NYTimes.com:
"Its efforts helped bring bilingual education to public schools around the country. In 1981, the fund filed a lawsuit that prompted a federal court, on the eve of the city’s primary elections, to block voting in New York City. The suit, supported by Ms. Sotomayor and the rest of the board, alleged that the new City Council district boundaries diminished the influence of minority voters.
“It was a stunning victory,” recalled Cesar A. Perales, the defense fund’s president and general counsel, noting that the entire board embraced the effort. “Imagine you wake up and are going to vote and the headlines tell you, ‘No Election Today.’ ”
Friday, May 29, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Sonia Sotomayor; Will The Right Diss Hispanics Again?
If the conservatives ever hope for another hispanic vote they better tread litely in their opposition to Sonia Sotomayor as a Supreme Court Justice.
Indefinite is not Forever
Despite to screaming for the left about Obama's detention policies outlines in his recent speech "Protecting Our Security and Our Values" I think he got it exactly right.
When processing potential terrorist through the courts there will be a small number that are members of an organisation that choose to use violent acts to wage war against the US. In that case the detainee should be thought of as a prison of a war for as long as that group continues is it violent struggle against society. However that detention can not be with out a way out for the detainee. Participation in a rehabilitating program that call for a renouncing of violence and a probationary monitoring program.
From President Obama's Speech:
"Finally, there remains the question of detainees at Guantanamo who cannot be prosecuted yet who pose a clear danger to the American people.
I want to be honest: this is the toughest issue we will face. We are going to exhaust every avenue that we have to prosecute those at Guantanamo who pose a danger to our country. But even when this process is complete, there may be a number of people who cannot be prosecuted for past crimes, but who nonetheless pose a threat to the security of the United States. Examples of that threat include people who have received extensive explosives training at al Qaeda training camps, commanded Taliban troops in battle, expressed their allegiance to Osama bin Laden, or otherwise made it clear that they want to kill Americans. These are people who, in effect, remain at war with the United States.
As I said, I am not going to release individuals who endanger the American people. Al Qaeda terrorists and their affiliates are at war with the United States, and those that we capture - like other prisoners of war - must be prevented from attacking us again. However, we must recognize that these detention policies cannot be unbounded. That is why my Administration has begun to reshape these standards to ensure they are in line with the rule of law. We must have clear, defensible and lawful standards for those who fall in this category. We must have fair procedures so that we don't make mistakes. We must have a thorough process of periodic review, so that any prolonged detention is carefully evaluated and justified.
I know that creating such a system poses unique challenges. Other countries have grappled with this question, and so must we. But I want to be very clear that our goal is to construct a legitimate legal framework for Guantanamo detainees - not to avoid one. In our constitutional system, prolonged detention should not be the decision of any one man. If and when we determine that the United States must hold individuals to keep them from carrying out an act of war, we will do so within a system that involves judicial and congressional oversight. And so going forward, my Administration will work with Congress to develop an appropriate legal regime so that our efforts are consistent with our values and our Constitution."
When processing potential terrorist through the courts there will be a small number that are members of an organisation that choose to use violent acts to wage war against the US. In that case the detainee should be thought of as a prison of a war for as long as that group continues is it violent struggle against society. However that detention can not be with out a way out for the detainee. Participation in a rehabilitating program that call for a renouncing of violence and a probationary monitoring program.
From President Obama's Speech:
"Finally, there remains the question of detainees at Guantanamo who cannot be prosecuted yet who pose a clear danger to the American people.
I want to be honest: this is the toughest issue we will face. We are going to exhaust every avenue that we have to prosecute those at Guantanamo who pose a danger to our country. But even when this process is complete, there may be a number of people who cannot be prosecuted for past crimes, but who nonetheless pose a threat to the security of the United States. Examples of that threat include people who have received extensive explosives training at al Qaeda training camps, commanded Taliban troops in battle, expressed their allegiance to Osama bin Laden, or otherwise made it clear that they want to kill Americans. These are people who, in effect, remain at war with the United States.
As I said, I am not going to release individuals who endanger the American people. Al Qaeda terrorists and their affiliates are at war with the United States, and those that we capture - like other prisoners of war - must be prevented from attacking us again. However, we must recognize that these detention policies cannot be unbounded. That is why my Administration has begun to reshape these standards to ensure they are in line with the rule of law. We must have clear, defensible and lawful standards for those who fall in this category. We must have fair procedures so that we don't make mistakes. We must have a thorough process of periodic review, so that any prolonged detention is carefully evaluated and justified.
