tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45793779808724331552024-03-13T01:27:50.717-04:00A Passionate Engagementthoughts from a basset hound-loving writer who supposedly destroyed civilization by marrying his partnerKen Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.comBlogger693125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-60762134882369314612010-09-28T08:41:00.002-04:002010-09-28T14:52:51.212-04:00When the Tea Party takes over the comics, it will look like this...<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrkVHBxXQJIAkNrnUKEueBOaHteutl312oXU-lnup_xZDhimJrmZVD5tNy1JUvEBLsYzt9KE_BkUu-G8c1JPYVvuXfuICWtAuqByOiFu_91TWCXl_a5bX0HFUf154tH07Eok0hR-9ibLK/s1600/family__1285335592_7555-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrkVHBxXQJIAkNrnUKEueBOaHteutl312oXU-lnup_xZDhimJrmZVD5tNy1JUvEBLsYzt9KE_BkUu-G8c1JPYVvuXfuICWtAuqByOiFu_91TWCXl_a5bX0HFUf154tH07Eok0hR-9ibLK/s320/family__1285335592_7555-1.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><a href="http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/cartoons/092410_Tea_Party/?camp=misc%3Aon%3Ashare%3Agallery"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3bSZRdRQgNSuOM__UYWhMX8h_oaCDMgMXn4YKwMMI1NNGmDMq_-Xm7olFVIcKnkkfEM5luIgSrV8NgoxsmJy-9-iCkn8HLkLz2cgU08YJW-AnNXa1hM61bA5bUdOCneVDsrpYq-zG0tz/s1600/zig__1285335592_2600-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3bSZRdRQgNSuOM__UYWhMX8h_oaCDMgMXn4YKwMMI1NNGmDMq_-Xm7olFVIcKnkkfEM5luIgSrV8NgoxsmJy-9-iCkn8HLkLz2cgU08YJW-AnNXa1hM61bA5bUdOCneVDsrpYq-zG0tz/s320/zig__1285335592_2600-1.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMYfCBBNG3aXktnEf8DFBIS47DIC2HiCJ0N9XyrPPqY0vCnYSIpSgQ3_snKpLbTlB3SQUuhwDeWeHzJ3k2zz6nDmiB6R_QKwb1yV6izfD2UGsFE43hjaq-HTwgcU5qWnAWw4gjo44b6Y2/s1600/3__1285349675_7022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMYfCBBNG3aXktnEf8DFBIS47DIC2HiCJ0N9XyrPPqY0vCnYSIpSgQ3_snKpLbTlB3SQUuhwDeWeHzJ3k2zz6nDmiB6R_QKwb1yV6izfD2UGsFE43hjaq-HTwgcU5qWnAWw4gjo44b6Y2/s400/3__1285349675_7022.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">These were taken from </span></i><span style="font-size: large;">The Boston Globe. For more cartoons, visit: </span><a href="http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/cartoons/092410_Tea_Party/?camp=misc%3Aon%3Ashare%3Agallery">Tea Party Cartoons</a>Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-34577739807251375012010-09-27T13:17:00.002-04:002010-09-27T13:20:53.814-04:00<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll be reading in Atlanta the weekend of October 15-17. </span></div><span style="font-size: large;"></span><i><span style="font-size: large;">More info at <a href="http://atlqueerlitfest.blogspot.com/">http://atlqueerlitfest.blogspot.com/</a></span></i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1sgaLmiSGqBdprwvFnOcX_x9PwUxubv9GDex1iFm5Qr1bjisctZFmPcoZP-2UqsYqFQd5tPi3ZJZIWhuYLYK2UE7_7LPafdfEN8vLU4BakJq6XJIkkRnO3q3qh1o2XwblF6XYc6MMc8i/s1600/AQLFcolor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1sgaLmiSGqBdprwvFnOcX_x9PwUxubv9GDex1iFm5Qr1bjisctZFmPcoZP-2UqsYqFQd5tPi3ZJZIWhuYLYK2UE7_7LPafdfEN8vLU4BakJq6XJIkkRnO3q3qh1o2XwblF6XYc6MMc8i/s320/AQLFcolor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-74341731738861655952010-09-27T00:30:00.002-04:002010-09-27T00:30:46.756-04:00Just a reminder..The following countries now allow LGBT service people to serve without questioning. Why is it that the "home of the free and the brave" isn't on this list?<br />
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Albania<br />
Argentina<br />
Australia<br />
Austria<br />
Belgium<br />
Canada<br />
Colombia<br />
Czech Republic<br />
Denmark<br />
Estonia<br />
Finland<br />
France<br />
Germany<br />
Ireland<br />
Israel<br />
Italy<br />
Lithuania<br />
Luxembourg<br />
Malta<br />
The Netherlands<br />
New Zealand<br />
Norway<br />
Peru<br />
Philippines<br />
Poland<br />
Romania<br />
Russia<br />
Slovenia<br />
South Africa<br />
Spain<br />
Sweden<br />
Switzerland<br />
Taiwan<br />
United Kingdom<br />
Bermuda<br />
UruguayKen Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-91002607172458990192010-09-26T23:42:00.001-04:002010-09-27T07:26:42.828-04:00This is the sort of thing that drives me crazy....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYiHIZt3ahYmaUVmtSTspu53LjmRvU0pkhAzsBfHuvBJLqXtfqbk7k1Iw5ab5adhUyJnNd_RWXhes9KW1dTX-nI-U2bh_J1eZtJRKT5kh9ZgV-Wa0dR2XakJlKK9ntI98GGqTmo0wdDnl/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYiHIZt3ahYmaUVmtSTspu53LjmRvU0pkhAzsBfHuvBJLqXtfqbk7k1Iw5ab5adhUyJnNd_RWXhes9KW1dTX-nI-U2bh_J1eZtJRKT5kh9ZgV-Wa0dR2XakJlKK9ntI98GGqTmo0wdDnl/s1600/images-1.jpeg" /></a></div>This report is the sort of news that drives me crazy. With all the anger at the Obama administration we get this news about dissatisfaction with the new health plan. And it's not because people want it repealed. One question: where were all of you when Obama was being persecuted for being "socialist" for his health care plan? Here's part of the report of a recent poll from MSNBC:<br />
<blockquote><span class="dateline">WASHINGTON — </span>President Barack Obama's health care overhaul has divided the nation, and Republicans believe their call for repeal will help them win elections in November. But the picture's not that clear cut. A new AP poll finds that Americans who think the law should have done more outnumber those who think the government should stay out of <a class="iAs" classname="iAs" href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39369615/ns/health-health_care/#" itxtdid="24439579" style="background-color: transparent ! important; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0.075em solid darkgreen ! important; color: darkgreen ! important; font-size: 100% ! important; font-weight: normal ! important; padding-bottom: 1px ! important; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="_blank">health</a> care by 2-to-1. </blockquote><blockquote>"I was disappointed that it didn't provide universal coverage," said Bronwyn Bleakley, 35, a biology professor from Easton, Mass. </blockquote><blockquote>More than 30 million people would gain coverage in 2019 when the law is fully phased in, but another 20 million or so would remain uninsured. Bleakley, who was uninsured early in her career, views the overhaul as a work in progress. </blockquote><blockquote>The poll found that about four in 10 adults think the new law did not go far enough to change the health care system, regardless of whether they support the law, oppose it or remain neutral. On the other side, about one in five say they oppose the law because they think the federal government should not be involved in health care at all.</blockquote><br />
