Some in G.O.P. Cool to Gay Marriage Ban

My favorite quote from the article:

"Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas, a main Senate advocate of the amendment, expressed a similar view.

"We cannot simply sit idly by, in my opinion, and let activist judges radically redefine the institution of marriage when it stands in stark relief and defiance of the will of the American people," he said."(I added emphasis.)

They are taking their time to get more votes, apparently. I can't decide if this is a good or bad thing in the long run. I can say, I don't think it's going to help Bush, as nothing will be decided by November. As for this quote, I don't think this amendment will represent the will of the American people. I can't believe Cornyn beat Ron Kirk!!! Waaa.

I went to an Ash Wednesday service with my church-hopping friends last night and we discussed this issue. M and B tend to vote Republican, but apparently this amendment endorsement by Bush is the last straw. As B pointed out, though, Kerry isn't against the amendment either. I guess there's always Nader to vote for. . .

Disturbing News

Rapes Reported by Servicewomen in the Persian Gulf and Elsewhere

"The latest accusations are the most extensive set of sexual misconduct charges since the Navy's Tailhook incident of 1991 and the Army's drill sergeant scandal about five years later. . .

"Lawmakers said they were particularly appalled by reports that women serving in roles from military police to helicopter pilots had been assaulted by male colleagues in remote combat zones like Iraq and Afghanistan, where immediate medical treatment and a sense of justice seemed to be lacking."

This news is very troubling. It looks like I have my Senator Hutchison to thank for helping bring this story to light. I guess she is doing some good in DC. More information is in the article.

more thoughts on the gay marriage ban amendment

Thanks to Josh at Talking Points Memo for providing a link to this commentary by Patti Davis: Wedded Bliss.

She states, "The irony of our times is that the one group of people—gays— who passionately want to get married are slamming into a wall built of political concerns, legislative wrangling, right-wing religiosity (an oxymoron if I ever heard one), and oddly enraged TV pundits who seem to think the world will come to an end if two people of the same sex join in holy matrimony. . .

"Whenever I hear about the furor over gay marriage, and whenever I step back and look at how tentative and wary we are about love (I’m including myself in that one) I wonder the same thing: What is it about love that frightens us so much?
. . .
"The harder question is: What is frightening about a same-sex couple standing forth in front of the world and making their commitment to one another public? Is the happiness of others really so threatening? Maybe the bravery is what’s threatening. I don’t know if I could stand up to society’s wrath in the name of love. I hope I could, but as a straight woman, I’ll never be tested on that one."

A very well-written commentary worth reading. And Josh himself writes an entry that makes some excellent points:

"The truth is that this is all for the president. Most politicians see this as a highly-charged, divisive issue best left to states and localities to hash out amongst themselves until some sort of rough consensus emerges either nationally or from region to region. . .

". . . I think it's possible that more than a few voters who are uneasy about gay marriage or downright opposed to it won't appreciate the president's willingness to trash the country and the constitution just because his domestic and international policies are in a shambles."

I heard on NPR this morning clips from interviews with different members of Congress, all expressing hesitancy to do anything quickly in regards to this amendment proposal. Even former Senate Majority leader Trent Lott said this would have to go slow.

I think this just backs up what Josh Marshall is saying. There is no way this proposed amendment can be dealt with at the speed Bush would prefer. Lott was talking about it being summertime before they could really do anything with it.

MoJo blog has an entry on the faulty comparisons being made between Mayor Newsom and Judge Roy Moore (I'd link specifically to it, but they aren't set up for it yet):

"As for Kurtz' assertion that judges have "refused to swiftly shut down" Newsom, let's consider the timeline of Moore's legal odyssey:

• August 1, 2001 -- Moore unveils his monument, which he had surreptitiously installed without informing his fellow justices.
• October 30, 2001 -- Two civil rights groups -- the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State -- file suit in federal court seeking the rock's removal.
• October 15, 2002 -- The trial begins.
• December 20, 2002 -- U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson issues a permanent injunction, demanding the removal of the monument by January 3, 2003.
• August 5, 2003 -- Following an appeal, Thompson issues a bench order requiring the monument be removed within 15 days.
• August 18, 2003 -- Moore declares he will defy Thompson's order.
• August 25, 2003 -- Moore is suspended.
• September 29, 2003 -- Moore files appeal with Supreme Court.
• November 3, 2003 -- Supreme Court declines to hear Moore's appeal.
• November 13, 2003 -- Moore is removed from office.
• February 1, 2004 -- Moore appeals his removal.

