If the Obvious is Obvious....

If the Obvious is Obvious....
Okie GOPer Gets Squirrelly Over the Obvious
by James Nimmo

(OKLAHOMA CITY) If the obvious is obvious, then why skirt around the obvious word? Isn't it obvious gays and lesbians are the obvious targets?

Let me explain.

GOPer Rep. Jason Nelson gets a bit squirrelly in his use of the word "shell" in reference to his bill to arrest clergy who perform religious ceremonies he doesn't like. He's obviously not at all embarrassed that his plan has been discovered, yet if a shell bill is merely a formality as he says, why does he select clergy performing ceremonies in the context of their constitutionally protected religious practices? And why does he single out marriage? Why didn't he choose baptism, or divorce, or circumcision?

Here's an OU Daily Oklahoman story about Nelson's (R-HD 87) attempt to obliterate the obvious.

http://www.oudaily.com/news/2010/feb/03/marriage-bill-faces-scrutiny/
or http://tinyurl.com/ye7lycp

And here's another POV of Nelson's obvious gay-hating bill from beyond Okie-land borders.

http://www.queerty.com/why-is-ok-rep-jason-nelson-changing-just-1-word-of-a-law-banning-priests-from-officiating-gay-marriages-20100127/ or http://tinyurl.com/ydbm8wq

See! I'm not infected with the Tenther-Birther-Tea-Bag virus.

It's obvious GOPer Rep. Nelson isn't satisfied that in Oklahoma there's an immoral and illegal constitutional amendment imposed by the voters in 2004 preventing recognition by the state of same-gender marriages, part of my civil rights.

No county clerk will issue a valid license; therefore, there is no marriage, period! And then there's the federal law known as DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) which allows states to ignore, if they wish, same-gender marriages performed in other states. And if that weren't enough DOMA also prohibits federal benefits granted to hetero-couples from being granted to homo-couples.

Having done everything obviously to sequester gay and lesbian couples in the public forum, Nelson now wants to go after clergy performing ceremonies that have no legal recognition outside the walls of their sanctuaries. This obvious desire runs smack against the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of, and freedom from, religion.

Why do religious fundies in Oklahoma not understand that they've killed the golden goose of their gay hatred by passing restrictive laws and amendments against gay and lesbian taxpayers. The only obvious thing to do next is to restrict our movements within the state, segregating us to gay ghettos as the Nazis did to the Jews of Germany.

Nelson's motives are obviously rooted in a word known as "over-kill", a word I use in trepidation when talking about obvious homo-haters.

R.I.P. Matthew Shepard.

I know what change looks like, but all I can see are two faces.

I know what change looks like, but all I can see are two faces.

Constitutional Rights Are Not a Raffle Ticket Prize
by James Nimmo




(OKLAHOMA CITY) In this article from the Salt Lake City Tribune, we're told that support for LGBTs has "shot up" over the past year following passage of a bias ban approved by the Salt Lake City Council that includes sexual orientation/gender identity in housing and employment.

How many times have I heard that legislatures and courts must not get too far ahead of the "will of the people" or there will be some ill-described chicken-little type of reaction among the voters: respect for the law and mom and apple pie will diminish and Gee-sus himself will come to earth and....well, you get the drift.

After reading the article I'm again reminded that so many people, such as toe-the-line Mormons, can change their opinions merely because their leaders, in effect, tell them to, either directly through the legislative process or by leading with their own behavioral change.

If this SLC Tribune poll is close to accurate in its description, just how accurate is the dreadful prediction that should the United States Supreme Court rule in our same-gender marriage favor on appeal of the currently litigated California Prop 8 trial, America will fall into total oblivion with Joe Six-Pack hubbies divorcing their long suffering wives to run off for a gay fling with Ted Haggard, and Sally Soccer moms running off to pal around with Ellen Degeneres for free samples of Cover Girl make-up? Just how far in front of public opinion does the Supreme Court need to be if a majority of Mormons in Utah, which led the fight with Roman Catholics against Prop 8 in California in 2008, can increase by a range of 10% to 45% their approval and acceptance of gay/lesbian civil rights in their own state.