Hmmm. Don't you think your voice of support for a more comprehensive health plan could have helped earlier?Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-615379131343232532010-09-26T14:17:00.002-04:002010-09-26T14:17:30.477-04:00A poster worth reading...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULKhqC99T4Ji-9yrdK196bF9wEjzOt5l2018CiXjWtkxIweRpKoDQGXTNgun5YrY5JJgMOPJRFPtrWR7eNdhImw6d_HcYeODRFJ-VH0awrxEfbyblI7K6l6PqTAGCbTli637a0adzL1hy/s1600/62033_1600121291158_1479833608_1544289_7892777_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULKhqC99T4Ji-9yrdK196bF9wEjzOt5l2018CiXjWtkxIweRpKoDQGXTNgun5YrY5JJgMOPJRFPtrWR7eNdhImw6d_HcYeODRFJ-VH0awrxEfbyblI7K6l6PqTAGCbTli637a0adzL1hy/s320/62033_1600121291158_1479833608_1544289_7892777_n.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-27621075823192695552010-09-25T12:29:00.007-04:002010-09-26T21:27:27.214-04:00Our Basset Hound is in Therapy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjKnkGLl5v1HkztrWDQi2uNl5W3TZW-v6mkIcJ_m08agShA6uEe04PzATCF2T9Ij9uzC08Y9veLm_F9GuCUC1RtMX0aO0yI3wCZWK_y-VELarmUXi96SqtYTM9ZxQaBoh37UgzJxjZhIp/s1600/4177_125542520047_841995047_5624591_8249401_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjKnkGLl5v1HkztrWDQi2uNl5W3TZW-v6mkIcJ_m08agShA6uEe04PzATCF2T9Ij9uzC08Y9veLm_F9GuCUC1RtMX0aO0yI3wCZWK_y-VELarmUXi96SqtYTM9ZxQaBoh37UgzJxjZhIp/s1600/4177_125542520047_841995047_5624591_8249401_s.jpg" /></a></div>The therapist was smiling, but there was concern in her eyes. Then she spoke the words parents dread: "You have a special needs dog." Of course we immediately went down the <i>where did we go wrong?</i> path. Should we not have passed up the class in Cambridge on Advanced Barking? Why didn't we go to the Sit/Stay Symposium? We were at fault, not doubt about it.<br />
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"Willa will have to meet with me once a month, as well as a weekly phone call," the dog therapist said. At first we thought that Willa, our sweetheart of a dog who hides behind the sofa when anyone outside the family enters the house, would have to speak on the phone. It was a relief to find out that either Bruce or I would have to speak. Because I am rather phone phobic, the weekly consultation has gone to Bruce.<br />
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And then the next dreaded word: <i>Antidepressants</i>. She recommended Paxil, 20 mg a day. Yup. A <i>designer</i> antidepressant. I shuddered. I was on Paxil years ago and walked in a daze for a week. I finally stopped taking it when I entered City Hall and completely forgot what I was there for. The next day I remembered it was to register our other bassets, Oscar and Shakespeare. If you've picked up a theme here, there is. We name our dogs after literary figures: Shakespeare, Willa Cather, Oscar Wilde. We are especially attracted to authors who were gay or "questioning." In case we ever switch to movie stars, we've penciled in "Tom Cruise."<br />
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We were also told to assert our dominance over our bassets. This did not go over well. When I told Shakespeare to sit before he got his treat, he walked away. If a dog can roll his eyes, Shakespeare did. The thought bubble over his head went something like this: "Ten years with you and you now start to pull this crap?" Willa, on the other hand, simply ran in circles. I'm trying to convince myself that she's actually quite advanced linguistically, and has mistaken SIT for SPIN.<br />
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So we're trying our best. And I'll update our progress later.Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-33146673963448131292010-09-24T10:11:00.003-04:002010-09-24T10:15:05.081-04:00Anti-Gay Hate Mail from Senator's OfficeChris Matthews of MSNBC follows up on a story about a Republican staffer who sent the message "all faggots must die" to one of the most popular gay blogs in the country, Joe. My. God. Here's the clip:<br />
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<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kowkR1K5cvU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kowkR1K5cvU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="375"></embed></object>Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-67626374789957003402010-09-24T09:34:00.032-04:002010-09-24T09:57:49.828-04:00Save the date<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ23v9KxkDMniFCNqEyV-VsssWcEGGgEtkzv9Jk-bHpm9r39wKg8cayPF1s6tgz2PabLG6Mlg89GNF5pHT8YS7YmFx7J_dHkQiykFRZlGZMrIb_ZQNxiwDDTWH02DcKZBz7cXmKWHc3AHA/s1600/garland_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="35" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ23v9KxkDMniFCNqEyV-VsssWcEGGgEtkzv9Jk-bHpm9r39wKg8cayPF1s6tgz2PabLG6Mlg89GNF5pHT8YS7YmFx7J_dHkQiykFRZlGZMrIb_ZQNxiwDDTWH02DcKZBz7cXmKWHc3AHA/s400/garland_logo.png" width="400" /></a></div><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Book release reading/reception sponsored by Back Pages Books: Sunday, November 14 @ 2:00 in the Chapel of First Parish Church in Waltham.</span></h6><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbgbdya0wJhtLhdkQG24PtpnCoxIdHaqWK6CixUjbEakAw0FRVgvj5Ul4RmbaoATjiJaX2pGeOfbYFF7W-sbqtwTXOeeKi7PizTCXnwaRjCaIxWfsMTunVERtGQbsv1RrdRVYG11S7RST/s1600/l.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbgbdya0wJhtLhdkQG24PtpnCoxIdHaqWK6CixUjbEakAw0FRVgvj5Ul4RmbaoATjiJaX2pGeOfbYFF7W-sbqtwTXOeeKi7PizTCXnwaRjCaIxWfsMTunVERtGQbsv1RrdRVYG11S7RST/s320/l.