Pam Spaulding's Blog, page 130

2010 World AIDS Day

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Much love to all Blenders- and an open thread post for the evening.

The 42 Member Senate GOP Holds Its Breath and Stomps Their 84 Feet- While MY Rep LEADS.

HuffPo has the letter here

Reason Number- what? Seven Billion and Twelve?- as to why I love my "Congress Critter", Maine's First Congressional District Representative Chellie Pingree.

First off. I can't photoshop all 42 of these yutzes acting like spoiled widdle children with puffy blue faces, so this will have to do:

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WASHINGTON - Extortion apparently is the name of the game for Republicans in the Senate.

Today, all 42 GOP senators signed a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., stating that they will blockage all legislation in the lame-duck session this month if they don't get their way on government spending and on extending the Bush tax cuts.

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and GOP whip Jon Kyle threatened to block any attempts to vote on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," which is attached to the national defense bill.

Harry Reid quickly and decisively fired back, with all the heat, emotion and force we've come to expect from him:

Reid sharply rebuked the Republican maneuver.

"With this letter, they have simply put in writing the political strategy that the Republicans pursued this entire Congress -- namely obstruct, delay, obstruct, delay action on critical matters and then blame the Democrats for not addressing the needs of the American people," the Nevada Democrat said on the Senate floor.

YAWN. So we can pretty much see that this is gonna be a clusterf*ck- until someone gets the gumption to just DO this, already!

Enter Chellie Pingree, who had something to say today about this partisan mess- and priorities:

Mr. Speaker, in the remaining days of this Congress we have some choices to make- and those choices couldn't be more clear.

Are we going to extend tax cuts for the rich, giving millionaires an average tax break of over $100,000?

Or are we going to continue unemployment benefits of about $245 a week for out of work Americans?

Are we going to approve a giveaway to high paid CEOs that the Congressional Budget Office puts at the bottom of their list of what will stimulate the economy?

Or are we going to extend the unemployment benefits that the CBO puts at the top of that same list?

Are we going to hand out tax breaks to the wealthy that will add $700 billion to the deficit?

Or are we going to keep funding unemployment checks that generate  $2 in economic activity for every $1 in benefits paid.

The American people sent us here to set priorities and make tough choices.  Putting American workers ahead of millionaires and billionaires should be our priority and shouldn't be a tough choice to make.

Damn, but I do so love having Chellie represent me!

So what is she gonna be doing tomorrow? Check out this media advisory I got late today:

ADVISORY: Tomorrow (Thursday) Congresswoman Chellie Pingree to lead important debate on tax cuts for the middle class

WHAT:  

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree will lead the debate in the House on a bill that would extend tax cuts for the middle class while ending tax breaks for those  making over $200,000 (or couples making over $250,000)

WHERE:

U.S. House of Representatives. CSPAN 1 (channel 16 on Time Warner in greater Portland)

WHEN:

Tomorrow (Thursday) Approximately 10:00 am. Congresswoman Pingree will open the debate with a 3-5 minute statement and will make additional comments during the debate that follows.

BACKGROUND:

Tax cuts for the middle class and the wealthy will expire at the end of the month if Congress does not act. Congresswoman Pingree and other Democrats have argued that tax breaks for the wealthy should expire because they do little to encourage economic growth and will add $700 billion to the deficit, while extending the tax breaks for working families.   Republicans want to extend tax breaks for everyone, including the wealthiest taxpayers.

So here's what I propose to the Blenders: Call your Congress critters, no matter whether they are in the Senate or the House. Either encourage those who are doing a good/great job and thank them- let them know YOU appreciate their fighting for YOU- or scold the living bejeezus outta the ones who are not only acting like petulant children, but hurting the hell out of our country.  

MSNBC's Chris Matthews Corrects and Discredits FRC Misinformation

Wow, that was fast!

Watched "Hardball" tonight and had to grab the lil camera, back up the TiVo gizmo, and get this clip, which I have transcribed below. Please forgive the rough video quality:

Chris Matthews: On Monday night's edition of 'Hardball', we had a debate of course between the Southern Poverty Law Center's Mark Potok and the Family Resarch Council's Tony Perkins. The Southern Poverty Law Center labelled the Family Research Councel a hate group over its position on homosexuality.

Well, during the debate Monday night, Perkins made this claim about what he says is the risk posed by homosexuality to children.

(clip)

FRC's Tony Perkins: If you look at the American College of Pediatricians' research, they say the research is overwhelming that homosexuality poses a risk to children. So, I, uh, Mark is wrong. He needs to go back and do his own research, because this evidence is out there.

