Internet Debates

Bin Laden should still be alive?

Disregarding reality, the Monday morning political quarterbacking continues. Individuals of varying sanity levels have begun a pointless front-page debate about whether or not SEAL Team 6 should have killed Bin Laden.

Fox News opinion writer Ellen Ratner believes that we should have spared his life for research.

"There's been a debate about whether we should have tried to bring the terror mastermind back to the United States -- alive. I agree with Texas Congressman Ron Paul, we should not have killed Bin Laden if at all possible," said Ratner.

Although the root cause of Bin Laden brand terrorism is clearly a literal interpretation of his religious book, Ratner would rather have kept him alive and scanned his brain... because... well because she wished they had done that to Adolph Hitler as well.

"As PET scanners and fMRI tests became available later in the 20th Century, I couldn't help but wonder what Hitler's brain would have looked like under a scanner," states Ratner.

Ratner believes that this ONE person who was a religious terrorist should have been kept alive because, perhaps, the scanning of HIS specific brain could have told us why he did what he did. Really? Pay me the large amount of money you would have wasted doing this, let me shoot him in the face, and then I will tell you why he did it: He followed his religious book to the "T".

A brain scan of those with an exorbitant amount of religious zeal would provide more valuable information.

"The world might be a safer place in the future if we could have understood the anatomy and physiology of his brain," Ratner continued, "Some of the people who have been under these scanners have taught us a lot about criminal and violent minds."

Then she speculates about pornography... and.. ummm that might be interesting to have studied as well.  Maybe she's just lonely?

"On Friday we learned that Bin Laden also had an extensive pornography stash in his Pakistan compound. Although, to be honest, officials have not been about to confirm if it belonged specifically to him or if he even viewed it. Nevertheless, let's assume the porn collection was his (great writing here) and that he did spend time viewing it. Now his brain becomes even more interesting especially since certain types of pornography and violence can be linked together."

Was this written by a high school student the night before it was due?

You can read the rest of her "article," in which she basically refutes her own argument.  Her stance amounts to - "Look what we already know!!! Here's some generic information I found on Wikipedia... now let's speculate!"

Ratner:  "The medical documentation for violent and criminal minds continues to grow. Marina Nakic, a post doctoral fellow in the lab of Dr. Jordan Grafman found that viewing violent images is enough to activate the prefrontal cortex. Other studies have focused on the amount of Serotonin in the brain as it relates to violence and willingness to fight. The University of Cambridge in England found that anti-social children have less Cortisol when they are in stressful situations. In most of us it increases with stress and in these kids with a specific personality disorder the body produced less of the hormone. Another study found that psychopath's brains were different in brain scans. A team from King's College in London found a structure in the brain, the uncinate fasiculus, is different in psychopaths than in normal people. Other researchers have found a link between Traumatic Brain Injury and criminal behavior. Was Bin Laden possibly dropped on his head by one of his parents or caregivers during his childhood? Did he and his many brothers engage in "horse play" that might have caused brain damage? No one knows, and with his brain becoming fish food, our answers are lost forever. We could have learned valuable information about one of the most dangerous criminal minds ever, and now only the Arabian Sea contains the answers."

Really Ellen Ratner? This is what you "contribute" to Fox News?

Sexy American Politics: Short Stories of Untold Hook-ups

     Politics and sex go hand in hand like a lonely person, genitals and pornography.


But did you know that many famous political figures have had sex with each other?  True story.

Unlikely hook-up #1:  Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.

"For seven and a half years I've worked alongside President Reagan. We've had triumphs. Made some mistakes. We've had some sex...uh...setbacks." --President George H.W. Bush

The bromance lasted until Bush began to complain to about Reagan's in-bed "trickle down on your face while you are sleeping" effect.  Not because Bush didn't like it, just because Reagan stopped doing it after one year.

Not to mention the outrage caused by Reagan's gang-bang affair with an entire terrorist group in Iran.

Unlikely hook-up #2:  God and Jimmy Carter.

"I've looked on many women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart many times. God knows I will do this and he forgives me." –-President Jimmy Carter, Playboy Magazine

When God first started dating Jimmy Carter, little Jimmy was only 4 years old, which might seem wrong, but Carter's parents introduced the two.