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div> Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-13273101476539560992010-09-23T22:13:00.004-04:002010-09-25T19:29:21.283-04:00Be Careful What You Use As Campaign Fodder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>By now, most people have heard of Christine O'Donnell, the Republican nominee for Delaware's senate seat. She's the candidate who spoke out against masturbation and who may have illegally used campaign funds for personal expenses.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DIY2Tz1c_-1AS5YCX9cpG1IebI35xQsP4wK-f-MKmCMxPhbvrfg2htjX4aT-y0zHvg5BhvqucRWHO0PnjkBf5rh8Ak2e4cPRdIUXi8F-5T42_FKaCIZHsZzym8LzE6DqDVhFZ5ok0t5A/s1600/image6867465x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DIY2Tz1c_-1AS5YCX9cpG1IebI35xQsP4wK-f-MKmCMxPhbvrfg2htjX4aT-y0zHvg5BhvqucRWHO0PnjkBf5rh8Ak2e4cPRdIUXi8F-5T42_FKaCIZHsZzym8LzE6DqDVhFZ5ok0t5A/s320/image6867465x.jpg" width="320" /></a>What has been getting the most attention, however, is her dabbling (her words) in witchcraft. And apparently she went on a date with a woman (gasp) while she was doing this. Don't get me wrong. I think Christine O'Donnell is completely unfit to serve as Senator of Delaware. I stand unequivocally opposed to just about everything she supports. But I'm extremely uneasy about the glee many Democrats have expressed at this new revelation about O'Donnell. I think the Democrats are entering ethically questionable territory when they start using people's spiritual beliefs -- or even the exploration of a specific spiritual belief -- in order to score political points. I find it just as disturbing that her going on a date with a woman has become political fodder.<br />
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It's one thing to highlight a candidate's hypocrisy during a campaign. And indeed, O'Donnell has been wildly hypocritical in her anti-gay, anti-anything but Christianity stance. But that's not what I'm hearing from the Democrats. They seem to be implying that her exploration of a spiritual belief and the fact that she had a date with a woman is juicy enough to keep her from being elected.<br />
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I'd prefer that the Democrats just not go down that path. There is a great deal to question about O'Donnell's readiness for elected office, not the least of which is her possible violation of campaign laws. That's serious. And I think it's a lot more acceptable to question that rather than her spiritual and romantic past.<br />
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(If you'd like to follow this blog -- and I hope you will! -- scroll down and click "follow" on the left.)Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-4381812863527442392010-09-22T21:37:00.000-04:002010-09-22T21:37:20.335-04:00Playing Politics with People's Lives<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FqZuqbvOxD6J-m4eEUknnHf4tHIpxJImd_xf4xvZQpRSIf502QOBJyq13T3oSzTU8XjkOEffXIkU_K1qq-mO3jhw4LFA134j-PNVgbgVmVdENPJLo1V_3O26g9QR-aqqUozpZarmTGmN/s1600/DADT_Alex_Jared_Illinois_Pride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FqZuqbvOxD6J-m4eEUknnHf4tHIpxJImd_xf4xvZQpRSIf502QOBJyq13T3oSzTU8XjkOEffXIkU_K1qq-mO3jhw4LFA134j-PNVgbgVmVdENPJLo1V_3O26g9QR-aqqUozpZarmTGmN/s320/DADT_Alex_Jared_Illinois_Pride.jpg" /></a></div>I know I should be furious that the Senate blocked the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell on Tuesday. I'm sure I'll be angry soon, but right now I'm just sad, terribly sad, that once again our government is playing politics with people's lives. I haven't even been able to watch Rachel Maddow since the Congress blocked the Don't Ask, Don't Tell repeal. I can't even hear <i>my side</i> talk about the issue.<br />
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Make no mistake about it: LGBT people are not the only ones to be used as pawns in this election year. Immigrants, Muslims, women -- there's a litany of groups that have been exploited for political purposes. And make no mistake about this: while Republicans may be the most egregious in using the disenfranchised for political gain, the Democrats also must share the blame.<br />
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We should all remember that President George Bush Sr., back in 1990, suspended the military ban on gay people during Operation Desert Storm. That's right. A Republican President simply signed a piece of paper that allowed LGBT people to serve.<br />
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For almost two years, the Democrats did nothing to repeal the DADT policy. Until now. It is not a coincidence that it was brought before Congress right before the elections. There is a great "enthusiasm gap" between liberal and conservative voters this fall. The conservatives are energized; the liberals are not. The oldest political tool in the book is to energize the base when things look tough. Bringing DADT before Congress now was meant to energize the base. That is playing politics with people's lives. The Democrats are guilty of this, even if less so than the Republicans.<br />
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We only have to look at Deval Patrick here in Massachusetts to see what leadership is around LGBT issues. Within a year of becoming governor, he rallied lawmakers and leaders to keep the issue of gay marriage off the ballot. He met with individuals. He twisted arms. He convinced lawmakers to do the right thing.<br />
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We need that sort of leadership now from President Obama. <br />
<br />
