i see gay people

It was inevitable that someone would come forward (or should I say out) to dispute the claim by Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, that there are no lesbians or gays in Iran.  We are, as the saying goes, everywhere!

Reza, a 29-year-old Iranian, knows the truth … he is gay.

sunday funnies

WAR: good for profiteers, bad for everyone else

 Greedy war profiteers are poised to further line their pockets as they launch a new campaign to push the United States into war with Iran. A new advocacy group, Freedom’s Watch, will sponsor a private forum of “20 experts on radical Islam” that is expected to make the case that Iran poses a direct threat to the security of the United States. The alleged “experts” have close ties to the White House.

Freedom’s Watch, a deep-pocketed conservative group led by two former senior White House officials, made an audacious debut in late August when it began a $15 million advertising campaign designed to maintain Congressional support for President Bush’s troop increase in Iraq.

Founded this summer by a dozen wealthy conservatives, the nonprofit group is set apart from most advocacy groups by the immense wealth of its core group of benefactors, its intention to far outspend its rivals and its ambition to pursue a wide-ranging agenda. Its next target: Iran policy. 

John McCain: constitution established a ‘christian nation’

Good grief, McCain

A recent poll found that 55 percent of Americans believe the U.S. Constitution establishes a Christian nation. What do you think?

I would probably have to say yes, that the Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation. But I say that in the broadest sense. The lady that holds her lamp beside the golden door doesn’t say, “I only welcome Christians.” We welcome the poor, the tired, the huddled masses. But when they come here they know that they are in a nation founded on Christian principles.

tristero, at Hullabaloo, believes otherwise:  The Despicable John McCain

h/t tristero

this is a test

If this were a real emergency someone else would be telling you this, ’cause I’d be outta here!

Jena 6 DA thanks Jesus for averting disaster

I have not written much about the Jena 6, but it is certainly an issue that has been on my mind. It’s such a clear example of the racism that exists in this country. To think otherwise, is to be blind to reality.

It borders on blasphemy for the DA to invoke Jesus into this case.

And the truly sad part, in my opinion, is the utter silence from the white clergy in the community. They have aligned themselves with the white community, to the detriment of the community they so often CLAIM to represent — ALL of God’s children.

As someone who does not attend worship services, but who was exposed briefly during my youth to the Christian faith, I do recall one song that clearly these pastors have forgotten. The only song I remember (from my one and only week at Bible study) is “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.”

If anyone is going to invoke the name of Jesus in this case, let it be to pray for justice for the Jena 6.

Happy Birthday Janeane Garofalo

I thought I like Janeane … but Dr. Zaius has
me beat by a mile. Check out his tribute to Janeane Garofalo.

Fun music break

H/t to tristero at Hullabaloo

Verizon caves to pressure from activists!

Two Victories in One Day! First the hate crimes bill in the Senate, and now this! GREAT! I just received the following message from NARAL Pro-Choice America:

Dear BAC,

I knew that with your help we’d prevail.

Just a few hours ago the CEO of Verizon Wireless faxed me a letter confirming what you may have already heard: his corporation has reversed its “dusty internal policy” that blocked its customers from receiving text-messages they requested from us!

This was a massive victory. Our members, activists, bloggers, Capitol Hill, and other concerned citizens all joined in pressuring Verizon to reverse this decision. In just two hours you sent more than 20,000 messages to Verizon officials! This was a tremendous testament to our combined strength. Thank you!

It’s ironic that when we sent a text message last week, the subject was Bush’s global gag rule.

While our domestic “gag rule” may now be cleared up with the Verizon corporation, there are still women around the world who don’t receive the information they request because the Bush administration censors international family-planning groups’ free speech.

We didn’t let Verizon get away with its outrageous policy – don’t let Bush get away with his! Please take action today.

Thank you again for your support – we couldn’t have won without you.

My best,
Nancy Keenan
President
NARAL Pro-Choice America

P.S. We’ll keep the pressure on Verizon until we see its new public policy in writing!

Let’s keep the pressure on!

UPDATE: Hate Crimes Bill PASSED

The Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act passed the U.S. Senate today by a vote of 60 – 39. This legislation will make valuable resources available to the states to investigate and prosecute bias-related crimes against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Bush has threatened to veto the bill, and if he does we need all 60 votes for an override! Check here to find out how your Senators voted. Thank them if they voted “Yea” and voice your disaproval if they voted “Ney.” Encourage them to hold strong against any veto threat!