Although former President Carter was in a secret gay relationship with God, he definitely was not a 'power bottom.'

When asked about his preferences, Carter angrily shouted "Aggression unopposed becomes a contagious disease."

When the former President got married to cover up his homosexual relationship with God, he later made it clear that he was not happy with what he had to do to become the leader of the free world.

"I have often wanted to drown my troubles, but I can't get my wife to go swimming."

 Unlikely Relationship #3:  ... to be continued...

Idiot America: Book Review

   Before even reading a book with such a title, many would already claim to feel as though they are surrounded by idiots.

   Having said that, Charle's P. Pierce's book helps to explain why this country has fallen to such a stupendous low when it comes to intellect, religious & scientific views and, of course, politics.  It delves into the lameness of most people's 'reasoning' for what they believe, why they believe it, and how they vote.

   Pierce even takes a brief moment to give reality TV shows (and the unrealistic drama '24') the mockery that they deserve. 

   I mean, what have we come to when a Supreme Court Justice (Anthony Scalia) cites '24' as a reason to support torture?  How did we appoint someone to such a high court who asks, while deciding landmark cases, WWJD, What Would Jack Bauer Do?

-Side note, how ridiculous was it when politicians and news pundits were saying that Jack Bauer would have found the terrorist behind the failed Times Square bombing in, get this, 24 hours... not the 50 some odd hours it took REAL PEOPLE.  What kind of blurry fake world do they live in.  It would be one thing if they were kidding.-

   Jack Bauer nonsense aside, Pierce shows how much of America votes from, what he calls "The Gut."  Which is to say that it doesn't matter what the facts are, just what sells and what is convenient or makes us feel comfortable.

He also introduces The Three Great Premises to show how people buy into crap that is just that, crap:

"Since (right-wing) populism has at its heart an "anti-elitist" distrust of expertise, talk radio offers the purest example of the Three Great Premises at work.

A host is not judged a success by his command of the issues, but purely by whether what he says moves the ratings needle.

*First Great Premise: Any theory is valid if it moves units.

-If the needle moves enough, then the host is adjudged an expert.

*Second Great Premise: Anything can be true if someone says it loudly enough

And if the host seems to argue passionately enough, then what he is saying is judged to be true simply because of how many people are listening to him say it.

*Third Great Premise: Fact is that which enough people believe. Truth is measured by how fervently they believe it."

- Charles P. Pierce,Idiot America: How Stupidity Became a Virtue in the Land of the Free

    I will leave it at this:  It's a great book filed with various topics from Terri Schiavo to 9/11, global warming to the Iraq War, and elections down to creationism... to name a few.





   

 

Letter & Petition to Barack Obama

The following is an e-mail I received. If you care about LGBT rights, read it. If you don't care, then feel free to read something else on this site...or just X-out.

Letter:

A little under 1 year ago when Barack Obama was running for president he wrote an Open Letter to our community. A community where many members do not have equal protections under the law. A minority community that has felt the sting of discrimination, and held on to love to build bridges in the hope of overcoming.

The opening to this letter still chokes me up today: "I'm running for President to build an America that lives up to our founding promise of equality for all ‐ a promise that extends to our gay brothers and sisters. It's wrong to have millions of Americans living as second‐class citizens in this nation. And I ask for your support in this election so that together we can bring about real change for all LGBT Americans."

In this letter, Barack Obama promised to repeal laws that discriminate against the LGBT community. He vowed to

* Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and ensure that states treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws
* Enact a fully inclusive Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity
* Repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'
* Enact the Matthew Shepard Act to outlaw hate crimes against our community
* Confront the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the stigma surrounding it
* Amend the Uniting American Families Act to afford same-sex couples the same rights and obligations as married couples in our immigration system

A letter was crafted in response to Obama to remind him of his promises that we expect him to keep. This is not an online petition. Studies have shown that they are far less effective than the obvious blood sweat and tears that went in to physical signatures. Imagine Barack Obama sitting in the Oval Office with One Million of our voices in his hands. We need Real People, Real Signatures, Real Change.