I'll get angry soon, but right now I'm tired of anger. But give me time.Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-15536270394070164442010-09-22T11:10:00.002-04:002010-09-22T11:10:56.206-04:00A drawing worth a thousand words...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSH3vhWruNQdX1vI01FMwBaFWoigX-Y3NK_Bao4SiXbMylxsXguM3fEE4YJDnixuVs60KKzAJNapK41uLkXMpXmH6Lz8nWYsLC-SykSXAO1WwJRO2dl_sNPP05FoteNzy38WRxh47OLSft/s1600/which-one-is-the-gay-one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSH3vhWruNQdX1vI01FMwBaFWoigX-Y3NK_Bao4SiXbMylxsXguM3fEE4YJDnixuVs60KKzAJNapK41uLkXMpXmH6Lz8nWYsLC-SykSXAO1WwJRO2dl_sNPP05FoteNzy38WRxh47OLSft/s320/which-one-is-the-gay-one.jpg" /></a></div>Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-55203379068680846912010-09-22T07:50:00.002-04:002010-09-22T07:52:17.751-04:00Just for fun...I'll write about the Don't Ask, Don't Tell debacle later. This morning I just needed to smile. (Thanks to Steve.)<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nHlJODYBLKs?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nHlJODYBLKs?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="475" height="300"></embed></object>Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-11579793598643243832010-09-19T16:09:00.001-04:002010-09-19T16:15:26.464-04:00Back from the summer, with some questions...Hello, Everyone....I'm blogging again after taking the summer off. It was a great summer of reading, writing, teaching a writing course, and spending lots of time in Toronto, our home away from home. Part of the joy of being in Toronto was being able to tune out American politics for a while. Well, I can't so that anymore.<br />
<br />
It was a politically hot summer, partly due to the Tea Party Movement. I've been trying to figure out some sort of logic to the Tea Bagging political thinking, but I've having a hard time. Some questions I have:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioc613ENnyjEltpC-nvSFxXGVF_NM4evoL-tVSa8_ThWbprig4AQ8Q38-b3g9hyZIcDNq0UvnimrY9C_ZyO1P2uQV63ZMRqCjxaD7Kj-2ieo_AekCruf4G-jYip61SL3IKlKglBoGPWd2V/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioc613ENnyjEltpC-nvSFxXGVF_NM4evoL-tVSa8_ThWbprig4AQ8Q38-b3g9hyZIcDNq0UvnimrY9C_ZyO1P2uQV63ZMRqCjxaD7Kj-2ieo_AekCruf4G-jYip61SL3IKlKglBoGPWd2V/s320/images.jpeg" /></a>1. If Tea Baggers really want smaller government, why are so many against a woman's right to choose? I heard the Republican nominee for the New York Governorship answer the question about a woman's right to an abortion after rape or incest by saying, "There's adoption for that." Said another, "I believe God has a plan for everyone." What? God has a plan for a fourteen year old girl to get raped by her father and then be forced to bear the child?<br />
<br />
2. The same goes for same-sex marriage. If you want government out of everyone's life, how can you support government deciding that same-sex couples shouldn't marry?<br />
<br />
3. Bobby Jindal, Governor of Louisiana, may not technically call himself a Tea Bagger, but since his election, he sure has been on the cut spending, lower taxes, kill government bandwagon. That is, until Louisiana needs the money after the BP oil spill. Then he pleads with the federal government for money and gets upset when it doesn't come fast enough. Isn't this a contradiction?<br />
<br />
4. Tea Baggers claim that they want to get back to the basics of the Constitution, but how many have actually <i>read</i> it? One example is their blatant disgust of the judiciary. They seem to want the government to run with only two branches of power. That certainly isn't what I understood the Constitution to say when I read it, and, years later, taught it. For a far more nuanced discussion of how Tea Baggers misrepresent the Constitution, visit <a href="http://www.media-ocracy.com/?p=1690">http://www.media-ocracy.com</a><br />
<br />
5. And one last question. Why is it that so many of the Tea Baggers who want lower taxes and smaller government draw the line at their own entitlements? Jon Taplin has a great entry about this on his blog. Here's some of what he writes:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>The New York Times-CBS Poll on the Tea Parties is notable for the great number of contradictions revealed. Since 75% of the Tea Party are older than 45, we can probably assume that at least 50% of them are on Social Security or Medicare. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/us/politics/15poll.html">They don’t seem to grasp the contradiction</a>. </blockquote><blockquote>And nearly three-quarters of those who favor smaller government said they would prefer it even if it meant spending on domestic programs would be cut. But in follow-up interviews,<br />
Tea Party supporters said they did not want to cut Medicare or Social Security — the biggest domestic programs, suggesting instead a focus on “waste.”</blockquote><br />
It's going to be a long election season. Stay tuned.Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-85691437057114581042010-09-18T10:00:00.000-04:002010-09-18T10:00:44.066-04:00Book Release Date: November 15, 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Yr5n0qUZg3ULsgdVKoJ7Xl7UywBKNsaelmoXLyhEBFg0ehLJONwJgfRouBY4GY4P6Ezri8XVsFlPwca0KD9jf0JAcV9xpU6PZu2Vx1hcIZmwUsjWPw48MqpivHBaG33YKsoMBtwWQwNk/s1600/cover.passionate.crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black;"></span><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Yr5n0qUZg3ULsgdVKoJ7Xl7UywBKNsaelmoXLyhEBFg0ehLJONwJgfRouBY4GY4P6Ezri8XVsFlPwca0KD9jf0JAcV9xpU6PZu2Vx1hcIZmwUsjWPw48MqpivHBaG33YKsoMBtwWQwNk/s320/cover.passionate.crop.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-61870064552722481582010-06-24T18:07:00.002-04:002010-06-24T18:07:50.049-04:00Summer Sign-OffHello, folks.....<br />
<br />
I'm going to need to take the summer off from blogging. Teaching a writing course, getting ready for my upcoming book, and working on a new writing project are taking up all my time.<br />
<br />
I'll be back in the fall!<br />
<br />
<br />
Best to you.<br />
<br />
