Respectfully, Mr. President: Thank You! -- ("Obama has not done anything?") CHECK THIS OUT!!!

There are lots and lots of Progressives(?) clamoring "Barack Obama has not done anything", No, I'm not exaggerating, that's what many, many are saying -- while some of them may be parroting Republican Operatives' 'Talking Points", some of these voices are actually Republican Operatives in our midst, including many who infiltrated or sold out in the pro-immigrant rights movement; their goal? Well,  not to difficult to figure out, isn't? Bottom line is, many gullible folk are believing them.

 

So, after reading "ThisIsMyTime" Post with a list of some of President Obama and Dems' accomplishments in spite of vicious attacks and blatant obstructionism, do you think these voices are telling the truth to us all?

 

Most of us know someone who is repeating the Right Wing lies, send them this information, ask them to read it and then ask them to repeat what they've been saying.

 

Millions of us worked very hard to elect President Obama and we accomplished this historic and revolutionary act, take credit for your hard work and foresight, but let's not slip into complacency, the work is far from done, there is so much that needs to be corrected/changed, let's continue with our pledge to work for change, to pressure our Representatives to act, after all, this is the bargain we entered with then Candidate Barack Obama, just to be clear, this is what we agreed on "That we were going to help/make him do it", for,

 

"WE ARE THE ONES WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR" And,

 

That "YES, WE CAN - SI SE PUEDE"

 

Aurora

Obama Will Triumph -- So Will America by Frank Schaeffer

---

by ThisIsMyTime [Daily Kos]
Wed Oct 13, 2010 at 08:56:57 AM PDT

 

As the battle for control of Congress has tightened and the so called enthusiasm gap is evaporating, we must continue speaking to voter about what Democrats in Congress have accomplished.

 

If you are a democrat and you have an enthusiasm gap, I am hoping that this could change your lack of enthusiasm.

 

The facts are in the last 23 months, the following are things that I think are worth keeping scores about what President Obama and the Democratic congress have accomplished that get over looked without an ounce of credit by some who are always disappointed about something.

 

More below the fold...
ThisIsMyTime's diary :: ::

 

Crossposted at The People's View

 

I think it is important to not only speak to voters about the fact we are moving forward together but remind activists to see what they have been resisting.

 

I don't know about you but I am ready to go and these are the reasons why I have more Enthusiasm than ever:

 

Health Care Reform:
 Coverage can't be denied to children with pre-existing conditions.
 Adults up to age 26 can stay on their parents' health plans.
 Freepreventive care.
 Rescinding coverage is now illegal.
 Eliminating lifetime limits on insurance coverage.
 Restricting annual limits on insurance coverage.
 More options to appeal coverage decisions.
 $5 billion in immediate federal support to affordable Coverage for the Uninsured with Pre-existing Conditions.
 $10 billion investment in Community Health Centers.
Create immediate access to re-insurance for employer health plans providing coverage for early retirees.
Made an $80 billion deal with the pharmaceutical industry to contribute to cut prescription drug costs for the nation's seniors reduce the size of the "donut hole" in the Medicare (Part D) Drug Benefit.

 

Economy:
 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) has worked. The Economy Has Been Growing - take a look at the graph of GDP growth between 2007 thru 2010.
 US auto industry rescue plan -- Detroit making profits again and at least 1 million jobs saved.
 Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 that extended Unemployment benefits up to 20 weeks and more.
 Provided $14.7 billion in small business loans increasing minority access to capital.
The $26 billion aid to states package preventing large-scale layoffs of teachers and public employees.

 

Banking and Financial Reform
 Signed a sweeping bank-reform bill (the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act)into law
 Managed the $700 Billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) that Banks have repaid 75% of TARP funds, bringing the cost down to $89B as of June 2010.
Cuts Salaries For 65 Bailout Executives
Closed offshore tax safe havens, tax credit loopholes on companies that use the tax laws to ship American Jobs oversees. HR 4213.
Signed into law the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act to fight fraud in the use of TARP and recovery funds, and to increase accountability for corporate and mortgage frauds.
Signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act

VETOED Big Banks' notarization sweetheart deal

 

Education
Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 that increased the amount of federal Pell Grant awards and enabled the stripping of banks privileges as intermediaries for student loan servicing.
Created the Race to the Top Fund, a $4.35 billion program to reward States that submit the best proposals for change.
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, funded over $100 Billion for reforms to strengthen Elementary and Secondary education, early learning programs, college affordability and improve access to higher education, and to close the achievement gap.

 

Jobs
The $787 billion economic stimulus package has created or saved nearly 2 million jobs slowing the bleeding
Jobs for Main Street Act (2010)injected $27.5 Billion for Highways, $8.4 Billion for Transit into the country's transportation system to create jobs and spur economic activity.
A $33 Billion Jobs Package that will allow Small businesses to get $5,000 tax credit for new hires.
A $26 billion State Aid Package Jobs Bill saving 300,000 teachers and public workers jobs from unemployment.
The Auto bailout saved 1 million jobs.