I know that creating such a system poses unique challenges. Other countries have grappled with this question, and so must we. But I want to be very clear that our goal is to construct a legitimate legal framework for Guantanamo detainees - not to avoid one. In our constitutional system, prolonged detention should not be the decision of any one man. If and when we determine that the United States must hold individuals to keep them from carrying out an act of war, we will do so within a system that involves judicial and congressional oversight. And so going forward, my Administration will work with Congress to develop an appropriate legal regime so that our efforts are consistent with our values and our Constitution."
Eugene Robinson: Obama/Cheney Worlds
Washington Post:
"In Obama World, it's always morning. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the pollen count is low. In Cheney World, it's perpetual twilight. Somewhere in the distance, a lone wolf howls at the rising moon."
"In Obama World, it's always morning. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the pollen count is low. In Cheney World, it's perpetual twilight. Somewhere in the distance, a lone wolf howls at the rising moon."
Ex-Detainee Struggles to Prove Innocence
Washington Post:
"PARIS, May 25 -- When the nightmare finally ended -- seven years at Guantanamo Bay, two years of force-feeding through a tube in his right nostril, the long struggle to proclaim his innocence before a judge, and finally 10 days of hospitalization -- Lakhdar Boumediene celebrated with pizza for lunch in a little Paris dive."
"PARIS, May 25 -- When the nightmare finally ended -- seven years at Guantanamo Bay, two years of force-feeding through a tube in his right nostril, the long struggle to proclaim his innocence before a judge, and finally 10 days of hospitalization -- Lakhdar Boumediene celebrated with pizza for lunch in a little Paris dive."
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Small Tent Revival
NY Times:
"RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Liberty University has banned its fledgling College Democrats club, saying the group stands against the conservative Christian institution’s principles."
"RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Liberty University has banned its fledgling College Democrats club, saying the group stands against the conservative Christian institution’s principles."
Don't Ask
NY Times:" Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has reassured Specialist Zachary Boyd, stationed in Afghanistan, that his military career is in no danger for having appeared on the front page of The New York Times dressed for combat in pink boxers and flip-flops. Quite the contrary."
Let's get Ready to Fumble
Media Matters:
"In May 21 reports on former Vice President Dick Cheney's speech that day at the American Enterprise Institute, the CBS Evening News, Fox News' Special Report, CNN's The Situation Room, and ABC's World News all uncritically aired discredited claims Cheney made suggesting that detainees provided information after "enhanced interrogation techniques" were used, and had not provided it before being subjected to those methods. As Media Matters for America has noted, former FBI agent Ali Soufan -- who interrogated Abu Zubaydah -- testified before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee on May 13 about the success of standard interrogation methods, which he contrasted with "ineffective" harsh techniques.
"In May 21 reports on former Vice President Dick Cheney's speech that day at the American Enterprise Institute, the CBS Evening News, Fox News' Special Report, CNN's The Situation Room, and ABC's World News all uncritically aired discredited claims Cheney made suggesting that detainees provided information after "enhanced interrogation techniques" were used, and had not provided it before being subjected to those methods. As Media Matters for America has noted, former FBI agent Ali Soufan -- who interrogated Abu Zubaydah -- testified before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee on May 13 about the success of standard interrogation methods, which he contrasted with "ineffective" harsh techniques.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
California Milk Day Moving Forward
McClatchy News:
"A bill declaring a Harvey Milk Day in California - to honor the slain gay rights figure - passed the state Senate today 24-14 and now goes to the Assembly.
No surprise that all 23 Democrats present voted yes. But Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria, changed his vote from a "no" on the same bill last year to the sole GOP "yes" on the floor Thursday.
Two things swayed him, said Maldonado, who earned flak from GOP collegues recently when he became one of six in his party to vote for the February budget deal. On Thursday, Maldonado said he was already feeling heat from conservative callers to his office about the Milk vote.
He said he is telling those who object that he read the Milk bill closely, as he did this time, rather than listening to groups complaining about what it supposedly would do. "There's nothing in this bill that mandates teaching that Harvey Milk was a homosexual," Maldonado said. "For folks calling this "Gay Day," I say read the bill."
"A bill declaring a Harvey Milk Day in California - to honor the slain gay rights figure - passed the state Senate today 24-14 and now goes to the Assembly.