By the way, the recognition of my civil rights is inherent with my birth as an American citizen and in no way needs approval from anyone, let alone those who believe in golden tablets from the sky, magic underwear, and ancestral baptism. The denial of my civil rights because I'm gay is what's illegal, not my desire to have the same social, financial, and legal benefits which I'm paying for with my taxes. No one's Constitutional civil rights should be held up as the prize for a raffle ticket in the lottery of public opinion.

What I'm coming around to is this: If America had a national spokesperson who lead using the force of law as well as his own example and not just by mere words of fierce advocacy, and who had lead by his presence in Maine in its recent vote on same-gender marriage, or even further back, to the California vote in November 2009 on Prop 8--both votes having a devastating setback on civil rights for gay/lesbian taxpayers--can't you imagine that successful votes would have reinforced the legislative and judicial decisions that were already in place at the time, decisions that fully recognized our rights of citizenship?

What if that person was the president of the United States, one who prides himself on his commitment to changing the tone of government in Washington?

I know what change-I-can-believe-in looks like, but all I can see are two faces.

http://tinyurl.com/ygpfk6u
'Dramatic jump' with Utahns for gay rights
Salt Lake City Tribune
snip--Poll shows big increase in support for LGBT rights in Utah: Some two in three Utah residents back workplace protections for LGBT workers and hospital visitation and inheritance rights for gay and lesbian couples, compared with 56% in January of last year, a Salt Lake Tribune poll has found. The shift in support for LGBT rights follows the November approval by the Salt Lake City Council of measures to ban bias based on sexual orientation or gender identity in housing and the workplace.

snip--


Opposition dropped, overall, from 40 percent to 23 percent. Among LDS respondents, it plummeted from 48 percent to 28 percent.



"This isn't a gradual change of attitudes. This is a fairly dramatic jump," says Matthew Burbank, chairman of the University of Utah's political science department. "Clearly, the fact that the LDS Church was officially endorsing this position had an impact on people."

Gay Blood Weaker than Water

Photo courtesy of Box Turtle Bulletin
_________________________

Killed in the line of duty but regarded as second class --
gay blood weaker than water
by James Nimmo


(OKLAHOMA CITY) Why is it that one can risk, and sometimes loose, one's life, pay taxes, contribute to a better society, but if that person is gay, lives in a gay-negative state, the obituaries and official press release from your employer ignore your family life? Does this happen with heteros?

Even though Missouri has two major American cities, its policies towards gay/lesbian state employees is still in the 1950s. According to my count and the Victory Fund, Missouri has three out state legislators, Oklahoma has one. http://www.glli.org/out_officials

For readers in Oklahoma, you might be interested to know (if you didn't already) that Rep McAffrey's Bill #2339 would grant same-gender benefits to state employees. As I read it that would include same-gender as well as opposite-gender couples. http://www.gossip-boy.com/HB_2339.html

You can read more about Rep. McAffrey at his web-page: http://www.almcaffrey.com/ Rep. McAffrey has a variety of news releases on his website showing his attention and solutions to the major problems with Oklahoma today. Unlike some legislators, Rep. McAffrey is not interested in ambulance chasing in order to hear the siren. Rep McAffrey is a solid advocate for making all his constituents's lives better.

Oklahoma taxpayers can lobby our own legislators to pass Rep. McAffrey's bill with a phone call, hand-written letter or email. Contact information is here: http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/ . Keep it clean but assertive. Even if you find your legislator to be unresponsive, think of it as educating the uninformed. With enough repetitions the lesson sinks in.

The Oklahoma Legislature opens Monday, February 1.

We can encourage the Missouri Legislature (http://www.moga.mo.gov/) to correct the injustice done not only to the Englhard family but to all of Missouri's gay and lesbian taxpayers. Increasing even by one the number of gay/lesbian friendly environments makes a better place for everyone to work and live.

The above are my own thoughts on the matter of gay/lesbian citizenship and are not coordinated with any political candidate, official, or party.