 

Green Energy
Implemented renewable fuels mandate of 36 billion gallons by 2022, four times what we currently consume.
Automakers will be required to meet a fleet-wide average of New Gas Mileage Standards at 35.5 MPH by 2016.
A $60 billion investment in renewable and clean energy.

 

Housing
$275 billion dollar housing plan - $75 billion dollars to prevent at-risk mortgage debtors already fallen victim to foreclosures and $200 billion to bring about confidence to offer affordable mortgages and to stability the housing market.
Established "Opening Doors" to end the homelessness of 640,000 men, women, and children in the United States in 10 years.
Provided $510 Million for the rehabilitation of Native American housing. ref
Provided $2 billion for Neighborhood Stabilization Program to rehab, resell, or demolish in order to stabilize neighborhoods.
Provided $5 billion for Weatherization Assistance Program for low income families to weatherize 1 million homes per year for the next decade.
Provided grants to encourage states and localities to take the first steps in implementing new building codes that prioritize energy efficiency.

 

Medicaid/Medicare/Social Security
giving $250 economic stimulus check to 55 million Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients in 2009.
Cutting prescription drug costs for Medicare recipients by 50% and began eliminating the plan's gap ("donut hole") in coverage.
Passing as part of H.R.3962 (Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010) a $6.4 billion measure reversing a 21 percent cut in physician payments that would have started a flood of rejections by some doctors of seniors covered by Medicare.
Expanded eligibility for Medicaid to all individuals under age 65 with incomes up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level ($14,400 per year for an individual).

 

Military Veterans and Families
Implemented a strategic plan to increase the hiring of Veterans and Military spouses throughout the Federal civil service.
Provided for the expenses of families of to be at Dover AFB when fallen soldiers arrive.
Passed the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2009 increasing the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans.
Declared the end of the war in Iraqi bringing back nearly 100,000 U.S. troops home to their families.
Donated 250K of Nobel prize money to Fisher House, a group that helps provide housing for families of patients receiving medical care at military and Veterans Affairs medical centers

 

LBGT
Extended  benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees
Signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
Instructed HHS to require any hospital receiving Medicare or Medicaid funds (virtually all hospitals) to allow LGBT visitation rights.
Banned job discrimination based on gender identity throughout the Federal government (the nation's largest employer)
Signed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act
Extended the Family and Medical Leave Act to cover Gay employees taking unpaid leave to care for their children of same-sex partners
Lifted the HIV Entry Ban.
Implemented HUD Policies that Would Ban Discrimination Based On Gender Identity

 

Well, there is more but you see we have done a lot. We have the tools to shape the message. We need to move forward together and focus on what we will accomplish forward in the coming years. That is why we have to work hard for the next three weeks to GOTV.

 

These are my kids at the One Nation March about a week ago. They are fired up as I am. Are you?

 

 

 

Yes indeed, there is more, check out this list:

 

Accomplishments by the Administration and Congress on LGBT Equality

No one should rest until we have full LGBT equality.  But after eight years of Republican disrespect, progress is being made.  In its first 20 months, the Obama Administration has...

By Andrew Tobias | Contact DNC treasurer Andrew Tobias is the author of several books, including The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need and The Best Little Boy in the World.

1. Reversed an inexcusable US position by signing the UN Declaration on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
2. Extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees in 2009 and, further, in 2010
3. Endorsed the Baldwin-Lieberman bill, The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009, to provide FULL partnership benefits to federal employees
4. Signed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act
5. Lifted the HIV Entry Ban effective January 2010
6. Released the first Presidential PRIDE proclamations since 2000
7. Hosted the first LGBT Pride Month Celebration in White House history
8. Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Harvey Milk and Billie Jean King, joining past recipients such as Rosa Parks
9. Appointed the first ever transgender DNC member
10. Issued diplomatic passports, and provided other benefits, to the partners of same-sex foreign service employees
11. Committed to ensuring that HUD's core housing programs are open to all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity 
12. Conceived a National Resource Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Elders -- the nation's first ever -- funded by a three-year HHS grant to SAGE
13. Testified in favor of ENDA, the first time any official of any administration has testified in the Senate on ENDA
14. Signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which expanded existing United States federal hate crime law to include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability -- the first positive federal LGBT legislation in the nation's history
15. Hired and appointed a record number of qualified LGBT Americans (like these), including more than 20 Senate-confirmed appointments
16. Sworn in Ambassador David Huebner
17. Changed the culture of government everywhere from – among others – HUD and HHS to the Export-Import Bank, the State Department, and the Department of Education

18. Appointed Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, instead of conservatives who would have tilted the Court even further to the right and virtually doomed our rights for a generation.  To wit (quoting McCain): "I've said a thousand times on this campaign trail, I've said as often as I can, that I want to find clones of Alito and Roberts.  I worked as hard as anybody to get them confirmed. I look you in the eye and tell you I've said a thousand times that I wanted Alito and Roberts.  I have told anybody who will listen. I flat-out tell you I will have people as close to Roberts and Alito [as possible]."

