Conservative Groups Boycott CPAC

MoonHowler

ABC News:

Several conservative groups and individuals plan to boycott the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) which takes place later this month  (Feb. 10-12)  in Washington, DC.  Why are the groups boycotting and who are they?

From speakers like Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., to panels on “How Political Correctness is Harming America’s Military” and “Reagan at 100: Role Model for the Next Generation,” the agenda for the three-day gathering is chock full of personalities and events designed to fire up the conservative base.

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Parent 1 and Parent 2

MoonHowler

 

Let the foolishness begin.  Now we  don’t have mothers and fathers.  I still haven’t recovered from the girl winning damages about 20 years ago for being called a water buffalo.  Now we have this, and out of the State Department no less!

According to the Washington Post:

The State Department has decided to make U.S. passport application forms “gender neutral” by removing references to mother and father, officials said, in favor of language that describes one’s parentage somewhat less tenderly.

The change is “in recognition of different types of families,” according to a statement issued just before Christmas that drew widespread attention Friday after a Fox News report.

The announcement of the change was buried at the end of a Dec. 22 news release, titled “Consular Report of Birth Abroad Certificate Improvements,” that highlighted unrelated security changes.

I don’t care if gay people adopt children or have children by whatever means that happens.  But, I am not willing to become parent 1 or parent 2 for the sake of a situation that  rarely occurs.  As far as I am concerned, the gay parents can just flip over who gets to be the mom and who gets to be the dad.  

 

 

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Marshall’s ‘Luv Canals’ Don’t extend to Gays in the National Guard

MoonHowler

Give it a rest, Side-Show Bob.  Del. Marshall must think Virginia won the Civil War and that the Old Dominion is not part of the United States. 

It seems that Marshall wants gays banned from the Virginia National Guard.  He says history is on his side.  According to the News and Messenger:

Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William, said he will introduce legislation in the 2011 General Assembly that would prevent gays from serving openly in the Virginia National Guard.

He said he has history on his side.

According to numerous Internet sources, Lt.  Gotthold Frederick Enslin was drummed out of the Continental Army on sodomy charges in 1778.

“The policy started with George Washington. This is not something that’s brand new, but the press has largely ignored it because they don’t read history,” Marshall said.

Policies restricting gays from serving in the military have been in place since Lt. Enslin was dismissed.

Marshall said the recent repeal “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy — put in place by President Bill Clinton — was simply President Barack Obama’s appeasement of the left wing of the Democratic party.

Perhaps Marshall would like to see what the Log Cabin Republicans have to say about all this?  Were they against repeal of DADT?  Marshall’s logic is flawed.  George Washington’s family owned slaves also.  Much has changed since Washington’s day.  Hell, they even let the little woman vote nowadays. 

Marshall droned on:

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Vote to Repeal DADT Fails 57-40

MoonHowler

 

Public opinion supports the repeal of DADT policy.  This seems to be a blow to civil rights.  The 3 missing votes were from 1 new Democrat, Joe Manchin  from West Virginia and 2 Republicans.  There was defense department support for repealing this antequated policy.  Both Senators Warner and Webb voted to repeal it and for the military funding. 

There is strong rumor that Joe Liebermann and Susan Collins will introduce an independent, separate repeal of DADT. 

 

“The Logic Defies Description” according to Judge Virginia Phillips

MoonHowler

Rachel Maddow interviews Major Micheal Almy who was dismissed from duty because of DADT laws and examines his role in the the ruling that was just handed down.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

While Judge Virginia Phillips has remarked, The logic defies description” regarding currect DADT policy, an appeal is expected in many circles. This very well might be a case of ‘be careful what you wish for.’ Regardless, this is a huge decision that has the potential for huge impact on our military.

Do you think DADT is unconstitutional? What will the outcome be? Will we revert back to a nation that prohibits gays and lesbians from legally serving in the military? Will the military now actively begin a witch hunt to weed out all gays and lesbians or will there be new legislation that allows gays and lesbians to serve?

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Ruled Unconstitutional

MoonHowler

U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips has ruled that the current military  ban on openly gay service members unconstitutional.   The judge has said she will issue an order to stop the practice nationwide. 

According to msnbc.com:

U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips said the ban violates the First Amendment rights of gays and lesbians. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” prohibits the military from asking about the sexual orientation of service members but requires discharge of those who acknowledge being gay or are discovered engaging in homosexual activity, even in the privacy of their own homes off base.

In her ruling, Phillips said the policy doesn’t help military readiness and instead has a “direct and deleterious effect” on the armed services.

The Log Cabin Republicans, a 19,000 member group of predominantly gay Republicans sought the lawsuit in 2004.  Judge Phillips will issue an injunction later on in the week.  More than 13,500 members of the military have been drummed out since it was first enacted in 1994.  It is unknown what will happen to those people. 

President Clinton had hoped to permit gays in the military.  As soon as he became president Congress fought him tooth and nail and a compromise of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was reached.  Many gays felt Clinton had sold them out.  The political reality was that had Clinton pushed his agenda through, he might have been faced with more restrictions like a bill that outlawed gays in the military.

Obama Mandated Visitation Rights in Hospitals to Partners of Gays

MoonHowler

President Obama mandated visitation rights for  partners of gays and lesbians in hospitals who receive Medicaid and Medicare funding.   Far too often in the past, parents of gays and lesbians held all the power and partners could be prevented from even seeing their signficant other. 

According to the Washington Post:

 

The president directed the Department of Health and Human Services to prohibit discrimination in hospital visitation in a memo that was e-mailed to reporters Thursday night while he was at a fundraiser in Miami.

Administration officials and gay activists, who have been quietly working together on the issue, said the new rule will affect any hospital that receives Medicare or Medicaid funding, a move that covers the vast majority of the nation’s health-care institutions.

It is currently common policy in many hospitals that only those related by blood or marriage be allowed to visit patients.

“Discrimination touches every facet of the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, including at times of crisis and illness, when we need our loved ones with us more than ever,” Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said in praising the decision.

Hopefully this right would be extended to any partnership, not just a partnership between gays.  Straight people have unconventional relationships also.  However, this is a good place to start.