No surprise that all 23 Democrats present voted yes. But Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria, changed his vote from a "no" on the same bill last year to the sole GOP "yes" on the floor Thursday.
Two things swayed him, said Maldonado, who earned flak from GOP collegues recently when he became one of six in his party to vote for the February budget deal. On Thursday, Maldonado said he was already feeling heat from conservative callers to his office about the Milk vote.
He said he is telling those who object that he read the Milk bill closely, as he did this time, rather than listening to groups complaining about what it supposedly would do. "There's nothing in this bill that mandates teaching that Harvey Milk was a homosexual," Maldonado said. "For folks calling this "Gay Day," I say read the bill."
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Czar Calls for End to War On Drugs
WSJ.com:
"WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration's new drug czar says he wants to banish the idea that the U.S. is fighting "a war on drugs," a move that would underscore a shift favoring treatment over incarceration in trying to reduce illicit drug use.
In his first interview since being confirmed to head the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske said Wednesday the bellicose analogy was a barrier to dealing with the nation's drug issues.
"Regardless of how you try to explain to people it's a 'war on drugs' or a 'war on a product,' people see a war as a war on them," he said. "We're not at war with people in this country."
"WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration's new drug czar says he wants to banish the idea that the U.S. is fighting "a war on drugs," a move that would underscore a shift favoring treatment over incarceration in trying to reduce illicit drug use.
In his first interview since being confirmed to head the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske said Wednesday the bellicose analogy was a barrier to dealing with the nation's drug issues.
"Regardless of how you try to explain to people it's a 'war on drugs' or a 'war on a product,' people see a war as a war on them," he said. "We're not at war with people in this country."
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Healthcare Industry Offers a Bribe
Huffington Post:
"In conjunction with the White House, a host of trade associations, pharmaceutical groups and other stakeholders in the health care debate are set to announce a major effort to streamline the nation's health care system that could save more than $2 trillion over the next decade."
"In conjunction with the White House, a host of trade associations, pharmaceutical groups and other stakeholders in the health care debate are set to announce a major effort to streamline the nation's health care system that could save more than $2 trillion over the next decade."
WWID: Pakistan
If I was President of the United States I would announce a humanitarian air lift of supplies to those fleeing the battles for the Swat Valley in Pakistan. There is incredible capital to be gain when we are seen as the white hat at a time of crisis.
Friday, May 08, 2009
US Interrogators May Have Killed Dozens
The Raw Story:
"United States interrogators killed nearly four dozen detainees during or after their interrogations, according a report published by a human rights researcher based on a Human Rights First report and followup investigations.
In all, 98 detainees have died while in US hands. Thirty-four homicides have been identified, with at least eight detainees — and as many as 12 — having been tortured to death, according to a 2006 Human Rights First report that underwrites the researcher’s posting. The causes of 48 more deaths remain uncertain."
"United States interrogators killed nearly four dozen detainees during or after their interrogations, according a report published by a human rights researcher based on a Human Rights First report and followup investigations.
In all, 98 detainees have died while in US hands. Thirty-four homicides have been identified, with at least eight detainees — and as many as 12 — having been tortured to death, according to a 2006 Human Rights First report that underwrites the researcher’s posting. The causes of 48 more deaths remain uncertain."
A Bunch of Cowards
When I hear the Republicans and Dems for that matter. say not in my backyard when it comes to the question of where to put the Gitmo Detainees if some need to be brought to this countries. I think to myself what a bunch of cowards. Our prisons house serial killers and drug lords but a terrorist in a super-max prison puts the fear of god in them.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Scapegoats: Taking it to the Next Level
There is something about the constant talk about whether the Lawyers at the Office of Legal Council will be prosecuted for the torture memos. It's true that they are very stupid men who wrote very stupid opinions to satisfy the wishes of there bosses. And it's true that in doing so they committed conspiracy to commit war crimes.
But the time has come to say enough with the scapegoats. It time for the buck to stop where it belongs.
The highest levels of the Bush Administration stood silent as American Soldiers as were sent to prison for "softening up" prisoners for interrogation. They called them "a few bad apples" when they were sentenced to years in prison for follow instructions from the highest levels.
It time to take it to the next level.
But the time has come to say enough with the scapegoats. It time for the buck to stop where it belongs.