19. Named open transgender appointees (the first President ever to do so)

20. Banned job discrimination based on gender identity throughout the Federal government (the nation's largest employer)

21. Emphasized LGBT inclusion in everything from the President's historic NAACP address ("The pain of discrimination is still felt in America.  By African American women paid less for doing the same work as colleagues of a different color and a different gender.  By Latinos made to feel unwelcome in their own country.  By Muslim Americans viewed with suspicion simply because they kneel down to pray to their God.  By our gay brothers and sisters, still taunted, still attacked, still denied their rights.") . . . to the first paragraph of his Family Day proclamation ("Whether children are raised by two parents, a single parent, grandparents, a same-sex couple, or a guardian, families encourage us to do our best and enable us to accomplish great things") and his Mothers Day proclamation ("Nurturing families come in many forms, and children may be raised by two parents, a single mother, two mothers, a step-mom, a grandmother, or a guardian.  Mother's Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate these extraordinary caretakers") . . . to creating the chance for an adorable 10-year-old at the White House Easter Egg roll to tell ABC World News how cool it is to have two mommies . . . to including the chair of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce along with the Secretary of the Treasury and the President of Goldman Sachs in the small audience for the President's economic address at the New York Stock Exchange . . . to welcoming four gay couples to its first State Dinner
22. Recommitted, in a televised address, to passing ENDA . . . repealing Don't Ask/Don't Tell  . . . repealing the so-called Defense of Marriage Act
23. Spoken out against discrimination at the National Prayer Breakfast ("We may disagree about gay marriage, but surely we can agree that it is unconscionable to target gays and lesbians for who they are -- whether it's here in the United States or, as Hillary mentioned, more extremely in odious laws that are being proposed most recently in Uganda.")
24. Dispatched the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to call on the Senate to repeal Don't Ask / Don't Tell, in the meantime dialing back on discharges
25. Launched a website to gather public comment on first-ever federal LGBT housing discrimination study
26. Appointed long-time equality champion Chai Feldblum one of the four Commissioners of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
27. Eliminated the discriminatory Census Bureau policy that kept our relationships from being counted, encouraging couples who consider themselves married to file that way, even if their state of residence does not yet permit legal marriage
28. Produced U.S. Census Bureau PSAs featuring gay, lesbian, and transgender spokespersons.
29. Instructed HHS to require any hospital receiving Medicare or Medicaid funds (virtually all hospitals) to allow LGBT visitation rights.
30. Appointed Retired Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer, an early public champion of open service in the military, to the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services
31. Required all grant applicants seeking HUD funding to comply with state and local anti-discrimination laws that protect LGBT individuals.
32. Adopted transgender recommendations on the issuance of gender-appropriate passports that will ease barriers to safe travel and that will provide government-issued ID that avoids involuntary "outing" in situations requiring ID, like hiring, where a gender-appropriate driver's license or birth certificate is not available
33. Extended domestic violence protections to LGBT victims
34. Publicly invited shunned MIssissippi high school prom student to the White House 
35. Extended the Family and Medical Leave Act to cover employees taking unpaid leave to care for the children of same-sex partners
36. Issued guidance specifically to assist LGBT tenants denied housing on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity
37. Issued a National HIV/AIDS Strategy praised as "long-overdue" by the Task Force, Lambda and others
38. Successfully fought for UN accreditation of IGLHRC (the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission) -- against Republican attempts to block it
39. Convened the first-ever anti-bullying summit to craft a national strategy to reduce bullying in schools.
40. Awarded $13.3 million to the LA Gay & Lesbian Center to create a model program for LGBTQ youth in the foster care system.

The Administration will continue to make steady progress on our issues whether we help strengthen its hand or not.  But the stronger it is, the faster that progress will come. 

Host of Gay Radio Talk Show in Spanish Format, Roberto Hernandez, Honored by the SF Board of Supervisors

Congratulations Roberto for a well deserved recognition!

I'll not make the pronouncement that "Roberto al Mediodia" Is the first Spanish Format Radio Program conducted by an openly Homosexual man, if there is another please tell me, however, it is important to mention that, albeit his program deals with sex-orientation and gender issues primarily, it covers a wide range of situations and problems that our society faces, same as other mainstream radio programs.

For instance, on "Women's Month" (March), Roberto dedicated the total of his time on the air for the month, on V-Day09, violence against women / girls, and women's issues in general (2 hours total, his program runs 1/2 hour on Fridays at noon)) - Not much time by other program's time-on-air standards, but it is all he had to give, and he gave, not only that, but on the week of Mar. 22 - 28, he mentioned in the first of a few conversations we had on the issue RE making a program on violence against girls / women for the month of March, he decided to do it on the 27 so more people would be aware that March was "International Women's Month", that March 1st was "International Women of Color Day" and that March 8th celebrates "International Women's Day", furthermore, he wanted to promote presentations of the "Vagina Monologues" In Spanish (Los Monologos de La Vagina) For the first time ever in San Francisco and San Jose by two different groups in Commemoration and and as part of the V-Day Campaign against violence - The one in San Francisco with an entire cast of volunteers, where the totality of the proceeds were destined for two organizations which provide basic services and assistance to women victims of violence who are ready to end the cycle, Casa de Las Madres in San Francisco and Casa Amiga in Ciudad Juared, Mexico.