Box Turtle Bulletin: The inhumanity of “protecting marriage”

complete at: http://tinyurl.com/ydld3s2

In 1995 Hootie and The Blowfish were on the radio, Waterworld was stinking up the movie theaters, and Tommy Lee married Pamela Anderson. It may not have been the best of years, but it was a good year for Kelly Glossip; that’s the year he met Dennis Engelhard.

Over the next 15 years the two men built a life together. They bought and decorated a house, joined a church, and helped raise Kelly’s son from a previous relationship.

And Dennis established a career in law enforcement, earning respect as a Missouri State Highway Patrolman. Even though Missouri is not a liberal state, the two lived openly, even attending social functions with Dennis’ coworkers.

The Compatible Odd Couple

Photo courtesy of http://media.funmansion.com


Heteros Tasting Their Own Medicine

by James Nimmo

(OKLAHOMA CITY) I'm compatible with Sally Kern! Yup, you read it right. Though Kern and I are polar opposites religiously, politically, orientationally, and educationally, I'm compatible with Oklahoma GOPer Rep. Sally Kern and her newly introduced HB 2279 which, if passed, would not allow incompatibility to be used as grounds for a divorce between opposite-gendered (of course) adults.

Kern who has hyperventilated while sniffing in gay and lesbian closets has now turned her big nose to sniffing between the sheets of the hetero marriage bed. ( http://tinyurl.com/yc45mhh )

Pre-existing conditions such as minor children in the household, a marriage of ten years or longer, or written objection by the other spouse would prevent using incompatibility as grounds for an Oklahoma divorce.

I'm so compatible with Kern over her non-divorce bill I could be the son she almost had. Not only that, I'll see her bet and raise her one.

This being Oklahoma, the third hole in America's bible belt, I wouldn't bet the rent on this bill dying in committee, the fate of most of the worst of Okie legislators's submissions. Therefore, I'm proposing a bill that would take Kern's aspirations a step higher.

Since a judge, in effect, examines the two people engaged in a divorce proceeding to see if at least one of the parties has sufficient grounds for divorce, why not have a judge examine the proposed bride and groom at the beginning of the procedure when they apply for an Oklahoma marriage license? Why not head off any incompatible marriages before they become incompatible divorces?

In my bill, the hopeful newlyweds would have to prove to the examiner not only their undying love for each other but also have to prove their financial prospects are propitious, their religious beliefs are rooted in the christian bible, their educational backgrounds are conducive to a lifetime of constructive pillow talk, and above all, both parties are willing and able to produce children as fast as physically possible. A failing grade in any of these aspects would disallow the issuance of the marriage license.

If Kern wants to meddle in straight people's private affairs just as she's meddled in gay people's affairs shouldn't she be willing to fully insert the police power of the state right from the beginning of a proposed marriage? In fact, Kern should revise her divorce bill as a state question needing approval from the voters. If marriage is so important that it must be denied to same-gender taxpayers, as it is in Oklahoma, why not let straight voters police themselves?

As a staunch and starchy "kern-servative", as she bills herself, shouldn't she be strong enough to impose the state government into all aspects of married life? She claims her bill will alleviate many of Oklahoma's societal ills. She proclaims "...[I]f we could reduce divorce in Oklahoma we would also reduce our prison population and welfare rolls while benefiting families and children. That’s a goal worth pursing." ( This link includes the text of the Kern bill,
http://tinyurl.com/ydq9f9d )

She continues, "If we can lower our divorce rate, our quality of life will improve and we will also reduce the need for many state services in this time of budget shortfall, freeing up money to go to core services such as schools and roads."

Who knew that keeping children in a warring household with two unhappy parents was the solution that would help reduce Oklahoma's budget deficit? Again, Kern is using children as a shield for her schizophrenic view of privacy. Remember in 2009 she proposed and passed a legislative resolution objecting to a United Nations project to protect children from violence. If she wants to protect children from the harms of divorce, why is she against protecting children from violence? ( http://tinyurl.com/y8ujchv )

Remember the joke that was going around concerning the mock acceptance of same-gender marriage? It went something like, "Why should gays and lesbians be spared the pitfalls and expense of married life?" My new version of that joke is, "Why should straights be spared the intrusiveness of Sally Kern poking her nose into their marriages or divorces?"

