"Civil Unions" - Not All They're Cracked Up To Be

Sometime in the last couple of weeks, I posted about New Jersey's problems with enforcing its Civil Union Law. At that time I didn't know many details; just that it was happening with increasing frequency.

I received this email from Garden State Equality just a few minutes ago. It explains some of the reasons why the New Jersey Civil Union Act isn't working while the Massachusetts marriage law evidently is.

I'm still waiting for God to come down and strike Massachusetts but it hasn't happened yet.

If you didn't see yesterday's Sunday Star-Ledger investigation revealing how civil unions in New Jersey are failing to provide equality, here it is, below.

The article describes how New Jersey's civil unions law is falling way short of providing equality to same-sex couples -- specifically how one firm, UPS, is providing benefits to married same-sex couples in Massachusetts but not to civil-unioned couples in New Jersey.

Garden State Equality has other cases like this. An investigation in last week's Washington Post reported how employers in Massachusetts, where there is real marriage equality, are not invoking a federal law loophole, whereas employers in New Jersey are.

Same-sex couples in Massachusetts are consistently getting equality. Same-sex couples in New Jersey are not. The word "marriage" is making all the persuasive difference in the world. That's why Garden State Equality is fighting day and night, with all our blood, sweat and tears, to bring marriage equality to New Jersey by the end of next year.

To help us win marriage equality in New Jersey, you may donate to Garden State Equality online at www.GardenStateEquality.org. Thanks so much.
Star-Ledger, Sunday, July 8, 2007
In denying benefits, firm says civil union not marriage's equal

By Robert Schwaneberg

A company that provides health care coverage to married gay couples in Massachusetts has denied the same benefits to a couple who entered a civil union in New Jersey.

United Parcel Service's decision to deny coverage to a Toms River couple boils down to a single word: New Jersey law does not call them "spouses."

"We were supposed to be treated equally. We should be treated equally," said Heather Aurand, who was denied health care coverage by UPS, which employs Aurand's civil union partner, Gabriael "Nickie" Brazier.

In its letter denying coverage, UPS said it does provide health benefits to its employees' spouses, including spouses of the same sex who are married in Massachusetts. But it said New Jersey's decision to recognize same-sex relationships as civil unions rather than marriages tied its hands.

Gay rights activists called it the starkest proof to date that New Jersey's civil union law has failed to deliver on its promise to provide all the benefits of marriage, but by a different name.

"The Legislature said: You folks aren't worthy of marriage. That has an impact," said David Buckel, a lawyer with the gay rights organization Lambda Legal. "If the New Jersey Legislature would just take back the invitation to discriminate, UPS would do the right thing."

"This is a problem the Legislature created," added Steven Goldstein, chairman of the gay rights group Garden State Equality. "Civil unions are never in our lifetime going to be respected by employers like marriage."

Garden State Equality has received 176 complaints from couples who said their civil unions were not honored, Goldstein said, adding that it has created great disillusionment within the gay community.

In its letter, UPS said the New Jersey Legislature, in enacting the state's civil union law, "did not go as far as Massachusetts and afford same-sex couples the ability to marry. Had the New Jersey Legislature done that, you could have added Ms. Aurand as a spouse under the plan."

The letter concluded that "New Jersey law does not treat civil unions the same as marriages."

"I'm shocked," said Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo (D-Essex), who sponsored the civil union law. "We made it clear through the language and the intent that when it came to issues like this, we fully expected civil-unioned couples would be covered."

Tom Prol, a trustee of the New Jersey State Bar Association, said UPS's position was "a misinterpretation, clearly, of the civil union law." He noted that law states: "Civil union couples shall have all of the same benefits . . . as are granted to spouses in a marriage."

But benefit plans offered by many employers, including UPS, are governed by federal law, which recognizes only the union of a man and a woman as a marriage. Those companies are allowed, although not required, to deny benefits to partners in other relationships.

In its letter, UPS said the health plan it negotiated for its workers provides benefits only to "a spouse as defined under applicable state law." It added that the company "cannot unilaterally change plan provisions outside of the collective-bargaining process." A message left at UPS headquarters in Atlanta seeking further comment from the company was not returned.

Aurand and Brazier said they were hopeful when Gov. Jon Corzine, while signing the civil union law in December, declared: "Through our actions today, we will provide equal rights for same-sex couples."

"That's what we believed," said Brazier, 37, a driver for UPS for six years. She and Aurand, 36, met seven years ago in Pennsylvania and bought their house in Toms River in 2001.

"We plan on staying together the rest of our lives," said Aurand, who became a stay-at-home mom after their son Zachary was born in 2004. They formed their civil union on Feb. 21, days after the new law took effect and the week before the birth of their twins, Joshua and Riley.

Brazier, who knew UPS provided health benefits to same-sex spouses in Massachusetts, expected it would extend them to Aurand. But the company said no.

"It was devastating. We were for certain we would get coverage," Aurand said. "Financially it puts a burden on us. We have to pay a couple of hundred dollars a month that we could be using for other things."

Other same-sex couples have encountered the same problem because of the conflict between state law and the federal Defense Of Marriage Act, which does not recognize same-sex unions.

Buckel said the case of Brazier and Aurand is a new wrinkle, as they were turned down not because they are of the same sex, but because of the label New Jersey gave to their relationship.

"It's probably going to be happening more and more," Buckel said.

Already, Tom Walton of East Brunswick, a driver for UPS for 14 years, said he was verbally rejected when he sought health coverage for his civil union partner, Mermon Davis. He said he has not gotten a formal explanation.

"It's upsetting," Walton said. "We were told this law was going to give us the same benefits as everybody else, even though they weren't calling it marriage. It just goes to show when something is separate, it's never equal."

Walton, 42, said he and Davis, 44, have been together 15 years and had their civil union ceremony over the Memorial Day weekend.

Buckel said the next step will be "to try to persuade UPS to change its mind," adding that Lambda Legal also will be talking to lawmakers about changing the law to allow same sex couples to marry.

Goldstein added, "We've heard from many legislators that this is something they want to deal with in 2008."

As for the civil union law, he said, "They know it's a disaster. In the real world, civil unions are to marriage what artificial sweetener is to sugar. It's not the same thing and it leaves a bad aftertaste."

COMMENTS:

ThomasLB said...

This comment is off topic (so you can delete if after you read it and won't hurt my feelings), but I just noticed under Settings / Formatting, at the very bottom of the page, there is an option called "Enable Float Alignment." It says to uncheck the box if you're having formatting problems.