Signature gathering has already begun. Here's 10 ways you can help get signatures:

1. Gather signatures at your place of work (make sure it doesn't hinder your HR policy)
2. Go out to the bars on Friday and Saturday nights and get signatures
3. Go to your local screening of MILK and get signatures from individuals in line or as they are leaving
4. Go to local stores and ask that they put the signature pages at the counter
5. Grab a friend and canvas your neighborhood asking for signatures
6. Go to a local event to gain signatures (Art Walks, Concerts, etc)
7. Take a copy to class and ask your teacher if you can announce that you're gathering signatures.
8. Attend one of the National Rallies on January 10th to gain signatures (find your rally here)
9. Go to church on Sunday and ask for signatures
10. Use the power of the internet: Email this letter, Blog about it, ping all your friends on Facebook/MySpace, send this message to EVERYONE

As always, when on private property be sure to ask for permission.

To learn more about Federal DOMA and the rallies this weekend please follow this link: http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/page/Nationwide+DOMA+Protest

JOIN THE IMPACT ON THE WHITE HOUSE:
Print the Open Letter
Print Signature pages

Mail all signature pages by January 12th to:

Join The Impact
PO Box 141491
Columbus, OH 43214

Amy & Willow
Co-Founders

Three SUVs Parked on Church Altar

The Greater Grace Temple, A Detroit Mega-Christian-church which has thousands of followers, prayed with 3 sport utility vehicles on their center stage/altar this past Sunday.

Why?

Because they wanted "God" to influence Congress to pass the car-maker bailout this week.

They put three brand-spankin'-new SUVs on the altar: a Ford Escape, a Chevy Tahoe from GM, and a Chrysler Aspen.

Logically, if they really wanted to make a difference, they could have sent a petition to Congress or something like that. But praying to their god with huge expensive SUVs on the altar apparently made more sense to them...

At least they got the press to cover the ridiculous event so that congress would see it. But, in my opinion, it was at the expense of looking crazy.

Since they are willing to pray with 3 SUVs on their center stage altar, I'm sure that they wouldn't mind helping any of you out with any prayer you have. No matter how ridiculous it might be. GIVE IT A SHOT (CLICK ME)

Is that Logic in your pants, or are you just happy to read the bible?

Here are two very short, yet highly entertaining videos:






I think it is interesting to note the role that religion plays in these issues and, most certainly, the role that science and professional research plays in these issues.

It appears that regardless of scientific finding, many religious people would rather ignore that and rely on what their priest tells them on Sundays.

Why is it that we let empirical facts be overwhelmed by emotional and fact-devoid literature?

Discuss...

The Pope Plays Gay Football?

Well, not exactly...

The following is very interesting to read and full of stimulating information. I know that some people do not have the time or energy to read whole articles, so I highlighted key parts so you can skim and stop to read parts that strike your fancy... your welcome ;)

Publish Post

This Article Was Written By Wayne Besen of Truth Wins Out

On Sunday, New York Times Columnist Nicholas Kristof discussed religious and cultural extremism in Pakistan, where a new cabinet member, Israr Ullah Zardari, defended the torture-murder of five women and girls who were buried alive (three girls wanted to choose their own husbands, and two women wanted to protect them.) The Times had another article on Monday about an all-girl rock band in Saudi Arabia that is forbidden from playing live concerts because of their gender.

At home, former Arkansas governor and pastor, Mike Huckabee, appeared on ABC’s “The View” and said that gay and lesbian equality was not the same as civil rights because homosexuals have not had their skulls cracked and were not hosed down by police. Apparently, he is unaware of the latest FBI hate crime statistics that show bias attacks based on sexual orientation making up 15.5 percent of all reported hate crimes.

In Rome, Pope Benedict XVI is being criticized this week for questioning the usefulness of Interfaith dialogue in a letter he wrote to Italian politician Marcello Pera. What the Pope fails to point out is that thanks to intransigent absolutists, like the pontiff, finding common ground is nearly impossible.

