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, September 11, 2009
Gordon Brown Apologizes To Alan Turing
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has issued a posthumous apology to Alan Turing, the brilliant World War II code-breaker and computer scientist who killed himself after being convicted of the "crime" of homosexuality. Turing elected to Turing's decoding of the Nazi's "enigma machine" is credited as one of single-most crucial factors in ending the war.
I am both pleased and proud that, thanks to a coalition of computer scientists, historians and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) activists, we have this year a chance to mark and celebrate another contribution to Britain's fight against the darkness of dictatorship: that of code-breaker Alan Turing. Turing was a quite brilliant mathematician, most famous for his work on breaking the German Enigma codes. It is no exaggeration to say that, without his outstanding contribution, the history of the Second World War could have been very different. He truly was one of those individuals we can point to whose unique contribution helped to turn the tide of war. The debt of gratitude he is owed makes it all the more horrifying, therefore, that he was treated so inhumanely.
In 1952, he was convicted of "gross indecency" – in effect, tried for being gay. His sentence – and he was faced with the miserable choice of this or prison – was chemical castration by a series of injections of female hormones. He took his own life just two years later. [snip] It is thanks to men and women who were totally committed to fighting fascism, people like Alan Turing, that the horrors of the Holocaust and of total war are part of Europe's history and not Europe's present. So on behalf of the British government, and all those who live freely thanks to Alan's work, I am very proud to say: we're sorry. You deserved so much better.
Turing is considered by some to be the "father of computer science." More about him here.
Labels: Alan Turing, computers, Gordon Brown, LGBT History, UK, WW II
Another awesome post lifted from JMG
New website launched for religious gay community
See: http://www.ynetnews.com
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Adulterous GOP Defender Of Marriage Michael Duvall Resigns In Shame
The man who vowed to preserve the sanctity of opposite marriage, GOP California Assemblyman Michael Duvall has resigned in disgrace less than 24 hours after he was recorded bragging about two adulterous relationships with young female lobbyists, one of whom works for an electric company under contract to the state public utilities committee which Duvall co-chaired.
Assemblyman Mike Duvall of Yorba Linda said in a statement that the furor over his comments had begun to divert attention from the work his fellow lawmakers were trying to finish during the final week of their session. Duvall, whose is married and has two adult children, said it would not be fair to his family, constituents or friends to remain in office. "I am deeply saddened that my inappropriate comments have become a major distraction for my colleagues in the Assembly, who are working hard on the very serious problems facing our state," he said. "Therefore, I have decided to resign my office, effective immediately, so that the Assembly can get back to work."Duvall was also recorded bragging about his manly load:
"She wears little eye-patch underwear,” said Duvall, who is married with two children. “So, the other day she came here with her underwear, Thursday. And so, we had made love Wednesday–a lot! And so she’ll, she’s all, ‘I am going up and down the stairs, and you’re dripping out of me!’ So messy!”Hello, Mrs. Duvall, we have some papers for you to sign.
Labels: adultery, California, GOP, Michael Duvall, sanctity of marriage, scandal
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Stop Glen Beck!
A few loudmouths in the media don’t speak for me or for the majority of Americans. They have turned mainstream television and radio outlets into a megaphone for smear campaigns against public servants and innocent Americans.
They have a First Amendment right to stoke prejudice and intolerance in this way -- and we’re not asking for them to be silenced -- but people of integrity have a responsibility to condemn this repulsive and hysterical behavior that is harming our democracy.
Please urge President Obama to publicly confront such media fear-mongering with reason and to fulfill his campaign commitment to foster a media system where diverse perspectives aren’t drowned out by the ranting of a few.
Visit the URL below to learn more about what's at stake and send a loud message directly to President Obama:
https://secure.freepress.net/site/Advocacy?id=351
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The Moderate Voice linked Revoked...
At any rate, we, the entire staff of one at On Being Notorious and its rabid cousin Revoked, are honored to be linked, to The Moderate Voice, which makes me wonder how moderate their voice is if they include the likes of me there...
Thanks Folks!
Quote of the day
"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." T. S. Eliot
Protesters Begin Weekly Vigils Outside Church Of "Obama Should Die" Pastor
This weekend a group called People Against Clergy Who Preach Hate (Facebook group) had the first of their planned weekly protests outside the Phoenix-area storefront church of Pastor Steve Anderson, who has publicly prayed for the death of the president. The 125 protesters waved signs containing scriptural admonitions against hate as well as signs supporting the president.