Or here's another joke, this time from one of Kern's heroes, Ronald Reagan. In one of his speeches, he said poking maliciously at government programs, "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you." Isn't Sally Kern from the government? Is she here to help you?

Among many religious fundamentalists and political conservatives (But I repeat myself) there is the thinking that America is an exceptional country. Now I know what they mean by that. They're saying "America must play by the rules I set down, but when it's convenient, I get an exception."

In Kern's case she claims an exception for her divorce bill and its intrusive meddling in the private matrimonial affairs of adults.

Why Americans can’t admit that their society is toast

graphic courtesy of http://cm1.theinsider.com/media/0/84/20/unclesam.0.0.0x0.374x500.jpeg

http://tinyurl.com/yg44ejx

Moderator's comment: I found this writer to be reading my mind. He was able, somehow, to put reasonable words together expressing my thoughts that usually leave me slobbering from inept, helpless rage at the destruction of our collective future.

I'm no tea bag fan and realize the actions of that crowd are prompted by ever more self-frustration goaded by the right-wing greed machine taking advantage of them. Bu I do understand where they're coming from.

The tea bagging tactics of threatened violence and crude explanation of our country's failure should not be allowed to lure additional victims into their clutches. But the salve of bland words and tepid legislation should no be allowed to pose as a cure for our national fever of scapegoating.

A return to plain words and definitions, the acknowledgement of civil law, equality, and social fairness would go a long way towards turning down the flames of excess that are threatening our country for everyone who lives outside a gated community.

Why Americans can’t admit that their society is toast
By Dennis Rahkonen
Online Journal Contributing Writer
http://tinyurl.com/yg44ejx

THE REINCARNATION OF THE DARK AGES

–

None Dare Call It RELIGIOUS FEUDALISM - 12.27.09



complete at http://tpjmagazine.us/adams36


The king taxed the peasants to poverty while the royals were exempt from paying any. Reason? Unjust tax codes were a design of the rich, by the rich, and for the rich. That was the “targeted tax-cut” which invariably became law. “He who hath the gold maketh the rules.” ...learn more>>


snip---
Consider this ominous fact: The average American’s income has remained flat since 1977 — 33 years ago, while the income of the richest 1% has more than tripled — 228% (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities). CEOs (corporate executive officers) incomes rose 400% in the 1990s to $10.6 million annual income per capita, while take-home pay for the average American, the 80%, rose zero percent.

Real life experience bears it out. Most Americans don’t enjoy the purchasing power they once did when a one-income family could raise children, purchase a home, car and college education for their kids. Now both parents work (if lucky enough to have a job) and still can’t keep up, resulting in less quality education, poor family relations, rising crime, and an eroding moral foundation.

snip--
They hide their greed behind such noble causes as “individualism,” “patriotism,” “character & family values” and “national security,” but all the while their ultimate aim is the same. Proudly they wave the flag and claim to be the lead standard bearers for patriotism; all the while we recall they’re missing in action when it really counts; wealthy family ties shield them from risk. Only the rich initiate wars, mostly the poor fight them. The double standard of justice comes from obscene wealth. Principles can be compromised at a price. And so can religion, their primary weapon of choice.

In similar manner, they buy off religious organizations and congressmen, hire the best lobbyists, and manipulate enough voters through the religious system to change laws for their benefit. Their aim? To further concentrate the wealth and leave the rest of the country destitute if need be. Their “compassionate conservatism” is hypocrisy cloaked in a sound-bite.

OKC School Board a Group of Slow Learners

Photo of Oklahoma City Public School teacher, Joe Quigley
courtesy of KWTV

Remedial Reading Would be Justified

by James Nimmo

(OKLAHOMA CITY) I want to remind readers that the Oklahoma City School Board's atrocious behavior towards Joe Quigley was about trying to shut him up in order that the Board would NOT have to make the vote they made on Monday, December 14. A public apology will never happen, so the closest Quigley can come to one will be the dropping of all legal action against him brought about by the vindictive attitude of the majority of the Board.

