Posts (page 2)

It almost seems as if the stars aligned last night to give Senator Obama a three contest victory. He won the Primary races in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Senator Obama not only won these elections, but he won by large margins. His stump speech in Wisconsin was inspirational and the other candidates paled in comparison. Senator Obama is proving to be the uniter of the Democratic party, attracting some Republican voters in those cross-over states with open Primaries; this has his opponents from the other party already preparing their negative attacks.

Last night's Democratic Primary results:
DC
Obama - 75%
Clinton - 24%

Maryland
Obama - 60%
Clinton - 37%

Virginia
Obama - 64%
Clinton - 35%

Senator Obama has won 8 consecutive contests and is in the lead with 1,059 pledged delegates to Senator Clinton's 956. According to CNN, Senator Obama won across most demographic groups. In Virginia and Maryland, Senator Obama won 60% of the female vote. This group had been supporting Senator Clinton in other Primary contests. It could be that there is a general shift toward Senator Obama or it could be just one of those phenomenon unique to this area. Either way, Senator Obama is proving to be a formidable candidate.

One thing is for sure, Senator Obama is successfully reaching a small group of Republicans. Some states allow for voters to cast votes in the other party's Primary election. This is proving beneficial to Senator Obama as he attracts unlikely supporters with his inclusive message to all Americans. There is much anecdotal evidence of Republicans crossing-over to support Senator Obama in open Primary contests.

Last night Senator Obama was in Wisconsin to begin campaigning there before next week's election. He gave one of his awe-inspiring speeches, again speaking of one America. He offered hope to those feeling disenfranchised. He took on the old Republican establishment, and challenged their justification of the Iraq war. Just after Senator Obama concluded his address, the cable networks cut to Senator McCain's speech.

While Senator Obama delivered hope to thousands of energized supporters, McCain took his stale message to mere hundreds. McCain was uninspired and looked old and tired. He had Senator John Warner standing behind him along with other elderly white men. The contrasts between the two images of Senator Obama and Senator McCain were very noticeable. McCain's flat speech and tiresome fear-mongering clearly represented what America is ready to leave behind -- the "old" establishment (pun intended). It appeared as if McCain was hardly moved by his own words. It sounded like the usual rhetoric, nothing new, only emptiness.

Although McCain hardly appeared capable of taking on a fall challenge, don't be fooled; Obama supporters should beware. If Senator Obama wins the Democratic Party nomination, attacks from the other side will begin. There was already a hint of that last night in Senator McCain's speech. His opponents are ready to call him weak and inexperienced in an effort to win the General election. They will use fear to their advantage just like President Bush did to win his second term. They are ready to suggest that with Senator Obama in The White House, America will not be safe.

The only way the Republican Party will win against Obama in November, is if they can be successful in getting enough voters to buy into their false attacks. President Bush just said, the other day, that Senator Obama spoke of embracing Ahmadinejad of Iran. Of course, Senator Obama never said that, but the Republican spin machine is already twisting his words. Don't buy it -- not one word of it. If you support Senator Obama now, stick with him if he gets to the General election. If you are not yet convinced, consider joining the movement. He will bring positive change to America. Yes we can!

Broward County, home of Fort Lauderdale, a large gay tourist destination, passed an amendment this afternoon to include gender identity in its human rights ordinance. Broward County is now one of only a dozen municipalities in the state of Florida to have banned discrimination based on gender identity.

The amendment provides for workplace and housing protections, as well as public accommodations for transgendered people. It also makes harassment illegal, against gay or straight people that do not fit traditional stereotypes.

Just as Florida begins to grapple with a November ballot initiative against gay marriage or unions, Broward County proves to be a progressive pocket in the state. Congratulations to the fair-minded commissioners who were part of this movement and also to the citizens of Broward County.

This video on American-Iranian relations was posted yesterday at Huffington Post. It's a brief history of our two countries and shows how America actually derailed Democracy in Iran many decades ago.