After he did the program, he called me all excited and thrilled with the experience and how good it felt to have a show for a cause in which he believed so strongly, that he had decided to do it for the whole month.

So, actually he dedicated 2 1/2 hours.

Reminds me of the story that Jesus told about the donations that a very wealthy person and a very poor woman made to the church, the rich person was very generous and enjoyed that people saw it, whereas the poor woman, a bit ashamed a how little she was donating, kind of did it surreptitiously. I remember His words "In truth, in truth I tell you..."

And the question which begs an answer is: Who gave more?

Huge crumbs of the one who had a lot, or a little from who did not have much.

Congratulations again Roberto with the gratitude I feel for the good work you do.

Aurora Grajeda
SFCA 052109

Certificate of Honor to Roberto Hernandez From The Board of Supervisors of the City and County of SF

Roberto Hernandez Roberto Hernandez is a gay man who immigrated to the United States from Mexico in 1990. He started from zero, working as dishwasher. Over the years he learned English and situated himself professionally. In 2002 he experienced perhaps the most difficult challenge for a gay men: his sexual orientation was disclosed as a prank call during a radio show airing nationally. Hernandez pursued a lawsuit and three years later the Court favored him. Since then, his focus has been to educating his community against negative stereotyping affecting the LGBT community. San Francisco, CA (May 19) - The Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco hereby issues, and autorizazes the execution of the Certificate of honor in appreciative public recognition of distintion and merit for outstanding service to a significant portion of the poeple of the City and County of San Francisco by Roberto Hernandez. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors applaudes the contributions of Roberto Hernandez to the San Francisco community. Roberto Hernadez, a Spanish-language columnist and announcer, is perhaps the only openly gay Latino in Spanish-language media. Hernandez is the producer and annoucer of "Roberto Al Medio Dia" a radio founded en 2007 on Spanish-language's KIQI 10101AM. Herandez was a recipient of the 2009 GLAAD Media Award for his writing in Spanish about the gay rights and marriage. Alianza Metropolitan News has also published his columns. The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for the fair accurate and inclusive representation of the Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors acknowledges Roberto Hernandez's courage, perseverance and complete dedication to equality and justice. For interviews or further information please contact Roberto Hernandez directly at 415-517-2948, or Robertoalmediodía@yahoo.com

Roberto Al Medio Dia

¡Cambiando de Conversación!

1010AM Area de la Bahía • 990AM Sacramento

Viernes 12:30 del Mediodía

Roberto B. Hernández

Producer/Host

Tel. (415) 517-2948

www.robertoalmediodia.com

Roberto Al Mediodia

Un Hombre Gay Mexicano Recibe Premio de Periodismo

eRelease | 29 de Abril del 2009 Un Hombre Gay Mexicano Recibe Premio de Periodismo En su columna y programa de radio promueve igualdad y justicia Forward this message to a friend Roberto Hernandez El columnista y conductor de radio es un inmigrante mexicano gay radicado en Estados Unidos desde 1990. De recién llegado tuvo que empezar de cero. Lavó platos y trabajo en lo que pudo hasta colocarse profesionalmente. En el 2002 vivió quizás el reto más grande del hombre gay: pusieron al descubierto su orientación sexual en un programa de radio sin su consentimiento. Hernández demandó a la corporación y la Corte dictaminó a su favor tres años después y desde entonces, él se enfoca en educar a su comunidad contra los estereotipos. San Francisco, CA (29 de Abril del 2009) - Roberto Hernández, la única personalidad de medios hispanos abiertamente gay en el Norte de California recibe un importante premio de periodismo de parte de la Alianza Contra la Difamación de Gays y Lesbianas, GLAAD por sus siglas en Inglés, por su trabajo como columnista de periódico respecto al controvertido tema del matrimonio entre personas del mismo sexo, particularmente la propuesta 8, publicado en Alianza Metropolitan News con base en San José. Los Premios GLAAD a los medios de comunicación reconocen lo mejor de las imagenes veraces, objetivas e influyentes de la comunidad lésbica, gay, bisexual y transgénero (LGBT) y los asuntos que afectan las vidas de estas comunidades. "Este reconocimiento reafirma mi visión de un mundo donde cada vez hay más aceptación del ser humano, con sus similitudes y diferencias," dice Roberto Hernández y agrega "significa un incentivo personal y profesional para seguir luchando por lo que creo: la igualdad y la justicia." Desde el 2007, Hernández además produce y conduce "Roberto al Mediodía," en KIQI 1010 am. Su estilo atrevido y directo lo convierte en una importante voz no sólo para la comunidad gay hispano-hablante, sino para la comunidad Latina e inmigrante. La columna que le valió el premio de GLAAD es sobre la propuesta 8. "Aunque yo no creo en el matrimonio, considero que casarse es un derecho también de las parejas del mismo sexo. La religión nos ha hecho mucho daño al juzgar duramente a los seres humanos bajo sus reglas de lo normal y lo anormal, por eso la escribí," dice el premiado. Para entrevistarlo, comuníquese directamente a Robertoalmediodía@yahoo.com. ó al 415-517-2948. Adjunto: Columna y Foto de Roberto Hernández. Forward this message to a friend