KenKen Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-72524969166241738712010-06-22T15:00:00.001-04:002010-06-22T15:00:02.520-04:00Even fake gay marriages ceremonies might be illegal in Texas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6zJEE9mREbxagk-S-Q2IsiwSO4Ka6hhgK14ZB_VYEkGm31SXKh2v9qrROTxY5uFxj4sKXASqBD0f2zcs8j0A-X1YIDa_k3yelzs7J_zdp1KlyoeniawdwU8TTElrpiFuCE-QEJiO2Z5o/s1600/images-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6zJEE9mREbxagk-S-Q2IsiwSO4Ka6hhgK14ZB_VYEkGm31SXKh2v9qrROTxY5uFxj4sKXASqBD0f2zcs8j0A-X1YIDa_k3yelzs7J_zdp1KlyoeniawdwU8TTElrpiFuCE-QEJiO2Z5o/s320/images-4.jpeg" /></a></div>If Texas Republicans have their way, you can be imprisoned if you marry a gay couple, even if that marriage is meaningless because the state won't recognize it. They'd also like to bring back anti-sodomy laws to keep LGBT people from have relationships. I guess it doesn't matter that the United States Supreme Court already ruled that such laws are illegal -- and that the ruling was in response to a Texas law.<br />
<br />
From Alex Blaze of the <i>Bilerico Project:</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VEFa9bfRTU1qQ8sLCByfTAbt_jSRiCNcxmn6PuxZDhZa-c_U7bpQsRkFy6NJIPAHicFDffwLzVRs8AcNlf1ymuMk1fwdzf_PBDsBp_FjZAhZbRdEVwanZ8aQ4Ivamfg7_onFkOIAdgER/s1600/images-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VEFa9bfRTU1qQ8sLCByfTAbt_jSRiCNcxmn6PuxZDhZa-c_U7bpQsRkFy6NJIPAHicFDffwLzVRs8AcNlf1ymuMk1fwdzf_PBDsBp_FjZAhZbRdEVwanZ8aQ4Ivamfg7_onFkOIAdgER/s320/images-5.jpeg" /></a></div><i> The part of the Texas Republican Party's platform making its way around the blogosphere says they want to imprison people who participate in marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples, even if those ceremonies have no legal meaning. It also calls for a return to sodomy laws, something that people thought was crazy to mention two years ago, but now is in a major party's platform:</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i> Homosexuality - We believe that the practice of homosexuality tears at the fabric of society, contributes to the breakdown of the family unit, and leads to the spread of dangerous, communicable diseases. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country's founders, and shared by the majority of Texans. Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable "alternative" lifestyle in our public education and policy, nor should "family" be redefined to include homosexual "couples." We are opposed to any granting of special legal entitlements, refuse to recognize, or grant special privileges including, but not limited to: marriage between persons of the same sex (regardless of state of origin), custody of children by homosexuals, homosexual partner insurance or retirement benefits. We oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i> Texas Sodomy Statutes - We oppose the legalization of sodomy. We demand that Congress exercise its authority granted by the U.S. Constitution to withhold jurisdiction from the federal courts from cases involving sodomy.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i> This all comes in, ironically, after pages of "freedom" and "no government interference" rhetoric. Everyone should be free to do only what these people want them to do.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i>Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-11963735653406436652010-06-22T14:00:00.002-04:002010-06-22T14:00:00.470-04:00Firing up the base<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPi2YRMYHrH2OjY6AoUpl8hM9J0Ke9WsVBHPCON6NBeatFfaQXFZIFJ4dMKwEaDnCePmu8EMt4ncQSvW-4o6rOPzyxDuP9C7xDxL8pC_PuDp1Amj1bteNicZsedvMFFt-gIxoh07GOTPhx/s1600/images-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPi2YRMYHrH2OjY6AoUpl8hM9J0Ke9WsVBHPCON6NBeatFfaQXFZIFJ4dMKwEaDnCePmu8EMt4ncQSvW-4o6rOPzyxDuP9C7xDxL8pC_PuDp1Amj1bteNicZsedvMFFt-gIxoh07GOTPhx/s320/images-3.jpeg" /></a></div>Well, as the Republicans used to do so well, when you're in political trouble, fire up your base. According to the <i>Huffington Post,</i> the Obama administration is making a series of diplomatic and political gestures of good will this week to the gay rights community with which it has occasionally clashed.<br />
<br />
Writes The Post:<br />
<br />
<i>On Monday, Attorney General Eric Holder was cheered by a crowd of gay and lesbian employees at the Department of Justice after he pledged to use newly enacted laws to protect their presence in the workplace.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>"The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which the president signed into law last October, finally protects our nation's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered individuals from the most brutal forms of bias-motivated violence," Holder said.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>The remarks were part of a broader outreach by the administration to LGBT employees. On Tuesday, the White House is set to host an event celebrating LBGT Pride Month. There was some confusion as to whether the president would show up at the ceremony. But an administration official tells the Huffington Post that he will give short remarks.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>"[H]e is expected to deliver brief remarks," the aide said. "Invited guests include elected officials, state and local community leaders, and LGBT Americans from communities across the country -- including many youth -- who have stood up for equality."</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>The actually invitation list is not yet known, nor would the administration official elaborate. But it stands to reason that it will be chosen delicately. The president has been interrupted routinely in public forums by gay rights protesters who insist he hasn't gone far enough on the topic of repealing the military's ban on open service. Don't Ask Don't Tell has receded as a political issue after the House was able to put gradual repeal of the policy into the defense authorization bill. But there are certainly other contentious topics.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>One activist emailed that he expects there to be a "look back" at what the White House has accomplished. But there is more that the president can do in address with respect to future activity.</i><br />