America has a chance, at this point in history, to choose a President that can use diplomacy toward making peace, not just with Iran but with all American enemies. The candidate best likely to achieve peace through diplomacy is Senator Obama. Let's become the peacekeepers, not the aggressors. Elect Senator Obama.

Senator Barack Obama swept the weekend Caucuses and Primaries with wins in Louisiana, Nebraska, Washington, Maine and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Senator also took home a Grammy Award for a recording of his book "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream".

According to CNN, Senator Obama now has 986 pledged delegates to Senator Clinton's 924. Although Senator Obama has the lead with pledged delegates, Senator Clinton has a slight edge over her opponent when you figure in the super delegates; that score is Clinton with 1,148 to Obama's 1,121.

It's still anyone's race on the Democratic side but Senator Obama is expected to do well in the Potomac Primaries tomorrow which includes Maryland, District of Columbia, and Virginia. Here's to you Senator Obama. Good luck.

New postings, so far, this week include:
1.) Pro-Gay-Marriage Film Producer Interviewed on Conservative Talk Radio - Charlotte Robinson, Emmy Award winning producer, was interviewed on conservative talk-radio about her new short film on gay-marriage. It was a productive exchange. Listen to the full interview here. (Friday Feb 8, 2008)

2.) Cher Making it Official - Cher made the official announcement about her new three-year act at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. (Friday Feb 8, 2008)

3.) "Jihadists Don't Believe in Human Equality" - During Mitt Romney's concession speech at CPAC, he insulted those seeking gay rights and then in his next breath, warned of how jihadists don't believe in human equality. Nice contradiction. (Thursday Feb 7, 2008)

4.) Mitt Romney to Quit Presidential Race - Mitt Romney announced that he is dropping out of the Presidential race, leaving Senator McCain and Mike Huckabee to fight for Republican votes.(Thursday Feb 7, 2008)

5.) One Step Forward, Two Steps Back - Although some advances are being made for gay rights, they aren't going far enough. Find out what developments are occurring in Oregon, New York and Florida. (Thursday Feb 7, 2008)

6.) It Ain't Over. . . - The results from Super Tuesday are in and the race for the Democrats goes on, while Senator John McCain emerges as the Republican front-runner. I explain why Senator Obama is the Democrats best choice for the party nomination. (Wednesday Feb 6, 2008)

7.) Hillary Clinton's Message for LGBT Americans - Senator Clinton released a statement on her commitment to the LGBT community. (Tuesday Feb 5, 2008)

8.) Political Headline News Today - 2/5/08 - A summary of current political headline news. (Tuesday Feb 5, 2008)

9.) Fiscal Conservatives, Really? - President Bush sets a new record for spending as his 2009 budget is released, calling into question his party's fiscal responsibility. (Monday Feb 4, 2008)

10.) Stolen Pleasures - A music video of the Pet Shop Boys' remake of a classic U2 song. Brings me back to the day. (Monday Feb 4, 2008)

11.) Religion & Politics: A Match Made In Heaven? (reposted from Sept. 07) - I reposted an article I wrote back in September of 2007 explaining how religious organizations lobby Congress against gay rights. I try to clearly explain why gay marriage is so important for legal protection. (Monday Feb 4, 2008)

12.) Floridians will Decide on Gay Marriage Ban - An anti-gay marriage group collected enough signatures to get an anti-gay marriage amendment on Florida's November ballot. Please vote "no" and spread the word to your family and friends. (Monday Feb 4, 2008)

Please link to the above stories by clicking on their respective titles. Feel free to look around at other postings you might have missed before as well.

Blog: http://www.purposequest.blogspot.com/

 

 

Charlotte Robinson, gay-marriage activist and Emmy Award winning producer and director, formerly of CBS and ABC news, discusses her new pro-gay-marriage film with conservative talk show host, Tom Fredriksen of Old Glory Radio. Charlotte's short film, can be seen at OUTTAKEonline.com.