"Math was never my strong suit, but August 2001 to August 2003 is 24 months, right? Two years? So, if conservatives really believe that Newsom is no different than Moore, they must be prepared to give the state and federal courts until 2006 to settle the same-sex-marriage issue. Right? Right?"

edit: WorkingForChange-Fiore Presents: Attack of the Gay Agenda - animation regarding the "gay agenda".

Never mind, I won't be watching it at all

Apparently all the critics agree on one thing; Gibson's movie The Passion is overly violent. I can barely handle the flogging in Jesus Christ Superstar, so I don't think I'm going to be able to watch this film. Here's a link to one review: RollingStone.com: Movies: Reviews: The Passion of Christ

The reviewer has this to say: "So graphic are the torture scenes -- flayings, a crown of thorns, whips with barbed metal tips, nails driven into hands and feet -- that the film seems like the greatest story ever told by the Marquis de Sade. "

He also says there is a scene where a tear from God falls from heaven in a melodramatic style. If there is one thing I can't stand in a movie besides violence, it is sentimental mush. And I'm sorry, but that sounds completely hokey to me!

What with all the controversy and bitterness surrounding this film, it was doubtful I would catch it. But now that I've read such reviews, I have no desire whatsoever to watch it. I'll still comment on it though. . .

edit: because I overuse the same words and I can't spell movie.

I wanted to link to this, but they don't have a way to link to a specific entry. Here's a part of the funny, but not so funny, entry on Rod Paige:

"On Monday, Education Secretary Ron Paige declared that the National Education Association, the country's largest teachers' union, is a "terrorist organization" because it opposes the No Child Left Behind Act.

"The White House quickly swept up after Paige, saying the secretary misspoke and was deeply sorry for doing so. But it seems that Ron's little slip provides a certain insight into how strategic this administration has become in using the T word and the dread it inspires in most Americans. What's next? Hollywood figures slammed for being terrorist sympathisers (oh, wait... that's happened). Civil libertarians and rights advocates investigated as threats to national security (hmmm... that's happened, too). It's so comforting to know that we've put the un-American practices of McCarthyism in our past."

Read the MoJo Blog online for more:

http://www.motherjones.com/news/blog/index.html

This really comes as no surprise

Bush to Back Gay Marriage Ban Amendment
I am disappointed in him. Well, not that I ever had much respect for or faith in him in the first place. I don't think this is a good idea. I hope the San Francisco suit does something to stop the politicians in DC from making this a human rights issue. It will become that if indeed the national government does ban gay marriage.

The Passion, and all the meaning it carries

Yesterday I went to a workshop sponsored by local Christian and Jewish congregations that focused on The Passion. In the end, the focus was less on the film and more on the story of the Passion and all it means to Jews and Christians. Presentations were made by two preachers and two rabbis and then we broke up into smaller groups. There was an extremely large turnout, so the smaller groups were a bit too big to have a discussion in depth. Points of interest about the presentations:

One rabbi said that he refuses to help Christian churches lead a seder dinner because the ones he would help with would always make Christological references to the symbols of the dinner. This surprised me - I have done many seder dinners in my local church, at college and at the Lutheran church I attended in MN, and NEVER have I heard Christological references made. The story of the seder dinner is about the Passover, and it was never made to mean anything more. This rabbi also remarked that we are two religions separated by a common text.

Another rabbi suggested that we consider the one symbol that Jews and Christians share - that of the egg. During the passover dinner, you use a hard-boiled egg, and of course, eggs are hunted for at Easter. Eggs represent hope and new beginnings for both religions.

A Catholic priest glossed over why the Passion is important to the Christian faith and why the cross is such a relevant symbol to us as Christians.

A Methodist preacher discussed the historical inaccuracies of the Gospel and how Pontius Pilate the man was very different from his presentation in the Gospels. In the Gospels, Pilate is very reticent to kill Jesus, entrusting the people with his fate. However, historical writings portray Pilate as a man very sure of himself and quick to punish.

In the breakout sessions, the Jews in our group shared their experiences of hate, of anti-semitism. It pained me to hear stories of children's hate - of people feeling their heads for horns, of children calling others "Christkiller". The Jews I heard mentioned their fear of The Passion sparking violence against Jews by Christians. It was pointed out by one of our discussion leaders that we as Christians believe that we are responsible for Christ's death, in that He did it to save us. This seemed new to the Jews in the room, who have been blamed by others for Christ's death. They said that Easter was the worst time, because kids would come back from their Good Friday services and abuse could be expected.