Have you tried that yet?

Monday, July 09, 2007 6:29:00 AM

ThomasLB said...

I knew two guys who shared an apartment. One was mentally handicapped, one was physically handicapped. They looked after each other and cared for each other. They weren't gay, they were close like brothers.

One of them died. His body was stored for a year at the county morgue, then buried in a pauper's grave. Because they were not related, his friend was not allowed to claim the body and give him a funeral and a headstone.

I wish there was a way for anybody that wanted to call themselves a family to legally accept responsibility for each other.

When going "by the book" hurts people, that damn book needs to be thrown out!

Before I boycott UPS, I'm going to write a polite letter asking them to revisit their policy. (That's really just a formality, like playing the national anthem before a baseball game.)

Monday, July 09, 2007 6:50:00 AM

Worried said...

ThomasLB; thank you for the tip re: our blog problems. I do have "no" checked and have ever since I started blogging. Should I check "yes"? I have no idea what to do with the code printed there.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007 12:27:00 AM

Granny said...

WA, I'll check it on granny and see if it's checked yes or no (providing I can find it).

Tuesday, July 10, 2007 12:34:00 AM

AM

ThomasLB said...

It should be on "No" if you're having formatting problems, and since you already have it on "No," that wasn't the problem. Rats- I wish it really was that simple.

Did you get the same email from UPS that I did? Here is the text of it below- they are blaming everything on the Teamster's Union:


-- -- -- -- -- --
I saw your post. Hopefully, you'll be openminded to hear the UPS viewpoint and reconsider your opinion about UPS.

As a matter of corporate policy, UPS currently offers same sex benefits to all non-union employees -- management as well as administrative workers. This includes all such employees in New Jersey, even though the state has failed to recognize gay partners as married spouses. Beyond health care, UPS also offers benefits such as medical leave, pension rights, funeral leave, relocation and transfer benefits. We recently added same-sex benefits as part of a new contract with UPS pilots too.

UPS doesn't legally have the right to give same sex benefits to Ms. Brazier who is cited in this situation because she is part of the Teamsters and any changes to benefits have to be done as part of the collective bargain process.

The contact expires in 2008. Absent a law that specifically categorizes same sex partners as married spouses such as in Mass., UPS cannot unilaterally change a union contract to offer same sex benefits. We have already brought up this issue to the Teamsters for consideration.

The situation regarding Ms. Brazier and her partner is just as disappointing to UPS as it is to them. But for unionized employees, we can only address the issue through the union at contract renewal time.

Lynnette
UPS PR

Tuesday, July 10, 2007 11:16:00 AM

ThomasLB said...

I have a little post up over at my website about this. LINK

Tuesday, July 10, 2007 12:12:00 PM

HR 1592 - One More Time

Great post, WA!!

Here's what that loving Christian, Donald Wildmon, has to say. I've had it for a few days but was reluctant to post the contents of the letter and blow my cover.

However, he suggested I inform my friends so that's what I'm doing. It may be the last mail I ever receive from him.

I'll have to check on the California lawsuit he mentioned. They usually twist the facts but I'll try to make sure. It applies only to government workers evidently in any event.

The administration denies that Pace's opinions were the actual cause of his firings.

June 14, 2007

Please help us get this information into the hands of as many people as possible by forwarding it to your entire email list of family and friends.

A bill in Congress makes it a crime for pastors and churches to speak against homosexuality

Message to pastors and other Christians: Just keep your mouth shut

Dear ann,

If pastors and other Christians don’t aggressively oppose a bill now in Congress, in the near future they will be subject to huge fines and prison terms if they say anything negative about homosexuality.

The proposed law would make it a crime to preach on Romans Chapter 1 or I Corinthians Chapter 6. Or even to discuss them in a Sunday School class. If churches and individuals want to keep the government from telling them what they can and cannot preach and teach about homosexuality, they better get involved now!

House bill H.R. 1592 and Senate bill S. 1105 would make negative statements concerning homosexuality, such as calling the practice of homosexuality a sin from the pulpit, a “hate crime” punishable by law. This dangerous legislation would take away your freedom of speech and your freedom of religion. Consider what has already happened:

• A California lawsuit which is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court would make the use of the words “natural family,” “marriage” and “union of a man and a woman” a “hate speech” crime in government workplaces. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has already ruled in favor of the plaintiffs!
  
  
• CNN and The Washington Post both reported that General Peter Pace, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was fired because he publicly expressed moral opposition to homosexual behavior.

For the Alliance Defense Fund’s summary of this bill, click here.

Take Action

We are looking for one million Americans willing to take a stand and not allow a small group of homosexual activists to take away our freedoms. Can we count on you? Click on the link below to sign our Petition to Congress in Defense of Religious Freedom. Please forward this to others, especially your pastor, and ask them to get involved in protecting our freedoms of speech and religion. This threat to our religious freedoms is real! ====================== And, one more time, here is the actual language of HR 1592 Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct protected from legal prohibition by, or any activities protected by the free speech or free exercise clauses of, the First Amendment to the Constitution.

COMMENTS:

David Cho said...
I have a question about this.Isn't there a federal provision already in place for hate crimes committed against people because of their race and religion already?And this new legislation adds to the existing law the homosexuality element to this. Is my understanding correct?
Sunday, June 17, 2007 2:51:00 PM
Worried said...
Heh! Heh! Granny, I suppose both of us have blown our cover. I. too, subscribe to fundie newsletters and literature to keep abreast of what they are up to in order to "know thine enemy". I do not view fellow Christians as my enemy by any means, even if our beliefs differ somewhat, but I object quite strenuously to some of the beliefs, practises and goals of the fundies. I also object to our president and elected representatives allowing the fundies (or any religious group) to gain too much power in the halls of government.
Sunday, June 17, 2007 5:06:00 PM

[WA: David, see post above this for a response to your question]

Victory for Families - All Families!!

The fundamentalists won't see it that way but who cares:

From Garden State Equality today. I copied it almost verbatim - just rearranged a couple of paragraphs. You can find much more on LGBT rights nation and world wide on their excellent web site.

BREAKING NEWS: In one of the greatest victories ever for the LGBTI civil rights movement in America, the Massachusetts state legislature has once-and-for-all defeated a state constitutional amendment to ban marriage equality. See the Associated Press article below.

The threat to marriage equality in Massachusetts is now over! Garden State Equality salutes MassEquality, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), among other incredible advocates in Massachusetts, whose heroic work defies description. They are among the greatest civil rights heroes of our time.

