Here is a very recent article from the Associated Press about the NYS stance on gay marriage, this is fantastic!
- "SAN FRANCISCO - As California set a date for gay couples to begin getting married in the state, it was revealed Wednesday that New York's governor has ordered state agencies to begin recognizing gay marriages performed in states and countries where they're legal.
Same-sex marriages legally performed elsewhere would be recognized in New York in response to a state court ruling this year, Gov. David Paterson's spokeswoman said Wednesday." from msnbc
- "The appellate judges determined that there is no legal impediment in New York to the recognition of a same-sex marriage. The state Legislature "may decide to prohibit the recognition of same-sex marriages solemnized abroad," the ruling said. "Until it does so, however, such marriages are entitled to recognition in New York." Massachusetts is currently the only U.S. state that recognizes same-sex marriage, but its residency requirements would bar New Yorkers from marrying there.
New York residents could instead flock to California, where gay couples will be able to wed beginning June 17 — unless that state's Supreme Court decides to stay its own ruling. Upon their return home, in the eyes of the state, their unions would be no different from those of their heterosexual neighbors. Gay couples could also travel outside the country to marry in Canada, for example." click here for article
18 May 2008
gay marriage bans overturning, YAY!
First Massachusetts 2 years ago, then New York to follow, and now California?!? Damn, I left America just as things are getting better! Need any more proof that the Coasts are where it's at, and the Fly-over states suck it?
May 17 is International Day Against Homophobia, a world-wide rally. Please wear either red or rainbow in support of it. The recent court cases:
Martinez v. County of Monroe.
New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, 2008. The court ruled unanimously that because New York legally recognizes out-of-state marriages of opposite-sex couples, it must do the same for same-sex couples. The county is seeking leave to appeal the decision.
In re Marriage Cases
California Supreme Court, 2008. The court ruled 4-3 that limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples is invalid under the equal protection clause of the California Constitution, and that full marriage rights, not merely domestic partnership, must be offered to same-sex couples.
May 17 is International Day Against Homophobia, a world-wide rally. Please wear either red or rainbow in support of it. The recent court cases:
Martinez v. County of Monroe.
New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, 2008. The court ruled unanimously that because New York legally recognizes out-of-state marriages of opposite-sex couples, it must do the same for same-sex couples. The county is seeking leave to appeal the decision.
In re Marriage Cases
California Supreme Court, 2008. The court ruled 4-3 that limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples is invalid under the equal protection clause of the California Constitution, and that full marriage rights, not merely domestic partnership, must be offered to same-sex couples.
01 May 2008
Wear red for International Workers' Day today!
"May 1st, International Workers' Day, commemorates the historic struggle of working people throughout the world, and is recognized in every country except the United States and Canada. This despite the fact that the holiday began in the 1880s in the United States, with the fight for an eight-hour work day... It is not surprising that the state, business leaders, mainstream union officials, and the media would want to hide the true history of May Day, portraying it as a holiday celebrated only in Moscow's Red Square. In its attempt to erase the history and significance of May Day, the United States government declared May 1st to be "Law Day", and gave us instead Labor Day a holiday devoid of any historical significance other than its importance as a day to swill beer and sit in traffic jams... By covering up the history of May Day, the state, business, mainstream unions and the media have covered up an entire legacy of dissent in this country. They are terrified of what a similarly militant and organized movement could accomplish today, and they suppress the seeds of such organization whenever and wherever they can. As workers, we must recognize and commemorate May Day not only for its historical significance, but also as a time to organize around issues of vital importance to working-class people today."
18 April 2008
Voices against an Olympic boycott...
Two people I respect immensely, Fareed Zakaria and HH the Dalai Lama, on reasons NOT to boycott the Beijing Olympic games -- let me know what you think? Zakaria may be right that a boycott of the opening ceremonies, and not the Games overall, would be more effective. Others have pointed out this is unfair to the athletes, that punishing them does nothing constructive. I say Yes and No to that -- athletes are grossly over-paid, over-worshipped and over-congratulated in our society, so why do they need a multi-billion dollar celebrations of their accomplishments? It's the same way I feel about the Oscars, a bunch of overblown, self-congratulatory bullshit. There will just be more doping and corruption scandals anyways, so don't tell me it's about harmony between nations. Why don't teachers get an Olympics, people who actually help the world and deserve a parade? Sure, these world-class athletes have talent, dedication and drive, working on their craft; but so do all my friends in the arts, and for them, perfecting their craft is reward in itself. I went to one of the best universities on the planet, and none of my professors are being celebrated for their contributions to humanity. Why can't you just be an amazing long-jumper and go quietly about your business, why bring super duper ego into it?
Anyways, I am deeply contemplating what FZ and HHDL have to say, regarding my position about boycotting, so read the whole articles from the website, what do you think?
Don’t Feed China’s Nationalism
Public humiliation does not work nearly as well on the regime in Beijing as private pressure. Fareed Zakaria
“At first glance, China's recent crackdown in Tibet looks like a familiar storyline: a dictatorship represses its people. And of course that's part of the reality—as it often is in China. But on this issue, the communist regime is not in opposition to its people. The vast majority of Chinese have little sympathy for the Tibetan cause. To the extent that we can gauge public opinion in China and among its diaspora, ordinary Chinese are, if anything, critical of the Beijing government for being too easy on the Tibetans. The real struggle here is between a nationalist majority and an ethnic and religious minority looking to secure its rights.