I can't put two and a half hours into a blog entry very well, but these were the ideas and thoughts that most struck me. As far as this movie goes, I don't want to see it in the theatre. I haven't seen any Jesus film in the theatre yet, and I'm going to keep it that way. If the critics like it, I may rent it. Really, I just don't know what to think about it. I thought that the film was controversial because of the line Caiaphus supposedly says, "It is we who have done this". Really, the whole idea of the Passion is what makes Jews uncomfortable beacuse of the abuse and acts of hatred they associate with it. Well, I can only speak for what I heard.

I am glad I was able to participate in such a dialogue, although I didn't speak at all in the small sessions. It was very educational, and somewhat paining at the same time. I can only hope that the dialogue continues.

Ack!

Nader to Announce Sunday His Presidential Plans
My favorite quote is about Terry McAuliffe: "he told Nader that his legacy should not become eight years of Bush as president."

Texas Republicans in trouble

This morning on KUT (Okay, I'm an NPR-freak) I heard that Tom DeLay is getting in trouble for his work with a PAC. More here. The Fort Worth paper says, "a grand jury (is) investigat(ing) accusations that a Republican group founded by U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land, illegally funneled corporate money into the 2002 campaign to gain a GOP majority in the Texas House of Representatives." You can imagine how fascinated I now am with this story. Here's what I heard this morning.

'Let Love Rule'

Above, a link to Derek Powazek's slide show of photos taken at City Hall in San Francisco. It's pretty awesome, even with the Lenny Kravitz in the background.

Derek wrote Weddings on the Brain for Alternet. It's a very well-written reflection on gearing up for his own wedding and witnessing the gay weddings in SF:

"it was right at that moment of stress, right as I was starting to panic about all the wedding details, that Heather and I went to the San Francisco City Hall to watch gay people get married."

Also of interest, San Francisco sues the state "on the grounds that laws defining marriage as between a man and woman illegally discriminate against gays and lesbians". More power to them.

It's about time that women got a piece of the action

Women Tailor Sex Industry to Their Eyes
"Surveys by Nielsen/NetRatings, which measures Internet audiences, have found that women account for more than a quarter of all visitors to sites with adult content, with more than 10 million women logging on to such sites in December alone."

Crazy!

It's going to be a great day

I just heard I am a Pizza on KUT. I haven't heard that song in years! Leah, I know you know what song I'm talking about.

BLOGGER - Knowledge Base - How To Date and Blog
I had to plug this, cuz it's funny. Maybe I should make a list on my blog of what I'm looking for in a guy. Hee hee.

1. Owns a pair of glasses. . .

Not only a girl, but terrible, too

Colorado Puts Football Coach on Leave:
"'It was obvious Katie was not very good. She was awful. You know what guys do? They respect your ability. You can be 90 years old, but if you can go out and play, they'll respect you. Katie was not only a girl, she was terrible. O.K.? There's no other way to say it.'"

K told me about this falderal last night. How horrible for Katie. I find it interesting that she came out with her story to Sports Illustrated of all magazines. I'm sure they cover women in sports seriously, but they do a swimsuit issue, you know.

I wonder what this coach was thinking as he made his comments. Did he not recall that Colorado has a female president? I don't know much about this guy, but apparently there was a lot going on that was problematic in Colorado's football program. I'm glad they're working to clean it up, and that Katie was able to tell her story.

I guess it was somewhat inevitable

But it still saddens me to read Dean's concession speech.

I'm still voting for him in the primary. I gave him money, so I am voting for him. Maybe I should stop giving money to candidates. I donated to Bradley, and he lost, and I donated to Dean, and he's lost. I'm so disappointed; I had so much hope for our party (and our nation). Now my only options are two candidates who both voted for the war in Iraq. *sigh*

I realize I have made a ton of entries today, but it's to make up for Monday when I won't be able to get online (yay, President's Day!). Anyway - I just found this on Josh's Talking Points Memo.

At a press conference this morning, Scott McClellan was unable to answer a simple question as to whether Bush had to do community service while he was in the National Guard or not. One would think it would be any easy question to answer. However, as we well know by now, there are no easy answers from this Administration. You have to read the excerpt of the press conference. McClellan's attempts at elusion are laughable. I swan. He recommends that they call the RNC for answers - ha!

Pazz & Jop 2003

Fountains of Wayne's Welcome Interstate Managers is at number 3 on the list of the best albums of 2003. I can handle that.

In the essay Reasons to Bother: Finding our grooves in the year Democrats discovered hiphop, Robert Christgau writes:

". . . as our voters want to tell the world, Welcome Interstate Managers is through-crafted, one bittersweet tune after another as humane and unsappy as the rest of its vision of premarital suburbia. But FOW's "single" was a teen novelty that downloaded up there with OutKast and Beyoncé‚ and their album never broke 115 Billboard."

