T Town Tommy

Monday Morning Humor - Kennedy Endorses Obama

A Disorder Suffered by Many in 2008

Electile Dysfunction:

The inability to become aroused over any of the choices for president put forth by either party in the 2008 election year.

Monday Morning Humor - YouTube Politics in Review 2007

2007 was the year for debates and multitudes and yet even more multitudes of political maneuvers via the internet and YouTube to get your vote. Candidates where everywhere in 2007, here is the just released video of the highlights on YouTube for 2007.

Clinton Promises to End Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

Hillary Clinton on Monday took sides in a social debate surrounding gay and lesbian Americans serving in the Armed Forces.

In Tama, an Air Force veteran asked Clinton about her support for allowing gays to serve openly in the military. How would privacy be protected, he asked?

Clinton said she believed all service members, including gays, must be expected to observe the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which determines appropriate behavior.

"I feel strongly that if someone wants to serve their country, if they're a patriot, if they'll comply with the code of military justice and have appropriate behavior, they should not be disqualified simply because they are gay," she said. -365Gay.com

Bush Finds Loop Hole to Veto ENDA

The Bush Administration has issued a statement signaling The President will likely veto the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The act will add sexual orientation to the list of reasons an employer may not fire a person from their job. The loophole the Bush Administration has found to kill the bill is the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 and the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 both signed into law by President Bill Clinton. The RFRA act prohibits the Federal Government from substantially burdening the free exercise of religion except for compelling reasons, and then only in the least restrictive manner possible. The DOM act states the Federal Government will not recognize the marriage of two adult citizens of the same gender.

So according to Bush, Christians should have the religious freedom to terminate the employment of someone for simply being homosexual. Following his logic through it should also be legal for a majority run Catholic business to be able to fire an employee for possibly being Jewish or a Jewish firm to fire someone for being Muslim. It should be legal for a business being run by someone who is Pentecostal to fire a female worker for having short hair and wearing a pant suit to work someone like Laura Bush perhaps. Basically Bush found a political loop hole to avoid stating outright to the American people that according to him, being a Christian and a good Republican means being against civil rights and is defined by homophobia.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503

    October 23, 2007    (House Rules)

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

H.R. 3685 – The Employment Non-Discrimination Act

(Rep. Frank (D) MA and 9 cosponsors)

H.R. 3685 would extend existing employment-discrimination provisions of Federal law, including those in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to establish "a comprehensive Federal prohibition of employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation."  The bill raises concerns on constitutional and policy grounds, and if H.R. 3685 were presented to the President, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.

H.R. 3685 is inconsistent with the right to the free exercise of religion as codified by Congress in the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).  The Act prohibits the Federal Government from substantially burdening the free exercise of religion except for compelling reasons, and then only in the least restrictive manner possible.  H.R. 3685 does not meet this standard.  For instance, schools that are owned by or directed toward a particular religion are exempted by the bill; but those that emphasize religious principles broadly will find their religious liberties burdened by H.R. 3685.

A second concern is H.R. 3685's authorization of Federal civil damage actions against State entities, which may violate States' immunity under the Eleventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The bill turns on imprecise and subjective terms that would make interpretation, compliance, and enforcement extremely difficult.  For instance, the bill establishes liability for acting on "perceived" sexual orientation, or "association" with individuals of a particular sexual orientation.  If passed, H.R. 3685 is virtually certain to encourage burdensome litigation beyond the cases that the bill is intended to reach.

Provisions of this bill purport to give Federal statutory significance to same-sex marriage rights under State law.  These provisions conflict with the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as the legal union between one man and one woman.  The Administration strongly opposes any attempt to weaken this law, which is vital to defending the sanctity of marriage.

Larry Craig Guilty Plea Stands

A judge hearing the arguments that toe tapping Senator Larry Craig's guilty plea was given under duress has been rejected.

(Minneapolis, Minnesota) A Minnesota judge on Thursday refused to allow Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) to withdraw his guilty plea from a gay sex sting bust.

Hennepin County Judge Charles Porter in a written ruling said that Craig's guilty plea was made voluntarily.

"Because the defendant's plea was accurate, voluntary and intelligent, and because the conviction is supported by the evidence ... the Defendant's motion to withdraw his guilty plea is denied," Porter wrote in the ruling.

Rest of the Story with Gay News from 365

So much for the hypocritical Senator trying to sweep his need for public sex under the bathroom stall and keeping it a secret. Craig last week was among the Republicans who voted against the Matthew Shepard Act. No wonder Congress has a national approval rating of 11%!

Matthew Shepard Act Moves Closer to Becoming Law

From the HRC web site:

WASHINGTON– In a historic step toward equality for GLBT Americans, the U.S. Senate voted to pass the Matthew Shepard Act, which updates and expands the federal hate crimes laws to include bias motivated violence based on a victim's sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, and disability, and provides new resources and tools to assist local law enforcement in prosecuting vicious crimes.