Just like there was unstoppable momentum among legislators to protect marriage equality in Massachusetts, so, too, is there unstoppable momentum among New Jersey legislators to establish marriage equality here. On October 25, 2006, the day of the Lewis v Harris decision that led to civil unions, only six legislators supported a marriage equality bill. Now one-third of the state legislature does, and by the end of the year, we expect it will be over half.

Here is the Associated Press story on today's huge victory in Massachusetts:

BOSTON, Thursday, June 14, 2007 (AP) -- Massachusetts lawmakers blocked a proposed constitutional amendment Thursday that would have let voters decide whether to ban gay marriage in the only state that allows it.

The narrow vote was a victory for gay marriage advocates and a blow to efforts to reverse the historic court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in the state. More than 8,500 gay couples have married in Massachusetts since it became legal in May 2004.

To get the proposed ban on the 2008 statewide ballot would have required 50 votes. It got 45, with 151 lawmakers opposed. There was no debate.

As the tally was announced, the halls of the Statehouse erupted in applause.

"We're proud of our state today, and we applaud the Legislature for showing that Massachusetts is strongly behind fairness," said Lee Swislow, executive director of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders.

Opponents of gay marriage vowed to press on, but Thursday's defeat after more than three years of sometimes wrenching debate could prove insurmountable. Any effort to mount a new ballot question would take years at a time political support in Massachusetts is swinging firmly behind gay marriage.

For gay couples, the vote marked what could be the end of a struggle that began in 2001, when seven same-sex couples, denied marriage licenses, sued in Suffolk Superior Court.

Outside the Statehouse, hundreds of people rallied on both sides of the issue.

"We believe it's unconstitutional not to allow people to vote on this," said Rebekah Beliveau, 24, of Lawrence, a student at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary who stood with fellow college-age amendment supporters across the street from the Statehouse.

Advocates of the amendment said they gathered 170,000 signatures supporting the amendment, although the secretary of state's office accepted only 123,000. "We're standing up not necessarily on the issue of same-sex marriage, but our right to vote," Beliveau said.

Across the road, gay marriage advocates stood on the front steps of the capital waving signs that read, "Wrong to Vote on Rights" and "All Families Are Equal."

Jean Chandler, 62, of Cambridge, came with fellow members of her Baptist church in an effort to rebuff the image that strict followers of the Bible are opposed to gay marriage.

"I think being gay is like being left-handed," Chandler said. "If we decided left-handed people couldn't marry, what kind of society would we be?"

In contrast to previous joint sessions, there was no debate Thursday. Senate President Therese Murray opened the constitutional convention by calling for a vote, and the session was gaveled to a close immediately afterward.

New Jersey legislators understand that civil unions don't work in the real world.

Employers in New Jersey are failing to recognize civil unions at least 1 in 8 times demonstrating that civil unions do NOT provide all the state rights and benefits of marriage simply without the name. Too many civil-unioned couples in New Jersey continue to be robbed of adequate health care and financial security.

That's why Garden State Equality is fighting for marriage equality. If you'd like to help the fight, please buy a ticket to SUMMERTIME: Rio 2007!, whose proceeds will go to Garden State Equality's marriage equality campaign. SUMMERTIME: Rio 2007! is just 10 days away -- it's on Monday, June 25, 2007 at 6:30 pm at Moonstruck, 517 Lake Avenue, Asbury Park.

You may buy tickets online at http://eqfed.org/gse/events/summertime07/details.tcl. Thanks from all of us at Garden State Equality.

COMMENTS:

Scheherazade said...
I like the "left-handed" reference. Seems like good news.
Friday, June 15, 2007 3:39:00 PM
Jolly Roger said...
Jesusistan is up in arms, but that's nothing new. Jesusistanis appreciate good old traditional "family values" guys. Folks like Newt Gingrich.
Saturday, June 16, 2007 9:04:00 PM

Winning Wars With Words

Sometimes Saintly Nick is a relatively new online friend. He's 61, a veteran, a cat lover, and a retired United Church of Christ minister. UCC is the church which aroused the ire of the fundies by welcoming Sponge Bob. Some of the major t.v. networks refused to run their commercials.

He's also one of the most loving, gentle men I've met online.

He writes about many things. His last post began "Yesterday I wrote about the use of terminology to degrade and dehumanize other people. Today I want to take it a step further and propose that the deliberate use of such terminology is a very effective weapon of war."


This, the earlier post, recounts our long history of dehumanization.

And this contains a link to a glossary of dehumanizing words.

Nick says "Did you find yourself—your national or ethnic group—in the Racial Slur Database? If not, you didn’t look long enough. "

Thomas LB, who visits here from time to time, commented on Nick's "glossary" post:

ThomasLB said...

"Once you get past the racial slurs, there are even sub-catagories of slurs based on religion, politics, money (or the lack thereof), appearance, sexuality…

Man: what pitiful creatures we are."

Amen, Thomas, Amen.

COMMENTS:

Worried said...
Why, Why, WHY we humans must dehumanize our fellow humans is incomprehensible to me. Is it that some of us are so insecure, suffer from such low self esteem and perceived inferiority that the only way we can feel BIG, feel worthy, is to attempt to gain a feeling and position of superiority by dehumanizing and castigating others? One of my precious great-grandchildren is a blue eyed blonde with fairer skin than mine. He is also biracial, 1/8th African-American (an "octoroon"). He is tormented with the epithet of "negrito", used in a derogatory manner. Who abuses this innocent child, damages his self esteem and sense of worth as a human being by virtue of his ancestry? His PATERNAL GRANDMOTHER, who brought the African genes into the bloodline by marrying and bearing a son (the child's father) by him. Her motive for this racial discrimination and torment of her grandson? I cannot imagine.

Saturday, June 09, 2007 5:00:00 PM

The Future Was Yesterday said...

I have to respectfully disagree with some portions of your post. Every human being has their faults. Some, it's glaring - racist, color hating ignorant fools. Others, it's more overt. They could do something to stop the racist - and doesn't. But use of one word doesn't make anybody "all bad." It makes the part of them that believes in that word, in need of "repair" as it were. The rest of the person may well be a citizen of the year type.

Some of the points I brought away from your post was two things: One, there needs to be a "word cop", or a filter on speech, a way to ensure we never hear those words, and never use them. Words are nothing until both sides agree on a meaning. I can call you (insert your worst hated food) all day and night long. I can shout it from the mountains. You still are not, and never will be, unless you agree that you are, a (insert named food).