But "Stacy's Mom" is still #7 on their list of 40 greatest singles of the year.

Yesterday on NPR they did a story on the anniversary of one of the worst years in music, 1974. I don't know if I agree, but there were some pretty awful tunes that came out that year (not that I remember - I wasn't born yet). Anyway, they played a bit of "Mockingbird", the doomed duet between Carly Simon and James Taylor, saying that it was lampooned in a few films. Now I know I've seen one that does it in a subtle way, but I can't think of which film it is! It is driving me nuts. If you know what film includes the quote:
"Mock - "
"yeah"
"-ing-"
"yeah"
"-bird."
"yeah"
then please let me know. I'm thinking it was a recent Pixar movie. But maybe not. Help!

edit: Here's a link to the story, where they play a snip of the song (and other disasters) from 1974.

Well, I did want to see this film. . .

New York Times review of Iron Jawed Angels
I love the story of the suffragists, but apparently this film is too "Hollywood" to tell the true story. I hope people don't watch this film and get the wrong idea. Damn. I was really looking forward to the movie, but if they aren't going to give Alice Paul a realistic portrayal, I don't know if it's even worth my time. According to the review, they add a romantic interest for Alice Paul to soften her up a little. Seriously! I saw it in the ads, but I don't know enough about Alice Paul's personal life to attest to whether she had a romantic interest or not. . .

I guess I'll have to wait til Ken Burns makes a documentary on her.

NPR : Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Live in Studio 4A

This group was my first concert ever. I went with my mom when I was in fifth grade to see them at the Bass Concert Hall. I still remember their performance, because it was so dynamic. They sang and danced on the stage, and it was wonderful. I can't believe they've been around for forty years! If you're not familiar with their sound, then click on one of their songs on the NPR site. You may have heard them and not realized it, as they sang backup for songs on Paul Simon's Graceland album ("Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" and "Homeless", for example).

It won't happen in Texas

San Francisco Officials Marry Gay Couple

"Longtime lesbian activists Phyllis Lyon, 79, and Del Martin, 83, were hurriedly issued a license and were married just before noon by City Assessor Mabel Teng in a closed-door civil ceremony at City Hall, mayor's spokesman Peter Ragone said. The two have been a couple for 51 years.

"Ragone said that beginning at noon, officials would begin issuing marriage licenses to any gay couples applying for one."

This is awesome. San Francisco really is the place I would assume to start this. I wonder what will happen next. . .

I was confused. . .

The Murder of Emmett Till will be on The American Experience, not Independent Lens. It should be showing this Monday evening on most PBS stations.

A Place of Our Own will be on Independent Lens Tuesday night, about the historical beach resort town of Oak Bluffs.

Anyway, I was confused since I watched both American Experience and Independent Lens this week. I've gotten out of the habit of watching PBS as often as I used to. When I was younger, I would watch Mystery! and Masterpiece Theatre every week. Now I'm more into the historical shows, but I still catch Masterpiece Theatre when it's not a Forsythe Saga.

Allen at The Right Christians has an entry today about the sad state of our economy. It is worth reading for the graph if for nothing else. I knew it was the case, but it is just scary to see that "There are fewer jobs now than when the recession ended 26 months ago" and to see our current progress compared with that in past years. Yikes.

Nat Turner in History's Multiple Mirrors

This article tells more about the film I saw on PBS last night, Nat Turner, a Troublesome Property. It was very interesting and informational enough to convince me that I don't know anything about Nat Turner. If you get a chance to watch it, you should. It doesn't tell you what version of Nat's tale is true, because no one knows the truth now.

Plus, Carl Lumbly from Alias is in it and Alfre Woodard narrates it.

Alas, poor Freddie

I think Freddie Mercury is rolling in his grave.

Britney, Pink and Beyonce take on 'Gladiator'

Censure Bush

Go to http://www.moveon.org/censure/ to ask Congress to censure Bush. So far, MoveOn has 250,000 signatures. I had the e-mail they sent me on here, but it was just too long. To make it short, I'll quote, "Congress has the power to censure the President -- to formally reprimand him for betraying the nation's trust." If you believe he lied about WMD, as I do, then please go to MoveOn and send a note your legislators.

"these are the people that our European ancestors came to this country to escape"

Gloria Steinem on Bush and religion:

"Most of organized religion doesn't agree with Bush. Most religious institutions opposed the war – even Bush's own Methodist national church. The people behind Bush are the literalists who believe that in the way that they see God, America has fallen from that path.