Dr. Laura Schlessinger and Leviticus Revisited

I Just added a "Table of Contents Function" To my Blogs, it is easier to browse the posts' titles and dates, well, I was checking out how the TOC worked at "TUYA", viewing it I saw a post which reminded me of the Same-Sex Marriage... I don't even know how to call it, 'brouhaha?' or 'much ado about nothing?', the one I like the best for being the most descriptive is: 'the supreme exercise in christian hypocrisy', but whatever I call it, when I think about it, I get a wicked fascination and gratefulness at their showing to all the world, the best example of what I have been saying for years.

Anyway, I saw the post titled "Dr. Laura Schlessinger and Leviticus" published Monday, February 25, 2008, I thought that 10 months later was still current and timely so I decided to dust it up and share it again.

This piece came to me via email, it is from a man who identified himself as 'Jim', this message really made the internet rounds at the time, so I never did determined if this was his real name or anything else about the author, the piece was so well written and, albeit it dealt with very serious matters, I found it as hilarious then as I do now.

Funny as it is, this is a very serious matter, indeed, when we just endured the sad spectacle of three States changing their Constitution to ban 'same-sex marriage' on the basis that it goes contrary to 'God's Law'.

Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a radio personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. Recently, she said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22 and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by an east coast resident, which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative and thought-provoking:

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them:

When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanness - Lev.15:19- 24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your devoted fan,
Jim
Posted by Aurora at 3:55 PM

Many, many christians are what Jesus of Nazareth despised the most; Hypocrites.

I always get a kick out of witnessing these ignorant zealots, please forgive the oxymoron, perform what I call 'contortions in logic', 'intellectual acrobatics' and 'spiritual masturbation', oooooh, I love to say these terms which so aptly describe what these christians are doing in this and other religious issues, I love to say them, they are so accurately descriptive and kind of poetic, c'mon, say it with me, slowly, 'contortions in logic, intellectual acrobatics and spiritual masturbation', ooooooooooh.

There is another expression that I run into while researching another huge example of christian hypocrisy, DIVORCE!!! THE BIGGEST KILLER OF HETEROSEXUAL MARRIAGE, THE REAL THREAT TO THE 'SANCTITY OF CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE' (I need to make a pause here to have a few guffaws'

As I was saying... I found a post with a very long title of which I selected the first few words and an excerpt of it (immediately below), it was posted on a Blog Titled: "Thoughts Of A Conservative Christian" who, as is the case with most of us, has at least a tinge of what we accuse others of, here is a quote he?, she?, has in this post "Those of us who still believe the Bible is the rule book for marriage, sexuality, moral character and church discipline must confront this craziness."", the post's title starts with "The Fuzzy-Wuzzy World of Charismatic Morality –Christian leaders who flippantly divorce..."

Then we have Bishop Thomas Weeks III, the estranged husband of celebrity preacher Juanita Bynum. Their marriage crashed and burned last August when she accused him of beating her in an Atlanta hotel parking lot. Weeks and Bynum have continued preaching since they announced plans to divorce, and Weeks told Gospel Today magazine last month that he’s looking forward to finding wife No. 3 while he continues to oversee several churches. When asked what he needed to change, the bow-tied preacher replied: "I have to take vacations."

In my research on divorce, I found out that a lot of criticism on it is coming from fundamentalist christians which focus not in divorce itself, but in divorce among christian leaders (Classic christan selectiveness), here is a post which still focuses and makes the point that some denominations, i. e., 'liberal', have a higher divorce rate than others, including the baptists with a very high rate of it, the post goes on to absolve sinners but stops short of agreeing that leaders who divorce should continue in their ministry, but I believe that what he is saying is that for members of the congregation it is ok to divorce and marry again, shouldn't the prescription they suggest for gays apply to them? they say that Homosexuality itself is not a sin, but homosexual acts are, so, be celibate and spend a lifetime without a special person in your life - when a divorcee remarries, isn't he/she committing adultery? Here is a comment on this post "'voice crying in the wilderness' Says: August 23, 2007 at 6:35 pm I wonder how my fellow christians can get a divorce and remarry and not think they’re committing adultery"

Here is the title to the post I just mentioned Divorce Is Rampant Among Christian Leaders, see what I mean?

Post after christian post, they focus on divorce by preachers and ministers and very little in divorce per se, here is another one on "The Baptist" - "BIBLE TRUMPET For Fundamentalism In South Caroline" What About Divorced Preachers?

