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Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Maddow Helping McCain with his Memory, and the Beauty of C-Span
Just watch the clip, and you will totally understand.
Will Being Gay in Uganda Lead to Execution or Imprisonment? IV
Once again, I was over at Rod 2.0 reading his latest information on what's happening in Uganda. I have also begun checking out the BBC's Africa coverage (here is a great article and video clip). But the comments from that post at Rod 2.0 caught my attention. A couple of the comment writers compared the small community of openly gay Ugandans and black folks in this country on the DL. For all of the excuses that I've heard from black folks afraid to be who they know they are, all I can say is that there are brothers and sisters in Uganda who are out and proud in the face of possible execution or imprisonment by their government. In that world, I can understand being in the closet. Over here, not so much.
UPDATE 12/23/09: Check this out from last night's Rachel Maddow Show, and here is the link to the DC Agenda article she referenced.
UPDATE 12/23/09: Check this out from last night's Rachel Maddow Show, and here is the link to the DC Agenda article she referenced.
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Saturday, December 19, 2009
Ain't Nothin' But Snow in Washington, and All I Can Think About is "Skating"
Washington has begun is slow descent into shut down mode. I can hear the guys clearing the courtyard of my building, as well as the snow plows doing their thing on my street (which happens to be an "Emergency Snow Route"). It was a little comical seeing folks scramble to get their vehicles out of the path of the lurking tow truck (here is the series of fines you will be expected to pay if your vehicle is towed), like the signs weren't as plain as the snow in the sky.
The Smithsonian museums are closed today and tomorrow, and the above ground Metro stations closed (and the buses stopped running) about an hour ago. I am glad that I got all of my provisions yesterday. So, I think I might put in a movie. "Gosford Park?" "The Motorcycle Diaries?" All of the LOTR movies? I'll sort it out.
And even though I am no fan of snow, I cannot deny its beauty. This Washington weather calls for appropriate music. I think that "Skating" by the Vince Guaraldi Trio (from the "Charlie Brown Christmas" special) is pretty near perfect:
The Smithsonian museums are closed today and tomorrow, and the above ground Metro stations closed (and the buses stopped running) about an hour ago. I am glad that I got all of my provisions yesterday. So, I think I might put in a movie. "Gosford Park?" "The Motorcycle Diaries?" All of the LOTR movies? I'll sort it out.
And even though I am no fan of snow, I cannot deny its beauty. This Washington weather calls for appropriate music. I think that "Skating" by the Vince Guaraldi Trio (from the "Charlie Brown Christmas" special) is pretty near perfect:
Friday, December 18, 2009
Civil Marriage Equality in DC: The Signing of the Legislation
Though I know it isn't over, it is still amazing to watch Mayor Fenty sign the legislation that can bring civil marriage equality to Washington, DC. And even though people will continue to say that the black community is more homophobic than any other in this country, it made me feel good to see that racially diverse group of representatives from official Washington, DC stand proudly as the legislation was signed.
UPDATE 12/20/09: There is a great op-ed in today's Washington Post from the Reverands Wiley explaining why they, as black pastors support same-sex marriage. Their historical contexualization is spot on, and I like the term the Rev. Peter Gomes of Harvard University coined, "bibliolatry," the practice of worshipping the Bible (as opposed to worshipping God).
UPDATE 12/20/09: There is a great op-ed in today's Washington Post from the Reverands Wiley explaining why they, as black pastors support same-sex marriage. Their historical contexualization is spot on, and I like the term the Rev. Peter Gomes of Harvard University coined, "bibliolatry," the practice of worshipping the Bible (as opposed to worshipping God).
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Will Being Gay in Uganda Lead to Execution or Imprisonment? III
I am glad that the issue of the "Kill the Gays" bill in Uganda has moved more prominently into the public square here in the United States. Rachel Maddow, and a number of GLBT related blogs continue to make sure that this issue remains in the headlines.
Since my last post, the White House has issued a statement against this legislation. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton denounced this move in Uganda at a recent speech on foreign policy at Georgetown. More conservative members of Congress are coming out against the legislation (with chagrin perhaps for many). Over at Towleroad, it was noted that the Archbishop of Canterbury found time to lament the election of a lesbian bishop in the U.S., but seemed rather silent on the activities in Uganda.
In light of some of the rhetoric coming out of some corners in Washington, I would not be surprised if the very people invoking the idea of bringing about "God's war" against the GLBT community in DC were quite comfortable with what is happening in Uganda, particularly since this is a bill that has been inspired by "faith." Thankfully, the Washington Post didn't fall into the trap that the BBC found itself in the other day. The BBC asked its readers if they thought the execution of gays was alright.
Meanwhile, the sponsor of the bill reminded the world that execution is not off the table. So, just to make this clear. If this bill passes in Uganda, those who practice homosexuality and those GLBT folks with HIV who are sexually active will face execution. Those who do not report a practicing homosexual run the risk of being put in prison for not speaking up. Only now, that the situation is being broadcast steadily, and the ties to the American evangelical movement are solidifying, are American conservatives and Christianists speaking out against the bill. I suppose their worlds would have been just fine if the pressure hadn't been applied.
Any wonder what their vision of the United States would be, if they had the power to make it so?
