Jack & Jill Politics

Hmmm...

http://www.time.com/time/today-in-pictures/0,31...

You know what, I am a true believer that all people should have equal rights that includes the GLBT community. I think they should have the same rights as straight couples, but this Rick Warren argument is really pissing me off. It's not that I think GLBT should STFU about it, it just as a moderate individual who has other worries beside gay marriage, I'm getting really tired of hearing about how much of a mistake is was for Obama to chose Warren. I understand the frustration, and to some the frustration is definitely justified, but I would really like to hear what else the Obama team is thinking about, not just having to defend the Rick Warren decision (which is what I hear most of Meet The Press was about this morning), or being asked about the Blago corruption case.

And igI'm getting tired of it (and I'm a gay rights supporter), then I can just imagine what a non-supporter feels right about now, they are probably more pissed than I. I think that this is a problem for the gay rights movement. I mean,they have my support, but with all this calling Obama a bigot, saying that gays have been "thrown under the bus" or comparing discrimination against gays to slavery, they are slowly but surely losing me. I'm not saying that I don't still believe in gay rights, I'm just getting to the point that I am going to no longer talk about it at all, I'm tired of the accusations, tired of the drama, I'm just so over this.

lamh31,

Don't let it get you down. We live in a 24-hour cable news media culture. The networks need to talk about something. So they take a story and run it into the ground. Don't look for calm or rational voices to prevail on stuff like this. Conventional wisdom says that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. So you get more attention if you call the President-Elect a bigot than if you actually take the time to explain your grievance, build a solid coalition and engage in proactive political action . . . that's never been as sexy as a protest.

I've thought a lot about this subject over the past week. Ultimately, I agree that this shouldn't be as big a deal as people are making it out to be.

I say that mainly because I heard almost the exact same arguments used last year in a similar controversy. Remember all of the hoopla over Ahmadinejad's visit to Columbia University? What about Obama's pledge to engage hostile nations? Well I supported that Columbia dialogue even though I strongly disagreed with his views. In fact, I supported Obama, in part, because he said he was willing to talk to our enemies . . . and the stakes are MUCH higher when you compare Rick Warren to Iran and nuclear weapons.

If it's a matter of "principle" then, under that same line of thinking, I should also oppose negotiations with Iran. There were a lot of Jewish people who called Obama naive for saying he could talk to hostile countries. . . they don't want Obama to legitimize people like Ahmadinejad. There are a lot of people who call Obama naive for thinking he can work with Rick Warren.

I am a progressive. But I guess my definition of "progressive" is a lot different than the status quo. I define "progressive" as the desire to "progress" . . . meaning you take a step forward (however small it may be) whenever possible. Despite our differences on gay marriage (I support gay marriage) there are many other issues that I think the gay rights community can get passed if they're willing to reach out to other groups . . . discrimination in the workplace, hate-crimes legislation, getting rid of DADT and DOMA.

I understand that some feel frustrated over the Warren pick. I can't tell anyone how they should or should not feel. But as for myself?? Protesting the inauguration??? Sorry, I can't go for that.

Neither can I go for the belief that Obama is some type of bigot (sidenote: never before have "bigots" had such an attractive and admirable spokesman . . . they might want to rethink that so as not to diminish how awful real bigotry actually is). Neither can I go for this presumption that Obama has "betrayed" anyone.

It's funny, I read an article a couple of weeks ago saying Obama could be America's first "gay" president (as in having the biggest impact on gay rights). . . now he's a "bigot."

One more thing . . . if people want to compare this to the Civil Rights Movement (I disagree with this approach, but . . .), they should at least be consistent. The Civil Rights Movement went far beyond "reaching across the aisle" . . . the Civil Rights Movement "turned the other cheek." In fact, there's a deliberate reason why we call it the "Civil Rights Movement" and not the "Black Rights Movement." It was about building bridges . . . even at the cost of bloodshed.

Trust me, I'd support a heart-to-heart between Obama and friggin' Mark Furhman if it meant doing something about police brutality.

But don't worry. I honestly believe that there are far more people (from all walks of life) that favor competency over ideology. I actually believe that Obama can and will do a lot for the gay rights movement when all is said and done. And trust me, he will do it with the help of those (gay and straight) who are willing and able to think outside of the box. That's how I think he should be judged.