In these circumstances, a boycott of the Olympics would have precisely the opposite effect that is intended. The regime in Beijing would become only more defensive and stubborn. The Chinese people would rally around the flag and see the West as trying to humiliate China in its first international moment of glory. (There are many suspicions that the United States cannot abide the prospect of a rising China.) For most Chinese, the Games are about the world's giving China respect, rather than bolstering the Communist Party's legitimacy…”
SEATTLE — The Dalai Lama said yesterday that he did not support a boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games.
Asked on NBC "Nightly News" whether he wanted the world to boycott the Olympics this summer, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader replied, "No." When the network asked whether he wanted the leaders of the U.S. and other nations to boycott the opening ceremony in support of Tibet and as a statement against China's recent crackdown there, the Dalai Lama replied, "That's up to them."
"It is very important to make clear, not only just the Tibet case, but in China proper" also, he said, adding that the human-rights situation in China is "poor ... very poor." Asked what his message to China was, he said: "My main point is: We are not against you. And I'm not seeking separation."
Anyways, I am deeply contemplating what FZ and HHDL have to say, regarding my position about boycotting, so read the whole articles from the website, what do you think?
Don’t Feed China’s Nationalism
Public humiliation does not work nearly as well on the regime in Beijing as private pressure. Fareed Zakaria
“At first glance, China's recent crackdown in Tibet looks like a familiar storyline: a dictatorship represses its people. And of course that's part of the reality—as it often is in China. But on this issue, the communist regime is not in opposition to its people. The vast majority of Chinese have little sympathy for the Tibetan cause. To the extent that we can gauge public opinion in China and among its diaspora, ordinary Chinese are, if anything, critical of the Beijing government for being too easy on the Tibetans. The real struggle here is between a nationalist majority and an ethnic and religious minority looking to secure its rights.
In these circumstances, a boycott of the Olympics would have precisely the opposite effect that is intended. The regime in Beijing would become only more defensive and stubborn. The Chinese people would rally around the flag and see the West as trying to humiliate China in its first international moment of glory. (There are many suspicions that the United States cannot abide the prospect of a rising China.) For most Chinese, the Games are about the world's giving China respect, rather than bolstering the Communist Party's legitimacy…”
SEATTLE — The Dalai Lama said yesterday that he did not support a boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games.
Asked on NBC "Nightly News" whether he wanted the world to boycott the Olympics this summer, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader replied, "No." When the network asked whether he wanted the leaders of the U.S. and other nations to boycott the opening ceremony in support of Tibet and as a statement against China's recent crackdown there, the Dalai Lama replied, "That's up to them."
"It is very important to make clear, not only just the Tibet case, but in China proper" also, he said, adding that the human-rights situation in China is "poor ... very poor." Asked what his message to China was, he said: "My main point is: We are not against you. And I'm not seeking separation."
Japanese temple refuses to host Olympic torch
Speculation is monks are sympathizing with protesters over Tibet situation
updated 1:06 a.m. ET April 18, 2008
Olympic torch update:
"TOKYO - A major Japanese Buddhist temple withdrew Friday from a plan to host the Beijing Olympics torch relay, citing safety concerns and sympathy among its monks and worshippers for Tibetan protesters facing a Chinese crackdown… An official at the temple’s secretariat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the temple and its worshippers were also concerned about the treatment of fellow Buddhists in Tibet.
'There have been a lot of talk about the Tibet issue and the public opinion is heightening,” she said. “We are Buddhists just like them. We hear words of concern from many people every day.'"
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/24192903/
Speculation is monks are sympathizing with protesters over Tibet situation
updated 1:06 a.m. ET April 18, 2008
Olympic torch update:
"TOKYO - A major Japanese Buddhist temple withdrew Friday from a plan to host the Beijing Olympics torch relay, citing safety concerns and sympathy among its monks and worshippers for Tibetan protesters facing a Chinese crackdown… An official at the temple’s secretariat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the temple and its worshippers were also concerned about the treatment of fellow Buddhists in Tibet.
'There have been a lot of talk about the Tibet issue and the public opinion is heightening,” she said. “We are Buddhists just like them. We hear words of concern from many people every day.'"
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/24192903/
09 April 2008
HUGE delay in blogging, sorry
I have been posting notes pretty steadily the last few months on Facebook and MySpace, but have been totally remiss in laying them out here, on my public blog. So they are a bit out of order, but I have labeled each one with its original composition date. Enjoy!
Please help Tibet today!
(from 10 March 2008)
http://www.march10.org/
One World, One Dream: Free Tibet
March 10th 2008, marks the 49th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising when tens of thousands of Tibetans rose up against China's illegal invasion and occupation of their country. Despite China's best attempts to destroy the Tibetan spirit, Tibetan resistance has continued for nearly half a century inside Tibet and in exile communities worldwide.
This year, with all eyes focused on the Olympics in China, Tibetans and supporters worldwide are protesting the Chinese government's use of the Olympics as a political tool to legitimize its illegal occupation of Tibet.
Join the Global Uprising for Tibet! Help us draw attention to the worsening human rights situation inside Tibet. Help us use the Olympics spotlight to shame and embarrass the Chinese government and show them that until Tibet is free, China will never be never be accepted as a leader on the world stage.
TIBET WILL BE FREE
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