"But these are the people that our European ancestors came to this country to escape. I mean, they are trying to cite unproveable arguments – arguments that take place in heaven and life after death – as reasons why we should obey them now. These literally are the type of people that the Europeans who founded America came here to escape."

The Other Boleyn Girl

is a book by Philippa Gregory about Anne's sister Mary. I'm usually not into historical novels, especially from the Tudor period, but this one was good. It tells the story of Katherine of Aragon and Henry the VIII and how Anne Boleyn became the next queen (and then was killed). Anyway, I finished reading this book late in the week last week. Then I see The Simpsons last night, wherein Marge tells the kids the stories of Henry VIII, Sacagawea, and W. A. Mozart. Seeing the Simpsons version of the story of Henry VIII was that more funny after reading Gregory's book. I must say the episode last night was the funniest I've seen in a while. I was dying during the credits. Oh, Lord.

I just found this site thanks to Tom Paine:

Baghdad Burning

I thought it was worse than it really is

Thanks to Alternet, I discover that Dean isn't the lost cause that even NPR is making him out to be.

On CNN's delegate scorecard, Dean is in second place.

It's funny, I was reading this e-mail right when NPR announced what is mentioned in it. That's never happened before.

I wish Dean would win a state already. He is the only candidate I believe in strongly. Of course I'll vote for whoever gets the nomination, but I wish it would be someone who stands up for issues I feel are important.

I received my Queer Eye update

I love me my Queer Eye, but this is a bit much:

" . . . THE FAB FIVE TO APPEAR ON THE APPRENTICE. . .

Next week, the stars of Queer Eye jump across the dial for
their first-ever appearance on someone _else's_ reality
show: NBC's new hit series, THE APPRENTICE.

Will Thom redecorate the contestant suite? Will Jai teach
the wannbe-apprentices how to mambo? Will Ted mix martinis
for everyone?

Um...probably not.

Honestly, we can't reveal too much, but let's just say it's
a special episode you won't want to miss as the Fab Five take
part in the show's next team challenge.

See the Fab Five on THE APPRENTICE, Thursday February 12
at 9/8pm."

Huh? Carson and Donald Trump together? What?

we are a part of a rhythm nation

"CBS is the company that wouldn’t air an anti-Bush ad by MoveOn.org because it didn’t want to offend the White House and conservatives, just as it spiked a Ronald Reagan mini-series to avoid offending the White House and conservatives. And then it runs a halftime show which offends the White House and conservatives. How quickly all the previous sucking up is forgotten. "

--- from The Breast and the Brightest, by Richard Blow

My afternoon just got better

I found my leftover Milk Duds from last night!

Beginning of random entry - I really like seeing films at the Alamo Drafthouse (Village location). HOWEVER, the first time I went there, all I wanted was Milk Duds, and they don't sell concession-style candy at the theatre. What is up with theatres that don't offer Milk Duds?! They are my movie theatre comfort food.

At the Alamo, you can get a gardenburger with fries, beer, ice cream for dessert, but no Milk Duds.

Those crazy frog-eating triplets

So - I saw The Triplets of Belleville last night with M. I don't think I got it. I mean, as a work of art, it is amazing, but as a story, it's not so great. The characters are basically caricatures, and there's very limited dialogue. The music is neat, and I loved the depiction of Glenn Gould at the beginning - it is dead on. It was quite humorous in places, but the ending disappointed me. It was such a let-down; I turned to M and said, "That's the end?!"

The only characters with personality are the grandmother and the dog, and maybe the triplets. The man they are trying to save is devoid of any life - he stares vaguely and unblinkingly into space.

The gist of my review is - as a study of European animation it is worth checking out, but otherwise I can't recommend it. Wait 'til it comes out on DVD.

On another note - we got to view the Disney-Dali collaboration short Destino, which was breath-takingly beautiful. I'm not the biggest fan of Dali, but I was just amazed at what he came up with. If you can find this in your area, I strongly recommend viewing it. It is simply fascinating (and the music isn't bad either).

It was funny; when they announced that we would get to view this short before the French film, this one guy in the audience gave an ecstatic cheer. I have to say - I would now do the same.

I'm leaving work early today so I can see The Triplets of Belleville at the Dobie tonight (plus I worked five hours on Saturday!). Thanks, Austin Film Society!

Thank you, Diane

Diane Sawyer admits to helping hype the "Dean Scream" here and has comments from other news outlets on their contribution to the hype.