Since my last post, the White House has issued a statement against this legislation. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton denounced this move in Uganda at a recent speech on foreign policy at Georgetown. More conservative members of Congress are coming out against the legislation (with chagrin perhaps for many). Over at Towleroad, it was noted that the Archbishop of Canterbury found time to lament the election of a lesbian bishop in the U.S., but seemed rather silent on the activities in Uganda.
In light of some of the rhetoric coming out of some corners in Washington, I would not be surprised if the very people invoking the idea of bringing about "God's war" against the GLBT community in DC were quite comfortable with what is happening in Uganda, particularly since this is a bill that has been inspired by "faith." Thankfully, the Washington Post didn't fall into the trap that the BBC found itself in the other day. The BBC asked its readers if they thought the execution of gays was alright.
Meanwhile, the sponsor of the bill reminded the world that execution is not off the table. So, just to make this clear. If this bill passes in Uganda, those who practice homosexuality and those GLBT folks with HIV who are sexually active will face execution. Those who do not report a practicing homosexual run the risk of being put in prison for not speaking up. Only now, that the situation is being broadcast steadily, and the ties to the American evangelical movement are solidifying, are American conservatives and Christianists speaking out against the bill. I suppose their worlds would have been just fine if the pressure hadn't been applied.
Any wonder what their vision of the United States would be, if they had the power to make it so?
Civil Marriage Equality in DC: Quibbles and Threats
Apparently, there are some upset folks in and around DC.
A Rev. Anthony Evans was even bold enough to say that he would "use the full power of the black church" to derail civil marriage equality in the city. First, Evans is crazy to think that he can actually speak for the whole of the black church. Even in my past posts about the church, I was never silly enough to criticize the whole of the institution. Second, Evans might want to do a quick assessment of his membership just to make sure he can even speak definitively about his own congregants; there may be some of his member praying that this bill will move along just fine. Third, I am so through with this notion that a battle over a secular issue is couched as "God's war." This is, has been, and will remain a civil and secular issue. Churches can marry whom they see fit, and discriminate as they please. It really isn't that difficult a concept to understand.
The Archdiocese of Washington is trying to sort out its position in the wake of the passing of civil marriage equality in the city, and the City Council was quite right not to be bullied by the Church on this issue. The Church has a clear way forward, if it wants to avoid any issue with the city: work with Catholics solely. It shouldn't need government funding, and by not taking the funding, the Church actually is better able to maintain its autonomy and its constitutionally protected freedoms. Works for me.
Then there is the random Congressman, Jason Chaffetz, from Utah vowing to stop marriage here in the Washington. Might I suggest that the Congressman focus on the needs of his actual district, and leave the District alone. We are more than capable of making our own decisions for our city.
I am still amazed that the people in this city, particularly some of the black folks in this city, want to put a civil rights issue (and in DC, gay rights is a civil rights issue) up to a popular vote. I am confident that these same folks would be calling for Armageddon if something similar were proposed that affected black people directly. Their unwillingness even to consider the humanity of the DC GLBT community, regardless of color, is astounding. And the assumption that black folks in DC will rise up en masse to hold at bay "the gay menace" is equally delusional.
I remain hopeful that civil marriage equality will come to my city in 2010, and Washington will be an even more welcoming place for all. See, there really is nothing to be upset about.
A Rev. Anthony Evans was even bold enough to say that he would "use the full power of the black church" to derail civil marriage equality in the city. First, Evans is crazy to think that he can actually speak for the whole of the black church. Even in my past posts about the church, I was never silly enough to criticize the whole of the institution. Second, Evans might want to do a quick assessment of his membership just to make sure he can even speak definitively about his own congregants; there may be some of his member praying that this bill will move along just fine. Third, I am so through with this notion that a battle over a secular issue is couched as "God's war." This is, has been, and will remain a civil and secular issue. Churches can marry whom they see fit, and discriminate as they please. It really isn't that difficult a concept to understand.
The Archdiocese of Washington is trying to sort out its position in the wake of the passing of civil marriage equality in the city, and the City Council was quite right not to be bullied by the Church on this issue. The Church has a clear way forward, if it wants to avoid any issue with the city: work with Catholics solely. It shouldn't need government funding, and by not taking the funding, the Church actually is better able to maintain its autonomy and its constitutionally protected freedoms. Works for me.
Then there is the random Congressman, Jason Chaffetz, from Utah vowing to stop marriage here in the Washington. Might I suggest that the Congressman focus on the needs of his actual district, and leave the District alone. We are more than capable of making our own decisions for our city.
I am still amazed that the people in this city, particularly some of the black folks in this city, want to put a civil rights issue (and in DC, gay rights is a civil rights issue) up to a popular vote. I am confident that these same folks would be calling for Armageddon if something similar were proposed that affected black people directly. Their unwillingness even to consider the humanity of the DC GLBT community, regardless of color, is astounding. And the assumption that black folks in DC will rise up en masse to hold at bay "the gay menace" is equally delusional.
I remain hopeful that civil marriage equality will come to my city in 2010, and Washington will be an even more welcoming place for all. See, there really is nothing to be upset about.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Wanda Sykes Should Be 'Shamed for This (Okay, Not So Much)
And she was so wrong for that last part. Oh my heavens.
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