It has taken over twelve years for this Board to acknowledge the need for GLBT-inclusive language to be added to the District's student handbook. The Board now claims it was the passage of the Shepard Hate Crime Law that prompted them to do so. A quip was made in the story below about having one's head in the sand regarding the discrimination directed at gay/lesbian students. I would suggest the collective heads of the Board have been somewhere else "where the sun don't shine."

Quigley has been found by an Oklahoma County judge to be innocent of any improper or unprofessional activities in the class room.

However, I find Gail Vines, Dist. 2 representative, to be guilty of voting twice against Quigley: the first time at Quigleys kangaroo hearing when she improperly abstained, stating to me that she felt she did not know enough about the case. For that opinion I feel she should have left the room before the vote was taken or voted in favor of Quigley because it is accepted legal precedent that in the event of doubt about guilt one does not vote against the defendant. The second time was when she voted to continue legal action against Quigley when he was found innocent of the charges brought against him by the Board, violating the spirit and intent of the trial de novo guidelines.

The negative opinion of Gail Vines who was once thought to be the sole openly gay-friendly member of the Board, and whose business, Flip's Winebar and Tratoria, is the subject of an informal boycott has been seen to be justified.

Phil Horning, who is quoted in the Oklahoman story below as saying he'd die before voting no against the inclusion of GLBT-protective language is, using his own hyperbole, to be whistling past the graveyard. I was present during Mr. Horning's vicious questioning of Quigley's attorney during the original kangaroo hearing: it was evident he had made up his mind and would not allow evidence to steer him from his course. As Minnesota Senator Al Franken said recently during debate: "We are entitled to our own opinions; we are not entitled to our own facts."


complete at: http://www.newsok.com/oklahoma-city-school-board-passes-protection-for-gay-pupils/article/3425049

or http://tinyurl.com/yas2trh

Oklahoma City school board passes protection for gay pupils
Board member says the amended rule is ‘ahead of the curve’ in Oklahoma
BY MEGAN ROLLAND
Published: December 15, 2009

The bullying or harassment of gay, lesbian and transgender students in the
Oklahoma City School District will not be tolerated, school board members
said Monday with a vote amending the district’s policy.

"This is an opportunity for us to get a little bit ahead of the curve, not
very far I’ll admit,” board member Phil Horning said. "You cannot live in
central Oklahoma and not admit that there is a tendency to discriminate
against gay and lesbian individuals. You’d have to have your head in the
sand not to admit it … I’ll die before I vote no.”

complete at: http://www.newsok.com/oklahoma-city-school-board-passes-protection-for-gay-pupils/article/3425049

or http://tinyurl.com/yas2trh

Uncle Proud Liberal's Guide to Handling Rightwing-Nuts Online

http://ranting-liberally.blogspot.com/2009/12/uncle-pls-guide-to-handling- rightwing.html

or http://tinyurl.com/yfj3sbl

Where in the Constitution is there an orientation test?

Graphic from: http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=35608


(OKLAHOMA CITY) Various fundie homo-hating religious denominations have been doing a great deal of proselytizing the last few years. We've all been converted by proxy whether we knew it or not. No, it's not the Mormons in this case, though they do have their own ways--that's for another story.

I'm choosing two Catholic abuse stories that got my attention recently.

By allowing far-right wing homo-haters to set beliefs taken from their religious books into the civil law books everyone in this country is an honorary member of the Catholic religion, vassals of the Pope in Vatican City.

This means all of us are party to the enabling of child abusers even as these religious corporations enjoy a vast tax-free financial fraud, endorsed by the IRS.

These tax-sheltered frauds are as crooked as Bernie Maddof has been proven to be. They have entered the public arena advocating for their particular religious dogma, using it to overturn or prevent the recognition and implementation of civil rights for all of this country's taxpaying citizens.