The highest levels of the Bush Administration stood silent as American Soldiers as were sent to prison for "softening up" prisoners for interrogation. They called them "a few bad apples" when they were sentenced to years in prison for follow instructions from the highest levels.
It time to take it to the next level.
Sessions in Court
Jeff Sessions, a Senator from Alabama will be leading the Republican charge against whom ever is Obama's Supreme Court Nominee. Which I have to admit I find absolutely fabulous and trust me I never use the word fabulous. Jeff Sessions is the cartoon version of a southern conservative republican. I can't wait.
Here's some of Sen. Jeff Session Votes.
Banning the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional. (Jan 2006)
Voted YES on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
Voted YES on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
Rated 20% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
Rated 0% by the HRC, indicating an anti-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
Rated 7% by the NAACP, indicating an anti-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
Here's some of Sen. Jeff Session Votes.
Banning the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional. (Jan 2006)
Voted YES on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
Voted YES on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
Rated 20% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
Rated 0% by the HRC, indicating an anti-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
Rated 7% by the NAACP, indicating an anti-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
$13 Billion Iraq Contractor Fraud
Washington Post:
"KBR, the Army's largest contractor in Iraq and Afghanistan, is linked to "the vast majority" of suspected combat-zone fraud cases that have been referred to investigators, as well as a majority of the $13 billion in "questioned" or "unsupported" costs, the Pentagon's top auditor said yesterday. "
"KBR, the Army's largest contractor in Iraq and Afghanistan, is linked to "the vast majority" of suspected combat-zone fraud cases that have been referred to investigators, as well as a majority of the $13 billion in "questioned" or "unsupported" costs, the Pentagon's top auditor said yesterday. "
Polar Opposites
You would think that a commontator on a Business channel would have a better understanding of the different governments. Unless it's the Fox Business Channel. FBN reporter Cody Willard recently said "Fascism is when the government owns the businesses". Umm not exactly, that would be Communism, Fascism is more like when the businesses own the government.
Healthcare Enemy #1
The Nation:"Rush Limbaugh offers Democrats an irresistible target as the de facto leader of the Republican Party, but for my money, Rick Scott is the man who best embodies the spirit of the current conservative opposition. The name may not exactly be a household word, or it may ring a faint bell, but Politico recently reported that the millionaire Republican would be heading up Conservatives for Patients' Rights (CPR), a new group that plans to spend around $20 million to kill President Obama's efforts at healthcare reform.
Having Scott lead the charge against healthcare reform is like tapping Bernie Madoff to campaign against tighter securities regulation. You see, the for-profit hospital chain Scott helped found--the one he ran and built his entire reputation on--was discovered to be in the habit of defrauding the government out of hundreds of millions of dollars."
Bullying may make kids psychotic
CHICAGO (Reuters) - People who are bullied as children have twice the risk of having delusions, hallucinations or other psychotic symptoms as pre-teens as those who have not been bullied, British researchers said on Monday.
They said bullying -- especially when it is severe or chronic -- can have serious consequences for some children, and may even act as a trigger for people who are genetically predisposed to schizophrenia.
"Chronic or severe peer victimization has nontrivial, adverse, long-term consequences," Andrea Schreier of the University of Warwick in Coventry, England, and colleagues wrote in the Archives of General Psychiatry.
They said bullying -- especially when it is severe or chronic -- can have serious consequences for some children, and may even act as a trigger for people who are genetically predisposed to schizophrenia.
"Chronic or severe peer victimization has nontrivial, adverse, long-term consequences," Andrea Schreier of the University of Warwick in Coventry, England, and colleagues wrote in the Archives of General Psychiatry.
Monday, May 04, 2009
TAKE YOUR MEDS!
To the people who get Swine Flu, a little advice from a guy with hiv, TAKE YOUR MEDS!
Don't take most or just a few because you started to feel better. If you don't take them all you risk creating a stronger virus resistent to the meds and then next flu season we're all screwed.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Bad Blood
Timesonline:
"A RISING musical star was allegedly shot dead by her own brothers in the conservative city of Peshawar in Pakistan last week after she had appeared on television.
The murder of Ayman Udas, who was in her early thirties and newly married, has shocked the city’s artistic community because it symbolises a backlash against women and cultural freedom in an area that is increasingly dominated by Islamic funda-mentalists."