(end clip)

Matthews: Well, we need to note right now that the group Perkins sourced, the American College of Pediatricians, is not the same as the American Academy of Pediatrics, but a group of about 100 conservative-minded doctors that formed in 2002, in response to the Academy's support of gay parental rights. We like to straighten these things out.

Lest we forget, here again is the original Monday clip for those who may not have seen it.

MSBNC's Chris Matthews Corrects and Discredits FRC Misinformation

Wow, that was fast!

Watched "Hardball" tonight and had to grab the lil camera, back up the TiVo gizmo, and get this clip, which I have transcribed below. Please forgive the rough video quality:

Chris Matthews: On Monday night's edition of 'Hardball', we had a debate of course between the Southern Poverty Law Center's Mark Potok and the Family Resarch Council's Tony Perkins. The Southern Poverty Law Center labelled the Family Research Councel a hate group over its position on homosexuality.

Well, during the debate Monday night, Perkins made this claim about what he says is the risk posed by homosexuality to children.

(clip)

FRC's Tony Perkins: If you look at the American College of Pediatricians' research, they say the research is overwhelming that homosexuality poses a risk to children. So, I, uh, Mark is wrong. He needs to go back and do his own research, because this evidence is out there.

(end clip)

Matthews: Well, we need to note right now that the group Perkins sourced, the American College of Pediatricians, is not the same as the American Academy of Pediatrics, but a group of about 100 conservative-minded doctors that formed in 2002, in response to the Academy's support of gay parental rights. We like to straighten these things out.

Lest we forget, here again is the original Monday clip for those who may not have seen it.

The Illinois Senate HAS PASSED the civil unions bill!

Update 2: The IL Senate passed the CU bill by a vote of 32-24-1. The bill now heads to Gov. Pat Quinn for his signature.  Reactions below the fold.

Update: Equality Illinois is doing some live coverage of the debates on their Facebook page.

On the heels of passage of the civil unions bill in the Illinois House yesterday, the Senate has begun its own debate.  A vote is expected this afternoon.

Passage is expected to be slightly easier in the Senate, where the civil unions measure needs 30 votes to pass. The Senate currently has 37 Democrats, and at least one Republican is on board.

Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria, said sees the issue "through the eyes of a father who has a gay child," a daughter who "doesn't have the same rights" as his other children. [snip]

Republican Sen. Dan Rutherford, who was elected state treasurer last month, said he'll vote for civil unions.

"It's the right thing to do," said Rutherford, who will be sworn in come January as a statewide elected official. [snip]

Under the proposal, same-sex couples would enjoy several rights married couples currently have, such as making end-of-life decisions, handling probate matters, sharing nursing home rooms or even visiting partners in hospitals that deny visits by anyone but family.

Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to sign it into law when it hits his desk.
From Freedom to Marry

Freedom to Marry Calls for End to Denial of Marriage Itself

Press Contact:

Jackie Yodashkin

Communications Manager, Freedom to Marry

e: jackie@freedomtomarry.org

t: 646-430-3925

[New York, NY, December 1, 2010] Below is a statement from Evan Wolfson, Executive Director of Freedom to Marry, on today's passage of the Illinois Religious Freedom Protections and Civil Unions Act:

"Today, Illinois took an important step forward in providing a measure of protections to same-sex couples and their families - protections of particular importance in these tough economic times.  With this step in the right direction, Illinois rejected arguments against fair treatment for gay people and their loved ones and acknowledged that gay couples and families exist and have the same hopes and needs as other families.

"While a welcome step, civil union is no substitute for the full measure of respect, clarity, security, responsibilities, and protection of marriage itself.  States that have created civil union as a means of both giving and withholding - providing legal protections while withholding the freedom to marry and all its meaning - have found that civil union falls far short of marriage with all its tangible and intangible significance in our lives.  Many of those states - Connecticut, New Hampshire, and even Vermont, which first created civil union - have since pushed past civil union to marriage, recognizing the inadequacy and unfairness of a separate and unequal status.

"In five states and the District of Columbia, as well as 10 countries, same-sex couples have the freedom to marry, and the sky has not fallen.  Having now laid a good foundation with civil union, Illinois should move swiftly to finish the job, ending exclusion from marriage for committed couples seeking the same responsibilities, same respect, and same rules."

--

Freedom to Marry is the campaign to win marriage nationwide. We partner with individuals and organizations across the country to end the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage -- and the responsibilities, protections, and commitment that marriage brings. Freedom to Marry is working to win marriage in more states, grow majority support for the freedom to marry, and end federal marriage discrimination.