I totally agree with ya B. It's just aggravatting sometimes. You see, I a little like Obama myself. You can call me "No Drama, lamh". I can't stand to be inthe middle of a dram circle. The analogy I always use is one of circular motion. If all you surround yourself with is a circular motion of drama, then no matter where you step, you're gonna be hit in the face with drama, even if it's not of your making. I choose not to be surrounded by anyone else's drama, and thoguh I agree with the gay rights activist, this is becoming a drama not of Obama's making, and it's becoming just a reason to disagree.

I'm looking forward to hearing new ideas and new voices. If I wanted a zero-sum, my-way-or-the-highway, 50+1 - type of President I would have voted for Hillary Clinton. If I wanted to "punish" the Republican Party I would have voted for Hillary Clinton.

I did not do that because I think there's a better way. I want to move this country forward and see if we can fix some of the problems facing us. I voted for a different type of leadership. I'm glad that I voted for Obama and I'd do it again right now if I could.

I'm looking forward to the inauguration. I'm going to continue to support equal rights. I'm going to celebrate when Obama takes his oath of office. I'll be happy. I'll be proud. I'll be hopeful. And I'm not going to apologize for it.

Cosign!

Re US torture:
Indictments for Bush's gang or a South African-style truth and reconciliation commission?
http://www.newsweek.com/id/176044

There is SO MUCH for us to clean up from the last eight years...

rikyrah: Found this in TIME:

The Top 10 Everything of 2008

The FIRST ONE: Top 10 Election Photos:

1. Man in the Middle Also Mr. P-E Obama took 3 more of these. Whooo! Hooo!! :>) :>)

The MOST HUMOROUS/SATISFYING to me: #6! Ha! Ha! :>)


P.S. SUNDAY - - - Will B gone ta CHOICH MOST of the DAY!! C U'ALL L8R!! :>) :>)

rikyrah: ONE MORE ENTRY:

SAT. DEC. 27, 2008:

HIS SCHEDULE: Saturday Dec. 27, 2008
All Times Eastern7:00 AM
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
11:00 AM

Power restored to much of Kailua, where Obama is staying.
12:00 PM
12:48 PM

Obama arrives at the Semper Fit Center on Marine Corps Base Hawaii with wife, Michelle, and Chicago friends Valerie Jarrett, Eric Whitaker and Martin Nesbit.
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
2:04 PM

Obama and friends Eric Whitaker and Martin Nesbitt leave the gym. The president-elect shakes hands with the crowd gathered outside the gym and returns to the Kailua neighborhood where he is staying.

I am back to this wonderful website....I did not realize until I stopped posting, that posting can take so much of ones life. I realize now how emotionally dedicated I had become to Obama's election. I had become so dedicated to his election I was spending hours every day towards his election and sacrificing time with my family

I hope my family will forgive me for being so selfish.

.

Has anyone seen Seven Pounds yet? I can't talk about any portion of the plot without giving it away but I cried and cried and cried some more it was that good!! It's very rare for Hollywood to put out a deep movie like this.

heartsandflowers: My sister JUST told me that she saw it annnnnd, she cried MOST of the time! :>)

She said that Will Smith DESERVES some "STATUE" for HIS PERFORMANCE!! :>)

HE TH'EW DOWN - - she said!! :>) I will be seeing it soon! :>)

He does!!!

rikyrah: Sat. DECEMBER 27, 2008 Day -24 On His "JOURNEY TO JANUARY!"

1. EVENTS on TODAY!

a) Obama's Hawaii retreat loses power for 11 hours

HONOLULU (AP) -- President-elect Barack Obama's Hawaiian vacation was darkened for 11 hours Friday night and early Saturday when a power outage enveloped the island of Oahu.

Power to the compound went out around 7 p.m. Friday and was restored just before 6 a.m. Saturday, about the time as that of the neighbors, Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt said.

"The Obama family is grateful for the offers of assistance from local officials," LaBolt said.

NOTE: THERE IS MORE. I chose to omit some of it. Ya know, the part on the cost of the rental! ENOUGH!!

b) In Hawaii, Obama Monitoring Gaza Conflict

(CBS) As the events unfold on the Gaza Strip, with Israeli planes attacking Hamas-controlled security compounds and Hamas vowing revenge, vacationing President-elect Barack Obama is keeping his own counsel.

“President-elect Obama is closely monitoring global events, including the situation in Gaza, but there is one president at a time," said Brooke Anderson, Mr. Obama’s chief national security spokesperson.