<i>Story continues below</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>"This Administration has taken small but significant steps in advancing LGBT equality (namely hospital visitation rights)," said Kevin Nix, Director of Communications at Family Equality Council. "But much more is left to do when it comes to the one million LGBT families raising two million kids in this country--like repealing DOMA and passing the Every Child Deserves a Family Act, which would swing open the doors for LGBT people to adopt. We look to this White House and Congress for leadership on these key issues that directly impact families."</i>Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-74668030430073534542010-06-22T12:00:00.003-04:002010-06-22T12:15:30.606-04:00The Ick Factor<div class="entry_text"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6flZuFdme9p-4-z2GPFskIjleNk2Sl_cB5YKZrk23fHbU7PRNB0FYpzIbk8Y4mjnbhKjGJvmoRoYNmnjMYhIOH7kjwdlrSY4mQO9Qms9SwlgKavqwi4_ppYgCU01bwrI9kDM928KUX1ME/s1600/images-6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6flZuFdme9p-4-z2GPFskIjleNk2Sl_cB5YKZrk23fHbU7PRNB0FYpzIbk8Y4mjnbhKjGJvmoRoYNmnjMYhIOH7kjwdlrSY4mQO9Qms9SwlgKavqwi4_ppYgCU01bwrI9kDM928KUX1ME/s320/images-6.jpeg" /></a></div>TPM Live Wire is reporting on "The Ick Factor" in gay relationships. That is, what Mike Huckabee thinks id the ick factor. After reading this, it's hard not to think that Mr. Huckabee himself is the real ick factor in this debate:<br />
<br />
<i>Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) is against gay marriage, at least in part, because of the "ick factor."</i><br />
<br />
<i>"I do believe that God created male and female and intended for marriage to be the relationship of the two opposite sexes," Huckabee said in a recent <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/06/28/100628fa_fact_levy?printable=true">New Yorker profile</a>. "Male and female are biologically compatible to have a relationship. We can get into the ick factor, but the fact is two men in a relationship, two women in a relationship, biologically, that doesn't work the same."</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Huckabee goes on to say that "some pretty startling studies" show that "monogamous marriage" is the way to end poverty.</i><br />
<br />
<i>"No culture in the history of mankind has ever tried to redefine marriage," he added.</i><br />
<br />
<i> </i><br />
<i>Earlier this year, Huckabee -- who, according to polls, is a Republican frontrunner in the 2012 presidential race -- said gay couples shouldn't be able to adopt, saying, "Children are not puppies."</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Sometimes it's hard not to see Mr. Huckabee, rather than gay relationships, as having an "ick factor."<i> </i><br />
<br />
</div>Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-89156707481984095892010-06-22T10:08:00.001-04:002010-06-22T10:16:29.909-04:00Send an email to Home Depot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3XoKA0c1YV_FxfTKcMmaFVBwyOmWe3Q0pkj0yDXi2FRONjm5B5CWLNhVMwH0H4CP3gWoxnO0pDDOKVH4exatRtvp62VIQ9y-phmDmsh5gvMpXCXe54Y1pU-cA9ioO_3sOYq4KhbRzEdS/s1600/HomeDepot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3XoKA0c1YV_FxfTKcMmaFVBwyOmWe3Q0pkj0yDXi2FRONjm5B5CWLNhVMwH0H4CP3gWoxnO0pDDOKVH4exatRtvp62VIQ9y-phmDmsh5gvMpXCXe54Y1pU-cA9ioO_3sOYq4KhbRzEdS/s320/HomeDepot.jpg" /></a></div>Joe. My God. is reporting that The American Family Association has launched an email and phone campaign against Home Depot because the fix-it giant will host a crafts workshop for kids at Southern Maine Pride.<br />
<br />
<br />
Writes the American Family Association:<br />
<br />
<i> To this end, Home Depot is basically encouraging the attendance of children at events which openly expose them to transvestites, cross-dressers, and homosexual activists. Unfortunately, Home Depot's participation in the Southern Maine Pride Festival doesn't stand alone. It has also sponsored and participated in the 2010 Boston Gay Pride parade. Homosexuals often exploit young children in their desire to 'normalize' their gay lifestyle. Gay pride events have a long track record for offensive public displays of homosexual conduct. Obviously, Home Depot is OK with the idea of exposing children to an unhealthy and risky environment. So much so, it is willing to also celebrate it by participating in its promotion. Send an email to let Home Depot know you are sickened by their support and approval of children at homosexual events. If you are a customer, please add an additional personal line to our prepared letter to Home Depot. After sending your email, make an extra effort to protect children by calling Home Depot personally. Brad Shaw is the Vice President of Public Relations. His direct number is 770-384-5350.</i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;">If you'd like to counter this email campaign, can send a message of thanks to Home Depot at consumeraffairs@HomeDepot.com or by calling <i>770-384-5350</i>.</span></b></span>Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-55978398909990335402010-06-22T09:58:00.000-04:002010-06-22T09:58:22.545-04:00Family Leave Act to extend to LGBT families<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXQzoSZRn0D51RVjwYx_B8DN6dmWAjzJHPO2Bnv6UIX_IGicxmBGOOnlweeqkNhyphenhyphenL529ULXL7T7ucAewcJXpT-0m9MDF_4jHRqxWVEvQyy7CvXaCYTrnQEBsmQtF0M64rBTU32TZqNPpx/s1600/images-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXQzoSZRn0D51RVjwYx_B8DN6dmWAjzJHPO2Bnv6UIX_IGicxmBGOOnlweeqkNhyphenhyphenL529ULXL7T7ucAewcJXpT-0m9MDF_4jHRqxWVEvQyy7CvXaCYTrnQEBsmQtF0M64rBTU32TZqNPpx/s320/images-2.jpeg" /></a></div>The Associated Press is reporting that The Labor Department intends to issue regulations requiring businesses to give gay employees equal treatment under a law permitting workers unpaid time off to care for newborns or loved ones.<br />
<br />
