Archive for the ‘Politics’ Category

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Goodbye DOMA, Don’t Let the Door Hit You in the Ass on the Way Out


24 Feb

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Posted in Discrimination, Gay Marriage, Politics | Comments Off

Wednesday morning, President Obama, acting on the advice of the Attorney General, decided that discrimination based on sexual orientation should be presumed unconstitutional. This created a snowball effect which as the Department of Justice concluding that the “Defense of Marriage” Act is also unconstitutional and an illegal law.

I am going to let that sink in for a moment. DOMA = unconstitutional

Repealing DOMA means that all states would have to recognize all marriages from other states. It means a couple from Utah can get married in Massachusetts, and Utah has to accept the marriage, even if they’re both men.

Local Politics


23 Feb

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Posted in Politics | Comments Off

I was talking with a friend a few weeks ago when she mentioned that she knew more about international politics than local politics. I said I was lucky in that after writing to me local state representative, I’m on his mailing list, so I get regular newsletters. I’m also subscribed to his Facebook feed. It makes keeping up to date easier.

Given what’s happening in MA, with a county defunding Head Start, we’re being reminded that caring about what happens on the international and national stages is good, but we also really need to pay attention to our own backyards.

 

South Dakota Says Its Okay to Murder Medical Personnel


19 Feb

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Posted in Discrimination, Healthcare, Politics | Comments Off

Self defense laws already give us the right to kill to protect ourselves and our loved ones in cases of imminent danger.

So the purpose of this new South Dakota law? To give my brother the right to kill the MD who will provide my abortion, my ex the right to kill a volunteer at a clinic. That’s it.

Until we find a way for men to be pregnant, for their health to be at risk, they should have no say in whether or not I get an abortion. And they certainly shouldn’t have the right to kill medical providers.

My Democracy Problem


13 Feb

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Posted in International Politics, Politics | Comments Off

I have not written about Egypt here, or Tunisia, which may seem strange considering I write about Lebanon. I wish the people of Tunisia and Egypt the best and truly do hope they will be able to form working democratic governments that can be an example to the rest of Africa and the Middle East.

But, at least in Egypt’s case, I am afraid that their democracy will be 51% of the people enslaving 49% of the people. I see hope in Lebanon because they have 3 strong factions to balance. In Egypt, right or wrong, I see another Iran.

Giving Minors Access to Birth Control


10 Feb

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Posted in Healthcare, Politics | Comments Off

Planned Parenthood is currently being damned for giving girls who claim to be under the age of consent information about birth control. Legally, they are probably required to do so, regardless of the fact they are there with someone who may be their pimp. (And let’s be honest, real pimps don’t identify themselves to PP counselors.)

In Washington, the age of consent is 16. Privacy rights regarding sexual health begin at 14. Providers can’t refuse care based on age; they are ethically required to give the care and legally required not to disclose it (unless there’s actual evidence of abuse).

Full Faith and Credit


31 Jan

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Posted in Discrimination, Gay Marriage, Politics | Comments Off

One of the reasons the Articles of Confederation failed was that states did not have to recognize the laws of other states.

The Full Faith and Credit clause in the Constitution was tested multiple times, most famously with the Dred Scott case, where it was ruled a free state had to give full faith and credit to the laws of a slave state. And that was a good thing.

Gay marriage and adoption, legalized marijuana- states still want to ignore the laws of other states. But we have Full Faith and Credit. Its time state governments were reminded of that.

I Heart the Constitution


29 Jan

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Posted in Politics | 1 Comment »

I love the Constitution, every word and 2/3s. I love the Federalist Papers, and I even love the Articles of Confederations. Why? Because they aren’t perfect. Because nothing and no one is perfect.

So our founding fathers struggled, and their successors struggled, and have continued to struggle, to this very day. We grow, we adapt, and our government changes! But we don’t throw out the old, we keep it; we keep it for everyone to see. We keep it, because our government is based on a solid principal, the goal of forming “a more perfect union”, and we’re getting there.

Lebanon’s Day of Rage


26 Jan

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Posted in International Politics, Politics | Comments Off

I’m going to keep coming back to Lebanon. The people are upset about where the government is going, and there may even be a rival government forming. I would normally say that I don’t condone violence, but if democracy has ever had a peaceful birth, I’m not aware of it.

When the people are willing to fight and die to found their government, that’s when a democracy or republic can actually work, because the people are invested. They say birth is a beautiful thing. If you want to see democracy born in the Middle East, keep your eyes on Lebanon.

Lebanon’s Parliamentary Collapse


17 Jan

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Posted in International Politics, Politics | Comments Off

Democracy can only take hold when the people are willing to fight and die for it. In no case has a successful democracy ever been installed by an outside power. In 2005/2006, if you would have asked me about democracy in the Middle East, I would have to you we should forget Iraq; we should put our support toward Lebanon.

The Lebanese were kicking out Syria. They were fighting for a voice. They established their own Parliament. And now it’s fallen apart. This is the real Middle Eastern experiment in representative government.  Watch carefully, the future may depend on it.

Casting Blame


12 Jan

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Posted in Dungeons & Dragons, Music, Politics, Religion, Role Playing Games | Comments Off

I don’t like the phrase “Don’t retreat, reload.” I don’t think our political leaders, or wanna be political leaders, should encourage violence. Yes, there was violence in out country’s founding, but we have moved away from that. But sadly, this is not uncommon, on either side of the aisle.

However, I should know better than to blame violent acts on rhetoric. As a gamer, as someone who has read the Chick tracts, I know better. D&D, heavy metal music and GTA do not make people commit violent crimes. Neither did Sarah Palin’s words. That responsibility lies solely with the shooter.

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