Reposted from JMG
Monday, September 7, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
We Can´t Afford to Wait
Dear MoveOn member,
Wow. Last night's health care vigils were our biggest event of the year, and they were a scathing indictment of our broken health care system.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51827&id=17136-538505-MQCdnLx&t=6
And last night we shared stories of people bankrupted by medical bills and shut out by pre-existing conditions. Together with folks from Democracy for America, TrueMajority, Center for Community Change, Doctors for America, Health Care for America Now, and the Service Employees International Union, we helped shift the momentum.
The New York Times wrote, "Under the banner of 'Can't Afford To Wait,' the vigils...put a human face on the need for" health care reform.1 Many local newspapers and TV stations prominently covered the vigils as well (see below for links)—and last night they made it on to the front page of the Washington Post's website.2
Next week, lawmakers will return to D.C. with these vigils fresh in their minds.
"Seeing the mix of the crowd, old and young, joining across generational lines to advocate for reform which will make a difference for everyone."
–Phoebe G., Mattapoisett, MA
"Hearing the testimonies of all the people who have suffered under the current health care system—nightmare stories of people sick and dying from being denied care from private insurers, denied coverage, financially bankrupt, foregoing treatment because they can't afford it, etc. It makes you realize even more how crucial it is that we enact health care reform NOW—with a public option!"
–Anna E., New York, NY
These amazing vigils were organized by MoveOn Councils across the country. The Councils are local teams of committed members who go beyond email to run hard-hitting events in their communities. If you're not already part of a Council, click here to find out more and join a local MoveOn Council to plan actions targeting health insurance companies for later this month:
http://www.moveon.org/augustrecess/vigils/councils.html?id=17136-538505-MQCdnLx&t=8
Together, we're reframing the health care debate to focus on the serious needs of real people, not ridiculous political fights. And as we head into this make-or-break fall, we've got momentum on our side.
Thanks for all you do.
–Nita, Peter, Michael, Kat, and the rest of the team
P.S. While all of us were out sharing stories in person, tens of thousands of other MoveOn members who couldn't make it out gathered online to share photos, stories, and light candles as well, at our virtual vigil. Check it out, here:
http://pol.moveon.org/vv/?id=17136-538505-MQCdnLx&t=9
P.P.S. We've also posted photo albums from vigils across the country on our Facebook page. Take a look:
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51833&id=17136-538505-MQCdnLx&t=10
Sources:
1. "Rallying for, and Against, an Overhaul," The New York Times, September 2, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51819&id=17136-538505-MQCdnLx&t=11
2. "Health care reform advocates rally at Fargo-Moorhead bridge," Grand Forks Herald, September 3, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51825&id=17136-538505-MQCdnLx&t=12
"1,000-plus rally in Denver in favor of health care reform," Denver Post, September 3, 2009
http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_13257706
"Hundreds rally at state house over health care," WPRI-TV Providence, September 3, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbQGolW1Z-k
"At Vigils, Support Shown for Health-Care Bill," The Washington Post, September 2, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51826&id=17136-538505-MQCdnLx&t=13
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PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to Daniel Orey on September 3, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Subject: State Fair Observation
I so love this Facebook post from my friend Bill (and his husband Brian):
So I went to the State Fair today (yes, I am one of the three people who actually LOVE going to the State Fair!). I saw many of the things that I had hoped to see...newborn calves, cute little billy goats, beer gardens, agricultural displays, motocross exhibitions, etc. And then I saw the Republican voter registration booth. And I thought, "Oh...I can't resist this one!".
As I walked up to the booth, the most prominent display was the "One Man, One Woman" displays, signifying anti-gay marriage. Oh...at this point, it was ON! As I walked up to the booth (I couldn't resist), one woman pointed to the "One Man, One Woman" button and said, "Thank God"! The first thing out of my mouth was, "Thank God for what? Discrimination???" She quickly walked away. But the lady in the booth quickly came over and began preaching to me about how the bible says that marriage is "...a contract between a man and a woman". I said, "Really? The bible speaks about contracts?" She said, "Well...it says that Jesus only recognizes a man and a woman". I then said, "Really? Where does it say that?" And, in typical "Christian" fashion, she said, "Well, I don't know exactly". I continued, "But you claim to know the bible and what Jesus says, so how can you not know where it says that, or what Jesus actually said about homosexuality?" (By the way, Jesus says NOTHING about homosexuality in the bible).