Therefore, the word itself is harmless. It's nothing but a label, waiting to be given credence, or not, by both parties.

The real problem imo, lies in the thought processes that invented those words, and why!

Finally, the Political Correctness crowd has tried word elimination for years - and it's done nothing at all except drive whatever problem the word is associated with, "underground" in our minds. "If I don't say it, I'm not one, if I do say it, I am one." NO, NO! You can tell me, "you're a fat pig!" and weigh 110 pounds yourself, forever, can't you? So doing away with the word, making the word "not sound so bad", is the equal of cutting off the tip of the iceberg. Out of sight - problem fixed. Only the problem isn't fixed. It jumps up and bites us when we least expect it.

Word elimination does nothing but hide thought processes that invented the word, with each word that is judged "bad."

I call it oral book burning, and I thank you for allowing me this space.:)

Saturday, June 09, 2007 10:24:00 PM

The Future Was Yesterday said...

the line that reads "Others, it's more overt." SHOULD read: "Others, it's more covert."

I should proof read better.

Saturday, June 09, 2007 10:28:00 PM

Worried said...

Thank you for your input, FWY. The motivation for racial bias and other kinds of discrimination still remains a mystery to me. I like to understand my fellow humans, what drives and motivates them; understanding our weaknesses and human faults helps promote good will and forgiveness. You are correct; even the best of us has flaws and failings. If we can recognize those failings we can work to overcome them and become better persons.

Sunday, June 10, 2007 11:45:00 AM
fjb said...
I just picked out some of my "personal favorites" as they relate to myself, from the database. Can you spot the irony:51st Stater, Adolf, Ahab, Bagel Dog, Brit, Canucklehead, Christ Killer, Eh-holes, Heinz, Kaaskop, Nazi, German Oven Mitt.
Sunday, June 10, 2007 1:12:00 PM
Sometimes Saintly Nick said...
I fear that THE FUTURE WAS YESTERDAY misses my points. When I speak of words that dehumanize and stereotype, I am not speaking of political correctness. I am referring to the use of terms that intentionally dehumanize—undermine a people’s humanity and individuality. Philosophers, theologians, and social scientists have been aware for many years that the way speak creates a sense of authenticity about a group, a nation, or even an automobile. So I am speaking about a very effective weapon: our use of dehumanizing terms for the enemy does not reduce their ability to fight us, but it does increase our ability to kill them. It is much easier to take the life of a Gook, a Jap, or a Kraut than it is to kill a human being.I am not speaking about having a “’word cop’, or a filter on speech.” I am not particularly fond of “political correctness.” This is much more serious than mere words, for the use of dehumanization and stereotyping is a potent weapon, especially when intentionally used by the cadres that train our soldiers. I shall expand on these thought at a later time in my blog.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007 4:21:00 AM
Jolly Roger said...
In most human beings lurks a sense of inadequacy.Some of us will recognize that it is probably a normal thing, as all human beings are flawed, and we won't let it eat us alive.Others will look for someone else to point at as an example of "worse than I am!" That's how they feel better about themselves.Fundamentalist religions and right-wing politicians have become the masters at playing on the subtle inner workings of the insecure. They don't say to you, "it's all right"; they say to you "it'd be all right, IF NOT FOR....."
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 10:00:00 AM
peppylady said...
I was over at Saintly Nick and left a comment there.We have came a long ways in getting along with others but some people are just knuckle drag fools.
Thursday, June 14, 2007 2:37:00 PM

BlogHers Act

Worried American, you're right. This spacing is giving me fits.

My online friends, Cooper and Emily are activists.

They're extremely involved in Moms Rising and now they're asking for help with "BlogHers" Act.

I received this email a couple of days ago and I'm copying it for any of you women who may not be aware of BlogHer or what they're trying to do this year.

Dear Friends,

With BlogHer.org (an amazing association of women bloggers with 11,000+ members), we just kicked off an exciting project and want to make sure you know all about it!

It's called BlogHers Act and it's a year-long campaign to harness the power of women online to do two things:

1. Make a difference on a global issue.

2. Identify the top four issues that women online want the U.S. Presidential candidates to address in order to win their votes in the '08 election.

Go to our blog, Been There and to BlogHer.org to learn more about the project, and to tell us what you'd like to see BlogHer.org's 11,000 bloggers and their extended communities get behind for the next year, and what topics the Presidential candidates should address in order to get your vote in '08.

Please jump right in and tell this community what matters most to you. We really look forward to hearing from you and hope you'll forward this to your friends!

Best regards and many thanks,

Cooper and Emily

our email: http://mail.google.com/mail/h/1m6rz9h9vrscu/

?v=b&cs=wh&to=cooper-emily@themotherhood.com
our blog: http://themotherhood.createsend.com/t/1/l/jduul/ulxikd/

www.beenthere.typepad.com/
our website: http://themotherhood.createsend.com/t/1/l/jduul/ulxikd/

www.themotherhood.com/
BlogHer.org: http://themotherhood.createsend.com/t/1/l/jduul/

ulxikd/blogher.org/

[Above urls have been separated because they extend so far to the margin that they force the sidebar to the bottom.

P.S. Margaret Mead said "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Just imagine what great things are possible through this project. We hope you weigh in.

I joined BlogHer after I received the email although it isn't necessary to do so or even to have a blog to make suggestions.

The deadline is June 15. I'll try to have my post up tomorrow (or at least leave a comment on Cooper and Emily's blog.)

COMMENTS:

betmo said...
i am glad to know that there are women working on issues. it really is up to us you know.
Saturday, June 09, 2007 8:30:00 PM
debra said...
The only way to end the madness is to end it, and the only way to change the world is to change it one step at a time, one person at a time.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007 10:52:00 AM

And More on the Fundies - HR 1592

They're opposed (no surprises there) to hate crime legislation, which includes prosecution for violent acts based on gender identity bias., currently making its ponderous way through Congress.

Isn't "thou shalt not bear false witness" one of the Commandments? Yep, thought so. It doesn't seem to slow the religious extremists down.

They're claiming, in unison, that passage of the bill will be the death of free speech in this country and that pastors will be unable to preach according to their beliefs.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The operative words are "bodily injury" As in "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me". (Not completely true of course, words can hurt, but they are not the subject matter of this bill).

Here is the report from Tom Paine today.