According to AP:<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Labor Secretary Hilda Solis planned to announce Wednesday that the government would require employers to extend the option that has been available to heterosexual workers for almost two decades, two officials briefed on the plan said Monday. Neither was authorized to speak publicly ahead of the announcement.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>The move, coming less than five months before November's congressional elections, seemed likely to incite conservatives and Republicans who stood in lockstep against the Obama administration's earlier efforts to repeal a ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military. It also appeared likely to be popular with loyal Democrats and organized labor.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>The Family and Medical Leave Act allows workers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year to take care of loved ones or themselves. The 1993 law, which also allows employees to take time off for adoptions, has previously only been applied to heterosexual couples.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>The Labor Department planned to extend those rights based on a new interpretation of the law, the officials said. There was no plan to ask Congress to change the law, which means future presidents could reverse the decision.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>President Barack Obama and his administration have slowly rolled out policies to help gays and lesbians, who supported his candidacy but have soured on what they consider his slow pace in making incremental instead of wholesale changes. He planned to meet with gay activists Tuesday at the White House, the second time such a reception has been held at the executive mansion.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Gay activists have been frustrated with Obama's approach to gay policies. The White House reluctantly backed a compromise on the military's "don't ask don't tell" policy on gays in the military that would move ahead on repeal but still allow the Pentagon time to implement new policies.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Earlier this month, Obama issued orders for government agencies to extend child care services and expanded family leave to their workers. Obama's order for federal employees, though, covers only benefits that can be extended under existing law, without congressional action. Legislative action would be required for a full range of health care and other benefits.</i><br />
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</i><br />
<i>Last year, Obama gave federal workers' same-sex partners a first round of benefits including visitation and dependent-care rights. He also authorized child-care services and subsidies; more flexibility to use family leave to attend to the needs of domestic partners and their children; relocation benefits; giving domestic partners the same status as family members when federal appointments are made; and access to credit union and other memberships when those are provided to federal workers.</i>Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-31066452658310731602010-06-22T08:33:00.001-04:002010-06-22T08:33:13.861-04:00Way to go, Iceland!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibBRj38m46DhfuSoPrKqtoLbZ_K7wFKnWb6SrM9LZDz-oRixrW1Y6I-tv4xo74eq68s493TozO5j_xHqy4CiZDS2rdTN7sED4P8jkD-sB87egg81Ztdvo2DrkVsVgiClOGBj2T2NqUAf4/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibBRj38m46DhfuSoPrKqtoLbZ_K7wFKnWb6SrM9LZDz-oRixrW1Y6I-tv4xo74eq68s493TozO5j_xHqy4CiZDS2rdTN7sED4P8jkD-sB87egg81Ztdvo2DrkVsVgiClOGBj2T2NqUAf4/s320/images.jpeg" /></a></div>As many of you know, the legislature of Iceland voted unanimously - that's right, not one legislator opposed -- to legalize same-sex marriage in the country. What's also important is the the United Nations, which often shies away from LGBT issues, has commended the move.<br />
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According to UN News:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AOuEAr5_DHVBh_n1EE7cyOadmYx9IbNHjrjcS0kdERN4-7OgiWdJM1555OgjglxmAblDSxuAhwzplrm7Zh25nIeeTqmWq7OaRMfiwrKFWZmejM82oyJWC3-VWtiz2ot5MMZ7X9O1zEWv/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AOuEAr5_DHVBh_n1EE7cyOadmYx9IbNHjrjcS0kdERN4-7OgiWdJM1555OgjglxmAblDSxuAhwzplrm7Zh25nIeeTqmWq7OaRMfiwrKFWZmejM82oyJWC3-VWtiz2ot5MMZ7X9O1zEWv/s320/images-1.jpeg" /></a><i>Iceland deserves credit for eliminating barriers to same-sex marriage, which will become legal in the Nordic country this weekend, the United Nations human rights chief says.<br />
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Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, wrapped up her official visit to Iceland with a statement on Friday commending Iceland "for the significant progress it has achieved through recent legislation removing legal impediments to same-sex marriages."<br />
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Iceland will become the ninth country to legalize same-sex marriage following legislation that passed the country's parliament earlier this month. Same-sex marriage is already legal in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and Sweden, as well as in some areas of the United States and Mexico.<br />
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In her statement Ms. Pillay also praised Iceland for strengthening the independence of its judiciary and freedom of expression, and she welcomed efforts to set up an independent human rights institution.<br />
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During her visit – the first ever trip to Iceland by a UN human rights chief – Ms. Pillay met Foreign Minister Össur Skarphédinsson, Justice and Human Rights Minister Ragna Árnadóttir and other senior Government officials, as well as representatives of civil society and academia. She also addressed the University of Iceland in the capital, Reykjavik.</i><br />
