endorse Obama Friday
I'll believe it when I see it..

John McCain: The Anti-Gay Candidate

The Human Rights Campaign Issues Scathing Report on John McCain's Anti-Gay Record

Highlights from "Senator John McCain: A Record of Opposing the Interests of GLBT Americans":

Opposed Ending Discrimination Against GLBT Americans in the Workplace. Senator McCain cast a deciding vote against the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
Opposed Protecting GLBT Americans from Hate Crimes. Senator McCain voted three times against expanding the federal hate crimes law to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
Proponent of Discriminatory Military Policy. Senator McCain supports Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and does not believe that gays should serve in the military.
Opponent of Equal Benefits for Same-Sex Couples. Senator McCain voted for the Defense of Marriage Act which prohibits same-sex couples from receiving federal rights and benefits in any state.
Actively Supported State Ban on Domestic Partnerships. Senator McCain campaigned for a ban on same-sex relationship recognition in his home state of Arizona – even appearing in a campaign television ad.
Supported the Confirmation of Anti-GLBT Equality Judges. Senator McCain voted to confirm President Bush’s judicial nominees who had taken anti-GLBT positions. He has pointed to Justice Samuel Alito as a role model for future Supreme Court appointments.
Supported a Discriminatory HIV/AIDS Policy. Senator McCain supported a Jesse Helms strategy to cut off funding for prevention efforts aimed at the gay community and voted to prohibit foreign nationals with HIV from immigrating to the United States.

McCain Supporters Cheer Anti-Gay Message in Tennessee

Appearing at a campaign rally in Tennessee, John McCain was met with
sustained cheers after stating that he believes "in the sanctity and unique
status of marriage between man and woman."

As the cheers began, McCain added "That's what I believe, that's what I
support, and that's what I will fight for."

During the ongoing cheers, McCain thanked the audience twice for their
response.

In 2004, during the debate over the Federal Marriage Amendment, McCain told
CNN that "The constitutional amendment we're debating today strikes me as
antithetical in every way to the core philosophy of Republicans, it usurps
from the states a fundamental authority they have always possessed and
imposes a federal remedy for a problem that most states do not believe
confronts them."

McCain split with his party and voted against the amendment in both 2004 and
2006.

Although often reported as supporting civil unions as an alternative to
marriage, McCain has supported state constitutional amendments banning both
marriage equality and civil unions.

UPDATE: McCain "Welcomes" CA Anti-Gay Ballot Initiative to Revoke Marriage Equality in CA :

"I welcome the news that the people of California will have the opportunity to decide on the question of the definition of marriage, rather than having that decision made by judicial fiat as the California Supreme Court asserted in their recent ruling." -- John McCain

Will the Log Cabin Republicans STILL endorse John McCain despite his Anti-Gay Record and his anti-gay campaign for President?

Deb Price: Gays Could Split Over John McCain

Obama Seals Nomination

It's now official, Obama Becomes First Black Presidential Nominee!

Obama now has enough delegates to be the Democratic nominee, but it doesn't look like Hillary will drop out and endorse him!
Clinton Campaign: She Will NOT Concede Tonight!

The Republican Party has already begun using Hillary Clinton's Attacks on Obama, circulating videos of Clinton questioning Obama's qualifications and experience to be President!


Barack Obama: Do NOT pick Hillary Clinton to be V.P.!

Waiting for the official numbers from SD and MT and the speeches tonight....

As expected, Jimmy Carter Endorses Obama

Update: Delegate Countdown To Nomination

Countdown: It's Barack Obama's Party Now!

AP: Barack Obama's Party Now

Countdown: Obama only needs 46 Delegates to Clinch Nomination!

Despite Hillary Clinton's right-wing, dirty, racist, lies and attacks, Obama is the Democratic Nominee! Each day she continues to campaign against the Democratic nominee, Hillary alienates more and more Democrats. The Clinton's no longer control the Democratic Party!