Same-sex marriage, Obamacare, the flag–It’s been quite a week

MoonHowler

Washingtonpost.com:

The Supreme Court on Friday delivered an historic victory for gay rights, ruling 5-4 that the Constitution requires that same-sex couples be allowed to marry no matter where they live and that states may no longer reserve the right only for heterosexual couples.

The court’s action marks the culmination of an unprecedented upheaval in public opinion and the nation’s jurisprudence. Advocates called it the most pressing civil rights issue of modern times, while critics said the courts had sent the country into uncharted territory by changing the traditional definition of marriage.

“The court now holds that same-sex couples may exercise the fundamental right to marry. No longer may this liberty be denied to them,” Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion.

The country’s first legally recognized same-sex marriages took place just 11 years ago, the result of a Massachusetts state supreme court decision. Now, more than 70 percent of Americans live in states where same-sex couples are allowed to marry, according to estimates.

Holy cow, what a week.  Lots of change.  All of it was just a matter of time.  Now everyone can marry who they love, all over the nation.

Looking back, the end result of all these changes is that people have more rights.  This should be seen as a good thing.

Same-sex marriage was only a matter of time and is definitely a civil rights issue.  The LGBT community still has a long way to go to have full rights.  There still is no job protection, for example.  It’s been less than 50 years since Loving v. Virginia codified interracial marriage in Virginia.  At the turn of the century, there were places were homosexual sex was illegal.  Imagine the number of lives that have been ruined because former respected members of communities across the country were somehow discovered.  That is no longer an issue.

Just as a perspective, when I was a young psych major in college, homosexuality was by the  AMA  and the American Psychiatric Association as a mental illness.  We have come a long way, in so many respects.  The wheels of social justice march on.    Limbaugh has something to bitch about for decades.

McAuliffe orders Confederate flag off of Va license plates

MoonHowler

Washingtonpost.com:

RICHMOND — Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe said Tuesday that he will phase out a state-sponsored license plate featuring an image of the Confederate flag.

At an appearance in Richmond, the city that served as the capital of the Confederacy, McAuliffe (D) called the symbol “unnecessarily divisive and hurtful.”

The announcement comes in the aftermath of the shooting deaths of nine members of a historically African American church in Charleston, S.C., allegedly by Dylann Roof, a 21-year-old white man who, according to police, wanted “to start a race war.”

It comes just one day after South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) called for the flag to be removed from the grounds of that state’s capitol — and the week after the Supreme Court ruled that Texas is free to reject a specialized license plate featuring the Confederate flag.

We all know that I am a creature of contradiction. This issue is no exception.  I happen to think Terry McAuliffe is simply jumping on the band wagon.  The targeted group here is a fairly revered group–Sons of Confederate Veterans.  The one and only person I know who is a proud member is a man named Bob Perry.  Bob is one of the kindest, most genteel gentlemen I know.  He is one of the least racist people I have ever known.  He honors his ancestors.

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Selma: Bloody Sunday 50th year anniversary

MoonHowler

I find it frightening that behavior like this went on in my lifetime.   I was of conscious age when “Bloody Sunday” took place.  I don’t know that I was aware it even happened at the time.  You don’t know what you don’t know.

I think the fact that something this major happened in the United States of America and a living person was unaware is significant.  Let’s pretend for a moment that “Bloody Sunday”  was 1-year-old rather than 50 years old.  Would a fairly socially-aware person be sitting here admitting that they didn’t know it had happened?  Of course not.

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Federal judge orders local judges to issue marriage licenses

MoonHowler

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 


newyorktimes.com:

MOBILE, Ala. — A federal judge here ruled on Thursday that the local probate judge cannot refuse to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, potentially adding some clarity to a judicial quarrel that has roiled Alabama for most of a week.

The order by Judge Callie V. S. Granade of Federal District Court came after a brief hearing and prompted cheers and crying in the halls of the probate court here, where several couples obtained licenses and were married before the license office closed.

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George Zimmerman charged with 2nd degree murder

MoonHowler

George Zimmerman, who shot and killed Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida, has been arrested and charged with 2nd degree murder.  Hopefully, everyone will get their day in court.  In addition to George Zimmerman being tried, the Florida law nick-named “Stand Your Ground” will undergo scrutiny. 

The first team of Zimmerman lawyers is off the case now.  They removed themselves.

Zimmerman turned himself in and is now in custody. 

I hope he can get a fair trial.

Social experimentation??? Get serious!

MoonHowler

 

Is Rick Santorum suggesting that heterosexuals hide who they are also? Do they lock their children away in the attic along with their wives? Is Santorum too young to realize that DADT was also “social experiementation?” It was an incremental step created by President Bill Clinton to fulfill a campaign promise to gays regarding military service. He met with such resistance he had to offer DADT as an alternative to ending the ban on gays in the military to ward off serious Congressional sanctions/legislation.