How can we expect interfaith dialogue when we can’t even have Interstate dialogue between two Mormon universities 45 miles apart because they have literally turned religion into a political football? When the secular University of Utah played its religious school rival, Brigham Young University (BYU), last weekend, the teams treated the End Zone as if it were the Promised Land.

“It’s like a lot of other rivalries, except for those at the extremes,” Michael Anastasi, managing editor of the Salt Lake Tribune told the New York Times. “For them, it’s not only that your school is weak, you’re going to Hell too.”

Two years ago, the rivalry was further soured after BYU quarterback John Beck threw a touchdown pass to receiver Jonny Harline, who sank to his knees – as if in prayer – to make the winning catch. Describing the “miraculous” play, another B.Y.U. receiver, Austin Collie, concluded it occurred because students at the religious school lived cleaner lives.

“Obviously, if you do what’s right on and off the field, I think the Lord steps in and plays a part in it,” said Collie. (For the record, the holier-than-thou BYU was crushed 48-24 in this weekend’s game. I’m guessing the Lord was upset at Mormon involvement in California’s Prop. 8 banning same-sex marriages)

If religious groups become fratricidal based on football allegiance, it seems there is little hope for genuine reconciliation with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. We must still work to enlighten the flock where we can, but fundamentalist leaders will only transform their anti-gay views when popular opinion decidedly turns against them – as it did with race relations in the 1960s and 1970’s.

The strategy for the GLBT movement has been to circumvent the ideologues and create change within mainline denominations. I wholeheartedly support such efforts and have contributed to them. Unfortunately, there is scant evidence to suggest that these religious institutions will thrive and form a substantial bulwark against fundamentalism.

In “America Theocracy,” author Kevin Phillips documents the steep decline of reasonable religion in favor of the rabble-rousing variety.

“Between 1940 and 1985 mainline Protestantism’s share of all U.S. religious adherents was steadily plummeting…Between 1960 and 1997 – the Presbyterian Church, The Episcopal Church, The United Church of Christ and the Methodists lost between 500,000 and 2 million members each. In the meantime, the Southern Baptist Convention added 6 million, the Mormons 3.3 million, the Pentacostal Assemblies of God 2 million and the Church of God (Tennessee) some 600,000.”

The implications are that the GLBT movement may be placing its eggs in a basket that is rapidly fraying. It seems that people are either gravitating towards religious extremism or secular humanism, with little appetite for mainline faith. The Internet also offers easy access to eclectic spiritual beliefs that one can follow without organized religion. So, the hope that mainstream religion, as we know it, will supplant anti-gay denominations seems far-fetched.

The trends of urbanization and the discrediting of corporate Republican-style religion will lead, in my view, to more people losing their faith. However, fundamentalist sects will continue to consolidate market share for those who feel estranged or displaced by modernity. In other words, America will look much like Europe in the coming decades – with a secular majority and a small, but still vocal, fundamentalist minority. (Mostly Islamic in Europe)

I can hear objections from those who rightfully point out that America is more religious than Europe. But, Kevin Phillips reminds us that Europe was once was hyper-religious too – but circumstances change over time.

“As the 21st Century began,” writes Phillips. “None of the western countries in which Reformation Protestantism bred its radical or anarchic sects nearly five hundred years earlier – England, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands — still had congregations of any great magnitude adhering to that theology.”

Prop. 8 To Be Overturned

As I had HOPED, the California Supreme Court has agreed to hear 3 cases challenging the recent passage of Proposition 8; a vote that overturned same-sex couples' marriage equality rights.

For those of you who do not know, before Prop. 8 was narrowly passed, the California court had already held that same-sex marriages must me allowed for, and legally recognized.

The 3 cases that the court has agreed to hear rightfully claim that the ban, which passed on election day, took away constitutionally guaranteed civil rights of a minority group.

Essentially the logic here is that the slim victory for those wishing to ban equal marriage rights does not hold water because: Majority vote does not equate to Constitutionality.

All three cases claim the measure takes away the civil rights of a vulnerable minority group.

Essentially, those bringing suit are rightfully stating that voters alone cannot enact such a ban because it is facially unconstitutional.