From HRC:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 1, 2010

Paul Guequierre | paul.guequierre@hrc.org | Phone: 202-423-2860

Illinois Senate Passes Civil Unions Bill



Bill Moves to Governor Quinn for Signature

WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights group, today congratulated the Illinois Senate on passing a civil unions bill by a 32-24 vote and urges Governor Quinn to quickly sign the bill into law.

"HRC applauds the Illinois Senate for recognizing that our families need the security of legal recognition now by swiftly passing a civil unions bill," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "Thank you to all of the Senators and Representatives who took a stand for justice, and to the tireless advocacy of Equality Illinois and other organizations who made such a victory possible."

The bill, introduced by Rep. Greg Harris and passed by both the House and Senate, would permit both same-sex and opposite-sex couples to enter into civil unions and receive the same benefits, protections, and responsibilities under Illinois law that are granted to spouses. The bill, however, does not provide for same-sex marriages.

In addition to Illinois, ten states plus Washington, D.C. offer state-level relationship recognition for gay and lesbian couples. Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington D.C. provide committee LGBT couples the freedom to marry. New York and Maryland recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages. Five other states-California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington provide samesex couples with civil unions or domestic partnerships.

Colorado, Hawaii and Maine provide gay and lesbian couples with limited rights and benefits, not all rights provided to married couples. California recognized marriage for same-sex couples between June and November of 2008, before voters approved Proposition 8, which purports to amend the state constitution to prohibit marriage equality. Couples married during that window remain married under California law, but all other same-sex couples can only receive a domestic partnership within the state. The state will recognize out of state same-sex marriages that occurred before November 5, 2008 as marriages and those that occurred on or after November 5, 2008 as domestic partnerships.

Same-sex couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state. For an electronic map showing where marriage equality stands in the states, please visit: www.HRC.org/State_Laws.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

From Lambda Legal:

=====================================================

LAMBDA LEGAL NEWS RELEASE, December 1, 2010

Contact Erik Roldan: 312-545-8140;  eroldan@lambdalegal.org

=====================================================

Illinois General Assembly Passes Civil Union Bill: Lambda Legal Celebrates

Increased Protection for Same-Sex Couples and Their Families

"Same-sex couples in Illinois...will finally have the legal protections to take care of each other and their children."

(Chicago, IL, December 1, 2010) - The Illinois General Assembly passed the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act, establishing legal protections for same-sex couples across the state.

"Same-sex couples in Illinois, many together for decades, will finally have the legal protections to take care of each other and their children," said Jim Bennett, Regional Director of Lambda Legal's Midwest Regional Office in Chicago. "Same-sex couples and their families faced a range of barriers to things that other couples take for granted, including spousal health

benefits and hospital visitation - the goal of this law is to correct those problems. While all couples deserve the right to marry, all of us in the Land of Lincoln can be proud of this important step forward."

The Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act, first introduced by Representative Greg Harris in March 2007, and in the Illinois Senate by Senator David Koehler, passed 61-52 in the House on Tuesday and

32-24 in the Senate today. The new law includes provisions for hospital visitation and healthcare decision making.

Lambda Legal's staff provided extensive legal analysis and drafting assistance for the Act approved today, as well as public education and

legislative advocacy pressing for its passage.

"We congratulate and thank the bill's sponsor Representative Greg Harris, along with Representatives Feigenholtz, Osterman, Currie, Fritchey, Howard and Mell, in the house and bill sponsor Senator David Koehler, along with

Senators Steans, Cullerton and retired Senator Carol Ronen in the Senate for their extraordinary leadership in making today's historic victory a

reality.  It's a great day for Illinois and other leaders in the in the legislature who have taken this step today," added Bennett.

The landmark vote reflects public opinion in Illinois that same-sex couples need recognition under the law. An October 2010 poll by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute of likely Illinois voters shows 67.5% approve of civil unions or marriage for same-sex couples.

"I've been with my partner for 13 years," said Chicago Resident Angelica Lopez. "The possibility of a Civil Union gives my partner and my child a

security that wasn't there before."

From National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:

Illinois General Assembly passes civil unions bill

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 - The Illinois Senate today passed a civil unions bill, which cleared the House yesterday. Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to sign it.

Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

"Same-sex couples in Illinois today moved closer toward realizing equal treatment under the law. While not a substitute for full legal marriage, this measure provides important protections, rights and responsibilities to same-sex couples, and will help ensure they're able to take care of each other and their families. This is both fair and humane. We thank Equality Illinois and the many fair-minded people who advocated and fought for this bill. The lawmakers who voted for this legislation did the right thing, and we now look forward to the governor signing it into law."