Here is the description and text of Senator Kennedy's Bill itself.

Below are three excerpts from H.R. 1592: Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007.

`(1) OFFENSES INVOLVING ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN- Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin of any person--

`(2) OFFENSES INVOLVING ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, OR DISABILITY-

`(A) IN GENERAL- Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, in any circumstance described in subparagraph (B), willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability of any person--

SEC. 8. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct protected from legal prohibition by, or any activities protected by the free speech or free exercise clauses of, the First Amendment to the Constitution.

That leaves me with two possible explanations for the fundies' approach.

1. Illiteracy

2. Prevarication

Our Senators and Representatives may need our support since I imagine the extremists will swarm all over them.

In related news, did you know those evil lesbians will be responsible if one of our cities is devastated by an "Act of God"? The Reverend John McArthur of Grace Community Church says so and James Dobson of Focus on the Family agrees.

Here's a portion of the Media Matters report:

On the June 4 edition of his Focus on the Family radio show, Focus on the Family founder and chairman James C. Dobson broadcast a sermon by John MacArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, titled "A Nation Abandoned by God." In the sermon, MacArthur said America had forsaken God and engendered the "wrath of abandonment" as a result. MacArthur declared: "You know a society has been abandoned by God when it celebrates lesbian sex." MacArthur further argued that as a result of America's abandonment, the destruction of a major U.S. city "could happen" and that "God would be just in any calamity he brought upon us."

The good reverend's diatribe was included in a sermon presented on the National Day of Prayer.

No wonder these Taliban imitators are so concerned about keeping their freedom of speech.

Not to worry, it's protected, thanks to the hard work of several of the organizations they most despise.

Afterthought: The man goes on to rail against the number of pornographic websites on the net. Don't get me wrong, I'm no fan of pornography (to each their own as long as children aren't involved), but take a look back at my post of a few days ago for true pornography masquerading as religious belief.

Perhaps this preacher should read his own Bible a little more often.

Luke 6:42 and again in Matthew 7:5 (from the Beatitudes):

KJV: Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.

COMMENTS:

Worried said...
After I fussed last night about being unable to access the comments page, Blogger suddenly allowed it. I haven't tried the add image box. Good post, Granny. people need to know how dangerous these fundies are.
Thursday, June 07, 2007 10:18:00 PM

Granny said...
Glad you could see the comments.I don't want to run the fundie idiocy into the ground but sometimes it's impossible to resist.We need to take them very seriously, no matter how ridiculous they sound.
Thursday, June 07, 2007 10:46:00 PM
Nvisiblewmn said...
Wow, good one there about "bearing false witness...."
Friday, June 08, 2007 7:53:00 AM
ThomasLB said...
They don't seem to understand that a hate crime is fundamentally different than a regular crime.If I don't like a guy so I punch him in the nose, the only guy affected is the individual I punched.If I hate gay people, and scour the neighborhood looking for a gay guy to pummel, that affects far more than the individual- that terrorizes the whole community.Maybe that's the way we need to approach it. Don't tell anybody we're protecting gay people, tell them it's an anti-terrorism bill.
Friday, June 08, 2007 11:49:00 AM
Worried:
I usually try to understand another person's viewpoint even when I thoroughly disagree with him. For the life of me, I simply cannot get any understanding of why the fundies are so obsessed with other people's sex lives. As long as private intimacy is between consenting adults, who cares ?! Of all the fascinating facets of humans that interest me, their sexuality or sex lives is not even on the list. I think the fundies need some sessions with a good psychotherapist.

More on the Fundies

I was surfing around yesterday and early this morning and found a couple of links to this from Delilah Boyd and this from my Canadian friends Carin and Steve at Vomit Comet.

They're both talking about the same thing, the Christian Wifebeating Domestic Discipline website and the Christian Domestic ViolenceDiscipline Store which sells all the implements needed to be successful in this endeavor.

I don't know where to begin. This is wrong on so many levels. Worst of all, the store site is directed by a woman (or at least someone using a woman's name).

Take a look at the Table of Contents. Thanks, Carin for allowing me to copy this from your site. (Carin has some wonderful comments of her own accompanying several of the Table of Contents headings. Take a look.)

Of course, so does Delilah.

• What is Christian Domestic Discipline?


• Advantages of Christian Domestic Discipline


• Introducing CDD to Your spouse


• When You Should Use Caution


• Setting Up a CDD Marriage


• Types of Spankings


• Common Alternative Punishments


• Common Implements


• Common Spanking Positions


• Spanking for Punishment


• How Much is Enough?


• Emotional Stages of a Spanking


• Uncooperative Wife


• Bruising/Marks


• Aftercare


• Making Love


• Glossary (I did read this)
  


• Appendix A: Introducing CDD to Husband


• Appendix B: Introducing CDD to Wife

I couldn't read much of it without wanting to throw up on my keyboard.

I suppose what consenting adults do in the privacy of their own homes is their own business but to glorify it as Christian behavior makes me sick.

Call it what it is. Domestic violence with undertones of perversion, rape, and brainwashing. It would be funny if it weren't so damned pathetic.

National Blogging for LGBT Families Day

I don't know if the "button" at the top of this post will show up or not. I can't see it but that doesn't mean it's not there. For some reason, I've been having problems viewing pictures and images.

Dana at Mombian reminds us that June 1st is Blogging for LGBT Families day and has asked us for posts. I'll be happy to.

This is a link to a post I wrote last February about LGBT students and the dangers they face in the schools. Dana assured me recycling was allowed.

I'm sure you know by now I'm the mom of a gay son and a charter member of our local PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians & Gays) group. I've marched in the San Francisco gay pride parade with my son and been as active as my time and energy permits in fighting for equal rights for all our citizens.

Our local PFLAG group in this small, conservative city, has marched, banner flying proudly, in our local parades and we've manned booths at every available opportunity. People are becoming accustomed to seeing us. They have even cheered or, at worst, been polite.

I've spent the last hour searching through the internet looking for statistics on LGBT families. Instead, I discovered Gay Family Support written by a woman named Debbie, not unlike me, with one gay and one bisexual son. She tells her own story and provides links which answer questions for parents.

It's written in conversational language, accurate and helpful.

My oldest great-granddaughter, Elcie, graduated from the 8th grade this evening. We're all immensely proud of course. You can read all about it over on "granny".

I posted pictures, one of which is a photo of Elcie's two younger sisters, Rebecca and Rochelle, with me and their Uncle Tim. Take a look and see if you think our multi-racial, multi-gender, multi-generational family poses a threat to anyone. Don't we look pretty much like everyone else?