The radio interview aired yesterday, February 7, 2008. It was rather civil and productive, with host Tom Fredriksen allowing Charlotte to educate his conservative listeners on the topic of gay-marriage. If you haven't already listened to the interview, click on the podcast player above. It is a surprisingly comfortable exchange.

Click on the podcast player below, to hear listener reaction to yesterday's interview with Charlotte Robinson. I must say, the host, Tom Fredriksen was very impressive.

Just as I reported in late January in my post, Cher to come out of Retirement, Cher has finally confirmed publicly that she will indeed be one of the headline acts at Caesars Palace.

It promises to be bigger and better than ever before. "I started in Vegas at Caesars, so I've come full circle," she said. "I'm back, and I plan to give my fans the best experience yet. I think everybody knows I only do things in a big way."

She has agreed to start her new show on May 6, 2008. Cher will be performing 200 shows over a three year time-period. Ticket prices will range from $95 to $250.

We only have three more years until we say "goodbye" again. You better get your tickets now.

During Mitt Romney's concession speech to CPAC, Conservative Political Action Conference, he took a huge swipe at "activist judges" and those seeking gay rights.

He also was inducted into my Halls of Hypocrisy, by stating that "jihadists don't believe in human equality". That's very funny, because Mitt Romney and conservative Republicans don't either. How hypocritical.

Thank God he's dropping out. Buh, bye!

As being reported by both CNN and MSNBC news, Mitt Romney is dropping out of the Presidential race.

On the GOP side, this leaves two candidates, Senator John McCain and Mike Huckabee. It looks like Senator John McCain will eventually become the Republican nominee, however, it would be a frightening thought imagining the possibility of Mike Huckabee emerging, by some divine providence, and becoming our next President.

Either way, we need to mobilize and unite to defeat any possibility of Senator John McCain or Mike Huckabee from becoming our next President.

As our country continues to be divided about extending equal rights to its gay citizens, individual states are attempting to figure out where they stand on the issue. As one state progresses forward, another sinks deeper into the abyss of the dark ages.

Oregon was the latest to offer some type of protection for its gay community. The state finally extended a domestic partnership law after it was held up in court for a short period of time. Just this Monday, same-sex couples were able to legally apply for domestic partnership. This move provides gay couples with many of the responsibilities and benefits of marriage, but not all.

How can anyone reconcile that in their hearts and in their heads? Yes, it's a step in the right direction but the new law does not treat gay people as equal. Why only provide for some of the duties and protections of marriage, and not all? The mind-set in that logic is blatantly discriminatory.

Meanwhile, New York's appellate court decided it must recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages as equal to its recognition of heterosexual marriages. A court challenge, by a Canadian lesbian couple, led to this ruling. The lawsuit began when one of the women was denied health care benefits by her partner's employer. Because the two had entered into a civil union in the state of Vermont many years earlier, the court ruled they must be treated as any married couple.

The New York Times reported that the court concluded that gay marriages meet the state's "marriage recognition rule". The court said, “In our view, the Court of Appeals thereby indicated that the recognition of plaintiff’s marriage is not against the public policy of New York.”

Again this is a step in the right direction, but when and how does this ruling begin to apply to the other thousands of gay couples in the state? Of all states, New York has been slow to move on this issue; in the greater context of things this doesn't make too much sense. I'm confident, however, that it will only be a matter of time until the state makes things right, but it should have led the movement, not followed.

And now, as I've pointed out several times recently, Florida is on the verge of going in the opposite direction. This November the state will vote on whether to ban all forms of gay marriages and unions. The gay community needs its state representatives to lead on this issue. It has been rumored that Florida Governor, Charlie Crist, is against this proposed measure. If that is the case, then will he stand up for us? He is a very popular Governor with about 70% approval. He and others should speak out against the proposed amendment.

It can be defeated but only if we work to defeat it. The most important thing you can do as a Florida voter is to VOTE! And, don't forget to spread the word to your family, friends, and neighbors.

You can also join the fight by checking out and joining these organizations: Fairness For All Families, Equality Florida, and Human Rights Campaign Fund