Being
happy is a mindset. It's a choice that we have. Every obstacle is
opportunity in disguise. It stops being an obstacle when you stop seeing
it as a problem and see the opportunity.
A personal blog by a graying (mostly Anglo with light African-American roots) gay left leaning liberal progressive married college-educated Buddhist Baha'i BBC/NPR-listening Professor Emeritus now following the Dharma in Minas Gerais, Brasil.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:
Daily Buddhist Wisdom | |||
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JMG Headline Of The Day:
Via JMG: "Give Me" Vs "Let Me"
"Among voters who saw the desire by gays and lesbians to be legally wedded as a bid primarily for the rights and protections that heterosexual couples have, same-sex marriage was a loser. Only 26 percent of them voted for its legalization, while 74 percent voted against. But among voters who believed that gays and lesbians were chiefly interested in being able to pledge the fullest and most public commitment possible to their partners, same-sex marriage was a huge, huge winner. Eighty-five percent of those voters supported it, while only 15 percent opposed it.
"That’s a fascinating microcosm of, and window into, broader political dynamics. When an initiative in this country is framed or understood largely as an attempt by a given constituency to get more, the opposition to it is frequently bolstered, the resistance strengthened. Even if the constituency is trying to right a wrong or rectify a disadvantage, 'Give me' can be a risky approach. 'Let me' is often a better one, and when voters hear gays and lesbians asking to participate in a hallowed institution for the most personal and heartfelt of reasons, voters may have a more positive reaction." - Frank Bruni, writing about an analysis of Washington state's voters.
JMG Editorial Of The Day:
From the Washington Post:
In striking down both laws, the Supreme Court could adopt the logic of the various appeals courts, or it could find other legally acceptable ways to avoid a sweeping ruling just yet. Same-sex couples could then marry in California, and married same-sex couples across the country could obtain federal benefits — but other states would have more time to consider their own policies on the issue. Such an outcome might disappoint those who see no justification for continued discrimination. But it would nevertheless be an important step in the right direction.Has your own paper opined on this topic?
Of course, the justices have a third option: upholding DOMA, Proposition 8 or both. Choosing that way would be a historic mistake. The court’s job is to determine judges’ proper role in moving the country away from discrimination, not to enshrine that discrimination in constitutional doctrine. However the court rules, its decision will be a guidepost on a road that eventually ends in legal and social acceptance of equal rights. It should not point backward.
Labels: DOMA, Proposition 8, SCOTUS, WaPo
Via JMG: World Net Daily Endorses Uganda's Plan To Imprison Homosexuals For Life
World Net Daily has republished Scott Lively's endorsement of Uganda's allegedly revised Anti-Homosexuality Act, which he claims now only plans to imprison LGBT people and their allies for the rest of their lives. Christian Love™ in action.
Labels: Africa, Christian Love, gay death penalty, Joseph Farah, religion, Scott Lively, Uganda, World Net Daily
Via JMG: VATICAN CITY: Pope Blesses Uganda's Rebecca "Kill The Gays" Kadaga
Ugandan Parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, who last month promised the passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Act as a "Christmas gift to Christians," yesterday appeared in Vatican City to receive a blessing from the Pope. From the website of the Uganda Parliament:
Reposted from Joe
Kadaga who led a delegation of Ugandan legislators to the Vatican expressed delight at meeting the Pope and visiting St Peter’s Basilica. “I think this is a moment that cannot be repeated. We have been reading about him, hearing stories about St.Peter’s Basilica but now we are here physically. I think it is something that I will remember all my life. Its a very great moment and I thank God for this opportunity,” she said minutes after meeting the Pope. The Speaker dedicated to all Ugandans readings from the book of St. Mark which the Pope quoted in several languages during the Vatican mass.And there you have it. A blessing from the Pope upon the woman who wants you executed. It can't get any plainer than that, can it?
Labels: Catholic Church, Christian Love, cults, gay death penalty, organized crime, pope, Rebecca Kadaga, religion, Uganda, Vatican
Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:
Tricycle Daily Dharma December 14, 2012
Giving Without Regret
Buddhism
praises the value of generosity but warns that you shouldn’t give
something away if you’re likely to be upset later and regret giving it
away. Similarly, although it’s good to help others, we shouldn’t agree
to do something for another person if it will likely lead us to feel
exhausted, resentful, and angry at the other person. Each of us has to
judge our own capacities and set our boundaries accordingly.
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- Lorne Ladner, "Taking a Stand"
Via JMG: House GOP Raises DOMA Defense Budget
The Republican House secretly raised their budget to defend DOMA by $500,000 according to September documents just revealed.
House Administration Chairman Dan Lungren, R-Calif., signed off in September on a $500,000 increase in the maximum value of the contract with the firm, Washington-based Bancroft. Republicans have raised the cap of the contract twice: first on Sept. 29, 2011, from its original maximum of $500,000 to $1.5 million, and again on Sept. 28 to its new maximum of $2 million. Although the latest lifting of the contract cap occurred almost three months ago, House Democrats — and the public — were in the dark about the move until this week.Rep. Nancy Pelosi reacts on her official website:
Here they go again. It’s bad enough that Speaker Boehner and House Republicans are wasting taxpayer dollars to defend the indefensible Defense of Marriage Act – and losing in every case. Now, they have reached a new low – signing a secret contract to spend more public money on their legal boondoggle without informing Democrats. Their actions are simply unconscionable; their decisions are utterly irresponsible. “Hiding this contract from voters in the midst of an election season was a cynical move at best, and a betrayal of the public trust at worst. With Americans focused on the creation of jobs and the growth of our economy, Republicans should not be spending $2 million to defend discrimination in our country.
Labels: DOMA, GOP, John Boehner, LGBT rights
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