After this lady stuttered for a few minutes, she began to tell me that she doesn't understand why "the gays" are so adamant about marriage, when they have all of the same rights as heterosexuals. I then explained to her that we don't, in fact, have all the same rights...especially federal rights. She said, "No, you have the same federal rights as everyone else". I explained to her that there are ZERO federal protections/rights afforded to gay couples...including inheritance and income tax. She looked at me, puzzled, and said, "Are you sure?" I asked her where she was getting her information from, and she just said, "Well, a friend of mine said they were able to file for federal income tax returns as a couple". (The federal government DOES NOT recognize gay couples in ANY way, shape, or form as far as tax rights, inheritance rights, social security rights, etc.)
She then quickly moved on to say that she is upset that churches would lose their tax exempt status and be sued by "the gays" if they refused to perform gay marriages. I asked her to give me an example of ONE...JUST ONE...church that has been sued or has lost their tax exempt status for refusing to perform a gay marriage. She again stuttered and said that she had heard of a church in Auburn, California that had been sued. I said, "Really? Which church?" And, of course, in true "Christian" fashion, she could not answer me. She just said, "I don't remember the name of it". I then told her that marriage has been legal in Massachusetts for several years, and NOT ONE church has lost its tax exempt status, or has been successfully sued by ANYONE for refusing to perform gay marriages. She, of course, just shrugged me off.
(It is important to note that by now, one of the other crusty, white, blue-haired, "Christian" women working the booth had called security to come have us removed from the booth. A man came over to tell us that we had to leave now, at which point I looked at him and said, "I'm not going anywhere. This lady has controversial propaganda displayed, and she has to expect that she'll receive opposing viewpoints." I then looked at his shirt, and noticed that he was a mattress salesman working one of the other booths nearby, so I then instinctively told him to "fuck off". At that point, he just walked away!)
As my conversation with this idiot...errrr...I mean "Christian" Republican...continued, I asked her why she felt that "Separate but Equal" was equal. She said that she did not believe that it was. I asked her if she believed that whites should be allowed to marry blacks. She looked at me and said, "Of course". I then asked if she believed that the court had any business dictating the rights of people, and she explained to me that that was one of her biggest complaints with gay marriage...that the people had spoken and did not want gay marriage, so "the gays" should just leave it alone. I then explained to her that in 1967, despite the popular will of the people, the California Supreme Court ruled that the ban on interracial marriage was unconstitutional. Of course, she did not believe me. (In case you were wondering, the case was decided in the Supreme Court on June 13, 1967). I asked her again if she believed that the will of the people, who at that time STILL overwhelmingly thought that blacks should not be allowed to marry whites, should have prevailed over the law. She didn't have an answer for me (again, in typical "Christian", Republican fashion".
By this time, the mattress salesman, and the other crusty, white, idiots...errrrr...Republicans...had had just about enough of me. So I gave her my email address, and I gave her some homework. I asked her if she could do the following:
1) Send me the quotes from the bible that say what Jesus thought about homosexuality;
2) Send me the name of the church that was "somewhere in Auburn" that was sued because they wouldn't perform gay marriages.
3) Send me the names of ANY churches that have lost their tax exempt status for not performing gay marriages; and
4) Cited the federal benefits that gay couples receive.
She promised me that she would email me with her "research". But I fully anticipate that I will not be hearing from her. In true "Christian" fashion, she knows nothing about what she says...she just spouts off inaccurate bullshit that she hears from other idiots...errr....Republicans. Sad.
Oh...and in case you were wondering...Brian wouldn't let me go back and say goodbye to the mattress salesman who tried to intimidate me from leaving!!! So I simply waived goodbye to him as I left.
The Meaning of Matthew: My Son's Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed
by Judy Shepard
GET YOUR SIGNED COPY TODAY!
ALL BOOKS RESERVED BY SEPTEMBER 20, 2009 WILL BE PERSONALLY INSCRIBED
TO THE DONOR AND SIGNED BY JUDY.
The Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded by Dennis and Judy Shepard in memory of their 21-year old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in October 1998.
Created to honor Matthew in a manner that was appropriate to his dreams, beliefs and aspirations, the Foundation seeks to "Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion & Acceptance" through its varied educational, outreach and advocacy programs and by continuing to tell Matthew's story.