The Senate in a bipartisan vote of 60 to 39 accepted cloture which ended debate on the bill and then moved to approve the Matthew Shepard Act by a voice vote -- attaching it as an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2008 Department of Defense Authorization bill.

Not surprisingly both Oklahoma Senators James Inhofe and Tom Colburn, who are staying joined at the hip with President George Bush, voting against cloture of the Matthew Shepard Act giving federal protection for hate crimes committed against LGBT and disabled US citizens. Currently there is no hate crimes legislation in the State of Oklahoma protecting its LGBT citizens. President Bush vowed to veto the hate crimes legislation calling it "unnecessary". According to the FBI, 25 Americans each day are victims of hate crimes–that means approximately one hate crime is committed every hour. One in six hate crimes are motivated by the victim's sexual orientation. Making such arguments that hate crimes laws are unnecessary only goes to show the true bigotry of our state senators and President Bush.

During debate Wednesday on the bill Oregon Republican Sen. Gordon H. Smith, another sponsor (of the bill) invoked the name of Matthew Shepard for whom the bill is named in a speech on the Senate floor Wednesday.

"For those of you who do not know Matthew Shepard's story, it is truly heartbreaking," said Smith.

"Matthew was a 21-year-old college student at the University of Wyoming when he was attacked. Shortly after midnight, on October 7, 1998, Matthew was kidnapped, beaten, pistol whipped, lashed to a lonely stretch of fence and left to die alone. Almost 18 hours later, Matthew was found alive but unconscious. His injuries were deemed too severe for surgery and Matthew died October 12.

"He was murdered by two men simply for who he was, because he was gay. To think that such virulent hatred of another person's sexual orientation drove another to commit such a heinous act is truly unthinkable. Sadly, this case is not isolated," said Smith.

Matthew Shepard's parents said the legislation sends a bold and unmistakable message about violent hate crimes.

"The Matthew Shepard Act is an essential step to erasing hate in America and we are humbled that it bears our sons name," said Judy and Dennis Shepard in a statement.

"It has been almost nine years since Matthew was taken from us. This bill is a fitting tribute to his memory and to all of those who have lost their lives to hate."

The Vote for the Matthew Shepard Act is Tomorrow!

From The Human Rights Campaign:

The Senate will vote on the Matthew Shepard Act TOMORROW.

We've worked for years to get this bill through both houses of Congress, and we're finally incredibly close.

Now that Senate action is imminent, anti-GLBT groups are activating their misinformed grassroots base once again.

Remember, they've convinced thousands that this bill will muzzle preachers and send pastors to jail for reading certain parts of the Bible. If we don't call right now, critical votes COULD BE LOST to these scare tactics.

CALL BOTH YOUR SENATORS RIGHT NOW:

Call the Congressional Switchboard at 202.224.3121 - tell them where you're from, and that you would like to speak with your Senators.

For each office, tell the staffer who answers:

As a constituent, and a supporter of the Human Rights Campaign, I hope the Senator will vote YES on the Matthew Shepard Act (S. 1105). This legislation has been endorsed by over 280 civic, religious, and law enforcement organizations. I hope the Senator will do the right thing and vote YES on S. 1105 when it comes to a vote.

We cannot allow our Senators to be intimidated, misled, or swayed by an extremist minority. Thank you for making your calls, and thank you for being a voice of reason today.

T Town Tommy writes: Although our Oklahoma Senators are total bigots towards the gay citizens they represent, now is the time to turn up the heat on our leaders! Call our leaders, light up the switch boards, let them know that all minorities need protection from hate crimes! Think these evil crimes don't exist in Oklahoma; see my article about the two lesbian Oklahoma citizens who where attacked by residents and the FBI not being able to step in and find the criminals behind the attacks and the horrible attitude of local law enforcement towards gay minorities. The hate has to stop and protection is desperately needed. Call today or go to the HRC web site for more information.

The Truth About Hate Crimes Laws

Monday Morning Humor - Will Rogers

    I don't make jokes; I just watch the Government and report the facts.
    --Will Rogers

Senator Larry Craig's Children Speak to The Public

AOL.com is sharing the Diane Sawyer interview with US Senator Craig's children following the public speech he gave August 28th denouncing that he is gay. During the interview the children follow the senator's story of explaining away the toe tapping and hand gestures in the Minnesota airport. However the children fail to explain why he was in the bathroom furtherest from his flight. It should be noted that Larry Craig adopted his son Michael and two siblings after marrying their mother, the former Suzanne Scott, in 1983.

And yet another Republican Busted in the Restroom

Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call is reporting that Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) was arrested in June at a Minnesota airport by a plainclothes police officer for lewd conduct complaints in the airport's restroom. Craig pleaded guilty to the charges on Aug. 8th in which he tried to solicit the male undercover airport investigator for sex in one of the airport's men's restroom stalls.

