Lame Duck Session = Great

There are several great lameduck compromises that actually show why this session isn't so bad after all.  These are a big bipartisan wins for Obama.

DADT - I'm very happy to report that the military's policy of discrimination against gays is over.  Don't ask Don't Tell is history, although actually changing the minute policies will take some amount of time.

Tax Cuts - This saves most American families thousands a year

START - We need to get rid of nukes.

DADT + Obama + Log Cabin Republicans = Mess

The military's stupid policy of Don't Ask Don't Tell, which prohibits openly gay members from serving is causing a mess in its final death throes.

The Log Cabin Republicans, a gay group, filed suit against the policy.  A federal judge so far has indicated they agree.  However, President Obama's administration, which says they want to eventually overturn this policy, apparently are angry its being done by judges instead of their impotent congress.  So Obama actually asked that the policy be enforced again.

However, the policy had actually been ruled illegal for a week.  So for 1 week, it was legal for openly gay members to enlist.

Like I said, a mess.  A mess we should never have, since all other countries don't have this type of policy.  Countries such as Britain, Israel, and Canada already allow gay members to serve.  What is holding us back?

CA Proposition 8 Struck Down

Unfortunately the fight will continue.  But for now, same sex marriage is quasi legal again in California.  Key phrase in the ruling, which I wholeheartedly agree with:

"Race restrictions on marital partners were once common in most states but are now seen as archaic, shameful or even bizarre," he added. "Gender no longer forms an essential part of marriage; marriage under law is a union of equals."

My America does not discriminate, whether it is on race, gender, or sexual orientation.  It is important that the Supreme Court rule that way, but I do fear that they may not.  However, for any Plessy v. Ferguson, there is a Brown v. Board of Education.  It can just take a few decades.

The tide will turn, eventually

It looks as though equality will lose in Maine, even though it is currently too close to call. What I'm talking about, is that gay marriage will be again illegal per voters. I'm one for a democracy, but I agree with many that there are some decisions that are too important to be left up to voters. Examples include our entire bill of rights (like the 1st and 2nd amendments) and decisions like gay marriage. Why should 50% of the people to tell 10% of the people how to live, when the 10% do not affect the 50%? Conservatives may decry "activist judges" but these are the same types of actions that are applauded whenever they favor gun rights, which has not always been in such high regard as it is now.

Regardless of what happens in Maine, I think we could be within 10-15 years of nationwide recognition of these marriages. And if you believe Jacob Weisberg, we'll be able to celebrate it by smoking a legal joint.

Obama: I will end Don't Ask

Today President Obama renewed his committment to ending one of the most stupid government policies: Don't Ask Don't Tell. We have lost thousands of qualified soldiers because they happen to be gay, at a time when we need highly skilled translators and personnel. It is time to stop throwing away our military like this.

"Gayby Boom"

Interesting article over at CNN of the children raised by gay parents. Interestingly enough, one of them has become a hardcore conservative, albeit one that completely supports gay marriage.

This is just more evidence against those who argue that gay men and women should not be able to adopt or raise children.

Movie Review: Milk

Milk is a great film about Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician in America and possibly the world.  He and the mayor of San Francisco were assassinated in city hall, so as would be expected, this film shows his rise to power and early death. 

It is also a movie that delves into the gay rights movement of the late 70's, and it is sad that things have not changed very much since then.  There are still many ignorant, and bigoted people out there who possess the same backwards views that existed in the time of Harvey Milk.  These are the same assholes that brought us prop 8.  In one scene of the movie, they are discussing how the Nazis took away gay rights in the 30's, and people across the US did it again in the 70s, when anti-discrimination laws were struck down.  

Unfortunately this has happened a lot this decade, with anti gay marriage ballots passing due to the same ignorant people, or perhaps their ignorant children, who fought against Milk.

Regardless of the politics involved, this is a truly great film, and definitely in the top 10 of 2008.