Where is the line between Religious freedom and Religious domination and oppression. Is it freedom of religion when a 40yr old latter day saint abuses a teenage girl? Is it relious freedom when fundamentalist parents indoctinate the children into backward looking culture?
Maybe it like the old saying. Your right to freedom of religion ends at the other guys nose.
"A RISING musical star was allegedly shot dead by her own brothers in the conservative city of Peshawar in Pakistan last week after she had appeared on television.
The murder of Ayman Udas, who was in her early thirties and newly married, has shocked the city’s artistic community because it symbolises a backlash against women and cultural freedom in an area that is increasingly dominated by Islamic funda-mentalists."
Where is the line between Religious freedom and Religious domination and oppression. Is it freedom of religion when a 40yr old latter day saint abuses a teenage girl? Is it relious freedom when fundamentalist parents indoctinate the children into backward looking culture?
Maybe it like the old saying. Your right to freedom of religion ends at the other guys nose.
Unfair Competition
They all argue that Government run health care, actually government run anything is an inefficent, bureaucratic monster that will ration your health care and drive our nation into financial ruin.
And yet, a public health insurance option would be unfair competition.
"Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) said Friday that he will oppose legislation that would give people the option of a public health insurance plan. The move puts him on the opposite side of two-thirds of Americans.
A poll released this week by Consumer Reports National Research Center showed that 66 percent of Americans back the creation of a public health plan that would compete with private plans. Nelson, in comments made to CQ, joins the 16 percent of poll respondents who said they oppose the plan."
A poll released this week by Consumer Reports National Research Center showed that 66 percent of Americans back the creation of a public health plan that would compete with private plans. Nelson, in comments made to CQ, joins the 16 percent of poll respondents who said they oppose the plan."
"Nelson's problem, he told CQ, is that the public plan would be too attractive and would hurt the private insurance plans. "At the end of the day, the public plan wins the game," Nelson said. Including a public option in a health plan, he said, was a "deal breaker."
Did He really say that?
"What will We do?"
DOHA Debates:
"An audience at the Doha Debates has defied the governments of the Arab League and told them to send Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for trial at the International Criminal Court. A 350-strong audience voted 55 to 45 percent in favour of a motion: 'This House believes Arab states should hand over the Sudanese President to the International Criminal Court'. The vote came just three weeks after the Arab League rejected the ICC's arrest warrant, issued on March 4, against al-Bashir for "international war crimes" and "crimes against humanity"."
Well this should be interesting. What do we do when they issue a warrant for George Bush?
"An audience at the Doha Debates has defied the governments of the Arab League and told them to send Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for trial at the International Criminal Court. A 350-strong audience voted 55 to 45 percent in favour of a motion: 'This House believes Arab states should hand over the Sudanese President to the International Criminal Court'. The vote came just three weeks after the Arab League rejected the ICC's arrest warrant, issued on March 4, against al-Bashir for "international war crimes" and "crimes against humanity"."
Well this should be interesting. What do we do when they issue a warrant for George Bush?
Tortured Outing
As a Gay Man, Like I image most gay people, understand the complexities and emotional struggle that comes with the decision to come out. We come from a people with a history of having to live in the shadow just for our own personal safety. We lived by a code of silence.
So I look at the idea of outing someone like torture. It just not done no matter what. I doesn't matter if it's Osama bin Ladin himself, we don't torture.
I see outing like that. It doesn't matter if he's the biggest hypocrite in the world, we should not out.
Who will decide the degrees of Hypocrisy? Is a little hypocrisy ok? Is it hypocrisy of words or maybe it's deeds. I think the easiest thing is just not to out.
So I look at the idea of outing someone like torture. It just not done no matter what. I doesn't matter if it's Osama bin Ladin himself, we don't torture.
I see outing like that. It doesn't matter if he's the biggest hypocrite in the world, we should not out.
Who will decide the degrees of Hypocrisy? Is a little hypocrisy ok? Is it hypocrisy of words or maybe it's deeds. I think the easiest thing is just not to out.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
UnCharted Territory
It is a simple fact. If we are entering a significant economic down turn with a Worldwide Pandemics in the mix. We are entering uncharted territory.
Friday, May 01, 2009
3 Minorities in One
There is only one choice for Obama to replace Supreme Court Justice Souter.
He must pick a Gay Hispanic Woman. That way he get 3 minorities in One and everybody's happy
He must pick a Gay Hispanic Woman. That way he get 3 minorities in One and everybody's happy
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