For those of you who do not know:

- The Court did not have to hear any of these cases.

- The Court chooses to hear cases that they deem to be important.

- The Court had already previously declared same-sex marriage bans to be unconstitutional.

MY LOGIC-BASED PREDICTION: The California Supreme Court will overturn Proposition 8, thus re-granting equal rights to same-sex couple's wishing to receive the same 1,200 rights enjoyed by persons who are heterosexual. Rights that come with the contractually based agreement that is called marriage (figure represents state and federal rights combined, varies slightly by state).

Religious people claim that they MUST ban same-sex marriage, but they cannot give any valid reasons as to why this should be.

I will give a reader $100 if they can present to me a constitutionally sound, logic-based argument for banning same-sex marriage.

Hint: There isn't one.

CHECK OUT THESE SIGNS

This Infuriates Me....

Sean Hannity is right when he says "Journalism is Dead" after this election...

FoxNews is considered the only "bias" news source to the general public...ha

Watch the entire video if you can before your blood boils.....I realize that they probably wouldn't have changed their votes if they knew the answers or that it was a "random" sampling of people. But the broad spectrum of questions makes you wonder why they know the answers to certain, relatively less important, petty questions versus the more important ones.

Reminds me of religion....blindly following a movement to feel better about themselves....the word is change instead of god....I honestly see no difference...



http://www.howobamagotelected.com

OH Really O'Reilly?

THIS PROVES MY POINT THAT IF FOXNEWS DID EVER COVER THIS STORY, IT WOULD BE INCREDIBLY NEGATIVE TOWARDS HOMOSEXUALS.

I'M PISSED.

SO...Unfortunately Bill O'Reilly is another person who A) Doesn't know anything about the U.S. Constitution or Supreme Court precedent and B) Has never read the bible.

This was all made apparent in this video. Watch the video, then read Wayne Bessen's article which is directly below:

Response by Wayne Bessen of TruthWinsOut.org, since O'Reilly didn't let him talk:

Last night, I was on FOX’s O’Reilly Factor to discuss my column on race and Prop. 8. I was on with Jasmyne Cannick who wrote a shameful article in the LA Times.

I felt the lead into the show was unfair. It looked as if gay people were hooligans and troublemakers. In reality, the protests across the nation have been peaceful. The show also said there were only 1,000 protesters in New York. I was there and there were more then 10,000.

What people like O’Reilly and others don’t seem to understand is that we deserve to be angry. After all, a majority actually voted away our marriages - as if our nation’s laws are a product of mob rule, with no rights for minorities. Do they expect us to be all smiles? Do they understand the gravity and gall of what they have done? How would they react if their marriages had been endlessly debated, lied about and then voted away? There would likely be hell to pay and riots in the streets if straight people, or a particular faith, had their loving marriages destroyed by majority vote.

As far as Ms. Cannick? Her appearance speaks for itself, as do her radical ideas, such as white people should not eat soulfood or win awards at all black colleges. If you are for pitting people against each other and dividing people by race - then you probably love her. If you are a person who believes in equality for all and judging people by the content of their character, you probably were not a big fan of Ms. Cannick. Her main problem is that she offers copius criticism, but never offers real solutions.

There is a also a disturbing trend where the right wing groups and media distort what is going on at these protests. It is really vile how these professed Christians so easily lie in the name of the Lord. It’s as if they have no dignity, no shame, no scruples, no morals, and no decency - even as they prattle on about their superior values. They are dreadful “witnesses” for their religon. For every political battle they win, they turn off millions of people. In this sense, the Prop 8 battle was an enormous defeat for anti-gay religious groups.

This is a battle we are going to win if we harness the energy at these rallies into tangible action. I can assure you that truth will win out. I look forward to working with the people I have met across this nation to have an impact and make a difference. Hang in there. Victory is closer than many of us imagine.

Once again, that was an article by Wayne Bessen of TruthWinsOut.org

A Few Issues Today

Issue #1
FOX news somehow managed to get the first exclusive interview with Sarah Palin since the McCain-Palin ticket lost on November 4th.

Is this really a shock to anyone?