 

 

Rest of the Story with Roll Call

70 Year Anniversary of the US War on Marijuana

Some facts about the U.S. Governments now 70 year War on Marijuana

In 1937 the F.D. Roosevelt administration crafted 1937 Marihuana Tax Act the first national US law making cannabis possession illegal in the US via an unpayable tax on the drug.

The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, Federal law in the United States preempts conflicting state and local laws.

In the U.S. someone is arrested for marijuana possession every 42 seconds

The United States incarcerates more of its citizens for drug violations than all of Western Europe incarcerates for all crimes (and Western Europe has 100 million more people).

In 2004, 44.2 percent of the 1,745,712 total arrests in the US for drug abuse violations were for marijuana -- a total of 771,605. Of those, 684,319 people were arrested for possession alone.

Current Federal law (1994 Crime Act) sets the threshold for a possible death sentence for marijuana offenses at 60,000 kilograms (132,277.36 pounds) or 60,000 plants (including seedlings) regardless of weight. The death penalty is also possible for running a continuing criminal enterprise that distributes marijuana and receives more than $20 million in proceeds in one year, regardless of the weight of marijuana involved.

In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the US Government spent $4 million to run two controversial 30-second ads linking drug use to terrorism during the 2002 Super Bowl, angering even longtime allies like the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.

The most recent figures available from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) indicate that, in 1999, federal expenditures on control of illegal drugs surpassed $17 billion; combined expenditures by federal, state, and local governments exceeded $30 billion. The US Government has spent roughly this amount annually throughout the 1990s.

All of this over a plant that has been around since the dawn of man that fed us, clothed us, provided us with oils, ropes and entertained us by the nighttime fires for most of our existence on the planet. Do any of these figures seem civilized in a country that is suppose to cherish individualism and freedom or does it seem more like the actions of a government gone mad?

This leads me to announce the 10th anniversary of the Midwest Cannabis Revival 2007 being held in Joplin, Missouri on September 22nd!

 

 

Tonight is the First Ever LGBT Presidential Debate

Tonight, August 9^th, on the Logo Network, which Cox Communications Tulsa does not carry, will air the 2008 Democratic Party Presidential Debate regarding Gay and Lesbian rights issues. The two hour debate will be moderated by Margaret Carlson live in Los Angeles starting at 9 pm ET and 6 pm PT. For those wanting to view the debate but have restricted cable access, Logo Network in conjunction with The Human Rights Campaign will be simulcasting online the entire debate on their blog Visible Vote 08.

How Many Republicans Can Fit in the Closet?

Continuing with the laundry list of anti-gay/secretly gay national conservative leaders, may I now introduce you to Republican Bob Allen. State Representative Allen from Florida was arrested on Wednesday in his home state trying to solicit an undercover male cop for oral sex.

Florida state representative Bob Allen held a tearful press conference after being arrested and charged with peddling oral sex for $20 to an undercover officer, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Bob Allen, a married Republican from Merritt Island, was charged with solicitation to commit prostitution. He was later released after posting $500 bail.

"I am filing a not guilty plea," Allen said at a press conference Thursday. "I am going to vigorously fight this. I am not resigning my office, because the people who elected me want me to do a good job, and I am going to do a good job for them in finishing this term.... This is an ugly and unpleasant situation that has been thrust on me and my family. It is not true. It is inaccurate, and therefore [I'm] not guilty, and I will be standing strongly for that."

Allen and his attorney did not take questions from the press and urged members of the media to be accurate in following the case.

Conservative Republican State Representative Allen is or was the co-chair for the McCain Presidential campaign in Florida and has quite the history of being anti-gay in his state political circles.

In March, Allen cosponsored HB269, the Lewdness and Indecent Exposure Bill, which outlined enhanced penalties for “offenses involving unnatural and lascivious acts or exposure or exhibition of sexual organs committed within specified distance of certain locations." The bill would also have authorized warrantless arrest for specified violations. The measure, however, never made it to a vote.

Allen also signed a resolution, adopted in April that encourages educating parents and children about the dangers of sexual solicitation and abuse.

About six years ago, he was one of 21 Florida legislators to sign Gov. Jeb Bush's friend-of-the-court brief supporting the state's ban on gays adopting children.

"Practically as soon as he got into office, he wanted to go on record as being antigay," said Bartsch, whose Orlando-based (Rainbow Democratic) club gave him its worst possible rating.

Local police were on burglary detail at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Titusville, Fla.—about 40 miles east of Orlando—when they noticed a suspicious man, walking in and out of the public bathroom. An undercover officer went into a bathroom stall, and moments later Allen approached the stall and offered to perform oral sex on the officer in exchange for $20, according to the report.

