I continue to improve gradually, and figure to be back by the weekend. I’m running late, because I overslept (a good thing).
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:17 (average 4:44). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From NY Times: As the Supreme Court on Tuesday weighed the momentous question of whether gay and lesbian couples have a constitutional right to marry, six justices questioned whether the case, arising from a California ban on same-sex marriages, was properly before the court and indicated that they might vote to dismiss it.
“I just wonder if the case was properly granted,” said Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, who probably holds the decisive vote, in a comment that showed a court torn over whether this was the right time and right case for a decision on a fast-moving social issue.
If SCOTUS dismiss the case on standing, I cannot disagree, because, at the time the California AG opted not to challenge the decision from the 9th Court of Appeals, that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional, I argued that she alone had the standing to challenge it. I think it most possible that they will do just that, making gay marriage legal in California, for now, without addressing the matter in other states. I would prefer SCOTUS to decide the case properly on its Constitutional merits that the right to marry should not be denied to LGBT couples anywhere, but I suspect they will duck out the back door.
From MSNBC: Why Republicans are NOT fiscally conservative.
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Once again, the Republican Party have switched their ‘Jobs, Jobs, Jobs’ bait to the War on Women. They have no money to pay teachers, but lots keep women barefoot and pregnant.
From Think Progress: As the Supreme Court weighs the merits of allowing gay and lesbian Americans the freedom to marry, right-wing anti-equality advocates are cranking the fearmongering up to 11, claiming that a world of marriage equality is one that would functionally ban Christians from practicing their religion.
Two Fox News contributors, independently and in other outlets, made dire predictions along these lines. Todd Starnes, speaking on American Family Radio, argued that “persecution [of Christians] like we have never seen it” had “already started” as a consequence of the marriage equality movement.
Where their argument fails is the implication that their right to practice religion includes the right to deny the rights of others. I’ll say this again: My rights end at the tip of your nose. That said, there is absolutely nothing offensive about the practice of Christianity. I wish I could say the same for Republican Supply-side pseudo-Christianity, but I can’t.
Cartoon:
13 Responses to “Open Thread–3/27/2013”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
3:19 You're better! You fluttered right by me. I must have been smelling the flowers too long.
3:41 I didn't even get my wings open on this puzzle.
3:34 My wings were still wet so I dared not try to catch you.
Looks like TomCat is the TopCat around here!
NY Times ~ SCOTUS ducking out the back door is the most likely scenario. Too many homophobes on the court. People keep arguing that granting the opportunity to marry to gays diminishes the act of marriage because its main objective is procreation. I liked Justice Elena Kagan comment yesterday: "Suppose a state said that, Because we think that the focus of marriage really should be on procreation, we are not going to give marriage licenses anymore to any couple where both people are over the age of 55. Would that be constitutional?".
MSNBC ~ We must remember they think we have plenty of money for the purposes they think are important but none for programs which benefit the most needy in the general populace.
Think Progress ~ Now I know they have their heads up their asses!
Cartoon ~ LOL
Kagan's comments were in an exchange with Prop 8 Defense Attorney, Charles J. Cooper when he claimed that government's protection of "traditional marriage" is in the interest of procreation.
If government's interest is really in procreation, I think they'd be better off distributing Barry White CDs and a bottle of wine.
LOL
Considering that there are 8,000+ new mouths to feed being born every hour (and that's after you deduct the offsetting deaths,) procreation is no longer a survival characteristic. As the world runs out of resources, procreation could come to be viewed as a crime against humanity. We presently fight wars over energy resources; the wars that may very well destroy civilization will be fought over breathable air, potable water and food.
So true my friend. We already see "localised" wars, or should I say "raids" over food and potable water. There will be places that will hoarde, and the least able will die first. It is not difficult to imagine at all, unfortunately.
Just for the record:
One of my goals in life is to live long enough to read Scalia's and Thomas' obituaries. (Alito's would be a bonus)
If we all live to that day, we should have a big party! Here's the party song: "Ding, dong! The wicked wizards are dead!"
I hope we don't have to wait too long for that party.
Puzzle — 3:34 My wings were still wet so I dared not try to catch you.
NY Times — I suppose dismissing the case and relying on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal's ruling that Prop 8 is unconstitutional is a temporary win, but does it not leave the question of marriage equality in California open to attack again? Can California put it into their constitution to further gird marriage equality? It seems to me that the SCOTUS lacks the will to move for the rights of all people, or would that too be classified as being an activist?
I was particularly offended by Scalia's remarks in an exchange that involved Justice Kagan. He was sarcastic, talking to her and over her, rude and ignorant. The man is senile in my opinion and should not be a part of the SCOTUS.
MSNBC — This isn't about rights, this is about unadulterated power. Oil money, it should be used to improve the lives of all state residents. Take these ignorant law makers out behind the oil rig and tar and feather them. This is nothing but an ideological push. I hope this insanity stays south of the 49th.
Think Progress — Why is it that the fanatical right turn everything into a religious debate? Marriage equality in no way bans anyone, including pseudo christians, from practicing their religion. Nobody will be standing infront of their church preventing them from entering. Nobody will be standing over them to ensure they don't pray. Those actions would be interfering with the pseudo christians' ability to practice their religion. They may not agree with marriage equality, but hey, it is a big world. I don't agree with their interpretation of Christianity, but I am not forcing them to recant their beliefs. It seems that every time the fanatical evangelical right-wing nuts are don't know how to accept something, or don't agree with something, when their backs are up against the wall, they pull out the religion card!
Starnes is lamenting that if the SCOTUS rules in favour of marriage equality, then he and all those who oppose marriage equality will become 2nd class citizens. But wait! Isn’t this about the rights of the LGBT community? Isn’t this about ensuring that the LGBT community has the same rights as all other citizens, including Starnes and the AFA? When did this become about the AFA and others like Starnes?
The only reason that Starnes and the AFA feel they will become 2nd class citizens is because they recognise how they have treated members of the LGBT community and their supporters, and they don’t like to be treated that way . . . that is assuming they have the intelligence to recognise the projection for what it is.
I am a liberal Christian and I am proud to stand in solidarity with the LGBT community. Until all have the same freedoms and rights, no one has any freedoms or rights.
Check out some of the stupidity on Right Wing Watch hxxp://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/starnes-and-rios-gay-rights-opponents-second-class-citizens-face-punishment-and-persecution
These people do not make up a majority of people in the US, but in their opinion, they should have all the rights. I say bull shit! The US was NOT founded as a Christian state, let alone a fanatical evangelical pseudo Christian state.
Cartoon — A great picture for my dart board! I bet I get a bull's eye every time!