FOX is probably one of the few news organization on televisions willing to toss her softballs.

Why?

Because they are very much so right-leaning. This is not to say that many news organizations aren't left-leaning (MSNBC for one).

So, is she making the right call going on Fox for her first interview after the election?

Yes if she wants an easy interview.
No if she thinks she's going to change people's minds on her.

Issue #2
Barack Obama: Is he going to be radical with numerous sweeping changes, thus turning us into a socialist country as right-wing critics say???
OR
Is he not going to get much done and basically be full of empty promises...as right-wing critics are also saying.

Can't have it both ways people!

Issue # 3
Right now a poll on CNN.com:

Do you think that gay marriage is a civil rights issue?

Yes	49%
No	51%

I think that there needs to be a follow up question to this when people say "No":

WHY, do you think this is not a civil rights issue? I am curious what people think.

WHY DO YOU THINK THIS IS? LEAVE A COMMENT ON HERE!!!

Looks About Right(wing)...

Found this picture online from TheAtlantic.com:

Wayne Bessen on Prop. 8

The following is an email that I received from a gay rights activist named Wayne Bessen who is a figurehead of TruthWinsOut.org.

Nov 7, 2008 - I can understand why white gay people are angry. I certainly am. But, let's take a step back and look at this dispassionately.

I believe our failure with the African American vote (70% voted in favor of Prop. 8) has more to do with education levels than race.

In general, people with lower levels of education - of any race - do not vote for gay rights.

White people are twice as likely to graduate college as black people. This accounts for the difference by race on Prop. 8.

Think of it this way. 57 percent of white people with a college education voted No on Prop. 8. Yet, 58 percent of white people with no college voted yes on 8. In other words, uneducated urban black people vote very much like uneducated rural white people.

Uneducated people - black, white and Hispanic - often derive their power from physical strength. They perceive being gay as weak and antithetical to real manhood. By voicing support for gay rights, they lose status and often fear rivals may perceive them as gay.

The easiest way to gain status is dissing faggots. I see this attitude all the time in Brooklyn - in the gym and on the basketball court, where I often play. (Not the best sample, I realize this)

Meanwhile, educated people of all races gain power by outsmarting opponents - not beating them up. This creates a safe space to support gay rights and not lose social status. (Unfortunately, the fact that the conservative black church is a central organizing point for politics makes even educated blacks less likely to vote for gay rights. But, this is secondary to education levels.)

It is understandable that black support for anti-gay efforts drives white gay people nuts. It is difficult to understand how people affected by bigotry can promote bigotry - as if they are selfish people who learned all the wrong lessons from the civil rights movement.

But, remember, uneducated people - of all races - are not students of history. They react to the environment around them, which often rewards homophobia.

(Compounding this perception problem is that the vast majority of overt homophobia experienced by urban gays comes from black people. In places like New York City, you almost never hear a white person say "faggot". But, we hear this from uneducated blacks too often. This makes the problem seem worse than it is. We often forget that we moved to places like New York to escape uneducated whites in rural areas that were just as openly homophobic. In other words - it is about education - not race.)

A few of possible solutions to ponder:

1) We must air public service announcements with people like former basketball star Charles Barkley - who is a tough guy and supporter of same-sex marriage. We must show masculine African American figures who are supportive, every chance we get.

Obama is also a huge help, because he is inclusive and is the ultimate example of power though academic success. His leadership will improve our fate.

2) We must work to raise the education levels of all Americans - which will lead to less homophobia of all races.

The fact that we have so many African Americans in prison - and not graduating is a legacy of racism and a national disgrace. This must change.

3) We must also have substantive discussion with the African American community - as many GLBT leaders have suggested. But, until we raise education levels, there is only so much we can do to win support of urban blacks - or rural whites.

In other words, scholarships for urban blacks and rural whites are as effective as spending money on education specifically about gay rights. Keep this in mind.

4) While I recognize that there are many supportive pro-gay black churches, as long as this is the central organizing place for black politics, this is not helpful for gay rights. Alternative organizing places for aspiring black leaders must be strengthened.

