From insidenova.com:
BOSTON —
An appeals court ruled today that a law that denies a host of federal benefits to gay married couples is unconstitutional.
The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston said the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, discriminates against gay couples.
If you miss this one, you will have to wait until 2117 to see it again.
Jon Stewart doesn’t think much of the drink ban. He calls out Morning Joe over coffee. Enjoy.
Several times here at Moonhowlings I have referenced snake handlers as a religion. Now, I have never known any up close and personal but I do know there was a community of them in Scottsville when I was growing up. They were famous to the locals, who were the people from Charlottesville. However, to me, actually it is sort of just an expression, meaning extremism in religion. I don’t think I actually even thought there were any real snake handlers left.
Photo journalist Lauren Pond recently watched a snake handler die for his faith. According to the Washington Post:
This is what I saw through my camera lens: Pastor Randy “Mack” Wolford, tossing and turning on the couch in his mother-in-law’s West Virginia trailer, suffering from the pain of a rattlesnake bite he had received earlier in the day. Parishioners surrounding him in prayer in the stifling heat. His mother stroking his feet, her expression a mixture of concern, sorrow and, eventually, acceptance: This is how her eldest son — a legend in the local Pentecostal serpent-handling community — would die.
Camera in hand, I watched as the man I’d photographed and gotten to know over the past year writhed, turned pale and slipped away, a victim of his unwavering faith, but also a testament to it. A family member called paramedics when Mack finally allowed it, but it was too late. Mack Wolford drew his final, labored breaths late Sunday night. He was 44.
And the next mystery park is???? Hint: the weird shapes are called hoodoos.
Lots of night photography is done in this park. The rock formations give everything an eerie look. Some folks will be watching the transit of Venus from here.
In Manassas, this weekend is supposed to be great weather. Not too hot and not too cold. Just right.
The discretionary fund vote is coming up this Tuesday. All eyes will be on the BOCS.