Where in the Constitution is there an orientation test one is required to pass in order to receive the rights, benefits, and privileges guaranteed to all citizens under the law?

However, there is a First Amendment requiring that civil law does not recognize religious dogma, period.

Below is a link to a story about a relatively cheap monetary settlement made by the diocese of Maine to close the book on one abuse case even as the diocese spent over twice that amount to make sure Catholic dogma rules the private lives of not just the gay/lesbian residents of Maine, but all of us regardless of where we live.

Joe Sudbay of http://gay.americablog.com wrote recently:

The Catholic Diocese of Maine has been doling out a lot of money lately. There was that $550,000 spent on the anti-gay campaign. And, there was another $200,000 paid to the victim of a sexually-abusing priest:

A lawyer has confirmed that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland made a $200,000 settlement on Nov. 5 with his client, who said she was molested by a priest in 1976 in the rectory of St. Michael's Church in South Berwick.

snip

The settlement money came from insurance, said Sue Bernard, spokesperson for the diocese. The diocese received its first complaint about Vallely in 1978 and took action.

Took action? The Church leaders enabled abusers for decades. Yet, these same abuse-enabling church leaders are setting social policy for America. That's sick.

( http://tinyurl.com/yd29uxb )

And then there's the stalling by the former archbishop of New York City when pressed in a deposition as to why he did nothing to investigate a child abuse complaint brought to his attention when he was a mere bishop, not a prince of the church, in Connecticut--

"Cardinal Edward M. Egan, then a Connecticut bishop, ...was questioned about cases of child molestation committed by priests under his supervision. When a lawyer taking Egan’s deposition asked why the bishop had failed to intervene immediately in cases involving complaints about a predatory priest, Egan told him, "I didn’t make a decision one way or the other. I kept working on it until I resolved the decision." " ( http://tinyurl.com/ykkwyow )

Such preaching and teaching about the sanctity of marriage from an institution that knowingly shuffled child abusers around in a holy shell game of deception is beyond the overused word of hypocrisy. It's more clearly described as a license--a permit to do what it pleases in regard to civil criminal activity, above the law, and above the clouds in their minds, wreaking emotional and physical damage on innocent people. Just how christ-like is that?

Inaugural Invocator & Oklahoma's Senior Senator Involved in Uganda's Final Solution

Guernica by Picasso, painted in response to the bombing of the Spanish town of the same name by Fascists during the Spanish Civil War




Rick Warren, the invocater at Obama's inauguration, calls Uganda which is considering its own final solution to end its leaders's problem with gay people, a "purpose-driven nation".

Oklahoma's senior senator, Jim Inhofe, refuses to comment on the Uganda Parliament's final solution even as his membership in the "C" Street Family shows extensive missionary-like support for Uganda for years, at least since 1986.

History has shown that the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s was a laboratory for new war-making techniques such as the use of airplanes and bombing being developed by the Nazis. Is Uganda going to be the white man's farm team for developing public tolerance of the twisted use of the legal process to create "legal" discrimination?

Rachel Maddow has the latest lowdown on this extended threat to
gay people in Africa. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/34214774#34214774



Inhofe is up to his neck in what seems to me to be influence retailing.

A news article appearing in the Oklahoman on Dec. 21, 2008, said that Inhofe had made at least 20 trips to Africa. Yet seven months prior to that story Inhofe revealed he’d just made his 97th visit to Africa. As his trips began in 1999, that averages out over the then 9-yr-period to a visit every five to six weeks instead of the twice a year trips the newspaper claims. There are other notations easily found where Inhofe recites the 97th visit claim in April 2008, so it’s unknown how the Oklahoman was so far off in their count. As Inhofe readily admits his travels to Africa are funded by American taxpayers, questions arise on the total cost of 96 such trips. The Oklahoman interviewed Inhofe for the report, so it seems odd that they would’ve gotten the number of trips and their costs so far off.

http://smack.gossip-boy.com/2009/12/01/has-sen-jim-inhofe-found-a-new-way-to-make-aids-a-death-sentence.aspx

-------------