Santorum really doesn’t get that being homosexual isn’t always about sex. He totally overlooks the state of being component. How does he propose to put that genie back in the bottle?

And as for those trash-a$$es that booed a service member who is honorably serving his country–SHAME ON THEM. They simply have no class. Regardless of how one feels, the booing was totally unacceptable. 

I Have a Scheme….Jon Stewart on the Glenn Beck Civil Rights Rally

MoonHowler

Jon Stewart is going on vacation again for 10 days. grrrrrrr

Before he leaves, however, he did handle some important business. Jon’s humor is biting on this one. He rips Glenn Becks’ civil rights/restoring honor rally.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
I Have a Scheme
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Rand Paul Steps in Political Macaca

MoonHowler

Being an outsider has its pitfalls.  Such is the case with Rand Paul.  Rand Paul is a neophyte and he stepped into the macaca  up to his knees–maybe even deeper.  In an interview with Rachel Maddow, Rand Paul got on to the subject of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

How can legislation that is nearly 50 years old trip up anyone?  Just ask Rand Paul.   According to Politico:

In interviews with NPR and MSNBC on Wednesday, Paul indicated unease with the Civil Rights Act’s ban on discrimination by private businesses — sparking a political blaze that threatened to engulf his campaign even before he finished relishing his landslide primary win.

 The candidate eased fears some by issuing a damage-control statement stating his opposition to discrimination and doing an interview with conservative talk show host Laura Ingraham in which he seemed to acknowledge the necessity of the Civil Rights Act.

In fairness to Maddow, she gave him every opportunity to self correct.  He did not seize the opportunity.  He continued to disavow discrimination but did not come out and say he would have voted for  the Civil Rights Bill.  And the silence was deafening.

The video is long but covers the entire interview.

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Virginia Throws up another Hoop for Felons Wanting Restored Civil Rights

MoonHowler
artwork from c-ville.com
artwork from c-ville.com

Civil Rights are defined as: the right to vote, the right to serve on a jury, the right to hold public office and the right to serve as a notary public. if someone is convicted of felony, then one loses these civil rights.   Virginia Constitution says, “No person who has been convicted of a felony shall be qualified to vote unless his civil rights have been restored by the governor.” There is no limitation on the governor’s power to restore rights, and no mention of having to report the names of such people to the General Assembly.

According to c-ville.com:

Virginia and Kentucky are the only two states that do not automatically restore convicted felons’ civil rights. Most states restore these rights upon the completion of a prison sentence, probation or parole. In Virginia, felons convicted of a nonviolent offense must wait three years after completing all court obligations—sentencing, fines and probation—then file an application for the restoration of rights to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

If your conviction is for a violent offense —or a drug manufacturing or distribution offense—the process is much more difficult.

The nonviolent offender’s application is two pages. The violent application is 12. Iachetta calls the violent felony forms cumbersome. “They’re horrible,” she says.

After waiting five years after all court obligations, a person convicted of a violent felony must obtain a burdensome collection of paperwork: a letter from your most recent probation or parole officer, copies of your pre- or post-sentence report, certified copies of every order of conviction and sentencing orders, three letters of reference and, to top it off, a personal letter to the Governor explaining your convictions and how your life has changed.

Iachetta says that roughly half of the people she sees who start the process don’t complete it.

“There’s got to be an easier way,” says Iachetta. “I don’t know at this point what it is. The process can be streamlined. That being said, until it happens, we’ve got to deal with what we’ve got.”

[Note:  Iachetta is Charlottesville’s general registrar]

Governor Bob McDonnell has added another hoop for former felons to jump through. He is now proposing that those who want voting rights restored must write an essay outlining their contributions to society since their release, Civil Rights leaders and many others interested in prisoner rights, are outraged by this plan. They say it targets minorities, the poor and the under-educated and denies them of their civil rights. Others are cheering on McDonnell for ‘meaning business.’

McDonnell defends his own plan in the Washington Post:

McDonnell’s administration said the essay requirement is designed to put a human face on each applicant and to help staff members better understand each person’s situation.

“It gives all applicants the opportunity to have their cases heard and have their full stories told,” said Janet Polarek, secretary of the commonwealth, whose office handles the requests. “It’s an opportunity, not an obstacle.”

McDonnell is revamping the entire system for felons to have their rights restored as he works to make good on a campaign pledge to process every application within 90 days, considerably faster than any other administration in recent history.

“Under Republican and Democratic governors, they have had to wait six to 12 months — longer in some cases — to get an answer,” Polarek said. “Under the McDonnell administration, our goal is to restore the rights of everyone who has fulfilled their obligation in the most timely manner in Virginia’s recent history.”

For those who have difficulty with literacy, writing an essay seems like an immovable obstacle. Where in the Virginia Constitution can this kind of requirement be found?  Many prisoners and past prisoners suffer from the same malady; under-education plagues prisoners.  To ask someone with limited education to write an essay might just fall into the realm of cruel and unusual punishment.