According to an Obama transition aide, the president-elect discussed the Mideast situation today with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. “They discussed the situations in Gaza and in South Asia. The president-elect appreciated the call and the information from Secretary Rice. He will continue to closely monitor these and other global events. The call lasted approximately eight minutes and was initiated by the president-elect," the aide said.

Obama will be receiving an intelligence briefing today and the White House will stay in touch with the transition team, according to White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe.

"Hamas must stop launching rockets into Israel. The United States holds Hamas responsible for breaking the ceasefire," Johndroe said in a statement today about the Mideast situation. "Now the ceasefire should be restored immediately.”

He also urged Israel to avoid civilian casualties. “We want the ceasefire to be restored, but we understand that Israel is reacting to the hundreds of rockets that have been fired upon the innocent people of Israel over the last few days,” he said

In July 2008 Obama gave an indication of his views on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Asked by the New York Times whether Israel should negotiate with Hamas in Gaza, he replied, “I don't think any country would find it acceptable to have missiles raining down on the heads of their citizens.”

THERE IS MORE.

c) Blagojevich Investigators Won't Subpoena Obama Aides

Illinois House committee declines to call on members of president-elect's team, including Rahm Emanuel and Valeria Jarrett, to avoid meddling with federal criminal investigation.

CHICAGO -- The Illinois House committee investigating a possible impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich won't subpoena two incoming White House advisers, the committee chairwoman said Saturday, shutting down a request from the governor's attorney.

In a letter received by the committee Friday, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald asked the special investigative committee specifically to not subpoena President-elect Barack Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett, incoming chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and Nils Larsen, a Tribune Co. executive vice president.

Fitzgerald said any such subpoenas "would interfere with the ongoing criminal investigation into the activities of Governor Rod Blagojevich and others."

Blagojevich's attorney Ed Genson had asked the committee earlier in the week to issue the subpoenas.

"The ball is in Mr. Genson's court," committee chairwoman state Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, a Chicago Democrat, told The Associated Press on Saturday. "We're not interested in undercutting the U.S. Attorney's criminal investigation."

Genson did not immediately respond to a call requesting comment Saturday on the committee's decision.

Speaking to a WLS-TV reporter outside a Chicago law office Friday, the governor said he was hired to fight for the people of Illinois and that's what he's been doing.

The interview marked the first time Blagojevich has spoken to the media since giving a defiant three-minute speech last Friday.

The 52-year-old Democrat was arrested on Dec. 9 and charged with scheming to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat to the highest bidder, a charge the governor denies.

"Even in this process, without saying too much, that was all about trying to end up with the right decision that could do the most things for the people of Illinois, and when the full truth is told, you will see precisely that," Blagojevich said.

"If somehow that's impeachable, then I'm on the wrong planet and I'm living in the wrong place," he said.

Blagojevich's lawyer has said testimony from Emanuel, Jarrett and Jackson would help prove the governor's claim that he didn't do anything wrong in his handling of Obama's Senate seat.

Fitzgerald, however, said any testimony by Jarrett, Emanuel, Jackson or Larsen "would overlap with the subject matter of the pending criminal investigation."

Larsen has been reported to be the Tribune financial adviser to whom Blagojevich instructed aides to talk about firing editorial writers in exchange for a grant to help sell Wrigley Field, home of the Tribune-owned Chicago Cubs.

State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, the House committee's head, said Thursday that the panel received a letter from Genson asking members to subpoena Emanuel, Jarrett and more than a dozen others.

On Dec. 22, Fitzgerald had sent the committee a letter asking members not to delve into the criminal charges against Blagojevich, saying interviewing current or former members of Blagojevich's staff might jeopardize his criminal investigation.

The House panel is next set to meet Monday.

THE GAMES PEOPLE [i.e. BLAGO/GENSON] PLAY!!! ARRRGGGG!!!

Did someone REQUEST this SONG!?

"Games People Play" - Joe South - 1969

Annnnnnnnd, THE "SPINNERS" had a WORD to say on this 2 [among other SONGS]:

Games People Play,Then Came You,Mighty Love (The Spinners)

[I know - Dionne Warwick blew that second song away! :>) :>)]

At any rate - - - - ENJOY!!! :>)

rikyrah: I forgot to post this Christmas SONG. Been thinking of it all year! :>) :>)

White Christmas (Animation set to the music of the Drifters)

Someone sent this to me LAST YEAR!! :>) :>)

ENJOY!!! :>) :>) :>)

Remember, they did the designs for the future First Lady?