The officer took Allen into custody after identifying himself. Police lieutenant Todd Hutchinson told the press that Allen did not mention that he was a state legislator until after he was arrested.

(excerpts from "The Advocate")

I feel some pity for Representative Allen; self hate is one of the worst hells any human can endure. Hypocrisy at the cost of those whom you were elected to represent rights and freedoms however is one of the most damndable sins.

The Daily Oklahoman and Merit Pay for Teachers

Doc Hoc is really pissed at Oklahoma City news paper The Daily Oklahoman and the State of Oklahoma's  "Hillbilly Aristocracy". Check out his post about Teachers Merit Pay and our failing educational system at Okie Funk: Notes from the Outback.

A Thought to Ponder While Watching the Debates

Like many Americans, I hope, I watched the Democratic Presidential debates Sunday night. I witnessed B.S. and spin at it's finest. If you do take some time out to watch any of the debates before you vote in 08' please keep this quote in mind:

"The most effective way to restrict democracy is to transfer decision-making from the public arena to unaccountable institutions: kings and princes, priestly castes, military juntas, party dictatorships, or modern corporations."

-Noam Chomsky

A New Anti-Anxiety Drug for 2008

Since when did Fox News become Comedy Central? I may be gay but even I'm not voting for Clinton in 08'.

Right Priorities

Edward Hale (1822-1909), while chaplain of the U.S. Senate, was asked, "Do you pray for the senators?"

He quickly replied, "No. After getting to know the senators, I pray for the people."

Poking Fun at Conservatives

I cannot seriously believe Laura Bush would think this but a lot of conservatives it would seem do from all the rhetoric.
Hat tip to Ethan at Brat Boy School and Dave at Soliloqueer

Thank God For Free Speech

Check out the official Challenge of the Super-Duper Friends web site

Bill O'Reilly and Geraldo Lock Horns

Ultra conservative talk show host  Bill O'Reilly  had Geraldo Rivera on  "The OReilly Factor" over the week to discuss our illegal immigration crisis in the United States. The on air heated debate stems from the murder of 17-year-old Allison Kunhardt and 16-year-old Tessa Tranchant who where killed by an illegal alien drunk driver in Virginia.

The criminal, 22-year-old Alfredo Ramos from Mexico has three previous alcohol-related convictions, and also an identity-theft conviction, but he had never been sentenced to prison or had any legal measures brought against him. Once again the system has failed and two young Americans paid the price with their lives.

In related news Oklahoma law makers are finally stepping up where our federal government has failed and is giving local law enforcement the ability to arrest and detain criminals who illegally enter our country.
More on the story at News Channel 8 in Tulsa

On a personal note I am very supportive of our State lawmakers finally giving our law enforcement community the laws they need to help protect our citizens. Three years ago my partner was pinned in a car crash involving an illegal alien who had no knowledge of our driving laws. Once my partner was cut out of his car by local firemen he learned that the other driver didn’t speak or read English, had no driver’s license, no insurance, and the car he was driving was illegally tagged. The criminals’ punishment consisted of a shrug from local police and a call to a buddy to come pick him up at the crash scene. The illegal alien, who is a criminal by default just for being in our country, was above the law. Now Bill O'Reilly feels my rage! I strongly recommend that all Oklahomans contact their state law maker and tell them to support the bill giving our law enforcement the tools they need to fight illegal immigration and keep our residents safe.

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Barbara Boxer Bitch Slaps James Inhofe

During Wednesday's senate hearing with former Vice President Al Gore on global warming Jim Inhofe R-Okla. attacked Gore with a 15 minute barrage of hostile questioning and almost demanding he sign to a BS environmental pledge. Inhofe is our glorious senator from right here in Oklahoma and came off as a total lock step right wing asshole during his tirade which had to be pointedly squelched by Barbara Boxer D-Cali. 

Barbara Boxer, a liberal environmentalist, will be the new chairperson of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee replacing Jim Inhofe. Since being chairman Inhofe has had a less than spectacular record on environmental issues. His work on the committee is evident when I go up into the hills surrounding Tulsa and look back over the city through a yellow brown haze. Boxer's appointment was announced Tuesday, but won't officially take effect until the first of 2008.

Political Commercials Changed Forever?

No one in the political camps of the Democratic presidential contenders would have dared make the kind of political statement as using George Orwell’s “1984” showing Clinton as “Big Sister” in this case. However an independent Obama supporter did and may have changed the way political ads are created forever. Remember this moment when you start seeing future advertisements.

Phillip de Vellis, a Democrat and Obama supporter, said he made the video "because I wanted to express my feelings about the Democratic primary, and because I wanted to show that an individual citizen can affect the process."

Rest of the Story at CNN

Chris Rock on 08' Presidential Race

Chris Rock opens Saturday Night Live and gives his views on the 2008 Presidential Election and a not too surprising prediction on who's going to be our next President.