How about Evangelical leader John Hagee, remember him? He was the one whose endorsement John McCain sought and got during the Presidential Primaries of this year and later denounced him to separate his campaign from the horrible wackiness of this preacher.

He also weighed in by 'taking action' on this, hmmmm... 'divorce is bad only for preachers' issue, he, he, he.
Hagee, divorced preachers are distant

A pair of divorces among prominent preachers in Florida and San Antonio has prompted evangelical leader John Hagee to cool ties with the two, who are linked through a San Antonio church called the Epicenter.

Rick Hawkins, who founded the Epicenter (until recently called the Family Praise Center), divorced his wife last year. Several months later, TV evangelist Paula White divorced her husband; she later joined the board of directors at Hawkins' church.

But he is not being a hypocrite, is he? Check this out

"Hagee, 67, considered an esteemed veteran in Pentecostal and charismatic circles, divorced his first wife when he was a young pastor and remarried."

Has anybody actually confronted him on this blatant contradiction? (One of many)

Let's just close this post with a few afterthoughts and reminders on divorce, period! While divorce itself it is not adultery (Remember abstinence) remarriage is. (The Patriarchal Bible gives a pass on many things to men, but not on this one)

1. -Jesus describes divorce and remarriage as an act of adultery. ... Adultery with a married woman (Leviticus 20:10-11; Deuteronomy 22:22-24)


2. - Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery. (Mark 10:11-12)


3. - Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery. (Luke 16:18)


4. - Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. (Hebrews 13:4; see also 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Revelation 21:8)

How about number 4? This is a good one, according to it, "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled;", I don't see any exceptions for homosexuals listed, so, why are christians opposed to same-sex marriage so same-sex couples can be as honorable as they are?
I may be wrong on the second part of it "but fornicators and adulterers God will judge", shouldn't christians, the self-proclaimed "Guardians of Society's Morals", be at the forefront in pro of same-sex marriage to stop single homosexuals from fornicating? Just a thought.


If anybody ever feels the need to be utterly confused and amused by the logical contortions, intellectual acrobatics and spiritual masturbation of the christians, just check out Leviticus on this and other issues and you will find a plethora of christian examples in hypocrisy.

Aurora Grajeda
SFCA 122808

Ratzinger's Unholy Inquisition, is there any other kind?

Did he learned some lessons and is applying them?

He claims that he had to join the Hitler Youth because it was compulsory and that he didn't agree with Nazy ideals, the details are murky but there is enough to glimpse that he has been less than candid.

Joseph Ratzinger joined the Hitler Youth in 1941 when, according to him and his supporters, it became compulsory for all German boys. Millions of Germans were in a position similar to that of Joseph Ratzinger and his family, so why spend so much time focusing on him? Because he is no longer merely Joseph Ratzinger, or even a Catholic Cardinal — he is now Pope Benedict XVI. None of the other Germans who joined the Hitler Youth, were part of the military in Nazi Germany, lived near a concentration camp, and watched Jews being rounded up for death camps has ever become pope.

Ratzinger’s recollections of his youth in Nazi Germany makes it seem as though all the problems, violence, and hatred existed outside his local community. There is no recognition that resistance to the Nazis existed — or was needed — just outside his door.

The pope is supposed to be the successor of Peter, leader of the Christian Church, and symbol of unity for all Christendom. The past actions — or inactions — of such a person matter a great deal if anyone is going to treat him as any sort of moral authority. Ratzinger’s recollections of his youth in Nazi Germany makes it seem as though all the problems, violence, and hatred existed outside his local community. There is no recognition that resistance to the Nazis existed — or was needed — just outside his door.

Hitler Jugend: Joseph Ratzinger’s claims about the Hitler Youth are not true. Compulsory membership was first defined in 1936 and reinforced in 1939, not in 1941 as he says. Ratzinger also says that he was “still too young” at the time, but he was 14 in 1941 and not too young at all: between the ages of 10 and 14, membership in the Deutsche Jungvolk (a group for younger children) was mandatory. Yet there is no mention of Raztinger belonging. If he had managed to avoid the required membership in the Deutsche Jungvolk, why did he suddenly join the Hitler Youth in 1941?

-- About.Com

One of the things that I find difficult to come to grips with RE his campaign against Queer Folk, is the fact that he witnessed the Anti-Jew Nazi propaganda, the effect it had in zealots and it's consequences, he is the Pope, a learned man and author, it is quite a stretch of the imagination to conclude that he doesn't understand the dangers that this hypocritical intolerance poses in his truly unholy Jihad, at a time when the anti-homosexual hate crimes are on the rise, doesn't he understand that this is akin to throwing fuel into the fire? Or maybe, that's the whole idea.

This are the options for the most simplistic way to define him, the Pope is either dumb or evil, and for the apologists, I offer an alternate option, he is being irresponsible, let's not forget that he saw what happened in Germany to the Jews, Unionists, Communists and other groups that the Nazis found unacceptable, and now, he is doing the same.