Well, here are the tuxedo suggestions for the President-Elect.

I have to admit, some of them look quite good.

Tuxedo Slideshow at WWD

rikyrah: Here are my choices for him to SWAGGA IN!! :>) :>)

#3 [He would wear a long jacket OUT because he is tall!! ] :>) :>)

#5 Has a VEST!! :>)

# 9 Formal BOTH DAY & NIGHT! :>)

#36 Long JACKET! :>)

#47 TIE with PRESIDENTIAL SEAL!!

HE can wear whateva HE likes! :>) :>) JUST B the PRESIDENT!! Whoo! Hoo!! :>) :>)

I think I sound so 'square', but I truly do like the 'classic' looks of the Brooks Brothers designs.

Ferragamo was good.

Dare to say it, but Sean John captured the PE's ' swagger'.
Turnbull and Asser was a bit ' stiff'.

Not sure if it was Ferragamo but #15/53 looked really good. I've always loved the Tuxedo with the long tail! Just too cool!

Justice58: VIRTUAL 'DAP'!! I'm for a LONG JACKET 2! :>) :>)

I was going to post on the Gaza mess and Hammas, but this caught my eye, re: Zimbabwe. Frankly, this is one item of foreign policy for which I hope Barack continues Bush and Condi's orientation. Mugabe ain't an anit-colonial black hero. He's an insane scumbag dictator. Shame on the clowns running South Africa for "engaging" him in the name of "self determination" blah blah. The CIA should kill him. This time, it would be OK.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/12/27/zimb...

I agree with you completely.

I second that!

UPDATE: Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady not engaged according to Bundchen's daddy.

And he oughta know, right?

uh oh. this isn't a good sign.

No, not Bundchen's dad, but Brady's dad.

Please see this as well as the comments. You may or may not find it an interesting read.

T.

People we will miss in 2009. And on William "Dollar Bill" Jefferson who had 90K in his freezer, I had to LOL on what Nancy Pelosi said about him, "Anybody with $90,000 in their freezer has a problem," she said in 2006.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081225/pl_po...

Seems like a good idea now.

This is for Greenlady . . . I posted this elsewhere, but the thread was going by. Just wanted you to know:

GreenLady, you have been one of the highlights of this year. Your upbeat nature and your optimism are a blessing. Thanks for being such a bright spot in this world.

BAB: ***TEARS*** O.K. NOW I AM HUMBLED!! :>)

For ONCE IN MY LIFE I am SPEECHLESS! :>)

Soooo, Ima 'CRY!! :>)

Annnnnnnd, AGAIN, I THANK YOU!!

God Bless You! :>)

Amen

rikyrah: ***TEARS, still flowing***

As I've stated B4, I did NOT know what a "blog" was 10 months ago! :>) :>)

I thought that I was "all about it" because I could e-mail! ::>) :>)

Then, I stumbled across a few AA web sites annnnd, at first, I was content to READ them because I was sooo happy that I found them. I didn't know that you could "TALK" on them! :<) :<) :>)

NOW, I LAUGH at myself for seeing my NAIVETE!(sp?) :>)

Soooo, I thank YOU ALL for "TALKIN' BACK TO ME!" :>) :>)

Annnnnnd, I THANK YOU for helping me to increase my "TECHNOLOGY SKILLS!!"

Annnnd, I THANK YOU for my 2nd LANGUAGE! [JJP-SPEAK!!] :>) :>) My grown "kids" are impressed with their mother for moving into the 21st Century!! :>) :>) :>)

LOVE 2 U ALL!! God Bless You!! :>)

Props GreenLady,

You're The Best!

Justice58: THANK YOU VERY MUCH!! :>)

I'm just tryin' to do my part!

THANKS for YOUR SUPPORT! :>)

GOD BLESS YOU!! My "Sista!" :>) :>)

Yeah, ditto, Greenlady is tops in my book.

icebergslim: WOW!! :>) I am Sooo VERY APPRECIATIVE of YOUR KIND WORDS!! :>)

I am HUMBLED!!

I ENJOY YOUR POSTS/SITE SO VERY MUCH!! THEY/IT IS SPECTACULAR!!! :>)

WHEN I GROW UP. . . . . . . ., I wanna POST JUST LIKE U!! :>) :>)

Again, THANK YOU!! :>) God Bless YOU!!