Religion & Ignorance Go Hand-in-Hand to Ban Same-sex Marriage

* I re-wrote this and added a video at the end, I was angry before, I think this better represents my feelings now*

California - The California Supreme Court's ruling in favor of Equality in Marriage is overturned by the religious, the less educated, and the right-wing.


As the exit polls are showing:

The Less educated-
People with only a high school, or some college education voted to ban same-sex marriage.

The More Educated-
Those with a college degree or postgraduate degree voted with the California State Supreme Court to keep same-sex marriage equality.

Religion-
Those who declared themselves to be followers of a religion voted overwhelmingly in favor of the ban.

Those who declared no religious affiliation voted 91% in favor of equality.

Those who attended church weekly voted 82% in favor of banning equal marriage rights.

Those who never attend church voted 85% in favor of equality.

White Evangelicals and "Born Again" voted 80% in favor of a ban.

Location-
People in Urban areas voted against the ban.
Those in Rural areas voted for the ban.

Presidential Supporters-
McCain supporters voted 82% in favor of the ban. John McCain favored state by state bans, as he even appeared in a state advertisement before.
Obama supporters voted 68% against the ban.
--------------------------------------

Arizona and Florida voted the same way with very similar exit poll results.

So if you haven't gathered it yet: The less educated, the religious, and the right-wing have decided that I am not an equal person - deserving of equal rights (marriage comes with about 1,200 rights depending on the state you live in)- RIGHTS that are supposed to be guaranteed under the United States Constitution as confirmed by the California Supreme Court.

Did you know that you can get married by walking into City Hall and signing papers, nothing religious required? It's 100% true.

Did you know that the government cannot make a law based on a religous view unless it serves a substantial government interest? This is also 100% true!

Anyone who understands constitutional law... (like say... The CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT)... knows that this ban on same-sex marriages is unconstitutional.

I challenge anyone to provide a legitimate reason as to why the government would ban same-sex marriages. Legally speaking it cannot be based on a religious reason.

Hint: There isn't one!

If anyone ever wondered why I dislike religion and ignorance of the law THIS is just one of the many reasons.

In California the less educated, closed-minded religious people (note that I didn't say all religious people are closed-minded) who live sectioned off and away from the vast majority of (open) homosexuals and the diverse people in the cities... for some reason... think that they are allowed to judge, run, and ruin people's lives.

Thousands of same-sex couples are now suddenly no longer legally recognized as equals in California.

Those who voted for Proposition 8 were religious, less educated, and living in their made-up dream world where homosexuals aren't people, but sinners. They worship a god whose existence they cannot even prove.

If these people cannot even tolerate, much less accept me, why should I tolerate them? Why can't they just leave homosexuals alone?

At first I felt defeated today. I will admit that I even cried. But I'm not going to give up. And maybe because I refuse to give up, someday, I will be treated as an equal human being in the eyes of the law.

I do not need your acceptance, I just want the equality guaranteed to me under the United States Constitution.

PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO (CLICK)

Electoral College Votes: State by State Results

BARACK OBAMA IS THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

States Going for Barack Obama (electoral points, 271 needed to win)

Maine: 4

Vermont: 3

Massachusettes: 12

Connecticut: 7

District of Columbia: 3

New Jersey: 15

Delaware: 3

Rhode Island: 4

Maryland: 10

Illinois: 21

New York: 31

New Hampshire: 4

Pennsylvania: 21

Michigan: 17

Wisconsin: 10

Minnesota: 10

Ohio: 20

New Mexico: 5

Iowa: 7

Virginia: 13

California: 55

Washington: 11

Oregon: 7

Colorado: 9

Florida: 27

Nevada: 5
North Carolina: 15
Indiana: 11
Hawaii: 4

Total: 364 (WINNER)

States Going For John McCain

South Carolina: 8

Kentucky: 8

Tenesee: 11

Oklahoma: 7

North Dakota: 3

Wyoming: 3

Alabama: 9

Georgia: 15

West Virginia: 5

Texas: 34

Louisiana: 9

Mississippi: 6

Kansas: 6

Arkansas: 6

Wyoming: 3

Utah: 5

Nebraska: 5

South Dakota: 3

Idaho: 4

Arizona: 10
Missouri: 11
Alaska: 3
Montana: 3

Total: 174

Propositions:

California will ban same-sex marriages

Florida will ban same-sex marriage

Arizona will ban same-sex marriage

Arkansas will ban same-sex adoption

Colorado will not be in favor of saying that life begins at conception

Arizona will not hire illegal immigrants

Michigan will allow medical marijuana (still illegal on Federal level)

Massachusetts decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana leaving those caught with less than an ounce being fined $100 and nothing being done to their record.