A lesson well learned? He saw how successful the Nazi Propaganda machine was in consolidating power by galvanizing the fears, phobias, biases, etc., of the populace living in a era on uncertainty, economic and bellicose climate and blaming somebody for the problems, IT IS THE JEWS' FAULT! GET THEM!

He may no have agreed with the Nazis, his family didn't, but today, he has a cause and culprits to blame it on, IT IS THE HOMOSEXUALS' FAULT! GET THEM!.

"Homosexuality is Destroying Human Race, says Pope" Scream the headlines.

In his end-of-the-year address, Pope Benedict XVI said that "saving humanity from homosexual or transsexual behaviour is just as important as saving the rainforest from destruction."

He added that "defending God's creation was not limited to saving the environment, but also about protecting man from self-destruction."

Rev Sharon Ferguson from the British Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement said statements like this one fuel violence against homosexuals: "When you have religious leaders like that making that sort of statement then followers feel they are justified in behaving in an aggressive and violent way because they feel that they are doing God's work in ridding the world of these people."

A representative of the British Pink Triangle Trust said "this must be the most outrageous and bizarre claim yet made by the Pope who has already got a well-deserved reputation as one the most viciously homophobic world leaders on a par with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe."

Well, what else to expect from a former member of the Hitler Youth?!

WOW, that is power, my community is destroying the human race, what is the difference between him and the religious wacko leaders in the US blaming homosexuality for 911, Katrina, Hurricanes, etc.? He has joined the ranks of the likes of Michael Savage who blames sex-change operations for 911 'that was God speaking' he pontificated.

I may be a lot dumber that I thought, for the life of me I can't see the connection and no details are ever given on the particulars of how we accomplish what we are being blamed for.

So now he is an enviromentalist and wants to save the rainforest, but he is against science, pluralism, Liberation Theology, preventing AIDs by using condoms, oh dear God, the list is so long of what is wrong with this Pope.

I'll never forget how in the US 2004 Presidential Election, he didn't say anything when his Bishops were waging a campaign against Kerry for his stance on Reproductive Rights, they supported Bush even after 4 years of learning of the lies for the invasion in Irak, the crimes against humanity, the war crimes, with all that being public knowledge, he didn't reign in his zealots in positions of power, I hold him responsible for helping give Bush four more years of criminality, he is an accomplice after the facts for thousands of deaths.

It is not because he is a Nazi, I don't think he is, his behavior follows the ultra conservative religious beliefs, for the ones who don't know and the ones who feel it is not important, I'd like to remind you that at the time of his election as Pope, Benedict had been Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, least be left unsaid, this is the historically malignant "Holy Inquisition" of our times, yeah, these were the zealot goons who killed so many people in the name of Christ.

"The Blessed", the arrogance of this man in selecting this name, blessed by whom? And for what?

This "Holy War" He is waging is not new, back of Sep 19, 2005, I wrote a Daily Kos Diary after the sentencing of the young men who killed my young Transgender sister Gwen Araujo titled "Gay Panic Defense? My Ass! - This Pope was busy conducting a 'witch-hunt' for homosexuals in the seminaries.

Excerpt:

Yes, two were convicted, Silvia (Gwen's Mother), says that a murder conviction is a murder conviction, mandatory 15 yrs. to life (Hate crime would add only 4 yrs. to sentence) But the issue of Hate Crimes needs to be included, even as a symbolic conviction so at least it becomes part of the narrative. We need to highlight the circumstances. I fully agree and I'd be satisfied.

So, why am I so angry? I am full of righteous indignation because the instigators, the ones that perpetuate a climate of exclusion, discrimination and hate, the ones that commit Spiritual Violence, the ones that in my book have the tears and blood of my sisters and brothers on their hands, are free. And they are just as guilty, if not more.

Yes, I'm talking about the blobs of wasted human DNA such as the hatemongering preachers in the US and abroad, Repugnicans, specially "If I can't dazzle you with my brilliance, I'll baffle you with my bullshit Bush" Yes all of them, MAY THEY BE DAMMED TO THE HOTTEST PLACE IN HELL!
Oh! We are also responsible for 9/11 and Katrina among other disasters.

The Vatican is going "Faggot hunting" Apparently we're guilty of pedophilia.
"Things do not look very promising under the leadership of Pope Benedict XVI: the Catholic Church has instigated a witch-hunt against homosexual seminarians. The Vatican has launched an inspection of Roman Catholic seminaries in the United States to search for "evidence of homosexuality."
The inspections of hundreds of seminaries and theological schools was authorized as a response to the church's child molestation scandal."

I haven't the foggiest idea as to how they'll identify seminarians' homosexual "tendencies" Really, how are they going to conduct this witch hunt? I don't think the "Throw them in the water and if...." Method will work this time. Hey! Wait a cotton-picking-minute, it never did and as a result some of your predecessors shed the blood of, no, no, I'm wrong, the "Holy" Inquisition was not supposed to spill blood, it was verboten, so they devised the more "Moral" method of burning so no blood would be spilled. Neat feat of intellectual acrobatics and spiritual masturbation. Cooool, you guys are some piece of work.