I've made several friends in the blogging community who in one way or another are LGBT families. Lion Mom and her partner (now married courtesy of Canada) have adopted several children. Yondalla fosters gay teens. Foster Abba and Foster Eema are lesbian foster parents. Bacchus and his partner have adopted a little boy. Trey and his partner have adopted a little girl. And Mombian of course. Her blog name speaks for itself. Each of their sites has links to other parenting blogs. i wish I had time to read them all.

None of them are involved in undermining society. They're far too busy raising their families.

Perhaps someday we can stop attaching labels to families. We're no different from anyone else.
COMMENTS:

Kvatch said...
PFLAG always makes a big appearance at the Pride Day Parade here, and...next to the guys who populate the Department of Public Works float, always seem to be the happiest group on the parade route.
Friday, June 01, 2007 1:33:00 PM
Jo said...
Your family looks just like mine. Filled with love. Hugs to you and yours!
Friday, June 01, 2007 1:46:00 PM
betmo said...
i am sorry i missed out.
Friday, June 01, 2007 4:47:00 PM

Cindy Sheehan

Ingrid just left a comment asking if I'd heard about Cindy Sheehan

No, I hadn't. I was listening to music instead of the news this morning. In any event, she's resigned her position and put the property in Crawford up for sale. She said enough is enough.

I know how she feels and I haven't put in anything resembling the work she has.

Thank you Cindy for what you tried to do.
COMMENTS:

The Future Was Yesterday said...
She speaks from my heart as well.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007 1:50:00 PM
Worried said...
Even the strongest, bravest, most valiant warrior gets battle fatigue sometimes, and Cindy has certainly been a warrior.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007 7:15:00 PM
SheaNC said...
It's too bad it ended on such a bad note for her. I wish her well.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007 10:29:00 PM
Daniel said...
Cindy was broken by the sheeple, by all those who ignored her efforts or just didn't care. Is it any wonder that Bush and his Bullies are so arrogant?So sad!
Thursday, May 31, 2007 12:38:00 AM

Memorial Day 2007

I've been trying to think of something to write about Memorial Day this year and nothing comes to mind.

As I often do, I'll borrow someone else's words.

John Donne
Meditation 17
Devotions upon Emergent Occasions

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were. Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee..."

Our thoughts and prayers are with our brave men and women overseas and with victims everywhere.

COMMENTS:

Kvatch said...
I found something. I wrote (obliquely) about Cheney's nonsensical speech before the West Point cadets. What a ethically challenged tool he is. What a terrible folly has caused 3455 men and women to be killed in combat for nothing. I'm feeling very ashamed today.Good quote though. You can always count on Donne.
Monday, May 28, 2007 4:05:00 PM
Granny said...
I didn't hear Cheney but I did hear part of the Bush speech. The hypocrisy turned my stomach.
Monday, May 28, 2007 4:33:00 PM

Replacing Deleted Post - What Happened? Conspiracy?

We don't know what happened but here is the link to On The Home Front.

And here is the original post from The Calm Before The Sand. This soldier is quite vocal with his opinion about the compromise cavein.

If we had comments, perhaps WA can repost them.

COMMENTS:

Worried said...
There were comments that I posted to your post. However, as I explained in my email to you, either the Dastardly Duo or the MFfor some unknown reason published our entire sidebar under the post instead of comments, leaving an empty space where sidebar should have been.On "edit post" page, everything was fine, but on "view blog", our sidebar material was in place instead of comments.
After over 45 minutes of hissy fits, I finally managed to get the sidebar back to sidebar space and comments under your post. Checked out "view blog" 3 times and all was well. But when I switched from Mozilla Firefox back to IE, the entire post, comments and all was gone! Unfortunately I did not have copies of the comments. I remind myself NEVER NEVER NEVER publish with MF as it most often messes up publishing, even though it serves its purpose for deleting unwanted material and in copying pics and slides better than IE.
***If commenters to this post of Granny's will re-comment, we will publish them (via IE) under the post. It is a good post.
Monday, May 28, 2007 6:01:00 PM

How Appropriate

If I could remember where I first saw this, I'd give credit. Maybe I can find it again later.

Meantime

I wish it had been a seagull - on his head - but this is better than nothing. I'm sure the sparrow speaks for us all.

My mind just came back to me. Thanks to Fred & POP at Morning Martini for the link.

COMMENTS:

Worried said...

Appropriate; oh so fitting! Cheers to the bird.
I NEEDED that belly laugh, Ann. Made my day and changed my sour disposition.
The comments after the article are GREAT!

Sunday, May 27, 2007 2:11:00 PM

David Cho said...

Good to see you back to blogging, Granny.

Sunday, May 27, 2007 2:36:00 PM

SheaNC said...
He didn't even bother to use a handkerchief or anything, he just grabbed the poop with his fingers. I practically expected him to lift his fingers to his face and...Anyway, they used to say that breeding will out, you know?
Monday, May 28, 2007 3:07:00 AM

Worried: Oh you SheaNC! Another good laugh!

More on the "Compromise" Today

I still don't have the entire tally but I know my Congressman will be hearing from me tomorrow. I've heard him rant against the current administration and the war but when push came to shove he caved.

Worried American, I know this is more your area of expertise than mine but I was too furious to remain completely silent. Bush and the rest of the gang must be crowing right about now.

We sent one message loud and clear last November. Bring our men and women home - now. We were ignored. I could just as well have stayed home instead of voting. At least with the Repubs, I knew what to expect. I feel betrayed.

For any of you who haven't seen it yet, here's what Keith Olbermann had to say.

And here is a real blast from the past - set to music. We've learned nothing except more effective ways of killing.

Update: I've been surfing around youtube looking for something a little more cheerful. No such luck. Instead I found one of the saddest and most beautiful choruses in all of opera. Even though I live in the United States, I can identify with the Hebrew slaves as they mourn their beloved country.

Maybe I should have stayed on hiatus longer.

