Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Another great find courtesy of JMG

Double Quote of the Day

“The first principle Bahá'u'lláh urged was the independent investigation of truth. "Each individual," he said, "is following the faith of his ancestors who themselves are lost in the maze of tradition. Reality is steeped in dogmas and doctrines. If each investigate for himself, he will find that Reality is one; does not admit of multiplicity; is not divisible. All will find the same foundation and all will be at peace."

– ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i Scriptures, p. 276.

"The basic principle of the Cause is independent investigation of truth. This applies to us as much as to our children. They should be free to chose for themselves any religion they wish. To promise that they will belong to a certain Faith and not to another is therefore not only contrary to our precepts, but is also a futile promise to give. How can we make the future generation think as we do or follow our dictates. God has made them free. All that we can do is to open their eyes and tell them of what we think to be the truth."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, March 3, 1931)

(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 155)


Monday, October 12, 2009

Obama's Gay Outreach: All Talk, No Action


Saturday night President Obama charmingly delivered a rather bleak message to the gay community on the eve of its latest march on Washington. In a speech to the world's largest gay political group, the Human Rights Campaign, Obama essentially said two things: I'm with you. But I can't do much for you.

the the rest of the article here

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Photos from the March






Courtesy of Huffington Post

From the march on Washington

Today's Double Post

Dear Daniel,

Just hours ago, President Obama took the podium at HRC's National Dinner to talk directly to the LGBT community and our many friends and allies. Find out what Obama said – and be sure to share the news with your friends >>

Today, thousands of people are marching on Washington to demand LGBT equality.

And last night, President Obama told LGBT Americans that his commitment to ending discrimination in the military, in the workplace and for loving couples and their families is "unwavering". He made it crystal clear that he is our strongest ally in this fight, that he understands and, in fact, encourages our activism and our voice even when we're impatient with the pace of change.

And we heard unequivocally about the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell: "I am working with the Pentagon, its leadership and members of the House and Senate to end this policy. I will end Don't Ask, Don't Tell. That is my commitment to you."

Finally, we heard something quite remarkable from the President: "You will see a time in which we as a nation finally recognize relationships between two men and two women as just as real and admirable as relationships between a man and a woman.

It was an historic night when we felt the full embrace and commitment of the President of the United States. It's simply unprecedented.

In the days and weeks ahead we'll move quickly to capitalize on this momentum. But right now, please watch what President Obama had to say, share this email with your friends, and know that your commitment means that we're much closer to attaining real equality and protecting millions of Americans:

Thank you for being part of this historic fight with us.

Warmly,

Joe Solmonese
Joe Solmonese
President

"I will end Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. That is my commitment to you," President Obama Tells Gay Rights Dinner

Statement by Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese
President Obama Addresses LGBT Community at Human Rights Campaign 13th Annual National Dinner on Saturday, October 10

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, released the following statement tonight after President Barack Obama spoke at the 13th Annual National Dinner.

"Tonight, President Obama told LGBT Americans that his commitment to ending discrimination in the military, in the workplace and for loving couples and their families is 'unwavering.' He made it crystal clear that he is our strongest ally in this fight, that he understands and, in fact, encourages our activism and our voice even when we’re impatient with the pace of change. But these remarks weren’t just for us, they were directed to all Americans who share his dream and ours of a country where “no one is denied their basic rights, in which all of us are free to live and love as we see fit.”

read the rest here


Saturday, October 10, 2009

New Rule: Everyone Deserves Equal Rights

New Rule: Everyone deserves equal rights. That's why they're called "equal" and "rights." Tomorrow night President Obama will speak before a gay rights group, and on Sunday there will be a massive gay rally in Washington, or as I call it, the Million Mo March. Which makes this weekend the perfect time for Obama to announce he's repealing "don't ask, don't tell" and committing to a full-throated endorsement of gay marriage. One, because it's the right thing to do and two, because it will throw the conservative base into such a frenzied, pants-shitting panic that they'll drop all that BS about death panels and socialism and let us all get some actual work done.

Mandles

Judy Sheppard is an Amazing Mom









LISTEN: Limbaugh "Agrees with the Taliban" and Bashes Obama's Nobel

Conservative commentators are engaging in an orgy of America-bashing over the selection of President Barack Obama as the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Right-wing pill-popper Rush Limbaugh, the de facto head of the Republican Party, took the airwaves and "agrees" with the extremists in the Taliban that Obama doesn't "deserve" the award.


read more at Rod 2.0