As a Catholic I have some choice words for Ratzinger, him that controls the Holy Inquisition version 2.0.0.5.

Ratzinger, you charlatan, calling yourself the Vicar Of Christ, you claim to represent Jesus of Nazareth, I have news for you, you DENIGRATE HIM! Were he to come back, there'd be a replay of throwing the merchants out of the temple with a whip, he'd do it himself, just as he did so long ago. You and the priests of your ilk have helped make My Fathers' House in a rathole of corruption, when are you going to clean up the corruption in the Vatican Bank? When will you pay decent wages to lay workers? You exploiter - When will you get a divorce from the Murderer of so many? Yes, I'm talking about Bush, you well know that the Catholic Church is fiercely opposed to unjust wars and the death penalty, when will you denounce him? You hypocritical coward and self-serving misleader, you helped him with the '04 election, your bishops were condemning Kerry and anybody who voted for him and as a result many Catholics voted for Bush, do you have any concept of your guilt at the deaths that occurred since then? Do you realize that you are an accomplice to murder and crimes against humanity?
Do you ever consider the pain and suffering that your policies against birth control cause throughout the world? Specially in poor countries, if you don't, pity you, if you do, you sanctimonious bastard!

No, Jesus is not here to throw you out, but I'm here, I DO believe in Jesus of Nazareth and as a follower and in HIS name I'm ordering you out of our house of Prayer, I'm doing it in the finest tradition of a true Catholic, With the respect that I have, not for you, but to the Holly office that you occupy, I'm kneeling in front of you, I kiss your ring, I stand up and shaking my stretched index finger two inches from your nose, I say unto you: "The stench of corruption and sin surrounds you, you are hurting God's creation, clean up your act or leave!"

If you want to control the masses, control their sexuality, this is the reason this Pope is doing this, no question about it, for thousands of years, religion has made something ugly of one of the most beautiful gifts of creation and one of the most powerful natural instincts, be it for procreation or recreation, it is a most powerful drive and the urge to harness it appeared in early religion, propagated for centuries with lies and misinformation for one purpuse and one purpose only, CONTROL.

THESE ARE THE BASIS FOR RATZINGER'S 21ST CENTURY CRUSADE

This is a little piece that I wrote for a dear friend of mine's Newsletter, it was supposed to be around 200 words, came up with 231:

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

Albeit this issue pales in comparison to the momentous impact to the US Population that the Economy, Education, Employment, Health Insurance and War have, nevertheless, it is the hottest item in the political landscape.

The three basic problems that makes this possible are: Ignorance, Hypocrisy and plain Bigotry.

1. Ignorance: Homosexuality goes against Nature, it does not conform to creation's rule of a male and a female (For Obvious reasons the procreation argument mostly has been dropped)

There have been countless field studies RE 'Homosexuality in nature' to list them all, but scientifically it is no longer in question that it does exist, Bruce Bagemihl, PhD wrote in his 1999 book "Biological Exuberance, Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity" that homosexual and/or transgender activity has been observed in "over 450 species"

2. Hypocrisy: While Leviticus clearly states that homosexuality is an abomination, similarly classifies eating pork and shellfish in addition to clearly condemn divorce as adultery, the penalty for this infraction is death by stoning, in the town's main square no less.

Religious leaders and their followers are blatantly selecting which precepts are applied, hence, they are being hypocritical.

3. Bigotry: Not much to say here other than research on the subject has shown that it is mostly cultural, rooted in traditional religious beliefs handed down for generations and also that, in it's most virulent expression, it is reflection manifested in projection.

The reason for this "Holy War" Is that we Queers pose a real threat, not to humankind, but to the power that these Ultra Conservative Fundamentalists and Greedy Violence Mongers wield and they don't want to lose it.

There is a new book by an ex-Jesuit Priest that I believe I had the chance to meet at Dignity San Francisco, where I attend functions occasionally, it is about sexuality, sex, the Bible, religion, etc., I need to read it.

In his review, Steve Rothaus says of the book - Citing the generally overlooked Biblical book The Songs of Songs, McNeill argues that human sexual activity represents a form of "play" that provides a source of pleasure, joy and love. From the beginning, he says, this is what God intended sex to be, not a cause of judgment, oppression, and resentment.

Friday, December 26, 2008

New book from John J. McNeill: 'Sex as God Intended'

SOURCE:

Steve Rothaus' Gay South Florida

www.MiamiHerald.com/gay - For and about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people throughout Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
December 25, 2008
Miami Herald Blog

A new book from John J. McNeill: Sex as God Intended. McNeill will be signing books Jan. 11 at Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale. Here's the news release:

Lethe Press is proud to release the latest work from the acclaimed Biblical scholar John J. McNeill.

You can order at
Queerbooks.com or at TLABooks or through Amazon or ask your local bookseller to carry John's latest book.

Aurora Grajeda

SFCA 122708