Michigan will allow for stem cell research

Nebraska will end Affirmative Action

Colorado is a toss-up still as to whether or not it will end Affirmative Action

Washington will allow for doctor assisted suicide

Congressional Elections:

- Democrats have 56 seats in the Senate to 40, which equates to a majority, but not a filibuster breaking majority (60 needed) with 4 more races still to be decided.

HOUSE

251 to 173 in favor of Democrats

EXIT POLLS:

So far African Americans vote 96% for Barack Obama
People making over $200,000 supported Barack Obama by over 51%

Can McCain Even Win Now?

Looking at many many many different news source's electoral college maps, it appears that John McCain cannot win.

It looks as though John McCain would have to win every single swing state and Pennsylvania in order to be close to a tie or even a win.

There would have to be some sort of miracle for an Obama loss to take place.

So, sure I may be wrong... but I highly doubt it.

From partaking in several political debates I know for a fact that emotions can run very high at times like this. AS THEY SHOULD.

Almost everybody wants what they think is best for their country, community, or family.

We all should make sure that we choose our words and actions carefully when debating politics with family members and friends. All too often we can ruin friendships and relationships because of our words.

Some of the best friends that I have met in my life completely disagree with me on many political issues.

Politics are extremely important, but what's life without any friends?

Tomorrow should be exciting people!!! Win or lose, I'd rather be friends with who I've got in my life than lose them arguing over someone who I've never even met.

Don't Vote!?!?

I don't care who you are voting for, so long as you are well-informed.

It's Getting Interesting... Too Interesting.

Obama not a natural citizen?

Well if that is case, then I would have to say that a "congratulations!" is in order for John McCain and his victory. He can stop campaigning because this means that he's the only viable contender left: He's won!

- If this is legitimate and it actually goes to the Supreme Court: McCain wins. 7 of the 9 Justices were appointed by Republican Presidents, 5 of them almost always vote conservative. Well, 4 of them always do, 1 of them almost always does. So I would say it's in the bag for McCain.

- The McCain Campaign must truly be missing out on a gem here. The McCain campaign Along with the RNC must be a little slow in order to not make this an issue... OR perhaps they have looked into it and it is a conspiracy theory rather than anything true.

Bottom line, if this were true, McCain would be an idiot to not pursue this NOW. Start running major t.v. ads, start a probe, start DOING SOMETHING.

- From what I know about court cases, you actually have to break a law before you can be sued. This is called "having standing": A.K.A. Obama would have to win the election, as you cannot be found guilty of something if you haven't yet violated a law. There could be an unprecedented exception here considering the magnitude of the issue at hand

Obama & Socialism

Socialism Test -1: any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.

Collective or governmental ownership under Obama - NOPE.
Administration of the means of production and distribution of goods - NOPE.

Socialism Test -2 a: a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b: a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state

No Private Property under Obama - NOPE.
Means of production are owned and controlled by the state - NOPE.

- Although I've already blogged on this issue:

What we have already in this nation is a tax system that takes money from people and redistributes it to programs that are made to (or at least supposed to) help the country and it's citizenry. There are pluses and minuses to our system (read that blog post linked above).

Economic Crisis

As I've said before: I firmly believe that the problem was Democrats pushing for loans to be given out to people who could not pay them back AND AND AND vast deregulation pushed by Republicans, allowing these big companies to run wild and unchecked.

Both sides are to blame.

I'm examining every eyebrow-raising claim that I'm hearing about each side. So far not much of it sticks.

Democrat sues Obama because he is not a legit candidate....