COMMENTS:

Worried said...
You are darned RIGHT we were betrayed. Betrayed by cowards and greedy (bleeps) who were bought off with $20billion in pork.
Friday, May 25, 2007 2:12:00 AM

ThomasLB said...
I had doubts from the start whether Democrats *really* wanted to end this war. After all, they did vote overwhelmingly to start it.They held all the cards. They could have told the president, "Either accept funding with strings attached, or veto it and get NO funding."I am very discouraged.
Friday, May 25, 2007 6:43:00 AM
betmo said...
honey- you could be on indefinite hiatus and it wouldn't make a difference. these people betrayed us. if you watched the liar-in-chief yesterday, it was evident that he is so far removed from america that he- i don't even know. his entire 'monologue' (because the press certainly didn't participate surprise surprise) was the same rhetoric from 2,4, and 5 years ago. he referenced all of the rethuglican rhetorical lies that have since been debunked by sentient beings; he reiterated that his plan was it- screw the american people; and he defended gonzo. no desire to lead or govern. they have their own agenda that is moving forward nicely. everything else is window dressing until they get what they want. and the dems won't stop them. sigh.
Friday, May 25, 2007 6:59:00 AM
peppylady said...
I now wonder what my congress person (Bill Salli) is doing about the war in Iraq or anything.I could go on and on about Bill Salli but I won't
Friday, May 25, 2007 10:45:00 AM

Marty said...
My congressman, Gene Green, called me the other day (I wasn't home, so he left a message) in response to an e-mail I sent him wanting to know why he voted with the republicans to continue this war. He said he would send me a letter with his explanation, but that as long as the president is doing what he's doing, he(Green) will NOT withhold funds from the troops. So the war continues. A friend and I are going to Gene Green's office on Tuesday to speak with him face to face.
Saturday, May 26, 2007 9:55:00 PM

Endorendil said...

The balance of power is long gone. Congress no longer provides effective control of the executive. We'll have to wait for another Nixon to dial back the presidential power.

Sunday, May 27, 2007 4:05:00 PM

Thinking Blogs Award

The Future was Yesterday has nominated the 3 of us for a Thinking Blogs Award. As I understand it, I have to come up with 5 blogs (with links) and explain why I keep going back to them.

Then I'm supposed to tag someone but I don't do tags. If any of the nominees would like to participate, feel free to write a post nominating 5 thinking bloggers. Update: Be sure to let the blogger know they've been nominated with a link to your post.

It would be easier if I didn't have to stop with five but I have to save a few for Worried American and Gadfly. I think I've linked to most of them here at one time or another. I'll try to focus on the blogs which combine family and politics since I have most in common with them. I'm including a couple of parents from the gay community since I have a gay son and I'm active in securing full citizenship for him and my other gay friends. One has adopted a mixed race child (my great-granddaughters and 3 of my grandkids are "mixed"). And I've featured 3 from outside the USA. That should narrow the field slightly.

There are many excellent blogs which cover the entire political spectrum but since much of my writing is focused on civil rights for all, feminism, education, medical care, and other domestic issues, I'll stick with what I know best. Worried American and Gadfly are much more knowledgeable (and vocal) on the war, the current administration, and trying to survive the next couple of years. I'll also try to spotlight blogs that our readers here may not know. Most have been personal online friends since my early days of blogging.

So, in no particular order:

Daddy, Poppa, and Me recounts the adventures of a San Francisco couple who have adopted a lovely little girl. It's part family journal, part writing about the experiences of a mixed race family (as is mine) and part political activism; especially with respect to gay rights.

Arwen (also known as West Coast Arwen) lives in Vancouver, BC and writes Rants for the Invisible People. Feminist, family oriented, and very funny. She was one of my earliest blogging discoveries.

Dana writes Mombian, a mix of politics, feminism, and her experience as the lesbian mom of a 3 year old. She and her partner have been together for 12 years. She writes a newspaper column as well as her extremely professional blog. The link is to her profile.

Kittenpie at The Further Adventures of Me is a 30 something mom who lives in Toronto, Ontario. I never know what to expect from her. She'll be writing about spiders on one post, a feminist issue the next, her opinions (quite vocal) on education, and then a list of 25 books which have made an impact (for better or worse) on society. A lovely person with a fascinating mind.

From Melbourne, Australia, Lindsay's Lobes. Lindsay is a grandfather and one of my several Australian friends over on "granny". He writes about life down under, civil rights there, the environment (Australia is experiencing a disastrous drought), and his philosophy on life in general. You may recognize him from his comments here.

He's also one of the kindest people I've ever known. He's helped me out with technical problems on the blog and the Christmas before last sent my girls a book of Australian carols and magazines about Melbourne because I'd asked him where I could find the music for the carols online. And I mustn't forget the little poems he leaves from time to time. Lovely man.

Finally (yes I can count but I couldn't decide who to leave out). I can't omit David Burke at Wandering Dave's Blog even though he isn't a political blogger in the strictest sense. He's certainly a thinker and he was a personal friend before he was a blogger.

David is a retired teacher and professional writer. I met him when I read one of his columns in our local paper. It was political satire, it was funny and sad at the same time, and I knew as soon as I read it that he was in for a rough ride from the Letters to the Editor people who wouldn't recognize satire if they fell over it. I emailed him to tell him so, he responded that the emails were already coming in, and we've been enjoying a weekly coffee date at Barnes & Noble (where my son works so we're well chaperoned) for the last year or more. We've spent hours and hours discussing family, politics, the environment, civil rights, the way our local government is headed for hell in a handbasket, you name it, we've talked (and emailed) about it. We don't always agree which makes our conversations that much more interesting. On a personal note, there have been many Tuesday mornings when our "dates" have lifted me out of the pits of despair.

His rent at the retirement community here includes free lodging and meals at all of their places in the USA and Canada. He embarked on a cross country journey in February and began his blog shortly before. His son, a talented cartoonist and computer whiz, set it up; Dave does the writing as he travels. He's seeking out the heart of North America, making friends as he goes, and staying off the beaten path for the most part. I told him he reminded me of a latter day Charles Kuralt (with camera but no t.v. cameras). He'll be on the road for about a year. In addition to the blog, they've put together maps, a forum, a column, and a podcast. At present, he's either still in Montana or on his way to Calgary, Alberta.

Darn. While I was putting this together, I thought of 2 or 3 more that I should have included but I've already cheated. I'll include them in a separate post in the next few days. They deserve awards too even if they weren't included here. They've written some very good posts and I've linked to at least one previously.

Speaking of awards, I haven't mentioned it here but "granny" was nominated for a Blogger's Choice award for Best Parenting blog. The link is over on my sidebar if you're interested and my page can be found by typing rocrebelgranny in the search bar. I don't stand a chance of course but it's a treat to be nominated and I've crept up to page 3 of 55 pages.