GOP Moves Goalposts on DADT, Dream Act

Yesterday's release of the Pentagon Working Group Study and press conference made a rather overwhelming case that repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was a no brainer.

Many GOP Senators had expressed they would wait for the report, and it that if it turned out OK, they'd be incline, or absolutely support repeal. People for the American Way has a nice summary of seven GOP Senators saying as much here.

Of course, to anyone paying attention to GOP tactics over the last several years, it's naive to think, that would be the last word. They are masters of the Lucy and the football game. It prompted me to observe, "All that remains it to see where John McCain and the Republicans move the goalposts to next, and what the reaction of Democratic leadership will be?"

Well, we have the new goal posts. Fox News is reporting that:

FOX has obtained a letter being circulated to Senate Republicans that calls for a filibuster blockade of any legislation not directly related to time-sensitive votes on taxes and spending. All 42 Republican senators have signed on to the plan, which would effectively end Democratic hopes to push through controversial measures like allowing gays in the military to express their sexualities and offering amnesty to illegal immigrants who attend college or volunteer for the military.

 Wow. No one could have seen that coming. How do we suppose the super-secret plan Obama and Joe Solomnese cooked up will stack up against a united GOP front?

The ball's in their court. Can Olympia Snowe expect another invitation over to the White House for tea and cookies?

Of course, there is a study by the Williams Institute that showed US taxpayers have wasted a half a billion dollars discharging qualified soldiers under DADT. This makes a pretty convincing case that DADT repeal is a fiscally sound thing to do. Will Democrats make that case?

Write Chris Matthews and Hardball to complain about Tony Perkins's lies

crossposted on Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters

The following is an email I sent to Chris Matthews and the staff of Hardball in regards to Tony Perkins's appearance on the show yesterday. It is imperative that as many of us also submit emails. You can feel free to use my letter or submit your own. The email address is hardball@msnbc.com


To: Chris Matthews and the staff of Hardball,

Dear Mr. Matthews,

On November 29, you had Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council on your show speaking against the designation of his organization as an official anti-gay hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. In making his point, Mr. Perkins committed several distortions which need to be brought to your attention.

1. When he cited work from the American College of Pediatricians as proof that homosexuality is a "dangerous lifestyle," he did not mention that this organization is not a legitimate medical group. The American College of Pediatricians is not a legitimate medical group. It is a sham organization dedicated to the laundering of junk science about the lgbt community, i.e. the kind of "science" which demonizes the lgbt community.  According to a July 31, 2005 issue of the Boston Globe:

One of its chief researchers was George Rekers, that is before he got caught coming from a European trip with a "rentboy."

Earlier this year, the American College of Pediatricians tried to push a webpage, Facts About Youth, to American schools.

Among other things, this site made the following claims about gay men:

Some gay men sexualize human waste, including the medically dangerous practice of coprophilia, which means sexual contact with highly infectious fecal wastes

2. Perkins claimed according to a study in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, 86 percent of men who molest children identified as gay.  He conveniently did not mention that in the study of 229 convicted child molesters,  63 victims were male, and 166 victims were female.  Eighty-six percent of 63 isn't a drop in the bucket and it's certainly not enough to make a generalization in regards to the gay community.

I am well aware of the fact that when discussing controversial issues, journalists have a duty to show a degree of parity and present "both sides." However, journalists also have a duty to call out any distortions made by either side of the issue.

At the very least, I would hope that you and your staff come to the realization that when it comes to discussing gay issues, neither Tony Perkins nor anyone else in the Family Research Council can be trusted to be accurate or truthful.


Thank you for your time,

Alvin McEwen

www.holybulliesandheadlessmonsters.bl...

Feel free to copy what is in this letter or send your own. But by all means, please be polite. We have a right to be angry with how Perkins distorts facts to demonize us, but we are still a people with dignity. The point is to let Matthews know how Perkins and FRC lie about lgbt issues.

 

BREAKING: Illinois House just passed civil unions bill

Update: Just as I posted this diary, the news came out that the IL House of Representatives has passed the civil unions law!  On the the Senate!  Gov. Patrick Quinn has promised to sign the bill into law.

From Equality Illinois:

We did it! The Illinois House of Representatives passed the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act with a vote of 61 to 52!

However, the Illinois Senate has yet to vote on the civil union bill and has until Thursday, December 2nd to do so. We are almost there but need your help to make this bill a reality. Please:

1. Call your Senator NOW and tell him/her to pass SB 1716 (If you do not know who your legislator is, you can look him/her up here).