Hmmmm. Nine countries have legalized same-sex marriage. Isn't it about time that the country that calls itself "the leader of the free world" do the same?Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-86971432252039676642010-06-22T03:56:00.000-04:002010-06-22T03:56:30.465-04:00Wise words from former Senator Edward Brooke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1HHoHDjqt3XAzQz4y0aPbvHaJbrMmfPlPXpjcb4N5lDguRwnmXybpAI15zK5jlNyVIBn5AuatGLRQBX6iDokjFrWSqj4w6eHU-Oy36osywVV07-W6O2Bl9CovlsPfW_pow6xq-OYl1ds/s1600/images-7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1HHoHDjqt3XAzQz4y0aPbvHaJbrMmfPlPXpjcb4N5lDguRwnmXybpAI15zK5jlNyVIBn5AuatGLRQBX6iDokjFrWSqj4w6eHU-Oy36osywVV07-W6O2Bl9CovlsPfW_pow6xq-OYl1ds/s320/images-7.jpeg" /></a></div>Former Massachusetts Senator Edward Brooke was the first popularly elected African American to make it to the US Senate. Here's an excerpt from his editorial in today's <i>Boston Globe</i>.<br />
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<i>Regardless of its target, prejudice is always the same. It finds novel expressions and capitalizes on new fears. But prejudice is never new and never right. One thing binds all prejudices together: irrational fear. Decades ago, black service members were the objects of this fear. Many thought that integrating black and white soldiers would harm the military and society. Today, we see that segregation itself was the threat to our values. We know that laws that elevate one class of people over another run counter to America’s ideals. Yet due to ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’’ the very people who sacrifice the most to defend our values are subject to such a law. We owe them far more.<br />
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I am not persuaded by the argument that service members are not “ready’’ for repeal of the policy. Not unlike racial segregation of the armed forces, ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’’ lends unwarranted deference to prejudice. Now, as then, we should confront and eliminate discrimination rather than preserve a law that fosters it.<br />
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The Senate is expected to take up repeal of the law in July. If I were still in the Senate, I would vote to show my respect for the sacrifices of all soldiers — gay and straight. Congress should repeal this legislation and score another victory of progress over prejudice.</i><br />
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The Republican Party to which he belonged when he was elected is unrecognizable now. It's too bad his fellow Republicans-- including Scott Brown, who has announced he will vote against the DADT repeal -- won't listen to him.<i> </i>Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-23129202500549442452010-06-22T00:00:00.002-04:002010-06-22T00:00:00.465-04:00Wow. This is really scary.<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CU9GXil9Vm8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CU9GXil9Vm8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="250"></embed></object>Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-21019838585462480822010-06-15T01:48:00.001-04:002010-06-15T01:48:39.289-04:00Greetings, allHello, folks...<br />
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I'm at the Bennington Writers Seminar right now giving almost 24 hour attention to writing and literature until June 20. As much as I'd love communicating with you in this blog, I'm going to have to wait until June 22 before my next entry.<br />
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Thanks for your patience and interest in this blog!Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4579377980872433155.post-32501768898571422422010-06-11T14:00:00.002-04:002010-06-11T14:00:00.538-04:00This is in the "you've got to be kidding me department."In Seattle, Wash., a white male teacher had an 8-year-old African American girl removed from the classroom. In most cases, children are removed for behavioral and disciplinary issues, which is clearly understandable and acceptable; however, this wasn’t the case here.<br />
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The teacher removed the girl, claiming her Afro was making him sick. Naturally, the father of the child, Charles Mudede, was extremely concerned after the incident, and, as a result, the girl, who was the only black child in the advanced-placement class, has missed two weeks of school.<br />
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The incident, which occurred at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, was featured on KIRO-TV. The segment showed the hair product the girl used, Organic Root Stimulator's Olive Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion, as well as interviews with her mother and lawyer.<br />
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While the girl was eventually relocated to another class down the hall, the fact remains that such a decision could be made by a teacher alone, without the school contacting the parents directly — especially given the implications on the surface of a white teacher picking on a single black child as being the origin of his allergy. The NAACP stated that it will file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education.<br />
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The fact that a teacher would engage in such behavior is troublesome — especially in front of other students. If America is in a post racial period, it appears that “post” and “pre” may be synonymous. Teresa Wippel, school district representative, said, “We're certainly concerned about the incident and are looking into it. … Our goal is to make sure the student returns to school. The parents have, so far, not wanted to put her back in school. They want to be sure everything is resolved to their satisfaction.”<br />
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We, as a people, have endured many centuries of being degraded just for our physical features. I understand the strength and pride that Charles Mudede is displaying with respect to this situation. I, too, am a parent, and teach my children that the way they speak and look and act makes me proud, and that they should maintain such fortitude when others cannot acknowledge what they see in themselves. –torrance stephens, ph.d.Ken Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15508221606124360658noreply@blogger.com2