Detailed Historical Information from the League of Women Voters in Fairfax

Incivility and When Perception Becomes Reality

MoonHowler

in·ci·vil·i·ty (ns-vl-t)

n. pl. in·ci·vil·i·ties 1. The quality or condition of being uncivil.

2. An uncivil or discourteous act.

 

Just for a moment, remove any accusation of racial slur, the N-word, or spitting.  How many of us would like to be an older black man having to walk through an angry mob of white people screaming, taunting, booing, hissing and whatever else they were doing.  Those congressman practically had to part the white sea to even move through the crowd. 

In the first place, the crowd should not have been that close.  The congressmen should have had  police escort.  I found myself having bad flashbacks to things I have seen on TV throughout my life, things that were going on during my lifetime.    No one should dismiss it.  Those men were brave to make that walk.  If one of them said he was spat on, then he was.  Perhaps it was just the spray from the vehenom of hatred spewing from a protestors mouth, but spit is spit–stream, lunger or spray, all gross.

Note: The video is the one Cargo Squid referenced.

ACLU Sues Mississippi School That Canceled Prom Rather Than Let Lesbian Couple Attend

MoonHowler

ACLU

UPDATE: See Video at end of Post

March 11, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (212) 549-2666; [email protected]

OXFORD, MS – The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit today against a Mississippi High School that has canceled prom rather than let a lesbian high school student attend the prom with her girlfriend and wear a tuxedo to the event. In papers filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, the ACLU asks the court to reinstate the prom for all students at the school and charges Itawamba County School District officials are violating Constance McMillen’s First Amendment right to freedom of expression.

“All I wanted was the same chance to enjoy my prom night like any other student. But my school would rather hurt all the students than treat everyone fairly,” said McMillen, an 18-year-old senior at Itawamba Agricultural High School in Fulton, Mississippi. “This isn’t just about me and my rights anymore – now I’m fighting for the right of all the students at my school to have our prom.”

Read entire Press Release

How about let’s just alter this scene just a little bit.  How about if the girl didn’t say she was a lesbian and 2 girls just showed up at the door to go to prom, like unromantic friends.  Would they be denied admission?  What is wrong with schools? 

There was a suggestion made that a private group should sponsor a private prom for ”people like this.’  Now just what is that supposed to mean?  I read in the paper that Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church did sponsor a special prom for gay and lesbian students last spring.  Good for them.  That church is a real standard bearer for helping those who are under-represented.  I hope they will do that every year, despite the fact that local bloggers (many who claim to be good Christians)  had a field day and made extremely disparaging remarks about the church and the kids.   It’s easy to point fingers.  Its harder to step up to the plate and provide for those amongst us who might not have an advocate. 

Most of the time I think the ACLU is a pain in the ass.  I think we are supposed to think that.  However, this is one time I am glad they are out there, defending those who might not otherwise have a line of defense.  Schools need realize that gay and lesbian students are not all closeted like they were a generation ago, not should they be. 

If  the school wants to ensure that people’s sensibilities are not offended, it  needs to address the behavior of everyone coming to the dance.  It  needs to set standards of conduct and stick to its  guns.  It  should demand the same lines of decency from the heterosexual students as it is  obviously going to do with the homosexual students.  They can all do their dirty dancing after the prom.

More from the hometown newspaper

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Civil Rights-Era Killings Investigation Ready to Close

MoonHowler
Southern Poverty Law Center Civil Rights Memorial
Southern Poverty Law Center Civil Rights Memorial

Three years after the FBI promised to investigate more than 100 unresolved civil rights-era killings, they have  made some surprising discoveries.  Most of the cases will close without indictments. .  The investigations led to very few indictments even though most of the cases were technically solved.  The passage of time left many witnesses too traumatized by events, witnesses  and perpetrators dead and other problems that are unique to cold cases.

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The “I Have a Dream” Speech–Has the Dream Come True?

MoonHowler

How far have we come since that speech was given by Dr. Martin Luther King almost 47 years ago?  Has Dr. King’s dream been fulfilled or even come close?  Has prejudice been stamped out or is it seething right beneath the surface?  The term ‘racism’ is still thrown about, perhaps more than it was during Dr. King’s day.  Has it become a catch all? 

Stop! Doesn’t having an African-American president satisfy the dream?   We no longer have segregation.  Or do we?  Is there invisible segregation and if so, whose fault is it?  Perhaps we don’t even want to answer these questions.  Perhaps they make us as uncomfortable as discussing what Harry Reid meant by ‘Negro dialect.’

Finally, could the door to equality have ever been opened through the legislative process?  Was it necessary for the Courts  to open the door?   I remember seeing “Impeach Earl Warren” signs as a kid.  Were those the forerunners of the expression’ Judicial activism?’

For those of us who missed the speech in August, 1963…

Full Text of “I have a Dream”