2. Support our aggressive advocacy efforts with a contribution. Not only do we still need to pass the bill through the State Senate, but we will then need to protect the law from attempts to repeal it. We can only succeed with your support. Please donate now.

We are extremely thankful to State Representative Greg Harris, chief sponsor of the bill, for his extraordinary leadership on this issue. Thank you for supporting us and we will keep you posted on the status of this historic bill.

Sincerely,

Bernard Cherkasov

Chief Executive Officer

As we speak, a civil unions bill is up for debate and vote in the Illinois House of Representatives.  

Openly gay Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), who co-sponsored SB 1716, started his opening statement at 5:17 p.m on Tuesday. "Once in every generation," he said, "legislatures across the country have a chance to advance the cause of liberty and justice for all."

SB 1716, the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act needs 60 votes to pass in the House. Supporters believe they have the necessary votes to pass the bill out of the House and on to the Senate, where quick passage is expected.

Tuesday afternoon, an Illinois Senate committee advanced its version of the civil unions bill by a 6-2 margin. The upper chamber on the Senate would have to approve the legislation if it clears the House.

According to the article above, a poll last month showed that 67.5% of likely Illinois voters approve of civil unions or marriage for same sex couples while only 26.5% oppose any recognition.

If the legislation passes, Illinois will join California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington as the latest state to offer full-scale Civil Unions or Domestic Partnerships.  Marriage equality is the law of the land in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington D.C..

Fingers crossed for the Land of Lincoln!

Statement by President Obama on DOD Report on Don't Ask, Don't Tell

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

____________________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 30, 2010

Statement by President Obama on DOD Report on Don't Ask, Don't Tell

As Commander in Chief, I have pledged to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" law because it weakens our national security, diminishes our military readiness, and violates fundamental American principles of fairness and equality by preventing patriotic Americans who are gay from serving openly in our armed forces.  At the same time, as Commander in Chief, I am committed to ensuring that we understand the implications of this transition, and maintain good order and discipline within our military ranks. That is why I directed the Department of Defense earlier this year to begin preparing for a transition to a new policy.

Today's report confirms that a strong majority of our military men and women and their families-more than two thirds-are prepared to serve alongside Americans who are openly gay and lesbian.  This report also confirms that, by every measure-from unit cohesion to recruitment and retention to family readiness-we can transition to a new policy in a responsible manner that ensures our military strength and national security. And for the first time since this law was enacted 17 years ago today, both the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have publicly endorsed ending this policy.

With our nation at war and so many Americans serving on the front lines, our troops and their families deserve the certainty that can only come when an act of Congress ends this discriminatory policy once and for all.  The House of Representatives has already passed the necessary legislation.  Today I call on the Senate to act as soon as possible so I can sign this repeal into law this year and ensure that Americans who are willing to risk their lives for their country are treated fairly and equally.  Our troops represent the virtues of selfless sacrifice and love of country that have enabled our freedoms. I am absolutely confident that they will adapt to this change and remain the best led, best trained, best equipped fighting force the world has ever known.  

1 in 10 Americans are on Unemployment

 1 in 10 Americans are on Unemployment - that is a staggering fact, one that affects our fellow LGBT brothers and sisters at a high rate.  With the push for DADT repeal, I hope you will also take a second to demand that Congress extend Unemployment Benefits to the millions of Americans who are out of work. 

As someone who has been on unemployment before, I can personally vouch that if it were not for the support of the Unemployment I received, I would have likely lost my home and my healthcare coverage.  This can be devastating for our communities; devastating to neighbors who are dependent on medications, friends struggling to keep their homes, or family-members faced with a life threatening illness.

We all know someone who is looking for work right now, the job market is slow and even tougher for a minority. For many of us we want to be working, we want to be contributing our fair share but sometimes we are over-looked for openings because we happen to be trans or openly Gay.  We have a small window to push Congress into action and extend this crucial lifeline to tens or hundreds of thousands of our community members. 

Americans for Democratic Action has launched an aggressive petition to force Congress to act now.  While Congress debates tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, our community members are struggling to find work, are losing their homes and are being forced to choose between crucial medications and going hungry.  

I hope you will take two seconds out of your day to sign this petition and urge your friends to do the same - this maybe a lifeline to one of your friends or even yourself, and it will only be extended in the lame duck session if we act together. 

Sign the petition right now  at – http://bit.ly/ib93ap 

 

Help expand the reach, Donate your facebook and twitter today with this link to tell all your friends.

 

Demand Congress help the 1 in 10 Americans on unemployment NOW – http://bit.ly/ib93ap  - #p2 #lgbt

 

- Andy Szekeres