This was more fun that I thought it would be when I started. Many thanks to Future is Yesterday for the kind words about the "Golden Girls" as he calls the 3 of us.

COMMENTS:

The Future Was Yesterday said...
Me again.I screwed up the rules of The Thinking Blogger. It should have read:Those who have been tagged, should now list five blogs that they themselves find makes them think, leave a comment on that person's blog telling them they have been tagged as well as also including a link to this post (Yours), so that people can easily find the origin of this award. I apologize for my error.
Friday, April 27, 2007 12:53:00 AM
Granny said...
It's okay. I did that automatically because I try to let fellow bloggers know when I've linked to them for any reason.Then I went back to my post and updated the "rules".
Friday, April 27, 2007 1:25:00 AM
kittenpie said...
Oh, good gravy! Thank you! That is such a treat, coming from a longtime blogger I have been impressed by, although I confess that I am becoming lax about commenting lately... I will be sure to drop by all these links! Your travelling friend sounds fascinating, in particular. Thanks again, and hope all is well with you and your girls! (Lovely new pics and layout at rocrebelgranny, by the way. They are growing!)
Friday, April 27, 2007 6:57:00 PM
betmo said...
tua- somebody always has to clean up after you! :)
Saturday, April 28, 2007 8:02:00 AM
GDAEman said...
Congratulations! It's nice to see you being recognized.Re: "Parenting Blogs" I ran across one called High Tech Parent by Jadegreen. Not sure how much it covers "parenting," but it represents views of a parent.Keep up the good work.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007 7:39:00 AM

Universal Health Care

I found this tongue in cheek column by Jocelyn Chao of The Onion at Callooh's Tulgey Wood.

It's funny and would be funnier yet if it didn't hit so close to home.

I'm too tired to start ranting again about my husband and health care. He may have misunderstand what some hospital staffer told him yesterday when he was discharged so I'll withhold judgment until we can contact his doctor on Monday.

Briefly, when they can't arrive at a diagnosis, it seems that they're blaming the patient. He's senile or mentally ill or malingering. He's bored and using his frequent trips to the hospital to break the monotony. Give me a break!! He's none of the above of course. They as much as told him not to come back to the hospital.

Enough. When I find out more of what's going on, I'll be back with an update.

Meantime, I'm glad to have him back home one more time.

Okay, I think I got it.

Testing.

Underscore.

No underscore.

Let's see if it works.

Eureka!!!!

In case anyone is wondering, Worried American and I were cursing figuring out the dreaded html via email.

It's a little late but for any of you that don't regularly drop in on granny, I left a St. Pat's greeting for all over there.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

I've been following the Peter Pace story much of the day watching him try to backtrack on his homophobic comments.

He's from New Jersey so here's what Garden State Equality had to say.

As you may have read in today's news, General Peter Pace, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, has endorsed the U.S. military's policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Pace, who grew up in New Jersey, says: "homosexual acts between two individuals are immoral... and I do not believe the United States is well served by a policy that says it is okay to be immoral in any way."

Response from Garden State Equality:

First the general is hardly in a position to judge others. As a leader of the war in Iraq, General Pace has shown as much savvy in leading the military as Alfred E. Neuman would have in explaining the theory of relativity. Of course General Pace believes in "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." He's been key to the Administration's edict, "Don't ask about the war, and don't tell the American people how badly it's going."

Secondly, how ironic for man whose last name is Pace that the general hasn't kept up with the pace of progress. His views qualify him to run a war in the Gunsmoke era of 1955 rather than in a military theatre in 2007.

Thirdly, it's too bad that growing up in New Jersey didn't rub off on General Pace. Where New Jersey is the state that doesn't hate, General Pace somehow got stuck in a personal state of hate.

I started writing this yesterday and had some other links to add. Blogger wouldn't cooperate so I'm leaving it as is.

Before blogger goes nuts again, Heidi (aka VirusHead) has an excellent post up today. Long, but well worth reading. I'm showing it here even though it's unrelated except indirectly to gays in military and bigotry. I'm afraid if I don't do it now, I may not be able to connect with blogger again.

Later - much later.

I've been trying all day to post this. Finally recopied it to a new page and trying again.

It's now after 7:00 p.m. PDT and 27 hours have elapsed since I began this post.

She May Have Finally Gone Too Far

From Media Matters today:

Media Matters for America has learned that two additional newspapers, The Sanford Herald of North Carolina and the Daily Chronicle of DeKalb, Illinois, have dropped right-wing pundit Ann Coulter's column following Coulter's appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where she referred to Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards (NC) as a "faggot." On March 8, Media Matters published a list of newspapers that carried Coulter's columns, as well as the email addresses of those papers' editors.

In an email to Media Matters, Herald editor Billy Liggett said that the paper "will no longer run Coulter's column effective Sunday, March 11," and added, "The newspaper will run an explanation of its decision in that day's editorial." Earlier, on the weblog The Horse's Mouth, Greg Sargent had reported that Liggett said "he received 834 emails today asking the paper to drop [Coulter]." Liggett told Sargent that Coulter's comments at CPAC "were kind of the last straw -- they sealed the deal as far as our decision goes."

On March 9, the Daily Chronicle posted a statement on its website titled "Ann Coulter no longer welcome in the Chronicle," also noted by The Horse's Mouth. The statement said Coulter's CPAC remarks were "wrong and hurtful and stepped way beyond the line of human decency, much less political commentary." The statement went on to say that Coulter "could not or would not resist the temptation to offend, hurt and lash out at those voicing opinions that differed from her own" and that "not dealing" with Coulter's comments on the grounds that the comments did not run in the Chronicle "is a cop-out."

Granny says:

However, the Chronicle replaced her with Michelle Malkin thereby swapping the devil for the witch. There are many decent conservative columnists they could have chosen. They made one of the worst possible choices.

As Editor & Publisher reported, the Lancaster New Era (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), The Oakland Press (Pontiac, Michigan), and The Mountain Press (Sevierville, Tennessee) dropped Coulter following her comments at CPAC. On March 8, Media Matters noted that The Times of Shreveport, Louisiana, also dropped Coulter. Times editor Alan English said in a statement that Coulter's CPAC remarks were "the back-breaking straw for a decision we've openly discussed for some time."

Also on March 8, Media Matters received an email from the editor of the American Press of Lake Charles, Louisiana, reporting that the paper had dropped Coulter three days after her CPAC appearance, though he did not say whether Coulter was dropped as a result of her comments.